03-07-2023 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.
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Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 2 of 2
March 7, 2023