RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS
OKANOGAN COUNTY
FEBRUARY 10, 2020
The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular
session at 123 5th Avenue North, Okanogan, Washington on February 10, 2020, with
Chairman, Commissioner Jim DeTro; Vice Chairman, Commissioner Chris Branch;
Member, Commissioner Andy Hover and Laleña Johns, Clerk of the Board, present.
After much discussion about elected official wage changes,
the board agreed the resolution was ready for approval.
Motion Resolution 18-2020 Elected Officials Salary
Commissioner Hover moved to approve resolution 18-2020
adopting elected officials’ salaries that will now be tied to the Superior Court
Judge’s salary as shown in the resolution and effective timeline. Motion was
seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
Commissioners discussed their travel stipend and read
resolution 3-1993 which initially authorized the stipend. The resolution
provided three different ways to justify how a commissioner could to be
compensated for in or out of county travel. Commissioner DeTro proposed $1300
monthly to cover all travel including out of county and in county travel. RCW
42.24.090 addresses reimbursement claims by officers and employees.
Commissioners discussed doing away with portions of the
county’s travel policy and adopting the states per diem policy with regards to
mileage and meals reimbursements. Commissioners discussed ways to justify the
basis for the stipend at $1300 using the state based mileage rate based on each
commissioner driving 20,000 miles per year based on how much it costs to rent a
vehicle from ER&R.
Review Commissioners’ Agenda & Consent Agenda
Commissioners reviewed their consent agenda and provided
edits to the Engineer’s misspelled name and inserted an executive session at
3:00p.m. on Monday.
Potts & Associates Legislative Issues-Conference
Call
Potts and Associates called in their legislative update and
discussed the various bills being considered. (attached)
Briefing Among Commissioners – Discuses Individual
Weekly Meetings & Schedules
Anna Lyon Larry Hudson
Ms. Lyon requested time with the commissioners to discuss
starting seasonal workers earlier than usual for the Noxious Weed season. Ms.
Lyon explained the reason for her request was because there was a lot of work to
catch-up on before the season starts that could not be accomplished due short
staffing. She thought the work load would be no more than 40 hours per week and
would provide a benefit to the department.
Ms. Lyon stated a budget supplemental will be prepared to
budget the funds for the additional staffing costs that carried over from last
year. Commissioners were alright with bringing on temporary workers earlier than
usual this season.
Mr. Hudson said he met with USFS to work out a plan to
address the lien on the Thurlows property due to noxious weeds on their
property. The USFS among other agencies has access to the mountain top for
communication tower access. The noxious weeds were found in the county right of
way and in the lower canyon area. The USFS said there wasn’t anything they could
do now to help with the cost, but they were in favor of helping in the future.
The USFS was also in favor of developing a future process and plan for
addressing the weeds there. Commissioner DeTro said he doesn’t want agencies to
place a financial burden on the property when the problem appears to be due to
the agencies accessing the property. Ms. Lyon said there were additional sights
identified that were not close to the road. He asked that a tangible plan be
laid out so everyone is on the same page. The total lien amount was about $3500
with about $600 of that being administration costs. Ms. Lyon and Mr. Hudson
thanked the board for their consideration.
Commissioners discussed the following three annually chosen
options the commissioners could be compensated for in county and/or out of
county travel.
1. A flat monthly payment of $960 per month OR
2. Mileage reimbursement at the same rate received by all
county employees OR
3. Receive the use of a rental vehicle from Public Works
Annually, around budget time, the commissioners would then
elect which option to receive the compensation and depending on which they
elect, a payroll change notice would be submitted annually to HR and Payroll.
Commissioners also discussed tying the mileage rate to the state mileage rate.
1:30 p.m. Gina McCoy taking computer notes for Okanogan
Watch Group.
Update – Planning Department – Interim Director
Angie Hubbard
Dave Hilton
Ms. Hubbard explained that she had received an October 2019
invoice from Life Line that was missed for Tonasket EMS District that will need
to be paid in addition to the current invoice. She said a budget supplemental
will be needed in the future for $21,700.
Motion Tonasket EMS District
Commissioner Branch moved to adjourn as the BOCC and
reconvene as the Tonasket EMS District. Motion was seconded all were in favor,
motion carried.
Commissioner Branch moved to approve the Voucher
certifications and authorize the Tonasket EMS District vouchers to be paid for
October 2019 in the amount of $21,700 and January 2020 in the amount of $21,700
to be paid to Life Line. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
Commissioner Branch moved to adjourn as the Tonasket EMS
District and Reconvene as the BOCC Motion was seconded all were in favor, motion
carried.
Alternates were discussed and whether the board wished to
formalize those for WRIA 49 Planning Unit.
Motion Initiating Government Appointment WRIA 49
Planning Unit
Commissioner Branch moved to approve Brian Cook as
alternate to the position reserved for the Okanogan Land Trust for WRIA 49
Planning Unit. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
Commissioner Branch discussed the CAO.
Land Use Matter
On a land use matter Planning Director Ms. Hubbard is
working on she relayed what ecology said on the use 1) they are building on
erodible materials, 2) they will need structural stabilization, and she wanted
to keep the board in the loop as she will send a letter saying it’s not
possible. Ecology would then work with the land owner on the department’s
requirements.
The proposed land use must be 35 feet from the ordinary
high water mark. Ms. Hubbard said the land owner may call to discuss further.
Monthly report of Planning Activities
The monthly report of the Planning activities was submitted
for commissioners’ information. (attached)
Motion Closed Session RCW 42.30.140(4)(b)
Commissioner Hover moved to go into executive session at
2:10 p.m. for 10 minutes inviting Tanya Craig and Josh Thomson to discuss
strategies to be taken related to Union negotiations. Motion was seconded, all
were in favor, motion carried.
Closed session ended at 2:15 p.m. no decisions were made.
Public Hearing- to Authorize Local State Shared Tax
for Affordable & Supportive Housing
Lael Duncan, OCCAC
The audio recorder was turned on.
Commissioner DeTro opened up the public hearing to staff.
The Clerk of the Board provided that, in coordination with the cities within the
county, the following cities of Oroville, Tonasket, Omak, and Winthrop responded
as to their intent to impose the sales tax legislation authorized in substitute
house bill 1406. Winthrop and Omak passed resolutions of intent, but will not
put forth a vote to the tax payers for qualifying tax legislation. The cities of
Brewster, Pateros, Twisp, Okanogan, and Conconully have not responded.
The Clerk of the Board explained THIS TAX IS NOT A NEW TAX,
rather the tax will be credited against state sales taxes collected within
Okanogan County, and, therefore, will not result in higher sales and use taxes
within the County, but it will represent an additional source of funding to
address housing needs in Okanogan County.
Commissioner DeTro closed the hearing to staff and opened
up to the public.
Lael Duncan stated she recommended the board continue on
this trajectory towards this legislation.
Commissioner DeTro then closed the hearing to public
comment and opened up commissioners’ discussion.
Commissioner Branch explained there is a bill on the table
before the legislators to extend the deadline for those cities to adopt
legislation for qualifying tax or an ordinance to impose the tax for those that
already have a qualifying tax. He also explained the Cap used to calculate each
agencies portion.
Motion Ordinance 2020-2 Affordable Housing
Legislation
Commissioner Hover moved to approve ordinance 2020-2
adopting legislation to authorize a sales and use tax for affordable and
supportive housing in accordance with substitute house bill 1406. Motion was
seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
Commissioner DeTro closed the public hearing.
Executive Session RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i)
Commissioner Hover moved to go into executive session at
3:00 p.m. for 30 minutes inviting Tanya Craig, Risk Pool Attorneys Chuck and K.
Harper, Sheriff Hawley, Undersheriff Culp and Chief Corrections Deputy Denney to
discuss litigation or potential litigation to which the agency is likely to
become a part and when public knowledge regarding the discussion could cause an
adverse legal or financial consequence to the county. Motion was seconded, all
were in favor, motion carried.
Executive Session ended at 3:15 p.m. no decisions were
made.
Commissioners sat and waited until 3:30 before any other
action was done.
Motion Resolution 23-2020 Commissioners Travel
Stipend
Commissioner Branch moved to approve resolution 23-2020
establishing the commissioners travel stipend choices. Motion was seconded, all
were in favor, motion carried.
Motion Purchase and Sale Agreement Miller Pit
Commissioner Branch moved approve and authorize the
chairman to sign the closing agreement, acknowledgement, and Excise Tax
Affidavit for the purchase of the Miller Pit property. Motion was seconded, all
were in favor, motion carried.
Motion Oroville Rural EMS District
Commissioner Branch moved to adjourn as the BOCC and
reconvene as the Oroville Rural EMS District. Motion was seconded all were in
favor, motion carried.
Commissioner Branch moved to approve the Voucher
certification and authorize the Oroville Rural EMS District vouchers to be paid
in the amount of $9860. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
Commissioner Hover moved to adjourn as the Oroville Rural
EMS District and Reconvene as the Methow EMS District. Motion was seconded all
were in favor, motion carried.
Motion Methow Valley EMS District
Commissioner Hover moved to adjourn as the BOCC and
reconvene as the Methow Valley EMS District. Motion was seconded all were in
favor, motion carried.
Commissioner Branch moved to approve the Voucher
certification and authorize the Methow Valley EMS District vouchers to be paid
in the amount of $57,550.16. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion
carried.
Commissioner Branch moved to adjourn as the Methow Valley
EMS District and Reconvene as the BOCC Motion was seconded all were in favor,
motion carried.
Review Meeting Minutes
Commissioners reviewed their meeting minutes of February 3,
4, 2020 and provided corrections.
The board adjourned at 4:45 p.m.