Board Meeting Minutes 08/10/20151
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
August 10, 2015
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for Lewis County, Washington, met in
regular session on Monday, August 10, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Commissioners Edna J.
Fund, Gary Stamper, and P.W. “Bill” Schulte were in attendance. Chair Fund, called
the meeting to order, determined a quorum, and proceeded with the flag salute.
Commissioner Stamper moved to approve the minutes of the 10:00 a.m., Monday,
August 3, 2015 Business Meeting. Commissioner Schulte seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
NOTICE
Commissioner Schulte moved to approve the Notice Agenda items one and two.
Commissioner Stamper seconded the motion.
1. Notice: Regarding the temporary closure of Ceres Hill Road to all through
traffic. Resolution No. 15-227
Tim Elsea, Public Works Director, stated the closure will be from 7:00 A.M. August
24, 2015 to 5:00 P.M. October 6, 2015 for culvert replacement at Mile Post 5.82 on
Ceres Hill Road. The Public Works Department will post the required advisory signs on
both sides of the closure, and will notify 911 Communications, the local fire department
and school district of the closure.
2. Notice of Hearing: Regarding a proposed franchise extension to Puget Sound
Energy (PSE) for construction, operation, and maintenance of water lines for
the Jackson Prairie Gas Storage Project. Hearing will be held on or after 10:00
a.m., on Monday, August 31, 2015. Resolution No. 15-228
Tim Elsea, Public Works Director, stated PSE has applied for a new franchise to
replace the franchise granted in 1965. Resolution 14-162 extended the franchise
through December 31, 2014 to allow time for further negotiation. That extension has
now lapsed and franchise negotiations have not been completed. To continue to be
compliant with RCW 36.55 and Lewis County Codes 5 &12, the parties propose to
extend the terms of the 1965 franchise agreement through December 31, 2015.
Motion carried 3-0.
CONSENT
Commissioner Schulte moved to approve the Consent Agenda items three through
six. Commissioner Stamper seconded the motion.
Commissioner Schulte, asked that item seven be voted on separately.
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3. Resolution No. 15-229 Approval of warrants and payroll for payment.
Suzette Smith, Auditor’s Office, stated this Resolution approves 281 regular warrants
for a total payment against the County in the amount of$1,995,277.49. This also
approves 303 payroll warrants and 475 automatic deposits dated August 5, 2015 for a
total payment against the County in the amount of $3,429,124.61.
4. Resolution No. 15-230 Refunding of the 2005 Limited Tax General Obligation
Refunding Bonds, Series 2015 for Lewis County.
Arn y Davis, Lewis County Treasurer, introduced Susan Musselman and Duncan
Brown with PFM Group, and our bond council Roy Koegen and Debbi Haskins. A
proposed refunding of series 2005 bonds for Lewis County Limited Tax General
Obligation Refunding Bonds, series 2015 principal amount of not to exceed
$4,400,000.00. Columbia Bank came in with a rate of 2.13 %. This represents
$368,659 in savings over the remaining 10 years of this bond. There are prepayment
penalties for the first five years.
5. Resolution No. 15-231 Establishment of the Debt Service Fund: 2015 Debt
Service Fund No. 215.
Suzette Smith, Auditor’s Office, stated if Resolution 15-230 is approved Section 9 of
that Resolution does require that the County set up a dedicated debt service fund. This
Resolution will establish that debt service fund and it will be called the 2015 Debt
Service Fund No. 215. The fund will be closed once the issued bonds are fully paid.
6. Resolution No. 15-232 Approving Interagency Agreement, RCO No. 15-1475
with the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.
Lee Napier, Director of Community Development, stated the Chehalis River Basin
Flood Authority (Flood Authority) requested that Lewis County, acting as the Fiscal
Agent, enter into an Interagency Agreement RCO# 15-1475, between Recreation and
Conservation Office and Lewis County. The Agreement will:
1. Establish a new Period of Performance which is July 1, 2015 through June 30,
2017 as well as providing up to $289,000 for the performance of work set forth in
the Agreement.
2. Provide funding to cover costs associated with Lead Agency duties as the Fiscal
Agent as well as limited local government staff support to Flood Authority
3. Provide funding to cover the costs associated with consulting services provided
by Kramer Consulting, SBGH Partners, LLC and French & Associates, LTD.
4. Provide a limited amount of funding to cover other goods and services directly
related to Flood Authority business.
Motion carried 3-0.
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Commissioner Schulte moved to approve the Consent Agenda item seven.
Commissioner Stamper seconded the motion.
7. Resolution No. 15-233 Modifying restrictions on outdoor burning to a full ban
throughout unincorporated Lewis County.
Lee Napier, Director of Community Development, requested the BOCC consider
modifying the restriction on outdoor burning to a full ban throughout unincorporated
Lewis County. Community Development as well as Central Services Director Michael
Strozyk consulted with the Fire Chiefs Association. This Resolution before you includes
input from our staff, the public, as well as the Fire Chiefs Association. The
recommendation is to modify the current restriction to prohibit all outdoor burning on all
lands regulated by Lewis County, including recreational fires. Propane and charcoal
barbecues that are self-contained with a lid will still be allowed.
Commissioner Schulte asked when you say full burn ban does that include agricultural
lands.
Lee Napier stated no that is not under our regulatory authority.
Michael Kytta, Fire Chief at Riverside Fire Authority, spoke in support of the full burn
ban.
Commissioner Schulte asked what the number one cause of fire are this year.
Michael Kytta stated if he had to speculate he would say human cause by careless
discarding of smoking materials.
Commissioner Schulte asked if this Resolution is adequate, not enough, or is it too
much.
Michael Kytta stated he feels it is adequate right now.
Commissioner Stamper asked if the County needs to declare an emergency to extend
the burn ban.
Greg Peterson, Chief Newaukum Valley Fire and Rescue, spoke in favor of the burn
ban.
Steve Mansfield, Department of Emergency Management (DEM) stated we are
running out of resources and have not reached these points before in the County’s
history. In his opinion we do not need a declaration of emergency to enact this.
Commissioner Stamper asked for clarification on enforcement.
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Commissioner Schulte stated after reading the Ordinance it says it will be enforced by
Building Official/ Fire Marshal, Code Compliance, and the Sheriff’s Office. They are the
three entities that can do enforcement.
Bruce Kimsey, Sheriff’s Office, stated these fires are a serious threat and we are in
support of this Resolution.
Commissioner Schulte stated he has been very concerned about how this process
has moved forward. The resolution address open and transparent government, it talks
about public meetings, and making sure that the people know who will be enforcing the
burn restrictions. He was reluctant to approve anything that interferes with individuals
rights on their own property. His questions have been answered and he is comfortable
to vote on this.
Motion Carried 3-0.
There being no further business, the BOCC’s business meeting adjourned at 10:41 a.m.
on August 10, 2015. The next public meeting will be held Monday, August 17, 2015.
Please note that minutes from the BOCC’s meetings are not verbatim. A recording of
the meeting may be purchased at the BOCC’s Office.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST: Edna J. Fund, Chair
Karri Muir, CMC, Clerk of the Board P.W. Bill Schulte, Vice-Chair
Lewis County Commissioners
Gary Stamper, Commissioner