Upcoming Meetings:
- Council Meeting – May 3, 2016 at 6:30 PM at Town Hall
- Civil Service – May 5, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Community Center.
- Planning Commission – May 9, 2016 at 6:30 PM at Town Hall.
- Preservation and Review Board – May 25, 2016 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.
Lead and Copper Testing:
The Town of Steilacoom tests for lead and copper along with other materials in our water system. The Town of Steilacoom Annual Water Quality Report is on-line at www.townofsteilacoom.com/DocumentCenter/view/887. This report contains important information about the source and quality of your drinking water. Please call 581-1912 if you would like a paper report delivered to you, or you can pick one up at the Public Works Building at 1030 Roe St., Steilacoom, WA 98388. If you have questions about the quality of the water provided by the Town of Steilacoom, please contact Doug Hale at 581-1912
The Town’s testing program detailed in the Water Quality Report indicates the Town’s water meets all applicable thresholds, including lead. The Town did not use “gooseneck” connectors which may be causing issues in other systems in our system. Additionally, the Town tests and has been testing every three years since 1994 at least 20 homes most likely to have exposure to lead soldering. No issues have ever been detected.
Although the system meets all standards and we have no reason to believe a problem exists, in an abundance of caution, Town staff is coordinating with Steilacoom Historical School District officials to perform additional testing at all of the schools in Town along with the Professional Development Center.
Tasanee Plat/PAD Appeal;
An appeal has been filed on the MDNS issued for the Tasanee Plat/Pad proposal. A Hearing Examiner will be used for the appeal which is scheduled for May 4th at 1 PM at Town Hall. Given this plat/pad will come to Council at some time in the future for action, please do not attend the hearing. If someone asks you about this matter, please do not comment and refer the inquiry to Doug Fortner or me.
Garden Club Plant Sale:
The Steilacoom Garden Club will be holding their annual plant sale on Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 to noon in the open area next to the Bair Bistro on Lafayette Street. They will have perennials, annuals, bulbs, shrubs, and vegetable and herb starts as well as decorative pots for Mother’s Day gifts. Birdhouses and garden art will also be available for sale. Proceeds from the Plant Sale go towards the purchase of the hanging flower pots displayed throughout Town.
Donations of plants are needed! Please bring plants to the site the previous day and include a label so they know how to sort them. They ask that no invasive plant species be donated, e.g. Shasta Daisies. Call Jan Lucas at 253-588-6217 for more information.
Confidential Document Shredding Event:
On Saturday May 14th from 9 AM to Noon at the Steilacoom Public Work’ Building, 1030 Roe Street, the Town in conjunction with LeMay Mobile Shredding, will host a confidential document shredding event.
The limit is two file boxes or three grocery bags per resident. Please do not bring plastic bags, DVDs or other items that will jam the shredder. This is a free event, however, a non-perishable food items and cash donations in support of the We Love Steilacoom Food Pantry will be accepted and appreciated.
A list of confidential document shredding events can be found on the website for the Washington State Office of the Attorney General under “Upcoming Events – Shredding Events”.
Cross Connection Control:
Are you getting your irrigation system ready to go for the summer? Don’t forget to get your backflow protection device tested. The best time to have the device tested is at the beginning of the irrigating season. Some people have their device tested on a certain date every year because that was the month that the original annual test was performed. Have your device tested at the beginning of the irrigation season so that you know that it is working properly to provide protection to the water to your home and the Town’s water system all summer long.
For a list of Washington State certified testers or any questions about cross connection, contact Doug Hale at 581-1912.
Public Safety:
DEA National Drug Take Back Day:
The Town will be participating in the DEA National Drug Take Back Day on April 30th. Our designated location is the Town Public Safety Building at 601 Main Street which will be open from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Training:
Five (5) officers attended rifle/pistol training at the Pierce County range this week.
Public Works:
Streets and Storm:
Crew Emphasis:
The crew concentrated on mowing rights-of-way, street sweeping, equipment maintenance, the annual traffic counter program, and recovering from Spring Clean-up.
Sentinel Way Reconstruction Project:
The Sentinel Way Reconstruction Project bid opening was Thursday. Staff will be brining an award recommendation to Council on May 3rd.
Electrical:
Crew Emphasis:
The crew completed switching to new wire in the dock area, performed for two days utility disconnection and reconnections for delinquent utility bill payments, repaired a secondary service in Keech Loop, maintained street lights, set up for pulling three phase wire next week, and performed other system maintenance.
Water/Sewer:
Crew Emphasis:
The crew inspected a new sewer installation in the 1600 block of Adams Street and a side sewer installation on Leschi Drive, coordinated water sampling with the School District, responded to a sewer main blockage in the vicinity of Nisqually Street and Pacific Street, responded to citizens’ inquiries relative to the Town’s water quality based upon media reports of issues in other systems, removed a lift station pump and delivered it for a complete rebuild, and performed other system maintenance.
Parks, Buildings and Grounds:
Crew Emphasis:
Staff completed and opened the new Cherrydale Playground site. They also sprayed for vegetation control, responded to issues in the parks caused by their high usage during the nice weather, conducted seasonal hire interviews, cleared the switch back trail between Madrona Park and Chambers Creek Road (the Cedar Creek Work Crew performed this work), and performed other building and grounds maintenance.
Other:
Disaster Preparedness Day set for Saturday, April 30
Mark your calendars and join West Pierce Fire & Rescue this weekend for Disaster Preparedness Day. On Saturday, April 30 from 10am – 1pm Disaster Preparedness Day will run in conjunction with Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA in Lakewood.
Learn about what to do to prepare your home and family for a disaster, as well as gather lots of safety information.
There will be lots of fun things for the kids and custom-fit life jackets and helmets will be available for sale, just in time for summer. Life jackets are $14; helmets are $7 and $10 (cash only, please, and the wearer must be present for a custom-fit).
Kiwanis Bike Rodeo:
The Kiwanis Club of Steilacoom invites local children to attend the “Bike Rodeo” May 7th at Saltar’s Point Elementary School, 10 AM to Noon.
Bikes will be inspected to ensure they are in a safe working condition or if they may need adjustments. A Public Safety Officer will check bike helmets for proper fit and condition. Each child will proceed through six skill stations including signals, braking, dodging obstructions, and looking back safely. All biking children will receive a “Bike Rodeo” safety certificate.
We Are Monsters:
Saltar’s Point Elementary students will be performing “We Are Monsters” on May 13th, 14th, and 15th starting at 6 PM. All are invited to attend and there is no charge.
SHSD 2nd Annual Day of Champions:
One of my very favorite days of the entire school year was last year’s “Day of Champions”. The Steilacoom Historical School District hosted our inaugural Day of Champions and it was a huge success with over 120 students with disabilities participating in a non-competitive track and field meet. It was truly a memorable event for everyone involved and we are looking forward to this year’s festivities.
At the Day of Champions, students from preschool through 12th grade participate in a variety of outdoor events involving tossing Frisbees, obstacle course challenges, running, jumping, throwing large and small balls and outdoor bowling. Our high school students make this a day to remember by volunteering their time to assist with event coordination, music, leading events, and cheering on the athletes.
This year, the event will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Steilacoom High School. Opening ceremonies will take place at 10:00 a.m., with closing ceremonies and lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. We would love to have your help supporting this amazing event by volunteering, serving as a sponsor or by simply stopping by to be a spectator!
The Day of Champions is made possible by our generous sponsors: the Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation, First Student Transportation, Kiwanis Club of Steilacoom, DuPont Lions, and Pepsi Company. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Jennifer Brownell at 253-983-2238 or jbrownell@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.