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Shelton council forwards compost procurement ordinance to Oct. 21 meeting after staff presentation on state requirements
Summary
Council heard a staff presentation about a proposed amendment to Shelton Municipal Code adding a compost procurement requirement tied to state law and voted to place Ordinance 2033-0825 on the Oct. 21 action agenda for further consideration.
Shelton City Council on Oct. 7 voted to move an ordinance that would add a compost procurement requirement to the city code to its Oct. 21 action agenda after a staff presentation on related Washington state requirements.
The ordinance, introduced as Ordinance 2033-0825, would amend Chapter 8.08 of the Shelton Municipal Code to require city departments to evaluate and, when feasible, use locally produced compost in specified city projects where compost is appropriate. City staff said the proposal implements requirements tied to state law and is written to include commonsense exemptions.
The presentation described the state legislative background and implementation details. The presenter (staff) told the council the enabling legislation "requires the city to evaluate whether compost can be used in specific city projects" and that, "when compost can be utilized, city departments shall purchase compost for city projects," while also noting there are several specific exemptions, including availability, quality standards, and reasonable price.
Mary (city clerk) read the ordinance title into the record as "An ordinance of the City of Shelton, Washington amending chapter 8.08 of the Shelton Municipal Code to add a compost procurement requirement in compliance with RCW 43.19A.015 and RCW 43.19A.012." Following the reading, a council member moved and a second was made to place the ordinance on the action agenda for Oct. 21; the motion passed on a voice vote.
Staff emphasized reporting and education requirements that would accompany the ordinance if adopted. The presenter said public works must report annually, by March 31, on (1) total tons of organic material diverted from the city and sent for processing, (2) facilities used for processing, and (3) the volume and cost of compost purchased and its source(s). The presenter also noted the requirement includes an outreach component coordinated with local partners to explain the value and appropriate uses of compost and to align with existing stormwater permitting outreach.
Council and staff discussed practical limits included in the draft: exemptions when certified, quality-compliant compost is not available, when price is not reasonable or competitive, or when compost products do not meet applicable health, safety or procurement standards. The presenter stressed the ordinance is intended to be "reasonable and a fiscally sound decision," not an unfunded mandate.
The ordinance will return to council on Oct. 21 for further consideration; no final adoption vote occurred on Oct. 7.
The council did not record a roll-call tally on the motion to forward; the clerk announced the motion carried after a voice vote.
