Port 2 seeks county money for park work

Port District No. 2 of Wahkiakum County may get access to county funds to completed facility installation at Svensen Park on Puget Island.

The port completed basic work at the park last year, installing a boat launch and dock. However, restrooms and playground equipment haven't been installed, and port representatives on Tuesday asked county commissioners to provide funding to help the port complete that work.

Under original plans, volunteers were going to construct the restrooms. The site has a drainfield, water lines and other utilities needed for the restroom.

Port Commissioner Kayrene Gilbertsen and David Goodroe, executive director of the Lower Columbia Economic Development Council, asked county commissioners to consider using the Capital Projects Fund to complete the restroom work. The fund gets revenue from real estate sales, and its use is limited to projects that support infrastructure in the county.

Goodroe has proposed installation of a prefabricated concrete walled restroom with built-in equipment. The $44,000 unit is placed on the site, connected to utility lines and is ready to go, he said.

Gilbertsen said the port would need $15,000 to match an existing grant to finance the work.

County Commissioner Lisa Marsyla said she had learned of the proposal from Gilbersten and checked with the county auditor and treasurer about its suitability. They told her the Capital Projects Fund could be spent on the project; however, the project isn't included in the county's Capital Project Improvement Plan.

The plan hasn't been amended for several years and should be upadated, they said, and the project could be added to the plan.

In the meantime, Marsyla said, the county could support an interest bearing warrant for the port district.

The board said they were agreeable to the plan. Gilbertsen said she would seek approval of the port commission when it meets next Tuesday, 6 p.m. at the Skamokawa United Methodist Church.