HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 October NewsletterOctober 2018 Newsletter
The mayor’s update
Summer was gorgeous, but no lazy days
Your City Council con�nued to work a full schedule of
agenda items throughout the summer. In addi�on to
keeping us on track with projects and statutory
requirements, our commi�ee work has kept us very
busy with the research and community engagement
needed to make recommenda�ons to the full council.
The Ad Hoc Commi�ee on Housing is tasked to iden�fy
measures needed to encourage the development of
affordable housing. Council has already approved the
recommended ac�ons brought forward. I look forward
to providing a review of all the related housing ac�ons in
a future newsle�er.
We had to temporarily redirect that commi�ee’s efforts
when a break in service at the homeless shelter
coincided with an increase in the State Recording Fees
set aside for homelessness and affordable housing. The
commi�ee has met several �mes with the Board of
County Commissioners and is on track to bring forward a
renego�ated inter-local agreement and related
contracts that be�er ensure transparent and seamless
year-round shelter opera�ons and a new process for
distribu�ng funds to local housing providers. Look for
this to conclude by mid-October when the commi�ee
will get back to their ini�al affordable housing tasks.
The Ad Hoc Commi�ee on Commi�ees, affec�onately
called the Commi�ee Commi�ee, has also been
working through the summer to update Council Rules.
The focus to date has been on how we create and
work with our commi�ees, advisory boards, and task
forces. The recommended updates were adopted in
September and can be found on our City website go to
the City Council tab/Council Rules. Next up is making
sure our commi�ees and boards align with our
strategic plan.
By the �me this newsle�er is published, we will have
dra�ed an updated Strategic Plan and a new
Governance Rela�ons Contract. Both documents will
be instrumental inputs to the 2019 Budget process and
City Manager recruitment efforts that will keep us busy
un�l at least Thanksgiving.
FIRE DISTRICT ANNEXATION – TOWN HALL MEETINGS WRAP-UP
We joined forces with East Jefferson Fire and Rescue (EJFR) back in March and April to host a series of Town Hall
Mee�ngs that provided informa�on about the possibility of the City being annexed into the EJFR District. It took
three mee�ngs to cover the full scope of this rather complex topic. I again thank everyone who a�ended and
commented online to provide us with feedback on the various op�ons for moving forward.
At the end of those mee�ngs, both the City and EJFR concluded that annexa�on was s�ll the best solu�on to
con�nue effec�ve, equitable and sustainable Fire and EMS services within both jurisdic�ons. We also heard more
work was needed to determine the best implementa�on plan for tax payers in both the City and the District. The
Joint Oversight Board of EJFR has since studied the issue and is ready to make a final recommenda�on to City
Council at our mee�ng on October 1st. While no decisions will be made before our mee�ng on October 15th, we
can use this opportunity to fine tune the proposal.
Then EJFR representa�ves will join us for a Town Hall Series Wrap-up to share our intended direc�on and to hear
your feedback in �me to inform our discussion and decision on October 15th. That mee�ng will be held on October
9 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers where the mee�ng can be broadcast, streamed and recorded for later viewing.
Materials for this mee�ng will be included in the agenda with e-comment capability will be posted on
cityofpt.us/video.html by Friday, Oct 6. I hope you can join us in person or online.
As poli�cal campaigns con�nue to gear up for the elec�on, it
may be valuable to review the City's regula�ons on poli�cal
signage and placement of signs.
Permi�ed sign loca�ons: Poli�cal signs may be erected on
private property only with the property owner's permission.
Signs are not permi�ed to be placed within rights-of-ways or
on any public property such as City parks, the golf course, or
Kah Tai Lagoon. Because it is o�en difficult to know where
public property ends and private property begins, the rule of
thumb is: All signs must be outside the vehicle and pedestrian
travel way. Where public improvements such as u�lity poles,
sidewalks, or fire hydrants are present, signs must be placed
on the private property side of all such improvements.
In the absence of u�lity poles, sidewalks, pedestrian path-
ways, or other public improvements, signs should not be
placed in the road shoulder or mowed areas in the path of
pedestrians or vehicles pulling off the road. Signs should not
be placed in mowed areas adjacent to roadways unless they
are placed within someone's lawn or landscaping. Anyone
who causes damage to an underground u�lity in the course
of erec�ng a sign is responsible for repair or replacement.
Size and height of signs permi�ed:
Residen�al zones: 4.5 square feet per sign face. The top of
a freestanding sign may not exceed 5 feet when measured
from the adjacent grade.
Commercial zones: Up to 16 square feet per sign face in
commercial and other non-residen�al zones. The top of a
freestanding sign may not exceed 5 feet when measured
from the adjacent grade. The top of a wall sign may not
exceed 17 feet when measured from adjacent grade.
Number of signs permi�ed: There is no limit on the
number of poli�cal signs permi�ed on private property, as
long as each sign is within the size limit and properly placed.
Political Signs
Water Supply Outlook
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • 360-385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
JOIN US AT THE LIBRARY!
Friends of the Port Townsend Library Book Sale
Saturday,October 20th
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(members of the Friends admi�ed at 8am)
Port Townsend Community Center
(corner of Lawrence & Tyler)
CDS, DVDs and oodles of books
Due to a warm dry summer, the Big and Li�le Quilcene Rivers, our municipal water supply, have experienced diminished
stream flows this year. When stream flows are low the City relies upon water stored in Lords Lake. Withdrawals from Lords
Lake began in mid-August—approximately three weeks earlier than usual. While rains in September have started to replen-
ish the streams that supply the municipal source waters, we are s�ll using Lords Lake to help meet our water demand. A list
of conserva�on ideas for smart water usage is available at www.cityofpt.us/Water
Jonathan White - Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean
Port Townsend Library - 1220 Lawrence St.
Thursday, Oct. 4, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Expert mariner and marine conserva�onist Jonathan White’s
love for the sea is lifelong. He grew up diving, sailing and
fishing on the beaches of Southern California, has logged
more than one hundred thousand miles sailing on the Pacific
and Atlan�c, and has surfed all over the world.
Create Your Own Autogeography: A six-week work-shop
Charles Pink House - 1256 Lawrence St.
Thursday, Oct. 11, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
In this workshop, we will learn how to create a story of
ourselves through a series of meaningful places.
*REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Media Mentorship for Parents
Port Townsend Library - 1220 Lawrence St.
Thursday, Oct. 11, 7:00 p.m
The evolu�on and adop�on of digital technologies has
increased in recent years. Children, teens, and families are
using technology in school, at home, and in libraries more
than ever. It is the goal of libraries to help families find the
best digital tools, to create a posi�ve experience for all.
What Happened to my Plants: Part II – Diseases and
Gastropods
Charles Pink House - 1256 Lawrence St.
Tuesday, Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Let’s find out who’s been destroying your plants’ leaves and
sickening other perennials, shrubs and trees in your yards.
You’ll learn simple diagnos�cs for iden�fying the most
common villains from the PNW’s fungi and virus
communi�es.
On September 4th Pat Bailey from WA State Department
of Ecology visited our City Council mee�ng to present
the annual awards that the City’s Wastewater Treatment
Plant and the City’s Compos�ng Facility have been able
to earn.
In order for the City’s two treatment plants to receive
these awards they had to once again be 100% in compliance
within the parameters they are given from DOE to meet
their NPDES permits.
We were very excited this year as it was the 11th year in
a row the Compost Facility earned their award and the
20th year in a row the Wastewater Treatment Plant
earned their award. For some perspec�ve that 20 years
represents 7,300 daily tests and 1,040 weekly tests that
all had to be done and reported correctly, so it is a
monumental achievement to be recognized by the State
and we thank them and City Council for le�ng us take
some of their �me for the presenta�on.
Dave Rodia, Mike Bartkus, and Bob Mackey who work at
the WWTP do an outstanding job of watching over and
protec�ng our environment from pollutants that could
do damage to our receiving waters and our community.
Jim Aman and Josh Graves do a
fantas�c job of opera�ng the
Compost Facility and con�nue
to take what used to be three
waste streams combining
them and crea�ng a wonderful
useful product that is enjoyed
and used to help make our
community the wonderful
place that we all live.
Main Street Girls’ Night Out
Thursday, October 4th, 2018
11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Girl Power, Strong Women! Get your
goodie bags for $25 at The Co�on Building,
607 Water St., star�ng at 11:00 a.m.
Proceeds benefit Jefferson Healthcare
Founda�on, to help provide breast and
cervical cancer screenings, care and
treatment for low income Jefferson County residents, and
the Port Townsend Main Street Program, a 501c3 nonprofit.
Art by Anne Cha.
Having a Mini-Business Emergency?
Want to grow your business with Main Street? Port
Townsend Main Street Program "LENT Microloan Fund
Loans” for businesses in the historic districts, deadline
Monday - October 15th at 5:00 p.m.
Main Street Merchant Coffee Talk
Wednesday, October 17th, 8:30 a.m.
The Co�on building.
Please join us for "The Key to Success, Stellar Customer
Service" - guest speaker Sheldon Spencer will talk about
customer service, �ps and tricks to help you sharpen your
skills. Learn about the Winter/Holiday
Promo�on and Marke�ng Campaigns for
Port Townsend and a brief update from the
City of Port Townsend & the PUD. Please
rsvp to admin@ptmainstreet.org by 10/15 -
thank you!
HUD Low Interest Loans
These loans are available to rehab commercial buildings in
Port Townsend’s Commercial Historic Districts, deadline is
October 26th at 5:00 p.m.
Annual Main Street Downtown Trick or Treat
Get ready for trick or trea�ng fun in the heart of the
downtown historic district at the 24th Annual Main Street
Downtown Trick or Treat and Costume Parade on October
31st. The friendly Main Street Witches will lead off the
parade. Assemble at the 1st Security Bank Plaza at 3:45 p.m.,
parade leaves at 4:00 p.m. proceeding towards Quimper
Mercan�le Plaza, and the children trick or treat on the way
back. PLEASE NOTE: Water Street and some side streets
from Madison to Polk will be closed to traffic from 3:30 p.m.
to 5:30 p.m. for public safety at this event.
Visit www.ptmainstreet.org for more informa�on.
Attend a Community Event
MAKE A DIFFERENCE - Citizen Advisory Board Recruitment
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • 360-385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
Department of Ecology Award
The City encourages ac�ve par�cipa�on in local government by solici�ng interested ci�zens to serve on various advisory boards
and commissions that make recommenda�ons on specific issues or policies to the City Council. Current opportuni�es to serve
include: Library Advisory Board, Lodging Tax Advisory Commi�ee (Recipient), Non-Motorized Transporta�on Advisory Board,
and Civil Service Commission (must be a resident of Port Townsend for three years)
Applica�ons are available in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, as well as on the City’s website. www.cityofpt.us
From le� t right: Bliss Morris, Josh
Graves, Pat Bailey, Mike Bartkus,
Dave Rodia, John Merchant
Sewer Ou�all Project
The project replaces the off-shore por�on of the exis�ng
sewer ou�all system with a new ou�all which is roughly
parallel to the exis�ng ou�all. The new ou�all will provide
capacity for current and future effluent flows and will meet
state water quality standards under defined cri�cal condi�ons
and is located to minimize adverse construc�on and permanent
impacts to near-shore sensi�ve habitat. In 2005, the City
replaced the on-shore por�on of the ou�all system. The
on-shore por�on was replaced because of recurrent blockages
caused by root-intrusion resul�ng in surging at
maintenance holes along the ou�all and to increase the
capacity.
The sewer ou�all project is currently in the design and
environmental permi�ng phase through 2019. Construc�on
of the replacement ou�all is scheduled to start in 2020.
For project informa�on please visit the Public Works Capital
Projects webpage:
www.cityofpt.us/dsd/capitalprojects.html
Did You Know
Capital Project Updates
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • 360-385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
JOIN US AT THE POOL!
Boo! Did we scare ya? Give us a chance and we’ll give you chills, Friday, October 26th
at Mountain View Ghoul, I mean Pool. Mountain View Boo-l, er Pool presents Spooky
Swim on October 26th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It's only $5 each for a night of
terror-ific splashes and flashes, tricks and treats, so bring the whole family on over for
Spooky Swim, if you dare. Costumes are encouraged, fun is required! See you soon, in
the drool, er pool!
The City has over 31 miles of linear trail within City boundaries.
Parks Maintenance staff oversee the maintenance of the City’s trail system which
includes mowing and weed whacking grasses and pruning trees and bushes to keep
the pathway visible, passable, and to keep the corridor open, blowing leaves off the
tread to keep them dry, spreading new gravel to improve the tread, repairing and
re-rou�ng trails when necessary to fix rain and erosion damage, and leading volunteer
work par�es in conjunc�on with the Non-Motorized Transporta�on Board.
The Non-Motorized Transporta�on Plan iden�fies a “Loop Trail” route that
circumnavigates the interior of City boundaries, purposed with connec�ng
neighborhoods, schools, and parks.
The Port Townsend Loop Trail is conceptualized in the NMT Plan intended to link
exis�ng trail segments, sidewalks, paths, and roads to create a circular route within
the City limits. In 2017, a dra� logo for the Loop Trail was created and is intended to
be placed along the route to provide direc�on at each twist and turn.
Most of the City’s trails have historically been built and maintained with
volunteer efforts.
The establishing ordinance for the Non-Motorized Transporta�on Board allows the
members to coordinate and lead volunteer trail work par�es, purposed with building
and maintaining the City’s trail system. This group, along with many other volunteers
have built the majority of the City’s well-loved trail system over the past 20+ years.
The trail work par�es take place every 3rd Saturday of every other month – the next
one is October 20th on the 33rd Street Trail near 35th Street Park.30th Street Trail, the volunteers are spreading
gravel to improve the trail tread
PS. What's black and white and says Boo? A dairy cow with a cold!
SPOOKY SWIM