The Burien City Council discussed arts and culture grants, the mid-biennium budget update, and temporary emergency housing village location.
Arts and Culture Grants to Support Arts Programs for All Ages
The City Council heard a presentation on the Burien Arts Commission’s recommendations for recipients of arts and culture grants.
The City of Burien Arts and Culture Grants program supports arts and heritage organizations and artists who will provide cultural opportunities for the Burien community. The goal of funding these projects is to attract regional artists and audiences that can contribute to Burien’s identity as an arts and culture-oriented city.
Earlier this year, the City Council approved $40,000 for the program to distribute. The Arts Commission recommended nine artists and organizations to receive a total of $34,750. These recommendations are based on the review of all application documents as well as interviews with applicants that took place on September 13, 2023.
The remaining 2024 funds of $5,250 will be used for the Open for Arts rolling grants program to support opportunities that fall outside of the traditional grantmaking timeline.
For 2023, the City of Burien allocated $35,400 to ten organizations. An additional $3,000 was allocated to the Open for Arts rolling grant program, which was distributed during the summer and fall of 2023.
Discussion of Mid-biennial Budget Continues with Property Tax and Surface Water Management Fees Adopted
The City Council began discussion of the final budget ordinance, wrapping up several months of discussion on the mid-biennial budget update. They also approved on consent agenda the property tax levy and surface water management fees. They are scheduled to take the final vote on the budget ordinance during their meeting on December 4.
Pallet Shelter Village Location, Services, and Conditions
The City Council discussed possible locations for a potential temporary emergency housing village of Pallet shelters offered by King County. City Manager Adolfo Bailon presented information about the locations.
The City Council directed the city manager to request an extension from King County on the decision to use the funds.
The City Council voted to hold a special meeting on Monday, November 27, 2023 to continue discussion.
Council Reports
During their Council Reports portion of the meeting, councilmembers shared the following:
- Mayor Sofia Aragon and Deputy Mayor Kevin Schilling both shared insights from the National League of Cities’ “City Summit 2023” in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Mayor Sofia Aragon announced there is a new organization for Vietnamese seniors which will be starting to host programs at Burien Community Center in December.
- Councilmember Hugo Garcia highlighted the success of this year’s Día de los Muertos event at Burien Community Center.
- Councilmember Sarah Moore reported that over 50 trees were planted in the Highline Seatac Botanical Garden by volunteers from Burien and visited the Innovation Heights Community Garden.
- Councilmember Cydney Moore attended Burien Arts Association’s Vision 2023 gala which showcased art from across the community.
City Manager Report
The city manager shared during his report that King County and the Port of Seattle were looking for a site to develop an International Public Market facility in South King County. The City Council voiced support for the project to be sited in Burien.
The city manager announced that the Sound Cities Association annual meeting will be held on December 6, 2023. Deputy Mayor Kevin Schilling will attend as a delegate for the City of Burien.
Nominations for 2024 Citizen of the Year are currently being accepted, and applications for advisory boards will soon be available in both English and Spanish, according to the city manager.
The city manager also shared updates on the tent encampment at Oasis Home Church and financial implications of using the lot leased to Burien Toyota for a temporary emergency housing village. He also shared that Burien Police will begin enforcement of ordinance 827 prohibiting camping on public property on December 1, 2023, and that the number of tents at the encampment on Ambaum Blvd SW and SW 120th St has decreased from 69 to about 20.
Briefings the city manager is currently working to arrange for upcoming City Council meetings include updates from the Federal Aviation Administration, King County Metro, and Downtown Emergency Service Center.
Consent Agenda
The City Council approved on their consent agenda a property tax levy (Ordinance 829) and surface water management fees (Ordinance 828).