Federal Way committee forwards camera contract, multiple grants and program approvals to Oct. 21 consent agenda

The Human Services & Public Safety Committee forwarded a slate of funding and contract items to the Oct. 21 City Council consent agenda after a meeting on Oct. 14, moving several grants and agreements closer to final approval.

Committee members voted, without recorded dissent, to advance a proposed amendment to the city’s contract with Flock Safety (a license-plate reader service), accept a $1,525,000 King County Parks Levy aquatics facilities grant for pool repairs at the Federal Way Community Center, and forward the city’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan for a second public hearing and subsequent council action. The committee also forwarded the city’s participation in the Association of Washington Cities Center for Quality Communities (AWC CQC) student scholarship program, the Federal Way Arts Commission grant recommendations, the Port of Seattle Economic Development Partnership grant acceptances, and authorization to accept an AWC/Department of Commerce energy-audit grant and related contracts for “investment-grade” energy audits of four city facilities.

Why it matters: the package moves multiple funding decisions and contracts that will affect infrastructure, arts funding and human services programs to the full council for final approval and possible spending. Several of the actions accept or authorize federal, county or regional grant funds that require city acceptance and contract execution before work can begin.

Most important votes and next steps

- Flock Safety amendment: The committee approved forwarding a proposed two-year contract amendment that adds two additional license-plate-reading cameras and routes existing plate-reader data into Flock’s system. Deputy Chief Casey Jones said the cameras cost "between $3,000 and $5,000 each" and described previous operational delays but said the department has seen successes in stolen-vehicle recoveries. The committee voted to send the item to the Oct. 21 consent agenda for council approval. (Mover: Council Member Rhonda [recorded as "Rhonda"]; outcome: forwarded unanimously.)

- King County Parks Levy Aquatics Facilities Grant ($1,525,000): The committee approved forwarding acceptance of the King County grant to re-plaster the lap pool, replace boilers and heating systems, and upgrade the pump room at the Federal Way Community Center. Jake Pyatt, the city’s aquatics coordinator, said the grant would likely require competitive bidding for some work and that the lap pool could be closed for roughly two months during construction. (Mover: Council Member Honda; outcome: forwarded unanimously.)

- 2026 CDBG Annual Action Plan: The City’s proposed 2026 CDBG allocations and the Human Services Commission recommendations were presented at a public hearing. Staff noted the 2026 awards are contingent on federal funding and that the federal shutdown may delay receipt of funds; the committee voted to forward the plan to the Oct. 21 second public hearing and to the Nov. 5 full council business agenda for final action. (Mover: Council Member Dobie/Dobie; outcome: forwarded unanimously.)

- Federal Way Arts Commission grant recommendations: The committee voted to forward the Arts Commission’s 2026 grant funding recommendations for final council action on Oct. 21. Staff reported $42,500 allocated for arts grants and answered questions about applicant requests and existing MOUs with resident artist groups. (Mover: Council Member [unnamed motion indicating review]; outcome: forwarded unanimously.)

- Port of Seattle Economic Development Partnership grant (2025–26): Staff presented two proposed projects to use Port of Seattle partnership funds: a Federal Way public market business-plan and marketing project and a FIFA World Cup–related community event at the Performing Arts and Events Center. The committee moved the acceptance of the Port of Seattle grant funds to the Oct. 21 consent agenda. (Mover: Council Member Honda; outcome: forwarded unanimously.)

- AWC/Department of Commerce energy-audit grant and investment-grade audits: Staff asked for authorization to accept a Washington Department of Commerce / Association of Washington Cities grant and to contract with DES and McDonald Miller for investment-grade energy audits of City Hall, Dumas Bay Center, the Federal Way Community Center and the Performing Arts & Events Center. Staff said these audits are intended to identify energy-efficiency upgrades to help the city meet Washington’s clean-building performance requirements. The committee voted to forward acceptance and contract authorization to the Oct. 21 consent agenda. (Mover: Council Member Honda; outcome: forwarded unanimously.)

Other procedural votes

- Approval of the committee minutes for Sept. 9, 2025 was moved and approved unanimously.

What the committee heard from the public

Public commenters included John Gilliland of Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King-Kittitas, who spoke about continuing funding for the organization's home-repair program in Federal Way, and David Harrison, executive director of Fusion in Federal Way, who requested continued support for shelter and family services. Organizations seeking CDBG funding and other human-services applicants presented summaries of program needs during a public hearing on the CDBG action plan.

What comes next

All items forwarded to the Oct. 21 consent agenda will appear before the full City Council for final action; items tied to federal or county grants will require contract execution and, in some cases, competitive procurement before work begins. The CDBG 2026 plan is explicitly contingent on federal funding availability; staff told the committee that applicants are notified that awards are "subject to availability of funding."