Council MIN 01-22-2011 Retreat`
CITY OF �
Federal Way
2Q11 City Council Retreat
Minutes
Saturday, January 22, 2011
8:00 AM
Dumas Bay Centre
3200 Southwest Dash Point Road
1. Call to Order
Mayor Priest called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Skip Priest, Deputy Mayor Dini Duclos, Councilmember Jim
Ferrell, Councilmember Linda Kochmar, Councilmember Jeanne Burbidge, and
Councilmember Roger Freeman.
Councilmember Park arrived at 8:16 a.m.
Mayor Priest excused Councilmember Jack Dovey.
City Staff present: Assistant City Attorney Amy-Jo Pearsall and City Clerk Carol McNeilly.
2. Sustainable Budqet:
Finance Director Tho Kraus reviewed the steps the city is taking towards a sustainable
budget. Those steps include: management changes, medical cost containment, line item
budget review, priorities of government budgeting approach, Department Goals — Frugal
Innovations and seeking grant funding. She stated there will be two budget adjustments
scheduled for this year. Those are the 2010 carry—forward and the mid-biennium budget
adjustment. Ms. Kraus reported that sales tax and real estate excise tax totals both came in
over 2010 projections. (REET 500k over budget, Sales Tax 130k over budget.) Red Light
photo also came in over budget as well.
Management Changes: With the recent changes to the City's organizational structure, the City
is saving $885k in the 2011/2012 budget.
Medical Cost Containment: Administrative Services Director Bryant Enge reported the city has
established a task force and hired an outside consultant to review current health benefits and
compare them both locally and nationally. He stated approximately 10% of the general fund
goes towards health benefits expenses, and over the past 10-years, medical benefit costs
have increased approximately 10% annually. The consultant will review various health care
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options and present recommendations to the task force, which will be forwarded to the City
Council.
Priorities of Government Budget Approach: This will be a phased approach starting with the
Police Department. The City will shift from baseline to priority budgeting.
Department Goals — Frugal Innovations: Staff has been directed to find innovative ways to
provide cost effective services in all areas.
Seek Grant Funding: A grant writer has been hired to secure various grant-funding options.
The Council discussed the following items:
• The importance of developing a federal lobbying strategy and utilizing the
representative's local offices,
• Possible renewal of the National League of Cities Membership,
• Various budget line items including travel and training,
• In May 2011, the Council will begin looking at budget line items at FEDRAC,
• Medical Cost Containment options.
Goals for Budget:
1. Create a strategy for Federal communication/lobbying.
2. Keep the Council informed on efforts towards medical cost containment.
3. Start early budget discussions. May 2011 - the Council will begin looking at
budget line items at FEDRAC.
4. Ongoing Council / Staff communication on policy with budget implications.
The Council recessed from 9:06 a.m. to 9:25 a.m.
3. Economic Development:
Community and Economic Development Director Patrick Doherty reported that a major tenant
is moving into the building south of city hall, the Linens & Things space will be occupied by a
national retailer and staff will be meeting with the management of the Commons mall soon.
Mr. Doherty reviewed the last year's economic development accomplishments, which include:
city center zoning code changes, partnership with enterpriseSeattle on Cascadia MedTech
association, sponsorship and funding of the South Sound Regional Business Incubator,
sponsorship of the HCC Small Business Development Center for designated services to
Federal Way businesses, purchase of the former Toys R Us site for development of a Civic
Center — Performing Arts/Conference Center and more.
Tourism events for the past year include the World Championship of Sand Sculpting, two
successful bids for swimming and diving championships, a US Women's Triathlon, Buds and
Blooms Festival, and the Han Woo-Ri Festival.
Proposed initiatives for the coming year include renewed media and outreach to potential
office tenants, improvements to the economic development website and a potential exporting
symposium for local businesses.
Council discussion focused on the following items:
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• The importance of moving forward with development in the downtown area,
• Including parks / gathering spaces in the downtown area,
• Making zoning changes to assist development,
• Redevelopment of the mall,
• Improving pedestrian access in the downtown area,
• The importance of retaining funding allocated for the Triangle Project,
• Working efficiently with the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce,
• Education and training for customer service staff,
� Programs to promote home-ownership in the city,
• Social Media options,
• City image/tagline, how the City promotes itself,
• Industrial development area,
• Annexation of unincorporated areas,
• The City's EB5 designation,
• Keeping businesses/jobs that are currently in Federal Way.
Goals for Economic Development:
1. Create an effective communication plan including social media
2. Promote redevelopment of the Commons and other areas of the downtown.
3. Market to targeted industries/service sectors
4. Ensure commissions and other organizations are aligned with Council
Economic Goals and visions.
The Council recessed from 10:52 a.m. to 11:06 a.m.
4. Civic Center:
Administrative Services Director Bryant Enge provided a project development update on the
Civic Center which includes sidewalk improvements and a$500,000 grant from Washington
State. The City had engaged Webb Management to assist with the feasibility of this project.
Mr. Enge reviewed the facility concept, which includes a 500 to 700-seat theatre, 2,000
square foot multi-purpose space, backstage dressing room and support area, administrative
and box office space, a Conference Center with a 8,000 square feet lobby, 6,000 square feet
of additional meeting space and 750 parking stalls. The facility could support a hotel, which
may be developed later. Mr. Enge reviewed project design, funding and facility management
options. The recommendation is to establish an Advisory Committee to provide input on
planning and design efforts. Funding for this portion of the project is estimated at $250,000.
The Council discussion focused on the following items:
• Including a school board member as an advisory committee member,
• Utilizing an Endowment Fund,
• Partnering with schools to provide stage-arts programs,
• The City not financially supporting the facility on an ongoing basis.
Civic Center Goals:
1. Have a common sense approach that will create the right fit for our community.
2. Staff to provide information on this project to the Council as they receive it.
The Council recessed for lunch at 11:47 a.m. to 12:30.
City Council Minutes — January 22, 2011 Special Meeting Page 3 of 6
5. Public Safety:
Police Chief Brian Wilson provided a presentation on the Red Light Photo Enforcement
Program. The City has 14 cameras at 3 intersections and in 3 school zones. The program has
allowed for officers to respond to other areas of need in the City. Revenues from the program
are invested back in Police, the City's Traffic Division and the Municipal Court.
The Safe City Program has approximately 170 participants. There are 36 cameras throughout
the City with 15 trained camera volunteers to assist the Police Department. Chief Wilson
reviewed the Police Department's 2011 goals, which include reducing crime, management of
jail and medical costs, enhancements to the Safe City Program and improvements to the pet
licensing program.
The Council discussed the following topics:
• Getting the message out to citizens regarding the City's pet licensing program. Federal
Way is the first city to start their own animal control program,
• The number of Safe City camera operators that could assist the city,
• Working with neighborhood safety programs,
• COPS grant funding,
• Police overtime line item budget - the police have done a good job keeping within
budget.
• Jail costs — they are a bit higher than budgeted, but overall much less than neighboring
jurisdictions,
• The City's image regarding safety,
• Training/safety concerns for public officials and public forums/meetings,
• The City's role when responding to unincorporated areas of Federal Way. Currently
the city is a backup responder to King County Sherriff's office.
The Council recessed from 1:23 p.m. to 1:28 p.m.
6. Festivals:
Community and Economic Development Director Patrick Doherty reviewed the festivals the
City historically has supported as well as the events and organizations that the LTAC had
funded.
Staff surveyed other jurisdictions involvement in community festivals and the finding varied
from some cities providing heavy subsides to others providing very little. Mr. Doherty reviewed
a portion of the LTAC 2011- 2012 Tourism Enhancement Grant recommendations.
The Council discussed the following topics:
• Conducting a parade as an opening to the sandcastle event,
• A Christmas Tree lighting event at the mall or Federal Way Community Center,
•"Feast of Federal Way" a sampling of cuisine in the city,
• A festival committee, to share commonality with multiple city events,
• Supporting non-profits running community events,
• Soliciting sponsorships for various unique events,
• Working with the Chamber of Commerce on festivals,
• Finding a role for the Historical Society, who would like to publish a historical brochure.
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7. Other Topics:
The Council discussed the issue of homelessness in Federal Way. Organizations such as
Fusion and Reach-Out assist in the city but there is still a need for more services, especially
during cold weather. It would be helpful to have a guide of services available for those in
need.
The Council also discussed senior needs and assistance. The Federal Way Community
Center does offer some senior programs; however, the city does not have a designated senior
center.
8. Closinq Remarks:
Mayor Priest asked if any members of the audience would like to address the Council.
Betty Simpson stated that she supports Festival Days and suggested locating the library and
the historical society in the same building.
Diana Noble-Guliford would like to see an official information center in the City. She noted the
Historical society would be witling to assist. She also stated 1 in 45 homes will be foreclosed
upon in the coming year; this will impact homelessness as well as animal control issues in the
City.
Lynda Jenkins commented on the need for a cemetery in Federal Way.
Martin Moore thanked the Councilmembers for their hard work.
Joanne Piquette spoke regarding 4-Culture funding that would be available for the design of
the PACC.
9. Adiourn:
Mayor Priest adjourned the meeting at 2:24 p.m.
Attest:
�- .
Carol McNeilly, C C City lerk
Approved by Council: February 1, 2011
City Council Minutes — January 22, 2011 Special Meeting Page 5 of 6
Follow Up items:
1. Review self-insurance and King County health care models.
2. Visit businesses in Federal Way monthly to help with retention and get feedback.
3. Meet with the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce to identify issues (zoning,
business needs, etc.), create a joint "top 3" list, and focus on those issues.
4. Provide Council with more information on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program
and future down payment assistance programs.
5. Meet with South King Fire & Rescue and Lakehaven Utility District to discuss ways to
improve the permit process for businesses and citizens.
6. Research the option of locating banners at 320 and take to a LUTC meeting.
7. Research available space to determine what businesses could occupy space and
then target those businesses.
8. Write an article for the Federal Way Mirror regarding animal control and pet
licensing.
9. Police Department to follow up with City Council members on public meeting safety.
10. City Council would like a report on potential annexation areas and police services
and have that brought to PRHSPS.
11. Determine where the Historical Society fits in regards to tourism and bring through
the PRHSPS committee.
12. Mayor Priest to call Anthony at the Washington Restaurants Association.
13. Summarize festival notes and provide next steps to City Council.
14. Follow up with City Council on homeless shelter issues.
15. Create a comprehensive approach to addressing senior issues (activities,
commission, Federal Way Community Center).
16. Utilize the senior population for volunteers as they have time and knowledge.
17. Provide the City Council a report of the monies received due to the federal lobbyist
efforts.
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