[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,86],{"_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",6079550,"mediaKeyId","2955496-90e99a1c60e1ff05ce4a5c8c42ebe129","parentId",2955496,"title","Lacey reviews update to regional Commute Trip Reduction plan as remote work rises","audioSeconds",1702,"startMs",888000,"endMs",2590000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955496-90e99a1c60e1ff05ce4a5c8c42ebe129&start=888&end=2590","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955496-90e99a1c60e1ff05ce4a5c8c42ebe129/thumbnail_888000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079550/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Lacey-reviews-update-to-regional-Commute-Trip-Reduction-plan-as-remote-work-rises","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079550-aa381d4cb882ad4b0c17aea3272938f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192496&Signature=FlOW8wr22dkGjId83tp9ELuaJIzm8DN8ERnPxo9AzdawooP7kgXQwZxQXtLyh0790P9xINieAFJInyrbHN2kbCONTdLFiMKmMGjbYEW5snkBDfnW0kbVkAINd0bVyejB2VKjawClYVlHZ6Nhlo1kTjcITGIekY9l0rDH4BHBdxTUsCWX~m1tm9hzscCSfKUjTRUaipJMsbeEzbnFIUqzSKzGHfI0nbi0sZWqG9Q~hpCmjpCFnjq9uyaiSOzjinbpJZLDT2CJVNGbT-EifxObIpbIsd5kFM24vZA0SGJXuAb2lOD55UxblMLbX-989TxeXvWPu8zascSkv3UsvrsdWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lacey, WA","date","2025-04-11T01:54:27.837Z","article","Thurston Regional Planning Council staff on Tuesday presented an updated four‑year Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) plan to the Lacey City Council work session and asked the council to accept the plan and forward it to the Washington State Department of Transportation for compliance review.

Veronica Jarvis, Regional Commute Trip Reduction program manager for the Thurston Regional Planning Council, said the plan ties CTR goals into local transportation and land‑use planning and lists projects designed to give residents alternatives to single‑occupancy vehicle travel. “I run the commute trip production here for the region,” Jarvis said.

The nut graf: the plan updates the city's CTR work after a decade without a full revision, documents outreach and local projects that support walking, biking and transit, and urges cities and major employers to appoint or support employee transportation coordinators (ETCs). Councilmembers pressed staff on whether the program duplicates existing local plans and on state funding stability.

Planners said the CTR law, enacted in 1991, requires large worksites to file program reports and encourages employers to promote carpooling, transit, bicycling, walking and telework. “It was enacted in 1991 as part of the Clean Air Act,” said George (identified in the meeting as an assistant planner at TRPC). TRPC staff said the regional program is administered locally across Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County for efficiency and that the updated local plans are required every four years.

TRPC staff reported results from the most recent employer survey: for affected worksites within Lacey the most recent survey showed roughly 56% teleworking, 39% driving alone and 5% using other modes (bicycle, walking or similar). Staff noted that pre‑pandemic telework rates were about 6% regionwide and that telework adoption is the primary reason drive‑alone rates and vehicle miles traveled have fallen.

Council members asked how many private employers in Lacey are subject to CTR. Jarvis said only a small number of private worksites meet the program's threshold of 100 or more employees during the 6–9 a.m. peak period, and some industrial sites begin earlier than 6 a.m. so are not covered. She said employers are required to appoint an ETC at each affected site and TRPC can provide training and resources to ETCs.

Several council members pressed whether the CTR plan duplicates work already done in the city's comprehensive plan and other local transportation planning. A council member said the region already spends about $750,000 on the program biannually and asked whether that funding still provides marginal benefit. Jarvis and other TRPC staff said the funding supports staff time, outreach and promotions, and that the program helps reduce congestion and emissions at relatively low cost compared with capital projects.

Council members and staff discussed statewide programs tied to CTR work: staff described a recently funded state program that allows state employees to ride vanpools at no cost, funded by the Legislature. Jarvis said the statewide vanpool subsidy rolled out about a year ago and that agencies are beginning to report uptake; TRPC staff expected summer budget updates to include usage data.

On enforcement and compliance, TRPC staff said local ordinances include fine structures that historically have not been used; implementers prefer soft compliance and incentive approaches. Jarvis said the program seeks to make participation easy and beneficial for employers rather than rely on penalties.

No formal council vote was recorded in the work session. TRPC staff asked the council to accept the plan as the city's CTR plan so the region can submit jurisdictional plans to WSDOT; councilmembers asked staff to provide further materials showing concrete, funded actions TRPC would carry out and to explain overlap with existing city programs.

Ending: TRPC staff said they will provide additional materials on outreach and implementation and are available to work with city staff and local employers to support ETCs and promote vanpools, bike‑month events and other commuter incentives.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lacey City Council Worksession - April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Thurston Regional Planning Council staff on Tuesday presented an updated four‑year Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) plan to the Lacey City Council work session and asked the council to accept the plan and forward it to the Washington State Department of Transportation for compliance review.","taxTitle","Lacey, Thurston County, Washington","taxId",4615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079540,"Lacey, Saint Martin's and developer near agreement on Midtown roundabout and pedestrian access",0,7719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955496-90e99a1c60e1ff05ce4a5c8c42ebe129&start=7719&end=7719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955496-90e99a1c60e1ff05ce4a5c8c42ebe129/thumbnail_7719000.jpg","/articles/6079540/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Lacey-Saint-Martins-and-developer-near-agreement-on-Midtown-roundabout-and-pedestrian-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079540-9e2e888c5649feaaddbf55173c8e84ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192496&Signature=CGDf6m9wK9VUXywEUCdyxqf6yeiE6omlYA6-MUF4wghhXqL6yF8aGfE8UfLyB0W1uA~31Eti~nXIBDDjVVvJN3S-M60tX6wZ1lM-ek2f3gYav4fBPQB-CHU6-9f4KqugqYtAotNjWkLNZDDfdi0tdbrBnEOETGWrMawHlNd7H0XExeYKxwS2D4cyjZ1MblytRM0Oh8Q2Sspya5G3pduDs~SsBVXw8fMMhrhfjMK7PGGajw662YizNnP4gIzg98LK1Eud~X0HKuEivty5cFlAmEvbXzoRNyEN4YfD5esjSHoTRovOOrzqmEz~gf7MZw2ZP3-~L3fF7s2~L3g-p23kGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on April 8 outlined a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MGR Development (DM Ventures) and Saint Martin's University to design and build a roundabout and pedestrian improvements at the Seventh Avenue–College Street entrance to the Midtown/Woodland District and to advance pedestrian access into the Saint Martin's campus.

Rick (public works staff) told the council the project has been discussed in planning efforts dating to the Woodland District strategic plan and the Downtown 2000 planning work. The draft agreement would have the city design and construct the intersection improvement; MGR/DM Ventures and Saint Martin's University would dedicate necessary right‑of‑way along their property frontages, and each would be responsible for back‑of‑curb landscaping and ornamental frontage improvements. Saint Martin's would design and construct a pedestrian connection into its campus at its discretion and timing.

The nut graf: the proposal seeks to create a signature gateway into the Midtown District, improve pedestrian crossings of College Street and support broader district redevelopment envisioned in Lacey's Woodland District strategic plan. Developers and the Abbey (Saint Martin's) have discussed right‑of‑way and alignment options for several years; staff said the current alignment centers the roundabout in the existing College Street alignment and apportions right‑of‑way takings to both adjacent property owners.

Rick walked council through conceptual layouts and noted alternatives previously considered, including an approach that would have pushed the roundabout farther onto Abbey property. The draft MOU allows the city, at its discretion, to install a gateway feature in the roundabout and specifies that the Abbey and DM Ventures would participate in selection of any entry feature. Saint Martin's would dedicate the needed east‑side right‑of‑way and would be responsible for designing the campus pedestrian entrance.

Council members asked about likely future land uses around the intersection; staff said MGR has discussed open‑air food/entertainment uses on the northwest corner and proposed mixed‑use residential buildings along Seventh Avenue. Council also raised pedestrian safety and sight‑line concerns for any roundabout art or features. Staff said traffic and safety design would be part of the detailed engineering process.

Rick asked whether council wanted the city manager authorized to sign the MOU and whether council preferred the authorization appear on a regular council agenda or on the consent calendar. Several council members indicated comfort placing the item on the consent agenda for formal action at a future meeting.

Ending: Staff said, if authorized, design work could begin in late 2025 and construction would follow dependent on final design, right‑of‑way acquisition and project funding; staff will return to council with the final MOU and a proposed schedule.","City staff and private partners outlined a draft memorandum of understanding to build a roundabout at Seventh Avenue and College Street as a Midtown gateway, with right‑of‑way contributions and pedestrian connections into Saint Martin's University. Council signaled support to place the MOU on a future consent agenda for formal action.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079545,"Lacey presents preliminary 2024 year‑end financial report; council warned of sales‑tax declines and future costs",2872,2633000,5505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955496-90e99a1c60e1ff05ce4a5c8c42ebe129&start=2633&end=5505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955496-90e99a1c60e1ff05ce4a5c8c42ebe129/thumbnail_2633000.jpg","/articles/6079545/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Lacey-presents-preliminary-2024-yearend-financial-report-council-warned-of-salestax-declines-and-future-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079545-eb6b2553298838aa92585f214f172b50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192496&Signature=FKCt1HcQ3ZiegWzCWk3EnLr~14B4ExzcPunOZo0TNXMRsadzeou~G-gKnb36-QQRArtS2almGYhSxHne8NHKhx4C1Iw8G8gmH3OdboUoXmSHHO1psYzx~LckmQzYw8oZ3Jx0lShhX7jJL4pyVFDGqg3AlJqBnTvNXu03~L2J2vcDKOP~CgGNYTqN5s0F~CySFXzz4gpMTSlbcA8hSVvZzeJBcyclSKWXtqQz0CmhOOJ-Y-h4QCE6TOWcSL8hlHuhMSvZbgFo96ry7e3oBYej442QUur-EImtPEqzupeqRMr1PncIM-IUuXbIrEY~~gYPlAGTUUMVoOrwP5QRF6BLRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Lacey finance staff presented a preliminary 2024 year‑end financial report at the council work session on April 8, reporting higher expenditures in the general fund tied to transfers for the police station and rising labor costs while flagging sales‑tax weakness and timing issues in property‑tax collections.

Finance staff said the general fund's expenditures increased by about $15.8 million in 2024 compared with 2023, driven primarily by transfers for the new police station and higher salary and benefit costs. The presentation described transfers increasing roughly $11.7 million and a total salary and benefit increase of about $4.1 million.

Troy (identified in the meeting as finance staff) told the council that police department costs rose about $1.3 million in 2024, primarily from salary and benefits and overtime; the city budgeted roughly $650,000 for overtime but incurred about $1.0 million. He said some program costs shifted from the general fund into the new public safety fund established by a 0.2% sales tax and that capital timing — delayed projects from 2024 to 2025 — affected year‑over‑year transfers.

On the revenue side, staff reported a year‑over‑year sales‑tax decline of about $468,000 (≈2.8%) and said admissions tax has not fully recovered from pandemic levels. The council discussed an apparent lag in property‑tax collections; staff characterized the shortfall as a timing and collection issue at the county level and noted that property tax is typically nearly fully collectible over multiple years. Finance staff said a dip in building permit and plan‑checking revenue also signals slower construction activity, which will affect future property and sales tax growth.

Staff outlined several utility fund changes: water operating revenues increased about $3.0 million because of a rate restructuring that moved capital contributions into operating and then transfers to capital; water expenditures rose about $4.5 million, largely from capital transfers and a one‑time increase in meter purchases as supply constraints eased. The city is drawing down a $10 million Public Works Board loan and evaluating future debt needs.

Troy said interest‑earning paper losses reduced reported investment valuations by roughly $587,000 at year‑end (an accounting valuation change), though cash interest receipts rose by about $170,000. The city also used roughly $500,000 more of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the police station in 2024 than in 2023, the report said.

Staff emphasized that 2024 salary and benefits totaled about $43 million budgeted for the general fund and that the city has become more fully staffed: payroll spending reached about 97.5% of budget with roughly 20 vacancies remaining. Medical‑insurance employer costs increased in 2025 (cited figures: Kaiser +8.2%, Regents +7.3%, Willamette +6.9%). Troy said the city remains unsettled in bargaining with AFSCME and that negotiations could affect future budgets.

Looking ahead, staff noted several near‑term operating costs: occupancy and utilities for the new police station (occupancy expected in early 2026), maintenance costs for Peacock Park expected this summer and a projected $350,000 annual maintenance increment for a later phase of the RAC project (estimated for 2028). The report also referenced an unresolved statewide Supreme Court decision on indigent defense as a potential budgetary risk.

No formal council vote was recorded; staff will bring additional budget work plans and revenue opportunity items to future meetings and recommended a conservative approach while monitoring the trends.

Ending: Councilmembers asked staff for additional foreclosure and property‑tax aging data and requested that staff return with a draft work plan for the revenue opportunities discussed at the retreat.","City staff presented a preliminary year‑end financial report showing a $15.8 million increase in general‑fund expenditures driven by transfers for a police station and higher labor costs. Officials flagged a ten‑month decline in sales tax, timing issues with property tax collections and upcoming operating costs tied to new facilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lacey reviews update to regional Commute Trip Reduction plan as remote work rises

Lacey, Saint Martin's and developer near agreement on Midtown roundabout and pedestrian access

Lacey presents preliminary 2024 year‑end financial report; council warned of sales‑tax declines and future costs