Commissioners okay second bid call for new ferry

Wahkiakum County's Board of Commissioners on Monday approved a new call for bids to build a new county ferry. Bids will be opened August 6.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen said bonding requirements had been changed for the second call for bids.

The board rejected the only bid it received in its first round of bidding; it was over twice the estimated construction costs.

"I've had a learning curve on bonding," Ringen said.

Ringen said he investigated and learned that state law allows a less costly form of bonding for marine construction projects, not the full bid bond that is customary for road construction projects. The new call for bids uses the marine industry bonding process, and Ringen feels there will be more bidders.

Commissioners also amended the county's annual and six-year road construction programs to include larger numbers for ferry construction. Ringen said this would allow the county to take advantage of any state program funds not used by other counties if the amount is higher than already estimated.

"If the numbers aren't in our program, there won't be any funds for us," Ringen said. "If the bids are ginormously higher, we will have to drop back and come up with a new idea.

"To make sure we don't lose them, we have to obligate these funds," he said.

In other business, board Chair Blair Brady urged Mental Health Director Chris Holmes to contact officials in the Lower Columbia Community Action Program (CAP) to discuss the possibility of a CAP sponsored housing project in Cathlamet.

Brady said CAP administrators had read about the county's proposed project in the media and wanted to know more about the project.

Holmes said he has had preliminary discussions with CAP officials, including the agency's departed housing director, but he would certainly make contact again.

The county's Housing Advisory Committee has recommended the county undertake an "affordable housing" project off Jacobson Road in Cathlamet. Holmes said the project could include a variety of housing opportunities, but all would target low income families and individuals.

"Reach out to them," Brady said. "One of the big selling points for me is that they would be involved."