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PRHSPSC MINS 03-08-2011City of Federal Way City Council PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERV ICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Tuesday, March 8, 2011 5:30 p.m. SUMMARY Committee Members in Attendance: Committee Chair Jeanne Burbidge, Council member Michael Park, and Council member Roger Freeman Staff Members in Attendance: Cary Roe, Director of Parks, Public Works & Emergency Management, Amy Jo Pearsall, Asst. City Attorney, Brian Wilson, Chief of Police, Bryant Enge Administrative Services Director, Steve Ikerd Parks & Facilities Manager, Rob Ettinger, DBC Conference Coordinator, Lynnette Hynden, Human Services & Community Affairs Manager, and Debbie Lusebrink, Administrative Assistant I. Guest: Rita Cipalla, Cipalla Communications, Susan Honda, Arts Commission Chair, Fred Konkell, Parks Commission Chair Chair Burbidge called the meeting to order at 5:35p.m. Councilmember Park moved to change Item D to Item B on agenda and add to agenda NSP3 and make it iItem E on Agenda. Chair Burbidge seconded, motion passed. There were two item C’s on the agenda, therefore, agenda should be Items A-F, not A-E with addition. Public Comment: None Commission Comments: Mr. Konkell stated that the Parks Commission has an item on the agenda, and the Commission could not act on that agenda item, because they did not have a quorum for the March Parks Commission meeting. He stated that when this item was originally brought up to the Commission there was not any opposition. He also stated that there will be some vacancy’s opening up soon on the Commission. Ms. Honda stated that there is a new sculpture down at Dumas Bay Centre. The Arts Commission is sponsoring an event at the Knutzen Family Theatre, Becci Crow is coming back to speak about her Panda trip to China. Her artwork will also be hanging in the Gallery. The tickets are $10 and those 18 and under are free. Ms. Honda also stated that the Diversity Commission distributed books on diversity to four elementary schools. APPROVAL OF SUMMARY Council member Park moved to approve the February meeting summary. Council member Burbidge seconded. Motion passed. BUSINESS ITEMS Amend Federal Way Revised Code Title 9 Regarding Animal Services Chief Wilson stated that they have been providing animal control services for six months. While reviewing the code, they came across some opportunities to revise the code so that it will reflect their current operation. They are amending Chapters 9.05, 9.18, and 9.25. These changes are 1) to add a definition of bite, 2) change the definition of a hobby cattery, expand definition of animal cruelty, 3) add “poop/scoop” law, 4) add parks to list of places where aggressive dogs constitute a nuisance, 5) clarify when and how the animal services authority may abate nuisances, and 6) clarify how a dangerous dog would be confiscated. Council member Park moved to forward the proposed ordinance to First Reading on March 15, 2011 City Council meeting. Chair Burbidge seconded. Motion passed. Councilmember Freeman arrived. Dumas Bay Centre Marketing and Communications Plan Update Dumas Bay Centre (DBC) Coordinator Rob Ettinger stated that $70,000 was approved by Council to provide marketing updates at DBC. The new website was unveiled in the spring. With the new Marketing Plan they are hoping to achieve the following performance measures: Secure 1-2 anchor clients, Increase day rental revenues by PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Tuesday March 8, 2011 Summary Page 2 10%, Increase overnight stays by 10% and increase social events by adding 10-20 events. A public meeting was held in October, with 10-15 people in attendance. The marketing ideas were presented at that meeting. Mr. Ettinger introduced Rita Cipalla from Cipalla Communications. Ms. Cipalla reviewed the Marketing approaches that were taken. They have renamed the conference rooms, and developed a new logo that brought out the gazebo and water. They want to reach out to the business audience and social audience. They have started to advertise on mywedding.com, and the Bravo Event page. Mailers will be sent out in Spring and Fall. Councilmember Park asked when this would be completed. Ms. Cipalla answered in the end of April or early May. Councilmember Park stated that if it was completed in April, it would provide more opportunities. Mr. Ettinger stated that Fall is a very busy time for them, and it tends to slow down in November and December. Council member Park asked if staff is asking users of the DBC how they learned of the Centre, Mr. Ettinger answered that they are. They will receive monthly reports regarding the web and to track progress. Community Development Block Grant Direct Entitlement Ms. Hynden stated that whether or not the City should become a direct entitlement has been an ongoing question for the past four years. The City of Federal Way’s Joint agreement with King County expires at the end of 2011. To help make the decision, consultants were hired, and Ms. Hynden has met with HUD officials, as well as other agreement cities. She also participated in many stated wide discussions about how other jurisdictions operate. Ms. Hynden looked at the size of our city, the projects that we do, and potential projects that could be done with the CDBG dollars. The consultant was unable to find any firm evidence of whether or not the city should go to direct entitlement. Ms. Hynden stated that what it comes down to is relationships, and whether or not they are getting good customer service, and whether or not they can achieve what they need to achieve for the size of our city, and the entitlement that is received. Ms. Hynden stated that over the last few years, there has been a problem with good customer service. There are startup costs to become a Direct Entitlement. There is a Consolidated Plan range, and it is also a highly public process that must be adhered to. Council member Park asked what the current status is with CDBG. Ms. Hynden answered that we are not funded for 2011; the Federal Government has not passed the appropriations to fund 2011. Right now there is a proposed 60% cut. Council member Park asked if it was cut significantly would you still support Direct Entitlement. Ms. Hynden stated that the significant change for her would be to have a collaborative approach and be able to work the dollars. Michael Park asked if some cities pull out, will the King County Consortium Admin. Dollars be reduced. Ms. Hynden answered that they would lose an FTE, and possibly an FTE and a half. It depends on what Redmond and Kirkland decide to do. Council member Park asked about the startup costs. The consolidated plan would range anywhere from $25,000-$40,000, and she expects that for the City of Federal Way it will be on the higher range. There are also other assessments that will need to be done, and those tend to run from $5,000-$10,000. There is a tracking system that will need to be supported by IT. Council member Park asked if council changes the policy what positions would need to be hired? Ms. Hynden stated her recommendation would be to bring on a consultant before they commit to hiring an FTE. At minimum there will be a need for a part-time staff person. Council member Park asked where the funding would come from for a part-time staff person. Mr. Enge answered that they have not identified a resource to pay for this position. Ms. Hynden stated that the startup costs are reimbursable; the FTE position will need to find a resource for funding. Council member Burbidge would like to move forward with this, to the next Council meeting. Mr. Enge stated that he believed they would have sufficient time before the next Council meeting to sit down with the Mayor and finalize a plan to move forward. Council member Park stated he would like to see a plan on where the funding for the start-up costs will come from, and if any additional FTE’s are needed, how would those position(s) be funded. Council member Park moved to forward the Community Development Block Grant Direct Entitlement without a recommendation to the March 15, 2011 business agenda. Council member Freeman seconded. Motion passed. Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 – Request for Proposals Ms. Hynden reported that this is the third round of the Neighborhood Stabilization recovery program. This is to form a partnership with the Habitat of Humanity to further stabilize neighborhoods that have been damaged by the economic effect on properties that are foreclosed, abandoned or vacant. For the past three years there has been an average of 250 completed foreclosures of housing units per year. There are 400 a month that are coming in and out of that cycle. The Department of Commerce has identified two tracts in Federal Way. The minimum funding available is $500,000. Council member Park asked if there was an action plan for how we will utilize the money. Ms. Hynden answered that a meeting is scheduled with Habitat for Humanity to begin putting together a plan. Council member Freeman moved to forward option 1, as written and recommended by staff that the City of Federal Way will partner with Habitat for Humanity to submit an RFP for the NSP3 funds available to the PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Tuesday March 8, 2011 Summary Page 3 city based on the identified high needs/risk our two census tracts face within the city limits. This request is moved forward to the March 15, 2011 consent agenda for approval. Council member Park seconded. Motion passed. Naming of the Brooklake Overlook/Spur in Honor of Thais Bock Mr. Ikerd stated that the spur overlooks Brooklake. Mark and Adele Freeland submitted a letter to the Mayor requesting to name the Brooklake Spur of the West Hylebos Wetlands Boardwalk in honor of Thais Bock. Ms. Bock was very well known in the birding world, and was founder of the Rainier Audubon Society. Ms. Bock played an imported role in the preservation of the West Hylebos Wetlands. Council member Park moved approval of the naming of the Brooklake overlook/spur in honor of Thais Bock and authorization given for a memorial plaque to the full Council March 15, 2011 consent agenda for approval. Council member Freeman seconded. Motion passed. Council member Burbidge added that Thais was a very special community member and contributed a great deal. She stated that she was also a photographer and would like to have her photo’s displayed in the Art Gallery. NEXT MEETING April 12, 2011 5:30 p.m. in the Hylebos Conference Room ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:52p.m.