[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6223642,"mediaKeyId","3570225-23b878b92a057c865015b3dfc017a7ba","parentId",3570225,"title","Cowlitz commissioners approve bonding for PFD conference-center Phase 1; interlocal talks to continue","audioSeconds",911,"startMs",2722000,"endMs",3633000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3570225-23b878b92a057c865015b3dfc017a7ba&start=2722&end=3633","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3570225-23b878b92a057c865015b3dfc017a7ba/thumbnail_2722000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6223642/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-commissioners-approve-bonding-for-PFD-conference-center-Phase-1-interlocal-talks-to-continue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223642-87daae933e7733b05e604d1d87a2755e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771332434&Signature=L4vAEjY3Q3ZUz0Uc72yFp2CFSc7eGcNE4JsQ4aRkPDT~YGrhYgxkb1w-6BzEzNqEfEmdiZVj1RnlMNjHy3xhub7BO47RSTAPB9Q09x6LwfdrA0axrrCNm8D7HvcGBbP1oVGB6Tu7lPi579spTaO9l1CtVgRXEjlzVOhn6fPaiqWFj3JVYI8VJJmOrfWppaHneNlsoFJ1nuL8ttzF7FQGiPmSip9F2iuc~Xgtp4WOk75dnbb-eftSN8S~scqI6w6P7ezYjKdzmHIliGE27UbOFmaCgelGT8qobHvJO25Fg4AGMhblAMAax6b0YkqKkcTGjOrXPB6-ROnvzfYvKxJ64w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cowlitz County Commissioners, Washington","date","2025-05-28T20:12:36Z","article","The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved issuing bonds to fund Phase 1 of a Public Facilities District (PFD) conference-center project and agreed to let county attorneys continue negotiations with the PFD on a possible amended interlocal agreement for a separate Phase 2 property discussion.

County Public Services Director Mike Moss told commissioners the PFD’s finance committee had recommended issuing bonds and the county attorney asked whether the Board had given the PFD the “green light” to move forward with Phase 1 and with bonding work. \"The county's attorney reached out to our office asking, if we had received the blessing yet from the board of county commissioners to move forward with phase 1 and the funding, bonding for the project over at the PFD board or the PFD,\" Moss said.

The nut graf: the board approved bonding authority for Phase 1 — work focused on the existing conference center, including renovations, breakout space and audiovisual upgrades — while stopping short of approving any final interlocal change that would add a separate parcel across the street for a future multipurpose facility.

Moss and Cowlitz County Treasurer Deborah Gardner described Phase 1 as largely conference-center–centric and said some entry and road realignment work already has rural economic-development funding and is going to bid. Gardner told the board the finance committee recommended issuing approximately $13 million in bonds that they expect to go to market in the fourth quarter of 2026. \"When they came to us, it was approximately $13,000,000 that they want to have the bonds issued for,\" Gardner said.

Commissioners and staff described Phase 2 as a separate potential multipurpose facility on property not currently covered by the existing interlocal agreement. Commissioners expressed caution about committing county control of property without seeing clear contract language, possible sunset clauses and how rental revenue would be handled during any lease or agreement term. \"Phase 1 does not commit us to Phase 2,\" a commissioner said during the discussion.

A motion was made and seconded to approve issuance of bonds for Phase 1; the chair called the vote and commissioners answered \"Aye.\" The record does not show individual roll-call names for the vote. The board also indicated that staff and the PFD have the board’s encouragement to continue drafting and negotiating an amended interlocal agreement and lease so long as the board will have the opportunity to review any final document before the county commits to property terms.

County staff and commissioners requested that any draft interlocal agreement make clear it would not permanently or permanently irrevocably convey or commit county property without explicit board approval and recommended exploring sunset language and revenue-accounting provisions. Treasurer Gardner and other staff said they had not yet seen all proposed lease language for Phase 2 and want that language flushed out before formal county approval.

What happens next: staff will work with the PFD and the county attorney on an amended or new interlocal agreement for the Phase 2 property; before issuance of bonds the county will need to complete further approvals and documentation. The board’s vote authorizes the county to provide bonding capacity for Phase 1 now; the board did not adopt or sign any interlocal amendment during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cowlitz County Commissioner Open Public Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved issuing bonds to fund Phase 1 of a Public Facilities District conference-center project while asking staff to continue negotiations on a possible interlocal agreement for a separate Phase 2 property.","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},6223626,"Mediation center outlines housing-stability program, recommends early intervention and deeper partnership with rental-assistance provider",2448,4992000,7440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3570225-23b878b92a057c865015b3dfc017a7ba&start=4992&end=7440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3570225-23b878b92a057c865015b3dfc017a7ba/thumbnail_4992000.jpg","/articles/6223626/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Mediation-center-outlines-housing-stability-program-recommends-early-intervention-and-deeper-partnership-with-rental-assistance-provider","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223626-83c62a7bbae47f9023cd47ea2b1ece5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771332434&Signature=EEcKHHBty9K-HbJviJxIq0UyK0R~6kb6Mnib27WRMXa94MdlWxu7S7q7v1ccbzlI7-F5GicMbijMgMtD1-y5cTUP6rhMt1qXtvIBHImyMtlew3ReSByz~0x5YymCQQEQMdHb1FiKbNF0Tx8kbX0pcEj-xScHUyfWVXDIt5k8-qexzOs0aLzhm2toNT1OPxOwF2nMaEyBAdm1s4c7ssdUz95q7SPPZ9QqigCWKyf-OuSFgr-JkUQnItpIfCX8oei6p2-EUqN585ZdHk5BN9HYexNF4bPGgaS7MkWj66enQ~PbRnfziyN-E45NBz4lO9jwbVWmmtq26YSjGGniSus43w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Community Mediation Center told the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners it has handled roughly 686 housing-stability cases since July 2023 and urged the county to fund an early-intervention pilot, expand landlord education and strengthen coordination with rental-assistance administrators to reduce unlawful-detainer filings.

Gina of the Community Mediation Center told the board the program helps tenants and property managers resolve unpaid-rent and lease-violation issues through conflict coaching, referrals, conciliation and mediation. \"The housing stability program works with landlords and property management companies and their tenants to resolve issues of unpaid rent with the goal of improving communication between the parties and reducing instances of unlawful detainers being filed with the court,\" Gina said.

The center reported that, of 686 address-level cases handled between July 2023 and April (most recent data presented), 427 were conflict-coaching cases, 47 were conciliation cases, seven were mediations and 54 reached the mediation/conciliation stage. The center said most contacts are conflict coaching (helping tenants develop communication, budgeting and problem-solving strategies) and that mediation/conciliation — while time-consuming — is highly effective and could scale with additional resources.

Recommendations included an early-intervention pilot modeled on the City of Bellevue program (in which the center would partner with landlords so tenants receive mediation referrals immediately when pay-or-vacate notices go out); a community-education program offering free training to landlords and property managers on communication and de-escalation; and continuing the center’s partnership with Lower Columbia CAP for rental-assistance funds while improving the handoff process to reduce bottlenecks.

County staff said they expect an upcoming state contract and that federal/state passthrough funds have supported eviction-prevention work in prior biennia; the center noted that county funding currently reimburses about 14% of the center’s budget for the program. A county staff member said the county had received an estimated state award that could include $8 million or more for homeless services in the next biennium and that a formal contract should be available in June.

Commissioners asked about language-access services; the center said it has a Spanish-speaking staff member and uses the Ethnic Support Council and other partners for Chuukese translation and outreach. Staff and commissioners discussed the state’s recent rent-control and eviction-prevention funding changes, and commissioners asked for an itemized allocation of large state contracts when available.

The board did not take final action on funding during the meeting; county staff said they will return with a pass-through contract for the center if the county’s state contract is finalized.","The Community Mediation Center presented two years of data and recommended expanding early intervention, landlord education and stronger coordination with Lower Columbia CAP for eviction-prevention funds; the board said it expects to continue funding subject to contract approvals.",{"_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},6223631,"Public Works outlines permit backlog, staffing and Acela process; commissioners discuss time limits",1149,3832000,4981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3570225-23b878b92a057c865015b3dfc017a7ba&start=3832&end=4981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3570225-23b878b92a057c865015b3dfc017a7ba/thumbnail_3832000.jpg","/articles/6223631/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Public-Works-outlines-permit-backlog-staffing-and-Acela-process-commissioners-discuss-time-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223631-f8c71ef647fdac5d024caea045c73159/orig.mp4?Expires=1771332434&Signature=PMda54FIlbU8vdH~8adeIBi89seyfNv1tCDZBrYGyN~dRjoZkb7kz5sMWVBOoSqvKUAtm5FxH3gTEC-EW6n1AS3LXJkUB2K0EcbaYY24FyLg5AB5xWFq4olAVLy58y-f4hRn4YwvBAJli7VjhDbEKA3yt9nUtmI0AXXLzkejt9sM8-NBUSIKPrDB-obpgYpJrPgkDgVj3QVf0OInoIqHmU58Hhzwh-1lkotMpMFakJ12sWTl1z~Vq6Mh-6HAPIZGBngD7viYE35WlMOBiKMboVJd-FagoftrZv7uP~zwiDMJBC8OuDgWeCLD~zXyc4IMyHmjjWzyvUg7yDuq3dMA1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works provided commissioners an updated list of active development-review projects in the county’s Acela portal, described staffing shortages and training plans, and discussed how recent state timelines for planning permits could affect local processing and potential refunds.

Susan Eugenis of Public Works told the Board there were 15 projects on the department’s active list, two of them short plats, and that several projects are awaiting clarifications or additional documents from applicants. \"There is currently 15 projects on our list. Of those 15, 2 are short plats,\" Eugenis said, adding that some items appear in Public Works’ Acela list because of how short plats are routed even though the final processing remains manual.

Tracy Jackson, building and planning, told commissioners that the recent state rule changes on time restrictions for GMA counties (Growth Management Act) apply only to GMA counties and not to Cowlitz County, but that the county had discussed a potential local resolution on permit timelines. \"It's for GMA Counties, and it's strictly on the planning side. But, yes, most of these, we would be refunding all of their permit fees back,\" Jackson said about counties that are subject to the state timeline requirement; she noted Cowlitz County is not covered by that requirement.

Staff explained the Acela list captures a mix of private roads, single-family homes and planning projects (SEPA, site plans, short plats). Public Works said it will train an additional engineer to reduce its three-week turnaround on private-road reviews and reported two open development-related positions with interviews next week. The department said it is also evaluating whether private-road review should be transferred back to building and planning, a change that could require ordinance adjustments.

Commissioners pressed staff on handling \"problem\" applications and on where the clock should stop when applicants supply incomplete materials; staff said the review clock pauses when reviewers send comments and restarts upon resubmittal. Staff said they will circulate the active list to commissioners and continue coordinating across Public Works, Environmental Health and Building and Planning so that permits move through the system more quickly.

No formal action was taken; the item was reported and commissioners requested further follow-up and shared documents.","Public Works and Building and Planning updated the Board on a running list of development-review projects in the county’s Acela portal, staffing vacancies and training plans; the board and staff discussed state timelines for planning permits and possible reassigning private-road reviews to building and planning.",{"_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},6223636,"Commissioners approve up to $50,000 more for landfill rock to finish June work",152,3644000,3796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3570225-23b878b92a057c865015b3dfc017a7ba&start=3644&end=3796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3570225-23b878b92a057c865015b3dfc017a7ba/thumbnail_3644000.jpg","/articles/6223636/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-up-to-50000-more-for-landfill-rock-to-finish-June-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223636-75458d297b0efd9e721d4cf34b432b21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771332434&Signature=gvk~SpLpF9ta2uENC~eCJAx8~a8cifdPNJkihATtj9JdFf0CQ~krjk3Hy5DDfebgXOmeKTj-w88dMiP4U3KqDKL~J56rxvUzU0ucLm2DHhihIO9Yet0IPQPeHvr8aeM6M4yHIVthbfx1-16LRvfI6uB1GkSHIDnwoKeut1Gf6nnSmmefaPFMhjHIwqB12eSUpNBMvdJQGpHtGmFAnP6RpK9KkUvV-jMOxZQCGTms8dMoAAV93Don4K0A7sKdXAETcBtX31AHMQFzpXcutcDmDqMQUTmnS3XYdtA6DuATCkrG8sXYYFojutUrGsXOKacVZJsgkAhHunaQh6oME4lzfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County Public Works told the Board of Commissioners the county’s current contract for landfill rock is nearly exhausted and asked permission to spend up to $50,000 more under the existing contract to complete June work ahead of a new contract that starts July 1.

Public Services Director Mike Moss explained that the county’s contract for landfill rock carries a $365,000 cap and that heavy use this year has brought the contract close to that limit. \"We're doing some major moves up there with our tippers, realigning some roads,\" Moss said, adding the county hopes to move three tippers in the next three to four weeks and needs rock this month to regrade and stabilize roads.

The board indicated consent for Public Works to proceed with up to $50,000 in additional rock purchases under the current contract and noted the department had already put the next fiscal-year solicitation out for bid and increased anticipated tonnage for the new contract. Public Works staff said the extra rock is within budget and was needed to prepare base layers and place mats and filter fabric before material is lost into the fill.

Public Works clarified that some reclaimed rock can be reused onsite but that rock already in the fill cannot be removed because of contamination concerns. The department said it will proceed to secure the needed rock in June and complete the planned tipper moves and road realignment work.

No formal resolution or ordinance was drafted during the meeting; the requirement was handled as an administrative approval on the department’s contract spending limit for the month.","Public Works requested and the Board authorized up to $50,000 in additional rock purchases under the current landfill contract so county crews can complete road realignment work before the July 1 contract period begins.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cowlitz commissioners approve bonding for PFD conference-center Phase 1; interlocal talks to continue

Mediation center outlines housing-stability program, recommends early intervention and deeper partnership with rental-assistance provider

Public Works outlines permit backlog, staffing and Acela process; commissioners discuss time limits

Commissioners approve up to $50,000 more for landfill rock to finish June work