Update for Oct. 3
The Burien City Council voted tonight to declare the city's intent to annex White Center and the remaining unincorporated North Highline area.

The vote was 5-2 with council members Lucy Krakowiak and Jack Block Jr. voting against it. Deputy Mayor Brian Bennett voted with the majority after opposing a resolution Sept. 26 that called for consideration of the declaration at the Oct. 3 meeting.

Councilman Gerald Robison, a north Burien resident who has been the most vocal council member in pushing toward annexation, said the issue "has been talked to death.

"Some will never believe the numbers but we must base our decision on the evidence and accurate analysis," Robison declared.

Robison said it is clear Burien will need to negotiate with King County and, possibly, the state for additional mitigation funds. Burien is slated to receive a state sales tax credit of up to $5 million a year for 10 years if it annexes the area.

Councilwoman Rose Clark laid out the case for annexation previously voiced by several lawmakers.

Clark said she is concerned that Seattle or King County will continue to funnel low-cost housing into the area, negatively affecting the Highline School District and the neighboring city of Burien.

If Burien annexed the area, the city could control zoning in White center, which would protect public safety in Burien, Clark argued.

Block said he agreed with many of the arguments in favor of annexation but believes Burien should negotiate with King County for mitigation before committing to annexation.

Council members once again heard strong arguments for and against annexation during public comments.

Burien resident Peggy Sharkey declared, "Many of us love Burien as a nice warm friendly city to live in. Annexation is not the way to make it better."

She added that her major concern is the financial cost. She said that Burien has unmet needs that should be met first.

Sharkey noted that she had signed petitions, marched and advocated for an advisory vote by Burien residents before the council decided to annex Boulevard Park.

"You killed my spirit, you killed the spirit of many of my neighbors. They said, 'why bother?'" Sharkey declared.

"You should reconsider, rethink and I hope you will listen to the citizens."

Annexation is a lengthy process, as outlined below. A vote by White Center residents probably could not come before August or November. If the voters in the proposed annexation area approve annexation, Burien would most likely take over the area sometime in 2013.

Update for Sept. 30
The process for annexing White Center is lengthy.

The Burien City Council is scheduled to decide Oct. 3 on whether to notify the state Boundary Review Board if the city intends to annex the remaining unincorporated North Highline area.

After being notified of an annexation request, the boundary review board would set a hearing date, hold a public hearing and then issue its decision. The board can accept the proposal, reduce it by no more than 10 percent or deny it.

Because the board holds its meetings only once a month, the process could take about 10 weeks, according to Burien community development director Scott Greenberg.

After the board rules, a 30-day appeal period goes into effect. Appeals would be heard in King County Superior Court. As with any court case, a resolution could be long delayed, Greenberg emphasizes.

If the board approves annexation and is upheld in the appeal process, the city council would indicate to the county auditor its preferred date for the annexation election. The county council would officially set the election date.

Next year's possible election dates are in February, April, August and November.

"Calendar-wise, it is impossible for February," Greenberg noted. "It is almost impossible for April. There would have to be no delays along the way."

That leaves the primary election in August or the general election in November. The general election normally attracts more voters than the election held during the summer. Burien voters would not have a say in a White Center annexation election.

If those within the annexation area approve annexation, the city council approves an ordinance providing for the annexation and establishing an effective date.

Greenberg noted that Burien did not officially take control of the Boulevard Park area until April 2010 although Boulevard Park voters approved the annexation in August 2009.

Greenberg added that annexation was delayed by a dispute between King County and Burien over the sale of Puget Sound Park.

At the Sept. 26 meeting, Burien lawmakers voted 4-3 to consider the annexation declaration at its next meeting. Mayor Joan McGilton, along with council members Gerald Robison, Gordon Shaw and Rose Clark, voted yes. Deputy Mayor Brian Bennett, Councilman Jack Block Jr. and Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak voted no.

City Manager Mike Martin reminded the lawmakers that if they approve the resolution "there will be opportunities to pull back" from the decision.

Council members indicated that they want to negotiate with King County and the King County Housing Authority on mitigation for backlogged capital projects and subsidized housing that is not taxed in the area.

Shaw said he wants "an iron-clad guarantee" that the state sales tax credit would be available to Burien for ten years. The state Legislature has authorized a sales tax credit of up to $5 million per year for ten years to the city that annexes the unincorporated area.

But council candidate Bob Edgar warned the state may withdraw the credit because of the state's budget shortfall. McGilton said several cities receive the credit. City Attorney Craig Knutson said the sales tax credit would not be available for capitol projects, except for maintenance.

Knutson also noted that there is no state statute that requires the housing authority to pay mitigation costs. Shaw said the authority established a precedent by agreeing to pay Burien $188,000 as part of the Lora Lake Apartments settlement.

The city attorney said he would have to research whether adult businesses already established in White Center could be forced to close if Burien annexes the area.

However, in the case of medical marijuana facilities, Knutson said they would probably be given a grace period before being closed down.

The council's action came after a lengthy public comment period. The comments were divided between those for and against Burien annexing the area. White Center resident Mark Ufkes said he favored Seattle annexing the area.

"White Center deserves the highest level of service," Ufkes declared.

Seattle provides 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents while Burien has 1 police officer per 1,000 residents, Ufkes noted.

Seattle sent 70 firefighters to a recent West Seattle fire while the Burien/Normandy Park does not have 70 firefighters on the force, according to Ufkes.

He also said that Seattle has a community center in each neighborhood while Burien has only one for the entire city, Ufkes added.

Original post on Sept. 26
The Burien City Council voted Monday night, Sept. 26 to consider at their Oct. 3 meeting a resolution declaring the city’s interest in annexing White Center and the remaining unincorporated North Highline area.

The vote was 4-3. Mayor Joan McGilton, along with coucil members Gerald Robison, Gordon Shaw and Rose Clark, voted yes. Deputy Mayor Brian Bennett, Councilman Jack Block Jr. and Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak voted no.

Shaw cautioned that voting to consider the resolution does not necessarily signal it will be approved.
If the resoultion passes, Burien must receive approval from the state Boundary Review Board. Residents in the proposed area would then have to vote on annexation.
Burien residents would not vote.

City Manager Mike Martin reminded the lawmakers that if they approve the resolution “there will be opportunities to pull back” from the decision.
Council members indicated that they want to negotiate with King County and the King County Housing Authority on mitigation for backlogged capital projects and subsidized housing that is not taxed in the area.

Shaw said he wants “an iron-clad guarantee” that the state sales tax credit would be available to Burien for ten years. The state legislature has authorized a sales tax credit of up to $5 million per year for ten years to the city that annexes the unincorporated area.

But council candidate Bob Edgar warned the state may withdraw the credit because of the state’s budget shortfall. McGilton said several cities receive the credit.

City Attorney Craig Knutson said the sales tax credit would not be available for capitol projects, except for maintenance.

Knutson also noted that there is no state statute that requires the housing authority to pay mitigation costs. Shaw said the authority established a precedent by agreeing to pay Burien $188,000 as part of the Lora Lake Apartments settlement.

The city attorney said he would have to research whether adult businesses already established in White Center could be forced to close if Burien annexes the area.

However, in the case of medical marijuana facilites, Knutson said they would probably be given a grace period before being closed down.

The council’s action came after a lengthy public comment period. The comments were divided between those for and against Burien annexing the area. White Center resident Mark Ufkes said he favored Seattle annexing the area.