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Home My WebLink About February 2013City of Port Townsend From Mayor David King Planning for our future Council has been working on possible ballot measures for the library expansion, the for- mation of a Metropolitan Parks District and annexation by District 1 (East Jefferson Fire Rescue). Actual ballot language and provisions are a ways off. In the case of annexation, two years off, but Council must understand how schedules, provisions and finances for these measures may be interrelated so that the community can consider their cumulative costs and benefits together. Governing Fire and EMS Services Fire Annexation – Annexation wouldn’t be on a ballot measure before 2014 or affect property tax be- fore 2015 when City and Fire District properties are assessed on the same schedule. Depending on the levy rate at the time of annexation, some or all of the levy capacity that the City currently allo- cates to fire services could either be “banked” by the City or levied for other purposes without an ad- ditional ballot measure – a maximum of about $0.57 per thousand of assessed value or $171 addi- tional property tax per year on a $300,000 home. (The $0.43 additional tax - about $129 property tax on a $300,000 home - that was passed by voters in 2011 for fire service equalization would sunset upon annexation.) Caring for our Parks Formation of a Metropolitan Parks District (MPD) – The City and the County are continuing with the process that they initiated as a result of the voters’ passage of Proposition 1 in 2010 which provided for an increase to sales tax of 3/10th of one percent to fund public safety, youth and senior services and community services. After a year and a half of meetings, the Exploratory Regional Parks and Recreation Committee - comprised of elected officials and citizens - recommended formation of an MPD to provide management and secure funding for parks and recreation in East Jefferson County which have been decimated by reduced funding. Our situation is not unique. MPDs have often been created around the state to protect and manage local parks and recreational institutions. Each is quite different and the City and County are working together to develop and initiate a process appro- priate to our complex circumstance. The creation of an MPD would create a new junior taxing district with authority to levy a maximum of $0.75 per thousand of assessed value or $225 of property tax per year on a $300,000 home. Revenue for the MPD would supplant current City revenue used for the same purposes and the City could bank it, allocate it to the MPD, or levy it for another purpose. Investing in our Future Library Expansion – Procedural matters (environmental review and capital planning) related to the planned Library expansion that need to be completed, and the possibility of an alternative to the cur- rent plan, have emerged and must be considered by the City. The proposed replacement of the existing Library addition will require State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review prior to construction. While SEPA is not strictly required before a bond vote, it is recommended that potential environmental impacts be ascertained beforehand as they affect project costs and in some cases whether a project is feasible or not. While it is difficult to determine the ex- act timeframe for the SEPA process, the review of similarly-sized projects in other jurisdictions typi- cally will take from 60 to 120 days and may be lengthened if there are appeals. The City’s Compre- hensive Plan establishes level-of-service (LOS) standards for key community services including those for the Library. A review of the adopted plan indicates that the existing LOS standard for li- brary services does not reflect the current demand for those services from the community. The ex- pansion to enhance service levels needs to be reviewed to ensure it is consistent with the City’s planning policies. (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@cityofpt.us) www.cityofpt.us February 2013 The Port Townsend School District has appropriated funding to demolish the Lincoln Building at the High School which has been vacant for many years. Consistent with the requirements of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, historic buildings cannot be demolished unless they are a hazard - structurally unsound and at risk of collapse - or unless no economic return can be demonstrated. The School District must explore the possibility of adapting the Lincoln Building for some other use before tearing it down. The Superintendent says the District may consider evaluating another educational use or a combination of other public uses in a refurbished structure. At the January 15 workshop, Council discussed the potential for a combined high school and public library in a restored Lincoln Building. We have had very preliminary talks with the School District about whether a cost-effective re-use could be found that might meet both the District’s needs and the City’s need to restore and expand our Library. Evaluating the Lincoln Building will not stop other processes from going forward, should the cost of potential reuse prove to be too great. Both the current Library expansion plan and any alternative collaboration with the School District would require voter approval for bond funding. The debt service on a bond and its effect on prop- erty tax is hard to determine far in advance of the measure because bond rates change with the economy. At this time a reasonable estimate of the effect on property tax for a $6 million bond would be approximately $0.294 per thousand of assessed value or $88.29 additional property tax per year on a $300,000 home. Apart from the financial impact or benefit, a major change in the Library project would be wrench- ing for citizens who have supported, advocated and virtually inhabited a facility built to the plan that’s been before us for several years. But that was designed when the City’s finances were stronger and a large percentage of the cost was expected to be met by grants or private dona- tions. I strongly believe we need to restore and expand our Library which is one of the most used in Washington State and is also our de facto community center. And I support a broad interpreta- tion of the Library’s mission as an expression of our community. But we must always act responsi- bly, examining alternatives and responding to challenges, in this case in particular pursuing an opportunity to strengthen our schools and library together, even if we end up in the same place after. Adding up what it will take over time The estimated maximum cumulative cost of these measures taken together all at once would be about $484 additional property tax on a $300,000 home, an increase of 18.41% on a hypothetical 2012 tax bill. This is a worst-case scenario for illustration only and could be reached only if the City continued to levy all the funds that adoption of these measures would supplement or replace. And only if the voters agreed to it. I believe it's possible to complete the job of securing efficiency and value through consolidation with the Fire District, to secure our parks and recreation institu- tions including a pool for all of East Jefferson County, and to double the capacity of our City Li- brary (plus be able to address the condition of our local streets) for considerably less than this - just not for nothing. In any case we should have a picture of how it would work and what all of it would cost before we ask voters to decide on any of it and we are months away from proposing the nearest measure and years away from proposing the farthest away. “America's possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without bound- aries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention. My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it — so long as we seize it together.” Barack Obama - 2nd Inaugural Address I believe strongly in the President's sentiment above, and in its particular application to our local community – at least an appropriately scaled down sandals-with-socks northwest version of it. (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@cityofpt.us) www.cityofpt.us February 2013 City Lake construction project update We are beginning the final phase of the City Lake pipeline replacement project. We do not anticipate any disruption to your water service during the project, but we want you to know what’s happening. We will temporarily drain and bypass the City Lake reservoir beginning in early February. You may notice a slight increase of fine particles in your tap water while City Lake is out of service because the water will not undergo the natural settling process that occurs in the reservoir. We’re working closely with the state and local health departments to anticipate and respond to po- tential water quality problems. We will increase water quality monitoring during this time to ensure the water remains safe to drink. The health departments recommend that people with very weak im- mune systems talk to their health care provider for additional guidance. Port Townsend treats unfiltered water from the Big Quilcene River and Lords Lake with chlorine dis- infection. If there’s flooding or heavy seasonal runoff during construction, we may ask you to con- serve water to help us manage the water supply. In a worst case scenario, it may become necessary to issue a boil-water advisory because heavy sediment can interfere with our ability to disinfect the water. We don’t expect this to happen. The City Lake project involves replacing 700 feet of aging pipe, installing seismic protection and upgrading water flow controls. When the project is complete, it will enhance our ability to control water transmission from City Lake to Port Townsend. Construction is scheduled to end in late May, and we expect to bring City Lake back on-line this summer. Just as you do to prepare for earthquakes and other emergencies, we recommend that you consider storing three days of water supply per person as a precautionary measure. If you notice cloudy or slightly discolored water, please contact Port Townsend Public Works at 379-5096. We will provide updates on the status of the City Lake pipeline replacement project on the City’s web page http://www.cityofpt.us/. City of Port Townsend Throughout March, the Port Townsend Public Library Community Read will provide discus- sion groups, a juried art show, collaborative presentations and involvement with PT Shorts, Madrona MindBody Institute, the Rose Thea- tre, and more, while reviewing Contents May Have Shifted. And, last but not least, meet the author Pam Houston, on March 28, 7 p.m., at the PT High School Auditorium. All events are free. There is a limited number of free copies of the book available . More information at the Library or www.ptpubliclibrary.org. The Library Centennial 1913-2013 The Library is celebrating its Centennial this year! Stay tuned for events in the community that will recognize this very distinctive year! Start of the construc- tion at City Lake Jefferson County Conservation Futures Program Open Space Grants Available The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners invites applications for projects to enhance the County's open space preserves. Projects must provide permanent pro- tection of open space lands through acquisition of real property or development rights. Open spaces include wildlife habitat, agriculture and timber- lands, trail rights-of-way, scenic areas, and cultur- al sites. To be considered for funding, a matching contri- bution of at least 50% of the project's total cost is required. Approximately $240,000 is available this year to fund projects, including operation and maintenance (O & M) requests. Citizens, land- owners, and citizen groups as well as local gov- ernment agencies, special purpose districts, and non-profit corporations within Jefferson County may apply in partnership, as needed, with an eli- gible sponsor. Deadline for submission is Friday, March 1, 2013 at 4:30 PM to the Jefferson County Public Health Dept. For more information and an application, contact Tami Pokorny at 379-4498 or tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us, or visit the Conser- vation Futures Program website: www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commissioners/ Conservation/conservation.asp. News from Jefferson Transit: Schedules & Sunday Service With the New Year brings new bus schedules! Updated and revised schedules were released on January 13. They include many small time- point changes to all routes, revised departure times for several of the commuter routes, addi- tional evening #11 Shuttles, and other changes. Please visit www.jeffersontransit.com to see the new schedules or pick one up from your bus driv- er. Please note however that the new schedules do not reflect the Sunday Service cancellation that will go into effect on July 1, 2013. The last day of Sunday Service will be June 30, 2013. Updated schedules that reflect the cancellation of Sunday service will be released just prior to the last day of that service. For questions or comments, please visit www.jeffersontransit.com or call Cus- tomer Service at 385-4777. Port Townsend Public Library Offers Free Basic Computer Classes If learning computer skills is a personal resolution of yours for 2013, then your local li- brary can help. You will get free computer help in all aspects of computer operation: Introduction to Computers February 20, 8:30 – 10 a.m. Mountain View Library computer lab. An introductory course designed to teach basic computer vocabulary, use of the mouse, the keyboard and layout of the desktop. Space limited to ten people. Sign-up required. Introduction to the Internet Level I February 27, 8:30 – 10 a.m. Mountain View Library computer lab An introductory course designed to provide a basic overview of how to use the Internet. Space limited to ten people. Sign-up required. Call the library or come in to sign up for these two free classes. For more information, contact Keith at 385-3181/344-3061 or email kdarrock@cityofpt.us. Jefferson County Family YMCA Did you know that in addition to being the only licensed provider of after school child- care in the City for children ages 5-12, the Y also offers adult computer classes, fencing, parenting classes, yoga and more? For program information and registration call Erica Delma at 385-5811. Financial assistance available. www.jeffymca.org Recycling Reminders Recycling questions? Contact: Jefferson County Public Health and Public Works 385-9160 pinky@co.jefferson.wa.us Plastic: Only No: Clamshells, tubs, or motor oil containers