Cowlitz County Public Works updates commissioners on summer hires, Tudel Park easement, animal-control planning and two grant bids

Savannah Clement, a Public Works staff member, told the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners that the county has approval to hire 15 summer workers this year (down from 20 previously) and that a majority of new hires are expected to start in the second week of May. “The board had approved us to fill 15 positions for our summer hire program,” she said.

Clement briefed the board on right-of-way work for the Tudel Park bypass, saying the county has obtained a 5-foot temporary construction easement and a 10-foot permanent easement from one private property owner along the southern portion of the route and asked the board to authorize the chair to sign the easement documents. Staff characterized the easement as intended to allow the county to construct the bypass and to “feather” fencing into the adjoining property, not to create private access.

On animal control, Clement said staff are meeting weekly with the sheriff’s office, purchasing and finance to advance a retrofit and to negotiate interlocal agreements with cities (specifically the city of Kelso). The county is also preparing requests for proposals for care providers to handle animals after a county 72-hour hold period. Commissioners asked whether a permanent shelter or a mobile unit is preferable; Clement said both options are being priced and that a recommendation will include cost and operational comparisons.

Clement also updated the board on two grant opportunities. A previously approved Department of Commerce grant for an investment-grade audit of the Hall of Justice was initially based on an estimated per-square-foot price and funded at $98,000; staff have requested an additional roughly $253,000 so Commerce could cover the audit’s estimated total cost of about $350,000. Separately, Clement and facilities manager Aaron Austin met with the preservation society about a Historic Courthouse Preservation grant that requires a 25% local match; façade repair is a priority and staff estimated the county’s share at roughly $250,000 based on current proposals. Clement said her office is also in contact with Senator Canwell’s staff about potential additional funding, but any state support is not yet committed.

The board asked staff to include photos and engineering details with reports on the proposed no-parking zone for Kama River Road (the transcript also refers to the road later as “Clan River Road,” an inconsistency staff said they would clarify in the engineering report). The county will follow up with the local post office and present a formal engineering report to the board, with staff estimating a report ready by late April or early May and a potential hearing to set a no-parking ordinance after that.

The public-works presentation closed with staff committing to return with more detailed cost estimates and formal documents for signature where required.