Public Works proposes easement corrections and traffic-code changes to enable enforcement and new fines

Cowlitz County Public Works staff on Monday described three items for the commissioners: two easement actions and an ordinance amendment to update the county traffic code’s process for erecting signs and establish local fines for parking infractions. County engineer Susan Eugenis said the first consent item grants an easement to the local PUD to run service through an existing ingress and egress on county-owned property so a parcel to the north can be served. The second is a release of an easement that had been mistakenly granted to the county instead of the City of Woodland; staff said the release corrects the record so the City can hold the easement. On the traffic-code amendment, Eugenis told the board that the state’s infraction-rule changes now direct local jurisdictions to define fines for parking infractions; the draft code amendment would add Public Works’ authority to erect signs and set fines at $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second, and $200 for the third and all subsequent violations. Why it matters: clearer code language and a local fine schedule aim to improve enforceability for frequent illegal-parking locations and streamline how Public Works erects signage. What was not decided: the workshop described the items and said hearings are scheduled; no final ordinance adoption vote was recorded in the workshop. Ending: staff said the proposed code amendment came after work with the sheriff’s office to address enforcement challenges and that the items will proceed through the advertised hearing process.