[{"_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",6140541,"mediaKeyId","5578557-9bfa88628789fd30192157b54c7ec414","parentId",5578557,"title","Hall of Justice power test successful; gun range completed; RCO grant approved; Lexington Flood Control to brief board","audioSeconds",335,"startMs",6033000,"endMs",6368000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578557-9bfa88628789fd30192157b54c7ec414&start=6033&end=6368","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578557-9bfa88628789fd30192157b54c7ec414/thumbnail_6033000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6140541/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Hall-of-Justice-power-test-successful-gun-range-completed-RCO-grant-approved-Lexington-Flood-Control-to-brief-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140541-3d055ef7d2fda1ce6c3f748deac807b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773688903&Signature=V0s1Ut6bLf2Ux6GjFb9Ovxj0EO94~6yN0WZHszUoxaZmcEhIKlHrGsQK985ebhKjAgZZAosMUMCMY52WkgiEpAPZAM1y-rtJE01GoGel2R4RI~GkRYTSNVgpWNOaiHgnaSRSKRnhwdSt1Qfk0AMNEOdGuxTzE88GEaiBExNuIMGgd0CQeEK4pIQraVc1A6A7r-vFfhl6XRZNs5utOmoT8M2phcn7nYHHQ1zMNMxQlCHNO82liH2Ov9vCOcWbJkYl6~dW67t2zBhtsiC~RDBYEKVlNdSk73pV7R7gFFxWs7YvzRcWEzp7LB3I-khsx2Z7Z5KBx3bl4r4aHEcJQ4CSQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cowlitz County Commissioners, Washington","date","2025-08-13T20:02:03Z","article","Savannah Lomax, identified as the Hall of Justice (HOJ) millig expert, updated the board on several Public Works projects. Lomax said the project team completed a full-scale test outage to prepare for a scheduled full electrical replacement on Labor Day weekend. “That went really well. We were able to gauge the amount of fuel we use in an 11 hour time frame. We were able to track down and and record a power audit to know which power…from the generator was powering which division,” Lomax said. The permit for the Labor Day weekend work is approved, Lomax said, and the county scheduled the full outage with a window to return systems before court business resumes on Tuesday.

Lomax said Connexus is mobilizing for work and that the first major move will be the Department of Emergency Management, followed by the clerk’s office relocating to the boathouse; the project team will issue press releases and signage to inform the public. She also reported that the gun-range project’s two phases are complete — trap houses earlier and restrooms in the second phase — and that the county had signed off on the trap-house and restroom work.

Lomax announced the county received official approval from the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for a grant “which was up to 1,100,000.0 with a half match from RCO,” and thanked staff and a board member who had helped with the rural development funding application that supported the grant award. She said the RCO funds would help with parks and trail work, including paving dike walking areas and other sites in the county.

Finally, Lomax asked to schedule a presentation from the Lexington Flood Zone Control District; she said the district has a number of high-dollar projects and an active board and recommended they brief commissioners on Aug. 26. Mike Dyer was named as an active board representative for the district.

Next steps: Full outage scheduled for Labor Day weekend; press releases to alert the public; Connexus mobilization and staged moves of county offices as described; RCO grant implementation will follow grant agreement terms; Lexington Flood Zone Control District scheduled to brief the board on Aug. 26.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cowlitz County Commissioner Open Public Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","Public Works reported a successful full-scale power outage test ahead of a Labor Day weekend Hall of Justice electrical replacement, announced completion of a two-phase gun-range project, confirmed approval of an RCO grant up to $1.1 million (with a half match), and invited the Lexington Flood Zone Control District to brief the board on Aug. 26.","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},6140546,"County staff to draft comments on USDOT surface-transportation reauthorization request",508,5504000,6012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578557-9bfa88628789fd30192157b54c7ec414&start=5504&end=6012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578557-9bfa88628789fd30192157b54c7ec414/thumbnail_5504000.jpg","/articles/6140546/Cowlitz-County/Washington/County-staff-to-draft-comments-on-USDOT-surface-transportation-reauthorization-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140546-bc751057e0f9c354bfecff457e750766/orig.mp4?Expires=1773688903&Signature=Z9jaJ8KtYvlO7JwvofpzoMG7A2lazoKTNTtZpejqUgYL5xBDPv0PK8wXQOslAC5yOX4jHoLpTHRIuPL9QLONP-8YlrRfhhhxedn~zXQmOg-K7AfyXMIGXidXoJ9IKL6bg06d7h3cJNxaxDoDTYHCbqWeA-SG-MH5Z3zbf8G9zjwtGdZD874bnf76CgqH~Tyftp4zcpSQD-jLfBXBFfZd4NkqBX0iY-TnYFz1YKcW6skqJhO3JLVUT4J8A6-sve7oZ0VGnsHC~qw6tpagIY-kby5oPGfKzYnN0A7gPXVuhRt3JClblYRK56s30FSlylxwvyj6~qsdO6xckTmrx6sV2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Susan Eugenas told the Board that the U.S. Department of Transportation had posted a Federal Register request for information on the surface-transportation reauthorization, which is scheduled to come up for reauthorization in September 2026. She said comments on the request for information were due next week and that she had prepared a draft starting point for a county comment letter.

Eugenas described federal programs tied to the package — Surface Transportation Program (STP), Protect funds, Highway Safety Improvement Program and Safe Streets for All — and told commissioners those programs vary in how funds are distributed (some to MPOs/RTPOs, some competitive statewide or nationwide). “They’re looking for comments, support, what we think needs to be changed on their surface transportation package because it comes up for… reauthorization in September 2026,” Eugenas said.

Commissioners asked that the draft emphasize locally critical priorities such as bridge replacement and upsizing culverts, emergency funding for roads that serve as interstate bypass routes, and regionally significant structures including the Rainier Bridge. One commissioner said the letter should focus on substantial structure projects rather than smaller pedestrian projects. Eugenas said she would incorporate those points, add language about emergency/federally classified road funding (FEMA and USDOT emergency funds) and circulate a revised draft to the board for review by Monday.

Next steps: Eugenas will revise the draft comment letter, add emphasis on locally significant bridge and corridor projects and distribute it to commissioners for edits before submission. Commissioners did not vote; staff will move forward with preparing the comment for board review.","Susan Eugenas briefed commissioners on a U.S. Department of Transportation request for information about surface-transportation reauthorization; staff will circulate a draft comment emphasizing bridges, culverts and regional emergency routes.",{"_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},6140550,"Commissioners signal support to continue Camp Hope waste subsidy through Jan. 1; funding shortfall noted",353,5073000,5426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578557-9bfa88628789fd30192157b54c7ec414&start=5073&end=5426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578557-9bfa88628789fd30192157b54c7ec414/thumbnail_5073000.jpg","/articles/6140550/Cowlitz-County/Washington/Commissioners-signal-support-to-continue-Camp-Hope-waste-subsidy-through-Jan-1-funding-shortfall-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140550-ee3c0a165949ee9c9fe4b422df36d4ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1773688903&Signature=lIB0mTdhzvXZISSnGh6CDUpXl51B41gM5qE-bSeadl0ClbcMzOMrdPqgxMBxdejLf2sp2bDmfDAZFTaKYcN9s5FiLzH2W0r2-v0WOwsYmne3M66TDIcgZ5-rWEKDshDv0uVZHEhwG1EmlK3LqubkZiSGjfeJ9uHwfEik7skzah-94FkSW5W0zeReAEB18BXiQedxZ4DdlsgkShhq65JjgfN2R5dybvpWohrOHvUK2i6lw0qrDZcEilcvd~MvKu7OjRPzgaNd-yHF0P~-B0FGyPb4rJd4zur9Hzx23R~KELapCq65StRDonX3ICeAeE9mlc3izdmk6nkug821PX6lSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sean Roey, finance manager for public works, updated the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners on the county’s role in subsidizing solid-waste service at Camp Hope. Roey said the county had paid half of the on-site dumpster bill and that the expense is “about thousand dollars a month currently.” He traced the history: Health and Human Services covered costs through a COVID emergency grant from November 2020 to January 2021; afterward the county assumed some of the costs via solid waste financial assistance grants. Roey said those grant allocations expired in June 2025 and the new grant cycle did not include funds to continue the Camp Hope subsidy.

Commissioners discussed options. One commissioner proposed approving county support for a limited period while the City of Longview’s RFP for management takes effect. “Can we approve it for 6 months and then say you're on your own after that?” the commissioner asked. County staff told the board the RFP includes a requirement that the contractor assume ongoing site utility and trash costs; staff said they understood the new contract would likely start Jan. 1, but said the exact start date was not confirmed at the meeting.

Commissioners directed staff to provide short-term notice and a transition window rather than an immediate cutoff. Board members said they were inclined to continue the subsidy through the end of the calendar year so the incoming contractor or city budget process could plan for the expense; no formal motion or recorded roll-call vote occurred during the meeting. Roey said that, absent other arrangements, the county would continue to record the expense to solid waste maintenance and operations until the transition occurs.

Next steps: staff will continue the payment in the short term, give notice to the City of Longview and plan to end county subsidy when the new contractor assumes responsibility; commissioners asked staff to return with any confirmed dates or budget implications.","County staff told commissioners the county has subsidized Camp Hope garbage service since 2021; commissioners discussed a short-term continuation through the end of the year while the city’s RFP process transitions service to a new contractor.",{"_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},6140555,"County asked to fund $70,800 match for Castle Rock Huntington Avenue trail segment",515,4507000,5022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578557-9bfa88628789fd30192157b54c7ec414&start=4507&end=5022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578557-9bfa88628789fd30192157b54c7ec414/thumbnail_4507000.jpg","/articles/6140555/Cowlitz-County/Washington/County-asked-to-fund-70800-match-for-Castle-Rock-Huntington-Avenue-trail-segment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140555-fb19fbd2d817f3225a5d07c9b9366970/orig.mp4?Expires=1773688903&Signature=i-oJr8SPSjOhdJSVrTYnR5-SMggynpZraSzLfHRkEF3FAZoWskkvWWJNSqu0OmPaimQ4P5-aO14SHbXwZHHOOih0hczaDPMB-IUl1-wki2HuA6SspwWiuj-4UFbYh0NtCrm9MpJM9pppbzEfQYABtbnW83eZp~7lDnOvPohjHYPPsPT6VpX5PN67jduH3zxmazQQGKpHQ5awiwBe9mJeaTy~8Rr0T9Xtg1mlAOwL6G7d1gc~H5Dx25iZwtVdBux~pZ7WuYhh4uRI8BeqvXNXVaKwQ3efgLk~CrOBvxaYgfR47ENHpm-olYZc0ly4yPmkyFbknqK9jOuftrnIAg6xCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike Moss, public services director, told the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners that the county had received a request from the City of Castle Rock for a match from the county Path and Trails Fund. Sean Roey, finance manager for public works, said the fund is seeded by a share of the motor vehicle fuel tax and currently has a balance “of $842,000 and change,” with annual additions of about $51,000 and a statutory minimum contribution of 0.42%. Roey said the county currently contributes 2.5% of the motor vehicle fuel tax to the fund, above the statutory minimum.

Dave Vorce, representing the City of Castle Rock, described the project as part of the Six Rivers regional trail plan and asked the county to contribute $70,800 toward a $669,000 project. “The total cost of this project is about $669,000. And what we're looking for of a match, out of this fund is 70,800 or any part thereof,” Vorce said. Vorce said the scope before the county would pay for 650 feet of new asphalt trail leaving the restroom area by Lion’s Pride and connecting to the shoulder of Huntington Avenue, nine pedestrian-style lights, and a crossing at Larson Lane intended to improve safety for schoolchildren.

Vorce told the commissioners the city’s in-kind investment includes installing electrical conduit and junction boxes and that city crews will later install about 950 feet of six-foot sidewalk valued at $225,000. Vorce said the city has a separate grant for $373,900 toward the project and that the requested county contribution would be a partial match. Roey summarized eligibility: the RCW definition for paths and trails allows funding for public ways constructed primarily for pedestrians, equestrians and bicyclists and distinguishes trails from ordinary sidewalks.

Commissioners asked about feasibility of extending the trail to nearby developments and about whether the area is a hazardous walking route for schoolchildren; Vorce said the route is one of the school district’s hazardous walking paths and the project includes a safer crossing at Larson Lane. Commissioners expressed informal support and asked staff to work with Castle Rock on budget timing and years for the county match, but no formal motion or vote was recorded during the meeting.

Next steps: staff will work with Castle Rock and return with budget timing and any formal recommendation. The county did not take a formal vote at the meeting.","City of Castle Rock requested $70,800 from the county Path and Trails Fund to help pay for a 650-foot paved trail, lighting and a school crossing on Huntington Avenue; county staff outlined fund rules, balance and past contributions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hall of Justice power test successful; gun range completed; RCO grant approved; Lexington Flood Control to brief board

County staff to draft comments on USDOT surface-transportation reauthorization request

Commissioners signal support to continue Camp Hope waste subsidy through Jan. 1; funding shortfall noted

County asked to fund $70,800 match for Castle Rock Huntington Avenue trail segment