[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6309952,"mediaKeyId","2406661-22dab93186e823498b71e0209145e2b8","parentId",2406661,"title","Staff outlines 2026 critical‑areas code updates, recommends against site‑potential‑tree‑height buffers","audioSeconds",1480,"startMs",1496000,"endMs",2976000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2406661-22dab93186e823498b71e0209145e2b8&start=1496&end=2976","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2406661-22dab93186e823498b71e0209145e2b8/thumbnail_1496000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6309952/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Staff-outlines-2026-criticalareas-code-updates-recommends-against-sitepotentialtreeheight-buffers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309952-2d399d06b4d313766e5fbea7110b53e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213654&Signature=jApojLIZH9Mu3mhk7-bB1dDOmOlBmKWvE0msQhCKzfu8qTGZwK7Hi~~BZ~8fVCER3PQ7LRWHS0shW4OORfPr28O4rvhs3lTh0n1hW1gskcYnH0JzNYuM3nV13G2otxhKQ2vnUPAWXZ38UDmiPNZIqBx5qSYz9tF3UvqFHOdEaW5sJXnWOnGyyLu7ru~~U409BpGpOW3I-3MHJ7x-21eHMOMagSOvr8dhchm4qrPTLPs84AzWojqFMkvChTCdkUXB6NHsxSu2RAQeU10t6t1zNRuMKosOKDKL1CBznWYPRfdTuKS9WmHgVPMdo2hmhTjvU9FocUmshU1MNXp0mMmCBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lacey, WA","date","2025-02-26T15:17:31Z","article","Hans Shepherd, a senior planner for the City of Lacey, briefed the council at the Feb. 25 work session on an ongoing update to the city’s critical‑areas regulations, a set of code chapters required to be reviewed on a 10‑year cycle under Washington’s Growth Management Act.

Shepherd said the update package draws on state “best available science” and reviews from lead state agencies — including the Washington State Department of Ecology, Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Department of Natural Resources — to update definitions, references and mitigation requirements across wetland, habitat conservation, floodplain, aquifer recharge and geologically hazardous area rules. He said the last update occurred in 2017 and that the next update is due in 2026.

Key changes staff described include clarifying subdivision limitations adjacent to wetlands, strengthening language on mitigation sequencing and compensatory mitigation, and adding explicit emphasis on a “no net loss” of ecological functions and values. Shepherd explained mitigation sequencing as an ordered approach to impacts on critical areas — avoidance first, then restoration, creation, preservation and enhancement — and said WDFW guidance caused staff to reorder some compensatory categories.

Shepherd also reviewed riparian management zones (RMZs) and the code’s buffer widths for different stream types: Type S streams (designated state streams) have a 250‑foot buffer, Type F (fish‑bearing) streams a 200‑foot buffer, and perennial nonfish streams a 150‑foot buffer. WDFW suggested using a site‑potential‑tree‑height (SPTH) tool to assign buffers based on predicted tree height and soil data; Shepherd said staff tested the tool on case studies and found it produced variable, parcel‑level buffers that in some locations would decrease protection along Woodland Creek. He called the SPTH tool “a clunky tool” and recommended that the city not adopt it in this update cycle for reasons of consistency, clarity and the dated soil inputs used by the model.

Shepherd said the city’s permitting flow for projects affecting critical areas includes an applicant‑prepared critical‑areas report (typically produced by a wetland biologist or similar expert), internal staff review, and routing to the appropriate state agencies for technical review. He noted the city can also contract for third‑party reviews when needed. He said the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the draft, and on Nov. 13 recommended the package be forwarded to council.

Shepherd said staff will work with the city attorney’s office to draft an ordinance for council adoption in a future regular meeting. Staff emphasized the update is largely clarifying text, aligning definitions to state guidance, and strengthening code language rather than changing on‑the‑ground practice.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lacey City Council Worksession - February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senior planner Hans Shepherd told the Feb. 25 work session that Lacey is updating its critical‑areas code for a 2026 deadline under the Growth Management Act and is recommending changes to mitigation sequencing, buffer references and code language.","taxTitle","Lacey, Thurston County, Washington","taxId",4615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309957,"City finance staff reports Q4 2024 investment performance, proposes policy tweak and internal financing for small ULID",580,838000,1418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2406661-22dab93186e823498b71e0209145e2b8&start=838&end=1418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2406661-22dab93186e823498b71e0209145e2b8/thumbnail_838000.jpg","/articles/6309957/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/City-finance-staff-reports-Q4-2024-investment-performance-proposes-policy-tweak-and-internal-financing-for-small-ULID","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309957-175ab770fbb3ae846adf586a995537ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213654&Signature=FZravjgFCJcvLgB3k7H4He6qK0ITPdXSmpjZTJ3On4vGWukmvERPQYWH-MKxlUAknDwEiAMgKPrWiaeah2K0kUWwTKirWYpCHxU70BnryL-1jK2K9J8EhGhjcZXEEDaUHZ-05A-6ZTMFNa6RDU6vRKys2V97TyTwOXShAkqTMWybT2342ag0Nz6KZyk6tFSUf8XaXrONV~K-UiNM8tgLzjRFAldX3p0ZkfBgCD-9OBayzxAi3HZWuLb8-2GBRkssWz5pxcURy6YhXjNk00JU7cA6zeES1mBVsWk3AJrA17fIVL7Wib7Gs4FhWktZpmyTNB0m~ZxPJ1Gbn2QVVymMvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christie Wolf, Lacey’s financial services manager, presented the city’s fourth-quarter 2024 investment report at the Feb. 25 work session, saying the city’s core investment portfolio “narrowly over performed against the investment strategy benchmark for this quarter.”

Wolf said the portfolio had a total unrealized loss of about $1,900,000 at quarter end and attributed most of that on‑paper loss to rising Treasury yields related to fiscal-policy uncertainty. She explained that the unrealized loss reflects fair‑market valuation at year‑end — “an on paper loss, but we're never gonna sell those investments ahead of time, so we're not gonna realize that loss,” she said in response to a question from Councilmember Vasquez.

Wolf reported that two‑ and five‑year Treasury yields rose during the quarter, that the city’s book yield decreased slightly (from 3.485% to 3.441%), and that GPA Portfolio Advisors had helped the city increase the core portfolio book yield over the year while keeping investments compliant with the city’s investment policy. Wolf said the portfolio remained slightly overweighted toward Treasuries because of tight corporate spreads.

GPA conducted a 2025 strategy review and made a single recommendation: increase the weighted average maturity target from 2.0 years to 2.5 years to align with the city’s stated 0–5 year investment range. Wolf said the change would be brought to council as a formal investment‑policy revision in June, with illustrations and a full presentation at that time.

Wolf also presented a separate financing proposal for the Ptomey Park Estates ULID 2025 (a Utility Local Improvement District). Because the assessment amount is small — “under $350,000” — and the term would be 15 years, staff said a direct market placement or bank loan would be difficult and proposed an interfund loan/bond structure in which the city would finance the ULID internally, similar to a prior 2023 ULID arrangement. Staff said the internal financing option keeps the issuance internal and is appropriate for small deals that do not fare well on the open market.

Council members asked clarifying questions about market conditions, liquidity, and whether staff was satisfied with GPA’s work. Wolf said staff was satisfied with GPA’s performance and cited the advisor’s review of liquidity and maturity timing. No formal council action or vote was taken on the policy change or the ULID financing at the work session; Wolf said both items would return to a future council meeting for formal consideration.","Financial Services Manager Christie Wolf told the Feb. 25 council work session that Lacey’s core investment portfolio slightly outperformed its benchmark in Q4 2024 but showed an unrealized, on‑paper loss of about $1.9 million linked to rising Treasury yields.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309963,"Lacey resident urges council to declare city a sanctuary for immigrants and transgender residents",150,667000,817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2406661-22dab93186e823498b71e0209145e2b8&start=667&end=817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2406661-22dab93186e823498b71e0209145e2b8/thumbnail_667000.jpg","/articles/6309963/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Lacey-resident-urges-council-to-declare-city-a-sanctuary-for-immigrants-and-transgender-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309963-ec738f241b41402b736faf2a77e21879/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213654&Signature=R0ozaEYEIlkxoOkaKrrXtEOSpSHvCBKaUhJjCchKFzSErCpGUALv4UkcVolxdkI6NeM-Y88W4CpPyn6q-gbQCQX4jQu-Ps2zyj810LC6EEbPveSOcgdsDWg90ZUenDnvTHGIucpfAPH~Tqev6f4FEqNUQ7LNH94a7MqjTE5iuL2UeV79lFbiXvuNZdQpy4bTp9uJ25It2ODIEhuVdNIWBUGIn3d2gkutXn5Ie6A2TldomjzPs2fRMrDIXyTau0NUD4MJ98kLsQO-TZV7kcMQYkSvozJPChSaPZ8TkeeNfScQ7JtfAOedoSjUODJPIov~oA47zMLVqfoYy1i~DZdiNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Hegwood, a Lacey resident who identified himself as a commissioner on the city’s Commission on Equity and a board member of the Modern Military Association of America, used the council’s public-comment period on Feb. 25 to urge the City of Lacey to adopt a sanctuary-city policy for immigrants and for transgender people.

Hegwood told the council that while municipal powers are limited, a sanctuary designation “sends a clear and visible signal to everyone what our city is about and what values we have.” He said such a policy would reassure immigrant communities “that our city will not pursue them based on citizenship status” and would ensure that police “are only to collect information on a reported crime, not to separate their family.”

On transgender protections, Hegwood said a sanctuary stance “shows our city's commitment to gender affirming care, self expression, and the right to self determination,” and that it would demonstrate that “trans people should be celebrated, not persecuted.” He referenced prior council proclamations, including a transgender remembrance proclamation and an anti-hate proclamation, and said a sanctuary designation would build on that work.

Hegwood concluded his remarks by quoting poet Amanda Gorman: “For there was always light, if only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it.” He did not present a draft ordinance or a specific policy language; council members did not take formal action during the public-comment period.

The council did not respond with a motion tied to Hegwood’s request during the work session. The remarks were recorded as part of the public-comment docket and may inform future agenda items or policy discussions.","At the Feb. 25 Lacey council work session, resident and Commission on Equity member John Hegwood urged the council to adopt a formal sanctuary-city stance for both immigrants and transgender people, saying such a move would provide a clear signal of the city’s values and protections.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309947,"Council directs staff to set up monthly informal meetings; staff to draft resolution for March",1068,3018000,4086000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2406661-22dab93186e823498b71e0209145e2b8&start=3018&end=4086","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2406661-22dab93186e823498b71e0209145e2b8/thumbnail_3018000.jpg","/articles/6309947/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Council-directs-staff-to-set-up-monthly-informal-meetings-staff-to-draft-resolution-for-March","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309947-70fa7076f39e9ea2c5364c57872a1565/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213654&Signature=WpA86etUdP92heMsKwt3z2cYwzWyfQlnnkOeEeYA-NjIu~Fs7CjCybZ0cLI~MlhRimn8AA40q9F4Btwcf8sSZDS3XKmqdJsNoMkSTHooPcQqnBQYjgD2FRSH6lFBCKj2EaTtk~qZHLg2dseE5~06PN848Lfs4RNbF12dAczqNAGEGqnHEz271Z9I98JMb~iFRs3BZnYKzWN1sqMk~zHREj0D8pF5WjdaBkkfHisVbhrCt90IgGPpV1m69txKWHf-5-bC3f5HeJhDsjI-Iv~7r8r59wQRz6zICiq9SWOGNGdMsO82TFAw~tWskbrHkCkxxUEbe8Xd017z3UwLOQwAEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager (presenting) briefed council on a proposal to add an informal, public dinner/discussion meeting for council members in order to discuss emerging issues and regional topics in a less‑formal setting while complying with the Open Public Meetings Act.

Under the staff proposal the meeting would be scheduled as a regular meeting type (not a work session), held in person on the first council‑meeting night of the month before the regular meeting, include written public‑comment options, and produce minutes for later approval. Staff recommended no formal actions at these meetings; topics would be informational and summarized in a meeting summary. The meeting would be open to the public but would not be broadcast or video recorded, and attendance by a quorum would be required.

Councilmembers debated frequency and format. Options discussed included monthly, every other month, or quarterly. Several councilmembers favored starting monthly with the option to cancel when not needed; others preferred a trial period or quarterly cadence. Councilmember Cox said monthly meetings would allow timely discussion of hot topics; another councilmember favored starting with quarterly to avoid overcommitment. Staff suggested the earliest such a meeting could be held would be April 1 if the council adopted the new meeting type and schedule in March.

Council provided direction that staff should prepare a resolution and bring a red‑lined council‑procedures amendment and a staff report to the March 18 council meeting for formal adoption. Staff said it would propose a meeting time around 4:30 p.m. with a short break before the regular council meeting; room scheduling would be determined based on expected public attendance. City Attorney Dave and city clerk staff would be present when meetings are held, with other staff attending at the city manager’s discretion. Council emphasized the meetings should remain informational and follow basic meeting decorum and chairing rules.","Council members gave staff direction at the Feb. 25 work session to begin a monthly, in‑person informal meeting (a pre‑meeting dinner/discussion) on the first council meeting night, with written public‑comment options and minutes to be published. Staff will prepare a resolution and return to council March 18 with details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Staff outlines 2026 critical‑areas code updates, recommends against site‑potential‑tree‑height buffers

City finance staff reports Q4 2024 investment performance, proposes policy tweak and internal financing for small ULID

Lacey resident urges council to declare city a sanctuary for immigrants and transgender residents

Council directs staff to set up monthly informal meetings; staff to draft resolution for March