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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 February NewsletterThe City Manager’s Role Over the last several months I have used this space to cover the hiring process we are using in an�cipa�on of David Timmons vaca�ng his posi�on as Port Townsend City Manager this summer. That process started by Council ar�cula�ng an updated strategic plan and iden�fying the skills needed to implement that plan. The plan was then passed to a community task force to provide Council with feedback on skills and characteris�cs city residents see as essen�al for our new manager’s success. We will be receiving a report from the task force soon a�er this newsle�er goes to press, but one thing we already learned is that many people do not understand where the City Manager fits in the organiza�on and the responsibili�es of the posi�on. Like 85% of U.S. ci�es with popula�ons over 2,500, Port Townsend operates as a Council-Manager form of local government, as depicted in the following high-level organiza�onal chart. As you can see, our residents are always at the top of this organiza�on. Your elected representa�ves on City Council are charged with developing a community vision, and adop�ng and overseeing policies to achieve that vision. In our form of government, state law calls for Council to hire a professional manager who serves as the administra�ve head and chief execu�ve officer of the city government. The individual who holds this posi�on is responsible for the direc�on and effec�ve coordina�on of all city services, day-to-day opera�ons and implementa�on of the adopted policies, as set by the City Council. This structure ensures we have a highly trained, nonpoli�cal and experienced professional who has the skills, administra�ve qualifica�ons and educa�on to produce results. Accountability to our residents is provided through the elected governing council, the people who hire, and if warranted can fire, the manager as an “at-will” employee through a majority vote. More about the powers and du�es of an appointed City Manager can be found on the Washington State Legislators webiste: Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and search for RCW 35A.13.080. February 2019 Newsletter The mayor’s update Davi d Ti mmons City Manager Deborah Stinson Mayor David Faber Deputy Mayor Amy Howard Council Member Ariel Speser Council Member Michelle Sandoval Council Member Pamela Adams Council Member Robert Gray Council Member Lance Bailey Development ServicesDirector Greg Lanning Public WorksDirector Nora Mitchell Finance & AdministrativeServices Director Alex Wisniewski Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director Melody Sky Eisler Library Director City Attorney Heidi Greenwood Citizens of Port Townsend Michael Evans Chief of Police JOIN US AT THE POOL! Library Rejoices for the Pink House Wall Restoration Make a Difference in Your Community City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us TRANSFERS 16.5% Free Sunday Swim on February 10th (the second Sunday of every month). Free Open Swim for everyone from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Open Swim All Day on President's Day Feb. 18th (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., special hours on Holidays). No fitness classes or Swim Lessons. Cosmic Swim on February 22nd. Only $5 for a groovy dance party in the pool from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Join one of our Ci�zen Advisory Boards 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: Arts Commission Parks, Recrea�on and Tree Advisory Board Lodging Tax Advisory Commi�ee (Recipient) Non-Motorized Transporta�on Advisory Board If you have any ques�ons please contact the City Clerk’s Office (360) 379-5083. You can download an applica�on form from our website, www.cityofpt.us under City Hall/ Boards & Commission. You can also pick up a hard copy form from City Hall. City residency or employment within the City is a requirement for most posi�ons. Appointments are generally �or hree years. Photos by: Mike Burk of the Library Founda�on Olympic Peninsula-based Interwest Construc�on, Inc. successfully completed a full renova�on of the historic granite stone wall in front of the Charles Pink House 1256 Lawrence Street. The project included the installa- �on of a gabion wall for structural support and a new sandstone cap to match historic photos of the wall. All of the original granite stones were reused in the project and can be seen as the face of the wall. Funding was made possible by generous contribu�ons from the Port Townsend Library Founda�on, and the City of Port Townsend. Terrapin Architecture of Port Townsend provided project management support. City Meetings City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us JOIN US AT THE LIBRARY! 2019 North Olympic Peninsula Farming Film Fes�val Charles Pink House - 1256 Lawrence St.Monday, Feb. 4th, 11th, 25th - 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Movie screening and discussion. Nature Photography Tips and Techniques with Russ Stamp Port Townsend Public Library - Carnegie Reading RoomThursday, Feb. 7th, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Photography program featuring outdoor/nature photog- raphy �ps, techniques, loca�ons, gear, post-processing and ques�ons with Russ Stamp. Sing-a-Ling with Keeth Apgar from Harmonica Pocket Port Townsend Library - 1220 Lawrence St.Thursday, Feb. 14, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Sing-A-Ling gets toddlers, preschoolers, families and the greater community into our bodies and singing together. Fall in Love with your Library: Open House Event Port Townsend Library - 1220 Lawrence St.Thursday, Feb. 14, 4:00-6:00 p.m. Come to the library for an Open House. Enjoy live music, Valen�ne cra�s, and light refreshments. Art in the Library Opening Recep�on presented by Northwind Arts Center Port Townsend Library - 1220 Lawrence St.Friday, Feb. 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m. For more informa�on about Library events visit www.ptlibrary.org City Council Business Mee�ng February 04, 2019 - 6:30 p.m. Historic Preserva�on Commi�ee February 05, 2019 - 3:00 p.m. Arts Commission February 06, 2019 - 3:00 p.m. Civil Service Commission February 06, 2019 - 3:30 p.m. Non Motorized Transporta�on Advisory Board February 7, 2019 - 4:30 p.m. Library Advisory Board February 11, 2019 - 3:30 p.m. City Council Workshop Mee�ng February 11, 2019 - 6:30 p.m. CANCELED/Council Ad Hoc Commi�ee on Commi�ees February 12, 2019 - 1:30 p.m. PEG Access Coordina�ng Commi�ee February 12, 2019 - 3:30 p.m. CANCELED/Planning Commission February 14, 2019 - 6:30 p.m. City Council Business Mee�ng February 19, 2019 - 6:30 p.m. Council Ad Hoc Commi�ee on Housing February 21, 2019 - 3:00 p.m. Council Finance and Budget Commi�ee February 26, 2019 - 3:00 p.m. Parks Recrea�on and Tree Advisory Board February 26, 2019 - 4:30 p.m. Planning Commission February 28, 2019 - 6:30 p.m. The following City mee�ngs are coming up in February. Mee�ng dates are subject to change. Visit our website for a complete list of mee�ngs and the most current mee�ng dates, �mes, and loca�ons. www.cityofpt.us 2019 Capital Project Review City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us Stormwater Management Plan. The Stormwater Management Plan will con�nue through the adop�on process in 2019. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the dra� Stormwater Management Plan and a�end city council mee�ngs; a council workshop is schedule for February 11, 2019. The dra� Stormwater Management Plan will be posted on the Latest News Sec�on of the City’s front page. Keep up to date on the Stormwater Management Plan Process by visi�ng the City of Port Townsend webpage under “Complete Mee�ng Calendar” link. Rainier Street Regional Stormwater Project. The Regional Stormwater Facility will provide stormwater deten�on for approximately 33 acres of commercial proper�es and public rights-of-way along the Rainier Street corridor from Discovery Road to the south side of Sims Way (SR 20). The facility will be a constructed pond, located just outside the city limits and adjacent to Mill Road. The project is currently in the design and permi�ng phase with construc�on scheduled for Summer of 2019. Visitor Center Frontage Improvements and Artwork Installa�on. The Visitor Center project will be design and constructed in 2019. The project consists of a new sidewalk along Sims Way (SR-20) from Thayer Street (adjacent to Kitsap Bank) to Benedict Street (adjacent to Port Townsend Garden Center); stormwater upgrades; and improved access to the Visitor Center. A sculpture by Russell Jaqua, which was donated to the City, will be the focal piece of the project. Discovery Road Sidewalk - Rainier Street to Sheridan Street. The City received a grant from both Washington State Department of Transporta�on (WSDOT) and Surface Transporta�on Program (STP) for a sidewalk and bikeway on the south side of Discovery Road from Rainier Street to McClellan Street. The project will also include stormwater enhancements and crossing improvements. Conceptual design will begin in the Summer of 2019. Sewer Ou�all. The City will be replacing its sewer ou�all for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The on-shore por�on of the sewer ou�all was replaced in 2005 and this project is proposing to replace the off-shore por�on of the exis�ng sewer ou�all. The exis�ng ou�all extends 900 feet north from North Beach (a county park). Design and permi�ng for the project will be completed in 2019 with construc�on in 2021. The City received a grant and loan from the Department of Ecology for the permi�ng and preliminary engineering work for the sewer ou�all project. SR 20 Pedestrian Walkway – Logan to Hancock. The City is comple�ng the permi�ng and preliminary design of a pedestrian sidewalk and crossing of the ravine on upper Sims Way east to the Thomas Street roundabout to connect exis�ng sidewalks on each side of the ravine. The design is funded by a federal grant with a City match funded by the 2017 bond. Funding for the construc�on is not yet determined; once the preliminary design is complete and project costs be�er known, the City will seek grant funding for construc�on. Complete Streets. The City received $250,000 in grant funding from TIB for improvements to ADA ramps and sidewalks. A sidewalk on 9th Street between Hancock Street and Grant Street will be completed in 2019. Library Improvements. In 2018 the City installed a new roof on the Annex building and replaced the exterior retaining wall in front of the Pink house. The new wall was par�ally funded by the Library Founda�on. For 2019, windows will be replaced in the Annex building. In addi�on, the Library Founda�on is funding a restroom renova- �on to install new finishes, fixtures and par��ons that will improve ADA accessibility and match the aesthe�cs of the historic Carnegie Library. How would these projects benefit the city? The benefits of the upcoming projects include improved mobility and safety for pedestrians; increased commercial density for future projects along Rainier Street; and upgrading wastewater infrastructure. The projects for 2019 are mul�faceted and address aging infrastructure, economic development, stormwater policies and new links to the city’s bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Stay tuned in to upcoming projects on the City’s website, under Public Works Capital Projects.