The Suburban Times

A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County.

DuPont City Administrator Report, August 2

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1.      National Night Out Block Parties

National Night Out 2013 is Tuesday, August 6th and there is still a few days left to plan your neighborhood block party.  Plan an afternoon or evening party with family, friends and neighbors and the DuPont Police and Fire Departments will make every effort to attend.  This is a great opportunity to get better acquainted with your neighbors, as well as get to know your police officers and firefighters and get your public safety questions answered.  National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and public safety-community partnerships.  To arrange a time for us to arrive at your event, please contact City Hall at (253) 964-8121 and join “America’s Night Out Against Crime!

2.     Business License Requirements

As part of our continuous process improvements, we are ensuring that businesses, specifically independent contractors, are meeting all necessary requirements to do business with the City.  One of the requirements is that the business is licensed with Washington State and has a valid City of DuPont business license.  Our goal is to obtain 100% compliance in this area.  Letters are being sent to all independent contractors doing business with the City explaining the requirements and providing a deadline for compliance.  Additional checks and balances are also being put in place as part of the City’s contracting and payment processes.

3.     Family Fun Events

Join your friends and family for fun at these two upcoming Northwest Landing ROA family events:

  • Movie in the Park – The first Movie in the Park of the summer is TONIGHT at Clocktower Park.  The show begins at dusk (approximately 8:45 PM) on Friday, August 2nd.  The featured movie isDolphin Tale, an inspiring true story of the bond between animals and humans.  Be sure to bring a warm blanket and chair, as summer evenings tend to cool off. Movie concessions are available at a modest cost.
  • Music at the Clock – The Clock will be rocking on Wednesday, August 7th for Music at theClock at Clocktower Park.  This free event is featuring the Beatniks, a local band whose energy, passion and charisma has made them a favorite with the thousands of fans they have played for since their explosive debut in the early 90’s.  Enjoy music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s!  Be sure to bring the entire family for this crowd-pleasing show.  The DuPont Lions are firing up the BBQ for $1 hotdogs and $2 burgers.  Questions?  Please contact Northwest Landing ROA at (253) 964-1289.

4.     Sign Code Amendment Public Hearing

The Planning Agency will hold a public hearing on August 12, 2013 at 7:00 PM to take testimony and make a recommendation on an application from Duke Realty to amend the DuPont Municipal Code, Chapter 25.116, regarding signs.  The Public Hearing Notice,  Staff Report and Exhibits are available at City Hall and on the City’s website.

5.     Upcoming Meetings – Week of August 5th – 9th   

  • Youth Council Meeting  Monday, August 5th at 6:00 PM
  • Parks Agency Meeting  Monday, August 5th at 7:00 PM
  • Tree Board Meeting   Wednesday, August 7th at 1:00 PM

The Civil Service Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 7th has been cancelled.                                     

6.     Community Development Update

  • Public Safety Antenna Communications Facility – Construction started on the new 125 foot tall emergency communications cellular tower and adjacent facility on Hoffman Hill on July 31st .  The new tower will improve emergency communications capabilities for DuPont Police and Fire as well as for surrounding jurisdictions.  The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of September 2013.
  • DuPont Learning Center – The DuPont Learning Center at 1555 McNeil Street is nearing completion.  Rush Construction, DuPont Station Partners 2, and Helton Management Company are finalizing construction items and project close-out documents to obtain the necessary Certificate of Occupancy.  For more information you can visit their website atwww.dupontlearningcenter.com.
  • Sequalitchew Creek/Edmond Marsh Restoration Plan – There will be a public meeting to discuss the draft Restoration Plan on Tuesday, August 27th from 5:00 – 6:30 PM at DuPont City Hall.  Materials on the restoration planning process are on the City’s website.

7.     Countywide Burn Ban

A countywide Stage 1 fire safety burn ban has been declared by the Pierce County Fire Marshal as a result of the continuing hot and dry weather.  All burning permits are suspended and outdoor burning is prohibited, except for small recreational fires less than three feet in diameter, fires in barbecues and cooking appliances, outdoor fireplaces and campfires in approved fire pits and locations at established campgrounds.  Persons with approved Department of Natural Resources burn permits are advised to call (800) 323-BURN (2876).  The ban went into effect on July 29th and will remain in effect until further notice.  For additional information or instructions, please contact the DuPont Fire Department at (253) 964-8414 or the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s office at (253) 798-7179.

8.     Political Campaign Signs

Election season often prompts questions and concerns about placement of political signs.  A sign permit is not required if the political campaign sign is located on private property or on the planting strip between the sidewalk and the street when the planting strip is immediately adjacent to the sign owner’s property.  Signs shall not be larger six square feet in size; may be no taller than three feet if placed in the landscape strip; and may be up to seven feet tall if located at least ten feet behind the front property line.  Signs may not be placed on private property without the permission of the property owner.

Signs must be removed within five working days following an election, except signs of a candidate who is successful in a primary election which may remain until the final election. Signs remaining five working days following an election are subject to removal.  Signs are not allowed on public streets (other than noted above), public parks, roundabouts, and other City properties.  Additional information is located in DuPont Municipal Code 25.116.110(X).

9.     City Seeking EMS Volunteers

The DuPont Fire Department is currently accepting applications for motivated and career-minded EMS volunteers to help staff the Aid Car, assisting with patient care and transport.  The reserves will be EMT’s who will supplement our career staff and help enable the fire engine to stay in DuPont and staffed during transport situations.  Currently there are fewer private ambulance transport units available to the citizens in DuPont due to growing demand in other areas of the county which absorbs the use of Rural Metro and AMR. Volunteers need to be Washington State certified EMT’s who will work a minimum of three 12 or 24 hour shifts per month.  Reserve EMT’s are volunteers who will be supplied with uniforms.  A small stipend is available.  They will not participate in suppression activities due to the high cost of uniforms, equipment and training.  For more information, please contact the Fire Station at (253) 964-8414.

10.  Police Citizen’s Academy

The Police Department is hosting a Police Citizen’s Academy beginning in September and is accepting applications at this time.  The Academy will run for 10 weeks on Thursday evenings beginning September 12th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.  Graduation will be held on November 14th.  This is a great opportunity to learn how your Police Department operates and to meet our Police Chief and police officers.  Applications are available on the City’s website or at the Police Department (1780 Civic Drive).  For additional information visit the City’s website, or contact Police Chief Bob Sheehan at (253) 964-7060 orBob.Sheehan@SouthSound911.org.

11.  Hudson Bay Day & Salmon BBQ

Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 25th for Hudson Bay Day and Salmon BBQ at the DuPont Fire Department, across the street from the original 1843 Hudson Bay Fort Nisqually Site.  This free event is being held from Noon – 4:00 PM and features live music, kids activities, historical demonstrations, reenactors, a tribal blessing and more!  Historian Drew Crooks will take guided tours to the original 1843 Fort site and visitors can view Ezra Meeker’s covered wagon and talk with Buffalo Soldiers.  There will be a salmon BBQ on-site with adult meals at $15 and kids for $5.  Hot dog meals will also be available.

The Hudson Bay Day is proudly sponsored by the DuPont Historical Society and the DuPont Tourism Board.  The 1843 Fort Nisqually site is open to the public courtesy of the Archeology Conservancy.   For more information call DuPont Museum Coordinator Linda Cumberbatch at (253) 964-2399 or (253) 882-5942 or visit www.dupontmuseum.com.

12.  Tree Board Member Recruitment

The Tree Advisory Board is currently seeking to fill a vacant Board Member position.  The Tree Advisory Board evaluates and recommends policies to the City for implementing the City’s goals to provide a more robust urban forestry program to protect trees, provide for the safety of residents, and to abate or mitigate problems associated with dangerous trees. Board members do not have to be DuPont residents but should have knowledge of trees and related resources and are particularly interested in members with professional experience as arborists, urban planners, landscape professionals, and/or urban forestry.  If you are interested in serving on this advisory board, please submit a letter of interest that includes your relevant experience and your reasons for wishing to be appointed, along with a copy of your resume to the City Clerk at DuPont City Hall, 1700 Civic Drive, DuPont, WA 98327.

13.  Steilacoom Town-Wide Power Outage

Due to planned upgrades to the transmission system, an 8-hour power outage for the Town of Steilacoom has been scheduled for Monday, August 19th from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.  For additional information, contact Steilacoom Public Works Director Mark Burlingame at (253) 581-1912.

14.  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”.

  • Youth Soccer – Fall soccer schedules will be available on the City’s website after August 5th.  Families are encouraged to check the website and communicate with their coaches for updated information.  The coaches’ meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 2nd at 7:00 PM at City Hall.  If you are unable to attend the meeting, please call (253) 912-5245.
  • Movie in the Park & Teen Taco Night – Join us Friday, August 16th for Northwest Landing ROA’s Movie in the Park.  The feature show will be “Here Comes the Boom.”  The show begins at dusk (approximately 8:45 PM) at Clocktower Park.  The Youth Council will host Teen Taco Night beginning at 7:30 PM.  Be sure to bring a chair and a blanket, as summer evenings tend to cool off!
  • Thank You Volunteers! – Many heartfelt thanks to our fabulous volunteers who are making a difference in their community.  Special thanks to the Church of Latter Day Saints for their beautification efforts at Ross Plaza and Steilacoom High School Cross Country for weeding the area that surrounds the Public Safety Building.  You are appreciated!  Interested in volunteering?  Please contact City Hall today at (253) 964-8121.  Together we make a difference!
  • 2nd Annual Golf Tournament – Parks & Recreation is hosting their 2nd Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, August 23rd at The Home Course.  The tournament begins at 8:30 AM with a shotgun start.  The fee to participate is $75 which includes 18 holes of golf, prizes and a BBQ lunch.  Individual and team competitions will be awarded.  Grab a foursome and join the fun!  Registration forms are available on the City’s website.
  • Junior Golf Camp – Parks & Recreation has partnered with The Home Course to offer a Summer Junior Golf Camp.  The camp runs August 20th – August 22nd from 9:00 AM – Noon for ages 8-17.  The camp is instructed by PGA Professional Brent Hathaway and will include fundamentals on chipping, putting and driving.  The camp cost is $85.  Registration forms are available on the City’s website.
  • Summer Camp Info – Be sure to check out our summer camp programs for all ages atwww.dupontwa.gov.  Camps include soccer, volleyball, art, karate, golf and several others. Camps are strategically scheduled to occur throughout the summer. There is a special summer camp information table set up at City Hall with registration information available.  We hope your kids can join the fun!

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

15.  Fire Danger During Hot, Dry Weather

The warm summer season is now upon us and as the green spaces and forested areas are drying out the fire danger is moving to a high level.  We would like to remind residents that burning is not allowed on public property.  This includes the trails and beaches along Puget Sound, where the danger of fire burning up the banks and into the residential areas is high during the summer months.  Please use extra caution and help us keep DuPont safe!

16.  DuPont Museum Open House

Immerse yourself in history at the DuPont Museum Open House on Saturday, August 24th from 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM.  Come to DuPont’s Historic Village for an old-fashioned ice cream social, fiddlin’ music by the Tune Tamers, and tours of the DuPont Museum and a former DuPont Company town home.  A special workshop “Shake Up the Family Tree – How to Write about the Nuts and Nuggets in your Family History” will be presented by Dorothy Wilhelm with special guest Val Dumond.  There is a $5 fee for the workshop which includes materials and a ticket to the ice cream social.  The Museum is located at 207 Barksdale Avenue.  For more information, please contact Dorothy Wilhelm at (253) 582-4565 orDorothy@itsnevertoolate.com.

17.  Summer Tips

The following summer tips are being provided complements of Northwest Landing ROA:

  • Curb Appeal – Curb appeal is an important factor in maintaining an attractive community.  During this dry summer season, many residents have allowed their lawn to go dormant.  However, keeping the yard mowed, edged, weeded, dead plant material removed, and plants trimmed will still give a home good curb appeal.
  • Plants in Yard and Trees on Street Strips – If allowing your lawn to go dormant, remember to water plans in your yard and trees on street strips.  This will help prevent street trees to die from lack of water.
  • De-Clutter Your Yard – Please take time to look at your yard (front, side, and back), porch, patio and driveway for things that do not belong there, but should be stored indoors or hauled away from your property.
  • Moss and Mildew – Removal is an on-going, year-round maintenance item.  Please be attentive to this issue.
  • Missing House Numbers – Be sure to trim plants so that house numbers are clearly visible from the street.  Identification numbers may have fallen off or were not replaced after painting woodwork.  House numbers must be placed on the front of the house, preferably near the entrance, and the back on homes abutting an alley or street.  This will also ensure that public safety responders can locate your home in case of an emergency.

18.  Affordable Care Act

Need health insurance or know someone who does?  Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more Americans now qualify to get coverage that fits their needs and budgets.  Visit the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.HealthCare.gov or call (800) 318-2596 to get more information.

19.  Steilacoom Farmers’ Market & Concert Series

The Steilacoom Farmers’ Market is officially open and will run each Wednesday through August 28th.  The market is open from 3:00 – 7:00 PM and runs in conjunction with the Steilacoom Concerts in the Park which start at 6:30 PM each Wednesday.  Fresh produce, flowers, cheese, baked goods (including gluten-free) and a variety of specialty foods and crafts will be offered.  For weekly “fresh finds at the market” updates please follow the market on Facebook or join the mailing list atwww.steilacoomfarmersmarket.org. For more information contact Laura Johnson at (253) 581-1912 orlaura.johnson@ci.steilacoom.wa.us.

The next concert of the series will be on Wednesday, August 7th  and will feature the smooth jazz sounds of Michael Powers.   The concerts are held at Pioneer Park, 1700 Commercial Street.  In the event of inclement weather the alternate location is the Steilacoom Community Center, 2301 Worthington Street.  No alcoholic beverages are allowed.  The series is sponsored by the Town of Steilacoom and the MTC Group.  For more concert information please call (253) 581-1076.