Klickitat County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – Meeting of Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Chairman Ray Thayer called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. Commissioners present: David M. Sauter, Rex F. Johnston and Ray Thayer.

Workshop Session Agenda

10:00 AM – Public Works Department Update

Attendance: Assistant County Engineer Jeff Hunter.

Assistant County Engineer Jeff Hunter provided a review of Consent Agenda items and a construction program and road maintenance update. Mr. Hunter advised that due to road damage load restrictions have been put in place in the Snowden area.

Mr. Hunter provided a brief review of facilities projects, noting that the consultant responsible for the new dispatch center design has been given notice to proceed.

Mr. Hunter reported that Public Works is working on updating the County’s emergency response plan.

The Board had a brief discussion concerning a right-of-way easement through the County’s Rattlesnake Quarry for the Big Eddy-Knight Transmission line project, with Mr. Hunter noting that Public Works will be meeting of the right-of-way agent Thursday March 1 to discuss the matter.

Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman: Radio Project status update

10:45 AM – Department Update

Attendance: Administrative Services Director Glen Chipman and Assistant County Engineer Jeff Hunter.

Director Chipman provided a brief update on the land use permit and contract for the Arlington tower site and a brief overview of the most recent Public Safety Advisory Board meeting.

Director Chipman advised that Public Works Director Gordon Kelsey and Personnel Manager Randi Post have been working on a job description for the new position which will oversee the county wide radio system and emergency management.

There was a discussion concerning the Emergency Management Executive Board, with Director Chipman indicating that the Interlocal Agreement with the County and the three (3) incorporated cities will need to be amended to include the dispatch center.

Auditor Brenda Sorensen: Department Update

11:00 AM – Elected Officials Report

Attendance: Auditor Brenda Sorensen

Auditor Brenda Sorensen provided an elections update, noting that of the five school districts who ran levy propositions, only Lyle failed. Lyle School District has indicated that they will run their levy again in April.

Auditor Sorensen indicated that once signed grant contracts have been received from the State she will be moving forward with the purchase and installation of remote ballot boxes in Roosevelt, Wishram and a replacement box for White Salmon.

Auditor Sorensen reported that interviews have been completed and pending the outcome of a background check a job offer will be extended today to fill the DOL (Department of Licensing) position.

Rob Swedo, Bonneville Power Administration Regional Relations, and Manuel Jaramillo, Project Manager (Big Eddy-Knight Transmission project) relative to county road issues and also to gain feed back on any other issues and/or concerns from the county perspective regarding the project.

11:15 AM - Miscellaneous Reports/Comments

Attendance: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) representatives: Rob Swedo, Regional Relations and Manuel Jaramillo, Project Manager for the Big Eddy-Knight Transmission Project, Assistant County Engineer Jeff Hunter, Economic Development/Natural Resources Director Dave McClure, Economic Development Business Retention Specialist Denny Newell and Planning Director Curt Dreyer. There were two (2) members of the public present.

Manuel Jaramillo, BPA Project Manager for the Big Eddy-Knight Transmission Project provided a project update. Mr. Jaramillo reported that road haul agreements had been executed with both of BPA’s contractors. Currently work has been limited by winter conditions but by late spring work will begin on tower access roads with steel towers scheduled to be erected in September.

Assistant County Engineer Jeff Hunter asked about permitting of the rock quarry where the BPA contractor has been crushing rock for the project. Mr. Jaramillo noted that permitting is through DNR.

A discussion concerning BPA’s 1.87 million dollar settlement agreement with Friends of the Columbia Gorge followed, with Commissioner Johnston asking how BPA could hand out that amount of money when right-of-way agents have been so tight fisted with the property owners that are being affected by the transmission line.

Mr. Jaramillo provided an overview of the settlement agreement which addressed Friends concerns about the potential effect of the project on the scenic and natural resources of the Columbia River Gorge. Funds from the settlement agreement are to be used for land acquisitions within the National Scenic Area (NSA), removal or restoration of existing visually discordant features within the NSA, and/or underground burial of existing overhead utility lines within the NSA.

Mr. Jaramillo stated that BPA felt that the settlement agreement was in the best interest of the project and would avoid any potential delays.

The Board expressed concern over BPA’s unresponsiveness to comments and concerns that were expressed by the County concerning the transmission line project. Commissioner Sauter stated that project proposals for use of the BPA funds submitted by Friends will be taking place in the County and as the legislative authority the Board would like to comment and be included on the proposal process for use of the BPA funds.

Following further discussion, Mr. Jaramillo advised that BPA will be meeting with the landowners affected by the project to discuss a pilot program in addition to the fair market value compensation offered for right-of-way easements.

The Board held a discussion concerning BPA’s offer for a right-of-way easement through the County’s Rattlesnake Quarry, with Commissioner Thayer advising that there is approximately 200,000 tons of rock left in the quarry to be mined. If blasting is prohibited the County will need to be reimbursed for the un-mined rock.

Mr. Jaramillo noted that BPA is considering all possible options.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Chairman Ray Thayer reconvened the meeting at 1:00 PM. Commissioners present: Rex F. Johnston, David Sauter and Ray Thayer.

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Sauter, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): the Business Agenda as presented.

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approval of Meeting Minutes

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Approved (M/Sauter, S/Johnston. Passed unanimously): the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for February 14, 2012 as presented.

Citizen Comment

No one was present to offer citizen comment.

Consent Agenda

Approved (M/Johnston, S/Sauter. Passed unanimously): the Consent Agenda.

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1) Resolution No. 02512 in the matter of NOT authorizing the Code Compliance Officer to commence proceedings to cause the abatement of a nuisance on Parcel No. 02-13-2855-0206/00 – Randy A. & Jennifer L. Goulart as the nuisance no longer exists.

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2) Letter and Resolution No. 02612 in the matter of re-appointing Deborah Turner to serve as a member on the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport Board. The appointment will be to an unexpired three (3) year term, effective February 21, 2012, expiring December 31, 2014.

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3) Grant Agreement F-11-31103-020 (C03712) between Klickitat County (Prosecutor’s Office) and the Washington State Department of Commerce through the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy, Community Services and Housing Division for the purpose of providing $15,523.00 in funding to support grant activities funded through the FFY2011 STOP Violence Against Women, effective January 1, 2012 and ending December 31, 2012.

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4) Resolution No. 02712 in the matter of scheduling a public hearing to be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 1:30 PM to provide information related to Community Development Block Grant Funding and to receive public input regarding housing and community development needs in Klickitat County that may result in an application for CDBG funding.

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5) Amendment No. 1 (C03812) to Affordable Housing Funding Assistance Agreement #C07811 between Klickitat County and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation the purpose of which is to carryover $11,572 into the 2012 budget year in support of the Housing and Resource Center Office. Funding under the amended agreement would be effective January 1, 2012.

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6) Memorandum of Understanding (C03912) between Klickitat County (Economic Development Department) and Klickitat School District #402 for the collaborative planning and development of the Klickitat Community Center at the Old Mill Office building for which Klickitat County will submit a Community Development Block Grant application to the Washington State Department of Commerce for funds in an amount up to $1,000,000.00. Klickitat County and Klickitat School District #402 have both agreed to provide in-kind support and cash in the amount of $50,000.00 each to support the renovation of the Old Mill Office building.

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7) Amendment 6 (C04012) to Task Order No. 6 Watershed Plan Implementation Service Agreement (C05309) Water Resource Inventory Area 31 between Klickitat County (Natural Resources) and Aspect Consulting for the purpose of extending the end date from January 31, 2012 to June 30, 2012 and increasing the not to exceed budget from one hundred fifty six thousand two hundred dollars ($156,200) to one hundred sixty six thousand two hundred dollars ($166,200).

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8) Resolution No. 02812 in the matter of revising the organization chart for the Public Health Department to reflect not filling a 0.6 FTE nursing position in Goldendale due to retirement and increasing another 0.6 FTE position currently held by Barbara Kuhlman to full-time (1 FTE), effective March 15, 2012.

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9) Letters and Resolution No. 02912 in the matter of appointments to the Water Resource Inventory Area 30 Planning Unit re-appointing Jim Hill, Martha Blair and Dwayne Person to unexpired three (3) year terms, effective January 1, 2011 and expiring December 31, 2013; And appointing Jeff Martin to an unexpired three (3) year term effective January 1, 2012, expiring December 31, 2014.

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10) Request for authorization of Chairman Signature on U.S. Bank One Credit Card Applications allowing the Public Works Department to acquire three (3) additional Visa Cards.

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11) Notice to contractors and scheduling of a bid opening for 1:30 PM on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, for the 2012 Annual Striping Program R 642-12.

12) Scheduling a public meeting to be held at Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 1:30 PM to consider final approval of subdivision SUB2004-04, Cochran Estates, Phase IIB; Applicant: William Shambo.

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13) Administrative Offer Summaries for the Saxton Bane Road Project, CRP304, between Klickitat County and various landowners for the purchase of required right-of-way as follows:

· Hammett Parcel No. 04-17-1300-0002/00 .58 Acres

· Kennell Parcel No. 04-17-2461-0006/00 .20 Acres

· Underwood Parcel No. 04-17-2461-0005/00 .12 Acres

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14) Work for Hire Agreement (C04112) between Klickitat County (Assessor’s Office) and Dave Loomer to provide software and miscellaneous computer support to improve the quality of annual assessments as requested by the Assessor. Compensation for the services will be at the rate of $50.00 per hour for remote work, effective January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

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15) Small Works Agreement (C04212) between Klickitat County (Public Works Department) and Northside Electrical Inc., to provide Electrical On-Call services as issued by formal task assignment, effective February 9, 2012 through January 30, 2013.

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16) Notice to contractors and scheduling of a bid opening for 1:30 PM on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, for the Insulate Attic HVAC Ducting Pioneer Center Project, N10014 Federal Contract F10-52110-034.

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17) Agreement (C04312) for Digital Data Sharing between Klickitat County and Kenneth P. Royce, Esq. for specific digital data compiled by the Public Works Department to identify fire victims of the Monastery Fire Complex in consideration for $250.00, effective February 21, 2012.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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Approved Warrants (M/Johnston, S/Sauter. Passed unanimously):

Accounts Payable: (#219470 - 219595) for a total of $174,148.33 for the date ending February 21, 2012.

There were no Payroll warrants requiring approval.

Elected Official Report/Update

The Board convened into Executive Session at 2:03 PM with Prosecuting Attorney Lori Hoctor, Personnel Manager Randi Post and Canfield representatives: Frank Andrus (claim adjuster), Brian Christensen (contracted attorney), and Tammy Wiersma (paralegal) in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(l)(i) to discuss pending litigation. It was noted that the Executive Session would last for thirty (30) minutes. At 2:33 PM it was announced that the Executive Session would be extended for ten (10) minutes. At 2:43 PM it was announced that the Executive Session would be extended for five (5) minutes.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 2:48 PM.

The Board had a brief discussion concerning the current insurance pool’s operating policies and procedures and insurance pool options.

Executive Session: Public employee performance issue.

The Board convened into Executive Session at 3:05 PM with Prosecuting Attorney Lori Hoctor, Personnel Manager Randi Post and Sheriff Rick McComas in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) to discuss a disciplinary action of a public employee. It was noted that the Executive Session would last for five (5) minutes.

The Board reconvened back to Regular Session at 3:10 PM.

Adjournment

Approved (M/Johnston, S/Sauter. Passed unanimously): There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:18 PM.

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Reference Document on File

Please Note: The Board of Commissioners’ minutes are action minutes. An audio record is on file as part of the official record and available on Tape #2012-02, Tape Count 176 through 230.