Votes at a glance: Federal Way council approves EV code changes, T‑Mobile franchise, Teamsters contract and other items

The Federal Way City Council passed multiple items unanimously at its Feb. 4 meeting, approving ordinances, agreements and a collective bargaining agreement. Key actions included new electric-vehicle code rules, a non‑exclusive T‑Mobile franchise, permit-timeline code updates to comply with state law, and a two‑year Teamsters contract for parks and public‑works maintenance employees.

Highlights

- Electric-vehicle code amendments (Council Bill 895): Council enacted amendments to the municipal code related to electric‑vehicle infrastructure and permitting. The ordinance added a new municipal chapter and amended multiple code sections.

- T‑Mobile West LLC franchise (Council Bill 896): Council granted a non‑exclusive franchise to T‑Mobile West LLC to occupy rights-of-way to construct and maintain telecommunications facilities in the city.

- Permit timeline and code changes (Council Bills 897 and 898): Council adopted code changes implementing state-mandated project-permit review processes and timelines under Senate Bill 5290, amending relevant titles in both the zoning and subdivision codes.

- Teamsters Local 763 collective bargaining agreement (2025–2026): The council authorized the mayor to execute a two‑year tentative agreement covering Parks and Public Works maintenance employees. The deal includes 3.5% cost‑of‑living adjustments for both years, limited market wage adjustments, a shift-change pay increase, and a one‑time $1,000 “cleanup incentive” payment for members who supported encampment cleanups. The estimated 2025 cost of the contract is approximately $4.5 million; the 2026 cost is estimated at about $4.8 million.

- Attorney General’s Office Gun Violence Reduction Grant acceptance: Council accepted a $150,000 grant (the meeting packet indicated $150,000) to support gun-safety efforts; the city indicated $100,000 of that funding will be used to purchase electronic gun safes for a first-come, first-served giveaway and $50,000 will fund gun buyback events. Council discussed giving local vendors an opportunity to bid for safe purchases.

- Property acquisition resolution for conservation and future parks use: Council approved a resolution authorizing joint acquisition of a parcel near Steel Lake for conservation and future park use; funding will be shared between the surface-water utility and parks levy funds.

- Consent agenda items and other routine approvals: The council approved minutes, financial reports, vouchers, an agreement for Pierce Transit federal extra-duty police services, and authorization to acquire furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the joint-use operations facility.

Votes and formality: Most items were moved, seconded and adopted unanimously; several items were discussed in committee in advance and moved forward on one vote. No items failed at the Feb. 4 meeting.