2025-03-26 Directors UpdateDirectors’ Update
March 26, 2025
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Becky Butler, Meja Handlen, Mindy Brooks, Justia Madrigal, Geoff Soderquist, Tim Mixer, Wes
Anderson, Chief Gabe Frase, Fionna Velazquez, Gabe Anzelini, Ross Nielson, Arny Davis, Shelly Steward,
Chris Lanegan, Casey Mauermann, Gary Fredricks, Jenn Libby-Jones, Linda Mastin, Sherri Dokken, Tom
Stanton, James Goodman, Karrin Phomma, Scott Gripp, David Bailey, Angie Hodge, Erika Katt
Guest(s): Jacob Moore, unnamed guest
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Becky Butler discussed a notice of hearing for a 2025 budget amendment.
Chief Gabe Frase discussed a resolution to approve Lewis County Sheriff's Office Animal Fee Schedule.
Jenn Libby-Jones discussed a resolution to approve an Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing
Agreement with Cowlitz 911 Public Authority for Cooperative Governmental Purchasing.
Tim Mixer discussed a resolution regarding the declaration of surplus vehicles and equipment.
Wes Anderson discussed a resolution to accept a bid on tax title property off of Airport Road in Chehalis.
Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to appoint members to the Lewis County Local Emergency Planning
Committee (LEPC).
Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to approve the interlocal agreement (ILA) for emergency
management services between Lewis County Emergency Management and the municipalities of Vader,
Toledo, Winlock, Morton, Mossyrock, Napavine, and Pe Ell.
Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to appoint DEM Deputy Director Erika Katt as the Lewis County
Community Emergency Coordinator and William Teitzel as the Alternate Community Emergency
Coordinator for 2025 and 2026 for hazardous material incidents.
Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to list the bids received and newspaper selected for Lewis County
legal printing for July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Commissioner Swope discussed a resolution to protect access to natural gas for homes and businesses
to comply with Initiative 2066 - Public Services Building and Fire Safety.
Chief Gabe Frase discussed a hearing for Ordinance 1361, which would rescind and replace Chapters
5.25, 6.05 and 6.15 of county code to transfer animal control duties from Public Health to the Sheriff's
Office.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to move one notice item, two consent items, nine deliberation
items and one hearing to the Tuesday, April 1, 2025, BOCC agenda. Commissioner Swope seconded.
Motion passed 3-0.
Announcements / new business
Erika Katt provided a weather briefing.
Wednesday Workshop
.09 / Distressed Counties request re natural gas pipeline: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to
deny the funding request. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Coastal Community Action Program (CAP) presentation on Housing and Essential Needs (HEN)
program: Housing Director Kimberly Stoll-French and Director Craig Dublanko provided updates on
CAP’s HEN program.
Executive session: At 9:49 a.m., Commissioner Brummer announced that the Board would be going into
executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) until 10:04 a.m. to discuss the following three topics:
• Thode v. Nielson litigation
• Benaroya Company bankruptcy court Adversary Complaint
• Winco parking lot lease
Executive session ended at 10:04 a.m. Commissioner Brummer noted that no decisions had been made.
Nitrates: Commissioner Swope said a local game farm is impacting surrounding wells and an aquifer.
Commissioner Swope said the Department of Fish and Wildlife is prioritizing hunting over people’s
livelihoods. Meja said the DFW is raising 40,000 pheasants on the property.
Correspondence received regarding AMR closure: Erika Katt said AMR transportation had increased its
costs, prompting organizations to move to Medex. That move, she said, has led to AMR’s closure. Erika
said Medex plans to absorb the AMR employees.
Calendars: The commissioners directed staff to delay the start time for the April 7 Wrap-Up meeting
until 10 a.m.
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.