City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin, October 9, 2020

To: Mayor, City Council
From: John J. Caulfield, City Manager

Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget under development

The City’s Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget was introduced to the Lakewood City Council at its Regular Meeting this past Monday on Oct. 5, 2020.  The Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget is balanced and takes into account the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the City’s financial resources.

The City prepares and adopts budgets every two years. This process is known as biennial budgeting and has been permitted in Washington state since 1985 for cities, however, some cities still choose to use one-year budget processes.

The biennial budget is the most important document the City produces. It acts as a financial roadmap by outlining City spending and priorities for the biennium, which for the upcoming period runs Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2022.

With the budget in place the City is able to allocate resources to a variety of programs necessary to move our community forward and meet the Lakewood City Council’s goals and objectives.

The Lakewood City Council held a goal setting retreat for the 2021‐2022 biennium on March 7, 2020. Similar to the adopted 2019‐2020 Goals, at this retreat the Lakewood City Council identified Economic Development as the most critical goal area for 2021 and 2022, followed by Public Safety, Dependable Infrastructure, Transparency, and Fiscal Responsibility.

For Economic Development, the Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget proposes advancements in a number of areas identified by the Lakewood City Council as priority areas, including continued efforts for targeted development in the Downtown and the Lakewood Station District, as well as expanding building and code enforcement services.

At the retreat, the Lakewood City Council also identified Human Services, Housing and Homeless Prevention as high priorities.  The Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget proposes continuing and expanding existing City programs and partnerships that support this area, including continuing the City’s 1% general fund commitment to human services, expanding the highly successful Behavioral Health Contact Team to include two mental health professionals, and working collaboratively with Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) to expand their facilities and programming.  LASA is a local nonprofit that provides emergency housing, rapid rehousing and transitional housing in Lakewood, in addition to case management, and a range of other services to prevent homelessness.

As was the case in the previous budgets, the Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget represents the City’s continued commitment to prudent fiscal management, effective service delivery and providing the highest quality of life to our residents.

The public is invited to attend the various budget meetings planned between now and when the document is scheduled to be adopted in November.

Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget review timeline

The proposed budget will be before the Lakewood City Council for review beginning this fall with special meetings planned for department presentations. A public hearing will also be held.

Departmental presentations (special meetings start at 6 p.m.):

  • Oct. 7, 6 p.m.: City Council, City Manager, Community and Economic Development, Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Legal.
  • Oct. 14, 6 p.m.: Police, Public Works Engineering, Municipal Court, Administrative Services.

Monday, City Council meetings:

  • Nov. 2, 7 p.m.: Public hearing at City Council Regular meeting via ZOOM.
  • Nov. 9, 7 p.m.: Review of 2019-2020 Proposed Biennial Budget at City Council Study Session via ZOOM.
  • Nov. 16, 7 p.m.: Adoption of the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget.
Read the proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget
View the City Manager John Caulfield’s budget presentation from Oct. 5, 2020 (starts at 41:50)
View the City Manager’s PowerPoint presentation from Oct. 5, 2020

Virtual Coffee with the Mayor

Coffee Cup and Notepad

Join Mayor Don Anderson on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:30 a.m. for a virtual Coffee with the Mayor.

This month’s guest speaker is Jeff Gumm, the City’s Program Manager for Housing. Mr. Gumm will be providing an update on the City’s Rental Housing Safety Program.

To participate in the meeting  
By Zoom visit: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83396299998?pwd=YjkzRVNMSVdHaFdPVVZlUlpwc1dtUT09
Passcode: 494753
  
Or Telephone:   
        US: +1 253 215 8782  
Webinar ID: 833 9629 9998
Passcode: 494753
 
If you have any questions regarding accessing the virtual meeting please contact Briana Schumacher at (253) 983-7705 or [email protected]. 

October proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month

At the October 5, 2020 Lakewood City Council Regular meeting, the Lakewood City Council proclaimed October 2020 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Lakewood and urged all residents and community stakeholders to join them in recognizing domestic violence as a crime with impact on individuals, families and the Lakewood community.

The ultimate goal of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to educate, protect and, ultimately, reduce and eliminate acts of domestic violence.

The full proclamation can be read here.

From January 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020, the City’s Legal Department, on behalf of the citizens of Lakewood, University Place, Steilacoom and DuPont, filed a total of 303 domestic violence cases (an average of about 43 cases filed per month).

While the City recognizes that these figures reflect only crimes that have been reported and that these numbers are likely well below the actual occurrence rate, the 2020 case numbers are considerably lower than previous years for the same time period. In 2019, City’s the Legal Department filed an average of 64 cases per month during this period of time.

The City actively partners with the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, Pierce County YWCA and Rebuilding Hope! Sexual Assault Center Pierce County.

The Crystal Judson Family Justice Center provides professional support and resources to individuals and families experiencing domestic abuse.

The Pierce County YWCA provides a number of services, including Community Advocate Resource Center and Emergency Housing.

Rebuilding Hope! Sexual Assault Center Pierce County offers support toward healing through advocacy and therapy for those affected by sexual assault and abuse.

The City receives grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women for STOP (Services • Training • Officers • Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Grant Program to provide services to victims of domestic violence and their families.

Domestic Violence Helpline – (253) 798-4166.

If you see or hear an assault, call 9-1-1.

Smoke Alarm Program Available to Lakewood and University Place Residents

West Pierce Fire & Rescue has three questions for you:

1. Do you have working smoke alarms in your home?

2. Are they less than 10 years old?

3. Are they installed inside and outside every sleeping area, and on every level?

If you answered “no” to any of those questions, West Pierce Fire & Rescue can help!

Thanks to a recent grant, West Pierce Fire & Rescue has a smoke alarm program for residents of Lakewood and University Place. West Pierce Fire & Rescue will assess your home for current smoke alarms and their status, then will replace or install any you may need.

Carbon monoxide and hearing impaired smoke alarms are also available.

Please share this information with your neighbors! All residents of Lakewood and University Place are eligible for this service and there is NO COST.

¿Ustedes Hablan español? Por favor díganos, porque tenemos nosotros El Coordinador de Alarmas de Humo que habla fluente el Español.

Call West Pierce Fire & Rescue at (253) 983-4594 or visit their website today to schedule an appointment! www.westpierce.org/smoke-alarms

Pierce Transit endorses Transit App

Pierce Transit endorsed Transit as its official mobile app for trip planning and crowd-sourced bus occupancy levels. 

Upon launching the app, Pierce Transit riders see nearby options and departure times in big text and bright colors. Users can easily navigate Pierce County and the entire Puget Sound region, aided by accurate real-time bus ETAs, trip planning, step-by-step navigation and crowdsourced real-time information with Transit’s GO feature.

“When people choose a bus rather than get in a car, it helps the environment, reduces congestion and provides a more affordable transportation option,” said Pierce Transit CEO Sue Dreier. “One of the keys to increasing transit ridership is to ensure it is easy, convenient and understandable. Partnering with Transit to provide our riders with a proven trip planning app is an important step in that direction.”

By endorsing Transit as its official app, Pierce Transit joins dozens of other public transportation agencies across North America that have partnered with the app, including LA Metro, Boston’s MBTA, Baltimore’s MDOT MTA, Silicon Valley’s VTA, Metro Transit in St. Louis and Montreal’s STM.

Download Transit for free today.

COVID-19 Testing Coming to Fort Steilacoom Park

The Pierce County EOC will have Mobile Testing for COVID-19 at Fort Steilacoom Park at the Baseball field parking on the following dates:

  • Thursday October 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Friday November 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Friday December 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: 8714 87th Ave SW, Lakewood, WA 98498

These mobile testing stations are in the community so people can get tested for COVID-19. These tests are free. Identification is not required. On-site staff can help you register. Results are available in five to seven days. Complete one form for each person getting tested.

Get tested if you:

  • Experience fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
  • Were close to a person with COVID-19 or attended a gathering with many people.
  • Are in an at-risk community including: Alaska Native, American Indian, Black, Latinx, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islands.

Come prepared

To make the process go faster, please fill out this form in advance so you can be contacted with results. Fill out this form for the lab test. Complete both forms on your device. Print and bring the forms with you to the testing site. Complete one form for each person being tested in your group.

Results

Test results can take five to seven business days to become available. Positive tests are prioritized for notification. If you have not heard your results after the five to seven days have gone by, call (833) 723-0490.

Other options

There are other testing options in Pierce County beyond the mobile testing stations. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has an updated list of additional sites where people can get tested.

Lakewood Fall Clean-up scheduled for November 14-15, 2020

The “Spring Clean-up” held this past Saturday was a huge success with over 289 carload coming in.

The City and Waste Connections, the City’s solid waste contractor, will hold the Lakewood Fall Clean-up Event on Saturday, November 14 and Sunday. November 15, 2020.

Dates:

  • Saturday, November 14th, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (last car is accepted at 1:45 p.m.)
  • Sunday, November 15th, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (last car accepted at 11:45 p.m.)

Location: 3869 94th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499

Click here for the event flyer.

Update on additional CARES Act funds

In late August, Governor Inslee announced an additional $126 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) for cities and counties that did not receive direct funding from the federal government under the CARES Act.  In addition, the deadline to use funds has been extended to November 30, 2020.

These funds provide cities access to reimbursements for unbudgeted, COVID-related expenses incurred after March 27, 2020.  The second round of CARES Act funding from that state provided the City with an additional $895,050.  In the first round, the City received $1,790,100 for a total of $2,685,150 in CARES Act funds from the state. 

The Lakewood City Council directed the second round of CARES Act funds from the state to be used as follows:

  • $250,000 to Commercial Landlord Relief Fund Grant;
  • $115,000 to the Small Business Relief Fund Grant;
  • $50,000 to the Child Care Providers Grant;
  • $300,000 for facility safety improvements, personal protection equipment, COVID-19 related payroll reimbursement, and other COVID-19 related expenses; and
  • $180,000 for future program fund needs identified between now and November.

Visit the City’s CARES Act Funding Dashboard for up-to-date information on CARES Act allocations and expenditures.

Lakewood Farmers Market is today from 2:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

We are unfortunately down to the last two Lakewood Farmers Market dates. We hope to see you there.

  • 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 is 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.

“Reverse” Parade of Lights

The City is excited to announce we are having a “Reverse” Parade of Lights on December 12, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Colonial Plaza.

What is a reverse parade? We’re glad you asked!

Typically, the City’s Parade of Lights features a variety of floats, local marching bands, and classic cars that travel on a parade route through Downtown Lakewood with spectators lining up on the streets to view the procession.

Due to COVID-19, to ensure social distancing, we are turning the Parade upside down or more aptly in “reverse.” The “Reverse” Parade of Lights will feature a stationary display of floats and vehicles lined up in Colonial Plaza. Spectators will drive-thru Colonial Plaza to view the floats and vehicles. The City will provide music and Santa will be there!

Want to be a part of the “Reverse” Parade?

Help LIGHT up Lakewood! Businesses, clubs, organizations, and individuals are all invited to light up the holiday with a stationary float or vehicle. The entries must comply with the COVID-19 phase for Pierce County that is in effect at this time.  Show your community spirit! Blue lights are recommended, however lights are optional.

•    Each entry is encouraged to ‘go all out’ in decorating their vehicle/float and wearing festive clothing, making it fun and exciting for participants and spectators alike.  Prizes will be awarded (see contest details below).

•    The Lakewood “reverse” parade is a stationary display of floats and vehicles.  In this reverse scenario, it is the viewers who will drive by while the floats and displays remain stationary in one place.

•    Businesses, clubs, and organizations can have signage on their vehicle, but lighting and decorations should reflect the Holiday Season.

“Reverse” Parade of Lights Application is available here.

To enter fill out an application and mail or email to Sally Martinez ([email protected] ) by Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Please mail applications to:

Lakewood City Hall

Attn: Sally Martinez – Parade of lights

6000 Main Street SW

Lakewood, WA 98499.

Applications received after November 16 will be considered if space is available.

Truck and Tractor Day 2020 cancelled

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the City’s traditional Truck and Tractor Event that was scheduled for October 10, 2020 is cancelled.

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.

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.

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.  

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. In September, the City was awarded an additional $456,726 for a total of $807,337 in CDBG CARES Act funds.

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:

Pierce County Phase Status

Pierce County remains in Phase 2 of the “Safe Start” plan.    Pierce County is still well above the State Department of Health (DOH) threshold of 25 cases per 100,000 with a 14-day case rate of 57.1 per 100,000. To access the TPCHD’s COVID-19 in Pierce County dashboard 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.

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 October 12, 2020 meeting preview

Items on the October 5, 2020 City Council Study Session Meeting agenda include:

  • Joint Lakewood Arts Commission meeting
  • Partners for Parks Presentation – Mr. Dave Betz and Ms. Sally Saunders
  • Review of agreement with The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County for animal sheltering
  • Review of HOME Funding for Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity for acquisition and development of affordable housing

The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) waiver by the state legislative leadership was extended through November 9 for jurisdictions not in Phase 3 of the “Safe Start” Plan.  Pierce County is currently in Phase 2.  As a result, City Hall Council Chambers will not be open for City Council meetings.

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 learn more about how to provide public comment and/or public testimony, click here.

There will also be a Special Meeting this week on October 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. This meeting will include reviewing the Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget for the following departments:

  • Police Department
  • Public Works Engineering
  • Municipal Court
  • Administrative Services

Items tentatively scheduled on the October 19, 2020 City Council Regular Session agenda include:

  • Proclamation declaring October 21, 2020 as Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Day– Ms. Linda Smith, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
  • Authorizing the execution of an agreement with The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County for animal sheltering services
  • Authorizing the execution of an development subsidy agreement, in the amount of $640,000, for Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity to acquire and redevelop 15121 Boat Road and 15123-15125 88th St. Ct. SW for affordable housing
  • Authorizing the purchase a Safe Boat for the Police Department Marine Services Unit
  • Approving the 2021 Federal Legislative Priorities, State Legislative Agenda and Policy Manual, and Pierce County Policy Manual
  • Appoint members to Arts Commission
  • Appoint Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board members (tentative)
  • Appoint Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members (tentative)
  • Reports by the City Manager – JBLM North Access Improvement Project Phase 2 Parking Update

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.

A temporary regulatory speed limit reduction from 60 mph to 50 mph will be in place on both directions of I-5 from milepost 121.9 to milepost 124.1. The temporary speed limit reduction will remain in place through December 2020. For more up-to-date information visit the Project web page.

Work Schedule:

  • Both directions of I-5 near Berkeley Street are in a temporary lane configuration. The shifted lanes are necessary so crews can widen I-5 and raise the elevation of the highway nearly 14 feet. 
  • Daytime shoulder closures are allowed on both directions of I-5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the project limits.
  • Single and double lane closures on northbound and southbound I-5 each week night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. each following day.
  • Typically, no two adjacent ramps will be closed overnight simultaneously.

Local street closures:

  • Berkeley Street and Washington Loop will close from 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7.
  • 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:

Monday, Oct. 12

  • Northbound I-5 exit to 41st Division Drive will close from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
  • 41st Division Drive on-ramp to northbound I-5 will close from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
  • Northbound I-5 exit to Berkeley Street will close from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
  • Berkeley Street on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Tuesday, Oct. 13

  • Northbound I-5 exit to 41st Division Drive will close from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
  • 41st Division Drive on-ramp to northbound I-5 will close from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Wednesday, Oct. 14

  • Northbound I-5 exit to 41st Division Drive will close from 8:30 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.
  • Thorne Lane on-ramp to northbound I-5 will close from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Thursday.

Thursday, Oct. 15

  • 41st Division Drive on-ramp to northbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Friday.
  • Northbound I-5 exit to 41st Division Drive will close from 8 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. Friday.

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

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.

In late September, the City’s contractor paved the base lift of asphalt on both segments of the project.   The final lift of asphalt is scheduled for October 15 to October 16 (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. The City’s contractor has completed the installation of all of the curb and gutter.

It is anticipated that this project will be substantially complete late October.

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.

To date, the contractor has 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, street lighting, and landscaping.  There will continue to be lane closures with one-way flagging to help facilitate this work. 

In September, the contractor also began work in the American Lake Park parking lot. This week, the contractor completed the storm system and started grading the parking lot in preparation of paving.  The restrooms at the park will remain closed due to this work. Parking at the park is currently limited to the boat launch area. The work in American Lake Park is scheduled to take place through the rest of September and the early part of October. 

Once the concrete work on the remainder of the constructed portion of Veteran’s is caught up, the contractor will 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.

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 October 8, 66.8 percent of US households responded to the 2020 Census. Washington’s response rate was 72.2 percent. Pierce County’s response rate is 72.8 percent. The city of Lakewood’s 2020 Census response rate is 67.6 percent overall. 

The Woodbrook-Tillicum area has a response rate of 54.8% and Springbrook has a response rate of 47%.  In the 2010 Census, these areas had response rates of 28.4% and 34.3% respectively. The city sent out two mailings in multiple languages to residents in Woodbrook, Tillicum and Springbrook encouraging their participation in the 2020 Census.

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

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.

Stay connected with e-mail notifications

Get the latest news and updates from the city of Lakewood delivered directly to your inbox. To subscribe click here.

You can subscribe to the following city newsfeeds:

  • City Manager’s Weekly Bulletins (Weekly)
  • City Council Agendas and Meeting Schedules (Weekly)
  • Lakewood Connections and Recreation Brochures (Quarterly)
  • Public Notices
  • Coffee with the Mayor (Monthly)
  • Bids, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Qualifications (RFQs)