Lacey City Council has been meeting on Thursdays for years. Is it time for a change?
Lacey City Council has been meeting on Thursdays for at least 30 years, a spokesman for the city said. But now the council might join Olympia, Tumwater and the county and move its council meetings and work sessions to Tuesday.
That discussion was initiated by Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder last week, and it continued Thursday afternoon. Council members Ed Kunkel, Carolyn Cox and Deputy Mayor Cynthia Pratt expressed interest in Tuesday, and so did Lenny Greenstein, although he acknowledged that he has built his schedule around a Thursday meeting.
Greenstein finally asked, “Are we really accomplishing anything by moving it to Tuesday?”
Mayor Ryder said the council’s Thursday meetings often conflict with other community events. For example, Ryder cites a conflict with his duties as an honorary commander of the 446th Air Lift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
“I haven’t been able to attend,” he said.
But will Tuesday work?
City Manager Scott Spence said he will need to check with Thurston Community Media, or TCTV, to see if they have the capacity and staff to cover another local government meeting on Tuesday.
Spokesman Steve Kirkman, who has worked for the city for more than 28 years, said the council has been meeting on Thursdays for at least three decades.
Also on Thursday:
Lacey City Hall didn’t open to the public on Monday because the county wasn’t approved for Phase 3 of the governor’s phased reopening of the economy until Wednesday morning. Now, City Hall is set to open June 29, City Manager Spence said.
Despite the reopening, residents are still encouraged to do their business through the city’s website, or to make an appointment. For the first two weeks, City Hall will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. By the third week, City Hall will operate 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
