Shelton updates dozens of capital projects including wastewater backup design, reservoirs and a proposed Crosstown Trail design

Public Works staff briefed the Shelton City Council at the July 22 study session on a suite of capital projects and near-term actions affecting water, sewer, streets, parks and public safety.

On wastewater, staff said design for a backup disinfection system to supplement the plant’s ultraviolet (UV) treatment is complete. "This design is gonna allow us to do...an alternative system" using peracetic acid dosing, Public Works staff said, and the city is discussing the proposal with the Washington State Department of Ecology for acceptance. Staff said the design was funded, but construction will require additional funding if the system is approved by regulators.

Staff also updated the council on inflow and infiltration mitigation work to reduce storm-driven spikes at the wastewater plant and on a planned slack-tank storage upgrade. The membrane treatment (MBR) plant design is nearing the bid phase, with permits and a mitigation plan already completed after biology and habitat work to protect a locally noted pocket-gopher habitat.

On drinking water, staff described a technical, near-complete design for a booster pump station in the Angleside pressure zone to maintain service pressure during fire events and heavy use, and longer-term plans for an Upper Angleside reservoir to provide additional gravity storage. Separately the city said the legislature approved $550,000 for design of a Mountain View reservoir estimated at roughly 1.5–2.0 million gallons.

Staff said funding from state and federal sources and grant partnerships — including interest from oyster growers, the Department of Health and tribal partners — has helped advance designs for water- and shellfish-protection projects. Staff noted an earlier $150,000 design grant for a backup membrane capability and said the tribe has been supportive of habitat restoration connected to sewer-line relocation work on Goldsboro Creek.

On transportation and trails, staff said the Crosstown Trail will be designed in two components; rail removal costs proved higher than preliminary estimates and the city paused immediate removal. The council was told the city has nearly $475,000 in combined grants to complete final design for the entire trail corridor from Wall Street Land to Highway 101 and to the marina. Staff said design kickoff is expected within weeks and that the full trail will require additional grant-funded construction in future years.

Staff reported progress on downtown street-tree and sidewalk work, noting trees purchased and a street-tree project intended as a safety and streetscape improvement; a capital allocation of $200,000 for downtown repairs is available if bids require supplementation. Staff also reported a recent paving operation in Mountain View that placed roughly 1,300 tons of asphalt over two days with county assistance.

Other items included a civic-center secure parking and access project with automated gates and Genetec camera and access-control systems, Olympic Highway North reconstruction design tied to federal/state funds and a systemic pedestrian-improvements project that will add flashing beacons and upgraded curb ramps. Staff warned that many existing ramps along reconstruction corridors are not compliant and will require replacement during roadway work.

Staff told the council the city will bid a membrane-tank project in August, continue design for Angleside projects with a bid target in the fall, and pursue grant funding for trail and habitat-linked restoration work. Several council members asked for continued coordination with the tribe and emphasized protecting water quality for shellfish harvests.

Ending: Most items in the capital update were informational and require future design approvals, bid awards and funding decisions. Staff listed next steps and expected bid schedules and asked council to consider grant and budget opportunities as construction phases approach.