The Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4) met in Regular Session on April 13, 1998, beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, Coupeville, Wa.

Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman, was absent from today’s meeting, other than the Executive Session which began at 1:00 p.m., and returning to open public session at 2:10 p.m. on conclusion of the Executive Session, to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Tom Shaughnessy was present the entire meeting and served as Acting Chair during the time Chairman McDowell was absent. Commissioner Mike Shelton was present the entire meeting other than returning to open public session on conclusion of the Executive Session. Also attending the meeting were Margaret Rosenkranz, Clerk of the Board, and E. Meyer, Admin. Asst.

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board: Voucher (War.) #23780 – 24148 .................................................. $ 611,945.31 .

Carol Benson, Island County Planning Department, was selected as Employee of the Month for March, 1998.

By unanimous motion, the Board appointed Curtis Myron, Oak Harbor, to a position on the Island County Housing Authority fulfilling unexpired term of Linda Earnhart, to December 6, 1998.

Having previously reviewed contracts with the Health Services Director at staff session, the Board by unanimous motion approved the following two health contracts:

National County Government Week has been declared for the week of April 19-25, 1998, and the Governor of the State of Washington proclaimed April 19-25 as County Government Week. By unanimous motion, the Board adopted Resolution #C-40-98 to proclaim the week of April 19-25, 1998, as County Government Week in Island County. [INSERT RESOL]

Having received favorable recommendations from the Island County Sheriff’s Office and the Island County Health Department, the Board by unanimous motion agreed to send recommendations of approval to the Washington State Liquor Control Board for Application to add Class F to the current Class CD Liquor License #071015-4I for LaPaz, 4769 State Highway 525, Clinton, and approving Assumption of Liquor License #369144-4I for Midget Market 3355 Highway 20 N., Oak Harbor.

After presentation and summary by Dick Toft, Human Resources Director, the Board by unanimous motion approved the following Personnel Action Authorizations:

Assessor #027/98 Assessor Trainee #109.02 New Position Eff. 4/13/98

Pub. Def. #026/98 Vol. Asst. GAL Position #1908 Replacement Eff. 6/11/98.

Betty Kemp, Director, GSA, presented a proposed Camano Island animal control contract which had previously been reviewed by the Board, approved by the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Risk Management. Last year NOAH [Northwest Organization for Animal Help] expressed an interest in not contracting for animal control, just shelter. A determination was made that bids were required for the provision of animal control. One bid was received, coming from Dianna Blakely, doing business as Nord Weston Kennels, the contact presented today for approval and signature.

Commissioner Shelton moved approval and signature of the Animal Control Contract for Camano Island between Island County and Dianna Blakely d/b/a Nord Weston Kennels. Motion, seconded by Commissioner Shaughnessy, carried unanimously.

Next, Ms. Kemp presented for the Board’s approval a proposed contract with Camano Veterinary Clinic, Inc. for animal Boarding Services Between Island County and Camano Veterinary Clinic, Inc., the result of the current facility on Camano Island having septic problems, a failed drainfield. This is a temporary six-month contract.

Commissioner Shelton moved approval and signature for Boarding Services Agreement with Camano Veterinary Clinic, Inc. Motion, seconded by Commissioner Shaughnessy, carried unanimously.

The Board by unanimous motion adopted Resolution #C-41-98 directing the Treasurer to sell. tax title property and surplus county property at public auction on May 13, 1998, at 9:00 a.m.

IN THE MATTER OF DIRECTING TREASURER)

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

George Aller, 2637 N. West Beach Road, Oak Harbor, appeared before the Board with the following concerns and proposed recommendations.

1. Place sign as soon as possible on the south side of Joseph Whidbey Park "No Trespassing – Private Property".

Reported continual trespassing for years by people parking cars, vans, horse trailers, overnight campers, etc. at the end of the beach, and walk right next to the bulkhead, peer in houses, spend time on the beach in front of the houses, and people who have been bringing horses from Camano Island running their horses up and down the beach. People bring junk and leave it on the beach, as late as last week car parts and refuse, etc., and there are off-road motorcycles that tear up and down in front of the bulkhead at high tide. There is confusion rests on the part of the people who come here, many are transfers with the Navy and think all the waterfront is public when in fact that is not the case. When noisy, building fires, etc. on the beach in front of homes and asked to leave by property owners, they can and do get quite obstinate. With promotion on the location of this park coming up to Cackle Corner by way of a large sign, he suggested the County place a sign indicating that there is no public property south of the Park and no trespassing. There are one or two homeowners along that strip who do not own the tidelands, and if desired, he was willing to provide that information.

Mr. Aller has called the Sheriff’s Office starting two years’ ago for rules and regulations with respect to this problem, about fires in front of the homes on the beach, and has received four different answers from the County, City and Fire District. There needs to be a definite statement as to what the rules and regulations are with respect to fires on the beach. With July 4^th, there are problems with people who build monstrous bonfires and fire huge illegal fire works.

 

Although Joseph Whidbey is a State Park, as his local elected County officials he asked the Board to do something about this matter and place a sign as requested. When he first became involved with the property there was a sign placed there by a private property owner but that has been torn down and shot at; there needs to be something official. Also like in communications published by the County and State listing where all the parks are that there be some mention about private property to the south of Joseph Whidbey State Park. WSU published a study on the rights of property owners with respect to tidelands some four or five years’ ago and Mr. Aller will try to obtain and give to the Board.

2. All County communications use the word "taxpayer" instead of "county funds" or "county budget"

These are taxpayer funds, not county, state or federal. Using the term "taxpayer" would perhaps cause people to pay more attention to the application of the funding programs and provide officials with input when there is legislative or regulatory activity before the Board - trigger an interesting participation and/or involvement on the part of the people who are paying the taxes. He would like to see more County Commissioner control at the local level [Commissioners now control only 17 cents of each tax dollar].

3. Property Taxes – how are the moneys allocated?

People continually ask about the break-out on their property taxes and how the moneys are allocated and what the actual percentage is of the tax base that residential property owners in Island County represent versus total population utilizing public facilities but are not paying any property taxes. There should be a review of possibly having people who rent, lease, or summer visitors pick up the tab for some of the resources needed.

Follow-up:

The Board will ask the County Parks Supervisor to look into this matter and deal with the State Parks, and Mr. Aller will be contacted and kept abreast of any action taking place with respect to sign request. As to the tax issue, Mr. Aller was referred to the Assessor for a copy of the Assessor’s Report which by way of graph shows how each tax dollar is broken out for the 1998 tax year.

Suzanne Sinclair, Island County Auditor, presented to the Board copies of the bids received in response to Request for Bids regarding an official legal newspaper bid from: South Whidbey Record; Coupeville Examiner; and Whidbey News Times.

By unanimous motion, the Board scheduled bid award for April 20, 1998 at 9:50 a.m.

As presented and summarized by Larry Kwarsick, Public Works Director, the Board by unanimous motion approved Professional Services Agreement #PW-972059 between Island County and David Evans & Associates for Natural Lands Plan & Parks & Recreation Plan Update extending time of completion from April 15, 1998 to June 15, 1998.

On unanimous motion of the Board, a public hearing was scheduled for May 4, 1998 at 10:15 a.m. on Ordinance #C-42-98, to amend Island County Code 9.56.010 to include the Greenbank Farms Trail and to replace a prior Kettles Trail map which did not specify the Section, township and Range of the trail.

The Board, on unanimous motion, approved Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with the City of Redmond to allow Island County to purchase from the City of Redmond’s bids and the City of Redmond to purchase from Island County’s. According to Mr. Kwarsick, the City of Redmond at this time desires to purchase from Island County’s Front-end Loader bid awarded in Dec. 97

As presented, the Board by unanimous motion, approved Adopt-A-Road litter control program agreements with the following:

The Board by unanimous motion, approved Resolution #C-43-98 approving plans and specifications, and authorizing call for bids for South Whidbey Family Resource Center, with date set to receive bids on May 7, 1998 by 1:00 p.m. at Auditor office, and opened at 1:30 p.m., Room 6, Human Resources Building, 102 NE 5^th Street, Coupeville. [INSERT C-43-98]

Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

At 10:30 a.m. as advertised, a Public Hearing was held to consider Franchise #153R Renewal – for period of 25 years, Camano Colony Water System, waterlines in East Camano Drive in Sections 13/14/23/24-30N-3E, Camano Island.

Roy L. Allen, P.E., Island County Engineer, summarized from his memorandum to the Board dated March 24, 1998. The renewal application covers an existing water distribution system. The water line is located in a portion of East Camano Drive about 50 feet south of the intersection of East Camano Drive and Tamarack Lane, continuing along East Camano Drive about 2,600 LF. There are no proposal for expansion or upgrades. Other departments requested to comment had no objections to the requested renewal and on that basis, Mr. Allen recommended approval.

Although a comment period was provided, no one in the audience spoke either in favor of or against the proposed franchise renewal.

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Franchise #153R Renewal for Camano Colony Water System.

A Public Hearing was held at 10:45 a.m. as scheduled and advertised, for the purpose of considering Application by Robert S. Fullerton, to reclassify 23.67 acres to Timberland, located at 278 S. Sunrise Boulevard, Camano Island.

Matt Nash, Senior Planner, presented TLC #107/98 from Robert S. Fullerton to place 23.67 acres in the open space timber program. At this point, he corrected errors noted in staff report:

(1) Where the Staff Report indicates there were no comments, Mr. Nash confirmed receipt of questions from one person, and from another individual, concerns about condition of property and that it had not be replanted. Staff visited the property and did find it had been replanted. There is some slash remaining on the property apparently but generally consistent and in compliance with the Forest Practice Regulation.

(2) Correction on page 5 under conditions recommended: there are no Eagle nest sites and this is not an Eagle nest site territory and the language "and consistent with RCW 77.12.655 and WAC 232.12.292, Bald Eagle Protection Rules" should be deleted.

Public comment period provided; no one in the audience spoke either in favor or against the

application at this time.

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Application by Robert S. Fullerton, to reclassify 23.67 acres to Timberland, located at 278 S. Sunrise Boulevard, Camano Island, Parcel No.R33105-220 -0700, with the changes as recommended in Staff Report.

Erika Jensen, Senior Planner, presented Final Site Plan Review SPR #062/93 for Myers-Camano Plaza, Parcels R33231-016-1600, R33231-455-2000, R33231-485-2150, Camano Island. The project was granted conditional preliminary SPR approval December 12, 1994. A one year extension was granted to December 12, 1998. The application was reviewed and all conditions of approval met. County staff recommends final approval. Ms. Jensen did note there were conditions to be met prior to final inspection and occupancy of the structure. Bonds for landscaping, drainage improvements and road improvements have been accepted.

The Board therefore, on unanimous motion, granted Final Site Plan Approval, SPR #062/93 for the Myers Camano Plaza.

The Board met in Executive Session beginning at 1:00 p.m., with all three Commissioners in attendance, as allowed under provisions of RCW 32.42.110 (1) (i) to discuss with legal counsel mater relating to pending and/or potential litigation. The session lasted about one hour, and the Board re-convened at 2:00 p.m. Chairman McDowell made no announcement at this time and noted no action was taken.