CM Sarah Moore

Hello from Mayor Sarah,

I look at this meeting agenda, and I see the many ways Burien partners, celebrates, engages, is touched by or feels the impacts of the world outside our city. From World Cup soccer to increased flights at the airport, we are in community and embedded in complex relationships with the greater world around us. It’s messy, sometimes frightening, and other times, it gives us leverage and voice beyond what one city could have on its own.

I don’t always write directly to my readers, but at this moment I do want to remind everyone reading this, that YOU are part of this web of relationships. It can be frustrating to bring up experiences and not feel heard. Even action that does create change can feel slow, incremental, or not enough. But sometimes, your perspective is the tipping point that changes a mind or a heart. And if you do not bring your ideas to the conversation, they surely will not be heard. See the section on the Airport SAMP for opportunities to engage on that very important topic for our community.

The issues we discuss tonight will have real impact on Burien - I invite you to be part of the discussion. Specifically, there is a vacancy on city council, and I am asking you to help spread the word or consider applying. I would be happy to discuss the position further if you know someone who is interested. I will do my best not to sugar coat the hard parts, but I can’t help but be a bit of a cheerleader for the position, and would love for us to receive a diverse and deep pool of applicants to consider. More information is available below.

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATION

This week we have two proclamations and one presentation.

a) United States Semi-Quincentennial Proclamation

b) Summer of Soccer Proclamation

Deputy Mayor Garcia has worked tirelessly for years to remind the city of the FIFA World Cup games, and Burien’s opportunity to engage with them. This is truly his year to celebrate and I am delighted that his advocacy has brought so much activity to Burien.

c) Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects (SAMP NTP) draft State Environmental Policy Act Environmental Safety Impact Statement (SEPA EIS) Presentation

I live between two landing paths for SeaTac Airport, and serve as chair of the Burien Airport Committee. This issue is obviously front of mind for me. Last week, and on Tuesday (6/16), Burien and Des Moines are hosting unprecedented joint Airport Committee meetings to discuss our responses to the states finding of no significant impact from 31 planned construction projects at the Airport, intended to support a projected 30% increase in flights in the next decade. Our teams are working hard at preparing a coordinated, evolving message that holds the Port accountable for noise and pollution impacts on our communities, while recognizing that the increased flights are already beginning and will increase with or without the additional construction.

You can attend meetings with the Port mostly taking place in schools around the region, the week of June 22 - 25th. Learn more about the SAMP here (prepare for a long read). If you plan to submit testimony, I strongly recommend you also attend STACC4J’s upcoming community event, “How to Engage with the Port’s SEPA Process,” on Tuesday, June 17, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Glacier Middle School.

Also mark your calendars for 6:00 pm on July 14th, when Burien and Des Moines will host a public meeting, details TBD.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Please note, we have a new public comment process! Per the City Clerk’s office: The sign-up deadline for public comment is now at the scheduled commencement of the council meeting (5:30PM). Those who have not signed up by the deadline will not be able to provide comments at the meeting. You can sign up to provide public comment by one of the following methods:

Public Comment Form (linked in the comments)

Call City Hall at (206) 241-4647

Email [email protected]

In-Person with City Hall front counter staff from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At the council meeting (doors open at 5 p.m.)

You will still have up to 2 minutes to speak, and will still be asked to give your name and whether you live in Burien (optional).

COMMITTEE REPORTS

I know that many Council Members have been actively participating in the last two weeks. I will be reporting on a joint Airport Committee meeting, a Public Issues Committee meeting and a discussion of Port of Seattle’s budget.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Hang onto your hats, folks. It’s been a busy few weeks. I expect that at minimum, we will hear from council members who attended one or both of two flag raising events, a state of the county address by the King County Executive, Pride weekend and the kickoff for Summer of Soccer - and this is just what’s top of mind for me. Prepare for a doozy of reports!

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

CONSENT AGENDA

BUSINESS AGENDA

a) Introduction to Resolution No. 535, Approving the South King Housing and Homelessness Partners (SKHHP) 2027 Budget and Workplan

Building affordable housing does not usually pencil out. From a builder’s point of view it is less affordable than building market rate housing. The costs of land, labor and materials are such that builders often must construct for the higher end of the market to afford to build the project, although the greatest housing needs are in the lowest income brackets. Cities can support collaborations that help address this challenge, and SKHHP is part of that effort.

State law allows cities to direct a small amount of its sales and use tax revenue, specifically for affordable and supportive housing, but often that amount is not enough for individual cities to effectively stimulate housing construction. Burien, along with the cities of Auburn, Covington, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Maple Valley, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila, and King County, contribute resources annually to SKHHP, a joint board tasked with coordinating funds and efforts, in order to increase housing and shelter availability in South King County. Our joint contributions fund the operations and capital monies that allow SKHHP to be staffed and to allocate capital to affordable housing or shelter projects applying for funds. They are required to have every partner city agree to their plans, and tonight they are coming to request Burien’s agreement.

b) Discussion of Budget Amendment ORD. 904 in order to close out Federal Forfeiture Funds and turn over balances to King County Sheriff's Office

In the past, Burien has directly received funds from Federal Forfeitures that take place in our city. The DOJ and King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) have determined that, because Burien contracts for police services through KCSO, the funds should be administered by KCSO, and that Burien must transfer them over. The remaining balance of this fund, which we will remit to KCSO, is $1,127 from the criminal forfeiture fund and $142,064 from the Drug Enforcement Forfeiture fund. These funds are restricted in use, for the purposes listed above. I have questions about whether reallocating them to KCSO will allow KCSO to administer them specifically on behalf of the City of Burien, and will ask for clarification at the meeting.

c) Discussion of Budget Amendment for State Real Estate Excise Tax (R**T) Reimbursement

Burien was contacted by the State Auditor to inform us that there was a negative balance on our R**T, typically the result of refunds or audit adjustments. This must be corrected by remitting out of our Public Works budget. The amount of this imbalance is $171,926.33.

This and the previous budget item are both new to me, and I will be seeking better understanding of how routine or concerning the two budget give-backs are.

d) Discussion of Possible Data Center Moratorium

At the June 1st meeting, I requested staff bring council some information on what a possible Data Center moratorium would look like. They brought something back right away, and at the meeting we will discuss whether to have a moratorium, and details on what a moratorium entails. A moratorium is not permanent - it is usually for up to six months but can be extended to a year. It requires a public hearing and a justification. We will discuss what topics we would like staff to study, with the intent of providing permanent regulations of some kind - informed by the study - at the end of the moratorium.

e) Discussion and Preparation for Upcoming Budget Priority and Levy Direction for July 6, 2026 Study Session

In the wake of a failed levy measure in 2025, Burien is facing a looming fiscal crisis in which we spend down our reserve funds and essentially run out of money. Our only options are finding more money, or spending less - or both. We will do a study session going into more detail on our options, but tonight we will discuss the essential need to prioritize our spending, narrowing in on 2 or 3 top council priorities, which will help align the rest of the budget.

We did some exercises in our February Council Retreat, to start this prioritization process and at tonight’s meeting, Jennifer Haury, who facilitated that discussion, will join us with the information she gathered from that meeting.

We will also discuss a future levy - whether, when and how to plan one, and what type of levy might be effective. If you have thoughts or want to let us know what levy type you would be most likely to support, please reach out with your feedback.

f) City Council Planning Calendar

EXECUTIVE SESSION

a) Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(1)(h) to evaluate the qualifications of a candidate for appointment to elective office.

b) Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss with legal counsel pending or potential litigation to which the City is or is likely to become a party when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the City.

ADJOURNMENT

There’s a lot happening this week on a variety of topics. I’m very interested to hear your questions and concerns on these topics or topics you want to see prioritized by Council in the coming months. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and share your views and ideas!

In Service,

Sarah

✨The City of Burien and Eco Infinity Nation, in partnership with King County Public Health, Neighborhood House, Integrated Public Services, and SIBA are giving away free air purifiers to Burien residents affected by air pollution. Distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. All recipients must answer a 5-minute proctored survey as a condition for receiving the air purifier.
🗓 Thursday, June 18, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
📍Council Chamber, 400 SW 152nd St.

Join No Added Harm on June 17th to learn more about the Sustainable Airport Master Plan and potential impacts on our community:

Hello from Mayor Sarah,

As a member of Burien City Council, I have often observed that we hear repetition or overlap of a few important topics: budget, zoning changes, affordability, updates from departments and commissions. Some topics are contentious, others are unifying, but in general there is a pattern. This week we will be encountering an agenda full of topics I have not encountered before, introduced either by staff or by circumstances. Before diving in, I want to give a brief synopsis of some ongoing issues of interest that do not appear on the agenda.

Burien Airport Committee update: the Port of Seattle is planning for a 30% increase of flights into SeaTac Airport in the next 15 years, and have created a “Sustainable Airport Master Plan” (SAMP) outlining 31 projects that will equip the airport to better accommodate this. Cities around the airport are concerned (to say the least) that the noise and pollutants generated by this much increased flight will impact the health, wellbeing and financial stability of the cities and their residents, and are planning challenges to an Environmental Impact Statement finding of no impact from these projects. The impact is the flights. The BAC is joining with Des Moines’ newly created Airport committee in a joint study session at 4:00 on June 8th in Des Moines. The agenda has not been published but I encourage people to check back on Des Moines’s committee website and to either attend or listen to the session.

Minimum Wage Update: On May 18th, Burien city council revoked the city’s council-approved minimum wage, allowing the voter-approved minimum wage to be implemented and removing the conflicting information caused by having two ordinances. Coverage in some articles implied that there were confusing elements of the newly enforceable wage, but in fact, Burien city staff created a page that lays out the guidelines, and can respond to questions about implementation. For any uncertainty, please start with the city’s page before assuming things are unclear, and please feel free to send in your questions about implementation to [email protected].

Council Vacancy: At the May 18th meeting, Councilmember Akey announced that she was resigning effective at the end of the meeting. There is a vacancy on council, and staff will very shortly be posting to fill it. If you know anyone who is interested in applying for a poorly paid part time job with an opportunity to make a difference, please encourage them to read this linked information and check the city website, Seattle Times, or city social media for announcements and an application on June 3, 5, or 12 (it will go out on all three days). Applications will be due June 26th, so time is of the essence

Highline Heritage Museum Feature: The life of activist, artist, neighbor and 2023 Burien Citizen of the Year, the late Vicky Hartley, is currently being featured in the museum’s front window. Vicky touched the lives of everyone she encountered, and her legacy can be found in the water, air, trees, and people of Burien and the region, but right now it can also be found in this memorial display of an outrageously wonderful human being.

This week's Agenda:

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATION

This week we have two proclamations and one presentation.

a) Gun Violence Awareness Month Proclamation (June 2026)

In addition to this proclamation, City of Burien will host a Gun Violence Awareness Day event at Burien Town Square Park on June 5 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. to increase awareness about the impacts of gun violence and distribute free gun lockboxes, in partnership with King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Progress Pushers, and Alliance for Gun Responsibility.

b) LGBTQIA+ Pride Month Proclamation (June 2026)

In addition to this proclamation, the City of Burien will fly an inclusive Pride flag at Burien City Hall this June (join us on June 4th at 10:30 for the raising of the flag) and invites community to attend and celebrate our local Burien Pride Fest June 5, 6 and 7.

c) Stride Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Burien Transit Center and Roadway Improvements Project

This presentation will include an update on transit regionally, including a planned transit route that will reduce travel time between Burien and Bellevue, followed by some 2026-27 changes to upgrade transit in Burien, mostly surrounding the transit center.

COUNCIL REPORTS

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

PUBLIC COMMENT

If you wish to speak, please be sure to sign up by 4:30 Monday.

You may speak either in person in the council chambers, or via Zoom. You have up to 2 minutes to speak; I always recommend saying your key points first and plan about 120 spoken words per minute!

The comment sign up portal offers an option to give written testimony, but these comments are sent to council very near the start time of the meeting, meaning there is not much time for members to read them. I strongly recommend speaking in person or on zoom, or emailing the council at [email protected] or individual council members well before the start of the meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA

BUSINESS AGENDA

a) Introduction to Resolution No. 536, Authorizing the City Finance Director to Enter into a Contract with Clearwater Advisors, LLC for Financial Investment and Financial Advisory Services

As a city, to date Burien has used Local Government Pool Investments (LGIP) to manage a fairly limited investment program for its assets. We will be presented with the option of contracting with an investment firm, which will charge an introductory .045% fee for 2026 and gradually increase to a regular .09% fee by 2028. Acknowledging that this is a scary time for a city or a private person to manage assets, I am still glad to have this discussion. It is anticipated that having an investment program could increase revenue by slightly under $400,000 annually.

b) Transfer of Development Rights/Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (TDR/LCLIP) Presentation

After two discussions with members of Burien’s Planning Commission, this topic is still new and complicated to me. Thankfully, this is an informational briefing only; no Council action or decision is requested at this time although this may make its way back through the Planning Commission at a future date.

A very short summary is that Burien was selected by the Washington Department of Commerce as a pilot city to evaluate TDR and LCLIP.

TDR (Transfer of Development Rights) allows developers in growth areas to purchase development rights from rural farms, forests, and resource lands that are preserved from development.

LCLIP (Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program) provides access to additional infrastructure funding generated by new development in participating cities. Funds can be used for transportation, utilities, transit, public spaces, affordable housing support, and historic preservation.

So property developers could buy development rights from rural areas, allowing those areas to remain unspoiled, and could transfer the development to Burien, potentially projects such as additional height or density capacity in middle housing projects, or applying TDR credits toward Multifamily Tax Exemptions.

c) Introduction to Resolution No. 527, Amending Community Development Fee Schedule to Include Partial Exemptions

Late in 2025, Council voted to make changes to the buffer sizes and setbacks of its critical areas ordinance, in keeping with best scientific recommendations. This resolution will establish fees to cover the cost of reviewing critical area plans and requests for exemptions. It should be fairly routine, as fees are intended to cover costs of review.

d) Discussion of City Council Position No. 2 Vacancy: Appointment Timeline and Process

I mentioned this briefly in the introduction, and mostly tonight’s discussion will establish a timeline and review draft language for a position posting, so that hopefully we can post, interview and select a new councilmember in a timely manner.

e) City Council Planning Calendar (Planning Calendar)

EXECUTIVE SESSION

a) Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency.

Estimated time: 15 minutes

ADJOURNMENT

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your feedback or input about our city - Due to public records requirements I do not respond to questions on this site. Please direct official correspondence to my council email: [email protected]

In Service,

Sarah

Burien’s fair labor standards ordinance, enacted by voters in March 23, 2025, created a new minimum wage law impacting all employees in Burien and provides part-time employees with fair access to additional hours. Recent action by the Burien City Council on May 18, along with the development of new administrative rules, are helping provide greater clarity for employers and employees. Learn more at burienwa.gov/MinimumWage.

Hello from Mayor Sarah,

Last Monday was the first in a month that did not have some kind of Council Meeting, and I have enjoyed the brief break to spend more time on my garden and with my family. Over the weekend, my two grown kids and several of their friends came over to sample ice cream and toppings. It is always a joy to have them come home, but it was also sobering to see the world they are inheriting, hear about their challenges which are so different than the ones I knew, and to talk about the current issues, such as a tragic killing of Juniper Blessing, a young trans woman in the U District where Noa lives. Often as a parent, I feel as though I have little wisdom that is relevant, but am always there for unconditional love and support.

This week, I will be presenting two proclamations, both of which have personal significance to me and my family; more notes on each one. We will also be hearing from the city’s economic development staff, who will share an update on plans for event activation, watch parties, community celebrations and visitor attraction efforts in June and July coinciding with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

This week we have two proclamations and one presentation.

a) Brain Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation

Burien’s Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Smith will be receiving this award, and sharing how he has channeled ten years of resilience into his learning on this topic. Brain cancer has impacted several of my friends and loved ones, and awareness, funding and early detection can save lives.

b) Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation

The subject of mental health care is personally important to me. I grew up believing many of the stigmas about mental illness, and it took me many years to seek help for my depression. Once I began to receive treatment, I experienced a profound sadness for the barriers to my own and others’ mental health, and I hope that talking about this experience can encourage others to address mental health with the same openness as we do physical wellbeing.

c) FIFA World Cup 2026 Celebratory Event Activations Presentation

This presentation will highlight the ways that Burien is uplifting soccer and our international community in the summer of 2026, as the region celebrates the World Cup.

COUNCIL REPORTS

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT

A few weeks ago, Deputy Mayor Garcia and I attended a class hosted by Highline High School Civics teacher David Ruby. Students in the class asked us about several topics that are highlighted in this week’s manager’s report: the planned updates to Chelsea Park, the proposed zoning changes to the North of NERA neighborhood, and the need for youth to have supported physical activity after school.

PUBLIC COMMENT

If you wish to speak, please be sure to sign up by 4:30 Monday.

You may speak either in person in the council chambers, or via Zoom. You have up to 2 minutes to speak; I always recommend saying your key points first and plan about 120 spoken words per minute!

The comment sign up portal offers an option to give written testimony, but these comments are sent to council very near the start time of the meeting, meaning there is not much time for members to read them. I strongly recommend speaking in person or on zoom, or emailing the council at [email protected] or individual council members well before the start of the meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA

BUSINESS AGENDA

a) Joint Business and Economic Development Partnership (BEDP)/City Council Meeting

Each year or biennium, each of Burien’s commissions and board creates a workplan which council reviews for approval, and which then guides the work the commission does, the products they send to council, and indirectly, the actions the city takes and how its budget aligns with our different community advisory bodies.

A few years ago, Burien’s BEDP requested annual meetings with City Council, to discuss their work plan in a more robust manner than could be achieved by delivering a report with Q&A. The hope was that by having a sit down discussion, they could leave with solid information on whether council liked the direction they were going, and could avoid the unpleasant surprise of learning late in a project that it was not going to be adopted.

This year’s discussion will include a run-through of the BEDP’s 2025-26 work plan with special discussion of curbside pickup parking, a call for sustaining or expanding our current budget for code enforcement, and a more extended discussion on our city’s marketing identity. This will focus on the work the BEDP has been doing around creating a recognizable identity in its business corridor, with a theme of the “Heart of Burien” and heart themed art installations in our business core area.

Additionally, we will discuss the process of planning events, and ways the BEDP proposes to streamline the process and make it easier for event planners to host.

b) Discussion of City Council Rules of Order

Our April 27th Study Session included a lengthy and detailed discussion of the Council Rules of Order. There are what I hope is a small number of outstanding topics to resolve, such as rules applying to remote attendance, some definitions of an abstaining vote that do not align with how that vote is interpreted in other jurisdictions, and a new question I will introduce, about how the mayor calls upon council members to speak. I would like to encourage everyone to speak, and give a greater chance for this to happen before giving a second turn to anyone, and will introduce language proposing this change.

c) City Council Planning Calendar

ADJOURNMENT

I very much appreciate the feedback you bring forward. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your ideas about how the city can make engagement better for you.

In Service,

Sarah

Hello from Mayor Sarah,

At Monday’s meeting, we will formally welcome Bob Larson as Burien’s interim city manager. Bob started on Tuesday, April 28th and is rapidly familiarizing himself with city issues. Bob was selected (by unanimous vote of the council) to serve as our interim city manager because of his vast experience as City Manager in Snoqualmie and Gig Harbor, and in interim roles since 2021, including in Newcastle and North Bend. He is very familiar with city governance and the role of the city manager and I believe he will provide stability to staff, while keeping the wheels of government turning.

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

This week we have two proclamations.

a) Provider Appreciation Day Proclamation
b) Public Works Week Proclamation

COUNCIL REPORTS

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT

PUBLIC COMMENT

If you wish to speak, please don’t forget to sign up before 4:30.

You may speak either in person in the council chambers, or via Zoom. You have up to 2 minutes to speak; I always recommend saying your key points first and plan about 120 spoken words per minute!

The comment sign up portal offers an option to give written testimony, but these comments are sent to council very near the start time of the meeting, meaning there is not much time for members to read them. I strongly recommend speaking in person or on zoom, or emailing the council at [email protected] or individual council members well before the start of the meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA

BUSINESS AGENDA

a) Opportunity Zones Application Presentation

An Opportunity Zone is an “economically distressed” census tract that is also well suited for business development. Cities are allowed to set tax incentives for specified types of businesses or housing developments in those areas.

Cities apply for Opportunity Zone designation, which are then nominated by their state, and approved in a federal process. Burien currently has two opportunity zones, but criteria will become more stringent starting in January 2027. The city will need to reapply, and is expecting to only be approved for one zone. After analyzing our city’s census tracts, on Monday staff will share information on the two that are most likely to qualify. We will apply for both, knowing that both will probably not be approved.

Lest you are in suspense right now, the two zones that best fit the criteria are the Downtown Core, which is currently already an Opportunity Zone, and the west side of North Ambaum between 128th and 148th streets.

b) Introduction to Ordinance No. 892, Repealing and Amending the Burien

Minimum Wage

Burien currently has two ordinances regarding minimum wage. One, “Chapter 15.5, MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE” was passed by Council in October of 2024. A second, “Chapter 15.6, FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ORDINANCE” was passed by a vote of the people in February 2025. A city does not have the option of declining an ordinance passed by citizen’s initiative, so Burien enrolled the Minimum Wage into its city code, but did not give direction to employers on how to enact it or make clear which ordinance the city would enforce.

There are significant differences between the two ordinances, and this has created confusion among workers and business owners. The discussion on Monday will center around repealing Chapter 15.5, MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE, passed by council, which will leave the city with a clearcut guideline, Chapter 15.6, FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ORDINANCE, the Citizen’s Initiative, which, again, the city does not have the legal authority to repeal. There are two areas in Chapter 15.6, FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ORDINANCE, that have caused confusion. One is that the basis for the wage paid by large businesses will be set based on the current minimum wage in Tukwila. The other is some language describing the city’s role in enforcement, which may not be something an initiative can direct. Council will discuss adopting language clarifying them without altering the intent of the ordinance.

Because this took place over a year ago, many people discuss the two ordinances without having recently read them, so I am sharing links to both of them here, and I strongly encourage anyone interested in the subject to read both, but especially to read the one I have bolded, which is the Citizen’s Initiative that will be discussed on Monday night. Without an understanding of what this says, an already fraught subject will be clouded by lack of clarity on the language of the ordinance.

https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Burien/ #!/Burien05/Burien0515.html

https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Burien/ #!/Burien05/Burien0516.html

The fact that the minimum wage for Burien’s largest businesses is initially calibrated to that of Tukwila is troubling to some, and the supplemental language is intended to set a fixed starting amount instead of one dependent on an adjacent community.

I have heard from a few people who have a perception that the ordinance adopts the entire wage structure of the city of Tukwila. This is not the case and I urge anyone who has heard this, to read Chapter 15.6 Fair Labor Standards Ordinance and confirm the details for themself.

c) City Council Planning Calendar

ADJOURNMENT

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need more information about city business.

In Service,

Sarah