RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS

OKANOGAN COUNTY

MARCH 2, 2020


The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 123 5th Avenue North, Okanogan, Washington on MARCH 2, 2020, with; Vice Chairman, Commissioner Chris Branch; Member, Commissioner Andy Hover and Laleña Johns, Clerk of the Board, present.

Chairman, Commissioner Jim DeTro called in and was absent today.

There will be no Planning Dept. update today as the Planning Director is absent.

Review Commissioners Agenda and Consent Agenda
Commissioners reviewed the consent agenda and consent agenda items.

Briefing Among Commissioners-Discuss Individual Weekly Meetings & Schedules
Commissioners discussed concerns that had been brought to their attention by constituents about a road project where something was broken and the need for communication on things that occur and charges being made for the repair.

Commissioner Hover asked that the Discussion with Mike Worden be moved up on the agenda.

Discussion WaTech Statewide Imagery Consortium Agreement Communications
Mike Worden explained the previous contract expired it was three years and this new contract is a two year contract. He stated who gets to use the imagery. The down side is most of it is 12 in, it is fairly raw and requires a lot of processing by GIS. The assessor also uses it and would like higher resolution and more, but for $6,000 annually is pretty good value. He explained what assumptions can be made with the information. Commissioner Hover asked why Dispatch is involved. The cost is a non-departmental cost and was not budgeted for this year, but there is a line item to pay from. The invoice usually comes to Mike Worden. Work with Clerk of the Board when the bill comes, said Commissioner Hover.

Emily Sisson arrived at 10:45 to video record the meetings for Okanogan Watch Group. Commissioner Hover informed her that the commissioners moved some items up on the agenda and there would be no Planning Update.

Bid Quote Presentation Building Dept. Pickup Truck Rebid-Dan Higbee
Building Official Higbee provided the Building Dept. 2019 Annual building permit report. (attached)

Commissioners discussed a permitting issue that was brought to their attention and asked how that was handled by the building department.

Commissioner Hover stated the new purchasing policy was approved recently which moved the purcahsing threshold up in dollar amount. Informal quotes were obtained accordingly. Jess and Sunrise submitted quotes.

Sunrise Chev.
$33,714.31 tax included but didn’t include licensing

Jess Auto
$34,434.64 tax and $211 for licensing included. Sunrise appeared to be the apparent low bidder.

Last time the bid specifications were specific about using current dealer stock, but the one dealer found the truck had not been built yet and wasn’t current dealer stock and did not meet the bid specs, now it does.

Motion Authorization to Purchase Building Dept Pick-upTruck-Sunrise Chevrolet
Commissioner Hover moved to authorize the building official to purchase the vehicle from Sunrise Chevrolet as the lowest responding bidder. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Building Official Higbee updated the commissioners on the cities securing building services with the county.

Lauri Jones was contacted about the vehicles that belong to Public Health that are used. Commissioner Hover asked that the vehicle information be emailed to him. He further asked Ms. Jones about the Corona Virus. She said there were concerns in Colville and they shut the school down as a result of a rumor. Two people were tested one was negative, and the other is thought to test negative. A press release will be issued this afternoon. A meeting is scheduled to discuss the 13 positive and two deaths that are in Washington. They are screening people at the Canadian Border.

Update-Planning Department-Interim Director Angie Hubbard
CANCELLED

Discussion-Noxious Weed Salary Review-Anna Lyon, Larry Hudson
This meeting was moved up to 1:30 p.m. by the commissioners today.

Ms. Lyon provided the board with meeting minutes of the Noxious Weed Board approving the request to bring the weed coordinator salary back into alignment with the building official. (attached).

Ms. Lyon explained the request and salary data collected to justify the position salary increase with funds to cover the costs. Retirement of Field Supervisor will also have some budget left that can be used for the increases. The Noxious Weed Board agreed that the salary be more in line with what the Building Official makes. Ms. Lyon felt the position tasks were more in line with other specialized staff within the county. Comparisons of other counties were also done. (attached)

Issues with weed board state wide is that they all operate difference some are general fund some are assessments and so there is no comparison that fits what we do. Budget, grant, special licenses, and more that goes into a position like this, explained Ms. Lyon. Pierce County has an aggressive program similarly to Okanogan and that coordinator makes close to $100,000. Their assessment is huge. Chelan County is one, Yakima, Kittitas all have similar programs to some extent. In 2016, the position was reviewed.

Currently the Noxious Weed Coordinator salary is set at $66,360 annually, but the request is for $78,600 annually. Commissioners reviewed the information. Commissioner Hover said it is hard for him because the comparisons speak to department heads. Currently our Building Official’s salary is the average of our comparables.

Not all department heads have the same job description or tasks to complete. Commissioner Hover would like to discuss the request with the Weed Board to go over the request. Ms. Lyon asked if one or two board members be sufficient because she has a hard time getting a full board meeting once a month. The next Weed Board meeting is March 24. Steve Kiefer is the Chairperson. Ms. Lyon appreciated the commissioners’ thoughtfulness on this matter and willingness to consider further. Commissioner Branch said it would be good to have several members present to discuss with the board and asked if member Jan Asmussen could be invited.

Ms. Lyon said she heard from BLM on Patterson and she explained an award of a $50,000 grant and it may include Patterson.

Planning Director Interview-Possible Executive Session RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)
Commissioner Hover moved to go into executive session at 2:00 p.m. for one hour to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment inviting Planning Commission member Verlene Hughes, HR Director Tanya Craig and the interviewee. Motion was seconded, all were favor, motion carried.

Executive session ended at 2:30 p.m. Commissioners waited until 3:00 p.m. before taking further action.

Planning Director Interview-Possible Executive Session RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)
Commissioner Hover moved to go into executive session at 3:00 p.m. for 30 minutes to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment inviting Planning Commission member Verlene Hughes, HR Director Tanya Craig, and the interviewee. Motion was seconded, all were favor, motion carried.

The board adjourned at 4:00 p.m.