2022-09-02 Mayors MeetingMayors’ Meeting
September 2, 2022
9:02 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Centralia City Manager Rob Hill, Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston, Special Projects DPA Eric
Eisenberg, Steve Wohld, Mossyrock Mayor Randy Sasser, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey, Nic Scott, Colin
Swanson of Rep. Herrera Beutler’s office, Sarah Kohout of Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office, Chehalis Mayor
Tony Ketchum, Napavine City Council member Duane Crouse, Napavine Mayor Shawn O’Neill, Mike
Briggs of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh,
Lara McRea, Vader Mayor Joe Schey, Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen, Mindy Brooks, Tammy Martin,
Kate Chatterton
Guest(s): The Chronicle
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Colin Swanson of Rep. Herrera Beutler’s office cautioned that projects for the appropriations bill may
not be known until November.
Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum provided updates on road projects Chehalis. He said the city’s summer
Movies in the Park series was a success. Mayor Ketchum discussed litter dumping and transient troubles
at the train station and at a freeway exit.
Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey thanked the county and others for helping the city with its project to create a
road to its water intake system. Mayor Willey said the city also is working on Community Development
Block Grants.
Mossyrock Mayor Randy Sasser discussed the city’s recent festivals. He invited the public to a flag pole-
raising ceremony Sept. 11 and a Mexican Independence Day celebration Sept. 17. Mayor Sasser
expressed concerns with RCW 35.90, which routes business licenses through the state rather than the
individual cities.
Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston discussed a recent transportation meeting, noting the need to
address traffic needs 20 years from now.
The mayors aired concerns about Interstate 5 and a homeless camp on WSDOT-owned property. Colin
Swanson and Sarah Kohout suggested creating stakeholder groups to discuss the matters.
Vader Mayor Joe Schey thanked the county for its help to fix the city’s water system. He discussed
grants the city has secured and noted that the city has new housing developments in the works. Mayor
Schey also gave a shout out to county employee Dan Anderson for his work on the water treatment
plant.
Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen said the city is wrapping up its $12 million wastewater treatment facility.
He said the city is rebuilding a well.
Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh discussed the city’s summer events. He proposed the cities pool their road
money so they can tackle bigger projects.
Mike Briggs from the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) discussed the state’s work in
the Toledo-Vader area to fix the Cowlitz River Bridge near exit 59.
The meeting paused at 10:09 a.m. due to audio problems. The meeting resumed at 10:16 a.m.
The group discussed the need to work together to find solutions to the growing homeless problems.
Commissioner Pollock invited the public to attend a Labor Day picnic event at Stan Hedwall Park.
Steve Wohld discussed the upcoming installation of playground equipment in Toledo, at Schaeffer Park,
Rose Park
Napavine City Council member Duane Crouse invited the public to a Music in the Park event. Mayor
O’Neill said the booster club will be selling burgers for the event.
Meeting adjourned at 10:28 a.m.