Council MIN 01-08-2013 SpecialCITY OF
,� Federal Way
MINUTES
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL &
30t" District Legislators
SPECIAL MEETING
2013 Legislative Breakfast
Council Chambers - City Hall
January 8, 2013
9:30am to 10:30am
www. cityoffeder�lway. com
1. Welcome & Introductions (Mayor Priest)
Mayor Priest called the meeting to order at 9:35 am.
Elected officials present: Mayor Skip Priest, Deputy Mayor Jim Ferrell, Councilmernber
Jeanne 'Burbidge and Councilmember Susan Honda.
Legislatars present: Senator Tracey Eide, Representatives Roger Freeman and Linda
Kochmar.
City Staff: City Attomey Pat Richardson and P�rks & Public Works Director Cary Roe,
Community and Economic Development Director Patrick Doherty, Police Chief Brian Wilson,
Communications and Grants Coordinator Chris Carrel, Finance Director Tho Kraus, IT
Manager Thomas Fichtner and Municipal Court Administrator Sue White.
Mayor Priest welcomed the Legislators and guests. He stated the purpose of the meeting was
to discuss the City's 2013 legislative priorities.
2. Discussion of Top Priorities for the 2013 Legislative Session
Deputy Mayor Ferrell thanked the legislators fortheir participation. He asked each to comment
on their priorities for the upcoming session. Senator Eide noted that transportation will be a
priority for her, and she is serving on the Transportation Committee. Representative Kochmar
is serving on the House Transportation Committee. Transportation and economic
development will be critical issues for her this session. Representative Freeman stated that
transportation and early childhood iearning were priorities for him.
• Restoring the liquor excise tax revenue sharing (Deputy Mayor Ferrell)
Staff support: Brian Wilson
• Retail reporting of liquor theft (Deputy Mayor Ferrellj
Staff support: Brian Wilson
Deputy Mayor Ferrell introduced the issue of liquor excise tax revenue sharing and the need
for reporting of liquor theft by retailers.
City Council Minutes — January 8, 2013 Special Meeting Page 1 of 3
The 2012 Legislature passed ESHB 2823, which diverted liquor excise taxes to the general
fund. This measure costs the City of Federal Way $450,000 annually in lost revenues, an
amount equivalent to four police officers. Liquor privatization is significantly increasing the
availability of alcohol in Washington State, and cities are experiencing a growing occurrence
of alcohol-related public safety impacts.
Senator Eide indicated her support for restoring the liquor excise tax revenue sharing with
cities. Legislators indicated there may be support for additional requirements to address liquor
#heft reporting.
• Strengthen metal and copper wire theft prevention and enforcement (Deputy
Mayor Ferrell) Staff support: Brian Wilson, Cary Roe
Mayor Priest stated that theft of inetal and copper wire from city infrastruc#ure has increased,
costing the City over $110,000 in 2012. The City is working to present legislation that will
enact a metal/copper wire theft task force modeled on the Auto Theft Task Force, increase
penalties and include the cost of repair in charging decisions. Parks & Public Works Director
Roe recounted the City's recent experience with metal theft, and examples of impacts in
nearby cities. Chief Wilson noted that the offenders range from low-scale thieves to organized
crime. Representative Roger Goodman is preparing comprehensive legislation on this issue,
as well. The City will continue to work with Representative Goodman as this issue moves
forward this session.
• Preserve tourism promotion funds (Councilmember Burbidge, LTAC)
Staff support: Patrick Doherty
Councilmember Burbidge described the importance of the 2007 legislation that expanded
cities' eligible uses of the hotel-motel tax to include operation of special events and/or
festivals. This vital tourism promotion tool for the City enabled Federal Way to land the 2012
US Olympics Dive Trials, resulting in the generation of $229 million in tourism revenues to the
region. The City also uses Lodging Tax Funds to support numerous sports tournaments and
festivals that generate significant tourism dollars. �
The expanded uses, however, sunset on June 30, 2013. The City is supporting legislation by
Senator Fraser to end the sunset. Senator Eide stated that she will sign on as a co-sponsorto
the legislation.
• Performing Arts and Conference Center funding (Councilmember Honda)
Staff support: Patrick Doherty
Councilmember Honda stated that the City is planning to build a PerForming Arts and
Conference Center (PACC) in the downtown core. The PACC will consist of a 550 to 700-seat
theater, with up to 8,000 additional square footage to accommodate conferences, seminars,
events, nonprofit and community meetings. The City is seeking a capital request of $5 million
to support the estimated $25-30 million project. .
• Secure critical capacity project funds (Councilmember Honda)
Staff support: Cary Roe
Councilmember Honda reported that the Lakehaven Critical Capacity Project to retrofit sewer
capacity in the downtown zone was proceeding, with design at 30%. Of the $2.5 million
City Council Minutes — January 8, 2013 Special Meeting Page 2 of 3
allocated by the 2012 Legislature, $750,000 was contracted with Lakehaven. The remaining
$1.75 million needs to be re-affirmed by the 2013 Legislature. Senator Eide stated that she is
working to ensure this occurs, and she will work with Representatives Freeman and Kochmar
to support this effort.
Complete the Triangle Project (Councilmember Burbidge)
Staff support: Cary Roe, Marwan Salloum, Rick Perez
Transportation investment funding (Councilmember Burbidge)
Staff support: Cary Roe, Marwan Salloum, Rick Perez
Councitmember Burbidge discussed the city's top priority transportation project, funding for
Phase II of the Triangle Project. She also noted other priorities fortransportation, including the
S. 320th & 1-5 bridge widening project, the SR 509 project, and continued funding for the
Transportation Improvement Board. She articulated that in local transportation funding
discussions, cities such as Federal Way must not be penalized for investing in the
maintenance of their roads.
3. Legislator Updates — 30t" District Members
Senator Tracey Eide
Representative Roger Freeman
Representative Linda Kochmar
4. Wrap-up and Thank You
Mayor Priest adjourned the meeting at 10:28 am.
Attest:
C�i��/J � • ��i��
Chris Carrel
Communications and Grant Coordinator
Approved by Council: February 5, 2013
City Council Minutes — January 8, 2013 Special Meeting Page 3 of 3