Extend adjustments made to county operations, COVID-19 pandemic. BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF: RESOLUTION NO. 20-205
EXTEND ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO 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
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2020, Lewis County submitted to the state its proposal to move
from Phase 2 to Phase 3 of Safe Start.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the BOCC that the following policies related to
county facilities shall take effect at 5 p.m. June 15, 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 22, 2020, unless
otherwise announced by the Board of County Commissioners.
DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 15th day of June, 2020.
APPROVED AS TO FORM: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Jonathan Meyer, Prosecuting Attorney LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Cullen Gatten Gary Stamper
By: Cullen Gatten, Gary Stamper, Chair
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
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ATTEST: •.;4�°ROOF'Sy,• Edna J . Fund
4 ''cJEdna J. Fund, Vice Chair
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Rieva Lester Robert C. Jackson
Rieva Lester, Robert C. Jackson, Commissioner
Clerk of the Lewis County Board of County
Commissioners
BOCC AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Resolution: 20-205 BOCC Meeting Date: June 15, 2020
Suggested Wording for Agenda Item: Agenda Type: Deliberation
Extend adjustments made to county operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Contact: Rieva Lester Phone:
Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners
Description:
Extend adjustments made to county operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
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