RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS
OKANOGAN COUNTY
MAY 22, 2018
The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in Emergency
Status for its regular session on May 22, 2018, with, Chairman Commissioner Jim
DeTro, Commissioner Chris Branch, Commissioner Hover and Laleña Johns, Clerk of
the Board, present.
The emergency operations center wrapped up and the
commissioners hearing room was made available for today’s meetings.
Commissioners’ Staff Meeting
Ms. Hilts explained an application for volunteer in-kind
camp host who would camp on site on the fairgrounds. As long as someone is on
site to collect the fees the board did not have a problem with one getting
another job. When back ground checks have been made she will inform the board of
the results. For now, Ms. Hilts will advertise for the temporary Clerk II
position for the fairgrounds to begin June 1.
Director Huston explained a decision is needed as to
where/how/who the fairgrounds maintenance expenses will be processed. Will
fairgrounds staff process the bills from 001.028 or will the commissioners staff
process out of the grounds maintenance budget 001.009. If so, there are only two
staff in the commissioners’ office whose workload is already full. The Clerk of
the Board explained the work could be absorbed but that some things may have to
be rearranged and extra time allowed to complete in order to ensure priorities
are done first such as paying the bills.
David Gecas explained his recommendation to amend the
county code public records section as our code is not clear. He provided some
draft language that would add language to allow requests an administrative
review prior to a judicial review. The administrative review was clarified, if
the requestor submits a rejection on how the request was handled then the
administrative review gives the county a chance to remedy the issue prior to a
lawsuit. The code is limited and doesn’t clearly describe how denials are to be
handled when the county denies access to records or a review of a denial of the
county or review of redaction made by the county. Any objections related to the
county or agency responded to their request they would be required to go down
this alternate path. A public hearing would need to be scheduled and an amended
This is a categorically exempt from SEPA amendment.
Mr. Gecas discussed information regarding public records
requests he is working on.
Director Huston discussed a needed public hearing date for
the additional comprehensive plan updates. Yakama Nations has expressed some
concern about the process and not being included in that. Commissioner Branch
stated the tribes are working on creating their own water authority. DOE is
still putting stuff together capacity grants $150,000 and the other grant
introduced to us at watershed meeting and none of it is sorted out. It is clear
from Vanessa the county should assume the lead agency status and contract with
conservation district to do the leg work. It will be simpler even though DOE
didn’t come out and say that. Commissioner Branch expressed concern about the
funds and process for obtaining them.
Oroville Tonasket irrigation district meeting will need to
be cancelled stated Director Huston. Commissioner Branch said someone from
Oroville should be part of the conversation.
The irrigation well is up and running at the fairgrounds.
There is a lot of mowing to do. There is also the third bid for the needed
tractor purchase from Central Machinery Sales, Inc. The treasurer wants to
ensure if we go into debt that is doesn’t affect our debt ratios statutory debt
ratio. She will look at that prior to approving the purchase. Commissioner Hover
stated the differences in the bids specs and suggested the most cost effective
purchase. The Mahindra has a better warranty, financing is the same, but is the
suggested purchase. The board would like a resolution to memorialize and also
have the expense budgeted for in the fairgrounds budget. The brush hog was
brushed off but the PTO valve seal needs to be repaired. It is good tractor to
keep, but the Massey Ferguson needs work it could be the starter. The mower 4035
is doing well. The cub cadet mower smokes badly after it is warmed up. It is
burning oil and seems to smoke more under loads. The commissioners would like
the PTO valve seal replaced. A jig is needed to pull it out.
One of the two fairground DOA grants was approved $80,000.
Commissioner Hover would like to dis cuss with the tribe their ideas for use of
the track before signing the grant agreement.
The roof top compressor is being replaced on the Juvenile
Admin Building.
Commissioner Hover left at 10:00 a.m.to attend mediation
meeting for two hours.
Update Human Resources / Risk Management – Tanya
Craig and/or Debi Hilts
CANCELLED due to mediation meeting.
Continued Public Hearing – Supplemental
Appropriation - Sheriff $5,400
Commissioner DeTro opened the continued public hearing up
to staff, seeing no staff to comment he closed staff and opened up to
commissioner discussion.
Motion Resolution 48-2018 Supplemental
Appropriation Sheriff Vehicle
Commissioner Branch moved to approve resolution 48-2018 a
supplemental appropriation within current expense and vehicle reserve funds in
the amount of $5,400. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
Commissioner DeTro left at 10:35 a.m. to travel to the WIR
conference in Idaho this week.
Update – Public Works – Josh Thomson & Ben Rough
Commissioner Branch was the only commissioner in attendance
for the update.
Ben Rough provided his agenda and discussed the items
listed there.
Open Positions
For the first time in a long time all positions including
the temporary summer positions are filled. With the future resignation of
Engineer Tech, Amanda Moody, it is the exception and Public Works may not fill
it right away.
WSU three party agreement for lease of the Public Works
office space for Extension Office. WSU recommended an MOU and any obligations
between WSU and county should be taken care of by the agreement already in place
in the agreement. Mr. Rough explained the issue to Mr. Gecas, and Mr. Gecas
thought the current agreement covered this as well.
WSU 3rd Party Agreement
The Jail trustee uses at Solid Waste was discussed. Mr.
Rough said they help with recycle center, litter pickup on the landfill grounds
which frees up the other employees, and the department does depend on the
trustees for labor especially during the summer.
This weekend is Memorial Day weekend so the Transfer
Stations will be closed on Saturday. Notices and public service announcements
were done and flyers posted at each site to inform customers of the closure.
Ben Rough informed the commissioners that there was a fire
at the landfill with no injuries and nothing was damaged. The fire was around
100x170 and the cause is still unknown. Employees have received training in the
past on these types of situations.
Mr. Rough discussed the Apple Maggot meeting that occurred.
Mr. Rough explained Public Works use of card readers for
fee payments. The cost will be passed on to the customer. It will allow people
to pay by credit or debit card. The option to take the fee is there but it will
be a convenience fee the customer will pay. The solid waste fee schedule has not
been adopted as one fee schedule it has been pieced together over time. It is
difficult to find the actual fee when they are scattered around. He intends to
put all the fees together under one resolution no matter. Public Works thought a
new county website would include pages for each department.
Commissioner Branch requested the Clerk of the Board ask
Ms. Craig about the status of the new county website.
Employee agreement that says if I get CDL through this
program that says if the employee leaves county employment then they would pay
the cost of the CDL license the county paid for. Mr. Rough explained it was
thought the Engineer had the authority to sign those agreements. Commissioner
Branch suggested they be approved by the county so the board is aware of them.
Mr. Rough will reach out to David Gecas.
HVAC Unit repair and replacement at the public works
building was discussed. Mr. Rough thought Public Works should begin saving for
replacement units. There is also the issue of replacing just the compressor or
the whole unit. He will consider other maintenance costs such as reroofing,
replacements of HVAC units, doors, windows, and must be considered.
Engineer Thomson gave his staff report.
Maintenance Road Conditions
Engineer Thomson provided over time numbers of work done
late and due to breakdowns. There was also time spent on flood damages.
No more major flooding is expected based on the information
available. We still need to watch the levees and dams as the water goes down.
The shoulders are being eroded. Sinlahekin Road by Blue Lake is completely gone.
It won’t be a cheap fix and we won’t likely get assistance for the Corp. They
will try to get it passable but it will be more difficult to keep that open.
Palmer Lake area road was damaged and the shoulders are
getting worse on the south end by split rock.
The Evans Road project was discussed as that road is being
chip sealed.
The Similkameen Trail repairs were discussed. At the last
conversation, the PUD had not yet identified funds for the repairs. Maintenance
dollars are needed all around.
Peter Dan project advertises tomorrow. Engineer Thomson
explained with the change in the slop the project was approved the additional
expense. A budget amendment will be needed on this project, but 100% of what is
spent will come back.
HWY 7 Tonasket Bridge South project is proceeding but
flooding may still be an issue when it commences.
A meeting in Ephrata about RAP funding is happening
tomorrow that the Engineer will attend tomorrow.
Edelweiss Sewer update was provided.
Engineer Thomson discussed the items listed on the consent
agenda and provided clarity of those items to the board.
Commissioner Hover returned at 1:30 p.m.
Commissioner Branch convened the board.
Citizen Comment Period
Commissioner Branch closed citizen comment period due to no
citizens being present to give comment.
Motion Executive Session RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i)
Commissioner Hover moved to go into executive session at
1:30 pm for 20 minutes inviting David Gecas, Perry Huston, and Dan Higbee to
discuss legal matters which the agency reasonably believes may be commenced
against the county. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
Commissioner Branch exited executive session at 1:50 pm to
extend executive session another 10 minutes.
Executive session ended at 2:00 pm no decisions were made.
Motion MOA Sheriff’s Employee Association
Commissioner Hover moved to approve the Memorandum of
Agreement between Okanogan County and Okanogan County Sheriff’s Employee
Association representing commissioned employees regarding commissioned employees
work schedule modifications to 10/40 alternative. Motion was seconded, all were
in favor, motion carried.
Motion Resolution 50-2018 Declaring Property
Surplus Hubbard Rd & Garbage Truck
Commissioner Hover moved to approve resolution 50-2018
declaring county owned property, parcel No. 3526030002 and Cargo Star Garbage
Truck, to be surplus to the needs of the county. Motion was seconded, all were
in favor, motion carried.
Motion Resolution 51-2018 Declaring Property
Surplus for Demolition Purposes
Commissioner Hover moved to approve resolution 51-2018
declaring county owned property surplus a small building on fairgrounds, to the
needs of the county and ordering the property to be demolished. Motion was
seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
Motion Resolution 52-2018 Declaring Property
Surplus Public Works Truck
Commissioner Hover moved to approve resolution 52-2018
declaring county owned property, a 1998 Chevy truck VIN #1GCGK24RXWZ204371,
surplus to the needs of the county public works department and authorizes the
sale of the truck to Fair Facilities fund #127 for $1,825. Motion was seconded,
all were in favor, motion carried.
Motion Resolution 53-2018 Tax Title Property Sale
Commissioner Hover moved to approve resolution 53-2018
approving the sale of tax title properties, parcel #’s2400451600, 2400460100,
2400431700, & 2400630600, located near Brewster to the adjoining land owner.
Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
Motion End User Agreement & Credit App.-Stanley
Masterkey Codes-AM Hardware
Commissioner Hover moved to authorize the vice chairman
Commissioner Branch to sign the end user agreement and credit application with
AM Hardware with respect to Stanley Masterkey Codes and systems. Motion was
seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
Approve Consent Agenda
Commissioner Hover moved to approve the consent agenda
items 1-11. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
1. Commissioners Proceedings May 14 & 15, 2018
2. Ratify Appendix G: Cooperation Agreement for Flood Fight
– Public Works
3. Reappointment – Okanogan County Housing Authority –
Yvonne Bussler-White
4. Reappointment – Okanogan County Housing Authority – Ron
Whiteside
5. Grant Agreement – Archives & Record Management –
Secretary of State – Public Works
6. Bid Award – Public Works Water Tanks – Steve Peck
Fabrication LLC
7. Bid Award – Central Landfill Truck Scale – Correll’s
Scale Service
8. Interlocal Agreement – Solid Waste Services – City of
Brewster – Public Works
9. Interlocal Agreement – Solid Waste Services – City of
Conconully – Public Works
10. Interlocal Agreement – Solid Waste Services – City of
Okanogan County – Public Works
11. Resolution 47-2018 – Amending Comprehensive 6 Year
Transportation Improvement Program 2018-2023
Maurice Goodall updated the board about the EOC status and
answered questions of the board in regards to the needs. There will be needed in
the future a budget supplemental.
Discussion – Oroville EMS Levy Coordination – City
Council of Oroville
Perry Huston Lifeline Bob Curtis & Wayne Walker
City of Oroville Clerk Jo Ann Denney, council member Walt
Hart, council member Edward Nailon, Mayor Jon Neal
The commissioners asked Director of Planning Perry Huston
to facilitate the meeting with the City of Oroville council.
Director Huston laid out the status.
Promissory note will need to be submitted by Lifeline but
those are still insured by the city.
Commissioner Hover explained the commissioners’ position
with the current levy collections not covering the current cost of the contract.
The contract allows either party to open up the contract if the levy fluctuates
either way by 5%.
Commissioner Hover further discussed by adding an addition
$.05 to the $.30 already in place would allow the district to run in the black
and be able to save funds for major building and equipment expenses. It makes
sense to get a preliminary idea of what Life Line needs to operate. Mr. Walker
was asked how much money Lifeline is willing to loose. Mr. Walker responded that
operationally the item hurting them the most would be staffing costs. He didn’t
have good numbers on how many people utilize the service when they fall down and
who are on Medicaid. They get many calls for assistance, but are not necessarily
transported. Life Line is looking at between Medicaid and transport rate at
about 50% loss. The thing that hurts the most is the minimum wage increase at
$13.50 per hour after next year. As we discuss the levy from Life Line’s
perspective the rate will have to go up. He would be happy to provide his full
numbers to justify the statement. He will submit for all years of operations.
They have kept their head above water but the increase in wage costs is reality.
It means a 42 hour work week which means hiring more people in order to reduce
overtime. Come 2020 Life Line should be above the power curve. Mr. Walker stated
the ambulances will not need to be replaced. He said there is still the issue of
the Tonasket EMS building for Tonasket EMS needs which is a priority for Life
Line right now and they are working on that. After that then the request is for
the Oroville building to have two separate bedrooms with doors. Right now it is
open floor plan with not much privacy or noise abatement. The other thing is to
there is no kitchen, so it would be a request to put in a regular kitchen stove.
One other outstanding question is whether or not the cardiac monitors will be
supported since there was a memo about that. At some point parts will not be
available and if it breaks down that will need to be replaced with a new unit.
Director Huston explained that up to $.50 per 1000 could be
authorized for up to 6 years, 10 years or establish as permanent.
Mr. Walker said that no one likes increased taxes but the
board will have to deal with that. He said if the board only authorizes $.05 it
just won’t cut it. He apologized for not having the numbers with him to justify
his statement, but the minimum wage alone will be a huge cost. Life Line isn’t
doing anything different than the Methow EMS and their levy is much higher.
Ferry County enjoys the cheapest EMS levy around and they are really struggling.
As the future goes costs will increase no matter what. It is a big jump for the
people in the district and would double their amount but that is really where
the future is. There is a lot of uncertainty and whether it is going to continue
to be viable for Life Line. Their perspective is they don’t need to get rich or
line their pockets, they don’t have a giant underground vault where the money
is. They are not looking to make a profit. Commissioner Hover stated he would
like to see that on paper. Mayor Jon Neal said there is also the big hit due to
schools and everyone understands an increase is needed for the districts to be
viable.
The commissioners discussed their projections and need for
the information from Life line. He can have the report with profit and loss to
the board by the first full week in June. Mr. Walker explained the call volume
in the winter months is very low in Oroville. Operationally Mr. Walker doesn’t
see any foreseeable problems with the building. He will email the Clerk of the
Board and she will disperse to the board and city and then coordinate another
meeting with the city to go over it.
Mr. Walker asked what happens if both city and county has a
levy and one or the other doesn’t pass. Maybe that isn’t a concern. Jon Neal
replied that everyone has that fear but people are grateful for the service.
Dispatch services were discussed. JoAnn explained how those
costs are divided by the city between police, fire, and ambulance.
Commissioner Hover will do the outreach to the assessor’s
office for the information on the valuation.
The board adjourned at 4:50 pm.