The Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4) met in Regular Session on September 21, 1998, beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, Coupeville, Wa. Tom Shaughnessy, Member, and Mike Shelton, Member, were present; Wm. L. McDowell, absent. Minutes from the Board meeting of August 3, 1998 were approved and signed.

Tim McDonald, Health Services Director, reviewed the specific voucher in question. The Healthy Families American Program is a privately sponsored program. The community wants to move forward with the program, which consists of very intensive help for individual families . The voucher was to pay for the cost of seminar for two individuals, Mickie Nolan and Carol McNeil to learn what is called the "California Model". The Health Department agreed to pay for the tuition; other parties agreed to pay for the airplane fare, hotel and meals. He will provide a report on the program, including is partnering with the County and what each is agreeing to.

Mr. McDonald’s understanding of the Unified County Policy is that for approval of out of state travel, department heads are to go to the Board, and staff to their department heads for approval.

The Auditor will bring this issue forward at her Staff Session with the Board, for review of the

Unified County Policy dated 11/23/92 and Policy Statement Reissued dated 12/22/92.

By unanimous motion, the Board reappointed George Lloyd, Coupeville, to the Ebey’s Landing Historical Reserve Trust Board for a four year term to expire on October 1, 2002.

By unanimous motion, the Board appointed two individuals to serve as members on the Island County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Advisory Board, as follows:

Kathy Habel Greenbank 3-year term to July 1, 2001

Suzanne Bond Coupeville 3-year term to July 1, 2001.

By unanimous motion, pursuant to Contract #EM997062-B signed by the Board 9/14/98 with

the State Military Department for E911 implementation, the Board approved and signed the Second Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement between Island County and the Island county Emergency Services Communications Center.

Special Sessions are being added during the week of September 21^st to allow four additional GMA work sessions with staff as follows:

September 22, 23, 24 Noon – 1:00 p.m. Board workshop with staff

No public comments – work session only

September 25 @ 4:00 p.m. Board workshop with staff. No public

comments – work session only

Further, in preparation for the September 28, 1998 final adoption GMA Hearing a special session is being scheduled, if needed, as follows:

September 29 @ 9:30 a.m. Special Session for purposes of public hearing

continuation from September 28, if needed [if all GMA items are not

completed on September 28^th by around 10:00 p.m.]

Betty Kemp, Director, GSA/Risk Management, discussed Claim for Damages #RM 98-19CD by Dennis Sherman, filed on June 10, 1998, alleging damage to reputation and termination of employment. Claimant also alleges termination was in retaliation for criticizing jail activities and non-compliance of procedures. Ms. Kemp advised the Board that an independent investigation had been performed, resulting in the conclusion that Claimant’s allegations were without merit. Her recommendation was that the Board deny the claim.

By unanimous motion, the Board denied the claim for damages as recommended.

Having previously discussed this particular contract during staff session, the Board by unanimous motion approved Contract No. NSRSN-Island 98-01 between the County and North Sound Regional Support Network in the amount of $50,000 for mental health administration development and planning activities in Island County and the Region for the NSRSN.

Larry Kwarsick, Public Works Director, advised that staff have been working with GSA/Risk Management on the issue of repair to Kenworth Dump Truck Equipment #323, damaged as a result of an accident. The other party’s insurance will be paying for the cost of the repairs, but it is important now to get the equipment repaired now. An adjuster will be sent to meet with Kenworth Northwest to negotiate the actual price to be paid by that insurance company but agree the County should go ahead and get the repair work started.

The Board by unanimous motion approved Purchase Order #02018 to purchase from Kenworth Northwest, Inc., repair for Kenworth Dump Truck #323.

Mr. Kwarsick requested Board approval of Contract and acceptance of performance bond for the Kettles Trail Project under CRP 98-05, with Lakeside Industries, the successful bidder to whom the Board awarded bid at a prior meeting.

By unanimous motion the Board approved the Contract and performance bond with Lakeside Industries associated with the Kettles Trial Project, CRP 98-05.

On recommendation of the Public Works Director and Assistance County Engineer, t he Board by unanimous motion approved County Turnback Agreement #TB 1-01113 with Washington State Department of Transportation, SR 532, in the vicinity of Hanstad Road to Smith Road ,

the turnback of County road rights of way at intersections with SR 532.

Commissioner Shelton moved that the Board approve the Drainage and Construction Easement between Island County and the Port of South Whidbey for the Possession Road Slide Repair. Motion, seconded by Commissioner Shaughnessy, carried unanimously.

Treasurer – Current & YTD Cash Report; County Investment Report & Status

Maxine Sauter, Island County Treasurer, reported to the Board with respect to the Treasurer’s Current Expense Report for August, 1998, that revenues were up over budget (68.2%) which she thought due in some respects to revenues received once or twice yearly which causes the overall percent to appear higher at this point. Expenditures are at 75%, an increase over last year at this time of $1,269,450. As far as investments rates are fairly consistent at 5.6% at the lower end, most funds with Washington Federal and InterWest.

John "Jack" V. Leengran, Clinton Ferry Advisory Committee, along with Julia Hodson, Coupeville, Keystone Ferry Advisory Committee, were present to give an Annual Report.

Mr. Leengran was happy to report that the Clinton Ferry Fall schedule includes a 5:10 a.m. departure without having to lose the mid-day ferry. As far as the Clinton dock, work is to begin in October for a three-year reconstruction project which he termed "ugly but necessary". Work will begin on the south side and tear down about half of the dock presently the holding area; #1 slip at the far end of the south side will continue to operate but the holding area will be reduced so 45 cars. Once the ferry is unloaded, the unloading ramps will be used which would allow then 69 cars on the dock. When that is completed, the new slip will be done. There will be a 5 month period the entire slip will be gone. Once that is completed [about 300 days]. Phase 3 is not yet funded which would finish the job probably by 2003. During the work, WSF will have two State Patrol officers on duty at all times during heavy traffic periods. A meeting was held in Clinton last Wednesday sponsored by Whidbey Island Transportation [WITA] concerning impacts on Clinton and the traffic.

Commissioner Shelton was encouraged that the dock program was going on in Clinton and thought it make a lot of sense because the structural integrity of the dock was of sufficient question and needed to be replaced. Moving people and cars at an increased rate will involve doing something on the Mukilteo side and he was aware that getting that accomplished was some distance off. He asked the RTPO consider that one of the important things for the Clinton-Mukilteo run would be to reduce the number of cars or to implement some demand management type programs in order to reduce ferry lines. Apparently the old tank farm will be released in stages and he suggested to the State Department of Transportation Commission to look at ways to provide what he hoped would be free commuter parking on the other side. While 2008 is the projected soonest date for anything to be done on the Mukilteo side, something needs to be done to require the ferry system to address some of those issues.

Mr. Leengran advised that GSA had not released the tank farm yet, but the ferry system is working with the Port of Everett to try to present a combined effort.

Julia Hodson relayed the biggest source of complaint with regard to the Keystone Ferry Terminal as it relates to routing out along Keystone Spit and the necessity of going all the way up through the park at 25 mph to the turn-around in order to get back in line. She and Mr. Leengran have been serving on the executive committee for of the FAC and meet in down-town Seattle once a month. One of the things realized was that the legislature in enacting the ferry advisory commission never gave it a mission, so the FAC has been involved for the last year or so in developing a mission and trying to define the role. That was completed in June and forwarded to the Department of Transportation for submission to the legislature.

One major problem for the Keystone Ferry service are cancellations, caused by the combination of low tides and currents. The design of the terminal only permits the steel electric ferries to use that dock. One thing in the long range plan is design of new boats that can handle tidal currents, but at the present time, the ferries on that run are the only ones that can be used on that run.

There being no further business to come before the Board at this time,

the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m., to meet in Special

Session at noon and 6:00 p.m. on September 22, 1998.

Attest: ____________________

Margaret Rosenkranz, Clerk of the Board