PRHSPSC MINS 01-12-2021
K:\PRHSPS Committee\2021\01-12-2021 Minutes.doc
City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
5:00 p.m.
SUMMARY
Committee Members Participating via Video Conference: Chair Kochmar and Committee member s
Assefa-Dawson and Baruso
Council Members Participating via Video Conference: Council President Honda and Councilmember
Craft
Staff Members Participating via Video Conference: Del Kolde, Assistant City Attorney, Bill Vadino,
Policy Advisor, Commander Ray Bunk, Commander Casey Jones , Commander Kurt Schwan, John Hutton,
Parks Director , Jason Gerwen, Parks Deputy Director and Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Ass istant II.
Chair Kochmar called the meeting to order at 5:00pm
Public Comment:
None
BUSINESS ITEMS
Approval of Minutes
Committee member Baruso motioned to approve the November 10, 2020 minutes as written.
Committee member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
Veteran Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families to be Funded by King
County Veterans Program Grants
Staff Vadino gave a PowerPoint Presentation. The Veterans Advisory Committee is proposing to place a
flag pole, service medallions, plaque and lighting at the top of the Town Center steps adjacent to the
Performing Arts and Events Center. This proposal would be funded by two King County Veterans Grants
totaling $19,999 that was secured by King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. The Veterans
Advisory Committee was formed by Mayor Ferrell in 2018. The committee has been studying memorials
for veterans in the local area, regionally, nationally and internationally. Staff Vadino reviewed the timeline
that took place in developing a concept for the Memorial. The Committee also discussed fundraising
strategies and then the outbreak of Covid-19 occurred. There is a short window for the two grants to be
allocated. The Mayor convened an official advisory committee in December to formally discuss the
proposal. The group was updated on a study of a proposal to have the memorial at Town Square Park.
After discussion with the Parks Department it was decided that with the drainage and infrastructure issues
the costs would be too high to have the memorial at that location. After discussion the Advisory Committee
unanimously voted to recommend to Council to move forward with the flag pole at the Center Steps. The
flag pole is just the beginning of the Veterans Memorial. The project will be coordinated with the Parks
Department. Council member Assefa -Dawson asked if the goal was to have the flag pole installed by
Veterans Day 2021. Staff Vadino answered that it could be installed by November 2021. Staff Hutton
added that it is possible, there needs to be a decision on where exactly it will be placed. Council President
Honda is a member of the Advisory Committee and she provided more history on the Veteran’s Memorial.
The citizens committee wanted the memorial to be a place where people could come and sit and reflect and
it would be very meaningful for all branches of the Military. Initially the funding was going to be used for
drawings but then Covid-19 hit and the Committee was unable to meet. Council President Honda is
concerned that they are not moving forward as fast as they should be for the Memorial once the flag pole is
installed. They will need additional funding to have an artist build the Veterans Memorial. She is also
concerned that the Veterans will not be able to use the PAEC – the building is not opened to the public.
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Summary
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Council President Honda wants to make sure that PRHSPS Committee understood this. She is not sure
where the Veterans Memorial will be sited. The location needs to be accessible with a flat area and
significant parking. There needs to be places to sit, families recognized, historical displays, large enough
for programs, lit and covered. The flagpole is just the start. Council member Assefa -Dawson would like the
memorial to include a water feature; Council President Honda stated water features are beautiful but she
does not support a water feature because of the difficulty and cost to ma intain them. She also said that if
they could work it into the budget to build and maintain a water feature then she would support that. Staff
Vadino added that a water feature is still on the wish list. Committee member Baruso moved to forward
the proposal by the Veterans Committee to the January 19, 2021 Council Business agenda.
Committee member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
Landscape Structure Retainage Release
Staff Gerwen provided the background information. The playground was installed during the fall of 2020,
but staff was unable to open it due to Covid-19. The playgrounds are now open and this playground is a
great asset to the community. Staff Gerwen reviewed the project and the playground components that were
placed in the new playground. Mirror Lake is a neighborhood Park that is intended to serve that
neighborhood so parking is limited. Prior to the release of retainage on Public Works projects the City
Council must accept the project as complete. The total amount of the retainage is $4 ,560.73. Committee
member Baruso moved to forward the acceptance of the Landscape Structures installation of the
playground equipment at Mirror Lake as complete and forward the authorization of staff to release
their $4,560.73 retainage to the January 19, 2021 City Council consent agenda for approval.
Committee member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
“On-Call” Electrical Services Contract Amendment
Staff Gerwen provided the background information. This contract amendment is to amend the term and
compensation for the on-call electrical services contract. On-call services includes any electrical needs for
the city. The proposed amendment will add $99,000 in compensation for a total contract amount of
$198,000. This contract is also used by Public Works and Community Development. The city does not
have a certified electrician on staff. Committee member Baruso moved to forward the proposed
amendment to the January 19, 2021 Council consent agenda for approval. Committee member
Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
Lease Agreement between Balli Road, LLC and the City of Federal way for the Downtown
Substation
Commander Bunk provided the background information. The Federal Way Police Department (FWPD) has
been using this substation since 2015. The Traffic Division, Special Operations Unit operate out of this
location. It is also used by other police officers for lunch breaks and paperwork. The cost is $3,000 a
month to lease the space. Committee member Baruso moved to forward the MOU between Balli, LLC
and the City of Federal Way Police to the January 19, 2021 Council Consent Agenda for approval.
Committee member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
The Human Society for Tacoma and Pierce County Agreement for Shelter and Related Services
Commander Jones provided the background information. The FWPD uses the shelter for stray animals,
impounded animals, pet adoption and licensing services. The annual cost is $76,000 per year for 2021,
2022 and 2023. This is a no-kill facility. Committee member Baruso moved to forward the proposed
Humane Society Agreement to the January 19, 2021 Council consent agenda for approval.
Committee member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
Police Services Agreement with Commons Mall
Commander Jones provided the background information. The FWPD has provided services to the
Commons Mall since the formation of the FWPD since 1996. They handle all the calls at the Mall. They
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Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Summary
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have office space there but it is not a storefront. Officers must have two years of experience prior to getting
a specialty position. The Mall pays for ½ of the Officers salary. Committee member Baruso moved to
forward the proposed Commons Mall agreement to the January 21, 2021 consent agenda for
approval. Committee member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
ATS VerraMobility Traffic Safety Cameras
Commander Jones presented the background information. There are eleven cameras currently installed in
locations of the highest incidents of red-light running and school zone speeding. Committee member
Baruso moved to forward the proposed Agreement to the January 19, 2021 consent agenda for
approval. Committee member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
Jail Services Contract – King County Jail
Commander Schwan provided the background information. King County Jail provides a wide array of
resources for people that requir e additional services such as advanced medical and mental health services.
Some of these services are not available at the smaller jails. King County Jail is only used in emergency
situations, they do not have a guaranteed bed rate for the City and they are more expensive than the smaller
jails. The medical services that King County has are very similar to the SCORE Jail. Committee member
Baruso moved to forward the proposed agreement to the January 19, 2021 Council consent agenda
for approval. Committee member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
Jail Services Contract – King County Jail
Commander Schwan provided the background information. In 2020 the FWPD had a guarantee of five
beds and in 2021 they are increasing the amount of guaranteed beds to ten at a cost of $110 per bed per
day. This guarantees the department a lower rate for these beds and ensures that they have place to put
someone that has to be in custody. They are averaging 2 -15 people in custody, there is no increase in cost
if they go over the ten beds. This is not the same at the other facilities. Committee member Baruso moved
to forward the proposed agreement to the January 19, 2021 Council consent agenda for approval.
Committee member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
Other
Donation Clearing House
Chair Kochmar would like a site created of places that people could refer to, if they want to donate money
to help their neighbors and friends . Staff Bridgeford shared some ideas that she had with the committee.
She would develop a list that would focus on donations; the non-profits would follow the directive of the
donor. Staff Bridgeford would contact the nonprofits and ask them if they would like to be included on the
list. Due to staff workloads this list would not be updated frequently. Resources change often and staff
refers people to call 211. Staff Bridgeford recommended keeping the list to local organizations that focus
on basic needs and listing them by the organizations wit h the services that they include and the contact for
donations. The list would consist of nonprofits that are receiving funding or have applied for funding from
the City. Staff Bridgeford will bring this item back to committee in March. Council member Ass efa -
Dawson stated that she is concerned with staff being able maintain the website and keeping the information
current.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
February 9, 2021
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:25p.m.