From community engagement over tacos to a facelift for a city landmark, the Burien City Council’s February 9, 2026, meeting covered a range of local priorities.
The evening was marked by a blend of practical city maintenance, such as the time-sensitive redesign of the aging Gateway Monument sign.
The most significant action, however, was the unanimous passage of a resolution strengthening protections for immigrants and refugees, a move that sparked internal debate over city resources but ultimately reaffirmed Burien’s stance on constitutional rights and non-participation in federal immigration enforcement.
Taco Tuesday
Councilmember Sam Mendez shared that he will be hosting regular conversations with the public centered around coffee and tacos, and the first taco chat is February 10th. Taco Tuesday starts at 5:30 at Paco’s Tacos.
Gateway Monument Sign
Burien’s Gateway Monument, located at the corner of SW 148th Street and 1st Ave South, is slated for a refresh. The current sign, which is more than 20 years old, can be seen at this link, along with more info on the process of choosing a new design. The city received time-sensitive grants from both the Washington State Arts Commission and ARPA, funds which must be used before this summer and the end of 2026, respectively.
Some quirky designs for the monument were discussed, including an arch and a giant UFO, but unfortunately the funds don’t support a massive redesign. The existing sign uses an outdated logo that was never really adopted. The new design will incorporate city-approved colors and branding. The design will also preserve the trees on that corner, and add lighting elements. The gateway sign is on private property, and the owner has the right of final approval on the design.
Resolution Supporting Immigrants & Refugees
The council unanimously approved a resolution showing support for the protection of immigrants and refugees in our community. See the link above for the full language of the resolution, with the caveat that Sections 5 & 6 were both amended as follows:
“Section 5:
“Burien believes that all people are entitled to constitutional protections and rights. Further, the city of Burien does not use or encourage the use of video surveillance, such as Flock, for any immigration enforcement under the current circumstances.“Section 6:
“The City of Burien is committed to exploring legal avenues to better protect people within Burien regardless of their immigration status, and will explore potential policies including mandatory notification by staff to the city council of any federal requests for information or notification of immigration related activities, updating its current policy on non-participation in immigration activities, and prohibiting any federal use of city-owned lands for immigration purposes.”
These amendments were both approved by the council, with only Councilmember Linda Akey voting no on the language of Section 6. She expressed concern about the impacts to the city and the potential responsibilities the city would have. She said she does support the education and outreach that is being conducted by city connectors.
New Fiber Franchises Approved
The Council also approved new franchise agreements with two different internet companies, Forged Fiber and Ezee Fiber. This could potentially mean more options for internet service providers for Burien residents.
Video
Below is full, raw video of the meeting:
