Fox Cove residents still being helped by city; council urged to reject 5G cell service

By Jack Mayne Burien Human Services Manager Colleen Brandt-Schluter (pictured above) told the Burien City Council Monday night (Nov. 19) that the multi service center has visited tenants at Fox Cove Apartments three times a week, knocking on doors and leaving flyers on how to get assistance. She added the city is “more than halfway” with between nine and 13 tenants “that we are in the process of working with, some of which have declined our help.” Others the city has helped in “multiple ways” including assisting with packing and moving people. Meanwhile, a group of residents have written a Letter to the Editor that says “Tenants at Fox Cove Apartments – as well as the broader community – have been failed by the Burien City Manager, City Council, and the owner of Fox Cove Apartments” (read the Letter here, and the city’s response here). Cell Towers A number of Burien residents used the Council public comment period to urge the city to reject so-call 5G cellular service, which uses many more small cellular service transmitters on power poles and other site-to-site locations. Many say the emissions are dangerous to people and should be banned. The service in Burien has been led by Verizon, who has asked for the city to approve the site-to-site service. Other companies that provide data and voice transmission services are expected to seek such transmission towers on phone and power poles and buildings. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) controls the actual technology, but cities like Burien can control the look and some other features of the site-to-site transmission units, but cannot block them from a community; only the FCC can do that. The FCC is said to have restricted cities’ ability to regulate 5G infrastructure. Under the new rules, local governments face tight deadlines to approve or reject the installation of this new cellular equipment. The rules also put limits on how much money cities can charge wireless firms for the privilege of putting hardware in public rights of way. Council’s imponderable vote Even though not ready and not even written in final form yet, the Burien Council voted 4 – 2, with Councilmember Lucy Krakowiak abstaining, to sign some form of interlocal agreement on working with other cities and the county on homelessness. Councilmember Pedro Olguin pushed the vote but there was no final agreement. So apparently, whoever City Manager Brian Wilson comes up with for working with other cities and King County will already be approved. Mayor Matta said after the vote that the city manager should bring his final agreement back to the Council. Property tax levy rate The Council was told the city’s 2019 preliminary assessed valuation is $7.3 billion and the 2019 estimated property tax rate: $1.09 per $1,000 of Assessed Valuation and the 2019 Estimated Property Tax Levy is $7,935,591. The estimated increase for a homeowner is “around $6,” said city Finance Director Eric Christensen, that is a homeowner with a median home value of $386,500 (2019 estimated) will pay approximately $6 more in 2019. Only Councilmember Krystal Marx voted against the increase and for setting the property tax levy.]]>