01-18-2022 Council Minutes - RegularCITY OF
,. Federal Way
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
City Hall - Council Chambers*
*Remote attendance option available via Zoom
January 18, 2022 - 6:30 p.m.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Council President Linda Kochmar, Deputy Mayor
Susan Honda, Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson (joined the meeting at 7:00 p.m.)
Councilmember Erica Norton, Councilmember Hoang Tran, Councilmember Jack Walsh, and
Councilmember Jack Dovey.
City staff in attendance: City Attorney Ryan Call and City Clerk Stephanie Courtney
Mayor Ferrell announced Councilmember Tran and Councilmember Assefa-Dawson would be
attending the meeting remotely.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
3. PRESENTATIONS
a. Mayor's Emerging Issues and Report
Progress Update regarding King County RCP Program
Intergovernmental and Public Affairs Officer Steve McNey provided an update on this topic. He
noted although an effort has been made by the Mayor's Office to meet with the King County
Executive to discuss concerns with this program, they have been unable to secure a meeting.
He clarified the city supports diversion programs and believes diversion is an important tool,
however there is concern with some of the crimes listed as eligible as well as concerns the
program does not include any type of judicial review or oversight to ensure the program is
completed.
Upcoming Event
Chief Andy Hwang spoke to the upcoming Retail Safety Summit on January 20. The meeting
has been transitioned to a virtual meeting via Zoom and residents and businesses can contact
the police department for access to the meeting. Mayor Ferrell encouraged attendance and
believes there will be participation by local, regional and national retailers who will be able to
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January 18, 2022
discuss current trends and corporate policies which may assist in deterrence of the spike in
retail theft and organized retail crimes.
Recent Event
Mayor Ferrell thanked the High School group who assisted with this year's Martin Luther King
Junior Events which are available on FWTV Channel 21 and YouTube. He also thanked the
Council Executive Assistant Jeri -Clark who helped organize the event.
City Council Retreat
Mayor provided a reminder of the upcoming City Council retreat on Saturday, February 26 at
Dumas Bay Centre which will begin at 8:30 a.m.
b. Council Committee Reports
Parks/Recreation/Human Services/Public Safety Committee (PRHSPS): Council President
Kochmar reported on the items which passed through Committee and are on the Consent
Agenda for approval. The next meeting will be February 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Land Use/Transportation Committee (LUTC) No report was provided.
Finance, Economic Development Regional Affairs Committee (FEDRAC) No report was
provided.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) No report was provided.
Regional Committees Report (PIC) Deputy Mayor Honda provided an update on regional
meetings she attended including the PIC meeting and Board of Health.
Deputy Mayor Report Deputy Mayor Honda invited Executive Assistant Jeri -Lynn Clark to the
podium. She noted Ms. Clark who has worked for the city for 21 years is leaving the city to take
a job closer to home. Deputy Mayor and Council President Kochmar presented Ms. Clark with
flowers and thanked her for all of her hard work and support of the Council over the last 8-years.
Mayor Ferrell and Council all thanked Ms. Clark for her service and her work on projects, events
and assistance to the Mayor's Office and the City Council; she will be missed.
Council President Report No additional report was provided.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Sarah Nelson appreciated the different approaches everyone has attempting to address safety
in Federal Way; she believes diversion can be a fantastic resource. She also addressed
concerns about accountability regarding licensing for Permanent Supportive Housing and
Transitional Housing and Emergency Housing and Shelter.
Allison Fine added her appreciation to the Diversity Commission who assisted with the MLK Jr.
event. She shared her disappointment in comments given at the last city council meeting and
the lack of respect and reminded all that comments should be directed to the Council instead
of audience members.
Betty Tavlor shared concerns that residents of her senior living apartment complex have
regarding traffic and safety as they exit their parking garage. She asked for assistance with
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January 18, 2022
increasing signage.
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson joined at 7:02 p.m
Bob Darrigan read a poem he crafted for Jeri -Lynn Clark who has resigned her position after
21 years for a new position closer to home. He thanked her for her helpful and positive
demeanor.
Geoffrey Tancredi requested that the school board hold their meetings in Council Chambers in
order to be broadcast on TV. Mr. Tancredi expressed a desire to see the JR ROTC program
expanded at all Federal Way high schools.
Ron Walker shared a proposal with Council for an event plaza to be located at the old Target
property next to the PAEC; he distributed written materials to the Council and the City Clerk.
Ken Blevins spoke in support of standing up to King County and their policies with effect the
city residents; he supports the Council's effort to do the prudent thing by requesting more
information from King County.
Mary Ehlis asked if the city has a new representative for heritage landmarking. They have
received a grant to hire someone submit a landmark application for Camp Kilworth property and
their last contact has since moved away.
Anna Patrick expressed a desire for a financial audit of King County and has inquired to where
the funds were reallocated due to the drop in daily bookings. Ms. Patrick, concerned for safety
in schools would like to see King County fund and serve our youth while preserving the safety
and learning environment for all.
Dominique Davis described RCP as a touch point to engage teens before they get too far down
a bad path and as a way to stop youth from entering into the justice system. This is a wrap
around service with a team helping the youth navigate the process.
Craig Patrick thanked Councilmember Norton for hosting a meeting of community members.
He expressed concerns about accountability in relation to RCP programs. Mr. Patrick would
like to see more money go towards victim services.
Cynthia Ricks-Maccotan shared what requirements organization that are a part of RCP need
to meet, which includes qualified staff, the ability to pay restitution to victims, and to face the
accused if there was a harmed party involved. She noted regular updates are provided to
probation and the King County Prosecutor.
Nancy Justice shared an experience she had at TJ Maxx where she witnessed shoplifting she
is hopeful action can be taken in response to the increase of retail theft.
Josia Jean-Pierre feels as if the community has been asking for help for the last 10-years and
does not feel city leaders are doing enough for the black and brown community in Federal Way.
He is working on the front lines and has the tools to reach kids and youth in the community.
Sheley Anderson believes in the RCP program and feels this community -based solution has
proven to work. She noted detention alone will not work to save our kids. She again asked
Council to oppose the resolution to pause the RCP program.
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January 18, 2022
Remote comments:
Zoe Wall, a High School Senior in Federal Way, shared about a project she recently completed
on vaccine distribution. She shared data from that project about different demographics and
lack of vaccination status.
Estela Ortega, Executive Director of El Centro de la Raza, requested the City Council vote
against pausing the RCP Program. Her organization supports the Community Pathways
Program and is supportive of those working to create a safety net for our youth.
Leandra Craft shared about the different levels of diversion programs and some of the benefits
of these programs, including information regarding pre -file diversion programs which do not
include the courts. She supports asking continued questions and engaging with community
members. Ms. Craft also asked where Council is on developing a climate action plan.
Bob Drake is in support of diversion programs and supporting our kids, when appropriately
applied. Mr. Drake also expressed frustration with King County for not addressing questions
regarding the RCP program. He appreciated the community meeting held on Saturday and
would like to be a part of more difficult, yet thoughtful conversations.
Heather Fero y would like to see School Board meetings help in City Council Chambers to allow
for it to be televised. Ms. Feroy expressed a desire to see improvement and less violence in
schools.
Denise Harrington would like to see Council continue to work and looking into the RCP program;
she would like kids to have a safe home and education.
Josh Kim addressed Council Bill 818 which passed council at the January 4 meeting noting he
would like to see the fee increased for those not in compliance.
Read into the record by the Clerk:
Emails from Mari Rico, Jasmin Calderon, Liz Olhsson, and Tiffany LaFontaine read by the City
Clerk requesting Council to vote no to the proposed resolution to pause the Restorative
Community Pathways (RCP) Program.
Email from Paulina Laris read by the City Clerk expressing her opinion that the RCP program
should not be limited to misdemeanor crimes.
Letter from Roger Flygare, on behalf of the Federal Way Public Market, read by the City Clerk
expressing excitement about the potential of a multi -use public hall in the downtown Federal
Way development discussions.
Email from Casey and Renise Jones read by the City Clerk in support of the resolution to pause
the RCP program.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: January 4, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
b. Arts Commission 2022 Work Plan
c. Arts Commission 2022 Contract for Services
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January 18, 2022
d. Jail Services Contract — Puyallup City Jail
e. Washington State Department of Commerce Grant
f. Public Safety Testing Subscriber Agreement — Amendment #1
g. Diversity Commission 2022 Work Plan
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOCHMAR MOVED APPROVAL OF ITEMS A THROUGH G ON THE
CONSENT AGENDA; SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY. The motion passed unanimously
as follows:
Council President Kochmar yes Councilmember Tran yes
Deputy Mayor Honda yes Councilmember Walsh yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Dovey yes
Councilmember Norton yes
6. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Council Bill #812/Amending Title 19 of the FWRC regarding Public Transportation
Facilities (postponed from October 19, 2021)
No action taken on this item. Mayor Ferrell noted this item would return to Council at a
later date.
7. COUNCIL BUSINESS
a. Council Confirmation of Committee Chair Appointments
Council President Kochmar provided the appointments for Council consideration as follows:
Parks/Recreation/Human Services/Public Safety Committee (PRHSPSC)
Chair Walsh; Members: Councilmember Norton and Councilmember
Assefa-Dawson
Land Use/Transportation Committee (LUTC)
Chair Dovey; Members: Councilmember Tran and Walsh
Finance/Economic Development/Regional Affairs Committee (FEDRAC)
Chair Tran; Members Councilmember Dovey and Councilmember Norton
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Chair Assefa-Dawson
DEPUTY MAYOR HONDA MOVED APPROVAL OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AS
PRESENTED SECOND BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOCHMAR. The motion passed unanimously as
follows:
Council President Kochmar yes
Deputy Mayor Honda yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes
Councilmember Norton yes
Councilmember Tran yes
Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember Dovey yes
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January 18, 2022
b. Proposed 2022-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Federal Way Police
Officer Guild
Human Resources Manager Vanessa Audett provided information regarding the 2022-2024
Bargaining Agreement with the Police Officers Guild. She noted the current agreement
expired on December 31, 2021. The proposed agreement is for 3 years (2022-2024) and
conforms with previously provided Council authority and direction. Ms. Audett reviewed the
wage increases included and the summary of other changes including the addition of the
Juneteeth Holiday, supplemental leave allowance, extra -duty pay premiums, changes to
ancillary disability insurance, and career development program.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOCHMAR MOVED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED 2022-2024
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE POLICE OFFICERS GUILD, AND AUTHORIZE
THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT. SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY. The motion
passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar
yes Councilmember Tran yes
Deputy Mayor Honda
yes Councilmember Walsh yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
yes Councilmember Dovey yes
Councilmember Norton
yes
c. South County Area Transportation Board Agreement
Public Works Director EJ Walsh provided information regarding this long-standing
agreement which requires cities to rejoin every 10-years to participate in the South King
County Area Transportation Board. ,
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY MOVED MOVE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT;
SECOND BY DEPUTY MAYOR HONDA. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar yes Councilmember Tran yes
Deputy Mayor Honda yes Councilmember Walsh yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Dovey yes
Councilmember Norton yes
8. ORDINANCES
First Reading
■ . ■ ■1 NANG■P TH E 9 1TY OF ■ ERAL i , . r . . i ■
TRANSPORTATION . AMENDING FWRQ 19.05.129,19.05.200, .. ■
49.105.020i ■ ADDINSECTION S TO_ . ■P. AN ■ 19,2 4 ■ FWRG
.. r17. �■, ■. • ■� ■ ■■ ■
This item was addressed earlier in the agenda; no action taken.
Second Reading/Enactment
b. Council Bill #8191Modif in the Cit 's Nuisance Code
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON, MODIFYING THE
CITY'S NUISANCE CODE TO ADDRESS CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES AND
PROVIDING FOR EMERGENCY SUMMARY ABATEMENT FOR SEVERE AND
EMERGENCY NUISANCES IN THE CITY; AMENDING FWRC 6.70.010; ADDING NEW
SECTIONS TO CHAPTER 6.70 INCLUDING SECTIONS 6.70.020,6.70.030, AND 6.70.040;
AND ADDING A NEW SECTION TO CHAPTER 1.15 INCLUDING SECTION 1.15.085.
(AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 00-374.)
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January 18, 2022
City Clerk read the ordinance title into the record.
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY MOVED ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE; SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER TRAN. The motion passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar
yes
Deputy Mayor Honda
yes
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson
yes
Councilmember Norton
yes
Councilmember Tran yes
Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember Dovey yes
c. Council Bill #820IProvosed Code (12.35 FWRC) for Licensinq Permanent
Suaoortive Housina and Transitional Housing and Emerciencv Housinq and Shelter
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO
LICENSING OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING,
AND EMERGENCY HOUSING AND SHELTER; AMENDING FWRC 19.195.015, 19.200.045,
19.205.080, 19.215.070, 19.220.100, 19.220.105, 19.225.055, 19.225.075, 19.230.055,
19.230.065, 19.240.085, AND 19.240.095; AND ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 12.35
INCLUIDNG SECTIONS 12.35.010, 12.35.020, 12.35.030, 12.35.040, 12.35.050, 12.35.060,
12.35.070, AND 12.35.080. (AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 94-233, 96-270, 97-291, 99-333,
01-385, 02-423, 07-559, 09-605, AND 21-921.)
City Clerk read the ordinance title into the record.
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY MOVED ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE; SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER WALSH.
Councilmember Dovey asked clarification to raise the fee and remove the fee waiver for
non-profit. City Attorney Call noted an amendment to this ordinance can be brought back to
Council at a later time to address modifications.
Councilmember Walsh asked for clarification is his request to include "possession of illegal
drugs" was added to the ordinance following first reading.
City Attorney Call asked for a brief recess to verify the ordinance in the Council packet.
Mayor Ferrell agreed; the City Attorney left the room as the Mayor took Council reports.
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Dovey provided no report.
Councilmember Walsh provided no report.
Councilmember Tran thanked Council President Kochmar and Deputy Mayor Honda for the
appointment to the FEDRAC Committee and noted he looks forward to working with Councilmembers
Dovey and Norton. He thanked Finance staff and looks forward to the next meeting which will be
remote due to the fact he will be traveling.
Councilmember Norton thanked Deputy Mayor Honda and Councilmember Tran for attending her
meeting with Community members and leaders. She noted there were difficult conversations and it
was an emotional meeting, but her hope is that everyone who attended will come back for a follow-up
meeting to work together.
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson apologized for her late start to the meeting as she is currently in
Ethiopia with a very large time difference. She is pleased to be able to attend tonight's meeting and
will be connecting with Councilmember Norton to discuss her community engagement.
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January 18, 2022
Deputy Mayor Honda reported on her attendance at a recent SCA meeting with the interim Board of
Health Director. She was pleased to report there is a downward trend in COVID numbers even though
the data is two weeks behind. She also reported on legislative bills she is tracking at the state
regarding election dates and body worn camera funding.
Council President Kochmar also reported on pre -filed bills in the House and the Senate. She noted
there is a large number of pre -files for a short 60-day session. She thanked everyone who worked on
the MLK Jr. Event in the city and noted she will be attending along with Deputy Mayor Honda and
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson the NLC Conference in Washington DC. She is hopeful to get an
appointment with the Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. She also spoke in concern with the
Tongan Island and the effects of a volcanic eruption; she encouraged residents to reach out to their
Pacific Islanders in the community to show support. She also asked for retention pay and education
bonus for police officers.
Upon conclusion of Council Reports and the return of the City Attorney to Council Chambers, Mayor
Ferrell returned to item 8c.
After a brief review of the packet, City Attorney Call believes the added language is included
in the proposed version, however suggested an amendment to the motion to ensure the
change is reflected.
COUNCILMEMBER WALSH MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO SPECIFICALLY PROHIBIT
THE ON -SITE POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS; SECOND BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
KOCHMAR. The amendment passed unanimously as follows.
Council President Kochmar
yes
Deputy Mayor Honda
yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
yes
Councilmember Norton
yes
Councilmember Tran yes
Councilmember Walsh yes
Councilmember Dovey yes
The main motion as amended passed unanimously as follows:
Council President Kochmar
yes Councilmember Tran yes
Deputy Mayor Honda
yes Councilmember Walsh yes
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson
yes Councilmember Dovey yes
Councilmember Norton
yes
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
Attest:
5 ph nie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: 4 L
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January 18, 2022