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PRHSPSC MINS 10-10-2017City of Federal Way City Council PARKS RECREATION HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Tuesday October 10, 2017 5:00 p.m. SUMMARY Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Koppang, Committee member Moore, Committee member Assefa- Dawson Council Members in Attendance: Deputy Mayor Burbidge Staff Members in Attendance: Chief Andy Hwang, Yarden Weidenfeld, Senior Policy Advisor, Eric Rhoades, Assistant City Attorney, Theresa Thurlow, Surface Water Manager, John Hutton, Parks Director, Doug Nelson, Recreation Manager, Cody Geddes, Recreation Supervisor and Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Asst. II. Guests: Rajiv Nagaich, Aging Options Chair Koppang called the meeting to order at 5:00pm Commission Comment: None Public Comment: Bob Woolley - Lake Jeane resident. Mr. Woolley provided an update on Professor Gawel's visit to the Twin Lakes Golf & Country Club (TLGCC). Professor Gawel had ten students with him, and they spent time at both lakes. Mr. Woolley stated that they did not take bottom scrapings from Lake Jeane because the Club refused to give them permission. They were able to take all other samples. As a resident of Lake Jeane, Mr. Woolley took samples from the bottom and turned them in to a certified lab. Once he gets the results, he will forward the results to Professor Gawel. Phil Matonti - President of the TLGCC.. Mr. Matonti stated they concurred with Mr. Weidenfelds conclusion regarding the proposed nuisance ordinance. They feel the city would be ill- advised to pursue a public nuisance ordinance. He passes by several small ponds and city owned facilities, and there is algae growing. If the city pursued this ordinance, the city could end up in a situation where they would have to apply discipline to themselves. The proposed ordinance was a target to the TLGCC. Edward Panalo Jr. - Mr. Panalo is a resident of Federal Way, and he has applied for Lifeguard positions for Summer time. He spoke of Steel Lake, and there is a lot of algae outside of the swim area, but inside the swim area the water was ok. BUSINESS ITEMS Approval of Minutes Commissioner Assefa- Dawson motioned to approve the September 12, 2017 minutes as written. Committee member Moore seconded. Motion passed. Parks & Recreation Program Guide Mr. Geddes stated that they are asking to enter into an annual contract for the production of the Parks & Recreation Program Guide. In the past they issued an RFQ every quarter. They are asking to enter into a contract with Consolidated Press for the printing and mailing of the guide. Entering into a contract will improve efficiency, and allows them to lock into a lower price. Committee member Lydia Assefa- Dawson moved to forward the authorization of a bid award for the printing and mailing of the 2018 Parks and Recreation Program Guides in the amount of $47,878.60 to Consolidated Press and K:\PRHSPS Committee\2017\ 10- 10-2017 Mins.doc PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Summary Page 2 authorize the Mayor to execute said agreement and forward to the October 17, 2017 Full Council consent agenda for approval. Committee member Moore seconded. Motion approved. Purchase of A New Radar Speed Trailer with Traffic Safety Funds Chief Hwang reported that the Department is seeking approval to replace a speed trailer. The speed trailer is twenty years old and is starting to fail. The trailer is used for education purposes and to address traffic complaints. Funds for the speed trailer will come out of the Traffic Safety Fund. This trailer has solar capability and a GPS tracking advice. The cost of the trailer is $11,884.25. Kustom Signals, Inc. was not the lowest bid, but the pricing was close, and staff is recommending going with Kustom Signals, Inc. Chair Koppang stated that the city usually goes with the lowest bidder, and Kustom is the most expensive, and would like more information on why they are choosing this trailer. Chief Hwang stated that Kustom provides GPS tracking and other features that the other vendors do not. Committee member Moore moved to forward the purchase of a speed trailer for the Federal Way Police Department to the October 17, 2017 consent agenda for approval. Committee member Assefa- Dawson seconded. Motion passed. Tareet Corporation Grant Chief Hwang stated that the Department has a good working relationship with the Target Corporation and they are offering a $1500 grant to be used for the Crime Prevention Program. The grant will be used to purchase a tent with walls; this tent will include the police department's name and patch printed on them, and a new police logo tablecloth. If there are funds remaining they will purchase crime prevention materials. Committee member Moore moved to forward the proposal to accept funding in the amount of $1,500.00 from the Target Corporation grant program for the Federal Way Police Department's Crime Prevention program to the October 17, 2017 City Council Consent Agenda. Committee member Assefa- Dawson seconded. Motion passed. Staff Recommendation Reeardinz Lake Jeane Mr. Weidenfeld's recommendations are as follows: 1. Do not pursue a nuisance ordinance. 2. Increase funding for Freshwater Algae Program (FRCP) grants in the state budget. This would require Council approval. 3. Engage with relevant parties. He has been in the process of assisting Professor Gawel to create a phosphorus budget for Twin Lakes. Professor Gawel's class has been taking water samples from both lakes. Mr. Weidenfeld has also sent him all of the data that he had. It is unlikely that Professor Gawel will be able to complete a full phosphorus budget. There has also been discussion with homeowners from both lakes regarding assisting homeowners to solicit the Department of Ecology for grant money to do a full phosphorous budget for Twin Lakes. This would not be something that the City could spend their money on. He is also recommending investigating whether or not raw sewage is entering Lake Jeane via storm water pipes. Ms. Thurlow stated that there is not raw sewage. in the lake, but there are counts of elevated fecal coliform and that could be coming from pets, geese or anything. It's not necessarily an indicator of raw sewage. There is a way to differentiate, and there would to be a further investigation. The following recommendations need to wait until after the lawsuit is resolved. 1. The Mayor and Mr. Weidenfeld would meet with the leadership of the club to talk about the well water issue, and the possibility of a Lake Management District (LMD). 2. Hold a public meeting that would discuss the possibility of putting together an expert panel to advise on the best methodology, the advantages and disadvantages of a LMD and the two ways it can be formed, and assistance in applying for another FACP grant that would go towards treating the lake. 3. Public Works Department should assist the community in areas discussed in the community meeting. 4 PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Summary Page 3 Mr. Weidenfeld has spoken with the attorney's and it is his understanding that the resolution of the lawsuit will allow homeowners to apply for a permit to treat the lake for blue -green algae, subject to the normal restrictions that any permit would have. Mr. Matonti stated that the Twin Lakes Club is not hiding behind the lawsuit or using it as a delay tactic. They feel that their participation and any discussions on the information that they have need to wait until the lawsuit is settled. Bob Woolley stated that the lawsuit between the eight residents and the club is strangling progress being made and whatever the city is doing. The lawsuit has nothing to do with Professor Gawel's doing a phosphorous budget, and being allowed to scrape the bottom of Lake Jeane. It has nothing to do with the litigation but the club stood behind the shield of "We don't want to do anything to the bottom of the lake until after the litigation." The public nuisance ordinance has been discussed from the very beginning. He has not had any conversation regarding this from Public Works or Law. The only conversation he's had is with Yarden. Chair Koppang stated that considerable effort and resources have been devoted to this subject, and the city is committed to finding an answer. We cannot put the city in jeopardy, and we cannot create an ordinance that creates other problems. COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON EMERGING ISSUES Committee member Moore received information that needles were found at Town Square Park. Committee Moore stated that he hopes this issue is addressed because the parks need to be kept clean. The information of the needles found at the park was posted on a Facebook page. Mr. Ikerd stated that the parks get cleaned every morning, but with school back in session and the spray park closed for the winter, we do not have a maintenance worker stationed at the park all day. We don't have the ability to have all of our parks monitored every hour. The park is monitored by cameras. The restrooms are locked at dusk. Citizens can notify staff through the online Citizen Action Request Form, the Park Maintenance number is posted on signs at the parks, and if they.call that number after hours, the after hour callout emergency line is on the voicemail message. Committee member Moore read a prepared statement regarding putting together a formal Senior Citizen Commission. He stated that it's important that seniors get a commission that is dedicated to them on issues that they can discuss. He has spoken to the Mayor, and he is supportive of this effort. Committee member Moore invited Rajiv Nagaich, from Aging Options to attend the meeting. Mr. Nagaich stated that aging is inherently a family affair. The role of the Government should be to empower families to be able to take care of everything that needs to be done within the family. The biggest issue that needs to be framed around retirement is a housing issue. Statistics show that 90% of Americans want to live a long happy life and they hope to live that life in their own home. Less than 20% of Americans are able to do that. Some citizens have left Federal Way because they do not see themselves being able age on their own terms in Federal Way. The whole idea of the Senior Citizen Commission should be to reimagine the role of Government. The Government does not need to be looking at what is it that we can do for the seniors. The seniors need to define how they are going to live. Committee member Moore stated this is an opportunity to allow senior citizens to empower themselves. Mr. Nagaich stated that the retired people are the most stable in life, and the city needs to start attracting people that are retired. Committee member Assefa- Dawson stated that the city has many commissions, and any individual can benefit from those commissions. She asked what a senior commission could bring to the table that is not being met with the other commissions. Committee member Moore answered that it's for the commission to decide what they're going to do that will be a benefit to senior citizens. Mr. Nagaich added that they need to task the commission with a specific goal. There is an 80% chance that people will not die in their home. The commission should be tasked to flip this around and study what needs to be done so that 80% of the people can die in their home. Make it a central focus of how retirees can live in the City of Federal 5 PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Summary Page 4 Way. Committee member Assefa- Dawson stated that there is data that says that the Federal Way zip code tells us that we will live 14 years less than people that live in Bellevue. Parks and Recreation has activities for seniors. What's being discussed is about health indicators and health predictors, which goes to lifestyle, nutrition, healthcare, transportation and many other things. We are adding a lot of components and the commission will not be tasked to do this, because that is not their role, it will become a staff role. She sees the value but wants to know that it will be an effective and efficient commission that meets the needs that are not met. Deputy Mayor Burbidge stated that it seems to be more of a task force role, and traditionally the commissions have not had a task force role. This is more extensive in terms of an assignment that is not seen as a role of a commission. Mr. Nagaich stated that more people in this society are going to have poor outcomes because we are not moving it along. He would like the commission to make recommendations, and the staff would have to work on the recommendations that they come up with. Committee member Moore stated that he could be open to the possibility of a task force, but a task force has an end date, he wants something that would be permanent. Committee member Assefa- Dawson added that there needs to be something that is senior citizen specific. Committee member Moore stated that this commission would be like all of the other commissions. Chair Koppang stated that he takes exception to the statement that the city is failing its senior citizens. He does not think that there is any group of people within our community that are better represented on our commissions. The highest percentage of voters is seniors, and they are very engaged in the community. He is not against forming the commission, but he would like a compelling reason. Chair Koppang would like answers to the following questions: 1) How are we failing to represent seniors, 2) What are the unique needs that would be addressed by forming a senior citizen commission, that can't be addressed through other means. Deputy Mayor Burbidge stated that there is value in having a senior commission, but there is a big challenge in making sure that we communicate to a broader group that this commission is being formed. Committee member Assefa- Dawson stated that we need to build on the strength of the senior population in the community, they can come together and form this commission and work on those strengths and figure out what the gaps are. Chair Koppang stated that before this is moved forward he would like more research, developing better arguments and understanding the needs that are unique to the seniors that are not being addressed, and understanding what Committee member Moore envisions the commission to be. There needs to be a sustaining vision so that the commission doesn't fail. PENDING ITEMS No discussion. NEXT REGULAR MEETING November 14, 2017 ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:56p.m. A