The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on December 27, 2005, with Chairman Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Don Hover and Lalena Johns for Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board, present.

Discussion - Watershed Planning / Salmon Recovery-Water Resources
Nick Christoph updated Commissioners on Salmon Recovery. Commissioner Peterson asked how the Mediator for Methow Planning Unit was coming; Nick replied that Heidi Appel wants him to talk with the Municipal Research Center.

Commissioner Hover reviewed the synopsis of the upper Columbia salmon recovery plan and why he accepted it but did not sign the bill. Commissioner Hover asserted that the success of the plan depends on what happens down river from us, and he feels that the major changes that were made to the plan were satisfactory even though they weren’t exactly what he was hoping for. He feels that if he signs the plan as it is we might loose the leverage we have. The Chairman of the Salmon Recovery Board did sign the plan and it was submitted. It will go out for comment and then the comments will be reviewed with the board. Commissioner Hover concludes that when the comments reach the federal level there will be a lot of environmental interests involved. There are many rivers involved. Commissioner Hover was made vice-chairman of the board.

Update Public Works
Rob McGaughy reviewed the weekly report with the Commissioners. (attached) Commissioner Lampe would like justification for building the area 1 and 2 shops; he would like to see the review with the architect, there needs to be a public meeting, and does not want a Taj Mahal. Commissioner Peterson would like a list of economic reasons we need the Brewster shop and wants to see the requirements’ for the law and how it will be paid back by the public. Commissioner Peterson wants to be proactive about getting the public involved. Commissioner Lampe wants the treasurer here to talk about the finances involved.

It was asked how the engineer was chosen for the projects and Rob McGaughy replied that an evaluation of credits from a point system (1-100) was made to determine the qualifications of the engineers who were reviewed. The one who was chosen had the highest score.

Commissioner Lampe asked if Rob McGaughy talked to Greg Wilder about the Eastlake Sewer project and Rob McGaughy said no. The Commissioners agreed that they want him to soon. It is important for everyone to know up front what PW limitations are in the project of the Eastlake Sewer construction.

Commissioner Peterson asked about the PW trust fund loan. April is the month it is scheduled to pass. Commissioners would like construction to begin very soon on the Eastlake Sewer project. Right away acquisition can be worked on while we wait for the loan. DOT gives out two letters. Rob McGaughy suggested that the roads be restored instead of totally rebuilt, then come back a year later to do an overlay. Commissioner Lampe commented that it is important to know who is managing the contract. Rob McGaughy said that there will be dollars to start bidding out. Inspectors will be contracted out. It is important to know up front what PW limitations are in the project of the Eastlake Sewer construction.

Rob McGaughy said the maintenance plan is finished but would like Murray McCory to be here to help present it because some things may need to be added.

Solid Waste inspections were done, everything went well.

Commissioner Peterson asks where we are at with moving Murray McCory. Murry McCory turned down the senior planning position. Murray McCory wanted to stay where he is, Rob McGaughy replied. Rob McGaughy wants him to be a manager because of the amount of work he does out of the office and he can be paid salary instead of hourly. There will be more discussion about it before the negotiations are finalized. Jon Hayes wants to unload the MIF assets to the county. MVSTA dumped the permits on Murray McCory and wanted him to push them through so they could finish up the bridge projects they started a few years back.

Recreational projects need to be monetarily sustainable. Commissioner Peterson asks how we will fund the recreational projects. Murray McCory’s position would carry over any funding that the project has. Rob McGaughy said any other recreation monies will be a tax issue and put on the ballet. Commissioner Peterson said it may be possible to use some of the re-tax (1%) monies to fund it with. Usage fees, and extra dollars charged for permits could be collected.

The preliminary for the bond came from James Nelson of Foster, Pepper and Sheffleman. Points were discussed about the bond. Rob McGaughy said he will go over the talking points more next week.

Personnel evaluations will be made on Jan. 3, 2006.

Commissioner Lampe moved to adjourn as the County Commissioners and convene as Tonasket EMS District.

Commissioner Hover moved to approve vouchers for the Tonasket EMS district in the amount of $3369.75. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Lampe moved to adjourn as the Tonasket EMS District and convene as the Board of County Commissioners. Motion was seconded and carried.

Motion - Consent Agenda
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve consent agenda items1-7. Motion was seconded and carried.

1. Approve Commissioners’ Proceedings December 19th and 20th, 2005
2. 2006 Memorandum Agreement-WSU Extension
3. Approve Professional Service Agreement-OCCAC-CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant
4. Approve Professional Service Agreement-OCCAC-CDBG Public Services Grant
5. Ratify Right of Way Correction Deed-Methow Valley Community Trail
6. Approve Interlocal Agreement-City of Conconully-Criminal Justice Services
7. Approve Interlocal Agreement-City of Elmer City- Criminal Justice Services

Commissioner Lampe made a motion to approve vouchers in the amount of $381,857.62. Motion seconded and carried.

Executive Session – Personnel - Commissioners
Commissioner Peterson entertained the idea to go into executive session. Commissioner Lampe moved to go into executive session at 1:05 PM for one hour regarding personnel. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioners reconvened at 2:00 PM.

Public Hearing-Homeless Plan - Community Action
Lael Duncan, Margo Amelong, Heidi Appel, and the board were present.

Commissioner Peterson opened the public hearing for homelessness plan and budget. Commissioner Lampe thanked Lael Duncan and her crew for the hard work they have done. She replied that there is ten times the amount of work to do and that this was just the first step. It was noted that there is no Sunset clause in the provision. If the amount exceeds the $30,000 then the amount it exceeds will have to be re-negotiated. Lael Duncan intends to contribute a portion of the amount over the budgeted amount back to the program. Heidi Appel reviewed the agreement and made some points about the contract.

Commissioner Lampe made a motion to accept the contract agreement between Okanogan County and Community Action council regarding the Housing rehabilitation grant agreement. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Lampe made a motion to adopt the Draft Tenor Temporary guideline plan on the Homelessness Housing and Assistance Act #2163. Motion was seconded and carried.

Lael Duncan will send the draft to CTED. Margo Amelong has the emergency shelter grant and is the main person to get information to the development.

Public Hearing-Supplemental Appropriations-Funds 408,409,117 and 405
Rob McGaughey reviewed, by speaker phone, the reasons for the supplemental appropriations for the Solid Waste Fund 405, Senior Sewer Fund 408, and Seaton’s Grove Sewer Fund 409. Mary Lou wants Rob McGaughy to speak with Lori Beetchenow about her budget and why it is so off. $150,000 is too much to be over budget.

Commissioner Peterson opened the public hearing for supplemental appropriations Resolutions 148-2005, 149-2005, 150-2005, 151-2005 with no public present. Commissioner Peterson closed the Public Hearing for public comment.

Resolution 151-2005 - Supplemental Appropriation
Commissioner Hover moved to approve Resolution 151-2005 supplemental appropriation to Senior Sewer Fund 408 in the amount of $2200. Motion was seconded and carried.

Resolution 150-2005 - Supplemental Appropriation
Commissioner Hover moved to approve Resolution 150-2005 supplemental appropriation to Seaton’s Grove Sewer Fund 409 in the amount of $1000. Motion was seconded and carried.

Resolution 149-2005- Supplemental Appropriation
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve Resolution149-2005 supplemental appropriation to the Infrastructure Fund 117 in the amount of $1,049,740.

Motion was seconded and carried.

Resolution 148-2005 - Supplemental Appropriation
Commissioner Hover moved to approve Resolution 148-2005 supplemental appropriation to the Solid Waste Fund 405 in the amount of $150,000. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Hover noted that Funds are to be derived from the beginning fund balance only.

Discussion -East Lake Sewer Project – Planning
Del Shove, Dana Cowger, Greg Wilder, Chris Branch, Rob McGaughy and the Board met to discuss the financing and construction of the East Lake Sewer Project. Greg discussed the draft resolution (attached) and points of interest along with the cost distribution and development allocation. The collection of late comer fees was discussed. Statute says 15 years but the analysis for the project is for 20 years. The City of Oroville still proposes that the system development charges are from late comers’ fees but those fees will go away if we use the Public Works Trust Fund Loan and therefore the late comers’ fees won’t be a concern.

Greg Wilder continued to review the definitions of the draft resolution for the appropriations of financing and construction. Greg Wilder noted that the more money we can match for the loan the more we can drive the interest down.

Commissioner Hover asked about the availability of water and whether it has the capacity to serve the project. Chris Branch ascertains that the City of Oroville does have the water to serve the project and more.

Commissioner Hover wants to make sure that Legend resort has no reason to say that we are the impediment of the plan. The fees and charges will be adjusted accordingly, Greg Wilder voiced. Commissioner Hover voiced concerns about having the means to pay the loan back before we approve the plan; however, Commissioner Hover wants to push this project and get it done. The letter of understanding needs to be processed.

Chris Branch said that the majority of the people he has talked with want to, including the City of Oroville, go with the flat hook-up rate of $3700.00 instead of the tiered rate. Chris Branch wants to hammer out these arguments during the December 28, 2005, meeting with those involved with the project. Dana Cowger says that it is fair to charge different fee amounts depending on where you live (North, Central, or South section) because of the differences in topography, besides we are carrying the burden. The City of Oroville wants to charge the $3700.00 flat fee as well, which is either slightly less than the tiered rate if you are hooking up in the North end or slightly more than the tiered rate if you are hooking up in the South end. Commissioner Hover would like to use the tiered system. If it is agreed upon to use the tiered hook-up rates, Greg Wilder states that there is a mechanism in place to make adjustments to the sections hook-up costs when and if needed.

Del Shove wants to make sure the agreement is reviewed and commented on by an attorney. Chris branch ascertained that an outside attorney will be hired to look at the agreement. Chris Branch reassured that Legend is so far into the project that defaulting would really hurt them. Commissioner Peterson wants the agreements done by January 15^th, 2006, so Legend can start building this spring or summer.

Greg Wilder asked if the board has consensus to move forward with the resolution and plan and the board members agree that they all do have consensus. No motion was made to sign the resolution, only to move forward with the process.

The letter of credit is gone with the approval of this agreement, reminded Greg Wilder.

Greg Wilder and Legend Resort will meet January 5, 2006 to sit down to finalize any of the changes.

Dana reminded that the developers have a lot of risk involved, somewhere in the 20 million dollar range. Del answered that it is a very calculated risk.

Greg Wilder expressed his appreciation to the Commissioners’ willingness to move forward with the process.

The meeting adjourned at 5:30 PM.