Council MINS 11-06-2001FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL
Council Chambers - City Hall
November 6, 2001 – 7:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Park called the Federal Way City Council regular meeting to order at the hour of
7:02 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Mike Park, Deputy Mayor Linda Kochmar,
Councilmembers Jeanne Burbidge, Mary Gates, Michael Hellickson, Eric Faison, and
Dean McColgan.
Staff present: City Manager David Moseley, City Attorney Bob Sterbank, City Clerk
Chris Green, and Deputy City Clerk Stephanie Courtney.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember McColgan led the flag salute.
III. PRESENTATIONS
a. Proclamation/”Mayor Nobuo Nakasato Day”
Deputy Mayor Kochmar read and presented the proclamation to Brian Picard, President
of the Sister City Association; Mr. Picard accepted the proclamation and thanked Council
for their ongoing support.
b. Proclamation/Veteran’s Day “Weekend of Unity & Hope”
Deputy Mayor Kochmar read and presented the proclamation to Parks, Recreation,
Cultural Services Director Jennifer Schroder; Ms. Schroder accepted the proclamation
and thanked Council for this recognition.
c. Award/Washington Chapter of American Planning Association/City’s
Sign Abatement Program
Mr. Llo yd Skinner, Co-Chair of the Washington Chapter of the American Planning
Association presented the award to Deput y Mayor Kochmar and Community
Development Director Kathy McClung. He noted the selection was based on numerous
criteria, including the city’s balance of incentives, enforcement and effectiveness of the
Sign Abatement Program.
Federal Way City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2001 – Page 2
Community Development Director Kathy McClung accepted the award and reviewed the
sign code program’s effectiveness; there are currently 28 remaining cases, out of the
original 800.
d. Introductions & Certificates of Appointment/Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee
Councilmember Gates announced the re-appointments of Joan Tabrum, and David
DeGroot to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee; she noted both were unable to attend
tonight’s meeting and their certificates of appointment would be forwarded to them.
e. Certificates of Appreciation/Banner Program Recognition
Councilmember Burbidge read and presented certificates of appreciation to citizen
volunteers H. David Kaplan, Barbara Reid and Bob Kellogg for their work and
dedication to the Banner Program at Celebration Park. This program helped defray the
cost of the new play structure installed at the park.
H. David Kaplan and Bob Kellogg accepted the recognitions thanking Council, the Parks
and Recreation Commission, and Parks, Recreation, Cultural Services Directors Jennifer
Schroder for their support of this program. He noted this project illustrates the power of
volunteerism. Barbara Reid was unable to attend tonight’s meeting, her certificate will be
forwarded to her.
f. City Manager/Introduction of New Employees
City Manager David Moseley introduced and welcomed Michael Olson, the new Deputy
Director for the Management Services Department; he added Mr. Olson would begin
December 4th.
g. City Manager/Emerging Issues
City Manager David Moseley reported no emerging issues.
IV. CITIZEN COMMENT
Ron Walker, Chair of the Diversity Commission spoke to highlight the important areas of
the Commissions Business Plan on tonight’s agenda.
George Raffle, spoke in concern of the Solid Waste contract that has recently been bid.
Federal Way City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2001 – Page 3
Dan Casey, expressed his appreciation over the new Skate Park located near Gateway
Center, he reported only minor problems with the use of the park, and also asked Council
to look into placing astroturf at Celebration Park.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes/October 16, 2001 Regular Meeting -Approved
b. Vouchers-Approved
c. Monthly Financial Report/September 2001-Approved
d. Diversity Commission 2001-2002 Business Plan-Approved
e. City Redistricting Plan-Approved
f. Council Bill #284/2001 Comprehensive Plan Amendments –
Enactment Ordinance-Approved Ordinance #01-405
g. Arts Commission Appointment (unexpired term) -Approved
COUNCILMEMBER GATES MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT
AGENDA AS PRESENTED; COUNCILMEMBER BURBIDGE SECOND. The
motion passed as follows:
Burbidge Yes Kochmar Yes
Faison Yes McColgan Yes
Gates Yes Park Yes
Hellickson Yes
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Biennial Budget Adjustments & Property Tax Rate (required hearing)
Mayor Park read into the record the procedures to be followed for the public hearing and
opened the hearing at 7:30 p.m.
Hearing no citizen comment, Mayor Park closed the hearing at 7:31 p.m.
DEPUTY MAYOR KOCHMAR MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING
FOR THE BIENNIAL BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS & PROPERTY TAX RATE;
COUNCILMEMBER GATES SECOND. The motion passed as follows:
Burbidge Yes Kochmar Yes
Faison Yes McColgan Yes
Gates Yes Park Yes
Hellickson Yes
Federal Way City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2001 – Page 4
b. Limited Tax Exemptions for Downtown Housing Development
Mayor Park read into record the procedures to be followed for the public hearing and
opened the hearing at 7:31 p.m.
- Staff Presentation
Patrick Dorhety, Community Development Deputy Director/Economic Development
gave a brief presentation to Council on the proposal of a Limited Tax Exemption for
Downtown Housing Development. He stated the purpose of this tax exemption was in
part, to stimulate housing construction in designated urban centers slated for growth in
the cities’ comprehensive plan.
- Citizen Comment
Delores Shull, spoke on behalf of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, stating the
Chamber is generally supportive, but would like to see more information on potential
impacts to Federal Way School District and Fire Department.
Al Church, Federal Way Fire Department Chief, noted there are concerns the department
has with this proposal at this time. He added, Fire services are funded through the
collection of property taxes and would like to see further information.
Aaron Milson, spoke in opposition to the Limited Tax Exemption, he stated that as a
Federal Way resident since 1968 and senior citizen, he has always paid his increasing
property taxes, and stated such a tax exemption would be unfair.
Chad Savaikie, spoke in support for the Limited Tax Exemption, by exampling the two
communities of Tukwila and Highline. He asked Council to look long-term, such as 10-
20 years down the road.
Tim Trohimovid, spoke on behalf of the “1000 Friends of Washington” and “Building
Better Communities Coalition” in support of the Limited Tax Exemption, re-emphasizing
the goal of multi use residential development, which the downtown core and frame are
currently trying to encourage.
Dave Larson, spoke in opposition to the Limited Tax Exemption, asking Council to
review the increased property taxes burden of the low income and elderly residents of
Federal Way.
Federal Way City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2001 – Page 5
Scott Kirkpatrick, on behalf of Sound Transit, spoke in support of the Limited Tax
Exemption, noting this program would make Federal Way competitive in the region. He
added you would be giving up revenue in the first 10 years, but gain in the long term.
Dan Casey, spoke in support of the Limited Tax Exemption, he also noted this is a
complicated issue and it warrants further discussion and review.
H. David Kaplan, noted this was a limited area of the core and frame, he asked Council
for a larger planning scope, so that it wouldn’t risk creating a checker board effect in the
downtown.
COUNCILMEMBER MCCOLGAN MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING; DEPUTY MAYOR KOCHMAR SECOND. The motion passed as
follows:
Burbidge Yes Kochmar Yes
Faison Yes McColgan Yes
Gates Yes Park Yes
Hellickson Yes
- City Council Deliberation/Referral Decision
DEPUTY MAYOR KOCHMAR MOVED TO SEND THE PROPOSED LIMITED
TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR DOWNTOWN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT BACK TO
STAFF FOR FURTHER REVIEW WITH FIRE, SCHOOL DISTRICT; AND
POLICE; COUNCILMEMBER HELLICKSON SECOND FOR DISSCUSSION
PURPOSES ONLY.
Mayor Park clarified the intent of this discussion is not adopt, but determine if the
proposal should be returned to Land Use/Transportation Committee for further review.
DEPUTY MAYOR KOCHMAR WITHDREW HER MOTION.
Councilmembers discussed the need for further research into the effects on the School
District, Fire Department and Libraries who all receive funding from property taxes.
Councilmember Gates also requested staff reevaluate multi-family rentals vs.
condominiums.
MAYOR PARK MOVED THE PROPOSED LIMITED TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR
DOWNTOWN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TO LAND
USE/TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE FOR FUTHER RESEARCH AND
Federal Way City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2001 – Page 6
REVIEW; COUNCILMEMBER BURBIDGE SECOND. The motion passed 4-3 as
follows:
Burbidge Yes Kochmar No
Faison Yes McColgan No
Gates Yes Park Yes
Hellickson No
VII. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Gates announced the next meeting of the Finance/Economic
Development/Regional Affairs Committee would be held November 28th at 9:00 a.m.;
and updated Council on various regional issue.
Councilmember Burbidge announced that due to the holiday, the next meeting of the
Parks/Recreation/Human Services/Public Safety Committee would be held at Dumas Bay
Centre, November 19th at 12:00 p.m. She further reminded citizens and Council of
upcoming events in the community and at the Knutzen Family Theatre.
Councilmember Hellickson extended an invitation to all citizens for the South King
County Multi Service Center/Food Bank Benefit held on December 6th at the King
County Aquatic Center.
Councilmember Faison had no report.
Councilmember McColgan expressed his gratitude to the girl scouts who volunteered at
Celebration Park, to remove scotch broom. He announced the next meeting of the Land
Use/Transportation Committee would be held November 19th at 5:30 p.m., and
congratulated his colleagues who were running unopposed in tonight’s election.
Deputy Mayor Kochmar recognized the Advancing Leadership students in tonight’s
audience, and noted King County’s Solid Waste Plan will be coming to the city for
review.
Mayor Park had no report this evening.
VIII. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager David Moseley reviewed the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) drill
that occurred on October 24th. He expressed his gratitude to the Fire Department and
Federal Way City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2001 – Page 7
Lakehaven for their involvement, and to Cary Roe, Public Works Director, for his
management of the drill. He noted this was an excellent opportunity to train for major
events where coordination is crucial.
Mr. Moseley was also pleased to report that Community Development’s Associate
Planner Jane Gamble was given a certificate of merit by the Sunrise Methodist Church
for her assistance in the planning and creation of the Sunrise Memorial Garden.
He also noted the new Mayor-elect of Hachinohe, Japan is Toshifumi Nakamura who will
take office November 16th, he also noted Toshifumi’s father also served as Mayor in the
1960’s and 1970’s. Mr. Moseley extended his best wishes to outgoing Mayor Nobuo
Nakasato, who served three 4-year terms.
City Manager David Moseley announced there would not be an executive session tonight.
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Potential Litigation/Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) -cancelled
b. Property Acquisition/Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) -cancelled
X. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Federal Way City Council, Mayor
Park adjourned the regular meeting at 8:50 p.m.
______________________________
Stephanie D. Courtney
Deputy City Clerk