Council MIN 10-29-2014 SpecialCITY OF
Federal Way
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers - City Hall
October 29, 2014 — 6:00 p.m.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the Special Meeting to order at the hour of 6:04 pm
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Deputy Mayor Jeanne Burbidge, Councilmember Lydia
Assefa- Dawson, Councilmember Kelly Maloney, Councilmember Susan Honda, Councilmember Bob
Celski, and Councilmember Dini Duclos.
City staff in attendance: Chief of Staff Brian Wilson, City Attorney Amy Jo Pearsall and City Clerk
Stephanie Courtney.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chief Andy Hwang led the flag salute.
Mayor Ferrell excused Councilmember Martin Moore absence. He sadly reported former Federal Way
City Councilmember and State Representative Roger Freeman passed away from his battle with
cancer this morning. He has ordered flags at all the city buildings and the flag on 320th be lowered to
half -staff in honor of Rep. Freeman.
He then asked for a moment of silence to remember their friend and colleague Roger Freeman.
3. 2015 -2016 BIENNIAL BUDGET
a. Department Presentations:
Municipal Court
Presiding Judge David Larson thanked the Mayor and Council for allowing him to present first.
He reviewed the Community Outreach the Court has focused on and will continue to focus on
in the next biennial budget looking for community partnerships for alternatives to fines and
fees. He noted the Court's reported revenue and budgeted expenses balance; and clarified
the Court is not in the business of making money, rather a checks and balance system.
Highlighted key projects for the Court include: the New Dawn JustWare program, and security
improvements — including an x -ray machine. In conclusion, Judge Larson said he is very
proud of the Court and thanked the court clerks, supervisors and the Court Administrator for
working well as a team.
Mayor Ferrell and Councilmembers thanked Judge Larson for the presentation.
Law Department
City Attorney Amy Jo Pearsall briefly reviewed the department's organizational chart which
includes the Civil Legal Services, Criminal Prosecution, and Risk Management Administration.
She noted the highlights of 2013/14 include: assisting staff with the City Center
Redevelopment; addressed marijuana related businesses and moratorium; negotiated and
finalized labor agreements and wireless site leases. Additional highlights are various
electronic conversions for workflow; prosecuting 3,750 citations including DUI, DWLS, DV,
Theft and other misdemeanors; and transitioning to Self- Insured.
Ms. Pearsall noted the changes the Mayor is recommending regarding staffing in the Law
Department is reflected through reclassifying the Deputy City Attorney position to Assistant
City Attorney; reclassifying Domestic Violence Liaison to Domestic Violence Advocate; and
adding .50 FTE Legal Assistant
Ms. Pearsall responded to Council questions regarding the Domestic Violence Liaison
position, revenue and risk management functions. Mayor Ferrell thanked Ms. Pearsall for her
report.
iii. Police Department
Police Chief Andy Hwang introduced members of his management team who have a
combined total of 227 years of police experience. He displayed the Police Departments
Organizational chart which includes 155 FTE; which includes 126 sworn personnel. The
Police Department provides 24/7 service.
Chief Hwang highlighted the Key Accomplishments which include the Police Sub - Station in
the downtown core; and the transition of patrol cars to black and white to increase visibility in
the community. He was pleased to report the department has achieved the CALEA
Accreditation; one of only 7 agencies in the state. Additional accomplishments are online
reporting from our citizens and businesses; Automatic License Plate readers; the Traffic
Safety Project — Nick and Derek Districted Driving project and a new in -house electronic field
reporting system.
Councilmembers inquired about the volunteer cart return program; Crime reporting at the
state level — are our numbers driven up by the increased emphasis, and if the increased
numbers make our jurisdiction look worse. He also reported more on the Nick and Derek
project which targets distracted driving. Councilmembers thanked Chief Hwang and his
department for the work they do daily for the community.
4. CITIZEN COMMENT
No citizen comment was given.
5. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; Mayor Ferrell adjourned the special meeting at 7:10
pm.
Attest:
Sktoalnie D. Courtney, CMC
City Clerk
Approved by Council: 11/18/2014