The Seattle Times is reporting that Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and the City Council have decided to delay an annexation of the White Center area until at least 2011 because paying for services there would be so expensive.
According to the Times:
Annexing the area, part of the North Highline annexation area, could cost Seattle $12.6 million a year more than it would generate in new taxes, plus $8.7 million in one-time costs, according to a preliminary analysis by the city Budget Office. The area has about 20,000 residents.
With the city facing a $50 million shortfall in its general fund, the mayor decided to withdraw his earlier recommendation and campaign promise that residents of that area vote this fall on whether they want to join Seattle.
An analysis was presented Friday (March 19) to the council’s Regional Development and Sustainability Committee, and reports are that council members said the presentation was the first real cost estimate they had seen.
We’ll see how the City of Burien responds to this news. Keep in mind that Burien’s annexation of southern North Highline goes into effect April 1st.
Read the Times full story here.
| Feb |
| 27 |
| 9:00 am |
Burien’s Glendale Lutheran School is holding a book sale fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 27th from 9am to 2pm at their gymnasium at 13455 Second Ave SW.
All books will be priced at just 50¢ or less, with special deals during the final hour.
Proceeds from the book sale will benefit school operations and help maintain affordable tuition rates at Glendale Lutheran School.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Glendale Lutheran School Book Sale Fundraiser
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 27th from 9am to 2pm
WHERE: Glendale Lutheran School Gymnasium, located at 13455 2nd Ave SW • Burien • (206) 244-6085
INFO: “All books 50¢ or less!! Come early for best selection. Special deals during the last hour!”
On Wednesday (Feb. 17th), King County Executive Dow Constantine announced that he will vow to continue pursuing federal funding for replacement of the county’s South Park Bridge.
Constantine will need to do this because the latest round of federal stimulus money grants does NOT include any for this bridge, which is now scheduled to be closed down at the end of June.
According to Publicola:
“The latest round of TIGER (federal stimulus money) grants … includes $30 million in funding for the $200 million Mercer project … they skipped over a request from King County to replace the deteriorating South Park Bridge, which links South Park and White Center to the Duwamish industrial area and downtown Seattle across the Duwamish River.”
“I am very disappointed for the people of King County that our application for federal stimulus funding to replace the South Park Bridge was not approved,” Constantine said in a statement.
Constantine also added:
“While the bridge competed against a lot of other worthy projects, replacing this key transportation link is imperative to the economic health of affordable, diverse neighborhoods and the hundreds of industrial businesses that depend on direct vehicular access to State Route 99 and Interstate 5. It may not be a glamorous or high-profile project, but it’s one that is vitally important to our economy and our society.”
“I am determined to pursue funding for this project through future TIGER grant cycles, the jobs bill, other federal appropriations, and the state Legislature. I thank Senator Patty Murray and the Washington delegation for their unwavering support of federal funding for this project. It’s my hope that their hard work will keep the South Park Bridge near the top of the list in future funding cycles.”
“I will also keep working with the King County Council to explore funding options that can provide a local match to federal funding opportunities for this and other unfunded projects around the county.”
“Under the Road Services Division budget adopted by the Council last fall, the bridge is scheduled to be closed at the end of June, and eventually removed.”
And not to be out-disappointed, Councilmember Jan Drago released the following statement Wed. afternoon:
“I was disappointed to learn that the South Park Bridge project did not receive any federal stimulus grant money. While I am glad to see that the hard work and coordination at all levels of government did reap some rewards by way of $30 million in federal dollars for the Mercer Street project—a critical regional connection that will bring much needed jobs and economic stimulus to our area—we have scores of other infrastructure projects in King County and throughout the Puget Sound region that lack funding.
“I look forward to working with the King County Executive, my fellow Councilmembers, the city of Seattle and our state and federal leaders on solutions for the South Park Bridge project that will protect the safety of all drivers, and provide freight capacity for the Duwamish area.”
King County Councilmember Drago represents the communities of West Seattle, North Highline, Vashon and Maury islands, Burien, Normandy Park, SoDo, International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square, West Beacon Hill, and portions of SeaTac, Tukwila and West Hill.
The Washington State Department of Ecology awarded grants of $50,000 each to four South King County communities that will help them comply with federal regulations regarding toxic runoff from streets and other surfaces.
The grant money will be applied toward anything from equipment purchases and storm drain cleaning to public education and outreach.
Recipient cities include:
- Des Moines
- Kent
- Normandy Park
- SeaTac
Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines), who chairs the state House Ecology and Parks Committee, says the timing of the awards couldn’t be better.
Rep. Dave Upthegrove
“Toxic runoff is one of the major causes of pollution to Puget Sound,” Upthegrove said. “Research clearly shows it is a threat both to drinking water and marine life. These grants will help communities that are already operating on lean budgets still meet federal requirements to address this very serious environmental health issue.”
About 14 million pounds of toxic pollutants – including petroleum, pesticides, and heavy metals – enter Puget Sound each year. This constant influx of hazardous substances kills fish, closes beaches to swimming, and threatens drinking water supplies. It imperils the region’s economy, not only because of the state’s reliance on water resources, but because cash-strapped municipalities lack sufficient funding to pay for cleanup efforts.
All four cities plan to use part of the grant money for detection of pollutants within their stormwater systems. By pinpointing the source sites where pollutants enter these systems, they can take the necessary steps to address the problem. Public education efforts will also be undertaken, to help teach people how they can help prevent toxic runoff from their homes and businesses.
“The clock is ticking for us to save Puget Sound, and how cities deal with toxic runoff is going to determine whether or not we’ll be successful,” Upthegrove said. “This extra boost in state funds will help these communities move forward with pollution prevention efforts.”
| Dec ’09 |
| 8 |
Renewal and enrollment for the City of Burien’s Utility Tax Relief Program for Low Income Households has begun, with an application deadline of Dec. 8th.
The program provides some relief to low income Burien residents on the local utility taxes paid for telephone (not including cellular), cable services, and gas/electricity provided by Puget Sound Energy.
Last year, 64 Burien households participated with an average reimbursement of $35.
The application and guidelines are available online at the City’s website or by calling Lori Fleming at (206) 248-5518.
The application is due by December 8, 2009, and an application is also available in Spanish at www.burienwa.gov/espanol.
by Organized just six years ago by a group of Latino parents concerned about the education their children were receiving, Burien-based Para Los Niños today operates three programs in seven Highline schools.
And in January, Para Los Niños – “For the Children” – will begin yet another program “to add arts and culture in an education environment,” says executive director Sharonne Navas.
Funding for the new program comes from a $1,500 Latino Led Arts and Media Grant, which was presented to the group at last month’s Latino Community Fund Summit and Awards Ceremony at Bellevue Community College.
Para Los Niños received the grant “for their work to enhance art projects through Aprendamos Juntos (“Let’s Learn Together”), which integrates child and parent learning to boost academic success, build children’s emotional development, and support parenting.”
Aprendos Juntos is one of the three programs already conducted in the schools by Para Los Niños.
The new arts program will focus on Latino art and culture so students from 24 different countries don’t lose their cultural heritage. Participating students will work on perfecting their bilingual skills, Navas says.
“We encourage (Latino students) to be bilingual and bi-cultural,” Navas added. “Studies show that bilingual students do better academically, with life skills, and in standard testing if they don’t avoid their primary language while learning a secondary language.”
Activities in the art program will include dance, ceramics, and literature that takes stories from Latino cultural history and transfers them to painted art.
“We’ll try for about 100 kids and build from this, including more children as they get more funding for this program,” she adds.
One of the ideas behind this program is that it’s easier “to bring the similarities of both cultures to non-Latino kids if Latino kids do this and make it for others to see and experience.”
Para Los Niños’ other programs already underway are Descubrlendo Nuestra Cultura – “Discovering Our Culture” – and the New Immigrant Literacy Program.
Two programs are in grades K-6 and the third is for high school students. And student participation is growing.
“Last year we had about 1,200 students in the primary program in elementary schools,” Navas notes. “This year we have about 1,600.”
There is also an ESL (English as a Second Language) component for the parents of these children. As many as 98 percent of them speak only Spanish.
“The parents have a harder time learning to be bi-cultural and we teach biculturalism to them too.”
Navas says Para Los Niños, a local community based organization, started in 2003 “when a group of Latino parents got together about concerns they had about the education system and their children.” The organization incorporated in 2006.
Their objective is “fostering academic success for every Latino student through parent and community involvement.” And it’s working.
Today, she says, children participating in programs through Para Los Niños “are excelling in their classrooms.”
| Nov ’09 |
| 1 |
| 12:00 pm |
In Normandy Park, Proposition #1 is aimed at creating a Metropolitan Park District, and, if passed, would take parks “off the chopping block” from closures and budget cuts, and create a revenue to continue funding the city’s parks.
Although if passed, NP’s Prop. #1 will support the funding of it, is not to be confused with neighboring Des Moines’ version, which deals with the potential closure of the Mt. Rainier Swimming Pool.
Proponents of the Proposition are holding a rally on Sunday, Nov. 1st, and here are the details:
WHAT: Normandy Park Prop. #1 “Save Our Parks” Rally
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 1st, beginning at Noon
WHERE: Marvista Park
INFO: From their website:
“In response to revenue shortfalls for the year 2009, which have reduced available funds for Parks & Recreation spending, the Normandy Park City Council has adopted Resolution 817, placing Proposition 1 on the November 3, 2009 ballot. Proposition 1 asks voters to decide if a Metropolitan Park District should be formed for the purpose of operating and managing parks, natural areas aquatics and recreation programs.
In 2010, the City will face a $400,000 deficit, unless new revenue sources are identified. Cuts to be considered will reduce the level of services provided in public safety, parks and recreation, and maintenance of streets, storm drainage and public facilities.
Metropolitan Park District
Proposition 1 would create a Metropolitan Park District, which would have boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of Normandy Park. The Park District would be governed by the City Council serving as the Ex-officio Board of Directors. The Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District would have authority to levy property taxes to enhance and maintain the Normandy Park Parks and Open Space System as well as provide aquatics, cultural and recreation programs.”
Here’s a flier from supporter’s website:
Here’s the language from the Voter’s Pamphlet:
City of Normandy Park
Simple Majority (RCW 35.61.040)Proposition No. 1
Metropolitan Park DistrictThe Normandy Park City Council passed Resolution No. 817 in order to allow voters to decide whether to create a Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the City as now or hereafter established and to be governed by the Normandy Park City Council as the ex officio board of commissioners to support parks, aquatics, and recreation programs. Shall the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District be so created and governed?
FOR THE FORMATION OF A METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT TO BE GOVERNED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF NORMANDY PARK AS THE EX OFFICIO BOARD OF THE METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
AGAINST THE FORMATION OF A METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICTEXPLANATORY STATEMENT
If approved by the voters, this proposition would create a metropolitan park district to manage, control, improve, maintain, and acquire parks, parkways, boulevards, and recreational facilities, and to provide recreation programs. All property in the City of Normandy Park would be in the metropolitan park district.
The City of Normandy Park currently owns five destination parks, one neighborhood park, one low-intensity nature preserve, and twelve mini-parks. Most City parkland consists of passive parks and open space, but approximately eighteen acres are developed for active recreation. The City also owns and operates a recreation center and provides recreational programs. All expenses for these facilities and activities are currently paid from the general tax revenues of the City. In recent budget years, rising costs of providing other City services has limited the City’s ability to adequately fund parks and recreation.
If this proposition passes, acquiring, improving, maintaining and operating parks and park and recreation programs would become the responsibility of the separate metropolitan parks district. The Normandy Park City Council would act as the metropolitan park district’s board of commissioners but the district would acquire, improve, maintain and operate its facilities and programs separately from the City. To pay the cost of doing so, the metropolitan park district would have the authority to levy a general property tax of up to 75 cents for each one thousand dollars of assessed valuation. All revenues generated by this tax would be used to acquire, improve, maintain and operate parks and park and recreation programs.
| Statement For Normandy Park residents live in a distinctly unique community intertwined with wonderful parks and green spaces that enhance our quality of life. The current economic climate presents our City with an approximate $400,000 budget shortfall. Our City’s situation is similar to many other municipalities. We must make tough choices by reducing services, including maintaining parks facilities and infrastructure. Approval of Proposition 1 will allow us to keep our parks open as well as improve, maintain and expand our City’s park system, NOW! • Improve hiking/walking trails throughout the City, remove invasive ivy, and enhance salmon and wild life habitat. • Increase capacity and improve safety for existing play fields, outdoor sport courts, maintenance and operation of existing recreation facilities. • Support continued community and arts events, youth, adult and senior recreational programs. • Maintenance and operations of and improvements to the Mt Rainier Pool. If approved, the estimated cost to a homeowner of a property with an assessed value of $500,000 about $225 per year, or 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The Park District levy would be subject to the 1% cap for any future increases. Please support Proposition 1. Keep the “Park” in Normandy Park! Rebuttal of Statement Against Proposition #1 is providing residents with fiscally responsible choices: PROTECT EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE, PAST INVESTMENTS, PROPERTY VALUES • Keep Open Mount Rainier Pool, ball fields • Fix and Complete existing or approved infrastructure improvements: Marvista, City Hall, Brittany, Nist Parks, Walker Preserve • Take Care of existing, but degraded parks, forests, streams, beaches, green spaces • Finish trails for seamless walking/running/biking. Please invest in our children’s neighborhood! Dedicate funds to keep the “Park” in Normandy Park!!!
STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Linda Peterson Hughes, Walter Hunt, Earnest Thompson |
Statement Against The new Parks District isn’t about parks, it’s about revenue. It’s about creating another taxing district “pocket” for the City, with the revenue being controlled by the same elected officials and administration, and for the same purposes. It’s really all about creating a larger tax base for city government. Unfortunately, that’s not the whole story. The current administration wants more city staff and facilities. A new city hall, a new rec center, a new maintenance facility and commensurate additional staff have all been under discussion at the city, and all can be at least partially funded by this new Parks District levy. Complicating this is the apparent inability of our administration to appreciate the dangerous state of the economy, with plummeting revenues and skyrocketing personnel cost, and a state and county government which will be continually pushing large portions of their deepening budget shortfalls down onto us, making our financial situation even more precarious. This is a time for fiscal restraint, not expansion. A “Yes” vote without an individual commitment from the voter to vigilantly work to restrain city spending will result in much higher taxes and an unmanageable deficit in our immediate future. Tread carefully. Rebuttal Of Statement For No rebuttal submitted.
STATEMENT PREPARED BY: John Rankin |
Complete Text of Resolution
CITY OF NORMANDY PARK RESOLUTION NO. 817
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK, WASHINGTON, PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSITION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2009 GENERAL ELECTION, FOR THEIR APPROVAL OR REJECTION, PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY TO CREATE A METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 35.61 RCW TO BE GOVERNED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK SERVING AS THE EX OFFICIO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF SAID METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY RELATED THERETO.
WHEREAS, the city of Normandy Park is an Optional Municipal Code City, located in King County, Washington, duly organized and existing pursuant to the laws of the state of Washington; and,
WHEREAS, Chapter 35.61 RCW authorizes a city to create a metropolitan park district wholly within its boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the City’s General Fund is facing a shortfall in excess of $0.40 million for calendar year 2010; and
WHEREAS, across-the-board reductions in expenditures paid from the General Fund could require a 15% or larger cut in individual departments or services; and
WHEREAS, Parks and Recreation services and programs are substantially funded by the General Fund. Additional funding is received in the form of gifts and user charges; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has taken steps to increase user fees and charges for Parks and Recreation facilities; and
WHEREAS, the City’s General Fund cannot support ongoing operation, maintenance and repair required for Mt. Rainier Pool; and
WHEREAS, in order to minimize the impact of cuts in services to people using Normandy Park Parks and Recreation facilities and services the City Council has directed City staff to prepare a proposition to be placed on the November 2009 ballot authorizing the creation of a metropolitan park district pursuant to Chapter 35.61 RCW; and
WHEREAS, a metropolitan park district has additional and independent authority to tax property to raise funds restricted to parks and recreation purposes provided for in Chapter 35.61 RCW; and
WHEREAS, Normandy Park Parks and Recreation are an essential element to the livability, public health, safety and welfare of Normandy Park residents; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Normandy Park does not have available sufficient moneys to sustain and maintain the facilities and services of Parks and Recreation departments of the City; and,
WHEREAS, in order to provide and maintain the Parks and Recreation facilities and services an additional source of funding is necessary; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary that the funds needed for such expenditure be raised by an additional regular taxes levied in accordance with the law.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK, WASHINGTON DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Election. Pursuant to RCW 35.61.020, the Normandy Park City Council hereby calls for submission of a proposition to the qualified electors of the City asking whether the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District shall be created. The Director of the King County Records, Elections and Licensing Services Division, as ex officio supervisor of elections in King County, is hereby requested to call the election in the City of Normandy Park on November 3, 2009 in conjunction with the general election to be held on that date.
Section 2. Ballot Proposition. The proposition to be submitted to the electorate of the City of Normandy Park shall read substantially as follows:
CITY OF NORMANDY PARK
PROPOSITION NO. 1
METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT
The Normandy Park City Council passed Resolution No. 817 in order to allow voters to decide whether to create a Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the City as now or hereafter established and to be governed by the Normandy Park City Council as the ex officio board of commissioners to support parks, aquatics, and recreation programs. Shall the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District be so created and governed?
[ ] For the formation of a metropolitan park district to be governed by the City Council of Normandy Park as the ex officio Board of the metropolitan park district commissioners.
[ ] Against the formation of a metropolitan park district.
Section 3. Boundaries of the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District. The boundaries of the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District shall encompass the City of Normandy Park, as fully described in Attachment A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall be in full force and take effect immediately.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK, WASHINGTON, THIS 14th DAY OF JULY, 2009; AND SIGNED IN AUTHENTICATION OF ITS PASSAGE THIS 14 th DAY OF JULY, 2009.
4Culture, the cultural development agency serving King County, recently announced federal stimulus funding awards totaling $250,000 to preserve jobs at 40 arts and cultural organizations throughout the region, including both a $7,500 grant to Burien’s Hi-Liners and $2,500 to the city.
The federal funds will help organizations extend or restore threatened salaried and contract jobs, ranging from executive directors and curators, to marketing managers, to actors and artists.
“The recession has deeply impacted non-profit cultural organizations of all sizes and disciplines,” said Jim Kelly, Executive Director of 4Culture, “However, the applications we reviewed demonstrate that arts managers are resilient, creative, and determined to continue programs in the service of their missions.” 4Culture will distribute the federal funds throughout the County to a diverse range of organizations and communities including:
| Auburn Symphony Orchestra | Auburn | $10,000 |
| City of Auburn Arts Commission | Auburn | $5,000 |
| Bellevue Arts Museum | Bellevue | $10,000 |
| City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services | Bellevue | $3,000 |
| Music Works Northwest | Bellevue | $4,000 |
| Attic Theatre, The | Bothell | $5,000 |
| Northshore Performing Arts Center | Bothell | $5,000 |
| City of Burien | Burien | $2,500 |
| Hi-Liners, The | Burien | $7,500 |
| City of Des Moines Arts Commission | Des Moines | $7,500 |
| Duvall Cultural Commission | Duvall | $6,500 |
| Fall City Arts | Fall City | $5,000 |
| Centerstage Theatre | Federal Way | $7,500 |
| Federal Way Symphony | Federal Way | $6,500 |
| City of Kent | Kent | $6,500 |
| City of Kirkland Cultural Council | Kirkland | $6,500 |
| Kirkland Arts Center | Kirkland | $7,500 |
| Kirkland Performance Center | Kirkland | $5,000 |
| Studio East | Kirkland | $8,500 |
| SecondStory Repertory | Redmond | $7,500 |
| Evergreen City Ballet | Renton | $5,000 |
| Arcade (NW Architectural League) | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Arts and Visually Impaired Audiences | Seattle | $3,500 |
| Degenerate Art Ensemble | Seattle | $3,000 |
| Early Music Guild | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Giant Magnet (formerly Seattle Int. Children’s Festival) | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Langston Hughes PAC | Seattle | $5,000 |
| Northwest Film Forum | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Seattle International Film Festival | Seattle | $5,000 |
| Seattle Music Partners | Seattle | $5,000 |
| Seattle Public Theatre | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Seattle Scenic Studios | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Suyama Space (Space.City) | Seattle | $3,000 |
| Theatre Puget Sound | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Town Hall | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Washington Lawyers for the Arts | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Choir of the Sound | Shoreline | $5,000 |
| Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council | Shoreline | $6,500 |
| Vashon Allied Arts | Vashon | $7,500 |
| ArtsWest | West Seattle | $7,500 |
Earlier this year, 4Culture applied for and received the maximum award of $250,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to re-grant to King County arts and cultural organizations to support art jobs. The NEA had $50 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to distribute nationwide.
Cumulatively, over $1.2 Million dollars will help preserve jobs at nearly 100 organizations statewide through the NEA appropriations. The Washington State Arts Commission received ARRA funds to distribute state-wide, and over the summer announced awards totaling $285,000 to 24 arts organizations, including six in Seattle. In early September, the Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs (SOACA) announced another $250,000 in ARRA funds to 22 Seattle-based arts organizations. SOACA and 4Culture were two of only sixteen local arts agencies nation-wide that received ARRA funds to sub-grant to constituents. The NEA also awarded grants totaling $450,000 directly to 12 Seattle arts organizations.
An arts organization can only receive ARRA-appropriated NEA jobs funding from one source. With all three regional public funding entities receiving ARRA dollars, WSAC, 4Culture and SOACA devised an application process that would ensure that arts organizations wouldn’t have to submit multiple applications if they were eligible to apply to more than one agency. 4Culture was the final agency to undergo a panel process, and received 99 applications from organizations throughout King County. Proposals were evaluated on the significance of the position(s) to the mission and core services of the organization, the potential of the position(s) to have an immediate impact, and the organization’s ability to manage the funds.
According to their website:
4Culture is a unique integration of the arts, heritage, preservation and public art; committed to advancing community through culture. Public exhibitions and performances, public art, preservation of significant sites and interpretation of local history deepen our connections to the places in which we live and work. 4Culture stimulates cultural activity and enhances the assets that distinguish a community as vibrant, unique and authentic.
by Burien City Council members looked ahead to legislative activity in 2010 during their regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 14th, giving review to a preliminary list of funding requests they will make to both federal and state lawmakers.
Topping that list is advocacy for $4 million in funds from the re authorization of a federal transportation program to continue the planning of a new interchange at State Route 518 and Des Moines Memorial Drive.
The proposed interchange would have “monumental consequences for what [businesses] might locate in the Northeast Redevelopment Area [of Burien], both for the city and the port,” City Manager Mike Martin told council members.
Martin described the businesses that might locate along Des Moines Memorial Drive after a new interchange is built as “big picture stuff,” possibly including an auto mall as well as Port of Seattle-related enterprises.
Local lawmakers also anticipate making a request for a congressional appropriation of $5 million to fund a pilot program for “joint city-Port planning and pre-construction activities, to facilitate the development of airport-affected areas,” including the city’s Northeast area. Additional state funds would be sought in 2011.
Requests to the Legislature next year could include a request for $200,000 to complete Phase I of the Seahurst Park North Shoreline Restoration Project; requests with other local jurisdictions for funding of the depleted Public Works Trust Fund and funding for full implementation of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System standards, and modification of existing legislation to improve services for any future annexation in the remaining unincorporated area of North Highline.
Council members then cast a preliminary glance at possibilities for improving SW 153rd Street between First Ave South and Ambaum Boulevard.
“We all have a lot of concern and wishes for what we can do here,” said Councilwoman Rose Clark. “But I’m not in favor of council doing anything until we bring in 153rd Street businesses” to get their input.
The diversity of businesses along 153rd makes it unlike SW 152nd Street, Mayor Joan McGilton noted. She suggested the possibility of bringing in University of Washington senior architectural students who, under faculty supervision, prepare design suggestions for improving districts within cities.
“This will be a whole different planning process than Burien has been involved in before,” McGilton said. The street “has one of our greatest number of [business] vacancies too, she added.
Police Chief Scott Kimerer responded with a written statement to a number of citizen complaints against the Wah Long Sports Bar at the corner of SW 153rd Street and Ambaum Boulevard, which was described as a nuisance where drug dealing allegedly takes place and drunk and unruly behavior threatens both individuals and property in the area.
“We have begun an investigation of the complaints and will be working with other affected Burien City Departments to address any violations,” Kimerer stated. “Generally, these issues are not resolved overnight but be assured we understand and respect the problems you are experiencing and will work toward a resolution.”
He noted that while the number of calls to the Wah Long have not been extraordinary, “the types of calls the police have responded to are concerning.”
| Sep ’09 |
| 30 |
| 5:00 pm |
| Oct ’09 |
| 22 |
| 7:00 pm |
It’s good to know that even in tough economic times, money has been set aside to fund arts in our community. Burien of course, being the arts-centric “new Brooklyn” has around $20,000 earmarked for arts and culture in 2010, and has opened the application process to apply for a grant, with a deadline of 5pm Wednesday, Sept. 30th.
There will also be a “Question & Answer” session for applicants with members of the Arts Commission’s Arts & Culture Fund review committee on Thursday, Oct. 22nd.
Here’s the exact verbiage from the cityfolk:
CITY OF BURIEN PUBLIC NOTICE: 2010 ARTS AND CULTURE FUNDING APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
The City of Burien is holding an application cycle for its year 2010 Arts & Culture grant funding. Total funding available is estimated at $20,000.
Arts & Culture grant funding is available to groups or organizations that provide arts and cultural enrichment to Burien and its residents.
Applications for 2010 Arts & Culture funding are due by 5:00 pm, Wednesday, September 30 to Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, 425 SW 144th Street. Applications are available on the City website at www.burienwa.gov or by contacting Debbie Zemke at 206/988–3704.
From the city’s website:
The purpose of the City’s Arts and Culture Fund is to support both arts and heritage organizations as well as artists who will enhance cultural opportunities for City residents while also attracting regional artists and audiences that can contribute to Burien’s identity as an arts and culture-oriented City.
Funding Priorities Applications that provide one or more of the following services will be prioritized for funding:
- Programs developed for or presented in the Burien community
- Innovative and/or mixed-genre projects that bring new cultural experiences to Burien
- Cultural education experiences for underserved and/or low-income youth
Eligibility
- Applicants may be individuals or non-profit organizations. Evidence of non-profit status for organizations will be required.
- The proposed program and/or event must be held in Burien or serve a majority of Burien residents.
- Only one application per individual/organization will be accepted per year.
Review Criteria
- There is no priority between each of the elements listed below nor is there a requirement to meet all criteria:
- Artistic and heritage merit and excellence
- Collaborative programs or initiatives with other cultural organizations
- Administrative capability and fiscal stability of the applicant’s organization
- Recruitment of underserved populations through special outreach and/or specialized promotional strategies
- Participation in the City’s cultural programs and/or eventS
- Documented evaluation and measurement of previous year’s program grant objectives
- Diversity of applicant’s additional funding sources
- Burien-based artists, heritage professionals, and cultural organizations
- Prior grant recipients.
How To Apply:
The City holds an annual application cycle for Arts and Culture funding in the fall prior to the year of funding. Thus, an organization requesting funding for the year 2010 would need to apply in the fall of 2009. The applicant will need to complete the attached application and return the original and ten (10) three-holed-punched copies to: City of Burien Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services, 425 SW 144th, Burien, Washington, Attn: Debbie Zemke, Recreation Manager by the specified due date.The City’s Arts Commission will review applications and make recommendations to the full City Council for final approval.
You can download a grant application here (PDF file).
For questions, please contact Debbie Zemke, Recreation Manager at 206 988 3704 or via e-mail: debbiez@burienwa.gov.
For more information, click here: www.burienwa.gov/index.aspx?NID=825
Rep. Dave Upthegrove will present Claudia Tanis, Executive Director of the Highline YMCA, with a $2 million “check” at their board meeting Tuesday afternoon (May 19th) at SeaTac City Hall.
Upthegrove will formally announce the appropriation, which is funded by a Youth Recreational Facilities Grant ($800,000) and a Building Communities Fund Grant ($1,163,000). Both grants are part of the state’s capital budget.
Rep. Upthegrove represents the 33rd District, which serves SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park and large parts of Kent and Burien.
The money will be used to aid construction of a Silver LEED 48,000 square foot comprehensive Family YMCA to serve the Highline/Sea Tac community. The new facility will serve over 15,000 individuals – more than triple the amount currently served – and provide 100-150 new jobs.
The new YMCA will be located at South 188th Street and 37th Avenue South, and will include amenities like:
- Aquatic Center
- Youth Development Center
- Family Locker Rooms
- Full-Size Gym
- Wellness Studios
- Adventure Zone
- Kids Corner
- Family Center
- Community Kitchen
- Reflection Room
- Pinnacle Climbing Wall
- Cardio & Strength Training Center
Here’s a “virtual” video tour:
A Message from Chief Mike Marrs: Bond Update
On behalf of everyone at the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department, I want to say thank you for supporting our November bond measure. This is the first in a series of communications to keep you updated on the progress we are making on the bond to replace our two fire stations for Burien and Normandy Park.
This was the first bond in the history of the fire department, and it passed by 66% even in this tough economy. Thanks to you, our firefighters and emergency personnel will have safe and healthy stations from which to serve you and your family.
Recently, we hired the architecture firm of Rice Fergus Miller to design the stations and go through the construction permitting process. Rice Fergus Miller has extensive experience designing and permitting other fire stations in King County and Washington. It was important to us that we hire a company with proven experience in working with emergency service providers.
We anticipate the design and permitting process to take just over a year. Once the designs are complete, we plan to unveil your new stations at a public meeting. We will heavily publicize the meeting and hope to see you there!
The next step is to sign a contract with a bond underwriter. Then the bonds are issued and King County will start collecting the taxes that you approved in November. The key here is timing. We have just three years to complete construction on the stations from the time that bonds are issued. We want to make sure that we are project-ready to build before we issue the bonds. Doing so maximizes our bond capacity and minimizes the impact to taxpayers in this tough economy.
No major project is without challenges, however. The biggest one we face is finding an appropriate site for the Burien station. We have identified property owned by the City of Burien, and hope that the City Council will agree to let us build there. We believe this is the most cost-effective and centrally located option for the new station. Talks are ongoing with city officials, and we will report back any progress we make in future updates.
Some good news is that we might have found a better site for the Normandy Road station. We are doing a feasibility study to confirm some details. The important thing is that we are working hard to be good stewards of your tax dollars; if we can save money and still provide the same level of emergency service, we will!
Again, thank you for your continued support of your fire fighters and emergency responders. Stay tuned for more updates as information becomes available.
In the meantime, feel free to contact me with any questions at (206) 242-2040 ext. 101 or by email at: mikemarrs@burienfire.org.
The Puget Sound Business Journal reports that the area will be on the receiving end of $40.4 million in funding from the recent federal stimulus package, with $3.8 million going towards “Phase IIA” improvements on First Avenue between Southwest 192nd Street and Southwest 200th Street.
According to the PSBJ, the Puget Sound Regional Council decided on Thursday how to dole out $78 million in federal stimulus dollars.
The agency’s Executive Board voted to approve a list of projects in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.
Read the full story here.
| Feb ’09 |
| 12 |
| 5:30 pm |
If you’re an artist or budding artist who needs money (and what artist doesn’t?), here’s a FREE opportunity on how you can get funding for your projects during these lean times.
4Culture, the cultural services agency for King County, will be holding a FREE workshop on Thursday, Feb. 12th on project funding for artists, heritage specialists, art groups, arts organizations and heritage organizations.
Applications for project support will be available in early 2009.
Potential applicants are encouraged to attend this free workshop to learn tips on how to get funding.
Staff members Heather Dwyer, Doreen Mitchum and Eric Taylor will answer questions about upcoming funding opportunities and share their tips on how to put together a successful application.
Everyone interested in arts and heritage is invited to attend.
WHAT: FREE workshop on obtaining project funding from 4Culture
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 12th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Meeting Room, Greenbridge Library, 9720 Eighth Avenue SW, White Center (map below)
INFO: According to their website:
4Culture is the cultural services agency for King County, Washington providing programs, financial support and services in the arts, public art, heritage and historic preservation for all residents and visitors in King County.
4Culture is a new model for public support of cultural programs. It combines the resources of the public sector with the flexibility of a non-profit. Through the integration of four program areas, 4Culture stimulates cultural activity and enhances the assets that distinguish our communities as vibrant, unique, and authentic.
4Culture is a tax-exempt public corporation, with a fifteen member Board of Directors, who are nominated by the King County Executive and confirmed by the Metropolitan King County Council.
