County to pursue park and recreation district property

Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday authorized county officials to begin the process of acquiring property from the defunct Skamokawa Park and Recreation District.

The district commission ceased functioning several years ago. The district has title to a piece of land between Vista Park and the United Methodist Church in Skamokawa. The property includes a basketball court and a small office building that was rented until recently by Port District No. 2 for the Vista Park office. The port district has installed a park model cabin inside Vista Park and moved its office there, and port commissioners say they no longer have a use for the old office.

Wahkiakum County Sheriff Mark Howie and Undersheriff Steve Marshall, however, have proposed a use for the building.

The officers said their record and evidence storage facility on KM Mountain is inadequate and records are being damaged by water and mildew. Marshall has proposed that the county acquire the old port office, repair its roof, and turn that into a storage facility.

Marshall told county commissioners on Tuesday that he has spoken with the other parties that would be involved and they agree with the proposal. Basically, he said, the county would have to acquire the property through condemnation. Then it would split off the section with the basketball court and deed that to Port District No. 2. The port district in turn would allow the county to use two bays in its garage/shop for storage of the county's search and rescue program vehicles and equipment.

Commissioners initially were cautious about the proposal, but after more discussion, voted to authorize officials to proceed.

Commission Chair Blair Brady said he thought it would make more sense for the port district to acquire the property and lease it to the county. Would the county be acquiring unwanted liabilities if it took ownership, he wondered.

Commissioner Mike Backman said he wanted to confer with the last commission members of the park and recreation district to make sure they supported the plan.

Commissioner Dan Cothren supported the proposal. The sheriff's department has an issue with the inadequate facility that needs to be addressed.

"If the port takes it, you're obligated to the port commission," he said. "I don't think you'd want to have to go to another entity.

"I think it's in the best interest of the county to take ownership."

Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow addressed commissioners' concerns.

As far as liability is concerned, correctly prepared agreements with the port district would cover liability concerns, he said.

As for the park and recreation district, Bigelow said he has tried several times over the past few years to get its commission together to disband the district, but they have been unable to have a quorum.

And if there are concerns from park and recreation personnel or from the public, they could be raised in the condemnation process, which would include a public hearing.

"That's fine," Backman said. "I just don't want to take something from them without talking to them."