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Federal Way council interviews advisory candidates, forwards appointment recommendations to full council
Summary
City Council interviewed candidates for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Steel Lake Management District and the Diversity Commission, heard concerns about lake health and event planning, and reached consensus recommendations that will be voted on at the next public council meeting.
Federal Way City Council held public interviews for three advisory bodies, heard applicants’ priorities — from managing hotel demand around FIFA to keeping Steel Lake healthy — and agreed on recommendations to forward appointments to the full council for a formal vote.
Council President Moore opened the session and said the day’s agenda was limited to advisory‑body interviews. Applicants introduced themselves and described what they would bring to each committee.
Carmelo Lopez, general manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites, told the council his property is already seeing booking activity tied to FIFA and short booking windows ahead of large events. "Pretty excited about it," Lopez said about the opportunity FIFA presents; he also noted constraints at his location because parking is shared with an adjacent Marriott Courtyard and that overnight airport parking is limited by easement arrangements.
Chris Jordan, representing the King County Aquatic Center, described a multi‑year bidding process for major swimming events and highlighted an international ROV competition scheduled for June 2027. Jordan said the center is booked through 2028 and that improved communications with neighborhoods and local hotels are part of the facility’s plan to manage traffic and parking around large meets.
On Steel Lake, long‑time residents and prospective LMD members described lake‑health work. Gary Smith said a past water‑quality episode prompted him to write to the council: "when I looked at the lake one morning, it looked like it was dying." Bruce Myers described conducting regular goose counts and coordinating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on waterfowl management; he said the committee has used nest counts and "egg addling" when needed. Several applicants emphasized invasive plant control, algae management and public outreach.
Diversity Commission candidates emphasized representation and outreach. Carmen Kaler proposed regular cultural events to showcase Latino and other local communities; Ayanna Freeman said she would engage youth and school clubs; Donna Arnold highlighted accessibility improvements and services for residents with disabilities; and Ron Walker, the commission chair, underscored the commission’s role in drawing out community voices through events such as the city’s MLK celebration.
Councilors discussed reappointments and new members. For the Steel Lake LMD, councilors recommended forwarding Jeremy Benson, Bruce Myers, Ken Stark and Shay Eeks to the full council for formal appointment. For the Diversity Commission, councilors discussed reappointing Ron Walker and Donna Arnold and adding either Allison Fine (an existing alternate) or Carmen Kaler plus Ayanna Freeman for upcoming vacancies; staff advised that an alternate who applied within the council’s application window could be considered for a voting position without a new application.
No formal appointments were made during the interview session; staff said formal votes would occur at the public city council meeting minutes later. The interview portion concluded with a short heated exchange over the handling of an alternate’s consideration; the council then moved on to its regular agenda.
The council deferred formal action on all recommendations to the next public council meeting where votes will be recorded.
