2019-10-04 Mayors MeetingMayors’ Meeting
October 4, 2019
9:01 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Winlock Councilwoman Connie Sneed, Public
Works Director Josh Metcalf, Centralia City Manager Rob Hill, Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs, Packwood
resident Lee Grose, Peter Lahmann of the Port of Centralia, Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes, Pam Peiper
of U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office, Mossyrock Mayor Randy Sasser, Port of Chehalis Port
Commissioner Mark Giffey, Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey, DOT representative
Chad Hancock, WSP Trooper Will Finn, Citizens Budget Committee member Frank Corbin, Bob Thomas of
the Army Corps of Engineers, IT Director Steve Wohld, WSP Trooper’s Association President Jeff Merrill
Guests: Lynnette Hoffman, Anne Randt, Ralph Mancini, Brandon Svenson, Jon Ladd
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Attendees introduced themselves.
WSP Trooper’s Association President Jeff Merrill discussed
Initiative 976 and answered questions from the audience.
Bob Thomas of the Army Corps of Engineers discussed
upcoming workshops.
Commissioner Fund discussed flooding.
Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes discussed the need for
legislative fixes for utilities. Mayor Dawes discussed the
upcoming Penny Playground ground-breaking ceremony.
He said a car wash being built in Chehalis. He said another
business also has signed a letter of intent to build in the
area. He also discussed a federal grant the city has
secured.
Pam Peiper of U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office
discussed projects the congresswoman is working on,
including a recreation bill and veterans’ relief.
Mossyrock Mayor Sasser discussed grants the city is
working to secure.
Mark Griffey of the Port of Chehalis discussed construction
projects underway at the port. He said the port is awaiting Burlington Northern’s approval for the
creation of a spur line.
LEG. ROUNDTABLE
POTENTIAL TOPICS
Mayor Dawes: Utilities being paid
through General Fund, disconnect
between state rules and local impact
Mayor Sasser: Lack of funding, lack
of attention to rural areas
Mark Giffey: The need for
agricultural support, including
funding for a grain terminal
Mayor Dobosh: Financial help for
water-sewer improvements
City Manager Hill: LEOFF 1 liability
Commissioner Stamper: Help to
address the housing shortage
Commissioner Fund: Broadband
Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh discussed the city’s annual cheese ball drop. Mayor Dobosh invited the
public to an upcoming fundraiser.
Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Willey discussed grants the city has applied for.
WSP Trooper Will Finn said the state patrol is conducting DUI patrols. He said the WSP is facing a trooper
shortage. He said Safety City will come to the area soon.
Frank Corbin discussed his background and his experience so far on the Citizens Budget Committee.
Commissioner Stamper discussed WSDOT’s proposal to close SR 7 to commercial vehicles during winter
storms as well as recent work to install signs to direct I-5 travelers to Toledo. Commissioner Stamper
also discussed DNR’s recent discussions regarding silviculture. Commissioner Stamper invited the
audience to the upcoming Apple Harvest Festival.
Steve Wohld reminded the group that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. He discussed the
importance of awareness, citing recent attacks on school districts and the city of Atlanta.
Winlock City Councilwoman Connie Sneed discussed delays to street repairs. Connie said work on sewer
lines continues. Connie discussed her work on the 2020 Census. She said bathrooms at the Winolequa
Park have been updated.
Josh Metcalf said work is wrapping up on paving projects. He said the annual Transportation
Improvement Plan (TIP) is being updated. He said the county has applications in to secure funding for
work on the North Lewis County Industrial Access project. He said the county is working with Winlock on
the Mickelsen Parkway project. He discussed chip-seal work and snow preparations. Josh said an RFQ
will soon go out for the Packwood floodplain study. Josh said Centralia and the county are working to
wrap up the Borst Avenue project.
The group discussed the benefits of using fog seal on chip-seal projects.
Centralia City Manager Rob Hill echoed Steve Wohld’s sentiments about the importance of cybersecurity
awareness. Rob discussed the city’s work to strengthen the city’s fireworks rules. He also discussed work
to improve the city’s streetscape.
Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs discussed the importance of cooperation among the rural areas. He
discussed the annexation of the fairgrounds. He invited the audience to the upcoming Tractor Parade as
well as the Borst Park Christmas Light event.
Lee Grose discussed the importance of volunteers. He discussed work to create a river-access park. Lee
thanked the DOT for its work to improve Highway 12. He discussed repairs needed on SR 7 and the need
to make it a thoroughfare that can be used in emergency situations. He also discussed the need for
affordable housing.
Peter Lahmann of the Port of Centralia discussed work on the interchange. He also thanked the city and
county for their work on the Stihl project. He also thanked WSDOT for its work on the Regina Clark
Bridge. Peter also discussed the Lighted Tractor Parade as well as other upcoming events.
Commissioner Fund shared a message from County Manager Erik Martin regarding TCOMM’s feasibility
study.
Commissioner Fund invited the audience to an Oct. 26 meeting to be held at the Jackson Courthouse.
She also invited the group to participate in NACo’s TestIT app. She also discussed the coordinated effort
to launch the Cold Weather Shelter.
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.