CM Sarah Moore

CM Sarah Moore Burien Councilmember and current Mayor Sarah Moore (She/They)

Special Meeting tonight at 6pm! Hello from Mayor Sarah,Note the start time of 6:00. This special meeting was scheduled t...
08/06/2026

Special Meeting tonight at 6pm!

Hello from Mayor Sarah,

Note the start time of 6:00. This special meeting was scheduled to accommodate as many staff and council members as possible and is not on the usual day or at the usual time.

This special meeting will focus on a small number of topics, with the goal of communicating general direction to staff, rather than making specific decisions. A key outcome will be to make sure that council and staff are on the same page and moving toward the same goals.

SWEARING IN CEREMONY

Oath of Office for Patricia Hudson, Council Position No. 2

Congratulations to newly minted CM Hudson, who will bring her talents and perspective to the council through the end of 2027, the remainder of the unfinished term vacated by CM Akey.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Please plan to sign up before 6:00 when the meeting starts.

Please note that public comments for study sessions are restricted to the topics on the agenda.

You can sign up to provide public comment by one of the following methods:
* Public Comment Form
* Call City Hall at (206) 241-4647
* Email [email protected]
* In-Person with City Hall front counter staff from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You will still have up to 2 minutes to speak, and will still be asked to give your name and whether you live in Burien (optional). Depending on the number of speakers signed up, council may choose to reduce speaking time. Most people can speak about 120 - 150 words per minute. I recommend having a 150 word and a 300 word script, and get your big points into the first 100 words.

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA

a) CITY MANAGER RECRUITMENT PROCESS

At the July 27th council meeting, council voted to terminate the contract for City Manager Bailon, and directed Interim City Manager Larson to bring back a hiring process for a new permanent City Manager. City staff are proposing a specific search firm, rather than choosing among three bids. This is unusual but permissible under city procurement standards, and staff will seek council approval to use this exceptional process to expedite the hire - which will still take an estimated six months.

b) 2027 - 2028 BIENNIAL BUDGET STUDY SESSION

Burien is on a budget trajectory in which we will spend our reserves by the year 2030, and has limited revenue options to reverse this course. We will discuss possible actions, from staying on our current course, to reducing various types of programming and contracts, drastically reducing limited term employee positions, and making cuts to permanent staff members. Council will be giving general direction to staff, who will incorporate it into a more solid budget proposal.

I want to be very clear that this process is profoundly unsettling to staff, and that if ever there was a time to be supportive of their work and recognize their importance, it is now. Well, always, but especially now.

c) LEVY DISCUSSION

In November 2025 the city council put a public safety levy lift on the ballot. This levy failed in a popular vote. The city’s efforts to limit spending and live within budget are important, but state mandates and rising costs almost ensure that we will struggle to maintain services if we do not find a way to exceed our current revenue. We will be discussing whether and how to bring back another levy, and what learnings might help us have better success.

ADJOURNMENT

I hope you are all having a good summer. Keep checking in with your feedback and ideas for our city!

In Service,

Sarah

Hello from Mayor Sarah,The agenda for Monday’s meeting is short, but touches on issues that are critical to Burien. We w...
07/27/2026

Hello from Mayor Sarah,

The agenda for Monday’s meeting is short, but touches on issues that are critical to Burien. We will hear reports on utilities and city budget, both of which impact the financial bottom line for Burien and its residents. Then we will interview five applicants and (presumably) appoint one of them to join us on the dais at our next meeting.

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATION

This week we have two presentations

a) Utility Update: Seattle City Light

This item will address two topics Council has requested. We have asked to hear reports from our utility providers, about projected rates for the upcoming 5 years, and we have specifically asked Seattle City Light to address the frequent power failures in parts of Burien. I am interested in your questions for this utility and will ask as many of them as I can.

b) Year to Date 2026 Budget to Actual Update

This is a quarterly update, required by state law and very helpful to city council. Finance Director Casey Headley is trying some new strategies for budget reporting, to help us better understand what services and programs are funded by which parts of the budget, with the goal of helping Council set priorities and reduce the current, 2 million dollar annual gap between revenue and expenditures. We will be discussing this process multiple times as we set the 2027-28 biennial budget, and consider asking voters to approve a future levy. I believe that voters will be more supportive of a levy to increase city revenue if council and staff can demonstrate that we are reliably stewarding the money we already have.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Please plan to sign up before 5:30 when the meeting starts. Sign up is cut off at 5:30.

You can sign up to provide public comment by one of the following methods:

Public Comment Form

Call City Hall at (206) 241-4647

Email [email protected]

In-Person with City Hall front counter staff from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At the council meeting (doors open at 5 p.m.)

You will have up to 2 minutes to speak, and will still be asked to give your name and whether you live in Burien (optional). Depending on the number of speakers signed up, council may choose to reduce speaking time. Most people can speak about 120 - 150 words per minute. I recommend having a 150 word and a 300 word script, and get your big points into the first 100 words.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

COUNCIL REPORTS

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

CONSENT AGENDA

BUSINESS AGENDA

a) City Council Position No. 2 Vacancy: Interviews and Appointment

We received some questions after our last council session about the ranking process we used to select our five candidates for interview. I thought I would clarify for anyone who might be curious. Each councilmember recommended up to five applicants, ranked from one to five. The City Clerk weighted each of the choices accordingly and then presented council with the results. We then voted to interview the five with the highest ranking.

The interview process is similar to the process we use for appointing people to commissions. We will ask each applicant the same set of questions, and then move to a short executive session to discuss the candidates’ qualifications. We are likely to then come back to the open meeting to take a vote on which of the five applicants will join us on council. The newly selected member will then arrange with the city clerk to receive their city equipment, have a short orientation, and be sworn in before the next meeting.

b) EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive Session to Discuss Candidate Qualifications with potential action to follow.

This is related to item A above.

c) City Council Planning Calendar

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(f), to evaluate complaints brought against a public employee and RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, with potential action to follow.

ADJOURNMENT

I appreciate the feedback you send to me and to Council as a whole. Please keep it coming!

In Service,

Sarah

Hello from Mayor Sarah,Please read or scroll to the end for some important dates coming up.I just got back from the 2026...
07/13/2026

Hello from Mayor Sarah,

Please read or scroll to the end for some important dates coming up.

I just got back from the 2026 Local Progress Convening in Baltimore, a national meeting of progressive city, county and school board leaders. For those keeping track, I paid for this conference out of pocket. It was inspiring to learn from and collaborate with leaders around the nation who are grappling with the same issues as we are - supporting their immigrant, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, unhoused, vulnerable communities with fewer resources and more federal challenges.

We heard from mayors, council members and school board presidents from cities facing ICE inundations, natural disasters, predatory land use schemes, and other challenges. Again and again, three messages came through. 1 - There are elected leaders in every part of every state who advocate for their community. 2 - Elected leaders holding up their values do it because the community is there with them. They are never really alone. Thank you to all of you - I felt like I was bringing all of you with me and bragging on you. 3 - But it can feel lonely anyway, and gatherings such as the one I just attended are hugely rejuvenating.

A highlight for me was meeting another Sarah Moore, council member from Fayetteville Arkansas, who almost became my roommate when the hotel staff got our rooms mixed up. She was a panelist sharing her story of having a large military drone factory try to establish itself in her city. For two people from such different parts of the country, I learned that we had much more in common than just our name.

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATION

This week we have one proclamation and one presentation

a) Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation

My first official involvement with Burien was serving on the Parks Commission. Parks, arts, and recreational programming are not just fun extras. They are necessary for the mental and physical wellbeing of communities, and are often lifelines or trusted third spaces for youth, seniors, and other vulnerable communities. This proclamation celebrates the work our city does in this area and is a reminder to us to stay committed to providing these services in Burien.

b) Federal Policy and Funding Update

The information for this presentation is not available yet - often invited speakers don’t provide advance slide decks or other study material.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Please plan to sign up before 5:30 when the meeting starts. Sign up is cut off at 5:30. Please note that there will be a second opportunity to speak specifically about Data Centers during the Public Hearing (below).

You can sign up to provide public comment by one of the following methods:

Public Comment Form (Find a link in the comments below)

Call City Hall at (206) 241-4647

Email [email protected]

In-Person with City Hall front counter staff from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At the council meeting (doors open at 5 p.m.)

You will have up to 2 minutes to speak, and will still be asked to give your name and whether you live in Burien (optional). Depending on the number of speakers signed up, council may choose to reduce speaking time. Most people can speak about 120 - 150 words per minute. I recommend having a 150 word and a 300 word script, and get your big points into the first 100 words.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

COUNCIL REPORTS

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

CONSENT AGENDA

PUBLIC HEARING FOR DATA CENTER MORATORIUM

Public hearings are an opportunity to give input on a single topic, in this case, the proposed one year moratorium on data centers. If you wish to comment on any other topics, please sign up to give public comment instead. You may do both.

There is no sign up in advance required for this public hearing. Community members may provide public comment on this item in person or virtually via Zoom. Community members may raise their hands or use Zoom's "raise hand" feature, and they will be called on in no particular order to provide a comment. Please state your name at the beginning of your comment. To provide a written comment, please email your comment to [email protected].

BUSINESS AGENDA

a) Introduction to Ordinance No. 895, Residential Conversion of Existing Buildings

Washington State’s legislature is grappling with creating statewide standards for how cities can meet their anticipated growth targets for housing and jobs creation. Often, cities are left scrambling to revise their codes to keep up, and occasionally, some fine tuning is required when two sets of goals intersect and create challenges. In this case, state law requires cities to allow developers to convert buildings in commercial and mixed use zones into residences, and limits the restrictions cities can place on imposing parking, permitting, open space and setback rules. City planning staff and the Planning Commission have created an ordinance to bring Burien into compliance with these new laws. We are being asked to approve or amend the proposed ordinance.

b) Discussion of Transfer of Development Rights/Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (TDR/LCLIP)

This is our second opportunity to hear about TDR/LCLIP. Burien was selected by the Washington Department of Commerce as a pilot city to evaluate TDR and LCLIP. TDR (Transfer of Development Rights) allows developers in growth areas to purchase development rights from rural farms, forests, and resource lands that are preserved from development. LCLIP (Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program) provides access to additional infrastructure funding generated by new development in participating cities.

The catch is, cities must show evidence that the incentives they put in place are being used to stimulate growth - if target growth at key timelines does not reach the 25%, 50% and 75% targets, the city could lose future funds from the program. So setting ambitious but realistic growth projections, in parts of the city where growth is expected and where infrastructure is needed, will help us maximize revenue from this program. We will discuss a proposed map, which identifies the north part of Ambaum Boulevard and Des Moines Memorial Drive in Boulevard Park as places where growth incentives can be offered, with infrastructure improvements in nearby residential neighborhoods and in the area west of the downtown core.

At this meeting Council will have the opportunity to vote on placing this program in the strategic plan for consideration. If passed, there would still be a lot of details to work out.

c) City Council Position No. 2 Vacancy: Selection of Candidate Interviewees

Like many governing bodies, Burien City Council was designated to have an odd number (7) of members, to reduce the likelihood of tie votes. With the recent resignation of CM Linda Akey leaving about a year and a half left in her term, the city posted for applicants to fill the vacancy. We will be considering 14 total applicants for the position, with the goal of narrowing it down to five or fewer people to interview to fill one position. Our applicant pool is rich and varied, with former candidates, former council members, people with diverse work backgrounds, and several current and past commission members.

I do want to address one rumor that came up when the city posted a list of applicants with partial names. The David F listed as an applicant is NOT my husband, David Feinberg.

d) City Council Planning Calendar

Burien currently has a vacation planned with no meetings in the month of August. I believe that we will have to schedule one or more special meetings to discuss budget and other timely issues that can’t be squeezed in around the edges. Stay tuned.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency, with potential action to follow.

ADJOURNMENT

Before I sign off, I want to draw attention to upcoming meeting topics that I know matter to the community.

First, THIS TUESDAY, July 14th, from 6:00 - 7:30 Burien and Des Moines will be jointly hosting an open house in the Burien council chambers to gather public feedback on the Airport SAMP SEPA report, which we will incorporate into our city’s comments.

Other notable topics coming up: I will be scouring my old messages for these key words, but please, if you have thoughts on these subjects, get them to us by these dates :

July 27 - update from Seattle City Light

September 14 - SCORE presentation and update

September 14 - Recology update

September 14 - Discussion of Potential Transportation Commission

I appreciate the feedback you send to me and to Council as a whole. Please keep it up!

In Service,

Sarah

Hello from Mayor Sarah,Fireworks are illegal in Burien. This is a quick reminder that not only do fireworks frighten pet...
06/29/2026

Hello from Mayor Sarah,

Fireworks are illegal in Burien. This is a quick reminder that not only do fireworks frighten pets, wildlife, and many people, they also cause fires, and in past summers, right here in Burien they have destroyed schools and residences, damaged parks, ignited trees, and caused injury and death to people. Please take the firework ban seriously, for all of our sakes.

Summer in Burien has been nonstop already, with Burien PRIDE, World Cup viewing parties, and a Father’s Day car show.

As Mayor it was my duty (and honor) to select my favorite car. I chose a 1955 Chevy truck. As soon as I got to the show, I found myself wanting to choose a truck. I loved how these utilitarian vehicles changed to suit the times, but retained so many of their core features because they were what made them trucks. I really enjoyed hearing about the restoration work their owners did. It felt like a thank-you to every working truck out there.

In July, we can look forward to Burien’s 4th of July parade and the start of Music in the Park, two of Burien’s many summer events that I look forward to every year.

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATION

This week we have two presentations.

a) 2026 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments

At the start of 2026, Burien’s planners presented us with a list of changes they needed to make to the Comprehensive Plan, the city’s guide to growth and development for the next 20 years. There are four changes being worked on: increasing the capacity for emergency housing, bringing land use designations into compliance with airport compatible uses, adjustments to the map boundaries and individual land use designations, and adjusting language to reflect changes in our critical areas ordinance. This item is an update on the work staff have done to complete those recommended changes.

b) North of NERA Rezone - Neighborhood Business Proposal

The neighborhood between Des Moines Memorial Drive and 12th Avenue S is highly impacted by flights’ paths to and from SeaTac airport, and will continue to see more air traffic as business at the airport increases. City staff and the Burien Planning Commission have been discussing changes to zoning in a part of that area, between 128th and 138th, that are intended to allow current residents to remain but to gradually shift the emphasis of the neighborhood toward job creation, commercial and light industrial uses, and away from further housing density.

This has been a highly charged topic - the neighborhood is close-knit and peaceful, and residents are concerned that these changes will make it less liveable, furthering the impact already felt from the frequent overhead flights. At a June 10th Planning Commission meeting, Commissioners and staff worked hard to incorporate community feedback into a revised plan - we will hear about that work tonight. No action will be taken, and this will be a good inflection point for community members to give public comment on the revisions and whether they like the direction they are taking.

As a member of the Burien Airport Committee, a resident and an elected official, it is my duty to think about this from a perspective of what is best for the city given the reality that the airport will continue to expand flights. This is not something the city has the power to change, and finding the safest, healthiest and most compatible uses is a responsibility that results from this anticipated growth.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Please note, we have a new public comment process! Per the City Clerk’s office: The sign-up deadline for public comment is now at the scheduled commencement of the council meeting (5:30PM). Those who have not signed up by the deadline will not be able to provide comments at the meeting. You can sign up to provide public comment by one of the following methods:

Public Comment Form (find a link in the comments below)

Call City Hall at (206) 241-4647

Email [email protected]

In-Person with City Hall front counter staff from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At the council meeting (doors open at 5 p.m.)

You will still have up to 2 minutes to speak, and will still be asked to give your name and whether you live in Burien (optional). Because many people feel passionately about the North of NERA project and about Data Centers, we may have more than our allotted 30 minutes of speakers. In that case, council may choose to reduce speaking time. Most people can speak about 120 - 150 words per minute. I recommend having a 150 word and a 300 word script, and get your big points into the first 100 words.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

I have been so hyperfocused on my own committee work with Burien Airport Committee, which hosted a joint meeting with the Des Moines Airport Committee as well as members attending a workshop on proposed Airport changes and community events hosted by the Port. I am looking forward to hearing other council member’s reports to step outside of this!

COUNCIL REPORTS

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Interim City Manager Bob Larson is out of town this weekend, and Acting Interim City Manager Fernando Llamas will serve in the Manager role during the meeting, including giving the City Manager’s report. Fernando (AKA Fern) has been with Burien for 19 years, rising through many positions in the IT department to eventually become Administrative Services Director.
CONSENT AGENDA

BUSINESS AGENDA

a) Introduction to Resolution No. 517, Southwest Sewer District Utility Easement

I think this will be a relatively non-controversial request from Southwest Sewer District, which needs permanent right to access a corner of Arbor Lake Park to install and maintain underground sewer and above ground access points.

b) Burien Transportation Impact Fee Update Briefing

When new construction changes how property is used, it can also change the transportation needs to and from that property. More housing density, more businesses, and other growth, mean more trips to and from a site, more cars, bikes and pedestrians, and ultimately more need for construction and street safety measures. Cities can charge Transportation Impact Fees (TIFs) to contractors building new construction. The fees are scaled, based on how much traffic increase is expected, and the revenue is used for capital traffic projects that support growth. The TIF rates Burien charges are among the lowest in the state, and about five times lower than the state average. They do not allow us to maintain a road system that supports the growth we expect in the next 20 years. Burien has a long list of deferred traffic projects, and has identified which ones qualify for funding out of TIF revenue, mostly on important arterials and including increased access for bikes and pedestrians.

We will be discussing proposed TIF rate increases, how rapidly to implement them, and what if any types of growth should be exempted. The goal is to implement fees that help us pay for the transportation that growth will bring, but not so high that it scares away growth.

c) Introduction to Ordinance No. 905, Data Center Moratorium

On June 15th, council unanimously directed staff to bring back a proposed 12 month moratorium on new Data Centers. Because Burien’s zoning laws do not have any specific guidance on Data Centers yet, if one was proposed, without a moratorium there would be limited recourse not to approve it. So the recommendation of staff is that we vote for an emergency moratorium. The purpose of an emergency vote is to enact something immediately. Normally, we vote to place measures on the consent agenda of the next regular meeting (in this case July 13th). An emergency vote allows us to adopt the moratorium effective immediately. It requires a majority plus one - in our case, with six Council Members, at least five of us would need to be in favor.

If this moratorium passes, there will be a mandatory public hearing within 60 days. Because there is no scheduled council meeting in the month of August, this means it will probably happen at the July 27th meeting.

d) City Council Planning Calendar

ADJOURNMENT

July is a busy month for the city with a lot of business and fun on the agenda. I hope to see you around at one or more of the activities our city has to offer! Don’t forget to reach out if you have thoughts on any of the upcoming city business or ideas for what we need to address next.

In Service,

Sarah

Hello from Mayor Sarah,I look at this meeting agenda, and I see the many ways Burien partners, celebrates, engages, is t...
06/15/2026

Hello from Mayor Sarah,

I look at this meeting agenda, and I see the many ways Burien partners, celebrates, engages, is touched by or feels the impacts of the world outside our city. From World Cup soccer to increased flights at the airport, we are in community and embedded in complex relationships with the greater world around us. It’s messy, sometimes frightening, and other times, it gives us leverage and voice beyond what one city could have on its own.

I don’t always write directly to my readers, but at this moment I do want to remind everyone reading this, that YOU are part of this web of relationships. It can be frustrating to bring up experiences and not feel heard. Even action that does create change can feel slow, incremental, or not enough. But sometimes, your perspective is the tipping point that changes a mind or a heart. And if you do not bring your ideas to the conversation, they surely will not be heard. See the section on the Airport SAMP for opportunities to engage on that very important topic for our community.

The issues we discuss tonight will have real impact on Burien - I invite you to be part of the discussion. Specifically, there is a vacancy on city council, and I am asking you to help spread the word or consider applying. I would be happy to discuss the position further if you know someone who is interested. I will do my best not to sugar coat the hard parts, but I can’t help but be a bit of a cheerleader for the position, and would love for us to receive a diverse and deep pool of applicants to consider. More information is available below.

PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATION

This week we have two proclamations and one presentation.

a) United States Semi-Quincentennial Proclamation

b) Summer of Soccer Proclamation

Deputy Mayor Garcia has worked tirelessly for years to remind the city of the FIFA World Cup games, and Burien’s opportunity to engage with them. This is truly his year to celebrate and I am delighted that his advocacy has brought so much activity to Burien.

c) Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects (SAMP NTP) draft State Environmental Policy Act Environmental Safety Impact Statement (SEPA EIS) Presentation

I live between two landing paths for SeaTac Airport, and serve as chair of the Burien Airport Committee. This issue is obviously front of mind for me. Last week, and on Tuesday (6/16), Burien and Des Moines are hosting unprecedented joint Airport Committee meetings to discuss our responses to the states finding of no significant impact from 31 planned construction projects at the Airport, intended to support a projected 30% increase in flights in the next decade. Our teams are working hard at preparing a coordinated, evolving message that holds the Port accountable for noise and pollution impacts on our communities, while recognizing that the increased flights are already beginning and will increase with or without the additional construction.

You can attend meetings with the Port mostly taking place in schools around the region, the week of June 22 - 25th. Learn more about the SAMP here (prepare for a long read). If you plan to submit testimony, I strongly recommend you also attend STACC4J’s upcoming community event, “How to Engage with the Port’s SEPA Process,” on Tuesday, June 17, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Glacier Middle School.

Also mark your calendars for 6:00 pm on July 14th, when Burien and Des Moines will host a public meeting, details TBD.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Please note, we have a new public comment process! Per the City Clerk’s office: The sign-up deadline for public comment is now at the scheduled commencement of the council meeting (5:30PM). Those who have not signed up by the deadline will not be able to provide comments at the meeting. You can sign up to provide public comment by one of the following methods:

Public Comment Form (linked in the comments)

Call City Hall at (206) 241-4647

Email [email protected]

In-Person with City Hall front counter staff from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At the council meeting (doors open at 5 p.m.)

You will still have up to 2 minutes to speak, and will still be asked to give your name and whether you live in Burien (optional).

COMMITTEE REPORTS

I know that many Council Members have been actively participating in the last two weeks. I will be reporting on a joint Airport Committee meeting, a Public Issues Committee meeting and a discussion of Port of Seattle’s budget.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Hang onto your hats, folks. It’s been a busy few weeks. I expect that at minimum, we will hear from council members who attended one or both of two flag raising events, a state of the county address by the King County Executive, Pride weekend and the kickoff for Summer of Soccer - and this is just what’s top of mind for me. Prepare for a doozy of reports!

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

CONSENT AGENDA

BUSINESS AGENDA

a) Introduction to Resolution No. 535, Approving the South King Housing and Homelessness Partners (SKHHP) 2027 Budget and Workplan

Building affordable housing does not usually pencil out. From a builder’s point of view it is less affordable than building market rate housing. The costs of land, labor and materials are such that builders often must construct for the higher end of the market to afford to build the project, although the greatest housing needs are in the lowest income brackets. Cities can support collaborations that help address this challenge, and SKHHP is part of that effort.

State law allows cities to direct a small amount of its sales and use tax revenue, specifically for affordable and supportive housing, but often that amount is not enough for individual cities to effectively stimulate housing construction. Burien, along with the cities of Auburn, Covington, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Maple Valley, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila, and King County, contribute resources annually to SKHHP, a joint board tasked with coordinating funds and efforts, in order to increase housing and shelter availability in South King County. Our joint contributions fund the operations and capital monies that allow SKHHP to be staffed and to allocate capital to affordable housing or shelter projects applying for funds. They are required to have every partner city agree to their plans, and tonight they are coming to request Burien’s agreement.

b) Discussion of Budget Amendment ORD. 904 in order to close out Federal Forfeiture Funds and turn over balances to King County Sheriff's Office

In the past, Burien has directly received funds from Federal Forfeitures that take place in our city. The DOJ and King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) have determined that, because Burien contracts for police services through KCSO, the funds should be administered by KCSO, and that Burien must transfer them over. The remaining balance of this fund, which we will remit to KCSO, is $1,127 from the criminal forfeiture fund and $142,064 from the Drug Enforcement Forfeiture fund. These funds are restricted in use, for the purposes listed above. I have questions about whether reallocating them to KCSO will allow KCSO to administer them specifically on behalf of the City of Burien, and will ask for clarification at the meeting.

c) Discussion of Budget Amendment for State Real Estate Excise Tax (R**T) Reimbursement

Burien was contacted by the State Auditor to inform us that there was a negative balance on our R**T, typically the result of refunds or audit adjustments. This must be corrected by remitting out of our Public Works budget. The amount of this imbalance is $171,926.33.

This and the previous budget item are both new to me, and I will be seeking better understanding of how routine or concerning the two budget give-backs are.

d) Discussion of Possible Data Center Moratorium

At the June 1st meeting, I requested staff bring council some information on what a possible Data Center moratorium would look like. They brought something back right away, and at the meeting we will discuss whether to have a moratorium, and details on what a moratorium entails. A moratorium is not permanent - it is usually for up to six months but can be extended to a year. It requires a public hearing and a justification. We will discuss what topics we would like staff to study, with the intent of providing permanent regulations of some kind - informed by the study - at the end of the moratorium.

e) Discussion and Preparation for Upcoming Budget Priority and Levy Direction for July 6, 2026 Study Session

In the wake of a failed levy measure in 2025, Burien is facing a looming fiscal crisis in which we spend down our reserve funds and essentially run out of money. Our only options are finding more money, or spending less - or both. We will do a study session going into more detail on our options, but tonight we will discuss the essential need to prioritize our spending, narrowing in on 2 or 3 top council priorities, which will help align the rest of the budget.

We did some exercises in our February Council Retreat, to start this prioritization process and at tonight’s meeting, Jennifer Haury, who facilitated that discussion, will join us with the information she gathered from that meeting.

We will also discuss a future levy - whether, when and how to plan one, and what type of levy might be effective. If you have thoughts or want to let us know what levy type you would be most likely to support, please reach out with your feedback.

f) City Council Planning Calendar

EXECUTIVE SESSION

a) Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(1)(h) to evaluate the qualifications of a candidate for appointment to elective office.

b) Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss with legal counsel pending or potential litigation to which the City is or is likely to become a party when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the City.

ADJOURNMENT

There’s a lot happening this week on a variety of topics. I’m very interested to hear your questions and concerns on these topics or topics you want to see prioritized by Council in the coming months. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and share your views and ideas!

In Service,

Sarah

Address

Burien, WA
98148

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when CM Sarah Moore posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to CM Sarah Moore:

Shortcuts

Share

Category