HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 June NewsletterCITY MANAGER RECRUITMENT
Not surprisingly, we are ge�ng a lot of ques�ons about
the status of the search for our next City Manager. City
Council engaged Phil McKenney of Peckham &
McKenney to assist in conduc�ng the search. He relied
heavily on the input from both City Council and the
Community Task Force as reported in the April edi�on of
this newsle�er. We received forty-eight applica�ons by
the �me the applica�on period closed on April 28th.
The recrui�ng agency reviewed every applica�on to
winnow the list down to those who met all our
requirements. The qualified applica�ons were then
further reviewed with our in-house recrui�ng team
made up of myself, Councilmember Michelle Sandoval,
Finance and Administra�ve Services Director Nora
Mitchell and Community Task Force Lead Catharine
Robinson. Per our adopted process, that team selected a
slate of candidates to recommend to City Council. A�er
hearing feedback from Council, that same team selected
the semi-finalists.
The semi-finalists will be invited to interview in
mid-June with a subset of our Community Task Force,
a local leadership peer group, city staff and city
council. During this �me, we are balancing our need
for transparency with the candidates’ rights to privacy.
For this reason, we will wait introduce only the finalists
selected through the interview process. There will be
an opportunity for the community to meet the finalists
and to provide feedback that will be considered by
Council as we make our final decision.
The date and �me to meet the finalists will be
adver�sed in The Leader and on our website under
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June 2019 Newsletter
The mayor’s update
Farewell Party for City Manager David Timmons
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
Climate Ac�on Commi�ee (CAC)
Ac�ve Transporta�on Advisory Board
Lodging Tax Advisory Commi�ee (recipient/collector/at-large posi�ons)
Thursday, June 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.Port Townsend Public Library in the historic Carnegie Reading Room (upstairs)1220 Lawrence Street in Uptown
Celebrate and thank David for 20 years of dis�nguished service to Port Townsend as the City’s first City Manager.
Enjoy light refreshments and live music. Fun for all ages.
Solid Waste Services in the City
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
Public Works Director Greg Lanning presented at the March 11 and April 15 Council Mee�ng that the current
contract for solid waste collec�on will be expiring, and over the last several months, the City has been working on
what the future of collec�on services will look like. We received only one proposal as a result of our request for
proposals. That one proposal was from our exis�ng contractor. We’ve been working with that proposal for costs and
details related to a poten�al contract for future services. We’ve also been considering whether we have any other
op�ons.
Some concerns we have been hearing about in regard to every other week collec�on is the smell of garbage if le�
out for two weeks. This is an important concern. We considered this issue early on in the process and consulted an
expert for an opinion and advice as well. We found nearly 2/3 of all residen�al customers in Port Townsend currently
have their garbage picked up every other week. In addi�on, our consultant has worked throughout the Pacific Northwest
and he thought the climate was moderate enough for every other week collec�on. He suggested as we implement the
program over the next year, that we encourage residents to bag the garbage before pu�ng it in the container to help
eliminate the poten�al for smells, as well reduce flies and other nega�ve effects. The new containers will have lids
that will not only help keep smells down, but keep the rain out. The main advantage of every other week collec�on is
removing one route a week from passing in front of homes. Reducing the routes helps with less wear and tear on the
roads, reduces pollu�on, and helps make for a quieter neighborhood.
Our recycling program was set up years ago to match the program at the County transfer sta�on for source-separated
or three-bin recycling. All trash, recycling and yard waste are delivered to the transfer sta�on. This contract simply
addresses collec�ng and delivering. Notwithstanding, the County and the area are proud of the quality of the recycling
as a result of the three-bin system. By going this extra step, the County has been able to find a market and a place for
the recycled material when other communi�es have had to alter or eliminate their programs as a result of the
addi�onal restric�ons imposed by China. Most all residents are able to fit their recycling into the three-bins provided
by the contractor. However, residents are allowed to provide their own larger containers if desired.
Just because we are working on this contract doesn’t mean recycling, or any other part of the contract, cannot
change. For instance, the recycling evolu�on isn’t over. We may need to make changes to recycling to suit future
markets and needs. Also, we are looking at other diversion programs such as food waste and compos�ng that may
dictate a change to how we collect and dispose of our garbage
JOIN US AT THE LIBRARY!
Summer Reading Kickoff
Thursday, June 20, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Join us for our
Summer Reading opening event! Sign up for Summer
Reading and choose a free book! All ages
Coding Club
Wednesday, June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 1:30 - 3:00
p.m. – Learn to write code for applica�ons, games, and
robots using scratch and other programming tools!
Ages 8-12
Family Movie Night Featuring E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
Friday, June 28, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Watch this beloved
Spielberg classic on the big screen while munching on
popcorn! Ages 7 and up.
Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue
Thursday, July 11, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Come meet some
amazing people and birds! All ages!
ADULT PROGRAMS
Hootenanny, Then and Now
Thursday, June 13, 2019 7:00 p.m.
Pacific Northwest �ght-harmony duo Hank and Claire
return with music and merriment. The Hootenanny
rekindles community singing, with songs chosen for
their great backstories and sing-along fun.
Jennifer Pharr Davis - Author, Speaker, Record
Se�er and Na�onal Geographic Adventurer of the
Year -Thursday, July 11, 2019 - 7:00 p.m.
For more informa�on about Library events visit www.ptlibrary.org
YOUTH PROGRAMS
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
The City of Port Townsend relies on precipita�on in the
Olympic Mountains to meet our municipal and industrial
water needs. Flow in the Big Quilcene River, our primary
water source, is typically sustained by the snowpack
through July. By early September it is o�en necessary to
u�lize water from Lords Lake, a 500-million gallon
storage reservoir, when low stream flows limit water
withdrawals from the rivers.
So far this year, condi�ons have been drier than normal
with the watershed snowpack in mid-May at 34% of
average and total precipita�on since October at 77% of
normal. The long-term forecast is for above-average
temperatures this summer, which will likely further
reduce our water supplies.
We are encouraging our customers to start conserving
water early this summer. Consider minimizing lawn
watering, one of the largest uses of residen�al water.
Lawns allowed to go brown do best if watered deeply
once a month. Addi�onal water conserva�on informa�on
is available at:
www.cityofpt.us/publicworks/page/water-conserva-
�on-�ps
Stormwater Capital Surcharge Increase
Water Supply Outlook
Effec�ve July 1, 2019, the Stormwater Capital Surcharge
will increase from $3 to $6 per month. The increase can
be no�ced on the July u�lity bill, which will be received
in the first part of August.
The rate increase was approved by Council in conjunc�on
with adop�ng the 2019 Stormwater Management Plan.
The Plan provides policy direc�on for key drainageways,
establishes best prac�ces for stormwater management,
and adopts a capital improvement program for
stormwater projects. The rate increase is specifically
designated towards funding the capital improvement
program.
The Stormwater Management Plan, including the capital
improvement program, can be found on the City’s
website: www.cityofpt.us/citycouncil/page/city-plans
JOIN US AT THE POOL!
Looking for somewhere to go this summer? There's room for you at the pool! For only $100 kids age 4-18 years, get unlimited access to the pool from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Come everyday or twice a day.
Stay cool this summer at Mountain View Pool!
YOUTH SUMMER SPLASH PASS!!
Community happenings
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
Tips to make a home safer from embers and radiant heat
Saturday, June 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(supporters of the Friends admi�ed at 8:00 a.m.)
Port Townsend Community Center,
(corner of Lawrence & Tyler)
CDs, DVDs and a myriad of books!
TASTE OF PORT TOWNSEND
Thursday, June 6th from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Northwest Mari�me Center.
Join us for a culinary adventure in support of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.
Enjoy a menu featuring local tastes, from savory to sweet, perfectly complemented by
delicious hand-cra�ed, ar�san beverages. Sample ~ Sip ~ Mingle—It’s going to be
delicious! Tickets: $55 Food & Alcohol Tastes or $40 Food Only Tastes. Tickets are on sale
now and can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com or at Safeway, 442 W Sims Way. To
learn more, visit www.ptmainstreet.org or call (360)385-7911. 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.
Clean roofs and gu�ers of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers.
Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof �les to prevent ember penetra�on.
Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves/a�c by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening
Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows.
Screen or box-in areas below pa�os and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combus�ble materials.
from accumula�ng
Rake leaves, dead limbs and twigs, and clear out all flammable vegeta�on; remove leaves and rubbish from
under structures, decks and porches.
Thin a 15-foot space between tree crowns, and remove limbs within 15’ of the ground; remove dead
branches that extend over the roof.
Prune tree branches and shrubs within 15 feet of a stovepipe or chimney outlet; remove vines from the
walls of the home.
Mow grass regularly; clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue.
Place a screen over the barbecue grill; use nonflammable material with mesh no coarser than 1/4 inch;
place stove, fireplace and grill ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for 2 days; then bury the cold ashes.
Regularly dispose of newspapers and rubbish at an approved site and follow local burning regula�ons.
Store gasoline, oily rags and other flammable materials in approved safety cans, and place the cans in a safe
loca�on away from the base of buildings.
Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and uphill from your home, and clear combus�ble material within 20
feet.
Home Igni�on Zone Checklist
Visit www.firewise.org for more details and
www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/SmokeFromFires/WildfireSmoke
for informa�on about smoke from fires.
Friends of the Port Townsend Library Book Sale