[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6333994,"mediaKeyId","2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb","parentId",2299830,"title","Cowlitz County proposes annex upfit for Office of Public Defense; board authorizes signature, staff weighs window and skylight replacements","audioSeconds",335,"startMs",3064000,"endMs",3399000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb&start=3064&end=3399","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb/thumbnail_3064000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6333994/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-County-proposes-annex-upfit-for-Office-of-Public-Defense-board-authorizes-signature-staff-weighs-window-and-skylight-replacements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333994-268874f454fff1f64e8b46ef31dcae11/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603856&Signature=Xc-GERaPooSJdxXETMVcUVv9VLjxN9EXUsP5oZFM9PAgJPKYVB4U5L7FBxKZB7~vjqM04eU3v~HCWBQBhsHNgk51u0tF0G~lQAfqVRC5F-Ii5jCYJGA8-~8to2jCQ8iuKgIZEdLvsYPuNF8DjiR71MY1Cn-ZBniSv6ifzPOkInFsXReFtret1PjW39nSBmDhiuSj756Nyyeyekfrc8~QhIr7NU717cBhbi9Lsd-rVJSLm0zigH181wB28MJ4Eq33~uNJMsXC5adNqiH6Q4mpnnkA-jAhM-LG~tnxWD5ZyiuQCRHixedTcvzLCkEYAw8nqCXyptLZsHm6Sh9V7A7meQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cowlitz County Commissioners, Washington","date","2025-02-12T21:09:35Z","article","Cowlitz County staff asked the Board of Commissioners for authority to sign a proposal to upfit the annex building's first floor for the Office of Public Defense and discussed additional building upgrades including window replacement and a broken skylight panel.

Commissioner Savannah Clement introduced the annex proposal and said the county has been working to move OPD into the annex to eliminate an existing lease (about $85,000 a year). \"We anticipate spending approximately $165,000 getting that [first floor] ready to go and upfitted for OPD,\" Clement said. The first floor would encompass the compass area on the right and the former noxious weed area on the left, she said.

Clement asked for authority for the chairman to sign the annex proposal; commissioners gave head nods and verbal assent. \"So, my request is for authority for chairman Dahl to be able to sign this proposal first,\" she said, and one commissioner replied, \"Yeah. I'm good.\"

Staff raised an unanticipated security and energy issue: the first‑floor windows are original, single‑pane wood windows that staff say are easy to breach and leaky. Ian (project staff) described the windows as \"50, 60 year old windows... single pane glass, with a latch on the inside.\" The county has a single vendor quote to replace first‑floor windows with storefront vinyl at approximately $68,000 (one quote on file); staff said a residential vinyl option was only modestly cheaper and that additional competitive quotes are needed.

Commissioners discussed pursuing utility rebates through the local public utility district (PUD) but staff warned that PUD commercial rebate rules may limit eligibility or frequency of rebates and that more investigation is needed.

Staff also raised a separate skylight issue above the lobby: one panel is shattered. Initial quotes were about $26,000 to replace the single panel and about $47,000 to replace all 15 panels. Staff plan to temporarily cover the skylight to assess daylight impacts before recommending replacement or closure during the upcoming roof procurement.

Commissioners expressed general support for investing in long‑term improvements to the annex, noting recent investments in the building's roof and HVAC. Staff said they will obtain additional bids, investigate PUD rebate eligibility, and return with refined cost options; the board authorized signature authority for the annex proposal on the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cowlitz County Commissioner Open Public Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","The Board authorized the chairman to sign a proposal to upfit the annex first floor for the Office of Public Defense, while staff outlined additional window and skylight work and requested further bids and utility‑rebate checks.","taxTitle","Cowlitz County, Washington","taxId",5122,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6334000,"Cowlitz County seeks to buy steel plate arch culvert to meet fish‑window timeline on Garlock Road",273,2107000,2380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb&start=2107&end=2380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb/thumbnail_2107000.jpg","/articles/6334000/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-County-seeks-to-buy-steel-plate-arch-culvert-to-meet-fishwindow-timeline-on-Garlock-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6334000-0401d7f1d856f4aa32f06d4010c698e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603856&Signature=arbcqKwRtqLddcWRa5J3fCJZv4KuVPL03XllIurLsbJm-ia1XYNn~81wwjoZV1WShcz113YLkRzvejlHL9We~JiW9ICKlI-7dGrsn~uzvFeXTJZKnmXnpq3KGrpii5Z7bFs~rQDItp-vtKXK24zjc9n3IAwdu5QjYltqI3E5xumD44dSv4nNU~ddOU1-AQnoU9vHae68W9WPYRgqqkrdcI5nhNFZqL1dEjrDhMDWj9vO0pv7NpdUmG98Ucz-IKbY-yF8fOva9YHWMJOJ-46uueFTqDC4A9vL4DA9HmxaI69fDvZ3a3-hxL19JVrt5yg6AtGp-4nMJpAGT6~n73bcqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County Public Works told commissioners it will advertise a bid to purchase a steel plate arch culvert for the Garlock Road replacement so the county can receive material in time to meet Washington fish‑window restrictions.

County Engineer Susan Eugeneus said a procurement timeline requires ordering material this month to have delivery by about July 30 and to allow the construction contract to begin on June 30. \"If we don't order the material in the next month and a half, we will not make the fish window because you can only work in the stream on this project from July 16 through September 30,\" Eugeneus said.

Eugeneus said the project is funded primarily by the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board and requires a 15% county match. \"So 85% is paid by them,\" she said, noting procurement of the material in advance is eligible under that funding. Staff estimated the arch at about $190,000 (as transcribed).

The county plans to have the supplier deliver the arch directly to the site and coordinate installation guidance and certified on‑site personnel from the manufacturer. Eugeneus described the proposed structure as a steel plate arch with open bottom on foundations and a 75‑year expected service life; water will flow on concrete stem walls most of the year and only flow over the metal in high water events. She added that the opening will be large enough that it may be treated as a bridge in some design elements.

Eugeneus reviewed fish considerations cited from Fish and Wildlife resources: Chinook is presumed in the drainage and coho and steelhead have documented spawning in the creek, which informed the project's timing and design. She said Fish and Wildlife limitations can require full replacement rather than partial repairs in locations determined to be fish barriers.

Staff said the county has experience leveraging fish barrier funds and is prioritizing culverts that qualify for the program. Commissioners asked whether the procured arch could be used elsewhere if funding were withdrawn; Eugeneus said it could be reallocated if Fish and Wildlife accepted a different site, but procurement was being pursued because funding is already dedicated to Garlock Road.

The board did not take a formal vote in the transcript; staff will include the material procurement on the upcoming agenda for authorization to advertise and award.","Public Works will put a materials procurement on next week's agenda to buy a large plate‑arch culvert for Garlock Road so delivery meets the July fish‑window. The project is funded 85% by the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board with a 15% county match; staff estimated the arch at about $190,000.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6334005,"Cowlitz County public works opens Toutle wastewater bid; seeks $211,000 inspection amendment for Gibson Olsen",356,1520000,1876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb&start=1520&end=1876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb/thumbnail_1520000.jpg","/articles/6334005/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-County-public-works-opens-Toutle-wastewater-bid-seeks-211000-inspection-amendment-for-Gibson-Olsen","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6334005-f8a308adaa574a52a09b4c84abaaaada/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603856&Signature=Dw-JPvjzW9kw8a5GcSUyE5e6aCzA-7iCCH1XzOh~w-Q1UoV3m5DVdDL3WbwIyIK1JWyhBPj7F-Z0ErjyGOhCL2hkeMbVimGYARRzBFbCO0Mb8JBWLM0DNwQlbXTeQT30azPOx-HLamtU7LW3MWzNJUJO4eTzRJ4LOQfqYr82LXAjt8o8L3swi9md7zSTf50zrA6RiCe~Wc3wYveA3tenQxaKxqy5vtYhWsB60lzv~MxY-krJ3vtbuzLlmd4dpT6~j~ZlKoGjrUhPxn48voYTpiFnyZNT0XLd~b9donNpPzigTl7496QN~OBIUFHp1xPFZ6X~da2pcjNYBfES7tQUKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County Public Works told the Board of Commissioners it opened bids for the Toutle Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project and is recommending award to the low bidder, and separately requested an amendment to the design engineer's contract to provide daily inspection during construction.

Susan Eugeneus, Cowlitz County county engineer, said eight bids were opened and the low bid of $1,584,213.15 from Tapani (name as transcribed) was roughly $92,000 below the engineer's estimate. \"The top three bidders were all below the engineer's estimate,\" Eugeneus said. Public Works said past experience with the low bidder informed confidence in the price.

Eugeneus said the Toutle project is funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and includes miscellaneous plant improvements: equipment replacement, adding a flow meter and an emergency generator. Staff estimated much of the work will be complete by fall but noted delivery lead times for the generator and electrical controls could push some work into early 2026.

Separately, staff requested amendment number two to the design contract with Gibson Olsen for additional inspection and submittal review. Eugeneus said the county is seeking $211,000 for full‑time on‑site inspection and engineering submittal reviews for the duration of the roughly 250‑day construction contract. \"This is not their normal type of work,\" Eugeneus said of inspectors and added the estimate is consistent with the typical 10–15% of construction cost reflected in inspection budgets.

Eugeneus said inspection reports will be sent daily to the county construction manager and to her; the construction manager will review day‑to‑day items and escalate issues as needed. She told commissioners that the amendment could be paid from ARPA funds, and that eligibility had been confirmed.

The board discussed bid differences and the county's bid clarification process, including addenda and job walks. The Gibson Olsen amendment was described as larger than typical amendments, and staff said all engineering documents will continue to go through the county construction manager and county engineer before returning to the board for approval.

No formal award or contract amendment approval appears in the meeting transcript; staff presented the items as recommendations and requests to be scheduled on the consent or regular agenda for formal action.","Public Works reported receipt of eight bids for the Toutle Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements and recommended the low bidder; staff also requested an amendment to the design engineer's contract to fund daily inspection and submittal review during construction, paid from ARPA funds.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6334010,"Cowlitz County commissioners agree to allow part-time animal control officer access to county credit card",139,1255000,1394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb&start=1255&end=1394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb/thumbnail_1255000.jpg","/articles/6334010/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-County-commissioners-agree-to-allow-part-time-animal-control-officer-access-to-county-credit-card","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6334010-3c9988c310240183b5d965a2074aa276/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603856&Signature=nk-s86lwX~-hjtKC8V5nkhJcfaNbZJ6wlhks8AT9HXhUDWdMZhVaCBclDve1J7Pbkfh1j1JZeGHyKVqj5IAVYZeu~guxxaomoWi0PqMfSI~Bou5O-wTYdVhn5igSdckire0PALxVFt9ewXgd00Gk~OXxEfxzXmvBdeQBe6~IwKespcEX5NNmA0z9KYD9BfcA8jZ6VxDxNU5pPYPwJ0ZXnyHpD7OqPh5GIRprqurf57M8nFcUH0tEuv8IvNQT08QTxI8tXcjegEWmzClTvcwgxvQLrfhU7~DVRznR0hzuKvy6LfH5IqLD0jxqrHRW0rqdESf7rKAv0pvDo8bANgzIkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A request from the sheriff's office to allow a part‑time animal control officer to carry a county credit card received informal approval from the Board of Commissioners during Wednesday's meeting.

Katrina, budget and finance manager for the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, told commissioners the county policy limits credit cards to full‑time employees but said the new part‑time hire will fill in for officers on vacation and work nights. \"They use their credit cards on a pretty regular basis after hours,\" Katrina said, adding cards have a $1,500 limit.

Commissioners asked whether the card would be used for veterinary bills and for fuel when crews are out of town; Katrina confirmed both uses could occur. One commissioner responded, \"I think we're fine with that, Katrina,\" and the board did not raise further objections.

The board did not record a formal motion or vote in the transcript. Staff noted the county's written policy still states credit cards are for full‑time employees only; the discussion on the record is the county's authorization to depart from that written policy for this specific hire.

The item will be formalized in minutes and by any necessary administrative steps to issue the card and set the $1,500 limit.","County finance staff requested a waiver to a policy restricting county credit cards to full‑time employees so a newly hired part‑time animal control officer can pay for after‑hours animal care and fuel. Commissioners indicated informal approval on the record.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6333990,"Health and Human Services to place five homelessness‑related contracts on Tuesday agenda, staff outlines monitoring and reimbursement rules",110,4190000,4300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb&start=4190&end=4300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2299830-b48ab1c8e84b7a31278402d722768cdb/thumbnail_4190000.jpg","/articles/6333990/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Health-and-Human-Services-to-place-five-homelessnessrelated-contracts-on-Tuesday-agenda-staff-outlines-monitoring-and-reimbursement-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6333990-9695835cd54ead78411a4456ce0c711c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603856&Signature=Xd~kVRAjRmYUpaG1Jcq~k88Nd~2185ZPl-GGMngEAkT3qiVVRR8G6L9MYMdHMuhf14VhmtUvMUuKo6oYyLi7hGVvPR7S6oQYXDMv~gT00ErwcwL-KqbFtq8ZCxAYMOz7e9gMmKrm6sra3XNqB7D7BpdaZcipOwpbgr~h9JKtdadfaA6OULc9~h2H8mUowOtMWJUeM07XU09w84mdkqzLvHS0G~JADrTZNObLW8k7DfU4q8UzfDKviRi9XuagNzsbFr-J09EwydaSN3Gor0luJvK60xR4it9Yd-YZCatqiiVv0JKWeEeuxq8V2sJl7fRzNm0xu42FvaoDYewTVJrXBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County Health and Human Services told the Board of Commissioners it has five homelessness‑response contracts scheduled for Tuesday's agenda, and staff described how contracts are structured, monitored and reimbursed.

Gina James, director of Health and Human Services, said the five contracts include three coordinated entry contracts (Family Health Center, Emergency Support Shelter, and Community House), a shelter operations contract with Emergency Support Shelter (which includes a county match component), and a services contract with Housing Opportunities for Southwest Washington for Phoenix House, which houses people exiting substance use disorder treatment.

James summarized the coordinated entry contract amounts as two at about $25,000, one at about $27,090, and one at about $40,000 (numbers as transcribed from staff remarks); she said the allocations were adjusted from prior years based on utilization and previous award traffic. James told commissioners that the county issues reimbursement only after providers expend funds and submit invoices; monitoring and audits compare submitted reimbursements to vendor documentation and contract budget line items.

When a commissioner asked whether budgets are negotiable, James said budgets submitted with proposals are negotiated and staff did adjust line items in this round. She also confirmed the county separates coordinated entry and shelter operations into distinct contracts to keep programmatic requirements and reporting clear.

James said staff are coordinating with Housing Opportunities for Southwest Washington about a March presentation on Phoenix House and that one additional prospective contractor remains in conversation about a separate contract.

None of the five contracts were approved in this meeting; James said they will be on the Tuesday agenda for formal action and that monitoring protocols require line‑item supporting documentation for reimbursements.","HHS said it will present five contracts for board action Tuesday covering coordinated entry services and shelter operations, including a contract for Phoenix House. Staff described contract amounts, reimbursement and monitoring procedures and said funds are reimbursed after expenditures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cowlitz County proposes annex upfit for Office of Public Defense; board authorizes signature, staff weighs window and skylight replacements

Cowlitz County seeks to buy steel plate arch culvert to meet fish‑window timeline on Garlock Road

Cowlitz County public works opens Toutle wastewater bid; seeks $211,000 inspection amendment for Gibson Olsen

Cowlitz County commissioners agree to allow part-time animal control officer access to county credit card

Health and Human Services to place five homelessness‑related contracts on Tuesday agenda, staff outlines monitoring and reimbursement rules