PRPSC MINS 03-13-2007
City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday March 13, 2007
5:00 p.m.
SUMMARY
In attendance: Council Committee members Chair Jeanne Burbidge, Deputy Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council member
Linda Kochmar; Council member Jack Dovey, Jenni Snell, City Attorney, Brian Wilson, Director Public Safety,
Steve Ikerd, Parks and Facilities Manager, Tim Dickinson, Park Maintenance Supervisor Donna Hanson, Director
PRCS, Betty Sanders, Park Planning & Development Coordinator, Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Assistant.
Guests: Fred Konkell, Parks & Recreation Commission
Chair Burbidge called the meeting to order at 5:05p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMISSION COMMENT
Chair Burbidge introduced Fred Konkell, and congratulated him for being named Chair of the Parks & Recreation
Commission
APPROVAL OF SUMMARY
Chair Burbidge amended the minutes; changing the word table to delay. Council member Kochmar moved
that the summary of the February 13 meeting minutes be approved with the revision. Chair Burbidge
seconded. Motion passed.
Chair Burbidge moved the addition of 2 items to the agenda. Item A-2 is the Cabins Park: Award Landscape
Bid, and item C Proposed Ordinance to Add a Prohibition Against the Possession of Graffiti Tools. Council
member Kochmar seconded. Motion passed.
BUSINESS ITEMS
West Hylebos Wetlands Park Boardwalk: 100% Design Approval and Authorization To Bid
Ms. Sanders reported that the budget for this project is approximately $1,450,000, and in reviewing the proposed
design fees and construction costs; the estimated cost is $1,449,677. Construction costs have been volatile lately, so
the drawings have been setup to include two alternates. The two alternates are a spur that leads down to Brooklake
and the observation decks that are along the route. Ms. Sanders also reported that she has submitted and application
to the IAC for $300,000, and she will be notified in approximately 3-4 weeks if the application has been accepted.
The state has allocated $350,000 for the project, and there is $72,000 appropriated from the Federal Agency.
Council member Kochmar moved to approve the West Hylebos Boardwalk design, and approved to bid the
project. Council member Burbidge seconded, motion passed.
Cabins Park: Award Landscape Bid
Ms. Sanders reported that the major construction of the parking lot has been completed. The remaining items to be
completed are the landscaping and irrigation. They received four bids, with the lowest bid coming in at $24,471.58.
They have added sales tax and contingency for a total of $29,287.59. There is $68,000 remaining in the project
budget. Council member Dovey asked why we were adding contingency for a project that seems cut and dry. Ms.
Sanders answered that there is irrigation involved, and that any time holes are being dug into the ground there is a
possibility that you can run into a problem that you were unaware of. Council member Kochmar moved to award
the bid to Blue Sky Landscape Services, Inc. in the amount of $29,287.59. Council member Burbidge
seconded, motion passed.
PARKS, RECREATION, & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday March 13, 2007 Summary
Page 2
Celebration Park Maintenance Building
Mr. Ikerd reported that this building was originally included in the plan for Celebration Park. The original bid was
for a brick building. Those bids came back very high, and we were unable to afford it. The two buildings that are
located at the park have small storage areas that were intended to be a storage area for supplies. At this time golf
carts and ball field machines are being stored in those buildings. We are also renting storage units across the street.
Mr. Ikerd is proposing to have a maintenance building built at the park, using the Small Works Roster. He has
contacted Dave Clark, and Mr. Clark has designed the building differently and is using metal. The metal building
would blend in with the brick building. The estimated cost to construct the building is estimated to be under
$200,000. The original brick buildings were over $200,000. Council member Burbidge asked if there would be
additional planting around the building. Mr. Ikerd stated that there would be. Council member Kochmar believes
that this is a reasonable solution. Ms. Hanson stated that there has been some concern that the building would not be
brick, but staff believes that the metal building will be easier to maintain. Council member Kochmar moved
approval of the Celebration Park Maintenance Building plan and authorize the City Manager to execute
contracts not to exceed an aggregate of $200,000 using the Small Works Roster. Council member Burbidge
seconded, motion passed.
Proposed Ordinance to Add a Prohibition Against the Possession of Graffiti Tools
Ms. Snell stated that it has been an ongoing challenge for the Public Safety Department to cite people criminally for
graffiti, because you have to be present and catch them in the act, which is very difficult. This proposed Ordinance
will allow police to cite them criminally if they are in possession of graffiti tools. This would be a gross
misdemeanor, which means that it would be punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $5,000.
They would be subject to probation for a period of up to two years. This proposed Ordinance would also eliminate
the mandatory minimum penalty of 30 days in jail. The reason for this is that in looking at the state statute there’s no
mandatory minimum penalty. There is a concern keeping our code balanced with the State Statute so that we’re not
over stepping our legal boundaries. Deputy Mayor Ferrell arrived at the meeting at this time.
Juveniles are not subject to the mandatory minimum because they are under 18 years old. The Federal Way
Municipal Court would enforce the charges. Anybody under the age of 18 for a non-traffic crime would go to
juvenile court. They would be answering to the state statute. Council member Dovey asked if we’re getting tough
on graffiti, why we aren’t having a minimum sentence. Ms. Snell said that the way it’s currently written, it has been
a challenge to balance a minimum mandatory sentence for graffiti, when we don’t have a similar sentence for DUI’s.
There has also been an issue with the budget for our jails. Council member Dovey stated that if we’re serious about
graffiti, then we should have a serious penalty. Deputy Mayor Ferrell suggested that this issue be added to the
legislator’s agenda for the next legislative session. Council member Burbidge stated that in other types of crimes, if
there is a mandatory minimum penalty, sometimes it is actually imposed less, because there is a reluctance to impose
what might be considered a more severe penalty. She believes it is better to have some discretion to be able to
impose a penalty that is significant. Council member Dovey said a message needs to be sent so they don’t do it again.
Deputy Mayor Ferrell would like to see a graduated penalty scale. Council member Burbidge asked to have some
options presented at Full Council for discussion. Council member Kochmar moved to approve the proposed
ordinance and move to Full Council on March 20, 2007. Deputy Mayor Ferrell amended the motion that at
that Council meeting to have presented possible options for graduated enforcement. Council member
Kochmar seconded. Motion passed.
Council member Kochmar reported that she attended the National League of Washington Cities. She is on the
National Committee for crime prevention. She brought back information, and will forward that onto Chief Wilson.
Chief Wilson reported that our Police Department received a mutual aid request from the City of Tacoma to assist
them at the Port of Tacoma, where Military equipment was being loaded onto the ship. There have been between 70-
100 protestors each night.
NEXT MEETING – April 10, 2007 6:00 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room
ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 5:45p.m.