FEDRAC MINS 11-23-2004
City of Federal Way
City Council
Finance/Economic Development/Regional Affairs Committee
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
5:30 p.m.
City Hall
Hylebos 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, Deputy Mayor Linda Kochmar, and
Councilmember Michael Park.
Staff Members in Attendance: Iwen Wang, Management Services Director; David Moseley, City Manager;
Derek Matheson, Assistant City Manager; Pat Richardson, City Attorney; Mark Turley, Senior Financial Analyst;
Th o Kraus, Fin an ce Man ager ; Mar y McDougal, Human Resour ces Man ager ; an d Jason Suzaka, Man agemen t
Analyst.
Others in Attendance:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Eric Faison called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
3. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
a) Approval of the October 26, 2004 meeting minutes
Motion to approve the October 26, 2004 meeting minutes. Motion seconded and carried.
b) Legislative and Regional Affairs Update
Presented by Der ek Math eson
Streamlined Sales Taxation: Mr. Matheson reported that the SST mediation group has not been
able to come up with a compromise to bring to the next legislative session. The Department of
Revenue will introduce an SST bill with a mitigation package for the negatively impacted cities.
Property Tax Stabilization: This would allow taxing jurisdictions to lock in a dollar rate for a
term of 1-6 years. The AWC Legislative Committee endorses the idea and a bill is being drafted
to bring to the legislature. The Fire Department is also actively providing input on this issue as
well.
Transportation Funding: The City is joining forces with other cities to advocate for local
distribution/option and increased funding for the Transportation Improvement Board.
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Capital Projects Funding: The City is looking for funding from the state for the Joe’s Creek
project, the Hylebos Boardwalk, and Dumas Bay Centre. On the federal side, the City is looking
for fundin g for Joe’s Creek, th e “tr ian gle” pr oject, an d th e S. 348th St. HOV lanes.
Driving While License Suspended: The Department of Licensing is drafting a bill that would
cr eate an appeals pr ocess an d oth er r emedies in r eaction to th e decision h an ded down by th e
Supreme Court. The City Attorney will be meeting with DOL to provide input on the bill.
PSRC Automatic Seats: The City is talking with the board about getting Federal Way on the list
of seats as pr ovided by the budget proviso. Staff met with PSRC executive Bob Drewel for
strategies on making this happen.
30th District Legislators Meeting: Being set up by Patrick Briggs. Is typically done around early
January. Mayor McColgan attending a meeting of King County mayors to draft a letter to the
legislature outlining their concerns.
Regional Issues: The Suburban Cities Association membership committee approved the new
bylaws; the next step is for each regional caucus to choose its board members. Federal Way’s
region, the South region, will vote on December 8 in SeaTac. Mayor McColgan r epor ted th at h e
is planning on running to stay on the SCA board.
c) New City Hall Update
Presented by Der ek Math eson
Mr. Matheson gave an update to the committee. Mr. Matheson clarified that there are two
methods of accounting being used. The $113,409 used in the contingency fund is a projected
number; the dollars given in the table on page C3 are dollars actually spent. After the project is
over, any leftover amount is general fund one-time money (unrestricted funds).
e) Code Amendment to Utility Tax
Presented by Pat Rich ar dson
Ms. Richardson introduced the amendment to the committee. The reason for the amendment is
that two of the companies in the utility tax audit have not been cooperating and this amendment
will allow the city to subpoena those records.
Motion to forward option 1 to the full City Council with a “do pass” recommendation. Motion
seconded and carried.
f) Fleet Main ten an ce Update
Presented by Iwen Wan g
Ms. Wang gave an update on the fleet maintenance project. One possibility raised in comparing
the two vendors was to switch cars, so that the cars Sparks is working on would be serviced by
Eagle, and vice-versa. The contracts end June 30, 2005.
The committee also discussed mounted cameras in patrol vehicles and the possibility of officers
purchasing “take home” cars. Mayor McColgan reported that this practice is done in Hawaii and
supposedly has saved cities money. Councilmember Ferrell added that the police union has
expressed interest in this idea. The issue will be raised at a future public safety committee
meeting.
g) 2004 Housekeeping Budget Adjustment
Presented by Iwen Wan g
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The workers compensation adjustment is to account for major increases over the past two years;
staff is considering the possibility of a retro program for workers compensation. Deputy Mayor
Kochmar asked that staff set aside some time for council members to sit down with staff and
discuss the strategy. Ms. Wang also clarified that the approximate $2.29 million is mostly
comprised of interfund transfers and grants. Mayor McColgan requested that staff provide
funding sources for each line item.
Motion to forward the 2004 Housekeeping Budget Adjustment Ordinance to full Council for
approval. Motion seconded and carried.
h) October 2004 Monthly Financial Report
Ms. Kraus reviewed the Monthly Financial Report (MFR) for October with the committee. Ms.
Wang explained that the increase in police overtime is due to a recalculation of overtime to be
paid to the officers. After working with the police union, checks were issued to eligible officers
and each signed a release before receiving the check. Staff will back the total amount out of year
2003.
City Manager Moseley reported that after speaking with the manager of The Commons,
apparently the relocation of Target to the mall has helped increase foot traffic in the mall
tremendously; the store itself is doing very well.
Motion to accept the October 2004 Monthly Financial Report and forward to full Council for
approval. Motion seconded and carried.
i) Vouchers
Presented by Tho Kraus
Ms. Kraus presented the vouchers for approval.
Motion to accept the vouchers and forward to full Council for approval. Motion seconded and
carried.
4. OTHER
None.
5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Faison reported that on the agenda for the next FEDRAC-Economic Development meeting on
December 14 would include the city center retail consultants and that the committee would invite both the
King County Library Executive Director and Sound Transit’s TOD Director to come to the next meeting
and discuss the library moving to downtown Federal Way near the transit center.
6. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
The December 28, 2004 meeting was cancelled. The next meeting will take place January 25, 2005 at
5:30 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room.
7. ADJOURN
Chair Eric Faison adjourned the meeting at 6:37pm.
Recorded by Jason Suzaka