Public Notices

Improvements to Local Parks

The City of Olympia, Parks, Arts and Recreation department will be making improvements to several local area parks over the coming weeks. You may see construction activity but impacts are expected to be minimal with all parks facilities remaining open for use.

Kettle View Park New Shelter

A new 16ft X 21ft covered shelter will be built next to the existing restroom. Construction will begin late this week and is anticipated to be complete by the end of July. All park facilities will be open during the construction. The shelter site will be fenced off.

Priest Point Park Flora Vista Parking Lot Expansion

The existing parking lot will be expanded, adding 5 parking stalls, one of which will be an ADA stall. The expanded portion will be asphalt, as will the parking lot entrance. This work will be complete in the month of June. The parking lot and park entrance will remain open during construction but may have short term closures to accommodate specific work tasks such as the asphalt application work.

LBA Park Asphalt Overlay

Asphalt overlay work will include the northern portion of the existing southern parking lot off of Amhurst St. SE as well as the pathway from the playground up to the restrooms. The project will include stump and root removal and some asphalt base preparation. The project will be complete in the month of June. The entire park will remain open with minor closure areas.

All City offices including City Hall, Olympia Municipal Court, Olympia Probation Services, and The Olympia Center will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2013, in observance of Memorial Day.

City Services Provided

• Fire and Police Emergency Services:Call 9-1-1 for emergency police, fire and medic services.
• Free Parking: Customers shopping downtown are reminded that they do not need to pay the meter on City-recognized holidays.
• Parks Open:All forty Olympia Parks will be open from dawn to dusk.
• Public Works Emergencies:Citizens with a Public Works emergency (drinking water, wastewater, STEP alarms, or transportation) can call emergency dispatch at 360.753.8333.
• Organics WILL Be Collected:Regular collection services will be provided to residential and commercial customers.  Remember, crews may arrive earlier than normal on holidays, so set your cart out by 6:00 a.m. to ensure collection.

Intercity Transit

Intercity Transit will operate Sunday-level service on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. For more information please visit intercitytransit.comor call 360.786.1881

The Board of Mason County Commissioners is seeking applications from community members who are interested in serving on the Mason County Board of Equalization. Applicants must reside in Mason County.

The Board of Equalization is a three-member board appointed by the Mason County Commissioners.  One alternate member may also be selected.  The Board’s responsibility is to ensure that all property evaluations are at 100% of market value, so equitable tax assessment can be established. 

Taxpayers may appeal their assessments, including assessments of real and personal property, forest land, timber, and open space.  The Board also considers denial of senior citizen property tax exemptions.  Taxpayers can file a petition with the Board of Equalization and a hearing will be scheduled to present their appeal of their assessment.

 Depending on the number of appeals heard each year, the Board may meet up to two days a week, throughout the year. 

 As required by RCW 84.48.042, the successful applicant must attend training, provided  by the Washington State Department of Revenue, within one year of appointment or reappointment.

Interested citizens may obtain an application at the Mason County Commissioners’ Office, 411 North 5^th Street, Shelton, or by calling Shelton 360-427-9670, ext. 419; Belfair 360-275-4467, ext. 419; Elma 360-482-5269, ext. 419 or visit the Mason County website at www.co.mason.wa.us.  Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2013.

Expected to Begin: July 2013
Estimated project completion: September 2013

Drivers can expect one-way alternating traffic controlled by a signal on US 101 in the Purdy Canyon vicinity throughout the duration of the project. Excavation work will completely close the highway for 25 nights from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sundays to Thursdays. A 22-mile signed detour will be in place to direct northbound and southbound traffic along State Route 106 back to Hwy 101.

For more information go to WSDOT project page.

The Department of the Interior has announced the start of the 2013 "Share the Experience" contest, giving amateur photographers the chance to join the ranks of Ansel Adams, Thomas Moran, and others who have found recognition for their photographs of the nation's public lands.

 The "Share the Experience" photo contest showcases our nation's public lands, including national parks, wildlife refuges, forests and recreation areas - and draws entries from all across the United States. It is the largest national park and public land photo contest for amateur photographers.

 “Photography has the power to make the great outdoors accessible so that we all can see some of the most beautiful places in the world through the eyes of people like Ansel Adams,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. “This is a fun competition that helps strengthen the connection between Americans and their public lands, and I look forward to seeing the submissions from across the country.”

The Board of Commissioners for Central Mason Fire & EMS (Mason 5) will be holding the commission meetings on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of each month beginning June 5^th, 2013. The meetings are held at Station 58 located at 122 W Franklin St in Shelton. Meetings begin at 4:00 PM.

Mason General Hospital Foundation is partnering  with Salish Cliffs Golf Club to host the 2013 Quality Care Open Golf Tournament on Friday, June 28, 2013, at 91 W State Route 108, Shelton.  The Foundation’s annual tournament raises monies to purchase medical equipment for Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics, with this year’s proceeds to fund a new MRI Compatible IV Pump.

The day includes 18 holes of golf, outdoor dinner and entertainment, a putting contest, tee packs for each player, and team photos.  Five-player teams play in scramble format, with Registration at 8 a.m. and shotgun start at 10 a.m.  Over $5,000 in prizes will be awarded, plus a 50/50 cash prize for the putting contest.  There are two Hole-In-One grand prizes available - $10,000 cash, and a new car from Gillis Auto Center!    Last year MGH Foundation’s tournament raised over $70,000 in cash and in-kind donations from the community; the funds raised by the Quality care open stays in the community to purchase equipment for Mason General Hospital & Family of clinics.

Public comment requested on the scope of environmental review

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will hold four informational meetings on the proposed development of a long-term Marbled Murrelet Conservation Strategy for forested state trust lands in Western Washington. The meetings will take place June 5-19.

Once completed and adopted, the strategy will become an amendment to DNR’s State Trust Lands Habitat Conservation Plan.

At the meetings, DNR will provide information and gather input on the current proposal and the scope of environmental review. DNR and USFWS are conducting a joint environmental review process according to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

These meetings, and the associated comment period, represent the second phase of an expanded two-phase public scoping process that will help guide the development of a joint environmental impact statement for the strategy. Phase One scoping took place in 2012 and included public meetings and a comment period.

Phase Two Public Meetings: