Lakewood City Manager Publishes Weekly Bulletin For September 18

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

September 18, 2020

To: Mayor, City Council

From: John J. Caulfield, City Manager

Update on additional CARES Act funds

On August 31, Governor Jay Inslee announced that an additional $190 million will be awarded from the state’s federal stimulus funding to local governments that did not receive direct distributions under the CARES Act. To read more click here.

The new funding includes nearly $126 million that will be distributed to cities and counties. The governor’s budget office approved the distributions, in consultation with legislative leaders.

With this, the City is set to receive an additional $895,050 from the state’s CARES Act funding; the City initially received $1,790,100.

On June 15th the Lakewood City Council authorized the execution of an agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce to receive CARES Act funding and established funding principals to guide the allocation of this funding.

Funding principals adopted by the City Council were:

• Individual and Family Economic Resilience
• Business Assistance
• Vital Government Services

The City Council reviewed potential uses of these additional funds at the Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting on September 8th and the Study Session on September 14th.

The City Council directed that some of these funds be used for commercial landlord assistance. This is a new Lakewood COVID-19 grant program providing rental relief to Lakewood commercial landlords that have lost revenue due to measure taken during the pandemic to minimize the public’s exposure to COVID-19. The program provides up to $5,000 per month per location and up to six and a half (6.5) months of assistance for a maximum of $37,500 for each tenant that a landlord has within one property.

Any commercial landlord that owns or manages commercial property in the City, and has a standing lease with at least one tenant is eligible to apply.Application deadline is Friday, October 2nd, 5:00 p.m. Application details and forms will be available on Wednesday, September 23rd, 9:00 a.m. at https://cityoflakewood.us/economic_development/

Applications will be accepted on a first in, first out basis. Those who submit a completed application and deemed complete will be processed first. The money granted may be used to cover un-paid rent by lessees and/or to pay mortgages.

The City will also be allocating additional CARES Act funds to the Small Business Relief Fund Grant, the Child Care Providers Grant, and for internal uses, such as facility safety improvements, personal protection equipment, and other COVID-19 related expenses. More information to come on this soon!

Visit the City’s CARES Act Funding Dashboard for updates on CARES Act spending.

Another Drive-In Movie added – Coco on October 16th!

The City is excited to announce another Drive-in Movie experience – on October 16th we’ll be showing the award winning Disney and Pixar movie Coco at Fort Steilacoom Park! The movie will start at 7:00 p.m.

To purchase tickets click here.

“In Disney/Pixar’s vibrant tale of family, fun and adventure, aspiring young musician named Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) embarks on an extraordinary journey to the magical land of his ancestors. There, the charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael Garcia Bernal) becomes an unexpected friend who helps Miguel uncover the mysteries behind his family’s stories and traditions.”

Coco won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (2017).

In addition to a great movie, we are also excited to announce that every car attending the movie will get a pumpkin, decorating kit and a bag of popcorn thanks to our event sponsors! Coco is presented by WSECU and sponsored by Xfinity.

While, unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the City’s traditional Truck and Tractor Event is cancelled – we will have fire trucks and police vehicles at this event for kids and adults to view.

Come early to the movie to enjoy the Lakewood Farmers Market which is at the same location from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• For full Drive-In Movies rules click here.
• Movie entrance opens at 6:30 p.m.
• All attendees must register in advance – cost is only $10 per car! Space is limited.
• No RVs, buses or limousines.
• The movie will play rain or shine – no refunds will be given.
• Event is subject to change based on health regulations.

Location:

Fort Steilacoom Park
8714 87th Ave SW, Lakewood, WA 98498

Lakewood Farmers Market is Extended to October 16!

The City is also excited to announce that the Lakewood Farmers Market will be extended to October 16, 2020!

After today’s Market (9/18), the Lakewood Farmers Market will be from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will feature 45 vendors. The additional dates include:

• Friday, September 25, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 2, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 9, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 16, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This year the Lakewood Farmers Market has been held, and will continue to be held, at Fort Steilacoom Park in the parking lot adjacent to the baseball fields. The new location allows the market to achieve social distancing and meet public health directives to keep the community safe during the current COVID-19 health crisis. The market is only available to walk-thru traffic. There is plenty of free parking at Fort Steilacoom Park for market goers.

Visit our Lakewood Farmers Market page to see more about our market and its vendors.

City to recognize Gimhae, Korea on September 21

At the upcoming City Council Regula Meeting on September 21, the Lakewood City Council will be reading a proclamation thanking Gimhae, South Korea for their donation of masks and personal protection equipment, as well as for their continued friendship and support.

In August, the City received a donation of 10,000 KF94 masks and 1,000 sets of personal protection equipment (PPE), from the city of Gimhae, Korea. Gimhae and Lakewood have shared Friendship Cities status since 2006. The masks and PPE were donated by Gimhae as an act of support, collaboration and friendship between the two cities.

In response to this donation from the city of Gimhae, Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson expressed his heartfelt gratitude. “We are so incredibly grateful for Gimhae’s generosity and support as we continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic here in Lakewood. This donation will make a significant difference in our ability to effectively suppress the spread of the virus, particularly for some of Lakewood’s most vulnerable residents. We look forward to many more future collaborations with Mayor Seong Gon Heo and the city of Gimhae.”

The donation was accompanied by a letter from Mayor Seong Gon Heo with the following message: “Gimhae City wishes to share the grieves and pains of health care professionals, officials, and people of Lakewood, who have been suffering on the front line… It is my hope that this small donation from Gimhae may help Lakewood get over with the COVID-19. I pray for Mr. Mayor and the people of Lakewood to stay healthy and well, and desire that the two cities will work together to continue mutual developments with the spirit of solidarity, engagement, and cooperation when the COVID-19 crisis ends.”

For help with its Sister and Friendship Cities, the city of Lakewood partners with the Lakewood Sister Cities Association (LSCA), an independent non-profit organization that was established to help promote meaningful cultural, educational, tourism, and trade exchanges between Lakewood and its Sister Cities and Friendship Cities. LSCA representatives provided the following response to Gimhae’s donation, “It gives us great pleasure to see the Lakewood Sister Cities Association bear yet another fruit in its efforts to promote friendship and mutual assistance with this announcement of a generous gift from Gimhae City… It is our hope that we all remain healthy and cement our relationship as sister cities in the near future.”

Pierce Transit Survey

Pierce Transit is conducting a survey to receive input from the community and businesses on their March 2021 service change.

To learn more about the service Pierce Transit will provide starting Sept. 20 and weigh in with a survey on what you would like to see starting in March 2021, visit this link. There are some parts of Pierce County currently not being served by transit. This is your opportunity to weigh in on routes which could help you and your employees get to work and around the South Sound.

Wildland fires & Air Quality

The Washington State Emergency Operations Center Dashboard provides a real-time update on wildland fires and air quality in Washington State. In Lakewood, air quality is currently 118 AQI. While still rated “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” it is an improvement from the “Very Unhealthy” 200+ AQI rating from earlier in the week. To learn more about how you can improve air quality and protect your health from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health department visit here.

Potential Code Amendments Related to Fireworks

The Lakewood City Council will consider amending the City’s codes related to fireworks at this upcoming Regular Meeting on Monday, September 21, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. For more information on items related to fireworks going before the City Council click here.

Fireworks have been under consideration by the City Council since early 2020. The City Council remains interested in all public input on this issue.

Please note, state law requires a year delay before any potential adopted change more restrictive than state law could take effect.

2nd Annual Poetry in the Park

From now until October 15, 2020 Fort Steilacoom Park users can enjoy poetry placed around Waughop Lake. The poems are all located along the nearly 1-mile path circumnavigating Waughop Lake in the heart of Lakewood’s 350-acre Fort Steilacoom Park.

The signs were placed by Tahoma Audubon Society volunteers who are growing a fledgling “Poetry in the Park” initiative.

Six years ago Dona Townsend and her husband were hiking in the Olympic National Park when they came around a corner and found a sign with poetry on it. They learned of two other locations with poetry along the trail and made a point to hike them too.

They loved the idea and thought it would be a great thing to bring to the South Sound.

Last year marked the first year the group organized a Poetry in the Park event in Lakewood at Fort Steilacoom Park. Other Poetry in the Park events previously occurred in the cities of Tacoma and University Place.

Postponed Lakewood Spring Clean-up rescheduled for Saturday, September 26th, 2020

Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City postponed the 2020 Lakewood Spring Clean-up Event that was planned for May of 2020.

The City and Waste Connections, the City’s solid waste contractor, are happy to announce that this event has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3869 94th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.

Event rules:

• All non-bulky items must be bagged.
• All items will be unloaded by event participants.
• All event participants must show photo I.D. or utility bill with a Lakewood address.
• All event participants must wear a mask and maintain 6 feet of social distancing while at site.
• No mattresses will be accepted at this event.
• No U-Hauls or Box Vans will be accepted at this event.
• Last car will be accepted at 1:45 p.m.
• Accepted items:
  • Tires
  • Appliances (no refrigerators)
  • Bicycles
  • Tires
  • Recyclables
  • Furniture
  • Grills
  • Couches
• Not Accepted Items:
  • Loose items
  • Paint
  • Electronics
  • Yard Waste
  • Hazardous materials
  • Automotive parts
  • Propane tanks
  • Concrete
  • Construction materials
  • Donations
  • Mattresses

Looking to the future, the Lakewood Fall Clean-up Event will be held November 14-15, 2020. More information on this event will be coming soon.

If you have questions about this event, please contact Senior Policy Analyst Shannon Kelley Fong at skelleyfong@cityoflakewood.us or (253) 983-7717.

Larry Saunders Service Award nominations now open

The Lakewood Community Foundation Fund (LCFF) is currently accepting nominations for the 2020 Larry Saunders Service Award. This award is given annually to a person or organization who merits special recognition and community appreciation. This 2020 announcement occasions the award’s fourth year. Nomination forms are available online only by visiting lakewoodfoundation.org.

Nominations will be accepted through September 25, 2020.

Send your completed nomination forms by mail to LCFF, PO Box 39578, Lakewood, WA 98496 or by email to foxxlair@aol.com.

The foundation and city partnered in 2017 to create the award to recognize people/organization that provide exemplary service to Lakewood and who merit special recognition and community appreciation. Prior award winners include:

2017 – Diane Formoso, founder of Caring for Kids

2018 – Lakewood Rotary Club

2019 – J. Alan Billingsley, lifelong volunteer work

Former Lakewood Police Chief Larry Saunders served our country and our city with distinction, retiring from the Army to organize our police department in 2004 and serve as our first chief. Returning from Iraq, where he re-joined the Army to establish a police college in Baghdad, Larry embraced Lakewood with tireless community service: our Boys & Girls Club, Rotary clubs, neighborhood associations, and the LCFF. Larry was a ray of light. We were stunned when he died one morning in January, 2016. This award allows us to honor his legacy by supporting those who commit themselves selflessly, just like Saunders.

Rental assistance available through LASA

Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) is now accepting applications for the Lakewood COVID-19 Rent Assistance program.

LASA, a community-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing temporary and recurrent homelessness, was awarded $407,640 from the Lakewood City Council as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds it received from the state of Washington. It is anticipated these funds will help assist 175 Lakewood households.

Applicants for this program need to meet the following minimum requirements to be eligible for receiving one-time rental assistance for up to $1500 paid directly to the landlord:

• Household must live in Lakewood as a renter, with their name on the lease or rental agreement;
• Household’s income has been impacted by COVID-19 on March 12th or later; and
• Household’s total combined income is currently $60,000 per year ($1,200/week or $5,000/month) or less.

If you need technical assistance, translation assistance or special accommodations, call LASA’s Homeless Prevention line at (253) 582-5320 Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Click here to apply to the Lakewood COVID-19 Rent Assistance Program.

Lakewood COVID-19 business assistance loans program converted to grants

In May the City Council approved a no-interest deferred loan program to provide emergency economic assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The money for this program came from a $350,611 grant the city received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

On August 3, the City Council amended this program to convert the existing deferred loan applications into grants. The City Council also amended this programs to allow Lakewood Small Business Coronavirus Relief Fund (LSBCRF) applicants, which is a separate funding source, who were not successful in the LSBCRF lottery, to make application for a grant under the CDBG CARES Act Program with an effective date of July 27, 2020.

If your business has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible to apply for assistance if you meet the criteria. This program will remain open until all funds are exhausted.

View eligibility requirements and download the application from the Lakewood COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program website.

Additional COVID-19 related resources:

COVID-19 Mobile Testing events in Lakewood

For more information on Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Mobile Testing events click here.

Phase 2 reopening guidelines

The Tacoma Pierce County Chamber and the Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County have shared resources for business to assist in re-opening and recovery. View more.

Pierce County Council expands support to help more local businesses

In early August, the Pierce County Council passed two ordinances aimed at making more funding available to local businesses struggling from impacts of COVID-19.

The first ordinance doubled the total amount of funding available through a previously established COVID-19 Adaptation Grant Program, bringing the total authorized for assistance to $10 million.

The second ordinance established a Commercial Rent and Mortgage Payment Assistance Program that provides limited assistance to eligible businesses to help protect jobs threatened by COVID-19.

To learn more about this expansion visit here.

Pierce County Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program

Pierce County small businesses who have experienced significant economic injury as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for this loan program if they meet program criteria. View more.

Free Personal Protection Equipment for businesses

Pierce County is offering FREE Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to businesses physically located in Pierce County to help them comply with COVID-19 worksite-specific safety practices in order to protect employees and customers. View more.

Washington Listens supports people affected by the stress of COVID-19

In response to COVID-19, Washington has launched Washington Listens, a support program and phone line to help people manage elevated levels of stress due to the pandemic. People who call the Washington Listens support line will speak with a support specialist and get connected to community resources in their area. The program is anonymous.

The Washington Listens support line is 1-833-681-0211. It is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language access services are available by using 7-1-1 or their preferred method.

Resources and self-help tips are available on walistens.org

City Council September 21, 2020 meeting preview

Items on the September 21, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting agenda include:

• Swearing-In Ceremony of Municipal Court Judge – Ms. Lisa Mansfield
• Proclamation thanking the City of Gimhae for their donation of masks and Personal Protective Equipment, as well as for their continued friendship and support
• Tacoma Public Utilities Budget and Rate Development Presentation – Ms. LaTasha Wortham, Regional Relations Manager
• Reappointing James Hairston and Mark Peila to serve on the Public Safety Advisory Committee through August 6, 2023 and appointing Tod Wolf to serve on the Public Safety Advisory Committee through August 6, 2021
• Authorizing the execution of agreements to acquire real property located at 12616 47th Avenue SW
• Ordinance amending Chapter 8.68 of the Lakewood Municipal Code relating to fireworks
• Reports by the City Manager: VISION 2050 Population and Housing Projections

The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) waiver by the state legislative leadership was extended through October 1. As a result of this waiver extension, City Hall Council Chambers will not be open for this City Council 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 participate via Zoom by either calling by telephone: Dial +1(253) 215- 8782 and enter participant ID: 868 7263 2373.

To participate in Public Comment and/or Public Testimony:

Public Comments and Public Testimony on Public Hearings will be accepted by mail, email or by live virtual comment.

Comments by mail or email: Send comments to Briana Schumacher, City Clerk at 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499 or bschumacher@cityoflakewood.us. Comments received up to one hour before the meeting will be provided to the City Council electronically.

Virtual Comments: If you would like to provide live Public Comments or Public Testimony during the meeting, you will need to join the Zoom meeting as an attendee by calling by telephone Dial +1(253) 215-8782 and enter participant ID: 868 7263 2373 or visiting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86872632373.

By phone: For those participating by calling in by telephone (+1(253) 215- 8782 and enter participant ID: 868 7263 2373), the Mayor will call on you during the Public Comment and/or Public Hearings portions of the agenda. When you are unmuted please provide your name and city of residence. Each speaker will be allowed (3) three minutes to speak during the Public Comment and at each Public Hearing.

By Zoom: For those using the zoom link (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86872632373), upon entering the meeting, please enter your name or other chosen identifier. Use the “Raise Hand” feature to be called upon by the Mayor during the Public Comments and/or Public Hearings portions of the agenda. When you are unmuted please provide your name and city of residence. Each speaker will be allowed (3) three minutes to speak during the Public Comment and at each Public Hearings.

Outside of Public Comments and Public Hearings, all attendees on ZOOM will continue to have the ability to virtually raises hands. However, these hands will not be acknowledged. City Council meeting agenda and materials can be found here.

City Council meeting agenda and materials can be found here: https://cityoflakewood.us/city-council/city-council-agendas/.

Items tentatively scheduled on the September 28, 2020 City Council Study Session agenda include:

• South Puget Sound Wildlife Area Update – Mr. Alan Billingsley, Clover Park Rotary
• Review 2021-2022 State Legislative Agenda and Policy Manual, Federal Legislative Priorities and Pierce County Policy Manual
• Review 2021 Property Tax Levy

Changes and temporary closures coming to north and southbound I-5 in Lakewood

The state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is rebuilding the interchanges at Thorne Lane and Berkeley Street, and adding lanes to I-5. Drivers are advised to plan extra travel time into their trips and give work crews a brake by paying attention while traveling through work zones. All work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled.

For the latest construction information, including other overnight closures, visit Tacomatraffic.com.

Local street closures:

• Starting Monday, March 16, Union Avenue between Spruce Street and Thorne Lane is closed around-the-clock until further notice.
• Work is weather sensitive and may be rescheduled.

Night lane and ramp closures:

Friday, Sept. 18

• Southbound I-5 will be reduced to a single lane and that lane will be detoured on to the 41st Division Drive collector/distributor off-and on-ramp from 11:59 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. for bridge deck paving on mainline I-5 at 41st Division Drive.
• Northbound I-5 will be reduced to a single lane and that lane will be detoured on to the 41st Division Drive collector/distributor off- and on-ramp from 11:59 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for bridge deck paving on mainline I-5 at 41st Division Drive.

Monday, Sept. 21

• Northbound I-5 will be reduced to a single lane and that lane will be detoured on to the 41st Division Drive collector/distributor off- and on-ramp from 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. for bridge deck paving on mainline I-5 at 41st Division Drive.
• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
• Thorne Lane on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Tuesday, Sept. 22

• Northbound I-5 will be reduced to a single lane and that lane will be detoured on to the 41st Division Drive collector/distributor off- and on-ramp from 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. for bridge deck paving on mainline I-5 at 41st Division Drive.
• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
• Thorne Lane on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 23

• Northbound I-5 will be reduced to a single lane and that lane will be detoured on to the 41st Division Drive collector/distributor off- and on-ramp from 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. for bridge deck paving on mainline I-5 at 41st Division Drive.
• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
• Thorne Lane on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
• 41st Division Drive on-ramp to northbound I-5 will close from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Thursday.

Thursday, Sept. 24

• Southbound I-5 exit to 41st Division Drive will close from 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Friday
• 41st Division Drive on-ramp to northbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Friday.
• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close from 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Friday.
• Thorne Lane on-ramp to northbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Friday.

Monday, Sept. 28

• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close form 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
• Gravelly Lake Drive on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Tuesday, Sept. 29

• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close form 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
• Gravelly Lake Drive on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 30

• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close form 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Thursday.

Thursday, Oct. 1

• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close from 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Friday.

Travelers are encouraged to watch their speeds and give crews the room they need to work. A temporary speed limit reduction from 60 mph to 50 mph is in place on I-5 from mileposts 121.9 to 124.1.

Before heading out the door, travelers can find the latest information on the WSDOT app and by following the WSDOT regional Twitter feed.

Transportation updates

Onyx Drive

Work began in April on this 1.55-mile project that improves the road with curb and gutter on both sides, adds bicycle and pedestrian facilities, includes street lighting on one side of the road and associated storm drainage upgrades. To make room for these improvements, roughly 190 trees were removed. Cluster mailboxes will also be installed for approximately 35 residences whose mailboxes will be affected by the new roadway/sidewalks.

The contractor completed the installation of all of the curb and gutter and continues to complete the sidewalks and driveways. The street light foundations are complete as is the demolition of the old road surface between 87th and 97th Avenue. The contractor also began removing the existing road on this section this week to grade the road in preparation for paving. It is anticipated that grading the road will take two (2) weeks. During this time, the section of road will be limited to local traffic only and those not living in the limits will be required to use alternate routes. Detours will be set up and spotters will be located at key intersections to direct traffic.

This section will remain closed to thru traffic until the base lift of asphalt is placed. The contractor is scheduled to pave the base lift of asphalt on both segments of the project September 21 to September 24. Paving will be completed during the day due to the project’s location within a residential neighborhood. The final lift of asphalt is scheduled for October 8 to October 11 (weather dependent). Between the initial and final lift of asphalt, the contractor will continue to finish sidewalks and begin installation of the street lights and property restoration behind the new sidewalks. It is anticipated that this project will be substantially complete late October.

As work continues, there will be lane closures with one-way flagging to facilitate this work; expect up to 10 minute delays.

Read more about the Onyx Drive project and see overhead shots of the project on the project website.

Veterans Drive

This project rebuilds 1.63 miles of Veterans Drive into a two lane section with curb, gutter, sidewalk, bike/pedestrian path, streetlights, and landscape strip if ROW allows. Roundabouts will also be added to three key intersections, and with new sidewalks will come cluster mailboxes for approximately 200 residences and businesses. As part of the construction Veterans Drive will be closed to through traffic in phases, which are expected to last between four and five weeks. The first phase (currently in place) closed the road between Gravelly Lake Drive and Lake City Boulevard. This project has an anticipated completion date of late fall. The City Council awarded a bid for this project April 20 and work began in May.

The contractor completed the road reconstruction from Gravelly Lake Drive to Highland Avenue and completed the roundabouts at Lake City Blvd and Vernon Avenue. Work continues in this section to complete the sidewalks and driveways. The street light foundations are complete in this section as well. There will be lane closures with one-way flagging to help facilitate this work.

The contractor has begun work in the American Lake Park parking lot. Park parking lot is currently limited to the boat launch area. The work in the park is scheduled to take place through early October. The restrooms at the park will be closed for this work.

Once the concrete work on the remainder of the constructed portion of Veteran’s is caught up, the contractor will begin to demolish the road section from ALP to the VA entrance. The work from the park to the VA entrance will take the rest of 2020 to complete. Read more about the Veterans Drive project and see overhead shots of the project on the project website.

Stormwater Outfall Retrofit Project

The city’s contractor completed all nine (9) stormwater outfall retrofit project sites around Carp Lake this week. There are several areas that need to be paved around the sites. It is anticipated that the contractor will pave these areas soon.

Pavement patching

The City of Lakewood’s contractor, Asphalt Patch, completed the 2020 patching program and will paint striping shortly. O&M crews will continue to patch streets as needed throughout the year.

Chip Seal in-progress

The city’s 2020 Chip Seal program focused on areas around Clover Park High School. At this time, the city’s contractor, Doolittle, has laid down all of the road chips and completed applying the fog seal. The contractor will complete the striping of these streets by next week.

Online city services

While city facilities continue to remain closed, the majority of the city’s operations have continued with minimal impacts to the public as city staff continue to serve customers via email, phone, and virtual meetings. The following city services are available online:

Development Services & Permits

Business Licensing

Park & Shelter Reservations

Municipal Court Fines

Animal Licensing

Public Records Requests

Report information

Police reports and other items

Census 2020: Be counted

The Census Bureau is continuing to reach out to those who have not filled out the Census yet in an effort to make sure everyone is counted. In light of COVID-19, the bureau recently announced the deadline to complete the census was extended to Oct. 31, 2020.

As of September 17, 66 percent of US households responded to the 2020 Census. Washington’s response rate is 71.8 percent. Pierce County’s response rate is 72.4 percent. The city of Lakewood’s 2020 Census response rate is 67.1 percent overall.

The Woodbrook-Tillicum area has a response rate of 54.3% and Springbrook has a response rate of 46.5%. In the 2010 Census, these areas had response rates of 28.4% and 34.3% respectively.

There are three ways that people can respond to the census:

• Respond online at www.2020census.gov.
• Call a toll-free number (4 a.m. to 11 p.m. PT)
  • English, 844.330.2020
  • Spanish, 844.468.2020
  • Other languages available, please contact me for information
• Return by Mail

How to help or get help

Looking for ways to help your community during this time? Or are you looking for assistance?

Pierce County created a website with information about how to donate to area food banks, including Emergency Food Network based in Lakewood, and a fund set up specifically to assist the human services needs facing our community in light of COVID-19 impacts.

There are also resources for individuals and businesses looking for more information about available financing and public assistance options. View the website.

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:

• Landmarks and Heritage Advisory Board: up to 5 vacancies. Open until filled.

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.

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