BURIEN BUSINESS and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
(BEDP)
MEETING MINUTES
Date: June 11, 2004
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 AM
Members Present: Doug Moreland, Kevin Fitz, David Elliott, Dean Parkins, Bob Ewing, Nancy Damon, John Roberts, Ryan Warnes, Kris Jensen, Harvey Aulgur
Absentees: Mark Minium, Tom Gehl, Chad Campbell
Excused Absentees: Debra George, John Roberts
Staff: Dick Loman, Ecomonic Development Manager and Joline Wright, Economic Development Assistant
Guests: Councilmembers Lucy Krakowiak and Jack Block, Jr.; Clare Gallagher, Port of Seattle; Marie Metsker, Managing Librarian, Burien Library; and Tom Boydell, Project Manager, Central Puget Sound Economic Development District.
Minutes: Doug Moreland moved to approve the minutes; David Elliott seconded the motion. Motion passed and minutes were approved.
Chair’s Report:
No report
City Manager’s Report: Dick Loman
In Gary Long’s absence Dick Loman reported Council had approved the 120 day extension to the Town Square developer Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The developer has exercised diligence in pursuing benchmark dates as set forth in the Schedule of Performance, but a little more time is needed for the refinement of the financial plan and the formal Development Agreement.
I-864 –Tim Eyman’s latest proposal for cutting taxes will reduce property tax levies for most local taxing jurisdictions by 25%; Department of Revenue estimates cities could lose $133.7 million; and under a second interpretation, cities could lose a total of $550 million. This would have a huge impact on Burien. Approximately $1 million in programs and personnel would need to be cut. An option would be to pass a special levy, which would require a city wide vote. Linda Gorton will be preparing two budgets in the near future and the city staff will be meeting next week to discuss cuts.
Discover Burien Report – Debra George
No report
LID Update – Dick Loman
A little less than 40% of the total land area has now been signed off. Steve Clark is continuing to work with Peter Powell (Safeway Plaza/Albertsons Center).
King County Bond Issue – Marie Metsker, Burien Library
A $172 million capital replacement bond measure will be on the ballot September 14, 2004. To meet community needs, maintain a strong Library System and plan appropriate facilities for the next decade, the replacement funding is needed. Plans for the Burien Library include a new regional 40,000 sq. ft. building to be the cornerstone of the Burien Town Center. The planned regional facility will provide more books and materials; additional computers and wireless access; essential upkeep and maintenance of the library over the next ten years; automated materials-handling system to speed delivery and reduce theft; proposed start date is 2007. For more information visit www.kcls.org/replacementbond, call 425-369-3275 or e-mail replacementbond@kcls.org.
Business License Complaints – Dean Parkins
This is in response to Chad Campbell’s e-mail questions about the city’s enforcement of the business license requirements with some potential for lost revenue. The city has had a licensing program since 1995. Currently there are approximately 2,000 businesses licensed in Burien. Approximately two years ago when the city contracted with Microflex to track and bill there were 1,700 licenses. Better compliance is certainly partially responsible for this increase.
There are ways that are being used to find new businesses:
· Any retail business that collects State of Washington sales tax is reported to the city (this assumes that they have properly recorded the city code on the excise tax form), Microflex then bills them.
· If the new business is a service business, where sales tax collection are not a factor, the service businesses are picked up from the fire department inspection reports that are routinely furnished to Microflex.
· Microflex finds them by using a CD Rom phone book to find businesses with Burien addresses and cross checking for compliance.
The efforts of Jim Bibby in the code enforcement office have also produced results locating non-complying businesses. The work of Discover Burien rounds out the overall effort. Staff and contractors feel that the city may not have 100% compliance, but it does have a significant percentage.
Comments on NEST Study Update – Tom Boydell
Tom Boydell was invited as a guest to answer questions and receive comments as a result of his presentation at the last BEDP meeting. Continuing to work with consultants to wrap up the NEST study. Analysis still being done, this is a good time for input. Bob Ewing had questions on the cluster analysis and the connection to the real estate section. It was decided that Bob Ewing will coordinate a work session with Tom Boydell and John Faulkner, Port of Seattle. Participants to be announced.
Clare Gallagher, Port of Seattle, added there is a short-term and long-term perspective to the NEST study. The Port went to the PSRC (Puget Sound Regional Council) to have an outside independent party involved in the study.
Asian cargo is up about 40% from last year.
Round the Table:
Doug Moreland – Understands that the new garbage company will not be picking up in the alleys; they will be picking up the dumpsters in the front. Why aren’t they picking up in the alleys? David Cline is the contact person at the city. Dick Loman will talk to David.
Nancy Damon – The chamber luncheon is today. On June 18, Medical Insurance Options for Small Businesses will be the topic, with a free lunch, at the Doubletree Guest Suites, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Jack Block, Jr. – There have been 149 cruise ship calls this year and next year 200. This could be a great promotional opportunity for Burien businesses.
Adjourned: 8:30 am. David Elliott made the motion to adjourn the meeting, Harvey Aulgur seconded.
Next Meeting: June 25, 2004, 7:00 a.m.