Lakewood City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin For April 3

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

Thursday Gov. Jay Inslee extended his Stay Home, Stay Healthy order until May 4, 2020. Under the order Washingtonians are to stay home and have as little contact as possible with other people – except for immediate family members with whom they live.

The only time people should leave their homes is to access essential services like grocery stores, medical attention or pharmacy visits, or if picking up to-go meals from restaurants, according to Inslee.

When in public, people should follow social distancing requirements of remaining at least six feet away from each other.

Lakewood residents can still go outside, and it is encouraged that people try to remain active as it is a good way to help relieve stress. But as the governor noted: If you have to get there by car, it’s too far.

Earlier this week Mayor Don Anderson addressed Lakewood residents via video, urging everyone to stay home. He also asked those who have the financial means to consider giving to area food banks or other nonprofits in need of assistance at this time due to COVID-19 impacts.

Anderson did just that Friday when he handed over his April Mayoral paycheck to Sue Potter, executive director of Nourish Pierce County. Anderson was at the food bank distribution warehouse alongside Inslee and Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier to thank Washington National Guard members who were there helping distribute food. Read more.

Lakewood employees continue to work from home so that there is no disruption to municipal services for residents. Read more about how to contact the city during this closure.

We appreciate everyone’s compliance and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented times and encourage our residents to visit our webpage dedicated to its COVID-19 communications to get the latest information. Here you will also find connections to other resources around things like accurate public health information, small business and employee assistance, resources for veterans and communication from the state.

City Council April 6 virtual meeting

The Lakewood City Council will continue to hold its meetings as scheduled to ensure essential city functions continue, however due to Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home – Stay Healthy order, in-person attendance by members of the public is NOT permitted at this time.

Residents can virtually attend City Council meetings by watching them live on the city’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cityoflakewoodwa

Those who do not have access to YouTube can call in by telephone via Zoom: Dial +1 (253) 215- 8782 and enter participant ID: 151-082-920.

Participation in public comments and public testimony on public hearings will only be accepted via email at this time. Comments should be sent to City Clerk Briana Schumacher at bschumacher@cityoflakewood.us.

Comments received up to one hour before the meeting will be provided to City Council electronically. Comments received after that deadline will be provided to the City Council after the meeting.

City Council meeting agenda and materials can be found here.

See a business violating ‘Stay Home’ order? File a complaint

Since Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order took effect last week, there has been some confusion around what businesses are essential and what ones should close.

A full list is available on the state website here. Businesses are asked to review the list and then determine whether they fall into the essential or non-essential category.

It is up to businesses to make the decision to close, not local jurisdictions or local police.

Residents concerned that non-essential businesses are violating the order to shut down can now file an online complaint, according to Inslee who held a press conference March 30, 2020 to reinforce the need for the public to comply with his stay home order.

While the vast majority of businesses across the state are complying, some continue to operate against the order – including here in Lakewood.

For those reported to the state, state agencies will contact the businesses to provide guidance and information around how to comply with the order. The goal is for everyone to comply voluntarily, however if a business continues to“willfully and flagrantly” violate the order and create a public health risk, stricter enforcement actions could follow, according to the governor’s office.

Under the state emergency proclamation willful violation of the order is a gross misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Lakewood recognized for its 2018 Popular Annual Financial Report

The city of Lakewood was recently recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada with an award for outstanding achievement for its FY 2018 Popular Annual Financial Report.

The city began publishing the report in FY 2016 and received this recognition for its 2016 and 2017 reports. The most recent recognition marks the third year in a row the city has received the award.

The report provides an overview of the city’s financial position, including sources of revenues and expenditures, as well as economic information about the community. The PAFR is meant to increase public awareness around the city’s financial condition and the city’s goal is to make the report easy to read and understand.

The GFOA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting is a prestigious national award that recognizes conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local government popular reports.

To receive this award, a government must publish a PAFR that conforms to program standards of creativity, presentation, ability to understand and reader appeal. The award is valid for one year. The city will continue to produce this report and submit annually to GFOA to determine its eligibility for future awards.

View the FY 2018 PAFR.

Advisory board and commission meeting cancellations

A number of upcoming city advisory board and commission meetings are canceled. They include:

• Planning Commission meeting of April 15, 2020.
• Arts Commission meeting of April 6, 2020.
• Community Collaboration meeting of April 8, 2020.

Postponed: Lakewood Night Market

Due to the uncertainty around Coronavirus and restrictions of public gatherings the city of Lakewood postponed opening night of its new Lakewood Night Market.

A new date will be announced in the future. We are excited to celebrate this new event with the public and encourage everyone to stay tuned to the city’s social media channels and its website for the announcement of when the market will launch.

The Lakewood Night Market will be held the first and third Friday of every month from 3 to 7 p.m. and will include family-friendly activities and entertainment, along with a variety of vendors for people to shop.

Interested in being a vendor? Submit this vendor application. View the Night Market website for market dates and market updates.

Caring for Kids collecting canned goods

Caring for Kids is collecting canned meals for Lakewood families.

If you would like to donate please drop your donation at the Clover Park Student Services Center, 10903 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW. Call 253-279-9777 for more information.

Census 2020: Are you counted?

April 1 was National Census Day. Did you complete your census?

If not you still have time.

New this year you can fill out the Census online, in addition to over the phone or by mail. Information about how to fill out the Census was previously delivered via mail.

For those who haven’t responded yet, a reminder letter and paper questionnaire will be mailed April 8-16, and a final reminder postcard will be sent April 20-27. If you still haven’t responded by the end of the month, U.S. Census Bureau representatives will follow up in person.

The U.S. Census consists of 10 questions. It is quick and easy to take and we herein Lakewood hope you will take the time to fill it out – and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Why do we care? Because the information gathered from the census has a big impact on Lakewood. That’s right! It impacts future congressional districts, how much federal funding the city can receive for future projects and makes us eligible for various funding sources based on our population numbers.

The last census was 10 years ago and Lakewood was one of the cities that was severely undercounted. We want to fix that this time around and we hope you will take the time to fill out the questionnaire.

Read more about the census, see a timeline or learn more about temporary work available through the U.S. Census Bureau.

SummerFEST 2020 vendor applications now available

Applications for market vendors and food vendors are now available for SummerFEST 2020.

Over the course of the all-day event more than 40,000 people visit Fort Steilacoom Park to participate in the fun — most of it free! There is live entertainment on two stages, including cultural performances at the Lakewood Sister Cities International Festival, a kid zone with inflatable toys and pony rides, food trucks, market vendors, a classic car show, roaming entertainers, free activities, movie at night and more.

Market vendors can participate in the free Passport to Sports & Arts, which sends passport holders on a scavenger hunt through the festival to different vendor booths to try a new sport or arts and crafts activity. This is a great way for children to learn a new skill, and vendors to get their product in front of a larger audience.

Download the market vendor application and the food vendor application today.

Deadline to submit a hard copy is May 15, 2020.

Veterans Brick Update

Did you purchase a brick to be engraved on the Veterans Memorial located outside Lakewood City Hall in Lakewood Towne Center?

The bricks will be engraved in the spring, once the weather warms up and dries out. In order for the on-site engraver to do the work it needs to be dry and temperatures must be above 50 degrees.

Thank you to everyone who purchased a brick for your patience while volunteers continued with the brick sales to be able to engrave them all at one time.

Volunteers were able to sell 153 of the 242 bricks remaining at the memorial. They are grateful for the community’s support of veterans and proud to see this memorial that was dedicated in 2003 by a citizen-led committee come closer to completion.

Join a community advisory board

Do you like to give back to the community? Are you looking to get better connected to Lakewood? Have some free time you want to fill? Consider joining one of the city’s community advisory boards. Board members often have experience or expertise they can lend, can meet on a monthly basis and can commit to serving a full term, or longer.

Boards with openings:

• Lakewoood’s Promise Advisory Board: 2 vacancies. Deadline: April 3, 2020.
• Landmarks and Heritage Advisory Board: 2 vacancies. Open until filled.
• Lodging Tax Advisory Board: 4 vacancies. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Board and commission descriptions, meeting schedule and application form can be found online.

Stay up to date with MyLakewood311

Did you know Lakewood has its own free mobile app? All you need to know about the city is at your fingertips. Updates on road projects and detours around the city and other city announcements can be found under the “Public Announcements” header.

Contact the city using the “submit a new request” button and select from the appropriate category. The app allows you to track city staff’s response to your request and follow it through the process.

Please only submit one request per item – submitting multiple requests for the same item slows the review process. Note: This app is not monitored 24/7. If you are reporting an emergency that needs immediate assistance please call 911.

Download it now in the iTunes App Store or on Google Play.

Upcoming Council Meetings

The City Council meets every Monday beginning at 7 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 6000 Main Street SW.

Watch the City Council live during meetings on the city of Lakewood YouTube Channel. Miss a meeting? You can also find past meetings under the Playlists tab for City Council Meetings.

April 6 Regular Meeting

Residents can virtually attend City Council meetings by watching them live on the city’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cityoflakewoodwa

Those who do not have access to YouTube can call in to listen by telephone via Zoom: Dial +1(253) 215- 8782 and enter participant ID: 151082920.

Participation in public comments and public testimony on public hearings will only be accepted via email at this time. Comments should be sent to City Clerk, Briana Schumacher at bschumacher@cityoflakewood.us. Comments received up to one hour before the meeting will be provided to the City Council electronically. Comments received after that deadline will be provided to the City Council after the meeting.

Review the City Council agenda packet

This press release was produced by the City of Lakewood. The views expressed here are the author’s own.