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2023-06-12 Wrap-UpBOCC Wrap-Up June 12, 2023 9:00 a.m. Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Interim County Manager Steve Wohld, Doug Carey, Josh Metcalf, Heidi Palmer, Matt Jaeger, Daleyn Coleman, Amber Smith, Wes Rethwill, Violet Barboza, Mindy Brooks, Becky Butler, Barbara Russell, Nic Scott (9:25 a.m.), David Bailey, Meja Handlen Guest(s): Josh Weiss, Troy Nichols, Willie Painter, Lisa Striedinger-Hubbard, and others in the audience Recorder: Tammy Martin Josh Metcalf requested to modify two Fleet Services positions. One position would be a step increase based on a market analysis adjustment from a step 8 to step 11 and the other position would be a one grade increase from a 122 to a 123. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to amend the salaries as presented by Josh Metcalf effective June 16, 2023. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 3- 0. Josh Weiss presented the overview of the 2023 biennium legislative session. There were 105 days in session and the 2023-25 operating capital and transportation budgets were adopted. Josh said there were 2,156 bills presented and 486 were passed into law. Any bills that did not pass may be considered in the 2024 session. Troy Nichols said this was the first in-person session since Covid closures. The final Capital budget provides $2.5 million for Lewis County’s 24-hour homeless shelter. Troy said some of the purposes of the Jail funding request can be accomplished with the $2.5 million homeless shelter funds. Josh said the final Capital budget will include improvements to the County buildings used by non-profit organizations who provide senior services received $500,000. Josh said there are good opportunities for the water banking stakeholders. Troy said the Dig Once program received $500,000 of Capital funding that would be tied to the Reynolds Road and Harrison Avenue project. The North Lewis County Interchange is significantly delayed in the final Transportation budget and will be a major focus in the future. Troy said the Chehalis Basin Plan received $70 million. Troy said other notable approved items include Lewis County’s courthouse preservation project, the hydrogen fueling station, and Centralia’s quad infield turf project. Josh said the top priority was housing and housing resources to include the Housing Trust Fund. Josh said other items addressed were vehicular pursuits and the Blake fix, 1% property tax cap, .09 extension, Climate Commitment Act spending and the first year of Move Ahead WA. Josh said next session will be a supplemental year that will include amendments to current projects but won’t be for new capital projects. This will be a 60-day session beginning January 8, 2024. Troy said there has been considerable amount of change in Legislative leadership. Troy said there is still business left to finish including supplemental budgets, North Lewis County Interchange, Senior Services sales Tax Credit, Seniors Centers Capital and Dig-Once. Troy said next steps will include meeting with the Commissioners to discuss their priorities for the future. Amber Smith the flag policy will be the formal flag policy. The Commissioners asked to place Resolution 23-193 on the Director’s Update for more discussion and review. Commissioner Brummer made a motion to move 2 deliberation items, Resolution 23-198 and the flag policy, to the hearing to the Tuesday, June 13, 2023, BOCC agenda. Commissioner Pollock seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Pollock directed staff to announce the opening of a position for the LMTAAA. Commissioner Swope suggested signing the letter of approval for Lewis County PUD. At 9:55, Commissioner Swope announced that the Board would be going into executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for 20 minutes to discuss: • Winlock / Boundary Review Board • 256 Swigert Road, Mossyrock • Opioid litigation • Public disclosures and retention • Potential class action litigation • Shelter permitting Executive session started at 9:58 a.m. • At 10:18 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 10 minutes. • At 10:28 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 10 minutes. • At 10:38 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 5 minutes. • At 10:43 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 2 minutes. • At 10:45 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 2 minutes. • At 10:47 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 2 minutes. • At 10:49 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 3 minutes. • At 10:52 a.m., the Board extended executive session for 1 minute. Executive session ended at 10:53 a.m. Commissioner Swope noted that no decisions had been made. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to ask the David Bailey to proceed with public disclosure discussion as discussed in executive session. Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Brummer made a motion for David Bailey to sign a contingency agreement on behalf of Lewis County to join a class action lawsuit as discussed in executive session. Commissioner Pollock seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Meeting ended at 10:56 a.m.