DuPont City Administrator’s Friday letter, Nov. 16

Ben Sclair | November 18, 2012

By Dawn Masko, City Administrator, City of DuPont

2013 Budget Update: The revised 2013 Proposed Budget – Plan B is now available on the City’s website. The proposed budget reflects Mayor Michael Grayum’s “Plan B” budget as a result of the Proposition 1 levy failure. This budget proposes to fulfill the City’s financial obligations by reducing irrigation to parks, greenways and facilities, closing the Museum, eliminating TruGreen maintenance contracts for PowderWorks Park and Wilmington Drive, and reducing essential public safety services by eliminating the three firefighters currently funded by a SAFER grant, eliminating the West Pierce Fire and Rescue contract (which provides fire support and administration services and personnel), eliminating an additional firefighter and a police officer, and increasing taxes and fees.

The City Council has held multiple budget workshops throughout the last month to review information on revenue projections, personnel, and department budgets. Council will continue their budget deliberations at workshops and Council meetings held throughout the next few months.

DuPont To Receive TIB Funding

Earlier this year, the City submitted applications to the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) for grant funding for two street related projects. At their Board meeting today, the TIB completed their selection of projects for the FY 2014 funding cycle. We are pleased to report that our application to help fund pavement overlay on a portion of Center Drive (from Steilacoom-DuPont Road to International Place) was among those projects selected for grant funding. Staff will be working with TIB representatives over the coming months to finalize the grant agreements, and will provide additional information as it becomes available. The work would be tentatively scheduled to occur in the spring of 2014.

Volunteer Recognition

The City of DuPont celebrated their dedicated volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation Reception on November 15^th. The City honored these special people who donated their time and talents over the last year. For being so few in numbers, our volunteers provide a seemingly unending supply of enthusiasm and energy assisting with everything from special events, serving on committees, agencies and advisory boards, teaching classes, performing clerical work, and a host of other duties. It seems appropriate in this season of Thanksgiving to recognize them and say a big “Thank You!” We certainly could not have accomplished what we have this past year without their efforts!

Upcoming Meetings – Week of November 19^th – 23^rd

City Council Budget Workshop Tuesday, November 20^th at 6:00 PM
City Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 22^nd and Friday, November 23^rd in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

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”.

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting – Many thanks to the Northwest Landing Residential Owner’s Association and Commercial Owner’s Association for their generous contribution of $2,700 towards this annual event! This year promises to be a Tree Lighting like no other in DuPont. Candy Cane Lane begins at 4:30 PM. Participating businesses along Wilmington Drive will open their doors to kids for a candy cane or other holiday treat. (In other words – Trick or Treating during the holidays!). DuPont Forza will host Santa pictures for a modest fee. Enjoy caroling, ornament making and other holiday cheer. We will light the tree at 6:00 PM in Ross Plaza. Bundle up and enjoy a festive evening with family and friends!

Youth Basketball Team Sponsors – Help support a youth basketball team by becoming a sponsor! The City of DuPont’s youth basketball league serves nearly 200 youth in and around our community. We need your help! Your company’s name will be placed on the back of the uniforms for $175 per team. Please contact (253) 912-5245 if you are interested.

Get Sweet on Parks & Rec – Parks & Recreation is holding a “Get Sweet on Parks & Rec” Caramel Apple sale through December 5^th. Holiday caramel apples are available for pre-sale for $5.00 each. Apples will be delivered the week of December 17^th. You can also purchase the apples at the Holiday Bazaar on November 17^th at Pioneer Middle School. The apples are beautifully wrapped and ready for gift giving. All proceeds benefit events and recreation programs. Thanks in advance for supporting Parks & Recreation!

Fall Yoga Session – The holiday season can add to your to-do list and increase your stress level. What a great opportunity to participate in a soothing yoga session offered through Parks & Rec. The fall session runs November 12^th – December 19^th. Registration forms are available on the City’s website. Questions? Please contact Davita at (253) 301-8461.

5^th Annual Santa Breakfast – Tickets to the Santa Breakfast are on sale at City Hall and are selling out fast! This annual event is scheduled for Saturday, December 8^th with seating at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Tickets are $10 each; 2 and under are free. Tickets include breakfast with Santa and a special take-home goodie from Santa’s elves. We will not have a professional photographer on site, so don’t forget to bring your cameras to take photos!

Visit our website for information on other programs and events including Karate, Yoga, Track, Kidz Love Soccer, Dance4Life, and more!

Employee Recognition

City employees were also recently recognized for their service to the citizens of DuPont. City Administrator Dawn Masko presented Service Awards to employees with 5 years or more of service to the City. This year’s employees recognized were Bill Anderson, Larry Holt, Amy Walker and Paul Jacoby for 5 years of service, and Justin Moore and Al Gasak for 10 years of service.

Catch Basin Vactoring

The City’s contractor is poised to begin catch basin vactoring next week within the Savannah Oaks area, and along Center Drive, McNeil Street, Ridgeview Drive, and part of Hoffman Hill Boulevard. This work is part of our ongoing stormwater system maintenance activities. Cleaning and vactoring of catch basins is performed on a cyclical basis to limit the buildup of dirt and sediment in the catch basins and helps to avoid the potential for more intensive maintenance or repairs to downstream piping of the system. This work will be completed over the next two months and will cover approximately one-third of our storm system. Information on starting locations and work progress schedules will be available soon.

In advance of the work commencing, the City is asking for your help. Your help begins with knowing where stormwater catch basins are in your area. If you live or park on the street in one of these areas, please avoid parking on, adjacent to, or within 8 feet of catch basins. The City will be placing signs in neighborhood areas in advance of the work as it is scheduled to occur. Leaving this area in front of the catch basins clear will ensure that the contractor has clear access to clean the basin and help facilitate timely completion of the work. We appreciate your assistance.

Coats for Kids

The DuPont Fire Department, together with the DuPont Lions Club and Caring for Kids, is holding their second annual “Coats for Kids” Drive in November. Please drop off new and/or clean and undamaged coats of any size at the DuPont Fire Department, 1780 Civic Drive, anytime between November 1^st and November 30^th. If you or your organization are unable to drop donations off but would still like to contribute, please contact DuPont’s CERT Coordinator Claire Keller-Scholz at (253) 964-8414 or via email at cscholz@ci.dupont.wa.us and we will arrange to have the DuPont Fire Department pick them up. Thank you for helping make life better for the children of our community during the chilly weather months.

Community Development Update

Emergency Communications Tower – The City Council adopted an ordinance to amend the DuPont Municipal Code to allow public wireless communication facilities in all zones throughout DuPont will be held at their November 13^th City Council meeting.

Sign Code Update –The first reading of the proposed sign code ordinance will occur at the November 27^th City Council meeting. The staff report and draft sign code are posted on the City’s website.

Industrial Place Soil Cleanup – On November 9^th the City issued the SEPA decision for the Industrial Place Soil Cleanup. The decision is posted on the City’s website.

Navy Federal Credit Union – On November 13^th the City issued the commercial design decision for this project. The decision is posted on the City’s website.

NW Logistics Center Warehouse – On November 13^th the City issued the land use decision for this project. The decision is posted on the City’s website.

Museum Gift Shop Offers Unique Holiday Gifts

Looking for unique heritage holiday gifts? Shop at the DuPont Museum gift shop! New items will be featured during the holiday season. Find great gifts under $10 and $20 for teachers, kids stocking stuffers, and those difficult to buy for! The DuPont Museum, located in the Historic Village at 207 Barksdale Ave., is open from 1:00 – 4:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Please contact Doris Stewart at (253) 964-2399 for holiday shopping assistance. You will love the selection of “hometown gifts.”

Annual Advent Wreath Making Activity

On Saturday, November 10^th volunteers arrived at the Public Works Shop with gloves and pruners in hand and decorated the Advent wreaths that will adorn Historic Village lamp posts throughout the Holiday Season. The Village tradition of making Advent wreaths was begun in the early 1970’s as a way to prepare for the upcoming Christmas season. Villagers and church members gathered together and added fresh greenery to Advent wreath frames, which were later lighted and hung from the lamp posts throughout the Village. Today the tradition continues because of dedicated community volunteers. Thank you to Fred Foreman, DuPont Historical Society, DuPont Presbyterian Church, and the many volunteers who helped. Volunteers will assist with hanging the wreaths this weekend.

Winter Safety Tips

The cold weather winter season is here! The Fire Department would like to remind everyone of some winter safety tips to stay warm during the colder temperatures. Dress appropriately before going outdoors. The air temperature does not have to be below freezing for someone to experience cold emergencies such as hypothermia and frostbite. Wind speed can create dangerously cold conditions even when the temperature is not that low. Most of your body head is lost through your head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears. Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in the ice and snow.

Gingerbread House Building

Northwest Landing ROA is sponsoring “Home Sweet Home” Gingerbread House Building for the young and the young at heart. The event will occur on Friday, December 14^th beginning at 7:00 PM at Chloe Clark Elementary but tickets for the pre-assembled houses must be purchased in advance for $5 each and are limited to two houses per family. Tickets are available at the ROA office located at 1495 Wilmington Drive, Suite 110 after November 20^th. All of the fixin’s to build your dream home will be provided at the event. Snacks and drinks will be served. Only a limited number of houses are being sold, so don’t delay! Call 964-1289 for more information.

Christmas Tree Sales

Boy Scouts of America Troop 71 (DuPont/Steilacoom) will be opening their Christmas Tree lot on Friday, November 23^rd (the day after Thanksgiving). Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. This annual fundraiser runs until all the trees are sold out around December 19^th. Trees are 4’ thru 8’ Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Noble Fir, Nordman Fir, and Evergreen wreaths starting at $22. All proceeds support the Scouting program. The tree lot is located at 1631 Lafayette Street in Steilacoom (next to the Barber Shop). Delivery’s can be made to DuPont and Steilacoom upon request. Come on by, pick out your tree, and support local Scout adventures this year!