Lakewood's Weekly Bulletin For April 24

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

April 24, 2020

City Council approves Veterans Drive contract

At its April 20, 2020 regular meeting the Lakewood City Council approved a $6 million contract with Miles Resources to complete the Veterans Drive road improvement project.

Through this project, Veterans Drive SW will be reconstructed from Gravelly Lake Drive to the Veteran’s Administration American Lake Hospital grounds entrance.

Improvements include a 10 foot wide sidewalk on the south, and a 7 foot wide sidewalk on the north side of the road, new pavement, street lighting, storm drainage infrastructure and three roundabouts.

The city received 10 bids for the project. The bid from Miles Resources was $958,891 (13.7 percent) below the engineer’s total project cost estimate of $6,992,964.

This project is funded from a combination of sources including:

• General Obligation Bonds: $4,361,300
• Connect WA Grant: $2,000,000
• Storm Water Management: $1,052,300
• Developer Mitigation Fees: $65,428
• Developer Fee In Lieu: $89,211

Read more about this project on the Veterans Drive road improvement page on the city website.

Lakewood parks re-open on limited basis

On April 21, 2020 parks within the city of Lakewood reopened to the public on a limited basis.

Park trails and open space areas in all of Lakewood’s 14 parks, as well as the dog park at Fort Steilacoom Park, are now open from 7 a.m. to sunset.

Restrooms, playgrounds, picnic shelters, sport courts, sport fields and skate parks remain closed. Group gatherings are not allowed.

Parking lots at Harry Todd Park, American Lake Park, Wards Lake Park and Springbrook Park also remain closed to vehicles, however walk in access is allowed.

The front gate and parking lots at Fort Steilacoom Park are open to allow cars to park in an effort to limit the impact on the surrounding neighborhoods. Please be aware of social distancing when parking in these areas.

Park visitors should remain six feet or more from people not within their household. If social distancing cannot be achieved, visitors should find a different park with less people. Visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and bring hand sanitizer as public restrooms are closed.

Read more Dos and Don’ts for visiting the city’s parks.

City Council looks to help small businesses

At its May 4, 2020 virtual meeting the Lakewood City Council will decide how to distribute $350,611 in grant money awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development through its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as part of the federal CARES Act.

This money is specifically for assistance related to COVID-19 impacts in one of all three of the following categories:

1. Public Services;
2. Housing;
3. Economic development.

The Lakewood City Council is investigating using the entire grant amount for emergency economic development assistance for small businesses in Lakewood. The assistance would either be a cash award or a no-interest loan of up to $10,000.

Whichever option the council chooses, special attention will be given to assure the program is available to all qualifying Lakewood businesses. The goal is to design a program that keeps administrative costs low, simplifies the application process and provides the financial award as quick as possible.

The City Council May 4 regular meeting will be conducted via Zoom and livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

The grant allocation from the federal government is not as large as the city would prefer, as there are countless struggling businesses that need assistance currently, however the City Council is committed to helping where it can in this time of need.

Pierce County Council expands assistance to small businesses

Pierce County small businesses who have experienced significant economic injury as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for a loan through Pierce County’s Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program if they meet specific criteria. The Pierce County Council expanded this loan program on April 21, 2020 to include employers with up to 20 employees for businesses located anywhere in Pierce County, including incorporated cities. Read more.

Road work continues on Onyx Drive, Steilacoom Boulevard

The city’s contractors working on road improvement projects on Onyx Drive and Steilacoom Boulevard continue with their work, which could impact travel for those accessing essential services.

Both road improvement projects are allowed under Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.

Steilacoom Boulevard

The daytime road closure at 88th Street remains in place at its intersections with Steilacoom Boulevard and Custer Road. The road will continue to be accessible to local traffic only between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Through traffic is not allowed. Drivers are asked to pay attention to on-site message boards, which announce the road closure.

Work planned for next week includes pouring all of the concrete curbing on 88th Street on April 28 (weather permitting). Access to residential driveways will be maintained with temporary steel sheets.

This project includes widening Steilacoom Blvd./88th St. between Weller Rd. and Custer Rd. for the inclusion of bike facilities and 5-foot wide concrete sidewalks. It also includes curb and gutter, street lighting, traffic signal upgrade, along with associated storm drainage improvements, bridge modifications to Chambers Creek Bridge and pavement rehabilitation and overlay.

Onyx Drive

Tree removal began this week on Onyx Drive as the public right-of-way was prepared for the addition of sidewalks, street lighting and other improvements.

Trees and shrubs were removed west of 87th Avenue. This work will continue next week on the east end of the project boundary between Garnet Lane and Phillips Road.

Drivers should expect lane closures with flaggers in place throughout both sections of this road improvement project.

Approximately 190 trees will be removed for this project, the majority of which are less than 12 inches in diameter and three are greater than 36 inches in diameter.

Read more about the Onyx Drive project on the project website.

City Council April 27 virtual meeting

At its study session Monday, April 27 the Lakewood City Council will review the draft Legacy Plan, which serves as the strategic plan for building a healthy and sustainable parks and recreation system in Lakewood.

The plan is updated every six years to remain responsive to community needs and to remain competitive for Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant funding.

The plan is tentatively scheduled for adoption at the May18, 2020 regular City Council meeting.

The council will also review the Transportation Benefit District annual report, 2019 Year-end financial report and 2020 carry forward budget adjustment at Monday’s meeting.

Due to the stay home order, the Lakewood City Council is holding its meetings virtually so that the city can continue to conduct necessary business. Under the order in-person attendance by members of the public is NOT permitted at this time.

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 call in by telephone via Zoom: Dial +1 (253) 215- 8782 and enter participant ID: 151-082-920.

Participation in public comments and public testimony on public hearings will only be accepted via email at this time. Comments should be sent to City Clerk Briana Schumacher at bschumacher@cityoflakewood.us.

Comments received up to one hour before the regular meeting will be provided to City Council electronically. Comments received after that deadline will be provided to the City Council after the meeting.

City Council meeting agenda and materials can be found here.

Special Planning Commission meeting planned

The Lakewood Planning Commission is holding a special meeting Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

The meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom due to the current Stay Home, Stay Healthy order issued by the governor.

Under the order the public is NOT permitted to attend meetings in person, however the city is live streaming all meetings via its YouTube channel so the public can watch in real time.

To watch the meeting tune into the city’s YouTube channel. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

Those without access to YouTube can listen by telephone via Zoom:

• Dial +1(253) 215- 8782 and enter participant ID: 925 3717 4529.

The April 29 special meeting agenda includes:

• 2020 Comprehensive Plan Amendment package review and discussion of potential amendments;
• CDBG/HOME 5 year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan; and
• Status update on Lakewood Station District Subarea Plan.

Public comment will be accepted via email. Emails received before 12 p.m. on April 29, 2020 wil be provided to the commission before the meeting. Emails received after 12 p.m. will be provided to the commission following the meeting. Email comments to Karen Devereaux at kdevereaux@cityoflakewood.us.

Notice of Vacancy: Planning Commission

The city of Lakewood is accepting applications to fill one vacancy on its Planning Commission. The vacancy will fill an unexpired term through December 15, 2021. Applications can be found here or by contacting the City Clerk at 253-983-7705.

West Pierce Fire & Rescue kids drawing contest

West Pierce Fire & Rescue knows how much students are missing art class and wants to help. In cooperation with West Pierce C.A.R.E.S., a drawing contest for students who wish to share their best fire department drawing is now accepting submissions.

The rules are simple:

• Kids ages 4-12 who live or attend school within Lakewood, University Place or Steilacoom are eligible.
• Draw your best fire department picture. This could be a fire engine, firefighters, a fire station or anything you’d like!
• Any art supplies may be used: crayons, pencils, paint, etc.
• Have a grown up take a photo of your artwork and email it to: communications@westpierce.org by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2020. Please include the child’s first name, school they attend and age in the email.

Grownups will be notified via email if their child is a winner.

Three winners will be chosen and will each receive a $50 MOD Pizza gift card. One winner will be chosen from each age group (4-6, 7-9, 10-12 years).

Prizes are provided by West Pierce C.A.R.E.S, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. No taxpayer dollars are used for this contest.

Upcoming meeting cancellations

A number of upcoming city advisory board and commission meetings are canceled due to the need for social distancing and for the public to stay home. They include:

• Parks and Recreation Advisory Board April 28 meeting.
• Lakewood Arts Commission May 4 meeting.

Census 2020: Ready for some friendly competition?

Who’s ready for a little friendly competition? We want to step up our community response rate to the 2020 census, and we can only do that with your help!

The 2020 census is easier than ever to complete. It only takes a few minutes to submit your response online at my2020census.gov. Be prepared to complete the census in one sitting, as the system does not allow you to save your progress. See the questions the Census will ask.

It just takes a few minutes to bring great benefits to our community.

So far, Lakewood’s Census participation has been good…but we know we can do even better.

As of April 20, Lakewood’s total response rate is 51.2 percent, ranking us below Pierce County for overall response. Let’s change that!

Here’s a snapshot of where Lakewood stands:

• 50.7 percent of the country has responded to the census
• 56.2 percent of WA state has responded
• 55.6 percent of Pierce County has responded
• 51.2 percent of Lakewood has responded (124th out of 281 Washington cities)

If you haven’t completed your household’s form by mid-April, you’ll receive a final reminder postcard to respond online, by mail or by phone. After that, in May the Census Bureau will start contacting those who haven’t responded, and continue through July to be sure everyone is counted.

Once you’ve submitted your form, spread the word to friends and neighbors and encourage them to complete their response too.

Join the Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees

Looking for an opportunity to give back to the Pierce County community and help lead valued services for 614,000 children and adults? Apply to be a Board of Trustee with the Pierce County Library System.

“If you are an engaged leader, seeking a community-focused way to give back and be a significant part of your community, you are an ideal candidate for the Library’s Board of Trustees,” said Library Executive Director Georgia Lomax. “The successful applicant will help shape and guide library service throughout unincorporated Pierce County and 15 cities and towns annexed to the Library System.”

The Board of Trustees oversee the Library System’s commitment to thoughtfully invest the public’s funds in highly valued library services‒services the public selected as their top priorities.

Trustees’ responsibilities include:

• Advocating for library services.
• Setting goals and charting courses.
• Approving budgets.
• Adopting policies.
• Planning for future directions.

Trustees must live in the Library’s service area. Trustees are non-paid positions and are appointed to a five-year term, with an opportunity to serve up to two consecutive terms.

Learn more. Applications must be received by Friday, May 15, 2020

Give Big: Emergency Food Network

GIveBig2020 is an annual day of giving where the community can join together and make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event has been extended to two days this year: May 5 and 6.

The Emergency Food Network is accepting donations now, which will be processed on May 5 and 6, for those who want to help.

One in seven people and one in five children in Pierce County are food insecure, according to EFN. This number is increasing rapidly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and EFN’s work to address this heightened need is only beginning.

Each year EFN provides 14 million pounds of food to food pantries and meal sites ensuring the community receives the nutritious food they need to stay healthy.

A donation will help ensure this continues, as well as meets the growing needs of our community. According to EFN, $1 equals five meals for those in need.

This year, the Simply Organic Giving Fund is matching the first 25,000 meals donated through GiveBig, which means your contribution will go even farther.

Learn more here.

‘See it, Snap it, Send it’

If you encounter a business or person inflating prices, take a picture with your phone or screen grab an image of the price gouging and attach it to the online reporting form available here on the Attorney General’s website.

Pictures and screenshots are useful tools for investigators tasked with looking into price-gouging complaints. Any additional information, like the brand and size of the product being sold, and, if it is known, what that store charged for the product before the current pandemic outbreak, is also helpful.

Price gouging during an emergency violates the Consumer Protection Act’s prohibition on unfair business practices.

The Attorney General’s office can only process complaints that involve either Washington state residents or businesses located in Washington.

Read more.

See a business violating ‘Stay Home’ order? File a complaint

A full list of what businesses are essential is available on the state website here. Businesses are asked to review the list and then determine whether they fall into the essential or non-essential category.

It is up to businesses to make the decision to close, not local jurisdictions or local police.

Residents concerned that non-essential businesses are violating the order to shut down can now file an online complaint. State agencies will contact the businesses to provide guidance and information around how to comply with the order.

The goal is for everyone to comply voluntarily, however if a business continues to “willfully and flagrantly” violate the order and create a public health risk, stricter enforcement actions could follow, according to the governor’s office.

Under the state emergency proclamation willful violation of the order is a gross misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Lakewood scenes for your next Zoom conference call

Conducting a lot of video conference calls lately? We have some great virtual backgrounds for you to try for your next Zoom meeting!

Download our Lakewood themed background today.

TO ADD TO ZOOM

1. Download and save one or all of the images below. Open your Zoom account, and under the settings menu look for the option “Virtual Backgrounds”.
2. Click “Add Image” then select the image you want.

For system requirements and troubleshooting, read more from Zoom here.

Postponed: Lakewood Night Market

Due to the uncertainty around Coronavirus and restrictions of public gatherings the city of Lakewood postponed opening night of its new Lakewood Night Market.

A new date will be announced in the future. We are excited to celebrate this new event with the public and encourage everyone to stay tuned to the city’s social media channels and its website for the announcement of when the market will launch.

The Lakewood Night Market will be held the first and third Friday of every month from 3 to 7 p.m. and will include family-friendly activities and entertainment, along with a variety of vendors for people to shop.

Interested in being a vendor? Submit this vendor application. View the Night Market website for market dates and market updates.

How to help or get help

Looking for ways to help your community during this time? Or are you looking for assistance?

Pierce County created a website with information about how to donate to area food banks, including Emergency Food Network based in Lakewood, and a fund set up specifically to assist the human services needs facing our community in light of COVID-19 impacts.

There are also resources for individuals and businesses looking for more information about available financing and public assistance options.

View the website.

SummerFEST 2020 vendor applications now available

Applications for market vendors and food vendors are now available for SummerFEST 2020.

Over the course of the all-day event more than 40,000 people visit Fort Steilacoom Park to participate in the fun — most of it free! There is live entertainment on two stages, including cultural performances at the Lakewood Sister Cities International Festival, a kid zone with inflatable toys and pony rides, food trucks, market vendors, a classic car show, roaming entertainers, free activities, movie at night and more.

Market vendors can participate in the free Passport to Sports & Arts, which sends passport holders on a scavenger hunt through the festival to different vendor booths to try a new sport or arts and crafts activity. This is a great way for children to learn a new skill, and vendors to get their product in front of a larger audience.

Download the market vendor application and the food vendor application today. Deadline to submit a hard copy is May 15, 2020.

Veterans Brick Update

Did you purchase a brick to be engraved on the Veterans Memorial located outside Lakewood City Hall in Lakewood Towne Center?

We hope to see the bricks engraved this summer, dependent on weather and the status of any stay home orders around COVID-19.

Thank you to everyone who purchased a brick for your patience while volunteers continued with the brick sales to be able to engrave them all at one time.

Volunteers were able to sell 153 of the 242 bricks remaining at the memorial. They are grateful for the community’s support of veterans and proud to see this memorial that was dedicated in 2003 by a citizen-led committee come closer to completion.

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: 2 vacancies. Open until filled.
• Lodging Tax Advisory Board: 4 vacancies. Deadline: April 30, 2020.
• Planning Commission: 1 vacancy (unexpired term through Dec. 15, 2021). 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.

Upcoming Council Meetings

The City Council meets every Monday beginning at 7 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 6000 Main Street SW.

Watch the City Council live during meetings on the city of Lakewood YouTube Channel. Miss a meeting? You can also find past meetings under the Playlists tab 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 call in to listen by telephone via Zoom: Dial +1(253) 215- 8782 and enter participant ID: 151082920.

Participation in public comments and public testimony on public hearings will only be accepted via email at this time. Comments should be sent to City Clerk, Briana Schumacher at bschumacher@cityoflakewood.us. Comments received up to one hour before the meeting will be provided to the City Council electronically. Comments received after that deadline will be provided to the City Council after the meeting.

April 27, 2020 Study Session

• Legacy Plan Update
• Review of Transportation Benefit District (TBD) Annual Report
• Review of 2019 Year-End Financial Report
• Review of 2020 Carry Forward Budget Adjustment

May 4, 2020 Regular Meeting

• This is the date set for a public hearing on the 2020 Carry Forward Budget Adjustment
• Resolution approving the 2019 Annual Action Plan (AAP) and CARES Act funding allocations
• Reports by the City Manager – Connections Magazine Update
• Reports by the City Manager – Review of 2020 Comprehensive Plan/development regulation amendments
• Reports by the City Manager – Review of Parks and Recreation Recovery Plan

Review the City Council agenda packet

This press release was produced by the City of Lakewood. The views expressed here are the author’s own.