The Highline area may have its third farmers market this summer.

SeaTac neighborhood coordinator Trudy Olson presented a proposal to city lawmakers on Jan. 22 for a weekend farmers market, most likely at Angle Lake Park, to start in late July and run until Labor Day.

For several years, Burien has had a farmers market from May until early October. A seasonal Saturday market has operated until late October for the last couple of years at the Des Moines Marina.

Tukwila had a farmers market but it was discontinued last year. Olson said the Tukwila market might return this summer.

The SeaTac market would feature locally grown farm-fresh produce and allow customers to talk to the farmers who produce the food, Olson noted. In turn, the market would allow farmers to sell directly to consumers, giving small farmers a ready market.

She suggested that Sunday would be the best day for the SeaTac market.

Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher commented that even if he had not been raised on a farm, he would favor the market. Fisher operated a Christmas tree farm at his Riverton Heights home for many years.

Councilman Chris Wythe said the market would "create a sense of community."

Funds have not been budgeted to operate a market, but City Manager Craig Ward said he could present a proposal at the council's Feb. 13 meeting.

Lawmakers would have to move quickly in order to set up the market by summer, Ward added.

Council members also approved purchase of a vacant lot at 3120 S. 176th St. as part of SeaTac's city center project.

A light rail station is set to open in December 2009 at South 176th Street and International Boulevard. City officials are hoping to create an entertainment district and pedestrian-friendly development around the station.

Purchase price for the 22,588 square-foot lot is $849,900. City Economic Director Todd Cutts said the former gas station site was appraised at $1 million. The L-shaped lot surrounds a 7-11 convenience store.

Cutts said the lot could be used as a park, plaza, open space, parking structure or residential housing.

"We want this area to be the heart and soul of the community," Wythe declared. "If we don't own this property, the likelihood of that will diminish."

In other business, lawmakers OK'd a contract with Strategies 360 for federal lobbying services.

Fisher noted that surrounding cities are attracting significant amount of federal funds because of their lobbying efforts.

Strategies 360 maintains offices in Seattle and Washington, D.C. Its founder, Ron Dotzauer, managed successful election campaigns for the late Sen. Henry Jackson, Sen. Maria Cantwell and ex-Gov. Booth Gardner. Gardner is associated with the lobbying company.

In addition, the council decided to remain in a consortium of cities that is appealing a state permit for stormwater management. SeaTac officials say the permit is an unfunded mandate that is too restrictive.

Wythe said since officials of some cities think the permit is too restrictive while some environmental groups maintain it is too lax, the permit provisions are at a point of compromise.

He added he doesn't expect the permit requirements to change much despite litigation.

Because of its current stormwater management practices, SeaTac is better placed than other communities to fulfill permit requirements.

Wythe observed, "We should follow wisdom and drop out of the lawsuit."

However, Mayor Ralph Shape noted, if the environmental suits are successful, development would be stifled.

Shape, Fisher, Councilman Tony Anderson, Councilman Joe Brennan and Councilwoman Mia Gregerson voted to continue in the coalition. Wythe opposed it. Councilwoman Terry Anderson, who was injured at home in a fall, was absent.

During council comments near the end of the meeting, Fisher suggested residents watching council meetings on Sea-TV government access channel keep a scorecard on "who votes for citizens" and then refer to the scorecard when they cast their ballots in council elections.