06-01-2021 Council Minutes - SpecialCITY OF
Federal Way
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING/STUDY SESSION MINUTES
Remote Meeting
June 1, 2021 — 5:00 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting held remotely to order at 5:02 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 ALLIGIANCE
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
3. STUDY SESSION — POLICE REFORM
a. Introduction
Councilmember Craft thanked everyone for attending the study session; she provided
an introduction for the meeting and the intention is to engage in the conversation which
is also happening in the region and across the state. She announced the list of speakers
who would be providing presentations to the Council.
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson also clarified this meeting is not to make
recommendations at this point, it is to gather information and become educated and not
reactive. She noted many cities including Auburn, Issaquah, Kent and Redmond are
having this conversation.
b. Presentations
Cynthia Ricks-Maccotan and Tirzah Idahosa, representing the Federal Way Black
Collective, presented information on their request for increased citizen oversight with
the police department and to create a Citizen Police Accountability Board.
Sharon Swanson, AWC Government Relations Advocate provided information on the
multiple piece of police form legislation that has recently passed and those are being
implemented state-wide.
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 1 of 2
June 1, 2021
Deborah Jacobs, Police Accountability Consultant spoke to the different options of
boards and oversight committees.
Dr. Bob McKenzie, Chair, Chief's Call Advisory Board provided information on the
purpose and formation of the current Board which works directly with the Police Chief
on Police Department issues or community concerns.
Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang provided feedback on how the department
currently operates and works with the citizen group The Chief's Call lead by Dr.
McKenzie. He also provided detailed information on the level of service and high
standard Federal Way holds, including being CALEA accredited.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Representative Jesse Johnson spoke in support of a police oversite board stating he feels police
are more likely to do the right thing when they know they are being held accountable. He concluded
by saying that oversite does not mean that there is a problem with the police department.
Jack Walsh shared his disappointment of the time taken to discuss the topic of police oversite and
shared a story of the Federal Way Police Department's action to save a man that had collapsed in
his business.
Bob Drake shared his support for the Federal Way Police Department and addressed his concerns
that a police oversite board would take away from the police and cause further problems in the
community.
Ken Blevens spoke in opposition of a police accountability board stating additional accountability
is not needed but rather police should be given more ability to do the job required of them.
Jacob Green spoke as the chapter president for Washington State's National Organization of Black
Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and expressed his support for the Federal Way Police
Department.
Bobby Jennings shared his definition of accountability stating it equates to safety and should not
be confused with defunding or removing police services.
Jack Dover reflected on his time as mayor and when he was approached about the Federal Way
Police Department becoming CALEA accredited. Mr. Dovey urged council to have a more in-depth
presentation on what an accountability board would actually look like and cost.
Clerk's Note: Due to the time restrictions, additional public comments were held over to the regular
meeting public comment.
5. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the special meeting was adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
Attest:
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Stephanie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: 001� 0_021
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes
June 1, 2021
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