The Burien City Council issued a proclamation in honor of National Pollinators Month, extended its pilot food truck program, adopted a housekeeping budget ordinance, approved the 2023 SKHHP work plan, called for future discussion of homelessness services.
Pollinators Month Proclamation Encourages Community to Plant Pollinator-friendly Plants
The proclamation brings attention to the importance of the relationship between pollinators and plants, and encourages community members to plant pollinator gardens with native, non-invasive pollen- and nectar-producing plants to attract bees, birds, butterflies, and other natural pollinators.
The proclamation was accepted by Taryn Koerker, executive director of New Start Community Garden, a public teaching garden near Burien’s northern border.
City Council Extends Food Truck Program by One Year
The City Council voted to extend its pilot food truck program by one year. Started in 2021, and then extended for another year in 2022, the program’s goal was to create more pathways for entrepreneurs to start businesses, encourage growth of food-oriented businesses, provide additional food options for areas of Burien with limited restaurant choices, build community and vibrancy, and test the efficacy of food truck businesses within the city.
The City Council directed staff to explore more ways to make the program more accessible including expanded hours and to include other types of food micro-businesses such as vendor carts.
Housekeeping Budget Ordinance Reflects Current Spending and Grant Revenues
The City Council placed on consent agenda of their next meeting approval of a budget ordinance that provides technical adjustments to the 2023-2024 budget. The adjustments are related to carryovers from 2022, recognition of grant awards, and funding received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
The adjustments are required so the City has sufficient appropriation authority. It will also provide a more accurate budget baseline to help future accounting and budgeting.
Consent Agenda and Future Topics of Discussion
The City Council agreed to sign a letter in support of a community workforce agreement that Highline Public Schools is organizing. They directed the city manager to bring back options for short-term homeless sheltering and services in Burien, including existing proposals. They called for a special meeting to discuss a possible censure of Councilmember Cydney Moore and removal of Charles Schaefer from the Planning Commission. The City Council also voted to explore a possible ordinance to expand the no camping in parks ban to include the downtown area.
The City Council approved on their consent agenda the 2024 work plan and budget for South King County Housing and Homelessness Partners (SKHHP), the City of Burien’s signature on Re+ Pledge, and the annual update to the six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
During the City Manager’s verbal report, he updated the City Council on the status of finding services and shelter for people living in the encampment at Dottie Harper Park, which was cleared on Tuesday June 7, 2023.