Lakewood Tree Code update
Changes to the city’s tree code took effect this week. The changes were made to protect significant trees within the city and to help achieve the City Council’s goal to increase overall tree canopy within the city to 40% by 2050.
These changes mean that you may now need a permit to remove a tree from your property – whether residential or commercial. Before maintaining or cutting down a tree, you should check with the city to ensure the work is legal under the new rules. The new rules apply to residential lots larger than 10,000 square feet (previously lots smaller than 17,000 square feet were exempt).
Learn more: CityofLakewood.Us/Trees
Hidden Heroes: Final week
This week marked our final Hidden Heroes recognition. We celebrated to local heroes: Christian Paige, a local educator, national speaker and an Emmy-nominated spoken word poet, and Kwabi Amoah-Forson, a local humanitarian, advocate for social justice and world peace and proud owner of The Peace Bus.
Read more about these two inspirational leaders.
Artist reception for Jose Orantes
Meet local artist Jose Orantes Monday, March 6 at an artist reception. The city of Lakewood’s Arts Commission is hosting the reception to celebrate local artists.
The reception runs 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW. Orantes will be there in person to discuss his work and share the stories behind his paintings.
Learn more about public art in Lakewood.
Council Corner: Feb. 27, 2023
At its study session the Lakewood City Council heard an update from United Way of Pierce County Executive Director Dona Ponepinto. The city attorney provided an update on the status of statewide and federal opioid litigation.
Council was updated on plans to rename the festival street on Motor Avenue commonly referred to as Colonial Plaza. The naming process will include the public and future outreach will be conducted to help Council select a new name.
A final update reviewed improvement projects at American Lake and Wards Lake parks, both of which are slated for significant upgrades this year.
This week Council also held two special meetings to interview interested City Council candidates vying for the vacant Position 6 seat. Council will hold a special meeting March 13 to deliberate and announce the appointed person to the position.
Watch the meeting
What’s on deck: The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, March 6 at 7 p.m. for a regular meeting. Tentative agenda items include:
- Business Showcase: Bite Me! Cookies, Inc.
- Proclamation recognizing March as Women’s History month
- Proclamation recognizing March as American Red Cross month
- Reports by the Lakewood Youth Council and Clover Park School District
- Public hearing: On a request to vacate 113th Street SW, west of Kendrick Street SW
- Reports by the City Manager: Update on development of the city’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategic Plan.
How to attend: Attend in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW; Join via Zoom (or dial 253-215-8782 and enter meeting ID: 868 7263 2373), or watch live on the city’s YouTube channel.
Recognizing Brandon Elliott
Lakewood Youth Council member Brandon Elliott received a surprise Tuesday morning. And Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen and Deputy Mayor Mary Moss were there to celebrate.
The city nominated Elliott for the University of Washington Presidential Scholar scholarship.
Elliott is one of a small group of Washington student leaders to receive the UW Presidential Scholar award. He will receive $10,000 a year for up to four years. He will also have an opportunity to take part in leadership opportunities while at school.
Another piece of exciting news? Elliott learned UW accepted his application!
Congratulations Brandon!
Collaboration for a cause is March 16
This event offers an easy way for individuals and families to access resources in their community. There will be 52 vendors on site covering basic needs, employment, health, education and training and young adult resources.
Boeing will be there and hiring on the spot – a first for Boeing and this event. They have hundreds of positions open at their four plants. Have your resume ready and available to schedule interviews. Computers will be on site and assistance available for applicants.
Anyone making less than $60,000 can have their taxes done for free. No appointment necessary. Bring all necessary documents, including W2s and social security cards for this to be done quickly.
The event is March 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pioneer Pavilion in Puyallup. Organizations throughout Pierce County partnered to host this free event. All are welcome.
Lakewood and CPSD partner on youth wellness
Clover Park School District (CPSD) and the city of Lakewood partnered to fund programs that support wellness for CPSD students. The partnership includes matching federal dollars from both the district and city and focuses on peer-to-peer mental health activities for students, staff training on mental health and small group discussion of youth wellness in classrooms.
Learn more
Drive SR512? Take this survey
If you travel on or near state Route 512 in Pierce County, the Washington State Department of Transportation wants to hear from you. People who drive, walk, bike or roll have an opportunity to share their insights. WSDOT wants your feedback for a study that will recommend near-, mid- and long-term corridor improvements.
In-depth information is available via online open house. The open house runs through Tuesday, March 14.
Work for the city of Lakewood
We’re hiring! Looking to change careers? Looking for a new job? Ready to re-enter the job market?
Join the city of Lakewood! We have a variety of job positions open. Lakewood offers a competitive benefits package. We are part of the state retirement system (PERS). And the city is a beautiful place to work.
Available positions include openings in our maintenance division, Information Technology and police department.
Find a current list of open positions online.
14th annual Cops vs. Teachers is April 28
Kiwanis of Clover Park and Lakes High Skills USA Club invite the community to the 14th Annual Cops vs. Teachers Charity Basketball game.
The game is Friday, April 28 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Lakes High School in the gym. Tip-off is 6:30 p.m. Come see Lakewood PD and law enforcement from partner agencies go head-to-head against Clover Park School District teachers and administrators.
Concessions sales and donations for this year’s event support 11-year-old Janine Hope Dungca and her family. A silent auction with over 60 raffle baskets donated by local schools and community businesses will also be held to help raise money.
If you are interested in donating a gift basket, please contact Baron Coleman at 253-583-5550 or email [email protected].
Stormwater Management Action Plan
Lakewood owns and operates a stormwater conveyance system that discharges collected stormwater into bodies of surface water, which is allowed under a specific federal permit.
A requirement of this permit is that the city must complete a Stormwater Management Action Plan (or SMAP). This plan identifies actions to address water quality concerns in high-priority watershed areas. Three documents comprise this plan: Receiving Water Conditions Assessment, Receive Water Prioritization and Stormwater Management Action Plan.
View these three plans and submit comments on them online.
Road updates
Washington Boulevard
This week the city’s contractor removed the pavement on Washington Boulevard between Alameda and Lake City Boulevard.
They also poured the roundabout truck apron at the intersection of Vernon Avenue and Washington Boulevard. Also completed: Curb, gutter, and sidewalk along Vernon Avenue from Lawndale south to Veterans Boulevard.
The water crew returned end of this week to connect water services. They expect to finish the water connections next week.
Electricians installed conduit and junction boxes for new street lighting. This work is ongoing and expected to last another two weeks.
Right now the project remains on target to have pavement installed by mid-April, pending an unforeseen circumstances.