2021-12-20 BOCC Wrap-UpBOCC Wrap-Up
December 20, 2021
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Eric Eisenberg, Becky Butler, Meja Handlen, Steve Wohld, Chris Panush, Semere Huckleberry,
Austin Majors, Connie Riker, Katie Conradi, Lara McRea, Mindy Brooks, Sherri Dokken, Undersheriff Wes
Rethwill, Daleyn Coleman (9:18 a.m.)
Guests: Eric Rosane, Nic Scott
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Business Meeting agenda update
Commissioner Swope made a motion to add to the Dec. 21 Business Meeting agenda Resolution 21-451:
Reject all bids for the 2022 Liquid Asphalt rebid. Commissioner Grose seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Records position
Erik Martin said he’d like to delay having the board approve moving the previously approved records
position to the PA’s Office instead of HR / Risk as work is still being done.
Blake / Office of Public Defense contract
Eric Eisenberg suggested the county pass on the OPD agreement, which would provide up to $150,000
Blake decision grant, noting that the county’s obligations would far exceed the funding that would be
provided. Eric noted that OPD will contract directly with local attorneys to review Blake cases should the
county choose not to pursue the OPD agreement. The commissioners agreed with Eric’s
recommendation to forgo the OPD agreement.
Mortgage assistance
Commissioner Swope said several seniors have reached out regarding the need for financial assistance.
Meja Handlen said Mason County served as an umbrella for a recent Community Development Block
Grant that has since been more than doubled to provide help to low-income households. She said
individuals can contact Community Action Council directly to seek mortgage assistance. Meja said fliers
will be distributed to area senior centers and that information will be shared through a press release.
Civil Service vacancy
The commissioners directed staff to schedule interviews with the five Civil Service candidates.
Proclamations
Commissioner Swope said he’d like to streamline the proclamations the commissioners issue. The
commissioners discussed alternatives, such as using the public comment period or announcement
period of meetings to discuss topics often addressed via proclamations. The commissioners said they
would discuss the matter further Dec. 22.
Calendars
The commissioners briefly discussed their calendars.
Correspondence
Commissioner Pollock discussed an email the commissioners received regarding an audit of the
Assessor’s Office.
Announcements
Commissioner Swope said the CRAB applications are due by the end of the day.
Commissioner Pollock said she met with Winlock seniors who have formed a 501c3. She said that group
has asked if it can receive financial assistance like the Lewis County Seniors group receives.
The commissioners said they would further discuss the matter in the future.
Labor relations discussion
At 9:38 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the board was going into a closed session discussion
regarding labor relations, as outlined under RCW 42.30.140(4).
The closed session discussion started at 9:39 a.m.
At 9:54 a.m., the board extended its closed session labor relations discussion for 2 minutes.
The closed session discussion ended at 9:56 a.m.
Commissioner Swope made a motion to direct HR to work on MOUs with the Sheriff’s Office and to
wrap up the results of the salary study. Commissioner Grose seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting ended at 9:58 a.m.