City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 5/7/10

Details
Category: Weekly Info Bulletins

May 7, 2010
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

  • WUTC Hearing on Railroad Crossings: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) will hold a public comment hearing regarding the proposed modifications and upgrades to the railroad crossings at Clover Creek Drive SW, North Thorne Lane SW, and Berkeley Street SW, in Lakewood, and at Barksdale Avenue in DuPont. The hearing begins at 6:30 PM, Monday, June 7, 2010, at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom in the Health Education Center, 9401 Farwest Drive SW, in Lakewood. The hearing will focus on public safety requirements associated with the anticipated increase in train frequency and speed at theses crossings. Comments about safety, such as upgrades to the warning signals and devices, will be most helpful.
  • Building Permit Valuation: New building permit valuation from January through April, totaled $16,803,517. Over the past four months, building activity has remained fairly steady.
  • Shoreline Master Plan Update Kick-Off Meeting: The Shoreline Master Plan Update Kick-Off Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Clover Park High School Performing Arts Center, 11023 Gravelly Lake Drive SW, in Lakewood. The Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA) requires the City of Lakewood to update its current Shoreline Master Plan Program (SMP). The SMP will be used to set policy and establish regulations for development of shoreline areas. For further information, please visit the city's website at www.cityoflakewood.us/news-and-events/689-shoreline-master-plan-updates.html. Questions can be directed to Senior Planner Marc Amrine of the Community Development Dept. (253) 512-2261, ext. 7753.
  • Courtroom Testimony 101: On April 20th, the City's Legal Department and City Clerk's Office hosted a Courtroom Testimony 101 class to local loss prevention and security specialists. The class provided an overview for court room testimony, discussed pre-trial motions and court room etiquette and included discussion about legal charging standards. A few local businesses have asked if the Legal Department would be willing to provide on-sight training for employees that may have to provide testimony in court.
  • Police Unity Tour: The Police Unity Tour is a benefit bicycle ride intended to honor fallen officers across the country. Money raised by riders benefits the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Museum. Four LPD Officers - Sgt's Mark Eakes and John Fraser, and Officers Charles Porche and Michelle Hector will be riding for the first time this year in honor of our fallen four officers. It is also the first time any Washington State officers have participated in this event. They leave on May 7th for New Jersey, where they will begin their ride. The ride is over four days, and covers 320 miles to Washington, D.C., where the riders will participate in next week's police memorial there.
  • Pierce County Law Enforcement Memorial Service: Asst Chief Mike Zaro made welcoming remarks at the Pierce County Law Enforcement Memorial service held on May 6th at the Church For All Nations on 112th St E in Parkland. Members of the LPD Honor Guard participated as well, with the mayor and city manager in attendance.
  • Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial: The Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial service is being held in Olympia on May 7th. The Governor will be in attendance, Asst Chief Zaro will say a few words, and Mayor Richardson will be the emcee.
  • Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County's "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" fundraiser: LPD Special Assault Unit members Sgt Thom Stewart, Detectives Brent Eggleston, Darin Sale, Martin Knott, Chris Westby, Kim Holmes and Officer Michelle Hector joined CSRT Leader Lt. Steve Mauer for the Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County's (SACPC) "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" fundraiser. The males all donned women's shoes and walked a mile along Pacific Ave in Tacoma with over 200 other men. They helped raise over $40,000 for SACPC to continue to provide vital services to victims of sexual assault in Pierce County.
  • City Staff visit Bellevue to learn about social media: Communications Director Jeff Brewster and Assistant City Attorney/CSRT Counsel Mike Savage visited the City of Bellevue on April 22nd to obtain information on how Bellevue utilizes various social media outlets. The City of Bellevue is on the cutting edge in its use of Facebook and other social media, and provided Lakewood with guidance on marketing strategies and policies and procedures regarding usage. This information, combined with other research, will allow Lakewood to successfully incorporate social media into our community and government relations.
  • Springbrook Neighborhood Clean Up: CSRT member Gail Conelly participated in a neighborhood clean up in the Springbrook Neighborhood on Saturday, May 1st, organized by John Ruze, Vice-President of the Pacific Neighborhood Association and owner of Truaire apartments. The neighborhood clean-ups are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month, meeting at 8am in front of the Garden Park Apartments. All residents, managers and owners in the Pacific Neighborhood Association are encouraged to attend and help out.
  • Boy Scout Troop assisted in obtaining Fingerprint Merit Badge: CSRT member Gail Conelly assisted the new members of Boy Scout Troop 51 in obtaining their Fingerprint Merit Badge. There were 14 boys and 6 adults in attendance. Covered was a brief history of fingerprinting; the difference between civil and criminal identification; the difference between automated fingerprint identification systems and biometric fingerprint systems; along with learning about the two basic principles supporting the science of fingerprints and what it takes to positively identify a person using fingerprints. Each of the boys was then able to be fingerprinted, and to explain their fingerprint pattern (loop, whorl, arch).
  • CSRT member initiates abatement action against property on South Tacoma Way: CSRT member Doug Price initiated a dangerous building abatement action against the property located at 8414 South Tacoma Way. This large commercial building was destroyed by fire in January. The owners are no longer in contact with the City and are no longer making progress toward cleaning up the property. The property has become unsecured and is now a dumping ground. Upon issuance of the abatement order, the owners will have 30 days to appeal or secure the property and apply for demolition permits. If they do not comply, the City will proceed to abate the property.