These notes were taken by an Okanogan County Watch volunteer. Every attempt is made to be accurate. Notes are verbatim when possible, and otherwise summarized or paraphrased.
Note takers comments or clarifications are in italics. These notes are not the official county record of the meeting. For officially approved minutes, which are normally published at a later time, CLICK HERE.
The time stamps refer to the times on the AV Capture archive of the meeting on this date at the County livestream archive. To locate items in real time, the clock on the wall in the AV Capture screen can be helpful.
11.05.2024 Tues AM BOCC
Meeting Highlights:
• No Public Comment
• Sheriff’s Dispatch Deputy/Communications officer to update on the Sheriff/Coroner storage new building: 1. Working with the Contractor, Halme and needs to clarify limited authority to make decisions on possible contract changes as they occur, BOCC approve immediate authority to Mike Worden, Communications Office and the BOCC Chair. 2. Discussion on parcel land swap with the City of Okanogan – will need to communicate with the City Planner, Chris Johnson.
• Building Department Manager, Dan Higbee updates on new fee schedule for construction permits. Board members have ideas for simplifying the schedule.
• Update from the West-East Design Group (Consultant)regarding the Homeless Housing Plan. Staff plan to be here for 2 weeks gathering information; from schools, community members, OBHC, Homeless Coalition, and other partners. The first phase should be completed by December 2024. First Draft by March 2025, with final draft June 2025. This is funded by a Department of Commerce Grant. Work to be completed by December 2025.
• Public Works Update by County Engineer, Josh Thomson: Bid for roofing and siding on Public Works building approved. We have a draft policy on dealing with homeless sites/clean-up. Last Wednesday, Public Works cleaned up a homeless camp after the Sheriff gave 72 hours notice to the occupants. This was under Hwy 7 Bridge in Oroville. It took 2 dump truck loads to the dump. An official policy is being created for this. Public Works still needing to purchase a 3rd truck and water truck but was waiting to be able to buy diesel, rather than electric. An electric vehicle might be able to be used at the Dump. Engineer reports there are 2 sno-parks that are not going to be groomed by the State Parks Grant; Crawfish Lake and Harts Pass.
• The meeting adjourned until PM @ 11:30.