Council MIN 11-05-2008 Special
~~ Federal Way
MEETING MINUTES
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION I SPECIAL MEETING
Council Chambers - City Hall
NOVEMBER 5, 2008
5:00 PM
www.cityoffederalway.com
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Dovey called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Dovey, Deputy Mayor Faison, Councilmembers
Ferrell, Kochmar, Park, Burbidge and Duclos.
Staff present: City Manager Neal Beets, City Attorney Pat Richardson, City Clerk
Carol McNeilly.
Mayor Dovey stated prior to the departmental budgets, staff would present the
Citizen Survey results as well as the Class and Compensation study.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Joann Piauette -Ms. Piquette encouraged the Council to include development of the
Performing Arts Center in the proposed biennial budget. She noted the project was a
priority in the 2006 budget.
Phil Wamba - Mr. Wamba also encouraged the Council to move forward with the
development of the Performing Arts Center.
CITIZEN SURVEY
City Manager Neal Beets stated that National Citizen Advisory conducted the citizen
survey and calculated the results of 934 statistically valid responses. An additional
129 responses were received via the web-site survey. However, they are not
statistically valid and were tabulated separately.
The survey focused on the following areas:
· Community Quality -quality of life and neighborhoods
· Community Design - transportation, housing, land use and zoning,
economic. sustainability
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· Environmental Sustainability - cleanliness, air quality, preservation of
natural areas
· Recreation & Wellness - parks & recreation, culture, arts and education,
health and wellness
· Community Inclusiveness - sense of community, racial and cultural
acceptance, senior youth and low-income services
· Public Trust - cooperation in community, value of services, direction of
community, citizen involvement, employees
· Civic Engagement - civic activity, social engagement, public trust.
Mr. Beets presented the results based on citizen input, as well as where the City
ranked in comparison to 100 benchmark cities.
Overall most residents consider Federal Way a good place to live, the overall quality
of life was rated "excellent." Areas receiving high-ratings included; access to health
services, quality of business and services, air quality, variety of housing options and
acceptance of diverse backgrounds.
Areas where residents feel the City needs improvements included police services,
employment opportunities, preservation of natural areas, public transit services,
traffic flow on major streets and availability of affordable housing.
The Council discussed the survey as well as the many factors that influence results.
CLASSIFICATION & COMPENSATION STUDY
Human Resource Director, Mary McDougal stated Fox Lawson & Associates, LLC
conducted a Classification & Compensation study earlier this year. She noted the
last time this study was conducted was in 1991. Ms. McDougal reviewed the
methodology used and the 21 comparison agencies included in the survey. The
survey findings revealed actual salaries are 3.5% below the 50th percentile (median)
salaries. Staff is recommending Council adopt a phase-in plan to bring salaries up to
market comparables. The Council discussed the study and requested staff provide
additional information for their consideration.
Council recessed at 6:25 p.m. and reconvened at 6:33 p.m.
Councilmember Kochmar was excused from the remainder of the meeting.
3. 2009-2010 PROPOSED BUDGET
Department Presentations:
a. City Manaqer
City Manager Neal Beets reviewed the departmental organizational chart and
2007 -2008 key accomplishments. The 2009-2010 recommended budget
includes funding for HCC Small Business Development Center and
additional staffing. Key projects for 2009-2010 include:
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. Downtown LIFT & Symphony
. FWCC Marketing Plan
. Implement new Festival Model
. Improvements to City Newsletter
b. Finance
Finance Director Tho Kraus reviewed the departmental organizational chart
and 2007-08 key accomplishments including; Unqualified Audit Opinion -14
consecutive years, GFOA CAFR Award- 17'h consecutive submittal and
GFOA Budget Presentation Award - 12th consecutive submittal. The 2009-
2010 proposed budget includes funding for increased staffing.
Key projects for 2009-2010 include:
. Monitor internal controls
. Meeting GASB 34 Requirements
c. Human Resources
Mary McDougal, Director of Human Resources, reviewed the Human
Services and City Clerk's Office departmental organizational chart and key
accomplishments for 2007-2008. Key projects for 2009-2010 include:
. Negotiate Labor Grants
. Implement Class & Compensation Study
. Implement timekeeping and employee self-service systems
d. Information Technoloqy
Medhi Sadri, Information Technology Director, reviewed the departmental
organizational chart and key accomplishments for 2007 -08.
Accomplishments include implementation of on-line permitting, credit card
payments, safe-city camera implementation and red-light photo traffic
violations. Projects for 2009-10 include:
. Electronic records for Municipal Court
. Timekeeping and employee self-service systems
Mr. Beets reported staff provided information to address questions Council asked at
the October 29 & 30, 2008 special meetings. The Council discussed funding
strategies for the proposed biennial budget.
The Council consensus was to start the November 18 special meeting at 5:00
p.m. to continue budget discussions.
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4. ADJOURNMENT
With no further information before the Council, Mayor Dovey adjourned the
meeting at 8:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
Approved by City Council: 11-18-2008
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