The YMCA Youth and Government Program Community Night is TONIGHT – Friday, April 8th at 7pm at the Normandy Park City Hall.

“Youth and Government is a fun, educational, hands-on civics program that has many delegations all over the state,” reads a press release.

The students from the Normandy Park delegation will practice proponing the bills they plan to take to the 64th Annual Youth Legislature in Olympia May 5-8th.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information contact Donna King at 206-883-5427.

Here’s more info:

History
The Washington State YMCA Youth and Government Program has been providing unique, hands on opportunities for teens to learn about the governmental process and take on leadership roles for over 60 years.  Established in 1947, the Washington Youth and Government Program was one of the first of its kind and is among the 10 oldest programs in the country.  The first Youth Legislature included 150 high school students from all around the state.

In the past 60 years, the number of students involved in the Youth Legislature statewide has grown to over 450.  In 2005, Washington State Youth and Government also began sending a delegation to the YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs in North Carolina.

Overview
Our Motto – “Democracy  must be learned by each generation”

Throughout the year, students spend time in their local delegations learning the basics of state government.  They practice public speaking skills and learn parliamentary procedure, research and draft legislation, and discuss the roles of the press and lobbyists in the legislative process.  This training prepares students for their participation in district events, held during the winter, where they share their ideas with other delegations and run for statewide leadership positions.

The culmination of the program occurs during the first week in May.  It is at that time that students from around the state converge on the state capitol and take over the Legislative Building for the Youth Legislature.  Here students take on the roles of Representative, Senator, Lobbyist, Reporter or Page and do their part in passing legislation that is important to them.  In addition to these roles, experienced participants also have the opportunity to take on leadership roles such as Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and Speaker of the House.

For more info about the YMCA Youth and Government program, please visit: www.youthandgovernment.org

Today (April 15) is Tax Day, and tardy filers throughout the area are scrambling to get their returns done and postmarked in time.

If you’re one of the tardy filers, we recommend getting yours mailed in at your local post office by closing time (usually 5pm) to get it postmarked for today.

However, if you’re really tardy and are on the verge of desperation, the nearest post office to do a drive-through drop-off is the Riverton Station located in SeaTac at 15250 32nd Ave. South (see map below).

The Riverton Heights office is open until midnight, but because each return must be postmarked, if you show up at 11:55pm yours may not make it.

“It’s going to be a zoo here tonight,” said an unidentified postal employee over the phone this morning. “And I recommend folks try to come by by 7pm at the latest. If you show up at 11:55pm, you may not make it in time.”

You read that right folks – if you’re going to send your return in today, try to get to the Riverton Heights post office by 7pm.

The only other post offices collecting mail until midnight today are in Tacoma, Everett and Wenatchee.

According to the IRS website, if you don’t think you’ll be done in time, you can always file for an extension, using Form 4868 (link is to a PDF file). The extension gives you an additional six months, until Oct. 15, to file the tax return.

Here are some other tips:

• Make sure your tax return has sufficient postage. First-Class postage is 44 cents for the first ounce and 17 cents for each additional ounce.
• If you are mailing a number of additional forms and schedules with your return, the envelope is likely to weigh more than one ounce.
• The IRS will not pay postage due, so make sure you’ve bought enough postage. Mail with insufficient postage is returned to sender. If you are in doubt about how much postage to apply, use a lobby scale, the scale on an APC (Automated Postal Center) or ask a postal clerk for assistance.
• If possible, mail your return using the pre-addressed envelope provided by the IRS. If you must prepare another envelope, make sure the address is legible and include your return address.
• When mailing your return at a post office not on the list for late pickup, check the times posted on the blue collection box to determine the last scheduled pickup time.
• Remember, postage can be purchased at any Automated Postal Center (APC). Check usps.com for a location near you.

The Riverton Heights Post Office is located at 15250 32nd Avenue South; Seatac, WA 98188-9996; Phone: (206) 241-7061:

by Ralph Nichols

After beginning a condemnation process in September to seize ownership of a private parking lot on International Boulevard – for the private development of an envisioned city center – the SeaTac City Council appears ready to reverse course.

SeaTac council members entertained at their Jan. 12 meeting an ordinance, introduced by Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher, to rescind the earlier condemnation action against Park-N-Fly surface parking lot, which James and Doris Cassan have operated for almost 50 years.

Action on the ordinance to stop legal proceedings to condemn the Cassan’s property was delayed, however, when Councilman Ralph Shape, who supports condemnation, requested that it be held for consideration until the next council meeting.

Under council rules, that automatically ended discussion of Fisher’s proposed ordinance, which was moved to the agenda for the council’s Jan. 26 meeting.

John Houlihan Jr., an attorney representing the Cassans, later told The B-Town Blog that they “are hopeful that the council at its next meeting will take up the ordinance and repeal condemnation” of their property.

Meanwhile, companion bills to protect private property by restricting the use of eminent domain were introduced in the Legislature Monday – SB 6200 by Sen. Michael Carrell, R-Lakewood, and HB 2425 by Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend – at the request of State Attorney General Rob McKenna.

They provide that private property may be taken by a public entity only for public use, that no public entity may take private property for economic development, and that that taking private property by a public entity for economic development or tax revenue enhancement does not constitute a public use.

SeaTac’s 2010 budget includes funding for the city’s lobbyist to oppose this proposed legislation in Olympia.

Houlihan said he believes the two bills address the use of eminent domain as applied by SeaTac in its earlier action to condemn the Park-N-Fly property. They also would amend the Community Redevelopment Act to prevent potential abuses through eminent domain to remedy “blight” through “condemnation.”

Earlier in their Jan. 12 meeting, following a public hearing, council members voted 6-1 to continue until May 15 a moratorium on development permits in the city’s proposed entertainment district.

Fisher argued for leaving in place that moratorium, which was imposed by city council in November, so a newly appointed ad hoc committee, which has yet to meet, can have time to review zoning in this area and propose changes to accommodate new development.

Initial reaction to Fisher’s proposed ordinance during the meeting indicates that on Jan. 26 the condemnation of the Cassan property may be rescinded by at least five votes. In addition to Fisher, Mayor Terry Anderson and Council members Tony Anderson, Rick Forschler and Pam Fernald indicated their support for reversing the prior action.

Shape argued that the council was bending to pressure from a public relations campaign orchestrated by the Cassans, and claimed they have taken no action to develop their Park-N-Fly property for an extended time.

But Houlihan disagreed, telling The B-Town Blog that most recently they submitted an application for a design revision in December.

The Cassans paid over $10 million in 2007 when they converted a long-term lease into ownership of the property. Before initiating the eminent domain process, the city offered them $8.6 million for the parking lot.

They have filed with the city plans for mixed use development of their property at 17400 International Blvd., including retail and a hotel.

The city, however, wants to build a parking garage on the parking lot site, and encourage private development of a city center entertainment district north of S. 176th St. and just east of Sound Transit’s airport light rail station.

Here’s a video report on this case, produced by the Evergreen Freedom Foundation:

Click here to view the embedded video.

And another one from Fox News:

Click here to view the embedded video.

by Mark Neuman

We touched base this week with friend of The B-Town blog, Burien’s first mayor, Dr. Arun Jhaveri, and he’s as busy as ever.

He’s planning a trip to Copenhagen this month, interviewing for a position on the Metropolitan King County Council this week, and just recently accepted a position as Executive Advisor with One Million Lights, a Palo Alto-based group determined to bring light to the world.

Literally.

“Two billion people in this world of a little over six billion, one third of the world’s population, do not have electricity,” Dr. Jhaveri said.

One Million Lights, a year-old non-profit group, “provides rechargeable solar handheld lights to poor children and adults in developing countries,” he told us. “They can use these in lieu of kerosene lamps, particularly at night so children can study in their huts.

“These solar batteries last forever. And the children don’t have to be exposed to the (kerosene) fumes or the fire hazard while they do their homework.”

The organization has delivered 30,000 lights worldwide with a goal of one million.

Anna Sidana, One Million Lights’ founder and CEO, is “thrilled to have someone of Arun’s caliber on our board of advisors. He brings depth of knowledge and contacts that are invaluable to us.”

Dr. Jhaveri recently announced his interest in filling the seat left vacant when King County Councilmember Dow Constantine took over as County Executive.

“I meet Thursday afternoon (December 3) with the advisory committee for an interview,” he said. The committee will recommend “three or four candidates” to the eight sitting members of the council, who hope to make a final selection by December 14.

“I am interested only in an interim one-year term,” Dr. Jhaveri said. “I am not interested in campaign financing or running for election (beyond 2010). I want to focus my attention on helping the council on the priorities such as the budget and county services.”

Dr. Jhaveri is planning on attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen December 7 through 18.

“If things move forward with respect to the vacancy on the council, I might have to cancel or postpone my trip to Copenhagen.”

Dr. Jhaveri was recently in Washington D.C. signing copies of his new book, “Carbon Reduction: Policies, Strategies and Technologies” (Fairmont Press, Georgia) which he co-authored with long time colleague and fellow engineer, Dr. Stephen Roosa.

“The book is something I believe in. There is a lot of interest in it.” Dr. Jhaveri’s book can be ordered through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble’s website.

For more information on One Million Lights and how to offer help, here is their website: www.onemillionlights.org

And here’s a video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• From Bombay To Burien: Meet Dr. Arun Jhaveri
• Dr. Arun Jhaveri: From Bombay To Burien To…Obama?

State Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Normandy Park) will be holding a “Telephone Town Hall” on Tuesday, Nov. 17th from 6pm to 7pm, and to participate, you don’t have to drive anywhere in the rain at night or find a parking space – all you have to do is call a toll-free 1-877 number.

Similar to a traditional town hall, this “teleforum” will serve as a forum to bring up questions, comments and concerns about the 33rd district and topics related to the Washington state Legislature. By utilizing this new technology, participants can take part in the discussion from the comfort of their own homes.

Many residents of the 33rd district will receive a call that evening inviting them to stay on the line and join the conversation.

if for some reason you do not receive the call directly by 6:10pm Nov. 17th., you can just phone in that evening by dialing toll-free (877) 229-8493, PIN code: 15263.

With the deadline to mail ballots for the Nov. 3rd general election just days away, we here at The B-Town Blog have created our own online forum which consists of answers to five relevant questions we asked each candidate for the Burien City Council.

Here are the answers from candidates for Position #1 – Sue Blazak and Jack Block, Jr.

Please note that we have made no alterations to their text, so the words used are purely theirs, including any typos or other errors.

Each candidate is identified by their names and headshots, then initials:

1.  What is the primary objective you hope to accomplish for Burien if you are elected to the council?  What qualifies you to lead this effort?

SUE BLAZAK: I will continue to advocate for a safe and sustainable Burien that is a great place to live, work, shop, and play. I am committed to the bright future I see for this city.

It has been an honor to serve the residents of Burien for the past four years as a councilmember and Deputy Mayor. I have drawn upon citizens’ input and my community service, education, and job experience to make tough decisions for Burien.  These include maintaining a balanced budget, improving public safety, major street improvements, revitalizing downtown, a new city hall, and a re-awakening of our arts and culture.

Our city doesn’t have the size of Seattle or Bellevue, yet we’re able to effectively compete for state and federal dollars for large capital projects.  This is because I and other councilmembers serve on regional committees to make sure our needs are addressed in the four-county planning process.  It’s imperative to be at the regional tables where decisions are being made. We also partner with other jurisdictions to strengthen our position, so that when opportunities arise, we are ready to act on them.  On regional transportation committees, I have worked to keep the Transit-oriented development on track, which will provide affordable housing and retail next to our new Transit Center.  I’ve expedited funding for improvements to commuter bus service.  And I will continue to work toward the critical extension of light rail to Burien.

I have also fostered relationships with representatives from medical and educational organizations toward the goal of establishing Burien as a “Wellness” center.  In addition to achieving improved comprehensive health and wellness services, this effort is leading to an educational pipeline for residents to improve job skills that will lead to family-wage job opportunities – all right here in Burien!

JACK BLOCK, JR.: I have two primary objectives: A. Restart Burien’s rebirth and revitalization efforts. Without a strong business core the city will be unable to derive enough tax revenue to fully fund essential services. B. Expand noise insulation efforts to offset the impact of third runway operations and also receive mitigation funding to offset the social and economic impacts placing a regional facility on our doorstep creates.

I believe the best measure of future success is past success.

A partial list of accomplishments during my 2003-2007 city council term:

• Made Burien’s government more accessible by televising work sessions;
• Opened four new parks, two in low income areas;
• Restored 1/2 mile Seahurst Park shoreline;
• Secured $50,000 in pre-kindergarten preparedness
• Brought my experience and contacts as an officer in the ILWU and Teamsters to negotiations, government relations, and outreach.
• Served as transportation coordinator for Burien’s Katrina efforts, overcoming logistical challenges to deliver supplies to the San Antonio Katrina evacuation facility.

I will meet Burien’s challenges: rebuild downtown; build a multi-service center with safe pedestrian and transit access; increase noise insulation efforts; obtain Port and Federal funding offsetting the 3rd Runway’s social and economic impacts; remove zoning restrictions that have created disincentives to rebuilding our older apartment buildings, causing slum-like conditions; and shift Police services from reaction to crime prevention.

2.  Burien tax revenue is down sharply. What will you do to increase revenue for the city without negatively impacting city residents and businesses?

SB: I will increase the focus on support for a more robust business community, retaining current businesses and exploring innovative ways to attract new businesses.  Our city has successfully partnered with other south King County jurisdictions in order to provide support to small businesses in our area.  The Chamber of Commerce has played an integral part in promoting Burien’s business community.  Discover Burien is the fabric that connects our businesses and community events.  The Burien Business and Economic Development Partnership provides feedback and advises the council on economic policies.  The Parks Department and Arts Groups play key roles in providing activities that enhance the vitality of downtown.  The wonderful folks who live and work in Burien, our great location and beautiful appearance – all are huge assets in supporting a vibrant economy.   Each of these must be encouraged along with increased volunteerism, creatively increasing police presence, effective code enforcement, realistically addressing downtown parking needs, and actively engaging in public/private dialogues to find innovative solutions.  Currently, this includes re-visiting the possibility of a multi-screen cinema as an anchor for Town Square as well careful planning for development of the Northeast Area of Burien impacted by the 3rd Runway.  Excellence in education, preserving precious natural resources, and pedestrian and bike friendly streets also play key roles in attracting and supporting a vibrant economy.

JB: This is the type of issue that conventional political wisdom tells officials to run from; to dodge and scramble better than the Seahawks backfield. But because I am not a conventional politician, I get things done. Like them or not, taxes are the way city services are funded. That said, I think our whole tax structure including the way Burien obtains tax revenues and other funding should be re-examined. We need to explore ways to fund city services that are not regressive (like utility and sales taxes, which hit lower and fixed income people hardest) and don’t burden one group over another. We also need to create a tax structure that is consistent and is independent of economic forces that the city has no control over. Taxing alternatives that I would discuss with our citizens include (note: these are proposals to start a discussion): Implementing a beverage tax on all beverage sales of $ .25 cents per drink. This type of levy would generate revenue from those outside Burien (50%) who patronize our restaurants and coffee shops. The revenue on an unnecessary but nice purchase could replace the tax our citizens pay for essential heat and light (utility taxes), the regressive B&O tax that burdens our small businesses, and could still provide enough additional revenue to restore cuts to city services and increase police protection.

Another alternative that I would examine is a rental unit licensing fee of $15 per unit a month, ($.50 cents per day). At present the biggest burden of Burien’s property tax levy falls on single family homeowners. Apartment dwellers use a tremendous amount of city services, yet such rental units are assessed at, and pay, only one-fourth the property tax of a single-family home. Revenue from this source should be dedicated towards police services and an additional code enforcement officer whose duty would be to inspect rental housing units for health and safety of residents.

3.  A lot of commercial space – including in the new Town Square – is vacant.  What will you do to position the city to encourage business growth and activity, both downtown and elsewhere?

SB: Using a quote in the B-Town Blog: “We have a trickle of new businesses coming in here,” Burien Economic Development Manager Dick Loman told The B-Town Blog recently. “We’re gradually filling up our vacant (commercial) spaces, and it’s happening in the worst economic climate in decades……You’d think it would be very quiet, but it’s not,” he said. “It’s very amazing and we’re very fortunate to have this happening.”

I am working to enhance this “trickle.” These tough economic times require the city of Burien to re-evaluate how we do business.  Talking with business owners, there is much work to be done.  Areas of focus include re-evaluating our commercial and mixed use zoning, creatively planning for the Northeast Re-development Area, integrating our new annexed businesses and residents, realistically assessing our parking needs, continually improving our customer service and developing innovative partnerships such as the Wellness Cluster.

Continued updating of policies and procedures to ensure the most efficient and practical system is a wise investment in keeping a vibrant downtown.  Our staff is constantly looking at ways to improve customer service.  We are eager to work with businesses and other jurisdictions to get more done with less.  We have successfully partnered with surrounding cities on emergency preparedness, stream restoration of Miller Creek, and with King County on the Transit-oriented development.  We have a reputation as a can-do city which will help us through these tough times.

JB: Burien has too many empty storefronts; economic development efforts must be refocused. We must shift Burien’s economic development efforts to attract and retain small businesses, the lifeblood of a healthy community, by showcasing Burien’s competitive advantages: low rent and an ample, educated workforce. Filling empty storefronts helps all business prosper and also meets Burien’s sustainability goals – Burien residents shop in Burien rather than Southcenter.

We need to restore confidence in Burien’s ability to complete large projects.   Burien’s current leaders have mismanaged stalled projects such as 1st Avenue and Town Square; I will finish them. With the recession, Town Square is a special challenge.  Burien could establish a housing authority, leveraging lower interest rates and ability to attract HUD funding to complete the project and increase downtown parking. Burien could then sell completed condominiums at both market and senior rates, attracting downtown residents and boosting the business district.

4.  What kind of development would you like to see in the Northeast Redevelopment Area?

SB: I support development that is of the best and highest use for the residents of Burien.   This area has been one of Burien’s priorities since incorporation in 1993.  Currently, the City of Burien, working with the Port of Seattle, is preparing a strategy for redevelopment of the area.  The goal is to transform these acres of residential, vacant, public and small commercial land, which have been negatively impacted by the 3rd runway, to uses that are more compatible with Sea-Tac Airport operations and existing and planned surrounding land uses.  One of the goals of the strategy is to include flexible and market-responsive scenarios with policies and regulations to guide long-term development in this area.  A public workshop and stakeholder meetings were held in the fall of 2008.  Those sessions provided feedback that included a desire for public open space, retail, commercial, industrial and improved roads within the area.  At our most recent council meeting, there was also a proposal for a creative blend of residential and small businesses as a transition to more commercial and industrial uses.  Starting with this input, I will advocate for re-development that is smart, compatible, and appropriate for our city.

JB: I feel that two types of development would be ideal in the NERA area: an auto mall that allows our auto dealers to expand and prosper, while directing customers and their traffic to one area; and distribution-oriented businesses with a high ratio of employees to revenues, such as the ‘Boeing Parts Distribution Center’. A crucial component to any future NERA development is the construction of new off-ramps at the 518-Des Moines Way interchange. When I served Burien on the City Council 2003-2007, I championed this item for Burien’s 2006 legislative agenda. The city council is just now getting around, 3 years later, to making this issue a priority.

5.  Do you support taking steps to annex the rest of North Highline after the current annexation process is completed?  Why or why not?

SB: Burien has moved carefully on annexation, taking years to collect and review data as well as seek extensive public input.  I believe we have taken a manageable step in moving forward with the annexation of the southern portion of the North Highline annexation area.  Now we need to thoroughly assess the needs of our new and current residents and give ourselves time to get comfortable with this growth.  There are a number of nuts and bolts pieces, such as staffing, looking at zoning, etc. that will take time to process.  I believe that we need to work through these priorities and ensure that Burien’s public services provide effective support for the needs of our residents and businesses before considering further annexation.

JB: I am a supporter of annexation. However, I feel that the present council botched the recent North Highline annexation. Due to taxing authority differences between the county and a city, King County is currently running a nearly $8 million annual deficit serving the North Highline area. This put the city of Burien in an outstanding bargaining position that Burien failed to capitalize on. As a consequence, King County will be able to walk away from millions of dollars of capital projects that they failed to complete, leaving them for you and me to pay for.

Before the City of Burien proceeds with any future consideration of annexation, it must ensure that services are provided to Burien’s present citizens and those of the newly incorporated area first. I do not think that we should consider additional annexation for at least another 5-7 years. Future annexation must be contingent on the county providing incentives and offset funding.

Despite the city’s own ordinance against graffiti, the graffiti on this “Welcome to Burien” sign located in Olde Burien has been there for nearly three months.

Here’s a photo that was posted on The B-town Blog on July 19th:

Here’s another photo of the same sign, taken just last week:

Ironically, Burien’s own ordinance (see below or download the PDF here) says it saves money and effort by cleaning up graffiti quickly, before it attracts more graffiti and makes more work.

Why, then, is the City of Burien inviting more vandalism and crime by leaving this graffiti up on its very own sign, in violation of its very own ordinance, which stipulates removal “within 5 days”?

From the City’s municipal code:

CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON ORDINANCE NO. 488

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF GRAFFITI; AMENDING CHAPTER 8.55 OF THE BURIEN MUNICIPAL CODE; AMENDING THE DEFINITION OF GRAFFITI AND SHORTENING THE TIME PERIOD FOR GRAFFITI REMOV AL; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

WHEREAS, in 1999 the City Council of the City of Burien adopted Ordinance No. 270 (codified at Chapter 8.55 BMC) establishing new requirements for removal of graffiti found upon public and private property in the City of Burien, and

WHEREAS, the graffiti removal regulations currently provide that all graffiti upon public or private property that is visible from a public road or right of way shall be removed by the property within ten five days of notice given by the City, and

WHREAS, the graffiti removal regulations do not specifically prohibit the use of very hard and sharp objects to etch words, designs, and other markings on glass or other surfaces which is a relatively new type of graffiti, and

WHEREAS, the City finds that, graffiti on fences, walls, glass, buildings and other structures attracts more graffiti and invites additional vandalism and crime; unabated graffiti sends a message that the community is not concerned about the appearance of its business districts and neighborhoods; the presence of graffiti generates neighborhood fear and instability, signals an increase in crime, lowers property values, hurts business revenue, is economically detrimental to the City, and is a sign of urban decay; the National Crime Prevention Council reports that studies have determined that if vandalism and graffiti is repaired or removed within 24 – 48 hours, there is little recurrence; by covering graffiti as soon as possible, the vandal is deprived of the effort and time it took to vandalize or tag property; that expeditious graffiti removal is the best deterrent to future incidents; that a quick removal response by property owners is the key to successfully combating graffiti; unless the City acts to remove graffiti from public and private property, the graffiti tends to remain and other properties then become the target of graffiti; and, entire neighborhoods are affected and become less desirable places in which to be, all to the detriment of the health, safety and welfare of the City and its residents, and

WHEREAS, the Council finds that graffiti is a public nuisance, and

WHEREAS, the City Council finds that amending Chapter 8.55 BMC to establish a shorter period to remove graffiti and to prohibit the etching as a form of graffiti will help prevent the spread of graffiti vandalism and will support the City’s program for the prevention and removal of graffiti, and

WHEREAS, the City Council intends, through the adoption of this Ordinance, to provide additional enforcement tools to protect public and private property from acts of graffiti vandalism and defacement, all in support of the general health, safety and welfare of the City and its residents;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Amendment of BMC 8.55.010 (Definitions). Section 8.55.010 of the Burien Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
8.55.010 Definitions.

(1) “Graffiti” means the defacing, damaging or destroying by etching, spraying of paint or marking of ink, chalk, dye or other similar substances on public or private buildings, structures, places and properties.

2) “Graffiti abatement procedure” means the abatement procedure which identifies graffiti, issues notice to the landowner to abate the graffiti, and cures in absence of response.

(3) “Private contractor” means any person with whom the city shall have duly contracted to remove graffiti.

Section 2. Amendment of Section 8.55.040 (Graffiti – Notice of removal). Section 8.55.040 of the Burien Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

8.55.040Graffiti – Notice of removal.

(1) Whenever the city manager, or designee, determines that graffiti exists on any public or private buildings, structures, and places which are visible to any person utilizing any public road, parkway, alley, sidewalk or other right-of-way within the city and when weather conditions permit the painting of exterior surfaces, the city manager or designee shall cause a notice to be issued to abate such nuisance. The property owner shall have 10 5 business days after the date of the notice to remove the graffiti or the same will be subject to abatement by the city.

(2) The notice to abate graffiti pursuant to this section shall cause a written notice to be served upon the owner(s) of the affected premises, as such owners’ name and address appears on the last property tax assessment rolls of King County, Washington. If there is no known address for the owner, the notice shall be sent in care of the property address. The notice required by this section may be served in any one of the following manners:

(a) By personal service on the owner, occupant or manager of the property;

(b) By U.S. first class mail, or registered or certified mail addressed to the owner at the last known address of said owner. If this address is unknown, the notice will be sent to the property address.

If notice is served by U.S. first class mail, notice shall be deemed to have been received three (3) days after depositing such notice, postage prepaid, in the United States mail in a properly address envelope.

Section 3. Severability. Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, be declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid for any reason, or should any portion of this ordinance be pre-empted by state or federal law or regulation, such decision or pre-emption shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to other persons or circumstances.

Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be published in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force five (5) days after the date of publication.

ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF ON THE 21ST DAY OF JULY, 2008, AND SIGNED IN AUTHENTICATION OF ITS PASSAGE THIS 21ST DAY OF JULY, 2008.

ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
______________________________
Monica Lusk, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
______________________________ Christopher Bacha, Kenyon Disend, PLLC Interim City Attorney

So then…WHEREAS, the City of Burien has chosen to ignore its very own ordinance on its very own property…

THEREFORE whatever shall we, as its residents, do…?

Please take our Poll or Comment below…

by Ralph Nichols

Burien City Council members sharply rebuked Initiative 1033 at their meeting Monday night (Oct. 5th) and voted 3-1 to oppose the tax-limitation measure that appears on the November ballot.

Mayor Joan McGilton and Councilwomen Kathy Keene and Lucy Krakowiak voted to oppose I-1033. Councilman Gordon Shaw voted no. Although he offered no comment before casting his vote at this week’s meeting, Shaw spoke in support of I-1033 at their Sept. 28 session.

Deputy Mayor Sue Blazak and Councilwomen Rose Clark and Sally Nelson were absent.

According to the ballot measure summary, I-1033:

“…would limit growth in state revenues … and limit growth in county and city revenues. The limit would be adjusted based on annual growth in inflation and population…. The limit would exclude voter-approved revenue increases. Revenues above the limit would reduce property tax levies.”

“I’m very concerned,” McGilton said in reference to I-1033.

Keene said, “This initiative raises grave concerns for me, not only because of what it will do to our city but what it will do to the school district, the county and the state…

“It’s ill conceived in my humble opinion. There’s going to be some draconian cuts on all sides” if I-1033 passes.

She added that while “proponents say it eliminates waste in city government, I don’t see the waste that those who haven’t read the (city) budget see in it.”

Tim Eyman, the primary sponsor of I-1033, the latest in a series of statewide tax-limitation initiatives he has placed before Washington voters, disagreed with the opposing arguments.

I-1033 is intended to produce greater “fiscal discipline” on the part of local and state governments, he told The B-Town Blog. “They’ve got to have it now” in the midst of the current recession. “Now’s the most critical time, and they’re arguing that this is the worst time.

“The only way they can take more money (under this initiative) is to ask the people’s permission, not by making the economy worse by raising taxes.”

Eyman added that if government thinks it has it tough in the current economy, government needs to remember what it’s like to be a taxpayer. “Government is the most dangerous now because they’re thinking from their perspective. Desperately needed is fiscal discipline.”

If you’ve not yet voted and mailed your ballot, remember, tomorrow – Tuesday, August 18, primary election day – is the deadline to do so. And if you live in the southern part of the North Highline unincorporated area, voting in King County’s first all mail-in election carries added significance. Your vote will help decide whether this area becomes part of the city of Burien.

If a majority of these voters says yes to annexation, Burien’s population will increase by some 14,100 residents with the addition of an area from South/Southwest 128th Street north to a zigzag line that extends west to east along Southwest 112th Street in north Shorewood, South 116th Street, South 112th Street, and South 107th Street in Boulevard Park, ending at Tukwila.

Much of Beverly Park and Boulevard Park, including the Rainier Golf and Country Club, will be absorbed by Burien. Left in the remaining unincorporated area between Burien and Seattle will be the North Highline fire station, Evergreen High School and Pool, and the Top Hat neighborhood.

And if annexation is approved – growing Burien by 44% and making it the 21st largest city in Washington with a population of approximately 45,900 (surpassing Olympia in population) – what happens next?

If Burien's annexation of the North Highline area passes, it will catapult from #31 to #21 in city size, surpassing the population of Olympia.

The first public action will be a special City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m., “to discuss the path forward, to determine how in general to do this whole thing,” says Burien City Manager Mike Martin. “In the next few weeks we will be hiring staff and taking inventories of capital needs (in the unincorporated area). We will need to start figuring out planning and zoning issues up there.”

At that council meeting, “we will bring a resolution to modify the municipal code so North Highline residents in the new annexation area can serve on city advisory boards and commissions now” – through the regular appointment process as positions become open. “This is kind of a big deal,” Martin says. “It will give folks in that area a direct say in advising the city council.”

He adds, “We want (the annexation process) to be seamless.” That is “the overarching theme … we don’t want people to be jolted by this, either the new residents or existing city residents.”

Another initial step, says Mayor Joan McGilton, is a citywide “visioning project. We need to ask those residents and existing residents what the new 45,000 population city should look like.”

“Even if annexation is approved on Tuesday, this area of North Highline will not become part of Burien on Wednesday,” Martin notes emphatically. The process of bringing the unincorporated area into the city will take several months, with annexation becoming official sometime in late winter at the earliest.

City staff already “has taken a cursory look at a lot of these things. We’re not operating in the dark,” he says. “But not a lot will be involved until voters say yes. We wouldn’t want to have spent a lot of time if voters told us they didn’t want to become part of Burien.”

The city’s primary focus on bringing the annexed area into Burien will be planning and zoning, streets and storm drains, and code enforcement, as well as adding staff to work on these matters. In addition, Burien, which adopted a two-year budget for the first time this year, will need to modify it for 2010 to allow for both increased revenue and spending.

The city’s contract with the King County Sheriff’s Office will be modified to hire more deputies as city police officers, many of whom already work in North Highline. All special districts – fire, water, sewer, library, and Highline schools – will continue to provide services in the newly annexed area without interruption or change.

And when the annexed area finally is inside the city, what then? Will Burien consider annexing the remaining North Highline unincorporated area between its new northern city limit and Seattle?

There is, says McGilton, “definite interest on the part of four current council members … to aggressively look at that. Two council members say the city has done as much as it needs to do. My personal preference (if the current annexation proposal is approved) is to settle in and then look at it. I’m a phase one, phase two person … if this is a success, then than will give us credibility to move on north.”

State law requires a simple majority vote of residents in an area designated for annexation before the merger can take effect. Residents of the annexing city do not vote on the question.

by Stephen Lamphear

Following in the steps of the likes of Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr, the city of Burien is preparing to reduce its responsiveness to public records requests.

Here’s a screenshot of “Ordinance 517” on pages 121 – 123 of the last week’s council packet (from http://burienwa.gov/archives/30/081709a.pdf):

(click here to see full version of Ordinance 517)

The proposed change will eliminate:

• The requirement to respond within 5 days by providing or denying requests
• The requirement to state a timeframe for response
• The requirement to provide partially discloseable documents by redacting exempt portions
• The requirement to seek clarification if request is unclear
• The requirement to provide a statement why a request is denied

The city’s proposal addresses internal processes while totally eliminating responsiveness to the public. The proposed ordinance is totally outside the spirit of the public records access law – a law that was enacted by an initiative of the people.

Where is that “transparency” we so often hear from the likes of Rose Clark and Joan McGilton?

We need to loudly oppose the city’s retrenchment into secrecy.

– Stephen

(Stephen Lamphear is a longtime Burien resident and former City Councilmember.)

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