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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-01 Directors' UpdateDirectors’ Update July 1, 2026 9:02 a.m. Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Brummer, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler, Mindy Brooks, Wes Anderson, Geoff Soderquist, Clerk Scott Tinney, Rocky Lyon, Alex Murray, Gabe Anzelini, Amanda Price, Matt Patana, Treasurer Arny Davis, Meja Handlen, Chief Chris Sweet, Andrea Dulaney, Ashley Hamilton, Fionna Velazquez, Graham Gowing, Heather Rodriguez, Marni Larson, Julie Pirtle, Rudy Rodriguez, Sarah Hensley, Shelly Stewart, Christina Sanders, Chief Civil DPA David Bailey (9:24 a.m.) Guest(s): Unknown guest Recorder: Rieva Lester Public comment: None. Legal Atoms: Becky Butler discussed the Legal Atoms contract. She said the Clerk’s Office received BOCC approval for 2026 funding for the contract, but that the funding wasn’t reflected in the office’s 2026 budget due to timing and therefore has triggered the need for a budget amendment. She and Clerk Scott Tinney described the services provided through the contract. The commissioners directed staff to work on a budget amendment for the Clerk’s Office. Resolutions Geoff Soderquist discussed a resolution to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Engineering Services for the Packwood (55S) Airport and the South Lewis County-Ed Carlson Memorial, Toledo (TDO) Airport. Treasurer Arny Davis discussed a resolution to establish the rate of pay for a non-union extra help Investment & Banking Officer. He said the position would work an estimated eight to 10 hours per week. Matt Patana discussed a resolution to approve a contract for Roofing and Related Services for the roof repair and replacement at the Lewis County Jail with Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. (WTI) using King County Directors' Association (KCDA) Contract AEPA 025-D. Gabe Anzelini discussed a resolution to authorize Director of Information Technology Services to execute a purchase order with Avidex Industries LLC using the state DES contract. Gabe Anzelini discussed a resolution regarding the declaration of surplus personal property. Wes Anderson discussed a resolution to approve Supplement No. 2 with Sage Geotechnical, LLC, GEO2025, for the 2025 Geotechnical Engineering Services contract. Wes Anderson discussed a resolution to approve a Local Agency Agreement and Federal Aid Project Prospectus between Lewis County and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for the Tucker Road Paving MP 0.02-0.16 and MP 1.69-3.71, 2026 3R Project, CRP 2213D. Becky Butler discussed a resolution to approve a memorandum of agreement between Lewis County and Washington State University (WSU) Extension. Rieva Lester discussed a hearing for Ordinance 1381, which would update membership guidelines for the Lewis County Law and Justice Council under Chapter 9.20 of Lewis County Code. Mindy Brooks discussed a hearing to authorize the County Manager to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Vader for the City to annex territory within the City of Vader urban growth area. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to move one notice item, two consent items, seven deliberation items and two hearings to the Tuesday, July 7, 2026, BOCC agenda. Commissioner Pollock seconded. Motion passed 2-0. David Bailey joined at 9:24 a.m. Wednesday Workshop .09 projects: Rieva Lester reviewed the two Distressed Counties funding requests forwarded to the commissioners by the .09 advisory committee: Economic Alliance request for $350,000 for administrative efforts and Winlock request for $67,096 for its “Hostel Parking Lot” project. The commissioners directed staff to move forward with agreements for the funding. Letter of support for Tourism Research Program Review Committee: Mindy Brooks discussed a letter of support for Discover Lewis County and White Pass Scenic Byway. The commissioners agreed to sign the letter. Executive session: At 9:26 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board would be going into executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 9:36 a.m. to discuss three tort claims – Lehto, Bollinger and Hickman – with Chief Civil DPA David Bailey. Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler and Chief Chris Sweet also joined the executive session discussion. At 9:36 a.m., Commissioner Pollock extended executive session until 9:40 a.m. Executive session ended at 9:40 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made. Wednesday Workshop / announcements / new business Facilities Rate review: Alex Murray discussed the proposed 2027 budget for Facilities, which reflects a roughly $300,000 (5.9 percent) increase over the previous year. The costs are paid for through internal service rates, which cover maintenance, utilities, garbage, recycling and postage costs. Becky noted that the Facilities rate does not include the parks funding, which is estimated at $102,000 for 2027. She said parks funding will be discussed during a future meeting. SWW Fair tree removal project: Becky Butler discussed the tree removal project, which Public Works is spearheading and which is expected to be completed before the 2026 fair begins. The commissioners approved funding for the project. Stormwater resurfacing considerations: Matt Patana said fairgrounds paving will take place July 27-28. Matt reviewed the following change orders, which total roughly $34,440 and reflect a 3.5 percent increase to the total project budget: • $26,570 for the Exhibitor Loop • $3,370 for storm drains • $4,020 for the water line • $480 for drain cover lids The commissioners directed staff to move forward with the change orders. Matt also reviewed the new Formstack request form for future Capital Facilities requests. He said requests are due July 20. Matt said Friendlyville bids were opened June 30 and that the apparent low bid is for $139,500, which is lower than what the county had projected the cost to be. Timber River Connections: Becky Butler said Timber River Connections has submitted a request for second-half 2026 senior nutrition funding and has provided the required documentation. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to approve the Timber River Connections request for 2026 second-half senior nutrition program funding totaling $50,000. Commissioner Pollock seconded. Motion passed 2-0. Vacancies: Rieva Lester noted that Shawn Kyes had resigned from the Board of Equalization (BOE). The commissioners reviewed applications received for vacancies on Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), the Solid Waste Disposal District (SWDD) and the Public Facilities District (PFD). The commissioners directed staff to advertise the BOE vacancy and to prepare a resolution to appoint David Antilla to the SWDD. They said they will review the LTAC and PFD vacancies July 6. Department representatives provided updates, including the following: • Community Development is shuttering its East County branch as the public is not accessing it • Gabe Anzelini is stepping down as IT Director • Public Works has completed mitigation of the bridge at the Cowlitz River Access Point • No fireworks are allowed at county parks • Fairgrounds office will be closed July 2 and 3 • Fairgrounds parking lot will be closed to the public for the July 4 holiday Correspondence: The commissioners discussed correspondence received regarding a request for an address change. They also discussed correspondence received regarding the men’s restroom at the senior center in Winlock. Commissioner Pollock said the senior center representatives have indicated repairs are estimated to cost $1,600. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.