Port 1 commission OK's marina sewer repairs

The Wahkiakum County Port 1 Board of Commissioners went over reports and discussed facility issues at last Thursday’s meeting.

The port is down to one sewer pump after installing their spare. Hoping to avoid the same problem in the future, they have been considering the purchase of a sewer grinder pump.

“I think we probably have time with the current system, it’s never been used before,” Assistant Port Manager Todd Souvenir said. “The challenge with waiting is if something happens, we’re in an emergency situation and back where we started.”

According to Souvenir, the port is still accepting bids for the new system, as well as costs for installation. He has also requested that a new alarm system for the sewer include a phone call or text. Customers annoyed by the sewer alarm have been able to turn it off, and thus the port was not always aware of the problem in a timely manner.

The commissioners authorized port staff to move ahead with bids if they needed to resolve the issue before the next meeting.

Commissioner Bob Kizziar encouraged staff to continue to get bids.

“If it was my house, I’d move on it now,” Kizziar said, “but I think we need to concern ourselves with taxpayers' money.”

Administrative Assistant Mackenzie Jones gave an update on the farmers market and said that she had a contact who had expressed interest in helping her find produce for next year’s market.

According to the manager’s report, Town of Cathlamet Mayor Dale Jacobson is asking for a letter from port commissioners that states a date when dredge spoils will be moved to the former sewer lagoon nearest the river.

The spoils have been placed in a nearby lagoon to allow for dewatering, according to a plan from the Department of Ecology. At this time, there aren’t enough spoils to fill the front lagoon.

In the report, Port Manager Jackie Lea said that she had attempted to explain to the mayor that moving the dredge spoils to the front lagoon may require changing the dewatering plan with the Department of Ecology, which has the potential to delay dredging.

The mayor wants the letter anyway.

The port’s dredging project has created jobs in the community and made it possible for larger vessels to enter the marina, bringing business to town.