1. Back to School Safety – DuPont police officers and firefighters have been stationed at the cross walks and school bus loading zones near Chloe Clark Elementary and Pioneer Middle School for the first few days of school to teach children good safety habits. The goal is to get all children off to a good start this year and establish safe practices.
The Police Department would also like to remind drivers to be extremely careful and observant of children on their way to and from school. Pioneer Middle School starts at 8:10 AM and releases students at 2:40 PM, and Chloe Clark Elementary starts at 9:50 AM and dismisses at3:35 PM. The 20 mph school speed zones are now in effect around our schools and motorists are reminded that it is mandatory to stop for the flashing red lights on school buses. Both requirements will be strictly enforced. Let’s all work together to keep our kids safe.
2. Sequalitchew Creek Watershed Restoration Meeting
The South Sound Salmon Enhancement Groups hosted a public meeting this past week to discuss the draft Sequalitchew Creek/Edmond Marsh Restoration Plan. This meeting reviewed the watershed restoration planning process and the draft conceptual plan, and concluded with a question and answer period. The Core Group will review the comments, refine the Plan, and hold another public meeting in the future. Materials on the restoration planning process are available on the City’s website.
3. Civil Service Commission Vacancy
The City is seeking interested residents for appointment to the City’s volunteer Civil Service Commission to fill the remainder of a 6-year unexpired term ending June 30, 2017. Duties of the Commission relate to the selection, appointment, and employment of DuPont firefighters and police officers. The Commission is made up of three members and meets as needed at 6:00 PM on the first Wednesday of each month at City Hall. Eligible applicants must be a citizen of the United States, age 18 or older, and must have been a resident of the City of DuPont for at least three years immediately prior to the appointment. Per RCW, at the time of appointment, no more than two of the commission members may be “adherents to the same political party.” Commission members serve without compensation.
Interested applicants need to apply no later than 4:00 PM on September 13, 2013. Additional information and applications are available on the City’s website.
4. Aphid Tree Spraying
Information is available on the City’s website regarding an option to help control aphids on street trees. A local resident arranged for this program last year and those who participated received noticeable results. This in-ground treatment program is being offered again this year at a group rate discounted price of $50 each for one to two trees and $40 each for three or more trees. The typical price for this type of treatment is about $60 to $70 per tree. Interested homeowners need to contact the tree company no later than October 11th to participate in the program.
5. Upcoming Meetings – Week of September 2nd – 6th
- City Hall will be closed on Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day
- Tree Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 4th at 4:00 PM - Civil Service meeting scheduled for September 4th has been cancelled
6. Community Development Update
- Duke Realty Sign Code Amendment – The City Council heard first reading of the ordinance amending DuPont Municipal Code, Chapter 25.116 regarding signs at their August 27th meeting and moved the ordinance to second reading and adoption at the September 10th City Council meeting.
- Marijuana Moratorium – A marijuana moratorium was discussed at the August 20th City Council workshop and first reading of the ordinance enacting the moratorium was held at the August 27th City Council meeting. Second reading and adoption is scheduled for the September 10th City Council meeting.
- Project Granite – A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy was issued to Duke Realty for use of the new warehouse facility located at 2700 Center Drive. Amazon will now be working on the internal aspects of the building before they will be able to commence operations.
- Public Safety Antenna Communications Facility – The public safety antenna is scheduled to be delivered to the Hoffman Hill site early next week. Construction on the facility and the tower assembly will occur throughout the month of September.
- DuPont Learning Center – The DuPont Learning Center opened for business on August 27th.
7. Traffic Signal Installation
Contractors on the Amazon project have completed the installation of the Bronson Avenue/Center Drive traffic signal. The signal will be operating on a timed sequence until the first week of November when the permanent control cabinet and opticom signal will be installed. Please drive carefully through the intersection as people become aware of and familiar with the traffic revisions. Thank you for your patience throughout the construction process.
8. Thank You Volunteers
Many thanks to the members of the Forever Young Seniors group and several other volunteers for helping fold and stuff the City’s utility bills this week. Everyone pitching in together was a great help and we certainly appreciate their efforts!
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. Parks & Recreation
Please call (253) 912-5245 or go to the City’s website at www.dupontwa.gov 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”.
- Dance Classes – Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce its partnership with Image Studio of Dance. Together we will be offering a wide variety of dance programs this fall. Classes offered include tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop and contemporary. Classes begin October 1st and will run through June. Registration information is available on the City’s website. Please contact Image Studio of Dance at (253) 566-4546 or info@imagestudioofdance.com with any questions regarding the program.
- Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar – Save the date for the 2013 Annual Winter Wonderland Holiday bazaar scheduled for Saturday, November 16th at Pioneer Middle School. Vendor applications are available on the City website. The fee to participate this year is $35 and include a 10 by 10 space, advertising, and a boxed lunch. This annual event fills quickly so don’t delay in submitting your application. Please contact Holiday Bazaar Coordinator Anna Skretting at (253) 964-4944 with questions.
- Youth Acting Class – Registration is now open for our fall Youth Acting Class. Classes begin September 14th and run through November 16th. Classes are available for ages 7-15 years. Class fees are $100 which includes a fall showcase on November 16th. More information is available on the City’s website.
- September Yoga – Classes for our September yoga session begin September 4th. Classes are offered Mondays and Wednesdays. Our instructor emphasizes the Hatha Vinyasa Flow style of yoga. Questions? Please contact Devita at (253) 301-8461. Registration information is available on our website.
- Karate – Our fall karate session is now open for registration. Classes run Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Pioneer Middle School. The registration fee is $50 per month. Classes are for ages 6 thru adult. Registration forms are available on the City’s website. Contact karate instructor Skip Ettinger at (253) 209-5287 with any questions.
- Fall Kidz Love Soccer – Registration for the fall session of Kidz Love Soccer is now open. The fall session runs from September 18th – October 23rd at Clocktower Park. This program is a non-competitive, instructional based program and is open to kids ages 2 thru 10. Registration is $52 for ages 2-6 and $63 for ages 7-10. A soccer jersey is included for ages 7 thru 10. Registration forms are available online.
- Citywide Yard Sale – The semi-annual Citywide Yard Sale is Saturday, September 14th from8:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Any unsold items can be donated to the Goodwill station located at Chloe Clark Elementary between the hours of Noon and 5:00 PM. Friends of the Library will also be on hand from 1:00 – 3:00 PM to collect any gently used books for the library. This event is sponsored by Northwest Landing ROA.
- Youth Soccer – Fall soccer game schedules are now available on the City’s website.Families are encouraged to check the website and communicate with their coaches for updated information.
Visit our website for information on other programs and events including Karate, Yoga, Track, Kidz Love Soccer, and more!
11. 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 or Bob.Sheehan@SouthSound911.org.
12. Historic Hose Cart Shed
The historic hose cart shed restoration is almost complete. This project could not have been accomplished without the countless volunteers and the dedicated work of Fire Lieutenant Josh Tinsley. Work is anticipated to be completed next week. A dedication date will be announced soon.
13. Military Family Day
The Hawks Prairie Rotary is sponsoring the 11th annual Military Family Day on Saturday, September 7th from 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM at the Cabela’s in Lacey. The event offers free food, activities, entertainment and displays from Army and Air Force units for military families and the local community to enjoy. A helicopter candy drop is scheduled for noon. This event is sponsored by local businesses throughout the Puget Sound area and all funds raised are given to military-affiliated organizations to help support military families. Cabela’s is located off of I-5 exit #111 in Lacey. Learn more about this celebration and support of military families at www.militaryfamilyday.org.
14. Sounder Train Service to Fair
Sound Transit’s popular Sounder event trains will serve people attending the Washington State Fair on September 14th and 21st, making it easy for North and Sound Sound residents to “Do the Puyallup!” and avoid gas and parking costs. Free shuttle service between Puyallup Station and the fairgrounds will also be provided.
A total of six Sounder trains will operate between Lakewood and Puyallup, with the first leaving Lakewood Station at 9:00 AM. The last train from Lakewood departs at 8:50 PM. The first train from Puyallup to Lakewood leaves at 11:05 AM. The last southbound train leaves Puyallup Station at 9:25 PM.
Riders can buy their train tickets from ticket vending machines at any Sounder station. Fairgoers should select “Puyallup” as the destination. Regular fares apply. More information on special Sounder train service to the fair is available at www.soundtransit.org/
15. Beat the Heat!
From August 12th – September 12th, low-income Pierce County residents can have their kittens altered for $10 and puppies altered for only $20! (Six months of age and under only.) You must mention the “Beat the Heat” special when making your appointment. Schedule your appointment at www.coalitionhumane.org or call (253) 677-7729.