Maple Valley Council approves MFTE ordinance repeal and schedules target-area hearing in split votes

The City of Maple Valley City Council debated and approved two related measures on April 6 that change aspects of the local Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program.

City Attorney Jeff Taraday introduced Ordinance No. O-26-876, which repeals subsection 3.50.040(d) of the Maple Valley Municipal Code — the provision related to adoption of a Residential Target Area for the city's MFTE program. Council discussed procedural considerations and the potential for future litigation before voting. Councilmember Victoria Schroff moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember John Herbert seconded; the motion passed 4-3, with Councilors Les Burberry, Victoria Schroff, John Herbert and Mayor Sean P. Kelly recorded in the majority and Councilors Dana Parnello, Syd Dawson and Deputy Mayor Didem Pierson recorded as dissenters according to the minutes.

Councilor Syd Dawson moved an amendment to strike the repealing subsection 3.50.040(d); Deputy Mayor Didem Pierson seconded the amendment. The amendment failed 3-4; the minutes record Councilors Burberry, Schroff, Herbert and Mayor Kelly as dissenting the amendment (opposing the amendment). The minutes present those tallies but also record earlier that Councilmember Dana Parnello noted an absence at the meeting; the minutes do not reconcile that discrepancy.

The Council then considered Resolution No. R-26-2058, which expresses intent to designate Residential Target Areas and sets a public hearing to consider the designation. Councilor John Herbert moved approval and Councilor Les Burberry seconded; the resolution passed 4-3, with Councilors Dana Parnello, Syd Dawson and Deputy Mayor Didem Pierson listed as dissenting in the minutes and Burberry, Schroff, Herbert and Mayor Kelly recorded on the prevailing side.

Public commenters at the meeting raised mixed views on MFTE. Jeff Potter of Maple Valley voiced support for the program and urged Council to move forward. Brett Monroe, from unincorporated King County, urged the Council to examine potential tax-shift impacts and longer-term costs and questioned whether earlier cost information was accurate. The minutes note Monroe’s concern about affordability if tax burdens shift and that he urged additional review by Council and staff.

The Council also voted, earlier in the meeting, to extend the session to 9:15 p.m. (unanimous 7-0) to complete agenda items. The meeting minutes show the Council moved to take no further action on the Council Rules of Procedure item at this session and adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

The minutes record the vote tallies and named dissenters as noted above; where the minutes contain an apparent inconsistency about Councilmember Dana Parnello’s attendance and recorded dissenting votes, the minutes were reported as written and the City may provide an official correction in its posted minutes or errata if needed.