By Jack Mayne

SeaTac citizens will be amazed at the variety of intricate maps and the plethora of information included on the city’s website and available online, the council was told at Tuesday night’s (Sept. 10) meeting.

The SeaTac City Council heard about the city’s geographic information system (GIS) from project coordinator Anna Yost. She told Council that GIS is a framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing data and is available to residents on the city website.

Councilmember Stanley Tombs that “this is absolutely incredible technology” and available to any Internet capable device, mobile or desktop.

GIS is rooted in the science of geography, and integrates many types of data. It analyzes spatial location and organizes layers of information into visualizations using maps and 3D scenes to inform about public facilities and resources in SeaTac.

The city website says “SeaTac’s interactive maps page consist of a collection of publicly available online maps designed to keep residents and visitors informed. The interactive web maps are available for use within most web browsers and, in some cases, tablets and mobile devices.”

Fire Authority
Regional Fire Authority Chief Matthew Morris and Division Chief Larry Rabel told the Council the Kent-based authority wants help from the SeaTac Council to add three members from SeaTac to its advisory planning committee. The authority seeks to better understand the service problems of the area and to let citizens know of the problems and challenges of its service.

The authority is an internationally accredited, full-service, all-risk fire and rescue department that provides services to the citizens of SeaTac, Covington, Hobart, Kent, Maple Valley, Ravensdale and portions of unincorporated south King County. Puget Sound Fire covers 108.81 square miles and protects a population of over 226,815. The authority currently employs 326, with 258 of those being uniformed personnel.

Valley Ridge Park
Council approved completion of turf replacement work at Valley Ridge Park and the addition of a fourth field. Parks Director Larry Ellis said the project was completed by contractor Coast to Coast Turf for $3.9 million, less than the original estimate of $4.5 million, and was completed in June.

Stormwater
The Council authorized an interlocal agreement between SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park and King County for annual participation in the StormFest Program for 2020 through 2024, which is designed to engage and educate sixth graders from the Highline School District on stormwater related topics and issues.

SeaTac Public Works Director Will Appleton said that participating in the program, SeaTac is able to better fulfill its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements with respect to education and outreach. Appleton said this agreement will commit the city to participating in StormFest for a period of five years for $21,000 each year.

Kudos, appointments
The Council acknowledged the 2019 lifeguards for five active saves at Angle Lake. They are Beach Manager Brandi Jewett, Assistant Beach Manager Erik Herrera, and lifeguards Jose Lopez, Natalie Means, Jared Wold, Spencer Tyson, Nicholas Ainsworth, and Robby Walker.

The Council voted to proclaim Sept. 17 as Latino Small Business Day.

The Council confirmed Mayor Sitterley’s re-appointment of Taryn Hill to the Arts, Culture & Library Advisory Committee, Wendy Morgan to the Hotel/Motel Tax Advisory Committee, and Alice Belenski and Vicki Lockwood to the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee.

City Manager Carl Cole introduced new city employees, GIS Technician Tim Lane, senior planner for transportation and special projects David Tomporowski, Parks operation maintenance workers Myron Clinton and Keith Shanko; and recreation program specialist Jessica Ramirez.