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

Update Public Works – Rob McGaughey – Jerry Ressa with Pacific Design Group
Present Rob Mcgaughey and Jerry Ressa from Pacific Design Group, Commissioners Hover, Lampe, and Peterson

Jerry Ressa furnished a PowerPoint presentation to help explain the need for a New Area 1 & 2 crew shop facility. Commissioners expressed that the shop would need to service the largest area with the greatest need.

The original Area 1 & 2 shop was constructed in 1952. It has been structurally damaged and is unsafe, it is in the flood way, and it was not designed to house the current road maintenance operations. The existing shops do not house the emergency equipment needed to support emergencies and school bus routes. The shop may not be able to be rebuilt on the flood way and may need to be moved because of this. The county sees remodeling and repairing the old shop Area 1 & 2 as too costly and not feasible in the flood way.

The costs will be substantially higher to build the area 1 & 2 shop because of the laws we have to follow (RCW 39.10.051), and the location being on Tribal land. Commissioner Peterson suggested that if we could do the site prep ourselves the county would save money.

Financing alternatives were discussed. The 10 yr bond is the most economical alternative and recommended. The 20 yr bond has the highest interest cost. The Public Works Trust fund was not available because of the type of facility project.

The estimate of probable costs and budget for the project is around $1,600,000 - $2,010,000.

Executive Session – Land Acquisition – Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to go into executive session for 20 minutes at 10:40 AM to discuss Area 4 land acquisition. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioners reconvened at 11:00 AM.

Discussion - Title III Report / 4H – Agent – Kristen Stokes and Margaret??
Commissioner Lampe made a motion to approve the WSU Food Stamp Nutrition Education In-Kind Program. Motion was seconded and carried. Commissioner Hover signed the Food Stamp Nutrition Education In-Kind Program form.

Kristen Stokes provided a PowerPoint presentation about the Forestry Education Program which includes a day camp funded in part by Title III.

The goals of the program are to teach forest preservation, forest habitat and self-confidence to children. Specific activities include a guest speaker, games about forestry, and lessons about how to take care of the forest. Commissioner Peterson asked if the program targets specific problems in the forest such as how to restore the forest after a beetle kill, and how to clean up after a fire. Commissioner Hover wants to make sure that a balanced approach is taken so that children are educated about the uses of the forest. Kristen said that the program teaches a universal approach to forest care.

Community service groups who are funded by other grants also teach about good food sense, the importance of exercise, and about 4-H projects. The children are taught about leaving no trace behind when camping. The different programs are intermeshed and work well together.

Commissioner Peterson expressed concern about the Title III monies being spent in absolute compliance of the law. The program will be audited and she wants to make sure that it ties into the forestry education program. A combination of grants were put together to make a well rounded program for the youth. The Title III monies can be easily separated from those other grant monies. Commissioner Hover wants to support these types of programs as well as he can and will do whatever it takes to teach the kids the skills needed to maintain the forest and our natural resources.

Motion – Consent Agenda – Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the consent agenda items 1-8 with the exception of items #2 and #8 with #8 pending legal review and changes that may need to be made. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Motion - Voucher Approval - Cmrs.
Vouchers certified and audited by the Auditing Officer as required by RCW 42.24.080 and those expense reimbursement claims certified as required by RCW 42.24.090 have been recorded on a list, and made available to the Board. As of this date, the Board did by unanimous vote approve voucher dated January 17, 2006 in the amount of $9468.99 and voucher warrant numbers 51466 through 51714. (attached) Motion was seconded and carried.

Noah Stewart talked with Mike Beaman about adding more space onto the jail for more inmate beds. Noah Stewart proposes that if the National Guard Armory is for sale it could be used to house the trustees and work release inmates and free up more beds in the jail. The Armory has a kitchen; it is made from concrete blocks and wouldn’t need too much remodeling. The back portion of the lot could supply space for equipment. It would take around 6-8 more employees to run the Armory. Noah Stewart reminded the commissioners that the jail brings in revenue not tax money. The Armory would be used to house the low risk inmates and to bring in more revenue. It could be paid for in about a year with the jail revenue. Noah Stewart has gotten proposals from Yakima County and the City of Des Moines to use our video courtroom facility. It would generate 10 more inmates to our facility a day. Noah Stewart reminds the commissioners that other cities, specifically Renton, also want to send their inmates to use our jail facilities. If the county did purchase the National Guard Armory we could accommodate these requests. It will provide more jobs and retain the jobs we have.

Chris Branch also informed the commissioners that National Scenic By-Way grant funds were applied for to place gateway signs and maps from Pateros to the boarder. Also, some of the hotel motel tax monies were matched by the Cities of Pateros and Oroville. Commissioner Hover will talk with Rebecca Sawyer about TAB money that could possibly match the advertising for the trail.