RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS

OKANOGAN COUNTY

MARCH 9, 2020

The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 123 5th Avenue North, Okanogan, Washington on MARCH 9, 2020, with Chairman, Commissioner Jim DeTro; Vice Chairman, Commissioner Chris Branch; Member, Commissioner Andy Hover and Laleña Johns, Clerk of the Board, present.

Review Commissioners Agenda and Consent Agenda
Commissioners reviewed their consent agenda and agenda. A correction was made to the agenda as the planning director interview was incorrect. The online version was corrected. Commissioners contacted Jay O’Brien to change the time of his meeting from 4:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Legislative Update-POTTS & Associates
Zach Kennedy provided the legislative update.

Until we get to the end there is a lot that will change in terms of the concurrence calendar. Mr. Kennedy will keep the board apprised as soon as they know.

Briefing Among Commissioners-Discuss Individual Weekly Meetings & Schedules
Commissioners discussed their weekly schedules. Yakama Nations meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 with the fisheries. David Gecas will attend.

Commissioner Hover explained what the meeting was about to get a feel of their fisheries.

David Gecas arrived for executive session. He stated he would be late arriving to staff tomorrow due to a court case.

Sheriff Tony Hawley, Aaron Culp, Tammi Denney, Ken Harper, Chuck Boyd, Quin Plant

Executive Session RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i)
Commissioner Hover moved to go into executive session at 11:00 a.m. for 30 minutes inviting Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor, David Gecas; Risk Manager, Tanya Craig; Sheriff Tony Hawley; Undersheriff Aaron Culp, Chief Corrections Deputy, Tammi Denney; and Risk Pool Attorneys Ken Harper, Chuck Boyd, and Quinn Plant via conference call to discuss legal matters to which the county may or may become a party when public knowledge of the matter may result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Executive Session ended at 11:30 a.m. no decisions were made.

Motion
Commissioner Branch moved to direct legal staff to prepare an agreement for the Mendoza settlement in the amount of $50,000 for commissioners’ consideration. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Commissioners adjourned for lunch at 11:40 a.m.

Emily Sisson, member of the public, video and audio recorded the meeting for Okanogan Watch group.

Jill Gardiner taking notes and daughter Meshayla who is taking notes for a college project.

Update-Planning Department-Interim Director Angie Hubbard
Angie Hubbard and Planning Director Pete Palmer

The new planning director Pete Palmer introduced herself to the board.

Ms. Hubbard updated the board. The WRIA 49 grant amendment was completed on Friday, and we should have a fully amended grant agreement in about 30 days. The amendment was initiated in October 2019.

Ms. Hubbard discussed another grant amendment to extend the timeline.

Planning commission is having a special meeting at 6 today in the Planning Conference room and will continue to go over the comp plan. Go back through changes that have been made. Commissioner Hover asked if the draft with corrections could be provided before tomorrow night.

Part of the planning effort could ask for a narrowed scope amendment to change the fee and do away with it. Ms. Hubbard will research where in the documents those fees reside.

Commissioners briefly discussed items they will need to bring Ms. Palmer up to speed on. Commissioner Hover said a Planning Commissioner suggested a meeting over in Methow area to facilitate so people can come to meetings without having to drive here. There are several venues to choose from.

Commissioner Branch discussed ideas of urban growth areas that can be applied here for city expansion areas that have infrastructure that serves outside the city limits.

Public Hearing Budget Supplemental Appropriation Emergency Management $5485
Commissioner DeTro opened up the hearing asking for staff report. Seeing no staff to report he closed the hearing to staff and opened up to the public, seeing no public who wished to comment, he closed public comment and opened up to commissioners discussion.

Motion Resolution 36-2020 Budget Supplemental Appropriation Emergency Management
Commissioner Hover stated he was not prepared to approve the resolution today. Commissioner Hover moved to continue the public hearing to Monday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m. Motion was seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Commissioner Branch explained the cities and towns portion was already in the budget it was the county’s portion that was not transferred. Commissioner Hover asked if the budget was actually needed now because we are bottom line budget. Commissioner Hover has questions about the county’s annual allocation and what happens when those funds are not spent down. What happens to it, does the county get a refund?

Discussion-Oroville/Tonasket Irrigation District Concerns-Jay O Brien
Josh Thomson, Public Works Engineer

Mr. O Brien explained a concern about a fee of public works that was assessed in the amount of $4429. Did not locate under pavement riser boxes. How could the district have placed the valve boxes ahead of time, they cannot lift those so it could not have been OTID.

Addressed: Non authorized use of district water for use on the project. OTID was not asked to use the water. OTID has had mutually beneficial relationship with Okanogan County. Neighbor takes care of neighbor or they work something agreeable out.

The relationship is well over 100 years old and Jay doesn’t want it to end on his watch.

Commissioner Hover asked about the valve risers. Engineer Thomson stated a new riser and new valve was needed. Water goes for around $0.05 to $0.06 per gallon. Engineer Thomson stated the contractors are not supplied water by the county they have to work that out themselves. He explained a year before we did Bridge North he did contact the district. The franchise agreements address what the franchisee is responsible for. Mr. O Brien doesn’t want to see the relationship between the agencies to end.

Commissioners asked what the solution is. Obrien doesn’t want to meter the water he doesn’t see how the district could have raised the boxes, they have no as built, and the bureau didn’t leave those. He would like the commissioners to contact him if there are questions.

Roger Rylander discussed a boundary line adjustment that happened in 2019, but since then the lines have changed through the boundary line adjustment process. He believes his contract got placed on the 38 acre parcel not the 33 acre parcel. Mr. Rylander asked the commissioners for the record where he had discussed the land issues over the years. A public records request was provided.

The board adjourned at 5:00 p.m.