Annexation meeting with Seattle reps and North Highline FD: Three “scenarios” laid out
This morning’s annexation-issues meeting with Seattle reps visiting North Highline Fire District headquarters lasted only half an hour. Kenny Pittman from the City of Seattle said he’d come looking for “continuing discussion,” hoping it would help lead to a “direction.” A document presented at the meeting recapped the concern that had arisen prior to Burien temporarily withdrawing its annexation request, and laid out three potential annexation-related scenarios, one of which would call for a new fire station in White Center – read on:
To recap the concerns, from the document:
…the impact that a partial annexation would have on the NHFD’s ability to provide fire protection services to the residents in the remaining portions of the area, that include: Lack of fire protection facilities in the non-annexed area (NHFD Station 18 and NHFD Station 19 would be located in Burien after an annexation); financial impact of the required transfer of assets (cash, property or contracts for services) on the NHFD’s ability to provide fire protection services in the non-annexed area.
The document also laid out options based on three scenarios. Again, this is a direct transcription from the document, which we don’t have in electronic form:
1. Burien annexes its proposed annexation area that includes NHFD Station 18 and 19.
i. Contract with Seattle to provide direct fire protection services to the Boulevard Park area, including the sliver along the Duwamish River, which is north of S. 108th Street using SFD Station 26: South Park.
ii. NHFD and Seattle work to secure funding through King County Annexation Initiative Funds (the full $7.5 million) to construct a new NHFD station in White Center to provide services to the area north of SW 116th Street.
iii. NHFD enters into a transfer/lease-back agreement involving Station 18 with Seattle. Transfer of NHFD Station 18 to Seattle with NHFD leasing it for $1 year and assuming all responsibility for maintenance/insurance costs. Part of transfer price acknowledges reduced Seattle costs to provide services in Boulevard Park area.
2. Burien’s annexation proposal is revised to remove the North Shorewood area and includes the area generally south of SW 116th Street (includes only NHFD Station 19).
i. NHFD contracts with Seattle to provide direct fire protection services to the Boulevard Park area, including the sliver along the Duwamish River, which is north of S. 108th Street using SFD Station 26: South Park.
ii. NHFD continues to provide fire protection services to the White Center/North Shorewood area using NHFD Station 18.
iii. NHFD transfers Station 18 to Seattle and Seattle provides fire protection services to the White Center/North Shorewood area using Station 18.
iv. NHFD contracts with Seattle to provide fire protection services to the northern portion of the North Highline area (north of SW 116th Street/North Shorewood area and north of S. 108th Street/Boulevard Park area).
3. Burien’s annexation is NOT approved by the voters and the contract between Burien-Normandy Park and NHFD expires 2011.
i. NHFD contracts with Seattle to provide fire protection services (similar to Tacoma/Fife model). Seattle level of services provided, NHFD would continue to exist for purposes of community involvement, levying taxes and monitoring contract provisions.
ii. NHFD/Seattle enter into an “enhanced” mutual-aid type agreement where Seattle provides automatic back-up on fire response calls in the Boulevard Park area through SFD Station 26 and in the White Center area through SFD Stations 11 and 37.
Those stations are in West Seattle — station 11 is in Highland Park at 16th/Holden, station 37 is at 35th/Othello (but soon moving a few blocks south when its new building is constructed).
Other discussion points included NHFD Chief Scott LaVielle asking for the levels of response that Seattle typically provides for each type of fire call, and for some other data including how many employees the Seattle Fire Department has (answer: 1,000, all but 50 of them uniformed).
It was asked whether the current Seattle Fire Department training center on Myers Way could become a fire station — short answer, no. The Seattle reps also were asked whether they oppose the proposed Myers Way jail site near the training center — short answer on that, the Fire Department is “not involved” in those discussions.
Both sides wrapped up the amicable half-hour by saying they’d like to have more meetings, and also that Seattle reps should meet with the unions to make similar presentations.
Tags: Annexation, North Highline Fire District
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