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Home My WebLink About2024/10/14 - Briefing Packet MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIEFING INFORMATION FOR THE WEEK OF October 14, 2024 In the spirit of public information and inclusion, the attached is a draft of information for Commissioner consideration and discussion at the above briefing. This information is subject to change, additions and/or deletion, and is not all inclusive of what will be presented to the Commissioners. Please see draft briefing agenda for schedule. CoU�� . 1854 4�°�x aa��rA BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DRAFT BRIEFING MEETING AGENDA 411 North Fifth Street, Shelton WA 98584 Week of October 14, 2024 1854 Monday Noon WA State Association of Counties Zoom Meeting* Virtual Assembly *This is being noticed as a Special Commission meeting because a quorum of the Mason County Commission may attend this event and notification is provided per Mason County Code Chapter 2.88.020-Special Meetings. Monday, October 14, 2024 Zoom link available on the Mason County website Commission Chambers Times are subject to change,depending on the amount of business presented 9:00 A.M. Executive Session—RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)Potential Litigation 9:30 A.M. Closed Session—RCW 42.30.140(4)Labor Discussion 10:00 A.M. Executive Session—RCW 42.30.110(l)(c)Real Estate 10:30 A.M. Timberland Regional Library(TRL)Board of Trustees Interview 10:40 A.M. BCRA—DJ Dean 11:10 A.M. Auditor's Office—Steve Duenkel 11:15 A.M. Public Health—David Windom 11:20 A.M. Public Works—Loretta Swanson Utilities&Waste Management 11:50 A.M. Support Services—Mark Neary Commissioner Discussion—as needed Tuesday, October 15, 2024 Zoom link available on the Mason County website Commission Chambers Times are subject to change,depending on the amount of business presented 10:00 A.M. Elected Official/Director Meeting Commission meetings are live streamed at http://www.masonwebtv.com/and public comment is accepted via email msmithkmasoncountywa. og_v;mail to Commissioners Office,411 N 5'Street,Shelton,WA 98584;or phone at(360)427-9670 ext.419. If you need to listen to the Commission meeting via telephone,please provide your telephone number to the Commissioners' office no later than 4:00 p.m.the Friday before the meeting. If special accommodations are needed,contact the Commissioners'office at Shelton(360)427-9670 ext.419 Briefing Agendas are subject to change,please contact the Commissioners' office for the most recent version. Last printed 10/10/24 at 9:21 AM C Mason County Agenda Request Form Y /A t! To: Board of Mason County Commissioners From: Steve Duenkel Ext. Click or tap here to enter text. Department: Auditor's Office Briefing: ❑X Action Agenda: ❑ Public Hearing: ❑ Special Meeting: ❑ Briefing Date(s): October 14,2024 Agenda Date: Click or tap here to enter text. Internal Review: ❑X Finance ❑ Human Resources ❑ Legal ❑ Information Technology ❑ Risk (This is the responsibility of the requesting Department) Below for Clerk of the Board's Use Only: Item Number: Approved: ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Tabled ❑ No Action Taken Ordinance/Resolution No. Contract No. County Code: Item• FY 2025 Information Security Fund Application(Update) Background/Executive Summary: The Office of Secretary of State is making available another round of$80,000 to each county to support election security improvements at the local level. Budget Impact(amount, funding source,budget amendment): To date the Office of Secretary of State has approved$29,350 in security enhancements for the Shelton and Belfair Vote Centers of the $80,000. Public Outreach (news release,community meeting, etc.): N/A Requested Action: N/A Attachments None NOTE: Acceptance of OSOS IS Grant Funds will require continued installation of an active Albert Sensor on the County network for monitoring by the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing& Analysis Center(EI-ISAC), a non-profit, 3'party entity. MASON COUNTY rTi Public Health & Human Services Briefing October 14, 2024 Briefing Items Homeless Response System Special NOFO funding recommendation—Melissa Casey C Mason County Agenda Request Form Y /A t! To: Board of Mason County Commissioners From: Melissa Casey Ext.404 Department: Public Health Briefing: ❑X Action Agenda: ❑X Public Hearing: ❑ Special Meeting: ❑ Briefing Date(s): 5/20/24,6/3/24, 8/5/24, 10/14/24 Agenda Date: 10/22/24 Internal Review: ❑ Finance ❑ Human Resources ❑ Legal ❑ Information Technology ❑ Other (This is the responsibility of the requesting Department) Below for Clerk of the Board's Use Only: Item Number: Approved: ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Tabled ❑ No Action Taken Ordinance/Resolution No. Contract No. County Code: Item• Homeless Response System Special NOFO—Funding Recommendations Background/Executive Summary: The Department of Commerce Contract#24-46108-20 Amendment C,adding SFY25 CHG Standard and Local Document Report Fee Support funds,was approved by the Board on the 6/4/24 action agenda.A competitive RFP was released for a total of$512,085;the purpose of these funds is to further develop and expand programs that intersect with the Homeless Response System.Four agencies submitted proposals for six different programs;the Housing&Behavioral Health Advisory Board(HBHAB)made the initial recommendation to fund$110,000 for Shelton Family Center's Eviction Prevention Program,which was approved by the Board on the 8/16/24 action agenda. The HBHAB has made the following funding recommendations for the remaining$402,085: • Crossroads Housing o Shower Program-$12,000 o Diversion Fund- $25,000 o Eviction Prevention Rent-$75,000 • Rental Assistance Fund-$125,000 o $200,000 earmarked amount for Public Health to administer to programs via contract amendment when the need arises; $125,000 remaining • 5-Year Plan Facilitation-$125,000 • Reserve-$40,000 o Funding to remain available for future emergent needs • New Horizons Communities—Not recommended for funding • Community Action Council—Not recommended for funding • Shelton Family Center Training Program—Not recommended for funding C Mason County Agenda Request Form Y /A t! T Budget Impact(amount, funding source,budget amendment): Funding Source: Consolidated Homeless Grant Public Outreach (news release,community meeting, etc.): Followed the Request for Proposal Process with news releases and email blasts;Housing&Behavioral Health Advisory Board reviewed applications and made funding recommendations Requested Action: Approval of recommended funding amounts so that award/rejection letters can be sent to providers and contracts drafted Attachments None MASON COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER BRIEFING October 14, 2024 �N C� Action Items• Discussion Items: • Beard Cove Water Valve-Pipeline, Intersection Replacement Project • Southside School Request—Collier Road safety solutions • Belfair Sewer Capacity—City of Bremerton Request for Service Commissioner Follow-Up Items: Upcoming Items• C Mason County Agenda Request Form Y /A t! To: Board of Mason County Commissioners From: Richard Dickinson,U&W Management/Deputy Ext.450 Director Department: Public Works Briefing: ❑x Action Agenda: ❑ Public Hearing: ❑ Special Meeting: ❑ Briefing Date(s): October 14, 2024 Agenda Date: Discussion Item Internal Review: ❑ Finance ❑ Human Resources ❑x Legal ❑ Information Technology ❑ Other (This is the responsibility of the requesting Department) Below for Clerk of the Board's Use Only: Item Number: Approved: ❑ Yes ❑No ❑ Tabled ❑No Action Taken Ordinance/Resolution No. Contract No. County Code: Item: Discussion : Beard Cove Water Valve-Pipeline, Intersection Replacement Project Background/Executive Summary: Public Work's, U&W Management Division, is moving forward with the Beards Cove waterline and valve replacement project,which will be funded through ARPA revenue sources and two appropriations from the Department of Commerce. The project addresses recurring pipeline and valve failures at the intersection of Larson Lake Road and Larson Boulevard. These issues have significantly affected the water distribution system and required frequent road repairs. The goal is to upgrade the infrastructure to improve reliability and reduce ongoing maintenance costs. Objectives: • Replace the aging and failing water distribution system infrastructure at the intersection. • Enhance system reliability to minimize disruptions and maintenance issues. • Coordinate with road improvement projects to ensure a comprehensive and efficient infrastructure upgrade. Schedule: • Bidding Period: October 17, 24 & 31, 2024 • Bid Due Date: November 15, 2024 @ 3PM • Estimated Contract Award: November 21, 2024 • Estimated Project Start Date: December 16, 2024 • Estimated Completion of Construction: December 31, 2024 • County Road Operations re-chip sealing/Completion of Project: Spring/Summer 2025 Budget Impact: The project is estimated to cost$245,000. Funding will be provided by the following sources: • ARPA: $100,000 (approved on 12/7/2021) • 2023-25 Department of Commerce: $50,000 (approved on 7/16/2024) • 2024 Supplemental Department of Commerce: $99,910 (approved on 7/16/2024) This totals $249,910 in grant funding. C Mason County Agenda Request Form Y /A t! Public Outreach: U&W Management will go out to bid for the project,publishing a notice to bidders in the Shelton Journal, Daily Journal of Commerce, Builders Exchange and County website. Requested Action: Informational,no action requested. ECEIVE _ Southside School District OCT 0 0 2024 161 SE Collier Road BY: Shelton,WA 98584 v (360)426-8437 sC8T8510EBOBCAts www.southsideschool.oru Commissioner Randy Neatherlin,' ^; Sharon Trask, Kevin Shutty. Mark .a Neary and McKenzie Smith LDI�D'Ytt�{�i SWanSon Tinos S�.h�tefer September 17,2024 ,, � K �-1;>,,�,�, Loretta and Lovejoy, Regarding my communications over the phone and email over the past several months: 1) Southside School District has requested that you resend us your Right of Way Engineer for another feasibility discussion about the following Collier Road safe solutions: • widening the west side of Collier Rd to include a right turn lane (southbound to Arcadia Rd.), • install flashing yellow warning lights at the intersection of Arcadia Rd/CollierBinns Swiger,and • install increased safety warning lights or warning signs on the northbound lane of Collier Rd from Arcadia toward Old Arcadia Rd. 2)Please note you are welcome to address the Southside School Board about the County's ideas for the safest possible egress to Southside School. Our next two Board meetings are Sept. 24th and Oct.22, both accessible over Zoom at 6:30PM. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4434525334 3)The district does not support the County's multi-million dollar, labor intensive engineering solution to log and carve an access easement from Arcadia Rd to the back of the school property at this time. The adjoining neighbors also voiced, "do not support this solution." I met last week with Sheriff Spurling and described our safety needs in detail. He dispatched officers the following day. Several speeding tickets were issued on Arcadia Rd approaching Collier intersection, but could not catch a 50-mile/hr. speeder traveling Southbound on Collier Rd,right turn onto Old Arcadia--through the school zone(where I am directing traffic). The Sheriff is dispatching another Sheriff today to mitigate the speeding in the school zone. Please respond. I have copied my Board of Directors. They are all Southside neighbors. Respectfully, Paul Wieneke, Superintendent Southside School District C A Mason County Agenda Request Form Y /A t! To: Board of Mason County Commissioners From: Loretta Swanson,Director and Richard Ext.450 Dickinson,Deputy Director/U&W Department: Utilities&Waste Management Briefing: ❑x Action Agenda: ❑ Public Hearing: ❑ Special Meeting: ❑ Briefing Date(s): October 14, 2024 Agenda Date: Discussion Item Internal Review: ❑ Finance ❑ Human Resources ❑ Legal ❑ Information Technology ❑ Risk (This is the responsibility of the requesting Department) Below for Clerk of the Board's Use Only: Item Number: Approved: ❑ Yes ❑No ❑ Tabled ❑No Action Taken Ordinance/Resolution No. Contract No. County Code: Item: Belfair Sewer System -Regional Sewer Planning with City of Bremerton Background/Executive Summary: The City of Bremerton was awarded a$3,000,000 Commerce grant to continue wastewater planning and design efforts to service Belfair UGA expansion and the southern basins of PSIC. Commerce requires the City and County to negotiate and sign an interlocal agreement (ILA)prior to executing the grant agreement, assuring commitment to a regional approach. Mayor Wheeler requests a meeting with executives and technical staff aimed at answering questions and identifying ILA concerns. The purpose of this briefing is to share Belfair sewer capacity information as it relates to the City of Bremerton's request to accommodate a not to exceed, 20-year forecast amount of 160,000 GPD. Budget Impact• Future capacity upgrades are necessary to support UGA growth and the county will need to seek grant funding to design,permit and construct these upgrades. Approximately$1.3 — 1.4 million grant funding is available for the county to design system capacity upgrades if an ILA is executed. Public Outreach: N/A Requested Action: Review/discuss Belfair sewer capacity and identify any additional information needed to respond to the City's request. Attachments: City of Bremerton Request for Wastewater Service Agreement i � greg.wheeler@ci.bremerton.wa.us 345 bth Street,Suite 100 Mayor Greg Wheeler Bremerton,WA98337-1873 September 16, 2024 Mason County Commissioners 411 N 5th St Shelton, WA 98584 RE: Request for Wastewater Service Agreement Dear Honorable Commissioners: I am writing this letter to request that Mason County and the City of Bremerton formalize an agreement for regional wastewater service for the Belfair UGA and the southern portion of the Puget Sound Industrial Area (PSIC). As you are aware, Bremerton and Mason County have been collaborating to conceptualize a regional wastewater service approach for the Belfair UGA and the southern portion of PSIC for several years now. Given this ongoing coordination and with Mason County's support, Bremerton submitted a Legislative request for$3 million in design funding to move the vision forward. Bremerton was recently awarded this appropriation, with $1.6 million designated to be used by Bremerton to design conveyance infrastructure to Mason County's Belfair Water and Wastewater Reclamation Facility (BWWRF). The remaining $1.4 million is to be used by Mason County, as a subrecipient of the funding, to design system capacity upgrades to its Belfair collection system and BWWRF. Prior to executing the funding agreement with the Department of Commerce, the City of Bremerton and Mason County are required to negotiate and execute an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) which ensures that both jurisdictions are committed to a regional service approach. Please consider this the first step in that process. The City of Bremerton is formally requesting wastewater service for the south end of PSIC. Based on a 20-year forecast, the maximum daily flow from the Bremerton Service Area will not exceed 160,000 gallons per day and the maximum instantaneous flow would not exceed 450 gallons per minute. We understand that there are capital improvements required to achieve this level of service. I propose that we meet as a group with technical staff to conduct a joint planning meeting to answer any questions and identify any concerns that we need to address. An open dialogue will move this forward most efficiently. I am hoping that this will lead to a conditional letter of availability from Mason County that will inform the terms and conditions of an ILA between our jurisdictions. • Page 2 September 16, 2024 Finally, I would just like to add that this funding is an excellent regional opportunity to promote economic growth and creating living wage jobs. Both the Belfair UGA and the PSIC area will experience meaningful growth if the necessary services are available. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Greg Wheeler Mayor cc: Mark Neary, Mason County Administrator Loretta Swanson, Mason County Public Works Director Mason County Administrator 411 N 5th Street Shelton, WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 ext. 419 Mason County Commissioner Briefing Items from County Administrator October 14, 2024 Specific Items for Review → Setting the Public Hearing for the 2025 Budget – Jennifer Beierle → Setting the Public Hearing to certify levies – Jennifer Beierle → Peninsula Services land donation request – Mark Neary → Hood Canal Salmon Center/Mason Conservation District grant application support – Mark Neary Administrator Updates Commissioner Discussion → City of Shelton’s Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) grant application letter of support – Cmmr. Shutty C( , Mason County Agenda Request Form To: Board of Mason County Commissioners From: Jennifer Beierle Ext. 532 Department: Support Services Briefing: ❑X Action Agenda: ❑X Public Hearing: ❑ Special Meeting: ❑ Briefing Date(s): 10/14/2024 Agenda Date: 10/22/2024 Internal Review: ❑ Finance ❑ Human Resources ❑ Legal ❑ Information Technology ❑ Other (This is the responsibility of the requesting Department) Below for Clerk of the Board's Use Only: Item Number: Approved: ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Tabled ❑ No Action Taken Ordinance/Resolution No. Contract No. County Code: Item: Approval to set a public hearing for Monday,December 2,2024, at 9:00 a.m. to consider adoption of the 2025 budget for Mason County. Copies of the 2025 preliminary budget will be available to the public on November 18,2024. Background/Executive Summary: Pursuant to RCW 84.52.070,the Commissioners must hold a public hearing on the 2025 preliminary budget to allow taxpayers to"appear and be heard for or against any part of the budget". The public hearing also allows county departments to publicly testify if they so desire. Budget Impact(amount, funding source,budget amendment): 2025 Adopted Budget Public Outreach (news release,community meeting, etc.): The 2025 proposed budget will be posted on the County's website: www.masoncounta.gov by November 18,2024 Requested Action: Approval to set a public hearing on Monday,December 2,2024, at 9:00 a.m.to consider adoption of the 2025 budget for Mason County. Copies of the 2025 preliminary budget will be available to the public on November 18,2024. Attachments C Mason County Agenda Request Form Y /A t! ssTo: Board of Mason County Commissioners From: Jennifer Beierle Ext. 532 Department: Support Services Briefing: 0 Action Agenda: ❑X Public Hearing: ❑ Special Meeting: ❑ Briefing Date(s): 10/14/2024 Agenda Date: 10/22/2024 Internal Review: ❑ Finance ❑ Human Resources ❑ Legal ❑ Information Technology ❑ Other (This is the responsibility of the requesting Department) Below for Clerk of the Board's Use Only: Item Number: Approved: ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Tabled ❑ No Action Taken Ordinance/Resolution No. Contract No. County Code: Item: Approval to set a public hearing for Tuesday,November 19, 2024, at 9:15 a.m.to certify to the County Assessor the amount of taxes levied for Current Expense and County Road for 2025. An increase to the Current Expense and County Road property tax levies for 2025 may be considered. Background/Executive Summary: Pursuant to RCW 84.52.070,the Commissioners must certify to the County Assessor the amount of taxes levied upon the property in the county for county purposes by adoption of a resolution, on or before the 15'day of December in each year, and on or before the first Monday in December the respective amounts of taxes levied by the board for each taxing district,within or coextensive with the county, for district purposes.. Budget Impact(amount, funding source,budget amendment): The estimated levies for Current Expense and County Road are included in the 2025 proposed budget. Public Outreach (news release,community meeting, etc.): The notice of public hearing will be advertised in the Shelton-Mason County Journal for two weeks prior to the hearing. Requested Action: Approval to set a public hearing on November 19,2024, at 9:15 a.m. to certify to the County Assessor the amount of taxes levied for county purposes and the amount of taxes levied for each taxing district for 2025.An increase to the Current Expense and County Road property tax levies for 2025 may be considered. Attachments C Mason County Agenda Request Form Y /A t! To: Board of Mason County Commissioners From: Mark Neary Ext. 530 Department: Support Services Briefing: ❑X Action Agenda: ❑ Public Hearing: ❑ Special Meeting: ❑ Briefing Date(s): October 14,2024 Agenda Date: Click or tap here to enter text. Internal Review: ❑ Finance ❑ Human Resources ❑ Legal ❑ Information Technology ❑ Risk (This is the responsibility of the requesting Department) Below for Clerk of the Board's Use Only: Item Number: Approved: ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Tabled ❑ No Action Taken Ordinance/Resolution No. Contract No. County Code: Item• Mason County surplus land donation of parcels located at intersection of US 101 and SR 102, in Shelton north of the Port of Shelton to Peninsula Services, a 501 (c)(3)nonprofit. Background/Executive Summary: In the existing tight housing market that continually squeezes out those who would benefit most, Peninsula Services is dedicated to ensuring affordable and accessible housing is available to their target population—individuals with differing abilities,including senior,veterans and the workforce at large. Peninsula Services' partnership with Mason County has continued to evolve over the past few years,and they have amplified their services model to benefit Mason County residents. Their vision parallels Mason County's demand for multi-family housing growth. Peninsula Services believes the surplus land at the intersection of US 101 and SR 102 is a perfect match for the community's identified need to build affordable housing. This collaborative effort will help create a sustainable community while nurturing the desperate need for housing for diverse households,impacting economic growth and stability in Mason County for years to come. Budget Impact(amount,funding source,budget amendment): N/A Public Outreach(news release,community meeting,etc.): N/A Requested Action: Provide the County Administrator with feedback on how to proceed. Attachments: _4166h.� Peninsula Services Empowerment through Employment October 4,2024 Mr.Mark Neary,Administrator 411 N. 5"' Street Shelton,WA 98584 Subject: Potential donation of surplus land to Peninsula Services, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. Parcels of land are located at the intersection on US 101 and SR 102, in Shelton north of the Port of Shelton. Dear Mr.Neary: I am grateful for this opportunity to present this request to you on behalf of Peninsula Services regarding one of our agency's greatest priorities during the existing tight housing market that continually squeezes out those who would benefit most from accessible, affordable housing: any and all individuals with differing abilities, including seniors,veterans and the workforce at large.You may be aware that our organization's partnership with Mason County,fostered by Chris Tibbs, CEO,has continued to evolve in Mason County over the past few years, and we have amplified our services model to benefit Mason County residents. At this time,we are committed to ensuring that affordable and accessible housing is available for our target population. The demand for housing has created a crisis,and our vision parallels Mason County's demand for multi-family housing growth. Our leadership believes that the surplus of land at the intersection of US 101 and SR 102, as identified above and owned by Mason County,is a perfect match for the community's identified need to build affordable housing. Peninsula Services requests your kind and favorable consideration of this request for a donation of the aforementioned surplus land parcels to support the development of affordable housing. This collaborative effort is destined to create a sustainable community while nurturing the desperate need for housing for diverse households with little. By delivering this favorable community impact through this collaborative effort, economic growth and stability in Mason County will follow for years to come. Thank you for your time and consideration of our request. I would be delighted to meet at your convenience to discuss this proposal further and explore the next steps as we work in collaboration to positively impact the community and its residents. Kind regards, Holly James Holly James Senior Vice President of Housing 360-633-5948 cc: Randy Neatherlin Sharon Trask Kevin Shutty Offices:400 Warren Ave. * Suite 150 * Bremerton, WA 98337 Mail:PO Box 5030 *Bremerton, WA 98312 360-373-1446 * www.peninsulaservices.org The parcels we discussed are located at the intersection of US 101 and SR 102 in Shelton,just north of the Port of Shelton. Here's an old listing from Zillow for one of the parcels to help give you a sense of the land and what we had it listed for: https://www.ziIIow.com/homedetaiIs/4- W-Public-Works-Dr-Shelton-WA-98584/2084704257 zpid/ Here is a GIS screen shot showing the parcels, each is between 6 and 7 acres. r Da-iton A n I 1122 ;lul' iness Park Loop W He my 1 r, G i October 7, 2024 Director Mike Fong Washington Department of Commerce 1011 Plum Street SE P.O. Box 42525 Olympia,WA 98504-2525 Dear Director Fong, We are writing in support of the City of Shelton's application for funding from the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP). This application was developed in collaboration with a coalition of public and private partners, all of whom share the goal of expanding access to affordable housing in Mason County. Without the necessary funding to extend critical infrastructure, these projects will remain difficult to complete, and we will be unable to make the necessary progress to address our community's housing needs. In 2022, Mason County conducted a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA),which identified long-term housing needs, barriers, and strategies. The report presented data showing the economic challenges many residents face, with more than 40 percent of households in the project area falling below the United Way's ALICE threshold, unable to afford necessities. The HNA identified a gap of more than 1400 rental units in Mason County. In addition to policy-level changes, a key recommendation from the report was to invest in infrastructure, with CHIP funding specifically identified as a crucial opportunity to advance these projects. While this funding is vital for ensuring progress, it builds on significant work already undertaken by the developer. Dragonwheel Investment Group has demonstrated its commitment through extensive efforts, including design, engineering, SEPA compliance, and securing Hearings Examiner approval.Additionally, the City of Shelton and Mason County have collaborated to adopt shared Planned Unit Development (PUD) code language to encourage development in the Shelton Urban Growth Area, where density can be achieved, and access to transit, utilities, and services is optimal. In closing, we hope this letter reinforces the need for a positive funding decision for Shelton and its partners. Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to continuing efforts with Commerce to improve access to housing in Mason County. Sincerely, __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ October 14, 2024 Department of Ecology Review Committee Water Quality Combined Funding Program Dear Grant Review Committee, Please accept this letter of support for the Mason Conservation District’s grant proposal for the Salmon Center Membrane Bioreactor Facility and Education. This project proposed by the Mason Conservation District provides an excellent opportunity to improve water quality for Mason County residents, as well as improve the health of our local ecosystem. Mason Conservation District is collaborating with the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group for this project creating a strong tam with a successful record of executing projects that benefit both the natural environment and its surrounding communities. The project site of the Salmon Center for the Membrane Bioreactor is ideal, as it helps to protect the water quality of the nearby Union River Estuary, as well as provides a visible demonstration of effective wastewater treatment efforts to the thousands of annual Salmon Center visitors. Mason County sees the excellent educational benefits this project would provide for its citizens. This project would allow Mason County residents to engage in learning about environmentally conscious onsite sewer systems, water quality issues that are affecting the nearby Hood Canal watershed and empower them to participate in the solution. Mason County supports this project and will work with the Mason Conservation District on any necessary collaboration to bring it to completion. Sincerely, Mark Neary, County Administrator Mason County Administrator Mark Neary 411 North 5th Street Shelton, WA 98584 (360) 427-9670 ext. 530