Cowlitz County public‑works update: road hearings, bid rejections for landfill flare and a $230,000 change order tied to utility delays

Public‑works staff presented a cluster of project updates and procurement decisions at the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners’ meeting, including notices of impending hearings on wastewater policy and county roads, a recommendation to reject irregular bids for an enclosed landfill flare, and a sizeable change order tied to utility delays on a roadway intersection project.

County engineer Susan Eugenis announced a July 7 public hearing to adopt the Three Rivers Regional Wastewater Authority discharge and industrial pre‑treatment policy, which staff said is intended to maintain treatment-plant viability by setting discharge limits (for example, for total suspended solids and ammonia) for industrial users. Eugenis noted the county’s ordinance must be updated to adopt the regional policy.

Eugenis also described a July 7 hearing to consider establishing Sediment Road (the Burma/Toutel Park bypass) as a county road, and a July 14 hearing to approve a 10‑year non‑exclusive franchise for Carol's Water Association so the association can secure Department of Health funding.

On procurement, staff reported four bids to supply an enclosed flare for the Tenant Way landfill but said all were irregular because vendors sought altered payment terms (several asked for full payment before installation or different percentage milestones). Staff recommended the board reject those bids and instead include flare procurement in the construction contract so a contractor can order and manage the flare on an approved payment schedule. Staff said the construction solicitation will likely go out in early August with work scheduled for spring 2027.

The board also heard that Supplemental Agreement No. 3 with WSP USA for South Cloverdale Road adds $12,810 to cover additional analysis related to contractor‑requested design changes. More notable was Change Order No. 6 on the South Cloverdale/Confer Road intersection, which adds $229,750.23 to cover extended traffic control after utility work windows expanded from 4 to 39 weeks. Staff said franchise agreements govern utilities’ responsibilities but recovering costs from utilities will be difficult.

What happens next: multiple hearings were set for July; staff will return with procurement actions and related contract documents for board consideration. The transcript records staff recommendations and explanations but does not record formal final votes on the bid rejections or change orders.