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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-08 Directors' UpdateDirectors’ Update July 8, 2026 9 a.m. Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Brummer, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler, Meja Handlen, Mindy Brooks, Wes Anderson, Geoff Soderquist, Connor Wilmovsky, Kimberly Edminster, Scott Gripp, David Bailey, Grace Jimenez, Andrea Dulaney, Nate Kunishige, Casey Mauermann, Caroline Garibay, Heather Rodriguez, Natalie Kamieniecki, Rudy Rodriguez, Sherri Dokken, Matt Patana, Commissioner Swope (9:08 a.m.), Kirsty Ward, Julie Pirtle Guest(s): Winlock Mayor Victoria Marincin, Gaelon Spradley Recorder: Rieva Lester Public comment: None. Connor Wilmovsky discussed a notice of hearing regarding the renewal of a franchise to High Valley Country Club Inc. for the installation, construction, operation and maintenance of water facilities within the road rights of way of unincorporated Lewis County. Connor Wilmovsky discussed a notice of hearing for the renewal of a franchise to Skate Creek Terrace Community Club Inc. for the installation, construction, operation and maintenance of water facilities within the road rights of way of unincorporated Lewis County. Wes Anderson discussed a resolution to list the bids received and contractor selected for the Carr Road MP 0.26 to MP 0.28 Slide Repair Project, 90-21F782700026. Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve Consolidated Contract #CLH32057 Amendment #14 between the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Lewis County. Becky Butler discussed a resolution to approve an agreement from the Washington State Office of Public Defense in the amount of $242,718.06 for use in the fiscal year 2027. Commissioner Swope joined at 9:08 a.m. Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to approve a .09 (“Distressed Counties”) grant to Economic Alliance of Lewis County for $350,000 total over two years for its “Operations and Implementation of Economic Development Initiatives and Projects” project. Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to approve a .09 (“Distressed Counties”) grant to City of Winlock for its “Hostel Parking Lot” project. Winlock Mayor Victoria Marincin and the commissioners noted that the Economic Alliance had listed an incorrect total for the grant amount incorrectly. They stated the grant amount should be $250,000, not $67,096. Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to appoint Leah Sisemore to the Public Facilities District (PFD) Board of Directors. Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to appoint Lenee Langdon to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC). 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 V&R Sheet Metal LLC using King County Directors' Association (KCDA) Contract AEPA 025-D. Kimberly Edminster discussed a hearing to approve Vacation 26-002 (Fagley Rd): The vacation of an unimproved portion of Fagley Road #609, Centralia. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to move two notice items, two consent items, eight deliberation items and one hearing to the Tuesday, July 14, 2026, BOCC agenda. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Executive session: At 9:14 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board would be going into executive session under RCWs 42.30.110(1)(h) and 42.30.110(1)(i) until 9:25 a.m. to discuss the Winlock City Council position. Executive session ended at 9:25 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made. Announcements / new business Peterson Road vacation request: Wes Anderson said Public Works completed its Engineer’s Report regarding the proposed vacation of Peterson Road. He recommended the commissioners establish via resolution a slate of conditions the petitioner would have to meet prior to moving forward with a hearing. • Construction of a turnaround • Provide easements for the turnaround • Request a resolution indicating the conditions must be met by a specific time prior to beginning the vacation process. Petitioner Gaelon Spradley said the proposed conditions sound reasonable. The commissioners directed Wes Anderson to proceed with a resolution outlining the conditions. Follow-up re 2022 request to rename Buckley Road to honor Massey family: Geoff Soderquist discussed the additional work anyone on Buckley Road would have to contend with to update their addresses. Geoff also noted that the family making the request had incorrectly thought their ancestors had donated the land, which turned out the family had sold it and that the state now owns the portion linked to the family. County Manager Ryan Barrett said the change would potentially create a life-safety concern rather than mitigate one. Geoff discussed the process by which an individual can request a memorial sign. Geoff also noted that WDFW had previously volunteered to name its portion of the roadway, the portion that includes the boat launch, in honor of the Massey family. The commissioners directed staff to share with the family information about the process regarding honorary signage – as well as highlight WDFW’s previous offer – and not to move forward with renaming the road. Letter re U.S. Office of Budget and Management’s proposal to rewrite 2 CFR Part 200 (known as Uniform Guidance), regulation for Federal Financial Assistance: Becky Butler, Geoff Soderquist, Meja Handlen and Grace Jimenez shared concerns regarding the proposed rule changes. Geoff, Meja, Grace and Becky said the proposed language changes essentially would allow the federal government to withhold grant funding after-the-fact willie nilly. Geoff said the changes would make it too risky for the county to seek grant funding, which provides roughly $8 million to $10 million a year for Roads project. The commissioners said they will further discuss the letter July 13. They said they’d like to outline the need to include guardrails for the termination of grant funding, such as identifying metrics for non-compliance or fraud to the termination clause. The group discussed fraudulent activity nationwide that prompted the federal government to change language in the OBM rules but noted that, as written, the revisions would create potentially crippling consequences. Letter of support re Cole Fish Project: The commissioners agreed to sign the letter of support. • Workers’ comp training planned for the week of July 13. • Departments working on updating their fee schedules. • Bryan Hall leaving. • County is meeting with area city representatives and Sheriff’s Office regarding unpermitted food vendors. • WIC competition was a success. • Additional grant funding available for HVAC updates at Health building. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.