ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - MINUTES OF MEETING

REGULAR SESSION  -  MARCH 27, 2000

 

The  Regular Meeting of the Board of Island County Commissioners was held on March 27,  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.   Mike Shelton, Member,  was absent.

 

Roundtable Meeting with Island County Elected Officials

  Attendance

  Elected Officials: Tom Baenen, Greg  Banks,  Marilee Black;  Maxine Sauter;   Suzanne Sinclair

  Others:  Margaret Rosenkranz; Dick Toft; Jane Koetje

 

Courthouse Security.    Courthouse security is still an issue, and Roundtable participants discussed two  incidents that occurred last week in the Courthouse after the Courthouse closed at 4:30 p.m.     The Judges have made their position clear and the next step is for the Sheriff’s recommendation.  The issue will be a topic for the next Security Committee meeting as well.

 

Also noted was that  while   it is with every good intention of helping  citizens,   employees may  enable  an individual with bad intent to enter the Courthouse after 4:30 p.m.  when most staff  are gone for the day and there is no support of numbers to assist an isolated employee who might be confronted by an angry stranger.    When  asked by someone to "hold-open the door" or let them in after 4:30 p.m. employees need to indicate that the  County has a firm policy that no members of the public are allowed in after -hours.  

Courthouse security is an important issue as well that needs to be addressed for the new Law and Justice facility. 

 

Follow-Up:

 

1.  Dick Toft to send notice to each Department  to remind that  County offices close  at 4:30 p.m. and the public not allowed access to any  buildings after hours. 

 

2.  Paul Messner as soon as possible to  prepare and post signs on all public entrances to Courthouse facilities that say something like:  Closed to Public Other than Courthouse Open Hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    

Roundtable Meeting Time.     The Commissioners want to make sure the time of the Roundtable is convenient for the Superior Court Judges and District Court Judge, and are willing to change the time to accommodate them.  Ms. Black will contact the Judges and let the Board know if a change is needed.

 

Budget Prioritization and Reduction.  I-695 Impacts – 2001 Budget Prioritization memo send February 18, 2000, with  departments to respond by March 15.  All but four responses  have been received as of this date.

 

  Roundtable adjourned at 12:10 p.m.  The  next meeting will be on 4/24/00 @ 11:30 a.m.

 

MINUTES APPROVED

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved and signed the minutes from meetings held on   March 6 and 13, 2000.

 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board:  Voucher/Warrants:   #71367-71609    $198,733.38.

 

Veterans Assistance Fund: [emergency financial assistance to certain eligible  veterans; the names and specific circumstances are maintained confidential].  The Board by unanimous motion approved Claim V2K-3 as recommended by the Veterans Assistance Review Committee in the amount of $904.00.

 

Hiring Requests And Personnel Actions

 

After a  presentation by the Human Resources Director, Dick Toft, the Board by unanimous motion, approved the following personnel authorization actions:

 

PAA No.   Position                                   Action              Eff. Date

041/00    Plans Ex/Bldg. Insp II  #416.01     New Position     3/27/00

042/00    Solid Waste Tech. I, I #2256.03    Replacement   4/19/00

043/00    Lead Plans Ex./Bld. Ins. #415.01 New Position     3/27/00

APPOINTMENT TO HOLMES HARBOR SEWER DISTRICT

 

The Board, by unanimous motion, appointed Mr. Don Wills, Freeland, as a Commissioner for the Holmes Harbor  Sewer District refilling Position #5 with an existing term to run until December 31, 2003. 

 

Staff Session Schedule – April,  2000

 

The Board by unanimous motion approved for distribution the April, 2000 Staff Session Schedule outlining staff sessions to be held on April 5 and 19 beginning at 9:00 a.m.

 

State of Washington Interlocal Cooperative Agreement  ICA-2000-144  -  Expanded Jury Source List Project

 

As provided by Cathy Caryl, Central Services Director, the Board by unanimous motion approved State of Washington Interlocal Cooperative Agreement  ICA-2000-144  [RM-CENT-00-0028] for an  Expanded Jury Source List Project. 

 

Public Input

 

Gordon Hines, Oak Harbor.  Chairman,  Island County Veterans Committee formed January  8, 2000 [8 service organizations in Island County], referred to information he  provided   March 16, 2000 “Statement of Support” related to the different Nationally Chartered Service Organizations.  This  group does not agree with the way the Veterans Assistance Fund is being  operated in Island County and supports  proposed changes.   Two  letters forwarded to the Board,  October 25 and December 14, 1999, from Phil Harris, Commander, DAV Chapter 47, Oak Harbor,  asking for current policies and procedures under which the Veterans Fund operates; names of members on the County’s Veterans Assistance Review Committee [VARC] and the organizations they represent; and a copy of the annual report/status of the fund  showing the number of cases presented and action on each, along with accounting of the fund.  No reply to date has been received.    He discussed the matter with Betty Kemp and Don Mason on February  17, 2000, and  understands that a packet has been sent to VARC members for comments.  The three major issues are:

 

1.      Timeliness.  Present  administration  not responsive  to  needs of veterans because   in some cases relief  takes  a month to get  to the indigent veteran.  When talking about food on the table, a month  is a long time to wait; the same is true for gas to get to a job, or needed clothing.

2.      The  RCW  provides that the County set up the administration of the fund, with a coordinator assigned for veterans organizations to work through.  Actual  relief committees of the different veterans organizations   should oversee or advise how the fund is operated.   The Board has assigned people to the Veterans Assistance Review Committee who  represent a  National Veteran Organization not located in the County i.e.  a member from the  Stanwood American Legion so in effect the Relief Committee of the American Legion of Stanwood is approving funds for Island County.

3.      The  fund was set up for the service organizations to help provide relief to indigent veterans, but the feeling is that  service organizations have no say in helping to advise the County on what they feel need to be done.     

 

Chairman McDowell was aware that of the five members of the Veterans Assistance Review Committee,  written comments to the proposal  have been received from three, and the other two members will receive a reminder to send their comments in.   That, however, will  not prevent the Board from having a staff session as promised on this matter.  As far as answering the questions posed in the letters, the Board was under the impression that the group was working with Ms. Kemp and her staff on that matter.

 

ACTION:

§        The Board scheduled this as a topic of discussion for the Staff Session on April 19, 2000 at 3:30 p.m.    Mr. Hines agreed  he would contact the Commanders and Service Officers of the Nationally Chartered Organizations to request they attend that staff session.

 

§        Ms. Kemp’s office will provide  within the next  week the  information requested by Mr. Hines: committee make up/representation;  policies and procedures;  accounting of the fund showing the number of cases, including number approved and number denied and the amount.

 

Bill Monroe, Seattle.    Requested consideration of what he thought were some housekeeping  changes  with regard to the recently adopted  Communication Tower Ordinance.   In August of last year U. S. West Wireless submitted several applications  for site plan review for cell towers.  Review currently is at the end of the process, with the exception of one issue: the prior ordinance required that 50% of  parcel site be restricted for open space/easement.    For those applications  vested under the old ordinance  he asked that the County withdraw or waive the requirement for that  50 %  of the parcel open space easement.  Under the new ordinance, he felt it would take another  6 to 8 months before  approval.  They are very willing to   work  with review staff to designate an appropriate  buffer

 

Mr. Monroe was referred to the Planning Director and Public Works Director.  The Board cannot  retroactively change a prior code and applicants have the ability  to opt  in under the new code.

 

Supplemental Agreement No. 1,  Consultant Agreement for R/W  and Real Property Appraisals – Washington  Appraisal Services, Inc.

 

On presentation and recommendation of approval by Larry Kwarsick, Public Works Director,

the Board by unanimous motion approved Supplemental Agreement No. 1 to Consultant Agreement with Washington  Appraisal Services, Inc., #RM-PW-98029, for right-of-way  and  real property appraisals, to extend the time  frame of contract to December 31,  2000 and increase  contract amount by $20,000, for a  new total not to exceed $65,000.

 

Supplemental Agreement No. 1   to Consultant Agreement RM-PW-98031 with Northwest Valuation Services, for appraisal  services

 

A unanimous motion of the Board authorized approval of  Supplemental Agreement No. 1   to Consultant Agreement #RM-PW-98031 with  Northwest Valuation Services, for appraisal services, revising time of performance to December 31, 2000, as  reviewed and recommended by Mr. Kwarsick.

 

Supplemental Agreement # 2  to Agreement WITH CNJA Architects

Based on recommendation of approval by Mr. Kwarsick, the  Board on unanimous motion, approved Supplemental Agreement No. 2  to Consultant Agreement #RM-PW-992045 with CNJA Architects, under Work Order #10  [the firm hired to undertake planning for relocation/construction Camano Road Shop facilities] to add to the scope of work, revise completion date to  May 31, 2000, and add  $5300 to the compensation,   for a new total cost of $24,370.40. 

 

Supplemental Agreement # 4  to Professional Services Agreement WITH HARDING LAWSON & ASSOCIATES

 

Having been reviewed and recommended for approval by the Public Works Director, the  Board by unanimous motion approved Supplemental Agreement #4 to Professional Services Agreement PW-962043,  with  Harding Lawson & Associates, Inc., under CRP 96-05, Work Order  #208, East Camano Drive, Phase #2, to revise the Scope of Services and Compensation for Services.

 

Supplemental Agreement  No. 1 to Consultant Agreement WITH  Lane and Associates for NEGOTIATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY

By unanimous motion, as presented and recommended by Mr. Kwarsick, the Board approved Supplemental Agreement  No. 1 to Consultant Agreement #RM-PW972057, with Lane and Associates  associated with right-of-way negotiation services, to  revise the time of performance Section VI, Subsection A to December 31, 2000.

Interlocal Agreement With the City  of Oak 

Harbor for roadway maintenance

 

As presented and recommended for approval by both the Public Works Director and County Engineer, the Board by unanimous motion  approved an I nterlocal Agreement #PW-992054 between Island County and the  City of Oak  Harbor for roadway maintenance.   

 

Annual Certification for 1999 – to Washington State

 County Road Administration Board

 

The Board, by unanimous motion, approved the Annual Certification for 1999  to Washington

State County Road Administration Board as prepared by Lew Legat, County Engineer.

 

Stormwater Mitigation Agreement Approved

By unanimous motion, the Board approved a Stormwater Mitigation Agreement with  Bruce and  Angela Ferguson, Lot 17, Block 4, Holmes Harbor Golf & Yacht Club,  Division #6, in accordance with Zoning Regulations, ICC 17.03, appendix A related to additional requirements for development within the Holmes Harbor subarea of the Freeland rural Areas of More Intense Development.

 

RENEWAL:  Adopt-A-Road Litter Agreement – Swantown Neighbors

 

By unanimous motion, the  Board by unanimous motion  approved the renewal  of the Adopt-A-

Road Litter Agreement with Swantown Neighbors, for the area from the  First Reformed Church

on Swantown Road to Crosby Road at Joseph Whidbey State Park intersection.

 

HEARING HELD:   Open Space App.  #OPS 818/99  Michael Heggenes

 

A Public Hearing was held at 10:45 a.m. on  Open Space Application #OPS 818/99  Michael Heggenes, Assessor’s Parcel R32804-310-2380, for placement of 15 acres out of a  17-acre parcel into the Timber Land Tax Classification, on  property located east of Bailey’s Road, South Whidbey. 

 

Jeff Tate, Island County Planning Department, highlighted from the staff report submitted under the date of  March 2, 2000, by Phil Bakke, Planning Director.  The 17-acre parcel has been in the Designated Forest Tax Program since 1979.  The owner wants to take 2 acres out of that parcel and build a home but to do so makes the property  ineligible for the Designated Forest Tax Program.  The property would qualify under Timber Land Current Use Classification  which is what the owner is requesting.  Preservation of 15 acres of the parcel in a state of timber  is not inconsistent with the criteria set forth in RCW 84.34.041(a)-(c).  The Island County Comprehensive Plan supports the preservation of rural character of Island County and the preservation of open spaces and wooded tracts and the proposal  would be consistent with the Comprehensive  Plan.  Staff recommendation is for approval, subject to the following conditions: 

 

1.     All future forest practices activity on the subject property shall be  consistent with the submitted Forest Management Plan and;

 

2.     All future forest practices activity on the subject property shall be  consistent with Washington Forest Practices Regulations, RCW 76.09 and  WAC 222, and all other applicable County, State and Federal regulations.

 

At the time the Chairman called for public comments, none were made either for or against requested application.  Applicant was not present.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Application OPS 818/99 by Michael J. Heggenes  dealing with Assessor’s Parcel R32804-310-2380 approving application for  15 acres of a 17-acre parcel as Timber Land Current Use Classification, based on conditions  as recommended by the Planning Department. 

 

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

 Chairman  adjourned the meeting at  2:50 a.m.,   to meet in  Regular

 Session on April 3, 2000, at 9:30 a.m.

 

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

                                                 ______________________________

Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman

 

                                                 _______________________________

William F. Thorn, Member

 

[absent -  Mike Shelton,   Member]

ATTEST:  

 

______________­­­­­___________

Margaret Rosenkranz,  Clerk of the Board