[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6167911,"mediaKeyId","5409782-3e10e3bdab882768b67194d36ce12567","parentId",5409782,"title","County engineer outlines road project schedule, cash‑flow scenarios and grant risks","audioSeconds",780,"startMs",2843000,"endMs",3623000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5409782-3e10e3bdab882768b67194d36ce12567&start=2843&end=3623","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5409782-3e10e3bdab882768b67194d36ce12567/thumbnail_2843000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167911/Cowlitz-County/Washington/County-engineer-outlines-road-project-schedule-cashflow-scenarios-and-grant-risks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167911-b18e4007ed0e754c16cc11a74a9f575b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545118&Signature=PzpmNYATybOp9jqnztQXdEYYn3u7CTZTK1dQuRO2~mFEv5XXGfwhTMMiVV8FlRuFc9uDlutUAGlbuU-GLKAT66U55YTwNc6i05tHlrOEVZS4Piwu1RGrK-aUFirVoDL76a-xYEY5k-t33LDRnzeGtuz76mq55qDxcwgY9oWv4ZXi6jqmMuiywOwZrz21zCrY659I90tL~5mKHJey~H3p1WPO0TD~gM1HpkmiwhDH4r0vDXFC27eMITfp62WpyO5~jEq2w5HKHZKXcVzcEIPuu-yT9j20JmJaberY3Giz20ObtDM7fpuonJEa1sAgCBFNnkQGEk2UbmJGaOIdYtV-lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cowlitz County Commissioners, Washington","date","2025-07-17T09:40:09Z","article","Sean, the county engineer, presented a progress report on the county’s construction program and a preliminary six‑year cash‑flow outlook, telling commissioners he had planned a large 2025 construction program but is shifting some projects into 2026 to reflect procurement timing and weather windows.

Why it matters: the county’s road and culvert program includes multi‑million‑dollar projects that rely in many cases on state and federal grant funding; schedule shifts affect when work is completed and the county’s year‑end cash position.

Sean said that several projects have started or will be bid this year: South Cloverdale (work split across 2025–2026 because of late starts), Eric Creek Culvert (near completion, final change orders pending), countywide guardrail and delineator work (bids awarded, starting soon), Garlock Road box culvert (underway, scheduled October completion) and Italian Creek Culvert (underway, scheduled September completion). He said the Allender Road bridge replacement plan set is complete and that the county has worked with WSDOT to secure additional state funding that will be added to the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and is expected to allow a late‑September/early‑October bid.

On deferred projects, Sean listed Dyke Road reconstruction, Rock Creek culvert (Tower Road), Pleasant Hill culvert (a FEMA project), Rose Valley Road culverts and several slide repairs; “all of those will be moved to next year,” he said. He presented three cash‑flow scenarios and quoted totals for the county’s starting and projected balances: “our beginning cash at the 2026 will be $16,200,000. If Susan spends all of her money like she would like to do, at the end of 2026, we'd have an ending cash balance of $9,200,000. If some of our projects drop off, we're at $10,200,000. And then the worst case scenario … we'd have $17,500,000 left in our cash balance.”

Commissioners asked about the nature of state and federal grant funding and whether funds were already held by the state. Staff responded that some funds are obligated and held at the state if formally obligated; others are subject to federal fiscal‑year obligations and thus carry risk if the federal allotments change. On a related point, staff said if construction funding were withdrawn they would likely pause or delay projects until local dollars could be identified.

No formal votes were taken; the presentation was framed as an information item and the engineer said staff will continue refining the six‑year plan, add 2027 projections and post materials for public review before the December hearing.

Ending: staff will bring a refined six‑year plan and updated cash‑flow projections for public review and the December hearing; commissioners signaled interest in public input and continued monitoring of grant obligations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cowlitz County Commissioner Open Public Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","The county engineer reviewed bids, shifted schedules and three cash‑flow scenarios for road and culvert projects, noting several projects moving from 2025 to 2026 and describing the potential for grant funding uncertainty to slow construction.","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},6167916,"County reports ARPA-funded meter rollout, water‑sewer projects and HOJ HVAC mobilization",943,1906000,2849000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5409782-3e10e3bdab882768b67194d36ce12567&start=1906&end=2849","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5409782-3e10e3bdab882768b67194d36ce12567/thumbnail_1906000.jpg","/articles/6167916/Cowlitz-County/Washington/County-reports-ARPA-funded-meter-rollout-watersewer-projects-and-HOJ-HVAC-mobilization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167916-d18f19a104f6aee970fd566051188d63/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545119&Signature=PCuDUqBizmRlefA2doRJeIeMUz9YTKIlXk7ShLBrCfrAl7nio5i7ZcNP5LyYMFSRk4qXX9lXN6xR4Qrj3yJpy5YLlJ5eMo0iJQ1MGkweEW5uNKm56EdhW7W8OSUrUmbV~ZbsoaNTd2X8ZUO0aHQBRC4-yk0hz7eyo1HxhX-QiVH6QhIvrLcjGfF4OTFrLffEhJvSQZcy~9GGpA-qCHa54Rp5d~HsCVYLNflDNmI3A5i83yS48IuRN5Q0T-QxBuM2QCELjZEswxf9nVw7AwoycEQON-an7~azmMvn1crB8Lj-kNSlOmEW4NPoM4kolb2APmH4BEsxLKN7W6H7c0Ew2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Savannah Clement, public services, updated the Board of Commissioners on ARPA-funded utilities and facilities work, saying the county’s meter-replacement project is about 25% complete and that meter-portal software is expected in August to allow customers to view usage.

Why it matters: the meter project is intended to give customers earlier warning of leaks and better visibility into water use; several ARPA-backed water and wastewater projects would reduce reliability risks for small systems and replace aging infrastructure.

Clement said the meter install “is 25% complete” and that in Riderwood the team is “about half complete.” She added, “we're going to be getting that software at the August.” On the county’s tennis and basketball court resurfacing, she said resurfacing and restriping should be “finished at the end of the summer.”

Clement also reviewed ARPA water and wastewater projects: the pressure-zone work on Tower Road and Juanita has completed water-main work and began pump-station installation this week, with a September completion anticipated; the TUDO Wastewater Treatment Plant project mobilized on the fourteenth and the team anticipates a November completion; Camelot loss replacement plans are at 100% and staff expect to advertise for bids in August; the Riderwood emergency water project is close on property acquisition and staff hope to bring paperwork to the board in August with bids planned in October–November; Shadow Mountain is being scaled to match available dollars with an anticipated 2026 bid.

Clement briefed the board on the Department of Natural Resources/Resource Conservation Office (RCO) grant possibility tied to dredge spoils: she said recent large projects, including work by the Port of Longview, may increase available dredge material and that staff are identifying additional funding sources; she said she had not yet finalized conversations with Kathy in the county finance team but expected to bring funding recommendations to the board soon.

On juvenile facilities and the Hall of Justice HVAC, Clement said staff have been directed to meet with juvenile staff and that detailed options are being developed. She gave a schedule for the Hall of Justice HVAC project: contractors will mobilize the week of Aug. 18 and heavier construction and moves will start in mid‑September. To support coordination, IT staff will provide a SharePoint site, and Clement said audio-visual equipment for a temporary meeting/court room is being procured and security staffing will be adjusted using an existing provider and sheriff’s deputy coverage.

Most items reported were progress updates rather than formal board actions. Clement said staff can provide tours of facilities and will return with more concrete funding and procurement requests, including potential RCO and rural-development dollars, for formal board approval.

Ending: staff will return with funding details and procurement packages for specific ARPA, grant- and county-funded projects; commissioners requested follow-up documents and offered to tour affected sites.","Public services staff updated the board on ARPA-funded projects: a meter-replacement rollout 25% complete with consumer portal software expected in August; several water and wastewater projects under construction with fall completion targets; juvenile facility planning; and Hall of Justice HVAC mobilization planned for mid‑August.",{"_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},6167921,"County staff weigh reservation pilot, camera feeds to cut 2–3 hour transfer-station waits",661,1289000,1950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5409782-3e10e3bdab882768b67194d36ce12567&start=1289&end=1950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5409782-3e10e3bdab882768b67194d36ce12567/thumbnail_1289000.jpg","/articles/6167921/Cowlitz-County/Washington/County-staff-weigh-reservation-pilot-camera-feeds-to-cut-23-hour-transfer-station-waits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167921-564da5bf13a87a799d974516a559ec06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770545119&Signature=cWgkRwrVDQmjnQ03JeKVgdZZ05sQxWUBaNJwrxEDpHp5MVx28iMDFFCh-AkL7LkYpNUkMiCEsX0Eyfr0zxZM6qKpL8k7Jfs7cSX1MpWDZ6xiRA5~BEi~FTqqAfw2bphH7KSNdWe0fwv3h1i8QTx8UzsHwPEMhjGehEwuy1GxGj77GAP9khzVPbDmNA-fB3mOuBPuB98Es~fmcEjmRHQyT4D7Xtqv2neenSweF~3BqbUl1Wtwdalc-zMwyYLXO1Pm2AVP6YAw6qw-6xHBYx9EMRuo0nC5Jiq94-UufFTy0lRyhlOLn76spLZKtnqNqJ3HSoT3Gt-WwUfXyWsZzsknCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike Moss, public services director, told the Board of Commissioners that waits for tipping trailers at the county transfer station have grown to “2 to 3 hour waits” at peak times and that staff and the station contractor are testing short-term options to reduce queuing.

Why it matters: long waits affect residents and commercial haulers, increase calls to county offices and — staff said — may be driving some people to dump illegally in wooded areas.

Moss said the transfer-station building design places packer trucks, container trucks and tip trailers on the same tipping floor. “Twenty years ago, that worked out just fine because there was not so much volume,” he said, and added that volume increased after the COVID period when “a lot of people got trailers.” Moss told commissioners the county and the contractor, Waste Control, are trying multiple approaches, including a reserved morning window for commercial tip trailers, a small pilot reservation system with a few vendors and a live camera feed so drivers can check queue length before arriving.

Moss summarized prior steps and the most recent tests: “We went to the 07:30 to 09:30 for tip trailers, only commercial tip trailers, and we didn't hear any complaints for quite a while,” he said. The county’s contract with the transfer station includes “on average time of 15 minutes from scale to start tipping,” he added, but staff review of current volumes shows much longer waits for some customers.

Staff and commissioners discussed several other possible mitigations. Suggestions and constraints raised in the meeting included:
- Trial reservation system: Waste Control will trial a reservations pilot with a few commercial accounts to see whether scheduled appointments reduce peak queues.
- Live queue camera: the contractor discussed installing a live camera so drivers could see line length before driving to the facility.
- Separate commercial tipping area: staff said reconfiguring the site for separate commercial access would require permitting and additional footprint the facility doesn’t currently have.
- Rate adjustments: staff said the county plans to evaluate raising out-of-county rates this fall to reduce out‑of‑county traffic; many trailers come from neighboring Clark County.
- Hours and staffing: commissioners suggested extended hours or a second shift, but staff noted permitted hours at the landfill/transfer station and that extending hours is not simply an operational change.

No formal motions or decisions were made; commissioners directed staff to continue working with Waste Control and report back. Several commissioners and members of the public described callers who arrived, were told expected waits of an hour or more, and turned away. One attendee said a gate attendant advised a driver the wait would be “at least an hour and a half.” Moss said the county is receiving complaints and “we take the heat for it” even though Waste Control operates the site under contract.

Ending: staff said a permanent solution could take years because permitting and construction of a second transfer station are long-range efforts; in the short term staff will pursue the reservation pilot, queue camera and rate adjustments and return to the board with updates.","Cowlitz County staff and the contract operator discussed growing waits for tip trailers at the transfer station, possible short-term fixes including a reserved commercial window and pilot reservation system, and longer-term fixes such as a second transfer station and permitting constraints.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County engineer outlines road project schedule, cash‑flow scenarios and grant risks

County reports ARPA-funded meter rollout, water‑sewer projects and HOJ HVAC mobilization

County staff weigh reservation pilot, camera feeds to cut 2–3 hour transfer-station waits