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City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 7/30/10

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Category: Weekly Info Bulletins
Published on Friday, 30 July 2010 01:00

July 30, 2010
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

  • Human Services Staff Relocate Family: Human Services staff assisted with relocating nine individuals after a Lakewood's building inspector was forced to close down a single-family dwelling. The structure was illegally and unsafely converted to a multi-family complex. Human services partnered with Lakewood Area Shelter Association and Centro Latino to support families with their relocation efforts. Additional support was provided by the Lakewood Fire Department.
  • Economic Development Director speaks at Lakewood United: On July 29th, Economic Development Director Ellie Chambers Grady spoke at Lakewood United. The topic was "Economic Development in Lakewood - An Update. The presentation provided updates to various projects and business activity in Lakewood. The PowerPoint presented at Lakewood United is available for public viewing under the Economic Development tab on the City's website.
  • CSRT Conducts CPR/AED Class For Police Department: CSRT Staff CSO Gail Conelly provided CPR/Automated External Defibrillator(AED) training to 53 staff members and co-instructed classes on Blood Borne Pathogens for 55 members of the Lakewood Police Dept.
  • CSRT Perform Inspection Of Apartment Complex: The CSRT coordinated with the LPD, the LFD, Building Dept., Animal Control, Human Services, and L&I to perform a comprehensive inspection of a small apartment complex on July 28th. Three unoccupied buildings were posted as unsafe. The occupied units, while having some minor violations, were found to be habitable. The property was also found to have some vehicle storage/vegetation/property maintenance violations. CSRT will be working with the property owner to bring the property into full compliance.
  • Animals Up For Adoption: Pierce County Animal Control removed more than 70 animals from a home in Eatonville in early June. They are currently trying to find homes for 17 horses and 3 goats. The animals can be viewed by going to www.piercecountywa.org/animal. From this site, you may click to view the animals at petfinder.com.
  • Update on Sound Transit's Rail Reconstruction Project: 108th Street SW rail road crossing will be closed to all traffic beginning Friday, July 30th, at 7:30 pm for the contractor to do the final asphalt paving of the crossing. It is anticipated the all paving work will completed around midnight with the crossing fully open for Saturday morning traffic. Also, tentatively scheduled August 9-13, the 100th Street crossing will be closed for night work at the crossing. The work will include the final asphalt paving of the crossing plus the rail road crossing signal and gate work. Again, the road would be closed at night starting at 7:30 pm and reopened by 5:00 am the following morning for traffic.

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 7/23/10

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Category: Weekly Info Bulletins
Published on Friday, 23 July 2010 15:07

July 23, 2010
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

  • Road Closure: 100th Street SW will be closed beginning Friday, July 23rd, at 8:00 p.m. and will re-open Saturday, July 24th, at 6:00 p.m. Transportation Systems, electrical sub, will be there as well, connecting the span wire and hanging new signal heads Saturday (tentative 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.). Our signal techs have been asked to put the signal on time in case loops are damaged during grinding and paving. An officer and flaggers will be on-site both days.
  • Sounder Rail Project Update: Starting on Monday, July 26th, Sound Transit's contractor will start the final reconstructing of the 108th St rail road over crossing. This reconstruction work will be done at night. The crossing will be closed to all traffic during the work hours which will start Monday night at 8:00 p.m. and continue to 5:00 a.m. the following morning. The nightly closures will continue through the rest of the week, through Friday night. Upon opening the crossing Saturday morning at 5:00 a.m. all the road improvements should be complete.
  • Pierce County Flood Control Zone District update: Eleven "invocations of jurisdiction" were filed at the Boundary Review Board at Pierce County questioning the boundaries of the proposed Flood Control Zone District. They include: Bonney Lake, Eatonville, Edgewood, Fircrest, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Key Peninsula Parks District, Milton, Peninsula Metro Parks District, Steilacoom and University Place. In addition, Roy submitted an opposition letter but did not actually file. In terms of process, the hearing will be scheduled for October at the earliest.
  • Police and CSRT attend LAAPAC event at Springbrook Park: On July 17th, CSRT members joined by Lakewood Police Officers and Explorers attended the annual Lakewood African American Police Advisory Committee (LAAPAC) "Come Out and Play" sports event at Springbrook Park. They played T-ball, basketball, soccer and also enjoyed a barbeque with about 30 neighborhood children.
  • Shoreline Master Plan: The Community Development Department held the first of ten public meetings to discuss the Shoreline Master Plan Update on July 20th. The intent of the meeting was to begin discussions with the residents living along the shoreline of Lake Steilacoom in addition to individuals who have expressed interest in the City's shoreline update process. About 450 notices were sent out in addition to notices posted. A total of 20 individuals attended to discuss many shoreline related topics, including maintenance of vegetation, state and federal regulations, bulkheads, nonconforming uses and structures, and impervious surface standards and setbacks. Three additional workshops are to be conducted for properties adjacent to Chambers and Clover Creek (August 12), Lake Louise and Waughop Lake (August 19) and American Lake (August 17). A workshop for property owners who reside around Gravelly Lake will also be scheduled. Upon completion of these meetings, the City's consultant will complete a Draft Shoreline Master Program for the public and governmental agencies to review and comment.
  • Lakeside Country Club Proposals: On July 21st, the Hearing Examiner held a public hearing for a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit. The applicant, Lakeside Country Club, is located on the north shore of American Lake and has proposed to make modifications to a legal nonconforming community dock. If approved, they would be allowed to replace their existing dock with a twelve (12) slip dock at a distance of 150 feet from the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM). Twenty-nine people were in attendance for the public hearing. The Examiner now has 14 calendar days to render a decision. Upon receipt of this decision a 21-day appeal period will begin with the Department of Ecology.

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 7/9/10

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Category: Weekly Info Bulletins
Published on Friday, 09 July 2010 16:23

July 9, 2010
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

  • Freedom's Crossing Presentation: Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Garrison Commander Colonel Thomas Brittain and Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) representative Joe Guiffreda gave an update on the JBLM Freedom's Crossing (Lifestyle Center) at the July 9th "Coffee with the Mayor". There were about 35 people in attendance, including business people who were able to get questions clarified about the JBLM proposal.
  • Senior Center Mystery Trip: Over 45 older adults from the Lakewood Senior Activity Center boarded a motor coach Wednesday, July 7th for a Mystery Trip. The group was surprised by our educational trip to the State Patrol Training Academy. It was very enlightening and the group has an even greater respect for our law enforcement. Staff and volunteers wore Lakewood Police Department Junior badges to show our support for our Police Department, but our tour guide promptly handed out Junior State Patrol Badges for everyone. The group enjoyed a lunch out on the town after our tour.
  • United Way develops program to serve families of soldiers: The city manager met with United Way CEO Rick Allen and Helen Myrick from the United Way of Tacoma-Pierce County to discuss a program proposal to focus about $5 million in federal funds to provide service to families of deployed soldiers. Our area's project would be one of two pilot projects in the nation, the other one in New Jersey.
  • Public records process review: The city manager and legal staff met with the president of the Washington Coalition for Open Government and the State Attorney General's ombudsman this week, to further improve the City staff's efforts to meet requests for public documents. The city manager also met with the publisher of The News Tribune last week to reiterate the City's commitment not only to comply with State law but to foster open government. The City continues its discussions with the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) to propose improvements to State requirements for handling public documents.

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 7/16/10

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Category: Weekly Info Bulletins
Published on Friday, 16 July 2010 14:42

July 16, 2010
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

  • Railroad Crossing Closure: On Friday, July 23rd, starting at 8:00 p.m. and through Saturday, July 24th, to 6:00 p.m., the 100th Street RR crossing will be closed as Sound Transit's contractor will be removing the old rail along with grinding and asphalt patching.
  • Lakewood Legacy Plan Kicks Off: This week, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department kicked off the development of the Lakewood Legacy Plan, a long-range strategic park and recreation master plan, which will address the park and recreation needs of our community for the next 20 years. The plan will include community needs and issues, long-term direction, vision, mission, goals and priorities, near-term strategies and priorities for programs and operations, level of service standards for parks, maintenance and program services and implementation issues, such as partnerships, capital needs and potential funding sources. The new ad hoc committee called the Legacy Team, will be comprised of agency representatives, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members, city staff, individual residents and users of our programs and facilities. Legacy Team members will provide input and advice, and bring to the process experience and knowledge in the areas of park maintenance, recreation programming, transportation and trails, sports, special needs, human services, arts, cultural diversity, the environment, health and wellness, military and education.
  • CSRT Presentations: On July 8th, CSRT members presented to the Lakewood Family Support Center, where they discussed the Support Center as a resource, and on July 13th, Lt. Mauer made a presentation to the Clover Park Kiwanis about CSRT. The audiences were open to learning more and potentially assisting with the CSRT community service project, which is currently under development.
  • Port of Tacoma CEO reception: The mayor and city manager attended a Port-sponsored reception for its new CEO, John Wolfe, on July 13th in Tacoma. The Port has financially supported the City's Woodbrook business park feasibility study, and that matter will be further discussed with them in the near future.
  • CSRT and Senior center staff attend class on Hoarding: On July 1st, CSRT members along with Senior Center staff, attended a training class on hoarding, hosted by the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center. The training focused on various issues facing hoarders and resources available to assist in these situations.
  • Magazine Soliciting Complaint at Motel: CSRT responded this week to a complaint that there were magazine solicitors working out of a local motel, which was also the site of a fraudulent magazine soliciting business last year. CSRT members met on site and counseled the motel owner to observe warning signs when renting to these types of tenants. The owner reported 49 people occupying 26 rooms at the motel. The team contacted the owner of the soliciting business at his motel room. LPD officers and two Building Inspectors joined in the inspection. The sales owner had converted his motel room into an office and was given a criminal misdemeanor citation for operating a business without a business license. The Building Inspectors posted a stop work order on the motel unit for the illegal change of use of a motel room. The co-owners of the solicitation company checked out of the motel on the same evening and the rest of the employees checked out the following day.
  • Police Annual Award Ceremony: The Lakewood Police Department held its annual award ceremony on July 15th in the City Council Chambers, with about 150 officers, employees, volunteers, and family members in attendance.
    Commissionings
    • Lieutenant Jeffrey Alwine
    • Lieutenant Christopher Lawler
    • Sergeant Andrew Gildehaus
    • Sergeant Steve Parr
    • Officer Keith Czuleger
    • Officer David Teves
    Medal of Honor
    For the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duties on November 29, 2009, the following officers were awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumous):
    • Sgt. Mark Renninger
    • Officer Tina Mae Griswold
    • Officer Ronald W. Owens, Jr.
    • Officer Gregory Richards
    Purple Shield
    • Officer Scott Novasky- for life-threatening injuries sustained in a serious traffic accident.
    Life Saving Award
    • Sgt Mark Eakes and Officer Jeff Martin - for rescuing a suicidal woman.
    • Officer Arron Grant, Officer Gene Sievers, and Officer Jeremy James - for rescuing a suicidal woman.
    • Officer James Lofland - for talking down and rescuing a suicidal man.
    Medal of Meritorious Service
    • Officer Jeffrey Carroll- for working tirelessly in supporting the department's CALEA accreditation.
    Police Chief's Commendation
    • Officer Adam Leonard - for his observation skills, attention to detail and thorough follow-up that led to the apprehension of an armed robbery suspect.
    • Reserve Officer Dennis Folk and Reserve Officer Dale Thomas - for taking time off from their regular jobs to assist the department during the tragedy in late 2009.
    • Lieutenant Alexandra Kasuske - for her work with numerous agencies to obtain all the funds available for the families of the fallen officers.
    • Officer Tim Borchardt, Officer Karen Herritt, Officer Noah Dier, Officer Skeeter Manos, and Officer Brian Wurts and the Police Chief's Citizen Commendation to Mike Jankelson - for setting up the accounts to collect donations from the public for the families of the fallen officers.
    • Officer Karen Herritt and Investigator Shirley McLamore - for their untiring effort, skilled investigative work and quick-thinking in apprehending a purse snatcher.
    • Officer Jason Catlett - for his initiative, motivation and determination to establish a new procedure for search warrants.
    • Investigator Brian Danley, Investigator Jon Waller, Investigator Andy Hall, Investigator Matt Brown, Investigator Jason Catlett and Detective Matt Renschler - for their investigation of a large scale Heroin Drug Trafficking Organization which brought the case to the Federal level.
    • Investigator Rick Barnard - for his work to apprehend two bank robbery suspects and to recover the stolen money.
    Police Chief's Citizen Commendation
    • Michelle Fearings of State DRS - for processing the paperwork to ensure the four families of the fallen officers received all the benefits that were due.
    • Ron Messenger and Dan Lasham of Mountain View Cemetery - for their exceptional compassion, consideration and concern for the families of the fallen officers, for police personnel and others around the world.
    Core Values Award
    • Officer Jeffrey Carroll- for taking the lead in coordinating the Lakewood Police attendance, participation, and representation at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. in May 2010.
    Presentation of Accreditation Certificate
    • Recognition for Chief Bret Farrar and Officer Jeff Carroll for their role in achieving full professional accreditation for the Lakewood Police Dept.
    Medal of Valor
    • Officer Brian Wurts- for attempting to rescue a suicidal man.
    • Officer Andrew Hall - for stopping a fleeing suspect.

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 7/2/10

Details
Category: Weekly Info Bulletins
Published on Friday, 02 July 2010 14:41

July 2, 2010
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

  • Summerfest a Huge Success: We estimate about 11,000 attendees at the City's 9th annual Summerfest in Fort Steilacoom Park on June 25-26-27. There was a Junior Boot Camp on Friday, which included crafts and scavenger hunt, sponsored by City recreation staff and Army Strong. Saturday was the main day, with a KIDZ zone, petting zoo, live entertainment on two stages, and a car show and motorcycle rally. Over 100 vendors participated, including a number of community agencies. The Community Safety and Resource Team (CSRT) staffed a booth at which team members spoke to citizens about a variety of safety issues and district contact information. On Sunday, over 300 people ran in a 5K run sponsored by Army Strong. The Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department had the support of a number of partner agencies and departments in managing a very successful event.
  • AWC Annual Conference: Lakewood was represented at the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) annual conference in Vancouver WA on June 23-25, with the city manager and communications director Jeff Brewster, and also Council Members Mary Moss and Walter Neary, who was a speaker in a session on social media. AWC represents all 281 cities and towns in Washington State, and provides legislative support, professional development and training, as well as insurance services. Other conference workshops included sessions on economic development, health care, labor relations, photo enforcement, and "the new normal" with the changed economic conditions.
  • WCIA conducts annual City Audit: The City's insurance provider, WCIA, conducted their annual audit of our liability and property insurance claims. The City has just completed one year in the risk pool and as our data collects over a longer period, we will compare our claim loss to other comparable entities to identify any areas we could improve. Each year a different department is selected to undergo an in-depth review of current practices. The purpose of this audit is to determine where the City may be at a higher risk for liability/potential law suits. This year the Human Resources Department was selected. There were 326 processes, forms, or policies evaluated. The Human Resources Department had an above average audit which resulted in a few minor issues to be addressed.
  • Pacific Neighborhood Association Update: City staff attended the Pacific Neighborhood Association on June 29th at the Garden Park Apartments in Springbrook. Speakers included State Rep. Steve Conway from the 29th District as well as Larry Saunders from the Lakewood First Lions. Communications director Jeff Brewster spoke about the summer playground program at Springbrook Park, which is sponsored by Lakewood First Lions, St. Leo's Food Connection and Lakewood Parks & Recreation. They work together to bring lunch and activities to the children in the neighborhood from June 28th to August 19th - Monday through Thursdays. CSO Gail Conelly talked about the importance of Block Watch programs, as well as Fireworks Safety, and Vehicle Prowl/Theft Prevention. A new Secretary and Member at Large were selected by the members. The next general meeting will be held on August 31st.
  • WSDOT kicks off Advisory Committee: In regards to the Point Defiance Bypass project, WSDOT officially launched this week the first meeting of both the Executive advisory committee and the technical advisory committee, which include representatives of the City as well as other entities. The City's scoping letter raises issues related to land use, traffic and circulation, safety, noise and vibration, economic development, and environmental justice. The environmental assessment process is estimated to take 12-18 months.
  • Tacoma Metropolitan Development Council Housing First Program in Lakewood: CSRT, Human Services staff, and asst city manager Dave Bugher met with representatives of the Tacoma Metropolitan Development Council (MDC), to share information and learn more about MDC's Housing First program in Lakewood. The meeting was very productive and a new partnership was established. City and MDC staff are excited about MDC joining Lakewood's growing collaboration of enforcement and human services agencies. This group is developing an increasingly comprehensive approach to community safety and to ensuring Lakewood's most vulnerable citizens have access to safe, secure housing and human services.
  • Travel writer features Lakewood: Jim Moore, travel writer and his photographer spouse Pam, toured Lakewood on June 30th and July 1st. They played golf at Chambers Bay golf course, toured Thornwood Castle and Lakewold Gardens and enjoyed a personally guided tour of American Lake and Fort Steilacoom Park with Mary Dodsworth and Ellie Chambers-Grady. The tour arrangements were coordinated in advance with the Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau and City of Lakewood Staff. The La Quinta was generous in hosting them. The article highlighting great tourism attractions in our area will appear in the Oregonian.

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