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2017-12-01 Mayors MeetingMayors’ Meeting December 1, 2017 9:03 a.m. Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Chuck Meade of WSDOT, Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson, WSP Trooper Will Finn, Bart Treece of WSDOT, Dale Lewis of Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office, Dena Horton of Sen. Cantwell’s office, Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes, Centralia Port Commissioner-elect Peter Lahmann, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willie, Mossyrock Mayor Tom Meade, Winlock Mayor-elect Don Bradshaw, Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs, Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh, Solid Waste Resource Recovery employee Melanie Case, Lead Road Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Korpi, Centralia City Manager Rob Hill Recorder: Rieva Lester Members of the group introduced themselves. Lewis County Lead Road Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Korpi reminded the group about the need to submitt 2018 requests for reimbursable work. Melanie Case gave an overview of recycling programs and events planned. Commissioner Fund discussed Mike Kroll’s request for volunteers to serve on the Lewis County Transportation Strategy Council (TSC). Winlock Mayor-elect Don Bradshaw and Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh volunteered to serve on the board. Commissioner Fund discussed unfunded mandates, including a recent state hearing regarding the unfunded mandates cities and counties face. The group discussed the lack of revenue cities and counties receive from marijuana sales. Dena Horton and Dale Lewis discussed the federal budget. Bart Treece of the Washington State Department of Transportation gave an update on the Chamber Way overpass replacement project. He said two closures are planned for December to allow for demolition. Chuck Meade gave an overview of upcoming projects, including a change to I-5 that will make one lane near exit 82 exit-only, repairs that will take place on the SR 6 bridge at Adna, an illumination project at the Highway 603 interchange, and an effort to relieve congestion at the Rush Road interchange. Mayor Dobosh suggested creating a new onramp to alleviate truck traffic at Rush Road. Mayor Dawes suggested restriping the LaBree exit overpass. Bart Treece said work also will begin on the Newaukum Bridge overpass. Trooper Will Finn said the state patrol has a new captain. He gave an update on planned emphasis patrols. He also said the Legislature approved new uniforms for the WSP. Commissioner Fund said the documentary “High Water – Ten Years Later” would premier at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, on TVW. Mayor Meade bid the group farewell as he plans to step down at the end of the month. Roundtable Mayor Meade advised the group to look at having regional certified operators for water districts, which he said would allow for better coverage. Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willie said the city’s water line replacement project is ongoing. Centralia Port Commissioner-elect Peter Lahmann discussed an upcoming Evening with the Authors event. Mayor Dawes said Chehalis passed its budget. He said the city has hired a new finance manager. He discussed a sewer line failure. He asked WSDOT about identifying an old passageway under the freeway. Commissioner Fund left at 9:59 a.m. Dena Horton discussed Sen. Cantwell’s recent debate on the tax bill. She urged the group to contact her office with any permit challenges, etc., such as the Corps of Engineers, etc. Kevin Korpi left at 10:04 a.m. Dale Lewis of Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office discussed her work on timber, the tax bill, and the budget. Mayor-elect Bradshaw asked what is being done to block the privatization of the Veterans Administration. Melanie Case left at 10:08 a.m. Bart Treece discussed winter storm preparedness plans. Mayor Coumbs discussed the recent election as well as plans for Winter Fest. He said the Tractor Parade is planned for Dec. 9. He said a massive fireworks show donated by Wolverine Fireworks will follow at 8:30 p.m. He also invited the group to upcoming Nutcracker performances. Centralia City Manager Rob Hill discussed the many agencies sharing in the success of the cold weather shelter. He said the Borst Avenue project has been awarded funding. He said work likely would be done in 2019. He said the PFD is looking at refinancing. He said the Sports Commission is working on promoting to work on marketing. Mayor Dawes asked about possibly asking for funding assistance to add turf fields and parking spaces, etc. Commissioner Jackson discussed the requirement for using turf fields for quarterfinals, semifinals and state finals. Mayor Dobosh discussed plans to decorate the city Christmas tree, Walk N Knock, and a Christmas bazaar. Justyna Tomtas joined at 10:25 a.m. Commissioner Fund returned at 10:25 a.m. Mayor Coumbs discussed eyesores throughout the communities. He suggested meeting to discuss dilapidated buildings in the future. Mayor-elect Bradshaw said he will be working to clean up three properties in Winlock. He then thanked to county for its efforts regarding the senior centers. He asked if the county could surplus the van the senior centers use. He discussed possible plans for when he takes office. He said the big push is to get a separate water system and separate sewer system out near the freeway. Dena Horton said Sen. Cantwell’s office has been hearing from many groups that they are not in favor of privatizing the VA. Commissioner Jackson said Twin Transit has extended an offer to a 1983 WF West graduate and that the individual accepted. Meeting ended at 10:34 a.m.