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2022-05-18 ESC Directors UpdateESC / Directors’ Update May 18, 2022 9 a.m. Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, Matt Jaeger, Lee Napier, Mindy Brooks, Josh Metcalf, Chris Panush, Doug Carey, Becky Butler, Erik Martin, John Abplanalp, Meja Handlen, Austin Majors, John Clark, Justin Stennick, Shad Hail, Scott Tinney, Daleyn Coleman, Arny Davis, Tammy Martin, Grace Jimenez, Graham Gowing, Lara McRea, Larry Grove, Michelle Sauter, Marni Larson, Shelly Stewart, Susie Palmateer, Undersheriff Wes Rethwill, Connie Riker Guest(s): Linda Williams, Nic Scott Recorder: Rieva Lester ESC Plans for honoring Commissioner Gary Stamper: Becky Butler outlined the following plans: • Permanent memorial • “Gary-grams” • Drumstick ice cream social • Wearing quarter-zips May 25 The commissioners directed Erik Martin to work with the state to name an overlook in Mossyrock in Commissioner Stamper’s honor. Lobbyist: Erik Martin said the commissioners are considering soliciting lobbying services on behalf of the county. He and Commissioner Pollock said the board would like to hear from electeds regarding their potential needs. Personnel authorization form (PAF) process update: Chris Panush said the PAF process is being upgraded to a fill-in electronic form. Update to casual help hiring practices: Chris said the commissioners approved a new hiring plan for casuals. Becky Butler reminded offices and departments that they must stay within their budgets. Roundtable / announcements Arny Davis said he would talk about tax collections during his update later in the day. Commissioner Grose discussed a recent Timber Counties meeting. He said the state is considering using existing timber stands as carbon offsets – instead of harvesting the timber – which would cost the counties millions. Chris Panush discussed recent changes to the state’s open carry gun laws. DIRECTORS’ UPDATE Josh Metcalf discussed a notice of hearing regarding a franchise to the City of Toledo to install, construct, operate and maintain water facilities in Lewis County road rights of way. Doug Carey discussed a call for bids for a Public Works HVAC Project. Doug Carey discussed a call for bids for the County Campus Parking Projects. Susie Palmateer discussed a resolution to accept funds from the Washington Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) for Courtroom upgrades. Chris Panush discussed a resolution to ratify a new policy for hiring casual employees. Erik Martin discussed a resolution to ratify executed short-term contract with Day Wireless Systems for radio maintenance and support services. Matt Jaeger discussed a resolution to award the contract for Campus Underground Fiber Boring to ToledoTel of Toledo, Washington. Commissioner Swope made a motion to move three notice items, two consent items and four deliberation items to the Tuesday, May 25, 2022, BOCC agenda. Commissioner Grose seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. COVID-19 John Abplanalp gave the following COVID-19 updates: • The number of cases and hospitalizations are increasing slightly in Lewis County. • The county’s case rate is half of the state’s case rate. • The county’s hospitalization rate is double that of the state. Announcements / new business Josh Metcalf praised his staff and recognized Public Works Week. Josh noted that weather has delayed some PW projects. Erik said Tanner consultant Mackey Smith would like to speak with electeds and directors June 8. Meja Handlen said the Special Olympics team will get to go to state. She said Twin Transit is providing a van for the event. Connie Riker said the Cowlitz River Access Park will open soon. She said SummerFest will take place at the Fairgrounds beginning July 2. Commissioner Swope discussed a recent Chehalis Basin LAND Values event. He said the only real solution for flooding would be a retention facility. Wednesday Workshop Large energy projects (follow-up from Ordinance 1333): Mindy Brooks asked the commissioners how they would like to proceed regarding large energy projects. Commissioner Pollock said she’d urge a thorough look at the proposals, noting that the county is home to several dams, etc., but that the residents don’t necessarily benefit from the power projects. Alan Cowan of Scout Clean Energy urged the commissioners to view the data collection separately from the FSEC application process. Commissioner Swope said he is cautious about using Forest Resource Lands for wind energy projects. Alan Cowan said wind farms may lease thousands of acres but would only use a few hundred acres, leaving the rest of the timber parcel available for harvest. Anthony Chavez of Weyerhaeuser said the company wants the ability to manage its own land and to generate additional revenue streams. Commissioner Grose said the topic of siting a wind farm is separate from the data collection. Anthony said the data collection process would take one to two years. He said Weyerhaeuser would be happy to work with the county to develop ordinances that would give the county local control. The commissioners said they would revisit the topic the following week. Calendars Rieva Lester reminded the group of the early deadlines for Memorial Day weekend: Items for the May 31 Directors' Update and the June 1 Business Meeting must be finalized by 10 a.m. May 25. Meeting ended at 10:24 a.m.