Hispanic Heritage Month, Unlawful Public Camping Ordinance, Recology Contract, Community Development Block Grant, Office Zoning, Planning Commission
The Burien City Council issued a proclamation in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. They discussed an ordinance prohibiting camping on public land, selected candidates to interview for the Planning Commission, discussed updates to the solid waste service contract with Recology, held a public hearing on Community Development Block Grant, and discussed updates to zoning in office zones.
Proclamation Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
The City Council issued a proclamation in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, a national celebration that recognizes the history and contributions of the Hispanic community.
Members of the B-Town Fiesta planning committee accepted the proclamation. The B-Town Fiesta event will be on September 23 (this Saturday) in Burien Town Square Park.
Ten Candidates Selected to be Interviewed for Planning Commission
The City Council selected ten community members to be interviewed for positions on the Planning Commission. Earlier this year, seven commission members resigned before the end of their terms. This prompted the City to initiate a new member recruitment process in August.
The City Council will hold a special meetings on September 25 to interview candidates. They will appoint final candidates on their September 25 regular meeting. The Planning Commission will hold its first meeting with the new commissioners on either October 11 or October 25.
- Paul Croon
- Paul Gould
- Josh Halpin
- Jessica Ivey
- Shelli Park
- Annie Philips
- Benjamin Schlemmer
- Jimmy Matta, Jr.
- Sam Ostrander
- Heidi Turner
Public Hearing on Community Development Block Grants Allocations for 2024
The City Council held a public hearing on 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), as previously discussed during their August 21 meeting. The City Council placed on the next meeting’s consent agenda approval of the recommended allocation to use for the following:
- $44,000 for planning and administration to pay for salaries to administer program.
- $46,000 for Southwest Youth and Family Services New Futures Program. Human Services Commission approved recommendation.
- $183,000 for play equipment at Lakeview Park. In 2023, CBDG funds were allocated for the purchase of the park property from Highline Public Schools. The 2024 funding will pay for the replacement of 23-year-old play structure. Selection of new equipment will be presented to community to vote on design options. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved recommendation.
City Council Continues Discussion of Ordinance Prohibiting Public Camping
The Burien City Council placed on the consent agenda of its next meeting adoption of an ordinance that would prohibit unlawful camping on public property.
The ordinance prohibits individuals from camping on public property between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. if shelter is available. If an individual refuses the available shelter and refuses to leave the public property, they could be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.
If approved, the ordinance will go into effect on November 1, 2023.
Recology Contract Updated to Incorporate New King County Fees
The City Council adopted a change to the current Recology contract to incorporate King County changes to rates for a “tipping” or dumping fee. King County is changing how they collect these fees to ensure financial sustainability into the future. This change applies to all waste hauling companies operating in King County.
The amount of fees collected will not be significantly different, but customers will see a new line on their bill called “fixed annual charge”. The average customer who has a 32-gallon garbage container will pay an additional $1.50 per billing cycle.
King County will be creating a website and educational materials to explain the charge, and Recology will take that information and share it with customers.
The City is working on a new waste services contract which will be presented to the City Council in 2025.
Interim Zoning Ordinance Allows Affordable Housing Development to Proceed
The City Council placed approval of an interim zoning ordinance on the next meeting’s consent agenda. The ordinance would change regulations in the Office zone citywide to allow new developments that meet the proposed definition of “affordable housing” or “emergency housing” to be developed under height and density that have been considered with the draft Ambaum and Boulevard Park Community Plan and associated rezone. Office zoning exists in a few areas on Ambaum, 1st Ave S, Boulevard Park, and near hospital.
Because the Ambaum and Boulevard Park rezone has experienced delays, this interim ordinance would allow Mary's Place and Mercy Housing to proceed with a planned affordable housing and emergency housing project at 12845 Ambaum Blvd SW without losing access to time-sensitive funding they have received that would make the project possible.
On February 6, 2023, the City Council passed a resolution to authorize the South King Housing and Homelessness Partnership, of which the City is a member, to allocate capital funding to two projects, including the project proposed by Mary's Place and Mercy Housing. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has also included this project on her 2024 Direct Spending List due, in part, to because of ongoing support from the City.
A public hearing will be held within 60 days. Public notice will be posted on the City of Burien website a minimum of 14 days prior to the date of the public hearing.
Council Reports and City Manager Report
During Council Reports, Councilmember Sarah Moore shared information about a visit she had conducted with Hope Factory, a nonprofit that manufactures tiny houses. Deputy Mayor Kevin Schilling praised the Welcoming Burien event.
The City Manager expressed his thanks to Susan McLain, the former Community Development Director, who recently resigned. He introduced Jeff Watson, who will serve as the interim Community Development Director while recruitment for a new director takes place.
Councilmember Hugo Garcia praised the Burien Police Department’s efforts to apprehend the suspect involved in a recent hit and run. The City Manager praised the Burien Police Department for a recent large drug bust which took a notable suspected drug dealer into custody and seized a significant amount of drugs.
The City Manager also shared arrest data based on the implementation of the park camping ban enacted in 2019. He also shared that law enforcement and service providers continue to visit the encampment on Ambaum and that City staff continue to remove large items and debris.
The City Manager shared that Association of Washington Cities is finalizing priorities for the upcoming legislative session, and he shared that economic development staff have met with a variety of stakeholders to gather information about a minimum wage ordinance that will be presented to the City Council in October.
The City Manager also received support to bring back an ordinance that would allow the City to donate unused desktop computers to local nonprofits.