Politics | The B-Town (Burien) Blog TEST

VIDEO: Noble Healthcare’s Open House for proposed mental health care facility

Scott Schaefer — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 01:41:27 +0000

On Thursday night, Jan. 10, 2019, an Open House was held by Noble Healthcare for their proposed new long-term care facility for individuals with mental health needs in Seahurst.

This event – which was to be held in an office at 2108 SW 152nd Street – was moved across the street to St. Francis Unity Place after the turnout exceeded organizer’s expectations (there were at least 250-300 people there).

Noble Healthcare owners (and brothers) Cale, Josh and Zach Wester explained their proposed “long-term care home for individuals whose mental health needs,” along with representatives from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and others, who helped clarify laws and regulations.

The facility – pending sale/approval/permitting – is projected to open in late 2019/early 2020 – and would be located at 2108 SW 152nd Street in the CRI office building next to the Seahurst Post Office, kitty-corner from St. Francis of Assisi School and near two Montessori schools.

The room was packed with concerned – and sometimes very emotional – residents.

Also in attendance were Burien City Councilmembers Austin Bell, Bob Edgar, Krystal Marx and Nancy Tosta, along with City Manager Brian Wilson (none of whom spoke).

At times some attendees acted hostile to the owners, sometimes shouting “shame!” as well as interrupting them or each other.

“I attended the meeting concerning Noble Healthcare’s proposed ESF in the Seahurst area,” attendee Pam Nomura told The B-Town Blog afterwards. “My main goal was to get information on the proposal. Because of the tenor of the meeting and the disrespectful manner in which questions were being asked, I chose to leave before having my concerns addressed. I regret that an occasion that should have been constructive devolved into a shouting match.”

Here’s full raw video of the event – with an approximate running time of 2 hours and 9+ minutes, as shot by Scott Schaefer (NOTE: questions from the audience begin at around the 40:00 mark):

Read our previous coverage of this issue here.

FOLLOWUP: Peter Western Bridge construction to begin in early 2019

Scott Schaefer — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 17:52:55 +0000

Construction on the Peter Western Bridge – which suffered from storm damage and was demolished in May, 2017 – will begin in early 2019, the City of Burien announced.

The bridge, located in the 2200 block of S. 116th Street in Burien (map below) – was demolished after winter storm damage significantly weakened the pilings.

The city says the new structure will open to traffic in the fall of 2020.

As we previously reported, in February, 2017, the ravine below the 67-year old structure experienced severe erosion caused by a strong winter storm, significantly damaging the bridge’s support columns. The erosion undermined the structural integrity of the bridge, and the City closed it. The creek running through the ravine also moved, causing further erosion.

A few facts about the bridge:

It was built in 1950.
It underwent a seismic retrofit in 1996.
It was inspected in June 2016 by King County. The report states that there were no issues with scouring of the hillside.
There is an apartment complex as well as a few private residences near the bridge.

WHO WAS PETER WESTERN?
The bridge’s namesake – Peter H. Western (pictured, left) – was born in Kent, WA on March 11, 1883, and passed away just a week shy of his 71st birthday on March 4, 1954.

“Peter Western was from a pioneer family who settled in the Duwamish Valley where Peter was born in 1883,” Researcher Karen Portzer said (via Maiya Andrews and Emily Inlow-Hood at the City of Burien). “He died in 1954.”
Western was a farmer, and he also owned a battery repair store in Boulevard Heights. He married Olive Avenell in Nov., 1911, and fathered three children: John Henry Western (1912-1978), Donald Hovel Western (1916-1993), and William Avenell Western (1918-1988).

Western resided at 11837 25th Ave S., and his son Donald appears to have lived at 2400 S. 118th, which is near the bridge.

Here’s the latest update from the city:

Project Overview
On February 9, 2017 City staff responded to a report of severe erosion occurring below the bridge. The bridge was closed for structural inspection, which revealed two bridge columns had been completely undermined. A third column was only partially supported. The bridge was declared structurally deficient. Burien applied for and has been awarded emergency funding to demolish and remove the existing structure; and to construct a replacement bridge, repair damaged stormwater facilities in the ravine, and restore the eroded streambed.
The project will occur in two phases. Phase 1 will demolish and remove the bridge, temporarily stabilize stormwater facilities and the streambed. Phase 2 will install a permanent replacement bridge, permanent stormwater facility repairs, and restore the streambed and adjoining ravine side slopes.
Project Status
Phase 1 Status:

Demolition is complete. Watch video of the demolition.

Staff is working with agencies to secure after-construction permits as required by law.

Phase 2 Status:

Based on the current design progress, the bridge will be under construction in early 2019, and will open to traffic in the fall of 2020. This timeline assumes there are no issues in obtaining the necessary property rights to do the work.

Estimated project completion date: Project completion date is dependent on requirements from environmental permits.

Below deck rendering of new bridge:

Above deck rendering of new bridge:

And an old pic of the original bridge:

And just because we think it’s interesting, here’s a video of the bridge being knocked down on May 19, 2017:

The Project manager for this is Maiya Andrews, (206) 248-5514, maiyaa@burienwa.gov.

VIDEO: Students from WELS High give public comments at Council meeting

Scott Schaefer — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 20:46:22 +0000

Students from Waskowitz Environmental Leadership and Service (WELS) High School gave public comments at Monday night’s (Nov. 19) Burien City Council meeting, and we’ve edited together their comments in a video below.
Students spoke – often with passion and personal stories – about local youth relationships with police, and ended with the following group “ask”:

We advise that you include community voice, especially the voices of youth in the training of police such as student-led training
Also, we suggest more events that push police officers to meet, connect with and bond with our community

All Councilmembers then gave verbal responses to students at the end.
Running time of their comments – edited only for time – is 18:26, and it’s worth a view:

VIDEO: Steve Edmiston presents 'The Lost Cause' to Port of Seattle Commission

Scott Schaefer — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 03:29:04 +0000

Des Moines resident Steve Edmiston’s solo media and citizen activism campaign addressing noise and pollution impacts from increased flights at Sea-Tac Airport – The Briefing Project – continued this week with his presentation of specific actions he seeks to compel the Port of Seattle Commissioners to adopt.
Titled, “The Lost Cause,” and inspired by the famous scene from the Jimmy Stewart film, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Edmiston proposed 10 initiatives, ranging from general policy objectives to specific mitigation-related actions to initiatives seeking reform of Port culture to process improvements.
“I get told all the time that trying to move the Port of Seattle toward placing the health of humans and protection of the environment as a priority – a ‘first do no harm’ approach – is a lost cause. Maybe so – but as Jimmy Stewart said, ‘they’re the only causes worth fighting for.”
The Accords are designed to be easy for citizens to understand and track for the purpose of accountability (download PDF here).
“These ten actions each reflect, quite clearly, the Port’s priorities. Right now, none of these actions have been taken. The Briefing Project’s stakes – the quest, in film theory – are to convince at least three Commissioners to sign on. If they don’t, the quest fails.”
Here’s Edmiston’s public comment (running time 2:57):

In addition, Edmiston also sees the Accords as an ongoing tool for community education, awareness, action and electoral accountability.
“The Accords are designed to become questions for any citizen to ask at any meeting with a Port Commissioner or Port staff. Anyone can ask – will you agree to audit the claimed historical mitigation expenses given that the Port used to claim $400 million, but now claims $300 million – isn’t it reasonable to ask what happened to the disappearing $100 million? Or ask why won’t you maximize your leadership position and leverage and make it a policy priority to do everything you can do under the law to curfew night flights?”
Finally, Edmiston believes the Accords can have great influence in the voting booth.
“What will be easier in our airport neighbor communities than having an objective checklist to compare candidates and incumbents in the upcoming 2019 Port elections?”
And because he referenced it, here’s the famous ‘Lost Causes’ scene from the film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington:

“The idea behind the Accords is to provide cities and citizens a simple, ongoing, public measurement – a gradebook, or scorecard, of how the Port Commissioner choose to act, or fail to act, to the newest information they have, including the information provided by The Briefing Project. Any one of Commissioners can introduce these actions as policy, to be advocated for and implemented to the extent permitted by law. Any three of them can pass a resolution creating the policy. This is what the Commissioners chose to do, when inspired to do so, after the federal immigration ban, and on climate change. They went above the minimum requirements of federal law – they sought to fix the problem. Unfortunately, the Port has not applied this approach or advocacy for addressing the impacts on the airport neighbor communities. So the Accords are designed to shine a bright light on the choices being made – or not made – by the Port.”
Here’s a transcript of Edmiston’s ‘Accords’ presentation:

THE BRIEFING PROJECT EPISODE 13

The Lost Cause – November 13, 2018

Thank you. I’m Steve Edmiston for The Briefing Project. Today’s comment is inspired by the “lost cause” speech from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, for two reasons. First, no surprise, I’m often told this project is a lost cause because of the Port’s economic growth ambitions and the disparity in our respective level of influence. Second, in film-speak, today reveals the list of actual project quests, meaning, here, the specific actions that will, “lost cause” or not, quantify success.
I’ve titled these actions the “Port of Seattle Airport Neighbor Community Accords.” The Accords are designed to provide cities and citizens a simple, ongoing, public measurement – a gradebook, or scorecard, if you will, of how each of you act, or fail to act, respond or fail to respond, to the information provided and the actions requested. Any one of you can introduce these actions as policy, to be advocated for and implemented to the extent permitted by law, just as you did on immigration, and on climate change. They are legal. They are within your authority. They reflect choices. I have the full text for the Clerk; I’ll read the Accord headings now.

First: The Health of Humans and the Environment is a Paramount Duty and Pre-Condition to Increased Frequency of Aircraft Operations (requiring reversal of the Port’s 2018 bylaw amendment deleting the commitment to community quality of life).

Second: Transparency Is a Core Value Requiring Independent Audit of Historical Mitigation Expenditures.

Third: Trust is a Core Value Requiring Non-Interference with Independent Health and Environmental Studies.

Fourth: Tax Levy Funds Shall Be Prioritized for Airport Neighbor Community Mitigation.

Fifth: Establishing a Nighttime Curfew to Protect Human Health Shall Be a Policy Priority Supported by Port Resources.

Sixth: Fully Remediating the Failed Commitments for 3^rd Runway Usage Shall be a Policy Priority.

Seventh: Establishing Increased Glide Slopes for All Runways to Reduce Noise and Protect Human Health Shall Be a Policy Priority Supported by Port Resources.

Eighth: Establishing a Regional Airport to Preserve Statewide Economic Growth and Simultaneously Reduce the Unfair Burden on Airport Neighbor Communities Shall be a Policy Priority Supported by Port Resources.

Ninth: Citizen Complaint Processes Shall be Reformed to Provide Meaningful Engagement and Solutions.

Tenth: A Moratorium Shall be Placed on Capital Projects That Expand Aircraft Operation Capacity Until a Comprehensive Plan Developed in Collaboration with Airport Neighbor Communities to Protect Health and the Environment is Achieved.

It’s a big list. Perhaps certainly, a “lost cause” list. But as Jimmy Stewart’s Mr. Smith said, “they’re the only causes worth fighting for.”

Much later in the meeting, as part of the 2019 Budget Resolution discussion, Commissioner Peter Steinbrueck introduced:

“…a proposal that I believe has been vetted by staff and law department and Commissioners to create an airport communities fund with an initial endowment of $10 million for five years. And the purpose is to “strategically address airport growth and the environmental impacts or effects associated with that including noise, pollution and health, potentially, and the concerns that have been raise publicly from various voices in the communities.” Commissioner Steinbrueck acknowledged that use of federal aviation funds within the 65 dB boundary is restricted, and “the intent here is to address some of the unfunded abatement measures.”
The Commissioner added “it would not be difficult to identify high priority uses over five years for this amount of money.”

In response to Steinbrueck’s proposal, Edmiston responded:

“I greatly appreciate this proposal for potential action – and leadership – offered by Commissioner Steinbrueck. This is moving the needle in the right direction. I hope that this type of action reflects the beginning of a long-term commitment that will require a much more significant investment. I agree with Commissioner Felleman’s comment that ‘my really my only concern is that the needs are so much greater than the fund and that we create an unreasonable expectation about all that could be accomplished with this sort of resource. But I’m ultimately tremendously sympathetic I’m bearing a disproportional brunt of this regional asset.’”

About The Briefing Project
The Briefing Project is a social media and documentary film project that merges journalism, editorial commentary, citizen activism, and the ‘it’s happening before our eyes’ elements of a reality-show, all serving an anticipated documentary about five elected officials with a choice to make to continue, stop, or mitigate, the harms caused to humans and the environment by noise and emissions from overflight operations. He has committed to spend no more time than the Commissioners provided to the FAA and to the Port’s own staff for a briefing in 2017: forty-three minutes. The project’s twist? As a citizen, Edmiston must provide his briefing during two-minute public-comment segments, as provided by Port bylaws. He estimates it will take a year to complete.
About Steve Edmiston
Steve is a business, intellectual property, and entertainment lawyer. He is also a screenwriter and independent film producer. He has written and produced award-winning feature-length and short films (including “Crimes of the Past,” “A Relative Thing,” “Farewell to Harry,” “The Day My Parents Became Cool,” “The Periphery Project,” and “The Maury Island Incident”). He serves on the Port Townsend Film Festival Board of Directors, and has taught screenwriting and producing at Seattle University, University of Washington, and Seattle Film Institute.
Like The Briefing Project on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/thebriefingproject/

See all The Briefing Project episodes:

www.quadrant45.com/#/thebriefingproject/

Gang unit, housing, homeless services & transportation part of new county budget

Scott Schaefer — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 23:52:54 +0000

Burien will see an increased focus on reducing gang violence and creating greater access to community services as part of the $11.7 billion 2019-2020 County Budget unanimously adopted by the King County Council on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018.
“Public safety is a responsibility I take seriously. The steps taken in the budget will increase our ability to prevent and respond to crime in our South County cities through innovative and effective programing,” said Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, who represents Burien on the County Council and is chair of the council’s Budget Committee.
Burien is still mourning the murder of Gabriela Reyes Dominguez, tragically killed in an apparent gang shooting on Sept. 19. The adopted budget provides $842,280 to the King County Sheriff’s office for additional positions to staff the new gang task force. As part of this task force, the Sheriff’s office will conduct community engagement efforts to help prevent/reduce gang violence.
The budget also implements programming that helps create equitable access to our courts system.
The budget expands the nationally recognized Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program to the City of Burien to facilitate treatment and community services. LEAD allows law enforcement officers to redirect low-level offenders engaged in drug or prostitution activity to community-based services, instead of jail and prosecution. Getting people the help they need allows them to become productive members of society.
The budget also expands community court, an alternative to traditional district court that focuses on identifying and addressing the challenges facing some defendants to help reduce the possibility of them reoffending. Started in Redmond, the 2019-2020 Budget will allow community court to also expand to the City of Burien.
The adopted budget also increases the county’s commitment to increasing the affordability and accessibility of housing for working families in Burien. The budget includes $100 million invested in housing projects, including $3 million dedicated to projects close to transit in Burien.

PUBLIC SAFETY
The public safety portion of the new budget includes:

Proposed new Gang Unit funding along with a proviso requiring the Sheriff to conduct community engagement efforts to prevent and reduce gang violence.
Adds a Background Check Detective to help the Sheriff fill vacancies more quickly.
Also provides resources to comply with HB 1022, as well as requiring responses to Office of Law Enforcement Oversight reports from 2018, and requires safety gear for traffic enforcement officers.
Establishes a South King County Pretrial Services program with $1.3M in funding, including support from King County’s Mental Illness and Drug Dependency fund for behavioral health services.
Requires the Executive to provide a plan for how the Zero Youth Detention Initiative will address the school-to-prison pipeline and incorporate successful anti-gang youth programs, principles and strategies.

A budget summary can be downloaded here
(PDF file).

VIDEO: 'The Briefing Episode #12: What to Believe' against Port of Seattle released

Scott Schaefer — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 22:57:07 +0000

‘The Briefing Episode #12: What to Believe’ – area resident/activist/filmmaker Steve Edmiston’s ongoing attempt to “take on the Port of Seattle, one public comment at a time” – has been released:

“The message of the day is we have act on the clear and present harms from aircraft overflight noise now, now, NOW!” Edmiston said. “Inspiration (and quotes) for my segment definitely taken from this famous scene from Spielberg’s Lincoln. Key sequence begins around 1:25, but the whole thing is spectacular. Also, who knew the phrase at precisely 0:10 in would, ah, pop up?”

Edmiston is responding to an FAA and Port staff briefing in Spring, 2017 that he contends was both incomplete and inadequate because it failed to convey, among other things, data on the harms being caused to humans and the environment by airplanes.
The goals of this documentary film project include using Edmiston’s collected public comments as the spine of a feature documentary film.
As a private citizen, under Port bylaws, Edmiston must provide his 43-minute briefing – the same time provided to the FAA and Port staff – in two-minute public comment segments. Edmiston estimates the project will take 9 to 12 months to complete.
For more information on this compelling ‘Citizen vs Goliath’ project, visit:

Our prior coverage is available here.

VIDEO: 'The Briefing Episode #11: PROOF' against Port of Seattle released

Scott Schaefer — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 00:15:25 +0000

‘The Briefing Episode #11: PROOF’ – area resident/activist Steve Edmiston’s ongoing attempt to “take on the Port of Seattle, one public comment at a time” – has been released:

And because he referenced it in his comments, here’s the relevant “closing the beach” clip from Jaws:

Edmiston is responding to an FAA and Port staff briefing in Spring, 2017 that he contends was both incomplete and inadequate because it failed to convey, among other things, data on the harms being caused to humans and the environment by airplanes.
The goals of this documentary film project include using Edmiston’s collected public comments as the spine of a feature documentary film.
As a private citizen, under Port bylaws, Edmiston must provide his 43-minute briefing – the same time provided to the FAA and Port staff – in two-minute public comment segments. Edmiston estimates the project will take 9 to 12 months to complete.
For more information on this compelling ‘Citizen vs Goliath’ project, visit:

Our prior coverage is available here.

VIDEO: 33rd District Candidates Gregerson, Lamb face off at Forum Wed.

Scott Schaefer — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 23:57:47 +0000

From our sister site I Love Kent:

A Candidate Forum for the 33rd District was held at the Kent Chamber of Commerce’s October Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 3.
Rep. Mia Gregerson faced off against challenger Anthony Lamb in the forum, which was moderated by Carmen Goers from Heritage Bank and held at the Golden Steer Steak n’ Rib House in Kent.
Washington’s 33rd Legislative District represents areas of east Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Des Moines and parts of Kent, Tukwila, and Renton:

Here’s an edited (for time) video of the forum, from our live video stream from I Love Kent’s Facebook page:

Also, here are their candidate statements from the King County Elections website:

Mia Su-Ling Gregerson
(Prefers Democratic Party)
Elected Experience: Mia served on the SeaTac City Council and as SeaTac Mayor. She has served two terms in the State House of Representatives
Other Professional Experience: Over 20 years of experience as a mid-level care provider and a business manager in the dental field.
Education: A.A., Business, Highline College; B.A., History, University of Washington.
Community Service: She spends much of her time visiting constituents, community based groups and business partners to learn about regional and local issues.
Statement: I believe my job is focusing on the basics: championing public schools, making our economy work for families, improving transportation and ensuring Olympia is accountable with your tax dollars. That’s why I helped pass “Breakfast after the Bell” so kids aren’t hungry at school, voted for new transportation investments including finishing 509, increased civic participation by sponsoring the Voting RIghts Act, passed a bill to give families more child care options, and secured funding for the new Kent YMCA, Crime Victim Compensation Program.
Endorsed: State Labor Council, Congressmember Adam Smith, Councilmember Dave Upthegrove and more…
Contact:

(206) 795-1950

peopleformia@gmail.com

www.peopleformia.org

Anthony L. Lamb
(Prefers Republican Party)
Elected Experience: After many years of living here, I’m running for office as a first time candidate because I’m concerned about the growing problems in our district and state
Other Professional Experience: Employed Full-Time providing technical assistance in the aerospace industry. I’ve learned to work as a team and get things done. Previously, I was an independent contractor, so I understand what business owners need.
Education: Pacific Lutheran University, B.S. in Biology
Community Service: Currently, I’m the PCO for my precinct in Kent. I’m also an active member at my church, River of Life Fellowship.
Statement: Are you fed up with higher property taxes and car tab fees? I am too and will also vote against the job-killing Head Tax and state income tax.
It would be nice to add a state holiday on Good Friday. I support School Choice for parents wanting a better education for their children. This can be done at a lower cost to taxpayers. We need family friendly policies. More needs to be done about the drug addiction, homelessness, and violent crime in our communities. I’m asking for your vote, because you deserve better results.
Contact:

AnthonyLLamb2018@gmail.com

www.AnthonyLamb2018.com

Burien City Council asks for help for evicted residents of Fox Cove Apartments

Scott Schaefer — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 23:47:09 +0000

The Fox Cove Apartments are located at 149 SW 160th Street in Burien.

By Jack Mayne
Residents and supporters of residents of a dilapidated apartment building in Burien told the City Council meeting on Monday (Oct. 1) of new owners ordering residents evicted so the facility can be upgraded.
Fox Cove Apartments took up the majority of the meeting and the public comment period. Tenants of the apartments, located at 149 SW 160th Street in Burien, are upset about recent eviction notices, which gives several an Oct. 31 deadline to vacate their homes.
Residents got a letter on Sept. 14. City Manager Brian Wilson said Monday night, adding that the property ownership had changed hands to SUHRCO Residential Properties in Bellevue.
According to several reports, many residents get by on low incomes, and worry that the evictions – while legal – may push them into homelessness within weeks (read our previous coverage here).
Wilson said the Bellevue property owner wants to upgrade and rehabilitate the structure, but if it reopens it will “likely be at a higher rent rate” adding the city is “working to make contact with those property owners” and they “have told the city it wants to work with Burien” and that “those efforts are ongoing. We will work on plans to address these issues and to ensure that all legal requirements are being followed,” the city manager said.

Marx says ‘city emergency’
Councilmember Krystal Marx said she was glad the city manager made contact and was having conversations with the property owner, but “conversations don’t keep people housed.” She moved to “direct staff to declare the displacement of these citizens to be a … city emergency” and “to prepare a draft temporary ordinance that requires residential landlords to provide 90 days written notice prior to terminating a tenancy for reasons that would otherwise not be cause for an eviction .…”
She also wants the Council to review “options for expanding tenant rates in Burien” to go the city human services commission for review and make recommendation to the Council by its Nov. 5 meeting.
“I remain hopeful that, through a combination of community engagement, Staff effort, Council support and communication with the new owners, we can come to a resolution that will not leave these tenants out in the cold,” Marx said in a Facebook post.
Olguin says ’disingenuous’
Councilmember Pedro Olguin said he thought it was “disingenuous … to just fix one right when there is a slew of rights than need to be encompassed and I would rather take up a total fight that is going to make sure than everyone is protected.” He suggested relocation cost assistance “because there really isn’t anything on the books that is going to protect them.”
Marx agreed with Olguin, but said her proposal would sunset after 90 days and she wanted something to help the people in Fox Cove Apartments now and not wait for a longer term solution. She said she had seen videos of people at Fox Cove having water from an upstairs apartment “pouring down through an overhead ceiling light,” hearing about people with a stove that has not worked for over a year, and a refrigerator for over three years.
While the new owner will “rectify these issues” it still means that low income people will be displaced “and may be facing homelessness,” Marx said. “If we want to talk about addressing the root causes of children being attracted to gangs, maybe not standing idly by while they are displaced from homes is a good point to start from.” There was sporadic applause from the audience.
Still, her proposal died for lack of a second.
The people speak
As the mayor prepared to call for comments from the 35 citizens who have signed up to comment, Councilmember Nancy Tosta said that too often the Council does not get to the matters before it, while time is used to hear comments from citizens.
“We have issues we have prioritized, but we never get them on our schedule,” she said. I’d like to stick to the 20 minutes” normally allotted to public comments or have a town hall meeting to allow full comments on subjects the people want to tall the Council about.
“Our job is govern, it’s to pass policies and laws,” Tosta said. “If meetings don’t allow us time to do that, then we aren’t governing. It doesn’t do any good to hear from everybody if we don’t have time to address the issues that they are asking us to deal with.”
Councilmember Lucy Krakowiak said all 35 people should get two minutes, and Tosta agreed and moved to give two minutes each to commenters.
Several of the residents and some others speaking for them were given time at the meeting.
‘Severely incapacitated’
One woman told of being a caregiver for a severely incapacitated resident of the Fox Cove Apartments, and said the woman she worked with had suffered from “black mold everywhere” in her apartment that she;s rented for many years. The owners would “never do anything about it.” She asked for time to find another place or assistance for the woman to find a new place in which to live, “in peace.” “There is no other place to go but on the streets,” she said.
Heather Pierce of the Rental Housing Association of Washington – which represents small rental owners – said the new owners of the Fox Cove units, which needs renovation, need to give time for tenants find other places to live. She said the association wants to consider how they can partner with the city to find a solution “including pooling of resources” for the evicted residents to find new places to live.
Stephen Whitney said he and his finace have lived in the apartments for three years and co-parent two nine-year-old girls and recently adopted a 15-year-old boy with disabilities, and also have a disability abled baby in their care. The previous owner “neglected any warnings of any of these tenants here tonight” which left “us continuing …to live in unlivable conditions.” No one answers resident’s calls because “the new owner is on vacation.” More stress comes from waiting to be “booted out,” Whitney said.
“We in the community are desperately asking somebody for help and none of us deserve this.”
Many of the other community comment presenters were advocating or supporting other causes not associated with the Fox Cove Apartment situation.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help those in need – donate online here:

https://www.gofundme.com/6735880?member=852032

Here’s a video courtesy KING5:

Also, some info about tenant’s rights is available here:

https://tenantsunion.org/en/rights/low-income-housing-eviction

Public safety
City Manager Brian Wilson told the Council he has carried out a Council directive made at the Sept. 24 meeting to enhance a plan to “enhance public safety” and the “effort is underway and we gave a multiple prong approach” that includes community feedback, have increased policing and “talking about increased social services for our youth and our community.”

Join 'Mira’s Walk for AIR' on International Good Neighbor Day Friday

Scott Schaefer — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 15:54:49 +0000

This Friday, Sept. 28 – on International Good Neighbor Day – community members, youth and public officials will walk side-by-side in an open and honest dialogue from the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden to the Port of Seattle.
The purpose of the 12-mile ‘Mira’s Walk for AIR (Aviation Industry Redemption)’ from SeaTac to the Port of Seattle – organized in 12 one-mile “legs” and joinable at any one of a dozen gathering points along the way – is to educate and motivate people into taking actions to improve the situation.
They’ll examine problems and discuss solutions to the impacts of the airline industry on human and environmental health.

Mira’s Walk for AIR (Aviation Industry Redemption) will start at 2 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 28 at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden (map below), and will end at the Port of Seattle at 8 p.m.
It will include stops at Boeing, the Connections Museum, Starbucks Headquarters, and KING5 News.
There will be 12 legs to this walk, with each walk examining a different problem and a different solution around the aviation industry.
Walk one mile, 4 miles, or all 12.

This “Walk and Talk” was orchestrated by SeaTac dad of two, Kent Palosaari, his seven-year-old daughter, Mira, and a team of concerned citizens, many of whom are from communities impacted by flight paths, pollution and noise from SeaTac.
Kent is reaching out to local and state elected officials, and Port of Seattle officials to walk and talk with concerned citizens in a search for innovative and community-friendly solutions around the negative impacts that the airport has on surrounding communities. He hopes that this will be a concrete step to validate the Port’s claim that they want to be better neighbors to airport communities. What better day than International Good Neighbor Day to start that relationship? He will be bringing a lasagna to the Port, and encourages others to share baked goods with their neighbors, as is customary on this annual day. People are encouraged to join in the walk and to bring baked goods to share with fellow marchers as well as people they meet along the way. The goal is to begin to care for one another.
As the local therapist and father to a new baby boy says, “We must work on this together. I worry most about the impacts on the children. It takes a village to make a problem, and I believe it takes a village to solve it.”
Kent adds:

“When I moved to SeaTac 12 years ago, I thought the only problem would be the noise. The sound of planes gets louder than a chainsaw every day. After becoming a father, I realized there are far more serious risks the airport showers on SeaTac and other nearby communities. Experts are telling me this may include prominently shorter life spans, infertility, dramatically increased risk of heart disease, brain tumors and cancers. I know there is a problem, and I know I need to take action to find solutions. This documentary is part of what I can do, so that others are encouraged to take action as well.“

Here’s a trailer for this project:

For a full schedule, and to join the discussion anywhere enroute, visit mirasgarden.org, the documentary, for more information.
The Highline SeaTac Community Garden is located at 13735 24th Ave S.: