Hello everyone, 

Only a few more days until the election, and I hope you find the time to get out and vote. 

Election season can seem endless and tiring and way too dramatic for many. Yet voting is a right that should be celebrated for its rarity in world history and its power today.  

No matter how you vote, government is consequential in the lives of people in our community. I have been proud of how people here at the city demonstrate that government works for Tumwater. 

The way we work shows our commitment to the community. In this month’s Inside the City, there are features about city employees honoring history and serving as resources for young people in the schools. We are partnering with the community to keep our storm drains clear and our sidewalks and roads safe and in good condition. 

We are also having fun with winter workplace wellness programs like the amazing Crock-Pot cookoff – not to mention the fun challenge of working to determine how to best assess next steps for environmental cleanup and smart development in the Brewery District.   

While some of our challenges are huge and others are not as big, I am confident in the city of Tumwater’s team to meet them from the perspective of our core beliefs in partnership and learning. Government is different here in Tumwater and it is city employees who make that difference. 

Thank you, 
Lisa Parks, Tumwater City Administrator

Tumwater Police school resource officers back to school

Back-to-school is a busy time of year for Tumwater school resource officers, who provide services and support to all Tumwater School District schools. The officers helped students with family issues and concerns with their peers, as well as provided education and service at school events. Read that and more in the October police monthly report.

Parks & Recreation hosts historical event and welcomes new facilities manager

In addition to the traditional fall activities, the Parks & Recreation Department recently hosted an event at the Union Pioneer Calvary Cemetery to share history and honor volunteers who worked to restore the cemetery. Learn about that and more in the Parks & Recreation newsletter.  

Fire responses and community service

Tumwater Fire responded to 531 calls in September. They also partnered with Together! for community outreach for young people. Learn more about response calls, fire extinguishers, and emergency preparedness tips in the Tumwater Fire monthly newsletter.  

TED project updates

Final paving and striping is complete along both Israel Road and Linderson Way. Current work includes raising utility covers, repairing underground irrigation systems, and landscaping. New sidewalks are being installed on Linwood Ave. from Susitna Lane to 2nd Ave. Up next are improvements to the Tumwater Blvd. NB I-5 ramps and 2nd Ave. pedestrian and bicycle improvements. Read the TED monthly newsletter. 

WRS Green Team annual report and more

WRS street-sweepers are hard at work clearing fallen leaves. Staff collaborated with members of the Department of Ecology for stormwater management planning. The Green Team annual report was recently published. Find more department news, including information about 2024 summer water usage, in the WRS monthly newsletter.  

Brewery District updates

The city of Tumwater has taken an important step toward advancing the community’s vision for the Brewery District. In August, the city kicked off initial tasks for environmental investigations of brewery properties, as well as a WSDOT site within the Capitol Boulevard corridor. Among other challenges for redevelopment of these areas, the city is actively addressing environmental conditions through partnerships with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), WA State Department of Ecology (Ecology), Tribes, and private property owners. This work sets the stage for ultimately transforming these areas into a vibrant, safe, and connected heart of the city that honors Tumwater’s past while looking toward the future.

Check out our city website brewery district plan page for more updates.

Celebrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day Nov. 20

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) day is approaching on Nov. 20. To celebrate, City of Tumwater staff have set up a scavenger hunt around City Hall.

GIS is the backbone to modern map-making. Tumwater has two dedicated GIS staff and one intern. Our GIS team works with staff throughout all city departments. They use complex geographical programs and data to create maps and gather data. Some of their most popular projects for the public include the solar dashboard and the winter snowplow tracker.  

To participate, follow the clues to find the password at each stop and include your name to be entered to win a prize. Three people will win, and prizes include: a handmade wood burned medallion, a cozy blanket, and a mug. 

This event runs from Nov. 20 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 22. A drawing will be held at 9 a.m. on Nov. 25.

New city letterhead

The city communications team has redesigned the templates for city letterhead. The new letterhead includes the updated Microsoft default font, Aptos. The city address is also now displayed across the bottom to create more room for text in the letter. Check out the new letterhead in the communications toolkit or email communications.  

Winter Workplace Wellness farmshare

On October 22nd we hosted a Lunch and Learn session to announce the Winter Workplace Wellness Farmshare. This 10-week subscription program is offered by the Southwest Washington Food Hub, and features: 

• A box of delicious, fresh, regionally grown organic produce, delivered directly to the workplace for convenient pick up
• Weekly cooking videos featuring local chefs and nutrition experts, along with a newsletter containing tips and recipes to make it easier to adopt healthy eating habits

Farmshare subscribers will start receiving their weekly boxes each Thursday from Nov. 7, 2024 to Jan. 30, 2025. The cost for the full 10 weeks is $370, payable in three monthly installments of $123.33 each. This works out to $37 per week. Sign up online.

Crock-Pot Cookoff

Don't forget to bring your appetite for the Crock-Pot Cookoff from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 5 in the Sunset Room and employee breakroom. Bring your favorite Crock-Pot dish to share. Please bring a small card listing ingredients for those with dietary restrictions or allergies.   

Share the news - firefighter recruitment event

Know someone who is interested in a firefighting career in Tumwater? Let them know about a recruitment event from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Headquarters Fire Station. 

Welcome new staff members

Welcome to the new staff members who began in October, 2024.

• Timothy Beirman, police officer, Oct. 2, 2024
• Christopher Graham, facilities manager, Oct. 21, 2024