Extend adjustments made to county operations in response to COVID-19 Pandemic BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
EXTEND ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO RESOLUTION 20-171
COUNTY OPERATIONS IN RESPONSE
TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
WHEREAS, Lewis County remains committed to sustaining the highest possible level of services
for citizens while keeping the public and county employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic;
and
WHEREAS, county offices and departments continue to provide essential services through
alternative means, such as online, by phone, through the mail and via email; and
WHEREAS, in response to the dangers associated with COVID-19, the Lewis County Board of
County Commissioners (BOCC) used the emergency powers vested under RCW 38.52 —which
allows the use of extraordinary measures for the preservation of public health and to relieve
loss, hardship and suffering—to pass Resolution 20-101 on March 18, 2020, adjusting county
operations and closing county buildings to public access through April 3, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC extended the building closures through May 4, 2020, via Resolution
20-123 and then further extended the building closures through May 31, 2020, via Resolution
20-147; and
WHEREAS, Washington Governor Jay Inslee has outlined a four-phase "Safe Start" approach to
reopening recreational, social and business activities ("Washington's Phased Approach —
Reopening Business and Modifying Physical Distancing Measures"); and
WHEREAS, the Safe Start guidelines indicate that Washington's counties must meet specific
criteria —and must stay in each phase for at least three weeks —before advancing to a
subsequent phase; and
WHEREAS, on May 22, 2020, Lewis County was granted a variance to move to from Phase 1 to
Phase 2 of Safe Start; and
WHEREAS, "customer-facing government services" are allowed under Phase 3 of the Safe Start
approach; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC recognizes the importance of continuing to limit the number of people
gathered in one building, especially when queues for some services put individuals in close
proximity for times greater than 10 to 15 minutes; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the BOCC that the following policies related to county
facilities shall take effect at 5 p.m. May 31, 2020:
1. All county facilities and buildings will remain closed to public access—with access
available only to county employees—with the exception of the Lewis County Law and
Justice Center, the Juvenile Court building and the Coroner's Office,which will have
limited access for the public.
2. The presiding judges will continue to make independent decisions concerning the
operations of the Law and Justice Center and the Juvenile Court building, and the
Coroner will continue to make independent decisions concerning the operations of the
Coroner's Office.
3. The closures discussed herein shall be in effect through June 15, 2020, unless otherwise
announced by the Board of County Commissioners.
Done this 28th day of May 2020.
APPROVED AS TO FORM: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Jonathan Meyer, Prosecuting Attorney LEWIS COUNTY,WASHINGTON
6A,IQ 41(171-A,
By Amber Smit , Deputy Pros. Attorney G ry Stmper, Chair
ATTEST: a J. nd, Vic hair
Rieva Lester, Clerk of the Board Rob C. ckson, Commissioner
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