2020-07-29 Directors UpdateDirectors’ Update
July 29, 2020
9:03 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, County Manager Erik
Martin, Andy Caldwell, Josh Metcalf, Bill Wamsley, Daleyn Coleman, Becky Butler, Doug Carey, Eric
Eisenberg, Tamara Hayes, Matt Patana, Amber Smith, Gary Fredricks, Graham Gowing, JP Anderson, Lara
McRea, Lee Napier, Matt Jaeger, Scott Smitherman, Tawni Shepherd, Patrick Shults, Tammy Martin
Guests: Dr. Lindsey Pollock, Jacqui Spahr
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Bill Wamsley discussed a resolution to appoint Brian Thompson and Gary Gorremans to the Lewis
County Noxious Weed Control Board.
Eric Eisenberg discussed a resolution to approve an addendum to .09 (Distressed Counties) funding
awarded to Winlock under Resolutions 19-099 and 11-254.
Andy Caldwell discussed a resolution to accept an agreement between Lewis County and Washington
State Military Department for the 2019-20 Emergency Management Performance Supplemental Grant
and authorizing signatures thereon. Andy said the supplemental grant can be used for medical supplies
in response to COVID-19.
Commissioner Fund made a motion to move two consent items and three deliberation items to the
Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, BOCC agenda.
Commissioner Jackson seconded the motion.
Motion passed 3-0.
COVID-19 and Roundtable
Erik Martin said Lewis County has learned of one new confirmed COVID-19 case.
Becky Butler said the county has learned it will receive $776,000 for rental assistance. She reminded the
group that the CDBG CV-1 discussion will take place later in the day.
Matt Patana said Facilities is getting ready to help with a project at the Blue Restrooms.
Doug Carey said the HVAC cleaning units have been installed.
Andy Caldwell said the drought committee will meet soon.
Tamara Hayes said the order for a new PA system at the Fairgrounds has been placed.
Josh Metcalf said Public Works will have a late add for Aug. 3 for the Pleasant Valley Bridge Scour
project.
Gary Fredricks said Patrick Shults will fill in for him when he’s unable to attend the weekly Directors’
Update meetings.
Scott Smitherman said Lewis County will have Text-to-9-1-1 within the next week. Scott also said work is
continuing on the feasibility study and that the Combined User Committee will meet later in the day.
Commissioner Fund and Erik Martin discussed Gov. Inslee’s recent decision to pause Ecology’s EIS for
the proposed water retention facility.
Commissioner Fund said Centralia City Council has opted to give funding to Gather Church, the Centralia
Downtown Association and the Boys and Girls Club.
Wednesday Workshop
Public Works position: Josh Metcalf said Public Works would like to eliminate a vacant office assistant
position, eliminate two casual positions, freeze a vacant records position and create a new admin
assistant position. Josh said he would provide a little more information regarding the savings.
Lewis County Fire District 2 vacancy: The commissioners directed Rieva Lester to proceed with steps to
request applicants for a vacant Lewis County Fire District 2 position, which was left vacant past the 90-
day appointment window and would now need to be filled by the Board of County Commissioners.
Jacqui Spahr said Fire District 2 fell victim to time constraints linked to COVID-19 and is looking forward
to the BOCC’s help.
Ordinance 1319: At 9:46 a.m., Commissioner Stamper announced that the Board would be going into
Executive Session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 10 minutes to discuss pending and / or potential
litigation regarding Ordinance 1319. Executive session began at 9:47 a.m.
At 9:57 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
At 10:02 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
At 10:07 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 2 minutes.
At 10:09 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 3 minutes.
At 10:12 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
At 10:17 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
Executive Session ended at 10:22 a.m. Commissioner Stamper noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Fund made a motion to instruct Erik Martin to work with Eric Eisenberg to move forward
regarding Ordinance 1319.
Commissioner Jackson seconded.
Eric Eisenberg and Erik Martin said they will be working on contingency plans regarding the board’s
actions on Aug. 3.
Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting ended at 10:27 a.m.