Hi Everyone,  

This month’s Inside the City has stories about preparing our parks for spring sports, police protecting the community from identity theft, water resources spill response training, and staff reaching out to help at the foodbank.  As I’m sure you all know, January was very busy and an excellent start to the year, and the rest of the year promises much of the same! 

One of the first big community issues we’re working on this year is a ballot measure that asks city voters to renew the City’s Transportation Benefit District (TBD) for an additional 10 years.  The TBD was first approved by voters in 2014, adding .02% to the City’s sales tax that must be used to fund projects that help preserve and maintain our streets for a 10-year period.  The City Council agreed to put a renewal of the TBD on the ballot for the April 22, 2025 election.

This is an important ballot measure for our community, and it is likely you may hear about it, or get asked about it as you are going about your daily work.  For that reason, I wanted to remind everyone there are limits on the activities of public employees and on the use of public facilities and funds in connection with ballot measures and election campaigns.  State law prohibits the use of public facilities and equipment to support or oppose a ballot measure or an election campaign for public office. This prohibition means that local government employees may not work to support or oppose a candidate or ballot proposition during work time, or allow public facilities to be used for that purpose.  “Public facilities” is broadly defined to include all office space, equipment and supplies such as stationery or postage, computers, copiers, phones, uniforms, vehicles, or lists of persons served by the local government. 

The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) provides guidance for city staff to illustrate activities that may or may not be allowed during elections.  You can find that guidance here, and I’m asking you to please take a moment to review the rules restricting activities related to ballot measures or campaigns on work time or with work resources.  Your efforts to familiarize yourself with the rules for advocacy and the appropriate time, place and manner for supporting or opposing candidates or other election matters, will help ensure that both you and the City comply with local and state laws. 

Thank you for all that you do for the Tumwater community!

Warm regards, 

Lisa Parks, Tumwater City Administrator 

TED begins planning for 2025 Pavement Maintenance project

Completion of the Israel Rd. and Linderson Way pedestrian and bicycle improvements was delayed because of material delays. The contractor for the Linwood Ave. sidewalk project is working through final details. Due to winter weather, the roadway will be paved later this year. The city contracted with HDR Engineering to complete the design of the roundabout near Tumwater Blvd. and I-5. The city received a grant from the state Safe Routes to School program for pedestrian and bicycle improvements along 2nd Ave. between B St. and Linwood Ave. Planning is beginning for 2025 pavement maintenance projects. Read more in the TED newsletter.

Parks & Recreation makes improvements throughout city facilities

Parks crews are already preparing for spring with reconditioning of the baseball fields. More than 40 volunteers are beautifying the golf course. Facilities crews helped with department moves, repaired a heat lamp at River's Edge, fixed leaky faucets, cleaned graffiti and more. Recreation staff were busy hosting 160 basketball games in January. The active adults group visited tourist destinations in downtown Seattle. Read more in the Parks & Recreation newsletter.

Police respond to identity theft, DUI, burglary, and more

Tumwater police arrested a woman for identity theft after she lied to officers about her identity in order to hide that she had several warrants and an electronic home monitoring ankle bracelet. At the Police Department's prescription drug collection box, the public deposited a total 800 pounds of prescription drugs in 2024. Read this and more in the Police monthly report.    

WRS hosts training, focuses on water conservation

Staff hosted four in-person illicit discharges and spill response trainings so crews throughout the city will know what to do when pollution is encountered. Working with community development, staff gathered feedback about the climate element of the comprehensive plan. There is still time to share your thoughts. In 2025, a new drinking water specialist will be hired and WRS will increase their focus on water conservation. Read more in the WRS newsletter. 

Looking for human resources or communications offices? 

Your human resources team welcomed a new team member, Tate Spitters, and the group moved into the large corner office upstairs at City Hall. You can find them across from the Mayor's office. Communications is now downstairs at City Hall with public works. Come say hello and check out everyone's new spaces!  

Staff outreach at food bank 

A team from both community development and WRS gathered feedback and provided information to community members at the Thurston County Foodbank local Mountain View satellite pick up location on Jan. 23.   

While cars waited in line, staff provided an update on the comprehensive plan’s climate element. The team listened as food bank visitors selected a random policy or action and provided comments.

“It makes my quarter,” said Sustainability Manager Alyssa Jones Wood, who coordinates listening sessions quarterly. “It feels good to connect with the people we serve who often are left out.”

Food Bank coordinators invited additional city departments to host similar outreach events. Contact Alyssa Jones Wood for more information at AJonesWood@ci.tumwater.wa.us.  

Teamsters and Management Team raise more than $1k donations. 

A holiday food drive donation match with the Teamsters and Management Team netted $1,300 and 262 pounds of food for the Thurston County Food Bank. The drive lasted through the month of December. 

Welcome, new staff members

• Kelly Cloudsdale, paramedic firefighter
• Aurelia Buhler-Flores, paramedic firefighter
• Noah Layton, paramedic firefighter
• Cameron Cogdill, paramedic firefighter
• Timothy Reynolds, paramedic firefighter
• Jonathan McLean, paramedic firefighter
• Kasey Steffenhagen, police officer
• John Thomson, paramedic firefighter
• Tate Spitters, human resources specialist