The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on April 24, 2006, with Chairman Don Hover, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Mary Lou Peterson and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Update Planning
Greg Wilder

The Legends Phasing Plan and Hold Harmless agreements for the Veranda Beach Development have been prepared and Heidi Smith has reviewed them. The sewer system specifications have been developed and will go out to bid soon but will not be awarded until all documents and funding has been finalized.

Discussion – Ballot Proposal
Cajun James, a citizen from Ferry County, asked the Commissioners to place two initiatives on the ballot. 1) to remove the tax exempt status from state lands and 2) force the state to, manage the lands for the school systems or turn them over to the counties.

Open Space Timber – Gillespie - Planning
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the Gillespie Open Space Timber OST 2006-1 subject to the attached findings of face, conclusions and conditions of approval. Motion was seconded and carried.

Discussion – Farmland Preservation
Murray McCory

Christine Olsen, Okangan Valley Land Council Katherine Bill Methow Conservancy, John Sunderland, Methow Conservancy.

Murray explained the Farm Land Preservation Program and that May 1^st is the deadline for submitting the grant applications. The minimum length of time required to place properties in the program is 25 years. The legislature adopted this program to provide the county with the ability to develop their own policies regarding these types of conservation easements.

Greg noted that even though this would allow the county to develop policy, no policy has, as yet, been developed to guide in the decision of the applications before them. Greg suggested that the Board find out about the legislative intent on both sides of the issue.

Commissioner Hover asked where the required matching funds would come from. Murray stated that it would be up to the petitioners to find matching dollars.

John Sunderland, of the Methow Conservancy is hopeful that they could get funds from their contributors to help with the match. The county would not be obligated at least until closing on the property.

Greg stated that he believes the Board should develop policy before making a decision.

Commissioner Peterson pointed out that it just shows, once again, that the state developed laws without the counties having the benefit of being at the table. Katherine noted that both her and Murray urged full funding by the state at a meeting this last November.

Commissioner Hover asked if there is a possibility that the land would become overgrown with weeds, etc.

Christine stated that ground cover has to be maintained as well as water rights. John said that the water could be put into trust for various lengths of time. The land owner retains all of their rights except the right to use the land for things other than farming. The county would hold the easement and interest in that easement.

The Methow Conservancy monitors the easement every year to ensure that the easement is being retained as defined. The Methow Conservatory received voluntary donations to fund the monitoring.

Commissioner Peterson explained that it is unfortunate that a decision needs to be made immediately because of the May 1, 2006 deadline since the Board just now got the information and has not been able to review it and/or make needed policies. John explained that any easements for less than perpetuity are unlikely to get funded.

Greg noted that it does inhibit long term planning.

Two properties were put forth for consideration for the Farmland Preservation Grant; Don Dagon property and Lehman property.

Commissioner Peterson stated that if Dagon could apply in two years she would like to wait on that property. She is in favor of preserving farm land. She isn’t sure whether government should be involved in private property. Commissioner Hover stated that the Methow property would be a good pilot project for the Farmland Preservation Program.

Motion – Farmland Preservation Program - Lehman
Commissioner Peterson moved to proceed ahead with the Charley Lehman Farmland Preservation Program application would be a pilot program and in no way would the county have any financial obligation if the required matching funds are not found. Motion was seconded and carried.

Agreement – Methow Valley Conservancy - Planning
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the cooperative agreement with the MC for the Farmland Preservation Program upon review and approval of the Planning Director and Deputy Prosecutor. Motion was seconded and carried.

Executive Session – Negotiations
Commissioner Peterson moved to go into executive session for 30 minutes at 1:30 PM. Motion was seconded and carried.

Open Session resumed at 2:00 PM

Discussion – Title II Projects
Jim Weed and the Board discussed their priorities for funding projects with Title II monies. High on the Commissioners’ list are the Mt Hull trail head and toilet facilities,

Forest thinning/slash piles associated with the Havilla Interface Fire Plan.

Other priorities would be public use/safety and safety trail maintenance.