ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS -  MINUTES OF MEETING  

REGULAR SESSION  -  MAY 22, 2000

 

The  Regular Meeting of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on May 22, 2000, beginning at 11:30 a.m. with  the monthly  Roundtable with Elected Officials,  followed by other  meeting items as listed on the Agenda beginning at 1:30 p.m., including Diking Improvement District #4.     The meeting  was held in the  Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, Coupeville, Wa., with  Wm. L. McDowell,  Chairman;   William F.  Thorn, Member; and  Mike Shelton, Member, present.

 

Roundtable Meeting with Island County Elected Officials

Attendance

Elected Officials: Tom Baenen, Greg  Banks,  Robert Bishop;  Mike Hawley;   Maxine Sauter; Suzanne Sinclair

   

Capital Budget/Equipment 2000 – Process   

Discussion focused on the importance of keeping Elected Officials and Department Heads informed about the process and status of  capital budgets – 2000 equipment list.   Department Heads could  better prioritize if financial limits were known.

 

The Board agreed that next year, once information has come back from Cathy Caryl, Director, Central Services, as  to the requested total, that information can be sent to each department along with her  best guess of the cost of each item requested, thus allowing an opportunity  for  Department Head  review and comparison with  budget available, and then coming back to the Board with a  prioritized list.

 

Budget Status

Once the Budget Director returns from vacation the Commissioners  will re-start  the process, independent of what the Supreme Court may do with regard to 695, based on having a “real number” as far as what the County can expect to receive from the State i.e. backfilling @  53.9%.

 

One of the “cautions” mentioned was  that the biggest sales tax generator comes from  materials purchases for new homes and recent reports indicate that the demand for new mortgage  loans fell  56%.  Interest  rates are high, and there has been a fall in the stock market which seems to indicate that the robust economy may have peaked and the County should not be too overly optimistic.

 

Commissioner Shelton reported that the last    legislation session established  a local government committee  to look at the way local government is funded, i.e. projecting out ten to twelve years, how will  county government finance itself; where does the  revenue stream come from to finance county government?

 

Further addressing unfunded mandates placed on the county by the state continues to be something to pursue.

 

Roundtable adjourned at 12:05 p.m.  Next Meeting:  June 26, 2000 @ 11:30 a.m.


MINUTES APPROVED

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved and signed the minutes from Special Session held on April 26, 2000, and minutes of regular meeting May 8, 2000.

 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board:  Voucher/Warrants #75194  - 75424……………………………………………..$ 450,677.62.

 

Staff Session SCHEDULE for JUNE

 

The June 2000 Staff Session schedule was approved by the Board for distribution to Elected Officials, Department Heads and Press, for regular staff sessions to be held on June 7 and 21, 2000  beginning at 9:00 a.m.

 

Hiring Requests & Personnel

 

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

           

            PAA #059/00  Env. Health Spec.     #2407.02       Replacement                6/1/00

            PAA #060/00  Plans Ex/Bldg. Insp. # 417.01        Temp-New Pos.           5/22/00 

 

Resolution #C-52-00  In the Matter of Continuing the Wellness Incentive  Program/Plan for Island County Employees

 

By unanimous motion, the Board adopted  Resolution #C-52-00 as presented   by Dick Toft, continuing the  Wellness Incentive  Program/Plan for Island County Employees for program year 1999-2000, Plan 1a and Plan 2a.     

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF CONTINUING THE            )

WELLNESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM/PLAN      )

FOR ISLAND COUNTY EMPLOYEES                  )    RESOLUTION C-52-00

COUNTY EMPLOYEES                                        )

__________________________________________ )

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Island County Commissioners adopted Resolution C-47-99 on June 26, 1999  which continued the  Wellness Incentive Program; and

 

WHEREAS, the above Resolution requires an analysis of potential costs to be reviewed  no later than April 1, 2000, after which the  program may be renewed for program year 1999-2000; and

 

WHEREAS, by participation in the program the Island county employees demonstrated that a percentage of employees  favored incentives for maintaining health life styles and incentives for unused sick leave; and

 

WHEREAS, absenteeism is expensive to the County, both in paid time off and lost productivity to the organization;  and

 

WHEREAS, after review it has been determined that the Wellness Incentive Plan for 1999-2000 will only contain Plan 1a and Plan 2a, NOW THEREFORE

 

 BE IT RESOLVED, that an analysis of potential cost were reviewed prior to April 1, 2001 at which time the program may be renewed for program year 2001-2002.

 

ADOPTED this 22nd  day of May, 2000. 

                                                                               BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                               ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

                                                                               Wm. L. McDowell,  Chairman 

                                                                               William F. Thorn, Member

ATTEST:  By Ellen K. Meyer, Deputy                      Mike Shelton, Member                          

For: Margaret Rosenkranz, Clerk of the Board

             BICC 00-314                                                                                             

 

Special Occasion Liquor License #0368785 – Island Arts Council

 

Based on receipt of favorable recommendations from the Sheriff’s Department and Health Department, the Board by unanimous motion approved  Special Occasion License 368785 by Island Arts Council for event to take place on June 8, 2000 at Island Greens Golf Course, Clinton.

 

HEALTH CONTRACTS/AGREEMENT APPROVED

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved the following Health Department  contracts and Agreement:

 

a)      Health Contract #HD-08-00, Mini-grant – Washington Health Foundation $5,000

b)     Health Contract Amendment #HD-01-97 (3), Mary Jane Lungren, DDS, $2,500

c)      Interlocal Agreement  - Amendment, #0063-42385 (1) between Island County and DSHS - Medicaid Administrative Match:  $24,508.57 

 
Financial consideration - HEALTH OFFICER CONTRACT

 

By unanimous motion, the  Board approved  the financial considerations in the final draft of the Health Officer’s  Contract for forwarding to the  Board of Health for review and approval, to be submitted back to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval at a subsequent date.

 

Year 2000 Departmental Equipment Budget Requests

 

Cathy Caryl last week submitted the Equipment 2000 Budget in the total amount of $88,173.72.  Since that time, there were two primary additions,  from the Prosecuting Attorney and Juvenile Court Services, and now handed out a revised Final Equipment List for 2000 purchases, totaling $94,723.72, representing $7,876.72 over the budgeted amount  of $86,847.00, for the Commissioners  consideration.

 

The Board by unanimous motion approved the 2000 Equipment Budget Requests by departments as submitted by Central Services this date, in the total amount of $94,723.72.

 

As discussed earlier today at the Roundtable, the Board agreed that with next year’s cycle, to do a better job with  feedback to departments with respect  to the process, which in turn will give the departments a better opportunity to do  some of their own prioritization.    Departments need to know the dollar amount of individual  items requested should they want to re-prioritize.

[approved list on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

Hearing Held:  Resolution  #C- 43 -00 (R-22-00) –  Executing State Revolving fund  Loan Agreement -  Loan # HD-05-00, On-site Repair Financial Assistance Program

 

A Public Hearing was held as scheduled and advertised to consider  Resolution  #C- 43 -00 (R-22-00)

Executing State Revolving fund (SRF) Loan Agreement between island County and the State of

Washington DOE; Loan # HD-05-00, On-site Repair Financial Assistance Program; $300,000. 

 

Larry Kwarsick, Public Works Director, presented the matter asking that the Board execute the loan agreement  to provide financial assistance to private citizens to repair and/or replace failed on-site sewage systems.   The resolution  package  includes a Certificate relating to the Agreement prepared for the Chairman’s signature. 

 

There were no members of the public present at the hearing who indicated a desire to speak either for or against approval of subject loan agreement.

 

Commissioner Shelton commented that this program over the last five plus years had worked  extremely well in terms of not only enabling people to fix failing septic systems vice moving out of their house, but also  because the payment record and agreement with Whidbey Island Bank worked extremely well.

 

The Board by unanimous motion approved Resolution #C-43-00 [R-22-00] in the matter of executing State Revolving Fund Loan Agreement Between Island County and the State of Washington Department of Ecology.     

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF EXECUTING STATE                )           RESOLUTION C-43-00

REVOLVING FUND (SRF) LOAN AGREEMENT      )                          R- 22 -00

BETWEEN ISLAND COUNTY AND THE                   )

STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPT OF ECOLOGY   )

 

            WHEREAS, the Board of Island County Commissioners has made application the State of Washington Department of Ecology for a Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan (No. HD-05-00) to provide financial assistance to private citizens to repair or replace failing on-site sewage systems; and

 

            WHEREAS, the State Department of Ecology has made a financing offer to Island County in the form of a SRF Loan; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Board of Island County Commissioners deems it in the best interest to proceed with the project under the terms and conditions of the SRF Loan offer; NOW, THEREFORE,

 

            BE IT HEREBY ORDAINED, that (a) the Chairman of the Board of Island County Commissioners is authorized to execute the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Agreement (No. HD-05-00) identified above with the Washington State Department of Ecology, in substantially the forms on file with the Clerk of the Board of Island County Commissioners (b) the funds received by Island County shall be used for the purposes consistent with the provisions of each of the Agreements (c) all prior actions taken by the county relating to the Agreements is hereby ratified and confirmed.

 

            Reviewed this 1st  day of May, 2000 and set for public hearing at 2:15 p.m. , on the 22nd  day of May,  2000.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

William F. Thorn, Member

Mike Shelton, Member

 

ATTEST:  Margaret Rosenkranz, Clerk of the Board

BICC 00-265

            APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 22nd day of May, 2000 following public hearing.

 

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

Mike Shelton, Member

William F. Thorn, Member

ATTEST:  By:  Ellen K. Meyer, deputy

Margaret Rosenkranz

Clerk of the Board

 

Hearing Held:   Franchise #158(R) Mabana  Shores AssN.-Renewal of existing franchise; water distribution lines-Plat of Mabana Shores

 

At 2:20 p.m., as scheduled and advertised, a public hearing was held to consider the  Application for renewal of  Franchise  #158(R)  by Mabana  Shores Association , for renewal of an  existing franchise for  water distribution lines within the Plat of Mabana Shores, Camano Island.

 

As reported in a memorandum to the Board dated May 2, 2000, the County Engineer reviewed the request for renewal covering existing water distribution  system in County R/W for the current system; there are no plans for expansion of this current system.  All department requested to comment responded with no objections to the proposal, and the Engineer recommended approval of the franchise as submitted.

 

At the time the Chairman called for public comments, no one in the audience expressed a desire to speak either for or against the requested  franchise renewal.

 

By unanimous motion,  the Board approved Franchise  #158 ( R ) by Mabana Shores Association for the renewal of  existing water distribution system in the Plat of Mabana Shores.

 

Resolution #C-53-00 (R-24-00) – Approving Plans & Specifications and        Authorizing Call for Bids for 2000 Asphalt Concrete
Pavement Overlays Whidbey Island

 

The Board, by unanimous motion, approved as presented by the Public Works Director, Resolution #C-53-00  (R-24-00)  In the Matter of Approving Plans & Specifications and     Authorizing Call for Bids for 2000 Asphalt Concrete Pavement Overlays Whidbey Island, CRP       00-04, Work Order No. 358; set bid opening June 14, 2000 at 11:00 a.m., Meeting Room 3,         Courthouse Annex, Coupeville.    

 

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

IN THE MATTER OF APPROVING PLANS  }

& SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZING              }           RESOLUTION #C-53-00

CALL FOR BIDS FOR 2000 ASPHALT                      }                         R-24-00

CONCRETE PAVEMENT OVERLAYS                       }                                              

WHIDBEY ISLAND, CRP 00-04, Work                       }

Order No. 358                                                              }

 

            WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available in the Island County  Road Fund for 2000 Misc. Asphalt Concrete Pavement Overlays, Whidbey Island; NOW THEREFORE

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Plans and Specifications are approved  and that the County engineer is authorized  and directed to call for bids for furnishing said construction.   Bid Opening is to be the 14th day of June, 2000, at 11:00 A.M. in Meeting Room 3, Courthouse Annex, Coupeville.

 

            ADOPTED this 22nd   day of  May,  2000.

 

                                                            BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                            ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

                                                            Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

                                                            William F. Thorn, Member

                                                            Mike Shelton, Member

ATTEST:  By Ellen K. Meyer, deputy

Margaret Rosenkranz, Clerk of the Board

BICC 00-309

 

Community “No Spray” Agreement  - Scatchet Head Community Club
for  establishment of a Community Annual “No Spray” Zone       
within the Plat of Scatchet Head

 

Mr. Kwarsick next presented a Community annual “No Spray” Agreement   between Island County and Scatchet  Head Community Club for the establishment of a Community Annual “No Spray” Zone  within the Plat of Scatchet Head.   The President of the  Scatchet Head Community Club was present  in support of the agreement.  Although Mr. Kwarsick was not  prepared at this time to present a final document, he requested Board authorization for the Chairman to sign the agreement once completed which should be in the next few days.

 

By unanimous motion,  the Board approved the No Spray Agreement between Island County and Scatchet Head Community Club for the establishment of a community annual no spray zone within the Plat  of Scatchet Head, authorizing the chairman to sign the agreement once it has been  approved by the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Risk Manager and the Community Club.

 

 Rural Arterial Program (RAP) Project agreement for construction proposal;   Camano Hill Road, M.P. 02.22 to 03.42, Camano Island

 

The Board, on unanimous motion, approved Agreement for  Rural Arterial Program (RAP) – Project agreement for construction proposal for             Camano Hill Road, M.P. 02.22 to 03.42, Camano Island, for a total  authorized RATA       Funds in the amount of $208,870. 

 

Inter-local Agreement -  Skagit-Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization  Updated Agreement Between Washington State Department of         Transportation and SIRTPO

 

As presented by the Public Works Director, the Board by unanimous motion  approved an updated Interlocal Agreement for the Skagit-Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SIRTPO) between Washington State Department of Transportation and SIRTPO, the Chairman authorized to sign the  updated agreement at the SIRTPO             Regional Policy Board meeting scheduled for  June 14, 2000.  The major change is to update the agreement bringing it in to compliance with current state regulations.

 

Resolution #C -54-00 (R-25-00) - Initiating CRP 00-05,  Old County RD./Larson RD.

 

The Board, on unanimous motion, approved Resolution #C-54-00 (R-25-00)  initiating County Road Project  00-05, Work Order 359, Old County Road/Larson Road, to  perform preliminary survey, level loops and prepare right-of-way maps, Section  17/20, Township 30N., Range 2E,  the CRP in the amount of  $30,000. 

 

Hearing Held:     Ordinance #C-44-00 [PLG-011-00]    Technical Amendments To The Island County Comprehensive Plan And Development Regulations

 

A Public Hearing was held at 2:45 p.m. as scheduled and advertised, for the purpose of considering  Ordinance #C-44-00 [PLG-011-00]  concerning Technical Amendments to the  Island County Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations, as introduced on May 8, 2000 [GMA #_____] 

 

Attendance: 

            Public:              John Graham;    Bob Van Deen   [Attendance Sheet GMA  #_____]

            Staff:                Phil Bakke; Jeff Tate

 

Correspondence Received

Memo  dated 5/21/00 from Steve Erickson, WEAN, regarding OSPBRS Type IV Decisions GMA  #________

           

E-mail  5/19/00 from  Kwarsick to John Graham  regarding PBRS Technical Amendment GMA  #________

 

E-mail 5/22/00 from Thomas J. Roehl to Commissioners regarding proposed Technical Amendments

GMA  #________

 

Hand-outs:

 

Ordinance #C-44-00 [PLG-011-00]   introduced on May 8, 2000   with Exhibits:   GMA #_____

 

Exhibit A:  ICC 3.40  Public Benefit Rating System

Exhibit B:  ICC 17.03 Island County Zoning Code Technical Amendments

Exhibit C:  ICC 17.02 Critical Areas Technical Amendments

Exhibit D:  ICC Title 16 Land Divisions and Dedications Technical Amendments

Exhibit E:  Best Management Practices Technical Amendments

Exhibit F:  Findings and Legislative Intent

 

Exhibit A

Page A-1   3.40.100

 

Mr. Tate outlined the first change  proposed:    replace listed Type III decision  to a Type IV  decision.  A Type III decision is a Hearing Examiner decision  while a Type IV decision is a legislative decision made by the Board.  For PBRS the Board adopted a specific  fee schedule, $100; it is  not a comprehensive plan amendment, and  is not charged the same fee as a comprehensive  amendment, nor  reviewed the same way as a comp plan amendment.  Tax issues are not subject to SEPA, and this would be a matter that would go directly to the Board.  State law  requires that a PBRS application has to be processed within 180 days and does not have  to go before the Planning Commission.

 

Discussion.  If referred to as a Type IV decision,  Island County Code requires that Type IV decisions go to the  Planning Commission.  RCW 84.34 says it is to be acted upon in the same manner in which an amendment to the Comp Plan is processed.  The RCW goes on to say that if the jurisdiction  has adopted a PBRS system it is just a legislative action by the Board.    Therefore there should be no reference to either a Type III or Type IV decision in this section.

 

Mr. Tate saw nothing gained by requiring  a PBRS application  go  before the Planning Commission.

 

General consensus was to   re-write the first  sentence  to state:  “Applications under the Public Benefit Rating System shall be reviewed  by the County as a Type IV decision  under the County’s Land Use Review Process ICC 16.19  and approved by the Board of Island County Commissioners.  

 

Page A-1   3.40.110

 

The same change would be necessary with respect to the process.  Consensus was that the first sentence be changed to read:  “The Board of County Commissioners  shall consider an application to the Public Benefit Rating System as defined by the Type IV County Permit process and as required by RCW 84.34.037.”

 

Exhibit B

 

Mr. Bakke  explained that throughout Exhibit B were  a number of places  suggested to remove the  reference in the Code  to illustrative  maps; it is  redundant, covered  by the official Island County Zoning  Atlas set forth in 17.03.050.c.2  ICC. 

 

Page B-5  Added additional criteria under 5 in the Rural Agriculture zone to deal with exemptions to the minimum lot size  limitations to attempt to prevent multiple boundary line adjustments that may result in the creation of new lots over time: 

 

b)     an Existing Lot is proposed  to be modified through a boundary line adjustment and will

          not subsequently be further modified in size or used in combination  with unregulated

          subdivision such that new Lots are  created that are less than the required   minimum lot size.

 

Chairman McDowell   understood  the proposed addition up through ”an  Existing Lot is proposed  to be modified through a boundary line adjustment and will             not subsequently be further modified in size.” which  would address the concern.  Mr. Bakke agreed as did Commissioners  Thorn and Shelton.

 

Page B-5, G.  date to be included “that as of June 2, 1999” for Rural Agriculture Zone Classification. 

 

Page B-6   17.03.100.H.4.  Adding the words “that, as of June 2, 1999”, the Parcel did not meet the designation criteria set forth in subsection  D above, for consistency with the Comp Plan.  Section 17.03.110.G, Rural Forest Zone, would have language included “that, as of December 1, 1998,” the parcel did not meet the designation criteria set forth in subsection C above.

 

B-9  Technical amendments to correct the code citation. 

 

Exhibit C

 

§        Page C-1   Correct the code citations in sections  B.1 and F.  In Section H, delete duplicated language “Functionally isolated buffer areas”.

 

§        Page C-2  Correct code citation

 

§        C-3   Table – under Water Type, Diversion column 2 add the word “feet” after 1500

 

Exhibit D

§        Pages D-1, D-2, D-3 and the top of D-4,  Correct code citations

§        Page D-4, Chapter 16.25 Agriculture,  Minerals and Forest Protection.  These amendments as noted by Mr. Bakke were put forth as recommended by the County Prosecuting Attorney to conform with Chapter 7.45 RCW.

 

16.25.30  Policy, proposed is to add the following language to the last sentence:

 

            “unless the activity has a substantial adverse effect on the public health and safety. Further,

              nothing in this Chapter shall affect or impair any right to sue for damages.”.

 

D-5  16.25.040  Protection Measures – Mailed Notice

 

16.25.040.A, sentence added at the recommendation of the Prosecuting Attorney:  ”unless  the activity has a substantial adverse effect on the public health and safety.”. 

 

Section C the term  “Property Declaration” is proposed to be changed to  “Property  Notice”.  Deletes the language “and agree to accept by the placement of this covenant, or the acceptance and recording of this instrument,”.  The language for the notice  is reworded as shown in italics, and adds the following to the last sentence:

 

            “unless the activity has a substantial adverse effect on the public health and safety. By

            the recording of this notice, the County does not intend to affect or impair any right to

            sue for damages.”.

 

Exhibit E

§        Pages E-1 and E-2, minor changes proposed; change reference to most current version.

§        Page E-3  I.F.  language discussed through the process but  apparently changes overlooked, regarding changing the term “salmonid” to salmon.

§        Page E-3 II BMP, Applicability, item C the reference is redundant and covered under  II.A.

§        Page E-4  correcting reference “wetlands” to “specified critical areas”

§        Page E-5  adding the word “and” at the end of d)

 

Exhibit F

Contains  Findings and Legislative Intent for the changes proposed.

 
PUBLIC COMMENT

 

John Graham, Citizens Growth Management Coalition, recalled that the  Coalition had major problems with the first amendment as written but met all concerns now with regard to the PBRS as the Commissioners earlier discussed.  The section should provide for public guidance within  the Comp Plan so that  citizens understand that a comp plan amendment is not required,  that the decision is made directly by the Board of Commissioners and exempt from SEPA review.  Therefore, he suggested adding the word “directly” into the language the Commissioners already worked on so that the first sentence would read:  “Applications under the Public Benefit Rating System shall be reviewed by the County and approved directly by the Board of Island County  Commissioners”.    He also suggested adding another sentence that would state:    By RCW 84.34 such applications are not a  comprehensive plan amendment and are exempt from SEPA review.

 

Page B-5.  With regard to the proposed  added language, Mr. Graham reminded this language had been approved by the Board  two or  three sessions ago for  the CA and RF zones; this is a technical amendment because it takes this language and correctly puts it in the RA zone  as well.    He urged that the Board not make any changes in that language.

 

On Page E-3, item I.F,   Mr. Graham did not recall previous discussions  during the many sessions over BMPs the change from “salmonid” to “salmon” and suggested “salmonid” be retained and if the code states ‘salmon” elsewhere  it be changed to salmonid, which includes cut-throat trout.  Salmonid is a more generic term.    As salmon protection efforts become more and more under scrutiny around Puget Sound, this County should not go the other direction.  He did not understand why the last portion of the sentence had been recommended for deletion [“and in conjunction with the community’s  own initiative for locally based salmon enhanced efforts”]. 

 

DISCUSSION/REVIEW

 

At the request of the Board, David L. Jamieson, Jr. , Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, came to review the changes Greg Banks, Prosecuting Attorney,  suggested be made in