Unlawful Public Camping Ordinance, Planning Commission Appointments, Office Zoning, Community Development Block Grants, Literacy Month
The Burien City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting camping on public land. They approved on the consent agenda interim updates to office zoning, an interlocal agreement for a parking lot project, and Community Development Block Grant 2024 funding allocations. They interviewed and appointed seven new members to the Planning Commission. They issued a proclamation recognizing Literacy Month.
Candidates Selected for Planning Commission
The City Council appointed seven community members to positions on the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will hold its first meeting with the new commissioners on October 25.
- Heidi Turner (position 1)
- Shelli Park (position 2)
- Jessica Ivey (position 3)
- Paul Croon (position 4)
- Joshua Halpin (position 5)
- Jimmy Matta, Jr. (position 6)
- Sam Ostrander (position 7)
City Council Adopts Ordinance Prohibiting Unlawful Camping on Public Property
The City Council adopted Ordinance 818 prohibiting individuals from camping on public property between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. if shelter is available. If an individual refuses the available shelter and refuses to leave the public property, they could be charged with a misdemeanor.
The ordinance will go into effect on November 1, 2023.
Interim Office Zoning, Community Development Block Grant Funding, and More Approved on Consent Agenda
Items that were approved on the consent agenda included:
- Interim zoning ordinance that would change regulations in the Office zone citywide to allow new developments that meet the proposed definition of “affordable housing” or “emergency housing”
- Community Development Block Grant allocations for 2024, funding human services programs and new park playground equipment for Lakeview Park
- Joint interlocal agreement between the City of Burien and Highline Public Schools to implement parking lot improvements next to Moshier Memorial Park
Council Reports and City Manager Report
During Council Reports, the City Council heard an update on discussions between City staff and King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) to establish a temporary housing site in Burien using the 35 Pallet shelters and funding offered by King County. A draft budget presented by KCRHA to operate a supportive temporary housing site estimated that it would cost at least $1.2 million to operate the site. The City is looking at ways to supplement the King County funding, including possibly re-allocating federal pandemic recovery funding.
The city manager announced several internal promotions in the PaRCS Department. He also shared progress being made to gather stakeholder input into details of a proposed ordinance to establish a minimum wage in Burien. The Business and Economic Development Partnership held a public meeting on September 23 to discuss the issue. The City Council is scheduled to discuss the minimum wage in late October.
The city manager shared that progress is being made on a contract with The More We Love to provide homeless outreach services. The City Council requested this contract be discussed at an upcoming meeting. He also shared that the City has hired a consultant to design and implement a racial equity analysis and framework.
September is Literacy Month in Burien
The City Council issued a proclamation recognizing September as Literacy Month in Burien. The proclamation highlighted Team Read, an organization that partners with schools, libraries, and community groups to offer reading support that supplements classroom learning, resulting in more confident, joyful readers. Daryll Conrad-Angkico, a student at Highline High School and reading coach, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Team Read.
“Being a tutor for the past three years has been a valuable work and learning experience for me. It’s not only a paid job for us teens, but also a meaningful way to give back to the community. While the elementary kids are learning how to read, write, and speak better, I—along with the other coaches—are learning how to communicate, work with others, and act as a leader so I can apply those skills later on in my life,” explained Conrad-Angkico.
“[The elementary students’] passion to learn more, become better and better, and exceed my and everyone’s expectations even spread to those around them, and it’s all thanks to Team Read and what it stands for,” shared Conrad-Angkico. “Literacy is fundamental to our ability to learn, grow, and make good choices for our community, and it takes the investment of all of us to make sure that kids have access to books and the support they need to become great readers.”