Loading...
2024-03-25 BOCC Wrap-UpBOCC Wrap-Up March 25, 2024 9 a.m. Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler, Meja Handlen, Doug Carey, Josh Metcalf, Robert Bradley, Barb Russell, Charles Edmonson, David Bailey, Eric Eisenberg, Kate Chatterton, Tammy Martin, Coleman Rogers, Lee Napier, Mindy Brooks, Rudy Rodriguez, Sherri Dokken, Tom Stanton, Nurse practitioner Teresa Johnson Guest(s): Patty Howard, unnamed guests Recorder: Rieva Lester Public comment: None. Flood Control District 2 (Centralia) vacancy: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to appoint WinCo representative Greg Goins to fill Position 2 on Flood Control District 2. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Water District 1 (Randle) vacancy: Josh Metcalf said the Department of Health has discussed potential consolidation. He said he will reach out to WD1 Commissioner Jennifer Troxel. Noxious Weeds vehicle purchase: Charles Edmonson said he would like permission to replace the department’s lone 4WD truck. He said the purchase would be made from the fund balance. He said the market for used vehicles is not favorable at this time. Becky said the department has realized substantial savings and has a healthy fund balance. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to authorize Noxious Weed to purchase a vehicle using its fund balance as proposed. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) project review / legislative review: Becky Butler provided updates on obligated amounts. Becky said Ceres Hill Bridge has been proposed as an alternative to the Vader Water project. Josh said the Ceres Hill Road project would fall $2.5 million short of its needed funding. He said he has reached out to the state about moving other funding toward the project. Josh discussed time constraints with the Ceres Hill project. He recommended moving forward with the Vader Water project due to the likeliness the county will have to absorb the water system. Doug said the HVAC unit was paid for through a bond earmarked for jail maintenance. Josh said he would have staff reach back out to WSDOT, and Commissioner Brummer said he would reach back out to Vader. Holiday schedule for BOCC for Friday, July 5: Rieva Lester said staff has requested closing the office on July 5. The commissioners agreed to close the office July 5. Legislative Steering Committee (LSC) strategic priorities: Commissioner Swope discussed concerns regarding Medicaid coverage for released inmates. Nurse practitioner Teresa Johnson said there generally is a one-week gap before an inmate’s Medicaid coverage is reinstated after their release. Commissioner Swope said he will reach out to WSAC about having the Legislative Steering Committee (LSC) work on a potential legislative fix. Youth homelessness project: Commissioner Swope discussed having the county work as United Way’s fiscal agent to help with housing for homeless 17- to 19-year-olds. He recommended having the county earmark $10,000 to $30,000 for the project using ARPA funding. Letter of support re: Thurston Economic Development Council meat-processing plant proposal: The commissioners agreed to sign the letter of support. Executive session: At 9:48 a.m., Commissioner Brummer announced that the Board would be going into executive session until 10:08 a.m. to discuss the following: • Star complex – real estate under RCW 42.30.110(1)(c) • Proposed Ordinance 1354 – RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) • Night-by-night shelter – RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) Executive session started at 9:50 a.m. • At 10:08 a.m., Commissioner Brummer extended executive session until 10:18 a.m. • At 10:18 a.m., Commissioner Brummer extended executive session until 10:23 a.m. • At 10:23 a.m., Commissioner Brummer extended executive session until 10:28 a.m. Executive session ended at 10:28 a.m. Commissioner Brummer noted that no decisions had been made. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to authorize the sale of the county-owned Star / Royal Bakery building, direct Ryan Barrett and Doug Carey to work on a resolution declaring the property surplus and proceed with hiring a real estate agent to advertise the property. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to reallocate Eric Eisenberg’s time from the South Chehalis Urban Development (SCUD) project to the night-by-night shelter project. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:32 a.m.