TagInterlocal Agreement(170)

This agreement establishes the terms under which attorney Steven M. Taber of Leech Tishman Nelson Hardiman, Inc. will jointly represent the cities of SeaTac, Burien, and Des Moines in a legal challenge to the FAA's approval of the Port of Seattle's SAMP airport expansion project. It discloses potential conflicts of interest that can arise when multiple municipalities share one lawyer, and requires each city to formally consent to the arrangement in writing. The document also explains how the three cities will share legal costs under an interlocal agreement, and outlines steps that must be taken if conflicts between the cities emerge during the litigation.

This legal agreement establishes joint representation by attorney Steven M. Taber of Leech Tishman Nelson Hardiman, Inc. for the cities of SeaTac, Burien, and Des Moines in their shared legal challenge to the FAA's approval of the Port of Seattle's SAMP (Sustainable Airport Master Plan) project. The document discloses potential conflicts of interest that can arise when multiple municipalities share a single attorney, and obtains each city's informed written consent to proceed despite those risks. It also outlines how the three cities will share legal costs under an interlocal agreement and explains the procedures that would apply if a conflict between the cities were to emerge during the litigation.

The City of Des Moines and neighboring cities have entered into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) to coordinate their review of and response to the SeaTac Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental review process, covering both federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) requirements. Originally signed in 2018 and updated in 2024, the agreement establishes how participating cities share costs, manage contracts, and jointly hire environmental and legal consultants—including attorneys who can support a legal challenge to the SAMP's environmental conclusions. The latest version, managed by the City of SeaTac and expected to run through December 31, 2028, excludes Normandy Park but otherwise continues the multi-city partnership focused on protecting community interests during the airport planning process.

The cities of Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac have 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, with the FAA named as the respondent. Under the agreement, SeaTac will receive and pay all invoices, the firm's principal attorney bills at $540 per hour, and a $10,000 retainer is required to begin work.

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.

The cities of Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac are joining forces under a formal Interlocal Agreement to coordinate their review of and legal response to the Port of Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), which could bring significant noise and environmental impacts to surrounding communities. The agreement, considered by Des Moines City Council on November 13, 2025, allows the three cities to jointly hire environmental consultants and legal counsel to analyze and formally challenge the airport expansion's environmental review under both federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) law. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement from the Port is expected in early 2026, with the overall process estimated to conclude by December 31, 2028.