Weekly Update 10/04/2026

Some bits of business…

About the cover

I’ve gotten a bunch of questions and requests for comment re. the new tenants on 216th. Here ya go: Shield AI comes to town

Vote!

It’s that time again and I could not be more excited to mention that, after several years away, the ballot box is back! For more information on voting here ya go…

Voting!

Highline Schools Bonds

One of those votes, which does not get enough attention, is for construction bonds for local schools. It’s really complicated. But this is a good explainer.

https://www.thehighlinejournal.com/highlines-595-4-million-bond-four-questions-for-voters/

City Manager Stuff

City Manager Reports!  October 2, 2026

The highlight, for moi, are some update piccies on construction projects like 240th (which they call ‘Barnes Creek’ but you know what I’m talkin’ about.)

This Week

Monday

The Council is taking most of the month off. But there are still ‘things’ going on, including some interviews like this – on real estate development.

Tuesday

I will be attending a Port seminar on Sustainable Fuels–something a lot of people are pushing these days.

There is a Highline Good Neighbors meeting at Burien City Hall to discuss the school district bonds and other state initiatives. The meeting is open to the public and is about the direction of education in Highline Schools. If you’d like to attend they ask that you RSVP: highlinegoodneighbors@gmail.com

Last Week

Wednesday

Citizens Advisory Board

This was worth watching for the in depth and very informative discussion from the Human Services Commitee. The Council voted to approve their 15 grant recommendations. (See below.)

Thursday

This first meeting of the month was a regular meeting rather than the usual committee of the whole/study session jazz. Who knows, right?) See recap below.

City Council Meeting Recap

October 1, 2026 Agenda Packet

Highlights:

• Consent agenda, Item 3: Additional Sales Tax for Children and Family Services Enact Draft Ordinance No. 26-104, imposing an additional 0.01% sales tax. This represents a one penny tax on a $100 purchase, but overall should yield about $40,000 in targeted annual revenue for much needed programs.

• • Canopy Preservation Program Update: Staff Presentation: Tyler Beekley, Surface Water/Environmental Engineer

• New business: 2027–2028 Human Services Funding Recommendations. This is $150,000 for 2027–with the first needs analysis we’ve done in a long time to come in 2028.

The Council has tried to spin this as providing more impact to the agencies where we can do most good. But as I wrote last week, $150,000 represents less than 1/2 of one percent of our general fund–as low as it’s been since I’ve lived here. So in reality, we’re simply giving less to fewer organizations. Years ago, the Council pledged to get to two percent–which is much more like what our community has always needed. We’re also at the lowest point in terms of transparency since forever. As I said from the dais, we used to get quarterly reports. Now, we don’t even see the applications. I appreciate the efforts the Human Services Commitee puts in, truly. But until we get more funding and more transparency, no one should be cheering.

Executive Session

We discussed a couple of possible land acquisitions–neither of which will move forward. And then the not-too-secret ongoing ‘litigation’, which isn’t really litigation with our friends to the north. #327 on the list of ESs that probably should occur in public–or not at all. I know that sounds ‘vague’, but ES is, like the Shield AI thing, exactly what makes people cynical about local government. It’s often the only time the Council actually discusses–like human beings–back and forth–and for me, that’s a bit of a shame.