BURIEN BUSINESS and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
(BEDP)
MEETING MINUTES
Date: March 12, 2004
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 AM
Members Present: Doug Moreland, Kevin Fitz, David Elliott, Dean Parkins, Mark Minium, Tom Gehl, Ryan Warnes, Debra George, Harvey Aulgur, Bob Ewing
Absentees: Nancy Damon, Kris Jensen
Excused Absentees: Chad Campbell, John Roberts
Staff: Gary Long, City Manager; Dick Loman, Ecomonic Development Manager; Marsha St. Louis, Executive Assistant; Stephen Clark, Public Works Director.
Guests: Barbara Blackshear-Haley, Director of Communication and Community Engagement, Highline School District 401; Clare Gallagher, Port of Seattle Community Relations Manager; Councilmembers Lucy Krakowiak, Joan McGilton and Gordon Shaw.
Minutes: Harvey Aulgur moved to approve the minutes; Ryan Warnes seconded the motion. Motion passed and minutes were approved.
Chair’s Report:
Dean Parkins suggested eliminating the March 26 meeting and moving the press release review by Jan Roegner and Susan Wineke to the April 9 meeting due to a lack of potential items for the agenda on the 26th. After discussion, this was agreed. Dean complimented Dick Loman for the article on Wesbild’s purchase of the Redwood Center in the Daily Journal of Commerce.
City Manager’s Report:
Gary Long reported favorably on the Council’s three days of lobbying on Capital Hill during last week’s trip to Washington DC. He said that funding goals for transportation and transit projects, park improvements and airport buyout and redevelopment were discussed. Only time will tell the results of our efforts.
A tentative date of April 15 has been set for the first public meeting on Town Square. This date will be run by Council at next Monday’s regular Council meeting for their approval. Council and staff will go on a tour of several libraries to see what they have done to incorporate into town centers.
Discover Burien Report – Debra George
Debra George said that they will be seeking Board approval to buy a float for Discover Burien to use in the Burien parade and in surrounding area events. She announced that the Katz Steak House sign is down. She also went over the Discover Burien calendar for the next several events including the Bloomin Burien Plant Sale, Clean Sweep and the Spring Stroll.
LID Update – Stephen Clark
Steve Clark went over the status of the 1st Avenue Underground LID so far. Currently with those that are signed and turned in and all of the tentatives expected we are at 56%. The project is on schedule and he will be updating the Council at the March 15 meeting. Steve complimented the auto dealers on their outstanding support for this project and they received a round of applause.
Work Program Item – Dean Parkins
Dean Parkins moved agenda item 7, Work Program Item, up to be covered next before the comment and review of “Doing Business in Burien” brochure. He suggested establishing a sub-committee to review city branding and treatment of public service announcements. After discussion around the importance of coming up with an effective and concise “sound bite”, the following members volunteered for the sub-committee: Dave Elliott, Debra George, Ryan Warnes, Kevin Fitz, Dick Loman and Mark Minium (alternate).
Comment and Review of “Doing Business in Burien” Brochure – Dean Parkins
Dean Parkins began the review of the brochure with the comment that all the State, County and finally Burien requirements makes the brochure too formidable. He suggested that it should start with simplified Burien requirements and then an “oh, by the way, in addition, all businesses must also comply with State and County requirements”. Other comments included:
· Add sign permit form
· Address fire, construction and other potentially required permit forms
· Add something about volunteer opportunities
· Include Discover Burien (possibly under business organizations)
· Add a matrix or checklist of what’s required to start a new business
o Include the checklist with all new business licenses
o Have city staff go over checklist with new business owners whenever they apply for a permit
o Have the checklist available at the counter at City Hall
o Have the matrix refer to other packets of info that would provide more specific detailed info (if this, get that)
o Give out the checklist even if someone just stops by to pick up an application
· Include statistics and information about the schools and school district
· Provide a better map
· Do include the color scheme in the packet
· Add Fire Marshall info back into packet
· Spend some time on our definition of business friendly
General comments included that the packet was a good business friendly step in the right direction of reaching out to new businesses. Also that the biggest problem is that many new business owners rent an empty space, put up a sign and jump into business before they ever think of even getting a business license.
Round the Table:
Debra George said that she is seeing more movement on vacant properties.
Kevin Fitz announced that he is serving on the Future Facilities Steering Committee as a BEDP representative. This committee was formed to do some forecasting, to make recommendations to Council about future facility requirements projected out for the next twenty years. He asked that BEDP members be sure and advise him of their comments.
Dick Loman reported that the Girl Scouts are storing cookies in the Gottschalks building and asked members if they were in favor of allowing the Boy Scouts to use the building next month for a Pinewood Derby.
Gary Long said that there is of lot of work to be done these next several months on the RTID for the parking garage and the 509/518 and he will be needing the business community’s input.
Dean Parkins reminded everyone that there will be no second meeting this month.
Adjourned: 8:30 am. Harvey Aulgur made the motion to adjourn the meeting, Doug Moreland seconded it.
Next Meeting: April 9, 2004, 7:00 a.m.