The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Town of Cathlamet officials are struggling to find a way to pay for remodeling of the old town hall building.

The town received two bids for the project, and the lower bidder, Pacific Tech Construction, came in at $369,957, which is $130,000 over the architect's estimate for the work.

Council members discussed whether or not to accept the bid or how to pay for the complete cost of the project. They asked for further information and said they would make a decision at their January 22 meeting.

The project calls for installing public restrooms and a community center in the lower floor and remodeling the upstairs library.

Town officials, however, have approximately $245,000 in funding allocated to the project.

This was the second call for bids. The first bid came in at $550,000, and the council rejected it. The other bidder in the second round, Five Rivers Construction came in at $496,000.

"I think we have a real number," said Mayor George Wehrfritz.

Council members and people in the audience discussed possible funding schemes and whether or not to accept the new low bid.

"It's very troubling to me that you have an architect who is off by 30 percent," said Fred Johnson. He noted that as county prosecuting attorney or deputy prosecutor, he had worked with clients on many large projects. The council should have an explanation about the difference, he said.

Wehrfritz responded that the architect had started his calculations based on those of earlier advisors, Architects Without Borders, and that contractors had expressed reservations about potential unknowns they'd encounter in remodeling the old town hall building.

"My answer is, I think this is the number," Wehrfritz said. "I share your nervousness. We don't know till we tear the walls apart."

Weherfritz presented a strategy for funding the higher cost of the project: The town would sell surplus property.

He suggested the council consider selling a forest piece on Fern Hill. A creek runs through it, and the creek was once a water source for the town.

Wehrfritz said he had asked local real estate agents to estimate the value of the property; the responses ranged from $75,000 to $275,000.

Council Member Wally Wright offered other suggestions. He said he didn't want the town to sell property that could be a water source. Instead, the town could consider scaling back the project or doing the project in stages.

Wehrfritz responded that doing the project in phases might result in a loss of funding from Wahkiakum County, which is contributing $30,000 for restrooms, and the US Department of Agriculture.

Johnson suggested the town could borrow from its reserves. The town has already done that to cover costs of the now completed 3rd Street improvement project, and when that loan is repaid, the money could be loaned for the town hall project.

"We have marketable timber to sell," added Council Member Ruth Doumit.

"The council doesn't have enough information to make a decision tonight," said Council Member Dick Swart. He suggested the council study funding options and assure funders that they're proceeding with the project.

The town has to proceed with the project, said Council Member Steven McNicholas. "We've already spent $100,000 on it; we can't turn back."

Mayor George Wehrfritz, left, and Council Member Steven McNicholas, right, debate a point at Monday's town council meeting while Council Member Dick Swart, center, listens. Photo by Rick Nelson.

Swart offered a seven-point recommendation to proceed; council members added an eighth point, and agreed by motion to follow the plan.

The points were:

1. To request the architect propose options and costs for doing the project in stages;

2. Request the town attorney and public works director to review the architect's proposals;

3. Authorize the mayor to secure an appraisal of the Fern Hill property;

4. Request the clerk/treasurer to prepare a recommendation on how reserve funds could be loaned for the project;

4a. Officials should work with real estate personnel to develop a plan to market the property;

5. Officials would communicate with funders to explain what's going on;

6. Officials would communicate with Wahkiakum County officials to keep them appraised of progress, and

7. Request the mayor to present information and specific proposals at the January 22 council meeting.