04-04-2023 Council Minutes - RegularCITY OF
o'er Federal Way_r
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
City Hall — Council Chambers
April 4, 2023 — 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, Deputy Mayor
Susan Honda, Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Hoang Tran,
Councilmember Jack Walsh, and Councilmember Jack Dovey.
Councilmember Erica Norton attended remotely.
City staff in attendance: 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
Report on National League of Cities (NLC) Conference
Mayor Ferrell and Councilmembers shared experiences from the recent National League of
Cities Conference in Washington DC. They reported on meetings with Washington's two
Senators and other representatives to lobby for federal funding for city projects. The
conference had over 3,500 participants from all over the country and included sessions on
topics such as drug policy, electronic vehicle charging, and other good governance matters.
Update on Sister City Trip to Donghae, Korea and Hachinohe, Japan
The Mayor provided information on the upcoming Sister City trip to South Korea and Japan in
late April. He noted this is the first trip to visit these sister cities in twenty years, and provided
a list of individuals attending in the delegation which includes elected officials, city staff, and
leaders from the business community.
Update on State Legislative Session
Mayor Ferrell reported on state legislative issues the city is watching closing include the police
pursuits bill, Blake decision fix, and long-term transportation funding. He is concerned with a
proposal to push funding an additional ten years for the triangle project which would alleviate
congestion in the downtown corridor noting the triangle project originally dates back to 2009.
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7th Annual Korean School Fundraiser Night & Community Events
He reported on his attendance at the Annual Korean School fundraiser night on Saturday,
April 1. He was pleased to see such a wonderful turnout for this 7th annual community event.
Mayor Ferrell also announced a new location for the annual Touch -A -Truck event due to
planned construction at the TC-3 (former Target property). The event will be held on Saturday,
May 20th at Wild Waves; he is hopeful this will be a permeant move for the family -friendly
event for years to come.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Barbara Comley spoke about a parking violation she received for parking on gravel in her vacant
piece of property
Susan Strong shared what Federal Way was like when she moved here in 1975. She is
disappointed with the current condition of the city and spoke about feeling unsafe in the Day Center
area.
Geoffrey Tancredi shared his disappointment with King County in regards to how they address
homelessness and addiction noting the need to help the individuals with drug and mental health
issues.
Lana Bostic expressed her gratitude for the gun buy back event. Lastly, she shared about a Senior
Health and Resource Fair scheduled for Thursday, May 11th at the Performing Arts and Event
Center.
Michael Mitchell, 25-year resident, shared frustration at receiving a parking violation for parking in
the easement on his property.
Alex Milsten agreed with the statement by Mr. Tancredi made concerning terrorism and fentanyl.
He believes the best way to prevent drug addiction is to improve living conditions and reduce stress
as well as through rehabilitation services.
Betty Taylor- expressed a desire to promote National Night Out in a similar way that the City
promotes the Red, White and Blues festival. She would like to see mailers and advertisements sent
to every household in Federal Way.
5. PRESENTATIONS
a. Proclamation: Food Waste Prevention Week — April 10-16, 2023
Councilmember Walsh read and presented the proclamation to Food Bank Director for MSC
Steven Curry and Senior Center Food Bank Director Kae Lee. The recipients thanked the
Mayor and Council and provided information on food bank services and needs in the city.
6. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Parks/Recreation/Human Services/Public Safety Committee (PRHSPS)
Councilmember Walsh announced Parks Appreciation day will be held on Saturday, April 22 at the
Blueberry Farm and Town Square Park from 9:00 a.m. to noon and encouraged volunteers to help
beautify the city. The next committee meeting will be April 11 at 5:00 p.m.
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Land Use/Transportation Committee (LUTC)
Councilmember Dovey reported next meeting will be May 1 at 5:00 p.m. He provided information
on the most recent committee meeting and announced a new independent grocery store opening
at the end of South 312th Street and State Route 509 on Thursday, April 20.
Finance, Economic Development Regional Affairs Committee (FEDRAC)
Councilmember Tran reported on the March committee meeting which forwarded four items for
Council consideration. He recognized the Finance Department staff for their outstanding work and
looks forward to the implementation of the new OpenGov software which will increase access and
promote transparency -to the public on the city finances. The next committee meeting is April 25 at
5:00 p.m.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson reported the next committee meeting will be Wednesday, April 12;
there was not a meeting in March.
Deputy Mayor & Regional Committees Report
Deputy Mayor Honda reported on her attendance at various regional meetings including the Sound
Cities Association (SCA) Public Issues Committee (PIC) meeting. She encouraged attendance at
the first Senior Health Fair created by the Senior Advisory Commission: to be held at the Performing
Arts and Event Center on May 11 at 10:00 a.m. She thanked everyone who applied and interviewed
for the volunteer Commission appointments. She noted she is looking forward to the AWC 2023
Legislative Session recap on May 18.
Council President Report
Council President Kochmar noted her and Deputy Mayor Honda continue to meet with the School
Board leadership with the next meeting scheduled for April 12. She encouraged youth to seek
summer jobs with the city employment opportunities and noted her support of the Make Music
Federal Way fundraiser on April 22. She shared a personal reflection on experiences she had and
places she visited while on the east coast; she is thankful to live in the pacific northwest.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: March 21, 2023 Regular and Special Meeting Minutes
b. Monthly Financial Report — February 2023
c. AP Vouchers 02/16/2023 — 03/15/23 & Payroll Vouchers 02/01 /2023 — 02/28/2023 Asphalt
Overlay Project Bid Award
d. Saghalie Track Replacement Retainage Release
e. Spectra Venue Management 2022 Incentive Fee
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOCHMAR MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A
THROUGH E; 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 Councilmemberpovey yes
Councilmember Norton yes
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8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
a. King County Grant Acceptance for Recognition of Veterans
Policy Advisor Bill Vadino reported the city received notice of a $5,000 grant opportunity from
King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. These grant funds would be allocated to
the city Veterans Committee for projects to honor service members; funds need to be spent
by December 2023.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOCHMAR MOVED TO APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF A $5,000 GRANT
FROM KING COUNTY ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY VETERANS COMMITTEE
IN SUPPORT OF PROJECTS THAT WILL HONOR SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS IN THE
COMMUNITY; 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
b. Parks and Recreation Commission Appointments
COUNCILMEMBER WALSH MOVED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS TO THE
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: MONTGOMERY STEWART AND GERALD
KNUTZEN TO VOTING POSITIONS WITH TERMS TO EXPIRE APRIL 30, 2025; AND MICHAEL
CAMPSMITH, KAREN BRUGATO, RAYNA ROSS, AND GEORGE VADINO TO VOTING
POSITIONS WITH TERMS TO EXPIRE APRIL 30, 2026; SECOND BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
KOCHMAR. 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. Youth Commission Appointments
COUNCILMEMBER WALSH MOVED APPOINT AISSATA BANGOURA TO THE YOUTH
COMMISSION VOTING POSITION WITH A TERM TO EXPIRE AUGUST 31, 2025: 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
d. Planning Commission Appointment
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY MOVES THE APPOINTMENT OF SANYU TASHUBE TO THE
PLANNING COMMISSION AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2024; 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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9. ORDINANCES
Second Reading/Enactment:
a. Council Bill #845/2022 Comprehensive Plan Amendments- Rivera Property Site
Specific Request and Public Works Text Amendments Non -Motorized
Transportation/APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 23-954
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON AMENDING THE
FEDERAL WAY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP, AND ZONING
MAP, CHANGING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION AND ZONING OF 1.26
ACRES LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF 1ST AVENUE SOUTH AND SOUTH
328TH STREET, PARCEL NUMBER 052104-9204, FROM PROFESSIONAL OFFICE (PO)
TO COMMUNITY BUSINESS (BC); AND AMENDING THE TEXT OF COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN CHAPTER 3, TRANSPORTATION, TO INCLUDE VARIOUS CITY-WIDE NON -
MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. (AMENDING ORDINANCE
NOS. 90-43, 95-248, 96-270, 98- 330, 00-372,01-405, 03-442, 04-460, 04-461, 04-462, 05-
490, 05-491, 05-492, 07- 558, 09-614, 10-671, 11-683, 13-736, 13-745, 15-796, 15-798, 18-
843, 19-866, 21-907, AND 22-938)
City Clerk Stephanie Courtney read the ordinance title into the record.
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE; 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
b. Council Bill #8461Community Business [BC] Code Amendments for School Uses/
APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 23-955
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON RELATING TO
HEIGHT OF MINOR AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURES FOR SCHOOL USES IN THE
COMMUNITY BUSINESS (BC) ZONING DISTRICT; AMENDING FWRC 19.220.040
(AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 90-43, 93-170, 96-270, 97-291, 01-385, 01-399, 03-443,
07-559, 08-585, 09-604, 09-605, 11-700, AND 12-735.)
City Clerk Stephanie Courtney read the ordinance title.
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE; SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON.
-Councilmember Dovey thanked the staff and school district for working together on this project for the
city to enjoy for years to come.
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
10. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson shared experiences she had after the NLC conference in the
Washington DC area; she enjoyed all the history and museums the area has to offer. She would
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love to see a museum in Federal Way to engage adults.
Councilmember Norton and Councilmember Tran had no reports.
Councilmember Walsh shared his insight and appreciation for the country and the past. He was moved
by the memorials and museums in Washington D.C. dedicated to those who fought for our country
and believes these places and monuments are worth seeing and made him appreciate his heritage.
He also shared the loss of a friend and fellow volunteer at the Senior Center Food Bank, and
congratulated Federal Way resident and high school student lam Tongi on his continued success on
American Idol.
Councilmember Dovey reported on an idea he received from a chance encounter in Washington DC
where a church purchased 100 affordable homes for people to stay in and how they made the project
successful. He invited the community to the Annual Marine Hills Parade that will take place on
Saturday and includes some of Federal Way's elected officials; he is also looking forward to attending
the Touch -A -Truck event with his two grandsons. He provided information on financial training
partnership opportunities offered to the city.
Deputy Mayor Honda reported the annual Kiwanis Salmon Bake will be held on July 28 at Steel Lake
Park; dinner tickets are $30 for a restaurant style meal. She attended the Korean School Fundraiser
event and was pleased with the many entertaining performances from the students. She shared her
personal experience of connecting with a fellow Councilmember from Iowa while in Washington DC;
she enjoyed discussing their commonalities and noted their success in receiving federal funding.
Council President Kochmar thanked Councilmember Walsh for sharing his moving thoughts on the
war memorials and shared stories of her family's prior military service. She thanked King County
Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer for the grant money to honor veterans and thanked
Congressman Adam Smith for the conversations on federal funding.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Attest:
*"P� &Iit�
5 hanie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: N-1 -2,013
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