The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on April 9, 2005, with Chairman Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Don Hover and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Motion – Travel Request – Central Services/Prosecutor
Mandy Hancock and Pat Behrmann

Pat requested authorization for her and Mandy to travel out of state for software training at the Justware Administration Conference. The cost is approximately $1322 each which is included in their respective budgets. Commissioner Hover moved to authorize the travel expenses for the Justware Administration Conference provided that the funds come out of their budgets. Motion was seconded and carried.

Report – Meeting Status - Finance Committee
Del Shove, Leah McCormick, Susie Ives

Del Shove presented the Finance Committee Report. Del noted that it is the Treasurer’s responsibility to set the amount for registered warrants. They currently are watching for the peaks.

Commissioner Lampe asked if this money is like a line of credit. Leah replied that the registered warrants are paid by residual dollar amounts (all monies that are not being used). Registered warrants are simply a cash flow issue. It is at the County Treasurer’s discretion as to how high the warrants can go. The penalty for being in this position is that they pay the county interest. Del noted that the deadline for the Public Works Trust Fund Loan Application was today and asked about the a 30 day notice to the Treasurer regarding county indebtedness and the PWTFL application. Greg Wilder explained that the application had to be submitted today. However, there is no obligation on behalf of the county until and unless the loan was approved and that will not be known until next year. Del specifically inquired as to where the money for the construction would come from.

Commissioner Hover stated that there are many avenues being explored for construction funding. Until more information regarding the project is pinned down, there is no pending indebtedness. Any county obligations would need to be addressed in future budgets. It is only the road fund issue that is currently involved. Greg explained that the debt is underwritten by others, including the developer. The meetings being held this week are only to determine what is needed.

Commissioner Hover asked Del if and when the county is awarded the funds for construction if 30 days notice would be sufficient. Del indicated that it would. Del addressed the .08 projects and noted his displeasure with some of the projects. He did state that, as a member of the Omak Planning Commission he feels that the horse bridge crossing is not an appropriate expenditure. However, he believes that the county should hire a grant writer to find funding for the Horse Arena at the Fairgrounds out of .08 funds. He stated that as a member of the OBHC board of directors and familiar with Barbara Engstrom’s work she would provide good grant writing services.

Motion – Nightly Rentals – Planning
Greg Wilder and Heidi Appel

Greg Wilder stated that he is interpreting the code differently that it has been interpreted in the past. Each time there is a different opinion he reviews the code again and is now convinced more than ever that his interpretation is correct. However, having said that, the code certainly needs to be clarified. He pointed out that if hotel/motel was intended to be nightly rental why were nightly rentals addressed separately. He continued to address areas of the code supporting his opinion. Greg stated that he doesn’t care whether nightly rentals exist or not, he would just like to see the code readable and consistent. He recommends that the nightly rental code be rewritten. Heidi explained her reasoning that nightly rentals are a non permitted use and that it is left to the Board of Adjustment to adjudicate any appeals.

Commissioner Hover moved to direct the Planning Director to draft an amendment to prohibit the use of Nightly Rentals in all zoning districts within the Methow School District boundaries. Motion was seconded and carried.

Executive Session – Union Negotiations – Human Resources
Commissioner Hover moved to go into executive session at 3:35 for 15 minutes to discuss union negotiations. Motion was seconded and carried.

Open session resumed at 3:50 PM