2021-06-08 Business Meeting Minutes LEWIS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS(BOCC)
Business Meeting minutes
June 8, 2021
Present: Commissioner Stamper,Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope
Recorder:Tammy Martin
Commissioner Stamper called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m., determined a quorum and then
proceeded with the flag salute.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Carron Tanner,James Custer, Mardona Custer,and Imari Custer sent in a group email to be read as
public comment expressing concerns against Lewis County recognizing June as Pride Month.
Carla Hollinger sent in an email expressing concerns against identifying persons that have had the
COVID-19 vaccine.
Chelle Wilder expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1, 2021,
BOCC Business meeting.
Lisa Striedinger expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1, 2021,
BOCC Business meeting.
Caleb Huffman expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1, 2021,
BOCC Business meeting.
Mary McHale expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1, 2021,
BOCC Business meeting.
Usha Sahadena-Brooks expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1,
2021, BOCC Business meeting.
Gillian Davis expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1, 2021, BOCC
Business meeting.
Rebecca Green expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1, 2021,
BOCC Business meeting.
Lujan Rodriguez expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1, 2021,
BOCC Business meeting.
Jonquil Kristina Chavez expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1,
2021, BOCC Business meeting.
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Natalia Velazquez expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1, 2021
BOCC Business meeting.
Riley Dolan expressed concerns against Commissioner Swope's words spoken at the June 1, 2021 BOCC
Business meeting.
Commissioner Sean Swope apologized for his words causing hurt to the lesbian,gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer(LGBTQ) community.
PRESENTATION
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month.
Commissioner Stamper seconded.
Proclamation: Recognizing June 2021 as Pride Month.
Commissioner Pollock read the proclamation into the record.
Motion passed 2-0-1, with Commissioner Swope abstaining.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve a proclamation honoring Lewis County's Class of
2021. Commissioner Swope seconded.
Proclamation: Honoring Lewis County's Class of 2021.
Commissioner Stamper read the proclamation into the record.
Motion passed 3-0.
NOTICE ITEM
Commissioner Swope made a motion to approve Resolution 21-214. Commissioner Pollock seconded.
Resolution 21-214: Notice of hearing regarding a franchise to Claquato Cemetery Association to install,
construct,operate and maintain water facilities in Lewis County rights of way.The hearing will take
place in the Commissioners' Hearing Room at or after 2 p.m.June 29, 2021.
Real Estate Services Manager Martin Roy discussed the resolution. Martin said an application for a
franchise has been received by the Board of County Commissioners(BOCC) from Claquato Cemetery
Association to install, construct, operate and maintain water facilities in Lewis County rights of way.
Motion passed 3-0.
CONSENT ITEMS
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Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve minutes from the June 1, 2021, meeting as well as
Resolution 21-215. Commissioner Swope seconded.
Resolution 21-215 Approval of warrants/claims against the various county departments.
Chief accountant Grace Jimenez, representing the Auditor's Office, said warrants numbered 842,482
through 842,603 and direct disbursements numbered 3452, 3467, 3472-3479, 3487, 3488, 3491, 3502,
3503, 3507-3511, 3513 through 3516, 3530 and 3553 were issued in May and June for payments against
the county totaling $610,414.05. She noted a skip in sequence for warrants 842,452 through 842,481,
which were issued on behalf of Special Purpose Districts.
Motion passed 3-0.
DELIBERATION ITEMS
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve Resolution 21-216. Commissioner Stamper seconded.
Resolution 21-216 Adopt a Mask Mandate Policy.
Human Resources Director Chris Panush discussed the resolution. Chris said the Governor's Office of
the State of Washington and the Washington Department of Labor& Industries (L&I) have provided
guidelines for mask mandates for Washington State employers. Human Resources has developed a Mask
Mandate Update policy.
Motion passed 2-1, with Commissioner Swope opposing.
Commissioner Swope made a motion to approve Resolutions 21-217 through 21-224. Commissioner
Pollock seconded.
Resolution 21-217: Salary adjustment for non-represented employees beginning January 1, 2022.
Human Resources Director Chris Panush discussed the resolution. Chris said the BOCC wishes to adjust
the 2021 salary grid for non-represented employees effective January 1, 2022, by 3%over the adopted
grid.
Resolution 21-218 Retroactively approve and ratify MOU McKinney20-21 between Housing Resource
Center and Lewis County.
Public Health and Social Services Director J.P.Anderson discussed the resolution.J.P. said the
Memorandum of Understanding extends the coverage period for Contract HRCMC1718 and
Amendment H02-0033-19-B.
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Resolution 21-219:Approve an MOU between Housing Resource Center and Lewis County to provide
rental costs of homeless families and pay the salary of one full-time equivalent position providing
outreach and case management services.
Public Health and Social Services Director J.P Anderson discussed the resolution.J.P. said the
Memorandum of Understanding is to provide funding to the Housing Resource Center. These funds
come from the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)to provide emergency shelter,
transitional housing, relocation assistance and case management services to homeless residents of
Lewis County.
Resolution 21-220: Provide preliminary approval of the Merry Glee subdivision located within the
Centralia Urban Growth Area.
Community Development Director Lee Napier discussed the resolution. Lee said the City of Centralia
transmitted to the County a request for preliminary approval of the 15-lot subdivision proposal known
as Merry Glee, a development located with the Centralia Urban Growth Area.The Merry Glee 15-lot
subdivision, City of Centralia File#2020-0064, was granted preliminary approval by the City County on
April 13, 2021, subject to twenty-one conditions of approval.
Resolution 21-221: Contractor selected and contract award for the Campus Abatement and
Demolition Project,#31-2027.
Capital Facilities Director Doug Carey discussed the resolution. Doug said Lewis County has developed a
Capital Facilities Plan and said plan identifies several capital projects in and around the County Campus
in downtown Chehalis.
Resolution 21-222: Revise the existing Organization Chart of the Lewis County Public Works
Department.
Public Works Director Josh Metcalf discussed the resolution.Josh said pursuant to WAC 136-50-050, in
order to be compliant with the Standards of Good Practice established by the County Road
Administration Board (CRAB), the county legislative authority shall develop and by resolution adopt
written policies,within the limits of existing state law,that cover any matters relating to road
department operation as they may see fit.
Resolution 21-223:Approve Amendment No.2 to the Rural Arterial Program Project Agreement for
Construction Proposal between Lewis County and the County Road Administration Board for the
Centralia Alpha Road Improvements project—CRP 2084.
Public Works Director Josh Metcalf discussed the resolution.Josh said in accordance with WAC 136-
161-070(1)(b),the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) desires to amend the original Rural
Arterial Program (RAP) Project Agreement for Construction Proposal contract and authorize additional
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Rural Arterial Trust Account Funds (RATA)for the Centralia Alpha Road Improvements project—CRP
2084.
Resolution 21-224:Approve the quitclaim deed by and between Washington State Department of
Transportation and Lewis County conveying title to a portion of Airport Road and authorizing
signature thereon.
Real Estate Services Manager Martin Roy discussed the resolution. Martin said the Washington State
Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will transfer a portion of Airport Road right of way to Lewis
County.
Motion passed 3-0.
HEARING
Resolution 21-225:Approve a franchise to Cowlitz Indian Tribal Housing to install,construct,operate
and maintain water and sewer facilities in Lewis County road rights of way.
Commissioner Stamper introduced the hearing.
Real Estate Services Manager Martin Roy gave the staff report.This hearing is a renewal for a franchise
from Cowlitz Indian Tribal Housing to install, construct, operate and maintain water and sewer facilities
in Lewis County rights of way. A hearing was set for June 8, 2021, by Resolution 21-190, dated May 18,
2021, and all required notices were given to the public.The Cowlitz Indian Tribal Housing has accepted
the terms of the franchise and have signed the document.
Commissioner Stamper asked if there were any questions.There were none.
Commissioner Stamper then closed the question-and-answer portion of the hearing.
Martin Roy asked that his previous comments be adopted into the record.
Commissioner Stamper asked if anyone wanted to speak for or against the resolution.
Colonel Ron Averill provided public comment in support of this franchise.
Commissioner Stamper closed the hearing.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve Resolution 21-225. Commissioner Swope seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
COVID-19
J.P. Anderson said he would be available for questions if the Commissioners needed. Updates would be
provided at the next Directors' Meeting.
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PRESS CONFERENCE
Claudia Yaw asked what spurred the Pride Month proclamation and why Commissioner Swope
abstained from voting for it. Commissioner Pollock said it is important to acknowledge all people are
equal and this was her first opportunity to bring it forward. Commissioner Swope explained his position
by saying this had been discussed previously.
ADJOURNMENT
The BOCC Business Meeting adjourned at 3:17 p.m.,with the next Business Meeting scheduled for
2 p.m.Tuesday,June 15, 2021, in the Commissioners' Hearing Room (Room 223).
Minutes from the BOCC Business Meeting are not verbatim. Video footage can be viewed online at no charge at
https://lewiscountywa.gov/offices/commissioners/bocc-meetings/.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY,WASHINGTON
A </-,4_,,,_
ary per, Chair
ATTEST: Lindsey FePollo k, DVM,Vice Chair
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Neva Letter,Clerk of the Board S n Swope, ommissioner
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