HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/05/26 - Regular Board of Mason County Commissioners
Proceedings
Commission Chambers
411 N 5th St, Shelton, WA 98584
May 26, 2026
1. Call to Order—The Chairperson called the regular meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance—Commissioner Neatherlin led the flag salute.
3. Roll Call—Present: Commissioner District 1 —Randy Neatherlin; Commissioner District 2—
Pat Tarzwell;Absent: Commissioner District 3—Sharon Trask.
4. Correspondence and Organizational Business
4.1 Correspondence
4.1.1 Washington State Department of Health sent an Administrative Order reclassifying a
portion of Skookum Inlet Commercial Shellfish Grow Area in Mason County.
4.1.2 Jeff Bickford applied for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee(SWAC).
4.1.3 Douglas Day sent a request to remove Current Use classification.
4.1.4 Cassandra Jean Marie Ness applied for the Timberland Regional Library(TRL)Board of
Trustees.
4.1.5 Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board sent in a cannabis license application for
Rockstar Farms,LLC.
4.1.6 United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration sent in a
letter regarding de-designation of Columbia-Pacific Resource Conservation and Economic
Development District(Col-Pac RCEDD).
4.1.7 Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board sent in a special occasion liquor license
application from the Washington Indian Gaming Association.
5. Open Forum for Citizen Input
No citizen input.
6. Adoption of Agenda
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Tarzwell moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as published.Motion
carried.Neatherlin-aye;Tarzwell-aye;Trask-absent.
7. Approval of Minutes
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Tarzwell moved and seconded to adopt the May 11,2026,Briefing Minutes
and May 12,2026,Regular Meeting Minutes as presented.Motion carried.Neatherlin-aye;
Tarzwell-aye;Trask-absent.
8. Approval of Action Agenda
8.1 Approval of Warrants and Treasurer Electronic Remittances
Claims Clearing Fund Warrant#8120998-8121278 $2,043,684.33
Direct Deposit Fund Warrant# 125891-126303 $ 981,719.63
Salary Clearing Fund Warrant#7009664-7009703 $1,295,811.93
8.2 Approval of the Washington State Department of Commerce Consolidated Homeless Grant
(CHG)Amendment A for additional funding in the amounts of$65,198 for State Fiscal Year
(SFY)2026 and$490,596 for SFY2027.(Contract 25-023)
8.3 Approval of the letter of support for the Great Peninsula Conservancy's Washington Wildlife
and Recreation Program(WWRP)grant application for the Potlatch Tree Farm Protection
Project.
8.4 Approval of the 2025 Oath of Inventory.
8.5 Approval to set a public hearing on Tuesday,June 23,2026,at 9:15 a.m.to inform citizens of
the availability of funds and eligible uses of the state Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG)and receive comments on proposed activities specifically funding the Community
Action Council of Lewis,Mason,and Thurston Counties(CAC),as well as receive comments
on the 2025-2026 program.
8.6 Approval to set a Public Hearing for June 23,2026,at 9:15 a.m.to consider and approve
supplemental budget requests and budget transfers to the 2026 budget.
8.7 Approval to award funding from the.09 Rural County Sales and Use Tax Fund No. 103 to the
Port of Shelton in the amount of$350,000.
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Tarzwell moved and seconded to approve action items 8.1 through 8.7.
Motion carried.Neatherlin-aye;Tarzwell-aye;Trask-absent.
9. Other Business(Department Heads and Elected Officials)
Steve Duenkel,Auditor,announced that,following the retirement of the Assistant Elections
Administrator,the full-time Licensing and Recording Manager position will be eliminated.
10. 9:15 a.m.Public Hearings and Items Set for a Certain Time
Please see above options to provide public testimony. These options are available only while COVID-19 OPMA
meeting restrictions are in place.
10.1 Public Hearing to consider the Ordinance amending Mason County Code Chapter 6.64 Group
B Water System Regulations. Staff:Ian Tracy
Ian Tracy provided an overview of the proposed changes to Mason County Code 6.64-Group B
Water System Regulations. The changes address out-of-date code references,clarify
confusing or conflicting language,and restore consistency with state regulations. Two notable
changes are to require water quality monitoring for water systems with three to nine
connections,and the removal of the Water System Designer Certification program.
Public Comment:
Robert Pastore expressed concerns about the proposed water system ordinance revisions,
particularly the removal of Class B and purveyor definitions.He discussed the Eagles Nest
Class B water system on Stretch Island,questioned oversight of short-term rentals using
private water systems,requested inclusion of the Washington Administrative Code(WAC)in
the ordinance,and recommended moving the ordinance applicability section to the beginning
for clarity.Mr.Pastore also requested that the Mason County Clean Water District Advisory
Committee be expanded into the Mason County Citizens Environmental Health Advisory
Committee to address land,water,and air issues affecting Mason County.
The Commissioners discussed placing the state defmition of Class B Water Systems into the
draft Ordinance.
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Tarzwell moved and seconded to approve the Ordinance amending
Mason County Code 6.64 Group B Water System Regulation with the addition of Class B
and Purveyor definitions.Motion carried unanimously.Neatherlin-aye;Tarzwell-aye;
Trask-absent.
May 26,2026 1 Page 2 of 7
10.2 Public Hearing to consider the Ordinance amending Mason County Code Chapter 9.48
Outdoor Burning Program.Staff:Randy Collins
Randy Collins presented proposed revisions to the burn Ordinance,Mason County Code
Chapter 9.48—Outdoor Burning Program.Changes include the Memorandum of Agreement
with the Olympic Region Clean Air Authority(ORCAA)and adding definitions. Public
outreach on the proposed revisions was posted on the County website,an article in the Mason
County Journal and a Notice of Hearing published on May 7& 14,2026.
Public comment:
Robert Pastore asked that the notice of a bum ban be provided a week or two in advance if
possible.
Monte Ritter explained that he has had problems with his neighbors burning and asked why
there are different regulations in the Urban Growth Area(UGA)as opposed to the city or
county.
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Tarzwell moved and seconded to approve the Ordinance Amending
Chapter 9.48 of the Mason County Code,Outdoor Burning Program.Motion carried
unanimously.Neatherlin-aye;Tarzwell-aye;Trask-absent.
10.3 Public Hearing to consider an Ordinance on wake-enhanced motorboat operations on lakes
within Mason County. Staff:Travis Adams
Travis Adams presented a tentative ordinance that would restrict the use of wake-enhancement
features on boats unless operators maintain a minimum distance of 250 feet from shore and
operate in water that is at least 20 feet deep. The proposed ordinance was created in response
to complaints from waterfront property owners regarding shoreline and property damage
attributed to wakeboats. This public hearing is intended to gather public feedback and provide
the opportunity for the Board to consider whether to adopt,modify or reject the proposed
ordinance.
Public comment:
Debra Akins,Island Lake,expressed concern about protecting property owners'rights,
acknowledged that the wakeboat activity has been a concern,and the creation of rules and laws
that would be very difficult to enforce.
Kathy Fox,Phillips Lake,owns recreational property in which is a major investment,has
witnessed the changes in the health of the shoreline and expressed concern about the safety for
children with the wakeboat activity occurring.
John Rich,Mason Lake,expressed concern that property owners on Mason Lake and Lake
Cushman would bear the burden of increased boating activity if this ordinance is adopted. He
noted that he has experienced waves large enough to prevent safe use of non-motorized
watercraft such as kayaks. He also noted that Mason County does not collect boat launch fees
and if this is approved he would like signage to be installed to inform boaters of any adopted
regulations.
Michael Kadahl,Chair,Mason Lake Management District No.2,expressed concern that the
proposed ordinance would increase boat traffic on Mason Lake,increase invasive species risks
and shoreline erosion,and will impact water quality and habitat. Mr.Kadahl requested that the
May 26,2026 1 Page 3 of 7
County complete and Environmental Impact Study(EIS)to evaluate potential environmental
impacts and mitigation measures.
Michael Park,lake and boat owner,requested that this ordinance not be approved. He
purchased lakefront property to be able to enjoy boating on the lake and believes that the ban
of wakeboats will be the first step in additional future impacts to property values and Mason
County.
David Meinert,Lost Lake,fully supports the ordinance and believes it should be even more
restrictive due to the damage the wakeboats are causing. He argued that this is not normal
boating activity and that studies suggest these boats should be farther from the shore than this
ordinance suggests. He expressed concern regarding the impact to fish spawning,ecosystems,
erosion,property damage,and could increase the risk of invasive plants.
Mary Sue Steinman,Mason Lake,has witnessed shoreline erosion firsthand and wakeboats are
not the only cause of shoreline damage. Other factors such as water depth,boat speeds,how
close boats operate near the shore also contribute. She believes this is a flawed law and
believes that identifying one boat is not solving the problem.
Todd Meyer,Mason Lake,has witnessed an increase in wake-enhanced boats that are
negatively impacting shoreline properties. These large wakes can damage docks and make it
unsafe to moor boats along side them. While he does support recreational boating,it should
not come at the expense of others safety and property,and he respectfully request that wake-
enhanced boats be required to operate at least 500 feet from docks and shorelines in the lakes.
Kale Burbidge,Lost Lake,opposes the ordinance and supports responsible boat operation. He
believes the real problem is irresponsible behavior and unregulated boat launches,not property
owners and families who follow the rules. He favors increased enforcement at boat launches
rather than a ban that would penalize responsible lake users.
Luke Aikins opposes the ordinance and urges the commission to reconsider the proposal given
the significant public opposition.He expressed concerns about how the ordinance would be
enforced,questioning how terms such as "wake trim," "wake-enhancing devices,"and"ballast"
would be clearly defined and consistently applied.
Victoria Byington,Lake Nahwatzel,supports the ordinance and having grown up on the lake
she has witnessed how wakeboats have significantly changed the use of the lake by creating
larger waves which disturb the water and the shoreline. She does not believe that jet skis or
traditional ski boats cause comparable impacts and view wakeboats as the primary problem.
Jessy Farrington,Island Lake,opposes the ordinance,arguing that wake boat use is limited due
to the short boating season,provides recreational enjoyment,and does not present significant
safety concerns because of how slow they operate. He expressed concerns about the impact to
property values,enforcement costs,and local tax revenue,and believes efforts should focus on
regulating boat launches and addressing other lake-management issues rather than banning
wake boats.
Mike Jones,Island Lake,a biologist and educator,presented research showing that wake boats
can disturb lake-bottom sediments,releasing nutrients that may contribute to algal blooms and
water-quality degradation.He urged decisions based on scientific evidence,noting that
delaying action could allow further damage to the lake
May 26,2026 1 Page 4 of 7
Jim Manley,Phillips Lake,described how a large wake threw his grandchildren onto a
concrete bulkhead,leaving them frightened,and said his boat and dock were also damaged.He
emphasized that wake-enhancement activities,rather than ordinary boating,are causing these
impacts.While everyone should be able to enjoy the lake,he argued that it becomes a problem
when one person's recreation causes harm,safety risks,or property damage to others.
Beau Brown,Phillips Lake,opposes the proposal as government overreach,arguing it would
limit his personal freedoms and negatively affect property owners who have invested heavily
in boating and waterfront property. He expressed concerns about impacts on property values
and the local tax base and asked the County to reduce permitting obstacles rather than impose
additional boating restrictions.
Malcolm Dick,Jr.,Lake Nahwatzel,has lived on the lake for more than 80 years,supported
the ban on wake-enhancing activities on smaller Mason County lakes.He said the wakes are
damaging shorelines,docks,and floats,and argued that operators should at least be held
accountable for the impacts they cause.He urged the county to enact the ban to help protect
the lake and surrounding properties.
Scott Olson,Lost Lake,who enjoys kayaking,paddleboarding,swimming and boating,but
with the increased activity from the YMCA camp,it becomes impossible to safely swim in the
lake when the wakeboard boats are out there. The lake should be managed so that all
recreational activities can safely coexist rather than allowing one type of use that limits others.
Jim East,Phillips Lake,believes that waterfront property values will continue to rise if the lake
remains safe and accessible.He enjoys kayaking,paddleboarding,and boating,but increased
lake activity and large wakes from wakeboard boats have made swimming and other
recreational uses difficult and unsafe.His boat even sank due to heavy wakes.The lake should
be managed so that multiple recreational activities can safely coexist,and everyone can enjoy
the water.
Gerard Shaefer,Phillips Lake,expressed his concern the ordinance is too narrowly focused on
reducing the impacts of one activity rather than finding the best overall outcome for Mason
County's lakes. Lakes are public resources shared by everyone and that broader issues such as
nutrient pollution,septic systems,and shoreline management should be considered alongside
any discussion of wake-enhancing boating.
Art Whitson,Mason Lake,a recreational boater and urged the County to look at all boating
activities and the overall lake ecosystem,not just wake boats. He noted that recent boating
activity sent waves over his dock,swamping his dinghy,and prevented his grandchildren from
safely playing in the water. He supports enforceable boating rules,the use of drones for
monitoring,and forming a short-term advisory committee to further study lake impacts and to
develop balanced solutions.
Bill Crabtree,Island Lake,supports responsible recreation but believes wake-enhanced
activities are not appropriate for small,shallow Island Lake.He said large wakes create unsafe
conditions,swamp small watercraft,and discourage his grandchildren from using the lake.He
urged stronger enforcement of boating rules and noted that substantial research is available on
wake boat impacts.
Jan Bohmsen,Mason Lake,a longtime resident and recreational boater,said today's wake
boats are far different from the boats that existed when they purchased their property.While
she supports boating,skiing,and wakeboarding,she described increasing safety concerns from
large wakes that prevent grandchildren from safely playing near shore,contribute to shoreline
May 26,2026 1 Page 5 of 7
erosion,and have damaged waterfront infrastructure,including requiring relocation of a boat
lift.She said conditions on parts of the lake that were once calm are now difficult to enjoy and
urged action to preserve the lake for future generations while balancing recreation and
shoreline protection.
Gregory Gruber, Spencer Lake,opposed the proposed ordinance as unnecessary government
overreach,arguing that existing state and county boating laws already address unsafe operation
but are not adequately enforced. He contended that responsible boating and enforcement of
current rules would address many concerns,while the proposed restrictions would be difficult
to enforce,shift wake boat traffic to other lakes,create congestion at launches,and divert law
enforcement resources from higher-priority public safety needs.If the County chooses to act,
he recommended a more limited,incremental approach focused on smaller lakes and
reasonable depth requirements rather than broad countywide restrictions.
Kari Olsen,Lost Lake,described increasing impacts from wake-enhanced boating that she
believes have made parts of the lake unsafe and difficult to enjoy.She said she and others have
been swamped while floating near shore and that waterfront property owners are increasingly
unable to use their docks and shoreline areas as intended.She expressed concern that the lake
is deteriorating and submitted video evidence showing a wake boat operating offshore still
generating significant wave action that churned up water and created hazardous conditions.
She urged the County to prioritize safety and protect the rights of residents to safely use and
enjoy their waterfront property.
Jeff Farrington,Island Lake,opposes the ordinance and sees this as the start of having "no
fun"regulations.
Janet Harmon,Lost Lake,opposed the proposed ordinance,arguing that her family chose the
lake because it supports water sports and that wake surfing is an important part of their
lifestyle. She said responsible boating,operator education,and reasonable setbacks from shore
are better solutions than banning activities,and urged the County to seek a compromise that
allows all users to enjoy the lake safely.
Stephanie Brooks,Spencer Lake,argued that erosion,water quality,and sediment issues are
caused by multiple factors-not just wake boats-including storms,lake conditions,septic
systems,and invasive species.She urged the County to take a broader,science-based approach
and warned that concentrating wake boats on a few lakes could increase the spread of Eurasian
milfoil to other Mason County lakes.
Trista East,Phillips Lake,stated that the proposed ordinance appears unfairly targeted at wake
surfers and expressed concern that wake boat users are being singled out and harassed.While
supporting additional research into environmental impacts and lake health,she urged the
County to avoid restricting activities simply because some residents dislike them and
emphasized that responsible behavior is needed from all lake users.
Curt Harmon,Lost Lake,questioned claims that wake boats are the primary cause of shoreline
erosion,noting that natural erosion has occurred for decades and pointing to numerous trees
that have fallen into the lake over time.He also disputed concerns about declining water
quality,citing healthy fish populations and wildlife observations.He encouraged the County to
seek balanced solutions that work for all lake users rather than attributing lake issues solely to
wake-enhanced boating.
Warren Zidelock,Mason Lake,a resident on this lake for more than 18 years,stated that newer
wake-enhanced boats and their increasing numbers appear to be causing greater impacts to the
May 26,2026 1 Page 6 of 7
lake. However,he opposes banning wake boats,arguing that concentrating those vessels on
Mason and Cushman Lakes would overload those lakes with additional activity and create new
problems. He encouraged the County to seek solutions other than a ban.
Griffin Meyers,Phillips Lake,opposed the proposed ordinance,stating that his family
purchased their property because the lake supports a full range of recreational activities,
including wake surfing.He expressed concern that the restrictions would limit property use,
negatively affect families who recreate on the lake,and be difficult to enforce.He also warned
that the ordinance could create unnecessary conflict among neighbors and urged the County to
preserve both recreation opportunities and the strong lake community.
Discussion:
Cmmr.Tarzwell acknowledged being conflicted about the proposed ordinance,stating that he
is generally reluctant to create new regulations but felt obligated to respond to residents'
concerns about property damage.He described the issue as a difficult balance between
protecting private property and preserving recreational opportunities,while also expressing
concern about whether any new restrictions could be effectively enforced.
Cmmr.Neatherlin said the issue requires balancing the rights of lake users with the protection
of shoreline property and acknowledged that wake-enhanced boating can contribute to erosion
and safety concerns.While opposing a complete ban,he supported exploring mitigation
measures such as directing activity toward the center of lakes, considering lake-specific
characteristics,and forming a citizen advisory committee to develop practical solutions.He
emphasized that regulations should protect both majority and minority interests while
remaining realistic and enforceable.
Cmmr.Neatherlin/Tarzwell moved and seconded to continue the public hearing to July
21,2026 at 9:15 a.m.to take further public testimony. Motion carried unanimously.
Neatherlin-aye;Tarzwell-aye;Trask-absent. .
11. Board's Calendar and Reports—The Commissioners reported on meetings attended the past
week and announced their upcoming weekly meetings.
12. Adjournment—The meeting adjourned at 1:11 p.m.:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON
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McKenzie SM ith,clerk of the Board Pat Tarzwell, Chair
Prepared by Cami Olson
Randy lin,Vice-Chair
Sharon Trask, Commissioner
May 26,2026 1 Page 7 of 7