10-19-2021 Council Minutes - Special.� Federal Way
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Remote Meeting
October 19, 2021 — 5:00 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order 5:01 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.
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
2. STUDY SESSION
a. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Presentation
Economic Development Director Tim Johnson highlighted the previous presentations made to
Council in April, June, and September of 2021. He was pleased to report the city has received 50%
of the ARPA award ($9.608M) out of the total $19.2M. The city has submitted the first required
compliance report and Council has approved total allocations of $1.4M to date. Allocations already
approved include premium pay for grocery workers; grant Coordinator and grant Writers, and a
broadband feasibility study.
He further provided information on grants the city has applied for, including the amounts the city is
seeking. He introduced Grant Coordinator Sybil McIntyre who met with department directors and
identified potential projects and needs in city departments. Based on the list of projects the Mayor
has identified and prioritized the proposed projects. Mr. Johnson stated the purpose of ARPA
funding is to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19; rebuild the city's financial stability; and
recover and restore the city's sustained fiscal health.
Finance Director Steve Groom noted that while the full guidelines from the federal government
have not been provided there are sound financial options to follow: matching one-time revenue to
one-time expense; prioritize citywide services over four years; avoiding the creation of recurring
obligations; and avoiding audit refund risk.
Director Groom stated the process includes calculating lost revenue, confirming the Treasury
eligibility rules, and prioritizing and executing allocations. He provided additional information on the
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 1 of 2
October 19, 2021
four (4) categories allowed for ARPA allocations alongside the Council approved allocations and
spent to date figures.
The next step of the process is to seek Council input including narrowing and ranking their priorities
and formulate a methodology for subsequent Council approval.
Council thanked Mr. Johnson, Ms. McIntyre, and Mr. Groom for the information presented.
Questions were asked regarding specific needs and how they would fit within the ARPA allowable
categories. Councilmembers also supported an additional City Council Study Session be
scheduled to further discuss ARPA requests and allocations.
Mr. Johnson acknowledged another study session would be beneficial after the city receives the
Treasury guidelines; he anticipated the guidelines will be published before the end of the year. He
asked for Councilmember to send their priorities directly to him and the Mayor.
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 5:38 p.m. Mayor Ferrell announced the Council would recess into executive session for the
purpose of discussing collective bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(b).
4. ADJOURNMENT
There -being nothing further on the agenda; the special meeting was adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
Attest:
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ph nie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: j(1D3�20�
Federal Way City Council Special Minutes Page 2 of 2
October 19, 2021