HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 April_2023_newsletterNewsletterNewsletter
APRIL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS - 6:00 PM:
April 2023
City of Port Townsend
250 Madison Street
(360)385-3000
www.cityofpt.us
Open: Monday - Thursday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
04/03/23: Business Mee�ng04/10/23: Workshop Mee�ng04/17/23: Business Mee�ng
Mee�ngs are subject to change. Please view our website calendar for an up-to-date mee�ng schedule:www.cityofpt.us/calendar
~ Easter Egg Hunt ~
Sunday, April 9, 2023 8:00 AM
Chetzemoka Park
A Note from City Councilmember Libby
Wennstrom
The #1 ques�on I get asked is “Why don’t you fix the !@$% streets?”
Over the past 20+ years, funding for street maintenance all but
vanished due to state ballot measures (remember those $30
car tab ini�a�ves?) Years of deferred maintenance have now
reached a crisis point. We hear you: fixing our streets needs to
be a city priority.
Port Townsend maintains 81 miles of streets – almost twice the average for ci�es our
size. To completely rebuild an arterial like Lawrence costs about $2 million per mile; a
narrow residen�al street is around half that. It’s far more cost effec�ve to maintain
and preserve exis�ng pavement using durable patching, �mely chip sealing, and
effec�ve water runoff management.
The 2023 City budget allocates $868,000 for street repairs. That money comes from
“banked capacity” - funding voters approved when our Fire Department merged with
East Jefferson. We’ve also funded $62K for new “hot patch” asphalt patching equip-
ment, enabling our street crews to make longer-las�ng repairs.
Money, Equipment, Staff Time
Fixing our streets properly takes three things: money, proper equipment, and staff
�me. We’ve allocated money and ordered equipment to make a significant invest-
ment in repairing our streets. But we also needed to have the staff capacity to do the
work. Public Works Director Steve King took a hard look at how Public Works was
spending its �me, and realized that staff have been averaging 2,000 hours a year (27%
of our street crew �me) on street mowing and vegeta�on control.
Per both state law and PT Municipal code, right-of-way mowing and trimming is
already legally the responsibility of adjacent property owners. Shi�ing staff away from
mowing gives our crews the �me needed to fix the streets. While property owners’
responsibility for roadside vegeta�on control is already covered in our code, we’re
looking at some code cleanup and consolida�on to make the rules simpler, easier to
find and understand.
I asked Steve King to clarify what this change means for city residents:
Why was the city mowing anyway?
SK: Over the last 30 years, as we lost funding for pavement preserva�on, there was a
gradual transi�on to mowing, par�cularly on large vacant parcels who o�en don’t
maintain their frontage as smaller lots with houses on them.
What will I see differently this spring?
SK: You will not see the big blue tractor (city mower) as much. In April and May,
residents will want to get ahead of spring plant growth. Usually by July/August, things
dry out and there isn’t much to do for the rest of the year.
What will staff do instead of mowing?
SK: Staff will spend this �me repairing ditches and patching roads in prepara�on for
paving or chip seals.
How does our new hot patch machine help?
SK: We are switching from cold patch (a temporary repair intended to last 1-2 years)
to hot patch (a durable repair that will outlast the road itself). The machine we’ve
ordered stores and transports hot asphalt so we can make these repairs onsite. We
hope to be using it by late summer. (Con�nued on the next page)
h�ps://cityofpt.us/publicworks/page/report-concern
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
Back Into It
I’m grateful to have enjoyed �me away in February with my family – and just as grateful to be back.
I love this place and I love my job. I return with a renewed sense of op�mism, some new ideas,
and a topped-up reserve of energy. Thanks to my team, and specifically Ac�ng City Manager Steve
King, for working so hard to keep things going.
While away, I became increasingly eager to see friends, colleagues, and members of the
community again, par�cularly now that COVID is a waning threat. Staying in touch and being
accessible is important to me. That said, since my work-day o�en includes 10-12 mee�ngs, 5 a.m.
starts and occasional 10pm ends, it’s hard to connect as broadly, personally, and o�en as I’d like.
A Note from City Manager John Mauro
What happens if I can’t keep my street frontage mowed?
SK: This is a community building opportunity for volunteers and neighbors to work together. There are also landscaping compa-
nies that can help out. We are using fines as a last resort if folks do not want to do their part.
Why do I have to mow at all?
SK: Mowing keeps ditches cleared and vegeta�on from encroaching on the pavement and sidewalks. It also addresses noxious
weeds. Minor landscaping is also encouraged in our code as an alterna�ve to mowing; see the Landscaping in the Right of Way
brochure.
What about street trees?
SK: Trees in the right-of-way are protected; see PTMC 12.04.150. Plan�ng street trees is encouraged – see our Trees in the Right
of Way brochure for details.
What changes are you making to ditches and storm drains?
SK: Each site is a li�le different, depending on slope, driveways, parking, etc. We’re looking at water management throughout
the city’s road network, re-establishing ditch lines, and redirec�ng water runoff so as to best preserve our pavement. My ditch/storm drain isn’t working right – what should I do?
SK: Reach out to Public Works – we can help. Take a photo when it’s raining hard! Pictures really help us understand the
situa�on and how to best address it. You can report a problem and upload photos at the City’s Report a Concern link:
When I first arrived, I set up a regular coffee conversa�on to listen, learn about, and be�er understand the community that I
am a part of and serve. When the pandemic got in the way, I took to the airwaves. Thanks to the KPTZ family, my weekly radio
show, Brewocracy Now! was born, and con�nues each Thursday from 12:30 - 1 p.m. with my esteemed co-host, Taylor Clark.
Mee�ng over coffee was an in-person joy that was hard to give up during the pandemic. But let’s get back into it. Coffee with
the City Manager is back on. The first Friday of each month, star�ng April 7, I’ll park myself at Velocity from 9 - 10:30 a.m.
I encourage you to come by to pass along ideas, perspec�ves or to ask ques�ons and simply connect. The lovely owners and
staff at Velocity are willing to have me back – I started this in 2019 when I arrived – and it’s right inside the amazing Northwest
Mari�me Center at 431 Water Street. I’ll try to shi� loca�ons every 4-5 months and will make it known via this newsle�er, the
City’s Facebook page, and our website. Come by and say hello!
As a community, we’re back into it too. A ton of open houses and public mee�ngs have sprouted up, drawing dozens if not
hundreds of people to engage and work together. The first open house on the future of the golf course a�racted over 300
people and there was a robust showing at the first open house focused on a new pool and health and wellness facility. We’ve
seen broad engagement on our overarching housing strategy, with a lots of energy around our tac�cal infill project, a build up
to our an�cipated first community engagement to establish a vision and plan for the Evans Vista workforce and affordable
housing ini�a�ve, and lots of longer-term work on everything from buildable lands to open space planning as we gear up for a
big update to our Comprehensive Plan in the coming few years. Add to that the regular engagement around our Comprehen-
sive Streets Program and a range of other issues that many of you care about. Taken together, these engagement events help
define a holis�c strategy that links up as the Financial Sustainability Ini�a�ve. Learn more on that and on housing, the pool, the
golf course, parks, and streets here: www.cityofpt.us/engage.
Whether you want to share a coffee or your perspec�ves and ideas on one of our community’s priori�es, there’s a place for
you. It takes all of us to sustain those things we hold dear and to focus courageously on what we want our future to be. I look
forward to our work together!
Coffee with City Manager || First Friday of Each Month || 9 - 10:30 a.m. || Velocity, 431 Water Street
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
Recent Staff Achievements
Where are my property boundaries and why do they matter?
Cheers to three of our own City Department Directors: Emma Bolin, Planning and Community Development Director, Heidi Greenwood, City A�orney, and Melody Sky Weaver, Library Director.
They were among 36 graduates of the Northwest Women’s Leadership Academy Cohort #4 this year, with women from various ci�es and other local government agencies across the State of Washington, chosen for the program based on their accomplishments and commitment to public service.
Knowing your property boundaries will save you �me, money, and frustra�on. With the help of the Internet, you can collect informa�on to help iden�fy your property corners and the required setbacks from the property line boundaries.
What is a property boundary? A boundary is the line that legally delineates where one property ends and another begins. This includes the boundaries between your property, neighboring proper�es, and the line where the public rights-of-way begins.
Why is it important to iden�fy property boundaries? Knowing your property boundaries can help you decide where to legally build a fence, shed, deck, greenhouse, carport, or a home addi�on or Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Knowing where the right-of-way line is par�cularly important as there are specific restric�ons on what a property owner can and can’t do in the right-of-way including certain property owner responsibili�es to maintain the right-of-way. Property boundaries should also be considered when storing items such as RVs, boats, and woodpiles (they can’t be stored in the right-of-way). If your landscaping project extends into the public right-of-way there are height limits and design requirements for plan�ngs and raised beds.
If a property owner incorrectly guesses or assumes the property boundary, there could be nega�ve consequences as the City’s code compliance process can require the owner to remove a fence or structure located in the public right-of-way. The City can also require property owners to move or remove a structure from the property if built within the required setbacks (the distance required from a structure to the property lines). Some�mes property owners must go to court to se�le a property line dispute when structures are built on the neighbor’s property.
How do I locate my property boundaries and setback requirements?•View online maps for es�mated property boundaries, zoning informa�on, and parcel numbers: h�ps://cityofpt.-maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html or h�ps://gisweb.jeffcowa.us/TaxParcelViewer/ •Read through the zoning table to determine setback requirements: h�ps://cityofpt.us/development-ser-vices/page/applicant-assistance-informa�on •Search for recorded surveys by parcel number: h�ps://er-web.co.jefferson.wa.us/recorder/web/ •Go outside and look for survey stakes or pins at the corners of your property. Note: It’s illegal to move or remove survey monuments.•Talk with your neighbors. They may have a survey or know where corner pins are located. •If required, hire a licensed surveyor. The City does not verify property boundaries for residents.
I have an older fence or structure in the public right-of-way. Can I replace it? If located in the public right-of-way, you can repair and maintain the old fence or structure, but typically you cannot replace or rebuild it in the same loca�on. For example, fixing a broken or fallen fence board is considered a repair and pain�ng or staining a fence is considered maintenance. Once you begin removing and replacing fence pieces or sec�ons, this is considered a replacement and the fence should be rebuilt on your property. Contact us for details.
Ques�ons? Call 360-379-5094 or email klabadie@cityofpt.us.
(From left: Melody Sky Weaver, Heidi Greenwood and Emma Bolin)
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
Mike McCutcheon –Community Volunteer and Trash Task Force
I volunteer picking up trash, cleaning up unhoused camps, and feeding folks in need in the City of Port Townsend because I couldn't just sit back when I could see the need.
When I lived in Los Angeles, California I taught my boys to volunteer - we would go out to the parks in Los Angeles and pick up trash when they were of a very young age.
The success that I find in volunteering is ge�ng other people involved in volunteering. It's a community effort and a lot of �mes people don't know what they can do to volunteer un�l someone suggests it to them. I’ve made a lot of great rela�onships with all kinds of folks, including helping people who do court-ordered community service give back, by helping clean up trash on city property.
For me, God gave me an opportunity to live a�er having a very bad drug addic�on. Volunteering and giving back is a big part of my recovery. I now love people, I love my city, I love my life and I love sharing it with other people. I've decided to dedicate the rest of my life being of service to other people.
Volunteer Spotlight
PT Main Street Community Events
DM Disposal - Spring Clean
April 3 -7: Addi�onal yard waste•Up to three addi�onal cans of yard waste on customer’s regular service day
April 10 - 4: Addi�onal garbage/bulky items•Up to three addi�onal bags or cans of garbage on customer’s regular service day•Bulky Items/Appliance Disposal: One appliance per household (refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, dish washers, freezers, hot water heaters). There is a freon removal fee for refrigerators and freezers, other appliances will be picked up at no cost. You will need to call (360) 385-6612 to schedule appliance pick-up and freon fees for disposal.
May is Art Wave!For the month of May, Historic Districts’ merchants are showcasing student artwork, created in the Port Townsend Schools, for “Art Wave!” Children's pieces of art will be installed as part of this promo�on. The “Art Wave" exhibit celebrates children’s crea�ve expression through art and is a collabora�on with par�cipa�ng Port Townsend business-es. The funds raised will help support diverse offerings by PT Artscape including the Teaching Ar�sts Programs at Salish Coast Elementary, Blue Heron School, and Port Townsend High School, and professional development for teaching ar�sts and classroom teachers. Stop by par�cipa�ng Uptown & Downtown businesses during the month of May and see all the talented student art work on display. Visit www.ptartscape.com to learn more.
Main Street Tax Incen�ve Program Round 2 is now Open!The Port Townsend Main Street Program is pleased to offer the opportunity to put your state B&O tax dollars to work here in Port Townsend through the work of our program. 75% of your dona�on is returned to you via B&O tax credits in 2024. In addi�on, your en�re contribu�on may qualify as a 501(c)(3) charitable deduc�on on your 2023 federal income tax return. We hope that you will consider this unique opportunity. For more informa�on on how to make a pledge visit: h�ps://ptmainstreet.org/business-resources/tax-incen�ve-program/