Cowlitz County OKs $45,138.98 change order to close out Eric Creek culvert project; minutes and consent agenda also approved

The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a $45,138.98 change order for the Eric Creek culvert project and to finalize that construction contract. County Engineer Susan Eugenis told the board the cost increase stemmed from 21 days of delay while utilities were moved, and from additional temporary traffic-control and bypass equipment purchases.

The change order will close the 2025 construction project with Active Construction, Eugenis said. She told the board the project was 100% funded by the PROTECT program and that three earlier change orders had carried no net cost to the county. Eugenis said the 21‑day delay was caused by a utility provider, identified in the meeting as Lumen, which did not relocate its facilities on the county’s schedule.

Eugenis said the county plans to finish project closeout after the change order is approved and that the county attorney will advise whether the county should pursue cost recovery from the utility. She described the extra expenses as tied to the contractor’s lump-sum charges for temporary traffic control, operation of a temporary traffic signal and added bypass equipment required because water levels rose during construction.

Commissioners asked for follow-up reporting on ecological outcomes. A commissioner identified in discussion as Ron asked for later reporting about fish passage and recovery results; Eugenis said fish monitoring reports are provided to the county through the regional Fish Recovery Board.

The board approved the motion to accept the change order by voice vote. The meeting record shows the minutes from a prior meeting and the consent agenda — which included routine bid calls, a workers’ compensation administrative contract and appointment letters — were approved earlier in the session by voice vote as well.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve minutes from September (voice vote): approved. - Motion to approve September 23 consent agenda (voice vote): approved. - Motion to approve change order for Eric Creek Culvert project adding $45,138.98 (voice vote): approved.

Eugenis said the county had budgeted and planned for utility coordination in the project schedule and that the contractor performed as required. Commissioners directed staff to consult with legal counsel about whether to seek reimbursement from the utility for the additional costs. No formal dollar recovery action was recorded at the meeting.