HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/10/30 - Briefing BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS'BRIEFING MINUTES
Mason County Commission Chambers,411 North 5th Street,Shelton,WA
Week of October 30,2023
Monday,October 30,2023
9:00 A.M. Closed Session—RCW 42.30.140(4)Labor Discussion
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty,and Trask met in closed session for labor
negotiation via Zoom from 9:00 a.m.to 10:00 a.m. Mark Neary,Mary Ransier,
Misty Kuhl,Cabot Dow, and Lindsey Smith were also in attendance.
10:00 A.M. Transportation Improvement Program Citizens Advisory Panel(TIP-CAP)
Interview
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• The Commissioners interviewed Will Harris for the Transportation Improvement Program
Citizens Advisory Panel(TIP-CAP).
10:10 A.M. Public Defense—Peter Jones
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Peter requested to transfer$100,000 from Salaries and Benefits to Operational Expenses and
$85,000 from the General Fund due to low staffing and use of hourly attorneys at a higher
rate. Approved to move forward.
10:20 A.M. Community Development—Kell Rowen
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty, and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Kell provided follow up information regarding SmartGov and permit submittal appointments.
SmartGov was implemented in 2019. Issues stemmed from implementation,not software,
and a tremendous amount of progress has been made. In 2021,staff had the opportunity to go
through the LEAN program and began documenting all work done and work needing to be
done. Each permit type must snake sense to the public,so the public knows what they are
applying for and what documentation is needed. There are a total of 67 permit types and 17
are available through the online portal. The recommendation is to continue using SmartGov.
For appointments,the initial backlog was caused due to low staffing and updating from the
2018 to 2021 Code. Two new permit technicians have been hired. Staff had a meeting to
discuss submittal appointments. The public is able to schedule appointments online and
choose their date and time. There are a lot of cancellations or"no shows". There are no
penalties for cancellations or"no shows".
10:30 A.M. Public Works—Loretta Swanson
Utilities&Waste Management
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Dave Smith requested to update the designation of County primitive roads and to change the
speed limit on gravel road conversion roads. Kelly Hall and Sunny Slope are recommended
to be 25 miles-per-hour. The Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday,November 7,2023 at
9:15 a.m. These roads would be removed from the primitive roads list. Approved to move
forward.
• Dave shared County Road Projects(CRPs)2051 through 2058 for the annual construction
program. Approved to move forward.
• Loretta received a request from community members on E Ballow Extension Road to rename
the road Hitchcock Lane. E Ballow Road and E Ballow Extension Road intersect each other,
and the road names cause confusion. It is not recommended to change the road name at this
time. A historic name sign can be put up to help alleviate issues. Tabled.
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• Loretta and staff are preparing for the upcoming Public Hearing for Solid Waste Long Haul
contract. A letter was received from Republic Services, a draft response will be forwarded to
Commissioners for review.
• Loretta gave an update on the utility rate process. Staff met with Teresa D.Johnson,CPA,to
prepare presentation materials for outreach to community members. The next step is to reach
out to the public for comments. It will be difficult to get all community meetings done by the
end of the year. Cmmr. Shutty recommended a"bridge"Resolution temporarily suspending
rate increases. Loretta added that there would be a one-month wait time for the billing staff to
reformat and get updated invoices out.
10:45 A.M. Support Services—Mark Neary
Commissioners Neatherlin, Shutty,and Trask were in attendance via Zoom.
• Todd Cannon requested to purchase the Texscan Z5000 for the estimated cost of$1,659 to
replace the outdated public access system. The new system has a modern interface with the
option to add graphics. Approved to move forward.
• Diane Zoren requested to reappoint both Dan Dittmer and Pamela Stevens to the Veterans
Advisory Board for a two-year term which will expire November 7,2025. Approved to move
forward.
• Jennifer Beierle discussed terminating the contract with the Mason County Housing Authority
due to lack of communication and reporting. A letter formally terminating the contract has
been drafted and the official termination date will be November 30,2023. Mark suggested
terminating the existing contract and entering into a contract for reimbursement. Approved to
move forward.
• Mary Ransier shared an amended Resolution changing the Non-Represented Salary Schedule
to include the newly approved Building Official position. Approved to move forward.
• Cmmr. Shutty asked for a progress update on legislative priorities and a finalized list.
Respectfully submitted,
McKenzie Smith,
Clerk of the Board
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Sharon Trask, Ra dy Neath rlin, Kevin Shutty,
Chair Vice-Chair Commission
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