Discover Burien's contract with the city of Burien could be in jeopardy if a conflict-of-interest clause is not included in the 2007 agreement for community services provided by the non-profit agency.

Some local restaurant owners recently alleged that Discover Burien Executive Director Debra George is engaged in a conflict of interest by working at another restaurant in the city.

Discover Burien receives more than $80,000 a year from the city to produce special events and provide other services. Those funds come from taxes and fees paid by Burien businesses.

Burien council members at an Oct. 23 study session weighed in on the absence of a conflict of interest clause in the city's current contract with Discover Burien.

"I cannot see us continuing to fund Discover Burien under the current situation that exists," said Councilman Gordon Shaw.

Noting that the board of Discover Burien should have done something already about the situation, Shaw added, "The conflict issue has been going on for some time."

The city is currently working with the board of Discover Burien to address the situation, said Interim City Manager David Cline.

Council members also discussed the future of their annexation goals at the meeting, including possible dates for a vote to designate all of unincorporated North Highline as a potential annexation area.

The city also has hired an outside consultant who will evaluate the annexation impacts beginning in late December, and present his findings to the city by mid-February.

The consultant, Brett Sheckler of Berk and Associates, will map out a 12-15 year fiscal model for both a full annexation and no annexation.

The model will show the impacts of annexation on Burien when a state tax credit runs out after 10 years.

Sheckler will also examine the option of Burien creating its own police force.

While the council didn't object to having an outside consultant, some members did object to the timing.

"I'm happy to see them do this, not happy to see it's after a PAA decision," said Councilwoman Sue Blazak.

The current schedule has the council voting on a possible potential annexation area at their Nov. 6 meeting.

"I feel frustrated that they can't look at the numbers before doing a full PAA," said Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak.

Krakowiak suggested putting off the vote until next year and then see what the numbers are.

The memorandum of understanding that was agreed to by Burien, Seattle and King County called for a potential annexation area designation by the end of 2006, said Director of Community Development Scott Greenberg.

By declaring a potential annexation area, it doesn't mean that Burien will annex that area, said Shaw.

"When you declare a PAA it doesn't mean anything until you do something else," he added. "We can do it in an orderly way."

"I've been comfortable with that all along," Councilwoman Sally Nelson said about getting the numbers after a full potential annexation area is declared.

However, the option of no annexation still hasn't been explored enough for some council members.

"I want to feel the pain of a no annexation option because it hasn't really been felt," said Blazak. "I would like to know the full reality of a no annexation option before we take the vote."

Blazak also questioned if city staff would have enough time to study a full annexation option and continue with other city projects.

With a full potential annexation area declared the city, staff may be spending less time on it, said Greenberg.

The scope is more confined and there will be fewer meetings to coordinate with Seattle and King County, Greenberg said.