Lacey council unanimously approves memorial roadway, signs REAP interlocal agreement, awards park contract and joins Black Home Initiative

The Lacey City Council on Feb. 4 voted unanimously on four formal actions: designating a section of Fran Street as a memorial roadway for retired Fire Chief Steve Brooks; authorizing a five‑year interlocal agreement for the Regional Environmental Education Partnership (REAP); awarding a $6.14 million construction contract for Greg Cuyo Park Phase 1a; and sending a letter to join the Black Home Initiative.

The council approved Resolution No. 1163 to designate Fran Street between Lacey Boulevard and Pacific Avenue Southeast as “a Memorial Roadway honoring Chief Steve Brooks.” Mayor Andy Reiter introduced the resolution and the motion passed with vocal aye votes from council members. The resolution honors Steve Brooks, who retired Jan. 10 after 20 years with Lacey Fire District 3.

The council then authorized the city manager to sign a five‑year interlocal agreement renewing partnership participation in REAP, the Regional Environmental Education Partnership and its public brand, Stream Team. Doug Christiansen, senior stormwater engineer, told the council the agreement covers the 2025–2029 permit period for municipal stormwater work and emphasizes shared public education, volunteer events and outreach to overburdened communities. The motion to authorize the city manager to sign the REAP interlocal agreement carried unanimously on a consent‑style vote.

Later the council awarded Lacey contract PW2022‑6 (presented in the packet as PW2020Two‑six in one instance) for Greg Cuyo Park Phase 1a to low bidder Midway Underground LLC of Toledo, Washington. Engineering Design Manager Ashley Smith said Midway’s bid was $6,136,785.84 versus an engineer’s estimate of $5,830,407.82. The contract allows substantial completion of most work by June 30, with final completion expected in October; the schedule was structured so some completed and accepted areas could be opened to the public before all long‑lead items arrive. The council voted to award the contract unanimously.

Council members also approved sending a letter joining the Black Home Initiative, following a unanimous recommendation from the city’s Commission on Equity. Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelly Fong summarized the initiative as a multi‑partner network that seeks to increase Black homeownership through a mix of supply‑side and demand‑side actions and policy alignment. The motion to submit the city’s letter of interest carried unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 1163: Designate Fran Street (between Lacey Boulevard and Pacific Avenue SE) as Memorial Roadway honoring Chief Steve Brooks. Motion: Mayor Andy Reiter. Second: not specified on record. Vote: unanimous (motion carries). Note: ceremonial street naming; no fiscal appropriation recorded in the council discussion.

- Interlocal agreement (REAP, 2025–2029): Authorize city manager to sign interlocal agreement with Thurston County, City of Olympia and City of Tumwater for the Regional Environmental Education Partnership / Stream Team; consent vote carried unanimously. Motion: moved and seconded on the consent agenda. Vote: unanimous (motion carries). Note: agreement supports public education, volunteer events and outreach required under the Western Washington NPDES Phase 2 municipal stormwater permit.

- PW2022‑6 (Greg Cuyo Park Phase 1a): Award construction contract to Midway Underground LLC for $6,136,785.84. Motion: moved and seconded. Vote: unanimous (motion carries). Note: majority of funding from general fund committed reserves plus grants from Department of Commerce and Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO); project includes parking, trails, inclusive playground, picnic shelter and an 18‑hole disc golf course. Contract allows phased public access; long‑lead items include playground and picnic shelter.

- Black Home Initiative: Authorize mayor to transmit a letter of interest and join the Black Home Initiative network. Motion: moved and seconded. Vote: unanimous (motion carries). Note: action commits the city to join an interjurisdictional network; no new funding was authorized at the council meeting.

Councils’ roll‑call-style vocal approvals were used in each case (ayes called aloud). No roll‑call vote with individual yes/no names or numeric tallies was recorded in the meeting transcript; the record shows the motions carried unanimously.