HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 October_2023_newsletterNewsletterNewsletter
OCTOBER CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS:
City of Port Townsend
250 Madison Street
(360)385-3000
www.cityofpt.us
10/02/23: Business Mee�ng
10/9/23: Workshop Mee�ng
Special Session Joint City Council/
Planning Commission
5:00 p.m. Evans Vista Site Tour
6:00 p.m. City Council Chambers
10/16/23: 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
A Note from Mayor David Faber
I’m an “infrastructure guy.” By that I mean that my policy focus on City Council since my first elec�on in 2015 has been pre�y squarely aimed at our “built environment,” or the condi�on of our streets/sidewalks/trails, sewer, water system, and buildings. There’s no ques�on that so much of our infrastructure is in dreadful condi�on, from our “well-textured” street, as my colleague Ben Thomas once called them, to the failing sewer lines in certain parts of town, to the 30-mile 30-inch diameter pipe that feeds us potable water, of which 10 miles is past its useful lifespan. So many issues demand our a�en�on (and resources)!
Over the last couple of years, we’ve notched up some big “wins” in our a�empt to address these issues: (1) we nego�ated a new water contract with the paper mill that has allowed us to save millions toward repair and replacement of that large water pipe; (2) we budgeted over $1 million for street repair and maintenance in 2023; and (3) we just secured more than $2 million from the State to help us address our sewer needs, to name a few.
While these may sound like big numbers, infrastructure is phenomenally expensive, so council and city staff are working on addi�onal crea�ve ways to address our serious infrastructure needs. Topics like the Transporta�on Benefit District I can’t discuss in length in these pages due to Washington State elec�on rules, but others I can freely discuss, like our “Edge Lane Roads” ini�a�ve. Edge Lane Roads encourage vehicles to drive toward the center of certain collector streets, which not only slows cars and shares the street with other users (bikes & pedestrians), but also helps preserve pavement from the destruc�ve effect of heavy vehicles driving along their edge. More to come!
October 2023
Equity Access and Rights (EAR) Advisory Board
Seeking Equity Access and Rights (EAR) Advisory Board Members: h�ps://cityofpt.us/b-c/page/equity-access-and-rights-advisory-board
The EAR Advisory Board is charged with helping to move the City forward as a more diverse and equitable place through outreach, educa�on, and feedback to staff and City Council. The City of Port Townsend is seeking community members with a demonstrated commit-ment to social jus�ce and community care. There are nine open posi�ons on the EAR Board. The Mayor will begin reviewing applica�ons and making appointments in fall and winter 2023. The EAR Advisory Board is expected to begin work in 2024. Do you know someone who would be a great fit for this Advisory Board? Please consider forwarding the applica�on link.
Consider applying to be on a City Advisory Board or Commission. Visit our website for descrip�ons, applica�ons, and mee�ng schedules: www.cityofpt.us
For more informa�on, contact the City Clerk’s office at: (360) 379-5083.
The following Boards and Commissions have current and upcoming vacancies:
• Arts Commission• Civil Service Commission•Climate Ac�on Commi�ee•Equity, Access & Rights Advisory Board• Library Advisory Board•Lodging Tax Advisory Commi�ee•Fort Worden PDA
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
What’s the word on the street? Streets. As we head into autumn and, ideally before the rains, we’re pushing pavement, potholes, partnerships, and projects with urgent intensity and high enthusiasm.
Whether I walk, cycle, drive, or otherwise make my way along our city streets, there are three themes that I increasingly see around me:
1.We’re making our streets safer.2.We’re making our streets more accessible.3.We’re embracing innova�on and collabora�on to do things be�er.
Yes, streets are s�ll generally in rough shape and we have choices as a community – I’ll get to that at the end of this piece. But before that, a few examples that bring those principles to life:
On safety, we have re-painted fog lines to provide be�er visual guidance of the road edge. To save money, some lines are painted less frequently, but many of them need a refresh. No doubt you’ve also seen or heard of the Kearney Street project – a compact roundabout – under construc�on. A $2 million state (WSDOT) project with a $476,900 grant and $76,500 matching funds, this project will pave Kearney improve ADA/accessibility, walking and cycling, and address drainage problems. Roundabouts have proven safer solu�ons for all road users.
On accessibility, beyond the Kearney compact roundabout which enhances accessibility, there’s the Discovery Road project. A $6 million project funded mostly by state and federal grants, Discovery Road (between Rainier Street roundabout and Salish Coast Elementary) is ge�ng a full makeover, plus pedestrian sidewalks on both sides of the street and a new bikeway. It’s a complete street project with access and space for all road users.
On innova�on and collabora�on, we’ve painted addi�onal Edge Lane Roads (ELRs) which slow speeds and bolster safety for everyone. They are also among the lowest-cost solu�ons for traffic calming, a frequent request from neigh-borhoods. While perhaps technically not just transporta�on, an innova�ve and collabora�ve spirit is alive in the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT). Thanks to a $16 million federal (RAISE) grant, jurisdic�ons from PT to Bainbridge to La Push are planning and designing trail segments. A fully connected ODT will be a legacy of health and connec�on to nature for genera�ons to come.
There’s a ton more – longer-las�ng hot patch treatment for potholes, drainage and paving projects from ‘Banked Capacity’ funding – but you get the picture.
Back to choices. PT voters have a chance in November to weigh in on whether we make further investments in our streets. Visit our fact sheet here to learn more (www.cityofpt.us/tbdfacts) and, regardless of your opinion, have your say by vo�ng on or by Tuesday, November 7.
A Note from City Manager John Mauro
In October 2023 two meters will be installed on the Olympic Gravity Water System (OGWS) Transmission line to measure water consump�on, maximum flow, and volume limits. A 48-hour shutdown of the water line will start on Wednesday, October 11, and run through Friday, October 13. City Water customers will not no�ce any difference to their water supply as the City’s two reservoirs will be sufficient to supply water during the project. Out of precau�on, we are asking customers to voluntarily conserve water during the shutdown period. For more informa�on: h�ps://cityofpt.us/engagept/page/water-supply-mill-agreement
Irrigation - Winter Rate Decrease
Irriga�on water will return to winter rate pricing, effec�ve November 1, 2023. The price per 1,000 gallons consumed will go from $7.43 to $3.92 (inside city limits) and from $8.92 to $4.70 (outside city limits). If you are in irriga�on water customer, you will see this change reflected on your November 30, 2023 billing statement.
Public Works - Water Supply Metering Improvement Project
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
The condi�on of Lawrence Street represents a pavement failure situa�on and many other streets are following suit. In addi�on to lack of investment in street preserva�on, the challenge with Lawrence Street lies below the surface of the asphalt associated with structurally deficient soils. The City plans to pave 100 feet of Lawrence with a test sec�on of asphalt paving a�er the City treats the soil below to improve its structural integrity. If this test sec�on proves to work, it will save millions of dollars in the future for streets that need to be en�rely reconstructed. You’ll see crews working on this project later this fall.
Public Works - Banked Capacity Project
Did you know that the City crew maintains over 80 miles of road?
The map below illustrates the projects funded with 2023 Banked Capacity (property tax) funding. The construc�on of these projects will take two years with those circled on the map scheduled for paving this fall. The other road repair loca�ons shown on the map are scheduled for 2024 construc�on.
A. Hancock StB. Hancock StC. Holcolm StD. Hendricks StE. 10th StF. 11th StG. Cleveland StH. 22nd StI. 25th StJ. 24th StK. Sheridan StL. Jackman StM. N StN. Fillmore St
Lawrence Street Road Reconstruction Test
City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us
Port Townsend Library
Celebra�ng 110 Years in the Carnegie Library: Friday, October 13, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Celebrate the Carnegie Library turning 110 this October! Come to the library for an open house style birthday party. Enjoy live music, library themed cra�s, and light refresh-ments. The party will be held nthe Carnegie Reading Room and is generously sponsored by Friends of the Port Townsend Library.
History Talk with Melody Sky WeaverTuesday, October 17, 7:00 p.m. in the Carnegie Reading Room
Join Library Director Melody Sky Weaver as she gives a talk on the 110 year history of the Carnegie Library.
Author Talk with Jennifer Silva RedmondWednesday, October 4, 7:00 p.m., Port Townsend Library
Join Jennifer Silva Redmond for a discussion on her latest book, Honeymoon at Sea. She will talk about how the couple sailed Watchfire to Baja California's Sea of Cortez.
Author Talk with Zoe BalleringThursday, October 12, 6:30 p.m., Port Townsend Library
Join author, Zoe Ballering in conversa�on about her new book, There is Only Us. Zoe’s debut collec�on of stories, There Is Only Us, was selected as the winner of the Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fic�on and was released in November 2022.
These author talks are generously sponsored by the Friends of the Port Townsend Library. Learn more about them at:h�ps://www.friendsofptlibrary.org
Pumpkin Walk: October 1- October 31Join us for the Port Townsend Public Library’s 2nd Annual Pumpkin Walk! Paint a pumpkin any �me during the month of October and bring it to the library to have it displayed. Walk along the lighted pathway, enjoy the crea�ve designs and fall fes�vi�es. All submissions should be family friendly and non-scary for this event.
PT Main Street / PT Creative District October Events
Port Townsend Crea�ve District Convenings - Contribute Your Ideas to the Port Townsend Arts and Culture Plan
Two mee�ng op�ons:•Wednesday, October 11, 7 - 9:00 p.m., followed by networking at the Co�on Building, 607 Water Street,Port Townsend•Thursday, October 12, 4 - 6:00 p.m., followed by networking at Fort Worden Commons, 210 Ba�ery Way,Port Townsend
The Port Townsend Crea�ve District Subcommi�ee is moving forward on the development of the Crea�ve District’s Arts and Culture Plan. This strategic framework will provide a three- to five-year blueprint for the District’s ac�vi�es to help support the crea�ve economy. More info can be found at: www.ptcrea�vedistrict.org