PRHSPSC MINS 12-13-2011 City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERV ICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
5:30 p.m.
SUMMARY
Committee Members in Attendance: Committee Chair Jeanne Burbidge, Council member Mike Park and Council
member Freeman.
Council Member in Attendance: Council member Linda Kochmar
Staff Members in Attendance: Brian Wilson, Chief of Police, Cary Roe, Director, Parks, Public Works and
Emergency Management, Pat Richardson, Director, Law /City Attorney, Patrick Doherty, Director, Community &
Economic Development, and Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Assistant II.
Guest: Susan Honda, Chair of the Diversity Commission and Arts Commission; Bob Celski, Council member elect
Chair Burbidge called the meeting to order at 5:32p.m.
Chair Burbidge commented that this is Council member Parks last meeting. She thanked him for all of his hard
work and dedication.
Public Comment: None.
Commission Comment: Ms. Honda reported that the Diversity Commission will be holding a food drive on the
Saturday of MLK weekend. They are looking for volunteers to help with this event. She also reported on the Tree
Lighting event that was held. She thanked staff in particular John Hutton and Leah Fraine for their hard work. She
stated that things were changing up until the last minute, and is hoping things will be smoother next year.
Chair Burbidge added that it was a very nice event, and thanked the Arts Commission and staff.
APPROVAL OF SUMMARY
Council member Park moved to approve the November meeting summary. Council member Burbidge
seconded. Motion passed.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Agenda items B &C were combined
Washington Traffic safety Commission (WTSC) Grant MOU 2011/2012 ($10,837.50)
Chief Wilson reported that the Federal Way Police Department (FWPD) participates with the WTSC on DUI related
enforcement. This grant will provide funding for Police overtime. WTSC funding has provided overtime patrols
which have netted more than 30 DUI arrests this year. This grant is in the amount of $10,837.50 and will be used
for reimbursement of overtime for the term of October 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. Council member Freeman
moved to forward this proposed MOU to the City Council consent agenda for approval. Council member
Park seconded. Motion passed.
Washington Traffic safety Commission (WTSC) Grant MOU 2011/2012 ($8,200.00)
This grant will be used for seatbelt enforcement. The term of this grant is October 1, 2011 through September 30,
2012. This grant will pay $7,000 in overtime reimbursement to continue Target Zero Teams and up to $1,200.00
for overtime for seatbelt enforcement patrol operations. Council member Park moved to forward this proposed
MOU to the City council consent agenda for approval. Council member Freeman seconded. Motion passed.
Renewal of Jail Services Contracts
Chief Wilson stated that FWPD has had contracts for jail services with Chelan, Buckley, Enumclaw and Fife for
several years. The SCORE jail facility recently opened, and the city is a 17% owner of the facility. They have
started transitioning prisoners to that facility. The average daily population target is between 60 -67 prisoners.
There are some questions as to how the costing model is going to work in the future years. The FWPD is meeting
their commitment of the minimum bed amount. But they would like to be able to utilize the other jails as a safety
net should the average daily population of inmates unexpectedly change. The contracts are open, and there will not
be a minimum bed commitment, and will be on a first come first serve space available basis. Council member Park
asked how much the City is paying to SCORE per day. Chief Wilson answered that with debt service we are paying
$112.00 per day. Council member Freeman moved forward the proposed Jail Services Agreements to the full
Council Consent for approval. Council member Park seconded. Motion passed.
3
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday December 13, 2011 Summary
Page 2
Proposed Amendment to Federal Way Revised Code Chapter 9.09, Animal Licensing, and Chapter 19.260,
Animal Zoning Regulations, Regarding the Regulation of Cats and Dogs within the City
Ms. Richardson stated that the Police Department was looking at licensing for dogs and cats. It was discovered that
there is an inconsistency in the code. A hobby cattery allows 6 or more cats, and kennels allow 4 dogs. The Land
Use Provision Code is 3 or less per dwelling unit. In order to be consistent, the proposal is to move the regulations
of cats and dogs under Title 9 which is Animal Services to provide for the cattery and dog kennel. A provision was
also inserted to allow that the Animal Services Officer would do an inspection to ensure that where they want to
house the animals is appropriate. Council member Park moved to forward the proposed ordinance to First
Reading on January 3, 2012 Council meeting. Council member Freeman seconded. Motion passed.
Banner Infrastructure Across 320 Associated Banner Use Policy and Flower Baskets in the City Center
Director Roe stated that there are three primary issues. They are location, cost and banner use policy. A design has
not been done at this time. What drives the cost of the poles is the weight, how much load will be put on the pole,
the depth of the pole, foundation, diameter of the foundation and how much rebar is in the foundation. Typical cost
is $15,000- $25,000 per pole. Mr. Roe is estimating it will cost about $75,000. An initial survey was done on 320
and there is a proposed location between Applebee's and Chase Bank, just west of the entry road into the Commons
Mall. There will be three poles, and this concept will allow viewing of the banners both eastbound and westbound.
Ms. Richardson reported on the Banner Use Policy. She stated that the staff report in the packet is very brief, and if
Council wanted to move forward she would prepare a memorandum that would provide more details and ideas. She
stated that the City is subject to the Constitution of Free Speech, You can regulate time, place and manner through
the banner, but you need to have a good compelling reason on why you would limit it. The current code has a
definition of a civic or community event.
Council member Freeman would like staff to also look at the location of McDonalds as a possible site for the
banners.
Council member Burbidge would like to explore having a banner that was permanent; possibly a banner that says
"Welcome to Federal Way ".
Mr. Roe stated that for many years flower baskets were put up in the City Center, however the flower baskets were
cut as a part of the 2011/12 budget process. $16,500 was budgeted for this program. During peak season of the
heat, the baskets need to be watered twice a day, and it takes two part-time staff to do that. Council member
Kochmar suggested narrowing the area where the baskets are placed.
Council member Burbidge inquired about individual banners for events. Mr. Roe stated that we do have the ability
to put individual banners on the decorative streetlights. The downside of the banners is that they are smaller and it is
harder to read the small print. The same banner use policy would apply to these banners also.
Council member Kochmar would like to explore the possibility of local businesses sponsoring individual baskets. It
was discussed that the former City Manager's office received many calls from citizens complaining about the
maintenance and the costs of having two employees watering the baskets. Was this really needed during the
downturn in the economy? Patrick Doherty stated that many cities with a downtown area have Associations that
will pay for the maintenance of the baskets.
Mr. Doherty stated that there is a Diving event being held at the Aquatic Center in June 2012. It is very important
that we have banners in place welcoming them to the city.
Council member Kochmar asked where the money would come from to pay for the banners. Mr. Roe stated that it is
not budgeted. It is possible that some funding could come from the lodging tax.
A lengthy discussion was held, there are many issues to discuss and decisions that need to be made. It was decided
that this would be a good item for the Council retreat.
Ms. Richardson will write a Memorandum on Banner Use Policy for city sponsored events and civic events. This
memo will be provided prior to the Council retreat.
Director Roe will provide information on the pro's and cons of different locations for the banner structure.
NEXT MEETING - January 10, 2012.
Meeting adjourned at 6:38p.m.
K: \PRHSPS Committee12011 \December prhsps min.doe 4