2010-03-29 Board Meeting Minutes 1
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 29, 2010
The Board of County Commissioners for Lewis County, Washington met in regular
session on Monday, March 29, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. COMMISSIONERS P.W.
SCHULTE, RON AVERILL and F. LEE GROSE were in attendance. Chairman
Schulte determined a quorum, called the meeting to order and proceeded with the flag
salute. Commissioner Grose moved to approve the minutes from the 10:00 a.m.
meeting held on Monday, March 22, 2010. Commissioner Averill seconded the
motion.
Motion carried 3-0
Public Comment
Dave Brown, Doty, WA, thanked the Board regarding the Chandler Bridge. He thanked
Commissioner Grose on his perseverance on this. He represents Fire District 16 and all
the families that live in that area. This is a good thing and will be better for the fire
response time and safety of the public.
Commissioner Averill stated that FEMA has accepted the request for reevaluation and
has given us a heads up that they are going to let us build the bridge to current standard
specifications. They haven’t told us how much money we are getting. We will build
Chandler Bridge this summer, it has been too long.
Jim Hoffman, Doty, WA, thanked the Board for getting the bridge to go through. He
owns a mill there and it has been a huge hardship not having this bridge in.
Commissioner Grose stated we are really looking forward to getting this bridge in. The
Board stated a few weeks ago that we were going to build this bridge with or without the
help from the Federal Government.
Chief Chip Elliot, Doty, WA, thanked the Board for the assistance in pushing FEMA on
getting this bridge going. He was happy to hear we were going to be reimbursed for
some of the work. He is very happy this is going through.
Pat Miller, Doty, WA, thanked the Board for their hard work on behalf of the women
and children in Doty. She is happy they worked so hard for them.
Notice
Commissioner Averill made a motion to approve Notice Item one. Commissioner
Grose seconded the motion. Karri Muir, Clerk of the Board, read the item into the
record.
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1. Call for Bids: Chandler Bridge No. 55 Rehabilitation Project. Bids will be
opened on or after 10:00 a.m. on April 19, 2010. Resolution 10-080
Larry Unzelman, Public Works stated this project is listed as #7 on the Lewis County
STIP. The contract will provide for the improvement of the Chandler and Doty Dryad
Road. The project is partially funded through FEMA at 75% of eligible cost and 12.5% of
eligible cost through WA State Department of Emergency Management. The bids will be
opened on April 19, 2010.
Commissioner Averill stated the bids need to be submitted by April 19, 2010 by 9:30
am to the Clerk of the Board. He also pointed out that there are a number of steps in
getting these bridges completed. We need to finish purchasing right of ways. There is
more work that needs to be completed and some that has been done through other
resolutions. We are going to reroute the bridge and make it easier to access for large
trucks. He also noted that if we get the money from FEMA we hope to do the
Leudinghaus Bridge also.
Motion carried 3-0
Consent
Commissioner Grose made a motion to approve Consent Items two through eight.
Commissioner Averill seconded the motion. Karri Muir, Clerk of the Board read the
items into the record.
2. Resolution No. 10-081 Acquisition of additional Boyd Road right of way.
Larry Unzelman, Public Works, stated only the lands required for the slide repair
project were proposed for acquisition and condemnation. As required by federal
regulations, the County made an offer to the property owner to acquire an additional
uneconomic remnant of the property, which would remain after the right of way
acquisition. The property owner has made it clear that the County’s acquisition should
include the leftover remnant. The uneconomic remnant is a portion of the larger
property, which will have little or no value to the owner after the partial acquisition of the
necessary right of way. This resolution will direct the Prosecuting Attorney to initiate
condemnation proceedings to acquire both the necessary right of way and the
uneconomic remnant.
Commissioner Averill stated that this Board is not one that likes condemnation
procedures. In the case of Boyd Rd it was washed out in the 2009 flood. In order to do
the necessary repair we need additional right of way. We have gone to the property
owners and this has not been successful. In this case there is a lien on the property and
the lien has become the problem we are dealing with. We have to go to through the
condemnation procedures to complete this project.
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Commissioner Grose stated this is a fairly steep road in Randle, WA. This road
services several elderly people and needs to have the damage fixed.
3. Resolution No. 10-082 Approving award for the LC Solid Waste Fiber Optic
Line Project.
Larry Unzelman, Public Works stated an invitation to bid was issued by the Public
Works Department on February 25, 2010 for the Lewis County Solid Waste Fiber Optic
Project per the small works process. Project notifications were sent via email to all
companies on the small works roster- Fiber Optic and Data Cabling category. Public
Works received three responsive bids for this project with Wiseman Utilities, Inc. being
the lowest responsible bidder with a bid of $82,624.75. This bid is 41% over the
engineer’s estimate of $58,290.20.
A comparison of costs was conducted and it appears three bid items varied significantly
from the original engineer’s estimate. The following items were re-evaluated:
• Utility Poles- The difference in cost appears to be due to the small quantity used
in this project. The estimate was created using an estimate from a local utility
provider that installs a large quantity of poles. The small quantity for this project
was not fully adjusted when determining the project estimate.
• Casing- It was unknown by the engineer that dry boring or jacking under the rail
road tracks was not possible or improbable to accomplish with a 2 ½ inch casing
for lengths over 50 feet. This project requires a length of 200 feet which is
typically accomplished with a much larger casing. The price submitted by all
bidders reflects costs for standard installation of 12 inch to 24 inch casing to
achieve a 200-foot single jacking length.
• Conduit Pipe 2 in. diameter – Property on the Solid Waste Facility, west side of
the tracks, is extremely wet. Most contractors attending the pre-bid walk through
commented on the difficulty of getting equipment in position and maneuvering in
the swampy soils. All bid prices reflect difficulty with installation of the conduit on
the west side of the tracks. This length of conduit accounts for half of the total
amount of conduit proposed in the project.
Typically, projects 20% or more over the engineer’s estimate are subject to rejection
and re-bid when a more favorable bidding climate exists. After re-evaluation due to
varying conditions and new information, it appears the engineer’s estimate would need
to be increased specifically for bid items listed above. Therefore, the Wiseman Utilities,
Inc. bid appears reasonable after re-evaluation and Public Works staff recommends
award.
Commissioner Averill stated that this project is one that we have been trying to get
done for over a year. It is important to get the fiber optic line in. Normally a project on
the Small Works Roster would be under the Public Works Director, but because this
went over the engineers estimate it has to have the Board’s approval. We have to dig
under the RR tracks and it has become a more difficult project than we realized.
4. Resolution No. 10-083 Approving a master inter-local agreement with the City
of Chehalis.
Larry Unzelman, Public Works stated this resolution will allow the City of Chehalis and
Lewis County to enter into a Master Inter-local Agreement. This Agreement will govern
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reimbursable work performed by Public Works forces for which the municipalities do not
have the capability to do themselves. The term of the Agreement will be for a period of
5 years and will expire on December 31, 2014.
Commissioner Averill asked how many inter-locals with the towns and cities we have
now.
Mr. Unzelman stated all the cities except for the City of Centralia have entered into
inter-locals with the County.
Commissioner Averill stated the County has a workforce that is capable of doing
these different projects. This allows the cities to use our forces and it saves them
money. The City of Chehalis’s contract is larger than the other smaller towns and cities
contracts. We may have to come back if we have a cost overrun.
Commissioner Grose stated that from time to time we may get a call, from another city
or town that asks for a certain piece of equipment that can help them. We can’t legally
do this without an existing inter-local in place. This inter-local and the other inter-locals
with the cities and towns would allow us to have Public Works do projects when the
cities ask for them.
5. Resolution No. 10-084 Adoption of the 2010 Standard Specifications for road,
bridge, and municipal construction.
Larry Unzelman, Public Works stated RCW 36.86.080 requires all new construction to
the extent feasible to be done in uniform design standards.
RCW 36.86.020-030 sets forth the basic requirements for the creation, adoption and
use of minimum construction standards for county roads and bridges and requires them
to be used for all new construction and, as far as practicable, for all reconstruction of
roads comprising the county road system. This does not change the road development
standards as set forth in Lewis County Code 12.60.
The Washington State Department of Transportation and the American Public Works
Association have adopted the 2010 Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and
Municipal Construction governing construction requirements that will be in effect
beginning January 1, 2010. As required by law, Lewis County must adopt the same
prior to the effective date of April 1, 2010.
RCW 36.86.080 requires all new construction to the extent feasible to be done in
uniform design standards.
Commissioner Averill stated he was concerned when this resolution came up. It is for
technical standards on the materials to be used by contractors.
6. Resolution No. 10-085 Approving a contract between the Centralia-Chehalis
Chamber of Commerce, the Cities of Chehalis and Centralia, and Lewis County.
Commissioner Grose stated that Stadium Funds are dispersed to various entities
throughout the County. This contract is to the Chehalis/Centralia Chamber of
Commerce to provide tourism promotion and visitors information center services.
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7. Resolution No. 10-086 Approving an agreement with Skilling’s Connolly, Inc to
update the 2002 Packwood Wastewater Facilities Plan.
Bob Johnson, Community Development stated the county has been looking at
getting a public sewer system in the Packwood area for many years. In 2007 the State
Legislature transferred authority for large onsite systems from the Department of
Ecology to the Department of Health. Technology changes have made large onsite
systems feasible for applications the size of the Packwood system, at a considerably
lower cost. This resolution authorizes an agreement between Skilling’s Connelly, Inc. to
do the 2002 update consistent with the DOH rules. This is the first time the State
regulations with respect to large onsite systems and the DOH authority would be
utilized, so there is the possibility for additional State and Federal funding in conjunction
with this water system update. The intent is to provide feasibility for a large onsite
system in Packwood that would allow additional economic development in that area as
well as resolve some of the health issues relative to groundwater contamination. This is
for $35,000.00 for the 1st phase of 4 phases of the planning. This will be for the plan
update. The other three phases will be pre-design that would be funded under other
sources. .
Commissioner Grose stated this process was started in 2002, looking at rules of a
town/city sewer system in Packwood. We are going into to this process with our eyes
wide open, knowing it is a difficult process providing funding sources with the economy
like it is. The consultant gave two very worthwhile presentations to the public. They
have done a good job of updating the existing document. He is very positive with this
project moving forward; it stands a good chance of success. We have the right people in
place at the right time.
Commissioner Averill stated that during his campaign and Commissioner Gtose’s the
people spoke that the development in the county should not just be on the I-5 corridor
and in Chehalis and Centralia. There is also the east and west county where we could
develop. During our four years we have looked at a number of projects to help the
citizens in the other parts of the County. This Board is devoted to the entire County and
not just part of it.
8. Resolution No. 10-087 Approving a contract with Pacific International
Engineering to do work regarding FEMA mapping.
Glenn Carter, PA’s, stated that for a number of years FEMA has been working on the
mapping the main stem of the Chehalis River. That effort has been delayed from time to
time from flood events and has caused them to go back to the drawing board to come
up with another attempt at mapping the flood plain and mapping the flood way. The
flood plain is the broader term, the floodway is the narrower term, however late last year
FEMA approached representatives of the County and then again in a meeting that was
called for by this Board approached the Commissioners and disclosed a preliminary
map for the main stem of the Chehalis River. The map as reviewed by the
Commissioners and also by others in the County, and in the cities and towns as well,
had a number of drastic changes from the prior existing flood plain and floodway,
particularly in the stretch of the river between Chehalis and Centralia. There were also
drastic changes in other parts of the County, particularly in the West County. These
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changes by FEMA were alarming to a number of cities, towns, ports, and industrial
development districts. As a result of that disclosure from FEMA, there was an effort on
the part of all of the communities within Lewis County to find and get information from
FEMA concerning the data used that generated these preliminary maps and, also,
concerning the methodology used There is a branch of engineering called hydrology,
which is a very limited group of people. There are two firms in this area that have
knowledge of the main stem and the hydrology of the Chehalis River. One of those
firms is Northwest Hydraulics, but they are under contract with FEMA for purposes of
the study that has generated the preliminary maps and therefore they are not in a
position to assist Lewis County. The other firm that has a great deal of expertise, and
which the County has previously contracted with in the past concerning the hydrology of
the Chehalis River, is Pacific International Engineering (PIE). They have the expertise
and experience concerning the mapping of the Chehalis River and, therefore, we have
approached them with respect to two tasks. The first task is what we are approving
today, and that is an order to approach FEMA on behalf of the County, as well as on
behalf of other communities within the Chehalis Valley, in order to find out whether it is
possible to obtain a delay in the issuance of the FEMA maps, and to obtain the data and
the methodology used by FEMA in developing these maps. PIE will collaborate with the
communities of the Chehalis River Basin, with Federal agencies, and with our Federal
and State agencies in order to obtain the data and methodology used by FEMA in
generating these maps. They will also coordinate the communications between the
various communities of the Chehalis River Valley and those federal agencies and
delegations in order to obtain the data and methodologies. It is important for purposes
of this contract that the person that is doing that collaboration be able to evaluate the
information and responses they are provided by FEMA. For this reason we have
contracted with PIE. This contract has a cap of $15,000.00. Most of that work will be
done in the short term. There has been a delay granted in the issuance of the FEMA
maps.
Commissioner Averill stated that we need to get access to the data because it is
probably going to take 90 days or more to process the data. Once the maps are
released, that 90 days is all you have. We are trying to get ahead of the curve by getting
access to the data before the release takes place, so we can start the process of
looking at the maps. This should be a concern to a number of people in the Chehalis
River Basin, because the maps appear to predominately favor the data accumulated
from the 2007 flood, which was a very unusual flood. We think that FEMA may not have
understood the nature of the 2007 flood where we actually had the river blocked by
debris for a period of time and the water collected behind the debris until the pressure
broke it. The impact from that flood could be misrepresented and this is why we want to
see their data, so we can look at it and either confirm that it is correct or challenge it
because of the huge impact it has both for insurance and other reasons.
Mr. Carter stated the second contract will be brought forward in the future, and is for a
study of the data and methodology once it is obtained.
Commissioner Averill stated there are a number of jurisdictions in this area. Lewis
County is not the big rich brother of all the others; we do not intend to pay for the costs
of this project alone. It will require the cooperation of the other jurisdictions, so we do
this together.
Commissioner Grose noted that this is not a Lewis County phenomenon. This is a
nationwide problem. FEMA mapping is being discussed nationwide. One of the
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problems that we have is once these maps become official they are official. The only
way of changing them is by proving that they are wrong. That is our goal and that is our
intent for what PIE is being contracted to do. We have two things going on in the County
at the same time, both regarding flooding. The first is the FEMA mapping process and
the other is flood control measures that we are trying to undertake. They are somewhat
related, but they are on different tracks. It is important for the public to note that we are
working on two separate fronts to try to get things accomplished.
Chairman Schulte stated there is some possibility of being successful. FEMA is using
high water marks that are from a backup of log jams. These are the types of things we
are looking at.
Motion carried 3-0
Bid Opening
Bid Opening Sheriff’s Confiscated, forfeited Firearms
Chairman Schulte announced the bid opening and asked for staff to open the bids
Bell Williams, Sherriff’s Office opened the bids and read them aloud.
Bidder Address
Cascade Armory Arlington, WA
Joe’s Outdoor Shop Chehalis, WA
Eagles Nest Tenino, WA
Century Arms Georgia, VT
Ms. Williams noted that Century Arms does not meet the bid specifications. She let the
Board know that they would look over the bids and bring back with a recommendation
next week.
Motion carried 3-0
Bid Opening
Bid Opening Legal Printing
Chairman Schulte announced the bid opening and asked staff to open the bids.
Karri Muir, Clerk of the Board, LC County Commissioners stated the bids being
opened were for the legal printing for the County. The dates are for the period of July 1,
2010, through June 30, 2010.
Bidder Address Cost of 1.20 column
at 8 pt. font
DPI Legal Chehalis, WA $6.30
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The Chronicle Centralia, WA $7.50
Ms. Muir stated we will look these over and bring back a recommendation to the April 5,
2010, BOCC meeting.
Commissioner Averill stated that all counties are required to print legals in a legal
publication. Because of the wide area of the county, we have a couple of papers that
serve the county. It has been a matter of concern if you choose one of these papers
how you get the information out to everyone. We normally publish in both papers if the
matter concerns an area not covered by the legal publication.
Hearing
Hearing Ordinances1214
Chairman Schulte announced the hearing and asked for a staff report.
Danette York, Bill Teitzel and Glenn Carter were in attendance for the hearing.
Ms. York, Health Department stated this hearing is to adopt a new part of the Lewis
County Code (LCC) 6.15. This is a new section added to LCC 6.05 it addresses “dog
breeding practices”. In January a state law became effective that addresses dog
breeding practices in the State of WA. Much of the language in our code is the same
as the language used in the new state law. The LCC expands on that law and provides
language specific to Lewis County that can help prevent the horrible conditions many
animals are forced to live in when used as breeding stock. The additions to the State
Law are as follows:
• Restricts the number of dogs per parcel to 50 dogs.
Commissioner Averill questioned why we are doing this.
Ms. York stated we found this can be a loop hole in the State Law. If a
residence has four adults living in it, then the State Law would potentially allow
each one of those adults to have 50 dogs on one parcel. We have added
language in the code which will allow for a variance to be requested in certain
situations.
Commissioner Averill stated that some parcels could be small or large. We will
be able to consider a waiver on the larger parcels.
• Expanded on the definitions in the State law
• Provided information on enforcement, including the cost of the enforcement
• Amended LCC 6.05.060 which refers to impounding animals.
Commissioner Averill stated we know the State has a Puppy Mill Law that became
effective in January 2010. We actually have a State Ordinance that we can use for
puppy mills, but we have decided to put some additional restrictions on what is allowed
by the State, to meet practices that take place in Lewis County This is because we
have had two notorious cases in the County in the last year. In the course of the
investigation, we have found out that both of those operations came into Lewis County
because we have no rules or regulations. I have animals and am aware of puppy mill
operations that have run in this county. Lewis County is not a place to come to abuse
animals. This is a message we want loud and clear. We have specifically made it more
stringent because of the conditions that we have here in the County. We have been
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working with legitimate animal breeders on this ordinance. We didn’t want to make
rules that were restrictive and impinged upon the property rights of the legitimate
people operating in the County.
Chairman Schulte opened the question and answer period.
Lynn Norton, Winlock, WA asked if ‘per parcel’ is the same definition as ‘per property’.
Commissioner Averill stated that is correct, it is a tax parcel as recorded by the
Assessor’s Office.
Cathy Spears, Centralia, WA asked what constitutes a reason for the Animal Control
Authority to enter a property. Is it by a complaint notice or is it they drive by and see a
dog in the yard and they can come onto the property.
Ms. York stated we will give 24 hour notice before we go onto the property. We will not
just drive by and stop and go onto a property.
Glenn Carter, Prosecutor’s Office stated that for purpose of the variance application, if
one were to apply for a variance, in that circumstance there would be a 24 hour notice
for purpose of entry by the Department of Health.
Cathy Spears asked how these are being generated.
Mr. Carter stated in the instance of the application for variance it is by the individual
applying for the variance. In the instance which you mention with reference to the entry
upon land, it is going to be governed by law and it is going to be governed in those
instances where there is appropriate information under the law that puts the
department on notice that there may be a condition on the property that requires entry.
It also provides for the issuance in those circumstances of a search warrant by a court
of law.
Commissioner Averill stated we understand the concerns of private property rights. It is
not our desire that County employees barge onto properties making unannounced
visits. Normally, when we look at properties, it is because there has been a complaint.
We ask County staff to contact the owner of the property and make arrangements to
come onto their property. If the owner refuses then we need to go to the court and get
a legitimate warrant which authorizes us to go onto the property.
Sylvie McGee stated the way the ordinance is written doesn’t state that you have to
have reasonable cause in order to apply for the warrant. It reads that you can apply for
a warrant in order to determine whether or not there is reasonable cause. She feels
this language is confusing.
Glenn Carter stated he does not think this is what the meaning is. It says the Court may
issue a search warrant. The Courts can only issue a search warrant under the rules
governing them, in certain circumstances and upon compliance with certain standards
of evidence. The Court can only issue a search warrant in those circumstances where
it complies with law or there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this
chapter has occurred. So the Court gets an application for a search warrant that is
based on reasonable cause to believe a violation is occurring and then once a search
warrant is issued it is carried out by the deputy at the property to determine whether an
owner or operator is complying with the requirements of LCC 6.15.020.
Chairman Schulte closed the question and answer portion and opened the formal
hearing.
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Ms. York asked that her previous comments be adopted into the record.
Commissioner Averill restated that Lewis County cannot become the location where
puppy mills become predominant because we don’t enforce the rules. We have
received a considerable amount of letters from citizens. He appreciates the work that
the Friends of Lewis County do for us with the Animal Shelter. There are a number of
people that have suggested we should have licenses in this law. The Board has been
debating that, and that is one of the reasons we are this late in getting this out. We
started this process last November and wanted it to be out at the same time as when
the state law came into effect. We have some serious reservations about our authority
and what we hope to accomplish by licensing. Because we as a County are not
allowed to have business licenses, cities can but counties cannot. There is some
question does a kennel license constitute a business license. We are still checking with
other jurisdiction to find out how they have done this. We are not at this point
considering licensing of kennels, but we will be looking at it. Part of it will be our
experience we have in enforcement of this particular ordinance or chapter within our
LCC. This may help us make a decision on whether we will eventually have licensing
or not. We are not dismissing it, we just need more information.
Chairman Schulte stated we didn’t want to delay the Puppy Mill Ordinance because of
the questions we had on kennel licensing.
Cathy Spears questioned the impounding issue in the new code. She has issue with
‘any person’ restraining an animal. She doesn’t feel her neighbor should be able to
come on her property and be able to restrain an animal just because they have an
issue with it.
Mr. Carter stated the intent of this language is that it would be the animal control
authority that may impound any animal
Ms. Spears would like this language changed.
Chairman Schulte asked if we changed the wording and removed ‘any person’ from the
wording, if this would work.
Mr. Carter stated he feels that changing the wording would work. He stated the intent of
the wording meant that the appropriate law enforcement or Department of Health
personnel. With respect to the animals that are free running, it might be any person.
Commissioner Grose stated that sometimes we are addressing this in other chapters of
the code, so it gets convoluted in the process.
Kathy Spears appreciates the work that has been done. We appreciate the way the
commissioners have responded to them.
Gerald Hirish Toledo, WA, stated he has been the main complainer for the past three
years on the most recent puppy mill that was busted. He lives in a residential
neighborhood that used to be beautiful. Now there are around 200 dogs barking, and
the smell is terrible. These breeders have moved here from another state, and the law
enforcement has been trying to get in to look at the situation, and there is no law
regarding this issue, so it is hard for the law enforcement to get in there. The way these
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people are raising puppies is totally wrong. If you are going to let them live in a
residential area, there should be zoning for that.
Jack Tipping, Onalaska, WA stated he supports the proposed ordinance. In the future
he hopes we can come up with an ordinance for cats. Thanked the Board for doing
this.
Sylvia McGee thanked the board for being able to give input in this ordinance. She
thanked the Board for adding the variance process for the proposed ordinance and the
removal of the kennel licensing requirements. She is concerned with the wording on
the issuing of search warrants and individuals being able to pick up animals.
Commissioner Grose stated it will disturb him if we pass something that allows an
individual to go onto another’s person property and confiscate any type of personal
property.
Patty Kaija, Chehalis, WA stated she has worked with Timberland Valley Dog Fanciers.
There are wonderful dog breeders in our area; unfortunately this ordinance is
addressing the ones that are not so wonderful. She supports the ordinance and feels a
kennel license is in order. She feels it is time for Lewis County to take a stand against
puppy mills.
Merry Jones, Chehalis, WA stated she supports strengthening the new State Puppy
Mill Law. She supports some sort of registration that allows for the annual inspection of
dog breeding facilities.
Mary Chmilik, Chehalis, WA thanked the Board for taking this issue seriously. She
does want puppy mills to stop and does not want Lewis County to be a place where
people know to go for breeding animals because there are no regulations. She is in
favor of licensing or regulating breeders. There needs to be a standard of care for
these animals.
Kathy Aiken, Chehalis, WA supports the idea of the ordinance. It is important for the
animal control person to be able access a place that has suspicious breeding
practices.
Debra Dwelly, Winlock, WA stated her daughter is a small dog breeder. She is for this
ordinance and a kennel license. She feels this is a great thing the Board is doing. She
also hopes we can incorporate something in the future for horses.
Kathy Johnson, Centralia, WA is a member of FOLCAS . She is in favor of having
regulations on puppy mills. She hopes laws can be changed to protect the animals.
She believes there are responsible breeders and there are those who are not.
Lynn Norton, Winlock, WA thanked the Board for the ordinance. She likes the fact that
there is a limit of 50 dogs per parcel. She supports a fee for the kennels and a yearly
inspection to see what is going on.
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Lynne Treat, Chehalis, WA is very pleased with the BOCC and thanked them for what
they are doing. She thinks what we are doing is a good first step and it makes people
think so that they don’t tend to treat a dog like an object.
Commissioner Grose stated it is important to realize the various dilemmas that we have
as the BOCC. Trying to balance individual rights of the people to do as they wish with
their property, with the overall regulations that are required to maintain an organized
society is a challenge. With this ordinance, we are trying to balance the individual rights
and accepting those as responsibilities also. We need self discipline if our self
government is going to survive. This is part of a larger issue that is out there. He is not
excited to pass an ordinance that limits the rights of what people do on their property
that they see fit. However they also must behave responsibly in the eyes of the
common good.
Chairman Schulte closed the hearing and asked for a motion to adopt Ordinance 1214.
Commissioner Averill moved to adopt Ordinance 1214 and to amend LCC 6.05.060 on
impounding. Commissioner Grose seconded the motion. Karri Muir, Clerk of the
Board, read the Ordinance into the record.
Mr. Carter stated he recommends amending subsection one and suggested where it
reads now as “any person may restrain any animal regulated here under for pick up or
delivery to the local animal shelter”, he would change that to read “any person may
restrain any animal regulated here under that is running loose on his or her property, or
in the public right of way, for purposes of pick up or delivery to the local animal shelter”.
Commissioner Averill moved to adopt the amendment. Commissioner Grose
seconded. This will be brought to the Clerk in writing.
Motion carried 3-0
Mr. Carter stated the other clause that needs to be amended is in subsection three
regarding entry of land. This part now reads “the court may issue a search warrant for
the authority to determine whether an owner or operator is complying with the
requirements of 6.15.020” he suggests saying “subject to any applicable requirements
of law, the court may issue a search warrant”.
Commissioner Averill moved to insert this clause. Commissioner Grose seconded.
Wording will be given to the clerk.
Motion carried 3-0
Commissioner Averill stated this has been a long time coming and he appreciates
some of the comments that have been made. There are conditions in these puppy
mills that are hazardous to humans. We discovered brucellosis among some of those
animals. This is a disease which dogs can transmit to humans. There are conditions
in some of these puppy mills that are hazardous to the public health and in our
capacity as the Board of Health for the County we had to deal with this. This drew our
attention very quickly, as we have to deal with this case four times in terms of trying
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to bring that particular breeder into line to protect public health, and not even
speaking to the problem of the dogs. This person is currently in jail, but not for the
dogs. There were six horses that were terribly abused. She was also jailed because
her 12 year old daughter was not being cared for. These are serious cases, we asked
our staff to put this together. One of the things that is an issue is that this is a large
county, and we are very strong on property rights. We need to be careful on how we
go about doing these things. We recognize all of your concerns
Commissioner Grose stated that the comments made on licensing, regarding the things
that we license. Please be aware that these are not county licenses, they are from the
state or the city. He talked to staff on the cost of inspecting swimming pools and it cost
a lot of money to go out and do this. The cost of inspections in Lewis County is not
cheap. When we go to outlying areas it costs a lot of money. A $25 license fee is not
going to cover the yearly inspection.
Chairman Schulte thanked staff and everyone who participated in this process. Our
ordinance became much more valuable because of this.
Motion carried 3-0
There being no further business, the Commissioners’ public meeting adjourned at 12:00
pm on March 29, 2010. The next public meeting will be held Monday, April 5, 2010, at
10:00 a.m.
Please note that minutes from the Board of County Commissioners’ meetings are not
verbatim. A recording of the meeting may be purchased at the Commissioners’ office.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST: P.W. Schulte, Chairman
Clerk of the Board Ron Averill, Commissioner
Lewis County Commissioners
F. Lee Grose, Commissioner