Shelton council approves comp‑plan contract amendment, advances zoning, creative‑district and other items to later agendas

The Shelton City Council on Tuesday approved a contract amendment to add a Commerce‑funded climate preparedness element to the city’s comprehensive plan and advanced multiple ordinances, reappointments and agreements to future meeting agendas.

The council unanimously approved Resolution 1365‑1224 authorizing a contract amendment with the city’s comp‑plan consultant so staff can incorporate a new climate preparedness element required by recent state law (HB 1181) and funded in part by a $150,000 Commerce grant. Jay Hill, the city’s community and economic development director, said the work will fold hazard‑mitigation material from Mason County into the plan and produce a draft for council review between June and September 2025.

Why it matters: HB 1181 requires cities to add climate considerations to planning documents; for Shelton, staff said the amendment will look at drought, flooding, wildfire and related preparedness and mitigation and integrate policies into the comp plan rather than create a standalone item.

In related business, the council advanced several items for further action: an overhaul of the zoning permitted‑uses matrix (Ordinance 2025‑0924) was placed on the March 18 action agenda after a council discussion about how the change interacts with existing traffic‑impact fee schedules; a resolution to establish a downtown creative district (Resolution 1367‑1224) was forwarded to the Jan. 21 agenda so organizers can complete an application to the Washington State Arts Commission; and the city moved to forward a memorandum of agreement with WSU Cooperative Extension regarding the Catalyst Park community garden (Resolution 1357‑1124) to Jan. 21 for final consideration.

Other forwardings included a proposed on‑call roster for architectural/engineering and other professional services (Resolution 1363‑1124) designed to let staff issue work orders to pre‑qualified firms, and an ordinance to repeal the city’s licensing chapter for for‑hire vehicles (Ordinance 2028‑1224) so vehicle/driver licensing would instead be handled through the Washington State Department of Licensing.

What council members said: Deputy Mayor Mary Sherman moved the motion that approved the comp‑plan amendment and led several of the forwarding motions. Community and economic development director Jay Hill described the creative‑district resolution as “support[ing] an application” and said the proposed district boundaries are shown in an exhibit in the packet. Aaron Nicks, who presented the proposed on‑call roster, said the city solicited statements of qualifications, reviewed 67 submittals across 15 specialties and is asking council to allow the city manager to execute contracts with the firms identified so staff can use a work‑order system when projects arise.

Public comment and other items: Three residents spoke during general public comment. Melissa Moore offered to partner with the city on community work; Karen Salapka urged faster removal of vehicles stored at the animal control yard and proposed a short‑term “checkout” form so volunteers can take dogs to meet‑and‑greets; and Erin Martenack described the staffing and grant structure of a local shelter, saying, “We are run by a skeleton staff right now.” The council also performed a ceremonial swearing‑in of Jeremy Green as a new police officer.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (vouchers and routine minutes/resolutions including Resolution 1358‑1124 accepting a MACeCom lease): Approved by voice vote; motion by Deputy Mayor Mary Sherman; motion carried.

- Resolution 1365‑1224 — Authorize contract amendment to incorporate Commerce grant for the comprehensive plan (SCJ contract amendment): Approved by voice vote; motion by Deputy Mayor Mary Sherman; motion carried.

- Ordinance 2025‑0924 — Amend Shelton Municipal Code chapter 20.06 (permitted uses matrix): Placed on the March 18, 2025 action agenda for further consideration; motion carried.

- Resolution 1367‑1224 — Establish creative district boundaries and support application to Washington State Arts Commission: Forwarded to Jan. 21, 2025 action agenda for further consideration; motion carried.

- Resolution 1363‑1124 — Authorize on‑call roster/authority for A&E and related professional services (no spending authorized by the resolution itself): Forwarded to Jan. 21, 2025 action agenda for further consideration; motion carried.

- Resolution 1357‑1124 — Accept revised memorandum of agreement with WSU Cooperative Extension (Catalyst Park community garden MOA): Forwarded to Jan. 21, 2025 action agenda for further consideration; motion carried.

- Ordinance 2028‑1224 — Repeal chapter 5.32 (for‑hire vehicle licensing): Forwarded to Jan. 21, 2025 action agenda for further consideration; motion carried.

How the decisions were reached: Most items were advanced by motion and voice vote with no roll‑call tallies recorded in the transcript. Where staff recommended final action at a later meeting, council directed items to the Jan. 21 or March 18 agendas to allow time for final review and any required state review (the zoning ordinance carries a 60‑day review requirement by the Washington State Department of Commerce).

Key clarifications and details

- The comprehensive plan amendment is funded in part by a $150,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce; staff said they expect a draft comp‑plan update between June and September 2025.

- The WSU Cooperative Extension demonstration garden at Catalyst Park is at 909 South 8th Street; staff noted WSU covers utilities and structure maintenance for their program while the city handles general outside maintenance and the onsite portable restroom.

- The proposed on‑call consultant roster process drew 23 firms and 67 statements of qualifications across 15 specialty categories; staff emphasized selection for the roster is qualifications‑based, not cost‑based, and individual work orders will include cost estimates and be subject to existing signing authorities and budget availability.

- The zoning permitted‑uses overhaul groups many specific enumerated uses into broader occupancy‑based categories; staff said the change is intended to simplify the code and make it easier for businesses and staff to interpret permitted uses, while noting traffic‑impact fee calculations remain separate and more detailed in the fee schedule.

What’s next: The council scheduled a study session on Jan. 14 and its next regular meeting for Jan. 21, 2025, where several of the forwarded items will appear on the consent or action agendas. The zoning ordinance must complete a 60‑day Commerce review before final adoption, placing its earliest possible final action on or after the March 18 meeting.

Ending note: Council members closed the Jan. 7 meeting after brief manager and council remarks and encouragements to participate in upcoming downtown events such as the Feb. 22 art stroll.