2022-05-09 County Manager UpdateCounty Manager Update
May 9, 2022
11 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Connie Riker, Austin Majors, Lara McRea, Josh Metcalf, Becky Butler, Tammy Martin, Chris
Panush, Lee Napier, Meja Handlen, Mindy Brooks, Steve Wohld (11:33 a.m.)
Guest: Nic Scott
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Strategic planning: Erik Martin said Mackey Smith with the consulting firm Tanner Inc. will reach out to
the commissioners as he works on the county’s long-range strategic plan.
Communications: Austin Majors discussed CGI Digital’s offer to create, produce, write, film and process
four films about Lewis County. He said the firm partners with National Association of Counties (NACo),
which pays for the service, and that the firm also would reach out to local businesses, which would be
asked to advertise.
Commissioner Grose directed Austin to reach out to Franklin and Okanogan counties to ask what their
experience with the company has been.
Austin said the videos would be about a minute long and that per the agreement, the county would
keep the link to the videos for three years. Erik said he would have the PA’s Office review CGI’s proposed
agreement.
Public Works/DEM update
Harrison/Reynolds project update: Erik said the county received one response to its request for
proposals. Josh Metcalf said the county is working with the City of Centralia on the project. He said the
state has earmarked $1 million for the project.
LCWD #1: Erik said the county is helping Water District 1 with a pass-through CDBG grant for a reservoir.
He noted that county staff is working on the project and that the county may not receive enough
funding to cover the work county staff performs since it’s merely a pass-through grant and there’s a cap
on administrative costs for the grant.
Airport master plan: Erik said the county has identified a firm for its airport master plan.
DEM Hazard Mitigation Plan: Erik praised Ross McDowell’s efforts to establish the DEM plan.
Emergency Management Coordinator position: Erik said DEM is interviewing for its vacant position.
Internal Services update: Steve Wohld joined at 11:33 a.m. He said he’d like a closed-session union
discussion after the conclusion of the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 11:34 a.m.