The Burien City Council’s Monday (Oct. 28, 2024) meeting discussed pressing local issues, including Sea-Tac Airport’s expansion and a significant increase to the city’s minimum wage.

While the council expressed concerns over the potential negative impacts of the airport expansion, including increased noise pollution, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation, they approved a substantial increase to the minimum wage to improve the standard of living for local workers. However, this decision was met with some opposition due to potential negative impacts on job opportunities, particularly for young people.

Airport Expansion Update

Sea-Tac Airport’s expansion plans are under environmental review. City governments and residents can provide feedback on the plan and the potential impacts of airport expansion until Dec. 5, 2024. The FAA has yet to decide if people will be given additional time to review the plan and provide comments, as has been requested by Burien and several other cities. 

The Port has acknowledged that Sea-Tac expansion will create heavier traffic in the surrounding area, and has plans to invest $40,000,000 to ensure smoother traffic flow. However, they don’t acknowledge any other health or environmental impacts to Burien residents. The Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) documents are available here. Councilmember Sarah Moore thought it important to point out that the name of the plan is misleading, as “sustainable” in this context refers to sustaining growth at the airport, rather than any kind of environmental sustainability. 

During Public Comments one speaker emphasized the importance of getting a fair deal from the Port before this expansion begins, because we will be paying the price for it in terms of noise and air pollution as well as traffic impacts. Another speaker said the Port is gaslighting everyone about the very real issues an expanded Sea-Tac will cause, and that we should advocate for a new airport to be built elsewhere, rather than allowing Sea-Tac to become even bigger.

Following his presentation, Council asked Local Government Relations Manager Dave Kaplan several questions about noise and environmental mitigation, many of which he was either unable or unwilling to answer. He said that they should go to the meetings the Port is hosting for answers to specific questions about airport impacts. Public meeting times and a feedback form can be found here. The Port will be sending out informational postcards to area residents.

Councilmatic Minimum Wage Ordinance Upgraded

City Attorney Garmin Newsom gave a presentation comparing various minimum wage ordinances throughout the region and country. In Washington DC, for example, tipped employees have just a $10 minimum wage. In Portland, the minimum wage is $15.95 per hour. In Seattle, tips and employee-provided benefits will not factor into their $20.76 minimum wage. In Tukwila, the minimum wage effective Jan. 1 is $21.10 for large employers and $20.10 for midsize employers. Tukwila’s minimum wage ordinance served as a model for Burien’s.

Newsom explained some differences that make comparison with Tukwila difficult, including the fact that their population is 22,600, less than half of Burien’s population. In contrast, Tukwila has large industries that provide over 40,000 jobs. Newsom also said if the state would simply raise minimum wage across the board, cities wouldn’t be pitted against each other on wages.

Council voted to increase the minimum wage for large and mid-sized businesses in Burien. Starting in January, large employers will have to pay employees $4.50 more than the state minimum wage, and mid-sized employers will have to pay $3.50 more. Previously, the council had approved a minimum wage that was $3 and $2 more than the state minimum for large and midsize employers, respectively.

Councilmember Alex Andrade was a “No” vote on this, saying that Burien is not home to the industry leaders that make the region high-paying, so the city shouldn’t force employers to pay what is nearly the highest minimum wage in the country. In addition, starter jobs for youth are likely to disappear with such a high minimum wage.

Councilmember Hugo Garcia abstained from the vote, expressing concern for undocumented workers and teen workers who would likely see no pay raise. He said the people will get to decide for themselves, when a different minimum wage ordinance comes to the ballot in early 2025.

Councilmember Sarah Moore voted to support the increase, although she was disappointed that it would not include a raise in the wages of small business employees.

Newsom stated that the nice thing about a councilmatic minimum wage policy is that anyone can come to Council in the future to address any issues they are having with the law, and it can be updated by the council.

The Pro & Con committee members for the minimum wage ballot measure were chosen by council, and will be notified. King County will soon begin the validation process for those who were selected.

Fewer Council Meetings In 2025

Council approved the new 2025 council meeting schedule, which according to Councilmember Moore has around nine fewer meetings than in past years. This concerned her, as she said it takes time and effort to understand topics and “disagree well.” Mayor Kevin Schilling addressed that concern, saying the council works so well together that they have been more effective than in the past, and can cut extra meetings due to efficiency. The schedule takes into account holidays, so no meetings will have to be moved or canceled as in the past. Councilmembers Moore and Garcia voted against the new schedule.

Video

Below is full video of this council meeting:

Mellow DeTray is a Seattle native who has spent the last 16 years raising her family in Burien. She has volunteered at many local establishments over the years, including the Burien Library, Burien Actors...

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