At its Oct. 26, 2026 meeting, the Burien City Council addressed financial updates, major infrastructure plans, and pressing policy matters facing the community.
Highlighting the evening was a presentation on the third-quarter financial report, alongside a detailed preview of the 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan, which outlines crucial funding for park upgrades, facility repairs, and public safety improvements across the city.
Additionally, the council unanimously enacted updates to the local tree code and a six-month emergency moratorium on new detention facilities, while opting to postpone a decision on the North of NERA neighborhood rezone to allow further community discussion.
City Budget & Capital Improvement Plan
The council heard a presentation on the Third Quarter Financial Report. Sales tax revenue has seen a decline, though it was a much smaller decline than expected. Rather than coming in at 10-11% below 2025 levels, revenues have been only 1.5% lower than last year. For more details on the 2026 budget report, see link above.
Following that report, there was a presentation on the 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan and details on the 2027-2028 biennial budget. Many parks preservation projects are planned, including Phase 2 of a major project in Seahurst Park. Phase 1, which involved building a retaining wall along the road leading to the lower parking lot, was completed at a cost of $1 million. Planning and design for Phase 2, which will replace a major culvert, is expected to cost $800,000, and be completed in 2027.
Other capital improvements include a new HVAC system and other efficiency updates for the Moshier Community Art Building, which has a failing boiler. The HVAC system will be converted to electric, and provide cooling in summer.
Following the loss of the historic house at Dottie Harper Park due to arson, the city will use the insurance money to help pay for a replacement support facility. This building will cost $1.1 million, nearly twice the insurance payout for the old building.
The gravel paths at Town Square Park will be paved, which will require far less maintenance. In addition, there are plans to replace the aging play equipment at both Arbor Lake Park and Jacob Ambaum Park.
Capital Improvements also include transportation safety projects, including improvements to sidewalks and bike lanes along 4th Ave; medians, ADA ramps and crosswalks along 128th; and traffic calming measures.
Where is the funding for this going to come from? The council gave the nod to move forward with a potential councilmatic bond. Currently, the city has a 2016 bond that costs $650,000 per year, which is expiring later this year. Another bond from 2021, costing $960,800 per year, will expire in December 2030. When these bonds are paid off, the city will have those funds available for other projects.
These investments in Burien’s infrastructure are considered vital, avoiding more expensive rebuilds. According to Mayor Sarah Moore, this plan addresses things that the community is always asking for, including conducting a study on flooding in Boulevard Park to determine if additional resources are needed there.
Tree Code Updates
The council unanimously approved updates to the tree code which, among other things, reduce the penalties for failing to obey the code. The updates also eliminate the requirement for a permit to remove trees that have been damaged by storms.
Postponed North Of NERA Rezone
The decision to rezone the neighborhood North of NERA was moved to the next available business meeting. While most councilmembers expressed support of the rezone, which is required to allow for more potential jobs, Councilmember Rocco DeVito wanted to give the community more time to learn about and discuss the rezone before it is enacted.
Councilmember Sam Mendez said that staff have made many revisions to the proposed zoning in order to address neighborhood concerns. Neighbors are worried about losing their community, homes, and home values, but Mendez suggested that there are many potential positives to the rezone which could allow for things like neighborhood cafes, restaurants, barbershops, and medical offices.
Part of the area will be zoned Mixed Use Business. This is the area along North Seatac Park, and will require development to emphasize walkability. This zoning is more expensive and demanding for developers than the other areas, which will be zoned as Neighborhood Business 1 & 2. These areas will have less emphasis on walkability, and more on jobs.
The current status of existing homes will be retained, and homeowners will still be able to rebuild, expand, and add ADUs to their properties. They will not be required to sell or move, and the tree standards will be maintained.
Emergency Moratorium Passes Unanimously
In response to increased ICE activity in the area, the council unanimously approved a temporary, emergency moratorium on new detention facilities in the city. This moratorium will last six months, and can be renewed at that time.
Video
Below is full, raw video of this meeting:
