PRHSPSC MINS 12-12-2017City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday December 12, 2017
5:00 p.m.
SUMMARY
Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Koppang, Committee members Moore and Assefa- Dawson
Council Members in Attendance: Deputy Mayor Burbidge, Council member Johnson and Council
member elect Tran
Staff Members in Attendance: Eric Rhoades, Assistant City Attorney, John Hutton, Parks Director,
Jeff Watson, Community Services Manager and Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Asst. II.
Guests: None
Chair Koppang called the meeting to order at 5:00pm
Commission Comment:
Committee member Assefa- Dawson attended the Multicultural Elected Local Officials (MELD) meeting.
They discussed the "Kids and Cops" trading card program. This is a youth outreach program that seeks to
create positive interaction between law enforcement and children. The "Kids and Cops" program exposes
children to many positive adult role models. They would like all cities to participate in this program.
There was also a group that did a presentation. on African American health issues. They have recognized
that African Americans are more prone to health diseases. There is a walk called the National African
American Wellness Walk, and the purpose of this walk is to raise awareness for preventable health
diseases. They would like to bring the walk to the Northwest.
Committee member Moore reported that he stopped by the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, and
Laura Belvin was elected Chair, and David Musick was elected Vice - Chair. He also stopped by the
PROS Plan stakeholder meeting.
Public Comment: None
BUSINESS ITEMS
Approval of Minutes
Committee member Moore motioned to approve the November 14, 2017 minutes as written.
Committee member Assefa- Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
Retainine Vehicles and Equipment that were Planned for Surplus
Mr. Hutton reported that the Parks Department has a shortage of vehicles for staff, and is asking to retain
three trucks and one piece of equipment. The department is doubling up in one truck which hurts
efficiency, and another staff member has to use his own personal vehicle. All of the vehicles and
equipment are in useable condition. The Parks Department will absorb the cost of routine maintenance
for the year. Committee member Moore moved to forward the recommendation to authorize the
Parks Department to retain three (3) trucks and one (1) piece of maintenance equipment in
operation for one more year and forward to the January 2, 2018 consent agenda for approval.
Committee member Assefa- Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
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PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Summary
Page 2
COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON EMERGING ISSUES
Senior Issues
Committee member Moore stated that his goal is to have Council approve a Senior Commission. He
would like to add a proposal of creating a Task Force to the January PRHSPSC meeting agenda. He
would like the task force to come back to the committee with a recommendation to create a Senior
Commission, and then forward it on to the full Council for approval.
Committee member Assefa- Dawson asked if the people for the task force would already be identified at
the January meeting, and is there enough time to do that. Chair Koppang stated that he is concerned
about involving members of the public at this time, because there is not yet a clear mission statement for
a Senior Commission, and there needs to be a mission for the task force. Committee member Moore
would like to work with the Mayor's office to identify a path forward on how to make this work. A
commission doesn't have to meet every month; it can meet on a quarterly basis.
Chair Koppang asked Mr. Watson for his thoughts on the value of a Senior Commission. Mr. Watson
answered that he has a lot of questions. It is not clear to him what the issues are that are instigating this at
this time. Is a new commission really necessary? If there are many issues that warrant a new commission,
who's going to be staffing the commission. Mr. Watson stated that a commission is a lot of work, and he
doesn't have sufficient staff to staff a new commission. Chair Koppang added the implementation of the
Federal Way Violence Prevention Committee is also going to require additional staff. Mr. Watson stated
that if there aren't sufficient issues to warrant a completely new commission, then how would we handle
things in a way that would be meaningful and addresses the issues that need to be addressed, is this
something that the Human Services Commission could be responsible for? Is it something that would be
added to their work plan and do we add additional commissioners. The challenge is hopefully having
enough residents that are interested in serving. Chair Koppang stated that what the Council decides is
going to impact the staff, and Council needs to understand the impact to staff. If there's sufficient reason
to do something Council can justify the staff expense through the budgetary process.
The questions that need to be answered are: 1) Is there an established need that will be addressed by the
Senior Commission, 2) What's the purpose of the commission.
Committee member Assefa- Dawson stated that she has raised these questions when they first started
discussing a Senior Commission. What is this commission going to do that's not already being done? She
suggested finding out what other cities are doing to address senior issues. Committee member Moore
stated that a Senior Commission will empower seniors to be engaged and allows them to be a part of
something. He stated that his job as a Council member is that when there is a concern, to constantly be
looking at innovative ways to connect people with their Government. He wants to give seniors a voice.
Council member Moore added that for budgeting purposes this may be a commission that starts in the
next budget biennium, and may not start right away, but it's good to at least start the process.
Mr. Rhoades advised the committee that if they are contemplating forming a task force, to do that
effectively, you must have a task, and be able to explain what that task is.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
January 9, 2018
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 5:44p.m.
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