TagCity of Burien(341)

The City of Burien, Washington's Storm Drainage Master Plan Update (2020) is a technical planning document approved by the Burien City Council on October 19, 2020, outlining the city's stormwater and drainage infrastructure management strategies. Prepared by engineering firm Otak, Inc., the plan was developed in coordination with the city's Public Works Department to guide storm drainage improvements and maintenance. While based in Burien near Sea-Tac Airport, this document focuses on local stormwater systems rather than airport noise policy.

In October 2020, the City of Burien considered joining Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, and SeaTac in funding a $62,500 University of Washington study examining how ultrafine particles from aircraft emissions penetrate school buildings near Sea-Tac Airport. The first phase of the study would assess the air filtration efficiency of five schools located north and south of the airport, while a proposed second phase ($250,000) would test interventions to improve indoor air quality and measure their impact on student health and academic performance. Each participating city was asked to contribute $12,500, with the City Manager recommending approval of an Interlocal Agreement to move the project forward.

The Burien Airport Committee held a virtual meeting on September 15, 2020, to discuss workplan priorities related to Sea-Tac Airport issues, including community outreach, noise complaints, environmental justice, and preparation for the release of the Supplemental Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Assessment. The agenda also included a report from Chair Nancy Tosta on a recent FAA meeting, and approval of minutes from the August 18, 2020 meeting. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting was conducted via Zoom, with public comments accepted by email, text, or online participation.

The Burien Airport Committee held a virtual meeting on July 21, 2020, discussing whether the city should rejoin the SeaTac Airport Stakeholder Advisory Roundtable (StART), with four options considered ranging from full re-engagement to creating an alternative forum. Key concerns included distrust of the Port, the FAA Regional Ombudsperson's exclusive availability through StART, and the decisions of neighboring cities Des Moines and Federal Way. The August 18, 2020 follow-up agenda continued this discussion alongside topics such as committee leadership, a BAC workplan, and flight path presentations.

The Port of Seattle's August 2020 commission meeting addressed a proposal to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Burien to fund the Miller Creek Culvert Replacement project, which aims to remove failing culverts that block fish passage and restore stream habitat. The project, led by the City of Burien, had completed planning, design, and permitting, with construction scheduled for Summer 2021, but faced a funding shortfall requiring Port involvement. The Commission had previously passed a motion in November 2019 to advance the project, which focuses on environmental restoration rather than airport noise policy.

The Burien Airport Committee held a virtual meeting on July 21, 2020, to discuss several airport-related issues affecting the community, including flight patterns, noise monitoring, and re-engagement with the SeaTac Airport Roundtable (StART). Key agenda items included a potential request for a temporary portable noise monitor in Burien, recommending representatives for NextGen/PBN rollout discussions with the GAO, and continuing discussions on inviting Port Commissioners to meet with the committee and City Council. Draft minutes from the June 16, 2020 meeting also reflected earlier discussions about airport impact mitigation, equity concerns, and a proposed letter to the Port Commission addressing a post-COVID 'new normal' for airport operations.

In a July 17, 2020 email to Burien Airport Committee members, Sharyn Parker urges the City of Burien to accept Sea-Tac Airport's offer to place a temporary portable noise monitor in the city, noting there is currently no monitor near the 'New Route' where Q400 turboprop and jet aircraft continue to fly westbound during north-flow conditions. Parker cautions that site selection is a complex process requiring careful attention to obstacles, noise buffers, and power availability, drawing on her experience with King County International Airport where similar projects took two to four years. She recommends the city respond with a simple 'yes' by the July 24, 2020 deadline and request an extension if needed to properly identify one or two suitable monitoring locations.

This Third Amendment to a consultant contract between the City of SeaTac, the City of Burien, and Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP extends the contract term to December 31, 2021, while suspending all consultant services starting January 1, 2020, until the SeaTac Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental review documents are released for public comment. The suspension was put in place due to delays in the SEPA/NEPA environmental review process, which was not expected to conclude until late 2020 or early 2021. The amendment also acknowledges that Aviation Compatibility Consulting, LLC and ABCx2, LLC have combined, with services to be performed jointly by Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. and ABCx2, LLC.