Lakewood City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin For March 27

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

Wow, what a week. A lot of changes happened in a short amount of time and we like all of you are working hard to figure out what the new “normal” looks like under the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order that went into effect this week.

As an essential service we want residents to know that city operations continue and our staff are working hard to keep the city running with as little disruption as possible. The majority of our employees are working remotely and city buildings are closed to the public until further notice.

Read more about how to contact the city during this closure.

This week the city also closed its parks, playgrounds, park shelters and restrooms, the boat launch at American Lake Park, the dog park at Fort Steilacoom Park and sports fields in an effort to meet social distancing guidelines.

We ask all residents to comply with the closures, which were done to limit public interactions. We know how much our residents value our parks and open space, but these areas are closed to reinforce the need for all of us to stay close to home to stop the spread of this deadly virus.

While our parks and open spaces are off limits, the outdoors aren’t. As Gov. Jay Inslee said in his order: You can still garden, walk your dog, bicycle or go for a run in your neighborhood – as long as you remain six feet from people not in your immediate family. Use your phone to connect with others, whether through video chatting or an “old fashion” phone call. It is more important than ever to make these connections to help us all remember we will get through this together.

We appreciate everyone’s compliance and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented times and encourage our residents to visit our webpage dedicated to COVID-19 communications to get the latest information from the city. 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 meetings go virtual

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 Emergency Proclamation 20-25 Stay Home – Stay Healthy issued March 23, 2020, 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.

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.

Advisory board and commission meeting cancelations

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

They include:

• Planning Commission meetings of April 1 and April 15, 2020.
• Public Safety Advisory Committee meeting of April 1, 2020.
• Civil Service Commission meeting of April 2, 2020.
• Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board meeting of April 2, 2020.
• Arts Commission meeting of April 6, 2020.
• Community Collaboration meeting of April 8, 2020.

Waughop Lake treatment concludes

On Wednesday, March 25, 2020 the city’s contractor HAB Aquatic Solutions completed its first application of aluminum sulfate and the pH buffering agent sodium aluminate to Waughop Lake in Fort Steilacoom Park.

Crews performed the work under a state Department of Ecology permit. The alum treatment was applied to limit excess phosphorus in the lake.

There are no swimming or recreation restrictions around the lake, however the lake is currently off-limits to the public due to all city of Lakewood parks being closed in response to COVID-19, and under the governor’s two week Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.

Crews began treatment Tuesday and concluded a day later. The green color of the water is normal and will dissipate, according to the contractor.

A second application may be necessary at the end of spring.

Postponed: Lakewood Night Market

Due to the uncertainty around Coronavirus and restrictions of public gatherings the city of Lakewood postponed opening night of its 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: Use your time at home to take the census

Working from home? Take advantage of your time at home and do your civic duty by filing out your 2020 U.S. Census!

Use your invitation from the U.S. Census Bureau to access the census online. Your invitation includes a unique ID for you to log-in and complete the census online.

Don’t have a computer? If you have a phone you can quickly and easily complete the census from the palm of your hand. Or wait until the mailed census arrives.

April 1 is Census Day, this is when people are encouraged to have their Census complete. For those who don’t respond by April 1, a reminder letter and paper questionnaire will be mailed April 8-16 and a final reminder postcard will be sent April 20-27 before someone from the U.S. Census Bureau follows up in person.

The U.S. Census consists of 10 questions. It is quick and easy to take and we here in 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.

See what questions will be asked on the 2020 Census.

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.