We Have Moved! - jhitchen
Good morning neighbors,
A lot has happened recently when it comes to the Council, but just in case you missed it, we moved! There are a lot of reasons why and I am going to share them here.
Why Did We Move?
For over 60 years, the Council (or Commission before we became a Charter County) held their meetings in the County-City Building at 930 Tacoma Avenue. The county is required by state law and affirmed by our Charter to hold our Council meetings in a building located within the “county seat”; which is the city of Tacoma.
That means the former Executive, Bruce Dammeier, was trying to free up space in the County-City Building for courtroom space and offices for prosecutors, public defenders and the court clerks. The focus of the justice building is to hold all the legal services in one place, but we simply didn’t have enough room, and with the new addition of a 24th Superior Court Judge, we will need additional space.
Moving the Council, Executive, Finance, Communications and several other management and public facing services to 1501 Market Street, means those in our community who are not seeking court services don’t have to go through the gauntlet that is required at a courthouse.
Judges needed more space. Lawyers needed more space. Clerks needed more space.
The only way to make that happen was to move those NOT doing legal work out OR build a new courthouse. This was the much more practical option, and more cost effective.
Welcome to 1501 Market Street
click to watch this short video about the move
While I haven’t fully moved in with all the unpacking, I am excited to invite you into our new chambers. First off, they are on the first floor and there is parking nearby. Our Chambers were designed to expand if the dais is needed for a larger body, or we are hosting joint meetings. We also asked for a better waiting space, so those with young children, or arriving late, can see what is going on without entering the Chambers.
In addition, the seating space for community is very flexible, and can shift to support group meetings, listening sessions, or even retreats. This week, the Council is hosting its first-ever retreat in the new chambers.
If you want to visit with me, you will enter the building on the first floor and check in with lobby staff. Because some of the work that happens here can be sensitive, you will be escorted up to the 5th floor and to my office.
There will be a learning curve for all of us in how we navigate the building to get to meetings, how we bring guests up and tasks as simple as locating the copy machine. At the end of the day, though, we will settle in and keep up our work to meet with constituents, host meetings that the public can participate in, and do the work we were elected to do.
We will be hosting an open house later this month. I will make sure to share the date when we get it settled but know you are still welcome at any of our meetings.
Zooming Into Pierce
Last Thursday, I posted my first episode of Zooming into Pierce for this year. We are starting off with a dive into the different committees and processes that happen at the county regularly.
If you missed it, or don’t follow me on social media, they will eventually end up on the Council’s YouTube Channel here. Zooming Into Pierce - YouTube
If you have a question that you would like me to answer, please reach out. As I wrap up how the different standing committees and processes work, I will be looking for new topics and would love to hear from you.
Community Connections
District 6 Library Events in March: Pierce County Library events and classes at the Anderson Island, DuPont, Lakewood, Parkland/Spanaway, Steilacoom, Tillicum, and Virtual libraries.
Nordic Heritage Festival: Saturday, March 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Anderson University Center at P.L.U. Free admission with crafts, vendors, music and craft demos.
Paint, Create & Connect: City of DuPont Savy Seniors is again hosting this free event March 18, beginning at 1:00 pm at the DuPont Community Center.
Bingo Fundraiser for 4th of July Fireworks: Friday, March 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Steilacoom Community Center you can support the efforts to put on the fireworks show this year by playing BINGO and having fun. Admission is $35.
Change can be hard, but it can also create strength, opportunity and reflection on process. This move has really made this an opportunity to think about how we do things and how we can improve public access to the work we do on your behalf.
I hope you will find some time to join us at a study session, committee or Council meeting some time. I want to thank you in advance for your patience if I am a little slower this month in getting back to you.
In partnership,
Jani