2022-05-06 ARPA and Infrastructure Initiatives Stakeholders MeetingARPA and Infrastructure Initiatives Stakeholders Meeting / Mayors’ Meeting
May 6, 2022
9:06 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Becky Butler, Steve Wohld, Rep. Joel McEntire, Rep. Jim Walsh, Sen. Jeff Wilson, Rep. Peter
Abbarno, Rep. Ed Orcutt, Economic Alliance Executive Director Richard DeBolt, Economic Alliance
Infrastructure Initiatives Program Manager Todd Chaput, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey, Morton Mayor Dan
Mortensen, Centralia Mayor Kelly Johnston Smith, Centralia City Manager Rob Hill, Vader Mayor Joe
Schey, Buck Lucas of the Department of Commerce, Rich Doenges of Ecology, Chad Hancock of the
Washington State Department of Transportation, Lee Napier, Meja Handlen, Lara McRea, Twin Transit
Executive Director Joe Clark, Pam Peiper of U.S. Rep. Herrera Beutler’s Office, Christine Nahn of Sen.
Murray’s office, Centralia Public Works Director Kim Ashmore, various other city representatives,
stakeholders and invitees
Guests: Jared Wenzelburger, Isabel Vander Stoep, Nic Scott, Susan DeLaire, and various other members
of the public and press
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Commissioners Lindsey Pollock, Sean Swope and Lee Grose welcomed the various participants and
guests. They discussed work the county has undertaken to use American Rescue Plan Act funding to
improve infrastructure and other county needs.
Rep. Joel McEntire, Rep. Jim Walsh, Sen. Jeff Wilson, Rep. Peter Abbarno, Rep. Ed Orcutt discussed their
legislative efforts.
Economic Alliance CEO Richard DeBolt and Infrastructure Initiatives Program Manager Todd Chaput
outlined the EA’s MOU with Lewis County, under which EA has been contracted to:
• Facilitate and plan stakeholder meetings as related to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
• Research and lobby for infrastructure funding
• Develop criteria and application process for grant funding
• Facilitate Economic Impact meetings with stakeholders
Todd and Richard discussed their role in helping create a “dig-once” program to save taxpayer dollars on
various projects.
Buck Lucas discussed the Department of Commerce’s Dig-Once Pilot project, which he oversees.
The group discussed the need for stream-lined permitting processes, which would help projects move
forward. They noted that the cooperative dig-once mentality will allow various entities to use
collaborators’ work as matching funds.
Public Works Director Josh Metcalf discussed HDR engineering data.
Centralia Mayor Kelly Johnston Smith outlined some of Centralia’s infrastructure needs, including:
• Road improvements
• Housing
• Water-sewer hook-ups
• Water rights
• Broadband access
Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey said Pe Ell needs help creating access to its dam.
Vader Mayor Joe Schey said Vader is working on infrastructure improvements and that the county is
upgrading the county-owned water system in Vader.
Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen outlined some of the city’s infrastructure needs, including:
• Help with culverts
• Help with flooding
• Help with permitting processes
• Help replacing water and sewer lines
Mayor Mortensen said the city is working on upgrades to its water system.
Napavine Mayor Shawn O’Neill outlined some of the city’s infrastructure needs, including:
• Help to rebuild 1.5 miles of road
• Repairs to Exit 72
• Park upgrades
At 10:40 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the meeting would recess until 11 a.m.
The meeting resumed at 11:03 a.m.
County Manager Erik Martin discussed the county’s efforts to tie its ARPA allocations to its Vision 2025
initiatives as well as the county’s efforts to establish a long-range plan.
Budget Administrator Becky Butler outlined some ways the county is allocating its ARPA funding,
including:
• 911 Communications center
• Technology projects
• Vader Water system
• Fair water system
• Public Health
Erik expanded on the radio infrastructure improvements planned for the 911 Communications center.
Public Health and Social Services Deputy Director Meja Handlen steps being taken to improve public
health and how infrastructure ties in to public health needs.
Eric Eisenberg discussed the county’s efforts to address the local housing crisis. Eric discussed the
county’s work to establish a year-round, permanent night-by-night shelter to help the region’s homeless
community.
Port of Chehalis Commissioner Peter Lahmann thanked the legislators for their efforts and also
discussed a free apprenticeship program being offered May 9 through June 3.
A Chehalis representative discussed the city’s need for help with a failing bridge, water line repairs and
infrastructure in the downtown corridor.
Twin Transit Executive Director Joe Clark discussed Twin Transit’s efforts to improve transportation
locally. He also discussed the company’s efforts regarding hydrogen as well as its and to expand
transportation services along the I-5 corridor and its efforts to increase the number of charging stations
locally.
Richard DeBolt invited students to apply for – and community members to donate toward – a
scholarship in honor of late Commissioner Stamper Gary Stamper.
Richard invited attendees and the public to attend a post-COVID summit planned for June 15.
Eric Eisenberg outlined options for a Countywide Municipal Resource Committee (COMUNREC) to
provide access to information and services:
• County-run committee
• Committee run collectively by the cities
• A quasi-regional planning authority
• Any one of the three with Community Development’s involvement
Eric said he would further discuss the matter at a future Mayors’ Meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 11:46 a.m.