12-07-2021 Council Minutes - SpecialFederal Way
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
City Hall — Council Chambers
December 7, 2021 — 5:00 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Susan Honda, Councilmember
Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Erica Norton, Councilmember Hoang Tran,
Councilmember Jack Walsh, and Councilmember Linda Kochmar.
City Councilmember Martin Moore joined the meeting at 5:05 p.m.
City staff in attendance: City Attorney Ryan Call and City Clerk Stephanie Courtney
2. PLEDGE OF ALLIGANCE
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
3. STUDY SESSION
a. A Tech Hub Action Plan
Tim Johnson, Economic Development Director acknowledged and thanked multiple
Economic Development Interns and members of his staff who were in attendance and
who worked on this project. Mr. Johnson referenced printed material Council received and
provided information on various case studies. He stated the study included various cities
across the United States, along with one city in South Korea and one city in England. He
noted the 8 Steps,to Success required the following actions:
■ Local Elected Officials — Initiate
• Engage and work with University
■ Engage and work with Private Sector
• Invest in Infrastructure
■ Ensure Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
■ Promote
■ Convene
Constant & Consistent Commitment
Director Johnson noted goals for Federal Way are based on ambition. These include the
ability to become the city with the fastest internet speeds in the state of Washington, to
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December 7, 2021
become the most advance Smart City in the Pacific Northwest, produce the finest
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest, most connected city to higher
education in the nation and become the "Global Center for Disruptive Technologies".
Councilmembers thanked Mr. Johnson and his team for all the work put into this
presentation and printed materials. Clarifying questions were asked regarding community
needs of diversity and inclusion, timeline for success, cost estimates, definition of
"disruptive technology", and if the plan includes providing internet as revenue generation
for the city to its residents.
Mr. Johnson addressed each question and noted he believes the largest cost is the
investment in infrastructure. He also stated accomplishing these goals would take a
concentrated effort of the elected leaders for the next decade, however he believes much
can happen in phases over the next 3-5 years, if funding is available. Councilmembers
noted this would be a good topic to discuss at the upcoming City Council Retreat.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 5:48 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) for approximately 20
minutes.
a. Collective Bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(b)
5. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the special meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Attest:
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Ste a ie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: 0110q r�
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December 7, 2021