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2017-11-03 Mayors MeetingMayors’ Meeting November 3, 2017 9:05 a.m. Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Lee Napier, Danette York, Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson, Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes, Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen, Vader Mayor Ken Smith, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey, Winlock Mayor Lonnie Dowell, Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs, Winlock resident Don Bradshaw, Mossyrock City Councilman Randall Sasser, Shari Hildreth of Rep. Herrera Beulter’s office, Dena Horton of Senator Cantwell’s office Guests: Justyna Tomtas, United Way representative Debbie Campbell, Lewis County Thrives representative Wes Pruitt, Lewis County Assessor Dianne Dorey, LC Assistant County Engineer Tim Fife, LC Senior Long-Range Planner Fred Evander, LC Transportation Planner Mike Kroll Recorder: Rieva Lester Attendees introduced themselves. Debbie Campbell discussed United Way’s contributions to the residents of Lewis County and various volunteer opportunities within United Way and elsewhere. The group discussed the cold weather shelter and the benefits of a coordinated effort. Wes Pruitt gave an overview of Lewis County Thrives’ “cradle to career” efforts. Lee Napier left at 9:23 a.m. Wes said Lewis County Thrives strives to improve educational and skill-training opportunities for kids in Lewis County. He said the group tries to build awareness about employment and skill-training opportunities within the public, commercial and educational sectors. He described a pilot project in Thurston County that helped boost graduation rates dramatically. Wes invited the mayors from throughout the county to join the efforts. Dianne Dorey discussed the need for cities to submit their building permits annually. She described the “new construction bump-up,” which provides additional funding. She said cities that don’t turn in building permits are missing out on that funding. Commissioner Jackson and Debbie Campbell left at 9:41 a.m. Fred Evander introduced himself as the clerk of the Boundary Review Board. He said the Boundary Review Board has a vacancy to fill and needs the cities to nominate someone. Mayor Dawes nominated Larry McGee to serve another term. Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs seconded. Motion passed. Dianne Dorey said the Assessor’s Office needs to have annexations submitted by July 1. Commissioner Jackson returned at 9:46 a.m. Fred urged any municipality considering annexation to contact Community Development. Dianne Dorey left at 9:48 a.m. Shari Hildreth said the House passed all of its appropriation bills and will vote Nov. 3 on the CHIP plan. She said the forest bill also passed the previous day. She discussed topics Rep. Herrera Beutler is working on, including Secure Rural Schools, softwood lumber tariffs, wildfire forestation, and the Port of Chehalis permit. Mike Kroll joined at 9:51 a.m. Dena Horton discussed proposed forest fire bills and other topics being worked on in Sen. Cantwell’s office. Commissioner Stamper asked what is being done about all of the timber that’s burning up in forest fires or just rotting. Dena said there is a bipartisan effort to find solutions. Don Bradshaw left at 9:59 a.m. Mayor Dawes discussed the need for federal and state representatives to visit Lewis County and other smaller communities throughout Washington. Fred Evander left at 10:07 a.m. Mike Kroll gave an overview of the county’s recently completed six-year projects, including work on Highway 603, Oyler Road Bride, Magnus Road, Cinebar Road, Boistfort Road, Jackson Highway, Coulson Road, Keasling Road, Lincoln Creek Bridge, the Pleasant Valley culvert replacement and chip-sealing projects. Mike discussed upcoming projects, including culvert replacements, federal forest road improvements, the countywide “3R” program, countywide paths and trails, emergent construction projects, miscellaneous safety and guardrail, Highway 603 stabilization, safety program phase II on Shorey Road, Jackson Highway rehabilitation, Eshom Road safety improvements, Borst Avenue safety improvements, Silverbrook Road improvements, highway safety improvement program work, North Fork realignment, and Wigley Road improvements. Jill Anderson said Chehalis is busy working on budgets. She said the city is reevaluating its airport director hiring process as well as working to hire a finance director and an office administrator. Jill discussed projects the city has been working on. Mayor Dawes discussed a road being renamed in Orin Smith’s honor. Mayor Dawes said the city took a “progressive not aggressive” approach to budgeting. He said work is progressing on Chamber Way. He discussed a small pedestrian bridge that staff fast-tracked for replacement. Mayor Dawes discussed the co-working facility being worked on with the port and the Renaissance through the county’s .09 funding. Vader Mayor said Ken Smith said Vader is working on sidewalk improvements and an early education program. He discussed progress regarding the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey said work is being done on the water facility. He said the city is working on grants. Winlock Mayor Lonnie Dowell said Walnut Bridge repairs are complete and Fir Bridge repairs are moving forward. Centralia Mayor Coumbs urged the small towns to form a transportation district, which he said helps when it comes to applying for grants. Mayor Coumbs said the Centralia Downtown Association has been active. He invited the group to the Borst Park Christmas show. He said the port has cleared a major hurdle for the Centralia Station shopping center. He discussed the Our George Washington effort to honor the founder of Centralia. Mossyrock City Councilman Randall Sasser discussed the city’s work to create a walking path near the DeGoede Bulb Farm. Commissioner Stamper thanked the local municipalities for their work. He noted that the work they do has a ripple effect throughout the county. Commissioner Fund thanked the group for attending the previous month’s Legislative Roundtable. She said Lewis County has been invited to discuss unfunded mandates, and she invited the group to also attend. Commissioner Jackson echoed the need for cooperative efforts. He discussed his work on the Transportation Improvement Board and that board’s efforts to develop a countywide transit program. He said he would like to visit the area cities to discuss the proposed transit program. Commissioner Stamper discussed funding that may be available to create and install charging stations for electric cars. Mike Kroll encouraged cities that plan to contract with the county for chip-sealing projects to contact the county soon so the county can include that information as it places its rock orders for chip-sealing work. Meeting adjourned at 11:03 am.