03-02-2021 Council Minutes - Special1% CITY OF
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Federal Way
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Remote Meeting
March 2, 2021
Special Meeting — 4:30 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Council President Honda called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Council President Susan Honda, Councilmember Lydia Assefa-
Dawson, Councilmember Greg Baruso, Councilmember Hoang Tran, Councilmember Leandra
Craft, Councilmember Martin Moore, and Councilmember Linda Kochmar.
City staff in attendance: City Attorney Ryan Call and City Clerk Stephanie Courtney.
2. COMMISSION INTERVIEW
In addition to the interviews previously held on February 16, 2021, the City Council interviewed
one applicant for the Human Service Commission. After the interview the City Council
discussed the vacancies and applicants.
3. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further to discuss, Council President Honda adjourned the special meeting
at 4:52 p.m.
Special Meeting — 5:00 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Susan Honda, Councilmember
Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Greg Baruso, Councilmember Hoang Tran,
Councilmember Leandra Craft, Councilmember Martin Moore, and Councilmember Linda
Kochmar.
City staff in attendance: City Attorney Ryan Call and City Clerk Stephanie Courtney.
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 1 of 3
March 2, 2021
2. STUDY SESSION — HOUSING ACTION PLAN
Community Development Director Brian Davis introduced Chaney Skadsen, Associate Planner
who would be providing information along with consultant Kevin Ramsey from BERK Consulting
who would also be providing information.
Ms. Skadsen stated the goal for the Housing Action Plan document is to lay out comprehensive
housing policy direction from which changes can be implemented. The intent of this plan is that
regulatory changes occurring after adoption will be towards the goal of increasing residential
building capacity in the city.
She also provided historical data from the Federal Way zoning map pre -incorporation and the
scale of building that has occurred each decade. The data reflects a large peak in multi -family
housing with 100+ units prior to incorporation.
Ms. Skadsen noted that by collecting and analyzing the data they will discover broad trends in
the South King County housing market for policy development at the city level. This information
will be used to evaluate strategies to encourage future housing production and meet forecast
needs through 2040. Federal Way's Housing Action Plan will include: housing needs
assessment, community and stakeholder engagement, housing policy review and code audit,
housing objectives and strategies and schedule of next steps toward implementation.
Mr. Ramsey provided additional information on the progress of the process and reviewed steps
which have been completed, in progress and not yet started. He noted the timeline for adoption
of the plan by City Council is late June 2021.
The Housing Needs Assessment findings note that 40% of all households are cost -burdened;
new housing production is not keeping pace with demand; the city will need to add 6,800 new
units before 2040; and the city needs a variety of new housing types and sizes to meet housing
needs. He provided further data regarding the affordability level and the needs from 2020 —
2040 and offered Housing Policy and Code Audit Findings including modifications that will
create the highest impact opportunities for code changes.
Mr. Ramsey provided proposed housing objectives along with additional information on each:
• Encourage new development to expand housing choices.
® Support equity in homeownership opportunities.
• Enhance the character and livability of existing neighborhoods.
• Promote complete communities by tying housing production to improved infrastructure,
resources and amenities.
• Help residents to stay in their homes.
Council thanked Ms. Skadsen and Mr. Ramsey for the presentation and asked clarifying
questions along with suggesting accessory dwellings be considered. Mr. Davis asked the
Council to clarify if the direction of what is presented is the path the Council would like to
continue.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment was received.
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 2 of 3
March 2, 2021
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a Collective Bargaining Pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(b)
At 6:02 p.m. the Mayor announced Council would be recessing to Executive Session for the
purpose of discussing collective bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(b) for approximately
10 minutes.
5. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the regular meeting was adjourned at 4:52 p.m
Attest:
5 Ph nie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: D-bhIplwl
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 3 of 3
March 2, 2021