BURIEN BUSINESS and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

(BEDP)

 

MEETING MINUTES

Date: November 12 , 2004

Time:  7:00 – 8:30 AM

 

 

 

Members Present:  David Elliott, Dean Parkins, Kevin Fitz, Doug Moreland,

Ryan Warnes, Barbara Blackshear-Haley, Tom Gehl, John Roberts, Harvey Aulgur

 

Absentees:  Mark Minium, Kris Jensen

 

Excused Absentees:  Bob Ewing, Nancy Damon, Debra George

 

Staff:  Gary Long, City Manager; Dick Loman, Economic Development Manager; Joline Wright, Economic Development Assistant; Scott Greenberg, Community Development Director

 

Guests:  Councilmembers Lucy Krakowiak and Jack Block, Jr.; David Soike, Deputy Managing Director, and Clare Gallagher, Port of Seattle

 

Call to Order:  Meeting opened at 7:00 a.m. by Chair Dean Parkins

 

Minutes:   Doug Moreland moved to approve the minutes; David Elliott seconded the motion.  Motion passed and minutes were approved.

 

Chair’s Report:  Dean Parkins

 

Dean thanked Bob Ewing, who was unable to attend this meeting, for chairing the October 12 meeting.  Dean received Bob’s report on the November 8 Council meeting.  It was a study session and no decisions were taken.  There were very few questions on 1st Ave. storm water charges, seems likely they will approve increases.  Senior Center and Library financing were discussed at some length.  The Highline annexation was a major topic.  Scott Greenberg’s presentation to the Council is on the City web site.  Sounds like three or more Council members will seriously consider annexation.  Review schedule will go through first six months of 2005.

Ryan Warnes will be covering the Council meeting for the remainder of November and David Elliott will cover the December Council meetings.

 

Kevin Fitz asked if it would be possible to reschedule the Public Space Steering Committee; it conflicts with the Discover Burien Steering Committee.  Dick Loman replied that there is just one more Public Space meeting left in December.  The meeting cannot be changed.

 

City Manager’s Report:  Gary Long

 

The City is working on the budget for 2005; First Avenue S will be put out to bid next year and the financing is critical for the stormwater improvements that will be part of this project.

 

Discussion on the Draft North Highline Annexation Study for police services, community development and annexation process options were presented to the City Council on November 8.  Gary said the annexation is not a simple task, there will be problems and opportunities and challenges if North Highline is annexed.  The police information presented to Council estimates a cost of $800,000-900,000 if Seattle takes all.  This is due to shift and overhead costs.

 

City Staff is working on a number of issues on how Town Square financing will work for the City/Library/Puget Sound ESD.  A proposal with a fixed price and building design will be presented to Puget Sound ESD next week on November 17.  GGLO and Urban Partners put this together in two weeks to provide ESD an option to remain in downtown Burien.

 

Had the first round of meetings with the Library.  There is a lot of work ahead to figure out a City Hall/Library joint civic building.

 

We are still working on the development of the scope of work for the NERA transition.  As Council knows, this is a short and long term challenge to us.  Scott Greenberg and the other staff team members are still trying to shake out the priorities and scheduling of various elements of the transition for this neighborhood.

 

Gary and Dick will be meeting with Debra George and Discover Burien’s Executive Board to discuss retail issues; how to grow our downtown events and activities and draw from a larger area.

 

Port of Seattle – David Soike, Deputy Managing Director

 

David Soike is the Deputy Managing Director for Development and Finance at SeaTac Airport.  David oversees airport-wide planning efforts, project management, finance and budget, and the attraction of new air service to SeaTac.

 

David said the airport’s two goals are:

·        Make the airport financially solvent.

·        Take the opportunity to work with communities affected by the third runway.

 

Future revenues:

·        Concourse A just opened recently

·        The expansion of the central terminal continues.  Much of the focus during the final phase will be on creating Pacific Marketplace, the retail and dining promenade.  There will be 22 venues.  Studies show people getting to the airports earlier because of security issues and spending more money while they wait for flights.

 

Some of the other projects David mentioned are the underground transportation, which was a $160 million program and the “160” project in which the ticketing level and baggage level have been expanded; rental car facilities - $15 million for, which will have 9-10 rental car companies in one facility, close to major access streets.

 

The third runway will help on the air side – estimate $45 million annual passengers by 2020.  Want to work with Burien to develop the NEST property.

 

Councilmember Jack Block, Jr. said he has heard that the Port is talking to Seattle Cold Storage about a new location on the pier.  Jack thinks this would be a good company to relocate in NERA, close to the airport.  It will probably create 200-300 jobs.  David, Jack and Dick will look into this further.

 

Discover Burien Report – John Roberts

 

Winterfest is scheduled for December 4.

 

Working on the 2005 Calendar, have 30 events scheduled for next year.

 

Discover Burien is hosting a workshop on December 7 for local businesses, which will cover tax law and current changes.

 

Discover Burien’s Open House is scheduled on December 15, instead of the regular monthly meeting.

 

North Highline Annexation Study – Scott Greenberg

 

Scott Greenberg discussed the draft of the North Highline Annexation Study; police services, community development and annexation process options.  This information was presented to the City Council on November 8, and will be again on November 15.  Summary information on preliminary operations expense for City Council, City Manager, Community Relations & Human Resources, Finance & Administration Services, and Legal Services will be discussed.

 

In the early 1990’s, in response to the Growth Management Act, King County and suburban cities such as Burien, began working together on planning for future growth.  Countywide planning policies were developed which called for the elimination of unincorporated islands between cities.  The North Highline Area, which includes White Center and Boulevard Park, is one of the largest of these unincorporated urban areas located in King County.  In 2003, King County and its cities agreed that unincorporated urban areas in the County should be annexed to adjacent cities.  North Highline could potentially be annexed by Seattle or Burien (Tukwila and SeaTac also border the area, but are not pursuing annexation).

 

Scott discussed the annexation legal process options are:

·        Election (petition initiated by voters in area)

·        Election (initiated by city)

·        No election (petition by 60% of assessed value) – most common

·        No election (double-majority: petition by majority of acreage and voters)

·        No election (interlocal agreement)

 

Other processes:

·        Specific community meetings

·        Opinion surveys

·        Public meetings and hearings

·        Focus groups

·        Community group presentations

·        Advisory ballots

 

The study schedule for City Council:

·        November 8 – Police; Community Development; Revenues

·        November 15 – City Council; City Manager; Community Relations/HR; Legal; Finance

·        November 22 – Public Works; Parks; Fire; CIP

·        November 13 – Draft study presented

·        2005 (1st Half) – Continuing discussion with all parties; Council direction

 

Scott advised that the annexation information can be accessed on the City website www.ci.burien.wa.us and will be attending the next BEDP meeting with updates.

 

Round the Table:

 

Gary Long -  The City will  be holding a neighborhood meeting in White Center/Boulevard Park on January 20.  Gary will confirm time and date.

 

Doug Moreland -  Hope we can keep working with Puget Sound ESD to keep them here.  Gary advised a presentation will be made to them next week.

 

Jack Block, Jr. – The Senior Center Advisory Board is looking for volunteers from the business community to serve.  Contact Kristy Dunn if you are interested.

 

The City Council passed an anti-discrimination ordinance on November 1.  The business community should capitalize on this.

 

Seattle Cold Storage is very important; should start lobbying commissioners.

 

 

Adjourned:  8:30 am. 

 

 

Next Meeting:  December 10, 2004, 7:00 a.m.