City Manager’s Report for week ending July 2, 2021

4th of July Fireworks
Please consider no fireworks this year! The combination of the recent high heat and no rain in the forecast will increase the possibility of fire when discharging fireworks.

Some residents have asked the City to issue an emergency ban due to these conditions. The City is not legally able to issue an immediately effective emergency ban on the discharge of fireworks due to state law. Specifically, state law requires at least an entire calendar year of notice between when the Council adopts an ordinance establishing an emergency fireworks ban and the effective date of such ban (see RCW 70.77.250.)

If you do decide to discharge fireworks, please adhere to the following rules of the City:

    • Fireworks may be discharged within city limits from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July 3rd and from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July 4th.
    • You must be on private property (with permission of the property owner) – it is unlawful to discharge any fireworks on any public property.

4th of July Car Parade
The Normandy Park Community Club is continuing a favorite tradition in a new way! Please come to the 4th of July Car Parade at 10:00 a.m. on July 4th. The parade will run down Marine View Drive, starting at Marvista Elementary and ending at City Hall Park. If you want to join in on the parade, arrive at the Marvista Elementary parking lot at 9:00 a.m. Candy will be back again this year! And, thanks to the Friends of Normandy Park, a fun stagecoach and horse will be part of the parade! If you look closely at the stagecoach, you will see Mayor Sue-Ann Hohimer and myself waving.  There will be no large gathering at the Cove when the parade is complete to protect the public. If you have any questions, please email: info@friendsofnormandypark.org

Civic Center Update
The City’s Facilities Committee met this week to continue working on the proposed Civic/Recreation Center design. The Committee’s goal is to create a facility that will meet the community’s needs and fit within the designated construction budget. Some of the reviewed program areas included a gymnasium, classroom, dance/fitness studio, and a general all-purpose room. The Committee also discussed the need for the design of the new facility to include multi-purpose elements. An example would be a community room that divides into multiple areas. This direction would help us increase the possibilities for various programs and activities at the new Civic Center.

The largest area, and the most expensive, will be the gymnasium. Committee members thoroughly reviewed this area, including a suggestion to consider creating an outdoor covered sports court instead of an indoor gymnasium. An outdoor court would help us stay within the designated budget and potentially allow more indoor spaces for programming. However, after discussing the pros and cons of this type of structure, the Committee determined that an outdoor court facility will not meet the needs of the public. Therefore, we will continue reviewing the Civic Center plans with an indoor gym that includes a sports court similar in size to the current Recreation Center’s gymnasium.

Discussions regarding the new building will continue. If you are interested and want to learn more, please join the Facilities Meeting on Zoom on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. Also, please feel free to email me (aarrington@normandyparkwa.gov) your thoughts and suggestions, and I will pass them on to the Facilities Committee Members.

Upcoming Recreation Events in July
Looking for some fun summertime activities? The City has scheduled some interesting events for July, such as Forest Bathing, an Owl Prowl, and more. Please check out these great programs being offered by the City of Normandy Park by clicking this link.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at aarrington@normandyparkwa.gov. Have a great week and enjoy the 4th of July holiday!

– Amy Arrington, City Manager
City of Normandy Park
801 SW 174th Street
Normandy Park, WA 98166
(206) 248-8246 (Direct Phone)