Weekly Info Bulletins

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 5/18/2012

Details: Category: Weekly Info Bulletins; Published on Friday, 18 May 2012 14:11

May 18, 2012
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

Kids Fish-In Event: Join the Parks, Recreation and Community Services department Saturday, May 19^th for the Kids Fish-In Event. A fun event for kids ages 5 – 14 to learn to fish and get a rod and reel and up to two fish all for only $10. For more information about this event, please contact the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at (253) 983–7887.
Police launch new Face book and Website pages: The Lakewood Police Department launched their brand new Face book page and new and improved website this week. The Face book page has already received well over 200 "likes" and is climbing daily, with a lot of feedback coming through from citizens via phone and email. The addition of a Face book page is the second part of a social media push that began with a Twitter account in 2010 and is an effort to disseminate information quickly and easily to the community using those forms of media that are proven to be the most far-reaching in today's society. Not only can people find information on the Police Department on FB and Twitter, but the Police Department can use these sites for information/assistance requests on active investigations and/or suspects.
New combined “Connections Newsletter and Recreation Guide”: In an effort to conserve resources, the City has combined the Lakewood Connections Community Newsletter and the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Recreation Guide. Inside the new issue, you can read about city news as well as special activities for citizens to enjoy this summer. Check out the Spring/Summer Issue online at www.cityoflakewood.us or for a paper copy visit City Hall.
Public Works receives grant from DOE: Public Works has been offered up to $976,573 in grant funds from the state Department of Ecology to replace the remaining obsolete storm water drywells in Lakewood. After negotiating a grant funding agreement this year, construction should take place in 2013.
Police chaplain graduates from Chaplains Academy: After completing 55 hours of training, Jason Woods graduated from the Police and Fire Chaplains Training Academy on May 10th. He has completed the basic requirements for the International Conference of Police Chaplains and the Federation of Fire Chaplains. Jason was one of four honor students selected to speak at the graduation ceremony.
Community-building Workshop: The Community Safety & Resource Team (CSRT) sponsored a community-building workshop on May 17^th which was attended by about 40 citizens. The meeting provided an opportunity to explore avenues for community involvement and neighborhood problem-solving. Information tables were established with participation by about 18 departments and agencies to provide resource information to participants. Speakers included the mayor, the city manager, and Lt Mauer, who manages the CSRT. Special guest speaker was Cary Bozeman, the former mayor of both Bellevue and Bremerton, who spoke about community involvement.
Lakewood hosts PSRC bus tour of freeway congestion sites: Dan Penrose, the City’s project manager for the South Sound Military & Community Partnership, hosted a bus tour for the Puget Sound Regional Council’s transportation policy board to visit the Interstate 5 improvement project sites through the JBLM area. About 35 elected officials from the region participated. PSRC will play an important role in the prioritization of grant-funded transportation projects.
Oakbrook Golf Course and Restaurant now open to the public: Economic Development staff met with Ryan Moore Group (RMG) staff at Oakbrook this week. The golf course at Oakbrook is now open to the public as well as RMG subscribers. The restaurant, closed for a time to accomplish remodeling, has re-opened with the new name “Oakhouse.” The restaurant and bar are now open to the public, and patio seating will be available during the warm weather.
Black Bear opens second location: Black Bear Yogurt opened a second store in Lakewood this week. The drive-thru and walk-up location serving frozen yogurt and espresso is located at the corner of Bridgeport Way and Mt. Tahoma Drive.
MayFest at Lakewold Gardens: The Lakewood Arts Commission hosted a juried art exhibit during MayFest at Lakewold Gardens. Local artists including Marjorie Mankin, Doloris Martin, Cindi Baij, Shirley Petersen and Werner Dillenberger were recognized for their artwork. A reception was held on May 11th to meet the artists. The Arts Commission’s visual arts committee coordinated the art exhibit and produced a display of paintings.
Community Garden Ribbon Cutting: After over a year of planning, approximately 40 potential farmers attended a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 14th to mark the official opening of the Lakewood Community Garden. The garden is located in back of the building that previously served as the Lakewood Police Station. The First Baptist Church of Lakewood has purchased the facility and donated a section for a community garden. The garden wouldn’t be here today without the hard work and dedication of many including the City of Lakewood Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, Clover Park School District, Clover Park Kiwanis Club, Emergency Food Network, Forterra and the community volunteers on our garden leadership team and those who filled the garden boxes with dirt and moved a lot of chips to create the garden pathways. The garden is a work in progress and we’re excited to watch this garden grow. As they said at the first meeting on April 12, 2011 “We are not just growing a garden. We are growing a community!” Persons interested in reserving a spot in the garden can contact the Lakewood Parks Department at (253) 983-7887.

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 5/11/2012

Details: Category: Weekly Info Bulletins; Published on Friday, 11 May 2012 13:54

May 11, 2012
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

Business Outreach in Lakewood: Staff continues to ramp up efforts to reach out to local businesses. This week’s visits included a local grocer, two additional retailers, and two communications companies. This year we’ve visited with 51 existing businesses so far, several startup companies, and have provided resources for business support and expansion. One can contact our economic development department to find out more about how the city of Lakewood can help businesses succeed.
Human services “return on investment”: Staff analyzed the cash investment in Lakewood for human services programs funded in 2011 to present information to the Lakewood City Council at its April 23^rd meeting. The results indicated that Lakewood’s investment of $366,000 in programs leveraged funds and contributed another $7,255,946 into the community. When factoring in donations to programs, the total investment into Lakewood by funded programs for 2011 was $10,674,928.
Invista in Lakewood: The City’s economic development manager and the city manager attended the “launch” of the Invista Performance Solutions program on May 1^st at Clover Park Technical College. Invista is a one-stop organization for corporate training which provides customized employee training programs.
Lakewood United speaker: The city manager was the speaker at the regular meeting of Lakewood United on May 10^th. The subject was an update on the City’s operations as characterized by the four guiding principles of Service, Integrity, Teamwork, and Respect.
Community Health Care event: A number of City staff and councilmember s joined in sponsoring a table at the fund-raising event for Community Health Care on May 8^th in Tacoma. The large audience was entertained by a stand-up comedy act featuring a very engaging comedian who has cerebral palsy. CHC operates medical and dental clinics in Lakewood and throughout the region.
CPTC Joint Advisory Committee workshop: The president of Clover Park Technical College hosted their first annual joint session on May 8^th with all 34 of the college’s program advisory committees, consisting of subject matter experts in the various vocational fields. The city manager is a member of the president’s College Advisory Council.
Lakewood Hosts Training by Washington State Archives: On May 3^rd, the Washington State Archives Office provided training sessions on Electronic Records Management and Scan and Toss Requirements/Records Schedule Revisions at Lakewood City Hall. Several Lakewood Records Committee Coordinators attended the training sessions along with other municipal government staff from western Washington.

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 4/27/2012

Details: Category: Weekly Info Bulletins; Published on Thursday, 26 April 2012 17:07

April 27, 2012
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

South Sound 911 Policy Board to meet in Lakewood: At its monthly meeting on April 25^th, the South Sound 911 Policy Board approved the proposal by Lakewood’s mayor to have the board’s regular meeting in the Lakewood council chambers starting in May. The board, which is comprised of elected officials who represent all the member agencies, oversees the policy direction of the new public safety communications agency. The Board meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday. The city manager serves on the Transition Advisory Group for South Sound 911, and Chief Farrar serves on the Combined Operations Board to manage the agency. Lakewood’s mayor will also represent the Policy Board on the committee to recruit an executive director.
11^th Annual Park Appreciation Day: Over 300 volunteers spent a productive morning at six Lakewood park sites on Saturday April 21^st, participating in the 11th annual Parks Appreciation Day event. Projects completed during the three hour event included:
- Hauling 30 yards of garden soil to raised beds for the new community garden
- Spreading 50 yards of wood chips on pathways between the raised beds
- Spreading 100 yards of mulch on existing trails and trimming ivy off trees at Wards Lake Park
- Cleaning the beach front and water, painting a restroom, planting annuals and weeding flower beds at Harry Todd Park
- Planting five fruit trees and picking up litter at Springbrook Park
- Cleaning the beachfront and planting flowers at American Lake Park
- Installing posts for new fencing, completing sections of a split rail fence, planting flowers, pulling invasive plants and installing new grave markers in the historic Fort Steilacoom cemetery within Fort Steilacoom Park.
The City thanks all the local service club members, students, scouts, military families, church families and park users who supported our parks once again by helping to spruce up the park sites for the busy spring/summer seasons.
Lakewood Knights Lions Club speaker: The city manager was the speaker at the Knights Lions Club meeting on April 24^th at CPTC. The subject was the City of Lakewood and its involvement on regional issues.
Café Banana sponsoring fundraiser for Lakewood’s Relay for Life Team: Café Banana is sponsoring a fundraiser to support the City of Lakewood’s Relay for Life Team in the fight against cancer. From Sunday, April 29^th to Thursday, May 4^th, 20% of all gross sales will go to the City’s “Team Emmett.” This is an excellent opportunity to support a local business and a great cause. Café Banana is located in the Great American Casino at 10115 S Tacoma Way.
Human Services Gathers Data on Community Needs: The City’s Human Services department in cooperation with the Human Services Funding Advisory Board gathered data on community need in an effort to help identify gaps in services currently provided under the City’s human services grants. The results of the survey are posted on the City’s website and can be accessed at: 2012 Human Services Needs Assessment
HR staff attend AWC Labor Relations Institute Conference: HR Director rDebi Young and HR Analyst Sarah Borden attended the 32^nd Annual AWC Labor Relations Institute Conference, April 25-27 in Yakima.
LPD wins Helmets vs. Shields Basketball Game: The Lakewood Police Department won the 8^th annual Helmets vs. Shields Charity Basketball Game last Saturday night against West Pierce Fire and Rescue. The score was 75 – 50 and the two charities raised $10,000.

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 5/4/2012

Details: Category: Weekly Info Bulletins; Published on Friday, 04 May 2012 13:05

May 4, 2012
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

Development Update: The Community Development Department issued a total of 349 building permits from January 1, 2012 to the end of April. This permit activity represents construction improvements that total $22,544,336 in value. This is an increase of over $13.5 million in development investment in the community from the same time frame in 2011.
Business Activity Update: In recent business retention and expansion visits, we’ve learned that many businesses are starting to re-hire and/or intend to hire new positions over the next couple of months. We’ve seen an increase in new business licenses, expansions, permits and tenant improvement activity. Access to resources, increased consumer confidence, and an uptick in business orders and contracts are cited as examples of the reasons for increased activity.
Murray Road / 150^th Street – Detour to start next week: The detour for Murray Road and 150^th Street will start next week as the contractor moves operations to start the roadway widening on these roads. All vehicles, except those accessing JBLM Logistics gate, will be detoured to 146^th and Spring Street. See the project newsletter on the City web site for more information.
Bridgeport Way North – PSE Gas Main Installation: Puget Sound Energy will be placing 1,400 feet of 4” gas main at the north end of Bridgeport in the vicinity of Flanagan Road. PSE is trying to complete this work ahead of the City’s project to minimize conflicts with the City’s Contractor and to avoid the need in the future to cut up a newly paved roadway. Public Works staff are evaluating the feasibility of completing this work during the day or night with minimum disruption to the traveling public and adjacent residents. Work will require temporary closure of 1 or 2 southbound travel lanes. This work may start as early as next week and last for 2-3 weeks. More information to come.
Lakewood presentation at county management team: The city manager was the speaker at the monthly meeting of the county executive’s management team on May 2^nd. The subject was the City of Lakewood – its priorities and the regional context.
Public Works applies for 8 Grants: This week, the Public Works Department will be submitting eight grant applications for a variety of transportation improvement projects. In the Safe Routes to Schools Program, grants for two Lochburn Middle School projects; in the Federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) / Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program, grants for three Bridgeport Way projects, one South Tacoma Way project, one Gravelly Lake Drive project, and one Lakewood traffic signal upgrade project. The total of all eight grants requests is about $5.7 million.
PD accepts Emergency Food Network Award: Lieutenant Heidi Hoffman attended the 30^th Annual Emergency Food Network Award Banquet and accepted the Corporate/Civic Partner Award for the Lakewood Police Department’s Second Annual Fallen Officer Food Drive. Donations of food and money were accepted during the drive and a total $41,244 and 42,211 pounds of food were collected.
City staff take Advanced Loan Packaging Training to support business expansion: Staff recently participated in the National Development Council’s Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification Program. EDFP is a rigorous, four-course training series that explores the skills essential for the successful practice of economic development – from business credit and real estate finance analysis techniques, loan packaging procedures, and negotiating and problem solving skills, to deal structuring techniques. City staff is available to provide advice and structure loan package deals to assist Lakewood businesses to expand successfully.
Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys (WSAMA) Spring Conference: Several staff from Legal attended the 2012 WSAMA Spring Conference at Skamania Lodge April 25-27. During the conference Ass’t City Attorney Matt Kaser presented a panel discussion with others on Public Records litigation and Mike Savage, communications director, facilitated a session on hot legal topics.
Washington Association of Public Records Officers (WAPRO) Spring Training: WAPRO held its annual Spring Training in Everett on April 19^th. City Clerk Alice Bush serves as past president on the WAPRO Board of Directors. She was also a panel member, along with Paralegal Ann-Marie Evans, for an interactive training session entitled “What Would Scooby Doo Do?”
CPTC provides shelter for families forced out by apartment fire: A formal letter of thanks was sent to the office of the Clover Park Technical College president this week to acknowledge the college’s immediate response to the crisis on April 28^th where a number of residents were made suddenly homeless by the serious fire at the Twin Oaks Apartments on 115^th St Ct SW. A call from Lakewood emergency management to the on duty security officer at the college resulted in use of the Rotunda for shelter.

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 4/20/2012

Details: Category: Weekly Info Bulletins; Published on Friday, 20 April 2012 16:05

April 20, 2012
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

Saturday April 21^st is Parks Appreciation Day: Come out and participate in Lakewood’s 11^th annual Parks Appreciation Day event on Saturday, April 21, from 9am to 12 noon. The weather outlook is for sunny skies. We plan to celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day and Parks Appreciation Day with volunteers helping spruce up Harry Todd Park (8928 North Thorne Lane), American Lake Park (9222 Veterans Drive SW), Wards Lake Park (the 88^th Street South entrance point off of South Tacoma Way), Fort Steilacoom Park (8714 -87^th Avenue SW) and Springbrook Park (12601 Addison Street SW). Please call (253) 983-7758 or contact www.lakewoodparksandrec.com with any questions.
Helmets vs. Shields Basketball Game on April 21^st: Saturday April 21^st is the 8^th annual Helmets vs. Shields Charity Basketball Game between West Pierce Fire & Rescue and the Lakewood Police Department. The game will be held at Pierce College, 9401 Farwest Drive SW, at 6:00 p.m. This has been a great fundraiser for our two charities and all of the money raised is put right back into the community. Tickets are $5 at the door, and there will be a silent auction.
150^th Street and Murray Road Improvement Project: The contractor, Jennings, will be starting construction on 150^th Street and Murray Road in Woodbrook the week of April 23^rd. Work for the first two weeks will mostly take place off of the existing roadway with temporary lane closures. Temporary long-term detours will be established starting in early May and last through construction duration in mid August. Road construction and detour information can be found on the City web site at: /documents/public_works/documents/e1163_mailer.pdf
100^th St Project: (59^th Ave to Gravelly Lake Drive) The contractor, Tucci & Sons, Inc. will be starting a night pipe crew on Monday April 23^rd. They will be installing storm pipe at the intersection of Gravelly Lake Drive and 100^th Street. They will be starting at 7:00pm nightly and working Monday through Thursday night. We will also continue to work on 100^th street during normal working hours Monday through Friday.
Korea Town Meeting: A meeting sponsored by the Korean business community was held on April 17^th at the Old Miro Café, attended by several City staff. Officer Osness spoke on crime statistics in Lakewood, that thefts and burglaries are up slightly, that thieves look for opportunity, and by leaving items in vehicles this creates a good opportunity for thieves. He also explained how to report suspicious vehicles/persons, how and when to call 911, and the importance of building a working relationship with the City and the Police Department. Several pamphlets in Korean on fraud, and how to protect your self from burglaries and theft, were distributed. Lt. Mauer also spoke on the importance of calling 911, and CSO McGinnis spoke on how to mobilize and how to inform each other about potential problems by texting, and face book email calling.
Emergency Response Planning Cell training: The training session on April 19^th included City staff from all departments, and other entities including the West Pierce Fire and the Clover Park School District. Presentations were conducted on In Harm’s Way: “Emergency Evacuation-Difficult Decision Making" and "Development of the Incident Action Plan” and the group conducted a scenario-based Interactive Tabletop Exercise.
World Book Night: As part of World Book Night, Senior Planner Deborah Johnson will be distributing free copies of Sherman Alexie’s book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian prior to the Lakewood City Council meeting on Monday, April 23. UK-based World Book Night, intended to spread a love of reading and books, coincides with UNESCO’s World Book Day and will include the US for the first time in 2012. Thousands of people will give away special-edition World Book Night paperbacks at community venues. The Lakewood Barnes and Noble is serving as a distribution partner for approximately 1,000 books. Johnson chose Alexie’s semi-autobiographical novel, winner of the 2007 National Book Award for Young People’s literature, from among 30 offerings because of his prominence as a Washington state author. Alexie, who lives in Seattle, has produced 22 books as well as an award-winning film.