2020-04-06 BOCC Wrap Up COVID-19BOCC Wrap-Up / COVID-19 meeting
April 6, 2020
2:34 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper (by phone), Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson (remotely),
County Manager Erik Martin, John Abplanalp, JP Anderson, Becky Butler, Steve Walton, Amber Smith
(remotely), Daleyn Coleman (remotely), Lara McRea (remotely), Lee Napier (remotely), Scott
Smitherman (remotely), Megan Eastman (remotely), Steve Wohld (remotely)
Guests: Dr. Lindsey Pollock and various other members of the public and press (remotely)
Recorder: Rieva Lester
John Abplanalp said Lewis County has learned of three new COVID-19 cases, which puts Lewis County’s
number of cases at 16. John said the county has learned of its first COVID-19 fatality, an individual in
their 80s. John said it’s unclear how many tests have been administered locally.
The commissioners paused to hear Gov. Inslee’s press conference, during which the governor
announced that Washington’s statewide school closures would extend through the end of the 2019-20
school year.
The commissioners resumed their regular meeting at 3:05 p.m.
Erik Martin discussed work on congregate and non-congregate housing plans at the fairgrounds. He said
congregate housing would mirror the Cold Weather Shelter that has been housed at the fairgrounds. He
said non-congregate housing likely would include RV parking, etc. at the back of the fairgrounds. Erik
said the county is applying for FEMA funding.
Commissioner Stamper returned at 3:09 p.m.
Erik said Becky Butler is working to develop a separate COVID-19 fund the county can use for tracking
purposes.
Erik said JP Anderson is serving as the county’s liaison with the coalition group comprising of United
Way, Twin Transit, area churches and the Lewis County Seniors group.
Erik said the county received a shipment of soap. He said Andy Caldwell will re-prioritize its list to
indicate what items are most needed.
John Abplanalp said the state is poised to receive more PPEs.
John discussed efforts to sanitize and reuse N95 masks.
John said the county will resume water testing the following week.
Steve Walton discussed a draft policy that will sunset the previous policies linked to comp time for hours
worked during the courthouse closures.
Erik said Treasurer Arny Davis has drafted a press release that would provide a waiver for penalties and
late fees for late property tax payments.
Commissioner Fund discussed a meeting with the National Guard that took place earlier in the day.
Erik said the county has reached out to Gov. Inslee’s office to ask that residential and commercial
housing construction be allowed to resume.
Erik said he will present to the board for its consideration a proposal to extend the county’s declaration
of emergency as well as a proposal to extend the building closures.
The commissioners discovered that Commissioner Stamper’s call had been disconnected.
Meeting adjourned at 3:36 p.m.