TagCity of Burien(345)

This document is a Waiver of Conflict signed by the cities of Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac, Washington, acknowledging that their legal interests may potentially conflict with those of Vashon Island Fair Skies while being jointly represented by the law firm Leech Tishman Nelson Hardiman, Inc. The three cities voluntarily consent to this shared legal representation in connection with a formal challenge to the FAA's environmental review decision regarding near-term construction projects outlined in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The cities also acknowledge they were advised of their right to seek independent legal counsel before signing the waiver.

In November 2025, the law firm Ogden Murphy Wallace (OMW) agreed to jointly represent the cities of Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac as special environmental counsel in matters related to the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan. The firm's scope of work covers environmental review processes under federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) law, as well as any potential litigation against the Port of Seattle or the Federal Aviation Administration. Attorneys are billed at hourly rates ranging from $300 to $535 depending on role and experience, with no advance fee deposit required.

The cities of Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac have jointly hired the law firm Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl to challenge the Federal Aviation Administration's approval of the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The firm will file a Petition for Review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, naming the FAA as the respondent. Under the agreement, SeaTac will receive and pay all legal invoices on behalf of the three cities, with legal fees starting with a $10,000 retainer and billed at $540 per hour for the lead attorney.

This is an agenda for a Burien City Council Regular Meeting scheduled for November 3, 2025, covering local municipal business such as a public hearing on the 2026 Mid-Biennium Budget Update, approval of vouchers and meeting minutes, and a proposed tax assessment settlement agreement. The meeting was held both in person at Burien City Hall and virtually via Zoom, with public comment and language access provisions available. Note: this document does not contain content specifically related to Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

The Des Moines, Washington City Council held a regular meeting on October 23, 2025, covering several local government matters including a discussion of a City of Burien letter to the Port of Seattle, which relates to regional aviation and airport policy concerns affecting the area surrounding Sea-Tac Airport. Additional agenda items included a warehouse tax collections update, a 2026 property tax levy hearing, and new business items such as the Marina Steps construction contract and franchise agreements. The meeting also addressed a Memorandum of Understanding with King County Metro Transit and an update to the B&O Tax Model Ordinance.