FEDRAC MINS 03-23-2004
City of Federal Way
City Council
Finance/Economic Development/Regional Affairs Committee
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
5:30 p.m.
City Hall
Mt. Baker Conference Room
MINUTES
Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Eric Faison, Member Jeanne Burbidge, and Member Jim Ferrell.
City Council Members in Attendance: Mayor Dean McColgan and Deputy Mayor Linda Kochmar.
Staff Members in Attendance: Iwen Wang, Management Services Director; David Moseley, City Manager;
Derek Matheson, Assistant City Manager; Pat Richardson, City Attorney; Patrick Doherty, Deputy Director of
Community Development; Stan McCall, Commander – Police Department; Jason Suzaka, Management Analyst.
Others in Attendance: Doug Levy, Rose Ehl.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Eric Faison called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
3. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
a) Approval of the February 24, 2004 meeting minutes
Motion to approve the February 24, 2004 meeting minutes. Motion seconded and carried.
b) Legislative and Regional Affairs Update
Presented by Der ek Math eson
Doug Levy, a l obbyi st h i r ed by t h e ci t y, ga ve t h e update to the committee. The legislature was
un fortun ately pr e-occupied with a n umber of man dates an d cour t decision s, in cludin g th e state
primary system and expirations on some tax incentives for the high-tech industry. Consequently,
not a lot of work was done on issues such as sales tax streamlining.
Accomplishments:
Passage of HB 1433, designating six highways as highways of state significance (including
Pacific Highway), which will help in determining funding for transportation improvements.
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Passage of HB 2615, which affirms the ability of purchasing of goods through interlocal
agreements by cities, ports, and other jurisdictions.
Passage of HB 3055, which will aid in prosecuting DUI violations.
The statute on water and sewer assumptions was largely left intact.
Penalties given to domestic violence offenders can be used to fund programs that aid DV
victims.
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Legislation was signed, making it easier for police to cite those who trespass onto private
proper ty to or gan ize str eet r acin g.
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Among the issues that didn’t go as well:
Legislation passing that requires cities to issue permit processing reports on an annual basis.
Language in the supplemental budget giving certain cities a permanent seat on the Puget
Sound Regional Council (PSRC). PSRC would be asking to give Bellevue, Kent, and Renton
per manent seats, but not Federal Way. The budget runs through mid-2005.
Expansion of tax increment financing – there appears to be some resistance to its expansion
in the House democratic leadership. Mr. Levy suggested that the city package any
infr astr ucture needs for the next capital budget request.
Issues to watch out for in the future:
Payment of impact and mitigation fees, and when the fees need to be paid
Studies on annexation and local government financing and land use
T h e Regi on a l T r a n spor t a t i on Im pr ovem en t Di st r i ct (RT ID) boa r d h a s vot ed on a n ew r even ue
scenario that asks sub regions of the County to keep cutting back. SCATBd (South County Area
Transportation Board) came up with a list of projects that were needed in the area ($2.23-2.43
billion). While this amount seems like a lot, it actually insufficient to fund all of the desired
improvement projects in the area. Councilmember Burbidge then gave more details about the
SCATBd meeting. Mr. Levy suggested that the Council monitor the situation and make sure that
the triangle project stays on the list. Mr. Moseley added that the city is in communication with
King County Councilmember Pete Von Reichbauer.
c) New City Hall Project Report
Presented by Der ek Math eson
Mr. Matheson gave the report to the committee. The new city hall continues to be on schedule
and so far favor ably under budget. As of March 12, received bids ar e $201,804, or 16.4% below
estimates.
d) Economic Development Message
Presented by Patrick Doherty
Mr. Doherty reviewed the proposal with the committee. Council member Ferrell stated that
while he felt the proposal was very important, there should be more discussion on what direction
the city is going before making any firm decisions on what actions to take. Chair Faison
emph asized th e n eed to educate th e public, give th em option s on possible action s, an d r eceive
feedback. Council member Burbidge also saw the proposal as a way to educate the public; for
example, it could be used to give the public options on addressing the current revenue situation
during the budget process.
Staff stated that the economic message was intended to show that any actions taken by the city
were to be seen not simply as public spending, but rather as “investments” in the community that
would eventually bring an economic return to the businesses and residents of Federal Way.
It was suggested that instead of using the phrase, “City Council established their number one
priority to expand…” that it should be changed to “City Council established as a priority to
expand…”
The committee decided to table the item and place on the April 13 FEDRAC agenda, allowing
staff to reword the proposal.
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Chair Faison explained his idea of possibly filming a short video that would be used to deliver the
economic development message to community groups around the city via videotape and/or
FWTV. The committee then directed staff to further research the topic and bring back to the
April 13 FEDRAC meeting.
e) Approval of the Purchase of Digital Cameras for Police Department
Presented by Medhi Sadri
Mr. Medhi reviewed the proposal with the committee. Commander McCall of the police
department was present, emphasizing the importance of the cameras and its ability to document
th e scen e of th e cr ime an d eviden ce pr oper ty an d effectively.
Motion to recommend approval of the purchase of police digital cameras from Technology
Express for the total amount of $34,114.24 and forward to full Council for approval. Motion
seconded and carried.
f) 2004 Carry For war d Budget Adjustment
Presented by Iwen Wan g
Ms. Wang reviewed the item with the committee. There was a question about the flatbed truck
that would used to lift workers up to hang/water the holiday lights and flower baskets. The truck
will probably not be used as much as the other vehicles in the fleet, but it will have a longer life
expectancy (i.e. be held by the city for 10 years instead of ten). The new truck will also be much
safer for the wor ker s that have to hang/water the lights, instead of a regular pickup trust.
Motion to move the carry forward budget adjustment in the amount of $44,259,228 to full
Council for approval. Motion seconded and carried.
g) Monthly Financial Report
Presented by Iwen Wan g
Ms. Wang reviewed the Monthly Financial Report (MFR) with the Committee, citing the
continued need to monitor sales tax revenues. It is anticipated that utility tax revenues will most
likely meet expectations. The real estate excise tax revenues will depend a lot on where interest
rates go this year. Last year saw a big bump from some big transactions (i.e. SeaTac Mall) as
well as a lot of homeowners moving up to higher value properties and first time homebuyers.
Motion to accept the February 2004 Monthly Financial Report and forward to full Council for
approval. Motion seconded and carried.
h) Vouchers
Presented by Iwen Wan g
Ms. Wang presented the vouchers for approval. Council member Ferrell noted for the record that
neither he nor his family have any connection to Ferrell’s Fire Extinguisher (top of page H13).
Deputy Mayor Kochmar r equested that she would like FEDRAC to review the city’s budget
policies at an upcoming FEDRAC meeting.
Motion to accept the vouchers and forward to full Council for approval. Motion seconded and
carried.
i) Lodging Tax Funding of Farmers Market
Presented by Patrick Doherty
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Mr. Doherty reviewed the proposal and passed out a draft copy of the Farmers Market agreement
to the committee. All of the vendors will be required to obtain liability insurance, which can be
done through the Washington State Farmers Market Association (WSFMA).
Correction: The Federal Way Farmers Market, Inc. is a non-profit corporation, and needs to be
reflected as such at the beginning of the contract. In addition, the committee asked that the
city’s sponsorship of the market be reflected in the contract and that the market has some sort of
advertising for the city.
Mr. Doherty confirmed that while the market site does not have to be in front of Sears, it does
need to be located somewhere in the city center. So if for some reason the market needs to
relocate, they have the ability to do so. He also added that the Federal Way Farmers Market
(FWFM) is planning on joining the WSFMA. The WSFMA provides a number of services that
the FWFM would not be able to provide by itself; such as discounted insurance and advertising.
Council member Ferrell suggested that pictures be taken at the Farmers Market to be used as
advertising for the event.
Motion to approve the Farmers Market contract as amended and place on the City Council
business agenda for full approval. Motion seconded and carried.
4. OTHER
None.
5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
6. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
FEDRAC – Economic Development: April 13, 2004 at 5:30 p.m. in the Mt. St. Helens Room.
FEDRAC: April 27, 2004 at 5:30 p.m. in the Mt. Baker Conference Room.
7. ADJOURN
Chair Eric Faison adjourned the meeting at 7:27pm.
Recorded by Jason Suzaka