HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-2023 Council Minutes - SpecialCITY OF Federal.Way CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES City Hall — Council Chambers* March 7, 2023 — 5:00 p.m. 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Linda Kochmar, Deputy Mayor Susan Honda, Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Hoang Tran, Councilmember Jack Walsh, and Councilmember Jack Dovey. Councilmember Erica Norton attended remotely via Zoom. City staff in attendance: City Administrator Brian Davis, Assistant City Attorney Kent van Alstyne, and Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Marshall. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute. 3. STUDY SESSION — SOUND TRANSIT PROJECT UPDATES a. Staff Update Federal Way Link Extension Sound Transit Liaison Kent Smith provided an update on the Federal Way Link Extension noting the restriping that has taken place on 'city roads to facilitate detours. It is anticipated Phase I will be completed by the end of the year and there is not yet an anticipated date for revenue services to begin. 0 Operations and Maintenance Facility — updated later in meeting b. Project Update • Tacoma Link Extension Andrew Austin, South Corridor Director, spoke regarding public engagement and outreach for the Tacoma Link Extension including an online open house. Curvie Hawkins, Project Development Director, highlighted their outreach has included meeting with city staff and noted Sound Transit is working to complete the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which has been in process since 2019. Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 1 of 2 March 7, 2023 Mr. Hawkins shared the potential routes (alternatives) for the South Federal Way Segment as previously shared (Enchanted Parkway and 1-5 Alternatives) and overviewed a new alternative along Pacific Highway South with two station options. This additional alternative including station locations has been included in an effort to avoid known cultural resources along 1-5. All alternatives will be studied equally in the DEIS. Mr. Austin and Mr. Hawkins outlined next steps including additional public outreach and the anticipated direction from the Sound Transit Board on March 23 regarding which alternatives to study in the DEIS. It is anticipated the start of service will begin in 2035 o Operations and Maintenance Facility Mr. Austin spoke regarding the three alternative sites for the Operations and Maintenance (OMF) facility noting it will serve system -wide needs. These alternatives are the South 336th Street (Preferred), South 344th Street, and Midway Landfill. When overviewing the South 336th Street Preferred Alternative, it was noted the plans include extending 18th Place South to replace 20th Avenue South per letter from City Council. It was noted this new through street results in more impacted parcels on the SW portion of the site Questions Council asked logistical questions regarding multiple components of the project including whether or not it would need to return to the ballot, the possibility of a job fair for Federal Way residents to have access to upcoming livable wage jobs, and when a decision will be made regarding which alternative will be used. Sound Transit staff responded only challenges are planning -related and will not affect the finances which means these projects should not need to return to the ballot. Mr. Austin shared that while the infrastructure belongs to Sound Transit, the operations of the light rail will be handled by Metro and the hiring will be through them. They anticipate partnering with the city and metro to make something like the job fair possible. Mr. Curvie also noted that there is no set date as to when a decision would be made and noted any properties impacted (including the potential Belmore Park lots) will be included in the Sound Transit Relocation Plan. 4. ADJOURNMENT There being nothing further on the agenda; the special meeting was adjourned at 5:39 p.m. Attest: �hftL V1V\l1�-Wy Jen ifer Ma hall, CMC "ty ity Jerk Approved by Council: ®-�'f -1 f 2tZ3 Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 2 of 2 March 7, 2023