BURIEN BUSINESS and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
(BEDP)
MEETING MINUTES
Date: February 25 , 2005
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 AM
Members Present: David Elliott, Dean Parkins, Kevin Fitz, Nancy Damon,
Mark Minium, John Roberts, Debra George, Barbara Blackshear-Haley, Harvey Aulgur, Bob Ewing, Tom Gehl
Absentees: Ryan Warnes, Kris Jensen
Excused Absentees: Doug Moreland
Staff: Gary Long, City Manager; Dick Loman, Economic Development Manager; Joline Wright, Economic Development Assistant; Scott Greenberg, Community Development Director
Guests: Councilmember Lucy Krakowiak; Jim Hughes, Sal’s Deli; and Clare Gallagher, Port of Seattle
Minutes: John Roberts moved to approve the minutes; Debra George seconded the motion. Motion passed and minutes were approved.
Chair’s Report: Dean Parkins
Election for Chairman and Vice-Chairman will be held at the next meeting after the City Council conducts their interviews and selects the members from those who have applied. So far Bob Ewing has volunteered to serve as Chairman and Kevin Fitz as Vice-Chairman.
General Annexation Discussion – Bob Ewing
In Doug Moreland’s absence Bob Ewing gave the Annexation Subcommittee’s report from the February 18 meeting. Bob commented that the initial assessments make it clear that Burien would face a significant fiscal deficit under any of the proposed annexation alternatives and need to find ways in meeting these challenges. The committee’s complete report is attached. Bob thanked Scott Greenberg for his good work and would like to see the issues continue to be tracked. Scott reported the next phase will be: a) better capital needs study; b) get better information on economic development potential; and c) opinion survey within North Highline / Burien. He also mentioned that an incorporation study contract between North Highline and King County had been signed and would take approximately 5-6 months to complete.
John Roberts moved to adopt the Annexation Subcommittee’s recommendations and present to the City Council; Mark Minimum seconded. Motion passed unanimously
City Manager’s Report: Gary Long
The City is currently working on the annual legislative priorities, including transportation and airport related issues. Gary Long and Council members will be going to Washington, DC on March 8 to meet personally with our congressional delegation.
Work is continuing on Town Square, including Strobels’ property, PSESD, King County Library and developer contract arrangements.
Discover Burien Report – Debra George
The Dinner and Silent Auction is Saturday, March 5 at the Elks Club. Discover Burien is still looking for auction items.
Property update – Nest Flower is becoming a new garden shop; Fireweed Bead shop is moving across the street; new pet store opening next to Gehl’s Flowers; computer shop opening; and a fire baked pizza place opening soon. There is a new restaurant opening where the Katz Restaurant was; they have their request in for permits. Debra reported Discover Burien receives 2-3 calls every day regarding property.
Update on the Highline Superintendent Position – Barbara Blackshear-Haley
A press release has announced the two finalists; Dr. John Welch and Dr. Kay Royster. The school board will do a final round of interviews next week, which will be open to the public. The interviews will be held at ERAC, located at 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW in Burien. The interview with Dr. Kay Royster will be held March 1, 6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.; the interview with Dr. John Welch will be on March 2, 6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
A panel of approximately 30 community members, representative of stakeholder groups, was selected by the school board to attend the interviews and provide written impressions of each candidate based on the interview questions posed by the board. Dean Parkins will be representing BEDP. The board plans to make a final decision on a superintendent by mid-March.
There should be a decision made by April 20 on the boundary changes and school closures. Following are the dates of the public hearings.
Board Meetings/Public Hearings on School Closures
- February 16, 2005 - Valley View Elementary
- March 9, 2005 - Sunnydale Elementary
- March 23, 2005 - Salmon Creek Elementary
- April 6, 2005 - Olympic Intermediate
• - Public Comment Forms at each school site
• - Public Comment email through: publiccomment@hsd401.org
The School Board decision is expected on April 20, 2005.
In order to get information regarding the district’s new education initiative, Discover Burien had Bill Crossman, from the Highline School District, make a presentation at their last meeting updating them on the report of January 28, 2005 concerning Smaller Learning Communities.
John Roberts moved to have Barbara Blackshear-Haley arrange to have Bill Crossman attend a Partnership meeting; Mark Minimum seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Business License Matters: Round table discussion – Dean Parkins
Business License revenue and how do we use it to get Discover Burien permanent funding sources is an item on the BEDP work program to start working on. Gary Long suggested using the City’s research and the AWC survey. He asked Dick Loman to work with Linda Gorton to present the research at the March 25th meeting.
Round the Table:
Bob Ewing – Visited the Gates in New York. Christo and his wife did this art display on private funds and drew people to the community. We can learn from this on how to get things done in our community.
Barbara Blackshear-Haley – Private money is important in the design of schools. It takes a lot of extra resources to get this done.
Tom Gehl – In the discussion today it sounded like most of the retail would be in the Westbild property across from Town Square. With the King Co. Library, theater, and City Hall in Town Square the retail is limited; how about shrinking the open space.
Mark Minium – Phone calls and business being displaced. Need communications in the paper.
John Roberts – Business / Community / School District is all about people. Honest open communications is needed on both sides.
Adjourned: 8:15 am.
Next Meeting: March 11, 2005, 7:00 a.m.