Ryan Call

The meeting commenced with public comment regarding the greenway project, specifically addressing concerns about vehicle encroachment on the planned path due to minimal curb separation and advocating for a design that ensures pedestrian safety, especially given the route connects to a high school. Committee business included the approval of the minutes from the February 2nd, 2026 meeting. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the approval of the 2025 annual NPDES report, detailing compliance across ten sections related to stormwater management, public education, mapping, illicit discharge detection, construction runoff control, and operations maintenance. Finally, the committee addressed the authorization to award the street sweeping services contract, with the lowest responsive bidder, McDunnana and Sons Incorporated, being recommended. Discussions also covered the comparison between the two received bids and the frequency of residential street sweeping.

The City Council special meeting was convened for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the Parks Commission. The session included the Pledge of Allegiance and introductory remarks from the Council President. Candidates presented their qualifications and motivations for serving. Discussion topics with candidates centered on their favorite parks, views on community involvement in park maintenance, and suggestions for park improvements, including creating more inclusive playground features such as accessible swings and alternative ground cover to replace sawdust. One candidate, who works in personal injury law, provided input on liability concerns. Another candidate highlighted the importance of community events, like sports tournaments, for engaging youth in park usage. Council members also inquired about the candidates' interest in other commissions.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key agenda items involved official proclamations, specifically declaring March 2026 as Red Cross Month, recognizing the extensive humanitarian efforts of the American Red Cross, and proclaiming March 2026 as Women's History Month, acknowledging the vital contributions of women to the nation and the City of Federal Way's history and economy. The Todd Beamer High School cheer team was recognized and honored as the 2026 Washington State Champions, followed by remarks from the team members and coach regarding their dedication and achievement. The proceedings were temporarily interrupted by a power outage affecting recording equipment, requiring a brief technical recess.

The meeting of the Finance, Development, Economic, and Regional Affairs Committee commenced with public comment, during which a resident raised concerns regarding municipal finance reporting, specifically about an $8 million expenditure swing between October and December reports, and unfunded liabilities for capital improvement projects starting in 2027. The committee subsequently approved the summary minutes from the January 27th, 2026 meeting. A key agenda item involved presenting an amendment to the interlocal agreement between Pierce County and the city regarding extra duty assignments for police officers, which reflected a 3.5% pay increase. The committee voted to forward this proposed amendment to the March 3rd, 2026 consent agenda for approval. Additionally, the committee discussed and voted to authorize staff to apply for three Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grants for public facility needs in 2026, specifically targeting lighting upgrades at Sacajawea Park, trail development at Steel Lake Annex, and artificial turf replacement at Celebration Park, all of which qualify for a 10% match due to being in underserved communities. The discussion clarified funding sources for the required matches, noting that the existing grant for the turf project would serve as the match for the new RCO application.

The 2026-2031 Surface Water Management Utility Comprehensive Plan for the City of Federal Way outlines the management of surface water, regulatory compliance, and operational plans. Key objectives include protecting the natural and built environment through infrastructure management and capacity planning, preventing pollution via community outreach, and maximizing ratepayer value. The plan is guided by goals such as complying with stormwater permits, controlling floods, improving surface water quality, maintaining a strategic asset management program, and integrating social equity into all functions.