The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on January 31, 2005, with Chairman Don Hover, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Mary Lou Peterson and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Long Plat Alteration – Lake Shore Tracts – Planning
Ben Rough and Guy Fisher

Ben explained that Guy Fisher applied for a Long Plat Alteration of Lake Shore Tracts Subdivision in order to remove a wastewater drain field restriction from an un-platted parcel of land between Highway 97 and Okanogan County road number 4596. The change will allow individual tract sewage disposal systems. Many parcels within Lakeshore Tracts Subdivision have on-site septic systems already. The total acreages is approximately 8.52 acres. No new lots will be created. All requirements have been met. Ben asked the Board to approve the alteration and sign the plat.

Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the Fisher Long Plat Alteration of Lakeshore Tracts 2005-2, subject to the attached Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Conditions of Approval. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Executive Session – Property Acquisition – Public Works
Commissioner Peterson moved to go into executive session for 20 minutes at 10:00 AM to discuss property acquisition for Area 4 Shop. Motion was seconded and carried.

Open Session resumed at 10:20 AM

Motion – Authorization to Negotiate – Public Works
Commissioner Peterson moved to authorize Public Works to continue with negotiations on the area 4 shop. Motion was seconded and carried.

Discussion – Snow Grooming – Public Works
Murray McCory discussed repairs to the snow groomer. The state parks will be receiving a amendment to receive additional funds. We have also requested an additional $2000 for snow grooming. State parks will pay for the track repairs, the parts will be shipped today and repairs will be made and grooming can resume on Monday. Steve Byl has requested that he be authorized to continue grooming on a volunteer basis. Commissioner Peterson commented that the repair costs should be separate from the grooming costs. Commissioner Hover stated that next year any funds will be used for repairs rather than sending them back to the state.

Discussion – Purchase & Sales Agreement Simlkameen Trails – Public Works
Murray McCory briefed the Board on possible land acquisitions for the trail. He explained that he has a purchase and sales agreement for signature prepared by Transnation Title and requested that the Chairman sign. The Board of Commissioners requested that all purchase and sale agreements come before the full board for approval and signature. Commissioner Hover expressed the boards concern that there may be a conflict of interest in using Transnation Title and that possibly the title work should go through Baines Title since Jim Weed is doing the negotiations for property acquisition and his wife is an LPO for Transnation Title. Murray explained that he doesn’t feel it is a conflict of interest to use Transnation Title. The Board asked that he get with Heidi Smith to determine if there is a conflict and get her opinion in writing.

Update – Economic Alliance
Terry Knapton and ?

Terry reported on his keynote address to the Tonasket Chamber. The Buckhorn project is moving forward and there will be a meeting on ? Commissioner Peterson intends to attend. Economic Alliance sent a CERB grant application for $260,000 overnight express for the incubator project (as a local match to the federal grant). However, it was hindered from getting to the agency on time because the mountain pass was closed. As a result, the application was disallowed along with a couple of others. Commissioner Peterson will contact Tim Sheldon to see if he can intercede. Terry stated that the cost for the incubator facility is estimated at 1.3 million. Commissioner Lampe stated that perhaps this would be a good use of .08 monies as a match. Terry noted that Economic Alliance is working to get a Memorandum of Understanding with Okanogan County Tourism Council to provide some additional revenue to Economic Alliance for services provided. EDD and RC&D are trying to get the Tribes involved.

Commissioner Lampe left for a meeting.

Motion – Consent Agenda - Commissioners
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the consent agenda items 1 – with the exception of items #6 and #10. Motion was seconded and carried.

Discussion – Trail Property Acquisition – Public Works
Heidi Smith explained that Jim Weed has a contract for services and is not an employee with the county. An independent contractor doesn’t have the appearance of conflict. While it isn’t illegal it is the appearance. In this case, Public Works did not want to go with Baines Title. Heidi stated that she does have some concern over the issue but her suggestion is to request another Limited Practice Officer at Transnation. In Heidi’s professional opinion, there is technically no legal conflict.

Discussion – Limited General Obligation Bonds - Treasurer
Jim Nelson, briefed the Commissioners on the proposed Non-Voted Bonds to finance the Public Works Area 1 & 2 shop facility, Fire Main, and Area 4 facility in Brewster. The Principle amount of the bonds is $2,915,000 at an interest rate of 3.59 %, weighted average. He explained that the longer an investor is willing to commit their money the higher rate of interest is yielded. Payment due dates are July 1 and January 1. By extending the dates a month, it lowered the interest rates. Because the bonds are only financed over 10 years there is no prepayment option. The county purchased a bond insurance contract in the amount of $18,308 which actually saved approximately $8600 per year over the 10 year period.

Resolution 16-2006 – Limited General Obligation Bonds – Treasurer
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Resolution 16-2006, providing for the issuance, specifying the maturities, interest rates, terms and covenants and fixing the form of $2,915,000 par value Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 2006, to provide funds with which to pay costs of constructing an equipment facility, acquisition of real property, making other capital improvements and the costs of issuance and sale of the bonds. Motion was seconded and carried.

Contract – Purchasing of Bonds – Martin Nelson & Company
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the contract for the issuance of the Limited Tax Obligation Bonds. Motion was seconded. The issue was discussed and Commissioner Peterson offered a friendly amendment to add that another LPO other than Sheila Weed conduct the closing. Motion was seconded and carried. The motion as amended carried. (attached)

Agreement – Purchase and Sale Agreement – Public Works
Commissioner Lampe moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the purchase and sale agreement with Norm and Jack Cutchie Motion was seconded. Motion carried. (attached)

Discussion – Restroom Facility – Fish & Wildlife
Brian Trickles with the Fish & Wildlife explained the need for a restroom facility at Molsen and Sidley Lakes. It would need to be a joint effort between the County, the Grange and Washington State Fish & Wildlife because of all the issues that need resolution. Commissioner Peterson introduced him to Murray McCory and noted that Murray would be his contact person at the county.

TEMS – Tonasket EMS District
Commissioner Peterson moved to recess as the Board of Commissioners and convene as the Tonasket EMS District Board of Directors. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Hover moved to authorize the Chairman of the HIPPA Agreement between the Tonasket EMS and the Tonasket Hospital District. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Hover moved to approve the Professional Service Agreement between the Tonasket EMS and Mattson Associates in the amount of $60.00 per hour.

Voucher Approval – Emergency Management Service – Tonasket EMS District

Commissioner Hover moved to approve the voucher for $381.09. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Commissioner Hover moved to approve the Professional Services Contract between the Tonasket EMS District and the Tonasket Hospital to provide billing services and accounts receivable tracking services in the amount of $16. 54. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Lampe moved to adjourn as the Tonasket EMS Board of Directors. Motion was seconded and carried.

Motion – Resignation – Public Works
Commissioner Peterson moved to accept Rob McGaughey’s resignation effective February 1, 2006 and authorized the Vice Chair to sign. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)