2020-02-18 Update with PAUpdate with PA
February 18, 2020
2:01 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Jonathan Meyer, Eric
Eisenberg, Amber Smith, Lee Napier, Becky Butler, Daleyn Coleman, Steve Walton, Natalie Dunlap,
Janelle Kambich, Steve Wohld (2:04 p.m.)
Guests: Colton Dodgson, Frank Corbin
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Jonathan Meyer discussed salaries in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. He said he would like to hire the
Prosecutors Centers for Excellence to evaluate Lewis County. He said the study would cost roughly
$30,000 to $40,000.
Jonathan said Lewis County lags behind Cowlitz and Thurston counties in pay.
Jonathan said the county has opted not to allow employees to supplant leave with the Paid Family
Medical Leave Act.
Becky Butler asked if the salary review could be wrapped into the county’s salary.
Commissioner Fund directed HR to look into the group.
Jonathan said there have been no applicants for the vacant DPA I position. He noted there may be
available funding if the county were to agree to work on real property forfeitures for JNET. He said the
move would require an additional dedicated attorney.
Jonathan said the car tab initiative was found to be constitutional. He said it will now move to the state
Supreme Court.
Eric Eisenberg discussed a recent Whatcom County case about right of way, which echoes what Lewis
County’s stance about the width of Prairie Road. He said the trial court found that the document
creating the road didn’t define the road width, so the width defaulted to the default in existence at the
time of creation.
Eric said the county has three rezone applications that the commissioners cannot discuss. He said
Community Development will issue a Determination of Non-Significance for two applications but that
the third application will be delayed because it will have to wait until the Environmental Impact
Statement is completed as part of the SEPA process.
Eric said the commissioners can read things already in the record as long as they make note of it. Eric
noted that the commissioners have to keep an open mind about the applications.
Amber Smith said she has been in communication with the attorney Water-Sewer District 5 has
retained. She said they are ironing out details about the proposed takeover to develop a draft transfer
agreement. She said the WSD5 board members appear to be on board with the takeover. She said the
$350,000 includes legal rights, easements, water rights and property acquisition. Amber said WSD5 is in
the red with the county and that the county is allowing it to do so up to $20,000.
Becky Butler noted that the county will need to have a budget amendment and will need to create a
fund.
Amber said a rate study will be needed.
Eric and Lee Napier suggested the commissioners not yet lift the moratorium related to the area until
the matter is resolved.
At 2:30 p.m., Commissioner Stamper announced that the Board was going into Executive Session under
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 15 minutes to discuss pending and / or potential litigation.
Executive Session ended at 2:45 p.m. Commissioner Stamper noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Fund made a motion to join the AFRC litigation and to authorize Eric Eisenberg to sign an
agreement with the law firm representing AFRC.
Commissioner Jackson seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting ended at 2:48 p.m.