2020-04-15 ESC - Directors' UpdateESC / Directors’ Update Meeting
April 15, 2020
2 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper (remotely at 2:09 p.m.), Commissioner Fund (remotely), Commissioner
Jackson, County Manager Erik Martin, Doug Carey, Candace Hallom, Josh Metcalf, Becky Butler, Steve
Wohld, Lee Napier (remotely), Steve Walton (remotely), Undersheriff Wes Rethwill (remotely), Janelle
Lindsey (remotely), Lara McRea (remotely), Shad Hail (remotely), Jonathan Meyer (remotely), Gary
Fredricks (remotely), Casey Mauermann, Daleyn Coleman (remotely), Matt Jaeger (remotely), Scott
Smitherman (remotely), Tamara Hayes (remotely), Shad Hail (remotely), Scott Tinney (remotely), Dianne
Dorey (remotely), JP Anderson joined at 2:17 p.m.
Guests: Frank Corbin various members of the public and press
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Josh Metcalf discussed a call for bids for the 2020 Countywide Base Stabilization Project.
Josh Metcalf discussed a resolution to ratify an Executed Amendment to the Agreement between Lewis
County and the Department of Ecology for the Construction of Water Stations for Emergency Use in
Lewis County.
Josh Metcalf discussed a resolution to reject all bids for the re-bid of the purchase of a precast concrete
slab/girder bridge for the Cousins Road project. Josh said the county received only one bid and that it
was 40 percent higher than the engineer’s estimate. Josh said the project is being postponed a year.
Scott Smitherman discussed a resolution to approve a lease to Lewis County by Pope Resources for the
use of Storm King Mountain for a telecommunications site, and authorizing signatures thereon. Scott
said it will be a five-year agreement.
Becky Butler discussed a hearing for the Lewis County 2020 budget, emergency and supplemental
appropriations to and transfers within current expense and other funds. She said the amendment is for
$2.7 million, the bulk of which is tied to the county’s COVID-19 response.
Commissioner Fund made a motion to move one notice item, two consent items, three deliberation
items and one hearing to the Monday, April 20, 2020, BOCC agenda.
Commissioner Jackson seconded the motion.
Motion passed 2-0.
Commissioner Stamper joined at 2:09 p.m.
Erik Martin discussed the Incident Management Team’s organizational chart.
Scott Tinney said the Clerk’s Office is open daily but closes for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Scott said foot
traffic has slowed and that many citizens are accessing services online or by phone.
JP Anderson joined at 2:17 p.m.
Shad Hail said Juvenile Court has made drastic changes as probation officers are now meeting with
students by phone and via Skype. Shad said intake has been reduced in response to the pandemic.
Becky Butler discussed the creation of a COVID-19 financial team to address the future financial impacts
the pandemic will have on the county.
Jonathan Meyer discussed telecommuting efforts as well as the state’s planned release of inmates.
Jonathan expressed concern about the Department of Corrections’ planned inmate release. He said he
expects there will be an increase in crimes as a result of the planned releases. He said he is asking for a
list indicating the county of origin of and crimes committed by the individuals being considered for
release.
Undersheriff Wes Rethwill said the Sheriff’s Office is using alternative scheduling, too. He said Sheriff
Snaza meets with area police chiefs weekly. He said the jail population is at 109 inmates. Undersheriff
Rethwill reminded the group about Telecommunications week.
Assessor Dianne Dorey discussed alternative scheduling in her office. She said there are 2,000
inspections left to be done, and she said she is concerned about getting appraisers back out in the field.
Erik said the IMT is addressing protections for field personnel for when outside work resumes.
Auditor Larry Grove said the Auditor’s Office, too, is rotating schedules and working on alternative
schedules. He said work continues on the 2018 audit. He said tab renewals are being processed online
and through the mail. He said his office is gearing up for upcoming elections.
Gary Fredricks said WSU-Lewis County has not yet received a broadband hotspot.
Steve Walton said Summit Law will hold a webinar on furloughs and layoffs the following week. Steve
said employees have donated 1,900 hours of leave toward the COVID-19 leave donation bank.
Tamara Hayes announced the launch of Lewis County Together. Tamara said the shelter at the
fairgrounds will open later in the day.
Tamara stressed that Lewis County still plans to hold the Southwest Washington Fair.
Steve Wohld said sneeze shields are being ordered for offices and departments.
Meeting ended at 2:53 p.m.