Lakewood City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin For May 29

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

May 29, 2020

At its June 1, 2020 meeting the Lakewood City Council will hold 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.

Learn more about how you can submit your comments for City Council review and consideration.

Pierce County offers masks to local businesses

Pierce County is providing free personal protective equipment (PPE) to businesses to help them comply with COVID-19 workplace safety practices and protect employees and customers.

This program is funded through $158 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act federal dollars. A total of $30 million will be focused on economic stabilization and recovery projects in Pierce County.

To receive PPE, businesses must fill out a PPE Request Form at www.piercecountywa.gov/BusinessPPE and indicate the type of PPE needed. Available PPE includes disposable, non-surgical masks and no-touch infrared forehead thermometers, while supplies last.

PPE will be distributed June 1-3 to businesses in Pierce County. Businesses that request PPE will receive additional details regarding pick-up locations in the county.

Businesses must be located in Pierce County to be eligible. For more information, contact the Pierce County Economic Development Department at (253) 798-6150 or PCBizPPE@piercecountywa.gov.

The city of Lakewood has partnered with the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce to help distribute the PPE to our business community.

Lakewood City Council adopts Parks Legacy Plan

The Lakewood City Council recently adopted an update to the city’s parks Legacy Plan, a long-term strategic planning document crafted to meet the future park and recreation needs of the community.

The council adopted its first Legacy Plan in 2014. The May 18, 2020 adoption reflects the latest version of the plan.

Since its 2014 adoption, the city executed and completed a number of the projects, strategies and action items identified in the plan.

In 2019 it was time to update the plan and revisit the needs of the community. To do this the city embarked on a public outreach campaign as part of a larger effort to update the plan to ensure the document remained timely and reflected the needs and desires of the community.

The city also reviewed recent local demographic information and park trends. Using this information as a springboard, an updated plan was crafted: The Legacy Plan 2020.

Like the proceeding plan, the updated Legacy Plan provides the strategic framework for the city’s parks and recreation system. This document is intended for use at the policy level, as well as a tool for day-to-day operational decision making.

Read more.

Lakewood City Council reviews fireworks regulations

At its June 1, 2020 regular meeting the Lakewood City Council will review public testimony and discuss proposed changes to city code that would restrict when fireworks can be discharged within city limits.

Under Lakewood Municipal Code, fireworks are currently permitted in the city between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 3, 4 and 5 and New Year’s Eve.

The proposed amendment before the City Council would further restrict the discharge of legal fireworks to July 4 between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. and New Year’s Eve only.

The City Council would like to hear from residents on the proposed change.

Comments can be sent via email to City Clerk Briana Schumacher at bschumacher@cityoflakewood.us, or by mailing written comment to:

City of Lakewood
Attn: Briana Schumacher
6000 Main St SW
Lakewood, WA 98499

Read more.

Lakewood Municipal Court resumes full operations June 1

Effective Monday, June 1, 2002 Lakewood Municipal Court will resume normal operations.

To keep the public and court employees safe, court counter services and court hearings will be conducted using public health guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Visitors to the court, whether it is to attend or watch a hearing or to do business at the counter, will be screened prior to being granted access. The number of people allowed in the court or at the counter will also be limited to achieve social distancing of at least six feet. This could result in wait times for those who need to enter the building.

Lakewood City Hall remains closed to the public at this time.

Read more about what is required to be granted access, and how to contact the court using alternative methods.

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.

City Council June 1 virtual meeting preview

The Lakewood City Council will meet virtually for its June 1, 2020 regular meeting.

Items on the agenda include three public hearings, one on the Six-year Transportation Improvement Program, one on a proposed change to the city’s code around fireworks and a third on the 2020 Comprehensive Plan and zoning map amendments.

The council will also set a future public hearing date for July 6 to consider the vacation of the easterly fifty-six (56) feet of 148th Street SW right-of-way east of the intersection with Murray Rd SW, is scheduled to approve a small wireless facility franchise agreement with New Cingular Wireless, LLC (AT&T) and to adopt the Community Development Block Grant Five-Year (2020-2024) Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan.

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.

Transportation updates

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

Veterans Drive

The city’s contractor, Miles Resources began construction May 18, 2020. The first week of work focused primarily on removing vegetation along the public right-of-way.

Starting May 26, 2020 crews began roadway removal and grading between Gravelly Lake Drive and Lake City Boulevard. By the end of the week they were at the half-way point between Gravelly Lake Drive and Lake City Boulevard; they are expected to reach the end of this first segment by the end of next week. Once that is done storm drainage installation work will begin. Only local access is granted in the closed section; through traffic is detoured to Washington Boulevard.

The current closure is expected to last four to five weeks, before crews move to the next segment to continue with the work. Segments will reopen to through traffic once the base lift of asphalt is in place. Work will then continue in the reopened segments with intermittent lane closures.

A small section of Vernon Avenue is also closed between Kenwood and Veterans Drive as part of this project. A detour is in place.

Onyx Drive

Storm drainage installation on the east end of the project is moving along and should be completed by the end of next week. Storm drainage installation is already complete west of 87th Avenue.

The electrical subcontractor continues to install electrical conduit and street light foundations west of 87th Avenue. Utility providers are wrapping their relocation projects this week and into next. Once done on the west end of the project, Tacoma Power will move to the east end of the project to complete similar relocations there. Comcast will begin relocating its facilities next week. 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

Patching was completed this week from the edge of the old existing road up to the new concrete curbing. Larger areas of pavement patching were also completed on Steilacoom Boulevard near Phillips Road. The remaining sidewalk and concrete ramps at Phillips Road, and also down the hill near Edgewater Drive were poured at the end of this week and the contractor started lowering utilities. Traffic impacts for the work should be limited to single lane closures at a time, however drivers should expect delays at the Phillips Road intersection.

One Tuesday and Wednesday, June 2-3, pavement grinding is scheduled to begin on Steilacoom Boulevard between Phillips Road and 88th Street. The full width of the road will be shaved down, and they will close two lanes at a time, moving traffic over to one side of the road to accommodate the change. There will be one lane open in each direction. Drivers are asked to give themselves extra time to reach their destination.

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.

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 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

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 during COVID-19

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 1, 2020 Regular Meeting

• Youth Council Recognition
• Setting July 6, 2020 as the date for a public hearing to consider the vacation of the easterly fifty-six (56) feet of 148th Street SW right-of-way east of the intersection with Murray Rd SW
• This is the date set for a public hearing on the Six-Year (2021-2026) Comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
• This is the date set for a public hearing regarding proposed code amendments that would reduce the time during which certain fireworks are allowed from July 3 through July 5 to specified hours on July 4 only
• This is the date set for a public hearing on the 2020 Comprehensive Plan and zoning map amendments
• Approve Small Wireless Facility Franchise Agreement with New Cingular Wireless, LLC (AT&T)
• Adopt CDBG Five-Year (2020-2024) Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan

June 8, 2020 Study Session

• Joint Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting
• Review Human Services funding process
• Public Art Policy and Program Update
• Review of annual zoning code amendments and Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) code changes
• Review of potential use of Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF)

View the full agenda packet.

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