Under Secretary Concannon and Interim Superintendent Alan Spicciati join Madrona students for a school lunch.

USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon and Regional Administrator Allen Ng visited Madrona Elementary School on Monday (Feb. 6) to recognize four Highline schools for their efforts to promote good nutrition and active lifestyles among students.

Under Secretary Concannon presented plaques to principals from Madrona, Southern Heights, Beverly Park, and White Center Heights elementary schools, as well as to Highline’s Nutrition Services Director, Chris Neal. Under the guidance of Nutrition Services staff, the four schools achieved silver status in the Healthier US School Challenge, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

Silver award schools are in the top one percent in the nation for adhering to healthy standards, according to Under Secretary Concannon. No other schools in Washington achieved the silver designation.

To win the award, the schools provide healthier foods in their school meals; educate students about nutrition; ensure that students get at least 90 minutes of PE per week; and give students opportunities for physical activity.

Madrona, Southern Heights, White Center Heights, and Beverly Park are already using the new healthier school meal standards issued by the USDA last week.

“You are at the head of the pack for adopting the new standards,” said Concannon. “We know that children learn better when they have a regular source of healthy meals. And as we look at some of the challenges facing our country with obesity and preventable illnesses, to the extent that we can instill, support, and reinforce healthier eating we will have healthier adults later in life.”

For more information about the Healthier US School Challenge, go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/healthierus/index.html.

USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon with Highline Nutrition Services Director Chris Neal.

L-R Megan DeVries (Nutrition Services Manager), Leslie Perry (Beverly Park Interim Principal), Deborah Holcomb (Southern Heights Principal), Dave Darling (White Center Heights Principal), Daniel Yarbrough (Madrona Principal), Chris Neal (Nutrition Services Director), Alan Spicciati (Interim Superintendent)

The Burien City Council had a retreat on January 28, 2012 at the Environmental Science Center. These retreats are open to the public but most citizens do not know about them and the retreats are not broadcast or videotaped. However, it is important to know what is going on at them. For example at this last retreat, Jack Block put forth the idea that the City Council meetings should be changed from Monday to Tuesday or some other night of the week. The reason for the change that was given by Jack was that the City Staff needed more time to prepare for meetings. However, Mike Martin/City Manager told the Councilmembers that there was no need to change the meeting night and his staff could be ready on Mondays just as they have been ready for more than 11 years. Councilmember Lucy K. made it clear the she could not change the night of the meetings from Monday on her calendar due to other professional, business, community and personal commitments. One of the councilmembers attacked her for daring to say this.

So what is the change of the Monday night meeting really about? Well one of the councilmembers – maybe jokingly –said that it was so that some councilmembers could watch Monday night football. However, it is important to remember what happened in the last election cycle, Nov. 2011. Five of the city councilmembers joined together and held a fund raiser to defeat Lucy K. Why? Because she dared to question or voted against their pet projects-the annexation of Area Y, the problematic, badly run animal control program in Burien and against renewing the City Manager’s contract. She won the election by 64% of the vote. Citizens like her because she represents their vote on many issues. The four remaining Councilmembers who wanted her gone are still looking for ways to get rid of her voice and the citizens she represents. Changing the meeting night so that she can’t attend seems to be one way to eliminate her voice and vote. This Council is desperate to silence anyone who questions or speaks out against the annexation of Area Y. They forced Doug Moreland off of the Economic Development Partnership Advisory Board -because he and members of that group presented a report to the Council that stated the annexation of Area Y did not make good economic sense for the City of Burien in the long term. This is exactly what the Berk Report and what some members of the Boundary Review Board have also noted.

So if you are concerned that your citizen elected representative voice, Lucy K., will be silenced by this squeeze play of four Councilmembers, now is the time to email your new mayor. Brian Bennett-the man who ran on the ticket that he believes in quality animal control and animal rights. Email Brian Bennettbrianb@burienwa.gov about this issue. Better still write to Joan M., Rose C., Jack B. or Jerry R. who are pushing to have the meeting night changed for no apparent or emergency reason. Oh Jerry R. mentioned at this retreat that the only legacy that he wished to leave Burien is the annexation of Area Y. Interestingly, he failed to put that on his campaign flyers this last fall. because he was afraid that posting that statement might cost him the election to Debi Wagner. Stay tuned to TV tonight to see what new tricks are unfolding with these four councilmembers. But speak out or email, if you want your vote and voice represented on this Council.

- Roger DeLorm

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Burien Police Chief Scott Kimerer

by Jack Mayne

Burien’s police chief say he was a bit perplexed at recent increases in crime in the unincorporated parts of the North Highline Unincorporated area, but believes his department can easily police the area if the Burien City Council and the voters of the area eventually do approve its annexation to the city.

The annexation matter is still under consideration by the state Boundary Review Board for King County. If it approves the proposed annexation, the Burien Council must ask voters in the so-called Area Y to vote in favor of becoming part of the city.

During recent Boundary Review hearings, Chief Scott Kimerer said there were some “relatively minor increases” in crime in the northern half of the North Highline and the White Center business and residential area.

During a recent period, overall statistics for “Part One” crimes – more serious offenses such as assaults and robbery – were 54 incidents per thousand residents in Burien, while the number for North Highline was 65 incidents per thousand people.

“Not a huge difference,” he said, but in the past both areas were about 62 violent crimes per thousand.

For “Part Two,” or lesser crimes, the recent comparison was 66 per thousand for Burien, versus 69 per thousand in North Highline – “so very similar,” said the chief.

One reason the county wants North Highline to become part of a city (Burien, Seattle or Tukwila) is that counties have fewer ways to tax residents and offer higher urban services. That means there are as many as half as many deputies patrolling the area than there used to be.

That could account for the increase in crime rate, Kimerer said in a recent interview.

“Like I said at the (annexation hearing), I was a little bit surprised because in studying crime up there for the almost nine years that I have been (Burien Police chief), the crime rates have always been very similar.”

“You could say at times there might be a concentration of crime in the White Center area, however you could also say there could be a concentration of crime in the downtown Burien core,” the chief said.

Kimerer said the annexation of the southern half of North Highline was mostly residential areas, very little business. But the majority of the area still unincorporated is where business is located.

The King County Sheriff’s office has “had a budget crisis” in the past couple of years.

“The sheriff’s office has taken some serious cuts in officers and staffing – the staffing is not what it was four years ago up in White Center,” Kimerer said.

People need to remember that Kimerer and all blue uniformed members of the Burien Police are actually deputies in the King County Sheriff’s Department, contracted and paid by Burien taxpayers. While he has been chief in Burien for just under a decade, he is also a major in the Sheriff’s department.

The Burien contract has permitted Kimerer to maintain the same number of officers.

King County had to cut the White Center storefront position, at 9609 16th Ave. SW for almost a year until funds were found to restore it. Still there are about two officers per shift on duty there, down from up to four before cuts.

“I think people don’t realize the value of that storefront position in crime reduction and community involvement to help drive down the crime rates,” Kimerer said. “All the cuts bunched together showed indicators that the crime rate went up.”

Kimerer said he would keep the storefront open if Burien annexes the area and would even keep the same deputy since the Sheriff’s department manages the individual from his department who would reopen the storefront. The deputy that works the office does not answer calls, but is available in the business community and can advise store operators on ways to cut down on crime and how to control nuisances by panhandlers or those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“It is community interaction, getting together with the businesses, talking about what their issues are, trying to find solutions, trying to build relationships up there amongst us and them and with each other to really drive down the people that are causing the problems.”

The chief also said he did not need as many officers to handle the unincorporated area that Seattle said in a study its department would need.

“Seattle said they would have to put all of those officers in there and then turned around and said they could not afford it,” Kimerer said. “Well, I could make a claim of putting a whole bunch of officers in there that I can’t afford but it is about being realistic. We all have budget concerns.”

Seattle has a “fine department” but he didn’t think policing the area would take as many officers as they had claimed – 44 added police officers – while Kimerer figured he would need only 15 additional officers.

The added officers for Burien to cover the proposed new annexed area would mean he had that many additional officers to use anywhere in Burien, as needed.

“It would become a much more robust department,” Kimerer said.

According to a notice sent out Wednesday morning, Feb. 1:

Amendments to Burien Zoning Code to revise definitions relating to impervious surface and schools; change review process for quasi-judicial land use decisions from Type 3 to Type 2; change review process for certain park and recreation facilities from Type 2 to Type 1; eliminate Type 1 review for auto repair in the CC zone; add minimum floor area requirement for mixed use in the CI zone; eliminate outdated and redundant references; establishing a process and requirements for legalization of non-conforming accessory dwelling units; eliminating requirement to maintain a database of significant trees; changing “wetland” to “stream” in a stream regulation; clarifying the location of stream buffers on property; establishing standards for increasing impervious surface coverage on sites where impervious surface coverage is already non-conforming; revising road capacity levels of service; establishing standards for community gardens; and, allowing options to preparing a parking study to determine parking requirements.

The specific proposed 2012 Zoning Code Amendments and project file is available for viewing at Burien City Hall during regular business hours.

Any person may submit written or oral comments or testimony at the public hearing, or may submit written comments prior to the hearing. Written comments may be submitted in person, via mail, e-mail or by facsimile. All documents submitted or requested as part of this application, including the City staff report are available for review at City Hall during regular business hours.

Scott Greenberg, AICP
Community Development Director
City of Burien
400 SW 152nd St, Suite 300
Burien, WA 98166

Phone: (206) 248-5519
E-Mail: scottg@burienwa.gov

UPDATE 1/31/12: The good folks at Burien Little Theatre report to us that have successfully obtained the use of an 88-key electric piano thanks to YOU, our faithful and generous B-Town Blog Readers!

Here’s a note from Artistic Director Eric Dickman:

Scott,

I don’t know if you have room for this, but I would be nice to thank Diana Holman in public.

Thanks for 88 keys!  Once again the readers of the B-Town Blog came through for Burien Little Theatre.  As you may have read BLT needed an 88 key electric piano for its upcoming production the “The Who’s Tommy,” that runs February 17 though March 25.

We borrowed an electric piano from Diana Holman, a fine B-Town Blog reader and supporter of the arts.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

- Eric Dickman

PREVIOUSLY:

Our friends at Burien Little Theatre are “in a jam” of a different musical variety – they need an 88-key electric piano to use from Feb. 12 – March 25 in their upcoming production of “The Who’s Tommy.”

Our generous Readers have come through before, when BLT needed to borrow a baby grand for “Christmas with the Crawfords” (read about that here) and we know someone out there can help, so if you’ve got one just sitting around and collecting dust, or know of one, please contact them ASAP: info@burienlittletheatre.org.

Also, please spread the word by sharing this post on your Facebook Page or Twitter feed!

“The Who’s Tommy” will begin Friday, Feb. 18 and will run through March 25 at BLT, located at 14501 4th Ave SW – buy tickets online here.

Here’s more from an email we received from BLT Artistic Director Eric Dickman:

BLT is in a jam.  We need an 88 weighted key electric piano with a moderate effects library for “The Who’s Tommy.”  We need it from February 12 through March 25, 2012.  See http://burienlittletheatre.org/blog/2012/01/88-keys-please/.

Or if anyone could donate enough to buy one we would be forever in their debt.

We usually borrow an 88 key electric piano from another theater, but they have a show up during our production of “Tommy” that needs their piano. We have been asking around to no avail.

Your readers have come through so many times for so many, including BLT when one of your readers let borrow a baby grand for “Christmas with the Crawfords.”  Hopefully they will come through for us again.

Eric Dickman
Artistic Director
Burien Little Theatre

Reduced evening hours on Metro’s Route 139 from the Burien Transit Center to Highline Medical Center will begin in June.

The change is one of many revisions to Metro bus routes that was approved Monday (Jan. 30) by the King County Council.

More than 35,000 service hours will be shifted through the council’s action to “high ridership” bus routes from underperforming routes. This will be accomplished by eliminating 10 underperforming routes and reducing service on another five routes.

Route 139 was one of many targeted earlier for elimination by Metro Transit if a $20 license tab fee to maintain service levels was not imposed on county vehicle owners.

On the plus side, Route 180 from Burien to SeaTac, Kent and Auburn will receive an additional 11,000 hours to provide more evening bus service on the entire route.

Last summer the King County Council voted to impose an annual $20 car tab fee for two years to maintain current Metro bus service and avoid sharp transit cuts.

But County Councilman Larry Phillips of Seattle, appearing on News Line with John Carlson on KOMO Radio Tuesday morning (Jan. 31), said the council was “not cutting bus service” but “was rearranging it … we will have a substantial net gain in ridership.”

Currently the last 139 bus to Highline Medical Center leaves the Burien Transit Center at 9:16 p.m. Beginning in June, there will be no service on Route 139 after 8:15 p.m. – eliminating the final three scheduled evening runs for a savings of 500 service hours.

The only other service impacted in the greater Burien area is Route 129, which serves Riverton Heights and Tukwila. It will be eliminated for a savings of 1,400 service hours.

Routes 129 and 132 will provide some alternate service, but part of Route 129 will have no bus service beginning in June.

Another 8,000 hours of service will be added to 11 other Metro bus routes, and an additional 15,000 hours “will be reallocated to help improve scheduled reliability as determined by the Transit Division,” according to county council spokesman Al Sanders.

He noted that these changes are “the first service adjustments since the adoption of the county’s Transit Strategic Plan.”

“Adoption of these service changes upholds the council’s commitment to Metro’s regionally agreeable upon Strategic Plan,” said Councilwoman Julia Patterson, whose District 5 now includes south Burien.

Phillips said on KOMO Radio that these changes will give Metro “more productive hours” of service on its bus routes.

He added that rider fares pay 25 percent of Metro’s overall operating costs for bus service, which is the national average for public bus transit.

McDermott, whose District 8 includes Burien and North Highline, will lead the county council’s 2013 budget deliberations.

“Tough choices and a true commitment to reforming county government have placed the County on sound financial footing,” McDermott said. “Sound fiscal management will continue to be my priority as budget chair.”

The Budget Committee maintains oversight of the current year’s budget, and is the lead decision-making body during the adoption of the 2013 budget.

“Unfortunately, the county’s coffers will be facing many challenges this year as cuts from the state are absorbed. In all likelihood, we will be forced to make many more tough choices,” McDermott said.

McDermott joined the King County Council in 2010 after serving nearly a decade in the state Legislature. He was a Senior Budget Analyst with the Seattle School District and worked for former Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney John Ladenburg.

Our poorly Photoshopped portrait of the current Burien City Council.

The Burien City Council will be holding its annual Council Retreat “for the purpose of discussing Council goals and priorities” this Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Environmental Science Center at Seahurst Park (13476 24th Place SW, Burien).

The meeting is open to public observation.

However, despite the fact that it’ll be held in the heart of Seahurst Park, we’re doubtful there will be any Moonlight Beach Walk at this event.

Here’s the agenda:

Burien City Council Annual Retreat
January 28, 2012

8:30 Welcome/Introductions (15 minutes)
• Review objectives for the day
• Ground rules

8:45 SWOT Update (20 minutes) [In small mixed groups]
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Opportunities
• Threats
Full group debrief (15 minutes)

9:20 Kids and Cops- Mike
Presentation and discussion

9:50 Leadership Team and Council Small Groups (90 minutes with 10 minute break)
[The topics identified in #6 and invite additional ideas]
• Introduction, instructions and top issues for discussion (10 minutes)
• Recommendations and next steps
• Two rounds (35 minutes each)

12:00 Full group debrief and summary (15 minutes)
• Identify Action Items

12:15 LUNCH

12:45 Review of 2012 Workplan (30 minutes)
• What questions do you have?
• What else needs airtime with Staff?

1:15 City Department Managers depart after they have completed retreat evaluation

1:30 Councilmember Session
• Work Session (90 minutes)
• Review of remainder of Councilmember Interview Summary
• How we do work together as a Council: Working agreements
• Moving the work forward
• What else?

BREAK

• Council Committee Appointments

3:45 Wrap-up and evaluation

4:00 Adjourn

At the beginning of the council’s first meeting since Jan. 9 – which was the same day the 2012 Legislature convened – Councilman Jack Block Jr. asked that the matter be added to the evening’s agenda.

In the meantime, Gov. Chris Gregoire voiced her support for legalizing gay marriage in the state, and earlier Monday it appeared the Senate had enough votes to pass the act – virtually assuring its passage by the Legislature.

“We have an important role as a city council to protect the equality of all our citizens,” Block said to begin their discussion. Recalling passage of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, he added, “It’s the right thing to do.”

Block asked them “to continue the proud tradition of the city council to advocate for all our citizens.”

Among those actions, the council approved in 2005 benefits for same-sex partners of city employees. That legislation was sponsored by Block, along with then-Councilman Stephen Lamphear, who is openly gay.

Councilman Gerald Robison said it was important for the council to go on the record as supporting the Marriage Equality Act.

Block moved to adopt his motion to make it so, and Councilwoman Joan McGilton seconded it, adding, “I voice my support for it.”

Council members Bob Edgar and Lucy Krakowiak were absent.

City staff will draft a letter stating the council’s official support of the measure, which will be sent to the governor and the Legislature.

Preliminary approval of Burien’s request to proceed toward annexation of the northern half of the North Highline Unincorporated Area was approved Monday night at a chilly meeting of the Boundary Review Board.

The voice vote was unanimous and the motion included language urging Burien and the two fire districts that serve the area to come to a decision on how fire service will be conducted if annexation is finally approved.

The preliminary vote of the quasi judicial board in effect orders the board staff to draft up the order and will be finally voted on at a meeting on Feb. 16 at a place and time to be announced later, said Lenora Blauman, board executive secretary.

Then, if the Burien City Council eventually moves to consummate the action, it will seek voter approval of the people living is so-called Area Y. Only voters in the proposed annexation area will be allowed to vote.

Board members spent some time discussing some members’ disappointment that the two fire districts and the city had not come to a decision on how finances and operations would be affected. Board member Sylvia Bushnell that that concerned her and member Laura Kisielius said she was concerned but “we don’t need to resolve the issue.”

The board member Evangeline Anderson said she had been impressed during other annexation procedures how things seem to come together after the Boundary Review Board makes a decision.

“For some reason after we make a decision then they suddenly get serious and make an agreement,” she said.

Although told by its legal adviser that adding a suggestion that the decision be made before the annexation was accomplished would have no legal impact, the board decided to add the word to “spur a decision.”

The other problem discussed was the effect that the Washington Legislature would have if it cancelled a state law that gives cities up to a maximum of $5 million a year in sales tax rebates to help pay annexation costs. That matter is included in potential cuts to balance the state budget.

“The elephant in the room” was whether Burien would have the money to support the annexed area if the money were taken away by lawmakers, said board Chairman Mary Lynne Evans.

The Review Board’s vice chair said he “appreciated the candor if the city on the issue.” At the two hearings earlier, City Manager Mike Martin said he would not recommend and he felt the council would not approved going ahead with the annexation if the sales tax rebate was not available. Anderson said she was impressed with Burien’s prudence on doing the annexation in two pieces and said the city apparently has “done a good job with the first annexation.”

Board member Paul MacCready said he was worried that the annexation might separate neighborhoods but then noted that there were many neighborhoods in the annexation area and suggested that no decision would please everybody. He and others said the preponderance of testimony said people in “Area Y” seemed to identify with Burien.