Camas reaches deal over sewer

The Camas City Council has approved a settlement agreement with a local organization that had concerns about a future sewer pipeline construction project. The council's 7-0 approval of the settlement occurred during its regular meeting Monday, shortly after an executive session ended. The agreement is with Lacamas Creek Communities, which operates Camp Lacamas at 2025 N.E. Goodwin Road. Camp Lacamas will grant the city a utility easement for the North Shore Sewer Project across the camp property in return for the city connecting the camp's existing buildings to the sewer system and eliminating existing septic tank and drain field systems. The City Council previously approved the onset of a condemnation process involving Lacamas Creek Communities, because of unsuccessful negotiations to purchase property. During the council meeting Monday, Carl Culley, president of the camp's board of directors, thanked Mayor Scott Higgins and City Administrator Pete Capell for their commitment to reach an equitable solution to the land issue. Culley said the city asked the camp for an easement to provide sewer for a new development. "However, it became apparent that the city staff had really given us a mandate, couched in the form of request, and were preoccupied with budget and timeline." After the council meeting, Higgins said he was happy to see a resolution. "Sometimes more communication is helpful," he said. The sewer transmission system project will begin at a pump station that will be built at Goodwin Road. It will then cross Camp Currie to a second pump station at 232nd Avenue. The line will continue down Leadbetter, where another pump station will be constructed on private property approximately one-quarter mile from the intersection of Evergreen and Leadbetter. The council also approved a $1.78 million professional service agreement with Otak, Inc., for construction management services for the North Shore sewer transmission system. The $12 million sewer pipeline construction project will serve the area north of Lacamas Lake, which is expected to be the location of residential, commercial and light industrial development. The project will include 11 miles of pipeline and two pump stations. The Camas School District will pay $250,000 of the management services cost. Overall, the school district will pay $3 million as part of an agreement with the city to install the water line extension, as well as sewer line and fiber conduit. The extension of a waterline will serve the future Lacamas Heights Elementary School. Construction of the new $44.6 million facility, to be located on Northeast Ninth Street, off of 232nd Avenue, will begin in June. It is scheduled to be complete in August 2018.

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