Commissioners approve Noxious Weeds’ return to annex space subject to Hall of Justice schedule

Cowlitz County commissioners endorsed returning the Noxious Weeds department to its previous space in the annex, conditional on ongoing construction schedules for the Hall of Justice.

Mike Moss, public services director, said the CETIP (CTIP) committee reviewed a narrative letter and a new space‑allocation form submitted by Jennifer Mendoza of Noxious Weeds and “voted anonymously” to recommend allowing the department to move back. “That is the committee’s recommendation,” Moss said.

Jennifer Mendoza (Noxious Weeds) told commissioners that the space in the annex will cost the department less than the amount currently budgeted because the usable square footage is expected to be smaller than the department’s present footprint; she said the department does not pay conventional rent but is charged a facilities allocation.

Moss said there was a caveat: the county has scheduled the Public Attorney’s (PA) office to occupy parts of the annex temporarily while the Hall of Justice HVAC project requires hotel (temporary) office space; the PA office is expected to move in January through mid‑February. County staff said they will coordinate the actual move timing to avoid conflicts.

Commissioners signaled approval: several members said “I’m good with it,” and staff reported head nods in the room. No formal roll‑call vote was recorded in the public transcript; staff reported the committee’s anonymous recommendation and the board’s direction to allow the move under the timing condition related to the HVAC project.

County staff said Noxious Weeds expects to handle most of the move internally and that only large items or limited IT setup help will be requested from facilities; printing and address updates will be timed for the department’s regular annual materials refresh.