Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce
Government Affairs Committee
February 2010 minutes
At the request of several downtown business owners, the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) invited City of Shelton Police Chief Terry Davenport to provide an update on downtown parking issues at its February 2 meeting. Mayor John Tarrant also joined Chief Davenport for the conversation. Several areas were discussed:
A lawsuit is pending and may have implications for parking at Evergreen Square
The city officer responsible for writing parking violations will retire this year; after April there will be only part time coverage of parking infractions
Guest Colleen Hunter reported that some Railroad Avenue business owners were being adversely impacted by the current practice of having vehicles towed when they are illegally parked in the leased parking spaces.
While signage is noticeable from one angle, it is not from all angles – and old habits die hard. After 40 years or so of being able to park anywhere in Evergreen Square, long-time residents aren’t catching on quickly to the new parking restrictions.
A suggestion was made that, since Evergreen Square is never actually full, perhaps the city could employ a sticker system – anyone with a sticker could park in Evergreen Square for an unlimited period of time, although a space would not be specifically reserved for that vehicle.
Other thoughts were shared, including resurrecting the downtown plan which included diagonal parking.
Some businesses rely heavily on the parking restrictions being in place, to prevent others parking all day in front of their retail location. These businesses asked that some parking enforcement, particularly less predictable than currently, be maintained.
Chief Davenport thanked the group for their feedback and promised to take it under advisement.
In an apt illustration of just how quickly potential development projects can change, Matt Matayoshi, Mason County Economic Development Council executive director, was invited to provide a briefing on the proposed racetrack in the Eells Hill Road area outside of Shelton. By the time the GAC meeting occurred, the proposal had died, but Matt explained the several steps that were required to move such a proposal and asked for the Chamber’s help in modifying a noise ordinance that would prevent any future proposals from being realized anywhere in Mason County. This was met with agreement from the GAC.
Chair Patti Case explained that this was an example of a broader effort the Chamber GAC should embrace, to promote a friendlier business environment in Mason County. The GAC needs to work with EDC and others, and to be proactive in seeking out these impediments and correcting them before they scare off those interested in development.
Case also reported that a subcommittee of the GAC met to discuss a Regional Infrastructure Partnership (RIP) to prioritize and advocate for infrastructure funding. RIP would include city, county and other municipal governments as needed, as well as the Economic Development Council and other non-governmental organizations. Next steps are to interview governmental entities to see what prioritization strategies are currently being used and how to appropriately organize for advocacy.
Chamber Executive Director Terri Jeffreys reported that she and Chair Case attended the City Commission meeting February 1 and Case spoke in support of signing the interlocal agreement between the City, the Port of Shelton and PUD #3 for a water line to serve the Johns Prairie industrial area and the new PUD facility. This line would also serve the proposed Adage bioenergy facility on Johns Prairie. Case will attend the PUD #3 and Port of Shelton Commission meetings as well, to voice support.
Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce
Government Affairs Committee
February 2010 Report
Downtown Parking
“I wish we had a downtown parking problem,” said one business owner recently as she lamented cars being towed for overstaying their welcome at Evergreen Square. With Evergreen Square leased parking in question pending legal action, the City’s parking enforcement officer retiring in April and not being replaced due to budget cuts, and downtown business owners at odds over how parking should be handled, the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) invited City of Shelton Police Chief Terry Davenport to provide an update on downtown parking issues at its February 2 meeting. Mayor John Tarrant also joined Chief Davenport for the conversation.
Many downtown businesses are struggling, yet some business owners, even retailers, think nothing of parking in front of their own or other retail businesses – all day long. Sad, when there are so many alternatives. Here are some, offered by various downtown business owners:
1. If you’re parking all day, walk a couple of blocks. Both Cedar Street and Grove Street offer unlimited parking, with the added bonus of getting a little fresh air and exercise. Raining? Buy an umbrella – there are a couple downtown stores that carry them! Too dark? Bring a flashlight. See something or someone suspicious? We have an excellent police department in Shelton that’s just a phone call away.
2. Don’t want to park so far from work? Call the City of Shelton, which has monthly reserved parking available for a very reasonable rate. It’s convenient, unlike those tourist towns that provide parking a mile or so from the retail core.
3. Get out of the ‘move-every-two-hours’ rat race. It just can’t be good for productivity, and by the time you do that three or four times a day, you could have saved effort by parking once a day, two blocks away!
4. Thank a downtown business person by buying locally. Those store owners are paying for our blocks of on-street parking through their property taxes. In addition, businesses within the city limits get to pay business and occupation taxes, which also go to help run city government. They’re doing their part to keep Shelton vibrant – so please, do yours as well.
Proactive regulatory change
Matt Matayoshi, Mason County Economic Development Council executive director, was invited to provide a briefing on the proposed racetrack in the Eells Hill Road area outside of Shelton. By the time the GAC meeting occurred, the proposal had died, but Matt explained the several steps that were required to move such a proposal and asked for the Chamber’s help in modifying a noise ordinance that would prevent any future proposals from being realized anywhere in Mason County. While a track might not be desirable in some areas of the county, other sites should be considered.
This is just one example of an area where the Chamber GAC will work with EDC to improve regulations for a more friendly business environment. The Governmental Affairs Committee is committed to trying to rectify these issues before they scare off development. Have others? We’d love to hear – and help. Contact GAC Chair Patti Case, pcase@greendiamond.com, or 427-4733, to discuss your issues.
Setting infrastructure priorities
A subcommittee of the GAC met to discuss a Regional Infrastructure Partnership (RIP) to prioritize and advocate for infrastructure funding. RIP would include city, county and other municipal governments as needed, as well as the Economic Development Council and other non-governmental organizations. Next steps are to interview governmental entities to see what prioritization strategies are currently being used and how to appropriately organize for advocacy.
Advocating for business
A February APB went out to Chamber members asking their help in contacting local legislators and asking them to pressure leadership to hear a bill which would make modest changes to contain costs in the state’s workers compensation program. Unfortunately, the bill has not been heard. Instead, legislators are chasing taxes, fees and other revenue generating ideas to close the $2.8 billion gap in state spending. It is not too late: Contact your legislator today to ask them to be as ruthless as you’ve had to be in cutting costs!
Your Chamber also spoke in support of signing the interlocal agreement between the City of Shelton, Port of Shelton and PUD #3 for a water line to serve the Johns Prairie industrial area and the new PUD facility. This line would also serve the proposed Adage bioenergy facility on Johns Prairie. Members of all three commissions thanked the Chamber for speaking out.