FHSRAC MINS 01-23-2007
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City of Federal Way
City Council
Finance/Human Services/Regional Affairs Committee
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
5:00 p.m. ***SPECIAL TIME***
City Hall
Hylebos Conference Room
MINUTES
Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Linda Kochmar and Member Jeanne Burbidge; Jack Dovey,
excused.
Staff Members in Attendance: City Manager Neal Beets, Assistant City Manager Derek Matheson, Management
Services Director Iwen Wang, Finance Manager Tho Kraus, City Attorney Pat Richardson, Deputy City Attorney
Aaron Walls, CDBG Coordinator Kelli O'Donnell; and Deputy City Clerk Krystal Kelsey.
Others in Attendance: Doug Levy, Lobbyist, via conference call.
1. CALL TO ORDER - Chair Kochmar called the meeting to order at 5:10 PM.
MOTION: Motion to move item "B - Congressional and Legislative Update" to follow item "C - Vouchers" to
allow Legislative Lobbyist Levy an opportunity to join the meeting via a conference call. The motion
was seconded and carried unanimously.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
3. COMMITTEE BUSINESS:
a. Approval of Minutes - The Committee m/s/c to approve the minutes of the November 28, 2006
meeting as presented.
c. Vouchers - Ms. Kraus presented the vouchers. There were no questions.
The Committee m/s/c to approve the vouchers as presented and forward approval to the February 6,
2006 City Council Consent Agenda.
b. Congressional and Legislative Update - Mr. Doug Levy gave the update via conference call and
noted several Senate and House bills important to the City including:
SB 5089/HB 1072 - Streamlined Sales Tax: This bill Conforms Washington's tax structure to the
streamlined sales and use tax agreement. Mr. Levy noted that the Senate moved this bill out of
Committee; the House Finance Committee hearing was held earlier today and the topic was well received.
SB 5116/HB 1276 - Tourism Related: This bill creates a public-private tourism partnership. The
Senate hearing was held earlier today. This bill creates new revenue for tourism and sets up local
competitive state funds for events that can prove new tourism draws.
The Committee inquired if this bill would reverse the Attorney General's opinion regarding expenditure of
Lodging Tax funds for event grants. Mr. Levy answered that this bill does not address that topic, instead
focusing on competitive grants for tourism generating events/festivals.
SB 5647/HB 1342 - Tourism Grant Expenditures: This bill allows the use of existing lodging tax
revenues for tourism promotion, including events and festivals.
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5B 5038/HB 1001 - Combating Auto Theft: This bill stiffens penalties for auto theft. The bill is
moving well, although there are some problems. The bill originally used insurance fee-based funding;
insurance companies are unhappy with this fee funding proposal.
Transportation: The Legislature is currently in a fact-finding mode to determine how to keep projects
in tact. It appears at this point that there are no plans to change the Triangle Project.
SB 5282/HB 1396 - RTID & Sound Transit: This bill provides a single ballot proposition for regional
transportation investment districts and regional transit authorities at the 2007 general election. Hearings
are scheduled for the week of January 29.
SB 5207 - Freight Transportation: The purpose of this bill is to create and fund the freight
congestion relief account for the purpose of improving freight rail systems and state highways used as
freight corridors through imposing a fee on the processing of shipping containers. This bill could benefit
the Triangle Project. A hearing will be held on January 24 at 1:30 p.m.
Budget: Representative Miloscia signed off on the City's capital budget request; Senator Eide sent a
letter to her Committee requesting $1.1 million for the City's Camp Kilworth budget request. In addition,
Senator Eide fielded questions about Camp Kilworth from other groups, including the Environmental
Committee.
Infrastructurel Economic DeveloDment:
HB 1361: This bill dedicates existing revenue to infrastructure funding. The House Committee on
Local Government is scheduled for January 25 at 8:00 AM.
SB 5115/HB 1277: These bills expand competitive local infrastructure financing tools projects.
The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Trade & Management hearing is scheduled for
January 24 at 3:30 PM. There is no hearing scheduled for the House.
The Committee inquired if legislation has been brought forward criminalizing domestic violence in the
presence of children and domestic violence using strangulation (similar to Federal Way Ordinance 06-
526). Mr. Levy answered that Senator Eide has made arrangements with Senator Hargrove to sponsor
the legislation and that Senator Hargrove would appreciate the City's input before the week - when the
bill will be introduced. Chair Kochmar and Committee Member Burbidge discussed the possibility of
attending the hearings.
In regards to Federal Legislation, Mr. Matheson remarked that applications will be received in February to
compete for earmark funding. He also announced the National League of Cities Conference for March 10
to 14; an assembly of staff and Council will attend to meet with Washington State's Senators and
Congress Representatives.
4. OTHER:
Chair Kochmar invited Elizabeth Hughes, a citizen with concerns for Federal Way's homeless to address the
Committee. Ms. Hughes shared she is readily in contact with homeless citizens and feels their basic needs are
not being met. She indicated that the homeless are in desperate need of shelter - both long term and short
term - and places to shower, clothing banks to lend from for interviews and jobs, etc. Ms. Hughes suggested
blanket "drives" prior to winter months and a centralized database for citizens to volunteer services, groups to
request services and supplies, and a forum to brainstorm ideas specific to Federal Way. The Committee
encouraged Ms. Hughes to apply for appointment to the Human Services Committee.
Kelli O'Donnell reported that the Multi-Service Center and the City are working together to improve these
problem, including the homeless count scheduled for January 26, 2007. The Committee discussed the need
for emergency shelter locations within the City during severe weather and a campaign to share resource
information with homeless citizens.
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5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
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1. Chair Kochmar requested that Ms. O'Donnell return to the next regular meeting to provide
information on possible temporary/emergency shelters for the homeless population of Federal Way.
2. Chair Kochmar requested that Ms. Wang meet with Bob Hitchcock to discuss coordinating
organization of the Federal Way Festival Days and report back to the Committee when she's made
progress.
6. ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Kochmar adjourned the meeting at 6:38 PM
COMMITTEE ApPROVAL:
ATTEST:
FHSRAC February 27, 2007
Agenda Item A Page 3 of 3