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DuPont City Administrator weekly update, May 24

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By Dawn Masko, City Administrator, City of DuPont

1.       Memorial Day Ceremony: The City of DuPont’s annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Ross Plaza on Monday, May 27 at 11:00 AM.  Join friends and neighbors as we pay tribute to our fallen soldiers and remember with special significance those from our DuPont community who are honored on our Memorial Wall.  Our guest speaker this year will be Lieutenant General Robert B. Brown.  A reception will follow the ceremony at the DuPont Forza, located directly across from the plaza.

2.     City Hall System Downtime

The City’s financial and utility billing computer system will be undergoing an upgrade during the first 2 weeks of June.  The upgrade requires that our current system be off-line on Thursday, May 28th and Friday, May 29th in preparation of the upgraded system going on-line.  Anyone making a payment at City Hall on May 28th & 29thmay encounter delays as we hand-write receipts and process your payment manually.  Additionally, staff will be going through training to learn the new system beginning Monday, June 3rd.  We appreciate your patience during this upgrade time and look forward to providing you even more efficient service once we have the new system in place and staff has been trained.

 

3.     National Trails Day

Help celebrate National Trails Day by walking the Sequalitchew Creek Trail on Saturday, June 1st from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  Volunteers will be strategically placed along the trail to point out historical points of interest and natural vegetation.  Trail maps are available at the beginning of the walk.  There will also be bird walks with Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge volunteers.  Bring a friend from out-of-town and experience all the beauty DuPont has to offer.  Snack packs will be available for purchase.  As a reminder, there are no restrooms or trash cans at the bottom of the trail, so please pack out what you pack in.  Upon completion of the trail walk, make plans to attend the Safety Fair beginning at 10:00 AM.

 

4.     Spring Safety Fair

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 1st from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM for this year’s Spring Safety Fair.  Join the City of DuPont Fire Department, Police Department and Public Works Department for a family day out, coinciding with National Trails Day.  This event is held at the Public Safety Building, 1780 Civic Drive.  This is a FREE event, featuring safety awareness activities, bike helmet sales, and the opportunity to see equipment like fire trucks, police cars, and Public Works vehicles up close.  There will also be disaster preparedness information, a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) booth, McGruff the Crime Cog, and plenty of games and giveaways!  The DuPont Lions will be selling hot dogs, chips and drinks at the Safety Fair.  All proceeds will be donated to the DuPont Fire Department historic hose cart shed restoration project.

 

New at the Spring Safety Fair this year will be the Cascade Regional Blood Service blood mobile!  Did you know that someone needs blood every 3 seconds in the U.S.?  Or that even 1 teaspoon of blood can save a baby’s life?  37% of the U.S. population can donate blood, yet only 5% does.  Donate blood on June 1st and help save a life.  To sign up, call the Fire Dept. at 253-964-8414.

 

5.     Upcoming Meetings – Week of May 27th – 31st                          

  • City Hall offices will be closed on Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day.
  • Planning Agency meeting scheduled for Monday, May 27th has been cancelled.
  • City Council Meeting                                                                  Tuesday, May 28th at 7:00 PM

 

6.     Council Agenda Items – May 28th, 2013                          

  • Consent Agenda Items:  Council Meeting Minutes; Claims Vouchers
  • New Business:  Interfund Loan Resolution

 

* Council Agenda Packet is available on the City’s website

 

7.     Center Drive Construction

Work is slated to begin on Tuesday, May 28th on the construction of the Center Drive left turn lane for the Creekside Village project.

 

8.     Historic Hose Cart Shed Dedication

The Fire Department historic hose cart shed will be moved to its final location in June and formally installed on Tuesday, June 25th at 6:30 PM.  The hose cart shed is one of four original sheds that stood in the Historic Village and protected the hose carts which made up the bulk of DuPont’s fire-fighting apparatus up through the 1960s when the first pumper truck was purchased.  The shed has been restored by firefighters in their off-duty hours, and will be moved to its new home on the grassy lawn in front of the Fire Station with the help of the Public Works department.

 

9.     Police Cooperative Efforts

DuPont Police Officer Wade Nelson was involved in a Crime Response Unit (CRU) callout this morning to assist following an officer-involved shooting in Fife.  Officers from the Fife Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance involving a suspect and his young son inside the house.  The son was not allowed to leave and Metro SWAT was paged out to respond.  Negotiations were unsuccessful and officers from SWAT were involved in shooting the suspect.  Officer Nelson responded to the Lakewood Police Department to assist in follow up interviews of the officers involved.  Both CRU and Metro SWAT are great examples of cooperative cities working together to help one another and be more efficient in investigations and resource sharing.

 

10.  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.

 

11.  Snack Donations Requested

The AUSA (Association of the United States Army) DuPont subchapter is in need of snack donations that will be used in welcome home baskets for 2,500 returning single soldiers in the 4th Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).  The first wave arrives home in early June.  DuPont is known for supporting our soldiers and their families, and once again, AUSA is hoping that businesses and residents can step up and lend a hand.

 

Snack items need to be non-perishable and individually wrapped.  Examples would include trail mix packets, M&M’s, Snickers bars, small bags of pretzels, etc.  Please drop off your donations at Dhane Orthodontics at 1100 Station Drive, Suite 281 in DuPont.   Thanks for supporting our troops!

 

12.  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”.

 

  • Golf Committee – A special committee has been formed to help promote golf within the City of DuPont.  This volunteer committee will help welcome and assist in upcoming championships at the Home Course.  Anyone interested in serving on this committee is welcome to attend the first meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 6th at 9:00 AM at City Hall.  Please contact City of DuPont Tourism at(253) 912-5245 if you are interested in joining our team.  Your ideas and enthusiasm are always welcome!

 

  • Summer Camp Info – Tired of driving to neighboring cities to participate in youth summer camps?  You asked – we listened!  Parks & Recreation is hosting a number of summer camps for all ages this summer.  Camps include baseball, volleyball, art, karate, golf and several others.  Camps are strategically scheduled to occur throughout the summer.  Registration information can be found on the City’s website at www.dupontwa.gov.  You may also register for camps at the Spring Safety Fair on Saturday, June 1st at the Fire Station.

 

  • 4th of July 5K Dynamite Dash – Registration is open for the July 4th 5K Dynamite Dash.  This event is open to all ages.  Register by June 14th in order to receive a tee shirt, which will be handed out the day of the event starting at 7:00 AM.  The course begins and ends at Clocktower Park. Registration information can be found on the City’s website.

 

  • Volunteer Officials Needed – The DuPont youth sports program is currently seeking umpires for the baseball playoffs in late June and football and soccer officials for upcoming fall programs.  If you are interested in volunteering for these much needed roles please contact Tom Bradbury attbradbury@dupontwa.gov.

 

  • Youth Acting Studio Summer Program – The Youth Acting Studio’s summer program starts on Saturday, June 1st.  Two new classes have been added this session.

 

§  Music & Make Believe is a preschool class for ages 2ish – 5ish.  This class is held on Saturdays from 9:00 – 9:45 AM.  Cost: $40 (8 classes).

 

§  Youth Studio 101 is our popular “tween” class for ages 9-13.  This class is held on Saturdays from10:00 – 11:30 AM.  Cost:  $100 (10 classes & Showcase).

 

§  Youth Studio 102 is a new “teen” class for ages 14-17.  This class is held on Saturdays from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM.  Cost:  $100 (10 classes & Showcase).

 

Registration forms are available on the City website.  Additional information:YouthActingStudio@wordpress.com.

 

  • Adult Co-Ed Softball –Adult Co-Ed Softball registration is now open.  The season will run July 7th thru August 4th at DuPont PowderWorks Park and will include 8 games.  Each team will consist of 12 adults, with 4 members of the opposite sex on each team.  The fee to participate is $595 per team or $50 per individual.  Interested participants may register at City Hall from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.  Questions?  Please contact Tom Bradbury at (253) 282-2189 or tbradbury@dupontwa.gov.

 

Visit our website for information on other programs and events including Karate, Yoga, Track, Kidz Love Soccer, Dance4Life, and more!

 

13.  News from Northwest Landing

  • ·       Annual Ice Cream Social – Join your friends and neighbors at the Annual Ice Cream Social proudly sponsored by Northwest Landing ROA on Wednesday, June 12th at Clocktower Park.  Old fashioned ice cream sundaes will be served from 2:00 – 3:00 PM.  Bring a friend and help us celebrate the beginning of summer.  Many helping hands are needed to help scoop the sundaes.  If interested, please contact ROA Volunteer Coordinator Linda Cumberbatch at tahomahouse8@aol.com.

 

  • ·       Semi Annual Citywide Yard Sale – The Semi Annual Citywide Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 22nd from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  This sale includes all DuPont exits.  Thank you to Northwest Landing ROA for providing advertising in local newspapers.  Residents are responsible for directing customers to their homes.  Please be courteous and remove all signs upon completion of the sale.

 

  • ·       Bugs, Bullfrogs & Bowling – Calling all Mothers and Sons.  NWL ROA is hosting Mom & Me Bowling on Saturday, June 8th.  This year, the ROA is chartering a bus and heading to ACME Bowl in Tukwila.  If you have never been to ACME Bowl you are in for a real treat.  The bus leaves the back lot of America’s Credit Union at 10:00 AM and will return by 3:00 PM.  Moms must RSVP to this special event as space is extremely limited.  There is no cost to attend this event, so don’t delay and call the ROA office at (253) 964-1289 to reserve your lane today.

 

14.  Utility Tax Information

As many citizens and businesses are aware, the City increased its Water and Stormwater utility tax rates on January 1, 2013, which has generated several questions regarding the City’s utility taxes.

 

The City Council has the authority to increase utility taxes on its own utilities (water and stormwater) as needed with no cap or limit to the amount of increase or total rate.  Utility taxes are considered General Fund revenues and are used to fund general government operations (i.e. police, fire, administration) and not the utility functions.  As such, the Council can increase the tax rates as necessary to help fund basic government functions.  This is usually done during the budget process which allows for and requires public hearings.  The water utility tax rate was increased in 2011 to fund the cost of hydrant maintenance that was determined to be a General Fund expense by a court decision.  Water and stormwater utility taxes were also increased as part of the 2013 budget process.  These increases were part of a comprehensive package of revenue increases and expenditure/program reductions necessary to help balance the General Fund after the property tax levy failure in November 2012.

 

In the City of DuPont, utilities other than water and stormwater are operated by other governments or private companies and are referred to as private utilities.  These include sewer (Pierce County), garbage (LeMay), electric and gas (Puget Sound Energy), and telephone (various companies).  The utility tax rates for these private utilities are capped by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) at 6 percent for sewer, electric, gas and telephone, and at 8 percent for garbage, unless the voters approve an increase above these limits.  The taxes on the privately owned utilities are also General Fund revenues and support the basic functions of the City.  The City levies all of these taxes at the legal limit of either 6 or 8 percent.  There is no sunset or ending provisions for the levy of any of the utility taxes imposed within City limits.

 

Please contact Finance Director Sandi Hines at shines@dupontwa.gov or (253) 964-8121 with any questions on the City’s utility taxes.

 

15.  Safe Kids Day a Success

Thank you to everyone who came out to Safe Kids Day last Saturday.  Safe Kids Pierce County and DuPont Fire Department sold and fit over 30 helmets for children of all ages, teaching them about helmet safety and the importance of preventing head injuries.  Despite the rain, there was a steady stream of people!  Kids also had the chance to look at the fire engine and talk to the firefighters.  If you missed this event, be sure to catch the Spring Safety Fair for another chance to purchase any size bike helmet for $7 and see the fire trucks up close.

 

16.  Police Reports

One of the reoccurring frustrations for the Police Department is people not reporting a problem or concern when it is occurring in the community.  Too often the Police are notified of a problem which has occurred in the community hours or days after it happened.  People will frequently say they didn’t want to bother the 911 dispatch center with the issue at the time because it wasn’t a crime or other serious issue.  People are encouraged to call the non-emergency telephone number which is (253) 798-4721 if you are hesitant to call on the 911 line.  This number also rings into the dispatch center and will let our Police Officers will be notified about the problem or concern when it is occurring so they can address the issue.  Working together and reporting concerns when they are happening will make DuPont a safer community.  Thank you for your assistance!

 

17.  DuPont Library Events

  • Family Game Night                                                                    Tuesday, May 28th  – 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Gather up the family and play board games together at the library.

 

  • Reading Roundtable                                                                  Tuesday, May 28th – 6:30 PM

All adults are welcome to join this free book discussion.  The Reading Roundtable is meeting on the fourthTuesday of this month due to the length of the book.  This month’s book is “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy.

 

  • Fetch with Ruff Ruffman                                                          Saturday, June 8th  – 1:00 PM

Make a pinball machine that can shoot a marble and send it zigzagging down an obstacle course .  Children ages 6 and up.

 

Don’t forget to encourage your kids to participate in the Summer Reading Program.  Kids and teens can check out great books to read all summer, enter weekly drawings, win prizes, and participate in fun, free events.  More details will be available soon on the Pierce County Library website.

 

These free events are sponsored by the Friends of the DuPont Library.  The DuPont Library is located at 1540 Wilmington Drive.

 

18.  Steilacoom-DuPont Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Steilacoom-DuPont gives everyone in the community a chance to help save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.  Former and current cancer patients, those who have lost a loved one to cancer, families, businesses, faith-based and civic organizations, and anyone wanting to make a difference in the fight against cancer are invited to take part in this exciting team event.  Relay for Life takes place from 10:00 AM on June 22nd until 10:00 AM on June 23rd at Pioneer Middle School, 1750 Bob’s Hollow Lane in DuPont.  Individuals and teams will camp out around the athletic track, with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track or pathway at all times throughout the evening.  Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their camp sites during Relay.  Information about how to form a team or become involved in Relay for Life is available atwww.RelayForLife.org  or by calling (800) 227-2345.  Thank you to Kim Forbes, the Steilacoom-DuPont volunteer Relay event chair for all of her efforts for this worthwhile cause!

 

19.  Memorial Day Run

The Wear blue run to remember Memorial Day run is on Monday, May 27th at 9:00 AM at PowderWorks Park.  Participants can run or walk.  There is no entry fee.  Pledge how many miles you will be running or walking on their website.

 

20.  Memorial Day Weekend Traffic

Memorial Day signals the unofficial kickoff for summer travel, and the WA State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reminds drivers to be prepared for congestion.  Plan ahead and check WSDOT’s website atwww.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic – and please drive safe!

 

21.  Women Veterans Summit

Washington State Women Military Veterans are encouraged to attend the Women Veterans Summit on Saturday, June 29th from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, WA.  This free conference will provide women veterans with information about opportunities and challenges women veterans face today, as well as information on benefits and services they might be entitled to.  Register for free today atwww.dva.wa.gov/2013womenveteranssummit.html.   For more information contact Barb Logan atbarb@dva.wa.gov or (360) 725-2227.

 

22.  Tiptoe Through the Tidepools

Explore the beach and learn about tidepool life during one of the lowest tides of the year on Saturday, May 25thfrom 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  A beach naturalist will guide the exploration at Titlow Beach, located at 8425 – 6thAvenue in Tacoma.  This event is free.  Additional information can be found at www.TacomaNatureCenter.org.

 

23.  Low Tides to Affect Pierce County Ferry Service

Pierce County ferry riders in large vehicles – such as an RV, commercial truck or a vehicle towing a trailer – should plan ahead to avoid low tides through May 29th.  Load restrictions will be in place on some sailings, and the rider may be asked to postpone their trip until a later sailing.

 

Ticket agents and crew will be checking all large vehicles and all vehicles towing trailers that arrive during sailings affected by low tides.  Some large vehicles may be loaded.  Riders can call Captain Paul Crow, Marine Superintendent, at (253) 588-5290 to discuss which run might work best for them.  The Pierce County Ferry System provides service between the Town of Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island.  More information is available at www.piercecountywa.org/ferry.

 

24.  Ethics Commission Vacancy

The Pierce County Executive’s Office is accepting applications to fill an expired Ethics Commission position.  The citizen commission is responsible for promoting and upholding ethical conduct in Pierce County government.  Applicants must be registered to vote in the State of Washington, reside in Pierce County, and be employed in or retired from the private sector.  Ethics Commissioners also may not hold or campaign for elective office, be an officer of any political party or political committee, be a lobbyist, assist a lobbyist, or employ a lobbyist.

 

The members of the Ethics Commission are volunteers who meet the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 PM at the Wheelock Library, 3722 N. 26th St. in Tacoma.  The Commission determines the merit of reported violations of the Code of Ethics for Pierce County employees.  Applications are available here.  Applications can also be requested by calling (253) 798-7477 or by emailing pcexecutive@co.pierce.wa.us.  Completed applications are due by May 31, 2013.