Council MIN 01-11-2008 Special - 30th District State Legislators
Federal Way City Council / 30th District State Legislators
2008 Legislative Issues Meeting
January 11,2008 -7:30 a.m.
Federal Way Community Center, Senior Lounge
MINUTES
I. We1come & Introductions
Mayor Dovey called the meeting to order at 7:40 AM. Councilmembers Burbidge, Duclos,
Ferrell, Kochmar, Park and Deputy Mayor Faison present. Also present were Senator Tracey
Eide, Representative Skip Priest, Representative Mark Miloscia, and Lobbyist Doug Levy.
Staff present: City Manager Neal Beets, Assistant City Manager Iwen Wang, Assistant City
Manager Cary Roe, Government Affairs Liaison Linda Farmer, City Attorney Pat
Richardson.
II. Overview of the 2007 Legislative Agenda was discussed including how the plan was
developed and revised from prior years. - Presented by Communications and
Government Affairs Manager Linda Farmer
III. The Council discussed their top 2008 legislative priorities with their legislators;
presentations were made on the following items:
. Performing Arts Center/Conference Center
Councilmembers Jeanne Burbidge and Linda Kachmar
In 2008, Federal Way will be looking for assistance in obtaining either a Public Facilities
District (PFD) financing tool in the 2008 Session, or other financing mechanisms to help
assist with the costs of a new Performing Arts Center/Conference Center facility.
Councilmembers Burbidge and Kochmar pointed out that the City commissioned a feasibility
study in September 2007 and the final report published this month shows strong support for a
facility in Federal Way.
. Infrastructure
Councilmember Mike Park and Mayor Jack Dovey
In 2008, Federal Way willjoin in an active effort by other cities and jurisdictions lookingfor
new funding and other improvements in the state's programs for assisting with local
infrastructure. Mayor Dovey stated this is also an Association of Washington Cities priority
and he asked for assistance from the legislature in allocating funds differently in 2008 or
potentially not setting future mandates for local government with takes away from other
priorities.
City of Federal Way City Council- 2008 Legislative Issues Meeting
January 11, 2008 - Page 2 of 2
. Beach Management District
Councilmembers Jim Ferrell and Jeanne Burbidge
In 2008, Federal Way will actively pursue the establishment of a Beach Management District
which will enable other funding provisions and tools needed to help with the clean-up of sea
lettuce at Dumas Bay and other bay area around Puget Sound. The City is also committed to
working with the new Puget Sound Partnership agency to look at the underlying, long-term
causes related to the sea lettuce problem.
. Affordable Housing
Deputy Mayor Eric Faison and Councilmember Dini Duclos
In 2008, Federal Way will support new funding tools, creative local government approaches,
and market-driven tax incentives to enhance the supply of affordable housing. The City is
prepared to support items such as increased funding for the Housing Trust Fund, rental
assistance vouchers to aid homelessness prevention efforts, a state sales tax exemption for
low-income housing construction, and state tax credits for employer-assisted housing.
. Transportation
Mayor Jack Dovey and Councilmember Jeanne Burbidge
In 2008, Federal Way will again urge state legislators to continue to look for ways to
address critical congestion levels and improve the safety and function of state's important
transportation corridors including 1-5/SR-18/SR 161 and I-5/SR-509. The City also
expressed concern that financing the rebuilding of the SR-520 floating bridge not undermine
other investment packages in Federal Way and the region, and further urged the state to
maintain their funding commitments for transit programs, commute trip reduction and other
state-funded accounts.
IV. Legislator Updates - 30th District members outlined their key 2008 initiatives.
V. Adjourn - Mayor Dovey adjourned the meeting at 9:00 AM.
Attest: