REMINDER: The Washington State Boundary Review Board’s public hearing on the City of Burien’s proposed annexation of North Highline will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9th at Cascade Middle School, located at 11212 10th Ave SW.

This is an open forum, meant to solicit input from residents in both Burien and the unincorporated North Highline area (aka “Area Y”) up for annexation.

From what we’ve heard, it’s very likely that a second public hearing will be held the following night – Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. – at the same location.

“The Boundary Review Board will determine whether to accept the proposal, modify the boundaries, or reject it,” reads an announcement.

Citizens who want to share their thoughts on annexation – pro or con – are encouraged to attend.

As we’re previously reported, written comments were accepted up until Dec. 23rd.

The annexation would increase the population of Burien by about 17,300 and add about 3.2 square miles to the City including the White Center area, Top Hat, Beverly Park, Glendale, and portions of Boulevard Park, Riverton Heights and Shorewood.

As many of our Readers probably already know:

• The City of Burien is currently moving forward with the annexation process of the rest of unincorporated North Highline/White Center (aka ‘Area Y’).
• Gov. Gregoire has proposed eliminating the $5 million annual sales tax credit that Burien would receive for annexing the area; this will be voted on in a special legislative session to be held in late November (read our coverage here).
• The annexation process will continue until the city council decides to halt it.

From what we understand, according to state law RCW 36.93.170 (actual text below) there are three standards that an application for annexation is judged on. A city or unincorporated area that wishes to become a city has to provide adequate proof that it can meet these standards. Additionally, it has to provide proof that it can provide services at the current level they exist at should the annexation occur and those services must be in place on the first day of the official annexation. Also, there is a burden of proof that there is adequate monies to support the area and its services for a minimum  of 10 years.

Citizens are encouraged to speak only to these standards and any documents that provide proof that these standards can or cannot be met. These standards will be handed out at the start of the hearing and will be briefly explained.

Here’s the exact wording of RCW 36.93.170:

Factors to be considered by board — Incorporation proceedings exempt from state environmental policy act.

In reaching a decision on a proposal or an alternative, the board shall consider the factors affecting such proposal, which shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(1) Population and territory; population density; land area and land uses; comprehensive plans and zoning, as adopted under chapter 35.63, 35A.63, or 36.70 RCW; comprehensive plans and development regulations adopted under chapter 36.70A RCW; applicable service agreements entered into under chapter 36.115 or 39.34 RCW; applicable interlocal annexation agreements between a county and its cities; per capita assessed valuation; topography, natural boundaries and drainage basins, proximity to other populated areas; the existence and preservation of prime agricultural soils and productive agricultural uses; the likelihood of significant growth in the area and in adjacent incorporated and unincorporated areas during the next ten years; location and most desirable future location of community facilities;

(2) Municipal services; need for municipal services; effect of ordinances, governmental codes, regulations and resolutions on existing uses; present cost and adequacy of governmental services and controls in area; prospects of governmental services from other sources; probable future needs for such services and controls; probable effect of proposal or alternative on cost and adequacy of services and controls in area and adjacent area; the effect on the finances, debt structure, and contractual obligations and rights of all affected governmental units; and

(3) The effect of the proposal or alternative on adjacent areas, on mutual economic and social interests, and on the local governmental structure of the county.

The provisions of chapter 43.21C RCW, State Environmental Policy, shall not apply to incorporation proceedings covered by chapter 35.02 RCW.

[1997 c 429 § 39; 1989 c 84 § 5; 1986 c 234 § 33; 1982 c 220 § 2; 1979 ex.s. c 142 § 1; 1967 c 189 § 17.]

Notes:

• Severability — 1997 c 429: See note following RCW 36.70A.3201.
• Severability — 1982 c 220: See note following RCW 36.93.100.
• Incorporation proceedings exempt from state environmental policy act: RCW 43.21C.220.

The annexation would increase the population of Burien by about 17,300 and add about 3.2 square miles to the City including the White Center area, Top Hat, Beverly Park, Glendale, and portions of Boulevard Park, Riverton Heights and Shorewood.

We’ve been following this story very closely, so if you need more in-depth information, read our previous coverage here.

This free event is sponsored by the Shorewood on the Sound Community Club, and is open to the community.

The format is as follows:

• Each contested position will have a 15 minute allocated time block.
• Candidates will have a two minute opening statement.
• The remaining time will be open questions from the audience to the 15 minute time allotment.
• Candidates will have two minutes to respond to each question.
• There will be a one minute rebuttal, if needed.
• There will be an optional 30 minutes of additional time at the end to discuss issues further with audience members.

Schedule:

6:30-7:00 P.M Meet the Candidates

7:00-7:15 P.M. Southwest Suburban Sewer District Commissioner Position 1:

• Scott Hilsen
• Dan Johnson

7:15-7:30 Highline School District No. 401 Director District No. 1:

• Tyrone Curry Sr.
• Sili Savusa

7:30-7:45 Port of Seattle Commissioner Position 2:

• Richard Pope
• Gael Tarleton

7:45-8:00 Commissioner Position 5:

• Bill Bryant
• Dean Willard

8:00-8:15 City of Burien Council Position 2

• Greg Duff
• Lucy Krakowiak

8:15-8:30 Council Position 4

• Bob Edgar
• Gordon Shaw

8:30-8:45 Council Position No. 6

• Jerry Robison
• Debi Wagner

8:45-9:00 Audience Interaction

by Ralph Nichols

All six candidates for three seats on the Burien Council exchanged views in an Oct. 12 forum presented by the B-Town Blog.

The candidates are:

• Position 2 – Greg Duff and Lucy Krakowiak
• Position 4 – Bob Edgar and Gordon Shaw
• Position 6 – Gerald Robison and Debi Wagner

Krakowiak and Shaw are incumbents seeking re-election. While an incumbent, Robison is seeking election for the first time after being appointed in January to fill the unexpired term of Kathy Keene.

Note: The candidates’ answers to questions asked during the forum appear below. Although the answers posted are primarily direct quotes, they are paraphrased for accuracy.

The candidates’ answers here are grouped by council position, in alphabetical order. For their complete answers, please listen to the B-Town Blog audio stream below (or play it while reading this post):

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How will you represent all of Burien, not just any particular area, including North Burien?

Duff: Currently I am a Burien Planning Commissioner. I have made it plain that if elected I would represent all of Burien. I’m tired of a certain council member representing only certain groups of people. That’s what I will do.

Krakowiak: We represent all the citizens of Burien. An example is parks. Look at the east side. It’s underserved compared to the west side. We advocate for transportation and good bus service. Accessibility is critical.

Edgar: My primary goal as a member of the council is to represent the community, to get involved with neighborhoods and develop neighborhood plans.

Shaw: My record on the council stands out in representing all parts of the community. On the Planning Commission, I fought hard for existing, strong property rights in all of Burien.

Robison: I’ve worked with people in all parts of Burien. I hear from everyone all over the city. It’s the city council’s responsibility to represent everyone, not just particular neighborhoods.

Wagner: That’s why I’m running. A large number of people were not listened to by the council regarding a particular issue. Listening to the people will be my number one priority.

Will you support traditional geographic neighborhoods when developing neighborhood plans?

Duff: Neighborhood plans sound like a good idea, but I think Burien is too small right now to divide into neighborhoods. They might work in the future.

Krakowiak: I support traditional neighborhood plans. The council was wise when they set that in motion. It’s a great way to promote cohesiveness and do more with less.

Edgar: The city’s comprehensive plan provides for neighborhood plans. Only one plan is in place – the Shorewood/Salmon Creek plan. Neighborhood plans allow the city to get the pulse of what’s happening in the community.

Shaw: I’m of the opinion that we’re too young a city and too small a city to be divided into neighborhoods at this time. I don’t believe that neighborhood plans serve any one at this time.

Robison: Neighborhood plans can be a great thing if they improve the quality of planning. But they can be detrimental if taken over by a small group of noisy people. The city council cannot abdicate its responsibility.

Wagner: Neighborhood plans are important. They provide a balanced voice in the community. And they contribute to health and safety, like community Block Watches.

Follow up:

Shaw – The only neighborhood plan is the Shorewood plan. If there was a dying need for neighborhood plans, certainly there would have been more since then.

What is your attitude regarding an annexation advisory vote [by Burien residents], and if there is an advisory election will you follow the advice of the voters?

Duff: I don’t favor an advisory vote – 4,000 or so people [who signed an earlier petition for an advisory vote] do not represent all the citizens of Burien. When a lone person votes no all the time, it’s like compromise is a dirty word and we don’t need that in Burien.

Krakowiak: We already had an advisory vote. It actually happened with our primary election in which the citizens voted no for the candidates for annexation, and I am following that advice.

Edgar: I support an advisory vote. It’s a good way for the citizens of Burien to get their voices heard and for the city council to get a feeling of what they want done about annexation.

Shaw: Lucy Krakowiak forgot that four years ago Steven Lamphear and I ran against an anti-annexation candidate and both got more votes. So if you’re going to take that election as a referendum on annexation the verdict is still out.

Robison: I’ve talked to a lot of people in Burien since the city council brought up its interest in annexation, and it looks to me like the city of Burien favors annexation. Do we really want to spend thousands of dollars on an election when money is the main complaint about annexation?

Wagner: I’m opposed to annexation and would vote no. Lucy is right. We’ve already had an advisory vote. The costs of annexation are too high for Burien to afford. We don’t need to annex now. It can wait.

If you say you won’t vote for annexation if it doesn’t pencil out, and the Berk report says it won’t, why would anyone believe what you say?

Duff: There are many ways to look at the Berk report. I plan to bring in new businesses. There is plenty of land in North Highline, and new business means new taxes. The city just said the costs of the first annexation are less than projected.

Krakowiak: I express how I feel and I vote that way. My sincerely has a track record.

Edgar: I am someone who goes to city council meetings and talks about the costs. I’ve read the reports. Even some of the council members say that if operating expenses equal out, there is still $77 million in infrastructure repairs that has to be done [in North Highline] before street repairs.

Shaw: The latest report actually came to the conclusion that annexation is revenue neutral for the city. I’ve analyzed all the reports and they’re pretty conservative. With the first annexation, revenues remained about the same and expenses were less than expected.

Robison: It’s revenue positive. I have a lot of confidence in the Berk report. I agree with that. I don’t know how some people can conclude that it will lose money. Ten years in the life of a city is forever. Ten years ago we didn’t have a new SW 152nd St.

Wagner: My sense is that this time is not the right time. I can’t support annexation until my own house is in order in these uncertain economic times. The state budget is facing a deficit and there is no guarantee that Burien would get the sales tax credit.

Follow-up:

Robison – Not annexing will cost the city money. North Highline is inextricably linked to Burien.

Most residents of Burien have bigger concerns than annexation. How would you vote for all?

Duff: One of the most important issues is zoning. If we don’t control zoning in North Highline we give it up to Seattle or King County and that’s a very scary thing. We’ve got to stop the influx of low income housing there. We don’t need that.

Krakowiak: I will represent all citizens of Burien. I embrace all North Highline voters. I voted for the city’s resolution to keep our valuable North Highline libraries.

Edgar: What is really high on my list of those I’ve talked to is business growth for economic development.

Shaw: If I didn’t think annexation was good for Burien, I would have voted no. There are still things to work out with King County and the state and it may still not happen.

Robison: In a recent group, seven out of 10 people favored annexation. More low income housing in North Highline will impact the school district.

Wagner: We don’t know if opponents of annexation represent a majority of people in Burien, but the vocal people for annexation at city council meetings don’t live in Burien.

Follow-up:

Duff – Lucy is a paid representative of the citizens of Burien. But she is a volunteer on the King County Library Board. And she abstained on that board from voting on the libraries. The citizens of White Center and Boulevard Park feel betrayed by her.

Krakowiak – I wear two hats and sometimes they overlap. I looked into it and realized that when there is a conflict of interest, I have an ethical obligation not to vote. I abstain from voting when there is a conflict.

There is strong support over a lack of support for the Business Economic Development Partnership. What specific ways will you support business and improve that relationship?

Duff: I feel bad every time I drive past our Town Square. We need to complete Town Square and make a hard push to get a movie theater there. We need to get the vacancies filled. I am very business friendly and would like to see an auto mall.

Krakowiak: We’ve done a lot of things with the Burien Wellness Cluster. There are new businesses coming in, but more work needs to be done. I was the lone vote on the city council to reappoint a long-time member of the BEDP.

Edgar: Business owners are concerned about Burien’s business climate. They don’t feel like they’re listened to. They don’t feel like they’re part of the city. We need to listen to business. The BEPD got involved in the Visioning Process and respond to the city council in 2012.

Shaw: I am quietly working behind the scenes with the Port to get an auto mall, 50-60 acres, in the Northeast Redevelopment Area. This doesn’t get done in public, and we’re very, very close to it. That would open up a lot of space on 1st Ave. S. for new businesses.

Robison: There are too many empty storefronts. I talk with business owners all the time. One of the first things they would like to see worked on is to simplify the Business and Occupancy Tax. I will push hard more business, and work to get offices and jobs here.

Wagner: A Parks Department bus recently took a group of shoppers from the Community Center to Southcenter. What a slap in the face to local businesses. We need to work to make Burien a place that people want to come to.

Which takes precedence – property rights or environmental protection?

Duff: There is a fine balance between property rights and the environment. We have to look at things on a case-by-case basis. But property rights will always win out with me.

Krakowiak: It takes a balance. People invest in their homes but the environment is critical for today and the future. There is a conflict between Burien and the state over the Shoreline Master Program. I hope the city can settle with the Department of Ecology.

Edgar: I think there’s a need for a balance of property rights and the environment. With shoreline protection, the state mandates the environment first. Ecology is willing to negotiate the SMP but the city is reluctant to respond.

Shaw: When I was on the Planning Commission there was no question in my mind it was property rights. But I’ve moderated that position somewhat. I now believe in voting for proper environmental protections, but my litmus test is that they are scientifically sound.

Robison: Not all property rights are equal; not all environmental protections are equal. It’s important not to take homes away unless there is a public value to protecting the environment.

Wagner: I’m an environmentalist and I believe in protecting constitutional property rights. I don’t want anyone to take my property away. If the state makes laws and infringes on property rights, that’s an illegal taking.

How will the city deal with annexation of North Highline if the [10-year] sales tax credit money from the state disappears in two to three years?

Duff: Before annexation ever happens, we have to make certain that it will pay for itself. But I believe we have to go after industry on a large scale. Why did a call center recently go to Redmond and not to Burien? Land means business, and business means a tax base.

Krakowiak: If annexation goes through and the costs are too high, we will have to make lemonade. We will have to come together and figure it out. I am a member of Sustainable Burien and we need to be on the cutting edge of services and technology.

Edgar: That’s a really tough question. With the costs involved, the fact is that we’re losing money and ultimately somebody has to pay for that. There would have to be new city taxes and these would have to be across the board.

Shaw: I pretty much agree with you [Edgar]. I am very concerned about what’s going on with the state budget. But I see the glass as half full. We also have to look at the realities of annexation in 10-15 years. This down cycle may be an opportunity for us to build from a low cost base.

Robison: I think we’ll come out of the downturn in five to eight years. Before proceeding with annexation, there has to be assurances that this funding will not be lost. If we lose it, we probably can find the money.

Wagner: Seattle is very concerned with this [regarding a potential North Highline annexation]. All these things are political realities. Burien should save its money for a rainy day and be very conservative.

Update: Here’s a gallery of photos from BTB photog Michael Brunk. You can click individual thumbnails to view the full-size images.

It should be an interesting night, this Wednesday evening, Oct. 12, as we have just confirmed that all six candidates will attend our B-Town Blog Candidates Forum for the three open seats on the Burien City Council.

This will be, far as we know, the first Burien city council forum to feature all candidates, including Bob Edgar and Lucy Krakowiak, neither of whom have attended before.

It starts at 8 p.m. Wed. night, and will be held at a new location:

Gregory Heights Elementary School Library (across from the main office), located at 16201 16th Ave SW in Burien.

All six candidates have been invited, and all six have now indicated their intent to participate:

• Greg Duff is challenging incumbent Lucy Krakowiak for Council Position No. 2. Duff, a longtime community activist in what is now north Burien, is being supported by a majority of Krakowiak’s fellow council members, according to Duff’s website.
• Over in Council Position No. 4’s corner, incumbent Gordon Shaw will attend. Challenger Bob Edgar said Tuesday morning (Oct. 11) that he, too, will attend the forum.
• And local author Debi Wagner takes on incumbent Jerry Robison, an attorney by profession. Robison was appointed to Council Position No. 6 upon the resignation of council member Kathy Keene.

As all our previous forums have been, this is FREE and open to the public.

Audience members will also be given an opportunity to ask questions of the candidates, so put your issue-oriented thinking caps on.

Want to ask a question, but not sure you can attend? Please email your question to: mark@b-townblog.com by 2pm Wednesday.

General Election Day is Nov. 8.

Not registered to vote? King County residents not currently registered in Washington can register in person at the Elections office in Renton or at the voter registration annex in Seattle through October 31.

For more information, call the Elections office at 206-296-VOTE (8683) during regular business hours.

REMINDER: The next B-Town Blog Candidates Forum, focusing on the King County Council, is TONIGHT at 8 p.m. at the ERAC building in Burien!

This one features the three candidates running for the King County Council seat which represents, in part, Burien and White Center.

All three candidates are participating:

• Incumbent Joe McDermott
• Diana Toledo
• Goodspaceguy

It’ll happen at the ERAC, which is a Highline School District Building next door to Hi-Line Lanes and across Ambaum from the Azteca Restaurant (ERAC address: 15675 Ambaum Boulevard SW in south Burien).

If you can’t make it, but would like a question asked of the candidates, feel free to send your question in the form of an email to our Candidates Forum producer at: Mark@B-TownBlog.com.

Please send your questions in by Noon today – Tuesday, Aug. 2nd.

Look for your Primary Election ballots in your mail box. They are being mailed out to registered voters now. Deadline to mail them back in is August 16.

The General Election this year is November 8.

"He's a really nice guy," said Burien City Councilmember Gordon Shaw about his opponent Joey Martinez at the conclusion of Tuesday night's Candidates Forum. Photo by Scott Schaefer.

by Ralph Nichols

Six of the seven candidates for Burien City Council exchanged views in a lively forum presented by The B-Town Blog Tuesday evening (July 26), which you can listen to by clicking the “Play” button below:
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Four of the candidates are on the Aug. 16 primary election ballot. The forum was hosted by Mike Heavey, and featured Geoffrey “Mac’ McElroy and this Reporter as panelists.

Position 2 challengers Ed Dacy and Greg Duff fielded questions in the absence of incumbent Lucy Krakowiak, who declined to attend the event.

And Position 4 incumbent Gordon Shaw and challenger Joey Martinez are in the primary because a third candidate who filed for that seat, Bob Edgar, withdrew after the statutory deadline so his name remains on the ballot.

Position 6 candidates, incumbent Gerald Robison, who was appointed in January to fill the unexpired term of Kathy Keene, who resigned earlier, and Debi Wagner, who also applied to fill that vacancy, will appear only on the November general election ballot.

The candidates’ responses to questions asked during the forum appear below. Some of them are partially paraphrased. Although the order of their answers was rotated, these are grouped here by race, in alphabetical order.

If the numbers pencil out, do you favor annexation of the North Highline Unincorporated Area by Burien?

Dacy: There are a lot of red herrings in the anti-annexation debate. But we need a couple of years to see how the first annexation works out. Some city services that Seattle would provide if it annexes the area are not provided by Burien; for example, fire and water services are provided by separate taxing districts. This annexation move is being forced by the King County Library District. The city is not served well by Burien’s representative on the library board.

Duff: Yes – if the final financial report is favorable. Also, once a decision is made, we want someone on the city council who will work for the annexed area, not someone who will say “no” for the sake of saying no.

Shaw: I have publicly said yes a dozen times or more with the caveat if the numbers work out. The question is how to make White Center a better neighbor for Burien. There are several advantages to annexing White Center that remain unanswered. Burien also has to be a better neighbor of White Center.

Martinez: Yes – if the numbers pencil out. We need to work to get more assistance from King County. I know they have pennies hidden. We need to ask for King County deputies to be assigned to Burien for at least the life of their contract, and also get storm and flood control assistance.

Robison: Yes – I am an emphatic supporter of annexing White Center. I studied it before the first annexation, I studied every report, and in fact it is economically viable. There are ways to improve it including working with the King County Housing Authority. It is critical for the city of Burien because of the impact if we don’t annex.

Wagner: I’m the only one opposed. We can’t afford it. I don’t know why Burien can afford it if Seattle can’t. It’s not a stigma issue. I just think that Burien needs to lower its tax rates, which are the highest in King County, instead of increasing taxes to pay for resulting shortfalls from annexation.

How will you balance shoreline management with landowner rights?

Dacy: Property rights are important. The SMP [Shoreline Master Program] the council passed is the best compromise. The state is being unreasonable. The shoreline is low density with single-family homes. The state Department of Ecology is out of line for what they’re trying to do.

Duff: The government shold tread very lightly when it steps on peoples’ property. I’m glad the city of Burien came up with a compromise – I hope they stick to their guns. We need to protect the environment, but even more we need to protect people’s property rights.

Shaw: On the council, I was the most landowners’ rights proponent during the SMP process. The environment needs to be protected, but the program brought to us has little reasonable expectation to benefit the environment.

Martinez: The state Shoreline Management Act is a slippery slope. There is a wide gap – a slippery slope of 45 feet – between what the city council wants and what Ecology wants. If we don’t act there will be a lawsuit, so we need to try to balance property rights and the environment.

Robison: Property rights are important; property rights are human rights. Environmental protection is nice, it is important. But the Founders included just compensation for the taking of property to avoid the tyranny of the state.

Wagner: It’s a tough issue. Protection of the environment benefits everybody. Maybe the state should compensate homeowners for that part of their property that is affected. We need to be environmental stewards. We need to hold back on development at all costs.

Will you vote to renew City Manager Mike Martin’s contract when it expires?

Dacy: I will vote to keep any city manager as long as they do the will of the council. Mike has done a good job of following the will of the council.

Duff: I believe Mike is an excellent city manager. If our city isn’t being run right, it’s not his fault. He’s simply doing what the council instructs him to do.

Shaw: The council sets policy but the council doesn’t run the city from day to day. The greatest thing I’ve done in almost eight years on the council is to seek out and get Mike Martin made city manager. Look around at other cities in the area. They’re laying people off. We’re in good shape vis-à-vis everybody else.

Martinez: This is a tough choice. He seems to be controversial in some circles, but he seems to be doing an OK job by my standards. I can’t say yes or no.

Robison: Mike is doing a fine job as city manager. He’s doing a much better job than any of his predecessors. The city is run much better now, much more efficiently. I’m disgusted by some of the things I hear.

Wagner: I’ve heard a lot of negative comments about the city manager.

What is your top priority for Burien?

Dacy: To make North Burien feel like it’s part of Burien. We’ve got to be one city. We’ve got to be more business friendly. The lack of that hurts us. [Note: Dacy added that he’s seen no evidence of corruption in Burien government – this in response to a comment made by Wagner, who spoke just before him (see below).]

Duff: I’d like to see us go after businesses. We need to bring new business in. Paul Allen is going to build buildings in Bothell. Why Bothell? It doesn’t have an airport next door and isn’t near I-5. We need to get Town Square finished.

Shaw: My support for the Northeast Redevelopment Area [NERA} has been both a success and a failure. The only long-term lasting solution is to remove houses under the airport flight path and convert this to some other use. Not a park next to North SeaTac Park. We’re on the cusp of converting it to commercial use and I want to see it happen.

Martinez: We need to invest in the future, in parks and crime prevention. If we invest our money wisely now, we can direct our youth to become productive members of society.

Robison: I have a number of priorities – police, annexation, a good budget, completion of the 1st Avenue Project. But first is North Highline annexation.

Wagner: To listen to the people. To see what the people want. To make decisions based on consensus and not whatever is corrupt about government.

NOTE: The next B-Town Blog Candidates Forum will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 2nd, starting at 8 p.m. at the ERAC Building, and will feature candidates for the King County Council, Position #8: incumbent Joe McDermott, and challengers Diana Toledo and Goodspaceguy (more info here).

Here are some photos of Tuesday night’s forum, as shot by Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer:

REMINDER: The next B-Town Blog Candidates Forum is set for TONIGHT – Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. – and YOU are invited to attend, listen, learn and, if you wish, quiz the candidates yourself.

This one will feature candidates vying for the three open seats on the Burien City Council.

All candidates, challengers and incumbents alike, have been invited, including:

Council Position No. 2 (incumbent: Lucy Krakowiak)

• Greg Duff
• Ed Dacy
• Lucy Krakowiak

Council Position No. 4 (incumbent: Gordon Shaw)

• Bob Edgar – withdrawn (read our coverage here)
  
• Joey Martinez
• Gordon M. Shaw

Council Position No. 6 (incumbent: Jerry Robison)

• Debi Wagner
• Jerry Robison

Here are the details:

WHAT: B-Town Blog Candidates Forum.

WHEN: TONIGHT – Tuesday, July 26, 2011 starting at 7 p.m.

WHERE: The ERAC, (Educational Resource and Administrative Center), a Highline School District building located at 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW in south Burien, across the street from Azteca Restaurant.

INFO: The B-Town Blog is the only Burien-area media outlet that has sponsored Candidates Forums in the last few years – read about our previous debates here.

The City of Burien is in the process of updating its PROS Plan to be in compliance with requirements of the state Growth Management Act and to ensure that Burien remains eligible for a variety of grant opportunities. Representatives from all Burien neighborhoods – north, south, east and west – are encouraged to attend to provide input on the city’s park and recreational needs.

“Your HELP is needed!” reads a note from the city. “Residents from all Burien neighborhoods – north, south, east and west – are encouraged to attend to help us identify what residents like about the city’s parks and recreational facilities, and to tell us what they think the City should focus on for the future.”

The purpose of the City’s PROS Plan is to guide the planning, acquisition and development of park lands, and support the implementation of Burien’s cultural and recreational programming.

The next opportunities for public involvement in the planning process will be at the following meetings:

• Wednesday, July 27: Public Planning Workshop, 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 29: Public Open House, 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 27: Public Open House, 7:00 p.m.

All the meetings are held at the Burien Community Center, located at 14700 6th Ave SW.

Here’s more info from the city’s website:

What is a Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan?
A Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan is also sometimes called simply the PROS Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to provide guidance to the City in its management and development of park properties and recreation programs for the next six years. The last Plan was adopted in 2006 (see 2006 PROS Plan) and needs to be done again.

The Plan enables the City to meet the requirements for park and recreation plans as set by the State of Washington Recreation & Conservation Office. Having a Plan that meets those requirements enables the city to be eligible for a variety of state and federal grants for acquisition and development of parks and recreational facilities. The State requires that the Plan be done every 6 years. The document must also fulfill Growth Management Act planning requirements for Comprehensive Plan Elements as outlined by the Washington State Department of Commerce (RCW 36.70A). Finally, a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is developed based on existing conditions and proposed improvements for the various facilities and programs recommended. To prepare the plan, a public involvement process is used to gather opinion of needs and requirements from community members.

The meeting started just after 6 p.m. when King County Councilmember Larry Phillips began the public forum, meant to discuss a proposed two-year, $20 car tab fee hike, as well as possible cuts to its transit service, which is facing a $60 million budget shortfall.

Cuts to bus service across the county – some of which could begin as soon as February, including cuts to several routes in the Burien area – were discussed at this third and final hearing, which continued on several hours after it began.

An overflow crowd of speakers waited outside the chambers in the hallway, and according to Rochelle Flynn, who was signed up, they were told it’d be at least a “two and half-hour wait.”

More information about the budget proposal is available online at: www.kingcounty.gov/metro/future.

BTB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer dropped by and captured these pics of the beginning portion of the event:

Metro Transit's final hearing on budget cuts was held at Burien City Hall on Thursday, July 21st.

Numerous TV stations were on hand, broadcasting live for their 6pm newscasts.

A Reporter from KIRO-TV does a live 'cut-in' to a newscast from the scene.

Numerous people showed their support outside city hall before the meeting.

Many supporters got to the forum by – what else – a bus...

Some more creative supporters even dressed up as Robots.

Two supporters in Robot costume attempt to high-five. They missed.

King County Councilmember Larry Phillips hangs out with some Robots before the meeting.

The forum played to a packed house at city hall.

Burien City Councilmember Brian Bennett waits for his cue to speak.

We’ll be posting a full story on the hearing soon, so check back to The B-Town Blog often.

A Forum intended to provide information on new rights around Home Foreclosures will be held on Thursday, July 21st from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., and will feature Rep. Tina Orwall of the 33rd Legislative District, who was the prime sponsor of the ‘Foreclosure Fairness Act’ in the House.

This forum will provide key mediation information and how the new law, which takes effect on July 22, will impact homeowners and service providers.

“Did you know about 32,000 foreclosures were filed in Washington State last year? Somewhere between 30,000 and 50,000 are anticipated to occur in 2011,” reads a press release.

According to Realty Trac, in May 2011 alone, King County had 831 foreclosure properties filed.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Foreclosure forum provides key mediation information and how the new law, that takes effect on July 22, impacts homeowners and service providers.

WHEN: Thursday, July 21 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Kent Lutheran Church, located at 336 2nd Ave South in Kent, WA 98032.

Rep. Tina Orwall

INFO: Both homeowners and foreclosure counselors will benefit learning about the new law.

1. What are homeowners’ new rights?
2. What is foreclosure mediation?
3. How does a homeowner request mediation?

Program will include a Q&A session, as well as speakers:

• Rep. Tina Orwall, 33rd Legislative District and prime sponsor of the Foreclosure Fairness Act in the House.
• Bruce Neas, one of the chief negotiators of the Foreclosure Fairness Act and Legal Services Attorney, Columbia Legal Services.

For more information, click here.