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3 days ago

Lakewood advances framework to evaluate lakefront street-end encroachments; council seeks permitting alternatives Public Works presented a draft, citywide framework to survey and classify street-end encroachments and guide volunteer access to lake ends. Councilmembers asked staff to study revocable permits and lease/easement options as alternatives to street vacations before a future resolution.

Lakewood is taking action to enhance public access to its beautiful lakefront by evaluating encroachments and exploring innovative permitting alternatives!

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #PublicAccess #LakewoodVolunteers

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3 days ago

Western State Hospital leaders describe new forensic hospital progress and commit to improved community notifications Western State Hospital leaders updated the Lakewood City Council on the new forensic hospital’s construction progress, bed allocations and safety measures, and described the hospital's current notification practices and an internal root-cause review after a recent unauthorized leave.

Hospital leaders unveil the ambitious Gage Center forensic hospital project, promising safer designs and better community communication in the wake of recent patient escapes.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #LakewoodForensicHospital #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #HealthcareReform

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3 days ago

Lakewood lobbyist reviews 2026 short legislative session; capital wins, other priorities stall City contract lobbyist Shelley Helder told the Lakewood City Council the 2026 short session produced three supplemental budgets and several bills of interest: capital awards including $200,000 for H Barn Silos succeeded, while efforts to codify a community partnership program and secure implementation funding for parking standards did not advance.

Lakewood's recent legislative session brought both victories and setbacks, including a $200,000 win for the H Barn Silos, but left key community programs stranded in committee.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #LakewoodHousing #LegislativePriorities

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1 month ago

Lakewood housing briefing: city has zoning capacity, but growth pace may not meet state targets Staff said Lakewood has the zoning capacity to support more than the city’s assigned target—10,242 units without rezoning and an additional ~8,408 units from recent law changes—but cautioned actual development depends on landowner decisions, market incentives and permitting pace; staff also reviewed AMI, homelessness counts and housing mix.

Lakewood has the potential for over 18,000 new housing units, but will landowners step up to meet the growing demand?

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousing #LakewoodHousing #UrbanPlanning #HomelessnessData

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2 months ago

Lakewood staff propose broad Title 12/13/18 and Engineering Standards Manual updates; council flags downtown traffic fee and shoreline encroachment concerns Staff presented draft updates to Lakewood Municipal Code Titles 12, 13 and 18 and the Engineering Standards Manual to align with state standards, clarify technical vs. policy language, and speed reviews. Council members applauded updates but raised concerns about relocating the downtown Traffic Management Fee into code without a fresh planned-action EIS and urged deeper review of street-end/shoreline encroachment language before adoption.

Lakewood is on the brink of major municipal code updates, but the downtown Traffic Management Fee and shoreline encroachments are stirring up debate!

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2 months ago

Lakewood to use $355,000 state NECC grant to expand urban forestry, climate resilience work City staff told council the Department of Commerce NECC grant will provide $355,000 (match by staff time) to support climate-resilience work required under House Bill 1181, fund urban-forest planning, urban heat resilience strategies and public engagement, and leverage ARPA and City Tree Fund dollars for implementation.

Lakewood is set to unlock $355,000 in state funding to boost urban forestry and climate resilience, paving the way for a greener future!

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #ClimateResilience #PublicEngagement #LakewoodUrbanForestry #UrbanForestManagement

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2 months ago

Lakewood police report 2025: city sees sharp drops in violent and property crime, chief credits technology Chief Smith told the Lakewood City Council the fourth-quarter 2025 report shows broad reductions across violent and property crimes, with homicides falling to zero and motor vehicle theft plunging after investment in Flock Safety and in-vehicle technology. Council members pressed for more disaggregated collision-severity data and asked about human-trafficking resources.

Lakewood's crime rates have plummeted in 2025, with homicides dropping to zero and motor vehicle thefts reduced by a staggering 85% thanks to innovative technology investments!

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2 months ago

Lakewood civil service meeting moves to executive session over applicant appeal; no final vote recorded The Lakewood Civil Service Commission held an executive session to evaluate an applicant for public employment under a cited RCW statute and discussed making a motion to disqualify, but the transcript does not record a final vote on that appeal.

The Lakewood Civil Service Commission's recent closed session raises questions about the fate of an applicant as they discuss a potential disqualification, yet no final vote was recorded.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CivicAccountability #AdministrativeProcedures #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Lakewood panel removes three candidates from entry‑level police list, certifies eligibility list and reviews staffing demographics The commission removed three applicants from the entry-level police eligibility list and moved to certify the list; staff presented department demographics showing 63% of employees are over 40 and 33% have 0–5 years of service, raising questions about retirements and hiring strategy.

The Lakewood Civil Service Commission has shaken up the police eligibility list by removing three candidates, while a demographic report reveals a looming retirement wave among officers.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #WorkforceDemographics #LakewoodPolice #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Lakewood council reviews Mount Tacoma Drive rebuild; staff and council weigh roundabout, safety and property impacts Council discussed a multi‑block reconstruction of Mount Tacoma Drive on Jan. 12, reviewing alignment, tree impacts, sidewalk and lighting standards, collision data and a proposed roundabout. Staff estimated the roundabout could add $350,000–$400,000 in right‑of‑way costs and asked to continue property owner outreach.

The Lakewood City Council is tackling the Mount Tacoma Drive reconstruction, debating the cost and safety of a proposed roundabout amidst concerns over property impacts and pedestrian improvements.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #LakewoodReconstruction #PublicSafety

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2 months ago

Lakewood staff recommends climate advisory team after unexpected state grant City staff told the City Council on Jan. 12 that Lakewood has been awarded Department of Commerce funds and is proposing a climate advisory team to guide urban forestry, greenhouse gas inventories and resilience work tied to House Bill 1181 compliance through 2029.

Lakewood just scored unexpected funding to form a climate advisory team that will shape the city’s environmental future—are you ready to get involved?

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CommunityEngagement #ClimateChange #UrbanForestry #CitizenPortal #LakewoodClimate

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3 months ago

Lakewood council appoints Bokey mayor, Bell deputy mayor and proclaims MLK Day At its January 2026 meeting, the Lakewood City Council appointed Councilmember Bokey as mayor and Patty Bell as deputy mayor, issued a proclamation designating Jan. 19, 2026 as a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and approved the consent agenda including several contract addenda and an advisory committee appointment.

The Lakewood City Council has made significant changes, appointing new leaders and honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service—what does this mean for the community?

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #LeadershipAppointments #LakewoodCouncil #CommunityService #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

Lakewood honors outgoing mayor and deputy mayor amid mixed public praise and criticism At its Dec. 15 meeting, the Lakewood City Council presented proclamations honoring Mayor Jason Whelan and Deputy Mayor Mary Moss. Public comments ranged from gratitude and praise to sharp criticism over land-use decisions and police conduct; council members and staff offered tributes and reflections.

Lakewood's final council meeting of 2025 was a whirlwind of accolades and sharp critiques as Mayor Jason Whelan and Deputy Mayor Mary Moss were honored for their service amidst a backdrop of public dissent.

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4 months ago

Lakewood seeks state help to study and comply with new parking minimums Council Member Pearson and local officials said SB 5184’s statewide parking minimums will require expensive location-specific studies for exemptions, and asked for a formula-based state program to fund compliance work so Lakewood can balance parking rules with other priorities.

Lakewood officials are grappling with new state-mandated parking minimums that could strain local resources and require costly studies for exemptions.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #LocalResources #HousingAvailability #LakewoodParking

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4 months ago

Lakewood officials warn indigent defense cost increases will outpace proposed funding City officials told state and local leaders that rising contract costs and new case standards will outstrip revenue from the proposed $20.15 tax, producing a budget shortfall beginning in 2028 unless additional measures are taken.

Lakewood officials are sounding the alarm as rising indigent defense costs threaten to outstrip the proposed $20.15 tax revenue, warning of a looming budget crisis by 2028.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #BudgetShortfall #CitizenPortal #CriminalJusticeReform #LakewoodIndigentDefense

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4 months ago

Pierce Transit ballot push, retail‑theft losses and child‑care changes flagged as Lakewood priorities Officials discussed a likely Pierce Transit ballot measure to expand service, described large statewide retail‑theft losses and highlighted a bill easing child‑care licensing near military bases; leaders asked for continued state‑local coordination.

Pierce Transit is gearing up for a pivotal ballot measure to enhance service, while local leaders tackle the staggering impact of retail theft and child-care access challenges.

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4 months ago

Lakewood council adopts 2026 property tax levy, mid‑biennial budget amendment and fee schedule On Nov. 17, 2025 the Lakewood City Council adopted Ordinance 8‑39 setting the 2026 property tax levy and approved a mid‑biennial budget amendment (Ordinance 8‑40) plus Resolution 2025‑14 updating the city fee schedule. Staff said the 1% levy option raises the average homeowner about $9.55 annually.

The Lakewood City Council just approved a 1% property tax increase that will cost the average homeowner just $9.55 annually—find out what this means for your wallet!

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #CommunityFinance

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5 months ago

Council weighs H Barn restoration design, fundraising and a proposed $2 million lodging-tax allocation Partners for Parks requested continued design work for the H Barn restoration and described fundraising challenges; the Lodging Tax Committee recommended $2 million in capital support, and council discussed phasing, donor contingencies, and the value of reaching higher design milestones to unlock pledged funds.

The Lakewood City Council is debating the future of the H Barn restoration, weighing historic charm against budget constraints as they seek to unlock millions in funding.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #LakewoodParks #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #CommunityFundraising

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5 months ago

Lakewood refines 2026 state agenda: codify hospital partnership, ask for $200,000 for H Barn silos, and flag public‑defense and parking implementation needs City staff reviewed draft state priorities for 2026, including advancing a bill to codify a Community Partnership Program at Western and Eastern State hospitals (SB 5286), a $200,000 capital request to preserve HBARN silos, and seeking state support for public defense funding and resources to implement new parking standards.

Lakewood is gearing up for a pivotal 2026 legislative session, pushing for key priorities like codifying a vital hospital partnership and securing funding for public defense and historic preservation.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #CommunityPartnership

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5 months ago

Public voices tree canopy, housing and stormwater concerns at Lakewood comprehensive plan docket hearing At a public hearing on the 2026 comprehensive plan and zoning-map amendment docket, planners described 12 potential amendments. Public commenters pressed council to strengthen tree protections, address stormwater and lake drying, and consider local impacts of state housing laws.

Lakewood City Council is diving into a crucial public hearing, addressing environmental concerns and potential zoning changes that could reshape the community's future!

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #HousingDevelopment #CitizenPortal #LakewoodComprehensivePlan #PublicTestimony

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5 months ago

Lakewood police report drops in violent and property crime in third quarter; department highlights technology and patrol changes Chief Patrick Smith reported year-to-date reductions in violent and property crime for Q3 2025, including steep declines in vehicle theft and shots-fired calls. Council discussed public dashboards and transparency.

Lakewood's crime rates are plummeting, with a staggering 54.6% drop in vehicle theft and zero homicides reported in 2025!

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CrimeReduction #CommunityTransparency #LakewoodCrime

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5 months ago

Council signals support to accept Edgewater Park grants and considers 0.1% public-safety sales tax for indigent defense costs City manager and finance staff told council the Edgewater Park grant package can move forward; council signaled support to accept grants and start design work. Members also discussed implementing the states 0.1% criminal-justice sales-tax option to offset rising indigent defense costs required by recent state court decisions.

Lakewood's council is moving forward with exciting plans for Edgewater Park while tackling rising indigent defense costs with a proposed new sales tax!

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #LakewoodParks #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #IndigentDefense #BudgetAdjustments

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5 months ago

Lakewood council adopts 2026 federal, state and county legislative agendas after debate over Fort Steilacoom advocacy The Lakewood City Council approved a package of federal, state and Pierce County policy priorities for 2026, after council members debated whether to keep Fort Steilacoom Park on the citys state advocacy list. Council also updated priorities on parking implementation and juvenile facility modernization.

The Lakewood City Council has set its sights on 2026, prioritizing key legislative agendas while sparking debate over the fate of historic Fort Steilacoom Park.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #LakewoodParks #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunityModernization #CivicAccountability

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5 months ago

Lakewood pitches ‘medium‑sized city’ set‑aside and earmark strategy as federal funding uncertainty continues City staff and consultant reviewed Lakewood’s federal agenda, highlighting a multi‑city effort to create medium‑sized city set‑asides within federal discretionary grant programs and plans to pursue earmarks, amid an uncertain federal budget environment.

Lakewood is rallying with neighboring cities to secure federal funding aimed at boosting medium-sized communities, but with the government shut down, the path forward is anything but clear.

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6 months ago

Committee Plans October 15 Meeting to Discuss Public Hearing Process Committee suggests staff prepare materials for the October 15 meeting to facilitate discussion.

Lakewood's Planning Commission is taking a thoughtful pause to ensure community voices shape the city's future development—what insights will emerge by October 15?

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #LakewoodPlanning #LocalDevelopment #PublicHearings

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6 months ago

Lakewood Evaluates Brewery and Distillery Zoning During Public Dialogue Session Lakewood discusses potential zoning regulations for breweries and distilleries at upcoming public meeting.

Lakewood is gearing up for a pivotal public hearing that could reshape the future of breweries and distilleries in the city, reflecting a strong community desire for economic growth.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #ZoningRegulations #EconomicGrowth #CommunityInput

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6 months ago

Lakewood Planning Commission Considers Expanding Childcare Center Locations Amid Zoning Changes Commission holds public hearing on proposed zoning amendments for childcare centers across the city.

The Lakewood Planning Commission is taking bold steps to expand childcare center locations, amidst significant zoning changes that could reshape the community.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #LakewoodChildcare #CitizenPortal #CommunityPlanning #ZoningReform #ChildcareAccess

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6 months ago

Lakewood Planning Commission Revisits Brewery and Distillery Zoning Regulations Commission seeks feedback on expanded brewery and distillery locations in downtown Lakewood.

Lakewood's Planning Commission is shaking up zoning regulations for breweries and distilleries, sparking a heated debate on where these establishments should thrive in the community!

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #ZoningRegulations #LakewoodBreweries

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7 months ago

Lakewood City Council Hears Community Support for H Barn Restoration at 09/15 Meeting Council members discuss community input on restoring H Barn for events and gather feedback.

The Lakewood City Council meeting on September 15 sparked a vibrant dialogue as residents passionately voiced their support for the restoration of H Barn, emphasizing the importance of community-driven governance.

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8 months ago

Residents Complain About Library Area Occupied By Belongings And Shopping Carts Community members voice concerns over clutter near the library affecting its appearance.

Lakewood residents are raising alarm bells over the clutter near the library, calling for change to enhance community aesthetics and safety.

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#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunityAesthetics #HomelessnessOutreach #LakewoodLibrary