2022-05-09 BOCC Wrap-UpBOCC Wrap-Up
May 9, 2022
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Steve Wohld, Connie Riker, Austin Majors, Becky Butler, Chris Panush, Doug Carey, Eric
Eisenberg, Grace Jimenez, Lara McRea, JP Anderson, Lee Napier, Mindy Brooks, Undersheriff Wes
Rethwill, Mindy Brooks, JP Anderson, Josh Metcalf
Guests: Nic Scott
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Commissioner Grose made a motion to add to the May 10, 2022, Business Meeting agenda the
following:
• Resolution 22-145: Declare an emergency, dispense with normal bidding requirements and
select a vendor to provide a replacement domestic hot water boiler at the Lewis County Jail.
Doug Carey and Erik Martin discussed the resolution, noting that the jail boiler is not repairable,
is at imminent risk of failure and would leave some portions of the jail population at risk of being
displaced with nowhere to go.
• Resolution 22-146: Establish the rate of pay for a non-union extra help Senior Financial Analyst.
Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Housing Initiative staffing and budget: Eric Eisenberg said American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds
earmarked for lost revenue could be used to temporarily pay for his position, which Erik Martin said
would be housed under the County Manager. He said General Fund dollars could be used later.
Commissioner Grose made a motion to approve having Eric Eisenberg serve in the Housing Initiative
position. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
The commissioners clarified that they’d like to use ARPA funds earmarked for lost revenue to
temporarily cover Eric’s position.
Law and Justice Council: Eric Eisenberg said the state Legislature in 2018 relaxed the duties of the Law
and Justice Council, indicating that the group’s work was simply in advisory and removing the group’s
formerly mandated powers. He said the state law makes it mandatory to have the council but that the
council no longer has required duties. Erik Martin noted that county code outlines duties for the council.
Becky Butler noted that other counties have used their councils to review one-tenth of 1 percent
requests.
Eric said he would review the matter and revisit it during the next PA Update.
Calendars: Commissioner Grose said he will attend the May 12 Big Meeting in Toledo. Commissioner
Pollock said she also will attend, but just as an observer. Commissioner Swope said he will attend the
911 meeting planned for May 11. Commissioner Grose said he will attend the May 16 Fire
Commissioners’ meeting in Onalaska.
Minute folders: Commissioner Grose made a motion to approve the minute folders for the weeks of
April 18 and 25, 2022. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Correspondence: Erik Martin said an individual had reached out with concerns about a project in the
Centralia UGA, which would not be a county matter. He said he would direct the man to reach out to
Centralia.
At 9:20 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session
under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 10 minutes to discuss real estate matters under RCWs 42.30.110(1)(b)
and 42.30.110(1)(c).
Executive session started at 9:21 a.m.
• At 9:31 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
• At 9:36 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 3 minutes.
• At 9:39 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
• At 9:44 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 2 minutes.
• At 9:46 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 3 minutes.
Executive Session ended at 9:49 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made.
Meeting adjourned at 9:51 a.m.