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2025-07-30 Directors UpdateDirectors’ Update July 30, 2025 9 a.m. Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Meja Handlen, Sarah Hensley, Becky Butler, Gabe Anzelini, Jared Stewart, Kimberly Edminster, Wes Anderson, Kirsten Wecker, Jared Larsen, Tina Correia, Anders Pollman, Casey Mauermann, Caroline Garibay, Geoff Soderquist, Graham Gowing, Kirsty Ward, Sara Sons, Shelly Stewart, Ross Nielson, Lynn Richard, Chris Lanegan, Erika Katt, Tom Stanton, David Bailey, Kendra Garrison Guest(s): Patty Howard, Jacob Moore, Captain Gin Pack, Ruth Gutierrez, unnamed guests Recorder: Rieva Lester Public comment: None. Gabe Anzelini discussed a request for proposals for fiber infrastructure upgrade in the Lewis County Law and Justice Building and Jail. Kirsten Wecker discussed a notice of hearing for Ordinance 1366, which would rescind and replace Lewis County Code Chapter 8.40, On-Site Sewage Systems. Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to amend FEMA Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) grant agreement with Washington State Military Department. Becky Butler discussed a resolution to adopt Drug-free Workplace Policy for Lewis County employees. She said she will hold it until the Aug. 19 Business Meeting. Kimberly Edminster discussed a resolution to establish a Relocation Appeals Process and Relocation Review Board for compliance with WSDOT and federal relocation requirements. Wes Anderson discussed a resolution to approve an interlocal agreement between Lewis County and the City of Centralia for the construction of the Westside Connector Corridor Project Phase 1, Stage 1 - North Scheuber Road improvements between Mt. Vista Road and Galvin Road. Commissioner Pollock expressed concern regarding urban infrastructure. Wes Anderson discussed a resolution to approve an interlocal agreement between Lewis County and the City of Centralia regarding work by county crews and authorize signatures thereon. Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve Contract #V02-0215-24 Amendment A between the Veterans Memorial Museum and Lewis County. Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve Contract #C15-0245-25 between Coastal Community Action Plan (CAP) and Lewis County. Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve Contract #M01-0247-25 between Morningside and Lewis County. Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve Interagency Agreement Contract #26-46108-18 between the Washington State Department of Commerce (DOC) and Lewis County. Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to establish the rate of pay for a non-union extra help Civil Service secretary. Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to reappoint Peter Lahmann to the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council. Wes Anderson discussed a hearing for Traffic Ordinance No. 223 - An ordinance fixing the maximum speed at which vehicles may be operated over certain roads in Lewis County, Washington: defining offenses, and providing penalties for the violation thereof. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to move two notice items, two consent items, 10 deliberation items and one hearing to the Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, BOCC Business Meeting agenda. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 2-0. Wednesday Workshop Executive session: At 9:29 a.m., Commissioner Brummer announced that the Board would be going into executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 9:45 a.m. to discuss the following: • Water System Plan updates for Vader and Middle Fork • Workers’ comp claim • Carrot sale timber litigation • Estrada tort claim • Lewis County Assessor / Darigold litigation and potential settlement At 9:45 a.m., Commissioner Brummer extended executive session until 9:50 a.m. Executive session ended at 9:50 a.m. Commissioner Brummer noted that no decisions had been made. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve a bond for the pension as discussed in executive session. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 2-0. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve the presentation of a settlement proposal to Darigold for outstanding tax obligations as discussed in executive session. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 2-0. Announcements / new business Cowlitz Tribe request for letter of support re: National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory (NTTFI) listings: The commissioners approved sending the letter of support. Cowlitz River property in Packwood: Commissioner Brummer discussed correspondence received regarding property located across the river from the county’s park. The commissioners directed staff to respond that the county is not interested. Water System Plan updates for Vader and Middle Fork: Anders Pollman discussed the need to update water system plans for Vader-Enchanged Valley Water System and the Middlefork Water and Sewer System, noting that the Vader system’s plan expired in 2022 and that the Middlefork system’s plan expired in 2011. Anders said state law requires 10-year plans for Group A water system plans. He said the county cannot update its rates until the plans are updated. Anders said Public Works recommends moving forward with separate water system plans for Vader and Middlefork, noting the costs are estimated at $400,000 to $480,000. Anders said potential funding opportunities include the following: .09 Distressed Counties, Capital Facilities Plan, interloan funding and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The commissioners directed staff to apply for .09 funding for the Middlefork water system plan. Meeting adjourned at 10:26 a.m.