2020-05-26 BOCC Wrap-Up COVID-19BOCC Wrap-Up / COVID-19 Meeting
May 26, 2020
3:00 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, County Manager Erik
Martin, Gary Fredricks, Jonathan Meyer, Cullen Gatten, Becky Butler, Doug Carey, Andy Caldwell, Josh
Metcalf, Steve Wohld, Arny Davis, Scott Smitherman (remotely), Tawni Shepherd (remotely), Lee Napier
(remotely), Wes Rethwill (remotely), JP Anderson (remotely), Lara McRea (remotely), Kim Amrine
(remotely), Pat Anderson (remotely), Amber Smith (remotely), Candy Hallom
Guest(s): Bryan Porter
Recorder: Rieva Lester
At 3:02 p.m., Commissioner Fund announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session
under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 5 minutes to discuss advancements in COVID-19 phasing. Executive
session started at 3:04 p.m.
At 3:09 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 2 minutes.
At 3:11 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 1 minute.
At 3:12 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 2 minutes.
Executive Session ended at 3:14 p.m. Commissioner Fund noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Stamper made a motion to approve Resolutions 20-169 and 20-170.
Commissioner Jackson seconded.
Resolution 20-169: Approve an MOU with The Salvation Army to oversee emergency shelter for
persons homeless due to COVID-19.
Public Health and Social Services Director JP Anderson said the county is adding $120,000 to the
existing MOU to extend services through June 15, 2020. He said Commerce funds are being used to
provide the funding to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness. He clarified that the
money was not CARES Act funding. JP said the funding is being used to provide emergency shelter at the
Fairgrounds.
Resolution 20-170: Approve an MOU with the Housing Resource Center to provide services upon
receipt of FEMA and or CARES Act funding due to COVID-19.
Public Health and Social Services Director JP Anderson said CARES Act funding will be used to manage
10 standing hotel rooms, up from four, to provide housing for those who must self-isolate while
awaiting results from a COVID-19 test.
Commissioner Stamper made a motion to amend Resolution 20-170 to change the contract end date to
Oct. 31, 2020. Commissioner Jackson seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Motion to approve Resolution 20-170 as amended passed 3-0.
JP Anderson said Lewis County has no new COVID-19 cases to report.
Andy Caldwell said he has received a $100,000 proposal for a contract to review the county’s GAP
assessment plan. Becky Butler discussed possible funding sources.
JP said Public Health has split its operations into three categories:
• Information: JP said Ed Mund is leading the information team as the PIO role.
• Medical response: JP said John Abplanalp is leading the effort to make sure the county has a
coordinated effort with Valley View.
• Isolation and quarantine: Meja Handlen is leading the effort at the fairgrounds. JP said those
awaiting test results will stay in hotels whereas those who have tested positive can stay at the
fairgrounds.
Becky Butler said the county’s unemployment is at 16.3 percent, though she said that it’s unclear
whether the total reflects any audits in response to fraudulent Employment Security claims.
Erik Martin said the county will be reassessing when county buildings can reopen.
Jonathan Meyer said the courts will have more than 220 cases on the docket as they reopens. Jonathan
recommended county employees use alternative entry points.
Erik Martin discussed efforts to create a back-to-work policy. He said a draft will be available for review
soon.
Commissioner Fund and Jonathan provided updates on Phase 3.
The commissioners discussed their calendars. Jonathan reminded the commissioners to limit their in-
person attendance to one commissioner per meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 3:58 p.m.