Administrator’s Letter April 1, 2011 Dawn Masko, City Administrator

1. April Fool’s Day Rumor Contrary to a local website blog, the City of DuPont is NOT being annexed into Joint Base Lewis- McChord to make room for additional growth. The City was in no way affiliated with this erroneous posting and apologizes for any confusion this may have caused our citizens and local businesses.

2. Business License Program The City of DuPont’s partnership with the State of Washington Master License Service continues to show positive results for our businesses with the streamlined process for issuing licenses. Vendors conducting business within the City must possess a valid DuPont business license. Following is a reminder to businesses of the various types of licenses and methods to procure the licenses:

General business licenses cost $50 and is a one-stop process through the State Department of Licensing that can be done online at www.dol.wa.gov, by phone at (360) 664-1400, or in person at the State office located in Olympia at 405 Black Lake Blvd SW. Approval of online applications usually occurs within 48 hours.

Businesses located in a home require a home occupation permit prior to being approved for a business license. Home occupation permits are handled by the City for a cost of $100. The business license is issued by the State after the home occupation permit is approved by the City’s Planning department.

Solicitor’s permits are also still handled by the City for a cost of $15 per person. The applicant is required to provide a copy of their valid driver’s license and it is scanned onto the permit for identification purposes. DuPont citizens are advised to ask to see the solicitor’s permit before talking to the individual. Solicitors are informed that their permit must be on their person when going door-to-door, so the common response when asked for their permit of “it’s at the office” usually means that they don’t have a permit. Citizens are also advised to hang a “No Solicitors” sign by their door if they don’t want solicitors. If at any time a solicitor is asked to leave and doesn’t comply, citizens are advised to call the police.

Please request to see the license before you hire a business to do any work, including lawn maintenance, painting, plumbing, etc. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Finance Specialist Barb Bange at (253) 912-5213.

3. CPR & First Aid Classes There is still time to register for two CPR & First Aid classes being offered by the DuPont Fire Department in April. The classes are open to DuPont citizens and will be held on Saturdays, April 23rd and 30th. Classes will start at 8 AM and end at 5 PM. The classes teach citizens how to properly apply CPR techniques in cases of cardiac arrest. Basic first aid is also taught during this class. Citizens interested in attending either of these classes should contact Operations Chief Greg Cooper at (253) 377-3247.

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City of DuPont 1700 Civic Drive DuPont, Washington 98327 253-964-8121 phone 253-964-3554 fax

4. Sequalitchew Creek/Edmond Marsh Committee The Sequalitchew Creek/Edmond March Committee met on Saturday, March 26th to review the 77 environmental protection suggestions submitted by committee members. The committee sorted the suggestions into several areas which will culminate in a report to the Mayor in late April. The final report to the Mayor will be posted to the City’s website when it is available.

5. Upcoming Meetings – Week of April 4th – 8th Park Agency Meeting Tuesday, April 5th at 7:00 PM Tree Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 5th has been moved to April 12th Civil Service Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 6th has been cancelled

6. Puget Sound Starts Here Month April is Puget Sound Starts Here month in Pierce County. Jurisdictions and non-profit organizations in Pierce County are partnering to draw attention to the health of Puget Sound and local watersheds during the month of April by organizing events throughout the county to get communities involved. For more details about Puget Sound Starts Here month, go to www.piercecountywa.org/pssh.

7. Parks & Recreation Please call (253) 912-5245 or go to the City’s website at www.ci.dupont.wa.us for registration information, questions on Parks & Recreation activities, or for volunteer opportunities.

Three cheers for Dance4Life! Congratulations to the City of DuPont’s Hip Hop class who recently finished second at a Regional competition in Seattle. This is much deserved as these girls have worked incredibly hard. Many thanks to dance instructor Tammy Colbert for her leadership and inspiration.

“There’s No Place like Home” – Auction tickets officially went on sale today. This fundraising auction for Parks & Recreation is our major fundraising event of the year. The cost is $15 and includes hors d’ oeuvres and desserts. This is an adult only evening. Donations are gladly being accepted. Many thanks to local businesses and residents who have already provided some fantastic donations. Please contact Amy Walker with Parks & Recreation if you would like to donate or help.

Many thanks to our fantastic baseball parents who helped implement “Plan B” for our Baseball Jamboree. Last weekend was a wet one and moving our players and families to the Community Center was not an easy task. Hats off to you!!

Registration opens today for summer sports camps. The City is partnering again with Skyhawks to offer baseball, basketball, flag football and soccer camps. Registration information is available on the City’s website.

Visit our website for information on other programs and events including Yoga, Track, Cheerleading, Dance4Life, Karate, Baseball Day at Cheney Stadium, and more!

8. Lawn Aerating Fundraiser Local Boy Scout Troop 494 will be aerating lawns in DuPont for their annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 9th. Prices range from $50 to $100 depending on the size of the lawn. 100% of the proceeds go directly to support Boys Scouts from DuPont and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Only a limited number of lawns can be aerated during this one day only event. Support your local Boy Scouts by emailing [email protected] to reserve your spot.

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City of DuPont 1700 Civic Drive DuPont, Washington 98327 253-964-8121 phone 253-964-3554 fax

9. DuPont Museum and Historical Society Awards The DuPont Museum and Historical Society are proud to announce the recipients of the 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award and Lifetime Achievement Award which were presented at the Annual Meeting in March. Hazel Printz received the Volunteer of the Year Award for her many years of volunteering at the Museum working on the collections, special events, and organizing the Annual Pancake Breakfast during the 4th of July celebration. Long-time DuPont resident Bert Wyant was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of commitment to the Museum, DuPont heritage and our community. Congratulations Hazel and Bert!

10. Tourism Update The Tourism Board is currently looking for volunteers to help plan our two-day Fall Festival in September. Interested volunteers should contact Amy Walker at [email protected]. Many helping hands are needed and fresh ideas are always welcome.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 4th to celebrate National Trail Day by walking the Sequalitchew Creek trail! Walking and hiking clubs from the entire Pacific Northwest will be invited to attend. This event will be held in conjunction with the DuPont Fire Department’s Safety Fair. Please watch the City website for event details.

11. Community Center Upgrades Public Works staff worked this week to prepare the Community Center for the installation of new flooring materials. This work will occur throughout the week of April 4th, necessitating cancelling classes scheduled to occur at the Community Center. Classes will resume the week of April 11th.

12. Pierce Transit Reduction Plan Due to the anticipated schedule for repair of the fueling station damaged by a fire on February 28th, Pierce Transit cannot return to regular service levels prior to beginning their planned service reductions. Emergency reduced service will continue to operate through June 11, 2011. The planned reduction schedule begins with a 20% reduction on June 12, 2011, and a 15% reduction on October 2, 2011.

Beginning April 2nd, the Reduction Plan Rider Alert pamphlet will be available on board buses, at Bus Shop locations, at Pierce Transit Headquarters, and at www.piercetransit.org. This pamphlet provides route-by-route information about the proposed service reductions. SHUTTLE paratransit service for people with disabilities will also be reduced on October 2, 2011.

Public hearings are scheduled throughout April at five different locations to allow the public to comment on the June and October service reductions. Transit users and the community are encouraged to attend to have their voice heard by the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners. Visit www.piercetransit.org or call Customer Service at (253) 581-8000 for information regarding the public hearings and proposed reduction plan.

13. Boating Advisory Commission Seeks Applicants The citizen commission that advises Pierce County government on matters relating to boating conditions and safety is seeking new members. The Boating Advisory Commission has openings for volunteers who live in Pierce County. The commission meets the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM (locations vary). Members serve as an advisory board to the Sheriff, the Pierce County Executive and the Pierce County Council. The commission reviews County watercraft regulations and recommends amendments to the County watercraft laws. For more information, see Pierce County Code 8.88.440. For an application, go to Boating Advisory Commission application or contact Sergeant Jake Greger at (253) 798-3278 or [email protected]. ______

City of DuPont 1700 Civic Drive DuPont, Washington 98327 253-964-8121 phone 253-964-3554 fax

14. Licensing Fair The Pierce County Auditor’s Office will be open on Saturday, April 9th from 9:00 AM to Noon for citizens to renew license tabs, apply for a passport, or purchase a marriage license. The office is located at the Pierce County Annex at 2401 So. 35th Street, Room 200 in Tacoma.

15. Cherry Blossom Tea The 2011 Cherry Blossom Tea and Vintage Fashion Show will be held on Saturday, April 30th beginning at 2:00 PM at Chloe Clark Elementary School. This year’s theme is “Women of the Greatest Generation: Fashions and Memorabilia from the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s”. Tickets are $12/individual or $10 per person for a table of 10. All ladies are encouraged to come for an afternoon of fun, sweet treats and nostalgia for the good old days! Proceeds benefit the DuPont Historical Society and the DuPont Museum. For information please contact Lee at (253) 267-5267 (evenings, weekends) or Joh at (253) 964-2399.

16. Structural Pruning for Young Trees Workshop Horticulture consultant Chris Pfeiffer will teach a workshop on Structural Pruning for Young Trees on Thursday, April 14th at DuPont City Hall. The workshop will run from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Ms. Pfeiffer will focus on training young trees for structural strength and integrity through proper pruning. This course is an advanced practicum workshop being sponsored by the Pacific NW International Society of Arboriculture Chapter. Participants will need to bring their own hand tools for the field practicum. For more information and to register, visit http://wa16structuralpruning.eventbrite.com.

17. Funeral Planning Comes to Life When you die, then what? Do you have plans for a memorial service or interment? How do you go about planning wisely? Many people leave the details to others when they die. At that point, family members make hundreds of decisions about final disposition with or without prior input from their loved one. It can be an awkward, emotionally difficult and financially challenging time.

Pierce County Aging and Long Term Care is sponsoring the “Of All Things Final” seminar to provide a practical opportunity to learn about the options people have, the necessary and unnecessary costs involved when someone dies, what funerals look like, and how to make good choices in advance or at the time of need.

Participants will receive planning materials, consumer advice, and helpful guides from the Federal Trade Commission. Community resources will be available to help make decisions patiently, thoughtfully and attentively.

The seminar is free and open to the public. No RSPV is required. It will be held four times:

April 11th 12:10 – 12:50 PM Pierce County Annex – Main Conference Room 2401 So. 35th Street, Tacoma April 11th 7:00 – 8:00 PM Summit Branch Library – Library Meeting Room 5107 – 112th Street East, Tacoma April 12th 7:00 – 8:00 PM University Place Library – Library Meeting Room 3609 Market Place West, University Place April 13th 12:10 – 12:50 PM County-City Building – Rainier Conf Room, 7th Floor 930 Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma

For more information about the “Of All Things Final” seminar, please contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332. ______

City of DuPont 1700 Civic Drive DuPont, Washington 98327 253-964-8121 phone 253-964-3554 fax