TagSAMP(650)

The City of Burien billed the City of Des Moines $3,317.49 under Interlocal Agreement #18-A101, related to the 'SAMP' (Sea-Tac Airport Mediation Program) initiative, via Invoice #7 for July 2019. The invoice, dated October 4, 2019, was directed to Susan Cezar at Des Moines City Hall and carried a due date of November 4, 2019. This document reflects a cost-sharing arrangement between the two cities in connection with Sea-Tac Airport noise policy efforts.

In September 2019, the City of Des Moines responded to a Port of Seattle apology letter regarding the allocation of $10 million for Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) design work without prior environmental review or stakeholder notice, which had prompted Des Moines and other nearby cities to temporarily suspend participation in the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART). The City challenged the Port's claims of meaningful progress on noise reduction measures, requesting specific data on the Late Night Noise Limitation program, changes to nighttime flight schedules, and the status of runway glide slope adjustments. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Sea-Tac Airport and surrounding communities over transparency, environmental compliance, and the effectiveness of collaborative noise mitigation efforts.

In a September 12, 2019 letter to Port of Seattle Executive Director Steve Metruck, Des Moines Mayor Matt Pina outlines the city's concerns about Sea-Tac Airport's decision to allocate $10 million for Sustainable Airport Master Plan design work without environmental review or stakeholder notice, which prompted Des Moines to temporarily suspend its participation in the StART Committee. The letter demands specific, verifiable data on six noise-mitigation measures the Port claimed to have accomplished, including late-night flight reductions, runway glide slope adjustments, and third-runway usage limits, arguing these initiatives have been overstated as completed achievements. While expressing willingness to re-engage and noting several positive Port-city partnerships, Des Moines calls for greater transparency and accountability in the airport's community engagement process.

In this September 5, 2019 letter, Port of Seattle Executive Director Stephen Metruck responds to the City of Burien's decision to suspend participation in the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), along with similar decisions by Des Moines and Federal Way. Metruck apologizes for failing to promptly notify cities about preliminary design funding and reaffirms the Port's commitment to open communication on airport expansion and noise issues. He highlights progress made through StART—such as late-night noise limits, runway glide slope adjustments, and requests for airlines to retire louder aircraft—and pledges to work with all cities to find a constructive path forward.

In August 2019, the City of Burien formally suspended its participation in the Sea-Tac Advisory Roundtable (StART), citing the Port of Seattle's decision to advance airport expansion designs before completing required environmental reviews, a lack of transparency, and a feeling that community concerns were being ignored. The letter raises serious questions about noise abatement, slow sound insulation programs, air quality impacts extending miles beyond the airport, and the exclusion of nighttime engine run-up mitigation measures recommended as far back as 1996. Burien called on the Port to engage in an honest discussion about how much airport growth is sustainable given the health and quality-of-life impacts on surrounding communities.

In August 2019, the City of Burien sent a formal letter to the Port of Seattle's Executive Director and Commissioners raising nine pointed questions about Sea-Tac Airport's noise policies and community health impacts. The city challenged the Port's failure to conduct updated noise studies across all runways since 2002, slow implementation of sound insulation programs, and lack of transparency in the StART community committee process. Burien concluded by calling for an honest public dialogue about whether continued airport growth is sustainable given the environmental and quality-of-life consequences for neighboring residents.