Federal Way Mayor Michael Park announced today that the City Council has evaluated the performance of new City Manager Neal Beets and found his first five months of work to be positive.

"Since Neal Beets joined the City five months ago, he has helped the City with the 2007-2008 budget, appointed a new Police Chief, and was successful in securing voter approval of Proposition 1," said Park. "City Councilmembers unanimously believe he has done a good job."

The City Council appointed Beets as City Manager effective August 1, 2006. He was selected following a national recruitment. Before coming to Federal Way, Beets was City Manager of Roseville, Minnesota, and City Attorney for Mesa, Arizona.

"I am pleased with the Council's vote of confidence," said Beets. "I look forward to continuing to work with the Council, staff, and community members."

Last November, Federal Way voters approved ballot Proposition 1 that increased Federal Way's utility tax 1.75% in order to pay for 18 new police officers.

Also in November 2006, the Council approved acquisition of the former AMC Movie Theater site in downtown Federal Way. The City paid $4.1 million for the 4.4 acre site adjacent to the City's new Transit Center. The City is currently seeking a development team to buy the property and create an urban village that will attract residents to a mix of retail and commercial uses around a town square. The redevelopment will help build the City's tax base, consistent with the City Council's vision.