2018-12-07 Mayors MeetingMayors’ Meeting
December 7, 2018
9:02 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, County Manager Erik Martin, Public Works
Director Josh Metcalf, IT Director Steve Wohld, Department of Emergency Services Director Steve
Mansfield, Napavine City Council member Shawn O’Neil, Dena Horton of Sen. Cantwell’s office, Chehalis
City Manager Jill Anderson, Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes, Sheri Hildreth of Rep. Herrera Beutler’s
office, Kimberly Pincheira of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Christine
Nhan of Sen. Patty Murray’s office, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey, Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen, Toledo
Mayor Steve Dobosh, Port of Centralia Commissioner Peter Lahmann, Winlock Mayor Don Bradshaw,
Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs, Centralia City Manager Rob Hill, Destination Packwood representative CJ
Neer
Guests: Will Rubin of The Chronicle, Lynette Hoffman of the Town Crier and other members of the public
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public Works Director Josh Metcalf gave a presentation about
the county’s new GIS website,
(https://gis.lewiscountywa.gov/webmap/), noting its many
new features.
IT Director Steve Wohld gave a presentation about the
county’s Road app (www.roads.lewiscountywa.gov) and Rivers
app (http://rivers.lewiscountywa.gov/#/).
Department of Emergency Services Director Steve Mansfield gave a presentation about the river gauges
(https://lewiscountywa.gov/emergency-management/2018-river-gage-information) as well as disaster
preparedness (https://lewiscountywa.gov/emergency-management/emergency-preparedness) and
Lewis County Alert, which can be accessed from a link at the bottom of the county’s website
(www.lewiscountywa.gov).
Roundtable
Pe Ell Mayor Willie said Pe Ell’s water line project is wrapping up and that the city has received a
Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) chip-sealing grant.
Morton Mayor Mortensen said Morton is working on a “slip-lining” piping project and a sewer
treatment project.
Toledo Mayor Dobosh said Toledo held its Christmas tree lighting the previous week. He said the city has
secured two TIB grants.
TO-DO LIST / RECAP
February agenda topic:
Infrastructure needs.
Peter Lahmann said the Museum is holding Authors’ Night at 2 p.m. Dec. 15.
County Manager Erik Martin praised the efforts of county staff regarding disaster preparedness. He said
the NLCIA project is moving forward, as is a major wind farm project.
Erik left at 9:58 a.m.
Winlock Mayor Don Bradshaw said the city is working on its year-end budget, a new water line and a SE
First Street revamp.
Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs said Centralia opens the drive-through light show later in the day and will
host the Lighted Tractor Parade on Dec. 8.
Centralia City Manager Rob Hill said the city has approved a $3.5 million streetscape project.
CJ Neer of Packwood thanked the county and state for its efforts regarding the Timberland flooding
hazard. She said the city recently held its tree-lighting ceremony.
Napavine City Council member Shawn O’Neil said Napavine is working on improvements to Leonard
Road and that Exit 71 is being developed. He said the city is working on its budget and that it received a
couple of TIB grants.
Dena Horton of Sen. Cantwell’s office said the federal government avoided a shutdown. She said Sen.
Cantwell and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler worked on a sea lion bill. She said Sen. Cantwell is working on a
land and conservation plan. She said Sen. Cantwell will meet with the Seattle Corps of Engineers to
follow up on customer service complaints and concerns. She said there’s also a push to improve
weatherization efforts.
Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson said Chehalis wrapped up its budget. She said the city is partnering
with others to improve Penny Playground. She said Lewis County Fire District 6 continues to help and
house the Chehalis Fire Department. She praised the Renaissance team for its efforts to beautify the
area.
Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes said a developer is eying the 16.77 acres near Dutch Bros. at the airport
area. He said EOV charging stations are being installed. He said work is being done to create the
Children’s Museum. Mayor Dawes said there’s new leadership at the steam train. He said the city held
its Christmas parade the previous weekend. He said work will be done on Pacific Avenue in the coming
year. He said he’d like to see a consolidation with FD 6.
Sheri Hildreth of Rep. Jaime Herrera-Beutler’s office discussed the Congresswoman’s efforts on a
distillery bill and a sea lion bill. She said work continues on the Farm Bill. Sheri said she plans to retire
Jan. 2.
Kim Pincheira of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said work to identify
Rush Road improvements continues. She said the Newaukum River Bridge deck has been poured and
that it will be in use by March. She noted that the old historic bridge will be repurposed. Kim celebrated
the completion of the Chamber Way project.
Commissioner Jackson left at 10:22 a.m.
Christine Nhan of Sen. Murray’s office urged attendees to contact Sen. Murray’s office with any
concerns. She said the senator is working on improvements for veterans services.
Commissioner Fund said infrastructure needs will be the topic of February’s Mayors’ Meeting. She
invited the group to the commissioners’ Dec. 17 meeting with the Timberland Regional Library. She
noted that the county recently passed its 2019 budget and that Dec. 17 will be the commissioners’ final
Legislative / Business meeting of the year. Commissioner Fund discussed unfunded mandates, including
jail medical costs.
Josh Metcalf urged the small cities to lean on TIB for funding.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.