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2017-03-03 Mayors Meeting editMayors’ Meeting March 3, 2017 Attendees: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Steve Wohld, Amanda Price, Lee Napier, Dennis Dawes, Lonnie Willey, Dan Mortensen, Lonnie Dowell, Steve Dobogh, Tom Meade, Keirra Phifer (Senator Murray’s Office), Bart Treece (WSDOT), Chad Hadcock (WSDOT), Shari Hildreth (Congresswoman Herrera’s Office), Larissa Hyatt, Harry Bhagwandin, Jill Anderson, CJ Neer, Dena Horton (Senator Cantwell’s Office), Steve Dobosh Recorder: Rachel Hunt Meeting Start time- 9:00 a.m. Commissioner Stamper started the meeting with introductions. WSDOT gave an update on the progress of the Koontz Rd. and Chamber Way overpasses. WSDOT updated the Mayors on upcoming transportation projects in Lewis County. Mayor Dobosh (Toledo) asked about the progress of the pot hole which opened up on State Route 505 in Winlock. The first step was to get the hole filled and then they will address the culvert failure. WSDOT gave an update on the scenic signs to be placed on Highway 12. Roundtable Discussion Commissioner Stamper said they need members for the Transportation Strategy Council. The Council needs a Mayor from each city/town that is west of I-5 to serve on the council. Commissioner Fund addressed current legislation. Predominantly House Bill 1595 regarding Public Disclosure. Harry Bhagwandin mentioned that a current tourism bill is stalled in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Commissioner Fund and Mayor Dawes discussed the two bills currently in the legislature regarding tourism. Commissioner Fund also brought up current legislation requiring a ballot drop box in every town like area throughout the County. Commissioner Jackson announced the County’s decision to hire Steve Mansfield as the Director of Emergency Services. He reiterated it is part of the long range strategic plan for the County. He also added Steve Walton will be the liaison for the implementation of the new finance system to the BOCC. Discussion ensued over the fees associated with 911 services and the interlocal agreement for dispatch. Jill Anderson added the input from the cities in the committees which were formed under the interlocal is welcome to be able to move forward and for a better outcome. Discover Lewis County Update- First six months was spent building the website. The next six months was building content. The following six months focused on people being able to find and use the website. Goal was to finish the year with 10,000 Facebook followers, they ended the year with 16,000 followers. Steve addressed the current website analytics. Steve outlined two of their most recent blog posts, “Historic Places in Lewis County” and “Five Hikes You Can Do in Any Weather”. Steve reiterated all the LTAC money is going back to advertising not to pay staff with. Update transitioned to the DLC kiosks, which is a computer with the Discover Lewis County website programmed into it. Steve gave an update on where future kiosks will be going. Commissioner Fund added input on LTAC money in relation to the lowering of the Riffe Lake water level. Steve Wohld continued the update stating they are working with local real estate agents and businesses by putting together a flyer outlining why people want to call Lewis County their home. Commissioner Jackson stepped out of the meeting at 9:40 a.m. and reentered at 9:45 a.m. Commissioner Fund added the addition of job postings on the County’s Facebook. Amanda Price asked the Mayors’ to get the word out to their businesses to have them looking at the content of Discover Lewis County and have people submit information and tourism based events through the Contact Us section on the bottom of the website. Pe Ell Mayor left meeting at 10:06 a.m. Portland Corps of Engineers Discussion Centralia’s issue with the Seattle Corps has been resolved. Dennis Dawes expressed frustration over the current federal legislature. He proposed a letter from the Cities and County asking to be put in the Portland Corps. Dena Horton from Senator Cantwell’s office explained how the placement in Corps. happens. Bonnie Canaday also added frustration with the permit process affiliated with the Seattle Corps. She also asked if the move to the Portland Corps. would create the same overload creating the same problem that is occurring with the Seattle Corps. Dena Horton mentioned the Seattle Corps. is aware of the frustrations and they are tracking the time frame of granting permits with the other area Corps offices. Commissioner Stamper said they will be discussing moving forward with the letter. Discussion transferred to how long the renewal permit for the Port of Chehalis is taking. Roundtable Discussion Continued Mayor Meade (Mossyrock)- addressed the Tacoma Power meeting being held in Mossyrock. The town wanted to move it to the school but Tacoma Power rejected the proposal keeping it at the Community Center. He asked for the Federal government representatives help who are in the room. Mayor Meade thinks they will have to do the meeting in shifts because of the building size. Commissioner Stamper reiterated the County doesn’t have a seat at the table in regards to the discussion on the water level at Riffe Lake. Mayor Meade added they are already seeing the impact of the docks and boat launches being dry. CJ Neer added the word needs to get out that there is additional recreation in Lewis County. Harry Bhagwandin asked if it is possible to fix the swimming areas and add low water docks to remedy the situation. Jamie Herrera’s aide asked what the short term and long term needs are. She said it would be very helpful to be able to brief the Representative. Commissioner Stamper asked if the County could get a copy of the safety reports of the dams. The federal reps. said most of the reports are withheld by the Department of Homeland Security. Mayor Mortenson (Morton)- addressed the erosion issues of the railroad tracks next to Highway 7. Mayor Dawes (Chehalis)- added the transportation district measure passed in February. Council voted to continue the Rec. Park project. Sent a letter in support of Centralia keeping the Amtrak Station manned. Mayor Dowell (Winlock)- Addressed the sinkhole. Mayor Meade (Mossyrock)- would like a follow up meeting with the BOCC after the Tacoma Power meeting tonight. Mayor Dobosh (Toledo) – Gave updates on the water quality in Toledo. They are currently interviewing for a Toledo Police position. Bonnie Canaday (Centralia)- added the school bond in Centralia passed. A splash pad will be built this spring to open this summer. Addressed upcoming events for the City of Centralia through this summer. Discussion about local bonds- some passed, some did not. Dena Horton added the Centralia Amtrak station will be staffed through 2018. She expressed interest in talking with people from East Lewis County in regards to the mine. Harry Bhagwandin- noted a final report of agrotourism should be in the BOCC inbox. Also addressed detail of the Ride the Willapa. Senator Murray’s rep- reiterated their door is always open. WSDOT expressed thanks for the invite to the Mayors’ Meeting. Commissioner Jackson asked for the timeline on Chamber Way. Bart said the contract will be awarded later this spring they are hoping for construction later this summer. Jamie Herrera’s Office- addressed a letter went to OMB on secure rural schools. Jamie Herrera’s rep addressed current legislation the congresswoman is working on. CJ Neer- Packwood’s business community is becoming more engaged and fundraising for the town to create a more cohesive feel to the community. Packwood will be creating a community float to be entered in the local parades throughout the summer. CJ added she will be going to the Puyallup Fair and they will need others to participate in manning the booth throughout the Fair. She added she would love community involvement in the Packwood Octoberfest. Toledo Mayor Toledo Tel has 80 new customers. Meeting ended- 11: 16 a.m.