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2020-06-05 Mayors MeetingMayors’ Meeting June 5, 2020 9 a.m. Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Internal Services Chief Steve Wohld, Port Commissioner Peter Lahmann, Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh, Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes, Mossyrock Mayor Randy Sasser, Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen, Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson, Emergency Management Deputy Director Andy Caldwell, Carson Coates of U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office, Vader Mayor Joe Schey, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey, Centralia Mayor Sue Luond, Napavine Mayor Shawn O’Neill, Toledo City Clerk Michelle Whitten, Community Health Services & Contracts Coordinator Meja Handlen, Sarah Kahout of Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office, Community Health Services & Contracts Coordinator Alison Puckett, Pam Peiper of U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office, EDC Executive Director Matt Matayoshi, Winlock Mayor Brandon Svenson Guests: Various members of the public and press Recorder: Rieva Lester Steve Wohld outlined steps the county has taken to prepare the Law and Justice to reopen to the public as well as steps being taken to prepare the rest of the county buildings. Steve noted that visitors will not be required to wear masks but that employees will be required to do so beginning June 8, as mandated by the governor’s proclamation. Steve said buildings are being outfitted with plexiglass and sanitization stations. Steve said he would share the county’s signs, Andy Caldwell, so he can share them with the group. Andy said the county just learned that it will receive 45,000 cloth masks to be distributed to low-income residents. He noted that the state has indicated there will be no tracking on the batch of masks. Andy said the county has not been receiving N95 masks the past few weeks. He said Valley View is offering a free decontamination process. He noted that N95 masks can be decontaminated 20 times. Centralia Mayor Sue Luond said Centralia business are happy to be reopening. Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes said sales tax and lodging taxes have dipped. He said he’d like to offer a letter of support as the county looks to apply for a Phase 3 variance. Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh said Toledo business appear to be doing well since reopening. Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey said businesses are doing well with take-out orders. Napavine Mayor Shawn O’Neill said Dollar General should be opening its new facility within the month. Mossyrock Mayor Randy Sasser said the city’s revenues have plummeted. He noted that stores and restaurants are seeing an uptick in business. Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen said Morton is looking at what Phase 3 will look like. Commissioner Jackson said the county will use a chunk of its $4.3 million in Coronavirus Relief Funding to provide the EDC with funds for grants for small businesses. He said the county also is looking at funding for broadband as well as PPE. Michelle Whitten suggested forming a multi-city consortium to apply for CDBG funding. Commissioner Fund discussed the county’s planned MOU with EDC to distribute grants for area businesses. She urged businesses to consider using grant funding to explore e-commerce. Michelle Whitten said she would be happy to join a consortium to apply for CDBG funding but would not want to spearhead the effort. Michelle noted that the funding could be used to help with senior nutrition. Commissioner Stamper suggested that Public Health and Social Services could work with Debbie Campbell of United Way to explore the CDBG funding. Mayor Sasser said Mossyrock plans some sort of event the first weekend in August. He said the city will hold aerial fireworks display for the Fourth of July. Mayor Willey said Pe Ell is planning its spring cleanup for the following weekend. Mayor Dobosh said Toledo has opened its overnight park. Mayor Luond said Centralia has named Stacy Denham its interim police chief. She said Borst Park is installing new playground equipment. She said the city will hold aerial fireworks display for the Fourth of July. Mayor Dawes said work continues on the pool and softball complex. Mayor Dawes said a Music in the Park Event will be held in August. Carson Coates of U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office said the president has signed the Paycheck Flexibility Act, which extends the loan forgiveness period. Matt Matayoshi discussed the EDC’s efforts regarding the Benaroya project in Winlock. He also noted EDC is preparing to spearhead the county’s business grants. Commissioner Fund noted that counties are being told that the review of Phase 3 variance applications will take longer than Phase 2 applications did. Commissioner Fund said the Department of Transportation has developed a survey regarding Chamber Way. Commissioner Stamper applauded the mayors and their staff for their collaborative efforts during the pandemic. Peter Lahmann said the Port remains closed to the public and looks forward to reopening once it’s allowed to do so. Peter also said the Lewis County Historical Society has had to cancel two of its three main fundraising efforts. He said the Centralia Clean Team will resume its cleanup efforts starting June 6. David Woodrum said he continues to pray for all of the cities. Steve Wohld said the county has given Lewis County Together 15,000 masks to distribute to area businesses and 5,000 masks to the Chehalis-Centralia Chamber to distribute to Chamber members. Steve said the county is exploring using Coronavirus Relief Funding to support point-to-point broadband technology. Mayor Dawes urged the other mayors to prepare a letter of support for the county’s Phase 3 application. Winlock Mayor Brandon Svenson said road improvements are planned and that a rolling car show is planned in place of the Egg Days festivities. Meeting ended at 10:19 a.m.