Camping and Unauthorized Use of Parks, Community Center update, StormFest, Spray Park, Micro-enterprise support
Updated July 5, 2019.
Council discussed the pilot program to address camping and unauthorized use of parks, StormFest, and climate change.
Pilot Program to Address Camping and Unauthorized Use of Parks
Council heard an update on the City’s pilot program to address camping and other unauthorized use of parks and facilities. The human services manager described how the Navigation Team connected several people to services. The chief of police noted that only one arrest had been made in the two months the program had been in place. The interim parks, recreation and cultural services director stated that parks maintenance crews can now focus more on the landscaping and other maintenance tasks required to keep Burien’s parks clean and accessible, instead of focusing on cleaning up encampments.
Staff also noted that a behavioral health outreach worker from REACH Evergreen Treatment Services now works at South Correctional Entity Regional Entity (SCORE), which provides jail services to the City of Burien. She is able to work directly with people who have been arrested so they have a plan for accessing services once they have been released from jail.
Staff will present to Council results from the pilot on September 16, 2019 and make recommendations moving forward.
Police Chief for a Day
Gracin Casady, a fifth grade student in the Highline School District, will be named “Chief for a Day” during this year’s Burien Independence Day Parade. He will be walking with Chief Boe and other Burien Police in the parade. Casady, who wants to be a police officer when he grows up, has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of childhood cancer.
Community Center
City staff are evaluating past reports and studies on the Burien Community Center and Burien Annex Community Center. The Annex, which houses several nonprofits, is experiencing significant maintenance issues.
Spray Park to Open by July 15
The Town Square Spray Park is set to open by July 15. There was significant damage to the water feature’s electrical system, requiring that it be completely rebuilt.
StormFest
Council approved an interlocal agreement that will allow the local cities to share the cost of StormFest, the two-day experiential, interactive festival designed to teach Highline sixth grade students about stormwater, water quality, watershed science, and what they can do to make a difference in the environment. The agreement will be in place until 2024.
Addressing Climate Change at Local Level
Council discussed ways the City of Burien could develop a plan or take other actions to address climate change. Council directed the City Manager to bring back options to develop a sustainability climate action plan.
Micro-enterprise Support
After significant public comment from vendors who participated in a “mercado” or flea market near the community of Lakewood, WA, Council directed staff to place on a future agenda a discussion of how to support micro-enterprise in Burien.