2019-10-28 Council MIN - Special A� CITY OF
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SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers - City Hall
October 28, 2019 — 5:00 p.m.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrell called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Deputy Mayor Susan Honda, Councilmember Lydia
Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Jesse Johnson, and Councilmember Dini Duclos.
City staff in attendance: City Attorney Ryan Call and City Clerk Stephanie Courtney.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ferrell led the flag salute.
Mayor Ferrell announced Councilmember Koppang was unable to attend tonight's meeting due to a
work conflict. He further noted Councilmember Tran was held up at work and is on his way;
Councilmember Moore will also be joining the meeting shortly.
Deputy Mayor Honda read a prepared statement from Councilmember Koppang who was unable to
attend the meeting; he is looking forward to working with his colleagues and staff on these
recommendations.
3. REVIEW OF HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
Sarah Bridgeford, Community Services Manager gave a presentation regarding the 2018 Mayor's
Homelessness Task Force recommendations. She stated the cost to the city for the Task Force
recommendations at this time,would be primarily staff costs. Longerterm strategic recommendations
such as a shelter, would need to be further analyzed for future costs and budget impacts.
Ms. Bridgeford stated staff is recommending the prioritization of six Task Force recommendations.
These are items:
• A.1 Expand Shelters as Gateways for Progress
• A.3 Develop a Community Coordinated Outreach Program
• A.4 Create or Expand Online Resources
• B.2 Create a Group to Coordinate Clean-Up Programs
• B.3 Continue Vigilant, Effective, Collaborative, and Mission-Focused Law-Enforcement
® B.5 Prevent the Re-Establishment of Dismantled Encampments
Staff feels these six recommendations address longer term strategic plans as well as immediate
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October 28, 2019
actions. She acknowledges the remaining recommendations are important; however, the additional
recommendations would have a larger immediate budget impact, need additional analysis and/or
exceed current staff capacity.
Councilmember Tran joined the meeting at 5:08 p.m.; Councilmember Moore joined the meeting at
5:09 p.m.
a. City Council Questions & Discussion
Councilmembers asked various questions of Ms. Bridgeford including specifics of items not being
recommended to move forward in this phase. Topics included: safe parking, the 211 system, and
mission focused law enforcement. Ms. Bridgeford and Deputy Chief Neal addressed each question.
Councilmember Moore asked for more information on panhandling; Ms. Bridgeford noted panhandling
is not included in the recommendations. City Attorney Call also responded to this question regarding
requiring panhandlers to be permitted.
4. CITIZEN COMMENT
Robin O'Gradythanked Council for the feasibility funds for the FUSION shelter project.She stated the
project should begin renovations in November with a projected open date of April 2020. FUSION is
looking for ongoing funding through government grants and fundraising opportunities to sustain the
shelter long-term.
Jim Ross, local business owner, agrees the recommendations will help the community. He is
concerned with the drug and crime problem brought to the city by the portion of homeless individuals
who do not want help or programs. He would like to see more done to strengthen the community and
make it safer for those living and visiting the city.
Melinda Ruiz is a long term resident of Federal Way feels the homeless are becoming more
aggressive and on occasion have refused food, demanding cash. She follows safety
recommendations and never carries a purse and keeps items in pockets.
Cheryl Hnr_st supports both the police and fire department and their efforts with the homeless. She is
also very happy FUSION is working on a local shelter project to help homeless families; she is
concerned with the number of homeless students in our district. She would like to see strict law
enforcement for individuals and homeless who are breaking laws.
Anna Patrick spoke in concern over drug addicts and prostitution in her neighborhood because of the
homeless. She stated her neighborhood has been hurt and traumatized by homeless individuals, and
she supports projects like FUSION so that shelters are not created in neighborhoods.She suggested
the city look into Betty's Village in Eureka as a good model.
Betty Taylor criticized the city for not allowing public comment during the task force meetings. She
feels citizens should have been able to give valuable input on who was selected for the task force and
input on recommendations prior to this coming to the Council.
Erica Norton feels task force recommendation A.6 (Increase the Equitable Delivery of Services)
should be the top priority. This recommendation includes services for shelters, mental health
treatment, and addiction treatment. She stated she is a former addict and she can recognize the
problem for the homeless who do not want help or services, they only want more drugs. She asked
Council to reprioritize and make A.6 the first focus.
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October-28, 2019
Tracy .zones spoke regarding her own homeless story as a veteran. She would like to create a
community within the community to meet all the needs for homeless including youth and children. She
distributed written material to the City Clerk regarding her proposal for transitional housing and a
recovery community.
Dana Hollaway stated homelessness is not unique to Federal Way and is a regional issue. She is
concerned with any possible rezoning that would affect neighborhoods, especially low barrier shelters.
She would like the city to look into work crews for the city instead of sending offenders to Seattle and
other cities. She cautioned some panhandlers do this for money and are not homeless.
Lorie Lucky is a former long term resident of Seattle and over the years has become accustomed to
homeless individuals. She believes the task force should have included homeless people and not just
middle class white people. She loves Federal Way and is not hesitant to go or walk anywhere. She
encouraged the Council look at permanent tiny houses.
Jan-Michael Hicks feels the homeless issue is regional and there are neighbors and students who are
cold and hungry this winter season. He would like to see more leadership on this issue both locally
and regionally. He spoke regarding a program in Salt Lake City where apartments are provided for
homeless individuals.
5. COUNCIL DISCUSSION/POTENTIAL ACTION
Councilmember Assefa-Dawson supports the recommendations; however she believes there are
some that are not included that could work in tandem with the items moving forward including A.2
(Create a Community Coordinated Response). Councilmember Johnson stated he feels A.6 (Increase
the Equitable Delivery of Services)recommendation should be included and moved forward with this
prioritization.
Councilmember Tran shared a personal story and asked everyone for compassion as not every
individual experiencing homelessness is a criminal or drug addict; he supports adding
recommendation A.6. Councilmember Moore also supports adding recommendation A6 and asked for
more information on the judicial system and how to address the homeless who are resistant to
assistance.
Councilmember Duclos supports the recommendations and would like to see the city work with
churches and non-profits to assist in a cold weather shelter for the homeless this winter.
Deputy Mayor Honda thanked Ms. Bridgeford for her presentation and recommendations. She also
thanked the task force members and the police and parks departments fortheirwork on the homeless
camps and clean-up efforts. She thanked Peggy LaPorte for her work on the FUSION shelter project
for families and youth.
DEPUTY MAYOR HONDA MOVED APPROVAL OF HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE
RECOMMENDATIONS Al, A3, A4, B2, B3, B5, A2 AND A6 WITH THOSE MODIFICATIONS
PROPOSED BY STAFF; COUNCILMEMBER DUCLOS SECOND.
Council also asked questions regarding prosecution protocol and Community Court. Municipal Court
Judge David Larson spoke regarding Community Court and how the Court is able to compel
compliance.
Mayor asked Councilmembers if they would like to offer an amendment to the main motion to
include recommendation B.4 (Better Coordinate with Criminal Justice Programs).
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October 28, 2019
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE MOVED TO AMEND THE MAIN MOTION TO INCLUDE
RECOMMENDATION 134; COUNCILMEMBER ASSEFA-DAWSON SECOND. Motion passed
unanimously 6-0 as follows:
Deputy Mayor Honda yes Councilmember Koppang excused
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Johnson yes Councilmember Duclos yes
Councilmember Tran yes
Ms. Bridgeford responded after being asked,without extra staff,some of the added recommendations
will be difficult to achieve. Deputy Mayor Honda would like these included in the legislative ask for
2020.
The main motion as amended passed 6-0 as follows:
Deputy Mayor Honda yes Councilmember Koppang excused
CouncilmemberAssefa-Dawson yes Councilmember Moore yes
Councilmember Johnson yes Councilmember Duclos yes
Councilmember Tran yes
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; the Special Meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Attest:
Sie anie Courtney
City Clerk
Approved by Council: 1I10�lnvl
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October 28, 2019