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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
April 7, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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April 7, 2011
 
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By NATALIE JOHNSON The Shelton city commis- sion voted Monday to adopt a long awaited Water Sys- tem Plan Update, but de- clined to vote on ordinances setting water rates and the Shelton utility tax. "We're required or man- dated to adopt a plan every six years. This process has taken a fairly long time," said Steve Coins, the city's community and economic development director. "We started this almost two and a half years ago trying to get through the array of pro- cesses to complete this." The water system plan should have been adopted in 2010, buthas been delayed for several reasons. One was the need to account for the Lane vs. Seattle court rul- ing, which determined that cities had to charge for fire protection out of their gen- eral funds, not water rates. Last year, the city hired the consultant firm the FCS Group to do a study on how best to integrate fire protec- tion costs into the general fund, and how to plan for future infrastructure for the city's water utility, and pro- vide for a new water source in the future. The city commission ap- proved the resolution updat- ing the water plan during their regular meeting Mon- day evening, but have yet to approve the funding sources for that plan, the ordinance Journal photo by Natalie Johnson City staff hope that increased water rates will help encourage conservation, particularly among irrigation customers. updating water rates and the utility tax. One ordinance under review would increase the city's utility tax in order to fund fire protection. The other ordinance would amend the city's cur- rent water rates. The new water rate scale includes some increases, mostly for high volume customers, Goins said in an earlier meeting. However, for customers using less than 900 cubic feet of water per month, rates should actually go down in the coming year, he said. "For customers who are using more than 900 cubic feet, the rate starts to in- crease on them," Coins said. "Part of the objective here was to encourage conserva- tion and reward customers that are conserving water." Depending on meter size, water rates should increase for residential customers by, on average, less than a dollar each year until 2013, according to the proposed water rate scale. Rates for commercial, irrigation and private fire lines should in- crease in slightly larger in- crements. These increases are de- signed to help pay for the improvements in infrastruc- ture called for in the water plan. The water rate ordinance would also create a whole- sale water rate for custom- ers on the Port of Shelton's Johns Prairie Industrial Park. The city is proposing charging these customers a wholesale rate because the city does not own or main- tain the pipes on that prop- erty, or meter the water. The commissioners plan to vote on the two ordinanc- es during their meeting next Monday evening. "We've been working on this for some time now, there's been ample oppor- tunities to comment on the plan," commissioner Dawn Pannell said. "I think its time to stop taking in in- formation on the plan and move it forward." By NATALIE JOHNSON be awarded all applicable air quality per- mits and approvals from all agencies in- After receiving concerned input fromcluding but not limited to, the~Olympic Re- members of the public, the city of Shelton gion Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) and the chose this week to withdraw its March 24 Washington State Department of Ecology Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance (DOE) as applicable." (MDNS) on the proposed Simpson biomass In the new version of the MDNS, the facility, beginning of mitigation number four was The city issued a revised version of the revised to state that the project must be MDNS on April 5, with a few small chang- awarded all applicable air quality permits es. before holding any public hearings or is- First, the new version identifes thesuing any city permits to the project, spe- mechanism for appealing the decision, cifieally the Shoreline Substantial Devil- Second, and more substantially, the city opment and Conditional and Special Use revised mitigation number four in the doc- permits. ument. The basic findings of the MDNS, that The original mitigation number four with the outlined mitigation factors the fa- stated, =Prior to issuance of building per- cility should pose no significant risk to the mite for the proposal, the applicant shall environment, still stands. House capital budget recognizes Mason County projects By ARLA SIIEPIIARD ing at Coulter Creek Park. Keates sub- mitted two other grant proposals, under Senior advocacy group Faith in Action WWRP, for the project, but both of those may be closer to building a senior center grants were listed as only alternates. in North Mason, thanks to a $1,360,000 "We " originally submitted [to both proposal to fund the project through the WWRP and ALEA], hoping we could get House capital budget, either one to match with the other," he The state House of Representatives said. "Everything I'm hearing says that released its capital budget proposal Mon- the legislature is not going to fund ALEA day, allocating a quarter of the budget to this year, but use it for the operating bud- renovation and preservation of the state's get." assets, including $57.3 million for natural The Port of Allyn requested two grants resource agencies and $245 million for to purchase property north of the Allyn K-12 public schools. Waterfront Park, but the grants were cut In Mason County, a handful of projects under the Governor's supplemental bud- were given priority funding status, in- get and now the WWRP portion has reap- eluding the Faith in Action senior center peared in the House as a priority. project in Belfair. "We still need to find matching funds," "We're excited," said Faith in Action said Port Executive Director Bonnie Executive Director Patti Kleist, who sub- Knight of the project, which has an esti- mitted the proposal directly to the capital ~aated total cost of $600,000. "It's an on- budget committee with the aid of Repre- going process. We've been in and out and sentative Fred Finn and other well-placed back in." House members. "This actually makes it The House also set forth a few Mason very realistic that we could have a senior County projects slated for loan and bond center in North Mason in the next three assistance, including $2,000,000 in Pub- years." lic Works Assistance loans for the Belfair The non-profit already has $300,000Water District's State Route 3 waterline saved for the project and will need to raise replacement project, $1,500,000 in bonds an additional $1 million if the capital bud- for the Department of Ecology to set up a get is approved in both Houses and signed septic repair loan program and $472,000 into law by Governor Chris Gregoire. in Public Works loans to Mason County Other Mason County projects priori-Public Utility District 1 (PUD 1) for an tized to receive grant funding include the intertie proposal in Union. Port of Allyn Waterfront Park expansion, "We still don't know if it's going to sur- which received a proposed $291,000 in vive the budget," s~id PUD 1 Director of Washington Wildlife and Recreation Pro- Water Operations Jocelyne Gray. "The gram (WWRP) funds; the Mason CountyPublic Works fund has been raided in the Recreation Area (MCRA) infield renova- last two years for the ger~eral fund." tion at $275,500 in WWRP funds; andThe PUD 1 project would get rid offthe the Coulter Creek Park acquisition for district's last wooden reservoir at Hood the North Bay trail project, which was Canal A in Union near Dalby Road and allocated $450,000 in Aquatic Lands En- connect the system to Hood Canal B down hancement Account (ALEA) funds. State Route 106 to Orre Nobles Road. John Keates, program manager at Ma-Gray suspects that the reservoir at son County Parks and Trails, is optimistic Hood Canal A is responsible for high to- that WWRP funds for the infield park ren- tal coliform levels tested each month; the ovation will go through, but anticipates project would also install meters in the that the ALEA grant for the North Bay Hood Canal B system. trail project will not be funded. For more information on the House pro- The infield park renovation would posed capital budget, visit http=//leap.leg. i~6iidvate two of [he Jn~elds at MCRA on wa.gov]leap]buclge{Jde~aJl]2011Pnc] ] 1 ~p. Johns Prairie in Shelton by replacing asp. the dirt clay infield mix with synthetic For more information on the North Ma- dirt and improving access for the dis- son Senior Center project, attend a com- abled, munity meeting at 6:30 p.m., April 20 at The No~h Bay trail project aims to cre- the North Mason Methodist Church in ate a walking path along North Bay, start- Belfair. 0.2." "Taking care of Mom and Dad is becoming a full-time job. With everything else I have to do, it's more than I can handle now. But Dad made me promise not to put him in the nursing home. Can Alpine Way help?" Did you know that in addition to producing award- winning display ads the Journal advertising staff can help you plan a campaign that will help you grow your business and reach new customers? We have the experience and expertise to partner with you in the success of your work and goals. Call us at 360-426-4412 Shelton-Mason County We are invited into thousands of homes each week. Yes, Alpine Way can help, and for less than the cost of the nursing home! Your parents will have nurses and assistants available when needed. You will also be pleased to see everything from a beautician and a chef to laundry services and security on-site. If you'd like to free yourself up so that the time you spend with Mom and Dad can be quality time, come and tour Alpine Way. We'd love to treat you to lunch, show you our lovely apartments, and answer all your questions. Call Kathy Burbidge at (360) 426-2600 for a free lunch and tour 900 West Alpine Way Shelton, WA 98584 RETIREMENT APARTMENTS, ASSISTED LIVING AND ALZHEIMER'S SPECIAL CARE www.enc0recommunities.c0m Shelton-Mason County Journal -Thursday, April 7, 2011 2 Page A-3