Cowlitz County OKs $400,000 amendment for landfill Cell 10 design; public raises transfer-station congestion

The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved Amendment No. 1 to a professional services agreement with BHC Consultants LLC, increasing the solid-waste engineering contract by $400,000 to a total of $1,000,000 to complete engineering and design for landfill Cell 10.

County public works staff said the amendment covers geologists, hydrologists, civil engineering, gas infrastructure and stormwater work needed to design the liner system and related systems for Cell 10. "This is just the design for the liner system itself at the landfill," said Sean Roehrige, public works staff, during the presentation. Commissioners voted in favor of the amendment.

The board was told staff expects to receive final design and permits in November or December 2025 and to issue a materials procurement bid in December or January; construction is anticipated in 2026, with the county likely moving into Cell 10 in late 2027. Staff said permits generally carry a two‑year timeline with the ability to extend if needed.

County figures supplied during the meeting describe Cell 10 as roughly 16.79 acres with an approximate capacity of 3,700,000 cubic yards and an estimated operational life of about four and three‑quarters years under current waste mix and compaction rates. Staff noted actual cell life varies with the type of incoming waste and compaction; interior cells generally last longer than exterior cells because of geometry and fill patterns.

Staff explained the engineering request reflects advancing the design from an earlier 30% level to a higher design phase and addressing site‑specific conditions discovered in recent work, including areas with higher groundwater than anticipated. Staff also said the contract pays for ongoing operational and site work at Tenant Way (including flare replacement), in addition to the Cell 10 design. County staff summarized industry planning guidance discussed at the meeting: engineering and design commonly run roughly 15% of construction costs, with another ~10% for construction inspection and testing on complex public‑works projects.

Public comment and commissioner discussion broadened the landfill conversation to include operational issues at the county’s Third Avenue transfer station. A resident said commercial haulers and private users experience backups and hazardous maneuvers when trying to access the facility, and asked why the county does not use the Tenant Way facility more. County staff replied that Tenant Way buildings and the dump site have been sold to the Port of Longview and are no longer owned by the county, and that the current transfer station was built in 2007 and has limited space (two self‑tipping bays) and an aging layout. Staff said the county negotiated a limited “contractors only” morning window last year to ease congestion at peak times, and that the county continues to work with the private operator (Waste Control) to optimize traffic flow.

A public commenter noted Waste Control’s contract runs until 2044 and urged the county to press for improved service or consider alternatives. Staff said Waste Control has been receptive to conversation but that any major changes would require negotiations or new infrastructure; county staff also confirmed the landfill no longer has rail access.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment No. 1, professional services agreement with BHC Consultants LLC: motion to approve passed (voice vote, three ayes). Amendment increases contract by $400,000 to $1,000,000 for Cell 10 engineering and design; permits and bids expected late 2025; construction anticipated 2026; move into Cell 10 late 2027. (Referenced in transcript at topicintro s=3305.215; topfinish s=4110.025.)

- Approval of minutes for April 14–16: motion passed (voice vote, yeas recorded). (Transcript s=2847.775–2864.35.)

- Consent agenda (includes calls for hearings and bids listed on the consent agenda): motion passed (voice vote, yeas recorded). Consent items included calls for hearings on surplus vehicle disposal (05/13/2025), an amendment to the 2025 budget to dissolve an internal purchasing services fund, and an amendment to Chapter 6.13 (Cowlitz County Code) on dangerous animals to move hearings to the county hearing examiner. (Transcript s=2873.21–2957.625.)

Why it matters: The engineering amendment advances a multi‑year landfill expansion that staff says is necessary to preserve disposal capacity; the transfer‑station operational concerns raised by contractors and residents underscore local infrastructure limits and potential service and cost implications for commercial haulers and public users.

What’s next: Staff expects to return with final designs, permit approvals and a recommended construction bid schedule later this year; county staff and commissioners said they will continue talks with the private transfer‑station operator about traffic flow and contractor access.