TEST WELL DELIVERS NEAR WOODLAND

Utility officials say small arsenic level manageable

Bill Myers, staff reporter

A Clark Public Utilities spokesman said Oct. 24 that a test well near Hayes Rd. east of Woodland is drawing lots of water with manageable arsenic levels.

Encouraged by promise of a half-million dollar federal grant, utility officials are trying to find safe drinking water in an area where several private wells contain high levels of arsenic.

A contractor hired by the utility last month drilled a test well on private property near Hayes Rd. about one-half mile east of Woodland.

Volume at the test well, about 50 gallons per minute, is enough to maintain a reservoir for affected households on or near NW 411th Circle and NW Bridge Rd., said utility spokesman Mick Shutt.

Shutt said tests showed arsenic levels at 18.9 parts per billion, higher than a federal Environmental Protection Agency standard of 10 parts per billion.

Utility officials are exploring treatments that will bring arsenic levels below the federal standard, said Shutt. "The 18.9 level is very manageable," he said.

Shutt said that when costs of producing safe water are known, Utility officials plan to meet with area residents and discuss costs associated with forming a limited utility district.

BG LIBRARY TAKES SHAPE IN FORUM

by Jessica Etheridge

Aspirations steeped in years of history are coming to fruition for Battle Ground Community library supporters.

Years of unsuccessfully exploring options for a new library culminated in palpable enthusiasm at the first of two library planning forums to discuss visions for the future.

Library supporters at the Nov. 2 session were encouraged to think with a no-limits attitude, which led to several ideas.

Facilitated by David Wark, an architecht with Henneberry Eddy Architects, the meeting generated ideas that ran the gamut from Jetson-like book-toting machines to lodge decor. Wark reigned in ideas by posing questions such as, "What is that civic symbolism a library represents?" "What is Battle Ground?" and "Who is Battle Ground?"

Wark was met with myriad responses ranging from "cheap and efficient," to "Pacific Northwest." When asked to put green stickers next to listed items valued most in a library, the group came to a consensus about a few things--it should have a northwest feel and versatile meeting space.

The demographics of Battle Ground were also carefully considered. Forum participants pointed out the importance of resources such as computers and literacy materials for groups like homeschooled children and English As A Second Language students.

One issue that came out as a potential point of contention revolved around how many books should be added to the current collection of 45,000. Some people believe an emphasis should be placed on increasing the collection. Others emphasized the need for open space.

Another point included the need for a higher quality staff area. The current staff works out of a space that is 600 square feet, said Jane Higgins, vice president of Friends of the Battle Ground Community Library.

"If it wasn't sad, it would be remarkably funny," she said. "They don't dare have a quarrel because they have to get along."

Higgins also said that despite the recognition that 21 years ago the community had outgrown the 3,600 square-foot library, the timing had never been quite right until now.

These forums were born out of voters' rejections of bond proposals in 1999 and 2000 that would have built a new library. It was then that advocates took matters into their own hands.

Last March fundraising efforts intensified, culminating in the $54,000 currently raised, and the opportunity to exercise an option that Higgins described as a "handsome deal."

The deal is to raise $2.1 million by March 2008 in order to purchase a 13,000 square-foot anchoring piece of still undeveloped Battle Ground Village, with the hope of purchasing a total of 25,000 square feet.

Dennis Pavlina, owner of The Gold Medal Group, which is the company behind the Battle Ground Center project, explained that the concept is to meld multiple aspects of living.

Battle Ground Village would be the "play" portion of the live/work/play concept that makes up the future Center on Rasmussen Blvd., east of SE Grace Ave.

The library's anchor status in the Village would place it among other recreationally-focused buildings, such as restaurants and shops.

"Having a library is a great connection between living, working, and recreating," Pavlina said. "It's not just a 9 a.m.-5 p.m. [concept], but a 24/7 one."

Library supporters appeared eager to make their visions a reality, although they are realistic about the process of raising the $2.1 million necessary to make those ideas tangible.

Bruce Ziegman, executive director of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, emphasized the virtue of patience in regard to the library development, and acknowledged a long road ahead.

"Sometimes it's worth the wait," he said. "This is the beginning of the conversation, not the end of it."

The next library planning forum will be held on Thurs., Nov. 17, 7-9 p.m., at Battle Ground city hall, 109 SW 1st St., in the second-floor council chambers.

PACIFICORP HOSTS FLOOD-CONTROL MEETING

Bill Myers, staff reporter

PacifiCorp officials hosted a first annual public workshop Oct. 25 on handling of high-runoffs at Lewis River hydroelectric facilities.

The workshops will be hosted annually by PacifiCorp officials as part of a relicensing agreement reached last year.

The Utility owns and operates Merwin, Yale and Swift No. 1 hydroelectric projects on the North Fork of the Lewis River.

About 15 citizens heard from Utility, National Weather Service and Cowlitz and Clark counties' Emergency Service representatives at the meeting.

County Emergency Service officials discussed plans to implement a "Reverse 911" telephone warning system early next year. The system would trigger automated warning calls to homes in pre-selected at-risk areas.

Utility program manager Todd Olson said a new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio transmitter installed east of Woodland is able to reach homes in the Lewis River Valley.

Citizen Noel Johnson, who represented area citizens in licensing meetings, said citizens near the Lewis River should buy NOAA radios so they can hear emergency weather reports. The radios have back-up battery power and are available at area Radio Shacks for about $40, he said.

Refrigerator magnates with emergency numbers were made available at the meeting. Johnson said emergency numbers are also listed on the LewisRiver.com website.

"The workshop was a good first effort," said Olson.

BG'S URGENT CARE INCREASES HOURS

After a little more than a year, Mountain View Medical Urgent Care is expanding its hours.

Drs. Elizabeth Lee and Art Simons are now seeing patients from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Lee said she and Simons, her husband, rotate hours and occasionally call on other doctors for help at the medical office at 1706 W. Main St., Battle Ground.

"We see everybody who walks in the door," Lee said. "We see more trauma than most other urgent care offices, because there is no medical care north of here."

The urgent care clinic is closer to the north county communities than is either Vancouver hospital.

During the summer, the doctors see a number of chain saw and lawnmower injuries, and in winter, they often have patients who have suffered skiing injuries or falls.

"We're underserved with doctors in our area," Lee said.

The clinic does not offer ongoing health care, she said, but the doctors refer patients with chronic conditions to specialists or family practitioners.

Lee recently completed the recertification exam offered under the American Board of Family Medicine. Simons will take his recertification exam next year.

Family practice doctors who want to be certified as diplomate take the exam once every seven years, Lee said. Doctors do not have to be considered diplomates to practice medicine. The test is given only to licensed physicians.

According to the Board of Family Medicine, a doctor must have finished 300 hours of continuing medical education and successfully complete a written exam to become recertified.

CITY PROPOSES $100,000 FOR SUMMER PARK EVENTS

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

If La Center Mayor Jim Irish has his way, there'll be a whole lot of music and entertainment in Sternwheeler Park next summer.

The mayor says the city should put up seed money of $100,000 to put together the Sternwheeler Park Music and Film Series Under the Stars.

The program would bring musical events to the amphitheater in the park. Last summer a gazebo was added to the park, but there are no restrooms.

The $100,000 is part of the city's proposed 2006 budget. The City Council will have a public hearing on the preliminary budget Wed., Nov. 9, 7 p.m., and a final hearing Mon., Nov. 21, also 7 p.m.

The city has already begun talking to promoter Cory Chandler about coordinating the summer's events.

Specific plans, however, hang on the City Council's approval of the 2006 budget. Chandler said he's talked to city officials about the proposal but no agreement has been signed.

Chandler, director of business development at the Clark County Amphitheater, said he has provided the city with "a couple of proposed schedules."

"I gave them a proposal that included organizing and putting together a program," he said. "I would ask for an agreement."

Irish said the city would also look for sponsors to help pay the costs of entertainment.

"The goal is to use the park to get people into town," Irish said. "We'd have community events."

As Irish envisions the programs, some events would have an admission charge.

A tentative schedule compiled by Chandler and Irish sets admission fees at "... free for kids 12 and under and either free or for nominal fee ranging from $4-$8 for adults, depending upon the event."

The tentative schedule opens the summer events in June with a concert featuring local bands. Musical events would take place on Thursdays in July, and a film series would be scheduled in August.

Irish said an inflatable screen and projector would be set up in the amphitheater and feature films would be shown.

The summer series would end with an outdoor dance in early September.

RIDGEFIELD BUDGET SOARS TO $12 MILLION

Growth drives revenues, costs

Bill Myers, staff reporter

City of Ridgefield officials predicted a balanced 2006 budget with soaring revenues and expenses at Oct. 13 and Oct. 27 hearings.

Revenues next year are projected to increase about 74 percent, from $7.3 to $12.7 million. City officials expect expenditures to more than double, from $5 million in 2005 to $12.3 million next year.

The projections exclude $5.6 million of fund-to-fund transfers budgeted for next year.

The 2006 budget does not anticipate new taxes.

Recently appointed finance director Gaylynn Brien summarized the 2006 budget at the hearings.

Brien said revenues will come from fees ($5.6 million), taxes (1.8 million), grants ($2.1 million) and other sources.

Brien projected expenses next year for Operations and Maintenance at $4.3 million, capital improvements at $7.3 million and debt payments at $597,000.

Staffing next year is projected at 36.25 full-time equivalent employees, with additions of a grant accountant (a position expected to be funded by state and federal grants), and a development inspector.

Capital expenditures of $3.2 million are planned for construction of a larger downtown sewer line, expansion of the waste water treatment plant, and permitting costs for extending a sewer out-fall to the Columbia River.

Another $566,900 is budgeted to construct three new well houses, install a Mill St. distribution line and design a one-million gallon reservoir.

The budget deploys $3.1 million for street improvements. Targeted projects are the design of an I-5 interchange replacement, reconstruction of S 85th Ave. between 259th and 5th streets, construction of a roundabout at the 45th Ave./Pioneer St. intersection, improvements at the Mill St. rail crossing, and installation of a new sidewalk between 5th Ave. and the Abrams Park entrance.

Capital expenses include $50,000 to overhaul a fire district facility on 10th Ave. that will become a police facility.

The budget earmarks $15,000 for Gee Creek stream corridor enhancements.

Salaries

A budget summary projects 2006 personnel costs, including salaries and benefits, at $2.58 million, about 23 percent more than $2.1 million 2005 appropriation.

The percent of increase is influenced by three additions to staff after mid-year 2005--a new finance director, community development manager and plans examiner/building inspector--and the two new staff members planned in 2006.

Salaries and benefits are projected at 52.4 percent of the total operating budget.

Management/supervisor salaries for 2006 are listed as $142,800 for city manager, $92,004 for deputy city manager/community development director, $80,400 for chief of police, $78,252 for public works director, $78,000 for director of finance, $75,000 for city clerk/director of communications, $72,600 for police sergeant and $69,300 for city engineer.

Growth is the driver

A growth explosion is underway in Ridgefield.

Community development manager Kevin Snyder said the city issued about 170 residential permits through September 2005 and should issue about 350 such permits next year.

Property tax revenue for the city, with new construction and increases in property evaluations, are expected to increase by 53 percent. The city share of retail sales taxes, a product of population growth, is expected to increase by 22 percent.

General fund concerns

Former mayor Tevis Laspa at the Oct. 27 hearing said he was concerned about the city's General Fund.

"We need more diligence in maintaining the fund balance," Laspa said.

City manager George Fox said he agreed. "We are running close to the edge," said Fox.

City council member Gary Holmberg said he has had the same concern for months.

After the meeting, Brien said the year-end cash balance in 2006 is budgeted at $430,610. The balance is lower than it should be, at three times monthly operating costs, said Brien. Monthly general fund expenditures are budgeted at $281,000 in 2006.

Citizen Roy Garrison had kudos for the budget process and exhibits. "As a lay person, I understand it (the budget) for a change," he said.

KALAMA PICKED FOR ENERGY COMPLEX

Company proposes 600-megawatt facility at Port

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Energy Northwest, a non-profit energy company, plans to build a $1 billion, 600- megawatt power complex at the Port of Kalama.

An announcement from the Richland company on Oct. 27 said the company leased 80 acres of Port property for the project.

The proposed facility was officially named the Pacific Mountain Energy Center.

The project is proposed as an "Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC)" complex, with two 300-megawatt power plants fueled by "synthesis gas" produced on site.

A company announcement said synthesis gas is produced by gasifying--rather than burning--coal, pet coke and potentially other carbon-based material in a fully enclosed process.

Company spokesperson Brad Peck said emissions from the complex are expected to rival and potentially out perform those of a natural gas plant.

The power complex proposal includes features to accommodate new technologies including the capture and permanent underground storage of carbon dioxide.

One of the plants will be owned by public power interests. The other plant is proposed as under private financing and ownership, said Peck.

Hundreds of workers will be involved with construction of the Energy Center, which will provide about 100 permanent family-wage jobs when it is operational, said Peck. He said completion is targeted for 2011 or 2012.

Peck said the Port of Kalama is perfectly located for the project with accesses to the Western Washington power grid, natural gas, a deep water port and rail transport.

Energy Northwest project manager Tom Krueger said the next step will be to secure environmental certification of the site by the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, a process that could take 20 months.

Peck said construction could begin in 2006 or 2007 after certification of the site and permitting processes.

Energy Northwest is owned by 19 member utilities and operates the only nuclear power facility in Washington, a plant north of Richland.

Prior to the 1990s, the company was known as the Washington Public Power Supply System.

More than 25 years ago, an ill-fated attempt by the company to build nuclear power plants resulted in bond defaults and years of legal action.

Peck said the company is now a different organization under entirely different management. He said laws now require a power provider to have agreements with customers for power before bonds can be issued.

The company also operates hydroelectric, wind and solar power projects.

Port of Kalama spokesperson Mary Swanberg said the proposed Energy Center would be located near the Columbia River immediately north of Steelscape, Inc., in the North Port Marina Industrial Park.

A public meeting on the project, with Energy Northwest and Port representatives, is slated for Wed., Nov. 9, 7 p.m, at the Kalama Community Building, 126 N 2nd St., Kalama. Information, (360) 673-2325.

BAIRD URGES PUBLIC MEETING ON CASINO

Congressman says process should be open, transparent

Bill Myers, staff reporter

U.S. congressman Brian Baird, citing inconsistencies in information, wants federal officials to host a public meeting on a proposed tribal casino near La Center.

In an Oct. 27 letter, Baird asked U.S. Department of Interior secretary Gale Norton to "guarantee" that representatives of federal agencies involved with applications from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe attend the meeting to answer questions.

Involved agencies are the Bureau of Indian Affair in both Washington, D.C. and Portland, the Office of the Solicitor at the Department of Interior, the National Indian Gaming Commission, and the Office of Indian Gaming Management, said Baird.

The congressman said his office is inundated with questions about the process from constituents.

Some constituents report difficulty in getting complete and accurate information from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other federal offices, said Baird.

In the letter, Baird said he is committed to ensuring as "open and transparent" a process as possible.

Baird asked Norton to appoint an ombudsman who can serve as a single point of contact for information on Cowlitz applications.

Baird said he learned recently that a recommendation on the Tribe's trust application may be forthcoming from the Bureau of Indians Affairs office in Portland.

The congressman said he learned that a recommendation from the National Indian Gaming Commission pertaining to a "restored lands" application from the Tribe will occur by the end of November.

Secretary of Interior approval of tribal land as an "initial reservation" or approval of land as "restored" would pave the way for gaming.

In his letter, Baird asked that any recommendations or decisions be postponed until at least 30 days after a public meeting in Southwest Washington with all relevant federal agencies represented.

C-TRAN SURVEYS NEEDS OF RIDERS

Bill Myers, staff reporter

C-TRAN officials preparing connector schedules want to know customer transportation needs.

Survey forms with eight questions are on the C-TRAN website, www.ctran.com and at area city halls. Forms may also be obtained from C-TRAN by calling 695-0123.

Completed surveys should be mailed to C-TRAN, P.O. Box 2529, Vancouver, 98668, and are due Fri., Nov. 11.

Connector services will start Mon., Jan. 30, 2006, and collect passengers in Ridgefield, La Center, Battle Ground and Yacolt, said C-TRAN spokesman Scott Patterson.