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County weighing options as contractor ends service at Cougar restrooms
Summary
Cowlitz County staff told commissioners that the county's janitorial subcontractor is ending service at public restrooms in the Cougar area, prompting discussion about whether the county should continue cleaning the Pacific Corp'owned facility, find a nearby contractor, or let Pacific Corp close the restrooms.
County staff raised the future of public restrooms at Cougar after the county's janitorial subcontractor for that location ended its contract. Mike Moss said the restrooms are on Pacific Corp land and that the county's role is limited to janitorial services under the current agreement. "It's Pacific Corps' restrooms. Our agreement is only to do janitorial services in those restrooms. It's actually their facility, their land," Moss said.
Staff explained the restrooms are used by county crews, the sheriff's office and substantial tourist traffic. The county's current subcontractor, identified in the discussion as Selix (also referenced as Celix), cleaned the site five days a week in summer and two days a week in winter under the county's contract; that arrangement will end if Selix does not continue. Staff and a commissioner warned the public would react strongly if the restrooms closed.
Options discussed included soliciting a small local janitorial contractor near Cougar, continuing a reduced county contract if feasible, or letting Pacific Corp find another provider. Staff noted the tourism department currently pays for cleaning at the site; at the workshop a figure was mentioned for annual cost but staff did not provide a final contractual number to the board.
Next steps: staff said they would research local vendor availability and follow up with the board. No decision was made at the workshop.
