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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 August NewsletterAugust 2018 Newsletter the mayor’s update Upcoming City Meetings There’s no more wondering if we’ll have a “real” summer this year. Very warm and dry days are now the norm and it is good to see so many of us out there enjoying all that our NW summer offers. It is also �me for a few reminders that with such abundance comes responsibility. The spring that started out very wet ended with a prolonged dry spell that now leaves Port Townsend more vulnerable to fires. It is incumbent on all of us to be vigilant and avoid any ac�vity that introduces flames, sparks or hot equipment near the now �nder-dry vegeta�on. It is important to keep the vegeta�on around your home hydrated, but please do so with water conserva�on in mind. There are also many precau�ons to take while enjoying the waters that surround us. I was reminded of a unique challenge of this season when I received no�ce from Washington State Ferries. The ferries that run between Port Townsend and Coupeville con�nue to be plagued by crab pots placed in their path. One ferry was taken out of service for months last year due to damage from a crab pot line melted into its propulsion sha�. We sure do not want to see that repeated this year! If you or someone you know have plans to do some crabbing before the season ends, please adhere to the guidelines posted on this Fish and Wildlife site: www.wdfw.wa.gov/news/jun2818a/ Summer brings large numbers of both visitors and locals to downtown. The resul�ng parking challenge also brings rumors to dispel. The number of parking spaces within the recent construc�on zone did not go down by 30-40. We started with 103 spaces in the public right of way and ended with 106, the difference being 3 addi�onal spaces reserved for those with disabili�es. There is more informa�on about this in the City Projects update sec�on. Wednesday August 1, 2018 Thursday August 2, 2018 Monday August 6, 2018 Tuesday August 7, 2018 Wednesday August 8, 2018 Monday August 13, 2018 Monday August 13, 2018 Tuesday August 14, 2018 Wednesday August 15, 2018 Thursday August 16, 2018 Monday August 20, 2018 Wednesday August 22, 2018 Arts Commission Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board City Council Regular Business Meeting Historic Preservation Committee Planning Commission Special Meeting Library Advisory Board City Council Workshop Meeting Ad Hoc Committee on Committees East Jeerson Fire Rescue Joint Oversight Board Meeting Council Ad Hoc Committee Meeting/Housing City Council Regular Business Meeting Public Art Meeting City Hall, 3rd Floor Conference Room City Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room City Hall, Council Chambers City Hall, 3rd Floor Conference Room City Hall, Council Chambers Library Learning Center City Hall, Council Chambers City Hall, Council Chambers 35 Critter Lane City Hall, Council Chambers City Hall, Council Chambers City Hall, 3rd Floor Conference Room 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Meeting dates are subject to change. Visit our website for a complete list of meetings and the most current meeting dates and times. city project updates & announcements WATER STREET PROJECT UPDATE A�er six months of intense construc�on the Water Street Enhancement Project is complete!! The project provides 12-foot wide sidewalks from Taylor Street to the Ferry Terminal, pedestrian ramps and crossings for full ADA accessibility, all new pavement, marked bike lanes, a public waterfront plaza at Tyler Street, landscaping with rain gardens, and new street trees – providing a grand new entrance to the historic district. To clarify some misinforma�on about the project: RUMOR #1 – The City lost 30 parking spaces as a result of the Water Street Project. REAL NEWS #1 – For the en�re length of the project from Taylor Street to Ferry terminal, the number of public parking spaces remained essen�ally the same, even accoun�ng for the loss of seven spaces on south Tyler Street. Addi�onally, the Port Townsend Plaza gained eight spaces with the consolida�on of two driveways into one adjacent to US Bank. Refer to the City website for before and a�er parking maps: www.waterstreetenhancement.wordpress.com/about/ RUMOR #2 – The City will have to come back later and cut pavement to underground the power lines. REAL NEWS #2 – All conduit necessary to put power and communica�on lines underground was already installed during project construc�on. Underneath the pavement is 2000 feet of conduit trench, some with 40 conduits runs. By next summer the PUD expects to have all power cable pulled through the conduit and buildings reconnected so that the poles from Taylor to the Ferry Terminal can be removed. RUMOR #3 – At the new Tyler Street plaza, the City: a) wasted money on the wrong furniture; b) lost parking; and c) is allowing vendors and food trucks which will take away business from downtown food merchants. REAL NEWS #3 – a) The movable furniture is provided by Port Townsend Main Street Program – not the City. This furniture is similar to what is used in plazas in many other ci�es, and it was not purchased with Water Street Enhancement Project funds. Over �me, businesses and the Main Street Program will provide addi�onal sea�ng and planters. b) The lost parking was made up for with more efficient use of space in other loca�ons. In addi�on, the plaza is constructed as a concrete street with removable bollards so that if it is ever decided that parking is a be�er use, the area can be converted back to a parking area. c) The new plaza is a public space, in a city right of way, on the shoreline, which means that the space may not be taken for ‘private use’. Events may be held on the plaza but otherwise it will remain a fully public space. If you have not already visited, please come downtown, support the local businesses and enjoy the new streetscape, including the wide sidewalks and bike lanes. City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • 360-385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us JOIN US AT THE LIBRARY! Lizardopolis Port Townsend Library Thursday, Aug. 2nd, 2:00-3:30 p.m. Does your child LOVE lizards, snakes, frogs, turtles, and other creepy crawlies? Come join Port Townsend’s Lizardopolis and learn about these rep�les and amphibians and what makes them special to us and our environment. Par�cipants will get a chance to hold the rep�les! Ages 5 and up. End of Summer Reading Party Port Townsend Library Friday, Aug. 10th, 2:00-3:30 p.m. Play games, blow giant bubbles, eat summery snacks, enjoy a rock pain�ng cra�, and celebrate your reading accomplishments on the library lawn. All ages! Art in Ac�on – Fly-Tying Demonstra�on with Bob Triggs Port Townsend Library Friday, Aug. 17th, 4:00-6:00 p.m. Join master fly-�er, guide and local fisherman, Bob Triggs for a fly-tying demonstra�on in the Library. DID YOU KNOW THAT PERMITS MAY BE REQUIRED FOR TREE REMOVAL, TREE TOPPING, CLEARING 0R GRADING? Tree removal and land disturbing ac�vi�es can cause nega�ve impacts including erosion and loss of habitat and aesthe�c character. To address these concerns the City has adopted the Tree Conserva�on Ordinance, Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC) Sec�on 19.06; Stormwater Management Requirements PTMC Chapter 13.32, and Engineering Design Standards, Chapter 5. For tree removal or topping, a permit is required for: • Logging vacant land • Removal or topping trees in areas classified as “cri�cal areas and their associated buffers” (steep slopes, wetlands, cri�cal drainage corridors or other criteria in PTMC 19.06) • Tree thinning (not more than 1/3 of the trees or tree canopy cover per 40,000 square feet) • Removal of more than 6 healthy trees (exceeding 8” dbh/diameter at breast height) per 12-month period, on residen�al lots that exceed 40,000 square feet of lot area and contain an exis�ng single-family residence. Trees must comply with minimum tree conserva�on requirements • Tree removal in areas zoned mul�-family, mixed use, commercial or public Ac�vi�es not requiring a permit may include: • Removing dead, diseased, damaged or hazardous trees (no more than four trees in any 12-month period). Documenta�on from a tree expert may be required • Residen�al landscaping and yard maintenance and/or the removal of any tree on lots (in R-I, R-II, R-III, or R-IV) that are 40,000 square feet or less in size and contain an exis�ng single-family residence • Residen�al landscaping and yard maintenance on residen�al lots that exceed 40,000 square feet and contain an exis�ng single-family residence 1. The removal of trees with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 8” or less 2. Trees over 8” dbh, up to 6 healthy trees / 40,000 square feet of lot area in any 12-month period A Grading/Clearing & Tree Removal permit is also required prior to any land-disturbing ac�vity that involves clearing, grading, or filling of 50 cubic yards or more. A land-disturbing ac�vity is: • Clearing (the act of vegeta�on removal from the land surface, o�en referred to as land clearing) • Grubbing (the act of root vegeta�on removal from beneath the surface of the earth, usually in conjunc�on with clearing) • Excava�on (the mechanical removal of earth material) • Grading (excava�on of filling or combina�on thereof) • Stockpiling (temporary disposi�on of earth material placed by ar�ficial means) A Cri�cal Areas Permit may be required if a cri�cal area is present (e.g., steep slopes, wetlands, cri�cal drainage corridors) even if the material you are working with is less than 50 cubic yards. Staff will review applica�ons using the guidelines in PTMC 19.05, Cri�cal Areas. If you wish to remove trees, clear or grade your land, we suggest you: • Contact DSD so we can help you determine whether permits are required for your proposed project • Contact neighbors prior to commencing work as a courtesy • Alert staff the day clearing is scheduled to take place, which will assist us in fielding calls from concerned ci�zens Government Surplus Items Clearing & Grading Permits City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • 360-385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us Do you ever wonder what happens to all the old desks, chairs, tables, electronics, carts, vehicles, FAX machines and other equipment that is no longer used by the City? Some of it is sold or given to other public agencies and some can be given to chari�es that primarily serve the poor and infirmed. The City has from �me to �me held surplus sales or taken items such as vehicles or heavy equipment to an auc�on house. The City of Port Townsend is primarily going to use an auc�on website that exclusively list government surplus items. The items sent to auc�on will be listed on the City website with a link to the Public Surplus website www.publicsurplus.com You can search by agency, state or by item. Star�ng August 15, 2018, the City will be pos�ng surplus items for sale on the Public Surplus website. A list of surplus items to be sold may also be found on the City website under “Doing Business” www.cityofpt.us/business.html. AUGUST IS A BUSY MONTH AT THE POOL What a beau�ful summer we have been enjoying this year; long days, sunny skies, and dry…….wait a minute! What about our water supply? As the snowpack wanes, the City’s water consump�on increases. Tourism, fes�vals, and other events are just a few of the things that bring vitality to Port Townsend. These elements as well as irriga�on, outdoor cleaning, and personal hydra�on are naturally on the rise when the stream flows are falling. The City of Port Townsend’s drinking water comes from the Big and Li�le Quilcene Rivers. Water stored in Lords Lake reservoir provides water when low stream flows or storm events limit water withdrawals from the rivers. Lords Lake contains enough water to sustain us for approximately two and a half months. Historically, precipita�on and snow pack in the Olympic Mountains provide ample stream flows to supply most needs un�l early September. Water stored in Lords Lake helps to supply demand un�l autumn rains restore stream flows. Due to warm dry weather in the region this summer, the rivers are experiencing diminished stream flows earlier than in an average year. At the current rate of decline, the City an�cipates draw down of Lords Lake to commence in mid- August—approximately three weeks earlier than usual. What can we do about this? An important part of water conserva�on is using common sense. Are we using water in an efficient manner? Here are a few useful �ps for ge�ng the most out of our water as we endeavor to keep our lawns and gardens healthy. Sprinklers typically lose 25-50% of the water through evapora�on, wind, and surface run off. This is a good �me to allow lawns to go dormant, however it may be necessary to water deeply once a month in summer to keep the roots alive. Attend a Community Event Water Supply Outlook 2018 Concerts on the Dock Thursdays through August 30th Pope Marine Park Plaza Downtown Port Townsend rocks with all-ages free Concerts on the Dock. Local vendors and a Beer, Wine & Cider Garden contribute to the fes�val atmosphere. Sea�ng opens at 4:30 p.m., music from 5-7:30 p.m. Bring chairs or blankets and se�le in for some great tunes, dance, see friends, enjoy a drink and have a bite. The Uptown Street Fair & Parade Saturday, August 18th Celebra�ng 28 Years of Fun in Uptown with Live Music, Food, Arts & Cra�s, Children’s Ac�vi�es, the Farmers Market, and so much more…come make a day of it in Historic, Fun Uptown! The Port Townsend Main Street Program is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organiza�on: Our mission is to preserve, promote, and enhance our historic business districts. For more informa�on, visit www.ptmainstreet.org City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • 360-385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us The REDfins’ last meet of 2018 is on August 1st in Juanita Aqua�c Center in Kirkland. Cheer on your town's swim club as these youngsters finish out a great season of firsts and personal bests. We are s�ll offering a variety of swim lesson op�ons, so it's not too late for you or your child get swim-ready. Check out the full schedule at www.cityofpt.us/pool for dates and �mes. August 12th is our monthly FREE Second Sunday Swim: Therapy Swim from 1 to 2 p.m. and Family Swim from 2 to 5 p.m. Come down and splash about in the pool at no cost to you. Sign up early for our second annual MVP Camp. A compe��ve Swim Camp for ages 5 to 10 years (3-5 p.m.) and 11 to 18 years old (5-7 p.m.) August 6th - 10th. MVP Camp focuses on stroke refinement, endurance and the basic prac�ces of compe��ve swimming. Call 360-385-POOL(7665) to register today! August 24th (and the last Friday of every month) is Cosmic Swim from 7 to 9 p.m. Join us for a funky dance party with groovy lights and rockin' tunes! There's always something exci�ng going down here... so see you soon, in the pool! LizardopolisPort Townsend Library Thursday, Aug. 2nd, 2:00-3:30 p.m.Does your child LOVE lizards, snakes, frogs, turtles, and other creepy crawlies? Come join Port Townsend’s Lizardopolis and learn about these rep�les and amphibians and what makes them special to us and our environment. Par�cipants will get a chance to hold the rep�les! Ages 5 and up.