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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 City Update From City Manager David Timmons 2003 was a beneficial and challenging year for us all as we made progress on several efforts to rebuild the City’s infrastructure. Capi- tal investments are one of the most important elements of a community and in 2003 we con- tinued major efforts to meet this challenge. The rehabilitation of a major section of San Juan Avenue and the new sidewalks on 19th and Sims Way have helped link the community. We also chip sealed several gravel roads last year. We began major improvements to the water system in the Morgan Hill and High School areas that will boost fire flow and water pres- sure. Designs for improvements on portions of upper Sims Way and Jacob Miller Road were also started. In addition, designs have pro- gressed for the final phase of the sewer trunk line that crosses town. 2003 was also a record year for development and building activity. Port Townsend has seen growth in all aspects of commercial and resi- dential activity. Designs were advanced to the next level for City Hall and the Fire Station, with actual construction to begin this year. 2004 has just begun and our efforts will con- tinue well into the year. All of us here wish to thank the community for the encouragement and support you have shown us throughout 2003. We have many projects on our plate, and with your continued support, we can remain proud of our City and our accomplishments. New Staff and Council Members Our new Library Director, Theresa Percy, as well as our new Council Members Laurie Medlicott and Frank Benskin are featured on the back of this newsletter. Please welcome them. City of Port Townsend (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@ci.port-townsend.wa.us) www.ci.port-townsend.wa.us January 2004 Council News From Mayor Kees Kolff HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you all had a healthy holiday season and wish you a happy New Year. Thanks to Joe Finnie and Alan Youse for their years of service on Council and welcome to Laurie Medlicott and Frank Benskin. Our next Council retreat is Satur- day, January 17 to help develop good teamwork and set our priorities for 2004. Budgets and Bonds In December we passed a 2004 budget that leaves a healthy 8% reserve. In addition we ad- dressed some serious deferred maintenance and other needs with a $2.39 million bond. The swim- ming pool, the condemned Wave Viewing Gallery, historic City Hall, the skate park and the Fire Sta- tion will all get needed funds. Buy a State Park Pass The City and State Parks have signed an agree- ment to keep parking free at Fort Worden for 2 years, provided specific quarterly revenue goals are met. Every $50 pass purchased through Fort Worden not only gives free access for 12 months to over 100 other State Parks but will be credited to us to help keep this park free of park- ing fees. My last column It has been a pleasure keeping you informed and serving as your mayor for the past 2 years. I look forward to the rest of my term on City Council. Mayor of Ichikawa, Japan and Mayor Kees Kolff Library Director Theresa Percy After driving over 3,000 miles from Massachusetts, the land of the pilgrims, to the City of Dreams, it was with great pleasure and excitement that I began my tenure as Library Director of the Port Townsend Public Library on December 15, 2003. This meeting of East and West will provide an innovative opportunity to build on the excellent work of the previous direc- tor to move the library forward as a dynamic and critical resource for the people of Port Townsend. My initial focus will be working with a variety of key community stakeholders including busi- nesses, cultural organizations, schools, city gov- ernment as well as library users, staff, friends, and trustees to update and create a long range plan for the library that will identify future needs, set priorities, and define an action agenda. This plan is critical for securing the necessary resources and partners for its successful imple- mentation. As a result of this process the Port Townsend Public Library will be well positioned to provide the best library services possible for the community. Council Member Laurie Medlicott My husband Bill and I moved to Port Townsend from Kansas City on Jan. 26, 1988. We researched a lot of different areas to re-locate and found Port Townsend to be the ideal place to put our retirement dream of operating a bed & breakfast inn into practice. We established the Holly Hill House Inn and hosted our first guests in May, 1988. Our youngest child graduated from high school here in 1990. Realizing that involvement in the community was the best way to “belong,” we joined both the Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Pro- gram. A neighbor who became a wonderful friend advised us “you don’t get to live here free... you need to give something back.” She was in- deed correct. We have been active members of the community for sixteen years and find our lives enriched and rewarded. Our richly diverse community can be wonderfully complex at times. We have seen a lot of changes since we came here and are certain to see many more. Change is rarely comfortable for anyone. No town is the same as it was years ago. I intend to work to preserve our community as we navigate the changes in federal, state and local laws to help Port Townsend be the town we all enjoy. Council Member Frank Benskin Having the opportunity to summarize one’s life and goals in 200 words is quite a challenge. So here’s the abbreviated version. Port Townsend has been my home for 14 years. I am a family man, with five children, one at home. I’ve worked in the construction and marine indus- tries and presently operate a small business, own a home, and have a boat. At times I’ve struggled to make a living here. In short, I’m like many of you. Involvement as a Planning Commissioner for three years has made me keenly aware of the need for individuals to stand up and participate. This is the time for me to do so. My goals for City Council are: ►Maintain Port Townsend’s “small town character.” ►Insure responsible financial oversight while providing public facilities and services that are within the City’s financial resources. ►See that our public infrastructure is maintained in a cost effective and timely fashion. ►Work to achieve a better “jobs/housing” balance through economic development strategy that encourages businesses that provide “family wage jobs.” ►Develop an affordable housing strategy that provides more land for high density housing, permits more creative housing types and increases housing choices available to residents. ►Laugh at ourselves. Professional Services and Small Works Rosters The City is soliciting the annual applications for the following rosters: Professional Services Roster—a list of architects, engineers and other professionals; Small Works Roster—a list of contractors for projects ranging from $20,000 to $200,000. If you are interested in getting an application for either of these rosters, please visit our website at www.ci.port-townsend.wa.us to download the forms, send an email to cmcnabb@ci.port- townsend.wa.us, or call Catherine McNabb at (360) 379-5089 to request a form.