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Public Works to buy tack trailer with FEMA funds; board authorizes ODFW fish‑passage grant submittal
Summary
Public Works told the board it will procure a tack tank trailer and debris blower using FEMA disaster funds (FEMA will reimburse 75%); the board also authorized Public Works to sign a grant application to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for a culvert fix on Apry Road.
Public Works staff told the Columbia County Board of Commissioners on March 12 they plan to purchase a tack tank trailer (for crack-sealing work) and a debris blower using funds from a 2015 FEMA disaster declaration, and the board authorized county staff to submit a separate Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Fish Passage and Screening Infrastructure Improvement Program grant application for construction funding on a failing culvert on Apry Road.
Assistant Public Works Director Grant De Jong said the county received FEMA funding tied to the 2015 disaster declaration (FEMA DR‑4258) and chose to redirect some project funds into resilience-building equipment rather than certain originally envisioned projects. The quoted cost for the tack tank trailer and tank is $37,152.90; FEMA will reimburse $27,864.67, leaving a local 25% match of $9,288.23 to be paid from the county road fund and budgeted in the current fiscal year.
De Jong said the tack tank will help with crack sealing and protect road bases by reducing water infiltration; the debris blower (mounted on a pickup) would clear small storm debris after events. He said the tack trailer purchase will be procured through a Sourcewell contract; the county sought a nationally recognized make to ensure parts availability and warranty support because local vendors do not supply the equipment.
Public Works Director Mike Russell described the ODFW grant request as the next step to address a long‑standing failing double culvert on Apry Road at mile 0.80.4; the county has already secured preliminary engineering funds and seeks construction money via ODFW. The board voted to authorize Public Works to sign and submit the ODFW grant application; the motion passed by voice vote (three ayes, none opposed).
De Jong said purchases above $25,000 require notification to the board under the county procurement ordinance cited at the meeting; the tack trailer notification was presented to the board as required information rather than a separate approval vote. The department will proceed to a purchase order signature by the finance director, after which procurement will move forward through the identified contract vehicle.
