City of Burien

Council adopted the 2021–2022 budget, discussed amendments to next year’s work plan for the Arts Commission, updated the Art in Public Places budget, extended the waste management contract with Recology, discussed the “leading with services” approach to helping people experiencing homelessness and at-risk youth in Burien, and voted to purchase a small amount of property in Seahurst Park.

Council discussed the Burien Housing Action Plan and Multi-family Housing Assessment Project, heard a presentation on the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration Climate Action Toolkit, discussed community input on the topic of public safety, and interviewed a facilitator to assist in the annual performance evaluation of the city manager.

Council learned about a new retail theft prevention program, approved minor changes to the rental housing code language, continued discussion of the 2021–2022 Budget, and approved a new process for evaluating the city manager.

Council discussed a Native land acknowledgment, heard updates on the relief funding for local businesses and on COVID-19 rates in Burien, discussed state legislative priorities, adopted new water and sewer utility taxes, discussed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, and continued discussion of the 2021–2022 budget and council meeting guidelines.

Council held a study session to discuss City Council Meeting Guidelines, parks risk assessment, and heard presentations from department directors on details of their 2021–2022 Budget proposals.

Council held public hearings on the 2021–2022 budget and a moratorium on Ambaum Corridor development. They also discussed funding for a study on indoor air quality in schools, state legislative priorities, urban forest stewardship plan, property tax levy, Burien’s Capital Improvement Program, compostables, new solid waste service requirements for businesses, celebrating Burien’s diverse cultures and identities, and enhanced services facilities.

Council approved funding for human services and parks capital projects, discussed their 2021 federal legislative priorities, reviewed updates to the Storm Drainage Master Plan, and discussed the 2021-22 budget and new water and sewer utility taxes. They discussed a new affordable housing development, directed the Arts Commission to explore the placement of a Black Lives Matter artwork in a public place, and delayed the effective start date on the ban on non-compostable food service products.

Council discussed revisions to the Burien City Council Guidelines and discussed applications to the Sound Cities Association.

Council discussed updates to the building code, human services funding, rental housing and business license fees, participation in StART, Ambaum corridor development moratorium, and more.

Council approved an interlocal agreement to enhance Miller Creek, discussed a resolution to allocate funding for affordable housing, approved a contingency budget for the Burien Annex demolition project, discussed progress on climate action plan, and discussed process to engage the community in a conversation about public safety.

Council selected the 2019 Citizen of the Year, discussed the 2020 Census, approved moving forward with the sale of a City-owned parking lot, extended the outdoor dining program, approved changes to Comprehensive Plan docketing procedure, and discussed police services and a community safety public engagement process.

Council discussed community safety and police reform, why wearing a mask is important to fighting the pandemic, crime rates in Burien compared to other south King County cities, code amendments for buildings in floodplains, and adjustments to 2019-2020 budget.

Council issued two proclamations and discussed policing in Burien, a new downtown housing development, and discussed work plans for the the parks, recreation and cultural services department and advisory boards.

Council issued two proclamations, heard an update on measures King County Sheriff’s Office is taking to improve accountability, discussed funding for organizations providing relief for families economically affected by COVID-19, and discussed annexation of White Center and Top Hat neighborhoods.

Council discussed the federal funding for COVID-19 response, Transportation Improvement Program, Enhanced Services Facilities, third-party delivery fees, Burien’s hazard mitigation plan, and more.

Council voted to demolish the Burien Annex, discussed preparations for the Fourth of July holiday, discussed capping restaurant delivery fees charged by third-party platforms, and discussed local and federal funding to help the Burien community mitigate impacts from COVID-19.

Council discussed business license code update, public safety, economic impacts of COVID-19, details of the state’s Safe Start plan, the plan for re-opening City facilities to the public, and a process for asking the community about their recreation, cultural arts, and social services needs in Burien.

Council discussed the future of the Burien Community Center Annex.

Council heard an update on COVID-19 response, discussed emergency budget reductions, approved the Comprehensive Plan Docket, appointed new members to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and discussed business license code updates.

Council discussed a number of issues related to COVID-19, including: issuing a proclamation denouncing stigma and bias related to the disease, financial impact to the City of Burien as well as Burien economy and residents, discussed the Comprehensive Plan Docket, and more.

Council temporarily suspended the plastic bag ban, discussed emergency support for Burien community impacted by COVID-19, issued a proclamation honoring Arbor Day, and heard updates on the rental housing inspection program and sustainable climate action plan.

Council passed an emergency resolution on COVID-19, approved a moratorium on residential evictions, approved a $200,000 emergency fund, passed a resolution supporting a complete count for Census 2020, and more.

Council heard briefings on COVID-19, Census 2020, and redevelopment opportunities in downtown Burien. They also voted to increase the city manager’s compensation, approved the Burien Urban Center Plan, discussed the Eagle Landing Park Storm Drainage Project, and more.

Council extended a moratorium on enhanced services facilities, approved the Business and Economic Development Partnership work plan, approved funding priorities for the Human Services Fund, discussed a fee study, and directed research be done into a minimum wage in Burien.

Council discussed zoning regulations for enhanced services facilities, passed a new law requiring food serviceware products be compostable, welcomed new City of Burien employees, and more.

Council held a study session to discuss the Business and Economic Development Partnership (BEDP) annual report and work plan, recommendations from the Burien Airport Committee, a State of Washington planning grant to fund community engagement for a new community center, new appointments to local government organizations, and council meeting guidelines. Study sessions allow for a more in-depth exploration of topics.

New councilmembers were sworn in, Jimmy Matta was elected as mayor and Krystal Marx was elected as deputy mayor, and Council discussed the Burien Annex and compostable food service products.