By Jack Mayne

At Monday night’s meeting (September 20, 2021), Burien City Council members Kevin Schilling, Sofia Aragon and Cydney Moore asked staff to draft a letter to the King County government asking them to distribute more funds quickly available to support Burien residents facing imminent loss. of their homes due to the current financial crisis. The county has money available to allow needy residents to pay rents and mortgages.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Global grant
The city has entered into a joint agreement with the King County Community Development Block Grant to have the funds used for planning, social services and capital projects for low to moderate income Burien residents.

Director of Social Services Colleen Brandt-Schluter said the city is expected to receive about $ 265,309 for projects that serve low to moderate income residents.

The city plans to use $ 45,743 for continued support of the Southwest Youth and Family Services New Futures program at the Alcove at Seahurst Apartments. This program would serve approximately 200 residents of the Alcove at Seahurst Apartments with family support and advocacy services.

Burien Community Center
Council also plans to use $ 173,823 for the Burien Community Center HVAC Replacement Project under design, funded by a $ 90,000 King County Social Services grant.

Board member Nancy Tosta said some of the funding requirements have already been allocated to the HVAC project and other parts of the project.

Nevertheless, the Council approved the project unanimously.

Police probable cause
Erin Overbey of the King County Sheriff’s Office advised Council on changes to state law about when physical force can be used by police. Force under a new law that came into effect in late July states that physical force can be used to effect an arrest, prevent an escape, or protect from the threat of bodily harm a deputy sheriff, another person, the person against whom force is used.

She told Council that the King County Sheriff’s Office said force was permitted “where there is probable cause for arrest,” but that it could not be the sole justification for the use of physical force.

“The early use of force is only limited when it is necessary to protect against an imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to the officer or another person. “

In addition, the use of physical force “must be discontinued as soon as the need for such force ends.

Proclamations
Council adopted two proclamations, National Hispanic Heritage Month and National Restoration Month.

New Burien employees
Carla Lundgren, assistant planner; Alexis Williams, Parks and Facilities Maintenance Worker; Andrew Mitzel, customer service; Eric Torres, project manager.