EYE ON JEFFERSON: Commissioners eye sign code amendments

Published 12:01 am Monday, November 17, 2014

The three Jefferson County commissioners will discuss amending the county sign ordinance at a meeting Monday.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in chambers, 1820 Jefferson St.

The sign code has been in need of revision since 2006 after a citizen lawsuit resulted in a ruling that a portion of the code was invalid.

Work on the code has proceeded intermittently since then, with the latest effort beginning in 2012.

Since that time, the code has been addressed at 13 public meetings of the Planning Commission.

This year, the Department of Community Development developed a draft 44-page document, which will provide the basis of the discussion Monday.

The commissioners also will consider setting tax levies for the general fund, conservation futures and road levy.

Items on the consent agenda include:

■ A resolution creating the county project for construction of the Rick Tollefson Memorial Trail-Ball Field Connection in Port Hadlock.

■ The scheduling of a budget hearing for 10 a.m. Dec. 1 in commissioners’ chambers.

■ The scheduling of a public hearing for 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St., to discuss two alternatives for the expansion of the South Coyle Peninsula No Shooting Area.

■ An agreement to purchase pickup trucks for various county departments in the amount of $1,097,278.

Port Townsend city

The Port Townsend City Council will consider adopting on a first reading the 2015 budget and capital improvement plan when it meets Monday.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.

Consideration of approval of a $19.8 million operating budget, which is projected to leave the city with a $4.1 million balance, will follow a public hearing.

Final approval will be on a second reading.

The council also will consider adopting a 1 percent property tax increase for the general levy and an increase in the Emergency Medical Services levy of about 7.40 percent.

It is expected to issue a limited tax obligation bond not to exceed $1,500,000 for repairs of the Mountain View complex.

It will consider adopting a compensation plan and salary schedule for employees not represented by unions.

Council office hours, during which members of the public can discuss any topic with a member of the City Council, take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday in the mayor’s office at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.

Other city committee meetings are:

■ Climate Action Committee special meeting — 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Cotton Building, 607 Water Street.

■ Council Finance & Budget Committee — 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, third-floor conference room, City Hall, 250 Madison St.

Jefferson Transit

Jefferson Transit board members will hear reports on operations, maintenance and ridership when they meet Tuesday.

The board will meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Port Townsend Fire Station, 701 Harrison St.

Jefferson Healthcare

Jefferson Healthcare commissioners will continue review of policies and bylaws and hear an administrative update during a special meeting Tuesday and will hear an update on the emergency services building Wednesday.

The commissioners will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in the home health conference room on the third floor of 2500 W. Sims Way.

No action will be taken.

On Wednesday, they will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Healthcare auditorium, 834 Sheridan St.

They also will hear a report on finances.