2011-05-02 Board Meeting Minutes 1
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
May 2 , 2011
The Board of County Commissioners for Lewis County, Washington met in regular
session on Monday, May 2, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. COMMISSIONERS RON AVERILL,
P.W. “Bill” Schulte, and F. LEE GROSE were in attendance. Chairman Averill
determined a quorum, called the meeting to order and proceeded with the flag
salute. Commissioner Grose moved to approve the minutes from the 10:00 a.m.
meeting held on Monday, April 25, 2011. Commissioner Schulte seconded the
motion.
Motion carried 3-0
“Friend of Drinking Water” Award
Gregg Grunenfelder, Deputy Secretary Department of Health, stated he is here
to present an award to Lewis County for the work they have done on drinking water.
Safe drinking water is the World’s number one health issues. Safe drinking water
doesn’t happen by itself. This week is National Safe Drinking Water week. The
theme is Water Celebrate the Essential. Lewis County has really stepped up, not
only in terms of protecting public health through the effort around safe drinking
water, but also around the economic vitality of the communities. It is unusual during
National Safe Drinking Water week for us to recognize a governmental agency but
this year we have Lewis County singled out as a “Friend of Drinking Water”. One of
key reason for that is for the efforts in the Vader-Ryderwood area, taking over that
water system. In these very difficult economic times it is remarkable for a county
government to step up and help the community of Vader. We want to thank you for
the effort you have put forth.
Clark Halverson presented the “Friends of Drinking Water” award to the Lewis
County Commissioners and staff.
Chairman Averill stated the wonderful thing about this award is it has not been the
work of one department or staff; it has involved a number of them. He thanked all of
the staff for their efforts.
CONSENT
Commissioner Schulte made a motion to approve Consent Agenda items one
through six. Commissioner Grose seconded the motion. Candace Hallom read the
items into the record.
1. Resolution No. 11-147 Approval of warrants for payment.
Chairman Averill stated this approves 246 warrants issued by the Auditor’s Office
for a total of $647,512.52.
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2. Resolution No. 11-148 Approving an inter-local with the City of Chehalis for
radio repair and maintenance service.
Michael Strozyk, Director of Central Services, stated recently the last
commercial radio shop in Lewis County closed. This put a bind in the maintenance
and operations for some of the rural fire and police departments. The County
Central Services Department has a Radio Services Division which is responsible for
the repair and maintenance of the County Radio System and Public Safety Radio
System. This agreement will allow for our Radio Services Division to provide radio
repair and maintenance services to the City of Chehalis, specifically the Chehalis
Police Department on an “as needed” basis. This sets a per hour rate at $50.00 per
hour during normal business time and $75.00 per hour for overtime or afterhours.
The agreement will expire December 31, 2011.
3. Resolution No. 11-149 Approving a Local Agency Agreement and Federal
Aid Prospectus with WSDOT for the Skate Creek Road. Bridge # 12 Scour
Mitigation.
Rod Lakey, Public Works, stated this project is number 4 on the amended 2011-
2016 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program. The Skate Creek Road S.,
MP 0.53, Bridge #12 Scour Mitigation project qualified for 100% funding through the
Federal Bridge Program in the amount of $75,000 for preliminary engineering,
$5,000 for right-of-way, and $306,000 for construction, for a total of $386,000.
Preliminary Engineering is scheduled to begin this year and the repair construction
is scheduled for the summer of 2012. This resolution will authorize the Chairman of
the Board of County Commissioners to sign a Local Agency Agreement and Project
Prospectus for reimbursement of Preliminary Engineering expenses for this
federally funded project.
4. Resolution No. 11-150 Approving an easement with the City of Tacoma for
road right of way for Hadaller Road.
Larry Unzleman, Public Works, stated Hadaller Road, near Mossyrock, suffered
slide damage in January, 2009. On March 1, 2010, the Board of County
Commissioners passed Resolution 10-056, instructing the County Road Engineer to
acquire all necessary rights of way for slope stabilization on Hadaller Road. The
right of way necessary to stabilize the slope is located on City of Tacoma property.
The City granted a temporary permit for the County to work on its property and the
slope stabilization work has now been completed. The attached resolution would
approve a perpetual easement between City of Tacoma and Lewis County for
additional right of way for Hadaller Road and authorizes signatures thereon. The
City of Tacoma required a processing fee of $1,000.
Chairman Averill stated some people might wonder why we are dealing with the
City of Tacoma in Lewis County. The Mossyrock and Mayfield dam are run by
Tacoma Power which is the City of Tacoma.
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5. Resolution No. 11-151 Appointing a member to the ATOD/CMASA Advisory
Board.
Tara Smith, Social Services, stated the ATOD/CMASA board is formed by order
of RCW 70.96A.300. The board shall be composed of not less than seven nor
more than fifteen members who shall be chosen for their demonstrated concern for
alcoholism and other drug addiction problems. This is for the appointment of
Lorelei Ivey who represents a community member from Commissioner District #3.
The ATOD/CMASA board will have 9 members with this appointment.
Chairman Averill stated it can be a challenging to find people to sit on our various
boards we have in the County. Lorelei was recommended by this Board after
having interviewed for a position on the Law and Justice Council.
6. Resolution No. 11-152 Approving a grant agreement with the Port of
Centralia to accept funding under RCW 82.14.370, Distressed Counties
Fund.
Chairman Averill stated this approves an Agreement between Lewis County and
the Port of Centralia for funding of $590,000.00 in Distressed County (RCW
82.14.370) Funds (0.09) for an Economic Development and Public Facilities
Project. The Project will widen Harrison Avenue to a minimum of three lanes from
Robert Thompson Road south past Kuper Road (Port of Centralia) thus providing
better ingress and egress for truck traffic coming in and out of the Port. Both Sierra
Pacific and Scot Industries are interested in expanding their operations and are
concerned about the difficult turning radius exiting the Port on Kuper Road onto
Harrison Avenue. Traffic on Harrison is becoming increasingly heavy with the
development of Great Wolf Lodge and the Centralia Sport Complex under
construction, so better ingress/egress is a must. In addition the Washington Utilities
and Transportation Commission is proposing the closure of the Foron Road railroad
crossing which, if approved, would add an additional truck load on Kuper Road.
The widening will allow traffic to smoothly flow onto Harrison Avenue from Kuper
Road. The Port of Centralia will contract out the road improvement and has
allocated $136,366.00 of their funds to the project.
Commissioner Grose stated this Board of County Commissioner has been very
committed to building relationships with the Ports and Cities. This is another
example of trying to make a good working relationship with other entities. We
appreciate the Ports willingness together and continue to work with us.
Dick Larman, EDC, thanked the commissioners. He stated this has been an
interesting projects and he appreciated the work they have done.
Sherri Nelson, Sierra Pacific Industries, stated on behalf of Sierra Pacific I want
to thank Dick Larman, Port of Centralia, as well as our Lewis County
Commissioners on understanding the vitality and importance of this intersection.
She stated she understands and appreciates the commitment for leadership and
collaboration. Public Safety is number one and as time goes on we are seeing an
increase in traffic both from the Grand Mound area and also heading north.
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Motion Carried: 3-0
HEARING
Hearing: Non-exclusive franchise to CenturyTel of WA Resolution No. 11-153
Chairman Averill announced the hearing and asked for a staff report.
Larry Unzelman, Public Works, CenturyTel of WA, Inc., dba CenturyLink, has
requested a non-exclusive franchise for the construction, operation and maintenance
of telecommunication facilities on various county road rights of way in Lewis County.
A franchise was previously granted to the company in July, 2000 and has expired.
This non-exclusive franchise will authorize the continued use of road rights of way
for 5 years for this purpose. Resolution 11-115 passed by the BOCC on April 11,
2011, set May 2, 2011 as the date for hearing on the matter. This franchise is being
granted pursuant to and in conformance with RCW 36.55 and Lewis County Code
12.25 through 12.50, for a non-exclusive Franchise to construct, operate and
maintain telecommunications within County Rights-of-Way. RCW 36.55 requires
that no hearing be held on a proposed franchise grant until 5 days after the last
publication date, and 15 days after posting of the notice thereof in three public
places. Publication must be twice in the official newspaper for publication in the
County. Publication occurred on April 13 and 20, 2011 and the franchise was
posted in the three public places.
Chairman Averill asked if there were any more questions. There were none. He
closed the question and answer portion of the hearing and opened the formal
hearing.
Larry Unzelman asked that his previous comments be adopted into the record.
Chairman Averill asked if there were any other statements for public testimony.
There were none. He closed the hearing and asked for a motion.
Commissioner Grose made a motion to approve Resolution No. 11-153.
Commissioner Schulte seconded the motion. Candace Hallom read the item into
the record.
Resolution No. 11-153 In the Matter of: renewal of a non-exclusive Franchise to
CenturyTel of Washington, Inc., dba CenturyLink, to construct, operate and
maintain Telecommunications Facilities on County Rights-of-Way; and setting
forth conditions accompanying a grant of a nonexclusive Franchise; and
providing for County administration and regulation of said Franchise.
Motion Carried: 3-0
There being no further business, the Commissioners’ public meeting adjourned at
10:48 am on May 2, 2011. The next public meeting will be held Monday, May 9,
2011, at 10:00 a.m.
Please note that minutes from the Board of County Commissioners’ meetings are not
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verbatim. A recording of the meeting may be purchased at the Commissioners’ office.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST: Ron Averill, Chairman
Clerk of the Board P.W. Schulte, Commissioner
Lewis County Commissioners
F. Lee Grose, Commissioner