ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS  -  MINUTES OF MEETING

REGULAR SESSION  -  SEPTEMBER 22, 2003

 

 

SPECIAL SESSION – BUDGET WORKSHOP

 

The  Board of Island County Commissioners met in Special Session on September 22, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. for the purpose of conducting budget workshops, in Conference Room #116, Courthouse Administration Building, Coupeville, Wa.  

 

Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman, William J. Byrd, Member, and Mike Shelton,  Member, were present. Others attending all or portions of the budget workshops, included:  Elaine Marlow, Budget Director;  Dick Toft, Human Resource Director; Motoko Pleasant, Auditor’s Office; Nathan Whalan, Whidbey News Times; and Diane Kendy, representing the League of Women Voters.

 

Island County 2004 Budget Workshop Notebook provided to each Board member by the Budget Director for use during  budget workshops.  Preliminary budget discussions only; no  decisions expected.

 

ASSESSOR     

Presentation by:        Tom Baenen

Staff:                          Anita Foster

 

Other  than changes in S/W/B to reflect increases in  wages per contract settlement and increased medical insurance costs for 2004, the principal difference is inclusion of a half-time programmer position for a total of $21,320.  The budget proposal represents a 4% increase.  Budget  worksheets   reflect some shifting of personnel within the office and Mr. Baenen briefly reviewed those  with the Board.  His budget  narrative provides support for the changes.    Some projections have been done into the  next year to  allow implementation of utilization of computerized mass appraisal work. The improvements and enhancements to utilizing computerized mass appraisal is something on-going in the entire industry and assessor’s offices.  For 2005 he would need to increase M&O by  10% . 

 

Learned Friday that the implicit price deflector will be about 1.84 and is  indicative of increasing costs that he thinks will  continue for the next few  years. 

 

Auditor/Election RESERVE/Auditor’s O&M

 

Presentation by:        Suzanne Sinclair

Staff:                         Anne La Cour

            Hand-Out:                  Letter dated 9/22/03 re 2004 Budget

 

Auditor .  Assumption based on current office structure.  Current Expense S/W/B increases reflect the percent estimated for 2004. M&O accounts are the same as 2003, with some shuffling of categories, but the same bottom line dollar amount. On the public side of the Auditor’s Office staffing has been the same for almost 30 years in spite of the increased workload, driven by population. Requesting additional recording position, grade 7 entry, at a cost of  $37,000 S/W/B.

 

Record Storage building space is inadequate and concerned about where to put records.  The local records committee met recently and agreed that to really address the problem long term is to plan for a new record facility.  A basic record storage building was drawn up and Public Works came up with a  generic estimate of $360,000. 

 

Commissioner McDowell was interested in talking with the Public Works Director about where that could potentially be worked in the six year Capital Facilities Plan, and noted that the estimate needs to be the total cost, including interior shelves, etc.   [Capital facilities budget workshop scheduled 10-13-03 @ 11:00 a.m.]

 

Auditor’s O & M Budget.    Pretty much the same as last year.  Number of documents recording has gone up so the amount of money in the fund has gone up.  The County Clerk is interested in getting something to image her records as well.

 

Election Reserve Budget.  2004 election is a Presidential Election  year:  two County-wide elections, Presidential preference election, and estimating two special elections, for a total of 5.  Based on those, increased postage and amount of temporary help needed, the budget is estimated at $268,077.  Assuming the new election process holds fast, there will be extra printing costs.  Optical scanners are more expensive systems to run.  It has to be in place January 1, 2006.  Secretary of State office estimated about $336,000 for Island County to replace the punch  card system.

 

Treasurer/Treasurer’s O&M         

 

Presentation by:        Linda Riffe 

 

Treasurer.      The Budget Narrative dated 8/5/03  reviews any categories where  proposed changes are included,  along with  supporting information for those changes.  Overall increase in non-salary portion is $530.   The proposal is based on  actual operating expenses and is more accurate. A “wish list” item would be a   courier for cash that has to be transported from the office to financial institutions. Request for ½ time programmer associated with the Assessor’s request  is not included  - as long as she gets some support she

 

does not care whether it is through the Treasurer’s budget or Central Services as long as the job gets done.  [Another  programmer authorized in Central Services – i.e. after January 1st there will  be two programmers – one the 6 month temp position going to full time].

 

Out of this years’ budget, a Treasurer's tax payment drop box  is waiting to be installed on the outside wall facing the parking lot (behind Admin. Bldg.) by the glass doors.  There is no drop box being installed at the Camano Annex at this point and she thought  that would be a matter of dollars being provided from the Commissioners’ budget should that installation be desired.

 

State Investment Pool  interest rates dropped again, now at  1.04%.  For 365 days and out, interest rates at banks are:  Pacific Northwest Bank 1.1% and Whidbey Island Bank 1.5% [fluctuates day to day].  Right now residual investments are being done for the County by laddering two to three years and averaging  2-4/%; beginning to see evidence  of this process paying off. Additionally she has been able to reduce  bank service fees, saving $5300 in six months.   She predicts that interest rates will be very slow, very steady  and at 3 to 4% maximum. Budgeting in Small tools and minor portion for the replacement of 8 calculators along with fax machine  [budgeting for replacement of the equipment on a 5-year rotation].

 

Treasurer’s O & M.  Under  Salaries [job share] positions percent wise will be adjusted a bit to reflect actual time spent on tax  foreclosures.  There is a slight increase in M&O because of emphasis in pursuing delinquencies and foreclosures. 

 

OTHER FUNDS

                                                                       

       E-911 Fund .  Pass-through fund; grants received by the County from the State, passed through to I-COM.  I-COM  is slowly working into phase II cell phone to be able to tell the general location of a cell phone call. 

 

      Public Facilities Fund.    The  2003 budget did not recognize all revenue in the fund and there was a $52,000 fund balance  at the end of last year.  At this point [7 months] collected $33,800.  Consensus:  should not have fund balance inasmuch as the tax is collected to  promote tourism. 

 

Budget Director follow/up:

1.        Estimate  year-end fund balance this year

2.        Expenditures should almost zero  out the fund balance

3.  Allocate what estimate of coming next year revenues plus any fund balance.

 

       Joint Tourism Promotion Fund.  Estimate  $178,000  how much spend on advertising next year.  Joint 2% Committee Chair will get a budget to the Budget Director by the next workshop and will be able to tell what actually dollars will be.  

           

       Current Expense–Overhead Allocation.  Same method used in past years.  The number includes dollar increase for COLAs, health insurance increases and allocation of the Central Services programmer position in 2004 going to full time.

 

REGULAR SESSION

 

Elected Officials Roundtable

 

The  Regular Meeting of the Board of Island County Commissioners convened at 11:30 a.m. on  June 23, 2003, for    a  Roundtable  with Elected Officials,  Conference Room #116, Courthouse Administration Building   Other agenda topics for the  Regular Session followed at 1:30 p.m.  as  outlined on the agenda,  including Diking Improvement District #4.  The meeting was held  in the  Law & Justice Facility, Department III (Courtroom 3), 101 NE 6th Street,  Coupeville, Wa., and   Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman, William J. Byrd, Member, and Mike Shelton,  Member, were present.

 

                Attendance: 

                Elected Officials:  

Tom Baenen, Assessor;  Greg Banks, Prosecutor;   Sharon Franzen, County Clerk Mike Hawley, Sheriff;  Linda Riffe, Treasurer; and   Suzanne Sinclair, Auditor.

Others:   Dick Toft, Human Resource Director;  Elaine Marlow, Budget Director/Clerk of the Board    
Public     Nathan Whalen, Whidbey News Times 

                   Diane Kendy, League of Women Voters

 

Changes to HP Accounting System

 

Ms. Riffe reported that the change over to the HP Accounting System has been accomplished  and fully operational.  The system provides the information needed to be productive, and the first report for junior taxing districts was the end of last month. In process of obtaining e-mail addresses in order to provide the report to the districts electronically by the first of the year, which will save printing out hard copies and mailing.

 

Proposal for Record Storage Building

 

Ms. Sinclair advised that the County’s current  record facility was  not designed for record storage and is  over-crowded.  The  Local Government Records  Committee met recently and discussed various options and from that came the idea to propose a new building designed with a records management system. During today’s budget workshop, she   brought forward a proposal to plan for a  true record storage building,  roughly estimated at $360,000.  Will discuss further  with the Public Works Director and look at working it into the schedule under  capital projects  budget in the next six years.  Security issues put forth by the Clerk, Prosecutor and  Sheriff, need to be resolved for certain records, as well as some of the Treasurer’s records, but it is not  something that cannot be achieved to the satisfaction of those offices.

 

Island County  Sesquicentennial

 

Ms. Sinclair had previously brought up the idea of holding an Open House and BBQ in  honor of Island County Sesquicentennial, when it was anticipated that the Courthouse Annex remodel would be completed Summer 2003.  That did not occur and the remodel is just now nearing completion.  She asked for suggestions as far as what  anyone might want to see in honor of Island County’s 150 years.

 

Generally,  consensus was to go with an open house concept of the entire campus; if any funds are spent it be on  efforts to advertise an open house, and that if at all possible, dove-tail the open house with another  event, such as dedication of the new Veterans’ Memorial.

 

Roundtable

 

Class action lawsuit scheduled to begin the end of the month had been continued 4 to 6 months.  In addition to over 130 files on that case, the Clerk has 8 boxes of exhibits in the office to get ready for that trial–those 8 boxes in the office because she has nowhere else to put them, and there will  be many more exhibits once the  trial begins.

 

Assessor’s Office  appraisers are  almost finished with new construction and it appears there will be about one hundred fifty million in new construction, and that fits in with what the trend has been over the last several years.  Department of Revenue implicit price deflector is 1.84 so taxing districts will be limited to 1%.  Hope to send out revaluation cards on October 20.

 

Other notes of interest.  Mr. Banks has a  fully-staffed  Prosecutor’s office.  Cherry Sinema will retire from the Auditor’s Office at the end of September after 37 years.    

 

Executive  Session 

 

The group met in Executive Session from Noon until 12:20 p.m., exempt from the Open Public Meetings Act for the purpose allowed under RCW 42.30.140 (4) (b), strategy/position  to be taken by governing  body during the course of any collective bargaining.

 

Regular Meeting of the Board resumed at 1:30 p.m. (including Diking Improvement District #4)  in the   Law & Justice Facility, Department III (Courtroom 3), 101 N.E. 6th Street, Coupeville, Wa.   with all members present.   The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.  By unanimous motion, the Board approved the following minutes:  Special Session September 10, 2003; Regular Session September 15, 2003. 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board:    Voucher (War.) #173495-173725  ……………………………. $1,136,046.21.

 

Veterans Assistance Fund: [emergency financial assistance to certain eligible  veterans; the names and specific circumstances are maintained confidential].   Claim #V3-14 in the amount of $1,906.37 was approved by unanimous  motion of the Board, based on the review and recommendation of the Island County Veterans Assistance Review Committee.

Hiring Requests & Personnel Actions

 

As presented by Dick Toft, Human Resources Director, the Board by unanimous motion,  approved the following personnel action authorizations:   

 

Dept.               PAA #   Description/Position  #          Action                                                   Eff. Date

Assessor           068/03  Appraiser 3    106.01               New Position [USERRA]                    10/1/03

GSA                 069/03  DES Deputy Dir.  1305.00       Increase in Hours thru 12/31/03        10/1/03

Juvenile Ct.       070/03  Juv. Prob. Dir.     1400.00        Reclassification                               9/22/03

Auditor             071/03  Recording Dep/temp  216.00   New Position – temporary                            9/22/03

WSU                072/03  Beach Wat. Prg. Cor. 1207.01 Increase in Hours to 1.0 FTE           9/22/03

 

Appointments and/or Re-appointments to Various

Boards and Committees

 

By unanimous motion, the Board made the following appointments:

 

EBEY’S LANDING NATIONAL HISTORIC RESERVE TRUST BOARD.

Jim Konopik, Oak Harbor, to Position #7 for a term expiring October 1, 2005

Benye Weber, Coupeville, to  Position #5 for a term expiring  October 1, 2007

 

WATER RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Mike Belangie, Greenbank,  filling  existing term of  position  formerly held by  Dr. Gordon Eaton, term expiring May 17, 2007.

 

Staff session agenda for October, 2003

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved for distribution the Staff Session schedule for October, outlining the following Staff Sessions to be held in  Conference Room #116, Courthouse Administration Building, 1 N.E. 7th Street, Coupeville, Wa., beginning at 9:00 a.m.:

 

§         1st  Wednesday Regular Staff Session – canceled

§         Special Staff Session – scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2003

§         3rd Wednesday Regular Staff Session – October 15, 2003.

 

Interagency Agreement - State of Washington Administrative

Office of the Court ICA No. 2004-476

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Interagency Agreement with State of Washington Administrative Office of the Court ICA #2004-476 for increased CASA  [court-appointed special advocates] funding in dependency matters with the Contract not to  exceed $22,518 (RM-JUV-03-0054).

 

HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS APPROVED

 

The Board, by unanimous motion, approved the following Health Department contracts, having previously been a topic of discussion with the Health Services Director at a staff session:

 

§         DSHS - Public Health Nurse-CPS/PHN-Child Abuse Prevention Contract #20958, Amendment #6

       In the amount of $10,716, for new contract total  $98,932 [RM-HLTH-99-0050]

§         DSHS-Passport Contract #20872,  Amendment #8, with amended amount $4,534 for total new contract amount of  $86,073  [RM-HLTH-01-0064

§         Skagit/Islands Head Start-Consultation Program Contract # HD-13-03 in the amount of  $2,500  [RM-HLTH-02-0047]

§         DOH-Consolidated Contract #C08679 Amendment 5 in the amount of $112,644, for new contract total

       $741,074  [RM-HLTH-02-0094].

 

Review Monthly Financial Reports from Auditor & Treasurer

 

Auditor’s Report.  Suzanne Sinclair provided the monthly financial report for the Auditor for the period ending August, 2003.  The report is in writing and copy placed on file with the Clerk of the Board. Percentages if evenly distributed at this point in the year should be 67%.  Current Expense is slightly behind in revenue relative to overall percentage but expenditures are right on target. Revenue in special revenue funds are at 65% of what would be expected and expenditures ahead of revenues by a small amount.    The Treasurer and Auditor are now moving towards one accounting system and discussing having the Auditor’s report as expenditures and the Treasurer’s report be primarily a revenue report.

 

            Treasurer’s Report.  Mark Heistad, Chief Deputy Treasurer, submitted the written Cash Revenue/Budget – Current Expense Treasurer’s report for the period ending August, 2003; copy placed on file with the Clerk of the Board.   Following on comments by the Auditor, he noted that the Treasurer's report would continue to show the available cash balance [see line 59 on both pages]. 

 

Davis Slough Heronry property Project

 

Lee McFarland, Assistant Director, GSA/Property Management, presented three documents for the Board’s consideration  and approval related to the Davis Slough Heronry property project:

 

§         Davis  Slough Heronry Property  Agreement [RM-GSA-03-0058] between Island County, State of Washington Department of fish & Wildlife, and the Whidbey Camano Land Trust

§         Grant Deed of Conservation Easement, grantor John E. Edison

§         Grant Deed of Conservation Easement, grantor, William M. Simpson and Jane A. Bolz

 

The property is located on the north end of Camano Island, consisting of three tax parcels totaling approximately 31.5 acres, one parcel containing a  large heron rookery.  Each party is contributing  $255,000 to purchase the conservation easement  on the three parcels and the remainder to purchase  the property.  The  County’s share is coming from Conservation  Futures Fund.  Page  25 of 39 of the Agreement under Access by the Public, as well as in both Grant  Deeds,  contain the sentence:  “As the alternative to public access a WEB CAM will be installed and maintained by WCLT and WDFW to provide remote viewing by the public for the duration of this easement.”.  

 

 

 

Pat Powell, Executive Director, Whidbey-Camano Land Trust, stated that  WCLT successfully raised the money to meet the match.  One issue for the Trust is the inclusion of the sentence about the web cam, believing it should not be contained in a legal document.  WCLT, WDFW and Friends of Camano Island Parks are committed to providing  public education in an appropriate  fashion.  The whole purpose of the project is for the  protection of the  nesting colony of almost 200 pairs of Blue Heron.  “Public access” is provided off-site through all the other viewing opportunities to see the Herons fly to and fro, such as Iverson Spit, etc. Friends of Camano Island Parks has committed to placing an educational sign about the Blue Heron nesting area.   WCLT will look at the potential of installing a web camera if technologically and monetarily feasible.

 

Commissioner Byrd indicated that Carol Triplett, Camano Island, sent an e-mail September 20th confirming that Friends of Camano Island Parks committed funds to the development of a kiosk to be located at Island County English Boom Historical Park that would have pictorial displays of the Heron nests and information on habitat needs and life cycle. At English Boom Park people can observe the birds in the Skagit Flats.  He was aware of some concern that funding from Island County is from public funds yet in a way the agreement says “keep out” and he thought a web camera in the future would be a step in the right direction.

 

Kathleen Landel, President, WCLT,  expressed the strong commitment to public access and education on Camano and Whidbey.  They want to look into a Web Cam but ask that it not be a requirement included in the conservation easement documents.  She provided copies of an  article from the Seattle PI September 15, 2003, “Property sale could be a Bargain for the birds” [copy placed on file with the Clerk of the Board].    The coverage  increased  WCLT’s  ability to draw in donors who appreciate that at  this particular site Herons in Puget Sound are protected.  There have been some 500 individual donors and WCLT reached its goal and are able to close on this property. Answering a question from the Chairman, Ms. Landel thought that a statement indicating  they would work towards trying to provide a web cam would be supported.

 

Kye Iris, Land Agent, WDFW, agreed having public access as a goal was a good thing but  should not come at the expense of having the  Blue Heron colony leave.  Having as a goal to look into a web cam is fine and WDFW shares that view, but could not sign an agreement that obligated that. 

 

Pam Pritzel, Co-Chair, Friends of Camano Island Parks, confirmed the group’s commitment to putting up an educational sign at English Boom, and were ready to do that.  They too would like to see a video cam someday, but impractical now for several reasons, and that should not be a requirement placed  in these legal documents. 

 

Commissioner Shelton suggested the following language change in the  documents, the Agreement on Page 25 of 39:  #11  Access by Public,   and on both Grant Deed of Conservation Easements, Page 10, #11, Access by Public, by substituting the second sentence as currently written for the following:

 

            As the alternative to public access a WEB CAM will be installed and maintained by

            WCLT and WDFW to provide remote viewing by the public for the duration of this

            Agreement.  The WCLT will work towards the installation of a WEB CAM.

           

David Baumchen, residing close to the Heronry, stated that most people he knew and those in his area, along with at least 500 others who donated  towards project think it is a great idea.  To answer how the public benefits from this he explained was by the Blue Herons being in the area on the Islands.

 

John Edison addressed the issue that had been brought up about what happens if this falls through.  As the owner of the  Heron colony he was the most willing seller.  He urged those with an issue of access to visit  English Boom and Iverson Spit where they can see over  100 Blue Herons lined up.  There is great public support and the public understands about no physical access to the colony.  As far as the language Commissioner Shelton suggested, Mr. Edison was fine with that.

 

Terry Noel, Langley, called attention to a saying “Trust the Source” which she thought appropriate in this case.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved the Davis  Slough Heronry Property  Agreement [RM-GSA-03-0058] between Island County, State of Washington Department of fish & Wildlife, and the Whidbey Camano Land Trust; the Grant Deed of Conservation Easement, grantor John E. Edison; and the Grant Deed of Conservation Easement, grantor, William M. Simpson and Jane A. Bolz, with the following correction:  

 

On the Agreement, Page 25 of 39,   #11  Access by Public,   and on both Grant Deed of Conservation Easements, Page 10, #11, Access by Public, substitute the second sentence as currently written for the following:  The WCLT will work towards the installation of a WEB CAM.

 

 

PUBLIC INPUT

 

 

 

 

Juliann Koepke, Freeland, Terry L. Noel, Langley, and Sarah Strow  Langley, attended the meeting, interested in hearing comments and plans with respect to the  article in the local paper recently about the Commissioners’ belief that  Langley City Council’s  denial of a petition for annexation may violate the  Interlocal Agreement between the City and the County, and that that rejection left the County wondering how that affected the County’s GMA Comprehensive Plan.     The issue relates to development of a 40-acre piece of land on Coles Road.

 

Commissioner  Shelton indicated that at this point there were no plans.  He commented that when Island  County developed the Comprehensive Plan under GMA, the cities and town also developed a comprehensive plan.  One of the elements was that the County, together with the two  cities and town, development an interlocal agreement to see how those would mesh together.  GMA requires future development  in the county to  occur in areas where urban services are located; clearly,  Langley represents one of those urban areas. The City of Langley not only developed a city boundary but also an Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundary. The  area  in question  is within the UGA boundary that Langley requested and the County approved.   One of the things the Interlocal Agreement says is that if there is a development proposal in the UGA that abuts the city limits, the City of Langley will annex that property.  What is significant in this situation is that under growth management, the County has an obligation to plan for future population that will occur in the County and GMA says  population should occur in urban areas.  As a result of the GMA process the County did significant down-zoning so that any  intense development would be in a city or UGA.  He was  amazed at the Langley City Council action, recalling one of the things that happened during GMA planning process was that the City of Langley threatened to join a lawsuit against the County  because Langley thought the County tardy getting the Comprehensive Plan done and that they were being adversely affected.  Now the Plan is in place as well as the Interlocal Agreement and the  first time it comes into play they vote against annexation. The theory is that future development should occur around  cities and towns.   One of the things that is interesting is that two or three years’  ago we went through the process, at the City of Langley’s request, to  expand Langley’s  UGA. 

 

Chairman  McDowell pointed out that the whole concept of GMA is that cities and towns become more dense and counties stay more rural.  Based on that concept  Interlocal Agreements were signed, and he felt that Langley had not  lived up to that agreement.

 

Commissioner Shelton recalled that when the County was developing its plan, the  Growth Management Coalition said there was one flaw which was too much population allocated for the rural area and  not enough allocated to the urban areas.   Now when a development  proposal comes to pass the City punts, and he did not know where that left the County in the future.   When the County added the property to the UGA at Langley’s request, he co-signed with the  Mayor of Langley a letter  to all landowners involved  [1/20/2000].   At the time there were legal ads as well as news stories concerning additional properties being moved into Langley’s UGA.

 

PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED:  RESOLUTION #C-92-03/R-34-03 – PETITION  TO VACATE PORTION COUNTY ROAD R/W KNOWN AS SHORELINE DRIVE, CAMANO ISLAND, BY PETITIONERS DEAN & DIANNE PACHOSA ET. AL.

 

By unanimous motion, as recommended by Bill Oakes, Public Works Director, the Board scheduled Resolution #C-92-03/R-34-03, a Petition to vacate a portion of County Road right of way known as  Shoreline Drive, Camano Island, by Petitioners Dean & Dianne Pachosa, et.al.,  located in the Plat of Tyee Beach, Division No. 2, Sec 11, Twp. 30N, Rge 3E, for Public Hearing at a Special Session on October 23, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. at the Camano Community Center,  141 N. East Camano Drive, Camano Island, Wa. 

 

Supplement #2–PW-0320-104 - Washington State Department of Transportation; SR 532/East Camano – Signalization

 

The Board approved by unanimous motion, Supplement #2 to Agreement #PW-0320-104 between  Island County and the  Washington State Department of Transportation for  SR 532/East Camano Signalization under  CRP 01-03, Work Order #289, for the authorization for construction funds.

 

Consultant Agreement # PW-0320-102 - Whidbey Island

Scenic Corridor Management Plan

 

Consultant Agreement #PW-0320-102 was approved by unanimous motion of the Board, between  Island County and  OTAK, Inc., for  Whidbey Island Scenic Corridor Management Plan, in the amount of  $80,000.

PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD – OPEN SPACE TIMBER APPLICATIONS

 

A Public Hearing as scheduled and advertised was held for the purpose of considering three Open Space Timber Applications, summarized by Phil Bakke, Planning and Community Development Director, as follows:

 

Open Space Timber  #130/03  - Joe and Kris Black.   Requesting 8 acres be reclassified from Designated Forest to Timber Land current use classification.  Owners:  Joe and Kris Black, Parcel #R23120-232-1630, located in the SW ¼ of Section 20, Township 31N, Range 2 E, Whidbey Island, WA 

 

Staff recommends approval, subject to conditions:

 

1.        All future forest practice 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.

 

2.        This OPS approval is limited to reclassification of eight of the ten acres in the subject parcel  

                                     from Designated Forest to Open  Timber current use.  Additional  permits and/or approvals 

                                    will be required  for other land use activities  including, but not limited to, clearing and

                                    grading related to removal of timber.

 

Open Space Timber #437/02 - Jack and Margaret Young.    Requesting 8.14 acres of two parcels totaling 10.14 acres be reclassified to Timber Land current use category.  Owners:  Jack and Margaret Young, Parcels R13236-185-2920 and R13236-150-2920, located in the SE ¼ of Section 36, Township 32N, Range 1E, Whidbey Island, WA.

 

Staff recommends approval, subject to conditions:

 

1.        All future forest practice activity on the subject property shall be consistent with the submitted Forest Stewardship Plan and the resource management recommendations contained in the report shall be followed as a condition  of this approval.

 

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.

 

3.        This approval is  limited to designation of the subject parcel as Open Timber current use. current use.  

                     Additional  permits and/or approvals will be required  for other land use activities  including, but not 

                      limited to, clearing and grading related to removal of timber.

 

Open Space Timber #275/03 - Lenny and Dianne Hayes.   Requesting 5.8 acres of a 10-acre parcel be reclassified from Open Agriculture to the Timber Land current use classification.  Owners:  Lenny and Dianne Hayes, Parcel R13219-228-2730, located in the NW ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 19, Township 32N, Range 1E and the NE ¼ of the SW ¼ of Section 19, Township 32N, Range 1E, Whidbey Island, Wa.   

 

Staff recommends approval, subject to conditions:

 

1.        All future forest practice 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.

 

2.   This OPS approval is limited to reclassification of 5.8 acres of the  subject parcel   from Open

     Agriculture to Open timber current use.  Additional permits and/or approvals will be   required                                   

     for other land use activities  including, but not limited to, clearing and grading related to

     removal of timber.

 

With no one indicating a desire to speak for or against said applications, the Board by unanimous motion approved Open Space Applications:  Open Space Timber  #130/03  - Joe and Kris Black; Open Space Timber #437/02 - Jack and Margaret Young, and Open Space Timber #275/03 - Lenny and Dianne Hayes, subject  to the conditions recommended by staff.

 

PUBLIC HEARING HELD:  PBRS OPEN SPACE APPLICATION #430/02

 

A Public Hearing as scheduled and advertised was held for the purpose of considering Public Benefit Rating System OPS 430/02 requesting 73.92 acres of an 80.28-acre site be reclassified as Open Space Land under the Public Benefit Rating System.  Owner:  Volcano Point Limited Partnership (John Atwood, General Partner) Parcels R22927-140-2680, R22927-158-3280, R22927-180-3960, R22927-190-4780, R22927-244-4750, R22927-237-3890, R22927-243-2980 and R22927-200-2770, located in the SW ¼ of Section 27 and SE ¼ of Section 27, Township 29N, Range 2E at South Double Bluff, Freeland, WA.  

 

Keeva Kroll, Planner, reiterated the significance of the application and unique value  of the property:  the  73.92 acre site in this PBRS application is a significantly large undeveloped potion  of waterfront land, perhaps one of the largest tracts of privately owned undeveloped shoreline areas in Island  County.  Parcels  included have significant fish and wildlife habitat.  Rather than developing this property as could be done in the rural zone, the owners have chosen to set the property aside in its natural state.

 

Mr. Bakke reported that staff recommended approval, subject to the following conditions:

 

  1. There shall be no development on the portion of the site that is classified as open space without prior Island County approval. Approval would require submittal and approval of an amended Public Benefit Rating System Application and a Bald Eagle Habitat Management Plan.

 

 

  1. No bulkhead permits shall be approved along the four parcels along the shoreline (R22927-140-2680; R22927-158-3280; R22927-180-3960; and R22927-190-4780) since these tidelands are owned by the State, unless all the proper applications are approved.

 

 

  1. There shall be no development on the portion of the site that is not classified as open space prior to review and approval of all appropriate land use and building permits. Approval of this application shall not be construed as approval of any structures.
  2. Applicants shall comply with all submitted management plans and reports that identify measures to protect, preserve, enhance or mitigate the identified on-site resources. If future plans or reports are prepared that

identify measures to protect, enhance, mitigate or manage on-site resources, said plans or reports shall be submitted to the County for inclusion within the Public Benefit Rating System documentation related to this property.

  1. Applicants shall comply with the standards of monitoring for compliance that are outlined in ICC 3.40.150. On an annual basis, Applicants are required to submit an affidavit for the continuing eligibility for current use assessment as open space lands. The affidavit shall include a statement of continuing compliance with the terms and conditions under which open space classification was granted.
  2. If there is a change in use on the classified land, the owners are required to notify the County Assessor within sixty (60) days. The Assessor shall impose an additional tax equal to the difference between tax paid on current use value and the tax that would have been paid on the land had it not been so classified.
  3. If the land is to be sold, the seller or transferor becomes liable at the time of sale for the additional tax, interest and penalty of all or a portion of the classified land, unless the new owner signs the notice of continuance which is attached to or shown on the excise tax affidavit.
  4. Every year following approval of this application, the Planning Department shall review the conditions of approval and compare those conditions to the actual use of the property in order to ensure that the property is in full compliance with this approval.

 

Applicant’s representative, Tim Martin, was present in the audience in support of the application. 

 

With no one indicating to speak either for or against said application, the Board by unanimous motion approved OPS #430/02 (PBRS)  for 73.92 acres of an 80.28-acre site  reclassified as Open Space Land under the Public Benefit Rating System, by   Volcano Point Limited Partnership, subject to the conditions of approval recommended by staff.

 

SOLICITATION of the  Sale of box Lunches to County

Employees At COUNTY  Facilities

 

Pursuant to provisions of Island  County  Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, Section 2.01.070, the  Board by unanimous motion granted permission for the solicitation of the t sale of the box lunches to county employees  at county facilities  by the  “In A Pinch Crisis Nursery”  for  the  4th Annual  Box Lunch Fund Raiser.  Delivery date is to be  Thursday, October 2  at 11:00 or 12:00, with orders to Robin Hertlein, Child Abuse Prevention Foundation  by September 26.

 

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

While Resolution C-44-01 adopted March 26, 2001 creating the Island  County Technology Committee, calls for the committee to meet no less than once a month, there is need for flexibility due to  holidays, annual leave, and other pressing issues, workload  or conflicts.    By unanimous motion, the Board agreed to forward a letter to the Chairman and Members of the Technology Committee to postpone further  Technology Committee meetings  until December 5,  based on current workload of some of the departments, as well as the move back into the Courthouse Annex, and further to acknowledge and clarify that  future postponements may be necessary for a variety of reasons.

 

Budget Workshop

 

Miscellaneous Budget

            Camano Senior Services Association

            Presentation:  Marla Ries, Executive Director

 

Recognize we all have to face the same  budget crunches. Island County’s support makes up 10% of CASA’s entire budget of around half million.  The thrift store provides over 43% of the funding; donations 19.7%; and the remaining 26% through class fees, membership, fund raisers and rental. To date, donations are down 18%.  CASA more aggressively seeking  sponsorship and working harder at fund raisers, and to find more grant money.    Request would be that Island County’s support remain at least the same in 2004 as it was for 2003.

 

            Senior Services of Island County

            Presentation  by:  Mike McIntyre, Executive Director

            Hand-out: