April 1 Council Notes: Discussed Economic Development; Presented Citizen of the Year Award

Suggestions included event center, performing arts center, tax incentives for privately-funded revitalization; Matthew Brandis Awarded Citizen of the Year.

by Burien-News Staff Reporter.

Burien City Council Special Meeting

Echo NW, the firm hired by the City of Burien, led a joint Burien City Council - Burien Economic Development Commission meeting. Echo NW presented the outcomes from their listening tour of stakeholders in the community. This process resulted in the City of Burien Economic Development Action Plan. The purpose of the meeting was to present the findings and hear from the whole voting body, 17 members, made up of City Council Members and BEDP Commission members. The 17 members were presented with a list of outcomes and action items gleaned from their work in the community. From that list the group voted on what they deemed to be of greatest value and importance.

Top Priorities

The top priority, with an almost unanimous number one ranking, was a hotel. However, this was muddled later in the presentation when the question was asked, "What would catalyze change most quickly?" To that question, an Event Center rose to the top. The second priority agreed to by the group was a Performing Arts Center.Third was a TIF District. A TIF District is a financial tool, or "Tax Increment Financing," that seeks to incentivize private investment into distressed or blighted areas to revitalize them. It would target an area of Burien where the city believes it is underdeveloped and, if improved, would enhance the area.

Public Safety and Crime Prevention

Throughout the meeting, issues of law enforcement and public safety were raised. Potential targets for priority action included the cleanliness of the city and its curb appeal to investors and visitors. Participants believed that code enforcement and working with owners to activate and clear up vacant buildings and land would help this most. And finally, the participants agreed that the city needs to continue funding the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) program.There was no action required of the council. This is intended to be a guide for the city council moving forward in prioritizing where to put funds and focus. Out of the priority action areas, there is a long list of steps and requirements to move each forward. The Special Meeting to discuss BEDP adjourned, and the regular meeting began at 7:00pm.

Regular Meeting

Citizen of the Year: Matthew Brandis

The regular meeting began with three proclamations, including awarding Matthew Brandis with the Citizen of the Year. Several of Matthew's family members attended to help celebrate this honor.[caption id="attachment_15714" align="alignnone" width="552"]

Matthew Brandis Burien Citizen of the Year 2024 (Burien-News photographer)[/caption][caption id="attachment_15715" align="alignnone" width="703"]

Matthew Brandis’ family members to see him receive Burien Award (Burien-News photographer)[/caption]

Council Revisits Earlier Agenda Items

The remainder of the April 1 Burien City Council Meeting was essentially a housekeeping meeting. Mayor Schilling led the council in reviewing past proposed agenda items, which are yet to be processed and resolved. The list is 40 items long and some date back to 2018.Two proposed agenda items were prescient, given the city's current environment:

• "Discuss moving the Police Department from KCSO to an internal police department," put forward by Deputy Mayor Stephanie Mora (1/23/2023).
• Review the ILA (InterLocal Agreement) with the King County Sheriff's Office, as proposed during the special meeting on February 12, 2024.

The meeting went into an executive session to discuss legal issues.(credit image of Council to Burienwa.gov)