City Council - Regular Meeting

Recording in progress.

Ready. Well, good evening and welcome to the Federal Way City Council meeting for April 21st of 2026. Would you all please rise for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right, welcome everyone. We've got a full agenda tonight. Great to see um uh the place filling up and uh thank you everybody for being here. Uh so first uh we have a very very special award. The Association of Washington Cities uh Center for Quality Communication uh quality communities uh has uh issued a scholarship award uh to our uh Federal Way Claire Kim. And let's give her a big round of applause. and our council president uh Susan Honda will um do the honors. Thank

Thank you. I'd like to invite Claire to go to the podium and I'm going to read a few things about you and um then um at then you'll have a chance to say something. Last year the council voted to open the association of Washington City's Center for Quality Community Student Scholarship up to seniors in the Federal Way School District who also serve on the youth commission. This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate a strong commitment to civic engagement, leadership, and improving their communities. It is awarded to individuals who show initiative in public service and a passion for making a positive local impact and supports future leaders that are dedicated to strengthening the quality of life in Washington cities and towns. We were fortunate enough to have three very impressive students submit their application for consideration and Claire's application rose to the top of the stack. At this time, I'd like to invite Jake Piatt and Brianna Bigalow to tell us a little bit about Claire and her work with the youth commission.

Thank you, Council President. Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, council members. Um, thank you all for this opportunity to kind of acknowledge the youth commission and our our outstanding chair, uh, Claire Kim as well. Um, it was a very interesting process to be involved here with the grading and judging of the applications. Um, we see Claire and all of our commissioners only for an hour, once a month really. So, this application process really allowed for us to be able to see more into who CLA is as a person, as a student. Um, again with all the extracurriculars that Claire is engaged in, um, both with clubs in school, with sports in school, and obviously serving on the youth commission of Federal Way, Brianna and I have been very impressed with, um, her ability to lead the commission again as chair this year um, and, uh, uh, being able to organize the fundraisers, the meetings, lead those with, um, grace and dignity, and obviously getting recognized not only by the city, but um, the entire AWC community. So, we couldn't be more proud of Kim, of Claire, excuse me. Um, and are super happy for her to have this honor.

Brianna, did you want to say anything? I think Jake had it covered really well, but I've loved working with you this year, Claire. It's been really great. Thank you.

So, Claire, if you'd like to um introduce your parents and then say a few words and then join us for a photo. Uh my parents are right there, Todd and Sue Kim. Um of course they have uh I owe the biggest thanks to them for everything that they've done for me. Um they've supported me a lot in um all of my college processes and he encourages me to apply scholarships every day. So I'm super glad to have been able to uh obtain this one and be able to go to college for um a lower cost than anticipated. And of course, special thanks to everyone on the city council for voting me to be the nominee for the AWC scholarship. And um special thanks to Jake and Brianna as well for hosting all of the youth commission meetings and making sure that we get all of our work done while also having fun. And yeah,

so Claire will join the council in Spokane in June uh for the AWC annual conference and we are looking forward to that. her parents and she and her parents will be there and uh she'll come up on stage and we'll all get to celebrate her. So, should we say can I say something? Sure. Um actually, thank you for doing the car wash over the weekend. Yeah. Yes. But um what is what are your plans in the future? What is your college plans? Where are you going? What are you studying? What do you think? Yeah. So, I'm planning on double majoring in economics and public policy at Stanford University. Yeah. Wow. Okay.

All right. So, a photo. We're going to stay up here. Yeah. Why don't we stay here? And Claire and uh you guys are up in the front along with Claire's uh uh parents. Yep. Come on up. Okay. Mom and dad and Jake and Brent and we'll Susan's not talking too much less. Are we centered? Yeah, I think so. We're not feel.

All right. Congratulations again. Congratulations. See you in Spokane. Thank you for coming. I'll be there, too. Okay. All right. Uh, next item B, we've got the sexual assault uh awareness and prevention month proclamation. Council President Hyundai. Uh, I don't know if we have anyone here that's going to Oh, are you okay? Thank you. Yeah.

If you can go to the podium, that would be great. All right. Uh, proclamation for sexual assault awareness month. Whereas every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted in the United States. And whereas sexual violence impacts everyone, especially black, indigenous, and other people of color, people living in poverty, LGBTQ plus people, elders, people with disabilities, and others who have been historically oppressed. And whereas sexual assault is among the most under reportported crime for many reasons. And whereas ending sexual violence requires us to address racism, sexism, and all forms of oppress oppression that contribute to the um crime of sexual assault. And whereas survivors of sexual assault may never forget their victimization, but they can heal with support from family, friends, and their communities, including through sexual assault programs throughout King County and Washington State that offer free and confidential support, advocacy, information, and resources. Now therefore, we the underside mayor and city council members of the city of Federal Way, Washington, do hereby proclaim April 2026 to be sexual assault awareness month. And we encourage all residents to take action against sexual violence and stand with survivors signed this 21st day of April, 2026. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.

Good evening. Uh thank you very much. Um my name is Hira Singh Buller. I'm board member at uh King County Sex Assault Resource Center. Uh first of all, thank you very much for recognizing this month of sexual assault awareness and uh prevention month. Uh so first of all to survivors uh you are not alone. So sexual assault is unfortunately is very common. uh almost half of the women one-third the men in their lifetime sometime they face this challenge. I think all in the room we might know at least someone in our life who is impacted by the sexual assault. Sexual assault brings uh physical, mental issues, education, job, relationship, all kind of things. So, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center is available with 247 confidation line. Uh, last year alone, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center served 4,300 survivors for family members and half of those were just kids and teenagers. So, help is available. Please reach out and thank you again. Thank you, mayor, and thank you uh council for this proclamation. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Can I add on this one too? Of course. Thank you very much for the last showing up at KA Goodman Center to my different organization. Thank you. It was our honor. Thank you.

All right. At our last city council meeting, State Representative Christine Reeves provided an update for the most uh recent legislative session for 2026. Today, uh we are fortunate to have our state senator Claire Wilson and state representative Jamila Taylor uh that'll provide a uh an overview of uh their uh um legislative session and we uh we really want to hear what it was like in that overnight uh session. So, uh pretty historic. So, uh thank you for being here and the floor is yours.

All right. That is in fact who we are right there just in case. Uh so we are here. Uh good evening. Uh welcome uh to I guess uh the second half of the legislative update. I know that Representative Reeves was here uh when Rep. Taylor and I were unable to join her. So uh we come as a wrapup and uh I'll talk a little bit about what was going on in the Senate and I know Rep. Taylor will again talk a bit about the uh what happened in the house. Uh we hope to share with you uh what we were able to do for the city of Federal Way based on our legislative agendas that were shared I think in December when we got together and also uh the benefits I think to uh many of the folks in Federal Way and in the 30th legislative district with some of the wins that were able to bring forward although it was a pretty challenging session and I'll just uh say that. So it was a short session. I think you heard that 60 days. Um and I think what I'll share is from the Senate side and the Senate perspective, an example would be as chair of human services, um all things uh basic needs, food, shelter, clothing are really important and were extremely important this session, especially as we looked at changes that were happening from the federal administration. Um, and in that committee, 25 bills went through, but only two made it all the way through to the governor's desk. And part of that is because of the time it takes to move bills across the floor. And one of the things uh that you'll hear about is that uh 24-hour plus session um and debate on the millionaire's tax. And as that occurs, what also happens is there are other bills that don't make it through and are unable to get through process. And so it's always a balancing act and it's pretty uh strategic and sometimes

uh pretty stressful. Um so budget was an issue as you heard as well. Uh and again things like child care, things like human services are all discretionary income. They're not entitlement. So when we look at short uh dollars and not a lot of money, uh those are um oftentimes and most often the first things that are reduced are eliminated or are cut. Um, and we also again had a lot of pressure thinking about changes from our federal administration related to SNAP, related to Medicaid, uh, related to intellectual and developmental disability services and supports. All those things really important as we thought about what was happening federally, how we needed to continue to protect the people of the state of Washington. Um we also uh you know continued to our work on critical incidents when we looked at what's happening with our public health crisis with uh high synthetic um opioid crisis that's going on. um and also uh continued to make sure that we were providing access to reproductive health services and supports as well as um protecting our immigrant, refugee and asyl communities and our LGBTQ communities which are and were and have continued to be under attack in many different ways, not only from uh the federal administration but from lots of um things that are happening um across states. Um, so that's kind of a a big overview of uh a tough session all the while trying to figure out how we're going to move things forward. And I'll just add a couple of clarifications um or additions. Uh it was really about um protecting budgets that are critical services such as crime victim services. Um the governor had proposed $12 million which was I think a um a significant more than 50% cut in that particular budget. we were able to restore it to $20 million. Um we we were doing hold

and protect around the developmental disability community in terms of being able to protect the services that are there. Um we also had some uh challenges around 340B which is a program where um uh primary care provs and other service providers are able to buy discounted drugs and they use the discount money that they um have as part of that program to pay for services like transportation, health care and other uh underfunded and underpaid um uh programs and services in the hospital. So you imagine patients that um come in and cannot afford their their health care bill. Uh often that is falling on us. We are still addressing the impacts of HR1. Um as you know home and community based services um are optional. And so what can we do as a state to step up to support Washingtonians is pretty critical. And that also means we have to protect services and resources that we provide to cities who are serving our communities as well. And so thinking about how our budget at the state level has the flexibility it needs to respond to the needs in the community is um important and critical. And as you um remember there was this historic flood that was in King County where the levies broke and our neighbor city in Pacific and being able to uh respond to that emergency in this moment. Again u emergency funding FEMA um services have been cut and reduced at the federal level. And so we were actually surprised to receive uh FEMA support from the federal government. We we did all that we could to get the maximum amount and uh we were surprised to receive our um a lotment in response to the floods. Um but that impacts um all kinds of services in Federal Way even if the the flooding happened outside of Federal Way as I'm learning um that you know folks who would have services in Pacific or Auburn were unable to get there even

though they are residents of Federal Way. And so that's um pretty important. So um we can keep going or millionaire. You want to do the millionaire?

Oh, you want me to rip the band-aid? The millionaire's tax. Yes, that was a historic um u um piece of legislation. A three-part process. First part of the process in terms of addressing our upside down regressive tax system was to pass a um bill that would begin to provide progressive uh tax reform. And the second part of that is addressing um uh the community being able to address the this particular policy through um um initiative vote. And then of course the uh of course the the courts will also address this particular um piece of policy that does not go into effect for a number of years or where the money monies will come into the households and part of the work of the millionaire's tax. There were some um opportunities that happened for a community. As part of that work we were able to expand the working families tax credit. So, um, 460,000 additional, uh, Washingtonian families will be able to be served by the program. We had the largest small, that's funny to say that, largest small business tax break in state history where businesses grossing under 300,000 will owe zero in BNO tax and those under 600,000 will receive a reduction. Um there's going to be no sales tax on essential goods such as diapers, over-the-counter medications, hygiene products, um and an significant number of other products. And when you think about when folks are, you know, hunkering down and ba making um ends meet and paying their basic needs, that sales tax uh reduction is important. I I don't I don't know. I haven't bought diapers lately and I and not for my own children, but I I I cannot imagine folks who are spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on diapers and not wanting the benefit of a tax relief on that. Um there's a sales tax eliminated for key

business services like IT training, technical support, security services, temporary staffing. Those h also impacted our school districts. And so we wanted to make sure that um we restored the the the ability of folks to be able to do those kinds of services. There's been a BNO searchcharge um exemptions on health care providers, hospitals, prescription drug sellers, and food companies. And this is ensuring that these costs aren't passed on to consumers. And of course, um you've probably already heard that free school meals for 1.1 million students around Washington state is um a a part of this effort. And then of course the fair start for kids investment um part of part of the u resources from the millionaires tax will support low-income families accessing um highquality child care and early learning as I think I heard from um council member uh coach that there's a significant gap in the the city uh in terms of uh inhome daycare providers. Um, one a bill I passed a couple of years ago um actually made it um banned the the use was HOAs were banning or prohibiting um uh child care providers in home child care providers in the community and so we passed a law that banned that practice of prohibiting um inhome child care providers. So making sure that we allow folks who are interested to get in that work and provide um inh home childare know that they can now do that and that that HOAs are prohibited from uh not allowing them to do such things.

I will say that um only 80 individuals are impacted by the millionaire's tax in the 30th legislative district. So, um, 80 you said 8

80 and, um, I just want to make sure people understand that because I know there's a lot of conversation about who's going to be impacted and who is, but um, when you look at and look at the data, um, that's 838% um, and or 22% of the total tax collected that will be collected. So, um, in support of working families and in support of that, um, um, I do believe and I think, uh, Rep. Taylor does too, that it is a good thing for our community and a good thing for families.

And in addition, we worked on we were able to establish a statewide low energy lowinccome energy assistance program. I've heard from residents, neighbors in Federal Way who are very concerned about the increasing cost there. And so we're setting up a mechanism to be able to support folks um in that. And our goal is to fund that in the near future. And then expanded access to customerowned energy upgrades so that what would happen is the utility companies would front that and allow the individual or the family to pay it off over time so they can save money over the long term. And then we modernized and expanded property tax relief for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities under House Bill 2621. Um and so the updating these eligibility thresholds hadn't kept pace where um with the rising cost of living. So we are addressing the direct needs the kitchen table issues um in in our legislature um and we want to make sure that we are continuing to do that as we go back to Olympia as we're facing very very difficult um uh conversations next year um because our budget is still under strain I mean and in terms of u making sure that Washingtonians are protected. If you think about the national landscape, we are a state that has the ability to support our um uh our residents in ways that some other states like Mississippi, um Alabama, they're they're going to be having a very very hard time adjusting to how the federal government is making states pay for more of their own resources. And we are gener one of the wonderful things that that's happened in um Washington State. We are essentially Silicon Valley North with a a a viewpoint of supporting uh community members in a healthy economy here.

So you asked us to do a few things and that's what this list is. Um and so really briefly, the first one I want to talk about is uh the restrictions on sex offenders post supervision and I know uh Rep. Reefs talked about that briefly with House Bill 2533. There was a Senate bill that I also co-sponsored uh that was a companion bill and that was Senate Bill 5854 and that was uh related to the processes or the pathways for uh sex offender post supervision. Uh there were three different things that came up during session related to that. First one was the Kevin Co issue which brought this issue about where uh no one knew that he was being released until he was released and his uh supervision uh came and his release came without any conditions at all because it went and it came through uh a court process and a court petition. Um had it come through uh the least restrictive alternative which is another uh way that sexually violent predators are housed then department of corrections would have been involved. There would have been a public meeting and all those things. Then there was another bill we did 1390 that was around the community protection program. All those things caused a lot of stir. Um neither of the bills move. Part of it I think is because of the short session, the number of bills that went through and the fact that he passed. Um but I think that um there is still continued conversation um on this particular not the least restrictive alternative but this issue where there is a court petition and the court makes a determination that an individual um can release without any kind of conditions. And so, um, that will be a body of work that will, um, continue, um, and, uh, during a long session, we may have a much, um, more

opportune time to have those conversations with DSHS, um, as we think about our sexually violent predators and what that means for, uh, communities and notification.

And speaking, okay, speaking of uh, the courts, indigent defense continues to be a priority and a concern in Washington state. Um and so we are we're still looking at ways of addressing the the Supreme Court's um requirements for case load standards. Um and so we're going to come back to the issue in terms of the funding of indigent defense next year. Court unification is also something that's going to impact the city of federal way as you all have a municipal court and we want to streamline processes and help ensure that we can um leverage uh opportunity that can reduce costs for the courts in terms of the administration of uh services. Um so we're just beginning that process and I hope that in the next couple of years we'll have full recommendations as we look at unification of processes that they will still remain u full uh independents of the judiciary in the various courts but a unification of processes that will make it easier to access the courts. In terms of housing as you all know I I'm I'm champion of condo um liability reform. Uh we had the first two bills um that address small condo um endeavors uh 12 units or less, stack flats, etc., etc. Um and we are still continuing in the work because we want to address condo liability reform for the the large um projects and the the endeavors where you have high-rise um uh condo uh communities. And then of course affordable housing always is on the table as we are trying to address ensuring that all communities in Washington state have access to um both affordable housing and market rate housing.

Childare we did have wins. Um we uh were able to the governor's budget had a cut in working connection subsidy for individuals looking for child care and we were able to not um have that cut. that would have cut 3,000 families off of working connection subsidy as well as start a weight list. So, neither of those things happened. Uh we also were able to protect but not move forward any of the increases in subsidy rates for providers or the increase in eligibility for families. So, this those things were all put on hold. Um, I was able to prime the bill for the Balmer uh prek promise, which was the $1.7 billion dollar over the next 10 years for 10,000 additional children to be served through our state funded uh prek program. Um, since its inception in ' 85, it's been a program of scarcity and this will be the first time that um centers and sites will be encouraged um to increase their service for families. Um, I'll remind Federal Way, you did partner with Imagine You uh to open up three family child carees in October. So, that brought additional uh services to families. And then last week, uh the early learning facilities grants awards came out and six providers in federal way were uh awarded dollars um grants receiving um increasing access to an additional 85 families in um the community. And those are grants for things like uh maybe um railings if you need a railing going up and down stairways. So renovations and things that um increase safety. Um we'll also say that our transition to kindergarten, which is a K12 program through Fedway Public Schools, went through reduction. Um and they were uh they lost eight slots for children, which doesn't seem like a lot, but every time you lose one,

um that child needs to find another place. Um so uh there uh is continued opportunity um to apply for uh the ECAP slots which I um am assuming and assured that the Federal Way School District is doing. Um they also are doing professional development for early learning providers and childcare folks around the community and that is um a win. human services. I'll just say we were unable to get child welfare or juvenile justice bills through again because of the time on the floor, but I will say that um related to child welfare in particular with the opioid crisis, we were able to do uh budget provisos. So although we were not able to do anything with policy, uh we have additional CPS staffing, we have public health nurses, um we've got um beds for SUD treatment for moms and babies, the family resource centers were funded, the referral systems were funded, um and liaison were placed in the court system uh for um court liaison as well as disability liaison. All those things trying to help support services for families. And

okay, so um on your wish list, which was very modest, uh this year, uh you we were able to secure I was able to prime sponsor your emergency operations center um uh capital budget request and and I will say the trend for right now is operating requests are going to be harder to fill next year, but capital budget is one where we're able to make investments. So, think about that as you're making your request going into 2027. As I I think that there are some interesting projects that community members would love the city to be involved in uh especially around Steel Lake. Um transportation um as you already know years and years and years um the the funding has been maintained for the 336 344 340th uh corridor center city center access project. I continue to stay in uh close conversation with uh Chair Fi to ensure that we're protecting those resources because what he was really concerned about is um having folks uh ask for new projects that would push these existing projects out of the queue and I was able to make sure that uh we were uh keeping our projects in the queue. Um, also in transportation, a new uh project that comes out of the CCA funding is free transportation for community and technical college students. This is born out of a request from Highline students last December saying they're struggling to get to and from the campuses. We have Highline College campus here in Federal Way and then right up the the two stops away at the main campus. And so thinking about how students can get access to schools, uh these are folks who are in transition, they they have homes that are not centered around campus and being able to do this where they have fewer options for um uh scholarships and stuff. This is a one way to ease the burden on folks who are trying to change a life and increase their um their

opportunities in their future. So we're excited about that project and um and it's going to focus in on King County and in particular South King County. Um, and again, uh, there were no, um, specific, uh, Federal Way operating budget requests that we were able to secure this year.

Whoops. And then, oh, I got to go backwards. How do I do this? I just want to show um, we did get the budget, capital budget. So, Healthpoint budget moder um for building modernization, Steel Lake affordable housing um with and that's with mental health housing foundation uh federal way uh children's hospital pediatric alpatia surgical clinic health point expanding the dental chairs which will really great from 4 to 10 uh chairs uh junior achievement which is JA and the Bistown in Auburn uh Alona water system and then a lot of work with the mayor in Pacific um during the floods and after to make sure that we were um getting those dollars and meeting the needs for infrastructure there. And that's probably more than you ever wanted to know. And that's it.

All right. U Council H, great presentation. Thank you, Council Hamilton.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, uh Senator Wilson and Representative Taylor, uh for that report. It was very insightful. Um first, I just want to say thank you for securing the funding for our emergency operations center. That was much needed. And then thank you representative Taylor for the condominium reform that's going to help us build more housing stock and so we really appreciate that and as well as protecting our transportation requests. I always like to say that transportation is the wheels of commerce and so we need transportation improvements here in fairway. Uh two questions for you and it's kind of the same questions I asked Representative Reeves. um the public defense, the indigent defense. Uh we are thinking that's going to triple our cost and so what are the next steps? Um that has the legislature been looking at this and um what can be done there? my understanding that there's still some litigation that's going on and still some challenges around the case load standards which is driving the this cost, but also we have um a challenge in recruiting folks into public defense. And so whether you have the money or not, you still might not have the individuals to provide services. And so we have to look at the continuum of services or continuum of the entire industry of public defense and um public interest work. prosecutors are in in um high demand or or they're having challenges recruiting and retaining um their staff as well. So we have to look at the the whole system as well. And so part of that will be part of the conversation of the inter branch um committee which looks at the judiciary and the the court system um and including the public defense. So I don't have any specifics right now. Um this is going to be all in the context of um protecting against massive cuts next year. Um because these cuts will come before the millionaire's tax. Um the millionaire's tax there was a um in

terms of the there were 81 amendments to that bill. Okay. And one of them was to add um indigent defense in that and it didn't pass because we wanted to make sure that we had the flexibility um uh outside of legislation to do more than uh what was going to be asked for in that particular line item amendment. So I think uh it's important that we you know prioritize that and have the cities in in particular as through AWC continue to push the state legislature. I am I feel like I'm sounding the alarm by myself at times around this particular issue. Um and and and so I'm happy to have your support in terms of that. So please make sure it's on your

I am sounding the alarm with you, Representative Taylor, on that. In fact, we just passed the.1% council manic sales tax to help with public defender uh costs. And I always like to say public defenders defend constitutional rights. So, it's very important um so that we don't have cases dismissed, you know, just because we don't have public defenders and and it was essential that I I for my support of that bill, if it didn't have public defense as part of the funding mechanism, then I couldn't support the bill. So, I'm glad that you all are looking at how to support uh public defense and other public safety needs with that bill. Um and and I'm happy to support and and partner with you moving forward.

Okay. And then just one more question. Um, I seeing a lot of news in the media about um a line item that the governor vetoed that was meant to help combat organized retail theft. Can you tell us a little bit about that? The governor doesn't provide us insights into his vetos ahead of time. So, we're getting that information just as you are. Okay. And I've sponsored um uh budget provisos around uh organized retail theft and trying to address that and combat that. So I was actually very surprised by that and I will come back to the table um to support some efforts to to get that.

Okay. You know, and I just wanted to say also the whole issue uh it is much like juvenile justice that the majority of juvenile justice lives in cities and municipalities pre-adjudication and so fighting for money for uh nonprofits and CBOS and intervention services and supports has been challenging just as the conversation has been around looking um at defense. So, you know, those are things that are like in the middle um things that, you know, we can work on and continue to work on together because that also keeps kids out of the very system. Um, you know, which is also, um, a goal. Uh, so that we don't need to have as many. Um, but, you know, it's one of those things where that it happens outside of the guise of the legislature. It happens in cities and we've got to figure out how we do that support. So, Um,

and certainly I I will follow up with you on as much details as I can get from the governor's office around the reason for that veto. Okay. Thank you. It's just it was important to me because I know that we're we're one of the top states in the nation for retail theft and we we want to we want to fix that. Absolutely. Veto that and a family prime time reading program. Two things very kind of interesting things to pull out of. Uh so no no clue why. Just Yeah. Yeah. Well, thank you for your work. Yeah. All right, Council Member Sephawson.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you so much for being here. Um, and for all the work that you do on behalf of your constituents, and we really appreciate it. Uh, my question is around child care. Um, actually several things, so just hear me out. One is um there's a lot of home daycare centers um and they need more kids in the day in their daycare but they don't have the capacity or the knowhow to get the word out. So, is there like a clearing house or somewhere where people could actually go and and look at the zip code or whatever and and start comparing childcare um centers and if not is that something that could be

childcare Washington and also institute the uh imagine institute both uh work with family child care. They um have uh the chuck or where is where families call and any licensed child care is in the system. They get all of that. I have some resources I was going to share. DCYF um has a whole uh web page on uh licensing and then childcare aware as a whole thing. So they have a whole system and any family child care provider that is part of that's part of the licensing system and early achievers automatically is um engaged and involved in all of those things that are part of being a licensed provider. And with those three providers uh that had the uh the we had the that got their licenses through the partnership with the city, they did the ribbon cutting and again that's all advertised. Um so it you know advertising um and sometimes people do it on um in paper, sometimes they do it on social media. So uh it depends on the person and it depends on the um program. But systemically there are um systems and there are portals involved that families know about and that providers know about. And if there are providers you're aware of that are not um please pass them along. I will also say Fedway public schools is so great and Kim Ericson is their director of early learning and is um connected with all things child care not only uh here but also what's happening um with all the school districts around as well but they're um you know most families get it from uh word of mouth or um childcare aware is the resource.

Yeah. So, do are families aware of all these resources? Because if I was a new mom, I don't even know where I would go um find that information. People that are pregnant talk.

And I'm serious because it used to be when your baby was born, you looked for care. Now, the minute you're pregnant, people are starting to wonder and ask. Um and so there are um we have uh we have plenty of children. um we don't have enough spaces for children and we don't have enough adults in our classrooms for the children that need care and that's been um a body of work that's been going on at how we get more spaces and why ECAP is so important and why the Balmer money is so important but there are systems um and there are places again childcare aware is where most people start um because they've got the resource um the 1-800 number um they've got social media Um they've got Facebook page and all those things.

Parent Map, you know that magazine, Parent Math. Yeah. Parent Mag. Um there's all kinds of places, but yeah. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. In all different languages, I might add as well. Yeah. All right. Council Council President Hinda, thank you. Thank you for being here and for your work that you do for um our city. Uh the millionaire tax, there'll be a reduction of in sales tax for diapers and other products. How is that going to impact our city? Do you know how much of a reduction we will face because we use sales tax in our in our budget?

Uh I I don't know how that whether it's a reduction in the city sales tax if if that's on there. So I'll I will follow up on that. Um 80 amendments. I'll I'll get those details for you. Okay. Thank you.

All right. Council member Moore. Um, I have to say, uh, the 30th led to the district, um, we're really lucky to have, um, three incredible women, um, uh, lobbying on our behalf at at the capital and getting some stuff done. Uh, and I just want to say, uh, thank you for, uh, Senator, thank you for, uh, the love and the care that you pour on to early learning, um, and, uh, with for all of us. Um and um uh Jamila, thank you for the work that you've done um on on everything you've done. Uh thank you. It's it's kind of I'm all over the place.

I mean it's it's it's impressive and uh we're truly lucky to have you being in that seat. Um and so um I liked how you said uh you know you you guys worked on kitchen table issues. Uh I think that's a really good way to illustrate the challenges that people are facing especially with the federal government. um and um making things a little bit more challenging. Uh, and so I just love the fact that you guys have worked really hard to mitigate uh those challenges because I know as as one council member and um you know I'm constantly thinking we all all thinking about our residents and and you know I I know that um when the government shut down I was thinking gosh you know that it's going to be a lot of people impacted and FedE has done a great job in in uh with food insecurities and and whatnot. Uh but that couldn't be possible without the partnership with you guys as well. So uh I just wanted to kind of give um some gratitude and say thank you. Uh keep on doing uh the good fight as we say uh to have good trouble. I think that's really important. Um and I just uh I appreciate you guys. So thank you.

Well, and I thank you for the gratitude and I recognize that even with that gratitude, there are people who are still suffering and still frustrated. we we get constituent requests around unemployment, um access to health care, access to other resources in our community. And so we we recognize that the the struggle is ongoing and probably life-changing for a lot of our residents here. and working in partnership with the city is absolutely essential to ensure that the the residents of the 30th district, the businesses of the 30th district could still uh strive and and knowing that like for example, working with the two jacks, I call them um on the condo uh project um converting um uh church properties um for condo construction is a great opportunity to bring more folks here who want to own properties in our area. And then there are some again updating the regulations on permitting and seeing how federal way is leading the way. Some of our other uh sister cities in the state aren't doing what you're doing. And so I I think you should be applauded as well. Also recognizing that there are still folks um suffering and and very frustrated with uh things that are happening that are even beyond our control in this state. Well, and I know uh I'd be remissed if I didn't mention this, but um I know you're a huge champion for people with disabilities. uh and your editorial on that that you had and part of your why in terms of why you voted for uh uh the millionaires tax I think is really commendable and and I appreciate that because I think uh oftent times vulnerable populations get left behind uh get forgotten or pushed to the side uh maybe unintentionally uh but uh the fact that you you continue to be an advocate for that I I think is huge and I say that because you know very well that I worked for the Arkin County um and that are uh your predecessor, Roger Freeman, uh was a huge advocate for uh people with disabilities uh in terms of becoming

parents. Um and so I just I really want to say thank you. Thank you for speaking the truth and thank you for voting conscious on that. I I know it's not an easy vote. Uh but I I truly truly appreciate it. So thank you.

And just to a answer um Mayor Frell's question, 24 hours is a long time. I was only off the floor for an hour and a half of that time. Um and so and that was when I was forced to go to sleep. I I was literally forced to go to sleep and so you know this is an important piece of legislation and we went all the way through through the whole process had the debate and heard each other as we were going through. There's going to be some adjustments going along the way. There are going to be new opportunities moving forward. And so having the flexibility with our budget to address the needs um as the our country as our state as our cities are facing these challenges that is essential in terms of um doing this partnership.

Council uh thank you council coach.

Well thank you very much for being here this evening um and for addressing my concerns about child care for um in our city. Uh, one of the issues with the millionaire's tax, of course, you know, uh, the other end of the spectrum is that's going to become a tax on everyone. And so, I would ask that you I know that that's probably going to go through the court system, but I would ask that you keep an open mind that there are people that that is going to be affecting. Not just the people that you think can afford it, but also the people that can afford it. And there that's the other half of the argument. But right now, I just want to talk about the um the fact that the legislature passed the um legislation to allow uh for more housing in more density in our neighborhoods.

And what that's going to do when you have a single family lot um and you allow more housing on that normalsiz lot that there there's other issues involved such as parking. Yes. Uh, and so you you need to address that. You I mean the legislature just can't do an overall because one sizefits all for the state doesn't really help in our community. We need to talk about

well and I I think we have flexibility there and I also recognize that the city of Federal Way has been encouraging detached ADUs and so that increases density in communities as well. So I want to work with you. I think all three of us want to work with you in terms of finding the the right balance and that's why we have ongoing debates and we do ongoing stakeholdering. Um some ideas that come through um the legislature uh don't make it all the way to the governor's desk and some and and you know this is not for me to go have fanfare to say I held my colleagues accountable. No, I'm just getting it done. I'm making sure that we're working with um our community to have our voice heard. And so it's not about like impuging my colleagues. It's about making sure we have good policy. As you know, most of my bills and most of my efforts are bipartisan. And so hearing having these conversations in a civil manner is really critical.

Thank you, Representative. But would you please work with our staff? We spent a lot of time on zoning in our neighborhoods and then some of that's been overturned by what happened to the legislature. I'm not saying you particular. I'm saying by the legislature as a whole. out and the state as a whole. But if you would simply work with our staff to try to understand what we've done with zoning on a neighborhood, it's very important to some of our our um some of our single family homes that aren't in an HOA. It's going to be affecting them. But thank you very much. All right. Well, thank Senator Wilson and Representative Taylor, thank you. Let's give him a big round of applause. Thank you so much.

Thank you for not making me do this for 24 hours today. Exactly. All right. Thank you very much. Okay. Um before I uh go any further, we have two elected officials in the room that I just want to recognize. We have Carolyn Vidino, our South King uh fire commissioner. Welcome, Commissioner, as well as uh Len England, our um Lake Haven Water Commissioner. Let's give him a round of applause for the service they do. Thank you. Okay, with that, uh it's time for the mayor's emerging issues and report. And uh let's see here. That's uh that right there is Oh, can you go back a step? That is Douggee Fur, the newly that the uh they had just gotten uh the parks department had just received our new mascot the day before uh that picture was taken. That is Douggee Fur uh which is the mascot for our parks department. Um and that's over there by the um uh Steel Lake Annex uh when we were working. Well, more on that later. And let's uh next picture. Okay. Uh there's uh Douggee Fur with four members of the city council and Shelley Paul's uh volunteer extraordinaire. Uh at Parks Appreciations Day, we had three locations that that we were that that um well over a hundred volunteers in our community were working on. We started off at Brook Lake um uh and the Blueberry Fields. A lot of work done there. Then we went to Steel Lake, excuse me. Then we went to uh Celebration Park and some volunteers were there doing some important work. And then uh we went to Steel Lake. Um and uh uh they had us doing a couple of things, but mainly uh just there to appreciate and thank the volunteers of our community who did so much uh to help our parks. All right. Next. Okay. Uh we had the uh uh community clothing swap on April 11th, 2026. There's Amanda who does such great work uh there at the tool library and uh all things communitydriven. Uh and then as

referenced earlier in the meeting, we had the Vasaki seek uh community celebration um with I mean on April 11th, 2026. Um and gosh, there were at least 5,000 people there, don't you think? There were thousands of people there. Here is 5,000 people.

Yeah. Yeah. and um you know really one of the uh seminal celebrations of the of the sick faith and um absolutely fantastic uh great food uh great company uh um it was so crowded over there uh and their um uh their center is over there um on the um southeast corner of the warehouser property in that area. Um they had a parade um and like I said a lot of uh did I mention the food? Um anyway, it was fun. Um, all right. Next, uh, we had document shredding event at Red Canoe on April 16th. Appreciate our partners at Red Canoe. And, um, on, uh, April 18th, last Saturday, we had the Youth Commission car wash. And, uh, um, Bill and I were in, uh, uh, one car and Susan, her husband, were in in another car. And, uh, Council Member Hamilton. Oh, that's right. That That's right. Got Council H Council Member Hamilton in the act right there getting her car washed. So, great. you know, just that's over at the community center and we've got a great group of uh young people that are serving our youth commission. All right, next. Okay, upcoming community events. We've got the mending fair on April 25th. Um and that's going to be over at the regional library. Uh we've got the town or we've got a city town hall meeting. Um and that's on April 30th at um um Olympic View Elementary School at 6:00 p.m. Doors will open about 5:30. would love to have everybody there and we're going to have a presentation um I'll say a few words, the council president will say a few words, a presentation from the police chief and upcoming uh localized uh present uh um a presentation about localized uh public works projects and then the most important things to hear from the public as well as I think we're going to go over one of the things that the chief is going to go over is the keep Washington working act uh as we promised during a a previous session. Uh then we've got the um I'm hooked on

family fishing event and that's on uh Saturday May 2nd. That's a great event if you've got a young one in the home. Uh just get out there and and uh they'll give you the the the pole and they'll get you out there and and um uh it's just really I remember taking uh our son uh year after year to that very special event. Um really fun and some great professionals out there uh that really uh uh help every kid get a fish. Okay, next. Okay. Then we've got the uh Federal Way Farmers Market uh grand opening um on uh Saturday, May 9th. We always have the opening of the the farmers market the Saturday before Mother's Day uh so we can get our flowers. And uh this is at the new location uh which is going to be um uh uh instead of behind the commons where it was, it'll be at that new location uh just north the street just north of of uh Town Square Park um and just south of where the performing arts and event center. We bought those bullards uh where we could block off traffic. And we've been working on this for gosh well over a year. Um and uh really a big thanks to the parks department uh for all of their work uh getting that started. Big thanks to Bill Vadino um everybody who made uh made that happen uh last year where we got the handoff successfully uh to run uh the Federal Farmers Market. So come one, come all May 9th um for the um for the opening of of of uh the farmers market. Then we've got the senior health and resource fair at the performing arts and event center on May 12th. Uh Susan, what time does that start?

10 o'clock. 10 o'clock. 10 10 to when? 10 to 1. 10 to 1. And that's again over at the Performing Arts and Event Center. And uh then we've got pro a food preservation workshop on May 13th. Um and could you tell us uh the u could you tell us the details of that food preservation? Yeah, it's at the community center at 5:00 pm.

5:00 pm. All right. next. Okay, we've got a lot of stuff going on. As you can tell, this is a the spring is a busy time in our community. We've got really one of the great community events um again with uh with young people and sometimes a little bit uh um uh you know, older as well. Uh Touch a Truck. Uh this is uh on May 16th, Saturday, absolutely free to the public. And they've got, you know, for for kids, they've got police cars, fire engines, uh dump trucks, school buses, emergency, a SWAT vehicle, um all kinds of great uh events. And that's actually over there um in the uh WildWaves parking lot. And um then we've got Kick It Federal Way. Um that is uh June 19th through the 21st. And that's going to be over at the Performing Arts and Event Center for the FIFA World Cup. And we are in the process right now of of putting uh uh clearing that area and making sure that we're going to have a we're going to put a field some field turf down there. Uh there's going to be food trucks. There's going to be all kinds of activities. It's really going to be a lot of fun really bringing the World Cup to Federal Way. And uh then we've got the Friendship Theater production of Frozen uh Jr. at Kudson Family Theater on June 18th through the 21st. And that's always a fun thing. So, and and thank you to the folks at at Canson Family Theater. Next, that it Oh, gosh. On July 4th, we've got the Miles for Miso 5K walk and run. That's on July 4th in the morning. And um I believe that starts at 9

9:00.

9:00. And they've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for meloma. And uh really a great um really a great run, great time to get together. Again, our boy, our park staff is busy busy. Uh then we've got the Red, White, and Blues Festival July 4th. Um and uh that starts probably about 4:00. Fireworks about 10:15. And uh John and I have been working on the soundtrack. So uh we hope we do it right and it's going to be a lot of fun. And for those who know me, I've been asking people uh for recommendations uh for fireworks songs. So uh should be fun. All right. Next, uh, that's it. Okay. Now, we are on to council committee reports and, uh, we've got council member Walsh Walsh with land use and transportation.

All right. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, first off, we uh, on our last meeting, uh, we had great discussions on things that uh, are now on the consent agenda, item C, D, and D. And also later on on the agenda, item 8A, the forest practices uh application, a good discussion of that and also a great briefing on on potential uh parking reform code amendments. Um that's uh basically what came out of the the uh the meeting. Uh I'm I'm going to take the liberty and say a couple of other things since our uh the uh comment for the council members is clear at the end and everybody's gone then anyway. So anyway, ex except for Doug. Uh but uh I I would also like to express my appreciation for those who who came out with the park uh parks appreciation event. There was the 20th anniversary of the parks appreciation event. There's been been thousands tens of thousands of hours of community service over the years uh from that. And uh the the parks department does a fantastic job. Uh kudos to John, to to to Jason, to Tony, to George, to everybody else on on the park staff. Uh special kudos to as as the mayor uh mentioned to to Shelley Paul's uh what' you say volunteer extraordinaire was it? So I mean she is she's incredible and done amazing things at the Blueberry Farm Park

and her husband Dwight. And her husband Dwight. Yes. It got there the the the uh Brook Lake Blueberry Farm and and uh one of the first ones there and Dwight was already out there. I mean, he was already working. He was actually Yeah, he was already working and and he's he's absolutely amazing. Absolutely amazing. Um the uh m much of the council got there to Blueberry Farm uh Brook Lake Blueberry Farm Park and and uh and for the opening as it was starting there. And then we went over to uh to uh uh um Celebration

Celebration Park and then on to to the Steel Lake Park. And then I I came back to uh to Blueberry Farm to to actually do some work and I found council member Lee's there working away hard. And uh so while the the rest of us were out getting pictures taken, he was he was hard at work. And so I I joined him there and we spent a good hour, hour and a half together. uh planting lots of uh of lupine and so we should have some beautiful lupine fields later on and also kudos east road whereazer beautiful flowers

kind of blue bonnet uh blue bonnets are type of of lupine and so it'll be absolutely beautiful okay so uh hopefully sometimes it takes a second year for them to to really get good blooms but there hopefully I'll have some good blooms this year and a great place to go and and and get pictures uh the blueberries will be on first and And uh well they may be about the same time as the blueberries, the blossoms. So anyway um also kudos to uh council member Dawson. She was there helping get people signed in and at the the signin table and and anyway um also one thing that the mayor did not mention was uh this morning uh the Federal Way School District and our our uh public works uh or is it uh yeah public works. It was the storming the sound of salmon event and fourth graders from all over the school district were right there at at Brook Lake Park releasing salmon and the kids got to uh to name their salmon before they put it down the chute. And I gave them a hard time. I mean, none of them none of them I mean, they were giving them names like George and Bill and stuff like that. And I was saying, why aren't you giving them names like like Sushi and things like that? But I mean, I don't think it went over very well with the kids. But anyway, so but it was a great event, an annual event that's always always lots of fun. And uh so with that, that is my report plus.

Very good. All right. Thank you, Council Member Cessums.

Thank you, Council Member Walsh. I appreciate that shout out. I want to give a shout out to all of the volunteers that I did see at the blueberry farm as well. That was a great event. Thank you very much to the park staff who led that uh effort. So, the parks, recreation, human services, public service, public safety committee met on April 14th. Our next meeting will be on May 12th, 5:00 p.m. Everyone will be invited. Uh, so among other things, we took action on several items. Uh, we had a flag policy overview. Um, and there will be a next step uh for that. Tonight, we're going to address the following items. Uh they're all on on the council's uh meeting agenda items FG, H, I, J, K, and L. Uh also, we will be hold uh discussions on three public hearings. Uh the 2025 caper report and the 2019 and 2024 CDBG action plans. And hopefully everyone can stick around for those uh lively discussions. Uh and then finally, uh the committee also moved to forward a proposed first reading that you you will hear more about tonight. It's a uh new ordinance pertaining to uh the massage businesses around Federal Way. So hopefully everyone can stick around and uh again uh thank you very much for your participation tonight.

Thank you, Councilor Coach Mark. Um thank you, Mayor. So, our next fi Federac meeting, our next finance, economic development, regional affairs committee meeting will be April 28th at 5:00 pm in city hall. And uh council member Walsh, I don't know if you saw this joke on Facebook where parks ranger came along, a guy who was fishing at a pond and bucket was full of fish and and the park ranger said, "You're not supposed to be catching the fish." And the guy said, "Well, he's he's c this is catch and release. He's going to throw the fish back in the pond and when he calls them, they come back. And so the park ranger says, "Yeah, I want to see that." So he throws them back in the pond and and uh and then the park ranger said, "Well, when are they coming back?" And he said, "What fish?"

I thought it was funny. But all right, very good. She'll be here all week. All right. All right. Council member Dawson. That's a joke. Okay. Lodging tax advisory committee.

Um yes. So the lodge tax advisory committee met last week I believe where we discussed all the grant um the TEG grant applications and reviewed and we have um the committee has come with a come up with a recommendation to FedER um and funding recommendation to FEDRA which then should come to council for approval. So that's what we did at at um uh at Eltech. Um, can I talk about pick or no? Sure. Okay.

And we had um um PIC meeting for SCA on April 8th where council member Les Cessum was in attendance also. So, thank you for being there and I hope you were not overwhelmed by all that happened. But some of uh key takeaways for that day. One was we had talked about it here before the uh King County Transportation District um 1% tax um increase or what they're proposing and it is bound to be voted to happen. However, um they're also considering the city pass through um for all cities to get funding, how much and what the formula is going to look like. They're still um um discussing and so hope um it seems like they're going to vote in May um on that one. Um, another noteworthy conversation is the proposed sewer rate. Um, that is um it's going to be the proposed the it's proposed to increase by 12.75% monthly um yeah monthly sore rate increase which raises the current monthly rate of 6266 on an average to $70 and it continues to increase all the you know all the way by 2042 it's expected to triple. So there's a um uh SCA is going to send a letter in um to talk about that, but also more importantly, they're trying to um organize uh a briefing on this for council members and electeds because this is an issue maybe people were not paying attention to and now um it's it's coming down the pipeline. So, we need to really be open to it or understand it better. Um and then um they talked about a lot about engaging state representatives which we did today. So I think we're better ways on top of that. Um and then um

what else is there? Oh, and then there's a sound transit enterprise initiative um that where there's going to be continued discussion about that and then the work there's a work plan also that is up for in discussion. So, there's anything you would like to add. Um, mayor council. Council member. Okay. Um, and lastly, I worked um with um Jeffrey Tanky at the U at the sign signing during the Yeah. And so that that was fun. We got to talk. And then um one thing that I was really impressed with with was with the IDEI the um young students who were highly present at the annex um here and they were all working hard and that was the one place where I saw a lot of youth engagement and so just wanted to shout out for the organizers who brought those kids um to do that work because they were there bright and early and uh working hard. So just wanted to shout out for them. Thank you.

Very good. Thank you very much, Council President.

Uh thank you. So between yesterday and today I have spent seven hours learning about FIFA. Uh yesterday was four hours and the Chamber of Commerce and the um Federal Way Arts Association had sponsored a workshop for those interested in how their businesses could interact with FIFA. The city was well represented. 700,000 visitors are expected to come to this area for FIFA and 30,000 here in the city of Federal Way. So anyway, um it was very interesting. Today's focus was on transportation and uh we met uh the regional transportation committee of which I'm a member and the King County Council Tree Committee. I had a a combined meeting and we discussed uh for several hours transportation issues um concerning FIFA. It sounds like everything's well planned. Hopefully everything goes well and we have a lot of happy visitors and we have a lot of happy people who live here because they can still get around and do the things that they need to do. So, um, Federal Way, uh, for FIFA, we are sponsoring a youth contest, art contest called Rep Your Flag. And, um, we are looking inviting students K through 12 to participate in a creative flag art contest. students will select a World Cup participating country, submit an original artistic interpretation of that country's flag. And um anyway, we are still looking for several more students to create their flags. And every Wednesday there's a workshop. If you're interested, you can let us know and we can get you in touch with um how you become involved with

that. Uh the skateboard which is the south county area transportation board is also writing a letter to sound the sound transit board. We are concerned that there are several projects in the south end that the ST3 funding uh tax that we all voted for or some people voted for may be cut in the south end from rent all the way down to Tacoma. And so we are getting together tomorrow to write a letter uh to add it to the other cities that are writing letters to Sound Transit Board to encourage them not to cut our projects in the South End. I attended the exit conference for the cyber security audit that was done and I'd like to thank the state for doing that audit. They did it for free for the city. And I'd also like to say that our IT department does an excellent job and I think we are very very lucky that we have those professionals working for us to keep the city operating. And uh my last comment is on the health and resource fair. So the senior advisory commission is hosting their fourth annual self and senior health and resource fair. It's at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center on Tuesday May 12th from 10 to 1. This year we have 85 vendors and they serve the Federal Way senior population. This senior advisory commission will be um introducing the 2026 senior resource guide right off the press at that event. We'd like to thank our sponsors, the city of Federal Way, Vicky Chennowith, St. Francis Hospital, Steel Lake Presbyterian Church, Fed Bilta Homeare, Fusion Home Instead, and the Federal Way Mirror. And we do hope that you'll enjoy us for this event. It's a free event. And even if you're not quite a senior,

we know one day you will be or you know a senior. This is there are so many resources that um you can connect with at this event. And I would encourage you all to go even if you only have an hour. I please come and see uh get information so that you can plan for the future or if you're a senior now um maybe we you can find something that will help you. So I hope to see all of you on Tuesday May 12th at the pack from 10 to 1. Thank you.

All right. Thank you. Okay. Now for the most important part of the meeting to hear from you the public. Um and um uh if you want to uh uh we've already received some uh public comment sheets. If you'd like to make a public comment, please fill one out and provide it to the city clerk. Um, when I call your name, please come to the podium. I'll try to uh call several so you could sort of cue toward the back. And um um uh the lights mean green. You've got three minutes. Green means go. Yellow means you've got 30 seconds. Red means please stop. Um and um uh we all know the rules. And uh there's I believe um if you're here on behalf of five people uh that are present, uh then you get five minutes. So, uh, we've got, uh, Commissioner Lenn England. Uh, then after that, George Vino, Jeffrey Tani, uh, Mike Bellich Ziggler.

Good morning or good afternoon, uh, evening, uh, council members and mayor. Uh, my name is Lenn England and I live lived in the potential annexation area for about 67 years or so, just a little bit longer than Harold Booker. Um anyway, um and and Harold's been a dear friend of mine for a long long time, most of that time. Uh in full disclosure, I am the president of Lake Haven, the water and sewer district this session. Uh I am speaking on my behalf as a as a citizen, not not as Lake Haven, but I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about Lake Haven after uh after my time's up. Um uh there's an apparent effort to annex the Lakeland North, Lakeland South and incorporated areas into the city of Federal Way without seeking a vote of the people. Um who or where the who or or what entity initiated this is somewhat unclear, although I think we got a little bit more information tonight. Uh regardless, my message to you is to trade lightly and communicate, communicate, and communicate. Uh I am keeping an open mind uh about annexation. However, history tells us that these areas voted no on annexation not once, not twice, but three times. So um uh it's not necessarily a fatom plea. So again, communicate, communicate, communicate. Um has climate changed for annexation? I don't know. Uh but I don't think anybody's beating down the doors to city hall to petition for annexation. So a big word to the wise u do not simply impose your will upon the citizens. They will fight back. Were I deliberating, I would be doing exactly

what um Brian had mentioned uh communicate and do the studies etc etc. Um uh with respect to the meeting, you didn't really give him a nod on whether you want him to go forward. I I think I think you should give him the nod to go forward with the with the study. I mean, $75,000. As long as it isn't just an overlay of of the county's per plan. Um, oh god, I only got 30 minutes, 30 seconds. Okay. Uh, changing subject a little bit. Uh, comment on the April 4th meeting. And I see that you are taking uh Mr. Booker's comments a few weeks ago to heart, which is good. Uh, I see the city council is wanting to do guiding principles. The one thing that popped out to me was the OPMA and respecting the OPMA. Please con please do that. Don't have illegal meetings or other types of meetings that could be considered illegal.

Okay. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Len. Did you want the question? Did you want me to answer some of those questions on the perhaps later? Maybe you could email uh Brian and we'll make sure we share that with uh with the full council. Okay. All right. Thank you very much. All right. Uh George Vino uh speaking on behalf of uh uh commissioners uh that are here for the parks commission. Uh so for five minutes please.

Uh Mayor Frell, Council President Honda, council members. I'm George Vino and I'm chair of the city of Federal Way Parks and Recreation Commission. Uh I'm here with parks commission vice chair Karen Bgado who is also chair of the commission's subcommittee that took the lead in considering the topic of the letter that I'm about to read. We also have commissioner uh Wendy Morton and Jeff Tangry as well. Uh the parks commission unanim the parks commission voted unanimously in support of the letter that I'm about to read and vice chair bgado has already sent copies of it to the council. Uh honorable council members, we are very fortunate to live in the vibrant and growing community of Federal Way. The diversity in age, race, ethnicity, and religions is truly an asset for our overall community as well as as well as we embrace the is truly an asset for our overall community as we embrace the future while also honoring the traditions and customs of our constituent populations. The month of December is traditionally a time of celebration and reflection for many cultures and religions. Examples include Christians and those that associate with Christianity celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Jews observe the festival of lights known as Hanukkah. Buddhists honor Bodhi as an achievement of enlightenment. Muslims observe Ashura. African-Americans celebrate Kwanza to honor family, community, and culture. Naturalists celebrate solstice and science through natural spirituality. Municipalities throughout Western Washington have a history of allowing communications, displays of learning, and expressions of ideas about many seasonal icons on public property. In Federal Way, the lone seasonal display

on city property has been the holiday tree and lighting ceremony in Town Square Park. In 2023, Michael Campsmith, the chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, came before you to request holiday displays on public property. This request was not acted upon. We asked the city council with the January 2026 religious freedom proclamation in mind to to reapproach this request. Publicly honoring the unique cultures and populations in federal way demonstrates the city council's commitment to diversity and inclusivity. The parks and recreation commissioners are fully supportive of appropriate holiday educational displays of religious cultural symbols on city property. All costs for such displays would be encumbered by the approved organizations. No city funds would be used for any aspect of an approved display. We respectfully request that the city council consider future educational displays of appropriate holiday symbols and icons. For city council members who wish to explore further, we can def we can provide the department of defense's listing of religions. Thank you.

All right. Thank you very much. Okay. Uh Jeffrey Tenry.

Thank you, Mayor Council. Good evening everyone. Council President Honda Jeff Tani speaking as a private citizen. Uh continuing the American history series that I've talked about. Uh my source is Dr. Carol Swain, a professor at Vanderbilt University. After President Lincoln was assassinated, Vice President Andrew Johnson, a Democrat, assumed the presidency. Andrew Johnson and the Democrats were adamantly opposed to Lincoln's plan to integrate the newly freed slaves into the South's economic and social order. Johnson and the Democrats were united in their opposition to the 13th, 14th, and the 15th amendments to the Constitution. All three of these amendments were passed because of universal Republican support during the era of reconstruction. Federal troops stationed in the South helped secure rights for the newly freed slaves. Hundreds of black men were elected to southern state legislatures as Republicans, and 22 black Republicans served in the US Congress by 1900. The Democrats did not elect a black man to Congress until 1935. After reconstruction ended, when the federal troops went home, Democrats roared back into power in the South, they quickly reestablished white supremacy across the region with measures like black codes, laws that restricted the ability of blacks to own property and run businesses. And they imposed pole taxes, and literacy tests used to subvert black citizens right to vote. And how was all of this enforced? by terror. Much of it instigated by the

Kuclux Clan, founded by a Democrat, Nathan Bedford Forest. The Kuclux Clan, in effect, was a military force serving the interest of the Democrat party. President Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, shared many views with the Kuclux Clan. He resegregated many federal agencies and even screened the first movie ever played at the White House, a racist film, The Birth of a Nation, which depicts African-Americans in a horrible light. Later on in the 1960s, the only serious congressional opposition to the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 came from the Democrat party. 80% of the Republicans supported the bill. Less than 70% of Democrats supported the Civil Rights Bill. Democrat senators filibustered the bill for 75 days until Republicans came up with the necessary votes to get it to be before President Johnson's to sign it. The next time that we discuss the American history series, I will discuss the myths surrounding the switching, the party switching that did not exist. and I will lay out all the details of the fact that that was a myth. Thank you so much for your time.

All right, thank you. All right, Mike Bulich Ziggler. And as uh Mike makes his way up to the uh podium, our next speakers after that will be Paul McDaniel, Betty Taylor, and Harold Booker. Mike.

Uh good evening, council uh Mayor Frell. My name is Mike Bollix Ziggler. I'm a resident here in Federal Way. I wanted to take an opportunity to respond to the presentation last meeting about the 19th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Campus Drive intersection. I appreciate the city taking time to do a deeper dive into the intersection and I wanted to follow up and push back on a few of the points that were raised. It was mentioned that the collisions did not correspond with the school and start and stop times uh which is not the case. Two of the three recent collisions in the last six months did correspond with school arrival time around 7:00 a.m. and the students were walking towards Taffet Sahali. Also during the presentation, one of the recent uh collisions were reviewed where the child entered the intersection against the light. And I agree there really isn't anything uh a driver can do to avoid that, and I'm glad that they are okay. What was left out of the discussion were the two other collisions I mentioned where the children did enter the intersection at the crosswalk with the walk sign uh before they were struck. A lot of time was spent discussing pedestrians being at fault. Instead of discussing uh f focusing discussions on culpability between drivers and pedestrians, I'd like to see the city focus on its responsibility to have street designs that reduce these possible conflict points and the chance for serious injury or death regardless of who is at fault. The traffic safety action plan was a step in that direction. It was encouraging to see so many groups in the area participate in what I heard was the city's first ever road safety audit along 21st Avenue Southwest and Southwest campus and the surrounding area last week. I appreciated the opportunity to participate and numerous safety improvements for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists were identified, ranging from small to significant changes. I agree it doesn't make sense to react to every collision with different engineering changes. But hearing that the 19th Avenue Southwest and Southwest campus intersection ranks 50th or 107th worst in the city, and the pedestrian collisions are not out of character is not reassuring. Um, it should elicit a reaction from everyone that there is a lot of work to do. I

expect the mayor and the city staff to react by prioritizing higher investments in safety improvements to make it easier to walk and roll in the city in the upcoming budget. And I also expect that the city council reacts with similar budget priorities and by questioning transportation projects that come up for approval on how the city is prioritizing the safety for all street users and not just talk about parking concerns. I look forward to seeing the final traffic uh safety action plan when it's shared. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, Paul McDaniel. Good evening. Uh Paul Senator William, resident since the 1990s. Um I'd like to start by making sure it's apparent that when I come up to speak, I don't speak to the individuals up here. I speak to the positions of power and authority you guys sit in. It doesn't matter who sits in your seats. I will be speaking to whoever sits in that point. So I'll make that very clear. Uh my comments for tonight are going to be based off the rules are for these but not for me. In my hand I have two ordinances. I have ordinance 261041 uh which is an additional.1% sales tax and use tax for criminal justice proposals. Very interestingly written. Uh it's it's an interesting read compared to a lot of the other ones we've had here. Uh and the other one I have is ordinance 24217 uh establishing a policy a percentage for public arts funding. Two ordinances both have the power of local law. One will be required to be for enforced by the government. The other one the government has not done for 30 years. I found out in the fedrack meeting just recently that the parks uh complaints that have been going on for years now have been accurate. Uh in this ordinance 24217, it states that any construction or remodel over 25 should have 2% assigned to an arts and public place fund for 30 years that has not been followed by any council. So my question for council is what is the amount that the arts and public funds uh excuse me arts and public places fund has been denied because of that not being followed? And my second question is, what is the punitive action for not following ordinances? What happens to me if I don't pay my sales tax? What happens if me as a business owner, I don't collect that sales tax and pay it? What happens

to you as a city when you don't follow your own ordinance? I'll find out in Fedrackck because you guys are supposed to be speaking to this. So, I'm curious to know what's up with that and what is the punitive actions when one side of the fence doesn't follow an ordinance, but the other one is required to. And for my last comments, um I have comments, not comments. Yeah, I do have a comment on consent agenda item number K, vehicles for the parks. I find it interesting after we moved $8 million over from ARPA to the general fund and then we spent another $900,000 in January on vehicles that somehow these vehicles for the parks couldn't get in there. Instead, we're having to raise a fund for it. Doesn't look good. Good night.

All right. Thanks, Paul. All right, Betty Taylor and then Harold Booker. Good evening. My name is Betty Taylor. Um um when you when you when you have a medical emergency, you call 911 and they send out a medic to your home. to assess the situation to to um try to figure out why you called them in the first place. Well, on uh April 3rd, I had a medical emergency at my home and um I called 911. They came to my home and they basically were asking me a bunch of questions about, you know, basically what was going on and I proceeded to tell them. And so, um, but then I couldn't really talk really because I I couldn't breathe. So, um, I I just couldn't breathe. So like, you know, one of the medics said, um, we'll take a deep breath, count to 10, breathe slow. I couldn't even do that. Another medic was in the, uh, my kitchen. And in my kitchen, I had um a medicine bottle on the on the counter. Well, I seen the medic guy. He picked up the medicine and he put it back down. And then he said, this is what he said. He said that he said um you need to ask your doctor to put you on anxiety pills. I really thought that was totally out of line. So, um, time went on and so, um, went into the hallway and out in the hallway, you know, um, one of the medics

said, um, you're going to be home within 2 hours, so you'll be back home in 2 hours. I get to the hospital, come to find out, I had pneumonia. I couldn't breathe because I had pneumonia. I felt that um somebody making a statement about your doctor needs to give you anxiety medication that's totally out of protocol. I don't think that's in within their training. I called 911 after I got home and I asked to speak to somebody in superior because I needed to address what happened in my home. So I did and as I told my story to the person that he was a high somebody in high authority, you know, I told my story to him, he said, "You know what? This is not our training. This is not what we do." And I said, "I didn't think so." So then the guy said, he said, "Well, you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to talk to the medics that came to see you. I'm going to make sure they know that that was not their job to do that because we don't train like that." So anyway, I asked him, I said, "When you do that, can you call me back?" So the guy did that. He called me back and then he said he straightened out everything and he talked to the medics. So anyway, um I I just felt that that was really dispect disrespectful, but I'm so glad I was able to call and speak speak about what happened to me and have somebody address it. So that's all.

Thank you, Betty. It's good to see you again. Glad to see her on the mend. All right. Uh, Harold Booker.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the council, Council President Honda. My name is Harold Booker. I'm a resident of Federal Way for 63 years. And yes, I've known Lynn for a long time. Um, I am here to speak a little bit tonight. Again, many of the folks who come to provide public comment, they come to talk about a what they have a topic, a subject, a something that they are interested in sharing and sharing their thoughts and their opinions and trying to get the city's attention. I want to talk to you about the how because on that dis you have a lot of pressures. You have a lot of folks, people, citizens, committees, commissions, the city staff that are all looking for your attention in your time. And that's wonderful. But what's important to me is the how. Because we have a representative government and we expect you guys to make a lot of decisions that we don't necessarily need to know the details of. But I care about the how. How you work as a committee, as a council, as a team. Do you respect each other? Do you work hand in hand with each other? Do you ensure that all of the council members have an equal level of information so they can represent us? Because if we are just making sure that we've dotted the eyes and crossed the tees, that we are legal on a controversial subject. That is a really low bar.

I anticipate of course you're legal. That's a low hurdle to cross. That hurdle doesn't inspire people. Now, a high hurdle would be working collaboratively together, having collaborative discussions, clean and honest debates, and then making a decision, that's a great way to go. But if our bar, Mr. Mayor, is when it's a controversy, I just have to make sure we dotted the eyes and cross the tees, that's the low hurdle. I want you guys to aim for the high hurdle to work together smoothly. Have that debate and then make a decision and move on. It's okay. Sometimes I'm going to be on the wrong side of the what and sometimes I'm on the right side of the what. That's all right as long as the process builds a culture for our city of collaborating, working together in a dignified fashion. Thank you.

All right. Thank you. All right, that concludes uh public comment. Thank you so much for those that provided comment. Um all right, now uh moving on to consent agenda. These items have gone through committee and can be passed all at once or approved all at once, but after I read each of the items, uh I'll ask if council members would want to pull an item for separate consideration. All right. Item A, approve the minutes for the April 4th, 2026 city council special meeting, the retreat. Item B, approve the minutes for the April 7th, 2026 city council special and regular meetings. Item C, request for additional contract authorization 21st Avenue um at 3 South 320th Street signal and pedestrian improvements. Item D, authorized bid award and fund transfer for the South 320th Street preservation project. Item E, resolution for the partially assigning the Ziply Fiber Pacific LLC franchise to NFC Northwest LLC. Item F, authorize officer wellness grant application 2026 through 2027. Item G, approve the interlocal agreement, city of Federal Way and the city uh and the Federal Way School District for 2025 through 2026 school resource officers. Item H, King County Youth and Amateur Sports Grant acceptance, summer experiences and enrichment for youth. Item I, acceptance for the Brook Lake Master Plan. Item J, approve amendments to security services contract. Item K, approve funding allocations for parks vehicles. And item L, the um authorize expand fleet, purchase stage trailer, and allocate King County levy funds. All right, council. Is there a Is there a motion to um um pull any of these items? Council member Sephidas.

Yeah, I'd like to pull item A. All right. A a All right, council. Any other items to be pulled? All right. Uh council president. Yes. I move approval of the consent agenda items B through L. Second. Been a motion, a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I I opposed. Matters passed unanimously. Item A, Council Member Sephids.

Yeah. Um I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for for that um retreat. I found it to be very insightful, very useful and helpful and I think it's taken us to a level that we're going to be more cohesive and work together very um collectively. And I also liked the fact that we worked on our uh on on the core competencies, primary challenges and guiding principles. And hopefully those would be posted somewhere where we can all see them visually. But just wanted to say thank you um for that moment and time together. And hopefully we'll do this on a regular basis where we're not talking about work. We're just talking about our relationship and how to build that cohesive u working together at least for the next two years while we're all here at this um here. So, thank you so much.

Great. Thank you, Council Moore. Uh, thank you. In in response to my colleague, uh, Council Safedson, I I think, uh, having another, uh, retreat, uh, I think was requested at least by two or three people. I'm not really sure. And I know that council president has asked uh, for more ideas on that and what to be covered in that. So, I'm hoping I say that to say that I hope that we will uh, have one potentially in the summertime. So, it's just a suggestion. So, all right. Thank you. All right. Um, Council President Hund, do you have a motion? Uh, I move approval of item A from the consent agenda. Second. It's been a motion, a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor?

I opposed. All right. Matter passes unanimously. Now we are on to um item six, public hearing. Um item eight, public hearing for the 2025 consolidated annual performance and evaluation report, otherwise known as the caper. Angelina Allen uh uh Pissy um community services manager.

Good evening, Mayor Pharaoh, uh Council President Honda and council members Angelina Allen PC, community uh community development manager clicker. Sorry. And actually at this time I'll open the public hearing on this item.

Thank you. Okay. Sorry about that. Should the city council approve the 2025 program year consolidated annual performance and evaluation report known as the caper? So, just to give a quick background, I know this was uh discussed at the April 7th first public hearing. Um the community development block grant consolidated annual performance and evaluation report or caper is an annual report required by HUD that details how the city used its community development block grant or CDBG funds and other grants to meet housing and community development needs. It reports on progress that was achieved towards goals set in the approved annual action plan. So the how the funds were were allocated last year, uh we focused on three different areas, economic development, which you can see in the chart. Um homeless prevention and suitable living environments. Um unfortunately for affordable housing, that wasn't an area that the organizations that received CDBG funds had a primary focus. Total expendited was around 671,000 and residents serve were 609 unduplicated residents here in Federal Way. So the timeline um you've seen this but I wanted to sort of reiterate where we are. Um last um on April 7th we had the first public hearing. We're going through the second public hearing today. Um to date we have not received any public comments. Um and then the caper is due by HUD on May 1st. So the options that are before you uh is to approve the 2025 program year caper or do not approve it and then provide direction to staff. Uh the mayor's recommendation is option one

and I will stop there if there are questions. Thank you. Thank you. Uh council any questions? All right. A great job Angelina. Thank you so much for the work you do. Okay. Um let's see here. Council member Cessum, do you have a mo do you have a motion? I do. I move to close the public hearing. Second. It's been a motion, a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I I opposed. Matter pass unanimously. All right. Item item B. Um, uh, Angeline, I think you're you're here for this one as well. Back again.

This is the public hearing on amendment number four, 2019 community develop block grant CDBG annual action plan. Um, I will now open the public hearing and um uh you're free to uh the floor is yours. Thank you. So, the policy question is should city council approve the fourth amendment to the 2019 comm Angel can I can I go back? Sure. Was was there I want to make sure the record's clear. Was there anybody who signed up for public hearing on the last on the last item? No, there was not. Okay. I want to make sure the record's clear on that. All right. Sorry, Angeline.

No worries. Okay. Um, let me see if I can go back to the Okay. Should city council approve the first amendment to the 2024 community development block grant annual action plan?

I see that. Apologies again. Uh, so the proposed allocation uh Oh, that wasn't me. Okay. All right. I'll start over. So, I've said the policy question. I'm not sure what's happening. with the clicker says we're done clickers. So go ahead. Do you want to read this again?

Let me read this again. I apologize. Um, should city council approve the fourth amendment to the 2019 community development block grant annual action plan?

So again, what is a CDBG annual action plan? It is required yearly. It's a document that is submitted by the city to HUD that outlines how we spend CDBG funds. It details specific projects, activities, and resources to meet local affordable housing and community development needs for the upcoming year. So we are looking at a fourth amendment to the 2019 annual action plan. Uh we are proposing we have $258,55925 in CDBG which is community development block grant corona virus cares act currently that was unallocated. These are monies that we would like to use to fund the purchase of a temporary barricades or ballards um trailers and related equipment for the 316th street festival street conversion. funds must be spent um next uh in two months, June 26, or they're subject to recapture by US Department of Treasury. We had a public hearing uh that public comment period ended on April 11th. There was a public hearing on April 7th. The second public hearing is tonight and also a council decision afterwards. Um to date, again, we have not received no comments. So, the recommendation is either to approve the proposed fourth amendment to the 2019 community development block grant annual action plan or do not approve it um and provide staff direction. And the mayor's recommendation is option one. And I'll stop there if there are questions.

Council, any questions? I do. Oh, sorry. I I have question. I'm sorry. I didn't see your light. Council President Hund. Thank you. Um so this was a money from the co era correct in which we were uh trying to provide money for people to to survive to to eat and to stay in their homes to drive their cars. Why wasn't this money spent during that time and why have we been holding on to it for all these years? It's a very good question and unfortunately I wasn't here when this occurred. True.

Um, so I learned about it when I first joined rejoined the city last year in June. Plus there was a lot of turnover with HUD in terms of understanding where uh we had funding uh within with HUD for Corona virus funds. And so when we learned about it, I learned about it last year. I thought that we had seven years to spend the funding, but then I was told earlier this year we only had six years. And that six-year time was going to time out in Jan in in June of 26 of this year.

So, this is going to uh purchase temporary removable barricades, two trailers, and equipment necessary for their transport, placement, and removal in support of the conversion of South 316th Street to a Festival Street. Can you tell me how that benefits those that are low and moderate income in that area? So it's still when we think of Corona virus during that period of time we're looking at ensuring that there is space for people to be able to go to markets or if they wanted to eat outside. And so this is creating a safe space for people to be able to to go to the uh to the the for food to be able to go to the the market and uh be able to uh purchase goods, purchase produce without having to worry about, you know, airborne diseases and that kind of thing because they're outside. Um and this where this area is at, it's in a low moderate income area benefit. So it also qualifies under HUD's eligibility guidelines. All right. Thank you.

Okay. Any other questions? Okay. Uh do we have any public comment on this? Okay. No, no public comment. Um great job again, Angelina. Um and uh let's see here. Um let's see. Council member Cessum, do you have a motion? I move to close the public hearing. Second. All right. There's been a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I I

opposed. All right. Matter passes unanimously. Great job. All right. Now, boy, you got a lot of these tonight. Um, okay. Item C, public hearing, uh, a public hearing on amendment number one, 2024, community develop block grant, CDBG annual action plan. Um, all right, Angelina, the floor is yours. Okay. But, uh, before you I'm sorry, I got got to do something real quick. I need to open the public hearing. Um and um uh and at that point now now please proceed.

Thank you. So should city council approve the first amendment to the 2024 community development block grant annual action plan? Again as I'll reiterate a CDBG annual action plan. It's a yearly document that's required by HUD and in terms of outlining how the spitting how the city will spend its CDBG funds. It details specific projects, activities, and resources to meet local affordable housing and community development needs for the upcoming year. So, this is the first amendment, and we are proposing to allocate uh about $196,720 in unallocated 2024 CDBG funds to a new activity, which would be in support of the downtown Civic Plaza, the temporary project. This is to help also combine with the 850,000 that um city has received in congressional appropriation. It wasn't included in the original adopted plan. Um and h requires that a subst a substantial amendment with public notice and comment. Again, there was a public comment period that ended April 11th. There was the first public hearing that was held on April 7th. This is the second public hearing and council decision tonight. Um and and again to date we have not received any public comments.

All right. I'm sorry, Mayor Farah. I was just going to say the options before you again is to approve the proposed first amendment to the 2024 community development um annual action plan or do not approve and then provide staff direction and the mayor's recommendation is option one. All right. Thank you. All right. Council, any questions? All right, Heather, do we have any uh uh public comment? Okay. Uh the that answer was no. Um all right, Council Member Cessums. I move to close the public hearing. Is there a second? Second. Okay. Otherwise, we're going to keep going. Um there's been a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I'm sorry. Sorry. Yeah.

Yeah. Sorry. I was thinking um from the from item B and C. I think that the two public hearings that we just heard,

it seems like we do hold on to funds that, you know, CDBG funds that are allocated for our cities and then we we use them somehow that still benefits the population that we're supposed to benefit, but sometimes not in such a meaningful way. it it's a rush work or whatever and not blaming hopefully but um you know it's um when when we look at CDBG funds it's like to eliminate um slum and blight serve um low-inccome population around housing all these different you know um categories and so if we're mindful and did it allocated those funds in a timely manner and appropriately I think they would go or have gone to something where it really serves the population it's supposed to serve directly. And so it's just something I think we should in the future plan accordingly and think about it rather than holding on to the these funds because I know had had we known and used follow the timeline we could have done something different with it. And to your question also, uh, council president, um, rather than it being used for stuff that I know there's going to be a great use for this and we're probably going to be happy we have it, but yet I think we could have done better and so it's just something I would like to put out there and caution. Um, so

and I know it's it's and if I

if I can just address the council members comment then um city attorney if you have another comment please join in. So, um we plan to bring um uh anformational item to the next park direct human services committee meeting to to discuss this exact topic of timeliness and how to spend the CDBG monies in a in a thoughtful and more um purposeful way as opposed to what we've been doing which has been cleaning out the back closet basically which is what these last two have been more like is spending them before we have to give them back potentially to the federal government. So, we plan to come forward uh and and start a conversation with the city council about being a little bit more thoughtful moving forward with kind of a portion of the CDBG funds. So, that's coming to the next parks rec human services public safety committee.

Thank you. Brian, did you have anything? I just oh Brian my recollection was that we had a plan to use these funds and there was a fire and we were unable to execute them in the time frame required by HUD and so we had to re re rep so it wasn't for lack of foresight it was maybe a lack of contingency planning but the intent was not to just not spend them um there was a plan did you say fire could you uh fire for a house I believe it was originally was going to go housing and that I believe there was a fire that prevented us from implementing the funds how we wanted to. So

we should look into that more but we certainly had plans. It was this was this is our third or fourth I think attempt on this. So no thank you for that. Yeah. All right.

Yeah. I would say that that I appreciate council member Sadawazin's comments. I know she has a lot of experience in this field of human services and and CB CBDG funds as well. Uh I I think the only thing I would maybe consider um is that that area where we want to kind of redevelop a little bit has been blighted quite a bit for a long long long time. And I think it is for for this situation I think it is a good use of uh funds to be used on on that area because it's going to bring a lot of life a lot more life um and synergy into into that immediate area. Um, so, um, just something that kind of came up to my mind as as you were speaking with with all due respect.

Well, just take care of the slum and bite. So, okay. We're still with the objective. All right. Is there any more discussion? I have a question. Oh, council council president. So, thank you. So, when this was originally discussed a few weeks ago, you know, I brought up that people are still hungry. you know, we might maybe using the some of the funding to uh help feed people or pay their rent, but uh have we ever returned any CDBG funds or any other grant funds that we weren't able to use? Not to my understanding, Keith? Not that I'm aware of either. Okay, that's good news. Yeah. Don't want to do that. Okay. Okay. Thank you, Council Hamilton.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. I very much appreciate uh council member's point. I think I we don't ever want to give money back to the federal government. We want to spend it um and we want to spend it, you know, in a timely manner. But I do um know that our farmers market is someplace where people line up sometimes, okay,

early in the morning for food vouchers. And so I think it is meeting a need to feed people and also um the farmers market is unique because one of the objectives and the outcomes of the plan here is expand economic opportunities, increase local opportunities and create jobs and I know the farmers market does that as as well. It's sort of a small business incubator. And so um I do feel comfortable with where the money is going. Do I wish it was spent a little sooner so we weren't rushing? Yes. But I'm very comfortable with how it's being spent right now. That's all. Thank you.

All right. Um, we've had a couple of council members that need to leave the dis. Um, so why don't we take and we've been we've been at this now for uh uh several hours. Um, uh, why don't we have a brief recess like five, seven minutes? We have a pending motion on the floor. Could we vote on that first? Well, we've got two members that are out. It's just to close the public hearing. Okay. It's generally considered inappropriate to take a recess with a motion on the floor. Okay. All right. There's been a u there's been a motion, a second discussion. Um all those in favor of closing the public hearing. I I

opposed. All right. Uh it it passes unanimously. Thank you, Angel. Okay. Uh why don't we take a 7 minute break? Um and u we'll reconvene at um at uh 8:36.

All right, I'll call the meeting back to order. Uh, we are now on item 6D, um, public hearing for vacation of a portion of 16th Avenue South. Um, I'll now open the public hearing. We're going to hear from Leonard Spedoni, senior engineering, senior engineering uh plans reviewer. Sorry, Leonard, I thought the senior related to you as opposed to Anyway, our Leonard Spedoni, our senior engineering uh plans reviewer. Leonard, good evening, Mayor Frell, Council President, Council members. We the policy question before us tonight is the proposed street vacation of a portion of 16th Avenue South. As you see before you, we have a the exhibit B is the is the Balden area on 16th Avenue and the aerial photo right next to it is what it is currently used as a parking area and bus turnaround background. The subject public rideway 16th Avenue South is located between South 304th Street and South 305th Place adjacent to Pacific Highway South. The public rideway has historically been and is currently used as a p as a parking lot and bus turnaround at the Federal Way High School. The area of public rideway in question is approximately 375 lineal feet long or 19,317 square ft. The proposed street vacation serves the public through ensuring the legal right for Federal Way School District and Federal Way High School to continue to maintain and use this area for the school bus turnaround and for visitor parking.

This will benefit the students, the fam, the school families, the general Federal Way community by facilitating additional access to Memorial Field. By acquiring the property, Federal Way School District will assume all rights, obligations, and liability associated with upkeep, maintenance, and use. The district will take several measures to deter cross through traffic from the Jify Loop property by installing one way or do not enter signs, but the district will not block or gate the access. Federal Way School District will purchase the rideway from city of Fed the city of Federal Way for $347,76 for the area of 19,317 square ft. The valuation is based on a third-p partyy appraisal dated July 1st, 2024. Based on city code and state law, half of the revenue received by the city as compensation for the area vacated must be dedicated to the acquisition, improvement, development, and related maintenance of public open space or transportation capital projects and the remainder will go into the street operation fund. The Fedway School District will allow offhour parking to the public in the vacated area parking lot. The parking area will also continue to be additional public parking for stadium events. The bus turnaround will be open and available for public use to provide a turnaround at the southern end of 16th

Avenue South. The proposed vacation will not interfere with future development or access to other adjacent properties. As again you see the exhibit B. It is the lower portion of the exhibit in the Balden area as it ends on the where 16th Avenue has u dead end. And again the aerial photo showing the current use. Questions? Council, any questions? Council President, thank you. Uh, what could the funding that we get be used for? Again,

it can be used for open space, for maintenance, acquisition. Um, it can be used also for transportation, uh, capital projects for half of the revenue. The other half will go into the general, uh, maintenance fund for the public works. And what is the total again? $347,37. And it can be used for to purchase open space. It can be used for purchase open space. Half of it half of it will it will be divided equally between uh a open space potential or into and in then also into the public um maintenance fund. Okay. Thank you. All right. Council, any other questions? All right. Great job, Leonard. Thank you.

Thank you. Um do we have any public comment? Okay. Um Okay. And uh Council Member Walsh, do you have a motion? Yes. I move to close the public hearing. Is there a second? Second. It's been a motion, a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Uh the hearing's now closed. All right. Item seven, uh council business. Um uh you may recognize some of these items. We just had gone through them. Um, so item A, approve the 2025 consolidated annual performance and evaluation report caper. This was the item you presented previously. That's correct. And Angela, Angeline, do you have anything to add?

I do not. I'm just here if there are additional questions. Very good. Okay. Um, council, there any other questions? All right. Um, let's see. Customers, do you have a motion? I do. I move approval of the proposed 2025 consolidated annual performance and eval evaluation report. Second. It's been a motion, a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Matter passes unanimously. Item B, approve the amendment for number four, 2019 community development block grant CDBG annual action plan. Um, Council Member Cessum, do you have a motion?

I do. I move approval of the proposed fourth amendment to the 2019 community development block grant annual action plan. Second. It's been a motion. It's been a motion. A second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I I opposed. Matter passes unanimously. Item C, approve amendment number one, 20 uh 2024, community development block grant, CDBG annual action plan. Council member Cessums. I move approval of the proposed first amendment to the 2024 community development block grant annual action plan. Second.

It's been a motion, a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Matter pass unanimously. Great job, Angelina. Thank you very much. Um, why don't you take the rest of the day off? All right. That always works. All right. 15 minutes.

Exactly. All right. Uh okay. Now, item D, approved letter of support Tacoma Dome Link Extension. Brian Davis, city administrator. Thank you, Mayor. Uh in your packet is a draft letter that um you I believe all of you have had a chance to look at. Uh we uh got review back from the mayor and council president who gave their approval and uh sent it to you and now we just need to take formal action for the benefit of the public. This is a a letter written to the Sound Transit Board that uh expresses support for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension light rail project. Um we reached out or I reached out to my counterpart in the city of Tacoma. He was very encouraged that the council uh requested that this be an action item. So, they're very appreciative of our support for uh Tacoma and the connection that this light rail uh route would make from uh Federal Way to Tacoma. So, the letter uh in in summary highlights the strong relationship that we have with Sound Transit, the benefit that we have had from having two light rail stations open up uh well, one at downtown, the other at Starlake, which is just outside of city, but largely affects u the city as well. and um as well as the OMF South uh project that we are currently working on located on 336 uh just east of PAC highway. Uh so emphasizes the relationship that we have with Sound Transit which is a good one and encourage uh Sound Transit to recognize the value in the Tacoma Dome Link Extension project as they face u um future present and future uh financing issues with many of their projects. And so they're discussing and prioritizing which projects to scale back. And so this letter reaffirms the importance of uh the TDLE project and not to have it go away.

All right. Brian and uh and and Heather, is this letter if anybody wanted to take a look at it for transparency purposes or just for curiosity? Is it available online on the in the packet? It's in the packet. Okay. Very good. I just just in case anybody would like to take a look at the exact language. Uh or you could contact anyone, you know, my office and get a copy of it. Um Okay. Um, any questions of Brian? All right. Um, uh, C Oh, Council Moore,

I think the only comment I I have, mayor, is it was a good letter, a solid letter. Um, and, uh, I I would just, uh, ask for some thought to be given to maybe put online. Uh, meaning just that letter on on Facebook saying that here's what we've done. Um, because I think it's it's a pretty big issue and I want to let people know about it. So, uh, I don't know there I'll let you guys think about that, but Okay. It's something I would highly recommend. All right, Ben, let's talk about that about maybe putting putting a post out. Okay. Thank you very much. All right. Um, Council President Hana, do you have a motion? Yes. I move to approve the letter of support for the Tacoma Dome Link Link extension. Second.

It's been a motion, a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Matter passes unanimously. Thank you, Brian. Item E, the 2025 2027 collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters Local Union number 117 uh representing police commanders. Uh Julian.

Hi. Good evening. Uh Mayor Frell, Council President Honda, and council members. Uh some background information. The commander rank is the senior leadership rank below deputy chief in the police department. We currently have five uh commanders. The police commanders are organized as a union and represented by teamsters number 117. The city is represented by HR, law, uh a deputy chief, and a contracted labor attorney. The city's negotiation team meets periodically uh with council in executive session to get authority and guidance during the negotiation process. The teamsters and city management have reached a tenative agreement contingent on city council ratification. The teamsters have already voted on and approved the proposed contract. Changes uh in this contract most there's a lot of cleanup of language and grammar throughout that isn't substantive. It increases wages for 2025 with a 3.5% cola. an increase for 2026 of a 3.5% cola and a wage reopener for 2027. It adds a viva contribution from the city of $500 per year. It increases executive leave from 20 hours to 30 hours per year and allows commanders to cash out the value of up to 30 of these hours each year. And it does uh carry over up to 60 hours from year to year. It increases the uniform allowance to $300 for all commanders except CIS and admin commanders which continue to receive a $600 clothing allowance. And it increases the cap on sick leave cash out to 30% or 324 hours maximum for

commanders who have 30 or more years of service with the city and federal way. And lastly, we've expanded the use of police vehicles for personal use to include whoever is assigned as the command duty officer. The cost to the city to implement the contract is estimated to be $1.34 million for 2025 and 1.39 million in 2026. This is an increase of 62,000 um in 2025 over the previous contract and a $114,000 increase for 2026. Additionally, there will be an increase of $114,000 for 2027 plus whatever um cola is negotiated for 2027. The mayor recommends approval of the proposed contract with Teamsters Local Union number 117 representing police commanders.

All right. Thank you, Julian. Any questions? All right. Uh, Council President Honda. I move approval of the proposed contract. Second. Second. It's been a motion, a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Matter passes unanimously. Thank you again. Item eight, ordinances. Item a 8A, first reading, council bill 930, ordinance, repeal of local authority over class 4 forest practice applications. First, we'll have a report from Holly Bozac, our planning manager. Um, and have we received any public comment on this? All right. Thank you, Holly.

Good evening, Mayor, Council President, and Council members. Some of you may be having some deja vu. However, I'm up here tonight to present to you for the second first reading of the repeal of forest practices rather than the lovely Caitlyn. Uh, as some of you may remember, we brought this to you um for a number of reasons I'll get into later, but first let me say the policy question this evening is should the city council approve code amendments to return permit review of forest practices back to the state, specifically the DNR? And the background on sorry that there is our policy question for you and the background information just to remind you all is that community development staff recommended returning permit review to the state to free up a little bit more staff time for us locally especially with all of the bills that have come from the legislature that have impacted permit review timelines and set permit review timelines. for us. Master Builders requested that this be reconsidered in January. It was then kicked back to LUTC and that presentation happened last month. Uh following conversations with master builders, they have since decided that they are in support of the repeal and the local staff has started working on a process for early clearing grade which was kind of the middle ground in meeting master builders. So the proposed amendments are consistent with the applicable provisions of the comprehensive plan, bear a substantial relationship to public health, safety, and welfare, and are in the best interest of the city. Your options are adopt the proposed

ordinance for amendments to title 19 for the repeal of forest practices or do not adopt. Mayor's recommendation is to approve the proposed ordinance. Council, any questions? All right. Would the city clerk please read the ordinance title? And great job, Ollie. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, council bill 930, ordinance repeal of local authority over class 4 forest practice applications. An ordinance of the city of Federal Way, Washington, relating to class 4 general force practice applications amending Federal Way Revised Code 19120 010 and 19120 020 and repealing Federal Revised Code as described in the written title.

All right. Uh, Council Walsh, I move to forward the proposed ordinance to the May 5, 2026 council meeting for second reading and enactment. Second. It's been a motion to second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? Oh, I'm sorry. Hold on. I'm sorry. Uh before we vote, Council Member Hamilton.

Uh yes. I I just wanted to thank again the uh the staff um in community development and thank you Holly for your presentation. Um, since I was the one who kicked it back, I feel like I I need to thank our staff for giving us the time to None of us are experts in building homes and and we received feedback from master builders almost immediately, but not only master builders, but several individual builders had sent us emails. And so, um, I think that we come up with the best policy when all voices are at the table. And I think that's exactly what happened. And so I think we're coming up with a good policy and I feel very comfortable um voting for this now. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, Council Walsh. All right. Uh yeah, I mean we had great discussions with the master builders and great meeting with them and they met with the mayor as well and and so I I think that this has had a great outcome in the end. Customer assessments. Oh, okay. All right. All right. All right. Thank you. All right. There's been a motion, a second, and discussion. All those in favor? I I opposed. All right. On to second reading. Thank you again, Holly. Thank you. All right. All right. Now, moving on uh to 8B, first reading. Council Bill 935, our ordinance uh conditional approval to vacate a portion of 16th Avenue South. Um Leonard, anything to add from your report?

No, not at all. I just was in case someone had questions. Very good. Thank you. Um okay. Um and did we um and again, there was no public comment on this. All right. Would the city clerk please read the ordinance title? Council bill 935, ordinance, conditional approval to vacate a portion of 16th Avenue South. An ordinance of the city of Federal Way, Washington, relating to conditional approval of a street vacation for a portion of 16th Avenue South to Federal Way Public Schools. All right. Uh, thank you, Council Walsh. I move to forward the proposed ordinance of the May 19, 2026 council meeting for second reading and enactment. Second. There's been a motion, a second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor I

opposed. All right. Matter passes unanimously. Thank you, Leonard. Item C, first reading, council bill 936, ordinance approval of massage parlor massage business ordinance. Um, first we'll have a uh uh a presentation from Assistant City Attorney Adam Gadbury. Um, and is there any public comment that's been sub submitted for this? Okay, Adam.

Okay. Uh, good evening, Mayor Mayor Frell. Council President Honda and council members um tonight is before you uh should the council enact a new massage business ordinance. Uh the purpose of the ordinance is to add a new chapter 12.65 65 to the Federal Way Revised Code uh in order to provide the police with additional tools to investigate and prosecute illicit massage businesses, prostitution, money laundering, human and human trafficking schemes uh while also protecting legitimate business owners, massage practitioners, and the general public who utilize these services. So, as a reminder from when we discussed this at the parks committee, uh what does the ordinance require? It will mirror state law requiring massage therapists to be properly properly licensed by the Washington Department of Health. It will require owners and managers to ensure that their employees are properly licensed by the state uh and that they have uh they're not presenting invalid or fraudulently um licensed credentials. Uh it requires that those valid license to be conspicuously displayed for easy ver verification by both police and the public. It prohibits internal warning systems. It regulates the hours of operations to be between 6:00 a.m. and 1000 p.m. It prohibits the locking of front doors during business hours and it prohibits uh cash transactions. So, the options are forward the proposed ordinance to the May 5th, 2026 council meeting for its second reading and adoption or do not forward the proposed ordinance and provide direction to staff. The mayor's recommendation is option one. And with that, I will answer any questions or have discussion.

All right. Uh, council coach. No, I'm just glad we're finally addressing this issue. I've been worried about it for a long time as I know many of my colleagues have as far as human trafficking and uh illegal operation and you know some of these women, they're trapped and uh not just women, it's children. So, it's it's been a big worry. I'm glad they're finally addressing it. Me, too. Thank you, uh, Council Hamilton.

Yeah. Thank you, Adam, for your report and your work on this and mayor, your work on this. I really appreciate this. Um, there's been a lot of uh news stories about this topic even in the last couple days about what cities are doing with uh massage parlors. And I I just want to be very clear that our city is taking this action to address human trafficking and victims of human trafficking. These are victims and they are trapped in a very bad situation. And this is one way that we can address helping those victims. And as council member Coachar said, sometimes these victims are underage minors. So it's also exploitation of minors. And also, you know, as our city attorney said, um protects the public from rogue actors because massage uh is a form of health care and if they don't have a license and they're not real health care providers, it protects the public in that way. So, I just wanted to make that comment and um just know that your city council is working to address uh human trafficking and that's why we're voting on this.

All right, C. Thank you, Council President Honda. Thank you. When we discussed this at the uh council committee meeting, I asked or made a couple of suggestions as to how to inform the businesses that we have this new ordinance. Has there been any discussion about how businesses will be informed that that this now exists?

Uh the typically the city is not required to handel or advertise other than what we've we're doing in the paper required by law to advertise the ordinances. Um I'll defer the mayor's office on how much you want to do on communication. And I I I would counsel against doing too much because it it can set a precedent where we're we're having to actively message to every single business when we have little changes here and there. And I I think that may set a poor precedent. Um I I think there's been articles in the paper recently. I this is advertised already in the paper. I I think the the or the businesses themselves are probably hopefully savvy enough to be monitoring this um on their own. Let's get uh Chief um when enforcement action is taken. Is there Can you talk tell us a little bit about um you know um there there probably likely some lo some of these locations you're concerned about? Would we uh would some of our officers go in and let them know about this prior to any kind of enforcement?

Absolutely. when we make contact with the businesses, we'll uh educate them on the ordinance and the laws uh pertaining to uh massage business. Okay. Is that like part of the um special operations unit or the proact units or what who who uh engages in uh these types of investigations? Uh special investigations unit. They're part of um they're assigned to the criminal investigation section.

Okay. and uh we've we've had several um undercover operations and have made arrests pertaining to these types of businesses in the past year or so. Uh this ordinance will definitely enhance uh public safety in federal A and uh it won't take long for these uh businesses who are involved in illegal activity for them to know that there's an ordinance now and then we will be enforcing it and we will make our community safer uh through this ordinance. So, we we want to thank you for this uh when this ordinance goes through, it'll give more teeth to our investigators to uh regulate and manage these type of businesses in our community. Great. Thank you.

Great. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Council President. All right. Any other questions? Oh, Council Moore.

Uh thank you so much. Uh Chief, you just took the words out of my mouth there, so thank you. Um you know, I have to say, um and and thank you to my colleagues for your comments. I think they're spot on. OB obviously um uh this is definitely a step in the right direction and and I think uh forgive me for repeating some of the words that has been stated but u you know I know that we've all driven around Federalway and you kind of um you hope that it's not happening uh as you're driving past those businesses um uh but the reality is that uh you know wherever in Washington state it may be happening u with those type of businesses and others quite Frankly, so this uh ordinance is absolute in the right right a step in the right direction. Um and uh I I think just like Chief just alluded or just said and that's our officers need tools uh not just financial tools and and equipment but also legal tools uh to be able to do their job. And so, uh, I'm thankful for the work that our, uh, PD department will will be doing, uh, to to, um, uh, make sure that this is not happening federal, uh, and that we have true businesses, uh, and that we're holding accountable the ones that are not businesses. Um, and so, um, I do think, um, that, um, I I'm hoping that we're going to be monitoring this and seeing how it goes. And I hope that we'll go back to drawing board and and if need be strengthen this ordinance. Um because I wonder if there's more work to be done with this in the future. Uh cuz I I don't uh want to make I just want to make sure that Fedaway is not a place for anything um like human trafficking or anything that's unethical to to take place. Um so um with that, thank you to

all those that that have been part of this effort. Councor Hamilton. Yeah. Um, just made me think of a question probably for the chief. Do we have uh victim services for people who are rescued out of these situations where we can connect them to services? Yeah, I don't I don't particularly know the organization that would assist uh victims of human trafficking, but it will be something we'll definitely, you know, look into and see what we can do to assist them. Okay. I think that would be very important. Otherwise, they just go right back into it. You know, it seems like maybe case arc would be a um you know, in the cases that I had um with regard to this council.

Yeah, I think there's a house in De Moines's of course is just uh I think uh Representative Tina Orwell was involved with that with um re rehabilitating people who have been trapped in that kind of a situation. But I I'm not sure, but I think Kesark would be a good place to start. Council Hamilton, you want to tell people about Kesark? No, you don't.

Okay. At Kesark, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, um when when cases like this get filed, if there's anybody that's on the on, you know, on on that, you know, that's working there that's been um uh victimized. Um uh it's the common practice at the King County Prosecutor's Office to uh work handinhand with the King County Sexual Assault, uh Resource Center, the Case ARC. They assign a um um a um counsel, not a counselor, but a facilitator, an advocate, and uh that those advocates on those cases show up to preliminary cases, you know, uh interviews, uh court appearances, and trial.

Yeah. Yeah. Uh yeah. And we fund case. Yes. With our CDBG funding. Thank you. We always ask for That's right. That's right. It's a great organization. Um, okay. Any other questions? Oh, Council Member Wolf. Yeah, I was just going to say, I mean, we had a representative from the Kesar board here this morning or this. It's been a long evening. Yeah. Earlier this evening to to receive the proclamation. And so, I'm I'm very glad that this we're having this ordinance. Uh last year I I' discussed something along this line with staff and I don't know whether they followed on my suggestion or or one of the other council members or the mayors or whatever, but I'm very glad to see this this happening and uh um so anyway, yeah,

excited about it. Me too. Thank you, Couns. Oh, I'm sorry. Do you have couns? I move to forward the proposed ordinance to the May 5, 2026 council meeting for a second reading and enactment. Second. It's been a motion to second, but before we do that, um Heather, can you please read the ordinance title? Yes. Council Bill 936, approval of massage business ordinance, an ordinance of the city of Federal Way, Washington, relating to massage businesses, adding a new chapter 12.65 65 Federal Way Revised Code um including sections as detailed in the written title.

All right, there's been a motion, a second. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor? I I opposed. Matter passes unanimously. On to second reading. Thank you, Adam. Good job. Okay, council reports. It's the second meeting of the month. We'll start with uh uh position number seven. Council member Coach Mark.

Uh thank you very much, Mayor. I just want to remind everybody about the U town hall meeting. As we've already mentioned, uh, at 6 PM at Olympic View Elementary School is a time for you to come and talk. And, uh, if you have issues with your neighborhood or with anything else within the city, it's a good time to come talk. We'll have presentations by staff. And I want to say thank you to I feel like such a baby complaining about this flag. I I have it sitting here because it's um, it takes down the swelling. I feel like I'm holding a flag in the air, but I I I just want to say thank you to my colleagues and to the people of the community who have put on my coat, cut my meat, open the doors, and things that I can't do with only one hand, especially as a left hand. So, thank you all. Two weeks, I'm done. I won't complain about it anymore. Uh my 8-year-old granddaughter, tomboy, fell out of a tree, broke her arm, and she was off swimming in a pool with a a a cast in her arm. I thought she was going to drown, but um so I know that as you get older it's harder to do, but I tell you when you get older it hurts. But anyway, thank you to all of you who have been so thoughtful. I sincerely appreciate it and for all the rides to get me where I needed to go. Thank you.

You're welcome. Customers,

uh let's see, participating in the destination federal way. Uh lots of uh fun there meeting the different people and hearing the presentations participated in the gardening project uh during uh at Blueberry Farm uh as part of the parks appreciation day. Uh it's good to see a lot of people out there uh participating in the Visaki 2026 celebration at the Germad Center. Uh learned a lot. Um very very much uh so about the sick religion and culture. Uh looking forward to the Federal Way Little League baseball jamberee on Saturday. Looking forward also to the Gerafuna Heritage Month celebration at Town Square Park. That's on the 25th. and um especially looking forward to the April 30th uh Federal Way public forum.

Very good. That's it. All right. Thank you, Council Member Walsh.

Uh I made most of my comments uh earlier on. Uh I I will uh uh second what what Councilman Cesman said about the Weaki uh celebration of the sick community. I mean, just talk about great community members and and so welcoming and and everything. just just a it's great to have him here in the city. Um uh w with the just on a personal note at the parks appreciation day. the the the fire department came later on with their truck and or their strung a long long hose out there and and watered the the stuff and they had the the little kids be able to hold the hose and and my my little 5-year-old grandson got to hold the hose there for him and he thought that was the coolest thing ever and so and and some of the other kids did too. So, I mean just just a great great community event. Uh just a reminder uh right around April 25th, 2027 will be the next parks appreciation day. Put it on your calendar now.

All right, sounds good. Thank you, Council Hamilton.

Thank you, Mayor. I'll just give a quick rundown on some of my activities last couple weeks. uh attended the diversity commission meeting um earlier in the month and we have a great group of people working on some great things in the city particularly the the festival coming up and um it was it was fun it was here in this room and uh it's one of my goals to visit uh each commission um in the first year so that was one of the first ones that I was able to visit and then uh attended the hot off the presses is event that the Fedway Mirror holds at Poverty Bay Cafe and that was a fun uh event because they were honoring all of their hometown heroes over the last year and so there was a lot of great people there who are being honored for doing a lot of good work in the community attended uh council member Pete Bone Wright Bear's good eggs and uh that's always a great uh event where uh our count our county council member does a really great job pulling uh city electeds together to to learn about what's going on in the region and then uh participated in the parks appreciation event. Got to uh see what was going on at all three parks. Thank you so much to our park staff and to council member Jack Walsh. I didn't know the history of the event and so hearing you talk about the history was was really good to hear about and uh got my car washed at the Youth Commission car wash. great event uh raising funds for the youth and what they're doing. Attended this morning the storming the sound and uh I named my fish Squirmy. Watched him go down the little tube and uh yeah, that that was fun. I had never been to that event uh because I'm not in fourth grade. So, but apparently all the

fourth graders in the in the local schools go and they get to learn about the life cycles of salmon. And so it was a really well attended event. And then lastly, I found out uh this week that I will probably not be able to attend the opening day of the farmers market, which kind of bums me out, but the reason why is because that is my daughter's college graduation,

and she is graduating from St. Martins with her bachelor's in communications. and we're going to have uh a big event honoring her as a family because she is moving on. Uh she was accepted to Gonzega Law School. So, uh she's going to be gone for for good in a couple months here and so we're going to miss her. So, we're going to give her a big send off. So, I hope that the farmers market goes well and I will attend the following uh Saturday. All right. Thank you, Council Moore. Oh, and congratulations to your daughter. Yes. And go Zags. Yes. There you go. All right. Castle more.

Well, congratulations to your daughter. I mean, being a graduate from St. Martins's University, um it is a special place where you uh grow a lot and um it's just a great university. And of course, I know you've gone there when it was a college.

I must have forgotten that. Interesting. There's something in the air. Um anyways, so um so congratulations to that. Um just for believe it or not, four items on my uh council report. They're each take 10 minutes long. So I'm grateful for my colleagues for just kidding. Uh but first item is uh Puget Sound Energy. Um, one of the things I've been hearing quite a bit on social media is uh people are uh really um worried about the future of their bill and uh I'm not sure what role we have. I don't think we have a role. We do. Okay. I I could You want me to explain?

Actually, I yield the floor to you, mayor.

All right. Well, thank you. We have actually been very very concerned about uh what has been um PSSE has put in a filing with the UTC uh to increase rates again uh which would be a dramatic increase uh on people's uh gas and electricity. We um in anticipation of this earlier this week we met with our two lobbyists to discuss our strategy. the 80% of the increase is based on um the uh the legislature has put certain guidelines in regard to clean and green energy and there are at least 11 different projects that will need to be uh built um in the next several years as a result um and there there was uh some other uh infrastructure um uh that are that's going to be required uh to be installed and so uh PSSE in in response to those init initiatives and directives by the state legislature has uh uh made a filing with the um utilities commission um to increase rates yet again. Um so we are working on a legislative and legal strategy. Um, number one and most importantly is u we have um we're we're in the process right now of inviting PSSE to come to the council give and give give a presentation because I'm concerned not only um about the several hundred,000 that it's likely going to cost the city in our budget but more importantly and most importantly is the impact it's going to have on the people in our community and not just the the folks on on the bubble everybody. So, we're going to ask for PSSE to show here and and to provide and we're going to have ask a representative of of the UTC to be here as well. Um there we're going to be the state attorney general's office um had

previously on another filing at the UTC um had um um had uh uh is is objecting to that and had filed a um and so we're we're hoping to perhaps perhaps get the um reach out to the attorney general's office and get them involved. Um but at at this stage the most important thing is to get this out and we're um at a meeting in the very near future PSSE will be uh hopefully we'll answer our call and uh we'll we'll show up here and give a presentation and then we'll need to talk about strategy moving forward.

Yeah. And and mayor I I sincerely appreciate that because I I know that uh from us on the dis to the residents here uh we're all concerned uh about this. Um, that's just a it's just a fact. And and it's good to hear you say that it's not just going to be residents, it's going to be impacted, but it's also it's going to be impacted on our budget. Y uh especially as we're getting ready to build the budget. So, I think there needs to I I hope we can look at all the legalities and all the ways we can do to kind of

get the message to them and and I hesitate in saying do something, but do something uh because it's, you know, I I think a lot's happening and we're putting a lot of pressure on our residents. um and uh for them to um to do this and keep doing this uh there seems to be a uh injustice uh to uh the payers um quite frankly and I think that that's a huge huge concern and uh I also would invite and and maybe you're already thinking about this but uh add it to a topic um uh for the April 30th uh town hall uh as well so that way people know that we're on top of it you're on top of it. We're on top of it. Uh and that's very much a thought process. Just another Thank you. just another avenue to get the word out. So, uh moving on. Um uh just like uh my colleagues have stated, I also attended the SEK community um gathering and that was absolutely phenomenal. Uh and the history uh that uh was shared with me uh was both um horrific uh injustice um and there's uh good tras uh moments of goodness uh in that history. Uh and just want to thank the um uh the people that were um I don't know what to call them. My guides uh my tour guides. I don't know what to call them.

Yeah.

Uh guides. Okay. Um, so they did a really good great job. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn more uh from our city community and make sure that um they're and I know that we all believe in this. Um but uh speaking for myself, I just want to make sure that um they know that they're welcomed and they're going to be celebrated and are celebrated. Um, and so we u um you know I'm looking forward to seeing what else I can do to learn and be engaged with them. Uh next uh Decar High School football call coach Matt uh Vienna uh was recognized um in our federal mirror on March 27th. I have been um uh had the privilege of being his guest teacher several times. If you have not met Matt, he is an incredible leader in in uh our schools. Uh he is one of the most downto-earth human beings and has done a lot. He served as a as a coach for Decar High School for nearly eight years. Um and the program was I'm ashamed to say not that good. Um but he is uh really taking it to a whole new level uh which is incredible. And now I'm really excited to uh learned uh to have learned that Evan Cook uh will be uh taking over as the head coach. Uh Evan is a phenomenal phenomenal once again down to earth human being uh who does a lot with our youth. Uh and so um I just wanted to kind of take the moment to congratulate both Matt uh for his service uh towards our school and really our city. Um and uh and Evan uh Evan lives right here in Fedway. uh and so it's really cool to and uh that he was named as the head coach and and look forward to all the good things that he'll do really to to impact our students and and for the program there.

Uh so want to do a little shout out to him. Um also wanted to uh acknowledge and uh thank uh chair um Jack Walsh, Council Member Walsh. Uh we had a good meeting uh just last week. Um and we're going to be uh taking up a new issue. Uh and I've already been in communication with the mayor's office on this, so it won't be a surprise. I know he loves to be surprised. Um but uh we're going to bring up pan handling once again. Uh it's an issue that uh has um it's just not right. Um and I know that some will disagree with me. Um you know, and that's okay. Uh, but I look forward to uh seeing what we can do to uh gather up funding uh to uh pilot um a sign uh uh some signage or fund the program. So, of course, we'll research it in your committee, the land use and transportation committee. Um but I'd like to see some signage that says keep the change, donate to a nonprofit. I think it's really really important. Um, and so that's an issue that I've once advocated for, uh, in my second term, uh, in office. Uh, and we're going to bring it back up. I know that my colleagues have, some of my colleagues have been thinking about it. Uh, but, uh, it's an issue that I look forward to digging deep and talking more about that. So, uh, that's something that I I'll be bringing up. And with that, I will end my council report. Thank you, Mayor.

All right. Thank you. Council President, do you have any more on PSC? Yes, on PSC. So they had uh maybe two months ago they were at the Federal Way Library uh talking to citizens and offering some um rebates and reduce rates for senior citizens. But one of the things that I was talking to their staff about was uh in Arizona, we have friends in Arizona and they have to be really careful when they use their power because they have increased rates during the day. especially when families come home between the hours of 4 and 8, uh, their power rates are increased and PSC is talking about doing that here.

So, which would be um not a good thing. Uh, it's not a good thing for those folks in Arizona that I talked to. And I I hope that they don't do that, but uh perhaps we need to bring that up when when we talk with them and and the lobbyists. Can I sneak in a little bit and say something? Thank you. I wonder if that's something we can also add to our list of agenda for next year. Oh, it's already on. There you go. I I've already told our lobbyist and and so it's just it's just crazy. It shouldn't be happening and and I hope we can do whatever we can to advocate for our residents. All right. Thank you. Yeah, we're going to do that. All right, Council Sepha Dawson.

Yes, thank you. um with Fuga Sound Energy. Actually, I did um have a presentation for King County Housing Authority residents who are in my program and they do have a a program actually for people with low income. And so I can share that information with you because they're really doing a huge outreach throughout King County um or their service area to help people and a lot of people who signed up um are getting huge discount um all the way to zero and if they owe um um if they have passroughs actually that could be eliminated 100% and then they'll get um um service. So that happens. And then to your point also um during that presentation they talked about hours where you could do laundry where it's cheaper, you know, where you could actually use your um power and so um I can share that information, send it to you, mayor or um Amy, uh for it to be shared with other council members so we could get the word out. So yeah, thank you for bringing it up. Um, so they're doing something for a population that otherwise cannot afford it, but more needs to be done because I've noticed my um, bill is really huge. So, and if it's going to increase, then it's going to be very challenging. Um, and then of course, Martin, you and I have had this conversation around pan handling, and I know in the past when it came up, we were told that it's their um, first amendment speech, right?

Yep. So, um I I do have a concern, but barring that that I also have a concern that we're making a lot of assumptions when we say donate to a nonprofit. Um first of all, I don't see it as much anymore. Maybe I'm not in the right area. Um but at the same time, I think that's something that I do not support and I've shared that with you in the past. So, um I guess it's up for discussion and we'll talk about it more. But I think we're making a lot of assumptions when we make this kind of propos proposition and not even talking to the nonprofits who may or may not serve the population that you're trying to serve in a different way. So, and um I have no report. Um a lot of the things that were addressed here and brought up I attended the ones I could and the ones I can't do to work um I wasn't there. But um I'm glad to be here with all of you and thank you for representing us very well.

All right. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you. So, thank you to everyone who went to the car wash on Saturday. The youth commission made over $600. It was $10 a car. So, that's a lot of cars that they washed. Uh once again, the senior health fair is May 12th from 10 to 1. That's a Tuesday at the Performing Arts and Event Center, excuse me. and we hope to see everyone there. I'd encourage people to support their local school events. I uh the Federal Way High School drama department is doing The Sound of Music, the opening night is May 8th. I've been looking forward to that all year because that's my favorite movie. I don't really watch movies, but I love that movie. And uh so I've been looking forward to that one all year. And I know that other high schools are al also doing musicals this year. So support your high schools. Uh, the Federal Way Quantes is celebrating their 70th annual salmon bake this year. July 24th, the fourth Friday. There are five Fridays in July. So, if you think it's the last Friday, you're wrong. It's always the fourth Friday. So, July 24th from 4 to 8 at Steel Lake Park. Tickets are going on sale soon. And, um, thank you to the community who stayed all for the whole meeting. That's awesome. We appreciate that. All right. Well, great job. Uh, thank you to uh my colleagues up here in the dis. Thank you. Great meeting. Thank you to the staff. Thank you to the public for which we serve. We are adjourned.