2019-06-07 Mayors Meeting Mayors’ Meeting
June 7, 2019
9:03 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson, Pam Peiper
of U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office, Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes, Wes Anderson of WSDOT,
Dena Horton of Senator Maria Cantwell’s office, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey, Toledo Mayor Steve
Dobosh, Winlock Mayor Don Bradshaw, Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs, Mossyrock, Jill Nielson City of
Vader, Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen, Jim Haslett of the City of Napavine, Lee Grose of Destination
Packwood, Yvonne Ensley, Trudy Teter, Centralia City Manager Rob Hill, Chad Hancock of WSDOT, Steve
Wohld, Josh Metcalf, Matt Matayoshi, State Director for the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Rural Development Kirk Pearson, Jeff Peterson, Koni Reynolds, Tim O’Connell, Mary Traxler, Fred
Rider
Recorder: Candace Hallom
Attendees introduced themselves.
Rural broadband and Weatherization and other grants available
Sen. Pearson introduced his staff Jeff Peterson, Koni Reynolds, Trudy Teter, and Tim O’Connell.
Koni, Trudy, and Jeff presented a PowerPoint and discussed affordable housing programs, business and
economic development programs, and water and environmental programs.
Jill Nielson discussed the City of Vader and the problems they experience with the programs due to the
census material causing the city not to qualify for the program. The city was also required to do an
income survey.
Koni warned that there are times that the income survey can backfire.
Jill Nielson discussed a pilot program that the City of Vader was selected for. Through the pilot program,
the city proved that they qualified for the lower income.
Steve Dobosh stated that the City of Toledo failed the income study because the citizens did not trust
the surveyors.
Koni recommended the mayor attend the IIAC conference in October.
Mary Traxler presented information on multifamily housing.
Koni discussed the Community Facilities Program and Native American Programs.
Tim O’Connell presented a PowerPoint on broadband.
Sen. Pearson spoke further about broadband.
Dennis Dawes said he has seen a lot of fiber laid in the area over the years and questions why that fiber
can’t be used to expand broadband service.
Sen. Pearson said the USDA runs over 40 different programs. USDA is an agency built to help power the
communities.
Fred Rider discussed how cost restricts expansion. If there was a regionalization it would help with
some of the cost.
Sen. Pearson recognized the problem and noted that this might take a legislative change to make some
of this happen. USDA will continue to work on this and highlight the problems.
Koni Reynolds thanked the group for allowing them to come and present their information.
Census update
Commissioner Fund asked the Mayors to provide a name for those who will be assisting with the census.
911 governance options
Commissioner Stamper discussed a letter the Commissioners sent to TCOMM that discusses a regional
911.
WATVs
Commissioner Stamper discussed WATV access. Lewis County is looking at moving forward with
opening more roads but wants to discuss further with the Mayors on who want access from the county
roads to the rural cities and towns. The County wants to hear from the cities and towns to find out what
will help them if they are interested in getting involved.
Signage along state roads
Steve Dobosh asked about signage off of I-5 for a gateway to Mount St. Helens.
Roundtable
Mayor Dawes discussed legislation regarding a LEOFF 1 tax for the cities.
Mayor Dawes discussed the Penny Playground project.
Pam Peiper provided updates on what is happening in Jaime Herrera-Butler office. Jaime has requested
updated maps for the FCC regarding where fiber optic lines are located. Pam encouraged everyone to
sign up for Jaime’s newsletter.
Dena Horton stated, two days ago Senator Cantwell introduced the Affordable Housing Act Plan.
Wes Anderson provided an update on WSDOT projects.
Mayor Dobosh provided an update on Toledo Cheese Days and Farmers Market.
Mayor Mortensen provided an update on the City of Morton.
Jill Nielson provided an update on the City of Vader.
Lee Grose provided an update on Packwood.
Josh Metcalf provided construction updates. The Borst Avenue kickoff celebration is scheduled for June
20th.
Mayor Bradshaw provided an update on the City of Winlock.
Rob Hill provided an update on projects in the City of Centralia.
Jim Haslett provided an update on the City of Napavine.
Commissioner Stamper stated Chad from Tacoma Power will be attending the Mayors meeting starting
in September.
Matt Matayoshi spoke about a smart tank event. The Port of Chehalis will be starting construction on a
20,000 sq. ft. facility.
Commissioner Fund stated October 4th is the Annual Legislative Roundtable. Commissioner Fund spoke
to tourism.
There will be no Mayors’ Meeting in July or August.
Meeting adjourned at 11:36 am