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HomeMy WebLinkAbout August 2013City of Port Townsend From Mayor David King I don’t have much to write about at this time. There is a lot going on but I’ve cov- ered most of it in previous newsletters and many things are progressing towards a resolution under one process or another. The City Library – A proposed voted bond for a downsized library expansion project is about to be decided at the ballot box. Don’t forget to vote. Metropolitan Parks District – A citizens’ steering committee is working on a proposal for a Metro- politan Parks District to bring forward to the City and County. An MPD would manage parks and recreation for East Jefferson County and would secure funding for facilities and programs. The steering committee has been grappling with the complexities of the issue and the process, which will require a high level of cooperation and collaboration between the City and County, is likely to continue into 2014 before a proposal is brought before the voters. Fort Worden and the Public Development Authority (PDA) – Negotiations continue between the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority and Washington State Parks on a draft lease for the 90-acre campus area of Fort Worden. With state approval, the PDA will be able to develop a range of education, recreation, entertainment and accommodation opportunities on a portion of the Fort. The rest of the 434 acres will continue to be managed by State Parks. Peninsula College is finishing construction drawings for the development of Building 202 as a renovated and refurbished campus facility. Project funding is a combination of contribu- tions from state capital funds, community college funds, and the City plus an Energy Efficiency Grant from the Department of Commerce that has greatly reduced the funding gap on the pro- ject. These two developments, by helping to provide a more secure and sustainable future for the Fort and providing greater learning and cultural opportunities, will protect and enhance the Fort’s significant economic and social benefits for the City while preserving one of the finest state parks in Washington. City Waterfront Parks and Streets – With help from County-allocated Public Infrastructure Funds we’re about to finish the esplanade project at the end of Quincy Street which will complete our Civic Plaza project in the historic district. The Howard Street project between Sims Way and Discovery Road has recently received $2.1 million from the State’s Transportation Improvement Board (TIB). The City has matched the funds with $1 million from the State Transportation Program. With those funds in hand, the City should be in a position to complete the right of way and road construction for this key commercial link. The total project cost of $7 million includes a roundabout at Discovery sometime in the fu- ture. East Jefferson Fire Rescue – Utilizing funds provided by a Port Security Grant from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, EJFR has commissioned the construction of a fireboat that will be based in Port Townsend. The boat will be used for firefighting and search and rescue operations in surrounding waters and will enable EJFR to relocate their existing boat, the Volun- teer, in Discovery Bay to provide better coverage for that area. EJFR is regularly called upon for rescue operations in our chilly waters. EJFR is governed by a joint board consisting of three elected fire commissioners and three members of city council. And while we’re on the waterfront – on July 24, the City and the Port, by recording deeds and other documents, completed implementation of last year’s settlement agreement for the ex- change of the Port’s property at Kah Tai for Union Wharf and City Dock. This is the conclusion of a thirty-year process that will protect the 77-acre Kah Tai Nature Park and will also result in a more actively administered waterfront to support both tourism and commercial activities. (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@cityofpt.us) www.cityofpt.us August 2013 In fact if I’ve got you thinking about salt water, take a look at the video “Creating Impact” that’s on the home page of the Northwest Maritime Center here: http://www.nwmaritime.org/. Locally pro- duced by Champion Video Productions, it touches on the many things happening at the Center, including the mariner training classes by Crawford Nautical School that were described in the June utility newsletter. I accept that even in PORT Townsend not all of the readers of this newsletter are as focused on things nautical as those in the video. In one sense our waterfront has benefited from the same benign neglect that helped preserve our Victorian homes and other historic structures. Our water- front was ignored and preserved for a century, and we enjoy a greater degree of public access than other communities on Puget Sound which now struggle to restore it after decades of devel- oping their waterfronts with restaurants and condos. The collapse of Union Wharf in 1981 was the end of the historic district’s commercial waterfront. Since then, with the founding of the PT Marine Science Center in Fort Worden in 1982, the com- pletion of the Port Townsend Shipyard project in 1997, the recent completion of the Northwest Maritime Center, thirty six Wooden Boat Festivals, and the many, many projects completed by private businesses in the Boat Haven and Point Hudson, Port Townsend has been embracing and exploring the meaning of being a small Port in the 21st Century. Our experience confirms the synergy between education, economic development, and steward- ship of our heritage and environment. As an example, the Northwest School of Wooden Boat- building has been turning out trained and enthusiastic shipwrights since 1981 and graduates from that program now dominate marine trades in the Boat Haven. They have also created numerous local businesses - Edensaw Woods for instance. Perhaps the Port Townsend School of Wood- working at Fort Worden can create a similar history onshore. Stanford University and Silicon Valley are a more familiar example of an educational institution fostering economic development. Locally, efforts like the PDA at Fort Worden and the maritime- themed, place-based education initiative under development by the Port Townsend School Dis- trict deliberately embrace the economic benefits of our setting for education – a natural “deepening” of our tourism economy. Having seen the benefits of this approach in marine trades I’m excited to watch this unfold in other sectors of our community. Cities, counties and ports can and must do our part. “Infrastructure” is a dry, cold word for what is really the process of coming together to make this a place we want to live and work – to provide an environment conducive to business development. But in the end, it’s individuals and families that make it happen. It may be that economic development has much in common with happiness in that it’s often a byproduct of other activities and elusive if pursued directly. We’ll see. Coming Up The County Assessor is revaluing Port Townsend property for the first time in four years. After the new values and rates are published, I will update the comparison of City and County property tax rates in a future newsletter. I will also add an estimate of the impact of the utility cost increases on local families. Uh oh. “Not much to write about” has filled two pages. Alice is not surprised. POOL PARTY! Mt. View Pool’s 50th Birthday – Friday, August 2, 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. All programs will be FREE on August 2 to celebrate Mountain View Pool’s opening to the public in August of 1963. Participate and enjoy lap swims, aqua fitness, giant bubbles, demonstrations by the Synchronized Swim Students, and special Friday night recreational swims! From 3 - 4 p.m., a birthday cake and reception will be held in the lobby at 1919 Blaine St. Come celebrate, share pictures and tell stories. (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@cityofpt.us) www.cityofpt.us August 2013 City of Port Townsend Rules of the Road For Sale Signs The long days of summer seem to hold the most promise for selling garage sale items and real estate. If you are having a garage sale or offering to sell, lease or rent your property this sum- mer or any time of the year, please follow these Port Townsend Municipal Code rules when putting up signage:  Garage Sale signs have the 3-3-3 rule: they may be up to three square feet in size, for three days, and up to three signs may be placed on the property or in nearby rights-of-way (i.e. the open or unopened street next to your property).  Residential real estate signs may be up to 4-1/2 square feet in size, but only one sign may be placed on the property (or right next to the fence). Even though some properties are off the beaten track, directional signs pointing down the street are not allowed except during an Open House when you can have signs up to three square feet in size in nearby rights-of-way.  Signs in the right-of-way must be self-supporting. Use signs with wire legs or wooden sticks that you can temporarily secure into the ground. Place them on the private property side of utility poles, fire hydrants and sidewalks where they are out of the way of motorists and pedestrians. State law (RCW 70.54.090) prohibits attaching signs to poles. Please do not attach signs to utility poles or traffic signs! A person violating this is guilty of a misdemeanor. Thank you for doing your part to reduce sign clutter by promptly removing all signs after your sale. Contact Suzanne Wassmer in the Development Services Department with questions – (360) 385-0644 or swassmer@cityofpt.us. WellCity Award Association of Washington Cities (AWC) For the third year, City employees earned the Well- City Award from AWC Employee Benefit Trust. The award is based on meeting stringent best practice standards in employee health promotion. Participa- tion included friendly competition and health evalua- tions that provide indicators of a healthy lifestyle. Committed to improving and maintaining employee health, the Wellness Committee worked diligently throughout 2012 to achieve this award. The City will receive a 2% premium discount in 2014 for employ- ees and their families who are covered by AWC medical benefits. Sidewalk Clearing Summer brings out the best in every- one’s landscaping efforts. Unfortunately plant growth sometimes has a tendency to impede access along many of the community’s sidewalks and trails. In some cases, almost the en- tire width of the sidewalk is lost to an adjacent hedge or bush that has grown into the right of way. Please check to see if your plants are growing out over the sidewalks and trim back the vegetation which will allow full use of the sidewalks. Trees should also be checked to ensure that adequate overhead clearance (at least seven feet) is main- tained. Thank you for helping to make our communi- ty a better and safer place for all. 2013 Concerts on the dock Thursdays 5 -7:30 p.m. Presented by The Port Townsend Main Street Program, Wilder Auto, Kitsap Credit Union and many generous sponsors. August 1 - Buck Ellard with Steel Madronas August 22 - Off The Hook August 8 - Ranger and The Re-Arrangers August 29 - Emerging Artists Night & August 15 - Toolshed Trio DJ Dance Party OTHER UTILITY/SERVICE CONTACT INFORMATION Aside from a service contract with DM Disposal for garbage collection, the City of Port Townsend has no affiliation with the utility/service companies listed below. Please contact the vendor directly for all inquiries. CABLE ELECTRICITY GARBAGE / WASTE WATER (outside city service area) Wave Broadband 866-928-3123 PUD #1 of Jefferson Co. 360-385-5800 DM Disposal 360-385-6612 PUD #1 of Jefferson Co. 360-385-5800 Shopping for a Better Environment? Look for the Green Business and EnviroStars Logos for businesses that are creating healthy workplaces, reduc- ing waste, energy and water consumption. For more information contact Pinky Feria Mingo at 379- 4489, Jefferson County Environmental Health. Household Hazardous Waste Facility 282 10th Street Fridays 10-12:00 and 12:30-4:30 City Wastewater Treatment Plant and Bio-Solids Wastewater Treatment Plant receive Department of Ecology 2012 Awards For the fifteenth consecutive year (seventeen overall), the City Wastewater Treatment Plant has received the “Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance” award and for the sixth consecutive year (eighth over- all) the City Bio-Solids Wastewater Treatment Plant is receiving the same award. The Department of Ecology evaluates wastewater treatment plants in Washington for compliance with the ef- fluent limits, monitoring and reporting requirements, spill prevention planning, pretreatment, and overall opera- tional demands of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Of approximately 300 treatment plants statewide, ours is one of 107 that achieved full compliance with its NPDES permit in 2012. It takes diligent operators and a strong management team, working effectively together, to achieve this high level of compliance. Operating a wastewater treatment plant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without viola- tions, takes an extraordinary level of effort and commitment by plant operators. Our thanks and congratulations go out to: John Merchant, Operations Manager Mike Bartkus, WWTF Operator Jim Freitas, Biosolids/Compost Operator Bob Mackey, WWTF Operator Bliss Morris, Biosolids/Compost Operator Dave Rodia, WWTF Operator Recycling Tips - Plastic Items NOT Accepted:  Dairy and margarine tubs  Plastics numbered #3 - #7  Lids - Throw lids in the trash. Plastic lids and caps are too small to be sorted properly and don’t get recycled.  Bags and Wrap - Grocery bags and plastic wrap get tangled in machinery at sorting facilities. Throw plastic wrap in the trash. Reuse plastic bags or take back to participating grocery stores for recycling.  Crinkly and Lightweight Plastic - Items like plastic drink cups, clamshell packaging for produce, and packaging around toys and electronics are not recyclable. YOU are invited to the ALL COUNTY PICNIC: A Gathering of Neighborhoods Sunday ~ August 18 ~ 11 a.m.–5 p.m. HJ Carroll Park, Chimacum Have FUN with a purpose at the 1st Annual County Pic- nic designed to engage, strengthen, and revitalize neigh- borhood groups to be "in place" prior to an event or dis- aster. Over 100 neighborhoods have already organized. Is yours among them? Guidance will be available on steps needed to get more involved or get started! Bring your neighbors. Bring your own picnic, or shop the food vendors at the Farmer's Market. Sorry, no alcohol or dogs allowed. This family-friendly event is co-sponsored by Local 2020 (www.L2020.org) and the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management (www.jeffcoeoc.org). Others contributing support include: Port Townsend Paper, Jef- ferson Healthcare, First Federal Bank, City of Port Town- send, Jefferson County, and many more. To request a form for a market booth, contact Mike Mullin at neptunes2@olypen.com. To request a form for an informational table/booth, con- tact Judy Alexander at lightenup@olympus.net.