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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09(360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@cityofpt.us) www.cityofpt.us September 2008 City of Port TownsendCity of Port TownsendCity of Port TownsendCity of Port Townsend from Mayor Michelle Sandoval The Library levy has successfully passed and the City Council will take the next steps in the City’s budgeting process in early September. For those of you who were at the second town meet- ing, you got a glimpse of this process as the city budget was thoughtfully explained by our City Manager. We received several comments from citizens present stating how informative it was and how it was a real life “civics lesson” that we so rarely have the opportunity to learn anymore. I hope you will take the time to attend our budget meetings this fall. It is important to see how the Council considers the needs of our entire community. I believe it is only at the local level that we have a real voice in the government budgetary process. The majority of you understand the needs of the city’s “community services” and voted for this levy pas- sage. We take this vote of confidence seriously. Of course the Library has clearly delineated how the restored budget will be used, but there are other decisions that we want you to be involved in regarding the community services focus. This was the result of the council’s resolution in re- spect to the remaining monies. We will be hav- ing another town meeting this fall as we have heard loud and clear from our community that this is a successful method to inform and engage our community. I would like to thank the library levy campaign crew as well as all the citizens who got involved, asked questions and attended the community forums about the levy. BEST! Michelle Busy, busy, busy! Summer is almost over (did we even have a summer?), school is back in session and we have back-to-back festivals in September! Wooden Boat Festival, Sept. 5-7, West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium, Sept.19-21 Port Townsend Film Festival, Sept. 26-28 Each of these festivals impacts the City as we provide assistance with permitting, road closures, parking signs, policing, and of course, cleaning up. Meetings and coordination start months ahead of time as we try to provide a seamless backdrop for these amazing events. We hope you are able to participate in them and fully enjoy them. For information on schedules, the following web- sites will provide you with details and contact num- bers: Wooden Boat Festival – www.woodenboat.org/festival West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium – www.wcsks.org Port Townsend Film Festival – www.ptfilmfest.com For additional activities and links to enjoy all things Port Townsend, please visit www.EnjoyPT.com on the “Calendar” tab. The Washington State Ferries advises both vehicle and walk-on travelers to plan ahead for the Port Townsend/Keystone ferry route during the Wooden Boat Festival weekend of Sept. 5-7. Vehicle travel- ers are strongly encouraged to make reservations ahead of time online or by phone. Capacity for walk-ons is also limited and passengers are en- couraged to travel during off-peak times to avoid long waits at the terminals. Customers can access the sailing schedule and make vehicle reservations on the Ferries web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries or by calling 1-888- 808-7977 (WA and BC) or 5-1-1 (WA). Port Townsend’s Carnegie Library Grand opening October 14, 1913 PT Police Department gets its second electric vehicle! In light of the ever fluctu- ating fuel and mainte- nance costs of vehicles, the City of Port Town- send Police Department has replaced its 2002 Chevy Tahoe SUV patrol vehicle with a 2008 Chevy Malibu Hybrid sedan. The Hybrid will be utilized as a detective vehicle, for officers, and for other department personnel to use in the event they need to leave the City for training. The Hybrid represents the second elec- tric vehicle being utilized by the Port Townsend Police Department. In 2003 the City purchased two GEM electric vehicles, one of which was assigned to the Police Volunteers. Also being added to the Police Department fleet will be a 2008 Ford Ranger pick-up with a smaller engine and more efficient gas mileage that will replace an older model Ford Crown Victoria patrol car currently used by the Police Volunteers. The actions today by the City of Port Townsend represent a small portion of the commitment the City has made towards energy conservation. If you have any questions or comments in regard to this matter contact Administrative Sergeant Ed Green (360) 379-4667. Dispute Resolution Program Anyone with an unresolved neighborhood complaint may wish to consider utilizing the ser- vices of a volunteer mediator or facilitator pro- vided through the City’s Dispute Resolution Pro- gram. The program uses trained volunteers to help citizens, at no cost, reach resolution of dis- putes concerning certain community or neighborhood issues. Issues could be anything from complaints over barking dogs to other types of nuisances or neighborhood problems. This resolution process is entirely voluntary - no one is required to participate. The program is free to persons who participate and the prob- lem solving is confidential. The goal is to try and work out problems on a voluntary basis in informal settings, before the matter involves the police, city agencies, or the courts. Anyone wishing a brochure or information on the program, or who wishes to make a confiden- tial inquiry about or a request for dispute resolu- tion, please call Joanna at City Administration 379-5047. Book Lover’s Café sponsored by the Port Townsend Library Monday, September 8, 2:30 p.m. PT Community Center Lounge. What are your two favorite books ever? What book is a memorable disappointment? Part of each meeting is spent talking about books the participants have read and want to recommend. New members welcome! For more information please contact Cris Wilson, 379-4441 at the PT Library or Sally Robbins, 385 -9007 at the Community Center. In September, the Library will again offer: Book Baby Lapsit for babies birth - 12 months Wobbler Time for toddlers 12 - 24 months Preschool Story Time for preschoolers 3 - 5 years Visit the Library website for startup dates and times at www.cityofpt.us/library or call 385-3181. Compost is ready! The City’s compost facility located at the Jefferson County Landfill will be selling compost Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting September 8 from 12-3:00 p.m. The price per yard is: $12 per yard up to ten yards $9 per yard for quantities over ten Questions? Call Composting at 385-7908. A Note From the Water Dept. While all of our reservoirs are full as of August 12, the snow is gone and river flows are low. Voluntary water conservation measures are appropriate until the fall rains arrive (hopefully) in October. Thank you for your cooperation.