Commissioners okay staff addition for clerk

Wahkiakum County Commissioners Dan Cothren and Mike Backman added staff to the county clerk's office, discussed dredging issues, and handled other business in their meeting Tuesday.

Commissioner Blair Brady was on vacation and was excused from the meeting.

Clerk Kay Holland asked that the board authorize her to hire another clerk to help her office handle its workload. The office is in the long process of implementing a new statewide, computerized records keeping program, Odessey, that requires staff to be away at trainings. In addition, some staff are dealing with health issues,

"We need help now; we're getting buried," she said. "We have the money."

"I understand completely," Cothren said, and he and Backman voted to allow the new position.

Commissioners said they are working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to revise language in right-of-entry easement permits which residents of eroding properties in the county's flood control zone districts (FCZD) are asked to sign to allow dredging crews to work along their shorelines.

The county and Corps recently agreed on language for the permits, and they were sent to property owners in districts that are seeking dredge spoils for beach nourishment.

It appears that most residents of the Cape Horn district have signed the permits. However, Cothren reported, many Puget Island residents are rejecting them, saying they are too vague. The permit language allows crews access to the entire property and doesn't restrict access to shoreline areas.

Cothren said he and other county officials are working with Corps personnel to address the issue.

"We've got to get this straightened out," he said. "We have people from the Island saying they're not going to sign."

In answer to a question from Cape Horn resident Randy Shroyer, Cothren said the status of permits in one district wouldn't affect operations in another district.

He also said the county's engineering consultant was at work on permit applications. With permits and easements in place dredging crews could reinforce eroding beaches.

"Now we need the sand," Cothren said.

Sue Cameron, director of Health and Human Services, introduced the department's new chief financial officer, Brent Freeman. He replaces Chris Wieler, who has moved to Oregon.

Cameron also reported that she is negotiating with Cowlitz County to fill the vacant health officer position. Cameron hopes to contract with Dr. Jennifer Vines, who once was the county's health officer.

Under the arrangement under consideration, Dr. Vines wouldn't necessarily visit the county on a regular schedule; she would come to the department as needed.