Loading...
2022-01-10 BOCC Wrap-UpBOCC Wrap-Up January 10, 2022 9 a.m. Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik Martin, Steve Wohld, Matt Jaeger, JP Anderson, Becky Butler, Chris Panush, Austin Majors, Robert Bradley, Eric Eisenberg, Connie Riker, Alison Puckett, Graham Gowing, Lara McRea, Lee Napier, Meja Handlen, Michelle Sauter, Mindy Brooks, Semere Huckleberry, Sherri Dokken, Undersheriff Wes Rethwill, Kevin McDowell Guests: Eric Rosane, Nic Scott, Frank Corbin, Jared Wenzelburger Recorder: Rieva Lester Flooding / storm update Erik Martin provided the following update: • All but one or two roads have been reopened. • Roads crews are performing damage assessment and will work with FEMA. • United Way is coordinating donations and volunteers. • The evacuation center has moved from Centralia Middle School to the fairgrounds. JP said Environmental Health will continue to share information regarding health and safety. The group discussed garbage collection for those affected by flooding. Jan. 11 budget amendment Becky Butler said the following offices and departments have changes reflected in the upcoming budget amendment: Public Health, Animal Shelter, Treasurer, Jail and debt service funds. Lewis County Broadband Action Team (LCBAT) Eric Eisenberg said the LCBAT was formed as a private, nonprofit group to get stakeholder feedback about broadband grants. He said some grants require approval from the local Broadband Action Team, so the local group is formalizing – with bylaws, etc. – to provide letters of support, etc. He noted the group has no corporate structure – no money, etc. He said the county should have a representative and should have a voting member. He noted that Matt Jaeger is the county’s voting member. The commissioners said they support having Matt serve as the county’s voting member. Legislative update Commissioner Pollock said the Legislature convenes Jan. 10. She said proposed bills of interest include: • Micro-trenching • Recycling • Solid Waste • 1799 regarding organic waste Treasurer’s Office staff salary placement Becky Butler said the commissioner had approved a Treasurer’s Office request to increase the pay for two Treasurer’s Office staff members during a Dec. 13, 2021, Auditor / Treasurer Update meeting. Becky noted that the board had approved increasing the Treasurer’s Office budget by specific dollar amount $10,536 – and that the board did not specify grade and step changes. She noted that the dollar amount did not include the calculations for benefits. She asked for clarification about whether the board meant to approve position placements. The board indicated they had intended to approve position placements. Commissioner Grose made a motion to clarify the Treasurer’s Office salary changes to the following: • Investment officer: grade 130, step 13. • Chief deputy: grade 126, step 9. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Minute folders The commissioners approved minutes for the weeks of • Nov. 8, 2021 • Nov. 15, 2021 • Nov. 22, 2021 • Nov. 29, 2021 • Dec. 6, 2021 • Dec. 13, 2021 • Dec. 20, 2021 Announcements Commissioner Grose said he is taking over as president of LTAC for 2022. Executive session At 9:26 a.m., Commissioner Pollock announced that the Board would be going into executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 15 minutes to discuss northern spotted owl as well as Kimsey v. Lewis County. Executive session started at 9:27 a.m. At 9:42 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 10 minutes. At 9:52 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 5 minutes. At 9:57 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 2 minutes. Executive session ended at 9:59 a.m. Commissioner Pollock noted that no decisions had been made. Commissioner Grose made a motion to authorize Lewis County to sign the American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) notice of intent to sue the U.S. government concerning the Biden administration’s October rule designating critical habitat for the northern spotted owl. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Swope made a motion to authorize the Lewis County attorney to negotiate with Mr. Kimsey’s attorney up to the amounts discussed in executive session. Commissioner Grose seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:07 a.m.