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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 May NewsletterThank you to our many wonderful volunteers! Port Townsend benefits greatly from a strong sense of place that endures thanks in large part to a strong sense of community that is buoyed by the efforts of extraordinary volunteers. A study conducted in recent years revealed that Jefferson County ranks extremely high when it comes to the number of per-capita non-profits. The contribu�ons of these organiza�ons are as varied as they are plen�ful, and a good por�on of their work is made feasible by volunteer labor. A small sampling of this work includes providing services to the less fortunate, protec�ng and restoring our environment, mentoring youth, celebra�ng and crea�ng our tradi�ons, and suppor�ng a wide array of arts and cultural opportuni�es usually reserved for larger ci�es. Considering all the engaging opportuni�es to give back, it is even more meaningful that the City of Port Townsend also benefits greatly from dedicated volunteers who contribute through our various advisory boards, task forces and commissions. Some of these boards help the City fulfill statutory requirements and thus operate under regula�ons laid out by state law. Others are created by City Council to help execute on our func�onal plans or otherwise administer ac�vi�es that have been ve�ed through the public process. Individuals are appointed to these boards by Council, serve in an official capacity for a set length of �me and are held to the same standards as elected officials when it comes to open mee�ngs and public records, all while bringing their unique skills and perspec�ves to the work at hand. This is being wri�en in the waning days of April, the month set aside to celebrate volunteers across the country. I’ll be the first to admit that we as an organiza�on can do much be�er in showing our apprecia�on for the �me and effort our volunteers give to the City. We’ll start by sharing the names of all the volunteers who are currently serving on the Council-appointed boards so that you can join us in expressing gra�tude for the work that serves us all. It is only due to space limita�ons that we leave out board volunteers who have since moved on. Nor do we have space to define the work and list the names of the many dedicated “hands on” volunteers who so greatly enhance our library, police, parks and trails. I hope you will join us in extending apprecia�on to the folks you know who fit this category of volunteers. Moving forward, I am pleased to announce that recent changes in staff alloca�ons have finally given us the capacity to provide a volunteer coordinator. This important posi�on is housed in our Parks, Recrea�on and Community Services Department and will encompass support for all City volunteer ac�vi�es. To all our volunteers, please accept a hardy dose of gra�tude from City Council & city staff! On Page 2 & 3 you will find a list of all our advisory boards and informa�on on the func�on of these board, as well as members of each board. May 2019 Newsletter The mayor’s update Citizen Volunteer Opportunities Consider applying today for vacancies on the following ci�zen advisory boards and commi�ees. Visit the City’s website to fill out our applica�on and view the mee�ng schedules. www.cityofpt.us Historic Preserva�on Commi�ee Climate Ac�on Commi�ee (CAC) Ac�ve Transporta�on Advisory Board Parks, Recrea�on and Tree Advisory Board PEG Access Coordina�ng Commi�ee (student representa�ve/video professional/educa�on/producer group posi�ons) Lodging Tax Advisory Commi�ee (recipient/collector/at-large posi�ons) Library Advisory Board The City’s Current Advisory Boards and Members City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us Ac�ve Transporta�on Advisory Board The Board's purpose is: Advising the City Council on the planning, funding, and maintenance of the City's non- motorized transporta�on facili�es, including implementa�on of the Non-Motorized Transporta�on Plan and promo�on of walking and bicycling for both recrea�on and transporta�on throughout the City. They also sponsor other volunteer non-motorized transporta�on projects such as, neighborhood trail-building work par�es organized throughout the year and developing a plan for bicycle parking throughout Port Townsend. Members: Joseph Finn, Mike Kaill, Hendrik Taatgen, Sam Feinson (Chair), Pat Teal, Richard Dandridge(Vice Chair) Arts Commission The Arts Commission promotes and encourages public programs to further the development and public awareness of and interest in the arts and to act in an advisory capacity to the City government in connec�on with the ar�s�c and cultural development of the City. Members are selected based on their knowledge and exper�se with respect to the performing, visual and literary arts. The Arts Commission sponsors an annual one-act play contest and reviews grant applica�ons for events. Members: Stan Rubin, Becky Busi, Kris Morris, Owen Rowe (Chair), Dominica Lord-Wood, Shelly Leavens, Maryann Tapiro, Dan Groussman, Nha�aleah Nichols (Vice Chair) Civil Service Commission The Civil Service Commission administers the Civil Service system pursuant to state law and local Civil Service Rules for employees of the Police Department. This includes authorizing provisional appointments, approving changes to Civil Service Rules cer�fying employment lists, and establishing types of employment and promo�onal examina�ons. Eligibility requirements include United States ci�zenship, a minimum of three years as a City resident, and status as a registered voter in Jefferson County. Members: Gail Ryan (Vice Chair), Sherry Erickson, Richard Knight (Chair) Climate Ac�on Commi�ee (CAC) The CAC is a joint commi�ee of the City of Port Townsend and Jefferson County created in January 2008 as an advisory group to address the problems and opportuni�es posed by global warming/climate change. A joint City-County resolu�on has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by the year 2050. The CAC successfully completed an inventory of greenhouse gases and dra�ed a Climate Ac�on Plan. On September 22, 2011, the City and County jointly adopted the Climate Ac�on Plan (CAP). Members: Kate Dean, Jeff Randall (Vice Chair), Laura Tucker, Chris O'Higgins, John Bender, Eric Toews, Jim Pivarnik, Darren Wilson, Cindy Jayne (Chair), Sonja Hammar, David Wilkinson, Kate Chadwick Community Task Force In the fall of 2018, the City Council appointed a Community Task Force to propose, based on public input, the profile for the next City Manager to be used in the recruitment process. This group from across the Port Townsend community created the survey and used those survey results to build the recruitment brochure. Members: Catharine Robinson (Chair), Jean Camfield, John Collins, John Nowak, Kris Morris, Liesl Slabaugh, Malcolm Dorn, Ned Herbert, Norm Tonina, Samantha Thomas, Sarah Rubenstein, Siobhan Canty, Tim Caldwell Historic Preserva�on Commi�ee The City of Port Townsend’s Historic Preserva�on Commi�ee is comprised of local ci�zens who serve as a review board for proposals regarding historically significant resources within the City. They advocate for historic preserva�on and provide recommenda�ons to the Department of Development Services regarding proposed projects. The commi�ee prepares and proposes revisions to design review guidelines for evalua�ng development proposals. Members: Don Schussler, Cate Comerford, George Randels, Charles Paul (Chair), Richard Berg (Vice Chair), Craig Bri�on, Kathleen Croston -con�nued on next page- 2019 Low Income Discount Renewals City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us www.cityofpt.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1887&meta_id=165061 Renewal materials were mailed April 5th and completed renewal applica�ons are due to the City no later than May 25, 2019 to avoid interrup�on of your discounted rate. If you received a low income discount renewal no�ce, your discount is set to expire on May 31, 2019. Low income households must renew their discount annually and low income seniors and Disabled applicants must renew every two years. If you need new or addi�onal copies of the applica�on, printed copies are available in the Finance Department ves�bule, located on the first floor of City Hall or they are available to print on the City website at www.cityofpt.us. New applicants may apply for the discount at any �me during the year. Library Advisory Board The Board advises the City Manager and City Council concerning the opera�ons of the Port Townsend Library. The Board offers advisory opinions concerning: the supervision, care, and custody of Library property; the annual opera�ons budget; purchase of supplies and materials for Library patrons; hours of opera�on for public use of the Library. The Board also develops the policy for the selec�on of books, periodicals, maps, materials, and informa�on services for the Library's opera�on. In addi�on, the board may make recommenda�ons to the City Council regard- ing the long-range planning of facili�es and funding-based proposals. Members: Ann Raymond (Chair), Sarah Fairbank, Jacqueline Men�on, Kathyrn Ryan, Sidonie Wilson, Owen Rowe, Carol Klontz Lodging Tax Advisory Commi�ee The Lodging Tax Advisory Commi�ee is authorized to engage in tourism planning and promo�on ac�vi�es. The Commi�ee reviews applica�ons for tourism promo�on and tourism-related facility projects and makes recommenda�ons to the City Council regarding the projects the City should fund through lodging tax receipts. Membership consists of one elected official of the City, four representa�ves of businesses or en��es required to collect the lodging tax, four representa�ves involved in ac�vi�es funded by the lodging tax, and two at-large members. Members: Michelle Sandoval (Chair), Sherri Hanke, Amanda Milholland, Robert Birman, Barb Trailer, Jane�e Force, Denise Winter, Cindy Finnie, Dave Robison, Nathan Barne�, Mari Mullen, Arlene Alen, William Roney Parks, Recrea�on and Tree Advisory Board The PRTAB advises City Council on issues related to the City's parks, open spaces, trees, and recrea�onal opportuni�es. The Advisory Board provides review, advice, and recommenda�ons on the implementa�on of the Port Townsend Parks, Recrea�on and Open Space Func�onal Plan and other topics that are important to maintaining and expanding the City's commitment to conserva�on and legisla�on regarding the City's parks and trees. The Board organizes community efforts to maintain and protect our City's recrea�onal assets. Members: Paul Schu�, Jim Todd, Ed Robeau, Daniel Greholver, Brenda McMillan, Deborah Jahnke (Interim Chair/Vice Chair) PEG Access Coordina�ng Commi�ee The Commi�ee sets administra�ve procedures and advises the City Council and School Board on policy ma�ers related to use of the local public, educa�onal and governmental (PEG) telecommunica�ons produc�on facility. Members: Robert Gray (Chair), John Polm, Mark Welch, Richard Durr, Brian Mora� Planning Commission The Planning Commission provides recommenda�ons to the City Council on land use regula�ons and Comprehensive Plan amendments, conducts public hearings on legisla�ve proposals, and forwards findings to the City Council for final ac�on. Members: Paul Rice (Chair), Monica MickHager, Rick Jahnke (Vice Chair), James Lagergren, Lois Stanford, Robert Doyle, Aislinn Palmer City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us Come Meet Your State Supreme Court Jus�ces in Council Chambers on May 13th On Monday, May 13th the City of Port Townsend will host the jus�ces of the Washington State Supreme Court as they offer an open public forum in City Council Chambers in City Hall 250 Madison Street. The forum will run from 3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and everyone is cordially invited to a�end to learn more about our judicial system. The forum is one of several opportuni�es for the public to interact with our Supreme Court jus�ces during their two-day visit to our region. Early in the day on Monday, May 13th the jus�ces will present student assemblies at the Quilcene School, Chimacum High School and Port Townsend High School. That a�ernoon members of the court will also offer a CLE class for members of the local Bar, to be held in City Council Chambers directly prior to the public forum. The State’s highest court is located in Olympia in the Temple of Jus�ce on the State capitol grounds. For more than a decade, the Supreme Court has heard cases “on the road” three �mes a year to make it easier for ci�zens to see the court in ac�on. While in Port Townsend the court will hear three actual cases on their docket. The public is invited to a�end these hearings in the Jefferson County Superior Courtroom. On Tuesday, May 14th Chief Jus�ce Fairhurst and Associate Jus�ces Charles Johnson, Barbara Madsen, Susan Owens, Debra Stephens, Charles Wiggins, Steven González, Sheryl Gordon McCloud and Mary Yu will hear the following cases at the superior court beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend. A�er arguments in each case the jus�ces will answer ques�ons from the public. • No. 96313-4, State of Washington v. Frank A. Wallmuller: Whether a community custody condi�on prohibi�ng the convicted defendant from frequen�ng “places where children congregate such as parks, video arcades, campgrounds, and shopping malls” is uncons�tu�onally vague. • No. 96262-6, Freedom Founda�on v. Service Employees Interna�onal Union Local 925: Whether email messages kept on a public university’s email system consis�ng of exchanges between university employees and a private labor union concerning unioniza�on efforts are public records subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act, chapter 42.56 RCW. The court will break for lunch and reconvene at 1:30 p.m. to hear the last case of the day: • No. 96660-5, Mark Elster and Sarah Pynchon v. City of Sea�le: Whether the City of Sea�le’s campaign voucher program, which levies a property tax to fund vouchers that City residents can use to support poli�cal candidates, violates First Amendment principles. Oral arguments will be taped for broadcast at a later date on TVW, Washington’s Public Affairs network. “We welcome anyone interested in seeing how the Supreme Court conducts oral arguments or in learning more about how the judicial branch operates,” said Chief Jus�ce Mary E. Fairhurst. “We enjoy answering questions and hearing from members of the community.” For further informa�on regarding the Supreme Court, visit the Washington Courts web site at www.courts.wa.gov Supreme Court Justices will be in Port Townsend!