Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886

Commission Briefs

Contract amended for fire investigation services

Mason County commissioners amended an agreement between the city and the Mason County Fire Chiefs’ Association at its March 1 meeting.

According to the information packet, the scope of work includes “investigations into origin, cause, circumstances and extent of loss from fire whether of civil or criminal nature” and “to ensure cooperation among local fire districts, the state fire marshal and all state and county law enforcement and regulatory personnel.”

One of five criteria is needed for an investigation: loss of life or serious injury; serial arson activity; suspicious or negligent activity, odor of flammable liquids, multiple fire locations or evidence of force; and any structure fire that appears to exceed $10,000 as determined by an incident commander or commanding officer of the local fire district.

The fire investigation budget is $82,000 per year for the two-year contract. The budget breakdown per year includes $500 per year for eight-hour protecting evidence training, $4,000 for 40-hour investigation training, $9,000 for annual conferences for investigators and succession training and $8,500 for stand-by pay. Supplies’ and uniforms cost $4,000 per year, $6,000 is needed for supply kits, and labor is $50,000 per year.

County amends land purchasing contract with PUD 3

Mason County commissioners approved an amendment in the contract with Mason County PUD 3 in purchasing a parcel of land.

According to the information packet, commissioners approved the purchase of the property at 2201 W. Dayton Airport Road in September. The original price was $320,000 plus closing costs. After further negotiations, the price fell to $280,000, plus closing costs. The county will pay for the land using REED Special Fund No. 350.

County seeks website consultants

The county approved requests for proposals for consulting services for preparing a Shoreline Development website.

According to the information packet, the consulting services are for developing a Shoreline Master Program user guide with a focus on Common Line Mitigation Plan drafting. This will be located on the Mason County Shoreline Development website and linked to the county’s website. The website, user guide and revised shoreline application form will be made final no later than February 2023, and the county Department of Community Services is the coordinator for this project.

The purpose of the project is to improve compliance provisions of the Shoreline Master Program by increasing public accessibility and understanding of development regulations.

Proposals are due March 18 and the final selection for services will be selected March 28. The contract will be executed April 5. Questions can be directed to Mason County Senior Planner Marissa Watson at [email protected].

Olympic Health and Recovery Services signs LEAD contract

County commissioners approved a contract between Mason County and Olympic Health and Recovery Services for the Behavioral Health Agency of the Mason County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program.

According to the information packet, the program is coordinated by Mason County Community Services Public Health division. The contract is through June 30, 2023, and is for $700,000.

Public records software contract approved

Mason County commissioners approved a contract with GovQA for public records software.

According to the information packet, the county has received many

single- and multi-departmental records requests, and using the GovQA software will help manage and track the requests and could potentially mitigate litigations. The software would save the county time, money, ensure compliance, allow for quicker response times, streamline the request process and potentially reduce the number of requests.

The prorated cost for 2022 is $6,124.95 with a one-time hosting migration fee of $2,171 for a total of $8,295.95. The annual cost for the software is $10,500. The county will use American Rescue Plan Act money to pay for the contract.

Ecology issues permit for Rustlewood

The state Department of Ecology is now requiring a Nutrient General Permit for the Rustlewood wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

According to the information packet, the permit is in response to the Clean Water Act and federal rules for WWTP that marine discharges into the Puget Sound, which applies to 58 WWTPs.

The permit is for five years and it requires facilities to monitor wastewater for nutrient reductions and collect data to support potential water quality trading among facilities, optimize current treatment processes to remove as much nitrogen as possible and plan for future facility upgrades to control nutrients.

The state Department of Ecology is providing grant money. Mason County is eligible for $334,000. Operation staff is performing testing for future required Puget Sound Nutrient General Permits.

 

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