Lakewood City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin For June 5

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

June 5, 2020

Lakewood is listening

As we watch our community come together to peacefully demonstrate and raise its collective voice against systemic racism and discrimination, we know that recent events have put a spotlight on our city.

In response, over the course of the last week city leaders have expressed sympathies and extended condolences to the families of Said Joquin, who was killed May 1 during a traffic stop in Lakewood, and George Floyd who died May 25 in Minneapolis.

Every loss of life is tragic and we extend these condolences to our community, which we know is mourning.

We want people to know we are listening. We hear you. We see you. We know you are frustrated, upset and angry.

These are all valid emotions.

As we wait for the third-party, independent investigation to be completed into the May 1 shooting in our city, we ask for the community’s patience.

We have complete confidence that the agencies conducting the investigation will be objective and thorough. Once the investigation is complete, the findings and details of what occurred will be shared with the public in an open and transparent manner.

Read more from Police Chief Mike Zaro, who issued a statement June 1 on Mr. Floyd’s death; read the June 3 joint statement issued by the Lakewood City Council and Lakewood Multicultural Coalition; and read the June 4 statement issued by Mayor Don Anderson.

Pierce County approved for Phase 2 under ‘Safe Start’ plan

Pierce County announced today that its application to move to Phase 2 was approved by the state Department of Health. The move to the second phase is effective immediately.

Activities allowed under Phase 2, with certain restrictions, include restaurants at 50 percent capacity, in-store retail at 30 percent capacity and the re-opening of salons, barbers and other personal grooming services.

The county is expected to remain in Phase 2 for at least three weeks and can apply to move to the next phase when prescribed COVID-19 targets have been achieved.

More information about what is allowed under Phase 2 may be found at governor.wa.gov.

Fireworks public hearing postponed

At its June 1 regular meeting the Lakewood City Council extended the public hearing on fireworks to July 20, 2020.

The council wants to provide the opportunity for more public comment and hopes that by that date in-person meetings will once again be allowed so that residents can come into Council Chambers and provide comment. Comments received to-date have already been shared with council members and are part of the public record.

Under state law a year must pass before changes to fireworks regulations can take effect. That means, should the council choose to approve the recommended change following the July 20 public hearing, the changes would not go into effect until 2022.

Currently residents are allowed to discharge legal fireworks in Lakewood from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 3, 4 and 5 and on Dec. 31.

Click on the images to see what is legal and what is illegal.

• Washington State Patrol Fire Protection Bureau/Office of the State Fire Marshal
• Washington State Patrol Fire Protection Bureau/Office of the State Fire Marshal

To hear the council discussion around this decision watch the meeting.

Help United Way, help our community

The coronavirus is taking a toll on every aspect of our lives and our community. Because of COVID-19, the most vulnerable people in Pierce County, especially ALICE (Asset Limited Income-Constrained Employed) families, who are living paycheck-to-paycheck, is increasing.Additionally, there are people who need help today that have never needed help before.

The United Way of Pierce County (UWPC) is committed to helping those in our community who need it most. Even before the crisis hit, 1 in 3 residents in Pierce County struggled to make ends meet, even though they were working. They can be your neighbors, family, friends, coworkers and others.

UWPC is providing individuals, including the increasing number of ALICE families with children, much-needed services such the South Sound 211 helpline for critical resources that move people out of crisis and into self-sufficiency. For the last nine weeks UWPC has seen a 215 percent increase at the South Sound 211 call center; almost all contacts have been related to the new world we live in.

To help support UWPC and to help our neighbors in need, consider making a gift. If you would like to help in other ways, please contact UWPC at 253-272-4263.

If you wish to make your donation by check, please mail to:

United Way of Pierce County
PO Box 2215
Tacoma, WA 98401

City Council June 8 virtual meeting preview

The Lakewood City Council will meet virtually for its June 8, 2020 study session.

Items on the agenda include a joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, review of Human Services funding process, review of potential use of Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF), review of 2020 Annual Development Regulations and Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) code amendments, and review of Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT) memorandum of understanding.

Due to the stay home order, the Lakewood City Council is holding its meetings virtually so that the city can continue to conduct necessary business. Under the 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 starting at 7 p.m.

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.

City Council meeting agenda and materials can be found here.

Lakewood City Council to vote on six-year transportation plan June 15

At its June 1, 2020 meeting the Lakewood City Council held a public hearing on its proposed 6-year Transportation Improvement Program.

The document outlines upcoming road and transportation improvement projects for the years 2021 to 2026. As part of its review process, the City Council listens to public feedback to make sure the document accurately reflects the needs of the community.

During the fall of 2019 the City Council met to review its 2020 goals and objectives. Part of that review included a look at the city’s transportation program and upcoming projects. During its discussion council members identified connectivity as a priority.

Whether through the addition of sidewalks or bike lanes, council members requested the 2021-2026 TIP include more connections between city neighborhoods and parks and commercial districts.

The council is scheduled to adopt the TIP at its June 15 regular meeting.

Transportation updates

The city’s road improvement projects are allowed under Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.

Veterans Drive

This week the city’s contractor Miles Resources removed the roadway from Gravelly Lake Drive to Lake City Boulevard. Crushed rock is in place to accommodate local access. Stormwater infrastructure installation began this week and is anticipated to be completed within two weeks, after which time the contractor will begin prepping for the installation of curb and gutter.

The first segment detour remains in place as does the detour of Vernon Avenue between Kenwood and Veterans Drive.

As a reminder only those living within (and providing services for) the closure limits are allowed access. The closure is expected to last a total of four to five weeks. It is anticipated the base lift for the closed section will be completed the final week of June. Once that work is complete the closure will be lifted.

This project is being completed in segments, with sections of the road closed for four to five weeks while work is completed. Work will continue in the reopened segments with intermittent lane closures.

Read more about this project.

Onyx Drive

Tacoma Power completed its facility relocations west of 87th Street this week and Click! Network completed its relocations. Comcast will begin its relocation efforts next week.

Comcast anticipates three weeks of work and will coordinate any service interruptions with its customers.

The electrical subcontractor has completed the conduit and street light foundation installations west of 87th Street and will move to the section east of Garnet Lane next week along with Tacoma Power.

The city’s contractor continues to install stormwater infrastructure east of Garnet Lane and will begin prepping for curb on the south side of Onyx Drive west of 87th Street. Curb and gutter is scheduled to be poured the week of June 15.

Intermittent lane closures will continue along both segments of the project.

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

Steilacoom Boulevard

This week the contractor finished shaving down the existing roadway surface between Phillips Road and Edgewater Drive and completed the remaining concrete pouring.

Starting Tuesday and Wednesday (June 9-10) the road will be paved. If the weather does not cooperate, work will be rescheduled. Drivers can expect traffic impacts while paving is completed. Traffic will be shifted to one side of the road while the other half is paved.

Once the paving is complete a 21-day pavement curing period will begin. During this time full use of the road will open up and temporary markings will be in place. Once the period concludes permanent road markings will be installed.

This project completes storm drainage improvements and add curbs. A future project will widen Steilacoom Blvd./88th St. between Weller Rd. and Custer Rd. for the eventual inclusion of bike facilities and 5-foot wide concrete sidewalks, street lighting, a traffic signal upgrade, along with bridge modifications to Chambers Creek Bridge and pavement rehabilitation and overlay.

Raising Interstate 5 at Berkeley Street

Construction on the project that widens Interstate 5 past Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Lakewood will soon reach new heights. This summer, both directions of I-5 will be raised almost 14 feet at the Berkeley Street interchange. WSDOT has published a blog to let you know about this upcoming work, and what to expect as you travel through the area.

Station District Subarea Plan

The future of Lakewood’s Station District is in the public’s hands. Input from residents, business owners and developers will help the city develop a subarea plan which will guide future development within this designated area.

The goal for the district is to craft a plan that is grounded in the first-hand experiences of the community it will serve. This phase of engagement will run from now until June 26, 2020.

Take the SURVEY! Answer questions about the area around the Lakewood Sounder Station. The survey takes about 10 minutes.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Participate in the WALKSHOP! To understand community priorities, we need volunteers to explore the Station District — in a safe, socially distanced way — and report back about your experience. Make it a family adventure, we even have a worksheet for kids to fill out.

DOWNLOAD WALKSHOP WORKSHEET

DOWNLOAD THE KIDS’ WORKSHEET

Lakewood Youth Council: Now accepting applications

The city is currently accepting applications for its Youth Council for the 2020-2021 school year. Completed applications are due no later than Friday, June 19 at 5 p.m.

The city’s Youth Coucil conveys to the Lakewood City Council issues having city-wide impact to youth. Members are responsible for a monthly report to City Council and may participate on a variety of city committees, study groups and task forces.

Qualifications for becoming a Youth Council member is any combination equivalent to:

• Entering High School student in good academic standing, including a good attendance record, past leadership experience and/or involvement in school or community organizations and/or events desired.
• Attend a school in Lakewood or reside in Lakewood.

Read more about the Lakewood Youth Council and download the application.

Lakewood Farmers Market opens June 19

The city of Lakewood is excited to announce it will hold the Lakewood Farmers Market this year at Fort Steilacoom Park in the parking lot adjacent to the baseball fields.

Opening day is Friday, June 19, 2020 from 3 to 7 p.m. The market runs every Friday at this time through Sept. 18, 2020.

The new location allows us to achieve social distancing and meet public health directives to keep the community safe during the current health crisis. The layout of the market will offer drive-thru and walk-thru options for visitors. People can walk around the perimeter of the booths to purchase items, or they can drive through the middle of the market to pick up items they pre-ordered.

See the full lineup of vendors, including food trucks and dessert options on the Farmers Market page.

Seeking volunteers

The city is seeking volunteers to help with the Farmers Market. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and excellent customer service is a must. Time commitment is Fridays from 2:30 to 7 p.m. from June 19 to Sept. 18. Volunteers must be able to stand for four hours and be outdoors in the elements. An on-site training will occur June 15 at 10 a.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park. Community service hours are available for students.

Email smartinez@cityoflakewood.us if interested and indicate the dates you can volunteer.

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.

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

• Respond online atwww.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

Lakewood scenes for your next Zoom conference call

Conducting a lot of video conference calls lately? We have some great virtual backgrounds for you to try for your next Zoom meeting!

Download our Lakewood themed background today.

TO ADD TO ZOOM

Download and save one or all of the images below. Open your Zoom account, and under the settings menu look for the option “Virtual Backgrounds”.

Click “Add Image” then select the image you want.

For system requirements and troubleshooting, read more from Zoom here.

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.

Veterans Brick Update

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

We hope to see the bricks engraved this summer, dependent on weather and the status of any stay home orders around COVID-19.

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:

• Landmarks and Heritage Advisory Board: 2 vacancies. Open until filled.
• Lodging Tax Advisory Board: 4 vacancies. Deadline: Open until filled.
• Planning Commission: 1 vacancy (unexpired term through Dec. 15, 2021). Open until filled.
• Youth Council: Accepting applications through June 19. Find the application here.

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

Under the current stay home order, 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.

June 8, 2020 Study Session

• Joint Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting
• Review Human Services funding process
• Review of potential use of Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF)
• Review of 2020 Annual Development Regulations and Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) code amendments
• Review of Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT) memorandum of understanding

June 15, 2020 Regular Meeting

• Appoint Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board members (tentative)
• Appoint Lodging Tax Advisory Committee members (tentative)
• Authorizing the execution of an agreement for the Fort Steilacoom Park Pavilion improvements
• Approving the 2021-2022 Human Services funding process
• Authorizing the execution of an agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for Coronavirus Relief Funds
• Authorizing the execution of the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT) memorandum of understanding
• This is the date set for a public hearing on the 2020 Annual Development Regulations and Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) code amendments
• Consider planned final action authorizing legal proceedings to acquire by condemnation certain real property interests identified as: 12616 47th Avenue SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, Pierce County Tax Parcel No. 0219123032, for park purposes
• Adopting the Six-Year (2021-2026) Comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program
• Adopting the 2020 Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendments
• Authorizing budget allocations and establishing funding priorities for the use of Coronavirus Relief Funds distributed to the City of Lakewood by Washington State

View the full agenda packet.

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