07-06-2021 Council Minutes - SpecialV;ZA�L
FCITY
eiJeral Way
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINTUES
Remote Meeting
July 6, 2021 — 5:00 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Council President Honda called the meeting held remotely to order at 5:04 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Council President Susan Honda, Councilmember Lydia Assefa-
Dawson, Councilmember Greg Baruso, Councilmember Leandra Craft, Councilmember Martin
Moore, and Councilmember Linda Kochmar.
City staff in attendance: City Attorney Ryan Call and City Clerk Stephanie Courtney
Council President Honda excused Mayor Ferrell and Councilmember Hoang Tran.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. STUDY SESSION — SHORT-TERM RENTALS
Planning Manager Keith Niven provided information regarding short term rentals which include
Airbnb, FlipKey, HomeAway, Vrbo, and other internet-based short-term vacation rental platforms
as well as private parties utilizing dwellings in the City for short-term rentals.
Mr. Niven discussed the growth in short-term rentals and impacts including the possibility of missed
revenue, nuisance issues, and limiting community impacts. He offered policy alternatives to either
prohibit, limit with requirements, or monitor short-term rentals without regulations. He asked the
Council to provide feedback on creating a straight -forward, legitimate process that can be followed
and enforced by the City with existing resources.
Additionally, creating a policy for short-term rentals could also help level the market between these
short-term rentals and other travel choices such as hotels to allow residents the opportunity to gain
income from their residence while minimizing risks to public safety and neighborhood disruptions.
Mr. Niven provided multiple options and examples of topics which could be incorporated into new
legislation including zone restrictions, vehicle or occupancy limit, business license requirements,
safety inspections or short-term rental permit. Moving forward, staff is seeking direction of three
alternatives ranging from light restrictions to heavy regulations.
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 1 of 2
July 6, 2021
Council thanked Mr. Niven for his presentation and asked clarifying questions regarding the impact
of Home Owners Associations (HOA's), if the data presented was a snapshot in time meaning the
number of units in the city could be higher, volume of current complaints, and safety inspections
for units.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Email from Anna Patrick was read by the City Clerk regarding Ms. Patrick's experience in her
neighborhood with short-term rentals and misuse of property. She would like the city to be proactive
in maintaining single family homes and preventing them from being turned into multi -family rentals
or vacation rentals with absent owners or foreign investors.
5. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 5:41 p.m. Council President Honda announced the Council would recess into executive session
for the purpose of discussing property acquisition pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) for
approximately 30 minutes.
Mayor Ferrell joined the executive session meeting at 5:41 p.m.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the special meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Attest:
Wickesu-
Steph nie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council:
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 2 of 2
July 6, 2021