Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03City of Port Townsend Newsletter March 2004 Council News From Mayor Catharine Robinson The Golf Course and a proposed Visual and Performing Arts Center in Port Townsend were the topics of discussion at a special informational meeting held by the City Council on Thursday evening, February 19. There has been concern lately about the arts group designating the golf course as a site for the proposed center. City Manager David Timmons described the current status of the golf course as a City property. He also described the City’s proposed Master Planning process for the golf course. Several members of the citizen’s group supporting the arts center were on hand to describe their vision and efforts to date. The City felt it was important to provide an opportunity to make current information available on both endeavors, and for the public to ask questions and to make comments. The meeting was civil and respectful for all concerned. What’s next? For the City Council, the next step is appointment of a Task Force to act as citizen representatives in the Master Planning process for the golf course. This action is scheduled to come before the Council in early March. The City Manager has already started an asset inventory of the golf course property. We have not yet received a formal request from the arts center group to site a performing arts center at the golf course. If anyone wishes to make comments to the City on this issue, you may continue to do so. Because the arts group is a private, non-profit entity unaffiliated with the City, you may contact Jim Garrett at 379-6615 for information about their endeavor. I sincerely thank everyone for their civil and respectful participation in this meeting. City Update From City Manager David Timmons As we reach completion of the new Morgan Hill Pump Station that will improve water pressure and fire flow in the Morgan Hill area, homeowners may experience some problems with their water pipes and plumbing fixtures. During the testing phase we exercised every precaution to prevent water leaks and want to apologize for any inconvenience. Please be assured that the improvements to our water system will be of great benefit and are another step toward eliminating many future problems. Because it is a major new system, it will take some time to fine tune the operation of the new pump station. If you experience unexpected increases or decreases in water pressure, you may call the Public Works Department at 385-7212 to get an update on the status of the new pressure system. HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM The City is applying for a grant to write a County-wide Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan must be in place in order to secure funding for the new fire station. One of the requirements of the grant application is to solicit public opinion on the application for this grant. There will be information presented and comments solicited at the March 8, 2004 Council workshop meeting. You may also submit written comments to Catherine McNabb, 181 Quincy St., #301, PT or by email at cmcnabb@ci.port- townsend.wa.us. The comment period will be open until Monday, March 15, 2004. LIBRARY HOURS In order to better serve the public the Port Townsend Public Library’s hours have been adjusted as follows: Monday—Thursday: 10 am—8 pm Friday: 10 am—5:30 pm Saturday: Noon—5:30 pm The new schedule will improve public service by adjusting library hours to coincide with peak usage times. It is also consistent with Jefferson County Library hours. MIDNIGHT MADNESS!! The Library and the Twisted Ewe are presenting Midnight Madness on Friday, March 26 starting at 6:00 pm. Bring your knitting ( or any form of needlework) to the Library and "knit" until midnight. Enjoy good company, a delicious potluck, and an exhibit of library needlework resources. Please call the Library (379- 3181) to register and sign up for the potluck!!!! Staying until midnight is not required. BUILDING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HOURS Office hours for the Building and Community Development Department have been extended to better assist you with permits and planning. The department will be open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. We are here for your convenience to assist with your building and restoration projects. EARTHDAY! EVERYDAY! A community-based and community-produced celebration sponsored by the EarthDay! EveryDay! Steering Committee will be held at Memorial Field, April 16- 18. It will feature entertainment, education and participation to strengthen personal and community stewardship of our Earth. There will be hands on games, challenges, parades, demonstration projects and workshop opportunities. If you would like to participate or contribute to the organization of this event, please contact Ann Raab 385-2536, Judith Alexander 385-5766, Melinda Bower 379-4491 or Nora Young 385-2831 x 111. CITY CLERK PAM KOLACY RECEIVES RECORDS PRESERVATION GRANT State Archivist Jerry Handfield and Regional Archivist Diana Shenk visited the historic City of Port Townsend Council Chambers on Monday, February 23, to award a records management grant to City Clerk Pam Kolacy. The grant, in the amount of $6,920, is part of the Secretary of State’s Archives and Records Management Division Local Records Grant Program. Grants are provided to support local public records management and preservation efforts. Funds will be used to preserve permanent documents on electronic media and microfilm, as well as to purchase a scanner and fireproof file cabinet. According to Mr. Handfield, the state allocated $200,000 to the program for 2003, and had requests totaling more than one million dollars. “All small jurisdictions struggle with funding for preservation of vital records,” according to Ms. Kolacy. She added that the state program is a terrific resource for local jurisdictions. “This is a great incentive for records managers to jump start their programs or to continue a program that has been put on hold for lack of funding. The grant application itself makes you really think through your needs and your process for records preservation.” She added that records management has become a priority in 2004 because of the need to move archival records out of the City Hall basement while the building is restored. PROHIBITED POSTING OF SIGNS ON UTILITY POLES AND TRAFFIC SIGNS Port Townsend Municipal Code 17.76.090 prohibits the posting of advertising signs and garage sale signs to utility poles or traffic signs. Our objective is to prevent injury from staples and nails to utility pole workers; to prevent distracting automobile drivers; and, to keep our City free of unsightly advertising. For a complete list of the prohibited signs, refer to Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.76. The Code is available on the City’s web site.