2022-04-06 Directors UpdateDirectors’ Update
April 6, 2022
Time
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Lee Napier, Mindy Brooks, Becky Butler, JP Anderson, John Clark, Austin Majors, Matt Jaeger,
Chris Panush, Connie Riker, Tammy Martin, Lara McRea, Patrick Shults, Sherri Dokken, Tiffanie Morgan,
Josh Metcalf (9:07 a.m.)
Guest: Nic Scott
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Becky Butler discussed a request for proposals (RFP) for Grant Administration, Grant Management
Services and Application Development, regarding but not limited to the Coronavirus State and Local
Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).
Mindy Brooks and Lee Napier discussed a notice of a public hearing to consider approval of amendments
to Chapters 17.10, Definitions, 17.15, Urban Growth Areas – Cities, 17.30, Resource Lands, 17.42, Land
Use Summary, and 17.142, Land Use standards, of the Lewis County Code.
Matt Jaeger discussed a resolution for the Declaration of surplus personal property.
Erik Martin and Josh Metcalf discussed a resolution to list the bids received and contractor selected for
the Culvert Material Purchase – Centralia Alpha Road MP 15.79 Culvert Replacement Project.
Erik Martin and Josh Metcalf discussed a resolution to list the bids received and contractor selected for
the Culvert Material Purchase – Crumb Road MP 0.17 Culvert Replacement Project, SM 20F630050017.
Becky Butler discussed a hearing for a Lewis County 2022 budget amendment.
Commissioner Swope made a motion to move two notice items, two consent items, three deliberation
items and one hearing to the Tuesday, April 12, 2022, BOCC Business Meeting agenda. Commissioner
Grose seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
COVID-19
JP Anderson provided data regarding the most recent COVID-19 reporting week, March 25-31:
• 14 new cases
• 7 new hospitalizations
• 2 new deaths
JP said he believes the state’s testing sites, including the one at the former Sears site, are expected to
continue through mid-June.
JP noted that the county is paying $3,000 per month for the use of the parking lot for the testing site.
Commissioner Swope said Susie Palmateer reached out and said the courts have indicated they will no
longer need the fairgrounds for jury selection and would like to terminate the contract for use of the
fairgrounds. Connie Riker said terminating the contract requires 90 days’ notice. She said the timeline
could be decreased if needed.
Announcements / roundtable
Lee Napier discussed results of the March Madness pool and invited staff to participate in a wellness
challenge.
JP Anderson discussed two new hires for management positions.
Erik Martin said 911 interviews will take place later in the day. He said he would give a dam presentation
April 7.
John Clark said he is working on an agreement with the museum and is working on a process to dispose
of surplus materials.
Connie Riker said the fairgrounds are busy. Connie said members of the Fair group have established a
subcommittee to review how to best use funding the fair has received for diversity and inclusion.
Josh Metcalf said Public Works will be honored the evening of April 14.
Patrick Shults said SNAP coordinator Alyssa Davis is leaving.
Becky thanked Heidi Palmer and Lara McRea for their efforts to help a veteran who had reached out for
services.
Wednesday Workshop
The commissioners approve signing letters of support regarding Congressionally Directed Spending
requests regarding:
• The renovation of the Fox Theatre
• 911 radio infrastructure
• The renovation of Lewis County Juvenile Court
• An airports fuel system project
• United Learning Center
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations
Becky Butler reviewed changes to the proposed ARPA allocations. She said the big changes affect:
• Vader water
• Heath
• 911 radio infrastructure
Josh discussed what’s needed for the Vader Water project and what repairs / improvements would be
included in the project.
Commissioner Swope said Centralia is considering providing $1 million toward the county’s 911 radio
infrastructure project and that the city has asked the county to pledge $500,000 toward the Fox Theatre
renovation project.
Commissioner Grose said he would like to set aside funding for the Fire Mountain Arts Council.
Commissioner Swope made a motion to approve the ARPA allocations as proposed. Commissioner
Grose seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Commissioner Pollock noted that Dr. Richard Honour will give a presentation about biosolids at the end
of the April 12 Business Meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.