Proclamations, Rules of Order and Public Comment, Human Services Commission, Solid Waste Contract, Code Enforcement
The Burien City Council issued proclamations for Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Korean American Day, reviewed Council Rules of Order and public comment rules, heard a presentation from the Human Services Commission on recommended funding priorities, and discussed a new solid waste contract and an ordinance to address using vehicles as storage.
Proclamation Raises Awareness About Human Trafficking
The City Council issued a proclamation recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Month, recognizing the role of local governments in working collaboratively to combat human trafficking in the United States and abroad. SarahAnn Hamilton accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Burien-based nonprofit, Organization for Prostitution Survivors.
Korean American Day Recognized in Burien
A proclamation celebrating Korean American Day (January 13) in Burien was issued by the City Council. Sandra Englund and other members of the Washington State Korean American Day Celebration Foundation accepted the proclamation. Their annual Korean American Day event was held in Burien this year, which was reported as well attended.
Council Rules of Order and Public Comment Reviewed
Council Rules of Order, including rules related to public commenting, were discussed by the City Council. The rules may only be amended once per year. Several revisions were suggested by the City Council, who then requested staff incorporate the proposed revisions for review and potential action at a future meeting.
Recommended Funding Priorities for Human Services Fund Presented
Members of the Human Services Commission joined staff in presenting five proposed funding priorities for the 2025-2026 Human Services Fund. The recommended priorities state that residents:
- Have secure affordable housing.
- Have living-wage jobs.
- Are healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally and are safe from violence.
- Are ready for school, experience school success, and have a positive connection to their community.
- Feel a sense of community and belonging.
The Human Services Fund online application is set to open in March, and technical assistance workshops will be available. Applications will be due April 8, 2024, and funding allocation recommendations will be brought back to the City Council in fall 2024.
The Council approved placing the recommended priorities on the consent agenda for the next meeting.
New 10-year Solid Waste Contract Discussed
Staff updated the City Council on progress made toward procuring a new 10-year solid waste collection contract. The City currently contracts with Recology for garbage, recyclables, and compostables collection, and that contract is set to expire May 31, 2025. A competitive procurement process for the new contract secured two proposals which have been evaluated by a staff committee through proposal review, site visits, and interviews. The highest-rated proponent was Recology.
Under the proposed contract, the following programs would be continued:
- Embedded residential recycling and compostables collection
- Embedded multifamily and commercial recycling collection
- Low-income household utility tax exemption
- Christmas tree collection
- Drop-off collection events
- Services for Burien facilities and sponsored events
- Annual service mailers to all customers
- Recycling outreach and education
- The Recology Store
New programs and other changes would include:
- 90 hours per week of litter collection throughout the city
- Annual no-cost collection of appliances and bulky items
- New trucks and electric support vehicles
- Additional performance fees for unsatisfactory hauler performance
- Increased service requirements during winter weather and labor interruptions
- Aligning cart colors with local industry standards (green compost and gray garbage)
Increases to current rates were present in both proposals, driven by several factors including an abnormally competitive market (compared to the previous procurement), annual inflation escalation not keeping up with costs, instability in recycling markets and a decrease in the value of materials, inflation uncertainty, and supply chain issues.
The City Council approved placing the contract with Recology on the consent agenda for the next meeting.
New Ordinance Addresses Issue of Vehicles Used as Storage in Residential Zones
The City Council considered and adopted Ordinance No. 820, which would amend Burien Municipal Code section 15.40.210 prohibiting storage for cargo containers in residential zones. The ordinance extends the prohibition to trucks (including, but not limited to, box trucks), recreational vehicles, and other vehicles. The still allows the storage of tools and equipment in properly registered, licensed, and operable work vehicles.
Hear directly from the City’s code enforcement officer about his collaborative approach to working with the Burien community in our “Your City at Work” video profile.
Council Reports
During the Council Reports portion of the meeting, the following councilmembers provided updates:
- Councilmember Sarah Moore encouraged community members to attend the Empty Bowls event on January 26.
- Mayor Kevin Schilling shared that lobbying efforts are being made in preparation for the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference and the Association of Washington Cities’ City Action Days.
City Manager’s Report
During the City Manager’s Report portion of the meeting, City Manager Adolfo Bailon provided the following updates:
- The city manager inquired whether the City Council would be interested in sending a letter to state legislators supporting revisions to the arbitrary property tax cap, and the request was supported by Mayor Kevin Schilling and Councilmembers Linda Akey, Jimmy Matta, Stephanie Mora, and Alex Andrade.
- The King County Regional Homelessness Authority will perform their biennial point-in-time count of unsheltered individuals from January 22 to February 2,2024.
- The deadline to apply for an advisory board position has been extended to February 2, 2024.
- The Association of Washington Cities and Sound Cities Association are seeking candidates for regional and statewide committees and commissions.