Lakewood Police Department receives $10,000 grant
The Lakewood Police Department is the recipient of a $10,000 grant awarded by the Gesa Community Foundation through its Gesa Credit Union’s Local Heroes Grant Award program.
The department will use the money to create a dedicated space for peer support and a wellness/relaxation room. Some of the award will also be used to update outdated gym equipment within the department’s exercise room that is available for all employees to use. These two areas are critical to the physical and mental wellbeing of employees.
“Caring for police officer’s mental and physical health is a commitment to themselves and their communities. It empowers officers to serve with clarity, empathy, and unwavering dedication,” said Matthew Leitgeb, the department’s peer support and wellness coordinator. Leitgeb applied for the grant.
“By prioritizing mental wellness, police officers not only enhance their own lives but also elevate the safety and trust within the communities they protect,” he said.
Public feedback sought on 2025-29 Consolidated Plan
The City of Lakewood is seeking public input on how it should invest both Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Act (HOME) monies over the next five years to serve low- and moderate-income Lakewood residents.
Your input is greatly appreciated. Take the short survey online.
Lakewood Holiday Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting is Dec. 7
We’re preparing for our final event of the year: the Lakewood Holiday Parade of Lights & Christmas Tree Lighting.
Join us Saturday, Dec. 7 in Lakewood Towne Center for this community event. Line the parade route to cheer on local Lakewood businesses, school groups and community organizations. Parade participants will proceed from Park Lodge Elementary School onto Gravelly Lake Drive and turn left onto Main Street SW, stopping just past the roundabout at Lakewood City Hall.
Once Santa arrives on the West Pierce Fire & Rescue fire truck, he’ll help Mayor Jason Whalen and the Lakewood City Council countdown to the Christmas tree lighting. The tree is in the center of the roundabout in front of City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW.
Arrive early to hear carolers from Claudia Thomas Middle School, snap a selfie with Santa starting at 5 p.m. inside Lakewood City Hall, and enjoy food trucks and entertainment.
Join the Parade
Do you have an idea for a holiday-themed parade float? Or maybe you’re a member of a community organization that wants to get your group in front of a lot of people.
We’re now accepting applications for parade entries for our annual Holiday Parade of Lights.
The parade route is lined with people and is a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together. Find the application online. Deadline to apply: Nov. 22 at 5 p.m.
Registration now open for Lakewood’s Jingle Bell 5k & Kids Dash
The City of Lakewood is excited to again partner with the Lakes Cross Country Booster Club to host a Jingle Bell 5K Walk/Run & 1K Kids Dash at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Join us Saturday, Dec. 14 for this family-friendly event.
Wear your best holiday-themed costume, dress up your pet, and hit the trails for this holiday-themed fun run.
The 1-mile Kids Dash starts at 9:30 a.m. The 5k walk/run starts at 10 a.m. Chip timing will be provided by GC Racing.
- Pre-registration: $10 for 12 and under; $30 everyone else.
- Day-of registration: $15 for 12 and under; $35 everyone else.
Event details and registration are found online.
The proceeds from this affordable event go to support the Lakes Cross Country Booster Club, contributing to the enhancement of youth running events in the South Puget Sound area.
City Days at the McGavick Conference Center
The City of Lakewood is currently accepting applications for the use of a 2025 City Day at the Clover Park Technical College McGavick Conference Center. Please click here to view the policy and application materials. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Applicants will be notified as to the approval or denial of the application by Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.
Complete applications can be emailed directly to City Clerk Briana Schumacher or can be delivered in person or by mail to Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499.
If you have any questions regarding the application or process, please contact City Clerk Briana Schumacher at [email protected] or 253-983-7705.
Lakewood proposed 2025-26 budget
After holding multiple meetings, including a public hearing, the Lakewood City Council is prepared to act on the proposed 2025-26 budget at its regular meeting Monday, Nov. 18.
The biennial budget reflects the policies, goals, programs and service priorities and values of the Lakewood City Council. It represents a financial roadmap for the city that guides operational decision‐making, strengthens organizational values, and invests in vital community initiatives.
The Nov. 18 meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St. SW. Once adopted, the budget establishes the direction for all city programs and services for the coming biennium.
Council Corner: Nov. 12 recap
Joint Community Services Advisory Board meeting. The City Council met with members of the Community Services Advisory Board to review its accomplishments for the year and its anticipated workplan for 2025.
Review of 2025 Human Services funding recommendations. The City Council reviewed the funding recommendations by the Community Services Advisory Board to support human service organizations in Lakewood. Since incorporation the Lakewood City Council has consistently funded human services programming by dedicating 1% of its general fund balance to support services and programs assisting Lakewood’s most vulnerable residents. Through this commitment the City Council has addressed the complex needs of an ever-changing community. View the funding recommendations on page 7 of the agenda packet.
Review of 2025 Lodging Tax funding recommendations. The City Council reviewed a recommendation by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for how to distribute the lodging tax collected by the city in 2024. The committee received 18 applications from tourism-focused organizations requesting more than $1.1 million in funding. The City Council is expected to act on the recommendation at its Nov. 18 meeting.
Review of 2025 Fee Schedule amendments. The City Council reviewed proposed adjustments to the city’s fee schedule. This includes proposed changes to the city’s planning and development fees. Currently the amount charged for certain permit review does not cover the actual cost to complete the work. This means the city has to use its general fund to subsidize the difference. The proposed adjustment increases the hourly rate by $30 and prevents the general fund being used to subsidize of private development. To see the full list of proposed fee increases, including a $30 increase to the business license fee, view page 22 of the City Council agenda packet.
Review of 2025-2026 Proposed Biennial Budget. The City Council reviewed the proposed 2025-26 Biennial Budget. The Council is anticipated to act on the budget at its Nov. 18 regular meeting.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on Deck: The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 for a regular meeting at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. Tentative agenda items include:
- Proclamation recognizing former Municipal Court Judge Lisa Mansfield
- Business Showcase: Diamond Designs
- Authorizing the execution of a construction contract for roadway improvements along South Tacoma Way from 96th Street S to Steilacoom Boulevard.
- Authorizing the execution of a grant agreement with the Department of Commerce to upgrade permitting software and supporting tools.
- Authorizing the award of a contract with Pro-Vac for Surface Water Infrastructure Cleaning and Inspection Services.
- Authorizing the award of a contract with McDonough & Sons, Inc., in the amount of, $275,437.00, for the 2025-2030 Street Sweeping Service Contract.
- Authorizing the award of a contract to Thomson Electric Constructors, Inc, in the amount of $350,000, for 2025 electrical Services.
- Approving the 2025 Human Services funding recommendations.
- Approving the 2025 Lodging Tax funding recommendations.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 3.52 of the Lakewood Municipal Code related to Utility Tax Rates.
- Ordinance relating to ad valorem property taxes; establishing the amount to be raised in 2025 by taxation on the assessed valuation of the property of the city; and setting the property tax levy rate for 2025.
- Ordinance amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget.
- Ordinance adopting the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget.
- Ordinance approving the 2024 Development Regulation Updates.
- Ordinance amending Lakewood Municipal Code Chapters 18A.10.20 and 18A.30 to address 2SSB 5290 Local Project Review, Chapter 36.70B RCW; and establishing an effective date.
- Resolution setting the 2025 Fee Schedule.
- Resolution establishing the 2025 Docket of Comprehensive Plan Land Use, Zoning Map and Policy Amendments
How to attend: Attend in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW; (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 show 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, Nov. 5-12, 2024
- Calls for Service: 988 (up 10% from prior week)
- Arrests: 44 (up 29% from prior week)
- Violent Crime: 20 (down 41% from prior week)
- Property Crime: 68 (up 3% from prior week)
- Traffic Stops: 154 (up 60% from prior week)
- Collisions (reportable): 28 (up 4% from prior week)
Community events
Symphony Tacoma welcomes Lakewood native J’Nai Bridges
Symphony Tacoma is ready to ignite the concert stage with its upcoming “Passion & Intrigue” concert, a special homecoming concert featuring two-time GRAMMY award winner J’Nai Bridges.
Head to the historic Pantages Theatre in Tacoma Saturday, Nov. 23 to experience a dramatic fusion of fiery Spanish themes, exotic tales from the East, and powerful operatic moments, creating an evening of intense emotion and mesmerizing storytelling expertly conducted by Symphony Tacoma Music Director Sarah Ioannides.
This is Bridges’ first homecoming performance. The two-time Grammy Award winner was recognized by the Lakewood City Council in 2023 with a proclamation. At the time she was back in the Pacific Northwest to perform in Seattle. The Idlewild Elementary School alumni is guaranteed to put on a specular performance. Find more details from Symphony Tacoma.
Sign up for Lakewood Alert (Code Red)
The City of Lakewood uses Code Red, an alert service, to notify residents of important information happening in the city.
If there is an emergency 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.
Now Hiring!
There are a variety of positions available for hard workers looking to join the City of Lakewood team. 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
The new signal went “live” this week. The contractor is working with TPU to energize the pedestrian luminaires on Ardmore.
Farwest Drive, Safe Routes to School
Work is paused while waiting for the new pedestrian luminaires to be delivered. Once they arrive work will begin to install them.
84th and Pine
The new signal is up and working. The contractor will be on site soon to finish final punchlist items and install pedestrian lighting.
Hipkins Road
The contractor continues to work on the remaining to-do items.
Rose Rd Sanitary Sewer Project
This sewer extension project was awarded to Miles Resources. Work is anticipated to start in January 2025 due to material procurement lead times.
Steilacoom Boulevard (Weller Road to 87th Ave SW)
This contract was awarded to Active Construction, Inc. Work is expected to start this winter. Once construction begins, drivers can expect all-day lane closures over an extended period.
South Tacoma Way overlay (96th to Steilacoom Boulevard)
An apparent low bidder has been identified. Once a contract is awarded by the Lakewood City Council construction timelines will be identified and shared with the public.