HOCKINSON SELECTS PERMANENT SOOP

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Hockinson School Board members unanimously selected Delcine Mesa-Johnson May 6 as permanent superintendent for the 1,800-student, K-12 district.

Mesa-Johnson hails from Mattawa, WA, where she works as assistant superintendent of the 1,600- student, K-12, Wahluke School District.

Educated at Washington State University and Cal-State Polytechnic University, Mesa- Johnson has been involved in education since 1978.

She will begin a three-year contract July 1. Starting salary is about $112,000.

Mesa-Johnson beat out three other finalists to fill the role after superintendent Barry Gourley resigned last year.

The District has been led during 2004-2005 by interim superintendent Richard Minarik, who is currently on administrative leave due to allegations of sexual harassment.

RIDGEFIELD EYES UTILITY TAXES

City also mulls higher hook- up fees

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Ridgefield city council

members heard proposals April 28 to tax utility bills and hike sewer and water hook-up fees.

Chief financial officer Kay Kammer presented first readings of ordinances that would levy 6 percent taxes on water, sewer and electric bills.

The 6 percent rates are in line with or below such taxes charged in Vancouver, Washougal and Battle Ground, said Kammer.

Kammer said Woodland officials levy a 5 percent tax on electricity and plan to propose taxes on water and sewer this year.

Utility taxes would apply to businesses and residences.

A bill passed in 1982 by the state legislature limits taxes on electric, gas and telephone at 6 percent, said Kammer. She said there are no restrictions on tax rates for water, sewer and stormwater utilities.

Ridgefield currently collects a 6 percent tax on telephone charges.

In requests for council action, Kammer said proposed taxes for residential users will add minimum monthly increases of $1.10 to water and $2.24 to sewer bills. The tax on a $150 electric bill would be $9.

Kammer said the taxes will generate revenues of about $44,000 in 2005 and $147,000 in 2006. Collection of 2005 taxes on electric bills would be delayed because Clark Public Utilities has 60 days to apply to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission for a rate adjustment, she said.

In the requests, Kammer said, "The city must explore options and look for reasonable revenue sources to maintain, enhance and offset increasing service costs."

City manager George Fox said utility taxes go to the city's general fund and pay costs associated with staff, including public safety.

During the past year, the city hired three full-time staff members for planning and development functions previously handled by consultants. A new controller position was also created. Three employees, including the former city manager and public works director, were replaced.

Council member Gary Holmberg asked Fox to relate the utility tax proposals to the city's current budget. Fox said he will bring specifics to the May 25 meeting.

Council member David Standal said he didn't intend to join the city council "to raise taxes."

"I need more information before I can be convinced," said Standal.

Citizen Roy Garrison said, "I don't mind paying taxes if we get good service." Garrison and two other citizens praised work by city staff members.

Staff urge higher hook-up fees

Public works director Justin Clary asked council members to approve hikes in sewer and water hook-up fees.

A request for council action asks council members to approve an ordinance that would increase city water system hook-up charges from $2,000 to $3,950.

The proposal would lift current sewer hook-up charges from $4,000 to $6,950.

Clary said existing charges won't cover anticipated costs defined in the city's Capital Facilities Plans and future necessary upgrades.

Fox said higher fees will enable the city to establish a fund that will pay for future water and sewer system expansions.

After first readings and discussions, mayor Gladys Doriot said final discussion and a council decision on the tax and fee ordinances is likely Thurs., May 26.

City council meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month starting 6:30 p.m. at Ridgefield City Hall, 230 Pioneer St.

$12 MILLION AIMED AT NEW INTERCHANGE

Legislature approves partial funding for I-5/Pioneer St. project

Bill Myers, staff reporter

The city of Ridgefield will get $12 million from the state toward reconstruction of the interchange at I-5 and Pioneer St.

City public works director Justin Clary said April 27 that the state legislature allotted $10 million in direct transportation funding and a $2 million economic development grant for the $30 million project.

City manager George Fox, who urged legislators to fund the project, said a new interchange is essential to long- term growth in the city of Ridgefield. Fox praised efforts of senators Joseph Zarelli and Craig Pridemore, and representatives Richard Curtis, Deb Wallace, Bill Fromhold and Jim Moeller who voted for the transportation funding measure.

Clary said $2 million could cover permitting, design and right-of-way costs. Other funding for the project is expected from federal sources and public/private partnerships between the Port of Ridgefield and businesses.

Upgrades by the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) are now underway to improve safety at the interchange. WSDOT engineer Bart

Gernhart said this won't be halted. Funding, design and construction of a new interchange will take years, and safety improvements are needed now, he said.

Gernhart said a remodelled intersection with wider roadways would enhance traffic flows, especially by trucks.

RIDGEFIELD WANTS, LONGER 219TH ST.

Bill Myers, staff reporter

City of Ridgefield officials would like to see NW 219th St. extended west of I-5 to S. Hillhurst Rd.

An extension of NW 219th St. from a planned I-5/219th St. interchange would "extract maximum public benefit from that investment," said city manager George Fox in an April 29 letter to a Clark County long-range planning manager.

In the letter, Fox requested an amendment to the Clark County Arterial Atlas showing the 219th extension and other roadway changes.

Fox recommended that NW 219th St. west from I-5 to NW 31st Ave./Hillhurst Ave. be classified as a Rural Major Collector.

State transportation officials estimate the interchange at I- 5/219th St. will be completed in 2009.

Other Atlas amendments sought by Fox included:

** the extension of NE/NW 289th St. from Main Ave. across I-5 to NE 10th Ave. as a Rural Major Collector.

** reclassification of NE 10th Ave. from NE 279th St. to NE 289th St. as a Rural Major Collector.

** reclassification of Reiman Rd./NW 51st Ave. from the northern urban growth boundary to NW 289th St. as a Rural Minor Collector.

** reclassification of NW Hillhurst Rd. from the southern urban growth boundary to NE 219th St. extension as a Rural Major Collector.

** extension of S 51st Ave. from the southern urban growth boundary to the NW 219th St. extension as a Rural Major Collector.

Fox said the amendments, while outside Ridgefield's urban growth boundary, are considered critical as regional traffic connections.

The Atlas changes would support the city's revised Comprehensive Plan and are included in the city's Transportation Capital Facilities Plan, said Fox.

RIDGEFIELD SUES FORMER CITY ATTORNEY, ENGINEER

Bill Myers, staff reporter

City of Ridgefield officials are suing former city attorney Brian Wolfe and an engineer consultant.

A complaint filed May 2 in Clark County Superior Court accuses Wallis Engineering, PLLC, Robert Wallis and Wolfe of professional negligence and breaches of contract and fiduciary duties.

Filed on behalf of the city of Ridgefield by the Portland law firm of Stewart, Sokol & Gray, the suit asks the court to award a judgment against Wolfe and Wallis of at least $1 million, exact amounts to be established at trial.

The action stems from development agreements entered into by the city with several developers of subdivisions in Ridgefield. Developments named in the suit include Bellwood Heights, Cedar Ridge, Collins Estates, Dollar Tree/Pioneer Estates, Heron Ridge, Hillhurst PUD, Ridgefield Commerce Center Industrial subdivision, Sweet Katherine and Sweet Katherine.

City officials allege that Wallis and Wolfe helped create the city's Comprehensive Plan in 1995. The Plan outlines how the city will finance improvements associated with developments and determine impact fees and credits.

The complaint alleges Wallis and Wolfe allowed the city to enter into development agreements that were not consistent with the Plan. The agreements impose costs on the city, through credits and unfinanced improvements, amounting to more than $1 million, said the complaint.

In the suit, city officials contend that Wolfe and Wallis failed in their professional responsibilities to "act as gatekeepers" to ensure that such agreements were consistent with the Plan.

Wolfe, for several years the city attorney of Battle Ground, could not be reached for comment. Wallace said he referred the complaint to his insurance company.

Attorney Robert Coleman, speaking for Stewart Sokol & Gray, declined comment.

AMPHITHEATER FEELS PINCH

Operator blames gas prices, costs and limited operating hours

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Operators of the Clark County Amphitheater, plagued by low attendance, show- scheduling and other problems, are hoping for better times ahead.

Quincunx executive director Dan Braun said the 2004 season, with 16 concerts booked versus a goal of 40, was terrible.

Attendance for the year, the first full-year of operations, was at 111,000. Amphitheater officials were hoping for 400,000 patrons.

Braun blamed several factors, including County-imposed restrictions on hours of operation, for sluggish results.

Amphitheater businesses are being hurt by high gas prices as much as anything, said Braun.

Braun said the cost of talent got out of control during boom times a few years ago. "We're trying to be careful to have more big shows booked," he said.

Drawing big names to Clark County on weekends is a challenge, said Braun. When negotiating bookings, the amphitheater staff competes with cities such as Detroit and New York with huge populations and venues certain to attract big crowds.

An agreement with Clark County limits operating hours weekdays to 8-11 p.m. The hard and fast 11 p.m. curfew discouraged some acts, including Sting and Annie Lennox who opted to the Rose Garden in Portland, said Braun.

"We made some headway on the issue when the County allowed us to start a Brooks & Dunn concert at 7:30 p.m.," said Braun.

Having a rigid 11 p.m. curfew doesn't allow for equipment failures that can take 15 minutes to fix, Braun said. If the entertainer isn't allowed to finish a full show, the customer gets cheated, he added.

Braun said good progress was made last year in clearing parking lots after shows. Parking lots are now cleared typically in less than 90 minutes, he said.

Costs are always looked at, said Braun.

The amphitheater charters busses to help reduce traffic, said Braun. Busses bring patrons to the venue from area population centers. "It would be great if C-TRAN could schedule runs to shows as a public service," he said.

At the beginning of last year, Braun and eight full-time employees were looking at a bright future. He and four employees are left.

Relations with neighbors have improved. "We get along well with neighbors and get very few complaints," said Braun.

Bridget Schwarz of the Clark County Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association agreed. She said amphitheater officials are much more friendly and helpful than in early months of operation.

"They even sent free tickets to neighbors when attendance was low at some concerts, and invited many neighbors to their Christmas party," Schwarz said.

Clark County commissioner Marc Boldt said commissioners want to help. "We didn't build the house, but it's our mortgage," Boldt said.

Boldt said staff members are trying to adjust in-bound and out-bound routes to reduce hours worked by Sheriff's deputies in traffic control, all paid by Quincunx.

STATE FUNDS EARMARKED FOR SR-502

New gas, vehicle taxes will fund $8 billion of projects state-wide

Bill Myers, staff reporter

State lawmakers approved a transportation budget April 24 that earmarks $50 million to widen SR-502 between I-5 and Battle Ground.

Work on the state route is part of some $8 billion in projects funded by the largest state transportation package in history.

A total of about $250 million is targeted at projects in Clark County.

Road users will fund the projects.

A new 9 1/2 cent gas tax will phase in over four years at 3, 3, 2 and 1.5 cents, starting July 1, 2005.

Starting January 1, 2006, owners of passenger vehicles and light trucks (up to 8,000 pounds) will pay new weight fees in addition to annual registration fees.

Fees are $10 per year for vehicles under 4,000 pounds, $20 per year for vehicles 4,001 to 6,000 pounds and $30 per year for vehicles 6,001 to 8,000 pounds.

Motorhome owners will pay $75 annual fees.

No sunset clause was included in the bill.

Billions from the budget will replace "at risk" road and bridge structures in the Puget Sound area.

The $50 million allocation for SR-502 widening, with another $15 million designated for the project by lawmakers in 2003, completes SR-502 funding requirements, said Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) engineer Chuck Ruhsenberger.

Widening the 4.5 mile stretch between I-5 and Battle Ground is considered a necessary adjunct to construction of an interchange at I-5 west of Duluth.

Completion of the interchange, funded by federal funds and a "nickel gas tax" approved by legislators in 2002, is targeted for 2009. Road work on SR- 502 should begin in 2010, said Ruhsenberger. He said preliminary design and wetlands delineations along the route have already started.

Other area projects

Funding amounts approved for other area projects and estimated start dates are:

** $50 million for environmental impact statement and planning of a new Columbia River crossing in Vancouver, summer 2005.

** $40 million to widen and improve SR-14 in Camas- Washougal area, summer 2009.

** $1 million for ramp signalization at SR-14/Lieser Rd. interchange, spring 2008.

** $975,000 for SR-500/I-205 interchange improvements, spring 2008.

** $950,000 for SR-503/SR- 500 interchange improvements, spring 2011.

** $712,000 for right turn lane on SR-503 at Gabriel Rd., spring 2007.

** $5 million for climbing lanes on south and northbound SR-503 near Lewisville Park, summer 2009.

** $26.3 million for SR- 500/St. John's Blvd. interchange, spring 2008.

** $58 million for I-205/Mill Plain interchange at NE 28th St., spring 2011.

** $10 million toward a new Ridgefield interchange at I- 5/SR-501, spring 2006.

Area legislators who voted for the transportation package were senators Joe Zarelli (R-18th District) and Craig Pridemore (D-49th District), and representatives Jim Moeller (D- 49th District), Deb Wallace (D- 17th District) and Richard Curtis (R-18th District).

COMMISSIONER STUART OPENS DOOR

Clark County commissioner Steve Stuart wants to hear citizen questions and concerns, and is setting hours to make it happen.

A rotating schedule will give Stuart an opportunity to be closer to homes and offices around the county.

Stuart will be at the Public Safety Complex, 505 NW 179th St., Ridgefield on Thurs., June 16, and Battle Ground city hall, 109 SW 1st St., on Thurs., June 30. Hours for both locations are 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Stuart said people are welcome to stop by and talk about any topic they choose. Or, if it is more convenient, appointments can be made for a different time.

To schedule an appointment, call 397-2232 and ask for Bob McIntyre, commissioner assistant.

FORMER NURSING HOME TO BECOME COMMUNITY CARE CENTER

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Change is in the works for the Center Point building, located at 11117 NE 189th St., in the Meadow Glade area.

Formerly a nursing home, the building was purchased by the Western Oregon Conference Association this spring to be turned into a community services center. The Association is the denominational arm of the Meadow Glade Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Permits and use changes are in the process of being secured from the Clark County Department of Community Development.

The building was owned by at least three entities over the past several years.

The most recent owner was Nationwide Health Properties, who leased the site to a variety of community service organizations, some that will continue their leases with the Adventist Church.

According to Adventist associate pastor Dale Ziegele, the bottom floor of the 31,000 square foot building will be used for the church's clothing and food distribution program, which was recently housed at 410 W Main St., Battle Ground.

About 68 families are served weekly by the distribution program, Ziegele said. The Center Point building will almost double the square footage of the Main St. location.

The upper floor will be leased to a variety of service groups, including the SNAP meal program for senior citizens, New Vision Church offices, and Innovation Services Northwest, which provides pediatric therapy and disabled services.

A community youth center is planned for the building as well as space for a Christian counseling center, family restoration meeting rooms and 12-step groups.

The center is expected to be fully functional by July.

SCHOOL BOARD SEATS UP FOR GRABS IN 2005

Several nonpartisan school board seats are up for election this November.

To file for an office, candidates must complete a Declaration of Candidacy and file it at the Clark County Elections Department by July 29.

Candidates must be registered voters residing in the jurisdiction in which he or she wants to be elected.

Terms of office are four years. School board members do not receive salaries. Some districts pay stipends, usually $50 per meeting.

The following school board seats are up for electionl listed are districts and incumbents.

** Battle Ground: District 1, Frederick Striker, 2, David Sonntag, 5, Dr. Mark Pelletier.

** Green Mountain: District 2, Garren Elmer, 3, Sandra Ferneding.

** Hockinson: District 1, Erik Mattson, 2, Deb Stavig.

** La Center: District 2, Melissa Miller, 3, Robert Taylor.

** Ridgefield: District 1, Joe Leadingham, 4, Kathy Koller.

** Woodland: District 4, Bill Woodard, 5, Steve Bosen (Bosen was sworn in during May 2005. The seat was occupied by Julie Nicholsen until April 2005).

The filing in-person period is Mon., July 25-Fri., July 29. Filings are accepted by mail Mon., July 11-Fri., July 29.

The fee is $10.

For more information, contact Clark County Elections Department, 1408 Franklin St., Vancouver, 397-2345, or:

www.clark.wa.gov/elections

HISTORICAL USE CRITICAL TO MINE SITE

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Historical use of a 349-acre mining site has become central to a six-year debate.

The issue is whether to approve surface mining operations at a site north of Daybreak Park owned by J.L. Storedahl & Sons.

Storedahl representatives have proposed to rezone about 100 acres in order to expand gravel mining on about 178 acres of the site.

Whether the Storedahl proposal meets nonconforming land use criteria is under scrutiny by attorneys for two fish-friendly groups as well as the gravel company.

The two sides squared off March 29 before hearings examiner Daniel Kearns.

Under debate is not that the mine conforms with existing regulations, but whether it complied with regulations at the time it was established, explained Clark County planner Josh Warner.

Storedahl attorneys Sandy Mackie and John Dentler believe the proposed activities are consistent with historic practices at the site.

The site has been used for mining activities since before 1968, argued the attorneys. Formal permits and zoning were in place in several stages in 1971, 1980 and 1984.

Attorneys David MacDonald and Svend Brandt-Erich