02-16-2021 Council Minutes - Regular,� CITY OF
Federal Way
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Remote Meeting
February 16, 2021 — 6:30 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting held remotely to order at 6:31 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Susan Honda, Councilmember
Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Greg Baruso, Councilmember Hoang Tran,
Councilmember Leandra Craft, 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
Mayor Ferrell reported the city has received twenty-two applications for the Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion Coordinator part-time position which was added during the 2021-2022
Biennial Budget. He will be working with input from the Councilmembers on moving forward.
Mayor Ferrell and Community Services Manager Sarah Bridgeford provided information on
the recent activation of a cold weather shelter and answered questions regarding the
sheltering process due to COVID restrictions and congregate shelter concerns. Council
shared concerns for those who lack shelter in cold months, for day and night shelters.
The Mayor announced the annual State of the City Address will be February 25 at 6:00 p.m.
via Facebook Live, Channel 21, and YouTube. He invited Councilmembers and the
community to attend remotely to hear important updates on city projects.
Public Works Director EJ Walsh provided an update on the city's response to severe
weather over the weekend. Mr. Walsh reported his staff began working 12-hour shifts on
Friday and plowed over four thousand miles throughout the city during the event. Mr. Walsh
thanked his staff for their level of effort and professionalism. He also noted the new city app,
Eyes on Federal Way, was helpful with real-time reports from citizens. He also thanked
Dumas Bay Chef Scott for making and providing individual meals for staff to pick up at the
Performing Arts and Event Center in order to maintain social distancing.
Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page I of 5
February 16, 2021
Emergency Manager Ray Gross provided an update on COVID-19 and vaccine distribution.
He provided specific information on the infrastructure, availability and the possibility of
achieving the daily goal. He noted some of the most recent meetings he has attended have
addressed current challenges in reaching the daily goals which include a lack of a statewide
centralized appointment process along with communication and community outreach.
Mr. Gross also reviewed the current vaccination locations which include health clinics, long
term care facilities, hospitals, pop-up clinics and mobile sites, high -volume sites, and retail
locations including Costco, Fred Meyers and Safeway stores.
Communications and Government Affairs Coordinator Steve McNey provided a legislative
update. He provided information on the Federal COVID relief package which would include
$1.7 million to Federal Way for vaccinations, education, and outreach to historically
marginalized communities and business assistance. Other items included with federal
support is funding for body cams, transportation projects, ball fields, and clean energy. He
reviewed the specific items which are being requested at the State level including
transportation, COVID-19 relief, public safety, and community programs.
b. Council Committee Reports
Parks/Recreation/Human Services/Public Safety Committee PRHSPS : Chair Kochmar
spoke regarding agenda items and noted the next committee meeting is March 9.
Land Use/Transportation Committee (LUTC): Chair Baruso noted the next meeting will be
Monday, March 1 at 5:00 p.m. He also referenced items on the Council agenda which
passed through committee.
Finance, Economic Development Regional Affairs Committee _(_FEDRAC): Chair Tran
announced the next meeting will be Tuesday, February 23 at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee_ (LTAC): Chair Assefa-Dawson next meeting is
Wednesday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m.
Regional Committees Report (PIC): Councilmember Moore thanked Council President
Honda and Councilmember Assefa-Dawson for attending the meeting. He provided a report
on issues discussed including multiple Police Reform Bills.
Council President Report: Council President Honda invited everyone to attend the virtual
City Council retreat on Saturday, February 27 beginning at 9:00 a.m. She noted Andrew
Ballard will facilitate the meeting which will be the first of three retreats this year. Due to
COVID-19 this retreat will be held virtually over Zoom and focus on team building and
communication. She further reported a second retreat will consist of Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion Training followed by a final retreat to discuss city planning and vision.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Glen Steele shared that he believes grocery store workers should receive hazard pay for continuing
essential work throughout the pandemic as they risk their personal safety.
Chris Navarrette also spoke in support of providing hazard pay to retail grocery workers during the
pandemic. He is concerned and worried for his family safety and feels more should be done to
protect essential workers including retail, first responders and hospital workers.
Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 2 of 5
February 16, 2021
Richard Pierson spoke regarding his ongoing concern with the clear cut and planned development
of the former Weyerhaeuser campus. He would like to receive a written response to his concerns.
Trenise Rogers asked the city to honor a fallen former founding member of the Federal Way Police
Department Officer Michael Boutte in a substantial and lasting way. She noted Officer Boutte was
killed in the line of duty while working for the Hancock Sheriff's Department in Mississippi.
Chief Andy Hwang responded and provided additional memories of Officer Boutte and his
time with the Federal Way Department. The Chief noted in addition to information given at
the last City Council meeting, the department has been assisting the Hancock Sheriff's
Department and his family through this difficult time.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: February 2, 2021 Regular and Special Meetings
b. 2021 Asphalt Overlay Bid Award
c. SW 296th at 14th Slide Restoration — Project Acceptance
d. Complete Streets ADA Upgrades — Project Acceptance
e. SWM Vactor and Infrastructure Maintenance Services Contract — Bid Award
f. Right -of -Way Lease Extension for Mayer Tram (portion of 53rd Avenue SW)
g. Resolution: Acceptance of Grant Funding for Transportation Projects (STP, CMAQ,
and HSI P)IAPPROVED RESOLUTION #21-804
h. VVSD0T 77rnff te-r6- reerneRt Update- this item was pulled— no action taken
Elevator Services — Contract Award
2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HONDA MOVED APPROVAL OF ITEMS A THROUGH G, I, AND J ON
THE CONSENT AGENDA; SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MOORE. The motion passed
unanimously as follows:
Council President Honda
yes Councilmember Craft yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Baruso
yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
Councilmember Tran
yes
6. COUNCIL BUSINESS
Council President Honda noted not all of the interviews were able to be conducted during the
Special Meeting and have been rescheduled to March 2. Commission Appointments will be
held for the next City Council meeting.
7. ORDINANCES
First Reading
a. Council Bill # 798/Speed Limit Ordinance Amendment
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON,
RELATING TO SPEED LIMITS; AMENDING FWRC 8.30.040. (AMENDING
Federal Way City Council Regular Minutes Page 3 of S
February 16, 2021
ORDINANCE NOS. 90-29, 92-145, 93-177, 96-259, 00-364, 03-449, 10-668,
10-669, 10-675, 13-740, 15-807, AND 17-832).
City Traffic Engineer Rick Perez provided information on the proposed
ordinance regarding school zone speed limits. The reduction is due to greater
intensity of turning movements and Lakota Middle School/park frontage.
Public Comment: No comments were received.
City Clerk Stephanie Courtney read the ordinance title into the record.
COUNCILMEMBER BARUSO MOVED TO FORWARD THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO THE
MARCH 2, 2021 COUNCIL MEETING FOR SECOND READING AND ENACTMENT; SECOND
BY COUNCILMEMBER TRAN. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Honda
yes Councilmember Craft yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Baruso
yes Councilmember Kochmar yes
Councilmember Tran
yes
8. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Kochmar encouraged everyone to maintain their health and contact your health
care provider if you have concerning conditions. She advocated for personal health and to not let
the threat of COVID-19 stop you from contacting your doctor.
Councilmember Moore was pleased to see Councilmember Kochmar doing better. He appreciated
the grocery store workers who spoke out about hazard pay and supports all essential workers. He
also supports opening more vaccination locations and would like to work together to lobby King
County to open additional locations.
Councilmember Craft was also pleased to see Councilmember Kochmar looking recovered. She
reminded those who have had the vaccine that best practice is to still wear a mask. She
acknowledged Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday and asked those inclined, to give up or reduce a
vice to better society for Lent. She also suggested using this time to learn more about diversity and
equity in honor of Black History Month.
Councilmember Tran was pleased to welcome back Councilmember Kochmar and see her smiling
and healthy.
Councilmember Baruso also welcomed Councilmember Kochmar back to health. He encouraged
personal health and drinking water to stay hydrated. He thanked Director EJ Walsh and the Parks
and Public Works crews for their work in keeping the roads safe during the inclement weather. He
spoke about Lunar New Year and the disturbing increase in violence against Asian Americans. He
asked to treat each other with kindness.
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson thanked Councilmember Baruso for bringing this to our attention
and feels it is sad and unfortunate how people can treat each other. She also thanked the city crews
for their work in clearing the roadways during the inclement weather. She thanked Councilmember
Kochmar for the reminder to take personal healthcare seriously. She was able to attend the virtual
AWC Conference and while the online classes and information were condensed, she found helpful
and interesting information.
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February 16, 2021
Council President Honda reported on her attendance at the 30th District Legislative meeting and
she encouraged anyone, including students to watch local government channels to see how the
legislative process works. She was pleased to be on the King County Domestic Violence Initiative
and noted concern with increased domestic violence during COVID-19 and quarantine. She
recently attended a Sound Transit meeting and announced representatives for Sound Transit will
be presenting information related to the OMF-South during a City Council Special meeting on
March 16. She was pleased to see a family health care clinic open for students and their families
in -need at Saghalie Middle School; she hopes a similar in -school clinic will open soon to serve the
north end of the city.
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Attest:
p anie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council:D3/0 #M2_1
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February 16, 2021