02-07-2023 Council Minutes - RegularCIT
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Federal Way
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
City Hall — Council Chambers*
February 7, 2023 — 6:30 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Linda Kochmar, Deputy Mayor
Susan Honda, Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember" Erica Norton,
Councilmember Hoang Tran, Councilmember Jack Dovey, and Councilmember Jack Walsh.
City staff in attendance: City Administrator Brian Davis; City Attorney Ryan Call, and City
Clerk Stephanie Courtney.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
3. MAYOR'S EMERGING ISSUES AND REPORT
State of the City Address
Mayor Ferrell noted his annual State of the City Address will be held in -person, for the first
time since 2020, at the Performing Arts & Event Center on Thursday, February 16. The
event is free to the public with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
City Council Annual Retreat Report
Mayor Ferrell reported on the Annual City Council Retreat which was held at Dumas Bay
Center on Saturday, January 21. He noted the day went well and thanked the staff and
Council for their work and collaboration.
The Mayor reported on testifying on HB1363 regarding police pursuits on February 1;
Federal Way has experienced a marked increase of almost 60% in auto theft and most
serious incidents are now connected to stolen vehicles. He also testified on February 6 on
SB5536 and SB5437 with efforts to fix the drug laws following the Blake decision; he will
continue to monitor action on these issues.
Mayor Ferrell reported on speaking at the Kiwanis on January 18; visiting and participating
in St. Vincent de Paul School's `Read Aloud Day' with 411 graders on January 31; and the
Federal Way Memorial Field Groundbreaking Ceremony on February 1. He further reported
on attending the Multi -Service Center Groundbreaking & Commencement Ceremony for
Silver Shadows Apartments on February 1 located near 276' and Pacific Highway and
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February 7, 2023
provided a positive report on the recent Gun Buy -Back event held at City Hall with over 190
weapons exchanged for gift cards. The Mayor thanked Chief Hwang, the Police
Department, and the Finance Department staff who ensured a safe and successful event.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Vivian Alexander thanked the Council for the information presented at the study session;
however, does not support using opioid settlement funds on a feasibility study. She encouraged
the Council to look at the program at the former Clarion Hotel in Auburn.
Anna Patrick addressed concerns regarding students who have been arrested for assault
crimes and being released the same day. She expressed frustration with the lack of
communication to the school district from King County about Restorative Pathways program.
Geoffrey Tancredi spoke in frustration with King County's purchase of the Red Lion Hotel, using
taxpayer money that sits vacant due to safety issues making it uninhabitable.
Ken Blevens expressed frustration that King County continues to purchase properties, when
previous properties have not been converted and sit vacant. He would like to see these former
hotels turned into addiction facilities; he asked the Council to show leadership on this issue.
Jacquelyn Copley expressed frustration with King County who continues to be non -responsive
to questions regarding the Restorative Pathways program, referencing a letter she submitted a
year ago. She shared equal frustration over the county spending $9.6M on a property that is
likely to be condemned due to contamination.
Mayor Ferrell recently contacted the King County Executive and had asked for a briefing
from the County on the status of the Hotel.
Karen Brugato represented the Arts Commission and discussed the 2022 Covid Unmet needs
grant from King County. She believes the Youth 4 Arts Program did not operate in 2022, and
would be ineligible for the grant money; she asked the money be awarded to the Performing
Arts & Event Center Resident Artists.
Lesfie Bradley, with the Federal Way Chorale, shared how the Chorale has been affected by
Covid-19. She advocated that the Covid Unmet Needs Grant be used to help the Federal Way
Chorale.
Cindy Piennett supports the Youth 4 Arts program and proposed the City allocate an additional
$50,000 in funding to help support resident artist groups and $150,000 to the Arts Commission.
Debbie Harvey supports future plans of a senior center and spoke regarding parking and
ongoing code violations concerns in her neighborhood.
Mayor Ferrell asked Director Niven to follow-up on this concern. He would also like to follow-
up with Administrator Davis and Chief Hwang on parking concerns.
Jeremy Winzer shared concerns about admission to the Community Center; he would like to
see more access for the youth and an opportunity to be active. He provided feedback on the
ongoing work he is doing through Progress Pushers in the city; he cautioned changes are not
immediately visible, however they are having an impact.
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February 7, 2023
Parks Director John Hutton noted he is currently working on opportunities for both the
Community Center and Dumas Bay Center.
Betty Taylor presented Police Chief Andy Hwang with a gift to express her gratitude for the
Police Department's help. She also proposed a City sponsored National Night Out event.
Lynne Long talked about the upcoming re -opening of Camp Kilworth in 2024. She also
addressed Steel Lake and the importance of preserving trees.
Dara Mandeville discussed a number of records requests Stand -Up Federal way has submitted
to the Police Department and expressed her gratitude. She also asked at what point can the
city push back on King County for their failed policies and decisions.
5. PRESENTATIONS
a. Proclamation: Black History Month — February 2023
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson and Councilmember Norton read and presented the Black
History Month Proclamation to the Decatur High School and Thomas Jefferson High School
Black Student Unions.
Decatur High School Black Student Union Advisor Shana Ludwig and Thomas Jefferson
High School Black Student Union Advisor Jamarkus Springfield-Worles thanked the Council
for the invitation allowing the students exposure to local government. Students from both
high schools shared events they were hosting showcasing black excellence and celebrating
Black History Month.
6. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Parks/Recreation/Human Services/Public Safety Committee (PRHSPS)
Councilmember Walsh reported the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 14 at
5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Land Use/Transportation Committee (LUTC)
Councilmember Dovey reported on the recent meeting held on February 6 where topics of
interest included signs and park impact fees. He was pleased to highlight the bid for the
demolition of the former Target building was approximately $100,000 under the estimate;
he suggested the Parks Council Committee discuss the possibility of allocating funds to
Community Center scholarships. The next meeting will be held March 6.
Finance, Economic Development Regional Affairs Committee (FEDRAC)
Councilmember Tran reported the last Committee meeting was canceled as it was
anticipated all Committee members would be attending remotely. The next meeting will be
held on March 28.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson reported the next meeting will be held February 8 at 10:00
a.m. With current recruitment, she is hopeful to have a quorum for the next meeting in
March. She noted she will be presenting information on the recent Gun Buy -Back Event to
the King County Regional, Law, Safety and Justice Committee.
Deputy Mayor & Regional Committees Report
Deputy Mayor Honda provided reports from various regional meetings including Board of
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February 7, 2023
Health and the Public Issues Committee (PIC). She was pleased to be appointed to the
NLC Information Technology and Communications Committee; she is looking forward to the
NLC Conference in Washington D.C. She noted concern for the current legislative session
which could affect the community's ability to retain zoning control, and requested an update
at a future meeting. Deputy Mayor thanked staff and Council who participated in the Council
retreat, she was pleased to have a robust downtown discussion.
Council President Report
Council President Kochmar thanked Councilmember Norton' and Zion Healing for the
presentation at the Council Study Session. She provided comments on supporting children
and youth attend the Community Center and the in-house arts groups at the PAEC. She
attended the ground -breaking for Silver Shadow Apartments project and noted there will be
a food bank on -site. She is concerned with recent bills in Olympia and noted the importance
of local control on density in our neighborhoods.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: January 17, 2023 Regular Meeting; January 21, 2023 Council Retreat
Summary
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOCHMAR MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM A;
SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER WALSH. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar yes Councilmember Tran yes
Deputy Mayor Honda yes Councilmember Walsh yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmemberpovey yes
Councilmember Norton yes
8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
a. Assessment Lien for Abatement at 30601 1 It Place SW
Code Compliance Officer Christina Dunlap presented information on recent abatement
of a nuisance property located at 306101 1st Place SW. She noted the property has a
long history of code violations and provided photos of the property prior to the recent
abatement and after. Ms. Dunlap provided a breakdown of costs and is seeking Council
authorization to lien the property for total amount of $5,845.95.
Council thanked Ms. Dunlap for the presentation and asked clarifying questions
regarding the timeline of the cleanup and the status of the property following a recent
house fire.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOCHMAR MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
LIEN IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,845.95; SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON. The
motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar yes Councilmember Tran yes
Deputy Mayor Honda yes Councilmember Walsh yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmemberpovey yes
Councilmember Norton yes
b. Purchase of a New Drum Mulcher Head for SWM
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February 7, 2023
Public Works Director EJ Walsh provided a brief report on the request to purchase a
new drum mulcher head for Surface Water Maintenance. He noted this is a routine
purchase which would normally have gone through Committee and has come directly
to Council based on the Committee meeting being canceled. This piece of equipment is
used to clear vegetation surrounding SWM ponds and will more aggressively remove
evasive vegetation such as blackberry bushes. He provided the funding source for this
purchase and noted it will be purchased off the state contract.
Council thanked Mr. Walsh for his presentation.
COUNCILMEMBER TRAN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A NEW DRUM
MULCHER HEAD USING SURFACE WATER UTILITY — SMALL CIP FUNDS; SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar yes Councilmember Tran yes
Deputy Mayor Honda yes Councilmember Walsh yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Dovey yes
Councilmember Norton yes
c. Purchase of a New Truck and Trailer for the Shopping Cart Program
Pubic Works Director EJ Walsh provided background on this item, noting this is a
housekeeping item which has been previously approved in the budget at the end of
2022. While the purchase was summarized in the budget book, the state requires the
purchase receive explicit Council approval. Both items are available through the state
contract and the total cost includes all fees and additional equipment required.
COUNCILMEMBER TRAN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A NEW TRUCK AND
TRAILER FOR THE SHOPPING CART PROGRAM AS PRESENTED; ' SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER WALSH. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar yes Councilmember Tran yes
Deputy Mayor Honda yes Councilmember Walsh yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmemberpovey yes
Councilmember Norton yes
d. Authorization to Apply for Port of Seattle Grant
Economic Development Director Tanja Carter presented information seeking Council
authorization to apply for Port of Seattle grant, which awards up to $60,000 based on
city population. The grant requires a $30,000 match which can accounted for in staff
and benefits. She noted the awarded funds will be used for a two-part outreach to 500
local businesses to obtain feedback from the business community and launch a pilot
program to address business retention.
COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF THE
PROPOSED APPLICATION FOR THE 2023 PORT OF SEATTLE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM GRANT; SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER TRAN. The motion passed unanimously as
follows:
Council President Kochmar yes Councilmember Tran yes
Deputy Mayor Honda yes Councilmember Walsh yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmemberpovey yes
Councilmember Norton yes
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February 7, 2023
9, ORDINANCES
Second Reading/Enactment
a. Council Bill #840/2022 Various Code Amendments/APPROVED ORDINANCE
#23-949
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO
VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO TITLES 18 (SUBDIVISIONS) AND 19 (ZONING AND
DEVELOPMENT; AMENDING FWRC 18.10.030, 19.05.010, 19.70.060, 19.70.150,
19.75.060, 19.80.140, 19.110.010, 19.115.050, 19.115.090, 19.125.160, 19.130.020,
19.145.410, 19.145.440, 19.195.015, 19.200.020, 19.200.045, 19.200.100, 19.205.010,
19.205.040, 19.205.070, 19.205.080, 19.215.050, 19.215.070, 19.215.150, 19.220.050,
19.220.080, 19.220.100, 19.220.105, 19.225.055, 19.225.070, 19.225.075, 19.230.055,
19.230.060, 19.230.065, 19.240.085, 19.240.095 (Amending Ordinance Nos. 90-40, 90-
41, 90-43, 90-631, 92-133, 93-170, 95-245, 96-270, 96-271, 97-291, 99-333, 99-337,
00-375, 01-381, 01-382, 02-424, 02-426, 03-443, 04-468, 05-506, 06-515, 07-545, 07-
554, 07-559, 07-573, 08-585, 09-593, 09-604, 09-605, 09-594, 09-610, 09-631, 10-
651,10-669, 10-678, 11-681, 11-700, 12-713, 13-754, 14-760, 14-778, 15-797, 15-804,
17-834, 18-850, 18-852, 18-844, 20-898, 21-921 and 22-932.)
City Clerk Stephanie Courtney read the ordinance title into the record.
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE; SECOND
BY COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA DAWSON. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar yes Councilmember Tran yes
Deputy Mayor Honda yes Councilmember Walsh yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Dovey yes
Councilmember Norton yes
b. Council Bill #841/Creation of a Citv Clerk Denartment/APPROVED
ORDINANCE #23-950
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO
THE CREATION OF A CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT; REMOVING FWRC 2.11.030;
AND ADDING NEW SECTION 2.19 TO TITLE 2. (Amending Ordinance Nos. 14-766
and 10-666).
City Clerk Stephanie Courtney read the ordinance title into the record.
Deputy MAYOR HONDA MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE; SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar yes
Deputy Mayor Honda yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes
Councilmember Norton yes
10. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson had no report.
Councilmember Tran yes
Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember Dovey yes
Councilmember Norton thanked staff for their work on the Council retreat; it was both interesting and
engaging.
Councilmember Tran provided no report.
Councilmember Walsh also thanked staff for their work on the retreat. He spoke in opposition to state
legislation (SB5190) which would remove local control regarding housing density. He updated Council
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February 7, 2023
on the efforts of the Federal Way Senior Center Food Bank and provided statistics of how they
continue to serve out community.
Councilmember Dovey spoke in concern with state legislation referencing the House version of the
same issue (HB1110) and the concern over losing zoning control; he urged the community to call your
state legislators. He reported the Marine Hill Parade is in their 60th year and will be held on May 20.
Deputy Mayor Honda provided an update on a city and school district joint meeting. She indicated she
would like to see local school gyms open after school to provide after -school activities in the
neighborhoods. She supported earlier comments made by Ms. Long regarding Camp Kilworth clean-
up efforts noting it would be an excellent opportunity for students to earn service hours for graduation.
She shared support for the PAEC Resident Art groups and encouraged participation in the Soroptimist
Food Drive this month with a drop off location at the South King County Tool Library.
Council President Kochmar thanked Community Development Director Keith Niven for the long Land
Use meeting; she is amazed at the feedback of what developers want. She thanked citizens who
provided a collective signed document noting their concerns. She thanked everyone for their public
testimony and also noted she, along with the Deputy Mayor, are continuing conversations with the
School Board Director.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Attest:
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Ste hahie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: 0A- a1'ago
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February 7, 2023