The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 28, 2006, with Chairman Don Hover, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Mary Lou Peterson and Lanie Johns for Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Agreement –Washington State Region Seven Emergency Management Interlocal Agreement
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the RSN Agreement and authorize the chairman to sign merging with four other counties. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Peterson moved to correct her previous motion to change RSN Agreement to Washington State Region Seven Emergency Management Interlocal Agreement. Motion was seconded and carried.

Grant Application – Public Defense – District Court
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve a grant application and authorize the chairman to sign the application for public defense funding. Motion seconded and carried.

Update - Planning
Greg Wilder and Ben Rough were present to update the commissioners regarding several planning issues. Greg presented an Agenda Bill regarding the Authorization of a Right of Entry Permit and Right of way/Easement Agreement (Eastlake Sewer System/ Lift Station #2 site). The agreement is between Okanogan County and Arnold Grunert granting the County property for Sewer System facilities and future right-of-way for the sum of $5,000. Greg explained why this instrument needs to be signed and he gave background that led up to it. Greg would like the commissioners to ratify the Right of Entry Permit Right-of-Way/Easement Agreement which provides a more cost effective approach to necessitate the sewer and road improvements. Greg noted that the Agreement includes some additional land that may be needed. The commissioners did not have a problem with the agreement that Greg presented.

Commissioner Peterson explained to Greg that promises were made to property owners to return the site to its natural state by replanting vegetation around the lift Cherry Street lift station Greg made note of this request and he explained that when Cherry Street lift station is completed he will contact the necessary people to have it done.

Ben Rough discussed the Intergovernmental Land Use Planning Agreement between Ferry County, Okanogan County, the cities of Omak and Okanogan, the towns of Coulee Dam, Elmer City and Nespelem and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. It tends to be driven by the tribal government. The agreement was adopted and rejected by Ferry County and it is now on the table again. Greg is not going to recommend anything for adoption at this time. He would like to hear from the commissioners before he starts his recommendations. The last date the agreement was amended was around 1992. The tribe wanted authorization on both fee and trust land. It would mean people would be required to obtain two permits. Right now there is an intertribal agreement between the cities. The revisions are fairly small and restates what is already out there. Page four was revised by the tribe. Greg noted that the Process and Protocol part of the agreement does need to be refined. Ben remarked that the agreement has been signed by the tribe already.

Nick Christoph came in at the tail end of the Planning Dept. hour to update the commissioners on the Shoreline Master Plan meeting that took place last week. Things are moving forward, however; he was unable to attend the meeting due to a workshop about Water Resources that he attended in Spokane.

Public Hearing - Road Vacation Portion of Gavin Road-Public Works
Commissioner Hover opened the Public Hearing.

Verlene Hughes gave a staff report regarding the road vacation on a south portion of Gavin Road. Public Works was not petitioned to have this portion of road vacated. Verlene presented photos and a short film where the road will be effected. Verlene explained the county’s proposal to take a portion of the road off the county’s road system and to redirect the approach onto Highway 97. The county must reach state standards for the approach. Bob Breshears said that he has reviewed the vacation. He reiterated the state requirements and recommends a 90 degree approach.

Commissioner Hover opened the public hearing for comment

Dale Gavin asked how the improvements will effect lot 4 on the approach. Verlene stated that the approach as it is now is illegal. She said people may not use the portion coming off lot 4. He would like to see a turn lane located on the highway. He says a safety issue is at hand.

Frank McKinney is concerned about the snow drifts in the winter and that there is only one way out on the south end near the top of the slope. The snow builds up on the hill and creates huge snow drifts. Commissioner Peterson noted that there will be the north end access and the new one. Frank remarked that the north end is more dangerous.

Barb McKinney commented that the north end is very dangerous because of a ledge. With a horse trailer she can not pull out onto the road without crossing the lane where cars are coming out of a blind corner. In the winter time the wind blows the snow into such large drifts that it is impossible to get to Highway 97. It is safer going on the south approach. She noted that the proposed road will be paved and it would be slippery, like greased lightening. Why not leave the road like it is? As for the proposal, she feels that it would be on such a slope that in the winter it will make it impossible to get out. The county does not plow the road good enough as it is.

Julie Anne Kerle said that in the winter the pavement will be like an ice skating rink and the south end is just as unsafe.

Betty Roberts remarked that she noticed as they got onto the road they did not have to turn around in their seats to see oncoming traffic. She can use the rearview mirror to see the traffic. Also the whole road does not have the drifts like it does on the proposed approach.

Linda Gavin is buying property and wants to know why a wider approach can not be put in.

Commissioner Lampe moved to continue the public hearing for the Gavin Road vacation until after the PH for Public Works supplemental appropriation. Motion was seconded and carried.

Resolution 102-2006 Supplemental Appropriation Road Fund-Public Works
Commissioner Hover opened the public hearing for a supplemental appropriation to fund road maintenance shop facilities (Area 1, 2, and 4). Commissioner Hover noted no public present for comment. Commissioner Hover closed the public hearing for comment. Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Resolution 102-2006 in the amount of $2,915,000 for the Area Shop facilities 1, 2, and 4. Motion was seconded and carried.

Public Hearing - Road Vacation Portion of Gavin Road-Public Works
Commissioner Lampe moved to reconvene the public hearing for Gavin Road vacation. Motion was seconded and carried.

Verlene, Bob and the commissioners discussed the proposed approach considering the comments that the public made and what they would like to see happen and what kinds of problems the people who lived on the road may face if the proposed road approach goes in. Bob Breshears explained different aspects of different approaches and what can be done accommodate concerns. Commissioner Peterson said that the safest approach needs to be considered. Bob stated that he would like to review this approach again and try to come up with some other alternatives and a letter of recommendation.

Commissioner Peterson moved to continue the public hearing to September 18, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. pending further investigation. Motion seconded and carried. (attached)

Prescribed Fire Council - Fish and Wildlife - Dale Swedburg
Dale Swedburg discussed Fire Councils for different states for prescribed burning purposes. He talked about liability related to prescribed burning. It is federal, state and local governments, (BLM) and private timber owners who are certified prescribed burn managers who have limited liabilities. Dale explained that legislature is involved. He has collected a lot of letters of support from many agencies and requests support from Okanogan County.

Commissioner Lampe remarked that he had a conversation with Senator Morton who told him if a resolution was provided to him that Okanogan County could possibly become a pilot project. Senator Morton said he would be willing to bring it to the legislature for possible funding.

Discussion - Hank Nillis Vacancy / CI Funds – Fair
Carl Christianson said that he has a letter from Dennis Hotchkiss who is interested in filling Frank Nillis’s vacated position on the Okanogan county Fair Board. Commissioner Peterson asked whether Carl had solicited for this position. Carl replied yes he had. He said that he knew that there was a need for someone from the Methow.

Carl said that he still needs to contact the people who provided fences last year used to separate the carnival rides from the rest of the fair.

Commissioner Hover asked why the carnival rides should be fenced off from the other part of the fair. Carl replied that people may want to go on the rides but do not want to have to pay the gate fee to do so. If the fence is up this accommodates those who just want to go on the rides.

Carl did not realize that money had been set aside for Fairground improvements until recently. He would like to upgrade the lighting fixtures in the Agriplex as well as get some more chairs and replace the heat pump. He will also apply for a Bonneville Power grant which may pay for the fixtures. The cost to replace the light fixture hardware will be about $17,500 and the lights with a low cost bulb would cost around $9,000. These changes will give various levels of lighting in the Agriplex and money would be saved. The cost of the whole project may be around $25,000. Carl mentioned that Tribal Veneer donated $850 to help replace the race horse stalls. The commissioners said that the lights and the heat pump can be done this year but Commissioner Peterson said not to run over the $30,000 in the Capitol Improvement fund. If a grant is received it will help with any additional funds needed to make these few upgrades.

Commissioner Hover asked what could be done to improve the attendance at the fair. Main stream entertainment would get people in. With its 60^th year anniversary coming up next year, the fair board should be thinking of ways to promote this special time. Commissioner Hover said that upgrades do need to be made in many areas of the fair. Carl said parking for disabled people has been a big issue. Commissioner Hover asked Carl to come up with some ideas for what can be done to promote the anniversary next year and yearly fair events. The commissioners want to see a list of priorities and estimates of what it would cost to keep the facilities in shape including some long term goals for the fairgrounds.