On Oct. 2, the Federal Way City Council completed its annual evaluation of City

Manager Neal Beets.

Beets, who joined the City in August 2006, received a "meets expectations" rating.

"The entire Council is confident in Neal's performance this past year," said Mayor

Michael Park. "We are looking forward to working with Neal to further enhance the quality of life here."

The Council noted several significant accomplishments during Beets' first year:

The new City Manager helped pass Proposition 1 (utility tax) which resulted in the hire of 18 new police officers.

He also played a critical role in the city's plan to purchase the old AMC movie theater property.

According to the city, the project is nearing a final contract with the recently chosen developer, United Properties, to develop the four-acre site into a high-rise retail and residential space.

Beets has also played an instrumental role in the facilitation of a grass-roots effort to construct a performing arts center in Federal Way.

At the beginning of 2007, the City Council identified the construction of a performing arts center in Federal Way as one of its priorities. The city has sought public input about the community's priorities for the center, in a project that will likely become Federal Way's next big undertaking after the completion of the community center.

In their assessment, the City Council also recommended that Beets should also work to improve his with Council and City staff.