Highlights from the weekly report (December 4) from City of Lakewood Manager, Andrew Neiditz to the Mayor and Council Members:
- Strong community and regional support for Lakewood: As the City of Lakewood prepares to honor our fallen officers –Mark Renninger, Greg Richards, Tina Griswold, and Ronald Owens — at the December 8th memorial service, the community has outreached to us with tremendous support. The law enforcement community around the region and nationally has stepped forward to support Lakewood. Police officers as well as city employees from other jurisdictions will assist Lakewood operations during the memorial service.
- Christmas Tree Lighting: The City’s annual Christmas tree lighting took place on December 4th at City Hall, with Mayor Richardson officiating. Alex Heyward, daughter of 4/2 Stryker Brigade Cavalry Squad Commander Heyward and his wife Whitney, successfully pulled the switch lighting the blue lights on the tree. Music was provided by the Lakes High School Choir, the Mann Middle School Choir, and the Lakewood Community Orchestra.
- Union Ave Sewer Construction Community Meeting: Public Works held a community meeting on December 3rd at the Galloping Gertie’s restaurant in Tillicum regarding the sewer construction work on Union Avenue and a portion of Berkeley. All the property owners and/or businesses along Union from Berkeley to Maple and along Berkeley from Union to Washington were notified of the meeting. About 25 people were in attendance. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss with the property/business owners this phase of the construction as it will be disruptive. To minimize its impact on the businesses, the mainline sewer work will be constructed at night (7 PM to 6 AM). In addition, through the contractor’s willingness to bring in additional crews, the anticipated three month construction schedule for this work has been compressed down to about six weeks. During the day, the road will be reopened for the businesses. The participants seemed appreciative of the City’s effort to minimize the negative impacts.
- Lake Steilacoom algae advisory lifted: The City has been advised that the Tacoma-Pierce Health Department has lifted its Toxic Algae Advisory for Steilacoom Lake.
- PSRC grant presentation for Woodbrook intersection: The City made a presentation on December 2nd to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) in Seattle for potential Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant funding of the Murray Rd and 150th St Intersection Widening & Signalization project in Woodbrook. The City is seeking a $500,000 EDA grant for its $1,000,000 intersection improvement project. The City competed against four other projects, and a King County project was ranked first. Our presentation ranked a close second place and we were encouraged to continue to pursue the EDA funding.
- University Place City Council presentation on Lakewood municipal court contract: The city attorney and city manager met with the UP City Council on November 30th to answer questions about the proposed contract to provide court services to University Place starting in 2011. The UP City Council spoke in positive terms about the service components of the agreement, and unanimously approved the contract, pending action by the Lakewood City Council.