By Debbie Klosowski, Mayor, City of University Place
Council/Commission Meeting – An annual joint meeting between the City Council and City Commissions was held last Monday, allowing Council to thank commission members for hundreds of hours of volunteer service over the past year. Representatives from the Public Safety, Planning, Economic Development and Parks and Recreation Commission provided brief updates on past accomplishments as well as upcoming work plans.
We rely a great deal on our commissions to delve into issues and provide policy recommendations to Council on a multitude of issues throughout the year. We are indeed fortunate that so many citizens volunteer their time and expertise to help make our City a better place.
Budget Adds & Drops – Interim City Manager Steve Sugg presented his proposed 2011-2012 City Budget to council earlier this month. Now that the Council has had several weeks to review the proposal, it is time for Council to discuss possible “adds” and “drops” to the proposed budget. Council will discuss possible changes to the budget on Monday, November 1 followed by tentative budget adoption on Monday, November 15. The public may comment on these proposals at the meetings or via email, letter or phone.
Shoreline Management – If you live along the water, walk along the beach, scuba dive, kayak, skim board, fish or just like to go boating, you might want to attend a “Shoreline Master Program Community Visioning Workshop” on Thursday, November 4, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall. State law requires the City to update its Shoreline Management Plan. As a result, a Citizens’ Committee is soliciting input from citizens on future regulations regarding shoreline development and recreational uses affecting Day Island, the Chambers Creek Properties, Puget Sound and various waterways including Leach and Chambers Creek. For more information, please contact City Planner Jeff Boers at 460-5410 or jboers@CityofUP.com. Comment forms regarding the proposed plan will also be available on our city website at www.CityofUP.com.
VOTE! – Don’t forget to vote by next Tuesday, November 2. Besides the various statewide initiatives, there are several local races at stake including our Pierce County Council Representative and two state representatives.
Food Bank – As we approach the holidays, visions of turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are swirling in people’s heads. Yet there are many people in our community who are struggling just to put food on the table every day. Donations of non-perishable food items are desperately needed at the Families Unlimited Network (FUN) Food Bank located at 2610 Sunset Drive West. Drop off hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information or to volunteer, please call 460-3134.
Make a Difference Day – Thank you to everyone who showed up (despite the weather!) to clean up several UP parks last weekend. Volunteers filled dumpsters, cut blackberries and did other park maintenance work at Adriana Hess Wetland Park, the Morrison property off 67th and the park property along Brookside Drive. UP residents truly love their parks!
Happy Halloween – Watch out for little ghosts and goblins trick or treating on Sunday! Parents, please accompany your children and make sure they are wearing visible costumes as they make the rounds trick or treating!
As always, I appreciate your comments and questions. Please feel free to contact me at dklosowski@CityofUP.com.