2019-11-05 PA UpdatePA Update
November 5, 2019
2 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper (by phone), Commissioner Fund, County
Manager Erik Martin, Jonathan Meyer, Gary Fredricks, Kevin McDowell, Eric Eisenberg, Cullen Gatten,
Janelle Kambich, Becky Butler, Daleyn Coleman, Steve Walton, Amber Caulfield
Guest: Bill Serrahn
Recorder: Rieva Lester
At 2:03 p.m., Commissioner Jackson announced that the Board was going into Executive Session under
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 20 minutes to discuss pending and / or potential litigation related to opioids,
Cortland/Hupy/Green, O’Connor, a LCSO tort claim and WSU Extension.
At 2:23 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 15 minutes.
Commissioner Stamper left the meeting sometime before Executive Session ended.
Executive Session ended at 2:38 p.m. Commissioner Jackson noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Jackson asked Gary Fredricks to ask Art Fuller not to return for 30 days to allow the PA’s
Office an opportunity to review the matter pertaining to him.
Gary Fredricks left at 2:41 p.m.
Jonathan said he has drafted a proposed salary grid for the PA’s Office.
Jonathan also asked that the commissioners make a decision regarding salaries soon to give individuals
an opportunity to make benefits decisions.
Jonathan said his office has seen 27 more felony cases in 2019 than it did year to date in 2018. He said
the county also has processed 500 ITA cases year to date.
Jonathan urged the commissioners to include digital copies of discovery in its contracts with the indigent
defense providers.
Amber Caulfield noted that Superior Court controls its own indigent defense contracts as well as those
for ITAs and Juvenile. She said the BOCC controls the District Court indigent defense contracts.
Amber said Water Sewer District 5 is working on a contract with an attorney. She said the county is still
working on a valuation system.
Erik Martin and Eric Eisenberg said the BOCC could appoint someone to fill the vacancy on Water-Sewer
District 5 if it chose to do so.
Amber reviewed the county’s standard caseload limits. She proposed changes to mirror state standards.
Kevin McDowell left at 2:54 p.m.
Commissioner Jackson left at 2:55 p.m.
Cullen Gatten reviewed a letter submitted regarding a lodging tax application the Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee received. Cullen said he has concerns regarding a co-application submitted. Jonathan said he
would be hesitant to give funds to any entity tied to Destination Packwood. He said the county should
be considering the accounting practices at Destination Packwood. He noted that an investigation is
ongoing and that he does not know when it will be completed.
Jonathan and Becky Butler left at 2:58 p.m.
Eric Eisenberg said he has drafted a memo that he will give to the commissioners in the future to review
regarding the levy certification process for taxing districts.
Daleyn Coleman, Steve Walton and Janelle Kambich left at 3 p.m.
Eric discussed upcoming changes to the Weed ordinance. He also discussed the upcoming Flood Control
District 1 hearing.
Meeting adjourned at 3:02 p.m.