FEDRAC MINS 03-08-2005 A-1
City of Federal Way
City Council
Finance/Economic Development/Regional Affairs Committee
Tuesday, March 8, 2005
5:30 p.m.
City Hall
Hylebos Conference Room
MINUTES
Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Eric Faison, Member Jeanne Burbidge. Absent: Member Jim Ferrell
City Council Members in Attendance: Deputy Mayor Linda Kochmar
Staff Members in Attendance: David Moseley, City Manager; Pat Richardson, City Attorney; Patrick Doherty,
Director of Economic Development; Lillian Yeh, Economic Development Assistant; Jordan Wheeler, Management
Intern.
Others in Attendance: Tom Murphy, Federal Way Public Schools Superintendent; School Board President Charles
Hoff; Diane Turner; Mike Halliday; H. David Kaplan.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Eric Faison called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Council Member Jim Ferrell had an excused
absence.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Kaplan read a statement (attached) regarding his thoughts on Economic Development in Federal Way.
Mr. Kaplan said that the City has made every effort to make businesses feel welcomed, however he
perceives a communication problem on economic development issues between the city and the residents of
Federal Way. He stated that the communication problem exists within the business community as well.
Another problem Mr. Kaplan identified in the business decline is the lack of advertising and promotion.
He hopes the Leland Project will respond to some of these issues.
3. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
a) Approval of the February 8, 2005 meeting minutes
Motion to approve the February 8, 2005 meeting minutes. Motion seconded and carried.
b) Presentation on Federal Way School District Bond Proposal
Presented by Tom Murphy
Mr. Murphy gave an overview of the construction bond the Federal Way School Board is
considering. The bond is in response to a study that examined the current conditions, needs, and
future of the district’s schools. The study looked at the school buildings’ structural condition and
needs and how the buildings performed in their enhancement of the students’ educational program.
The study identified schools that need immediate attention, schools that will need attention in 10
years and schools that will have to be looked at further down the road. The bond that the School
Board is considering would fund the construction of new maintenance facilities and district offices
and the reconstruction of Federal Way High School. Also included in the proposed bond package
would be the relocation of Federal Way Memorial Stadium to a site near Celebration Park and the
K:\FEDRAC\2005\0308\030805 Minutes.doc A-2
construction of a Performing Arts Center at the Federal Way High School location. An artist’s
rendition of the proposed facilities and the new Federal Way High School was shown to the
committee.
Another illustration depicted an environmental education center that could be funded by the
proposed bond. The center is proposed for the undeveloped wetland that is located near Five-Mile
Lake and the new middle school. The environmental center could serve as a retreat center and a
nice attraction for the city.
Mr. Murphy named five other Federal Way schools that have been identified as being in need of
being rebuilt. Those schools are Lakeland, Lakota, Sunny Crest, Valhalla, and Panther Lake. The
schools would also be reconstructed on their existing sites.
The committee would like Mr. Murphy to make a presentation to the full council.
c) Discussion of Sound Transit West TOD
Chair Eric Faison asked the item to be placed on the April 12th agenda.
4. OTHER
Patrick Doherty was pleased to introduce Lillian Yeh, our new Economic Development Assistant.
5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
6. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
April 12, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room.
7. ADJOURN
Chair Eric Faison adjourned the meeting at 6:19pm.
Recorded by Jordan Wheeler