Burien’s Mar. 23 City Council meeting served as a sharp reminder that local governance is as much about community culture as it is about policy.
The session balanced heavy-hitting social issues with administrative milestones, beginning with a poignant plea for digital civility and ending with the return of a high-stakes minimum wage debate.
From a compassionate crackdown on unlicensed food vendors to a push for long-overdue climate updates, the evening highlighted a city council working to keep pace with both the legislative needs and the personal safety of its residents.
With the council filling key seats on the Airport and Planning commissions and reigniting the minimum wage conversation, this week’s assembly underscored a city striving for progress amidst a climate of passionate public advocacy and evolving economic standards.
Councilmember Akey Calls Out Online Bullying
Councilmember Linda Akey said that the online activity of some Burien residents is toxic. She described people working to silence and intimidate those they disagree with, in some cases pushing people to close businesses or leave the city. In calling for an end of online bullying, Akey asked that people remember to be kind, compassionate, and respectful in their interactions. This follows a Mar. 9 public comment from one business owner who said she has experienced years of online harassment since speaking once at a council meeting regarding the impact to her business of a homeless camp.
Nuanced Crackdown Of Unlicensed Food Vendors
Deputy Mayor Hugo Garcia said there has been progress in county efforts to curb the proliferation of unlicensed food vendors, which is an ongoing issue in Burien. He described food trucks and in-home vendors deliberately avoiding permitting and inspections by the county, which is a food safety issue. According to Garcia, the Public Health – Seattle & King County is finding that in some cases, workers are hired under the table and are working under pressure from employers, so the crackdown aims to target the owners, rather than penalizing workers.
Public Comments: Do More For Climate Action
One commenter, co-chair of Burien People for Climate Action, requested that the council do more to encourage environmental sustainability along with climate action and awareness. She requested that there be an update from the city’s Sustainability Manager, which hasn’t happened since 2022. Another thing she mentioned that hasn’t happened since 2022 is a citywide litter cleanup in honor of Earth Day. She also thought the council could promote the adopt-a-drain program, as well as the residential energy efficiency program, which still has money left to encourage climate friendly transitions.
Airport & Planning Commission Appointments
The city had just one applicant for the Airport Committee, for one open seat. After the interview process, the council appointed Emily Inlow-Hood to this seat, with Councilmembers Linda Akey and Alex Andrade opposed. Inlow-Hood will serve for a three year term.
For the Planning Commission, there were five applicants interviewing for four available seats. The council selected Alex Hyman, Hayden Campbell, Jessica Ivey, and Michael Levkowitz, who all received four or more votes and will each serve for four years. All were strong, experienced candidates, with the non-selected applicant receiving three votes.
Minimum Wage Discussion Returns
Councilmember Sam Mendez received support for a future council discussion around Burien’s minimum wage. He wants a similar ordinance to the one passed recently by popular vote. He said he’d like to see a few revisions, including not tying Burien’s minimum wage to that of any other city.
Video
Watch the full, raw video of this meeting below:
This has gone too far.
A councilmember who has moved out of the city and already announced their resignation should not still be holding office. That alone demands immediate action.
Equally concerning is the attention being directed toward residents’ personal social media. That is not governance. It is a distraction.
The City of Burien needs dedicated councilmembers focused on the best interests of our community, not online disputes.
Enough is enough.
Step down if you no longer live here.
Stop focusing on residents’ personal social media.
Get back to the work our city actually needs.
Our community deserves better.
The part about social media should apply to you, just how many times have you provided that do gooder list of yours trying to sway the public that the group of people who signed it are relevant, when it’s just an opinion.
Yeah the current city council needs dedicated council-members focused on the best interests of our community. With that being said, we need to do a re-vote for the entire Burien city council with live in-person voting only allowed. (Not including Linda Akey)
Agreed with a council member resigning after announcing they are moving out of their jurisdiction, especially when it is out of state. It becomes a conflict of interest.
However, when people attack councilmembers indirectly from their social media accounts, that says more about them then their targets. Council has every right to require civility in their direct contacts with constituents. That is, if you want to be taken seriously in the right way. But yes, they also have no control over those indirect attacks.
This just shows how childish the CCM are and no offense to the children of Burien, most act more respectful than our city council members.