Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments Board Meeting Cowlitz County Administration Building ~ General Meeting Room Thursday, February 23, 2012 ~ 12:00 pm M I N U T E S Representatives: Susan Humbyrd, City of Woodland Nelson Holmberg, Port of Woodland Dave Andrew, Cowlitz PUD Bill Hallanger, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Pete Poulsen, City of Kalama Dan Myers, City of Kelso Lisa Marsyla, Wahkiakum County George Raiter, Cowlitz County Dick Swart, Town of Cathlamet Tom Hutchinson, City of Longview Lou Johnson, Port of Longview Troy Stariha, Port of Kalama Kim Adamson, Beacon Hill Water & Sewer District Larry Mayfield, Longview School District Jim Biwer, Kelso School District Jim Sutton, Kalama School District Michael Green, Woodland School District Ilona Kerby, Lower Columbia CAP Bill Marcum, Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Alternates: Al Swindell, City of Woodland Scot Walstra, Cowlitz EDC Staff: Steve Harvey, Katie Wells, Bonnie Kelley, TJ Keiran, Jennifer Keene, Rosemary Siipola Guests: Schuyler Hoss, Governor Gregoire s Office; Katie Whittier, Senator Murray s Office Chair Susan Humbyrd called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm and welcomed everyone. Introductions were made around the room. Chair Humbyrd welcomed our new board members, Tom Hutchinson - City of Longview, Bill Marcum - Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce and Dick Swart -Town of Cathlamet. Action Items Minutes of the January 27, 2012 COG Board meeting: Al Swindell moved and Bill Hallanger seconded to approve the minutes of January 27, 2012 as printed. Motion carried. Monthly Expenditures for January 2012: Bill Hallanger has reviewed the expenditures and all is in order. Bill Hallanger moved and Dan Myers seconded to approve the expenditures as printed. Motion carried. February 23, 2012 Board Minutes Page 1
Adoption of 2011 Annual Report: Director Harvey briefly reviewed the report and indicated we focused on areas that are new initiatives and a new way of looking at projects. Dick Swart complimented the COG staff on the quality of the report; it s easy to read and takes the COG to a new level in terms of effective communication. Dan Myers moved and Dick Swart seconded to adopt the 2011 Annual Report. Motion carried. Information Items 4 th Quarter 2011 Financial Report: Director Harvey briefly reviewed the Financial Report from the 4 th quarter of 2011. We ended the year as we expected. All expenditures met the goals of no more than 100% expended as of the end of the year. Had a little less in the beginning fund balance for 2012 than the projection of $40,000. FEMA Floodplain Mapping Public Involvement: Director Harvey introduced TJ Keiran, senior planner/gis specialist, who reviewed the handout on the Process for Adopting the Updated Cowlitz County FIRMs and explained to the members the COG s involvement. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are used to identify flood plains and set insurance rates, and insurance companies use them to determine whether people need flood insurance based on residential location. They are also used by local jurisdictions when people come in for development permits. FEMA is asking for public involvement on the new draft maps that have been developed. We are preparing information for county officials to allow individuals to look at their property using the mapping service so they can see if they will need to purchase flood insurance based on the new maps. The COG has offered our assistance in this process and to provide an avenue for people to comment. Scot Walstra asked if people wanted to appeal their floodplain designation, can we help with that. TJ indicated that we could be assisting with that appeal process. Bill Hallanger asked if FEMA actually changed the maps or just used old maps and put them into the new GIS mapping program. It appears from reviewing the new maps that they have actually been updated based on flood designations. TJ reminded everyone that this was a nationwide effort; however because we are zone 10, the money has run out and efforts spent out here in the west may be short-changed. A question was asked if FEMA is taking into consideration the change in sea levels which is having an intrusion on rivers, etc. TJ stated they are changing the elevation data in their measurement system which is supposed to be more accurate. Staff recommendations will be based on FEMA s request that we schedule a public meeting and help with the appeal process. The question was asked, how do folks find out if they are in a flood plain? TJ indicated the cities and county offices have been asked by FEMA to make notification to property owners. FEMA will publicize two notices in newspapers. Staff and Director Reports: Annual Luncheon: Director Harvey mentioned the annual luncheon in March at the Events Center; flyers were distributed. Need to RSVP by March 16 th. Shoreline Management Program Update Project: Interviews with consultants are complete; Parametrix was selected. Working toward getting a contract signed between the county and the consultant as the county is the recipient of the grant monies and the COG is the project manager. HUD Sustainable Grant Program: Director Harvey is not sure how the preferred sustainability status will work yet; we are working out the process more to come. February 23, 2012 Board Minutes Page 2
Director Harvey asked Jennifer Keene, associate planner, to give updates on disaster resiliency, fire and ice scenic loop and vulnerable populations projects. Vulnerable Populations Plan: Jennifer stated that the county was awarded $24,000 for the second phase of the vulnerable populations plan on how to work with them in times of disasters. Focus was on Cowlitz County with an expectation that the plan be replicated by other counties. The first phase identified 66 strategies to implement in the areas of communication, sheltering, transportation, medical, evacuation, long-term emergency housing, advocacy and some miscellaneous categories. For the second phase, the focus will be on communications, specifically with non-profits and their roles in providing assistance and their work with Department of Emergency Management. The focus will be on transportation and getting agreements with transportation agencies. The plan is to use the fire districts as zones within the county. This will allow care-givers to know who to contact during a disaster. There are about two years left for the grant. We are waiting on the transportation human services plan to be completed before we actually start. Disaster Resiliency Program: Jennifer also talked about partnering with the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) on the disaster resiliency program. First phase was with Lewis County; tool kits were developed for handling disasters. Applied for Phase 3 for direct technical assistance, but pulled it due to EDA focusing their efforts in the Seattle area. They are asking us to merge our application with Columbia-Pacific EDD for a six-county grant application. The application is due this year; we will be working on getting that wrapped up within a couple of months. These are separate funds than the normal EDA grant funds. Data 201(0) Census Workshop: A flyer was distributed regarding the workshop. Jennifer talked about the information that will be covered which is a follow-up from last year s Data 101 workshop. Attendance is limited to 50 participants registration is now open. A waiting list will be set up and, if there are enough individuals on the waiting list, a second session may be held. Fire and Ice Scenic Loop: The COG hired Otak as the consultant; will have a kick-off meeting the first part of June. Clark, Skamania, Lewis and Cowlitz counties as well as the forest service and state parks will be sending data in and we hope to get moving on the project in June. We have about a year to complete the project. SR 432 Project: Rosemary informed members that consultant proposals were received and have been reviewed by staff; four of the proposals have been forwarded to the advisory committee for review; and then the executive committee will be making the final selection. We have four good proposals. Roundtable: George Raiter Millennium has reapplied for permits for coal exports; good news is that Department of Ecology and Corps of Engineers will be co-leads with the county. Scott Walstra Completed their portion of a JIAC grant. There is about $1 million in the bucket to supply chain stuff for green-tech, clean-tech. The first round will be used for solar, wind and electric vehicles; the second piece will be for green building. The CEDC is working with companies in the county and hoping to get some of that money. Nelson Holmberg The local entities are working on funding for NEPA on Scott Avenue reconnection project. The legislators of the 18 th and 19 th districts are sending letters asking for support. February 23, 2012 Board Minutes Page 3
Michael Green The voters passed M&O levy for an additional two years; school board approved a resolution for a new high school and it will go before the voters on April 17; looks positive. Tom Hutchinson Red light camera contract has ended with City of Longview; will have workshop on school zone cameras. Dave Andrew Starting last Thursday for one billing cycle, the PUD will have an item on customer statements crediting any charges that were billed at the new rate for the month of October; the new rate was effective November 1 st. The credited amounts vary up to about $30, with an average of $8.00 for residents. The amount depends on when the meters were read. Bill Hallanger Alan Headley will be retiring at the end of the year; the company bought a new ambulance and Alan flew back to Iowa to pick it up and drive it back. Bill Marcum First quarterly membership meeting coming up on March 8 th at the conference center will focus on the state of education featuring local school superintendents, the president from LCC, and the president of Washington Education Association. Al Swindell Hired a new public works director last Tuesday night; he, Bart Stepp, comes highly recommended from La Center. Ilona Kerby CAP continues to work with Kelso on neighborhood stabilization program. Also meeting with the city of Kelso on old salvage yard to see if it could be cleaned up, and if so, how it could be redeveloped; the Grounds for Opportunity training kitchen and café is under construction - hopes to open in April/May. Lisa Marsyla Wahkiakum County made Longview Daily Newspaper for e-verify. Looking at medical marijuana issue; sitting on bio-solid issue it s still in the courts; she will not seek re-election next term. Dan Myers Secretary of State visited Kelso library and had some nice things to say. Dick Swart Has a short report about things happening in Cathlamet that he would be happy to email to anyone; the town is working on public works projects; proceeding on the construction of a major wastewater treatment plant; public works superintendent is retiring - appointed an interim, and hope to hire a new superintendent in summer/fall 2012. Larry Mayfield House budget came out and budget looked good for education; hopes Senate budget will be similar. Schuyler Hoss The legislature is still in session; hope to get out close to on time. Budget process is moving along. Bill Marcum Newspaper announcement about Millennium Bulk and their plans to build a $600 million coal terminal on the old Reynolds site. Hope to create 2,600 construction jobs over a two-year period; and over 300 jobs to sustain it. Katie Whittier A disturbing issue has come up with veterans not wanting to put their military service on their resumes. There will more on this issue coming in the future. February 23, 2012 Board Minutes Page 4
Other Business There was no other business. Meeting adjourned at 1:05 pm. Stephen H. Harvey, Director Susan Humbyrd, Chair Katie Wells, Administrative Assistant February 23, 2012 Board Minutes Page 5