Dr. Lewis Neace appointed County Health Officer

DAYTON–The Columbia County Board of Health met with the Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) May 3, to officially appoint Dr. Lewis Neace, DO as local Health Officer for three years. This was an amendment of a motion to approve Dr. Neace made on April 19.

A health officer's responsibilities are education of the district they serve as a whole for general safety, health and wellness. This can include environmental health issues. The position also requires being a liaison in coordination with state and local officials, and the community.

The Commissioners Charles Amerein, Ryan Rundell and freshman Commissioner Marty Hall expressed their appreciation and gratitude for Dr. Neace's service. In addition, Columbia County Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman welcomed Dr. Neace to public health and looks forward to sharing in his vast experience and knowledge. "We're very happy to have somebody local, very happy to have your extensive knowledge on board and some of your public health training in your service–to have that background is going to be valuable to our community, said Lanman"

Charles Eaton reported that on the Flood Control Zone District projects, that Phase 1 of the woody debris removal is complete which has yet to be reimbursed by FEMA. Also, in Phase 1, Unit 3 of the river is also complete. FEMA is waiting to authorize Phase 3, Unit 2 which is for the removal of gravel under the bridges for water flow.

The Environmental Historic Preservation within FEMA is asking for clarification that the emergency is a threat to life or property and not a natural river flow. Eaton stated there are different categories of emergency. He specified Category A is an emergency by nature for debris removal. Category C is for permanent restoration which requires all the permitting, mitigation and the biological and cultural assessments for which he says he will be submitting within the next week or two.

The District's focus is on the $280,000 debris removal project which is just over half done. Phase 2 of the project will begin July 20, 2021 and extend until the end of August. Eaton says where permits are in hand, reimbursement is the issue. Permits have yet to be given for the Tucannon project to remove debris above and below the bridge

Eaton then presented resolutions to the BOCC for the Columbia County Public Works projects. These included one approval for each emergency repair project providing funding for Bosely Bridge and Tucannon Road. He said a cultural review is being done for Trump North Touchet Bridge before proceeding there.

The design for the restrooms at the fairground pavilion is at 90%, Eaton reported. Plans are to purchase construction materials this month to begin the project for accessible bathrooms.

Ashley Strickland, reporting for Emergency Management, said the cooling system for the equipment failed again. After the previous failure, the department purchased a back-up system to prevent this from happening. However, Strickland said the back-up wasn't the quality they need and that it's time to invest in something that will work which will be paid for from the budgets from the department and split with courthouse maintenance.

Strickland also reiterated that the FEMA program, with changes under COVID, now pay one hundred percent. "Anything under the COVID declaration all the way back to January 20, 2020, they are now paying 100%," he said. "FEMA has made the program wide open for approvals for coverage where before it became restricted." He went on to say, some of the funding can be reapplied for if it was initially turned down when there were more restrictions and he is encouraging the various county departments to reapply and consider applying for other needs due to COVID that would now likely be covered. Those things were previously approved were only covered at 75% with the rest to be paid out of the department budgets. Now with coverage increasing to 100%, departments can be refunded the 25%. The County will have to make budget adjustments for these changes.

The Commissioners motioned to accept a letter of assurance to work with Walla Walla County Accessible Communities Advisory Committee (ACAC) to show their commitment to collaborate in providing accessibility in Columbia County for those with disabilities in the planning of facilities, activities and services. ACAC can also work with Columbia County in seeking disability-related grant requests to work towards this end. ACAC representative Connie Taylor-Randall, present at the meeting, told the Commissioners, "We are excited to partner with you!"