Homelessness, Planning Commission Chair & more on agenda for April 10 Special Burien City Council meeting

Addressing homelessness, possible action against Planning Commission Chair Charles Schaefer & more are on the agenda for Monday night’s (April 10, 2023) Special Burien City Council meeting.

An Executive Session – set to start at 6 p.m. and scheduled to last around an hour – to discuss complaints against a public officer or employee, as well as litigation or legal risks will also be held.

The special meeting will start after the Executive Session at 7 p.m., and can be viewed in person at City Hall, on Comcast TV channel 21, via Zoom here or online here.

Download the agenda packet here.

EXECUTIVE SESSION (6 P.M.):

• a)  Executive Session per RCW 42.30.100(1)(f) to receive and evaluate complaints or charges brought against a public officer or employee. However, upon the request of such officer or employee, a public hearing or a meeting open to the public shall be conducted upon such complaint or charge (45 minutes).
• b)  Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)(iii) to discuss litigation or legal risks of a proposed action or current practice that the agency has identified when public discussion of the litigation or legal risks is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency (15 minutes).

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS:

• Notice to all participants: Pursuant to RCW 42.17A.555, campaigning for any ballot measure or candidate in City Hall and/or during any portion of the Council Meeting – including the public comment period – is prohibited.

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA:

• a) Educational Session and Summary of Comparative Cities Actions regarding the Martin v. Boise 9th Circuit Decision and the State v. Blake Washington State Supreme Court Decision: Garmon Newsom II, City Attorney. “The council has requested a “comparison” of municipal responses to the Martin v. Boise (criminalizing of homelessness) and State v. Blake (decriminalizing simple possession of drugs) decisions” including possible funding sources available for use.
• b) Discussion regarding Facilities, Services, and Funding to Address Homelessness: Adolfo Bailon, City Manager. “During the Regular Meeting held on April 3, 2023, Council agreed to schedule a Special Meeting on April 10 to continue its conversation on efforts to address immediate issues related to homelessness.“
• c) Planning Commission Chair Charles Schaefer: Adolfo Bailon, City Manager 
Discussion. “The council wants to discuss options to address the actions of Planning Commission Chair Charles Schaefer in moving unhoused residents to municipal property without seeking any input from the Burien City Council or the City Manager. The council may wish to discuss whether Chair Schaefer’s actions undermined council authority, council process, trust, or other concerns.“