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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 - August NewsletterNewsletterNewsletter August 2016 A Note from the Mayor... Deborah StinsonMayor The relationship between city government and citizens is strengthened by transparency. Transparent flow of information into and out of the City is critical to building trust and equal access. This newsletter is one of the ways we reach out and inform you about City services and projects. Hearing from you about your concerns and priorities is also critical and influences the way we conduct business and make policy decisions. In 2015, the City was given a Key Award by the Coalition for Open Government for its contributions in promoting and defending the people’s right to know for its efforts in broadening citizen participation through eComment. This tool is intended to help focus citizen comment on items currently before council and provides for increased civic engagement in the democratic process through electronic media. One of the goals in implementing this and other new tools is transparency -- a way to hear from citizens and for citizens to see and comment on each other’s concerns. Aware that not everyone wants to receive or provide input in the same way, we maintain traditional modes of communication while investigating newer technologies to facilitate meaningful participation. For instance, we have recently begun exploring how social media might further improve the flow of information to and from citizens. We take seriously our compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act and strive to ensure citizens have searchable and open access to the City’s vital records. By law, we must also balance the public’s right to know with the public’s right to privacy and protect it from release. Getting records online and available to any citizen can be a challenge because not everyone is seeking the same information. The more documents that get posted, the harder it can be to find the one document you are seeking. Although we cannot put all City records on our website due to the sheer volume, we are able to provide one of the most robust collections of online data and tools in our region. Staff is available to assist whether you are looking for resources through the Library or seeking information on a building permit, recent laws or regulations, or what is pending before City Council. We will continue to work toward broadening citizen access to the workings of City government and to increasing options for you to provide your input and ideas. Your participation is appreciated! eComment A convenient method of participation is available for City meetings - eComment allows you to sign up and make comments on matters coming up for discussion and decision. See online Agendas and Packets at http://www.cityofpt.us/video.htm The Council or Planning Commission will receive your eComment as public testimony on agenda items before they discuss and/or deliberate on the topic. If there is a desire for more commentary than the designed space allows, or if you want to submit attach- ments, a link is provided under the comment form. While this feature gives you another way to voice your opinions about City Council issues, other options remain for reaching City Council: all meetings are open to the public and public comment is solicited at most meetings. City Council can be contacted by telephone, seen in-person during scheduled office hours or by appointment at City Hall, or correspondence through U.S. Mail or e-mail at citycouncil@cityofpt.us. All agenda packet materials are available online and City meetings are broadcast live over the Internet and through PTTV (Public Acess Cable Television). Archived videos, meeting materials, and minutes are accessible in a searchable archive. Council agendas are posted on the City website on Wednesday or Thursday of the week prior to the meeting. Find all meeting materials and the searchable archive under the City Council tab or link to the specific meeting off the Meeting Calendar on the home page. Contact the City Clerk’s office for more information or questions. 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us Purpose of this notification. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has determined that the City’s watershed control program does not meet current Department expectations for remaining a permitted unfiltered drinking water system. While water quality has not changed and exceeds standards, for regulatory purposes, the water system is considered to be out of treatment compliance. Chlorine disinfection continues to provide protection from microbial contaminants, which generally is more than adequate for safe drinking water treatment. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. What is being done? The City has chosen to build a membrane water filtration facility to meet federal drinking water treatment requirements. Work is underway on the new treatment building and the system is scheduled to be operating by October 2016. What should I do? This situation does not require that you take action, however people with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may want to seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA at http://water.epa.gov/aboutow/ogwdw/upload/2001_11_15_consum- er_crypto.pdf or the Safe Drinking Water Hot-line at 1 (800) 426-4791. Information is also available through the City’s web site http://www.cityofpt.us/water/ or from the Port Townsend Department of Water Quality (360-379-5001). This notice is being sent to you by the City of Port Townsend. State Water System ID#: 69000R. Date distributed: August 1, 2016. The Uptown Street Fair & Parade -- Saturday, August 20th Great local music, the Port Townsend Arts & Crafts Fair, the Jefferson County Farmers’ Market, tasty food on the street, free art activities for families and much more…Come hang out with your Uptown businesses and neighbors for the day at this colorful community event. The Arts and Crafts Fair and Farmer’s Market begin at 9am, children’s activities follow from 10am to 3pm and music from 10am to 5pm. The Uptown Pub is hosting an outdoor beer garden too. The “GRANDLY LOCAL PARADE” is at 2pm. Come make a day of it in historic, fun Uptown. www.ptmainstreet.org Celebrating 26 Years of Uplifting Fun in Uptown! Jefferson Transit is Recruiting for a Citizen Advisory Committee Jefferson Transit is soliciting applications from public-spirited citizens residing in Jefferson County who are willing to become involved, study the issues, and serve in an advisory capacity of Jefferson Transit’s governing board. The Authority Board will appoint 7 to 15 members comprised of a diverse representation of the County, who will meet approximately four times per year. Interested citizens can get an application by calling Jefferson Transit at 360-385-4777 ext. 1, or looking online at www.jeffersontransit.com. You can also pick up an application at the Maintenance and Administration building located at 63 4 Corners Rd, or the Haines Place Transit Center at 440 12th St. All applications must be mailed or hand delivered to Jefferson Transit, Attn: Laura Smedley, 63 4 Corners Rd, Port Townsend, WA 98368 before October 1, 2016, at 5:00 pm. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PORT TOWNSEND DRINKING WATERIMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PORT TOWNSEND DRINKING WATER 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us • In-library use only • Two hour check out period • Valid library card or driver’s license required for check out iPad DID YOU KNOW You can check out iPads at the library? Ask at the desk to learn more Starting August 1st, you can pay your utility bill with a credit or debit card using the City’s online payment partner Doxo. When you register for a paperless account you can view your bill, set up automatic payments or make a one-time payment from anywhere. There is a $3.95 fee for all transactions up to $500.00 or you can link to a checking account for free. Visit Doxo’s website at www.doxo.com/bill-pay/cityofpt to register today. Please Note: The Finance Department will not accept credit/debit payments in the office at this time but you can call 360-774-5008 to make a payment using the automated payment system. NEW! The water treatment facility (WTF) building has been closed in with windows and doors, and inside the sheetrock walls are in place. Electrical wire has been pulled through conduits including cables for the motor control centers (MCC’s), and the process room lighting is operational. Process equipment is in place with the rough in of large piping. And instrumentation and controls (I&C) have been bench tested at the factory. At the reservoir, the pre-stressing contractor is on site and should complete the pre-stressing wire wrap on the outside of the tank wall by early August followed by a coating of shotcrete. Interior baffles have been installed within the reservoir tank. A new paved trail along the east side of Rainier Street from Discovery Road to the intersection of Howard Street and 20th Street is open. From 15th Street north, an orange construction fence provides a safety divider to separate site construction traffic from the trail where they coincide. Pay Your Utility Bill Online with a Credit or Debit Card! The Port Townsend Public Library now offers iPads for check out! Contact the library to learn more: 385-3181, ptlibrary@cityofpt.us Capital Projects Update Water Treatment Facility 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us Construction to start soon on the Howard Street Extension I ProjectThe City has received construction bids for the Howard Street Extension I project. The apparent low bid is Seton Construction, Inc. from Port Townsend, WA. The project has not been awarded as the City is waiting for approval from funding agencies. The project scope will include construction of utilities (water, sewer, power and franchise), roadway and pedestrian and bicycle facilities along a re-aligned Howard Street from Sims Way to Discovery Road. There will be a roundabout located at the re-aligned Howard Street and Discovery Road intersection. Construction is scheduled to start late summer of 2016 and be complete by spring of 2017. For more information please visit the City’s website at www.cityofpt.us and click the link to Capital Projects/Map to access the Howard Street Extension I project page. Downtown Project Coming Soon The City was awarded State funds to repair and repave Water Street from Taylor Street to the ferry terminal and also for the replacement of existing ramps in order to comply with current ADA standards. The City has selected SCJ Alliance Consulting Services from Lacey, WA to perform the design for the project. Currently, the project is in the investigation stage, i.e. geotechnical boring, verification of subgrade, etc. Once the investigation is complete, design will begin late summer to early fall of 2016, with construction estimated to start the first of the year (2017). As the project moves forward more information can be obtained from the City’s website. Go to www.cityofpt.us and click the link to Capital Projects/Map to access the Water Street Overlay Project Taylor Street to the Ferry Terminal. Preparedness, Resiliency and Family Fun The fourth annual All County Picnic is Sunday, August 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at HJ Carroll Park in Chimacum. A free, all-ages, community celebration, the Picnic is designed to inspire preparedness and strengthen resiliency, as well as heighten awareness of local emergency resources throughout Jefferson County. Presented by Local 20/20, Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management, and Thunderbull Productions, the All County Picnic features live music, free corn on the cob, information booths, speakers and demonstrations, a play zone and group activities, food vendors and plenty of room to connect. New to this year's event: an "Earthquake Relay," which will include shucking 1000 ears of fresh corn, hauling water and communicating needs and information between neighborhoods, "All Hands on Deck," a Community Preparedness Forum with elected officials and emergency responders, and a dance party with local favorites, Uncle Funk and the Dope 6. To help fund this year's picnic, organizers are releasing a "Resilience" bandana designed by local artist Annalisa Barelli. The bandanas will be both beautiful and packed with information on how to prepare for a large scale emergency. They will be available on the day of the event for donations of $10 or more. “Talking about and preparing for disaster is difficult – it’s not something you want to discuss with your family, your neighbors – but it is crucial,” said Bob Hamlin, Director of the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management. “The beauty and the dichotomy of the All County Picnic is that we can have this difficult conversation in an environment that is fun, welcoming and supportive.” Mayor Deborah Stinson added, “Our citizens are our best resource in the event of an emergency. Each individual contributes different skills and abilities. Who has medical training? Who has a wood stove, a generator or other sources of light and heat that don’t require electricity? Who has engineering, mechanical or construction knowledge? Who has clean water and food storage? Identify these resources within your family and your neighborhood before a crisis. Have a plan to share with and care for one another.” Over 100 volunteers will stage more than 40 booths on Aug. 21—each designed to raise awareness about a different aspect of preparedness and resiliency. To learn more about All County Picnic and to sign up to volunteer visit allcountypicnic.com.