The City of Burien has confirmed that Ordinance No. 861, which would have established permanent local rules for religious organizations hosting people experiencing homelessness, did not pass during the May 19, 2025, City Council meeting—despite some initial confusion.
City staff acknowledged there may have been some miscommunication during that meeting.
In an email sent to The B-Town Blog on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Communications and Public Engagement Manager Devin Chicras clarified that “the record should reflect that the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 861 at the May 19 meeting failed 3-2-2.”
She added that the matter would be addressed again at the next regular City Council meeting.
The clarification follows our previous coverage on this issue, which raised questions about whether the ordinance was properly adopted, citing council rules and a statement from the City Manager’s that vote was “approved,” a claim that did not appear to meet the required majority.
The ordinance was designed to align local regulations with state law – specifically RCW 35A.21.360 – allowing religious organizations to host shelters and encampments for unhoused individuals either inside or on their properties.
City Manager Adolfo Bailon and Community Development Director Liz Stead presented the ordinance during the meeting. Councilmember Alex Andrade moved to adopt the ordinance with a revision changing the term “required” to “encouraged” regarding 24-hour on-site staffing, which was seconded by Councilmember Jimmy Matta.
However, the vote failed 3-2-2, with Mayor Kevin Schilling and Councilmembers Jimmy Matta and Alex Andrade voting yes, Councilmembers Stephanie Mora and Linda Akey voting no, and Councilmembers Hugo Garcia and Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore abstaining.
Subsequent attempts to amend the ordinance and bring it back for future consideration also failed. Motions proposing new time limits for temporary encampments and “Temporary Small Houses” were each voted down.
The draft minutes reflecting these actions will be presented for approval at the next council meeting on June 2.
Our city of Burien still doesn’t know what they are doing and don’t seem to care about anyone but themselves. The BIBLE says to love your neighbor as your self!!!! Where is the love???? Love is a verb. Love thinks and does the best for others, including HOMELESS PEOPLE!!!! I don’t see any love in the Burien City Council except for the love of themselves. Keven Schilling is supposed to be a Christian and I had hoped he could staighten these haters out, but it has not happened. YOU GUYS NEED LOTS OF PRAYER!!!!
Can we please make sure the erroneous statement by Bailon is reflected in his performance evaluation? Thanks!