The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on February 23, 2010, with Chairman Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Don Hover and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Motion – Consent Agenda
Commissioner Hover moved to approve the consent agenda items 1-8 as presented. Motion was seconded and carried.

1. Approve Commissioners Proceedings for February 16th, 2010
2. Resolution 45-2010 Public Works Transfer #3
3. Resolution 46-2010 Transfer Sheriff
4. Resolution 47-2010 Transfer Non Departmental Expert Witness
5. Canvass Board Delegation – Special Election
6. Vicki Davis Appointment – Noxious Weed Board
7. Open Space Timber Agreement - Gould
8. Cattle Guard Franchise Renewals:

• Vern & Donna Harkness, LLC. – No. 47-73 @ M.P. 3.08 on Buzzard Lake Rd

D.N.R. – No. 15-98 @ M.P. 5.628 on Wolf Creek Rd.

Joe & Debbie Philleo – No. N-123 @ M.P. 1.854 on Limebelt Rd.

Del Prewitt – No. 2-94 @ M.P. 0.49 on Frost Rd.

Brian Nelson – No. 1-79 @ M.P. 0.15 on Pontiac Ridge Rd.

Dept. of Fish & Wildlife – No. 5-95 @ M.P. 1.260 on Hess Lake Rd.

Dept. of Fish & wildlife – No. N-152A @ M.P. 4.13 on Limebelt Rd.

Dept. of Fish & Wildlife – No. N-152B @ M.P. 5.41 on Limebelt Rd.

Everett Turner – No. 3-90 @ M.P. 2.00 on Rise Rd.

Wade Cunningham – No. 74-73 @ M.P. 0.01 on Hess Lake Rd.

David Townsend – No. 5-76 @ M.P. 28.652 on Cameron Lake Rd.

Gene Sackman – No. n-121 @ M.P. 1.74 on Mineral Hill Road

• Whitley Farms LLC – No. 82-73 @ M.P. 1.91 on Windy Hill Rd.

Discussion – Fish & Wildlife Coordination – Jodi Bush and Staff
Jodi Bush WDFW, Ken Berg, WDFW, Sheila Corson, Chronicle Staff, Char Schumacher, OC Planner, Doug Zimmer, External Affairs, Gregg Kurz, F & W Biologist, Steve Bozarth, Civil Deputy Okanogan County, Nancy Sariano, member of the public.

Introductions were made. Perry explained the purpose of the meeting. Commissioner Peterson asked what the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s chain of command was, here at the table. Ken Berg is the Lacey office supervisor and those present work under him.

Perry explained the importance of State and Federal agencies coordinating with Okanogan County. Presentation slides showed the current Fish and Wildlife projects with no county coordination. The slides listed dates when the county sent correspondence to Fish and Wildlife in order to establish and develop a working relationship. (attached) Commissioner Peterson noted the county adopted a resolution in 2000, where the county officially memorialized its desire for coordination with the agencies. The county is looking for a partnership that is upfront and honest.

Commissioner Hover further explained that the county wants more than to be informed about what Fish & Wildlife plans are. It is a matter of working together before action is taken by Federal and State agencies. Plans such as Land transactions, Wolf Management Plan, Bull Trout Plan, and other types of plans are not being coordinated between the county and agencies. We feel like the federal law is explicit for its agencies to coordinate and be upfront with their plans.

Commissioner Peterson explained that citizens come to us, regarding these plans. We should be able to explain what is going on. We can’t explain it if we don’t know what is going on. There are thousands of acres of land being purchased, which takes acres out of the tax rolls, out of agriculture, etc…. We need to know what the impacts are to our county are going to be before the transaction takes place. There is a public process that is being skirted and that process should never be eliminated. The public needs to be involved as well. There is no public review, no coordination and the public often doesn’t get a chance to comment on these impacts.

Commissioner Hover noted that some of the sales have been supported by Okanogan County, but there must be a SEPA review on these land acquisitions. We need to know the impacts of these plans, acquisitions etc… Federal dollars are being used, and there has been no real coordination at the table. If state agencies keep leaving us out, we are doomed.

Ken Berg asked for clarity as he is not as familiar with the laws to coordinate. Commissioner Hover requested planning staff put together a packet to help clarify the situation.

Ken Berg remarked he appreciated being able to hear our concerns. The Department does want to have a better working relationship. He explained that each part of their department has its own responsibilities. He understands how frustrating it is. There is a lot going on in Okanogan. They respect that and how hard it is to balance. The real challenge is about roles and responsibilities. The state processes are not preempted by his. Ken further explained their processes for these acquisitions. The funding is on an annual competitive bid process working under the state. The projects are rated and granted funding annually and this happens on a nationwide basis.

The commissioners asked what metric they used for Okanogan County land acquisitions compared to other states. It appears 69% of the funds allocated to Washington State were to purchase land in Okanogan County. Ken replied that Washington State has qualified higher than other states and the grants compliment other conservation acquisitions. Washington State does better because the funding isn’t spread pro rata.

The commissioners asked who is driving the Wolf plan. Doug said there is a requirement under state law to develop state wolf plans, but his is out of the USF&W purview. The state did it totally through the state and it is not known whether it was in part funded by the USF&W. Okanogan County would like to know that.

Commissioner Peterson said the County wants to be at the table for the Grizzly plan too. Commissioner Hover wants to ensure these plans take the grass roots approach. The only way to success is to have a bottoms up approach by involving everyone.

Commissioner Lampe asked for public comment. Nancy Sariano asked for the ratio of easements to acquisitions. Ken replied funding for conservation easements has been provided by Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)

Commissioner Peterson attends the Council of Governments (COG) group meeting for the eastern counties and invited Ken Berg or a representative to be a guest speaker at one of their COG meetings and in order to explain some of USF&W duties, plans, etc…

Perry, in closing remarked that in essence the commissioners want a programmatic analysis either NEPA or SEPA in the conditions for any plans for wildlife and/or land acquisitions.

Update – Public Works
Frank Sautell, Bob Breshears

Frank Sautell updated the commissioners on the groomer inspection, which went well. He said some road restrictions have been lifted on some of the lower elevation roads, but some of the higher roads restrictions remain in place.

Bob Breshears said Public Works will put out a notice for bids on the asphalt for Old 97, once it is cleared by CRAB. He is hoping to do a couple alternate roads as well.

Public Hearing – 6 Year Road Program – Public Works
Frank Sautell, Bob Breshears

Commissioner Lampe opened the public hearing calling for staff report. Bob gave the staff report noting the primary reason for amending the 6 Year Road Program was to include the Night hawk trail head and the fact that it must be on the states TRP to be a priority. Commissioner Lampe closed for staff and asked for public comment. Seeing no public present, Commissioner Lampe closed the hearing for public comment. Commissioners noted the construction will start in 2010. We will construct the parking area at the Oroville to Nighthawk trailhead.

Motion – Resolution 48-2010 – 6 Year Road Program
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve resolution 48-2010 an amendment to our 6 Year Road Program transportation project, in the amount of $107,500. Motion was seconded and carried.

Update – Sheriff
Frank Rogers, Joe Somday, Noah Stewart, Shawn Messinger, Scott Miller

Noah explained the process for picking up contract inmates from other cities and counties. There are some issues that need to be worked out with the cooperative chain. There has been nothing formalized as it has been done by a handshake in the past. This process must be changed.

Commissioner Peterson was looking at the Sheriff’s overtime sheets and asked for more explanation and detail on the sheets to justify the overtime. Some of the Drug Task Force was paid overtime for moving their office down to the spray shop. Frank Rogers replied that Task Force is grant funded. Joe Somday explained that sheets are turned in to justify the overtime but some will not contain those things that are sensitive. Commissioner Peterson said some have turned in overtime sheets for training. She asked whether shifts could be adjusted so overtime is not incurred.

Dave Rodreguez updated the commissioners on burglaries in the Methow.

Shawn Messinger updated the commissioners on communication/dispatch issues. Apparently, PUD accidently cut phone lines during construction of their new building. The lines were back up by 4 p.m. the same day.

In working through the BJA Grant, Shawn noted the award letter determined a time frame for spending down the grant. Frank Rogers explained that their twelfth regular position will be funded out of this grant. The position was moved from fund 024 to fund 120 and is not a position that will go away when the grant funds are gone.

Scott Miller updated the commissioners on the purchases made using the Stone Garden Grant. They have purchase a snowmobile and an ATV. The night vision goggles have been ordered.

Discussion – BLM – Kevin Preister
Kevin Preister with James Ken Associates, Perry Huston, Char Schumacher, Sheila Corson Omak Chronicle

Kevin Preister explained how his company works with BLM as a contractor. The purpose of his visit is to get an idea of how the county would like to be coordinated with and discuss the county’s strategies for projects and plans. Kevin will then compose and submit a report to BLM.

BLM is one of the intervening agencies with interest in the Whistler Canyon trail. Commissioner Hover requested that before BLM makes plans and before it gets deep into its planning process Okanogan County wants coordinating agency status with a place at the table. The commissioners want to make sure BLM plans are consistent with plans the county is working on.

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 Visa vouchers in the amount of $609.888.99. Warrant numbers are cited on the attached blanket voucher list.