[{"_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",6203623,"mediaKeyId","3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118","parentId",3782263,"title","Public Facilities District seeks license to study county land for proposed indoor multipurpose facility; board to review interlocal agreement","audioSeconds",450,"startMs",6751000,"endMs",7201000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118&start=6751&end=7201","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118/thumbnail_6751000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6203623/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Public-Facilities-District-seeks-license-to-study-county-land-for-proposed-indoor-multipurpose-facility-board-to-review-interlocal-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203623-e871f9b752081b656a2fd9d5f00e83ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060255&Signature=mg2EnZ7DrfVlhnCdQFzIsakey~Lxu8JFzIF4Qy0QddJGx80F~DC5mjsBTK9H7l-SXl5CIJgvioirtRcqjPazp~KCj2zR0pd0lLw0ZISZraraXscIMVIEBdwcDzypmazNoBNwIeu4O8G~GE2UxFIs7OxnRPW3Qmqe5fnMi8t-Imd-heqsAcuzGTRFJJC8uXWoYSb5aH9fEGufC-PTcG3mSDBwJymbDmaH6I6Vvax0ZMEUutFbWjdT8rjM59X7yQ6Q41KmruraTntGEkr0ZjP~SDVAFYGRFFJ3ex4Vt23Izj8GbtWAfzVXh7Z1Qx7I5QoTiM8alPpGna-DWsAUM9uXOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cowlitz County Commissioners, Washington","date","2025-06-12T10:08:06.723Z","article","The Public Facilities District (PFD) asked Cowlitz County commissioners on Thursday for a revocable land‑use license and a draft interlocal agreement to allow the district to perform surveys, a 30% design and environmental checks on county land being considered for a proposed indoor multipurpose facility.

Prosecutor’s Office attorney David Berger told the board that the PFD has prepared an interlocal agreement and an accompanying land‑use license. Berger said his office reviewed the drafts and recommended the land‑use license as the appropriate revocable legal vehicle to give the PFD limited rights of access for study work without creating a longer leasehold interest.

Bronson Potter, attorney for the PFD, said the PFD will pay for the 30% design and site work and only needs access to perform surveys, level‑one environmental review and programming to produce a reliable cost estimate. “At the conclusion of the development of the 30% design work, we’ll be in a much better position to give you a cost estimate,” Potter told commissioners.

County staff and PFD counsel discussed administrative details for the draft documents. Berger asked the board to designate a county project contact; commissioners identified Kim (county staff) to serve as the county’s lead contact for access coordination. The PFD and the county agreed to bring the draft interlocal and license back to a public meeting for formal approval; Berger suggested the materials be placed on the next available Tuesday meeting agenda.

The county also scheduled a brief executive session to discuss legal risks related to the proposed arrangement; Berger identified the topic as legal risk for an action under the state executive‑session authority cited in the meeting. After the closed session, the board returned and reported no decision was rendered.

No final approval of the interlocal or license occurred at the workshop; instead, the board directed staff to file the draft agreement, confirm the county’s administrative contact, and return the final document for a public decision at a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cowlitz County Commissioner Open Public Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Facilities District asked Cowlitz County commissioners on Thursday for a revocable land‑use license and a draft interlocal agreement to allow the district to perform surveys, a 30% design and environmental checks on county land being considered for a proposed indoor multipurpose facility.","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},6203628,"Developer pitches 400‑square‑foot ‘tiny home’ village on county land as low‑cost housing option",2509,4811000,7320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118&start=4811&end=7320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118/thumbnail_4811000.jpg","/articles/6203628/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Developer-pitches-400squarefoot-tiny-home-village-on-county-land-as-lowcost-housing-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203628-22a7588cfae0c08f88fe028fa3901081/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060255&Signature=DGTVyzNtXk1tgf~KC37EfucnVhustGweJU5RPo-8yeUHP7ph36JIFhiYdAyvZm7YxzDjuBRg~aR40sXRONdGn6~HXevGQhjsIHew81RqwKmRiARumTJenE2xEF0mFVLfYkAEwp0e-TR42vSLgbqbXmGyUeMcQj3YuVKZtQ5XJCPiQ9UTQGZdy2izekdX3TyBHI4~NPpMLAH3NRg0rO0Zc7-vnw8swDk8G589VZx7n--gAB-3rUzRO6gS7EMVcqIAI-bZe0hihlBmlcezYD4-ZP8hSpHT9~zp0DGyph~gYx1txfBDEKB2wmTjxqZGgCaWA78~6Qc7cs-PB8kHMUN3sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Longview developer told the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners Thursday he is seeking county land and a public‑private arrangement to build a compact “tiny home” community aimed at lower‑cost permanent housing, but commissioners asked for more legal and fiscal detail before proceeding.

Larry Wood described a proposal to lease county developable land (he discussed the fairgrounds and other county‑owned parcels as possibilities), build 400‑square‑foot dwellings priced at an estimated $70,000–$75,000 each and limit the developer’s profits during construction. Wood said he would seek a long land lease — he suggested 40 years in concept — with the county keeping ownership of the land and the developer securing financing to build the homes. He estimated a debt service payment of about $610 per unit at a hypothetical 6.5% interest rate and said that, under his model, rent could be in the “$700s,” which he said would be affordable to people currently priced out of the local market.

Wood said he expects construction costs for a 400‑square‑foot unit to be in the $70,000–$75,000 range, plus an allowance of roughly $10,000 per unit attributed to a shared clubhouse and community facilities. He also said he had consulted lenders and received preliminary feedback that a debt service coverage ratio of about 1.35–1.4 would be typical for a credit union lender in this market. Wood said he would personally sign for project financing and that he was willing not to take developer profit during the construction phase.

He discussed legal and cost drivers for the project, including prevailing‑wage requirements. Wood said he sought a legal opinion that prevailing wage obligations applied to underground work but would not automatically require prevailing wage for above‑ground production housing under the scheme he proposed; he told the board counsel had provided guidance on that point.

Commissioners raised multiple concerns: the legality of a long low‑cost land lease and whether a nominal rent or $1‑per‑year lease would be considered an impermissible gifting of public funds; the county’s exposure to long‑term maintenance and capital replacement costs; and whether the county should operate or own rental housing at all. Commissioner Bloom warned that infrastructure (roofs, plumbing, electrical) and routine capital needs would require ongoing funding and expressed concern about handing the county a maintenance responsibility after decades. Commissioner Farrell and others said the key driver for residents would likely be the low monthly rent rather than finishes.

Wood and his architect, Dave Bridal, provided examples of his past residential projects and preliminary site sketches showing how roughly 30 units could be placed on about three acres; they said duplex configurations and different lot arrangements could change density. Wood said he had discussed potential partnerships with nonprofit housing providers but preferred a for‑profit structure to make lending feasible; he also suggested a future transfer to a nonprofit housing authority was possible after stabilization.

No vote or formal commitment was taken. Commissioners asked staff to research legal constraints (including gifting concerns and property‑leasing options), prevailing wage interpretations and possible county parcels, and to return with information. Wood said he would continue refining cost details and said he welcomed further conversations.","Local developer Larry Wood proposed a public‑private tiny‑home community on county‑owned land, suggesting a 40‑year land lease and per‑unit rents around $700. Commissioners asked for more legal and financial detail; no commitment was made.",{"_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},6203632,"Commissioners approve four‑year landfill disposal agreement with Norpac",129,4598000,4727000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118&start=4598&end=4727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118/thumbnail_4598000.jpg","/articles/6203632/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-fouryear-landfill-disposal-agreement-with-Norpac","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203632-c911beede6bcd1976f953d744f493dfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060255&Signature=ay8at0CddHfPogU1OYHiFiBtx0Nj-mwajTkmHeFj~qjHbInmS447WcJ0fzKBcGrPAc1eXmFxJOb-z64hrbE8MEVPySVfYn4NmLPuWuiZiznvFxZ2pWEpR6P-2zXvh4xxqAR8KavmNPsLorjTtgUnzrCkWMg~7hCYcrMiuj5ZGXC5IW9fDrHIEmBC8qCDAqvSCyeGWGpVX3tnQQuyJYNcyBJXb0M-DR8Bd2mg7uw-6g~spoT9LT6yglxV-xgFpnbxfSjJxSPo4cyTmn2ZOpXbb-mGqfVC8Ob5oxpsZrA94-0jJoCghLPZEd9dZCIEFosNVzspHKaiu~vdfjgWdX1Rgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners voted to accept a multi‑year solid waste disposal agreement with Norpac on Thursday, authorizing disposal terms the county described as consistent with other industrial users at the county landfill.

Public Works’ Sean Roey summarized the agreement and said it is a four‑year contract with a two‑year extension option that allows up to 200,000 tons to be delivered to the landfill, with pricing breaks at defined annual volume thresholds. Roey said the arrangement includes CPI adjustments (100% of CPI annually with a 1.5% minimum) and monthly throughput limits to account for Norpac’s seasonal variation in volumes. He also noted the agreement’s effective date had been set on Norpac’s signature the previous day.

After the presentation, a commissioner moved to accept the agreement “as presented.” The chair called for a vote; commissioners voted in favor by voice vote and the motion carried.

Roey told the board the contract sets a monthly maximum of 20,000 tons to accommodate the mill’s higher‑and‑lower months and that historically Norpac has used other landfills in unusually high months. The public works staff said the terms align with contracts the county holds with other industrial customers and thanked staff for completing the negotiations.

The board’s approval authorizes staff to finalize and sign the agreement on the county’s behalf; the county will now proceed to carry out the contract using the agreed terms.","Cowlitz County accepted a multi‑year solid waste disposal agreement with Norpac that allows up to 200,000 tons of mill waste with pricing tied to CPI and volume thresholds; the contract was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.",{"_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},6203636,"Cowlitz County hears $1.2M plan to replace Hall of Justice ceilings and lights, but questions remain",2044,825000,2869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118&start=825&end=2869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118/thumbnail_825000.jpg","/articles/6203636/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Cowlitz-County-hears-12M-plan-to-replace-Hall-of-Justice-ceilings-and-lights-but-questions-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203636-a07e848d308c331dbbeb7944db4f3b17/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060255&Signature=jyl2dliGeumWLHdfv-rNZOkVaXJ2GtBlTvWqVyyZkb2aP2WsJusbpjSzrdACA1P7zgslr6M8VXmz-u0ybDFXv0xThkbbrGWvrVgPyDPK2z93kofPRS2dinY6Xm7skEEzNwBLFWhOAyslhdIQQbVAAbFhkeOSVC8e8tlVcZenNBOSbe5WYIyffCmYwYJStuHoTyxZcE4PFDFe63CknE9Cs4cXyHis4X6-Ef8kvYSu6PdJ8R6Bic6y0DUdHXBaMevT20RTNHLRr61nJJhHN1uYrzBbvNG-hOOUJrq5IAY8wjGZxrmP~4CTwJtEZzjNJ4p4aiiaGiDnxCAx4jlfZbT26w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cowlitz County officials heard details Thursday about a Millig proposal to modernize lighting and ceilings at the Hall of Justice, a project the contractor estimates will cost about $1.2 million and add roughly a month to construction if the lighting scope is included.

The presentation, led by Lauren of Millig and introduced by Savannah Clement, deputy director of public services, described replacing ceilings and fixtures on the basement, first and second floors, installing new LED fixtures where ceilings are replaced and performing tube retrofits where ceilings remain. Lauren said the turnkey price from Millig is about $1,213,000, with an anticipated utility incentive of roughly $30,000–$35,000 and estimated annual utility and maintenance savings of about $34,000.

The proposal matters because it combines safety, seismic and energy improvements into a single scope. The contractor told the board that the building’s atypical ceiling grid (original construction from 1974) holds many retrofit complications: unusual long grid pieces, custom ceiling diffusers and electrical/security wiring that has been routed above the ceiling over decades. Lauren said crews counted approximately 200 supply diffusers and 110 return diffusers that must be reworked to fit a new grid and that many infill walls are only bolted to the suspended grid rather than tied to the deck above, creating seismic risk.

More than aesthetics, Millig’s team described the safety and code implications. “We discovered a lot of walls that were not tied to the deck — they’re essentially bolted into the T grid and not braced,” Lauren said. She recommended bracing and tying those walls to the deck using angled blocking and additional seismic connections. She also said current energy code discussions about luminaire‑level lighting controls (drivers and wireless devices in each fixture) added significant cost; Millig secured a variance from the code official to omit luminaire‑level controls but recommended adding wall‑switch occupancy sensors in small offices as a lower‑cost control option.

Commissioners and staff pressed on constructability and schedule. The lighting and ceiling work will proceed zone by zone while a parallel HVAC replacement proceeds; Millig said eight zones will be worked sequentially and that adding the full ceiling and lighting scope would increase total occupied‑space construction by about a month. Mike Moss, public services director, confirmed the county’s maintenance staff discovered many burned‑out bulbs when they opened the First Floor lobby grid and described the labor intensity of bulb replacement in the existing configuration.

The contractor laid out optional add‑ons: excluding some basement areas from the lighting upgrade could reduce cost by approximately $100,000–$150,000; modernizing the First Floor lobby with standard 2x4 ceiling grid and fixtures would be an additional roughly $100,000 but would also improve light levels and maintenance access. Millig recommended a 3% owner’s contingency in the proposed price (a larger 5% contingency was already held for the separate HVAC contract).

No formal contract action was taken. Staff said they expect to package a “hard” proposal with final line‑item pricing and a recommended contract amendment (rather than a change order) to present to the board for approval. Lauren said the Millig bid includes material, labor, permits, recycling/disposal and one year workmanship warranty and that the contractor will pursue available utility rebates and rebates paperwork on the county’s behalf.

County staff and Millig agreed to follow up with additional documentation, a final proposal and answers to technical questions raised at the hearing — including whether any ceiling sections could be left in place beneath a new suspended ceiling in limited areas and additional photographic documentation of the conditions above the ceiling grid. No vote or amendment occurred at the meeting; the board asked staff to return with the formal proposal and clarifications.

The conversation also flagged operational impacts: Millig said each zone’s ceiling/lighting work will add several days to the zone’s construction and that crews are exploring temporary space and hoteling options to compress schedule. The contractor noted it will recycle ballasts and other components that may contain mercury and seismically tie new fixtures to the deck per modern code.

The board did not take a vote; staff will return with the finalized proposal and recommended contract amendment for formal approval at a future meeting.","County staff and Millig contractors presented a $1.2 million turnkey proposal to replace ceilings, install new LED fixtures and shore up non‑structural walls at the Hall of Justice. The board asked for more information and a formal hard-bid package before any contract change is approved.",{"_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},6203617,"Commissioners review civil service vacancies; approve small pay step swap for emergency management roles",1067,3529000,4596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118&start=3529&end=4596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3782263-ae3cbe617c11e17291b3f9efcd751118/thumbnail_3529000.jpg","/articles/6203617/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Commissioners-review-civil-service-vacancies-approve-small-pay-step-swap-for-emergency-management-roles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6203617-6c3999bc793fa50bb1745cc7c90efe72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060255&Signature=oWfjwGDv2kHxFCwXINz6~sdceIBs-pz~FQqV9gBGZqhB7DhiBbzvCREi6h30aMfzXg~rtGA1RHL61S1rCzdDXQmGs~Y0W8-Mimrw4nOSz8Ub71GP0v7f5ZfJqfxDRPXK38BtIuYO6yonCKQOG0DBlF3gJYjoy561LOLZ5nxG346GVOHD36KYLymVp6VCcuLnEpKeksBzRiF6OGwE-unNFSF4IhuDI0RajTDVJQbbrhWM76caibbFXkFUXv0DPpBtn3iSTf9YK5frKFcVcLxfoxQi9kkE1p1Si97v5Z7NEYfX0ZpS6HJYY8SGFH6eI0CmE1shhVYgkltgVG7JVYHaBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Cowlitz County Commissioners heard an overview Thursday of the Sheriff’s Office Civil Service Commission and the volunteers who serve on it, and later approved a small pay‑scale adjustment requested by the Sheriff’s Office for emergency management positions.

Dave Handy of the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office described the role and composition of the Civil Service Commission. He said the commission oversees hiring and promotional fairness for sheriff’s employees under Washington law and is governed in the sheriff’s context by RCW 41.14. Handy said the commission has three volunteer commissioners and a part‑time secretary/examiner; current members named in the meeting were Richard Walmsley (chair), Steve McWilliams and Denny Parkhill. Handy told the board that McWilliams and Parkhill plan to step down and that two applicants — Fred Taylor (a sergeant with county service since 1994) and Brett Harris (a retired deputy with service since 1991) — had applied. Handy said the existing commission had endorsed the two applicants.

Commissioners expressed support in principle for appointing local applicants to the civil service panel but made no formal appointment at the workshop. Handy explained the commission’s examiner is the sole paid employee of the panel and that the commission’s budget is separate from the sheriff’s office. He also noted that appeals processes exist for discipline but that collective bargaining agreements provide other avenues and that appeals to the civil service panel happen infrequently.

Separately, Jessica Warren of Human Resources brought a request from the Sheriff’s Office to adjust step placements for emergency management staff: swap the emergency management director and coordinator positions to Step 7 on their new pay scales. Warren said the change would create an overall cost increase of about $203.47 per month. Commissioners indicated no objection and the board authorized the pay‑scale step swap.

Later in the meeting the board went into executive session to discuss performance matters for public employees; after returning the board reported no decision was rendered from that session.","The board discussed two Civil Service Commission vacancies for sheriff’s office oversight and later approved a pay‑scale step swap for emergency management director/coordinator positions that increases payroll by about $203.47 per month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Facilities District seeks license to study county land for proposed indoor multipurpose facility; board to review interlocal agreement

Developer pitches 400‑square‑foot ‘tiny home’ village on county land as low‑cost housing option

Commissioners approve four‑year landfill disposal agreement with Norpac

Cowlitz County hears $1.2M plan to replace Hall of Justice ceilings and lights, but questions remain

Commissioners review civil service vacancies; approve small pay step swap for emergency management roles