[{"_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",6096251,"mediaKeyId","2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e","parentId",2833416,"title","County extends fish‑and‑wildlife access agreement, funds landfill flare testing and to monitor state landfill permit bill","audioSeconds",241,"startMs",2471590,"endMs",2712805,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e&start=2471&end=2712","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e/thumbnail_2471590.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6096251/Cowlitz-County/Washington/County-extends-fishandwildlife-access-agreement-funds-landfill-flare-testing-and-to-monitor-state-landfill-permit-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096251-3766b0970eaa0d62f7a375be4db75795/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758944&Signature=gSGJL0sQY51BthWphX3im1QRRzjVF7p1oTmGDt8dSh1EL1FG4PHW3u7wXPSoZNfzkV8SvoxBeDgSL~AI1Q1qmyRXgAcrjfrK1lHZghZqM3gkaY1fRelTK3LuoCkGQ0sk-3yiD4i65BHWrZ09wEG2pgc3t19FddySg-I5oU1j6nqO63UaMhxsJk1JgT5bhm5foLuCf7Cm7bJ5-iQF8o7mImaqKW35upZHuBRntthGqPnJ1s53O9wdPH5s~wAKvw~Nr1bXTuW~CgBDm5K~hU0FqNgQXVzbUBLFrIWbPf0BU~0QaMF-T-mDqb2OikGQl4Xb1g7FKjtVl~RcKtHX~-Uvmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cowlitz County Commissioners, Washington","date","2025-04-01T14:25:04.73Z","article","Cowlitz County Public Works staff told commissioners the county will extend an operations and maintenance agreement with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Kerr Road public access area on Silver Lake and recommended a contract amendment to continue landfill flare testing and greenhouse‑gas verification work.

Public Works said the Kerr Road site is state property and the county’s role is day‑to‑day maintenance; the recommended extension keeps that arrangement in place for 10 more years to preserve public boat‑launch access. County staff agreed to ask Fish and Wildlife whether additional parking or other improvements are planned and to report back.

Public Works also described an amendment (Amendment No. 3) to a professional services agreement with Energy Nearing Solutions that adds $100,000, bringing the total contract to $450,000. Staff said roughly $75,000 of the increase covers required source testing of landfill flares (a five‑year testing schedule) and the remainder pays for continuing greenhouse‑gas reporting and third‑party verification required by the state Climate Commitment Act for 2024.

Separately, county solid‑waste staff asked the board’s permission to participate in a regional advocacy response to draft state legislation (referred to in discussion as a Senate bill that would give the Department of Ecology broader authority over landfill permits). Staff said the bill would require Ecology to approve landfill permits before the jurisdictional health department issues renewals and could authorize Ecology to suspend permits and levy civil penalties without a local request. Staff asked for permission to draft letters and to testify through the county’s legislative group (WASAC); commissioners agreed staff should pursue outreach and prepare letters asking that Ecology act only at a local department’s request in cases where local health departments seek help.

“Our preference would be the ability for Ecology to come in if the health department requests it, not an override,” county staff said.

No formal roll‑call vote on the contract amendment or the Fish and Wildlife extension was recorded in the transcript; staff indicated they would return with details and any necessary documents for signatures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monday Business Meeting - 03.31.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public Works recommended extending a maintenance agreement with Fish and Wildlife for Kerr Road at Silver Lake, adding $100,000 to an energy‑services contract for landfill flare testing and greenhouse‑gas verification, and sought permission to respond to a proposed state bill expanding Ecology’s permit authority.","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},6096261,"Cowlitz County commissioners weigh hearing examiner instead of citizen panel for dangerous-animal cases",395,33701,428914,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e&start=33&end=428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e/thumbnail_33701.jpg","/articles/6096261/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-County-commissioners-weigh-hearing-examiner-instead-of-citizen-panel-for-dangerous-animal-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096261-abc117d02a8fe308bf056ee61b21cea5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758944&Signature=Pp2f9zAanl6fAaVNc0uFaQBEWo8x36WTlN2Wz493PspljGcn1ZvGxtYIZsRx3WtyMlA3n0U5OXaBGFYMpXS~9LwzHfffEyQ3bgK~AzxKKCo0MPVtqdox4aIDc-l73k~vBdNnkevWSzAjXa4c3elF1mYsKswtvTqqXot-aH2sz8mlQ~iwnzzHScbEpSFfMal1VA~NcypJxHzwCcnVAhPf6XmhAwrtIeCEbJDm5CV2zVpcBajSiogKlYy4rpARZ3ijoVcykqczDb7qMYmZe2gH06HTufJWtsck0llg13Rd6o7YefHVHmI5SJg2TQAUr9t9UlMj5ntRtHjjzhJUd5ewUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County commissioners discussed shifting adjudication of dangerous and potentially dangerous animal cases away from a volunteer dangerous-animal board and toward a retained hearing examiner, saying an impartial quasi‑judicial officer would separate policing from adjudication and be more available.

County staff presented the options and urged the board to consider a hearing examiner after staff and commissioners said volunteer panels face availability problems and political pressure. The staff summary said use of a retained hearing examiner would remove the decision from the law‑enforcement arm of government and make the process appear less like policing, while a volunteer board might be inconvenient for community members who must remain on call.

The board heard several factors for the change: historical experience in other counties, the likely small number of cases (staff estimated roughly three to four hearings per year), and the potential to group hearings on one day to limit cost. Staff also noted that the hearing process under current code can allow up to 90 days to hold a hearing. The hearing‑examiner option would be procured either by asking the county’s current retained hearing examiner if willing to take on animal cases or by soliciting attorney responses through an RFQ.

County staff said the existing ordinance will likely require a minor amendment to implement the hearing‑examiner option. Commissioners asked staff to confirm whether the hearing examiner already retained by the county would accept the additional responsibility and, if so, to return with cost estimates showing the likely impact on the county’s retainer and budget.

“This removes the decision from the policing aspect or the policing arm of government and gives it to an impartial quasi‑judicial officer,” county staff said during the discussion.

No formal vote was taken. Staff said they will prepare a written proposal for the board that: (1) summarizes the hearing‑examiner approach, (2) checks whether the county’s retained hearing examiner is willing to accept dangerous‑animal hearings and at what cost, (3) outlines an RFQ option if the retained examiner declines, and (4) identifies required ordinance changes.","Cowlitz County commissioners discussed shifting adjudication of dangerous and potentially dangerous animal cases away from a volunteer dangerous‑animal board and toward a retained hearing examiner, citing impartiality and availability.",{"_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},6096256,"Cowlitz County plans public hearing on changing private‑road approvals for small short plats",82,1864901,1947590,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e&start=1864&end=1947","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e/thumbnail_1864901.jpg","/articles/6096256/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-County-plans-public-hearing-on-changing-privateroad-approvals-for-small-short-plats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096256-28a47017810339c4777d958531b3fcdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758944&Signature=U54yCbLcCkw0i6sRNqPKULJyaJqKIxuiCqNd4ZViUrsgJCV63iSH06j1D3wOtKVHPQ~NUGHL~9wSGhkzUyD6pcbB8kE0XD88GVLb9ZxH~F7t3CWXfQhOOJup91LzOeJNTZtThWEu08qKKUC6OFTfljJ~LZPh~nRzF0Jyew~2OtbT7C6IaLowy9znKMkAdhcpwYNH3ThzkvzANFy6r5nfLkicNLI158OgAa-XK3fIsqUgQMHd-bYuIguMk~R163FL92dmFeToftzvafb3st654Vjb5Cl1vw3Luc8Am7GifVWmk0rfFtyaNZxswMLANicc7dhJjcy0X1r8VTPqEF~5zQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County’s Building and Planning Department asked commissioners to hold a public hearing tomorrow on a proposal to let the department approve private roads and driveways for short subdivisions that create four lots or fewer (Type D roads).

Tracy Jackson, Building and Planning, and Adam Trimble, planning manager, told the board the change comes from a unanimous planning commission recommendation and is intended to reduce complexity and costs for small family developments. Under the proposal, the department would set standards so Type D private roads would be built to support emergency apparatus but would not be required to meet higher standards intended for roads that serve larger areas.

Jackson told the board that upgrades to a shared driveway can be more expensive than the small subdivision that prompts them, and the proposed change is meant for dead‑end accesses serving two to four properties. Trimble said the department would use current staff and contract technical expertise when needed; staff estimated the move would not increase building‑planning staffing needs for these limited scenarios. The department said four private‑road projects currently in process are types B or C and would not be affected.

“This proposal would give the Department of Building and Planning the ability to approve that road,” Jackson said, adding that the standard would ensure access is adequate for fire apparatus and emergency vehicles.

The board scheduled the public hearing and will accept testimony before deciding whether to adopt the ordinance amendment and the supplemental memo that adds Type D as a defined access category. No final action was taken at this meeting.","Building and Planning will seek authority to approve ‘Type D’ private roads for short subdivisions serving up to four lots to reduce costs and processing complexity; planning commission recommended the change unanimously and a public hearing is scheduled.",{"_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},6096241,"Commissioners approve step increase for HR analyst positions",68,3222845,3291115,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e&start=3222&end=3291","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e/thumbnail_3222845.jpg","/articles/6096241/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-step-increase-for-HR-analyst-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096241-f5adeaad61214630f2347b194707ece4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758944&Signature=jPOieDV3EdHBxKL3JnRFtlRTvLVCWGbVi6euhqDeS83rhnMHRq96e2EyL5b3saNmqPC2s1dD7~AsTL8rY5pyN352W2DTzPdxD9gTI3ZufIe0Q0nLPDsf6RzWCjV81EG6iKbZZoekC~HCwwruZn~Aps0ExyyudHtHliypQmqH9X0UzgHM8f69J-3QmRXOz0-XoKIfrObIiH1Shl29F4N-YVr5SjQNFWyDmL3yxlv8O44d-uT6~Q6ttIA~KOBktqx5jFboUTUaUI0ReC0a4HO3Czl9HO32abdBlPvx0uEoNXV71doBcJhYXJNs8YqllooxrEpmItwdTEOf78Y~TzLOUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County commissioners approved a personnel pay adjustment for Human Resources. Jessica Warren, human resources, requested a one additional step for HR analyst and senior HR analyst classifications — roughly a 2.5 percent increase — effective April 1.

Warren told the board the step increases would be permanent and that the positions would continue to receive the normal step progressions on their existing schedules (October 1 for HR analyst; February 1, 2026 for senior HR analyst). A commissioner said he saw no opposition; the board approved the request during the meeting.

No further details on fiscal impact were provided in the meeting transcript; staff said they will process the adjustment and implement it in payroll.","The board approved a one‑step pay increase (about 2.5%) for HR analyst and senior HR analyst positions effective April 1; step progression dates remain unchanged.",{"_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},6096246,"County officials say risk‑pool conference flagged big increases in claims and premiums",102,1352010,1454890,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e&start=1352&end=1454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833416-8e1249ec281cca5ae1462e538c81ab5e/thumbnail_1352010.jpg","/articles/6096246/Cowlitz-County/Washington/County-officials-say-riskpool-conference-flagged-big-increases-in-claims-and-premiums","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096246-7cc48000ff1bcb179a17efb79301d04d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770758944&Signature=Mz96pDXODxPXrIOsKWREClL8iffBAePANNk3GtxFIjnYlIAbBuVR80XUT9XXTetTp8TFVd2pOhH1v~~MSEXfPfL4FOUt7dtbfL4Lqe0P4doQrVC97fDWxyryUIqjMUqjqLxeneA2HT1M4vBVIcPmgg91LGJsNIIfkUq9YpasEYjxTJqV-szWfyBYNsfw7yecaMOavZd1BYdphdt1OYJ3QDo1OKv1Q5PypXb3xsYnLz3jzdsnnr8QXY~CJnXrEginfIlc7oKLC077ATnbXSWs3HC~wkCPHGx2g-hSYVIWq8Wv~FZzW2EQtzY-TuGEE8nS9lhl1QTkILnenhv9hDexsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners and county staff reported outcomes from a recently attended risk‑pool conference, where presenters warned that changes to statutes of limitations for sexual‑assault claims and advertising by plaintiff firms have driven large increases in claims and larger award sizes.

Speakers said California had projected an $800 million increase in claims after removing limitations but had reached roughly $3 billion to date. Conference presenters told attendees they expect higher claim sizes and more claims across counties and that the risk pool is planning an across‑the‑board premium increase of about 25 percent. County attendees also described insurers narrowing portfolio participation and the need to layer multiple carriers to cover different risk shares.

The conference also highlighted jail‑related claims as a major source of liability; one county described a wearable scanner program that monitors inmate vitals to detect medical events as an example of mitigation. Participants said some counties previously considering individual self‑insurance are finding the capital requirements and claim volumes make that option infeasible.

County officials said they would investigate steps to reduce claims and return with potential mitigations for the board to consider.","Officials reported takeaways from a risk‑pool conference: removal of the statute of limitations for sexual‑assault claims has driven large, unexpected increases in claims (citing California experience), carriers are narrowing coverage, and the pool is looking at a roughly 25% premium increase; the county will explore mitigation steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County extends fish‑and‑wildlife access agreement, funds landfill flare testing and to monitor state landfill permit bill

Cowlitz County commissioners weigh hearing examiner instead of citizen panel for dangerous-animal cases

Cowlitz County plans public hearing on changing private‑road approvals for small short plats

Commissioners approve step increase for HR analyst positions

County officials say risk‑pool conference flagged big increases in claims and premiums