The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on March 28, 2005, with Chairman Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Motion – Emergency Shelter Grant – Support Center
Margo Amelong presented a grant application for emergency shelter funds and briefed the Board on the Emergency Shelter Program. The Support Center works with Community Action in providing emergency shelter assistance to the homeless. Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the grant application for Emergency Shelter Grant in the amount of $57,632 and instruct the chairman to sign. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Agreement – Union Agreement Professional & Clerical Employees - HR
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the Union Agreement with the Professional Clerical Employees for the period of January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Discussion – Conconully Sewer – Public works
Rob McGaughey and Rose Clements, Dale Brown, Dick Shifflett

Rob explained that he believes that if the Town of Conconully were to take over the sewer system it should be on the basis of a win-win-win situation with the county, rate payers and the town all benefiting from the change. From the City’s standpoint they are in favor of moving forward. However the lake users want to go in a different direction. The town would like to maintain the pricing schedule for a year until they can determine exact costs of running the system, then perhaps they could reduce the cost to the users. The debt portion of the sewer system is $34.00 per month that would be collected by the town and forwarded on to the county to pay the bond. At the end of 2007 one bond would be paid off. Rob stated that If the city is going to charge the same rate they are currently charging, then the utility should stay with the county. The Town explained that their concern is that they will have to add more personnel hours and include benefits etc. It was suggested that the county continue to bill for the bond payment separately from the Town billing. No decision was made pending further negotiations and study.

Discussion – Small Wood Diameter Project – Title II
Promoters for Small Wood Diameter products presented information about their application for Title II that would provide funding and asked for the Boards support.

Claim Settlement – Strickland – Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the claim settlement with William J Lindsey in the amount of $1,017.00 and instruct the chair to sign. Motion was seconded and carried. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

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 $ 30,000 for Emergency Management Services. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

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

Open Session resumed and adjourned until 8:00 AM Tuesday, March 29, 2005.