PRHSPSC MINS 06-09-2015
K:\PRHSPS Committee\2015\06092015 Mins.doc
City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday June 9, 2015
5:00 p.m.
SUMMARY
Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Honda, and Committee members Duclos and Moore
Council Members in Attendance: Deputy Mayor Burbidge, Council member Assefa-Dawson
Staff Members in Attendance: Chief of Staff Brian Wilson, John Hutton, Parks Director, Steve Ikerd, Parks
Deputy Director, Ryan Call, Assistant City Attorney, Rob Ettinger, Dumas Bay Centre Manager, Denise Catalano,
CDBG Coordinator, and Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Asst. II.
Chair Honda called the meeting to order at 5:00p.m.
Public Comment:
Brock Madden – Stated that he is a local actor, and that Centerstage gives amateur actors/dancers experience so that
they can move onto larger venues, in larger cities.
Christina Barrigan – Is an independent theater artist and freelance designer. She works with Centerstage. She spoke
about how Centerstage helps the local economy. People spend money on food , gas and lodging. Centerstage gives
wonderful opportunities for young actors, and they are committed to hiring these young actors.
Alan Bryce – Artistic Director of Centerstage. The Centerstage Board was enthused by the recent meeting with Brian
Wilson and other staff. It helped establish a foundation for the future relationship between Centerstage and the City
of Federal Way. He says his relationship with the city has always been good, particularly for the past six years when
they were contracted to manage the Knutzen Family Theater. He stated that Centerstage works very hard to provide a
good service to the community, with a very strong product. There are a lot of benefits to having a live theater in
town. Mr. Bryce stated that approximately 70% of their audience comes from out of town.
Pete Stogout – He stated that he and his wife buy season tickets. He has friends that come in from out of town. He
would like to see Centerstage continue at Knutzen Family Theater.
Lawson Bronson – He has lived in Federal Way for almost 40 years. He and his wife have attended many shows
outside of Federal Way. They have chosen to spend most of their time with Centerstage because they get the same or
better quality for less money. He does not want to lose Centerstage at the Theater.
Gary Roberts - Mr. Roberts is a small business owner in Federal Way. He stated that they Mayor’s decision to close
Centerstage Theatre so abruptly is a devastating blow to the community. Mr. Roberts provides printing for
Centerstage’s brochures, posters, and programs. He stated that Mr. Bryce also works hard to save on expenses.
Closing Centerstage has a trickle-down effect. The Theater has brought business to the small business community in
Federal Way. Centerstage is one of his biggest accounts and he would be greatly hurt financially if Centerstage were
to close.
Kathy Scanlon – Ms. Scanlon is Chair of the Human Services Commission, and asked the Committee to accept their
recommendations for the employee donations that they originally submitted.
Colleen Morgan – Ms. Morgan is a resident of Seattle, she stated that she feels very strongly about the quality of the
arts community in Federal Way. Ms. Morgan has made a point of attending nearly every Centerstage performance.
She brings people with her to the performances. She receives very positive comments from these people. She stated
that if the city wants a vibrant art scene, then the city needs to support the one that it has.
Commission Comment: Human Services Chair Ms. Scanlon provided her comments in public comments.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Committee member Moore moved to approve the May minutes as written. Committee member Duclos
seconded. Motion passed.
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Summary
Page 2
BUSINESS ITEMS
Centerstage Theatre Arts Conservatory Inc. Contract Extension
Mr. Wilson introduced key members of staff that are directly involved in the negotiations that will be taking place.
Mr. Wilson provided the history of CST and the contract. In 2009 a contract was entered into for three years, and in
2012 the contract was renewed for another three year term. The contract will expire on June 30, 2015, and the city
was required to go out to bid. CST was the lone bidder. Negotiations took place, and those negotiations broke off.
There has been a tremendous response from the community ab out the value of CST. The city and CST are going to
continue the negotiations. Mr. Wilson and staff are making the recommendation to extend the contract for another
ninety days with the current agreement. Mr. Wilson stated that the contract negotiations and decisions are under the
purview of the Executive Branch for the Mayor’s office, and Council has not been a part of the decisions or
discussions in terms of the negotiations. He stated that he takes responsibility and is very much focused on moving
towards a solution. This contract extension will expire on September 15, 2015. Negotiation sessions will take place
once a week through July. There is mutual interest for both parties to be successful. Committee member Duclos
thanked everyone for coming, and thanked the Mayor and his staff for the 90 day extension. She encouraged the
parties to work together to come up with a new contract. Committee member Moore appreciated everyone’s time and
thanked Mr. Wilson for responding to everyone that had sent in an email response. He looks forward to supporting
CST. Deputy Mayor Burbidge stated that she has been a long time supporter of CST and she cherishes the value of
CST. She also thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. Council member Assefa-Dawson also thanked everyone
for being there and realizes how important CST is to the city. Committee member Duclos stated that Council was not
a part of these discussions, and was not aware that there was an issue. She added that CST is a valued part of the
community. She is hopeful that things will get worked out to everybody’s satisfaction. Chair Honda asked that the
Council is kept updated on the negotiations. Mr. Wilson stated that he is optimistic about reaching a mutually
beneficial agreement. Chair Honda stated that she has heard from a few people that this decision was made because
the City wants to sell Dumas Bay Centre; this is not true, this has nothing to do with selling Dumas Bay. Mr. Wilson
said that there has never been a discussion about selling Dumas Bay; this also has nothing to do with the Performing
Arts and Event Center. Council member Assefa-Dawson thanked Mr. Wilson for his openness. Committee member
Duclos moved to approve a 90 day contract extension effective July 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015 an d
increase compensation in the amount of $18,900 for a grand total contract value of $466,898.00 over the
course of a six year contract, to the full City Council June 16, 2015 consent agenda for approval.
Allocation of 2015 City Employee Donations to the Human Services Fund
Chair Honda stated that this item was presented at the May PRHSPS Committee meeting, and was sent back to the
Human Services Commission for reconsideration. Ms. Catalano stated that at their May meeting, the Human
Services Commission discussed the recommendation further and following their discussion they voted unanimously
again to resubmit their original funding recommendation to the PRHSPS Committee with the same
recommendations. Committee Duclos asked if the staff has any say in where they want the money to go. Ms.
Catalano answered that they don’t, and historically it has gone to an agency that is currently being funded by the
general fund. Committee member Moore asked if it was a possibility for staff to have input on where the money
goes. Ms. Catalano answered that it is feasible. Council member Burbidge stated that staff could make their own
specific recommendation, but what they have chosen to do is to ask for the recommendation of the Human Services
Commission. Ms. Catalano added that the money goes into the general fund, which is allocated by the Commission
and the City Council. If staff chooses to donate to the United Way, then they could choose a specific agency. Council
member Assefa-Dawson added that since staff has chosen to donate to the Human Services fund, then it serves the
purpose of not having to go back to staff, which would delay the process; the commission already knows where the
need is. Chair Honda stated that she supports the commission’s decision in their recommendation. Committee
member Moore stated that he values the work of the commission, but he does not support the commission on this. It
is his understanding that St. Vincent De Paul will match the $2,214 funding. Ms. Catalano answered that yes, St.
Theresa’s Catholic Church always matches the donation. Committee member Duclos stated that she is not going to
go against the commission’s decision, but that she feels very strongly about Human Trafficking. Committee member
Duclos also wants to respect the employee’s decision to donate to the Human Services fund. Committee member
Moore stated that there is a huge discrepancy in the funding, and that FWCAT is limited in their funding, and he is
concerned about this, and he would like them to receive more funding. Committee member Moore moved to
transfer over an additional $500.00 to FWCAT, so that they would receive a total of $1500. There was no
second. Committee member Duclos moved to forward the Human Services Commission’s recommendation to
allocate the 2015 City employee donations to the June 16, 2015 consent agenda for approval. Committee
member Moore seconded. Deputy Mayor Burbidge stated that if she were voting she would also vote for the
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Summary
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commission’s recommendation, and she understands the needs of both organizations. Committee member Moore
asked for a brief explanation on the discussions that took place. Commissioner Scanlan answered that the
commission discussed extensively about all of the organizations and settled on two of them. They felt very strongly
about the emergency funding for Federal Way residents; $20 can help a lot of people. Committee Moore said that he
would support this because the emergency fund supports individual lives, whereas the FWCAT goes to a larger
cause. Motion passed.
Surplus Vehicle Retention
Mr. Hutton stated that the Parks Department would like to keep two surplus vehicles. The first vehicle is an
equipment trailer that would be converted into a volunteer project trailer. The second vehicle is a Sonomo pickup
with a canopy that would be used for the Dumas Bay Centre kitchen for delivery to the Splash Café and City Hall for
catering operations. Currently staff is using their personal vehicles for deliveries. There are no additional costs.
Committee member Moore moved to forward the retention of two surplus vehicles by the Parks Department
to the June 16, 2015 consent agenda for approval. Committee member Duclos seconded. Motion passed.
Town Square Park Update
Mr. Ikerd reported that they went out to bid for the infrastructure with includes the parking lot, trail and the grass
lawn. Five companies attended the pre-con meeting. The bids will be presented with staff’s recommendation at the
June 16, 2015 City Council meeting. Staff was planning on receiving a large donation of soil from a local company
for the park. The soil was tested and was found to be contaminated from the Asarco. Extra testing was done, and
those tests came back with the same results. This did cause a slight delay in going out to bid. The cost of the soil will
be approximately $100,000.
NEXT MEETING:
July 14, 2015
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:08p.m.