Want a more trusted FW City Council? Let the public speak | Guest column

There is a simple truth in municipal government: If City Hall wants our trust, its decision-making must begin with hearing the voice of the public.

I thought about that a lot as the Federal Way City Council approved the development of a youth psychiatric treatment center in the city. While the outcome was noble, the process surrounding this decision raises serious concerns about whether we’re truly honoring the principles of open government and whether we’re actually respecting the people’s voice.

The issue here is not the treatment center itself – the need for expanded mental health resources, particularly for young people, is undeniable. But it was an important decision for the council with many potential consequences for residents in the community, and it was a decision made with minimal public input, limited outreach, and an unnecessary urgency that unacceptably shut the public out.

When a project like this is on the table, one that could have far-reaching effects on neighborhoods, traffic, safety, and city resources, the community should be meaningfully involved before final decisions are made. Transparency is not just a buzzword for politicians to throw around – it’s the foundation of effective democratic leadership and a prerequisite for earning the public’s trust.

I have long been a strong advocate for public involvement in City Hall’s decision-making. This includes my time on the council, when I pushed for more public comment opportunities, helped launch an online budget dashboard that showed residents exactly where their tax dollars were going, and worked to get all committee meetings televised.

So, it was disappointing to see Councilmember Paul McDaniel voted to move the project forward without more thoroughly engaging the public. The approval process for a project as impactful as this one demanded far more deliberation, outreach, and time for residents to weigh in. Instead, the council chose to proceed and exclude Federal Way residents from a decision that directly impacts their homes, families, and neighborhoods.

Too many of those residents only found out about the treatment center after it was already moving toward approval. They had no chance to attend informational sessions, were locked out of expert input presented, and were denied the chance to engage in open dialogue, something especially needed considering the proposed location is so close to the Federal Way Community Center.

That lack of involvement wasn’t just a discarded formality; this was a missed opportunity to foster community ownership around a potentially impactful project. When government is transparent and inclusive, people are far likelier to support even difficult decisions. When residents are included in decision-making, we become partners in progress.

But when people learn about major decisions affecting their lives only after the fact, faith in government and investment in community are eroded. And rebuilding trust takes far more time and effort than destroying it.

I want to thank the councilmembers that feel the same, namely Councilmembers Walsh, Jack Dovey, and Linda Kochmar. All advocated for a more deliberate process, and their willingness to study the issue more closely and invite broad community feedback reflects the kind of thoughtful leadership we can all respect.

I want to see Federal Way follow their lead and recommit to the values that strengthen local democracy. Public engagement isn’t a chore, it’s a responsibility. Open government isn’t a burden, it’s a promise. Transparency isn’t a roadblock – it’s the brightest path forward.

Local resident Martin Moore is a former member of the Federal Way City Council.