The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 8, 2005, with Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Don Hover and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present. Commissioner Peterson absent on personal business.

Discussion – Oroville Project - Planning
Greg Wilder briefed the commissioners on a three hour meeting with regarding the three party agreement for the Osoyooswater/sewer project. They would like to expand the project to 280 units which is more than originally requested. The project organizers are also trying to purchase property around the development. Commissioner Hover asked if this would prevent others to connect into the sewer? Greg explained that with a latecomers agreement the development can collect half. But if the county did it, we could only collect for that percentage of the pipe needed. If the development has more than 280 units they may have to pay latecomers fees to themselves. Commissioner Hover said that it was hoped that the sewer system would help clean up the lake and if others couldn’t connect to the system it wouldn’t help.

Discussion – Building Staffing – Building
Bob Gorski and Nanette Kallunki

Bob Gorski, Building Offical, presented financial information to support an additional building inspector. Building starts are up and there are several large developments in process increasing the workload. The Commissioners will review the data and consider the request for an additional Building Inspector.

Discussion – Master Plan – Beaman
Michael Beaman explained that he is waiting for confirmation from each department before completing the master plan. The Public Works facility needs has recently been added. There will be a preconstruction meeting today with Hale & Long on the construction of the new dispatch center. Hale & Long are waiting for all the materials to arrive before beginning the courthouse roof. Beaman will review the Jail re-roof project today to determine its completeness. Commissioner Hover said that he wants to be fair to both the county and the contractor to determine who should pay for water damage to the facility as a result of rain that got inside the building during replacement of the old jail re-roof project. Beaman said it is more of a principle thing than a dollar thing since the cost is small. Regarding the dispatch, Commissioner Hover asked about the cost overrun. Michael stated that there were some costs rolled in for Unit N that was not done. He noted that the county should have a contingency on both the hard and soft costs of projects.

Discussion – Economic Development – Economic Alliance
Terry Knapton explained that the feasibility study and business plan cannot be counted toward the match for the incubator. Bob Tollefson is willing to sell property under the assessed value, but it still seems to be about $70,000 short. There are several other projects, a store front study, a photo journal in the Methow Valley called "bring back the kids". To develop curriculum that would retain young people from 16-24 in the community and he is working on a grant for this of $50,000 which has made it through the first round. He also reported on the funding for the Toroda Creek road and stated that this is quite a benefit in the way of providing jobs to the county.

Motion – Infrastructure Committee Recommendations – Economic Alliance
Terry presented a request to reallocate funds to a couple projects. There is an estimate of $75,425 balance between the Emerging Opportunities Account and the Cities Account.

Commissioner Lampe moved to accept the recommendation made by the Econoimc Alliance Infrastructure Committee to reallocate funds in substantially the same form. Motion was seconded and carried. Commissioner Lampe asked for an end of the year report on the success of the projects being done through the infrastructure funding.

Appointments – Housing Authority
Commissioner Lampe moved to appoint James Man and Bob Blank to the Okanogan County Housing Authority Board. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Report – Housing Funds – Community Action
Lael Duncan reported that of the $153,717.50 received in January, $76,860 was disbursed in equal amounts of $16,372 to each coalition member for very low income housing. Twelve Families were helped with four families still attending family skills planning assistance classes to help them learn to manage their lives.

Discussion – License Department Hours – Auditor
Peggy Robbins requested authorization to close the license department at 4:30 PM due to an influx of title transfers near the end of the day that cause staff to stay late. The Commissioners suggested modifying schedules to be able to serve customers who come after they get off work. Peggy will observe the situation to see when most of the customers come in.

Acknowledgement -Transfer Discrepancy – Commissioners
The Commissioners acknowledged the difference of $30 between Resolution 68-2005 which was a supplemental in the amount of $234, 225 to Current Expense and Resolution 74-2205 that directed the treasurer to transfer $234, 255.