Council MIN 11-18-2008 Special
A Federal Way
MEETING MINUTES
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING I STUDY SESSION
Council Chambers - City Hall
NOVEMBER 18 2008
5:00 p.m.
www.cityoffederalway.com
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Dovey called the meeting to order at 5:11 p.m.
Councilmember's present: Mayor Dovey, Deputy Mayor Faison, Councilmembers Park,
Burbidge and Duclos.
Councilmember Kochmar was excused.
Staff present: City Manager Neal Beets, City Attorney Pat Richardson and City Clerk Carol
McNeilly.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Phil Wamba Mr. Wamba stated Federal Way is the 8th largest city in Washington, and the only
one that does not have a performing arts center. He spoke in favor of moving forward with the
development of a performing arts center.
Sue Middleton Ms. Middleton is a 20-year resident and a member of Jet City Chorus. The
chorus has to go outside of Federal Way to book venues for their performances. She
encouraged the Council to develop a performing arts center.
Mary Gates Ms. Gates spoke on behalf of the Federal Way Symphony. She encouraged the
Council to more forward with the development of a performing arts center.
Linda Maser Ms. Maser spoke regarding homelessness in South King County. She
encouraged the Council to continue their support of human service needs and shelters.
Councilmember Ferrell arrived at 5:19 p.m.
Diana Noble-Gulliford Ms. Noble-Gulliford is the President of the Federal Way Historical
Society. She thanked the Council for funding the Society's work and reviewed the projects that
have been accomplishes~ She requested additional funding for historical projects and stated
the Society would like to see the City approve a preservation ordinance.
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Maureen Hathaway - Ms. Hathaway spoke in support of a performing arts and cultural center
located in the downtown core, The project was initially proposed as part of the Celebration
Park development. She feels it is time to move forward with the plan.
Bob KelloQO - Mr. Kellogg spoke in support of the performing arts center. He recently read an
article that identified Federal Way as one of the top 3 cities in Washington to raise children.
The addition of a performing arts center will enhance the community and create new jobs.
Peooy LaPorte- Ms. LaPorte thanked the Council for funding human services programs.
As a member of the Arts Commission, she would also like to see the Council fund performing
arts programs, including development of a performing arts center, If the Council wants to
move forward with economic development in the downtown area, a performing arts center
would offer meeting rooms as well as a performance area that could accommodate 700
attendees.
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
. Performinq Arts Center
Assistant City Manager Bryant Enge stated a performing arts center was included in the City
Center re-development, which was included in the 1995 Comprehensive Plan. He reviewed
the actions Council has taken to date to implement the project. The proposed project includes
700 seats and a 200 stall parking garage. The estimated cost for the project is $54.7 million,
including land acquisition. Mr. Enge reviewed the project costs, funding strategies, and
proposed budgeting options. The project has received strong support from residents.
The Council and staff discussed funding restrictions associated with the Sate monies received
for this project. The funds will go towards preliminary design of the project, which is required
to be complete in 2009. Additional discussion focused on potential development sites.
Mayor Dovey clarified this project would not be committed in the 2009-2010 budget. However,
if the Council were to provide staff with direction to move forward on this project, there is five
million dollars in the budget that could be used for that. Mr. Beets noted the Performing Arts
Center would be a discussion item for the Council retreat in January 2009.
. Dumas Bav Center, Knutzen Familv Theater
City Attorney, Pat Richardson, stated the Council discussed this item in May and she was
providing a follow up on the regulations associated with the CDBG Grant the City received
from King County for the Dumas Bay Center. If the city were to return the grant funding to King
County, the amount paid is be based on current day value, not the value when the grant was
issued. She noted that King County would set aside the monies paid back for future projects
in Federal Way.
. 2009-2010 Proposed Budqet
COLA:
City Manager, Neal Beets presented information on the Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for
non-representative that other jurisdictions are proposing. The information included the
following cities; Auburn 3.5%, Bellevue 5.58%, Everett 5.58%, Kent 5.6%, Renton 5.5%,
Seattle 4.5%, Shoreline 5.22% as well as other cities.
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Compensation and Class Study:
City Manager, Mr. Beets presented the Council with a funding strategy that would implement
the compensation study findings and increase staff salaries to the 60th percentile.
Rainy Day Fund:
The proposed 2009-2010 budget includes the City Managers recommendation to use one-half
of the rainy-day funds. However, the Council prefers not spending those funds, and increasing
the rainy day fund by 2.1 million dollars. Mr. Beets presented revisions to the proposed budget
that would accomplish the Councils goal of increasing the rainy-day fund.
The Council and staff discussed the revised recommendations. The Council thanked the City
Manager and staff for their hard work and presenting a budget that reflects the Councils
comments and goals.
Mr. Beets stated an Ordinance to adopt the budget will be presented at the December 2,2008
Council meeting.
4. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the Council, Mayor Dovey adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
Approved by Council: 12-2-2008
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