Lacey City Hall is set to reopen to the public. Here’s what you need to know
Lacey City Hall is set to reopen to the public on Monday, according to information shared during Thursday’s City Council meeting.
City Manager Scott Spence said he expects Thurston County to be approved to move to Phase 3 by Monday.
For the first two weeks, City Hall will operate 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, then move to a 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays schedule. By Phase 4, it will be back to regular hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Some city services, because of social distancing concerns, will be by appointment only, Spence said.
Utility billing services will be by appointment only because prior to the pandemic, 200 people a month typically showed up at City Hall for that purpose. Appointments also will be required for passports and fingerprinting and some other city services, he said.
He said the city is not going to take temperatures of visitors, but they are encouraged to wear a mask. And some city services might be denied to customers if they aren’t wearing a mask where social distancing can’t be maintained. All city employees will be required in to wear a mask in the public places of City Hall, such as hallways.
Councilman Malcolm Miller asked how city employees were feeling about the reopening.
“Just like the public, some employees are very concerned,” Spence said, but he added that those who fall into high-risk categories, either because of their age or underlying health problems, will be allowed to work remotely.
Also Thursday night:
More than 65 people have applied to be on a committee that will provide direction to the city on how it should respond to homelessness. The committee, which has to be narrowed to 30 people, will spend a year discussing the topic. The City Council begins the process of selecting those 30 members at its next council meeting.
The council learned Thursday that some of the applicants have experience with being homeless.
Councilwoman Carolyn Cox also reminded the council that the committee needs a mix of voices, including those who were angry about the city’s attempt to put an RV park in northeast Lacey last year.
“We need to hear those voices,” Cox said.
If you’re interested in joining the committee, there’s still time to apply online. Applications, cover letters and resumes are due by 5 p.m. Monday. For more information, contact Kelly Adams at 360-438-2620 or kadams@ci.lacey.wa.us.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
