Golf Course Irrigation Grant Delayed

DAYTON--A discussion about what steps to take regarding funding the much-needed irrigation system at the Touchet Valley Golf Course took place between Dayton Country Club Board President Roger Trump, board member J. E. McCaw, state Representative Terry Nealey, and the Columbia County Commissioners last week.

A grant application through the Recreation Conservation Organization missed the May 1 submittal deadline and can’t be considered until the next grant cycle in 2020-21.

Commissioner Norm Passmore said to submit the application now would be premature, based on a number of issues he had with responses to questions in it.

J. E. McCaw expressed his frustration over this latest news. “We’ve been trying to get that going for years and years,” he said.

McCaw said their organization has also hit a stumbling block over plans to organize as a nonprofit 501 3C, because “pay for play” doesn’t quite fit the qualifications for that.

Rep. Nealey asked,” What’s next?” He said he would be willing to help in any way possible.

The county treasurer is looking into whether or not the county will receive a one-time bump in sales tax revenue from the new Columbia Pulp mill near Starbuck. The commissioners have been anticipating an amount of around $750,000, from that. But if the pulp mill is sales tax exempt, no funds will be available for any special projects.

In the meantime, other grants will be pursued to help with the irrigation project, said Commissioner Passmore.

Speed limit changes on county roads

After hearing from the public that there should be no changes made to speed limits on county roads, and after some discussion with Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack and Sheriff Rocky Miller at last week’s meeting, the commissioners approved changes to speed limits on only two county roads.

For safety reasons, the speed limit on Weinhard Road will be reduced to 35 m.p.h. The dual speed limit posted at Cemetery Hill will be removed, and the speed limit will be reduced to 35, making ATV travel into the mountains safer. There will be no change to speed limits on South Touchet Road, for now.

South Touchet Road Project

The South Touchet Road project, which was slated for this summer, has been delayed until 2019. This spring the county received two bids for that project, both of which exceeded the county engineer’s estimate, and the project will be need to be rebid next year, said Robert Yates, lead Inspector for Columbia County Public Works.

That project consists of widening the roadway, going from a few hundred feet past the Star Bridge through the intersection with Robinette Mountain Road.

County officials have also deemed it necessary that the “Y” intersections with Harting Grade and Robinette Mtn. Road should be reconfigured, to a “T” intersection for functionality and safety reasons.

Yates said the remaining 1,000 ft. of roadway(s) prior to and through Robinette Rd. intersection, would be raised and expanded to meet each roadway better, and Harting Grade’s new intersection will be repaved to match and meet the existing pavement a few hundred feet away from the new intersection.

Additional funds, over and above the fixed available state matching funds pledged to the project, will more likely be available, when planned within next year’s budget, said Yates.

The commissioners will take speed limits into consideration when the South Touchet Road project is finally underway.

County Engineer Position

The commissioners appointed Garfield County Engineer Grant Morgan as acting county engineer until the county can hire a replacement for Andrew Woods, who has taken a job in Olympia.

Public Works Department Business Manager Lisa Ronnberg will serve as the Acting Public Works Director.