City Council

LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA Thursday, December 14, 2023 6:00 P.M. City of Lakewood Council Chambers 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499 Residents can virtually attend City Council meetings by watching them live on the city’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cityoflakewoodwa Those who do not have access to YouTube can call in to listen by telephone via Zoom: Dial +1(253) 215- 8782 and enter meeting ID: 868 7263 2373 Page No. 1 CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION (2) City Council and Pierce County Councilmember Hitchen Meeting to review 2024 Pierce County Legislative Agenda. ADJOURNMENT Persons requesting special accommodations or language interpreters should contact the City Clerk’s Office, 253-983-7705, as soon as possible in advance of the Council meeting so that an attempt to provide the special accommodations can be made. http://www.cityoflakewood.us 2 INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Every community owes its existence and vitality to generations from around the world who contributed their hopes, dreams, and energy to making the history which led to this moment. The City would like to recognize that we are on the lands of the Nisqually People, and acknowledge the history of dispossession that allowed for the growth of our community. We offer respect to the Nisqually People and their Elders, past, present, and emerging. We recognize our responsibility to value all people, and are committed to equitably serving all people in our diverse community. A STATEMENT ON EQUITY BY THE LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL The Lakewood City Council acknowledges that equity is essential to a healthy community. We are committed to identifying and eliminating systemic racism. We intend to lead by example in the advancement of equity and the deliberate practice of inclusion. The City Council commits to the following practices: • Instilling equity as a priority of policy and the delivery of services. • Enacting initiatives that support and celebrate the diversity of the community. • Ensuring equity in municipal planning. • Identifying and dismantling preconceived prejudices. • Increasing sensitivity to social norms and cultural expectations. • Pursuing justice and equity for all residents. We recognize the critical role that city leaders have in removing barriers to opportunity. We recognize that systemic inequality has endured, but commit that it shall not persist. The City Council will not tolerate intolerance. It is unconscionable that some members of our community fall victim to acts of hate. Acts of hate based upon race, creed, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or socioeconomic status are unwelcome in Lakewood, Washington. The Lakewood Police Department shall be vigilant in its investigation and prosecution of crimes of hate. These intentional practices will inform our decision-making on policing, zoning, capital investment and all other matters of the City Council. Our objective is to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive Lakewood community for all residents and we invite all Lakewood organizations and residents to join us in this effort 1 3 Contents Indigenous People and Lands Acknowledgement ................................................................1 A statement on equity by the Lakewood City Council ..........................................................1 City Council Goals Legend .........................................................................................................3 COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ..........................................................................4 Regional Planning ..................................................................................................................4 Regional Planning – Puget Sound Regional Council ........................................................4 Regional Planning – Metropolitan Planning Organization...............................................4 South Sound Affordable Housing Partners ........................................................................5 Middle Housing ......................................................................................................................7 Arrowhead/Partridge Glenn ................................................................................................8 Camp Murray ..........................................................................................................................8 Joint Base Lewis-McChord...................................................................................................8 Lakewood Population Allocations ..................................................................................... 10 Lakewood Libraries..............................................................................................................10 COMMUNITY HEALTH & RESILENCE ............................................................................ 11 American Rescue Plan Act Funds...................................................................................... 11 Pierce County Village ..........................................................................................................12 Discretionary Spending of Public Health Resources ...................................................... 12 PUBLIC SAFETY ............................................................................................................... 13 Geographic Equity in Discharge from State Facilities .................................................... 14 State Hospital Reentry Program ........................................................................................ 16 Enhanced Services Facilities .............................................................................................. 16 Video Arraignment .............................................................................................................. 16 Booking Restrictions ........................................................................................................... 17 Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office .................................................................. 17 TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE.............................................................................. 17 Clover Creek Flood Plain ..................................................................................................... 17 Flood Control Zone District ................................................................................................ 18 Pierce County Transportation Coordinating Committee .............................................. 18 Pierce County Sewer Utility ............................................................................................... 18 Future Commercial Airfields - JBLM ................................................................................. 19 Parks & Recreation ......................................................................................................... 19 Chambers Creek Canyon ....................................................................................................19 Seeley Lake Conservancy Park .......................................................................................... 19 2 4 Lakewood Community Center........................................................................................... 20 ENVIRONMENT..........................................................................................................................20 Regional Climate Change Efforts ...................................................................................... 20 MILITARY AFFAIRS ....................................................................................................................21 North Clear Zone..................................................................................................................21 Statewide Coordination for Federal Military Affairs ....................................................... 21 GENERAL GOVERNMENT .........................................................................................................21 Innovative Service Solutions .............................................................................................. 21 3 5  City Council Goals Legend The policy goals in the Pierce County Policy Manual align with the City Council Goals 2021-2024. Each policy name reflect the corresponding City Council Goal. Economic Development Goal: The City of Lakewood promotes and supports a dynamic and robust local economy. Dependable Infrastructure Goal: The City of Lakewood provides safe, clean, well-maintained, and dependable infrastructure. Public Safety Goal: The City of Lakewood is one of the safest cities in Washington State. Fiscal Responsibility Goal: The City of Lakewood maintains a strong fiscal position. Transparency Goal: The City of Lakewood communicates its goals, successes, and challenges to the community and serves as a leader and champion for the community. Robust & Active Community Goal: The City of Lakewood is a livable, resilient, and inclusive community that embraces and celebrates diversity and delivers equitable municipal services. 4 6 COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Regional Planning The City supports the continued partnership between Pierce County and other municipalities within the county concerning regional planning and transportation issues. Lakewood is a proud member jurisdiction of the Pierce County Regional Council (PCRC), which was created to ensure local planning between Pierce County municipalities is accomplished in a coordinated, efficient, and consistent manner. The primary responsibility of the PCRC is to ensure that the Growth Management Act requirements are coordinated within the region. Regional Planning – Puget Sound Regional Council The City supports a more equitable sharing of federal transportation dollars by the governing Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) - the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). The City also supports the limitation of PSRC’s authority and scope to that identified in Chapter RCW 47.80 and 23 USC § 134. In its interlocal agreement, the mission of PSRC is identified “to preserve and enhance the quality of life in the central Puget Sound area. In so doing, it shall prepare, adopt, and maintain goals, policy, and standards for regional transportation and regional growth management in the central Puget Sound area, in accordance with federal and state law and based on local comprehensive plans of jurisdictions within the region.” (Emphasis added.) However, PSRC’s continually expanding reach now includes: the establishment of Multi-County Planning Policies; a Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) and Growth Shares; and implementation activities including VISION 2050 adoption and interpretation. The City opposes any incursion by PSRC into local land use, housing issues and equity issues. Regional Planning – Metropolitan Planning Organization The City would support, and take the lead on, forming a Pierce County 5 7 Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) as alternatives to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). South Sound Affordable Housing Partners The City is a founding member of the South Sound Affordable Housing Partners (SSHA3P), which is a regional effort by member municipalities to address affordable housing with a coordinated approach. The City supports SSHA3P’s 2024 legislative priorities on affordable housing: • FACILITATING DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING • Support capital budget funding for member government priority projects • Expand funding opportunities to support homeownership development for low income households • Expand eligibility for the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program • Support funding for the acquisition of real property for affordable housing • SUPPORT POLICY AND PLANNING EFFORTS • Transit-oriented development and priority considerations • Support construction trade industry workforce development efforts • INFORMATION AND ENGAGEMENT • Expand eligibility for the disabled veteran property tax exemption program • SUPPORT • Funding for municipal Planned Action/EIS work • Technical fixes and clarifications to recent land use and housing legislation (e.g., HB 1110, and HB 1337) • Legislation to provide Fair Housing Training for COAs/HOAs • Funding for the Affordable Workforce Housing Accelerator pilot programs • Funding to assist in the implementation of state required land use actions • Operating funding for service-supported housing • OPPOSE • Preemption of local land use authority • Legislation that would increase the cost to produce publicly funded affordable housing 6 8 Middle Housing The City supports local zoning authority and discretion for middle housing types and accessory dwelling units. Before the adoption of 2023 HB 1110 and HB 1331, the City allowed middle housing types including duplexes, triplexes, ADUs and multifamily housing on 55% of the City’s residential lots, and cottage housing is allowed wherever single family detached housing was allowed, or on 78% of the lots. The City had a variety of policy tools for supporting the development of middle housing types, such as the City’s Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, a housing incentives regulatory code chapter, and inclusionary density bonuses for landowners interested in providing units for very low income persons. Under HB 1100 and HB 1337, The City’s programs and efforts at the local level to support middle housing development have been preempted by the State. The City opposes state legislation that dictates land use and zoning without consideration for unintended consequences such as displacement and gentrification. • Accessory Dwelling Units: The City supports Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to augment Lakewood’s affordable housing stock. ADUs are a viable, equitable, and increasingly popular affordable housing option. Before 2023 HB 1337 was adopted, the City had ADU policies and development code requirements providing for the easier creation of more attached and detached ADUs associated with housing types, such as single-family homes and townhomes, found in multiple city zones (R1-R4, MR1 & MR2, etc.) These regulations and zoning decision will now have to be updated due to the preemption under HB 1337. However, utility and side sewer connections to accommodate ADUs on current lots can be prohibitively expensive, especially for lower-income households. 2023 HB 1337’s requirements to allow ADUs on historically single family lots will require not just construction of the building, but also connection to utilities that the City does not own nor plan infrastructure expansions. The City also supports a dialogue with the County and other utility partners on how to address fee schedules and side sewer connections for Lakewood customers seeking to add one or more ADUs. The City supports solutions such as reducing and/or waiving connection fees and 7 9  capacity charges for these customers, as well as allowing new ADUs to connect to existing side sewer lines. Annexations Annexations should encourage the logical development and expansion of the City to provide for a healthy and growing local economy and efficient provision of urban services. Arrowhead/Partridge Glenn Annexation of this “urban island” has been attempted three times; twice by the Town of Steilacoom in 1995 and 1996, and once by Lakewood in 1997. All three annexation attempts failed at the ballot by an increasingly larger margin. The Town of Steilacoom, West Pierce Fire and Rescue, and Pierce County are not opposed to Lakewood annexing this area. The City would support and take the lead on, the annexation of this area if, and only if, Pierce County addresses this area’s aging infrastructure prior to annexation, to include sewers and sidewalks. Camp Murray The City and Camp Murray leadership evaluated this potential annexation after jointly completing the Camp Murray Annexation Analysis Report in 2020. Currently, Camp Murray leadership is not supportive of annexation after the report found annexation would not be revenue neutral and would result in increased costs for Camp Murray. The City is interested in acquiring the Camp Murray Boat Launch with the goal of creating and managing it as a city park. The City would invest infrastructure development to increase accessibility to American Lake. This may be accomplished through annexation of the boat launch property from Camp Murray or assuming the property lease from the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife. Joint Base Lewis McChord Lakewood’s Urban Growth Area (UGA) includes the urban area of Joint Base Lewis- McChord (JBLM). Over the past two decades JBLM has significantly developed this area. The City would consider annexing this area in the future, contingent on County approval, to include revising the existing agreement between the City and the County. The City would consider an incremental approach to annexing this area that would start with the annexation of American Lake Veteran’s Administration Medical Center and American Lake Veterans Golf Course. 8 10 Lakewood Population Allocations Lakewood is incorporating the 2044 growth targets and HAPT housing unit allocations as adopted by Pierce County in 2022 and 2023 into its land use planning. However, unique situations and existing spatial constraints can affect the ability of individual jurisdictions to meet these targets, and they should be recognized in state law and countywide policies. In Lakewood, the population and employment base are directly tied to, and subject to unpredictable change because of, the level of service members and contractors stationed or working at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). In addition, there are several existing unique spatial and environmental constraints in Lakewood, including: JBLM’s Air Corridor zones that prohibit urban residential development; several lakes and associated lands that can only be developed at lower densities; large tracts of public lands (including parks, Western State Hospital properties and the South Puget Sound Urban Wildlife Area); pre- incorporation and pre-GMA existing developments, and inadequate infrastructure. Lakewood is seeking support from Pierce County for the following: The City supports policy direction for inclusion in the GMA, Multicounty Planning Policies, Countywide Planning Policies, individual Comprehensive Plans, and other appropriate documents that provide individual jurisdictions the ability to meet and/or adjust population and employment targets based on situations or issues outside their ability to govern. Lakewood Libraries The City of Lakewood and Pierce County Library System (PCLS) have been partnering to bring new libraries to Lakewood since 2010 when the PCLS Master Facility Plan identified a need for new libraries in the City. The need for new libraries has been subsequently reflected in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Legacy Plan as it relates to partnerships and sharing facilities. While the PCLS is the decision-maker on where libraries will be located, the City has become involved in this process: 1) given the City’s involvement in the development of the 2010 Master Facility Plan; 2) the opportunity to create an economic catalyst in both the downtown and Tillicum neighborhood with a focus on library and other services to include better access to transportation and better parking; and 3) the opportunity to incorporate a senior activity/community center as part of new libraries to leverage synergies of programming as well as other “store front” services in the area of human and 9 11 social services. In 2017 the City and PCLS entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the options of new library facilities in both the Lakewood Towne Center and Tillicum neighborhood as called for in the 2010 Master Facility Plan. The result was the City acquiring property in 2019 for a new library in the Tillicum neighborhood. The City and PCLS also looked at property alternatives in the downtown area, however, none were available that met PCLS’ needs. In 2019, PCLS initiated a community engagement process about future library facilities in Lakewood that included beginning to explore funding options and developing design options for new libraries. This all stopped with the arrival of the pandemic in March 2020. In late 2021, the City and PCLS re-engaged to reconstitute the process of addressing library facilities in Lakewood. The outcome was the formation of the Library Advisory Committee (LAC) in April 2022, which is tasked with the objective of providing recommendations to the PCLS Board of Trustees and Lakewood City Council about library facilities in Lakewood. In June 2022, the PCLS closed the main library due to significant building issues and in October 2022 announced a location for an interim library. Demolition of the main library site, to be replaced with an interim library facility to be located at Alpharetta St. and Gravelly Lake Drive, is underway. The interim library is expected to open in 2024. The City supports the continued partnership with PCLS to address the urgent need of permanent and safe library spaces in Lakewood. COMMUNITY HEALTH & RESILENCE American Rescue Plan Act Funds The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocated $175,781,756 to Pierce County in 2021, with a final commitment of funds in October 2021. The City is appreciative of the beneficial programs that impacted Lakewood residents. The City requests the County continue to support programs and expenditures that benefit Lakewood residents and businesses, including but not limited to: • Residential and Commercial rent, mortgage and utility assistance • Residential and Commercial Landlord assistance • Resident and Business Navigator Services 10 12  • Infrastructure funding (e.g., completing sewer system in Lakewood) • BIPOC Business Assistance, e.g., continuing the BIPOC Business Accelerator Program • Capital support for housing preservation and construction for residents at or below 80% of AMI The City is supportive of Pierce County’s Sewer and Water Utility Infrastructure Partnership Program, which the City has submitted and been awarded the following sewer extension projects: • Grant Avenue and Orchard Street • Wadsworth Street, Silcox Drive and Boat Road • Rose Road and Forest Road • Boat Street sewer extension for Habitat for Humanity The City also supports fee relief from the County as well as the ability to connect to a new side sewer for Lakewood customers benefiting from the sewer extension projects who are seeking to add ADUs to their property to accommodate growth of the City’s Middle Housing stock. Pierce County Village The City supports County ARPA funds being allocated for the Pierce County Village to be located in Spanaway, provided it is developed with sewer connections. The proposed micro home village includes wrap-around services that would help Lakewood residents experiencing chronic homelessness, to include Veterans, who may receive a VASH voucher during their stay. The City is also pleased to see the selection of Tacoma Rescue Mission as the entity to manage and operate the Pierce County Village given its long-term regional leadership to provide effective services to the homeless. The site identified for Pierce County Village is environmentally sensitive. Rather than constructing the village with community septic systems that run a heightened risk of contamination and damage to the surrounding wetlands, the City encourages the County to utilize sewer on the site. This approach aligns with fundamental GMA policies of having urban growth supported by urban services, including sewer and other appropriate infrastructure. Ensuring the health and safety of the community residents is another strong reason to bring sewer to the site. 11 13 Discretionary Spending of Public Health Resources A wave of new funding for addressing public health in Pierce County has come to fruition in recent years. New funding sources include the County’s collection of a one-tenth of one percent Sales and Use Tax for behavioral health such as mental health and substance use disorder treatment. The City supports the use of these funds at the county-wide level for addressing important public health issues, to include more discretionary funding to specifically address public health issues in Lakewood. Opioid Settlement Funds The Opioid Epidemic, originating in the 1990s, has progressed into its 'third wave,' characterized by a surge in overdose deaths linked to synthetic opioids, notably illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Pierce County is set to receive $29 million in funding from various opioid settlements over the next 17 years. These settlements result from the misleading marketing by opioid manufacturers, who falsely portrayed opioids as non-addictive pain management solutions. The City is projected to directly receive approximately $1 million over the timeframe of 2022-2038. This funding will be used to address the impacts of the Opioid Epidemic on the Lakewood community and the City is collaborating with its Community Services Advisory Board to determine the best use of this funding for our city. Other jurisdictions will each be receiving disbursements as well, with amounts correlating to a formula intended to address the level of impact on each city and county. The settlement requires that expenditures of the settlement funds be reviewed by Opioid Abatement Councils. The City of Lakewood is represented on the Pierce County Opioid Abatement Council (PCOAC), whose role is to ensure that expenditures made are aligned with addressing the impact of the opioid epidemic. The City of Lakewood supports the current status quo that the City has full discretion on how to spend the City’s allocated settlement funds to address the opioid epidemic in the Lakewood community, as the PCOAC has no authority to direct expenditures of member jurisdictions. 12 14 PUBLIC SAFETY Public Safety The City supports a commonsense and meaningful approach to public safety policies that protect lives and property and do not erode trust in government. During the 2023 state legislature session, progress was made in this area but there is still more work to be done. In collaboration with other Pierce County municipalities, the City requests the Pierce County Council, Pierce County Executive, Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney, and Pierce County Sheriff, to support the City’s following requests of the State Legislature: 1) Provide tools to address auto theft and property crime, including increased state funding to grant programs to support regional enforcement and prosecution efforts; 2) Make refinements to the restrictions on vehicular pursuits to curb motor vehicle thefts; 3) Commit ongoing state funding for therapeutic courts to satisfy the new state drug possession law; and 4) Supply stable state funding for co-responder programs, such as the City’s Behavioral Health Contact Team. 5) Amend state law to allow for a parent or guardian to provide consent for a juvenile to be interviewed by law enforcement to include consent to search property to resolve unsolved crimes and prevent future incidents. Geographic Equity in Discharge from State Facilities The City appreciates the State’s recent efforts to move toward a more community-based behavioral health system. This transition presents an opportunity to not only provide more accessible services to those who need it most, but also for the facilities to be more geographically disbursed. Based on the findings from the Residential Facilities report, the County should join the City in requesting that the state invest in long term care facilities in all underserved regions of the state, which may include Pierce County. Secondly, building upon the work of the Sex Offender Policy Board, the County should join the City in requesting that the state should clarify that fair share principles apply to sexually violent predators released from state hospitals and secure community transition facilities. The City requests the County support additional changes so DSHS will have to: 1. Per the findings from the April 2023 Commerce Report, the state needs to 13 15 procure additional services and supports in Olympic, North Central, Great  Rivers, Greater Columbia, and King regions. The report also shows that adult family homes in Pierce County are serving a large percentage of Long- Term Civil Commitment (LTCC) patients. Incentivize providers, particularly adult family homes, to provide services in underserved areas. 2. Institute fair share policies for discharge planning from state hospitals for individuals that have a history of one or more violent acts (extend SB 5163 (2021) policies, that only apply to the Special Commitment Center, to state hospitals). The City will continue to monitor the Western State Hospital Task Force’s evaluation of Pierce County resources. Juvenile Crime Compared to the five-year average (2017-2022), in the first half of 2023, juvenile robbery in Lakewood is up 400%, motor vehicle theft is up 500% and assaults are up 45%. For all crimes, known juvenile suspects have increased 67%. The City requests the County to support amending state law to allow for a parent or guardian to provide consent for a juvenile to be interviewed by law enforcement to include consent to search property to resolve unsolved crimes and prevent future incidents. Youth education is also critical component to ensuring criminal behavior is addressed at a young age to prevent the uptick in youth crime experienced by the Lakewood community. The City supports educational efforts to teach youth about the consequences of criminal behavior. Youth education that prevents criminal activity upstream should also include intervention of at-risk youth and their families by connections to social services at an early age, such as Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s Family Support Partnership. After contact with the criminal justice system, the City supports the youth continuing education about social service opportunities and criminal consequences through the programs administered at the County-owned juvenile court Remann Hall. The youth justice philosophy deployed at Remann Hall emphasizes keeping offending youth connected to family, community, and education/economic opportunities, yet the City recognizes that often times a family setting that lacks proper social support and opportunities may be the source of negative influence that drives youth criminal behavior. 14 16 By both educating at-risk youth and their families about social services, and about the consequences of criminal activity early on, the City hopes that youth criminal activity will be curtailed. Protecting Residents of Adult Family Home Businesses The City requests that the County advocate for legislation at the state level to address growing community and public safety concerns related to Adult Family Home businesses (AFHs). AFHs serve adults with functional limitations who need personal and special care. The City supports legislation that protects these vulnerable members of our community by preventing Level 2 and 3 registered sex offenders, sexually violent predators and “felony flips” from residing in Adult Family homes. The City suggests amending the definition of “resident” in RCW 70.128.010 to exclude individuals convicted of sexually violent crimes and crimes that require registration as a sex offender. State Hospital Reentry Program The City supports language that would expand the reentry community safety program. The current program is designed for individuals being released from a correctional facility. The City supports expanding the program to apply to patients who are civilly committed after prosecution for a violent offense or who are civilly committed based on criminal insanity. Enhanced Services Facilities Enhanced Service Facilities (ESFs) serve adults with mental and chemical disorders or other impairments that require supervision and daily care. The City requests that the County advocate for legislation that would prohibit Adult Family Home businesses (AFHs) from converting to ESFs, as well as legislation that would prohibit the citing of ESFs in residential neighborhoods. Video Arraignment The County does not provide video arraignment from the Pierce County Jail. Video arraignments allow the City to safely and effectively provide public defense services to jail populations, such as decreasing the number of jail transports, which are expensive and potentially hazardous. The City requests that the County find solutions to the issues impeding their ability to provide this service. The City supports the County allocating the necessary resources to provide for video arraignment. 15 17 Booking Restrictions The County has implemented booking restrictions at the Pierce County Jail in accordance with pandemic-related CDC and Washington State Department of Health guidelines. The new guidelines prioritize detention for individuals who pose an imminent threat to public safety, such as Felony arrests. However, detention has been discontinued for some arrests, including certain property crimes, even after some COVID-related guidelines have been lifted. These crimes still impact the City’s public safety. The City requests the County to implement solutions to continue pre-pandemic detention policies, such as acquiring additional staff and detention space to augment jail capacity. Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office The City relies on the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for effective adjudication of significant offenders. The City supports consistent, transparent and timely felony charging and filing from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The City also supports regular communication regarding the Lakewood cases reviewed by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. 16 18 TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE Clover Creek Flood Plain The City completed an engineering report to generate and evaluate project alternatives to mitigate 100-year flood risk along Clover Creek within the City limits. The City developed a flood model that was updated in 2019 for Clover Creek, which revealed a significant increase to the area impacted by floodwater when compared to the previous FEMA effective map of inundation for the 100- year event. The updated model suggests a significant portion of the City of Lakewood could be impacted by the floodwaters, including I-5. The flooding to I- 5 could potentially result in significant new regulatory constraints placed on I-5 and would directly affect Joint Base Lewis-McChord mission readiness. The City began to explore flood mitigation alternatives to reduce these potential impacts to the City and I-5, and after collaborating with various state, local, and tribal agencies, four solutions were developed: 1) Do nothing 2) Stream and channel enhancements 3) Levee specific to I-5 4) Levee in general flooding area The City Council has directed to explore Option 4, a levee in the general flooding area, as this option consists of a flood blocking structure along or setback from Clover Creek that would block nearly all flood water from the city and the I-5 corridor within city limits. This option provides the most comprehensive flood mitigation benefit. At an estimated cost of around $20 million, the City will need outside resources, as well as continued collaboration with county agencies such as the Pierce County Surface Water Management and Flood District, to ensure Lakewood residents and neighboring jurisdictions, to include unincorporated Pierce County communities, and the I-5 corridor are safe from this potentially devastating flood event. 17 19  Flood Control Zone District The City encourages the County to move the FCZD to a tiered rate based on risk of flooding. The City supports using flood control funds to mitigate existing risks rather than subsidize new development within the flood zone. The City is also concerned with the potential for the governing board to impose the maximum rate allowable. A tiered rate may also be a funding source for a levee solution addressing the Clover Creek 100-year flood. Pierce County Transportation Coordinating Committee The City is appreciative that the Pierce County Regional Council (PCRC) increased the transparency of the Transportation Coordination Committee (TCC), particularly in regards to how TCC scores and determines funding recommendations. TCC has made project score cards available to all member jurisdictions at the end of the scoring process when presented to TCC by subcommittee. Pierce County Sewer Utility The City urges Pierce County to proactively plan for and build sewer system expansions in passed over areas of the county’s urban areas as it updates its Unified Sewer Plan. The City also encourages the County to actively collaborate with the City of Lakewood to incorporate planning assumptions based on the new 2044 growth targets as well as the increased housing density patterns and incorporating Accessory Dwelling Units based on 2023 state bills HB 1110 and HB 1337. These “infill” expansions would encourage efficient development and expansion of infrastructure systems. Historically, Pierce County has not proactively planned for, or built, sewer system expansions in its service area. Rather, private development has been required to extend sewer main systems, with the opportunity to seek at least partial reimbursement via latecomer agreements for oversizing lines to anticipate future development. This policy has led to older, urban sections of the county not having sewer access, and has encouraged leap-frog development, inconsistent with the Growth Management Act. The Pierce County Sewer Utility should change its capital facility planning policies and practices to “do business as a business,” meaning that it should be willing and able to construct sewer extensions into incorporated areas. Lakewood would readily participate in the pending update to the Unified Sewer Plan to assist with updating utility policies. 18 20 Future Commercial Airfields - JBLM The City opposes the use of JBLM as a commercial airfield as well as the identification of any location that would impede the operations of JBLM. There is strong opposition from the Lakewood congressional delegation, significant concerns raised by the military, identification of such a site as having high congestion issues, no transit service, and rated “unlikely” by WSDOT and “unable to accommodate commercial air service” by PSRC. Parks & Recreation Chambers Creek Canyon The City has partnered with Pierce County and University Place to work together on the Chambers Creek Trail Project. The majority of the land is owned by Pierce County with sections of the trail and trail heads located in University Place and Lakewood. With an anticipated an completion date by end of 2024, this project will result in a 2.5 mile trail through the canyon. The City is supportive of continuing its partnership with the County and University Place to improve and expand the Chambers Creek canyon trail for residents to safely enjoy. Seeley Lake Conservancy Park Seeley Lake Conservancy Park contains 48 acres of urban forest land in the heart of Lakewood. The park includes woods, wetlands, natural areas, lake, and a 1.3 mile perimeter loop trail. The lake is a stormwater collection site with fluctuating water levels which flood portions of the trail during the winter rainy season. In December 2019, the City of Lakewood and Pierce County entered into an agreement to improve the site with the goal of "increasing habitat, recreation, and safety". The City is supportive of continuing its partnership with the County to finish these vital improvements in 2024 to expand use and make the site more accessible for all park users. 19 21 Lakewood Community Center The Pierce County-owned and operated Lakewood Community Center is a multipurpose center, serving residents of all ages and abilities and was the home to the City of Lakewood’s Senior Activity Center starting in 2007. The site is in close proximity to Seeley Lake Conservancy Park and features the only gymnasium in the Pierce County parks system. During the pandemic the City’s senior activity center was closed due to public health and safety precautions. During that time a number of issues relating to building safety have been identified. Currently the Lakewood Community Center houses a regional specialized recreation program supported by the City. The City is supportive of continued use of the center for this program. However, the City is moving forward with finding a new home for the Lakewood Senior Activity Center, given the building structural issues. ENVIRONMENT Regional Climate Change Efforts The City is supportive of the recent increase in regional climate change efforts at the federal, state, county level such as new grant programs for projects mitigating the impacts of climate change, electric vehicle charging station development efforts, as well as the County’s new 20-year Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan recently adopted by the City. The City is supportive of collaborating with the County on any regional climate change efforts, especially those that impact Lakewood residents. As the City begins its work to comply with 2023 HB 1181 and develops a GHG emissions reduction sub-element and a climate resiliency sub-element, the City is supportive of collaborating with the County and other Pierce County municipalities to increase the cumulative benefits of the effort. 20 22 MILITARY AFFAIRS North Clear Zone The City requests Pierce County’s continued partnership in vacating the Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) North Clear Zone (NCZ), the federally-designated, 3,000-by-3,000-foot safety corridor adjacent to the end of the runway with the highest statistical possibility of aircraft accidents. The NCZ lies partly within the City of Lakewood, and currently includes multiple commercial and industrial businesses that are incompatible with JBLM operations and violate its Air Installation Compatibility Use Zones (AICUZ) safety standards. Lakewood and Pierce County have signed an agreement signifying a commitment to execute a long-range plan that will restore this area to an uninhabited state. The City asks that this agreement continue to be a priority for the County in its local actions and state-level advocacy efforts. The City is appreciative of the County allocating resources for vacating private property located in the NCZ, and further supports additional County resources for continuing this effort. Statewide Coordination for Federal Military Affairs Washington is the 6th in the nation for the number of active-duty military and has five major military installations yet there is no statewide coordination of federal military affairs. The City requests the County join in support of the creation of a cabinet level position within the Governor’s office to coordinate federal military affairs. GENERAL GOVERNMENT Innovative Service Solutions The City supports innovative service solutions and technological advancements that would provide mutual benefits for Pierce County and Lakewood, such as the awarding of County ARPA funds to fund sewer extensions into the Tillicum Neighborhood. To improve the delivery of municipal services, the City supports contracting with the County for selective services and advocates for technological advancements in the County’s video arraignment and continued development of the online building/permit platforms. The City is appreciative of recent innovative service collaborations with Pierce County such as the PALS+ permitting system and traffic signal contracting. 21 23