Lone ferry bid double the estimate

Wahkiakum County officials were disappointed Tuesday when county commissioners opened the only bid they received to build a ferry to replace the aging "Wahkiakum."

The only bidder, US Fabrication, bid $8.5 million, which was more than double the expected cost. The marine engineering firm which designed the new ferry, Elliott Bay Design Group, estimated the cost at $4,335,000.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen will have a recommendation next Tuesday for the board of commissioners.

"Clearly this isn't the outcome we hoped for," Ringen commented when the bid was read.

He added that he knew shipyards were busy and the bid package could be revised.

Commissioners handled a variety of other issues Tuesday.

After discussion, commissioners voted to designate the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce as the county's associate development organization (ADO), which receives funding to support economic development activities.

The commissioners had considered the issue last week and tabled it; Commissioner Mike Backman said he wanted to talk to Wahkiakum Community Network about assuming ADO responsibility.

He did discuss the issue with the Network, and on Wednesday, the Network board of directors voted not to pursue ADO designation but to recommend the Chamber continue as ADO.

Network Executive Director Lia Sealund outlined the board's decision in a letter to the editor which is posted in the Opinion section of this website.

Backman said Tuesday he was willing to go with the Chamber as ADO, but he wants to go over the contract to review deliverable services.

"We need to work side by side and benefit the whole county," he said. "In a year, if it looks like it doesn't work, we would do a request for proposals (for a new ADO)."

Commission Chair Blair Brady reminded Chamber of Commerce officials who were present that he had asked for information about the Chamber's economic development efforts.

Chamber Executive Director Lynda Gerlach replied that she didn't have all the information because of a printing malfunction, but then provided one of the quarterly reports the Chamber submits to the state Department of Commerce to justify the ADO funding. She offered to go over the report, but Brady and Backman declined the offer.

Brady said he wanted the rest of the information. "Okay," Gerlach said.

Backman emphasized he is looking for economic development activities for the whole county, not just festivals in Cathlamet.

"We represent the whole county," he said. "We need to make sure we cover the whole county. We'll talk and go through it. Maybe I'm off, but we'll get an understanding and go forward. It doesn't hurt to look at it.

"I need to see the economic development part to be satisfied."

Brady suggested the board proceed with the ADO contract with the Chamber.

"As I read the contract, it's revocable," he said.

In other action Tuesday:

--The board authorized the sheriff's department to use an $80,115 grant to implement provisions of the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

The grant will allow the department to hire a temporaty, part-time corrections officer to work while other staff write the policies required by the act, whose goal is to establish a zero tolerance culture for sexual abuse in prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers.

--Ringen and commissioners discussed the advisability of repairing engines on the ferry Wahkiakum.

Ringen has scheduled a one-day closure of ferry service on May 6 to replace the starboard engine, which has surpassed its expected service life.

He added that by the time a new ferry is online, the port engine will have surpassed its expected service life. The county could rebuild the starboard engine and have it ready in case it's needed before the new ferry is in service, he said. The work will cost $25,000 or more, he said, based on previous costs.

"We've been there before when we didn't have a spare," said Commissioner Dan Cothren. "With this bid, it would be smart to move ahead (with the rebuild)."

Ringen said he would prepare paperwork to set up the rebuild and present it at a future meeting.