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HomeMy WebLinkAbout March 2013City of Port Townsend From Mayor David King - SPRING FORWARD This will be my spring newsletter edition. Last year it was the April newsletter and we’re not even out of February as I write this, but I just can’t wait any longer. Though we don’t have much to complain about for the winter we’ve been having, particularly compared to conditions in the rest of the country, it’s just been dreary for what seems like forever and I’m going to do what I can to will it away. Today I saw crocuses coming up where I exit Kah Tai on my way to work, so I am not alone in my eagerness for spring. I just hope it’s not snowing as you read this. Last year’s spring newsletter was about the Taylor Street project, and new businesses coming to town. It seems like a long time since our downtown was opened up like a filleted salmon but I ap- preciate the result every time I descend the Haller Fountain steps. Other street projects the City has completed include new sidewalks up Hastings Street linking Discovery and Sheridan. And we've mostly completed the seismic refit of the Carnegie building, preserving one of our city’s iconic structures. More about the library in a minute. Looking down Taylor reminds me that we’re nearly done with the exchange of Union Wharf and City Dock to the Port for their portion of Kah Tai Park – both actions a win for the community. In fact it’s been a pretty good year for local government collaboration. With support from the County we secured Public Infrastructure Funding (state-authorized use of sales tax to provide funding of public infrastructure projects) to complete the waterfront esplanade and repair the pool at Moun- tain View, which should re-open by the middle of March. Our largest projects in 2013 will be mostly out of sight as we finish the City Lake bypass project and begin the mandated secondary treatment of our water system, where we will be installing the most cost-effective [cheapest] method that meets the federal requirement - UV treatment. Later on we’ll be replacing our aging reservoir off Howard Street to complete these capital mainte- nance projects. The City’s financial position has improved through work and sacrifice. We refinanced some of our bond debt and saved the City over $700,000. We had to reduce the City’s workforce by 10% partly due to an estimated $200,000 sales tax bookkeeping error at the state level (it was a bit less in the end). We believe we will have met the requirements of our 2011 audit finding by re- storing our reserve balances and stabilizing our utility funds. Our 2012 audit will be in the late summer or early fall. PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS To prepare for consideration of possible measures to preserve and build our community for the future, we are working on a table that compares the growth of tax revenue and the use of public funds over the past ten years. This and other financial information will be the subject of an up- coming Town Meeting. A tentative date for this meeting is March 25. When set, the date will be posted on the City website. Some increased expenses are well known – debt service for our public investments, voter- approved allocations to public safety, and the library. But the table shows that over ten years a growing allocation has gone to “Community Services” - a broad category that includes parks, the pool, facilities maintenance and special events. As an example, our adoption of the Mountain View school, vacated by the School District, has been expensive for the City. But it supports non- profits that provide vital services for our community. Broadly defined, Community Services com- prise support for services and institutions we care about but are not mandated to maintain. So it is Community Services that feel the impact of budget constraints. (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@cityofpt.us) www.cityofpt.us March 2013 I have been tediously clear in my belief that we can build and maintain the kind of community we want if we are willing to work together, be open to imaginative solutions that include participation by local governments, and be moderate about our personal priorities while understanding of the priorities of others. But there are limitations that are out of our direct control. According to the Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy (http://www.itepnet.org/) Washington State has the most regressive tax structure in the country. Notice I did not say "one of the..." but THE most. Regressive means that the lower your income the greater the percentage of it goes for taxes. We consider ourselves a low tax state because we don’t have an income tax, but “Washington’s poor families [lowest 20% of incomes] pay 16.9% of their income in state and local taxes. Compare that to neighboring Idaho and Oregon, where the poor pay 8.2 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively.” In California it is 10.6%. Setting aside the irony that a state that is so politically progressive should be so regressive in its taxation, this has implications for our community since property tax, innately somewhat regres- sive, is one of the few forms of tax revenue that is under community control. Even modest increases in property taxes to support local institutions may hurt low-income fami- lies that are already stretched to the breaking point with sales taxes, excise taxes, gas taxes and Discover Passes. On the other hand some of us with higher incomes who have benefited from the regressive nature of Washington’s tax structure want to support our community institutions through property taxes that we feel are affordable. A hundred bucks a year for a pool or a library may cost less than taking the family out to dinner unless you’ve already given up eating out alto- gether. That’s the rub. If the institutions we value are unable to function without the public support that we are unable or unwilling to provide, we risk hurting those of our citizens who depend upon those institutions even as we resolve to spare them the burden of increased taxation. What have we gained from tax restraint if, without the City subsidizing rent at Mountain View campus (never mind providing any direct allocations from the general fund), the food bank can’t meet the needs of, or the YMCA can't provide daycare for, beleaguered working families? Moderation is hard work. “Let the voters decide” may be no more helpful than “No new taxes” if staff, elected officials and citizens have not put in the time to make sure that the up or down vote of any ballot measure is the best option possible under the circumstances. There is more of crea- tivity than conspiracy in the process and it is almost certain that the paths chosen will not please everyone. As I write this, Council is grappling with the library expansion project. One solution to the regres- sive nature of property taxation is a private/public partnership with a non-profit organization able to bolster funding capacity for particular projects or institutions. But the City and the Library Foun- dation together have not yet been able to secure the grants and donations necessary for the complete expansion. At two extremes we could either scale back the project to what can be achieved with the public funds originally proposed, or place a larger bond measure before the voters – the $5 plus million required to fully fund the project instead of the $3 million discussed in 2010. However, money aside, another value of partnerships should be the ability to respond to changed circumstances, enabling diverse interests to produce a plan which balances aspirations and limitations and will attract broad public support. The voters will have the final say. Thanks to Rick Jahnke for sharing the ITEP report “Who Pays? A Distributional Analysis of the Tax Systems in All 50 States.” (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@cityofpt.us) www.cityofpt.us March 2013 City of Port Townsend City Lake Outlet Pipe Replacement Update Phase 2 of the City Lake outlet pipeline replacement is proceeding ahead of schedule. Lake draining began February 1 and was completed February 13. The municipal water supply from the Big Quilcene River is being routed di- rectly to the screen chamber, bypassing the lake, after which it is chlorinat- ed for disinfection purposes. Even as the project takes place, our drinking water quality continues to meet or exceed federal and state standards. City Lake drained (outlet tunnel right side of photo) Initial work consisted of installing a water pumping and treatment system to handle lake water during construction activities and site preparation, clearing and grading. The next step will be drilling and excavation of the 50’ deep, 16’ diameter valve control shaft at the edge of the lake along with instal- lation of a cofferdam around the lake outlet tunnel. Throughout March, the Library will provide dis- cussion groups on Contents May Have Shifted by author Pam Houston. There will be collabora- tive presentations and involvement with PT Shorts, Madrona MindBody Institute, the Rose Theatre, a juried art show and more. Hear direct- ly from the author on March 28, 7 p.m. at the PT High School Auditorium. All events are free. For more information, visit the Library at the Mt. View Campus or www.ptpubliclibrary.org. Citizen Volunteer Opportunities Consider applying for vacancies on the following Advisory Boards, Committees, and Commissions. Arts Commission Historic Preservation Committee Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Library Advisory Board Nonmotorized Transportation Advisory Board Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board PEG Access Coordinating Committee Most appointments require a three-year commit- ment. City residency or employment within the City is a requirement for most positions and some special qualifications may apply. Vacan- cies are open until filled. See the city website for committee descriptions, application, and meeting schedules or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 379-5083 for an application. Used Book Sale Saturday, March 9 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (8 a.m. for Members of the Friends.) Held at the Community Center in Uptown PT. MARK YOUR CALENDARS Main Street’s Port Townsend Family Portrait When: Saturday, March 23, 9:30 a.m. Where: The Civic District Plaza—Madison and Water Streets The photo will be taken by photographer David Conklin; sponsored by Puget Sound Energy; printed by The Print- ery; and, treats provided by Elevated Ice Cream Co. Celebrate the Victorian Heritage Festival and wear a Victorian inspired costume if you wish! Victorian Heritage Festival March 22-24 The 2013 Festival will present a di- verse array of programs and presen- tations from the elegance of Victori- an ladies’ wear to the rough and tumble waterfront trades of sailors, prize fighters, soldiers and seam- stresses. Organic gardening guru Ann Lovejoy is the special guest. Additional information is avail- able at www.victorianfestival.org. Found Property Held by Police Dept. Call 385-2322 if you are missing property items listed below. Proof of ownership is required. Work Party at Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park The next monthly work party is Sunday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to noon. The focus will be on pull- ing Scot’s Broom and picking up garbage. Previ- ous work parties have made a noticeable differ- ence. Park at the Chase Bank parking lot at Kearney and Sims Way. Look for Ron Sike’s white Chevy pickup and a green volunteer sign. Wear layered work clothes and bring work gloves. Homemade cookies, hot tea, water, weed pull- ers, and garbage bags will be provided. Contact Rosemary Sikes, program chair Admiral- ty Audubon, rosemarysikes@olympus.net or 385 -0307 for more information. Hope to see you there! The Library is gearing up for its Encore events, as part of its free jobs retooling program for workers between the ages of 50 to 69. Five dy- namic local speakers (Leif Hansen, Peter Quinn, Carol Ann Laase, Kenna Eaton and Collin Brown) will address the topics of social media, re-tooling careers and busi- ness after 50. This free event will take place at the Port Townsend Public Library Learning Center, 1256 Lawrence Street on March 6, March 13 and March 20 from 6-7:30 p.m., and on March 9 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Gain insights into how you can create your own success story in our contemporary working world. These presentations will spark your drive and determination. For biographical information on the speakers and complete descriptions of the events, go to the library's website at http:// ptpubliclibrary.org/, call the library or come in to sign up. For more information, contact Nancesca at 385-5468 (nschroff@cityofpt.us) or Keith at 385-3181 (kdarrock@cityofpt.us). Date Location Description 01/05 19th & San Juan Bike 01/13 Unknown Clipboard & Papers 01/30 Lawrence Street Camera 01/30 12th Street Bike 02/04 City Hall Jacket 02/11 Van Ness Street Bike Compost for Your Green Needs The City Compost Facility, located at 603 Landfill Road, can provide you with your landscaping and gardening needs. Compost can be purchased Monday, Wednes- day and Friday from noon to 3 p.m. Cost: $12/yard or $9/yard in quantities of 10 yards or more at one time. The Facility can only accept cash or check. Port Townsend Little League Washington State District 2 — Baseball, Softball and Tee Ball Online registration is open for the excit- ing 2013 season for 4-14 year olds! The registration fee is $85 per athlete for base- ball and softball and $40 for Tee ball. On March 10, registration rises to $100 per child, so regis- ter early! If you have questions contact our player agent Debbie LaFollette at 360-379-2468. Homebuyers Education Class - Homeward Bound and WA State Housing Finance Commis- sion are offering free Saturday classes on home buying to be held at the Cotton Building once a month. Call 360-683-2688 to sign up. Carnegie Library Centennial—Items of Interest Do you have any old furniture, letters, books, cards, photos or other items of interest pertaining to the Carnegie Library? Contact Jennifer Cohn, Centennial Committee Chair, 344-2037, or email jen- niferhcohn@gmail.com with pictures or descriptions. PT Main Street Spring HUD Loans for com- mercial buildings - application deadline is Fri- day, March 29 at 5 p.m. Download an applica- tion at www.ptmainstreet.org.