Proclamation, Transportation Improvement Program, Re+Pledge, State Legislation on Controlled Substances
The Burien City Council issued a proclamation in honor of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, approved the annual update to the Transportation Improvement Program, adopted the Re+Pledge, received an update about new state legislation on possession and use of controlled substances, and called for a special meeting to discuss possible locations for a managed homeless encampment.
Proclamation Honors LGBTQIA+ Community Members and Pride Month
The City Council issued a proclamation in honor of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Chris Thomsen of the Burien Pride Committee and Stephen Lamphear, former Burien City Councilmember, accepted the proclamation.
“People outside of Burien, when we tell them what we do here, they are really impressed,” Thomsen reflected. “They think it’s a big deal. There are bigger communities not doing what we do here. So, it means a lot.”
Lamphear shared that “being a councilmember and being openly gay was not a simple matter. It took a lot of courage to go from day-to-day with my fellow councilmembers.” He also added, “I appreciate the opportunity I had as a councilmember to do something for the community, to get domestic partner benefits … and to get the toughest, most anti-discrimination ordinance in the state of Washington to be here in Burien.”
City Council Approves Annual Update to Transportation Improvement Program
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a short-range planning document containing a list of transportation projects on which work may begin within the next six years. The projects listed in the TIP support development of a local transportation network. It is used as a tool in preparing the City’s capital budget and to coordinate projects with local utility districts and other agencies. Projects must be included in the TIP to be eligible for most state and federal grant programs.
State law requires cities to have a six-year transportation improvement program that is updated annually. When projects are proposed for the TIP, they are evaluated for consistency with other plans, including the Transportation Management Program, Climate Action Plan, and Stormwater Management Plan.
The City Council approved the 2023 update to the TIP, revising details or removing the following projects:
- S 136th St (1st Ave S to Des Moines Memorial Dr): This project has been deleted because it is now under construction using grant funding from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board.
- S 152nd St (8th Ave S to Des Moines Memorial Dr): This project has been revised to show that the current budget includes funding for a study of the intersection.
- 4th Ave SW (SW 156th St to SW 160th St): This project has been revised to show that the current budget includes funding for design and right-of-way. This project has also received construction funding available in 2025 through a federal grant.
- SW 148th Street (4th Ave SW and 6th Ave SW): These projects have been revised to indicate that they will be combined and funded for construction through the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board and Sound Transit.
- SW 150th Street (Pedestrian Improvements between 4th Ave SW and 5th Ave SW): This project was deleted because it has been funded with grants and is under construction as part of the H Line Improvements.
Re+Pledge Encourages Cities to Support Re-imagination of Solid Waste System
The City Council agreed to sign the Re+Pledge in support of King County Solid Waste Division’s plan to transform our regional solid waste system from one that is disposal-based to one that is focused on reduction, recovery, recycling, and regeneration.
King County has a goal of reducing food waste and waste of reusable resources to zero by 2030. The Re+ approach includes actions that will keep materials with economic value in use and out of the landfill and create an equitable system that centers on community needs.
By signing on to the pledge, the City of Burien will be able to apply for Re+ City Grants to support programs that help create a more circular economy where waste is minimized, materials are kept in use longer, and natural systems are regenerated.
City Council Receives Update on New State Laws Related to Controlled Substance Possession and Use
The City Attorney presented an overview of recent legislation on controlled substance possession and use that the state legislature passed during a special session. The new law goes into effect July 1, 2023.
Council Reports and City Manager Report
Mayor Sofia Aragon and Councilmembers Hugo Garcia and Jimmy Matta attended an event celebrating the groundbreaking on a new Evergreen High School. Councilmember Sarah Moore shared that she had attended a meeting on the impacts of extreme heat events. Deputy Mayor Kevin Schilling shared that he had met with a developer to talk about a possible site for a homeless shelter.
The City Manager reported on updates from King County Regional Homelessness Authority, including departure of their executive director and the City’s commitment to continue working with them.
He also provided an update that a lease agreement with Burien CARES to operate a dog park on the City-owned property at SW 152nd St and 6th Ave SW is close to being finalized. He also shared information about a memo the City received from King County about their concerns with the approach being taken on the property.
The City Council approved issuing a thank you letter to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal for her efforts to secure funding for the Boulevard Park flooding issue.
An interlocal agreement with City of SeaTac to implement the Miller Creek Daylighting Project was approved on the consent agenda.
The City Council also called for a special meeting to discuss possible locations for a managed homeless encampment.