The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on March 13, 2006 with Chairman Don Hover, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Mary Lou Peterson and Lanie Johns for Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Update - Parks and Recreation Board – Carl Christiansen
Carl Christiansen apologized for not being on the schedule, he wanted to let the Commissioners know that a new member would be needed for the board. Carl also wanted to know if there would be any objections to having a beer garden at the Home and Garden Show. Commissioner Peterson asked if there was one there before and Carl said no. He stated that 5% of the money would go to the grant writer for the indoor Riding Arena. The commissioners requested that all permits and necessary licenses be obtained before hand. Carl Christiansen informed the commissioners that Barrel racing club president Diane Lowe told him she is going to write a letter to the editor. She wants to complain about the Arena taking too long to be funded. Carl asked her to talk to the commissioners first before submitting the letter. Commissioner Peterson asked that Carl schedule to come before the Board of County Commissioners after every Parks and Recreation Board meeting so he can update the Commissioners.

Update – Planning
Greg Wilder will be speaking to cattlemen’s association about grazing rights at a meeting April 11^th, 2006 at 6:00 PM at Koala Street grill. Greg will follow up on grazing rights on the Kinross mine area at that time.

The agreement with Legends resort has been approved by Heidi. Greg will bring it in for final approval. The amendment to Varela No. 4 is being reviewed by Heidi.

Kurt Danison was hired to take on certain phasing plans and building permits. Legend agreed to a haul plan. Commissioner Hover asks if they are still on time with the Eastlake project and Greg Wilder said that the June date is really cutting it close. Commissioner Peterson updated Greg about the breakfast meeting she had with Varela.

Discussion – Commissioners – Crab – Public Works
Frank Sautell, Allan King with CRAB, and the commissioners present.

Commissioner Peterson asked Allan whether hiring someone part time from another county, until a permanent engineer could be hired, is a good idea. Allan commented about the logistics of hiring outside our county. The job could be much too large a job to split someone’s time between counties as a permanent situation. The level of work involved is tremendous. The question arose that if we did share an engineer with another county then which county is in charge? Allan reviewed some options and said that hiring someone on a temporary contract basis may cost more but hiring someone who has enough experience could minimize the cost of consultants. Bob Breshears, in Lincoln County, may be a good person to hire on a part time basis until we find a permanent person. Commissioner Hover wants to contact him to see if he would be willing to fill in. It would give us time to make a really good decision on a permanent person or persons. Allan feels confidant that the Lincoln county engineer would be willing to fill in, we would have to negotiate with him. Commissioner Hover asked Frank to go ahead with the necessary drafting of the contract or agreement needed to get him on board.

Allan stated several points the commissioners should consider as they begin the process of hiring an Engineer. Allan suggested hiring a combined Director/Engineer with a compatible personality and then hire a basic engineer to work under him/her to oversee the day to day workload. It would protect the workload performed out in the field and ensure that work gets done. Commissioner Hover asks how a Director who overseas the engineer department and an engineer who looks over the technical effects would look over the office staff. Allan pointed out that having both would protect the workload performed out in the field and ensure that work gets done on the roads and sewers plus give the office staff a regular manager. Allan said it would take two people who mesh perfectly. Commissioner Peterson asserted that we tried a combined position before and we did not have good results with this. Commissioner Peterson also said she has noticed that the engineer has too many other things to worry about and the people are not managed then the people start managing themselves. Allan reminded that the main areas are the workload, function, and staff. There are areas that could be adjusted to match people with skills and knowledge levels. A well prepared Engineer will spend 20% on the job with technical effects and 80% on day to day practices such as managing the staff.

Allan noted that things will take about 6 months to sort out and to be upfront with everyone and tell them the results we want to see. The key issues are: 1. that pay is protected; 2. the perception of titles; 3. focus on the strengths not the weaknesses. The strengths will overcome the weaknesses. Frank would like CRAB to be involved with the interviews when we start them. Allan said he will take the job description and make some suggested changes for the ad. He will give it back for publication with-in a week.

Commissioner Peterson asked if there are other areas that need to be restructured and if CRAB will help us in getting pointed in the right direction. Allan said," yes, that is what he is here for."

Meeting with Cities
Nan Kallunki, Heidi Smith, Del Shove, Karl Sloan, Commissioner Hover, Commissioner Lampe, Commissioner Peterson, Mick Howe, Omak City Mayor, Dale Sparber, Brewster City Mayor Randy Wheat, Policeman from Oroville, Mayor of Oroville, Chuck Spieth, and a few others who did not state their names were present. Commissioner Hover explained that Noah Stewart proposed to purchase the Armory facility to house trustees and minimum security inmates. Commissioner Hover gave details about the property and about areas of concern. 1) Can we get the building zoned for this type of thing, 2) will the tribes be willing to accept it and 3) costs of renovation. There is room for potentially 120 beds which would reduce the costs to the cities significantly. Commissioner Hover said that the hard figures have not been worked out yet but in the long run costs could go down significantly for the cities. "Share the costs; share the revenue", Commissioner Peterson commented. The questions the cities wanted answered were at what point would they reap the benefits and what will the benefits be. What will the cost per prisoner be and how much will it be reduced and when? Will the plan be based on inmate cost days over a one year period or will it be based on a five year period? And, if the cities are in this for a limited partnership what say does the city have in the process? Commissioner Hover informed everyone that Michael Beaman is compiling the cost estimates for the county and the cities. A floor plan was submitted and is attached.

Del Shove suggested that revenues from this project could be invested and that the cities could benefit from it. Also, more trustee inmates will be able to help the cities with certain projects to help save money. The project would mean new jobs.

It was noted that this project could open up more bed space in the main jail and the space could be contracted to other cities. Renton has inquired about contracting with us because we have a teleconference court which would enable us to hold court via video. Bill Miller interjected that Benton County just built 750 new beds, but they are already filled. The need for more beds and space is significant, this project could accommodate our cities needs as well as some of the needs of other cities.

The latecomer fee would have to be paid out the nose by any cities wanting to join late, Del said. Commissioner Hover said it would be great if all the cities joined at once because we wouldn’t have to separate the costs. All aspects will need to be looked into by each city individually.

Mick Howe asked that a preliminary cost estimate and phase plan be presented at the April 6^th all cities meeting. Del said a preliminary estimate for the cities could be prepared for a presentation.