Lakewood City Council Adopts Sewer Ordinance

Lakewood City Council members approved a controversial sewer fee for Tillicum and Woodbrook that some say unfairly targets lower income residents.

The council voted unanimously Monday night to adopt a public sanitary sewer systems ordinance that would charge $34.19 a month for single-family property owners near a newly built sewer extension in the Tillicum and Woodbrook neighborhoods.

As a result, the poorest communities in Pierce County will have up to three years to pay a sewer fee or earn approval for a deferrment from the city because of a financial hindrance.

You can read a draft of the ordinance here; however, the language was changed in the approved ordinance.

Residents have voiced their concerns, stating that property owners are unable to afford the new fee. If they don't pay within 90 days of receiving a notification letter from the city, they face a fine or even liens on their property.

Dave Clark owns five mobile home parks—four in Woodbrook and one in Tillicum—and said the city could have spread the cost out more fairly. He presented the council several alternatives to offset the cost residents may struggle to pay.

Clark said he owns a total of 144 units, and 120 of them are on the sewer line.

"The sewer system in Woodbrook and Tillicum is a long-term investment," Clark said. "The implementation of the proposed monthly charge for non-sewer users transfers a huge cost to a limited number of properties and appears driven by the short-term goal of placing the system into service."

City officials want to improve economic development in Tillicum and Woodbrook and believe improved infrastructure is necessary in achieving that goal. It cost $18 million to build the 4-mile sewer extension that includes street improvements such as the widening of Union Avenue and is also believed to protect the environment.

"We have tried to find alternatives in the development of this ordinance," said David Bugher, the city’s assistant city manager for development. "It's a fairly contemporary ordinance."

Lakewood City Councilman Mike Brandstetter said he hopes the community understands that the council agonized over this for a good bit.

Councilman Jason Whalen said this was a process started some time ago with the intent to bring Tillicum (and Woodbrook) to a place of development and community that they intended it to become.

The low-flow sewer system is expected to become operational in April and those impacted will be eligible for low-interest or no interest loans to offset the costs.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected. Council members unanimously approved the measure. An earlier version incorrectly described how council members voted.