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2023-01-18 ESC Directors UpdateESC / Directors’ Update January 18, 2023 9:01 a.m. Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, County Manager Erik Martin, Steve Wohld, Lee Napier, Amber Smith, Meja Handlen, Doug Carey, Nic Scott, Jenn Libby-Jones, Matt Jaeger, John Abplanalp, Becky Butler, Ross McDowell, Eric Eisenberg, Barbara Russell, Undersheriff Wes Rethwill, Tailor Arrington, Sarah Hensley, Shelly Stewart, Marni Larson, Mindy Brooks, Larry Grove, Graham Gowing, Gary Fredricks, Tammy Martin, Kate Chatterton, Chehalis Fire Chief Ken Cardinale, Napavine Fire Chief Dan Mahoney Guest(s): Lewis County Fire District 6, John Christian, Gregory Greene Recorder: Rieva Lester Public comment: None. ESC Lewis County Assessor Ross Nielson discussed the number of Board of Equalization petitions received (roughly 1,000). Ross noted that even more were submitted when the Assessor’s Office switched to annual re-evaluations. Ross said he would give the commissioners a presentation about valuations and levies the following week. Treasurer Arny Davis said the Treasurer’s Office is on track to send tax bills around Valentine’s Day. DIRECTORS’ UPDATE Rieva Lester discussed a notice of Public Hearing for the proposed amendment to the 2023 Annual Construction Program (ACP) and 2023-2028 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve post-execution ratification of a memorandum of understanding between Lewis County Department of Emergency Management and Lewis County Risk Management for Safety Officer services. Matt Jaeger discussed a resolution for the declaration of surplus personal property. Meja Handlen and John Abplanalp discussed a resolution to approve Consolidated Contract #CLH31017 Amendment 10 between Lewis County and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Lee Napier discussed a resolution to approve Amendment 18 between Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office and Lewis County, acting as Fiscal Agent for the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority. Lee Napier discussed a resolution to approve a Twelfth Supplement Agreement between SBGH Partners, LLC and Lewis County. Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to appoint Commissioner Scott J. Brummer to the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board. Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to request that the Washington State Transportation Commission rename the Riffe Lake Overlook in Gary Stamper's honor. Held: Eric Eisenberg said he would like to hold the resolution to approve an Application to the Water Banking Pilot Grant Program at the Department of Ecology for Funds to Set Up and Stock a County Water Bank. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to move one notice item, two consent items and seven deliberation items to the Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, BOCC Business Meeting agenda. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Announcements Amber Smith discussed work being done to update the Employee Handbook. Meja Handlen said the Point in Time homeless count will take place the following week. Doug Carey discussed plans to present financing options regarding capital projects. Doug said Juvenile staff will begin moving back to the Juvenile center in February. Jenn Libby-Jones said she has heard from 10 companies about the recent RFP. Matt Jaeger said Office 365 is on track. Becky Butler discussed an upcoming grant-writing class through MRSC. She said the archeologist RFP closed the previous week. She said the group has tentatively hired a project manager. Ross McDowell said the fallout from the November windstorm has qualified for individual assistance. Eric Eisenberg said the county has submitted its grant application for the Drug Court house. He discussed the need the Broadband Action Team will need to help secure and spend broadband funds. Wednesday Workshop Fire districts, adequate facilities and development: Eric Eisenberg discussed his work regarding rural housing and the need to ensure fire districts can handle growth. Chief Cardinale expressed concerns about additional growth when the fire districts already are understaffed and often underfunded. The group discussed approvals that are required via the Growth Management Act. Eric and the group discussed what can be done to address response times, staffing and funding. Eric said he recommends the county continue work to sell the Masonic building as he has been unable to find funding to pay for it. Eric said funding for the water banking pilot program can only fund the purchase of true water rights, not water rights in mitigation (such as the TransAlta water rights). He said Ecology said Ecology funding cannot be used to pay for the Transalta water rights. Eric said a funding proviso could free the funding up for such purchases. Commissioner Pollock discussed using Ecology funding primarily to create the structure of the water bank and to purchase additional water rights with county funding alone. Commissioner Swope noted that employee recognition for five-year employment milestones will be Jan. 24 and that the Napavine HS football team will attend Jan. 24 meeting as well. Meeting ended at 10:47 a.m.