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2021-09-07 PA UpdatePA Update September 7, 2021 2 p.m. Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Eric Eisenberg, Andrew Logerwell, Amber Smith, Becky Butler, Chris Panush, Josh Metcalf, Austin Majors, Brittani Bonahoom, Tammy Martin, Natalie Dunlap, Lara McRea Guests: The Chronicle, Nic Scott Recorder: Rieva Lester Brian Cortland v. Lewis County: Eric Eisenberg said the county has received back from the Thurston County Court registry money for two Cortland cases. He noted the county won the cases on appeal and is receiving $61,000 back for one case and $76,000 back for the other for a grand total of $137,000. Staffing: Eric said a newly hired employee will start Oct. 1. Becky Butler noted that Jonathan Meyer had provided an org chart outlining his proposed changes to free up funding for the position. She noted that the changes didn’t fully cover the additional costs for the new position. TransAlta: Eric said Kent Caputo has been in contact with TransAlta and the Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine how TransAlta’s project may affect the county. Commissioner Swope noted that there has been positive movement in regard to communication efforts. At 2:05 p.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 20 minutes to discuss the following: • Northern spotted owl • Hampton v. Lewis County • Water District No. 2 v. Lewis County Executive session started at 2:06 p.m. At 2:26 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 10 minutes. At 2:36 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 5 minutes. At 2:41 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 3 minutes. At 2:44 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 2 minutes. At 2:46 p.m., the Board extended Executive Session for 3 minutes. Executive Session ended at 2:49 p.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made. Amber Smith asked if the commissioners would like to authorize a stipulated injuncitive order with Water District 2. The commissioners declined. The commissioners agreed to move forward with the recommendation the PA’s Office had discussed during executive session. In response to a question from Eric Eisenberg, the commissioners agreed to proceed in partnership with the American Forest Rescue Council (AFRC) regarding the northern spotted owl. The commissioners said they would continue considering providing payment regarding AFRC’s northern spotted owl studies. The commissioners further discussed Jonathan Meyer’s Personnel Authorization Forms. Becky Butler noted that the DPA III position would create a $20,000 budget increase in subsequent years. Becky clarified that if the PA’s Office wanted to unfreeze the positions it plans to freeze in order to free up funds for the DPA III position, it would have to go through the PAF process again. Eric said the $20,000 budget increase for the new position likely would be offset by savings related to turnover. The commissioners asked if Jonathan could attend the upcoming Wrap-Up to further discuss the request. Meeting adjourned at 3:01 p.m.