Shelton City Council approves crisis responder contract and settlement with lawsuit plaintiff

The Shelton City Council meeting on March 4, 2025, focused on two significant topics: the hiring of a designated crisis responder and a settlement agreement related to a civil rights lawsuit.

During the meeting, it was announced that the city has successfully hired a new designated crisis responder to work with the Shelton Police Department. This position, which had been vacant since September 2023, was filled through funding from a grant provided by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA) and the Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization. The city will provide office space and access to the police department, while all salaries and wages will be covered by the grant, resulting in no cost to the city.

The council voted to place the contracts for these services on the consent agenda for the upcoming March 18 meeting, with all members expressing support for the initiative.

Additionally, the council addressed a settlement agreement regarding a lawsuit filed by the Northwest Justice Project on behalf of a tenant, Ms. Ingalls. The lawsuit claimed a violation of residential landlord-tenant law after the Shelton Police Department assisted in removing her from transitional housing. The city’s insurance authority has assigned legal representation, and the proposed settlement aims to resolve the case without further litigation. The council discussed the implications of the settlement, which includes a consent decree that prevents the city from enforcing landlord-tenant laws without a court order.

The resolution to authorize the settlement agreement was also placed on the action agenda, with the city manager providing details and answering questions from council members. The council is eager to resolve this matter swiftly to move forward.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the city’s commitment to enhancing mental health services and addressing legal challenges effectively.