November 6,2017
The meeting of the Pend Oreille County Board of Commissioners was called to order at 9:20 a.m. in their meeting room. Present were Chair Karen Skoog, Vice Chair Stephen Kiss, Commissioner Mike Manus, and Clerk of the Board Rhonda Cary. K. Skoog offered the invocation and led the flag salute.
(1)
The Board reviewed a draft op-ed.
(2)
Prosecuting Attorney Dolly Hunt requested an executive session regarding potential litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 60 minutes from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Also present were Community Development Director Greg Snow and by telephone conference call Attorney Nathan Smith.
(3)
G. Snow provided a Community Development update. Also present were county residents Bob Eugene, Michael Naylor and 3 other members of the public.
Motion was made by M. Manus to approve the one-year extension on the binding site plan for Saddle Mountain. Motion was seconded by S. Kiss. Motion carried unanimously.
G. Snow reviewed the year-to-date comparison of building permits and the International Fire Code requirements for fire-flow.
(4)
K. Skoog mentioned a conversation with a constituent regarding docks.
(5)
The Board discussed budget and an op-ed.
(6)
The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m.
(7)
Planning Consultant Gregg Dohrn was present for an update regarding HiTest Silicon. Also present were Newport Miner News Editor Don Gronning, Newport Miner Reporter Sophia Aldous, The Beacon Managing Editor Desiree Hood and members of the public in and outside of the meeting room including the following who signed in and approximately 18 who did not sign in: Vicki Bronson, Denise Teeples, Karen Hardy, B. Eugene, Sheryl Miller, Ted Kardos Sr., Phyllis Kardos, Deanna Shanen, Jerry Myrick, Ricky Wilson, Barbara Grover, Gretchn Koenig, Cindy & Bill Ellis, Carol Lamberson, and M. Naylor.
K. Skoog announced that a statement from the Board will be sent to the online community group prior to the newspaper. The update included a clarification of the three areas of permitting including Air Quality, Power, and Land Use, discussion regarding the environmental review and assessment which is associated with the project area rather than solely Washington state, and encouragementfor the county to provide the community forum on November 29 to include representatives from HiTest, Ecology, and possibly PUD.
Following the update, several members of the public voluntarily commented in opposition which included statements regarding a visit with the former Mayor of Moses Lake, zoning inquiries, and the Comprehensive Plan.
(8)
City of Newport law enforcement contract discussion – Present were Sheriff Alan Botzheim, Sergeant Glenn Blakeslee, D. Hunt, Financial Manager Jill Shacklett, Auditor Marianne Nichols, City of Newport Mayor Shirley Sands, Councilmembers Keith Campbell and Mark Zorica, City Clerk Nickole North, D. Hood, S. Shanholtzer, Civil Service Chief Examiner Christine Rahoun, 2 members of the public and by telephone conference call City Attorney Tom Metzger. The group discussed the proposed contract amount by the county and the counter offer by the city. Also reviewed was the comparison of contracts from similar cities in Washington and the level of service expected.
(9)
D. Hunt provided a legal update. Also present were M. Nichols and J. Shacklett. Topics discussed included a public records request and questions which arose during an earlier meeting.
(10)
Public Comment Period – The following members of the public from Pend Oreille County and Bonner County, Idaho were present for comment: S. Miller, Axel H., Mike & Rose Farris, and 2 who did not sign in. HiTest was the subject matter for comment by everyone in attendance. S. Miller inquired about the large industrial businesses in the county in relation to adoption of the Comp Plan and the location of each. R. Farris asked the Board about their knowledge of health impacts from silica dust. M. Farris referenced plants in Iceland and Mississippi. Axel Heisener commented about the foreign company with no vested interest in the area and made inquiry regarding the benefit to the community. Those who were identified as Cindy and Theresa also addressed the Board regarding pollution, an emergency plan, and the grant monies.
(11)
At 4:30 p.m., K. Skoog continued the meeting to November 7.
November 7, 2017
The meeting resumed at 9:00 a.m.with K. Skoog and S. Kiss present. M. Manus was excused for the day.
(12)
Public Works Update – Present were Public Works Director Sam Castro and County Engineer Don Ramsey. Topics of discussion included the annual winter meeting with the school districts and bus operators to review routes and policies, the pre bid meeting for the Indian Creek Fish Passage project, Preliminary Damage Assessment reporting to FEMA for reimbursement, Federal Highways Construction Program Management and Inspection certification for funding eligibility, road crew work hours and snow response, secured fencing at theUsk transfer station supported mostly by a grant, information from the Defenders of Wildlife group regarding bear encounters, the need for on call CDL drivers, cross training of employees, Solid Waste Technician job description update, a draft of the Purchasing Policy update ready for committee review, the audio-video project at Counseling Services,the review of the 40 x 60 shop bid, and the delegation of an individual designated to be responsible for federally funded projects. S. Kiss addressed a constituent request regarding a gate on county-owned land.
(13)
The Board conducted a budget workshop. M. Nichols, J. Shacklett, and A. Botzheim were also in attendance. The group discussed and reviewed the Sheriff budget and law enforcement services in the City of Newport.M. Nichols and A. Botzheim were excused after the Sheriff budget discussion. The Board continued its budget workshop with J. Shacklett.
(14)
Motion was made by S. Kiss to submit the op-ed letter to the press. Motion was seconded by K. Skoog. Motion carried unanimously.
(15)
The Board recessed for lunch at 12:20 p.m.
(16)
M. Manus was present by telephone conference call to express approval to send the op-ed and to authorize signature on the digital document.
(17)
The Board conducted a workshop regarding marijuana production and processing. Also present was G. Snow. The group reviewed the recommendations of the Planning Commission, the current number of licensed producers and processors, risk management, and state requirements.
(18)
S. Shanholtzer was present to review the 911 Dispatch final contract. Also present was A. Botzheim. Motion was made by S. Kiss to sign and approve the contract between the County Commissioners and Sheriff with the Teamsters Union and the Sheriff Dispatch 911 Operators. Motion was seconded by K. Skoog. Motion carried unanimously.
Agreement between the Board of County CommissionersSheriff of Pend Oreille County and Teamsters Union Local 690Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s EMS/911 Operators
CONTRACT NO. 2017-14, COMMISSIONERS’ RECORDING
(19)
A. Botzheim was present to review a letter to the City of Newport. Motion was made by S. Kiss to send the letter from the Sheriff and the Commissioners to the city of Newport regarding the law enforcement services contract. Motion was seconded by K. Skoog. Motion carried unanimously.
(20)
Consent Agenda - Motion was made by S. Kiss to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion was seconded by K. Skoog. Motion carried unanimously. The Consent Agenda includes this week’s Agenda, the Minutes of the Board’s October 30, 2017 meeting and the following items:
Investment Earnings (through September 30)$36,471.18
Investment Earnings (year-to-date):$43,288.97
Payroll Change Notice:
Counseling Services –
Jessica Ausborn, Resignation, Effective 11/11/2017
District Court –
Brandy Hofstee, Step 5, $3,685.82/mo., Effective 12/01/2017
Solid Waste –
Allen DenAdel, Layoff, Effective 10/30/2017
Schedule Statutory Budget Hearing
(21)
The Board convened in executive session regarding the performance of a public employee pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) for 45 minutes from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Also in attendance was S. Castro. K. Skoog requested an additional 10 minutes until 4:25 p.m.
(22)
Correspondence Received:
11.01K. Dahlstedt & D. England on behalf of Evergreen Forest County Group-Bob Weidner
11.02C. Reykdal-2018 School District Levy Authority
11.03M. & R. Farris-HiTest Sand
11.04G. Pfeifer-Request for Lead Agency Status regarding HiTest Silicon
11.05POC Fair Board-October Minutes, November Agenda
11.06Pend Oreille Conservation District-October Minutes, November Agenda
(23)
Correspondence Sent:
OpEd: Prosper or Harm
City of Newport (along with Sheriff Botzheim)-Interlocal Law Enforcement Services Contract
(24)
As of this date, the Board approved vouchers for payment as listed and made available by the Auditor’s Office. The following vouchers/warrants/electronic payments are approved for payment:
Salary and Claim
Current Expense$ 79,207.23
Counseling Services$ 10,043.38
Fair$ 1,089.44
Park$ 712.38
Road$ 2,134.62
Trial Court Improvement$ 4,000.00
Extension Education$ 639.43
Solid Waste$ 49,238.49
Equipment R&R$ 61,710.02
IT Services$ 9,363.47
Sheriff’s Trust$ 620.00
TOTAL$218,758.46
Checks 168565 through 168679 totaling $217,000.94 and Electronic Funds Transfer 14980 totaling $1,757.52 dated November 6, 2017.
(25)
Motion was made by S. Kiss to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by K. Skoog. Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
APPROVED: /s/
Chair of the Board
ATTEST: /s/
Clerk of the Board
Pend Oreille County Commissioners-November 6, 2017 MinutesPage | 1