The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on October 18, 2010, with Chairman, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Don Hover and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Update – Planning
Perry Huston, Scott Furman, Gene Wyllson

Scott and Gene explained that upgrades for the Auto Cad mapping software need to be purchased at a total cost of $15,000 since they do not work with Windows 7 or 2010. Scott explained that he currently has about $11,000 in license fees for 3 desktops in his office and one is needed in Planning. Perry will look at his budget to see if they have funds for the Planning GIS portion. There will be about $15,000 next year. Scott said that he can transfer funds in his budget to cover this year. Commissioner Hover asked if there was a way to run it. Scott said there is a fix for Windows 7 in compatibility mode. Gene said that there could be some real problems with the fix not being accurate and moving parcel lines. The commissioners told them to move forward with the purchase.

Perry reported that people are calling up the Planning department requesting the GPS coordinates for a parcel corner and Perry believes that this practice either needs to be discontinued. He noted that even two different surveyors could end up with two different legal descriptions depending on where they set their corner.. Commissioner Peterson doesn’t believe the Planning Department should not provide that information and said if the practice is continued there should be some kind of policy.

Watershed Planning
A small part of the Lake Chelan watershed—the upper portion of Antoine Creek--is technically in Okanogan County, despite the fact that this drainage does not drain into Lake Chelan but to the Columbia River.  The State simply drew it this way when they established water resource inventory areas.  The Lake Chelan Watershed Planning Unit has elected not to include Antoine Creek in the watershed plan, so there would be no Okanogan County lands affected by the final Lake Chelan Watershed Plan.

The Department of Ecology requires that this letter be submitted in order for the Lake Chelan Watershed Plan to be finalized (probably mid-2011) unless Okanogan County is interested in participating in the planning effort.  I am assuming that since no Okanogan County lands will be included in the watershed plan that you would have no interest in the Lake Chelan Watershed Planning process.

The commissioners simply need to send a letter stating that they do not wish participate in watershed planning in Lake Chelan (WRIA 47) and opting out of the decision-making and approval process.

Perry reported that the draft comprehensive plan is ready to work on the latest version. He will get it to the Clerk of the Board to make the changes. Perry stated that they are still working concurrently with the subdivision and zoning codes.

The commissioners discussed the meetings to be scheduled with Fish & Wildlife to discuss cooperating status. Perry suggested that they prepare a scope of work for the first meeting. Commissioner Peterson explained that the purchases need to be a public process. Perry will put together a proposal for the meeting.

SEPA Appeal – Eastlake Sewer Policies – 9 Mile Short Plat
Perry Huston, Planning Director; Rocky Devon, Tim Pecha, David Taber and Mark Egerton

Commissioner Lampe opened the meeting and explained the process. He then called for any exparte contact by the commissioners. Commissioner Peterson stated that she had contact with Mark Egerton but explained that she told him at that time that she could not discuss the issue with him. No objection was made to Commissioner Peterson remaining seated. Commissioner Lampe called for any exhibits. A map was presented. Commissioner Lampe swore in the witnesses.

Perry Huston, Director of Planning, stipulated that the party has standing in the procedure and wave any claim to an appeal. This is an appeal of the threshold mitigated determination of non-significance. This issue is central as to how the project moves forward. The proponent and the appellant are the same party.

The two issues involved are 1) the service area and 2) the time period for payment of the hookup fees.

The proponent has requested that they be exempt from hooking up to the sewer.

Mark Egerton introduced the other persons present involved with the project. He explained the cost, topography of the proposed site, and the distance from the sewer system.

After consideration of the area of the project and the minimum potential of explansion, Commissioner Hover moved to uphold the appeal and direct the Planning Director to exempt the 9-mile short plat from the requirement to connect to the sewer system. Motion was seconded and carried.

Update – Conservation District
Craig Nelson and Bob Clark

Craig noted that the board has changed in that it doesn’t have the experience as the previous board. They will be updating the conservation plan but will be hiring an outside person who has a lot of experience to assist with the update. The district has also added new staff members to fill some vacancies.

Okanogan Watershed Plan is back as they are not as far along as they had anticipated. He received an email from DOE with a map of all the water in the state. This watershed is listed as "non-compliant". There are elements in the action items that are obligatory to DOE. They will be sending a list of items that need to be fixed in order to remove the "non-compliant" status.

So far, Conservation Districts are fairing well the state budget.

Discussion – Forest Service DEIS – Pack and Saddle Stock Outfitter Guide
Jess Darwood, Steve Darwood and Aaron Burkhart requested the Commissioners help to develop a forth alternative to the Forest Service DEIS for Pack and Saddle Stock. They explained how the hardship and inequity that the Forest Service options would affect the tourism and restrict access to public lands. The commissioners agreed to write a letter requesting an extension to the comment period and stressing that the Forest Service Coordinate with the County as required by law. A meeting was scheduled for next week to discuss the matter further.