HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BOCCGRANT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MEETING MINUTES
Week Of October 2-- October 8, 2023
Commission Chambers
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Public meetings were held in person with a WEBER Conference Call/Video option available.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2023
The Grant County Commissioners session began at 8:30 a.m. with Commissioners Carter and Stone in
attendance. Commissioner Jones attended at 9:05 a.m. via Webex.
8:30 a.m. — 8:45 a.m. Central Services Weekly Update
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(c) Commissioner Carter called an Executive Session to order at
8:33 a.m. to go until 8:45 a.m. regarding Real Estate Sale. In attendance were Commissioners
Carter and Stone, and Tom Gaines, Central Services director. Commissioner Carter closed the
session at 8:45 a.m.
8:45 a.m. — 9:00 a.m. Development Services Weekly Update
® Received $160,,000 grant for Shoreline Management Plan
9:00 a.m. — 9:30 a.m. Accounting Weekly Update Commissioner Jones attended at 9:05 a.m.
via Webex
• 2024 Budget: BOCC review the excel spreadsheet. Accounting plans to keep it "live" for
everyone to have access all year long.
• County Insurance Pool WCRG looking at a 100% increase.
• Katie recommends re-evaluating the liability insurance breakdown, owed by
departments/offices.
9:30 a.m. —10:30 a.m. B Vasquez, Clerk of the Board Update
• Pending Decisions Spreadsheet
• Employee BBQ (10/4)
• BOCC Meeting Schedule —Week of Christmas: The BOCC decided to hold that week's meetings
on Wednesday, 12/27/23.
• BOCC Office: Leave Slips: The Clerk of the Board will sign all leave slips as the office manager.
10:30 a.m. —11:00 a.m. Suzi Fode, New Hope Update Commissioner Carter attended at 10:35
a.m.
• Shelter Update -3 full rooms
• County ARPA Request — 5 %2 years were approved, she is now amending her request to increase
her funding request due to Technology Services annual fees, COLA, and benefit increases.
Page 2 of 10
Grant County Commissioners Minutes
Week of October 2, 2023
• New grant received from Northwest Immigrants' Rights project, $127,000 over 3 years.
• Interdepartmental Billing for Services: HR/TS/Liability Insurance
• Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EPSP) funding
• Other
11:00 a.m. —11:25 a.m. Sun Lakes Resort Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Presentation
• The Commissioners signed a Letter of Recognition to the Sun Lakes Resort being one of the top 3
rate payers in the county.
11:30 a.m. —11:45 a.m. MACC: Emerg Comm 135.186; MACC Const Bond 307.000
• Close the 307 fund and move the balance to the 135 fund as of October 1, 2023.
12:00 p.m. —1:00 p.m. WSAC Virtual Assembly
1:00 p.m. — 2:00 p.m. Commissioners Roundtable — Misc. Discussion Commissioner Carter
attended at 1:04 p.m.
• Review Consent Agenda Items
o District Court Items 10: Contracts were reviewed by their Judge, not Prosecuting
Attorney's Office.
o Public Defense Items 11: Prosecuting Attorney does not review their contracts.
o Public Works Item 13: No PW staff in attendance to answer questions.
o Sheriffs Office Item 16: This is being asked for in the 2024 budget.
o Sheriff's Office Item 17: Permission for GCSO staff to docusign the agreement.
• Liquor License concern in Quincy area (JG): Liquor and Cannabis Control Board awarded the
liquor license that the BOCC recommended denial of. Future course of action: wait and see if
any complaints/violations come in. Potentially send them a letter stating that any events they
hold will be in violation and fines will be issued. Have code enforcement officer hand deliver the
letter. Meet with GCSO/PAO/Dev Svcs/BOCC to discuss after Dev Svcs reviews.
• Commissioner District Updates
o District 1 DS: PW Rodeo was well done; PCC Rail Authority meeting - $72 million funding
granted; EWCOG Meeting — EPA attended to discuss proposed superfund site
designation of the Columbia River from the Canadian Border to Grand Coulee Dam;
o District 2 RJ: none
o District 3 CC: WCRG Insurance Retreat —100% rate increase proposed (insurance reform
on a WA State level is needed); trainings are available online from WCRG — Situational
Awareness;
• JG: Application from the North Central Washington Board of Trustees — Grant County pick needs
to be submitted.
Page 3 of 10
Grant County Commissioners Minutes
Week of October 2, 2023
2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m. K Eslinger, Human Resources Update
Topic
Category
Request
Action
01. HR Staffing Structure & Budget
Budget & Finance
FYI Only
No Action Taken — Informational
Only.
02. 2024 HR Budget Decisions
a. COLA (3.56%)
b. Healthcare Premium
Budget & Finance
FYI Only
No Action Taken — Informational
c. Plan Changes
Only.
v
d. LEOFF Expense
03. "Extra Fund" Projects
a. Camp Plan Consultant
Budget & Finance
g
FYI Only
v
No Action Taken — Informational
- Committee
Only.
b. HRIS Projects
04. Position Management
Position
FYI Only
No Action Taken — Informational
Management
Only.
05. Standard Comparable Counties
Compensation
Direct
Board Direction Given.
06. Asst Director Wage Scales
Position
Direct
Board Direction Given.
Management
07. BOCC Staffing Structure
Compensation
Direct
Board Direction Given.
OS. Emmalie Eckhart
Employee Issue
FYI Only
No Action Taken — InformationalOnl
v .
09. Auditor's Office
Employee Issue
FYI Only
No Action Taken — InformationalOnl
v .
10. HR Authority in Disciplinary
LeadershipDirect
Board Direction Given.
Actions (Gaines; McKiernan)
1.1. Bargaining Authority Meetings
a. Deputies (09/27)
b. Dist Court (10/04)
c. Courthouse (10/04
Labor Relations
Direct
Board Direction Given.
d. Review Admin (10/05)
e. Public Works (10/05)
In the near future, schedule meeting between BOCC and Elected Officials to discuss letter sent
to BOCC related to Human Resources (2 EO/2 DH/2 HR & BOCC)
Comparables: Commissioner Jones stated we should be comparable to our "region", not
necessarily other counties.
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) -Job Applicant/Evaluation and RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) —
Negotiations, Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order at 3:01 p.m. to go until 3:16
p.m. In attendance were Commissioners Carter, Stone and Jones, Kirk Eslinger, Decorah Anderson -
Cook and Gina Saldana, Human Resources. The session was then continued to 3:30 p.m.
Commissioner Jones closed the session at 3:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. District Court Update (Cancelled)
Page 4 of 10
Grant County Commissioners Minutes
Week of October 2, 2023
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023
The Grant County Commissioners session began at 8:30 a.m. with Commissioners Carter and Stone in
attendance. Commissioner Jones attended via Webex at 8:37 a.m.
8:30 a.m. — 9:00 a.m. K McCrae, Prosecuting Attorney's Office Update
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), Commissioner Carter called an Executive Session to order at
8:31 a.m. to go until 8:36 a.m. regarding Litigation. In attendance were Commissioners Carter,
Stone and Jones (Commissioner Jones attended via Webex at 8:37 a.m.), Kevin McCrae and
Rebekah Kaylor, Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The session was continued to 8:42 a.m.
Commissioner Jones closed the session at 8:42 a.m.
9:00 a.m. — 9:50 a.m. Department Head Annual Review Discussion
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(8) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order at
9:05 a.m. to go until 9:50 a.m. regarding Job Applicant/Evaluation. In attendance were
Commissioners Carter, Stone and Jones, and Kirk Eslinger, Human Resources Director. The
session was continued to 9:55 a.m. Commissioner Jones closed the session at 9:55 a.m.
10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. CCarter with B Helvey, Animal Rescue in Grant County
10:30 a.m. —11:00 a.m. Columbia Basin Conservation District Update
In attendance: Kristina Ribellia attended via Webex and Dinah Rouleau was in person to discuss
Water Conservation in our area.
11:00 a.m. —12:00 p.m. C Young, Development Services Update
• D.S. Update — Permitting and Revenue Statistics
• Water and Growth Statistics
• LAMIRD Discussion — Public hearing in November. Accessory Dwelling Units will be acted upon.
• Liquor license for parcel in Quincy—county denied but Liquor Control Board approved.
1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m. S Castro, Public Works Update
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order at
1:04 p.m. to go until 1:24 p.m. regarding Litigation. In attendance were Commissioners Carter,
Stone and Jones, Sam Castro and Dave Bren (Dave Bren via Webex), Public Works, and Kevin
McCrae and Rebekah Kaylor, Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The session was continued to 1:34
p.m. and then again to 1:40 p.m. Commissioner Jones closed the session at 1:40 p.m.
• Executive Session 20 Min. (Sam)
• Cultural Survey Agreement for H — SE Reconstruction
• ROW Acquisition Services Agreement for the Maple and Grape Drive Reconstruction Project
• Gorge Amphitheater Stakeholder meeting —next meeting is in November.
Page 5 of 10
Grant County Commissioners Minutes
Week of October 2, 2023
2:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. Commissioners Meeting Commissioner Carter attended via Weibex
Call to order
Open Forum for Citizen Input (3 minutes per person, 15 -minute time limit)
o Jerome Wawers discussed the Quincy liquor license application that has been brought
forth. He strongly believes the BOCC should put together a letter addressing the issues
and have a deputy serve the letter.
o DS: Larry Lewis requested an update in regards to his questions about buoys in the
Crescent Bar area. Commissioner Carter stated she thought the information was relayed
to Mr. Lewis and would double-check and re -send the information she gathered.
• Approval of Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Stone, seconded by Commissioner
Carter, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
• Correspondence (ie. Emails that have come in that need response, letters of support etc.)
o Quincy liquor license discussed. Commissioner Stone read the new RCW that was
brought forth by Development Services. He believes 2 letters should be drafted and
delivered to the property owner. He will draft letter for submittal.
• Commissioners Roundtable — Miscellaneous Discussion
o Commissioner Jones signed a Junk Vehicle Affidavit for a vehicle found at the new jail
site. (2001 Chrysler Voyager)
o Tom Gaines discussed item 7 from Central Services. He is requesting approval for him to
sign the document via DocuSign on behalf of the county.
o Cindy Carter met with Bonnie Helvey of ARFS, who recommended not contracting with
Wenatchee Humane Society but instead having a (Trap Neuter Return) TNR program.
Bonnie also recommended a new tax to assist with animals and limiting the number of
animals allowed to be owned in the county, county to reinforce HB 1424 relating to the
sale and adoption of cats and dogs.
o Consent Agenda — (Items 1 through 17) All items are considered routine and will be
enacted by one motion- of the commissioners with no separate discussion. If a separate
discussion is desired, that item may be removed and placed under Board
Discussion/Decision. A motion was made by Commissioner Stone to approve items 1-91
item 7 to allow Tom Gaines to DocuSign, change amount and dates of item 6, hold
item 10 for 1 week, 11-17.
Commissioner Jones seconded and the motion passed with 2 commissioners in
attendance. Commissioner Carter dropped off the call before the final vote.
AUDITOR'S OFFICE
1. Payment of vouchers certified by the auditing officer as required by RCW 42.24.080, and those
expense reimbursement claims certified by the auditing officer as required by RCW 42.24.090, as
recorded on a listing and made available to the Board. (In the amount of $1,,254,,334.19)
COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
2. Reimbursement request for Strategic Infrastructure Program (SIP) Project No. 2021 -01 -GC Hospital
#4, McKay Healthcare, Phase 1 Capital Improvement Plan in the amount of $149.,867.63 grant
monies.
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Grant County Commissioners Minutes
Week of October 2, 2023
3. Reimbursement request for Strategic Infrastructure Program (SIP) Project No. 2022 -02 -GC Hospital
#41 McKay Healthcare, Phase 1 Capital Improvement Plan — Emergency Generator Expansion, in
the amount of $89,,262.67 grant monies.
4. Reimbursement request from Big Bend Community College in the amount of $10,950.33 for
Building 1700 remodeling expenses as part of their approved American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
funding.
5. Out-of-state travel request for the 2024 year for WSU Extension office to travel to Oregon State
University Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center, and Moscow, ID to conduct their
jobs as needed.
6. Reimbursement request from New Hope on the Department of Commerce Emergency Housing
Fund (EHF) Grant No. 24-4619D-106, in the amount of $1 6 .31752.113(amount amended by Janice
Flynn to a new amount of $3,314.48 and added that this is also for July expenses) for August
2023 expenses.
CENTRAL SERVICES
7. Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Grant (Contract No. FY24-
90006-002) to provide support for the rehabilitation of the historic Grant County Courthouse in
the amount of $239,888.00 with a term beginning June 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025. (The
Board approved Tom Gaines to sign the document via DocuSign on behalf of the County.)
8. Request to plat parcel No.'s 160853000, 160866003, and 160866002 as well as complete a shrub -
steppe survey to continue to the process for the New Grant County Jail. Work will be completed
by Western Pacific Engineering in the amount of $11,180.00.
9. Participation Agreement to utilize Sourcewell Contract No. 080119 -ATT (FirstNet), with AT&T
FirstNet Public Safety Cellular network to support the Sheriff's Office mobile service needs
particularly in the area of the Gorge Amphitheater.
DISTRICT COURT
10. Request for District Court Administrator, Desiree Ochocinksi, to docu-sign Interagency Agreement
No. IAA24406 with the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts for the purpose of
distributing funds for court interpreter and language access services expenses of the courts.
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, with a maximum
reimbursement amount of $5,,235.00. (Item held until 10/10/23 Consent Agenda for Prosecuting
Attorney's Office review)
PUBLIC DEFENSE
11. (2) Professional Services Agreement for legal representation of Indigent Individuals in Grant
County District Court (Adult Felony Only) Part -Time Contractor with Derek Reid, and Brooke
Hagara, for a term of September 26, 2023, through December 31, 2024.
Page 7 of 10
Grant County Commissioners Minutes
Week of October 2, 2023
Pl 1R1 it \AinRIN
12. Local Agency Real Estate Professional Services Negotiated Hourly Rate Consultant Agreement No.
CRP 18-05, with Universal Field Services for the purpose of Right -of -Way acquisition services to
acquire up to 17 parcels for the Grant County Maple and Grape Drive reconstruction project in the
amount of $123,975.00.
13. Contract for Services with Eastern Washington University for cultural resources survey for the
Road H -SE project. The term of the agreement is September 23, 2023, through January 31, 2024,
not to exceed $9,387.94.
RENEW
14. Interlocal agreement between Renew and the Quincy School District regarding counseling
services. The term of the agreement is August 30, 2023, through June 13, 2024, at a rate of $92.00
per on-site hour and in -office preparation and record keeping, not to exceed 80 hours per month.
(Resolution No. 23 -108 -CC)
15. Contract with Stan's Construction and Son, LLC, to secure access to the clinical offices, reception
area as well as waiting area at the Ephrata office location, in the amount of $21,387.32.
SHERIFF'S OFFICE
16. Request to purchase a 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 for the Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team
(INET) from lowest bidder, Barry Automotive in the amount of $53,336.26 from fund GSCO INET
Seizure Account 190.151.
17. Request for Sheriff Kriete and Phil Coats to docu-sign the Certification of De Minimis Indirect Cost
Rate document, FFY 2023 STOP Formula Grant Application, as well as the Memorandum of
Understanding.
3:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. Budget and Finance Update and Finance Committee Meeting
Commissioner Carter attended via Webex
Katie Smith, Chief Accountant discussed the current state of the county budget and finance.
4:00 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. Law and Justice - New Jail 117 Fund Stakeholder Meeting Commissioner
Carter attended via Webex until 4:35 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2023
The Grant County Commissioners session began at 11:00 a.m. with all Commissioners in attendance.
9:30 a.m. — 2:50 p.m. D Stone, WSRRI Long -Term Strategy Advisory Group Meeting
11:00 a.m. —1:30 p.m. EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION BBQ
Page 8 of 10
Grant County Commissioners Minutes
Week of October 2, 2023
2:30 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. District Court Negotiations Authority Meeting
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order at
2:34 p.m. to go until 2:55 p.m. regarding Negotiations. In attendance were Commissioners
Carter, Stone and Jones, Judge Brian Barlow and Desiree Ochocinski, District Court, Rachel
Jorgensen, Accounting, and Kirk Eslinger (Kirk attended via Webex), Decorah Anderson -Cook and
Gina Saldana, Human Resources. The session was continued to 3:00 p.m. Commissioner Jones
closed the session at 3:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. Courthouse Negotiations Authority Meeting
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order at
3:04 p.m. to go until 3:45 p.m. regarding Negotiations. In attendance were Commissioners
Carter, Stone and Jones, Tom Gaines, Central Services, Melissa McKnight, Assessor, Michele
Jaderlund, Auditor, Rachel Jorgensen, Accounting, Chris Young, Development Services, Kim
Allen, Clerk, and Kirk Eslinger (Kirk attended via Webex), Decorah Anderson -Cook and Gina
Saldana, Human Resources. The session was continued to 3:56 p.m. Commissioner Jones closed
the session at 3:56 p.m.
4:00 p.m. — 4:50 p.m. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Discussion Meeting
The Commissioners discussed ARPA funding requests.
7:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEM
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Chair of the Board was authorized to sign the Adriana Sabalza Castellon (Castellon Short Plat) File #
P 23-0183 (preliminary P 22-0446) Final Plat Submission and Review.
THURSDAY, OCTOBERS, 2023
The session was continued to 9:30 a.m. with all Commissioners in attendance. Commissioner Carter
attended via Webex until 10:10 a.m. then attended in person.
7:00 a.m. — 8:00 a.m. R Jones, Moses Lake Chamber Response Team Meeting
9:00 a.m. — 9:30 a.m. D Stone, Discussion HR Structure
Page 9 of 10 .
Grant County Commissioners Minutes
Week of October 2, 2023
9:30 a.m. —10:00 a.m. Renew Admin Negotiations Authority Meeting
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order at
9:33 am. to go until 9:55 a.m. regarding Negotiations. In attendance were Commissioners
Carter (Commissioner Carter attended via Webex), Stone and Jones, Rachel Jorgensen;
Accounting, Dell Anderson, Renew (Dell attended via Webex) and Kirk Eslinger, Decorah
Anderson -Cook and Gina Saldana, Human Resources. Commissioner Jones closed the session at
9:55 a.m.
10:00 a.m. —11:30 a.m. Excess Funds Discussion
In attendance: Darryl Pheasant, Michele Jaderlund, Tom Gaines, Katie Smith, Kevin Schmidt,
Vanessa Brown.
Darryl Pheasant discussed the current cash flow of the county. Does the assessed value spoken
in the RCW that we base our cap on based on assessed value or fair market value. Is it just what
we can receive in taxes or is it taxable value minus the current use and senior discounts? This
question was proposed to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, but a response hasn't been
received yet.
Tom Gaines discussed the new morgue proposal. Forensic Pathologists are very difficult to find.
Liability Insurance /Sheriff LEOFF /Wages and Growth —Training/Employee Growth /Tech
Services Transfer /Fairgrounds Transfer /New County Morgue
11:30 a.m. —12:00 p.m.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m
1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m.
C Carter, Discussion HR Structure
R Jones w/ K Fuhr, City of Moses Lake
R Jones w/ J Anderson Cook, Development Services
R Jones, Grant County Jail OAC Meeting
Public Works/Solid Waste Negotiations Authority Meeting
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) Commissioner Jones called an Executive Session to order at
2:03 p.m. to go until 2:40 p.m. regarding Negotiations. In attendance were Commissioners
Carter, Stone and Jones, Rachel Jorgensen, Accounting, Sam Castro and Andy Booth, Public
Works, and Kirk Eslinger, Decorah Anderson -Cook and Gina Saldana, Human Resources.
Commissioner Jones closed the session at 2:40 p.m.
3:00 p.m. —4:00 p.m. Public Works Budget Review Update (Cancelled)
4:00 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. R Jones, Discussion HR Structure