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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-October 2015From Mayor David King October 2015 Thanks for the Thanks During my time in office, I have enlarged this mayor’s column in the utility bill as a way to share what I’ve been learning on the job. Many thanks for the numerous compliments for these efforts. But every Council is different and it is probably not reasonable to expect the next mayor to embrace this chore to the same degree. Even so, I hope that the opportunity to give detailed and factual information about City issues, which is what I’ve tried to do with the additional space, and have it come from the Mayor or other elected council members as opposed to staff, which has always been the case in this Mayor’s column, continues to be utilized by future Councils. Joining the Club – Former Mayor Here I am on a sunny day outside City Hall flanked by former mayors Brent Shirley and John Clise. Certainties in life are rare and good ones are precious. For the last four years I have been the next former mayor of Port Townsend. The new Council will elect two members to be the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor at their first meeting in 2016 and someone else becomes the next ex-Mayor. Brent and John were both directly elected mayors serving before we changed to a Council-Manager form of government in 1998. As I was not much involved in local politics back then I’ve no basis of comparison for my responsibilities relative to theirs, but I’ve been glad not to have operational responsibility over City staff and to rely on our City Manager to run the place. Roberts Rules are quite restrictive about an executive’s participation as the chair of meetings, but without executive authority the weak PT Mayor is able to fully participate as a Council Member at meetings. And as both the strong and weak mayor positions are part-time jobs I’ve had more time to take on particular issues since I don’t have operational responsibilities. Finally, City Council always retains final authority. The mayor recommends board and committee appointments for instance but Council has the final say and can override the Mayor at any time. I have taken great comfort and strength from being an equal member of a diligent and dedicated City Council. As long as I’m on the subject … The Other David A 2011 IBM study entitled Smarter, Faster, Cheaper - An Operations Efficiency Benchmarking Study of 100 American Cities found that “Cities with city manager forms of government are nearly 10% more efficient that cities with strong mayor forms of government.” And that’s just the operational impact. From the improved F Street in 2000 to Howard Street this year, from the Maritime Center and waterfront improvements to the collaboration with the Port that has preserved and reimagined our working waterfront, from having a PDA ready to work with State Parks at Fort Worden to establishing Mountain View as a hub of community service, from sidewalks to sidewalks to sidewalks, our Council- Manager combination has been able to implement major physical and institutional improvements that I don’t believe would have been possible under elected mayors more subject to our changeable political climate. And though many improvements have collaterally benefited tourism, local benefits have always been the driving force at Council. It requires creativity to live and work in this hinterland as we do, and most of us have made a conscious choice to adapt for the privilege. Our City Manager, David Timmons, is one of most creative people I’ve had the pleasure to work with. Even those who have clashed with David in his vigorous defense of City interests acknowledge the exceptional skill and imagination he brings to address City needs and aspirations. As it is one of the things I’ve examined in detail during my time as Mayor I also know that he and our exceptional staff have been able to leverage the ratio of local to state and federal funds for capital projects to as much as 4:1 in some cases – thus keeping local tax and fee impacts modest. Helping to create an enduring legacy of major capital and institutional improvements that will be with us long after both Davids are gone has been my greatest pleasure at Council and as Mayor. Next for Me Though I’ve still got several months to go on my term I have already been asked what I will do after I'm no longer Mayor. I have no specific plans as yet, but I will probably do as I have always done and associate myself with a group of people I admire who are engaged in an activity I want to support - and try to live up to their expectations. Just maybe not 9,000 of you at once. The Sims Way Banner is a popular way for local organizations to promote their upcoming event. One banner is displayed for one week at a time during the months of March through Octo- ber. Beginning on the first business day after January 1 of each year, reservations will be accepted on a first-come-first served basis. Please utilize the scheduling procedures outlined below: Call the City Administration office 360-379-5047 or come by the office at 250 Madison Street, Suite 2 and ask if your preferred week for display of your banner is available If your date is available, you will be added to the schedule as tentative for the date. Your reservation becomes confirmed when City Administra- tion receives your completed permit application and re- quired fees. Your application and fees must be received within 10 business days after City Administration advis- es you that your requested week is available, or your reser- vation will be canceled and the date will become available to others. The Sims Way Banner Permit Application, and list of fees, is available on the City website by accessing Forms/Sims Way Banner. SIMS WAY BANNER PROGRAM Get Involved in the Update! Planning Commission Assessment now under discussion. At- tend Planning Commission meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays each month in Council Chambers beginning at 6:30 p.m. All meetings streamed live and links to all agendas, minutes and meeting videos at http://cityofpt.us/dsd/compplan.html or send comments via email to: 2016Update@cityofpt.us City Council Business meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month. Study sessions are scheduled for the second Monday. All City Council meetings and study ses- sions are held at 6:30 p.m. in the second floor Council Chambers of Historic City Hall, 540 Water Street, Port Townsend. Meetings and study sessions are recorded and webstreamed live. The meeting archive is accessible on the City website. Meetings are also televised on PTTV Channel 48 per their published schedule. City Council Budget Discussion Schedule October 5 Business Meeting City Manager provides Current 2015 Revenue Estimates and Pro- jected 2016 Revenue Estimates October 12 Workshop 2016 Budget Discussion and pro- posed Revisions to Financial Poli- cies November 2 Business Meeting Discuss proposed budget November 9 Special Meeting Public Hearing/First Reading— Property Tax Levy Public Hearing/First Reading—2016 Budget Public Hearing—2015 Supple- mental Budget December 7 Business Meeting 2016 Budget Adoption and 2015 Final Supplemental Budget Adop- tion Schedule subject to change. See calendar at www.cityofpt.us October 2015 Port Townsend Water Resources Update Rainfall during the past month has extended the operational use of Lords Lake reservoir by approximately three weeks. However, stream flows remain low and we are continuing to draw down Lords Lake reservoir. Port Townsend Paper Corporation has scheduled plant maintenance for the beginning of October, which will help to temporarily reduce water de- mand. Stage 1 of the Drought Contingency Response Plan mandating alternate day outdoor water- ing restrictions is still in effect. Even numbered addresses are allowed to water on even numbered days and odd numbered addresses may water on odd numbered days. Water Supply Information and Drought Response Plan details are available at www.cityofpt.us - - - - - - - - Capital Projects Update - - - - - - - For current information on our construction projects please visit the City of Port Townsend website www.cityofpt.us and click on CURRENT PROJECTS Work is underway on the Water Treatment Facility which is located adjacent to the City’s existing reservoir tank and standpipe near the intersection of 20th Street and Howard Street. The Site Work and Offsite Utilities contractor began clearing the site in August and is now in the process of installing water, sewer and electrical utilities that will support the new facilities. At the same time, the ground at the building area is being raised and leveled in preparation for a second contractor to start work on the building and a new 5 million gallon reservoir. Although somewhat remote, several popular trails trav- erse the site and have been detoured to provide a safe environment for bicyclists and walkers who otherwise would be exposed to heavy construction equipment. The Sheridan Street Sidewalk and Crossing Improvement project has begun, utilizing a Safe Routes to School grant through the Washington State Department of Transpor- tation. The City will be installing new sidewalks on both sides of Sheridan Street from 15th to 19th, along with connections to Grant Street School on 16th and 17th Street. During the fall there will be construction impacts that may affect drop off locations for parents bringing their children to school. Such areas will be clearly marked with construction signs marking areas that are closed, along with traffic lane rerouting. Bicy- cle safety education and a safety fair were held to teach students about safety. Work thus far has included pavement saw cutting, removal of vegetation and the installation of one new catch basin. Within the next two weeks the contractor plans to complete the installation of the stormwater drainage pipe and catch basins. PORT TOWNSEND MAIN STREET FALL HUD LOAN APPLICATION DEADLINE OCTOBER 30, 2015 Low Interest Loans Available to Rehab Commercial Buildings in Port Townsend’s Commercial Historic Districts Loan amounts may be between $1,000 to $40,000 with a ten-year term. Interest charges are set at 5%, but with early re- payment, your interest could be as low as 0%. The Port Townsend Main Street Program has coordinated the HUD Loan Committee since 1986. For more information contact the office at (360)385-7911 or email director@ptmainstreet.org Friends of the Port Townsend Library USED BOOK SALE Saturday, October 10, 2015 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (8:00 a.m. entry for Friends Members) At the Port Townsend Community Center Fall Reading! Treasures! Holiday Ideas! Port Townsend Main Street’s 21st Annual DOWNTOWN TRICK OR TREAT & COSTUME PARADE On Halloween--Saturday, October 31, 2015 Parade at @ 4:00 pm followed by Trick or Treating Participants must be accompanied by an adult PLEASE NOTE: WATER STREET will be CLOSED from Madison St. to Polk St. from 3:15-5:30 pm. Www.ptmainstreet.org October is a special month at the Port Townsend Public Library as October 14th is the Carnegie Library’s birthday! This year the library will turn 102 years old and to celebrate, the library has part- nered with Northwind Art Gallery to have a juried art show with the theme of Carnegie libraries. Local artist Max Grover will jury the show that opens on Friday, October 9 th at 6:00 pm at the li- brary with birthday themed refreshments. As Andrew Carnegie once said, “A library outranks any other thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is the never failing spring in the desert.” We continue to carry Mr. Carnegie’s beautiful legacy as the “never failing spring” for our communi- ty and hope that you all will come and see great art and celebrate the Library’s birthday. To help raise awareness about those struggling with mental ill- ness, the local affiliate of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Ill- ness) will sponsor a FREE Show- ing of Hidden Pictures by Delaney Ruston who grew up in the shadow of her dad’s schizophrenia. The award-winning film travels to 6 countries to explore the hidden struggles faced by the 450 million people living with mental illness worldwide. For more info call 385- 1716. FREE Showing of Hidden Pictures Sunday Oct. 18 at NOON at the Rose Theatre Doors open 11:30 – Door Prizes! Recruiting Volunteers to Advo- cate for Children! You can make a difference in the life of an abused and neglected child by learning to advocate in court and in the community to increase the chances that children can have a safe and permanent family. The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Pro- gram, a division of Jefferson County Juvenile and Family Court, is looking for volunteers to join its next inten- sive training, starting October 21st. Applications are due by October 14th. Website and application: http:// JeffersonCountyGAL.org/ Call 360-385-9190 with questions. Smile Mobile coming to Port Townsend Full Service Mobile Dental Clinic coming to Port Townsend in No- vember. Call now for appointments 1.888.286.9105 For dental exams and treatment for children and teens to 19 years old. Operated by WA Dental Service Foundation in partnership with Seat- tle Children’s Hospital and Jefferson County Public Health. Accepts Apple Health, sliding scale. No child turned away due to inability to pay.