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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 April NewsletterNewsletterNewsletter City of Port Townsend 250 Madison Street (360)385-3000 www.cityofpt.us APRIL COUNCIL MEETINGS: A NOTE FROM MAYOR MICHELLE SANDOVAL We are all fortunate to live in this community. I have felt that every day for nearly 30 years. The unparalleled beauty, immediate access to nature, our unique cultural ameni�es and small-town feel make us unique. There is no other place that I have lived over the years that compares to the community spirit in our town. We see it in the number of volunteers that enable both government advisory boards and nonprofit events to flourish. The crea�vity, kindness and intelligence in our town is remarkable. Port Townsend knows how to take care of each other on the best of days when life is “normal.” We are small but mighty, I like to say. And now, as we are in the midst of a life altering crisis, this is the �me that I have no doubt we will see our community spirit shine. I am urging all of you to heed the advice to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy and know your ac�ons will be key to keeping others safe. I would further ask that those that can help, do. Whether that be with financial assistance through the various funds that our being created to help our businesses, non-profits, their employees, and their children (you may not know that 50% of our kids in school qualify for a free or reduced lunch in the best of �mes) or through your neighborhood preparedness groups and their call to ac�on: looking a�er your vulnerable neighbors by checking on them with phone calls or texts or perhaps a knock on the door with safe prac�ces employed. Do they need groceries, medica�on, their trash brought to the curb? For those in this community with the wherewithal to help financially, please give generously to enable your neighbors to weather this storm. This small town struggled during the recession and the long recovery a�erward. During the great recession we had our ferries condemned and pulled from the route to Whidbey Island (we had a small inadequate ferry leased to the state, un�l new ferries could be built) and the Hood Canal bridge was closed for replacement for 9 weeks. Storefronts were shu�ered, our cultural nonprofits barely survived. But we proved to be resilient. We all pulled together to be crea�ve; LION (Local Investment Opportunity Network) was created to help our small businesses and nonprofits with loans and lines of credit when banks would not lend. The community bought stock to start Quimper Mercan�le Company (our community owned store) when our general store closed, and it was difficult to find essen�als locally. If you are new to this community, you may not have experienced those hard �mes with us. You fell in love with a vibrant town. Let’s ensure that vibrancy returns a�er these hard days. It will take all of us, old �mers and newcomers, all government jurisdic�ons and all elected officials, to keep our community safe and to find ways to help each other. So please employ safe prac�ces, volunteer if you can and donate if you are able. And lastly, but most importantly be kind to one another. We are in this together. Here are some helpful resources: Jefferson Public Health: www. jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/202/Public-Health Jefferson Community Founda�on: www.jcfgives.org/ Local 2020: www.l2020.org/ April 2020 Although the below mee�ngs are s�ll scheduled we strongly urge you to view the mee�ngs from our website via live streaming. 04/06/20 Business Mee�ng 04/13/20 Workshop Mee�ng 04/20/20 Business Mee�ng Mee�ngs are subject to change; please view our website calendar for an up-to -date mee�ng schedule. City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us City of Port Townsend Offices and Facilities Closure National Volunteer Appreciation Month Volunteerism has been a key component of opera�ons for the City of Port Townsend for a long, long �me. Our volunteers do alot around this community such as: Parks Volunteers • Plant, clean-up and beau�fy our parks • Help to clear and maintain city trails Library Volunteers • Provide support in a myriad of ways at the front counter and behind the scenes • The library “book worms” are volunteers who beau�fy our library grounds Police volunteers • Supplement police services in office work • Patrols and emergency prepara�on • Help with traffic counts when needed • Assist in many other ways when assistance is required to complete a task for a City study or report. Board and Commission members • Sit on ci�zen advisory boards and commissions help to keep our community running effec�vely and in the interest of its ci�zens The benefits the City receives from our volunteers is enormous and provides vital help to our community. As of the summer of 2020 we are rolling out a centralized volunteer program under the City’s Parks, Recrea�on and Community Services Department. The benefits of volunteering can be enormous. Volunteering offers vital help to our community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. The right match can help you to find friends, connect with the community, and even learn new skills! While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of �me out of your busy day. Giving even in simple ways can help a lot. If you are interested in exploring volunteer opportuni�es with the City, please visit our website. On the Parks, Recrea�on and Community Services page. You will find a Volunteer Program link under Community Services and there you may fill out a Volunteer Inquiry Form. We look forward to having you join us! THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS!! Note from City Manager John Mauro It’s no secret that we’re all trying to do our best to adapt to a difficult and constantly changing situa�on. I’d like to offer my deep gra�tude to all those who are rolling up their sleeves and leading with their hearts to keep our community moving through these challenging �mes. I’d also like to acknowledge those in our community who are struggling through heartbreaking personal and professional situa�ons. We’re with you, please hang in there. While our work con�nues, the City has closed offices and reduced services in order to protect our staff and the community we serve. Our website has up-to-date informa�on, as I’m sure things have changed in the �me between wri�ng this and seeing it in your (and my) postbox. Visit www.cityofpt.us/covid. I’d like to thank the City staff who con�nue to show dedica�on to essen�al services, innova�on in doing things differently, and compassion in trying hard to help others. Finally, we con�nue to look for be�er ways to serve our community in a �me of significant need, including in how we communi- cate. While I’ve suspended my weekly coffee conversa�ons, Mayor Sandoval and I will con�nue our weekly 10am spot on KPTZ each Thursday for regular updates from the City. We’re also launching a Facebook page: find us at City of Port Townsend, WA Government. We look forward to connec�ng with you, even at a distance, as we work our way through this. Welcome New Public Works Director Steve King! A warm welcome to new Public Works Director Steve King. As noted last month, Steve le� his role as Economic Development Director (and formerly Community Development Director and Public Works Director) for the City of Wenatchee to join us. If his enthusias�c start is any indica�on, Steve is already tackling incredible challenges with intelligence, teamwork, leadership and grit. His first day on the job was the day the Governor ordered Stay at Home, Stay Healthy, the next day he and his team had cra�ed a dra� opera�onal plan in response. Steve will undoubtedly be pu�ng a lot of “public” into public works, especially once we are back into a more normal mode. City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us Shoreline Master Program Periodic Review Port Townsend Library Survey The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is a plan containing both policies and regula�ons that apply to shoreline areas (generally the water area and 200-feet inland). In Port Townsend, shorelines include Port Townsend Bay, Admiralty Inlet, Straits of Juan de Fuca, Kah Tai Lagoon, and Chinese Gardens Lagoon. The SMP is intended to provide for environmental protec�on, appropriate development, and public access. The City of Port Townsend is required to periodically review and if needed revise the SMP to ensure it stays current with changes in laws and rules, remains consistent with other City plans and regula�ons, and is responsive to changed circumstances, new informa�on and improved data. Related sec�ons of Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC) Chapters 19.05 Cri�cal Areas and 20.01 Land Development Administra�ve Procedures may also be revised. The deadline for comple�on is currently June 30, 2021. Comments regard the scope of the revisions will be accepted through April 30, 2020. Addi�onal opportuni�es for comment will follow including: • SEPA Threshold Determina�on • Planning Commission review of Dra� Amendments • City Council Review of Dra� Amendments Please check our website for Upcoming Mee�ngs and Agendas. For more informa�on, please visit our webpage. SMP informa�on can be found on the planning page from our main Development Services Page Or Contact: Judy Surber, Planning Manager by phone or email: jsurber@cityofpt.us, 360)379-5084 • Planning Commission review of Dra� Amendments • City Council Review of Dra� Amendments Please check our website for Upcoming Mee�ngs and Agendas. Public input on scope accepted through April 30 Public input:SEPA Review &Planning Commission review of draft Public input:Joint Planning Commission/Ecology Hearing followed by Council Hearing Please take our brief survey and let us know what you think. Available online. We’re crea�ng a plan for the future of the Port Townsend Public Library and we’d like to hear from you, whether you consider yourself a library patron or not! Please complete the survey online at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/PTPL2020 City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360)385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us 2020 Low-Income Discount Renewals Irrigation - Summer Rate Change Citizen Volunteer Opportunities A Note From Our Wastewater Operations Manager In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, our Wastewater Opera�ons Manager would like to remind the residents of Port Townsend about the importance of not flushing anything but toilet paper down the toilet. That includes ‘flushable’ wipes. This photo shows exactly what flushable or baby wipes do to our system – they do not break down, and instead can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to our collec�on system and Treatment Plant equipment. “Flushable” wipes and paper towels should always be thrown in the trash. They do not break down in the way that toilet paper does. Any ques�ons or concerns can be directed to Bliss Morris, who can be reached via email at bmorris@cityofpt.us. Volunteerism has been a key component of opera�ons for the City of Port Townsend for a long, long �me. Our volunteers do alot around this community such as:Parks Volunteers • Plant, clean-up and beau�fy our parks • Help to clear and maintain city trailsLibrary Volunteers • Provide support in a myriad of ways at the front counter and behind the scenes • The library “book worms” are volunteers who beau�fy our library groundsPolice volunteers • Supplement police services in office work • Patrols and emergency prepara�on • Help with traffic counts when needed • Assist in many other ways when assistance is required to complete a task for a City study or report. Board and Commission members • Sit on ci�zen advisory boards and commissions help to keep our community running effec�vely and in the interest of its ci�zensThe benefits the City receives from our volunteers is enormous and provides vital help to our community.As of the summer of 2020 we are rolling out a centralized volunteer program under the City’s Parks, Recrea�on and Community Services Department. The benefits of volunteering can be enormous. Volunteering offers vital help to our community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. The right match can help you to find friends, connect with the community, and even learn new skills! While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of �me out of your busy day. Giving even in simple ways can help a lot.If you are interested in exploring volunteer opportuni�es with the City, please visit our website. On the Parks, Recrea�on and Community Services page. You will find a Volunteer Program link under Community Services and there you may fill out a Volunteer Inquiry Form. We look forward to having you join us! Renewal applica�ons and materials will be mailed the second week of April, completed applica�ons are due back to the City no later than May 25, 2020 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, 2020. 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 on the City website at www.cityofpt.us under Departments, Finance, and U�lity Informa�on. New applicants may apply for the discount at any �me during the year. Irriga�on water will return to Summer rate pricing, effec�ve May 1, 2020. The price per 1,000 gallons consumed will go from $3.52 to $6.18 (inside city limits) and from $4.22 to $7.42 (outside city limits). If you are an irriga�on water customer, you will see this change reflected on your May 31, 2020 billing statement. Consider applying today for vacancies on the following Ci�zen Advisory Boards and Commi�ees. See the website for commi�ee descrip�ons, applica�ons, and mee�ng schedules www.cityofpt.us or contact the City Clerk’s Office at (360) 379-5083 for an applica�on. • Ac�ve Transporta�on Advisory Board • Arts Commission • Historic Preserva�on Commi�ee • Library Advisory Board • Lodging Tax Advisory Commi�ee (collector and at large posi�ons) • Parks, Recrea�on and Tree Advisory Board