Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12City of Port Townsend (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@ci.port-townsend.wa.us) www.ci.port-townsend.wa.us December 2005 We want to thank our out-going council members Freida Fenn and Kees Kolff for their years of public service and dedication to the well-being of our city. Congratulations also to our newly re- elected council member Michelle Sandoval and welcome to our newly elected council members Mark Welch and Scott Walker. New members will be sworn in the first council meeting on January 3. From Mayor Catharine Robinson I have just returned from a visit with our sister city Ichikawa, Japan. It was a pleasure to be a part of our Sister City Friends exchange program. Our host families, the Amaji Lion Dancers, city staff and the citizens of Ichikawa enveloped us in warm hospitality. An unexpected highlight of the trip was meeting with Governor Toshizo Ido of the Hyogo Prefec- ture (Washington’s sister state.) He was very familiar with Port Townsend and was very inter- ested in continuing the relationship his govern- ment has with ours. This is a wonderful program and I would encour- age you to participate in the Port Townsend Sister City Friends. You can contact Catherine McNabb at 379-5089 for more information. HAPPY HOLIDAYS From Mayor Catharine Robinson and City Manager David Timmons Happy Holidays from all of us here at the City offices. As usual, our planning for the new year includes preparing the 2006 Budget. Primarily the City's budget is status quo for 2006 with the basic operating programs maintained. Overall our revenues appear stable. Expenses in most categories are stable with some areas that are challenging such as the Fire/EMS Fund and Equipment Rental Fund that will be influenced by the next phase of consolidation. Copies of the 2006 Budget can be reviewed at the City Manager's Office or at the City Library. Your property tax dollars are allocated to several local governments. The example below is based upon the 2005 property tax dollar. Every property tax dollar is divided among the local governments that serve the community. The following illustra- tion represents this distribution. For every dollar paid, only 18 cents is paid to the City for general city operations. An additional 4 cents goes to EMS services. The balance of 78 cents is paid to other local government providers such as the schools, county, PUD and port. Mt.Syosya, Enkyoji temple (You can see this temple in the movie "Last Samurai".) One of the sites visited by Mayor Robinson and the Sister City group as they toured Ichikawa, Japan. STAY TUNED! City offices located at the Waterman & Katz Building will be moving to the City Hall Annex located at 250 Madison Street. We will need to close for a few days during the move, although essential services will be continued. Details on the closure dates and services will be posted on the front door of Waterman & Katz and on the City’s web site at www.ci.port-townsend.wa.us around mid-December. Enter Main Street’s “Home Town Holiday Sweepstakes” at 36 participating businesses in Port Townsend. The $2000 Town Dollar Jackpot winner will be an- nounced on December 3 at the Community Tree Lighting program and YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN THE GRAND PRIZE! Main Street is also sponsoring a Holiday Open Parlor at eight local inns on Friday, December 9. Tickets are $10 Adults, $2 age 12 and younger. For more information go to www.ptguide.com/ mainstreet/. Safe Cycling Is a Two-Way Street We are lucky to live in a community with a commitment to non-motorized transportation, including bicycling. As the Non- Motorized Transportation Plan states, we strive to create a “community that invites us to walk or ride a bicycle to its many desirable destinations.” Cycling is a great way to get some exercise, run errands, and leave that car at home. Bicycle safety is not just the cyclist’s responsibil- ity; it is a partnership between cyclists and motor- ists. For bike riders, wearing a helmet is smart cycling, and lights at dusk and at night will keep cyclists visible. Cyclists should signal moves whenever possible, be predictable, and obey the rules of the road. At the same time, motorists need to be on the alert for bikes and pedestrians on the roadway. This is especially critical at this time of year, on foggy days and in low light, and when car windows can easily cloud over. Washington has a new law designed to enhance non-motorized transportation safety. It prohibits motorists from passing when bicyclists or pedes- trians can be seen approaching from the opposite direction. Just slow down and wait until it is safe to pass! This should help all of us more safely negotiate traffic on our narrow streets. City walking and cycling maps are available for purchase at local sporting goods stores, as are the free Port Townsend Bicycle Association’s cycling maps of east Jefferson and Clallam coun- ties. Both maps have additional safety informa- tion for motorists and for cyclists. Jane Whicher, member, Non-Motorized Transpor- tation Advisory Board HOUSE NUMBERS Could a Fire or Police officer find your home in the event of an emergency? Posting prominent house numbers will eliminate any confusion about your location when it’s important that help arrives quickly. Municipal Code 12.16.050 “Placement of num- bers on house” requires that numbers will be at least five inches high and colored to contrast sharply with the background. If the figures can- not be easily seen from the street, a second set at least three inches high must be placed at the property line adjacent to the main entrance on the street. The placement of these numbers is the home owners responsibility. This Municipal Code is for your safety and is en- forceable. If you have any questions, contact the Public Works Department at 385-7212. Excellence Award We are proud to announce that city employee Marel Harstad, Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator, has received the Laboratory Analyst Excellence Award for 2005 from the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Associa- tion. This award recognizes individuals for their outstanding performance, professionalism and contributions to the water quality analysis profes- sion. Some of the criteria include; membership in the Water Environment Federation, direct analyti- cal responsibilities, and experience in making presentations at profes- sional conferences and meetings relevant to water quality analysis. Marel has been with the City of Port Townsend for over 13 years. She is active in the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association Laboratory Committee and has developed and instructed several lab classes for Peninsula College. Please join us in congratulating Marel for her achievements and for receiving this award.