Council MIN 08-08-2017 SpecialFederal Way
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers - City Hall
August 8, 2017 — 5:30 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order at5:32 p.m.
City officials in attendance: MayorJim Ferrell, Deputy Mayor Jeanne Burbidge, Councilmember Lydia
Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Bob Celski, Councilmember Susan Honda, Councilmember Mark
Koppang, Councilmember Martin Moore and Councilmember Dini Duclos.
City staff in attendance: City AttorneyRyan Call and City Clerk Stephanie Courtney.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
3. STUDY SESSION — SOUND TRANSIT TACOMA DOME LINK EXTENSION
BRIEFING
a. Staff Introduction
Public Works Deputy Director EJ Walsh noted this briefing is to update the Council on the Sound
Transit Tacoma Dome Link Extension which will connect Federal Way to Tacoma.
b. Project Briefing
Government & Community Relations Officer Chelsea Levy spoke about the new project which isn
pre -planning phase. The proposal is for the light rail to leave the 320th Street Federal Way Station
southbound towards a south Federal Way Station, continue on to a Fife Station, East Tacoma Station
and terminate at the Tacoma Dome Station. No specific station locations or alignments have been
selected.
Ms. Levy noted the ST3 Federal Way Transit Center to Tacoma Dome project is approximately 9.7
miles with four stations and an anticipated 27 to 37 thousand daily riders. There will also need to be
an operation and maintenance facility along the corridor, although no specific area has been
identified. Previously identified properties were used to determine cost estimates for the ballot
measure.
South Corridor Project Development Director Karen Kitsis spoke regarding the total build out of the
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entire light rail system which will eventually include 116 mile regional system with 37 stations to
connect Everett to Tacoma; Redmond to Issaquah; and Ballard to West Seattle by 2040. She also
reminded Council of the SubArea Equity Policy which outlines taxes collected in subareas are to fund
projects in those areas only.
Tacoma Dome Link Extension schedule includes:
• Environmental Review and Preliminary Design 2017-2022
• Final Design 2022-2025
• Construction 2025-2030
• Start of Revenue Service 2030
Ms. Kitsis reported Sound Transit is working on Consultant Procurement; followed by completing a
partnering agreement in January 2018; and identifying a preferred alternative by summer 2019.
In response to Council questions, she further explained the partnering agreement between
jurisdictions and Sound Transit. The intent is to work collectively and bring a proposed agreement to
Council in January for approval.
Ms. Levy spoke regarding project development and congratulated the city and the south jurisdictions
for setting the new standard for working collaboratively. By gaining consensus early in the process, a
year has been shaved off the timeline.
Councilmembers thanked Ms. Levy and Ms. Kitsis for their presentations. Additional questions were
asked including the project crossing multiple subareas (for funding); alignment options; location of
maintenance facilities; and what decisions are to be expected from the elected leadership group.
Discussions also took place regarding the the alignment navigating the high voltage BPA powerlines.
c. Citizen Comment
Tracy Hills noted his preferred alignment (1-5) for this project.
Julie Cleary questioned the four identified properties for a potential maintenance and operation
facility. She noted the properties which have currently been iot'ntified have zoning issues.
Suzanne Vargo also spoke in concern over the location of a maintenance and operation yard for the
Sound Transit Link Extension projects in connection with zoning and environmental impacts.
Diana Noble-Gulliford is concerned over the alignment as the link continues through the city center
and the potential effects on property owners and commercial businesses. She also asked for
clarification between a suburban and an urban transit center.
Ms. Levy also clarified the current Federal Way Extension project crosses S 320th Street and it
completes near the Target parking lot. Councilmembers also suggested Sound Transit locating the
maintenance and operation facility half way between Federal Way and DuPont for better long term
access to future stations, or possibly closer to the King/Pierce County Line near Fife.
d. Council Discussion/Questions
Councilmember followed up with various questions for Ms. Levy and Ms. Kitsis.
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4. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; Mayor Ferrell adjourned the Regular Meeting at 6:31 p.m.
Attest:
44111)
St-•' an • Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: 0'05.201'
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August 8, 2017