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Public works moves to repair collapsed storm drain, extends landfill fire detection contract and extends consultant agreements
Summary
Cowlitz County public works directors presented a package of routine and emergency items including an emergency contract to repair a collapsed storm sewer on Sweet Birch Drive (possession-and-use agreement approved), contract execution for landfill gas collection oversight, consultant-agreement extensions for appraisal and right-of-way services, a
Cowlitz County public works staff briefed commissioners Monday on a set of infrastructure and procurement items and the board approved a possession-and-use agreement to permit emergency storm-drain repair on Sweet Birch Drive.
Anna Lunde, right-of-way agent in public works, said the county will record a possession-and-use agreement with two property owners so construction crews can access private land and complete the emergency relocation of a collapsed storm drain. The board approved a motion authorizing the possession-and-use agreement specific to the Sweet Birch Drive emergency construction project; the motion was moved and approved by voice vote.
Why it matters: Staff told commissioners crews are working on an immediate replacement of the storm sewer connection after November-like rain risks were identified in camera inspections (Beacon Hill Water Sewer District provided imaging). Savannah Clement of public services described the action as a necessary emergency measure "especially in preparation for potentially hazardous conditions with rain." Lunde said the county is relocating the pipe and the new alignment will put the drain "in a much, much better place" than the original installation.
Other public works items discussed or slated for action:
- Consultant agreement extensions: Anna Lunde said the county is proposing one-year extensions for a series of consultant agreements (appraisers and right-of-way negotiators) that were originally established three years ago; those extensions would run to calendar-year 2026 with no change in compensation.
- Call for bids: A call for bids was announced for the Allender Road Bridge replacement project, with bids scheduled to open Nov. 10; county staff said the engineer's estimate will be shared with the board at the next meeting.
- Glacier Environmental contract execution: Staff confirmed execution of a contract with Glacier Environmental Services for landfill gas collection-and-control system work at the headwaters landfill; the contract follows a prior award discussed in workshops.
- Landfill fire-detection and monitoring: Sean Roey, public works, described a planned contract execution with Pano AI for a tower-mounted camera system to detect fires across the Silver Lake Valley area and at the county landfill. The system is a five-year lease at $40,000 annually; the site lease with Weyerhaeuser for tower access follows the same term. Staff said the Panoramic tower cameras provide macro detection across the valley and that the county will also pursue a separate micro-level skid-mounted heat-detection unit to scan the landfill surface for hot spots.
Commission action: The board moved and approved the possession-and-use agreement for the Sweet Birch Drive emergency construction project. No final vote was recorded in the transcript for other administrative items that staff indicated were being placed on the consent or forthcoming agenda; staff said several contracts will be brought forward for execution or signature at the next board meeting.
Ending: Public works staff said crews are already working on the Sweet Birch Drive repair and that additional details and contract documents (including consultant-estimate figures and landfill monitoring micro-unit pricing) will be presented to the board at subsequent meetings.
