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2020-05-05 Council Minutes - RegularY OF ,� Federal Way CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Remote Meeting May 5, 2020 — 6:30 p.m. 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Ferrell called the meeting held remotely to order at 6:32 p.m City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Susan Honda, Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Greg Baruso, Councilmember Hoang Tran, Councilmember Mark Koppang, Councilmember Martin Moore, and Councilmember Linda Kochmar. City staff in attendance: City Attorney Ryan Call and City Clerk Stephanie Courtney. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute. 3. PRESENTATIONS a. Mayor's Emerging Issues and Report Red, White and Blues Festival — July 4 Mayor Ferrell was disappointed to announce that after much thought and consultation the city has canceled the Red, White and Blues Festival for this year. He discussed this at length with Parks Director John Hutton and noted neighboring cities are also canceling their celebrations. This decision was made in an effort to ensure the safety of staff and citizens by following social distancing and large gathering restrictions under the Governor's Order. Personal fireworks are still prohibited inside city limits. City Financial Update/Report Finance Director Ade Ariwoola presented an update to Council regarding the city facilities (Dumas Bay Centre, Federal Way Community Center and the Performing Arts & Event Center). He reported on the financial impact of the temporary closures of these facilities due to COVID-19. Mayor Ferrell has authorized the temporary reduction of full-time employees (FTEs) in each facility. Mr. Ariwoola reported on sales tax activities and projections using the most recent numbers available. He restated the additional financial support necessary for these Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page I of 6 May 5, 2020 facilities will be increased as long as they remain closed and there are no revenues captured; through at least June. Councilmembers thanked the Mayor for acting quickly in light of the reduced revenues. Public Safety Presentation Chief of Police Andy Hwang provided a COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan and Public Safety Report. Chief Hwang reported on operational changes the department has implemented to keep officers and staff safe including the modification of procedures for responding to calls -for -service, social distancing, front lobby availability, and staff briefings. Chief Hwang stated other changes have been made to limit close contact by individuals indoors and that non-essential employees are working remotely. School Resource Officers and Mall Officers have been temporarily reassigned due to closures and the department has temporality suspended the volunteer program. All police community events have been cancelled, no visitors are allowed at any of the stations, ride -a -longs and trainings have been canceled, and crime prevention programs are on hold. A voluntary quarantine option for City/Police employees has been set up if an exposed staff member requests. The Chief reported March calls -for -service are down 7% and the crime rate is down 10% while domestic calls were up 13%. April calls -for -service are down 22% and domestic calls were down 2%. He also noted firearm purchases were up significantly in March. Chief Hwang also provided data from the National Incident -Based Reporting System (NIBRS) crimes statistics and per capita crime data for the range of 2013 through 2020. He also specifically addressed the recent increase in gun violence in the Westway Neighborhood and highlighted both the short and long-term efforts being implemented to address the problem in this specific neighborhood. The Mayor and Council thanked Chief Hwang for his presentation and asked various clarifying questions regarding the information and data provided. Extension of Building Permits Beyond 180 Days Community Development Director Brian Davis noted in response to an inquiry from Councilmembers Koppang and Moore, the city has acknowledged building permits will be extended beyond the standard 180 day time limit. This extension is consistent with neighboring cities and is in response to current COVID-19 pandemic. b. Council Committee Reports Parks/Recreation/Human Services/Public Safety Committee (PRHSPS) Chair Kochmar reported next meeting is May 12 at 5:00 p.m. and will be held remotely via Zoom with noted items to be discussed. Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 2 of 6 May 5, 2020 Land Use/Transportation Committee LUTC Chair Koppang reported the next meeting is June 1 and while he would prefer the meeting in to be held in person, be believes it might be remote. Finance, Economic Development Regional Affairs Committee (FEDRAC) Chair Tran reported the next meeting is May 26 at 5:00 p.m. and reported on topics to be discussed. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAQ Chair Assefa-Dawson reported the next meeting is Wednesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. and the meeting will be held remotely via Zoom. Regional Committees Report PIC Councilmember Moore provided no report. He thanked Executive Director Deanna Dawson for continuing to keep the Council up to date on regional issues. Council President Repor# Council President Honda reported on the City Council recent Civics Project where they each individually recorded a video about an important issue in the community. These short videos will be posted on the Council Facebook page soon. She further reported on multiple webinars and remote meetings she has attending covering various COVID-19 issues. 4. CITIZEN COMMENT Betty Taylor (provided comments via phone call) urged the Council to consider an alternate plan for National Night Out which has been officially rescheduled to October. She would like to see a modified event with social distancing held at Town Square Park for those residents who do not have a traditional neighborhood event. Mayor Ferrell asked Chief Hwang to comment on National Night Out plans. Chief Hwang noted it is too early to make plans with current restrictions in place. He noted if restrictions begin to lighten he believes the October timeframe could be realistic even though the weather is less cooperative at that time of year. The City Clerk read a letter from Julien Loh, Local Government Affairs Manager for Puget Sound Energy. Mr. Loh provided information for PSE services and stated services would not be disconnected during this time for non-payment. 5. CONSENT AGENDA a. Minutes: April 21, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes b. Monthly Financial Report — March 2020 c. Vouchers — March 2020 Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 3 of 6 May 5, 2020 d. Resolution: Fee Schedule Amendment regarding Small Wireless/APPROVED RESO #20-787 e. Resolution: Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator Interlocal Cooperation Agreement/APPROVED RESO #20-788 f. Valley Communications Memorandum of Understanding — PSERN COUNCIL PRESIDENT HONDA MOVED APPROVAL OF ITEMS A THROUGH F ON THE CONSENT AGENDA; COUNCILMEMBER KOPPANG SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as follows: Council President Honda yes CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Baruso yes Councilmember Kochmar yes 6. COUNCIL BUSINESS Councilmember Koppang yes Councilmember Moore yes Councilmember Tran yes a. Council letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses Policy Advisor Bill Vadino briefed the Council on the recent updates regarding Governor Inslee's four phase reopening plan. He referenced a draft letter requesting the Governor consider careful acceleration of reopening our state's economy if the public health data continues to show positive improvement. The draft letter praises efforts made to date and offers input from Federal Way's diverse community of sole proprietors, small businesses owners, and entrepreneurs from a city where more than 120 languages are spoken. The desired result is a collaboration that will allow these owners to provide insight to help businesses reopen sooner than projected. Councilmembers thanked Mr. Vadino for his work on the letter and asked clarifying questions regarding the importance of the business community and the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce involvement. Minor changes to the letter were suggested. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HONDA MOVED TO SEND A LETTER TO GOVERNOR INSLEE REGARDING A PLAN TO REOPEN BUSINESSES IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AS DISCUSSED; COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as follows: Council President Honda yes Councilmember Koppang yes CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes Councilmember Baruso yes Councilmember Tran yes Councilmember Kochmar yes b. Project 610: Planning for New Joint Use Operations Facility Public Works Director EJ Walsh provided a presentation regarding the need for a Joint Use Operations Facility for Park and Public Works. This item was discussed most recently at the last Finance, Economic Development and Regional Affairs Committee when it was forwarded to Council for discussion. Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 4 of 6 May 5, 2020 Mr. Walsh provided a background on this facility and the need for improvements which have been discussed multiple times over the years as far back as 2008. He believes the current facility is sub -standard for many reasons including available space, safety issues, and ability to properly secure vehicles and equipment. This project was discussed and included as a part of the Surface Water Management (SWM) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning last summer with direction given that if the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) Funds were available this project would move forward. He noted REET funding is restricted funding and can only be used for Capital Projects; this phase of the project would utilize $250,000 of 2019 REET funds. The scope of work includes a feasibility study to confirm space and sizing needs, review of available property locations, and cost estimating. Also included in this phase is preliminary engineering with detailed cost estimates. Mr. Walsh provided the next steps of the project including additional presentations to Council for review and approval of future phases. In response to questions, Mr. Walsh noted an estimated completion date for the entire project is 2024. Councilmembers thanked Mr. Walsh for his presentation and asked various questions regarding staff safety at the current facility, locations suggestions in relation to Steel Lake Park and Ball Fields, estimated acreage needed for a facility, and if the former Target property could be utilized for this need. In response to this presentation and questions raised, Mayor Ferrell noted he will have a team of inspectors at the property to determine if there are safety hazards for staff. If needed, staff will be moved to a temporary facility or location. Councilmembers also expressed concern in authorizing spending funds during this unprecedented and evolving economic downturn due to COVID-19. Mr. Walsh clarified this study would only utilize 2019 restricted REET Funds and not General Fund money. Mr. Walsh also clarified this action is not to build a. building or select a location. This action is to begin the process to study what is needed and what is available. All other actions will come back to Council for approval at a later date. Council agreed a facility to accommodate staff and equipment is needed. However, the urgency of addressing staff safety should first be addressed and cannot wait until 2024 for a new facility. The Mayor agreed and re -stated he will have inspectors on site followed by a report at the next Council meeting. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HONDA MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF 2019 REET FUNDING TO BEGIN THE PLANNING OF PROJECT 610: PLANNING FOR ANEW JOINT USE OPERATIONS FACILITY; COUNCILMEMBER KOPPANG SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as follows: Council President Honda yes CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Baruso yes Councilmember Kochmar yes Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes May S, 2020 Councilmember Koppang yes Councilmember Moore yes Councilmember Tran yes Page 5 of 6 7. COUNCIL REPORTS CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson stated she had no report however she appreciates this meeting and feels the remote meetings have been productive. She thanked all the non-profit organizations who are meeting the needs of our vulnerable populations and also thanked PSE for their assistance to residents during this difficult time. Councilmember Baruso thanked the staff for another great meeting and reported May is Pacific Islanders Month acknowledging many great contributions to our community and region. He also echoed comments about supporting small businesses and noted with good weather and home improvement projects there are many smaller stores in the community to support. Councilmember Tran thanked everyone for another great meeting and wished is colleagues on the Council and all the mothers at home a very happy Mother's Day. Councilmember Koppang shared some encouragement to everyone during this time stating that often hard times lead to transformation. He appreciates the efforts made by the community and specifically noting the efforts of both nurses and teachers. Councilmember Moore expressed this appreciation to Council President Honda and her leadership in maintaining contact and keeping the Council informed during this time. He was pleased to be a part of the Council Civics lesson and looks forward to providing more information to the constituents through a Council Newsletter. He also thanked nurses and teachers. Councilmember Kochmar expressed appreciation to Executive Assistant Jeri -Lynn Clark for delivering the City Council's treat bags to the hospital in recognition of their efforts for the community; she also thanked her colleagues for their donations. She thanked Councilmember Tran for remembering mothers and also wished everyone a happy Mother's Day. She reported President Trump met with representatives for the Navajo Nation today and proclaimed May 5, 2020 as National Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day. Council President Honda thanked a high school who made and donated 200 youth masks to the School District to help keep youth safe. She was pleased to report she has been appointed to the AWC Large City Advisory Committee and while this year's annual conference has been canceled, she has been attending many trainings and meetings remotely. She attended the SCA Caucus for the Board of Health with the Director of Public Health Patty Hayes. She noted the Chamber will be holding a legislative round table for businesses on Thursday, May 7; those who are interested need to pre -register with the Chamber. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being nothing further on the agenda; the regular meeting was adjourned at 9:57 p.m. Attest: Stephanie Courtney City Clerk Approved by Council: Q'rj I 1q I U2V Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 6 of 6 May 5, 2020