The City of Burien will be holding a public hearing on a possible 1% property tax increase as well as other revenue sources at 7pm on Monday, Nov. 23rd, and the public is invited to participate.

The hearing will take place in the city’s council chambers, located on the first floor of the new city hall at 400 SW 152nd Street.

Anyone concerned about possible tax increases is encouraged to come speak up – this is your opportunity to let your city council know how you feel about this.

Here are the details:

WHAT:  Public Hearing by the City of Burien for the purpose of:

• Receiving the publics’ comments on revenue sources, including a possible up to a 1% increase in property tax revenue, and expenditures for the 2009-2010 Mid-Biennial Budget review and amendments.

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 23rd at 7pm

WHERE: Burien Council Chambers (1st floor) at 400 SW 152nd Street.

INFO: Copies of the 2009-2010 Mid-Biennial Budget Review are available and can be obtained by calling the Finance Department at (206) 439-3150.

Sign language and communication in alternate format can be arranged given sufficient notice.  Please contact the City Clerk’s office at (206) 248-5517.

To review pertinent documents, try searching through the city’s Document Center here.

A PDF of the public notice is available for downloading here (PDF file).

Burien’s proposed vehicle license fee went down to a resounding defeat (75% voted no) NOT because voters don’t think sidewalks and bike routes are good things.

It went down because it was wrong-headed.

Regardless of the resounding defeat, the city council still has the power to impose a $20 annual license fee without voter approval. Will the council defy the voters to impose this fee anyway?

And don’t forget, any neighborhood in need of improvements can form a Local Improvement District (LID) to assess itself for street improvements (the city will help with that). Broad improvements are obviously a responsibility of the larger community (check your City Light bill for the costs of undergrounding utilities in the First Avenue improvement area).

I believe the residents, voters and taxpayers (not always the same people) of Burien want a shiny, people friendly community. I believe Burien voters and taxpayers (often the same people) are not selfish, stingy, or mean-spirited. I believe the taxpayers (including those most able to pay) of Burien appreciate their obligation to the greater good of the community. We are not all about ourselves.

Later this year, the city council may be talking about a possible general property tax increase in 2010. Perhaps it was thoughtless to schedule that discussion with a revenue increase lurking on the current ballot. Having lost the current measure, the council should take some time to reconnect with the community. With 3 of 4 council seats uncontested in this election, there is a disconnect.

I am confident the people of Burien are supportive of maintaining quality public services; provided the council is clear about the need, has implemented noticeable and substantive cost-reduction and efficiency strategies, and sticks to the basics like the rest of us.

Everyone who lives in Burien is our neighbor and we are our brother’s keeper. We should all pitch in to make sure we have the community we want. Please get out and sweep the streets to keep the drains clear. Thank you.

- Stephen Lamphear

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review (for libel, etc.), we'll most likely post it. Otherwise, feel free to leave a Comment below...]

Somehow this slipped through our email filter, but after reading Chestine Edgar’s Letter to the Editor we went back and found it – the City of Burien will be holding a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 9th for the purpose of “receiving the publics’ comments on revenue sources, including a possible up to a 1% increase in property tax revenue, and expenditures for the 2009-2010 Mid-Biennial Budget review and amendments.”

Here’s the email release in its entirety:

DATE: October 21, 2009
FOR RELEASE: October 26 and November 1, 2009
CONTACT: Finance Department
Telephone: (206) 439-3150

2009-2010 MID-BIENNIAL BUDGET REVIEW PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The City of Burien will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 9, 2009, for the purpose of:

Receiving the publics’ comments on revenue sources, including a possible up to a 1% increase in property tax revenue, and expenditures for the 2009-2010 Mid-Biennial Budget review and amendments.

The hearing will be in the Burien Council Chambers at 400 SW 152nd St., at approximately 7:00 p.m. Copies of the 2009-2010 Mid-Biennial Budget Review are available and can be obtained by calling the Finance Department at (206) 439-3150.

Sign language and communication in alternate format can be arranged given sufficient notice. Please contact the City Clerk’s office at (206) 248-5517.

To The Editor of the B-town Blog:

On October 29, 2009; The Seattle Times ran a story on the $25 Burien Vehicle Tax/Proposition 1 that is currently on the November ballot. When the reporter asked why a vehicle tax was being used, the mayor of Burien (McGilton) said that “A property tax wasn’t considered out of respect for Burien’s relatively conservative voters, less affluent than in levy happy Seattle”. However, eight days prior to that story, McGilton and the city had done the opposite and sent a news release to the local newspapers and the B-town Blog announcing a Public Hearing on Nov. 9th to solicit public comments on a proposed, increased property tax (of up to 1%) for Burien. Before voting on Tuesday, November 3rd, every citizen in Burien should question what the heck is really going on.

When I attended the July City of Burien Council Meeting/Public Hearing on the $25 Burien Vehicle Tax/Proposition 1 (for sidewalks and bike paths), I didn’t plan on writing the statement against the $25 Burien Vehicle Tax/Proposition 1. However when no information was presented to the public about: the project costs, the amount to be collected from this tax, what other grants/sources could help with the projects, how much these project streets were actually used, I was frustrated. There were no sketches/diagrams of what the finished work might look like. The City quoted statistics from a 2008 Burien Citizen Survey that were inaccurate.

Citizens asked questions. The City didn’t answer. After the Public Hearing, the Council immediately voted to put the Vehicle Tax on the November ballot. In depressed economic times, the City was asking citizens to rubber stamp a new tax.

The City stated at the Hearing the tax will last two years. That is not true. Under the rules for Transportation Benefit Districts, the tax remains in place until the project is completed and paid for. The City does not have the authority to promise otherwise.

The City had not surveyed the use patterns of the project areas. Both 8th Ave and South 136th have light use by both pedestrians and bikes. Only 13% of the respondents to the 2008 Burien Citizen Survey who live in these areas thought there was a need to improve sidewalks and bike paths.

Some of the endorsers/supporters of the tax can’t answer basic questions about the tax. Many of the endorsers do not live in Burien and will not be paying the tax. The campaign signs are being funded by a legislator from Vashon Island and her aide. In the Seattle Times article, McGilton referred to this vehicle tax as a “good test case”. So, what’s up?

Joe Fitzgibbons suggested on the Transportation Choices Coalition website that this is a trial balloon to see if Burien can get residents to vote for this type of a tax. Other cities in the state are watching to see if they can use the same strategy to get new taxes from their residents. I’m not happy to be part of this trial balloon experiment. What am I being tested for? Is it to see if the City of Burien can get a $25 Vehicle Tax and then impose a property tax increase as well on its citizens?

Burien is one of the highest taxed cities in King County. I strongly urge the citizens of Burien to vote “NO” against Proposition 1/$25 Burien Vehicle Tax or other new taxes until Burien improves how it presents the need for new taxes to its citizens.

- Chestine Edgar

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review (for libel, etc.), we'll most likely post it. Otherwise, feel free to leave a Comment below...]

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following Letter to the Editor was received via email from K. Scott Kimerer, Chairman of King County Police Chiefs on Wednesday Oct. 21st:]

In King County, there are over 35 police departments, the Sheriff, plus our state, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies. Together, we are collectively sworn to protect over 1.8 million citizens. We meet monthly as partners in this effort to address the most pressing public safety issues facing our communities. At our October meeting, the King County Police Chiefs Association discussed the impacts that Initiative 1033 could have on our ability to provide basic police services.

Current economic conditions have already created serious budget cuts to police departments and diminished our ability to serve. The financial analysis of Initiative 1033 presents the real possibility that police protection could be significantly impacted as cities and counties address significant cuts in the funds to provide basic services. We are already seeing a reduction in police officer hiring. The Washington Criminal Justice Training Center has had a 30% reduction in enrollment this year at the academy.

82% of the cities in King County have a population of fewer than 50,000. It is likely that they will be hit the hardest as these cities must carefully manage precious financial resources to provide all of the needed services.

Like any service, police protection and access to justice in general has a threshold where further budget reductions will have measurable, negative impacts on the citizens. The King County Police Chief’s Association feels it is our responsibility to inform and to offer our perspective on the potential impact to public safety that I-1033 may have. We encourage citizens to be informed and ask their city governments, review their City Council meetings, or go to their city website to see what is being said regarding the effect I-1033 would have on their ability to provide police and other critical services that create our quality of life and safety.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review (for libel, etc.), we'll most likely post it.]

by Ralph Nichols

Burien City Council members were presented with dismal sales tax figures from City Manager Mike Martin at the beginning of their meeting last Monday, Oct. 5th.

Through July, the city’s sales tax revenue for the year to date was down 16.2 percent compared with the same time frame in 2008, Martin reported. For July 2009, compared with July 2008, it was down 19.7 percent.

The data reflect a 14.3 percent decline in retail trade in the city, a 47 percent decline in construction-related purchases, and a 10.6 percent in accommodations and food service.

But this does not make Burien unusual. “We’re pretty much on par with our neighbors,” he observed.

NORTHEAST REDEVELOPMENT AREA
Council members heard a presentation by Scott Greenberg, Community Development Director, on proposed revisions for the city’s Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA) that, if adopted, will amend the Burien Comprehensive Plan and certain zoning designations within this area.

The NERA, located north of Sea-Tac International Airport between 8th Ave. S., S. 138th St., and Des Moines Memorial Dr., is an area that both the city and Port of Seattle, which owns much of the property there, hope is developed for business and commercial activity.

Alternative 1 in this proposal would change the existing Special Planning Area 4 designation to Airport Industrial and Professional Residential. In both areas, the current two-acre minimum for redevelopment would be eliminated.

Potential uses, according to Greenberg, include technological, light manufacturing, light industrial and offices. Auto sales and other commercial uses would be allowed in the south paort of the Airport Industrial zone.

The Professional Residential would allow for new single-family developments as well as small offices, retail uses and art studios.

Alternative 2 would include the same zoning changes, but would not include auto sales and other commercial uses.

Alternative 3 would leave the current NERA zoning unchanged.

These proposals will be introduced at the Tuesday, Oct. 13th meeting of the Burien Planning Commission at 7 p.m. in City Hall. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, a joint hearing with a hearing examiner and the planning commission will consider the proposed comprehensive plan amendments and proposed zoning changes.

Liz Ockwell, an assistant city planner, detailed for council members proposed zoning code amendments relating to land use, garages, slope, parking and landscaping for new developments.

by Ralph Nichols

The return of Burien Nissan at 16042 First Avenue South, which closed for business in May, is anticipated in mid-September.

“We understand it’s going to be a Nissan agency, just like it was before,” Dick Loman, economic development manager for the City of Burien, said Wednesday (Sept. 2nd). “We don’t know when they will open, but anticipate it will be soon. We probably will know more by the end of the long weekend.”

Other sources indicated that the dealership will open its doors again in mid-month.

A job ad posted August 31 on Craigslist (see our previous breaking coverage here) solicited applications for all positions at Nissan dealerships “gearing up for mid-September opening.” The ad described the owner of these dealerships as “an award winning Puget Sound Automotive Dealer Group.” Applications could be emailed to Car Pros, and a job posting on the “CarProsJobs.com” website lists Burien as one of the locations hiring.

Car Pros owns Kia and Suzuki dealerships in Tacoma and a Hyundai dealership in Seattle, along with a dealership in Carson, CA. Bradley Wolf was listed in the ad as a Tacoma contact for Car Pros. Attempts by B-Town Blog to contact Wolf on Wednesday were not successful.

Burien Nissan, which previously was owned by Rainier Automotive Group, lost its “flooring” (aka financing) and saw the entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March. The business closed its doors less than two months later, reportedly when new financing couldn’t be arranged.

Loman, however, said his office doesn’t know the “relationship between Car Pros and Nissan, if there is any.” But, he added, Burien Nissan seems to be preparing to interview and hire staff, and “that’s very good news for us, obviously.”

“It will be good to have another new car dealer in town selling automobiles. Not only will it create jobs that we lost (when Nissan closed in March) but sales tax income will be coming back to the city again. So we’re very pleased at what we hear.”

Loman noted the site – which had a $5 million remodel not long before the closure – is already set up for an automotive dealership, signage already is in place, and it’s unlikely that the dealership will need any new permits from the city.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• BREAKING: Might Burien Nissan Be Re-Opening Soon?
• BREAKING NEWS: Burien Nissan Is Now Officially Closed
• Burien Nissan Expecting New Financing In “A Few Weeks”
• UPDATE: More Information On Burien Nissan’s Inventory
• Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot

by Gina Bourdage

Here are notes from Monday night’s (April 6th) Burien City Council meeting (link to PDF agenda here):

LEVY SUPPORTS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES:
A recent survey found that 50% of homeless men in our area are veterans. In 2005, the Veterans and Human Services levy was passed to generate funding to veterans, military personnel and their families housing and support services. The levy approved $13.3 million dollars dedicated  to help both veterans and residents in need of human services.

Two citizen boards were appointed to allocate the funds to reach specific goals within the program.

Sadikifu Akina-James from the King County of Veterans Affairs broke down the five strategies within the program;

• Enhancing services and access for veterans
• Ending homelessness through outreach, prevention, permanent supportive housing and employment
• Increasing access to behavioral health services
• Strengthening families at risk
• Increasing effectiveness of resource management and evaluation
• Beginning in 2005 the levy will remain until 2011.

For more information visit www.kingcounty.gov

CITY MANAGER MIKE MARTIN’S NEWS FLASH:
Wednesday, April 8th at Dottie Harper Park the city will celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree in memory of former mayor Dottie Harper. Bring your family and celebrate the holiday starting at Noon.

Burien is proceeding with low watt radio project for emergency broadcasts. In the case of emergency tune to AM 540. The project is projected to be complete by the end of April 2009.

After discovering that the City of Seattle is the only city with laws extending beyond the State of Washington, Burien is now looking into developing or adopting new requirements to set a higher standard for renters in the Burien area [EDITOR'S NOTE: This was an issue brought to the City Council meeting a few weeks ago by a concerned resident who wanted to be heard and it looks like the city is truly listening. It pays to speak up!].

Disputes over Puget Sound Park, located in the northern part of North Highline, cause the areas fate to up for discussion. The City of Seattle wants to sell and build low income housing and just about everyone else wants to keep the area a community park. White Center councils are not in favor of the proposed transition. A public review meeting is set for April 22nd from 4-6pm at 1000 Oaksdale Ave SW in Renton. Everyone is encouraged to attend and voice their opinion.

“Because we are so close to annexation we don’t feel this is a good idea to be making this sort of decision.” – City Manager Mike Martin

NEW SUBDIVISION AT 13032 AMBAUM BLVD. SW:
The council approved preliminary proposal 291, granting use of land in the neighborhood of 132nd to be developed into single family homes. Currently the lot is wooded and unused. The proposal includes six subdivisions, including a five-foot sidewalk and a storm water run off which current residents would be able to access to prevent drainage issues.

SEAHURST PARK AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT:
Seahurst Park Master Plan presented a restoration project including restoration efforts to return the area to a more natural environment, improve access to trails and improve natural seawall . Several options for direction area were proposed and are available at www.burienwa.gov/index.asp?NID=311.

Currently the Parks Department is seeking funding to move forward.

LIVING ROAD OF REMEMBRANCE:
Preservation efforts for Des Moines Memorial Drive and creation of a new memorial park were proposed. The NE corner of South 136th and Des Moines Way South is one suggestion for the location of a new memorial park which would include a memorial wall, seating area and more. Improvement plans would include the current memorial wall at Sunnydale Elementary, but expansion is not likely due to space restrictions.

The current wall does not include all of the Highline residents that died in World War I. The restoration project, with the help of Highline Historical Society, would include all of those names which have been compiled.

The city of Seatac would take on the majority of the cost for the new park. Some fundraising will have to be done to supplement the cost. The Burien City Council supported the efforts.

The restoration committee hopes to have the project complete by 2012. For more information visit www.roadofremembrance.org

BURIEN TO REFUND TAXES:
Due to an oversight in the wording of the Business and Operations tax bill the City of Burien collected too much in taxes from some business owners. In all about 35 people were effected to a total of $900.

The City is planning on refunding the $900 and correcting the wording of the tax measure to prevent future issues.

“It’s not only a legal, but a moral obligation to refund the money.” said council member Kathy Keene.

STUDENTS TO MAKE SCULPTURE FOR ART PARK:
A recent arts commission meeting proposed installation of a sculpture with a fish and a revolving eagle above the fish, made by the Puget Sound Skills center students and designed by a welding instructor.

The sculpture would be included in the BIAS Interum Art Space.

The city council’s next regular meeting will be held at 7pm on Monday, April 13th.

Student volunteers, who have studied and received income tax preparation certification from AARP and IRS, are providing free help to anyone needing assistance preparing certain non-complex 2008 income tax returns.

Bring your patience and plan for at least one hour.

WHEN: Fridays only, through April 10, from 1pm to 7pm; last client at 6:15pm

WHERE: Highline Community College campus, Building 29, rooms 308

COST: Free, including electronic filing

BRING:

• Copy of 2007 income tax return
• Forms W-2 from each employer
• Form SSA-1099 if you were paid Social Security benefits
• Form 1099-G if you were paid unemployment benefits
• Form 1099-R if you received pension or annuity income
• All other forms 1099; e.g., 1099-MISC, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, etc.
• Dependent care provider information, if any (name, tax identification number, and amount paid in 2008)
• Social Security cards or other official documentation for yourself and all dependents
• Forms 1098-T and other available tuition statements
• All receipts or cancelled checks if itemizing deductions

If you own your home but have not been able to itemize in the past, new this year is potential income tax savings if you paid, in 2008, real estate taxes on your personal residence.

More information at this HCC website.

Recent mediation talks between the City of Burien, King County, the City of Seattle and Fire Districts #2 and #11 have resulted in a preliminary agreement as to terms of a proposed annexation of the North Highline area.

If you’d like to read the entire document, click here for a PDF file.

Otherwise, here are the top-level elements of the memo as we understand them:

• All parties agree that the unincorporated North Highline area needs to be annexed.
• The North Highline area can be annexed by more than one city (Burien or Seattle).
• Burien will pursue annexation only in Area X (approx. SW/S 116th and south) while Seattle will pursue annexation in Area Y (north of approx. SW/S 116th) until Dec. 31, 2011 (see scanned map below).
• Continued fire protection services is essential to North Highline, and annexation shall not reduce these services.
• Both cities are seeking to receive additional tax revenue on their respective annexation areas – basically state legislation that would allow both cities to get up to $5 million worth of sales-tax credits per year for 10 years for the annexation process.

Here’s a map showing the proposed dividing lines:

So…what do you think of this agreement?

Please email us or leave a Comment below.

United Way of King County is looking for volunteer tax preparers in our area, and here’s the scoop straight from their press release:

Every year, thousands of people in King County don’t claim the Earned Income Tax Credit despite the fact that they’re eligible. That means millions of dollars go unclaimed – dollars that should be coming back into our community. In addition, thousands of others who DO claim the EITC do so as a result of going to a paid preparer. That means many of our low-income individuals and families end up spending a large portion of their refund just to get their own money!

That’s why United Way of King County joins forces with a variety of community partners to coordinate the Free Tax Preparation Campaign! Taxpayers receive all of the credits for which they’re eligible, and gain access to e-filing and direct deposit capabilities…and it doesn’t cost them a cent.

You can help.

Get involved with United Way of King County’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign and join the nation’s largest anti-poverty effort! Help low-and moderate-income individuals and families in King County keep more of what they earn! With the assistance of over 370 volunteers, the 2008 Campaign filed 12,330 tax returns, and returned over $14.4 million in federal refunds; $4.6 million in Earned Income Tax Credits. All of this was accomplished at no cost to our tax customers, and we estimate that we saved our customers over $925,000 in tax preparation fees!

By volunteering once per week during the 2009 tax season, you can join 450 fellow volunteers and help us meet our goal of putting more than $15 million back into the pockets of low-and moderate-income working individuals and families in King County! Speakers of Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Somali, Korean and Russian languages are especially needed.

No Experience Necessary! All volunteers receive free tax preparation training and are certified by the IRS. Slots at some sites tend to fill up very fast, so don’t wait! Sign up now! Trainings start in early December, and the sooner you sign up the faster you can get certified and enjoy the rest of the holidays! And even if you can’t do it this year, that’s okay! But you probably know someone who can, so pass this message along to them!

Tax training will be held at South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Avenue SW in West Seattle, and run from 8:30am – 5pm. Trainings are available on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December and January and you do NOT have to complete both days on the same weekend. Lunch and snacks are provided.

For more information, or to Register, go to this website:

http://www.volunteersolutions.org/uwkc/user/events/one.tcl

B-Town Blog’s Mark Neuman filed this late-night missive with Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer around 11pm Thurs. night:

Scott -

Got back, about an hour ago, from the City of Burien’s community meeting at Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church earlier tonight (Thurs., Aug. 28). Topic: proposed annexation of North Highline and the temporary withdrawal of the City of Burien’s request to pursue said annexation.

About 45 people attended, and one could reasonably assume that a goodly portion of the attendees (this correspondent included) would have preferred to view, live, the televised acceptance speech of Senator Obama. Must rely on delayed broadcast for that.

About half of those in attendance were Boulevard Park residents, and about half of those are home owners. As noted by one attendee, most everyone there was Caucasian and not exactly springing from the younger side of life.

But all were earnest, many were skeptical, and few were without opinion.

While this was only my second meeting regarding the annexation proposal, I believe I came away with some accurate observations:

Burien City Manager Mike Martin is a very decent fellow, with a reserve of patience greater than that which most folks, myself included, would likely muster and maintain in assemblages such as tonight’s.

“This annexation, if approved, will be revenue neutral,” Mike said. “This move would not make a dime for Burien, nor cost Burien a dime. In that sense, financially, annexation as proposed would be a wash.”

Mike said this several times, not because he is a repetitive person, or one who forgets what he just said, or loves the sound of his voice.

The reason Mike said this more than once is because it is the truth and because some in the audience either weren’t listening or suffer from CDS (Chronic Disbelief Syndrome).

With respect to emergency services, I think it’s pretty clear that the King County Sheriff’s Office works quite smoothly with local police departments.

And for Pete’s sake, does anyone really think the good men and women of any Fire Department would indeed fail to respond to an emergency because it’s occurring a block or two beyond a city boundary? Of course this won’t be allowed to happen.

The only things that should be left to helplessly smolder are the scare tactics of some and the ignorant fears of a few others.

Scott, I know you were looking for a Wake ‘Em Up in The Morning Headline, but frankly, I think the temporary withdrawal of the annexation request is a wise, brief and prudent move.

Perhaps the headline for this report should be: Extra! Extra! Sometimes Truth is Dull.

Well, gotta go, Scottso. Somewhere sits a PBS station ready to roll tape on Barack and Michelle and those two cute kids of theirs.

We just got an exclusive response from Burien Mayor Joan McGilton on this entire annexation withdrawal issue, and here’s the latest:

First, a snippet from Seattle Councilmember Richard Conlin as quoted on another Seattle-based blog:

“…unless Burien is prepared to make significant change in its proposal…” 

Mayor Joan’s reaction to Mr. Conlin’s statement:

“Burien has consistently acknowledged the role Seattle has in the proposed annexation of the North Highline Area. Seattle chooses to not negotiate directly with Burien.  The City of Seattle’s Position Statement filed with the Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County filed on August 18, 2008 clearly misinterprets Burien actions to move forward with annexation.

In the best interests of all parties, Burien chooses to withdraw its current request so that the Boundary Review Board can focus on the merits of annexation rather than on the procedural and legal issues.

Burien wishes to take the “high road” and have our neighbors to the north ask the probing questions so that when this comes to a vote, they are truly informed of the actions that are in their best interest as a community.”

We’ll have a full report from tonight’s Annexation Open House, which will surely provide more quotes and controversy in this ongoing political chess match of words, so please check back later or subscribe to our RSS feed for up-to-date news.

 

Just got off the phone with Gordon Shaw, Burien native and City Councilmember, who offered up this exclusive, yet rather fiery quote about the North Highline/White Center annexation withdrawal political game currently being played out between Burien and Seattle:

“The efforts Burien has made so far have been stymied by Seattle and King County to a certain degree because of preference for Seattle to annex North Highline.

But clearly Seattle is not ready to do it.

To oppose Burien’s annexation efforts on the substance of annexation is one thing, but to oppose it on procedure that we all know is going to change in 30 days is bullshit!” 

For more fiery talk, including what’s sure to be a lively interactive question and answer session, you can come to tonight’s Annexation Open House at 6:30pm at Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church (see map below).

It appears that the political war of words is just starting folks, so stay tuned.

View Larger Map

UPDATE 8/28/10:30am: Tonight’s Annexation Open House is still scheduled to occur starting at 6:30pm at Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church (located at 1822 South 128th Street in SeaTac), despite the fact that Burien is temporarily withdrawing its annexation request.

Here’s a quote from Jenn Ramirez-Robinson, Management Analyst at the Burien City Manager’s Office:

“In brief, the City of Burien has withdrawn its current request to annex a portion of North Highline but plans to re-file later this year.

We are still committed to the annexation process and will continue to do educational open houses in the North Highline Area, including the Open House tonight at 6:30 PM at the Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church.”

We are currently investigating why the city is withdrawing now, only to re-file “later this year.”

Rest assured, tonight’s Open House should be even more interesting, especially with this latest development.

Here’s the press release from the City of Burien website:

Burien Withdraws North Highline Annexation Request

The City of Burien has notified the Boundary Review Board of King County that it is withdrawing its current request to annex the southern portion of the North Highline unincorporated area.  The City plans to re-file an annexation request later this year after completion of a new round of negotiations with King County and the cities of SeaTac and Seattle regarding the proposed annexation boundary.

The Burien City Council authorized submittal of the “Notice of Intent” to annex part of North Highline in May 2008.  The Notice of Intent was filed with the Boundary Review Board in late June after the approval of new countywide planning policies allowing the annexation request to proceed.  The timing of Burien’s filing was challenged by the City of Seattle and the North Highline Fire District on legal grounds.

“In the interest of having the community and the Boundary Review Board focus on the merits of annexation rather than upon procedural and legal issues, we believe that it is in the best interest of the parties for the City to withdraw its current Notice of Intent,” said Mike Martin, Burien’s city manager.

The delay in the annexation process allows the cities and County to meet to discuss substantive issues related to annexation, including providing adequate urban services within annexed portions of North Highline and any remaining unincorporated area.

“We’ve tried to get Seattle to the table for almost a year to resolve these issues but they have been  unwilling to meet with us,” Martin explained.  “For whatever reason, they’ve changed their mind now and  appear willing to talk. We wish for the sake of the North Highline residents Seattle would have come to that conclusion sooner, but better late than never.”

Now, for the first time, Burien is able to consider the specific and detailed concerns of the North Highline Fire District that were filed with the Boundary Review Board.  While the City of Burien has no authority over the current or future operations of the fire district, “we will encourage the North Highline and Burien/Normandy Park fire districts to resolve their differences in the interest of providing quality services in the areas they serve,” said Martin.

The City has offered to start negotiations immediately, with the goal of reaching a successful resolution of issues by the end of the year.  Martin added, “Our City values trust, integrity, communication and collaboration.  It is in this spirit that we are ready to take one step back in order to help our neighbors in North Highline move many steps forward.”

The City of Burien will be holding a series of informational open houses, at various locations, to answer questions about what annexation will mean for the people within the proposed annexation area.

This is a great opportunity for area residents to investigate what the City of Burien’s plans are, ask questions of city officials and determine the impact that annexation might have on your lives.

The first open house is coming up Thursday, Aug. 28th:

WHEN: Thursday, August 28, 2008 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church, 1822 South 128th Street

Format:

• There will be a presentation followed by a Question and Answer session.
• Refreshments will be provided.
• Supervised play activities for children will be available
• Interpreter services can be arranged if requested in advance

Download a pdf version of the flyer for the Open House.

More info at the City of Burien website.

MAP:

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The Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County will be holding a meeting on the proposed annexation of the “North Highline” area on Tues, Sept. 2nd at 7pm at Riverside Residences Inn, 11244 Tukwila International Blvd in Seattle (see map below).

As always, the meeting is open to the public.

There proposed annexation area can be seen here:

Here’s the official notice via the King County website:

WASHINGTON STATE BOUNDARY REVIEW BOARD FOR KING COUNTY

YESLER BUILDING, ROOM 240		400 YESLER WAY		SEATTLE , WA 98104
PHONE: 206.296.6800			TTY: 206.296.1024

CITY OF BURIEN – NORTH HIGHLINE ANNEXATION – FILE NO. 2281

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the WASHINGTON STATE BOUNDARY REVIEW BOARD FOR KING COUNTY will hold a public hearing at the hour of 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 2, 2008. If required Thursday, September 4, 2008 has also been set aside. The hearing will take place at the Riverside Residences Inn, 11244 Tukwila International Blvd, Seattle, WA. The Hearing Room/Building is located behind the main building of the Inn. The purpose of the hearing is to consider proposed annexation to the City of Burien of an area known as “North Highline” all in King County, Washington.

To reclassify certain Real Property lying northerly of the City of Burien and the City of Sea-Tac City Limits, lying easterly of the City of Seattle City Limits, lying westerly of the City of Tukwila City Limits, lying southerly of SW ll2th St., SW 116th St., South 107th St, and described as all or portions of Section 1 and Section 2, Township 23N. Range 3E and Sections 4 through 9, Township 23N, Range 4E, W.M., all in King County, Washington.

A COMPLETE LEGAL DESCRIPTION IS ON FILE AND AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE BOUNDARY REVIEW BOARD.

The Boundary Review Board conducts all meetings and hearings in locations that are wheelchair accessible. Any person requiring other disability accommodations or special assistance should contact the Boundary Review Board staff at least two business days prior to the meeting.

The Boundary Review Board telephone is 206-296-6800. For TTY telephone services. please call 711.

Each request for accommodations or assistance will be considered individually according to the type of request, the availability of resources and the financial ability of the Board to provide the requested services or equipment.

DATED at Seattle, Washington, this 21st day of July 2008.

WASHINGTON STATE BOUNDARY
REVIEW BOARD FOR KING COUNTY

Lenora Blauman
Executive Secretary

Map to Riverside Residences Inn:

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From the City of Burien website:

The United Way of King County is offering free, quality tax preparation and electronic filing for residents from IRS-certified, multilingual volunteers.

No income limits and no appointment necessary.

Avoid paying high and unnecessary fees or taking rapid refund loans from commercial preparers.

You may be eligible for a larger refund by claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

Save some of your refund. Bring in your bank account information and have your refund directly deposited.

We can help you apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN).

We only prepare basic individual tax returns.

We do not prepare business taxes, or returns that include sale of property or stock or rental income.

For more information, dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-211-9274, or go to unitedwayofkingcounty.org/taxcampaign

DATES/LOCATIONS:

January 15 – April 15, 2008

BURIEN:

ACORN of King County Prosperity Center
134 SW 153rd Street, Suite D, 98166
Thursdays 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHITE CENTER:

Salvation Army Community Center
9050 16th Ave. SW, 98106
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

White Center Assembly
10237 16th Avenue SW, 98146
Thursdays 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturdays 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information and full details, download this PDF.