Lakewood City Manager Publishes Weekly Bulletin For February 12, 2021

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

February 12, 2021

The National Weather Service forecast is gaining confidence that the Pierce County region will see another round of snowfall as the week draws to a close.

In response, the city’s Operations & Maintenance crews has been out laying salt on the roads and will continue to work thorughout the weekend and respond as needed.

It’s all hands on deck when preparing for winter storms. The City uses all of its resources to keep the city roads open and safe. Our arsenal of equipment includes 9 plows, 8 salt spreaders, 3 brine applicators, 1 ten thousand gallon brine storage tank and tons of salt.

To see a video of the city’s trucks in action, click here.

The City has designated priority routes for snow and ice events (see map). Priority Level 1 routes include the City’s main arterials and we also focus on necessary access for first responders.

Drivers are reminded to slow their speeds for conditions, give extra following distance between vehicles and give yourself extra time to reach your destination. If you come up on a plow, please do not pass as it hinders the plow’s ability to clear the road. If a plow comes up behind you, please move over to the left if you are able and let it pass, then fall in behind at a safe distance.

City Manager presents the 2021 State of the City

On Tuesday, February 10th City Manager John Caulfield presented the 2021 State of the City at Coffee with the Mayor.

He is available to provide a State of the City presentation to any community group or organization looking to learn more about Lakewood. This is a great opportunity to not only meet the City Manager, but also hear how Lakewood is efficiently using its funds and meeting City Council goals and objectives. This comprehensive summary of city operations also provides insight into upcoming projects and the overall state of the city’s economy.

To view the latest presentation visit https://cityoflakewood.us/city... or to schedule a State of the City presentation for your group please contact City Clerk Briana Schumacher at 253-983-7705.

Chief Zaro presents 4th Quarter 2020 Police Report

At the Monday, February 8th City Council meeting Police Chief Zaro presented the 4th quarter 2020 police report. In summary, overall crime is down in 2020, 0.08% as compared to 2019. To view the full report visit: https://cityoflakewood.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LPD-2020-4Q-Report.pdf

Transportation Project Update

JBLM-North Access Improvement Project – Phase I

In August of 2020 the City was notified this project was not successful in pursuit of the federal grant from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA). Based on that, the project was broken into two phases for construction: Phase 1 – 200’ west of Interlaaken on Washington Boulevard east and then south to Nyanza; Phase II – 200’ west of Interlaaken on Washington Boulevard then west to Edgewood/North Gate Road to the JBLM North Gate property line.

In total, the project will rebuild a roughly 3.5-mile section of the Northgate Rd/Edgewood Ave/Washington Blvd corridor from the western city limit to Gravelly Lake Drive; Gravelly Lake Drive will be rebuilt from Washington Blvd to just north of Pacific Highway; Vernon Ave will be reconstructed from Veterans to Washington Blvd. Improvements include curb, sidewalk, planted medians, bike lanes and 10 roundabouts.

The City began advertising for the Phase 1 of the project, Gravelly Lake Drive from south of Nyanza up to and through the WA Blvd intersection then west to include the Interlaaken intersection on February 9, 2021 with bid opening scheduled for March 2, 2021. City Council consideration for contract award is scheduled for March 15, 2021. Please note that given the size and scope of this project, the timeline to construct is estimated to take up to 18 months. If construction were to begin in May 2021, completion is estimated to be October 2022.

Plans, specifications, addenda, and plan holders list for this project are available on the cities website located here: https://cityoflakewood.us/advertisement-for-bids-jblm-north-access-improvement-project-phase-i/

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Act (HOME) Programs

The City of Lakewood will be amending its FY 2019 Annual Action Plan (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020) to include Community Development Block Grant COVID-19 (CDBG-CV) funding. The amendment details activities the City is proposing to expend funding in order to benefit low- and moderate-income individuals. The documents are available here.

FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONSCDBG-CV3 CDBG-CV1 ReprogrammedTOTALSEmergency Payments for Rental/Mortgage Assistance$456,726$229,166.63$685,892.63Administration$30,000$17,533.96$47,533.96Total Funding$456,726$246,700.59$733,426.59*CDBG-CV1 funds reprogrammed from Emergency Services Business Assistance Program

The City of Lakewood received a special allocation of CDBG-CV totaling $350,611 in CEDBG-CV 1 and $456,726 in CDBG-CV 3 as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136. CDBG-CV funding is to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the social and economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

The public comment period will provide an opportunity for citizens and agencies to provide testimony on the proposed use of CDBG-CV funds. Public comments may be provided by mail to the address listed above or by email to jgumm@cityoflakewood.us. Comments must be provided no later than 4:00 p.m. February 16, 2021.

Save the Date: Caring for Kids – Happy Hearts Online Auction – April 2021

We are excited to announce that Caring For Kids will be hosting the Annual Happy Hearts Auction ONLINE this year. Save the date for April 2021! Additional information and details, including specific date will be provided at a later time.

Upcoming City Hall closure

Lakewood City Hall, the Lakewood Police Department, Lakewood Municipal Court and city services will be closed Monday, February 15, 2021 in observation of Presidents Day.

Services will resume Tuesday, February 16, 2021 also note the City Council regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Hidden Heroes Week 4: Makini Howell and Lyle Quasim

Week four of the Hidden Heroes campaign highlighted local heroes Makini Howell and Lyle Quasim. To read about these leaders visit: https://cityoflakewood.us/hidden-heroes-week-4/

Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery Plan

The Puget Sound Region, which includes Pierce County, remains in Phase 2. The table below highlights the various activities allowed in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington Plan.

To remain in Phase 2, regions must meet at least 3 metrics:

• Decreasing or flat trend in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100K population
• Decreasing or flat trend in two-week rate new COVID-19 hospital admission rates per 100K population
• ICU occupancy (total — COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) of less than 90%
• COVID-19 test positivity rate of <10%.

All aboard – the Lakewood Station District Subarea Plan is moving toward adoption!

The Lakewood Station District Subarea Plan, Development Code and Planned Action are all moving toward adoption! You can view the latest draft of the materials here. The City Council will begin its review on March 8 and will hold a public hearing on the Station District Subarea package on April 5 at 7:00 pm. View background information and all the latest at www.lakewoodstation.org

COVID-19 vaccine distribution remains in progress

Currently, Washington state is in Phase 1B of the Washington State Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. You can access the full interim plan (10/2020) here.

The vaccine is available to anyone 65 and older, and all people 50 and older who also live in a multigenerational household. This is in addition to populations eligible during phase 1A including health care workers at high risk for COVID-19 infection, first responders, people who live or work in long-term care facilities, and all other workers in health settings who are at risk of COVID-19. Learn more about who gets the vaccine and when.

Wondering if you are currently eligible to receive the vaccine? Try FindYourPhaseWA.org

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) here.

As we have since the beginning of this pandemic, the City continues to follow guidance from our trusted medical experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), and the TPCHD.

Check out the DOH’s 60-second video on how the COVID vaccines work:

Below are some links to reliable sources that provide information on the vaccine. The CDC site, in particular, has a range of information, to include detailed scientific data on the safety and efficacy of the current vaccine.

CDC Website

Washington State DOH vaccine information

Washington State DOH vaccination – Phase 1a

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department vaccine information

25th Anniversary Art Contest

The City of Lakewood will be turning 25 in 2021! To celebrate this momentous occasion, the City will be holding a number of special events throughout the year. We are kicking it off with the City of Lakewood’s 25th Anniversary Art Contest!

The arts have an amazing ability to create a sense of togetherness and to celebrate diversity, belonging, and community. The arts can help decrease stress and reduce loneliness, as well as provide opportunities to reflect and process experiences and feelings, to help imagine our future, and to connect us through our common humanity.

The 25th Anniversary Art Contest has two themes.

Theme #1: Unity – Local artists are asked to create a reflection of their experiences, memories, hopes, and feelings based on the theme of Unity. The theme was developed by Hank Jones of the Lakewood Youth Council.

Theme #2: Love Lakewood – Local artists are asked to create a reflection of what they love about Lakewood. This can be any number of things, including people, places, memories, events, traditions, food, etc.!

Artists can submit one entry per theme.

For more information on the contest including how to enter, age categories, cash prize amounts and raffles, check out: https://cityoflakewood.us/25th-anniversary-art-contest/

We look forward to seeing all of your amazing works of art.

There is no entry fee to participate in this contest.

COVID-19 related resources:

Eviction moratorium extended to March 31, 2021

On December 23, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee announced he will extend the eviction moratorium to March 31, 2021. More information on this extension will be coming shortly from the Governor’s Office.

Pierce County COVID-19 Relief Programs & Resources

For the latest information on Pierce County COVID-19 relief programs and resources, see here.

Care Connect Washington

Care Connect Washington is a program for people who have either tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed and need support to isolate or quarantine at home. To learn more about Care Connection Washington, click here.

Washington State Department of Commerce – Business & Worker Update

The Business and Workers update is a weekly newsletter providing news and information to help businesses and workers navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The information is compiled by the state Economic Resiliency Team. To read or subscribe to the newsletter, click here.

WA Notify

The WA Notify app is a simple, anonymous exposure notification tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19. By adding WA Notify to their smartphones, Washington residents will be alerted if they spent time near another WA Notify user who later tests positive for COVID-19. Learn more about the app here.

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

City Council February 16, 2021 meeting preview

• Presentation of the 2021 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Calendar – Beachwood Elementary School Students
• Authorizing the execution of an agreement with GRM Information Management Services, Inc. for the Document Management Software System
• Amending Chapter 8.76 of the Lakewood Municipal Code related to motor vehicles in parks and trails
• Amending Resolution No. 2020-15 of the City Council of the City of Lakewood, Washington, setting the 2021 docket of potential amendments to the Lakewood Comprehensive Plan, including the future Land Use and Zoning maps, and to the Lakewood Land Use and Development Code for four Habitat for Humanity parcels
• Adopting a Second Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020) Annual Action Plan and amendment to the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Act Citizen Participation Plan.
• Appointing a Councilmember to serve on the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners through December 31, 2022

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 visiting zoom.us or 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.

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 6 vacancies. Open until filled.

Board and commission descriptions, meeting schedule and application form can be found online.

Job Announcements

The City of Lakewood is currently hiring for several positions. For a full list of current job opportunities, please visit here.

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.

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