Updated: Council handles varied business

The Cathlamet Town Council handled a variety of business Monday in a meeting lasting from 6 to 9:50 p.m. Business items included:

•Internet Technology consultant Chrise Leike of More Power Technology Group reported that the firm has addressed potential hacking vulnerabilities in the town's computer system.

• Council Member Robert Stowe had asked that the council discuss the practice of giving council members portfolios of activities to which they are the liaisons. There's nothing in municipal codes defining the position of liaison, Stowe said, adding that he is concerned that a council member acting individually in the role of liaison to an agency or group could make a commitment that would subject the town to a liability.

Stowe had asked Town Attorney Fred Johnson for an analysis, and Johnson commented Monday that the potential liability is real and there has already been a court case in which a port district sued a town for an unfulfilled commitment made by a single council member.

Council members discussed how to address the situation, and Johnson volunteered to draft a definition of the liaison position that could be incorporated into the town municipal code.

• Late in the meeting, council members briefly covered updates in the 2022 budget drafts and agreed to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 12 noon to continue their in-depth review.

The meeting will take place in the River Street Meeting Room, located at 25 River Street in Cathlamet. Face masks are required for those attending in-person. Virtual attendance via Zoom with also be provided: Meeting ID: 7894284989, Password: 418781; Call-in: 206.337.9723 or