The Suburban Times

A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County.

Steilacoom Town Administrator Feb. 8 report to council

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Upcoming Meetings:

  • Council Meeting – February 19, 2019, at 6:30 PM at Town Hall.  
  • Planning Commission – February 11, 2019 at 6:30 PM at Town Hall.
  • Civil Service Commission – March 7, 2019, at 2 PM at the Community Center
  • Preservation and Review Board – February 27, 2019 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.

Winter Storm Advisory:

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm advisory for the Puget Sound area.  The advisory currently extends from noon and Friday the 8th to 4 PM on Saturday the 9th.  4-8 inches of snow are predicted with possible greater accumulations in certain areas.

Town staff implemented the following plan to address the adverse weather conditions.

  1. Filled both storage tanks with brine (8,000 gal.) on site.
  2. Staff will pre-treat the arterials, minor arterials, bus routes, and hills prior to the event with brine.
  3. The crew will work through Friday to pre-treat and will stay late as needed to plow new snow off roadways.  (Our strategy is to move as much of the snow off the roads as possible).  Staff members will alternate through the night (as necessary) and into Saturday (with plow, salt, etc.), most likely at least until noon on Saturday.
  4. Staff will reassess and revise the plan as needed based upon changing conditions.

Travel conditions throughout the greater Puget Sound area will be treacherous and people are being advised to stay home except for critical or emergency circumstances.

What You Can Do:

  1. As always with pending wind storms, we recommend keeping an eye on the forecast to stay aware of changes in the predicted impacts. Wind is difficult to predict and is constantly fluctuating in strength and timing.
  2. Make sure your family is aware of the weather/driving conditions and chance of outages.
  3. Share your emergency plans so everyone knows what to do.
  4. Stock up on basic provisions – candles and blankets at the ready, and a plan for cold weather, no travel and potential outages.
  5. Be aware and safe in traffic – allow space and time. Keep some food and water in your car in case you get stuck.
  6. And, never, ever approach downed or broken utility lines – they can remain hot while on the ground or in a suspended state. Stay away – call and report.

Long-Term Summary – Monday and Next Week

It’s the general consensus as of right now that more snow is coming on Sunday Night/Monday morning, and perhaps also Monday Night/Tuesday. The rest of the week – “Dominant pattern remains unchanged,” meaning we have a chance of snow every day in the morning and evening except when temperatures raise above freezing during mid-days.

The great concern is that it will freeze every night, so all the accumulated snow, ice, newly melted snow, and slush will freeze every night creating very hazardous driving conditions and potentially impassable roads. Please prepare to be extremely cautious on the roads and avoid traveling if possible.

Long Term Forecast – Monday and Next Week:

  1. Temperatures – MONDAY – High 34/Low 26; TUESDAY – High 35/Low 24; WEDNESDAY – High 38/Low 27; THURSDAY – High 38/Low 28
  2. Snow – As of right now, there is a chance of snow each day, with normal levels of precipitation for this time of year and unusually cold temperatures.
  3. Wind – as of right now, no significant winds are predicted, but this has the most potential for change, so please monitor forecasts.
  4. Ice/Roads – With melting during the day, sporadic snow, freezing each night, we have the potential for very hazardous roads all week and for ice every morning. BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS.

What You Can Do:

Stay safe, look in on people who are more vulnerable, be extremely cautious on the roads, and keep monitoring the forecast.

Small Cell Facilities:

The Planning Commission will continue its consideration of small cell wireless facilities at its next meeting on February 11, 2019. Small cells are the next generation of cellular telephone systems. Under a new FCC order, wireless providers will be able to use existing light and utility poles in the right-of-way as supports for the new antennas. The antennas must be no larger than 3 cubic feet, but may have additional equipment boxes of up to 28 cubic feet placed nearby. Additionally, the system will be linked by new fiber optic cable. The FCC order limits the time frame for the Town to issue permits.

The Planning Commission will be working on regulations for later consideration and approval by the Town Council. The meeting will be at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall.

Public Safety:

Suspicious Activity:

If you observe suspicious activity, please contact Public Safety – non-emergency number – (253) 798-4721 as soon as possible. To anonymously report suspicious activity please email the Department at crimetips@ci.steilacoom.wa.us

Public Works:

Streets and Storm:

Crew Emphasis:

The crew focused on responding to last weekend’s snow event and restocking/preparing for the upcoming event.   

Electrical:

Crew Emphasis:

The crew installed primary cable on Montgomery Street, load tested the emergency generators, installed a new impeller on pump #2 at the Marietta lift station, worked with BNSF on the way side horn at the dock crossing, and performed other system maintenance.  

Water/Sewer:

Crew Emphasis:

The crew met with the engineers contemplating a sewer main extension on View Road related to serving 4 existing duplexes that are currently on septic systems; performed water shut-offs and turn-on s for two buildings in the Steilacoom Woods Apartments in conjunction with maintenance and repair activities; inspected a new sewer service in the 1100 block of Walnut Lane;   and performed other systems’ maintenance.

Parks, Buildings and Grounds:

Crew Emphasis:

The crew completed additional work on the new stove installation at the Community Center; cleared snow and ice from building entrances and exits; prepared for the next round of adverse weather; and performed other buildings and grounds maintenance activities.

Other:

Steilacoom Fireside Gallery:

Original oil, watercolor, and mixed media artwork will be on display at the “Steilacoom Fireside Gallery” in January and February, 2019 as part of the Town of Steilacoom Guest Artist Series.    Featured artist, Anne Doane, a member of Pacific Gallery Artists, has received awards for her artwork at the Washington State Fair, Lakewood’s ArtsFest and other juried art competitions for her Pacific Northwest landscapes, still life and more.  The “Steilacoom Fireside Gallery” is located inside the Steilacoom Community Center, 2301 Worthington St, Steilacoom WA. Gallery Hours: Mon – Thurs 9:00 am – 7:30 pm; Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm; closed weekends and holidays.