Commissioners discuss repairs, upgrades

The Wahkiakum County Commissioners met Tuesday to conduct regular county business. In the public comment period, Mark Vik told the commissioners that the Corps of Engineers plan to deposit dredge spoils on Puget Island was a felony. He told the commissioners that this was only the beginning of the federal governments plan to take private property and that the county should sue the Corps. Dan Cothren said frankly “why would I spend county money to sue the federal government?” The commissioners approved a letter of support for a grant proposal by Port #2 for upgrades to the port offices. This would be phase two of the renovation of the Appelo Annex which would repair water damage and prevent further damage to the property.

Another building requiring repairs is the health clinic building in Cathlamet. The building was scheduled to undergo repairs in 2010 but the project was shelved. Now the building needs $113,966.16 in repairs, including new siding and windows.

Chuck Beyer of public works asked and was granted approval to renew the contract with the Department of Ecology to maintain and update the Grays River flood gauge. When the new gauge was installed in 2019 the contract was $3000. Today the commissioners approved $10,000 to renew the contract. The gauge is a crucial part of the emergency management systems response to floods.