By Andrew Neiditz
* Field visit to Wapato Jail: City staff — including probation officer Darrell Knoedler, SGT John Fraser and court compliance officer George Schmalhofer — visited Wapato jail in Yakima County to view the jail facility, discuss transport issues and the possibility of Wapato increasing their inmate housing numbers. The staff was taken to Toppenish jail which is eight miles from Wapato to view that facility as another potential contract with the City of Lakewood for overflow beds when Wapato is at capacity. Lakewood staff was enthusiastically greeted by Toppenish hoping to result in a joint merger to house Lakewood defendants at alternative jails at a savings of $36 per day.
* Training Day for Pro Tem Judges: Judge Heller facilitated a training class for the Pro Tem Judge’s utilized by the Municipal Court with assistance from court administrator Deana Wright on April 13th. Manuals were distributed with Court policies and procedures, alternative sentencing options were reviewed in addition to law updates, and recent appellate decisions regarding trial procedure.
* Wal-Mart Phase II: Wal-Mart has received approval for occupancy of its Phase II grocery sales addition. The grocery portion involved construction of a 42,000 sq. foot addition to the original 150,000 sq. foot building. The project also included a “make-over” of the exterior elevations of the building with Wal-Mart’s updated logos, signage, and color scheme.
* PSE’s upgrade of transmission lines: The City’s Hearing Examiner conducted a public hearing on April 20th to consider a proposal by Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to upgrade a portion of its existing transmission network. The would include removing a portion of the existing transmission system that is located primarily on private property, and replacing it with a new segment located along public right-of-way. The Community Development Department has recommended approval of the project. The Hearing Examiner will issue a decision within 10 days.
* JBLM Growth Coordination Plan Briefing to CABC’s: A power-point presentation was provided to over 25 members of the City’s citizen advisory boards and committees regarding the recently-completed federally-funded JBLM growth coordination plan. Dan Penrose, the project administrator for the planning effort, made the presentation, hosted by the Planning Advisory Board; the meeting included representatives of the Public Safety Advisory Committee, the Redevelopment Advisory Board, the Landmarks & Heritage Board, the Human Services Funding Advisory Board, the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee, and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.
* Parks Appreciation Day: Over 400 volunteers participated in Lakewood’s 10th annual Parks Appreciation Day event on Saturday, April 16th and enjoyed dry weather while working at five park sites in the community. They accomplished multiple tasks at Fort Steilacoom Park, Wards Lake Park, Kiwanis Park, Harry Todd Park and Primley Park. . Statistics for the day were:
o 1 10 yard dumpster filled with debris at HTP
o 2 30 yard dumpsters filled to capacity at FSP and Wards Lake Park
o 5 yards of debris/weeds/branches removed from Primley Park
o 1 vintage tractor prepped for display at FSP
o 720 annuals planted at all park entry points
o 3 trees planted
o 16 burning bushes and 12 rhododendrons planted at Kiwanis Park
o 32 fruit orchard trees cleaned at FSP
o 1 set of barn doors rebuilt at FSP
o 150 yards of mulch laid on trails at Wards Lake Park
o 5 yards of mulch laid in flower beds at Kiwanis Park
o 40 yards of playground fall zone chips laid at Kiwanis Park
o Removal of invasive Scotch Broom plants at FSP
o Water and beachfront cleaned at Harry Todd Park