Cowlitz County Commissioners meeting

At its meeting on Tuesday, March 17, the Cowlitz County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) scheduled a call for bids on a countywide pavement overlay project, as well as a bid for 28 sheets of scrim reinforced polyethylene geomembrane. Both bids are set for Monday, April 13 at 1:30 p.m. A call for bids on pipes is scheduled for Monday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m. During Tuesday’s meeting, the board awarded a bid to Sterling Green Crushing, Inc. in the amount of $421,216.49 for aggregate rock for summer road work.

Washington State has extended the contract with Facet Northwest, Inc. This allows the company to update the Cowlitz County Critical Areas Ordinance. The commissioners also had a renewal with lobbying firm CFM Strategic Communications. The contract, which is the same as previous years, has been adjusted to a 15-month term. A $19,000 placeholder was added for possible extra services.

The board received six bids for the Tower Road Bridge at Rock Creek culvert project. Queen Brothers, being the lowest bidder of the six, was awarded the project, which involves replacing the bridge destroyed in a past washout and reconstructing the driveway of nearby residences.

Appointments and reappointments were made during the March 17 meeting, with Ruth Kendall assigned to the Homeless Housing Task Force for a two-year term, Katie Hawelu assigned to the Parks and Recreation Board for a six-year term, and Michael Settles assigned to the Veterans Advisory Board for a four-year term.

A resident of Calamity River Road raised concerns about a trailer and debris blocking roadway visibility, making it dangerous for vehicles to exit onto the road and stopping residents’ mail from being delivered. The county noted that they will coordinate with Public Works to review the situation. An upcoming visit from the Department of Ecology was announced; however, due to an ongoing appeal, it was noted forest practices will not be discussed.

A Toteff Road proposal to vacate was brought up to remove a road/right-of-way near 220 Toteff Road. Residents are against this due to the Port of Kalama on the other side “causing a ruckus.” The residents stated this would cause a loss of buffer between the port and residential areas, allowing the port to expand closer to homes, potentially increasing noise, dust, and pollution. Residents also raised concerns about grain dust covering properties coming from the port, past promises from the port being broken, and an allegation of a residence having broken windows. The board delayed the issue, with a hearing scheduled for the next Cowlitz County BOCC meeting Tuesday, April 7 at 9 a.m.