By Paul Loveless, Steilacoom Town Administrator
Upcoming Meetings:
- Council Meeting – November 5, 2013 at 6:30 PM at Town Hall.
- Preservation and Review Board – October 23, 2013 at 6:30 PM at Town Hall.
- Civil Service – November 7, 2013 at 3:00 PM at the Community Center
- Planning Commission – October 28, 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
MPs unveil Memorial to Commemorate 29 Fallen Soldiers:
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. – The 42nd Military Police Brigade will unveil a memorial monument, on Oct. 18, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at JBLM Memorial Park, to commemorate 29 fallen Soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Iraqi Freedom /Operation Enduring Freedom from 2003-2011. The monument was donated through community and unit support. The families of the fallen Soldiers will be at the ceremony for this momentous event, supported by the Steilacoom sub-chapter of the Association of the United States Army in partnership with the 42D MP BDE. (The Suburban Times | October 17, 2013)
Mayor Lucas worked tirelessly on this project and represented the Town at the event.
Night Work at the Sunnyside Pump Station:
Pierce County rescheduled and completed this work Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.
Report Street Light Problems:
As daylight hours are beginning to get shorter, it is a good time to check your neighborhood street lights and help us identify those that are not working and need to be repaired. To report a street light outage or other problem, please record the nearest street address and contact the Public Works Department at 253.581.1912. Repairs may take up to 1-2 weeks to complete..
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. BNSF is pursuing design of a replacement structure at this time.
Comprehensive Plan Update:
Your input is needed to update to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. Over the next several months, the Planning Commission will review the Comprehensive Plan by topic, and public input is vital to the success of this exercise. Remaining topics to be covered are Development Patterns on October 28; Housing on November 25; Economic Development on December 9 and Transportation on December 23. All meetings will be at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall, 1717 Lafayette Street. More information is available from Town Planner Doug Fortner at 581-1912 or doug.fortner@ci.steilacoom.wa.us.
Want to receive advance notice of Planning Commission meetings and hearings by email? You can sign up at any Planning Commission meeting or send an email request to doug.fortner@ci.steilacoom.wa.us.
Public Safety:
Staffing:
An oral board was held on Wednesday. 7 entry level candidates were interviewed with 4 passing; 1 lateral candidate was interviewed and passed. The Civil Service Commission at their Thursday meeting certified the passing candidates to the entry level and lateral registers.
In-Car Cameras:
The Chief and staff met with representatives of the WSP and with representatives from Coban to discuss a new in-car camera system. We continue to experience extensive maintenance, operational, and retrieval issues with the current system.
Public Works:
Streets and Storm:
Joey Hollow Development:
Staff met with the Joey Hollow Development Team to discuss the recently imposed stop work order and actions needed to be taken on their part to lift it. The Development Team was granted permission to continue limited work to stabilize the area. Additionally, on Monday, the contractor will be meeting with the Town’s geo-technical consultant on-site to assess and evaluate the soil conditions to determine if a concrete-treated base option would be feasible.
Sequalish Street Project;
PSE’s contractor continued working on moving their gas mains along the project while the contractor worked on constructing the wall near the old Pioneer Middle School. Please find alternate commuting routes. Starting Monday, sewer construction will commence in the area between Main Street and Chambers Street.
Crew Emphasis:
The crew focused on GIS training, site visits at Joey Hollow, and other right-of-way maintenance.
Electrical:
BPA Account Representative Meeting:
Staff met with Paul Munz, the Town’s BPA account representative, to discuss the impact of BPA’s recent rate increase on the Town along with other BPA/public power issues.
Crew Emphasis:
The crew coordinated with the Sequalish Street contractor and provided locates for the gas and other work being performed. Additionally, they moved a transformer and vault in the vicinity of Short Street and Sequalish Street.
Next week, the crew will continue the work related to moving the transformer and other project related issues.
Water/Sewer:
Crew Emphasis:
The Crew spent a considerable amount of time locating facilities along Sequalish Street in conjunction with the ongoing project, spent Tuesday night/Wednesday morning hand-operating the lift stations and pump stations in conjunction with the Pierce County project near the Sunnyside pump station.
Parks and Grounds:
The crew continued winterizing sprinkler systems, water fountains, mowed, and performed other building and grounds maintenance. The crew is also coordinating with a Andrew Gonzales, and Eagle Scout candidate, on his project marking trails in Madrona Park and Chambers Bay II.
The SCC office building’s window replacement project is scheduled to start today. This project is being performed by Legacy Windows and will be done consistent with Historic District standards. It is the precursor project to residing the building.
Other:
Kiwanis Club of Steilacoom:
The Kiwanis Club of Steilacoom will meet on Thursday, October 24th, at 7 AM at the Topside Bar and Grill.
We Love Steilacoom/Steilacoom Food Pantry:
The Food Pantry has relocated to Oberlin Congregational Church at 1603 Rainier Street. Thank you to the Kiwanis members and others who helped with the move.
The We Love Steilacoom Association operates a food bank for low-income individuals and families. This is done through the twice-monthly on-site distribution and a weekly distribution via a “back-pack” program done in coordination with Cherrydale School. The Association also provides need-based assistance for utility payments and, to the extent funds are available, scholarships for Steilacoom High School students.
Food distributions are on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Oberlin Congregational Church – 1603 Rainier Street. Food donations may be dropped off at the Community Center or at the food bank during operating hours.
Financial contributions for any of the programs, including the scholarship program, may be dropped off at the Community Center. A separate check, made payable to the Association, may also be sent in with your utility bill.
For more information, contact Paul Loveless at 581-1912 or Sharon Cornett, Food Pantry Coordinator, at 581-1076
Scarecrows Around the Sound:
Winning entries in Steilacoom’s 2013 Scarecrow Contest have been announced, and winners for the “Celebrate the Apple” competition include:
Family entries: Montgomery Family at 47 Ira Light, with the Pihlman Family at 1602 Nisqually as Runner Up. Steilacoom Library, with its “Apple Computer” entry, earned first place in the Group Entry category. (Suburban Times – Nancy Covert – October 15, 2013.)
For Grand Prize! Well, anyone knows that an Apple for the Teacher” is the surest way to earn an “A” grade—and Steilacoom Historical School District won that honor this year
Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s contest. Scarecrows were judged on the basis of adherence to theme, originality, workmanship, costume and use of props, according to Judy Hopkins, a Steilacoom Garden club member.
Be sure to view the collection of paper scarecrows at Espresso by the Bay
Surplus Listing:
The Steilacoom Town Council declared the following items surplus to Town needs and will be accepting written offers for purchase.
Items are available for viewing at the Public Safety Building during normal building hours.
Sealed bids for any of the items should include the description of the item and the amount of the offer.
Sealed bids must be received by 2:30 PM, October 31, 2013, at the Public Works Building. The envelope containing the offer should be marked “Surplus Property Bid”.
Item Condition Comment
Chairs – approximately 150 Fair to poor A
6 4-foot round tables Fair
24-30 assorted style chairs varies
COMMENT:
Chairs were used for rentals and events. Chairs were replaced 4-5 years ago and have not been used since.
The Town reserves the right to reject any and all bids.For more information, contact Paul Loveless at 581-1912.