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OKANOGAN COUNTY WATCH

Okanogan County Watch
Helping Citizens Stay Informed

Photo Credit: Justin Haug

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meets every Monday and Tuesday at the Commissioner's hearing room at the Virginia Grainger building in Okanogan. Volunteer citizens take notes at most BOCC meetings and post them here. The volunteer notes are a paraphrasing of what they observe and hear and are not considered part of any official records. For officially approved minutes of Board of Commissioner meetings, normally published at a later date, see www.okanogancounty.org.

For information on various County boards and commissions, click on the County Boards tab above.

We have started doing live video on You Tube for occasional presentations and hearings. They will be saved on our You Tube channel indefinitely and can be viewed any time. Due to the limited number of people available for this task, we are video taping a limited number of meetings. The videos may be of regular meetings, presentations and public hearings at BOCC or Advisory Committee meetings such as Planning Commission, Watershed Councils, etc. If anyone has a request for us to video specific County-related subjects that are addressed in public meetings or hearings, please contact us and we will make an effort to do so.

For links to the most current agendas for the BOCC meeting and the Planning Study Sessions, scroll to the end of the BOCC notes section.

We need video volunteers! It's easy- all you need is a smart phone or other device that can connect to a WiFi signal. We'll show you how. Click on the button below to let us know when you are available and we will contact you.

I want to be a video volunteer!

Link to video and notes for County-related Boards and Commissions - CLICK HERE.

BOCC Notes

Recent BOCC meeting notes are posted below, along with a short summary of what was discussed. For older notes, click on Archived Notes tab above. Click here for a list of acronyms and County Personnel.

bocc_notes_11-27-2018.pdf
File Size:	129 kb
File Type:	pdf

TV District #1; Maintenance & Fair Grounds: tractor repair, Agriplex upgrades; Fair Events: Estimated revenue, Community Xmas Basket; Admin & Fair Grounds Maintenance: Training opportunity, Supplementary boiler heating system; Planning and Admin: Fair Well, Oroville EMS levy, Well Continuity discussion, Current SW CUP, Ferry Co., Okanogan SW landfill; BOCC & Admin Clerk: FAC position; New Assessor: Current business; Public Works: Admin & SW: Open Positions, Budget Update, Rental fees, SW meeting Wed., Nov. 28, CCT Waste Disposal & potential CUP amendment, SWAC update, New Snow Groomer, Engineering: Maintenance & Road, Statler Bridge replacement, Snow & Ice plowing policy; Current Expense Levy; Public Hearing on County Budget 2019, Re-allocation within SW Fund 123, Road Levy increase by amount authorized by law, Methow EMS levy increase, County Budget Hearing – Review of Revenue, swearing in of new County Prosecutor, Scheduling, Approve MOU between Okanogan County & USFS.

BOCC meeting, 11/26/18. Video Only. Available for viewing on our You Tube Channel.

Regular meeting of BOCC. The time stamp for each topic is noted below - click on the time to go directly to that portion of the video.
05:20 - brief discussion with Auditor Elect regarding need to order ballot envelopes for next Special Election
07:00 - Oroville EMS - Discussion of options for handling another attempt at funding the Oroville EMS.
32:20 - Nightly rentals. Report on licensing of nightly rentals.
43:30 - VSP - Discussion of technicality regarding the signing of documents.
44:20 - WRIA 49. Discussion about planning unit and how the groiup will be organized and who will be in charge.
55:00 - Water Availability Study Area. Discussion of map that the DOE has showing all recorded water rights, and how it will be used to determine how much water is available in WRIA 49. Link to State website showing these water rights: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/waterreso...
59:10 - Code Enforcement. Perry reports on visits he made to properties that had code violation complaints.
1:05:25 - Tabor quit claims
1:13:00 - Fairgrounds well
1:17:20 - Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USFS regarding parking arrangement.

bocc_notes_11-20-2018.pdf
File Size:	167 kb
File Type:	pdf

Discussing meaning of “public water”, Civil Attorney: Email, Risk Pool, Exec. Session – potential litigation, Code enforcement possibility, Public Records request, Clerk’s office – HB 1783, Elmway levee, electronic signatures; Fair Events: Move next FAC meeting to Dec. 6, Agriplex tables, Rotary assistance, Chronicle reporter, budget; Admin & Fair Grounds Maintenance: Well decision, Portable propane auxiliary heater, Tables, Aging & Adult Care office space; BOCC & Admin Clerk: Oroville EMS voucher; Planning & Admin: Working on well, USFS MOU for using BOCC parking lot, Planning Commission - interim control on the 3 Tunk Valley sub-drainages, Cannabis; PUD decision on Enloe is final; Public Works: Engineering: Hwy 20 through holidays, Water/flooding issue on Hwy 153, Possible culvert replacement on Johnson Creek @ Greenacres, Statler Bridge, Buffalo Lake rd, Kartar Valley Rd, Sinlahekin Rd, Blue Lake culvert; Admin & SW: SW Tipping Fees, Adoption of final SWMP, SW from Ferry County, Apple Maggot Implementation; Public Comment: 1) I-1639 – asking for County “Gun Sanctuary” statute, 2) TV District #1 – possible dissolution and next steps; County EMS levies; Central Services: Fiber optic line, Own ISP?, Email server, Ongoing projects; Courthouse Complex Maintenance Budget Review, Vouchers.

bocc_notes_11-19-18.pdf
File Size:	222 kb
File Type:	pdf

Development: Lester PD 2017-1 Developmnt Agree't and Zone Code amendment approved. Champerty Shores -Sewage. Water: WRIA 48 - WDOE revisions to 1991 basin maps complete: Cow Ck, Gold Ck.. WDOE to e-mail, discuss. Possible mitigation for property loss? (Aquifer Storage & Recovery.) VSP - Implementation contract with Cons. Dist. WRIA 49 - sign-in sheet available. Consumptive use, WRIAs 48 - 49 - inconsistent? RFQ for facilitator. Sign-on letter to Zinke for Headwaters Campaign approved. Code: Overnight Rentals - Notices sent, licenses required. Enforce't: Compliance vs. prosecution as goal, methodology. Code Enforce't update: Recent enforce't efforts, esp in Methow Valley ( Complaint basis & otherwise)- Shorelines, floodplains, wetlands, waterways, soapy spots, autos on skyline, burning. Penalties disc. Land Use: Comp Plan: EIS Scoping notices sent, comment deadline 1/4/19, 5PM.. Info now posted on Planning website; Pub. Wks concern: lack of coordination bet. Comp Plan and 2014Transportation Plan/EIS. ATV’s - Thomson to set up Dist #2 ATV comment. TV District 1 finances, locations.

comp_plan_draft_10-12-18.docx
File Size:	156 kb
File Type:	docx

Current draft of Comprehensive Plan. The County is accepting Public comments on the scoping of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) until 1/4/19. Relevant materials can be found on the OK County Planning dept website. Click here to get to the Planning Dept page, then click on the box at the top of the page that says "Comprehensive Plan Update".

bocc_notes_11-13-2018.pdf
File Size:	158 kb
File Type:	pdf

Planning & Admin: Timeline for Comp Plan, Draft EIS, Planning Commission, public hearing option, Taber land acquisition, Conservation District role in WRIA 49, and RFQ for Facilitator for WRIA 49 process; Fair Events: Fair Advisory Committee (FAC), FAC expenditure report, Janitorial & Porta-Potty pumping bill, budget, Well driller Report; USFS parking request; Executive Session: potential land purchase; Miscellaneous: Enloe Dam project, “Tribal hunting” of wolves off reservation; Treasurer: Taxes from 2018, Tax Sale is set for December, delinquent taxes; TV Dist 1: Dissolution of the district, George Thornton appointed to TV District 1 board; Public Hearing: Jail Improvement Fund 193, Confederate Flag in the Tonasket Veteran’s Day parade; Public Hearing: CTJA Fund 160, election results certification; Public Works: Admin & SW: Open Positions, Office Space Rental Fees, SW Budget, SW Disposal Fee Changes, Meeting with CCT Waste Disposal over CUP agreement, Transfer Station Holiday Closures, Apple Maggot; Engineering: Maintenance & Roads, Statler Bridge replacement project, Sinlahekin Rd, Blue Lake outlet culvert, Electronic Signature policy, BOCC certification of CRAB proposal; County Board of Health.: 2019 fee schedule, County Employees & Flu Shots, CDC Grant for Opioid & Overdose, Salary discussion, Community Health, Environmental Health; Supplemental for CJTA Fund, Risk & HR: County elected officials sworn in Dec. 26, 27; Prosecutor Nov. 27, Public Health Vouchers, Veteran’s Board budget session.

bocc_notes_11-6-2018.pdf
File Size:	164 kb
File Type:	pdf

TV District dissolution, Civil Attorney: Land forfeiture hearing, Elmway document with Corps of Engineers, Public records requests, Future Wise asking about Comp. Plan, Exec. Session at 2:00, Public records request, Fair Events: Fair advisory committee, Well driller, Long-term planning, Admin & Fair Grounds Maintenance: Burn piles at Fair, Scrap materials, Waiting for well driller, Planning & Admin: Admin. Assistant, Champerty Shores, Conservation District on implementing VSP, Conservation District over WRIA 49 process, CUP on Pickens Mtn, BOCC Admin Clerk: USFS using BOCC parking lot, Risk Management & HR:, Public Hearing on Homeless Housing Fund 142, Concern over “Rock Church” in Okanogan, Public Hearing for Supplemental Appropriation – Various Funds, Public Hearing – Dual use of Roads – Snowmobiles & Vehicles, Public Works: Engineering - Maintenance & Roads, Public Works reserve, Sinlahekin Rd., Blue Lake outlet culvert, Barkely & MVID Ditch project, Public Works admin building maintenance, Pits for road materials, WATV routes, Organization Chart, Admin & SW - Open Positions, SW Operator/ Mechanic request for temp employee, Finance Div. Assistance, SW Fee Schedule, Apple Maggot, Public Comment: Chris Fisher CF (CCT Fisheries) on Johnson Creek - Concern about how CCT efforts are being depicted. Discrepancy between hearsay and reality in public discussion. 2:02 Executive Session – Pending legal, Pickens Mtn property, Outstanding BOCC Business.

sw_fee_schedule_11-6-18.pdf
File Size:	714 kb
File Type:	pdf

Solid Waste tipping fee schedule approved by BOCC on 11/6/18. Fees were recommended by SWAC, and will go into effect 3/1/19.

bocc_notes11-05-18.pdf
File Size:	150 kb
File Type:	pdf

WRIA 49 Planning Grant; Tunk Watershed Water Availability Study; OCC 17A Nightly Rentals; Tabor quit claim; Comprehensive Plan review.

bocc_notes_10-30-2018.pdf
File Size:	139 kb
File Type:	pdf

Fair Events: security camera system updated?, update Fair Grounds rental fees, BOCC Admin Clerk: Conservation District carry over 2016 contract funds, Recreational metal detector, Planning & Administrative: Quickly reviews activity, Risks & HR: Appointment to Civil Service Board, Records & Corrections testing, Open Enrollment for Medical Insurance, Miscellaneous, Current Activity, HR & Risk Management Budget Review. Review of BOCC Budget, Public Works: Personal cell phone and public record, Bonaparte Ranches plowing, Engineer: Maintenance & Road, Salmon Creek Rd. Statler Bridge, Admin. & SW: Apple Maggot regulations, Resolution to amend general fee schedule, Conditional Use permit for Central Landfill, Public Health, LTAC Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) (LTAC - Lodging and Tourism Advisory Committee), Noxious Weeds – Budget Review Session, Courthouse Safe Cracking, Supplemental Appropriation for Jail, Supplemental Appropriation for District Court, Consent Agenda, BOCC support for Deer Crossing proposal at Crumbacher.

10/29/18 - BOCC meeting. Planning Dept Study Session. Video only. Available on our You Tube Channel.

Study session on Planning Dept. Activities. Click on time stamp below to go directly to that section.
2:30 - WRIA 48 (Methow watershed) closed basins, permit exempt wells. Specific discussion on Wolf Creek, Thompson Creek, Beaver Creek. Discussion includes Dave Hilton (Public Health Dept) and Dan Higbee (Building Dept).
1:03:45 - OCC 16 - Subdivisions, proposed amendment (regarding water)
1:22:20 - Planning dept Staffing update (new Planner 1 hired, opening for Admin Asst)
1:29:00 - Champerty Shores sewer extension
1:29:50 - Comprehensive Plan review (Environmental checklist)
2:14:10 - Schedule for Comp. plan scoping and public outreach

bocc_notes_10-22-2018.pdf
File Size:	145 kb
File Type:	pdf

Details on postage rental agreement; decision to bypass Planning Commission and interim control re OCC 16, Subdivisions- proposed amendment; Invasive species & assessments, in Lake Manage’t Dist; Champerty Shores: Sewer & water lines, easements, construction, roads, traffic; Parks & Rec Board: future plans; Comprehensive Plan & EIS: Alternatives, schedule, Planning Comm hearing, legal review; WRIA 49: mtg 11/8/18, Update, brief disc.; VSP: brief update.

bocc_notes_10-15-2018.pdf
File Size:	149 kb
File Type:	pdf

McKinnney Ridge Planned Development Agreement, Pitney Bowles rental agreement, WRIA 49 membership, Planning Department budget,
Okanogan County Code 16—Subdivisions (drilling wells in closed basins), Tonasket EMS voucher, Lake Management District, Champerty Shores Sewer Extension, Parks and Recreation Board, Comprehensive Plan update—Commissioners discuss three alternatives Perry Huston has written, along with plans for a Draft EIS leading to the final EIS.

bocc_notes_10-08-18.pdf
File Size:	157 kb
File Type:	pdf

Nightly rentals, WRIA 49 Watershed Plan, Voluntary Stewardship Program, Lake Management District, Similkameen Trail Culvert, Comprehensive Plan Update

bocc_notes_10-2-2018.pdf
File Size:	156 kb
File Type:	pdf

Fair Events: Rental rates for RV, Agriplex table condition; Maintenance: Roof caps, vacuum/chipper, County Surplus Sale; Planning: DOE workshop @ Omak library, Cannabis Advisory, WRIA 49 kick off, Wauconda mine - Columbia Carbonate, Osoyoos Eastlake water/sewage, Champerty Shores, Comp Plan; Admin: North East Counties proposed meeting dates, Water Conservancy Board; Misc: Wild horses, SWAC meeting alternates/substitutes; Clerk’s Office: Records Storage Fund, Preservation of Historical documents, Digitizing older records, microfilm access, new employee, Clerk’s Trust Account; Misc: LJ assistant clerk start date, Water Conservancy Board opening, Appointments to various Boards; Public Works: Bid opening for Guard Rail Safety Project; Admin: Open Positions, SWAC Update, Apple Maggot, Jail Trustee Discussion; Engineering, Maintenance & Roads: Salmon Creek Rd, Statler Bridge, County wide bridge inspection, Barkley & MVID Ditch project, Guard Rail Safety Project; Public Comment: None; Misc: Okanogan Irrigation District Conconully Lake, CCT hunters, Hunting & recreation outfitters; Public Hearing: Closing of CDBG Economic Opportunity grant.

October 1 BOCC meeting. Video only. Click here for link.

Note: audio is best heard through headphones on your device. Approximate times for topics are listed below (click on highlighted times to go directly to that part of the video): Meeting with new Methow Valley Ranger, Chris Furr. 02:00 - 09:00 General introduction, background; 09:00 - Smokejumper base; 11:40 - Twisp harvest project; 14:30 - Range permits on USFS land; 16:00 - trail maintenance; 20:00 - ATV use coordination with County; 24:00 - Forest Management Plan; 36:35 - MIssion project; 42:00 - Stewardship contract Planning Dept Budget Work Session 46:30 - VSP implementation, outreach; 1:28:15 - work plan, projects that are on the table (Comp plan, CAO, SMP outreach, airport zoning, etc.); 1:33:30 - Admin fees for grants; 1:53:00 - trail funding, Parks & Rec board; 1:30:00 - WRIA 49 planning group meeting Oct 4th, DOE meeting Oct 3rd.

bocc_notes_9-25-2018.pdf
File Size:	160 kb
File Type:	pdf

Courts update: Jury and Operating expenses, Video interpreter, Odyssey system, Community Truancy Boards, Homeless Youth pilot, Audits, Court of Appeals, Court House security, Old Probation Offices; Fair Events: Straggling contracts, Race Track update; Maintenance: Irrigation, cleaning up costs; Planning: Cannabis Advisory, New planning position, Finishing Comp. Plan draft, Critical Areas; Risk Management: Organization chart for Public Works , Loan Program for Onsite Septic Systems; Public Works- Admin: Open Positions, Jail Trustees for Landfill, Apple Maggot, SW Disposal Fees, SWAC Membership; PW -Engineering: Maintenance & Roads, Bridge inspections, Probationary Employee Leave; Public Comment: None; Exec Session; BOCC, DG & BR; Dept. Head Quarterly Meeting: Review of Scanning Costs/procedures/features proposal, Budget Work Sessions, Emergency Mgmt; WSU Extension & Weeds Quarterly report, Fairgrounds Facility Fee Waiver request, Planning process improvement meeting by Ruckelshaus Center.

9/24/18 BOCC meeting - Planning session with Perry Huston. Video only: click here for link.

Water Availability Study Areas; Oroville-Tonasket Irrigation District water bank proposal; City/County water usage and sharing; Cannabis Operations, re-convening of advisory committee (Oct 3rd); Champerty Shores sewer extension; Ruckelhaus Center workshop, Growth Mgmt Act issues; WRIA 49 planning unit committee, proposed member list; WRIA 48 closed basins, proposed change to county code regarding water usage.

bocc_notes_9-18-2018.pdf
File Size:	163 kb
File Type:	pdf

Broadband project in Methow Valley, County/City inspection sharing; Fair Events: Costs, attendance, youth participation, maintenance; Fair Maintenance & Admin: cleanup, grounds, general upkeep; Planning: Cannabis concerns, WRIA 49 meeting, comments from WA DOE; Finance Committee; Auditor; 160 Fund issues, other costs; Treasurer: 2019 budget, BOCC direction, Unfilled positions, TV district delinquent fees, Omak Mountain repeater, Current expenses, ballot portage; Public Works: Engineering: Roads & Maintenance, Crescent Mountain Fire, Buffalo Lake Rd CCT project, Crofoot Lane, Miscellaneous Issues; Admin & SW: Open Positions, MT Operator Training, Union negotiation, Black Canyon Snow Park, SW Recycle Investigation, SW Tipping Fees & CCT; Public Comment: None; Title III Discussion & Fund Obligation: Two applications, decision next week; Human Resources / Risk Management: Chief Deputy Assessor position, Law Enforcement training on Verbal SWAT, 3 lawsuits, Dispatch fees; Public Hearing – Tunk Basin Water Availability: 2 Public Comments; Consent Agenda, adjourn.

bocc_notes_9-17-18.pdf
File Size:	321 kb
File Type:	pdf

Legislative update (lobbyist Jim Potts); Cannabis public hearing - interim controls adopted; County public records request in re water rights impairment; Surplus sale; Lengthy informal discussion among Hover, DeTro, Asumussen, and audience on numerous topics, including recent Quad County (NE Washington Counties) meeting 9/14/18. Video available at https://vimeo.com/album/5424942, video #1 at 1:16:50.

bocc_notes_9-10-18.pdf
File Size:	193 kb
File Type:	pdf

Wolf issues; Interim Water Availability Study Areas: Upper Tunk, Lower Tunk, Tamarack Springs; Cannabis Operations; WRIA 49; Voluntary Stewardship Program; Comprehensive Plan

bocc_notes_9-4-2018.pdf
File Size:	163 kb
File Type:	pdf

Fair Events: Report on mechanical issues, update on Fair prep.; Meeting with PUD mgr; Enloe Dam costs & issues; Planning: Similkameen Trail, Hummingbird Short Plat, plat applications, monitoring of A & B System wells, Methow quarry application; Risk Management:Elmer City sewage lift station, WADFW mtg (wolves), Building Inspection services, billing for Criminal Justice & Dispatch, use of tax money, Jail bunks, job description updates; Public Works: Admin & SW: Open Positions, Apple Maggot Status, SWMP Process, Landfill Leachate Pond ;Engineering: Roads update, Twisp City dike issue, Coulee Dam/Elmer City lift station issue; Public Comment: Cannabis buffers, Twisp fire, Emergency Practice, Rumor of mine opening; Sales Tax: Fund 160 with Dennis Rabidou (Juvenile); Misc. Business: Consent Agenda, Vouchers, Fair Vouchers, Auctioneer tied bid, Okanogan County Transport & Nutrition.

For previous minutes from 2018 go to the Archived Notes page.

Commissioners Agenda
To access the most current agenda for BOCC meetings, click here.

The BOCC meetings often include Planning Study Sessions conducted by the Director of Planning and Development and Administrative Officer, Perry Huston. For the most current updates on the Study Session topics, click here to go to the planning department website, then click on the "Study Session" tab at the top of the page.

Our County Commissioners

(Click here to view a map that shows the Okanogan County Districts.)

Jim DeTro, Chair
Represents District 3 (North Okanogan County)

Chris Branch, Vice-Chair
Represents District 1 (South Okanogan County)

Andy Hover
Represents District 2 (West Okanogan County)

The Commissioners hearing room is located at 123 5th Ave, Room 150, Okanogan, WA 98840