2021-10-25 County Manager UpdateCounty Manager Update
October 25, 2021
11:02 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Erik Martin, Becky Butler, Steve
Wohld, Lee Napier, Mindy Brooks, Austin Majors, Chris Panush, Josh Metcalf, Alison Puckett, Katie
Conradi, Tammy Martin, Tiffanie Morgan
Guests: Bill Serrahn, Eric Rosane, Nic Scott
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Budget
Becky Butler said the commissioners will meet with Dianne Dorey on Oct. 26 to discuss property tax
levies, bank capacities, timelines, etc.
Broadband
Becky and Erik Martin said Commerce is reviewing applications received and will indicate Nov. 8 which
proposed projects are eligible for broadband funding.
Public Health and Social Services
Childcare survey: Erik said 153 county employees responded to a survey issued Sept. 22-29. He
reviewed some of the findings as follows:
• Two-thirds of county employees who responded to a recent survey indicated they have a child
in their come. Two-thirds of those indicated the children are school-age.
• Half of all respondents said they’ve had challenges associated with childcare.
• Many employees feel there are inconsistencies regarding mask use, social distancing, workplace
flexibility.
• Many employees were unaware of the COVID leave bank.
• Many employees feel communication needs to be improved.
911
DELTAWRX contract: Erik said the cost of phase II contract would be $115,000. He suggested paying for
it through 911. The commissioners directed Erik to move forward with the contract. Erik said he would
bring the contract forward via resolution.
Community Development
Packwood sub-area plan: Lee Napier said she and Mindy Brooks are working on a Packwood sub-area
plan that would help address the opportunities and tremendous growth in the Packwood area. Lee said
the sub-area plan would allow the county to help the community plan for growth.
Internal Services
Capital Facilities update: Steve Wohld gave the following updates:
• Juvenile project has kicked off.
• Abatement for the Community Development / Environmental Health area is nearly complete.
• Dry rot at Law and Justice has been completed and painting is nearly complete.
• Community Development / Environmental Health project will go out to bid Nov. 3.
• Much of the demolition on county-owned properties is complete.
• Repairs to the Health Department’s plumbing failure is wrapping up. Estimated cost is $125,000,
of which the county had to pay $5,000 because it was an insurance claim.
• Construction at Chehalis ridge site is being completed in advance of the tower’s arrival, which
likely will save time and money.
• Internal Services is looking to change how the county sells surplus property, a change that likely
will result in better sales prices.
• The county faces $3 million in upgrade needs to meet the state’s new energy requirements.
Some of those costs will be recouped quickly in energy savings.
Erik said he plans to meet with key staff to review special projects, such as the Packwood Sewer Project,
the water-banking project and others.
Erik said the flood meeting is planned for later in the day. He noted Public Works is busy prepping for
winter weather.
Meeting adjourned at 11:31 a.m.