Lakewood City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin For February 19

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

February 19, 2021

Call for Artists: Signal Cabinet Wrap Art

The City of Lakewood is seeking artists, including emerging artists, to propose an original design for reproduction and installation on signal cabinets in Lakewood. The wraps will deter graffiti and add visual interest and beauty to our shared streetscapes. Artwork can be submitted in any medium as long as it can be translated and digitally reproduced on a two- dimensional vinyl wrap. Each approved final design will be compensated at the rate of $700 for an original design, and include all necessary licensing rights. To view eligibility and submission requirements click here. The deadline to respond is March 15, 2021 at midnight.

Lakewood City Council approves Emergency Payments for Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program

On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, the Lakewood City Council authorized the use of U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) grant funds to provide Coronavirus Relief Aid. The City will allocate $703,426.59 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding ($246,700.59 in CDBG-CV1 and $456,726 in CDBG-CV3) for the purpose of creating Emergency Payments for Rental and Mortgage Assistance for low- and moderate-income Lakewood residents who have fallen behind on rent or mortgage payments.

Following the City Council’s action, there is a required approval process through HUD. Once this review process is completed and approved, it is the City’s intent to begin program advertisement starting on March 1, 2021.

The following program eligibility requirements will apply:

• The program will provide rental/mortgage assistance grants to low- and moderate-income households who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic causing them to fall behind on rent or mortgage payments;
• Only one grant per household to be provided for family listed as legal tenant or homeowner;
• Funds not to exceed $4,000 per eligible household for rent or mortgage due in arrears;
• Payments must be made directly to the provider on behalf of the family (e.g. landlord or mortgage lender);

Application details and forms are expected to be made available on Monday, March 1, 2021. It is anticipated that Lakewood residents can begin filing applications starting on March 16, 2021 through March 30, 2021 (the application filing period may be extended until all funds are expended). The initial review time is within 7 days of receipt of application.

Applications will be accepted on a first come, first eligible, first completed basis, subject to available funding. Again, the program will remain open until all funds are exhausted.

For questions about this program contact Shannon Bennett, Program Coordinator at sbennett@cityoflakewood.us.

City Council Recognizes Beachwood Elementary School Students

At the February 16th City Council meeting, the Lakewood City Council recognized Beachwood Elementary School students for their participation and providing artwork for the 2021 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Calendar. The calendar features student artwork illustrating environmentally friendly images.

• Haley DeGroot, 3rd Grade

City Council February 22, 2021 meeting preview

February 22, 2021 Special Meeting at 7:00 P.M.

• Appointing a Councilmember to represent City Council Position 5

February 22, 2021 Study Session (Following City Council Special Meeting)

• Pierce Transit Update – Alexandra Mather, Government Relations Administrator and Lindsey Sehmel, Principal Planner
• Transportation Benefit District Update

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 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.

Hidden Heroes Week 5

Week five of the Hidden Heroes campaign highlighted Jayme Crumpton and Lt. Colonel Edward Powell Drummond Jr. To read about these leaders visit: https://cityoflakewood.us/hidden-heroes-week-5-jayme-crumpton-and-lt-colonel-edward-drummond-jr/

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 Projects 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.

Steilacoom BLVD (Weller to Custer)

Phase one of this project is complete. Phase two, the installation of sidewalks along this area, is anticipated to being in spring/summer 2021 and will be constructed in two phases due to funding sources, all within the construction season in 2021.

Onyx Drive

Work began in April 2020 on this 1.55-mile project that improves the road with curb and gutter on both sides, adds bicycle and pedestrian facilities, includes street lighting on one side of the road and associated storm drainage upgrades. The city’s contractor completed the bulk of the work on this project and is now working on completing a few minor punch list items! In late December, mailboxes along Onyx Drive were installed. The postal service has been installing locks in the group mailboxes and residents are eager to make use of them. We are waiting on the final parcel locks to be installed before they keys are distributed to residents.

Veteran’s Drive

This project rebuilds 1.63 miles of Veterans Drive into a two lane section with curb, gutter, sidewalk, bike/pedestrian path, streetlights, and landscape strip if ROW allows. Roundabouts have been added to three key intersections, and the new cluster mailboxes are almost fully installed. The contractor is working on installation of irrigation, street lights, and sidewalk construction between the American Lake Park and the VA Hospital entrance. By the end of February 2021, all items should be completed except for the final lift of asphalt from the Lake City business district to the VA Hospital entrance. The contractor will place the project on hold until early spring and come back and finish the roadway and any final punchlist items.

The contractor also continues to work on the American Lake Park parking lot. When completed, in addition to improving traffic flow through the parking lot, this project will add 6 ADA parking stalls to the lot and create an ADA walkway from the road to the park restroom. Parking at the park is currently limited to the boat launch area.

Pavement Patching

Public Works Engineering Department is developing the 2021 pavement patching program and expects to be putting out a contract for bid in early to mid-March 2021. This program will focus on the priority arterial and collector roadways first as those are the roadways that receive the highest daily traffic loadings and are most susceptible to damage.

Chip Seal

The city’s 2021 Chip Seal will be focusing on the neighborhoods west of the new Veterans Drive and Vernon streets and south of Veterans Drive from the American Lake Park towards Lake City Boulevard. The full extent of the program are being developed at this time.

Lakewood Drive Sidewalk Project

The Public Works Engineering Department has issued a contract for construction of sidewalks on Lakewood Drive between Steilacoom Boulevard and Flett Creek. The contractor is expected to initiate work beginning the latter part of February 2021.

100th Street SW and Lakewood Drive Traffic Signal

The Public Works Engineering Department has issued a contract to rebuild the traffic signal at the intersection of 100th Street SW and Lakewood Drive an install sidewalks on the north side of 100th from the Chick-Fil-A sidewalk to the Lakewood Drive intersection. Additional fill in sidewalk will be constructed on the south side east and west of the intersection. The contractor will start work shortly but has requested a delay due to materials delivery.

112th/111th Street Project

The Public Works Engineering Department has issued a contract to reconstruct 112th/111th streets between Bridgeport Way and Kendrick Street. New roadway surface, curb, gutter, sidewalks, and illumination will be constructed. The contractor is expected to initiate work beginning the latter part of February 2021.

108th Street Overlay

The Public Works Engineering Department will request contract authoriziation by City Council on March 1st for an overlay project for 108th between Lakeview Drive and Pacific Hwy. This work will be a grind and overlay to refresh the driving surface. PWE is currently working with Lakewood Water District on two major crossings to be constructed prior to the road project and expect to see that work conducted on a weekend with a full road shutdown in the next few weeks.

2021 Streetlight Project

The Public Works Engineering Department is evaluating the planned street light project for 2021 and has determined so far that all street lights will be installed on existing wooden poles within the areas previously planned for installation in 2021. Public outreach will start in March to notify residents of the impending installations and to gather any concerns prior to initiating a public bidding process.

Waughop Lake Treatment

Two alum applications were successful applied to Waughop Lake this past spring and summer (2020). The treatment is expected to be effective for five to 10 years, depending on environmental conditions. TetraTech, the company that applied the alum treatments, monitored the water throughout 2020 to assess progress and to help inform future lake management actions. In early January 2021, TetraTech provided the City with a 2020 Summary Technical Memo. In the memo, TetraTech concluded that the alum treatment was highly successful, stating, “the 2020 alum treatments dramatically reduced phosphorus availability in the water column and prevented the occurrence of a toxic algae bloom in Waughop Lake. Water quality improvements resulting from the alum treatment are expected to continue.” TetraTech recommends that the City wait on a third alum treatment until the lake water quality reaches a point necessitating it. The city will continue to monitor the conditions of the lake.

American Lake Milfoil Treatment Update

The results of last year’s treatment of American Lake to control milfoil were very successful. The contractor used a newly approved product called ProcellaCOR, which is selective for milfoil. A new two-year contract with the same contractor was entered into to control the small amount of milfoil remaining in deeper areas that were not treated as well as another invasive aquatic plant, curly leaf pondweed, which has been emerging in the lake. The contract is just over $39,000 and will be fully funded by the Lake Management District assessments. The city may need to apply for a future state grant if the pondweed continues to spread.

Park Projects Update

Harry Todd Park Phases I & II

City Council awarded a $2.2 million contract to Quigg Brothers Inc. in May 2020 for this renovation project. The contractor fenced off the site and work is underway. The upland area of the park is still accessible for public use (foot traffic only), however the parking lot and lower area of the park is currently closed. Improvements include ADA accessibility improvements, reconstruction of the bulkhead, removing the north float, renovating the beach, adding lighting and outdoor rinse off area, landscaping and signage, a new restroom, replacement of the docks and construction of a fixed fishing pier. Currently, the replacement of the docks and construction of a fixed fishing pier are complete, however there is no public access to these amenities as it remains an active construction site. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2021.

American Lake Park — Parking Lot

Work on the parking lot started in mid-September (see Veterans Drive project). The boat launch will remain open during construction. Areas of the park, including the restroom and upland area, will be closed due to this construction. In addition to new pavement, this project will add six ADA parking stalls and an ADA compliant sidewalk along the road as well as to the existing restroom. It is anticipated these improvements will be done by spring of 2021.

American Lake Park — New Picnic Shelter

The Pierce County Council’s adopted 2020-2021 biennial budget includes $35,000 for a Lakewood park improvement project. The shelter kit has been delivered and is currently being installed at the park. The location of this shelter was chosen to complement the anticipated ADA improvements planned for the site (based on success of State grant funding).

Fort Steilacoom Park — Angle Lane Improvements

In spring of 2020, the City Council awarded a $1.1 million contract to Tucci and Sons, Inc. for this project. Desired parking and access off Elwood at Angle Lane is limited and has created issues regarding illegal parking and unauthorized access into the park. These issues create negative neighborhood impacts and safety issues when people pull in and back out onto the public street. This project includes the construction of a new parking lot, signage, and trail head improvements near Elwood and Angle Lane; resurfacing Angle Lane from Elwood to Waughop Lake Road and a new restroom, plaza, and trailhead signage near the Waughop Lake trail parking lot and main entry to the dog park.

The parking lot on Angle Lane is completed and is now open to the public for use. To see a video of the new parking lot, click here. The City continues to work on the restroom and other site amenities. We were able to add hands free options to the restroom fixtures and drinking fountains thanks to a CARES Act grant from Pierce County. It is anticipated that the restroom will be completed by early 2021. A featured item, the double swing, will be delivered mid- to late-March 2021. The City continues working with the Nisqually Tribe regarding benches and seating areas, and received a $3,000 grant from the Tribe to offset the cost of the wood and artists time to produce the site improvements. There has been minimal impact to park users, especially dog park guests, during this construction project.

Fort Steilacoom Park — Pavilion Phase II

Restrooms and a warming kitchen are the latest additions at the Pavilion needed to make this space more functional and marketable to user groups. The City’s contractor for this project is Saybr Contractors, Inc. Work started on the restroom and warming kitchen in September and is anticipated to be completed in early 2021. The project will incorporate reclaimed wood decor from the historic buildings for the park.

Fort Steilacoom Park — Turf Infields

Replacing dirt infields with synthetic turf material will make Fort Steilacoom Park a more desirable location for large tournaments. Maintaining grass outfields would allow the City to continue overlaying soccer fields and other open space needs throughout the year.

The City is also working with Pierce College to make additional improvements on Field #3 to develop a collegiate sized field with additional amenities that can serve as a home field facility for the college. Pierce College would cover all improvement costs over and above new turf. The City would have access to program the facility when not in use. A $995,000 State Capital fund award was received for this project. As of December 2020, the City had secured a total of $1,250,000 of the $1,600,000 necessary to move forward with this project. The remaining $350,000 has been requested as part of the State’s Youth Athletic Fund (YAF) grant program and, if approved, is part of the State’s upcoming biennial budget for 2021-2023.

As part of this project, Pierce College reached out about partnering with the City to provide additional financial assistance with secured funding totaling another $1,600,000 to make additional improvements on one of the fields to meet the specific needs of a Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) college men’s baseball team. Pierce College is planning to construct a similar type field at their Puyallup campus for their college woman’s softball team. A draft interlocal agreement (ILA) was recently approved by City Council and has been sent to Pierce College for their approval and signature. Design will being in the second quarter of 2021 to prepare for cost estimating and permitting. Construction is anticipated to being in the fall of 2021. The City and Pierce College will execute a second ILA later in 2021 to confirm ownership of the improvements and Pierce College’s rights to use, along with other details regarding access, maintenance, operations, facility replacement and use of the updated fields.

Chambers Creek Trail

This project, which is part of the City’s adopted Parks CIP, is a partnership between Lakewood, University Place (lead on implementation to include all permitting with various local and state agencies) and Pierce County (primary property owner and fiscal agent for project). The City of Lakewood is involved in all decisions regarding this project. The project’s scope is to create a 2.5-mile trail along Chambers Creek that will connect the neighboring cities of Lakewood and University Place along with Pierce County’s Chambers Bay property. University Place was scheduled to put Phase 1 out to bid in January, however, it is our understanding that Pierce County will now take the lead given they are the project’s fiscal agent, which includes the state’s capital budget allocation. Bidding is anticipated to occur later this month.

Phase 1 consists of adding trail connections between Phillips Road in Lakewood across Chambers Creek via a bridge to Kobayashi Park in University Place. We anticipate the notice to proceed occurring in the second quarter of 2021. Because the main element of this project is a prefabricated span bridge that will be built off site, construction will begin in the third quarter of 2021.

Phase 2, the connection from the east side to the west side, continues to be evaluated due to physical, ecological and budgetary challenges. The City of Lakewood, University Place and Pierce County are currently working on reassessing the alignment of the trail to make the path more practicable given the site’s geography and to operate within each agency’s allocated funding in support of the project. Conversations are also occurring with property owners in Oakbrook to see if easements or other access options can be made in the canyon to finalize the trail alignment; essentially moving the trail from along the creek to higher ground above the creek. Phase 2 also consists of trailhead expansions in the Oakbrook neighborhood on Phillips Road and Zircon Drive (across from main entrance to golf course).

Service Club Sign

As an alternative to placing numerous ‘service club’ signs on any of the gateway monument signs and along City ROW, an alternative standalone sign was developed recognizing and promoting the numerous organizations within the City. The service club sign is being fabricated and should be installed during the first quarter of 2021.

Save the Date: Caring for Kids – Happy Hearts 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.

Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery Plan

As of Monday, February 1, 2021 Puget Sound Region, which includes Pierce County, is 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

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

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.

Stay connected with e-mail notifications

Get the latest news and updates from the city of Lakewood delivered directly to your inbox. To subscribe click here.

You can subscribe to the following city newsfeeds:

• City Manager’s Weekly Bulletins (Weekly)
• City Council Agendas and Meeting Schedules (Weekly)
• Lakewood Connections and Recreation Brochures (Quarterly)
• Public Notices
• Coffee with the Mayor (Monthly)
• Bids, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Qualifications (RFQs)

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