City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin, October 30, 2020

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

Happy Halloween! Here are some tips to stay safe this year.

We hope you have a fun, safe, and spooky (if that’s your thing) Halloween this year.   

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) developed a grading system to measure how scary various Halloween activities may be this year given COVID-19. The full article can be read here.

The State Department of Health offers these tips for a safer Halloween.

The CDC offers this guidance on holiday activities: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html.

The TPCHD grading system consists of has three levels and activities for each level:

  • Friendly ghost. These are the safest seasonal activities for you and your family. The chances are low that you or a loved one could catch the virus that causes COVID-19.
    • Carve or decorate a pumpkin or two. Display your art for your neighbors to see. If this is something you do with friends, try to do it outdoors and a Safe Six feet apart.
    • Decorate your home.
    • Do a Halloween scavenger hunt. Give kids a list of Halloween decorations from your neighborhood and see if they can find them all. Don’t get too close. Admire the objects from a distance.
    • Make a festive and safe face covering! Pick out fun Halloween fabrics or make a jack-o-lantern smile on your face covering to wear for the month of October. 
    • Have an online costume contest or parade.
    • Watch a scary movie or one about Halloween. Be sure to limit the guest list to people in your home. Synchronize your movie watching with friends and chat about the scary parts via text or video chat.
    • Hide treats around your house. Then have kids hunt for them, rather than going door to door.
  • Odd clown. Some clowns are funny. Others are terrifying. But something is definitely unsettling about the ones between. Be wary. Very wary. These activities have a moderate risk of spreading the virus. Take extra precautions to not let these activities fool you.
    • Trick or treat from a distance, whether collecting or handing out goodies. Keep your hands clean. Costume masks do not substitute for protective face coverings made of two layers of cloth. Do not wear costume masks over protective masks as they could make breathing difficult.
    • Deliver candy to the neighbor kids via a candy chute delivery tube (a long PVC type on an angle to slide candy through) or a festive basket on your porch where you can offer candy safely from 6 feet away.
    • Keep costume parades small and outdoors in open air. Stay 6 feet apart.
    • Attend or host an outdoor costume party Wear a protective mask and maintain a Safe Six feet apart. Keep your gathering small—five or fewer guests from outside your home.
    • An outdoor, open-air haunted forest should keep traffic flowing in one direction, enforce mask wearing rules, and maintain safe distancing. Increase distancing if screaming is likely.
    • Patronize the safest pumpkin patches and orchards that encourage masks, maintain physical distancing, and ask patrons to use hand sanitizer before touching produce.
    • Throw an outdoor movie night with a few friends but maintain physical distancing. If screaming is likely, increase the spacing between guests. The greater the distance, the lower chance of spreading respiratory viruses.
  • Don’t go to sleep. Don’t even close your eyes. These are the scariest activities with the highest possibility to spread the virus. It’s best to stay wide awake to these risks and avoid them. 
    • Door to door trick-or-treating.
    • Trunk-or-treating, where kids get candy from people in cars in a parking lot.
    • Crowded, indoor parties.
    • Indoors haunted houses where people are close together and screaming.
    • Hayrides with people outside your household.
    • Traveling outside your community to attend fall festivals.

Remember: Practice physical distancing, wash or sanitize your hands, wear your mask—and stay home when you are sick!

Lakewood wins Planning award for Colonial Plaza

Each year the American Planning Association Washington Chapter (APA-WC) presents awards to planning projects that demonstrate excellence.  The City is proud to announce that this year the APA-WC selected the City’s Colonial Plaza Project as a winner in the 2020 Washington State Awards Program for Excellence in Planning.

The APA-WC jury was very impressed with how the project built on the community’s history to create a sense of place and the broad community impact and effort to implement the project.  

Blue and white canopy set up over tables at the Colonial Plaza grand opening event in Lakewood WA with white lights strung from poles and a darkening sky.

The project, which was constructed over the summer of 2019, improved the roadway and added curb and gutter, sidewalk, on-street parking, street lighting, landscaping and bench seating at Motor Avenue, which runs in front of the Lakewood Theatre and Best Western Lakewood (6100 Motor Avenue SW). The redesigned Motor Avenue street corridor still allows vehicles to pass between Whitman Avenue SW and the intersection of Gravelly Lake Drive SW, but provides more pedestrian and public space amenities.

The City intends to install public art pieces as a part of this project, preferably at the entrance points.

To learn more about the Colonial Plaza project click here.

3rd Quarter shows overall decrease in crime in Lakewood & Police Officers recognized for service

At the Lakewood City Council Study Session meeting on October 26, Police Chief Mike Zaro provided the Lakewood City Council with a Third Quarter Police Report. The whole report can be viewed here:

Materials presented by Chief Zaro can be found here.

Third quarter of 2020 showed continued declines across a number of the areas in which the Lakewood Police Department tracks crime, including declines in person crimes, society crimes and overall crime compared to previous years through the third quarter.

The City recorded an uptick in total crime in the 3rd quarter compared to the first two quarters of 2020.

However, the total crime rate for the first three quarters of 2020 is still significantly lower than in past years. Through the first three quarters of 2020, the City had a total of 4684 crimes compared to 4753 in 2019 and 4960 in 2018 for the same period of time. This equates to decreases of 4% and 5.6%, respectively.

Chief Zaro outlined that the increase in total crime in the third quarter was in large part attributable to the spike in property crime which largely rose due to an increase in vehicle thefts and vandalism.

On the topic of vehicle thefts Chief Zaro noted that the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force arrested five individuals in the third quarter that accounted for at least 80 vehicle thefts along the I-5 and State Route 512 corridors during this period of time. One of the suspects arrested is likely responsible for over 250 vehicle thefts in the past 18 months in multiple jurisdictions.

Chief Zaro also noted how COVID-19 restrictions on jail booking are likely helping to increase property crime rates in Lakewood. Currently, most individuals apprehended for property crimes are not booked into local jails due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In his report Chief Zaro highlighted the reduction in aggregated assault (-24%) and the decrease in persons crimes overall.

While crime statistics fluctuate due to varying factors, the long-term trend in Lakewood is that overall crime continues to be on the decline due in large part to the efforts of the Lakewood Police Department and the partnerships they’ve built with our community.

A tremendous amount of good police work is going on and it is reflected in some of the charts you are seeing and in the crime rates we are seeing. As we look historically, we certainly are going in the right direction.”

Chief Mike Zaro

In addition to providing this update, Chief Zaro also presented Police Chief Commendation Awards to several Lakewood Police Officers at this meeting.

Sargent Pete Johnson, Office Melody Wright, and Officer Jared Pingul received the Lifesaving Award for protecting a gunshot victim and rendering lifesaving medical attention to him this past June.

Officer Vince Sivankeo, Officer Jacob Veenker, and Reserve Officer Travis Smith received the Medal of Distinguished Service for responding to an apartment fire in Springbrook. While the fire raged on the officers got people to safety and coordinated additional resources to the location. Officer Sicvankeo received the Police Chief Commendation Award for supervising the prompt and heroic response incident.

City receives CARES Act funds from Pierce County to improve safety at Parks and facilities

The City received $171,500 from Pierce County through its CARES Act funds to purchase equipment and make essential facility improvements and modifications to allow for a safe reopening for recreation and special events at the City’s parks and facilities in a Phase 3 and Phase 4 environment.

Currently, Pierce County is in Phase 2 of the State of Washington’s “Safe Start Plan.” In Phase 2, non-religious gatherings of more than five people outside of a household is strictly prohibited. As a result, the City has not held non-essential events and has temporarily suspended facility rentals.  While the timetable for moving beyond Phase 2 remains unknown, the City is proactively planning for how to best provide safe access to its facilities in a Phase 3 and Phase 4 environment.

The City will use these funds for safety improvements such as retrofitting public restrooms with touchless features, equipment to improve physical distanced line queuing, additional cleaning equipment, and personal protection equipment.

Back to back weekend closures at the I-5/Thorne Lane interchange in Lakewood

WSDOT announced this week that travelers who use the Interstate 5/Thorne Lane interchange in Lakewood will want to plan extra time into their trips or reschedule discretionary travel over the next two weekends.

Friday, Oct. 30 to Monday, Nov. 2

WSDOT’s design-build contractor Atkinson Construction will permanently close the old 1950s-era Thorne Lane overpass. Crews will also temporarily close the Thorne Lane on-ramp to northbound I-5 around-the-clock from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2. This closure will allow crews to finish building ramp connections to the new Thorne Lane “low” bridge. This is the second of two new bridges to open in this project.

Additional overnight weekend ramp closures will be in place:

  • Friday, Oct. 30 from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 – southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close.
  • Sunday, Nov. 1 from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2 – southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close.

On Monday, Nov. 2 when all ramps re-open, the following temporary configuration will be in place until late spring 2021:

  • Access Thorne Lane access to southbound I-5 will only be available from the Tillicum neighborhood via Thorne Lane. Travelers coming from Murray Road, JBLM Logistics Gate or the Woodbrook neighborhood will detour via northbound I-5,to Gravelly Lake Drive and southbound I-5.
  • Southbound I-5 travelers exiting to Thorne Lane will turn left and cross the new “low” bridge to reach the Murray Road roundabout. There, they can choose to either cross the new “high” bridge to the Tillicum neighborhood or go to Woodbrook neighborhood.

Bridge demolition scheduled Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7

Starting at 10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 and again on Saturday, Nov. 7, both directions of I-5 will be reduced to a single lane. That single lane will detour up and over the Thorne Lane off- and on-ramps, which now include a roundabout in the northbound direction. In the southbound direction, travelers will cross over a temporary work zone during overnight hours. Travelers are encouraged to plan additional time and expect heavy congestion. Traffic engineers with the Washington State Department of Transportation anticipate up to three-mile backups on both northbound and southbound I-5 approaching the overpass during the overnight work.

The overnight lane closures will be in place until 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 and 6:30 a.m., Nov. 8 respectively.

Why is this work happening?

The lane closures allow crews to demolish the old overpass at night when traffic volumes are at their lowest. For safety reasons, this work cannot take place over live traffic.

An updated construction schedule that lists overnight ramp closures for this project is available on Tacomatraffic.com. Before heading out the door, travelers can find the latest road conditions on the WSDOT app and by following the WSDOT regional Twitter feed.

Hyperlink within the release:

To learn more about what WSDOT is doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at wsdot.com/traffic or by dialing 511. 

Fallen Officer Blood Drive

Every year since 2009 the Lakewood Police Department has held its Fallen Officer Food Drive to honor the memory of our four officers killed in the line of duty on Nov. 29, 2009, as well as the memory of all officers lost in the line of duty.

A few years ago a blood drive to benefit Bloodworks Northwest was added to support this valuable community partner and help save lives through blood donation.

We cannot think of a more appropriate way to honor Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Gregory Richards, and all officers lost in the line of duty, than by giving back these life-saving essentials to the communities they served.

Food Drive information:

  • Thursday, Nov. 19 – Food Drive at the Lakewood Police Department from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 16 – Monday, Nov. 23 – Food bins available at the Lakewood Police Station,  as well as at Classy Chassis (7701 Custer Rd) and Classy Coffee (4828 Bridgeport Way W, Suite D, in U.P.)

Blood Drive information:

  • Wednesday, Nov. 18 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 19 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To give blood, you can sign up for an appointment online, here.

Blood donors must wear their own mask to donation appointments.

Census 2020 Update

On October 15, the 2020 census finished collecting responses.  In total, 67 percent of US households self-responded to the 2020 Census. Washington’s self-response rate was 72.4 percent.  Pierce County’s self-response rate is 73 percent. The City’s self-response rate was 67.8 percent overall. The Woodbrook-Tillicum area has a response rate of 54.9% and Springbrook has a response rate of 47.1%.  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.

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.

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

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). 

For more information on this program visit here.

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:

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 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

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. (This event will have 2 testing trailers which will allow for 500 tests)
  • Sunday, November 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Friday, December 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Note: A Drive-thru option is now available

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

With the two rounds of CARES Act funding from the state, the City received a total of $2,685,150 in CARES Act funds.  To date the City has used these funds for the following purposes:

  • Creating a Commercial Landlord Relief Fund Grant;
  • Creating a Small Business Relief Fund Grant for businesses with less than 20 employees;
  • Creating a Child Care Providers Grant;
  • For facility safety improvements, personal protection equipment, COVID-19 related payroll reimbursement, and other COVID-19 related expenses.
  • Provided funds to public partners and human service providers in Lakewood, including creating a rental assistance program with LASA, and providing in funds to West Pierce Fire and Rescue, Pierce County Library, Nourish Pierce County, Boys and Girls Club, Greater Lakes Mental Health Care, Communities in Schools, YMCA, YWCA, Rebuilding Hope! Sexual Assault Center, and more.

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

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

“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 Lakewood Towne Center.

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 along Lakewood Towne Center. Spectators will drive-thru Lakewood Towne Center 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.

City Council November 2, 2020 meeting preview

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 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 – Colonel Jonathan Chung, 2/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team
  • Business Showcase – 253STRONG, Danny and Deana Williams, Owners
  • Youth Council Report
  • Clover Park School District Report
  • Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, in the amount of $58,350, for State Governmental Relations services from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021
  • Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Johnston Group, in the amount of $54,000, for Federal Governmental Relations services from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021
  • Authorizing the award of a contract to KBH Construction, Inc., in the amount of $149,178, for the Gateway and Service Club Sign Project
  • Authorizing award of a contract to Marles Corporation DBA Amaya Electric, in the amount of $350,000, for the 2020 Electrical Services project
  • Reappointing and Elise Bodell and Wanda Elder to serve on the Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board
  • 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 Primary Public Defender contract
  • Reports by the City Manager – JBLM-North Access Improvement Phase I Construction – parking update
  • Reports by the City Manager – Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Grant Funding Status Update

Items tentatively scheduled on the November 9, 2020 City Council Study Session Meeting agenda include:

  • Joint Community Services Advisory Board meeting
  • Review Human Services funding recommendations
  • Review of 2021 lodging tax funding recommendations
  • Review of 2021 fee schedule amendments
  • Review of 2020 Accounts Receivable Write-Off’s
  • Review of Six-Year financial forecast
  • Review of 2021-2022 Proposed Biennial Budget
  • Review of CARES Act Funding Allocations

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.  The contractor continues to work in this section to complete the sidewalks and driveways, street lighting, and landscaping. 

The contractor removed the old roadway from Highland to Nottingham and has begun the installation of the storm drainage infrastructure along this stretch.  Veterans Drive is closed to all but local traffic between Edgewood and Nottingham.  North Lake Drive will be used for west bound access to the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital and American Avenue SW will be used for east bound traffic.

In September, the contractor also began work in the American Lake Park parking lot. This week the contractor worked on final parking lot grading in the 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 early November. 

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.

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.

The contractor has completed paving and is now working on property restoration behind the new sidewalks and the installation of the raised crosswalks.  Beginning Monday (11/2), the contractor will begin raising all of the utilities in the roadway.  Intermittent lane closures will continue for the next few weeks to facilitate this work.  Street lights should be operational by the end of next week. 

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.

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.
  • Community Services Advisory Board – 5 vacancies – Open until November 25, 2020

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)