PRHSPSC MINS 12-12-2005
City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Monday, December 12, 2005
6:00 p.m.
SUMMARY
In attendance: Council Committee members Chair Jeanne Burbidge, Jack Dovey, Jim Ferrell, Deputy Mayor Linda
Kochmar, Derek Matheson, Assistant City Manager, Anne Kirkpatrick, Director of Public Safety, Cathy Schrock,
Support Services Manager, Amy Jo Pearsall, Assistant City Attorney, Donna Hanson, Director PRCS, Kelli
O’Donnell, CDBG Coordinator, Angelina Allen-Mpyisi, Human Services Manager, Mary Faber PRCS
Superintendent, B Sanders Park Planner, Rob Ettinger, DBC Coordinator, Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Assistant.
Guests: John Leskovar, Citizen.
Chair Burbidge called the meeting to order at 6:02p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
John Leskovar: Mr. Leskovar stated his concern is public safety. He will continue to attend these meetings to
reiterate that for the City of Federal Way to perform the public safety aspect of city business, they cannot rely on just
the Public Safety department. He is concerned that the volunteer question is not getting the attention he would like it
to get. Mr. Leskovar stated that there is now a tie for the number of homicides in Federal Way. He also saw on the
local news that Federal Way was highlighted as the City with the highest number of auto thefts. Mr. Leskovar would
like a running 12 month statistic report on the crime rate in Federal Way. He would like this report to be presented
monthly at this meeting.
Council member Kochmar attended the meeting that the Public Safety Department held on car theft prevention. She
stated that they did an excellent job. Approximately 25 people attended.
COMMISSION COMMENT
None
APPROVAL OF SUMMARY
Council members Dovey and Burbidge moved to accept the November meeting minutes as written. Motion
passed.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Federal Way Symphony Special Event at Dumas Bay Centre
Ms. Faber stated that this is the first time in the Departments operations of the Dumas Bay property that a large-scale
concert was held outside on the grounds. The reason for this is that the primary use of the facility is inside. If an
event is held outside, it impacts the ability to use the inside of the building. The greatest revenue potential is over
night retreats and rentals. There were also environmental concerns about the ability to legally use the property in that
manner, based on the purchase agreement. The City Attorney reviewed this, and determined that it was a legal use of
the property. The request was reviewed by the Arts Commission and the Parks Commission, and recommended to
Council that there be a one-year agreement to use the property for that use. The agreement included that the
Symphony would pay for the business loss for the use of the property. Ms. Faber stated that the Federal Way
Symphony was very organized, and did not require a lot of assistance from staff. Overall everyone that attended the
event had great comments, and was very enthusiastic about continuing the event. The Federal Way Symphony has
requested to hold this event again in August of 2006. Ms. Faber clarified that the Symphony was asked to pay the
actual rental cost and a $5,000.00 additional business loss fee. If staff were able to rent out the building during the
event, then they would’ve reduced the $5,000 subsidy. Council member Dovey asked if it was possible to negotiate
with the Symphony and book the event for several years. Ms. Faber stated that this could be difficult because the
Symphony is not always sure that they will have enough funding for the event. Deputy Mayor Kochmar would like
to review the policy of charging organizations to hold events at city facilities at the City Council retreat. Ms. Hanson
stated that the Parks Department receives numerous requests for sponsorship and to waive fees at all of our facilities
from many organizations.
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES
& PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Monday December 12, 2005 Summary
Page 2
Organizational Capacity Building Pilot Program
This is a potential program that the Human Services division wants to launch next year. The capacity building
strategy is designed to increase organizational effectiveness of smaller grassroots human services agencies. The City
of Federal Way is interested in partnering with the City of Tukwila because they are finding that they also have some
challenging agencies that they work with, when they’re looking at organizational issues. The key goal for the
program is strengthening the infrastructure of small grassroots human services organizations in Federal Way and
Tukwila. An outside consultant will be hired to work with each participating group. Ms. Allen-Mpyisi stated that
the consultant would provide a thorough analysis of the internal workings of an organization. Once the assessment
has taken place, they would develop a report, meet with the staff and the board of an organization, present the
findings and work with them on developing a capacity building plan. The plan will identify the core areas that the
agency believes that they need to work on to help improve their organization. At this time they are finalizing the
program, and identifying agencies. United Way of King County has expressed strong interest in wanting to help
fund the program. Council member Dovey asked how many people could be helped with the money vs. giving that
money to a consultant so he/she can help an agency? Ms. Allen-Mpyisi stated that it would be a good investment
because she is unsure that if the City of Federal Way took the organizations services in-house, that we would be able
to provide the same type of services. Chair Burbidge stated that this program will enhance the operations of the
organizations, and they will become more effective.
Allocation of 2006 CDBG Funds for Emergency Feeding Program
Council member Dovey moved to forward option 1 to the full City Council for consideration at the January 3,
2006 City Council meeting on the Consent Agenda. Chair Burbidge seconded. Motion passed. Council
member Ferrell recused himself.
2005-2006 Youth Commission Work Plan
Ms. Faber stated that this is a typical work plan as in previous years. The work plan is based on the work of the
Youth Commission following their retreat. Deputy Mayor Kochmar requested that the Youth Commission give a
small presentation on the work plan at the January 3 City Council meeting. Council member Dovey moved to
approve the 2006-2006 Youth Commission Work Plan and place before full council for approval on January
3, 2006. Council member Ferrell seconded. Motion passed.
Thompson Property – Selecting a Park Name
Ms. Sanders reported that this project would go out to bid in spring for construction. The Parks and Recreation
Commission were asked to name the park. Their top choice is “Cascade Park.” Council member Ferrell asked what
the criteria are for naming a park. Deputy Mayor Kochmar stated that perhaps the process for naming parks needed
to be discussed at their Retreat. Council member Ferrell stated that this is an opportunity for naming the park
something significant, and this should not be rushed. The Council Committee is very respectful of the work that the
Parks Commission put into naming the park. This item will be discussed further at the City Council Retreat.
Council member Dovey moved to place this item on the February 13, 2006 PRHSPS Committee meeting.
Council member Ferrell seconded. Motion Passed.
DSHS Interlocal Agreement for Agency Respite Care-Recreation Services
This Interlocal Agreement is for funding recreation services for individuals with disabilities. This agreement allows
clients to register for eligible recreation programs at no charge. DSHS would reimburse the city for program fees.
Council member Dovey moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with
DSHS Department of Developmental Disabilities to provide respite care opportunities through recreation
services to individuals with disabilities place before full council for approval on January 3, 2006. Council
member Ferrell seconded. Motion passed.
Arts Commission 2006 Work Plan
Ms. Faber presented the 2006 Work Plan. The arts commission held a retreat to discuss the work plan. The draft
was reviewed at their November 17 meeting, and the work plan was approved at their December meeting. The work
plan is similar to the work they did last year. They are interested in expanding their marketing. A new item on the
work plan is developing a writer’s conference at Dumas Bay Centre. They would like to develop the concept in
2006, and host the conference in 2007. Deputy Mayor Kochmar asked what was happening with the garden at the
Dumas Bay Centre. Ms. Faber stated that this was a project initiated by private citizens, and they did not have any
funding. They are interested in raising the funds, but nothing has happened as of yet. Council member Dovey asked
if it was possible to mail the newsletter along with the City newsletter. Mr. Matheson stated that the City newsletter
is not addressed to specific people. Every resident gets the newsletter. The Arts Commission newsletter is target
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES
& PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Monday December 12, 2005 Summary
Page 3
marketed to people that are interested in the Arts. Chair Burbidge asked if it was possible to put a link to the
newsletter on the website. Council member Ferrell moved to approve the 2006 Arts Commission Work Plan
and place before full Council on January 3, 2006 for approval. Dovey seconded. Motion passed.
Arts Commission Cultural Arts Contracts for Services
Ms. Faber stated that this is a funding program that funds local performance groups. These groups are in Federal
Way, and they perform in Federal Way. Each year the groups submit applications for funding to the Arts
Commission. The Arts Commission has reviewed their requests. The budget for the 2006 Contract for Services
Program is $33,200. Council member Ferrell moved to approve the 2006 Contract for Services Program and
place before full Council for approval on January 3, 2006. Council member Dovey seconded. Motion passed.
Parks Commission 2006 Work Plan
Ms. Hanson presented the 2006 Work Plan to the Committee. The work plan consists of items that have been
referred to or assigned by Council. A major item on the agenda is the Park Plan. The Park Plan needs to be
completed by June of 2006 in order to use the plan to apply for grants. The budget for the Park Plan is $30,000.
There will be a significant public outreach process. The information that is gathered will be used for a lot of the
other projects on the Work Plan. Council member Dovey brought up the school election bond, that goes out to vote
in February. He stated that we need to keep an open mind that if the bond passes, we need to discuss with the school
district on how the City of Federal Way can joint venture with them on some of the agenda items. Ms. Hanson stated
that the Work Plan is a working document, and the Work Plan can be revisited and changed if necessary. Council
member Dovey moved to approve the 2006 Parks Commission Work Plan and place before full Council on
January 3, 2006 for consideration. Council member Ferrell seconded. Motion passed.
On-Line Crime Report Software Purchase
Ms. Schrock stated that the basic function of the software is to allow citizens and victims of crimes within the City of
Federal Way, to report their crimes via the web site and do not require immediate interaction with a Police Officer or
a Police Support Officer. There are many times that citizens are looking for an easy way to get documentation that
they reported the crime, and they can move on to the insurance process. This software is ready to be integrated with
the Departments current records management system. Ms. Schrock stated that the software would be available at
local libraries and public access points where the Internet is available. There will be a kiosk in the public safety
lobby where it will also be accessible. Chief Kirkpatrick stated that citizens that are not computer savvy, or would
like to have an officer come to their home will continue to be taken care of. Ms. Schrock explained that each
incident reported on-line, will be reviewed, and assigned a case number. If the victim of the crime receives
additional information or evidence, they will always have that case number to refer to, and the police can start further
investigation. Council member Dovey is concerned that this type of program may lead to insurance fraud. Chair
Burbidge stated that this would offer people a choice. If they want to see an officer they can. It will also be stated
very clearly on the form that it is a crime to report a crime that did not occur. Council member Ferrell wants to be
sure that the department is not being perceived as being out of touch, and too automated. This program will free up
Officers to handle higher priority calls. Snohomish County, Bellevue and Auburn currently have this system in
place. Council member Ferrell moved to forward to full Council at the December 20, 2005, regular meeting to
authorize the City Manager to enter into a license agreement with ePoliceDepartment inc. Council member
Dovey seconded. Motion passed.
PENDING ITEMS
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS - None
NEXT MEETING – January 23, 2006 6:00 p.m. in the Dash Point Conference Room
ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 7:18p.m.