Council Roundup: March 6, 2023

Women’s History Month, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Commission, Citizen of the Year
Posted on 03/15/2023
Citizen of the Year logo with illustration of trophy and people holding hands.

The Burien City Council issued a proclamation in honor of Women’s History Month, appointed new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members and an additional member to the Planning Commission, and selected Vicky Hartley to be the 2023 Burien Citizen of the Year.

Women’s History Month Proclamation Honors Women in Media

The City Council issued a proclamation in honor of Women’s History Month. Paula Lamas, a Burien resident and an award-winning journalist who currently hosts her own news television show for Univision, was present to accept the proclamation.

“I’m so honored to have to have my work recognized in this way by all of you … This is a morale booster for me … [and recognizes] my commitment and passion to inform, help, educate, and support Latinos in Burien and in the Pacific Northwest … I’m happy to open a door, a little window for the next generation of women, next generation of Latinos.”

Watch her full speech.

 

Community Members Appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Commission

The City Council appointed three community members to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and one person as an alternate. Leit Meyers currently serves on the advisory board.

  • Kerry Clark
  • Diana Mena
  • Leit Meyers
  • Kelly Fullerton (alternate)

The City Council also appointed Rebecca Gobeille to the Planning Commission. She previously served as an alternate. David Gould was appointed to the Planning Commission’s alternate position.

Vicky Hartley Selected as 2023 Citizen of the Year

The City Council selected Vicky Hartley to be the 2023 Burien Citizen of the Year. There were 19 people nominated.

Vicky Hartley was nominated for her work organizing her neighbors in the Boulevard Park neighborhood who were experiencing severe flooding, helping them bring it to the attention of the City.

City Manager’s Report and Planning Calendar

The City Manager shared that the City of Burien has received a WellCity award from the Association of Washington Cities. One of the benefits of the award is a two percent discount on health care benefit premiums for City staff. The City Manager also gave an update on several state and federal legislative actions that affect Burien.

The City Council requested the following topics be added to a future agenda:

  • Discussion of SB 5334, a recently passed state bill that would allow local jurisdictions to place a small excise tax on short-term rentals.
  • Discuss process for potential return of the Andrew Newton Thompson Memorial Fountain, by George Tsutakawa, from its current location on the first floor of the Burien Library to an atrium inside Burien Community Center.
  • Sponsor a proclamation for World Breastfeeding Week in August.