The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on October 17, 2005, with Chairman Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Don Hover and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Executive Session – Litigation - Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss potential litigation at 9:00 AM. Motion was seconded and carried.

Open Session resumed at 9:10 AM

Update – Planning
Greg Wilder briefed the Board on the status of various projects. Greg will be setting up a tour of the Veranda Beach development in coordination with Terry Knapton for November 14, 2005.

Discussion-Nightly Rentals-Rusty Bonser-Greg Wilder-Commissioners
Rusty Bonser, Greg Wilder (only briefly at the beginning and end of the meeting) Chairman Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Andy Lampe, Commissioner Bud Hover and Lanie Johns present.

Greg Wilder announced that several attorneys have contacted him about Ordinance 2005-4. Several Nightly Rental owners in the Methow have also called him for clarification regarding the ordinance and the interpretation of it. After voicing this Greg Wilder left the meeting.

Rusty Bonser has been contacted by "nightly rental" owners and lodging owners in the Methow regarding a lawsuit being put together. Rusty Bonser expressed that the commissioners would win the suit hands down. Rusty Bonser stated that he would stand by the commissioners should a suit arise from this. Rusty Bonser handed out email concerns from an individual. (attached)

Commissioner Hover stated that the reason for this ordinance was not to create new complications but rather to clarify the zoning regulations. The commissioners discussed the fact that the Health Department inspects the rental and the State Department of Licensing issues a license, but there is no specific permit that has to be obtained to run a nightly rental.

Commissioner Mary Lou stated that we should all interpret Ordinance 2005-4 just as the commissioners intended it to be interpreted and not read between the lines and impose individual interpretation of it.

At 11:00 AM Rusty Bonser exited the meeting.

Greg Wilder presented at 11:15 AM to comment further about the clarity and language of the ""nightly rentals"" ordinance and to hear the commissioners’ issues with the different interpretations. Greg said that he will review each PD to see if "nightly rentals" are permitted when there appears to be a violation.

Executive Session – Negotiations - Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to go into executive session for 45 minutes at 2:30 PM to discuss union negotiations. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Hover announced that the executive session will continue for an additional 30 minutes.

Open Session Resumed at 3:45 PM.