[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6225388,"mediaKeyId","3537321-499f3f467e0e1d5c931f5814b47ba0f9","parentId",3537321,"title","New economic development director summarizes ARPA-funded programs, grant-writing work and childcare wins","audioSeconds",3859,"startMs",3101000,"endMs",6960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537321-499f3f467e0e1d5c931f5814b47ba0f9&start=3101&end=6960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537321-499f3f467e0e1d5c931f5814b47ba0f9/thumbnail_3101000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6225388/Federal-Way/King-County/Washington/New-economic-development-director-summarizes-ARPA-funded-programs-grant-writing-work-and-childcare-wins","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225388-bdff1bfb3b66b6de659181ef1b4de56c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776020161&Signature=MQgymZO6nG4i5z~ZvjcG8mLLZGmYCa156-6pg-8U7ooOnfG9k8CJz9lT3Y7S4aG-W9WBBNIP2Al3IE7xvthMDap7FeZw4u5KvsPA0tjW2SD8okFY1DWUnLzhb0kDCQfXlypVxLzeMVPlq8YK-Q6tkVswLSv~KIv2kRLULXMuRJ0S8mtieaSwSYpCfHwi8ZAj3XqhiKlX3mTLZ97w6M0Vmhzgntds8Hv0tkkBk0F5PQtuSZ2wO2oEjA7jLKWQ7anp6Aa2MaZb4mdfkBvRnAv6UQuPE8lrRqzHqa5l9kWk4y-4QmSokj8bWqIUwl0mMkMGN9Nq0NECuHWTpm6iJi24gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Federal Way, WA","date","2025-05-27T23:13:55Z","article","Meredith Veil, Federal Way’s new economic development director, presented an informational report to the FEDRAC committee on May 27 summarizing multiple ongoing projects and contracts funded primarily through one-time ARPA allocations and other sources.

Veil said the presentation included updates on mobile surveillance trailers (MST) used by police for monitoring high-crime areas, an outsourced city grant-writing program that researched roughly 91 grants and helped secure several awards worth tens of thousands of dollars, a website audit and rebuild work (visitfederalway.org) and the shop-local marketplace effort. She also introduced partners who reported progress on two programs: a grant-writing and capacity service and a home-childcare expansion through the Imagine Institute.

On mobile surveillance, Veil said the city purchased additional MST units to expand real-time monitoring in parks and commercial areas; police data on uses and outcomes were not available during the meeting, and staff committed to follow up with counts and performance metrics by email. Council members asked whether deployments reduced crimes, where trailers were placed, whether businesses can request units, and whether any units were damaged; staff said they would provide a follow‑up report showing uses, outcomes and request procedures.

A contracted grant-writing team reported 596 hours of work across roughly a year, with about $211,000 in grants (including a CEDB/CURB award and an EECBG item in process) noted among outcomes described to the committee. The contractor also ran six grant- and fundraising-workshops, provided one-on-one grant-editing assistance and conducted follow-up grant-management work for awards that required reporting and compliance. Council members asked about the ongoing funding model: the pilot used ARPA/multi-year funds that have now lapsed, and staff said they will return in about 60–70 days with recommendations about continuing, narrowing or reallocating those resources.

Representatives from the Imagine Institute said work to license three in‑home childcare providers in Federal Way should create roughly 30 childcare slots when licensing is complete; the providers were in the DCYF licensing process with anticipated openings in June. The contract includes pass-through stipends to new providers (a $4,000 stipend noted) and shared-services supports (training, tax help, grant-writing assistance) intended to improve provider sustainability. Committee members asked about the program’s cost, the amount of pass-through funds (the presenter calculated about $45,600 of pass-through in the three‑provider cohort), and whether there is a waiting list; Imagine Institute said more providers had expressed interest and that the organization maintains a statewide queue.

Madcap/VisitFederalWay contractors reported that visitfederalway.org had been refreshed and is live; additional pages for economic development and engagefederalway.org work remain to be completed and face technical platform choices. The city marketing contract was terminated earlier and about $83,241 of that contract balance remained; staff said they were auditing deliverables and would return to committee with a proposed next-step plan to reallocate or complete remaining work.

Shop Local Federal Way (Member Marketplace) staff reported a relaunch of a directory and “start-to-cart” ecommerce education program; the directory includes more than 500 businesses and a targeted set of e-commerce trainings. Staff said the approach for the coming year would focus on building a full, searchable local directory and business-engagement features rather than a broad platform-wide ecommerce onboarding for all businesses.

Council direction and next steps included: staff will provide follow-up data on MST uses and outcomes, provide a clearer accounting of grant program results and grant-management needs, return within roughly 60–70 days with recommendations for how to manage unspent ARPA/ED funds, and pursue better analytics for the visit/site work and the shop-local platform.

Why it matters: The economic development portfolio covers multiple ARPA- and grant-funded pilot programs whose continuation or reallocation will affect next-year budget and program priorities across downtown redevelopment, workforce and small-business support.

What’s next: Staff will return with requested follow-ups (MST performance data, grant outcomes and ROI, and a proposal for unspent program funds) and a recommended plan for next steps in roughly 60–70 days.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05/27/2025 Finance/Economic Development/Regional Affairs Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Meredith Veil, Federal Way’s new economic development director, presented an informational report on May 27 covering mobile surveillance trailers, a city grant-writing pilot, website and marketing work, the Shop Local platform and an Imagine Institute home-childcare initiative.","taxTitle","Federal Way, King County, Washington","taxId",2589,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225393,"FEDRAC forwards acceptance of DHS-funded throwbot for bomb squad to council",377,1395000,1772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537321-499f3f467e0e1d5c931f5814b47ba0f9&start=1395&end=1772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537321-499f3f467e0e1d5c931f5814b47ba0f9/thumbnail_1395000.jpg","/articles/6225393/Federal-Way/King-County/Washington/FEDRAC-forwards-acceptance-of-DHS-funded-throwbot-for-bomb-squad-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225393-d4a67ce93ee2af06afb27bf04f7d9ba9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776020161&Signature=kFU1uoHjBgQ9D0D-2GMJ1JeiK2e~g2p39SMPP6~FB-ew67PBeWEJgww6MT3p31KDHe0gnaLvlqbCHluQnsyGb6Hw2TYBVq0xCruFBZ715N77TvfyIgRs61FULHEbpOs59aaWkOsX5JmJzjGM-WlWc6RZ5B~~DE4MsGGYZ8njFWiHP8PcvD7G77gVsQO81kMQAFDI1FVSua36vSfRVHadFipck6uqiMsYS3YSEAOxymQXC2SrNzCnOyBiEsQxc77pxpnanaZfTXMw77E0ENoMVJmx0jIghkFBZYdrrd-qYCLHErEnVwD23kioOOPRV35uooSBVAwYifVAhkWe3vPSUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Federal Way’s committee on May 27 voted to forward to the June 3 consent agenda a proposal for the police department to accept a Department of Homeland Security subaward: a Recon Robotics throwable robot (a “throwbot”) offered by the Seattle Police Department, valued at $18,120.

Deputy Chief Kyle Sumter summarized the funding pathway and the device’s operational use, saying the device would be assigned to the department’s bomb disposal unit and used to inspect suspicious packages and locations remotely. “It weighs a pound or 2. ... It listens, it looks, and it feeds back to the team that’s back here out of harm’s way,” Sumter said.

Sumter explained the grant structure: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded funds to the Washington Military Department; the state passed a subaward to King County Office of Emergency Management; King County subawarded to the Seattle Police Department; and Seattle offered a portion of its award to Federal Way as a subrecipient.

Committee members asked operational questions about the device: whether a subject could see or throw it back (Sumter: “They can see it. Oh, yeah. … They could throw it back. Things like that have happened.”), whether it could survive a fall onto concrete (Sumter: “It could be thrown out the window and land on the concrete down below and should be fine if it's not more than about 3 stories.”), and whether it could be shared with neighboring jurisdictions (Sumter: “It’ll be housed in our … we have a bomb disposal unit. Some of our neighbors don't. … We could go down there with them.”).

Sumter noted the device does not x-ray packages and that the department retains other x-ray gear for package inspection. He said the Seattle Police Department sought quotes for the throwbot and identified the $18,120 value for the unit.

After discussion, committee members moved the request to seek and accept the DHS grant to the June 3 consent agenda; the committee vote carried. Sumter said staff will provide a demonstration video for council and post a demonstration on the department’s Facebook page if the transfer is approved.

Why it matters: The throwbot is intended to let the bomb disposal team inspect suspicious items while keeping technicians at a safer standoff distance. The equipment is being acquired through a multi-level federal-to-local subaward process rather than a city-purchased procurement.

What’s next: The item is scheduled for the June 3 consent agenda for full council consideration; if approved, the police department will accept the device and integrate it into bomb squad operations.","The committee recommended forwarding a Department of Homeland Security grant subaward from Seattle Police to accept one Recon Robotics throwable robot (valued at $18,120) for the Federal Way Police Department bomb disposal unit to the June 3 consent agenda.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225398,"Federal Way committee advances $150,000 lodging-tax support for performing arts center to consent agenda",946,69000,1015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537321-499f3f467e0e1d5c931f5814b47ba0f9&start=69&end=1015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537321-499f3f467e0e1d5c931f5814b47ba0f9/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6225398/Federal-Way/King-County/Washington/Federal-Way-committee-advances-150000-lodging-tax-support-for-performing-arts-center-to-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225398-642023f1451f6a7fea362eb704c41110/orig.mp4?Expires=1776020161&Signature=Q4bbl5mrdtgfw0WFny6K5572K8hBnSJMerAKEnxxebO2HDtk1lDa53JOhLj1tZ9UZYUCjui3fq66ufKiDBKwgyxtSj23NHad1MXJCrmIrCnHA2rUX78AN6whaNKnOOxYxPVjr4NGcgIykA3jnXO-IYkTvpNEkYIoZOjCwptQH0dPrAXKL48ONxoutNRrdgp5zttXfF8I1QsvACETbNkcjH9XbETpAoTGcaZgkcYU-gmKWWcNAFnQuuZrEZb5IS3WlgYCu4pOGfzECTjJPvhIKZxjksmSiRZ9vBa1GXe9R7M4L0vTFJDp1xt88WHeNqsbESeNBBYkOLqBZJ1X7Lyj3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Federal Way’s FEDRAC committee on May 27 voted to forward to the June 3 consent agenda a recommendation to allocate $150,000 in lodging-tax funds to operational support for the city-owned Performing Arts Center.

The move comes after staff said the city reduced general fund support for the center and asked LTAC to cover the difference. Finance Director Steve Groom framed the request as a budget measure and emphasized the center’s role in tourism and downtown vitality.

Groom said the city previously subsidized the center at approximately $1 million in the 2023–24 biennium and reduced general-fund support to $700,000 per year in the current biennium. “We asked LTAC to review and comment. They did. Said they green lighted it and you as city council approved the budget with this hundred and $50,000 in it,” Groom said. He argued the center contributes to sales tax, lodging tax and the city’s regional brand and described it as “the single biggest investment in the city's regional brand.”

Several council members raised transparency questions about using lodging-tax (LTAC) dollars to support the facility’s operating budget instead of marketing “heads and beds.” Council Member Honda reviewed the RCW categories for lodging tax and noted that while LTAC traditionally funds “heads and beds” tourism marketing and special events, the statute also permits support for “the operation and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned by a municipality.” Honda said that, under that language, the Performing Arts Center qualifies as a tourism-related municipal facility.

One council member urged clearer labeling of the shift so the public understands the city is using lodging-tax funds rather than general fund dollars. “Let's just make sure we tell everybody what it really is, how we're doing it,” the council member said during the discussion.

Staff and council discussed timing and a process to secure a two-year LTAC commitment to avoid yearly repeats; staff said LTAC meets the second Wednesday of the month and could consider a 2026 application in June to permit a fuller review. Finance Director Groom noted the lodging-tax fund is budgeted at about $314,000 for the year with an accumulated fund balance near $2 million.

After discussion, a council member moved to forward the proposed tourism enhancement grant recommendation for the Performing Arts Center operational support (2025) to the June 3 consent agenda; the motion passed at committee. The forwarded item will return to full council for final action.

Why it matters: The use of lodging-tax dollars for city-owned facilities shifts the funding source for a recurring operating subsidy from the general fund to a restricted tourism revenue stream. That reallocation reduces immediate pressure on the general fund but raises transparency questions about statutory eligibility and long-term budgeting.

What’s next: The item is scheduled on the June 3 consent agenda for council consideration; staff said LTAC will review any multi-year application in its regular meeting schedule.","The FEDRAC committee voted to forward a recommendation to use $150,000 in lodging-tax (LTAC) funding to support the Federal Way Performing Arts Center to the June 3 consent agenda after staff and council members debated eligibility and transparency of the funding shift.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225383,"Finance director outlines $1.05M plan to fund collective-bargaining settlements in proposed budget amendment",663,8056000,8719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537321-499f3f467e0e1d5c931f5814b47ba0f9&start=8056&end=8719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537321-499f3f467e0e1d5c931f5814b47ba0f9/thumbnail_8056000.jpg","/articles/6225383/Federal-Way/King-County/Washington/Finance-director-outlines-105M-plan-to-fund-collective-bargaining-settlements-in-proposed-budget-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225383-7a2b1f9fc8e1f9ea27344614cef57b74/orig.mp4?Expires=1776020161&Signature=V4CIC0eVXM7Vh-wf0Li3xYGTJI3CLaBAekwVK-AJC6EPyG5SgxAIbnSlSe6J0uz4B7Xxv85M2pn01z7~1LtowD-1eEdfpxrEHE7S6oqagpFOEBY7owBCBI8yqyTR4XPBadnh1s4yumliCd0vORImD1Qg00Y9ZdUi8shkh~eAHcIXKIG~6V4SnI0cMIjIba0pIhR3Jw7MDjeqa7uyxcYFOm-kj5oEffcJJDZnkI8r2vOCNE3M-SR8Gd7Gt-NLhESHhcuez7NHPjphDUbrqbQ37Ol~ggEYjmQpNIRWWsngXu0RTuPILx~TiuubC8imck4eN8UNTz08pOIBAySw3lSreA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance Director Steve Groom presented a proposed ordinance (Ordinance 02/2025) to amend the 2025–26 biennial budget and fund a set of items including collective-bargaining settlements and several capital and IT expenditures. FEDRAC voted on May 27 to send the ordinance to public hearing and first reading on June 3.

Groom said the largest single need is roughly $1,050,000 to fund recently settled collective-bargaining agreements, including retroactive pay for certain units. To create capacity in the general fund, staff proposed a combination of a more favorable utility-tax forecast, a modest downward adjustment to sales-tax projections, and program-level revenue recognition (for example, right-of-way permitting revenue) that together would produce the net resources required to fund the settlements.

Groom described the approach: he expects utility-tax receipts to come in about $1.2 million higher than the budgeted forecast, while he recommended trimming sales-tax projections and recognizing an additional $300,000 of right-of-way and inspection fee revenue in the street fund. That right-of-way revenue would reduce the street fund’s need for general-fund subsidy and free up the offsetting general-fund dollars for collective-bargaining costs. Several smaller items in the amendment — including a $400,000 land purchase (Steel Lake), IT capital replacements, copier and equipment replacements, and park restricted-donation items — would be funded from existing restricted fund balances or specific revenue sources.

Groom warned that while the amendment balances the near-term obligations, the general fund will have less flexibility going forward and that sales-tax underperformance remains a risk. “If anything else comes up, we're going to have some really tough decisions,” he told the committee. The amendment will return to council for public hearing and first reading on June 3 and second reading on June 17.

Why it matters: The amendment would incorporate retroactive salary and benefits obligations into the adopted biennial budget and shift some capital purchases into available restricted fund balances. The change affects the city’s near-term fiscal flexibility and requires council adoption.

What’s next: Public hearing and first reading June 3; second reading and final adoption scheduled June 17.","Finance Director Steve Groom presented a proposed biennial budget amendment that would reforecast utility-tax receipts and reallocate various fund balances to cover $1,050,000 in collective-bargaining settlements and several restricted capital and IT items; the committee voted to send the ordinance to public hearing and first reading on June 3.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New economic development director summarizes ARPA-funded programs, grant-writing work and childcare wins

FEDRAC forwards acceptance of DHS-funded throwbot for bomb squad to council

Federal Way committee advances $150,000 lodging-tax support for performing arts center to consent agenda

Finance director outlines $1.05M plan to fund collective-bargaining settlements in proposed budget amendment