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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07(360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@cityofpt.us) www.cityofpt.us July 2008 City of Port Townsend from Mayor Michelle Sandoval On the primary ballot this August 19, there will be a vote for a Library levy lid lift. If approved, the Library levy will provide sustainable funding that will be dedicated to the operations of the City Library, minimizing fu- ture budget reductions. It will provide for the resto- ration of previously reduced hours and services with specific improvements in collections, pro- grams, and services. Library usage continues to grow with 86% of the City population having a library card; 26.95 items checked out per capita, per year, the highest in Washington State, 4 out the past 5 years, and hosting 156,000 users annually (about 500 per day.) Without the levy, the Library faces reductions in services and programs, as do Parks, Community Services and maintenance of Capital Facilities. What will the levy cost? The measure will establish a new levy rate of $2.31 per $1,000 of the as- sessed value of your property compared to the cur- rent rate of $1.56 per $1,000. The $0.75 increase is earmarked to support Library operations. This will be a phased increase over a three year period. The first year at $1.94, the second year at $2.16 and finally, the third year at the full $2.31 per $1,000. The money that is being replaced in the General Fund will be used for Parks, Community Services (i.e. YMCA, Pool, Domestic Violence) and Capital Facilities only, per resolution by the City Council. Even with this increase, taxpayers in the County will pay more in property taxes than you will pay in the City for the same services. I invite you to call me for additional information or look for FAQ’s on the City’s website. Please vote. It is our privilege and our responsibility. Thank you. For more information on this subject go to the City’s website or make a visit to the Library. Join the fun with family games, live band music, dinner in the Commons, outdoor food vendors & fireworks at the annual 4th at the Fort 1:30 PM - Centrum Fiddle Concert in the Pavilion 6:00-8:00 PM - Kids games on the Commons lawn 7:00-8:00 PM - Rotary Pinball on the Castle Lawn 7:30 PM - Cajun Concert in the Mule Barn Area 8:00-9:30 PM - Summer Band plays in the Com- mons 10:00 Sharp—Fireworks Show! Take the Jefferson Transit Bus! Save tons of time getting home after the show! Jefferson Transit shuttle bus service will be avail- able from Park & Ride to the Fort beginning at 5 PM. Shuttles run throughout the evening until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the fireworks show. Regular transit fares apply. Adults 19 & over = $1.25 Kids 7-18 and Adults 60 and over = $.75 Kids 6 and under = FREE For your information: ♦ The West Gate (by the cemetery) to the Fort will be closed to public access. Only Transit will be using this gate. ♦ The Marine Science Center pier will be closed and buoys will be closed. ♦ There will be limited handicapped parking available at the canteen. COME JOIN US FOR THE BIGGEST 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION EVER! FENCES, WALLS, ARBORS AND HEDGES There are several key things to keep in mind if you are planning to build a fence, wall, arbor or hedge on your property. Fences must be located on your property. This may mean you will have to locate sur- vey markers before you lay out your fence. Fences located on a corner lot have to be built far enough back from the right-of- way and at a height that does not block the vehicular line of sight. Fences and walls over 6’ in height will need a building permit. Before beginning any construction, it’s best to check with the City to ensure that the fence you want to build will comply with regulations. If you have internet access, you can obtain a copy of the fence regulations by visiting www.cityofpt.us. Look under Forms, Building and Land Use Forms, choose Building Forms, and you will find a file called Fences, Walls, Arbors and Hedges. Or you can call 379-5095 and request that a copy of the regulations be sent to you. If it’s convenient, stop in at the Development Ser- vices Department (DSD) on the 3rd floor of City Hall and staff will help you with your fence plan- ning. Seeking Community Members for Task Force The City of Port Townsend is seek- ing two community members who have experience and/or an interest in historic preservation issues to serve on a task force to review his- toric preservation issues related to demolition of historic residential structures and bulk and scale issues on new residential con- struction and redevelopment. Call 379-5047 to request an application form or download from www.cityofpt.us. Click on “City Council” then “Boards and Commission” to download the form. The deadline for application submission is 5 p.m. on July 16, 2008. Call Rick Sepler at 379-5081 for further information. Each year, across the nation, one event brings together entire communities in the fight against cancer. That event is the American Cancer So- ciety Relay For Life®. It’s a time and place where people come to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives. It’s not just an opportunity to celebrate, remem- ber, and fight back - your involvement will help the American Cancer Society work toward a mission of eliminating cancer as a major health issue and will support much-needed services in the community. This year the event will take place on July 18- 19, 2008, 6 p.m. to noon at Blue Heron Middle School. If you’re interested in learning more or volunteering, please email Chair Roberta Scott rscott@fpa.com or call 385-2607. Jefferson County Family YMCA Summer Fun YMCA is partnering with many organizations to offer a wide range of activities that appeal to people of every age. Schedules can be downloaded on their website www.jeffymca.org or call 385-5811 for current programs. Notice for Board Openings Port Townsend Television The City and School District are considering contracting with OPeN Media, a nonprofit corpo- ration, to manage the Public, Education, and Government (PEG) cable channels 97 and 98. Anyone with an interest in serving on the OPeN Media board should submit a letter of interest by July 31 to the City Clerk, 250 Madison Street, Port Townsend or e-mail to pkolacy@cityofpt.us. Contact Karen Nelson 379-9133 or 379-2885 with questions.