Burien City Council will discuss new anti-camping ordinance, DESC, Citizen of Year & more at Monday night’s meeting

On the agenda for Monday night’s (Mar. 4, 2024) regular Burien City Council meeting: discussion and possible approval of a new ordinance aimed at expanding unlawful public camping within the city limits, an update on the DESC, BEDP recommended work plan, choose its 2024 “Citizen of the Year,” and more.

The meeting can be viewed in-person at Burien City Hall starting at 7 p.m. Monday night, on Comcast TV Channel 21, virtually via Zoom, or via livestream here.

Download the full agenda packet here.

Here are some agenda highlights:

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• a) Women’s History Month Proclamation: Councilmember Alex Andrade
• b) Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) Update and Timeline: Colleen Brandt-Schluter, Human Services Manager, Noah Fay, Senior Director of Housing Programs

COUNCIL REPORTS

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

PUBLIC COMMENT
Notice to all participants: Under RCW 42.17A.555, campaigning for any ballot measure or candidate in City Hall and during any portion of the Council Meeting – including the public comment period – is prohibited.

BUSINESS AGENDA

• a) Presentation of the Business and Economic Development Partnership (BEDP) Annual Report and Recommended Work Plan: Chris Craig, Economic Development Manager, Lorraine Chachere, Economic Development Specialist, Kim Davis, BEDP Chair
• b) Presentation of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan – 90% Plan: Casey Stanley, PaRCS Director, Daniel Robben, PaRCS Deputy Director
• c) Council Selection of the 2024 Citizen of the Year Award Recipient: Heather Dumlao, City Clerk
• d) Appointment of Arts Commission Alternate Position: Heather Dumlao, City Clerk, Megan Brehm, Records Coordinator
• e) Appointment of Business and Economic Development Partnership (BEDP) Position: Heather Dumlao, City Clerk, Megan Brehm, Records Coordinator
• f) Discussion of Ordinance No. 832, Amending BMC 9.85.150: Garmon Newsom II, City Attorney
• g) City Council Planning Calendar: Adolfo Bailon, City Manager

Proposed New Ordinance No. 832

Council will discuss – and possibly vote on – Ordinance No. 832 (see p. 271 of the packet), which is in response to growing concerns about the presence of unhoused individuals camping on public property in Burien. It seeks to amend, clarify and expand regulations regarding unlawful public camping, particularly in light of recent incidents involving crime and public safety.

Burien’s current anti-camping ordinance, BMC 9.85.150, prohibits camping on public property with exceptions for unhoused individuals when no beds or shelters are available.

“Due to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of BMC 9.85.150, Burien now amends the ordinance to clarify further and enhance its effectiveness,” the agenda packet says. “Additionally, the recitals explain why the council requested this ordinance. The exception to the anticamping ordinance continues to be between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following morning. In addition, as a supplement to this ordinance, but not codified so that it can be amended as needed to ensure an appropriate amount of space for the unhoused and adequate protection from criminal conduct in or near unhoused encampments, please see the City Manager’s map. The map reflects the areas protected from unhoused encampments – schools, daycare centers, libraries, parks, and critical areas. At this time, the protected distance is 500 feet.”

Here’s text of the summary of Ordinance 832 from the agenda packet:

“BMC 9.85.150 is Burien’s anti-camping ordinance. While camping is not permitted on public property, there is an exception for unhoused individuals when there are no beds, shelters, facilities, or otherwise available. Due to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of BMC 9.85.150, Burien now amends the ordinance to clarify further and enhance its effectiveness. Additionally, the recitals explain why the council requested this ordinance. The exception to the anticamping ordinance continues to be between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following morning.

“In addition, as a supplement to this ordinance, but not codified so that it can be amended as needed to ensure an appropriate amount of space for the unhoused and adequate protection from criminal conduct in or near unhoused encampments, please see the City Manager’s map. The map reflects the areas protected from unhoused encampments – schools, daycare centers, libraries, parks, and critical areas. At this time, the protected distance is 500 feet.”