HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/03/16 - Briefing BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS'BRIEFING MINUTES
Mason County Commission Chambers,411 North 5th Street,Shelton,WA
Week of March 16,2020
Monday,March 16,2020
9:00 A.M. Support Services—Frank Pinter
Commissioners Trask and Shutty were in attendance with Cmmr.Neatherlin participating via
telephone.
• Official Newspaper resolution will be placed on agenda
• News release for Lodging Tax Advisory Board vacancy will be issued.
• Jenn reviewed the February Financial Statements.
• Contract for$5,000 from Current Expense for Veteran Assistance will be tabled to next week's
briefing.
• Jenn reviewed the amendments to Financial Policy that have been reviewed by the Audit
Committee and will be placed on agenda for approval. Jenn confirmed the Commissioners are
good with offices paying for drinking water for their employees.
• Dawn reviewed the proposed Telework Policy and that along with amendments to Personnel
Policy 4.5 will be placed on the March 17 agenda for adoption.
• Frank presented a draft memo to staff and a policy for Pandemic and Public Health Emergency
Response and Recovery for County Employees. Items to consider include:restricting reception
and front counter services;restrict non-essential travel by county employees outside the county;
restrict non-essential meetings within the county,use teleconferencing where possible.
Cmmr. Shutty suggested mirroring what the City of Shelton is doing.
The Board agreed to the above and suspend advisory board meetings;close parks;encourage on-
line transactions.
Discussion of waiving any fees associated with using on-line. There would have to be a
discussion with the 3rd party vendor that processes the County's credit card payments.
Discussion to delay property tax deadline. Lisa Frazier stated if the State declares an emergency,
the Treasurer may grant extensions. She is not willing to do so at this point;she has a call into 3'
party vendor. The Commissioners would have to adopt a resolution to waive fees for credit card
transactions except for property tax and the County would assume costs.
Cmmr.Neatherlin would like the Commissioners'public meetings broadcast in the lobby and to
consider keeping parks open to allow access. Ross noted that it's the start of baseball season
which draws a crowd and most parks have playground equipment. Schools have closed their
playgrounds.
Discussion of how to accomplish social distancing,such as locking front doors.Each office will
make the decision on how to restrict access to their office;Building 1 downstairs doors are open
with restricted areas marked effective noon today,March 16.
• Discussion of paying employees who have COVIDI9 or symptoms or taking care of children and
they exhaust any accrued leave. Shared leave has tax impacts. There may be access to
unemployment or L&I benefits.The Board agreed to postpone any action at this point and
continue current leave policies.
• The Commissioners requested certain Meeting Rules be suspended so there is no restriction for
Commissioners to participate in meetings remotely and no requirement for two Commissioners to
be physically present at Commission meetings.
9:30 A.M. Community Services—Dave Windom
Commissioners Trask and Shutty were in attendance with Cmmr.Neatherlin participating via
telephone.
• Appointment to Planning Advisory Commission is delayed.
• Planned Action EIS for Belfair Subarea Plan—have Budget Manager look at budget and bring this
item back. The potential budget impact is$170,000 to$230,000.
• Agreed to bring back a former nurse on a part time basis as a temporary employee.
Board of Mason County Commissioners'Briefing Meeting Minutes
March 16,2020
• Dave reviewed the current Public Health response to COVID-19. The incident command center is
activated and Ross McDowell reviewed the process that is followed. The Commissioners asked
staff to put together resource information for the community.
10:00 A.M. BREAK
10:05 A.M. Assessor—Patti McLean
Commissioners Trask and Shutty were in attendance with Cmmr.Neatherlin participating via
telephone.
• One Open Space application for 2019. Assessor recommends approval and a public hearing will
be scheduled when the restrictions are lifted.
10:10 A.M. Public Works—Loretta Swanson
Utilities&Waste Management
Commissioners Trask and Shutty were in attendance with Cmmr.Neatherlin participating via
telephone.
• Annual Certification for 2019 to the Country Road Administration Board will be placed on the
agenda.
• Extend the completion date for Safety Plan Data Collection Project to 12/31/20 with IMS
Infrastructure Management Services approved to move forward.
• News release regarding the 2020 Herbicide Program.
• Eells Hill Transfer Station scale status was provided. The scale needs to be fixed or replaced and
options were provided. The Board agreeable to explore the total cost for a new scale installation
location to facilitate the separation of commercial and residential customers. The Grizzly loader
broke on Friday and staff is looking into repairs.
• ER&R transition is being worked on and will be briefed on March 31.
• Vacant positions are being filled;request for two temporary Finance lead positions until Finance
Manager position is filled was approved;approved to fill Engineer Intern position.
• Public Works COVID-19 response is business is being accomplished on-line when possible and
have implemented safety procedures with staff. Transfer stations will remain open as long as can
be staffed. Worst case scenario would be to close out lying stations and keep Eells Hill station
open.
• Commissioners requested utility shut off procedures be suspended in the mean time.
• Reported that running a hotspot at the Hoodsport Drop Box facility will not work.
Commissioner Discussion
March Commissioners meetings will be held;no Belfair meeting at end of month;briefings and
regular meetings will be live streamed.
Meeting adjourned at 11:22 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Zoren,Administrative Services Manager
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
-1 ga`haron Trask Randy N therlin Kevin S Hy-
Chair Commioner Commissio er