As expected, Burien council members voted May 19 to call for the annexation by election of the southern portion of North Highline.

The vote was 6 to 1 with Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak opposing annexation.

However, city manager Mike Martin cautioned lawmakers that a complex bureaucratic process is ahead before affected North Highline voters could vote--possibly in February. Burien residents will not vote on adding the 2.7 square-mile area to the city.

Martin said the council's resolution will first go to a King County boundary review board that may reject it.

To approve an annexation vote, the board would need to change its policy regarding conflicting boundary claims, according to Martin. Burien and Seattle have both claimed the north Shorewood area as part of their potential annexation areas.

Seattle could pull back its potential area to Burien's suggested boundary line, but Martin noted, "that is not likely to happen."

Councilman Gordon Shaw said the council's vote "is not an irrevocable decision on our part."

Referring to Seattle officials, Shaw told Martin the council's action "should give you leverage to get people to fish or cut bait."

Council members further discussed a letter from King County Executive Ron Sims offering to mediate between Burien and Seattle on annexation.

Seattle officials have refused to negotiate directly with Burien after Burien officials opposed an annexation state sales tax credit for Seattle that would have been two or three times what Burien would have received.

State legislators rejected Seattle's request, leading Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels to withdraw Seattle from the annexation discussion.

However, Sims' letter brought Seattle back into the debate.

Martin said Seattle's chief concerns are the fire station at Southwest 112th Street and 12th Avenue Southwest, Burien's stand on Seattle's state sales tax credit, and its interest in also annexing north Shorewood.

Although Burien has not sent a formal written reply to Sims, Martin said he has exchanged e-mails and telephone calls with Kurt Triplett, Sims' chief of staff.

Krakowiak said the council's decision is premature.

"We are biting off more than we can handle," Krakowiak declared.

Krakowiak said she would be more comfortable annexing 10,000 residents. The proposed area would add 17,000 people.

Councilwoman Sue Blazak said the council's action is part of negotiations with Seattle and the county.

"This will move the process forward," Blazak added.

Councilwoman Sally Nelson countered claims that council members gave in to the special interests of police and fire departments as well as water and sewer districts.

Nelson said police and fire are the most vital services cities offer. Sewer and water are also important, she added.

The area targeted by Burien lawmakers would extend the city's northern border to Southwest 112th Street in north Shorewood, go south to South 116th Street avoiding Evergreen High School and Pool as well as Top Hat, head back north to South 112th Street in Beverly Park, extend to South 107th Street in Boulevard Park taking in the Rainier Golf and Country Club, and end at Tukwila's western border.

Public comments before the decision were about evenly split between those who favored annexation and those who opposed it.

The anti-annexation comments were more muted than at some previous council sessions.

Some speakers said Burien and North Highline share a common tradition and were not considered separate areas until Burien incorporated.

Nelson commended the speakers for being "measured, thoughtful and mostly unemotional."