By Dawn Masko, City Administrator, City of DuPont
1. Tree City USA & Growth Award. The City of DuPont has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. This is the fourth year that DuPont has met the four standards required to earn this national designation. DuPont also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for the second year for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program. The prestigious Growth Award honors environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities. More information about Tree City USA can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
2. City Seeks Independent Financial Advisor Services
The City of DuPont announced today that it is seeking proposals from qualified financial advisors to:
- Analyze the City’s new revenue structure – based on the 2013 budget unanimously adopted by the City Council;
- Provide a short and long-term revenue forecast;
- Review the City’s debt capacity and advise on viable refinancing options; and
- Identify and evaluate all available options for our City to fulfill its debt obligations for the Civic Center.
“We are looking long-term and working toward a prosperous future,” said Mayor Grayum. “In order to effectively plan ahead, we must have a solid understanding of our City’s current and future revenue, and continue to explore every viable option for strengthening the long-term financial health of our community.” The City is requesting competitive proposals from qualified independent financial advisors with the capacity and market familiarity not currently available in City Hall.
Interested vendors may view the solicitation documents on the City’s website at www.ci.dupont.wa.us/city-clerk/bids.html or in person at 1700 Civic Drive, DuPont, WA 98327 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Questions can be addressed to Sandi Hines at the above address or by calling 253-912-3300.
3. DuPont PowderWorks Park Field Repairs
The PowderWorks Park soccer field is currently closed for scheduled turf repair and maintenance from April 5th – 18th. No practices, games or other uses of the field are authorized during this period. The field will be available for the Baseball Jamboree on April 20th, but may require additional work depending on weather conditions. We appreciate your assistance in observing the field closure!
4. National Trails Day Art Contest
Youth ages 4 thru 18 are encouraged to enter the “Images of Sequalitchew Creek” Art Contest to help design the poster for National Trails Day. Entries are due to City Hall no later than Tuesday, April 9th at 4:00 PM. Entries will be judged by the DuPont Tourism Board on April 10th. The winning student will have their work showcased on the event poster for National Trails Day. Additional information can be found on the City’s website.
5. Upcoming Meetings – Week of April 8th – 12th
- Planning Agency Meeting Monday, April 8th at 7:00 PM
- City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 9th at 7:00 PM
- Tourism Board Meeting Wednesday, April 10th at 9:30 AM
6. Council Agenda Items – April 9th, 2013
- Proclamation: Pierce County READS
- Presentations: South Sound Heritage League Award to Robinson Family; South Sound Military & Community Partnership Update; Sequalitchew Creek/Edmond Marsh Restoration Plan Update; Swearing in of Fire Lieutenant
- Consent Agenda Items: Claims Vouchers; Interlocal Agreement with Pierce County; Interim Director of Public Safety Contract
* Council Agenda Packet is available on the City’s website.
7. Community Development Update
- CalPortland North Parcel Mining – On March 20th, 2013, DuPont issued the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). Hard copies of the document are available for $87.00 each and compact disks are available for $3.00 each at City Hall. The document is also posted on the City’s website. The SEIS comment period is 45 days and will close at 4:00 PM on May 3rd, 2013.
- Sign Code – New sign regulations became effective with adoption of a new sign code in January 2013. More information on the new sign code requirements can be found on the City’s website.
8. Pierce County READS
What is everyone in Pierce County reading? Join in the fun and be a part of the largest free reading event in Pierce County: Pierce County READS, when thousands of people come together as a community and read copies of the same book at the same time. This year, people will be reading New York Times best seller and award-winning “The Paris Wife” by acclaimed author Paula McLain. The Paris Wife gives an intriguing account of one of the world’s greatest authors, Ernest Hemingway, seen through the eyes of his first wife, Hadley Richardson. This annual event runs through May 17th. Pierce County Library offers the best seller in hardback, paperback, large print, audiobook, and downloadable audiobook and e-book. Talk, share and participate in free events during Pierce County READS. A list of community events can be found by clicking here. People can meet the award-winning author at a free event and book signing at Clover Park Technical College, Sharon McGavick Conference Center, in Lakewood, on Friday, May 17th at 7:00 PM.
9. Cherry Blossom Tea
Spring is just around the corner which means it’s that time again to reserve your seats for the 2013 Cherry Blossom Tea and Vintage Fashion Show. The event will be held on Saturday, April 27th beginning at 2:00 PM at Chloe Clark Elementary School. Last year’s tea was sold out with over 200 ladies attending. This year’s theme is “Puttin’ on the Glitz” and will feature 100 years of Glitz and Glamour vintage fashions modeled by the Goodwill Golden Oldies Guild. Chef Notty will prepare her delicious light tea snacks and desserts. Tickets are $15/individual or $12 per person for a table of 8-10 friends. Let us know if you would like to be a table host and decorate your table. The annual tea is the one major fundraiser of the year for the DuPont Historical Society and DuPont Museum. For information please contact (253) 964-2399 (day) or (253) 882-5943 (evenings & weekends) or email lcumberbatch at msn.com.
10. Parks & Recreation
Please call (253) 912-5245 or go to the City’s website at www.ci.dupont.wa.us for registration information, questions on Parks & Recreation activities, or for volunteer opportunities. Want to know more? Like us on Facebook at “City of DuPont Parks, Recreation & Tourism”.
- A Big Note of Thanks – Many thanks to the Northwest Landing ROA and the numerous volunteers who helped at last weekend’s Annual Egg Hunt. It was a picture perfect day and we couldn’t do it without our countless volunteers. Big Thanks!
- Park Appreciation Day – Join your friends and neighbors on Saturday, April 20th for Park Appreciation Day. Volunteers are asked to check in at 9:00 AM at PowderWorks Park. Park Captains will be on site to help guide volunteers to their assignments. Participants are asked to provide their own rakes, gloves and hats. Clean up efforts will occur city-wide and will conclude at Noon. We already have close to 100 volunteers signed up to help make a difference in our local community. If you are interested in joining in the fun, please contact Parks & Recreation at (253) 912-5245.
- Baseball Jamboree – Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 20th for our Opening Day Jamboree. Teams will play mini games and enjoy hotdogs in the park! Volunteers are needed to help make this event a success, including team picture coordination, BBQ planning, and registration. If you are interested in helping plan this popular event, please contact Parks & Recreation.
- Calling All Crafty Critters –There are 2 classes left in this art series for children ages 3-6. The classes are on April 27th and May 11th and will focus on age appropriate, seasonal art projects. The cost is $10 per class. Classes are held at the DuPont Community Center, 303 Barksdale Avenue. Registration forms are available on our website. Teenagers are encouraged to volunteer to help. Please contact (253) 912-5245 if interested.
- July 4th Planning Committee – Interested in helping plan this year’s July 4th celebration? Consider joining our volunteer committee of local business owners and residents. This is a fantastic and fun way to get involved in your community! If interested, please contact Linda Cumberbatch at lcumberbatch@msn.com.
- Mother’s Day Hanging Basket Fundraiser – As we turn our calendars towards spring, we begin to think about adding color to our winter-stricken yards. The Parks Agency Hanging Basket Fundraiser is currently underway. Hanging baskets are being sold for $35 to benefit Parks & Recreation. The baskets are coming from Shoestring Nursery in Olympia and they are gorgeous! Baskets will arrive just in time for Mother’s Day, which is May 12th. Order forms are available at City Hall or on our website.
- May the 4th Be With You –The popularity of our Princess Tea was quite the buzz around town last year. Several residents have called and asked if the City would consider hosting an event geared towards boys. You asked – we listened! Parents, mark your calendars for Saturday, May 4th for a Star Wars themed “May the 4th Be With You” event. Details of this event will be forthcoming so please continue to check the City’s website for updated information.
- Princess Tea – Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 18th for this year’s royal celebration. Details are available on the City website.
- Spring Track – Registration is now open for spring track! The season runs April 22nd thru June 28th. This is a fantastic program for ages 4 thru 18. Kids will practice Monday and Friday’s from 6:00 – 7:15 PM with meets on some Saturdays. The cost is $135 which includes a uniform. Please contact track coach Mark Brinkhaus with any questions at (253) 948-2401.
- Coast on In For a Blooming Good Time – Parks & Recreation’s annual Auction is scheduled for Friday, May 10th. Last year we raised over $10,000 to support programs and events throughout the City of DuPont. Donations are now being accepted. No donation is too small to help make this auction a success. The auction is being held the Friday prior to Mother’s Day, so plan to bid on one of our gorgeous hanging baskets to take home to Mom! If you are interested in serving on the committee, please contact Amy Walker at (253) 912-5245.
Visit our website for information on other programs and events including Karate, Yoga, Track, Kidz Love Soccer, Dance4Life, and more!
11. Parks Agency Vacancy
The City is seeking interested residents for appointment to the City’s volunteer Parks & Recreation Agency. Eligible applicants must be residents of DuPont for at least one year. Please submit a letter of interest that includes your relevant professional experience, your reasons for desiring to be appointed to this position, and your thoughts on the most significant parks and recreation issues facing the City in both the short and long term, to the City Clerk at City Hall, 1700 Civic Drive, DuPont, WA 98327.
12. DuPont Community Memorial
On November 11, 2010 the City of DuPont dedicated a memorial to honor the citizens of DuPont who have served our nation during the Global War on Terrorism. To especially honor those “who gave the last full measure of devotion” their names are added at the annual City of DuPont Memorial Day Ceremony.
The criteria to be added to the Memorial Wall are:
· Military and civilians who have given their life in defense of our country since we were attacked on September 11, 2001.
· The individual must have lived in DuPont or their parents or spouse live in or did live in DuPont.
· The individual’s death must be combat related or related to training for combat.
Unfortunately, there is no system available that can apply these criteria to casualty lists as they are announced. The DuPont Memorial Committee relies primarily on information from friends and neighbors to insure our memorial is updated as necessary. If you know of someone that may meet the above criteria, please contact Phil Courts at courtship@comcast.net.
13. Secure Your ID Day
The Better Business Bureau is bringing identity protection to DuPont. Secure Your ID Day offers free, safe document shredding and cell phone recycling. Bring used cell phones and up to 3 grocery bags or boxes of unwanted paper documents to America’s Credit Union (1495 Wilmington Drive) on Saturday, April 20th between 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. All documents will be securely shredded on-the-spot, courtesy of Cintas. Cell phones will be wiped of sensitive data and safely recycled courtesy of HopeLine. For information, visit www.bbb.org/secure-your-id , or email events@thebbb.org.
14. WSDOT Projects Move Forward on I-5
Motorists traveling between DuPont and Lacey on Interstate 5 will see some roadway activity this summer as crews working for the Washington State of Department (WSDOT) begin the first of three projects to help traffic move more smoothly between State Route 510 (Marvin Road) and State Route 512 (exit to Puyallup). The first project will install fiber optic cable along the roadway shoulder to support “smart highway” hardware that will be installed in the second project. The “smart highway” hardware coming soon will include ramp meters, closed-circuit TV cameras (that the public will be able to access via WSDOT’s website), and other devices that help WSDOT respond to incidents more quickly, communicate with the public, and better manage traffic flow. The project will have minimal impacts to traffic, with shoulder closures and occasional single-lane night closures. In the coming months, WSDOT will be placing additional project information and temporary construction signage along I-5 and near interchange approaches along the project area. More information can be found on the WSDOT project website.
Later this summer, around July and August, a separate construction project will cause significant traffic congestion just south of DuPont. WSDOT plans to paint the northbound and southbound I-5 Nisqually River bridges at the Thurston/Pierce county line. The two bridges, which haven’t been painted in 25 years, are long due for new coats of paint. To minimize impacts to traffic, most of the work and lane closures will occur during night hours. WSDOT will provide for more information for motorists as the time for that project approaches.
15. Annual Irrigation System Testing
As the season changes, it is also that time of year to have your backflow prevention assemblies tested. These annual tests are required to ensure that the backflow devices installed on irrigation or fire systems are kept in proper operating condition. A properly working backflow device ensures water does not “backflow” from non-potable sources such as irrigation system back into your plumbing or drinking water supply. The City is aggressively working to protect your drinking water supply from contamination through our Cross Connection Control Program. The program ensures that used or non-potable water, or other contaminates do not enter our drinking water system by requiring that cross connection control devices (backflow prevention assemblies) are installed at potential sources of contamination. It also assures that customers continue to take the proper precautions to prevent this type of drinking water contamination through annual inspection and testing of these devices. For additional information on the Cross Connection Control Program please visit the City’s website.
Reminder notices for annual backflow testing have been sent out to many of our businesses. DuPont residents who have landscape irrigation systems will also soon be receiving your annual backflow testing reminder notices.
If you are thinking of installing a landscape irrigation system on your property, we would like to remind you that a permit from the City of DuPont is required. Please contact us at (253) 912-5381 to discuss the permitting and inspection requirements associated with your irrigation system installation. Permitting and inspection requirements can also be found on the City’s website.
16. Puget Sound Starts Here – Mariners Night
Join other Northwest families for a special ticket price on Saturday, May 11th for the second annual Puget Sound Starts Here Night at the Seattle Mariners. Tickets are $29 for lower level and $15 for upper level. All tickets include a Seattle Mariners Puget Sound Starts Here cap. Log on to www.mariners.com/pugetsound using the promotional code of “salmon” to take advantage of this special offer. Game time is 6:10 PM. Cheer on the Mariners as they take on the Oakland A’s and support Puget Sound too!
17. Historical Society Presentation
The DuPont Historical Society is extending an invitation to join historian Drew Crooks as he signs and discusses his new book Edward Lange: An Early Artist of Olympia and Washington State. The presentation will be held on Sunday, April 14th at 2:00 PM at the DuPont Presbyterian Church, 502 Barksdale Avenue. The event is free and refreshments will be served.
Drew Crooks will examine the amazing life and creative achievements of Edward Lange. Born in Germany in 1846, Lange came to Long Island, New York in the mid-nineteenth century. He was a self-taught artist on Long Island for several decades before coming west to Washington State in 1889. His highly detailed drawings were often printed as separate panoramic (or “birds-eye”) views of towns or as illustrations in publications that boosted businesses and communities. The artist died in 1912, but many examples of his charming work still exist. They provide wonderful windows through which we can see the past.
After the presentation, Drew Crooks will be available to sign copies of his books. This publication has over 120 illustrations, many of them full page in size. It is based on ten years of research by the author. For more information please call the DuPont Museum at (253) 964-2399 or evenings call (253) 267-5267 or email leemcdonald_2@hotmail.com.
18. Most Magnificent Mutt Show
Dogs of all shapes and sizes, and their young owners can strut their stuff at the Most Magnificent Mutt show on Saturday, April 6th. Registration starts at 9:30 AM at Frontier Park, 21800 Meridian, in Graham. Children 14 & under can register. Judging starts at 10:00 AM. All participants will receive a goody bag and a ribbon. Class winners receive a prize befitting a magnificent dog, and the Most Magnificent Mutt Show winner will receive a trophy and prizes. Winners will be invited to participate in the Junior Daffodil Parade on April 20th. Admission is free for everyone. Bring the kids and the dogs and be ready for some fun and a chance to meet the Daffodil Queen and Princesses. The event is sponsored by the Pierce County Fair, Pierce County Parks and Recreation, and the Daffodil Festival.