Your council at work

This week

The council will discuss evaluating the purchase of alternative-fuel vehicles when it needs to replace a car or truck within its fleet. (See related story on Page 4.)

This discussion is another step in the city's efforts to be more environmentally friendly. In May, the council agreed to purchase 100 percent "green" power, generated from wind or sun. The additional estimated cost is $60,750 annually. The city's total electric bill last year was more than $1.1 million.

In addition, the city will discuss whether to allow homeless tent encampments within the city limits. The cities of Olympia and Tumwater have approved interim emergency ordinances to allow these encampments and regulate their operation. Such encampments would be illegal in Lacey, and the city must decide whether to allow them and, if so, how they should be regulated.

Work session

The work session begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall, 420 College St.

Last week

The council approved contracts for two transportation projects.

Taurus Industries of Olympia will install a signalized pedestrian crossing across Sleater-Kinney Road just south of its intersection with 14th Avenue Southeast so residents of the Panorama retirement community can reach a clinic safely. The project will begin in December because it takes several months to get the signal poles and mast arms.

Lakeside Industries of Lacey will create a second left-turn lane on the southbound offramp from the Marvin Road-Interstate 5 interchange. The extra turn lane will reduce backups onto I-5 during the evening rush hour, which creates the potential for high-speed rear-end collisions.

The project, which will get under way in late August, will cause traffic disruption, but crews will work at night to minimize this.

Next meeting

The next council meeting is at 7 p.m. Aug. 9 in the council chambers. The agenda is pending.

Upcoming committee meetings

n The Transportation Committee is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. Sept. 7. Friday's meeting was cancelled.

n The Community Relations and Public Affairs Committee is scheduled to meet at noon Friday. Agenda items: update on deployment of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Bridge Combat Team) by brigade's rear detachment commander; public art; mobile vendors; and park reservation policies.

n The General Government and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Aug. 15. The agenda is pending.

n The Utilities Committee is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Aug. 16. Agenda item: approval of proposed LOTT Alliance rate and CDC increases.

n The Finance and Economic Development Committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 27. The agenda is pending.

Each committee is made up of three of the seven council members, and they discuss and often recommend items to the full council for a vote. Committee meetings typically are held in the council chambers. The public is invited and encouraged to attend these meetings. city council