Council MIN 03-18-1997 Regular
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Council Chambers - City Hall
March 18, 1997 - 7:00 p.m.
MINUTES
I.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Priest opened the regular meeting of the Federal Way City Council at 7:05 p.m., Council
Chambers, City Hall, Federal Way, Washington.
City Council present: Mayor Mahlon "Skip" Priest, Deputy Mayor Hope Elder; Councilmembers Phil
Watkins, Michael Park, Mary Gates & Jack Dovey. Councilmember Gintz arrived directly after the
pledge of allegiance.
City staff present: City Manager Ken Nyberg, Deputy City Manager Philip Keightley, City Attorney
Londi Lindell and City Clerk Chris Green.
II.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
In a tribute to his continuing participation in the City's processes, H. David Kaplan was invited by
Mayor Priest to lead the flag salute.
III.
CITIZEN COMMENT (taken out of order)
Ms. Evelyn Castellar invited the Council to a celebration wherein her building, Insurepass, was
entered into a nation-wide contest and was chosen to receive a Hall of Fame Award. Of 80,000
buildings constructed in 1986, 50 were chosen to receive the awards. Two of the 50 are in
Washington State. The warehouse award went to the Issaquah Costco and the school award to
Insurepass. The celebration will take place on Saturday, March 29, 1997, wherein food, music,
dancing, laughs and a tour of the nationally featured building and multi-use facilities can be enjoyed
at 1925 S. 341st Place, in Federal Way. The contractor of the building, Gene Watson, will be
present.
IV.
CONSENT AGENDA (taken out of order)
a.
b.
MinuteslMarch 4 1997 Re¡¡:ular Meetin~
1997 Solid Waste & ReGycling Division Grants Acceptance/Resolution
APPROVED RESOLUTION #97-245
BP A Trail Corridor Phase WContract Award
Youth Commission Rt:placement
c.
d.
ORIGINAL
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 18, 1997 - Page 2
e.
So 356th St ReiÏonal Storm Water Control Facili~/Desiin Approval &
Bid Authorization
Special Investiiation Unit (SIQ) Vehicle Rental Contract
Supplemental Facility Rental for SIT; & Seized Vehicles
Resional Governance & Finance
Kini Count' Charter Review
Oil Rebate Grant Application
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Councilmember Watkins pulled Item (h)
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY MOVED TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A, B, C,
D, E, F, G, I AND J AS PRESENTED; second by Councilmember Gates. The motion carried as
follows:
Priest
Gates
Gintz
Dovey
yes
yes
yes
yes
Elder
Watkins
Park
yes
yes
yes
~
Regional Governance & Finance
Councilmember Watkins pulled this item to express his thoughts of this document which provides the
City an opportunity to provide direction to the Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC). He
feels that throughout the document, there exists a push to speed up annexations which is inconsistent
with our legislative policy adopted earlier this year and raises concern. If this document were adopted
as County-wide policy and annexations were forced, he has a concern about this [not] being a
financially stabilizing force in our City budget. Residential areas only return about .35 cents on the
dollar that it costs to serve them. Is this something we really want?
Councilmember Gintz stated his understanding of the process is people have to petition for
annexation, but the City is not bound to take them as they are and he hopes the City would adopt an
annexation policy that says the inftastructure deficit would be borne by the residents through LID's
or additional taxation prior to or concurrent with coming into the City. He also understands there
is some vested interests in remaining residential areas which are largely forested which may not be
a possibility without rezoning. He would not be supportive of Federal Way taking on any annexation
that didn't pay for itself
Discussion between the Council ensued regarding their understanding of the plan and concerns related
thereto. Councilmember Gates stated the intent of the document is to provide the Mayor some sense
of what the Council "wants" when he attends GMPC meetings.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 18, 1997 - Page 3
Inconsistencies within the document were then discussed at length as the Councilmembers raised
many questions, comments and concerns. Therefore, Mayor Priest suggested the City Manager draft
a letter which focuses in on some of the issues raised by the Council this evening and circulate it to
Council for comments and finalization within a reasonable amount oftime. He agreed it is good to
have a clarifYing view to make this work for everyone reflecting "give and take." This document may
suffer ITom inconsistencies in the areas of planning and development standards and other areas
without clarification ITom staff Deputy City Manager Keightley is to contact Councilmember
Watkins to ensure his concerns are addressed as the Council agreed with points of concern raised by
him.
Mayor Priest suggested Council postpone further discussion and any action, subject to a draft letter
being circulated by City staff Ifthere is agreement on the content of the letter it may be sent or filed
and then a subsequent meeting may be held to adopt or otherwise amend the document based on the
letter.
DEPUTY MAYOR ELDER MOVED TO "TABLE THIS DECISION ON REGIONAL
GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING, TWO WEEKS FROM NOw."
(April I, 1997); second by Councilmember Dovey. The motion carried as follows:
Priest
Gates
Gintz
Dovey
yes
yes
yes
yes
Elder
Watkins
Park
yes
yes
yes
v.
PRESENT A nONS (taken out of order)
a.
Financial Certificate of Achievement
City Manager Nyberg congratulated Management Services Director Iwen Wang and her department
for receiving the Government Finance Officers Association's Financial Reporting Achievement Award
for the City's 1995 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Ms. Wang was not in attendance, but
asked that Deputy Director Marie Mosley and her very capable staff be recognized. Mayor Priest
asked a letter be drafted to the Department and signed by the Council thanking the employees for
what they are doing. Mr. Nyberg thanked Mayor Priest and stated the letter would be drafted.
b.
Transportation Award
Congratulations to Rick Perez for receiving the prestigious 1996 Wayne T. VanWagoner Award from
the Institute of Transportation Engineers District 6 (which is comprised of 13 western states). Rick's
paper entitled "Guidelines for Right-Turn Treatment at Signalized Intersections" was selected as the
district's Best Technical Paper and was published in the February 1997 IrE Journal. Mr. Perez
thanked the Council for the recognition.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 18, 1997 - Page 4
c.
Girls' AAA Basketball Championship (added item)
Councilmember Gates asked to have the Federal Way High School Girls' Basketball team recognized
for winning the State Girls' AAA Championship last weekend. Mayor Priest requested Staff prepare
and send a letter to the coach of the team recognizing the team's efforts and victory.
VI.
INTRODUCTION ORDINANCE
Council Bill #169/1724 Code Amendments
AN ORDINANCE OF TIffi CITY COUNCIL OF TIffi CITY OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON,
AMENDING CHA.P1ERS 18,20, AND 22 OF TIffi FEDERAL WAY ZONING CODE, PERTAINING
TO LAND USE AND ZONING, ADOPTING NEW ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR TIffi
PROCESSING OF PROÆCT PERMIT APPLICATIONS, AS REQUIRED BY TIffi REGULATORY
REFORM ACT, CHAPTER 36.70B RCW, DESCRIBING GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A
COMFLEJE APPLICATION; ALLOWING FOR CONSOLIDAJED PERMIT PROCESSING;
DESCRIBING TIffi PROCESS FOR ISSUANCE OF A NOTICE OF APPLICATION; SETTING A TIME
FRAME FOR TIffi ISSUANCE OF PROÆCT PERMITS; ESTABLISHING TIffi PROCESS FOR TIffi
CONDUCT OF OPEN RECORD HEARINGS AND CLOSED RECORD APPEALS; AND
DESCRIBING TIffi PROCESS FOR ISSUANCE OF A NOTICE OF DECISION.
City Clerk Chris Green read the introduction ordinance. Councilmember Watkins stated his concern
about the notification process being modified for residential (single and multi-family) zones. The
notification process for all processes eliminates the notification by mail to neighbors within 300 feet.
Social Service Transitional Housing becomes an administrative process wherein no notification by
mail would be required. Mr. Watkins believes notification by mail should be desired in this case and
said the citizens of Federal Way have a right to know that the City government is going to make a
decision about a piece of property that may abut their own in advance of the decision being made.
His intention in adding back the public notice is people have a right to have their views known. The
public utilities section is another place wherein notice to neighbors should be required.
Councilmember Gintz spoke regarding Everett v Oxford. City Attorney Lindell stated often times
the public might submit written comments which result in a condition to the development versus the
stopping of the development. Items such as screening and setbacks may be impacted based on public
comment. Mr. Gintz stated Community Caregiving Network, thru FUSION, has opened four
transitional housing units where public notice has been provided with minimal concern raised. He
wants to be careful that one group does become controlling over someone elses property.
Public safety implications become an issue. The quality and/or extent of public notice is discussed
at length by Councilmember Gintz and Watkins. Councilmember Watkins asked if there was a
sufficient number of Councilmembers who think this and other areas of concern raised tonight are
important enough to consider amendments before enactment. There was unanimous consensus
among Council.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 18, 1997 - Page 5
Mr. Watkins then asked if those items set to be handled administratively such as siting a public utility
structure, community recreation area (club house) or park, is something that should be solely an
administrative process. Should the Council be involved? Mr. Gintz stated changes were necessary
to comply with the 120 day requirement under ESHB 1724 and is therefore uncomfortable with
"adding" things back in without destroying the 120 day window. He'd like City staff to clarifY this
issue as well in memo form.
Mayor Priest asked staff to address these issues in the form of memo before Friday, March 21, 1997,
so Council will have enough time to consider these technical questions before the next Council
meeting.
COUNCILMEMBER DOVEY MOVED TO FORWARD THE ORDINANCE TO SECOND
READING ON APRIL I, 1997; second by Councilmember Gates. The motion carried as follows:
Priest
Gates
Gintz
Dovey
yes
yes
yes
yes
Elder
Watkins
Park
yes
yes
yes
VII. CITY MANAGER REPORT
Mr. Nyberg reported a meeting on March 26 between King County Executive Simms and City
Administrators ITom Bellevue, Shoreline Kent and Federal Way. The discussion will center on items
of administration such as the 800 megahertz inspections, emergency services and budgeting costs.
A Town Meeting will take place at City Hall on March 21, 1997, at 10:30 a.m. and is sponsored by
Representatives Mitchell & Hickel.
The CIAC is meeting this evening and next week and is planning to be on schedule with a report to
Council on March 31, 1997.
Work has been done with the management of SeaTac Mall to expand the presence created by the
Police Department operating in the mall. Interest is high among citizens and therefore a static display
of City material is to be placed there with regard to City services and functions. He also noted a
function is taking place at the mall on March 21st at which the City will have a display.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Gates reported the "poison pill" to RTA died in Committee. Budget issues now
become the focus. She stated it is too soon to tell whether we've moved anything forward in terms
of making a difference ITom our legislative agenda. RTA is still working on a project guide. City
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 18, 1997 - Page 6
With regard to the Regional Transit Committee 6- Y ear Plan -- non-controversial additional service
is likely to come in September 1997; and more controversial service is likely to come in February
1998.
Councilmember Dovey reported a Parks Committee meeting took place yesterday and stated a topic
for information, in the future, is an upswell for a place for people to take their dogs to run "off the
leash."
Deputy Mayor Elder stated she spent last Friday night in [jail] the new Regional Justice Center in
Kent. She stated it was a real learning experience. Sunday was the opening of Redondo Road.
Federal Way residents should benefit ITom it. The boardwalk is incredible. She attended a SCATBd
meeting this morning. An item for concern -- Cities are to be careful to work together with the RTA
so we know how things are going. Tomorrow is the Joint Resolutions Committee Meeting at Mercer
Island. We have a vote with what we want to do with the Flood-Relief Fund. Tomorrow night, ITom
6-8 p.m., an ACC meeting will take place at Des Moines City Hall with Peter Kirsch. Meetings are
opened to the public.
Councilmember Gintz reported the next Finance Committee meeting is March 27, 1997. He also
spoke regarding the leash law for dogs and said he is perplexed at the thought of setting aside a parcel
ofland in Federal Way for this purpose.
Councilmember Watkins stated the next Land Use!Transportation Committee is set for April 7, 1997,
at 5:30 p.m., in Council Chambers.
Councilmember Park reported the next Regional Finance & Governance Task Force Human Services
Roundtable meeting is set for Friday, March 21, 1997. Local and regional services are to be
discussed. He also spent last Friday night in [jail] the new Regional Justice Center.
IX.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no other business to come before the Council, Mayor Priest adjourned the meeting at
8:25 p.m.
1 / cq~~~a.-/
City Clerk