MEETING RECAP
Monday, April 18, 2022
By: Paula T. OlsonA Good Friday at Lakewood Rotary
THE LAKEWOOD KEY
By Paula T. Olson
This meeting started on a very auspicious and religious day. For Christians, it was Good Friday, the day of the passion and death of Jesus. For Jewish people, it was nearly the beginning of Passover, starting at sunset. For Muslim people, it was the middle of Ramadan. And for the CPAs and accountants amongst us, it was the old Tax Day. Somehow they managed to get three more days to get those returns in. And their clients are most grateful.
So the ringing of the bell by Pres. Rooks started this meeting on time. Well, according to my watch it was 97 seconds late but I’m sure my watch was wrong. Andrew Kruse led us in a nice invocation and Jim Bisceglia led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pres. Jim acknowledged the usual setup crew led by Rob Erb who was also getting trained to operate the zoom machine. He was assisted by James Osundwa, Terry Roarke, Rick Selden, and Gayle Selden. Recording the fines was the usual John Lowney, writing the bulletin was yours truly Paula Olson, Terry Roarke manned the $2 table and functioned as Sergeant at Arms, Mary Marlin womaned the Foundation desk, Walt Richardson was the official photographer, and with the easiest job of all, Greg Rediske, monitoring the presidential gaffes.
Visiting Rotarians included our speaker, Becky Newton, President-Elect of the Clover Park Rotary Club. Guests were Bill Price’s wife, Pat, Stephanie Wilcox, President of the Partners, and Angela Connelly introduced her guests as Amy Fallen and Terry Scott. All were welcomed. Puffins in attendance (and since my neck was not swiveling well, I might miss one or two of you – my apologies!) were Angela Connelly, James Osundwa, Connie Coleman-Lacadie, and Linda McDermott.
Eric Warn did our health and wellness report and thanked all for the glasses, especially Jim and Connie. John Warner was present with us on zoom (welcome back, John! So glad to see you up and about) and Vaughn Hoffman is having issues so send him good vibes. Pres Jim proudly announced that he will bring in two pairs of glasses because he had more successful surgery on his eyes, giving him amazing vision and no need for glasses. (You know, those doctors give us lawyers a hard time when they treat us because they are afraid we’ll sue them. Can you imagine how a doctor treating a doctor must feel? I know, just a random thought.) But we are glad Jim is free from the tyranny of glasses.
Announcements started off by Pres Elect Jason Whalen on zoom inviting us to work at Fort Steilacoom Park doing clean up and other duties as assigned on Saturday, April 23rd from 9 am to noon. Send Jason an email for any details and to sign up or any thoughts you might want to pass his way. Jason and Mary Horn also talked a little bit about the strategic planning survey, giving us updated participant numbers as 62. We’re getting one last reminder and our input is critical to help our leaders design the future of our club. Jim stated that one member gave an outstanding comment but of course, his lips were sealed as to who it was and what he/she said. So fill out the survey and send it back for Pete’s sake. Actually for Rotary’s sake.
Sally Smith, Gayle Selden, Rick Selden and Stephanie Wilcox gave us a little pep talk about the upcoming auction. Like get those procurement items in ASAP! They detailed what has to happen AFTER you give them and that takes time. The deadline is May 7th. I repeat, May 7, 2022. The Sip and See is going to happen as part of the auction with tickets going for $50 for one person, $100 for two people, and you can get the idea about how much three or more will cost. The lucky ticket holders will get a fabulous charcuterie plate designed and plated by the Partners including a salami rose fashioned by Stephanie, a full bottle of red or white wine, four sampler desserts including a lemon bar, a chocolate cookie, homemade almond roca, and a surprise. OMG, I just want the desserts and the wine. That sounds fabulous! There are three ways to get your tickets: 1) corner John Lowney, Wendy McGowan, or Connie Coleman-Lacadie at the club; 2) after Saturday afternoon, buy them on line at Maxgiving.com; or 3) send one of these good folks an email stating the number of people and arrange to send your money. The Sip and See will start on zoom at 5:00 pm on May 21st hosted by Eric Quinn, who will appear by zoom as well, clearly trying to avoid any physical contact by any aggrieved guest. Rick Selden then threatened to bring the hammer if more items didn’t show up asap. He also highlighted the pros of auction by zoom, especially the fact that you don’t have to be fully dressed, but best make the top part presentable. He promised lots of fun and strongly encouraged group parties. In closing, he roused the membership by shouting: “Let’s light the fire and burn those tires!!” Pres Jim threw in his $2.00 by saying that he sampled the charcuterie plate at a meeting and said it was tasty and beautiful and a not-to-be-missed experience.
Pres Jim then announced there will be plenty of time for fines and generous giving. Jason Whalen led us off with giving $50 because some other member who has white hair and works as a judge snitched on him about a private meeting in a far away place where Jason was reportedly trolling jewelry stores. Jason called on the other unknown member to match his donation. And we’re still waiting for his/her identity, not like we don’t know who it is. Andrew Kruse gave $20 to celebrate his promotion as the City Life Director of Youth for Christ. Bill Potter gave $20 to promote his flyers advertising an event at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club celebrating Women in Business. Angela Connelly gave $100 to celebrate two things: Joe Quinn’s participation in the National Masters in Weightlifting in Salt Lake City. We’ll be with him in spirit. And celebrating a Military Child - son, Peter, starting West Point in June. Congrats to Peter and Mom and Dad. Pres Jim also gave $20 because he literally ran into Peter and brother Luke on Saturdays. Peter Marsh reported on his second booster shot and pain free arm with $20. Ed Shannon kicked in $100 to celebrate his 39th and final radiation treatment for prostate cancer on Tuesday. That is such wonderful news, Ed! Don Anderson reported a great time with family by giving his last $20. Barb Spriggs and Mary Marlin went to Maui and Oahu and brought Jim back a couple of presents: a map and flowers, a shot glass with a gray whale for use with dark rum, a key chain with his name on it, and a coaster with turtles on it to keep his drink safe. These gifts were to celebrate his successful eye surgeries. They also donated $25. Chuck Hellar took his wife, Sue, to Vero Beach in Florida for three and a half months and he had $24 left to give. Whew, that was quite the session of generous giving, Club!
THE PROGRAM: John Caulfield introduced our speaker, Becky Newton, Lakewood’s Economic Development Manager. Becky has an impressive resume of involvement in economic development on many levels. John called her the “tip of the spear” for economic development. She’s a UW grad and spent about seven years with the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance in Research and Communications and has been with Lakewood since October 2011 for economic development. Becky is also a volunteer with Parks and Recreation and is the President-Elect for Clover Park Rotary.
Becky started her presentation by notifiying us of a great event at her club on Friday, April 29th from 6 pm to 10 pm called CPRI (Clover Park Rotary Invitational) at McGavick Center and catered by Carr’s Resturant. Lots of fun for all with cash prizes up to $1,000. Also on May 6th Clover Park Rotary is sponsoring a cleanup party at the Wildlife Area on Phillips Road from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. She donated $20 for her advertisment.
As Becky started talking business development, a quiet respectful pall went over the club as all of the business owners, bankers, insurance brokers, CPAs and accountants went into the zone. Becky illustrated her talk with lots of great graphics with lots of numbers showing the amazing growth of Lakewood in the past five years. Becky emphasized that economic development is everyone’s issue and requires a team effort and partnership. At the end of 2021, Lakewood supported about 5,000 businesses of which 1,100 were home based and about 2,000 had commercial locations. Lakewood is proud of its high growth of retail and trade, healthcare and construction businesses. Compared to the nation, Lakewood shows a 1.6% increase in jobs. While Lakewood lost jobs since the pandemic as everyone else has, about half of them have been recovered. Lakewood has outpaced Tacoma and Pierce County and it’s important to not only retain those jobs but keep growing.
Speaking of permitting, Lakewood has seen a recent increase. In 2020-2021 there has been a growth of about $160 million in warehouse and commercial development. There are three important aspects to economic growth. First, to attract new businesses, Becky touts location close to I-5 and connection to the Port of Tacoma. Second, Lakewood has policies and programs to support intrastate connection. Some of those policies and programs include the Rental House Safety program, the Dangerous/Nuisance Abatement program, Colonial Place, Parks, Festivals and Gateways, including JBLM, the North Clear Zone, Tillicum Place, Climate Change, and the appropriate distribution of CARES money to businesses, fewer fees for businesses, and the 100 million for infrastructure improvement.
Some of the goals for Lakewood development include working on the strategic plan, growth management and fulfillment of the City Council goal for a dynamic and robust economy. Some city-wide plans include working on business retention and expansion as well as identifying barriers and opportunities. Also, Becky believes that media is an important tool for the promotion and recruitment, including developing good websites.
Looking at some of the focuses, the international area of downtown needs a cleanup to make it a special place to visit and shop, expand existing stores and start new ones. There are about 88% minority-owned businesses. Another example is in Springbrook which is in a floodplain. The city wants to mitigate risks of flooding in areas such as 123rd and the gravel pit. The city wants to support the military with housing and create better opportunities for development. Along with Springbrook, the North Clear Zone and Tillicum, the city is exploring the deferral of taxes and elimination of capital gains taxes to attract and retain businesses. In Tillicum, Habitat for Humanity has lots of projects ongoing as well as development of Harry Todd Park. In Lake City, there is already a nice business district that the city wants to enhance.
In the downtown area, the city hopes to make it more of a retail center. A survey yielded information about what the public needs to shop there. Since 2014 there has been an increase of customers shopping at those businesses. A plan developed in October 2019 includes partnership with KITE Realty to build a park and a new City Hall. Catapult Adventure Park is also in the offing as well as other plans to improve the urban area with residential and commercial units. There are four container sites for cleanup of downtown. The Pierce County Library system hopes to build a new library with branches in Tillicum with the policies developed by its advisory committee.
There are a lot of mixed use projects going on, including Craft Theory, BBQ Pete’s and Brew Pub. In the Lakewood Station District there is a 30-acre redevelopment around 108th and the railroad crossing. There is a townhome project with 65 units coming as well as more multi- family projects in various stages. In the Woodbrook Business Park, which is a 188-acre park, new industrial owners are coming, with distribution and warehouse development including parking. Becky talked about the history of these areas.
In her closing slides, she showed lists of new businesses in the last couple of years with 10 or more employees and more established businesses expanding. But she showed a long list of prospective businesses in the works. All told, Lakewood’s economic development appears to be in very good hands with a good productive future.
Questions from members included what about the QFC building? Becky agreed it’s a problem that is now in litigation. The primary dispute is that the owner wanted to improve the building and the city wanted the building demolished. The issue is going to trial later this year and hopefully a resolution will be found. Another question was where and how Becky looks for new businesses. She said she has partnerships with other agencies within the state and Pierce County. She looks to brokers to tell her who is looking at Lakewood and then she follows up if they decide not to locate to Lakewood.
We all thanked Becky for a very informative and interesting presentation.
John Caufield won the drawing but did not get the pot. Sorry John. Better luck next time.
Upcoming LR events:
4/23 Cleanup in the park
5/13-14 District Conference in beautiful and historic Victoria, B.C.
5/21 Lakewood Rotary Auction
6/25 Rotary Installation Banquet
8/20-21 The Courage
9/11-13 Reeder Rotary Roadster Romp to Sun Mountain
12/16 Tom and Jerry Party and President’s Roast
Visiting Rotarians included our speaker, Becky Newton, President-Elect of the Clover Park Rotary Club. Guests were Bill Price’s wife, Pat, Stephanie Wilcox, President of the Partners, and Angela Connelly introduced her guests as Amy Fallen and Terry Scott. All were welcomed. Puffins in attendance (and since my neck was not swiveling well, I might miss one or two of you – my apologies!) were Angela Connelly, James Osundwa, Connie Coleman-Lacadie, and Linda McDermott.
Eric Warn did our health and wellness report and thanked all for the glasses, especially Jim and Connie. John Warner was present with us on zoom (welcome back, John! So glad to see you up and about) and Vaughn Hoffman is having issues so send him good vibes. Pres Jim proudly announced that he will bring in two pairs of glasses because he had more successful surgery on his eyes, giving him amazing vision and no need for glasses. (You know, those doctors give us lawyers a hard time when they treat us because they are afraid we’ll sue them. Can you imagine how a doctor treating a doctor must feel? I know, just a random thought.) But we are glad Jim is free from the tyranny of glasses.
Announcements started off by Pres Elect Jason Whalen on zoom inviting us to work at Fort Steilacoom Park doing clean up and other duties as assigned on Saturday, April 23rd from 9 am to noon. Send Jason an email for any details and to sign up or any thoughts you might want to pass his way. Jason and Mary Horn also talked a little bit about the strategic planning survey, giving us updated participant numbers as 62. We’re getting one last reminder and our input is critical to help our leaders design the future of our club. Jim stated that one member gave an outstanding comment but of course, his lips were sealed as to who it was and what he/she said. So fill out the survey and send it back for Pete’s sake. Actually for Rotary’s sake.
Sally Smith, Gayle Selden, Rick Selden and Stephanie Wilcox gave us a little pep talk about the upcoming auction. Like get those procurement items in ASAP! They detailed what has to happen AFTER you give them and that takes time. The deadline is May 7th. I repeat, May 7, 2022. The Sip and See is going to happen as part of the auction with tickets going for $50 for one person, $100 for two people, and you can get the idea about how much three or more will cost. The lucky ticket holders will get a fabulous charcuterie plate designed and plated by the Partners including a salami rose fashioned by Stephanie, a full bottle of red or white wine, four sampler desserts including a lemon bar, a chocolate cookie, homemade almond roca, and a surprise. OMG, I just want the desserts and the wine. That sounds fabulous! There are three ways to get your tickets: 1) corner John Lowney, Wendy McGowan, or Connie Coleman-Lacadie at the club; 2) after Saturday afternoon, buy them on line at Maxgiving.com; or 3) send one of these good folks an email stating the number of people and arrange to send your money. The Sip and See will start on zoom at 5:00 pm on May 21st hosted by Eric Quinn, who will appear by zoom as well, clearly trying to avoid any physical contact by any aggrieved guest. Rick Selden then threatened to bring the hammer if more items didn’t show up asap. He also highlighted the pros of auction by zoom, especially the fact that you don’t have to be fully dressed, but best make the top part presentable. He promised lots of fun and strongly encouraged group parties. In closing, he roused the membership by shouting: “Let’s light the fire and burn those tires!!” Pres Jim threw in his $2.00 by saying that he sampled the charcuterie plate at a meeting and said it was tasty and beautiful and a not-to-be-missed experience.
Pres Jim then announced there will be plenty of time for fines and generous giving. Jason Whalen led us off with giving $50 because some other member who has white hair and works as a judge snitched on him about a private meeting in a far away place where Jason was reportedly trolling jewelry stores. Jason called on the other unknown member to match his donation. And we’re still waiting for his/her identity, not like we don’t know who it is. Andrew Kruse gave $20 to celebrate his promotion as the City Life Director of Youth for Christ. Bill Potter gave $20 to promote his flyers advertising an event at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club celebrating Women in Business. Angela Connelly gave $100 to celebrate two things: Joe Quinn’s participation in the National Masters in Weightlifting in Salt Lake City. We’ll be with him in spirit. And celebrating a Military Child - son, Peter, starting West Point in June. Congrats to Peter and Mom and Dad. Pres Jim also gave $20 because he literally ran into Peter and brother Luke on Saturdays. Peter Marsh reported on his second booster shot and pain free arm with $20. Ed Shannon kicked in $100 to celebrate his 39th and final radiation treatment for prostate cancer on Tuesday. That is such wonderful news, Ed! Don Anderson reported a great time with family by giving his last $20. Barb Spriggs and Mary Marlin went to Maui and Oahu and brought Jim back a couple of presents: a map and flowers, a shot glass with a gray whale for use with dark rum, a key chain with his name on it, and a coaster with turtles on it to keep his drink safe. These gifts were to celebrate his successful eye surgeries. They also donated $25. Chuck Hellar took his wife, Sue, to Vero Beach in Florida for three and a half months and he had $24 left to give. Whew, that was quite the session of generous giving, Club!
THE PROGRAM: John Caulfield introduced our speaker, Becky Newton, Lakewood’s Economic Development Manager. Becky has an impressive resume of involvement in economic development on many levels. John called her the “tip of the spear” for economic development. She’s a UW grad and spent about seven years with the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance in Research and Communications and has been with Lakewood since October 2011 for economic development. Becky is also a volunteer with Parks and Recreation and is the President-Elect for Clover Park Rotary.
Becky started her presentation by notifiying us of a great event at her club on Friday, April 29th from 6 pm to 10 pm called CPRI (Clover Park Rotary Invitational) at McGavick Center and catered by Carr’s Resturant. Lots of fun for all with cash prizes up to $1,000. Also on May 6th Clover Park Rotary is sponsoring a cleanup party at the Wildlife Area on Phillips Road from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. She donated $20 for her advertisment.
As Becky started talking business development, a quiet respectful pall went over the club as all of the business owners, bankers, insurance brokers, CPAs and accountants went into the zone. Becky illustrated her talk with lots of great graphics with lots of numbers showing the amazing growth of Lakewood in the past five years. Becky emphasized that economic development is everyone’s issue and requires a team effort and partnership. At the end of 2021, Lakewood supported about 5,000 businesses of which 1,100 were home based and about 2,000 had commercial locations. Lakewood is proud of its high growth of retail and trade, healthcare and construction businesses. Compared to the nation, Lakewood shows a 1.6% increase in jobs. While Lakewood lost jobs since the pandemic as everyone else has, about half of them have been recovered. Lakewood has outpaced Tacoma and Pierce County and it’s important to not only retain those jobs but keep growing.
Speaking of permitting, Lakewood has seen a recent increase. In 2020-2021 there has been a growth of about $160 million in warehouse and commercial development. There are three important aspects to economic growth. First, to attract new businesses, Becky touts location close to I-5 and connection to the Port of Tacoma. Second, Lakewood has policies and programs to support intrastate connection. Some of those policies and programs include the Rental House Safety program, the Dangerous/Nuisance Abatement program, Colonial Place, Parks, Festivals and Gateways, including JBLM, the North Clear Zone, Tillicum Place, Climate Change, and the appropriate distribution of CARES money to businesses, fewer fees for businesses, and the 100 million for infrastructure improvement.
Some of the goals for Lakewood development include working on the strategic plan, growth management and fulfillment of the City Council goal for a dynamic and robust economy. Some city-wide plans include working on business retention and expansion as well as identifying barriers and opportunities. Also, Becky believes that media is an important tool for the promotion and recruitment, including developing good websites.
Looking at some of the focuses, the international area of downtown needs a cleanup to make it a special place to visit and shop, expand existing stores and start new ones. There are about 88% minority-owned businesses. Another example is in Springbrook which is in a floodplain. The city wants to mitigate risks of flooding in areas such as 123rd and the gravel pit. The city wants to support the military with housing and create better opportunities for development. Along with Springbrook, the North Clear Zone and Tillicum, the city is exploring the deferral of taxes and elimination of capital gains taxes to attract and retain businesses. In Tillicum, Habitat for Humanity has lots of projects ongoing as well as development of Harry Todd Park. In Lake City, there is already a nice business district that the city wants to enhance.
In the downtown area, the city hopes to make it more of a retail center. A survey yielded information about what the public needs to shop there. Since 2014 there has been an increase of customers shopping at those businesses. A plan developed in October 2019 includes partnership with KITE Realty to build a park and a new City Hall. Catapult Adventure Park is also in the offing as well as other plans to improve the urban area with residential and commercial units. There are four container sites for cleanup of downtown. The Pierce County Library system hopes to build a new library with branches in Tillicum with the policies developed by its advisory committee.
There are a lot of mixed use projects going on, including Craft Theory, BBQ Pete’s and Brew Pub. In the Lakewood Station District there is a 30-acre redevelopment around 108th and the railroad crossing. There is a townhome project with 65 units coming as well as more multi- family projects in various stages. In the Woodbrook Business Park, which is a 188-acre park, new industrial owners are coming, with distribution and warehouse development including parking. Becky talked about the history of these areas.
In her closing slides, she showed lists of new businesses in the last couple of years with 10 or more employees and more established businesses expanding. But she showed a long list of prospective businesses in the works. All told, Lakewood’s economic development appears to be in very good hands with a good productive future.
Questions from members included what about the QFC building? Becky agreed it’s a problem that is now in litigation. The primary dispute is that the owner wanted to improve the building and the city wanted the building demolished. The issue is going to trial later this year and hopefully a resolution will be found. Another question was where and how Becky looks for new businesses. She said she has partnerships with other agencies within the state and Pierce County. She looks to brokers to tell her who is looking at Lakewood and then she follows up if they decide not to locate to Lakewood.
We all thanked Becky for a very informative and interesting presentation.
John Caufield won the drawing but did not get the pot. Sorry John. Better luck next time.
Upcoming LR events:
4/23 Cleanup in the park
5/13-14 District Conference in beautiful and historic Victoria, B.C.
5/21 Lakewood Rotary Auction
6/25 Rotary Installation Banquet
8/20-21 The Courage
9/11-13 Reeder Rotary Roadster Romp to Sun Mountain
12/16 Tom and Jerry Party and President’s Roast
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