HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIS 2021-06-14 Item 2A - Discussion - Trash Pickup and Graffiti CleaningCity of Tukwila
Allam Ekberg, Mayor
Public Works Deportment - Hari Ponnekanti, Direct ar,ICiry Engineer
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee
FROM: Hari Ponnekanti, Public Works Director/ City Engineer
BY: Stephanie Gardner, Parks & Recreation Analyst
CC: Mayor Allan Ekberg
DATE: June 11, 2021
SUBJECT: Clean Tukwila Project
ISSUE
Working to keep Tukwila clean is one of the city's core responsibilities. A variety of programs
and volunteer opportunities are offered to residents and businesses that improve City streets,
parks and trails, and provide beautification through art. The City is developing new messaging
to inspire people to pick-up litter and become involved in the effort to help keep "Tukwila Clean."
BACKGROUND
Parks Maintenance and Public Works staff empty well over 100 waste bins throughout the
city twice each week. Staff remove waste and litter along sidewalks, streets, and throughout
parks and trails. Staff estimated a 25-30% increase in litter in 2020, and the trend continues in
2021. In addition to litter, illegal dumping has dramatically increased and taken staff time away
from other important tasks, like graffiti removal — which has also been on the rise.
DISCUSSION
A cross -department work group, made up of staff from Communications, Parks, Police, and
Public Works has been meeting to discuss various ways to address litter, dumping, and graffiti
issues. Communication efforts to connect residents and businesses to volunteer opportunities
and raise awareness of beatification efforts have been underway for the past year, primarily
focusing on digital communication efforts via social media and e-mail newsletters. Throughout
the summer of 2021, communication strategies will be launched to create additional awareness
and connect residents to resources and opportunities to help support the city's efforts in keeping
Tukwila clean. The following are a blend of current and upcoming initiatives:
Beautification:
• Arts in the Parks, Community Mural Program: A new mural program will begin this
summer to help beautify Tukwila Parks, support local artists, and foster connections
between people and special places. Local artists will be painting eight murals within five
different parks. A painted banner program will be circulated throughout various parks as
well.
• Utility Box Program: A new Utility Box Art Program has started to take shape. Two
utility boxes have been wrapped, and local artists were recently selected to wrap up to
ten more utility boxes throughout the City of Tukwila this year.
• Seasonal Staff: Park Maintenance and Public Works staff have started onboarding
seasonal staff again. The return of part-time and seasonal staff is essential to the
removal of litter, dumping, and graffiti remediation.
Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Sauthcenter araulovard * Tukwila, W4 98188 • 206-433-1800 * Website: TukwilkWA..gov
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Community Involvement: Residents, businesses, and those that like to play in Tukwila can
become involved by volunteering, including participation in two volunteer programs that improve
City parks and trails:
• Adopt -a -Spot: Volunteers support litter free and overgrown parks by removing invasive
plants, picking up litter, and/or removing weeds from flower beds, all while making new
friends, meeting neighbors, and supporting local parks. Volunteers also work closely with
Parks staff to report dumping, graffiti, and other concerns they may see in parks and
along trails.
• Green Tukwila: Volunteers help restore local parks and green spaces by participating in
small restoration work parties. Work parties consist of clearing invasive plants, shrubs,
and trees and help plant native flora and fauna.
Reporting: Beginning in late June, staff will launch a new web page and social media campaign
providing ways for the public to connect with staff to report illegal dumping, graffiti, and
excessive litter. Additionally, messaging is being developed to help inspire people to pick-up
litter and become involved in the effort to help keep "Tukwila Clean."
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are no financial impacts, staff are focusing on utilizing in-house communication methods
and resources.
RECOMMENDATION
Information only.
ATTACHMENTS: Beautification and Community Involvement Overview
Tukwila Cit) air # 6200Se►uthcenterBoulevard * Tukwila, WA 98188 * 206-433-1800 * Website: TukwiiaWA.gav
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Beautification
THROUGH ART
Utility Box Art Program
up ccs iOutilit°v boxes will be wrapped throughout Tukwila in 2021
Arts in the Parks
Eight murals will be installed in five different parks, and a rotating
artist designed banner program will circulate through the parks
system during the summer of 2021_
Ground Graphics
Ground graphics have been placed throughout Tukwila parks.
Graphics include imagest hat promote movement and activity as
well as fun images that add to each park's uniqueness.
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Tukwila CHall 8200 SnuthcenterBouleward • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206•433-2800 • Website. TukwilaWA.gav
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2020 STATS
Sites Adopted
67 Bags of Litter
97 Volunteer Hours
Garden Maintance
Invasive Plant Removal
All in 6 Months
ADOPT=A•SPOT is a year around program that fosters partnerships between
Tukwila Parks and Recreation and those that live, work, and play in
Tukwila, Together, we care for Tukwiia's parks and trails while keeping a
watchful eye on paras needs, In 2020, eight paries were adopted and cared
for by 13 stewards and a preschool. Stewards and staff focused on litter removal,
weeding, invasive plant removal, and reporting park concerns to parks staff.
D O P` -A- SPO
Keep Tukwila Beautiful
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www,Tukwi1aWA- gov"MopI-A-Spot
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Tukwila City Hail • 6200Southc ntee t orrkkvard . Thk vi�xr, GVA 9,318.8 • 206433=1 CIO L4/ bsite_ TukwiloWA.grov
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GREEN
TUKWILA
ANNVAIL I'
319,538 sq ft cleared of invasive plants
120 Tree Survival Rings Cut
4,384 Shrubs Planted
Alt -
1,983 Trees Planted 711111L -
Green Tukwila had a strong year its spite of
the global challenges presented by
V1D-19. Environmental organizations,
forest & park stewards, volunteers,
and city staff worked together to
repair and build sustainable urban
forests, salmon habitat and natural
spaces fora healthier Tukwila.
www.TukwitaWA,gov'GreenTukwila
Tukwila City Hall • 6200 SmitheenterBoulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206.433-2809 • Website TukwilaW4 .gov
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