2022-06-03 MayorsMayors’ Meeting
June 3, 2022
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Mossyrock Mayor Randy Sasser, Centralia Mayor Kelly Johnston-Smith, Chehalis Mayor Tony
Ketchum, Pam Peiper of Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office, Sarah Kohout of Sen. Cantwell’s office, Port
of Chehalis Commissioner Peter Lahmann, Chad Hancock of Washington State Department of
Transportation (WSDOT), Paul Mason of WSDOT, Mossyrock Planning Commission member Marcia
Manley, Vader Mayor Joe Schey, Lee Napier, Lara McRea, Mindy Brooks, Tiffanie Morgan
Guest(s): Nic Scott
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Eric Eisenberg outlined options for a Countywide Municipal Resource Committee (COMUNREC):
• County-run committee.
• Committee run collectively by the cities.
• A quasi-regional planning authority.
• Any one of the three with Community Development’s involvement.
The group discussed the purpose of the monthly Mayors’ Meeting. The majority expressed a desire to
address the COMUNREC topics at future Mayors’ Meetings rather than create another committee.
Among suggestions to improve the monthly Mayors’ Meeting:
• Issue a set time for the meeting (9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.), followed by a 30-minute social hour.
• Arrange the chairs and tables in a circle.
• Send out a call for agenda items two weeks in advance.
Toledo Mayor Steve DoBosh lamented increasing prices and stressed the need to have a collaborative
approach to community needs and shared services.
Roundtable
Mayor DoBosh said the county’s South County Park remains closed due to water issues.
Vader Mayor Joe Schey said he likes the idea of a quasi-regional planning authority for the COMUNREC
discussions. He said work on the wastewater treatment plant is wrapping up and that the city has
installed its new playground.
Mossyrock Mayor Randy Sasser said the city will have four festivals over the summer and that the city is
working on its wastewater project. Mayor Sasser said DeGoede’s has announced plans to sell.
Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith-Johnston said the city is seeing economic growth and that Centralia College
building dorms and a new field. Mayor Smith-Johnston inquired about Commissioner Grose’s outreach
with veterans’ benefits. Commissioner Grose said there is a mobile medical unit that will provide
outreach. Sarah Kohout from Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office clarified that it is not a clinic but rather
a temporary solution for benefit services.
Centralia City Manager Jill Anderson said there is a vacancy on the City Council. She said maintenance
for city streets is planned for the summer. Jill said there several new businesses coming to Chehalis and
that several events scheduled for the summer.
Peter Lahmann said WorkEx has an opportunity to provide internships to veterans looking to transition
out of the service and into the workforce.
Paul Mason said the I-5 Koontz Rd bridge repair is scheduled to begin in January 2023.
Pam Peiper of Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office discussed the congresswoman’s work to help improve
law enforcement levels in struggling areas.
Commissioner Swope discussed the need to stop sending money overseas and instead fund veterans to
protect schools.
Sarah Kohout with Sen. Cantwell’s office discussed the senator’s work with the Safe Streets program.
The group agreed to skip the July and August Mayors’ Meetings and to resume in September.
Commissioner Pollock noted that Aug. 26 is the deadline for the next round of .09 funding.
Meeting adjourned at 10:38 a.m.