2023-10-04 Directors UpdateDirectors’ Update
October 4, 2023
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Steve Wohld, Mindy Brooks, Jenn Libby-Jones, Lee Napier, Josh Metcalf, Doug Carey, Meja
Handlen, Brian Warren, John Abplanalp, Nic Scott, Amber Smith, Alex Murray, Sara Sons, Matt Jaeger,
Ross McDowell, Becky Butler, Kate Chatterton, Coleman Rogers, Casey Mauermann, Graham Gowing,
Linda Mastin, Rudy Rodriguez, Sarah Hensley, Sherri Dokken, Tom Stanton, Shad Hail, Rickie Anders,
Elyssa Brown, Lisa Leon
Guest(s): Patty Howard, Mitchell Roland, Ruth Gutierrez
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Employee recognition: The commissioners honored Rickie Anders, Lisa Leon and Elyssa Brown for their
work on the 2023 back-to-school resource fair.
Resolutions
Josh Metcalf discussed a notice for the extended closure of Ferrier Road to all through traffic at MP 3.49.
Josh said the work is expected to be completed by the end of November.
Grace Jimenez discussed a resolution to establish a new Capital Projects fund: Homeless Shelter Capital
Fund No. 3500.
Josh Metcalf discussed a resolution to list the bids received and contractor selected for the purchase of
two folding gooseneck lowboy trailers.
Josh Metcalf discussed a resolution to list the bids received and contractor selected for the purchase of
two truck chassis.
John Abplanalp and Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve an Interlocal Agreement between
the Washington State Patrol and Lewis County.
John Abplanalp discussed a resolution to approve Consolidated Contract #CLH31017 Amendment #14
between the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Lewis County.
Lee Napier discussed a resolution to accept Formal Amendments 1, 2, and 3 with Washington State
Conservation Commission for the purpose of increased funding to the County for the Voluntary
Stewardship Program (VSP).
Lee Napier discussed a resolution to approve Director of Community Development to enter into an
Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between Lewis Conservation District and Lewis County for
technical assistance to implement the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP), and authorize the Director
of Community Development to sign on behalf of Lewis County.
Becky Butler, Meja Handlen and Eric Eisenberg discussed a resolution to authorize a temporary
interfund loan from the American Rescue Plan Act No. 1420 utilizing the Local Assistance and Tribal
Consistency Funds (LATCF) to the Homeless Shelter Capital Fund No. 3500.
Jenn Libby-Jones discussed a resolution to approve an Interlocal Agreement between Lewis County and
the City of Morton for Support of Radio Communications Equipment and Systems.
Josh Metcalf discussed a hearing to approve a franchise renewal to Glenn & Kathleen Hedrick for the
installation, construction, operation, and maintenance of water facilities lines within the Chilvers Road
right-of-way of unincorporated Lewis County.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to move one notice item, two consent items, nine deliberation
items and one hearing to the Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, BOCC agenda. Commissioner Brummer seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
Commissioner Swope reminded the group of upcoming dates:
• All-Day Budget Meetings are scheduled for Oct. 11, 16 and 18.
• The Oct. 11 Directors' Update has been moved to 11 a.m. Oct. 10.
• The Oct. 18 ESC / Directors' Update has been moved to 11 a.m. Oct. 17.
• There will be no Business Meeting on Halloween as it's the fifth Tuesday in the month. (The Oct.
25 Directors' Update also is therefore canceled.)
Announcements
Mindy Brooks said Community Development has received a rezone application. She said staff typically
would process the request the year after receiving the application but that it’s the county’s decision
about when to process rezones. Mindy said she’d like to consolidate any rezone requests with other
amendments to zoning that will be considered during Year 2 of the Comprehensive Plan Periodic
Update. She said it would be appropriate, given the process the county is in for Periodic Update. Mindy
asked whether the commissioners had any concerns with her proposed approach. Mindy said a
Packwood rezone would be delayed about six months. The commissioners said they feel the proposed
process is appropriate.
Meja Handlen thanked those involved in the Breast Cancer Awareness Month Cancer Walk.
Brian Warren provided updates on the work Code Enforcement has accomplished in the past year.
John Abplanalp discussed succession planning in response to the WIC registered dietician’s upcoming
retirement.
Becky Butler discussed an upcoming budget amendment as well as upcoming all-day budget meetings.
She reminded offices and departments to identify cost-saving measures.
Amber Smith thanked the participants and volunteers for the Oct. 3 cancer walk. She also invited the
group to help powwow on updates to the county’s records retention policy on Oct. 13.
At 10:23 a.m., Commissioner Swope announced a five-minute recess, with the meeting set to resume at
10:28 a.m.
The meeting resumed at 10:33 a.m.
Wednesday Workshop
Executive session: At 10:33 a.m., Commissioner Swope announced that the Board would be going into
executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 10:43 a.m. to discuss Evers v. Lewis County.
Executive session ended at 10:43 a.m. Commissioner Swope noted that no decisions had been made.
Meeting adjourned at 10:43 a.m.