2022-08-31 Directors UpdateDirectors’ Update
August 31, 2022
9:01 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Steve Wohld, Connie Riker, Ally Pickard, Lee Napier, Becky Butler, Doug Carey, John Clark, Aimee
Albright, Daleyn Coleman, Rocky Lyon, Josh Metcalf, Nic Scott, Susie Palmateer, Gary Fredricks, John
Abplanalp, Meja Handlen, Shawn Kyes, Casey Mauermann, Graham Gowing, Jenn Libby-Jones, Janelle
Lindsey, Lara McRea, Linda Mastin, Matt Thuston, Mindy Brooks, Charles Edmonson, Sarah Hensely,
Isaac Freeman
Guests: Harry Bhagwandin, Isabel Vander Stoep
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Rocky Lyon discussed a resolution to appoint Robert Spahr to the Lewis County Solid Waste Advisory
Committee.
Meja Handlen and John Abplanalp discussed a resolution to approve consolidated contract #CLH31017
Amendment 6 between Lewis County and Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
Daleyn Coleman discussed a resolution to authorize initial placement of casual code compliance
specialist to be placed on the current Lewis County Salary Grid (13 Step M Grid) for non-union extra
help.
Becky Butler discussed a resolution to elect to receive Secure Rural Schools and Community Self
Determination Funding and Allocation of Title II and Title III Funds for the Federal fiscal year 2022 for
2023 payments.
Daleyn Coleman discussed a resolution to approve defense and indemnity for Jennifer Teitzel and her
marital community, and for JP Anderson and his marital community, if any.
Rocky Lyon discussed a resolution to approve a Franchise Renewal to the City of Chehalis for the
installation, construction, operation, and maintenance of water and sewer facilities within the rights-of-
way of unincorporated Lewis County.
Rocky Lyon discussed a resolution to approve a Franchise Renewal to Fatbeam LLC for the installation,
construction, operation, and maintenance of telecommunications facilities within the rights-of-way of
unincorporated Lewis County.
Commissioner Grose made a motion to amend the agenda to include an executive session discussion
regarding real estate. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
The commissioners paused their discussion as staff updated the agenda.
Announcements
Connie Riker announced that she is stepping down as the Parks and Recreation Director.
Becky Butler provided an update on the budget planning process.
Doug Carey said occupancy of the Juvenile center has been delayed one week.
John Clark provided updates on Facilities’ projects.
Josh Metcalf said the county is nearing the end of its chip seal efforts. He noted that crews will not be
able to complete all planned projects due to weather delays and staffing shortages.
Gary Fredricks provided an update on WSU Extension efforts.
Meja Handlen discussed an overdose awareness event taking place in Centralia.
Rieva Lester encouraged attendees to sign up for volunteer duties at the Sept. 15 Employee Picnic.
Daleyn Coleman said the HR site is being updated.
Rocky Lyon said Solid Waste’s survey about garbage collection on the east end of the county will end
later in the day.
New business / Wednesday Workshop
Water Conservancy Board vacancies: The commissioners selected Gina Owen as the regular member
and Wallace Rosa as the alternate. They said they would like to keep David Hilligoss’s name for any
future vacancy.
GarlicFest: Connie Riker discussed the recent event.
At 9:58 a.m., the meeting paused briefly due to audio difficulties.
Connie noted that the number of garlic vendors was lower due to the year’s poor garlic harvest.
Southwest Washington Fair: Connie discussed the recent fair. She noted that revenue topped $930,000.
Firewise grant: The commissioners said they are not interested in further exploring the grant.
Potential reclassification of Accountant position within Superior Court: Commissioner Swope said he
would like the request to go through the budget process. Susie Palmateer and Daleyn Coleman
discussed the position. Susie clarified that while Indigent Defense work will move out from under
Superior Court, other grants and work will remain.
At 10:28 a.m., the meeting paused briefly due to audio difficulties.
The commissioners noted that the out of class pay would not require board approval. They said they
would address the reclassification request as part of the budget process. Susie noted the she has been
working with HR to resolve the issue for six months and that the employee had been performing out-of-
class duties that entire time. Daleyn said she would review state law about the use of retroactive out-of-
class pay.
Real estate
At 10:39 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board was going into Executive Session under
RCWs 42.30.110(1)(c) and 42.30.110(1)(d) for 7 minutes to discuss potential real estate transactions.
Executive session started at 10:40 a.m.
• At 10:47 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
• At 10:52 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 3 minutes.
• At 10:55 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
• At 11 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
• At 11:05 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
• At 11:10 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 3 minutes.
• At 11:13 a.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 3 minutes.
Executive Session ended at 11:16 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Grose made a motion to authorize the Chief of Internal Services to negotiate a property
purchase discussed in executive session up to the amount discussed in executive session. Commissioner
Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 11:18 a.m.