The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on July 20, 2010, with Chairman, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Don Hover and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Motion – A19-1A – OBHC
Commissioner Peterson moved to authorize the Chairman to sign A19-1A’s for DDD in the amount of $16,027.77 & CD in the amount of $28,982.55 for the month of July. Motion was seconded and carried.

Motion – Consent Agenda
Commissioner Hover moved to approve the consent agenda items 1-16 as presented. Motion was seconded and carried.

1. Commissioners Proceedings August 3rd, 9th & 10th 2010
2. Termination Lease Agreements P423 Rat Lake Pit, P5-35 Duffy Mt Pit, P6-63 Maiers Shale Pit
3. Seal Coat Tonasket Agreement
4. Janis Fines Stockpile Purchase Agreement
5. CDBG Public Services Grant Req. #7 July 2010
6. CDBG GP Rehab Grant Request #13 July 2010
7. Cattleguard Franchise Renewal No. 13-98
8. AOC Equipment Replacement Grant Pre Approval Form - DC
9. Resolution 209-2010 Transfer #19 Public Works
10. Resolution 210-2010 Transfer #19 Corrections
11. Resolution 211-2010 Transfer Prosecutor
12. Resolution 212-2010 Transfer Central Services
13. Resolution 213-2010 Transfer #20 Corrections
14. Resolution 214-2010 Amend 98-99 Tonasket Shop TB2-0052 DOT
15. Service Agreement with ICF International
16. Inmate Housing Agreement with Mount Vernon

Update – Public Works
Bob Parten explained that they are holding interviews for two positions for ?

The crews started chip sealing yesterday up Toroda Creek. Bob Parten explained the need to set aside funds for for road preservation. To do a 6-year road maintenance cycle like Public Works used to do would take about 2 million dollars. Commissioner Peterson said that somehow funds have to be raised perhaps some kind of road tax. Bob Breshears reported that there is $900,000 being made available for with no match for road improvements at intersections.

Update – Building
Dan Higbee and Perry Huston

Perry Huston reported that the 9-Mile Homeowners Association has hired Mr. Gardner to represent them in opposition to a house being constructed with sandbags. The people continue to build without a permit although they have been made aware of the requirement. The commissioners directed Dan Higbee to pursue enforcement. Dan also presented a status report for June and July.

Motion - Voucher Approval - Commissioners
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 to approve the vouchers in the amount of $621,598.84. Warrant numbers are cited on the attached blanket voucher list. (attached)

Discussion – Comprehensive Plan Work Session - Resource Lands
Perry addressed the approach for designating the resource lands in the comprehensive plan. He provided a memorandum specifying the acreage necessary to maintain the current economic base for agriculture including the cattle industry. The information was provided by representatives of the advocacy groups for these industries.

It is calculated that there is currently 23,624 acres in tree fruit production. Approximately 50 acres are in vine fruit production. It is estimated that at least 27,600 acres is required to maintain a viable base for agriculture in Okanogan County. 30,000 cow/calf pairs are required to maintain a stable economic base in the cattle industry and based on the this figure approximately 420,000 acres of graze land is necessary to maintain a viable base for the cattle industry.

The GIS department has been able to locate soil information on the public lands that will also be considered in the analysis.

There is 3,400,802 total acres in Okanogan County.

They have developed a model to use for the basis of designating the resource lands.

Commissioner Peterson thought that the lands on the reservation should be included. Perry stated that it can be done but the instructions thus far has been not to consider the reservation.

Public lands will bear the resource designation as has been directed. There is 2,654,719 acres of Federal, State and other government lands.

Next, we need to use soil maps to determine which lands are suitable for these activities. Commissioner Hover asked if this includes the conservation acres. Perry reported that there are 19,678 acres in conservation.

Commissioner Peterson stated she would like a statement that the 2010 acres are not included in the draft and would be included during the review. There are approximately 1100 acres that are not classified and the Planning Department is currently working with the Assessor’s office to finalize those acres.

Perry asked that the commissioners provide direction regarding the Forest Land designation.

Perry wants to do some kind of future projections. Commissioner Peterson asked Perry what it would take as far as a timber analysis to have viable sawmills again. Perry said that the nature of the timber industry has changed dramatically and doesn’t expect that a revitalization of the saw mills will happen. Commissioner Peterson stated that it would just be good to show that this was once a viable industry in Okanogan County.

Perry has taken a different tact on mineral lands in determining commercially viable mineral extraction. However, it won’t preclude anyone from doing something similar.

Perry will begin updating the plan.

Vicki Welch asked if alfalfa and hay lands are included in agriculture lands designation. Commissioner Hover thought that perhaps those are included in the Cattle acres section. Perry will have to check to see if those lands are included.

Jon Wyss stated during the 2002 analysis there were not enough acres of hay to sustain local cattle ranching. Commissioner Peterson also questioned the vine fruit acres. Jon stated that Dan McCarthy reported that as the tree fruit went to higher density there would be more of a need for vine fruit.

Jon forwarded a report to Perry on Dry Forest Vegetation.

Union Agreement – Teamsters Local Union #760.
Commissioner Hover moved to approve the Teamsters Local Union #760 Agreement from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012. Motion was seconded and carried.