Board of Island County Commissioners Minutes of Meeting April 25, 2005

 

 

The  Board of Island County Commissioners convened in regular session at 11:00 a.m. on  April 25,   2005 for a  roundtable   with Elected Officials and Appointed Department Heads,  held in the  Board of County Commissioners Hearing Room (Room #102B), Island County  Annex, 1 NE 6th Street, Coupeville, Wa.    Other  topics for the  regular session followed at 1:30 p.m.  as  outlined on the agenda.

 

Roundtable Meeting with Island County Elected OFFicials  AND APPOINTED DEPARTMENT HEADS

 

Elected Officials and Appointed Department Heads Attending

Tom Baenen          Phil Bakke                   William J. Byrd          Cathy Caryl                Sharon Franzen        

Betty Kemp           Elaine Marlow             Don Meehan            Tim McDonald       Wm. L. McDowell     

Mike Shelton        Bill Oakes                    Linda Riffe               Dan Sherk              Suzanne Sinclair

Dick Toft                     

 

Other County Staff:

Jan Smith, Sheriff’s Department

 

County Commissioners - Legislative Issues.  Shared with the group some of the measures that passed the State Legislature important to counties this session, including:

 

·         9-1/2 cent increase in gas tax, from which 1 cent will be dedicated to cities and counties [split 50/50%]

·         distressed counties bill passed the funding of which to be spread between cities and counties based upon the     

             old  sales tax equalization formula [Island County will see about $51,000]

·         allow expenditure of up to 15% of capital facility  funds for operation and maintenance

·         passed 5454 increasing  court filing fees

·         funded medicare dollars  - has impact in federal government mental health funds

·         provided some funds for  public health planning for marine counties and put  together legislative task force to   

             look for funding for public health

·         transportation included funding for Camano Island project – new bridge/four lanes, and may be some funds     

             for Sharp’s  Corner  coming to Whidbey Island

 

Auditor.    Primary election bill did not pass this session – passed the House but the Senate Republicans held out for other reforms in elections.  I.D. will be required at the polls; a variety of identification will be accepted to do that.  Secretary of State is tasked with certain requirements related to  finding dead people and felons.    Brought to staff session last week some questions about  travel reimbursement policy; over  50% of the travel reimbursements submitted contain  errors.

 

 Human Resources.  Reminder:   Department Heads need to look at the vouchers they sign to make sure the reimbursement vouchers meet the intent of County policy.

 

Public Works.  Madrona Way stabilization project should be under way this summer  - out to ad shortly, as will the Bayview Road  project.   The Town of Coupeville opened bids for Main Street  construction, from Catholic Church to Front Street,  probably at least a six month project.  Town plans to close the  road during working hours and detour  everyone two blocks to the east around the campus.   

 

Health.  Tim McDonald was personally pleased that the bill related to the task force for public health financing was passed and hoped the Governor would sign; it is an important  issue. 

 

A seasonal reminder about  mosquitoes:   wear appropriate clothing; use mosquito repellent.  It is a good time of year to clean gutters, remove trash from the  yard and participate in the tire exchange program coming up in May [watch for ads in the newspapers ].

 

Maintenance.  An employee 6-month temp through Worksource Whidbey now on board with Maintenance, at no cost to the County. 

 

Sheriff.  Deer Lagoon residents will have  an opportunity to discuss the hunting issue sometime in May.

 

Treasurer.   The Treasurer’s bill did pass this session on s real estate excise tax targeted to get technology in place to electronically transmit  real estate excise tax affidavits.  The County Treasurer’s Office is now in the throws of tax time  and very busy.  Inasmuch as April 30 falls on Saturday, property taxes may be paid on Monday, May 2nd , although she cautioned against waiting until the last minute.

 

Assessor.  Revaluation areas are North Whidbey and North Camano; more than 60% of the field work has been completed.  Following that will begin to pick up new construction.  The number of permits this year is down from what it was a year ago as of this time. 

 

Central Services.  Compiling equipment budget requests from the various offices, to be  presented to the Board at a Wednesday Staff Session with costs and general recommendations.  Developing Assessor and Treasurer data base to put on the Internet by the end of May.  Shortly after that hope to have the GMA Data base up and on line.

 

Planning & Community Development.  The Supreme Court  declined Island County’s Court of Appeals case where WEAN took the County to task on  applying AG BMP’s to family farms on rural zoning.  Experience leads Planning to believe   Agriculture is occurring on   60% of the rural zoned property in the County, more  than  in Rural and Commercial AG put together.  These are small AG operations and even includes some  back yard gardens depending on location.    Phone calls received this morning following the  WNT article in Saturday’s paper are from folks who have less than 8 acre parcels and have a Type 5 stream,  now learning they will need to fence off 50’ on each side.  One call this morning was from a property owner with  property that slopes up on both sides of a drainage ditch; the barn and house on one side,  horses on the other side with the drainage ditch in the middle – concerned he will not be able to get the  horses to the barn if he has to put up a fence, in addition to having  taken up 100' of land.  Public Hearings are scheduled next month for public review and input.

 

                Next roundtable:  May 23, 2005 at 11:00 a.m.

 

Other  topics for the  Regular Board session  followed at 1:30 p.m.  as  outlined on the agenda,  as well as for Diking Improvement District #4.  This portion of the meeting opened with the  Pledge of  Allegiance.   Mike  Shelton, Chairman,  Wm. L. McDowell,  Member,  and William J. Byrd were present.    By unanimous motion, the Board approved  minutes from previous meetings April 18, 2005.

 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board:

Voucher (War.) #211445-211765 ………………………..$918,961.22.

 

 
Staff session Schedule, MAY, 2005

 

The Board by unanimous motion approved the Staff Session schedule for May, 2005, listing the following regular and special staff sessions, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of  County Commissioners Hearing Room (Room #102B), Island County  Annex, 1 NE 6th Street, Coupeville, Wa.   

 

            Regular Staff Session       Wednesday     May 4, 2005  

                Special  Staff Session       Tuesday          May 17, 2005  

 
Hiring Requests & Personnel Actions

 

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

 

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

Treasurer           026/05    Adm Asst          2111.00               Personnel                  4/25/05

[Establishes  bank of 575 hours to be used to provide additional help/reduce back log of change slips]

 

Sheriff                    033/05    Records Clerk    4022.06           New Position                    4/25/05

[Should a vacancy occur amongst the record clerk positions, that position will be filled and position 

          4022.06 deleted]

 

AMENDMENT #1 TO  Tourism promotion agreement

 

Amendment #1 to Tourism Promotion Agreement between Island County,  Town of Coupeville,  City of Oak Harbor and City of Langley [RM-BOCC-05-0049]  to reflect the change that the City of  Oak Harbor is now contributing 1% where previously the City  contributed 2% was approved by unanimous  motion of the Board.

 

Resolution #C-45 -05 Proclaiming Native Plant Appreciation Week

May 1-7 2005

 

Following the recommendation of the Washington Native Plant Society and   the Governor’s   Proclamation of May  1-7, 2005  as Native Plant Appreciation Week, noting that native plant species are an important part of Washington’s heritage providing important aesthetic, economic and ecological contributions  that make Washington  a special  place to live,  the Board by unanimous  motion adopted Resolution #C-45-05 proclaiming  Native  Plant Appreciation Week in Island County, Washington the week of May 17, 2005.   Citizens are urged to appreciate, enjoy and celebrate floral diversity and learn

more about  native plants and their habitats.   [Resolution #C-45-05 placed on file with the Clerk of the Board; GMA #7872]

 

Approval of County Designated Mental Health Professional

 

As recommended by Jackie Henderson, Human Services Director, Island Health Department,  the Board by unanimous motion appointed Norman Johnson, M.S. as County Designated Mental  Health  Professional, having met the requirements of RCW 71.24 and WAC 275-57.

 

Amendment #3 TO North Sound Mental Health Administration #NSMHA-ISLAND-04-05

 

Amendment #3 to  North Sound Mental Health Administration Contract #NSMHA-ISLAND-04-05

replacing pages 1 through 30 of the Interagency Agreement to reflect new language and to replace Attachment XVII-Budget, decreasing the contract amount was approved by unanimous motion of the Board.   The Amendment is  a decrease in the amount of $12,268.76 for a new contract total of   $109,451.00 (RM-HLTH-99-0053).

 

Service Agreement with Island Employment Services

 

Service Agreement with Island Employment Services Contract #HS-04-05  to provide benefits planning, assistance and outreach and management support to SSA beneficiaries and recipients with  developmental disabilities who are exploring career development in Island County (RM-HLTH-05-0024) was approved by unanimous motion of the Board in the amount of  $10,000.00. 

 

Contract - Goosefoot Community Fund - Island County Low Income Housing Surcharge fund Award

 

Contract between Island County and Goosefoot, included within the contract a  Promissory Note  and Deed of Trust,  for the  Island County Low Income Housing Surcharge fund award (RM-BOCC-05- 0038) executed by Goosefoot Community  fund was approved by unanimous motion of the Board.

 

Renewal notices to treatment providers for Juvenile Court Services clients

 

Renewal notices to treatment providers for Juvenile Court Services clients with    Gregory A. Merrill, MSW,         Randy P. Green MA, Janice B. Edwards PhD were approved by unanimous motion of the Board.

 

Public Input or Comments

 

Leslie Mills, Executive Director, WAIF  [Whidbey Animals’   Improvement Foundation], submitted the 2004 Annual Report for WAIF, highlighting:

 

·         Overall adoption effectiveness rate 92%

·         Cared for over 900 cats and dogs at the Shelter  2003

·         Spayed and neutered 542 animals

·         115 cats suffered from upper respiratory illness [38% drop over 2003]

·         114 WAIF animals placed in foster care

·         96 families received crisis care assistance

·         Volunteers logged  over 12,000 hours

·         Over 1,100 donors provided critical financial support

·         Retail operations  netted over $50,000  all re-directed to helping make WAIF’s programs possible.

 

HEARING HELD:  Correction to Final Order of Vacation   Resolution #C-46-05/R-18-05  - Administrative correction to Final Order of

 

Vacation R-49-97 -  portion of Unnamed County Road Right-of-Way -  Feek’s 1st Plat of Island Home Farms

 

A Public Hearing was held as scheduled and advertised to consider correction of  Final Order of  Vacation   Resolution #C-46-05/R-18-05 in the matter of making an administrative correction to Final Order of Vacation R-49-97 for a  portion of unnamed County Road Right-of-Way in  Feek’s 1st Plat of Island Home Farms,  Sec. 21, Twp 29N., R 3E. was presented by Bill Oakes, Public Works Director.  This is an  administrative correction to add clarifying language:  “All easement rights held by private or public utilities hall remain in effect. All easement rights held by adjoining properties or dependent properties, pertaining to ingress and egress should remain in effect.”.

 

At the time of hearing, no members of the public indicated a desire to speak either for or against the correction to the final order of vacation.

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Resolution #C-46-05/R-18-05 In the Matter of Making an Administrative correction to Final Order of Vacation R-49-97 for a  portion of Unnamed County Road Right-of-Way in  Feek’s 1st Plat of Island Home Farms, located  in Sec. 21, Twp 29N., R 3E.

             [Resolution #C-46 -05/R-18-05 placed on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

Plans, SpecificationS , Call for Bids  - Bayview Road Improvements

Pulled from today’s agenda on recommendation of Mr. Oakes.

 

CAMANO HILL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS – CRP 02-04 WORK ORDER #176
CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS AND QUIT CLAIM DEEDS

 

As presented and recommended for approval by Mr. Oakes, the Board by unanimous  motion approved the following Construction Easements and Quit Claim Deeds associated with Camano Hill Road Improvements under CRP 02-04, Work Order #176:

 

·         Construction Easement #PW-0520-103 - Kevin C. Johns,  Parcel 246-5050,  Sec. 11, Twp 31N, R 2E.

·         Quit Claim Deed –  Kevin C. Johns, with compensation at $5,250.00/land, Parcel 246-5050; Sec. 11, Twp

               31N., R. 2E.

·         Construction Easement #PW-0520-79 - John H. and Nadine M. Coatney, Parcel 155-4450 and Parcel

              155-4459,.  Sec. 11, Twp 31N., R 2E.

·         Quit Claim Deed – John H. and Nadine M. Coatney, with compensation at  $5,800.00/land,  Parcel 155-

               4450 and Parcel 155-4459,  Sec. 11, Twp 1N, R 2E.

 

Adopt –A-Road Litter Control Program Renewals

 

The Board by unanimous motion approved the renewal of the following Adopt –A-Road Litter Control Program agreements: 

 

·         Genuine Cedar Flex for  Ewing Road from Maxwelton Road to Bayview Road

·         Northrop Grumman PRB Systems for Goldie Road from  Oak Harbor City Limits to Ault Field Road

·         Sills Road Neighbors, Sills Road from Ewing Road to Maxwelton Road.

 

Agreement with Island County Trails Council

 

 

Mr. Oakes presented for the Board’s approval Agreement #PW-0520-67 between  Island County and the Island County Trails Council  to allow the Council   to maintain and operate  Island County  trails on Island County parcels.  The Board requested  clarification of the language contained under 

Description of Obligations: 

 

      “The County hereby grants to the Council through the County approved volunteer program the

         management and operation  rights for that property  owned or managed by Island County, Public

        Works and Island County Parks for the purpose of county wide trail systems…”

 

Concern is that this could be read so as the Trails Council has the  management  and operational rights of the entire property  the trails are on.  There is a current conflict in some places between trail users and hunters, would this give the Trails Council  the rights to determine those kinds of issues?

 

Mr. Oakes clarified that by this agreement the  County is allowing the Trails Council per their annual work program submittal to the County to identify what work they are going to do to maintain the trails  and how they are going to operate the trails.  He agreed to clarify the language in a manner to indicate “maintenance and construction” instead of “management and operation” .  For location of new trails, the

control mechanism is the annual work program that is submitted and reviewed by the  Board of County Commissioners. 

 

Agreement referred back to the Public Works Department for the appropriate clarifying language.  

 

Supplemental Agreement No. 1 - KMD Architects and Planners

Pulled from today’s agenda on recommendation of Mr. Oakes. 

 

There being no further business to come before the Board at this  time, the meeting adjourned at  2:29 p.m., with the next regular meeting of the Board scheduled for May 2, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.

 

                                             BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                             ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

                                                 ______________________________

                                                 Mike Shelton,    Chairman

                                                                                                                                                                                                _____________________________

                                                Wm. L. McDowell,  Member

 

                                                _____________________________

                                                William J. Byrd,   Member

 

 

ATTEST:   ____________­­­­­______

Elaine Marlow, Clerk of the Board