RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS
OKANOGAN COUNTY
JULY 20, 2020
The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular
session at 123 5th Avenue North, Okanogan, Washington on July 20, 2020, with
Chairman, Commissioner Jim DeTro; Vice Chairman, Commissioner Chris Branch;
Member, Commissioner Andy and Laleña Johns, Clerk of the Board, present.
The Clerk of the Board amended the agenda this morning
after Director Palmer relayed the time was incorrect for the continued public
hearing for Tunk Valley Water Availability study area. It should be noted at
2:00 p.m. per the commissioners’ prior motion on June 23, 2020.
Review Commissioners Agenda and Consent Agenda
Commissioners reviewed their agenda and consent agenda
items.
Briefing Among Commissioners’ – Discuss Individual
Weekly Meetings & Schedules
Commissioner Hover discussed who on the list actually lives
in Okanogan County for firefighting contracts. Commissioner DeTro made a call to
see if he could find out precisely.
Commissioner Hover noted that the Sheriff received their
five vehicles and the Sheriff believes the loan amount is short about $9,000 but
the projection of the loan amount appeared to be minimal and would find it in
the budget.
Executive Session RCW 42.30.110(1)(d)
Commissioner Hover moved to go into executive session at
9:30 a.m. for 30 minutes inviting Risk Manager Tanya Craig and Okanogan County
Public Defense Contractor Melissa McDougall to review negotiations on the
performance of publicly bid contracts when public knowledge regarding such
consideration would cause a likelihood of increased costs. Motion was seconded,
all were in favor, motion carried.
Executive session ended at 10:00 a.m. no decisions were
made.
Commissioner Hover stated a proposal from the State on the
extension of the CARES ACT funding for public health was requested of Senator
Murray’s office. Any money that cities or counties put into Public Health should
be extended out beyond October 30, 2020.
Commissioner Hover said the 6-year TIP information is
coming from Engineer, Josh Thomson.
Update Noxious Weed – Anna Lyon, Larry Hudson
Commissioner DeTro explained the Board’s conversation last
week with Forest Ranger Chris Furr and Communications Chief Mike Worden about
the noxious weed issue on the Thurlow property.
Larry Hudson explained the Thurlow property issues. The
weed office is looking at the same situation again this year of having to go
onto the property again to ensure the weeds are being addressed. Commissioner
Hover clarified the weed was Scotch Thistle. Early May is the best time to spray
and that was discussed with the Thurlow’s, however April works best for them.
Mr. Hudson stated the Thurlow’s have not applied any herbicide as required. Mr.
Hudson said the Thurlow property seems to be where the worst accumulation of
this weed is. The majority of the problem is not near the road at all, it is in
Booth Canyon and there is very little of the weed along the access road. A
couple patches were treated along the road but there are actually thousands in
the Booth Canyon area. Mr. Hudson said the seeds may have come in with the hay
that is fed to the cattle. Vehicles may have spread it but that may not have
been the way it originally got there. The Thurlow’s do feed cattle in that area
and there are scattered plants there, but it is hard to say how it got there. Is
there knowledge of when the issue started, asked Commissioner Branch. Anna Lyon,
via zoom, said when she started in 1990’s there were a few scotch thistle plants
in that area, but there weren’t as many plants then. The weed office was
informed at that time that the Thurlow’s were taking care of it, and later on it
looked like someone was working on it at some time.
Commissioner Hover asked how many gallons of herbicide
would it take to do that area. Mr. Hudson said, most of the application is done
with back pack sprayers because of the steep sloped topography. He doesn’t go by
gallons he goes by acres. Last year treatment was around 30 acres, but that was
spread out throughout the property with most in the canyon draw but a lot on
steep hillsides. His spray records, from 2018, show treatments through a grant
for wildfire recovery that was offered to many land owners including the
Thurlow’s, but the weed office staff were not allowed to go onsite until fall.
Commissioner Hover said if we knew this was going to be a problem why are we now
having the conversation. Mr. Hudson said a meeting with Diane Thurlow happened
in March and they tried to come up with a solution at that time with Forest
Ranger Chris Furr after speaking with the commissioners about the situation.
What was the cost of the application materials? Mr. Hudson said it was $1857.70.
Commissioner Hover asked how many times it would take to irradicate the weeds.
Mr. Hudson said Scotch Thistle has a 40-year seed life, therefore they must keep
after it year after year, if not, then they go back to ground zero. Commissioner
Hover said he has scotch thistle on his place about a 10x10 patch, and he had
cut them off with the mower and now he doesn’t have them anymore. He must not
have had a big infestation, but when one plant goes to seed it has tens of
thousands of seeds that could go dormant and could come up later. Commissioner
DeTro asked if we could contact the school’s football team or a 4H/FFA group to
see if they would help the Thurlow’s out because the seeds have already formed
and spraying may not be affective. Mr. Hudson said the Thurlow’s were against
anyone helping like that. Commissioner DeTro said if they are not willing to
come to the table to fix the problem then the state laws can be enforced. Mr.
Hudson said when the lien was put on the Thurlow’s property they were invited to
come to the table to come up with a plan and they simple won’t. Commissioner
Hover said everyone must be treated equally. We are trying to do the best for
everyone out there. If someone is going to keep saying no to all the options
given, then the county has no other choice.
The right of way will be done in April and Thurlow’s agreed
to that. Contact Ms. Thurlow with the solutions discussed. Mr. Hudson said he is
processing the search warrant needed for property access this week, since that
is the only way he is allowed on the property. The total fee as of today is
$2,536.26 with about $700 administrative fee.
If the Thurlow’s come up with a plan for future weed
maintenance and allow noxious weed on the property to verify, then the
administrative fee could be dropped. Ms. Lyon said she is willing to work with
the land owner on this as she knows they just don’t have the money, but the
Thurlow’s don’t want to help themselves nor do they want anyone in there to help
them.
Commissioner Hover said one reason the TV district exists
in the Methow is because the Thurlow’s allowed the easement over their land to
the tower, which is Forest Service land. He will talk with the conservancy also
to see if they can help with this issue.
Larry Hudson showed the board a map of the location and
where the weeds are being observed. He showed the gate they cut the lock on last
year to avoid getting the FS involved. He showed two other gates that only the
Thurlow’s have the keys for.
Commissioner DeTro said the plan is:
1. Pay now
2. Plan to spray in April/May also there is years like this
when the thistle isn’t bolting until second week of June. Use Mile stone since
it is safe with animals. Treatment might not be done at the same time each year.
3. Then lay out a plan for future.
Dennis Rabidou arrived at 1:25 p.m. to talk about something
with Commissioner Hover.
Update-Planning Director Pete Palmer
Director Palmer provided the planning department agenda and
discussed the items listed there.
Executive Session
Director Palmer requested executive session to discuss
potential litigation today or tomorrow.
Dog Kennels
Director Palmer discussed county code regarding Dog
Kennels. She proposed some changes to require yearly site visit to ensure
conditions are being met, and then only hold a public hearing if the operation
is out of compliance. The code states that every year the site is to be
revisited and requires a public hearing to say they are in good standing and
meeting all requirements, but the cost to bring a Hearing Examiner is high.
Discussions are happening on whether or not it is actually needed when they are
actually meeting the conditions. She is looking at proposed changes to include
annual site visit with no public hearing unless they were not meeting their
conditions. Commissioner Hover asked how those types of complaints are handled.
Director Palmer said a written complaint about the kennel would need to be
received if outside the annual site visit, then it is investigated from there.
GIS Map Updates
Director Palmer explained that 911 addressing changes on
the map overlays are not being incorporated into the mapping system for city,
fire and irrigation district annexations because annexations are not being
provided to her department. She further explained how this will be dealt with
moving forward. Commissioner Hover said all annexation notices that the Clerk of
the Board receives from the city, fire, and irrigation districts should now be
provided to the Planning Department for incorporation into the mapping systems.
BiWeekly Permit Review Committee update
Director Palmer explained the results of the first bi
weekly meeting that she, Dan Higbee, Dave Hilton, Josh Thomson, Anna Randal,
Angie Hubbard and Char Schumacher attended regarding zoning requirements that do
not mesh with health departments minimum lot size. (attached) Everyone was
excited about having future meetings so one will be held every other week.
Commissioners discussed the information, but thought we
needed to figure some additional things out to ensure everyone is getting the
information they need to do their part. Jody Ogdon is point of contact and she
can answer questions for Dave Hilton. He also has Lani McKee as the backup staff
person for septic system questions. There is a breakdown on water adequacy with
the samples and well logs and people not understanding that they need a water
adequacy permit from the department. They are trying to get that all down so
people aren’t getting upset.
Director Palmer said folks need to include the entire foot
print of their project to be included with the site analysis, even decks.
Director Palmer said the planning office will approach the
treasurer to see if the Planning Dept. can start accepting credit card payments,
which will help with the Coronavirus situation and allow timely processing of
applications and permitting. Commissioner Hover asked that she include the
fairgrounds in the inquiry.
Continued Public Hearing-WRIA #49 Tunk Valley Water
Availability Study Area 2020-3
The audio recorder was turned on. Commissioner DeTro opened
up the public hearing asking for staff report. Director Palmer provided her
staff report for a water availability study area. (attached) She relayed the
next steps as listed in the staff report.
Extend work period
Amend the ordinance to include statement
Adopt the findings of fact.
The draft findings of facts were included in the packet.
Several comments should be excluded from the packet as the comment had to do
with a different issue.
Isabell Spohn commented that her comments were submitted
already. She instead commented that the commissioners’ agenda was corrected this
morning to note the hearing time from 3:00 to 2:00 as it had incorrectly noted
the time of the continued hearing. She said there may be folks who wished to
comment who saw the original time of 3:00 who may not now get to comment because
the time was moved up.
Kevin Fox commented as a 20-year resident of the Tunk
Valley. When his family bought the place it had 1907 original water right on a
spring the family has used, but there is no longer water due to the spring never
having recovered. They were forced to drill at well at a cost of $12,000. There
is a reason the spring went dry but it had run continuously until recently. The
aquifer isn’t able to regenerate a water supply. There is diminished water in
the aquifer. The water study should be completed before any more wells are
drilled there. The 2008 water study already determined that back then. He thinks
a moratorium should be put on all new wells until things are figured out.
No more comments were given. Commissioner DeTro opened to
commissioner discussion.
Commissioner Hover said it would be important to keep the
ordinance in place. He asked Commissioner Branch what changes were made. He
recommended that if we continue to use the overlay we should put a work plan on
that. It would still be a moratorium. If it is a temporary change and adopted
outside the formal procedure then we are in a moratorium and plan to make a
change.
Commissioner Hover discussed testimony from people who have
less water. In his opinion he thinks we should increase the aquifer in the
watershed, keep the no subdivision Ordinance in place and show progress during
the year and figure out a work plan.
Commissioners will reevaluate ordinance 2020-3 and change
it to fall under the moratorium instead of 17A.400. Commissioner Branch thought
a couple things were needed.
Motion Staff Direction Tunk Water Availability Work
Plan & Moratorium
Commissioner Hover moved, based on testimony and
conversation along with comments and findings of fact, to create a new ordinance
repealing 2020-3 that puts into place 1-year moratorium based on RCW 36.77.795
and to create a work plan for a water availability study. Motion was seconded,
clarification, leave the ordinance in place until a new ordinance is signed
repealing it. All in favor, motion carried.
The audio recorder was turned off, but several minutes
afterward Ernie Figlinski joined via zoom to offer his comment. He commented
that 15-20 years ago, Tunk Valley had alfalfa fields, but after many wells were
drilled to provide the needed water for the fields there just wasn’t enough
water and they could no longer water the fields and had to buy water rights out
of the river to continue their cattle operation. He is positive all the wells
impacted the creek. It cost them a lot of money and was a big deal. He told
Chris Branch about it. Commissioner Hover asked if it was a surface pump in the
creek, no it was syphoned to the field and a PTO pump was used to pressurize for
sprinkling. The alfalfa field went in around 1982 and ran until 1990’s 2000’s
and stopped because of water flow. Were there beavers in Tunk Creek, yes Ernie
said there were many, one dropped a tree on his back porch, but he doesn’t mind
them. Commissioner Hover thinks that we should do something like beaver dams
that would back up the water and saturate the area.
Commissioner Hover thought Planning or Building Dept.
should figure out how many building permits were issued from the 1980’s through
the 1990’s. Commissioner DeTro said we should look into beaver dams as a way to
help with the aquifer.
Commissioners continued to discuss ideas for regenerating
the aquifer in the Tunk Valley.
Review Meeting Minutes
Commissioners reviewed their meeting minutes.
Motion - Voucher Approval - Commissioners
Vouchers certified and audited by the Auditing Officer as
required by RCW 42.24.080 and those expense reimbursement claims certified as
required by RCW 42.24.090 have been recorded on a list, and made available to
the Board. As of this date, the Board did vote, by unanimous vote, to approve
the regular vouchers in the amount of $1,527,858.74 and Payroll vouchers in the
amount of $974,998.51. Warrant numbers as cited on the attached blanket voucher
list. Motion seconded and carried.
Motion Public Health Voucher
Commissioner Hover moved to approve the Public Health
Vouchers including regular vouchers in the amount of $43,777.63 and payroll
vouchers in the amount of $36,407.62. Warrant numbers as cited on the attached
blanket voucher list. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.
The board adjourned at 2:55 p.m.