Council MIN 09-10-1991 Special
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL SESSION
SEPTEMBER 10, 1991
I.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
A Special Session of the Federal Way City Council was called to order by Mayor Debra Ertel,
on the 10th day of September, 1991, at the hour of 7:05 p.m., in Council Chambers, Federal
Way City Hall, 33530 First Way South, Federal Way, Washington.
II.
COUNCIL ROLL CALL
Councilors present: Deputy Mayor Mary Gates, Jim Handmacher, Lynn Templeton, Joel Marks
and Bob Stead. Councilors absent: Jim Webster (excused). City staff present: J. Brent
McFall, City Manager; Sandra Driscoll, City Attorney, and Maureen Swaney, City Clerk.
III.
SUBURBAN CITIES ASSOCIATION
Mr. McFall reviewed a letter from the City of Renton which contained amendments to the SCA
Bylaws Amendments. He said the Emergent Issues Committee will be recommending this
proposal at the September 11, 1991 SCA meeting. One exception to the proposal, which the
Emergent Issues Committee will not be supporting is that Mercer Island nor SeaTac be included
in the .. smaller" cities category, but remain in the mid-size category. The Council was informed
this City of Renton proposal will increase the size of the Board.
The Council agreed this evening's discussion should relate to two issues: Bylaws and SCA
staffing.
BYLAWS:
After considerable discussion the Council concurred to take a proposed SCA Bylaws amendment
to the September 11, 1991 meeting as follows:
The Federal Way amendment would support the original SCA Bylaws Amendment proposal
dated July 15, 1991, without the three (3) Presidential appointees as set forth in ARTICLE VIII,
Section 1, Line 3. If this proposal is unsuccessful, the Councilmembers attending the meeting
will caucus and discuss next steps. The Mayor suggested that written information be available
in advance to SCA members arriving at the meeting which would detail, in writing, the Federal
Way proposed amendment. The Councilmembers agreed that additional amendments may be
proposed by other SCA members at the time of the meeting, and the possibility existed that one
of these amendments may be acceptable. Those planning to attend the September 11, 1991
meeting include Mayor Ertel, Deputy Mayor Gates and Councilmembers Handmacher and Stead.
ORIGINAL
City Council Meeting
September 10, 1991
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Councilmembers Templeton and Marks, who are unable to attend the meeting, said they were
comfortable with the aforementioned plan.
STAFFING:
Mr. McFall reminded the Councilmembers that the SCA Bylaws Amendment proposal dated July
15, 1991, ARTICLE XI, refers to staffing. The Council concurred that it would be appropriate
to request an amendment to delete the staffing language from the Bylaws proposal and vote on
that issue separately.
Councilmember Templeton expressed concern over the projected SCA staff cost because Federal
Way would pay 1/7th of the cost, but only receive 1/l4th of the vote on SCA.
Mayor Ertel reminded the Council that tonight's decision needs to be limited to instructions to
Federal Way representatives on how to vote at the SCA meeting, on September 11, 1991,
relating to the staffing proposal which would cost Federal Way approximately $32,000; if the
staffmg proposal passes at this meeting, then the City Council needs to schedule a time to decide
whether or not to remain a member of Suburban Cities Association.
Deputy Mayor Gates suggested the Council look at the advantages of going along with the
proposal so as to remain regionally involved. She asked if the City might get further on
regional issues by not fighting the proposal if the dye is cast.
Councilmember Handmacher said he could not justify spending $32,000 to further regional
cooperation. Deputy Mayor Gates questioned if Federal Way could defer some of the cost by
offering in-kind staff services. Councilmember Stead said he felt this is not a regional proposal,
but a proposal to protect the good old boy system.
Deputy Mayor Gates said she would favor this proposal over a Federal Way Intergovernmental
staff position; the SCA proposal would be less expensive. Councilmember Stead said he would
agree, but would prefer to see the proposed staffing phased in by steps instead of one big jump.
He said he would support something like a loaned executive program.
Councilmember Templeton said he remained concerned with the mathematics and he is not ready
to make a decision on whether the investment would be worthwhile. He told the Council that
no one mows what the future holds regarding regional governing. Councilmember Templeton
said that the $32,000 would pay a large portion of an Intergovernmental person's salary.
The Council recessed at the hour of 8:05 p.m. and reconvened at the hour of 8:24 p.m.
City Council Meeting
September 10, 1991
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Mayor Ertel said she was willing to support the staffing proposal subject to reviewing the final
cost figures; she predicted Suburban Cities Association will grow and be the future power base.
Councilmember Stead said it was too much to address the changes in the Bylaws and also decide
on staffing. He said he was unwilling to commit that much at one time.
Councilmember Marks said Federal Way needs to be a member of SCA, but not at this price.
Deputy Mayor Gates said Federal Way needs to be a player and suggested Federal Way ask that
the staff cost projections be reworked in time for the next municipal budget year.
Councilmember Templeton agreed with Deputy Mayor Gate's suggestion.
Councilmember Handmacher said he supported Suburban Cities Association and agreed the
numbers needed to be refined. Additionally, he supported the SCA staff issue be deferred until
after the Metro merger vote be held because, based on that vote, the needs may change.
(NOTE TO RECORD: No action was taken on the Resolution originally proposed to be acted
upon this evening.)
IV.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Ertel recessed the Special Session into Executive Session to discuss negotiations for
property acquisition pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(b) at the hour of 8:31 p.m. The Executive
Session was announced to be a 30 minute session. The Executive Session was extended twice
and the Council returned to open Special Session at the hour of 9: 16 p.m. at which time the
meeting adjourned into a Study Session.
v.
ADJOURN SPECIAL SESSION
The Special Session adjourned at the hour of 9: 16 p.m.
VI.
STUDY SESSION
Pearl Kronstad, Public Works, briefly reviewed the amended Resolution relating to Coordinated
Prevention Grant Process for Solid Waste and Recycling Grants which will be on the City
Council Meeting Agenda September 17, 1991. She told the Council the City was eligible for
additional monies and the Resolution will authorize submitting an application for this 2-year
grant opportunity.
City Council Meeting
September 10, 1991
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The Study Session concluded at 9:20 p.m.
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City Clerk