Federal Way public pushes council to reverse limits on ceremonial flag raisings; council schedules further review

Mayor Jim Farrell opened the meeting and allowed an extended public comment period in which dozens of residents and community leaders addressed a recent council action limiting ceremonial flag raisings at City Hall.

Paul McDaniel, Council Member, urged a deliberative approach to city authority over flags but said his intent in raising the topic had been to shift decision-making from the mayor to the council. "My main purpose was to pull the power back from the mayor and give it back to the council for the decision," McDaniel said during his remarks.

Several speakers representing diverse organizations said the vote to restrict flag raisings had immediate emotional and civic consequences. Alexander Milstead (resident) told the council, "Repeal this garbage resolution at once immediately." Pastor George Houston, speaking on behalf of the Diversity Commission, said the commission had not been consulted before the item was placed on the Oct. 21 agenda and that removing symbolic recognition "may erode trust and cause harm." Lisonbee Fine, founder of Federal Bridal, said she had been "in…