BOARD OF ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF MEETING - FEBRUARY 14, 2005

 

The Board of Island County Commissioners (including Diking Improvement District #4) met in Regular Session on  February 14, 2005 beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the   Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, 1 N. E. 6th Street, Coupeville, Wa.    Mike Shelton, Chairman, and William J. Byrd,   Member, were present.  The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.  By unanimous motion, the Board approved the minutes from the February 7, 2005 Regular Meeting.

 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board:    Voucher (War.) #206513 – 206879…………………………………….. $471,526.48.

 

Hiring Requests & Personnel Actions

 

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

 

Dept.               PAA #   Description          Position  #          Action              Eff. Date

Assessor          012/05   Appraiser Trainee  108.05                New Position           2/14/05.

 

Purchase Order – Two Copiers (Human Resources and Commissioners)

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Purchase Order 7353 [RM-BD-05-0019] for two Savin 4035 ESP copy machines  from Puget Sound Business Systems, Inc., the lowest of three quotes obtained, in the total amount of $17,385.40, including tax  (Human Resources and Commissioners offices).

 

Maintenance Agreement – Definity Phone System

 

A four year Maintenance Agreement  for the Definity Phone System  [RM-CS-05-0013] with Telecom Labs, in the total amount of $79,648.12 including tax, along  with  Addendum to Master Maintenance Advantage Plan providing for “TLI’s liability or $250,000 whichever is less”, was approved by unanimous motion of the Board as submitted for approval by Cathy Caryl, Central Services  Director.

 

 EMPLOYEE AWARDS

 

Employee                         Department     #  Years

Bonvouloir        Dave       Solid Waste            20           

Flitcroft Ed           Public Works         15

Walimaki          Adele      Solid Waste            15

Wiaczek           James      Public Works         10

Merringer         Michael   Juvenile                   5

Tasoff              Jeffrey    Public Health          5

Wells                Katy        Treasurer                5

 

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH – JANUARY, 2005

 

 

 

Pat Kohlmann,  Assessor's Office, was selected as  the Employee of the Month for January 2005.    Pat is the person  most citizens first speak to when they visit the Assessor's Office to research property information.    Her pleasant and helpful demeanor is regularly commented upon by citizens she has helped at the front desk, and  goes out of her way to assist them in researching properties using the computer terminals available in the Assessors Office.  Pat stands out among an outstanding office staff that has a reputation for serving the public admirably and professionally.    

 

Appointments and/or re-appointments to various boards and committees

 

By unanimous motion, the Board made the following appointments: 

 

Island County Law & Justice Committee

Appointed Sig Harbak, Oak Harbor

Representing Commissioner District #3

Term:  February 28, 2006

 

Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve

Appointed Karen Lennon, District Administrator,

Whidbey Conservation District, to refill the

member-at-large  position

Term:  October 1, 2005.

 

Special Occasion Liquor License #092151 by Camano Senior & Community Center - March 13, 2005

 

Having received the appropriate review and recommendations from County Departments, the Board by unanimous motion approved Special Occasion Liquor License #092151 by Camano Senior & Community Center for March 13, 2005 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Camano Senior Center, located at 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island.

 

Resolution #C-10-05 In the Matter of Island County Participating in a Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Program Application

 

By letter from The Opportunity Council, Bellingham, dated February 1, 2005, the Board was apprised about the development of a Community Development Block Grant funded housing rehabilitation and repair program for homeowners with incomes less than eighty percent (80%)  of the area median income in Island, San Juan and Whatcom Counties.  An  application of  $500,000 would be made to the Washington State Department  of Community, Trade and economic Development by Whatcom County, for housing  rehabilitation and repair services to be performed for eligible  homeowners in Island, San Juan and Whatcom Counties. 

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Resolution #C-190-05 agreeing to  participate  in an application for Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Program for a housing rehabilitation and repair program targeted to low income homeowners in Island, San Juan and Whatcom Counties operated by the Opportunity Council, with the applicant jurisdiction being Whatcom County.

 

[Resolution #C-10-05 on file with the Clark of the Board]

 

HEALTH CONTRACTS APPROVED

 

The Board, by unanimous motion, approved the following Health Department contracts, as described in the contract paperwork provided by the Health Services Director:

 

Contract #HS-04-03 Amendment #2 (RM-HLTH-99-0057) with  Service Alternatives for Washington, Inc. - increase contract amount so that payments can be made for day program services for those clients who previously have been receiving direct payments.  Amendment in the amount of  $3,900 for total new contract amount of $189,567

 

Contract #HS-03-05     (RM-HLTH-04-0059) with United General Hospital-Skagit County to conduct the required SYNAR Tobacco Retailer Compliance Checks in Island County, in the amount of  $1,980

 

Contract #HS-06-03   (RM-HLTH-98-0004)Amendment #4 with Total Living Concept to increase contract amount so that payments can be made for day program services for those clients who previously have been receiving direct payments.  Amendment in the amount of $9,900

 

Contract No.:  HD-01-04  Amendment #1 (RM-HLTH-02-0093) with Compass Health for shared receptionist services at Camano Health Care Center, Amendment in the amount of  $6,000  for total new contract amount  $11,500

 

Contract #HD-01-05  (RM-HLTH-02-0100)  with  Whidbey General Hospital in the amount of  $19,128

Carrie McLachlan-Grant Writing/Fund Raising Consulting & Technical Advice                                                   

Public Input or Comments

 

Island County Assessor – Levy for 2005 Taxes

 

Tom Baenen, Island County Assessor, provided copies to the Board and members of the press, of his hand out “2004 Levy for 2005 Taxes” and confirmed that last Friday he certified the tax rolls for 2005. 

 

Mr. Baenen commented that the growth in value   between 2004 and 2005 is $855,320,000 of that $220,000,000 is new construction. The average tax rate for 2004 was $9.39 per $1,000 valuation; the  average tax rate for  2005 is $8.98 per $1,000 valuation which represents a  41 cent decrease.  Total collected this year for Island County [includes all taxing districts]  is $77,616,807.87, an 11% increase  over 2004 [1/4 from new construction].   Island County for the last 11 years ranked either 38 or 39 of the 39 Washington counties  as far as its position with the lowest or next to the lowest tax rate in the State.

 

Dan Jones, Levy Analyst, provided further details and specifics about  the levy and taxes for 2005.

 

·         Between 23% and  41% of total tax bill comes as a result of voter-approved levies, a significant share              

                       of the total.

·         County Current Expense will receive  72 cents per $1,000 valuation, a significant decrease

·         County roads did not levy for the total amount [$477,044 that could have been levied]

·         Overall there has been a little over a 4% decrease in the tax rate; taxes and assessment is not one and  

                       the same.

 

 

Hearing Held:   Resolution #C-02-05/R-02-05- FINAL ORDER OF VACATION of a portion of County Road right-of-way known as Crosby Road

 

A Public Hearing was held at 10:15 a.m. as scheduled and advertised, for the purpose of considering Resolution #C-02-05/R-02-05, final order of vacation of a portion of County road

right of way known as Crosby Road, located in Sec. 28, Twp 33N, R 1E, the vacation petitioned by  James & Clarice Taylor.

 

Bill Oakes, Public Works Director, reported that the Engineer’s  recommendation of denial inasmuch as the  public would not be  benefited by the vacation; it is located adjacent to access for an old pit site that is still used for waste material; and located adjacent to a main arterial for North Whidbey.

 

James Taylor, 1348 Crosby Road, Petitioner, commented that the  County 15 years’ ago  changed the road in front of his house, and for the past  15 years, he has maintained that  portion of property, a very scenic entrance into the area at Alpine Drive and provides a sight visibility safety aspect.   He can see no  future road construction happening in his lifetime, and believes there is a benefit to vacating that portion of property to him:   increase  in his property value for which he would pay taxes on to the County.

 

Chairman Shelton reiterated the property location, which is adjacent to a main arterial.  While there may be no foreseeable construction in his lifetime, there could be by a future generation,  and from the County’s point  of view,  it probably is not wise for the County to vacate property that has some possible use in the future.

 

Mr. Taylor asked  that the County consider a compromise:  that he meet with the County Engineer and consider vacation of the  property  with the condition that the property be returned to the County  at no cost if needed in the future.

 

The Board agreed that Mr. Taylor continue to work with the County Engineer and Mr. Oakes, and come back with a recommendation.  By unanimous  motion the Board continued the public hearing  until

March 14, 2005 at 10:15 a.m.

 

Quit Claim Deeds,  Drainage and Construction  Easements – Bayview Road  CRP 98-17

 

Related to Bayview Road Project CRP 98-18,  as presented and described by Mr. Oakes, the Board by unanimous motion approved the following Quit Claim Deeds, Drainage Easement and Construction Easements:

 

Quit Claim Deed  from  Craig D. and Kathleen M. Izett, with compensation in the amount of $12,840.00 ($5,296.00/land, $840.00/fencing, $319.00/merchantable trees, $6,385.00/administrative settlement),  Parcel 485-1170, Sec. 8, Twp 29N, R 3E.

 

Construction Easement  PW-0420-34 – between  Island County and  Craig D. and Kathleen M. Izett

Parcel 485-1170, Sec. 8, Twp 29N, R 3E.

 

Quit Claim Deed  from Agnes F. Morgan with compensation in the amount of  $3,150.00 (land),  Parcel 010-5890; Sec. 7, Twp 29N, R 3E.

 

 

Drainage Easement  PW-0420-163 between  Island County and Agnes F. Morgan,  Parcel 010-5890; Sec. 7, Twp 29N, R 3E.

 

Quit Claim Deed  from Mark A. and Allison K. Miller, with compensation in the amount of  $6,927.00 ($5,903.00/land, $1,024.00/trees),  Parcel 057-1850; Sec. 5, Twp 29N, R 3E.

 

Construction Easement  PW-0420-36 between  Island County and Mark A. and Allison Miller,

Parcel 057-1850; Sec. 5, Twp 29N, R 3E.

 

Adopt-A-Road Litter Control Program Renewal

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved the Renewal Adopt-A-Road Litter Control Program agreement with  Richard Curdy,  Brierly Inn, for  Glendale Road from Cultus Bay Road to Humphrey Road.

 

Stormwater Mitigation Agreement – Holmes Harbor Community Partners, LLC

 

Stormwater Mitigation Agreement #PW-0520-20 between  Island County and Holmes Harbor Community Partners, LLC,  Lot 2, Div. No. 2,  Plat of Holmes Harbor Golf & Yacht Club, Sec. 3, Twp 29N, R 2E. was approved by unanimous motion of the Board as presented and described by Mr. Oakes.

 

Resolution #C-11-05  (PLG-002-05) Annexing Parcel into the Camano Hills Water System Service Area

 

Jeff Tate, Assistant  Director, Planning & Community  Development, presented  Resolution #C-11-05  (PLG-002-05) Annexing Parcel #R3219-021-4980 into the Camano Hills Water System Service Area, with a recommendation of approval.   Mr. Tate confirmed that the Planning Department reviewed the request for consistency with the Coordinated Water System Plan and  found it consistent with the goals and policies of that plan.   Parcels within the subdivision of Terry Heights are served by an existing unapproved water system   The purveyor of the Terry Heights Water company indicated in writing an inability to provide water in a timely and reasonable  manner [Exhibit A to the resolution] and it is  recommended that the parcel in question be annexed into the Camano Hills Water System service area [Exhibit B to the resolution].

 

By unanimous motion, Board approved Resolution #C-11-05  (PLG-002-05) Annexing Parcel #R3219-021-4980 into the Camano Hills Water System Service Area.[Resolution #C-11-05 placed on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

BONDING:  POSSIBLE REFUNDING OF 1997 AND 2001 BONDS

 

Last week  Elaine Marlow, Budget Director, discussed with the Board the possibility of refunding of the 1997 bonds and consideration of an additional two million for the  Juvenile Detention Center, and the Board agreed it made good financial sense and asked her to move forward with the proposal  and come back with more refined numbers.

 

Ms. Marlow reported today that   Island County can save an additional $300,000 by also including

 

 

refunding of the  2001 bond issue.  The savings for refunding both issues would be about  $867,000 in debt service.  The 2001 bonds originally totaled five million and are  scheduled to be paid off in 2024.  The payoff date for the 2001 portion of the refunding will be 2024 and the  payoff  date for the 1997 portion of the refunding will be 2017. The new money portion for the Juvenile Detention Center would be  scheduled to be paid off in 2017.             

 

The Board directed Ms. Marlow to proceed with both the 1997 and 2001 bonds to be refunded and reissued.

 

 

There being no further business to come before the Board at this  time, the meeting adjourned at          10:40 a.m. Island County offices will be closed on Monday, February 21st in observance of Presidents’  Day.   The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be on February 28th beginning at 11:00 a.m. for a roundtable discussion with Elected Officials and Department Heads, followed at 1:30 p.m. by regular agenda items.

 

                                             BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                             ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

 

                                                 ______________________________

                                                 Mike Shelton,    Chairman

 

 

                                     _____________________________

                                               William J. Byrd,   Member

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  [Wm. L. McDowell,  Member, absent]

 

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:    ____________­­­­­___________

Elaine Marlow, Clerk of the Board