HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 January Newsletter2019 – A Year of Transi�on and Ac�on
The first order of business in 2019 for City Council is to
adopt our 2019-2022 Strategic Plan. The City has
u�lized a rolling 3-year strategic plan since 2007, a
process that has served us well over the last dozen
years. While it is impossible to predict the future, we
can an�cipate the mandatory work and desired projects
needed to achieve the vision so well-ar�culated in our
City’s Comprehensive Plan. The strategic plan helps us
stay on course while simultaneously taking on whatever
is needed to address challenges and maximize
opportuni�es. A review of the last 3-year period found
that 60% of the ac�on taken by City Council was directly
related to the strategic plan, leading to comple�on or
implementa�on of all targeted ac�ons.
At our business mee�ng on January 7, Council will
consider adop�ng a 4-year plan that recognizes 2019 as
a year of transi�on. As you know, City Manager David
Timmons will be moving on to his next adventure at the
end of June. There are also several agreements and
documents to be addressed before 2020. While we
have iden�fied Focus Areas, Strategies and Ac�on Items
for 2020-2022, Council is considering adop�ng the
following special ac�on items as priori�es for 2019. The
last ac�on item provides the opportunity for our new
City Manager to work with Council to further refine the
2020-2022 strategic plan.
• City Manager Transi�on
• Fire District Annexa�on Response Plan
• Solid Waste Contract Request for Proposals and
Selec�on of Preferred Direc�on
• Golf Course Lease Expira�on and Renewal Plan
Adop�on
• Olympic Gravity Water System Lease Expira�on and
Transi�on Plan Adop�on
• Wave Franchise/Public Educa�on & Government
(PEG) Renewal Agreement(s)
• Shoreline Regula�ons Update
• Upper Sims Sub-Area Plan Final Adop�on and
Implementa�on
• Stormwater Func�onal Plan Adop�on and
Implementa�on
• Library Financial Plan Adop�on and Implementa�on
• Parking Management Strategy Adop�on and
Implementa�on Plan
• Water System Func�onal Plan Adop�on and
Implementa�on
• Con�nued Support for Capital Project Commitments
• Schedule update to post 2019 Strategic Plan
Strategies and Ac�on Items to priori�ze Strategies
and Ac�on Items for considera�on in 2020 – 2022
A�er seeing the ini�al work plan for this list, we will
conduct our quarterly inbox review during our January
14 workshop to consider ac�ons previously suggested
by residents, advisory boards and council members. All
in all, 2019 promises to be ac�on packed!
January 2019 Newsletter
The mayor’s update
Fire Annexation Ballot Measure Coming Up February 12
On February 12, 2019, area residents will be asked to vote on a measure to annex the City of Port Townsend into
Jefferson County Fire Protec�on District #1 (EJFR). If approved, this measure merge the geographic area of Port
Townsend and it's residents into the service area of District #1.
The ballot measure will be presented to both city residents and residents of the unincorported area of District #1. In
order for the measure to pass, both cons�tuencies must approve it by 50% plus one.
Although the objec�ve to bring the City's residents into District 1 is straigh�orward, there are a number of
complexi�es associated with annexa�on. EJFR has created a page on their website to assist voters in making an
educated decision. We hope you find this informa�on helpful. www.ejfr.org/Annexa�onInforma�on.php
You can Pay your Utility Bills Online
Community Happenings
Utility Rate Increase
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
JOIN US AT THE LIBRARY!
Adult Programs:
Flip Flop on the Appalachian Trail with Maribeth Crandell
Port Townsend Public Library - 1220 Lawrence St.
Thursday, Jan. 10, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
From Homer to #hashtags: Our Changing Language with Chris�ne Hemp
Port Townsend Public Library - 1220 Lawrence St.
Thursday, Jan. 17, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
2019 North Olympic Peninsula Farming Film Fes�val
Charles Pink House - 1256 Lawrence St.
Monday, Jan. 7, 14, 28, 12:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Youth Programs:
Children’s Choir Directed by Phina Pipia
First Bap�st Church - 1202 Lawrence St.
Tuesday, Jan. 8-Feb. 26th, 4:00 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
Sing-a-Ling with Keeth Apgar from Harmonica Pocket
Port Townsend Library - 1220 Lawrence St.
Thursday, Jan. 10, 10:15a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
For more informa�on about Library events visit www.ptlibrary.org
The City of Port Townsend is excited to share that our 3rd Party Electronic Billing & Payment Processing Partner, DOXO, has
created a LIVE, dedicated customer support line. Should you require assistance/support from DOXO, you are now able to
reach a live customer service representa�ve by calling: (206)319-0097.
Having a mini-business emergency? Port Townsend Main Street Program "LENT Microloan Fund Loans” for
businesses in the historic districts, deadline Monday - January 15th at 5:00 p.m. Purpose of LENT Funds:
Low-Interest Microloan Funds are a tool to offset some of the financial impacts businesses endure from
emergency situa�ons, though business development proposals will be considered. Priority will be given to
business owners with shops in the commercial historic districts that are experiencing a loss of business due to
natural disaster, infrastructure failure, major equipment failure, etc. Priority will also be given to impac�ul
infrastructure projects that would benefit not only the business applying, but neighboring businesses and the local economy as
well. Business growth projects will also be considered. If you’re not sure whether or not your project qualifies, please call the
Main Street office at (360)385-7911 to discuss. Even if we can’t fund your project through LENT, we may be able to point you in
the right direc�on! www.ptmainstreet.org
Water and sewer rates for City u�lity customers will see a modest increase effec�ve January 1, 2019. These changes will be
reflected on the January 31, 2019 billing. The monthly water base rate for an average residen�al customer will increase by
$0.59 cents per month, or 3%. Water usage charges will increase by 3%, or $.08 per 1,000 gallons consump�on. Monthly
sewer and storm water base and consump�on rates are not scheduled to increase in 2019. The capital surcharge rate for
sewer accounts will increase by $5.00 per account to fund necessary capital improvements. Capital surcharge rates are
monthly fees used to pay for exis�ng debt and projected new debt issued to fund planned capital projects. For more
informa�on on capital projects visit the “Latest News” sec�on of the city website at www.cityofpt.us
The average increase in u�lity bill for a two person household using 5,000 gallons of water will be $6.21 per month
The City an�cipates addi�onal u�lity base rate and surcharge increases over the next several years to fully fund u�lity
requirements. Rates will vary for each water meter class and size and can be found in the Port Townsend Municipal Code
(chapter 13.05) on the city website.
Port Townsend Public Library Survey Results
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
Water System Flushing
The City of Port Townsend Water Department will be conduc�ng its annual water system flushing beginning in
December and con�nuing through January. Water distribu�on lines need to be flushed periodically to prevent
water quality problems. Flushing traces of minerals and sediment from the pipelines may cause short-term but
harmless changes to the water. Customers may temporarily see brownish colored water, which can be eliminated
by running taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, please call 379-5096.
Port Townsend loves its library! With 96% of library patrons ra�ng the overall library as good to excellent! During the
spring of 2018 the Port Townsend Public Library (Library) conducted this survey to be�er understand how our patrons use
the library, and what services— current and poten�al—are most important to them. An incredible 584 respondents
offered approximately 1105 wri�en comments about the library. Of the respondents, 95% have a library card. The survey
had its limita�ons with primarily only library users responding to the survey. Future work will need to be done to connect
with non-library users and children and teens throughout the community. Increased outreach by library staff and stake-
holders is needed to provide public educa�on about the many library services and programs offered for all ci�zens.
Here are the synthesized top reflec�ons from the analysis of the survey feedback.
What the library is doing well:
• Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff.
• Programs: like the Community Read, Summer Reading, the monthly bookclub and most especially the
story�mes.
• Community outreach and partnerships.
• The collec�on is appreciated for a community this size.
Most valued about the Library:
• The preserva�on of the historic Carnegie Library and reading room. The building and its services are
valued by the community with words like treasure, asset, architecture, ambience and love used o�en.
• Open and free access to all. The library is open and welcoming to all and supports a healthy community
and democracy.
• Interlibrary loan ability to access materials across the country.
Specific changes suggested to help improve the library:
• Overall smoother technological interfaces and skilled assistance with the public computers, internet
and catalog.
• Quieter staff with more customer service consistency.
• The parking lot con�nues to be too small for patrons needs and many comments asked for improvements
to be made.
• Overall, patrons requested MORE of many things- most especially more books, electronic resources, quiet
reading/studying spaces, longer hours, more programs for adults, more diverse programs, and more staff to
serve adult services.
Customer sa�sfac�on is the key to library success and ac�vely reques�ng and responding to feedback regularly is essen�al
for the Library to thrive and remain commi�ed to its ci�zens. Overall our library is seen as a highly valued and treasured
community resource and the posi�ve ra�ngs were consistent with the comments. Our inten�on is to use the results to
help guide us in developing our levels of service analysis and sustainable funding op�ons for early 2019 and a new strategic
plan for the Library by the end 2019. The full report can be found on the Library’s website at www.ptpubliclibrary.org
2019 Operating Budget Summary
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
The City’s Opera�ng Budget is segregated into funds, which have different restric�ons on how the money can be
legally spent. You can see the full budget summary on our website - www.cityofpt.us
WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM
WHERE THE MONEY GOES
Fire / EMS Services $2,445,809 Library $1,095,824 General Gov’t
$884,670
TRANSFERS
16.5%
WAGES & BENEFITS
30.5%
UTILITY DEBT SVS
7.6%
Property Taxes
The City receives a por�on of the
property taxes that are paid by each
property owner to Jefferson County.
The City’s por�on of you property taxes
is approximately 7.64% (based on the
2018 tax assessors data) which are
allocated as follows:
AffordableHousing$10,000
DebtService$252,000
Parks/Recrea�on$412,000