By Martin Barrett
Resident Tent Campers
The King County Library System and City of Burien Condominium Association appear to be in violation of its Operating Agreement 2.
Two examples are below:
11.5 Non-Residential Use.
All units are restricted to non-residential uses. Each owner shall comply with the Project Standards and shall use reasonable effort to ensure compliance by such owners’ employees, patrons, constituents and invitees.
And yet the property does have residents, varying from 10 to 15 structures, some containing multiple residents.
11.9 Harmful Discharges.
No owner shall permit emissions of dust, gases, or other substances or the production, storage or discharge of hazardous substances or wastes on or about the property or into the sewer system, to the extent the same may adversely affect the health, safety or comfort of the other owners or the extent the same is contrary to laws, regulation or covenant applicable to the property.
Are the “Owners” represented by the staff of the City of Burien and the King County Library System, only concerned about their own personal health, safety, and comfort? What about the public who paid for the building and park and thought it was for their use?
We have learned from the February 24, 2023, meeting of the King County Library System and City of Burien Condominium Association that the Board, which appears to have authority to make rules that violate the operating agreement, is made up of two County and one Burien appointee. This is a change from the past Board composition of one County and one City of Burien member. Why the change? Why did Dow Constantine need to stake a higher level of legal control over the Association? Is he responding to pressure from the people of Burien who want their Library and Park back? This may be the case. The main agenda for the meeting was as follows;
*Changes to Code of Conduct (approach to Camping)
*Current state
*Discuss authority to trespass (Chief Boe to address)
*Review current authority (day and night) to address smoking, blocking doorways, accosting patrons and staff, illegal activities, human waste, etc.
The public has been led to believe from library staff and from the observation that only the Burien branch is experiencing the assault of the tent city, and the consequent loitering in the Burien library was the policy decision of the City of Burien, not the Library. However, now that Dow Constantine and the County have complete control, there is only one place to look. Dow Constantine and the County taking control of our city is a repeating theme in Burien. Our city officials have ceded our leadership to the County!
- Appointment of officers – President and Secretary
- KCLS appointed, Angie Miraflor President, effective 02/24/23
- KCLS appointed, Donna Zirkle Treasurer, effective 02/24/23
- Robin Tischmak currently Vice President and Secretary
Angie Miraflor and Donna Zirkle, the King County Library System Board members, are based out of Issaquah. Do they come to the Burien Library with their kids or grandkids? Did they help pay for the park and the water feature that is broken and unusable?
We will share our findings with you all, our fellow Burienites. In the meantime, please press your Council Members and city staff for answers.
Attached, please find supporting documents:
The King County Library System and City of Burien Condominium Association Operating Agreement 2:
KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM AND CITY OF BURIEN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Opeerating Agreement 2
Burien Library-City of Burien Association , February 24, 2023:
KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM AND CITY OF BURIEN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Agenda_2023.2.24 (002)
