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HomeMy WebLinkAbout126-89 - Res. Adoptoin of Citizen Participation & Community Development PlanRESOLUTION 126-89 WHEREAS, Mason County is applying to the State of Washington for a Community Development Block Grant; WHEREAS, the application process requires Mason County to identify its Community Development and housing needs including the needs of low and moderate income persons through a documented citizen participation process; WHEREAS, a random survey was conducted in the target area served by the proposed Community Development Block Grant -funded project to determine priority needs for services in Mason County and to determine the household income level within the target area; WHEREAS, the survey results confirm the goals and objections of the Board of Mason County Commissioners to provide necessary services for senior citizens and to solve transportation needs for all citizens of Mason County; WHEREAS, a public hearing was held according to a published notice in the official paper as provided by law; WHEREAS, the views and testimony of the citizens of Mason County were heard at the public hearing on the results of the survey on a Mason County Community Development Plan; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the attached Mason County Citizens Participation and Community Development Plan is hereby adopted and approved. DATED THIS 28th day of December, 1989. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON Annette S. McGee Chairperson Michael D. Gibson Commissioner William 0. Hunter Commissioner ATTEST: 72� Cler of the Board c: File wp50 resolute a-h blkgrnt.126 MASON COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Mason County is in the process of enhancing the following adopted priorities as identified by a random telephone survey. This survey was held during the weeks of December 4 through December 23, 1989. On December 28, a public hearing was held and testimony was heard and discussed. This Community Development Plan lists the Mason County community needs in order of importance by the respondents. A. SENIOR CENTER The number of Mason County senior citizens continues to increase each year. The majority live on a fixed income. Their need for services is critical. As funds allow, monies are allocated each year for Seniors from the County's Current Expense budget. The Mason County Senior Activities Association will receive $5,000 in 1990. The North Mason Senior Center will receive $2,500. These dollars are incorporated in the daily operating expenses of the two organizations serving senior citizens. The Mason County Senior Activities Association has completed Phase I for the purchase of a Senior Center. They are now looking for funding from a Community Development Block Grant to complete the addition and remodeling so services can be extended. B. TRANSPORTATION In 1988,the Public Transit Benefit Area Authority (PTBA) asked the voters for an increase in the sales and use tax by .3%. This was to partially fund a County wide transit system. The expected user groups would be Senior residents, young adults, employed residents and students. Access to work; shopping; and professional services such as health, school, social activities would be the primary trip purposes. (Refer to Comprehensive Transit Plan of The Mason County Transit System). The proposal was defeated by a strong majority in both the primary and general elections. We interpret the public's "no" vote to mean a lack of understanding of the need for a County wide transit system and/or the plan for implementation. We expect the PTBA Citizens Advisory Committee will soon propose the issue again be taken to the voters, with more emphasis placed in education of the public particularly in the North Mason County area. C. EMERGENCY FOOD/SHELTER Mason County volunteer food banks feed approximately 10,700 households each year. Funding sources include Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), private and church donations, and individual fund raising activities. Because of recent unemployment and population statistics, Mason County no longer is designated a "distressed" county. Thus, the FEMA funding for emergency food and shelter was cut from $18,000 to $5,000 per year in 1990. In 1991, we anticipate there will probably be no FEMA funding. The need for the services still remains. The Mason County United Way has been encouraged to provide donated funds for emergency food and shelter to make up some of the lost FEMA funds. They are also seeking local agencies to provide 24 hour emergency shelter services. D. ROADS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS Mason County's road system is suffering under the increased traffic volume and heavy logging trucks. In order to identify roads and/or sections of roads which require reconstruction to eliminate the obsolescence and/or deterioration, the county uses a priority procedure which considers roadside development; traffic type and volumes; traffic accidents; existing roadway design and structural deficiencies, etc. Each year, the Board of Mason County Commissioners' review the priorities and the last year's Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan, modify as necessary and adopt the same after a public hearing. The Six Year Plan shows the county's direction for future road construction. The emphasis remains on our Arterial Road System (major routes). Using the Six Year Plan as a basis, the Annual Construction Program is developed then reviewed/adopted by the Board of Mason County Commissioners, after a public hearing. Even though the Annual Construction Program has run between $3 and $4 million, it represents approximately 69% of our construction needs. Mason County is in the process of developing more effective pavement management and land use plans to meet our road usage needs. In the Spring of 1989, the City of Shelton conducted a random sample survey of city households. This survey was to determine, among other things, residents' priorities for capital improvement projects. The survey respondents identified as their highest priorities: a) neighborhood street improvements, b) arterial street improvements, and c) sidewalk and pathway improvements. In order to meet some of these needs over time, the City has adopted two plans for street improvements. The first is an overall street improvement plan utilizing a portion of the City's total capital improvement fund. This plan identifies neighborhood and arterial street improvements through the year 1994. The total cost would be $7.25 million dollars. The second plan is the six year transportation plan. It identifies and prioritizes needed arterial street improvements over the next six years. This plan indicates a total of $4.68 million dollars is needed to complete the projects. The City is actively applying for grant dollars through the Washington State Urban Arterial and the Transportation Improvement accounts, to supplement local tax dollars in meeting their needs. E. WATER QUALITY Water quality education and enforcement continues as a top priority for Mason County. The Department of General Services is working on several long term projects. These include shellfish protection grants for Totten/Little Skookum Inlets, Oakland Bay, Northbay, Case Inlets, Lynch Cove and the Lower Hood Canal. In addition to seeking funds for several other projects Mason County continues to update ordinances and amend the Mason County Comprehensive Plan to include water quality protection. Mason County is addressing the need for comprehensive water quality by developing three watershed plans. They are Oakland Bay, Totten/Little Skookum and Hood Canal. We are also developing three sub -area comprehensive plans for communities built near the water, as well as beginning to revise the total County Comprehensive/Land Use Management Plan. Through the Water Quality efforts of the Mason County Center for Washington State University Extension, educational programs and workshops are being conducted to train local farmers how to manage their lands using sound soil conservation and animal waste management methods, improvement of private shellfish lands and management of household waste including sewage and pesticides. Special studies are also being conducted to evaluate the water quality of Mason County's fresh lakes and salt water. Agriculture and forestry managers receive training on pesticide usage and how to minimize the use of pesticides to protect the ground water and surface water. The 4-H Youth of Mason County receive training on water quality, fish enhancement programs and proper agricultural management programs. All the schools in Mason County will be receiving educational programs designed to inform the students on how they can protect their quality of life and improve the environment they live in. School programs include waste management, composting, stream protection, weather, shellfish protection and fish enhancement. F. INCREASED FIRE PROTECTION In order to facilitate quicker response time, updating of fire and medical equipment is necessary. This could also provide lower homeowner insurance rates in several areas of the County. The majority of the local Fire Districts, including the City of Shelton, have passed a bond levy to upgrade and purchase new fire vehicles. Other Districts continue to improve and replace equipment as funds permit. The City of Shelton is planning to purchase and install an enhanced County wide 911 access system. This is pending voter approval. G. DAY CARE There are 50 licensed day care facilities serving 90 DSHS qualified low income children as well as other residents. The Mason County Public Health Nurses work closely with several of these facilities as well as the Head Start school to educate teachers and parents on proper health standards and parenting techniques for better nutrition and to prevent child abuse. In the past, there has not been local citizen concern for day care. Due to the survey results, we plan to meet with local service agencies to discuss the need and work toward possible solutions. H. SEWER/WATER SYSTEMS Mason County owns and operates two sewer treatment plants and the three water systems in housing developments. Long range plans for each system include upgrading and expansion as the number of household users increase and funding allows. Minimal increase in user fees is expected. A high concentration of houses are located in the north Mason County area along Hood Canal. Mason County Department of General Services is conducting a study of this location to research the feasibility of a secondary treatment plant instead of individual homeowner septic tanks. I. PARKS AND RECREATION Mason County operates and maintains seven parks. Five are located on the water. These parks are used by citizens of all ages. As funds allow, the parks are upgraded and programs expanded. Currently, Mason County contracts with the City of Shelton to coordinate the scheduling of the baseball fields. In 1990, the county has funded the process of research and updating of the County Comprehensive Park Plan. This will make Mason County eligible for IAC (Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation) grant funding. Within the constraints of available funding, the City of Shelton is also striving to achieve several long range goals. Currently, the City's highest priorities are to provide quality recreational programs, to maximize the effectiveness of existing city parks, and to select and develop new park sites. J. LAW ENFORCEMENT Although this was not given on the survey form for ranking, several write in survey responses asked for increased police and law enforcement protection. The relative large number of responses indicates a strong community need. The 1990 budget process provides for the Sheriff Department to hire two additional deputies and one additional detective. They are to be specifically assigned to burglary and drug suppression investigations. To facilitate more efficient police operations, the Sheriff's Department was also funded in the 1990 budget, to purchase, install and train personnel on a computer system to be phased in on a two year program. Drug education and drug abuse awareness programs continue as a priority for all law enforcement officers, and plans are being developed to enhance these programs in 1990 and 1991.