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.

Discussion – Flash Flood Status Report
Scott Miller and Frank Sautell presented information regarding the recent flash flood on September 19, 2010. Pictures of the damage were displayed of the damage which was quite extensive. Scott stated that it doesn’t appear that the federal or state governments will help with needed funds for repair.

Public Hearing – Utility Franchise – Duck Lake
Commissioner Lampe opened the hearing and recused himself due to being a member of the Duck Lake Board.

Verlene Hughes presented the background information saying that this is a 20-year franchise agreement. Commissioner Peterson asked if there were any changes to the previous agreement. Verlene stated that everything else is the same. Commissioner Peterson asked if there have been any complaints or issues on the previous franchise. Verlene reported that there have been no problems and they are in good standing.

Commissioner Peterson called for public comment. Bob Lay stated that they have 50 additional hookups within their jurisdiction that can be sold. They would like to extend the agreement from 10 to 20 years.

Commissioner Hover moved to approve Resolution

Public Hearing Utility Franchise – Bonneville Power Administration Utility Franchise
Verlene Hughes, Frank Sautell, and Bob Breshears

Commissioner Lampe opened the hearing for Bonneville Power Administration Utility Franchise. Verlene gave the staff report and presented background information. In 1960 the commissioners signed the original agreement with Bonneville for a period of 50 years for power lines within the county right of way. Another was signed in 1964. This new franchise will combine both the agreements and will be for 20 years. It is different then the typical franchise agreement. It will be recorded. No comments were received.

Resolution 271-2010 – Bonneville Power Administration Utility Franchise
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Resolution 271-2010 and approve the franchise agreement for a term of twenty years with Bonneville Power Administration. Motion was seconded and carried.

Discussion – Gold Creek Road
Bob Breshears explained a hearing needs to be set up to reduce the speed limit on Gold Creek Road. He explained that the hearing would be for a speed limit change.

Motion – Consent Agenda - Commissioners
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the consent agenda items 1-11 as presented. Motion was seconded and carried.

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 Current Expense vouchers in the amount of $ 485,536.07 and Payroll in the amount of 1,600,918.46. Warrant numbers are cited on the attached blanket voucher lists. (attached)

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

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve vouchers in the amount of $32,010. Motion was seconded and carried.

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

Agreement – E911 – Department of Revenue
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve an agreement for E911 with the Department of Revenue for the state excise tax and authorize Chairman to sign. Motion was seconded and carried.

Discussion – Fish & Wildlife
Dennis Beich, Dave Bartell, Ron Judd

Dennis explained that the meeting was scheduled to discuss land transactions. They hope to have a constructive dialogue and create a better process with the county on land transaction issues. Dave presented a draft process for discussion.

Commissioner Lampe stated that the county’s number one concern is the economic impacts to the county saying that there has never been a SEPA or NEPA done on the whole land purchase program by Fish & Wildlife. The sum of all the land purchases should be reviewed for the economic impacts to the county even though no such requirement exists for each individual land transaction. The sum total of all the land actions should be considered.

Commissioner Peterson said that prior meetings were frustrating in that Dennis could not always answer the commissioners’ questions.

Commissioner Hover stated that there is only about 18% of the county that is developable and these are the very lands being purchased.

Ron Judd stated that there are a few principles that all can agree on.

It was noted that Fish & Wildlife has been working on putting water back on some acquisitions.

Ron stated that he doesn’t believe they can provide enough information to satisfy the commissioners. He stated that the letter that the commissioners sent could jeopardize funding of some projects.

Commissioner Hover explained that the commissioners are not necessarily opposed to some projects; they just don’t have enough information to determine the long term impacts to the county. We also need to stop the out flow of water. These transactions are being done with taxpayer money.

Commissioner Peterson remarked that we need to start from day one with a workable process. The citizens in the county need to know how much land Fish and Wildlife needs/wants? She asked Ron why he thinks the farms and ranches need to be protected by the state. There should be other options than buying land and keeping it forever. Every time you take a farm out of production, the county is hurt economically.

Ron commented that every ranch that was bought fee simple are still in production. In some cases, they are trying to put them back in production.

Dennis takes exception to Commissioner Petersons statement saying that they are looking more at easements rather than fee simple.

Commissioner Peterson stated that she also takes exception to a summary brief that was written by Jennifer Quan and presented to the F&W Commission at their meeting on October 1^st and 2^nd. She would like to see the list of funding sources and an actual list of species used to support the purchases.

Ron asked Commissioner Hover if he believes there has been a negative impact in his area as a result of the land transactions. He noted that one thing the study shows is that there have been far more land that has been lost without the purchases due to development.

Commissioner Hover stated that he doesn’t consider development a loss. Commissioner Peterson noted that the meeting has gotten sidetracked again. She suggested that meetings be set up with specific goals in order to achieve agreement. The commissioners want SEPA or NEPA to be done.

John Hayes expressed his frustration with F&W coming in on a development saying this is the last habitat for whatever species. There has been a critical habitat maps created by the county. The Big Valley Ranch, which was purchased back in the early 90’s still remains in production. He asked the commissioners not to eliminate conservation easements, etc, all together. Discussion continued regarding the establishment of a committee to review and discuss how to come up with a agreed process.

Nelson Matthews of Trust for Public Land, stated his impression is that F&W doesn’t want to do SEPA or NEPA. He wonders if his agency could help with finding ways to accomplish what the commissioners want without SEPA or NEPA.

Commissioner Hover politely explained that he isn’t sure that the Trust for Public Lands would be accepted as an unbiased broker by some citizens of the county.

Commissioner Lampe asked if the Department would be willing to suspend further acquisitions outside of the current dealings until the process is complete.

Dennis stated that they will discuss this with the Director and come back with an answer.

Dave suggested a 3-4 week intervals for the weeks with the first matter being the issue of suspension of land acquisitions during the process.

Dennis stated that he doesn’t believe that SEPA is the best route to determine economic impacts but perhaps there may be other ways to achieve the same goal.

Commissioner Hover stated that the person/agency would have to be an unbiased broker.

Perry Huston explained that the process is already well codified. He recognizes the legal challenges with doing SEPA. Something can be modified using the same template as SEPA. In the end it is the information that is important. Commissioner Peterson said she would also like to see on the agenda the areas where there are disagreements as well as common ground.

Bob Menetta, Realtor, said he did some research and 30% of land in the county is in private ownership. He asked the commissioners what they think is needed in order to protect the interest of the county. There are other projects in the county such as these for example Salmon Recovery. He suggests that a large landowner has other options such as conservation easements that allow for the owners to retire whereas large developers such as Tacoma Land Company also buy up the land and those dollars leave the county. He mentioned that someday he will have to sell his own property.

Jay Kene of Conservation NW feels that the conservation entities should have a seat at the table.

Diane Thurlow stated that private property owners should have a say about their own property.

The Commissioners will provide some scoping for the next meeting, possible dates for the next meeting and at what intervals the meetings should take place.

Resolution 274-2010 – Budget Transfer - Sheriff
Commissioner Hover moved to approve Resolution 274-2010, Budget Transfer for Sheriff’s budget in the amount of $300. Motion was seconded and carried.