The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on July 10, 2006, with Chairman Bud Hover present. Commissioner Peterson attended Disaster Meeting with three other counties in Wenatchee and came back in the afternoon and Commissioner Andy Lampe arrived late at 9:15 AM. Lanie Johns present for Brenda Crowell Clerk of the Board.

Discussion - Drug Court and Mental Health Services - Jack Buchard
Jack Burchard, Kevin, Drug Court participant and Susie Ives, Chronicle reporter were present.

Judge Jack Burchard summarized the purpose and the need of the Drug Court Program. He indicated that at this time no funding is being asked for. Jack presented a slide show to help visualize the statistics of the program. Of the 500 cases Jack Burchard has been apart of about 10 percent are accepted into the Drug Court Program and, of those, only about 25 people attend. No one can be accepted into the program with sexual or violent crimes and/or the manufacture or sale of drugs on their record. Karl Sloan’s office reviews the cases and makes a recommendation based on the police report and criteria. After that a decision is made by consensus and the offenders who are accepted must be amendable to treatment. Clients/Patients may require other treatments such as medical or psychiatric treatment. Unfortunately many people end up where they started because funding is limited. In addition those who are accepted into the program are subjected to frequent drug urinalysis testing each week which are very difficult to fake or get out of. The subject is immediately hand cuffed in front of everyone in the courtroom the first time he or she fails the drug test. The Judge sees one person about 52 times during the program. Judge Burchard explained that drug program is as effective as the treatment for diabetes, asthma, or hypertension. The treatment, in order to be effective, should last over one year. A Drug Court Program is a reality based common sense approach to drug and alcohol offenders.

Commissioner Hover asked if this program is so successful why is it so hard to get funding for the drug court system? Judge Burchard responded that due to the change in the legislature less funding is available for the program. The Department of Social and Health Services qualifies candidates’ income for the treatment program and also provide some funding through its programs. Judge Burchard explained the non-adversarial approach to participant involvement.

Kevin, who has participated in the program, has found a new way of life through the program. Kevin wrote an essay and read it aloud to the board. Drug court has been the most positive thing that has ever happened to him. It has given him the tools he needs to contribute to society. He has attended Drug Court for 16 months, and it has changed his life completely.

Judge Burchard would like to set up another meeting when Roger Bauer OBHC can attend.

Update – Planning
Heidi Smith, Ben Rough, and Nick Christoph updated the commissioners on the Similkameen Trail and other planning issues.

Heidi commented that Burlington Northern/Santa Fe property right-away is a critical piece of land for the trail. Heidi stated that Burlington Northern knows we want this piece of property for the trail and they would like to sell it to us for administration costs and a letter threatening condemnation. Commissioner Peterson reminded everyone that IAC funds could not be used to purchase the property.

Commissioner Lampe said that we should pursue the purchase and use the IAC funds to develop the land. We will not actually condemn it only threaten to condemn it. People should not get the wrong idea.

Jim Weed relayed to Nick that he would be sending a letter to terminate his contract with the county.

Commissioner Hover commented that Ted Murray is doing a good job sorting out the trail situation and he may do well with some of the other projects.

The Commissioners directed Heidi to get the letter for Burlington Northern. Commissioner Hover has heard that people are concerned trail users may not stick to the trail, and property owners want assurances that people won’t leave the trail and start walking off onto private land. A means to enforce the rules of the trials will be necessary.

Nick Christoph presented an update to the Okanogan Regional Shoreline Master Program Public Participation Plan Draft.

Public Hearing - Utility Franchise - Okanogan County Electric Coop
Verlene Hughes attended the public hearing on the Okanogan County Utility Franchise. The purpose of the franchise is to upgrade it as it hasn’t been in 30 years. There was only one call from a property owner on Reno Loup Road. When Verlene explained what the franchise was for the property owner had no more concerns. No other public present for comments and Commissioner Hover closed the hearing for public comment.

Resolution 81-2006 - Right-of-Away Franchise- Public Works
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the resolution by the Okanogan County granting a right-away franchise #U06-01 to Okanogan County Electric Co-op, Inc. Motion seconded, motion carried.

Open Public Comment Period
Mr. Stolberg with Rhythm and Blues Festival updated Commissioner Hover about what to expect for this years festival. No other Commissioners were present.

Long Plat Alteration - Sunshine Orchard Tracts - Planning
Ben Rough explained that there are two lots that will be created; one lot will maintain an existing two-acre home site and the remaining lot will be designated for agricultural use.

Commissioner Lampe made a motion to approve the FSA Barnholt Loop Long Plat Alteration of Sunshine Orchard Tracts 2005-3, subject to the attached Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Conditions of Approval. Motion was seconded, motion carried.

Public Hearing - Assessment of the Planning Only Grant - Community Action
Lael Duncan came 12 minutes late to the public hearing. Lael Duncan explained the purpose of the meeting is to take public comment and to close out the Planning Only Grant. It is Lael’s hope to get final approval on the next grant sometime soon. Lael will have the full accounting of the grant at a later time. A closeout report for the Planning only grant is available.

Commissioners' Workshop - Shoreline Master Program Update – Planning
Kurt Danison Highlands Associate, Commissioner Hover, Commissioner Lampe, Commissioner Peterson , Nick Christoph, Peter Skowlund DOE, Gary Graf, John Umburger WIR 48, Sandra Strieby Hass, Fred Sheldon city of Omak, Bonnie Lawrence,

The purpose of the meeting is intended to provide information and guidance to elected officials representing jurisdictions involved in Okanogan County’s Regional shoreline Master Program update process. The intention is to show key decision makers and resource providers the entire flow of the project, from start to finish.

Kurt Danison made introductions. Peter Skowland showed a slide show overview of the Shoreline Management Plan. Peter Skowlund explained what the shoreline plan was for. Development will occur, and the plan includes uses to accommodate development. Five different areas include urban, suburban, rural, conservancy, and natural habitat.

Commissioner Peterson wants to see a plan that is both fair and reasonable. She wants to protect the people’s land from being taken away. Commissioner Peterson does not want the plan to exceed state standards.

Commissioner Hover is concerned about the rights of property owners and wants to see the water ways protected to the extent that we can balance work with land owners to help in the protection of the land. Commissioner Hover does not want to see regulations put into place that limits the use of the private property use. We have to strive to reach the balance between it all.

Everyone in the room commented about what they would like to see for the plan and voiced their concerns. The vision needs to reflect where we want to be in future.