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2019-10-04 Mayors MeetingMayors’ Meeting October 4, 2019 9:01 a.m. Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Winlock Councilwoman Connie Sneed, Public Works Director Josh Metcalf, Centralia City Manager Rob Hill, Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs, Packwood resident Lee Grose, Peter Lahmann of the Port of Centralia, Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes, Pam Peiper of U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office, Mossyrock Mayor Randy Sasser, Port of Chehalis Port Commissioner Mark Giffey, Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey, DOT representative Chad Hancock, WSP Trooper Will Finn, Citizens Budget Committee member Frank Corbin, Bob Thomas of the Army Corps of Engineers, IT Director Steve Wohld, WSP Trooper’s Association President Jeff Merrill Guests: Lynnette Hoffman, Anne Randt, Ralph Mancini, Brandon Svenson, Jon Ladd Recorder: Rieva Lester Attendees introduced themselves. WSP Trooper’s Association President Jeff Merrill discussed Initiative 976 and answered questions from the audience. Bob Thomas of the Army Corps of Engineers discussed upcoming workshops. Commissioner Fund discussed flooding. Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes discussed the need for legislative fixes for utilities. Mayor Dawes discussed the upcoming Penny Playground ground-breaking ceremony. He said a car wash being built in Chehalis. He said another business also has signed a letter of intent to build in the area. He also discussed a federal grant the city has secured. Pam Peiper of U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office discussed projects the congresswoman is working on, including a recreation bill and veterans’ relief. Mossyrock Mayor Sasser discussed grants the city is working to secure. Mark Griffey of the Port of Chehalis discussed construction projects underway at the port. He said the port is awaiting Burlington Northern’s approval for the creation of a spur line. LEG. ROUNDTABLE POTENTIAL TOPICS Mayor Dawes: Utilities being paid through General Fund, disconnect between state rules and local impact Mayor Sasser: Lack of funding, lack of attention to rural areas Mark Giffey: The need for agricultural support, including funding for a grain terminal Mayor Dobosh: Financial help for water-sewer improvements City Manager Hill: LEOFF 1 liability Commissioner Stamper: Help to address the housing shortage Commissioner Fund: Broadband Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh discussed the city’s annual cheese ball drop. Mayor Dobosh invited the public to an upcoming fundraiser. Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey discussed grants the city has applied for. WSP Trooper Will Finn said the state patrol is conducting DUI patrols. He said the WSP is facing a trooper shortage. He said Safety City will come to the area soon. Frank Corbin discussed his background and his experience so far on the Citizens Budget Committee. Commissioner Stamper discussed WSDOT’s proposal to close SR 7 to commercial vehicles during winter storms as well as recent work to install signs to direct I-5 travelers to Toledo. Commissioner Stamper also discussed DNR’s recent discussions regarding silviculture. Commissioner Stamper invited the audience to the upcoming Apple Harvest Festival. Steve Wohld reminded the group that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. He discussed the importance of awareness, citing recent attacks on school districts and the city of Atlanta. Winlock City Councilwoman Connie Sneed discussed delays to street repairs. Connie said work on sewer lines continues. Connie discussed her work on the 2020 Census. She said bathrooms at the Winolequa Park have been updated. Josh Metcalf said work is wrapping up on paving projects. He said the annual Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) is being updated. He said the county has applications in to secure funding for work on the North Lewis County Industrial Access project. He said the county is working with Winlock on the Mickelsen Parkway project. He discussed chip-seal work and snow preparations. Josh said an RFQ will soon go out for the Packwood floodplain study. Josh said Centralia and the county are working to wrap up the Borst Avenue project. The group discussed the benefits of using fog seal on chip-seal projects. Centralia City Manager Rob Hill echoed Steve Wohld’s sentiments about the importance of cybersecurity awareness. Rob discussed the city’s work to strengthen the city’s fireworks rules. He also discussed work to improve the city’s streetscape. Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs discussed the importance of cooperation among the rural areas. He discussed the annexation of the fairgrounds. He invited the audience to the upcoming Tractor Parade as well as the Borst Park Christmas Light event. Lee Grose discussed the importance of volunteers. He discussed work to create a river-access park. Lee thanked the DOT for its work to improve Highway 12. He discussed repairs needed on SR 7 and the need to make it a thoroughfare that can be used in emergency situations. He also discussed the need for affordable housing. Peter Lahmann of the Port of Centralia discussed work on the interchange. He also thanked the city and county for their work on the Stihl project. He also thanked WSDOT for its work on the Regina Clark Bridge. Peter also discussed the Lighted Tractor Parade as well as other upcoming events. Commissioner Fund shared a message from County Manager Erik Martin regarding TCOMM’s feasibility study. Commissioner Fund invited the audience to an Oct. 26 meeting to be held at the Jackson Courthouse. She also invited the group to participate in NACo’s TestIT app. She also discussed the coordinated effort to launch the Cold Weather Shelter. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.