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2022-04-13 Directors UpdateDirectors’ Update April 13, 2022 9 a.m. Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, Steve Wohld, lee Napier, Susie Palmateer, Judge Toynbee, Matt Jaeger, John Abplanalp, Austin Majors, Josh Metcalf, Doug Carey, Eric Eisenberg, Connie Riker, Chris Panush, Graham Gowing, Mindy Brooks, Tiffanie Morgan, Tammy Martin, Liz Casteel, Erika Katt, John Clark, Heidi Palmer, Erik Martin, Lara McRea, Ross McDowell, Patrick Shults Guests: Isabel Vander Stoep, Nic Scott, Phil Brooke, Lisa Striedinger-Hubbard, Bobbi Barnes Recorder: Rieva Lester and Tammy Martin (9:57 a.m.) Video court reporting: Judge Toynbee said District Court has lost two court reporters, a reflection of a statewide shortage. He said he is working on cost estimates for video court reporting. Judge Toynbee discussed the benefits recent upgrades to video conferencing have presented. Judge Toynbee said the courts will no longer need use of the fairgrounds after the end of the month. Judge Toynbee said the courts also are looking at using virtual court reporters. Susie Palmateer and Judge Toynbee left at 9:11 a.m. Agenda items Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a Lewis County Health Officer. Eric Eisenberg discussed a resolution to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) for Professional Services to Provide Consultation for Establishing Water Banks. Eric said the consultant would be hired to help with efforts to apply for and attain an Ecology grant to establish a water bank. Eric noted that the county could instead directly reach out to firms to request proposals. Eric said the group could update the resolution to indicate that it’s a solicitation rather than an RFQ. Eric Eisenberg left at 9:37 a.m. Josh Metcalf discussed a notice of hearing regarding a franchise to National Frozen Foods Corporation, to install, construct, operate and maintain water facilities in Lewis County rights of way. Lee Napier discussed a resolution to provide preliminary plat approval for the subdivision of Douglas Lane Acres - application Number LP19-00001. John Abplanalp discussed a resolution approve a Consolidated Contract between Lewis County and the State Department of Health. Erika Katt discussed a resolution to appoint members to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). Josh Metcalf discussed a resolution regarding the proposed acquisition of additional right of way for Salzer Valley Road Slide Project. Josh Metcalf discussed a resolution to establish a gross tonnage limit for certain emergency vehicles on the Shorey Road Bridge, bridge number 069. Josh Metcalf discussed a resolution to ratify a contract supplemental agreement for On-Call Geotechnical Engineering (GEO2019), with Landau and Associates. Chris Panush discussed a resolution to establish the rate of pay for a non-union extra help Administrative Assistant Senior located in the 911 department. Commissioner Swope made a motion to move three notice items, two consent items and seven deliberation items to the Tuesday, April 19, 2022, BOCC Business Meeting agenda. Commissioner Grose seconded. Motion passed 3-0. COVID-19 John Abplanalp said the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths had decreased for the most recent reporting week. Roundtable Matt Jaeger encouraged county users to participate in an anonymous survey that was distributed regarding a move to Office 360. Josh Metcalf said crews are working on snow and tree removals rather than road striping due to recent snow storms. He said casual help is desperately needed for summer help. Connie Riker said Schaefer Park will open April 17. Liz Casteel discussed Telecommunicators week. Rieva Lester left and Tammy Martin took over as recorder at 9:57 a.m. John Clark said Facilities is working on a landscape plan for the Lewis County campus. Facilities will be landscaping in phases and the goal is to use ecology-based landscapes plans. Ross McDowell said most the Chehalis Avenue Apartments residents displaced during the winter 2022 floods are still in hotels due to issues with flood repairs. Ross said the I-5 closure group recently held its first meeting and that there will be updates to the I-5 freeway closure plan. Patrick Schults said there will be an inaugural maple syrup festival May 14 in Eatonville, Wash. Commissioner Pollock said a $600 million project based in Centralia was discussed at the April 12 Centralia City Council meeting. She said project details were not provided but that she is speculating the project is going to focus on hydrogen. Commissioner Pollock said she feels this many not be good for Lewis County based on current proposals. She said she feels there are better options for distributing hydrogen to consider. Commissioner Grose said he feels her opinion is incorrect. Commissioner Swope said there would be more details to come. Commissioner Pollock said she would join the Transmission Corridor workgroup meeting that started earlier in the day. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.