The Federal Way City Council awarded American Rescue Plan Act money, considered new building tax exemptions and welcomed five new police officers during the July 18 meeting.
Council addresses tax exemptions for housing developers
The council took a first look and public hearing on establishing a temporary tax exemption for housing developers.
The city hired a consultant to review city code and policies for opportunities to improve housing production, and one of Heartland LLC’s recommendations was to expand the city’s multi-family property tax exemption to areas zoned “Community Business,” according to a presentation by Community Development Director Keith Niven.
In plain English, “it’s a property tax exemption for a limited period of time … that changes the economics in the favor of the developer to … build projects where they might not otherwise build them,” Niven said. “The city still collects sales tax on construction, plus once that limited time expires, the assessed value on that property takes advantage of the redevelopment.”
In other words, the city misses out on some property tax short-term but could stand to benefit from greater property tax collections as places are redeveloped.
The council unanimously voted to send the matter to their Aug. 8 meeting for a second reading and enactment.
New officers join FWPD
Five new entry-level police officers, all recent police academy graduates, joined the Federal Way Police Department, sworn in by Mayor Jim Ferrell.
“These officers are quality individuals,” Police Chief Andy Hwang said. “They’re people of integrity. We’re fortunate to have them as part of our team and serving our community.”
The officers are:
• Joshua Jackman, a former quality technical coach for Caliber Collision.
• Joshua Lee, a U.S. Army and Marine Corps veteran who was honorably discharged earlier this year.
• Joshua Power, a former corrections corporal for the Mason County Sheriff’s Department.
• Adam Taylor, a former Sound Transit security officer.
• Tiana Woo, a former security officer for the University Village in Seattle.
Also on Tuesday…
• The city and council honored the Federal Way Little League Seniors, who won the state baseball championship and will represent Federal Way and Washington State at the West Regional Senior Little League All-Star Tournament from July 20-26 in Oakland, California. To support the team financially, visit: gofundme.com/f/fwnll-senior-all-stars-headed-to-regionals
• The council proclaimed July 26 as National Disability Independence Day.
• The council approved a resolution amending the process for naming city property like new buildings, structures and parks. The process would have ideas brainstormed by the city, council and public go through the mayor’s office, city commission, council committee and finally the council for approval. Names would need to have public support and avoid existing similar names, and those based on organically-developed names (such as Mirror Lake Elementary and Mirror Lake) would be favored. The vote was 5-2; councilmembers Lydia Assefa-Dawson and Jack Dovey voted against it.
• The council took a first reading of an ordinance to renew the Steel Lake Management District. They’ll take a second reading on the matter Aug. 8.
• The council authorized the city to accept a $30 million grant from the State Department of Transportation (by legislative action) for the design and right-of-way acquisition of the City Center Access Project. No matching funds were required.
• The council approved recommendations for awarding grants funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, including: $175,000 to Bridging a Gap for their feeding program; the Federal Way Community Caregiving Network for rent assistance; FUSION for housing assistance; and the Multi-Service Center for food and community services. An additional $100,000 was approved for InterCultural Children and Family Services’ “Fathers in Transition” program.
