The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 6, 2005, with Chairman Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Don Hover and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Discussion – Salmon Recovery Plan – Planning
Nick Christoph asked the Commissioners if they are relying solely on the steering committee for their comments on the Salmon Recovery Plan, or if they would like to submit their own comments. Commissioner Hover stated that he has been working on his own comments. Nick will be passing an electronic copy to the board for their comments.

Discussion – Tire Service – Public Works
The Commissioners stated that, if the tire service is set out for bids, then all tire services need to be part of that bid including the recapping of tires. Rob mentioned that he still has to draft two letters, one to Rex Derr and the other to John Oakes. Commissioner Hover reminded Rob about getting the gravel crushing contract out early. Rob also updated that Board on current road projects.

Discussion – Economic Development – Economic Alliance
Terry Knapton said that Economic Alliance will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Toroda Creek Road project and Kinross Mine Corporation with Ferry and Okanogan Commissioners as well as representatives from Representative McMorris and Senator Murray’s offices. The Business Incubator is stalled, because a NEPA checklist is required. The Alliance will be hiring Kurt Danison to do the checklist and to get the ball rolling on the funding. Economic Alliance currently has a $12,000 deficit. Terry asked that the county consider this during the county’s budget process.

Executive Session – Personnel – Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to go into executive session for 20 minutes at 11:40 AM to discuss personnel. Motion was seconded and carried.

Open Session resumed at 12:00 noon

Clarence Hauf presented the Board with a check to the board and requested that it be set aside for a food concession stand in the new Horse Arena. Del Shove will draft a resolution addressing the donation.

Public Hearing – Property Assessment – Conservation District
Commissioner Peterson opened the hearing.

Craig Nelson, and members of the Conservation District, Tom Doran, Albert Roberts, Craig Bosel and Ivan Oberg

Craig Nelson stated that the Conservation District is a organization for preserving natural resources. He explained that the district boundaries are the same as the county but that the district does not include some cities. He reported on the amount of grant funds expended to county businesses. In the last few years, there have been a number of federal funds for Salmon recovery. The district does get a dollar for dollar match from the state up to about $10,000. In past years, the district received funding from the county as well. The National Resources Conservation Service also provides office space and other small items. The district is primarily funded through grants. With the amount of funding coming from the state it is becoming difficult to carry on the work. For example, the limitation on grant dollars disallows the purchase of vehicles. The district no longer receives funding to provide technical assistance to people. They are hoping that the proposed assessment will provide funding for this technical assistance. Many times, they are helping the agriculture community to stay in business which helps the economy. The district is asking for an assessment of $5.00 per parcel and .01 cents per acre. Any land identified as Forest Service Lands, cannot be charged on a per parcel rate. The estimated budget for the assessment collections is approximately $212,688. This would not replace grant funding but would provide additional funds.

Al Roberts commented that he supports the assessment, as it will provide matching dollars for grants. It gives the agriculture community a non-threating entity to provide assistance and the funds will circulate throughout the county. The program continues to help preserve the open space feel of Okanogan County which is attractive to tourist.

Craig Bosel said that the land owners in Okanogan County feel that the Conservation District is a safe place to go to ask questions.

Ivan Oberg stated that it has taken the district a long time to bring this assessment proposal forward. They are willing to give it a shot.

Tom said that the Conservation District did ask the state for stable funding and were turned down. The area is changing with increased monitoring and regulations. The Conservation District is the best place to find solutions. The district’s primary focus is to preserve land and agriculture and at the same time enhance the natural resources. The district is growing and citizens are making more requests.

Commissioner Hover asked what the benefit is to a citizen who only owns a couple lots in the county and isn’t involved in agriculture. Tom explained that water quality issues are just one reason. The district has been working with the cities on storm water run off that can cause some problems with water quality. They have provided irrigation water management plans for the City of Okanogan. Educational programs are offered to children in town the same as children in rural areas. It is their intent to ask cities to become incorporated into the district.

Commissioner Peterson asked why they asked for the maximum amount rather than a lower assessment. Craig replied that they initially looked at a lower assessment amount but didn’t want to have to ask for an increase each year. Commissioner Hover echoed Commissioner Peterson’s question saying that the county could do the same but we need to think about the impact to the people.

Kevin Roberts, District Manager with Department of Natural Resources (DNR), stated that DNR is a large landowner in the county and looking at the proposed budget and assessment, it looks like 320,000 acres would amount to $3200 on top of the weed assessment. These charges will just have to be passed along to permitees.

Scott Furman, County Assessor, stated that the only way to identify timber lands is by the special property tax classification. Otherwise, there is no way to identify these lands for assessment. He wants to make sure that the definition is very clear so he knows what land to assess. In addition, there is a lot of land without parcel numbers. If it is patterned after the Noxious Weed Assessment there are several exempt groups that are not assessed such as senior citizens. There are about 4000 exempt parcels in the county, and because they are exempt, there is no address available. The sooner a decision can be made the better due to the amount of work on the Assessor’s and Treasurer’s Offices.

Del Shove, $212,000 in revenue is 1/20^th of the tax base the county currently receives. It is a lot of money that is a non-voted mandate to the people. The Pest Board assessment has a limited application without equal benefits to all. It is a lot of extra work and $2800 just in additional stamps to send assessments out not counting envelopes etc.

Commissioner Hover moved to continue the hearing to September 19, 2005, at 3:00 PM. Motion was seconded and carried.

3:07:38 PM

Kurt Danison provided a draft resolution and ordinance to address the Moratorium on Nightly Rentals. The process has been about the moratorium. Proposed to the Board were four basic options as presented in the staff report (attached).

Kurt, Greg and Heidi feel uncomfortable with a process that would eliminate the public process. So they recommend option #4, which is to pass a resolution requesting that the Planning Commission conduct public and SEPA review required to amend Chapter 17 to include the clarifying provisions contained in the draft ordinance and rescind the moratorium, direct staff to enforce regulations as interpreted prior to April 7, 2005 and publicize the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

Commissioner Peterson stated that this issue has had quite a lot of public review and comment already. It seems like this issue has been in the forefront for months. She doesn’t see the reasoning for passing the issue on to the Planning Commission to hold another public hearing. Commissioner Hover also felt that the public has had more than one opportunity to comment and that this action would only clarify the intent of the zoning code.

Rusty Bonser stated that he doesn’t see why the issue should be remanded to the Planning Commission and that the Commissioners should just adopt the interim ordinance.

Ordinance 2005-4 – Amendment to Okanogan County Code Title 17 - Planning
Commissioner Hover moved to adopt ordinance 2005-4. Motion was seconded and carried 2-1 with Commissioner Lampe abstaining. (attached)

Resolution 91-2005 – Rescinding the Moratorium - Planning
Commissioner Hover moved to adopt resolution 91-2005 rescinding the moratorium on short-term rentals. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Motion - Consent Agenda – Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the consent agenda items 1 through 5. Motion was seconded and carried.

1. Approve Commissioners’ Proceedings August 29 & 30, 2005
2. Resolution Resolution 89-2005 – Support of the Guard & Reserve
3. By-Laws Finance Committee By-Laws
4. Appointment Yvonne Bussler – Housing Authority
5. Appointment Glen Schmekel – Community Action Council Alternate
   

Resolution 90-2005 – Salary Incentive for Planning Director- Planning
Commissioner Hover moved to adopt Resolution 90-2005, addressing the Planning Director’s salary and modifying the employment contract. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Discussion – Budget – Tonasket EMS District
Del Shove reported on the status of the Tonasket EMS District budget. The Commissioners would like to help solve the situation. Del Shove could extend the Public Works loan out to 4 year pay off schedule.