Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners

Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners

Minutes March 17, 2020

Vol. 573

Joe Gardner, Chairman Dennis P. Weber, Cummissiuner Arne Mortensen, Commissioner

Tiffany Ostreim, Clerk of the Board

Commissioner Gardner called the regular meeting to order at g:oo a.m. Commissioner Mortensen was present and Commissioner Weber was absent-excused.

Pledge of Allegiance- Led by Commissioner Gardner.

Approval of Minutes of March 10-11, 2020 and Consent Agenda of March 17, 2020-Commissioner Mortensen moved to approve the Minutes of March 10-11, 2020. The motion carried with Commissioner Gardner and Commissioner Mortensen voting in favor.

Late Item - Washington State Department of Commerce Grant Agreement for Washington State COVID-19 Outbreak Emergency Housing Grant - Commissioner Mortensen moved to add an item to the agenda. The motion carried with Commissioner Gardner and Commissioner Mortensen voting in favor.

Commissioner Mortensen moved to approve the Consent Agenda of March 17, 2020. The motion carried with Commissioner Gardner and Commissioner Mortensen voting in favor.

Citizen Comments Citizen spoke on the current crisis and the leadership of elected people. Suggested limits on public gatherings and public participation until August 1, 2020. Would like to see the County stop discretionary projects and send funding to health care services including child care.

COVID-19 UPDATE- Dr. Kraeger, Deputy Health Officer for Cowlitz County; gave a brief update on COVID-19. Across the state 904 confirmed cases along with 48 deaths. First confirmed case in the County although not a resident which is important from their perspective; no exposure to residents of Cowlitz County. PeaceHealth followed all protocols in protections of staff and visitors. Anyone with respiratory symptoms are placed in mask. Will see more cases; just a matter of time. Health Department is prepared. Main issue is supplies. Hospitals reporting they are running low on personal equipment. Health care has restrictions on who can be tested because they are running low on swabs. If you have mild symptoms- mild cough or nasal congestion - stay home and don't expose other people. There are many other respiratory systems such as the flu going around. If you normally go to health care provider - call ahead. The state and federal governments have stock piles of supplies. Who gets those are based on need which is currently Puget Sound area. Met with Representative Herrera-Beutler who is working on her end to release some of those supplies. Health Department is doing daily checks with nursing homes, group homes, etc. State has grant funding related to housing assistance. Governor closed restaurants and bars for dine in and prohibited gatherings of so people. Working with retired nurses for extra help if cases increase. If hospitalization numbers increase our health care facilities will struggle to maintain the current care. Need to flatten the curve- instead of a huge peak of cases we spread that out at a slower surge in terms of cases that happen at once. Wash your hands, limit close contact, and stay home if you are ill. If you are high risk- 6o or have chronic conditions or compromised immune systems stay home and limit contact.

Board of Cowlitz County Commissioners' Minutes Vol. 573

March 17, 2020

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Axel Swanson, Chief of Staff; complimented staff on their hard work. The County and cities are working actively together. Department of Emergency Management is setting up a joint information center. Coordination and good information is key to getting ahead of the curve.

Cowlitz Fire 2 Chief Dave LaFave stated there is a shortage of supplies but they are going outside the traditional supply vendors and finding other supplies.

Late Item -Washington State Department of Commerce Grant Agreement in the amount of $687,838 for Washington State COVID-19 Outbreak Emergency Housing Grant- Gena James, Health and Human Services; stated they received a grant from WA State Department of Commerce out of the Community Services and Housing Unit. Cowlitz County's portion is $687,838 starting March 15, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Funding is to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak related to public health needs of people experiencing homelessness or otherwise in need of quarantine or isolation housing due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Activities funded under this grant will be performed in accordance with the Washington State COVID-19 outbreak emergency housing grant guidelines and the grantee's plan. If the County looks at purchasing a building or facility, after the outbreak, that building has to be used for housing connected to homelessness.

Commissioner Mortensen moved to approve. Citizen - asked if any location has been identified. Stated we need to be vigilant in testing only when necessary. Gena answered Family Health Center has committed to partnering with building specific to COVID-19 response. Nothing concrete. The motion carried with Commissioner Gardner and Commissioner Mortensen in favor.

Rural Development Presentations for 2020 Funding. Nine forty-five was the time set for the presentation. Julie Higgins and Traci Jackson, Office of Financial Management; were present. Received seven proposals. The County is the recipient of certain sales and use taxes which may be used only for the purposes authorized in RCW 82.14.370 to finance public facilities serving economic development purposes in rural counties or to finance personnel in economic development offices. Public facilities are defined as bridges, roads, domestic and industrial water facilities, sanitary sewer facilities, earth stabilization, storm sewer facilities, railroad, electrical facilities, natural gas facilities, research testing and training and incubation facilities, buildings, structures, telecommunications, infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, commercial infrastructure, and port facilities in these state of Washington. Economic development is defined as those purposes that facilitate the creation or retention of businesses and jobs in Cowlitz County. The Board may award between $o and approximately $500,000 toward one or more projects. The Board has developed a self-sustaining program to make funds available for economic development even after the County is no longer eligible to receive the sales tax rebate. Therefore, the Board will give favorable consideration to projects that propose to treat sales tax distributions as a loan. Requests received total $1,706,927-all grants, no loan requests.

Yale Valley Community Library- requesting $15,927. Shovel ready project to build a 2100 square foot library. Will serve school children, public, mail services and people looking for jobs. Will employ two part-time employees after construction.

Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue - requesting $181,000. Last phase of current facility plan for infrastructure. Purchase and placement of mobile home including well in Rose Valley to accommodate volunteer firefighters. Ready to move forward and interested in possibility of loan. Will provide construction jobs and more opportunity for volunteers in moving forward.


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City of Longview- requesting $5oo,ooo. International Way/Oregon Way grade separation. Promotes operation of new businesses. Provides for construction and permanent full time employees. Originally approved $2.1 million for the ramp. This is separate project.

City of Castle Rock- requesting $160,000 for Huntington Avenue South utilities extension. Project is ready to proceed. Will assist with creating 118 acre industrial I business park for new businesses. Will provide jobs for construction, permanent full-time and part-time, and seasonal workers. Positive comment was made on a very strong developer interested in the property.

Cowlitz Economic Development - requesting $50,000 for staffing to promote economic development. Works hard for small businesses and sole proprietors. Has good relationships with state agencies.

City of Kalama - requesting $300,000 for the Green Mountain Reservoir and Booster Station. Project is nearly ready to proceed. Will employ construction workers.

Port of Longview- requesting $500,000 for the North Rail Connection Project. Will promote ongoing businesses, attract new business and provide construction and permanent full time jobs. Anticipates to break ground on the $44 million project in the summer of 2020 with completion slated for late 2021.

Commissioner Mortensen moved to continue to March 31 at 10 am. The motion carried with Commissioner Mortensen and Commissioner Gardner in favor.

Consent Agenda Jackola Engineering & Architecture Task Release Order #004 to begin design, permit approval, bidding and construction administration services for the new morgue facility. Task Amount of $264,000 with the completion date of June 30, 2021.

Call for Hearings Resolution No. 20-016 - Call for Public Hearing - Consider Adoption of Revisions to the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance and Repeal Cowlitz County Code Section 18.10.58s.A.12; Hearing to be held March 31, 2020 at 9:30a.m.

Resolution No. 20-017- Call for Public Hearing - Amendment to the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program for the years 2020 to 2025; Hearing to be held March 31, 2020 at 9:45a.m.

Personal Services Agreement Contract renewal with Lorryna Sherrill-Clark for the 2020 DUI Education Class at the Probation Department; shall compensate at an hourly rate of $30 of which includes labor, materials, equipment, travel, telephone, computer, and copiers.

Personal Services Agreement Contract with Cowlitz County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the support recruitment, training, retaining as well as oversight for advocates to support youth's best interests in the dependency process; shall not exceed the amount of $50,000 for the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 and not to exceed $50,000 for the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

Warranty Deed for right of way purposes from William and Dolores McDonald for the Turner Creek Culvert Replacement project.

Warranty Deed for right of way purposes from Loren and Doreen Daggett for the Turner Creek Culvert Replacement project.


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Warranty Deed for right of way purposes from J o Ann Nita Cole for the Coyote Lane Baxter Creek Bridge project.

Warranty Deed for right of way purposes from Charles and Carolyn Paine - Trustees of the Paine Joint Trust UTA for the Coyote Lane Baxter Creek Bridge project.

Warranty Deed for right of way purposes from Thomas and Mikayla Darvell for the Coyote Lane Baxter Creek Bridge project.

Warranty Deed for right of way purposes from Colton C. Sambrano for the Coyote Lane Baxter Creek Bridge project.

Contract completion with Hurula and Sons General Contracting LLC, for the repair of a roofleak on the vestibule at the Cowlitz County Juvenile Center (FAC 02-2020); total cost of $4,269.95 including W A State sales tax.

Board Correspondence Notice from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; letter dated March 2, 2020 from Mark Sturtevant, VP of Renewable Resources PacifiCorp Energy, regarding 2019 DSSMRs, Merwin, Yale, and Swift No. 1 Projects.

Notice from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; letter dated March 5, 2020 from Gary Huhta, Director of Power Management, regarding 2019 DSSMR, Swift No.2 Project.

Vouchers The following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment

Fund Voucher Numbers Amount Claims 1000020531-1000020926 $2,642,959-59 Claims 1000020927-1000021088 2,243.503.81 Claims 1000021089-1000021460 10,208.90 Claims 1000001938-1000001981 118,531.88 Claims Special Purpose District 01 5000007439-5000007479 40,808.38 Claims Special Purpose District 01 5000007480-5000007567 99.393-21 Claims Special Purpose District 01 5000000131-5000000134 263,022.62 Claims Special Purpose District 01 5000000135-5000000147 8,773-13 Claims Special Purpose District 02 7000001273-7000001297 11,624-31 Claims Special Purpose District 02 7000001298-7000001300 275-99

The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners adjourned at 10:27 a.m. to meet again Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. ·

Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners

Minutes

Joe Gardner, Chairman Dennis P. Weber, Commissioner Arne Mortensen, Commissioner

Tiffany Ostreim, Clerk of the Board

Open Public Meetings for the week of March 17-18, 2020

Tuesday 8:45 Commissioners Pre Public Meeting Conference -Commissioners Office, 207 4th Avenue, North, Kelso, 3rd Floor Present: Joe Gardner, Dennis Weber, Arne Mortensen, Tiffany Ostreim, Axel Swanson, Gena James Quorum established. Health and Human Services requested a late item be added to the agenda.

Tuesday Q:oo a.m. Regular Public Meeting - separate minutes. Commissioners Hearing Room, 207 4th Avenue North, Kelso, 3rd Floor

Wednesday 9:30a.m. Work Session General Meeting Room, 207 4th Avenue North, Kelso, 3rd Floor Present: Joe Gardner, Arne Mortensen, Tiffany Ostreim, Jacob Huston, Will Tastad, George Moya, Kurt Williams, Traci Jackson

9:30am Facilities Maintenance CIP- Juvenile Courtroom- Handout. Juvenile courtroom remodel; estimated $6o,ooo although cost should be closer to $40,000. Chairs in lobby and courtroom. Replace with items more resistant to stains, plastic chairs. High traffic area, used year around. Over 20 years old. Items are breaking. Very small, plan to reconfigure for ADA compatible including bariatric seating. Plan to use carpet squares. Commissioner Mortensen spoke on the inadequacy of space. Board decision- revisit the subject after financial update and effects of COVID-19. Commissioner will follow up with Judge Haan regarding Juvenile Courtroom space.

10:30 am Airport Presentation - CANCELLED

Rural Economic Development projects- Seven projects were presented on Tuesday, March 27, 2020. Commissioner Mortensen spoke in support of Yale library, Port of Longview, Castle Rock, and Kalama. Commissioner Gardner spoke in support of Castle Rock, Kalama, and Port of Longview.

Administration Building - the building is open to the public. All department storefronts are closed to the public except the Commissioner's Office.

W ednesday 1:30 ~.m. Commissioner Conference General Meeting Room, 207 4th Avenue North, Kelso, 3rd Floor

Present: Joe Gardner, Arne Mortensen, Tiffany Ostreim, Axel Swanson, Sabrina Fraidenburg, Susan Eugenis, Mike Moss, Kurt Williams, Carolyn Fundingsland, Staci Myklebust, Amy Filippello, Brooke Quick, Traci Jackson, Savannah Clement

Agenda Items/Topics:

HR-


March 17-18, 2020

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Modified Work Agreement for Telework - drafted and sent to Elected Officials and Department Heads.

Furloughs- request from employees. Unpaid day, but don't get benefits or seniority, adjusted. Doesn't affect health benefits. Board approved furloughs. Leave up to EO/DH on the length of leave; review in mid-May.

Expansion of leave - Governor expanded donated leave. Allow staff to donate to those in quarantine. HR will follow up with Elaine, Community Services.

Paid Leave - staff may use their own leave. Board will be updated. What the State adopts is the status quo.

Coronavirus Update - PeaceHealth had 13 pending cases today. Governor making another announcement at 3 pm. Expect some changes. Lots of personal protection equipment shortages. Couple property management groups offered locations for first responders and health care professionals who can' quarantine at home.

Delegation of authority for the COVID-19 outbreak - Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Dave LaFave Board approved and signed.

Emergency Operation Center Webpage link off County Web Page - EOC requested permission for single webpage link off county web page similar to Snohomish. Board approved.

County Policy- Absences and closures due to emergencies and rescinding Res. No. 01-098 - policy is outdated, staff has updated. Will be on the Consent Agenda of March 24.

County Finances- Need financial update. Will see a decrease in revenue. Serious message to all Elected Officials and Department Heads.

Homelessness update - no update.

Public works organizational chart- Handout. Per Washington Administrative Code required to have pictorial chart of Public Works. Has to be part of County Road Administration Board (CRAB) submission. Board approved with deletion of"Department of Public Works".

Public Works Water/Sewer- Board approved 1 billing cycle grace period, May 1, for no shut offs. Penalty fee does not apply. Reminder - do not flush inappropriate items in place oftoilet paper.

Enforcement of Restaurants Closures- Governor issued proclamation to temporarily shut down restaurants, bars and entertainment and recreational facilities. Restaurants will be allowed to provide take-out and delivery services but no in-person dining permitted. County can't ignore, it's a criminal penalty. Commissioner Mortensen questioned the legality of the order.

Present: Joe Gardner, Arne Mortensen, Tiffany Ostreim, Axel Swanson, Mike Moss, Kurt Williams, Jim Zdilar, Sabrina Fraidenburg Executive Session per RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) Collective Bargaining - for 5 minutes starting at 2:25pm. At 2:30 all parties came out of Executive Session. No decisions were made.


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Present: Joe Gardner, Arne Mortensen, Tiffany Ostreim, Axel Swanson, Mike Moss, Kurt Williams, ShawnRoewe Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(4)(i) Potential litigation - for 10 minutes starting at 2:30 pm. At 2:40pm all parties came out of Executive Session. No decisions were made.

Open Session Present: Joe Gardner, Arne Mortensen, Tiffany Ostreim, Kurt Williams, Mike Moss and Shawn Roewe Solid Waste Disposal Proposals- Board approved the Chief of Staff to send letters to Waste Control and Western Washington Waste Systems.

The Board of Commissioners may add and take action on other items not listed on this Agenda. Please note that all meetings are subject to cancellation or rescheduling and that special meetings may

be scheduled after appropriate notice. Agendas for regularly scheduled Commissioner meetings are available at: http://www.co. cowlitz. wa. us/index.aspx?NI 0=535

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations provided upon request. Contact Human Resources . Director Jim Zdilar. Phone: 360-577-3065

Documents

Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners