At a meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, Burien City Manager Mike Martin briefly discussed the recent city council vote (4-3) to hold an annexation election for North Highline

“That vote is a very important milestone … because it finally shifts the ball to the residents of White Center,” he said. “We are in the course of putting together our game plan for outreach (to North Highline residents to explain how annexation will effect the area).”

Martin added the outreach will be factual and not a campaign to sway opinion in favor of annexation.

When asked if there is any way the city council could change their mind on holding the vote in November, Martin said it is unlikely as “I don’t think the council is anxious to go through this process twice.”

“We are ready to do this if the residents are ready to do this,” he said. “If the vote is successful, you know those are good people down there too (speaking of Burien residents opposed to annexation), and they are going to get comfortable and part of this is about change and uncertainty and where the control is …”

Martin also said funding is coming in for the Burien Auto Mall concept, which is getting closer to reality.

Capt. Brad Thompson introduced himself as the new captain at the Burien police precinct. Thompson is in his 35th year with the King County Sheriff’s Office and has worked in Burien in the past in addition to having family roots in the area. He replaces Capt. Carl Cole, who has been reassigned to southeast King County.

Burien contracts with King County for police services.