The Burien City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, and highlights include a proclamation for Dia Del Guatemalteco and updates on mental health resources and the minimum wage ordinance.

Allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Human Resources funds were approved.

Additionally, the council discussed its upcoming work plan priorities, focusing on economic development, property maintenance, and homelessness.

Proclamation for Dia Del Guatemalteco

Councilmember Jimmy Matta read a proclamation recognizing Sept. 30 as Guatemala Day. According to the proclamation, Burien has immigrants from across the globe who call the city home, including nearly 400 from Guatemala. Burien celebrates its diverse cultures and all that they bring to its cultural, economic, and civic life. It was said that there are over 30,000 Guatemalan residents living in Washington State, but Burien is the first city to recognize the value of this group in a proclamation. Councilmember Matta shared that his own parents came from Guatemala.

Council Reports

Councilmember Linda Akey mentioned that a new mental health center recently opened in Kirkland. Connections Kirkland is available to all individuals in need, regardless of city of origin or insurance coverage, on a walk-in basis. This crisis response center is open 24 hours a day and offers a range of services from mental health urgent care to outpatient recovery.

Councilmember Akey also said the county-funded mental health clinics are set to open in about three years, and those will not likely be located in Burien but will be open to all residents of King County.

Minimum Wage Ordinance Going to Ballot

City Manager Adolfo Bailon shared that the petition to create a minimum wage in Burien has received enough signatures to qualify for the February 2025 ballot. He said he is not sure if all the people signing the petition were informed that the council passed a minimum wage ordinance already, which is set to go into effect at the start of the new year.

Of the 6,451 signatures initially submitted with the petition, just 3,553 were found to be valid. This was not enough to meet the required 4,420 to get an initiative on the ballot. However, during the grace period, additional signatures were submitted bringing the total valid count above the minimum required. This item will be on the February ballot.

Utility Tax Rebate Program

Lower income households still have time to apply for a rebate on utility taxes. Information on qualifications and applications can be found here on the city’s website. The application deadline is Dec. 2, 2024. Rebates are available for all utility taxes, and max out at $125.

Human Services Fund Presentation

Council heard a presentation from the Human Services Department on the distribution of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and on the Human Services funding plan. Council approved both of these recommendations, with Councilmember Stephanie Mora the lone “No” vote on Human Services fund allocations.

CDBG funds will be allocated as follows: $41,000 for administration, $41,000 for youth and family resources at the Alturas apartments, and $158,568 for new play equipment at Chelsea Park. Councilmember Hugo Garcia shared his concerns that the management at the Alturas Apartments, the largest housing complex in the city, may have business practices that are leading to more housing insecurity for their residents.

The Human Services fund had a record 75 applicants, with requests totalling $2.4 million dollars. Having only around $500,000 per year to allocate for 2025-2026, the committee had to be very selective. According to the presentation, of the total budget: 37% will go to supporting healthy residents, free from violence; 27% will go to secure, affordable housing; 20% will support school-readiness, 13% to a living wage, and 3% to increase a sense of community & belonging. Dozens of programs will receive funds, and that list can be found here.

Council Work Plan Quarterly Review

Burien council members discussed their upcoming work plan topics, choosing what they felt was most important from a long list of potential topics they have expressed interest in. The top three picks were: Expanding the scope of neighborhood businesses, to encourage more community stores and cafes outside of the business districts; Examine rules around unoccupied properties, and possibly create an ordinance if the law allows that would discourage buildings from being left unkempt and unoccupied for long; and Establishing city codes on homelessness. Councilmember Hugo Garcia made a noble but futile attempt to cast three of his votes for exploring the creation of a soccer club in Burien.