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2026-03-02 Wrap Up County ManagerBOCC Wrap-Up / County Manager Update March 2, 2026 9 a.m. Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler, Scott Gripp, Natalie Kamieniecki, Mindy Brooks, Gabe Anzelini, Geoff Soderquist, Shad Hail, Grace Jimenez, Rocky Lyon, Josh Curry-Bascome, Meja Handlen, Undersheriff Kevin Engelbertson, Chief Rick VanWyck, Chief Chris Sweet, Graham Gowing, Erika Katt, Matt Patana, Fionna Valezquez, John Abplanalp, Amanda Price, Treasurer Arny Davis, Clerk Scott Tinney, Kristy Ward, Rachel Lester, Tom Stanton, Tara Snelson, Ashley Hamilton, Angie Hodge, Casey Mauermann, Nathaniel Barr, Rudy Rodriguez, Sherri Dokken, Preston Pinkston, Josh Weiss, Troy Nichols, Devin Gayton Guest(s): Jacob Moore, Weston Floro-Hageman, Lisa Striedinger-Hubbard, unnamed guest Recorder: Rieva Lester Public comment: None. At 9 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board would be going into executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 9:20 a.m. to discuss two topics: Gather Church litigation and Burns-Radtke tort claim. Executive session ended at 9:20 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to approve the Gather Church settlement as discussed in executive session. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to add to the March 3, 2026, BOCC Business Meeting minutes from the Feb. 17, 2026, meeting as well as Resolutions 26-064 through 26-080. Commissioner Swope seconded. The commissioners and staff reviewed the proposed resolutions: • 26-064: The temporary closure of Ceres Hill Road MP 0.79 to all through traffic. The roadway will be closed beginning March 23. Geoff Soderquist he will make sure the local school has been made aware. • 26-065: Notice of Public Hearing for a Traffic 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. Geoff Soderquist said the hearing would be to increase the speed limit on Bunker Creek Road from 20 mph to 30 mph. • 26-066: Notice of hearing regarding Ordinance 1373, which would amend Lewis County Code Chapter 2.25, Hearing Examiner. Natalie Kamieniecki discussed the resolution. • 26-067: Approval of warrants / payroll. • 26-068: Rescind Resolution 14-134 and increase the petty cash fund established for Vader Water Utility. Grace Jimenez discussed the resolution. • 26-069: Approve contract #C15-0272-26 with Coastal Community Action Program. Josh Curry- Bascome and Meja Handlen said the contract amount is the same as an earlier proposed contract with Destination Hope and Recovery. discussed the resolution. • 26-070: Ratify a Ramp Litter Cleanup Program Grant Agreement between the State of Washington Department of Ecology and Lewis County Solid Waste Utility. Rocky Lyon said the contract comes at no cost to the county. Legislative update: Josh Weiss and Troy Nichols provided an update on the final 10 days of the Legislative session. Josh said the water quality bill for the game farm and the tort reform bill did not move forward. Josh said the capital budget appears to be favorable to Lewis County. Josh said HB 2442 continues to move forward. The commissioners returned to their review of resolutions: • 26-071: The proposed acquisition of additional right of way for the Wildwood Road MP 10.14 Bridge Scour Project, CRP 2159S. Geoff Soderquist discussed the resolution. • 26-072: Adopt 2026 Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund (ER&R) rates for the Public Works Department. Geoff Soderquist discussed the resolution. • 26-073: Confirm for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation Division that Lewis County commits to providing matching funds for the WSDOT Aviation Aid Grant for design and construction of an automated weather observation system (AWOS) at the South Lewis County Airport. Geoff Soderquist discussed the resolution. • 26-074: Approve Indigent Defense contract with Eric Post for District Court through July 31, 2026. Becky Butler discussed the resolution. • 26-075: Approve Indigent Defense contracts with Chris Baum, Albert Didcock and Sarah McFadden for District Court through December 31, 2026, to provide representation on cases for Greenhill students. Becky Butler discussed the resolution. • 26-076: Designate Lewis County representatives on the Washington Counties Risk Pool. Becky Butler discussed the resolution. • 26-077: Approve interlocal agreement with Thurston County Special Operations Rescue Team (SORT) to provide technical rescue services for permit-required confined spaces at the Lewis County Jail. Becky Butler discussed the resolution. • 26-078: Approve a franchise renewal to PUD No. 1 of Cowlitz County to install, construct, operate and maintain electrical utility facilities in Lewis County road rights of way. Geoff Soderquist discussed the resolution. • 26-079: Adopt Lewis County Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan for Years 2025-2030. Rocky Lyon discussed the resolution. He noted that it will be a joint hearing for the BOCC and the Solid Waste Disposal District (SWDD). • 26-080: Lewis County 2026 budget, emergency and supplemental appropriations to and transfers within current expense and other funds. Becky Butler discussed the resolution. Motion to add the resolutions to the March 3 BOCC Business Meeting agenda passed 3-0. Congressional funding requests: Ryan Barrett said federal representatives have issued calls for projects. The commissioners said they would like letters of support for the bridge and I-5 projects. Budget update / revenue options: Becky Butler and Mindy Brooks provided an overview of year-to-date budget. Becky, Mindy and Ryan reviewed revenue options: • Allow cannabis sales in unincorporated Lewis County to collect those revenues • Ask voters to consider a Public Safety Tax The commissioners discussed reestablishing the Law and Justice Council and launching a public survey to gauge residents’ thoughts on allowing the sale of cannabis. They said they will revisit the topic March 4. Parking lot update: Matt Patana provided an update on a recently secured grant. Minute folders: Commissioner Brummer made a motion to approve minutes for the weeks of Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26 and Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Vacancies: The commissioners said they will further discuss the Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging vacancy on March 4. They directed staff to advertise the following vacancies: • Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) • Solid Waste Advisory Board • East Lewis County Public Development Authority (ELCPDA) • Pacific Mountain (PacMtn) Workforce Development Council • Lewis County Historical Museum Board of Directors • Lewis County Water Conservancy Board • Great Rivers Behavioral Health Admin. Services Org. (GR BH-ASO) Calendars: The commissioners said they will further discuss the April 7-9 American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) annual meeting in Stevenson later in the week. Correspondence: The commissioners discussed correspondence received regarding leadership at Timberland Regional Library. Meeting adjourned at 10:43 a.m.