2020-01-07 PA UpdatePA Update
January 7, 2020
2:05 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Steve Wohld, Becky
Butler, Daleyn Coleman, Kevin McDowell, Cullen Gatten, Eric Eisenberg, Jonathan Meyer
Guests: Various county employees and members of the public
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Jonathan Meyer said a defendant has been charged in the Destination Packwood case. He discussed the
next steps that will take place regarding the case.
Jonathan said people can pray during public meetings but that his office strongly urges electeds and
county employees not to lead the prayers. He suggested reviewing an ordinance from a neighboring
county for guidance.
Eric discussed public records requests directed to the office of Gary Stamper, etc. He discussed a recent
Supreme Court decision related to public records request. He suggested designating the county’s Public
Records Officer as the commissioners’ Public Records Officer.
Eric discussed his recent review of a draft Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Planning
Organization (SWRTPO) contract. He said there are no concerns. The board directed Eric to tell Bill
Fashing of the Council of Governments that Lewis County sees no problems.
Eric discussed outreach regarding a proposed fireworks ordinance. The group discussed additional
organizations to which the county could reach out.
Jonathan discussed a new law passed in Washington that allows employees to collected 90 percent of
their wage when out on Family Medical Leave, which caps at $1,000 per week.
Kevin McDowell reviewed the changes and suggested the commissioners consider designated accrued
leave as supplemental benefits. Daleyn Coleman reviewed the changes the new law creates. The group
discussed potential impacts the new change could have on benefits the employees receives from the
state.
The commissioners asked Kevin to provide a written description of the BOCC’s options, which he said
could include:
• Making no designation
• Fully designating supplemental benefits
• A hybrid of the two
Jonathan discussed drug court / mental health court program. He said the success of Lewis County’s
drug court program can be traced to its compliance officer. He said he’d like to see that same success in
the mental health court program.
Jonathan asked that the county form a committee to review its salary grid. He shared the following:
• In 2018, the county spent $1.8 million on indigent defense for part-time attorneys, while it paid
full-time county staff a total of $1.7 million
• He believes the “me too” clause has proven detrimental to his staff.
• He feels the county should review its salary grid and should do so quickly
• The last meaningful review took 14 months to complete
Jonathan said the commissioners have not felt the pinch of tighter budgets because the BOCC has added
to its staffing with the creation of the county manager position and the corresponding admin staff as
well as the addition of an assistant county manager and admin staff.
Commissioner Stamper said he would speak to Erik Martin about pushing forward with the idea.
At 2:54 p.m., Commissioner Stamper announced that the Board was going into Executive Session under
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 7 minutes to discuss pending and / or potential litigation related to two topics:
Wing V. Lewis County and the spotted owl.
At 3:01 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 2 minutes. Commissioner Fund left at some time
before Executive Session ended.
Executive Session ended at 3:03 p.m. Commissioner Stamper noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Jackson and Commissioner Stamper directed Eric to permit the county’s contracted
attorney to file a brief in federal district court regarding litigation related to the spotted owl.
Meeting adjourned at 3:06 p.m.