Skagit County commissioners approve consent agenda including Stevens Creek bridge project and law-library fee increase

Skagit County commissioners on March 9 approved a consent agenda that included a resolution to advance a fish-passage improvement project on Stevens Creek, authorization to pursue architectural and engineering work on a Jordan Creek temporary crossing, and a resolution to raise the portion of certain court filing fees that support the county law library from $17 to $20.

Commissioner Burns told the board the county is seeking a tenant for 508 South 2nd Street, the former telephone building, after an expected tenant changed course. “Essentially, we're just looking for a tenant for 508 South 2nd Street, it's the old telephone building,” he said.

On the Stevens Creek item, Burns described the project on South Skagit Highway at milepost 5.3 to 5.4: the existing culvert will be removed and replaced with a contractor-designed bridge. “This should also help with the issue that we have had with the section during heavy rains,” Burns said, describing water and debris covering the roadway during storms.

The board also approved moving forward with professional A&E services for a Jordan Creek temporary bridge. Burns said the temporary crossing proved more complicated than first thought and is now more likely to be completed in the summer rather than immediately.

Chair explained the law-library measure as an effort to keep the county law library operational for residents who do not have lawyers. The resolution cites the state code referenced in the meeting as “RCW 27 24.07” and increases the filing-fee contribution from $17 to $20 to help fund staff and services.

Commissioner Burns moved to approve consent agenda items 1 through 18; Commissioner Browning seconded. The board took a voice vote and the motion passed.

The board scheduled a 1:30 p.m. work session with the Department of Emergency Management and then adjourned.