02-06-2024 Council Minutes - RegularCITY OF
�. Federal Way
Centered on Opportunity
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
City Hall - Council Chambers*
February 6, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Linda Kochmar,
Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Paul McDaniel, Councilmember
Susan Honda, Councilmember Jack Walsh, and Councilmember Jack Dovey.
City staff in attendance: City Administrator Brian Davis, Assistant City Attorney Joanna
Eide, and City Clerk Stephanie Courtney.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
Mayor Ferrell excused Councilmember Tran.
3. MAYOR'S EMERGING ISSUES AND REPORT
Mayor Ferrell noted his annual State of the City Address is scheduled at the Performing
Arts and Event Center on Thursday, February 15, and provided information on the City
Council retreat held on Saturday, February 3. He will be attended the United States
Conference of Mayors in Washington DC and is looking forward to returning to DC with
Councilmembers for the NLC Conference in March, where they will have the opportunity
to lobby with the federal legislators.
The mayor reported on recent community events including the 75th Anniversary of India's
Republic Day and Opening of India's Consulate General Office in Seattle; a recent Health
through Housing project update; and he met with the newly appointed Federal Way
Korean American Association President and New Board Chair.
He asked Cheryl Hurst to provide information on the upcoming Diaper Drive and the new
Diaper Bank. Ms. Hurst noted the Federal Way Diaper Drive will be held at the Twin Lakes
Fred Meyer on Saturday, March 23 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Mayor Ferrell reported on attending various Homeowners Association Meetings with Chief
Hwang and has scheduled the first Neighborhood Connection Meeting for Thursday,
March 7 at Olympic View Elementary.
Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 1 of 6
February 6, 2024
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Craig_Patrick provided information on events in the community and is looking forward to
the St. Patrick's Day celebration.
Ken Blevins reported ongoing concerns with the Day Center and asked the city to enforce
regulations for the safety of the city.
Melissa Hamilton spoke regarding House Bill #1994 and expressed concern this bill will
eliminate Prosecutor discretion, if passed. She urged Council to send a message to the
lawmakers that victims' rights should not come last.
Anna Patrick attended the Council retreat and shared her concern with capital spending
and loss of tax revenue.
Tren_ise Rogers, in honor of Black History Month, read a 2020 declaration from King
County Executive Dow Constantine identifying racism as a public health crisis.
5. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Parks/ Recreation/Human Services/Public Safety Committee (PRHSPS):
Councilmember Walsh noted the next meeting will be February 13 at 5:00 p.m. and
announced the Parks Appreciation Day will be April 20th from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the
Blueberry Farm and Saghalie Park.
Land Use/Transportation Committee (LUTC): Councilmember Dovey reported on the
committee meeting noting items will come to Council on February 20 for final approval.
Finance, Economic Development Regional Affairs Committee (FEDRAC): no report.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC): CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson noted there
was no meeting in February; the next meeting is scheduled for March 13 at 10:00 a.m.
She also provided information on the Sound Cities Association (SCA) Regional Law,
Safety and Justice Committee.
Regional Committees Report: Councilmember Honda provided an update on various
regional boards and committees she participates on including the Public Issues
Committee (PIC), Sound Cities Association (SCA), and the Women in Government Board
Meeting. She acknowledged Lunar New Year on February 10 and will be attending the
Asian Pacific American Officials Board Meeting.
Council President Report: Council President Kochmar noted the Council has scheduled
a study session prior to the next regular meeting to discuss the Maintenance Facility; she
encouraged attendance from the community. She is looking forward to visiting Washington
DC in March for the National League of Cities (NLC) Conference and to lobby for federal
money.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: January 16, 2024 Regular Meeting
b. AP Vouchers 11/18/2023 — 12/18/2023 & Payroll Vouchers 11/01/2023 —
11 /30/2023
Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 2 of 6
February 6, 2024
c. AP Vouchers 12/19/2023 — 01/17/2024 & Payroll Vouchers 12/01/2023 —
12/31 /2023
d. Monthly Financial Report — November 2023
e. Ec-enemis °a oF.,ff,.n: r-,+„ Yn,,ng� —pulled and
approved separately
f. Parks Portable Toilet Services Contract
g. HVAC Controls Upgrades
Councilmember Honda pulled item a/Economic Development ARPA Program: City Marketing
Program
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOCHMAR MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
(A-D AND F-G); SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON. The motion passed
unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar
yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
yes
Councilmember McDaniel
yes
Councilmember Honda
yes
Councilmember Tran excused
Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember Dovey yes
(e) Economic Development ARPA Program: City Marketing Program
Economic Development Director Tanja Carter provided an overview of this item which
was recently presented at the FEDRAC Council Committee. She noted this project is
to consistently make Federal Way "top of mind" and investing in ourselves to generate
more business and tax revenue. In response to questions, she clarified this is not a
rebranding of the city logo or tagline, rather, a marketing strategy and messaging to
reinforce the narrative about all the amazing things in Federal Way. Details were
provided on the program costs and the four (4) phases of the plan.
Council thanked Director Carter for the presentation and information.
COUNCILMEMBER HONDA MOVED APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM E;
SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MCDANIEL. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar yes Councilmember Tran excused
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember McDaniel yes Councilmember Dovey yes
Councilmember Honda yes
7. COUNCIL BUSINESS
a. Economic Development ARPA Program: Start to Cart Program
Economic Development Director Tanja Carter provided a presentation on this item
which was also presented at the FEDRAC Council Committee. Director Carter
introduced Cherri Eldeson, who participated in the presentation remotely. The Start to
Cart Program is a six -week program on a simple platform aimed to help small
businesses engage online sales.
Councilmembers thanked Director Carter and Ms. Eldeson for the presentation and
asked questions regarding ongoing cost to businesses, the number of businesses who
can participate, and if there is a minimum age limit to use the system.
Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 3 of 6
February 6, 2024
COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED START
TO CART GRANT PROGRAM; SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY.
Councilmember McDaniel stated he feels this is outside the scope of what the city should be
involved in.
The motion passed 5-1 as follows:
Council President Kochmar
yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
yes
Councilmember McDaniel
no
Councilmember Honda
yes
Councilmember Tran excused
Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember Dovey yes
b. Economic Development ARPA Program: Digital Literacy Program
Economic Development Director Tanja Carter introduced Rich Shockley and Andrew
Powers of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Information was provided
on the proposed Digital Literacy Program for small businesses learn skills from
creating business plans to cash flow tools.
Council thanked Director Carter for the presentation and asked clarifying questions
regarding the Small Business Center.
COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE DIGITAL LITERARY
ARPA GRANT PROGRAM; SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER WALSH. The motion passed
unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar
yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
yes
Councilmember McDaniel
yes
Councilmember Honda
yes
Councilmember Tran excused
Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember Dovey yes
c. Federal Way Community Center Temporary Locker Room Rental
Parks Director John Hutton provided detailed information on the recent immediate
need for temporary locker room rental including estimated cost and timeline. Finance
Director Steve Groom answered questions regarding funding, noting the rental costs
would come partially from the already identified ARPA allocation and the Capital
Improvement Project (CIP) funds.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding when the issue was identified,
and a forecasted timeline of the entire renovation project; they also shared their
concerns.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOCHMAR MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED TEMPORARY
LOCKER ROOMS RENTAL AND ASSOCIATED WORK AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO
EXECUTE CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE WORK; SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar
yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
yes
Councilmember McDaniel
yes
Councilmember Honda
yes
Councilmember Tran excused
Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember Dovey yes
d. Confirmation of Independent Salary Commission Appointments
Mayor explained the Independent Salary Commission is set by city code and reviews
and sets salaries for the mayor and councilmembers every two -years based on
Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 4 of 6
February 6, 2024
comparable cities in the region. Assistant City Attorney Eide responded to a
clarification request regarding eligibility.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOCHMAR MOVED TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENTS OF
GREGORY BARUSO AND GORDON BOCK TO THE INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
AS VOTING MEMBERS WITH TERMS TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28, 2028; SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar yes Councilmember Tran excused
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember McDaniel yes Councilmember Dovey yes
Councilmember Honda yes
8. ORDINANCES
Second Reading/Enactment
a. Council Bill #874/Authorizing Condemnation of Certain Property for the Purpose
of Constructing the Joint Use Operations and Maintenance FacilitylAPPROVED
ORDINANCE NO. 24-982
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON, PROVIDING FOR
THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF
CONSTRUCTING THE JOINT USE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FACILITY
ALONG 28TH AVENUE S FROM S 312TH STREET TO SOUTH 308TH LANE INCLUDING
THREE PROPERTIES ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF 308TH LANE; DESCRIBING THE
PUBLIC USE AND NECESSITY OF SUCH PROPERTY; DIRECTING STAFF TO
EXHAUST REASONABLE NEGOTIATION EFFORTS TO PURCHASE SUCH
PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR THE CONDEMNATION OF THE PROPERTY; AND
DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO INITIATE ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS AND
PROCEEDINGS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW FOR SAID CONDEMNATION IF
ATTEMPTS TO PURCHASE ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL.
City Clerk Stephanie Courtney read the ordinance title into the record.
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE;
SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER WALSH. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar
yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
yes
Councilmember McDaniel
yes
Councilmember Honda
yes
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson had no report.
Councilmember Tran excused
Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember Dovey yes
Councilmember McDaniel shared a personal story, thanking the quick assistance of kind
members of the community.
Councilmember Honda provided information on the Federal Way Service Network and
reported on attending a musical showcase of high school students grades 9-12 on January
26.
Councilmember Walsh commended staff for the productive annual retreat. He was
pleased to attend a well -attended concert at the PAEC.
Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 5 of 6
February 6, 2024
Councilmember Dovey provided a reminder of new financial literacy classes beginning
soon.
Council President Kochmar thanked the Police Department for the emphasis patrols and
also thanked Councilmember Honda for reaching out to the school board directors.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the regular meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
Attest:
Pl-
SbVphbnie Courtney, CM
City Clerk
Approved by Council: 03",�0"90a'Lf
Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 6 of 6
February 6, 2024