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2020-08-13 BOCC Wrap-Up COVID-19BOCC Wrap-Up / COVID-19 August 13, 2020 3 p.m. Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, County Manager Erik Martin, Dr. Rachel Wood, Ed Mund, Steve Walton, Becky Butler, Andy Caldwell, Glenda Forga, Kevin McDowell, Graham Gowing, Ron Averill, Alison Puckett, Doyle Sanford, Gary Fredricks, JP Anderson, Daleyn Coleman, Scott Smitherman, Megan Eastman, Lee Napier, Tamara Hayes, Undersheriff Wes Rethwill Recorder: Rieva Lester Erik Martin said the county has learned of eight new COVID-19 cases, pushing the county’s total to 251. Ed Mund said the goal rate is less than 25 new cases per 100,000 people over a 14-day window. Ed Mund said Lewis County’s effective rate is at 76 per 100,000 as of Aug. 4, which categorizes Lewis County as “high risk.” Ed explained how the metrics affect extracurricular activities for schools as well as how the metrics affect long-term care and assisted living visitation. JP Anderson and Ed Mund discussed the state’s data-tracking system, which has been overwhelmed by the sheer number of tests statewide. Dr. Rachel Wood expressed concern about congregate living situations and workplaces. JP Anderson discussed efforts to list cases by zip code. Commissioner Stamper said the commissioners had received a grant request from the Lewis County Seniors group. Glenda Forga said the Lewis County Seniors are asking for grant funding to help purchase two vans to help with efforts to deliver meals to area seniors. Ron Averill said the group needs a reliable vehicle to help with deliveries. Becky Butler said Lewis County is paying for leased transportation using FEMA funds. She said FEMA prefers leases. Becky said a purchase (instead of a lease) would use Coronavirus Relief Funding. Becky said it’s possible that additional funding will be available. Glenda said the Seniors group already has used more than $80,000 of its allotted $270,000 from FEMA. Glenda said the request is for $40,000 and that the hope is to purchase a cargo van and a sprinter-style van. Glenda said the group is using two of its own vans and two of Twin Transit’s vans. Commissioner Stamper said the commissioners would make a decision by October. Becky noted that the EDC will offer grants to nonprofits. Lee Napier asked the commissioners to unfreeze a building inspector position in an effort to train a field inspector in advance of an expected retirement. She also discussed the possibility of virtual inspections. Lee noted the position could be absorbed in Community Development’s 2020 budget. At 4 p.m., Commissioner Stamper announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 10 minutes to discuss pending or potential litigation regarding a tort claim. Executive session started at 4:01 p.m. Executive Session ended at 4:11 p.m. Commissioner Stamper noted that no decisions had been made. Commissioner Fund made a motion to authorize the director of Risk Management in coordination with the Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) to resolve the claim in an amount up to what was discussed during executive session. Commissioner Jackson seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Fund discussed costs associated with elections, noting that elections are unfunded mandates. She also discussed lodging taxes, which she said are lagging roughly $37,000 behind the previous year’s year-to-date figures. Commissioner Stamper said a new ranger in the Cowlitz Valley has proposed some changes. Meeting adjourned at 4:21 p.m.