2020-03-07 Council MIN - Special CITY OF
Federal Way
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers - City Hall
March 7, 2020 — 8:00 a.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Susan Honda, Councilmember
Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Hoang Tran, Councilmember Mark Koppang, and Councilmember
Linda Kochmar.
City staff in attendance: City Attorney Ryan Call and City Clerk Stephanie Courtney,
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
Councilmember Moore joined the meeting at 8:05 a.m.
2. INTERVIEWS* FOR COUNCIL VACANCY - POSITION NO. 2
*order of appearance will be determined by random selection by the City Clerk
Mayor Ferrell overviewed the process indicating each applicant was given three (3) minutes to
introduce themselves and provide their background. Following introductions, each applicant would be
asked one question from each Councilmember and Council President with a limit of two (2) minutes
per response. After the questions were answered there was an option of ten (10) minutes to give
clarification and wrap-up statements.
The Council Council interviewed the following individuals in Group One: Janis Clark; Jack Dovey;
Roger Flygare; Tony Pagliocco; and Hope Elder.
3. RECESS/MORNING BREAK
At 9:48 a.m. Mayor Ferrell announced the Council would take a brief recess. The meeting was
reconvened at 10:03 a.m.
4. INTERVIEWS* FOR COUNCIL VACANCY - POSITION NO. 2 (continued)
The City Council interviewed the following individuals in Group Two: Ron Walker; Scott Salisbury;
Karen Brugato; Mike Davidson, and Chris Erickson.
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At 11:35 a.m. Mayor Ferrell announced the Council would take a brief recess. The meeting was
reconvened at 11:42 a.m.
The City Council interviewed the following individuals in Group Three: Greg Baruso;Vitaliy Peikhotin;
and Debra Mastrobattisto.
5. RECESS/LUNCH BREAK
At 12:31 p.m. Mayor Ferrell announced the Council would be recessing for lunch. The meeting was
reconvened at 1:05 p.m.
6. INTERVIEWS* FOR COUNCIL VACANCY - POSITION NO. 2 (continued)
The City Council interviewed the following individuals in Group Four: Steve Aita; Joe Bowman;
Katherine Festa; Allison Fine Taylor; and Sai Samineni.
7. EXECUTIVE SESSION
• Evaluate Qualifications of Candidate pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(h)
At 2:23 p.m. Mayor Ferrell announced the Council would recess into Executive Session for the
purpose of discussing qualifications per RCW 42.30.110(1)(h); anticipated duration was 30
minutes.
At 2:40 p.m. Mayor Ferrell announced the Executive Session was being continued;anticipated
time would be 3:30 p.m.
8. APPOINTMENT TO FILL COUNCIL POSITION NO. 2
At 3:30 p.m. Mayor Ferrell reconvened the meeting and read the procedures to be followed. He
opened the floor for nominations.
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson nominated Joe Bowman.
Councilmember Kochmar nominated Jack Dovey and Ron Walker
Councilmember Tran nominated Greg Baruso and Joe Bowman
Council President Honda nominated Katherine Festa
Councilmember Moore nominated Greg Baruso and Janis Clark
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HONDA MOVED TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS; COUNCILMEMBER
KOPPANG SECOND. The motion carried unanimously as follows:
Council President Honda yes Councilmember Koppang yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Tran yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
The councilmembers spoke to their nominations. Councilmember Assefa-Dawson highlighted the
work Pastor Joe Bowman has done in the community including working with multiple entities
throughout the city. Councilmember Kochmar highlighted the contributions of various applicants
indicating that each brought different strengths some of which overlapped.
Councilmember Moore spoke in support of Janis Clark referencing her military background which
would enable her to bridge a gap between military families and the council. He also referred to the
longtime service by Greg Baruso as an engaged community and commission member. He believes
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Mr. Baruso respects and honors others and has a good working relationship with staff.
Councilmember Tran thanked all the applicants for their interest and shared his experience with hiring
has often led to determining who would best fit with the team when all other qualifications were equal.
With this in mind as well as the need represent diversity he supported Joe Bowman and Greg Baruso.
Council President Honda expressed her hope all applicants would continue to be engaged even if not
selected. She referenced the experience Katherine Festa has working with King County and believes
that will translate well to serving on the Council.
Councilmember Koppang referenced he had been through the interview process twice and
encouraged ongoing engagement; sharing that dedication pays off. Councilmember Assefa-Dawson
echoed this as she also has been through the interview process for council appointment.
Councilmember Kochmar highlighted the importance of experience due to the short length of time
remaining on the term and honesty; she believes Jack Dovey is the top candidate.
The City Clerk conducted a roll call vote by position order as follows:
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson Joe Bowman
Council President Honda Katherine Festa
Councilmember Tran Greg Baruso
Councilmember Koppang Jack Dovey
Councilmember Moore Greg Barsuo
Councilmember Kochmar Jack Dovey
A majority vote was not reached. Mayor Ferrell polled the Council to determine if the Council would
prefer to continue to deliberate or recess to Executive Session.
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE MOVED TO RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR
APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES TO DISCUSS QUALIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO RCW
42.30.110(1)(h); COUNCILMEMBER KOCHMAR SECOND.The motion carries 5-1;Councilmember
Koppang dissenting.
Council President Honda yes Councilmember Koppang no
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Tran yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
At 4:07 p.m. Mayor Ferrell announced the Council would be recessing to Executive Session for
approximately 20 minutes. The meeting reconvened at 4:31 p.m.
The City Clerk conducted a roll call vote by position order as follows:
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson Greg Baruso
Council President Honda Jack Dovey
Councilmember Tran Greg Baruso
Councilmember Koppang Jack Dovey
Councilmember Moore Greg Barsuo
Councilmember Kochmar Jack Dovey
With the roll call vote ending in a tie (3-3); the Mayor exercised his right to cast a tie-breaking vote.
Mayor Ferrell cast a vote for Greg Baruso. Greg Baruso having received the majority votes, was
declared the appointee. Mayor Ferrell congratulated Mr. Baruso and invited him forward for his Oath
of Office.
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9. OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEWLY APPOINTED COUNCILMEMBER
City Clerk Stephanie Courtney administered the Oath of Office for Councilmember Greg Baruso and
congratulated him.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the special meeting was adjourned at 4:31 p.m.
Attest:
S are Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council:
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