As part of an ongoing effort to make Burien a great community, over 400 residents participated in a public process to identify primary routes that connect residential neighborhoods with parks, schools, and downtown. The result, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Master Plan, acknowledged our serious need for more sidewalks and bike lanes and prioritized projects to improve Burien residents’ ability to get around town safely.

Now we have the opportunity to move forward on the most critical projects. These projects will improve east-west connectivity within Burien, support local businesses by making them easier to access on bike and on foot, promote physical activity, and establish safe routes to school.

The cost of these improvements is less than seven cents a day. For less than the price of a single tank of gas per year for the next two years, you can help build a diverse transportation system—whether you drive, ride the bus, bike, or walk. Improving our bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure will improve Burien’s livability, air quality, community health, and economic vitality.

Endorsed by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Cascade Bicycle Club, Transportation Choices Coalition, Futurewise, Senator Joe McDermott, and Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Sharon Nelson.

Burien surveyed 404 people in 2008; the majority did not mention the need for more sidewalks and bike paths. Only 20% of the respondents to the 2008 Burien Community Survey suggested the improvement of walkways and paths/bike lanes. East of Ambaum (the proposed projects areas), only 13% of the respondents suggested these improvements.

The actual cost of the projects is unknown; the vehicle fees will continue until projects are paid for. Fees may not end in two years. All citizens will use these improvements and should pay for them. In most cities, homes getting new sidewalks for the first time are assessed a sidewalk fee. None of the proposed projects is critical; this is the city’s wish list at the expense of the resident vehicle owners. There is money in the current budget to cover critical sidewalk repairs.

Burien is the second highest property taxed city in King County. It did a $20 million property tax give away to the Town Square condos. It asked for a $25 million bond for a new fire station. A $35 million Community Center tax will be coming. Currently Burien has a possible $4 million shortfall. Burien needs to live within its existing revenue.

Burien’s property tax rate is 19^th out of 39 King County cities, not 2^nd. That will not change.

The projects’ cost is known – estimated between $850,000 and $1,050,000. The vehicle license fee would raise about $1,200,000 in two years, more than enough to complete both projects.

7 cents a day is worth it to give kids safe routes to school, to improve Burien’s community health, and to get cars off our roads and highways.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Tara Grumm, Gloria Gould-Wessen, Joe Fitzgibbon

The 2004 Citizen Master Plan group always planned that sidewalks and bike lanes would be funded by general tax dollars; not by new imposed vehicle taxes. These improvements only affect Burien’s eastside. Newly annexed citizens will not be required to pay vehicle fees. Pro-statement Endorsers should be Burien residents who are willing to be taxed. Burien is in serious financial problems and is just creating new taxes rather than rethinking its spending priorities.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Chestine Edgar

TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT NO. 1

BURIEN, WASHINGTON

RESOLUTION NO. 1

A RESOLUTION OF THE BURIEN TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT NO. 1 REQUESTING THE KING COUNTY DIRECTOR OF ELECTIONS TO HOLD A SPECIAL ELECTION AND PLACE A PROPOSITION ON THE BALLOT AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION AUTHORIZING IMPOSITION OF A VEHICLE LICENSE FEE TO FUND TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS DESCRIBED IN CITY OF BURIEN ORDINANCE NO. 516

            WHEREAS, Chapter 36.73 RCW provides for the establishment of transportation benefit districts and for the levying of additional revenue sources for transportation improvements within the district that are consistent with existing state, regional, and local transportation plans and necessitated by existing or reasonably foreseeable congestion levels, and

            WHEREAS, after a properly noticed public hearing, the City of Burien pursuant to City Ordinance No. 516, authorized creation of Transportation Benefit District No. 1 to provide adequate funding for transportation improvements as described therein; and

            WHEREAS, pursuant to City of Burien Resolution No. 298, the City of Burien and TBD No. 1 entered into an interlocal agreement to coordinate their efforts in order to pursue their individual, joint and mutual rights and obligations to construct such transportation improvements;

            WHEREAS, pursuant Ordinance No. 516, TBD No. 1 was empowered to do all things necessary to place on the ballot at the next general election, a proposition for approval by the voters of an annual vehicle license fee in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25) for the transportation improvement projects described therein and in the manner set forth in RCW 82.80.140 and Chapters 36.73 and 46.16 RCW; and

            WHEREAS, the Transportation Benefit District No. 1 Board (the “Board”) has found, consistent with the findings of the City of Burien City Council, that the two local mobility improvement projects identified in Exhibit “A” to City Ordinance No. 516 fit within and are consistent with transportation demand management and the regional plan and program for bicycle and pedestrian transportation, and are necessitated by existing and reasonably foreseeable congestion levels, and

            WHEREAS, the Board now desires to call for a special election to be held in conjunction with the general election on November 3, 2009 and to submit the question of whether or not the Burien Transportation Benefit District No. 1 should impose a vehicle license fee in the amount of twenty-five dollars, as a ballot question as authorized by RCW 82.80.140 and Chapters 36.73 and 46.16 RCW;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT NO. 1 DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

            Section 1. Transportation Benefit District No. 1 Board hereby requests the King County Director of Elections to find an emergency and hold a special election in conjunction with the general election on November 3, 2009 and to submit to the qualified electors of the District a proposition authorizing Transportation Benefit District No. 1 to impose a vehicle license fee in the amount of twenty-five dollars for the projects identified in Exhibit A to City of Burien Ordinance No. 516.

            Section 2. The ballot title shall read as follows:

TBD NO. 1 VEHICLE LICENSE FEE

The Burien City Council passed Ordinance No. 516 authorizing creation of Transportation Benefit District No. 1 to provide funding for two transportation improvements described in the Ordinance. Shall Transportation Benefit District No. 1 impose an annual vehicle license fee within the District in the amount of twenty-five dollars for the sole purpose of funding the costs of the bicycle and pedestrian improvements as described in Exhibit A to City of Burien Ordinance 516?

[  ] For imposition of vehicle license fee.

[  ] Against imposition of vehicle license fee.

            Section 3. A certified copy of this resolution shall be transmitted by the City Clerk to the King County Department of Records and Elections upon passage.

            ADOPTED BY THE BURIEN TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON, AT A MEETING THEREOF THIS 3^RD DAY OF AUGUST, 2009.