Inside the City of Tumwater Date: December 17, 2020 To:
Mayor Pete Kmet City Councilmembers City Employees
From: John Doan, City Administrator
PEOPLE All Staff Employee Recognition Celebrating Serving Our Community Together As we wrap up the year, let’s pause and celebrate the service milestones for these employees.
30 Years Mike Matlock Steve Craig Kelly Crawford Matt Webb Beth Kemph 25 Years Brian Hurley Jeff Jernigan Randy Baughn David Hahn Tom Trentman 20 Years Jennifer Kolb Cheryl Almon Cathy Blakeway Tami Petterson Kerri Kinnaird Tom Barker
15 Years Charles Liska Dwane Ehrich Lance Inman Jennifer Heath 10 Years Richard Hutchins Casey Ronning Jarrod Simmons John Doan 5 Years Shaun Carney Shannon Geary Mick Uffelman Alex Bates Monti Sorem Jacob Rodriguez Shelly Carter Josh Irwin Stan Osborn
Thank you for your dedication and service to the Tumwater community!
PLACES
New Water Resource Specialist Joining Us
Skookumchuck Tumwater
Carrie Gillum is joining the City Water Resources &
Two years ago, the City entered into a contract with
Sustainability Department in January. She currently works for the State Geologic Survey at the
Department of Natural Resources. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in geoscience physics and is a licensed hydrogeologic and
professional hydrogeologist. She will be a welcome
addition to our team as we work on groundwater rights and quality issues. Welcome, Carrie.
New Firefighter The City's newest firefighter is Daniel Ness and will
start on January 5, 2021. He is currently working for the Pasco Fire Department, where he's been since
Wind
Power
Comes
Puget Sound Energy to join other jurisdictions and
major private companies to purchase power from
the Skookumchuck Wind Power Project that came online earlier this month. Located at the border of
Thurston and Lewis Counties, the 38 wind turbines generate enough electricity for the equivalent of 30,000 homes. Green energy from the new plant will
power our buildings, lift stations, water pumping facilities, and vehicle charging stations. This program
reduces our greenhouse gas emissions by about
65.8% and saves the City almost $1M over the next 18 years in power purchase costs.
2017. He lives in Grays Harbor and has been a
volunteer and career firefighter since 2010. Daniel is
filling a vacant position in the department that has interim funding from Thurston County Medic One. Welcome, Daniel!
EVENTS Next Council Meeting January 5 Having completed the budget and not taken a summer recess, the Council will be taking a break
during the holidays. The next meeting will be 7 p.m., January 5, 2021, in Zoomland.
United Way Campaign Thank you everyone who donated to our 2020 United Way campaign.
Each turbine blade is 220 feet long and the top of blades when installed are 500 feet above the ground.
Development Review Committee The Development Review Committee is reviewing feasibility of expanding the Tack Room retail store at
201 Lee Street, and an 11,000 s.f. retail store at 741 Airport Court. The Committee previously reviewed feasibility of a 10,000 s.f. commercial building for
We raised $6,160 for our community. Congrats to
Olympia Sheet Metal and the proposed L&I/WSDA
Department who received the $100 gift card from
three-story 566 unit mini-storage facility.
David Mills of the Transportation & Engineering our drawing.
Safety and Health Lab. They are in formal review of a
to
INSIDE THE CITY Illustrating our Mission, Vision, or Beliefs in Action. The holidays at the end of the year mean a lot of different things to different people. To me, after this very difficult year, they mean HOPE. The pandemic, economic impacts, political division, election struggles, racial justice fights, and public debate about the role of policing have carried over in all of our lives. HOPE is what takes us past that and gives us room to move on. The City, like many others, is working on redefining paths for racial justice and the future of law enforcement. There is much work to be done, but we have begun. The presidential election is over and we must move on to work with our state and federal leaders to serve the community. A vaccine is coming. When we have sufficiently addressed the risks from the pandemic, there will be opportunities for economic recovery. HOPE is an awesome thing and so important to being able to get up in the morning and carry on. But in the meantime, we need to stay the course. It doesn’t do any good to have a safe landing in your plane if you open the door too early and fall out of the plane. Metaphorically, we need to stay in our seat, with the seatbelt on, the tray table stowed, and our seat upright. What am I saying with the metaphor? HOPE says, “we got this” if we all just do what we need to and be smart. Keep yourself, your family, and co-workers safe. Wash our hands. Wear a mask. Distance. Be smart in our gatherings. Let’s all get to the landing with everyone still onboard. I have HOPE we can do that and 2021 is going to be so much better! However you celebrate the holidays, may they bring peace, joy, and recharging.
Parks & Facilities Project Updates | November | 2020
Deschutes Valley Trail: Tumwater Historical Park to Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls This segment of the Deschutes Valley Trail is nearly complete. Parks & Recreation staff have led the planning and design work over several years, and recent construction work has been managed by Transportation and Engineering staff. We continue to work with Olympia Tumwater Foundation staff on the operation of their park (Brewery Park), and are collaborating on the new trail segment. The next phase of this project includes adding historical interpretative elements along the trail.
View of trail through an archway.
The trail has unique design features including exposed bedrock, rockery walls, and custom railings.
Parks Maintenance
SW Neighborhood Park
The fall season in our parks is a busy one. Leaves from hundreds of trees need to be removed from trails, sidewalks, play areas, parking lots, and turf areas. Parks staff is also busy assessing hazardous trees and completing the fall pruning of vegetation.
Planning continues for a new neighborhood park in the Skyview development near Black Hills High School. Working with the developer, we are planning a 5-acre neighborhood park utilizing both a stormwater detention area and upland lots. Development will continue through 2021, and we will design and build the park as staff time permits.
New Park at The Preserve Property for the park has been purchased and in early 2021, it is anticipated the construction documents will be completed and the project will go to bid. The Parks Department is working with the Transportation & Engineering staff to manage the project.
Park Restrooms Staff have been working with the Transportation and Engineering Department staff to finalize the restroom design and construction documents. Restrooms for both Barclift and Tumwater Hill Neighborhood Park are funded through the Metropolitan Park District and will be installed in early 2021.
Old Brewhouse Tower Facilities staff are making progress on the design and installation of new exterior lights, enhanced security system and cameras at the historic Brewhouse Tower. Plans for architectural lighting to enhance the facades and details of the Tower are in the design phase. This is a collaborative project with the Community Development staff providing guidance on appropriate light fixtures. The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the plan and issued approval of the means and methods for improvements through a Certificate of Appropriateness.
TUMWATER METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT MAINTAIN • IMPROVE • BUILD Approved by voters in 2018, funding from the MPD will be used to extend the useful life of our most used parks and playgrounds, address safety and security issues, invest in underserved neighborhoods, improve energy efficiency, and preserve new open spaces.
Priorities include: Parks and playgrounds maintenance and safety New neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and restrooms Trail expansion along the Deschutes River Valley Protection of environmentally sensitive areas and wildlife corridors Community arts and cultural heritage programs, historic properties, recreation programs, and a community garden Community Center with meeting and event space, senior services, indoor sports courts, and land for a future public swimming pool
Current MPD Projects There are several deferred park maintenance projects slated for completion in 2021. Chain-link outfield fencing will be replaced on many of our baseball and softball fields. Some of these fences are over 26 years old and in need of replacement. Repairs are being made to some of our neighborhood park play structures to increase accessibility, improve safety, and replace failing access points. New water lines will be extended at Pioneer Park to provide drinking fountains to our sports fields. Water lines will also add new irrigation zones to increase the efficiency of water usage and turf care. Stormwater catch basins at Pioneer Park have sustained damage during past floods of the Deschutes River. These storm systems will be repaired and replaced. Picnic tables at several of our parks will be replaced with new, ADA accessible tables. Park signage will be updated at several parks and trails
Tentative Schedule of MPD Projects 2020-21 Historic District Park Improvements New Restrooms at 2 existing neighborhood parks New Neighborhood Park – The Preserve Community Conversation – new Community Center 2021-26 Deferred Park Maintenance Projects Purchase Open Space and Neighborhood Park Land 2022 Community Garden Program Opportunity-based Public Art New Neighborhood Park--South Tumwater 2023 Acquire Land for Community Center 2025 New Neighborhood Park--SW Neighborhood New Community Center 2027 Deschutes Valley Trail Expansion New Neighborhood Park – Trails End
Transportation & Engineering Water Resources & Sustainability December 2020 TRANSPORTATION & ENGINEERING Active Construction Projects
Citywide NHS Resurfacing – The project is nearing completion with signal work at the intersection of Custer Way and Capitol Boulevard and installation of roadway signs remaining. The overall project is 95% complete.
Deschutes Valley Trail: Completed Retaining Wall
Planning and Design Project Updates New Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossing on Capitol Boulevard.
Deschutes Valley Trail, Tumwater Historical Park to Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls – Paving was completed on the project and final features are being installed, including wood split rail fencing, wall railing, informational signage and kiosk structure. Site cleanup, landscaping, and restoration are in progress.
I-5/Trosper Rd/Capitol Blvd Reconfiguration - Design is progressing towards 60%; right-of-way coordination and acquisition is ongoing. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2021-2023. Tumwater Hill – Crosby Boulevard Trail Connection – This project includes an approximate 1000’± woodchip trail off Crosby Boulevard up to Tumwater Hill Park. Plans, geotechnical report, and cost estimate are 90% complete. A grading permit has been applied for and construction is anticipated in early 2021. Suncrest – Streamland Force Main Upgrade - Design efforts are under way for a new force main on Antsen Road, that will improve the Suncrest and Streamland lift station performance. Construction is planned for summer of 2021. Tumwater Hill Sanitary Sewer Rehab Program - Design is progressing. The Transportation & Engineering Department is working on next steps for the project.
Deschutes Valley Trail: Wall, Paving and Railing
Capitol Blvd, Israel Rd to M St Design – Project is currently in the scoping/fee phase with consultant.
Water Resources & Sustainability Protect Your Pipes!
On Sunday, November 29, a resident walking their dog near Percival Creek noticed something strange coming from a manhole lid near the walking trail. She called the City and a spill response crew was dispatched immediately. Sanitary sewage overflow from the manhole had been leaking into Percival Creek. Crews were able to clean the affected area and the Department of Ecology, Washington Emergency Management, and the National Response Center were notified. It is unclear how much sewage leaked into the Creek due to the remote location of the manhole lid. As we enter the 10th month of the COVID-19 pandemic, our collections teams have been finding more and more “flushable” wipes and grease clogs in our sewer system. Here are three easy tips to help protect the City’s pipes and our local waterways:
Collections Department
The Collections crew has been busy repairing and replacing lift station pumps and inspecting catch basins. Fall is a busy time – the rainy weather and the falling leaves are a catalyst for increased calls for plugged storm drains and flooding conditions. This is a good time to remind our neighbors to take a moment and rake the leaves from the top of nearby catch basins. Heavy downpours take time to dissipate. Flooding is not a result of a clogged storm drain, but an overwhelmed one.
Street Department
Every week our Street crew quietly goes about the business of keeping our City beautiful. Walter Renaud is the main force that ensures wayward shopping carts get picked up and returned to their respective stores. He coordinates disposal of illegally dumped litter throughout the City, and gets graffiti removed or painted over. Mark Teigen, with help during fall season from Casey Ronning, keeps our streets swept and trees trimmed to ensure service vehicle access. Eldon Newell and Brian Frankowski maintain all of the right-of-way landscaping throughout the City.
Water Department When in doubt, throw it out! Tip #1: Only flush what comes from your body and toilet paper. Wipes, rags, and other items that may be labeled as “flushable” can create huge problems on sewer pipes. Tip #2: Keep an empty can near your kitchen stove to pour fats, oils, and grease from cooking into. These liquids harden as they cool down and can block your wipes if they are washed down the drain. Tip #3: If you see or smell something coming out of a manhole lid, call the City at 360-754-4150. Reporting issues like these help City staff stop the discharge and clean up the mess quickly.
The Water crew delivered 523 shut-off notices to customers although due to COVID-19, the City is not physically shutting off services for non-payment. They set 48 new meters in the second half of November and first week of December. The crew also finished replacing a portion of sidewalk at Moore Street SE and Carlyon Avenue SE that was removed for water main repairs. With the increased volume of permits for new houses in Tumwater comes an increase in meter sets. During November and December 2019, the Water crew set 13 meters. This year, for the months of November and first half of December, they have already set 77 meters. That is an astounding amount of additional work!
Fleet Department
Justin Anderson (Fleet) & Dale Kapsandy (Street) assisted the Police Department with setting up electronic information boards for the public.
Thank You!
A second homeowner called to say thank you, letting us know the street sweeper operators did a wonderful job in his neighborhood, Countryside Homeowners Association.
Police Department Monthly Report
To:
John Doan, City Administrator
From:
Jon Weiks, Chief of Police
Date:
December 15, 2020
Re:
November 2020
COVID-19 We continued to operate under modified COVID-19 procedures. Our patrol staff continue to focus on visual presence in the community, while limiting in-person contact. Calls for service not involving an active threat to people or property continue to be handled by phone.
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY Catalytic Converter Thefts: As a result of ongoing thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles throughout Thurston County, and other jurisdictions along I-5 in Pierce and King Counties, a task force has been formed in Thurston County to investigate these thefts. There were at least 12 reported thefts of catalytic converters in Thurston County in the month of November, with four of those reported thefts occurring in Tumwater. The thefts have mostly involved Toyota Prius vehicles. 2020-1947
Narcotics – a patrol officer responded to the 7100 block of Capitol Boulevard for a reported reckless driver. Upon arrival, the officer located the vehicle in a nearby parking lot and observed an adult male and a child inside the vehicle and an adult female outside of the vehicle attending to the child. . As the officer approached the vehicle, he observed the male ingesting narcotics. The officer contacted the male who attempted to ditch the narcotics. The male was placed into custody and the officer was able to recover Hydrocodone/Oxycodone pills from inside the vehicle. The suspect was booked into the Nisqually Jail for Use of Drug Paraphernalia. A report was also made to Child Protective Services since there was a child in the vehicle at the time the drugs were being used.
2020-1949
Burglary 2nd – patrol officers responded to the Olympia Airport for an in-progress burglary. Officers were advised a suspect was observed on surveillance cameras walking around the airport hangars and attempting to cut the chain to a hangar with bolt cutters. Officers viewed the video and then responded to the hangar. Officers located and detained the suspect inside the hangar. Further investigation revealed the suspect had entered several hangars and had stolen and staged property, keys to a car and cash. Additionally, the suspect caused thousands of dollars of damage
to a plane inside one of the hangars. The suspect was booked into the Thurston County Jail on Burglary 2nd degree and Malicious Mischief 1st degree. 2020-1965
DUI/Hit & Run – patrol officers responded to the 1700 block of Vista Loop S.W. for a reported collision involving a parked vehicle. Responding officers were advised the driver of the striking vehicle had fled the scene on foot. The driver was described a young female appearing to be under the influence of an unknown substance. Officers were able to view video surveillance in the area that captured the collision and the female after she exited the vehicle. About an hour later, officers were dispatched to a suspicious person complaint in the area of the collision scene. The reporting party advised an unknown, highly intoxicated female was knocking on her door. The description of the female matched the video footage seen earlier. Officers responded to the residence and detained the obviously intoxicated female. The female, 18, was known to officers from prior contacts. The female was placed into custody for DUI, Hit & Run, and DWLS 2nd degree. COVID restrictions at the jail resulted in the female being cited and released.
2020-2042
Armed Robbery – patrol officers responded to a local convenience store for an armed robbery. The victim clerk reported the male suspect entered the store armed with a handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled the store with money in a black 4-door passenger vehicle last seen getting onto Highway 101 southbound. The robbery was captured on the store video system, but the suspect could not be easily identified. Detectives posted information about the robbery on social media requesting assistance in identifying the suspect. A few days later, Detectives were notified it was believed a Hoquiam police officer had arrested the suspect on unrelated crimes. During the course of the Hoquiam investigation they received information the suspect had committed an armed robbery in Thurston County. A handgun matching the gun in our armed robbery was recovered by Hoquiam Police Department. Tumwater Detectives responded to Hoquiam and assisted with a search warrant to look for additional evidence of the robbery. Tumwater Detectives also attempted to interview the suspect, but the suspect invoked his right to remain silent. The investigation is on-going.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROP BOX The public deposited 140 pounds of prescription drugs in November. The total for the year is 1,430 pounds.
BUDGET At the end of the month the police department budget is 81% for the year and 85% for the biennium.
K-9 STATISTICS 1 Deployment Assisted the Lewis County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team with a free-air sniff around the exterior of a vehicle detectives were out with. Officer Mize responded to the scene and deployed K9 James around the exterior of the vehicle. K9 James provided alerts to the presence of narcotics inside of the vehicle. Officer Mize provided the detectives with a probable cause statement to support a search warrant application. The lead detective impounded the vehicle and later applied for and was granted a search warrant. The lead detective contacted Officer Mize and advised him no narcotics were found inside of the vehicle, but it was believed the vehicle had recently transported a large shipment of narcotics.
SRO ACTIVITY We continue to operate with only one school resource officer serving the Tumwater School District schools due to COVID restrictions. The other SRO spent the month continuing to work in Investigations. SRO Rosco Rollman assisted Black Hills High School staff members with contacting students that have not responded to virtual learning or been in contact with school staff. SRO Rollman investigated vandalism to a classroom window at Tumwater Middle School. No suspect(s) has/have been identified to date.
CODE ENFORCEMENT Code Enforcement opened 1 new case this month: piles of trash attracting rodents. Code Enforcement closed 2 cases this month: multiple unlicensed vehicles and a camper were removed from a residential property after issuance of a notice of violation; and, overgrown vegetation on a residential lot was removed after issuance of a notice of violation. Code Enforcement currently has 23 open cases.
QUANTIFIABLE ACTIVITY
Calls for Service Self-Initiated* Arrests Citations Issued New Cases – Investigations Public Disclosure Requests CPL/Gun Transfers Court Documents Evidence
2020 1226 1197 53 72
Monthly 2019 % Changed 1623 -25% 1513 -21% 93 -43% 76 -5%
2020 15846 12859 627 456
Year to Date 2019 % Changed 16551 -4% 15679 -18% 990 -37% 934 -51%
9
16
-44%
188
261
-28%
47 171 93 67
75 76 88 254
-37% 125% 6% -74%
776 1375 737 1406
852 929 1045 1980
-9% 48% -30% -29%
Overtime 523 499 5% 4074 4920 -17% Annual Leave 382 255 50% 4435 4670 -5% Sick Leave 186 184 1% 1688 2773 -39% * Self-Initiated includes: investigative follow-ups, civil paperwork service, area checks, business checks, school visits, citizen contacts, traffic stops and back-up activity.
TRAINING
15 members attended a department training day 2 members attended the virtual WASPC Conference 1 member attended a virtual Best Practices for Biological Evidence class 1 member completed on-line LED training 1 member completed on-line ACCESS Level I training 1 member attended the virtual State & FBI Rapsheet training
2 members continued BLEA training 2 members continued FTO training 4 TPD members of Thurston County SWAT attended monthly training
874 total training hours PERSONNEL Jennifer Heath, Police Service Specialist – 15 years Charles Lett, Officer – 6 years
COMMUNITY ACTIVITY No formal community events were attended due to COVID restrictions.
COMMENDATIONS/LETTERS OF APPRECIATION Officers Austin Cady and Tim Rios received a letter of appreciation from a citizen for their response to a burglary. The citizen thanked them for their quick response and dedicated service to the community. Officer Friedrich Jaeger-Faber received a department Life-Saving Award for preventing someone from jumping off the Trosper Road overpass onto I-5. Officer Jaeger-Faber was recognized by several residents and his Sergeant for his calm demeanor and communication skills, which resulted in the individual engaging in a conversation. This allowed Officer Jaeger-Faber the opportunity to close the distance to the subject. Officer Jaeger-Faber was able to grab hold of the subject and pull him back over the guardrail.