Board Meeting Minutes 04/20/20151
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
April 20, 2015
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for Lewis County, Washington, met in
regular session on Monday, April 20, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Commissioners Edna J.
Fund, P.W. “Bill” Schulte, and Gary Stamper, were in attendance. Chair Fund
determined a quorum, called the meeting to order and proceeded with the flag salute.
Commissioner Stamper moved to approve the minutes from the 10:00 a.m. meeting
held on Monday, April 13, 2015. Commissioner Schulte seconded the motion.
Motion Carried 3-0.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION
Chair Fund announced Lewis County Employee Milestone Recognition, Employee of
the Quarter, and Above and Beyond Awards.
5-Year Recognition - Mitch Guthrie, Robin Saline
10-Year Recognition - Doyle Sanford, Debra Nygaard, Larry Mason
15-Year Recognition - Jeff Godbey
25-Year Recognition - Steven Aust
30-Year Recognition - Anita Holt and Isabelle Williams
Above and Beyond Award, Deputy Timothy English, Sheriff’s Office, on January
26th, 2015 the Chehalis Police Dept. was dispatched to a robbery at Chase Bank on
Market St. The suspect was on foot. Deputy English responded to the area to assist
with containment. Deputy English chased down the suspect on foot and he was
apprehended.
Above and Beyond Award, Deputy Rick Van Wyck, Sheriff’s Office, on March 15,
2015, at approximately 4:40 am, Deputy Van Wyck was responding to an assault on
Bunker Creek Rd. where the male had already left. He discovered a dairy barn that was
on fire. He was able to wake the owner and neighbors, and they were able to save all
the cattle.
Employee of the Quarter Award , Don Driscoll, Facilities The double moves on both
the second and third floors of the Health Department were systematic and organized.
Mr. Driscoll managed his teams of inmates instructing them kindly and patiently on the
tasks at hand when moving the offices.
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Sandi Andrus, Health and Social Services, presented Mr. Driscoll with a card and gift
certificate for pizza for a job well done. Mr. Driscoll, Facilities, accepted the award and
thanked everyone for the recognition.
Commissioner Fund stated this is one of her most favorite activities in being a
Commissioner, listening to the stories and knowing the hard work County employees
are doing.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Schulte moved to approve the Consent Agenda, items one through
five. Commissioner Stamper seconded the motion.
1. Resolution No. 15-124 Approval of warrants for payment.
Chair Fund stated this Resolution approves 165 regular warrants for a total payment
against the County in the amount of $317,507.19.
2. Resolution No. 15-125 Proposed acquisition of additional right of way for
Bones Road, Toledo, WA.
Larry Unzelman, Public Works Real Estate Services Manager, stated Bones Road,
east of Toledo, requires drainage improvements. The project will require additional right
of way from one property owner. RCW 8.08.010 authorizes Counties to acquire property
under the threat of eminent domain when deemed necessary by the Board of County
Commissioners. Pursuant to the requirements of RCW 8.08, this resolution instructs the
County Engineer to acquire right of way from one property owner along Bones Road for
the project. All such acquisitions shall be in accordance with adopted procedures as per
Resolution 14-160 and under its eminent domain authority for purposes of real estate
excise tax, as per RCW 8.25 and WAC 458-61A-206(1C), and pursuant to authority and
obligations of RCW title 8, notably 8.08, 8.25 and 8.26. Property is owned by
Weyerhaeuser.
3. Resolution No. 15-126 Proposed acquisition of easements for Ceres Hill
Road Bridge Bank Protection project.
Larry Unzelman, stated it is necessary to stabilize the banks of the Chehalis River near
the Ceres Hill Road Bridge. The bank stabilization project is necessary to protect the
Ceres Hill Road Bridge and will benefit the public. The project will require easements
from three adjacent property owners. RCW 8.08.010 authorizes counties to acquire
property under the threat of eminent domain when deemed necessary by the Board of
County Commissioners. Pursuant to the requirements of RCW 8.08, this resolution
instructs the County Engineer to acquire easements from three property owners along
Ceres Hill Road for the project. and to sign documents necessary for the bank
protection project on Ceres Hill Road in Section 23, Township 13 North, Range 4 West,
W.M., and directs that all such acquisitions be in accordance with adopted procedure as
per Resolution 14-160 and under its eminent domain authority for purposes of real
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estate excise tax, as per RCW 8.25 and WAC 458-61A-206 (1c), and pursuant to
authority and obligations of RCW Title 8, notably 8.08, 8.25 and 8.26.
4. Resolution No. 15-127 Ratifying an executed contract for crane services
for temporary bridge assembly.
Larry Unzelman, stated this Resolution ratifies an executed contract for crane services
for temporary bridge assembly with Snell Crane Services. RCW 39.04.155 allows local
governments to award contracts for construction and other improvements through
established small works rosters when such work has an estimated cost of three hundred
thousand dollars or less. Lewis County adopted procedures establishing a small works
roster by Resolution 09-226. An Engineer’s Estimate determined that the temporary
bridge assembly will cost less than three hundred thousand dollars. A Request for email
quotes was made on March 10, 2015 for the crane services for temporary bridge
assembly by sending an email to all contractors listed on our Small Works Roster in the
Bridge Maintenance category. Public Works received 2 (two) bids for this project on
March 17, 2015. Lewis County staff members have verified unit prices multiplied by
quantity along with the addition of sales tax. The apparent low bid is Snell Crane
Services, Inc. The results are as follows:
Snell Crane Service, Olympia, WA
Phase 1 $12,154.45
Phase 2 $17,619.91
Phase 3 $17,619.91 Total: $47,394.27
Axis Crane, LLC Wilsonville, OR
Phase 1 $13,582.80
Phase 2 $32,232.20
Phase 3 $32,232.20 Total: $78,047.20
The Engineer’s Estimate for crane services for the temporary bridge project for all
phases was $50,000.00 with tax. Public Works recommends the Board of County
Commissioners ratify the contract with Snell Crane Service.
5. Resolution No. 15-128 Bid award for the 2015 Countywide Base
Stabilization Project.
Larry Unzelman, stated this resolution will award the 2015 Countywide Base
Stabilization Project, CRP 2172A to the lowest responsible bidder, Best Grinding, Inc.
This contract provides for the improvement of various roads in Lewis County by
pulverization, cement stabilization and other work in accordance with the Contract
Plans, and the 2014 WSDOT Standard Specifications.
A Call for Bids was made on March 30, 2015. The project was advertised for three
consecutive weeks in The Chronicle and the Daily Journals of Commerce (Seattle and
Portland). The project was also listed on Lewis County's website. Public Works received
three responsive bids for this project on April 20, 2015. Best Grinding, Inc. provided the
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lowest responsive bid of $292,003.26. The Engineer's Estimate for this project was
$294,235.95. The lowest responsive bid is below the Engineer's Estimate by less than
1%. Public Works staff recommends acceptance of the low bid provided by Best
Grinding, Inc.
Resolution approval will award this contract to Best Grinding, Inc. for $292,003.26, upon
presentation of a contract acceptable to Lewis County for the 2015 Countywide Base
Stabilization project, CRP 2172A and authorize the County Engineer to sign the same.
Motion Carried 3-0.
HEARING
Hearing Approving Open Space Designations-Resolution No. 15-130
Commissioner Fund announced the hearing and asked for a staff report.
Lee Napier, Community Development Director, stated she is here for support for
Jason Morgan.
Jason Morgan, Assessor’s Office Exemptions Clerk, stated Lewis County Code
(LCC) 3.50 allows the County Assessor to defer a percentage of the property tax on
parcels where it can be shown that the characteristics and use of the land contribute to
a public benefit. Consistent with LCC requirement, the four applications were reviewed
by the Lewis County Public Benefit Rating Advisory Committee and their
recommendation presented to the Lewis County Planning Commission. After a duly
advertised public hearing the Planning Commission adopted a set of findings and
conclusions and transmitted their recommendation to approve the four applications to
the Board of County Commissioners.
Chair Fund asked for questions from the board. There were none. She asked if the
public had any questions.
Ron Averill, Centralia, asked Mr. Morgan to identify which properties and what
percentage they received and explain to the public why the difference between 30% and
80%.
Jason Morgan, stated each application is reviewed and there are several different
categories that they can be classified into. W ithin each of those categories the
properties can receive one to eight points. The minimum required is three points to
actually qualify into the new tax classification. The Planning Commission actually
reviews these applications. Since Jason works for the Assessor, he has no input other
than facilitate the meeting for the Planning Commission to review the properties. One
open space land parcel received the maximum amount of points available under the law
which is the maximum of eight points. The other three are farm and conservation
parcels and can only receive a maximum of 30% to 40% off of market value taxes and
again they have the same kind of a check list system.
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Ron Averill, stated there is also a premium, giving that they give public access.
Jason Morgan, stated that is correct, that is one of the points.
Ron Averill, stated people do not realize if they are the Agriculture Open Space
Program they might receive a better break tax break than they receive under the
conservation program. We had some people surprised that they actually lost taxes.
Jason Morgan, stated that is correct, he does tell people that it is not as good as a tax
break, but they also do not have to show income on property.
Chair Fund asked for questions from the board. There were none. She asked if the
public had any questions.
Chair Fund asked Jason if he would like his opening comments to be incorporated into
the hearing.
Jason Morgan, stated he would like his comments to be incorporated into the record.
Chair Fund, closed the question and answer portion of the hearing and opened the
formal hearing. She asked if anyone would like to speak for or against Resolution No.
15-130. There was no one who wished to testify. She closed the hearing and asked for
a motion to approve Resolution No. 15-130.
Commissioner Schulte moved to approve Resolution No. 15-130. Commissioner
Stamper seconded.
Motion carried 3-0.
Hearing: Adoption of the 2015 Annual Construction Program and the Six Year
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Resolution No. 15-129
Chair Fund announced the hearing and asked for a staff report.
Mike Kroll, Public Works Transportation Planner, stated that a Public Hearing was
held providing an opportunity for any person to appear and be heard, either for or
against the adoption of the amended programs. The amended 2015-2020 TIP must be
adopted prior to the County’s budgeting of added or changed projects. The amended
2015 ACP represents the first year of the TIP and is required by the County Road
Administration Board (CRAB). Pursuant to RCW 36.81.121, all cities and counties are
required to prepare, adopt and submit a TIP. The Lewis County 2015-2020 TIP and
2015 ACP were adopted by Resolution 14-306 on November 17, 2014. Copies of these
programs were furnished to Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT),
Southwest W ashington Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SWRTPO),
CRAB, cities containing urban areas, and the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB).
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The requirements for the ACP are contained in WAC 136.16. This part of the WAC is
intended to provide for an evaluation of compliance with the construction by county
forces laws, in RCW 36.77.065. The amended 2015-2020 TIP and 2015 ACP adjusts
the construction funding categories to reflect changes due to additional grant funding
from the Surface Transportation Bridge Program (STP(BR)) from $185,000 to $452,000
for the Pe Ell McDonald Road and Oyler Road bridge scour projects, Highway Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP) funding from $800,000 to $1,322,000 for the 2015 County
Safety Program project, adds $10,000 of county road funding by adding the Coughlin
Road - Bridge #36 Deck Replacement project to the programs, and updates information
and funding sources for all projects.
Chair Fund asked for questions from the board. There were none. She asked if the
public had any questions.
Chair Fund, asked Mr. Kroll about a recent article in the Chronicle relative to Borst
Avenue in Centralia.
Mike Kroll, Borst Avenue is a half-city half-county project and will require both entities
to fund that project. We jointly have to search out funding mechanisms for that project in
order to complete it. At this point neither has the funds necessary to complete the
project.
Chair Fund, stated there is also Harrison Avenue improvements, which is listed above
Borst Avenue. She asked if the county hopes to get funding someday on this.
Mike Kroll, stated we anticipate an outside funding source from a developer or
something along those lines. W e have applied for several grants for Harrison Ave. and
so far have been unsuccessful. It is usually a large grant program like the Tiger Grant
program, which is a nationwide program, and usually has funded huge projects in big
cities. He stated the order on the TIP doesn’t necessarily mean the priority, just the
order of the funding sources.
Chair Fund asked for questions from the board. There were none. She closed the
question and answer portion of the hearing and opened the formal hearing.
Ron Averill, Centralia, stated he sees Coffman Bridge on the TIP, He asked if the
County has been working on that bridge for some time.
Mike Kroll, stated the county has a contract and the surface of the deck failed. In order
to be compliant with the County Road Administration Board (CRAB), the county added
this back into the TIP because we know we are going to spend some money on the
process of negotiating with the contractor to get the new deck on the bridge. They are in
negotiations with the contractor right now.
Ron Averill, asked if he thought this project will get it done.
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Mike Kroll, stated the project will be completed.
Ron Averill, asked when it is planned.
Mike Kroll, stated the CRAB is in negotiations with the contractor right now. He has
been notified that the deck needs to be replaced.
Ron Averill, asked if there were two properties at the end of the road.
Commissioner Schulte, stated yes, two parcels but, one property owner. They put the
decking in bridge and it failed. We know we are going to do work on it we can’t work on
it if it’s not on the plans, so we are putting it back in the plan to redo the decking.
Mike Kroll, stated that was correct.
Chair Fund, asked for any other questions from the audience.
Chair Fund, closed the question and answer portion of the hearing and opened the
formal hearing.
Chair Fund, asked Mike Kroll if he would like his opening comments to be incorporated
into the hearing.
Mike Kroll, stated he would like his comments incorporated into the record.
Chair Fund asked if there were anyone who would like to speak for or against
Resolution No. 15-129. There was no one. She closed the hearing and asked for a
motion to approve Resolution No. 15-129.
Commissioner Schulte, commented this isn’t changing anything. It is just amending
the TIP we can do some projects that we received funding for.
Commissioner Stamper moved to approve Resolution No. 15-129. Commissioner
Schulte seconded.
Motion carried 3-0.
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There being no further business, the BOCC’s business meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.
on April 20, 2015. The next public meeting will be held Monday, April 27, 2015.
Please note that minutes from the BOCC’s meetings are not verbatim. A recording of
the meeting may be purchased at the BOCC’s Office.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST: Edna J. Fund, Chair
Karri Muir, CMC, Clerk of the Board P.W. Bill Schulte, Vice-Chair
Lewis County Commissioners
Gary Stamper, Commissioner