Loading...
2023-01-06 Mayors MeetingMayors’ Meeting January 6, 2023 9 a.m. Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, County Manager Erik Martin, Centralia Mayor Pro-Tem Cameron McGee, Winlock Mayor Pro-Tem Jeramy Allman, Centralia City Manager Rob Hill, Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson, Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Dowell, Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen, John Anderson of Gov. Inslee’s office, Mossyrock Mayor Randy Sasser, Nic Scott, Sarah Kohout of Rep. Maria Gluesenkamp Perez’s office, Frank Corbin, Becky Butler, Lara McRea, Lee Napier, Vader Mayor Joe Schey, Paul Mason of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Port of Centralia Commissioner Kyle Markstrom, Willie Painter of Lewis County PUD, Kristine Rompa of Puget Sound Energy, Napavine Mayor Shawn O’Neill, Meja Handlen, Mossyrock Planning Commission member Marcia Manley, Fuller Designs President Aaron Fuller Guest(s): Isabel Vander Stoep Recorder: Rieva Lester Public comment: None. Roundtable Frank Corbin of the Lewis County Broadband Action Team (LCBAT) and Willie Painter of Lewis County PUD discussed work taking place to secure upcoming broadband funding. Frank invited the mayors and others to participate on the LCBAT. Willie noted that the state may be eligible for up to $900 million in broadband grants and that Lewis County could be eligible for $20 million to $25 million of that. Willie said the LCBAT must submit a Digital Equity Plan and a 5-year Action Plan to the state by Aug. 8 to be eligible for the funding. Centralia Mayor Pro-Tem Cameron McGee discussed the city’s work on a housing study. Winlock Mayor Pro-Tem Jeramy Allman discussed the city’s growth. Pe Ell Mayor Lonnie Dowell discussed his outreach to legislative representatives. Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen said work is nearly complete on the city’s $12 million water treatment plant project. He said the city is awaiting the completion of archaeological studies for Capital funds. Port of Centralia Commissioner Kyle Markstrom said Phase I of the Yew Street expansion has begun. County Manager Erik Martin discussed the county’s work on ARPA projects, such as Packwood sewer improvements and radio infrastructure. Sarah Kohout of Rep. Maria Gluesenkamp Perez’s office urged officials to reach out to her office for anything the federal government can help with, including the radio infrastructure funding already approved. Public Works Director Josh Metcalf said the county is finalizing agreements for design work on the Packwood sewer project and a Vader water system project. He said the county also is replacing the fuel system at the Toledo airport. Josh discussed House Bill 1799 regarding organic waste. Josh said the county and each city will be required to have an ordinance regarding organic waste. He invited the cities to attend a Feb. 8 meeting regarding the matter. Steve Wohld discussed the county’s parks projects and campus improvements. Eric Eisenberg said the Economic Alliance is putting together a housing group. He encouraged the cities to reach out to the group. He also discussed his work with area fire departments to address their needs. Commissioner Swope offered to share with the mayors details the Washington State Association of Counties Legislative Steering Committee provides about proposed bills. County Manager Erik Martin also invited the mayors to join the commissioners at 9 a.m. Mondays to hear updates from the county’s lobbyists about proposed bills. John Anderson of Gov. Inslee’s office said the governor recently released his budget. He said the upcoming session. Vader Mayor Joe Schey said the city has installed its picnic shelter and continues work on the city’s new wastewater treatment plant. Mayor Schey said there are three new housing developments in the works in the city. Meja Handlen said 40 to 50 people are using the night-by-night shelter at The Salvation Army. She said the county is working on its steps to move the shelter to its new location on Kresky Avenue. Eric Eisenberg said the county has secured funding to help with the project. Paul Mason of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) provided updates on state projects. Napavine Mayor Shawn O’Neill discussed the football team’s state championship win, work on the water plant and addition of a cell phone tower. Winlock Mayor Pro-Tem Jeramy Allman made a motion to appoint Fuller Designs President Aaron Fuller to the mayor-appointed position on the Boundary Review Board. Morton Mayor Dan Mortenson seconded. Motion passed unanimously among the mayors in attendance. Meeting adjourned at 9:58 a.m.