Hello, everyone, 

The theme for the May edition of Inside the City is “Teamwork!"   Tumwater is fortunate to have both City employees as well as engaged community members who go the extra mile to help make our community a great place to be!  

Parks, WRS and Tumwater’s Tree Board held another awesome Earth Day/Arbor Day event, and the Easter Egg Dash and Spring 2025 Puget Sound Invitational golf tournament were very well attended and hugely successful, in large part due to the teamwork that is visible in everything we do.   

Sewer crews and Parks Department staff rescued some baby ducks from a storm drain, winning the admiration of the community. And, the City’s partnership with Energize Thurston helped vulnerable residents get new, energy efficient heat pumps and water heaters. 

This work clearly demonstrates that we, as a city, truly care for one another. I see appreciation for these types of efforts across the City: from high school baseball teams and elementary school teacher invitations for our staff to participate in fun events, to passage of a ballot measure that keeps our city moving.    

Thank you, Team Tumwater, for recognizing the power that comes from working together with and for our community.

Lisa

Sewer Division and Parks team up to save duck family 

On the Friday before Easter, a Parks employee was driving down Israel Rd. when he noticed a mama duck in distress. He pulled over to help and realized that numerous baby ducks were stuck, unable to jump from the road up to the sidewalk. As he lifted the last one to its mother, he realized more babies had fallen into a nearby catch basin through the grate. 

The Sewer Division was called and came promptly for a rescue. They were able to save the three remaining babies from the basin. Two were easily pulled out, but one was stuck in a pipe. Using their remote-controlled camera, crews were able to get eyes on the duckling and coax it out from the pipe. The entire family of eight was reunited and on their way. The story was published on the city's social media and quickly became the most liked post so far in 2025. 

Parks & Recreation ramping up for summer

Collaboration between Parks, WRS, and Tumwater Tree Board means another awesome Earth Day / Arbor Day event at Historical Park. Native plants were  distributed to the community and 43 volunteers cleaned up the park and planted native plants.  

National Volunteer Week was celebrated by Parks. The Easter Egg Dash drew more than 2,500 people. Golf hosted the Spring 2025 Puget Sound Invitational with more than 70 players and the season is picking up at the golf course with the nice weather. Facilities has completed repairs and remodels throughout the city and is helping the Parks Department move locations. Read more in the Parks Monthly Newsletter.

Water Resources builds community partnerships

Thanks to community partnerships with Energize Thurston, 29 Tumwater residents received help getting heat pumps or water heaters. The Sewer Division recently got a new electric van with video inspection tools. The van was displayed at the recent Thurston Green Business Awards EV Car Show. Stormwater crews responded to a chemical discharge of moss killer that someone rinsed into the street. Read more in the WRS Monthly Newsletter. 

Fire represents at numerous community events

Fire crews have been out and about throughout Tumwater, representing at a developmental disabilities resource fair, a career fair, an elementary school reading event, a high school baseball game, an L&I worker memorial ceremony, and more. They also helped send off a dance team to state championships and hosted a Red Cross blood drive. The next Red Cross blood drive at the fire department will be May 21. Read the Fire Monthly Newsletter.   

TED wrapping up projects in May

Final details are being completed on the Israel Rd. and Linderson Way Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements project, and the Linwood Ave. sidewalk project. Projects in design include the roundabout at North Interstate 5 on and off ramps and Tumwater Blvd., 2nd Ave. pedestrian and bicycle improvements, pavement maintenance, and the Antsen Sewer Project. Read more in the TED Monthly Newsletter. 

Police work with schools to arrest potential child predator

The partnership between the police dept., the school district, and the community is essential for public safety and this was demonstrated recently when school officials learned that two students at Tumwater Middle School had been participating in inappropriate conversations with a man online from California and the man had come to Tumwater to meet the students in person. Police discovered the man near the school and took him into custody before he could meet the students.

Wire theft continues to be a significant problem in Tumwater. TPD is preparing to hire eight permanent new positions. Read more in the Police Monthly Report.

Welcome to new hires:

Sam Hunter, Associate Planner 
Jared VerHey, Engineer III - Capital Project Manager
Brandon Clements, Maintenance Tech I
Bryan Daggett, Maintenance Tech I
Cory Bushell, Maintenance Tech I
Brad Garnas, Maintenance Tech I
Alexis Quick, Maintenance Tech I
Aaron Renaud, Police Officer 
Kayla Garcia, Firefighter

Projects heard by the City Development Review Committee in April

• Feasibility Review – Development of parcel #37000002602 located off Bonniewood Dr. SE for offices or storage units.
• Feasibility Review – Development of parcel at 7045 Henderson Blvd. SE for multi-family housing.
• Feasibility Review – Development of 4,800 SF prefabricated metal shop building and 200 SF office at 9733 Lathrop Industrial Dr. SW.

Parks & Recreation office is moving

The Parks and Recreation office is relocating outside of City Hall. The office will be closed to the public from Tuesday, April 29 - Friday, May 2 during the move. Staff will be available via phone and email: 360-754-4160, tumwaterparks@ci.tumwater.wa.us. 

Beginning Monday, May 5, the Parks and Recreation office will be located at 821 Airport Court SE, Tumwater 98501. 

Windows 11 transition

Windows 11 will offer a refreshed user interface, enhanced security features, and improved performance. IT has already begun the roll out with over 80 machines updated. IT will contact you before updating your computer to ensure a smooth transition for everyone. The goal is to have everyone on Windows 11 by October 15, 2025. To receive training materials, contact the IT help desk.

HR rolls out new training platform 

Niche Academy is a new online platform designed to provide valuable training and development resources for all city employees. Staff will soon receive an email from Niche Academy with simple instructions on how to create your account. Please take a moment to complete this step as soon as possible. The email will have a temporary password to access the account then will have you change it to a personal password. 

Niche Academy is easy-to-use and will give you access to a variety of training materials designed to support your professional growth and development. This tool will help us streamline learning opportunities across the organization, making it easier for everyone to expand their skills and stay up to date with important training.

Bicycle community challenge

It's time for the Thurston County Bicycle Community Challenge (BCC), from Intercity Transit. Anyone who lives or works in Thurston County can participate. It’s free and there are prizes. Learn more and register on the BCC website.