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2024-10-30 Directors UpdateDirectors’ Update October 30, 2024 9:00 a.m. Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler, Alex Murray, Mindy Brooks, Doug Carey, Chris Sweet, Becky Butler, Ross McDowell, Erika Katt, Meja Handlen, Sherri Dokken, Matt Thuston, Casey Mauermann, Daleyn Coleman, Gary Fredricks, Grace Jimenez, Jenn Libby-Jones, Rudy Rodriguez, Michelle Sauter, Sara Sons, Sarah Hensley Guest(s): Terry Wentworth, LC NWCB, Bradford McLane, Caroline Garibay Recorder: Tammy Martin Public comment: None. EXEC SESSION At 9:00 a.m., Commissioner Brummer announced the Board would be going into executive session to discuss real estate under RCW 42.30.110(1)(c) for 5 minutes until 9:05 a.m. Executive session ended at 9:05 a.m. Commissioner Brummer noted that no decisions had been made. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to accept the offer on the 508-shop property. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. DIRECTORS’ UPDATE Budget Administrator / HR & Risk Director Becky Butler discussed the notice of hearing regarding the Lewis County budget and levies for 2025. Capital Projects Manager Doug Carey discussed a resolution to ratify a signature for the Community Development Roof replacement contract. Public Health & Social Services Director Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve Contract #M01- 0224-24 between Morningside and Lewis County. Administrative Assistant Senior Tammy Martin discussed a resolution to move David Hilligoss to regular position and Brian Merryman to alternate position on the Lewis County Water Conservancy Board. Administrative Assistant Senior Tammy Martin discussed a resolution to expand membership of East Lewis County Public Development Authority (ELCPDA) Board of Directors and appoint Rob Maricle and Ann Harrington to said board. Administrative Assistant Senior Tammy Martin discussed a resolution to approve a personal services agreement with Robert K. Weidner. County Manager Ryan Barrett discussed a resolution to ratify a Special Transportation Planning Study Grant Agreement GCC 1070 with Washington State Department of Transportation for Phase II of the Westside Connector Corridor Improvements project. Emergency Management Planner Erika Katt discussed a resolution to accept an agreement with the Washington State Military Department FEMA Emergency Management performance grant and authorize signatures thereon. Community Development Director Mindy Brooks discussed a resolution to rescind and replace RES 24- 398 permitting software Contract with Granicus (Smart Gov) of Carahsoft and establish an updated contract agreement, and 5-year annual subscription, fee increase cap of 5% annually. County Manager Ryan Barrett discussed the hearing to approve a non-exclusive franchise renewal to Lewis County Water District #2 to install, construct, operate and maintain water and sewer system facilities in County Road Rights-of-Way. County Manager Ryan Barrett discussed the hearing to approve a non-exclusive franchise renewal to Astound Broadband, LLC, to install, construct, operate and maintain telecommunication facilities in County Road Rights-of-Way. Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve one notice item, two consent items, eight deliberation items, and two hearing items to the November 5, 2024, BOCC Business Meeting. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Lewis County Sheriff Office Chief Sweet invited Bradford McLane to the Directors’ Update for Naphcare discussion. Commissioner Swope asked if there were any way to reduce rates further as Lewis County faces a budget crisis. Commissioner Swope did express the importance of the program. The initial proposal was $2.6 million, Bradford said there was discussion to reduce as low as $2.4 million. Bradford recognized the budget shortfall that Lewis County is facing, but said the lowest Naphcare can reduce the contract amount is $2.1 million. Pay for the service providers and insurance are the largest cost associated with providing care by Naphcare. Chief Sweet said there is cost savings utilizing Naphcare. Medicaid cannot be billed while persons are incarcerated. Naphcare has navigators for medical reentry programs and this service helps recover billing costs. ROUND TABLE County Manager Ryan Barrett said Halloween costume judging will be tomorrow. Budget Administrator / HR & Risk Director Becky Butler announced Natalie Mauermann is back in office and thanked Cherish Wills for all her work while Natalie was out of office. Becky said there are over 2,000 vendors in OpenGOV and wanted the group to know that all insurance approvals need to reach direction from the Risk pool. Community Development Director Mindy Brooks said there will be two new employees at Community Development beginning Monday Nov. 4. She said her department will be fully staffed. Commissioner Swope asked if was possible to extend the timeline for the ILA. Facilities Administrator Alex Murray said the L & J boiler issues has been temporarily repaired for current use, but wanted the group to know this will need replaced. Alex said this will become a capital project. Alex said the 3rd floor probation door project has been wrapped up. All that is needed is to swap out the handles on the door. Alex said the panic button project is 90% complete. He said the notification process is now in the works. Alex said the L & J access controls were not able to be accessed. The communications boards need upgrading. Commissioner Swope asked if it was possible for LCSO to respond to LC needs. Chief Sweet would pass that to the Sheriff. Ryan said the City of Chehalis does have jurisdiction of the Lewis County buildings. Alex said a policy could be put in place with approval from all departments. Juvenile has a separate panic alarm system, but the remainder of the buildings are all combined. Matt Thuston said the LCSO does receive notifications when the panic alarms are used. Capital Projects Manager Doug Carey said the Packwood Senior Center roof was opened and a contract will be out shortly. Two more roof projects are expected shortly. Doug notified the Board the cultural resources is reviewing for the water line project. Doug said he is waiting for DHP approval before the water line project can proceed. Emergency Management Deputy Director Ross McDowell said DEM is starting a teens CERT program in the White Pass School District. Mortin is hoping to join. Erika Katt said the home assessment in Packwood has been in progress the last few weeks to encourage homeowners to create a defensible space around homes. Public Health & Social Services Director Meja Handlen said there was a veterans standdown in Randle that allowed for 17 veterans to be able to connect with veterans services. Meja said this was the second year providing this event. 911 Communications Director Jenn Libby-Jones said the radio portion will be done by the end of the year. Battery back up call for bids was completed. Jenn said the ILA is expected to be finalized by the endo f the year as well. Jenn attended a conference recently and focused on mental health. Jenn encouraged people to come see their decorated halls. WSU Interim Extension Director Gary Fredricks said there are fall gardening classes and will speak to projects at the next update. Meeting adjourned at 10:11 a.m.