Highlights from the weekly report (December 11) from City of Lakewood Manager, Andrew Neiditz to the Mayor and Council Members:
- Community support for Lakewood officers: The City of Lakewood honored our fallen officers –Mark Renninger, Greg Richards, Tina Griswold, and Ronald Owens — at a memorial service on December 8th in the Tacoma Dome. We were joined by thousands of law enforcement and public safety officers from around the nation and Canada. The community throughout the area and the region has outreached to us with tremendous support. Citizens are encouraged to contribute directly on-line at www.lpig.us or by mailing a check to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild at the police station or at the address on their website. The strong community support for our police department is instrumental to our ability to carry on and do our public duty.
- Tillicum/Woodbrook Sewer Project Phase II bidding: Public Works will advertise for bids on December 15th for the construction of the Woodbrook/Tillicum Sanitary Sewer project Phase II with bid opening scheduled for January 5th. This project is the missing link that connects the sanitary sewer system presently being constructed in the Woodbrook/Tillicum area to the County’s system on Pac Highway in the Ponders areas. The completion date of this project is anticipated to be June 30, 2010 which coincides with the July/August anticipated completion date of the earlier phase. With the completion of both these projects, the Woodbrook/Tillicum sewer system will be potentially operational. The timing of its actual operation, however, will depend upon the City’s ability to secure sufficient connections from the abutting properties to meet the minimum sewerage flow necessary for system functionality.
- New councilmembers’ orientation: The city manager and senior staff met with newly-elected city councilmembers Jason Whelan, Mary Moss, and Mike Brandstetter on December 11th to present basic information about the City organization and operations. Topics covered included general overview, council-manager gov’t structure, communications, meeting logistics, legal overview, budget and revenue picture, public safety operations, and development issues. The new members will be sworn in on January 4th, along with recently re-elected Doug Richardson.
- Orientation for three new CTAC members: The city manager, city attorney, and public works director met with three newly-appointed members of the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee on December 1st to provide an overview of public works priorities and the committee work plan for 2010.