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New Councilmembers
Take Oath of Office 
The four newest members of the City Council began their terms on Jan. 6. Shown being sworn in by King County District Course Judge Mark Eide are Nancy Tosta Lauren Berkowitz, Debi Wagner, and Steve Armstrong, who each won positions on the Council in the November general election. More than 100 people crowded into the City Council chambers prior to the 7 pm regular Council meeting for a reception to welcome the new councilmembers. Shortly after the meeting began, the four were sworn into office. Their four-year terms run through 2017. For more information on the new Councilmembers, see City Council.
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Lucy Krakowiak Named Mayor,
Bob Edgar Deputy Mayor
 | | Lucy Krakowiak |
The Burien City Council's first official action of the year Jan. 6 was to elect Councilmember Lucy Krakowiak as Mayor and Councilmember Bob Edgar as Deputy Mayor. Both votes were unanimous.
Lucy Krakowiak was first elected to the Burien City Council in November 2003, and is currently serving her third term. She has lived in Burien since 1988 and has had a massage therapy business here since 1994.
 | | Bob Edgar |
Bob Edgar was elected to the Burien City Council
in November 2011. He has lived in the Burien area since 1979 and is employed in corporate education with Boeing.
The term of Mayor is for two years; Deputy Mayor is for one year.
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Council to Begin Paring Down List of
Applicants for City Manager Position
The City Council will meet in executive session on Jan. 23 to review the 46 applications received for the City Manager position. Strategic Government Resources (SGR), the executive search firm hired by the Council, will provide a chart listing all applicants and a summary of their qualifications. The Council will narrow the candidate list to 10-12.
These semi-finalists will be sent questions to answer in written form and questions to answer via video. SGR will also perform a preliminary background check on the semi-finalists. Council will meet again to narrow the list to four to six finalists. SGR will conduct background and reference checks, and the Council will interview the finalists. It is hoped the new City Manager can be hired and onboard before summer.
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2014 EMPTY BOWLS
Friday, January 31
Burien Community Center 
14700 6th Ave SW
Lunch: 11 am-2 pm
Dinner: 4-8 pm
$15 minimum donation, $10 for children
Empty Bowls events can be found around the country raising money to combat hunger in our communities. Moshier Art Center Potters have donated bowls to be filled with soup at this fun event...all are invited! Your donation will get you the opportunity to pick out a beautiful handmade bowl, as well as a simple but wonderful meal of soup, bread, dessert and drink; all donated by local businesses.
Proceeds go to Highline and White Center food banks. Both serve Burien residents.
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Neighborhood Group Files
Shoreline Master Program Appeal
The Lake Burien Neighborhood organization and
 | | The SMP affects Lake Burien shoreline. |
individual petitioners have filed an appeal challenging the Washington State Department of Ecology's (DOE) approval and the City's adoption of the Shoreline Master Program Update. The Growth Management Hearings Board will hold a hearing on the appeal in May 2014. Work on Burien's update began in May 2008 and numerous meetings and hearings have been held before the Planning Commission and City Council. A citizens group, the Burien Shoreline Working Group, in 2012 proposed changes to the draft shoreline master program where DOE and the City could not agree. The proposed modifications were vital in allowing DOE and the City to resolve areas of disagreement. Ultimately an amended version was approved by both the City and DOE in 2013.
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Work to Start on NERA Stormwater and Trail Project
 | | Trail will follow a section of Miller Creek. |
The City will soon break ground on a new stormwater and trail project in the Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA) north of SR 518. This project entails the construction of new regional stormwater infiltration facilities that will treat both existing runoff from streets and runoff from future development. The project also includes construction of approximately a half mile of trail along the Miller Creek corridor and provides the opportunity to educate trail users about the unique stormwater features along the way. The City was recently recognized by the Washington Environmental Council for the innovative low-impact stormwater management system. See stormwater .
The City's stormwater and trail construction project is currently advertised for construction bids and is expected to begin in February. This project is funded through grants from the Community Economic Revitalization Board, the Department of Ecology as well as funds from the Port of Seattle and the City. Construction should be complete by the end of 2014. For more see project.
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Planned Power Outage Jan. 25 Along Ambaum
Seattle City Light is conducting a 10-hour power outage on Saturday, Jan. 25, starting at 7 am, along Ambaum Boulevard Southwest from Southwest139th to 144th Street so that crews can safely work on the underground electrical system serving the area. Affected residences and businesses have been notified. For more information, see power outage.
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