02-23-2021 FEDRAC MINUTES,ACITY Of
� Federal Way
City Council
Finance/Economic Development/Regional Affairs Committee
Tuesday, February 23, 20215:00 p.m.
SUMMARY MINUTES
Meeting held remotely via Zoom
CALL TO ORDER: Council Chair Tran called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS VIA ZOOM: Chair Tran; Councilmember Craft and Councilmember Kochmar.
COUNCILMEMBERS VIA ZOOM: Council President Honda; Councilmember Baruso and Councilmember
Assefa — Dawson.
STAFF MEMBERS VIA ZOOM: Finance Director, Ade Ariwoola; Accounting Manager, Chase Donnelly;
City Attorney, Ryan Call; Executive Assistant to the Council, Jeri -Lynn Clark; and Administrative
Assistant II, Jennifer Pettie.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Debbie Harvey spoke regarding fees and taxes for seniors on a fixed income and
is working with the Senior Commission on reviewing the Utility Tax Rebate Program to recommend
changes in the qualifications for the program.
A. Approval of Summary Minutes —January 26, 2021 Meeting
Motion made by Councilmember Kochmar to approve the minutes from January 26, 2021; motion
seconded by Councilmember Craft and carried 3-0.
B. Historical Society of Federal Way Funding: Presented by Finance Director, Ade Ariwoola.
Director Ariwoola explained this is an extension to the Historical Society contract that was started
many years ago, and there were no changes made to the new contract.
Councilmember Kochmar requested to see the quarterly reports that are submitted from the
Historical Society to see what work is being done.
Motion made by Councilmember Kochmar to forward the Memorandum of Understanding to the
March 2nd, 2021 consent agenda for approval; motion seconded by Councilmember Craft and
carried 3-0.
C. AP Vouchers 01/16/2021— 02/15/2021 & Payroll Vouchers 01/01/2021— 01/31/2021: Presented
by Accounting Manager, Chase Donnelly.
Questions were sent through email earlier to the Finance Director and the questions were
answered and sent back to all Councilmembers.
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Federal Way
Motion made by Councilmember Craft to forward the AP Vouchers 0111612021 — 0211512021 &
Payroll Vouchers 0110112021— 0113112021 to the March 2nd, 2021 consent agenda for approval;
motion seconded by Councilmember Kochmar and carried 3-0.
D. Monthly Financial Report — Final December 2020: Presented by Accounting Manager, Chase Donnelly.
Accounting Manager Donnelly summarized the Final December 2020 Monthly Financial Report.
Notable areas include:
• Sales Tax
• Community Development Permits & Fees
• Business License Fees
• General & Street Fund
• Federal Way Community Center
• Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)
Councilmember Kochmar asked if the 2020 total in Water & Sewer Utility Taxes reflects only 2020
or does that include the money that was set aside in a fund during the litigation? Accounting
Manager Donnelly stated it reflects the total amount received including backpay.
Councilmember Kochmar asked if the Average Daily Population (ADP) in the jail was down because
there has been a decrease in crime or if it has to do with the "Catch and Release" program in the
county? Finance Director Ariwoola answered it is not because we are letting people go, but possibly
more people are staying indoors due to Covid-19 and the lockdown. City Attorney Ryan Call added
there has been an increase in domestic violence but every other type of crime has been down.
Council President Honda asked if a business within the City of Federal Way does not have an active
city endorsement, is there a penalty assessed to that business? Finance Director Ariwoola explained
since we partnered with the State of Washington, we have been able to reach many businesses
who did not have a City license. Additionally, Ariwoola added we have sent out three batches of
letters to businesses who have a license with the State and not with the City and that has helped
immensely. The current policy does not specifically penalize a business for not having a city license.
Motion made by Councilmember Kochmar to forward the Monthly Financial Report — Final
December 2020 to the March 2nd, 2021 consent agenda for approval; motion seconded by
Councilmember Craft and carried 3-0.
E. Utility Tax Rebate Program: Presented by Finance Director, Ade Ariwoola.
Finance Director Ariwoola stated we have compared our Utility Tax Rebate Program (UTRP) with the
City of Burien, City of Tukwila, and City of Lakewood. Director Ariwoola added we can wait until the
Senior Commission puts together their recommendation before moving forward with updating the
program. Across the three cities they primarily give a flat amount back to seniors/disabled citizens who
qualify. Some feedback regarding the program is it can be challenging having to collect, keep, and find
all 12 months of invoices to turn in and we are hoping to come up with a simpler way for our low-
income seniors/disabled citizens to provide the information needed to participate in the UTRP.
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ACITY Of
s� Federal Way
Chair Tran asked if it is reasonable for the Senior Commission to come up with a proposal in 90 days?
Council President Honda stated that is a very reasonable time frame. Chair Tran would like to have the
initial report back before the end of May.
This item was for discussion purposes only, no action was taken.
Other:
Councilmember Kochmar requested Risk Management claims be shared with Council on a quarterly
basis. City Attorney Ryan Call stated it is being worked on and will check on the status.
NEXT MEETING: March 23; 2021
MEETING ADJOURNED: The meeting was adjourned at 6:06 p.m.
Attest: ` Approved by Committee:
't:3(2,x)2-L- -
Jennifer Pettie. Administrative Assistant II Date
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Page 3