County facilities update: HOJ deli nears opening, north parking lot trees targeted for removal, skylight repairs planned

Public services staff delivered several operational facilities updates to county commissioners on Wednesday: a small deli at the Hall of Justice (HOJ) is nearing health‑department approval; the county is recommending removal of 11 large London plane trees in the north parking lot because their roots are damaging pavement and curbs; and skylight damage in the administrative building will be temporarily covered and included in a broader roof replacement planned for the summer.

HOJ deli and service plans

Mike Moss, Cowlitz County Public Services director, said the county has leased several pieces of equipment for a new HOJ deli and purchased a refrigerated deli case. Kelly (staff) told commissioners staff are working with the health department and expect an inspection next week; she said the county hopes to establish an opening timeframe in April or May. Kelly said the operation will initially use a temporary employee and offer grab‑and‑go refrigerated items, packaged foods from an onsite catering partner and a self‑service microwave; the operation will not prepare or store cooked perishable foods on‑site.

North Parking Lot and trees

Staff showed commissioners photos and recommended removing 11 London plane trees in the north parking lot after an engineering review found their large roots have lifted curbs and broken pavement. A third‑party contractor bid roughly $15,000 for complete removal; staff said county crews likely will not perform the removals because of the trees’ size and that removals would likely be scheduled on a weekend. Staff described options to reconfigure the lot after removal, widen parking stalls, relocate an elections drop box if needed, remove an adjacent fence that limits visibility and replace the planting strip with low‑impact shrubbery rather than large shade trees. Commissioners asked staff to explore narrow‑strip replacement plantings and low‑rooting species if trees are retained.

Administrative building skylights and roof project

Staff reported a significant skylight leak in the administrative building’s hallway. A county contractor has inspected the damage and staff plan to place a tarp over the opening next week to limit interior water and light intrusion until the full roof replacement (a separate, budgeted project) takes place this summer. Staff said they will provide the county with contractor quotes comparing replacement of individual skylights versus roofing over the openings.

Other operational notes

Staff described improvements at other campus sites, said the HOJ will supply grab‑and‑go options for jury members at the courthouse, and noted upgrades of a third handwashing sink were completed to meet health‑department requirements. No formal votes were taken; staff will return with scheduling details and contractor quotes where relevant.