Proclamations, City Manager Search, Grocery Worker Hazard Pay, Food Trucks, Communication with Business Community, Crown Castle Fiber Franchise Agreement
The Burien City Council issued proclamations honoring LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and Juneteenth, selected finalists to be interviewed for the city manager position, ended the grocery worker hazard pay ordinance, discussed the Burien Food Truck Pilot Program, approved a franchise agreement with Crown Castle Fiber, and discussed ways to enhance communication between the business community and City Council.
Proclamation Celebrates LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
Councilmember Hugo Garcia sponsored a proclamation acknowledging and celebrating LGTBQIA+ Pride Month. The City raised a Pride flag in front of City Hall on June 1 to celebrate Pride Month.
Debra George, executive director of the Burien Pride organization was joined by the Burien Pride committee to accept the proclamation. Kim Davis, a member of the Burien Pride committee and member of the Business and Economic Development Partnership, thanked the Burien City Council for supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and shared " We had a phenomenal Pride three-day weekend ... It was really nice to have our first in-person event in a few years. It was really refreshing to see all people out there, families, dogs, you name it, was there."
Juneteenth Proclamation Celebrates Emancipation of Enslaved African Americans
Councilmember Cydney Moore sponsored a proclamation celebrating Juneteenth. The City Council made Juneteenth an official holiday for City staff starting this year.
Joseph Todd, a member of the Washington State Commission of African American Affairs, accepted the proclamation. He described Juneteenth as "...a celebration of people who have endured and still endure to this day for equality. I call on the council, mayor, and the Burien community to not only celebrate Juneteenth, but in its spirit to act and continue to push for policies that enact equity and equality for Black folks in this community."
City Council Selects Five Candidates to Interview for City Manager Position
During an executive session on June 6, 2022, the Burien City Council discussed the qualifications of 12 candidates for the City of Burien city manager position. They selected six candidates and two alternates during their regular meeting. Five candidates confirmed interest in proceeding.
Community members will have the opportunity to meet and evaluate the candidates during an open house event on June 9, 2022, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Burien Community Center.
Crown Castle Fiber Franchise Agreement Discussed
The City Council placed on the consent agenda of their next regular meeting approval of a ten-year franchise agreement with Crown Castle Fiber. The agreement will allow the company to construct, operate, and maintain a telecommunication network in the City's rights-of-way. The City is obligated to provide non-discriminatory access to its rights-of-way for telecommunications purposes.
The franchise agreement is very similar to the one provided to New Cingular Wireless PCS for AT&T that was executed last year. Crown Castle Fiber is required to follow all federal and local regulations regarding installation of its facilities, including the City's code requirements for small wireless facility design criteria.
Grocery Worker Hazard Pay to End on June 30, 2022
The City Council continued discussions begun during their May 16 meeting on Burien’s grocery worker hazard pay ordinance. After discussion, they voted to end grocery worker hazard pay on June 30, 2022.
Burien Food Truck Pilot Program Extended for One More Year
Staff presented a report on the Burien Food Truck Pilot Program set to expire on June 30, 2022. The City Council discussed the findings from the report and voted to extend the program for another year.
City Council Discusses Ways to Enhance Communication with the Business Community
The City Council discussed recommendations made by the BEDP to enhance communications between the City Council, Business and Economic Development Partnership (BEDP), and business community. The City Council discussed whether feedback from other advisory boards should also be considered. They directed staff to bring back the topic for additional discussion at a future City Council meeting.
City Council to Sign Letter Requesting Actions from Federal Legislators on Airport Operations
The City Council agreed to sign a letter asking for the new five-year Federal Aviation Authority Reauthorization Act to include language that addresses aircraft noise metrics, health impacts of aircraft noise and emissions, an aircraft noise insulation program, and sustainable aviation fuel. Other cities neighboring SeaTac Airport will be encouraged to sign the letter.