Recognizing Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a day of reflection. It is a day to give thanks and show our gratitude to those in American who stepped up to serve their country. Whether they volunteered or were drafted into service, they paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country and help others in need.
This Memorial Day we recognize and honor all who throughout our nation’s history stepped up to answer the call of duty. We give thanks for their service, and honor them and their families.
Lakewood City Hall, city operations and the Lakewood police station, will be closed Monday, May 27 in observation of Memorial Day. Regular operations resume Tuesday, May 28. The Lakewood City Council meeting is also Tuesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW.
May Business Showcase (Non-Profit Edition): Emergency Food Network
Emergency Food Network (EFN) has operated for 40 years; 30 of those years in Lakewood. In that time, EFN has provided tens of millions of pounds of food to over 75 food pantries across Pierce County.
While operating in Lakewood, EFN has become a strong partner with the city and recently collaborated to build larger warehouses to store even more donated food items.
Read more about why EFN was selected as the May Business Showcase.
Council Corner: May 20, 2024 meeting recap
Business Showcase: Emergency Food Network. The Lakewood City Council awarded the Emergency Food Network with its first “Business Showcase: Non-profit Edition” recognition. EFN was recognized for its longstanding contributions to the community, serving as the largest distributor of food to area food banks.
Recognizing Ellie Wilson for her service to the Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board. The Lakewood City Council took time to recognize Lakewood resident and active volunteer Ellie Wilson for her contributions to the community and her service on the Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board. Wilson served on the volunteer board for 12 years.
Abatement Program Update. Housing Programs Manager Jeff Gumm updated the City Council on the city’s abatement program. The purpose of the program is to identify and respond to nuisance properties in the city and work with the property owners to resolve the issues. Fourteen abatement projects were completed in 2023. Of these one was a dangerous building and three were nuisance properties. The city saw a 86% compliance rate among owners, meaning once they city contacted them they remedied the issues. The City completed its largest abatement project to-date in 2023. The city worked to have sewers installed at a mobile home park after discovering a failing septic system that was spilling raw sewage at the park. Seventeen units were connected to the system. The project included demolishing two homes, four carports, two outbuildings and removal of extensive garbage, debris and junk from the site. Read more about the program (starting on page 120).
The City Council acted on the following:
- Authorized the execution of an agreement with Townzen and Associates, in the amount of $411,800, for contract review services related to the Western State Hospital project.
- Reappointed Jeff Cox to serve on the American Lake – Lake Management District No. 1 Advisory Committee through June 2, 2027.
- Appointed Alice Fong and reappointing Megan Dempsey and Kerri Pedrick to serve on the Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board through May 21, 2027.
- Held a public hearing on the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program.
- Approved an ordinance adopting the 2024 Carry Forward Budget Adjustment.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on deck. The Lakewood City Council will hold a study session Tuesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. Note the special meeting day.
Tentative agenda items include:
- City Council retreat follow up.
How to attend: Attend in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW; Join via Zoom (or dial 253-215-8782 and enter meeting ID: 868 7263 2373), or watch live on the city’s YouTube channel.
Police Chief’s Corner
Each week Lakewood Police Chief Patrick D. Smith shares a summary that includes a look at total calls for service the Lakewood Police Department responded to for the prior week. The intent of the summary is to share a snapshot of how the department works to keep the community safe. To see quarterly statistical analysis, visit the Lakewood Police Department crime statistics page on the city website.
Weekly Summary, May 14-21, 2024
- Calls for Service: 845
- Arrests: 42
- Violent Crime: 24
- Property Crime: 68
- Traffic Stops: 65
- Collisions (reportable): 12
Street Festival: Jazz Night & Car Show
Join us next weekend for a Jazz Night & Car Show Saturday, June 1 at Colonial Plaza on Motor Avenue.
This family-friendly event runs from 4-7 p.m. The event is free.
Enjoy live music with TPC Jazz from 4-5 p.m., followed by Michael Powers from 5:30-7 p.m. There will be food trucks, vendors, community partner booths, roaming entertainment, kids activities and of course classic cars!
Trophies including “Special Choice” and “Best of Show” awards will be given, along with Mayor’s Choice, Police Chief’s Choice and Fire Chief’s Choice. The car show award ceremony is at 6:30 p.m.
Have a vehicle you want to enter? Day-of registration is encouraged.
Lakewood Farmers Market opening day is June 4
The Lakewood Farmers Market returns June 4 and runs every Tuesday from 2-7 p.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Stop by on opening day to check out this year’s vendors, grab a bite to eat from one of the many food options, enjoy live music and stop by the City of Lakewood booth to get free City of Lakewood SWAG.
New this year the market will host Pop Up Markets. These events highlight specific themes and vendors. This includes:
- June 11: Veteran-owned businesses
- June 18: Wellness/Sports-focused businesses
- June 25: Minority-owned businesses
- July 2: New businesses (opened in the last 18 months)
- July 30: Women-owned businesses
- Aug. 6: Kids’ Day at the Market (children up to age 16 can sell items at the market)
- Aug. 13: Maker Fair (inventors, creators, educators, hobbyists are encouraged to inspire people with skill-building tutorials, hands-on projects, experiments and show and tell)
- Aug. 20: South Sound First Nation organizations (tribal affiliations)
- Aug. 27: Local artists
The Lakewood Farmers Market 2024 season runs every Tuesday* from June 4 to Sept. 17. (*There is no market July 16 or 23.)
Save the date: Juneteenth Celebration
In partnership with St. Joseph-St. John Episcopal Church, the City of Lakewood is supporting the organization’s Juneteenth Celebration by opening Lakewood City Hall for an afternoon of community celebration.
The event is Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 3-5 p.m. All are invited to attend and learn about Juneteenth and hear from local leaders. There will be speeches, performances, tables with information from community partners and a chance to come together and celebrate this significant date in our nation’s history.
Commute Trip Reduction program survey
Pierce County’s Commute Trip Reduction program is writing a 2025-2029 Commute Trip Reduction plan to address the types of commuter support strategies needed by the Pierce community to explore sustainable commute options.
To prepare this plan, it wants to know whether the commuter services in your area provide adequate support to minimize your drive-alone trips, whether you are commuting to work or school, running errands, or visiting a friend. Provide feedback via the Online Open House today and be entered to win a $25 gift card!
If you would like to receive this information in another language, please call 253-798-3556.
Safe Sitter registration class now open
West Pierce Fire & Rescue is offering Safe Sitter babysitting classes over the summer to teach students ages 11-13 how to safely care for younger children. Students will learn how to run babysitting as a business, childcare skills, choking and CPR rescue, and basic first aid.
Classes run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and cost $45. Dates and locations:
June 26-28: Station 20, 10928 Pacific Highway SW, Lakewood
July 10-12: Station 31, 3631 Drexler Drive W, University Place
Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To complete the class, students must attend the entire time. Please visit the Safe Sitter page for more information.
Looking for summer camp? Head to Camp Create!
Register today for the City of Lakewood’s Camp Create. This day camp offers week-long fun for kids, including sports activities, LEGO building, arts and crafts, team games and field trips!
Dates:
- June 24-28
- July 8-12
- July 15-19
- July 22-26
- July 29-August 2
- August 5-9
- August 12-15
$149 per week (all inclusive) – payment plans accepted.
Register, please fill out the packet linked below and email to Cameron Fairfield, [email protected], or return in person to Lakewood City Hall. Copies of the registration are available at Lakewood City Hall at the front counter.
Camp Create Sign-Up Packed (PDF)
Sign up for Lakewood Alert
The City of Lakewood uses an alert service to notify residents of important information. If there is an emergency in the city that requires public notification, we will use Lakewood Alert as one way to communicate. We will also post information to our website and social media channels.
Subscribers can sign up to receive text and email alerts. People can also sign up for important non-emergency updates including information about road impacts from large events in the city or information about special events.
Find out more and sign up today.
Work for the city of Lakewood
We’re hiring! Looking to change careers? Looking for a new job? Ready to re-enter the job market?
Join the city of Lakewood! We have a variety of positions open across multiple departments. Lakewood offers a competitive benefits package. We are part of the state retirement system (PERS). And the city is a beautiful place to work.
Find a current list of open positions online.
Road project updates
Ardmore/Whitman/93rd
Final channelization concluded last week. The items left to do includes the installation of street luminaires (expected deliver the end of May, installation first part of June) and the installation of a new signal bridge (still anticipated for late-July or early-August).
Hipkins Road
Base lift paving concluded last week. Crews continue to prep grade, set forms, and place sidewalk. Water service work continues. Street luminaires were installed at North Way.
Washington Boulevard
A damaged light pole at Alameda and Washington was replaced by the contractor on Monday. The contractor is finalizing the schedule for the last items related to the water system.
84th and Pine
Work on this project is paused while the contractor waits for the traffic signal to arrive. Estimated arrival timeline is mid-July. Once it arrives work will resume.
Farwest Drive, Safe Routes to School
Work is scheduled to begin Tuesday, May 28. Drivers can expect traffic impacts through the work zone. Work will include tree removal, land surveys and other demolition activities. This project includes new sidewalks, curbs, ADA curb ramps, pedestrian luminaires, and a designated southbound bike lane on Farwest Drive SW between 112th and 91st. Drivers are reminded to drive slowly through the work zone and give themselves extra time to reach their destination.