Cowlitz County approves bids schedule, closes out International Way emergency sewer repair

The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a call for bids for road surfacing supplies and moved forward on the long‑planned South Cloverdale Road improvements, and rescinded an emergency declaration after the International Way sewer emergency repair was completed for about $52,600.

County Engineer Susan Eugenas told the board the county issued a call for bids for road surfacing materials covering May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026, with the bid opening set for April 28, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Eugenas said the county accepts “all responsible bidders” and generally awards work to firms that are geographically closest to a given job.

The board also approved putting the South Cloverdale Road improvement project out for bids. Eugenas said the county estimates the project at about $9,900,000, “just under $10,000,000,” and that roughly $3.6 million of that estimate comes from out‑of‑county funds. She said staff have spent significant time securing easements and other preconstruction tasks.

Eugenas presented item 6, a resolution to rescind the emergency order related to an emergency repair on the International Way gravity sewer line. She reported the final cost for the emergency repair at $52,600.68, “which was well below our initial estimate,” and asked the board to rescind the earlier emergency declaration so staff could finish closeout work.

The board moved and voted to rescind the emergency declaration (resolution number 25‑004 as read into the record). Commissioners also voted to approve the meeting minutes and the consent agenda, which included the call for bids, the county’s annual County Road Administration Board (CRAB) certification and a contract completion letter for Advanced Excavating Specialists for the International Way repair.

Other consent items noted by staff included letters of appointment and reappointment to several advisory councils and an item supporting federal building repairs at the Mount St. Helens Institute. Voucher payments of $349,613.41 for the week were also presented.

Staff said design work is planned this summer for a road to the visitor welcome center affected by washouts; reopening of that route is not expected before 2026. The board also reminded the public of a public works meeting and a Housing Opportunities assessment workshop scheduled the following day.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve minutes of March 31 and April 2: approved (voice vote recorded as “Aye”). - Motion to approve the consent agenda (including CRAB certification and contract completion letter): approved (voice vote recorded as “Aye”). - Motion to rescind the emergency declaration for the International Way sewer repair (resolution read on the record): approved (voice vote recorded as “Aye”).

Ending

Staff will proceed with bid advertising for surfacing materials and the South Cloverdale Road project and complete contract closeout on the International Way sewer repair after the rescission is processed.