2022-05-24 Public Works UpdateQuarterly Update with Public Works
May 24, 2022
11:02 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope (left at 11:53), Commissioner Grose, County
Manager Erik Martin, Josh Metcalf, Geoff Soderquist, Mike Kroll,
Guest(s): PW Contract admin, Jay Noonan
Recorder: Tammy Martin
Geoff Soderquist said the goal for the 2022 year is to complete the Crumb Road culvert replacement.
Public Works is waiting for final road way acquisitions and finalization for funding. The Centralia Alpha
MP 15.79 is an example of a grant replacement culvert.
Geoff said Public Works has submitted and awarded two scour projects through the Bridge Replacement
Advisory Committee (BRAC) for King Road and Sargent Road. Sargent road has complications requiring
outside consulting. Geoff said there is also a consultant for the planning with the North County Industrial
Access. Geoff said there is a plan to connect Scheuber Road Bridge. A connecter lane would be beneficial in
case of emergency situations. Geoff said there are opportunities for grants pertaining to the Scheuber Road
Bridge. Geoff said there are nine projects in coordination with the City of Centralia to mitigate traffic on
Harrison Avenue and Reynolds Road in Centralia. Josh Metcalf said in order to mitigate impacts of day time
traffic, Public Works is working with the Port of Centralia and city of Centralia regarding the Harrison Avenue
Road construction.
Geoff said money from Federal Transportation Safety is received every two years for federal safety. They
have been evaluating guardrails within Lewis County. Public Works is looking to protect the Newaukum Road.
There was a potential project out Lincoln Creek Road that has had its designation changed to a fish bearing
stream. This creates complications due to requirements and at this time, they are postponing this project.
Geoff said the costs associated with repairing bridges and roadways is impacted by the vast amount of
cultural resources. Infrastructure for non-fish bearing streams costs less to replace.
Geoff said the 2022 TIP has had 11 FEMA projects because of declared disasters. This has advantages for
federal funding. FEMA now covers 90% of the project with the County providing a 10% match.
Geoff said private roadway encroachments are becoming more problematic. At this time, a constituent is
building a fence inside the right of way by five feet. Currently, this in not creating any issues, but if there was
to be a project in the future that impacts that fence line within the right of way, it forces the County to have
to pay to condemn. Geoff said he would like to have a process that is enforceable to address the growing
problem. Josh Metcalf said this would change county code. This impacts maintenance for roads and
vegetation.
Geoff said staffing issues are creating dilemmas. Finding qualified candidates to fill positions requires hiring
outside Lewis County. Geoff said it’s hard to compete with teleworking and the amount of pay other counties
offer. Geoff said his ultimate goal is to train his employees and provide an environment that encourages
employees to stay. Geoff said he is attending a conference that provides that needed training. At this time,
consultants are being used to make up for the shortage of County employees. Cost considerations and
schedules are impacted by using consultants. With the employee shortage, Geoff said they have even
considered hiring at a lower skilled level of training. This requires the department to create the training
necessary to provide quality service. Geoff says there is a learning management system that Washington
State uses called Washington State Learning Center. This is all done online. The County Road Administration
Board (CRAB) has recently acquired access to the learning center and Geoff asked the Board to find ways to
provide access to the training. Erik Martin said the technical training is advantageous.
Geoff said the fall update will be a review of the annual bridge report.
Meeting ended at 12:23 p.m.