Burien City Council approves $158K for new Chelsea Park play structures & more at Monday’s meeting

The Burien City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 began with a proclamation for Suicide Prevention Month, highlighting the resources available to those in need.

City Manager Adolfo Bailon provided updates on various matters including programs to help with utility costs, the completion of park renovations, and an upcoming arts festival.

Public comments were disrupted by an individual attempting to distribute legal documents, but residents did voice concerns about zoning changes and drainage issues.

The council also discussed the allocation of Community Development Block Grant funding, with a focus on programs serving at-risk youth.

Proclamation For Suicide Prevention Month

Councilmember Sarah Moore read a proclamation in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, and urged anyone considering suicide to call 988. According to the proclamation, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in this country, with an estimated suicide-related death every 11 minutes. Additionally, 1-in-5 10th graders reported seriously considering suicide in 2021, and all high schoolers, as well as people of color and LGBTQ youth, are at a heightened risk. Barriers to healthcare and stigma around discussing suicide and depression lead to increased incidences of death by suicide. The 988 suicide prevention hotline is available 24 hours a day, and there is a live online chat available at 988lifeline.org.

City Manager’s Report

City Manager Adolfo Bailon again shared information regarding the utility tax relief program, which can reduce the amount owed for lower income customers on utilities like cable, internet, phone, water, sewer, and garbage. The annual application deadline is approaching. Information on how to apply is available on the city’s website. There are also discounts available directly through many utility providers. Links and information about other discounts can be found on this page.

In addition, Bailon shared that the Lake Burien Park tennis court resurfacing has been completed. Over the course of two weeks, cracks were repaired, an acrylic sports court surface laid down, and new benches installed.

He also shared the upcoming 2024 Arts-A-Glow festival. This year the popular event will fall on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, from 7 to 10 p.m. The festivities take place in downtown Burien, and feature a night market, light installations, and live performances.

Finally, City Manager Bailon updated Council on the status of an initiative to put a new minimum wage ordinance on the ballot. He said the city is trying to educate the public about the fact that a minimum wage ordinance has already passed, and is set to take effect at the start of the new year. The signatures for the ballot initiative have been submitted to King County to be counted and verified.

Public Comments Interrupted

At the start of Public Comments, a recess was called after a member of the public refused to listen to requests not to approach the dais. His aim was to distribute papers serving members of the council with a lawsuit regarding violating the open public meetings act. Later, Mayor Kevin Schilling explained that due to a recent increase in violence to people in public office, any failure to follow the rules and respect the authority of the meeting room will be called out, and that person will be removed.

A resident of the Lake Burien neighborhood said that no one in her area received mailings from the city regarding planned zoning and land use changes which will affect Lake Burien residents.

A woman in Boulevard Park shared that drainage issues continue to be a problem in her neighborhood. She said any plan for increased density needs to include updates to the drainage infrastructure.

Community Development Block Grant Approved

The advisory board recommended Council approve the allocation of the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) as follows: $41,000 for administration costs, $41,000 for the Southwest Youth and Family Services (SYFS) Community Resource Center at the Alcove Apartments, and $158,568 to build two new age-appropriate play structures at Chelsea Park.

Councilmember Sarah Moore moved to approve this allocation, but received no second on the motion until each item was discussed in more detail. Council wanted to make sure these were the best uses of this funding source. According to the presenters, the $41,000 spent on the SYFS is just a drop in the bucket for that program, which served over 500 residents last year, but the money provides important leverage for obtaining further funding. It shows that the program has community and local government support. Councilmember Jimmy Matta chimed in, saying that the Alcove Apartments has not lost a child to gun violence in the last several years, thanks to this program. The program was brought back to the Alcove after two young women were murdered outside the apartments.

View full video of the council meeting here.