PRHSPSC MINS 01-14-2019City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS RECREATION HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Monday January 14, 2019
5:00 p.m.
SUMMARY
Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Johnson, Committee member Moore, and Committee
member Koppang.
Council Members in Attendance: Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Deputy Mayor Honda, Hoang Tran, and Dini
Duclos
Staff Members in Attendance: Eric Rhoades, Assistant City Attorney, John Hutton, Parks Director,
Steve Ikerd, Parks Deputy Director, Jeff Watson, Human Services Manager, Sara Bridgeford, CDBG/HS
Coordinator, and Mary Jaenicke, Administrative Assistant Il.
Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:00pm
Commission Comment: None
Public Comment:
Betty Taylor: Ms. Taylor spoke in favor of keeping the $100,000 funding in Federal Way.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Discussion on Use of $100,000 State Funds for Emergency Family Shelters
Staff Watson spoke about the allocation of $100,000 from the State Legislature for emergency shelter for
families with children. Initially there was a contract proposed with Mary's Place to provide shelter with
comprehensive services. Mary's Place has withdrawn their application and will no longer be a candidate
for the use of the funds. Staff is making three alternative recommendations; they are as follows: 1)
Motelihotel vouchers with limited services. There would be up to $1500 per family to help remove
barriers for housing. Staff is recommending between $20,000 to $35,000 for those services. 2) Use the
funds for pre -development costs for a shelter in Federal Way. Staff is recommending $40,000 to $60,000.
3) Hire staff for a community coordinated response collaborative. This was recommended to the Mayor
in the report from the Homelessness Task Force. It's also included in the City's Legislative agenda for
2019. Funds would be made available for a city staff person. The position would begin to develop a
community coordinated response collaborative group around homelessness and coordinating services
more efficiently and effectively. Staff is recommending $30,000 to $40,000 for that use. Depending on
how Council decided to use the money, there would need to be a competitive process. Staff Bridgeford
reviewed the timeline for allocating those funds. Staff Watson stated that the Mayor does concur with the
recommendations that staff has made.
Council had a long discussion and asked staff clarifying questions. Committee member Moore was in
favor of hiring a staff person, and asked staff Watson if they could hire someone and have them trained
prior to the deadline of June. Staff Watson answered that they would look at bringing someone in on a
temporary basis. There would need to be additional funding provided for the additional staff for at least a
couple of years. Committee member Koppang is not in favor of additional staffing because of the short
window of time that they have to spend the funding. He wants to make sure that the funds are used as
effectively as possible. There is the possibility that a portion funds could be used for pre -development
prior to the deadline. Council member Assefa-Dawson asked if that instead of hiring a staff person could
they hire an intern to do the work. Staff Watson answered that they need someone with experience.
Council member Duclos asked if there would be a staff person or an outside agency that would meet with
the families to see what kind of services they need. Staff Watson answered that with the hotel/motel
vouchers it would be an outside agency. Council member Tran stated that he can support two of the
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PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 14, 2019 Summary
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recommendations, but he does not support hiring a staff person. He stated that there are many other
agencies that deal with this issue, and it is a duplicate of services. Staff Watson answered that the staff
person would not be working on the contract; they will be working with other agencies and providers that
serve Federal Way. Council member Tran added that they may be able help more families if they don't
use the funding for a staff person. Council member Duclos stated that the supportive services being
provided by the agencies would be a better use of the money than providing a staff person. Deputy Mayor
Honda stated that she attended Representative Reeves meeting and many of the people that were at that
meeting wanted part of the funding to go towards a staff person. She is concerned that if we don't show
that the city is serious about hiring someone then there's a possibility that the city will not get the
funding that they've asked for to fund this position the following year. Committee member Moore asked
if there was any way to move the process along faster so they don't have to wait until mid-March to use
the voucher program to help families. Assistant City Attorney Rhoades answered that the contracting
processes were approved by Council and these are the guidelines that staff are required to follow.
Committee member Koppang stated that he looks at the staffing position as a long term strategic move
and the implementation of the $100,000 as a short term practical approach to the homelessness issue.
Committee member Koppang asked if the funds could be used for rental assistance. Staff Watson stated
that he would have to ask the Department of Commerce. Council member Duclos stated that she is
concerned about hiring a staff position. A long discussion was held on how to quicken the timeline.
Committee member Koppang moved to recommend a 60%/40% split; 60% for services and 40%
for pre -development costs. Committee member Moore seconded. A discussion was held on what
would qualify for pre -development costs and the timeline. Motion passed.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
February 12, 2019
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:28p.m.