Burien City Council meetings will remain on Monday nights as they have for more than 10 years.

At the recent council retreat, lawmakers talked about changing the meeting day to accommodate city staff.

However, at the Feb. 6 regular council meeting, City Manager Mike Martin said staff members appreciated the lawmakers’ concerns but “respectfully, I ask that you drop (the idea) unless council has strong feelings about it.”

Councilman Jack Block Jr. noted, “This brouhaha is my fault.”
He said he believes that bad government begins with complacency so lawmakers should always explore new ways to serve the public. Block said that he felt that after having a weekend off, it might be burdensome for staff members to have a long day on Monday attending the evening council meetings.

After Martin requested the matter be dropped, Block said, “I would just as soon withdraw it.”

Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak said her public service commitments on other nights would preclude her from attending council meetings on another day.
Council members also approved unanimously a revised letter to legislators supporting the state Marriage Equality Act.

The law that would allow same-sex marriage has worked its way through the Legislature.

The revised letter noted, “Burien was among the very first cities in Washington to extend municipal benefits to domestic partners, regardless of gender, and pioneered legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.

“Please add our voice to the many others who believe the time has come to pass this legislation, and feel free to call upon us if direct testimony by our elected leaders can hasten its passage.”

Mayor Brian Bennett signed the letter on behalf of the council.