Burien is moving forward on annexation deliberation as Seattle re-enters picture

By Eric Mathison

Despite renewed interest in annexation from Seattle, the Burien city council is expected to vote May 19 on a plan to add the southern portion of North Highline.

Those within the proposed area would have to approve the annexation in a vote, possibly in February. An advisory vote by Burien residents is not required.

Martin's proposal generally calls for extending Burien's northern border to Southwest 112th Street in the Shorewood area, dipping to South 116th Street to exclude Evergreen High School and Pool as well as the Top Hat business district, going back to South 112th Street in Beverly Park and extending to Southwest 107th Street in Boulevard Park. Rainier Golf and Country Club would be part of the Boulevard Park annexation.

The annexation would add about 14,000 residents and 2.7 square miles to Burien.

However, Water Districts 20 and 45 as well as the Southwest Suburban Sewer District officials have requested an extension of the proposed boundary to keep the district and interagency agreements intact.

Their desired boundaries would extend north along the west side of State Route 509 to South 100th Street and west to Fourth Avenue Southwest. That would add an additional 2,800 residents.

A smaller alternative would extend Martin's proposed boundaries west along South 112th Street to Fourth Avenue Southwest.

Martin said he remains concerned about expanding his proposal "but it is not a hill to die on."

Council members discussed a letter from King County Executive Ron Sims indicating Seattle is still interested in annexation and offering county help in facilitating discussions between the two cities.

Martin indicated Seattle officials are unwilling to talk directly with Burien representatives.

Sims expressed concern about fire services to the northern portion of the unincorporated area if Burien annexes the south part. In Martin's proposal, the North Highline district fire station at Southwest 112th and 12th Avenue Southwest would be located in Burien.

Martin said, "There's lot of ways to skin that cat" including having King County Fire District 11 (North Highline) contract for services with King County Fire District 2 (Burien/Normandy Park)

Councilman Gordon Shaw suggested the North Highline department could continue to use the building even though it would be in Burien.

Councilwoman Sue Blazak said she felt Sims' letter was not evenhanded toward Burien and it focused on how Burien could support Seattle in an annexation bid.

Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak suggested Burien enter mediation with Seattle and King County as originally planned. She noted her colleagues may be rushing into a decision on annexation because they feel they are running out of time to claim the annexation state sales tax credit.

"Why are we in such a rush?" Krakowiak asked.

Councilwoman Sally Nelson requested city staff prepare a point-by-point analysis of Sims letter.

Councilwoman Kathy Keane responded to a letter by attorney James Rizzardi, printed in the April 30 Times/News, raising concerns about a possible conflict of interest. Keane is a council member and Water District 20 commissioner. The water district serves both Burien and the proposed annexation area.

Keane said an opinion from the city's city attorney concluded there is no breach of the fairness doctrine. She said she received a similar analysis from former state Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge.

While lawmakers focused on the Sims letter, the council heard numerous public comments from Burien and North Highline residents.

While some speakers supported Burien annexation, the most vociferous voices opposed it.

Seahurst resident Forrest Parker said the deficit spending caused by annexation would be "the mother of all financial irresponsibilities at the local level."

He also said annexation would overwhelm Burien government, direct revenue from Burien to North Highline and increase taxes to citizens and businesses.