RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS

OKANOGAN COUNTY

MARCH 31, 2020

The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 123 5th Avenue North, Okanogan, Washington on MARCH 31, 2020.

Due to the Governor’s Proclamation 20-28, Chairman, Commissioner Jim DeTro; and Member, Commissioner Andy Hover met remotely using the same call in number and participant code that the public was provided.

Physically present were Vice Chairman, Commissioner Chris Branch and Clerk of the Board Laleña Johns.

Briefing Among Commissioners
Commissioners discussed the findings of fact for the interim ordinance 2019-11 regarding Interim Land Use Controls 17A.400.130-and 17A.400.120 (D) Water Availability Study Areas WRIA #48. Commissioner Branch said it would be a good thing to close the hearing and adopt the findings of fact. At this point the public has no benefit from it staying open and it doesn’t change anything to close the hearing and following through with the RCW. Commissioner Hover said in looking at the RCW the interim ordinance was to be in place only 6 months, or 1 year, if we have a work plan which was never established. It is basically in affect for six months. He agrees that we should close the hearing and then do the other things the board wanted to do such as getting an Attorney General opinion on it. Commissioners said they are not looking to the Planning Commission to approve it as it doesn’t propose any zoning changes. Commissioner Branch said the rule clearly has a pause for looking to see if what we are doing is legal and then looking at another set of tools if not.

Motion
Commissioner Branch moved to close the public hearing on interim ordinance 2019-11 regarding Interim Land Use Controls 17A.400.130-and 17A.400.120 (D) Water Availability Study Areas WRIA #48 that was adopted on December 18, 2019, adopt the corresponding findings of facts recitals, and authorized Commissioner Branch to sign. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

The commissioners discussed the process for renewing the ordinance for Tunk Valley. A work plan that jives with the planning unit work should be done. Commissioner Branch will work on that with the Planning Director.

Discussion-Central Landfill Self Haulers
Josh Thomson, Kent Kovalenko

Mr. Kent Kovalenko explained that people are calling to ask about dumping their garbage. He said most people have been under the stay at home order and are cleaning up around their houses to pass the time. Provisions are being made for people with emergency situations such as household waste that poses a health risk if left to rot. Mr. Kovalenko said he’s received about 75 calls, although he expected more. Most people understand the restrictions when they are explained.

Mr. Kovalenko explained dangerous or hazardous waste situations are being considered on an individual basis. Businesses and commercial haulers are allowed.

Many counties are being very strict over who they are letting dump. Mr. Kovalenko said people can hold on to it for two weeks, but after that we need to figure something out. He said there are some options to allow limited waste on certain days and then limit that to two or three garbage cans of only the ripest materials.

For comparison, Mr. Kovalenko said this year there were 500 more self-haulers at this time last year. He is trying to avoid our solid waste workers from becoming sick which would affect staffing the landfill. Most commercial haulers do not require staff, but the self-haulers do. We just don’t have enough staff for anyone to get sick. Mr. Kovalenko discussed his idea to charge a simple fee to charge for up to three cans, where customers would drop off the garbage and then place exact change in a lockbox. The lockbox would then be placed in the safe for a period of time until the money is safe to touch. He said a separate event would be needed in Twisp, but not Bridge port or Ellisforde at this time. Engineer Thomson noted the usual minimum is $15, but an exception would be made for this situation that would allow up to three garbage cans to be dumped for $5.

A press release will be prepared and submitted to the media.

Engineer Thomson stated he will draft an agenda bill for the resolution which would adopt the emergency fee during the pandemic.

The Clerk of the Board explained a call was taken from a citizen concerned about accumulation of garbage in places not served by a commercial company as the garbage would attract cougars, wolves and bears. She was concerned because children are not in school right now and she is afraid the garbage is going to attract wildlife and create a safety issue. Mr. Kovalenko said those haulers have been allowed to bring their garbage. They do need to call first; however.

Engineer Thomson explained what is being done to put employees to work and rotate schedules for those that cannot work from home. Protocols for road crews are being worked out with Public Health. Starting April 13 the department will begin to explore options.

Commissioner Hover explained that Chelan County wrote a letter to several cabin owners to ask that vacation cabins be used for isolation points. Forest Service has closed roads going to trailheads to prevent people from isolating in camp grounds.

Commissioners reviewed their meeting minutes and discussed how all three commissioners could sign if they aren’t coming into town. The Clerk of the Board said the Board could either authorize Commissioner Branch to sign singly or the Clerk would collect the items for signature for when the Board can physically be in the office.

Approve Commissioners Proceedings March 20, 23, and 24, 2020
Commissioner Branch moved to approve March 23, 2020 meeting minutes. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Commissioner Branch moved to approve the March 20, 2020 and March 24, 2020. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Motion Authorization to Approve
Commissioner Hover moved to authorize Commissioner Branch to sign the meeting minutes of March 20, 23, and 24, 2020. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Approve Consent Agenda
Commissioner Hover moved to approve the consent agenda items 1-3 as presented and authorized Commissioner Branch to sign. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

1. Entertainment Agreement-2020 Fair Fun Flicks-Nicole Unser
2. Entertainment Agreement-2020 Fair-Lighting and Stage-Casey Martin
3. Support Letter-Pateros Grant RDBG Application for Study Area

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 $263,917.03 and Payroll vouchers in the amount of $1,088,471.93 and authorized Commissioner Branch to sign. Warrant numbers as cited on the attached blanket voucher list. Motion seconded and carried.

Motion Public Health Voucher
Commissioner moved to approve the Public Health Vouchers including payroll in the amount of $45,710.23. Warrant numbers as cited on the attached blanket voucher list. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Discussion County Website Bids
Ms. Craig provided responses to our request for quotes for County Website redesign.

Revize
Grand Total 1st year $18,000
Annual Hosting & Maintenance $3,400

Civicengage Civic Plus
Grand Total 1st year $21,325
Annual Services $3,825

Both bids were responsive. The apparent low is Revize.
Revize was recommended as the lowest responsive bidder and provider of needed services. Ms. Craig stated she drafted a recommendation for the board’s consideration.

Motion Website Redesign
Commissioner Branch moved to award the County’s Website Re-Design project to Revize website experts at a cost of $18,000 for the 1st year initial design and $3,400 for annual hosting & maintenance. Motion was seconded, all were in favor motion carried.

Commissioner Hover moved to authorize Commissioner Branch to sign the bid award document awarding the project to Revize. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Ms. Craig explained the contract will need to be approved as well.

Motion Sales Agreement -Revize
Commissioner Hover moved to approve the Sales Agreement between Revize and Okanogan County for County Website Design and authorized Commissioner Branch to sign it. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Commissioners discussed the pass through of the Dept. of Commerce CDBG Emergency Public Services Grant COVID-19 funding. The Clerk of the Board explained she had received the grant details and there are strict income eligibility requirements that would need to be verified if the funds were used directly by the county Public Health or Emergency Management. The county is not set up to verify income status, so the Clerk recommended the county consider passing the funds through to other agencies such as Community Action Council or Economic Alliance.

The grant funds can also be used to help Microenterprises impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Use of the funds for Microenterprises was an eligible use through the county’s ADO, which is Economic Alliance. Commissioner Branch explained the grant was really geared towards helping microenterprises keep from going under due to COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Branch thought Economic Alliance would be best to pass the funds to. Commissioner DeTro and Commissioner Hover agreed. The Clerk of the Board will work with Roni Holder Deifenbach on the scope of work and budget for next week’s approval.

The board adjourned at 10:15 a.m.