September 6, 2019

S&P Upgrades the City’s Bond Rating

Standard & Poor’s has upgraded the City of University Place’s limited tax generalobligation (LTGO) bond rating to AA+, up from its AA rating in September 2016.The AA+ rating is just one step shy of the agency’s highest possible AAA rating.

S&P attributed U.P.’s excellent financial position to:the City's very strong management, including the Council's strong financialdiscipline in establishing and maintaining unallocated reservesU.P.’s continuing annual general fund surpluses; andthe region's macroeconomic condition.

This increase in the City’s bond rating is a remarkable turn-around from wherethe City started following the Great Recession of 2008. U.P.’s new AA+ rating isnow higher than that awarded to other major cities in the county.

“The raters noted that if we are able to maintain the level of our unallocatedreserves, S&P could potentially increase our bond rating to AAA, which would be aremarkable turn-around from where we started following the Great Recession of2008,” said Council Member Steve Worthington, who is also the FinanceCommittee chair.

“This AA+ rating demonstrates that we have a proven track record ofconservatively managing the City’s finances,” said Mayor Kent Keel. CouncilMember Steve Worthington, who also serves as the City's Finance Committeechair, added, “Because our bonds are attractive to investors, we will look atwhether we can leverage our strong position to refinance some our outstandingdebts at a potential savings to taxpayers.”

View the copy of the 2019 S&P rating on the City Website.

FlashVote Results on Parks in U.P.

Thanks to all those who participated inour last FlashVote survey devoted to theissue of parks in U.P. Of the nearly 200people who responded, 86 percent ratedthe City’s parks “good” or “excellent.”When invited to share their comments,several respondents indicated they would

like to see the City resume its Parks andRec programming, which was eliminated in2017 due to budget cuts. Othercommonly mentioned themes included adesire to have a pool or splash park inthe city as well as more or better trails.View the entire survey results, includingcomments, here.

FlashVote surveys take less than oneminute to complete and are part of theImagine 2045 campaign. The informationgathered will be used to help shape theCity's vision for its second 25 years, including its Comprehensive Plan which willserve as the City's road map through 2045. If you have not yet signed up, joinnow and weigh in!

Council Candidate Forum Scheduled for Sept. 12

The public is encouraged to attend the U.P. City Council Candidate Forum onThursday, Sept. 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Curtis High SchoolAuditorium/Theater. This is your opportunity to hear the candidates share theirvisions for the City’s future and get their views on current issues affecting U.P. Ifyou are unable to attend the forum in person, you can watch it live on Channel 12on Click! or Channel 21 on Comcast or on the City’s YouTube Channel. You canalso re-watch it on YouTube after it airs. The Candidate Forum is being hosted and moderated by the Tacoma-PierceCounty League of Women Voters and will also include candidates for the CloverPark School District. Election Day will be Nov. 5, 2019.

Chief’s Corner

There is no better way to spoil a visit to one of U.P.’sparks than to come back to your car only to find thatit has been broken into. To help visitors prevent theft from their vehicles whilethey are enjoying the City’s parks, members of theU.P. Police Department have been visiting local parkson weekends and at peak trail use times to distributebrochures with tips and information on how toprevent car prowling. Officers report that the easiest and most popularitems for thieves to grab quickly are:

Cell PhonesSporting EquipmentPurses/Wallet Bags/Backpacks/Duffle BagsShopping Bags/MerchandiseToolsLaptops/TabletsMail/PaperworkGarage Door Openers

Even locked cars are vulnerable, since thieves can smash a window in secondsand grab items. “Residents may recall that last fall prowlers broke car windows atChambers Bay Regional Park and used stolen credit cards to purchase gift cardstotaling more than $14,000,” said U.P. Police Chief Greg Premo. “But it is alsoimportant to know that vehicle break-ins can lead to other crimes such as fraudand identity theft, especially when thieves grab mail that contains personalinformation.”

The Police Department recommends that park visitors secure their personal itemsbefore they leave home, since thieves often stake out parking lots and watchpeople transfer items to glove boxes, center consoles and under car seats.

“Whether you are leaving your car at a park, a shopping center or even in yourown driveway, make sure all valuables are out of site. And always lock yourvehicle,” Premo stresses.

The U.P. Police Department reminds the public to report all suspiciousbehavior. If a timely response will make a difference in the outcome, dial911. For ALL other reports, call the 24 hour non-emergency line at253.798.4721.

U.P. Police Crowned Chili Champions!

U.P. Police provided a hearty, meatchili brimming with flavor that wasselected “Best Chili” at the UP forArts Chili Cook Off Benefit in lateAugust. Sponsored by UP for Arts, the chilicook off featured the U.P. PoliceDepartment vying against WestPierce Fire & Rescue for the ChiliChampionship title. Former U.P.Police Chief Mike Blair and U.P. Police Chief Greg Premo dished out their versionsof a meat and a vegetarian chili while the West Pierce Fire & Rescue chefs includedPrevention Battalion Chief Scott Adams, Lance Nelson, Todd Rohde and Fire ChiefJim Sharp. Hungry attendees received “blind samples” of each of the four chilis before castingtheir votes for their favorites. The U.P. Police meat version (#2) received themajority of votes, while the police vegetarian (#1) tied with West Pierce's meatrecipe (#4) followed by their vegetarian. Besides the delicious chili, guests were treated to outstanding cornbread andrefreshments followed by an awesome concert by the Neon Mustang band in theCurran Apple Orchard Park. “We really appreciate everyone who came out tosupport our first cook off,” said UP for Arts vice chair Debbie Klosowski. All proceeds from the cook off will go toward the future “Forever Friends”sculpture for the Curran Apple Orchard Park. For more information, visitwww.UPforArts.org. This event was possible due to numerous community members who assisted inthe event and/or donated items; however, special thanks are in order to thefollowing for making our event a success: Former U.P. Police Chief Mike Blair, U.P.Police Chief Greg Premo; West Pierce Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Scott Adamsalong with Lance and Christine Nelson; Costco; the City of University Place; Mt.Cross Lutheran Church; United Church of University Place and their churchvolunteers, Marilyn and Don Thompson, Karen and Bob Schwartz of the PatTillman Memorial Post 53 American Legion as well as several Curtis HS and ROTCstudent volunteers.

Entry-level Firefighter and Firefighter/ParamedicApplication Period Now Open

West Pierce Fire & Rescue is now testingfor Entry-level Firefighter andFirefighter/Paramedic. It is anticipated 15positions will be filled in 2020. Theapplication period will be open untilSeptember 20, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. (PST).

Minimum requirements include:At least 18 years of ageHigh school diploma or equivalentAbility to read, write and speakEnglishAbility to legally operate a vehicle inthe State of WashingtonAt the time of hire, ability to providedocumentation showingauthorization to work in the UnitedStates.Candidates shall be tobacco free attime of appointment andthroughout service.

Emergency Medical Technician(EMT) certification is not required at timeof application. All recruits will be required to successfully complete five-week EMSAcademy, 13-week Recruit Academy, Firefighter I, Firefighter II and HazardousMaterials certifications. All candidates without Paramedic certification will attendEMT certification training during the five-week EMS Academy.

Candidates with fire service experience may be considered for lateral employment.Requirements are prior work experience as a full-time, paid Firefighter/EMT orFirefighter/Paramedic with primary duties of fire suppression and emergencymedical services; serving a municipal fire department, fire district, or fire authorityof a similar size and/or complexity.

For a full list of requirements, testing process and timeline, please visit WestPierce Fire & Rescue’s website.

Check us Out on Instagram

The City of U.P.’s social media presence is growing. TheCity has established an Instagram account and invitesresidents, business owners and other stakeholders tofollow @CityofUP_WA to get the latest news on eventsand happenings in the City and to see photos andvideos of various aspects of the City including parks,local art, community events, public safety and more.

“Our new Instagram account gives us another way forus to reach our constituents and complements ourexisting social media platforms of Facebook andTwitter,” said Linda Seesz, the City’s manager of Information Technology andCommunications. “In the past five years, we’ve made a concerted effort to ensureour communications efforts take advantage of technology’s ability to share newsand information quickly and cost-effectively. Instagram is just another tool wecan use to keep the community up-to-date on everything that is happening inU.P.”

Council Member Pro Tem Selection ProcessContinues

The U.P. City Council is continuing the process of vetting and interviewingapplicants for Council Position #4 Pro Tem. The position, which represents theentire City of University Place, has been vacant due to Council Member Ken

Grassi’s extended absence due to illness.

A total of 13 residents applied for the position by the Aug. 19 deadlineand 6 have been asked to participate in interview presentations to the CityCouncil at a Special Meeting on Monday, Sept. 9. At that time, it is anticipatedthat the City Council will select the final two candidates for consideration andfurther interviews. The Council will officially cast their votes for the CouncilMember Pro Tempore appointment to Position #4 on Monday, Sept 16.

Per State law, citizens seeking appointment must be registered voters andresidents of the City for at least one year prior to the appointment. Theremaining members by majority vote may appoint a council member pro temporeto serve during the absence or disability. The duration of the appointment lastsuntil the excused council member signals their intent to again participate inCouncil affairs or their current tenure as a councilmember expires or their term ofoffice ends.

For more events and Council Meeting information

visit the Upcoming Events Calendar.

University Place City Council

Mayor Kent Keel Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Belleci

Council Member

Javier FigueroaCouncil Member

Steve

Worthington

Council Member

Ken Grassi

Council Member

Denise

McCluskey

Council Member

Chris Nye