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2017-06-02 Mayors Meeting minutes1 Mayors’ Meeting June 2, 2017 9:13 a.m. Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Winlock City Councilman Tim White, Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh, Mossyrock Mayor Tom Meade, Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson, Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes, Rep. Herrera Beutler’s office representative Shari Hildreth, WSDOT representative Bart Treece, Centralia Mayor Bonnie Canaday, Lewis County Public Works Director Erik Martin Recorder: Rieva Lester Commissioner Fund discussed the recent passage of two bills regarding the Open Public Meetings Act. The group discussed PDR requests and records retention. Commissioner Fund gave a recap of her June 1 lunch with Gov. Inslee during his tour through the area. Commissioner Stamper said he has had discussions with a group having difficulty connecting with the Corps of Engineers. Shari Hildreth stressed the need for open communication on the Corps’ end, and she explained the Corps’ Regional General Permit (RGP), which allows for work in a general area and can hasten the permitting process. She discussed an RGP issued for the Chehalis area that had expired. Shari discussed permits for the Mossyrock boat launch and swimming areas. She said the Corps has said it will be able to expedite those permits. She said the swim area permit could be done this year and that the boat launch permit could be completed next year. She stressed the need to communicate with FERC regarding Tacoma Power. Shari said Rep. Herrera Beutler is strongly opposed to President Trump’s proposal to sell BPA’s assets. She also discussed Community Development Block Grant (CGBG) funding and oil train safety. Tim White asked Bonnie Canaday if Winlock could have access to the city’s savings information regarding the switch to LED lighting. Bonnie suggested calling the city manager. Erik Martin said he believes there is a grant program for LED lighting. Commissioner Stamper discussed work being done to create road access for ATVs. Commissioner Stamper and Erik Martin discussed the licensing required and the additional accessories required to outfit ATVs for road access. Erik Martin discussed safety, signage, cost, liability and enforcement concerns being weighed. Tom Meade said Mossyrock received a DOT grant to help with signage. Commissioner Jackson left at 9:55 a.m. and returned at 9:57 a.m. 2 Roundtable Tim White said Winlock is in negotiations with BNSF, which wants access for bridge repair work. He said Egg Days is June 16-18, with the parade starting at 11 a.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m. June 17. He said work continues on repairing the city’s bridges, and he said the city also is working on a grant for a culvert on SR 505. He said the farmers’ market kicks off June 3. He said the STP route has changed due to construction on Highway 603. He also said three new homes are being built at the Winlock development and that three more permits are in the works. Steve Dobosh said the muralist started work June 1. He said Toledo Cleanup Day is set for June 3. He said work is being done to resurface a road that’s in disrepair. He said Cheese Days is set for July 7-9. He said a farmers’ market is planned for Thursdays in Toledo. Erik Martin left at 10:09 a.m. Tom Meade said the county park was hayed the prior weekend. He said blueberries are slow this year. He said the Blueberry Festival is Aug. 4-6. Bonnie Canaday said Centralia is preparing for the July 4 parade and fireworks show. She said Music in the Park kicks off June 24. She said work has started on the splash pad, which should open by July 1. She said a bench has been purchased for the George Washington memorial. Bonnie said permit costs are prohibiting the construction of a dock at Borst Park. She also invited the group to the Ride the Willapa bike ride June 24-25. Dennis Dawes discussed the sex offenders who have moved into a home in Chehalis. He said renovations to the home were not permitted. He said the farmers’ market opens June 6. He said work to replace the overpass bridge will start in July. He the city is working on potential flood storage. Jill Anderson said concerts are planned for July 21, July 28, and Aug. 4. She said the Community Renaissance Team is helping with business facades. Bart Treece said the new Chamber Way bridge should be completed by next fall. He said a temporary bridge will be erected during construction of the replacement bridge. He gave updates on work on SR 7, the Cowlitz River Bridge (I-5), Newaukum River Bridge, and US Highway 12. Commissioner Jackson said he is working on 911’s future. He discussed changes to 911 communications as well as a proposed RCW change that could negatively affect funding. He discussed the need for an off- site 911 communications center. Commissioner Fund said it’s a promising time for flood mitigation. She also invited the group to a remembrance planned for 11 a.m. June 3 at the Lewis County Historical Museum in recognition of local Japanese Americans who were sent to internment camps. Commissioner Stamper discussed the need for ballot box sites. He said accessibility and security will be key. Meeting ended at 10:57 a.m.