Cowlitz County approves $206,208 change order after emergency leachate-line repair

Cowlitz County commissioners approved a $206,208.31 change order for emergency repairs after crews found debris and clogs in a leachate line that required excavation at roughly 14 locations.

“we're increasing uh the cost up to $206,208.31,” County Engineer Susan Eugene S. told the board when presenting change order No. 1 with Advanced Excavating Specialists LLC. She said crews originally were called to check a suspected damaged air-release valve but discovered the problem was inside the leachate pipe, necessitating excavation in multiple spots to remove debris.

The board moved to approve the change order; the motion passed by voice vote. No roll-call vote or individual tallies were recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: the work addressed an unexpected failure in county wastewater/leachate infrastructure that required emergency contracting to restore function. The county’s use of an emergency contract and the size of the change order could affect the public works budget and future capital-planning decisions.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes for May 11 and May 12 — approved by voice vote (transcript records affirmative responses).
- Consent agenda (including scheduling a Title III funding public hearing and routine vouchers) — approved by voice vote.
- Change order No. 1 with Advanced Excavating Specialists LLC, $206,208.31 — approved by voice vote.

What the county said next: staff expressed hope there would be no further surprises with the repair work and thanked crews and contractors for the response. The board moved on to other items after the vote.