Council MIN 09-22-1992 Special
Federal Way City Council
Special Meeting
Council Chambers - City Hall
September 22, 1992 - 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
I.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Stead called the special meeting of the Federal Way City Council to order at the hour
of 7:05 p.m., in Council Chambers, City Hall, Federal Way, Washington.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Bob Stead, Deputy Mayor Joel Marks, Council members Ray
Tomlinson, Mary Gates, Ron Gintz, Skip Priest. Council member Lynn Templeton called and
advised he is in route to meeting.
City Staff Present: City Manager J. Brent McFall, City Attorney Carolyn Lake, City Clerk
Maureen Swaney, Deputy City Clerk Chris Green.
IT.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Gintz led the flag salute.
ITI.
CITIZEN COMMENT
Diane Mal!ill, 342l8- 38th PI SW, Federal Way, representing WINGS group, expressed need for
volunteers and monetary support for the "Cool Club", which assists disabled youth.
JeffLoats, 33143-3rd Ct SW, Federal Way, representing The Ridge Homeowners Association,
requested improved traffic safety in their neighborhood, including four speed humps, twelve stop
signs, eight crossing signs and two children at play signs; he distributed map to Council
indicating problem areas.
Juliana Bliuvas, 32205-26th Ave SW, Federal Way, representing Twin Lakes residents, thanked
the City for placement of recent traffic signs, but expressed a need for additional speed humps
in their area; she distributed signed petitions to Councilmembers.
Ruth Koral, 32607-39th PI SW, Federal Way, requested the establishment of a Senior Center
facility within City center.
Harry Mills, 906 SW 298th, Federal Way, also representing WINGS group, requested financial
support during the City's budget process, i.e., bowling programs for disabled persons.
ORIGINAL
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCn.. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
September 22, 1992 - Page 2
Rick Gardner, 309 SW 321st, Federal Way, on behalf of the Federal Way Community Council,
extended an invitation to all for the upcoming Candidates and Regional Justice Center Forums.
Mayor Stead commented and/or referred the following concerns to City Staff for review:
Diane Magill & Harry Mills/Budget Assistance
Jeff Loats & Juliana BliuvaslTraffic Safety
Ruth Koral/Senior Center
Councilmember Templeton arrived in chambers at 7:25 p.m..
IV.
COUNCIL BUSINESS
Mayor Stead diverted from agenda and called on Deputy Mayor Marks to announce his
committee's selection for the City's newly formed Diversity Commission. Deputy Mayor Marks
thanked Councilmembers Gates and Gintz for serving on the committee, as well as Council of
Whole for their input, and announced and introduced the following persons recommended for
appointment to the commission: Rubi Williams, Adrian E. Johnson, Nancy J. Howie (one-year
terms); Pam English, David Froyalde, Jane Yambe (two-year terms); Beverly Kim, Arthur
Cowan, Maria Lopez (three-year terms).
Motion by Councilmember Gates to approve appointment of the above named persons to the
Diversity Commission; second by Council member Gintz. Motion passed as follows:
V.
Stead
Tomlinson
Gintz
Priest
Marks
Gates
Templeton
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
CONSENT AGENDA
a.
b.
c.
Minutes - September 1, 1992
Voucher - September 22, 1992
Council Bill #26 - Initiative & Referendum Ordinance Enactment
Ordinance No. 92-150
Approve Parks Bid Award for Alderdale Park Landscaping
Approve Public Works/Surface Water Management Bid Award for Dump Truck
Accept Completion of 1st Ave So/1st Way SoISW 33Oth St Traffic Signal &
Interconnect
Resolution No. 92-119 - Oppose Variances for Airport Nighttime Limitations
Resolution No. 92-120 - Endorse Regional Justice Center Ballot Measure
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
September 22, 1992 - Page 3
Motion by Councilmember Templeton to approve consent agenda; second by Deputy Mayor
Marks. Motion passed as follows:
Stead
Tomlinson
Gintz
Priest
yes
yes
yes
yes
Marks
Gates
Templeton
yes
yes
yes
COUNCIL BUSINESS (continued)
Council Bill #27 - Ordinance/Water & Sewer District Assumption by City
a.
CITIZEN COMMENT
Grace Leach, 29505-12th SW, Federal Way, supports Water/Sewer District assumption by City.
James Calhoon, 35227-34th Ave So, Federal Way, expressed concern about surcharges and
other rates charged to water users on eastside.
H. David Kaolan, 30240-27th Ave So, Federal Way, presented five arguments in support of
water/sewer assumption.
Bob Zimmerman. 33029-46th PI So, Auburn, eastside resident, opposes assumption.
Edear Mohr, 4343 So 347th St, Auburn, eastsid~ resident, opposes assumption at this time.
Rick Gardner, 309 SW 321st, Federal Way, feels water/sewer customers will be better served
by City, will assist growth management, and expressed the importance of the City's actions
being beneficial to all.
Leonard Trioo, 28632-8th PI So, Federal Way, former Water/Sewer District Commissioner,
supports assumption action by the City.
Dou2las Soencer, 4417 So 33Sth, Auburn, opposes assumption at this time; is concerned about
eastside residents.
Deb Bessette, 4312 So 33Sth, Auburn, eastside resident, opposes assumption at this time.
John Metcalf, 3190S-3rd Lane SW #M-203, Federal Way, feels Councilmember Gates' proposed
substitute ordinance is best for eastsiders; he doesn't think City and Water/Sewer funds should
be co-mingled.
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
September 22, 1992 - Page 4
Bob Piouette, 302 So 295th PI, Federal Way, former Water/Sewer Commissioner, opposes
assumption by City at this time.
Dean Condos, 30444-28th Ave SW, Federal Way, opposes assumption of Water/Sewer District.
Rod Bush, 3O713-28th Ave SW, Federal Way, opposes the assumption.
Rob Flitton, 34409-14th Way SW, Federal Way, opposes assumption at this time; he feels action
should be tabled for additional study.
Milt Scheerer, 29300-llth PI So, Federal Way, opposes assumption.
Don Miller, 239 So 3OOth St, Federal Way, current Water/Sewer District Commissioner,
supports assumption by City.
Edward Stewart, 3206 So 367th PI, Auburn, eastside resident, opposes assumption.
LIovd Gardner, 30210-56th So, Auburn, eastside resident, opposes assumption.
Brian Bemecker, 406 SW 3l6th, Federal Way, opposes Water/Sewer District assumption.
Mayor Stead was asked to read, into the record, an open letter directed to South Seattle Times
editors dated August 20, 1992, signed by Federal Way Water/Sewer District employees, a copy
of which is attached hereto as Exhibit" A " .
At 8:20 p.m., Mayor Stead announced a 5-minute recess; he reconvened the special meeting at
the hour of 8:30 p.m..
b.
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/ ACTION ON PROPOSED ORDINANCE
Motion by Councilmember Gates to adopt the Mayor's proposed substitute ordinance; second
by Councilmember Templeton.
Following discussion, Council member Tomlinson moved to table action on the ordinance for
three months; second by Deputy Mayor Marks. Motion to table failed as follows:
Stead
Tomlinson
Gintz
Priest
no
yes
yes
no
Marks
Gates
Templeton
yes
no
no
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTFS
September 22, 1992 - Page 5
Councilmember Tomlinson moved to oppose any utility tax unless assessed and approved by a
ballot measure vote of all water/sewer users; second by Deputy Mayor Marks. Motion failed
as follows:
Stead
Tomlinson
Gintz
Priest
no
yes
yes
no
Marks
Gates
Templeton
yes
no
no
Councilmember Tomlinson then proposed a friendly amendment to Section 7 of the Mayor's
proposed substitute ordinance, by the addition of "tax or surchar~e shall be imposed by the City
based solely on that portion of the gross receipts"; Councilmembers Gates and Templeton
concurred with the amendment.
After additional discussion, Councilmember Tomlinson's friendly amendment to Section 7 of the
Mayor's proposed substitute ordinance was approved as follows:
Stead
Tomlinson
Gintz
Priest
yes
yes
yes
yes
Marks
Gates
Templeton
yes
yes
yes
The following summarizes Mayor Stead's proposed substitute ordinance, as amended:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY,
WASHINGTON, RELATING TO AND PROVIDING FOR THE ASSUMPTION OF
JURISDICTION OF THE ASSETS, FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE
FEDERAL WAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRlCT, A MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION, PROVIDING FOR THE FUTURE CREATION OF A WATER AND
SEWER UTIUTY BOARD AND INCLUDING AN AFFIRMATION THAT NO
WATER OR SEWER UTIUTY TAX OR SURCHARGE SHALL BE IMPOSED BY
THE CITY BASIm SOLELY ON THAT PORTION OF THE GROSS RECEIPTS OF
THE OPERATION OF A WATER AND SEWER UTIUTY ATTRIBUTABLE TO
NON-RESIDENTS OF THE CITY TO THE EXTENT AUTHORIZED BY LAW.
Councilmember Gates moved to approve the main motion adopting the Mayor's substitute
ordinance, as amended; second by Councilmember Templeton. Ordinance No. 92-151
.Water/Sewer District Assumption" passed as follows:
Stead
Tomlinson
Gintz
Priest
yes
yes
no
yes
Marks
Gates
Templeton
no
yes
yes
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
September 22, 1992 - Page 6
At 9:20 p.m., Mayor Stead announced a second 5-minute recess; he reconvened the special
meeting at the hour of 9:25 p.m..
VI.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Mr. McFall reminded Councilmembers of the executive session to discuss property acquisition,
and announced action is anticipated.
He reported neighborhood traffic safety issues will be discussed in upcoming Public Safety
Committee meetings.
Mr. McFall announced Carolyn Lake has accepted the position of City Attorney.
VII.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Priest reported the last meeting of the City Improvement Committee was well
attended.
Councilmember Templeton announced the Land Use Committee will meet October 12th at 5:30
p.m., with a varied agenda. There will be a second meeting on October 19th at 5:30 p.m.. He
suggested a future "City Hall in the Mall" event, complete with displays and staff to address
citizen questions; staff will review the possibility of hosting such activity and report back to
Council.
Councilmember Gintz, Public Safety Committee Chair, thanked Police Chief Bob Evans for his
recent presentation. Councilmember Gintz proposed a study for "golf cart" alternatives, with
Councilmember Priest concurring. Mr. McFall will take a look at establishing a special project
committee, and Council member Priest said he will obtain additional information.
Councilmember Gates reported the Joint Regional Policy Committee approved the draft system
plan for high capacity transit and will provide pertinent information to cities by October lOth.
She announced the City will host a public hearing on the draft system plan on November 19th.
Additional studies will explore a quick build rail system between Tacoma and Federal Way, as
well as a review of the current Dial-A-Ride program.
Councilmember Tomlinson reported the Administration Committee will meet tomorrow at 9:00
a.m.; agenda will include an update from the Community Involvement Coordinator, as well as
a report on employee benefit and retirement programs.
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
September 22, 1992 - Page 7
Vill.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Property Acquisition - Pursuant to RCW 42.30.11O(b)
Mayor Stead recessed the special meeting at 9:45 p.m., announced a 15-minute executive session
to discuss property acquisition, and stated action is anticipated.
Mayor Stead adjourned the executive session at 9:56 p.m., and reconvened the special meeting.
Councilmember Gates moved to approve the City's purchase of the Nelson property for the
purchase price of $295,000; second by Counci1member Priest. Motion passed as follows:
S tead
Tomlinson
Gintz
Priest
yes
yes
yes
yes
Marks
Gates
Templeton
yes
yes
yes
IX.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Stead adjourned the special
meeting of the Federal Way City Council at the hour of 10:00 p.m..
1.¿,~~á:/ )
Deputy City Clerk
.'
RECEIVED
City of "~d~ral Way
August 20, 1992
SEP181992
City Manager's Olfl"e
RECEIVED
Sf? 2 1 1992
CCITV CLERKS OFFICE
¡TV OF FEDERAL WAY
We, the undersigned, employees of Federal Way Water and Sewer,
hereby give notice of "NO CONFIDENCE" in the Board of Çommissioners
of this District with particular emphasis on Commissioner Beverly
Tweddle and Commissioner Dale Cap.
Editors
Morning News Tribune
Federal Way News
South Seattle Times
To Whom It May Concern:
Recent and past activities of the aforementioned commissioners have
left us with little or no security and a serious lack of confidence
in their ability to represent the customers of the District. It is
very apparent that they have their own personal agendas and have
established a "hit list" targeting employees who don't conform to
their ideas; terminating General Manager, Jim Miller, is just the
beginning.
We particularly feel that terminating Jim Miller while he was on
vacation shows a real lack of caring and self-esteem on the part of
the two commissioners involved and a "hint" of cowardice. This
underhanded action is difficult to swallow and leaves a bad taste.
It seems clear that Commissioner Tweddle has indeed secured the
management position she wanted through political machinations. The
now fragmented management "team" is in danger of becoming a "puppet
show" to avoid inclusion on the "hit list." Is this behavior
intended to foster job security for the rest of us??? We're very
concerned about vacation scheduling in the future.
The employees' interest in joining a union has nothing to do with
Jim Miller's management and everything to do with the erratic
behavior exhibited by the commissioners. Decisions are tabled on
a regular basis, capital improvement projects are stymied (unless
it's a "pet proj ect," of course), personnel issues are discussed in
public, decisions are made without regard for legality or ethics,
etc....etc. The new "If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It" mind set will
cost the ratepayers appreciably in the future--well beyond when the
current commissioners benefit from their "achievement" of holding
down rates. It is truly a matter of "pay me now or pay me later."
While we do not advocate a takeover by the City of Federal Way, it
may be in the best interest of the ratepayers to have a more stable
form of management in place. Perhaps it would be wiser to expand
the Board of Commissioners to five or more members to help avoid
the type of "power play" possible on a three member board. In
ei ther case, the resignations of Commissioners Tweddle and Cap
would be in the best public interest.
(1.( h]~~
fß'¡~
EXHIBIT -A...
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Jim Miller
City of Federal Way
Board of Commissioners
Federal Way Water and Sewer
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