City of Burien

Emergency Declaration for Landslide, City Manager Search, Council Meeting Guidelines, Compostables Ordinance

Posted on 02/03/2022

The Burien City Council approved a resolution declaring the landslide on 172^nd St/SW Sylvester Rd an emergency. They also selected their top two choices for executive search firms, appointed their fellow councilmembers to local government organizations, discussed their meeting guidelines, and heard an update on the status of outreach and education for local businesses to help them prepare for Ordinance 709, restricting the use of non-compostable food service products, that goes into effect on July 1, 2022.

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• View upcoming topics of discussion in the Burien City Council Planning Calendar

Resolution Enables Emergency Declaration for Landslide

The City Council approved a resolution declaring the January 7, 2022 landslide on 172^nd St/SW Sylvester Rd an emergency. The resolution follows an executive order issued by former city manager Brian J. Wilson proclaiming the landslide a public safety emergency. The order and resolution allow City staff to waive certain processes and procedures to quickly respond to this public safety emergency, which includes procedures for hiring engineers, geologists, and contractors to assist with safely clearing the road and temporarily stabilizing the portion of the slope within the City's right-of-way. The road re-opened on January 24, 2022 with the construction of a temporary wall. More permanent solutions are still being explored.

Two Executive Search Firms Selected for Final Evaluation

The City Council evaluated the qualifications of five firms who responded to a request for proposals to help the City Council select a new city manager. The City Council selected WBCP, Inc. and GovHRUSA as finalists for final evaluation. City staff will conduct reference checks this week, and report results to the City Council during their February 7 meeting. At that meeting, the City Council may select the firm they want to hire or request interviews with the finalists.

Burien’s former city manager Brian J. Wilson resigned in December, and as of January 16, 2022, Carolyn Hope is serving as interim city manager.

City Councilmembers Appointed to Local Government Organizations

The City Council continued their selection of their fellow councilmembers to serve on local government organizations and committees.

• South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd): Councilmember Cydney Moore was selected as Burien’s representative.
• Burien LEAD Policy Coordinating Group: Councilmember Hugo Garcia was selected as the primary representative. Councilmember Sarah Moore was selected as alternate.
• 509 Gateway Project Joint Executive Committee: Deputy Mayor Kevin Schilling was selected as the primary representative.
• Burien Airport Committee: Mayor Sofia Aragon, Deputy Mayor Kevin Schilling, and Councilmember Jimmy Matta will remain on the committee. Deputy Mayor Schilling will serve as the new chair.
• King County Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C): Councilmember Sarah Moore was selected as Burien’s representative. Councilmember Cydney Moore was selected as the alternate.
• King County Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee (MSWMAC): Council appointed staff to fill both representative positions. Deputy Public Works Director Robin Tischmak will serve as the primary representative, and Public Works Director Maiya Andrews will serve as the alternate.
• Sound Transit Elected Leadership Group (ELG) for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Councilmember Sarah Moore was selected as the primary representative. Councilmember Hugo Garcia was selected as alternate.
• Soundside Alliance Policy Committee: Councilmember Jimmy Matta will remain Burien’s representative. Councilmember Hugo Garcia was selected as the alternate.
• Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 9 – Watershed Ecosystem Forum: Councilmember Sarah Moore was selected as Burien’s representative. Public Works Director Maiya Andrews will serve as the alternate.
• Highline Forum: Deputy Mayor Kevin Schilling is Burien’s representative. Mayor Sofia Aragon was selected as an alternate.

Council Meeting Guidelines Discussion Continues

The City Council discussed the guidelines that govern how they run their meetings. This was the first of several discussions, and no decisions were made.

City Staff Will Continue Helping Local Businesses Prepare for Law that Restricts Non-compostable Food Service Products

City staff gave an update on the status of outreach and education for local businesses to help them prepare for Ordinance 709, restricting the use of non-compostable food service products, that goes into effect on July 1, 2022. Since the ordinance was adopted in 2020, the City has conducted robust communications and outreach to local businesses. Discover Burien is developing a purchasing co-op to help source affordable compostable food service products.