Community Corner
Lakewood City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin (Dec. 20)
Including the latest info on lowland flooding, construction on 150th Street in Woodbrook, holiday closures for city offices and more.
Posted on Dec. 20, 2019
To: Mayor and members of the City Council
From: John J. Caulfield, City Manager
Find out what's happening in Lakewood-JBLMfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Lowland flooding
The high volume of rain that hit the region starting Thursday and continued into Friday has caused flooding on some of the city’s streets.
City crews spent much of Friday responding to these areas, placing “Water Over Roadway” signs on affected road with high traffic volumes. In most cases the flooding is caused by a backup of the stormwater system, which is overloaded with runoff.
Find out what's happening in Lakewood-JBLMfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
This overload means there is little the city’s crews can do to fix the problem. Once the rain slows and the system drains, the flooding will subside.
Residents who live near storm drains are encouraged to make sure the drains are clear of leaves or other debris, which could impede drainage.
Drivers should remember to drive for conditions: slow down, increase following distances and do not drive through flooded roadways.
ROAD ALERT: 150th Street in Woodbrook
The installation of a sanitary sewer line for the development of a new warehouse in the Woodbrook neighborhood will require the closure of eastbound 150th Street between Murray Road and Spring Street starting Saturday, Dec. 21.
The closure is scheduled to last until Jan. 5, 2020. This is not a city project.
During the installation, 150th Street between Murray Road and Spring Street will be closed to all traffic.
The primary detour route is: 146th Street and Woodbrook Road. Only local traffic will be granted access to 150th Street between Spring Street and Woodbrook Road.
Spring Street between 146th Street and 150th Street will remain open to local traffic.
This work was planned during the Clover Park School District winter break to minimize traffic impacts to district transportation and families dropping students off at Woodbrook Middle School. The contractor will work with WSDOT on its overpass project to minimize traffic disruptions to residents.
The city appreciates the public’s patience while this required private sewer line extension is complete.
Lakewood Officers’ Charity: Shop with a Cop
On Dec. 15, 2019 the Lakewood Officers’ Charity held its annual “Shop with an Officer” event at Walmart on Bridgeport Way.
Thanks to Walmart, Diamond Designs and those who donated to the charity, more than $14,000 worth of merchandise was purchased for 19 Lakewood families. Here is a message from the charity Facebook page:
“We sincerely could not do this amazing event without community partners like Walmart and Diamond Designs and citizens like you!!! THIS is where your donations go, to name just one example. And when you see these faces, and hear their stories… it speaks louder than any words we could come up with. Thank you for helping us help them and make such a huge impact on their young lives! You may not see the ripples, but we can assure you, they are so much farther reaching than you realize! Happy Holidays everyone!!”
To see photos from the event head over to the Lakewood Officers’ Charity Facebook page.
Upcoming City Hall holiday closures
In observance of the upcoming Christmas holiday the following closures are planned:
Tuesday, Dec. 24: Lakewood City Hall, city services, the Lakewood Police Department and Lakewood Municipal Court will close early at 3 p.m. The courtroom will operate on its normal schedule in the afternoon. The Lakewood Senior Activity Center will be closed.
Wednesday, Dec. 25: All city services and buildings will be closed for the Christmas holiday.
New landuse and development code
At its Dec. 16 meeting the City Council adopted a new section of the city’s landuse and development code, referred to in Lakewood Municipal Code as 18A. The council also adopted related amendments to Titles 1, 3, 12, 14, 17, and 18B.
The changes take effect on Jan. 15, 2020. View the update/code language.
Contact Tiffany Speir (tspeir@cityoflakewood.us) with questions.
Own a business in Lakewood? Take our survey
The future of Lakewood is highly dependent on the success of our businesses. We want to know what you think and how we may best assist you to thrive and grow.
If you own a business in Lakewood or do any type of business here, please complete our Annual Business Survey. Your input is extremely valuable!
The survey is estimated to take 10-15 minutes. Please complete by or before Jan. 10, 2020. Each completed survey will be entered into a drawing for a $100 VISA gift card.
Help us shape and refine the services you need for YOUR future! Take the survey
South Sound Military & Communities Partnership survey
South Sound Military & Communities Partnership (SSMCP) is conducting a survey as part of a larger analysis the University of Washington-Tacoma is doing on behalf of the agency to determine the economic impact of Joint Base Lewis-McChord and its services members on the region.
The survey seeks to identify the military-connected customer base of our local businesses, and the effects these shoppers have on our local economy.
Please take the online survey to help with this study.
To read more about the last JBLM Regional Economic Impact Analysis, please visit SSMCP’s website. https://cityoflakewood.us/south-sound-military-and-communities-partnership/our-work/
Slow down: Speed emphasis on now
The Lakewood Police Department’s traffic unit is conducting a speed emphasis at 10 locations around the city through the end of December.
The goal is to address traffic-related issues that have either been reported by residents using the city’s free mobile app, MyLakewood311, or are known problem areas for speeding, as observed by patrol officers.
Officers will be at the below locations largely in the morning and evening during commute times when we typically see our highest traffic volumes. Drivers are reminded to obey speed limits and please drive safely.
- Custer Rd: 75th St. W to 88th St. SW
- Farwest Dr. SW: 9900 block
- Ardmore Dr. SW
- Angle Lane SW
- Elwood Dr. SW
- Nyanza Rd SW
- Interlaaken Dr. SW: 10800 block
- Veterans Dr. SW
- 84th St. S: 3000 block
- 96th St. S: 3300 block
Census 2020: You Count
In the spring of 2020 Lakewood residents can expect to receive the 2020 Census via mail. The U.S. Census Bureau will send up to five mailings, encouraging residents to fill out the survey online, by mail or by phone.
Most areas of the country are anticipated to fill out the survey online, so the first letter most people will receive will be one encouraging them to go online the complete the questionnaire.
Areas determined less likely to respond via the internet will receive a paper questionnaire with the first mailed invitation to take the survey.
Each year, the federal government distributes hundreds of billions of dollars to states and communities based on data, including that gathered during the census county.
Locally these statistics are used to plan for a variety of resident needs including new roads, schools and emergency services. Businesses use census data to determine where to open places to shop.
For those who do not complete the census on or by Census Day (April 1, 2020), in-person house visits will occur. Residents may also see people canvassing neighborhoods to check addresses.
Read more about the census, see a timeline or learn more about temporary work available through the U.S. Census Bureau.
Veterans Brick Update
Did you purchase a brick to be engraved on the Veterans Memorial located outside Lakewood City Hall in Lakewood Towne Center?
The bricks will be engraved in the spring 2020, once the weather warms up and dries out. In order for the on-site engraver to do the work it needs to be dry and temperatures must be above 50 degrees.
Thank you to everyone who purchased a brick for your patience while we continued with the brick sales to be able to engrave them all at one time.
We were able to sell 153 of the 242 bricks remaining at the memorial. We are grateful for our community’s support of our veterans and proud to see this memorial that was dedicated in 2003 by a citizen-led committee come closer to completion.
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: 2 vacancies. Open until filled.
- Lodging Tax Advisory Committee: 4 vacancies. Deadline: Dec. 31, 2019.
Board and commission descriptions, meeting schedule and application form can be found online.
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.
Upcoming Council Meetings
The City Council meets every Monday beginning at 7 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 6000 Main Street SW.
December 23, 2019 – Study Session canceled
January 6, 2020 Regular Meeting
- Swearing-In Ceremony
- Elect Mayor and Deputy Mayor
- Youth Council Report
- Clover Park School District Report
- Public hearing to consider the vacation of the eastern seventy (70) feet of Walnut Street SW right-of-way East of the intersection with Langlow Street SW
- Resolution of support for Proposition No. 1, Clover Park School District No. 400 Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy, coming before the voters on February 11, 2020
- Reports by the City Manager – Transportation Projects Update – Veterans Drive & Onyx Drive
January 13, 2020 Study Session
- Review of citizens’ advisory boards, committees and commission 2020 Work Plans
- Review of City Council liaisons to citizens’ advisory boards, committees and commissions and City Council representation on external committees and boards
- Review proposals to encourage investments in affordable and supportive housing (HB 1406)
- Legacy Plan Update
- Review code amendments related to building structures
This press release was produced by the City of Lakewood. The views expressed here are the author’s own.