By Debbie Klosowski, Mayor, City of University Place. See Mayor’s UPdate archives at City website.
UP City staff were busy this week putting final touches on upcoming 2011-12 Budget presentations along with overseeing the City’s day to day operations. Budget Hearings – The public is invited to attend all budget meetings which begin next week at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
* Monday, October 4 – Interim City Manager Steve Sugg will present the proposed 2011-2012 Budget followed by individual department presentations regarding Public Safety, City Attorney, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Engineering.
* Tuesday, October 5 – Department presentations regarding the City Manager’s office, City Council, Human Resources, City Clerk, IT/Communications, Finance, Economic Development and Development Services.
Public comment will be taken after the conclusion of department presentations and council questions each night.
Budget Open House – Meet with individual staff members and council on Tuesday, October 19, to discuss budget issues starting at 6:30 p.m.
Public Hearings
* Monday, November 1 – First Public Hearing on the Budget
* Monday, November 15 – Second Public Hearing
* Monday, December 6 – Final Adoption (subject to change)
Budget materials will be available online in early October at www.CityofUPcom. Public comment will be taken at each meeting. Residents are also welcome to email, mail or phone in their thoughts on the budget. Please check the city’s website at www.CityofUP.com or contact the City Clerk at 460-2510 to confirm dates and topics. People unable to attend meetings may view delayed coverage of the overall Budget and department presentations on UPTV as well as the city website.
Candidates’ Forum – Meet the candidates hoping to represent our community in the State Legislature at a 28th District Candidates’ Forum on Wednesday, October 6, at 6:30p.m. at City Hall. Incumbent Troy Kelley and Steve O’Ban are vying for Position 1 while incumbent Tami Green and Paul Wagemann are seeking Position 2.
Drug Drop Off – More than 167 pounds of expired, unwanted or unused prescription medicines were dropped off at the UP Police Station last Saturday during National Drug Drop Off Day. People came from as far away as Mason County and Bremerton to get rid of unwanted drugs, rather than sending them to the landfill or flushing them into Puget Sound. People who were unable to drop off their unwanted drugs can still do so during normal weekday business hours in the police department lobby, located at 3631 Drexler Drive West, behind City Hall.
Emergency Updates – UP residents can sign up for two separate emergency notification systems FREE of charge under programs offered by the City of UP Police Department and Pierce County.
* CodeRED is a City notification system that uses recorded phone calls to alert specific neighborhoods about incidents such as car break-ins and emergency road closures. Residents can sign up for this free service at www.CityofUP.com or by calling 798-4058.
* Pierce County Alert is a fairly new County emergency notification service that can contact people in a multitude of ways (phone, cell phones, email and texting) at work and at home to alert them about severe weather warnings, Amber Alerts, road closures and other public safety issues. To sign up for this service, visit www.piercecountywa.gov or call 798-6595.
Shuttle UP – Seniors seeking transportation to the UP Senior Center meal site program and twice a month grocery trips can take advantage of a FREE shuttle program. Seniors must be UP residents (or affiliated with a partnering organization), age 61 or older, and be independently mobile or aided by a caregiver. Reservations must be made three working days in advance and there must be at least five interested riders for trips to take place.
* Meal site days are Tuesdays and Fridays with lunch served at noon.
* Shopping days are scheduled for October 14 and 28; November 10 and 24; and December 9 and 22.
For more detailed information and reservations, contact the UP Senior Center at 564-1992. Shuttle UP is made possible thanks to a Pierce County Community Development Block Grant.
UPsaurus?? – A huge T-Rex is lurking about in the Montessori in Motion School parking lot thanks to school parents and local artist Jennifer Weddermann-Hay. The metal sculpture, displayed at 7323 27th Street between Bridgeport and 67th, is a recycled metal sculpture using various steel bits and pieces that were welded by the artist into a dinosaur. Thanks to everyone involved for brightening up our community with this fun piece!
The Duck is Coming! – Mark your calendars for the unveiling of “the Duck” on Saturday, October 16, at 1 p.m. in Market Square in front of the new Civic Building.
Native Plant Sale/Green Fair – Check out the first annual Native Plant Sale and Green Fair at the Adriana Hess Wetland Park on Saturday, October 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The park is located at 2917 Morrison Road, one block east of Bridgeport between 27th and 35th. Exhibits include nature photography, landscaping with water features, natural pest control, rain barrel water conservation, rain gardens, community gardens and much, much more. For more information, contact Dixie Harris at 564-6373.
As always, I welcome your comments and questions. Please feel free to contact me at dklosowski@CityofUP.com or 460-2500.
Print This Post