Planning Comm MINS 06-07-2000
City of Federal Way
PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
June 7, 2000 City Hall
6:00 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING SUMMARY
Commissioners present: Robert Vaughan (Chair), Hope Elder, Karen Kirkpatrick, Eric Faison, John
Caulfield, William Drake, and Nesbia Lopes. Alternative Commissioners present: Sophia McNeil. Guests
present: City Councilmember Mary Gates, Economic Development Coordinator Debra Coates, and Jerry
Schultz, WSDOT. Staff present: Management Services Director Iwen Wang, Community Development
Services Deputy Director Kathy McClung, Senior Planner Margaret Clark, Administrative Assistant E.
Tina Piety, and Traffic Engineer Rick Perez.
The Commission enjoyed a nice dinner starting at 6:00 p.m.
Regional Transportation Issues
Mr. Schultz spoke to the Commission regarding highway interchanges; specifically, the possibility of
building an additional one for Federal Way. WSDOT is considering various plans and ideas. There are
numerous problems to be overcome. One is that a new intersection would probably be too close to existing
intersections. A collector/distributor lane (a separate lane that funnels vehicles to exits and entrances, then
back to the freeway) might be a solution to this problem. However, there is the cost and whether there is
the room for an additional lane to be considered. The City and WSDOT will continue to research the
possibility of an additional intersection for Federal Way.
City Budget
Ms. Wang gave an informational presentation on the City’s budget process (she provided the Commission
with a handout). The City Council wanted a broader approach to the budget process this year. Therefore, a
survey was distributed and community meetings are being held in addition to the regular City Council
public hearings. The City has received 730 surveys and is in the process of tallying them. Ms. Wang
explained there are many entities that provide government services to the citizens of Federal Way
(Lakehaven Utility District, Federal Way Fire Department, Federal Way School District, etc.) and all
receive part of the property tax. Some receive part of the sales tax. The City’s budget consists of restricted
revenues (such as Surface Water) that may be used only for a specific reason, and general purpose revenue.
Due to I-695, the City has an approximately 4-6% shortfall in our general purpose revenue. To deal with
this, the City is re-examining our services, programs, and business practices; collaborating with other
governmental agencies to consolidate activities; and seeking to minimize the impact on the community of
any necessary service level adjustments.
Planning Commission Page 2 June 7, 2000
Economic Development Coordinator
Ms. Coates discussed her duties and projects, which include the sign incentive program and marketing
Federal Way. The City and Federal Way Chamber of Commerce fund this position jointly. Much of what
she does is community outreach. She is working with the City and businesses to create an identifiable
downtown and an International District. In an effort to market the City, she has developed a marketing
brochure that will be available in hard copy and on the City’s web page.
Community Development Services Department Overview
Ms. McClung discussed the department’s duties and responsibilities. The department conducting an
internal audit, partly in response to I695, and partly in order to prepare and plan to do more than just
oversee permits. The department looked at what products do we deliver? What projects/people/groups are
getting our attention? What are other organizations doing that compliment/duplicate/impact us? A couple
of the things the department would like to do are developing neighborhood plans and improving our permit
counter in order to provide better and more self-help. Ms. McClung asked the Commission what would
they like to see the department accomplish in the next five years. There was no discussion, but she
encouraged Commissioners to let her know if they think of anything.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
K:\CD Admin Files\PLANCOM\2000\Meeting Summary 06-07-00.doc/Last printed 1/11/2005 9:34 AM