Council MIN 03-01-2011 SpecialGITY OF
� Federal Way
MINUTES
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING / OPEN HOUSE
Council Chambers - City Hall
MARCH 1, 2011
5:30 p.m.
www. cityoffederalway. com
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Priest calied the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Skip Priest, Deputy Mayor Dini Duclos, CouncilmemberJim
Ferrell, Councilmember Linda Kochmar, Councilmember Mike Park, CouncilmemberJeanne
Burbidge and Councilmember Roger Freeman.
Mayor Priest excused Councilmember Jack Dovey.
Staff present: City Attorney Pat Richardson and City Clerk Carol McNeilly.
2. FORMER AMC THEATRE SITE REDEVELOPMENT VISION
Economic and Community Development Director Patrick Doherty stated the former AMC
Theatre site was purchased January 2007 for $4.1 M. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was
issued in 2007; however, the purchase and sale agreement fell through. The site is again
available for redevelopment through an RFQfRFP process. Mr. Doherty reviewed the Desired
Components of the Vision as well as the Project Vision and Principles sections of the RFQ
and asked Council for feedback on what they would like to see included in this section. Mayor
Priest stated the Council could provide guidelines regarding the open public space and may
want to discuss if there should be height limitations included in the RFQ/RFP.
Councilmember Freeman stated he prefers eliminating the high-rise (over20 stories) element
from the RFQ/RFP.
Councilmember Kochmar asked if the City needed to get an appraisal on the property. Mr.
Doherty stated an appraisal would be required to setl the property. Councilmember Kochmar
stated she would like to review the height guidelines in the Comprehensive Plan.
Deputy Mayor Duclos would like to leave the vision open, and not cut people off to see what
types of developments are proposed.
Councilmember Ferrell supports mixed use (retail and office) development as well as an open
green space/plaza.
Councilmember Burbidge would like to see an open space in conjunction with a green space.
Ciry Council Minutes — March 1, 2011 Special Meeting Page 1 of 2
She supports flexibility regarding height restrictions and would like to maintain some of the
current view corridors.
Councilmember Park would like the Council to remain as flexible as possible and keep in mind
the current economic climate. In regards to the timeline, he prefers to take the slower timeline.
Mayor Priest recommended remaining flexible during the initial process as well as with the
timeline.
Mr. Doherty reviewed two timelines for the RFQ/RFP. Timeline A is from February
through August. Timeline B is from February through October.
MOTION: Deputy Mayor Duclos moved to approve the RFQ/RFP timeline A and
incorporate Council comments and direction on the "Project Vision and Principles"
verbiage. Councilmember Ferrell second.
Public Comment:
Diana Noble- Gulliford encouraged the Council to consider the view from the Civic Center.
She supports a open green space inclusion and suggested having a Veterans Memorial at the
site. She does not support tax abatement.
Nancv Combs envisions a beautiful city with lots of shops. She wants the citizens to tell the
Council what they want to see in the City, not have the Council decide.
Lynda Jenkins -Federal Wav Historical Societv provided some historical information by stating
numerous high rise buildings have been proposed in Federal Way, going as far back as 1965.
VOTE: Motion carried 6-0.
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Council adjourned to executive session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss potential litigation pursuant
to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for approximately 30 minutes. The Council adjourned from executive
session at 6:53 p.m.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Priest adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
Attest:
� �
Carol McNeilly, C C, City I k
Approved by Council: March 15, 2011
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