OKANOGAN COUNTY WATCH - Home

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 and a Facebook account. 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!

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_8-14-2018.pdf
File Size:	136 kb
File Type:	pdf

Fair Events (Fair gates, Septic Tank, porta-potties at Fair, Agriplex rental, LTAC grants); Fair Admin. & Maintenance (mechanical and infrastructure report); Planning & Admin (VSP comments from DOE & WSDF&W, Outreach, VSP Committee replacement, WRIA 49 well-drilling); Public Hearing for a Surplus Land sale; Public Works Admin, & SW (Open Positions, SW Trustee Labor, Apple Maggot Status: Implementation is expected on Sept. 6, CCT SWAC Update, SW disposal Fees, Union negotiations, Preliminary 2019 budget, Supplement Budget); Public Health Board Meeting (RV, Mobile Home operation, landowner complaint); Public Works Supplemental Budget Open Hearing; Water Bank letter of intent; SMP not appealed; Authorization of lease agreement for Mahindra tractor; Admin Secretary (List of contracts next week for various Fair activities, Glass for Probation Office window, Code publisher – costs will go up next year).

bocc_notes_08-13-18.pdf
File Size:	154 kb
File Type:	pdf

Label: Wolf Management; Well Tracking System; WRIA 49 membership recruitment/budget; Hummingbird Development (not on agenda); Comprehensive Plan Review 8/21/18; SMP: permitting of uses unidentified in District Use Chart ; Business Licenses; CXT Toilets; Title Insurance

bocc_notes_8-7-2018.pdf
File Size:	95 kb
File Type:	pdf

Civil Attorney Report (ADA issue, French Creek litigation, Building inspection inter-locals); Fair (Staffing of gates, Inspection of Fair Operation and Racing, Temp workers on weekend OT, South End irrigation line); Exec Session (Current litigation on French Creek Rd); Planning & Admin (clarify dispatch procedures on wildlife encounters); Human Resources (incident at Central Landfill, vacation); Dispatch (implementation of fees for Dispatch services to various agencies); Risk Management (Issue with Payroll); Public Works Engineering (Roads & Maintenance Report); Admin & Fair Maintenance (Compressor replacement at Agriplex for heat pumps/AC); Public Works Franchise Public Hearings (3); Auditor (Issue with calculation of OT); Approve Consent Agenda.

bocc_notes_8-6-2018__pm_.pdf
File Size:	104 kb
File Type:	pdf

Wolf management- letter to WA DFW and US F&W; DOE Grant for tracking wells; Lake Management District election; BOCC adopts a new section to OCC17A (Water Availability Area); discussion concerning watershed planning in the lower Methow.

Okanogan Water Conservancy Board meeting August 1, 2018. Video only, available on our You Tube Channel.

This video covers the part of the Okanogan County Water Conservancy Board meeting that deals with the proposed Lundgren water rights sale in the Methow Valley.
The Board heard public comments, and statements from attorneys for the Lundgren family and the Chewuch Canal Company.

bocc_notes_7-31-2018.pdf
File Size:	139 kb
File Type:	pdf

Admin & Fair Maintenance; Human Resources (phone service discounts); Fair Events; Civil Attorney report; Planning and Admin (DOE grant pre-application); CB (RR fees and operation); Public Works (Maintenance and Roads report); Treasurer (Fair Gates); JD (Wolf & wildlife); Human Resources (proposal on Supplemental Benefits); Exec Session (performance of a public employee); Discussion of Consent Agenda.

BOCC meeting Monday, June 30, 2018. Video only, available on the Okanogan County Watch You Tube Channel.

The main topic of the day was the recent Wolf incident where a woman was rescued from a tree after confronting some wolves. There is a short video (about 4 1/2 minutes) of the first part of the conversation, then another 1 1/2 hours on a separate video. (There were technical issues at the beginning). The last video for this day contains the Planning session which covers the following subjects: communication re BOCC response to the wolf incident; proposed amendment to OCC 17A.400 (Water Availability Study Areas); Plans for hearing on OCC 17A.290 & OCC 17A.220 (Cannabis Operations, District Use Chart); discussion about lighting issues (Dark Skies concept); Grant application for well tracking, digresses into discussion about grant applications in general; Perry Huston updates BOCC on hiring new Planner 1 position; WRIA 49 advisory board status; Brief rundown on status of Comp plan (special meeting scheduled for Wed Aug 1), Lake Mgmt District, Nightly Rental applications, Methow Trails toilet, Business Licenses.

bocc_notes_7-24-2018.pdf
File Size:	159 kb
File Type:	pdf

Planning & Admin- Planning Commission passed Cannabis 17A.220 & 17A.290, Enforcement clause, Study Session on Comp Plan, WATV open house; Fair Events- new well, Agriplex usage, Long Term Recovery group, Jones Hall, historical knowledge, RV park changes; Fairgrounds Maint. & Admin- ceiling fan, broken toilets, Juvenile facility paint issues; Civil Attorney- Fair Grounds issues, Inter-local Blding Inspection services, Community Action letter, French Creek road closure, Executive Session; HR & Risk Management- Risk Pool Bd of Directors, Family Leave program, salary discussion; NW Vital Records: program for storing, digitizing, scanning of vital records and retrieval, Public Works. (Admin & SW)- Open Positions, NCI Internet Service, SW Management Plan Process update, Apple Maggot status, SW budget, 2 Interlock agreements; SW Disposal Fees; Public hearing for a County Surplus sale.

bocc_notes_07-23-18.pdf
File Size:	168 kb
File Type:	pdf

Oroville-Tonasket Irrigation District water banking; Hard Cider Plat review resolution OCC 17A.400 (Water Availability Study Areas); Well tracking system; WRIA 49 Watershed Plan Revisions; Code Enforcement; Comp Plan work session 8/1/18; Lake Management District; Nightly Rentals; Business Licenses Code; Public Works.

bocc_notes_7-17-2018.pdf
File Size:	122 kb
File Type:	pdf

Similkameen Trail; Fair maintenance; wolf encounter; Jail Elevator; Civil Attorney (exec session- pending litigation, election system vendor contract, Oroville EMS levy), fairgrounds bathroom site; Fair Events (grandstand, camping time limit, security cameras); Executive Session- French Glen Rd issue; Finance Committee - Current expense account, Fund 160, Election System update; Fair Bathroom- Electricity to sewer system, gutters, Change of Work Order; Public Works- Solid Waste and Admin (Open Positions, Apple Maggot, West Side Haul, SW Management Plan, Taber Land purchase), Engineering (Maintenance & Roads, Sinlahekin Rd washout repair, Similkameen Trail Repair, OCOG contract for HSPT update, Peter Dan Rd Slide repair, Hwy 7, Tonasket Bridge South, Buffalo Lake Rd CCT project, 6-yr Transportation Improvement Plan, WATV Routes, Draft Map, CCT access at Brewster shop); Public Comment- Russian Olive noxious weed; Building Dept - Applications, Revenue, equipment, Inspection Services contracts, Wolf Creek issue, 2019 Budget; Noxious Weeds- Aquatic Program, paying for costs, presentation possible on zebra and quagga mussels, Russian Olive; HR & Risk Mgmt- 2019 budget, Family Leave costs, , Risk Pool inspection visit, Risk Pool Board of Directors, Verbal SWAT training; County Surplus Property; Consent Agenda; Approve vouchers.

bocc_notes_7-16-2018.pdf
File Size:	389 kb
File Type:	pdf

Lake Mgmt Dist: Pesticides, boundaries, buffer area & more discussed; resolution passed regarding upcoming ballot, voting, assessment and fees. Hard Cider Platt (Oroville) further discussion needed; Whistler Canyon: Possible trailhead improvement & funding; WRIA 49 : Solicitation and selection process for membership; Working list attached. Tonasket EMS/Lifeline: Fnancial difficulties in re Tonasket/ Oroville ; related rural difficulties nationwide revealed. Com Plan: : 17-minute discussion on Huston plans for Rural designation, EIS Alternatives, and impact of population projections upon EIS/Comp Plan.. OCC 10.10: Hearing on WATV penalties: Increased fines for off-road and undesignated road travel approved, with "sensitive areas" changed to "designated Critical Areas." Resolution 2018-9 approved.

working_list_wria_49.pdf
File Size:	1083 kb
File Type:	pdf

Proposed list of WRIA 49 planning group members.

bocc_notes_7-10-2018.pdf
File Size:	107 kb
File Type:	pdf

Auditor- Election system update; Fair- Maintenance and advisory committee; Civil Attorney- Community Action, Courthouse security; Planning- Similkameen Trail report; HR & Risk Management; Assessor- Cannabis operations and Personal Property Taxes, compliance vs enforcement; Public Works-Engineering report (roads, TIP, WATV routes, Brewster shop, Conconully sewer), Admin & Solid Waste report (Open positions, Cash Flow, Apple Maggot, Solid Waste Mgmt Plan, Solid Waste disposal fees, Taber Land Purchase, Central Landfill Scale installation, leachate pit, float planes on Chopaka Lake); Board of Health Directors Mtg- Admin, Public Info Officer, Community Health, Environmental Health; Supplemental- District Court, Jail & Maintenance; Oroville EMS Levy Public Hearing; Vouchers & Payroll; District Court Probation Remodel Request.

BOCC meeting 7/9/18
A video is available on our You Tube Channel, where you will find time markers listed so you can go to the section you are interested in. No written notes were taken.

BackCountry Horsemen presentation regarding trailhead improvements at Whistler Canyon. and some brief discussion about re-convening the Recreation Advisory Committee; Discussion of draft letter to USFS; DOE grant for tracking wells in the County; WRIA 49 Planning unit members, appointment process, lead agency, and DOE grant update; Lake Management District; Brief discussion about next Comp plan discussion; Public Hearing on Okanogan County Code 10.10 - Illegal WATV operations. Planning Director intro, 4 public comments, BOCC discussion.

bocc_notes_7-3-2018.pdf
File Size:	106 kb
File Type:	pdf

Fairgrounds update (events and maintenance); Civil Attorney report (bldg inspections, Yakima comments on Comp Plan, public records request, digitizing records); Clerk's office updates on grants, digitizing files, archives, website; Website vendor software demo; Public Works update (solid waste issues, apple maggot update, land purchase); Public Comment; EMS Vouchers; HR Update; Fire & EMS Service Dispatch Agreements.

bocc_notes_7-2-2018.pdf
File Size:	124 kb
File Type:	pdf

Winthrop RCO grant (for land purchase); Wheeled All-Terrain Vehicle (WATV) maps and coordination with state parks; Water Resource Inventory Area 48 (WRIA 48) lower reach water availability; WRIA 49 Planning Unit Members appointment process; Unpermitted salvage yard compliance; Comprehensive Plan—review of maps detailing agriculture areas and the implications of the Growth Management Act.

bocc_notes_6-26-2018.pdf
File Size:	112 kb
File Type:	pdf

Courthouse security; Fairground Events; Planning Dept. records; Civil Atty report; Risk Mgmt; Auditor (election tabulation); WSFW Enforcement; Public Works report; Public Comment (recycling); Ag pest control; Quarterly Dept head mtg; Public Hearing (OCC 2.88.070 Public Records); Bid opening (Fairgrounds well).

bocc_notes_06-25-18.pdf
File Size:	248 kb
File Type:	pdf

WRIA 49 advisory group; Lake Management District; Comprehensive (Comp) Plan (resource lands mapping); WATV (All-terrain Vehicles) Routes consultation with USFS & WDNR; Methow Rapids Expansion Project Coordination

bocc_notes_6-19-2018.pdf
File Size:	106 kb
File Type:	pdf

Civil Attorney issues (Comp plan comments, Courthouse security, PILT lawsuit, etc.); Fairgrounds Events (Agriplex maint, arena/bleacher project, etc.); BOCC Discussion (meetings, Comp. plan); Public Works reports (Road Maint., WATV routes, levee insp., etc.); Admin (Apple Maggot quarantine, solid waste enforcement, etc.); Public comment (Cent. WA Home builders Assn); Approve Consent Agenda.

bocc_notes_6-18-18.pdf
File Size:	172 kb
File Type:	pdf

Comprehensive Plan discussion: Mapping details, review of most recent edits to text by Admin Officer Perry Huston. (Copy of draft posted below). There is a video of this meeting on our You Tube Channel.

comp_plan_draft_6-11-18.pdf
File Size:	2406 kb
File Type:	pdf

Draft of Comprehensive Plan as of June 11, 2018. This draft was referred to during the afternoon session of the 6/18/18 meeting.

bocc_notes_6-12-18.pdf
File Size:	94 kb
File Type:	pdf

BLDG Dept: (City of Pateros Bldg inspection coverage), Civil Attorney (Courthouse Security coverage), Water Availability Study Amendment, Maintenance (Replacing 2 workers, irrigation leaks, compressor replacement), Fair Events (Possible AmeriCorps, filling maintenance positions, camping/RV reservations, RV Availability signage, rentals), BOCC leaves for Nespelem CCT meeting, Public Works Board (Poultry Waste concern, purchasing replacement vehicles, NarCan training, communicable diseases, busy with inspections), Public Works (Supplement Budget – Conconully Sewer & Peter Dan Rd repair; Sinlahekin Rd washout repair), Assessor (Oroville EMS Levy, Fire & EMS Districts), WSDOT (TWLTL south of Brewster)

planningdeptactivities.061218.pdf
File Size:	119 kb
File Type:	pdf

List of planning Dept activities and responsibilities.

bocc_notes_6-11-18.pdf
File Size:	467 kb
File Type:	pdf

ATV's: erroneous publication, public meeting, maps/signage. WRIA 49: Planning unit composition, tribes, grants. Planning Dept: Staffing & priorities. Fairgrounds: rule change procedure. Water Availabiilty Study Areas: Futurewise comments, changes. Comp Plan: Response to Yakama letter/policies. Methow Conservancy: application for 2 easements, Twisp uplands.

bocc_notes_6-5-2018.pdf
File Size:	86 kb
File Type:	pdf

Maintenance (Fair Irrigation, Seasonals, Suplus sale, Garbage pick up, Tractor, hourly rates for fair rentals), Fair Events (Race Track Grant, Agriplex mess), Civil Attorney (Road log, potential litigation, Executive session), Risk Management (Web site demo, Elected official compensation), Dispatch (Fees & sub-districts, Switch phone vendor, System end of life costs), Public Works (Apple Maggot & SW, Leachate pond, CCT Salmon Creek cleanup, SWAC membership, Open positions), Public Comment

bocc_notes_6-5-18_apple_maggot.pdf
File Size:	865 kb
File Type:	pdf

Supporting document from Public Works regarding the Apple Maggot situation.

bocc_notes_6-5-18_compensation_survey.pdf
File Size:	721 kb
File Type:	pdf

Supporting document on Elected Official Compensation.

bocc_notes_6-4-2018.pdf
File Size:	103 kb
File Type:	pdf

Exempt well tracking program, WRIA 49 Watershed plan revision, Comprehensive Plan

bocc_notes_5-29-2018.pdf
File Size:	102 kb
File Type:	pdf

Fair Grounds Security, Water tests at Fairgrounds, Voucher payment, Civil Attorney (Security at Courthouse, Property damage compensation, Executive session – potential lawsuit), Flood damage tour, Planning (renewal notice for nightly rentals, building permit application), AH - Compensation committee meeting, CB - Community Action Council, Human Relations, Risk Management, Public Works: Administrative (Apple Maggot Issues), Public Comment: Salley Bull, Public Hearing OCC 17A.400 – Water Availability Study Overlay

bocc_notes_5-21-18.pdf
File Size:	107 kb
File Type:	pdf

Grizzly re-introduction letter, New planner position, Mgmt of WRIA 49 watershed council, employee holiday, Net Ecological Benefit workshop, Fairgrounds Budget, Lake Management District, Comprehensive Plan. There is a video of this meeting on our You Tube Channel

May 14 - 15: Regular proceedings of the Commissioners were canceled due to flooding emergencies.

bocc_notes_5-8-2018.pdf
File Size:	124 kb
File Type:	pdf

Assessor’s Office-new vehicle; Roads update (flood damage, general repairs); various sewer projects; WATV routes south to Pateros; Solid Waste update; Board of Health meeting; Human Resources/Risk Management update. (jail issues, etc.); Probation Office space request, courthouse security.

pub_hearing_5-08-18_water_study.pdf
File Size:	101 kb
File Type:	pdf

Public Hearing on OCC 17A.400 Water Availability Study Areas

bocc_notes_05-07-18.pdf
File Size:	127 kb
File Type:	pdf

Grizzly bear reintroduction; Shoreline Management Plan; Comprehensive Plan

bocc_notes_4-30-18.pdf
File Size:	393 kb
File Type:	pdf

Review of changes on map to be submitted to WDOE on Okanogan County Shorelines Master Program regarding changes from Riverine to Rural and Rural to Conservancy designations; Review of Comprehensive Plan map regarding designation of Resource lands, particularly of State and Federal lands; report from Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) regarding planned litigation against the State of Washington regarding unfunded mandates.

bocc_notes_4-24-18_pm.pdf
File Size:	209 kb
File Type:	pdf

Meeting among Okanogan County, Mayors, US Forest Service and others regarding current status and timeline for funding, maintenance, and decisions regarding retention of North Cascades Smokejumper Base (NCSB) by the Forest Service in the Methow Valley.

bocc_notes_4-23-18.pdf
File Size:	112 kb
File Type:	pdf

Finance Committee Meeting; Executive Session/Comprehensive Plan/Meeting with the Yakama Nation.

bocc_notes_4-17-18.pdf
File Size:	74 kb
File Type:	pdf

Kurt Ziegler of NPR - Grizzly reintroduction process, Civil Attorney, Short Haul RR, Maintenance (Fair: Weed spray, rentals & extra work, Water system, Trustees usage), NPR. – grizzly reintro, PWorks: Admin (CCT meeting, SW Plan, CDL & MOU, Scale software, Land sale, SW Tipping Fees), Engineer (Maintenance & Road Conditions, Elmway Levee, Mazama Levee, Peter Dan Rd slide repair, Conconully Sewer repair, Edelweiss Sewer Force Main Replacement), Yakama Tribe meeting, Omak Stampede Rep, Fair Events Coordinator position, Noxious Weeds Quarterly Report, Narcan & Sheriffs Dept, Solid Waste Public Hearing on Mgmt Plan, Consent Agenda Approval.

bocc_meeting_4-16-18.pdf
File Size:	119 kb
File Type:	pdf

Fairgrounds, JARPA, Similkameen Trail, Lake Management District, Nightly Rental Code, Comprehensive Plan, Parks & Recreation Board. There is a video of this meeting on our You Tube Channel.

bocc_4-10-2018.pdf
File Size:	109 kb
File Type:	pdf

Miscellaneous, Planning Dept: (Similkameen trail washout, WRIA 48 water study, Oroville EMS levy, Yakama Nation meeting with BOCC), Maintenance: (new maintenance position, Jail trustees working, fair water issues), Civil Attorney, Planning Commission Code on Advisory groups, Human Resources, Risk Management, WCOG Key Award, Public Works: (Maintenance & Road Conditions, Loup Loup Canyon Rd, Gravel Crushing Contract, Peter Dan Rd slide repair, Conconully Sewer repair, Edelweiss Sewer Force Main replacement, WASCE conference June 4 – 6, Spending policies for County and State roads, Portable toilet at the PNT Trailhead, Human Services transportation, DoT planning study for projects), Public Health Board, USFS Tonasket RD Quarterly report: (Mt. Hull alternatives, PNT trail goals, District 1: WATV)

bocc_notes_4-9-18.pdf
File Size:	375 kb
File Type:	pdf

Cannabis interim ordinance hearing; Veranda Beach/Lake Mgmt District meeting; Formation of WRIA 49 Planing Unit membership, leadership, structure; new Draft Comprehensive Plan.

wria49_presentation_perry_huston.pdf
File Size:	3103 kb
File Type:	pdf

Powerpoint presentation given at the April 9th BOCC meeting by Planning Director Perry Huston about WRIA 49.

bocc_4-3-18.pdf
File Size:	296 kb
File Type:	pdf

Citizen Comment Period (Assistive hearing devices, Citizen Input on Comp Plan, Citizen Advisory Committees; Methow Housing Trust; Human Resources/Risk Mang't update; Consent agenda.

bocc_4-2-2018.pdf
File Size:	125 kb
File Type:	pdf

Update from the Coroner’s Office: Budget issues, refrigeration of bodies, opioid deaths; Nightly Rentals: Ordinance review, licensing; Okanogan Watershed Council Initiating Governments, interim control of cannabis operations, sewer project at Champerty Shores, Fairgrounds maintenance; Comprehensive Plan: vision statement, population growth estimates, zoning in and near airports, city expansion areas, resource land maps and critical aquifer recharge areas.

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