The Board of Island County Commissioners met in Special Session on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Island County Camano Multipurpose Center, 141 N. East Camano Drive, Camano Island, WA. Wm. L. McDowell, Chairman, William J. Byrd Member, and Mike Shelton, Member, were present. County Staff attending were: Bill Oakes, Public Works Director, Gwenn Maxfield, Assistant Public Works Director, and Connie Bowers, Public Works Traffic Engineer. The press was represented by Bridget Budbill, Stanwood/Camano News. An attendance sheet was circulated [on file with the Clerk of the Board].

As scheduled and advertised, a Public Hearing was held at 2:00 p.m. to consider a petition to open an unopened County Right-of-Way known as Park Drive, Plat of Sunnyshore Acres located in Section 10, Township 30 N, Range 3 East.

Bill Oakes, Public Works Director, presented the application submitted by Charles Carmen petitioning the County to open approximately 400 feet of unopened right-of-way known as Park Drive for access for a Planned Residential Development (PRD) project, proposed for lots 72 and 73 (approximately 400 feet by 1,000 feet) in the plat of Sunnyshore Acre. The Public Works Department is in favor of approving the petition.

Rich Weiss, Manager, DHB Enterprises, Mukilteo, owning the adjacent property to the proposed right of way, read a letter into the record [on file with Clerk of the Board], not necessarily for or against opening of the proposed right-of-way, but gave rise to a much larger issue: residential development and its compatibility with working forests, which was how their 62 acres was currently zoned. Their property also includes Lots 93, 94, 95 in Sunnyshore Acres. Problems include:

1. Forest fires [ wayward 4^th of July bottle rocket and/or teenagers, a case of beer, and a book of matches
2. Trash dumping [old cars, meth paraphernalia, miscellaneous dumping]
3. Shooting [log buyers reluctant to buy timber so close to public access]
4. Nails from tree forts
5. Property line encroachment and tree theft.
6. Blow-down and associated life and property risk and damage.

Mr. Weiss' letter indicated that the only way to remedy incompatible differences between a working forest and residential development would be to either rezone their inappropriately zoned property to reflect that of surrounding properties or make the south half of Camano Island commercial forest land. DHB Enterprises support the proposed right of way if their inappropriately zoned property is made to reflect that of surrounding properties.

Eric Weiss, Mukilteo, emphasized that having different and incompatible uses causes difficulties for timber management. They need to protect the rural forest and he was concerned how the road would open the door for more inconsistent uses such as additional homes.

Commissioner Shelton clarified that the property was zoned as Rural Forest with a density of one house per ten acres. The incorrect zoning was not an issue that could be addressed at this hearing and would need to be pursued with the Planning Department. The road is designated as a public right-of-way and

has remained unopened for a number of years; to deny people the use of that right-of-way would not be consistent with serving the public good.

In response to questions from Commissioner Byrd, Rich Weiss confirmed that much of his time is spent cleaning up after others, as well as patrolling borders; growing a tree farm next to so many houses is difficult. There is some 8,000 feet of border, not fenced; no trespassing signs have been destroyed and removed. Liability is another concern should someone enter the property and get injured.

Chairman McDowell confirmed the property was placed in Rural Forest zoning in 1998, and that any zoning issue would need to be pursued with the Planning Department.

No others in attendance indicated a desire to speak either for or against the proposal.

By unanimous motion the Board approved the application of Charles Carmen to open an unopened County road right-of-way known as Park Drive, located in the Plat of Sunnyshore Acres, Section 10, Township 30 North, Range 3 East, as submitted.

As scheduled and advertised, a Public Hearing was held at 2:30 p.m. to consider Ordinance #C-100-06 in the Matter of Closing the Access to State Route 532 from Terry’s Corner/North Camano Drive.

Mr. Oakes outlined the hearing was for the purpose of considering closing the public access to State Route 532 from Terry’s Corner/North Camano Drive located in Section 20, Township 32 North, Range 3 East: close the portion of North Camano Drive going past the Chamber of Commerce booth, not allowing traffic to turn onto State Route 532 (SR 532). The proposal would require that traffic turn left from Sunrise Boulevard at the new traffic light at Terry’s Corner to enter SR 532 to go eastbound. This is a traffic safety issue, having been numerous reports of near misses at that intersection. The recommendation of Public Works is that traffic be directed to the traffic light in order to make a safe left hand turn onto East Camano Drive going eastbound under stop light control. The westbound traffic on North Camano Drive would still remain open. The plan is for a turn-around located past the Chamber of Commerce to bring people back on the road to enable traffic to enter the other accesses.

Leon Rivers, Camano Island, asked whether the traffic light would be adjusted to handle the added traffic coming from North Camano Drive. Mr. Oakes answered that should more green traffic light time be needed in order to handle the traffic from Sunrise Boulevard, the signal could be adjusted. The question asked was whether traffic could turn right onto SR 532 after leaving the Chamber of Commerce kiosk. Mr. Oakes stated that traffic could leave the kiosk by way of North Camano Drive and go westbound to Sunrise Boulevard. He did suggest that the State may need to place directional signs.

Lynn Pokela, Camano Island, asked for specific statistics related to the number of near misses, number of accidents in the last 24 months; time of accidents, number requiring air-lift; number of vehicles towed. Increasing traffic at Terry’s Corner takes "choice" away. When the road is congested she takes the route via Terry’s Corner, otherwise makes a left onto SR 532 from North Camano Drive. She was suspicious whether businesses along Sunrise Boulevard had influenced the proposed traffic

revision. There is a traffic problem on East Camano Drive with people turning left out of the Camano Plaza complex, and there should be another way to exit that complex, suggesting also to reduce the

speed limit to 35 or 40 mph on East Camano Drive.

Bill Thorn, Camano Island, highly endorsed the proposed traffic revision, having been a "morning driver" and nearly involved in a potential accident at that location on one or two occasions. He endorsed Ms. Pokela’s concerns about the left turn onto East Camano Drive at the Camano Plaza, and suggested that the County consider a traffic signal at McElroy and closing the left turn lane from the Camano Plaza onto East Camano Drive. Mr. Thorn asked whether a proposed roundabout at the Northwest corner of Terry’s corner was still planned, and whether the turnaround would take away from the parking area at the Chamber of Commerce kiosk.

Mr. Oakes reported that the intersection of North Camano Drive and Sunrise Boulevard had three options: (1) a turnaround; (2) retain existing configuration - North Camano as the main line part of a "T" with Sunrise as the stop control; (3) Sunrise Boulevard/North Camano Drive as the through link with North Camano Drive as stop control. The Department is also looking at an all-way stop as an option. It is under preliminary design, and should have a traffic study analysis recommendation in the next few months. Mr. Oakes confirmed that there had been a traffic analysis on the whole site, but did not have the complete accident history, although "near misses" were reported. A traffic study was completed for the overall design at Terry’s Corner, including traffic counts and turn movements, and the recommendation was to close North Camano Drive at SR532. He noted the traffic study would be made available for public viewing.

Don Backstrom, Camano Island, travels the North Camano Drive/SR 532 intersection a minimum of four times a day from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The addition of the traffic light helps disperse the traffic allowing 6 to 8 vehicles to make the left turn from North Camano Drive onto SR532 safely. He normally uses the traffic signal when towing his boat or RV. With he increase in traffic turning left, the SR 532/North Camano Drive intersection still disperses the traffic very well and he favored keeping it open.

Mark Brunner, Camano Island, traveled the intersection two to six times a day and found it very useful to use the intersection at North Camano Drive and SR 532; installation of the traffic light helped to allow space for additional cars. Closing the intersection would create more of a choke point at the traffic light and he favored leaving the intersection open.

No others in the audience at the time of hearing indicated a desire to speak either for or against the proposed Ordinance.

Commissioner Shelton recognized that the recommendation of Public Works was to close North Camano Drive at SR532, and the State Department of Transportation supported closing the subject intersection as indicated by their letter [July 15, 2005 on file with the Public Works Department]. He understood the potential for more accidents was higher in the evening with a heavy stream of westbound traffic since the new signal was helping regulate the eastbound traffic. He was in favor of closing North Camano Drive access to SR 532.

Commissioner Byrd was concerned with the fact that Camano Island was growing, resulting in increased traffic, and realized the need for improved safety. Based on the studies that were done and

the information available, it was his opinion that the County should proceed with the closure as proposed.

Chairman McDowell thought the proposed turnaround was well designed and would be a permanent turnaround. He did not favor having people wait longer at signals, but did favor safety and did not want to wait for the next accident before closing the subject intersection. He committed that the County would monitor the intersection at Sunrise Boulevard and East Camano Drive to make

sure the signal was working as efficiently as possible.

The Board by unanimous motion approved Ordinance #C-100-06/R-36-06 in the Matter of Closing the Access to State Route 532 from Terry’s Corner/North Camano Drive located in Section 20, Township 32 North, Range 3 East, W.M. [Ordinance #C-100-06 placed on file with the Clerk of the Board]

A Public Hearing was held beginning at 3:00 p.m. as scheduled and advertised, to consider a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application for proposed Camano Island Community Health Facility.

The application summary for the proposed Camano Island Community Health Facility has been available for review at the Island County Camano Annex, 121 N.E. Camano Drive, Camano Island and the Island County Public Works Department, County Annex Building, 1 N.E. 6th St., Coupeville [copy on file with the Clerk of the Board] .

Tim McDonald, Island County Health Services Director, made opening comments, and noted that the final proposal would be available in a few weeks. The purpose of the hearing was for review of community development and housing needs, and inform citizens of the availability of funds and eligible uses of the CDBG, and receive comments on proposed activities, particularly from low- and moderate-income persons and persons residing in the Island County area. Up to $1,000,000 may be available to Island County on a statewide competitive basis to fund public facility, housing, economic development, or community facility projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Island County and Skagit Valley Hospital are collaborating on a grant request to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). The grant request is for construction of a new facility to meet space demands of a growing service. In addition to the $1,000,000 grant, Skagit Valley Hospital (SVH) will contribute matching funds as grant requirement and Island County will provide in-kind grant match through land and construction project management. The land that Island County will contribute is where the Camano Multipurpose Center is currently located. The whole project would be approximately $1.5 million. The proposed project is a joint health facility and community meeting space. Skagit Valley Hospital's Camano Community Health Clinic is a Rural Health Care Clinic and provides primary care services on Camano Island. The Camano Community Health Clinic opened in October of 1999 to meet an identified community need in a medically underserved area, especially those with low and moderate income. Since that time, the demand for health care services have greatly expanded, and SVH must find an adequately sized building or expanded space to service the expanding need. The proposed project will take the primary care services from the current facility and move those services to the new building. The new building will include a community meeting room built to meet current codes, and provide heat and energy efficient fixtures.

Rhonda Curry-Olmsted, Skagit Valley Hospital, Camano Clinic, along with Gray Draper, Physician Assistant, with the Camano Clinic since April 2001, addressed the need of the proposed project. The Camano Clinic added another physician and is completely out of space to meet the needs of the community. The current three exam rooms and one treatment room are not adequate to serve the volume of patients requesting services on a daily basis. Six additional exam rooms [9 total] are needed along with one treatment room. With an expanded facility the Clinic would be able to add another medical provider. The goal is to provide urgent care or same day service at the Clinic. In reference to

Medicare and the aging population, the Camano Clinic does not turn any patients away, including the Medicare population.

Bill Thorn endorsed expanding health care on Camano Island, something needed for a long time. He recognized that the County should have made the facility larger when the existing facility was built. Camano has a rapidly growing senior population, implying a substantial increase in need for various kinds of medical care and encouraged SVH to employ some geriatric-trained providers to meet that need. He inquired why the existing health care facility was not being expanded, and asked about provision of kitchen facilities in the Community Room, and where the public would meet while the new facility was under construction.

Mr. McDonald stated that the issue had been studied by the County's engineers, the Hospital’s architect and others, concluding that the site would not support the facility needed now and in the future. The proposed project supports adding community meeting space of approximately 1,500 square feet, and would have some type of kitchen facilities.

Commissioner Shelton explained that the current tenants will continue to use the existing Camano Health Care facility, for example, the Island County Health Department Nursing Division and Compass Health providing Mental Health and Substance Abuse services. Mr. McDonald added to note that SVH

was interested in retaining a portion of the space at the existing facility as well.

Commissioner Byrd commented that perhaps the County had not looked far enough ahead when building the facility in 1999, but are trying to look far enough ahead now in order to meet the needs of the community, and the proposed facility includes some room for growth, if needed. The current Multipurpose Center is used regularly and the County is looking for other places for the public to use in the interim.

The Board will conduct a second public hearing on the proposed application at 9:55 a.m. on Monday, October 9, 2006, Island County Courthouse Annex, Hearing Room, 1 N. E. 6^th Street, Coupeville, Wa., with video-conferencing available between Coupeville and the Camano Annex for additional public participation from Camano Island. Comments from the public may also be submitted in writing to the Board of Island County Commissioners, P. O. Box 5000, Coupeville, Wa. 98239 by October 16, 2006.