West Seattle Herald / White Center News - City Government

Letter: Take survey on Burien CARES

ericm — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:23:17 +0000

A Better Burien for Animals – take the survey!

My organization is Feral Cat Assistance and Trapping, my name is Pamela Staeheli. I would like for you to participate in taking this anonymous survey so that I can provide the Burien Council and candidates with community feedback through this survey. The Council might be revisiting the animal control contract sometime this year. The survey will help clarify what the community wants and provide the council with better information to make a decision.

Animal control service will also be important during this year’s local Burien elections where the voters of Burien will be electing four Burien council members. To help inform voters, each of the 12 candidates will be asked to take the survey and participate in an endorsement process.

Please support this effort by taking the survey, telling your friends and neighbors about the survey, and finding out about Burien candidates. We’ll post the results of the survey at several different locations.
Thanks!

Please click on the link below.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Burien_Animal_Survey

Pamela Staeheli
Burien

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ericm

06/19/2013

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Letter: Burien doesn't enforce campaign rules fairly

ericm — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:31:23 +0000

When one candidate running for a City Council position recently contacted the City of Burien about political booths for the Strawberry Festival, that candidate was told that no political campaigning promoting individuals, an issue or party was allowed from booths at the event. This was the city's policy. The only thing that political groups or individuals could do from the booths was to provide general information to educate the public on things like where to vote or how to register to vote.

However, Joey Martinez, the 33rd Dems, the 34th Dems and two potential Port Commissioners violated the city rules for the festival and directly distributed campaign materials for a specific candidate. None of these booths were registering voters or explaining rules for voting. City staff were at the festival and could easily have stopped this material from being handed out or closed the renter's booth down. They did nothing.

This demonstates what Dick West (Burien Citizen) has been speaking about repeatedly at Council meetings. The City of Burien makes rules and ordinances and then selectively enforces them for only some individuals or businesses. For other individuals and businesses, it enforces them vigorously. This is not how consistent, honest and transparent government works and it creates a general distrust and disrespect of the government and how it operates in Burien.

So my question is; what is the city going to do to those booth renters that violated the rules for booths at the Strawberry festival? John Creighton, Courtney Gregoire, Joey Martinez, the 34th Dems and the 33rd Dems?

If the city intends to do nothing about rules and ordinances, why make them?
If the city enforces them for only some parties then this demonstrates a clear prejudice in favor of some citizens and something doesn't smell right about that. Also if the city only stated the rules to some of the renters and then neglected to post or give the rules to other renters or potential renters, the city needs to clear up how it does business during its events. I believe that this is the responsibility of Michael Lafreniere, Director of Parks and Recreation and it appeared that he and his staff did nothing about this issue during the festival.

The Council and city staff have a responsibility to make sure that ordinances and rules are enforced equally and fairly for all citizens, candidates and businesses.

R. DeLorm
Burien

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ericm

06/19/2013

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Bike rack ribbon cutting ceremony is June 29

ericm — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:33:20 +0000

Press release:

 Now it’s easier to hop on your bike, head into town and do your shopping at the local businesses.

We’ve just installed a couple dozen, sparkling new, custom-designed bike racks around town, through the collaborative efforts of WABI Burien and the City of Burien’s Parks and Public Works Departments. And there are more racks coming!

Come to the ribbon-cutting ceremony and give a big, happy shout-out with the rest of the community. These bike racks have been a long time coming and there’s cause for celebration.

Date & Time: Saturday, June 29 at 11:00 a.m. Place: 639 SW 152nd Street (Out in front of Bumbershoot Books)

There will be refreshments and giveaways. A FREE raffle. Discounts offered by local businesses. And plenty of applause and good feelings. (Ride your bike to the ribbon-cutting, wearing your helmet, and we’ll give you an extra raffle ticket.)

Locations for all the racks: Burien Bike Rack Map Bike Rack Project Overview: Bike Racks for Burien Details: ”All things Bike Rack”

The Downtown Burien Bike Rack Project has been a focus project of WABI Burien for almost 2 years, and has involved WABI board members, the City of Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, Burien Public Works Department, the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board and community bike rack sponsors. All thanks goes out to the many people that have taken part in this project.

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ericm

06/19/2013

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City of Burien and RECAP/UP Burien LLC Reach Settlement Agreement

ericm — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:55:35 +0000

Press release:

On Tuesday, June 18, the City of Burien and RECP/UP Burien II LP, owner of three undeveloped parcels at Burien Town Square have reached a settlement agreement related to the sale of the three referred to as Town Square properties.

The undeveloped Town Square parcels are north of the current Town Square condominiums and Burien Library/City Hall between SW 152nd and SW 150th streets. RECP/UP Burien II LP includes the developer and a capital partner that jointly own the properties.

Under the settlement agreement, RECP/UP Burien II LP will sell the properties back to the City of Burien or a third party designated by the City of Burien. In addition, the City of Burien will reimburse RECAP/UP II LLP for planning and design expenses incurred by the owner/developer over the past year.

“The City of Burien has engaged its community in a downtown master plan that will benefit the entire city,” said Matthew Burton, managing principal for UP Burien II LLC. “With time and the right fit, we believe the City will be successful”

The settlement agreement was unanimously approved 6-0 by the Burien City Council on June 17, 2013.

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ericm

06/18/2013

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Letter: Candidate left off Burien newsletter

ericm — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:02:38 +0000

This Wednesday, the city of Burien sent out a newsletter to its approximately 48,000 residents and on the front page of that newsletter, it failed to list me as a candidate for council.

The information for who is running in the Council election comes directly from the King County Elections website. So I find it strange that my name was excluded from the list shown in the city newsletter. When I called the city for an explanation, they couldn't explain why this error had occurred and they did refuse to send out a mailing correction for their error.

Now the dilemma here is that the city does not consider the blogs to be valid media sources so they are only willing to correct their error in the Highline Times and on the city website.

If we are to believe the city's surveys, only 20 percent of the Burien citizens get their information from the Highline Times and only 33 percent of Burien citizens have a computer that they get their information from.

So this error in the city newsletter of not listing me as a candidate puts me at a disadvantage to the other candidates that have been announced as candidates by the city. Please tell your friends, family and neighbors that I am still running for Position #3 on the Council.

As I noted earlier in the week, the city has made it very difficult for the candidates to know at which of the city events candidates are allowed to meet and introduce themselves to the citizens. I have been clearly told that this is not allowed at the Strawberry Festival, etc.

Based on how election business is allowed in the city, it is no wonder that incumbent candidates have an edge over new candidates in Burien elections. If your name is missed in the city newsletter, thousands of citizens don't know you are running because 80 percent of the citizens don't read the Highline Times.

While the city manager has just announced he is leaving, there are still major changes that have to happen to the council to improve service to the city and its citizens.
Debi Wagner
Candidate for Position #3
Burien City Council

(Editor’s Note: According to the latest scientific city survey we know about, when residents were asked where they obtain their local news, 31 percent replied Local Paper/Highline Times. That was overwhelmingly the top answer. Down in 7th place, were blogs, including www.highlinetimes.com, at 10 percent.)

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ericm

06/16/2013

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UPDATE: It's Lynden, not Lakewood for Burien City Manager Mike Martin

ericm — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 21:46:01 +0000

Martin bailing out of Burien

Burien City Manager Mike Martin is leaving for Lynden, not Lakewood.

Martin had been among six finalists for the city manager job In Lakewood, south of Tacoma in Pierce County.

But Martin confirmed Friday to the Highline Times that he plans to take the city administrator position in Lynden.

He said the position is “not a done deal” but expects it to be finalized by next week.

With a 2010 census population of 11,978, Lynden is considerably smaller than Burien, which has 45,000 residents. It is located five miles south of the Canadian border in Whatcom County and 15 miles north of Bellingham.

Instead of a Wild Strawberry Festival, Lynden holds a Raspberry Festival the third weekend of July and the Northwest Washington Fair in August.

The town lies in a broad valley filled with dairy, raspberry, strawberry and blueberry farms.

Lynden pays homage to its Dutch heritage with some businesses sporting a Dutch/Eurpoean theme, complete with windmills.

Martin faced an uncertain employment future in Burien. Three of seven council members gave him the lowest rating possible in his latest annual evaluation.

Three of the four council members who supported Martin are up for election. Mayor Brian Bennett is not running again but Councilmembers Joan McGilton and Rose Clark are facing stiff election challenges.

Councilmember Jack Block Jr. is also running for re-election. He, along with Deputy Mayor Lucy Krakowiak and Councilmember Bob Edgar have been critical of Martin.

Martin has been criticized by the three lawmakers as well some residents for his work on Burien’s attempt to annex White Center and the remainder of North Highline. Annexation was overwhelmingly defeated by White Center and North Highline voters.

Burien does not have an assistant city manager, who would normally take over for Martin on an interim basis until the City Council selects a successor. Lawmakers may decide to wait until a new council is seated in January before permanently filling the position.

This is a developing story so check back for further details.

Here is our previous coverage:

Burien City Manager Mike Martin is a finalist for the city manager position in Lakewood, Pierce County.

The decision on a new Lakewood administrator is expected June 17 or 18.

Martin is a highly polarizing figure among Burien City Council members and some residents.

In his latest evaluation, three council members gave him an overall rating of “Outstanding. “Councilmember Gerald Robison rated Martin overall as “Very Good.”

However, three other lawmakers gave him the lowest rating possible.

In rebutting the negative ratings, “Martin wrote, “The remarks written by by Deputy Mayor Krakowiak and
Councilmembers Block and Edgar intended to support their ratings are entirely untrue, and easily refutable. As such, those evaluations lack actionable substance.
“It is unclear what they are meant to accomplish other than to underscore the fact that, for their own reasons, Lucy, Jack and Bob simply dislike me personally.”

In subsequent emails all three denied their rankings were based on personal views.

Three of the council members who support Martin are up for re-election.

Mayor Brian Bennett is not running for re-election but council members Joan McGilton and Rose Clark filed again for their seats.

Upon hearing about Martin’s possible move to Lakewood, Councilmember Jack Block Jr. said he is “miffed” that council members did not support his idea to set up a succession plan if Martin resigned or was fired. Block is also up for re-election.

Only four out of seven votes are needed on the council to remove Martin.

Martin’s predecessor, Gary Long retired after it appeared he would not have the support of a newly-elected majority of council members.

Normandy Park City Manager Doug Schultze left Normandy Park in October to take over as city manager on Bainbridge Island. Normandy Park was facing financial difficulties that have been alleviated somewhat by the successful passage of a proposition that allowed property tax rates to be increased,

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ericm

06/14/2013

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Update: Disparity in compromise highlighted as Burien council approves new shoreline plan

ericm — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:06:00 +0000

Update: The ad hoc committee was tasked with trying to resolve four areas of contention between the city of Burien's originally submitted Shoreline Master Program and the state Department of Ecology. One of these areas was the buffer and setback requirements for the marine shoreline. The city and DOE had already agreed on the Lake Burien setbacks.

Here is our previous coverage

Yet another hitch appeared June 3 as Burien lawmakers appeared ready to approve a compromise shoreline master plan and resubmit it to the state Department of Ecology (DOE).

Three Burien council members voiced concern the compromise granted more lenient conditions for Puget Sound property owners over Lake Burien residents.

But the prospect of dragging the five-year-long process along for even one more council meeting caused two of the three dissenters to decide to approve the plan in hopes it may be amended later.

Councilmember Rose Clark commented that while the council has focused on the Lake Burien and marine properties shore plan, “the rest of the city has been ignored.”

The vote was 6-1 with Councilmember Jack Block Jr. the lone dissenter.

Under a compromise worked out by an ad hoc committee headed by Burien Marine Homeowners Association president Michael Noakes, private property near the shore would be divided into two zones.

In the first zone nearest the shore, any new adverse impacts would be severely limited, according to Noakes. In the second zone, some adverse impacts would be allowed if mitigated by restoration in the first zone.

Properties along the marine shoreline would be divided into three categories, depending on how altered they had become. Zone 1 measurements would vary from 20 feet to 50 feet. Zone 2 measurements vary from 15 feet to 100 feet.

For Lake Burien, the setbacks are 30 feet for Zone 1 and 15 feet for Zone 2. Some lake residents have pushed to eliminate the zones on the lake and have the 45-foot buffer be considered a single entity.

Burien lawmakers previously submitted a plan to the DOE establishing a 20-foot setback between the ordinary high water mark and a home or other building on marine properties. The DOE rejected that part of the plan and insisted on a 65-foot setback (50-foot buffer plus an additional 15-foot setback.)

As a result of the standoff, Burien council members appointed the ad hoc committee, which came up with the compromise which Burien officials say is likely to receive the required approval from DOE.

But the June 3 hitch came when Councilmember Joan McGilton said she was concerned about the fairness of the compromise.

“I want to make sure it is absolutely consistent between Lake Burien and the marine properties,” McGilton said.

In a later interview with the Highline Times, senior planner David Johanson sought to clarify the complicated compromise.

Johanson said in Lake Burien’s Zone 1 (the 30 feet nearest the lake,) homeowners would not be able to make many alterations beyond maintaining existing structures.

In Zone 2 (15 feet) homeowners may be able to construct “at-grade” structures such as a patio or deck. The structures could not be over 18 inches high. However, the homeowner would have to mitigate for the structure in Zone 1. Mitigation could include adding native vegetation.

On the Puget Sound (marine) shoreline, homeowners could “potentially” add on to their home in Zone 2 “depending on the location of the house,” according to Johanson. Homeowners could possibly expand their home toward the water inside of Zone 2.

Johanson emphasized the word, “potentially.” A worksheet has been developed that lists requirements and mitigation needs.

During the council meeting, McGilton said the nuance was important to bring up but she wanted to move ahead with a vote. She noted there are eight properties on Lake Burien with homes close to the 45-foot setback requirement.

Clark also expressed reservations about the disparity between requirements for Lake Burien and marine properties but decided to vote for approval.

Mayor Brian Bennett said the compromise was “unprecedented.” He praised the city of Burien and Noakes for pushing back against the DOE without resorting to a lawsuit and, instead, working with the state agency.
Bennett, who lives on Lake Burien, said he knows neighbors who no longer talk to each other because of the controversy.

“If we are not able to work together, we won’t be able to move forward,” the mayor declared.

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ericm

06/13/2013

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Highline schools to hold hearing on selling old Sunny Terrace school, ex-Navos site

ericm — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 20:38:52 +0000

City of Burien plans to buy as part of redevelopment project

Press release:

The Board of Directors (the "Board") of Highline School District No. 401 (the "School District") intends to hold a hearing on June 26, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at Highline School District ERAC building; 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W., Burien, WA.

The purposes of the hearing will be (a) to declare a portion of real property located at 1010 S. 146th St., in the City of Burien, County of King, Washington (the "Property"), as surplus because it is neither necessary for nor required for school purposes, and (b) to authorize the sale of the Property to the City of Burien pursuant to Chapter 39.33 RCW, the Intergovernmental Disposition of Property Act.

The proposed use of the Property is for development of the Northeast Redevelopment Area (“NERA”).

The Property is legally described as follows:
That portion of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter lying northwesterly of S. 144th Way and northerly of S. 146th Street.

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ericm

06/05/2013

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Wage, working conditions petition presented to SeaTac officials on Wednesday, June 5

ericm — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 20:19:07 +0000

SeaTac Committee for Good Jobs press release:

Today the SeaTac Good Jobs Initiative takes a major step forward as supporters will file more than 2,500 signatures and call on the city to place the initiative on the November 2013 ballot. Only 1,541 valid signatures are required to qualify the measure in the city.

It took airport workers and their community supporters less than 4 weeks of door-to-door canvassing to collect the signatures. The signature total represents nearly half of all SeaTac residents who voted in the 2011 general election.

Workers and their supporters will deliver their signatures to the SeaTac City Clerk’s office with the help of a marching band, balloons and celebratory signs.

“Today we celebrate in SeaTac. Filing the initiative shows how the community is coming together in its care and concern for one another. When working families can be paid properly and thrive, our whole community benefits,” said Rev. Jan Bolerjack, pastor of Riverton Park United Methodist Church.

“It’s great that so many people support the SeaTac Good Jobs Initiative and it was easy to get signatures.” said Assadollah Valibiergi, a wheelchair attendant who works for Alaska Airlines contractor Bags, Inc. “When I knocked on doors, people understood that we all do better when workers are paid better. I’m sure that when it comes time in November, SeaTac voters will support low wage workers having full-time work and better wages.”

Thousands of poverty wage workers in and around the airport, the vast majority of whom live and shop in south King County, would see their lives improved by the initiative. Local economies could see an infusion of nearly $40 million a year into the City of SeaTac and surrounding communities.

“As a small business owner, I know that when people make more money, they spend more money in their community,” said Mohamed Ali, owner of the SeaTac International Market. “A good wage keeps qualified employees, builds customer loyalty, supports us directly or indirectly in resulting higher sales for small business in the city. When workers win, business wins and our communities win.”

The measure would set basic employment standards for workers employed in the transportation, tourism and hospitality industries in SeaTac, including paid sick leave, full-time work for those who need it, a living wage of at least $15/hour, job security for employees when companies change contractors, and assurances that tips and service charges go to the workers who perform the service.

The measure would cover businesses in and around the airport, including airport baggage handling, passenger services, cabin cleaning, aircraft fueling, security, and retail stores, along with hotels, rental car and parking lot facilities. Small businesses are specifically exempt.

The SeaTac Committee for Good Jobs includes a broad array of workers, faith and community supporters, union members and retirees.

For more information on the prevalence of low-wage jobs at Sea-Tac Airport, see the report Below the Radar, issued in March 2013 by Puget Sound Sage: http://pugetsoundsage.org/downloads/Below_the_Radar.pdf

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ericm

06/05/2013

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