>> GREETINGS AND GOOD MORNING.
THIS IS THE FIRST COMMITTEE
MEETING OF 2019.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY.
THIS IS THE CIVIL RIGHTS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ARTS
COMMITTEE.
I'M LISA HERBOLD, THE CHAIR OF
THE COMMITTEE REPRESENTING WEST
SEATTLE AND SOUTH PARK.
OWING TO ORDER IT IS NOW 9:30 6
AM.
TO GO OVER TODAY'S AGENDA
QUICKLY, WE WILL BEGIN WITH
PUBLIC COMMENT, HERE A NUMBER
OF APPOINTMENTS, ONE IS NEW TO
THE SEATTLE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMITTEE AND TWO REAPPOINTMENTS
BOTH TO THE SEATTLE ARTS
COMMISSION.
WE WILL HEAR A BRIEFING ON A
POTENTIAL PROPOSAL TO ADDRESS
THE NEED FOR CLOSED CAPTIONING
ACCESSIBILITY IN PUBLIC
ACCOMMODATIONS, AS WELL AS A
DISCUSSION AND BRIEFING ON A
PROPOSED DRAFT EVICTION
PREVENTION RESOLUTION LAYING
OUT A WORKPLAN FOR THE COUNCIL
FOR THE UPCOMING MONTHS TO
ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT
HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE
SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION IN
THEIR REPORT. WITH THAT, I JUST
WANT TO MAKE NOTE ALSO THAT OUR
NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON FRIDAY,
JANUARY 25 BECAUSE OF THE
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY
ON MONDAY THE 21st.
THE COUNCIL BRIEFING PLACE WILL
TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY AT OUR
REGULAR TIME.
AN IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE IS
THE MEETING ON 25 JANUARY WILL
ACUALLY BEGIN AT 10:00 A.M.
AND SET OF 9:30 A.M.
BECAUSE OF THE CLOSURE OF THE
ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT.
AND THE DIRECTION FROM THE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT THAT MEETINGS
OF THE COUNCIL DURING THAT
THREE WEEK PERIOD BEFORE THE
TUNNEL OPENS WILL BEGIN AT A
SLIGHTLY LATER TIME TO ALLOW
WORKERS IN THE CITY AS WELL AS
PARTICIPANTS IN THE MEETING
FROM THE PUBLIC TO COMMUTE AT
AN ALTERNATIVE TIME TO NORMAL
RUSH-HOUR.
WITH THAT, I WILL MOVING TO
PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE 16 PEOPLE SIGNED UP CAR
AND I WILL READ TWO NAMES INTO
THE RECORD.
BOTH MICROPHONES WORK.
FOLKS HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.
NEWELL WILL LET YOU KNOW BOTH
WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE LEFT AS
WELL AS 30 SECONDS.
AND FINALLY, WHEN YOUR TIME IS
UP.
WITH THAT, MINDY LEE FOLLOWED
BY ALEX ZIMMERMAN.
>> HELLO, MINDY LEE
REPRESENTING PUGET SOUND'S
ADVOCATES FOR RETIREMENT ACTION.
WE ARE A BIG GROUP.
ABOUT 1300 PEOPLE ACROSS THE
STATE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE START
TO DO SOMETHING NOW, AND IT IS
EXTREMELY HARD FOR SENIORS, FOR
EXAMPLE WHEN I HAD TO MOVE MY
MOM OUT OF HER HOUSE, SHE
ACTUALLY WENT INTO HER BEDROOM
AND WOULDN'T COME OUT BECAUSE
WHEN YOU DISRUPT, ESPECIALLY
SENIORS, WHEN YOU DISRUPT THEIR
LIVES LIKE THAT, IT IS A
CATASTROPHE, AND IT CAN REALLY
HARM THEIR HEALTH.
WHEN I MOVED HER INTO AN
APARTMENT, HER MEMORY WAS
GOING, HER HEALTH WAS GOING.
SHE WOULD FORGET TO PAY BILLS.
SHE WOULD GET LETTERS IN THE
MAIL THAT SAY IF YOU SIGN THIS
DOCUMENT, WE WILL SIGN YOU
$1000 AND I HAD TO SAY NO, THEY
WILL NOT DO THAT.
SO MY POINT IS IF YOU ARE GOING
TO START LOOKING AT EVICTING
PEOPLE, YOU CAN'T JUST DO IT
FOR NO REASON.
THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS YOU
GUYS ARE TALKING ABOUT.
YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE REASONS
WHY THE PEOPLE HAS NOT PAID
THEIR RENT, OR IF THERE IS A
HEALTH ISSUE.
ONCE THE EVICTION PROCESS
STARTS, THE BILLS START PILING
UP BECAUSE OF THE COURT COSTS
SO IT GETS TO THE POINT WHERE
THE PERSON CANNOT EVEN PAY
THOSE BILLS, AND THEY ARE
EVICTED.
TO TRY TO MOVE MY MOM AGAIN
WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUS.
I THINK SHOULD END UP IN A
HOSPITAL.
THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE WANT.
SEATTLE IS NOT LIKE THAT.
WE ARE A COMPASSION
ORGANIZATION AND I HOPE THIS IS
THE PLACE IT STARTED, IN
SEATTLE THAT YOU AND THE OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS UNDERSTAND WHY
WE NEED TO REFORM THIS.
THANK YOU.
>> ALEX ZIMMERMAN FOLLOWED BY
MATTHEW LAYING.
>> DEAR HEIL MY FUHRER AND ANTI-
SEMITES.
I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE
EVICTION.
IN 1996 I BRING CLASS-ACTION
HOUSING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.
I WIN THIS AFTER EIGHT YEARS.
IT COST THE COMPANY $3 MILLION.
NOT TOO MUCH.
[ LAUGHTER ] I HAVE SIX
EVICTIONS.
EACH TIME I GO TO COURT, AND
EACH TIME JUDGE MAKE ME GUILTY.
VERY UNIQUE SITUATION.
SO I AM AN EXPERT IN THIS
TERRITORY FOR THE LAST 25-30
YEARS.
WHAT DO I KNOW?
MY PROPOSITION ABOUT YOUR
RESOLUTION IS GOOD.
IT'S GOOD LIKE MASTURBATION.
YEAH, MASTURBATION IS GOOD BUT
NOT ENOUGH IS GOOD FOR FEELING
HAPPY SO MY PROPOSITION IS VERY
SIMPLE.
YOU HAVE FOR EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW
AN APARTMENT FROM 10 TO 15,000
EMPTY FOR MONTHS.
MY PROPOSITION IS VERY SIMPLE.
10 PERCENTAGE TAXES FOR ONE
MONTH FOR EVERY EMPTY APARTMENT.
GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.
EVERYBODY WINS.
BUSINESSES WIN, OWNER WINS,
PEOPLE WIN, CITY WIN.
GOVERNMENT WIN.
AMERICA WIN.
EVERYBODY WIN.
YOU STOP EVICTIONS, STABILIZE
PRICE, AND PRICE GOES DOWN.
THAT'S IT.
WE BE FINISHED WITH HOUSING
FOREVER.
SIMPLE.
10 PERCENTAGE RENT TAXES FOR
EVERY MONTH'S EMPTY APARTMENT.
WE HAVE 1000 THOUSAND EMPTY
APARTMENTS.
STANDUP, AMERICA.
CLEANSE THIS DIRTY CHAMBER FROM
THIS CROOK COUNSEL.
THANK YOU.
>> MATTHEW AND WILL BE FOLLOWED
BY PAULINE ZENO'S.
>> I'M THE LEAD ORGANIZER OF
THE TRANSIT RIDERS UNION.
I DON'T OFTEN TALK ABOUT SOME
OF THE ROUGH TIMES I HAD IN
PITTSBURGH AFTER COLLEGE BUT
THIS ISSUE STRIKES HOME.
AFTER THE HOUSING CRISIS, I
FELT IT WAS NECESSARY TO STRIKE
IT OUT ON MY OWN SO I CUT
MYSELF OFF FROM MY FAMILY AND
STAYED IN PITTSBURGH.
I JUMPED IN WITH TWO FEET.
I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANY LIFE
SKILLS, AND I WAS EVICTED THREE
TIMES.
SOMETIMES, I FOUND A COUCH.
SOMETIMES, I SLEPT IN MY CAR.
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I WAS
SLEEPING IN THE ATTIC OF A
RESTAURANT I WAS WORKING IN,
AND ONE TIME I WAS SLEEPING IN
THE STOREROOM OF THE GROCERY
STORE I WAS WORKING OUT BUT
SOMETIMES I STILL FOUND MYSELF
UNSHELTERED.
I HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK AT
UNSHELTERED ENCAMPMENTS IN
SEATTLE AND I'VE SEEN WHAT
HAPPENS WHEN THE POST GOES UP
FOR ENCAMPMENT EVICTIONS.
IT'S THE SAME LOOK I SAW IN
MYSELF WHEN I RECEIVED AN
EVICTION NOTICE.
IT'S DEEPLY TRAUMATIC, DEEPLY
GRIEF INDUCING, AND SOMETHING
THAT PARALYZES YOU.
WHEN 37.5% OF ALL THOSE EVICTED
ARE MOVING STRAIGHT INTO BEING
UNSHELTERED, WE ARE ALLOWING
FOR A DEEP TRAUMA TO BE ENACTED
ON PEOPLE.
WE ARE OPENING PEOPLE UP TO A
CONTINUED CYCLE OF TRAUMA
THROUGH ENCAMPMENT EVICTIONS,
AND BEING OUTSIDE.
WE TALK ABOUT ATTACKING ROOT
CAUSES OF OPPRESSION.
HERE IS ONE MAJOR CAUSE.
I AM GLAD YOU ARE ADDRESSING
IT.
PLEASE, PASS COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD'S ITEM SO WE CAN TAKE
THE NECESSARY STEPS TO END
UNNECESSARY EVICTIONS AND THE
HOMELESS PIPELINE.
THANK YOU.
>> POLY FOLLOWED BY CAROLYN
LOHAN.
>> I AM FROM THE TRANSIT RIDERS
UNION.
MY STORY IS THAT FOR A LONG
TIME, ABOUT 16 YEARS, I WAS
RENTING FROM A PRETTY NICE
PLACE IN LAKE CITY.
THEN I LOST PART OF MY INCOME,
AND I WAS LOOKING FOR A NEW
PLACE TO LIVE AFTER THE
PROPERTY CHANGED OWNERSHIP AND
MY RENT WENT UP FOUR TIMES IN
14 MONTHS BECAUSE IT BECAME
DIFFICULT TO KEEP IT.
I WAS ABLE TO RENT A ROOM SO
THAT HELPED.
BUT THEY EVENTUALLY DECIDED TO
SPLIT AND I HAD TO FIND A NEW
PLACE.
THAT IS HOW I WOUND UP IN
SLUMLORD HOUSING, WHICH GOT
CLOSED DOWN BY THE SEATTLE
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
I AM STILL KIND OF IN THAT
SITUATION.
FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NEVER
ACTUALLY BEEN HOMELESS BUT
THREE FEET OR SO FROM IT.
SO IT DOES KIND OF TOUCH MY
HEART AND CURRENTLY, ONE OF MY
HOUSEMATES IS HAVING A PROBLEM.
I THINK HE HAS SOME HEALTH
ISSUES SO HE IS BEHIND ON HIS
RENT.
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONSOLE
HIM AND KILL HIM PROBABLY OUR
LANDLORD OR MANAGER WILL
PROBABLY GIVE YOU A BREAK AS
LONG AS YOU START COMING UP
WITH SOME MONEY.
IT'S NOT HARD AT ALL TO BECOME
HOMELESS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL PASS.
>> FOLLOWING CAROLYN MALONE IS
HEIDI PARK.
>> I AM CAROLYN MALONE.
AFTER 4 1/2 YEARS, I HAVE
APPLIED FOR A SENIOR GENERATION
APARTMENT IN THE BELLTOWN
SENIOR CENTER WITH REFERRAL,
SUPPORT ASSISTANCE FROM A
SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR.
I APPLIED ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2018.
SUBMITTED ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, AND WAS LED TO
BELIEVE I COULD MOVE IN WITHIN
A WEEK, BUT AFTER 2 1/2 MONTHS,
OF INEXPLICABLE DELAYS, MY
APPLICATION WAS DENIED.
YET ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OBTAINED
A UNIT WITHIN TWO DAYS AT THIS
SENIOR CENTER.
THIS CONTINUED DENIAL OF
HOUSING IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO
THE FRAUDULENT CANCELLATION OF
MY DRIVERS LICENSE AND PHOTO
I.D.
TO THE DESTRUCTION, IMPOUNDMENT
AND CONFISCATION OF MY VW
BEETLE, TO THE BLOCKING OF
SEATTLE TIMES READERS FROM
ASSISTING ME WITH HOUSING.
TO INTERFERENCE IN MY FAMILY
CONTACT.
CONSTANT THREATENING PHONE
CALLS AND WIRETAPPING.
TO THE FREEZING AND BLOCKING OF
MY FACEBOOK ACCOUNT TO THE COST
AND THREATS AND BULLYING FROM
OTHER HOMELESS PERSONS, I HAVE
BEEN ATTACKED PHYSICALLY FIVE
TIMES IN SHELTERS.
PRESENTLY, INJECTING TOXIC
IRRITANTS INTO MY EXTENDED STAY
AMERICA HOTEL ROOM CAUSING
BURNING IN MY EYES, NOSTRILS,
AND THROAT, TO THE NONSTOP
SURVEILLANCE AND INTIMIDATION
DAILY BY CORRUPT, WHITE MALE
SEATTLE COPS INSTIGATED,
ORCHESTRATED, AND EXECUTED BY
BENDER, HASKIN AND ANGSTROM,
WHO ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
MY 4 1/2 YEARS OF INVOLUNTARY
ENDLESS HOMELESSNESS MUST BE
ENDED WITH YOUR HELP
INVESTIGATING THESE COPS AND
OTHERS WHO ARE NOTHING LESS
THAN DOMESTIC TERRORISTS WHO
WOULD RATHER BREAK THE LAW THAN
IT PULLED THE LAW.
I AM OUTSPOKEN AND THEY HATE ME.
THIS IS THE SEATTLE ARTICLE.
MAY 27, 2018 OF MY HOMELESSNESS.
FRONT PAGE, AND YET COPS
CONTINUE TO DENY ME HOUSING.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL
MEMBERS HERBOLD AND O'BRIEN.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO
SPEAK ON EVICTION REFORM.
I AM FROM THE YWCA.
OUR MISSION IS TO ELIMINATE
RACISM AND EMPOWER WOMEN.
WE ADVOCATE ON PUBLIC POLICY AND
BUDGET MATTERS THAT MOVE US
CLOSER TO BECOMING A JUST AND
THRIVING COMMUNITY.
WE WORK CLOSELY WITH WASHINGTON
CAN AND WE SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD'S
RESOLUTION ON EVICTION REFORM.
HERE IS.
MANY OF THE CLIENTS WE SERVE
ARE AMONGST SEATTLE'S MOST
FORMIDABLE.
INCLUDING WOMEN LIKE THE ONE
THAT YOU JUST HEARD EARLIER
AROUND BEING HOMELESS AND
BECAUSE OF EVICTIONS.
WE WORK A LOT WITH AFRICAN-
AMERICAN OR BLACK WOMEN.
THEY ARE AT THE INTERSECTION OF
EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,
OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, OR
SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES, AND WE
JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW
UNPAID RENT IS THE LEADING
CAUSE OF INFECTION EVICTION.
PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE MORE LIKELY
TO BE EVICTED AND EVICTION
OFTEN LEADS TO HOMELESSNESS.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT YOU
MENTIONED FROM THE SEATTLE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION AND THE
CHARGING HOUSING PROJECT, OVER
HALF THE TENANTS WERE PEOPLE OF
COLOR COMPARED TO 30% OF
SEATTLE'S POPULATION WHICH IS
VERY COMPARABLE TO THE
STATISTICS THAT WE HAVE AT YWCA
FOR THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE.
YWCA SUPPORTS REDUCING
EVICTIONS AND HOMELESSNESS, AND
REFORMING THE EVICTION PROCESS
TO GIVE A TENANT ADDITIONAL
TIME TO PAY RENT, AND ALLOW
COURTS TO USE DISCRETION WHEN A
TENANT FALLS BEHIND RENT.
>> JUAN TING FOLLOWED BY ANSEY
MEYER.
>> I AM JUAN TING.
I PROVIDE LEGAL RESULTS ADVICE
FOR PEOPLE FACING EVICTION ON A
DAILY BASIS.
DURING MY DAILY PRACTICE I AM
SHOCKED BY HOW UNFAIR THE LAW
IS TO TENANTS.
I AM SHOCKED TENANTS ARE
EVICTED FOR FAILURE TO PAY
EXTREMELY SMALL AMOUNTS.
I AM SHOCKED HOW FAST THE
ENTIRE PROCESS CAN BE RESOLVED.
I AM ALSO SHOCKED HOW EVICTIONS
ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY
IMPACTING HOUSEHOLDS OF COLOR
AND GENDER.
I BROUGHT SOME COPIES OF A
THREE-DAY NOTICE AND A
COMPLAINT RECENTLY RECEIVED BY
A TENANT WHO LIVES IN BALLARD.
THE TENANT IS EVICTED FOR
FAILURE TO PAY AS LOW AS TWO
DOLLARS IN RENT.
I AM USING THIS AS AN EXAMPLE
TO SHOW THE COMMITTEE HOW
UNFRIENDLY THE CURRENT LAW IS
TO TENANTS.
THEREFORE, I SUPPORT THE
RESOLUTION, WHICH WILL PROVIDE
A MORE TENANT FRIENDLY LAW.
THANK YOU.
>> ANSEY MEYER FOLLOWED BY
MICHELLE DYLAN.
>> I WORK IN THE ADVOCACY
DEPARTMENT FOR REAL CHANGE.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT YOUR
EVICTION REFORM.
IF WE AS A CITY STRIVE TO BE
PROGRESSIVE AND EQUITABLE, WE
NEED TO LOOK CRITICALLY ABOUT
THE SYSTEMS WE HAVE IN PLACE
THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE
DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF
HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED
GROUPS.
WE KNOW PEOPLE OF COLOR IN
SEATTLE ARE BEING EVICTED AT
DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH RATES,
AND WE KNOW WOMEN ARE
STATISTICALLY MORE LIKELY TO BE
EVICTED OVER SMALLER AMOUNTS OF
MONEY OWED.
WE KNOW EVICTION FROM HOUSING
IS CAUSING HARM IN VULNERABLE
COMMUNITIES.
A SURVEY CITED THE HUMAN COST
OF EVICTION IN SEATTLE.
87.5% OF EVICTED RESPONDENTS
REPORTED THEY BECAME HOMELESS
AFTER BEING EVICTED.
AS A CITY, WE CAN HARDLY
PROVIDE THE CARE AND SERVICES
NECESSARY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS WHO
ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS, SO IF WE KNOW
EVICTION OFTEN LEADS TO
HOMELESSNESS, WE NEED TO DO
WHAT WE CAN NOW TO PREVENT MORE
PEOPLE FROM SUFFERING.
REAL CHANGE SUPPORTS THIS
RESOLUTION AND LOOK FORWARD TO
FIGHTING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO
PASS COMPRHENSIVE EVICTION
REFORM HERE IN SEATTLE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> MICHELLE DYLAN FOLLOWED BY
DINO ROSSI OH.
>> MY NAME IS MICHELLE.
I'VE BEEN A RENTER IN SEATTLE
FOR SEVEN YEARS.
IN JANUARY 17, THE PERSON WITH
WHOM I WAS LIVING LEFT.
REFUSED TO CONTINUE TO PAY RENT
ON THE LEASE WHICH THEY WERE
SIGNED.
AT THE TIME I WAS WORKING FOUR
JOBS, STRUGGLING TO STAY
AFLOAT.
I ABSOLUTELY COULD NOT AFFORD
BOTH SHARES OF THE RENT, SO
WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?
I KNEW VAGUELY OF OPTIONS.
TENANTS UNIONS, SMALL CLAIMS
COURT, BUT THAT I HAVE THE TIME
FOR THAT?
THAT I HAVE THE MONEY FOR THAT?
THE POSSIBILITY OF EVICTION
LOOMED IF I COULD NOT FIND AN
EXTRA $1000 FOR THE NEXT MONTH
OR THE MONTH AFTER THAT, OR THE
MONTH AFTER THAT.
I WAS LUCKY.
I WAS PRIVILEGED.
I HAD A NETWORK OF FRIENDS WHO
NEEDED SHORT-TERM PLACES TO
CRASH, WHO COULD HELP WITH THE
RENT AS THEY APARTMENT HUNTED
THEMSELVES.
THE CRUEL LESSON IF I HAD HAD A
LESS UNDERSTANDING LANDLORD,
THAT TOO COULD HAVE BEEN
GROUNDS FOR EVICTION.
HIGH POINT IS LIFE HAPPENS.
PEOPLE LOSE JOBS.
PEOPLE HAVE MEDICAL
EMERGENCIES.
PEOPLE NEED HELP.
ESPECIALLY IN VULNERABLE GROUPS
IN A CITY LIKE SEATTLE.
WE NEED STRONGER PROTECTIONS.
AS I SAID, I AM PRIVILEGED.
EVICTIONS BEING A SANCTION THAT
DISPROPORTIONALLY HIT THE MOST
IMPOVERISHED AND MARGINALIZED
GROUPS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED
NOW.
HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS KEEP THEIR
HOUSING.
PROTECT RENTERS AND THEIR
FUTURES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION AND YOUR HELP.
STOP THE EVICTION CRISIS.
PLEASE PASS COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD'S RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU.
DINA ROSIO FOLLOWED BY AMY
KANGAS.
>> I'M HERE FROM THE TENANTS
UNION.
EVERYDAY, WE SPEAK WITH FOLKS
WHO ARE DEALING WITH EVICTIONS,
DEALING WITH CREDIT
COLLECTIONS, DEALING WITH THE
UNFAIR LEGAL SYSTEM THAT WE
HAVE CREATED IN THE CITY, AND
IN THIS STATES AROUND RENTAL
HOUSING.
AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT
THE RESOLUTION TODAY, AND LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING ON SOLVING
THIS HUGE INJUSTICE.
ADDITIONALLY, SINCE I AM HERE,
I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A
CORRECTION TO ERIK GRAY'S
RCUMCIN THE PACKET AS THE
BOARD PRESIDENT OF EMMA GOLDMAN
FINISHING SCHOOL.
I CAN ASSURE YOU HE IS NO
LONGER AFFILIATED WITH OUR
ORGANIZATION.
>> THANK YOU.
AMY KANGAS FOLLOWED BY JENNA
OWENS.
>> I AM AMY KANGAS.
I AM A WORKER AT THE SOCIAL
JUSTICE PROJECT.
I CURRENTLY WORK AS A PROPERTY
MANAGER IN SEATTLE.
I'M HERE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT
FOR THIS RESOLUTION, AS I
BELIEVE WE NEED BETTER
PROTECTIONS FOR TENANTS IN
SEATTLE.
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO
ADDRESS THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS
IN SEATTLE.
AS A SOCIAL WORKER WORKING WITH
PEOPLE FACING HOMELESSNESS AND
EVICTION, I SEE THE DETRIMENTAL
IMPACTS AND HUMAN COST OF THESE
DRAMATIC EXPERIENCES.
THIS RESOLUTION IS ONE WAY TO
ADDRESS THIS.
STRONGER TENANT PROTECTIONS
MEANS LESS TENANTS WILL BE
EVICTED, WHICH MEANS FEWER
PEOPLE HOUSING LOSING HOUSING
AND BECOMING HOMELESS.
>> FOLLOWING GINA OWENS, IS
JASON MORRIS.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY AND
GOOD MORNING TO LISA HERBOLD,
AND MICHAEL O'BRIEN.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
THE RESOLUTION THAT IS BEING
PROPOSED I REALLY APPRECIATE IT
BEING DONE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS
REALLY TRUE IS THAT I HAVE GONE
THROUGH HOMELESSNESS MYSELF.
IT WAS IN 2001, AND I WAS IN A
CAR ACCIDENT SO I WAS BEING
DISABLED AND NO LONGER ABLE TO
WORK.
IN THE TIME I WAS WAITING FOR
MY SOCIAL SECURITY TO KICK IN,
I WAS EVICTED.
THE EVICTION PROCESS AT THAT
TIME TOOK ALL OF THREE WEEKS.
LESS THAN A MONTH.
AND THEN I WAS THROWN INTO A
HOMELESS CYCLE IN SEATTLE FOR 2
1/2 YEARS.
I SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN
SHELTERS, AND TRANSITIONAL
PROGRAMS WAITING TO REGAIN MY
HOUSING.
FOR ME, IT COMES DOWN TO
CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PEOPLE LIVE
THROUGH.
VERY EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES
THAT ARE BEYOND THEIR CONTROL.
FOR THAT, THE PROCESS IS VERY
HARSH, AND VERY FAST.
AND THEN THEY ARE IN THIS CYCLE
OF HOMELESSNESS FOR YEARS.
SO THAT'S A FLAW THAT NEEDS TO
REALLY BE CONSIDERED, AND I AM
GLAD THAT THE RESOLUTION IS
COMING FORWARD FROM LISA
HERBOLD.
I AM HOPING THAT THE REST OF
THE CITY COUNCIL STEPS UP LIKE
MICHAEL O'BRIEN AND SUPPORTS
LISA IN HER PROPOSAL.
SO I JUST HOPE THAT THE
PROPOSAL IS GOING TO BE STRONG
ENOUGH THAT THE LAWS WILL BEGIN
TO WORK MORE HUMANELY FOR
RESIDENTS, AND LESS FOR THE
POCKETS OF THE LANDLORDS AND
DEVELOPERS.
THANK YOU.
>> FOLLOWING JASON MORRIS IS
SOCHI MacOVICK.
JOINTLY DEVELOPED PROPOSAL WITH
COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN, WHO I
WOULD LIKE TO THANK FOR JOINING
ME TODAY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GINA.
>> MY NAME IS JASON MORRIS.
I AM A FIRST-PERSON ADVOCATE
FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
I HAVE DEVELOP MENTAL
DISABILITIES MYSELF.
IN LANGUAGE, READING, AND
WRITING.
AND ALSO ATTENTION DEFICIT, AND
ALSO DYSGRAPHIA, SO CLOSED
CAPTIONS IS A GREAT TOOL FOR ME
BECAUSE I GET TO SEE THE WORDS,
HEAR THE WORDS, AND GET TO
LEARN THE LANGUAGE A LOT FASTER.
AND A LOT BETTER, AND RETAIN
THE INFORMATION A LOT BETTER.
I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS
LEADERSHIP AND I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS, AND
MOVING FORWARD, AND IF YOU ALL
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME, I AM
ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> FOLLOWING SOCHI MacOVICK IS
TONYA YASEW.
>> MY NAME IS SOCHI MacOVICK.
I AM WITH WASHINGTON CAN AND
THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
WE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE
RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT IS
ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO REFORM
THE EVICTION PROCESS IF WE WANT
TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESSNESS
CRISIS.
SEATTLE LIKES TO THINK OF
ITSELF AS BEING VERY
PROGRESSIVE, AND
GROUNDBREAKING, BUT WHENEVER WE
HAVE STATES LIKE SOUTH CAROLINA
THAT HAVE BETTER OPTIONS FOR
TENANTS, AND I CAN SAY THAT AS
SOMEONE FROM THE SOUTH, WHEN A
STATE LIKE SOUTH CAROLINAHAS
BETTER OPTIONS FOR TENANTS, I
THINK WE NEED TO DO SOME
SERIOUS REEVALUATION OF OUR
SYSTEM.
AND SO, I URGE THE COUNCIL TO
PASS THIS RESOLUTION QUICKLY
BECAUSE WE NEED TO TAKE URGENT
ACTION, AND ALSO I JUST WANTED
TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GINA.
>> TONYA WILL BE OUR LAST
SPEAKER.
>> TONYA YASEW SEATTLE WOMEN'S
COMMISSIONER.
I WANT TO JUST SAY THANK YOU.
GREETINGS AND GOOD DAY ONE AND
ALL.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THE
EVICTION CRISIS.
EVICTION AND HOMELESSNESS.
I DON'T THINK ANY OF US --
WELL, I DIDN'T REALIZE THE
CORRELATION OF EVICTIONS TO
HOMELESSNESS, YOU KNOW, THE
SEVERITY OF IT.
SO NOW, THANKS TO THE REPORT ON
HOMELESSNESS, HOMELESSNESS HAS
A FACE, AND IT'S BEGINNING TO
BECOME HUMANIZED.
EVEN ON MY WAY TO CITY HALL
THIS MORNING, PASSING BY PEOPLE
THAT WERE STILL ASLEEP ON THE
SIDEWALKS, I REALLY FELT AS
THOUGH HOPE IS ON THE HORIZON.
SO I DO HOPE THIS RESOLUTION
PASSES, AND IT JUST REALLY
TOUCHED MY HEART, AND HAD ME
VERY EMOTIONAL JUST READING IT.
IT'S JUST REALLY AWESOME.
I JUST THANK YOU.
FULL SUPPORT.
ANYTHING YOU NEED FROM ME, YOU
KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THANK YOU, EVERYBODY FOR
COMING OUT TO TESTIFY.
AGAIN, THIS RESOLUTION IS ABOUT
SETTING UP A WORKPLAN MOVING
FORWARD.
WE WILL GET INTO THAT MORE IN A
LITTLE BIT.
LET'S MOVE RIGHT INTO ITEM 1.
>> AGENDA ITEM 1 APPOINTMENT
1232 APPOINTMENT OF ERIK GRAY
AS MEMBER OF SEATTLE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION TO TURN
JANUARY 22, 2020.
>> THANK YOU, NEWELL.
FOLKS CAN JOIN US AT THE TABLE
, PLEASE.
GREETINGS.
FANTASTIC.
THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US
THIS MORNING.
IF YOU COULD START WITH SOME
INTRODUCTIONS AND THEN WE WILL
TALK ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION, AND
ERIK HIS NOMINATION.
>> HI, MY NAME IS ERIK GRAY.
I'M A LOCAL COMMUNITY AND
ACTIVIST.
I AM A PHILIPINX.
MY FATHER WAS A UNITED STATES
ARMY CHIEF.
DEDICATED TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
I HAVE SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT
OF OLYMPIC COLLEGE, AND
ATTENDED THE OLYMPIC COLLEGE,
EVERGREEN COLLEGE, AND SERVED
A KITSAP COUNTY AS APPOINTEE
TO CHARLOTTE GARINO.
I SAID ON THE METROPOLITAN
ELECTIONS COMMITTEE.
EXCUSE ME.
I AM A LITTLE NERVOUS.
I SERVED ON THE BORDER SURVIVORS
ESCAPE FROM THE SEX TRADE.
THAT'S WHERE I WORK.
A NATIONAL NETWORK POLICY TEAM,
WE ARE A GROUP OF HUMAN
TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS OVER 30
DIFFERENT STATES, OVER 20
DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
THE LARGEST POLICY TEAM OF
HUMAN TRAFFIC SURVIVORS IN THE
COUNTRY.
I HAD 10% STABILITY RATES FOR
YOUTH, IN THE CITY.
AT THE TIME OF MY EXIT, 47%
HAVE STABILIZED AT ABOUT 47%
AVERAGE CHANGING THE LIVES OF
THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS YOUTH
ACROSS THE CITY.
I AM ALSO THE OWNER AND LEAD
TRAINER OF QUEERS UNITED AND
TRAINED HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
NATIONWIDE HAVING TRAINED
HUNDREDS OF PHYSICIANS,
DOCTORS, LAWYERS, DISTRICT
ATTORNEYS IN ENDING HUMAN
TRAFFICKING AND RESPONDING TO
HUMAN TRAFFICKING CALLS
NATIONWIDE.
>> I AM ERIKA PABLO WITH THE
SEATTLE OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
STANDING IN PLACE OF MY
COLLEAGUE TO PRESENT ERIK GRAY
FOR APPOINTMENT TODAY.
JUST TO ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE
TO HIS RESUME, ERIK ATTENDED
THE OLYMPIC COLLEGE WHERE THEY
WERE PROBABLY ELECTED THE
ASSOCIATE PRESIDENT, AT
EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE WHERE
THEY CONTINUED THEIR STUDIES.
THEY HOPE TO OBTAIN A
JURISDICTION FROM DOCTORATE IN
JURISDICTION. WE WANT TO THANK
YOU COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD FOR
SUPPORTING AND SPEAKING AT
HUMAN RIGHTS STATUS LAST
DECEMBER.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE SEATTLE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION'S ROLE
IS TO ADVISE CITY COUNCIL, THE
MAYOR, AND CITY DEPARTMENTS ON
ISSUES RELATED TO HUMAN RIGHTS.
THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON
THE WORKPLAN AND THEY ARE
REALLY EXCITED TO PRESENT THAT
TO YOU IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS,
HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE
FIRST QUARTER.
>> WE WILL HAVE YOU BACK FOR
SURE.
>> I AM MOST EXCITED TO SERVE
AND CONNECT COMMUNITIES HAVING
BEEN HIV-POSITIVE, HOMELESS,
AND A DOMESTIC SEX TRAFFICKING
SURVIVOR MYSELF FROM THE AGES
OF 14 TO 16.
I HAVE A LOT TO OFFER THE CITY,
AND HAVE A LONG TRACK RECORD OF
SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS IN WHICH
I'VE ALREADY CREATED FOR THIS
CITY.
TO CONTINUE TO OFFER, AND IN
ADDITION I LOOK FORWARD TO
CONNECTING INTERCONNECTIVITY OF
GOVERNMENT FROM CITY OF SEATTLE
DOWN TO THE PEOPLE WE SERVE
EVERY DAY AT THE DROP-IN
CENTER, TO THE HUMAN
TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS WHO COME
TO MY WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUP
ALWAYS UP TO D.C.
>> THANK YOU.
I'M GUESSING SINCE YOU'VE GOT A
BADGE THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY
BEEN ATTENDING MEETINGS AS A
COMMISSIONER EVEN THOUGH YOU
ARE NOT YET APPOINTED.
WE LOVE TO SEE WHEN FOLKS WERE
PLANNING TO BE APPOINTED OR DIP
THEIR TOES AND CAN'T FIND OUT
WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, AT
THE TIME OF MY SUBMISSION FOR
THIS COMMISSION, MY BOARD MEMBER
PRESIDENT STRIP WAS ACTUALLY
ACCURATE, AND AS YOU KNOW
THINGS TAKE A LONG TIME AND
GOVERNMENT TO TURN OVER SO
SINCE THAT TIME THAT IS NO
LONGER THE CASE.
SO I WILL JUST LET SURVIVORS
SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES REGARDING
THEIR OWN PAST, BUT I HAVE BEEN
ATTENDING FOR OVER SIX MONTHS.
AND I HAVE BROUGHT MOTHERS,
CHILDREN, OTHER HUMAN
TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS, AGENCIES
TO PRESENT, SO A BETTER FORMED
SEATTLE DECISION-MAKING
REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
I REALLY BELIEVE THIS IS AN
INTERSECTIONAL ISSUE.
IF WE CAN RAISE THAT FOR PEOPLE
WHO ARE MOST MARGINALIZED FROM
OUR COMMUNITIES, I BELIEVE WE
CAN LIFT US ALL UP.
>> OKAY.
YOU HAVE BEEN ATTENDING FOR SIX
MONTHS.
WAS THE LAG IN THE BUDGET
PROCESS?
>> I DON'T KNOW AS MUCH
BACKGROUND PROCESS.
I KNOW IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION WAS INTERESTED IN
ERIK, THE LGBT Q COMMISSION
INTERVIEWED HIM BUT THE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION GOT THEM.
I ALSO THINK, I'M NOT SURE,
WHICH APPOINTMENTS THOUGHT IT
MIGHT HAVE BEEN FOR THE OTHER
THEY WERE CONSIDERING. .
THEN THERE WAS THIS OPEN SEAT
FOR THE COMMISSION SEAT.
>> ARE YOU STILL SERVING ON THE
KITSAP HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL?
>> I AM NOT.
THAT IS A TENURE THAT HAS LONG
SINCE EXPIRED BUT SOMETHING I
LOOK TO AS A FOUNDATIONAL POINT
OF SUPPORT.
>> JUST TO ADDRESS THE COMMENTS
DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, I SEE
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS TO
INCLUDE BOTH CURRENT AND PRIOR,
SO I DON'T SEE ANYTHING
INACCURATE ABOUT THIS CV.
INCLUDING THE FACT THAT ONE OF
THE OTHER BULLETS INCLUDES
ANOTHER PAST AFFILIATION.
SO THERE IS CONSISTENCY THERE.
DO YOU WANT TO JUST TOUCH A
LITTLE BIT ON -- YOU TALKED
ABOUT YOUR INTERESTS AND SOME
OF THE THINGS THAT YOU LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING ON AS A
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER.
IS THERE A PARTICULAR ISSUE THE
COMMISSION HAS BEEN WORKING ON
THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO
MOVING FORWARD IN 2019?
>> I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE
INTERSECTIONAL WORK BETWEEN
HOMELESSNESS, GENDER, AND HUMAN
RIGHTS.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WORK ON WITH
ANOTHER SYSTEM IS IMPLEMENTING
A HUMAN TRAFFICKING SILENT
ALERT FOR OUR HOSPITALS.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN
HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NOT ONLY
CULTIVATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
DATA, BUT PROVIDING AN INCREASE
IN ACCESS TO BASIC NEEDS, AND
BASIC EMERGENCY RESPONSES.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, ALSO
CREATING A GENDER SANCTUARY
THROUGH HEALTHCARE ACCESS.
>> WHAT IS A SILENT ALERT FOR
HOSPITALS?
>> IT WOULD BE, THE WAY IT
WORKS FOR THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM I
WORK FOR, SAY I AM A HUMAN
TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR, I COME
INTO THE HOSPITAL, AND I HAVE
SOMEONE PERHAPS WITH ME, WHICH
IS OFTEN TIMES THE CASE, IF
SOMEONE SUSPECTS THIS IS
SOMEONE WHO IS A SURVIVOR OR
CURRENT VICTIM OF HUMAN
TRAFFICKING, THE SILENT ALARM
GETS HIT, AND THERE IS NO
VISIBLE ALERT.
SO WHAT HAPPENS IS THE DIRECTOR
OF NURSING IS CALLED.
SHE ASSEMBLES AN ACUTE CARE
TEAM THAT COMES IN AND SLOWLY
TAKES OVER THE CARE.
A VERY, INFORMED WAY WITH THE
BEST CARE POSSIBLE FOR THAT
PERSON IN THAT MOMENT.
THEY ISOLATE THE PERSON FROM
THE ABUSER, AND IS UNABLE TO
PROPOSE AN INTERVENTION OR
ALTERNATIVE FORM OF CARE AT THE
VERY LEAST ESTABLISHING AN EXIT
PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE
CURRENTLY HAVE IN OUR
HOSPITALS.
>> IT IS IN A PROCESS OR
SRUCTURE IN A HOSPITAL I
THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY BUT NOT
ALL HOSPITALS?
>> NOT IN ALL HOSPITALS AND
THIS IS PARTICULAR TO A SPECIFIC
HOSPITAL SYSTEM WHICH I DON'T
HAVE THE PERMISSION TO NAME
RIGHT NOW.
>> KUDOS TO THAT SYSTEM FOR
IMPLEMENTING THAT APPROACH.
I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE
ABOUT IT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE
QUESTIONS.
>> YOU HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK
AND I AM REALLY GRATEFUL FOR
YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE ON
THE SEATTLE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT
AND YOUR BACKGROUND WILL BRING
AMAZING PERSPECTIVE.
I'M SURE IT ALREADY HAS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE
FROM YOU ON THE COMMISSION.
THANK YOU.
>> WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO
MOVE APPOINTMENT 01232 ALL
THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE YAY.
NOT OPPOSED, AND THEN I'M
STANDING.
THIS APPOINTMENT WILL MOVE TO
FULL COUNSEL ON MONDAY.
THANKS AGAIN AND
CONGRATULATIONS.
SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG.
NOW, WE HAVE ITEMS 2 AND 3
TOGETHER.
>> AGENDA ITEM 2, APPOINTMENT
01230 REAPPOINTMENT OF PRIYA
FRANK AS MEMBER, CELEK
COMMISSION, FOR A TERM TO
DECEMBER 31, 2020.
AGENDA ITEM 3 IS APPOINTMENT
01231.
REAPPOINTMENT OF QUINTON MORRIS
AS A MEMBER, SATELLITES
COMMISSION, FOR A TERM TO
DECEMBER 31, 2020.
>> GREETINGS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
DO SOME INTRODUCTIONS, PLEASE.
>> RANDY ENGSTROM, DIRECTOR OF
THE OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURE.
>> RICK REYES, RACIAL EQUITY
AND ARTS COMMISSION COORDINATE
HER FOR ARTS AND CULTURE.
>> GREAT.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.
THE TWO APPOINTMENTS BEFORE US
ARE BOTH REAPPOINTMENTS, AND I
BELIEVE THEY ARE BOTH COUNSEL
REAPPOINTMENTS, IS THAT
CORRECT?
>> THEY ARE BOTH COUNSEL.
>> DO YOU WANT TO JUST GIVE ME
AND THE LISTENING PUBLIC A
QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE
COMMISSION?
>> SURE.
WE ARE REALLY FORTUNATE TO HAVE
BOTH QUINTON AND PRIYA AS
COMMISSIONERS SERVING IN THAT
COMMUNITY.
PRIYA IS ACTUALLY THE ASSOCIATE
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
AT SEATTLE ART MUSEUM WERE MOST
SIGNIFICANTLY, SHE HAS LED
THEIR RACIAL EQUITY TEAM AND
REALLY BROUGHT FORWARD A
TRANSFORMATION IN THE
PROGRAMMING MODEL THAT CENTERS
COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH
THE OFFICE'S COMMITMENTS IN
THAT SPACE.
SHE WAS ALSO ELECTED CHAIR OF
THE COMMISSION AT THE END OF
THE LAST YEAR BY HER PEERS AND
HAS BEEN A DRIVING FORCE IN
ENGAGING WITH THE ARTS
COMMUNITY BROADLY.
SHE HAS REALLY BEEN A DRIVER OF
THE MAYOR'S ARTS AWARDS AND
BRINGING LOCAL ARTISTS TO
PRESENT TO THE COMMISSION, SO
THAT WE CAN BE IN DIALOGUE WITH
WORKING ARTISTS IN OUR CITY WHO
ARE GRAPPLING WITH THE
CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
PRIYA IS REMARKABLE.
WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HER.
QUINTON MORRIS IS ALSO
REMARKABLE.
HE IS A TENURED PROFESSOR OF
MUSIC AT SEATTLE UNIVERSITY.
HE RUNS HIS OWN NONPROFIT CALLED
KEYS TO CHANGE.
>> WHICH I HEAR BUT EVERYWHERE
I GO.
>> BASED ON THE SOUTH END.
HE IS THE ONLY PERSON I KNOW WHO
SOLD AT KERR-MCGEE HALL TWICE.
HE IS AN INCREDIBLE ACTIVIST
AND ORGANIZER, ALSO HAS A GREAT
RACIAL EQUITY ANALYSIS, AND IS
A PARTNER IN THAT WORK.
I THINK AS WE TRY TO EXPAND OUR
COMMITMENT TOWARDS YOUNG PEOPLE
INTO CAREER CONNECTED LEARNING,
SPECIFICALLY IN CREATIVE
FIELDS, HE IS A REALLY VALUABLE
THOUGHT PARTNER IN THAT SPACE.
THEY ARE BOTH REAL TREASURES OF
THE CITY, AND WE ARE LUCKY TO
HAVE THEM.
I AM GLAD THEY ARE BEING
CONSIDERED FOR REAPPOINTMENT.
SPEAKING OF TREASURES OF THE
CITY, PART OF WHY RICK REYES IS
A., IS THE COMMISSION IS A
GROUP OF EXCEPTIONAL HUMANS.
OUR OFFICE GETS A LOT OF LOVE
FOR OUR WORK IN RACIAL EQUITY
BUT RICK HAS BEEN CARING AN
AWFUL LOT OF WAIT FOR BOTH
AREAS OF WORK FOR THE LAST SIX
MONTHS OR SO.
I'M GLAD YOU GET A CHANCE TO
MEET HIM BECAUSE HE DOES A
REMARKABLE JOB.
>> I AM SUPER EXCITED TO WORK
WITH PRIYA AND QUINTON.
I GREW UP IN TACOMA, LIVED IN
SEATTLE FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS,
SO I FEEL LIKE THE REPUTATION
IN PARTICULAR OF THE SEATTLE
ART MUSEUM HAS BEEN
PARTICULARLY, IN TERMS OF
REPRESENTATION, PRETTY WHITE
MALE, BUT FOR THE PAST THREE OR
FOUR YEARS, TO SEE THE WORK
PRIYA HAS DONE TRYING TO
INTERSECTIONAL EYES ART AND
REPRESENTATION, I AM BRINGING
ARTISTS LIKE AU COLLECTIVE, AND
AS LIKE A
QUEER BLACKMOND, GOING INTO C
THE RECENT EXHIBIT ON INDIAN
ROYALTY WAS REALLY COOL TO SEE.
I AM EXCITED TO WORK WITH PRIYA
AS THE CHAIR AND CONTINUE TO
WORK WITH QUENTIN, TOO.
>> DO YOU WANT TO TALK A LITTLE
BIT ABOUT YOUR WORK?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I AM GLAD TO FINALLY MEET YOU
ALL.
I WOULD SAY HALF OF IT WORKS
PRIMARILY AS LIKE A PROJECT
MANAGEMENT ROLE FOR THE ARTS
COMMISSION.
SO ESSENTIALLY, JUST MAKING
SURE THAT WHEN THEY DO LIKE
WORK PLANNING, WHEN THEY ARE
DOING SORT OF LIKE FUTURE
ENVISIONING FOR 2019, THAT THEY
ACTUALLY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND
CONNECTION BETWEEN OUR OFFICE,
AND THE ARTS AND CULTURE, AND
WHAT WE COULD PROVIDE FOR THEM,
AND ALSO JUST SORT OF KNOW
WHERE WE ARE AT, WHAT WE ARE
DOING, AND HAVE A STABLE LINE
OF CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO
PARTIES.
I LOVE WORKING WITH THEM.
I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE A REALLY
AWESOME GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS.
ALSO A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS OF
COLOR, A LOT OF WOMEN OF COLOR
WHO ARE WORKING IN ADVOCACY AND
THE ARTS.
IT'S COOL TO HAVE THAT CHECK ON
OUR OFFICE AS WELL AS THE
ADMINISTRATION TO SORT OF CHECK
IN AND SAY ARE WE ACTUALLY
DOING THE RIGHT THINGS.
WHAT IMPACT ARE WE HAVING ON
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND ART
PATRONS OF COLOR.
THAT HAS BEEN REALLY DOPE TO
SEE.
IN TERMS OF RACIAL EQUITY WORK,
WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON
VISIONING WITH LIKE WHAT THE
CITY IS TRYING TO DO IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR OFFICE,
AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
COMMUNITY TRYING TO STREAMLINE
THOSE BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN
KIND OF DISCONNECTED IN THE
PAST.
THAT IS KIND OF WHAT I HAVE
BEEN WORKING ON, ESSENTIALLY,
IS WORKING WITH THE CITYWIDE
STRATEGY AND FOLKS IN OCR, AND
TRYING TO STAY CONNECTED
THROUGH COMMUNITY EVENTS.
JUST BEING LIKE OUT IN THE
FIELD, BEING FROM SEATTLE AND
TACOMA, AND AGAIN CREATING THAT
THROUGH LINE BETWEEN THE OFFICE
COMMUNITY, AND THE VARIOUS SORT
OF PLAYERS IN THE FIELD.
>> WELL, I ALWAYS REALLY
APPRECIATE AND VALUE HEARING
ABOUT ALL THE INTENTIONALITY
THAT THE COMMISSION BRINGS TO
ITS WORK, AND BOTH THE SELF
ACCOUNTABILITY STRUCTURES THAT
YOU HAVE IN PLACE FOR YOUR
DEPARTMENT, BUT ALSO YOUR
EFFORTS TO EXPORT THEM TO OTHER
DEPARTMENTS AS WELL, IS REALLY
GROUNDBREAKING AND CRITICAL
WORK.
THANK YOU.
>> RICK, WHEN YOU SAY
PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY, THE
ARTS COMMUNITY, THE BROADER
COMMUNITY, FOLKS WORKING IN
RACIAL EQUITY?
>> TOTALLY.
I THINK RANDY, WHEN I FIRST
STARTED HE WAS LIKE ARTS IS THE
HOW OF MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.
SO SOME OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES
THAT WE WORK ON THAT INCLUDE
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK IS THE FED,
THE EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE.
I WAS THINK OF LIKE THE LARGE
FED AND IT'S NOT THAT BUT THEY
ARE FOCUSED ON CULTURAL SPACE.
THEY ARE LOOKING AT HOW
DISPLACEMENT INTERACTS WITH
CULTURAL SPACE, AND TRYING TO
KEEP CULTURAL SPACE
PARTICULARLY IN COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR . SO, THERE IS
INTERSECTION BETWEEN ARTS, BUT
ALSO MANY OTHER DIFFERENT
THINGS, WHETHER IT BE
DISPLACEMENT, WHETHER IT BE
PUBLIC ART AND REPRESENTATION
OF ARTIST, OR EVEN HOW WE THINK
OF PUBLIC ART, WHETHER IT BE
CULTURAL INVESTMENTS IN HOW WE
ARE INVESTING AND CHOOSING TO
INVEST, AND EVEN LIKE HOW WE
HAVE DEFINED CULTURE IN THE
PAST, AND HOW INCLUSIVE THAT
HAS ACTUALLY BEEN.
HOW WE ARE TRYING TO BROADEN
THAT UP TO BE IN LINE WITH OUR
GOALS FOR THE FUTURE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANKS FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> I'M GOING TO MOVE BOTH
APPOINTMENT 01230101231
FORWARD.
FAVORABLE YAY.
MON OPPOSED, NONE OF THIS TEAM,
PLEASE LET PRIYA AND QUENTIN
BOTH KNOW THAT THERE
NOMINATIONS WILL BE MOVING
FORWARD AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
MOVING ON TO ITEM 4.
>> AGENDA ITEM 4 IS CLOSED
CAPTIONING IN PUBLIC
ACCOMMODATIONS.
>> FANTASTIC.
GREETINGS.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
IF WE COULD START WITH A QUICK
ROUND OF INTRODUCTIONS.
BOTH FOR OUR PRESENTER AND THE
FOLKS ASSISTING.
>> SURE.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR
INVITING ME HERE TODAY.
MY NAME IS ERIC SCHEIR AND I
AM A COMMISSIONER FOR THE
COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES.
>> WOULD YOU CARE TO INTRODUCE
YOURSELVES AS WELL?
>> THE INTERPRETERS IN THEIR
ROLE ARE TAMMY AND MARY.
THEY ARE INTERPRETING FOR THE
MEETING.
>> FANTASTIC.
THANK YOU.
THE COMMISSION FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES ADOPTED A
RESOLUTION BACK IN NOVEMBER TO
SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF AN
ORDINANCE REGARDING USE OF
CLOSED CAPTIONING IN PLACES OF
PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION.
IN THE RESOLUTION, IT NOTES IN
1996, CONGRESS REQUIRED
BROADCASTERS TO ADD CLOSED
CAPTIONING FOR SOME PROGRAMMING
AND AUTHORIZED THE FEDERAL
COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO
ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE FOR
COMPLIANCE.
IT MOVES ON TO NOTE THAT IN
2002, THE COMMISSION ADOPTED
CLOSED CAPTIONING REQUIREMENTS
FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION
RECEIVERS.
IN 2010, A SIMILAR REQUIREMENT
WAS ADDED FOR SPANISH-LANGUAGE
PROGRAMMING.
ERIC, AS A COMMISSIONER HAS
COME TO ME TO TALK ABOUT THE
WORK THAT HE HAS BEEN DOING AND
THE RESEARCH HE HAS DONE ABOUT
THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, AND I AM
INVITING HIM TO JOIN US TODAY TO
TALK MORE ABOUT THAT WORK, AND
TALK MORE ABOUT HIS AND THE
COMMISSION'S PROPOSAL TO
ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THAT INTRODUCTION.
JUST A BRIEF HISTORY OF CLOSED
CAPTIONING.
STARTING WAY BACK IN 1972,
JULIA CHILD, A FRENCH CHEF WAS
ONE OF THE FIRST SHOWS THAT WAS
CAPTIONED AUNT ON TELEVISION.
MUCH LATER, THEY ADDED FAR MORE
HOURS TO REGULAR TELEVISION
PROGRAMMING OF CAPTIONING, BUT
I WANTED TO FOCUS ON WHO THE
PEOPLE ARE WHO USE CLOSED
CAPTIONING.
THERE ARE ABOUT 20 MILLION
PEOPLE IN THE U.S. WHO IDENTIFY
AS DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING AND
THEY RELY ON GETTING
INFORMATION AND EQUAL ACCESS TO
INFORMATION THROUGH ASSISTANTS
LIKE CAPTIONING.
ALSO, PEOPLE WHO ARE LOSING
THEIR HEARING IN OLDER AGE,
SENIOR CITIZENS, OFTEN RELY ON
CLOSED CAPTIONING FOR
INFORMATION.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE MOVED HERE FROM
OUTSIDE OF THE U.S., WHOSE
LANGUAGE OR FOR WHOM ENGLISH IS
THEIR SECOND LINE WHICH WILL
OFTEN USE CLOSED CAPTIONING TO
SUPPORT THEIR VIEWING.
AND MANY PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES WHO HAVE COGNITIVE
PROCESSING ISSUES OR AUDITORY
PROCESSING ISSUES, OR SOME KIND
OF LEARNING DISABILITY, OR
COGNITIVE DISABILITY AND JOEY
PRESENTED EARLIER, AS WELL AS
PEOPLE WITH AUTISM BENEFIT FROM
THE USE OF CLOSED CAPTIONING.
AND, THERE IS ACTUALLY A GOOD
NUMBER OF HEARING PEOPLE WHO
USE CLOSED CAPTIONING TO
CATCHWORDS THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO
HEAR FOR WHATEVER REASON.
SOMETIMES, THAT CAN APPLY TO
BRAND NAMES, LARGE WORDS,
TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY, THAT
KIND OF THING.
IT'S ACTUALLY HELPFUL TO THE
GENERAL HEARING POPULACE, AS
WELL.
PEOPLE WHO ARE SENSITIVE TO
SOUND OR NOISE CAN OFTEN TURN
DOWN THE VOLUME ON A TELEVISION
AND USE CAPTIONS INSTEAD, AND
DEPENDING ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN A LIBRARY, YOU
CANNOT TURN UP SOUND IF YOU'RE
HARD OF HEARING, OR IF YOU ARE
IN A BAR, OR OTHER LOUD
ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE USE CLOSED
CAPTIONING TO GET INFORMATION
IN THOSE ENVIRONMENTS.
THE FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT
CAPTIONING IS PROVIDED FOR ANY
MEDIA MUST BE PROVIDED FOR
NATIONAL EMERGENCIES.
SO WHEN PEOPLE GET THAT
INFORMATION, IT IS OFTEN
IMPOSSIBLE FOR DEAF OR HARD OF
HEARING PEOPLE TO GET EMERGENCY
INFORMATION WHEN CAPTIONS ARE
NOT BEING APPROPRIATELY
PROVIDED.
HOW DO I USE THIS?
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
HERE IS A LIST OF WHAT WE HAVE
BEEN DISCUSSING.
I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT
COUNCILWOMAN, THE LAW THAT
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD HAS
PROPOSED BRIEFLY, AND THERE ARE
FOUR SPECIFIC LAWS RELATED TO
THIS.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I WANT
TO FOCUS ON IS THE LAW IN 1990.
THE A.D.A., AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT, TITLE 2 OF
THE A.D.A.
SAYS THAT NO QUALIFIED
INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY
SHALL BY REASON OF SUCH
DISABILITY BE EXCLUDED FROM
PARTICIPATION IN OR BE DENIED
THE BENEFITS OF SERVICES,
PROGRAMS, OR ACTIVITIES OF A
PUBLIC ENTITY.
SO I BELIEVE WE NEED TO HAVE A
COUNCIL BILL THAT REQUIRES THE
CITY OF SEATTLE PUBLIC ENTITIES
INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, SPORTS
VENUES, BARS, ETC., TO HAVE
OPEN CAPTIONING FOR PUBLIC
ACCESS TO INFORMATION.
JUST TO WRAP UP, THERE ARE A
FEW OTHER CITIES AND STATES
WITH A SIMILAR BILL.
PORTLAND, NEW YORK, ROCHESTER,
NEW YORK, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN.
PAWTUCKET AND SAN FRANCISCO.
AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
MANY CITIES THIS YEAR ARE
CURRENTLY WORKING ON PASSING A
SIMILAR BILL FOR THEIR CITY OR
STATE, AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU.
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
WHAT THE COMPONENTS OF THE BILL
WOULD BE?
THEY WOULD SAY THAT TELEVISION
CENTER IN PUBLIC PLACES WOULD
HAVE TO HAVE CLOSED CAPTIONS
TURNED ON?
DOES IT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT SORT
OF PUBLIC AWARENESS?
OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
TO THOSE LAWS SAY ANYTHING
ABOUT ENFORCEMENT OF THOSE
LAWS?
>> OKAY.
SO, FIRST, THE CAPTIONS WILL
NEED TO BE ON DURING BUSINESS
HOURS.
THAT'S A STIPULATION IN THE
BILL.
THAT COVERS ALL PUBLIC PLACES
WHERE PEOPLE ARE ACCESSING A
TELEVISION THEN THE CAPTIONS
MUST BE ON THE TELEVISION.
THERE IS SOME INFORMATION IN
THE BILL BASED ON RESEARCH FROM
OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE
SOLVED THIS PROBLEM.
ONE EXAMPLE IS FOR EXAMPLE, AND
WE HAVE MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS
BASED ON SOME OF THE ISSUES
THAT OTHER CITIES WE HAVE SEEN
HAVE, SO ONE EXAMPLE IS WHEN
SOMEONE IS ASKED TO TURN ON THE
CAPTIONS, THEY TURN ON CAPTIONS
BUT THE CAPTIONS ARE NOT
APPROPRIATE, SO THEY ARE ABLE
NOT ABLE TO BE READ, THE
BACKGROUND IS WHITE, OR THE
CAPTIONS ARE NOT CORRECT.
ONE OF THOSE ISSUES IS OFTEN
THE BACKGROUND.
SO, WE SPECIFY THAT THE
BACKGROUND OF THE CLOSED
CAPTIONS NEEDS TO BE BLACK WITH
CONTRASTED LETTERING.
THERE WERE SOME LOOPHOLES IN
EXISTING STATE BILLS THAT WE
RESEARCHED, SO WE TRIED TO
COVER SOME OF THOSE HE PULLS IN
OUR BILL.
>> BUT AGAIN FOR THE PURPOSES
OF THE LISTENING PUBLIC'S
UNDERSTANDING, THESE ARE
SETTINGS ON YOUR CLOSED
CAPTIONING.
IT'S NOT LIKE ANYBODY IS GOING
TO HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO THEIR
TELEVISION.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT FONT AND
BACKGROUND SETTINGS THAT YOU
CAN CHOOSE ON THE TELEVISION
ITSELF.
>> YEAH.
ALL TELEVISION MANUFACTURERS
SINCE 1993 ON A 13 INCH
TELEVISION SCREEN OR LARGER ARE
REQUIRED TO HAVE CLOSED
CAPTIONING BUILT IN.
THAT'S CORRECT.
SO ALL THESE PUBLIC TELEVISIONS
ARE NEWER THAN THAT, AND SHOULD
BE ABLE TO HAVE CAPTIONS TURNED
ON.
>> AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO
THE PROBLEM WITH WHETHER OR NOT
YOU ARE USING THE DARK FONT ON
A LIGHT BACKGROUND OR A LIGHT
FONT ON A DARK BACKGROUND, THAT
IS ALSO A SETTING, IS THAT
CORRECT?
>> YEAH, THAT'S CORRECT.
THE BILL ENCOURAGES FOLKS TO
FOLLOW A PARTICULAR SETTING FOR
THEIR MACHINERY.
>> SO, ERIC, YOU HAVE BEEN
DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS
ISSUE.
YOU HAVE BEGUN TO DRAFT A
PROPOSED BILL.
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE HAD ANY
ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BROADER
COMMUNITY BEYOND THE COMMISSION
ON THIS ISSUE?
ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAD
MENTIONED WHEN WE TALKED WAS TO
TRY TO BEGIN MAYBE GATHERING
SOME INFORMATION.
FROM PUBLIC PLACES ABOUT WHAT
YOUR EXPERIENCES ARE.
WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING ON
TELEVISIONS IN THOSE SPACES.
>> YEAH.
I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE
COMMUNITY.
I HAVE BEEN OUT TO SEVERAL
RESTAURANTS, PLACES THAT HAVE
CAPTIONS.
THERE IS ONLY A FEW.
I FOUND ONE OR TWO TELEVISIONS
WITH CAPTIONS.
OR THEY HAVE MANY TELEVISIONS
BUT THEY ONLY HAVE CAPTIONS ON
ONE OF THE TELEVISIONS IN THE
ESTABLISHMENT.
ACTUALLY, I HAVE SPOKEN TO
PEOPLE THAT THEY NEED TO
ACTUALLY HAVE CAPTIONS ON EACH
OF THEIR TELEVISIONS BECAUSE
DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU'RE
SEATED, YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BE
ABLE TO ACCESS THAT INFORMATION
FROM A PARTICULAR SPOT, SO THAT
IS NOT EQUAL ACCESS IF FOR
EXAMPLE ONE OF THOSE TELEVISIONS
HAS THAT.
THAT IS ONE BIT OF FEEDBACK
I'VE HAD FROM THE COMMUNITY.
MOST OF THE BUSINESSES I HAVE
SPOKEN TO HAVE BEEN RECEPTIVE
TO MAKING THAT MINOR CHANGE.
AND I THINK THAT THIS BILL IS
GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS
SORT OF ELIMINATES THE
LOOPHOLES AND EXCUSES
BUSINESSES ARE CURRENTLY USING.
>> I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO
HEAR WHAT THE OFFICE OF CIVIL
RIGHTS THINKS BUT I WOULD ARGUE
THAT THE REQUIREMENT TO TURN ON
CLOSED CAPTIONING IS SOMETHING
THAT IS ALREADY REQUIRED UNDER
THE A.D.A., UNDER AN OBLIGATION
OF A BUSINESS OWNER AND A PLACE
OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION TO
ALLOW EQUAL ACCESS.
NEVERTHELESS, I THINK PASSING
AN ORDINANCE MAKING THIS
OBLIGATION CLEAR I THINK WILL
BE A POWERFUL TOOL AS YOU SAY,
ERIC, TO ENFORCEMENT, TO LET
FOLKS KNOW.
>> YEAH, PEOPLE NEED TO BE MORE
AWARE OF THE ENFORCEMENT
REQUIREMENTS.
AND ONE MORE THING I WOULD LIKE
TO ADD IN TERMS OF ENFORCEMENT.
EVERY CITY HAS A DIFFERENT KIND
OF ENFORCEMENT.
SOME DO IT THROUGH PENALTIES.
UP TO $50-$500.
I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE IT TO THE
COUNCIL, OBVIOUSLY, AND LISA
HERBOLD TO RESOLVE EXACTLY HOW
WE WOULD APPROACH THAT AS A
CITY.
>> RIGHT, OKAY.
I KNOW WE HAVE BEGUN
DISCUSSIONS WITH COUNSEL
CENTRAL STAFF ON WORKING FROM
YOUR DRAFT, AND SOME OF THOSE
QUESTIONS HAVE ARISEN, AND WE
WILL CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH
THEM.
AS FAR AS NEXT STEPS, I AM
REALLY EXCITED TO BE WORKING ON
THIS.
I THINK THIS IS REALLY
IMPORTANT, AND I REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE
BROUGHT THIS FORWARD, AND THAT
YOU HAVE THE COMMISSION'S
SUPPORT IN BRINGING THIS
FORWARD.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO
START OFF THE NEW YEAR, WITH A
PIECE OF LEGISLATION LIKE THIS,
AND I AM HOPING WE WILL GET
SOMETHING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE
TO VOTE ON IN THE NEXT COUPLE
MONTHS AT THE MOST.
>> AND HOPEFULLY, WE WILL GET
THE BILL PASSED BEFORE THE
NATIONAL DEAF SENIOR CITIZENS
CONFERENCE IN SEATTLE, WHERE
5000 PEOPLE ARE ATTENDING.
WE SHOULD BE READY FOR THAT.
SEPTEMBER 8 THROUGH 15, I
BELIEVE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
I THINK THAT'S A GOAL WE CAN
CERTAINLY MEET.
>> GREAT.
COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN.
>> WHEN OTHER CITIES HAVE DONE
THIS, WHAT KIND OF EDUCATION OR
OUTREACH WOULD BE NECESSARY TO
MAKE SURE THE OWNERS OF ALL THE
PUBLIC TELEVISIONS ARE AWARE,
SO THAT WE COULD GET SOMETHING
UP AND RUNNING BY SEPTEMBER,
FOR INSTANCE?
>> WE WOULD SEND OUT A PUBLIC
NOTICE TO ALL THE DIFFERENT
ORGANIZATIONS, RESTAURANTS,
ASSOCIATIONS, HOSPITALITY
ASSOCIATIONS IN THE CITY,
HOTELS FOR EXAMPLE.
SPORTS VENUES.
WE WOULD JUST SEND OUT A PUBLIC
ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT
EVERYONE KNOWS THE BILL IS
COMING.
AND START THAT EDUCATION
PROCESS.
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO BE INVOLVED
IN DEVELOPING SOME KIND OF
PACKET OR EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL
ABOUT HOW TO USE CAPTIONS ON
THE TELEVISIONS THAT THEY OWN.
>> AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I
THINK WE WILL NEED TO HAVE
CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT WITH THE
OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS ON WHAT
A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
WOULD LOOK LIKE BEFORE THE
ORDINANCE WENT INTO EFFECT.
OR AT LEAST ENFORCEMENT OF IT.
>> RIGHT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, AND
ERIC, I AM REALLY GRATEFUL FOR
YOU BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
ERIC, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU
HIGHLIGHTING ALL THE DIFFERENT
POPULATIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT
FROM THIS.
FOR EXAMPLE OF HOW WHEN WE
CREATE A SOCIETY THAT BENEFITS
OME IT BENEFITS EVERYONE.
YOU HAVE HIGHLIGHTED INSTANCES
WHERE SOMEONE LIKE ME WOULD BE
BETTER OFF IF CLOSED CAPTIONS
WERE TURNED ON.
THANK YOU FOR SERVING THE WHOLE
COMMUNITY BY COMING UP WITH
THIS SUGGESTION.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME
TODAY AND ALLOWING ME SOME TIME
TO SPEAK WITH YOU.
>> FANTASTIC AND YOU KNOW HOW
MUCH I LOVE IT WHEN
CONSTITUENTS BRING FORWARD GOOD
IDEAS THAT WE CAN PUT INTO
ACTION LEGISLATIVELY.
THANKS FOR THAT.
>> MORE TO COME.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
NOW, WE HAVE ITEM 5.
>> AGENDA ITEM 5 IS DRAFT
EVICTION PREVENTION RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU, NEWELL.
FOLKS CAN JOIN US AT THE TABLE.
HELLO.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> OSH OF AN COUNTRYMEN CITY
COUNCIL STAFF.
>> I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO WALK
US THROUGH THE RESOLUTION, AND
WHAT IT IDENTIFIES AS THE
COUNSEL'S GOALS.
I THINK THE WAY WE HAVE REALLY
STRUCTURED THIS RESOLUTION IS
TO BE LESS FOCUSED ON THE
IDENTIFICATION OF PARTICULAR
SOLUTIONS, BUT INSTEAD WORKING
FROM THE LOSING HOME REPORT,
LIFTING UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION
OF THE PROBLEMS, AND LAYING OUT
A TIMELINE FOR THE COUNCIL TO
WORK ON IDENTIFYING THE
SOLUTIONS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS
THOSE PROBLEMS.
>> YES.
AS YOU MENTIONED, THIS
RESOLUTION COMES FROM A LOT OF
THE FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE
PRESENTED IN THE LOSING HOME
REPORT, WHICH WAS A REPORT BY
THE HOUSING JUSTICE PROJECT,
AND SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED
TO THIS COMMITTEE ON SEPTEMBER
1. SO, AFTER PRESENTING THEIR
FINDINGS AROUND THE TYPES OF
TENANTS THAT ARE EVICTED, THE
REASONS FOR EVICTION, FACTORS
THAT TENANTS WERE FACING, AND
THE OUTCOMES OF PROCESSES, AS
WELL AS EVICTION PROCESSES, AS
WELL AS HOW INFECTION EVICTION
IMPACTS TENANTS.
THE REPORT PROVIDED A VARIETY
OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN THREE
CATEGORIES.
MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO PAYMENT,
IMPROVING THE TENANT-LANDLORD
RELATIONSHIP, AND REBALANCING
THE SCALES OF JUSTICE TO EVEN
OUT THE PLAYING FIELD FOR
LANDLORDS AND TENANTS.
IN RESPONSE TO THE REPORT, THE
COUNCIL TOOK A VARIETY OF
ACTIONS DURING THE 2019-2020
BUDGET PROCESS TO IMPLEMENT
EITHER LEGISLATIVE INTENT TO
ASK THE CITY DEPARTMENTS TO
RESPOND TO SOME OF OUR
INQUIRIES, OR PROVIDING SOME
FUNDING THROUGH GREEN SHEETS TO
SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT
ASSISTED TENANTS IN
UNDERSTANDING THEIR RIGHTS, OR
PROVIDING LEGAL COUNSEL.
WITH THIS RESOLUTION WHAT THIS
RESOLUTION DOES, WE HAVE BEEN
WORKING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS
TO PUT TOGETHER THIS PLAN THAT
WOULD SET UP HOW COUNSEL IS
GOING TO MOVE FORWARD BOTH OVER
THE NEXT YEAR AND THE LONGER
TERM TO IMPLEMENT SOME
EXPIRATION OF STRATEGIES AROUND
THE PROBLEMS THAT WERE
PRESENTED IN THE REPORT.
AND SO WHAT THE TEXT OF THE
RESOLUTION DOES IS GOES THROUGH
AND IDENTIFIES WHAT SOME OF
THOSE FINDINGS WERE.
MANY OF THEM IDENTIFY HOW THERE
IS DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON
PEOPLE OF COLOR, ON WOMEN, ON
THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, ON SENIORS,
AND THEN LOOK THROUGH SOME OF
THE RESULTS OF THE RESEARCH
THAT THE REPORT PRESENTED.
THERE ARE ADDITIONAL RECITALS IN
THE RESOLUTION THAT TALK ABOUT
THE SPECIFIC ACTIONS WE TOOK
DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS TO
RESPOND TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS
IN THE REPORT, AND THEN THE
MEAT OF THE RESOLUTION --
>> CAN WE JUST LIFT UP WHAT
SOME OF THAT BUDGET WORK IS?
I THINK IT'S A HELPFUL REMINDER
FOR US TO KNOW OF THE ITEMS
THAT THE REPORT IDENTIFIED.
WHAT THINGS DO WE HAVE, HAVE WE
SET SORT OF IN MOTION ALREADY
BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS SOME
GOOD INITIAL WORK THAT WAS DONE
THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS.
I JUST THINK IT IS HELPFUL TO
BOTH REMIND OURSELVES OF THE
TABLE AS WELL AS THE
DEPARTMENTS WHO MAY BE
FOLLOWING ALONG ON SOME OF
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
IN RESPONSE TO SOME SPECIFIC
RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND
PREVENTING EVICTIONS FROM
SUBSTANDARD PATHWAYS AND
CREATING A PATHWAY TO ENFORCE
RIGHTS IN COURT, THE SEATTLE
COMMITTEE ASKS FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONS TO
LOOK AT STRATEGIES OR MECHANISMS
TO ADDRESS THE PROCESS FOR
TENANTS TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS
THEIR HABITABILITY ISSUES.
AND PERHAPS LOOK AT AN
EMERGENCY SYSTEM OR TYPE OF
PROCEEDING IN WHICH THEY COULD
RESOLVE ISSUES REGARDING
HABITABILITY WHEN A NOTICE OF
EVICTION WAS FILED.
THE PREMISE FOR THIS WAS
BECAUSE IT IS SO EASY FOR
LANDLORDS TO FOLLOW AN UNLAWFUL
DETAINER ACTION VERY QUICKLY
AFTER THE FIRST OF THE MONTH OR
WHEN RENT ISN'T BEING PAID OR
THERE IS A HABITABILITY ISSUE,
THE COUNCIL WANTED TO SEE
WHETHER THERE WAS SOME SORT OF
PARALLEL PROCESS THAT COULD
SPEED ALONG HOW TENANTS DEALT
WITH THOSE ISSUES.
ONE OF THE NEXT ITEMS THAT THE
COUNCIL PASSED WAS TO PROVIDE
FUNDING FOR CONTRACTS AND
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
PROVIDING TENANT SERVICES AND
OUTREACH, SPECIFICALLY TO LOW-
INCOME RENTERS, COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR, LGBTQ RENTERS, THOSE
WITH LIMITED ENGLISH
PROFICIENCY, AS WELL AS
IMMIGRANT REFUGEE COMMUNITIES,
AS WELL AS PROVIDING FUNDING
FOR LEGAL SERVICES FOR TENANTS
FACING EVICTION.
>> AND THAT WAS RELATED TO THE
SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION
REFERRED TO AS INCREASED
COORDINATED FUNDS FOR LEGAL
DEFENSE AND TENANT OUTREACH.
I THINK THERE MIGHT BE A COUPLE
OF THOSE.
>> YES.
THE NEXT ONE THE COUNCIL PASSED
WAS STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE
INTENT THAT REQUESTED A DESIGN
FOR EVICTION PREVENTION UNTIL
SUBSIDY PROGRAMS, LOOKING AT A
ONE STOP SHOP FOR EVICTION
SERVICES AND ASSESSING WHETHER
THOSE SHOULD BE LOCATED TO THE
COURTHOUSE SINCE THAT IS
OBVIOUSLY WHERE COURT
PROCEEDINGS TAKE PLACE, AND
THAT WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE
RECOMMENDATION TO CENTRALIZE
ASSISTANCE IN ONE PLACE, AS
WELL AS EXPANDING COURTHOUSE
BASED RESOURCES.
THE COUNCIL ALSO PASSED A GREEN
SHEET TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL
AND UTILITY SHUTOFFS AS WELL AS
TO INSIST ASSIST WITH MOVING
DEPOSITS AND RECOMMENDATION TO
SUBSIDIES FOR TENANTS AT
INCREASED RISK OF EVICTION.
ONE OF THE OTHER
RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT
WAS TO BUILD MORE HOUSING FOR
LOW INCOME AND NO INCOME
RESIDENTS, AND ESPECIALLY
FAMILIES.
IN RESPONSE, THE COUNCIL PASSED
A STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE
INTENT TO ASK THE EXECUTIVE TO
LOOK AT THE FEASIBILITY OF
ISSUING BONDS FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AND THEN THE ONE LAST PIECE
THAT WASN'T SPECIFICALLY BUDGET
RELATED, BUT WE DID INCLUDE
LANGUAGE IN THE 2019 STATE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO SUPPORT
TENANTS IN RESPONSE TO THE
RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND
PROVIDING COURTS WITH MORE
FLEXIBILITY TO DETERMINE IF
EVICTIONS ARE WARRANTED, AND
INCREASING THE TIME PERIOD TO
CURE THE NONPAYMENT OF RENT AS
WELL AS STRENGTHENING THE JUST
EVICTION CAUSE ORDINANCE.
THE LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE
INCLUDES SPECIFICS AROUND
SUPPORTING STATE-LEVEL CHANGES,
TO AMEND THE STATE LEVEL
ORDINANCE THAT CURRENTLY LIMITS
THE CITY'S ABILITY TO EXTEND
OUR JUST CAUSE EVICTION
ORDINANCE TO TENANTS AT THE END
OF THEIR LEASE TERM, AS WELL AS
REFORMING THE UNLAWFUL DETAINER
PROCESS TO ALLOW TENANTS MORE
TIME TO CURE THEIR NONPAYMENT
OF FRONT.
>> YES, AND BOTH ALLOWING MORE
TIME TO CURE NONPAYMENT OF
RENT, BUT ALSO I THINK VERY
IMPORTANTLY IS GIVING THE
COURTS THE ABILITY TO STAY
WRITS OF RESTITUTION ON GOOD
CAUSE.
CURRENTLY, THE ONLY THING A
JUDGE IS ALLOWED TO LOOK AT IN
EVICTION COURT FOR NONPAYMENT
OF RENT IS WHETHER OR NOT THE
RENT WASN'T PAID WITHIN THREE
DAYS.
THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED BY STATE
LAW TO TAKE ANY OTHER
CIRCUMSTANCES INTO
CONSIDERATION, AND THAT BOTH
TIES THE HANDS OF THE COURTS IN
CONSIDERING THOSE THINGS, BUT
ALSO HAS A PROFOUND IMPACT ON
TENANTS WHO MIGHT HAVE REALLY
GOOD REASONS FOR WHY THEY WERE
UNABLE TO PAY THE RENT WITHIN
THE THREE DAYS.
>> AND THAT IS ONE OF THE
THINGS THE LOSING HOME REPORT
TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF OTHER
STATES' ABILITIES TO LOOK AT
EQUITABLE REMEDIES.
SO, THE MEAT OF THE RESOLUTION
TALKS ABOUT WHAT THIS WORKPLAN
IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE FOR THE
NEXT YEAR, AND LONGER TERM.
OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, THE
IDEA IS TO LOOK AT A VARIETY OF
SPECIFIC PROBLEMS THAT TENANTS
FACE THAT WERE SURFACED IN THE
REPORT, AND I WILL GO THROUGH
THEM.
IF YOU WANT ME TO SPEAK IN MORE
DETAIL, I CAN DO THAT.
THE FIRST IS TO LOOK AT TENANTS
UNDER FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
BECAUSE THEY EXPERIENCED
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, BECAUSE THEY
CAN BE HELD LIABLE FOR DAMAGES
CAUSED BY PERPETRATORS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
THE SECOND IS TO LOOK AT THE
LACK OF FLEXIBILITY TENANTS
HAVE IN AVOIDING EVICTION WHEN
THEY ARE FACED WITH EMERGENCIES
DUE TO TEMPORARY UNEMPLOYMENT,
REDUCED INCOME, MEDICAL
EMERGENCIES, HOSPITALIZATION,
AGAIN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR
DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
AS WELL AS LOOKING AT THE
IMPACTS OF LARGE RENT
INCREASES.
THE NEXT ITEM IS LOOKING AT THE
HIGH DEFAULT RATE OF EVICTIONS.
BECAUSE THAT DEFAULT RATE
INDICATES THERE ARE MANY
TENANTS WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND
THE PROCESS, WHO DON'T
UNDERSTAND THERE ARE LEGAL
RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM,
THAT THEY HAVE RIGHTS THAT THEY
CAN EXERCISE.
AND THE LAST PIECE OF THAT IS
MUTUAL TERMINATION AGREEMENTS,
WHICH ARE OFTEN GIVEN TO
TENANTS AND TENANTS DON'T
REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT MEANS
THEY ARE TERMINATING THE RENTAL
AGREEMENT, SO INCREASING SOME
OF THE KNOWLEDGE AROUND WHAT
THAT MEANS WHEN THEY ACTUALLY
SIGN OFF ON SOMETHING LIKE
THAT.
>> AND I THINK AS IT RELATES TO
MUTUAL TERMINATION AGREEMENTS,
I THINK WE SHOULD ESTABLISH
SOME STANDARDS HERE AT THE CITY
FOR WHEN THEY ARE USED.
MUTUAL TERMINATION AGREEMENTS
CAN HELP TENANTS AVOID HAVING
AN EVICTION ON THEIR RECORD,
BUT THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR
THINGS THAT WOULD NOT BE A JUST
CAUSE FOR AN EVICTION.
CURRENTLY, MUTUAL TERMINATION
AGREEMENTS ARE USED BY MANY
NONPROFITS IN THE CITY THAT WE
FIND TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, AND THEY ARE USED IN A
WAY I'VE HEARD IN SOME
INSTANCES BY PROPERTY MANAGERS
THAT ARE PRETTY ARBITRARY.
I THINK GIVING GUIDANCE FOR HOW
THOSE AGREEMENTS ARE USED IN A
WAY THAT ACTUALLY HELPS TENANTS
AND DOES NOT CREATE ADDITIONAL
HARM.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THE NEXT ITEM COUNCIL PLANS TO
LOOK AT IS LOOKING AT CHARGES
THAT ARE NOT ACTUALLY RENTS.
LATE FEES, COURT COSTS,
ATTORNEYS FEES.
OF THOSE CAN BE PASSED ON TO
THE TENANT AFTER AN EVICTION
PROCEEDING.
LATE FEES CAN ADD IN ADDITION
TO ALL THESE COSTS A MORE
SUBSTANTIAL BURDEN AND PERHAPS
EVEN THE LACK OF RENT PAYMENT
ITSELF SO IT INCREASES THE
AMOUNT THE TENANTS ARE REQUIRED
TO PAY TO BE ABLE TO PAY OFF
THEIR DEBT.
IT INCREASES THE HARDSHIPS.
NOT ONLY IN PAYING RENT BUT ALL
THE OTHER CHARGES THEY ARE
REQUIRED TO PAY.
THE NEXT ITEM LOOKS AT
AFFORDABILITY.
IN THAT TENANTS ARE OFTEN
LIVING WITH ROOMMATES.
SOME LEASES OUT RIGHT PROHIBIT
ROOMMATES ALTOGETHER OR LIMIT
THE NUMBER OF ROOMMATES A
PERSON CAN HAVE.
LANDLORDS ALSO OFTEN HAVE THE
DISCRETION TO REJECT ROOMMATES
WITHOUT ANY REASONABLE OR
WITHOUT ANY REASON.
IT IS SOLELY AT THEIR
DISCRETION AND THEY CAN IMPOSE
EXTRA FEES OR SCREENING
CRITERIA FOR ROOMMATES THAT CAN
IMPOSE ADDITIONAL BURDENS ON
THE TENANT IN ACQUIRING A
ROOMMATE AT ALL.
THE NEXT ITEM IS LOOKING AT THE
FEES FOR LEASE TERMINATION.
THESE CAN OFTEN BE PRETTY HIGH,
ESPECIALLY IN THIS MARKET, BUT
IT'S PRETTY EASY FOR LANDLORDS
TO FILL VACANT UNITS, SO IT
WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR LANDLORDS
TO BE REQUIRED TO MAKE A
REASONABLE EFFORT TO RE-RENT
THAT UNIT, BUT THAT DOES NOT
HAPPEN IN SOME CASES, SO WE
WOULD BE LOOKING AT WHAT
LANDLORDS ARE REQUIRED TO DO TO
MAKE SURE THAT UNIT BECOMES
RENTED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
>> STATE LAW, PLACES AN
OBLIGATION ON A LANDLORD TO
MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO RE-RENT A
UNIT WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A
DEFAULT ON THE LEASE, BUT I
THINK WHAT THIS ITEM IS TRYING
TO UPLIFT IS IT'S VERY
DIFFICULT FOR A TENANT TO
ESTABLISH IN THE CASES THAT
THAT EFFORT HASN'T BEEN MADE.
AND THE UNIT IS SITTING EMPTY
WITHOUT THE LANDLORD FULFILLING
THAT OBLIGATION TO ATTEMPT TO
RE-RENT THE UNIT.
AND GIVING THAT TENANT A LARGE
BILL THAT OFTEN ENDS UP IN A
COLLECTION AGENCY.
>> THE LAST ITEM FOR THIS
PORTION OF THE RESOLUTION IS
ONE THAT YOU MENTIONED ALREADY,
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD ABOUT THE
COURTS NOT BEING ABLE TO
EXERCISE DISCRETION IN
PRESENTING EVICTIONS, EVEN IF
THEY HAVE GOOD CAUSE, EVEN IF
THEY HAVE ALL THE MONEY OWED AT
THE HEARING, THE COURTS JUST
DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO
EXERCISE EQUITABLE REMEDIES IN
THAT WAY.
THE NEXT SECTION OF THE
RESOLUTION TALKS ABOUT THE
COUNSEL'S INTENT TO EXPLORE
OVER LONGER-TERM SOLUTIONS TO
ADDRESS THE NEXT THREE ISSUES:
THESE ARE TO LOOK AT HOW
TENANTS THAT ARE IN NEED OF
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BECAUSE OF
PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH
DISORDERS, BECAUSE OF
HOSPITALIZATIONS, CAN GET THAT
SUPPORT IF THEY DON'T CURRENTLY
HAVE IT, AND WHAT THE CITY CAN
DO TO HELP TENANTS IN THOSE
SITUATIONS.
THE SECOND ITEM IS FOR TENANTS
LIVING IN A UNIT.
WHEN A TENANT ON THE LEASE
DIES, THERE IS NOT ANY RIGHTS
FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE WITH
THAT TENANT TO REMAIN IN THE
UNIT, SO EXPLORING WHAT IT
MIGHT LOOK LIKE TO PROVIDE THAT
RIGHT, OR SUPPORT THE PEOPLE
THAT ARE STILL IN THE UNIT ONCE
THAT TENANT HAS PASSED AWAY.
THE LAST ITEM IS LOOKING AT HOW
TO NEGOTIATE REPORTING LANDLORD-
TENANT DEBT.
SOMETIMES, IT SHOWS UP IN
CREDIT REPORTS.
IT SHOWS UP IN WAYS THAT MAKE
IT A LOT MORE DIFFICULT FOR
TENANTS TO OBTAIN HOUSING
BECAUSE ALL OF THAT DEBT IS ON
THEIR RECORD.
SO LOOKING AT WAYS IN WHICH
THOSE DEBTS COULD WAIT FOR A
CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME PERHAPS
UNTIL THEY ARE REPORTED ON
CREDIT REPORTS, OR LOOKING INTO
HOW THOSE DEBTS CAN BE
ADDRESSED SO THEY DON'T HAVE
SUCH AN IMPACT ON A TENANT'S
ABILITY TO GET HOUSING.
>> THANK YOU ASHA.
THAT WAS A GREAT LINE UP OF
THE WORK WE ARE GOING TO DO.
>> I AM CURIOUS THE SO WE HAVE
HEARD A LITTLE IN PUBLIC
COMMENT A COMPARISON TO SOUTH
CAROLINA SAYING THAT THEY HAVE
LAWS THAT ARE MORE SUPPORTIVE
OF TENANTS.
IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE
HOUSING JUSTICE PROJECT I'VE
HEARD ABOUT HOW THE COURTS
WORKED IN NEW YORK CITY, WHICH
SOUND VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE
COURTS HERE.
OBVIOUSLY, SOME OF THESE THINGS
HAVE STATE LAW IMPLICATIONS
THAT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO
ADDRESS DIRECTLY HERE, BUT I AM
INTERESTED IN WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT
DIFFERENT SYSTEMS THAT SEEM TO
BE WORKING BECAUSE UNDOUBTEDLY,
WE WILL HEAR WORST-CASE
SCENARIO, NO ONE WILL WANT TO
BE A LANDLORD ANYMORE IN OUR
CITY, BUT TRYING TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT EXISTS, HOW IT WORKS, AND
WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE.
>> SURE.
I THINK IN WASHINGTON STATE,
THERE ARE A LOT OF STATE-LEVEL
RESTRICTIONS ABOUT WHAT WE CAN
DO AS A CITY, SO THAT PROVIDES
SOME PROBLEMS IN TRYING TO EVEN
OUT THE PLAYING FEELS THAT
LANDLORDS AND TENANTS ARE ON.
I THINK IN OTHER STATES, AND
WHAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT
QUITE A BIT IS NEW YORK BECAUSE
OF SOME A THE RESEARCH IN THIS
REPORT, BUT THERE IS A
COMPARISON I THINK THAT WAS
MENTIONED DURING THE LAST
COMMITTEE MEETING THAT FOR A
LANDLORD TO PURSUE EVICTION OVER
NONPAYMENT OF RENT FOR ONE
MONTH WOULD BE HARASSMENT IN
NEW YORK.
HERE, IT IS A LOT MORE COMMON.
LOOKING AT THE STATE-LEVEL
SCHEMES I THINK REALLY PROVIDES
A GOOD BASIS FOR COMPARISON
ABOUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO BE
ABLE TO DO AND SINCE WE HAVE
ADDED SOME THINGS INTO THE
STATE AGENDA, HOPEFULLY, WE CAN
MOVE FORWARD AT THE STATE LEVEL,
MORE STATES THAT HER FRIENDLIER
TOWARDS TENANTS, SO WE CAN AS A
CITY GO THROUGH AND MAKE
CHANGES THAT ARE MORE
SUPPORTIVE FOR TENANTS BUT I
THINK THERE ARE LAWS IN ALL
KINDS OF PLACES.
NEW YORK, RHODE ISLAND I THINK
HAS SOME HELPFUL LAWS, D.C. IS
A RELATIVELY TENANT FRIENDLY
CITY.
I BELIEVE THE OTHER ONE WAS
THAT I SAY RHODE ISLAND?
DIDN'T MASSACHUSETTS HAS SOME
LAWS AS WELL.
LOOKING AT ALL THOSE, WE
DETERMINED THAT THOSE STATES OR
CITIES AND WHAT THEY'VE BEEN
ABLE TO DO.
>> AND I THINK GOING BACK TO
THE REPORT PUT OUT BY THE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION, WHICH WAS
REALLY POWERFUL, SEEMED VERY
WELL RESEARCHED AND EYE-OPENING
FOR ME, TO REALIZE FOR THIS
POPULATION THAT HAD GONE
THROUGH THE WHOLE EVICTION
PROCESS FOR WHICH THEY HAD DONE
THE ANALYSIS OVER THE COURSE OF
THE YEAR, I BELIEVE, HOW
DIRECTLY TIED EVICTION WAS TIED
TO HOMELESSNESS, WHICH IS
OBVIOUSLY A CRISIS WE ARE
STRUGGLING TO ADDRESS IN THE
CITY.
AND LOOKING AT OKAY, IF WE ARE
TRYING TO ADDRESS THE
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS, AND
CLEARLY EVICTION IS ONE OF THE
THINGS DRIVING FOLKS INTO
HOMELESSNESS, HOW DO WE ADDRESS
THAT?
AND SO THERE IS LOTS OF TOOLS
HERE THAT ARE VERY TENANT
FRIENDLY BUT I WOULD ALSO ARGUE
YOU KNOW IF WE COULD MAKE THE
SYSTEM WORK BETTER, IT'S GOING
TO WORK BETTER FOR EVERYONE
INCLUDING LANDLORDS.
IT'S CERTAINLY DISAPPOINTING TO
SEE THAT WE GOT HANDED IN
PUBLIC COMMENT, SOMEONE'S
GETTING A THREE DAY NOTICE FOR
BEING TWO DOLLARS SHORT ON
THEIR WANT LAST MONTH I
BELIEVE.
OF COURSE, THE LANDLORDS I
TALKED TO SAY I WOULD NEVER DO
THAT.
THAT WOULD BE CRAZY.
I JUST TEXT MY TENANT.
IT WOULD BE FINE.
I RESPECT THAT, AND OBVIOUSLY,
SOME PEOPLE ARE DOING THAT.
WE KNOW THAT THE CITY HAS
PROGRAMS IN PLACE.
WE PROBABLY NEED THEM TO BE
MORE ROBUST AND HAVE MORE
RESOURCES TO KEEP PEOPLE IN
THEIR HOUSING BECAUSE THE
LONGER FOLKS GO WITHOUT
HOUSING, THE MORE EXPENSIVE,
THE HARDER IT IS, THE MORE
DISRUPTIVE IT IS TO THEIR LIVES
AND EVERYONE'S LIVES TO RESTORE
THEM TO HOUSING, SO IT SEEMS
LIKE THERE IS A PATH THAT SAYS
IF WE CAN JUST TAKE A BREATH
FOR A SECOND, BRING THE
RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE, GIVE
PEOPLE A CHANCE TO GET ALIGNED
WITH EXISTING RESOURCES THEY
MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT OR AS WE
HEARD FROM ONE COMMENT, I WAS
WORKING FOR JOBS, I LIVE WITH A
ROOMMATE, AND I DON'T HAVE THE
RESOURCES OR MAYBE SPECIFICALLY
THE TIME TO SPEND TO RESEARCH
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HELP IS
AVAILABLE BUT IF WE COULD
FIGURE OUT HOW TO HAVE BETTER
SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO SAY IT'S IN
NO ONE'S INTEREST TO HAVE
SOMEONE LOSE THEIR HOUSING IF
THERE'S A WAY TO AVOID IT, THAT
DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE
ON THE BACKS OF THE LANDLORDS
BUT WE HAVE RESOURCES WE CAN
BRING TO THIS.
WE JUST NEED A SYSTEM IN PLACE,
AND A LITTLE MORE TIME TO
EFFECTUATE THAT SO WE CAN
STABILIZE THIS.
A LANDLORD CAN KEEP A TENANT
FOR MUCH LONGER, IF WE DON'T
HAVE THESE BLEMISHES ON FOLKS
RECORDS, AND FRANKLY WE DON'T
HAVE SOMEONE WHO MAY AND OF
BEING HOMELESS.
>> AND I THINK TO YOUR POINT
AROUND HOW LANDLORDS HAVE THEIR
RELATIONSHIPS WITH TENANTS IN
OTHER CITIES, THE LAWS IN THIS
STATE ARE VERY GEARED TOWARD
LANDLORDS, BUT IT'S NOT AS IF
IN OTHER STATES OR CITIES,
LANDLORDS HAVE STOPPED RENTING.
LANDLORDS AND TENANTS HAVE FULL
RELATIONSHIPS ALL OVER THE
COUNTRY WITH DIFFERENT LAWS IN
WHICH THEY STILL HAVE
SAFEGUARDS.
THEIR LIABILITY IS LESS THAN AN
ISSUE.
SO, I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING
TO BE OR THE COUNSEL'S MOVEMENT
ON THIS IS GOING TO BE A
SITUATION IN WHICH LANDLORDS
ARE SUDDENLY PUT AT ALL THIS
RISK JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE
MORE RESOURCES.
>> YEAH, I APPRECIATE THAT
BECAUSE YOU KNOW, I CAN BE
SYMPATHETIC TO THE EXTREME
EXAMPLES I WILL HEAR FROM
LANDLORDS ABOUT HOW A SITUATION
WOULD BE UNTENABLE, ESPECIALLY
A LANDLORD WHO HAS ONE UNIT,
AND IT'S A SOURCE OF INCOME FOR
THEM AND THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO
FIGURE THAT OUT, BUT WE HAVE A
BROADER PUBLIC INTEREST IN
SOLVING THIS, AND NOT HAVING
TWO DOLLARS OR $500 SHORTAGES
RESULTING IN HOMELESSNESS WHICH
COSTS US THOUSANDS AND
THOUSANDS TO REMEDY, AND HOW WE
DESIGN A SYSTEM THAT PROBABLY
ASKS LANDLORDS FOR A LITTLE
MORE FLEXIBILITY BUT ALSO WHERE
THE CITY YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC
STEPS UP AND SAYS WE DON'T
EXPECT YOU TO BE EXCLUSIVELY
RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS.
WE CAN BRING SOME RESOURCES
THERE TO LIMIT YOUR EXPOSURE
AND LIABILITY, AND YOU KNOW ANY
SHORTFALLS.
WE JUST NEED SOME MORE
FLEXIBILITY.
I THINK ONE OF THE TRICKS IS
GOING TO BE, AND I REALLY
APPRECIATE WORKING WITH YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, AND
ASHA, YOUR WORK ON THIS, AND
THE ADVOCATES WHO HAVE BEEN
PROVIDING SO MANY EXAMPLES ON
THIS RESOLUTION.
I THINK GOING FORWARD, WHERE
WE ARE GOING TO NEED STATE HELP
BECAUSE OUR STATE LAWS ARE
WASHINGTON STATE LAWS.
THEY ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER
STATES AND THEY SEEM TO BE
PRETTY LIMITING.
AND HOW WE CAN GET MORE
FLEXIBILITY ON WHAT WE CAN DO
WITH CURRENT STATE LAW.
>> I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE
THE TRICK MOVING FORWARD IS
MAKING A DETERMINATION OF WHAT
THINGS WE CAN DO NOW.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT
THAT THE REPORT ITSELF, AS WELL
AS THE RESOLUTION IDENTIFIES
WHAT COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN IS
MENTIONING, WHICH IS THAT THERE
IS NOT ONLY A NEED FOR
ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY BUT A
RESPONSIBILITY ON THE PART OF
THE CITY TO BE DOING MORE ALSO.
TO BE DOING MORE OF ITS PART AS
FAR AS ITS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
PROVIDING TENANT ASSISTANCE IN
A WAY THAT IS ACTUALLY USEFUL
AND INCREASING THOSE RESOURCES.
I THINK WE CAN DO A BACK OF THE
ENVELOPE CALCULATION OF THE
NUMBER OF DOLLARS IN ARREARS
FOR THESE 1100 OR SO EVICTIONS,
IN 2017 AND COME UP WITH A
PRETTY HANDY ESTIMATE OF WHAT
IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN IN RENT
ASSISTANCE FUNDS TO AVOID THAT
LEVEL OF EVICTION AND THAT
LEVEL OF SUBSEQUENT
HOMELESSNESS.
THIS IS NOT JUST FOCUSED ON ONE
SIDE OF THE EQUATION, BUT I
THINK ALL OF THEM.
I THINK MOVING FORWARD, I JUST
THINK THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE
PROBLEMS IS THE EASY PART.
IT'S THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE
SOLUTIONS THAT WILL COME AFTER
THIS THAT WILL BE TRICKIER.
>> I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH
LANDLORDS.
ABOUT THIS.
ONE OF THE THINGS I HEARD WAS
YOU KNOW, IF THERE ARE
RESOURCES OUT THERE FOR THEIR
TENANTS TO USE, THE LANDLORD
SHARES OUR INTEREST IN LINING
THAT UP.
SO PART OF THAT, AS YOU
MENTIONED IS ON US TO MAKE SURE
WE HAVE THE RESOURCES AND
FRANKLY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A
STRUCTURE IN PLACE THAT CAN
RESPOND IN A TIMELY MANNER.
SO SETTING UP THAT SYSTEM WOULD
BE REALLY IMPORTANT BUT I THINK
THERE IS A PLACE WHERE
LANDLORDS SAY HEY, SOME
COMMUNICATION LIKE HERE IS A
TENANT WHO MAY NEED SOME
RESOURCES, OR HERE IS A TENANT
WHO NEEDS RESOURCES, AND
WHETHER THAT'S COMMUNICATING
DIRECTLY WITH THE CITY OR THE
DEPARTMENT TO DO THAT, AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY COMMUNICATING
WITH THE TENANT.
HERE IS A NOTICE FOR YOUR TWO
DOLLARS SHORT ON RENT.
I'M NOT SURE THAT IS A LACK OF
INCOME.
IT'S HARD TO TELL BUT I IMAGINE
IT MAY BE A MISS WRITTEN CHECK.
IF IT'S $100, PROVIDING THE
INFORMATION THAT HERE IS SOME
PLACES WHERE YOU CAN GET SOME
RESOURCES, AND HERE IS THE TIME
FRAME IN WHICH YOU CAN REMEDY
THIS.
AND AGAIN, YOU NEED TO COME UP
WITH THE TWO DOLLARS, AND THEN
A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS LATE
FEES.
YOU TAKE THIS MINOR MISTAKE AND
TURN IT INTO PERHAPS A PROBLEM
THAT COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN
AN EVICTION.
THAT IS KIND OF HORRIFIC, TOO.
>> I THINK ONE OF THE IDEAS
THAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED TO DEAL
WITH THE PROBLEM WE ARE
IDENTIFYING HERE IS A
REQUIREMENT ON THREE DAY PAYER
VACATE NOTICES TO GIVE
INFORMATION TO A TENANT ABOUT
WHERE TO GET THOSE RESOURCES.
AGAIN, YOU ARE STILL STUCK WITH
THE FACT THAT IT'S ONLY THREE
DAYS TO GET TO THOSE RESOURCES,
BUT THE MORE WE CAN DO TO PIECE
TOGETHER SOME CHANGES, I THINK
THE MORE POSITIVE IMPACT THEY
ARE GOING TO HAVE IN TENANTS
AND AGAIN ASSURED PUBLIC
INTEREST OF THE CITY AND
EVERYBODY IN THE CITY TO MAKE
SURE WE ARE ATTACKING THE
CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS FROM
EVERY ANGLE THAT WE CAN.
SO THIS RESOLUTION HAS NOT YET
BEEN INTRODUCED.
IT IS NOT YET GONE THROUGH THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
PROCESS THAT THE COUNCIL SET.
BUT I DID WANT TO GET IT BEFORE
US TO BEGIN TALKING ABOUT IT.
I AM HOPING TO HAVE IT AT OUR
NEXT MEETING ON FRIDAY, JANUARY
25.
SO, BETWEEN NOW AND THE
INTRODUCTION OF I WOULD BE
HAPPY TO CONSIDER SUGGESTIONS
OR CHANGES.
BUT AGAIN, THIS RESOLUTION I
THINK THE INTENT IS TO GET
COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THE SAME
PAGE ABOUT WHICH PROBLEMS THEY
AGREE THEY WANT TO ADDRESS, AND
THEN WE WILL PUSH UP OUR
SLEEVES AND DO THE HARDER WORK
ON THE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS
THOSE PROBLEMS.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU, ASHA.
I APPRECIATE IT.
WITH THAT, THERE IS NO FURTHER
BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE.
WE WILL ADJOURN.
IT IS 11:03.