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2018-03-05 BOCC Wrap-Up1 BOCC Wrap-Up March 5, 2018 9:04 a.m. Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Archie Smith, Suzette Smith, Grace Jimenez, Gladis Mendez, Commissioner Stamper (9:09 a.m.), Becky Butler (9:09 a.m.), Lee Napier (9:14 a.m.) Guest: CJ Neer Recorder: Rieva Lester Archie Smith said he has learned that PEBB doesn’t offer Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to its non- state employees. Archie said Terri Luther of WCIF has indicated WCIF can offer coverage at $1.94 per employee per month. She said there would be roughly 300 employees for coverage. Commissioner Jackson said the county also may be able to go back to WCIF for Delta Dental coverage. Commissioner Stamper and Becky Butler joined at 9:09 a.m. Gladis Mendez said the benefit has to be an employer-paid benefit. Lee Napier joined at 9:14 a.m. Commissioner Jackson made a motion to purchase EAP coverage from WCIF. Commissioner Stamper seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Grace Jimenez, Gladis Mendez and Suzette Smith left at 9:19 a.m. Commissioner Fund said the PFD sent a letter regarding their Distressed Counties (.09) loan. Commissioner Jackson said he told Treasurer Arny Davis that the county would consider renegotiating its bond if the PFD first paid off its .09 loan. Commissioner Stamper cautioned against making it sound like any decisions have been made. Commissioner Jackson said it is a matter of responsibility. Commissioner Fund said the PA’s office is concerned that the contract indicates that the county could be on the hook for the bond but that the building would go to the city of Centralia if the PFD defaulted. Becky Butler said she fears that the county will be on the hook. Commissioner Fund said she would like to work with the PA’s office to draft a response to a recent letter from Todd Chaput. 2 Commissioner Stamper said it seems like the PFD should finish its building before expanding. Becky said the PFD has 10 years in which to repay its loan. She said the contract does not lay out a repayment schedule. The group discussed the Northwest Sports Hub, which pays roughly $2,000 annually for its lease. Becky said the PFD is subject to OPMA requirements. She noted that its website hasn’t been updated in years. CJ Neer said she plans to ask for more information regarding the Sports Hub. Commissioner Stamper asked for a list of entities with outstanding .09 loans. Becky said she’d send it to him. Becky left at 9:42 a.m. Lee Napier discussed a draft letter giving notice to the city of Morton that the county plans to terminate its planning services agreement with the city. Lee said she spoke to Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen about it the previous week. She said he asked if the city could still call with questions after the ILA is terminated and that she told him the city certainly could continue contacting her office. The commissioners agreed to sign the letter. The commissioners also agreed to sign a thank-you letter to ORM. Archie said the county would pay for the county’s portion of accumulated leave – annual leave and sick leave – for contracted personnel due to separation. At 9:48 a.m., the board recessed the meeting until 10:30 a.m. The meeting resumed at 10:33 a.m. with Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Stamper and Archie Smith in attendance. Commissioner Jackson joined at 10:37 a.m. Commissioner Stamper discussed personnel and asked what will happen if / when Sheila Gray retires. Archie said the board will be able to weigh in on her replacement. Commissioner Jackson said WSU has extended its services beyond its original services. He said WSAC has floated the idea of an “ala carte menu” for services that better align with each county. Commissioner Jackson said he learned during a WSAC meeting that WSU offered Sheila Gray an incentivized retirement and that she had accepted. The commissioners discussed the budget and how moving WSU to the fairgrounds could be a cost- saving move. Commissioner Fund said she spoke to Dianne Dorey about the county’s desire to take over the storage area. Archie Smith left at 11:02 a.m. 3 Commissioner Fund discussed calendars and suggested inviting former Sen. Kirk Pearson to return during the May Mayors’ Meeting. Becky Butler joined at 11:05 a.m. Becky said the county pays all facility costs, all interfund, two personnel, training, and travel for WSU. Commissioner Jackson said he would reach out to Dennis Weber of Cowlitz County about the possibility of regionalized efforts. Becky said an office swap – WSU and HR / Risk – could offer cost savings. She said relocating to the fairgrounds would include some renovation costs. The group discussed WSU’s expanded services elsewhere. Becky left at 11:21 a.m. The commissioners discussed calendars. Meeting ended at 11:37 a.m.