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HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1990-081I+- 1TCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 90 -4 (,CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Office: Agenda Date Assigned To: Originator- Hansey 11/27/90 Council/Intro Division Head- 12/4/90 P &D /Councj Department Head - Prosecutor Review- Purchasing/Budget Dir: Executive- J'UBfJP_ 1 '. Resolution entering into an interlocal agreement with other counties owning public timber ATTACHMENTS. - Resolution - Related correspondence from WSAC and Hansey Public Hearing Needed? Yes /_/No/xx_/ SUMMARY STATEMENT.• Whatcom County and other counties owning public timber, either in fee or as trust beneficiaries, are being asked to enter into an interlocal agreement creating an association known as the Washington State County Trust Beneficiaries Association. The resolution and correspondence provide more information. ORIGINATOR'S RECOMMENDED ACTION.• COMMITTEE ACTION (including dates): COUNCIL ACTION (including dates): 12 -4 -90: approved 7 -0 Related File Numbers. Ordinance or Resolution Number. • 90 -81 timbenres 12/10/90 SUBSTITUTE SPONSORED BY: Consent PROPOSED BY: Hansey INTRODUCTION DATE: 11127/90 1 RESOLUTION NO. 90 -81 2 ENTERING INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH 3 OTHER COUNTIES OWNING PUBLIC TIMBER 4 WHEREAS, Whatcom County is among the counties in Washington State owning 5 public timber, either in fee or as trust beneficiaries; and 6 WHEREAS, these "timber counties" are being asked by the state Association of 7 Counties to enter into an interlocal agreement creating an association of counties owning 8 public timber known as the Washington State County Trust Beneficiaries Association; and 9 WHEREAS, the agreement would provide for payment of certain legal fees and the 10 filing of certain legal proceedings that would further benefit timber counties; and 1 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that it 12 is in the best interests of Whatcom County to enter into the attached interlocal agreement 13 (Exhibit A); and 14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the County Executive is hereby authorized to enter 15 into the agreement on behalf of Whatcom County. 16 PASSED this 4th day of DecOnber , 1990. 17 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL 18 ATTEST: ;TCO M COUNTY, WASHINGTON 19 � G� mot. i'c` 20 Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk an sey, Co cil Chairperson 21 APPROVED AS TO FORM: 22 23 Randy Watts, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Page 1 INTER -LOCAL AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT is entered into by the parties for the purpose of memorializing previous agreements of the parties to proceed in concert to review federal legislation relating to the prohibition against exporting logs from public lands; and, for the purpose of initiating appropriate legal proceedings in order that the rights of the parties hereto be fully protected under the laws of the United States and the State of Washington. Parties: The parties to this agreement are (1) various counties that either own timber land or have transferred previously owned timber lands pursuant to RCW 76.12.030 to the State of Washington, in trust, hereinafter collectively referred to as either the "Association" or the "Counties ", and (2) the Skamania County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, hereinafter referred to as the "Agent ". Association: There is hereby created an association of county trust beneficiaries to be known as the WASHINGTON STATE COUNTY TRUST BENEFICIARIES ASSOCIATION. The members of the Association shall consist of one (1) representative from the legislative body of each county signator to this agreement. 1. The members of the Association hereby acknowledge and ratify the previous actions taken by their representatives on their behalf evaluating potential litigation. 2. This agreement shall be effective until October 31, 1991, provided however, that it may be renewed for such additional period of time as is necessary to complete any litigation initiated by the Association. Any such extension shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the original agreement. The Association's designee shall notify each member of the Association of the Inter -Local Agreement - 1 necessity to extend the agreement and the period of time necessary for said extension. Thereafter, additional extensions may be made in the same manner. 3. Any member of the Association may withdraw that membership by giving thirty (30) days' written notice of their intent to withdraw to the Association's designee. 4. The business and affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of one county commissioner, or their designee, from each member of the Association and the decision of a majority of such directors present at any meeting shall be sufficient to bind the Association so long as appropriate notice of the time, place and purpose of such meeting has been given to all such members. 5. This Association is formed for the purpose of affording its' members a means to protect their legal rights under federal and state laws with regard to their timber lands. 6. The Association hereby designates the Skamania County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as its' designated agent, to coordinate and supervise any legal proceedings initiated pursuant to this agreement. In so doing, the agent is specifically authorized to retain private counsel in accordance with that certain agreement dated the 25th day of October, 1990, by and between the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Skamania County, a copy of which is attached hereto, marked Schedule "A ", and by reference incorporated herein. 7. The Association agrees that the legal expenses incurred to date by the agent in furtherance of the prier agreements between the counties shall be paid by the members in the following manner: Inter -Local Agreement - 2 COUNTY Percentage Forest Bd. Land x Lecral Expenses to Date Clallam 15.9 x $21,862.75 = $ 3,476.18 Clark 4.5 " = 983.82 Cowlitz 1.5 " = 327.94 Grays Harbor 5.6 " = 1,224.31 Jefferson 2.3 of = 502.84 King 3.2 of = 699.61 Kitsap 1.5 If = 327.94 Klickitat 2.7 it = 590.29 Lewis 6.7 to = 1,464.80 Mason 4.8 If = 1,049.41 Pacific 3.9 " = 852.65 Pierce 2.2 it = 480.98 Skagit 12.4 " = 2,710.98 Skamania 6.7 " = 1,530.41 Snohomish 10.1 " = 2,208.14 Thurston 7.6 " = 1,661.57 Wahkiakum 1.9 " = 415.39 Whatcom 6.2 " = 1,355.49 In the event that any county listed above does not join in this agreement, the portion of prior expenses attributable to such non - agreeing county shall be paid proportionately by the counties who are signators to this agreement. 8. The Association's designee is specifically prohibited from incurring further legal expenses without the prior written approval of the Association, except in accordance with the attached Schedule "A". 9. In the event it is necessary to expend any funds other than those provided in Schedule "A ", and in the event that the Association, pursuant to the appropriate meeting and approval of the Board of Directors of the Association, appropriates funds to pay for such expenses, the Association shall have the authority to establish a special fund with such member as is designated by the Association at that time, said fund to be entitled "Operating Fund of the Washington State County Trust Beneficiaries Board ". 10. . The Association. shall not own any. real or personal property. Inter -Local Agreement - 3 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the authorized representative of each of the several Boards of Commissioners set out below have executed this agreement as of the date so signified. Date County Authorized Representative Title Skamania Clallam Clark Cowlitz Grays Harbor Jefferson King Kitsap Klickitat Lewis Mason Pacific Pierce Skagit Snohomish Thurston Wahkiakum Whatcom Inter -Local Agreement - 4 A sc:�EDULE ' — AGREEMENT Whereas, the Congress of the United States has passed the "Forest Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief Act of 1990" (Federal Legislation) imposing log export restrictions on Washington State -owned trust lands including certain state forest board lands held in trust for the benefit of the counties; and Whereas, the Federal Legislation has the effect of substantially devaluing trust assets and reducing revenues to the trust beneficiaries; and Whereas, the Department of Natural Resources (Department) is an agency of the State of Washington created by chapter 43.30 RCW consisting of the Board of Natural Resources, the Commissioner of Public Lands and the supervisor. Whereas, the state Board of Natural Resources on September 4, 1990 passed a resolution determining it to be in the best interests of the Forest Board Trust to challenge the legality of the Federal Legislation and authorized such a legal action and expenditures from the Forest Development Account to support such action; and Whereas,., the Department has a duty to protect and preserve the trust assets for the Forest Board Trust beneficiaries; and 1 Whereas, the Department believes this litigation is indispensable to the proper administration of the trust and that the issues involved are neither immaterial nor trifling; Whereas, Skamania County is a county of the State of Washington and a beneficiary of the Forest Board Trust and has developed special expertise in the nature of the Forest Board Trust through its involvement in County of Skamania v. State, 102 Wn.2d 127, 685 P.2d 576 (1984); and Whereas, Skamania County has retained Davis Wright Tremaine, a private law firm which successfully represented the counties as beneficiaries in Skamania, has developed specialized expertise and knowledge in the subject matter of this litigation, and has gained the trust and confidence of affected counties and prosecuting attorneys; and Whereas, Skamania County is willing and situated to oversee and administer a contract between the participating counties and Davis Wright Tremaine pursuant to the terms of this agreement; Now, Therefore, for the foregoing reasons and the mutual advantages of the parties, the Department of Natural Resources as principal and, Skamania County as agent, enter into this agreement, and it is mutually agreed as follows: 2 1. Duration. The duration of this contract shall be one year, commencing with the effective date of final signature, unless extended by mutual agreement of the parties. 2. Funding. The Department will provide up to $50,000 from the Forest Development Account for the purpose of supporting the legal fees and costs associated with an action challenging the federal log export litigation commenced on behalf of the forest board counties. 3. Contingent Agreement. This agreement is contingent upon the participating forest board counties entering into an enforceable agreement with Davis Wright Tremaine for the provision of legal services incident to this litigation. The Department reserves the right to review and approve the essential terms and conditions of said agreement, and in particular with respect to the rate and method of compensation. Such agreement will limit expenditures to the authorized hourly fee, approved financial ceilings in the contract, and such other expert witness and support costs reasonably necessary to pursue this litigation. 4. Payment. Skamania County agrees to administer the contract between participating counties and Davis Wright 3 Tremaine. This administration will include insuring the conduct of parties or counsel is not vexatious or litigious and that no unnecessary delay or expense is incurred. Skamania County agrees to submit vouchers to the Department for payment, which shall be reviewed and approved by Skamania County pursuant to the terms of the counties' agreement with Davis Wright Tremaine. The Department will verify the appropriateness of charges and remit payment to Skamania County. Skamania County will be responsible for making payment to Davis Wright Tremaine and advising the affected counties of payment and all other matters pertaining to contract administration. 5. Protect Coordinators. The project coordinator of this contract for Skamania County will be: Robert Leick Prosecuting Attorney P.O. Box 79G Stevenson, WA 98648 and for the Department of Natural Resources: Art Stearns Department Supervisor 201 John A. Cherberg Building, QW -21 Olympia, WA 98504 4 Copies of all official correspondence, reports, billings and other notices under this contract shall be sent to the contract administrators at the above address. 6. Termination. The Department or Skamania County may terminate this contract upon thirty (30) days' advance written notice. Upon termination, the Department may, at its election, retain all materials and analysis completed to that date, which shall be the property of the Department. The Department shall make a fair and reasonable payment to Skamania County based on work done at 'the time of termination. In no event will payment be made for work performed or expenses incurred following the effective date of termination. 7. Assignability. This agreement is not assignable in whole or in part without the written consent of the Department. 8. Non - Discrimination. There shall be no discrimination against any person employed under this agreement, or against any applications for such employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical handicap. -5 - J 9. Compliance With Law. The County shall comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations. 10. Jurisdiction /Venue. This agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington and the venue of any action brought hereunder shall be in the Superior Court of Thurston County. 11. Entire Agreement. This agreement sets forth in full the entire agreement of the parties in relation to the subject matter thereof, and may be waived, changed, modified, or amended only by written agreement executed by both parties. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Department of Natural Resources and Skamania County have executed this contract as of this �� day of zldzA 'e- , 1990. STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES By Ti le _ C: SKAMANIA COUNTY By , %� Tit-le hairman, Bo of Commissioners Approved as to form only this /C? day of 1990. A J_ &- l � �'� Co. AudiE r and Ex- Gfficio 1 � �_ Clerk �-a Board Assistant Attorney General VA