The Suburban Times

A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County.

Lakewood City Manager report to council, December 10

By

Lakewood City Manager Andrew Neiditz report to council, December 10:

* City tackles Pre-Thanksgiving Day – Snow Fall Event: Throughout the recent snow event, Public Works with the support of Parks personnel maintained a 24 hour street sanding and de-icing operation. The operation started on Sunday November 21st prior to the snow with an application of a de-icing agent to the streets. Unfortunately, the weather front produced a little rain which negated that effort so it was stopped. On Monday the 22nd at 7:00 a. m., the de-icing operation started up again and continued until the crew transitioned into a sanding and deicing operation by 3:30 p. m. The sanding and de-icing operation continued non-stop until 4:00 p.m. on the 24th. The City had all its equipment out which consisted of two dump trucks equipped with snow plows and sand spreaders, a 1-ton pickup equipped with a snow plow and a drop-in sanding unit, and a flat bed truck rigged for deicing. During the peak of the snow fall, the City’s operation was overwhelmed as were other agencies’ operations within the Puget Sound area. With 181 center-line miles or 485 lane miles of streets to maintain during this event, the crew’s efforts were limited to maintaining the drivability of South Tacoma Way, Bridgeport Way and Steilacoom Blvd. In total the crew spread 150 tons of sand, 60 tons of salt and applied 2,500 gallons of de-icing agent. The total miles covered by the materials were in excess of 450 lane miles. The total operational cost for this 4-day snow event was about $20,700.

* Lakewood hosts University Place municipal court launch reception: The Cities of Lakewood and University Place hosted a celebratory event on November 30th to recognize the formation of the new University Place Municipal Court, to be located at Lakewood City Hall. University Place entered into an interlocal agreement with the City of Lakewood to provide municipal court, prosecution and public defender services, which will commence on January 1, 2011. The program included a presentation on the municipal court process by Judge Heller and the Court Administrator, as well as comments by both mayors. The 60 attendees present also toured Court and Legal facilities, including the holding cell and inmate transport van. Both Cities’ officials and staff were very complimentary of the program and information presented.

* LPD Detective earns Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst status: Detective Bryan Johnson earned the certification level of “Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst” (CSCSA). This is the highest level of International Crime Scene Investigation Certification governed by the IAI (International Association for Identification) There are currently fewer than 350 people in the U.S. and Canada who have achieved the ”Senior Crime Scene Analyst” Certification and only 10 in the Pacific NW Region.

* City staff briefs Lakewood Organization of Community Active Landlords (LOCAL) on medical marijuana: CSRT Attorney Mike Savage spoke to Lakewood Organization of Community Active Landlords (LOCAL) regarding medical marijuana, at their November monthly meeting. Some landlords were seeking information about the legality of tenants smoking or growing marijuana in their apartments when they claimed it was for medical purposes. Under the state medical marijuana statute codified in RCW Chapter 69.51A, qualified patients can possess, use and grow marijuana for medical purposes under certain legal conditions, but not in public view. Mike suggested that landlords call the police if they observed marijuana being consumed or possessed in their apartment building, since it is law enforcement’s responsibility to evaluate whether the use of marijuana is lawful under the medical marijuana statute.

* CSRT staff attends meeting with Joint Base Lewis-McChord Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board: Lt. Mauer participated in a meeting at Joint Base Lewis-McChord with the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board on December 1st. This Board has representatives from all branches of the military which discuss a wide range of issues related to military personnel. The meeting included discussion of issues with bars in Lakewood and the process for that Board to assist with problems at local bars. There was reference to the courtesy patrol which is very popular with Lakewood PD and Tacoma, as well as the local bar owners, and there were assurances that the courtesy patrol would continue.

* 14 from Lakewood complete emergency First Aid and CPR training: Fourteen local residents completed First Aid and CPR training through the City’s Emergency Sheltering program on Saturday, December 4th. The American Red Cross provided the instruction, and the training fees were paid by a Pierce County Emergency Sheltering grant award. In a crisis situation, if the City opens emergency shelter sites, we now have many shelter volunteers trained in first aid and CPR who can assist evacuees. The First Baptist Church of Lakewood has provided continuing strong support of the City’s sheltering program.

* Additional arrests in Wal-Mart homicide case: Major Crimes/Homicide Detectives made three arrests this week of subjects who helped the defendants in the Wal-Mart homicide case from last year. An adult male and two adult females were taken into custody and booked for rendering criminal assistance.

* CSRT conducts briefing to Lakewood’s Public Safety Advisory Committee on their progress: Lt. Steve Mauer presented information on the Community Safety Resource Team to the Lakewood’s Public Safety Advisory Committee on December 1st, including a review of the latest progress report. In addition, he presented information on gated communities, traffic symbols for bike lanes and also discussed crime stats in the city. Committee members’ questions were recorded for follow-up.

* HR Director earns recertification as IPMA Certified Professional: HR Director Debra Young received notice that she has met all of the criteria to be recertified as an IPMA-HR Certified Professional (IPMA-CP), for the next three years. The requirements of this certification include continuous education and a leadership role in a recognized professional human resource association.

Comments

  1. The lack of sand/salt on 104th the a.m. was a shock to the neighborhood. This is usually taken care of. It was a total failure by the city and cost many folks their vehicles. It was not raining the night before (it was below freezing) and should have been done as it has been in the past. This was just an abject failure by the city when everyone else knew what was coming. Butte Drive was just as dangerous. We, along with many others, where at a loss as to why that hill which for years has been taken care of was not this time. We advised those that didn’t fare well to file a claim against the city. We were lucky because of the type of vehicle we have and our skills — others were not. Neiditz strikes again!

  2. The pre-Thanksgiving snowstorm was very difficult for agencies and citizens throughout the Puget Sound – just ask those who sat in their cars for 10-12 hours on I-5 south of Seattle. This was the City’s first opportunity to conduct full snow and ice operations since taking over this service from Pierce County. The 104th Street SW and Butte Dr. SW roads are currently on the city’s snow and ice routes because they are significant arterials that many residents rely upon. These streets were treated with a brine solution (a saltwater mix) during the storm that in hindsight was applied with insufficient quantity. Another culprit during this storm was the inability of the city’s supplier to deliver sufficient salt on time. We had ordered 90 tons but only received 30 tons, all of which we expended in less than a day. We have fixed that situation and now have 250 tons of salt and 250 tons of sand on hand in addition to 60 tons of a salt and sand mixture. Beyond 104th and Butte, the City identified other hilly areas in Lakewood that we need to address during snow and ice removal operations.

    Some growing pains, lessons learned, and adjustments should always be expected when new services are implemented under difficult circumstances. As we make these adjustments, we have no doubt that our citizens will continue to get a much higher level of service than in years past with respect to snow and ice removal.

    On a final note, drivers have a responsibility to know the capabilities of their vehicles and their own driving skills; often, the better part of valor is discretion when dealing with icy roads.

    Jeff Brewster
    Communications Director
    City of Lakewood
    (253) 983-7761

  3. Beyond doubt, one of the things Lakewood taxpayers are paying for, and therefore have every reason to expect, is safe streets. Lakewood taxpayers are not paying for Neiditz’ excuses for failed services here presented by Jeff Brewster. Neiditz insisted on severing his contract with Pierce County on the basis that PC was not providing the winter storm services for which they were hired, and that he could do it better – and cheaper. In other words, by terminating the PC contract, Neiditz personally set forth his belief that failure to provide services is grounds for termination. Based on his own apparent belief, and obvious practice, it can be safely presumed that his own contract with the taxpayers should be terminated for the very same reasons as was his contract with PC – failed services which cost too much.

    N.B.: that Neiditz does not personally stand accountable for his failure; he, instead, sends his Brewster forward with placebo excuses. Neiditz, who wrote in the Fall issue of Connections, “As I reflect on ‘integrity’, I recognize the simple dictum of ‘telling the truth’, and the importance of honesty in communication… . Being truthful means acknowledging mistakes… certainly not brushing them under the proverbial carpet for no one to see. … Lakewood should expect that its city government would subscribe to the highest standards in professional conduct in all its programs and departments.”

    Clearly, beyond doubt Neiditz failed to provide safe streets to Lakewood taxpayers – a failure which caused many taxpayers to have many vehicle accidents. In the Brewster litany of excuses, there is no mention – none whatsoever – about city responsibility for the many vehicle accidents at the bottom of the hill on 104th, and elsewhere. There is no mention – none whatsoever – about the much-needed service of community clean up following the recent horrific storm through which Lakewood taxpayers suffered. All we hear from Brewster is excuses for obviously failed town hall services. Denying both town hall accountability and culpability, Brewster writes, “…drivers have a responsibility to know the capabilities of their vehicles and their own driving skills; often, the better part of valor is discretion when dealing with icy roads.”

    Truth be told, Lakewood residents, unlike Brewster, who does not pay Lakewood property taxes, depend on Neiditz’ (failed) integrity to provide them with safe streets for their commutes.

    The bottom line is: Neiditz is, again, not true to his rhetoric.

  4. Mr. Brewster — Neiditz’ first test at providing Lakewood taxpayers with safe, drivable streets was an abject failure – far short, in fact, of what Pierce County had been doing.

    I used to own a business, albeit a small one. If you are going to take over something from someone (as Lakewood did) do you not find out how they do something before you “bid” or plan to take it over? There was no excuse for what happened and to compare it to the issue on I-5 is like, may I say apples and oranges. Why would citizens in Lakewood have not expected to have the roads as they have been for the last few years? And as usual with Neiditz’ penchant for secrecy I had no idea that Pierce County was no longer maintaining the roads and now Lakewood was.

    == UNEDITED COMMENTS BY SUE MITCHELL ==

    Mr. Brewster — Neiditz’ first test at providing Lakewood taxpayers with safe, drivable streets was an abject failure – far short, in fact, of what Pierce County had been doing.

    I used to own a business, albeit a small one. If you are going to take over something from someone (as Lakewood did) do you not find out how they do something before you “bid” or plan to take it over? Your letter, Mr. Brewster, (and may I say I realize you are the lackey or lapdog sent out to protect his master who feeds him) is amazingly unapologetic and disgusting. There was no excuse for what happened and to compare it to the issue on I-5 is like, may I say apples and oranges. Why would citizens in Lakewood have not expected to have the roads as they have been for the last few years? And as usual with Neiditz’ penchant for secrecy I had no idea that Pierce County was no longer maintaining the roads and now Lakewood was. It does not surprise me that Mr. Narcissistic Neiditz wants to take credit for all things that might prove successful, but when they fail, he sends out his lackey to blame and ATTACK the public. Mr. Narcissistic, although he is quick to state otherwise, seems to find it deplorable to stand personally accountable for what is obviously his personal failings.

    And may I digress to say, many assume we are not fond of him for some strange reason. Check his history. You know the public should research what happened in Pierce County government under his watch. This is not a man, in my never humble constitutionally protected opinion, that is overtly honest as he readily likes to tout. There was some very dicey stuff which took place under his watch in Tacoma that was frankly, horrifically scandalous.

    There are still questions about his past relentless desire to put a jail in Lakewood. He was quite upset with me for mentioning this when he came to a meeting when he first arrived here, to the point where he, obviously seeking to intimidate me by, shall we say “strongly” mangled my hand during his abusive handshake to the point of disabling my ability to work the rest of the day.

    Also there is the question of the Tacoma jail and its location and why it is where it is, etc. That is another long story and a questionable one for another day. And his supervisory skills in the morgue, etc.

    But no, many of us are not fond of him because he has a history we will NOT forget. His self-imagined honesty and integrity are only as real as were Bush’s imagined Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

    I also will never forget the fact that I never saw him so livid as the day I told him what he does on his computer (then I corrected myself) and said what he does on MY COMPUTER (at city hall) is my business. You see, sir, I paid for it as did the rest of the citizens of Lakewood. What you do on our computers is OUR BUSINESS. I have never seen anyone so livid as was Mr. Neiditz with that comment. I think that in and of itself spoke volumes.

  5. Also, noteworthy is the fact that neither Neiditz nor Brewster has mentioned here, or previously, that town hall, i.e., Lakewood taxpayers, was on September 3, 2010, Ordered by Pierce County Superior Court to pay Cost Management Services $391,361.35 plus both pre- and post-judgment interest as partial payment for excessive tax collection. The Superior Court Order is now in the process of Appeal. The full amount of this suit is for $715,949.05, plus pre- and post-judgment interest which CMS states it overpaid the City.

    The litigation notwithstanding, in light of the fact that it was brought in very early February, 2010, is that Neiditz, claiming “As I reflect on ‘integrity’, I recognize the simple dictum of ‘telling the truth’, and the importance of honesty in communication… . Being truthful means acknowledging mistakes… certainly not brushing them under the proverbial carpet for no one to see” has made absolutely no mention of it to the public – to the taxpayers. Additionally, more than somewhat peculiar is the fact the Brewster, writing as ‘Communications Director’ for the City of Lakewood has also made no mention of this litigation which could cost Lakewood taxpayers more than a considerable amount of change.

    If taxpayers want to learn about such matters in Lakewood, they must file PDR’s.

    ==UNEDITED COMMENTS BY FREDERIC CORNELL==

    Also, noteworthy is the fact that neither Neiditz nor illusionist Brewster has mentioned here, or previously, that town hall, i.e., Lakewood taxpayers, was on September 3, 2010, Ordered by Pierce County Superior Court to pay Cost Management Services $391,361.35 plus both pre and post judgement interest as partial payment for excessive tax collection. The Superior Court Order is now in the process of Appeal. The full amount of this suit is for $715,949.05, plus pre and post judgement interest which CMS states it overpaid the City.

    The litigation notwithstanding, in light of the fact that it was brought in very early February, 2010, is that Neiditz, claiming “As I reflect on ‘integrity’, I recognize the simple dictum of ‘telling the truth’, and the importance of honesty in communication… . Being truthful means acknowledging mistakes… certainly not brushing them under the proverbial carpet for no one to see” has made absolutely no mention of it to the public – to the taxpayers. Additionally, more than somewhat peculiar is the fact the Brewster, writing as ‘Communications Director’ for the City of Lakewood has also made no mention of this litigation which could cost Lakewood taxpayers more than a considerable amount of change in teal.

    If taxpayers want to learn about such matters in Lakewood, they must file PDR’s – and then suffer the relentless harangues, even outright falsehoods, volleyed at their person by both Neiditz and Brewster who respectively claim ‘honesty in communication and integrity in conduct’, and to be the water boy for the aforementioned pharisee.

  6. Ms. Mitchell –

    I think you’ll be satisified with the work our public works crews in future snow storms. We don’t disagree that 104th could have been maintained better, but even successful small business owners don’t always get it exactly right the first time. Overall, we had few complaints throughout the city, so I hope you can cut them a little slack.

    I do know that we endeavored to get the word out about taking street maintenance in-house. For example, it was referenced twice in Lakewood Connections over the last year: on page 6 of the spring 2010 issue and on page 3 of the fall 2009 issue in the city manager’s column (links below). Connections goes out to all 33,000 addresses in Lakewood (residential and business). No publication has better distribution in Lakewood. We can and do suggest stories of interest to local media, but they don’t always run with them.

    www.cityoflakewood.us/documents/government_relations/lakewood_connections/lakewood_connections_2010_04.pdf

    www.cityoflakewood.us/documents/government_relations/lakewood_connections/lakewood_connections_2009_fall.pdf

  7. It is nice to know such extreme censorship is alive and well. I have a friend in another state who cannot believe that if you write a letter to the newspaper it is not automatically published. (She said, are your kidding?). She was even more shocked when I told her they will cut out what you say if they don’t like it.

    Can’t wait to tell her what happened to my on-line post when I had just informed her at least we still have the Suburban Times. Not anymore, we don’t.

  8. Are you kidding me Sue? Since when did newspapers “automatically” publish every opinion letter submitted? Back in the day, all letters had to get through a crusty editor to get on the opinion page. Nowadays, anyone with an internet connection can rant about things they know little to nothing about and that seems to have degraded, not improved, community dialogue.

    Maybe the SubTimes is just trying to establish a baseline of civility on these pages. Good for them.

  9. Alan, I was shocked when she said every letter was published. But I was more shocked at what part of my letter was left out.

    I can understand changing or eliminating some part (or slang/nicknames) used but certainly no excuse for eliminating what I said. It was protectionism that I don’t like to see. I know why it was done, it was just sad to see that person having so much control over so many people and publications. I thought the Suburban Times was not the TNT, and naive enough to think it hadn’t gone that far yet.

  10. For five-and-one-half years I’ve published The Suburban Times. From the start, I created The Suburban Times to allow the myriad voices from our community a place to be heard. Furthermore, also from the start, I left my opinion out of the conversation. Prior to this week, I allowed all comments to be published to the site for all to read, unedited. Well, this week I edited (some might say censored) two comments.

    Both Frederic Cornell’s and Sue Mitchell’s comments have been restored (unedited) below the edited version.

    In the future, if I have a question or concern about a comment, I will contact the author directly. If anyone reading a comment posted to this site is offended or otherwise troubled by a comment, please post your concerns to the site. After all, it is only through healthy discussion can we really learn.

    I will work to make certain all sides stay respectful of a divergent view.