2025-07-09 Directors UpdateDirectors’ Update
July 9, 2025
9 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Meja Handlen, Mindy Brooks, Geoff Soderquist, Amanda Price, John Abplanalp, Keysha
Anderson, Kaylee Sloan, Jeff Landrum, Kirsten Wecker, Wes Anderson, Tim Mixer, Karin Phomma,
Stephanie Miller, Liz Casteel, Grace Jimenez, Tina Correia, Alex Murray, Caroline Garibay, Angie Hodge,
Graham Gowing, Jacob Cleary, Matt Thuston, Rae Sisson, Ross Nielson, Shasta Hertz, Sherri Dokken,
Becky Butler, David Bailey
Guest(s): Jacob Moore
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Rieva Lester discussed a call for bids / proposals for the Claquato Church property, parcel No.
018520000000.
Tim Mixer discussed a call for bids for one or more new pursuit-rated SUVs.
Karin Phomma discussed a resolution to approve an interlocal agreement (ILA) with City of Centralia for
Drug Court services. The commissioners requested a renewal date be added to the contract.
Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to approve an additional 2025 Public Defender contract for Juvenile
Court.
Amanda Price discussed a resolution to approve agreement with Medix Ambulance Services for
technology services.
Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve Contract #R01-0249-25 between Reliable Enterprises
and Lewis County.
Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to appoint two regular members and two alternates to the
Veterans’ Advisory Board (VAB).
Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve Agreement #2563-63336 between the Washington
State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
and Lewis County.
Meja Handlen discussed a resolution to approve Interagency Agreement Contract #26-46108-18
between the Washington State Department of Commerce (DOC) and Lewis County. Commissioner
Swope said he does not want the county to accept the $6.5 million and instead accept only the funds
the county has used. Meja noted that the funding is on a reimbursement-only. He said he’d like to hold
off on the resolution until the commissioners are able to review data dating back to 2017. The
commissioners requested the proposed resolution be held until the Aug. 6 Directors’ Update.
Becky Butler discussed a resolution to approve an agreement with Antiquity Consulting LLC for
consulting services related to the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds project.
Becky Butler discussed a resolution to approve the commitment of financial resources for a specific
purpose to Capital Maintenance and Repair Fund No. 3010.
Ryan Barrett and Rieva Lester discussed a resolution to declare Claquato Church property - parcel No.
018520000000 - as surplus real property.
Becky Butler discussed a hearing for a Lewis County 2025 budget amendment.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to move two notice items, two consent items, nine deliberation
items and one hearing to the Tuesday, July 15, 2025, BOCC Business Meeting agenda. Commissioner
Swope seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Announcements / new business
Mindy Brooks discussed the previous night’s Planning Commission meeting.
Becky Butler reviewed upcoming budget trainings as well as plans to update the county’s Risk policies.
Executive session: At 9:52 a.m., Commissioner Brummer announced that the Board would be going into
executive session until 10:07 a.m. to discuss two topics under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) - Department of
Commerce refund and Napavine annexation request – and one topic under RCW 42.30.110(1)(c),
Claquato Church.
• At 10:07 a.m., Commissioner Brummer extended executive session until 10:10 a.m.
• At 10:10 a.m., Commissioner Brummer extended executive session until 10:13 a.m.
Executive session ended at 10:13 a.m. Commissioner Brummer noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to direct the PA Office file a lawsuit regarding the Department
of Commerce refund as discussed in executive session. Commissioner Swope seconded. Motion
passed 3-0.
Wednesday Workshop
Carlisle Lake / Onalaska Alliance: Commissioner Brummer said he and DEM are working with Onalaska
Alliance on a failing structure at Carlisle Lake.
Recovery Navigator funding request: Commissioner Pollock said Great Rivers has indicated Recovery
Navigator is fully funded through July 1. The commissioners said they would like staff to reach out to
Troy Nichols and Josh Weiss about including Recovery Navigator funding as a legislative ask.
Update to county code regarding on-site septic: Kirsten Wecker reviewed proposed changes to county
code regarding on-site septic requirements. Kirsten noted that some of the code changes reflect
changes to state law. The commissioners said they would like to have the public weigh in – especially
regarding installation requirements – and would like to revisit the topic July 16.
Lewis County water lab: Jeff Landrum outlined the benefits of retaining the county’s water lab, which is
facing a large budget deficit. The group discussed concerns regarding the need to replace equipment
and fill an upcoming vacancy. The commissioners directed Meja to work with Ryan to explore options
for the future of the water lab.
Community Development / Public Works permit process coordination: Mindy Brooks outlined changes
being worked on for Title 12 of Lewis County code.
Meeting adjourned at 11:13 a.m.