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 - Approve Consent Agenda
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the consent agenda items 1-11 as presented. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

1. Commissioners Proceedings November 8th & 9th, 2010
2. Agreement Amendment #4 DOE for SMP
3. Resolution 349-2010 Transfer Superior Court
4. Resolution 350-2010 Transfer Corrections Van
5. Resolution 351-2010 Transfer Board of Equalization
6. Resolution 352-2010 Transfer # 25, 26, & 27 Sheriff
7. Resolution 353-2010 Transfer Emergency Services
8. Resolution 354-2010 Transfer Prosecutor
9. Resolution 355-2010 Transfer Central Services
10. Resolution 356-2010 Transfer #33 Corrections
11. Resolution 357-2010 Transfer Agent

Tonasket EMS District
Commissioner Peterson moved to adjourn as the Board of Commissioners and convene as the Tonasket EMS District. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Lampe moved to approve vouchers in the amount of $10,506.19. Motion was seconded and carried.

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

Update – Public Works
Bob Breshears briefed the Board on road situations and maintenance.

Public Hearing – Duel Use Roads – Public Works
Public Works staff present were Bob Breshears, Verlene Hughes and Bob Parten. Public as listed on attached sign in sheet.

Commissioner Lampe opened the hearing and called for staff report. Verlene Hughes explained that the usual duel use roads are included on the list but additional roads as shown in exhibit A were added as petitioned. She provided the background history. When asked if any comments were received she noted that Dick Coppick called in support of the proposed roads in the Chesaw area. Verlene presented the route as depicted on the maps. The proposed roads would add approximately 19 miles to the existing duel use road system.

Bob Parten said that a previous proposal was not acceptable as this route has the least impact.

Commissioner Lampe called for public comment.

Gary LaShelle expressed concern that some roads were not on the list. Verlene explained the route map to Mr. LaShelle. Mr. LaShelle asked why they could not just go down Meyers Creek road directly to the Chesaw Road. Verlene explained that it was determined that that portion of the road would not be safe. Commissioner Peterson noted that the county has to plow and sand that road. The speed limit on that road is 50 mph and the traffic count was 258 in May of 2009. He is in favor of the proposed roads.

Anthony Tiano explained that there has been little public opposition to the proposed roads and he is in favor of the proposed duel use roads. There are a number of parks and trails that are assessable and the benefit of such a proposal and would be a boon to economics of the area.

Pauline Watts is in favor of the proposed routes. She explained that there is a large area of Forest Service land with lots of trails that would be a plus and the proposal would link communities, and provide resources and recreation.

Bill Johnson is in favor.

Betty Wagner has been involved with snowmobiling and duel use roads for quite some time, and she supports the proposal.

Fran and Tom White are both in favor. Tom stated that there have been some outlaws that have come past his property doing 70 mph and they have been reported.

Michael in favor and totally supports the proposal.

Dennis Henry is very much in favor and it is important that there is an organized and safe environment. He doesn’t believe there will be a lot of traffic around Molsen as there isn’t much to do.

Pauline asked if Bolster Road was part of the proposal. She was told it is. There are residents who will self-monitor the routes to ensure safety.

Jim Detro, Commissioner Elect, stated that he has watched the group and they do a good job of policing themselves and is in favor of the proposal.

Commissioner Peterson asked if there was any communication in opposition to the proposed route. Verlene stated that there has been none. Commissioner Peterson noted that all roads will still be plowed and sanded for the safety of the public.

Commissioner Peterson thanked Pauline for her time and efforts to get this done.

Resolution 358-2010 – Duel Use Roads
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Resolution 358-2010, Duel Use Roads by snowmobiles as defined in attachment A of the resolution. Motion was seconded and carried.

Resolution 359-2010 – Budget Transfer - Juvenile
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Resolution 359-2010, budget transfer in the Juvenile budget in the amount of $3,300. Motion was seconded and carried.

Methow EMS District
Commissioner Peterson moved to adjourn as the Board of Commissioners and convene as the Methow EMS District. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the 2011 Levy for the Methow EMS in the amount of $361,081 and authorize the chair, Bud Hover to sign. Motion was seconded and carried.

Commissioner Lampe moved to adjourn as the Methow Valley EMS District and reconvene as the Board of Commissioners. Motion was seconded and carried.

Discussion – Forest Service Outfitters
Arron and Brian Varlleman, and Steve ? of Methow Outfitters, discussed the Forest Service EIS impacts to their businesses and their recommendations for a 4^th alternative.

Commissioner Hover via telephone stated that he is waiting for to get the figures on how the barren core was determined, what issues that they have that need to be changed and how the calculations were applied. Wenatchee-Okanogan forest users have been able to get their permits but it appears that the Methow users are being singled out and not getting their permit. They asked that the commissioners to sign onto a letter from their attorney. Bud would like to read the letter first before supporting it. This needs to be done by the 22^nd.

Discussion – Cooperation – Fish & Wildlife
Dennis Beich, Director Central Washington, Dave Bricklyn

 It was explained that F&W was under the understanding that there was no official agenda for the meeting.

Commissioner Lampe read a proposed MOU

Those present discussed how to proceed in the future, the process time limit and who will sit at the table. Dennis Beich stated that F&W would like the two conservation groups, the Farm Bureau or Livestock groups to sit at the table. The commissioners did not agree that it was not necessary for anyone other than the County and F&W to sit at the table. The issue is not so much philosophic as it is about the economic impacts and that it is imperative that the county know the impacts.

Perry Huston stated that the mission has not been defined. The point is the county wants to know what their plans are as in; how much land is needed; the objective, the impacts, mitigation, use and management. Perry suggested that the technical work should come first then the philosophical.

Dennis stated that he would not walk away even if the other groups do not have a representative at the table. Dave commented that if stakeholders are involved the outcome would be stronger.

Commissioner Peterson stated there is no process yet and she would like to wait to involve the stakeholders.

Commissioner Lampe stated that the proposed agreement simply sets out that the county wants an economic analysis so that the impacts to the county are known. He doesn’t feel that the stakeholders are needed at this time.

ML addressed the F&W’s proposed fees saying that citizens will no longer be able to afford access and permits. These fees will just go to Maintenance and Operation.

Dave explained that F&W is looking at fee increases, for fishing, hunting and access. Hunters and Fishers have historically funded and now they are looking at the non-typical users i.e., skiers and hikers etc.

Commissioner Lampe stated that he would like hear from Director Anderson on the proposed agreement.

On another note Dennis reported that F&W has been approached to buy water to transfer to the Johns property. Assuming that there is money to buy water, and trying to get a Commissioner buy-in.

Update – Building
Dan Higbee presented the October building activity report. On the Fezzy complaint, the building department has had some response from their letters. Veranda Beach has turned in applications for a few homes.

Resolution 360-2010 – Budget Transfer - Commissioners
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Resolution 360-2010, budget transfer in the amount of $205 for the commissioners budget. Motion was seconded and carried.