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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 March NewsletterWe all receive services from different levels of government. The City of Port Townsend is one of 281 ci�es in Washington State and is the only actual “city” in Jefferson County. The primary responsibili�es of the City are to provide for Public Safety (law enforcement, fire protec�on, emergency medical services) and Infrastructure (water, sewer, storm water, streets, sidewalks, trails, etc.). How the City goes about delivering on these responsibili�es is best defined through the Community Direc�on Statement in our Comprehensive Plan. The State and the County also provide services to residents in the City. What many people do not realize is that, like other coun�es, Jefferson County houses several Special Purpose Districts that include the City within their boundaries. Many of the services we enjoy every day are delivered by these unique districts and each comes with its own responsibili�es and taxing authority overseen by an elected governing body. The special districts that include the City within their jurisdic�onal boundaries (and their stated missions*) are: • Jefferson County Public Hospital District #2 (Jefferson Healthcare): Own and operate hospitals & other health care facili�es, provide hospital & healthcare services • Jefferson County Public U�lity District #1 (JPUD): Electricity and broadband infrastructure • Port Townsend School District No. 50 (PTSD): K-12 Educa�on • Port of Port Townsend District: Acquire, construct, maintain, operate, develop and regulate system of harbor improvements, rail and water transfer and terminal facili�es; air transfer, or terminal facili�es, other storage and handling facili�es, create industrial development districts. • Joint City-County Housing Authority (Peninsula Housing - Clallam and Jefferson): Provide housing for low income persons • Jefferson County Conserva�on District: Conserve soil resources, prevent flood water and sediment damages • Jefferson County Public Transporta�on Benefit Authority (Jefferson Transit): provide public transporta�on * If you want to learn more about this topic, visit www.mrsc.org and search for ‘special purpose districts’. As you can see, City residents receive a lot of services from these other en��es; each has its own governance, staffing and funding source. And this list does not cover all the services provided directly by the County. So why am I sharing this? For one, it is to acknowledge that we understand that it can be confusing to know where to turn. The City is the one door most residents come through when seeking services or answers to ques�ons or concerns. When it is not a City responsibility, our staff will politely redirect individuals to the appropriate en�ty where they can receive the most expedient and accurate informa�on. And remember when I stated above that the City is responsible for providing Fire and Emergency Medical Services? For over a decade, the City has provided for that service through a contract with an adjacent special purpose district, East Jefferson Fire and Rescue (EJFR). The City s�ll collects the Fire and EMS, taxes but then send those funds to EJFR to provide the service. We believe the �me has come to make this arrangement permanent by annexing the City into the Fire District boundaries. This annexa�on would give you direct representa�on through elected Fire Commissioners and would give them taxing authority within the City. That, in turn, will have implica�ons for the City’s taxing authority, so we will need your permission to move forward through the form of a vote later this year. Annexa�on is a rather complex topic and we want you to be able to make a fully informed decision. While we will do our best to use this newsle�er and other outlets to provide details and gain input, I strongly encourage you to a�end the Town Hall Mee�ng series announced under the “Save the Date” sec�on of this newsle�er. The first mee�ng will help re-affirm the above-men�oned Community Direc�on Statement. The second mee�ng will further explore how the State, County, City and Special Purpose districts interact, financially and otherwise. Those mee�ngs set the stage for the third mee�ng where you will provide your City Council with guidance on choices this annexa�on presents. We hope to see you there. NewsletterNewsletter March 2018 A Note from the Mayor: Mayor Deborah StinsonWHERE DO MY SERVICES COME FROM? The Water Street Enhancement Project construc�on is moving further west on Water Street. Water customers in the block of Water Street between Tyler and Taylor are now receiving their water through the new 12-inch water main. Fire service lines for the same block are also hooked up, and a new fire hydrant has been installed at the corner of Water and Tyler. Conduit in Tyler Street (for undergrounding power) has been placed as well. Traffic is one lane in the block of Water Street between Polk and Tyler Street, with flaggers direc�ng vehicle flow. Over the next month, the following items will be installed: addi�onal joint u�lity trench (for undergrounding power), the 12” water main between Polk and Fillmore, and new water service lines. Please contact Project Manager Laura Parsons, P.E. if you have any ques�ons: 360-385-3000 X2191. 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us MAR • Page 2 Mountain View Commons Water Street Enhancement Project Update Rainier Street Subarea Plan Update The City of Port Townsend is making improvements to the Mountain View Commons campus. The Mountain View Commons Improvement Project includes improvements to the main classroom building, as well as, to the Pool/Gymnasium building. The work in main building includes new exterior stair and ADA entrance ramp; new automa�c entry doors; interior upgrades to Food Bank and Working Image; remodel of selected Police offices; new flooring; and upgrades to the interior finishes in common areas. The work in the Pool building includes ADA door openers for the main entrances and the pool locker room entrances. The exterior of the building will also be painted, and the outdated fire alarm system will be replaced. The Mountain View Commons Improvement Project is partly funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the 2015 Mountain View Bond. This is the last phase of the work for the voter approved bond. The project was adver�sed for public bid in February 2018. Construc�on is slated to start mid to late March 2018. As Winter turns slowly to Spring, flowers will start to blossom much like the Rainier Street Subarea Plan. The intent of the Rainier Subarea Plan is to create a neighborhood that supports the following aspira�ons: 1) A district that values the manufacturing of goods by small, independently-owned businesses, focusing primarily - but not exclusively - on hand-cra�ed goods; 2) A district that provides housing for residents of all economic levels, along with access to living wage jobs and services within the local community; 3) A district that promotes a business-ready area and that clearly ar�culates the City’s regula�ons and design standards for both new development and redevelopment, with flexibility to adapt to changes in the economic climate; and 4) A district that respects the importance of protec�ng the environment and balances that priority with the need for job and housing opportuni�es. During the Fall and Winter, AHBL, our consultant, has been working on taking all of the community, task force, Planning Commission and City Council comments to create the Subarea Plan and regulatory revisions needed to provide staff and community a clear pathway to this development opportunity. This Spring, AHBL will provide the City with a dra� of the Plan and regulatory revisions to share once again with the community, task force, Planning Commission and City Council. The regulatory revisions will provide more flexibility allowing for a wider array of development opportuni�es for property and business owners. In addi�on, a 3-Year Implementa�on Plan is being created to encourage development with the subarea neighborhood. And as we bask in the Summer sun, the Subarea Plan, regulatory revisions, and Implementa�on Plan will be ready for review and considera�on by both the Planning Commission and City Council. A snapshot of how a year just flies by… Any ques�ons regarding this project can be directed to Belinda Graham at bgraham@cityofpt.us 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us MAR • Page 3 Mer-Camp at Mountain View Pool Free Walking Tours -- “Sin at Sea Level: Historic Downtown Walking Tour” A guide from the Jefferson County Historical Society will take you on a tour of Water Street. You’ll hear tales of Port Townsend’s rowdy seaport days, see beau�ful historical architecture, and learn about some of the colorful characters who built the town in the 1800s and revitalized it as an arts community and counter culture haven in the 1900s. Join us Saturdays at 2 pm on March 3, 10, 17, and 31st. Meet at the Jefferson Museum of Art & History, 540 Water Street. Presented by the Jefferson County Historical Society in collabora�on with the Port Townsend Main Street Program “Paving the Way to a Brighter Future” campaign. Visit www.ILovePortTownsend.com for more informa�on. Main Street Spring HUD Loan applica�ons are due March 30, 2018 at 5 pm. These funds can help property owners accomplish historic preserva�on goals and safety improvements in their buildings and are available to commercial buildings in Port Townsend’s Downtown and Uptown Commercial Historic Districts. With these funds, building owners have painted the exterior of their buildings, repaired roofs, fixed staircases, re-pointed brick facades, installed windows and improved the safety of their buildings. Visit www.ptmainstreet.org for more informa�on and the applica�on form. Have you played Port Townsend Believe it or Knot? Hidden throughout downtown are unbelievable facts about PT. Find 10 of them at par�cipa�ng businesses to be entered into a monthly prize drawing for $100 in local gi� cer�ficates and a chance to win a grand prize of $500 in local gi� cer�ficates. A fun excuse to come downtown, pique your interest in unbelievable facts (or fic�on!) about the salty seaport of Port Townsend. Visit www.ILovePortTownsend.com for more informa�on. Join us for Two Day Mer-Camp at Mountain view Pool, March 26 &27 from 1 to 5 PM. This special 2-day camp will help kids with new swimming skills and crea�ve inspira�on. Fun for girls and boys ages 5-12 years old. Call 360-385-7665 for more info. See you there! 360.379.5047 • citycouncil@cityofpt.us • www.cityofpt.us MAR • Page 4 Hearing Assistance is Available at City Mee�ngs JAPAN-AMERICA GRASSROOTS SUMMIT September 2018 Garbage Service Spring Clean April 16-20 - More details will be in the April newsle�er Fire District Annexa�on - Town Hall Mee�ngs March 22, March 29 & April 5 6:30pm - 9:00pm at Fort Worden Commons. We will be discussing how we got to this step and the many choices that were made along the way. We want to hear from you, and what your priori�es are for this community. Save the Date The Japan-America Society promotes a grassroots exchange of ci�zens from Japan and the United States. This year Washington State will host delegates that come from all regions in Japan. The Japanese delegates will be visi�ng Port Townsend from Thursday, September 20th un�l the morning of Sunday, September 23rd. Port Townsend and the surrounding Jefferson County community was chosen as a host site. We will be recruit- ing 10 households to host our guests. People of all ages, including families will be visi�ng from Japan. There will be group ac�vi�es and �me for hosts to be on their own to create adventures for their guests. For more informa�on about this program please visit www.jassw.org. We are recrui�ng Jefferson County residents who would like to host a homestay and for those who cannot host but would like to par�cipate in the group ac�vi�es with our guests. Please call Catherine McNabb at 360-379-5089 or email cmcnabb@cityofpt.us if you are interested in hos�ng, planning or par�cipa�ng in the events. Look for this hearing assistance symbol for City mee�ngs and City-related events where equipment is available for your use. The City was awarded a $2,000 Jefferson County Accessible Communi�es Act grant to assist with the purchase of two portable PA and hearing assistance systems. Equipment has been available for City Council and Planning Commission mee�ngs, and we are implemen�ng an expansion of its use for City government events at the Pope and Co�on Buildings and adult programs at the City Library. The wireless listening assistance system includes pocket size receivers with adjustable volume control. In-ear buds, earphones, and a mono neck loop are available and those with “around the neck” loop systems may be able to plug those directly into the receiver. The FM receiver will not interfere with pacemakers. If you are planning to use an assistance device during a mee�ng in Chambers, please come a li�le early or call ahead if possible so we can be of greatest assistance prior to the start of the mee�ng. Staff from the Clerk’s office are also happy to make appointments at any �me if you would like to try out the equipment to see what will work best for you. If you have ques�ons or would like to make an appointment, please contact the Clerk’s office at 379-5083 or jsanders@cityofpt.us. No�ce: Incorrect Sewer Charge. Because of an error in our rate table, the City overcharged sewer customers in January. We’ve corrected the mistake, and sewer customers will get a lower sewer bill in February. The March bill will reflect the corrected rate. Please call the U�lity Billing office at 360-385-2700 if you have any ques�ons.