Change order sought after asbestos, lead found in annex flood remediation; county will seek recovery from roofing vendor

Cowlitz County finance staff told commissioners the contractor performing flood mitigation at the county annex discovered asbestos-containing floor tile and lead during work, requiring an abatement change order and additional finishing work.

Finance Director Cathy Funk Baxter said the remediation contractor, Prestige Northwest Construction Services, completed mitigation and then uncovered asbestos and lead that were not included in the original contract. The recommended change order totals $23,007.46, bringing the new estimated contract value to $153,003.51. The original emergency purchase authorization totaled $140,000.

Baxter described the additional work as abatement and related masking, drywall, texture, priming and painting needed after hazardous materials were removed. County staff said they will seek recovery from the roofing vendor that caused the leak and flooding; the county’s risk pool will assist and the county would file a property claim with the risk pool only if vendor recovery efforts are unsuccessful.

Why it matters: the change order increases the contract cost above the emergency authorization amount and triggers a recovery effort against the roofing vendor. The work involves hazardous‑materials abatement and related repairs that affect closure of the annex remediation project.

Ending: The change order and revised contract total will be presented to the board at the next meeting as a motion item for approval.