2016-1-12 FINAL CD Minutes
CD Update with BOCC
MINUTES – 1/12/2016
Start Time: 9:00 am
Present: Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Schulte, Lee
Napier, and Donna Olson.
Recorder: Donna Olson
Community Development Updates and Hot Topics:
a) Flood Authority
i) Audit
Lee reported that the State Auditor’s Office (SAO)) has completed
the accountability audit for the Flood Authority. In discussions
with the auditor, it appears that some recommendations or
process changes will be discussed when the exit conference is
scheduled. Lee emphasized that there is a need for the Flood
Authority leadership to understand what the SAO wants or needs
and why. The question keeps coming up regarding does the Flood
Authority really need to be audited. Lee believes so for
transparency sake. Lee also shared that the people she and
Donna have worked with are good auditors who are willing and
able to help the Flood Authority. The SAO confirmed this morning
that the exit conference will be held on January 28th at the
Historic Courthouse. Staff is still working on a confirmed time.
ii) Letter of Support – Wild Fish Conservancy
Lee spoke of a request from the Wild Fish Conservancy for a letter
from Lewis County, through the habitat restoration program,
supporting their work. The timeline to provide that letter was too
short to request direction from BOCC so Lee did not try to prepare
one. Lee believes the organization does good work but that there
could be conflicts with the wishes of the BOCC regarding property
owner rights and difficulties in use of their property. Lee did notify
them that there was simply not enough time to get the support
letter to them within the timeframe allotted.
b) Hazard Mitigation Plan – Jan 25, 2016
The All Hazard Mitigation Plan update has been reviewed and
approved by FEMA. Emil Pierson of the City of Centralia and Lee
are strategizing a schedule for plan adoption since the plan needs
to be adopted by all participating jurisdictions in a timely manner.
Technically, the current plan is expired so those jurisdictions
cannot wait too long. Lee hopes to have the plan adoption for
Lewis County scheduled for either the January 25th BOCC meeting
or the February 1st meeting. Centralia, Vader, Toledo and Winlock
are also participants. Lee is not yet sure when PeEll is planning on
adoption of the plan.
c) Building Division
i) Fees – Elwyn Armstrong
As requested by the Board, Lee has prepared a draft letter
explaining that the Board has decided not to waive his permit
fees for the structure built without permits. The County has
consistently tried to work with him on the issue. Lee is asking the
Commissioners to review the letter and make comments and
suggestions prior to the letter going out. County staff is still
trying to find a program where Mr. Armstrong might be eligible
to get the fees paid through a non-profit organization. Lee will
follow up with the Board tomorrow to get their take on the
letter.
d) Planning Division
i) Urban Growth Area
February 1, 2016 is fast approaching. On that date, the
agreement with the City of Chehalis allowing them to do the
permitting within their UGA will expire. Commissioner Schulte will
write a letter and get approval from the other commissioners
making a formal declaration of Lewis County’s intent to re-claim
permitting in the LC permit center for projects in the UGA. Lee
has spoken with Port of Chehalis director, Randy Mueller, already.
Lee is also drafting a letter to the City on terms of transition.
Commissioner Schulte expressed a preference that the letter will
be from him and addressed to Merlin MacReynold, City Manager,
with the Chehalis Community Development Director being copied.
Lee will draft that letter for Commissioner Schulte. Brianna Teitzel
has created a list of permits Chehalis issued. Lee thought there
are maybe 23 high priority projects that we may need to address.
ii) Planning Commission Membership
Commissioners are still working on finding people for the Planning
Commission. Lee attended the farm bureau meeting and was
impressed with the dedication and vision some of those members
display. They may be able to find someone from their circle so
their vision is communicated. Lee would like to see agi-tourism or
alternative farming representatives active in the County vision.
She reminded the Commissioners that the Planning Commission is
stating the year down two (2) people.
iii) Community Outreach
Lee provided a copy of Fred Evander’s handout/survey sheet. She
reported that Fred put out display boards in the libraries. The
strategy is not for an elaborate outreach, but an effective
outreach. Fred feels the need is to engage people so they are able
and willing to carry the message to their community.
iv) Voluntary Stewardship Plan (VSP) – No report
e) Permit Center – No report
2) Other points of discussion from the Board of County Commissioners
Meeting ended at 10:05 am.
No BOCC action was taken