Administration:
Upcoming Meetings:
- Council Meeting – August 6, 2013 at 6:30 PM at Town Hall.
- Preservation and Review Board – August 28, 2013 at 6:30 PM at Town Hall.
- Civil Service – September 5, 2013 at 3:00 PM at the Community Center
- Planning Commission – August 12, 2013 at 6:30 PM at Town hall.
Council Future Agenda “Look-Ahead” Issues:
- Copies of the Agenda and staff reports are available at all Town facilities once published.
- The Agenda and Council meeting minutes are posted to the Town’s official website
Planned Town-wide Power Outage:
Upgrades being implemented this summer on Tacoma Power’s transmission system will affect the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) / Steilacoom substation; the sole source of power for the Town of Steilacoom. In order to maintain compatibility with Tacoma’s transmission system, adjustments are needed to the BPA substation transformer. To accommodate this work, an 8-hour power outage has been scheduled for Monday, August 19, 2013. Power to the Town of Steilacoom and Ketron Island is scheduled to be shut off at 8:00 a.m. and restored by 4:00 p.m.
In an effort to take advantage of the BPA/Tacoma Power outage, the Town has scheduled contractors to perform maintenance work and install equipment upgrades on the Town’s side of the substation. Additionally, Town crews will be doing their own maintenance work in the substation along with replacing equipment in the field. Completing this work during the scheduled outage will avoid the need for future outages related to these maintenance and upgrade projects.
Questions about the outage and planned work should be directed to Public Works Director, Mark Burlingame at (253) 581-1912.
Farmers’ Market:
Wednesdays 3 – 7 pm — July 31 -August 28.
Summer Concerts:
Next Wednesday, August 7, the Town will present Michael Powers (Smooth Jazz) in Pioneer Park starting at 6:30 PM. Please remember no tents or alcohol are allowed in the Park.
Website Redesign and Development Project:
Staff and the design team from CivicPlus are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, August 6th.
Kiwanis/Key Club Sugar Shack:
SHS Key Club members assisted by Kiwanis Club members will be operating a “Sugar Shack” at Sunnyside Park this year. Scheduled hours are from 1 PM to 7 PM Tuesday through Sunday.
Saltar’s Point Park:
Saltar’s Point Park remains closed. If anyone notices trespassers on the beach, please contact Public Safety using the non-emergency number – 253 798-4721.
Fire Danger Due to Hot, Dry Weather:
It has been a cool, wet spring but we are now finally entering the summer season. Soon the green spaces and forested areas will dry out and the fire danger will move 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 Steilacoom safe!
Town-Wide Garage Sale:
It’s that time of year, again, in Steilacoom: time for the annual Town-wide Garage Sale. The sale takes place between 9-4 on Saturday August 10.
Garage “salers” can pick up a free location map at the Tennis Court, located on the corner of Lafayette and Wilkes streets.
At least 40 “salers” are expected to set up on the Court, plus additional sales throughout the town. The map will note who signed up, and the Chamber gives them signs “so you know they are a part of this wonderful Chamber of Commerce fundraiser for scholarships,” said Patti Young, C of C sale coordinator.
There are plenty of places to eat around town, and we have a wonderful beach and historical museum to visit while you are in town.
Visit the Chamber’s web page at www.steilacoomchamber.org to locate local restaurants and www.steilacoomhistorical.org to get more information about the Steilacoom Historical Museum at the corner of Rainier and Main streets.
Steilacoom garage sale hosts, please note: If you live in Steilacoom and plan to host a garage sale on Aug. 10, the Chamber encourages you to contact Sale Coordinator Patti Young and arrange to have your sale listed on the 2013 Map. (Suburban Times 7/24/2013)
Tribal Fishing at Chambers Creek:
Sunday, August 28th, was the opening day for tribal fishing in Chambers Creek. Staff observed several fishermen in the area throughout the week. Staff are scheduled to meet with representatives of the Puyallup Tribe on Friday, August 2nd.
Bear Sighting Update:
After a few weeks of wandering the trails of DuPont and Steilacoom, the local bear cub was captured in Lakewood this past Wednesday by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. While this particular bear has been captured, remember that there is always the possibility of the presence of other bears in the area so please use caution on all trails and wooded areas. Try not to travel alone, keep small children or pets near you at all times, and always make your presence know – simply talking will usually do the trick.
If you do come in close contact with a bear:
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Stay calm and avoid direct eye contact, which could elicit a charge. Try to stay upwind and identify yourself as a human by standing up, talking and waving your hands above your head.
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Do not approach the bear, particularly if cubs are present. Give the bear plenty of room.
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If you cannot safely move away from the bear, and the animal does not flee, try to scare it away by clapping your hands or yelling.
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If the bear attacks, fight back aggressively. As a last resort, should the attack continue, protect yourself by curling into a ball or lying on the ground on your stomach and play dead.
Other items to keep in mind include:
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Bears normally travel at night. They are typically not a danger to the public, although it is never safe to approach a bear. PLEASE STAY AWAY.
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Safety precautions include removing bird feeders and storing all pet food inside.
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Bears have been known to get into garbage cans. If possible, store your garbage inside. If that is not possible, as a preventative measure, spraying ammonia or bleach on your garbage cans may deter the bear.
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For further information, please contract the regional office of the Department of Fish and Wildlife at (360) 249-4628 or visit their website at wdfw.wa.gov.
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Don’t forget – if you have an emergency, dial 911.
Public Safety:
Be Alert During the Warm Weather:
With the warm weather, we have seen an increase in park activity. Please remember to secure your vehicles; if possible, do not bring valuables to the parks or leave them in your car; if you do leave items in your car, please do not leave them where they are clearly visible.
Although it is tempting to leave windows and doors open to provide increased air flow, please remember to secure your homes if you are not present or if you are in your yard.
Traffic Safety:
Summer is in full swing and the Steilacoom Department of Public Safety would like to remind drivers of some important traffic safety tips to help ensure a safe summer for everyone.
When driving, please be sure to watch for pedestrians. There are a lot more kids in the neighborhoods and parks now that school is out. Remember that you are required to yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway anywhere – not only at marked crosswalks. Pedestrians should also use caution as well when crossing roads and shouldn’t dart out into traffic. Keep in mind that kids are not always thinking about that so be sure to watch out for them.
For kids (and adults) who are riding bikes, scooters or skateboards – always wear protective gear. Helmets are required when using any of the above in Steilacoom. It doesn’t matter how big you are, we can all still be injured if we hit our heads when falling. Remember adults, you set the example for our kids!
If you are traveling out of town, take a few minutes to inspect your car. Make sure all lights are functioning such as headlamps, tail lamps, turn signals, reverse lights, and brake lights. Be sure to also check the condition of your tires and the air pressure in them, as well as your vehicle’s coolant levels. It’s easier to do some quick checking before you hit the road instead of having to call a tow truck later.
Please keep your mind and eyes on the road. The law requires drivers to only utilize a cell phone with a “hands free”device; even then, it is easy to get distracted. A GPS unit is also a great tool, especially when travelling in unfamiliar areas. Be sure to mount it properly in the bottom corner of your windshield. Remember that you are driving the car, not the GPS, so if it tells you to do something that is contrary to what a traffic control device or traffic sign says – don’t do it! There are several stories regarding travelers being injured or killed by following the ill-advised directions of their GPS units. Please use common sense.
Let’s all watch out for each other and our children so that we can all enjoy a great and safe summer!
Countywide Stage 1 burn ban effective July 29:
Due to the continuing hot and dry weather, Pierce County Fire Marshal Warner Webb announced that a Phase One burn ban was implemented at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 29.
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).
For additional information or instructions, please contact your local fire department or the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s office at (253) 798-7179
Public Works:
Streets and Storm:
Sequalish Street Project;
The Sequalish Street Reconstruction Project is currently being advertised. The bid opening is on August 13th and staff is hoping to bring a recommendation to Council at the August 20th meeting.
Main Street Overlay Project:
The Main Street overlay project contractor poured and, unfortunately, will be repouring sidewalk ramps this week. The repouring was necessary due to the initial pouring not meeting ADA requirements cross-slopes. Next week, they are scheduled to overlay the street sometime between Tuesday and Thursday. Please utilize alternate routes.
Lafayette Street Overlay Project:
The Scope of Work for the Lafayette Street Overlay project design engineering is scheduled for review and action at the August 6, 2013 Council meeting.
Crew Emphasis:
The crew continues enhancing pavement markings and performing right-of-way maintenance.
Electrical:
The Main Street and Lafayette Street electrical improvement project is underway. The contractor is working along both streets placing pedestals. Please utilize alternate routes.
Crew Emphasis:
The crew focused on making up and installing the terminal ends in the project area in anticipation of transferring to the new line.
Water/Sewer:
Crew Emphasis:
The Crew rebuilt the wear rings on both Marietta lift station pumps and performed maintenance work on the other lift stations and generators in anticipation of the Townwide power outage.
Parks and Grounds:
The crew assisted with the set-up for the Farmers’ Market, recovered from the Salmon Bake, and performed other parks and buildings maintenance activities.
Other:
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.
Monument Dedication Service:
On Thursday, August 22, a dedication service is scheduled at 7:00 PM at the Steilacoom monument tower just slightly west of the corner of Wilkes and Lafayette in recognition of its becoming a National Historical Site by the United Methodist Church.
The main speaker will be Robert Williams, General Secretary of the National UMC Archives and History from Madison, New Jersey. In addition to his address, there will be a brief history and music. While some chairs will be available, we encourage you to bring along one as well.
The monument tower was erected by the Washington Historical Society and Puget Sound Methodist Episcopal Church in 1908 on the site of the first Protestant church to be built north of the Columbia River. It was to honor the work of Rev. John F. DeVore and his members who built the church in 1853 when Washington had just become a US Territory.
Questions – Call Paul at 983-2074.