2020-08-17 Update with County ManagerUpdate with County Manager
August 17, 2020
11:41 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, County Manager Erik
Martin, Lara McRea, Amber Smith, Janelle Lindsey, Amber Smith,
Guest: Frank Corbin
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Codify County Manager Authority
County Manager Erik Martin said he has provided a proposed code change to create an ordinance
codifying the county manager’s authority.
Amber Smith said proposed edits should be provided to Cullen Gatten only, not her or Erik.
Erik said he would work on a notice of hearing resolution for when the board is ready to go.
Public Health and Social Services
Commissioner Fund said she has learned that 600 to 720 Chehalis schoolkids do not have internet
access.
Erik said JP Anderson has indicated that meetings will take place later in the week with area school
leadership.
Commissioner Fund suggested outreach regarding day care facilities that have openings.
Lara McRea left at 11:55 a.m.
Commissioner Fund said she wants to know the threshold for reopening schools.
Commissioner Stamper noted that the county’s Public Health Officer has made recommendations about
virtual attendance but that decisions ultimately are up to the school districts themselves.
911
Erik said the Centralia Police Chief has asked for a permanent revision to the Combined User
Committee’s interlocal agreement in regard to how law enforcement agencies’ rates are set.
The commissioners said they would like a separate meeting at which to discuss the matter.
Erik said the proposal to work with Cowlitz County on a Motorola CallWorks project.
Erik discussed the recent retirement of Davene Rodocker, who has left after more than 30 years.
Community Development
Erik said Community Development’s year-to-date permitting totals are close to the previous year’s totals
despite the pandemic.
Lee Napier said permit fees should cover the department’s position request. She noted that the
department has only taken half of its transfer.
Lee said the department is reviewing Pe Ell’s expansion proposal. She said it also is reviewing Eagle Cliff’s
work and has requested a master site plan review (MSR). Commissioner Stamper asked for a map and
outline of the proposal.
Human Resources
Erik reviewed a breakdown of moves that have taken place in response to the recent reorganizations.
Erik noted that $75,000 had been budgeted for a project consulting, but that no money had been spent.
He noted that the inclusion of the $75,000 would make it so the reorgs would not be cost neutral. He
said the $75,000 could be removed. Commissioner Fund asked that the $75,000 be removed.
Public Works
Erik said bids for Tucker Road would be opened the following day. He said a railroad crossing may be
considered for closure.
Erik said the county will meet with Water-Sewer District 2 later in the day.
Meeting ended at 12:28 p.m.