By Dawn Masko, City Administrator, City of DuPont
1. Financial Strategy Recommendations.?Mayor Michael Grayum proposed his sustainable plan forward to address the financial stability of the City at the June 12thCity Council meeting.? His plan is intended to be proactive and forge a new path forward towards a prosperous future for our city.? His recommendations were developed after listening to the feedback from the Community Finance Committee, and comments from business owners and citizens at the Town Hall meeting.
The City Council held a workshop on Tuesday, June 19th?to begin discussing the Mayor?s proposed financial solvency plan.? The Mayor?s proposed plan includes a temporary 6-year property tax levy lid lift to fund the debt service payments for City Hall, Police and Fire facilities, and preserve the 3 firefighters who are currently funded by a SAFER grant.? The temporary levy lid lift will provide the City with time to strengthen economic development and look at other revenue options, including a more cost effective restructuring of our debt, which is currently not an available option.? Although not part of the Mayor?s official proposal, another option put forward for Council consideration was a public safety sales tax which would be used to hire an additional police officer.
The City Council received information regarding the different options available for property tax levy lid lifts.? Additionally, the timeline and documents needed to place a tax measure on the November ballot were reviewed. ?Information documents that were distributed to the Council relating to each of these topics have been posted to the City?s website on a new Financial Strategy webpage.? The workshop continued with each Council member stating their views of the Mayor?s proposal, offering up their own ideas for long-term solutions and future improvements, and voicing support, concerns and questions they had related to the proposed property tax measure.
Council will continue their deliberations on the financial strategy at the June 26th?City Council regular meeting.? Follow up information will be provided to Council related to the timing and rate of the proposed property tax measure as well as clarification of questions surrounding the ballot title and eligible uses for Real Estate Excise Tax (REET).? Please visit the Financial Strategy?webpage?on the City?s website to see more details about the financial strategy discussions, view Council meeting materials and presentations, and link to the work of the?Community Finance Committee.
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2.?????July 4th?Vendors Needed
The July 4th?Planning Committee is currently looking for Arts & Crafts vendors for the July 4th?celebration.? Vendors will be set up in Clocktower Park.? The booth cost is $50.? This serves as an excellent opportunity to showcase your craft to a large audience.? Interested vendors are encouraged to contact Vendor Coordinator Roy Coffey at?roy@tailboard.net.
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3.?????DuPont PowderWorks Park Field Repairs
The PowderWorks Park soccer field is closed for scheduled turf repair and maintenance until July 8th.? No practices, games or other uses of the field are authorized during this period.? The soccer field will reopen for use on Monday, July 9thin time for the Skyhawks youth soccer camp.? We appreciate your assistance in observing the field closure!
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4.?????Upcoming Meetings ? Week of June 25th?? 29th
- Planning Agency Meeting???????????????????????
?????????????????????????????? ??? Monday, June 25th?at 7:00 PM - City Council Meeting???????????????????????
?????????????????????????????? ???????????? Tuesday, June 26th?at 7:00 PM
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5.?????Council Agenda Items ? June 26th, 2012??????????????????????????
- Consent Agenda Items:? Council Meeting Minutes; Claims Vouchers; Environmental Covenant
- Discussion Item:? Financial Strategy
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6.?????Community Development Update
- Sign Code Update??The Planning Agency will continue their discussion of the draft Sign Code at the June 25thmeeting.
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- Planning Agency Vacancy?- The City is seeking interested residents for appointment to the Planning Agency.? Eligible applicants must be residents of DuPont for at least one year.? Please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk that includes your relevant professional experience, your reasons for desiring to be appointed to this position, and your thoughts on the most significant planning issues facing the City in both the short and long term.
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7.?????FEMA Emergency Management Training
From June 25th?? 29th?the City Administrator (who is the City?s Emergency Manager) , along with representatives from throughout Pierce County, will attend the Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) hosted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at their National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland.? The focus of the course will be to provide local governmental jurisdictions the opportunity to work together and improve their ability to respond to various crisis events.? Attendees will receive special emergency response training and be put through a simulated disaster scenario.?? Costs for this training and associated expenses will be fully funded by FEMA.
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8.?????Fireworks Regulations
The DuPont Police and Fire Departments want to help keep families safe this Independence Holiday and make citizens aware of our fireworks regulations.? In the City of DuPont it is only legal to discharge fireworks on July 3rd?and 4th?between the hours of Noon and Midnight.? It is illegal to discharge fireworks on any public property, including streets, sidewalks and public parks.? Illegal fireworks in DuPont are firecrackers, bottle rockets and individual missiles and rockets, cherry bombs, and any altered or homemade fireworks.? Legal fireworks in DuPont include roman candles, cones and fountains, reloadable tubes and multiple aerials.? A comprehensive list of legal fireworks devices and illegal explosive devices can be found?here.
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The City encourages its residents to have a safe and fun 4th?of July and enjoy the liberty of discharging fireworks in DuPont, but please do so safely and with consideration for others and within the limitations of City law.? Please contact the Police Department?(253-964-7060) or the Fire Department?(253-964-8414) for additional information.
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9.?????PCTV Cameras Installed in Council Chambers
If you don?t see the Pierce County TV production truck at the next taped DuPont City Council meeting, don?t be alarmed.? PCTV has recently installed cameras inside the Council Chambers.? The remotely controlled wall-mounted cameras will allow PCTV to record the Council meetings more efficiently, utilize fewer crew, and require a much shorter set-up and tear-down time.? Funding for the cameras comes from combinations of Pierce County resources and PEG (Public, Education & Government use) fees, which are passed through on subscribers? cable bills.
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10.??Parks & Recreation
Please call?(253) 912-5245?or go to the City?s website at?www.ci.dupont.wa.us?for registration information, questions on Parks & Recreation activities, or for volunteer opportunities.??Want to know more?? Like us on Facebook at?"City of DuPont Events, Recreation & Tourism".
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- July 4th?Mandatory Volunteer Meeting?? A mandatory volunteer meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 27th?at 6:00 PM at the Community Center (303 Barksdale Avenue).? A BBQ dinner will be served.? If you have not yet registered as a volunteer but are planning to help, please contact Gina Irvin at?irvjam@msn.com.
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- Youth Summer Baseball League?? Parks & Recreation is offering a summer baseball league for kids entering Kindergarten through 3rd?grade.? The cost is $25 and includes a tee shirt.? The season runs from July 9th?? August 2nd?on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 ? 7:30 PM at DuPont PowderWorks Park.? Players are guaranteed 4 clinics and 4 scrimmages.? Registration forms are available on the City?s?website.? If you would like to volunteer to help or have any questions, please contact Tom Bradbury at?dupontbaseball@yahoo.com.
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- Summer Olympics are headed to DuPont?? If you love the Olympics but just can?t quite get to London, consider joining our Olympic Team right here in DuPont!? Applications to participate are now available?online.? The cost to participate is $25 per person or $75 per family if registered by July 13th.? Fee includes Olympic events, BBQ lunch and a tee shirt.? ?Events will run throughout the day on July 21st?at Pioneer Middle School and will consist of track and field events similar to the Olympic Games.? Many, many helping hands are needed.? Please contact Amy Walker at?(253) 912-5245?if you are interested in helping.
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Seniors, be sure to join us for Day 2 of our Summer Olympics by participating in the Northwest Senior Games Golf Tournament at The Home Course on July 22nd.? Registration forms are available atwww.northwestseniorgames.com.?
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- July 4th?Parade & Celebration?? Special thanks to Northwest Landing ROA for sponsoring the July 4th?Parade & Celebration!? This event has become a hometown favorite and this year is no exception.? Vendor applications are currently available by contacting Roy Coffey at?roy@tailboard.com.? Thanks to the DuPont Lions who are overseeing the vendors this year.
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Want to build a float or decorate your car for the parade?? Contact Parade Coordinator Anna Skretting atcranaberry@aol.com.? Please note, participants in the Bike, Buggy & Pet Parade do not need to register.
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- Youth Block Party?? The DuPont Youth Council is holding a Block Party in conjunction with National Night Out.? The event will be from 6:00 ? 8:00 PM on Tuesday, August 7th?at Clocktower Park, 1401 Palisade Blvd.? The cost is $5.00.? Ages 13-18 are welcome.? Join the Youth Council for a night of fun, BBQ, live music, and visits from the Police & Fire departments.? Please bring any school supplies that may be donated to a local family this fall.? Registration forms are available on the City?s?website.
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- Summer Sports Camps? Register today for summer sports camps in DuPont by logging on to?www.skyhawks.comor?www.challengersports.com?.? Sports camps are open to kids ages 4-16 and include soccer, baseball and basketball.? All camps will occur at PowderWorks Park.
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- Visit our website for information on other programs and events including Karate, Yoga, Track, Kidz Love Soccer, Dance4Life, summer camps, and more!
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11.??National Night Out Block Parties
National Night Out is always the first Tuesday in August and this year?s event is on August 7th. The Police Chief and Fire Chief are encouraging residents of DuPont to organize a Block Party that evening to get better acquainted with their neighbors and discuss public safety issues.? Generally the block parties are held between the hours of 4 PM and 9 PM and usually include a BBQ for all to enjoy.? Police Chief Ron Goodpaster and his police officers and Fire Chief Greg Hull and his firefighters will be available to attend all events.? This is a great time to get acquainted with your public safety responders in DuPont and get your questions answered.? For more information please contact Heidi Wiser at?(253) 964-8414.
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12.??Debris Disposal
The City would like to remind all residents and businesses that dumping on vacant property is not allowed.? Please properly dispose of refuse, yard waste and construction debris.
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13.??Pierce County Seeks Applicants
The Pierce County Council invites members of the public to apply for positions on the committees that will write ?for? and ?against? statements in the voters? pamphlet about a ballot measure regarding tax increases.? The Council recently voted to put a proposed amendment to the Pierce County Charter on the November 6th?ballot.? If approved, the amendment would require a two-thirds vote of the Council (five out of seven members) to raise new taxes after January 1, 2013.? The current threshold is a simple majority of four votes.? More information about the proposal, Ordinance 2012-15s, is available?here.
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Under state law, the Council has the authority to appoint up to three members to each committee.? The Council invites people who want to participate to submit letters of interest by July 2, 2012.? Letters should be sent to Denise Johnson, Clerk of the Council, 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Room 1046, Tacoma, WA 98402 or?djohnso@co.pierce.wa.us.? The Council intends to select the members by Resolution at a public hearing on July 10, 2012.? Once selected by the Council, the two committees have until August 7th?to submit the ballot statements to the County Auditor.
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14.??Intense DUI Crackdown Begins
Law enforcement will be highly visible beginning this weekend as they launch a nearly two-week statewide campaign to remove impaired drivers from the road.? City, county and state police in King and Pierce counties will be targeting roads where motorists are most at risk for being hit by a drug- or alcohol-impaired driver.? More than 25 law enforcement agencies will participate in the stepped-up enforcement, including both counties? dedicated Target Zero DUI teams and two dozen drug recognition experts who test drivers to determine if they are impaired by either illegal or prescription drugs.? Within the last two years, DUI fatalities and serious injuries in King and Pierce counties have been reduced by more than 40 percent through the deployment of Target Zero?s dedicated, full-time officer teams.
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Officer teams, including the Washington State Liquor Control Board, will be visiting bars as part of the Home Safe Bar program.? Officers will give bar patron?s cards that can be scanned by a smart phone to call a taxi.? Additionally, taxi chips for members of the military to use to get home will be given to bouncers, bartenders and servers.
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15.??Low Tides will affect Pierce County ferry service
Pierce County ferry riders in large vehicles should plan ahead to avoid low tides from July 1-8.? Load restrictions will be in place on some sailings on ferry service between Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island.? More information is available at?www.piercecountywa.org/ferry.
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16.??Summer Reading Program
The DuPont Library?s Summer Reading Program starts June 23rd?and runs through September 2nd.? This year?s theme is ?Dream Big ? Read!?? Summer reading helps children continue to learn and hold steady in their reading skills.? More information can be found at?Summer Reading Program.
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17.??Lakewood Station Open for Sounder Service this Fall
Sounder trains will begin service at stations in Lakewood and South Tacoma this fall.? Once open, Sounder will offer service between Lakewood, South Tacoma and Seattle, with stops along the way in downtown Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent and Tukwila.? Trains have plush seating, outlets for computers, bicycle storage, restrooms and fantastic views.
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Sounder trains run Monday through Friday in the morning and afternoons.? There will be five roundtrips between Lakewood, South Tacoma, and Seattle.? Rides from Lakewood and South Tacoma to Seattle will take about an hour and 10 minutes.
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Starting this summer, Sounder trains will be running on the tracks between downtown Tacoma and Lakewood for testing.? Sounder trains are fast and quiet.? Obey all warning signs.? Look both ways, and pay special attention when crossing the tracks.? For additional information please visit the Sounders?website.
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18.??Steilacoom Farmers? Market & Concert Series
The Steilacoom Farmers? Market is now open and will run each Wednesday through August 29th.? The market is open from 3:00 ? 7:00 PM and runs in conjunction with the Steilacoom Concerts in the Park which start at 6:30 PM each Wednesday.? Fresh produce, flowers, cheese, baked goods (including gluten-free) and a variety of specialty foods and crafts will be offered.? For weekly ?fresh finds at the market? updates please follow the market on Facebook or join the mailing list atwww.steilacoomfarmersmarket.
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The third concert of the series is the?Darren Motamedy (Smooth Jazz)?on June 27th.? The concerts are held at Pioneer Park, 1700 Commercial Street.? In the event of inclement weather the alternate location is the Steilacoom Community Center, 2301 Worthington Street.? No alcoholic beverages are allowed.? The series is sponsored by the Town of Steilacoom and the MTC Group.? For more concert information please call?(253) 581-1076.
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19.??Toll Increases Starting July 1st
New toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows and State Route 520 bridges take effect at midnight July 1st.? The change reflects the next necessary rate increase approved by the Washington State Transportation Commission to ensure both bridges generate enough revenue to meet construction-related bond payments.? The state Transportation Commission annually reviews traffic and revenue to determine whether new toll rates are needed to cover operational costs and debt payments.? The review process starts in the fall and if new rates are adopted, they are in effect the following July.
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Tacoma Narrows:? The?Good To Go!?rate will increase from $2.75 to $4.00, cash tolls from $4.00 to $5.00 and Pay By Mail to $6.00, up from $5.50.
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SR 520 Bridge:? Toll rates on the SR 520 bridge will increase 2.5 percent and continue to vary by time of day.? The current peak?Good To Go!?rate of $3.50 will increase to $3.59, and the peak Pay By Mail rate of $5.00 will rise to $5.13.? The toll increase affects all rate levels.
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