City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin, October 23, 2020

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

Lakewood adopts state and federal priorities for 2021

At the October 19, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting, the Lakewood City Council adopted its Federal Priorities for 2021, State Legislative Agenda and Manual for 2021-2022, and County Manual for 2021.

To view the City’s complete legislative materials visit the Government Relations page.

Federal Priorities

Every year the City sets its federal priorities to help provide a solid background for its work at the Congressional level.  For this upcoming year, the City’s 2021 Federal priorities are:

  • Additional COVID-19 relief funding that includes funding for local governments.
  • Restoration of Congressional Directed Spending.
  • Amendments to the Defense Community Infrastructure Program to emphasize road, transportation, and utility infrastructure needs for military communities.
  • Support for a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round to focus limited federal funding on critical military and defense infrastructure needs.
  • Support to fulfill the JBLM – McChord Field Clear Zone plan.
  • Support for the permanent authorization of the BUILD Grant Program and the designation of 30% of BUILD funding to medium sized cities between 10,000 to 75,000.

To read the full 2021 Federal priorities click here.

In addition to continuing to work with the State’s Senators, the City looks forward to working with the next representative for the 10th congressional district.

State Priorities 2021-2022

For the upcoming 2021 session, the Washington State Legislature will convene on January 11. This session is a budget year scheduled to last for 105 days. It is likely to be a session like no other in the recent past given the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Washington State Legislature is a bicameral body (two chambers) consisting of 49 members in the Senate and 98 members in the House of Representatives.  Each district in Washington is served by one Senator and two House members.  The city of Lakewood falls into two legislative districts, the 28th District and the 29th District.  As such, the City is represented by two senators and four house representatives.

As in previous years, the City will be actively involved in the 2021 State Legislative session.  To proactively prepare for the session, every two years, the City adopts a state legislative agenda and policy manual.  This early groundwork, coupled with the strong relationships the City has forged with our state delegation, has led to many recent successes for the Lakewood community.

To read the full 2021-2022 State agenda click here.

For 2021-2022, the City’s State priorities include:

Economic Development Tools for Lakewood Landing: Lakewood Landing is a 25-acre property along I-5 that is primarily used for industrial purposes, including a WSDOT maintenance facility. Because redevelopment of this site requires the WSDOT maintenance facility to be relocated, public investment is needed to advance Lakewood Landing from vision to reality. This public investment could come from state authorized economic development financing such as tax increment financing and/or an investment of $1 million annually for twenty-years years.

Washington State Hospital Community Partnership Program: Since 2007 the City has operated a highly effective Community Partnership Program (CPP) to improve public safety at Western State Hospital (WSH). CPP has responded to hundreds of calls for police service at WSH. The City requests $621,000 be included in the 2021-23 Operating Budget for continued operation of the CPP. This is the same funding level that has been allocated in the last two state biennial budgets.

Capital Funding Request – Living Access Support Alliance Expansion: Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) is a 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.  The City is currently working with LASA to acquire additional space to expand their existing facilities as well as helping LASA develop a long-range social services plan to help meet community needs.  The City is committed to providing $150,000 in 2020 and up to $300,000 in 2021/2022 to help LASA expand. The City is requesting $500,000 from the state for LASA to accelerate this project and expand needed services in Lakewood.

Capital funding request: Wards Lake Park Improvement Project: The City is requesting $250,000 to help complete a multi-faceted park revitalization project that will improve safety and access for an historically underserved community in Lakewood, restore and enhance environmental systems, and increase recreational opportunities.

Capital funding request: American Lake Park ADA Improvements: The City is requesting $250,000 toward ADA access improvements at American Lake Park (ALP). Since incorporation, Lakewood has worked to create more equitable access to parks. This project will provide a new ADA ramp to the shoreline and boat launch area for all Lakewood residents to access and enjoy the waterfront.

Multimodal Transportation Ask: The City requests $250,000 for a multimodal transportation assessment to consider practical solutions to increase multimodal connectivity along the I-5 corridor between DuPont and Lakewood.

The City is planning to host a legislative roundtable with its representatives to discuss these priorities in November or December.

In addition to the state priorities outlined above, Lakewood’s leadership also continues to work closely with representatives of the 28th Legislative District on the issue of Adult Family Home businesses. This work includes continuing to push for additional oversight and regulation of adult family home (AFH) businesses to ensure that the state’s most vulnerable residents living in these homes are safe. This past session our legislators introduced various bills aimed at keeping violent offenders out of these homes, but none gained enough support to move forward.

City & Clover Park School District intend to collaborate on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

In October, Lakewood City Manager John Caulfield and CPSD Superintendent Ron Banner released a joint memorandum announcing the City and CPSD’s intent to collaborate on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives and to share resources for work within these initiatives for the benefit of each respective organization and the greater community.

The joint memorandum expressed that the journey to equity and inclusion required “meaningful collaboration” between the City and CSPD, stating:

“We believe that by working together, sharing our perspectives and implementing targeted practices to improve the well-being of historically marginalized members in our community we can take steps closer to more justice and more fairness in the community of Lakewood. We understand that this will take time and effort, and we are firmly committed to persevere through any challenges.”

While much work remains to be done in this area, several areas were identified for immediate collaboration and/or further exploration, including:

  • Advertising key job postings for both organizations on our respective websites.
  • Sharing community member resources to provide for interview panels that are diverse and more representative of the community.
  • Sharing expertise and resources regarding staffing the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion function.
  • Planning and implementing joint community listening sessions.

The community listening sessions would begin within the Lakewood community in the next four to six months.

The City and Clover Park School District are looking forward to on-going discussions around equity and inclusion and, importantly, to achieving meaningful outcomes as a result of this collaboration.

First of two new I-5 overpasses at Thorne Lane opens in Lakewood (I-5/Thorne Lane “high” bridge)

Today at 1 p.m., WSDOT’s design-build contractor, Atkinson Construction, opened the first of two new overpasses at Thorne Lane. The Thorne Lane ‘high’ bridge is a 344-foot long overpass connects the Lakewood neighborhoods of Woodbrook and Tillicum. The bridge spans all lanes of Interstate 5 and the railroad tracks.

This means long delays commuters had experienced at the traffic signal near the railroad tracks will soon be a thing of the past. The new overpass also helps traffic flow more efficiently after crews built two roundabouts, instead of traffic signals.

This is a huge milestone for this project! Opening the new “low” bridge isn’t far away, either.

Click here for a look from WSDOT at what it means for traffic in the area, as well as what’s to come.

Community outreach opportunity planned for Springbrook Park Design

Want to help design a City of Lakewood park? Now is your chance!

On Saturday, October 31 (Halloween), 2020 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. the City will be hosting an information station at Springbrook Park to chat with residents regarding potential changes to the park. 

Last year, the City received a grant from the state to continue to make improvements at Springbrook Park, including expanding the park’s footprint and doing stream and habitat restoration along Clover Creek. 

The City would love to hear from the people that use Springbrook Park regarding how the City can make additions or changes to meet your needs.  

Join us for lots of treats – no tricks!    Proper safety protocols will be adhered to during this event (masks and physical distancing)to make it a safe opportunity to learn more about your community needs.

Date: 10/31/2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location: Springbrook Park, 12601 Addison St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499

Springbrook Park Clover Creek

Onyx Drive gets final asphalt lift as the project gets closer to final completion

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.

In late September, the City’s contractor paved the base lift of asphalt on both segments of the project.   This week the contractor paved the final lift of asphalt.  

Intermittent lane closures will continue for the next few weeks to facilitate sign installation and property restoration work.  It is anticipated that street lights along Onyx Drive should be operational by the end of next week. 

The contractor continues to pave driveways throughout the project. 

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.

24th annual Fall Safety Day will be held on Saturday, October 24

West Pierce Fire & Rescue will host their 24th annual Fall Safety Day event on Saturday, October 24th from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

This year the event will be a drive through with WPFR personnel loading each car with pumpkins (1 per child) and a bag of goodies and safety information.

Join WPFR at Station 21, located at 5000 Steilacoom Boulevard SW in Lakewood for this fun fall event!

Learn more about this event here.

October 21, 2020 proclaimed Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Day

At the October 19, 2020 Lakewood City Council Regular meeting, the Lakewood City Council proclaimed October 21, 2020 as Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Day in the city of Lakewood.

The Lakewood Chamber is a membership organization comprised of local business professionals who join together for the purpose of promoting the commercial progress of our community through business-to-business (B2B) referrals, marketing, and advertising, education, leadership skills, advocacy, and networking opportunities.

With this proclamation the City recognizes the vital role the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce plays in helping the city, regional and state economy grow stronger.

At the meeting, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Membership Service Representative Sue Boguszewski thanked the city stating:

“We appreciated the City and the support you give us… It’s important to belong to the Chamber because we represent professionals. We represent Lakewood as fine city to partnership with, to open your business here and to let us help you promote your business in any way possible through the Lakewood Chamber. So, thank you city for this proclamation. On behalf of Linda [Smith, CEO of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce] and the staff, we appreciate each one of you and all you do to help us with our mission”

The full proclamation can be read here.

Pierce County creates innovative “Restaurant Rally” Program

Pierce County recently dedicated $7.5 million from its federal CARES Act allocation to create a program that will offer a 30 percent discount to dine-in customers, excluding alcohol purchases. 

The program is called the “Pierce County Restaurant Rally” and it is designed to encourage patronage at full-service restaurants and to keep local restaurants in business.

The 30 percent discount is only available to customers eating at eligible restaurants during a two-week promotional window that runs from November 8-19, 2020 (excluding Fridays and Saturdays). 

Restaurants participating in this program must:
  • Be a full-service restaurant with a NAICS Code of 722511, primarily engaged in providing food services to patrons who order and are served while seated and pay after eating. 
  • Be physically located in Pierce County, open prior to March 23, 2020, and be currently open to the public. 
  • Operate in accordance with the Safe Start Washington reopening plan and applicable federal, state, and local public health guidance and directives.
  • Provide patrons a 30 percent discount on dine-in meal purchases, excluding alcohol, during the promotional period November 8-19, 2020 (excluding Friday and Saturday). 
  • Provide weekly documentation of gross sales of dine-in meals where discounts were applied, excluding alcohol, and the value of discounts given during the promotional period.
  • Agree to promote the Pierce County Restaurant Rally program. 

Full service restaurants must apply by today, October 23, 2020.

For more information on this program visit here.

Have questions about the General Election? The Pierce County Auditor has answers.

Looking for information on the 2020 General Election? Visit the Pierce County Auditor’s website all your election questions and needs. 

The following provides a list of important dates for the upcoming general election:

  • October 16 – Ballots mailed
  • October 26 – Last day to receive online or paper registrations
  • November 3 – Ballot Return Deadline – ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day or placed in a ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m.

The General Election is November 3, 2020.

No stamps are required if you return your ballot by USPS Mail or ballot drop box.

Ballot Drop Boxes are open around-the-clock from October 16 until 8 p.m. on November 3.  A Ballot Drop Box located outside of the City hall at 6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA, 98499.  For other Ballot Drop Boxes locations in Pierce County click here. 

You can still register to vote in-person until November 3 at the Pierce County Election Center located at 2501 S 35th St, Tacoma, WA 98409.

Pierce County Auditor contact information:

Pierce County increases funding to CARES Act Programs

Pierce County recently announced that they are increased funding to the following Pierce County CARES Act programs:

  • $5 million to the existing residential rental assistance program;
  • $4 million to the existing Commercial Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program;
  • $1 million to the existing childcare program; and
  • $1 million to the existing veteran assistance program.

Residents seeking rental or mortgage assistance, those looking for childcare assistance or veterans seeking help can find information online at piercecountywa.gov/COVID19help or by calling 253-798-7171.

Business owners looking for more information about available business relief options should visit piercecountywa.gov/CARESbusiness  or call 253-798-6150.

Public Hearing to be held for Proposed 2021-2022 Budget  

A public hearing on the Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget will be held at the Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting on November 2. The public is invited to participate in this public hearing.

Following the public hearing, the Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget will be reviewed by the Lakewood City Council at the Lakewood City Council Study Session on November 9. 

The Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget is tentatively scheduled to be adopted on November16 at the Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting.

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 Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget is balanced and takes into account the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the City’s financial resources.

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

October is a busy month for crews improving I-5 through Joint Base Lewis-McChord 

Overnight travelers who use Interstate 5 through Lakewood and Joint Base Lewis-McChord will want to plan ahead for multiple overnight lane and ramp closures during the month of October.

Design-build contractor Atkinson Construction is getting ready to open two new overpasses this month at the Thorne Lane interchange.

In advance of the work, crews are shifting travel lanes, paving, building center median barrier, installing guardrail, and working on electrical infrastructure.  Multiple overnight ramp and lane closures on both directions of I-5 in the project are necessary for this work to take place.

A complete list of weekly updated construction closures are listed at www.TacomaTraffic.com. Please note that work can be rescheduled due to weather.

To learn more about the phased opening of the new Thorne Lane interchange, read through the latest WSDOT Blog.

Before heading out the door, travelers can find the latest information on the WSDOT app and by following the WSDOT regional Twitter feed.

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:

  • 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.

“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.

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 26, 2020 City Council Study Session Meeting agenda include:

  • Joint Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board meeting
  • Police Chief Commendation Awards
  • Review of 3rd Quarter Police Report
  • Review of Year-End (2020) Budget Adjustment
  • Initiative 976 Update

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 at City Council Regular Meetings, click here.

Items tentatively scheduled on the November 2, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting agenda include:

  • Proclamation declaring November 11, 2020 as Veterans Day and the month of November 2020 as Veterans Appreciation month
  • Business Showcase – CrossFit 253, Danny and Deana Williams, Owners
  • Youth Council Report
  • Clover Park School District Report
  • Approve State government relations contract
  • Approve Federal government relations contract
  • Authorizing the execution of an agreement for the 2020 city gateways and service club sign project
  • Appoint Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board members (tentative)
  • Appoint Planning Commission members (tentative)
  • Appoint Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members (tentative)
  • This is the date set for a public hearing on Year-End (2020) Budget Adjustment
  • This is the date set for a public hearing on the 2021 Property Tax Levy
  • This is the date set for a public hearing on the 2021-2022 Proposed Biennial Budget
  • Reports by the City Manager – Review of Public Defender contract
  • Reports by the City Manager – JBLM North Access Improvement Project Phase 2 Parking Update
  • Reports by the City Manager – Review of CARES Act Funding Allocations

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.

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

Veterans Drive – This project rebuilds 1.63 miles of Veterans Drive into a two lane road with curb, gutter, sidewalk, bike/pedestrian path, streetlights, and landscaping. The project adds roundabouts to three key intersections.

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 stormwater facilities and graded the parking lot. When completed, in addition to improving traffic flow through the parking lot, this project will add 6 ADA parking stalls to the lot and create a ADA walkway from the road to the park restroom. 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 October. 

This week, the contractor removed the roadway from Highland Avenue SW to Edgewood Avenue SW. Next week, the contractor will start the demolition of road way to Nottingham Road SW.  Once beyond Edgewood Avenue SW, North Lake Drive SW will be used for west bound access to the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital and American Avenue SW will be used for east bound traffic.

This project has an anticipated completion date of late fall.

To read more about the Veterans Drive project and see overhead shots of the project on the project website.

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)