CITY OF BURIEN

Educational Resource & Administrative Center (ERAC)

15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW

Burien, Washington 98166

SPECIAL MEETING

North Classroom

6:30 p.m.

and

STUDY SESSION MINUTES

Board Room

7:00 p.m.

SPECIAL MEETING

Mayor McGilton called the Special Meeting of the Burien City Council to order at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of holding an Executive Session to discuss real estate per RCW 42.30.110(lb).

Present: Mayor Joan McGilton, Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, Councilmembers Sue Blazak, Kathy Keene, Lucy Krakowiak, Sally Nelson and Gordon Shaw.  

Administrative staff present: Mike Martin, City Manager, Christopher Bacha, Interim City Attorney, and Richard Loman, Economic Development Manager.

SPECIAL MEETING ADJOURNMENT TO STUDY SESSION

The Special Meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor McGilton called the Study Session of the Burien City Council to order at 7:03 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor McGilton led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Joan McGilton, Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, Councilmembers Sue Blazak, Kathy Keene, Lucy Krakowiak, Sally Nelson and Gordon Shaw.

Administrative staff present: Mike Martin, City Manager; Scott Hardin, Finance Director; Scott Greenberg, Community Development Director; Michael Lafreniere, Parks and Recreation Director; Stephen Clark, Public Works Director; and Monica Lusk, City Clerk.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS

None were made.

CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE RECORD

a.	Letter Dated April 30, 2008, to Councilmember Kathy Keene, from Philip A. Talmadge, Talmadge/Fitzpatrick, Regarding Appearance of Fairness Doctrine/North Highline Annexation.
b.	Memo Dated April 30, 2008, from Russ Pritchard, Water District 20 Commissioner/President, Regarding City of Burien Annexation Boundary.
c.	Copy of Letter to Ron Sims Dated April 30, 2008, from Ralph Shape, City of SeaTac Mayor, Regarding North Highline Potential Annexation Area and Related Mediation Process.
d.	Email Dated April 30, 2008, from Butch and Marilyn Henderson Regarding Annexation.
e.	Email Dated May 1, 2008, from Lana Anthony Regarding Annexation.
f.	Email Dated May 1, 2008, from Kaen Dalton Regarding Annexation.
g.	Email dated May 2, 2008, from David Feinberg Regarding Potential Annexation of North Highline – DON’T DO IT.
h.	Email Dated May 2, 2008, from Traci Viklund Regarding Annexation: 11227 21^st Avenue SW, Seattle.
i.	Email Dated May 2, 2008, from Tracie and Joel Schoenberg Regarding Annexation of North Shorewood.
j.	Letter to Mayor McGilton Dated May 5, 2008, from Kurt Triplett, Chief of Staff, King County Executive Office, Regarding the City of Burien’s North Highline Annexation Proposals.
k.	Email Dated May 6, 2008, from Susana Munoz Regarding Please Do Not Annex Our Neighborhood.

AGENDA CONFIRMATION

Direction/Action

Motion was made by Deputy Mayor Clark, seconded by Councilmember Nelson and passed unanimously to Affirm the May 12, 2008, Agenda as Amended to Delete Discussion Item 7 “e” Discussion on Transportation Benefit Districts.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

City Manager’s Report

Mike Martin, City Manager, noted the following:

· The City is beginning the annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment cycle.

· Burien’s first “airport parking” facility, Ajax, is now open.

· Chief of Police will be visiting Russia May 15 -29.

· Construction is nearly complete for Phase 2 of Jacob Ambaum Park.

· Funding is available to support the request for the film “The Day My Parents Became Cool.”

· The City Clerk has received re-certification through 2012of her Certified Municipal Clerk designation.

Follow-up

Staff will provide the areas that will be included in the Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan. 

2009 Budget Preparation Calendar

Scott Hardin, Finance Director, presented a general overview of the calendar.  He spoke to a process that has been developed for clearer and more consistent method of allocating community competitive funding. 

Biennial Budget Proposal

Mr. Hardin stated that Washington State has allowed cities to prepare biennial (two-year) budgets since 1985.  He provided a list of the 16 cities in the Puget Sound area that prepare biennial budgets.  The biennial budget process would be accomplished by adopting an ordinance by June 30.  Municipalities can revert back to an annual budget at the end of the biennium. 

Direction/Action

Councilmembers agreed to place consideration of the Biennial Budget proposal on the June 2, 2008, Business Agenda.

Discussion on Potential Cardroom Tax Adjustment

Mr. Hardin reviewed Wizards Casino’s history, staffing, and taxes that have been paid to the city.  Due to the statewide smoking ban and the general economic slowdown, casino revenue has declined.  Wizards Casino has stated that, if they don’t receive tax relief from the City, they will be forced to close.  Staff and the Casino’s management agree on the need for tax adjustment and on the form such relief might take, but the two parties differ somewhat on the level of adjustment required.  He introduced Pat Hoiser, General Manager of Wizards Casino, who spoke to the tax relief level he requires.

Direction/Action

Councilmembers agree to place consideration of the potential cardroom tax adjustment on the May 19, 2008, Business Agenda. 

Discussion on Transportation Benefit Districts

(This item was removed under Agenda Confirmation)

Discussion on Community Recreation Center Project and Ad-Hoc Committee Recommendations

Mr. Martin provided the background on the Community Recreation Center (CRC) Project.  He noted that an ad-hoc committee was formed per Council’s direction to consider the funding issues, and was tasked with formulating recommendations for the project, which included the question whether a bond measure should be considered and if so, how it should be advanced. 

Councilmember Blazak said that a bond campaign for the CRC project will not be considered in the fall or spring due to lack of support from a majority of the Councilmembers.  She noted the need to address the poor condition of the current community center.  The committee would like to continue to help by participating in a proposed Plan B, moving the current community center to the library facility after the library is vacated in approximately 13 months.  It was suggested to hire a facility planner, tear down the current center but leave the Burien Little Theatre, continue to pursue real estate acquisition, and look at a 3-5 year plan for the construction of a new community center. 

Follow-up

Staff will provide Council with a plan and parameters on how a move to a temporary location would work.

Discussion of Proposed Motion to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract Amendment With Otak, Inc. for NERA Redevelopment Strategy, Phase 2.

Mr. Martin reviewed the proposed scope of work, budget and schedule for Phase 2 of the NERA Project, as well as the NERA Vision and Objectives.

Direction/Action

Councilmembers agreed to place the contract amendment with Otak, Inc. on the May 19, 2008, Consent Agenda for approval.

Discussion of Draft Resolution 278 Calling for Annexation by Election of a Portion of the North Highline Unincorporated Area

Mr. Martin reviewed his recommendation on the boundaries for annexing a portion of the North Highline Unincorporated Area, which is Exhibit A of Resolution No. 278.  He noted that disposition of a fire station, sales tax credit parity and overlapping Potential Annexation Areas were the main annexation issues from the May 5, 2008, letter received from King County. 

Direction/Action

Councilmembers agreed to place consideration of draft Resolution No. 278 on the May 19, 2008, Business Agenda. 

COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilmember Keene reported on the retreat for the Public Works Trust Fund held in Spokane. 

Councilmember Blazak reported on the Transportation Policy Board meeting. 

ADJOURNMENT

Direction/Action

Motion was made by Deputy Mayor Clark, seconded by Councilmember Nelson, and passed unanimously to adjourn at 9:13 p.m.

/s/ Joan McGilton, Mayor

/s/ Monica Lusk, City Clerk