Federal Way council interviews two applicants for Senior Commission; appointments set for council meeting

The Federal Way City Council interviewed two candidates for four open seats on the citys Senior Commission and signaled support for reappointing the commissions current vice chair and for adding a new member, with formal appointments to be made at the councils 6:30 p.m. meeting.

Amy Glendon, introduced by the chair as the Senior Commissions vice chair, told the council she has long worked on programs for older residents in Federal Way and in her real-estate practice. "I've been a long time resident of Federal Way," Glendon said, adding she had concentrated recently on services for seniors and wants to help them with technology and other rapidly changing needs. She described leading resource guides and a senior fair and organizing "lunch connections" and speaker events that help seniors learn about available services.

Why it matters: The Senior Commission advises the council on programs and services for older residents. Candidates emphasized outreach and access, topics council members said are central to the commissions advisory role.

During questions, Glendon told council members the city lacks a dedicated 9-to-5 senior center like those in neighboring cities and that some local programs operate just outside Federal Ways boundaries. She suggested expanded drop-in programming and outreach through property managers, senior-living communities and homeowners associations, while noting HIPAA and other privacy limits on soliciting information from medical providers.

Dr. Michelle Banks, who introduced herself as a recent arrival to Federal Way and as a former New York City Department of Correction executive, said she brings experience in compliance, troubleshooting and program implementation. "I think our seniors are the backbone of the community," Banks said, adding she would focus on identifying what has worked in recent years, what has not, and on improving how the city communicates program offerings to older residents.

Council members praised both applicants. Several members recommended reappointing Glendon and moving Banks into a voting seat on the commission. Council discussion also covered three other seats: two current members, David Reynolds and Ken (Kenneth) Pratt, did not reapply, and council members agreed to interview a third applicant, Larry Munoz, at a later meeting before deciding on his seat. The council debated whether to interview every returning applicant to be consistent with past practice; some members said consistency required hearing from Munoz before making a permanent appointment.

The council did not take a formal recorded vote during the interview portion of the meeting; members said formal appointments would occur later on the councils agenda at the 6:30 p.m. session. The council also flagged a probable typographical error in a date shown for a past appointment and corrected it in discussion.

Procedural note: A council member briefly invoked Roberts Rules of Order when asking for the chair to recognize speakers during discussion.

Next steps: The council expects to make the formal appointments at its 6:30 p.m. meeting; one candidate (Larry Munoz) will be interviewed at a future meeting before being moved to a voting seat.