DuPont Administrator’s Friday Letter

Dawn Masko, City Administrator, City of DuPont

1. 1843 Fort Nisqually Site Celebration

The DuPont Museum and DuPont Historical Society will host an 1843 Hudson Bay Company Fort Nisqually Site Celebration & Nisqually Tribe Salmon Bake on Sunday, August 22nd from 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The event is located on Center Drive across the street from the Civic Center. Parking is available in the Civic Center parking lot and shuttle services will be provided.

Admission is free and open to the public but seating is limited so bring your own lawn chair. The Salmon Bake Dinner will cost $12 for adults and $6 for kids or bring a picnic lunch. The event is sponsored by the DuPont Historical Society and DuPont Tourism Bureau, with proceeds benefiting the DuPont Historical Society.

The Site Celebration and Salmon Bake will include a viewing of a Nisqually Tribal Canoe. Other activities and attractions include an “Archeology Dig” for Kids, guided tours by historian Drew Crooks, live old-time music, antique gun display, historic re-enactors in costume, Ezra Meeker’s 1906 Oregon Trail Wagon, wood-carving demonstrations, Make- it, Take-it needlecrafts and more!

The event will be kicked off this year with a Volksmarch down the Historic Sequalitchew Trail. Sign in begins at 9 AM at the 1843 Fort Nisqually Site. There is no charge to participate.

For more information contact Johanna Jones, Museum Manager at 253-964-2399 or Lee McDonald, Historical Society President at 253-267-5267, or visit DuPont History Museum’s website at www.dupontmuseum.com or the City’s website at www.ci.dupont.wa.us.

2. 2010 United States Amateur Golf Championship

The 2010 U.S. Amateur kicks off this weekend! Play begins on August 21st with practice rounds at The Home Course in DuPont and Chambers Bay in University Place. Tee times begin at 7 AM and will continue throughout the day. The United States Golf Association (USGA), The Home Course, Pierce County, Chambers Bay, Kemper Sports and over 500 volunteers have worked diligently to assure a successful event. Championship information and a schedule of events are available at www.2010usamateur.com/schedule-of-events.php.

This is an amazing opportunity for the City of DuPont to showcase our beautiful city and The Home Course. Several players and USGA officials will be calling the Liberty Inn and Guesthouse Suites home for the week. Please help us welcome all players, families and golf fan to the City of DuPont!

3. DuPont War Memorial Fundraiser

A fundraising concert is being held on Saturday, August 21st to raise funds for the DuPont War Memorial. The concert by Big Ballad Ray is being held from 2 PM – 6 PM on the veranda of Forza Coffee on Wilmington Drive. All money raised from the sale of his CD “Big Hits from Big Ballad Ray” will be donated for the memorial project. If you are unable to attend and would like to buy the CD to help raise funds for the memorial, please call 253-389-1920.

4. Pet Spay and Neuter Clinic

The Humane Society has partnered with Coalition: Humane to offer a Beat the Heat! Spay and Neuter clinic. Low-income Pierce County residents can have their kittens altered for free and puppies altered for only $10 from now until September 17th. This special applies to animals two to six months of age only. To schedule an appointment contact the Coalition: Humane at www.coalitionhumane.org or call 253-627-7729.

5. Upcoming Meetings – Week of August 23rd – 27th

* The Planning Agency meeting scheduled for August 23rd has been cancelled.
* The City Council meeting scheduled for August 24th has been cancelled.

6. Communications Survey

The Blue Ribbons Committee on Communications has posted a short survey on the City’s website. This survey is intended to solicit information on how effectively the City communicates with its citizens, as well as determine which communication mediums are being utilized by respondents. To participate please use the survey link located on the City website at www.ci.dupont.wa.us.

7. Water and Stormwater Rate Studies

The City Council has been reviewing the recent Water and Stormwater rate studies over the past few months. The previous rate studies and resulting rate increases were over 10 years ago. At the City Council Workshop on August 17th Council confirmed direction to staff regarding rate increases and other changes for both utilities. Proposed rate increases are needed to ensure sufficient funding is available for ongoing maintenance and future capital improvements of the City utilities. Proposed changes for the stormwater utility include a 29% rate increase for 2011 and 12% rate increases each year from 2012 to 2015. A System Development Charge (SDC) of $500 is also proposed for new development. Proposed changes for the water utility include rate increases of 13% per year from 2011 to 2015 and a SDC for new development of $2,888. An increase to the water utility tax of 3% is proposed to cover the cost associated with providing fire protection (fire hydrant maintenance, etc). The proposed rate increases for both water and stormwater utilities would amount to an estimated combined increase to the average homeowner’s bill by $10 every billing cycle (every 2 months). The next steps in the rate study process include a presentation and discussion about both utility rate studies at the next City Council meeting on September 14th. Public comment on the proposed changes is welcome at the meeting. First and second readings of the proposed ordinance changes are scheduled for the September 28th and October 12th City Council meetings respectively.

8. Parks & Recreation Agency Vacancies

Anneliesse Nobles has recently announced her resignation from the Parks & Recreation Agency, leaving two vacant positions. She has been an active participant of the Agency and they would like to thank her for her service to the City of DuPont.

The City is seeking interested residents for appointment to this volunteer agency. Eligible applicants must be City of DuPont residents for a minimum of one year. Please submit a letter of interest that includes your relevant professional experience, your reasons for desiring to be appointed to this position, and your thoughts on the most significant parks and recreational issues facing the City in both the short and long term. All materials should be submitted to City Clerk Erin Larsen at City Hall, 1700 Civic Drive, DuPont, WA 98327.

9. Fire SAFER Grant

The Department of Homeland Security has opened the 2010 SAFER grant application period. The goal of the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant is to enhance the local fire department’s ability to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). These federal funds are available for the hiring of firefighters for cities and districts that are below federal guidelines and recommendations for staffing levels. The 2010 SAFER grant would reimburse the City of DuPont for all wages, benefits, and turnout gear for each firefighter hired, for a period of two years. The City would then be obligated to employ each firefighter through a third year. DuPont Fire Department currently maintains a 2 firefighter minimum staffing level on Engine 25 at all times. This grant, if approved for 3 firefighters, would provide for a 3 firefighter minimum staffing level. This would restore the level of service to DuPont citizens to the pre-2010 level. This funding would also provide a higher level of safety for DuPont firefighters and allow them to provide a higher level of service at aid calls and structure fires. City staff are working with the Fire Chiefs to study the feasibility of this program and will make a recommendation to the City Council at the September 14th City Council meeting.

10. Skate Park Grant Update

Public Works Director Peter Zahn and Councilmember Michael Grayum gave the City’s formal grant presentation to the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) evaluation panel in Olympia this past Tuesday, August 17th. The RCO will be completing the presentation evaluation process this week and additional review and scoring of grant applications will occur in the coming weeks. It is expected that a preliminary list of project scoring and ranking will be available by early September, followed by the review and approval of a ranked list by the RCO Funding Board in late September. The ranked list of projects recommended for grant funding will be forwarded to the Governor’s office for consideration in the proposed 2011-2013 budget that will be presented to the State Legislature in mid-December 2010.

11. First Responders Day at the 2010 U.S. Amateur

Thanks to the support of Regence Blue Shield of Washington, the 2010 U.S. Amateur is pleased to announce that Wednesday, August 25th will be First Responders Day at the national golf championship. All active-duty and retired commissioned law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS providers and 911 dispatchers will receive complimentary admission to the U.S. Amateur on August 25th. Regence President Jonathan Hensley says “we are happy to have the opportunity to recognize the first responders who are on the job every day working to ensure the welfare of everyone who lives and works in this area. We thank them for their courage and dedication.” To receive the complimentary admission, eligible personnel must present their official department ID or badge at the admissions tent. As a reminder, youth 17 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. More information is available at www.2010usamateur.com.

12. Bingo Night

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 28th. The Park Agency is hosting the third BINGO night of the year. The first game will be called at 6:00 PM sharp. Tickets will be available at City Hall starting August 2nd. Cost is $15 per card or $20 for two cards. (Sorry, cards cannot be split). Ages 10 and over are welcome. Prize donations are gladly accepted and very much appreciated! Please contact Amy Walker at 253-912-5245 if you are interested in donating. See you there!

13. Sequalitchew Creek Watershed Council (SCWC) Project Update

The SCWC gave a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Agency on August 16th regarding their revised grant project. The new proposal includes installing 100 feet of split rail fencing by the Wilkes Observatory to stop usage of a dirt trail down to the saltwater estuary, native vegetation planting on approximately 390 feet of the eroded trail, and installing trail use signage. City staff is reviewing the recently received project scope and will be working with the SCWC to ensure all necessary City requirements are met to proceed with the volunteer work currently slated to occur on Saturday, September 11th.

14. August 17th Primary Election Results

Current unofficial election results for the August 17th Primary Election are available on the Pierce County website at http://www.piercecountywa.org/results.

15. Restaurant Neighbor Award

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and American Express salute restaurateurs who go above and beyond in giving back to their communities through the Restaurant Neighbor Award. This year, Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza is being recognized by the NRA with this award primarily based on their work with the military as well as their contributions to the DuPont community. The Farrell family will receive their award at a gala on September 10th in Washington D.C. where short documentaries about the winners of each category will be shown. The NRA will be at the DuPont Farrelli’s location on Wednesday, August 25 at lunchtime to do all of the filming. Farrelli’s is offering all uniformed military 25% off all food that day at lunch to help celebrate. Mayor Jenkins will be in attendance at this event to help recognize them for their accomplishment. This award is a great honor and reflects positively about not only Farrelli’s but also brings very positive publicity to the City of DuPont as well.

16. Reminder to Pet Owners

With summer finally arriving, and many pets and their owners being outside taking advantage of the warmer climate, we’d like to take this opportunity to remind all pet owners of our local requirements:

· Licensing: All cats and dogs three months of age and older must be licensed by the City. We seem to have been having a high number of lost pets in our community recently and compliance with City pet licensing requirements will help ensure a more timely reunion with your pet. Contact the Animal Control Hotline at 253-830-5010 or the Humane Society at 253-383-2733 if your pet is missing. Licensing information is available on the City website.

· Leash Law: Dog owners are required to keep their dog under their immediate control any time the dog is taken off of their property and must be on a leash.

· Pet Waste Removal: Pet owners are required to clean up any pet waste immediately following its deposit. Bags and deposit containers are available in many of our City parks and trails.

· Barking Dogs: Pet owners or caretakers need to keep their animals from disturbing the peace by frequent or long, continued noises, including frequent or habitual barking, howling, whining or yelping which continually disturbs multiple neighbors.

Additional information on the City’s household pet requirements is on the City website.

17. Building & Planning Recent Activity

* Staff held a preapplication meeting with Quadrant on August 17th to discuss a new section of the Sequalitchew Creek Trail that would run from City Hall, along the north side of the creek, to the existing asphalt section of the trail.
* The appeal period for Hampton Inn & Suites Commercial Design decision with conditions closed on August 16th with no appeals filed.

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