ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - MINUTES OF MEETING

REGULAR SESSION  -   MAY 19, 2003

 

The Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4) met in Regular Session on  May 19, 2003, at  9:30 a.m. in the   Law & Justice Facility, Department III (Courtroom 3), 101 N.E. 6th Street, Coupeville, Wa.   Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman, William J. Byrd, Member, and Mike Shelton, Member, were present.    The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.  By unanimous motion, the Board approved the minutes from regular meeting  May 12, 2003, and special session May 14, 2003.

 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board:    Voucher (War.) #165472 - 165717 …………………………………………....$668,574.58

 

The Board’s  motion  included approval of the May 15, 2003 payroll for the period April 16-30, 2003.

 

Veterans Assistance Fund: [emergency financial assistance to certain eligible  veterans; the names and specific circumstances are maintained confidential]. By unanimous motion, on recommendation of the Veterans Assistance Review Committee, the Board approved Claim V3-6 in the amount of $1,000.

 

Re-appointments to BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

 

By unanimous motion, the Board reappointed the following individuals to the Island County Board of Equalization for three year terms to May 31, 2006:  Peggy Whitford, Oak Harbor, and Edward R. Oetken, Coupeville.

 

Letter of Support for Northwest Straits Foundation Programmatic Request for  Funds for the  Derelict Fishing Net  Removal Project

 

The Board by unanimous motion approved and signed a letter to be sent to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) supporting the Northwest Straits Foundation Programmatic Request for  Funds for the  Derelict Fishing Net  Removal Project.  [copy of letter placed on file with the Clerk of the Board]

STAFF SESSION FOR JUNE, 2003

 

The Board by unanimous motion approved the Staff Session schedule for June, 2003 for distribution.   June  Staff Sessions are those regularly-scheduled  for the  first and third Wednesday, June 4 and June 18,  beginning at 9:00 a.m., in Conference Room #116, Courthouse Administration Building located at 1 N. E. 7th Street, Coupeville, Wa.

 

Grant Application:  Governor's Juvenile

Justice Advisory Committee

 

At the 14 May special session,  in the Chairman’s absence due to the short time frame, the Commissioners approved and signed a  regional grant application for submittal  to GJJAC  directed at reducing the disproportional representation of minority groups in juvenile criminal justice/detention, with the proviso  that said  action would be presented at today’s regular meeting for approval by the full Board.    At this time, the Board by  unanimous  motion ratified  the action taken at the May 14, 2003 special session approving the regional  grant application.

 

DSHS/Division of Developmental Disabilities Developmental

Disabilities Contract #0163-24190

 

By unanimous motion, as submitted by Tim McDonald, Health Services Director, under cover memo dated May 14, 2003, the Board approved DSHS/Division of Developmental Disabilities  County Program Agreement Contract #0163-24190  (RM-HLTH-99-0054) in the amount of $851,233.

 

Claim for damages  R03-009CD Kari Price

 

Betty Kemp, Director, GSA/Risk Management, presented Claim for damages R03-009CD by Kari  Price.   Investigation, review of incident reports and review by  Road personnel confirmed that  County sanding operation was in the vicinity on the day incident occurred.  The Public Works Department recommended  approval of the claim in the amount of  $887.80, and Ms. Kemp concurred.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Claim for Damages R03-009CD by Kari Price in the amount of $887.80. 

                        Note:  at 9:45 a.m. Chairman McDowell excused himself from the

                        meeting in order to attend a previously-arranged meeting in Everett.

 

Review Monthly Financial Reports from Auditor & Treasurer

 

Treasurer’s Report

 

Linda Riffe, Island County Treasurer, provided the Statement of  Cash Operations, Revenue/Current Expense, for the period ending  April 30, 2004.  The report reflects figures from the  final 2003 County budget which gives a   comparison of the percentage of budget received by month’s end.   Interest rates continue to drop which impacts the county significantly in the investment arena.  In other revenue areas, i.e.  liquor profits  increased over previous year  as did income from property tax. 

 

Auditor’s Report

 

Suzanne Sinclair, Island County Auditor, likewise provided copies of her financial report for the same period  ending April 2003, reflecting a  quick snapshot at one-third of the year.  Of note:  Current Expense revenues show 36% and expenditures  32%.  Other funds:  revenue 34% and expenditures  21%.    Local sales tax [line 42] is at 31% but the five year average is 30%.  Delinquent tax shows 177% and what that reflects  is not a windfall but collection of  more than anticipated delinquent taxes back to 1999 –2002 and not posted until  March 2003, and that  would not have been a budgeted number.  Line 14, Extension grants, reflects  receipt of $117,944.57 in grant reimbursement from 2002.       [Both reports have been placed on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

Public Input or Comments

 

Zeke Zardeskas, Larson Drive, Oak  Harbor, addressed the situation at  Dugualla  Pond, located off Dike Road,  having worked the last few years to get  Diking District #3  to reopen it to the public for fishing. Access  to the pond is  controlled by the Diking District although the access is a short  dirt road to an untaxed lot.  Letters of support have been sent to the Diking   District  Commissioners from Representative Barry Sehlin,  Representative Barbara Bailey, County Commissioner Bill Byrd, the Regional Director of Washington  State Department of Fish & Wildlife  and various fishing clubs. The District apparently leases duck blinds on the lake and are using it as their own private reserve which in his opinion is  malfeasance of office.  Mr. Zardeskas  asked that the Island County Commissioners   look into disbanding Diking District #3. 

 

Paul Messner, Central Whidbey resident,  supported Mr. Zardeskas in his efforts with regard to Dugualla Pond.  As an elected official in another capacity,  he felt it was a duty of those in office to  try and assist  citizens of the county and state; to  ignore the whole matter is wrong and Diking District #3  should at least meet and address the issues.

 

Commissioner Shelton pointed out one thing of some  concern was  that should the pond be  stocked  with fish, potentially  ditches that were  installed to create farmland in the area  very possibly could become fish-bearing streams and adversely  impact  the ability of farmers to continue to farm as they have in the past. 

 

Mr. Zardeskas  noted that the  Regional Director of  Fish & Wildlife was  willing to enter into a memorandum of understanding addressing that issue and other issues, but has not had any response from the Diking District.  Everyone he talked to on the Island expressed support.

 

Commissioner Byrd added to note that  he talked to a neighbor on the corner of Dike and Jones Road who is in favor of it as well. 

 

As noted at the beginning of the Public Input Session, the Board will take the   information and request  under advisement.

 

Request to vacate a portion of County road right-of-way known as Shoreline Drive BY  petitioners Dean & Diane Pachosa, CAMANO island

 

Petition to Vacate County Road Right-of-Way, a portion known as Shoreline Drive, petitioned by  Dean & Diane Pachosa,  located in the Plat of Tyee Beach, Sec. 11, Twp. 30N, R 3E, Camano Island.   was by unanimous motion of the Board referred back to the Island County Engineer for review and report back to the Board.

 

COUNTY ROAD PROJECT INITIATED:  Resolution #C-53-03/R-19-03 – 

Whidbey Island Miscellaneous ACP Overlays 2003

 

As presented by the Public Works Engineer, Bill Oakes, the Board by unanimous motion approved  Resolution #C-53-03/R-19-03 In the Matter of Initiating a County Road Project designated as CRP 03-02, Work Order #358, Whidbey Island Miscellaneous ACP Overlays 2003.    [copy placed on file]

 

Island County & Town of Coupeville,  Reimbursable Work Agreement

 

The Board by unanimous motion approved Request and Agreement for  Reimbursable Work between  Island County Public Works Department (Roads Division) and the Town of Coupeville #PW0320-69,  to include under CRP 03-02, Work Order #358, the Town of  Coupeville in its ACP overlays for 2003, at a cost not to exceed $342,000, under Resolution #C-54-03//R-20-03 approving the Engineer’s recommendation.     [copy placed on file]

 

Bid Award FOR  North Camano Drive/Arrowhead Road

Intersection Improvements

 

As recommended by Mr. Oakes, the Board by unanimous motion awarded bid to the low bidder, GG  Excavation, Inc., Anacortes, for the North Camano Drive/Arrowhead Road Intersection Improvements under CRP 02-02, Work Order #172, in the amount of $688,021.75. 

 

Signal Maintenance Agreement

 

The Board approved by unanimous motion, Agreement for Maintenance and Inspection Service of Traffic Signals with Howell L. Owens  d/b/a PerfecTimng, Agreement #PW032034.

 

PUBLIC Hearing SCHEDULED:   Ordinance #C-55 -03/R-21-03 -  Temporarily Reducing SPeed Limit   on Portions of  North Camano DRIVE AND Arrowhead ROAD  during Road Improvements.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board scheduled a  Public Hearing to consider  Ordinance #C-55 -03/R-21-03, an Ordinance Temporarily Reducing the Speed Limit   on Portions of  North Camano Drive and Arrowhead Road  during road improvements,  for June 2, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. at the Camano Multi-purpose Center, 141 N. East Camano Drive, Camano Island.

 

HEARING HELD: Franchise #87R – Renewal existing water distribution system; Campbell’s Glen Homeowners’ Association, Plat of

Campbell’s Glen, Division No. 1, Section 23, Township 29N., R 3E.

 

A Public hearing  was held at 10:20 a.m. as advertised  to consider  Franchise #87R  for  renewal of an  existing water distribution system, as submitted by Campbell’s Glen Homeowners’ Association, Plat of Campbell’s Glen, Division No. 1, Section 23, Township 29N., R 3E.  Mr. Oakes reported,  as outlined in the Island County Engineer’s Memo of  April 25, 2003, in favor of granting said franchise renewal.

 

At the time of hearing, no one in the audience expressed a desire to speak either for or against the renewal.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved renewal of Franchise  #87R for  an  existing water  distribution system by  Campbell’s Glen Homeowners’ Association, located in the Plat of Campbell’s Glen, Division No. 1, Section 23, Township 29N., R 3E.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board at this  time, the meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.    Monday, May 26th, is a holiday in observance of Memorial  Day; therefore, the  next regular meeting of the Board will be held on June 2, 2003 at 9:30 a.m.

 

            BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                        ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

 

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Wm. L. McDowell,  Chairman

                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                            _____________________________

                                                                        William J. Byrd, Member

           

 

                                                                        _____________________________

                                                                        Mike Shelton,  Member

ATTEST:  

 

_________________­­­­­___________

Elaine Marlow, Clerk of the Board