News & Announcements

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NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

November is Native American Heritage month, a time to recognize the invaluable contributions that Native American tribes have made—and continue to make—to the diversity, arts, knowledge, labor, technology, science, philosophy and economy of this country.

Fife is located on the homelands of the Indigenous peoples of this region, the spuyaləpabš, also called the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Their historical and cultural contributions have substantially shaped the character of the city, the region and the state. To learn more about the history of the “people from the bend at the bottom of the river,” visit their website. 

Here are some resources and events to check out to learn more about Native American heritage and culture:

Native American Heritage Month website: Find virtual storytelling, cultural resources, activities, a celebration of Native American artwork, poetry, writing and virtual events at the Native American Heritage Month website here.

Tacoma Public Library: Find curated lists of books about Native American heritage for all ages on the Tacoma Public Library website's Native American Heritage Month page, along with links to digital resources (films, audiobooks, etc.) and details of special events (including family story times, story walks and an adult book club meeting) that will be held at various library branches throughout the month.

Tacoma Community College: The college has a curated webpage with resources and learning materials about Native American heritage. Find it here.

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SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY CAMERAS

Here’s a reminder that Fife's safety cameras are back on effective Sept. 6, 2023, for the start of the school year. It’s so important as our students are out and about again that local drivers keep the speed down. There’s no question about the effectiveness of speed cameras in reducing the likelihood of a crash, but did you also know that speed cameras also reduce the likelihood of fatalities? (read more at https://www.iihs.org/topics/speed). 

Please note:

• Our school zone safety cameras are located along Valley Ave. E. and 20th St. E.

• Flashing lights are active between 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on school days 

• A reduced speed of 20 m.p.h. is imposed during these hours

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FIFE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE

We want to hear from you! 

To learn more about the comp plan update, visit cityoffife.org/engaging-fife or send an email with your questions to comdev@cityoffife.org.

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FIFE'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA PRIORITIES FOR 2024

The City of Fife has finalized its legislative agenda for 2024. This council-approved agenda is a list of state legislative priorities identified by city staff and Fife City Councilmembers as important issues, programs and initiatives for the City of Fife and its citizens. This agenda informs the public about the priorities that Fife, its elected officials and city leadership, have identified for the upcoming legislative session.  You can download a printable PDF copy of the Fife legislative agenda here.

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CITY OF FIFE to RECEIVE $800,000 FOR SHEFFIELD TRAIL RESTORATION

In celebration of National Trails Day on June 3, The City of Fife is excited to announce that it will receive $800,000 for its Sheffield Trail Improvement Project, thanks to a federal grant secured by U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland.

This project addresses priorities for underserved populations by providing a highly requested, free, outdoor recreational opportunity that acts as an equity stabilizer within the community. Expanding Fife’s walking trails and biking options is one of the community’s priorities. This specific trail also improves transportation and access for 20% of Fife’s population in neighboring apartment complexes and a retirement community.

“The Fife City Council and I are extremely grateful to Congresswoman Strickland for her support of our Sheffield Trail project, which connects multifamily housing to important community amenities like a grocery store, elementary school, and library,” said City Manager Derek Matheson. “In addition to the $800,000 she secured specifically for the trail, Congresswoman Strickland was a leader on the COVID-era American Rescue Plan Act, which is contributing almost $650,000 to the project, as well.”

“Sheffield Trail is a critical connector for the South Sound,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10). “Providing federal funds to help further connect South Sound communities allows them to thrive, and I thank the City of Fife for prioritizing such a vital project for the region.”

The overall project supports four primary goals:

• Improving the first 1,200 linear feet of the trail, starting at the south end. The current trail is badly damaged by roots and is too narrow to move machinery down for maintenance.
• Widening the existing trail from 5 feet to 10 feet, with 3-foot buffers on either side allowing the trail to serve as a Lahar evacuation route for the community.
• Installing lighting, making the trail safer and more accessible for all users. 
• Restoring vegetation. 

View the press release here: https://www.cityoffife.org/Archive.aspx?ADID=171

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USPS MAILBOX AT FIFE CITY HALL

We're happy to share that the U. S. Post Office has replaced the mailbox outside Fife City Hall. 

Swing by any time to drop off your mail.

Coming in Summer 2024: The Splash Pad at Colburn Park

We are excited to announce that construction on the Splash Pad at Colburn Park is scheduled to begin this summer and is expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend 2024.

Located adjacent to the Fife Aquatic Center, this new amenity will add 2,650 sq. ft. of accessible recreation space, including three main play areas (for toddlers, teens and families) with a range of spray features and a slip-resistant concrete surface. Surrounding the splash pad will be a border of 8”x 8” bricks—that’s where you have a chance to make your mark on this future recreation space.

Up to 500 bricks are available to be engraved with your message. Celebrate a life event, commemorate a loved one, advertise your business or simply add your family’s name to the list of those who are making a splash in our community—it’s up to you! 

Learn more about the Splash Pad and the Buy-a-Brick campaign. 

All city buildings are currently open to the public. Masks are optional for all guests and employees inside city buildings.

Here are the normal schedules for when each building will be open:

Fife City Hall: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays by appointment only (To set up an appointment, call 253-922-2489)

Community Center: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Aquatic Center: Hours vary depending on programs, please check cityoffife.org/aquatics for a schedule.

Public Works Counter: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Police Department Counter: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Municipal Court Counter: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

other ways TO REACH CITY STAFF

Here are ways to reach the following departments to conduct city business by phone, email or web. 

FINANCE/UTILITY BILL PAYMENT: The City of Fife's Finance Department offers online utility bill pay. Please click here for more information or click on this link https://fife.merchanttransact.com/Default.aspx. Have a question about utility bills? Be sure to check out our Utility FAQ here. 

For assistance with online or phone payments, please call 253-922-2489 and press 1 for utilities during business hours. Payment by check may be mailed or put into the utility drop box located in the City Hall parking lot.  

PERMITTING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 253-922-9625 or email comdev@cityoffife.org. Check out the new online permitting features at cityoffife.org/onlinepermits. 

PUBLIC WORKS: 253-922-9315 or email publicworks@cityoffife.org

COMMUNITY CENTER: 253-922-0900 or email parks@cityoffife.org

AQUATIC CENTER: 253--922-7665 or email aquaticcenter@cityoffife.org

POLICE DEPARTMENT: 253-922-6633 or police@cityoffife.org (for emergencies, please call 911)

MUNICIPAL COURT: 253-922-6635 or municipalcourt@cityoffife.org

STAFF DIRECTORY: Don't see a department listed that you need to reach? Find a staff directory here: https://www.cityoffife.org/directory.aspx

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tool to monitor water levels at puyallup river

Check out this tool from the National Weather Service that the city uses to monitor the Puyallup River water levels: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=sew&gage=puyw1

WSDOT TRAFFIC CAMERAS IN FIFE TO VIEW ROAD CONDITIONS

Did you know that WSDOT has a few traffic cameras in Fife where you can view traffic and road conditions? Check them out on a map here: https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/map/. One of the cameras is at the Wapato Way East roundabout at SR 99. You can access that specific camera here: https://images.wsdot.wa.gov/orflow/099vc00089.jpg?a=164088206531

HOW TO REACH UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD 

Need to contact Union Pacific Railroad to report a signal issue? Here's how to do that. Call the UPRR Response Management Communication Center at 888-877-7267 or the UPRR Grade Crossing Hotline at 800-848-8715. Please make note of the address of the crossing you're calling about. Fife has three at-grade railroad crossings from UPRR - at 54th Avenue East, 70th Avenue East and Freeman Road East. If there is an emergency in progress, please call 911. 

Tideflats Subarea Planning Project

The Tideflats subarea planning process, a partnership between City of Tacoma, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Port of Tacoma, Pierce County and City of Fife, is intended to create a shared long-term vision and more coordinated approach to development, environmental review, and strategic capital investments in the Tideflats. Completion of the subarea plan will support the ongoing eligibility for and prioritization of transportation funding in the regional manufacturing and industrial center. The Tideflats is an area of over 5,000 acres of waterfront land providing vital saltwater and estuarian habitat for salmon, shellfish and other marine life, the Tideflats is an economic center that includes industrial and manufacturing and maritime activity in a world class port and is the ancestral lands of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.  The area is designated as the Port of Tacoma Manufacturing Industrial Center (MIC). The MIC is home to Tacoma and Pierce County’s highest concentration of industrial and manufacturing activity and is the work site for about 9,800 employees.   

To learn more about community engagement opportunities with this important project, please visit https://www.cityoftacoma.org/tideflatsplan.

FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FIFE UTILITIES ON OUR WEBSITE

Did you know you can sign up for auto payments for utility billing? You can also make a one-time payment online. To do so, visit this page. For more information on utility payments, visit this page. For more information on recent utility rate increases for the City of Fife , please visit this page.  Have another utility-related question? Visit this FAQ page.

SR 167 COMPLETION INFORMATION

Want to find out more about the SR 167 completion project that will add a bridge over I-5 at 70th Avenue East?  Read more at our traffic page at cityoffife.org/traffic. Or, visit the WSDOT information page - https://wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR167/completion/default.htm

ONLINE PERMITTING HELP

The City of Fife’s Community Development team has worked hard to make the city’s online permitting system more user friendly. You can apply for a permit from anywhere, so long as you have a computer connection. To learn more about the city’s online permitting features, visit cityoffife.org/onlinepermits. 

fife CITY COUNCIL meetings

Fife City Council holds their regular meetings the second and fourth Tuesday of each month starting at 6 p.m. They hold a study session on the third Tuesday of each month, also starting at 6 p.m. Currently, all council meetings allow for in-person attendance and also the able to participate remotely.  For more information on city council meetings and to review the agendas, please click here. 

To find out how you can participate in those meetings, visit cityoffife.org and select the date for the next council meeting. Citizens who would like to submit comments in advance of the meeting may do so by emailing the comments to the City Clerk’s office at cityclerk@cityoffife.org or sending via postal mail to 5411 23rd Street E, Fife, WA 98424.

boards & commissions

Interested in getting involved and volunteering on one of our boards and commissions? Click here to learn more about the different opportunities available.

City newsletters

Read our most current city newsletter here. Want to receive a digital copy of the city’s newsletter in your inbox? Sign up here. 

CITY COMMUNICATION

Find out more about city communication at cityoffife.org/communications.