PRHSPSC MINS 05-12-2009
City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERV ICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
5:30 p.m.
SUMMARY
In attendance: Council Committee members Chair Jeanne Burbidge, Mike Park; Brian Wilson Interim City
Manager, Cary Roe, Assistant City Manager, Amy Jo Pearsall, City Attorney, Interim Chief Andy Hwang,
Commander Stan McCall, Ray Gross EOC Manager, Steve Ikerd, Interim Director PRCS, John Hutton PRCS
Supervisor, Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Assistant II.
Chair Burbidge called the meeting to order at 5:34p.m.
Council member Ferrell was excused.
Guests: Fred Konkell, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair; Al Dams King County Animal Control Contract
Administrator
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION COMMENT
Fred Konkell, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission invited everyone to attend the Celebration Park 10
year anniversary celebration. The event will take place on May 29, 2009 from 4:00pm-6:00pm.
APPROVAL OF SUMMARY
Approval of the April 2009 minutes will take place at the June meeting.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Greater Federal Way Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
Mr. Gross gave a Power Point Presentation of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). This
CEMP is required by the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS directs and guides the field of
emergency management and how first responders will deal with the events of the emergency disaster. The agencies
involved in the plan include the City of Federal Way, Federal Way Public Schools, Lakehaven Utility District and
South King County Fire and Rescue. Review of the plan started in 2006, and the Member Agencies began updating
the plan in 2007. Key parts of the plan have been tested in drills and table top exercises. The plan cannot address
every “what if” scenario. First responders are not immune to the emergency or disaster, Government resources could
be impacted, which will have a direct impact to how we respond. The best effort will be made based on what the
current information is, and the resources that are available. The plan is needed so that the City will in compliance
with NIMS, and we will be eligible for grant monies. The CEMP’S purpose is to prevent or minimize the impact of
the emergency, prepare the first responders as well as the community, and respond to and recover from the
emergency or disaster. The objectives are: Establish clear levels of leadership, address roles and responsibilities and
expectations, clarify internal and external communications and information releases, and identify resources. Key
parts of the plan will be reviewed yearly, and the entire plan will be reviewed every three years. Council member
Park asked if any grants have been received. Mr. Gross stated that prior to his arrival, several grants were received
to equip the EOC, field response, and the 2006 windstorm recovered $117,000. Adopting the Plan will not create a
budgetary impact. Council member Park moved to approve the draft Resolution. Chair Burbidge seconded.
Motion passed.
Animal Control
Ms. Pearsall stated that dangerous dogs and animal control has been an ongoing issue; the City has been working to
make sure that its citizens are as safe as possible. On numerous occasions the City Council has adjusted the Animal
Control Policy and Dangerous Dog Statutes. Currently the city has an Interlocal Agreement with King County
Animal Control (KCAC). KCAC has agreed to provide the same level of animal control services that it provides
throughout King County in return for collecting licensing fees and fines. Other cities have adopted additional
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday May 12, 2009 Summary
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legislation that defines dangerous dogs by breed specific, and they have also adopted a stricter hearing procedure that
happens once the dog is confiscated. In order to enforce this, they have asked King County to provide enhanced
services. In response to Chair Burbidge’s question regarding what to do if a dog is 10% of the breed, Ms. Pearsall
referred to a case in Yakima, and that when you are looking at dangerous dogs, there needs to be a very common
ground for determining whether a dog meets the requirements, or the extra conditions in an Ordinance. As a result,
Yakima uses physical characteristics, rather than blood content. There would not be a test for breed. Auburn has
$90,000 per year budgeted for enhanced animal control services. Ms. Pearsall has spoken with a few people from
Auburn; they had positive comments regarding the enhanced services. Ms. Pearsall introduced Al Dams, the
Contract Administrator for King County Animal Control. Council member Park asked if the level of services for
King County Animal Control will be impacted due to the budget constraints. Mr. Dams said not at this time, but they
are starting to meet with cities to discuss how they can bridge the gap between the revenue they bring in for the
licenses sales, and fees and fines and the costs to provide the animal control, shelter and services. They are starting
to discuss strategies. Mr. Wilson stated that one of the ideas that came up was ways to increase the licensing of
animals within Federal Way. Currently the licensing is at 19%. There were 76 calls for vicious animals and 45 calls
for dog bites in 2008 in Federal Way. Council member Park asked what the current level of service is in Federal
Way. Mr. Dams answered that the County is split into zones. There is an officer that covers the zones. There is not
one officer dedicated to Federal Way. Depending on what city they’re in, it may take an officer a half hour to
respond to a call. There are some cities that have their own animal control officer. Mr. Dams stated that the City of
Auburn had wanted their own animal control officer. They decided to try the enhanced services first, and it is
working out well for them. It is proving to be more cost effective at this time. Council member Park stated that this
should be looked at in a long term basis, but not at this moment. Mr. Dams stated that the City of Auburn is just one
model. There are is a variety of levels of services to look at. The rate for a full time officer is $46.75 an hour, $300
a month for a standard car, and $1,000 a month for a dog truck.
Interlocal Agreement DSHS/DDD
Mr. Hutton stated that the City of Federal Way has had an Interlocal Agreement with DDD in the past. This
agreement provides funding for low income people with disabilities to participate in recreation programs. The
amount of funding is approximately $5,000.00 yearly. The term of this agreement is three years. The participants
are pre-qualified. Council member Park moved to accept the Interlocal Agreement with the DSHS/DDD and
authorize staff to enter into a three year agreement for services. Chair Burbidge seconded. Motion passed.
Amendment to the Red Light Photo Enforcement Ordinance Clarifying the Penalty
Ms. Pearsall stated that the City’s current statute does not specify a penalty. Because it does not specifically say
what the penalty is, the court is concerned about whether or not they can enforce it. An amendment to the Ordinance
was prepared and it refers to the current parking infraction penalty. There will be no doubt what the current penalty
is. Council member Park moved approval of the Ordinance and forward to the full Council on May 19th,
2009. Chair Burbidge seconded. Motion passed.
A Measured Expansion of the Red-Light Photo Enforcement Program
Interim Chief Hwang announced that Commander Steve Neal has been selected to be the interim Deputy Chief of
Police. The Police Department would like to add additional cameras to selected intersections, and add speed photo
enforcement to selected school zones. They would like to add two additional cameras at 320th and Pacific Hwy
South, and would like to add one new camera at 312th and Pacific Hwy South. The total number of red-light photo
cameras would be seven. The selected school zones are SW 320th at Twin Lakes Elementary, 21st Avenue South of
SW Campus Drive (Saghalie), and 1st Avenue at Panther Lake Elementary. These are school zones that currently
have police officers conducting traffic enforcement. By adding the photo speed enforcement it will free up the
officers and they will be able to provide traffic enforcement to other areas. Council member Park stated that this
seven month experiment has proven to be very successful in reducing the number of accidents. He asked how the
increase in photo and speed enforcement would affect the Municipal Court. Mr. Wilson stated that there will be
impacts to the court, and they will work with the Court to determine their impacts as a result of this change. How
will this affect the budget? The revenues will be greater. Wilson stated the costs of the services to the court would
need to be assessed, and come to an agreement pertaining to those costs. This program would be self supporting.
There would not be any new money or general fund money to support the impact to the court. In terms of the
equipment, this program is self-sustaining. Council member Park moved to expand the current Red-Light Photo
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Tuesday May 12, 2009 Summary
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Enforcement Program by adding three new red-light cameras and three speed cameras in designated School
Zones. Chair Burbidge seconded. Motion Passed.
King County Regional 800 MHZ Radio System – Inadequate Radio Coverage
Interim Chief Hwang stated that this there has been an ongoing effort by City staff to address the radio coverage
problem. They have been working on this problem for the last 4-5 years. They have been working with King
County government and other stakeholders. Three areas have been addressed to enhance the radio reception
problem. 1. In May of 2008 a Bi-Directional Amplifier was installed at Decatur High School. 2. In January of 2009,
King County acknowledged that there are areas in Federal Way that have poor radio reception. They recognized that
the solution to solving the problem is to build a radio tower in Federal Way. They are seeking $6 million in funding
for the project. It is currently going through the King County Budget process. 3. In April of 2009, King County and
the City of Federal Way agreed to a pilot project doing maintenance on 10 vehicle mobile radios and portable radios
to see if preventative maintenance will enhance the operation of the radio. If this pilot program proves to be
successful, the City and the County have agreed to a 50/50 cost share to do the maintenance on the rest of the radios.
The cost will be $35,020.
Federal Way Soccer Association Donation
Mr. Ikerd reported that the Federal Way Soccer Association is donating $35,000 for improvements to the soccer
fields. A portion of the donation will be used to increase the height of the fence at the Saghalie soccer field.
Council member Park moved approval to accept the donation of $35,000 from Federal Way Soccer
Association and authorize staff to use these funds for related soccer field improvements throughout the City.
Chair Burbidge seconded. Motion passed.
Pending Items
Concept of Housing in South King County. Chair Burbidge would like to invite discussion amongst all the South
King County Cities. She would like to see a more inclusive discussion take place.
Maintaining the health of our trees in the city – relating to invasive species, mainly English Ivy
NEXT MEETING – June 9, 2009 5:30 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room
ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.