2020-09-15 Council Minutes - Regular,� Federal Way
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Remote Meeting
September 15, 2020 — 6:30 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting held remotely to order at 6:30 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Susan Honda, Councilmember Lydia
Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Greg Baruso, Councilmember Hoang Tran, 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
Additional State Allocation to Federal Way for CARES Act — Mayor Ferrell was pleased to
announce the city has received notification of an additional State allocation of CARES Act
money to Federal Way. He reported on the progress of disbursing funds to local
businesses and thanked Economic Development Director Tim Johnson and the Mayor's
Office for their work in processing these contracts.
320th Flag Pole Installation Update — The Mayor was also pleased to report the 320th
Street Flag Pole was replaced on September 1; a video recap of the project was also
shown. He noted many citizens in the community and those who travel through Federal
Way have missed the large American Flag which was installed six years ago. The pole
was damaged months ago by a wrong way driver on 320th; financial restoration is being
sought.
Chamber Quarterly Meeting — Mayor Ferrell provided an update on the recent Chamber of
Commerce meeting on September 8 where information was provided on the former Sears
Property and Pape Kenworth project. Additional updates were provided to the business
community about the CARES Act distribution and areas of collaboration with the school
district.
Mayor Ferrell also addressed other concerns in the community including litter build up, RV
and semi -truck parking near 356th Street, homeless encampments, and a vacant burned
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September 15, 2020
home. He asked Community Development Director Brian Davis and Public Works Director
EJ Walsh speak to these concerns.
b. Council Committee Reports
Parks/Recreation/Human Services/Public Safety Committee (PRHSPS) — Chair Kochmar
reported the last meeting was held on September 8 with items being forwarded to the City
Council Consent Agenda.
Land Use/Transportation Committee (LUTC) — Chair Baruso reported the LUTC meeting
was postponed one week due to the holiday and was held yesterday; items will be
forwarded to the next Council agenda in October.
Finance, Economic Development, Regional Affairs Committee (FEDRAC) — Chair Tran
reported the next meeting will be September 22 via Zoom.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) — Chair Assefa-Dawson reported on the meeting
held last week which focused on the budget. The next meeting will be Wednesday,
October 14 at 10:00 a.m.
Regional Committees Report (PIC) — Councilmember Moore reported on the PIC meeting
held on September 9 where discussion centered on the 2021 Legislative Agenda,
Affordable Housing and Vision 2050 Plan. He also noted they were provided with a levy
and ballot update on items that have passed.
Council President Report — Council President Honda also reported attending meetings
discussing Legislative Agendas for 2021; she looks forward to that process for Federal
Way. She also noted many cities have implemented broadband access for seniors and
youth, she would like more information on this process. She thanked the 23 individuals
who interviewed for the Council vacancy last Thursday and noted Council would be
narrowing the candidate pool tonight. She provided a report from the Board of Health
meeting which included COVID-19, domestic violence, and the upcoming flu season. She
thanked Director Patty Hayes for her leadership.
4. CITIZEN COMMENT
Travis Parks requested that a burned out house in his neighborhood by demolished.
Allison Fine shared her concerns about the cost to demolish an abandoned property and
asked council if selling the property is an option.
Ginny Fer uson shared about her son and the financial struggles he is facing during
COVID.
Mary Fierke voiced her concern for those who have been financially impacted by COVID.
LC Campbell thanked the Mayor for taking action to address and remove the burned -out
house.
Karen Brugato, who serves on the Arts Commission, shared her desire to see a budget
increase for the Arts Commission.
The City Clerk read a letter from Sokha Keo regarding a burned house located on 19th
Avenue South.
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September 15, 2020
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: September 1, 2020 Regular and Special Meetings
b. King County Registered Sex Offender Cost Reimbursement Agreement
C. Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for FY2020
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HONDA MOVED APPROVAL OF ITEMS A THROUGH C ON THE
CONSENT AGENDA; COUNCILMEMBER BARUSO SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as
follows:
Council President Honda
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson
Councilmember Baruso
6. COUNCIL BUSINESS
yes Councilmember Tran yes
yes Councilmember Moore yes
yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
a. Mayor's Proposed 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Presentation
Mayor Ferrell presented his 2021-2022 Biennial Budget. He noted the priorities for this
budget is security of residents and property; maintain a clean and litter -free city; avoid
layoff of current staff; maintain current level of service; fully fund most reserve
accounts; have a structurally balanced budget; and to continue recovery from the
COVID crisis.
He presented more information on how this proposed budget accomplishes these
priorities. Mayor Ferrell noted a good city budget is not necessarily to fund everything,
but to have a structurally balanced budget while providing for its residents. The
complete budget is available on the city website.
The Mayor also noted budget meetings will begin next week with department
presentations on September 23 and 24.
b. National League of Cities (NLC) Yearly Association Membership
Council President Honda invited Yolanda Trout, City Councilmember from the City of
Auburn, and Kirk Ross of National League of Cities to speak to the benefits of the city
joining National League of Cities (NLC).
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HONDA MOVED TO JOIN NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES AND
ALLOCATE THE ONGOING COST OF MEMBERSHIP AS PART OF THE CITY COUNCIL
BUDGET; COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as
follows:
Council President Honda yes Councilmember Tran yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Baruso yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
Selection of Finalists for the City Council Position 5 Appointment Process
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HONDA MOVED TO FORWARD THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FOR
FURTHER INTERVIEWS AND FURTHER CONSIDERATION TO FILL COUNCIL POSITION 5:
JACK DOVEY; JIMMY BROWN; LEANDRA CRAFT; RENAE SEAM; AND MEHDI SAHDRI;
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
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September 15, 2020
Council President Honda yes Councilmember Tran yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Baruso yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
Resolution: Directing Staff to Procure Criminal Background Checks of Finalists for
Appointment to Council Position 5, and Defining the Parameters and Use of this
Information
City Attorney Ryan Call briefed Council on their request to obtain a limited criminal
background check on the finalist for the appointment to City Council position 5. He
noted after the applicant provides consent, the background information with be pulled
by the Human Resources Manager and only the information that falls within the
guidelines outlined in the proposed Resolution would be forwarded to Council.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HONDA MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION;
COUNCILMEMBER BARUSO SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Honda yes Councilmember Tran yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Baruso yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
e. Youth Commission Appointment
COUNCILMEMBER KOCHMAR MOVED TO APPOINT MARY ALISON WOOD AS A VOTING
MEMBER OF THE YOUTH COMMISSION WITH A TERM TO EXPIRE AUGUST 31, 2022;
COUNCILMEMBER BARUSO SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Honda yes Councilmember Tran yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Baruso yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
Diversity Commission Appointments
COUNCILMEMBER KOCHMAR MOVED TO APPOINT THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE TO THE
DIVERSITY COMMISSION BRANDON BRAUN, STEPHANIE SUPRIUS, AND JENNIFER
FREDERICK TO FILL VOTING POSITIONS EXPIRING MAY 31, 2023; COUNCILMEMBER TRAN
SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Honda yes Councilmember Tran yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Baruso yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
Parks and Recreation Commission Appointment
COUNCILMEMBER KOCHMAR MOVED TO APPOINT CARRIE BESERRA AS A VOTING
MEMBER OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION WITH A TERM TO EXPIRE APRIL
30, 2023; COUNCILMEMBER TRAN SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Honda
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
Councilmember Baruso
Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes
September 15, 2020
yes Councilmember Tran yes
yes Councilmember Moore yes
yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
Page 4 of 6
7. ORDINANCES
Second Reading
a. Council Bill #786/Advanced Travel Expense Fund_Ordinance/APPROVED
ORDINANCE NUMBER 20-897
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO
THE ADVANCE TRAVEL EXPENSE FUND; REPEALING FWRC 3.50.050 (Amending
Ordinance Nos. 08-575 and 90-25).
City Clerk Stephanie Courtney read the ordinance title into the record.
COUNCILMEMBER TRAIN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE; COUNCIL
PRESIDENT HONDA SECOND. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Honda yes Councilmember Tran yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Baruso y/es Councilmember Kochmar yes
8. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Kochmar had no formal report; she noted she was happy to have the Mayor and
staff -members address concerns.
Councilmember Moore wished the Mayor a happy birthday. He also appreciated the information he
received regarding the National League of Cities membership and is looking forward to the budget
process this year.
Councilmember Tran thanked the 23 people who applied and interviewed with them last week; it is
encouraging how many citizens care about the city and are willing to step up to serve. He reported the
COVID-19 statistics for Washington State and the country; he encouraged following local mandates to
wear facial coverings to reduce the transmission of the virus.
Councilmember Baruso also wished the Mayor a happy birthday. He also thanked the Council
applicants and stated he was an applicant 6 or 7 months ago. He appreciates those who are willing to
serve. He is looking forward to the budget process this year and noted National Hispanic Heritage
Month.
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson also thanked those who applied to the Council vacancy and urged
them to not be discouraged if they were not moving forward in the process. She noted September 11
is Ethiopian New Years and is also the date she arrived in the United States 41 years ago. She also
noted her support of teachers and parents who are dealing with remote education and she is hopeful
life will soon return to normal.
Council President Honda wished the Mayor a happy birthday. She thanked the firefighters working on
the Sumner Grade Fires and has those families who have been affected are in her thoughts. She is
looking forward to rescheduling the events which were canceled due to the poor air quality including
the litter pick up event. She reported on her attendance at the 9-11 Memorial, she acknowledged
there is a generation now that was not alive to witness the pain and despair of that day and believes
9-11 should be a national holiday. She thanked everyone for a good meeting tonight and noted the
budget meetings begin next Wednesday.
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9. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the regular meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m
Attest:
- &41
5e aie Co-
urtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: 11010012V2,)
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September 15, 2020