[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6377444,"mediaKeyId","2139047-2464d1ef0f192d06e1f73247f8b6c71e","parentId",2139047,"title","Shelton council adopts Catalyst Park MOA, on-call A/E contracts, creative district and repeals for‑hire vehicle license","audioSeconds",670,"startMs",2324000,"endMs",2994000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139047-2464d1ef0f192d06e1f73247f8b6c71e&start=2324&end=2994","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139047-2464d1ef0f192d06e1f73247f8b6c71e/thumbnail_2324000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6377444/Shelton/Mason-County/Washington/Shelton-council-adopts-Catalyst-Park-MOA-on-call-AE-contracts-creative-district-and-repeals-forhire-vehicle-license","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377444-aa85145445923afbd09ddb093614e58a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775788705&Signature=Ourt~JPpUkOhhUhVwrweLzhg8l-5xGoebpfJAwbNKMUBKPdxneAAHTRDLAhmZ8k1YkCdm2J6xiNLgJx-L83IgPVzTcdyLNAp9XIdsqjjQgfonpTNHi2KYhs39WfpjH3SVNeKK6jquBqOQz5E9atyNG3hewsJcVJoDkxE5uB30miYKqLqrEDTm8xKsmJabho72HkhoxttKZGPz5sWLe8lkG6VbfQQR33S4H2oFWkiOve0Zc5RODq~iQg7T1EWFJHHRr4EbSjL52GPmO13RClkTLAgBkfi4Q1Wxandrug0GLUD~~YRzqBwOoXN5uPYBhVTyc1ExS5~pAIyOvK5I4EEVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shelton City, WA","date","2025-01-22T14:53:15Z","article","The Shelton City Council on Monday approved a set of resolutions and an ordinance covering city partnerships, consultant contracts, downtown arts planning and taxi licensing.

The council unanimously approved a memorandum of agreement with Washington State University Extension to govern operations of the Catalyst Park Demonstration Garden, authorized a slate of on‑call architecture and engineering consulting contracts, adopted a resolution establishing the Shelton Creative District boundaries, and repealed Chapter 5.32 of the Shelton Municipal Code that had required separate for‑hire vehicle licensing.

The MOA with WSU Extension formalizes operations at the Catalyst Park Demonstration Garden and clarifies roles between the university extension and the city. Jordan, a city staff member, told the council the updated memorandum contains \"no major changes since last time\" and answered procedural questions before the measure was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

Public Works Director Aaron Nicks told the council the on‑call contracting approach stems from a recent request‑for‑qualifications process. The RFQ identified multiple qualified firms across 15 subject areas so the city can call on prequalified consultants for design and engineering tasks. \"All we're doing is we're entering into a contract that when you guys approve the budget and we want to go do design work, we can utilize that list,\" Nicks said. The council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute those contracts.

The council also adopted a resolution supporting the city's creative district application and establishing the proposed downtown boundaries for the Shelton Creative District. City staff said the designation would support wayfinding and make the city eligible for arts and placemaking grants that accompany certification.

On a separate action, the council voted to repeal the local licensing requirement for for‑hire vehicles (ordinance 2028‑1224). Staff told the council the local licensing and fingerprinting checks for for‑hire companies appeared duplicative of other processes, and the repeal would remove that city requirement.

The council also advanced two appointments to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee: Diane Zoren for a full three‑year term and Ted Killenen to a partial term. Staff said both are city residents who applied through the city's advertised openings.

Votes at a glance:
- Resolution 1357‑1124 (MOA with WSU Extension for Catalyst Park Demonstration Garden): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote (aye).
- Resolution 1363‑1124 (award of contracts for on‑call architecture and engineering consulting services; authorization for city manager to execute contracts): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote (aye).
- Resolution 1367‑1224 (establishing the Shelton Creative District): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote (aye).
- Ordinance 2028‑1224 (repeal of Chapter 5.32, licensing of for‑hire vehicles): motion moved and seconded; outcome: adopted by voice vote (aye).
- Appointment: Diane Zoren (Parks & Rec Advisory Committee, full 3‑year term): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.
- Appointment: Ted Killenen (Parks & Rec Advisory Committee, partial term): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

Mayor Nesco presided over the business agenda and each measure passed on unanimous voice votes recorded in the meeting transcript. No roll‑call tallies were entered in the minutes for these items.

City staff said the on‑call consultant list does not itself obligate spending; individual work orders and budget approvals will be required before contracts are executed. The creative district resolution supports an application process; staff noted certification from the state remains competitive and is not guaranteed.

The council meeting packet lists the formal titles and ordinance/resolution numbers; the city clerk read each measure into the record before votes.

—

(Provenance: transcript excerpts of staff presentations and motions are recorded in the meeting transcript where the MOA, on‑call contracts, creative district and ordinance repeal were introduced and approved.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - Jan. 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Shelton City Council on Monday approved a memorandum of agreement with WSU Extension for the Catalyst Park Demonstration Garden, authorized on‑call architecture and engineering contracts, adopted the proposed Shelton Creative District boundaries and repealed the city's for‑hire vehicle licensing requirement.","taxTitle","Shelton, Mason County, Washington","taxId",56703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377435,"Local shelter opens cold‑weather space; volunteers and donations requested",2550,646000,3196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139047-2464d1ef0f192d06e1f73247f8b6c71e&start=646&end=3196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139047-2464d1ef0f192d06e1f73247f8b6c71e/thumbnail_646000.jpg","/articles/6377435/Shelton/Mason-County/Washington/Local-shelter-opens-coldweather-space-volunteers-and-donations-requested","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377435-6c6f4974c0969695825446c622bfecb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775788705&Signature=FD7GyPXb3~A3mzM1LWJpx1Yx8Lr-5jeupUE1IJymmklwQi1dydVQyGI8K~vQ2Jj98~UWjmpxNoT1e6qFVV9wcLF4dGoJljIMQkDhulrZn129WYa8O~lnDLfJcngJtpgWsvdg0ktxvvFWVBBIkacVCsUDZhPexdIqgpZdt2A5Dn6ZgQnCyFdcXK6FLSuBE9qvVwbInf6UQeVUfqOTj0gHFR5iC7nVowEujZQNgJNEF-djdzSPcjrMQYOiLpW3GZymzpzURtq0YFyc01DtcamfVBZUU1LaHo63qy9gVb3L1l1B9khavQZ-QRGAkUAVVXeenW2kCSw46WszZy1euSOR-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative for a local shelter updated the Shelton City Council Monday that the facility has opened a cold‑weather shelter to keep people from freezing on nights when temperatures fall below freezing.

\"It is below freezing at night and during the day, and so we have added a cold weather shelter,\" Aaron Martimack said in public comment. He said staff have split coverage between upstairs and downstairs to keep the shelter open, and that \"we have had between 5‑10 people over the last four nights that have taken advantage of that.\" Martimack said dinner teams are coordinating evening meals and case managers are trying to staff the shelter during the day while conducting casework.

\"They're also allowing people to come in out of the cold during the day and feel supported and supervised. It's really important for us, for people, not to freeze outside. Right? That can cause death and dismemberment, but also to feel safe when they're inside,\" Martimack added.

Later in the meeting council members noted the shelter is seeking donations and volunteers. Staff and a councilor said the shelter has posted a list on its Facebook page asking for items including blankets, snacks and bottled water and is seeking volunteers for night‑shift and other duties.

No formal council action was taken on the update; the remarks were part of the public comment period. The presenter said he was \"always available and willing to communicate\" with council and thanked the city for its support.","A Shelton shelter representative told the city council the shelter has opened a cold‑weather space for people on nights below freezing, serving about five to 10 people per night in recent days. Staff and volunteers are coordinating meals and daytime supervision; the shelter is seeking donations and volunteers, per comments in the meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6377440,"Shelton finance report: estimated $6.7M fund balance, using over $1M of reserves as revenue lags expenses",385,1320000,1705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2139047-2464d1ef0f192d06e1f73247f8b6c71e&start=1320&end=1705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2139047-2464d1ef0f192d06e1f73247f8b6c71e/thumbnail_1320000.jpg","/articles/6377440/Shelton/Mason-County/Washington/Shelton-finance-report-estimated-67M-fund-balance-using-over-1M-of-reserves-as-revenue-lags-expenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6377440-5f2bb828354756e0acb87631149343c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775788705&Signature=Hi3eZsaPrXFNbAfyfeRAU-u5kO6SlH9vgPQvUj0M4FlTA1PzkncPdvNpv7YR32XOML38vRBD8hzk2jAb0YcJIEWkozu2MxVf8BqhnQAuYUKEqh7GoYXPX9LgyNeIn11Ncf4MiBCgMFsD3KHpEzmgWbx9vn~Lf2LvC~PgEtUebu71ecaRXc7EFhhuyJUqL3GYe~BXr1YaB0cZ4pbwpbM6ueHsAWGyh5LNWndYPds~AwPQ4eZRXeyf~WQYuchsyy5x7KMUC9AUfRy3y7rxLhcikak6iTatpdHyOdcqqYXxFPjVCa4ctwWx3khgIYpx12wbIW6r3LInZrNubPnzeAZ1Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff told the Shelton City Council on Monday that the city's estimated fund balance for November stood at about $6.7 million, with 20 percent earmarked as a policy reserve and more than $1 million of the remaining balance used to cover operations as revenues lagged ongoing expenses.

\"We have an estimated fund balance of just over $6,700,000, and I want to remind the council that 20% of that amount is reserved for policy,\" the staff member presenting the report said. The presenter added the city typically relies on the reserve to smooth cash flow between property tax collection cycles and to avoid short‑term borrowing.

The presenter (referred to in the meeting as Mr. Gibbons) said property tax receipts were about 5.5 percent below the adopted budget, a larger shortfall than the city's typical 3 percent variance. Offsetting that, sales tax was about 3.4 percent over budget and business & occupation tax collections were about 7.2 percent over budget. Building permits exceeded estimates by roughly $100,000, and plan review fees for engineering and community development were higher than budgeted.

The report showed a large percentage increase in a small \"miscellaneous revenue\" line (about 348 percent over budget), driven by higher investment interest, opioid settlement proceeds, proceeds from the sale of an abated property, and donations received by the police department. Staff described those items as largely one‑time or volatile revenue sources.

The presenter noted the fiscal year ends Dec. 31 and the city keeps the year open for 20 days to post late invoices; the November report is based on estimates prepared in December and will be refined in next month's year‑end statement.

On expenses, staff said they were running close to budget for November. The presenter warned that because the city already used more than $1 million of fund balance to balance 2024, the council should expect to discuss service levels and budget priorities this spring as departments prepare the 2026 budget.

Councilors asked about the rise in insurance costs. A council member asked, \"So Mr. Gibbons, we increased our insurance payout more than double in about three years. How much of that is actually that percentage going up ... and how much of it is price gouging?\" The presenter described the city's participation in a pooled insurance program and said replacement costs for buildings and higher liability exposures — particularly related to law enforcement — are driving higher premiums.

The presenter also noted the citywide vacancy rate was about 6.5 full‑time equivalents, with 3.5 of those vacancies in the general fund.

—

(Report to be finalized in next month's year‑end financial statements; staff recommended follow‑up discussions on service level priorities during the spring budget process.)","Staff presented the November financial report showing an estimated general fund balance of about $6.7 million with 20% reserved by policy. The city used more than $1 million of fund balance to cover 2024 operations; property tax receipts were about 5.5% below budget while sales and business taxes outperformed estimates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Shelton council adopts Catalyst Park MOA, on-call A/E contracts, creative district and repeals for‑hire vehicle license

Local shelter opens cold‑weather space; volunteers and donations requested

Shelton finance report: estimated $6.7M fund balance, using over $1M of reserves as revenue lags expenses