Council MIN 10-02-2007 Regular
MINUTES
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Council Chambers - City Hall
October 2, 2007 -7:00 PM
(www.cityoffederalway.com)
*****
1. MEETING CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Park called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Councilmembers Burbidge, Dovey, Faison,
Kochmar, McColgan and Deputy Mayor Ferrell present.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember McColgan led the flag salute.
MOTION:
Deputy Mayor Ferrell moved to amend the agenda to include Evaluation of a Public Employee under
Executive Session (item c) pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). Councilmember Dovey second. The
motion carried 7-0.
3.
PRESENTATIONS
a. PROCLAMATION: MAYOR'S DAY OF CONCERN FOR THE HUNGRY - Dini Duclos, CEO of
the Multi-Service Center, accepted the proclamation from Mayor Park and thanked the
Council for their support of the food drive. Ms. Duclos encouraged community participation
in this event.
b. PRESENTATION: CERTIFICATES OF ApPOINTMENT TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION -
Councilmember Burbidge introduced the newly appointed Youth Commissioners and
presented each with Certificates of Appointment.
c. CITY MANAGER EMERGING ISSUES - Mr. Beets introduced new employee Janet Schull.
Ms. Schull has been a long-time contract planner for the City; however, she has recently
accepted regular-status employment as a Senior Planner in the Community Development
Department.
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS - Mr. Beets announced that this program is seeking mentors for
this program through the Chamber. Pamphlets are available for anyone who is interested in
mentoring youth.
4. CITIZEN COMMENT
JANE MURRAY BALOGH: Deputy City Clerk Roe read her letter into the record which expressed
concerns regarding land development, a lack of alternative power sources, and loss of natural
vegetation.
JUANNE LOCKETT: Expressed her frustration that the Parks Department has not installed a wooden
privacy fence as a buffer between her property and Cedar Grove Park - something she noticed that her
neighbors now have. Ms. Lockett stated she has not received the level of customer service from the
Parks Department she expected and wanted an explanation as to why she has not received the same
type of fence her neighbor received.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2007 Page 2 of 5
STACI LOCKETT: Spoke in support of her mother's position on the fence issue and detailed safety
concerns regarding the new park and the lack of privacy fencing.
KATHY FRANKLIN: Thanked the Council for its support of the arts and invited the community to
upcoming theater events and concerts.
NANCY COMBS: Spoke in opposition to housing developments in residential areas of the City and
subsequent increased traffic levels on 21 sl Ave SW. She also spoke in opposition to the downtown
redevelopment project.
NATALIE WEYLANND: Spoke in support of restrictions on panhandling after witnessing such
activities at the Federal Way Festival Days event. She also voiced support for a youth curfew.
Mayor Park asked Parks Director Donna Hanson to address the concerns of Juanne and Staci Lockett.
Ms. Hanson explained that the City has offered to install a chain link fence as a buffer between Ms.
Lockett's property and Cedar Grove Park. Ms. Hanson explained that the cost of installation and
maintenance were the main factors in choosing this option over a wooden fence.
Furthermore, Ms. Hanson remarked that wooden fences are targets for graffiti tagging and noted that
the wooden fence installed at the house of Ms. Lockett's neighbor has already been tagged. Last, Ms.
Hanson explained that the difference between the Lockett residence and the neighbor's property was
the boundary between the houses and the park. While Ms. Lockett has a distance buffer, the
neighbor's front door was within five feet of the park; therefore, it required a greater means of privacy
and protection.
The Council discussed fencing alternatives and the pros and cons of those discussed and ultimately
suggested that the issue be brought forward to the next Parks, Recreation, Human Services and Public
Safety Committee meeting on October 9,2007. Deputy Mayor Ferrell encouraged the Locketts to
attend the meeting and noted that the meeting will likely begin at 6:00 rather than 5: 15 p.m.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: Approval of the September 18, 2007 Regular and Special Meeting Minutes -
APPROVED
b. Enactment Ordinance: Amending the Utility Tax Code - APPROVED - ORDINANCE
NO. 07-562
c. Pacific Highway South HOV Lanes Phase N Project; 30% Design Status - APPROVED
MOTION:
Deputy Mayor Ferrell moved to approve items a through c. Councilmember McColgan second. The
motion carried 7-0.
6.
INTRODUCTION ORDINANCES
a. ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE - Deputy City Clerk
Roe read the ordinance title into the record.
Building Official Lee Bailey spoke to the issue and highlighted the sprinkler code changes for
the Council. Council discussed the costs associated with the changes. Mr. Bailey clarified
that the changes will only affect commercial properties, not residential.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2007 Page 3 of 5
MOTION:
MOTION:
MOTION:
Councilmember Dovey moved to forward the ordinance to a second reading on October 16, 2007.
Deputy Mayor Ferrell second. The motion carried 7-0.
b. ORDINANCE TO ADD A NEW SECTION - CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE ill TO THE FEDERAL WAY
CITY CODE AUTHORIZING ENFORCEMENT OF CODE PROVISIONS THROUGH CIVIL
INFRACTIONS - Deputy City Clerk Roe read the ordinance title into the record.
Councilmember Dovey moved to forward the ordinance to a second reading on October 16, 2007.
Councilmember Kochmar second. The motion carried 7-0.
7.
COUNCIL BUSINESS
a. ROADS AND TRANSIT RTID/ST2 BALLOT QUESTION
Mr. Beets stated the question before Council was whether or not to place a public hearing on
the October 16, 2007 Council meeting agenda to allow public input on the issue.
Council requested that Sound Transit be invited to attend the public hearing and that staff
prepare a presentation on the issue.
Councilmember Faison moved to place a public hearing regarding Roads and Transit RTID/Sound
Transit II Ballot measure on the October 16, 2007 City Council meeting agenda. Councilmember
Burbidge second. The motion carried 7-0.
8.
COUNCIL REPORTS
COUNCILMEMBER KOCHMAR recognized the recent graduates of the Advancing Leadership
Academy; the audience applauded the graduates in attendance. Councilmember Kochmar announced
her attendance at the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board meeting, congratulated Federal
Way Police Officers forraising $2,700 at the Tip-A-Cop event at Red Robin, voiced her support for
the Mayor's Day of Concern for the Hungry and announced a recent court decision regarding Camp
Kilworth.
COUNCILMEMBER BURBIDGE announced a likely time change to 6:00 p.m. for the October 9,2007
Parks, Recreation, Human Services and Public Safety Committee. She gave support to the Mayor's
Day of Concern for the Hungry, thanked the Arts Commission for the Arts Harvest celebration held
earlier in the evening, announced a volunteer opportunity for Habitat for Humanity in the Westway
neighborhood and encouraged attendance at the upcoming Federal Way Symphony and Centerstage
Theater productions.
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY stated that 40 additional mentors are needed for students in the sixth,
seventh and eighth grades (soon to be inclusive of the elementary students) through the Chamber of
Commerce. Volunteers need only dedicate 1.5 hours per week. Councilmember Dovey has been
mentoring students over the past year and has found it to be highly rewarding. It's a great opportunity
to work with at-risk youth kids who just need someone to listen.
Mr. Beets announced a mentoring training opportunity on October 10 at 6:00 p.m. Citizens interested
in learning more about this opportunity were encouraged to contact Tracy Oster with the Communities
in Schools Program at 253-838-2605.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2007 Page 4 of 5
Councilmember Dovey continued his report and announced that Google will be opening a large
complex in the Kirkland/Redmond area; Enterprise Seattle was instrumental in getting Google to
locate in the Northwest.
COUNCILMEMBER FAISON addressed the concerns raised during public comment. He stated that he
hoped the Advancing Leadership graduates and the Youth Commissioners present at the meeting
would understand the role and responsibilities of the City. He further remarked that it is important to
understand the difference between citizens who do not like the answers they are given on a specific
topic versus a perceived lack ofleadership.
Specifically, Councilmember Faison stated the Growth Management Act, has assigned Federal Way a
housing target increase of 6,000 within then next 20 years. To date, the City has only achieved 700 of
that target. The City does not have the option to halt development.
On October 3, Councilmember Faison will attend a King County Growth Management Planning
Council meeting at 4:00 at the Puget Sound Regional Council headquarters in Seattle; he encouraged
citizens to attend the meeting to better understand the issue. Topics may include punitive action
against cities who do not meet their housing targets.
He also announced his involvement with affordable housing issues and progress made by Prosperity
Partnership including two legislative issues (will be brought to the legislature this year) and one
educational issue.
COUNCILMEMBER MCCOLGAN attened the Executive Board of the Suburban Cities meeting last
week regarding regional issues and representation. Councilmember McColgan remarked on the
importance of Federal Way's representation regionally and that its Councilmembers are more active
than many other cities. Currently, Federal Way Councilmembers serve on at least 10 committees
outside the City of Federal Way; many larger cities are not involved at all on regional committees and
boards.
DEPUTY MAYOR FERRELL: No report given.
MAYOR PARK reiterated Councilmember Faison's comments and remarked that originally, Federal
Way was assigned a housing target of approximately 14,000. It was through the hard work of staff
and City Officials that the number was ultimately reduced to 6,000.
Mayor Park commented on the success of the Han-Woo Ri Festival and recognized Patrick Doherty
for his efforts in helping to produce the event.
On September 26, 2007 Mayor Park attended the opening of the newest branch of Geriatric Dental
Group. Geriatric Dental Group fees run approximately 20-40 percent lower than other dental care
offices in the community.
Last, Mayor Park announced that the regularly-scheduled Chamber of Commerce/City of Federal Way
Economic Development Committee meeting has been rescheduled to October 11 at 7:30.
9. CITY MANAGER REPORT
Mr. Beets congratulated Councilmember Burbidge on her appointment to the Ecosystem Coordination
Board for the Puget Sound Partnership - a highly sought after position.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2007 Page 5 of 5
Mr. Beets also announced the three executive session topics were expected to last approximately 60
minutes.
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council recessed to Executive Session at 8:12 PM to consider:
a. Sale or Lease of Property pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(c)
b. Potential Litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)
c. Evaluation of Public Employee pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) (added item)
At 9:07 p.m. Deputy City Attorney Aaron Walls announced that the Executive Session would be
extended for 30 additional minutes, at minimum.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Park adjourned the meeting at 10:00 PM.