By Brian Mittge, The Chronicle, 5/11/2002
MEETINGS-. Money for local projects hot topics for county commission Twin Cities councils |
Lewis County and Twin Cities leaders will hold three public meetings Monday and Tuesday to decide whether to spend up to $1 million of local money for flood studies needed to meet a key federal deadline next month.
The two separate proposals of $650,000 and $400,000 would help meet bills due after the Washington Department of Transportation pulled funding last month when its own budget was slashed.
A federal deadline of June 30 must be met for the Army Corps of Engineers to be authorized to build dikes around the Twin Cities and improve the Skookumchuck Dam, as well as other possible projects.
Missing that deadline would mean delays of 2 to 4 years, and possible scuttling of the entire $70 million project, officials say.
"We can't afford to miss a day in this process," said Centralia Community Development Director Terry Calkins.
Local leaders still hope the state will eventually meet its commitment to pay for the $650,000 already spent to this point, although that payment depends in large part on voter approval of the $7.7 billion state transit plan in November, itself an uncertain proposition.
Chehalis and Centralia are also seeking grants or low-interest loans to pay for the $400,000 needed to finish environmental studies through the end of the year. If no grants are available, a loan would at least allow the cities to soften the shock to their reserves by spreading payments out over several years, said Chehalis City Manager Dave Campbell.
"My sense is our council, while not happy about the situation, is supportive of doing what we can to keep the project going this year because of its importance to the community," Campbell said.
Previously, all local expenses for the flood control project have been repaid by the state DOT or the Army Corps of Engineers, said County Commissioner Eric Johnson.
The proposed local expenses will pay for final Environmental Impact Statement work that will help the project gain federal authorization, he said.
The Lewis County commission meets at 10 a.m. Monday on the second floor of the historic courthouse.
The Chehalis City Council meets at 3 p.m. Monday at Chehalis City Hall, 80 N. E. Cascade Ave.
The Centralia City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Centralia City Hall, 118 W. Maple St.
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