Commissioners debate need for junk law meetings

By Rick Nelson

Wahkiakum County commissioners debated holding a public meeting on their new junk control ordinance and acted on other items of business when they met Tuesday.

Commissioner Mike Backman told colleagues Dan Cothren and Blair Brady that he feels people are confused about enforcement of the new solid waste/junk control ordinance and that the board and health department officials should hold informational meetings to explain how the ordinance will be enforced.

Backman said he had been contacted by a person who had received a notice that someone had complained that his property needed cleanup.

"People need to understand the rules," Backman said. "It will give me a chance to explain that I'm not the guy they call first.

"I think it's very important to have meetings here (in Cathlamet) and in the Westend."

Commissioners Dan Cothren and Blair Brady didn't agree.

"I totally disagree," Cothren said. "We had meetings before we adopted the ordinance. We hammered it. The health department can handle it. We've beat it to death."

Backman countered that the health department staff could explain the process, and the board has an obligation to hold the meetings because they did a "shady job" in adopting the ordinance. He explained that the effort first started to control junk vehicles, but when it went to the ballot for election, the title referred to solid waste.

"Lots of people thought they were voting on biosolids," Backman said.

"They can read the ordinance; they can talk to the health department," Cothren said.

"‘Shady' is totally inappropriate and out of line," Brady commented..

"I'm trying to get to where they feel comfortable," Backman said. "To explain the process. I think it's really important that we work with the people."

"All they have to do is go to the health deparment," Cothren said. "That's the process."

Health department Financial Officer Chris Weiler said department staff investigating complaints are being very careful.

"We don't set foot anywhere unless the property owner allows," Weiler said.

"A letter (to a property owner) means there was a complaint and we want a discussion with them. We give them plenty of time.

"The whole idea is to talk with them about what's going on."

With no support, Backman's suggestion died.

Under the ordinance, health department staff investigate complaints. If the complaints seem to be valid, the department will attempt to work out an agreement with the property owner to clean up the property. If there is an unsettled dispute, the issue would come to the board of commissioners for a hearing and action.

In other business, the board voted to release performance security funds in the amount of $1.7 million to IceFloe/Nichols Brothers Boat Builders to pay for construction of the county's new ferry.

The payment was supposed to have been made in February but was delayed because of warranty items needing correction.

"At this point, after talking to our attorney, we feel it's time to release the funds," said Public Works Director Chuck Beyer.

The board quickly voted to make the payment.