Public works closes multiple contracts, cites striping and overlay overruns

Cowlitz County public works staff told the Board of County Commissioners that multiple facilities and road contracts for 2024 have reached practical completion but that some projects closed out over original estimates because of added work or changed quantities.

Savannah Clement, public works, said the annex roof replacement—built under contract with Weather Guard—has been completed despite risk items related to roof insulation; she said auditors may now release retainage after due diligence. Clement gave the contract total as about $208,000. She also said the Hall of Justice north parking-lot overlay was complete with a contract amount of about $110,000.

County Engineer Susan Eugenis reported on road projects. The 2024 Joint Agency Pavement Striping Project, completed by Specialized Pavement Markings, closed out higher than the original contract because county staff added quantities and returned to re‑stripe damage on Little Klamath River Road after pavement "rolled up" during a heat event. Eugenis said staff have changed the type of oil and rock used for chip seals to conform with state practice and that recent work produced fewer failures.

Eugenis also reported the 2024 countywide overlay with Lakeslide closed out at $2,230,871.96, above the original bid of $2,121,010, primarily because of additional grinding and overlay work required on Little Klamath River Road.

Commissioners asked about in‑project cost monitoring; Eugenis described daily inspection ticketing, weekly quantity checks and inspector oversight intended to flag overruns during construction. Staff said the county is evaluating the cost of in‑house striping equipment versus continued contracting, noting this year's striping spend of about $775,000.

The items were presented to the board for consent and closeout processing; the transcript did not record formal roll-call votes.