Loading...
FEDRAC MIN 02-24-2009 A Federal Way MEETING SUMMARY Committee Members in Attendance: Committee Members Duclos and Faison; Committee Chair Park's absence was excused Councilmembers in Attendance: Mayor Dovey and Councilmembers Burbidge and Kochmar. Staff Members in Attendance: City Manager Neal Beets, Assistant City Manager Bryant Enge, Deputy City Attorney Aaron Walls, IT Director Mehdi Sadri, Finance Director Tho Kraus, Economic Development Director Patrick Doherty, Human Resources Director Mary McDougal, Communications, Governmental Affairs Manager Linda Farmer, ICMA Fellow Scott Pingel, and Deputy City Clerk Krystal Roe. 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:31 P.M. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT: H. David KaDlan noted the importance of the City-published newsletter. He urged the Committee to find a way to finance publication of the newsletter at least twice annually; preferably quarterly. Mr. Kaplan also noted the deadline at the end of March 2009 for the Tourism Enhancement Grant applications. MOTION second and carried to add an agenda item, Council Resolution Supporting City Employee Wellness Program, in conjunction with Item D - Matching Grant for Targeted Health Risks (carried 2 - 0). 3. COMMITTEE BUSINESS Topic Title/Description A. Approval of Minutes: January 27,2009 Meeting Motion second and carried to approve the minutes as presented (carried 2-0). B. Legislative Briefing: Doug Levy joined the meeting via a conference call and provided updates on the following key interests to Federal Way: Mr. Levy highly applauded Councilmember Burbidge for her testimony today supporting the Performing Arts Center (PAC). The feedback received in Olympia shows her presence was favorably received and appreciated. HB2252 (Rep Hunter) provides $7 million for Federal Way's PAC between 2012 and 2018. The bill also provides a revenue stream for which the City would be qualifying. Although the hearing on this bill went well, Representative Santos raised process concerns. Senator Eide is expected to bring forward a companion Senate bill soon. Legislation looks favorable for the sea lettuce removal and research; SB 5412 is headed to the Senate floor for action. Forward to Council N/A N/A FEDRAC Meeting Summary February 24, 2009 - Page 2 of 5 Another great bill for Federal Way, SB 5413, addresses the use of look-a-Iike guns. It is also headed for Senate floor action. Transportation funding remains difficult for Federal Way. Funding is still being sought for the S 348th and First A venue South project and the Triangle project. Current legislation in the House and Senate increases density around transit stations to 50 units per acre at the station and a half-mile radius surrounding them. Also, half of the units must be offered as affordable housing. These requirements have been pulled out the House bill but remain in the Senate bill. Mr. Levy noted his pleasure with SB 5901 - the LIFT bill. This legislation will help expedite LIFT funding for Federal Way. The latest numbers show a projected $8.3 billion budget shortfall for Washington state; this makes up 40 to 50% of the discretionary spending budget. Understandably, this will result in a difficult environment for funding projects and programs at the local level. Mr. Levy will continue to monitor key legislation on topics important to Federal Way. C. Approval of Federal Lobbyist Professional Services Agreement: Ms. Farmer distributed and reviewed her staff report to the Committee. Interviews were conducted late last week and reference checks were completed earlier this afternoon. Based on these results, Ms. Farmer strongly recommended Council approve entering into a contract for federal lobbyist services with Strategies 360. Ms. Farmer noted they were the only firm based here in Washington. Furthermore, each of the company's principals have direct ties with our legislators in Washington, D.C.; many are former staffers for Representative Smith and Senators Cantwell and Murray. All references checks came back highly recommending their services. The Committee discussed whether it would be feasible to provide in-house lobbying services at the same or lower costs versus contracting for the service. After discussion, most members concurred there is a benefit in having a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. working in conjunction with City staff. Committee Member Faison noted his potential conflicts of interest and stated he would not vote on a recommendation. Motion second and carried to forward the Federal Lobbyist Professional Services Agreement to the March 3, 2009 City Council Business Agenda without recommendation (carried 2 - 0). D.l Council Resolution Supporting City Employee Wellness Program: Ms. McDougal stated this resolution formalizes the City's support of the Wellness program. Without it the City would be ineligible for the $1,250 matching grant awarded by the A WC. Motion second and carried to approve and forward adoption of the resolution supporting the City Employee Wellness Program as required for the matching grant from the AWC Employee Benefit Trust to target identified health risks of employees (carried 2 - 0). 3.3.2009 Business 3.3.2009 Consent FEDRAC Meeting Summary February 24, 2009 - Page 3 of 5 D.2 Matching Grant for Targeted Health Risks (from the Association of Washington Cities - AWC - Employee Benefit Trust): This agenda was introduced in tandem with the preceding topic. Motion second and carried to approve and forward the staff recommendation to accept a matching grant from A WC Employee Benefit Trust in the amount of $1 ,250 to target identified health risks of employees (carried 2 - 0). E. ORDINANCE: Public Defense Standards and Acceptance of a $20,000 Grant from Washington State Office of Public Defense: Mr. Pingel presented his staff report. He noted the proposed ordinance requires less from the City than do the current contracts with conflict and public defenders. This ordinance provides positive fiscal results only; no negative impacts will result from enacting this ordinance. Motion second and carried to approve and forward the Public Defense Standards Ordinance and accept the $20,000 grant from the Washington State Office of Public Defense (carried 2 - 0). F. On-Site Safe City Systems Maintenance and Support Agreement: Mr. Sadri presented his staff report. Committee member Faison inquired if a separate contract with King County would be required. Mr. Sadri answered, "no". The City already has a contract with the County for similar services. Motion second and carried to approve and forward the staff recommendation to provide onsite maintenance and support for Safe City as identified in the attached agreement (carried 2-0). G. 2009-2010 LTAC Biennial Budget Approval: Mr. Doherty presented his report. He stated the Triathlon officials have requested their event be moved to June instead of September. Staff is working to accommodate this request. If we're unsuccessful in rescheduling, the event will no longer be held in Federal Way. The Committee also discussed developing new tourism niche marketing, such as related to birding, to Federal Way. Motion second and carried to approve and forward the proposed 2009 - 2010 L T A C program and budget (carried 2 - 0) . H. Five- Year Report on the City Center Multi-Family Tax Exemption Motion second and carried to approve and forward a recommendation to continue the program as currently provided for in FWCC 14, Article VII (carried 2 - 0). I. ORDINANCE: Amendments to the Code Regarding the City Center Multi- Family Tax Exemption Provisions Motion second and carried to approve and forward the proposed ordinance amending FWCC to reflect RCW 84.14 amendments related to affordable housing (carried 2 - 0). J. Potential "Regional Center" Designation for EB-5 Visa Foreign Investment in City Center Motion second and carried to approve and forward authorizing the City Manager to apply to US-CIS on behalf of the City of Federal Way for EB-5 IIRegional Center" designation in conjunction with Twin Development, 3.3.2009 Consent 3. 1 7.2009 Intro Ord. 3. 1 7.2009 Consent 3.3.2009 Consent 3.3.2009 Consent 3.3.2009 Intro Ord. 3.3.2009 Consent FEDRAC Meeting Summary February 24, 2009 - Page 4 of 5 expanding that area to encompass the LIFT Revenue Development Area in the Federal Way City Center, and to expend up to $15,000 in legal and other professional services, plus application fees (carried 2 - 0). K. Vouchers Motion second and carried to approve the vouchers as presented (carried 2 - 0). L. 2008 Year-End Financial Report Ms. Kraus distributed a supplement to her regular report. She noted sales tax, real estate excise tax (REET) and utility tax revenues are all significantly lower than projected. Staff will bring the carry-forward requests, an updated long-range projection report, and staff suggestions for resolving the differences to the March meeting. The Committee discussed outstanding permit fees and the large value of permits that have not been picked up. The Committee asked Mr. Enge to report back at the next meeting as to whether or not extensions have been granted to applicants as a courtesy to help facilitate continued construction and development. The Committee inquired about overtime tracking in the Police Department. Ms. Kraus replied that commanders continue to regularly receive reports to help them track and manage overtime; the Police Department has committed to stay within the budget. After reviewing the report the Committee discussed whether all the information it covers is necessary. Following discussion, the Mayor indicated he may call a future Special Council meeting to discuss the desired/necessary contents of the report. Motion second and carried to approve the 2008 Year-End Financial Report as presented (carried 2 - 0). 4. OTHER: None A Broadband Deployment through Local Government - Update: N/ A Mr. Sadri updated the Committee on movement of this issue since the last meeting. In summary, Mr. Sadri noted grant funds may be available to the City through this legislation. The funds could be used to expand WiFi service throughout the City. The current downtown corridor WiFi service is a backbone to the Safe Cities Program and is also used by businesses in the area. A t the March meeting, staff will bring forward information on marketing the existing service so that more people are aware it exists. Mr. Enge and Mr. Sadri will continue to observe the progress of the broadband deployment and will provide further details as they become available. B. Agenda Format: Committee Member Duclos requested the agenda format be modified to better highlight the agenda outline. Ms. Roe committed to make the change for the next meeting. 3.3.2009 Consent 3.3.2009 Consent FEDRAC Meeting Summary February 24, 2009 - Page 5 of 5 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 6. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 5:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m. COMMITTEE APPROVAL: EXCUSED Mike Park Committee Chair a4~~ Dini Duclos Committee Member ryst~Clerk E c Faison Committee Member Attest: