2023-04-10 BOCC Wrap-UpBOCC Wrap-Up
April 10, 2023
9:01 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Interim County
Manager Steve Wohld, Mindy Brooks, Lee Napier, Eric Eisenberg, Amber Smith, Doug Carey, Becky
Butler, Nic Scott, Barbara Russell, Meja Handlen, Graham Gowing, Troy Nichols, Josh Weiss, Undersheriff
Wes Rethwill, David Bailey (10:33 a.m.)
Guest(s): Patty Howard, Lisa Striedinger and others
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
2023 legislative session: Josh Weiss said the Legislative Session ends April. He provided the following
updates:
• He and Troy Nichols are still tracking eight to 10 bills the county is interested in.
• The DNR trust land bill did not move forward out of committee.
• The .09 extension is still alive.
• The water bank proviso came of the Senate budget.
• Fixes for the Blake decision are still in the works.
The commissioners said they are OK with removing the Lewis County-specific language from the water
banking proviso. The commissioners directed Eric Eisenberg to continue working with stakeholders and
to conduct outreach regarding what the county had hoped to accomplish with the proviso.
Agenda change: Commissioner Brummer made a motion to add to the April 11, 2023, Business
Meeting Resolution 23-119: Re-issue Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Engineering and Design
Services for the Fairgrounds Park Waterline Repair and Rehabilitation Project (no Statements received
from Resolution 23-089). Commissioner Pollock seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Resolution 23-117: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve a nunc pro tunc correction for
Resolution 23-117 to fix a scrivener’s error. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
WSAC special assessment: Becky Butler said the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) has
requested a $30,344 special assessment to support the National Center for Public Lands. Becky and
Commissioner Pollock discussed the reasons behind the request.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve the $30,344 WSAC special assessment to support
the National Center for Public Lands, with the funds coming out of the General Fund (BOCC) to be paid
in full in 2023. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Budget amendment: Becky Butler discussed budget amendments to be included in an upcoming
hearing.
Historic Preservation Grant: Becky Butler discussed the Historic Preservation Grant. She said the fund
balance is at $159,000. She discussed approved uses for the grant. She said the grant has been unused
since 2020. Becky said she would invite Tom Stanton to further discuss the topic at the next Auditor /
Treasurer update.
Procurement software: Becky Butler and Doug Carey discussed the creation of a centralized system for
procurement.
Great Rivers Behavioral Health: Commissioner Swope discussed concerns regarding outreach and
support. He said outlying areas are not being connected to services. He said he would like to submit a
records request for the Recovery Navigator program.
Fire District 6 update: Commissioner Swope said he is concerned about development being stifled
because Fire District 6 says it can not serve additional growth and will not sign the adequate services
form. The group discussed the steps needed to address service needs.
Controlled substance use: Commissioner Swope said he is working with the Prosecuting Attorney’s
Office to create an ordinance that prohibits the use of controlled substances on county property.
Planning Commission weekly update: Mindy Brooks said she will give the Planning Commission an
update on work the Planned Growth Committee is doing.
Vacancies: Rieva Lester said the county received applications from three Public Facilities District (PFD)
Board of Directors appointees and one East Lewis County Public Development Authority (ELCPDA)
appointee seeking reappointment. The commissioners directed staff to draft resolutions to reappoint
the individuals.
Minute folders: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve minute folders for the week(s) of
March 6 and March 13, 2023. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
At 10:19 a.m., Commissioner Swope said the commissioners were taking a five-minute break.
The meeting resumed at 10:33 a.m.
David Bailey joined at 10:33 a.m.
Restorical Research: At 10:33 a.m., Commissioner Swope announced that the Board would be going into
executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 5 minutes to discuss Restorical Research.
Executive session started at 10:34 a.m.
At 10:39 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 2 minutes.
Executive session ended at 10:41 a.m. Commissioner Swope noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Brummer made a motion to allow Matt Cockrell to tender to Great American an
additional claim regarding Restorical Research. Commissioner Pollock seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting ended at 10:43 a.m.