CANCELLED 06-22-2022 Senior Advisory Agenda PacketCITY OF
Federal Way
Centered on Opportunity
SENIOR ADVISORY COMMISSION
In -Person Meeting
June 22nd, 2022 at 2:00pm
CANCELLED
Notice: Meetings are held in -person. To request an accommodation to attend or provide public
comment virtually, please contact Amy Glandon at amy_glandon@cityoffederalway.com or by phone at
253-835-2401 no later than the close of business the day before the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. CITIZEN COMMENT
Comment limit — 3 minutes
3. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
4. COMMISSION BUSINESS
Topic
A. Approval of May 18t", 2022 Meeting Minutes
B. Senior Programs/Housing/Opportunities
C. Senior Health & Resource Fair
D. Senior Advisory Commission Budget
E. Approval for Brochure Printing
F. Approval for Posting Additional Resources
5. STAFF REPORT
6. NEXT MEETING
July 20t", 2022 @ 2:OOPM
7. ADJOURN
Action or
Est.
Presenter
Info
Time
Action
5 Min
Chair Harvey
Info
20 Min
Sarah Bridgeford
Action
45Min
Commissioner North
Action
20 Min
Deputy Mayor Honda
Action
10 Min
Amy Glandon
Action
10 Min
Amy Glandon
Amy Glandon, Executive Assistant to Council, 253-835-2401
Deputy Mayor Susan Honda, 253-835-2401
CITY OF
Federal Way
Centered on Opportunity
SENIOR ADVISORY COMMISSION
SUMMARY
Wednesday, May 181", 2022 @ 2pm
Hylebos Conference Room & Zoom
Commissioners Present: Chair Debbie Harvey, Vice -Chair Lana Bostic, Commissioner Kenneth
Pratt, Commissioner Catherine North, Commissioner Sue Ellebrecht,
Commissioner Cheryl Volheim, Commissioner Frank Fields (remote),
Commissioner Kevin King (remote)
Absent: Commissioner Tammy Dziak
Staff Present: Deputy Mayor Susan Honda, Amy Glandon, Chaney Skadsen, Keith
Niven, Councilmember Erica Norton (remote)
Citizens Present: Pastor Colleen Chinen (Steel Lake Presbyterian)
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:03 p.m. Chair Debbie Harvey excused the absence of
missing Commissioner Tammy Dziak, and excused the late arrival of Commissioner Kevin King.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
• None
3. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS COMMISSION BUSINESS
• Vice -Chair Lana Bostic reviewed the attendance at the May 3rd, 2022 City Council
Meeting, and discussed the success of the presentation. The Proclamation for May's
Older Americans Month was read and the copy was passed around. Vice -Chair Bostic
stated that she would be finding a nice frame for the proclamation as well.
4. COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. APPROVAL OF APRIL 27T", 2022 MEETING MINUTES
Vice -Chair Lana Bostic moved approval of the April 27t", 2022 Meeting Minutes as
presented; Commissioner Kenneth Pratt second. Motion passed unanimously.
B. SENIOR HEALTH & RESOURCE FAIR DISCUSSION
Commissioner Catherine North passed out an email from Rocky Kirwin at the Auburn
Senior Center regarding the finances/budget for Auburn's Health Fair. She also passed
out a copy of a comparison between two anonymous locations for hosting the fair. The
two locations ended up being the Community Center and the PAEC. Both locations have
positives and negatives that were discussed. Commissioner North requested that
Page 1 of 6
Deputy Mayor Susan Honda and Amy Glandon research other health/wellness fairs
around the United States for additional resources and information on successful fairs.
If the Federal Way Community Center is available at no cost, that would be the location
of choice regardless of the negatives that were discussed including personal set-
up/tear-down. Commissioner North mentioned that she believes that the turnout will
be very low. Chair Debbie Harvey was disappointed that Commissioner North believes
that, and mentioned that at other fairs that she has worked at, the attendance grew
exponentially when families came in. Commissioner Cheryl Volheim mentioned that
more seniors go to the Federal Way Community Center than they do to the Performing
Arts & Events Center, so there would be a better chance for turnout. Commissioner
North mentioned that advertising would be very important, including in the Parks
Circular. Keith Niven mentioned that in previous employment with a different city, the
most successful advertising came from sandwich boards on the sidewalks.
**Vice -Chair Lana Bostic left the meeting briefly at 2:22pm.**
Commissioner Frank Fields asked what would happen if there is another Covid outbreak
that may require masking, to which Chair Harvey responded that this is scheduled for
the spring and should not be a problem. Commissioner North's preference is for the
location to be the PAEC, and Chair Harvey requested that final costing information
come from Deputy Mayor Honda prior to the next meeting, so that at the next meeting,
the Commissioners will be able to break into subcommittees and begin work.
Commissioner North will be sending additional information and links to Amy Glandon
to send out to the Commission. Deputy Mayor Honda reminded the Commission not
to use "Reply -All" so that there is no quorum during non -meetings.
**Vice -Chair Lana Bostic returned to the meeting at 2:25pm.**
C. ECONOMIC IMPACT TO SENIOR CITIZENS — GUEST- COUNCILMEMBER ERICA
NORTON
Councilmember Erica Nortonjoined the Senior Advisory Commission Meeting via Zoom
and acknowledged care for the senior community. Chair Debbie Harvey asked
Councilmember Norton about the economic impact to senior citizens and ways to
maximize their fixed incomes. Deputy Mayor Susan Honda mentioned that since there
is no economic development director, that this is causing issues to not knowing what
resources are already in place and available. Councilmember Norton said that she didn't
have the information, but she used to run a non-profit for low-income senior citizens
to aid in aging in place. Councilmember Norton pledged to do whatever she can to
assist with resource development, including trying to get in touch with Former
Economic Development Director, Tim Johnson. Chair Harvey asked whether the
document that was supposed to be sent was ever found; however, it was not.
Councilmember Norton said she would help with pricing on gas, electricity, water, basic
needs that make it difficult for seniors, food insecurity, home repairs including gutter &
roof cleaning, ADA remodels (especially from her contacts with the construction
industry), house cleaning, medication/prescription pick-up, rides. She mentioned that
financial insecurity is the biggest difficulty for seniors. Councilmember Norton is
Page 2 of 6
interested in creating a community of friendship and service for working together. She
is willing to organize the group, as well as to discuss with the ARPA grant funding team
to find out the amount that they are willing to give to seniors. Chair Harvey requested
that Councilmember Norton send all contact information to Amy in order to add to the
senior resource brochure.
**Commissioner Kevin King joined the meeting remotely at 2:38pm.**
Commissioner Frank Fields thanked Councilmember Norton forjoining the meeting. He
stated that seniors face a lot of scamming and asked what could be done about that,
as well as any companies that could help seniors move. Councilmember Norton said
that didn't know what could be done, but that she is committed to finding a group of
people that would be willing to help. Chair Harvey noted that this group is a great idea
and that there are things that they hadn't even considered that could be aided by
something like this.
**Chair Debbie Harvey briefly left the meeting at 2:43pm.**
Commissioner Catherine North requested that these companies the can help seniors
should help them at least once per month or once per quarter for free. Commissioner
Kevin King noted that the Boeing Machinist Union have a ramp -building construction
contact that does it at no charge. Their contact information is found in the brochure.
Commissioner North mentioned that the fire department would come out and change
clocks and change batteries for smoke detectors annually as well.
**Chair Debbie Harvey returned to the meeting at 2:45pm.**
D. AD HOC COMMITTEE PRESENTATION — GUESTS KEITH NIVEN & CHANEY
S/CADSEN
Chair Debbie Harvey introduced Keith Niven and Chaney Skadsen from the Planning
Department. Keith Niven explained that currently the Ad Hoc Committee is reviewing
the Comprehensive Plan and having conversations with the community about what
needs to change over the next 20 years, where the city may need some tune-ups. Chair
Harvey mentioned that seniors are often overlooked with expansion, and wants to make
sure that the senior are being taken into consideration with expansion and housing.
Chaney Skadsen pledged to take it into consideration, and that there will be community
engagement throughout the process. She noted that the senior community had grown
to 13.5% of the population of Federal Way, noting the growth year -over -year. Mr. Niven
mentioned that the demographics show that Federal Way is getting older, that the
number of families with small children is going down. This is making them address all
aspects of the city, including mobility for the aging population and housing that would
match. Commissioner Cheryl Volheim asked why zoning cannot be changed to include
additional types of housing such as duplexes and ADU's. Ms. Skadsen mentioned that
zoning is very difficult and there are very few opportunities for that kind of housing.
Vice -Chair Lana Bostic asked how zoning was changed in response to Ms. Skadsen's
reply, and Mr. Niven replied that it goes through the Staff, City Council and Mayor. The
Page 3 of 6
E.
F.
community needs to request it as well. Vice -Chair Bostic mentioned creating better
housing rather than building bigger houses. Mr. Niven hopes this is the outcome, and
that part of the vision is to create a walkable neighborhood complete with
condos/apartments above infrastructure such as stores, etc. that would make life doable
without driving. He is hoping the downtown will be a mixed use area with employment
opportunities, restaurants, parks, housing, benches, and plazas. Chair Harvey noted that
increasing the population adds pressure to existing resources such as schools, medical,
etc. and creates questions of safety for seniors through the walkability access, and asked
whether the police department is included in the conversations about downtown. Mr.
Niven mentioned that the Council has approved 13 new police officers that would be
bicycle cops so that their presence would be known downtown, promoting security and
safety. Citizen Colleen Chinen asked about building community gathering areas in
residential areas, to which Mr. Niven replied that it depends on the builder and that
typically they will build community spaces but they are for primary use of the residents.
Commissioner Cheryl Volheim mentioned that it would be nice to have a senior center
built, along with senior housing, and a food bank all in the same building. Mr. Niven
mentioned that a conversation like that is being had with the consultants that were
hired for the work on the TC3 property, recommended that City Hall should be
downtown, and if a new city hall is built downtown it should include a community center
in it. Commissioner North mentioned wanting a senior center, and Vice -Chair Bostic
mentioned the Bally's property. Mr. Niven said that the owners of that property are
looking into what they can do with it and that a proposal is coming before Council in
June. Commissioners noted their concern with adding additional multi -family housing
within city limits; however, Mr. Niven mentioned that there is only so much space
available and multi -family has to be the way to house the expected growth. Ms. Skadsen
mentioned that housing is very scarce within Federal Way, and that is concerning. Mr.
Niven mentioned that developers will not build if there is a high rate of vacancy which
will prevent overbuilding of multi -family housing, and that as the population and
building continues, green spaces and parks become even more important. Mr. Niven
mentioned that the Comprehensive Plan touches everything in the city, including
transit, housing, walkability, parks, recreation, tree canopy. He offered to return with
Ms. Skadsen to continue the conversations. He also mentioned community
engagement opportunities at future community meetings. Chair Harvey and Vice -Chair
Bostic thanked Mr. Niven and Ms. Skadsen for attending the meeting. Ms. Skadsen
showed the Engage Federal Way website, and Amy said that she would send out the
link to the Commission.
ADDITION TO SENIOR ADVISORY RESOURCES
Amy Glandon brought three resources that had reached out regarding the landing page
on the City website for the Senior Advisory Commission requesting that information
gets added. Chair Harvey noted that any information that is added needs to appear to
be generic and not overly specific, and requested a chance to review the resources. Ms.
Glandon said that she would send out the information to the Commission to review and
it can be decided at the next meeting.
SENIOR ADVISORY COMMISSION BUDGET
Deputy Mayor Susan Honda brought the budget conversation back to the
commissioners. She noted that the budget is for years 2023 & 2024, so any charges for
Page 4 of 6
those years would need to be taken into account. She asked whether the Health &
Resource Fair would be an annual event once it has kicked off, which was affirmed by
the Commissioners. Deputy Mayor Honda mentioned that she would put a budget to
include two fairs, and printing of the brochures twice per year. Commissioner Cheryl
Volheim mentioned that there are items that were not included in Rocky's budget email
that should be taken into consideration with the budget request including advertising,
rentals of tables/supplies.
G. UTILITY TAX REBATE PROGRAM
Deputy Mayor Susan Honda brought up that this program was originally for seniors,
disabled people only, but has now been opened to all people. She said that she has
spoken with Community Services Manager Sarah Bridgeford about updating the
income limits to make this more accessible, and that the Finance Department is heading
this up and seeing if it feasible. Chair Debbie Harvey mentioned that people need help,
but the qualifications are too high. She would like the income qualifications to be
adjusted as inflation goes into effect to make it more accessible. She stated that the
process needs to be easier, as many other programs are so difficult to access (ex.
Medicare). Commissioner Catherine North mentioned that the senior center should
have advocates for seniors that can assist with applying for programs and computer
aid.
**Commissioner Frank Fields left the meeting at 3:50pm**
Comments moved away from the utility tax rebate program to the need for senior
interactions, including a senior center. Commissioner North mentioned that many
people live alone, and the suicide rate for seniors has skyrocketed because of loneliness.
Deputy Mayor Susan Honda stated that there is a senior lounge at the community
center, and it would help if this was open more often during the days. Vice -Chair Lana
Bostic mentioned that this senior lounge is able to be used for gatherings, although the
tables are not set up, not many people know that it exists. Deputy Mayor Honda noted
that membership to the community center is not necessary to utilize the senior lounge,
called the Fireside Lounge by the Arts Commission.
S. STAFF REPORT
• Amy Glandon thanked Chair Debbie Harvey for keeping the meeting moving forward
and getting through the extensive agenda. She mentioned that she would send out all
the information given at the meeting today, and the housekeeping items for
consideration.
• Deputy Mayor Susan Honda noted that the Ad Hoc Committee for the ARPA funding
met this week, and that they will be meeting again next week, and then presenting
their recommendations to Council. She noted that most of the funds are being
allocated towards community services, including seniors, youth. Chair Debbie Harvey
recommended that some of the funding go to aid seniors with their medications.
**Commissioner Kevin King left the meeting at 3:58pm**
6. NEXT MEETING — Wednesday, June 15t", 2022 at 2:OOpm in the Hylebos Room.
Page 5 of 6
7. ADJOURN —The meeting adjourned at 4:01 pm.
Attest:
Amy Glandon, Executive Assistant to Council
Approved by Senior Advisory Commission:
Page 6 of 6