The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About08 August NewsletterNewsletterNewsletter August 2017 A Note from the Mayor: Summertime has arrived and it is ever more welcome after our unusually wet winter and spring. Along with warmer temperatures and less rain, the summer treats us to longer days and shorter nights. To some this is the lazy season while others are at their busiest. That is somewhat reflected at the City. The recent meeting agendas for City Council have been light since much of our work was accomplished earlier this year. On the flipside, the result of our work generates a workload that keeps staff operating at full throttle. Some of that work is on the ground implementation, like the very visible buildout in the Howard Street Corridor. Other projects underway involve significant planning and preparation that you will see reflected in agenda items this fall. Although our council meetings have been light, none of us have lost sight of the overarching impact that lack of housing on the full spectrum of affordability is having our community. Our City Manager continues to be fully engaged in working with public and private partners dedicated to finding workable solutions. In the meantime, council members are studying the issue and will be working to make sure we are doing all we can to facilitate those identified solutions. We’re anticipating a return to our more robust council meeting agendas as the results from last month’s surveys are analyzed, the updated Critical Areas Ordinance comes forward, the housing options begin to clarify and the annual fall budget season gears up. In the meantime, it’s summer and a good time for a couple of important reminders. While it was a much wetter than normal winter, summer has gotten off to a dry start and the mountain snowpack is melting rapidly with a resulting drop in stream flows. Irrigation of lawns and gardens is typically where customers use the most water. It is recommended to let the soil dry between watering to prevent lawn disease as well as to save water. Lawns only need about one inch of water a week in summer to stay green. This time of the year is a good time to let lawns go brown and dormant – just water once a month, and they’ll green up again in the fall. And for those who recall the algae blooms experienced last fall, our water department has continued monthly monitoring of Lords Lake and City Lake for the presence of algae and has so far detected none. The City began operation of new water treatment processes in January that provides effective treatment for potential algae-produced cyanotoxins. This new membrane filtration system has the capability of removing all algal cells from the water. Additional treatment equipment currently being installed will provide another barrier for the oxidation of potential contaminants. Summer is also a time to be vigilant about the potential for fires. You may have heard that we are now in a Stage 1 Burn Ban. You can learn more about burn bans and keep current on our local status by visiting East Jefferson Fire & Rescue’s website: http://ejfr.org. EJFR also encourages us all to make our homes and neighborhoods safer by following the tips provided at http://firewise.org/wildfire-preparedness.aspx. Speaking of preparedness, you can learn about fire prevention and so much more - all while having a ton of family-friendly fun - at the All County Picnic on August 20 at HJ Carrol Park. More details about the picnic can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. I look forward to seeing you there. Happy Summer everyone! 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us Aug • Page 2 Prior to 1904, municipal water was provided to Port Townsend residents by the Spring Valley Water Company. Water was sourced from springs near the present day golf course pond (aka Hastings Pond). The Spring Valley Water Company began development of a diversion on Snow Creek in order to keep up with the demand of a growing population. The Snow Creek dam and transmission line and were completed in 1906 after the water company was purchased by the City of Port Townsend. Due to increased demand with the new paper mill, the Snow Creek water source was replaced in 1928 with a diversion on the Big Quilcene River. The Little Quilcene River diversion and Lords Lake Reservoir were constructed in 1956. Gravity alone delivers water from the rivers, down approximately 30 miles of transmission line, through the new membrane filtration treatment facility, into the storage tanks and out to the distribution system and your homes. A booster station provides water pressure to the homes on top of Morgan Hill which is the only part of the system requiring pumps. One monument remains to remind us of the time when Port Townsend received locally sourced water provided by a private water company. The water storage reservoir used in the early days still stands on the corner of Harrison and Garfield streets. This reservoir became obsolete upon construction of the Morgan Hill reservoirs which served the City for 69 years before being taken out of service in 1979. Beginning July 23, Washington State’s new Distracted Driving law will ban the use of personal electronic devices while driving even when stopped at a stoplight or stuck in traffic. Offenders can be fined $136 for a first offense of holding a phone while driving in the State of Washington. The fine increases to $234 for a second offense within five years. Senate Bill 5289, also called the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act or E-DUI, was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on May 16. The law bans the use of all electronic devices, including tablets, laptops and video games. Tickets for driving while using hand-held electronics will be reported to the driver’s insurance provider. Drivers can use devices if they are using Bluetooth that is activated by a single touch or contacting emergency services. Drivers should start GPS or music before the vehicle is moving. Devices can also be used if the vehicle is parked and out of the flow of traffic. Transit and emergency vehicle drivers are exempt from the law. Two-way radio, CB radio and amateur radio equipment are not included in the law. Drivers of commercial vehicles must follow federal laws. According to the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission’s Target Zero campaign webpage (http://www.wadeca.org/community-service/), fatalities from distracted driving have increased 32 percent from 2014 to 2015 in Washington State. (The data is not available yet for 2016) One out of four crashes involves cell phone use just prior to the crash. Port Townsend Police and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office urge drivers to put their phones away while driving. The law went into effect Sunday, July 23, 2017. Did you know…… Distracted Driving Law effective July 23 - Law targets cell phone use while driving Thanks to all of you who have voiced your ideas, thoughts and comments as we craft the Subarea Plan for Howard St & Upper Sims Way. Now that we are ready to start planning, we need to know if we got it right. Do the plans capture your vision? The Subarea Plan is being created by the community for the community. So let your voice be heard to shape the future of Port Townsend’s Howard St & Upper Sims Way. We asked you: What type businesses do you want? What should the neighborhood look like? Artisan businesses? Housing? Restaurants? And you responded. Join us, as we enter the next phase: did we hear you correctly? Are we on track in understanding what you want to see in this community: access to restaurants, shopping, well-paying jobs and housing? The goal of the Subarea Plan is to address the community’s vision and needs while clearly articulating the City’s expectations through development standards and regulations. Any questions contact:Belinda Graham at bgraham@cityofpt.us, orLance Bailey at lbailey@cityofpt.us Howard Street & Upper Sims Way’s Future is Underway, Thanks to You! What: Howard Street & Upper Sims Way Subarea Plan When: Wednesday, August 16 at 5:30-7:30pmWhere: Towne Point Community Room, 2240 Towne Point Ave Success is a partnership that includes you and your voice! Port Townsend Library Aug • Page 3 Parks, Recreation, and Community Services New Department, and Director Alex Wisniewski Parks, Recreation, and Community Services has become its own department within the City, and Alex Wisniewski has been promoted from Division Head to Department Head as part of this move. This change comes as part of key improvements the City is beginning to plan over the next year in order to maintain long-term funding and service levels for Port Townsend parks, the library, and city streets maintenance. The City has partnered with Jefferson County Health Management to help promote the 5210 initative 5210 is a nationally recognized community & science-based initiative to help people & communities improve their health by adopting four simple healthy behaviors every day. or more fruits & vegetables hours or less recreational screen time* hour or more of physical activity sugar y drinks, more water *Keep TV/Computer o u t of the bedroom. No screen time under the age of 2. Power Lunch Boot Camp Offered Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday between 12 and 1pm. A mixture between deck and the deep end, Boot Camp is a total body workout with focus on strength, cardio and posture. Perfect for your lunch-time break from work! No registration required – drop-in’s welcome! Aqua MelangeOffered Monday and Thursday between 6 and 7pm. A mixture between shallow and deep water fitness. Move to the music, you won't even know you're working out! No registration required – drop-in’s welcome! Water WalkinGet ready for a 3-week session at the end of August! Water Walking is great exercise for improving flexibility, balance and cardio fitness. Ideal for people with joint issues, those battling obesity or anyone looking for a way to get fit. It's not just an exercise class, it's a learn to exercise class! Maximum Velocity Performance Camp (MVP Camp)August 7-11 and August 14-18Our Competitive Swim Camp for ages 7-18 years old. Focus on technique, form, flip turns and starts with this intense Camp. Coach Frank Casella brings years of experience to MVP. Don't let your child miss out on this great experience! 360-385-POOL(7665) • www.cityofpt.us/pool • 1925 Blaine St The Uptown Street Fair & Family Portrait Town Photo Saturday, August 19th Celebrating 27 Years of Fun in Uptown with Live Music, Food, Arts & Crafts, and Children’s Activities! 9:00am - 5:00pm Port Townsend Main Street Program’s Concerts on the Dock! Free, all-ages, concerts every Thursday through August 31st at Pope Marine Park Plaza. Local vendors and a Beer/Wine & Cider Garden contribute to the festive atmosphere. Bring a chair or a blanket and settle in for some great tunes. Seating opens at 4:30pm, music from 5-7:30 pm. 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us Mondays with Melody: Read, Chat, and Healthy SnackPort Townsend Library - 1220 Lawrence St. Monday, Aug. 7, 2:00-2:45 (Mondays, June 26, July 10 & 24, August 7)Do your “big kids” miss going to storytime? Mondays with Melody is a storytime program geared for kids ages 6 – 10, featuring books about fairness, courage, and dreams, followed by conversation and a healthy snack. Join Director Melody Sky Eisler for this special program! Backyard BeekeepingCharles Pink House - 1256 Lawrence St. Thursday, Aug. 10, 6:30pm-7:30pmJoin Richard Lewis for a presentation onhow to become a backyard beekeeper. End of Summer Reading Party!Port Townsend Library - 1220 Lawrence St. Friday, Aug. 11, 2:00-3:30Play games, enjoy watermelon and popsicles, hang with friends and library staff, and celebrate your reading accomplishments on the library lawn. All ages are invited to attend. Join in the 5120 kickoff event at the All County Picnic August 20th at H.J. Carroll Park from 11am to 4 pm, at the 5210 booth. For more information visit www.ptmainstreet.org 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us Aug • Page 4 Water Treatment FacilityThe water treatment facility has been operating since late January providing highly filtered water to the community. The plant access road has been paved out and the security fence is in place. Work continues to fine tune the filters operation, complete a fire booster pump station for the City’s high zone distribution, installing a potassium permanga-nate feed system, and general close out of the punch list and paper work. Construction trailers should be off the site by mid-August. The paved trail along the east side of Rainier Street from Discovery Road to the intersection of Howard Street and 20th Street will remain open, although it will be rerouted around the new construction at Howard Street and Discovery Road. Howard Street ExtensionConstruction has started on the actual roundabout at Discovery Road. There is now a bypass road open on Discovery road so we can keep traffic moving while construction is underway. Seton is also continues to install the curbs and sidewalks from S. Park avenue up to Discovery road The All County Picnic - August 20th at HJ Carroll Park from 11AM - 4PM The ACP is a free celebration that manages to present the heavy issue of preparing our communities for a large-scale disaster in a creative and engaging way. It is a day full of activities, food and building connections. This year’s highlights include free corn on the cob, live music by The Toolshed Trio, kids play zone and a fresh batch of bandanas designed by local artist Annalisa Barelli. Whether you’re hoping to ask a few questions, learn about organizing your neighborhood or just want to enjoy live music and fresh air, ACP has something for everyone! More info at allcountypicnic.com. Capital Projects Updates