2020-03-03 PA UpdatePA Update
March 3, 2020
2:01 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, County Manager Erik
Martin, Jonathan Meyer, Kevin McDowell, Amber Smith, Cullen Gatten, Natalie Dunlap, Janelle Kambich,
Steve Walton, Becky Butler, Steve Wohld, Eric Eisenberg (by phone)
Guest: Dr. Lindsey Pollock
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Jonathan Meyer discussed the salary grid. He said Grays Harbor has increased its pay. He said he has
reached out to a New York company to provide a bid quote for evaluating the Prosecuting Attorney’s
Office for efficiency and effectiveness. He estimated the cost at $40,000. Jonathan noted that a District
Court / ITA position has been vacant for seven months. Jonathan said the firm specializes in attorney
pay.
Commissioner Fund left at 2:07 p.m. and returned at 2:08 p.m.
Amber Smith said the transfer agreement for Water Sewer District 5 has been completed. She said the
offer price is $350,000. She said the group next meets March 11 and that it sounds like the group will
sign the agreement. Amber said negotiations about the purchase of two parcels is taking place.
Amber noted that Lewis County will not inherit a $5,000 per diem lawsuit for Commissioner Deborah
Hilliard and an OPMA violation judgement.
Erik Martin said the county also is working on a potentially damaging point Ecology has brought up
regarding water rights.
Amber outlined the timelines: BOCC would hold a hearing and then the courts would hearing regarding
the judgement.
Amber said Fire District 18 has forwarded to the county an annexation request. She noted that Fire
District 18 will need to submit:
• Legal description
• Plat
• Any financial
Amber said the Fire District 18 also would have to notify the Planning Commission.
Kevin McDowell discussed an update to the county drug and alcohol policy. Kevin identified what
positions would be considered safety-sensitive positions, such as law enforcement, juvenile, dispatchers,
etc. He said the policy would address reasonable suspicion and random drug testing, among other
things. He said the county would rescind a previously-adopted ordinance that was never sent to Code
Publishing. Kevin was asked to reach out to other electeds and directors for feedback about the
proposed policy and to have the unions review it, too.
Kevin discussed his work to draft a policy to address the recoupment of payroll overpayments.
Kevin discussed his work to develop a procedure regarding DRS service credit for employees on workers’
compensation.
At 2:43 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 related to the
following:
• Hampton Lumber litigation
• AFRC litigation
• Cortland / Hupy / Green litigation
• Ditri Properties
At 2:58 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes.
Executive Session ended at 3:03 p.m. Commissioner Stamper noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Fund made a motion to authorize Erik Martin to sign the document for litigation in the
Hampton Lumber case.
Commissioner Jackson seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
Commissioner Jackson made a motion to amend the day’s meeting agenda to reflect that the group was
meeting in executive session under 42.30.110(1)(b) for the Ditri Properties discussion.
Commissioner Fund seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 3:08 p.m.