2024-02-07 Directors UpdateDirectors’ Update
February 7, 2024
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Shawn Kyes,
Amber Smith, Warren McLeod, Doug Carey, BJ Kuykendall, Matt Jaeger, Meja Handlen, Mindy Brooks,
Alex Murray, Casey Mauermann, Charles Edmonson, Coleman Rogers, Eric Eisenberg, Graham Gowing,
Rudy Rodriguez, Sarah Hensley, Sherri Dokken, Jenn Libby Jones
Guest(s):
Recorder: Tammy Martin
Public comment: None.
Jenn Libby Jones spoke to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Microwave Networking Equipment for
Lewis County Public Safety Radio.
RFP for Public Safety Radio Equipment and Services. Jenn said there have been supply chain issues. She
is also facing a deadline with ARPA dollars.
Shawn Kyes said there is an RFQ for Professional Airport Consultant Services to complete Environmental
Assessments for the Toledo and Packwood airports. This is something Lewis County does not have staff
to complete.
Shawn Kyes spoke to the RFQ for Hydraulic Engineering Services for the Sargent Road MP 1.33 Bridge
Scour Project
Amber Smith made a request to reclassify positions. She also requested to change Aimee Albright’s
position from Claims Administrator to Safety Officer.
Warren McLeod presented a resolution to propose a fee schedule of $75 a day for remains that have
been released. This is due to limited space at the Coroner’s Building. This is only for decedents that have
been released. The purpose is not to collect revenue, but to have timely removed decedents.
Shawn Keyes requested the franchise agreement to Lewis County to allow for trenching off the
shoulder. This franchise is different than most because it is between the County for the County.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve four notice items, two consent items, three
deliberation items and 1 hearing item to the February 13, 2024, BOCC Business Meeting. Commissioner
Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Mindy Brooks said Corbin Foster has resigned from the Planning Commission. Mindy said a successor
needs to be appointed timely due to the current work on the Comp Plan.
Shawn Kyes announced that Shorey Rd is now one directional due to erosion from the riverbank.
Matt Jaeger spoke to the outage on Friday due to switching infrastructure. As the County is upgrading,
some systems are not compatible and switching the old hardware is necessary. Matt said the phone
system is set to wrap-up within the next week. Old equipment will be shut down and there will be
savings with the new equipment.
BJ Kuykendall said HB2443 will help make things more efficient for the dept. BJ said the Community
building at the fair had a pipe freeze that will result in an insurance claim.
Doug Carey said work will begin on the curbing to the parking lot and then it will be open.
Gary Fredricks there will be a notice out for switching their office. WSU is working on a gardening tool
loan program.
Commissioner Swope said he will be working remotely for the week.
Commissioner Swope discussed correspondence received. An elephant ear vendor has sent an email to
ask to attend the fair as a vendor. Ryan Barrett said that he and BJ are reviewing this concern. This was
discussed at length by the Fair advisory board meeting. The advisory board was not in favor of
supporting this request. Commissioner Swope would like to support local vendors. BJ said there are
several factors they are looking at in effort to consider accommodating the food vendor. The current
provider of elephant ears is the number two vendor of gross sales at the fair. The current process is to
make as much profit as possible.
Meeting adjourned at 9:37 a.m.