HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 February NewsletterNewsletterNewsletter
February 2017
A Note from the Mayor:
,
We looked forward to 2017 in last month’s newsletter through our adopted annual
budget. That perspective showed how we plan to pay for all that needs to be done.
What it did not show is the breadth and depth of projects coming our way. Suce it
to say that it is going to be a very busy year!
Your city sta and council are now deeply involved in crafting a work plan that will guide us through
getting it all done as eciently as possible. We will be reviewing that plan in upcoming meetings
that , as always, we hope you can attend or view online (http://cityofpt.us/video.html).
We will also use this newsletter to keep you informed of that plan as it crystalizes. In the meantime,
there are some updates from our city departments as well as some upcoming future projects, we
hope you nd informative.
The following committees currently have vacancies. Appointments are for three years.
Arts Commission
Library Advisory Board
Park Recreation and Tree Advisory Board
Planning Commission
Applications are available in the City Clerk’s Office on the second floor of City Hall, 250
Madison Street, Port Townsend, WA. Call 379-5083 with questions and to request an
application form or download from www.cityofpt.us (Boards & Commissions). City
residency or employment within the City is a requirement for most positions.
Citizen Advisory Board Recruitment
MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
The Port Townsend Public Library has chosen critically acclaimed Before the Wind by Jim Lynch for the 2017
Community Read. The novel is a grand and idiosyncratic maritime family saga that takes place in Seattle.
An exciting month of events is planned for March as the community is encouraged to all read the same
book. The Community Read kicks off with a screening of Sea Gypsies, in partnership with the Port
Townsend Film Festival, at Fort Worden’s Wheeler Theatre, Thurs., March 2, at 7 p.m. Director Nicholas
“Nico” Edwards will attend for Q&A after the screening. More to come in next month’s newsletter.
Water Treatment Plant - We have Filtered Water Coming From the Tap!
On January 17th Mayor Deborah Stinson pushed a button on a computer screen to start the City of Port Townsend’s
new drinking water treatment plant, and start the filters producing a million gallons of water a day. After three years of
pilot testing filter systems, engineering design, and facility construction, a state-of-the-art membrane filtration system
now provides treated water to the City’s customers. Intended to remove potential microbial contaminants, the filters
effectively prevent anything larger than 0.04 microns in the source water from entering the distribution system. Water
will continue to be chlorinated for disinfection purposes. Construction on other parts of the project is expected to be
wrapped up by early summer.
The new 5 million gallon reservoir passed a water tightness test. And a new 16” ductile iron pipe was connected
from the reservoir to the existing water system to allow the transfer from the old reservoir. The old reservoir was not
designed to withstand an earthquake and will be demolished sometime in March.
Note that the paved trail along the east side of Rainier Street from Discovery Road to the intersection of Howard
Street and 20th Street remains open.
Capital Project Updates
Downtown Construction Project Coming 2018
The City was awarded State funds to repair and repave Water Street from Taylor Street to the ferry terminal
and replace sidewalk access ramps to comply with current Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements.
The project scope also includes replacement of distressed sidewalk, replacement of an aging water main,
stormwater enhancements, sewer repairs, and undergrounding of power, telephone and cable.
Design for the project is currently underway, with construction estimated to start January 2018. Project
communication and input will be through a series of presentations at Port Townsend Main Street Merchant
Breakfasts, various newsletters, project website/blog, and one on one conversations with the downtown
merchants and tenants.
As the project moves forward more information regarding public meetings and general project information will
be available on 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, or you can access the project website
directly at https://cityofptfutureprojects.wordpress.com/2016/02/25/water-st-overlay-ferry-terminal-to-taylor-st/.
Fall in Love with your Library: Open House Event
Port Townsend Library - 1220 Lawrence St.
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 3:00-6:00pm
Come to the library for a Valentine's Day Open House. Enjoy live music, Valentine crafts, and light refreshments.
The Written Image: Blending Poetry with the Visual Arts with Shin Yu Pai
Port Townsend Public Library - Carnegie Reading Room
Friday, Feb. 17, 7:00-8:00 pm
Discover the fascinating work that can result when visual arts and poetry collide.
Poet Shin Yu Pai discusses the history of artist-poet collaborations and creative
innovation in American literature. During the talk, she shows her work as a writer,
her commissions for both art and cultural museums, and her work with painters,
photographers, installation artists, composers, and video artists on collaborative work. She’ll also discuss developing
hybrid works that bring together her creative practices as a writer, photographer, and museologist.
Art in the Library - Opening Reception
Port Townsend Public Library - Carnegie Reading Room
Friday, Feb. 24, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
The City of Port Townsend and Northwind Arts Center have entered into an agreement to
provide art for the Port Townsend Public Library. Art will be provided by local artists and
may be for sale via Northwind at the discretion of each artist.
Our Waste Water Treatment Plant has a 20 year perfect
operating record with the Washington State Department of
Ecology since the award program was started 21 years ago
(1995).
There are 77 miles of sewer pipe and 8 Pump stations in
the City.
The first wastewater treatment for the City of Port Townsend
was not until the year 1967. Prior to that time the wastewater
was directly discharged into the Port Townsend Bay and
Strait of Juan de Fuca without any treatment.
The wastewater treatment facility treats on average 950,000
gallons of wastewater each day.
The wastewater treatment facility generates 250 dry tons of
biosolids each year that is then composted with yard debris to
make a product that can be used with no restrictions.
Did You Know?
• Diapers
• Baby wipes/Bathroom wipes
• Rags and towels
• Cotton swabs
• Syringes
• Candy and other food wrappers
• Clothing labels
• Cleaning sponges
• Toys
• Plastic items of any description
• Perscription Medication
You might not know that there are items that should not be
flushed down your toilet. Putting the wrong things down the
drain can damage the sewer system, cause sewer backups
in your home, and sewer releases to the environment.
Items you shouldn’t flush:
• Aquarium gravel
• Kitty litter
• Rubber items such as
(latex gloves)
• Cigarette butts
• Sanitary napkins
• Hair
• Dental floss
• Underwear
• Disposable toilet brushes
Upcoming events at the Port Townsend Library
Understanding the Code Compliance Process
Code enforcement is the City’s way of providing and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of the general public. It is the
goal of the City of Port Townsend to work with residents of the community to resolve violations of the code through commu-
nication, education, and partnership.
Once a complaint is received, a site inspection is performed by the Code Compliance Officer (“CCO”) to determine if there
are violations on site. If a violation is confirmed, a case is created and a letter is issued to the property owner as well as any
other parties who are responsible for the violation.
The City takes various actions depending on the type of violation and/or history of violations on the property. The City may
send an informal letter, a formal Request for Voluntary Compliance, or a Formal Notice and Order of Violation to the
appropriate parties. The letter will outline code violations on site and provide a timeline in which to correct them. In some
cases the City may also issue a civil infraction. When a person receives one of the above, contacting the CCO is a great
first step in working towards compliance; it gives both parties the ability to ask questions they may have and it gives the
CCO a better opportunity to assess the situation.
Once the violations have been corrected you may contact the CCO for a post site inspection. If the inspection finds the
property in compliance, the case is noted as such and closed out.
If we do not hear from you, further site inspections will be performed and if violations continue onsite the City will take formal
action to resolve the code violation. Once the City serves a Formal Notice and Order of Violation on a party, daily civil
penalties are assessed if corrective action is not taken within the timeframe listed in the Formal Notice.
A Formal Notice and Order of Violation may be appealed by filing a written notice of appeal with Development Services
within 14 calendar days from the date of the Formal Notice (PTMC 1.20.130).
If a party appeals, the Hearing Examiner will review the facts and determine if a violation has occurred. Either party may
seek review by the Superior Court of Jefferson County.
If the violation continues after the appeal, the City may seek an Abatement Order which will allow the City to rectify the
violation and place a lien on the property for the costs associated with bringing the property into compliance.
Jason Greenspane, raised in Port Townsend and now a sergeant with Port Townsend Police Department won the Leader's 1st Annual Reader's Choice Best Officer of the Law Award!
Jason has been with Port Townsend Police Department since August of 1995 and is well known and well regarded within the community (and within the law enforcement community).
Prior to becoming a sergeant, Jason was a Patrol Officer and detective. Jason has also served as one of the department's field training officers and bicycle patrol officers.
Main Street Merchant Coffee Talk - “TOP 5 MERCHANDISING TRICKS TO MAXIMIZE SALES!”
Feb. 8, 2017 • Cotton Building, 607 Water Street • 8:30 - 9:45 am - Presented by Rebekah Fessenden of Seed Design
Whether you are just breaking into the world of retail or an established merchant, this talk will offer useful information on the
top five principles of visual merchandising for immediately boosting sales. Clear, simple strategies with visuals and handouts
will be presented, that when applied can revitalize any retail space. Come join Seed Design and learn how to perform a
visual design check-up on your space for maximum sales potential. $5 for Main Street Members / $7 Non-members.
Please RSVP to admin@ptmainstreet.org or call 385-7911. For more information, visit ptmainstreet.org