Cowlitz County commissioners approve minutes, consent agenda, maintenance contracts and engineering amendment

Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners members voted Jan. 13, 2025, to approve the Jan. 6 meeting minutes, the consent agenda of completion letters and vouchers, a bid award for portable litter fences, two maintenance as‑needed contracts and an amendment to a consultant engineering agreement for the Tudo water system improvements.

The consent agenda included completion letters for work on the annex roof (Weather Guard), the Hall of Justice north parking lot (Lakeside Industries), the 2024 joint agency pavement striping (Specialized Pavement Markings), the 2024 Downeywide pavement overlay (Lakeside Industries) and an amendment extending a contract with North County Recreation Association through Dec. 31, 2024. County staff told commissioners the county paid roughly $208,000 for the annex roof project and about $2.2 million for the Downeywide overlay; last year’s striping work was cited at roughly $775,000. The board also acknowledged vouchers totaling $2,092,172.73 listed with the consent agenda. A commissioner moved approval and commissioners recorded their assent; there was no recorded opposition.

On separate motions the board awarded a public bid to Coastal Netting Systems for 10 portable litter fences for the county landfill at a total cost of $71,512.80. County staff described the fences as 24 feet wide and 15 feet high with a wire mesh to collect wind‑blown debris and said they expect an approximate 10‑year useful life for the netting and a longer life for the frames, barring damage. The board approved the purchase after brief questions about anchoring and operation.

The commissioners also approved Amendment No. 4 to the professional services agreement with RH2 Engineering to add construction‑phase services for the Tudo water system improvements. The amendment increases RH2’s contract by $91,886 and extends the contract term six months to June 30, 2026; staff said the increase represents less than 10% of the construction bid amount and covers inspections, technical submittal reviews and startup assistance for pump and pressure equipment.

Finally, the board authorized two on‑call maintenance contracts — one for electrical services (Core Solutions) and one for roof repair and maintenance (Weather Guard) — each with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $100,000 on an as‑needed basis. Staff said small repairs would be handled using those contracts and more significant work would return to the board for approval.

Votes were recorded by voice for each motion (ayes were recorded for the minutes, consent agenda and each item above); the board did not record any opposing votes during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (Jan. 6, 2025): Motion to approve moved by Commissioner Rader; outcome: approved by voice vote (ayes recorded). Source: motion on the record and subsequent ayes.

- Consent agenda (completion letters and vouchers): Motion to approve (consent agenda); outcome: approved by voice vote (ayes recorded). Consent items included completion letters (Weather Guard, Lakeside Industries, Specialized Pavement Markings), extension with North County Recreation Association and vouchers totaling $2,092,172.73.

- Bid award — portable litter fences (Item 7): Award to Coastal Netting Systems, 10 units, total $71,512.80; received four bids; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Amendment — RH2 Engineering (Item 8): Amendment No. 4 to add construction services for the Tudo water system improvements; increase $91,886; contract extended to June 30, 2026; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Maintenance on‑call contracts (Item 9): Contracts with Core Solutions (electrical) and Weather Guard (roof repair), each not to exceed $100,000 on an as‑needed basis; outcome: approved by voice vote.

Background and context

County staff framed the consent items as routine completion letters that permit release of retainage and closeouts for projects already finished. The engineering amendment was presented as typical for projects that require specialized inspection and startup support for pumps and pressure‑control equipment; staff said inspection and submittal review during construction commonly run 10–15% of construction costs. The maintenance contracts were described as standard, year‑to‑year arrangements to allow staff to call for immediate repairs, with larger projects returning to the board.

No board member recorded opposition to the items covered in this roundup. Several items referenced in the consent agenda and briefing (project costs, contract terms) were presented by staff and appear in the record as completed or in progress.

Ending

The board moved from the consent and motion items into constituent comments and broader policy discussions after completing the recorded votes.