1. Fire Department Pumpkin Patch – Come join in on the fun tomorrow at the DuPont Fire Department’s 3rd Annual Pumpkin Patch Day! This event will be held indoors at the DuPont Fire Station, 1780 Civic Drive, from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM. There will be tours of the fire engines and fire station, free blood pressure checks, and bicycle and multi-sport helmets available for sale. The smoke trailer will be open for participants to experience a fire simulation, in conjunction with a safety talk of what to do and expect. Try to hit a target with the fire hose when you bring canned foods to fill the fire engine to help families in need this holiday season. Families will learn some basic safety tactics and the kids will each get to pick out a free pumpkin! Remember to come early; the pumpkins are on a first-come-first-serve basis and are limited to one pumpkin per child.
2. Mayor’s Proposed 2014 Budget
Mayor Michael Grayum presented his 2014 Proposed Budget to the City Council at the October 8th Council meeting. The initial proposed budget builds on the positive momentum that the City is experiencing with development and economic growth while continuing to exercise fiscal restraint and responsibility. The budget emphasizes investment in the following priority areas:
- · Police, Fire, and Emergency Response Services
- · Tourism and Economic Development
- · Reducing Debts and Providing Financial Stability
These priorities are reflected in the department staffing levels by the inclusion of one new Police Officer to help provide more coverage as our City expands with new multi-family and commercial developments. The Fire Department budget includes funding to retain a 10th Firefighter/EMT to maintain 3 person minimum staffing and reduce overtime. In the Community Development Department, funding is included to hire a Senior Planner to keep pace with increasing economic development activity and ensure compliance with all development laws. Additionally, the budget focuses on the City’s main assets for tourism purposes by investing in events to celebrate our significant history and promote DuPont as the home of golf in the Pacific Northwest. The proposed budget also includes the payback of borrowed funds from the Equipment Rental and Replacement Fund ahead of the planned repayment schedule.
“This budget proposal emphasizes the City’s core responsibilities, stresses effectiveness, and promotes proactive decision-making. Most importantly, this budget challenges the status quo and takes a fresh look at how our City funds and provides its core services,” said Mayor Grayum.
The City Council held its first budget workshop on October 15th and reviewed the Governance, Finance and Community Development department budgets. The Council will continue their budget deliberations at workshops and Council meetings held throughout the next few months. The Mayor’s Proposed 2014 Budget,workshop materials, and the calendar of upcoming budget meetings can be found on the City’s website.
3. Upcoming Meetings – Week of October 21st – October 25th
- City Council Meeting
Tuesday, October 22nd at 7:00 PM
4. Council Agenda Items – October 22nd, 2013
- Presentations: I-5 and JBLM Interchange Study Update (WSDOT); JBLM Traffic & Transportation Update (Colonel Hodges)
- Public Hearing: Marijuana Moratorium
- Consent Agenda Items: Claims Vouchers List; Resolution Approving Interlocal Agreement to Participate in Self Insurance Program with Association of WA Cities; Commute Trip Reduction Program Agreement; City Attorney Services Contract Renewal; Hearing Examiner Contract Renewal; Humane Society Contract Renewal
- New Business: 3rd Quarter Budget Adjustment Ordinance – 1st Reading; Outstanding Checks Cancellation Resolution
- Budget Workshop: Revenue, General Fund Revenue Forecast Presentation, Personnel, and Other Funds
* Council Agenda Packet is available on the City’s website.
5. 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 and 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. Come join the growing group of volunteers who are already being trained to provide this valuable City service! For more information, please contact the Fire Station at (253) 964-8414.
6. Chloe Clark Fall Festival
The Chloe Clark Fall Festival is tonight from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. There will be bounce houses, games and lots of yummy carnival food. This event is an annual fundraiser for the PTA.
7. Pumpkin Smashing
With the fall season comes beautiful fall decorations, including pumpkins adorning porches throughout our community. Unfortunately, the DuPont Police have had multiple reports of pumpkin smashing since September 29th in DuPont neighborhoods west of Bob’s Hollow Lane and off of McNeil Street. The police are asking for the public’s assistance to help put a stop to this vandalism. The pumpkin smashing, which is considered a misdemeanor, appears to be taking place between 7:30 and 11:30 PM. If you know the identity of anyone committing these crimes, or have a description of the suspects and/or their vehicles or license plates, you are asked to contact the police department at (253) 964-7060 and leave a message. “The citizens of DuPont are our eyes and ears, especially during this time when are staffing is short. That being said, we will do everything we can to catch these suspects,” said Police Chief Bob Sheehan.
8. DuPont Museum Facebook Page
If you haven’t already done so, please check out the new DuPont Historical Museum Facebook page. We are showcasing events, restoration projects, new displays, and facts and photos submitted by former DuPont Company Town residents. Help promote our Museum!
9. Fall Food Drive
The DuPont Fire Department and DuPont Lions Club have once again partnered together to run a Fall Food Drive just in time for the holidays. Bring your canned goods or non-perishable items to the Pumpkin Patch Safety Fair on Saturday, October 19th or drop them off anytime in October to the Fire Department (1780 Civic Drive) to help with this worthy endeavor.
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”.
- Downtown Trick or Treating – Join friends and local businesses on October 31st for a spooktacular time as local businesses in the downtown business district open their doors for a safe Trick or Treating experience from 3:00 – 5:00 PM. Watch for a “Trick or Treat” sign in business windows to indicate participation in the event. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Put on your best Halloween costumes and join us for this annual tradition. Many thanks to the DuPont Business Association for helping make Halloween in DuPont safe, fun and family friendly!
- Youth Basketball Registration – Registration is now open for 2nd thru 8th grades for our Youth Basketball season. Registration fees are $85 per player and include a uniform. Registration ends at 4:00 PM on November 12th. Registration forms are available online. Once registration closes, families will be put on a waiting list and there are no guarantees for placement. Please do not delay in getting your registration to City Hall during the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily. The 2013-14 season runs from December 2nd – March 1st. All practices will occur in Steilacoom and DuPont. Some games may occur in University Place. Volunteer coaches are still needed. Please contact Youth Basketball Coordinator Larry Wilcox at l.j.wilcox@earthlink.net or at (253) 912-0639.
Registration is also open for the Little Hoopsters program for kindergarten and 1st graders. The fee to participate is $45 which includes a tee shirt and a medal. This program emphasizes developing skills with some scrimmages.
- Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar – Plan to support local arts and crafts vendors by doing your holiday shopping at our 8th Annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar. Doors open for this popular event at 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 16th at Pioneer Middle School. Admission to the bazaar is free! This has become an annual favorite for many families. Get in the holiday spirit early and join the fun!
- Save the Date – The Santa Breakfast will be here before you know it. This year’s breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 7th. The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will also be held that evening. More details will be available on the City’s website soon.
- Dance Classes – Registration is ongoing for dance classes being offered in partnership with Image Studio of Dance. Classes offered include tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop and contemporary. Classes 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.
Visit our website for information on other programs and events including Yoga, Cross Country, Kidz Love Soccer, and more!
11. Fall Tree Planting Event
As part of DuPont’s continuing efforts to support and celebrate our urban forest, we will be holding our annual Fall Tree Planting event on Tuesday, October 29th at 2:30 PM in front of Chloe Clark Elementary School (1700 Palisade Blvd.) 3rd grade students will once again assist in planting a tree and learn about the importance of trees from Tree Board members. Many thanks go to the DuPont Lions Club for their coordinating the event and donating the trees. The public is invited to this event.
12. Mummy & Me Halloween Dance
All mummies (aka Moms) are invited to bring their son to the Mummy & Me Dance scheduled for Friday, October 25th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the DuPont Community Center, 303 Barksdale Avenue in Historic DuPont. Ghosts and goblins are invited to dress in their favorite Halloween outfits and enjoy the fun! There will be dinner, dancing and lots of great games. You must call the ROA office at (253) 964-1289 to reserve a seat, as attendance is limited. If you reach voicemail, please leave your first and last name, the name of your son(s), your telephone number and street address.
13. Steilacoom High School Fundraiser
The public is invited to attend A Halloween Spooktacular Event on Saturday, October 26th at the Steilacoom Community Center. This costume party and auction is the major fundraiser for the class of 2014 after-graduation party parent committee. The funds raised from this auction will help offset the cost of the drug and alcohol free after-graduation party. Bewitching Hour starts at 5:30 PM, with a Haunted Walk, Silent Auction, Games, Dinner, Dessert Auction and Dancing to follow. There will also be a photo booth set up to capture pictures throughout the event which can then be purchased from Walgreens. The event is catered by Topside Bar and Grill. This is an adults only function. Tickets are $35 per person or $65 per couple. Tickets are on sale at Steilacoom High School football games or by contacting Nanette Winkler at (253) 912-9590 orwinkler4@comcast.net. Dress up and join the fun and games!
14. Salmon Stories
Pierce Conservation District is helping sponsor an evening of short films on salmon and the challenges and triumphs in restoring their habitat on Saturday, November 2nd at 7:30 PM. The event is being held at the Broadway Center for Performing Arts in Tacoma. The three films, produced by Leaping Frog Films, include:
- Buried in Sawdust for 50 Years – a story about Salmon Creek estuary, buried in 60’ of sawdust, and the amazing efforts to restore the estuary and salmon runs.
- River as Spirit – Rebirth of the Elwha – filmed just a week before the Elwha River dam removal began, this stunning film shows the length of the Elwha from its source high in the Olympic Mountains to its mouth near Port Angeles, filmed from the air and set to tribal music, poetry and narrated in the native Klallam language (with English subtitles).
- Saving Puget Sound One Watershed at a Time – an inspirational story of a Kitsap county community’s efforts to preserve 40% of their watershed to help save local salmon runs.
Tickets are $14 and available online at www.BroadwayCenter.org. For a 20% discount use the promotional code: CONSERVATION20.
15. In Gear Career Event
In Gear Career is a networking and advocacy nonprofit organization working to promote and assist with the transition of professional and career minded military spouse. Join In Gear Career for Military Spouses for a free networking social to launch the new JBLM area chapter. The social will be held on Thursday, November 7th at 6:30 PM at McNamara’s (1595 Wilmington Drive). Contact jblm@ingearcareer.org for additional information.