PRHSPSC MINS 05-11-2021
K:\PRHSPS Committee\2021\05-11-2021 Minutes.doc
City of Federal Way
City Council
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
5:00 p.m.
SUMMARY
Committee Members Participating via Video Conference: Chair Kochmar and Committee member s
Assefa-Dawson and Baruso
Council Members Participating via Video Conference: Council President Honda , Council member
Moore and Council member Craft
Staff Members Participating via Video Conference: Ryan Call, City Attorney, Chief Andy Hwang,
Commander Ray Bunk, John Hutton, Parks Director , Jason Gerwen, Parks Deputy Director , and Mary
Jaenicke, Administrative Assistant II.
Guests: None
Chair Kochmar called the meeting to order at 5:00pm
Public Comment:
Public comment was provided later in the meeting.
Committee member Baruso moved to amend the agenda to add Police Reform & Accountability to
the agenda as item F. Committee member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Approval of Minutes
Committee member Baruso motioned to approve the April 13, 2021 minutes as written. Committee
member Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
Ordinance: FWRC Chapter 4.05 – Park Regulations Updates
Staff Gerwen provided the background information. The Parks Commission formed a sub -committee to
review the City’s Park regulations in May of 2019. The Park regulations had not been updated in over 15
years. A lot of the changes were mainly housekeeping items; adding, updating and cleaning up the language
to meet todays standards. The sub -committee met five times and were ready to bring it forward for
approval. In January the Parks Department started to experience an increase in reports of motorized
vehicles on our trails and it has increased quite a bit since the Pandemic. After discussions with the Police
Department it was determined that we needed to have stronger language to address trail use and motorized
vehicles. After that the Parks Department was hit by Covid and needed to put all of their focus onto Parks
and Facilities for the health and safety of staff and the community. President Honda stated that she would
like to eventually look at banning smoking in public parks. King County and several Cities in King County
have banned smoking. Committee member Assefa -Dawson would prefer not to ban smoking completely
and would like to instead have a designated smoking area within the park. Committee member Baruso
moved to forward the proposed ordinance to First Reading on May 18, 2021. Committee member
Assefa-Dawson seconded. Motion passed.
An Ordinance to Regulate Racing, Stunting and U nlawful Race Attendance
Commander Bunk provided the background information. In 2019 there were approximately 102 calls
reporting racing and stunting. In 2020 there were 224 calls. Currently, there are RCW’s for reckless
driving but the Police Department wants to add criminal penalties for racing, stunting and race attendance.
This would assist in immediate enforcement to stop these events in the city. Kent, Auburn and Fife have
PARKS, RECREATION, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 Summary
Page 2
racing codes to address this. The biggest impact will be to automatically impound cars of those that are
attending these evets. The overall intent is that once they impound the cars there’s a $100 administrative fee
assigned by the Federal Way Court. The unlawful attendance of the individuals will be considered a
misdemeanor through the Federal Way Municipal Code. 95% of the people that attend these races are not
from Federal Way. Committee member Baruso moved to forward the proposed ordinance to First
Reading on May 18, 2021. Chair Kochmar seconded. Motion passed.
Valley Communication Service Level Agreement for Emergency Communication Services
Chief Hwang provided the background information. Valley Communications provides services for Police,
Fire and other various agencies in the region. It is one of the largest dispatch centers in the State of
Washington. This contract is necessary because the needs of Fire and Police are different. Valley
Communications provides a certain level of work for a fee; a fee is charged for every call for service. The
fees are different for Police and Fire. The contract outlines what services are provided and the fees
associated with those services. Committee member Baruso moved to forward the proposed agreement
to the May 18, 2021 Council consent agenda for approval. Chair Kochmar seconded. Motion passed.
Due to connectivity issues Committee member Assefa-Dawson was present but unable to vote. She stated
that she did approve of agenda items C and D.
FWCC Slide Update
Staff Hutton reported that the bid documents for the slide replacement are out and staff is waiting for them
to come in. The cost of the slide could be in excess of $500,000. Staff is applying for a King County
Aquatics facility’s grant and should be eligible for $250,000. Staff is also researching other grants. Staff
Hutton will be meeting with the City’s Finance Director to discuss how we will come up with the
remaining funding for the slide replacement.
Public Comment: State Representative Jesse Johnson stated that he sponsored House Bill 1203 that made
it through committee and they decided not to move forward with the Bill this year. This Bill would’ve
required local jurisdictions with departments of 15 Officers or more to have a Community Oversight Board.
They would’ve established the framework for the operations of the Board. It would include that the Board
have access to all public complaints that would be filed against Officers, the ability to review the
complaints and issue subpoenas. They would work with the department to conduct an internal investigation
of the complaint. They will be br inging this Bill back this year. Representative Johnson stated that he will
advocate for Oversight Boards because they provide a voice for community members to have a say in their
local policing.
Police Reform & Accountability
Chief Hwang gave a presentation on Police Reform & Accountability. His presentation included
information on National Accreditation (CALEA), Use of Force, Training Requirements, New Police
Reform Laws, Chief’s Call Advisory Group and the path forward for the Federal Way Police Department.
During and after Chief Hwang’s presentation there was a question and answer session with the Committee
members, Council President Honda and Council members present.
Other
None
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
June 8, 2021
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:55p.m.