05-25-2021 FEDRAC MINUTESCITY OF
Federal Way
City Council
Finance/Economic Development/Regional Affairs Committee
Tuesday, May 25, 20215:00 p.m.
SUMMARY MINUTES
Meeting held remotely via Zoom
CALL TO ORDER: Councilmember Kochmar chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:01
p.m.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS VIA ZOOM: Councilmember Craft and Councilmember Kochmar.
EXCUSED COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Councilmember Tran.
COUNCILMEMBERS VIA ZOOM: Council President Honda; Councilmember Baruso and Councilmember
Assefa-Dawson.
STAFF MEMBERS VIA ZOOM: Finance Director, Ade Ariwoola; Deputy Finance Director, Chase Donnelly;
City Attorney, Ryan Call; Parks Director, John Hutton; Public Works Director, EJ Walsh; Community
Center Manager, Leif Ellsworth; Contract Administrator, Autumn Gressett; Executive Assistant to the
Council, Jeri -Lynn Clark; and Accounting Specialist Jennifer Pettie.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment.
A. Approval of Summary Minutes — April 27, 2021 Meeting
Motion made by Councilmember Craft to approve the minutes from April 27, 2021; motion
seconded by Councilmember Kochmar and carried 2-0.
B. Federal Way Community Center Water Heater Tank Replacement Bid Acceptance: Presented by
Contract Administrator, Autumn Gressett.
Contract Administrator Autumn Gressett explained they received one responsive bid and it was
from Northwest Thermal Hydronics in the amount of $49,545.00. Gressett went on to add they
originally anticipated the cost to replace the water heaters would be about $33,000.00, but it has
come back that construction and labor costs are significantly higher than they have been in the
past.
Finance Director Ariwoola stated for clarification the staff memo says the water heater
replacement was budgeted in the General Fund, but the budget book says it will be funded by a
bond which has not been sold yet. Gressett stated there is money set aside in the Community
Center maintenance budget to ensure they can move forward. Parks Director Hutton added
Community Center Manager Ellsworth has the money in the budget until the bonds are sold.
Councilmember Craft asked since money is already set aside in the Community Center maintenance
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budget, would the bond still need to be sold? Director Hutton said it would be ideal to fund the
water heater tank replacement and replace the money spent by selling the bond.
Councilmember Craft suggested to forward this item to the business agenda instead of the consent
agenda so it can be discussed further with all of the Councilmembers. Councilmember Kochmar
agreed.
Motion made by Councilmember Craft to forward the proposed bid for the Federal Way
Community Center Water Heater Tank Replacement to the June 1st, 2021 business agenda for
discussion and approval; motion seconded by Councilmember Kochmar and carried 2-0.
C. Ordinance: 2021/2022 Biennial Budget Amendment: Presented by Finance Director, Ade Ariwoola.
Finance Director Ariwoola summarized the various changes to the 2021/2022 Budget.
Council President Honda asked if the money the City is getting from the American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) has to be divided equally over the four years? City Attorney Ryan Call stated there is no
restriction on when the money can be spent.
Councilmember Kochmar asked if all of the ARPA funds are going strictly to replacement of lost
revenue? Finance Director Ariwoola stated no, there are four categories the money can go towards
and the current estimated amount to go towards revenue shortfall is $13 million.
Councilmember Kochmar asked what the additional ten percent is spent for from the solid waste
utility tax? Public Works Director EJ Walsh stated the increase is for street overlay projects due to
the trucks damaging residential roads.
Motion made by Councilmember Craft to forward the proposed Budget Amendment to the June
1st, 2021 Regular Council meeting for a Public Hearing and First Reading of the proposed
ordinance; motion seconded by Councilmember Kochmar and carried 2-0.
D. AP Vouchers 04/16/2021 - 05/15/2021 & Payroll Vouchers 04/01/2021— 04/30/2021: Presented
by Deputy Finance Director, Chase Donnelly.
Questions were sent through email earlier to the Finance Director and the questions were
answered at the committee meeting.
Motion made by Councilmember Craft to forward the April 2021 Vouchers to the June 1st, 2021
consent agenda for approval; motion seconded by Councilmember Kochmar and carried 2-0.
E. Monthly Financial Report —April 2021: Presented by Finance Director, Ade Ariwoola.
Finance Director Ariwoola summarized the April 2021 Monthly Financial Report. Notable areas
include:
■ Park & General Recreation Fees
■ Sales Tax
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A§S, Federal Way
• Community Development Permits & Fees
• Utility Tax
• Business License Fees
• Jail Fund
• Federal Way Community Center
• Real Estate Excise Tax
• Traffic Safety Fund
Motion made by Councilmember Craft to forward the April 2021 Monthly Financial Report to the
June 1st, 2021 consent agenda for approval; motion seconded by Councilmember Kochmar and
carried 2-0.
F. Moody's Investors Service: Presented by Finance Director, Ade Ariwoola.
Finance Director Ariwoola explained the City has maintained for the past six years AA2 Moody
rating, which is the second highest rating there is. Director Ariwoola added if the City starts
spending reserve, it will affect the City's rating.
Council President Honda asked if the City borrows any money from the reserves, will it lower our
rating? Finance Director Ariwoola stated only if we go below the policy guidelines will it lower the
City's credit rating.
This item was for information/discussion purposes only.
G. Ordinance: Utility Tax Rebate Program Amendment: Presented by Finance Director, Ade Ariwoola.
Finance Director Ariwoola explained the proposed change is to extend the program period to the
end of May to allow more time for getting the tax return to the City. Also, it is proposed to offer a
flat amount versus actual utility tax paid on a customer's bill. The flat amount is broken down by:
gas ($20), electric ($25), water ($15), sewer ($15), garbage ($15), telephone, cell phone, and cable
($10) with a maximum not to exceed $100. Customers who qualify will have to provide one bill of
each category versus having to provide all 12 months. Additionally, there is a provision in the
proposed ordinance for people that pay their utility bill with their rent, they would need to provide
their rental agreement that states utility tax is paid. Lastly, it is proposed to modify the ordinance
to include all ages for low income residents.
Motion made by Councilmember Craft to forward the proposed ordinance to First Reading on
June 1st, 2021; motion seconded by Councilmember Kochmar and carried 2-0.
H. Update: OpenGov Software: Presented by Finance Director, Ade Ariwoola.
Finance Director Ariwoola shared his screen to show what the OpenGov software will look like.
Director Ariwoola explained with this software, people are able to look at each department and
their spending by month. Different funds, as well as specific vendors, will also be accessible.
This item was for information/discussion purposes only.
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CITY or -
Federal Way
NEXT MEETING: June 22, 2021
MEETING ADJOURNED: The meeting was adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
Atte't: Approved by Committee:
2Z �U2
Jennifer ettie, Accounting Specialist Date
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