Monday, Feb. 7, 2022
(Regular Meeting)
The meeting of Feb. 7, 2022 began with a proclamation to acknowledge a 20-year Sister Cities relationship between the City of Lakewood, Washington, and Okinawa City, Japan. Connie Coleman-Lacadie accepted the proclamation and shared a video of an Eisa performance by an Okinawan performing arts group. Eisa is a traditional Okinawan folk dance.
The City Council also issued a proclamation to declare February as Black History Month. A video about prominent community organizer JoEthel Smith was shared with the council. In the video, Smith reflected on her memories of local Black leaders.
The Association of Washington Cities shared an update about their Retro Refund Program, through which the City of Lakewood has recovered $111,994 in insurance costs due to strong safety practices. Hank Jones shared an update about the Lakewood Youth Council – their efforts have focused on brainstorming solutions to address youth mental health and equity.
Notable in the consent agenda were the appointments of Emily Feleen to the Lakewood Arts Commission and Linda Smith to the Greater Tacoma Convention Center Public Facilities District Board. Additionally, an agreement was executed with BRCA for design and construction management for pending improvements to Wards Lake Park.
The Lakewood City Council appointed 11 resident applicants to an ad hoc Tree Advisory Committee. The committee will meet regularly in March, April, and May to produce suggested revisions to Lakewood Municipal Code regarding tree preservation.