Federal Way City Council Member Mark Koppang resigned from his position on the council at Tuesday night’s meeting after recently accepting a new job that requires him to relocate to California.

His resignation goes into effect July 31.

“This is, I think, one of the most momentous experiences of my life is being able to serve my city in this capacity,” Koppang said.

Koppang will be taking on a new role as Director of Sustainability for the Raley’s Supermarkets chain in Northern California. He plans to relocate to Sacramento by the end of July.

“It’s a new role for them,” he said at Tuesday night’s council meeting. “And it’s a role that I think really reflects not only their commitment to sustainability, but I think it’s the reality of the business world that we really need to be more socially responsible.”

The council will fill the seat through an appointment process similar to earlier this year when Greg Baruso was chosen to fill Jesse Johnson’s seat, the City shared in a news release.

Following the process, the council is tentatively planning to host candidate interviews via Zoom Wednesday, Sept. 9 and/or Thursday, Sept. 10 with the swearing-in ceremony to take place Sept. 15.

Koppang, who was elected to the City Council in November 2015 and reelected in 2019, currently chairs the Land Use and Transportation Committee and is a member of the Finance, Economic Development and Regional Affairs Committee.

Previously, Koppang served as the Chair of the Council Parks & Recreation, Human Services and Public Safety Commission, where he most notably moved the recommendations of the Violence Prevention Coalition Steering Committee forward to enactment by the Council.

“It has been an honor for me to serve the residents of Federal Way as a member of the council,” said Koppang, a longtime Marine Hills resident. “With a 20-year vision and a focus on maintaining a balanced budget, I believe I have honored the trust I was given by the citizens of Federal Way. My focus has been on finding ways to optimize city services and infrastructure in the interest of meeting the evolving needs of our city and residents while still maintaining the high quality of life we enjoy here for years to come.”

Koppang’s roots in the community were deep.

In addition to serving as a Federal Way Rotarian and Kiwanian he also served on the boards of the Boys & Girls Club and Advancing Leadership. Prior to serving on the Council, Koppang chaired the Federal Way Public Schools Citizens Superintendent Search Committee, and chaired three City Commissions: Parks & Recreation, Civil Service, and the Independent Salary Commission.

“Council member Koppang is a valued member of our council and we will miss him,” Council President Susan Honda said. “He has been very involved in several committees and organizations here in Federal Way and has volunteered many hours to make our city a better place to live. We wish him the very best as he starts a new job and thank him for his years of service to the Federal Way community.”

Koppang will be awarded the Key to the City by Mayor Jim Ferrell at the next opportunity for larger groups to congregate per King County moving into the appropriate phase.

“Mark is more than deserving of the City’s highest honor thanks to his many years of dedicated service on the City Council,” Ferrell said. “His devotion to our community and the thought and effort he put into making critical decisions for the future of our city has played a pivotal role in where we now stand in the region.”

Ferrell said Koppang has always put the needs of the community at the forefront of any decision.

“Having lived in Federal Way for more than 30 years, Mark’s insight into what he has witnessed as our city has grown and transformed has been invaluable to this council,” Ferrell said. “We will miss him and I wish him the best as he moves forward on a new path in his life.”

Koppang’s last appearance on the council will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 at a special council meeting to discuss the second round of the CARES Act funding grants.