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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 June NewsletterNewsletterNewsletter City of Port Townsend 250 Madison Street (360)385-3000 www.cityofpt.us JUNE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: June 2021 06/07/21: Business Mee�ng 06/14/21: Workshop Mee�ng 06/21/21: Business Mee�ng Mee�ngs are subject to change. Please view our website calendar for an up-to-date mee�ng schedule. www.cityofpt.us/calendar A Note From Mayor Michelle Sandoval As I walk through town and carry out my du�es as mayor, seeing people in person again is star�ng to feel more normal. I’ve missed you. It’s been a long slog for all of us this last year and I know how much I – and likely you – have longed to be closer together. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. By the end of this month, Governor Inslee has indicated a full re-opening of businesses and organiza�ons. Aside from resuming some of our personal and business ac�vi�es, the City is looking to resume direct community engagement. There are many ways to get involved – I’d like you to consider stepping up and serving. Four examples: 1. Salary commission. An independent, five-person commission will determine whether council compensa�on – currently $6,000 per year – should be the same, lower or higher. Visit our website for more informa�on and to apply. www.cityofpt.us/bc/page/boards-and-commissions 2. Fort Worden Public Development Authority (PDA). A nomina�ng commi�ee is reviewing applica�ons for the next PDA board and forwarding them to me and City Council for appointment. The next PDA board is meant to be a transi�onal board for a shortened term of 1-2 years. It’s a cri�cal �me for the Fort and what it is and can be for our community. Visit our website for more informa�on and to apply. www.cityofpt.us/pda 3. Financial Sustainability Task Force. Council is expected to appoint this 8-member task force to look at the long-term financial sustainability of City opera�ons, working for just under a year and charged with presen�ng recommenda�ons to Council for considera�on and adop�on. 4. City Council. This is my last term a�er 20 years in a City Council role. By the �me you’re reading this, filing week is over and we have a slate of City Council candidates. But the dialogue between candidates and the community leading up to the elec�on in November has just begun. Take the �me to learn the issues, meet the candidates and ensure that our system of local democracy remains strong and serves a diversity of voices and interests. The Financial Sustainability Task Force applica�on is due to be up later in the month. If these aren’t for you, check out our volunteer page for other opportuni�es to serve our community: www.cityofpt.us/parksrec/page/be-volunteer Compost Availability Updates Consider applying to be on a City Advisory Board or Commission. Visit our website for descrip�ons, applica�ons, and mee�ng schedules: www.cityofpt.us For more informa�on contact the City Clerk’s Office at (360) 379-5083. The following Boards and Commissions have current and upcoming vacancies: • Arts Commission• Historic Preserva�on Commi�ee• Library Advisory Board• Lodging Tax Advisory Commi�ee• Parks, Recrea�on and Tree Advisory Board• Planning Commission Just a reminder that we post updates on our City Compost Facility webpage and on our City Facebook page when compost is for sale and when it is not available. www.cityofpt.us/publicworks/page/compost-facilitywww.facebook.com/CityofPT City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us A Message From the Chief of Police A Note From City Manager John Mauro June is a big month, especially this year. Just as June gives us the longest day, I’m hopeful it’ll signal a major transi�on in this longest of years. In mid-May, Governor Inslee announced a statewide reopening date of June 30 – earlier if the state achieves a 70% vaccina�on rate. As I write this, Jefferson County s�ll leads the state in full vaccina�on percentage at over 64% (and over 70% for first dose), but other coun�es have a ways to go to get to 70% before the end of the month if we all want an earlier start. Likewise, those aged twelve and over are all eligible for vaccina�on at this �me – and I’m hopeful that younger children like mine will become eligible soon, perhaps as early as this fall. All of this is a game-changer for our lives, for how we con�nue to run the city services you depend on, and for our community’s spirit. But beware: June will be a transi�on month. While the state and federal rules have changed, without any way to ensure the safety of local front-line workers, kids under twelve, or those who haven’t yet had a chance to be fully vaccinated, our local public health officer has issued a revised local health direc�ve. In essence, it removes the need for masking outdoors, but con�nues masking requirements for indoors with some excep�ons (indoor dining at a restaurant or for events where par�cipants can be confirmed as fully vaccinated). For those like me who are fully vaccinated, the need for a mask might seem odd, but please consider it as a courtesy to those who are not yet protected and don’t want to guess who’s vaccinated or not. I would expect these local masking requirements to change by the end of this month. In terms of City services, we’ll con�nue to dial up our hours and services at the pool, library, City Hall and police department. We are also working toward opening public mee�ngs again in some form of hybrid model so that those who enjoyed the ease and safety of remote par�cipa�on can con�nue to do so. We’re also very eager to return to in-person engagement on the many issues and ini�a�ves we’re undertaking this year. From streets to water, from trails to housing, we’re looking to provide opportuni�es for your par�cipa�on – whether it be dropping by a Farmer’s Market booth, filling out a survey, or par�cipa�ng in a town-hall style mee�ng. Please also have a look at Mayor Sandoval’s column this month for a range of opportuni�es to serve our community as a board, commission or task force member. Finally, stay tuned to our website, to Engage PT, and to the City Facebook page to ensure you don’t miss anything. Thanks for your pa�ence and grace as we con�nue to adapt as best we can! I am excited and honored to have been sworn in as the Chief of Police for the Port Townsend Police Department. It is my privilege to serve this beau�ful Victorian port city community. As your chief of police, I am commi�ed to building and maintaining public trust while partnering with the community to keep Port Townsend a safer place to live, work, play, and visit. The past year has been incredibly challenging for law enforcement across our na�on. Various events have created a pla�orm for important causes and movements revolving around race, equality, and fairness within our criminal jus�ce system. Although the Port Townsend Police Department is ahead of the curve in many areas, we will con�nue to improve on several fronts, most notably transparency with our community, training, and community care taking. Communica�on is essen�al towards building public trust. The Port Townsend Police Department will always strive to be open, transparent, and work together with the community to ensure our ci�zens are heard and valued. I passionately believe in the sanc�ty of life, meaning every person, no ma�er what their circumstances, is valued and their life is sacred. The job of a police officer is extremely difficult, especially in these ever-changing �mes. Police officers must have the support of their community and their police chief to be successful and accomplish their mission. They will always have my support when they are professional, adhere to department policy, and treat everyone they encoun- ter with dignity and respect. Together, along with city leadership and the support of the community, the Port Townsend Police Department will strive to be the model for success not only on the Olympic Peninsula but in the State of Washington. I am currently working hard to get to know the community that I serve. If you are a part of a group or organiza�on, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet them and introduce myself. I can be reached by email at tolson@cityofpt.us or by phone at (360) 385-2322. City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us Requirements For Controlling Cross Connections Beginning June 18th, you can sign up and start tracking your reading. Kids and teens that read 45 hours and adults that read 90 hours will win a Super Reader t-shirt designed by local ar�st, Richard Jesse Watson! All t-shirt orders must be in by August 31st at 5:00 pm. Look for the Summer Reading Calendar, coming soon to learn about fun programs and take and make bags that will be available for kids and teens. Summer Reading 2021Theme - REading Colors Your World! Creative District’s Art Markers Unveiling - June 15 pm - 7pm The following is the fourth part of a series of ar�cles aimed at providing insight into various aspects of water treatment and distribu�on. A cross connec�on is a point in a plumbing system where the potable water supply is connected to a non-potable source. The past couple months’ newsle�ers explained in more detail what a cross connec�on is. Find previous newsle�ers on our website at www.cityofpt.us/administra�on/page/city-newsle�er Requirements for Controlling Cross Connec�ons Every water system has cross connec�ons. Plumbing codes and State drinking water regula�ons require cross connec�ons to be controlled by approved methods (physical air gap) or approved mechanical backflow preven�on devices or assemblies. The various types of mechanical backflow preventers include: reduced pressure backflow assembly (RPBA), reduced pressure detector assembly (RPDA), double check valve assembly (DCVA), double check detector assembly (DCDA), pressure vacuum breaker assembly (PVBA), spill resistant vacuum breaker assembly (SVBA) and atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB). For a backflow preventer to provide proper protec�on, it must be approved for backflow protec�on, designed for the degree of hazard and backflow it is controlling, installed correctly, tested annually by a State cer�fied tester, and repaired as necessary. Some states require mandatory backflow protec�on on certain facili�es where high health hazard-type cross connec�ons are normally found. The following is a par�al list of those facili�es: • Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics • Laboratories • Food and beverage processing centers • Metal pla�ng and chemical plants • Car washes • Petroleum processing and storage plants • Piers and docks • Sewage treatment plants *This informa�on was provided by the American Water Works Associa�on Pacific Northwest Sec�on Addi�onal sources of informa�on may be found on the PNWS-AWWA website: www.pnws-awwa.org -diagram is showing a basic backflow- Join sculptor Jonah Trople for the grand unveiling of his five art marker sculptures. Special speakers and fun ac�vi�es will be at each loca�on star�ng at 5:15pm. Visit one or all sites and celebrate the first project of the Port Townsend Crea�ve District. The library will stay open late un�l 7:00 pm to help celebrate. Site 1 Tyler Plaza, Site 2 Washington/Monroe, Site 3 Rec Center, Site 4 Port Townsend Public Library, Site 5 Fort Worden. City of Port Townsend • 250 Madison Street • (360) 385-3000 • www.cityofpt.us What are Dark Skies? Port Townsend is evalua�ng a dark skies ini�a�ve beginning with public streetlights The City is seeking input from residents on the street ligh�ng. Over the past few years, a number of tests have been performed with the use of LED streetlights compared to tradi�onal high pressure sodium lights. LED lights offer the opportunity to use dark sky compliant fixtures while saving energy and overall opera�ons and maintenance costs. The City would like to thank Jefferson County PUD for the partnership, given the PUD owns and operates streetlights on the City’s behalf. What are Dark Skies? Dark Sky doesn’t mean darkness. Put simply, the dark sky movement is a campaign designed to reduce light pollu�on. This reduces the effects of electric light on the environment, improves the health of both wildlife and people, cuts down on energy use, and increases the number of stars visible at night. Controlling light pollu�on with City streetlights is one small element of dark sky effort. Light pollu�on also originates from private property lights. Dark skies rely on both public and private efforts to control light pollu�on. Why now? Port Townsend engineering staff has been working since 2017 on ways to be more energy efficient and cut costs where it is prac�cal on streetlights. More recently, this effort is beginning with replacement of exis�ng high pressure sodium lights with dark sky compliant and energy efficient LED lights. The City received a $177,460 grant from the Transporta�on Improvement Board to replace lights in coopera�on with the Jefferson County PUD who owns and operates the lights on behalf of the City. Furthermore, as part of the process of replacing lights, input is being sought on the public’s desire for ligh�ng levels in residen�al areas. What is the City’s Process? The public has already provided some feedback concerning streetlights and their impacts on the quality of life. Many value sets must be balanced concerning public ligh�ng. Step one is the City’s effort to replace the lights. As part of the replacement, the City is considering the following: • Should the City remove some of the lights in residen�al areas? Note, ligh�ng on arterial streets will not be eliminated and may be enhanced over �me as part of street improvement projects. Ligh�ng and high pedestrian crossing loca�ons will not be removed. • What is the appropriate spacing for lights in residen�al areas? Is 500 feet or every other block adequate spacing? • How does ligh�ng impact those with disabili�es including impaired vision? • What are the impacts on safety? Based on years of ligh�ng prac�ce, the percep�on is that ligh�ng increases public safety. This may not be the case. • Should lights be dimmed to 50% of historical ligh�ng levels? • What is the appropriate ligh�ng level and spacing for new residen�al subdivisions? The City an�cipates adop�ng a new streetligh�ng policy based on public feedback in July of this year. What can you do? Please feel free to comment on the above ques�ons. The City encourages feedback through Engage PT at www.cityofpt.us/engagept (Comprehensive streets program). Comments can be emailed to engagept@cityofpt.us A survey will be released. Please share this survey with your neighbors and provide your feedback by June 15, 2021. Please consider turning off your porch lights when they are not needed to help enhance Port Townsend’s Dark Sky.