Board Meeting Minutes 08/30/20151
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
August 31, 2015
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for Lewis County, Washington, met in
regular session on Monday, August 31, 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 24, 2015 Business Meeting. Commissioner Schulte seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
PROCLAMATION
Commissioner Schulte moved to approve the Proclamation Agenda item one.
Commissioner Stamper seconded the motion. Commissioner Stamper read the
Proclamation into the record.
1. Proclamation: Proclaiming September as “Prostate Cancer Month”.
Arny Guenther, Chehalis, stated he is the leader of a local Prostate Cancer Support
(PCS) group and wants to thank commissioners for recognizing “Prostate Cancer
Month”. On Oct 1, 2015 at 6:00 pm at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, there will
be an event on prostate cancer education as well as gynecological cancer education.
Motion carried 3-0.
NOTICE
Commissioner Schulte moved to approve the Notice Agenda items two through four.
Commissioner Stamper seconded the motion.
2. Call for Bids: For the lease or purchase of a new or used temporary modular
structure. Bids are due to the Clerk of the Board by 11: 00 a.m., Tuesday,
September 15, 2015. Resolution No. 15-245
Tim Elsea, Director of Public Works, stated this resolution will give notice that a Call
for Bids is issued for the lease or purchase of a new or used temporary modular office
structure. This structure will allow us to place four additional offices adjacent to the
Public Works building. We need this due to adding the Environmental Division to the
Public Works Department and hiring an Electronic Records Manager. This would be a
temporary office structure. There will not be water and sewer in the structure but will
have electricity and internet.
3. Notice: Accepting a bid on tax title properties located off Church Street,
Winlock, WA. Resolution No. 15-246
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Tim Elsea, Director of Public Works, stated the resolution would accept a bid on tax
title properties located off Church Street, Winlock, WA. These parcels are both located
off Church Street, Winlock, WA. The properties were offered for sale at auction by the
Treasurer due to tax delinquencies. The properties did not sell at the tax sale and were
subsequently deeded by the Treasurer to Lewis County. RCW 36.35.150 allows for the
properties to be disposed of by private negotiations providing that the final sale price is
no less than the principal amount of unpaid taxes. The County has received two offers
in the amount of $4,224.63 and $4,400.00 for the properties, an amount not less than
the tax delinquency and miscellaneous Treasurer's fees. This resolution would accept
the bid amount of $4,400.00, subject to conditions of LCC 3.30.390 which requires that
the proposed sale be noticed in a legal newspaper of general circulation at least once a
week for two consecutive weeks.
4. Notice of Hearing: Regarding a Franchise to Skate Creek Community Club, Inc.
to construct, operate, and maintain water system facilities on county roads
within Skate Creek Terrace Addition, Packwood, WA. Resolution No. 15-247
Tim Elsea, Director of Public Works, stated the franchise is a long standing franchise
that came to the BOCC about five years ago. The hearing on October 5, 2015 would
extend the franchise for the Skate Creek Community Club for another five years.
Motion carried 3-0.
CONSENT
Commissioner Schulte moved to approve the Consent Agenda items five through
fourteen. Commissioner Stamper seconded the motion.
5. Resolution No. 15-248 Approval of warrants for payment.
Suzette Smith, Chief Accountant for the Auditor’s Office, stated this Resolution
approves 227 regular warrants for a total payment against the County in the amount of
$608,084.17
6. Resolution No. 15-249 Approving an amendment to inter-local agreement
between Lewis County and Clark, Skamania, and Wahkiakum Counties
regarding the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board (LCFRB).
Commissioner Stamper stated this is a renewal that happens every five years.
7. Resolution No. 15-250 Appointing two members to the Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee (LTAC).
Chair Fund stated there is a need to add two new members to the LTAC. We are
appointing Tom Pew who is a provider for LTAC funds and Bonnie Blake who is a user
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and has applied for LTAC funds. She then explained the legality on funding, where it
comes from.
8. Resolution No. 15-251 Approval of an additional $200.00 for the Lewis County
Treasurer petty cash fund.
Arny Davis, Treasurer’s Office, stated we would like to establish a $200.00 additional
petty cash fund for our cashiers at the window. This allows us to separate during our
busy time, two cashiers who are currently sharing a cashiering box.
9. Resolution No. 15-252 Approving an agreement for a Veteran’s Benefits
Specialist (VBS) services with WestCare Washington, Inc.
Danette York, Director of Health & Social Services, stated WestCare received a
grant to perform Veteran outreach services in Lewis County beginning in January 2015.
As part of a developed partnership, WestCare agreed to provide staff hours to serve as
Lewis County’s VBS. This agreement is effective January 1, 2015, through December
31, 2015. We agreed to pay WestCare $8320.00 for the year if we use the contract for
the entire year. The reason this contract is so late is due to it being delayed with their
legal department and they also had some staff changes. There is a termination clause
within the contract allowing either party to provide 30 day written notice to terminate the
contract. Shortly after approval of this we will be submitting that written notice to them
because we have determined that it is better for the County to have a county employee
serve as our VBS.
10. Resolution No. 15-253 Approving a contract with Valley View Health Center.
Danette York, Director of Health & Social Services, stated these funds come from
our Chemical Dependency, Mental Health, and Theraputic Court Sale Tax of 1/10th of 1
percent. The IMPACT program provided by Valley View Health Center and funded in
conjunction with the John A. Hartford Foundation, Social Innovation Fund, and the
University of Washington, shall continue the current Integrated Behavioral Health
Program for the treatment of depression for a third year and expand services to South
Lewis County clinics and for Spanish-speaking population. All funding is matched at
50% by the John A. Hartford Foundation. The award amount for this contract is
$173,000 for continued services and $50,000 for expansion of program into three new
communities for a total amount not to exceed $223,000.
Commissioner Schulte commented that it is nice to have several groups that are
involved in this process.
11. Resolution No. 15-254 Approving a lease agreement with FitzHouse
Enterprises, Inc. for office space.
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Danette York, Director of Health & Social Services, stated this Resolution is for a
one year lease agreement between Lewis County and FitzHouse Enterprises, Inc. for
office space in the Lewis County Health Building located at 360 NW North Street,
Chehalis, WA for the sole purpose of housing a Home Base navigator staff position to
serve veterans in Lewis County. Terms of the lease are from January 1, 2015 thru
December 31, 2015, Lewis County will provide a 12 x 16 ft. office identified as the
Veterans Outreach room located in the Health Building for a monthly rental of $128.00.
That revenue will go into Fund 103 which is the Veterans Program.
12. Resolution No. 15-255 Accepting a grant offer to complete design and bidding
for various site improvements at the Ed Carlson Memorial-South Lewis County
Airport.
Lee Napier, Director of Community Development, stated this Resolution is to accept
grant offer to complete the design and bidding related to runway improvements at the
Ed Carlson Memorial-South Lewis County Airport. Lewis County has the opportunity to
complete the design and bidding related to runway improvements at the Ed Carlson
Memorial-South Lewis County Airport. The improvements include reconstruction of the
main parallel taxiway and to replace the Vertical Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) with
the current standard Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI). With financial
assistance from Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and Department of Transportation
(DOT) Aviation Division.
13. Resolution No. 15-256 Proposed establishment of a new county road off Baker
Drive, Mossyrock, WA.
Tim Elsea, Director of Public Works, stated we have been working with the family
about access on and off their property. Currently they have to access going through
DNR property. DNR will not provide an easement to a private property so the County
has to hold the easement. This Resolution declares the intent of the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) to establish a new county road, variable in width, off Baker
Drive, Mossyrock, WA.
14. Resolution No. 15-257 Selection of a consultant for the North County Industrial
Access Study.
Tim Elsea, Director of Public Works, stated a Request for Qualifications to investigate
alternative’s to improve access from the I-5 corridor to industrial properties in northern
Lewis County - North County Industrial Access was made by advertising in the
Chronicle, The Daily Journals of Commerce and the Lewis County website. Three firms
were interviewed by a panel made up of WSDOT, Thurston County, City of Centralia,
Chehalis Tribe and County personnel. The panel determined that Shea, Carr & Jewell,
Inc. (SCJ) was the best qualified for this contract. A contract was negotiated for a
maximum amount payable of $138,164.00 and expires December 31, 2016. SCJ will
investigate alternative routes utilizing existing interchanges, existing local roadway
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improvements, and the feasibility of a new interchange between Harrison Avenue (Exit
82) and Grand Mound (Exit 88).
Commissioner Schulte stated we have put $500,000 aside for this are we are using
around $138,000. W hat is the next step after this?
Tim Elsea stated the next step is to finalize the scope and figure out what direction we
are going to go. The Legislature approved about $50 Million toward whatever solution
comes through this process. This is a project that can help our County in many ways.
Commissioner Stamper asked what the time period is for this phase.
Tim Elsea stated this phase is only going to be about three of four months. The entire
project will take a year and a half to two years.
Motion carried 3-0.
HEARING
Chair Fund, called for staff report and went over rules.
Tim Elsea, Director of Public Works, stated there is a sign in sheet at the podium if
anyone would like to sign in and speak to this hearing. This Resolution would extend a
franchise with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) for water lines for the Jackson Prairie Gas
Storage Project through December 31, 2015. PSE has applied for a new franchise to
replace their existing franchise granted in 1965, however, both the County and PSE
require additional time beyond the termination date of the 1965 franchise agreement to
negotiate the terms of a new franchise.
Chair Fund, asked if there were any questions. There were none. She closed the
question and answer portion of the hearing and opened the formal hearing.
Tim Elsea asked that his previous comments be adopted into the record.
Chair Fund, asked if there was anyone who like to speak for or against the Franchise to
PSE.
Ron Averill, Centralia, stated he feels that something needed to be said. This would be
a real benefit to the county.
Commissioner Schulte moved to approve Resolution No. 15-258. Commissioner
Stamper seconded.
Franchise extension to Puget Sound Energy (PSE) for construction, operation,
and maintenance of water lines for the Jackson Prairie Gas Storage Project
Resolution No. 15-258
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Motion carried 3-0.
There being no further business, the BOCC’s business meeting adjourned at 10:36 a.m.
on August 31, 2015. The next public meeting will be held Monday, September 14, 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