Shelton council forwards fencing and UPS projects, approves Genetec security contract and advances code changes to Sept. 2

The Shelton City Council on Aug. 19 moved a package of safety, facilities and administrative items toward final action while adopting a contract to install a new security system at the Civic Center.

Council members voted to forward a resolution awarding a secure fencing project to Universal Time Holdings Northwest LLC for formal consideration at the council's Sept. 2 meeting, to place a purchase to replace the Civic Center's uninterrupted power supply (UPS) on the Sept. 2 action agenda, and to place an ordinance that would add delegated signing authority for the city manager on the Sept. 2 action agenda. The council also voted to repeal an earlier signing-authority resolution and to forward an annexation ordinance for final consideration. Separately, the council adopted a resolution to contract with Genetec for security programming, commissioning and testing for the Civic Center security project.

The council heard from Assistant Public Works Director Aaron Nance on two capital items. Nance said the secure-fencing project went out to bid Aug. 5 with an engineer's estimate of about $491,000 and a low bid of $393,199. He told the council staff has confirmed grant funding and budgeted money are available for the work and asked the council to place the resolution (1393-0725) on the Sept. 2 action agenda; a motion to do so carried on an audible unanimous vote.

Nance also described the UPS replacement for the Civic Center. He said staff budgeted about $80,000, spent roughly $15,000 for design, and received a state-roster price from Presidio of about $113,000, creating a shortfall staff plans to cover with a supplemental budget or facility funds. The council voted to place the UPS replacement resolution (1396-0725) on the Sept. 2 action agenda; the motion carried.

On the security-software side, the council adopted resolution 1392-0725 to authorize the city manager to execute an agreement with CSA for Genetec programming and commissioning of the security system. Assistant Public Works staff said the Genetec work (about $59,000) is timed to follow physical construction so wiring and cameras can be commissioned and staff trained; the council voted to adopt the resolution and the motion carried.

On administrative changes, City Manager Mark presented draft ordinance 2031-0725, which would add a section to the municipal code delegating contract signing authority to the city manager for amounts under $50,000 and would repeal older, redundant code (including section 2.06). Staff also presented resolution 1394-0725 to repeal an older resolution that set signing authority at $30,000. Councilmembers voted to place the ordinance and the repeal resolution on the Sept. 2 action agenda for further consideration.

Other action items the council advanced included an annexation ordinance (2030-0625) for a 2.5-acre residential parcel within the Urban Growth Area and the Shelton Arts Commission's recommendation to install a rotating art exhibit in the Civic Center; the arts placement motion was approved during the meeting.

Councilmembers did not record roll-call tallies during the motions; each procedural motion passed after the mayor called for "aye" and no opposition was voiced. The council set final consideration of the fencing, UPS and code changes for its Sept. 2 meeting.

Votes at a glance:

- Resolution 1393-0725 (secure fencing project to Universal Time Holdings NW LLC) ' Motion: forward to Sept. 2 action agenda; Outcome: motion carried (forwarded for action).

- Resolution 1396-0725 (replace uninterrupted power supply at Civic Center; purchase services agreement 25-015-CSA and PO 25-038) ' Motion: forward to Sept. 2 action agenda; Outcome: motion carried (forwarded for action).

- Ordinance 2031-0725 (amend Shelton Municipal Code to add city manager signing authority, repeal redundant sections) ' Motion: place on Sept. 2 action agenda (first consideration); Outcome: motion carried (forwarded for action).

- Resolution 1394-0725 (repeal resolution 1170-0820 that set signing authority to $30,000) ' Motion: place on Sept. 2 action agenda; Outcome: motion carried (forwarded for action).

- Ordinance 2030-0625 (annexation of a 2.5-acre parcel located inside the UGA) ' Motion: place on Sept. 2 action agenda; Outcome: motion carried (forwarded for action).

- Resolution 1392-0725 (Genetec security programming, commissioning, testing) ' Motion: adopt resolution as written; Outcome: approved.

- Shelton Arts Commission rotating gallery placement ' Motion: approve recommended artists and placement; Outcome: approved.

The council scheduled votes and final ordinance readings for Sept. 2 and instructed staff to return with final contracts and any supplemental budget requests needed to cover cost gaps.

Ending: Councilmembers said the security and UPS work are critical to officer and public safety and to 911 operations; staff emphasized they will notify nearby residents about construction and post message boards before work begins.