2023-03-13 BOCC Wrap-Up CMBOCC Wrap-Up / County Manager Update
March 13, 2023
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, County Manager Erik
Martin, Steve Wohld, Lee Napier, Aimee Albright, Amber Smith, Doug Carey, Josh Metcalf, Nic Scott,
Kevin McDowell, Barbara Russell, Becky Butler, Kate Chatterton, Troy Nichols, Eric Eisenberg, Josh
Weiss, Matt Jaeger, Meja Handlen, Meja Brooks, Lonnie Ladenberg (ETL attorneys), Linda Mastin
Guest(s): John Christian, Isabel Vander Stoep, individual identified as “Guest”
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
>> Wrap-Up items
2023 legislative session: Troy Nichols and Josh Weiss provided updates on the following:
• Chamber-of-origin deadline was March 8.
• Opposite Chamber Policy Committee deadline is March 29.
• The Department of Ecology did not consider the County’s grant application to be consistent with
the guidelines established by the Legislature in the county water bank funding. Amendments to
the proviso have been submitted.
• The carbon sequestration bill (HB 1789) passed the House on bipartisan vote.
Josh Metcalf expressed concerns with HB 1050 regarding apprenticeship programs, noting that the bill
could have significant impacts locally. The commissioners said they oppose the bill.
Vibbert: At 9:24 a.m., Commissioner Swope announced that the Board would be going into executive
session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 5 minutes to discuss the Vibbert case.
Executive session started at 9:25 a.m.
• At 9:30 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 5 minutes.
• At 9:35 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 3 minutes.
• At 9:38 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 2 minutes.
• At 9:40 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 2 minutes.
• At 9:42 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 2 minutes.
Executive session ended at 9:44 a.m. Commissioner Swope noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to authorize outside counsel to negotiate at the recommended
amounts as discussed in executive session. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
YMCA: At 9:45 a.m., Commissioner Swope announced that the Board would be going into executive
session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 3 minutes to discuss the YMCA case.
Executive session started at 9:46 a.m.
• At 9:49 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 2 minutes.
Executive session ended at 9:51 a.m. Commissioner Swope noted that no decisions had been made.
Agenda change: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to add to the March 14, 2023, BOCC Business
Meeting Resolution 23-096: Appoint Steve Wohld interim County Manager. Commissioner Brummer
seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Eagle Cliff / Foster Creek mine: The commissioners said they are in support of a letter Commissioner
Brummer had drafted to Scott Crossfield and Jim Wallace.
Caputo Strategic LLC invoice / services: The commissioners approved paying for half of the $10,000
Caputo invoice for February 2023.
Approval of minutes: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve minutes from the week of Feb.
27, 2023. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
County Manager recruitment / succession planning: Erik Martin said he is setting up a Friday meeting
with the consultant heading the recruitment process.
Calendars: Commissioner Swope said he will work from home Thursday afternoon.
Correspondence: Commissioner Pollock said she had received correspondence regarding Twin Transit.
Commissioner Brummer said he will respond to the email.
>> County Manager items
Announcements: Erik said he, Eric Eisenberg and Josh Metcalf submitted the county’s Congressionally
Directed Spending requests. Eric Eisenberg said he has been alerted that the county has been awarded
the rapid housing grant it applied for.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding: Becky Butler said a full ARPA allocation review is planned for
March 22.
Community Development: Lee Napier said Toledo has reached out regarding a large development
planned for within city limits that borders a county road. She said the Toledo School District is looking
into creating impact fees and the timeline for creating impact fees.
Meeting adjourned at 10:06 a.m.