[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6102812,"mediaKeyId","2803261-aa501ff6fdba1f85943d8c0cc2f2fd4e","parentId",2803261,"title","Staff reports employee engagement survey progress; commissioners set May planning date for veterans forum","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",7380000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803261-aa501ff6fdba1f85943d8c0cc2f2fd4e&start=7380&end=7380","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803261-aa501ff6fdba1f85943d8c0cc2f2fd4e/thumbnail_7380000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6102812/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Staff-reports-employee-engagement-survey-progress-commissioners-set-May-planning-date-for-veterans-forum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102812-2199ec459565afb25a4ba92bd768ddce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163587&Signature=KsBa1bGckzXpM7PofE7nTMJD021q1GKKWB0OpLt-psPLu6-CrbIpceOXi6S~TWpN8rj~O53lxKG4Ce~~pMkJ-PLKU3Hdl-swuwpeuwz4CLEMx370Sqw4wByjbyNj~cv8DM2aERLskUs1FldMvDLY5tBxBuzFIXA9aK0aDW5Bglnbn-ciw1pvJbRWlQt~CYnvocQf9qlJKRnTv-hFwqMlEzPzkwPBG1N7EIPZ8LvWOQ~xHwTK67MKSliQCZOArGw1TcHlVY~OG4n49JLVTXPaULCNxF~BEzUSadFUR8uDUY4EoCeHLuN5bfLBCi7QW2o9rgGVDYR8c7QpJietPzhuag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lacey, WA","date","2025-03-28T02:13:05.097Z","article","City staff told the Lacey Equity Commission that the city launched an employee engagement survey and that a community forum for active‑duty veterans and families is in early planning.

Veronica said the employee engagement survey launched last Monday and that the city has been promoting participation through internal communications, posters and short videos. As of the meeting, she reported a partial response rate (reported in the meeting as 49 of 330 staff) and the city’s consultant will help create a dashboard to analyze responses; staff committed to report survey results back to employees.

On veteran outreach, staff said a planning committee will meet to organize a community forum for active‑duty service members and their families. The forum was originally proposed for late April but staff reported it is more likely to occur May 27 at the Lacey Veterans Services Hub; staff confirmed coordination with the Thurston County Veterans Fund advisory board and a partnership with South Sound Military Communities Partnership to provide resource speakers and service referrals.

Veronica asked commissioners to hold a placeholder date in late May for planning meetings; she said invited partners include the Thurston County Veterans Fund advisory board, South Sound Military Communities Partnership and other service providers. Commissioners suggested reaching out to military spouse groups and local Rotaries that have historically supported military recognition events.

No votes or formal actions were taken on these items; staff requested commissioner participation in upcoming planning sessions and agreed to circulate survey questions and regular updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission On Equity - March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported a citywide employee engagement survey in progress and outlined a planning timeline for a community forum on active‑duty veterans and families, tentatively set for May 27 at the Lacey Veterans Services Hub.","taxTitle","Lacey, Thurston County, Washington","taxId",4615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6102819,"Commission hears update on DEIB summit scheduled for May 10; organizers seek attendees and sponsors",282,2953000,3235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803261-aa501ff6fdba1f85943d8c0cc2f2fd4e&start=2953&end=3235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803261-aa501ff6fdba1f85943d8c0cc2f2fd4e/thumbnail_2953000.jpg","/articles/6102819/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Commission-hears-update-on-DEIB-summit-scheduled-for-May-10-organizers-seek-attendees-and-sponsors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102819-7aa57acda9b8f7809317f36b9b51a758/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163587&Signature=MjsKNAt2xtlhl4Ed8RoFTzZy-kxoaAidGQlXkOktsGticNfq3zAElce05IPbtgHxKZmC~u28Pe3B68YE4Y1~KGl5JbB78JxRHy8L6OxKFwCEMks~MFGmZvqNhMoSe5sIazX1o6KHnpfn88QqHVgMfVPKWNpkkKzvTOe7skwShr9uaNg9l0pBtd95HR~lbod9W2qRj4HaJkuHMYiLYNtuvnyZQ-R1NrZGb43jYSSZOLPhYrlCuF0v6ruYuF~466hOZwtojweCjPmiNBTvrjCPenIeOoeq-hq1vQuUyqkw6rRfJUEY-faJwjvENcgx286Fxm9mY5PltAcciAb~vXAVyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff updated the Lacey Equity Commission on plans for a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) summit proposed for May 10 at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey campus.

Veronica reported the summit will be free of charge and staff plan to invite municipal representatives, staff, youth councils and community stakeholders. The schedule is proposed as 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a youth presentation to open the summit and 90‑minute afternoon breakout sessions. Veronica said staff expect to invite other regional municipal representatives and staff and to offer multiple morning breakout topics.

Staff described a preliminary budget and sponsorships: the City of Olympia and the YMCA have each committed $2,000, and the League of Women Voters confirmed a roughly $1,000 contribution earmarked for speakers or facilitators. Catering cost estimates provided in the meeting ranged from about $3,500 for 100 attendees to roughly $7,000 for 200 attendees; organizers are considering a primary caterer and a backup food truck option.

The confirmed speaker mentioned in the meeting is Erin Jones (name provided by staff), who will lead the youth presentation segment. Veronica said the event team will invite other Thurston County municipalities and municipal officials and staff, and will coordinate invitations to local youth councils (Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and area youth organizations) to bring youth presenters to the morning session.

Commissioners discussed invitation scope and whether the summit should remain Thurston County‑focused or be open to broader community registration. Staff said the planning approach is to start with internal and Thurston County stakeholders and then expand outreach; they described plans for targeted invitations, a feedback channel on the summit landing page and promotion via city communications (Lacey Life, social media and weekly newsletters) after finalizing details.

Veronica said the summit team will prepare a written statement of expected outcomes and a reporting mechanism; staff also plan to capture a report out after the summit. No final registration or sponsorship sign‑ups were taken at the meeting.

Staff asked commissioners to consider participating in speaker panels or breakout sessions and to help spread word of the event to municipal and partner networks. The summit planning timeline remains subject to change as staff finalize speakers, breakout topics and logistical details.","Staff reported plans for a May 10 DEIB summit at South Puget Sound Community College Lacey campus, free admission, expected attendance 100–150, confirmed sponsors and a youth presentation; commissioners discussed invitation scope and outreach.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6102823,"Equity Commission discusses draft community events grant program; staff proposes pilot funding and eligibility rules",2121,3642000,5763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803261-aa501ff6fdba1f85943d8c0cc2f2fd4e&start=3642&end=5763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803261-aa501ff6fdba1f85943d8c0cc2f2fd4e/thumbnail_3642000.jpg","/articles/6102823/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Equity-Commission-discusses-draft-community-events-grant-program-staff-proposes-pilot-funding-and-eligibility-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102823-ef50504afe60864b68952dbae11f0cc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163587&Signature=nuAajlqh8b3d8~xuSxhUdfqTq4YzSM5nb5ogTSUGQDl37Shi8qDQSq04xFpT9Z329HjCh37chDBYaxFfvD~RwzUHKFW4~AbX778k5Lr70X9VwzWgA0JQ8NMMhvtANTQ5Eul5ulgL2C6z84SsEv9UJTiSx5CHJOe7Of4QXlFScHfC2~WwKLCk~ECDudZx5HYHbUNmHbYcRj-TWBXFy5oicatweT6YR2STU-4lOD68Ni2DUN8Gq5IIUX3iy4Rds0bG2WDT9PmtR6dmIAoBkN8ASPfCe6W5-AFC1-dnxg7qmb5B2QYSe2L9HCp-LOJ6PavDXmOYBeOoyfVEMg6GEXGSfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lacey Equity Commission members spent substantial meeting time reviewing a proposed framework for a city‑supported community sponsorship and grant program to support cultural events and community celebrations.

Staff presented a draft policy modeled on peer cities (Bend, Tacoma, Lakewood) that would create an application window, staff pre‑screening, commission review and council approval of awards. The goal, staff said, is to create a transparent, equitable, repeatable process for city funding to support local events without the city conducting event planning itself.

“Eventually that is, you know, where we want to get to is making a recommendation and then council providing the funding,” staff member Veronica said, describing the proposed governance steps. She outlined eligibility considerations lifted from Bend’s program and local concerns: proposals that promote religious doctrines or political campaigns, for‑profit entities, events outside the city or Lacey Urban Growth Area, and events that charge admission were listed as examples of ineligible activities in the draft. Veronica clarified the intent was to bar charging admission to attendees but not vendor fees.

Commissioners discussed how the city should define eligible organizations. Several commissioners said limiting awards to established nonprofits could exclude emerging community groups that lack formal 501(c)(3) status and suggested alternative documentation such as state registration, a governing board or use of a fiscal sponsor. Commissioners also raised vetting concerns — W‑9s, proof of nonprofit status, UBI/state registration numbers and references — to reduce the risk of fraudulent applicants.

On allowable uses, staff proposed that grants could cover event coordination costs: staff time, advertising, venue costs, permits, food, equipment and printing. Commissioners flagged that a reimbursement‑only model would disadvantage small organizations that lack operating cash and proposed possible alternatives: partial upfront payments (for example, a 50% advance) or case‑by‑case advances for required deposits and insurance. Staff noted legal and fiscal rules require additional diligence before confirming an advance or upfront payment policy.

Staff offered a sample pilot budget of $15,000, with suggested award sizes from $1,000 (minimum) to $3,000 (maximum) so the city could fund roughly five to fifteen events depending on the number and size of awards. Veronica said the program would be reimbursement‑based in the draft concept, require a simple contract and include published award lists and post‑event reporting. Commissioners recommended training or an applicant workshop and a clear, simple application to help first‑time applicants and small organizations apply successfully.

Other discussion items included prohibiting use of grant funds to purchase alcohol, limiting awards where recipient entities discriminate against protected classes, and reporting timelines for reimbursement. Commissioners suggested staff contact jurisdictions with established programs (Bend, Tacoma, Lakewood, Port of Seattle) to learn how they manage advances, vetting and post‑event reporting.

Staff said they will take the commission’s feedback and return with a more detailed draft policy and options for pilot funding, along with the administrative requirements for possible upfront payments and contract templates. Any final program design, Veronica said, will require City Council approval and an allocation of funds during the budget process.

No formal vote or funding decision was taken at the meeting; commissioners instructed staff to refine eligibility language, consider a pathway for nascent community groups or fiscal sponsors, and analyze options for partial upfront payments for small grantees.","Commissioners reviewed a proposed community sponsorship/grant framework modeled on other cities, discussed eligibility (nonprofit vs. for‑profit), allowable costs, reimbursement vs. upfront payments, and a pilot budget ($15,000) with suggested grant sizes of $1,000–$3,000.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6102828,"Lacey Equity Commission reviews draft equity map; staff asks commissioners for feedback",2507,395000,2902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803261-aa501ff6fdba1f85943d8c0cc2f2fd4e&start=395&end=2902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803261-aa501ff6fdba1f85943d8c0cc2f2fd4e/thumbnail_395000.jpg","/articles/6102828/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Lacey-Equity-Commission-reviews-draft-equity-map-staff-asks-commissioners-for-feedback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102828-1d0fe1189f134b364ac139509199a741/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163587&Signature=YZirO715wXw7mNFTkkzpWOAbX77CHTN4dT3kzVFKgLV~m2D8qZWcrpSIcaJKHyk8CXSLnvT5josCB5t5NgkYarKCwqG88F4oo0rYxb3SFyoKopFLZeHvmzjDCrVLElwqW3TeFPmc1So~-fcpdU9snolr3BuAMuwuzQRVnl0SA9EGFXeBdJsfcyWo4NdSX~P0VHEK6iXSRn27bGGjQXMEzPfdsALTgYjt9lMVY4ddQe0z0ANJ5hxVgbwSFVahjLoJbadlbfkwzYTNj6xzptKD47FTW0gvGYmT6W9Bqnsb1zrL5l5bF-BtkzcKbfWpwPp-yV-1~HK86mFvvPLsQ7aZZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Lacey staff presented a draft equity map to the Lacey Equity Commission at its March meeting and asked commissioners for feedback on data, accessibility and usability before the tool is published.

The map, built with outside consultants and City of Lacey staff support, displays block‑group level indices — an overall equity index and subindices for accessibility, livability, education, economy and environment — and compares Lacey to Thurston County. Staff members said some datasets used in the draft are incomplete or surprising and will be revised before final publication.

“The map is a draft,” staff member Veronica said as she shared the screen and explained functionality. She described a left‑hand toolbar where users can toggle between the equity index and separate indexes (accessibility, livability, education, economy, environment), search by address, ZIP code or block group, draw selection areas and download or share the resulting data. Veronica said the map will be embedded on the city web site and include a landing page and a data dictionary explaining sources and weights.

The commissioners focused on three primary concerns: locating features on the map, accessibility for users with vision or color‑vision differences, and apparent dataset anomalies. Commissioner Clay and others said the overview map would be more usable if major streets (for example, Martin Way, College Way and I‑5) or a few main thoroughfares were visible at the macro zoom level. Veronica replied users can zoom in to see individual roads and can switch to satellite view; she acknowledged the macro view can appear cluttered if too many lines are visible.

Commissioner Hegwood asked about alternative text and color schemes for people with visual impairments. Veronica said the map has some read‑aloud functionality, that users can hover over block groups to see details, and that the city and consultants are reviewing color schemes to improve color‑vision accessibility.

Commissioners and staff also identified specific data points that appear inconsistent. Veronica said the consultants reported a transit accessibility figure that the group flagged as implausibly high (for example, a figure described in the meeting as “350%”), and staff have asked the contractors to verify the underlying dataset and calculations. Veronica emphasized the draft nature of the map and told commissioners that the consultants had not been able to find some datasets the group requested — for example, adult literacy rates — so other education measures were used instead.

Staff described the provenance and documentation available in the map’s user guide: a data dictionary that lists each indicator, whether the indicator is used in an index or neutral, and links to original sources. Veronica said the method references an institute used by the consultants (reported in the user guide as the Curon Institute of Race and Social Justice) and that the map’s weights and indicator choices will be documented and linked on the site.

Commissioners asked how often the map will be updated; staff said the plan is to refresh the map every two years. Veronica gave an estimated project cost in the meeting of about $40,000 for the work overall and said additional internal city reviewers and advisory boards (including the Human Services Commission and youth councils) will be invited to test the tool before broader public release. Staff expect to finalize the map and public launch in quarter 3 pending consultant updates and additional testing.

Commissioners suggested several next steps for staff and the consultants: add a modest set of labeled thoroughfares at the macro level, test and add alternative text and screen‑reader compatibility, adopt an accessible color palette, clarify the definition and calculation of the transit accessibility and heavy‑traffic indicators, document where census or other self‑reported data are used, and include clear guidance on the landing page about intended use and data limitations.

Veronica said staff will collect written feedback from the commission and other advisory bodies over the next two weeks, work with the consultants to correct flagged datasets and user‑experience issues, and return with updates to commissioners and to the Human Services Commission for further review.

The Equity Commission did not take a formal vote on the map; the presentation concluded with staff requesting written comments and promising further outreach to community stakeholders and advisory groups.","City staff presented a draft equity map that compares Lacey block groups to Thurston County, explaining datasets, tool features and known data gaps; commissioners raised accessibility, color‑scheme, and data‑accuracy concerns and staff said updates and further stakeholder review are planned.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Staff reports employee engagement survey progress; commissioners set May planning date for veterans forum

Commission hears update on DEIB summit scheduled for May 10; organizers seek attendees and sponsors

Equity Commission discusses draft community events grant program; staff proposes pilot funding and eligibility rules

Lacey Equity Commission reviews draft equity map; staff asks commissioners for feedback