Burien council selects deputy mayor, approves Seahurst land donation and authorizes letter to Seattle City Light

The Burien City Council met in a special session Jan. 13 and took several procedural and legislative actions, including selecting a deputy mayor, adopting an ordinance accepting a Seahurst land donation and directing staff to seek information from Seattle City Light’s regulator.

Council appointed Councilmember Sarah Moore as deputy mayor after nominations and a local vote. Staff reported that the council’s rules (section 14) are silent on whether a plurality or majority is required; the council accepted the outcome based on the majority of those voting. Council members accepted Moore as deputy mayor at the meeting.

The council also adopted Ordinance No. 860 to accept a Seahurst land donation. The ordinance was moved and seconded and approved unanimously by the council at the meeting.

Other votes and directions taken at the Jan. 13 meeting included approval of the consent agenda and an authorization for the city manager to send a letter to the regulatory authority for Seattle City Light (the City of Seattle) seeking an investigation into recurring outages affecting Burien businesses and residents. The city manager said a draft letter will circulate to councilmembers who gave a thumbs up; staff will attach the names of those who supported sending the letter.

The council opened a public hearing on Ordinance No. 842 (interim zoning for religious institutions and temporary encampments) and heard two public commenters; that hearing was opened but no final action on the ordinance was taken at the Jan. 13 meeting. Staff said interim rules are in effect and that permanent regulations will be returned to council ahead of the six‑month interim period’s expiration.

Votes at a glance - Deputy mayor selection: Sarah Moore — selected by majority of those voting (vote recorded as majority of votes cast; specific vote names not recorded in transcript). Outcome: approved. - Ordinance No. 860 (Seahurst land donation): motion to adopt moved from the dais and seconded; outcome: unanimously approved. Ordinance number: 860. - Consent agenda: motion approved unanimously. - Authorization to send letter to Seattle City Light regulator: council gave thumbs‑up authorization; staff to circulate a draft and attach supporting councilmembers’ names. - Ordinance No. 842 (interim zoning for religious institutions / temporary encampments): public hearing opened; no final action taken at this meeting.

Councilmembers and staff said items will return in follow‑up meetings where staff will provide additional details or draft ordinances for final action.