Commissioners act on business agenda

Wahkiakum County commissioners considered a variety of issues when they met Tuesday.

Issue: Data to support additional sand placement by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along Pancake Point on Puget Island.

Commissioners authorized Public Works Director Pete Ringen to contract with Coast and Harbor Engineering to survey water depths off Puget Island's Pancake Point.

On April 3, the board approved an agreement with Coast and Harbor for permitting support work associated with future sand placement in the Pancake Point vicinity. In his written report, Ringen said it was intended the county would collect bathymetric data points to support this work.

At this juncture, Ringen said, the bathymetric data points have not been collected because staff vacancies and scheduling problems have hindered progress.

Coast and Harbor has estimated the cost for a surveyor to complete this work to be approximately $5,000.

The current agreement with Coast and Harbor is for an amount up to $9,450, which included a management reserve of $2,000. This work has been funded from the Flood Control Fund.

The board approved a Supplemental Consulting Agreement with Skillings-Connolly for the East Valley slide repair.

A contractor recently completed work on East Valley Road at approximately Milepost 6. The area sustained erosion and slide damage in a 2009 storm, and the repairs qualified for federal disaster relief.

However, Ringen said in a written report, changed field conditions were encountered. An interim repair was constructed along an approximate 100-foot long stretch where Wilson Creek had eroded away the toe of the slope. The geo-technical engineer supporting the project recommends the slope be constructed to 2:1 for longer term stability.

To achieve this slope angle, Ringen said, it will be necessary to impact the edge of Wilson Creek.

The 2:1 slope is planned for construction in the summer of 2013 using county forces.

Skillings-Connolly has supported the project up to this point and is the logical choice for follow through on this additional assistance, Ringen said.

The supplement adds $46,001.30 to the agreement. Washington Emergency Management Division has reviewed the supplement, Ringen said, and given verbal approval.

Of the $46,001.30, Federal Emergency Management Administration will reimburse 75 percent; the State of Washington will reimburse 12.5 percent, and the county will contribute 12.5 percent, or $5,750.16.

The board also approved a resolution and agreement with Wahkiakum Fire District No. 4 to assist in purchase of a fire truck and improve the Elochoman Valley Fire Station.

District voters authorized the district to collect a levy to pay for the truck and station upgrade.

Under the agreement, the county will loan the district $134,550 through 1 percent interest bearing warrants to purchase the truck right away and pay back the loan with the levy proceeds.

County Treasurer Marlena Silva determined that dedicated funds are available from the county’s investment pool for the loan.