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2018-11-02 Mayors Meeting1 Mayors’ Meeting November 2, 2018 9:01 a.m. Present: Commissioner Edna J. Fund, Commissioner Gary Stamper, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey, Wes Anderson of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Centralia City Manager Rob Hill, Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson, Winlock Mayor Don Bradshaw, Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs, Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes, Lewis County Transportation Planner Mike Kroll, Public Works Director Josh Metcalf, Port Commissioner Peter Lahmann, Dena Horton of Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office, Shari Hildreth of U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s Office, Commissioner Jackson (9:54 a.m.), JP Anderson (10:27 a.m.) Guests: Alex Brown Recorder: Rieva Lester Lewis County Transportation Planner Mike Kroll gave a presentation on the proposed six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). He reviewed project selection criteria and said the priorities are as follows: 1. Countywide bridge/road bank protection 2. Countywide culvert replacement 3. Federal Forest Road improvements 4. Countywide 3R program 5. Countywide paths and trails 6. Countywide emergent construction projects 7. Countywide miscellaneous safety and guardrail 8. Borst Avenue safety improvements 9. Silverbrook Road improvements 10. Highway Safety Improvement Program 11. North Fork Road realignment 12. Townsend Bridge replacement 13. Wigley Road improvements Roundtable Wes Anderson from the Department of Transportation discussed the previous day’s ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Chamber Way overpass replacement. He said plans are being drawn up to improve the Interstate 5 interchange at Napavine. He gave brief updates on other area projects, including the replacement of the Lacamas Creek Bridge and some fish passage projects. TO-DO LIST / RECAP BOCC: Ask Sheriff’s Office about billing for response to shooting death in Pe Ell 2 Public Works Director Josh Metcalf, Commissioner Fund and Mike Kroll weighed in on local fish passage projects and the high costs associated with them. Shari Hildreth of U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office said the congresswoman is working on securing funding for air, rail, highways and BUILD grants. She discussed the recently passed HR 1099, which provides funding for the fight against opioid abuse. Public Works Director Josh Metcalf left at 9:41 a.m. WSP Trooper Will Finn said the state patrol is again launching its DUI emphasis. He said the Chehalis area will get two new troopers and a K-9 trooper. U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler joined at 9:44 a.m. Dena Horton of Sen. Cantwell’s office said the senator visited the area the previous week. She said Sen. Cantwell is working on cybersecurity, especially concerning the energy grid. She said Sen. Cantwell also is working on focusing on outdoor recreation. Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey said Pe Ell is working on its Community Block Grant program. He asked if the city must pay if deputies respond to a call, such as a shooting death, within city limits. Commissioner Stamper discussed the recent completion of the Timberline bank stabilization project in Packwood. Centralia City Manager Rob Hill thanked the county for its help with road chip-sealing and discussed some of the city’s Public Works projects. Commissioner Jackson joined at 9:54 a.m. Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs invited the audience to the Dec. 8 lighted tractor parade as well as the upcoming Borst Park Christmas light show. Winlock Mayor Don Bradshaw thanked the county for its chip-seal work. He said the city is working on extending its water line to Interstate 5. He said the city has partnered with ToledoTel to install internet conduit as the project takes shape. Port of Centralia Commissioner Peter Lahmann discussed an upcoming meeting regarding the north county interchange project. He stressed the need to create apprenticeship programs. Peter invited the group to the state capitol’s Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11. Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes said the city has signed a lease for more than 16 acres in the airport area. He said the city also is moving forward on flood mitigation. Mayor Dawes thanked everyone involved in the Chamber Way overpass replacement. He said Chehalis also is updating its TIP and is working to secure grants. Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson discussed work to improve the city’s ball fields and other projects on which the city is working. Mayor Dawes discussed work to replace the fire station. Commissioner Fund shared details about Emergency Management’s new all-hazards guide. 3 U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler discussed work on the Timberline project in Packwood as well as recent opioid-related legislation. She discussed her work to secure funding for air, rail, highways and the BUILD program, as well as rural broadband. She discussed “Opportunity Zones” from the tax-cut bill. JP Anderson joined at 10:27 a.m. JP discussed seven recent Narcan saves related to opioid overdoses. Mayor Dawes discussed the desire to move to the Portland Corps of Engineers instead of the Seattle Corps of Engineers. Rep. Herrera Beutler said it’s an effort she also is working on. Mayor Dawes discussed the need to readdress the FEMA maps. Commissioner Stamper discussed problems with the flood maps for Packwood. Peter Lahmann said he volunteers at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) weekly to discuss apprenticeship programs and that the efforts aren’t received as warmly as they used to be. Mike Kroll thanked Rep. Herrera Beutler for her efforts regarding sea lions. Meeting ended at 10:44 a.m.