2023-08-07 Wrap-UpBOCC Wrap-Up
August 7, 2023
9:01 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Josh Metcalf, Aimee
Albright, Amber Smith, Meja Handlen, Doug Carey, Lee Napier, Tammy Martin, Kate Chatterton, Gin
Pack, Grace Jimenez, Justia Madrigal, Rudy Rodriguez, Tom Stanton, Kendra Jones
Guest(s): Andrea Heisel, Chris Chrzan, Kate McDougall, Patty Howard, Isabel Vander Stoep, Ruth
Gutierrez, Chad Taylor, Nate Judd, The Chronicle, several unnamed guests
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Workers’ comp claim follow-up and Boundary Review Board (BRB) / Winlock: At 9:01 a.m.,
Commissioner Swope announced that the Board would be going into executive session under RCW
42.30.110(1)(i) for until 9:21 a.m. to discuss Workers’ comp claim follow-up and Boundary Review Board
(BRB) / Winlock.
Executive session ended at 9:21 a.m. Commissioner Swope noted that no decisions had been made.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to approve moving forward with Option 3 – as discussed in
executive session – as the best outcome for resolution of the workers’ compensation claim and to
authorize outside counsel, Jannine Myers, to negotiate on the county’s behalf up to the dollar amount
recommended in Option 3 to resolve Deputy Nelson’s workers’ compensation claim. Commissioner
Brummer seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Water Conservancy Board vacancy: Rieva Lester said the county received one application received for
the Water Conservancy Board vacancy.
Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition Grant: Rieva Lester said Eric Eisenberg has not yet heard back from
Commerce regarding the grant.
Commissioner Brummer made a motion to add to the agenda for the Aug. 8, 2023, Business Meeting,
a resolution to appoint David Hilligoss to the Water Conservancy Board. Commissioner Pollock
seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Timberland Regional Library (TRL) book rating system: Commissioner Swope said he would like to
propose a rating system the library could use to limit unintended access to material that isn’t age
appropriate. Commissioner Pollock suggested inviting representatives from TRL and the TRL board to
discuss the board’s concerns.
Homeless shelter policies: Commissioner Swope asked what the policy would be for housing youth or
sex offenders at the shelter. Meja Handlen, Gin Pack and Ruth Gutierrez outlined The Salvation Army’s
and overnight shelter’s policies. Commissioner Swope said he will work with Meja to draft a county
policy.
Lewis County Seniors: Commissioner Brummer expressed concerns with Lewis County Seniors President
Carol Brock’s announcement that established rules to exclude prayer and political discussion. The
commissioners said they would like to invite the Lewis County Seniors Board to meet with the
commissioners to discuss the commissioners’ concerns.
County Administration budget: Tammy Martin said Violet Barboza has been providing assistance for the
Fair. The commissioners directed staff to allocate Violet’s salary from the department for which she is
working.
Fire Commissioners Association meeting (Aug. 21 at Fire 6 in Chehalis): The commissioners said they
would all like to attend the upcoming meeting and would like to treat it as a special meeting to allow
them to discuss county business.
WSAC County Leaders Conference (Nov. 14-16): All three commissioners said they would like to attend
the WSAC conference in the fall.
Commissioner Pollock made a motion to update the agenda to include a discussion about Public
Health and Social Service’s Community Services Manager position.
Meja Handlen said she is requesting permission to hire a Community Services Manager at Grade 126,
Step 12 for a grant-funded position.
Commissioner Brummer made a motion to approve hiring the Public Health and Social Services
Community Services Manager at a Grade 126, Step 12. Commissioner Pollock seconded. Motion
passed 3-0.
Announcements / new business: None.
Meeting adjourned at 10:18 a.m.