The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on January 18, 2005, with Chairman Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Don Hover and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Discussion – MBPU Administrative Services – Water Resources
Julie Pyper reviewed the timelines for obtaining administrative services for the Methow Basin Planning Unit. The ad will be submitted to the publisher this week. There is a meeting with Jones and Stokes tonight. Regional Salmon Recovery meeting last week talked about the recovery plan and took general comments. It was a good meeting because a lot of work got done. She noted that most of the information is "believe" "thought", etc, not much in the way of scientific data. It was suggested that a list of questions be created for the technical people and a request for a meeting. Julie will get with Commissioner Hover to discuss the issues. There is a public hearing in Wenatchee for the Sub-Basin Planning. Julie will get the exact time and place for the Board. Julie will provide the letters that were not responded to.

Discussion – Cascade Province Advisory Committee – Dave Schulz
Dave Schulz presented information on the Forest Service proposal to implement an ecosystem management project involving prescribed fires, mechanical timber stand treatment, road construction, reconstruction, closure and decommissions, noxious weed treatment, watershed restoration, wildlife habitat improvement, and range improvement actions in priority stands in the Hungry Hunter project area. Dave stated that quite a bit of time was spent discussing "local bid". Logging will take place during the winter months to lesson the impact to the environment. Dave stated that he is concerned about the impact to Squaw and McFarland Creek roads. Limbs that are less than 2" will be chipped. The project will begin as soon as a few more things are completed on the contract. Commissioner Hover will contact John Newcomb and others to set up a meeting with the Commissioners to discuss the harvesting.

Executive Session – Right-of-Way acquisition – Public Works
Commissioner Lampe moved to go into executive session for 30 minutes 10:00 AM to discuss right-of-way acquisition of Robinson Canyon Road. Motion was seconded and carried.

Open Session resumed at 10:30 AM

Discussion – Area 1 – 2 Shop – Public Works
Rob McGaughey stated that he has requested an opinion from the Prosecutor regarding the ability to do a design-build construction for the county shops.

Discussion – Bonaparte Road – Public Works
Mark Morris will be sending a permit to plow the Bonaparte Road. Commissioner Peterson stated that she received a phone call thanking her for having Public Works plow the road.

Discussion – Veteran’s Funding – Charles McKinney & Ken Lee
Charles McKinney presented proposed changes to the RCW’s addressing veterans funding. In addition, the park usage fee for veterans was discussed. Commissioner Peterson suggested establishing a local committee interested in pursuing the matter. They asked for assurances that the veteran’s budget carryover be rolled over into the Veteran’s Fund and not be put into Current Expense. They would like to purchase a van. (attachment)

Resolution 10-2005 – Engineering Services w/Oroville - Planning
Commissioner Hover moved to approve Resolution 10-2005, acknowledging the Engineering selection process of the City of Oroville. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Agreement – Professional Services – Varela & Associates, Inc. – Planning
Commissioner Lampe moved to accept the Public Works Trust Fund Preconstruction Loan (PW04-691-PRE-127) as offered by the Washington State Public Works Board and authorize the Chair to sign. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Discussion – Planner I Position – Planning
Greg stated that the Planning Office will be taking over the Sheriff’s mapping. A budget amendment will be forth coming of grant funds from the Sheriff’s Office to allow for the increase from .5 FTE to 1 FTE.

Motion – Job Description - Planning
Commissioner Hover moved to authorize a revised Position (Job) Description for Planner-I in the Department of Planning and Development and to permit filling the position, as Director feels appropriate. Motion was seconded and carried.

Motion - Consent Agenda – Commissioners
Commissioner Hover moved to approve the consent agenda items 1-9 with the exception of item #4. Motion was seconded and carried.

1. Approval Commissioners’ Proceedings of January 10 & 11, 2005
2. Approval In County Meals - Noxious Weed
3. Contract Community Services CDBG – CTED
4. Notice Personnel/Payroll Change – Rob McGaughey
5. Certification Road Levy – Public Works
6. Change Order Chiliwist HES Project – Public Works
7. Resolution Robinson Canyon Road – Public Works
8. Resolution # 8-2005 Longevity Schedule for Non Bargaining employees - Miscellaneous Funds – Commissioners’
9. Letter Position Okanogan County Parks and Recreation Board – Steve Mitzer

Resolution 4-2005 – Conconully Sewer System Rates – Public Works
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve Resolution 4-2005, Conconully Sewer new rate schedule. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Motion – County Insurance – Risk Management
Commissioner Hover moved to retain Commonwealth Insurance provider for the county’s property insurance with a renewal date of January 1, 2005. Motion was seconded and carried. (attachment)

Discussion – Tourism Update – TAB Board
Rebecca Sawyer updated the Board on the upcoming TAB Board meeting. (attachments)

Executive Session – Negotiations - Commissioners
Commissioner Hover moved to go into executive session for 30 minutes at 3:00 PM to discuss negotiations. Motion was seconded and carried.

Open Session resumed at 3:30 PM

Motion- Payroll Change Notice – Public Works
Commissioner Hover moved to approve the payroll change notice for Rob McGaughey, retroactive in accordance with his written contract. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

MVEMS - Methow Valley EMS District
Commissioner Lampe moved to recess as the Board of Commissioners and convene as the Methow Valley EMS District Board of Directors. Motion was seconded and carried.

Voucher Approval – Emergency Management Service – Methow EMS District

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the voucher for $ 20,000 for Emergency Management Services. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Commissioner Hover called for any other business. There was no other business.

Commissioner Peterson moved to adjourn as the Methow EMS Board of Directors. Motion was seconded and carried.

Open Session Resumed and adjourned until Monday, January 24, 2005 at 9:00 AM.