Lakewood City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin For January 29, 2021

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

January 28, 2021

Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery Plan – Pierce County eligible to enter Phase 2 starting Monday, February 1, 2021

On January 28, 2021, Governor Inslee announced that the Puget Sound Region, which includes Pierce County, is eligible to enter Phase 2 starting Monday, February 1, 2021. 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%.

New number connects callers to non-emergency police, fire and medical assistance.

South Sound 911 has a new non-emergency phone number: 253-287-4455.

This number – or its in-state toll-free counterpart, 800-562-9800 – should be called instead of 911 when the situation does not require immediate police, fire, or medical response. Using the non-emergency line helps keep 911 available for true emergencies – imminent threats to life or property, or in-progress crimes.

Example situations where the non-emergency line is appropriate include:

• Burglary which occurred while you were away and there is no suspect or threat of danger
• Vandalism that is not in-progress
• Fireworks complaints

South Sound 911 recommends adding the 253-287-4455 non-emergency number to contact lists before the old line is discontinued. The new phone numbers launched in advance of the agency’s move to a new facility in Tacoma. The new facility will consolidate South Sound 911 services and its four current locations under one roof.

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 February 22 and will hold a public hearing on the Station District Subarea package on March 5 at 7:00 pm.

View background information and all the latest at www.lakewoodstation.org

Washington State Traffic Safety Commission Target Zero Campaign

The mission of Washington State Traffic Safety Commission’s Target Zero Plan is focused on reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Washington’s roadways to zero by 2030. In response Traffic Safety Officials launched a January campaign focused on “Older Drivers”. To view the video included in the campaign visit: https://youtu.be/jWrV7GxC5p0

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

Tacoma Tideflats Subarea Plan: Virtual Community Kickoff

You’re invited to join the City of Tacoma for a Tacoma Tideflats Subarea Plan Virtual Community Kickoff!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021 AT 5 PM PST – 6:30 PM PST

With vital saltwater and estuarian habitat for marine life, a world-class port and economic engine for industry and manufacturing, and the ancestral lands of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Tideflats subarea is a center of cultural, environmental, and industrial importance. Help kick-off planning for the future of this important community asset. To learn more or to RSVP for the virtual meeting please visit: cityoftacoma.org/tideflatsplan

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.

UPDATE: Contest submission deadline is now February 15, 2021

Prizes are sponsored by TwinStar Credit Union

Raffles sponsors include TwinStar Credit Union, Pierce County Library, Lakewood Sister Cities Association, and Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.

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

Transportation Updates

VETERANS DRIVE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

This project is rebuilding 1.63 miles of Veterans Drive into a two lane road with curb, gutter, sidewalk, bike/pedestrian path, streetlights, and landscaping. The project adds roundabouts to three key intersections.

While restrictions at Veterans and Gravelly Lake Drive are no longer in place fulltime, detour signage remains up in effort to reduce the level of traffic within the project’s limits. Unless the contractor is actively working in the section between Edgewood and the American Lake Veteran’s Administration Medical Center (VA), the North Lake and American Avenue detour will not be necessary.

To read more about the Veterans Drive project and see overhead shots of the project on the project website.

JBLM-NORTH ACCESS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

In totality, this project completely rebuilds a 3.5-mile stretch of road along the Washington Blvd/North Gate Rd/Edgewood Ave corridor from the western city limit to Gravelly Lake Drive. It also will rebuild a section of Vernon Avenue between Washington Boulevard and Veterans Drive. Gravelly Lake Drive will also see two sections rebuilt, one between Washington Boulevard and Veterans Drive and the second section just east of its intersection with Veterans Drive to Nyanza Road.

The project will be split into two phases:

JBLM North Access Project – Phase 1: This phase of the project will rebuild Gravelly Lake Drive between Washington Blvd and Nyanza, a total of 0.98 miles in length.

JBLM North Access Project – Phase 2: This phase of the project, which totals 1.61 miles, will make the following improvements add curb, gutter, sidewalks (both sides), associated storm drainage, overlay, landscaping, bike lanes, and lighting along North Gate Road, Edgewood Drive, and Washington Blvd between Edgewood and Interlaaken

Learn more about the project and various phases here.

Currently, construction has not started on this project. Phase 1 is anticipated to get started in late spring/summer of 2021.

City Council February 1, 2021 meeting preview

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.

• Youth Council Report
• Clover Park School District Report
• Accepting a donation from Commencement Bay Rowing Club for the Harry Todd Park Improvement Project
• Reappointing John Mayfield and Michael Lacadie and appointing Dirk Wooten to the Community Services Advisory Board through December 15, 2024
• Appointing Phillip Combs to serve on the Planning Commission through December 15, 2021
• Resolution expressing support for full exercise of authority allowed under Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 12.15.
• Reports by the City Manager – Lakewood CDBG CARES Act Update (CDBG-CV 1 & 3)
• Reports by the City Manager – HOME & CDBG Primer and Update on FY 2021 Funding Process
• Reports by the City Manager – Review process for appointment to Lakewood City Council Position 5

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.