Public works, utility lines on board's agenda

The short agenda of Wahkiakum County board of commissioners meeting Tuesday covered items ranging from utility connection fees to reorganizing the Public Works and County Road departments.

Rosedale businessman Bob Jungers raised the utility issue with an email suggesting the board "reconsider the agreement you have with the Town of Cathlamet regarding the $3,000 fee for new (sewer) hook-ups" in the lower Boege Road area.

"You are into that project, I believe, for $312,000 for eight years with a return of zero, and a benefit to constituents and potential users at a net zero," Jungers wrote. "In that time, your investment has been rotted away by inflation over $50,000.

"It seems to me that dropping this punitive fee and contracting with the Town to receive a percentage of revenue from new hookups would be a win-win-win for all parties. Fifty percent of something is far better than 100 percent of nothing.

"Secondary benefits from development would expand tax base and commerce."

Jungers appeared at the board's Tuesday meeting, and discussed the issue with the commission.

In the end, the board agreed to discuss the utility connection with town officials.

"I will try to meet with the mayor and see if we can get on the agenda for their next council meeting," said commission Chair Dan Cothren.

In other business, officials began planning how to deal with the approaching retirement of Pete Ringen, public works director and county engineer.

One scenario, officials said, would be to promote Chuck Beyer, long-time manager of the building and planning office, and hire an engineer who would work with Beyer and road department managers to manage the road department.

Ringen pointed out that state and federal agencies expect counties to have an engineer on staff for certification of road programs. If not, the county would have to contract with a consulting engineer.

Also, commissioners made appointments to the Johnson Park Advisory Board. Appointed as regular members are Trudy Fredrickson, Amber Davis, Shondra Ware, Timothy Virkkala and Holly Perino. Appointed as alternates are Cynthia Lahti, Christina Miller, Toni Fest, Kimberly DeJesus, and P.J. Katims.

Alternates would vote only in the absence of a regular member.