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2017-09-08 Mayors Meeting minutesMayors’ Meeting September 8, 2017 1:30 p.m. Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Dena Horton of Senator Cantwell’s office, Mossyrock Mayor Tom Meade, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey, Napavine Mayor John Sayers, Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson, Centralia resident Bonnie Canaday, Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs, Don Bradshaw of Winlock, Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh, Chuck Meade of the DOT, Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes Recorder: Rieva Lester Members of the group introduced themselves. Commissioner Fund discussed the upcoming Legislative Roundtable, which is set for Oct. 6. She asked if there were any topics the group wanted to discuss. Dennis Dawes suggested a handful of topics: capital budget, term limits, shared revenues, retirement systems, and public disclosure. Lee Coumbs suggested allowing no funding for special sessions. Don Bradshaw suggested South County Industrial Park as an agenda topic. Mossyrock Mayor Tom Meade discussed a visit from Labor and Industries regarding wastewater treatment plant safety. He said the city was not aware of changes in the rules and regulations, and that led to hefty fines totaling more than $12,000. Dennis Dawes said there should be an obligation to contact the city’s designated contact person. Commissioner Fund suggested adding tort claims to the Roundtable topics. Commissioner Fund discussed a recent OPMA lawsuit and the fact that it was roughly three times cheaper to settle than to fight it. Commissioner Jackson discussed the need for reform. He said he spoke to Rep. Walsh about the struggles and the need for reform. Commissioner Jackson discussed the recent ruling regarding Ascot mining near Mount St. Helens. He asked Dena Horton if she could ask Sen. Cantwell for support. Tom Meade discussed the difference between agricultural resource lands and Open Space. Commissioner Fund discussed the previous night’s meeting regarding the Skookumchuck Wind Energy Project. She discussed how a marbled murrelet was found, leading to the project being scrapped. She also discussed an .09 meeting held earlier in the day. Dennis Dawes and the group further discussed .09 funding. The group discussed Amazon’s announcement that it is looking for a second headquarters location. Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey said Pe Ell plans a festival on the first Sunday of October. He said a town hall meeting regarding the dam is planned for 6 p.m. Oct. 10. He discussed the dam proposals he has been presented. Commissioner Fund discussed the Chehalis Basin Flood Control Zone District. Mayor Dobosh said Toledo plans a party at the park and a memorial to honor Esther Borte. He said work continues on the tower. He said the Threshing Bee, Cheese Days and the fiddling event were huge hits. He invited the group to the upcoming powwow. Chuck Meade of DOT gave an update of DOT projects. Mayor John Sayers discussed growth in Napavine, including the addition of Taco Bell and the coming addition of Arbys. Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes discussed personnel changes at the city. He said the city is starting its budget process. Jill Anderson said the city’s recreational programs have had a great response for the year. Mossyrock Mayor Tom Meade said major road repairs have taken place. He said Wayfinder signs have been installed. He said the Mossyrock dam changes did not seem to have affected tourism as it was feared. He invited the group to Octoberfest on Oct. 7. Dena Horton of Sen. Cantwell’s office discussed the Equifax data breach. She said work continues on Secure Rural Schools. She discussed the need for active forest management. She said funding for Washington may be included in the Hurricane Harvey bill. She also discussed a timber bill to jump-start cross-lamination. Commissioner Jackson left at 2:44 p.m. Don Bradshaw gave an update on Winlock’s bridge replacement projects. Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs discussed the fair, Garlic Fest, the George Washington project, the splash pad project, the Fox Theater, the recent car show, and the city’s hanging flower baskets. The group thanked Bonnie Canaday for her years of public service. Meeting ended at 3 p.m.