The Hispanic community is the largest and most rapidly growing of all minority groups in Burien.

Since 1995, Hispanics have grown from 3 to 11 percent of the city's population. The Highline School District has seen enrollment of Hispanic students grow from 5 to 18 percent.

Spanish has become the second most commonly spoken language in Burien households.

Now the city is reaching out to its Hispanic residents in an effort to diversify its population.

City council members agreed on July 9 to hire Maia Piccagli to lead this outreach effort.

"One of our goals is to increase the communication channel between the city and the [Hispanic] community," Piccagli told lawmakers in explaining how she plans to achieve the city's objectives.

Piccagli said she will take a one-on-one approach by talking with members of the community along with leaders of various Hispanic organizations in the area to find ways for the city to reach its goal.

When Piccagli completes her work in September she will have interviewed community members, conducted a short survey and researched the actions of other cities in Washington with similar goals.

Bi-weekly meetings will take place between Piccagli and city manager Mike Martin to review how the research is going.

Under terms of the contract, she will receive $35 an hour up to $10,000.

"We are very excited to have Maia here and learning how we as a council can become more effective in the community," Mayor Joan McGilton said.