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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 From Mayor Michelle Sandoval Please make plans to attend the first in a series of town meetings the City will be sponsoring this year. On March 6, 2008 at 6:00 PM, your friends and neighbors will as- semble at The Commons at Fort Worden to talk about Maintaining Our Small Town Character. This series is organized to evaluate progress in achieving the goals of the Comprehensive Plan (adopted July 1996) and will serve as a method for all of us to communicate our understanding about how we will move forward. A clear, overriding sentiment of the Plan is captured in the Community Direction Statement. Over a decade ago, the community predicted… “The public and private sectors (shall) work together pursuing the continued strength and growth of Port Townsend's economy, diverse employment base, and cultural and educational opportunities. City government is open and accessible… Government is willing and able to respond quickly, creatively, and efficiently to provide innovative ways of meeting the challenges facing the community… Regula- tions, laws and policies are enforced with equity and justice. Development is orderly and predictable. The inhabitants of Port Townsend feel, and are, safe. The City's residents respect the opinions, as well as the cultural and ethnic diversity of their fellow citizens… residents communicate with one another and elected officials in a considerate manner… Above all, our hope for the future becomes the City's promise to maintain and enhance Port Townsend's special character and small town atmosphere!” How are we doing as a community? Please come to share your opinion and help us meet the needs of the next decade. Changes On Your Utility Bill You will notice two new lines on the lower portion of your utility bill that separately itemize city utility taxes. Previously, utility taxes were included in the fees charged for utility ser- vices. Your bill will now show the charges for utility services and utility taxes separately. Please note, this is not an increase. The bill further breaks down the amount of utility taxes allocated to general city services and public safety and streets. These changes were the result of a utility rate study performed by FCS Group, a leading expert in utility rate analysis and rate design. They were engaged to accomplish two major tasks: 1) Determine if the rates being charged were sufficient to maintain the utility system; and 2) Determine if our utility cus- tomer classes (residential, commercial and government) were each paying an equitable amount. FCS Group found that our rates needed to be adjusted down for the residential customers and up for the commercial customers. Also, a new governmental customer class was recommended. These recom- mendations did not result in a rate increase overall for the utilities, but a realignment of rates between the various customer classes. On October 29, 2007, City Ordinance 2953 was adopted to implement these recommendations. (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@cityofpt.us) www.cityofpt.us March 2008 City of Port Townsend The City of Port Townsend invites you to attend a TOWN MEETING ■ Small Group Discussions ■ Interactive Technology ■ Focus on “truthing” our Comprehensive Plan Vision Topic: Maintaining Our Small Town Character Location: Fort Worden Commons Date: March 6, 2008 Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm More information? Contact Rick Sepler, Planning Director rsepler@cityofpt.us 360.379.5081 Spay/neuter saves lives! If you have a limited in- come and need financial help to spay or neu- ter your pet or if you know someone who could benefit from this service, please call Pam Gray at 360-385-7263 to apply for financial assistance through Olympic Mountain Pet Pals. We work with local vets who know that spay/neuter keeps your pets healthy and prevents unwanted litters of kittens and puppies from being abandoned, abused, or con- tributing to overcrowding of our local shelter. We want to help! OMPP is a non-profit local animal welfare organiza- tion which has funded spay/neuter services for over 2,000 pets since 2002. For information about spay/ neuter and our other services, check our website at www.ompetpals.org. Discuss the book - Look for infor- mal discussion groups at various locations. Plus: PT SHORTS March 1, 7:30 Pope Marine Park Building A CRITICAL LOOK AT ONCE IN A PROMISED LAND March 6, 7:00 PT Library CONCERT OF ARABIC MUSIC by HOUSE OF TARAB March 15, 7:00 First Baptist Church FILM NO NEWS and DIALOG WITH FILM- MAKER BUSHRA AZZOUZ March 16, 12:30 Rose Theatre AMERICAN DREAM: THE REALITY OF IMMI- GRANT RIGHTS March 20, 7:00 PT Fire Hall MEET THE AUTHOR March 27, 7:00 PT High School Auditorium ALL EVENTS FREE! Copies of Once in a Promised Land are available at the Port Townsend Public Library or William James Bookseller. Additional informa- tion at the Port Townsend Public Library or www.cityofpt.us Sponsors Friends of the Port Townsend Library Port Townsend Jefferson County Leader Port Townsend School District This project supported by a grant from the Washington State Library with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Special Promotion First Friday $1.00 Night at the Pool Beginning Friday, March 7 on the first Friday of each month from 6:30-8:30 PM, pool ad- mission will be $1.00 for everyone. Here's a fun, healthy, and affordable activity for your family. Chil- dren 7 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. GAMES...MUSIC...FUN! Come join us at the pool at 1919 Blaine St. or if you have any questions, call us at 385-7665. Does Your Child Need Dental Care? The SmileMobile is coming to the Jefferson County Public Health Dept. from March 24 - 28. To sched- ule an appointment for your child, call Barb at (360) 385-9432 before the 24th . The SmileMobile provides dental care to children with limited family in- come,accepts medical cou- pons and has a sliding fee scale based on family in- A Partnership of Washington Dental Service Washington State Dental Assoc. Washington Dental Service Foundation New City Task Force The City is seeking up to 3 community mem- bers who have experience and/or an interest in historic preservation issues to serve on a task force to review historic preservation issues re- lated to demolition of historic residential struc- tures; and bulk and scale issues on new resi- dential construction and re-development. Call 344-4601 or 385-5047 for details.