Inside the City 31 May 2022 Edition

Inside the City of Tumwater Date: May 31, 2022 To:

Mayor Debbie Sullivan City Councilmembers City Employees

From: John Doan, City Administrator

PEOPLE

Osberg Stepping Up to MSO Post

Paramedic Lt. James Osberg has been selected to fill the open Medical Services Officer (MSO) position in the Fire Department. The MSO is a Captain-level

position that directs the work of the City Emergency Medical Services team under Assistant Chief

Crimmins and in coordination with Thurston County

City’s First Arts Coordinator Hired

Using specific funding from the Metropolitan Parks District, the City has hired Brittany Bowman as the

first half-time Arts Coordinator. Brittany has a degree

in fine arts and was a middle school art teacher in

Medic One. Osberg, an Olympia native, joined the

City in 2013. As the IAFF President, Osberg is an ex-

officio member of the Olympia Tumwater Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee. His new position will take effect in September. Congrats, James.

Texas. She has experience in grants, fundraising, and

volunteer coordination for the arts. She is excited to start on June 1, and as she said, “Bring More Art to

Tumwater.” Welcome, Brittany!

Recruit FF Finish South Sound Fire Academy

Dan Smith Joins National Research Network

and Travis Leyva graduated from the new South

Smith was invited to join the Steering Committee for

has developed. Twenty-four recruits graduated from

three-year term. The Committee will represent

already EMTs and will start on shift this week. The

addressing stormwater across the nation, supporting

way or the other. Tumwater’s own Scott Piper was

helping communicate research results. The Network

Scott.

need answers to the growing research questions

New Tumwater Firefighter Recruits Devin Gorman,

Water Resources and Sustainability Director Dan

Sound Fire Academy, which the Lacey Fire District

the National Watershed Research Network for a

local fire departments—both Tumwater grads are

community

Academy had 51 instructors who contributed in one

Network growth, providing financial oversight, and

selected as one of the top two instructors. Congrats,

needs

and

priorities

related

to

convenes municipalities, nonprofits, and others who about

stormwater

and

its

environment. Congrats, Dan!

impacts

on

the

Juneteenth Celebration

Enjoy a FREE BBQ lunch, games, entertainment, and

a presentation by Fred U. Harris Masonic Lodge #70 PHA. All community members are invited and welcome to attend.

12 Noon, Saturday, June 18, 2022 8345 Steilacoom Blvd SE in Lacey

This event is hosted in partnership with the cities of Lacey and Tumwater.

Independence Day Parade

Everyone loves a parade! Tumwater's 34th Annual Independence Day Parade is coming up on Monday,

July 4. This year's theme is "Aloha 4th!" The Parks &

Recreation Department is now accepting parade

entries. Visit the City website for more details or to

Brian Scharber Scholarship Awarded

Family, friends, and co-workers of Brian Scharber, the former IT Manager for the City, have been

supporting a $1,000 scholarship for an aspiring IT

student from the New Market Skills Center since his

passing in 2017. The review committee selected Pele Scott as this year’s scholarship recipient. She is

attending Centralia College to study computer

science.

Congratulations

Pele!

Thank

you

to

everyone who has contributed to this fitting tribute to Brian.

and Thunder Valley Fireworks start at 10:15 p.m.

Looking for Summer Fun

If the return of fireworks, Brewfest, and the

Independence Day Parade arent’ enough fun, try the other

offerings

of

the

Tumwater

Recreation

programs. Day camps, sports, STEM/Lego camps, fitness classes, cookie decorating, and more. Sign up

PLACES

Pride Month Coming

The City of Tumwater has a long history of

supporting the rights of LGBTQ+ people – in our

community and among our employees. The Council is expected to adopt a resolution at their next regular continuing

that

tradition

and

acknowledging Pride Month. To demonstrate the

City’s commitment, the Pride flag will fly at City Hall for the month of June.

National Trails Day – Saturday, June 4

Join fellow volunteers in making improvements to trails around Jim Brown Park. Tools, gloves, water,

and light refreshments will be provided. Register online.

Festival will return at 6 p.m. on the golf driving range,

today and spend the summer with Tumwater!

EVENTS

meeting,

submit your parade entry online. The Artesian Family

Community Survey Results Available

Last year, the City commissioned a community

survey of perceptions of growth and opportunity, policing, and housing and houselessness. The survey

was conducted in the early months of this year, and the results have been presented to the City Council.

This was an entirely electronic survey, unlike prior surveys that used telephones (land and cell) to

contact participants. Some survey questions were

able to build on questions that were asked in previous community surveys to give us community

perspectives over time. Please review the 2022 City of Tumwater Community Survey.

DRC Looks at Projects

The Development Review Committee is looking at a

proposal to convert a house to a bed and breakfast at 7325 Henderson, renovate an industrial building at 2775 29th Avenue SW, and construction of a

duplex and ADU at 301 Dennis Street. The

Transformation During the pandemic, we learned that teleworking is

a powerful tool, and we invested in the technology and procedures to make it work. We refined systems for online permitting, payment, and registration.

Committee has already looked at a 3-lot short plat

Virtual meetings have created convenience for people

367,000 s.f. warehouse on Blomberg St. SW, and

locations need to meet. These meetings made our

on Delta Lane and done formal review on a proposed

traveling, home ill, or when people from many distant

considered a river habitat project on 58th Ave. SE.

democracy more accessible to many.

They also previously did Preliminary Review on the

We learned the importance of sanitation and even

is a three-story, 200-unit multi-family project that

Similarly, we were reminded that sick leave is

Mottman Village Project at 2800 RW Johnson Blvd. It

will provide significant housing for SPSCC students.

They also looked at a proposal to convert the former

South Pacific Restaurant on Capitol to an optometry

clinic. If you think it has been long, the restaurant closed in 2013.

INSIDE THE CITY Illustrating our Mission, Vision, or Beliefs in Action.

simple hand washing to stop the spread of germs. essential, and if employees don’t feel well – we should stay home.

Reinvention We will find ways to make the best of what we’ve

learned through the pandemic (teleworking, online services, virtual meetings, and sanitation) and

continue into the future. We will also create space for people to make health choices that work for them and

fulfill the City’s service obligations.

On March 18, 2020, the City locked down City

Stay tuned for additional guidance on return to office

COVID world. I’m not going to repeat what we all

meetings. We appreciate your patience.

facilities, and we entered into the next 2+ years of our

and telework policies, operating hours and public

went through – we were there for that. Likely, we don’t

If you have particular ideas about these topics, make

know everything our co-workers went through as they

wrestled with lockdowns, uncertainty, school closings,

mandates, teleworking, fear, and anxiety. It was difficult for everyone.

With the support of Mayor Sullivan, we are working

towards ending the declaration of emergency and the

many requirements that accompanied it, including

reduced City Hall hours, vaccine mandates, and other

conditions.

Reopening City Hall The current plan is to expand City Hall operating

hours simultaneously with the City of Olympia and

Thurston County – on June 30 – 834 days after we started.

This doesn’t mean that everything goes back to how it was in 2020.

sure to share them with your supervisor or a Restart Team member.

We are going to come out of this bigger, better, and stronger.

TUMWATER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Message from the Chief May 15-22, 2022, is National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) week as established by President Gerald Ford in 1974. On May 3, Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan issued a proclamation recognizing our EMS professionals at the Tumwater Fire Department. Currently, the Tumwater Fire Department has 28 certified Emergency Medical Technicians and 18 Paramedics. The Department is part of the larger Thurston County Medic One system with staff not only serving those in Tumwater but throughout the County. Our professionals responded to over 4,500 medical emergencies in 2021, ranging from minor medical problems to patients with severe trauma or cardiac arrest. Through the most difficult phases of the pandemic, our staff continued to provide 24/7 emergency medical response when our community needed it most.

We want to thank our elected officials, other City staff, and our community for the support we have received as we strive to deliver the highest level of emergency medical care possible to our community.

Brian Hurley

Medical Services Officer Crews ran on 11 cardiac arrests calls for the month of April.

The Department provided compression-only CPR training for 10 area residents. There were 5 candidates who tested for the Fire Captain and the Medical Services Officer positions on April 16. The Department hopes to fill the Captain Medical Services Officer position in the near future.

MAY 2022

Community Outreach The Department resumed CPR training classes at local area schools. In April, Firefighter Gunnar Christensen and Paramedic Monti Sorem taught CPR to Olympia High School students.

TUMWATER FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS | MAY 2022

Operations Report

2

Training Officer The Department is working towards all members becoming Wildland Firefighter II or “Red Card” certified. Initial Red Card wildland training includes three online classes and one field day.

Once crews have completed the initial certification, they are required to take annual refresher training. The annual refresher training reviews the 10 standing orders, incident communications, escape routes, safety zones, and deploying fire shelters.

Fire shelters are safety devices that are used as a last resort if escape routes are cut off while fighting a wildland fire. Wildland firefighters are required to practice deploying fire shelters annually.

Crews responded for a residential structure fire on April 12, 2022. They were able to extinguish the fire in the garage and in the attic space.

Crews responded to a residential structure fire at an apartment complex.

The reporting party stated that the bed had caught fire in a bedroom.

Crews were able to extinguish the fire which did not extend to any other units. Smoking materials were determined to be the cause.

In April we joined the Olympia Fire Department conducting a vehicle extrication class with the Puyallup Extrication Team. This class goes over the basics of auto extrication and using the “Jaws of Life” and other hand tools to remove patients that may be trapped during vehicle accidents. The Puyallup Extrication team conducts training throughout the United States and has competed internationally in vehicle extrication competitions.

Parks & Facilities Project Updates | May 2022

Barclift and Tumwater Hill Park Upgrades The Barclift Park and Tumwater Hill Park Restroom Improvements project construction contract was awarded to KBH Construction Co. of Olympia at the May 3 City Council Meeting. The contracts have been forwarded to KBH for signature and will be returned no later than May 20. A pre-construction meeting between KBH Construction and City staff will follow.

Construction is anticipated to begin July 2022 with bathrooms arriving for installation first of August 2022.

Pioneer Park Restroom Roof Replacement The Pioneer Park restroom was constructed in 1994 and in need of a new roof and gutter system. The roof has been replaced and new gutters installed. Due to its location near soccer field #1, this building is frequently pummeled with errant soccer balls which presents problems for restroom patrons and for the new gutters. A new protective screen has been installed between the soccer field and the restroom.

New bollards at Pioneer Park

Pioneer Park Outfield Fencing

The outfield fencing on our baseball/softball fields was over 20 years old and in need of replacement. The fencing was curling and creating a potentially hazardous situation and after years of teams conducting batting practice into the fencing, it was bent and uneven. Additional railing and wire was added to the fence to prevent future damage.

Pioneer Park Restroom Facility

Pioneer Park Bollard Replacement

Installed in 1994 and 1997, the original 8” x 8” wooden bollards at Pioneer Park were water-logged, decaying, and presented a safety issue for city maintenance staff. All 18 were replaced with new steel bollards which are much easier to remove and far more attractive.

New outfield fencing

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 2022.

Chain-link outfield fencing will be replaced on many of our baseball and softball fields. Some of these fences are over 26 years old 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.

Storm water 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

Police Department Monthly Report

To:

John Doan, City Administrator

From:

Jon Weiks, Chief of Police

Date:

May 15, 2022

Re:

April 2022

CRIMINAL ACTIVITY 2022-0654 Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree - a Tumwater officer was patrolling in the area of Overlook Park on Barnes Blvd at approximately 2:29 a.m. (the park is closed from dusk until dawn) and observed a car parked in the parking lot. The vehicle was still running and the headlights were on, indicating the car was occupied. Due to the suspicious nature of the car in the lot after hours, the officer made contact with the male and female occupants. Upon contact, the officer smelled the odor of marijuana emitting from the interior of the car. The occupants identified themselves and the male passenger disclosed he had smoked the marijuana while they were parked in the lot. The officer learned the male had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest, but it was not confirmed. The officer was going to release the two with a warning for trespassing, when another officer arrived and observed a firearm on the console between the two occupants. It appeared the occupants were attempting to conceal the firearm with a blanket, but it was still visible. The officer inquired about ownership of the gun and received no response. Both occupants were 18 years old and neither claimed ownership, nor did either of them have a concealed pistol license. Both people were removed from the vehicle for officer safety concerns and with the driver’s permission, the gun was retrieved from the console. During the course of the investigation, the officer established probable cause to arrest the male for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree and was placed into handcuffs. The female provided officers with a duffel bag she identified as not belonging to her. The bag was left unzipped and officers could see a large quantity of marijuana, ammunition, drug paraphernalia associated with the packaging/distribution of narcotics, a white powdered substance and blue pills, both suspected to be controlled substances inside the bag. Due to the location and constructive possession of the duffel bag, the officer forwarded the charge of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver to the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The suspect was then booked for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd degree into the Thurston County Jail. The female was released from the scene.

2022-0730 Assault 1st Degree – Domestic Violence - Tumwater officers were dispatched to a residence for a report of an aggravated assault involving a knife. Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim who reported he had been in an argument with his girlfriend and during the argument he threatened to leave.

The suspect then threatened the victim with a kitchen knife and chased him around the residence and whenthe victim fled out the back door, the suspect pursued and assaulted him with the knife. The suspect then retreated into the residence. The victim received a minor injury as a result of the assault. Officers established probable cause to arrest the suspect for Assault 1st degree – Domestic Violence. Officers then obtained a search warrant to enter the suspect’s residence to affect an arrest. The officers made several efforts to communicate with the suspect, but she refused to peacefully exit the residence. A Crisis Negotiator was called to the scene and he attempted to talk the suspect into exiting the house, but she still refused to comply. Because the suspect was armed and barricaded in the residence, the Thurston County SWAT team was activated, along with additional crisis negotiators. When the suspect stopped communicating with first responders, members of the SWAT team and a Thurston County K-9 were used to assist with taking the suspect into custody. The female was non-compliant upon contact, and she sustained injuries from the K-9 apprehension. The suspect was transported to an area hospital for treatment, and later transitioned to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Custody of the suspect was maintained throughout her stay at the hospitals. When she was released, the suspect was transported and booked into the Thurston County Jail for Assault 1st Degree – Domestic Violence.

2022-0735 False Reporting 3rd Degree - During the month of April, Tumwater officers received 17 calls for service at a particular apartment. Each report made referenced a disturbance, violation of a protection order, suspicious circumstances complaint, or a domestic violence incident. Many of the calls resulted in a priority response by officers due to the nature of the complaint. Each call had the same result; officers were unable to determine a crime had been committed, and the call was cleared as unable to locate or unfounded. It appeared the anonymous caller was targeting and harassing a specific female resident. The female was contacted by officers several times and she identified a neighbor/friend as a possible source of the complaints. Based on the number of suspicious calls made regarding this address, officers and a dispatcher started to investigate further. A call made to Dispatch by the targeted female was reviewed and compared to the 17 anonymous calls that were made. It was determined the female voice was the same as the female who was claiming to be a victim of the harassment, ,. The female was requested to respond to the Tumwater Police Department where she was questioned about the calls. The female admitted to making the false reports and disclosed an additional eight calls made that resulted in members of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office responding to her ex-boyfriend’s residence. 17 counts of False Reporting 3rd degree were forwarded to the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Officer for consideration.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROP BOX The public deposited 77.5 pounds of prescription drugs in April, 17.5 pounds were a result from a Tumwater Hopes prescription drug take-back event. The total deposited for the year is 277.5 pounds.

BUDGET At the end of the month, the police department budget is 30% spent for the year and 61% spent for the biennium.

K-9 STATISTICS K9 James continued to recover from a leg injury and was unavailable for service.

CODE ENFORCEMENT Code Enforcement, based on citizen complaints, initiated two new cases this month: • Car detailing business operating in a residential area; and,

•

Numerous vehicles, in various conditions, parked in the driveway, yard, and nearby a residential area.

Code Enforcement resolved three cases this month: • An inoperable vehicle was removed from an unoccupied commercial property upon issuance of courtesy letter; • Trash and appliances were removed from the exterior of a multi-family apartment building upon issuance of a notice of violation letter; and, • Trash was removed from the exterior of a residence upon issuance of a courtesy letter.

Code Enforcement currently has twelve open cases.

QUANTIFIABLE ACTIVITY

Calls for Service Self-Initiated* Arrests Citations Issued New Cases – Investigations Public Disclosure Requests CPL/Gun Transfers Court Documents Evidence Overtime Annual Leave Sick Leave

*

2022 1,468 777 38 16

Monthly 2021 1,389 1,383 44 35

% Changed 6% -44% -14% -54%

2022 5,713 3,305 141 93

21

15

40%

98

111

171 85 172 342 716 156

Year to Date 2021 5,589 6,027 189 230

% Changed 2% -45% -25% -60%

93

59

58%

-12%

341

355

-4%

166 54 122

3% 57% 41%

608 320 618

501 232 499

21% 38% 24%

155 482 183

121% 49% -15%

1,457 1,603 1,081

1,025 1,162 777

42% 38% 39%

Self-Initiated includes: investigative follow-ups, civil paperwork service, area checks, business checks, school visits, resident contacts, traffic stops and back-up activity.

PERSONNEL • • • • •

Christina Keonitzer, Police Services Specialist – 24 years Ross Rutledge, Police Services Specialist – 20 years Chuck Liska, Sergeant – 17 years Oran Thompson, Officer – 4 years Friedrich Jaeger, Officer – 2 years

TRAINING • • • • • •

One member attended a two-day Pepperball Armorer/Instructor course One member completed an online Transformational Trainer course Two members completed an online Managing a Dynamic Tactical Incident course Two members completed an online Critical Thinking and Decision Making course One member completed an online Computer Security Basics course One member attended two virtual WCIA Police Chief Forum presentations

• • • • • • • • • • •

Two members attended a one-day Glock Armorer course Two members attended a one-day Legally Justified UOF course One member completed the one-week FTO Academy One member completed a one-week Motorcycle Collision Investigation course One member completed a one-day Draeger/SFST course One member attended the three-day WSPCA Conference One member attended a one-day Response to Suicidal Subjects course One member attended a two-day Basic Tactical Medical Instructor course One member completed nine days of post-BLEA internal training Fifteen members completed a department training day Three TPD members of Thurston County SWAT attended monthly training 423 total training hours

COMMUNITY ACTIVITY Lieutenant Jennifer Kolb and Chief Jon Weiks participated with Tumwater Hopes members in the DEA national prescription drug take-back event.

School Resource Officer Tyler Boling attended a Tumwater Youth Program event.

COMMENDATIONS/LETTERS OF APPRECIATION Officer Chase Grimmett was presented a department award, in the form of a Letter of Recognition, for his response in February to a CPR in progress call at a residence. Officer Grimmett arrived to find the boyfriend of a 37-year-old female performing CPR on her while also trying to talk on his cell phone to dispatch. Officer Grimmett quickly took over so the boyfriend could provide further details to dispatch.

Officer Grimmett performed chest compressions for five minutesuntil relieved by Tumwater Fire Department personnel. The female was revived with an AED and was later breathing on her own and communicating while at the hospital.

Officer Chase Grimmett was presented a department award, in the form of a Letter of Recognition, for his response in February to a report of a hysterical female calling about her husband being unconscious and not breathing at an area motel. Officer Grimmett arrived and found the unconscious and not breathing male and a hysterical female inside a motel room. Officer Grimmett was able to get the female to assist him in moving her husband to the floor, where he began performing chest compressions. Officer Grimmett learned the male may have overdosed so he administered Naloxone, which resulted in the male starting to breathe again. The male was treated and transported from the scene by Tumwater Fire Department personnel.

Services & Transport/Code Enforcement Officer Patrick Long received a letter of appreciation from a resident he contacted regarding a disabled vehicle. The resident wrote, “I would like to give a big “Thank You” to Officer PK Long. Yesterday 3/31 around noon I had a blown tire on Littlerock Rd by Wal-Mart, Officer Long stopped to offer his assistance. I had already called my husband who was on his way. Officer Long offered to stay with me until my husband arrived (I’m 77).he was very caring and made me feel at ease..Thank you officer Long.”

Transportation & Engineering Water Resources & Sustainability May 2022 Israel Road / Linderson Way Pedestrian & Bicycle

PERSONNEL UPDATES & ANNIVERSARIES

Improvements

Matt Webb Engineer III | 5/14/1990, 32 yrs.

Initial design work is progressing for the improvements on

Forrest Bailey WRS Cross Connection Specialist | 5/14/2002, 20 yrs.

Israel Road and Linderson Way, which will enhance

Curt Shields WRS Water Quality Lead Worker | 5/4/2004, 18 yrs.

utilities. The Linderson Way improvements will include

Michael Erickson WRS Water Distribution Lead Worker | 5/1/2007, 15 yrs.

cement water main on Israel Road and undergrounding

vehicle and pedestrian safety and upgrade existing

and intersection and mid-block pedestrian crossings will

Meagan Veal Project Coordinator | 5/1/2019, 3 yrs.

be added. The existing roadway surfaces are at the end

of their design life and will be reconstructed and new pavement markings applied. Survey work will be

TRANSPORTATION & ENGINEERING

completed by the end of June 2022, followed by full

design. Construction is planned for summer of 2023.

PROJECTS IN DESIGN 5

/

Trosper

Reconfiguration Project

existing overhead power and utilities. Sidewalks and curb ramps will be replaced to meet current ADA standards

Shannon Geary TED/WRS Department Assistant III | 5/1/2015, 7 yrs.

Interstate

replacing approximately 4,000 linear feet of asbestos

Road

/

Capitol

Blvd

City Engineering staff and the design consultant are

working together to complete the final bid package. It is

expected to go out to bid by early summer, with construction expected to begin in August of 2022.

Capitol Boulevard, Israel Road to M Street Design This project includes full corridor improvements to Capitol Boulevard, from Israel Road to M Street, to enhance access control to local businesses and multi-model improvements for pedestrian, bike, and transit.

Current efforts are focused primarily on the design of the

Capitol Boulevard and X Street roundabout and the North

/ South Connector between Trosper Road and Lee Street.

The City is working with the engineering consultant and

WSDOT to complete environmental permitting and right-

of-way requirements. Design is underway for both

portions of the project, with 90% designs expected to be

completed by August 2022.

Israel Road and Linderson Way – Proposed intersection improvements

and sidewalk ramps.

Linwood Avenue Sidewalk, Susitna Ln to 2nd Ave. Sidewalk infill is planned for Linwood Avenue between the Susitna development and Second Avenue. The project

calls for extending and connecting sidewalks along this route. In addition, the Lake Park Drive / Linwood Avenue

intersection will be realigned to enhance driver and pedestrian safety. Project survey will be completed by the

end of June 2022 at which time full design will commence.

Construction is scheduled for summer 2023.

WATER RESOURCES & SUSTAINABILITY Finding Efficiencies in Maintenance and Operations As the City of Tumwater grows, staff are continuing to find efficient ways to conduct our work. Data loggers are a useful way to monitor our utilities and environment so maintenance crews can stay informed about utility functionality and flood prone areas.

Data loggers collect and store data over a period of time and track a variety of events that can be assessed for hazardous conditions. Monitoring our sewer system for overflows has become a focal point for our sewer crews in the field after several recent sanitary sewer overflows impacted Percival Creek. The SmartCover data logger System was recently installed in the wastewater system near Percival Creek to measure wastewater flows. The SmartCover System is installed on the wastewater maintenance hole cover and sends an alert to crews when flows start to rise above acceptable levels. Sewer crews can be dispatched to the site to clear the blockage before the system overflows, protecting Percival Creek from discharges from the wastewater system.

Sanitary Sewer connection fee to encourage conversion of septic systems within the City’s service area to the sewer system. This program began in early 2022 to complement the LOTT Clean Water Alliance conversion rebate program that has been operating since 2017.

Applicants can now apply for both a rebate on City and LOTT connection fees.

Applications will be accepted until funds run out.

Currently, the program is funded with $35,000 for 20222023.

Rebates are two-tiered: 1.

Property owners abandoning an existing on-site septic system and connecting to the City’s wastewater system are eligible for a rebate of 50% of the Sanitary Sewer connection fee.

Property owners who meet the criteria for hardship status, as determined by the City’s Lifeline Program, are eligible for an additional 25% connection fee rebate.

Another system, used on Barnes Lake, is the HOBO Water Level Monitor. This monitoring system collects lake level and temperature data that can be downloaded through a blue tooth connection. This system has been useful during our rainy season to determine if the lake is draining properly and property remains safe from flooding. The Stormwater Team is considering the HOBO System for other flood prone sites as well.

2.

Making the Big Switch!

Based on the 2022 fees, that is a savings of $4,700 $7,000 per “Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)”!

New Septic–to-Sewer Rebate Program for City Water Customers

Septic systems are underground wastewater treatment

structures, and are common in rural areas. Septic systems

are a great alternative when a central wastewater

conveyance and treatment system is not available.

However, it has its drawbacks. If a septic system is not

properly maintained or is failing, it can be an environmental and human health hazard. Areas that

heavily rely on onsite septic systems have higher levels of contamination in their surface and groundwater.

There are over 3,100 septic tanks within the Tumwater City limits and urban growth area. The new Septic Conversion Incentive Program offers partial rebates of the City’s

Want to apply or learn more about the program? Go to www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/RebatesIncentives Note: There are additional permitting fees and charges that come with converting from septic to sewer. If you would like to know all the costs involved with making the big switch, contact the Water Resources and Sustainability Department at (360) 754-4140.