by Ralph Nichols

Federal and state funding from earmarks and other targeted appropriations is critical for continued economic growth in Southwest King County, officials from three Highline cities said Friday (July 10th).

Burien Councilwoman Sally Nelson, representing Mayor Joan McGilton, along with SeaTac Mayor Ralph Shape and Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton delivered annual reports on the economic state of their cities at the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce monthly membership luncheon at the Red Lion Hotel in SeaTac.

Burien Councilmember Sally Nelson spoke on behalf of Burien Mayor McGilton.

“Earmarks have gotten a bad rap but the needs of local government depend on federal and state funding,” said Nelson. Yet, she recalled, Congressman Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, said at last month’s dedication of the King County Regional Library/Burien City Hall that the new building “is an example of earmarks at work.”

“We can’t do this alone,” agreed Shape. Local governments depend on funding by the federal government, he added. Haggerton noted that state law limits cities and counties to property tax revenue increases of 1 percent per year except on new development, and that much of this money goes for fire and police services and health care.

Focusing on current economic development in Burien, Nelson said the city’s Town Square “never would have happened without a changed (SW) 152nd Street – the redesign and rebuilding of Burien’s “main street” that preceded construction of new condominiums and street-level retail space in addition to the library/city hall through a public-private partnership.

SeaTac Mayor Ralph Shape

For sustained economic recovery and development to happen, strong partnerships are needed, Nelson continued. Local economic development depends on “strong transportation systems, strong water and wastewater systems … managed and paid for by local government, but this will not happen without strong support by state and federal government.”

Planning and opportunity are meeting in SeaTac, which Shape described as “a transportation-centric city.” New development is taking place on the west side of Tukwila International Boulevard across from the light rail station, and will include both commercial space and multi-family housing. Planned at South 176th Street across International Boulevard from the light rail airport station is “a vibrant mix of restaurants, shops, entertainment and residential” developments, which will be easily accessible to light rail and air passengers as well as city residents.

Shape said updated zoning laws that encourage higher population densities in these areas along with easier permitting are encouraging these developments as well as other businesses to relocate to SeaTac. In addition, good fiscal management is helping SeaTac weather the current economic storm, he added. These projects have been in the planning stage for years, and “now is the time to implement them.”

Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton

Haggerton observed that while Tukwila is a small city with a population of only 18,000, it provides 42,000 jobs. And Westfield Southcenter Mall, which generates many of these jobs, is planning to develop the north side of the mall – with improved pedestrian access – in the wake of the recent expansion on the mall’s south side.

After five years, the Tukwila South project – a new non-central business district development on the current Segale property south of South 180th Street – is moving forward, he said. And a developer has been selected for the Tukwila Village project along Tukwila International Boulevard, which is expected to revitalize that area with new retail and housing.

Reminding chamber members that light rail service between Tukwila International Boulevard at Southcenter Boulevard and downtown Seattle begins this coming Saturday, July 18th, King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson (SeaTac) said this will usher in “extraordinary opportunities for economic development in South King County.”

In addition, it “will provide the opportunity for us to get out of our cars and go into Seattle (by light rail) to work, to go to a play, to go to a Mariners’ game. This is an exciting, exciting event … and the biggest investment in infrastructure, except for what the Port has done at the airport, in South King County.

Patterson, who also serves on the Sound Transit board, added that the grand opening for light rail service from Tukwila on to Sea-Tac International Airport will take place in December.

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We recently met up with him at a local farmers market for a get-to-know-you chat.

“I’m an agent for change,” said Ross, who is in his fourth term in the Washington State House of Representatives, and worked at Microsoft for 17 years.

“I have the skills to make things happen.”

We asked Ross to talk about former Executive Ron Sims, namely the thing Sims did best while in office, and that which he did not do so well.

“You’d have to include the council in on my answer,” Ross responded. “They really work together. I’d say that they put us on the map environmentally in a positive way.

“But over the years the executive and council showed a lack of attention to financial reality.”

We asked what experience not commonly known about him would suggest he is ready to run the state’s largest county.

“Not many people know this, but I spend time now and again helping Habitat for Humanity,” he said, referring to the group that helps build houses for those who otherwise might not be able to afford one.

“I like to frame. If I can swing a big hammer, I’m happy.”

A hint of the style of a Hunter Administration?

“No,” Ross said with a laugh. “It’s just how I build homes for those who need them!”

Primary Election day is August 18th. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the General Election in November.

For more information on the Ross Hunter campaign go to: www.RossHunter.com.

[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story like this for your Business, along with an Ad on every page seen by over 15,000 interested Local Readers per month? Email us!]

Popularity: 1% [?]

During the City of SeaTac’s recent annual City Council retreat, both the Mayor and City Council received a mid–year update of the city’s economic status and the news is encouraging.

“While not immune to the wider economic downturn, the City’s fiscal position is strong even though some important revenues sources have declined,” said Mayor Ralph Shape. “Despite the bad news of the national economy and the challenges facing many municipalities in our region and around the country, the benefits of fiscal prudence and careful planning over many years are helping the City of SeaTac weather the storm.”

The City was able to trim nearly a million dollars of general fund expenses this year without reducing services to residents or businesses. The City has also identified investments that can be delayed, as needed, until revenue levels return to normal.

“Even better news may be on the horizon,” said Craig Ward, SeaTac’s City Manager. “Years of a strategic investments, low taxes, and careful grooming of our economic opportunities have positioned us well to maintain our budgets and recover more quickly from this downturn than many other cities.”

Recent investments in public facilities, roads and parks have developed an infrastructure that will support more private sector investments, as the City still sees taking place new airport–oriented developments, light rail stations, and residential neighborhoods.

The City of SeaTac was incorporated in Feb. 1990, and is 10 square miles in area and has a population of 25,230. SeaTac is a vibrant community, economically strong, environmentally sensitive, and people-oriented. The City boundaries surround the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, (approximately 3 square miles in area) which is owned and operated by the Port of Seattle.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Rep. Dave Upthegrove will present Claudia Tanis, Executive Director of the Highline YMCA, with a $2 million “check” at their board meeting Tuesday afternoon (May 19th) at SeaTac City Hall.

Upthegrove will formally announce the appropriation, which is funded by a Youth Recreational Facilities Grant ($800,000) and a Building Communities Fund Grant ($1,163,000). Both grants are part of the state’s capital budget.

Rep. Upthegrove represents the 33rd District, which serves SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park and large parts of Kent and Burien.

The money will be used to aid construction of a Silver LEED 48,000 square foot comprehensive Family YMCA to serve the Highline/Sea Tac community. The new facility will serve over 15,000 individuals – more than triple the amount currently served – and provide 100-150 new jobs.

The new YMCA will be located at South 188th Street and 37th Avenue South, and will include amenities like:

• Aquatic Center
• Youth Development Center
• Family Locker Rooms
• Full-Size Gym
• Wellness Studios
• Adventure Zone
• Kids Corner
• Family Center
• Community Kitchen
• Reflection Room
• Pinnacle Climbing Wall
• Cardio & Strength Training Center

Here’s a “virtual” video tour:

Popularity: 59% [?]

Congressman Adam Smith invites all residents of the 9th District to attend a town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 7th from 7pm to 8:30pm at SeaTac City Hall Chambers, 4800 S 188th Street (map below).

The purpose of the town hall meeting is for Smith to meet with constituents to listen to concerns, answer questions, and discuss issues facing Congress.

Space is limited so please RSVP if you are able to attend by calling (253) 896-3775 or 1-888-SMITH09.

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Popularity: 47% [?]

Seven south King County cities, including SeaTac, announced Thursday their plans to build a 668-bed misdemeanor jail in neighboring Des Moines.

The cities on board this venture, which is called the South Correctional Entity (or “SCORE,” not to be confused with the small business advisors “SCORE”), include:

• SeaTac
• Des Moines
• Tukwila
• Burien
• Federal Way
• Renton
• Auburn

SCORE is hoping to open this new jail in mid-2011 to replace jail space that will no longer be provided by the county. The seven cities will team up to handle all operations of the new facility.

From a press release, here’s a quote from SeaTac Mayor Ralph Shape:

“Meeting the public safety needs of our residents while keeping costs down is our number one goal. SCORE meets that need.”

The entity has hired a consulting firm, which proposed that the area will need nearly 700 additional jail cells by 2026, and that cities could reduce costs by working together.

The preferred site for the new jail is near Des Moines Creek Park, on a 14-acre parcel owned by the Port of Seattle located southwest of where South 208th intersects with 18th Ave South (see map below).

Next steps in this project is the permitting process, which will also allow for public comments and review; here’s more info from the SCORE website:

SCORE is currently seeking applicants for the Community Outreach Team.

The Community Outreach Team will work with SCORE to address community concerns and questions.

If you are interested in participating, send your letter of interest to:

SCORE Outreach Team
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057

Priority will be given to:

• Applicants that live in the cities of Des Moines or Tukwila
• Applicants that live west of 18th Avenue South
• Applicants that live South of 200th Street
• Applicants that live north of 216th Street

Questions and Comments can be e-mailed to SCOREjail@rentonwa.gov

A public meeting on this jail is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th at 8:30am at the Renton City Hall.

So…what are your thoughts on having a new jail in our area?

Please Comment below the map…

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Popularity: 54% [?]

In King County, Countywide Community Forums are a network of small group meetings where people throughout the county can discuss current issues and provide feedback to King County officials.

Two to four times a year, registered Citizen Councilors meet in homes, libraries and other locations to learn more about an issue that matters to them, discuss it with the group and complete a detailed survey on their views.

The next round of forums will be held in February on the topic:

“Citizen Priorities for County Government:
Budget and Strategic Options.”

For more information on Countywide Community Forums, please go to this website.

Where and when are the forums?
Forums are organized by fellow Citizen Councilors at homes, workplace or libraries 2-4 times a year during a one-month participation window set by the Auditor. When notified of an upcoming round of forums, you will be able to select the time and place that works best for you on the Countywide Community Forums‘ website:

www.CommunityForums.org

If you prefer, the Volunteer Coordinators will help you choose the most convenient forum over the phone; just call (206) 296-1633 and they’ll set you up.

Here some more info from their website:

Do you want to get more involved?
If you would like to be more involved in Countywide Community Forums, you can volunteer to be a Community Forums Host/Convener. Conveners find a convenient meeting place and conduct a forum session. You can host your own meeting or become a guest at someone else’s meeting. “Please register as an official, volunteer, Citizen Councilor, or contact us to let us know that you are interested.

There are also opportunities to get involved as an outreach volunteer. Outreach volunteers help spread the word about the community forums to their community or organization. In particular, we are looking for outreach volunteers in South King County.

Contact us by email or by calling (206) 296-1633.

What to expect at a forum?
At each forum meeting, 4-12 participants:

• Watch a short video and/or review a brief written summary of the key facts and different perspectives on the issue under discussion.
• Take two minutes each to state their views on the topic, uninterrupted by other members of the group.
• Participate in an open group discussion.
• Complete an “Opinionnaire®”: a confidential survey tool that asks specific questions about the current topic and the forums process.

To attend this meeting, you must click here to Sign up/Sign in!

Popularity: 41% [?]

Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani today unveiled his response to a special investigation conducted by former US Attorney Michael McKay.

McKay’s report, requested by the Port Commission, was released last week and listed ten incidences of civil fraud in the Port’s contracting procedures.  McKay also provided a set of eight recommendations, which Yoshitani directed staff to begin implementing immediately. Today’s response plan details how the report recommendations – many of which build on reform efforts already underway – will be implemented.

“Mr. McKay’s report reflects a ‘get it done at all costs’ culture – that day is over,” said Yoshitani.  “We have tough competitors and big projects – but we have to deliver those projects with fair and open competition.”

Yoshitani took several disciplinary measures against staff members involved directly or indirectly in the situations identified by McKay. Before making his decisions, he weighed the severity of the finding as well as the degree to which a staff person was involved. Two staff members resigned when faced with the allegations; other high-ranking officials were given suspensions without pay and letters of reprimand.

For Mr. Yoshitani’s full response plan, visit http://www.portseattle.org/news/Accountability.shtml.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This isn't the only problem currently dogging the Port of Seattle - we're documenting numerous residents complaints about third runway issues, including noise problems, being mislead (or outright lied to) by the Port and much more on our sister site The B-Town Blog.]

Popularity: 48% [?]

The SeaTac Blog welcomes its latest Advertiser: Tina Orwall, the Democratic nominee for State Representative, position one, 33rd Legislative District.

If elected this Nov. 4, Tina will replace retiring State Representative Shay Schual-Berke.

Literally dozens of groups and elected officials have endorsed Tina.

She has been rated “Outstanding” by the Municipal League of King County.

“I’ve spent my life helping people – developing award winning housing programs, assisting families in crisis, and serving our schools as a PTSA leader,” Tina said. “I will put my commitment and experience to work in Olympia to strengthen our economy, invest in our schools and protect our quality of life.”

She is challenged by Republican Todd Gibson, a teacher and advertising executive.

Here is a link to a map of the 33rd Legislative District:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=33

For more information, here is Tina’s official campaign website:

www.electtinaorwall.com

Popularity: 33% [?]

On Wed. Aug. 27th, the City of Burien announced that it is temporarily withdrawing its North Highline Annexation Request, an issue pertinent to the City of SeaTac, since it was once courting the area itself.

Here’s the press release from the City of Burien website:

Burien Withdraws North Highline Annexation Request

The City of Burien has notified the Boundary Review Board of King County that it is withdrawing its current request to annex the southern portion of the North Highline unincorporated area. The City plans to re-file an annexation request later this year after completion of a new round of negotiations with King County and the cities of SeaTac and Seattle regarding the proposed annexation boundary.

The Burien City Council authorized submittal of the “Notice of Intent” to annex part of North Highline in May 2008. The Notice of Intent was filed with the Boundary Review Board in late June after the approval of new countywide planning policies allowing the annexation request to proceed. The timing of Burien’s filing was challenged by the City of Seattle and the North Highline Fire District on legal grounds.

“In the interest of having the community and the Boundary Review Board focus on the merits of annexation rather than upon procedural and legal issues, we believe that it is in the best interest of the parties for the City to withdraw its current Notice of Intent,” said Mike Martin, Burien’s city manager.

The delay in the annexation process allows the cities and County to meet to discuss substantive issues related to annexation, including providing adequate urban services within annexed portions of North Highline and any remaining unincorporated area.

“We’ve tried to get Seattle to the table for almost a year to resolve these issues but they have been unwilling to meet with us,” Martin explained. “For whatever reason, they’ve changed their mind now and appear willing to talk. We wish for the sake of the North Highline residents Seattle would have come to that conclusion sooner, but better late than never.”

Now, for the first time, Burien is able to consider the specific and detailed concerns of the North Highline Fire District that were filed with the Boundary Review Board. While the City of Burien has no authority over the current or future operations of the fire district, “we will encourage the North Highline and Burien/Normandy Park fire districts to resolve their differences in the interest of providing quality services in the areas they serve,” said Martin.

The City has offered to start negotiations immediately, with the goal of reaching a successful resolution of issues by the end of the year. Martin added, “Our City values trust, integrity, communication and collaboration. It is in this spirit that we are ready to take one step back in order to help our neighbors in North Highline move many steps forward.”

Here’s a quote from Jenn Ramirez Robson, Management Analyst at the Burien City Manager’s Office:

“In brief, the City of Burien has withdrawn its current request to annex a portion of North Highline but plans to re-file later this year.

We are still committed to the annexation process and will continue to do educational open houses in the North Highline Area, including the Open House tonight at 6:30 PM at the Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church.”

Just got off the phone with Gordon Shaw, Burien native and City Councilmember, who offered up this exclusive, yet rather fiery quote about the annexation withdrawal political game currently being played out between Burien and Seattle:

“The efforts Burien has made so far have been stymied by Seattle and King County to a certain degree because of preference for Seattle to annex North Highline.

But clearly Seattle is not ready to do it.

To oppose Burien’s annexation efforts on the substance of annexation is one thing, but to oppose it on procedure that we all know is going to change in 30 days is BULLSHIT!”

We also received an exclusive response from Burien Mayor Joan McGilton on this entire annexation withdrawal issue, and here’s the latest:

First, a snippet from Seattle Councilmember Richard Conlin as quoted on another Seattle-based blog:

“…unless Burien is prepared to make significant change in its proposal…”

Mayor Joan’s reaction to Mr. Conlin’s statement:

“Burien has consistently acknowledged the role Seattle has in the proposed annexation of the North Highline Area. Seattle chooses to not negotiate directly with Burien. The City of Seattle’s Position Statement filed with the Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County filed on August 18, 2008 clearly misinterprets Burien actions to move forward with annexation.

In the best interests of all parties, Burien chooses to withdraw its current request so that the Boundary Review Board can focus on the merits of annexation rather than on the procedural and legal issues.

Burien wishes to take the “high road” and have our neighbors to the north ask the probing questions so that when this comes to a vote, they are truly informed of the actions that are in their best interest as a community.”

More details, and most certainly more interesting and fiery quotes, will be forthcoming as this issue plays itself out…so stay tuned…

Popularity: 37% [?]