Loading...
PRHSPSC MINS 09-12-2005 City of Federal Way City Council PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Monday, September 12, 2005 5:30 p.m. SUMMARY In attendance: Council Committee members Chair Jeanne Burbidge, Jim Ferrell, Jack Dovey, Deputy Mayor Linda Kochmar, Derek Matheson, Assistant City Manager, Anne Kirkpatrick, Director of Public Safety, Amy Jo Pearsall City Attorney, Jenni Snell, City Attorney, Kelli O’Donnell CDBG Coordinator, Iwen Wang, Director Management Services, Donna Hanson, Director PRCS, B Sanders Park Planning & Development Coordinator, Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Assistant. Guests: Ed Sedlak, John Leskovar, Marie Sciacqua Citizen. Ron Walker, Diversity Commission, Jerry Thorseon, Assistant Chief Federal Way Fire Department. Chair Burbidge called the meeting to order at 5:33p.m. PUBLIC FORUM John Leskovar stated that he is interested in Public Safety issues. He is questioning how well this City is doing in the area of public safety. He wants to know if this Committee functions as a support group for public safety, and if it does, what does it do? He would like to see public safety be broader than the police department. How does the Committee support City Council? Chief Kirkpatrick answered that the Committee is where she does business to present agenda items that need to go before the full council. She also stated that this Committee has extended a lot of support to the Public Safety Department. Chair Burbidge stated that the Committee addresses issues of Public Safety, Human Services and Parks & Recreation. Council member Ferrell stated that equipment requests, computer system, bullet-proof vests, and issues that are brought to the attention to the Committee by citizens are the types of things that come through the Committee. Council member Dovey stated that the Committee sets policies and the staff carries it out. He believes in letting citizens come forward with concerns. This allows the Council to research the issue, and if there is a better way to do business, then we can make those changes. Marie Sciacqua stated that her issues of concern are enforcement of traffic codes, commercial vehicles parking on the right-of-ways, and fireworks. Ms. Sciacqua spoke in favor of a stronger enforcement and more traffic tickets issued to people that are violating the traffic codes. She also stated that it seems the fireworks are getting worse and would like to see something done about that. On a positive note, she is the event chairwoman for the fundraising Committee and they are working very hard. COMMISSION COMMENT None APPROVAL OF SUMMARY Council members Dovey and Ferrell moved to accept the August meeting minutes as written. Motion passed. BUSINESS ITEMS Fireworks Update Mr. Matheson stated that representatives from the City Managers Office, Police and Fire Department met to discuss how they could increase their response to the illegal use of fireworks. The group has established two goals: 1) reduce the number of fires and injuries, and 2) reduce the number of fire related calls for service. They have developed a work plan that is divided into three tiers: education, enforcement and legislation. They agreed that education is going to be the most effective tool for reducing the use of fireworks, but there will be certain situations where enforcement will be necessary. Mr. Matheson did highlight that one of the challenges for enforcement is that firework users tend to be law-abiding citizens. They are using fireworks as part of a family and social gathering. This will put officers in a very difficult position of citing people in front of their friends and families. Mr. Matheson also stressed that the Council members need to be aware that an increase in citations could possibly generate complaints about enforcement. Mr. Matheson reviewed the work plan. Council member Dovey asked if the Committee should discuss whether or not fireworks should be banned in Federal Way. A lot of time and money is going to be spent on an issue that staff will never be able to enforce. This will cause a lot of angry citizens in our community. A lot of money has been spent with the police officers, fire department and staff trying to enforce something that we’ll never get our hands around. Council member Ferrell agreed that it would make it difficult to PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Monday September 12, 2005 Summary Page 2 cite good people, and would turn neighbors onto neighbors. Chair Burbidge believes that part of the problem is there are people moving to Federal Way and are not aware that fireworks are illegal, and this is one of the reasons why we need to educate the public. The reason for establishing the Red, White and Blues Festival was to give people a venue to enjoy fireworks under safe conditions. Assistant Chief Thorson stated that the Ban on fireworks has been successful, and there has been a dramatic reduction in incidents. He encouraged the city to continue the ban, and to work strenuously on the education. The Fire Department doesn’t want to issue citations to people in front of their relatives either. Mr. Sedlak stated that he is not concerned about the safe and sane fireworks; he’s concerned about the rocket fireworks. He believes education is a good idea, but education needs to be backed up with enforcement. Diversity Commission Business Plan 2005-2006 Mr. Walker, Chair of the Diversity Commission presented the Business Plan. He highlighted three projects: 1) Martin Luther King Event, 2) Book Donation, and 3) International Flag Collection. The book donation project involves donating culturally diverse books to the local schools in Federal Way. Last year they donated approximately 700 books. The Martin Luther King event has been expanded to a three day event. Friday, Saturday and Monday. They will hold a leadership breakfast on Friday, Saturday will be a Community Service event with Habitat for Humanity. The Thesis of the event is: The future is not in the hands of the youth, but in the hands of those that prepare the youth for the future. The theme is: Preparing for the Future. Mr. Walker stated that there are 87 different languages spoken in Federal Way. The Commission would like to have a collection of International flags representing all of the nations that are here in Federal Way. Each community group is responsible for purchasing their own flag at a cost of $250.00. Council member Dovey wanted it clarified that the City will not purchase flags for those countries that are not able to afford to purchase the flags themselves. Mr. Walker said that this is an ongoing project and that not every group will have a flag. The precedence will be set that the group is responsible for purchasing their own flag. They are still trying to find a location to display the flags. Council member Dovey moved to approve the 2005-2006 Diversity Commission Business Plan and place before the full City Council for approval on October 4, 2005 meeting. Council member Ferrell seconded. Motion passed. Federal Way Housing and Human Services Data Ms. O’Donnell stated that the biggest shortage, which is the same for all of King County is housing available to households making less than the 30% of median income. This is something that will be addressed in the Consolidated Plan. The market rate rental housing is considered affordable if a household is spending less than 30% of their monthly income on housing and utilities. In Federal Way the available data states that there are gaps in affordable housing for households below 40% of median income. King County Housing Authority owns 143 units of public housing in Federal Way. There are also over 1,100 units of Section 8 housing. Council member Dovey noted that Table 14 shows a deficit of approximately 3,000 affordable units for households that have very low incomes. Council member Dovey stated that perhaps Council needed to be more pro-active and have a plan to solve the issue of the lack of affordable housing in Federal Way. Ms. O’Donnell noted that this is only one data point that should be considered with the other data on housing in the Consolidated Plan. Chair Burbidge stated that one of the Councils major endeavors is Economic Development. This would provide more resources and more jobs. Ms. O’Donnell stated that staff is also looking into doing a one night count in January of 2006 to gather homeless data. Recommendations for the 2006 CDBG Program Ms. O’Donnell presented the recommendations for the 2006 CDBG Program. The total estimated amount of funding available is $474,661. The Human Services Commission made their recommendations in the following funding categories: $310,985 Capital Projects, $81,838 Public Services, $81,838 Planning and Administration. They did not open for Capital Projects because of the time-line for the renegotiations with King County. Existing CDBG projects that already qualify for funding were considered for 2006 funding. The three Capital Projects being recommended are King County Housing Authority Southridge House and Fire and Life Safety Sprinkler System, Multi-Service Center Employment Program, and Multi-Service Garden Park Apartments Rehab. Council member Dovey requested a complete analysis of the employment program. He would like to know how many people have gone through the program, the type of employment, and the hourly wage they are paid. He would like this included with the Council Packet. Council member Dovey moved to recommend approval of the Preliminary 2006 CDBG Program that includes: Preliminary funding levels for 2006 CDBG Capital Projects and Public Service Projects: Conditions of Funding; a Contingency Plan should the funding increase or decrease, and the 2006 Planning and Administration Budget. It is further moved that the City Manager be authorized to enter into the required agreements to carry out Federal Way’s 2006 CDBG program. This recommendation is to be forwarded to the full City Council for consideration at the September 20, 2005 meeting. Council member Burbidge seconded. Motion passed. Council member Ferrell recused himself, he serves on the Board for the Multi-Service Center. PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Monday September 12, 2005 Summary Page 3 Changes to HomeSight First Homes Program Ms. O’Donnell stated that HomeSight is a program for first time homebuyers. The program provides purchase assistance and affordable first mortgages for eligible buyers. The City of Federal Way has $195,000 in the program with $140,000 of matching funds from the County Housing Opportunity Fund and the HOME program. As loans are repaid, these funds revolve back to assist additional clients. HomeSight has requested changes to the program to respond to the current market conditions. They have asked for 5 revisions, but city and county staff are recommending that only two of the proposed changes be approved: 1) Increase the loan limit from $25,000 to $35,000; and 2) defer payments of the loans at the 30 year period or until sale or refinance of the property. This is similar to the housing repair program. The deferment of repayment of the principal and interest will reduce the financial burden on lower income homebuyers. Chair Burbidge requested a list of housing in the City that the City of Federal Way has assisted with funding. Council member Dovey moved to recommend that the City of Federal Way concur with the requested changes to the Homesight First Homes program to increase the loan amount to $35,000 and to defer loan repayments until refinance or sale. This recommendation is to be forwarded to the full City Council on the Consent Agenda at the September 20, 2005 meeting. Council member Ferrell seconded. Motion passed. Madrona Park – Award Contract for Playground Equipment Ms. Sanders reported that Madrona Park is nearing completion. The next step is purchasing and installing the playground equipment. Funding for the project is through CDBG. The total amount provided is $75,000. Proposals were sent out to three companies on the small works roster. Council member Dovey moved to recommend this item to be placed on the Council Consent Agenda September 20, 2005 for award of contract for Madrona Park Playground equipment to Northwest Playground Equipment Inc. for $73,162.23, and authorize the City Manager to execute contract. Council member Ferrell seconded. Motion passed. Department of Homeland Security Buffer Zone Grant for Wild Waves & Enchanted Village - $50,000 Grant Chief Kirkpatrick reported that she was approached by the division head of Homeland Security in Seattle, and was told that they had identified Wild Waves and Enchanted Village as meeting the criteria to coordinate a Buffer Zone Protection Plan. The Department has decided that the best use of the $50,000 grant is to upgrade the size of van that is utilized for the bomb disposal unit and bomb disposal equipment. The Department will be receiving a robot from the FBI. The robot that they are going to receive will not fit into the van that the Department currently has. Council member Dovey moved to authorize the Police Department to receive the $50,000 DHS Grant, and forward to full Council for approval on September 20, 2005. Council member Ferrell seconded. Motion passed. Chair Burbidge stated she has received copies of letters from members of the community thanking the Federal Way Police Department for their services. PENDING ITEMS Emergency Preparedness ANNOUNCEMENTS None NEXT MEETING – October 10, 2005 5:30 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 7:03p.m.