>>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
TODAY IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6,
2020.
THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE
SELECT BUDGET COMMITTEE WILL
COME TO ORDER.
I'M TERESA MOSQUEDA.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLLCALL?
>> PEDERSEN?
SAWANT?
STRAUSS?
GONZALEZ?
JUAREZ?
LEWIS? MORALES?
MOSQUEDA?
>> 8 PRESENT.
>> MADAM CLERK, I REALLY
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY TO
OUR CLERK'S OFFICE, TO THE
FOLKS FROM THE IEP OFFICE, TO
THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM AND ALL
OF THE TEAM THAT HELP US RUN
THESE REMOTE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
I ALSO SEE COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
ARE YOU PRESENT?
>> I AM, INDEED.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE HAVE A FULL ATTENDANCE TODAY
FOR OUR SELECT BUDGET
COMMITTEE.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR
YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR
DIRECTLY FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE
PROPOSED 2021 BUDGET AS IT WAS
TRANSMITTED FROM THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU
AGAIN FOR YOUR GENEROUS TIME
TONIGHT.
WE HAVE OVER 100 PEOPLE SIGNED
UP AND AS IS THE CUSTOM, WE
ALLOCATE A FULL TWO MINUTES FOR
EACH PERSON.
FOR MANY OF YOU WHO
PARTICIPATED IN PAST BUDGET
HEARINGS, YOU KNOW THAT IT IS
CUSTOMARY FOR US TO ALLOCATE
THE FULL TWO MINUTES FOR EACH
PERSON AND MY HOPE IS THAT WE
WILL BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH
EVERYONE WHO WAS SIGNED UP.
I WILL ANNOUNCE THE NUMBER OF
EACH PERSON AS THEY HAVE DIALED
IN SO YOU ARE AWARE OF WHICH
NUMBER WE ARE AT.
IF YOU ARE OVER 100 YOU CAN
IMAGINE IT'S GOING TO BE A
PRETTY LONG NIGHT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO
GET PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
I HOPE WE CAN WRAP UP PUBLIC
TESTIMONY AROUND 10:00 TM.
JUST A FEW PIECES FOR LOGISTICS.
I WILL GO THROUGH AND EACH 20
MINUTES I WILL REMIND FOLKS
WHAT NUMBER WE ARE AND ALSO
MAKE SURE TO CALL THE NAMES OF
EVERYBODY EVEN IF YOU ARE
LISTED AS NOT PRESENT.
WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A LISTEN
IN LINE AND PUBLIC TESTIMONY
AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU
ARE ON THE RIGHT ONE.
I WILL CALL YOU NAME AND LET
YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE LISTED AS
NOT PRESENT WHICH WILL BE YOUR
INDICATION.
HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY IS ON THE
RIGHT LINE TO START WITH.
PLEASE PUSH STAR SIX WHEN I
CALL YOUR NAME SO THAT IT WILL
UNMUTE YOURSELF AND OUR TEAM
WILL CUE YOU UP.
AS PER OUR CUSTOM WE WILL CALL
THREE PEOPLE AT A TIME TO TRY
TO GIVE FOLKS ENOUGH TIME TO
GET PREPARED TO MAKE REMARKS
AND OUR IT TEAM, AS WELL.
YOU WILL NEED TO HIT STAR 6 TO
UNMUTE YOURSELF.
AT EACH OUR ASSUMING WE ARE
GOING MULTIPLE HOURS, WE WILL
HAVE THE CHANCE TO TAKE A TWO
MINUTE BREAK.
OUR IT AND CLERKS TEAM WILL
NEED TO SWITCH TURNS AND LEAD
IN WHO IS MANAGING THE DESK AND
THE FUNCTIONS BEHIND-THE-SCENES
SO WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THEIR
TIME AND APPLAUD THEIR WORK AND
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EACH
HOUR WE GIVE AT LEAST TWO
MINUTES TO MAKE THE SWITCH AS
NEEDED.
WE WILL ALSO BE MONITORING
EMAILS.
IF THERE ARE GLITCHES OR
CONCERNS, PLEASE DO THE EMAIL
INTO MY OFFICE.
I WANT TO THANK THE CHAIR,
SORRY, THE CLERK FOR THIS
COMMITTEE THAT I HAVE THE HONOR
OF SHARING.
THEY HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS
ENOUGH TO MONITOR OUR EMAIL
SYSTEM SO IF YOU HAVE ANY
PROBLEMS THERE IS A NUMBER, AS
WELL, ON THE PAGE YOU HAVE
SIGNED UP BUT FEEL FREE TO GIVE
OUR OFFICE THE EMAIL AND WE
WILL JUMP RIGHT ON IT.
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE A FAIRLY
LONG EVENING.
WE WILL ENDEAVOR TO GIVE OUR IT
AND COMMUNICATIONS FOLKS AND
CLERKS OFFICE A SMALL BREAK
AROUND IT:30 IF WE ARE STILL
GOING THAT LONG TO MAKE SURE
THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE
APPROPRIATE REST BREAK FOR THE
FOUR HOUR PERIOD.
AGAIN, OUR HOPE IS TO END BY
10:00 P.M.
AT THE LATEST.
AT THIS POINT I WANT TO SEE
THANK YOU.
MANY OF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE
MEMO THAT WE SENT OUT.
EACH WEEK MY OFFICE WILL SEND
OUT A BUDGET MEMO THAT HAS
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LAST WEEK
AND UPCOMING INDICATION OF WHAT
TO EXPECT THIS WEEK.
TODAY WAS OUR BIG ITEMS OF THE
FUTURE.
WE HAVE OUR FIRST PUBLIC
HEARING WHICH WILL GIVE US THE
CHANCE TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM
THE PUBLIC.
AS I NOTED IN THE MEMO, THIS IS
AN IMPORTANT MEMBER-- TO CHIME
IN ON AREAS OF INTEREST, WHERE
THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGES,
THINGS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE
PROTECTED AND QUESTIONS THAT
THEY HAVE BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR
PRIORITIES.
WE ARE REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF
THE OPPORTUNITY TO WAY IN.
WE GET THE BUDGET THE SAME TIME
THEY GET THE BUDGETS OF THE
QUESTIONS THEY ASK REALLY HELP
US BE AWARE OF ANY CONCERNS AS
WE CONTINUE TO DELIBERATE THE
BUDGET OVER THE NEXT SEVEN
WEEKS.
THIS IS AN 8-WEEK PROCESS AND
AS A QUICK REMINDER TO MY
COLLEAGUES, ISSUE
IDENTIFICATION FORMS ARE DUE ON
THURSDAY.
UPCOMING TESTIMONY FOR PUBLIC
HEARINGS THAT WILL BE COMING UP
IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
>> NEXT THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND
THEN OUR NEXT PUBLIC HEARING
LIKE THIS WILL BE ON OCTOBER
27, 5:30 P.M.
AND WE WILL SEND YOU
INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO SIGN
UP FOR THAT.
LESLIE, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT
TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE
FIREFIGHTERS TEAM.
THE FOLKS THAT I MET WITH THIS
AFTERNOON FROM HEALTH ONE,
INCREDIBLY GENEROUS WITH THEIR
TIME AND REALLY PROVIDED AN
INSIGHT INTO HOW WE CAN BETTER
SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AS WE SCALE
UP THE SYSTEM AND LOOKS TOWARDS
HARM REDUCTION TO REALLY HELP
OUR MOST VULNERABLE.
AS 911 IS CALLED THEY ARE
ACTUALLY DISPATCHED FROM A LINE
WITHIN 911 FOR MEDICAL
EMERGENCIES SO DO KNOW THAT IF
YOU SEE SOMEONE IN DISTRESS OR
WHO NEEDS HELP, IF YOU CALL AND
ASK FOR A MEDICAL RESPONSE THEY
CAN HELP TRIAGE TO GET
FIREFIGHTERS AND HEALTH ONE
THERE.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE NEED TO
DIAL SOMETHING OTHER THAN 911
WHEN WE SEE PEOPLE IN DISTRESS
AND I MENTIONED THE CASE OF AN
INDIVIDUAL AROUND THE CORNER
WHO APPEARED TO BE SLEEPING.
HE HAD HIS PANTS OFF AND NEEDED
HELP. THAT IS ALMOST THE EXACT
SAME CALL THAT WE RESPONDED TO
TODAY.
AN INDIVIDUAL IN DISTRESS,
DISORIENTED, WHO NEEDED HELP.
HE SOUGHT OUT SOME BYSTANDER TO
CALL TO GET HIM HELP AND THEY
BROUGHT HIM PANTS, THEY BROUGHT
HIM SOCKS, THEY GOT HIS
DAUGHTER ON THE PHONE AND
REALLY DID A WARM HAND OFF TO
THE TEAM WHO GOT HIM INTO
SHELTER.
IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE WAY TO SEE
OUR SYSTEMS IN ACTION AND I'M
INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY AND
THIS PARTNERSHIP THEY HAVE
ESPECIALLY OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND
THE INCREDIBLE TEAM AT HEALTH
ONE.
THEY HAVE DONE TREMENDOUS WORK
IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IT
WAS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF
WHERE I THINK THE COUNTRY WOULD
LIKE TO GO AS WE THINK ABOUT
HOLISTIC PUBLIC HEALTH-CENTERED
CALLS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
RESPONSE.
WITH THAT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME TONIGHT AND WE ARE GOING
TO OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT.
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL'S STRONG
INTENT TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT
AT ALL OF OUR MEETINGS AND WE
WILL CONTINUE TO ENDEAVOR TO
MAKE CHANGES AT VARIOUS POINTS
TO MAKE SURE THE SYSTEM IS
BEING USED CORRECTLY.
A STABLE MEANS FOR MAKING SURE
THEY RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT
EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
I'M GOING TO MODERATE PUBLIC
COMMENT IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER.
EACH PRESENTER WILL BE GIVEN
TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.
I WILL CALL THEM THREE AT A TIME
AND IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED
TO SPEAK BUT YOU WOULD LIKE TO
YOU CAN SIGN UP AT SEATTLE.GOV
CELL COUNSEL.
ONCE A CALL ON THE NAME OF THE
SPEAKER STAFF WILL BE GIVEN THE
CHANCE TO UNMUTE YOUR LINE AND
YOUR MICROPHONE WILL BE UNMUTED
BUT YOU ALSO NEED TO PUSH STAR
SIX STAR 6 TO BEGIN SPEAKING.
THESE PUSH IT BEFORE I CALL
YOUR NAME SO THAT YOU ARE TEED
UP TO SPEAK RIGHT AWAY.
AS HE SPEAK, PLEASE INTRODUCE
YOURSELF FOR THE RECORD AND
KEEP YOUR COMMENTS DIRECTED AT
THE 2021 GENERAL REVENUE
SOURCES, THE PROPOSED 2021
BUDGET, AND 2021-2026 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
THESE ARE ALL PROPOSED BUDGETS
THAT CAME FROM THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE.
YOU WILL HEAR A 10-SECOND CHIME
AT THE END OF THE ALLOTTED TIME.
THAT GIVES YOU 10 SECONDS TO
WRAP UP THOUGHTS AND REMEMBER
THAT YOUR MICROPHONE WILL END
AT TWO MINUTES SO WE ARE ASKING
YOU TO WRAP UP COMMENTS.
IF YOU DID NOT GET THE CHANCE
YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY EMAIL US AND
WE WILL DISTRIBUTE THAT
THROUGHOUT ALL OF THE OFFICES.
IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO STAY ON
THE LINE DUE TO ANY PERSONAL
COMMITMENTS THIS EVENING,
PLEASE DO EMAIL THAT SAME EMAIL
AND YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL
BE DISTRIBUTED.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE FOLKS,
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEAR FROM
US, FROM ME, THE ENTIRE CITY
COUNCIL, WE ARE VERY
APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR TIME.
YOU MAKE THIS PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD POSSIBLE.
YOU BRING THE STREAM TO THE
PUBLIC AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR
US TO CONTINUE TO GET GOOD
PROGRAMMING OUTSIDE OF OUR
COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND
YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STAY WITH
US LATE INTO THE EVENING SO FOR
THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANK YOU.
AVA IS AT FIRST.
THE FIRST SPEAKERS WE WILL HEAR
OUR AVA, EMILY, AND DORIS.
DORIS, YOU ARE LISTED AS NOT
PRESENT SO IF YOU ARE PRESENT
PLEASE DO DIAL INTO THE PUBLIC
TESTIMONY LINE HERE.
AVA, GOOD EVENING, AND THANK
YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN.
>> HI, MY NAME IS EVA AND I'M A
STUDENT AND A RENTER IN
DISTRICT 2. MAYOR DURKAN
PROPOSING A BUDGET THAT IS
TOTALLY BUSINESS AS USUAL,
COMPLETELY INADEQUATE FOR WHAT
WORKING PEOPLE NEED ESPECIALLY
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. ON TOP OF
THAT, HER BOGUS $100 MILLION
INVESTMENT INTO BIP OC
COMMUNITIES IS A CELL GAME.
SHE TRIED TO VETO THE
INVESTMENT WON BY OUR MOVEMENT
IN AUGUST AND THE SAME MAYOR
WHO OVERSAW POLICE BRUTALITY
AGAINST PROTESTERS.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT WHO HAS BEEN THE ONLY
CONSISTENT VOICE TO FUND
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.
A LONG TRACK RECORD OF WINNING
VICTORIES IS WHAT WE WILL NEED
AGAIN THIS YEAR TO REJECT THE
BUDGET FROM THE MAYOR.
A MASSACRE MASSIVE EXTENSION OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, A
MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS IN
FORECLOSURES DURING THE
PANDEMIC, AND A NEW DEAL FOR
SEATTLE.
WELL-FUNDED COMMUNITY CENTERS
AND PARKS AND UNFORTUNATELY THE
DEMOCRATS ARE FEELING TO LIVE
UP TO THEIR PROMISE OF
DEFUNDING THE POLICE IN THE
SUMMER SO OUR MOVEMENT HAS TO
BUILD INDEPENDENTLY OF THE
ESTABLISHMENT AND I HOPE PEOPLE
LISTENING CAN JOIN US FOR THE
TOWN HALL WHICH WILL BE ONLINE
AT 6:00 ON OCTOBER 20.
>> THANK YOU.
EMILY GRAHAM?
IF YOU ARE WITH US HI, EMILY.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, THANK YOU.
>> I HAD TO DO TWICE.
MY NAME IS EMILY GRAHAM AND I
LIVE IN DISTRICT 3. I'M CALLING
TODAY ABOUT THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET.
THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET PLEDGES
TO DIVEST FROM SPD AND FOSSIL
FUEL INTERESTS AND REINVEST IN
THE COMMUNITY.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PUBLIC
SAFETY, HEALTHCARE, CLEAN
ENERGY, AND UNION JOBS.
THIS YEAR WE'VE SEEN OUR ENTIRE
COMMUNITY FIGHT TO BRIEF DURING
THE ONGOING PROTESTS THROUGH
WILDFIRE SMOKE THAT STAYED FOR
WEEKS AND THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
WHICH HAS DESTABILIZED OUR
ECONOMY AND OUR HEALTH BOTH
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL.
NONE OF THIS IS ACCEPTABLE AND
IS ESPECIALLY HARMING THE BLACK
AND BROWN COMMUNITIES IN
SEATTLE.
SEATTLE IS AT A CROSSROADS
WHILE CROSSING THE BUDGET.
WE CAN CHOOSE TO BATTLE RACISM,
THE CLIMATE CRISIS IN COVID-19
OR FOLLOW A STATUS QUO THAT
WILL ALLOW MORE OF OUR EARTH TO
BURN AND PUSH NEIGHBORS ONTO
THE STREETS WHEN THEY CANNOT
RECEIVE RELIEF.
I STAND WITH THE 60+
ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO
FIGHTING FOR SOLIDARITY BUDGET
AND ASK CITY COUNCIL TO DIVEST
FROM SPD, IMPLEMENT BUDGETING
PROCESSES TO REDISTRIBUTE THOSE
FUNDS, AND TO FUND COVID
RELIEF, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND
A NEW DEAL.
>> THE NEXT PERSON IS DORIS.
I HAVE YOU LISTED AS NUMBER
THREE AND IT SAYS YOU'RE NOT
PRESENT SO IF YOU CAN HEAR ME,
PLEASE DIAL BACK IN AND WE WILL
GET TO YOU AS SOON AS FOLKS
FROM IT NOTIFIED THAT THEY SEE
YOU.
WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.
>> THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE ARE
AMY TOWER, AMY, AND PETER.
GOOD EVENING, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS AMY TOWER.
I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT, A
CURRENT RENTER, AND AN
ORGANIZER WITH THE TENETS UNION
OF WASHINGTON STATE CALLING ON
BEHALF OF THE UNION TO URGE YOU
TO DIVEST FROM THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT BY 50% AND
SUPPORT PARTICIPATORY BUDGET
PROCESS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF
THAT FUNDING.
THE FUNDING DIVESTED NEED TO BE
INVESTED DIRECTLY IN BLACK
COMMUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY-LEAD
HEALTH AND SAFETY EFFORTS
RATHER THAN PUTTING MONEY
TOWARD VIOLENT EVICTIONS AND
TRAUMATIC AND KEVIN SUITES.
THEY NEED TO FUND DIGNIFIED
HOUSING INCLUDING A SINGLE ROOM
ACCOMMODATION THROUGH THE
PURCHASE OF HOTELS IS AN
INTERIM MEASURE ON THE WAY TO
PERMANENT HOUSING.
HAS INJUSTICES RACIAL JUSTICE.
RENTERS ARE EVICTED SIX TIMES
MORE THAN WHITE RENTERS WHICH
IS DISPROPORTIONATE AND
ACTIVELY PERPETUATES CYCLES OF
RACIST HOUSING IN THIS COUNTRY.
THE UNION URGES YOU TO FOLLOW
THROUGH ON YOUR COMMITMENT TO
STANDING UP FOR BLACK LIVES
THROUGH PARTICIPATORY BUDGET
PROCESS AND DEFUNDING THE
POLICE BY AT LEAST 50%.
ANOTHER MINIMUM REGARDING
PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES, THE CITY
SHOULD INSTALL ACROSS ROCK
ACROSS THE STREET SO THAT
EVERYBODY CAN SAFELY ACCESS THE
PARK.
>> THANK YOU, SARAH, GOOD
EVENING.
>> I SAW YOU FOR A SECOND.
THERE YOU ARE, WELCOME BACK.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
I AM LIVING IN PHINNEY RIDGE IN
DISTRICT 6 WHICH IS SAM
STRAUSS'S DISTRICT AND AM ALSO
CALLING ON CITY COUNCIL TO
SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET
LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE
BEFORE ME.
I AM AMPLIFYING DEMAND FROM THE
BIPOC COMMUNITY TO DEFEND SPD
BY 50% AND REINVEST THAT MONEY
IN BLACK COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH
AND SAFETY PROGRAMS.
I ALSO FULLY EXPECT THOSE
COMMUNITIES WILL GET THE $100
MILLION THAT THE MAYOR PROMISED.
AND, THAT THAT MONEY WILL NOT
COME FROM JUMPSTART WHICH WAS
MONEY EARMARKED FOR COVID
RELIEF, THE GREEN NEW DEAL, AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR
BUDGET REFLECTS OUR VALUES AS A
COMMUNITY AND I THINK WHAT WE
HAVE SEEN IS THAT OUR COMMUNITY
IS CRYING AT THROUGH PROTESTS,
PUBLIC COMMENT, CALLS, AND
EMAILS FOR COMMUNITY, SAFETY,
EQUITY, JUSTICE, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, SUSTAINABILITY AND
THAT WE ARE STANDING TOGETHER
TO WIN ALL OF THOSE AT ONCE AND
WE EXPECT THE BUDGET TO REFLECT
THOSE VALUES AND THAT
SOLIDARITY.
SO AGAIN, I WANT TO SEE CITY
COUNCIL HIM AND THE BUDGET TO
DEFEND SPD BY 50%, REINVEST THE
MONEY IN BIPOC COMMUNITIES,
MAKE SURE COMMUNITIES GET THE
$100 MILLION THAT THE MAYOR
PROMISED WHILE STILL USING THE
JUMPSTART MONEY TO PROVIDE FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LIVABLE
CONDITIONS AND A GREEN NEW DEAL
. THANK YOU AND I YIELD MY TIME.
>> PETER, GOOD EVENING.
>> SORRY ABOUT THE DELAY.
I USE HE/HIM PRONOUNS AND I'M A
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 4 AND
SPEND MY TIME VOLUNTEERING FOR
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I'M
CALLING TO SUPPORT THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET.
I URGE YOU TO DIVEST FROM AT
LEAST 50% AND SUPPORT A
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PROCESS
TO DISTRIBUTE FUNDING IN A
DEMOCRATIC WAY THAT PROVIDES US
ALL WITH TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY.
I WILL CALL UP MY COUNCIL
REPRESENTATIVE AND MAYOR JENNY
DURKAN TO SAY THE MORE YOU DRAG
US OUT THE MORE PEOPLE WILL
CONTINUE TO GET KILLED.
BEYOND POLICING, I URGE YOU TO
BUY SPACE TO HELP NEIGHBORS AND
CREATE A-- OF THE PARK ACROSS
THE STREET.
THE BUDGET SHOULD REFLECT THE
CITY THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US
AND ONE THAT ELEVATES BLACK
LIVES AND I WILL END WITH THE
FACT THAT IN 2019 AND A MEDIAN
NET WORTH OF BLACK HOUSEHOLDS
WAS 5% OF WHITE HOUSEHOLDS.
STRUCTURAL RACISM IS NOT ABOUT
TENT.
IT IS ABOUT OUTCOMES.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THE NEXT PERSON IS DEREK
FOLLOWED BY CARLY AND MY IT.
GOOD EVENING.
>> THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE ARE
DEREK, CARLY, AND MAIA. GOOD
EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS DEREK AND I AM A
RENTER IN DISTRICT FOR.
AND, A MEMBER OF SUNRISE
MOVEMENT SEATTLE.
I'M CALLING TODAY TO STAND WITH
THE 60 ORGANIZATIONS FROM
RACIAL JUSTICE, CLIMATE
JUSTICE, RACIAL MOVEMENT AND
MORE CALLING FOR A SOLIDARITY
BUDGET THAT DIVESTS FROM
HARMFUL SYSTEMS LIKE POLICING
AND FOSSIL FUELS AND INVESTS IN
EFFORTS THAT HELP COMMUNITIES.
WE ARE STANDING TOGETHER AND
REFUSING TO FIGHT FOR SCRAPS
WHILE SPD IS GIVEN HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR AN
SHELTERED COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
THE DEMANDS WE ARE MAKING
SHOULD BE FAMILIAR AND WE ARE
CALLING ON YOU TO DEFEND BY AT
LEAST 50% AND INVEST THAT MONEY.
AND WE ARE CALLING ON YOU TO
ALLOCATE MONEY THROUGH PART
COMMUNITY -LIKE PARTICIPATORY
BUDGETING PROCESS, NOT A TASK
FORCE AND A MAYORAL TASK FORCE.
I WANT TO ADD THAT AT THIS POINT
I THINK OF HER EVERY COUNCIL
MEMBER AGREE THAT OUR PUBLIC
SAFETY SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK FOR
THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE AND THAT
IS BASED IN WHITE SUPREMACY AND
ARE PRESSING COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR AND PARTICULARLY BLACK
AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN
SEATTLE.
I'VE ALSO HEARD COUNCIL MEMBERS
LIKE ANDREW LEWIS, ALEX
PATTERSON AND DAN STRAUSS FIELD
TO EMBRACE COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS
SAYING THINGS ARE MORE
COMPLICATED AND IMPLYING THAT
THEY FOR SOME REASON NO BETTER
THAN COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHAT
NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR IF YOU ARE
SAYING YOU KNOW BETTER THAN
OPPRESSED COMMUNITIES LEADING
THIS MOVEMENT, YOU ARE THE
SYSTEM THAT YOU CLAIM TO CONDEMN
AND IT IS YOU ARE PRESSING
COMMUNITIES AND STANDING IN
BETWEEN US IN A BETTER WORLD.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> WE REQUEST YOU KEEP THE-- IN
FRONT OF US.
THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE ARE
CARLY, GUERRA.
>> MY NAME IS CARLY GRAY AND
I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT 7. I'M
A MEMBER OF SUNRISE MOVEMENT
SEATTLE AND I'M SPEAKING TO
AMEND THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT
THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN
PROPOSING FOR THE LAST SIX
MONTHS RATHER THAN MOVING
FORWARD WITH HER AUSTERITY
BUDGET.
AND ECHOING WHAT OTHERS HAVE
SAID THAT FIRST IT MUST DEFEND
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BY 50%
AND REINVEST THESE FUNDS, NOT
OTHERS, IN COMMUNITY-LEAD
HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEMS.
THE MONEY PROMISED BY MAYOR
DURKAN IS STEP ONE.
PRISON SYSTEMS, MONEY, AND
BUDGET MUST REFLECT THOSE
PRIORITIES.
SECOND, THE MONEY DIVESTED MUST
BE ALLOCATED THROUGH
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING, NOT A
TASK FORCE HAND-PICKED BY THE
MAYOR.
THIRD AND FINALLY THE REVENUE
SHOULD REMAIN DEDICATED TO
COVID-19 RELIEF, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, AND GREEN NEW DEAL
INVESTMENTS.
THE $100 MILLION SHOULD COME
FROM DIVESTMENTS FROM THE BUDGET
. I STAND WITH 60+ ORGANIZATIONS
WHO HAVE SIGNED ON TO A
SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND WE
DESERVE A BUDGET THAT
PRIORITIZES TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY
SOLUTIONS, NOT REACTIVE
POLICING, BUT INTRODUCES
VIOLENCE AND PERPETUATES WHITE
SUPREMACY.
THOSE CLOSEST TO THE PROBLEMS
ARE CLOSEST FOR THE SOLUTIONS
AND WE PAY LEADERS FOR THEIR
SOLUTIONS.
>> MAIA, GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I AM OUR ATTENDANT ORGANIZER
AND A DISTRICT FOR RENTER.
ON BEHALF OF SEATTLE I WOULD
LIKE TO URGE THE COUNCIL TO
DEFUND SPD BY AT LEAST 50%,
ALLOCATE $100 MILLION IN
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING AND
PRIORITIZE FUNDING FOR HOUSING
AND COMMUNITY-BLOOD HOMELESS
OUTREACH.
FUNDING A REVAMPED NAVIGATION
TEAM WILL NOT HELP. ON HAS TO
PEOPLE HAVE SAID TIME AND TIME
AGAIN THAT THE NAVIGATION TEAM
DOES NOT WORK.
THE DOLLARS OF THE CITY SHOULD
GO TOWARD ADDRESSING ROOT
CAUSES OF HOUSING AND SECURITY
INSTEAD OF PRIORITIZING THE
CONCERNS OF PROPERTY OWNERS.
THE CITY DOLLARS SHOULD FUND
COMMUNITY DEMANDS INSTEAD OF
ENCAMPMENTS AND FURTHER
DISPLACEMENT.
THE NAVIGATION TEAM MUST BE
DISBANDED AND FUNDING MUST
IMMEDIATELY BE DISTRIBUTED TO
TRUSTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
. CITY COUNCIL SHOULD FULFILL
THEIR PROMISES TO DEFUND SPD BY
AT LEAST 50%, INVEST IN
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING AND
PRIORITIZED HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY -LIKE OUTREACH.
WE NEED YOU TO INVEST IN
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY CARE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> INGRID FOLLOWED BY CASTILLE,
LARISSA, AND ASHTON.
INGRID, GOOD EVENING.
>> HI, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS INGRID AND I'M A
RENTER IN DISTRICT 6. I'M A
MEMBER OF THE SUNRISE MOVEMENT
AND ORGANIZED TO AND FOSSIL
FUEL EXPANSION.
I'M SPEAKING TONIGHT TO ECHO
WHAT OTHER FOLKS OF SAID AND
CALL ON YOU TO AMEND THE BUDGET
TO REFLECT THE DEMANDS THAT THE
COMMUNITY HAS BEEN CALLING FOR
IT.
I STAND WITH 60 GROUPS CALLING
WITH FOR A SOLIDARITY BUDGET
AND WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO
ONE THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US
AND INVEST IN COMMUNITY.
I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD OVER AND
OVER ABOUT THE MULTITUDE OF
WAYS THAT OUR SYSTEM IS SET UP
TO HARM THE MOST VULNERABLE,
NAMELY BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES,
AND WORKING COSTS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO
RESTRUCTURE SOCIETIES SO THAT
THE SYSTEM CARES FOR ALL OF US,
SERVES EVERYONE NEEDS AND
SAFEGUARDS A LIVABLE FUTURE.
THIS WILL NOT BE ACHIEVED IN
ONE YEAR'S BUDGET BUT WE CAN
AND NEED TO TAKE HUGE STEPS
TOGETHER.
YOU WILL HAVE THE IMMENSE POWER
TO PASS A BUDGET THAT SERVES
THE PEOPLE AND STARTS TO WRITE
THE INJUSTICES THAT HAVE BEEN
SO DEEPLY INGRAINED FOR SO LONG.
TOO MANY COMMUNITIES ARE BEING
HARMED AND TOO MUCH IS ON THE
LINE, AND THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO
EXCUSE FOR YOU TO DRAG YOUR
FEET IN THIS PROCESS.
THE $100 MILLION PROMISED BY
THE MAYOR SHOULD COME FROM THE
POLICING BUDGETS, NOT FROM
JUMPSTART SEATTLE REVENUE WHICH
HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO EMERGENCY
COVID-19 RELIEF, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, AND GREEN NEW DEAL
INVESTMENTS.
I ASK YOU TO HONOR THE DEMANDS
OF BLACK COMMUNITIES BY
DEFUNDING SPD BY AT LEAST 50%
AND REINVESTING FUNDING IN
BLACK COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY-
LEAD HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEMS
BY USING A PARTICIPATORY BUDGET
PROCESS.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> CASTILLE?
GOOD EVENING.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> I'M HERE TO REMIND YOU THAT
THERE IS A HUMAN COST TO YOUR
DECISION-MAKING.
WHILE IT MAY BE POLITICALLY
MOTIVATED TO GO BACK ON YOUR
WORD, THE MOTIVATIONS OF THOSE
ARE PERSONAL. PERSONAL AND HOW
MY BROTHER WAS A VICTIM OF SPD
VIOLENCE AND HOW WE TO STRUGGLE
MUCH LIKE THOSE WITH THE
DISGRACEFUL PROPOSED BUDGET AND
INHUMANE SWEEP AND REFUSING TO
INCREASE THE-- HAVE MADE PRICE
GOUGING OF PRODUCTS THAT PEOPLE
DESPERATELY NEED IT.
IF YOU STAND WITH US PROVE IT
FOR A BUDGET WITH THE PEOPLE,
NOT THE SPD AND PANDEMIC
PROFITEERS.
>> ALYSSA?
GOOD EVENING.
HI, ALYSSA.
JUST STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
I WILL READ THE NEXT THREE.
ASHLYN, LUCAS, AND MATTHEW.
I HEARD SOMEONE ELSE SAY IT
TWICE.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
MY NAME IS ALYSSA WEBSTER, I
LIVE IN DISTRICT 6 AND AND
CONTACTED THE COUNCIL ON BEHALF
OF THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET THAT
INCLUDES OUR SUPPORT FOR
DEFENDING THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT 2021 BY AT LEAST 50%
AND REINVESTING THOSE INTO
BIPOC COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY-
LEAD HEALTH AND SAFETY PUTTING
AT LEAST $100 MILLION TOWARD
ESTABLISHING PARTICIPATORY
PUBLISHING, PRESERVING VITAL
SERVICES LIKE TRANSPORTATION,
CONTINUING FAIR FREE
TRANSPORTATION, COVID-19 RELIEF,
ANTI-HUNGER WORK AND MORE AND
INVESTING HOMELESS OUTREACH
WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF POLICE
TO REAFFIRM THE DECISION TO PUT
FUNDING TOWARD TRUSTED
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
I'VE HEARD MANY OPPONENTS OF
50% BUDGET CUTS REINVESTING
THOSE FUNDING AND OTHERS ARGUE
WE CANNOT MAKE RASH DECISIONS
WITHOUT HAVING ANSWERS.
THIS PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW
LONG THIS CONVERSATION HAS BEEN
GOING ON AND ARE NOT LISTENING
TO ORGANIZERS AND COMMUNITY
LEADERS WHO ALREADY KNOW FROM
THE WORK THEY'VE BEEN DOING
THAT INVESTING IN PEOPLE, JOBS,
TRANSPORTATION, AND PROGRAMS
ARE THE ANSWERS AND THE LONGER
WE WAIT THE MORE PEOPLE SUFFER.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> ASHLEY?
FOLLOWED BY LUCAS.
WE ARE ON NUMBER 14 IN CASE YOU
ARE WONDERING.
GOOD EVENING.
>> OF A PROTESTER WHO HAS BEEN
ASSAULTED AND ARRESTED AND I
APPLAUD THE COUNCIL FOR-- I
EXPECT TO SEE THIS TYPE OF
COURAGE AND COMMITMENT.
I WOULD NOT PARCHMENT PUT MUCH
FAITH IN THE PROPOSAL IS YOUR
CONSTITUENTS HAVE SHOWN TO
OVERWHELMINGLY REJECT HER
LEADERSHIP.
SHE HAS SHOWN HERSELF TO REJECT
THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE SO AS WE
AWAIT THE DECISION WE ASK THAT
YOU-- ATTEMPTS.
DEMANDS REMAIN THE SAME. DEFUND
BY 50% AND INVEST MONEY IN
BLACK COMMUNITIES.
SPECIFICALLY WE WANT TO SEE THE
$100 MILLION PROPOSED FOR BLACK
COMMUNITIES COME FROM POLICE
BUDGETS, NOT FROM JUMPSTART.
WE NEED THAT FOR A GREEN NEW
DEAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
WE NEED THAT MONEY TO BE TAKEN
FROM THE BUDGET.
SUPPORT AND EXPAND PUBLIC
SERVICES AND CUT THE BUDGET
INSTEAD.
WE WANT TO SEE HIM MONEY GOING
TO HOMELESS OUTREACH.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE
COUNCIL IS ACTUALLY COMMITTED
TO GETTING RID OF THE
NAVIGATION TEAM CAUSING SO MUCH
HARM AND PUT RESOURCES INTO
GETTING PEOPLE INTO HOUSES.
AS WE WORK ON EXPANDING HOUSES
WE SHOULD BUY HOTELS TO MAKE
SURE WE START ADDRESSING THE
ONGOING HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.
WE WANT TO SEE $100 MILLION
INVESTED INTO A PROGRAM THAT
GIVES PEOPLE THE POWER TO
CONTROL HOW THEIR MONEY IS
BEING USED.
WE DON'T WANT IT TO BE DONE BY
A TASK FORCE THAT DUPLICATES
WHAT BLACK WORKERS HAVE BEEN.
WE WANT THE BUDGET TO FUND THE
NEW DEAL TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE
CRISIS.
SEATTLE HAS FAILED TO PROTECT
AND PRIORITIZE BIPOC
COMMUNITIES.
THE CITY HAS FAILED TO PROTECT
THE HOMELESS.
UPRISING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE THE
CITY HAS FAILED TO PROTECT
PROTESTERS BUT WE CAN LEAVE THE
COUNTRY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
LUCAS, GOOD EVENING.
I CAN SEE YOU.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
LUCAS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY
MATTHEW LANGE, LEAH, AND
GABRIEL.
IF YOU CAN HEAR ME PUSH STAR
SIX ONE MORE TIME.
WE CAN SEE YOU NOW.
>> I'M A CLIENT CLIMATE
SCIENTIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON AND A VOLUNTEER WITH
350 SEATTLE AND IN BOTH OF
THOSE CAPACITIES I'M HERE TO
SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET, WHO SPENDS
THEIR DAYS THINKING A LOT ABOUT
CLIMATE CHANGE AND I'M HERE TO
TELL COUNCIL THE CLIMATE
JUSTICE IS RACIAL JUSTICE.
IN THAT VEIN, I STRONGLY
SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET
PLATFORM AND ASK TO DEFUND BY
50% AND REINVEST THOSE IN
COMMUNITIES LIKE HEALTH AND
SAFETY.
THE $100 MILLION PROMISED BY
THE MAYOR IS THE FIRST STEP IN
MUST BE PART OF A LARGER
STRATEGY.
I WANT TO ECHO THE CALLS TO NOT
TAKE THAT MONEY FROM THE
JUMPSTART LEGISLATION BY SO
MANY ACTIVISTS, SPECIFICALLY TO
PROVIDE COVID RELIEF IN THE
FOUNDATION FOR A GREEN NEW DEAL.
WE NEED A HEALTHY AND JUST
CLIMATE AND WE HAVE TO DIVEST
FROM POLICE AND POLLUTION INVEST
IT MAKES COMMUNITIES HEALTHY.
I'M PROUD TO STAND WITH THESE
GROUPS SERVICE PROVIDERS,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATES
WHO ARE CALLING FOR THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET.
WE WANT TO BUDGET THAT DIVESTS
FROM POLICE, POLLUTION, AND
INVESTS IN COMMUNITY.
>> METHOD, GOOD EVENING AND
WELCOME BACK.
>> ONE SECOND.
>> YOU MAY HAVE TO PUSH STAR
SIX, WE ARE NOT HEARING YOU.
NOW WE CAN SEE YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS MATTHEW, THE SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER, THE LEAD
ORGANIZER OF THE SEATTLE
TRANSIT RIDERS HE DIDN'T IN THE
CLIMATE JUSTICE CHAIR AGAINST
THIS-- CLOSURES AND EVICTIONS
AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR
OF THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET BOTH
ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SIGNED ON TO.
WE MUST DEFUND THE HEAVILY
MILITARIZED SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50%.
AT LEAST $100 MILLION OF FUNDING
MUST BE UTILIZED FOR
PARTICIPATORY PROCESSES WITH A
FOCUS TOWARD BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES SO THAT
PROGRAMS THAT GIVE DIRECT CASH
ASSISTANCE TO FOLKS WHO HAVE
BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE DEAL SINCE
LONG BEFORE COVID, CAN GROW AND
SERVE COMMUNITY AS ADMINISTERED
BY COMMUNITY WHO KNOWS ITS OWN
NEEDS.
WE MUST PROVIDE CONTINUED
GROWING FUNDING FOR VITAL
SERVICES AND COMPLETE PROJECTS
LIKE WE DO ON THE SIDEWALK IN
CROSSWALK COMPLETION SO THAT WE
ARE SERVING COMMUNITIES AS
PLANNED.
WE MUST GROW INVESTMENT AND
DECRIMINALIZE OUTREACH.
THE MAYOR MAY NO LONGER HAVE
THE NAVIGATION TEAM AT HER
DISPOSAL THAT HAS NOT CHANGED
YOUR STANCE.
WE MUST FOLLOW THROUGH WITH
MADE APPROACHES THAT DO NOT
DESTABILIZE FOLKS.
I WENT TO CELEBRATE THE
DEFENDING OF THE TEAM WITH
FOLKS IN THE ON HOST COMMUNITY
AND MANY WERE STILL TERRIFIED
OF THE POSSIBILITY OF POLICE
VIOLENCE TOWARDS THEM.
WE MUST CHANGE THESE PRACTICES.
THIS IS THE TIME TO MAKE IT
RIGHT.
LESLIE, JUMPSTART, I WAS
INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT AND JUMPSTART 6 TO
BENEFIT, THE GROUPS THEY SEEK
TO BENEFIT MUST NOT BE STIFFED.
SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, MY
TEACHING BUSINESS HAS NOT COME
BACK.
I WAS BOOKED FOR A FULL LOAD OF
CAMPS THIS SUMMER WHICH WAS
GOING TO BE ABOUT 50% OF MY
TEACHING INCOME FOR THE YEAR
BUT THOSE ALL CANCELED.
THAT WAS ABOUT ONE THIRD OF
MIGHT ANNUAL INCOME LOST.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
WE DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO HEAR
THE END OF YOUR STORY.
IF YOU COULD EMAIL THAT WOULD
BE GREAT.
JUST TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT WE DO
GET THE CHANCE, THANKS AGAIN
FOR YOUR TESTIMONY TONIGHT.
LEAH FOLLOWED BY GABRIELLE.
GOOD EVENING.
>> THANK YOU FOR HOSTING THIS
EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMENT AND
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR
OVERRIDING THE VETO OF THE 2020
BUDGET. THIS IS LEAH, A
HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT 4.
>> AND I'M A RENTER FROM
DISTRICT 7. WE ARE CALLING IN
TOGETHER TO VOICE OUR OPINIONS.
WE ARE DOCTORAL STUDENTS AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON AND AS
MEMBERS OF MORNING MARCH
SEATTLE WE ARE ASKING YOU TO
DIVEST BY AT LEAST 50% FOR THE
2021 BUDGET AND SUPPORT THE
DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDING
DIVESTED FOR MESSED-- SPD FROM
A PARTICIPATORY BUDGET.
CITY COUNSELORS, WE CALL ON YOU
TO ADVOCATE FOR THE USE OF A
TRUE PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
PROCESS RATHER THAN THE CHERRY
PICKED TASK FORCE.
WE ARE ASKING YOU TO MAKE SURE
INVESTMENTS SUCH AS $100
MILLION THAT MAYOR DURKAN
PROMISED FOR COMMUNITY-LEAD
HEALTH AND SAFETY COME FROM
FUNDS THAT ARE DIVESTED FROM
POLICE, PROSECUTORS, AND COURTS.
THE URGE CITY COUNCIL NOT TO
TAKE ANY OF THESE FROM CITY
COUNCIL FUNDING, OR CITY
FUNDING SUCH AS JUMPSTART
SEATTLE.
WE ALSO CALL ON THE POLICY
COMMITTEE TO PLEASE REDO THE
POLICE UNION NOW. THE CONTRACT
IS INFLEXIBLE, EXPENSIVE, AND
UNJUST AND IS A MAJOR AND
ADAMANT TO ACCOMPLISHING SHARED
GOALS INCLUDING REMOVING
OFFICERS FROM THE FORCE WHO
HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES AGAINST
THE PEOPLE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO
PROTECT AND EXPIRES AT THE END
OF THE YEAR.
PLEASE BE WORKING ON THIS NOW.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO SHARE AN
ANECDOTE.
HAVING SURVIVED THE MURDER OF MY
BEST FRIEND BY TARGETED GUN
VIOLENCE, HAVING AN ARMED
OFFICER BEING THE PERSON THAT
ASKED ME QUESTIONS WAS AN
ADDITIONAL TRAUMA ON TOP OF HER
DEATH AND I HEAR THIS TO
MOTIVATE YOU TO RETHINK HOW
MANY ARMED OFFICERS THE FORCE
REALLY NEEDS.
DESPITE RECENT STATEMENTS THAT
HE NEEDS MORE, NOT FEWER
OFFICERS, PLEASE THINK
CREATIVELY ABOUT THIS AS A
WHOLE.
THE BUDGET SHOULD REFLECT THE
CITY THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US
AND ONES THAT ELEVATES BLACK
AND INDIGENOUS LIVES.
>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR CALLING.
GABRIEL FOLLOWED BY KAREN.
>> MY NAME IS GABE AND I'M A
RENTER DISTRICT STICK SIX AND
PART OF THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET
MOVEMENT.
I'M NOT GOING TO MINCE WORDS.
I THINK IT'S SCANDALOUS THAT
THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT
MAYOR DURKAN HAS ANNOUNCED A
BUDGET SLASHING SOCIAL PROGRAMS
FOR WORKING PEOPLE WERE
CORPORATIONS LIKE AMAZON ARE
MAKING RECORD PROFITS AND JEFF
EASELS ALONE HAS MADE $70
BILLION SINCE THE START OF THE
PANDEMIC.
RATHER THAN CUTS TO TRANSIT
HOUSING AND PUBLIC SERVICES, A
BUDGET WOULD DEFUND THE POLICE
AND RAISE THE AMAZON TAX THAT
WE WANTEDTHIS PAST SUMMER.
FULLY FUND HOUSING FOR ALL, A
GREEN NEW DEAL AND PROGRAMS TO
A LIMITED UNEMPLOYMENT.
JUST LIKE IT TOOK AN
INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT TO
OVERCOME THE OPPOSITION TO THE
AMAZON TAX BY BIG BUSINESS AND
THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT IT
WILL TAKE A MOVEMENT TO WIN A
BUDGET THAT PRIORITIZES PEOPLE
OVER PROFIT.
AS WE FACE COVID AND ECONOMIC
CRISES AND SYSTEMIC-- THE NEED
IS MORE URGENT THAN EVER.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING BUILD
THIS MOVEMENT OVER THE PAST SIX
YEARS, PROPOSING CUTS TO THE
POLICE BUDGET EVERY YEAR SINCE
2014.
WHILE, ALSO SECURING VICTORIES
FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
ORGANIZING AND DEFENSE,
HOMELESS SERVICES AND TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES, AND RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE.
I WILL FINISH BY SAYING I'M NOT
SATISFIED WITH $100 MILLION
WHICH IS A SLIVER OF THIS
BUDGET.
WE CAN AND MUST USE THE BUDGET
TO BUILD A CITY FOR WORKING
PEOPLE AND NOT A PLAYGROUND FOR
THE RICH.
>> THANK YOU.
NUMBER 19, KAREN, AND CATHERINE
DAWSON.
GOOD EVENING.
>> I'M A 65-YEAR RESIDEN OF
SEATTLE.
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE HAS ALWAYS
BEEN A VIBRANT COMMUNITY WHICH
WAS A PRACTICAL PLACE TO LIVE
AND WORK.
PEOPLE CAME TO ENJOY IT AND
BRING SEATTLE ECONOMIC BENEFITS.
WE FELT SAFE TO WALK THROUGH
THE CITY AT ANY TIME OF DAY OR
NIGHT.
SINCE THEN, SINCE THE LAST 10
YEARS THE SITUATION HAS
DETERIORATED DUE TO EXTRA
INCREASED SHOPLIFTING,
VANDALISM, AND A CONCENTRATION
OF SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND
DRUG-ADDICTED INDIVIDUALS WHO
HAVE LOST MOST OF THEIR HUMAN
DIGNITY.
THE PANDEMIC AND ONGOING
DESTRUCTION BY DEMONSTRATORS
HAS MADE A BAD SITUATION WORSE.
WE HAD BEEN LOSING LOCAL
BUSINESSES AT AN ALARMING RATE
LEAVING BLOCKS OF EMPTY
STOREFRONTS.
EVEN THE REMAINING BUSINESS ARE
BOARDED UP AND IT IS
FRIGHTENING TO WALK IN THE
CITY.
NOW THAT YOU HAVE DISMANTLED
THE NAVIGATION TEAM, PUBLIC
HEALTH AND SAFETY WILL BE
COMPROMISED FURTHER.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE
THAT OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY IS A
PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN
SAFETY AND WITH THE EXPECTATION
THEY CAN GET THE SERVICES THAT
THEY NEED.
URGE YOU NOT TO USE AN
ARBITRARY NUMBER TO DISMANTLE
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITHOUT
FIRST CONSIDERING HOW THE WORK
WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED AND WHO
WILL BE DOING IT.
MAGICAL THINKING WILL NOT DETER
CRIMINALS AND UNTIL ALTERNATIVE
SOLUTIONS ARE DESIGNED, YOU
WILL BE CREATING A VACUUM THAT
WILL BE FILLED IN ONE MANNER OR
ANOTHER.
DOWNTOWN CRIMINAL SHOOTINGS HAVE
BECOME A ROUTINE.
IT HAS BEEN THE ECONOMIC ENGINE
OF THE CITY PROVIDING THE
LARGEST SHARE OF THE TAX BASE
AND THE 2021 BUDGET MUST
ADDRESS THESE OR OUR CITY WILL
END UP LIKE MANY OTHERS WITH A
BLADED CORE AND ALL OF OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS WILL SUFFER AS A
RESULT.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REMIND YOU
THAT IT'S DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE
WHO DID NOT GROW UP USING
COMPUTERS AS MOST OF THE PEOPLE
ON THIS CALL THAT YOU WILL HEAR
TONIGHT ARE.
IT'S HARD TO GET ONTO THIS CALL
AND GET IN LINE FAST ENOUGH.
I URGE YOU TO GIVE EQUAL WEIGHT
TO WRITTEN COMMENTS AND
RECOGNIZE THESE SPEAKERS THAT
YOU HEAR TONIGHT DO NOT
NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE
ENTIRE POPULATION.
>> YES, WE WILL HAPPILY TAKE
WRITTEN MESSAGES AND I KNOW
THAT EACH OF OUR OFFICES HAVE
BEEN GETTING A NUMBER OF CALLS
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
YOU CAN SEND IN WRITTEN COMMENTS
. NUMBER 20, CATHERINE DAWSON
AND--.
GOOD EVENING.
>> I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT 3
AND BEFORE I GET MY FULL
COMMENT I LIKE TO RESPOND TO
THE PERSON BEFORE ME AND SAY I
RECOGNIZE YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME
FEARS THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT UP
AND ALL OF THIS IS NEW TO YOU,
HOWEVER, THE POLICE DO NOT MAKE
A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL SAFE AND
HAVING VIOLENT REGULATIONS OF
PEOPLE WHO ARE HOUSED DOES NOT
IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITIES.
IT MAY MAKE YOU FEEL MORE
COMFORTABLE BUT THAT'S NOT
NECESSARILY REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE POPULATION EITHER.
I PERSONALLY VALUE PEOPLE OVER
PROPERTY AND THE ECONOMIC
CONCERNS OF ESSENCES ARE NOT MY
PRIORITY.
MY PRIORITY IS MY COMMUNITY AND
THE PEOPLE AROUND ME AND THE
SAFETY OF ALL.
WE KNOW SPECIFICALLY THAT
PEOPLE OF COLOR AND
SPECIFICALLY BLACK COMMUNITIES
ARE THREATENED BY POLICE AND ON
HOUSED COMMUNITIES ARE
THREATENED BY POLICE.
I'M GRATEFUL TO LIVE IN
DISTRICTS WHO-- BY
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT AND THANK
HER FOR HER SUPPORT TO DEFEND
POLICE INCLUDING THE DEMANDS OF
THE SPD MOVEMENT.
I'M RAGING DEFENDING BY AT
LEAST 50% AND INVEST IN BIPOC
COMMUNITIES.
NOW THAT WE ARE IN A NEW BUDGET
CYCLE TRYING TO POSTPONE THE
CONVERSATION, THE POLICE DO NOT
KEEP US SAFE.
THEY EXIST TO PROTECT POWER AND
PROPERTY, NOT PEOPLE.
MAYBE SOME PEOPLE, NOT ALL.
THE $100 MILLION PROMISED BY
MAYOR DURKAN NEEDS TO COME FROM
POLICE FUNDING AND NOT THE
JUMPSTART FUNDING.
AS MANY PEOPLE POINTED OUT THE
BUDGET REFLECTS OUR PRIORITY
AND BY INVESTING IN PROGRAMS
THAT THE COMMUNITY USES WE CAN
CREATE TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY THAT
ALLOWS TO BUILD AN ABOLITIONIST
FUTURE.
ON THE PERSON BEFORE ME, I HEARD
THAT MEMBERS SCOFF AT THE IDEA
OF ABOLITION WHICH IS BAFFLING.
I WANT A LEADER WHO CAN IMAGINE
A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE ARE CARED
FOR AND YOU CAN TAKE ACTIONS TO
MAKE THAT HAPPEN AND WE ARE
LOOKING TO YOU NOW TO TAKE THE
FIRST STEP IF YOU PASS A BUDGET
THAT MAINTAINS THE POLICE
BUDGET YOU ARE SIGNALING THE
PRIORITY IS VIOLENCE, AND
REGULATION AND NOT CARE.
>> I'M GOING TO BE THE NEXT FEW
NAMES AND THE IT TEAM ALERTED
ME THAT THEY WILL FIX THE CHIMES
FOR THEIR CHANCE TO WRAP UP
COMMENTS.
I HEAR FAINTLY THAT THEY ARE
GOING TO DIAL IT UP SO YOU CAN
ALL HEAR IT.
WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM A
SECOND WE ARE GOING TO GIVE
THEM A 2nd TO CHIME IN, I MEAN,
MAKE THE CHIME CHANGE.
I WILL READ THE NEXT FEW NAMES.
NUMBER 21, RAHANA, TIARA, AND
CLAIRE.
AND FOR DORIS, YOU WERE LISTED
AS COLOR NUMBER THREE.
PLEASED TO NOTE WE STILL HAVE
YOU LISTED AS NOT PRESENT SO IF
YOU ARE WONDERING WHY YOU HAVE
NOT BEEN CALLED WE ARE READY TO
HEAR FROM YOU.
YOU JUST NEED TO DIAL INTO THE
PUBLIC TESTIMONY NUMBER THAT
YOU WERE GIVEN WHEN YOU SIGNED
UP.
WITH THAT, THE NEXT PERSON IS
RAHANA.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONNECT
CORRECT MY PRONUNCIATION.
>> I'M A HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT
2. COUNCILMEMBERS, THANKS FOR
LISTENING THIS EVENING.
LIKE MANY OTHERS BEFORE ME I
WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT
THERE CAN BE NO MEANINGFUL
EFFORT TO INVEST IN THE TRUE
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF BLACK
COMMUNITIES, AND FRANKLY ALL
COMMUNITIES, WITHOUT EQUAL AND
JOINT EFFORT TO THE VEST FROM
THE SYSTEMS THAT EMPLOY THE
MOST HARM.
VIOLENCE, OVER POLICING, AND
CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT.
YOU CANNOT FULLY FUND THIS AND
THEN EXCEPT THAT ASK US TO
ACCEPT A TREATMENT FOR IT.
PUT ASIDE THE MANY MONTHS OF
ABUSE THAT RESIDENTS HAVE
ENDURED AT THE HANDS OF THE SPD.
THE POLICE HAVE CONTROL OVER
WAY TOO MANY AREAS OF SELECTIVE
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.
THEY HAVE NO PLACE MANAGING
MENTAL HEALTH, HOUSING,
KINSHIP, BODIES.
WE NEED TO REDUCE THE POSSIBLE
LANDSCAPE OF HARM. AT THE TOWN
HALL LAST WEEK THE MAYOR HERSELF
STATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN HOW
IT IS A COMMUNITY-BASED
SOLUTION PROVING TO BE THE MOST
EFFECTIVE AND ACHIEVING GREATER
MEASURES OF EQUITY.
SHE SAW THEM COMPLEMENTARY TO
THEIR TASK FORCE AND OTHER
BODIES CONTINUING TO GIVE
ABUSERS MORE POWER OVER THE
FOLKS THAT THEY HARM. SHE WANTS
THE BRILLIANCE AND LABOR BUT
DOES NOT WANT TO GIVE THEM THE
BUDGET UNLESS THE AGENCIES
DEFINE THE PROCESS AND
SOLUTIONS FOR THEIR OWN
COMMUNITIES.
EQUITY BEGINS WITH AGENCY.
WE ALL KNOW THIS.
THE ONLY WAY FORWARD IS TO DO
VEST BY AT LEAST 50% AND INVEST
$100 MILLION FROM THOSE FUN
INTO A PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
PROCESS.
SHOW US THAT SEATTLE IS READY
TO BUILD A MORE EQUITABLE
FUTURE.
PLEASE DO NOT LET US DOWN.
>> TIARA, AND THEN CLAIRE.
GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS TIARA AND I'M A
PROJECT MANAGER IN SEATTLE AND
I'M HERE TO THANK COUNCIL FOR
CONTINUED SUPPORT OF LEAD
INCLUDING THE RECENT ADOPTION
OF THE GATE KEEPING-- AND YOUR
EFFORTS TO CONNECT US WHO ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
BECAUSE OF THE EXPANSION OF
SERVICES WE BEEN ABLE TO HIRE A
DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO
HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED AND
WHO HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCE IN
ORDER TO SERVE AND OFFER
ALTERNATIVES AND POLICING OF
COMMUNITIES THAT WE BELONG TO
INCLUDING BLACK, INDIGENOUS,
AND OTHER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
WHO HAVE BEEN MOST MARGINALIZED
AND HARMED.
WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF EFFORTS TO
INVEST IN ALTERNATIVE
ENFORCEMENT IN BIPOC
COMMUNITIES AND ARE IN SUPPORT
OF-- CONNECTING THOSE WHO NEED
LONG-TERM, SUSTAINED CARE AFTER
A CRISIS.
WE CONTINUE TO CONNECT WITH
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND
BUSINESSES WHO ARE
OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTIVE OF
THE WORK WE ARE DOING.
THANK YOU.
>> CLAIRE, GOOD EVENING.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS CLAIRE AND I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 6 AND I'M CALLING TO
ASK MY COUNCILMEMBER AND THE
REST OF THE COUNCIL TO CUT SPD
BUDGET AND STAFFING BY AT LEAST
50% FOR 2021.
THEY DO NOT DO AN EFFECTIVE JOB
OF KEEPING RESIDENTS SAFE AND
UNFORTUNATELY IN MANY CASES
THEY MAKE PEOPLE LESS SAFE AND
IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR BLACK
AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.
THE MORE THAN $200 MILLION THAT
THE CITY WOULD SAVE BY
DEFENDING SPD COULD BE PUT TO
BETTER USE INCLUDING $100
MILLION IN PARTICIPATORY
BUDGETING.
TO BE CLEAR THAT YOU COME OUT
OF THE POLICE BUDGET AND NOT
FROM CUTS ELSEWHERE.
PLEASE PRESERVE THE FUNDING
THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED
FOR JUMPSTART SEATTLE.
THE BAD FAITH ATTEMPT TO SCORE
POINTS BY PITTING COMMUNITIES
AGAINST TO EACH OTHER IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE.
PLEASE CANCEL THE CONTRACT AS
IT PREVENTS US FROM HOLDING
THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKING
CHANGES TO HOW WE PERCEIVE
PUBLIC SAFETY.
AS A TAXPAYER IT UPSETS ME TO
SEE THE FUNDING BEING USED SO
INEFFICIENTLY.
IF THE GOAL IS SAFETY AND WELL-
BEING OF SEATTLE RESIDENTS,
SPENDING SO MUCH ON PD AND SO
LITTLE ON PUBLIC TRANSIT AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND OTHER
SERVICES IS JUST A BAD IDEA.
SPD IS NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, AND LET'S
STOP ASKING THEM TO DO THINGS
THAT SHOULD BE OUTSIDE THEIR
JOB DESCRIPTION AND START
FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT CAN
ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF
THE CITY.
FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO THANK
THE COUNCIL FOR YOUR VOTE TO
PROVIDE A VETO AND THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NUMBER 24 HATTIE AND CLAIRE IT.
GOOD EVENING.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I AM THE SITE COORDINATOR FOR
GEORGETOWN TINY HOUSE VILLAGE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED
SUPPORT OF CURRENT VILLAGES.
TODAY I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF
THE COUNTLESS PEOPLE THAT COME
TO ARROGATE ASKING HOW THEY CAN
GET INTO THE VILLAGES.
TODAY I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF
THE COUNTLESS PEOPLE CALLING
DESPERATE FOR A WARM, DRY PLACE
TO STAY.
I'M ASKING YOU TO BE MORE THAN
WHAT THE MAYOR IS WILLING TO
BE.
ADD FUNDING FOR ADDITIONAL
VILLAGES, SO THAT MORE OF OUR
AND HOUSED NEIGHBORS CAN BE
SAFE IN A VILLAGE, TOO.
MARK FUNDING FROM THE EMERGENCY
SOLUTIONS GRANT CARES ACT TO
CREATE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING USING
THE HOLIDAY INN AND THE NORTH.
NOT JUST DURING THIS PANDEMIC
BUT AS AN ONGOING SOLUTION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CLARA FOLLOWED BY ALICIA. GOOD
EVENING, CLAIRE IT.
YOU MAY HAVE TO HIT STAR SIX
ONE MORE TIME.
>> HI.
I'M A RENTER IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD OF DISTRICT FOR
AND A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF THIS
DISTRICT, AND A MEMBER OF THE
SUNRISE MOVEMENT. LIKE MOST OF
THE OTHERS ON THIS CALL, I AM
ASKING CITY COUNCIL TO AMEND
THE BUDGET PROPOSAL OF MAYOR
DURKAN WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE
NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AT ALL.
AND INSTEAD, INVEST IN A
SOLIDARITY BUDGET.
FIRST YOU NEED TO DEFEND SPD BY
AT LEAST 50% AND REINVEST THOSE
FUNDS IN BACK, INDIGENOUS, AND
PEOPLE OF COLOR-LEAD HEALTH AND
SAFETY INITIATIVES.
THIS MONEY MUST BE ALLOCATED
THROUGH A PARTICIPATORY BUDGET
PROCESS AS OPPOSED TO A HAND-
PICKED TASK FORCE WHICH WILL
INEVITABLY REPRESENT THE
MAYOR'S INTERESTS INSTEAD OF
THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
FINALLY, THIS MONEY MUST NOT
COME FROM THE JUMPSTART SEATTLE
REVENUE AS THE MAYOR HAS
PROPOSED BECAUSE THAT MONEY HAS
ALREADY BEEN MARKED FOR
IMPORTANT NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY
. REALLOCATING THIS MONEY ONLY
FORCES OUR COMMUNITY,
COMMUNITIES TO COMPETE FOR
FUNDING WHEN WE HAVE ENOUGH
WEALTH AS A CITY TO ENSURE THAT
ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS HAVE THEIR
HEALTH AND SAFETY NEEDS MET.
THANK YOU AND I YIELD MY TIME.
>> NUMBER 26, ALICIA FOLLOWED
BY JENNY.
GOOD EVENING, ALICIA.
>> GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS ALICIA AND I'M WITH
THE COALITION ENDING GENDER-
BASED VIOLENCE SPEAKING FROM
OUR COALITION'S COLLECTIVE
EXPERIENCE WORKING TO PREVENT
AND RESPOND TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE
IN SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY AND
ARE PROUD MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN
SERVICES COMMISSION.
WE SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDED
BUDGET POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR
EQUITABLE RECOVERY.
SAFE, HEALTHY FAMILIES ARE THE
FOUNDATION OF HEALTHY
COMMUNITIES, AND TO OVERCOME
ABUSE, SURVIVORS NEED WHAT WE
ALL NEED, AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
LIVING WAGES, TRANSPORTATION,
CHILDCARE, FOOD, PARENTING
SUPPORT, AND ADVOCACY SERVICES
THAT SUPPORT HEALING AND SELF-
DETERMINATION.
WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT FUNDING
FOR BIPOC-LEAD ORGANIZATIONS
INCLUDING SERVICES A GRAFTING
DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
ALREADY BEING PROVIDED AT
CULTURAL-SPECIFIC GAMES, AND
SUPPORTING SURVIVORS ALL OVER
THE REGION.
THOUGH WE APPRECIATE THAT THE
PROPOSED BUDGET MAINTAINS AND
EXPANDS HUMAN SERVICE FUNDING,
IT DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.
WE STAND WITH THE MANY, MANY,
MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS
ACROSS THE CITY TO URGE YOU TO
GO FURTHER BY ENSURING MEDICINAL
-- FOR INEQUITABLE
OVERINVESTMENT IN POLICE.
PLEASE PROTECT REVENUES FROM
THE JUMPSTART PAYROLL TAX WHICH
HAS ALREADY BEEN PROMISED FOR
OTHER VITAL COMMUNITY NEEDS.
PLEASE HONOR YOUR COMMITMENTS
TO LISTEN TO CONSTITUENTS AND
PASS A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS THE
PERSPECTIVES AND NEEDS OF ALL
OF YOUR COMMUNITIES.
USE YOUR POWER TO CREATE A MORE
EQUITABLE SEATTLE WHERE ALL CAN
THRIVE.
>> THANK YOU.
NUMBER 27, JENNY PRICE THEN
JENNIFER WARD.
GOOD EVENING.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, THANK YOU, JENNY.
MY NAME IS JENNY PRICE AND I'M
A RENTER IN DISTRICT 4 AND I
WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY SUPPORT TO
THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKE
ALREADY AND THE 60+ GROUPS
CALLING FOR A SOLIDARITY BUDGET.
THESE GROUPS INCLUDE RACHEL
JUSTICE-- RACIAL JUSTICE
COALITION, I'M AN ORGANIZATION,
SERVICE PROVIDERS, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING ADVOCATES, ARTS AND
CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS
LABOR UNIONS.
WE CALL AND COUNSEL TO AMEND
MAYOR DURKAN'S PROPOSED BUDGET
TO ONE THAT DIVESTS FROM
POLICE, DIVESTS FROM POLLUTION
AND REINVESTS IN COMMUNITIES
MEANING DEFENDING THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST
50% AND REINVESTING THOSE INTO
BLACK COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY-
LEAD HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEMS.
THIS REINVESTMENT SHOULD BE
ONE THROUGH A TRUE
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
PROCESS, AND NOT A TASK FORCE
HAND-PICKED BY THE MAYOR.
ADDITIONALLY, THE $100 MILLION
PROMISED BY THE MAYOR FOR BLACK
COMMUNITIES SHOULD COME
SPECIFICALLY FROM THE POLICING
BUDGETS AND NOT FROM JUMPSTART
SEATTLE REVENUE WHICH HAS
ALREADY BEEN DEDICATED TO
EMERGENCY COVID-19 RELIEF,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND GREEN
NEW DEAL INVESTMENTS.
THANK YOU AND I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT PERSON WAS JENNIFER
AND AFTER THAT WE ARE GOING TO
GIVE ONE MINUTE TO THE IT TEAM
TO SWITCH FOLKS WHO ARE MANAGING
THE SYSTEM BEHIND THE SCENES.
JENNIFER, PLEASE TAKE IT AWAY.
>> HI, MY NAME IS JENNIFER AND
I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT 7. I'M
CALLING ABOUT THE PROPOSED 2021
BUDGET AND IN SUPPORT OF THE
DEMANDS OF THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET AND THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET
MOVEMENT.
MAYOR DURKAN'S PROPOSED 2021
BUDGET IS CRUEL, AUSTERE, AND
DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS
MARGINALIZED PEOPLE BY SLASHING
PUBLIC SERVICES BY OVER $200
MILLION IN THE MIDDLE OF A
RECESSION CAUSED BY AN ONGOING
GLOBAL PLAN PANDEMIC INSTEAD OF
SLASHING THE BLOATED POLICE
BUDGET.
IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO FIND
DIGNIFIED HOUSING AND STOP THE
SWEEPS THAT ONLY SERVE TO HURT
ON HOUSED PEOPLE.
WE NEED THE CITY COUNCIL TO
MAKE GOOD ON THEIR PROMISES TO
DEFEND THE POLICE BY AT LEAST
50% AND WE KNOW THAT THE POLICE
DO NOT KEEP MARGINALIZED PEOPLE
SAFE.
IF COUNSEL TRULY BELIEVES BLACK
LIVES MATTER AND THAT THEY HAVE
AN OBLIGATION TO SUPPORT
WORKING PEOPLE DURING THE
PANDEMIC, WE ARE ASKING THEM TO
REJECT THE PROPOSAL AND INSTEAD
SUPPORTED BUDGET THAT DEFUND
POLICE AND FUNDS COMMUNITY
JUSTICE AND INITIATIVES THAT
SUPPORT AND ARE LED BY
MARGINALIZED PEOPLE IN BLACK,
BROWN, AND INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IT IS 6:30 SO WE ARE GOING TO
GIVE THE FOLKS FROM IT A CHANCE
TO SWITCH WHO IS AT THE HELMET
AND WILL CONTINUE IN A SECOND.
I WANT TO TAKE A QUICK PSA TO
LET FOLKS KNOW WE ARE AT
SPEAKER NUMBER 29.
I DO SEE A FEW WHO ARE COMING
UP WHO ARE NOT PRESENT AND WE
WILL CALL YOU OUT RIGHT NOW SO
YOU KNOW TO DIAL IN AND BE
READY TO SPEAK PROBABLY WITHIN
THE NEXT 20 MINUTES OR SO.
THAT IS NUMBER 42, NUMBER 43,
AND 48.
JUST AS A REMINDER, THOSE ARE
UPCOMING NAMES AND WE SEE
LISTED AS NOT PRESENT.
I DON'T BLAME YOU FOR LISTENING
IN AND MAYBE CALLING IN A FEW
SPEAKERS BEFOREHAND BECAUSE
IT'S A LONG NIGHT BUT
REGARDLESS, IT IS NOT PRESENT
SO WITHIN THE NEXT 20 MINUTES
OR SO YOU MAY WANT TO JOIN.
>>> THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE
GOING TO BE NUMBER 29, SCOTTY,
NAOMI, AND LOGAN SWAN.
GOOD EVENING, SCOTT IT.
THERE YOU ARE.
I SEE YOU AND FOLKS FROM IT,
LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED MORE
TIME.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS SCOTTY MILLER AND
I'M A DISTRICT 20 RESIDENT.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT TO SEE
GOING ON IN THE CITY.
THE OVER PLACING OF SEATTLE HAS
BEEN CLEAR FOR A LONG TIME BUT
IS CONTINUING TO HARM THE
RESIDENTS WITH TARGETED ARRESTS
OF PROTESTERS, HOMELESS CAMP
SUITES, AND MURDERS, ETC.
AND OVERINFLATED POLICE BUDGET
CAN BE ADJUSTED BY 50%. IF YOU
DO THAT YOU WILL END UP FREEING
UP FUNDS FOR THE NEEDS OF THE
CITY AND CITIZENS INCLUDING
CONTRIBUTED TO DEPARTMENTS LIKE
FDOT, HOUSING, AND OTHER
COMMUNITY SUPPORT STRATEGIES
THAT CAN REPLACE THE POLICE
RESPONSE.
I WAS ABLE TO WATCH A LOT OF
THE BUDGET SESSIONS AND I KNOW
THAT SEVERAL OF YOU ARE NOT
PLEASED WITH THE BUDGET THAT
MAYOR BUT MAYOR DURKAN HAS
PROPOSED AND HOW MUCH OF A MISS
IT IS BUT IN ADDITION, THE CITY
HAS OTHER AVAILABLE OPTIONS TO
CREATE REVENUE STREAMS, AS WELL.
CAPITAL GAINS TAX, HEAD TAX,
GAS TAX.
SOME OF YOU AS WELL AS THE
COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT THESE OPTIONS FOR MONTHS.
YOU ARE AWARE OF THEM.
CITIES LIKE SALT LAKE CITY HAVE
ALREADY SHOWN US THAT THE
SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS IS
HOUSING.
COUNSEL CAN HELP RESIDENTS BY
ENSURING THEY ARE NOT LEFT TO
CHOKE WITH WILDFIRE SMOKE
COMING UP FROM CALIFORNIA AND
OREGON.
THE WHOLE WORLD IS DESPERATELY
IN NEED OF STEPS TO FIGHT
CLIMATE CHANGE SO SEATTLE CAN
START TAKING THE STEPS THAT IT
NEEDS.
YOU HAVE THE TOOLS AT YOUR
DISPOSAL, PLEASE USE THEM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NAOMI FOLLOWED BY LOGAN.
GOOD EVENING, NAOMI.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> THANK YOU, NAOMI.
>> I'M A STUDENT AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON AND A
VOLUNTEER WITH THE LOW INCOME
HOUSING INITIATIVE.
AS YOU KNOW, OUTREACH TO PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS AN
EFFECTIVE IF THEY HAVE NO PLACE
TO GO.
I WOULD LIKE TO URGE THE
COUNCIL TO INVEST IN PROVING
HOUSING MODELS AND PLEASE
AUTHORIZE HOUSING TO COMPLETE
THE BRIDGE LOAN AUTHORITY FOR
THE ACQUISITION OF SITES AND
HOTELS IN LINE WITH HEALTH
THROUGH HOUSING PROPOSAL.
PLEASE ALSO INVEST IN PERMANENT
HYGIENE FACILITIES AS OPPOSED
TO PORTA POTTY'S AND MOBILE
TRAILERS.
PLEASE EXPAND TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES.
THEY YIELD SIGNIFICANTLY
HOUSING-- BETTER HOUSING
OUTCOMES THAN SHELTERS AND
EVERY DAY WE COULD DOZENS OF
REQUESTS FROM PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WERE
HOPING FOR A TINY HOUSE VILLAGE.
THERE ARE PLACES THROUGHOUT
SEATTLE WHOSE OWNERS ARE READY
TO WELCOME A TINY HOUSE.
OFTEN, THESE SITES ARE
DEVELOPED INTO AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND HOST VILLAGES
DURING THE PREDEVELOPMENT
PERIOD.
FINALLY, PLEASE EXPAND SAFE
CAMPING SITES THROUGHOUT
SEATTLE.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR
TIRELESS WORK.
>> THE SAME TO YOU.
LOGAN SWAN?
GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS LOGAN, I MAY RANK
AND FILE UNION WORKER AND
CALLING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET DEMANDS TO
DEFEND A SPEEDY BY 50% AND
REJECT AUSTERITY BY INCREASING
THE AMAZON TAX TO FUND PROGRAMS
AND DEPARTMENTS THAT WORKING
FAMILIES REALLY NEED.
COMMIT TO DEFUNDING BY 50% BUT
THE ONLY ONE STANDING WITH THE
MOVEMENT AS COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT WHILE THE OTHER SIX ARE
BACKGROUND.
I KEEP HEARING FROM DEMOCRATS
THAT THEY DON'T SUPPORT AND
AUSTERITY BUDGET THERE IS A
MASSIVE SHORTFALL FROM THE
REGRESSIVE TAXATION OF SEATTLE,
KING COUNTY, AND WASHINGTON
STATE BEING SWAMPED BY COVID
AND RECESSION.
THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT AND
AUSTERITY BUDGET THAT PLACES
THE BURDEN ON THE BACKS OF
WORKING PEOPLE AND
DISPROPORTIONATELY ON THE MOST
OPPRESSED OF THE WORKING CLASS
WHO HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING FOR
YEARS, IS TO CUT THE BLOATED
POLICE BUDGET AND RAISE
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE.
OTHERWISE YOU ARE PLAYING SHELL
GAMES LIKE MAYOR DURKAN IS
TRYING TO DO.
WHEN YOU CUT PARKS AND
RECREATION, SDOT AND PUBLIC
TRANSIT YOU ARE CUTTING UNION
JOBS.
WHEN YOU CUT SPD'S BUDGET THAT
HAS BEEN INCREASED BY 42% IN
THE LAST SIX YEARS, YOU ARE
MAKING A CONSCIOUS CHOICE TO
PUT THE BURDEN OF THIS ON
WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES AND
WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH IT FOR
YEARS.
WE DEALT WITH IT DURING THE
BOOM OF THIS CITY THAT SAW THE
MAJORITY OF WORKING PEOPLE AND
PEOPLE FROM COMMUNITIES OUT OF
CAPITOL HILL GET DISPLACED.
NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD, THAT WAS
DURING THE BOOM AND WE CANNOT
TAKE THIS FOR THE DURATION OF A
RECESSION.
WE ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH
COVID IN OUR WORKPLACES AND
SKYROCKETING LIVING COSTS.
WE NEED A GREEN DEAL, PEOPLE'S
BUDGET, TO DEFEND SPD, AND
INCREASE THE AMAZON TAX.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NUMBER 32, AUGUST, KELSEY, AND
ERIN.
AUGUST, GOOD EVENING.
>> CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME?
>> YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MY NAME IS AUGUST AND I AM A
RENTER LIVING IN COLUMBIA CITY.
I'M A MEMBER OF THE SUNRISE
MOVEMENT AND I'M HERE TO
EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET.
WE NEED A HEALTHY, EQUITABLE,
AND JUST KIND OF FUTURE AND TO
GET THERE WE MUST DIVEST FROM
THE HARM CAUSED BY POLICING
POLLUTION AND INVEST IN WHAT
MAKES OUR COMMUNITIES HEALTHY.
HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC
SAFETY, CLEAN AIR, AND GOOD
JOBS.
I'M CALLING ON SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL TO DEFEND SPD BY AT
LEAST 50% AND REINVEST FUNDING
INTO BIPOC COMMUNITIES VIA
COMMUNITY-LEAD HEALTH AND
SAFETY PROGRAMS.
SECOND, THE PROMISE OF $100
MILLION FOR BIPOC COMMUNITIES
SHOULD BE ALLOCATED THROUGH
TRUE PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
PROCESS, NOT A MAYORAL TASK
FORCE.
30, IT SHOULD COME FROM
POLICING BUDGETS, NOT FROM
JUMPSTART SEATTLE BUDGETS
DEDICATED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING
IN GREEN NEW DEAL INVESTMENTS.
LEFT, PLEASE REAFFIRM THE VOTES
HE MADE IN THE REBALANCING
PACKAGE TO ELIMINATE THE
NAVIGATION TEAM AND INSTEAD
FUND TRUSTED COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS AND NONPROFITS TO
CONDUCT OUTREACH TO ENCAMPMENTS
WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF POLICE.
THE BUDGET THAT YOU VOTE ON
SHOULD REFLECT THE CITY THAT
WORKS FOR ALL OF US AND ONE
THAT ELEVATES BLACK LIVES.
THANK YOU.
>>> KELSEY FOLLOWED BY AIR.
>> I'M KELSEY, A RENTER AND
TEACHER IN DISTRICT 3. I FULLY
SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET
AND I'M CALLING ON YOU TO
FOLLOW THROUGH ON YOUR PROMISES
FROM JUNE AND DEFEND SPD BY
MINIMALLY 50% IN THE 2021
BUDGET CYCLE.
HONESTLY, GO FOR 100%.
THEY ARE VILE ENFORCERS OF
WHITE SUPREMACY, HARASSERS,
BRUTALIZE US, AND ABUSERS.
IT IS BEYOND TIME FOR THEM TO
BE DEFUNDED AND ABOLISHED.
I ALSO CALL AND CITY COUNCIL TO
ENGAGE IN A PARTICIPATORY
PROCESS TO REDISTRIBUTE FUNDING
FROM SPD TO VESTMENT.
THE FOLKS MOST IMPACTED BY THESE
SYSTEMS ARE CLOSEST TO THE
SOLUTION.
BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS, SECS
WORKER, HOUSE LIST AND
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE MOST
HARMED. THESE FOLKS MUST BE AT
THE CENTER OF A PARTICIPATORY
BUDGETING PROCESS FOR TRUE
POWER AND OWNERSHIP.
ADDITIONALLY I URGE COUNCIL TO
ACT WITH URGENCY TO USE
JUMPSTART FUNDING TO PROVIDE
DIGNIFIED HOUSING FOR ALL AND
COVID RELIEF AS THEY WERE
INTENDED.
LESLIE, CONTRARY TO THE
PREVIOUS COMMENT, PEOPLE WHO
HAVE LOST THEIR DIGNITY ARE NOT
THE FOLKS MOST HARMED BY
CAPITALIST SYSTEMS, BUT RATHER,
THOSE THAT ARE UPHOLDING VIOLENT
WHITE SUPREMACIST CAPITALIST
SYSTEMS.
ABOLITIONIST MEANS CREATING A
REALITY WHERE EVERYONE CAN BE
THE MOST HUMAN.
LET'S START BY DEFENDING A
SPEEDY BY AT LEAST 50% AND
USING PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
TO INVEST IN BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.
>> NUMBER 34?
AARON FOLLOWED BY WALKER.
GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS ERIN, I'M A
LIFELONG RESIDENT OF SEATTLE
AND CURRENTLY LIVE IN GREENWOOD
AND I'M CALLING BECAUSE I'M,
LITERALLY EVERY PERSON, STAND
WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE
ENDORSED THE SOLIDARITY 80
BUDGET AND URGED THE COUNCIL TO
LISTEN TO BLACK LEADERS, KING
COUNY EQUITY NOW AND YOU PUSH
THE BALL WHILE REBALANCING THE
2020 BUDGET SO I URGING YOU TO
KEEP YOUR WORD AND DIVEST BY AT
LEAST 50% AND SUPPORT
DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDING,
DIVESTED FROM SPD THROUGH
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
PROCESSES.
I'M ALSO ASKING YOU TO MAKE
SURE THAT INVESTMENTS IN BLACK
COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY-LEAD
HEALTH AND SAFETY COME FROM
FUNDING DIVESTED FROM POLICE,
PROSECUTORS, AND COURTS AND NOT
JUMPSTART SEATTLE FUNDING OR
ANY OTHER FUNDING.
NO MORE THAN EVER WE NEED TO
PRESERVE VITAL PUBLIC SERVICES
TO COMPLETE HER TO PROJECTS
INCLUDING CREATION OF A
CROSSWALK FROM THE LONGHOUSE TO
THE PARK ACROSS THE STREET.
I URGE YOU TO FUND DIGNIFIED
HOUSING FOR ALL INCLUDING
SINGLE-ROOM ACCOMMODATIONS DUE
TO PURCHASE OF HOTELS AS AN
INTERIM MEASURE ON THE WAY TO
PERMANENT HOUSING.
PLEASE REAFFIRM THE VOTE YOU
MADE IN THE 2020 REBALANCING
PACKAGE TO ELIMINATE THE
NAVIGATION TEAM AND INSTEAD FUND
TRUSTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
AND NONPROFITS TO CONDUCT
OUTREACH WITHOUT THE PRESENCE
OF POLICE.
AS MANY HAVE SAID, THE BUDGET
THAT YOU VOTE ON SHOULD REFLECT
A CITY THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US
AND ONE THAT ELEVATES BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS LIVES.
MAYOR JENNY DURKAN CONTINUES TO
BE ALL TALK AND NO ACTION AND
HAS PROVED TIME AND TIME AGAIN
SHE WILL PROTECT POLICE AND
BUSINESS INTERESTS RATHER THAN
BLACK FOLKS IN THIS CITY.
I URGE YOU, DO NOT BACK DOWN
AND LET THE MAYOR BULLY YOU.
I URGE COUNCIL TO LISTEN TO
BLACK LEADERS, LISTEN TO-- IN
SEATTLE.
>> WALKER THOMAS FOLLOWED BY
BILL SIMPSON.
GOOD EVENING.
IN
>> MY NAME IS WALKER, I'M A
RESIDENT HERE IN SEATTLE AND I
WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY VOICE TO
THE OVERWHELMING CHORUS OF
PEOPLE CALLING IN MARCHING
MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE FACE OF
INCREDIBLE DANGER AND POLICE
VIOLENCE AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO
EMAIL ALL THE TIME AND PEOPLE
WHO CALL AND EXPLAIN THAT WE
ALL WANT THE SAME THING WHICH
IS THE POLICE BUDGET CUT BY AT
LEAST 50%.
THEY ARE NOT HELPFUL, THEY ARE
DOING ANYTHING TO MAKE THE
COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE.
I WORK AT A HOMELESS SHELTER
DOWNTOWN, MY PARTNER IS A
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER
AND WE BOTH KNOW HOW
DESPERATELY THIS MONEY IS
NEEDED FOR ALL SORTS OF OTHER
THINGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY
HELPFUL INSTEAD OF WHAT THE
POLICE PROVIDE WHICH IS
BASICALLY TERRORISM.
PLEASE, DO WHAT EVERYONE IS
ASKING YOU TO DO.
DEFEND THE POLICE BY 50% AND
INVEST THE MONEY INTO
COMMUNITIES.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
BILL SIMPSON FOLLOWED BY
JESSICA.
BILL, GOOD EVENING.
IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, JUST PUSH
STAR SIX ONE MORE TIME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> YES, WE CAN, THANK YOU.
>> HI, MY NAME IS BILL AND I'M
A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT 4. I'D
LIKE TO ECHO MY SUPPORT FOR THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND I WOULD
ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT A FEW
THINGS THAT I HAVE NOTICED OVER
THE SUMMER AND WITH THE
PROPOSED BUDGET EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY.
ALTHOUGH THERE WAS AN ONGOING
PROTEST, IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE
THERE WERE PEACEFUL DAILY
PROTESTS WHEN CHEMICAL WEAPONS
AND MORE EXTREME WEAPONS LIKE
BLAST BALLS WERE BANNED, BUT
BEFORE AND AFTER THESE MORE
VIOLENT CROWD CONTROL METHODS
WERE USED, THERE WAS OFTEN
VIOLENCE SO I'M KIND OF
SUSPICIOUS OF THE STORY OFTEN
TOLD BY THE POLICE OF WHAT WAS
HAPPENING AT THE PROTEST. THE
POLICE BUDGET IS MUCH LARGER
THAN THE SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION BUDGET. ONE OF MY
FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT SEATTLE
IS ALL THE GREAT LIBRARIES,
PARKS, AND COMMUNITY CENTERS
THAT PROVIDE LOTS OF
RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES.
I'M NOTICING IN THE BUDGET, I
UNDERSTAND THINGS ARE DIFFICULT
BUDGET -WISE AND WITH COVID
NOW, BUT I'M DISAPPOINTED TO SEE
THE CLOSING OF COMMUNITY
CENTERS, POOLS, AND REDUCED
MAINTENANCE.
SO, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE
SPENDING FOR PARKS AND
RECREATION NOT BEING CUT, AND
AUSTERITY.
THANKS FOR LISTENING.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING.
WE WILL BE CIRCLING BACK TO
THAT AS MANY OF THOSE ITEMS
WERE SLATED FOR FUNDING IN THE
ORIGINAL 2021 SPEND PLAN FOR
JUMPSTART SO THANK YOU FOR
FOGGINESS.
JESSICA FOLLOWED BY KAREN.
JESSICA, GOOD EVENING.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 3 AND I AM
CALLING FOR A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE, I WANT TO ECHO WHAT
EVERYONE IS SAYING WHICH IS
FANTASTIC, THAT NOW IS THE
OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW THROUGH
ON THE PROMISE YOU MADE THIS
SUMMER TO DEFEND SPD BY AT
LEAST 50% AND MAKE SURE THAT
ALL OF THE FUNDING GOES TO BLACK
AND BROWN RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
PROGRAMS.
I AM CONCERNED, THE MAYOR HAS
SAID SHE IS ALLOCATING $100
MILLION TO BLACK AND BROWN
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES BUT
THERE IS NOT MUCH OF A PLAN.
ONE OF HER CRITICISMS OF
DEFUNDING THE POLICE IS THAT
THERE IS NOT MUCH OF A PLAN.
I FIND THIS CONCERNING BECAUSE
BLACK AND BROWN RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE PROGRAMS HAVE EXISTED
FOR A WHILE.
THEY HAVE A PLAN.
NEED THE FUNDING. T THEY JUST
WE JUST NEED TO DEFEND THEM AND
GIVE THEM THE MONEY BECAUSE
THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
MY OTHER CONCERN IS THE
JUMPSTART SEATTLE AND FUNDING
THAT WOULD RAISE.
IT NEEDS TO GO SPECIFICALLY TO
WHAT WE PUSHED FOR WHICH WAS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
SPECIFICALLY TO HOUSE OUR MOST
VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND OUR
HOMELESS POPULATION IN SEATTLE.
ON TOP OF THAT, WE ALSO
ALLOCATED $18 MILLION OF THAT
SPECIFICALLY TO GO TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT SPECIFICALLY
FOR BLACK HOUSEHOLDS.
IT WOULD BE CONCERNING TO
ACTUALLY RAISE THE MONEY AND
NOT SPEND IT ON THAT BECAUSE
THAT'S WHAT WE PUSH FOR AND
WHAT WE WERE SPEAKING TO PEOPLE
ABOUT WHEN COLLECTING
SIGNATURES.
PEOPLE REALLY FELT IT WAS
IMPORTANT THAT HOUSING WAS
BUILT SPECIFICALLY IN THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT 1st.
I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU PLEASE
KEEP THESE THINGS IN MIND WHEN
YOU ARE FINALIZING OR STARTING
THIS 2021 BUDGET PROCESS AND
THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SAY.
THANK YOU.
>> THREE SECONDS LEFT,
APPRECIATED.
KAREN, GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS KAREN.
AND THE COORDINATOR FOR THE
NORTH PRECINCT WITH THE REACH
PROGRAM.'S SO THANK YOU TO THE
LAST PERSON.
WE RECEIVED 418 REFERRALS FOR
OUR PRECINCT WHEN WE WERE
ALLOTTED 75 FOR THE FIRST YEAR.
PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS, USE
DRUGS, AND MOST RECENTLY WHO
HAVE BEEN EVICTED.
AFTER YEARS OF INCIDENTS INSIDE
AND OUTSIDE OF THE MOTEL IT WAS
FINALLY SHUT DOWN AT THE BEHEST
OF NEIGHBORING PEOPLE RESULTING
IN IMMEDIATELY DISPLACING--
PEOPLE BUT LOSS OF SHELTER FOR
PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO
RENT THERE WITHOUT AN ID, THE
MENTALLY ILL WITHOUT HAVING THE
POLICE IMMEDIATELY CALLED ON
THEM, OR BE ABLE TO STAY THERE
WITH FRIENDS OR HAVE SOMEONE
PAYING THEIR BILLS.
MANY FOLKS HAVE NEVER HEARD OF
HOUSING RESOURCES AND FELT THAT
SERVICES WHO FIT THEIR NEEDS OR
MAKE THE VULNERABILITY OF
ASKING FOR HELP A POSSIBILITY.
HISTORY OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY
, FAMILY HISTORY AND THE SECS
TRADER, AND YES, VIOLENCE AND
CRIME HAS CONDEMNED PEOPLE TO
THE MERCY OF SYSTEMS THAT DO
NOT MAKE THE SPACE FOR THEM.
THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE.
MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE,
TREAT THEM WITH DIGNITY,
RESPECT, HOSPITALITY, AND TAKE
THE TIME TO KNOW THEM AS PEOPLE.
THINK OF PLANS TOGETHER THAT
WILL GET THEM TO THE GOALS OF
WHERE THEY WANT TO BE.
THIS IS LIBERATION AND WHAT
GETS IN THE WAY AS HARMFUL
BARRIERS, FUNDING NOT BEEN
RELEASED AS PROMISED, AND
INFLEXIBLE ABSTINENCE-BASED
PROGRAM POLICIES. THE MAYOR AND
THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY, AS
YOU COME TO TERMS WITH RACISM
INHERENT IN OUR SOCIETY I URGE
YOU TO MAKE AMENDS AND KEEP IN
MIND PEOPLE ON THE STREET WHO
DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE
UNTIL TOMORROW OR NEXT WEEK AND
WHO HAVE BEEN FAILED BY EVERY
SYSTEM WE HAVE EVER CREATED.
>> THANK YOU.
NUMBER 39 AND THEN GREG S. GOOD
EVENING.
>> I AM A MEMBER OF SOCIALIST
ALTERNATIVE AND THE PEOPLE'S
BUDGET MOVEMENT.
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE
AUSTERITY BUDGET WHICH FAILED
TO DEFEND THE POLICE AND
ACTUALLY PROPOSES TO CONTINUE
HIRING OFFICERS DESPITE THIS
WHOLE SUMMER OF PROTESTS.
WHILE WORKING PEOPLE SUFFER,
BLACK AND BROWN WORKING PEOPLE
SUFFER DISPROPORTIONATELY FROM
THE PANDEMIC, THE MAYOR IS ALSO
CUTTING VITAL PUBLIC SERVICES
LIKE PARKS AND LIBRARIES THAT
WORKING PEOPLE DEFEND ON
BECAUSE SHE REFUSES TO MAKE
BILLIONAIRES AND CORPORATIONS
PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.
SHE IS DETERMINED TO PUT THE
PUCK COST OF THIS CRISIS ON THE
BACK OF WORKING PEOPLE DESPITE
THE FACT THAT BILLIONAIRES HAVE
INCREASED THEIR WEALTH BY OVER
$600 BILLION DURING THIS
CRISIS.
I WANTED TO SHARE THAT IN
CONTRAST TO THIS, THE PEOPLE'S
BUDGET STRUGGLE LED BY
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT WANT
FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY
PASSAGEWAYS, AND OTHER
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAMS
THAT ARE PROVEN TO REDUCE
VIOLENCE BY INVESTING IN
SERVICES, NOT MORE COPS.
WE CAN DO THE SAME NOW BUT
TRUSTING MAYOR DURKAN OR THE
PROMISES OF COUNCILMEMBERS WHO
PROMISED TO DEFEND AND THEN
REFUSED TO EVEN SECOND THE
LEGISLATION IS A DEBT.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT FOR EVERY
YEAR SINCE SHE ELECTED,
FIGHTING TO DEFUND THE SPD AND
I WANT TO URGE EVERYONE TO JOIN
US ON OCTOBER 20 FOR THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET TOWN HALL TO
HELP US BUILD THIS MOVEMENT
TOGETHER.
>> GREG AND THEN GREG WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY STEVE AND REVEREND
YANG.
GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS GREG AND I'M A
RENTER IN DISTRICT FOR IT.
I LIKE TO REGISTER MY SUPPORT
FOR THE 2021 PROPOSED BUDGET.
I AM FOR COUNCILMEMBERS TAKEN
THE DIFFICULT ROAD TO REAL
REFORM INVOLVING FIRST AND
FOREMOST, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT
CITY COUNCIL CAN NO LONGER
CONTINUE TO LEGISLATE IN A
VACUUM.
ANY BUDGET PASSED BY THIS BODY
MUST TAKE ACCOUNT OF MANY
STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING NOT ONLY
THE PROTESTERS EXPRESSING
RIGHTEOUS ANGER AT THE STATE OF
POLICE REFORM AND
ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT ALSO THE
GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING
TO IMPLEMENT THE LEGALLY-
MANDATED PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN
UNDERWAY FOR NEARLY A DECADE.
GOING FORWARD THEY MUST
PRIORITIZE WORKING
COLLABORATIVELY TO ENACT
LEGISLATION THAT DO NOT
CONFLICT WITH THE FEDERAL
CONSENT DECREE AND WOULD LIKE
TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF
THIS PROCESS OVER ALL OTHER
TOOLS AT OUR DISPOSAL INCLUDING
THE HALF-BAKED PROPOSES TO
REDUCE THE BUDGET BY AN
ARBITRARY 50%.
AS ONE COUNCILMEMBER SAID ALL
ROADS LEAD TO THE CONTRACT.
IF WE FAIL FOR REFORMS, IT WILL
BE IMPOSSIBLE TO CREATE
MEANINGFUL CHANGE AROUND THE
INJUSTICES THAT WE WISH TO
ADDRESS, FULL STOP.
MOREOVER, LEGISLATION WILL
PROVOKE LAWSUITS WHICH THE CITY
WILL LOSE BUMPING US BACK TO
SQUARE ONE.
FINALLY I'D LIKE TO COMMENT
REGARDING THE 2021 GENERAL
REVENUE SOURCES.
I ASKED IF COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD
CONTINUALLY FIGHTING CONTACTS
RATHER THAN AN INCREASE TO
PROPERTY TAXES AND GIVEN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES CURRENTLY FACING
THE CITY, AND INCOME TAX WOULD
RAISE REVENUE MORE EQUITABLY
THAN A PROPERTY TAX BECAUSE IT
WOULD PRIMARILY AFFECT THOSE
SUCH AS MYSELF WHO HAVE
REMAINED EMPLOYED AND
COMPENSATED THROUGH 2020 WHILE
THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE WOULD
AFFECT MANY UNEMPLOYED OR
RETIRED HOMEOWNERS, MANY OF
WHOM HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH
MEDICAL OR OTHER INSTABILITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> STEVE AND THEN THE REVEREND
ANGELA YING.
WE ALSO HAVE DANIEL McCRAW WHO
IS NUMBER 42.
WE DO NOT SEE YOU AS PRESENT SO
IF YOU COULD DIAL IN THAT WOULD
BE GREAT IF YOU ARE STILL
LISTENING ON THE LISTEN IN
OPTIONS.
STEVE, PLEASE TAKE IT AWAY.
YOU MAY NEED TO HIT STAR SIX.
I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO HIT
STAR SIX AND THEN TEE UP THE
REVEREND ANGELA YING.
WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.
WELCOME, REVEREND.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
I AM THE SENIOR PASTOR OF
BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
. COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE IN
EVERY ONE OF YOUR DISTRICTS
WORKING FOR RACIAL, ECONOMIC,
LGBTQ+, AND CLIMATE JUSTICE AND
EQUITY.
I URGE YOU TO PLEASE DO WHAT
YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO.
THANK YOU KSHAMA SAWANT FOR
LEADING AND FOLLOWING THROUGH.
THE COUNCIL MUST DEFEND SPD BY
50% AND USE THE $200 MILLION TO
FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES, RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE AND THE GREEN NEW DEAL.
WE NEED LEADERSHIP AND
INTEGRITY IN THESE CHALLENGING
TIMES WHICH IS DOING WHAT YOU
SAID YOU WOULD DO.
EVERY DAY WE HEAR PROMISES THAT
ARE NOT KEPT IN COMMUNITIES
CONTINUE TO BE SHOT AT,
DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, AND
KILLED IT.
AS THE REVEREND DOCTOR MARTIN
LUTHER KING JUNIOR SHARED,
INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT
TO JUSTICE ANYWAY.
THE COUNCIL MAKES DECISIONS
EVERY WEEK, THE 2021 BUDGET
AMIDST THE PANDEMIC WILL IMPACT
WORKERS, YOUNG PEOPLE, CHILDREN,
AND OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN.
WHETHER YOU HAVE THE POLITICAL
WILL TO GENUINELY HELP YOUR
CONSTITUENTS, TO DEFEND SPD BY
$200 MILLION, TO INCREASE THE
TAX ON AMAZON, TO PREVENT
EVICTIONS AND CLOSURES, TO FUND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES, AND A GREEN NEW DEAL.
AND, TO DO SO WITHOUT CUTS TO
THE BIG LIBRARIES, MASS
TRANSPORTATION, AND SERVICES
FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE.
PLEASE INVESTING COMMUNITIES
AND HELP US DISMANTLE SYSTEMIC
RACISM, AND STAND IN SOLIDARITY
WITH WORKING PEOPLE AND BIPOC
COMMUNITIES.
AS YOU HAVE HEARD FROM SO MANY
OF US, WE DO NOT NEED NOR WANT
AN AUSTERITY BUDGET THAT FEELS
WORKING PEOPLE AND POOR AND
MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.
WE NEED A BUDGET FOR AND BY THE
PEOPLE THAT FUNDS HUMAN NEEDS.
LEADERSHIP WITH INTEGRITY IS
DOING WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD
DO FOR THE PEOPLE, YOUR
CONSTITUENTS.
I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
BE WELL.
>> THANK YOU, REVEREND.
WE STILL HAVE STEVE AND DANIEL,
WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.
STEVE OR DANIEL?
HI, STEVE.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
STAR SIX IF YOU ARE STILL THERE.
>> YES, NOW WE CAN SEE YOU.
GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS
STEPHEN I'M THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF SOUTHWEST FAMILY
SERVICES AND SPEAKING ON BEHALF
OF THE SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION.
THIS YEAR INSTEAD OF A
PORTFOLIO WITH A LIST OF NEW
ACTIVITIES, THEY ARE
RECOMMENDED A FRAMEWORK FOR RE-
ENVISIONING THE BUDGET OF THE
CITY WITH NEW PRIORITIES
FOCUSING ON AN EQUITABLE
RECOVERY.
HUMAN SERVICES ARE ESSENTIAL TO
BUILD AND SUPPORT WELL-BEING.
THE PANDEMIC AND LONG-OVERDUE
RACIAL JUSTICE RECKONING HAVE
PROVIDED THE CITY WITH
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
S HSC FULLY SUPPORTS CREATING
AND PASSING THE JUMPSTART
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE STORES
WHICH HAS PROVIDED THE MEANS
FOR MINIMIZING CUTS IN SERVICES
AND THIS TIME WHEN THE PANDEMIC
HAS SURPASSED REVENUES.
WE APPRECIATE THE WAY THE
PROPOSED BUDGET NOT ONLY
CONTINUES COMMUNITY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES BUT ALSO ADDS TO
THESE RESOURCES THAT BUILD WELL-
BEING AND WE TRUST CITY COUNCIL
WILL RETAIN THE FUNDING.
AT THE SAME TIME WE FEEL
STRONGLY THAT THEY CAN GO
FURTHER THAN THE MAYOR'S
PROPOSED BUDGET.
AS SOME COUNCILMEMBERS NOTED IN
THE OPENING SESSION, SHIFTING
INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES
CHARGED WITH COMMUNITY SAFETY
AWAY FROM MILITARIZED RESPONSES
IN TOWARD SYSTEMS THAT PROMOTE
WELL-BEING REQUIRES DIVESTING
FROM RESPONSES THAT ENDANGER
COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS
INVESTING IN MORE SUPPORTIVE
RESPONSES.
WE APPRECIATE THAT SOME ACTIONS
AND RESOURCES ARE PLANNED
TOWARD THAT GOAL FOR 2021
BUTTERED CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE
THE COUNCIL OF BLACK -LIKE
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE
GOOD OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY
AND PUT FURTHER STEPS IN PLACE
IN 2021, AND THOSE OUTLINED IN
THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
THANK YOU.
>> DANIEL, WE HAVE YOU WITH US.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> HELLO BUDGET COMMITTEE AND
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE
IMPORTANT PART OF THE SOLUTION
FOR SEATTLE'S HOMELESS
POPULATION.
THE SISTER ORGANIZATIONS AS
WELL, ALL OF WHICH HAVE
NAVIGATED COVID-19 AND TURNING
TO 24-SEVEN OPERATIONS.
ESPECIALLY THE MODEL THAT HAS
BEEN 12 HOURS IN AND 12 HOURS
OUT, IF WE TURN TO 24/7 WE GIVE
PEOPLE MORE DIGNITY ALONG THE
WAY.
THE SELF-MANAGEMENT MODEL HAVE
A RECORD 2nd TO NONE WHEN IT
COMES TO ADOPTING SAFE
PRACTICES AND BEST PRACTICES
FOR MATTERS AS FAR AS WHO WE
SHOULD SUPPORT AS WE NEED MORE
ACCESS AMID COVID AND POSSIBLY
WITH A SECOND WAVE BEING A
MINUTE.
NEVER HAVING OFFICIAL SUPPORT
OF THE CITY, WHILE NOT HAVING A
SINGLE ACTIVE CASE OF COVID, IT
IS SAFER BY NATURE IN ITS VERY
DESIGN WITH INDIVIDUAL TENTS
THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER
AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
BECOMING VERY SUPPORTIVE, AS
WELL.
PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL GLASS--
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS AND
WITH DECADES OF RESULTS AND
SUCCESS, WE ARE READY TO STEP
UP.
THANK YOU, CITY COUNCILMEMBERS,
FOR YOUR HELP ON THIS ISSUE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
TONIGHT.
NUMBER 46 IS HANNAH AND THEN
PRESTON. I WILL ALSO NOTE WE
STILL HAVE DORIS WHO IS LISTED
AS NOT PRESENT AND A QUICK
HEADS UP TO NUMBER 50, AND
NUMBER 58, WE HAVE YOU LISTED
AS NOT PRESENT IN PRETTY SOON
WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO GET
YOUR CALL IN SO WE CAN GET YOU
IN THE LINEUP.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
>> COLOR.
MY NAME IS HANNAH, A PROPERTY
OWNER AND INCOME ADVOCATE
RESIDING IN DISTRICT 7. I'M
CALLING IN SUPPORT OF THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET ALSO KNOWN AS
THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND
DEFUNDING THE POLICE BY 50% AND
USING FUNDING TO SUPPORT
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.
I WANT TO UPLIFT THE PREVIOUS
CALLERS WHO HAVE PRESENTED
SEVERAL ARGUMENTS AND AGREEMENT.
PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT
PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE SOLUTION IS NOT WHERE
POLICE.
WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT
CAUSE INCLUDING POVERTY, INCOME
INEQUALITY AND LACK OF
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND
RESOURCES.
WE NEED TO STOP TREATING
POVERTY AS IF IT IS A CRIME.
WE DO NOT NEED A GANG OF
OFFICERS THAT THINK POINTING A
GUN AT EVERYTHING WILL SELL
PROBLEMS.
WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF
NEIGHBORS AND I'M NOT
FORGETTING SMALL BUSINESS
OWNERS WHO ARE VITAL TO THE
HEALTH OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
BUSINESSES NEED CUSTOMERS WITH
DISPOSABLE INCOME TO STAY OPEN
SO IF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY
ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD BASIC
NEEDS OR ARE WITHOUT HOMES
BECAUSE BILLION-DOLLAR
CORPORATIONS ARE NOT PAYING
BACK INTO THE SYSTEM THE PROFIT
FROM, THAT PUTS ADDITIONAL
BURDEN ON PROPERTY OWNERS TO
MAKE UP THE REVENUE SHORTFALLS.
SO, WE SHOULD ALL BE WORKING
TOGETHER.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY-
LEAD PEOPLE'S BUDGET, THE NEW
DEAL, AND DEFEND SPD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.
PRESTON, GOOD EVENING.
>> HI, AM I COMING THROUGH?
>> YES YOU ARE.
MY NAME IS PRESTON, I'M A NEW
DISTRICT RESIDENT AND A RANK
AND FILE ORGANIZER WITH UAW
4121 REPRESENTS THOUSANDS OF
STUDENT EMPLOYEES AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON.
MY LOCAL WAS A PROUD MEMBER OF
THE TAX AMAZON COALITION
PRIMARILY BECAUSE SO MANY
MEMBERS ARE RENT-BURDENED. WE
HAVE TO LIVE CLOSE TO CAMPUS
WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT.
THE RISING RENT AND LOW WAGES
MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO AFFORD
THOSE RENTS AND ALSO,
PARTICIPATING IN THE LABOR
COUNCIL IN OUSTING THE SEATTLE
POLICE OFFICERS GUILD AND
FIGHTING TO DEFEND SPD BY AT
LEAST 50%.
MY UNION REALLY DOES BELIEVE
THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER AND WE
WILL TAKE THE STRUCTURAL ACTIONS
NECESSARY TO MAKE THAT REALITY.
GIVEN THOSE TWO THINGS IT IS
ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING THAT
MAYOR DURKAN'S BUDGET USES THE
AMAZON TAX TO FUND THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT IS DISGUSTING, THAT $150
MILLION IS BEING CUT FROM
PUBLIC SERVICES WHICH IS A
SAVAGE ATTACK NOT JUST ON THE
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT
AND LEFT IN THE COLD IN THE
ECONOMIC RECESSION, BUT ALSO
PUBLIC-SECTOR WORKERS WHO WILL
BE FACING BRUTAL ATTACKS FROM
THESE BUDGETS.
THE LABOR MOVEMENT ABSOLUTELY
STANDS AGAINST THESE SAVAGE
ATTACKS AND WE NEED A BUDGET
THAT WORKS FOR WORKING PEOPLE,
NOT THE BILLIONAIRES AND NOT
THE REAL ESTATE MOGULS OF THE
CITY.
IT TAKES A MOVEMENT TO FIGHT TO
WIN THESE THINGS AND AS WE SAW
A FEW WEEKS AGO IT TOOK A
MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE CALLING IN
CONSTANTLY FOR WEEKS ON END
RAISING SO THAT EVEN THE TINY
GAINS CAN BE PASSED SO THAT
IT'S GOING TO TAKE A SIMILAR
MOVE.
RAISE THE AMAZON TAX AND DEFEND
SPD TO RESTORE AND EXPAND
SERVICES.
>> THE NEXT PERSON IS RICH AND
SONIA.
>> MY NAME IS RICHARD, I LIVE
IN DISTRICT FOR AND I'M A
MEMBER OF THE 43rd DISTRICT
CLIMATE CAUCUS.
IT IS NOT-- WHEN YOU DEAL WITH
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC
CONSEQUENCES OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
IF YOU THINK YOU CAN HIT THE
PAUSE BUTTON FOR DEALING WITH
CIMATE CHANGE YOU ARE HIDING
FROM THE TRUTH.
YEARS AGO, DENNY WESLEY WROTE A
COLUMN THAT DOCUMENTED PAST
SEATTLE CLIMATE GOALS THAT WERE
NOT MET STARTING WITH MAYOR
NICHOLS.
HIS CONCLUSION IS, SEATTLE IS
WHERE THE FUTURE IS ALWAYS
GREEN AND IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN.
MAYOR DURKAN ROLLED OUT A 2018
CLIMATE PLAN WHICH HAS BEEN
EITHER IGNORED OR UNFUNDED, AND
THEN MADE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER
THAT CALLED FOR A GREEN NEW
DEAL BUDGET MEMO FOR
CONSIDERATION IN THE BUDGET
PROCESS BY JUNE 1. I DON'T SEE
THAT IN THE BUDGET.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GREEN NEW
DEAL COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT BOARD?
AT THIS BUDGET HEARING I'M
REQUESTING THAT PART OF THE
BUDGET BE DEVOTED FOR STAFF
SALARY SO THAT PLANNING TO MEET
THE STRATEGIES AND GOALS CAN
CONTINUE.
DON'T HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON AND
STOP NECESSARY PLANNING.
THE LONGER YOU WAIT THE MORE
PROGRESSIVE TAXES YOU WILL NEED
TO PASS AND LOOK AT THE
BLOWBACK FROM THE AMAZON TAX.
MORE WILL BE NEEDED.
HOW MUCH MORE IS DEPENDENT ON
HOW LONG YOU DRAG YOUR FEET.
THANK YOU.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> SONJA AND STAR IT.
SONJA, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> HI, EVERYBODY.
AS A WORKING MOTHER IT IS
STUNNING TO ME THAT IN THE
MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC AND THE
WORST RECESSION SINCE THE GREAT
DEPRESSION, THE DEMOCRATS LED
BY JENNY DURKAN ARE INTENDING
TO PASS AN AUSTERITY BUDGET
THAT PUTS THE BURDEN ON WORKING
PEOPLE.
RATHER THAN INCREASING THE
AMAZON TAX, THE DEMOCRATS ARE
SLASHING SOCIAL PROGRAMS BY OVER
$150 MILLION.
THE BUDGET CUTS AFFORDABLE
HOUSING BY A SHOCKING 37%.
THAT IS $49 MILLION.
THIS $49 MILLION FROM HOUSING
INCLUDING A $35 MILLION
REDUCTION FROM FUNDING FOR NEW,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
CONSTRUCTION.
ALL WHILE HOMELESSNESS
CONTINUES.
THIS BUDGET DOCUMENT FAILS TO--
THE CRUEL, AND INHUMANE
TREATMENT OF HOMELESS NEIGHBORS.
AND THEN AFTER SPENDING A
SUMMER SAYING BLACK LIVES
MATTER, THEY ARE SET TO PASS A
BUDGET THAT UTTERLY FAILED
MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND
WORKING PEOPLE.
THE MOVEMENT HAS BEEN CALLING
TO DEFEND BY 50% BUT I DO NOT
SEE THAT IN THIS BUDGET.
THIS SHOWS THAT ORDINARY PEOPLE
CANNOT RELY ON DEMOCRATIC
POLITICIANS.
I'M TIRED OF ASKING TO FUND
SERVICES WE DESPERATELY NEED TO
BE IGNORED, TOLD TO LET THE
SYSTEM WORK FOR US, OR HEARING
WE NEED MORE DATA.
WE HAVE THE DATA AND WE CAN SEE
WITH OUR OWN EYES WHAT'S NOT
HAPPENING TO FIX OUR PROBLEMS.
WE HAVE TO BUILD OUR OWN
STRENGTH SO I HOPE YOU WILL
JOIN ME ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
FOR THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET TOWN
HALL SO WE CAN GET ORGANIZED.
THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE ARE
STAR AND ELLIE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO
CLARIFY FOR THE RECORD FOR THE
VIEWING PUBLIC, THIS IS ON THE
PROPOSED BUDGET THAT IS COMING
FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THE
EXECUTIVE RANCH WHICH SENT A
PROPOSED BUDGET TO THE
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.
THERE ARE NO LEGISLATORS
ENGAGED IN DRAFTING THE BUDGET
AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT IS CLEAR.
THE THREE BILLS THAT MAKE UP
THE PROPOSED EXECUTIVE BUDGET
FOR 2021.
GILBERTO I SEE YOU NEXT BECAUSE
I SEE STAR IS NOT DOESN'T AND
JUST WANT TO LET STAR KNOW THAT
IF YOU DIAL-IN ON THE EMAIL
THAT WAS SENT TO YOU, WE WILL
COME BACK TO YOU.
YOU ARE NUMBER 51, PLEASE GO
AHEAD.
>> GOOD EVENING, TERESA.
I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT SINCE
2014 BUT I CAME BACK TO SEATTLE
IN 2020.
I HAVE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE
THROUGH MY WORK AT THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC LIBRARY AND FOR THAT
REASON, WE DECIDED TO MOVE TO
SEATTLE TO CONTINUE GROWING BUT
OUR LIVES GOT SHAKEN WHEN A
HOMELESS CAMP STARTED GROWING
ONE HOUSE AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE
IN THE SEATTLE-- NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT STARTED BACK IN MAY AND
WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN
UNHEALTHY CONDITIONS.
BUT, VERY LITTLE HELP FROM
MEMBERS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE PERSONSLIVING
ON THE HOMELESS CAMP ARE
CONSTANTLY HARASSING NEIGHBORS
AND I HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY
HARASSED A COUPLE OF TIMES.
I HAVE ALSO SEEN THEM BURNINGS.
OCCUPANTS KEEP BURNING TRASH ON
A REGULAR BASIS AND IF YOU
REMEMBER HOW BAD THE AIR
QUALITY WAS TWO WEEKS AGO
BECAUSE OF FIRES, THE AIR
QUALITY HERE IS THE SAME EVERY
TIME THE HOMELESS PEOPLE BURN
TRASH.
ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 7
ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 7,
2020, WE HEARD THE SOUND OF A
GUNSHOT AND THAT IS ABOUT 100
FEET AWAY FROM OUR HOME.
THE POLICE SHOW UP, BUT THEY
STAY INSIDE POLICE CARDS
WITHOUT DOING AN INVESTIGATION.
MEMBERS KEEP COMING TO TAKE
MONEY AND ELECTRICITY FROM OUR
HOMES AND LEAVE THE WATER TAPS
OPEN.
THEY ARE NOT EVEN WEARING A
MASK.
IT IS CONCERNING THAT THEY HANG
OUT AROUND OUR HOMES, AND LOOK
THROUGH THE WINDOWS.
I HAVE A LONG LIST OF EXAMPLES.
THREE WEEKS AGO COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT SAID THIS WOULD BE
INVOLVED BUT IT IS NOT HELPING.
PLEASE CONSIDER THESE ISSUES
WHEN PLANNING THE NEXT ONE.
>> WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES AS WELL
ON NEXT STEPS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALREADY
LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE AND
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
TONIGHT.
ELLIE NUMBER 52 FOLLOWED BY
MOLLY. GOOD EVENING.
>> I'M A DISTRICT 6 RESIDENT
AND A MEMBER OF SUNRISE SEATTLE
MOVEMENT AND THE YOU DUMB
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY.
I FIRST WANT TO BE ABSOLUTELY
CLEAR THAT ALL HUMANS HAVE
DIGNITY ALWAYS AND FOREVER.
AS A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTING
THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE, THAT
NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED BY A
BUDGET THAT PROTECTS THE HEALTH
AND WELL-BEING OF US ALL, NOT
JUST THE PRIVILEGED.
DEFUNDING THE POLICE IS A
CRITICAL STEP.
DIVESTMENT WILL SAVE LIVES.
YOU'VE SEEN TIME AND AGAIN THAT
REFORM ATTEMPTS BACKFIRE AND
SOLIDIFY RACIST PRACTICES.
THE PROJECTS THAT WILL BE
FUNDED BY DIVESTMENT ARE VASTLY
MORE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR
COLLECTIVE HEALTH.
COUNCILMEMBERS, IT IS TIME TO
AMEND THE 2021 BUDGET FROM THE
MAYOR IN ORDER TO DEFUND SPD BY
50%.
DIRECT THE MONEY INTO A
PARTICIPATORY PROJECT THAT
INVESTS IN BLACK COMMUNITIES
AND COMMUNITY-LED INITIATIVES
INCLUDING BY PUBLIC SERVICES,
DECRIMINALIZED HOMELESS
OUTREACH AND DIGNIFIED HOUSE.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, MOLLY.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> I AM MOLLY, A RENTER IN
DISTRICT 2 AND COLUMBIA CITY AND
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR VETOING
THE BUDGET. WE HAVE SEEN
THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC THAT
RAPID CHANGE IS POSSIBLE AND
DEFENDING SPD IS NOT A WILD ASK.
I'M ASKING YOU TO AMEND THE
PROPOSED BUDGET TO REFLECT THE
FOLLOWING DEMANDS.
NUMBER ONE, IT MUST DEFEND BY
AT LEAST 50% AND REINVEST
FUNDING IN BLACK COMMUNITIES
AND COMMUNITY-LEAD SAFETY
SYSTEMS.
IT NEEDS TO PRIORITIZE THE
SAFETY OF BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES. NUMBER TWO, $100
MILLION FOR BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
MUST BE ALLOCATED THROUGH
INCLUSIVE PARTICIPATORY
BUDGETING AND NOT BY A TASK
FORCE SELECTED BY THE MAYOR
WHICH KEEPS POWER CENTRALIZED.
NUMBER THREE, REINVESTMENT
CANNOT COME FROM REVENUES FROM
JUMPSTART SEATTLE.
THE $100 MILLION MUST COME FROM
THE VESTING PLEASE, NOT
DIVERTING FUNDING FROM
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UNION JOBS,
AND COVID-19 RELIEF.
HER WAY OF INVESTING ATTEMPTS
TO TURN COMMUNITIES AGAINST
EACH OTHER.
RACIST POLICE AND PRISON
SYSTEMS HAVE OPPRESSED PEOPLE
OF COLOR FOR A LONG TIME AND
IT'S TIME FOR DIRECT
REPARATIONS.
$100 MILLION MUST COME FROM
POLICE BUDGET CUTS.
ALL OF THESE ARE PART OF THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET THAT YOU'VE
HEARD OF OVER 60 ORGANIZATIONS
COMMITTED TO RACIAL EQUITY.
CITY COUNCIL CAN START BY
ENCOURAGING A MORE EQUITABLE
ENVIRONMENT. I URGED
COUNCILMEMBERS TO SHOW
LEADERSHIP IN WORKING TOWARDS
COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SAFETY
MEASURES.
>> IT IS TIME FOR BOLD AND
AGGRESSIVE MEASURES THAT
AUTHENTICALLY UPLIFT
COMMUNITIES.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE
ASKING FOR THE SAME THING SO
PLEASE ASK ACCORDINGLY.
THE SYSTEM OF POLICING IS
RACIST AND VIOLENT AND NEEDS TO
BE DEFUNDED SO WE CAN MOVE
FORWARD.
>> GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS YVONNE AND I'M
ASKING THAT YOU DEFUNDING THE
POLICE AND USE THOSE TO SUPPORT
HOMELESS OUTREACH SERVICES FOR
BLACK FOLKS AND OTHER PEOPLE OF
COLOR.
I MEANT OUTREACH CARE
COORDINATOR WITH REACH WHO HAS
MANAGED TO PROVIDE THE
OPPORTUNITY AS A BLACK WOMAN TO
PROVIDE SERVICES FOR OTHER
BLACK FOLKS.
MOSTLY THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN
PUSHED NEAR THE WAYSIDE.
I CURRENTLY DO NEIGHBORHOOD
OUTREACH FROM JACKSON TO
RAINIER BEACH. BLACK FOLKS IN
THIS AREA HAVE BEEN SEVERELY
AFFECED BY GENTRIFICATION.
I HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED TO DO
WHAT IS NECESSARY TO BUILD
RELATIONSHIPS AND PROVIDE
RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN THESE
AREAS AND THAT MAY NOT REACH
OUT ON THEIR OWN.
AS A BLACK SERVICE PROVIDER
WITH REACH, I'M SORRY.
AS A BLACK SERVICE PROVIDER
WITH REACH I AM AFFORDED
SERVICES TO PROVIDE OTHER
SERVICES THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
>> THE FOCUS WAS NOT ON PEOPLE,
IT WAS ON PROPERTY AND I WAS
UNABLE TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE
SOLUTIONS TO ON HOUSED FOLKS.
I THOUGHT OF THE BLACK MEN
AROUND FOR THREE YEARS MOVING
FROM ONE ENCASEMENT TO ANOTHER
WITH HIS BELONGINGS BEING
THROWN AWAY EACH TIME.
HE HAS MOVED AROUND THE CITIES
BECAUSE OF THE ENCAMPMENT
REMOVALS.
IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE SHIFT TO
NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH ABLE TO
PROVIDE FOR HIM.
HE IS NOW HOUSED.
REACH AS AN ORGANIZATION
CONTINUES TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE
AND SERVING BLACK FOLKS AND
OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR.
THOSE CHRONICALLY ADDICTED TO
SUBSTANCES, CHALLENGED BY THE
CLINICAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND
LEFT BEHIND.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME.
I APPRECIATE YOUR GLOBAL
SOLUTION.
TERESA METTLER. GOOD EVENING.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> MY NAME IS TERESA AND I LIVE
AT GEORGETOWN TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
AND I HAVE TO SAY I'VE BEEN
LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.
I NEED THIS VILLAGE.
OUT OF 15 YEARS OF STAYING IN A
TENT, I WAS IN AND OUT OF
SHELTERS THAT MADE ME FEEL
UNSAFE, AND GO RIGHT BACK TO
LIVING IN A TENT.
HERE I HAVE A SPACE OF MY OWN,
I CAN SHOWER, I HAVE A PLACE TO
PUT MY CLOSE, I CAN SLEEP WARM
AND NOT WHAT AND COLD LIKE I
ALWAYS WAS IN WASHINGTON STATE
AND IT RAINED.
I FEEL SAFE.
I'M 60 YEARS OLD AND I NEED YOU
TO ADD MORE.
EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL SAFE,
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR
JOINING US.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR
STORY AGAIN, TERESA.
IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, STAR SIX IF
YOU CAN HEAR ME, STAR 6 TO ON
MUTE YOURSELF.
>> I CAN SEE YOU NOW.
>> AJA COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS OF
THE COUNCIL, I USE SHE/HER
PRONOUNCE AND I'M CALLING IN
SUPPORT OF THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET AND ALL THAT IT ENTAILS.
ON A FINER POINT AND CALLING IS
AN OUTREACH CARE COORDINATOR
FOR REACH IN THE GEORGETOWN
AREA.
THE ONLY CASE MANAGER AVAILABLE
IS MORE THAN 500 ON SHELTERED
VOTES IN THIS AREA ALONE.
REACH HAS NEVER STOP SERVING
CLIENTS THROUGHOUT THE CRISIS
AND WE HAVE SERVED THOUSANDS OF
MEALS PARTNERED WITH TEAMS FROM
NEIGHBOR CARE IN THE STREET
MEDICAL TEAM TO PERFORM
ASSERTIVE ENCASEMENT TESTING
FOR COVID-19 AND TESTING AGAINST
HEPATITIS A AND B DURING RECENT
OUTBREAKS.
WE SIGNED UP HUNDREDS OF FOLKS
TO COMPLETE STIMULUS CHECKS,
PROVIDED CLOTHING, TENTS,
SLEEPING BAGS, AND BENEFITS FOR
SERVICES.
WE NEED MORE CASE MANAGERS, AND
SPECIFICALLY NON-CONGREGATE
SHELTER BEDS.
I CANNOT REFER A CLIENT INTO A
SHELTER WHEN THERE ARE NO BEDS
AVAILABLE.
WE NEED A PATHWAY FOR MORE THAN
JUST THE MOST VULNERABLE 10% OF
FOLKS LIVING OUTSIDE.
WE NEED COMMUNITY AGENCY
PROVIDERS USING A HARM
REDUCTION MODEL OF CARE WITH AN
INTENTIONAL AND-- VINCENT TO
MEET THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITY
MEMBERS.
IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT AS TO
WHERE FUNDING SHOULD BE
ALLOCATED, I CHALLENGE YOU TO
COME TO GEORGETOWN AND ASK FOLKS
WHO THEY TURN TO AND WHO SHOWS
UP TO HONOR THEIR HUMANITY,
PAST TRAUMAS AND GOD-GIVEN
DIGNITY.
AND THEN I WILL REMIND YOU THAT
THERE IS ONLY ONE OF ME FOR ALL
THE NEEDS OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD
AND THE SAME IS TRUE THROUGHOUT
THE CITY.
SEATTLE IS A BEAUTIFUL
PROSPEROUS CITY AND THERE'S NO
EXCUSE FOR ANYONE TO BE LEFT
BEHIND.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
SUPPORT AND I'M ASKING FOR MORE
AND THAT FUNDING FOR SERVICES
BE TAKEN FROM SPD AND NOWHERE
ELSE.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TESTIMONY.
NUMBER 57 IS SEAN, 58, ALLEN.
ELLEN, WE DO SEE THAT YOU ARE
LISTED AS NOT PRESENT SEAN,
GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS SEAN SMITH AND I
LIVE IN THE-- VILLAGE.
2020 HAS BEEN A MOMENTOUS YEAR.
THE TAXATION WAS THE LARGEST
CORPORATION, THE AWAKENING OF
CITY CONCIOUSNESS OVER THE USE
OF SPORTS BY POLICE AND THE
EMERGENCE OF COVID-19.
2021 LOOKS TO BE JUST AS
MOMENTOUS WITH REDUCTION IN
POLICE BUDGET, WE CAN
REALLOCATE THAT MONEY INTO
PROJECTS THAT ARE BASIC NEEDS
FOR COMMUNITIES.
SUCH AS TWO TINY HOUSE VILLAGES,
AND DESPERATELY NEEDS TO MOVE.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CITIES,
THE COUNTRY'S OLDEST, WE HAVE
ENOUGH TO DO THIS 10 TIMES OVER
AND STILL FUND ALL KINDS OF
OTHER SERVICES.
WE URGE EACH OF YOU TO REACH OUT
TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT PROJECTS
THAT WE HAVE PROPOSED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> ELLEN WE WILL COME BACK TO
YOU.
IF YOU COULD CALL INTO THE
NUMBER EMAILED TO YOU WHEN YOU
SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY,
THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS STAR AND I LIVE
IN DISTRICT 7. I'M CALLING IN
TODAY TO ECHO REQUESTS THAT YOU
ALL PLEASE AMEND THE MAYOR'S
BUDGET FOR 2021 AND DEFUND SPD
BY 50% AT LEAST AND REINVEST
THAT MONEY INTO COMMUNITIES.
I SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET
AND URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE
BUDGET AND PARTICIPATORY
BUDGETING AND A GREEN NEW DEAL
FOR SEATTLE.
PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT THE
ALREADY-BLOATED BUDGET BY
ADDING MORE CITY SERVICES LIKE
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, PARK
SERVICES AND LIBRARY TO BALANCE
THE BUDGET.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
LISTENING TODAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING BACK.
ELLEN ANDERSON, WE SEE YOU
LISTED IS NOT PRESENT.
NUMBER 59, AND RYAN PACKER.
AFTER THAT, COLLEAGUES, WE WILL
TAKE A ONE MINUTE BREAK TO
SWITCH THE TEAM AGAIN IN THE
BACKGROUND SO THAT OUR IT
SYSTEM CAN GET A BREAK.
GOOD EVENING, GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I AM A DISTRICT FOR RESIDENT.
BEING EVICTED IN THE POPULAR
VERNACULAR MEANS YOU HAVE BEEN
REMOVED BY YOUR LANDLORD BUT
THAT IS NOT WHAT IT MEANS FOR
THE LEGAL TERM.
AS SOON AS HE CIVIL CASES FILED
YOU'VE ENTERED THE EVICTION
PROCESS AND THAT WILL BE
VISIBLE UNLESS YOU ARRANGE TO
HAVE IT AS PART OF THE
AGREEMENT.
EVEN IF IT GOES TO TRIAL AND
YOU MOVE OUT ON YOUR OWN.
MOST WILL REFUSE TO RENT TO YOU
BECAUSE YOU ARE PERCEIVED AS A
RISK.
EVICTIONS ARE NOT IN AN
EVICTION, ARE NOT AN
INCONVENIENCE.
THEY ARE PRECURSORS TO
HOMELESSNESS.
IN 2018, NOT COUNTING
EXTRAJUDICIAL EVICTIONS, WE DID
NOT HAVE A PANDEMIC.
WE FILLED AN ENTIRE FLOOR OF
THE COURTHOUSE CONDUCTING
CONFERENCES IN THE HALLWAYS.
IT WAS LIKE WATCHING SHUFFLING
DOWN THE CORRIDOR BUT THESE ARE
HUMAN BEINGS THAT THE CITY HAS
CHOSEN TO DISCARD.
THEY ARE NUMBERS IN REPORTS BUT
I REMEMBER THE CRYING.
ONCE A TENANT HAS BEEN EVICTED
IT BECOMES UNFAIRLY DIFFICULT
FOR THEM TO FIND HOUSING AGAIN
AND THEY KNEW IT.
I URGE YOU TO PRIORITIZE ALL OF
THE DEMANDS IN YOUR BUDGET
PROCESS FOCUSING ON
UNCONDITIONAL RENTAL FORGIVENESS
AND UPCOMING EVICTION
MORATORIUMS.
FUNDING FOR TINY HOUSE VILLAGES,
AND ALL ASSOCIATED TEMPORARY
HOUSING FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS
ARE ALSO NECESSARY STEPS.
ALL OF THIS IS DIFFICULT
POLITICS BUT THERE IS NO OTHER
CHOICE.
YOU EITHER TAKE THE STEPS THAT
THE BUDGET AND TENETS UNION ARE
PROPOSING OR YOU GET TO SEE
WHAT A WAVE OF EVICTIONS WILL
DO TO SEATTLE.
YOU THINK ABOUT CATTLE TO PACKED
TO MOVE IN AN ALREADY
OVERCROWDED COURTHOUSE AND
THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER.
GOOD EVENING AND MAKE A WISE
DECISION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
RYAN, GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS RYAN, I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 3 AND I'M ASKING YOU
TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT YOU
STARTED TO DEFUND SPD AND
INVESTING COMMUNITY.
IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET.
WHEN I LOOK AT THE BUDGET THAT
THE MAYOR HAS PROPOSED, I'M
SORRY, A BUDGET FOR A CITY THAT
THINKS THE STATUS QUO IS MOSTLY
FINE, THAT THINKS CLIMATE WORK
CAN BE PAUSED FOR A YEAR OR
TWO, THAT DOES NOT VIEW SAFETY.
I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE CITY WE
LIVE.
THE CITY THAT WAS CHOKED IN
WILDFIRE SMOKE FOR A WEEK, IT IS
TIME TO TREAT ALL OF OUR STATES
OF EMERGENCY.
HOUSING, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND
THE URGENCY WE ARE GIVING THE
SEATTLE BRIDGE CRISIS WITH ITS
$100 MILLION BOND ISSUE.
FINALLY, GREEN NEW DEAL,
ADVISORY BOARD, AND THE CLIMATE
WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE HAPPY
CANNOT BE PUT ON HOLD.
WE CANNOT WAIT UNTIL 2022.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> WITH THAT, ALLEN, NUMBER 61,
NANCY, NANCY, AND NUMBER 68,
YOU ARE LISTED AS NON-PRESENT.
WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK
PAUSE AND I WILL READ THE NEXT
THREE NAMES AS THE IT FOLKS ARE
GETTING SET UP.
THAT WOULD BE NUMBER 62 AND 63,
JUST, AND 64, STACY JOHNSON.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE OUR TEAM
READY TO GO.
SO STAR 6 TO UNMUTE AND YOU ARE
UP.
>> MY NAME IS BRANDY, I'M A
HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT 2 IN THE
RAINIER BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'VE BEEN DEEPLY IMPACTED BY
THE WAR ON DRUGS AS AN AFRICAN-
AMERICAN WOMAN AND OF THE
PROGRAM MANAGER OF THE LEAD AND
I WANT TO SHED LIGHT ON THE
FACT THAT OUR BIPOC STAFF AND
COMMUNITY HAS BEEN VERY-- ABOUT
THIS CONVERSATION.
WE SERVE THE OFTEN-FORGOTTEN IN
THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT
DEFUNDING THE POLICE, I WANT TO
REMIND PEOPLE THAT WE ARE THERE
ON THE SCENE.
IF YOU GO TO THE FOUNTAIN AFTER
6:00, ALL THAT IS LEFT IS
BLACK, BROWN, AND INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE
THAT COMMUNITY USING THE
FUNDAMENTALS OF HARM REDUCTION
THAT ALLOW FOR DIGNITY AND
COLLABORATION WITH
ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS CHIEF
SEATTLE, PASSAGEWAYS, AND OTHER
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS DOING
THIS WORK.
I THINK IT IS DESPICABLE THAT
THE MAYOR IS USING INEQUITABLE
PRACTICES TO CREATE A BUDGET OR
A SYSTEM THAT MAY ORGANIZATIONS
AGAINST EACH OTHER AND AGAINST
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WHERE
WE ARE LEVERAGING ALL OF OUR
RESOURCES FOR THE MOST AFFECTED
PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
I JUST WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE
THAT IT IS OUR STAFF AND OTHERS
THAT CAME HERE TO REMOVE
BARRIERS TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF
THE CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT SYSTEM,
IN YOUR EFFORTS TO DO THIS WORK
, USE A RACIAL EQUITY LENS AND
MAKE RIGHT DECISIONS.
I APPRECIATE THE TIME I'VE HAD.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING.
JUST, GOOD EVENING.
>> I CAN SEE YOU IF YOU WANT TO
GO AHEAD. YOU WANT TO TRY ONE
MORE TIME?
LIFE IN ZOOM.
TRY ONE MORE TIME, JUST.
I THINK I CAN SEE YOU NOW.
SORRY BUT I THINK WE ARE HAVING
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
I WILL COME BACK TO YOU. IF YOU
WANT TO KEEP TRYING IT MAY BE
YOUR HEADPHONES IN THIS REMOTE
WORLD.
I WILL COME BACK TO YOU.
STACY JOHNSON YOU ARE UP NOW.
HELLO, STACY.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE.
HI, STACY.
YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LAMONT.
>> I'M STACY JOHNSON AND I WAS
DISAPPOINTED THAT THE MAYOR
DECIDED NOT TO ADD FUNDING FOR
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
THAT SHE FORGET WE ARE IN THE
MIDDLE OF A GREAT PLAGUE?
MAYBE SHE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT
ANYONE HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR
COVID-19.
MAYBE SHE WOULD WANT TO SPEND
THE NIGHT ON ONE OF THE LARGER
SHELTERS IN CONSTANT WORRY
ABOUT HAVING STUFF STOLEN.
I KNOW COUNSEL IS BETTER THAN
THE MAJOR SUPPORTING THE
VILLAGES THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE
SURE WE CAN ADD VILLAGES IN THE
NEXT YEAR.
THINGS FROM US.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
WE WILL TRY MALIKI AND GO BACK
TO JUST.
I'M SORRY FOR THE PRONUNCIATION.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
>> HI.
>> I'M THE DIRECTOR OF VOCAL
WASHINGTON, VOICES OF COMMUNITY
ACTIVISTS AND LEADERS.
I'M ALSO THE MEMBER OF THE
COALITION CALLED JUST ACCESS
FOR HEALTH AND IT IS A
COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE OF DRUG
USERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, DRUG
POLICY EXPERTS AND COMMUNITY
ADVOCATES WHO ALL WORK TO
IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-
BEING OF INDIVIDUALS WHO USE
DRUGS AND BELIEVE THAT ALL MERIT
ELECTIVE SUPPORT AND CARE.
WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT PROGRAMS
SUCH AS ASSISTANT DIVERSION,
THANK YOU FOR REMOVING THE
GATEKEEPING BY POLICE IN THE
LAST BUDGET CONSIDERATION AND
AMENDMENT.
WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT DRUG
USERS NEED ACCESS TO HEALTH AND
CASE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES SUCH
AS REACH. WE ASK THAT YOU FULLY
CONSIDER FUNDING AND EXPANDING
THESE THINGS AND ALSO DEFUNDING
THE POLICE.
WE ADVOCATE FOR THAT, AS WELL.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING.
WE WILL GO BACK TO JUST.
I KNOW THAT IT'S PROBABLY
FRUSTRATING TO BE ON HOLD AND
THEN NOT HAVE THE PHONE WORK.
IT SHOWS ON MY END THAT YOU ARE
ON MUTED.
WE WILL GIVE IT ANOTHER SECOND
AND I WILL READ THE NEXT THREE.
MARY STRICKLAND AND AIDEN?
JESS, HOW ARE YOU DOING?
I'M SORRY JESS, I CAN'T HEAR
YOU.
I'M GOING TO GO ON AND WILL
COME BACK TO YOU.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO DO SO AND WE
WILL TROUBLESHOOT.
AND KATIE, GOOD EVENING.
YOU ARE UP.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, THANK YOU, KATIE.
>> THANK YOU FOR HOLDING THIS
EXTENDED PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION
AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR
OVERWRITING THE MAYOR'S VETO
AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO
CONTINUE TO CONTINUE THAT
PROGRESS WAS MEETING ON THE
ROAD-- PROGRESS WAS MADE ON THE
ROAD TO ABOLISHMENT.
I ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE US TO
LOOK AT INVESTING IN YOUTH
BECAUSE I TRULY BELIEVE IN
INVESTING IN YOUTH AND THAT
WILL GIVE US THE FUTURE WE
TRULY DESIRE AND HELP REDUCE
HOMELESSNESS.
AND, CRIME AND MANY ISSUES THAT
WE FACE TODAY IN THE FUTURE.
IT WILL NOT BE INSTANT BUT WILL
BE AN INVESTMENT WORTHWHILE.
FOR EXAMPLE, RAINIER BEACH, A
BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE,-- WAS
TRANSFERRED INTO THE DEPARTMENT
OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND WHEN WE DO
DEFEND SPD BY 50%, WE SHOULD
LOOK INTO INVESTING MORE THAN
$500,000 IN A PROGRAM DOING
SUCH AMAZING WORK IN USE
PREVENTION OF CRIME AND THINGS
LIKE THAT.
THANK YOU FOR HOLDING THIS
PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION AND I
WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO
LOOK INTO THE HISTORY OF A
SPEEDY AND KEEP THE PRESSURE ON
AS WE GO TO THE NEXT COUPLE OF
WEEKS.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOOD EVENING.
AND MARY?
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
JUST STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOUR LINE.
WE WILL CALL NUMBER 68.
MARY, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> MY NAME IS MARY AND I'M A
RESIDENT OF TENT CITY THREE
WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION OF
HOMELESS MEN AND WILL WOMEN
THAT IS SOLELY SELF MANAGED AND
HAS NEVER BEEN FUNDED BY THE
CITY OF SEATTLE.
TODAY WE ARE REQUESTING $80,000
FOR OUR ANNUAL BUDGET WHICH
COVERS THE COST OF UPKEEP AND
MATERIALS SUCH AS TENTS,
BLANKETS, AND GAS FOR
GENERATORS.
WE PAY FOR GARBAGE REMOVAL, BUS
TICKETS, AND OUR QUARTERLY MOVE
AND NOW WE HAVE THE ADDED COST
OF COVID SUPPLIES.
TENT CITY THREE HAS HAD 0
POSITIVE CASES PARTIALLY DUE TO
ITS OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT.
WE HAVE ACQUIRED THIS MONEY TO
AN ANNUAL PUBLIC AUCTION WHICH
COULD NOT BE HELD DUE TO COVID.
PEOPLE ARE ON THE STREETS AND
THIS YEAR THEY HAVE BEEN 88
HOMELESS DEATHS WITH ADDITIONAL
BODIES AT THE MORGUE WAITING
FOR IDENTIFICATION.
THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH BEDS.
TENT CITY THREE IS A DEMOCRATIC
SELF MANAGED COMMUNITY, HALF OF
WHOM WORK FULL-TIME.
WE ARE A WEAPONS HAVING FREE,
DRUG-FREE AND LIKE TO LEAVE OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD BETTER THAN THE
WAY WE FOUND IT.
THIS UNDERSTANDING IS WHAT
SEPARATES US AND WHAT WILL
BRING US TOGETHER SO PLEASE
CONSIDER THE ANNUAL BUDGET.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> AIDEN FOLLOWED BY NUMBER 69,
AND NUMBER 70.
GOOD EVENING.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> I AM A DISTRICT 6 RESIDENT
AND A REGULAR PARTICIPANT IN
THE MORNING MARCH.
I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO DIVEST
SPD BY 50% AND SUPPORT
DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDING THROUGH
THE BUDGET PROCESS TO MAKE SURE
THAT FUNDING IS DIVESTED FROM
THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM SINCE
WE NEED TO PRESERVE VITAL
PUBLIC SERVICES AND PROJECTS.
COMPLETE PROJECTS LIKE A
CROSSWALK FROM THE-- TO THE
PARK ACROSS THE STREET,
DIGNIFIED HOUSING FOR ALL
INCLUDING SINGLE-ROOM
ACCOMMODATIONS. PLEASE CONTINUE
WITH THE STEPS YOU'VE BEEN
TAKING LIKE OVERWRITING THE VETO
AND ELIMINATING THE NAVIGATION
TEAM.
ON THAT NOTE, I NOTICE THE TEAM
IS SEEN BY SOME PEOPLE IN
SOCIAL MEDIA IS BETTER THAN
NOTHING AND IT'S NOT THE ONLY
TWO CHOICES.
WE NEED SOMETHING ALTERNATIVE
AND WE NEED IT SOON OR THE
POLITICAL BACKLASH WILL FESTER.
WE HAVE OTHER WAYS OF DOING
THIS AND IT IS SO COOL TO SEE
THE RESPONSE TO A WORLD WITHOUT
POLICE IN PRISON IS POSSIBLE
AND HAS GONE FROM YOU ARE CRAZY
TOO, I'M NOT SURE I TOTALLY
AGREE WITH THAT YET.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING.
>> GOOD EVENING.
HI THERE.
I SEE YOU BUT I CAN'T HEAR YOU.
WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
JUST TRYING HARD BECAUSE I KNOW
THAT FOLKS ARE WAITING ON THE
LINE FOR A LONG TIME.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
WE ARE GOING TO KEEP YOU ON
WITH US BUT WILL ASK YOU TO
SEND AN EMAIL BACK TO THE EMAIL
THAT YOU GOT A RESPONSE FROM,
OR TO MY OFFICE AND WE WILL
TROUBLESHOOT.
>> MY NAME IS KELLY AND I LIVE
IN DISTRICT 7. I SUPPORT THE
PLAN AND IMPROVE ON THIS BY
REQUIRING ACCOUNTABILITY.
REQUIRE SMART GOALS TO ACCESS
TAXPAYER FUNDING. EVERY
DEPARTMENT AND EVERY RECIPIENT
MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE, EVERY
TAXPAYER DOLLAR MUST BE HELD
THROUGH SMART.
SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE,
ACHIEVABLE, RELEVANT, AND TIME
-BASED.
YOU HAVE A FIDUCIARY
RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUIRE THIS.
PROVIDING SERVICES THAT ARE
ESSENTIAL TO OUR OVERALL HEALTH
AND SAFETY.
I DO NOT SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET PROPOSED. AT
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS' TOWN HALL,
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GROUPS
YOU WERE REALLOCATING RESOURCES
TO SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT THE
TEAM SHOULD REMAIN IN SERVICES
THAT THEY PROVIDE ARE
ESSENTIAL.
WHAT CAME OUT OF THE TOWN HALL
IS ADDITIONAL HOUSING FOR
HOMELESS.
I HAVE SENT MANY EMAILS AT THE
ENTIRE COUNSEL ONLY RECEIVING
ONE RESPONSE.
WANTED TO HAVE ONE SLATE WITH A
REPLY THAT DIDN'T EVEN COME
CLOSE TO RESPONDING TO MY
CONCERNS.
I AM ONE OF MANY ON SPEAK OUT
SEATTLE WITH SIMILAR VIEWS.
WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DISTRACT
PROPERTY AND MARCH TO YOUR
HOMES TO BE HEARD IT.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE
YOUR NUMBER ONE RESPONSIBILITY
IS AND TO BRING EVERYONE
TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH A
PLANNED BUDGET FOR 2021.
GOVERNING THE COMMUNITY FOR THE
ENTIRE COMMUNITY YOU HAVE A
FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY.
>>
WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME CALLED,
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
I STILL SEE YOU MUTED.
WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU AS
WELL.
UNMUTE YOURSELF, YOU MAY HAVE
TO HIT IT A FEW TIMES. CHRIS
McDANIEL, WE WILL TURN IT OVER
TO YOU NOW.
>> THANK YOU, CHRIS.
>> MY NAME IS CHRIS, I'M A
RESIDENT OF THE GEORGETOWN TINY
HOUSE VILLAGE AND I WOULD LIKE
TO URGE YOU TO CONTINUE FUNDING
THE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY PLACE TO
LIVE IF I DID NOT LIVE HERE.
MY HEALTH IS FAILING AND I
CANNOT STAY IN A SHELTER.
I CAN BARELY GET AROUND.
I'M GETTING $1200 A MONTH BUT
I'M JUST WAITING.
BUT IT JUST ISN'T COMING ANY
TIME SOON, SO PLEASE CONTINUE
TO FUND TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
>> PAGE, AND THEN DORAT AND
JIM.
HELLO.
>> I'M A CASE MANAGER WITH AN
EMPHASIS ON WORKING WITH
UNHEALTHY BLACK FOLKS WITH THE
REACH PROGRAM.
THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL NEED
TO RECOGNIZE AND INVEST IN THE
IDEA AND IMPORTANCE OF BOOTS ON
THE GROUND OUTREACH AND HARM
REDUCTION-BASED SOCIAL SERVICES.
TRUST THE VOICES OF BIPOC
FOLKS AND LIVED EXPERIENCE.
IF THE CITY OF SEATTLE LEAVES IT
SEES ITSELF AS A LIBERAL
UTOPIA, MORE WORK MUST BE DONE
FOR UN-HOUSED BLACK BROTHERS
AND SISTERS.
LIKEWISE MATTER CANNOT BE A
YARD SIGN-- YARD SIGN.
THEY MUST FULLY WORK TOWARD
PROTECTION AND AVAILABLE
RESOURCES AND SAFETY OF ALL
BLACK LIVES, EVEN THE UN-HOUSED
ONES.
FUNDING NEEDS TO BE ALLOTTED
TOWARD ORGANIZATIONS WITH A
TRACK RECORD OF WORKING WITH
THE MOST VULNERABLE POC ON
HOUSE FOLKS IN GROUPS WILLING
TO DO THE WORK IN A HOLISTIC
MANNER.
I BELIEVE DEFUNDING IS AVAILABLE
AND NEEDS TO BE MADE A PRIORITY.
ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS REACH
HAVE LONG AND POSITIVE TRACK
RECORDS OF MAKING LARGE-SCALE
PLANS AND CHANGES IN THE LIVES
OF CLIENTS THAT FEEL OVERLOOKED
AND OVER POLICED.
A CITY THAT SAYS BLACK LIVES
MATTER BUT JUST AS LONG AS THEY
ARE NOT CAMPING ON YOUR STREET
OR NEAR YOUR BUSINESS.
AS A BLACK WOMAN I CAN SAY
UNTIL RESIDENTS ARE HOUSED
SAFELY AND SECURELY WE CANNOT
BEGIN TO DO THE WORK OF HEALING
GENERATIONAL TRAUMA AND BEGIN
TO NURTURE OUR SOULS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A JAMES
BALDWIN QUOTE.
WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO
RECONCILE MYSELF TO?
I WAS BORN HERE MORE THAN 60
YEARS AGO.
I'M NOT GOING TO LIVE ANOTHER
60 YEARS.
YOU TOLD ME THAT IT'S GOING TO
TAKE TIME.
MY MOTHER'S TIME, MY UNCLES
TIME, HOW MUCH MORE TIME?
SO I ASK YOU, HOW MUCH MORE
TIME DO YOU NEED?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
WONDERFUL.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> I'M A CASE MANAGER WITH THE
LEAD PROGRAM AND I WOULD LIKE
TO THANK COUNSEL FOR SUPPORT AND
UNITIZATION OF THE PROGRAM.
I ASK IS PRETTY BE DEFUNDED BY
50% AND REROUTE THOSE FUNDS
INTO HOUSING.
HOMELESSNESS IS A CHALLENGE
THAT MOST MUNICIPALITIES HAVE
HAD TO DEAL WITH AND SEATTLE IS
NO EXCEPTION.
AT A POINT IN TIME, AN AGENCY
APPROXIMATELY 12,000 PEOPLE
SLEEPING IN CARS AND ANYWHERE
TO SEEK SHELTERS EVEN IN THE
FACE OF PERSISTENT CASE
MANAGERS WORKING WITH
POPULATIONS OF PARTICULARLY
COMMITTING TO ENSURING THEY ARE
ASSISTED IN THE MOST HUMANE WAY
POSSIBLE.
EVEN THOUGH EACH PERSON IS
HOMELESS AND NEEDY, SOME
PRESENT A PARTICULAR CHALLENGE.
RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE
CRIMINAL AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
BUT THE POPULATION AT A MORE
DISADVANTAGED POSITION AND IS
HIGHLY LIKELY TO RUN INTO
PROBLEMS AND LESS LIKELY TO GET
HEALTH CARE AND ASSISTANCE WHEN
I NEEDED.
ADDITIONALLY THIS POPULATION IS
MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE.
IT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION TO
ADDRESS THE NEEDS WHILE
MAINTAINING DIGNITY OF PEOPLE
WITH MULTIPLE VULNERABILITIES.
CASE MANAGERS AND FOLLOWING
APPROACHES.
WE NEED MORE FUNDING TO GO INTO
MORE CLIENT-CENTER TO PURCHASE
AND SERVICES FOR BIPOC FOLKS
IN THEIR NEEDS AS OPPOSED TO
EFFICIENCIES AND EXPERTISE.
WE NEED MORE FUNDING TO GO INTO
LOWER PROGRAMS AND PROGRAMS FOR
PRIORITIES GIVEN TO THOSE WHO
DO NOT REQUIRE THEM.
BUT ALSO MOTIVATE THEM TO MAKE
CHANGES.
WE NEED MORE FUNDING TO GO INTO
HARM REDUCTION AND WE HAVE
FOCUSED ON THIS ASSOCIATED WITH
POPULATION, RISKY BEHAVIOR AS
OPPOSED TO PREVENTING THEM.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I
WOULD LOVE TO SEE IF YOU HAVE
WRITTEN COMMENTS FOR THE LAST
FEW SENTENCES.
PLEASE DO SUBMIT OUR WAY.
I'M GOING TO TURN IT BACK OVER
TO YOU.
JIM, ARE YOU WITH US?
IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, JUST STAR
SIX.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> I'M GLAD YOU STAYED WITH US.
I SEEM TO HAVE PERPETUAL
TROUBLES.
MY NAME IS JIM AND I'M
TESTIFYING TODAY REGARDING THE
BUDGET AND THE GREEN NEW DEAL.
IT IS CURRENTLY DIFFICULT TO
THE PUBLIC INCLUDING ME, A
FORMER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, TO
TRACK THE PROGRESS OF THE CITY
FOR GREENHOUSE EMISSION
REDUCTION GOALS.
IN JANUARY 2020'S EXECUTIVE
ORDER WHICH CALLED FOR A NEW
DEAL BUDGET MEMO FOR
CONSIDERATION THAT SEES BUDGET
PROJECTS BY YEAR ONE, AND ALSO
CALLS FOR KEY INDICATORS TO
TRACK TRENDS AND INVESTMENTS.
DESPITE COVID WE NEED
TRANSPARENCY REGARDING WHAT HAS
HAPPENED.
THE COUNCIL MUST ENSURE THAT IT
HAS THE MEANS TO TRACK PROGRESS
IN CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES
AND HOLD EXECUTIVES
ACCOUNTABLE.
FOR EACH STRATEGY, IN THE 2019
EXECUTIVE ORDER, WE NEED THE
FOLLOWING.
WHEN DO THEY PLAN TO BEGIN
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGY?
WHAT IS THE WORK PLAN FOR THE
STRATEGY FOR 2021?
WHEN OUR DEPARTMENTS EXPECTED
TO COMPLETE NEXT STEPS IN 2020
AND 2021?
AND TO WHAT COUNCIL COMMITTEE
IS THE STRATEGY ASSIGNED?
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR ACTION?
WE ALSO NEED PROGRESS REPORTS
FROM EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS
AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT
WHAT IS BEING DEVELOPED TO
ADDRESS CRIME.
SOME INFORMATION MAY BE
AVAILABLE BUT IT IS NOT IN A
FORM THAT IS READILY AVAILABLE
TO CITIZENS.
WE NEED TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY AND ARE LOOKING
TOWARD YOUR LEADERSHIP TO ADOPT
AND IMPLEMENT ACTIONS THAT
WOULD MAKE REAL COMMITMENTS TO
THE MOST URGENT RESPONSE.
IF YOU AND WE DON'T, OUR
CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, MOST
VULNERABLE WILL SUFFER THE
CONSEQUENCES.
THANK YOU
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU
CALLING IN TONIGHT AND THANK
YOU FOR THOSE PIECES OF ADVICE.
THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE
LAURA, ANDREW, AND MELODY.
WE HAVE YOU AS NUMBER 76.
IF YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO CALL
IN, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
LAURA, GOOD EVENING.
>> I LIVED IN SEATTLE AND I'M
CALLING ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE
PEOPLE I ORGANIZE WITH.
WE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SUPPORT
THE COMMUNITIES MOST IMPACTED
BY POLICE BRUTALITY AND
ECONOMIC AND RACIAL INJUSTICE.
WE SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET AND SUPPORT ANTICIPATORY
BUDGET PROCESS ALONG WITH OVER
60 ORGANIZATIONS TO SHOW SUPPORT
FOR A BUDGET THAT TRULY
REFLECTS THE VALUE THAT THIS
MAY OR CLAIMS TO HAVE.
THE MAYOR SHOULD ASK FOR THIS
HEARING ALONGSIDE EACH OF YOU.
IF YOU CLAIM BLACK LIVES MATTER,
IF YOU HAVE HELD UP A SIGN OR
WONDER WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SHOW
SUPPORT AND YOU WORKED ON THIS
BUDGET, YOU HAD A CHANCE AND
FAILED.
THE BUDGET IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
IT IS NOT THE CITY'S VALUE.
THERE ARE MANY IMPORTANT POINTS
IN THE STATEMENT OF JOINT
PRINCIPLES FOR THE 2021 SEATTLE
CITY BUDGET PROCESS THAT THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET THAT WE SIGN
ON TO BUT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE
THE GREEN NEW DEAL BULLET POINT.
TO ENSURE A HEALTHY AND JUST
CLIMATE FUTURE, THE GREEN NEW
DEAL MUST BE ANTI-RACIST, PRO-
WORKER AND LED BY BLACK,
INDIGENOUS, AND COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR.
INVESTING IN COMMUNITY
SOLUTIONS LIKE HEALTHCARE,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND GOOD
JOBS IS AN ESSENTIAL STEP
TOWARD REALIZING THE GREEN NEW
DEAL COMMITMENT.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.
NUMBER 75, ANDREW CONSTANTINO.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
THERE YOU GO, I HEARD SOMETHING.
>> MY NAME IS ANDREW AND I WORK
FOR INTERBAY VILLAGE IN
DISTRICT 7. DURING UNCERTAIN
TIMES FOR ALL OF US I HAVE BEEN
BLESSED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT
THOSE HOMELESS MEN, WOMEN, AND
CHILDREN THAT COME TO OUR
VILLAGE WILL FIND REFUGE,
COMMUNITY, AND SECURITY.
THE TINY HOUSE MODEL HAS PROVEN
EXTREMELY RESILIENT DURING THE
COVID CRISIS AND I'M SURE WILL
DO SO AGAIN AS WE BEGIN TO FACE
THE FALLOUT FROM THE FINANCIAL
BURDEN PLACED ON MANY LOW
INCOME FAMILIES. THE TINY HAS
VILLAGES PROVIDE A NET TO CATCH
THOSE WHO MAY FALL INTO
HOMELESSNESS AND A LIFE RAFT
FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING IT.
I LIKE TO THINK THE MAGNOLIA
NEIGHBORHOOD FOR BEING
SUPPORTIVE AND EXPRESSING
CONCERNS FOR VILLAGES OFTEN
DAILY WHILE OUR CITY WEATHERS
THE STORE.
THANK YOU.
>> WE STILL HAVE MELODY REESE
LISTED AS NOT PRESENT.
IF YOU ARE HEARING THIS, PLEASE
DIAL INTO THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY
LINE THAT WAS EMAILED TO YOU OR
EMAIL MY OFFICE. THE SAME IS
TRUE OF JOSEPH, WARREN, AND
KATRINA.
WE HAVE YOU LISTED COMING UP
HERE SOON AND SHOWING AS NOT
PRESENT.
NUMBER 77, 78, 89.
WE HAVE YOU LISTED NEXT.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF IF
I'VE CALLED YOUR NAME.
>> MY NAME IS LISA AND I AM A
CLIENT WITH 29 OTHER WOMEN AT
TRINITY EIGHTH AND CHERRY AND
I'M CALLING IN RESPONSE TO
REQUESTING FUNDING BECAUSE WE
HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY
BECAUSE OF COVID TO BE ABLE TO
BE INDOORS 24-SEVEN SO I ASKING
WE CAN KEEP THE CHANGE AFTER
COVID FOR THE 2021 BUDGET AND
ALSO I WANT TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT
OUT TO MAYOR JENNY DURKAN.
THANK GOD SHE HAS ALLOCATED 300
ROOMS FOR HOTELS AND ALL WE ARE
REQUESTING IS FOR HALF OF THAT,
FOR 150, FOR WOMEN WHO COME IN
AT NIGHT AND NEED REFERRALS.
WE WANT TO ALWAYS PROVIDE THAT
BECAUSE WE HAVE A 20-YEAR
STANDING WITH KING COUNTY
SEATTLE WASHINGTON AND IN THIS
REQUEST I WANT TO ASK THAT WE
GET FUNDING FOR $445,000 FOR
NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET SO THAT WE
CAN BE INDOORS AND IT'S REALLY
MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE
LIVES OF ALL OF THESE WOMEN AND
GIVES THE CHANCE TO MOVE ON AND
MOVE FORWARD AND WE GET THE
REST THAT WE NEEDED VERSUS
EVERY NIGHT WAITING UNTIL 8:00
P.M.
TO GET A BED SO I JUST WANT TO
YIELD MY TIME AND THANK
EVERYONE ON COUNSEL.
AND, MAYOR JENNY DURKAN, FOR
YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
APPRECIATE YOUR TESTIMONY.
OSIRIS GOMEZ, YOU ARE UP NEXT.
THERE WE GO, HI.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> I'M THE COMMUNITY MANAGER
AND I AM ASKING THE CITY TO
PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES IN
SEATTLE SINCE MAY WE HAVE VOICED
OUR REPEATED CONCERNS ABOUT AN
EQUIPMENT ON THE SIDEWALK OF
WESTERN AVENUE BETWEEN COLUMBIA
AND MARION STREET. OVER THE
LAST FEW MONTHS WE HAVE FILED
NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE
METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT NAVIGATION TEAM TO
ADDRESS THE UNSAFE CONDITIONS
SUCH AS TRASH, URINE, AND ON
MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, ON-SITE
STUFF HAVE BEEN OCCUPANTS OF
THE CAMP.
REPORTS GO UNANSWERED IF THE
CALLER MENTIONS IN CAMP.
WE HAD AN INCIDENT WHERE DEV
AND OCCUPANT AT THE CAMP AND WE
ALSO HAD A STABBING THAT LED TO
ONE PERSON'S DEATH AND THE CITY
DID NOTHING TO RELOCATE THE
PEOPLE TO A SAFER ENVIRONMENT.
TAXPAYING RESIDENTS HAVE TO
SUFFER FROM THE LACK OF
RESOURCES. ON SEPTEMBER 2 THE
NAVIGATION TEAM NOTIFIED US
THEY WERE RELOCATING THE
ENCAMPMENT DUE TO SAFETY
CONCERNS FROM THE FEELING
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE BUT NOBODY
NOTIFIED US THAT THE EQUIPMENT
WAS TO BE RELOCATED. SAFETY AND
WELL-BEING IS TOP PRIORITY AND
SHOULD BE YOURS, TOO.
THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED A 15-20%
VACANCY RATE SINCE THE HOMELESS
IN CAMP IT WAS ALLOWED TO RUN
WILD.
TAXPAYERS DO NOT WANT TO LIVE
IN FEAR WALKING OUTSIDE OF
THEIR BUILDING. THE PROPERTY
OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT WITH
THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF TENDING
TO THE HOMELESS AND CAN'T
BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED US.
OUR BUSINESS HAS BEEN AFFECTED
BECAUSE IT RELAXES RESOURCES.
RESIDENTS WHAT ANSWERS AND WE
ARE REQUESTING IT BE ADDRESSED
IMMEDIATELY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU BOTH
ON THE CONCERNS THAT YOU HAVE
AND TO GET THE REMAINING
COMMENTS IN YOUR PUBLIC
TESTIMONY.
>> NUMBER 79, ANNA TORRES
FOLLOWED BY JOSEPH.
WE STILL HAVE YOU LISTED AS NOT
PRESENT AND ANNA, YOUR NEXT.
ANNA, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
WE HAVE A MUTE BUTTON STILL.
I'M GOING TO COME BACK TO YOU.
[ SPEAKING SPANISH ] FOLKS, I
GOT A NOTIFICATION THAT ANNA
MAY HAVE AN INTERPRETER THAT WE
ARE WAITING TO JOIN ON THE LINE
SO I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE TO
KEEP HER ON THE LINE AND COME
BACK TO THIS SPEAKER.
>> THE NEXT PERSON WE HAVE IS
JOSEPH LISTED AS NOT PRESENT SO
IF YOU ARE PRESENT, PLEASE GO
AHEAD.
IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, PLEASE GO
AHEAD.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
I LIVE ON DISTRICT 7 AND I'M
CALLING FOR CITY COUNCIL TO
SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET
AND I WANT YOU TO WORK ON
TAXING BIG BUSINESS AND AMAZON
WHO HAVE NOT PAID THEIR FAIR
SHARE BECAUSE THEY NEED TO.
AND WIN BIG BUSINESSES DO NOT
WANT TO PAY TAXES.
ALSO, SPD NEEDS TO HAVE THE
BUDGET CUT BY 80% AND I'VE
HEARD STORIES ABOUT THESE
HORRIBLE, HORRIFYING POLICE
VIOLENCE TOWARD PROTESTERS SUCH
AS, THERE WAS ONE BICYCLE
POLICE OFFICER DOING A WHITE
SUPREMACY HAND GESTURE TO A
PROTESTER ON SEPTEMBER 15 AND I
HAVE ALSO HEARD STORIES IN
WHICH THE POLICE OFFICER PULLED
RESPIRATORS OFF OF PROTESTERS
AND ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER
THREATENED TO SHOOT PROTESTERS
WHEN HE WAS TOTALLY UNARMED AND
DID NOT HAVE HIS HANDS RAISED
UP.
ASIDE FROM THAT I DO NOT TRUST
JENNY DURKAN AND OTHER
SEATTLEITES.
SHE HAS ANY DIGNITY SHE SHOULD
RESIGN AND IF SHE DOESN'T WANT
TO, THERE ARE FIRE HER
CAMPAIGNS GOING ON.
I YIELD MY TIME, THANK YOU.
>> [ SPEAKING SPANISH ]
[ SPEAKING SPANISH ]
>> FOLKS, WE'RE LETTING--
>> [ SPEAKING SPANISH ] FOLKS,
WE HAVE AN INTERPRETER THAT WAS
GOING TO BE ON THE LINE WITH
US.
IT IS OUR CUSTOM TO MAKE SURE
WE HAVE AN INTERPRETER THAT IS
TRAINED AND PAID AND GIVEN THE
HOUR, ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF MY
TEAM HAS OFFERED TO TRANSLATE
BUT WE DO WANT TO TAKE HER UP
ON THIS GIVEN THE LATE HOUR SO
THAT ANNA CAN PROVIDE PUBLIC
TESTIMONY.
IT IS OUR PRACTICE BOTH FOR OUR
STAFF AND TRAINED INTERPRETERS
TO USE AN INTERPRETER SO THIS
IS A DEVIATION FROM THE NORM
GIVEN THE HOUR.
AND I WANT TO GIVE ANNA THE
CHANCE TO TESTIFY.
THANK YOU FOR OFFERING AND WE
ALSO WANT TO COMPENSATE YOU FOR
THIS EXTRA WORK THAT YOU DO SO
JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
NOTE THIS IS OUTSIDE OF THE
NORM AND WILL GIVE FOUR MINUTES.
[ SPEAKING SPANISH ]
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS ANNA, I AM
A HOUSEKEEPER AND ALSO A
PROMOTER. [ SPEAKING SPANISH ]
SINCE WE STARTED WORK, A COUPLE
OF THE WORKERS HAVE HAD A
COUPLE OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT
WORKERS RIGHTS. [ SPEAKING
SPANISH ] IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS,
WE FOUND OUT THAT MORE THAN 60%
OF THE WORKERS DON'T KNOW THEIR
RIGHTS.
[ SPEAKING SPANISH ] THEY
DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THERE IS
AN OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS.
[ SPEAKING SPANISH ] THAT'S
WHY WE ARE ASKING COUNSEL TO
INVEST MORE FUNDING IN
EDUCATION FOR WORKERS RIGHTS. [
SPEAKING SPANISH ] WE ARE
ASKING YOU TO PROVIDE SOME
FUNDING THROUGH OLS. [ SPEAKING
SPANISH ] AND WE WOULD LIKE TO
SEE SOME CHANGES FOR THE MORE
THAN 30,000 DOMESTIC WORKERS IN
SEATTLE. [ SPEAKING SPANISH ]
THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OTHER
THAN THE BILL OF RIGHTS, WE
STILL FEEL LIKE WE ARE NOT
PROTECT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[ SPEAKING SPANISH ] THANK
YOU, AS WELL, AND THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TESTIMONY AND FOR THE
TRANSITION.
THANK YOU FOR WAITING FOR US
AND AS ANNA MENTIONED, THE
OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS.
THANK YOU FOR STEPPING IN.
THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE
JOSEPH, WARREN, AND SHARE.
WE WILL CALL ON SHARON NEXT.
IF YOU CAN CALL AND WE WILL GET
BACK TO YOU.
THE NEXT FOUR SPEAKERS ARE
LISTED AS NOT PRESENT AND NOW
IS THE TIME TO CALL INTO THE
NUMBER YOU WERE PROVIDED.
KATRINA JOHNSON, AND NUMBER 87.
WITH THAT WE WILL GO TO SHARE.
GOOD EVENING.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?
>> WE CAN, THANK YOU FOR
WAITING.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 7 AND HAVE
LIVED IN SEATTLE FOR 36 YEARS.
I'M A HOMEOWNER, AN ORDINARY
CITIZEN, NOT AN ACTIVIST, NOT A
STUDENT, NOT A MEMBER OF AN
ORGANIZATION BUT A TAXPAYER.
I LOVE THE CITY AND DO NOT LIKE
WHAT IS HAPPENING.
ALL OF A SUDDEN I SEE NEIGHBORS
HOUSES GO ON THE MARKET AND
MOST ARE MOVING OUT OF SEATTLE.
WILL BUSINESSES FOLLOW?
I BELIEVE IN A BUDGET THAT
SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESSES THE
BASIC SERVICES OF THE CITY
WHICH ARE IN EXCHANGE FROM THE
TAXES THAT CITIZENS PAY.
BASIC SERVICES, SANITATION,
WATER, STREET, PUBLIC LIBRARY,
PARKS, SCHOOLS, FOOD
INSPECTION, FIRE DEPARTMENT,
POLICE, AMBULANCE,
TRANSPORTATION.
NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THESE
SERVICES EXCEPT TO DEFEND SPD.
I BELIEVE IN A STRONG, HEALTHY
DOWNTOWN.
HAVE YOU WALKED THE STREETS OF
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE?
AS ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS SAID
TODAY AT ALMOST MADE HER CRY.
MY FRIENDS WHO LIVE DOWNTOWN DO
NOT FEEL SAFE WALKING AROUND
THE CITY TO SUPPORT THE FEW
BUSINESSES THAT ARE OPEN.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN COVID-19 IS
IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR?
WILL ALL OF THE SOURCES OF CITY
REVENUE RETURN?
TOURISTS, CONVENTIONS? AFTER
ALL THE BAD PR THEY HAVE
RECEIVED, IF I HAD A CONVENTION
TODAY AND SAW DOWNTOWN SEATTLE,
I WOULD RUN THE OTHER DIRECTION.
WE NEED TO STOP THE VIOLENCE
DOWNTOWN AND CAPITOL HILL AND
RESTORE SAFETY. DOWNTOWN
SEATTLE IS A MAJOR DRIVER OF
MANY OF THE FUN YOU ARE TRYING
TO BUDGET WITH.
I DO NOT SUPPORT DIVESTING BY
50%.
WE NEED TO HAVE A CLEAR PLAN TO
REDUCE ANY REDUCTION IN FUNDING.
WHAT MAKES THE COUNCIL SO SURE
THAT DIRECTING MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS ELSEWHERE WILL RESTORE
THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR
CITIES?
YOU NEED TO ANSWER THESE BEFORE
YOU DO IT.
IN SUMMARY, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
IS TO BUILD A BUDGET THAT
PROVIDES BASIC SERVICES TO THE
CITY OF SEATTLE.
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CORRECT
ALL THE PUBLIC-- PROBLEMS BUT
TAKE A BREATH AND THINK
LOGICALLY.
>> THE NEXT FOUR PEOPLE THAT I
HAVE ARE SHOWN AS NOT PRESENT.
IF YOU WOULD CALL BACK IN WE
ARE HAPPY TO COME BACK TO YOU.
AFTER THAT WE HAVE NUMBER 88,
89, AND NUMBER 90. GOOD EVENING
AND THANK YOU FOR WAITING.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE.
>> HELLO, COUNSEL.
I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT 6, I
BELIEVE THAT THE PRIORITIES ARE
IN THE BUDGET WHICH MEANS IT
SHOULD INVEST IN SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPORTATION, ALTERNATIVES TO
POLICING, AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
WE SHOULD DEFEND SPD BY 50% AND
USE THAT MONEY TO FIND PUBLIC
SAFETY PROGRAMS BEING ASKED FOR
SPECIFICALLY BY BIPOC
COMMUNITIES.
WE SHOULD RESERVE JUMP START
MANY FOR ITS ORIGINAL INTENT AS
DIRECTED BY COUNSEL.
WE SHOULD ASK CELEBRATE--
ACCELERATE THE STREETCAR-- AND
FULLY FUND BY CLEAN PROJECTS.
WE SHOULD FUND RECENTLY CUT
RAPIDRIDE EXTENSIONS.
IF WE HOPE TO REACH CLIMATE
GOALS WHICH I BELIEVE ARE
REALISTIC, WE NEED TO FUND THESE
RATHER THAN POURING HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO NEW
ROADS AND BRIDGES WHICH WE
CANNOT EVEN AFFORD TO MAINTAIN.
THESE ARE MY PRIORITIES FOR THE
CITY AND I BELIEVE THERE HAS
NEVER BEEN A MORE CRITICAL TIME
TO PURSUE THEM.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.
ROBIN, GOOD EVENING.
JUST STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
>> YES WE CAN HEAR YOU, THANK
YOU.
>> I LIVE ON CAPITOL HILL.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING YOUR
EVENING TO LISTEN TO PUBLIC
COMMENT.
I'M CALLING TO URGE THAT THE
BUDGET HAVE MONEY SET ASIDE FOR
CLIMATE MITIGATION PLANNING AND
THAT JUMPSTART FUNDING BE
RESERVED FOR THE GREEN NEW DEAL.
THERE ARE GOOD GOALS FROM
HANDLING CREDIT CLIMATE CHANGE
BUT THERE WAS A PLAN FOR FUNDING
A LOW-INCOME BUILDING BUT NOW
THAT IS THREATENED AND THE
EXECUTIVE ORDER, THERE WAS A
PLAN FOR THE CITY TEAM TO MEET
AND REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES.
THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.
THE SAME ORDER HAD A PLAN FOR A
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
DASHBOARD WHICH ALSO SEEMS TO
BE NOT HAPPENING.
WE NEED A TRANSPORTATION PLAN
TO GET US UP AND RUNNING
WITHOUT REQUIRING ALL OF US TO
HAVE CARS BUT THAT IS NOT
HAPPENING, EITHER.
I ASK YOU TO PLEASE LOOK AT
CLIMATE GOALS.
WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO ACHIEVE?
THE FIRST IS THE EASIEST,
SETTING ASIDE FUNDING AND EVERY
DEPARTMENT TO DO PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY OUTREACH SO THAT NEXT
YEAR WE WILL HAVE PLANS READY
WITH NECESSARY SUPPORT.
IT'S NOT LIKE WE DON'T CARE
ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE IN SEATTLE
AND IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T HAVE
THE MONEY COLLECTIVELY.
THERE IS A WAY THROUGH THIS BUT
WE NEED LEADERSHIP.
THAT IS IT, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
APPRECIATE YOUR TESTIMONY.
YOU ARE UP NEXT FOLLOWED BY
TARA AND ADAM.
>> STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
STAR SIX ONE TIME.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE STILL
NEEDED.
I MAY COME BACK TO YOU.
WE HAVE TARA NUMBER 91, AND 92
IS ADAM.
I CAN SEE YOU ON MY.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
EXCELLENT.
>> I'M THE KING COUNTY LEAD
PROJECT DIRECTOR.
BUT I'M ALSO SPEAKING AS A TIRE
CHILD FROM INNER-CITY DETROIT,
DAUGHTER OF A PARENT WHO
STRUGGLES WITH SUBSTANC ABUSE
AND THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF A
WOMAN I'VE NEVER MET BECAUSE
SHE WAS DEEMED TOO MENTALLY ILL
TO ADVOCATE FOR HERSELF AND
ULTIMATELY DIED HOMELESS.
IN THE PAST WEEKS, AS I WALK
THROUGH DOWNTOWN SEATTLE, I
CANNOT HELP BUT BE REMINDED OF
MY HOMETOWN.
FOR BLACK FOLKS IN THE 80s AND
90s, DEEPLY ABANDONED AND
UNIMPORTANT DUE TO CRIMINAL
HISTORY AND EXTREME POVERTY.
THEY ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND
DURING THIS ECONOMIC, HOMELESS,
AND PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WILL
HAPPEN IF THERE IS NOT SOMEONE
WALKING BEHIND THEM MAKING SURE
THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED IT.
IT IS WITH THAT PERSPECTIVE
THAT I DO THIS WORK.
I VIEW IT AS A GREAT HONOR TO
WORK ALONGSIDE THE FOLKS THAT
PDA REACHES WITH THE GOAL OF
CENTERING, LOVING, AND LIFTING
UP FOLKS WHO ARE OFTEN THE MOST
MARGINALIZED AND DO IT WITH THE
GOAL OF INCREASING PUBLIC SAFETY
THROUGH THEIR AMAZING OUTREACH,
HARM REDUCTION SKILLS AND LEGAL
ADVOCACY EFFORTS.
FOR THAT WE WANT TO THANK CITY
COUNCIL LEADERSHIP FOR
CONTINUED SUPPORT TO ALLOW TO
GROW AND INNOVATE AND LIFTING
THE GATEKEEPING OF SPD.
AS A RESULT WE ARE DOING THINGS
SUCH AS IN SEPTEMBER,
CONNECTING PEOPLE TO 24 NEW
CASE MANAGERS.
WE ARE ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY,
EFFECTIVELY, AND RESPONSIBLY
THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT.
THE FOLKS THAT YOU HEARD FROM
AND MANY OTHERS-- TAKE CARE OF
FOLKS WHO ARE THE MOST
VULNERABLE. THESE ARE THE
PEOPLE WHO I WOULD HAVE WANTED
TO TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY.
I URGE YOU TO MAKE THERE WERE
VISIBLE.
THEY ARE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE
DOING INCREDIBLE THINGS AND
TRAILBLAZERS RETHINKING PUBLIC
SAFETY FOR ALL ESPECIALLY THOSE
WHO ARE ON HOME.
>> VERY POWERFUL, THANK YOU FOR
SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.
AND FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT
YOU DO.
GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE AGAIN.
THE NEXT PERSON WE HAVE IS ADAM
MONK.
ARE YOU WITH US?
>> YOU AND ADAM TOGETHER,
GREAT.
IF YOU ARE WITH US, PLEASE GO
AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS ADAM, I'M A NEW
RESIDENT OF TENT CITY THREE AND
IN THE SHORT TIME THAT I'VE HAD
HERE SO FAR I'VE NOTICED THE
CLEAR BENEFITS INVOLVING OUR
OWN MEMBERS ON THE INTAKE,
SECURITY, AND MAINTENANCE
FUNCTIONS THAT KEEP THE CITY
RUNNING SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
WE HAVE ADAPTED TO WORK WELL AS
A GROUP AND ALTHOUGH MANY OF
OUR ACTIVITIES ARE LIMITED BY
THE LACK OF AROUND $80,000 AND
PROPOSED CITY FUNDING, WE HAVE
THOSE WHO ARE ASSIGNED TO
COORDINATE DONATIONS, ALTHOUGH
OUR HONEY BUCKET SERVICES, BUS
TICKETS, AND GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS ARE COVERED
VERY OCCASIONALLY BY SHARE
AUCTIONS AND DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN
TENT CITIES.
BUT, WE ARE STILL RELIANT ON
THE FUNDING OF THE CITY HAVE
NEVER HAD.
IT WAS BEGUN IN MARCH 2000 AND
WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING ON OUR OWN
SINCE THEN.
WE HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER THE
IMPORTANCE OF FUNDING OUT
EFFORTS TO PROVIDE A SECURE
SPACE THAT HELPS PEOPLE GET
THEIR LIVES BACK IN ORDER WITH
YOUR DONATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> BEFORE YOU HANG UP, IF YOU
CAN HEAR ME, DO YOU HAVE KENDAL
WITH YOU?
WE HAVE KENDAL AS NUMBER 85.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> I CAN.
I LIVE AT 10 CITY THREE WHICH
IS PART OF THE SHARED WHEELS
ORGANIZATION.
IT IS A DEMOCRATIC SELF MANAGED
COMMUNITY THAT PROVIDES A SENSE
OF SECURITY FOR THOSE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
IT HAS HAD NO POSITIVE CASES
FOR CORONAVIRUS AND HAVING THE
COMMUNITY SHELTER HAS THE
BENEFIT OF PROVIDING
INDIVIDUALS WITH A SAFE
DISTANCE TO CUT TRANSMISSION
DURING THE PANDEMIC.
WE ARE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY WHO
HOLDS ONE ANOTHER ACCOUNTABLE
TO OURSELVES IN THE COMMUNITY
AND MAKING SURE WE ARE
RESPECTFUL AND KEEP THE
COMMUNITY CLEAN AND SAFE.
WE ARE ASKING FOR SUPPORT FOR
TENT CITY THREE WHICH HAS NEVER
BEEN SUPPORTED BY THE CITY.
HAVING THIS COMMUNITY IMPROVES
CHANCES OF RETAINING A JOB IN
ONE DAY STANDING ON THEIR OWN 2
FEET.
IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS WITH
INCREASED EVICTIONS AND JOB LOSS
SERVICES WILL BE NEEDED.
IN YOUR UPCOMING BUDGET IS
CONSIDERED TARGETING YOUR
SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONS WHICH
WILL EMPOWER PEOPLE CORRECTLY
WHICH WILL HELP INDIVIDUALS
CLIMB OUT OF POVERTY AND
HOMELESSNESS.
>> THANK YOU FOR WAITING ON THE
LINE WITH US.
I'M GOING TO CALL THE NEXT
THREE SPEAKERS.
ROBERT, ANITRA, AND--.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>>.
>> I'M ROBERT, A RESIDENT OF
CAPITOL HILL FOR A COUPLE OF
YEARS AND I RUN A SMALL BUSINESS
TUTORING KIDS.
THE LAST COUPLE OF SPEAKERS ARE
BOTH GREAT EXAMPLES OF
ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING AND
COMMUNITY PUBLIC SAFETY
STRATEGIES, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE
INVESTED MORE IN.
I ALSO WANTED TO COME BACK TO
THE SPEAKER WHO WAS CONCERNED
WITH LACK OF POLICING AND
PERCEPTION OF UNSAFE PUBLIC
SPACES BEING A DAMPER ON
BUSINESS.
I HEAR THAT CONCERN AND NONE OF
US HERE WANT TO PICK UP ON 911
OR THE STREETS FEELING UNSAFE
BUT I THINK THAT COMMUNITY
-LIKE PROCESS OF THINKING IN
ORDER, IT'S CLEAR THAT THE
CURRENT APPROACH IS NOT WORKING
TOO GREAT.
AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I DON'T
PARTICULARLY FEEL AND SAFE
BECAUSE OF A LACK OF VISIBLE
POLICING. A LOT OF FOLKS I THINK
FEEL LESS SAFE WITH A LOT OF
THE POLICE FLEXING THE GOES ON
AND I THINK ALSO FROM AN
ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE, I TEACH
FINANCIAL LITERACY AMONG OTHER
THINGS.
A LOT OF THE SPENDING IS NOT
REALLY PRODUCTIVE, NOT ALL OF
IT, NECESSARILY BUT A LOT COULD
BE BETTER DONE WITH OTHER THINGS
AND IT'S MUCH MORE COUNTER-
CYCLICAL AND HELPS FIGHT THE
ECONOMIC DOWNTURN FOR THE MOST
POOR FOLKS SPENDING IT ON
POLICING AND SECURITY IS
UNPRODUCTIVE FROM A PURELY
ECONOMIC STANDPOINT AS LONG AS
THERE IS A PERCEPTION THAT
THINGS ARE GOOD.
I THINK I'M OUT OF TIME BUT
THAT IS SORT OF MY TWO CENTS,
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT AND THANK
YOU FOR WAITING ON THE LINE.
ANITRA, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> STAR SIX.
I SEE YOU STILL MUTED.
YOU ARE STILL MUTED. A NATURE,
WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF AND
WE WILL TURN TO YOU, THANKS.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, THANK YOU.
>> I AM A LOCAL MEMBER, ONE OF
THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS OF LOCAL
WASHINGTON AND I AM A LEAD
ALUMNI.
LET ME THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSTANT SUPPORT OF UTILIZATION
OF THE PROGRAM AND I URGE YOU
TO CONTINUE INVESTMENT AND IT
HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT MAKING IT
POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO HEAL AND
RECOVER WITHOUT HAVING TO ENTER
THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.
THIS IS NOT A NEW IDEA, BUT ONE
THAT HAS BEEN WORKING WELL FOR
ABOUT NINE YEARS NOW.
IT HAS NEVER BEEN OFFERED TO
MOST PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED
EXPERIENCE IN DEEP SKILLS WITH
NO BARRIERS.
RESPECT PARTICIPANTS IN DECIDING
THEIR OWN COURSE OF THEIR OWN
LIVES. LET ME BE THE FIRST LET
ME BE THE 1st TO SAY THAT I
WENT DOWN A BAD ROAD AND ALMOST
LOST MY LIFE.
THAT IS WHO HELPED ME TO HELP
MYSELF AT MY PACE AND TAUGHT ME
TO HAVE CONFIDENCE AND TO GROW
AND THAT I COULD GET MY LIFE
BACK WITHOUT THEM AS WITH A LOT
OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT I KNOW.
IT IS AN AMAZING PROGRAM AND I
URGE EVERYONE TO PLEASE
CONTINUE INVESTING IN IT.
THANK YOU.
>> ONE MORE TIME.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
OKAY.
I CANNOT HEAR YOU.
WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.
FOLKS, I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW
THAT WE HAVE HIT IT:30.
WE HAD ANNOUNCED THAT WE WOULD
TAKE A BREAK AND AS PER OUR
CUSTOM TO KEEP PUSHING FOR
WORKERS RIGHTS, IN WASHINGTON
STATE, EVERY FOUR-HOUR TANK
DESERVES A 10 MINUTE PAY BREAK.
THE NEXT THREE, I WILL NOTE SO
THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHERE WE ARE.
WE ARE TWO THIRDS OF THE WAY
THROUGH PUBLIC TESTIMONY SO WE
WILL COME BACK AT 8:40.
WE WILL GO BACK TO BRIGHTON,
MADSEN, GRACE, DAVID, AND YOU
ARE LISTED AS NOT PRESENT.
YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES TO CALL IN
AND THEN THE THREE PRESENT
AFTER THAT ARE 97 THROUGH 100.
WE WILL START WITH YOU ALL
ASSUMING THAT OTHERS DO NOT GET
ON THE LINE.
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE.
10 MINUTES, I KNOW EVERYONE HAS
BEEN WAITING BUT WE WILL GET
THROUGH EVERYBODY.
WE WILL SEE YOU AT 8:40 SHARP
SO PLEASE DO NOT HANG UP IF YOU
ARE ON THE TESTIMONY LINE.
IT IS JUST FIVE PEOPLE EQUALS
10 MINUTES SO YOU ARE NOT TOO
FAR DELAYED.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE.
>>> WHENEVER YOU ARE READY, WE
WILL HAPPILY RECONVENE, SO I
WILL LOOK FOR THE PROMPT TO GO
UP ON THE LIVE FEED AND WE WILL
GET STARTED WHEN YOU ARE.
WELCOME BACK, EVERYONE.
THE RECESSED SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL SELECT BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETINGS WILL COME BACK TO
ORDER.
IT IS 8:40 P.M.
AND WE TOOK A 10 MINUTE RECESS
VERY BRIEFLY AS WE ARE IN THE
LAST ONE THIRD OF PUBLIC
TESTIMONY TODAY.
APPRECIATE EVERYBODY STAYING ON
THE LINE AND FOR OFFERING OUR
TEAMS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A
NEEDED BREAK AND ALSO FOR US TO
NOT MISS A BEAT AS WE GET ON
WITH PUBLIC TESTIMONY. IN THE
MEANTIME, SOME FOLKS WHO WERE
NOT PRESENT HAVE CALLED IN AND
WE APPRECIATE YOU DOING SO.
I'M GOING TO READ THE NAMES OF
THREE PEOPLE LEFT TO SPEAK HERE.
BRIGHTON, GRACE AND DAVID.
GET ONLINE, WE WILL HAPPILY
COME BACK TO YOU.
PLEASE GO AHEAD. BYRON, I'M
SORRY.
GOOD EVENING.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
>> HI.
IT'S ACTUALLY BRIAN.
>> GOODNESS, OKAY.
>> DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
>> WHAT I WANTED TO MENTION IS,
I WANT THE COUNCIL TO SERIOUSLY
CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THE CITY
OF SEATTLE HAS APPROXIMATELY
750,000 TOTAL RESIDENTS WITHIN
CITY LIMITS AND I'VE BEEN ON
THE PHONE WITH EVERYBODY ELSE,
I SUPPOSE, 2 1/2, GOING ON
THREE HOURS AND I'VE HEARD A
LOT OF TESTIMONY AND I WANT TO
ENFORCE THE FACT THAT THE
TESTIMONY THAT I'VE HEARD HAS
COME FROM MAINLY TWO OR THREE
GROUPS AND I WANT THE CITY TO
JUST REMEMBER THAT WHILE THE
GOAL OF ULTIMATELY TRYING TO
HELP THOSE WHO NEED HELP IS
OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT AND NOTHING
THAT I DISAGREE WITH, YOU HAVE
TO ALSO REMEMBER THAT THEY DO
NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT
750,000 PEOPLE.
WHEN I'M HERE TO SPEAK OF IS
WHAT, AND THIS IS NOT A
POLITICAL THING, BUT WHEN I SEE
EVERY DAY, LIVING AND WORKING
AROUND DOWNTOWN SEATTLE, I HAVE
GONE INTO WORK IN DOWNTOWN
SEATTLE EVERY SINGLE DAY SINCE
MARCH AND SINCE THE VIRUS
BEGAN.
I HAVE WATCHED IT OBVIOUSLY
CONTINUED TO GO INTO DISARRAY
AND FRANKLY, TO A POINT OF
LAWLESSNESS.
WHAT HAPPENS IS, WHEN THAT
OCCURS, PEOPLE START VOTING
WITH THEIR FEET.
YOU MAY NOT HEAR THEM CALLING
IN BABY OTHER THAN MYSELF
BECAUSE I'VE WITNESSED IT OVER
THE LAST SIX MONTHS PERSONALLY,
BUT TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, AND I'M
NOT A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
BROKER, BUT RIGHT NOW THERE ARE
OVER 3,000,000 FT.B2 OF SUBLEAS
SPACE AVAILABLE IN DOWNTOWN
SEATTLE, MUCH OF WHICH HAS COME
DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PEOPLE
CAN NO LONGER FEEL SAFE WORKING
THERE.
YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THAT
SPACE REPRESENTS THE LOSS OF
ABOUT 5000-10,000 JOBS SO IT'S
IMPORTANT TO COUNSEL TO
REMEMBER THAT THE WAY THAT YOU
GET YOUR REVENUE IN ORDER TO
FUND WHAT I SUPPORT, IN JENNY
DURKAN'S BUDGET, COMES FROM
BUSINESSES BEING IN AND
EMPLOYING PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN
ON THIS PHONE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR CALLING BACK.
PLEASE DO SO THE REST OF YOUR
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TO US.
>> THE NEXT PERSON I HAVE IS
CLAIRE.
>> I'M A LIFETIME SEATTLE
RESIDENT, A RECENT COLLEGE
GRADUATE, A MEMBER OF MORNING
MARCH SEATTLE AND A MATTER--
MEMBER OF THE SUNRISE MOVE.
I WANT TO THANK CITY COUNCIL
FOR LISTENING TO RESIDENTS AND
OVERRIDING THE VETO BY THE
MAYOR.
THE VIEWS ARE NOT
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE AS A WHOLE BUT I WANT
TO DRAW THE ATTENTION TO THE 96
CALLS BEFORE ME THAT VIRTUALLY
ALL SUPPORTED THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET AND CALLING FOR
DEFUNDING A SPEEDY.
I AM ALSO CALLING TO URGE YOU
TO DO VEST FROM THAT BY AT
LEAST 50% AND SUPPORT THE
DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS DIVESTED
FROM SPD THROUGH A
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PROCESS.
ADDITIONALLY, I'M STRONGLY
URGING YOU TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN
REWORKING THE SPD CONTRACT TO
KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE.
I'M ALSO ASKING YOU TO MAKE
SURE THAT INVESTMENTS IN BLACK
COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY-BUT
HEALTH AND SAFETY COME FROM
FUNDING DIVESTED FROM POLICE
PROSECUTORS IN COURT, NOT FROM
JUMPSTART SEATTLE FUNDING OR OF
THE INNER-- ANY OTHER CITY
FUNDING.
YOU CANNOT FUND BOTH THE
DISEASE AND THE CURE TO THESE
COMMUNITY ISSUES.
NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED TO
PRESERVE VITAL PUBLIC SERVICES
AND COMPLETE URGENT PROJECTS
INCLUDING THE CREATION OF
CROSSWALKS AND-- I URGE YOU TO
FUND DIGNIFIED HOUSING FOR ALL
INCLUDING.
>> I AM SO SORRY, HERE I AM.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE SO LATE.
LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID
SO MUCH ALREADY AND GOING TO
MAKE THIS REALLY SHORT.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR PASSING JUMPSTART.
AND FOR YOUR RECENT VETO.
YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING.
I'M CALLING TO SUPPORT AND LIFT
UP THE VOICES OF BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, IN SUPPORT
OF THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET.
AND, IN SUPPORT OF RACIAL, AND
SOCIAL JUSTICE.
THANK YOU ALL, YIELD THE REST
OF MY TIME, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
STAYING ON THE LINE FOR THOSE
COMMENTS.
GABE? GOOD EVENING, HELLO IT.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
>> THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO
THE PUBLIC COMMON.
MY NAME IS GABRIEL, I'M A
RENTER IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
D3 AND I'M CALLING TO SAY LIKE
SO MANY OTHERS BEFORE ME THAT
THE SUPPORT AMONG MY FRIENDS,
MY COLLEAGUES, AND MY NEIGHBORS
IN THE CITY, IN PARTICULAR HERE
IN D3 AND CAPITOL HILL, FOR
REALLOCATION OF FUNDING FROM
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, HOUSING
REMAINS ENORMOUS HE SUPPORTED
AND IS A GIVEN AMONG PEOPLE YOU
TALK TO.
IT SEEMS LIKE THE NOISE AROUND
THE DEFINED MOVEMENT HAS DIED
DOWN BECAUSE OF THE ABUNDANT
TRUST THAT RESIDENTS HAVE IN
OUR ELECTIVE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I URGE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL,
DON'T VIOLATE THAT TRUST.
DO THE RIGHT THING.
ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR
COMMITMENTS TO FIGHT SYSTEMIC
RACISM THROUGH BUILDING A MORE
JUST CITY THAT FULLY FUNDS THE
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND IS NOT
DISPROPORTIONATELY FUND THE
POLICE.
THE KEY DETAIL THAT COMMITMENT
WAS A FULL 50% INVESTMENT OF
OUR BLOATED POLICE BUDGET AND
REALLOCATION OF THOSE FUNDS
INTO COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS AND
SERVICES THAT WILL PROACTIVELY
FIGHT CRIME BEFORE IT STARTS.
GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT THE
$200 MILLION IN PROPOSED CUTS
ARE ENTIRELY AT ODDS WITH THAT
COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE.
YOU CANNOT IN GOOD FAITH SAY IN
THE SPRING THAT YOU WILL
REALLOCATE MONEY FROM THE
POLICE AND THEN TURN AROUND IN
THE FALL AND VOTE IN SUPPORT OF
A BUDGET THAT MAINTAINS POLICE
FUNDING WHILE MAKING DRACONIAN
CUTS TO CITY SERVICES.
YOUR COMMITMENT TO RACIAL
JUSTICE AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
NECESSITATES BOTH DEFUNDIG THE
POLICE AND MAINTAINING FUNDING
OF CITY SERVICES LIKE PARKS AND
LIBRARIES.
I SUPPORT THE BUDGET OF THE
PEOPLE IN THE EFFORTS TO
MAINTAIN FULL FUNDING TO CITY
SERVICES THROUGH PROGRESSIVE
TAXES.
IS SOMEONE WHO COLLECTED SCORES
AND SIGNATURES FOR THE AMAZON
TAX, A.K.A.
JUMPSTART, I WANT TO REMIND
COUNCIL THAT THESE CAME AS A
DIRECT RESULT OF 30,000
RESIDENTS WHO, LIKE ME, SIGN A
PETITION AND PASSED IT ON TO
THEIR FRIENDS ON THE
UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE FUNDS
WOULD BE USED AS A SPECIAL
MEASURE TO PROVIDE HOUSING
THROUGH TAXING BIG BUSINESS,
NOT TO PATCH HOLES IN AN
ABYSMAL AUSTERITY BUDGET.
I'M PROUD TO LIVE HERE WHERE
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT HAS
MAINTAINED HER COMMITMENT TO
SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS CLEAR
AND I URGE THE COUNCIL TO
FOLLOW HER LEAD.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
RACHEL, GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR WAITING.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
CANDACE, BILLY,. RACHEL, CAN
YOU HEAR ME?
OKAY, RACHEL, I WILL COME BACK
TO YOU.
THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE LINE
AND WE WILL BE SURE TO GET YOU.
CANDACE, I CAN SEE YOU ON THE
LINE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HIT
STAR SIX.
EXCELLENT.
>> HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS CANDACE BAKER AND
I AM A, WELL, I WAS JUST
DISPLACED FROM DISTRICT 5 BUT I
AM STILL IN SEATTLE.
I AM CALLING TO SUPPORT VOTE TO
THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND THE
CALLS THAT EVERYONE HAS MADE
FOR EMPHASIZING HOUSING IN THE
UPCOMING BUDGET. I ALSO WANT TO
ADD THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR
COUNSEL TO BE RE-CENTERING
RACIAL JUSTICE IN THE BUDGET IN
EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT.
AND, TAKING THE CUTS FROM THE
DEPARTMENTS WHO ARE DOING THE
MOST HARM TO COMMUNITY AND NOT
FROM THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE
FIGHTING THE HARDEST FOR A
SWIFT, COLLECTIVE RECOVERY FROM
COVID-19.
I WANT TO SAY SPECIFICALLY,
SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO WHAT IS
FINANCIALLY A FOOTNOTE IN THE
BUDGET BUT IS INCREDIBLY
MEANINGFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY
AND THAT IS TO CONTINUE FUNDING
AT THE CURRENT LEVELS FOR THE
OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS
WORKING TO IMPLEMENT A DOMESTIC
WORKERS IMPLEMENT-- AND TO
SUPPLEMENT THAT WITH $150,000
IN YOUR 2021 UNDER THE GUIDANCE
OF DOMESTIC WORKER STANDARDS
BOARDS, TO REACH OUT TO MANY
DOMESTIC WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN
AMONG THE HARDEST HIT BY COVID-
19 WITH THE FEWEST COMMUNITY
RESOURCES FOR HANDLING THAT TO
MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THEIR
RIGHTS, TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE
APPROPRIATE CHANNELS TO RECEIVE
RESTITUTION BY NEGLIGENT
EMPLOYERS AS WELL AS TO INVEST
IN LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS THAT
WILL ENABLE THIS CRITICAL
WORKFORCE AND GROUP OF HUMAN
BEINGS WHO ARE URGING LIVES IN
OUR SOCIETY AND DESERVE JUSTICE.
KIMBERLY, STAR 6 TO UNMUTE
YOURSELF.
>> MY NAME IS KIMBERLY, AND THE
CASE MANAGER IN THE LEAD
PROGRAM.
AS A CASE MANAGER AND A BLACK
WOMAN I JOINED THIS WORK WITH
AN URGENCY WANTING TO HELP THE
HOMELESS CRISIS.
ALONG WITH GIVING AND SPREADING
LOVE TO AN UNREMEMBERED,
IGNORED, NEGLECTED, DISREGARDED
HUMAN POPULATION.
NOT KNOWING THAT THIS FIGHT
WOULD LOOK, FEEL, BEHAVE AND
SUND DIFFERENT FROM BLACK MEN
AND WOMEN CLIENTS.
THE FIGHT FOR SHELTERS, FOOD,
MEDICAL HEALTH, TREATMENT
PROGRAMS, INCOME ASSISTANCE,
HOUSING, LEGAL ADVOCACY,
DOCUMENTS SUCH AS BIRTH
CERTIFICATES, ID, AND SOCIAL
SECURITY CARDS ARE LIKE GETTING
READY FOR COMBAT SERVICES FOR
BLACK MEN AND WOMEN CLIENTS.
I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE,
EVER SPRINGS.
A COMMUNITY OF BLACK, LOW-
INCOME, POVERTY-STRICKEN HUMAN
BEINGS.
IT WAS ALLOWED FOR THOSE
INDIVIDUALS TO BE MADE POOR BY
CONTINUING TO OVERLOOK THE
LIVING CONDITIONS, YOU'LL OUT
AND GAVE PERMISSION FOR
BUSINESS OWNERS TO HAVE
RESULTED IN THE BEHAVIOR TO
CONTINUE TARGETING AND TAKING
ADVANTAGE OF A BLACK COMMUNITY.
BEING ONE OF THE FIRST CASE
MANAGERS, I WITNESSED AND FELT
EVERY LEVEL OF PAIN, EVERY
LEVEL OF ANGER, DESPAIR,
CONFUSION, DESPERATION, AND
LOSS.
WHERE IS THE HELP?
I'LL TELL YOU.
ALONG WITH MYSELF, MY TEAM, AND
A FIERCE LEADERSHIP, LEAD GIVE
HOPE AND SHELTER ALONG WITH
CONTINUED CASE MANAGEMENT TO A
BLACK COMMUNITY THAT WOULD HAVE
NOT BEEN SEEN, NOT BEEN HEARD,
AND LEFT BEHIND IF IT WAS NOT
FOR THE LONG HOURS THAT WE PUT
IN HEARING EVERYONE'S STORY AS
WELL AS THE TRAUMA.
NOW THE MAYOR OF SEATTLE IS
LEADING THE POPULATION I SERVE
STILL SUFFERING.
YOU, MAYOR, ASKED FOR HELP.
WE DID.
BUT YOU PUT STIPULATIONS ON
WHERE AND WHO CAN RECEIVE HELP.
BY TRAPPING AND BLOCKING
FUNDING, WHY?
IT JUST CREATED ANOTHER
UNNECESSARY COME AT THAT I HAVE
TO FIGHT AS A BLACK WOMAN AND A
CASE MANAGER.
PLEASE STOP SOCIAL DISTANCING
YOURSELF FROM A COMMUNITY THAT
NEEDS YOUR HELP.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
PUBLIC TESTIMONY TONIGHT.
LET'S GO TO TOMACINA.
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
EXCELLENT.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS TOMACINA AND I'M THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SEATTLE
NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP , A LOCAL
NONPROFIT FOCUSED ON PUBLIC
SAFETY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING.
ON CALLING AND SUPPORT TO RENEW
FUNDING FOR TWO OF OUR CONTRACTS
FOR THE 2021 BUDGET.
FIRST IS THE SOUTH PARK PUBLIC
SAFETY COORDINATOR POSITION IN
THIS POSITION WAS THE TOP
PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION IN THE
2017 SOUTH PARK STAFF REPORT
FUNDED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
THE SECOND IS THE PROGRAM
STANDING FOR GET OFF THE STREET
PROVIDING CRUCIAL SUPPORT
SERVICES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS
AGES 21-55.
INCLUDES INTENSIVE CASE
MANAGEMENT, CLEAN AND SOBER
HOUSING SUPPORT ALONG WITH FOOD
AND HYGIENE SUPPLIES.
BOTH OF THESE HAVE HAD POSITIVE
IMPACTS AND WE EXPECT-- REQUEST
CITY COUNCIL RENEW FUNDING FOR
BOTH OF THESE CONTRACTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
GOING BACK TO RACHEL, IF YOU
CAN HEAR ME, STAR 6 TO UNMUTE
YOURSELF.
>> SORRY FOR THE DELAY.
THANK YOU FOR HANGING ON THE
LINE.
>> NO PROBLEM.
MY NAME IS RACHEL, I'M A
RESIDENT IN DISTRICT 3 AND I'M
CALLING TO ASK THAT COUNSEL
FOLLOW IN THEIR COMMITMENTS TO
KEEP SPD CUT BY 50% AND WE
INVEST IN BIPOC COMMUNITIES.
THE BUDGET WAS PASSED WITH A
START IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
AND BE NECESSARY CUTS
ESPECIALLY TO THE NAVIGATION
TEAM BUT OVERALL IT FALLS
EXTREMELY SHORT OF WHAT WAS
DEMANDED BY THE COMMUNITY.
PLEASE START WITH-- FINISH WHAT
YOU STARTED AND DEFEND THIS
COMING YEAR INCLUDING 50% CUTS
TO SPD SALARY AND STAFF.
I ALSO ASK YOU ENSURE THAT $100
MILLION GOES INTO THE BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AND
TOWARD THE FUNDING OF MORE
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
PROCESSES.
THE PROCESS IS NECESSARY
BECAUSE IN ORDER TO FIND
SOLUTIONS TO PUBLIC SAFETY NEED
TO HAVE THE VOICE, TOOLS,
FUNDING, AND RESOURCES TO MAKE
SOLUTIONS A REALITY AND IT MUST
BE MADE CLEAR THAT THE FUNDING
COME DIRECTLY FROM CUTS TO SPD
AS SO MANY OF PEOPLE CANNOT
AFFORD TO CUT OTHER NECESSARY
CITY DEPARTMENTS.
WE CANNOT BLAME THE BIPOC
COMMUNITIES FOR NOT HAVING
FULLY -- IDEAS.
YOU ARE-- IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY
WITH THE SITUATION REGARDING
HOMELESSNESS IN SEATTLE
PARTICULARLY IN DOWNTOWN WHERE
I ALSO WORK, I THINK EVERYONE
WOULD AGREE WITH YOU THAT
HOMELESSNESS IS A PROBLEM AND
THAT'S WHY WE ARE ADVOCATING
FOR CHANGE.
AND RATHER WILL DISRUPT LIES
AND CREATE TRAUMA.
THIS IS WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR
THE POLICE BUDGET TO BE REDUCED
TO PROVIDE FUNDING OR HOUSING
AND OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPORT
SYSTEMS TO ACTUALLY REDUCE HARM
AND VIOLENCE.
IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY WITH THE
STATE OF SEATTLE, JOIN THIS
MOVEMENT TO CREATE NEW
SOLUTIONS.
PLEASE LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF
THOSE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU AND I YIELD THE REST
OF MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
CALLING.
THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS WE HAVE,
CARINO, IT SAYS YOU'RE NOT
LISTED.
FEEL FREE TO CALL IN, AND
AFTER THAT, A LOT OF.
NUMBER 109 YOU ARE ALSO LISTED
IS NOT DOESN'T.
>> YOU ARE PRESENT SO THANK YOU
FOR HANGING ON THE LINE AND IT
IS YOUR TURN.
>> MY NAME IS FRANK.
I'M A DISTRICT FOR RESIDENT
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY TWO
HOUSEMATES, AS WELL, WHO WORK
FOR SEATTLE NONPROFITS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THE 2021
BUDGET NEEDS TO INCLUDE
DEFUNDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
BY AT LEAST 80%.
THESE NEED TO BE ALLOCATED
DIRECTLY TO BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.
THE $100 MILLION PROPOSAL BY
THE MAYOR CANNOT COME FROM THE
JUMPSTART PROGRAM.
IT NEEDS TO COME DIRECTLY FROM
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
PLEASE SHUT DOWN THE USED JAIL
NOW, NOT IN FIVE YEARS.
IMMEDIATELY TAX AMAZON AND USE
THOSE FUNDS TO COMBAT
HELPLESSNESS.
LIKE EVERYONE ALREADY AGREED TO.
AS FOR THE REST OF MY TIME, I
WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS DIRECT
INSTANCES OF SPD VIOLENCE
AGAINST PROTESTERS INCLUDING
CONSTANT AND PROPER DEPLOYMENT
OF NONLETHAL'S INCLUDING
THROWING FLASH BANG GRENADES AT
PEOPLE'S HEADS, INDISCRIMINATELY
USING MACE, AND RUNNING OVER
PROTESTERS WITH BIKES,
ATTACKING THEM WITH VEHICLES
WHILE OFF DUTY, ARRESTING MOLLY
CLARK, I YIELD MY TIME.
LACK AND INDIGENOUS LIVES
MATTER.
FREE THE LAND, PAY THE FEE.
ACAB.
>> JORDAN, GOOD EVENING, THANK
YOU FOR WAITING.
>> MY NAME IS JORDAN AND I'M
SPEAKING AS A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 4, AND THE STANDARDS
BOARD.
I AM AN EMPLOYER OF A DOMESTIC
WORKER, SPECIFICALLY A CLEANER
WORKING IN MY HOME.
I WANT TO ECHO MANY COMMENTS
MADE TONIGHT, SUPPORTING THE
MOST VULNERABLE RIGHT NOW AND
ENSURING THAT PROTECTIONS FOR
DOMESTIC WORKERS ARE INCLUDED.
AS A PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE
POPULATION DURING THE BEST OF
TIMES AND ESPECIALLY DURING THE
PANDEMIC IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT
WE INVEST IN INITIATIVES TO
KEEP WORKERS SAFE.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WHO ARE
DOMESTIC WORKERS OR PERSONALLY
EXPERIENCED VIOLATIONS OF THEIR
RIGHTS, AND WE HAVE HEARD OF
OTHER SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FROM
COUNTLESS OTHER WORKERS.
AS ONE EXAMPLE ONE WORKER
REPORTED THAT SHE WAS
THREATENED BY LEGAL ACTION
AFTER SHE LEFT A WORKSITE
BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE, WITH
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD NOT
WEARING MASKS AND PRACTICING
SOCIAL DISTANCING.
WHILE THE BOARD IS RIGHTLY
PROUD OF THE ORDINANCE, WE KNOW
THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK TO
ENSURE ITS FULL IMPLEMENTATION.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS NEEDED
FOR OUTREACH TO NOT ONLY ENSURE
THE MYSTIC WORKERS KNOW THEIR
RIGHTS BUT ALSO THE EMPLOYERS
OF DOMESTIC WORKERS, MANY OF
WHO ARE UNAWARE OF THE
ORDINANCE OR MAY NOT CONSIDER
THEMSELVES TO BE AN EMPLOYER
WITH OBLIGATIONS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES.
WITH THE PANDEMIC CREATING MORE
CHALLENGING WORKING CONDITIONS
FOR SO MANY DOMESTIC WORKERS
FROM HOME HEALTH AIDES TO
NANNIES TO CLEANERS,. I ASKED
THAT THEY MAINTAIN ALL CURRENT
FUNDING LEVELS AND I URGE THE
CITY TO ALLOCATE AN ADDITIONAL
$150,000 TO THE OFFICE OF
WAIVER STANDARDS FOR THE
FURTHER OUTREACH AND
ENFORCEMENT AS DETERMINED BY
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
BOARD FOR 2021.>> THANK YOU FOR
CALLING IN TODAY.
>> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS
MILO CHAVEZ AND I AM IN
IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS ATTORNEY AND
I'M AT DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE
EMIGRANTS RIGHTS PROJECT.
I WANT TO SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR
THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND TO
SHARE WITH YOU ON HOW RESTORING
FUNDING FOR EXPANDED LEGAL
DEFENSE NETWORK IS PARTICULARLY
IMPORTANT.
I HAVE BEEN IN THE NETWORK FOR
OVER 12 YEARS NOW AND I CAN
TELL YOU THAT THE NETWORK HAS
MADE A DIFFERENCE IN SO MANY
COMMUNITY MEMBERS IMPACTED BY
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.
THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
HAVE ALSO BEEN POSITIVELY
IMPACTED.
THERE $190,000 CUT FROM THE
FUNDING LEVEL OF $1 MILLION PER
YEAR WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO
THE CLIENTS WE HAVE TAKEN ON
FOR REPRESENTATION.
BUT ALSO FOR FUTURE COMMUNITY
MEMBER SEEKING LEGAL DEFENSE,
MANY WHO ARE ON OUR WAITLIST.
IN FACT THERE ARE OVER 50 CASES
CURRENTLY OF PEOPLE WHO WE'VE
TAKEN THEIR CASES WITH FINAL
HEARING SCHEDULED IN 2021.
THAT LEAVES THE 40
UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH WAITING DUE
TO BACKLOGS.
IMMIGRATION CASES ARE ALREADY
TAKING YEARS TO RESOLVE, AND
IMMIGRANTS WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS
TO COUNSEL THAT WILL ASSIST
THEM.
THEY WILL FACE DEPORTATION
PROCEEDINGS ON THEIR OWN
SEATTLE HAS ALREADY SHOWN
LEADERSHIP IN A TIME WHEN THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO
DIVIDE COMMUNITIES.
YOU HAVE STOOD UP AGAINST THESE
INJUSTICES AND MADE IT POSSIBLE
FOR PEOPLE TO REMAIN IN THE
COMMUNITIES THEY BELONG WITH
THEIR LOVED ONES.
WITH ELDN YOU HAVE GIVEN
ADVOCATES THE ABILITY TO SAY
YES TO MORE CLIENTS.
I HOPE YOU AGREE THAT THIS IS
UNFAIR TO COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE
ALREADY BEEN SO HARSHLY
IMPACTED IN RECENT YEARS AND
PARTICULARLY DURING THIS HEALTH
CRISIS.
>> THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE
ALAYNA LESSING, HANNAH LAKE AND
DANNY ROSENBERG.
ALANNA YOU ARE NUMBER 109.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SPEAK AND
PRESS á6 TO HIM YOURSELF.
>>> I'M ASKING YOU TO STAND BY
THE COMMITMENT YOU MADE OVER
THE LAST MONTH.
I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND IT'S TIME
TO LISTEN TO WHAT OUR COMMUNITY
IS SAYING AND INVEST MONEY INTO
THE COMMUNITY BY LISTENING TO
THEM.
KING COUNTY EQUITY NOW HAS
ASKED FOR 100 MILLION IN
PARTICIPATING BUDGET FROM SPD'S
BUDGET.
THIS HAS TO BE PROVIDED OUTSIDE
OF THE $100 MILLION ALREADY
FOUGHT FOR AND DIRECTED TO
JUMPSTART AND COVID RELIEF.
WE NEED FUNDING FOR TINY
HOUSES, WE NEED COVID SAFE
PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO.
WE NEED TO FIND TRANSIT AND
STOP CHARGING FARES DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
THAT PUTS BOTH PATRONS AND BUS
DRIVERS AND UNFAIR RISK DURING
COVID AND I NEED YOU TO LISTEN
TO THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE
WHO CALLED IN.
ESPECIALLY THE BLACK,
INDIGENOUS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR
PEOPLE WHO CALLED IN TO EXPRESS
THEIR VERY WELL THOUGHT OUT AND
RESEARCHED VIEWS.
THANK YOU, I YIELD MY TIME.>>
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, HANNAH
LAKE, GOOD EVENING.
JUST PRESS á6 TO UNMUTE.
>> MY NAME IS HANA LAKE AND I'D
LIKE TO SAY I SUPPORT THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET AND THAT WE
REALLY NEED AT LEAST 40 MORE
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES FOR THE
HOMELESS.
IN ADDITION TO LARGER
OPERATIONS THAT MANAGE TINY
VILLAGES, I BELIEVE HAVE
MANAGED GRASSROOTS
ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD RECEIVE
FUNDING FROM THE CITY.
THE SAME COOKIE-CUTTER
TREATMENT FOR THE HOMELESS DOES
NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE, WE NEED
OPTIONS.
I ALSO BELIEVE THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO BE DEFUNDED
BY AT LEAST 50%.
THEY HAVE FAILED TO KEEP A SAVE
TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND THAT
MANY CAN BE USED IN MORE
CONSTRUCTIVE WAYS, ESPECIALLY
GOING INTO BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES, AND LASTLY PEOPLE
WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES DO
NOT BELONG IN JAILS.
WE NEED TO FIND SOCIAL WORKERS
AND COUNSELORS INSTEAD OF
POLICE OFFICERS TO ADDRESS
MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.
SO MANY PEOPLE END UP IN JAIL
WHEN THEY SHOULD BE GETTING THE
HELP THEY NEED.
THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
TONIGHT.
AND DANNY ROSENBERG.
GOOD EVENING.>> HI, MY NAME IS
DANNY ROSENBERG, I'M A
HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT 1 AND I
JUST WANT TO START OUT BY
BUILT ON STOLEN LAND WITH EEN
STOLEN LABOR FROM THE BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.
AND THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE THE
ONE SUFFERING THE MOST HARM
FROM THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
THE SAFEST COMMUNITIES DO NOT
HAVE THE MOST POLICE THEY HAVE
COMMUNITY RESOURCES SUCH AS
PROPERLY FUNDED SCHOOLS,
STORES AND GREEN SPACE. RY
AS A MEMBER OF SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS I'M ENRAGED BY THE EASE
IN WHICH EDUCATION, THE TRUE
FORM OF POWER, IS SO SIMPLY AND
EASILY DEFUNDED EVERY YEAR .
BUT WE HAVE TO WATCH PEOPLE
PHYSICALLY HARMED AND MURDERED
BY POLICE AND MARCH IN THE
STREETS FOR MONTHS TO STILL
ARGUE AND HAVE THE CONVERSATION
THAT SPD NEEDS TO BE DEFUNDED.
I AM STANDING IN SOLIDARITY AND
CALLED TO URGE YOU TO DO VEST
SPD BY AT LEAST 50% AND SUPPORT
DISTRIBUTIONS OF FUNDS THROUGH
THE PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
PROCESS.
THANK YOU AND I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I WANT TO LAG FROM OUR I.T.
SYSTEM THAT THE LISTEN LINE
STOPPED WORKING ABOUT FOUR
MINUTES AGO AND FOLKS ARE
LISTENING VIA SEATTLE CHANNEL
BUT IF WE CAN MAKE SURE TO
LISTEN IN LINE DID NOT TIMEOUT,
THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>> WE ARE AWARE OF IT AND
TAKING CARE OF IT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I SHOULD HAVE ASSUMED YOU ARE
ON IT ALREADY.
THANK YOU FOR CALLING AND
DANNY.
I'M GOING TO READ A LIST OF
ABOUT SIX PEOPLE THAT ARE UP
NEXT.
NUMBER 116, KYLE OSWALD, TERESA
HORMAN, TERRY L, DAVID HAYNES,
JASMINE, CHRIS CONLEY AND KYLIE
MADDEN.
WE HAVE A LIST OF YOU IS COMING
UP NEXT AND OUR LIST SHOWS YOU
NOT PRESENT.
I HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO DIAL
BACK IN SO WE CAN GET YOU UP TO
PRESENT.
THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE I HAVE
LISTED ARE NUMBER 121, SUSAN
AND JAMIE ALONG WITH JANET
WILLEM.
SUSAN, GOOD EVENING.
PRESS á6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
I CAN SEE YOU ON THE LINE, JUST
á6 TO UNMUTE.
THERE YOU GO, PERFECT.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNSELOR, CAN
YOU HEAR ME?
BE MY GUEST, EXCELLENT, THANK
YOU.
>> HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO
SUPPORT THE MAYOR'S BUDGET AND
THE NAVIGATION TEAM.
I THINK IT IS SHORT SIGHTED TO
THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE
BATHWATER UNTIL YOU HAVE
ANOTHER PLAN IN PLACE.
IT IS THE BEST WE HAVE RIGHT
NOW, AND TALKING ABOUT BUDGET
WITHOUT HAVING A PLAN IS REALLY
NOT MAKING ANYONE SAVE.
WE HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES GOING
ON, WITH TRAFFICKING, GOOSE
KILLERS, CHILDREN BEING NABBED,
LOTS OF SHOOTINGS IN PARKS.
WE NEED TO HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY
IN PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO
AND GET OUTSIDE, AND EVEN
THOUGH IT'S GETTING COLDER THIS
IS NOT HUMANE TO THE PEOPLE IN
THE PARKS.
THIS IS NOT A HOMELESS ISSUE, I
UNDERSTAND THERE ARE ISSUES
WITH COVID BUT THERE IS A
CRIMINAL ELEMENT, WHERE THEY DO
HEINOUS THINGS IN OUR PARKS.
UNTIL WE COME UP WITH A BETTER
PLAN AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE ARE
GOING TO DO WITH POLICING FOR
THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, THEY ARE
WHAT WE HAVE.
SO PLEASE DON'T SELL US SHORT.
WE NEED SOMETHING, THERE IS A
MISSING LITTLE GIRL WHO WAS
INDIGENOUS AND THE ONLY PERSON
OUT THERE LOOKING FOR HER IN
THE PARKS BESIDES ME IS A
SERGEANT.
NOBODY IS CHANTING MIYA, BUT
WE'VE GOT SOME REAL PROBLEMS.
I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ
AND COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ ARE
VERY AWARE OF THAT.
SO GET SOME AMBASSADORS INTO
THE PARKS AND LET'S DO THE BEST
WE CAN WITH THE BUDGET
SHORTFALL AND LACK OF REVENUE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, GOOD LUCK TO
YOU ALL AND HAVE A NICE
EVENING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
CALLING IN AND WAITING ON THE
LINE.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY.
JAMIE PAUL YOU'RE UP NEXT,
FOLLOWED BY JANET.
AND JAMIE, IF YOU CAN HEAR ME,
PERFECT, GO AHEAD.
>> I, JAMIE PAUL FOURTH
GENERATION OCCUPIER, I STATED
IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET.
JERKINS BUDGET FALL SHORT AND
WHAT WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR
BLACKENED INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES.
GROWING UP HERE, FEELING SAFE
IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE
PARKS AND REC, BASKETBALL
COURTS, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR
COURTS AND DIFFERENT THINGS
THAT KEEP PEOPLE AND CHILDREN
SAFE AND OCCUPIED, AND THINGS
THAT ARE NOT CRIMINAL AND KEEP
EVERYONE SAFE SHOULD BE A
FOCUS.
KIDS AND YOUTH NEED ACTIVITIES
AND THINGS THAT THEY CAN LEARN
AND GROW AND CREATE COMMUNITIES
THAT WILL KEEP THEM SAFE AND
KEEP THEM GROWING.
THE COPS HAVE SHOWN EXACTLY WHO
THEY ARE THIS SUMMER.
I HAVE BEEN INDISCRIMINATELY
BRUTALIZED FOR JUST SPEAKING MY
MIND, FOR FREE SPEECH AND HUMAN
RIGHTS.
AND IT IS JUST KIND OF
ABSOLUTELY OUT OF HAND.
WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR
COMMUNITY AND THAT MEANS
DEFUNDING OUR SPD BY AT LEAST
50%.
THANK YOU, I YIELD MY TIME.>>
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
JANET, GOOD EVENING.
JUST á6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.>>
GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU
HONORABLE COUNCILMEMBERS, I
LIVE ON BEACON HILL IN DISTRICT
2 AND I'M THE ATTORNEY OF THE
SEATTLE OFFICE FOR KIDS IN NEED
OF DEFENSE.
TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT
COMMITMENT OF THE CITY AT $1
MILLION PER YEAR, SINCE 2004 WE
HAVE PROVIDED IMMIGRATION LEGAL
REPRESENTATION OF REFUGEE
CHILDREN WHO COME TO THE UNITED
STATES ALONE.
WE REPRESENT THOSE CHILDREN WHO
ARE DETAINED BY THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THOSE WHO
ARE RELEASED IN SEATTLE, KING
COUNTY AND THE REST OF THE
STATE.
MY STAFF AND I REPRESENT
CHILDREN WHO WERE HORRIFICALLY
ABUSE, SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND
TRAFFICKED.
MANY HAVE BEEN HIT ESPECIALLY
HARD BY THE PANDEMIC.
WE MUST PLAN FOR THOSE WHO TEST
POSITIVE FOR COVID AND THOSE
WHO ARE HOSPITALIZED FOR
SEVERAL MONTHS OR EVEN DIE.
THESE CHILDREN ARE NOT
GUARANTEED ATTORNEYS IN
IMMIGRATION COURT EVEN THOUGH
THEY MUST FACE TRAINED
ATTORNEYS AND ME EVEN BE
RETURNED HOME.
CHILDREN NOT REPRESENTED BY
COUNSEL ARE 70 TIMES MORE
LIKELY TO BE REPRESENTED.
KING COUNTY IS THE LARGEST CITY
WITH UNRELEASED AND
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN.
FROM FISCAL YEAR 2015 THROUGH
2020.
EVEN WITH DEFENDING WE HAVE A
WAITLIST OF CHILDREN NEEDING
ATTORNEYS.
THESE RESILIENT CHILDREN ARE
PART OF OUR SEATTLE COMMUNITY
NOW.
CHEERING ON THE SOUNDERS AND
ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE ELDN
FUNDING.
SHOW THAT SEATTLE CARES ABOUT
OUR CHILDREN.
>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR THE TIME TODAY.
I WILL READ THE NAMES OF FOLKS
THAT ARE NOT PRESENT, IT GIVES
YOU A CHANCE TO CALL IN.
NUMBER 113, KYLE OSWALD, DAVID
HINES, JAZLEN, CHRIS CONLEY,
HEIDI MADDEN AND KAREN TAYLOR,
THANK YOU SO MUCH, THAT BRINGS
US TO NUMBER 127, 128 AND 129.
JORDAN, WELCOME AND THANK YOU
FOR WAITING.>> HI, I'M JORDAN
QUINN I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT
2 AND A MEMBER OF SOCIAL
ALTERNATIVE.
I'D LIKE TO THINK THE
COUNCILMEMBER FOR ORGANIZING
THE BUDGET WILL BE FOR THE LAST
SIX YEARS, THE ONLY COUNCIL
MEMBER WHO HAS CONSISTENTLY
FOUGHT TO DEFUND THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT FOR THE LAST SIX
YEARS.
SO I SUPPORT THE DEMAND OF THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET MOVEMENT THIS
YEAR.
AND FOR THE MAJORITY OF
EVERYONE WHO HAS SPOKEN SO FAR,
TO REJECT THE MAYOR'S BUDGET
PROPOSAL.
WITH A RECORD LEVEL UNHEALTHY
AIR QUALITY THE SUMMER ON TOP
OF HIGH INACTION ON SUSTAINING
THE ECONOMY, IT IS ABSOLUTELY
RIDICULOUS THAT THE MAYOR WILL
PROPOSE CUTS OF UP TO $290 IN
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
I COMPLETELY SUPPORT THE
COUNCIL DEFUNDING THE POILICE
BY UP TO 50%.
IT WILL DOUBLE DOWN BY MOVING
TAX MONEY FROM BILLIONAIRES TO
BARELY PLUG UP CUTS ELSEWHERE.
SO THEY SHOULD RAISE TAXES AND
SAID, PARTICULARLY FINDING
GREEN JOBS.
IT WILL REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS
BY A THIRD OVER 10 YEARS ALONE.
IN THIS WOULD MEAN HIRING
THOUSANDS MORE BUILDING TRADES
WORKERS.
THE COUNCIL SHOULD OPPOSE THE
THE CUT TO METRO KING COUNTY AS
WELL.
THAT WILL PUT PEOPLE TO WORK
BUT CUTTING CARBON EMISSIONS,
WE CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER TO DO
THAT.
COUNSEL SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO
PROTECT WORKERS LIKE US DRIVERS
BY EXTENDING THEIR EXEMPTION.
IT IS NOT ONLY CONDESCENDING TO
MAKE PASSENGERS PAY TO RIDE A
BUS, BUT IT'S ALSO MAKING OUR
BUS OPERATORS UNFAIR TO OTHERS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
CALLING IN TODAY.
CANDACE, THANK YOU FOR WAITING.
JUST PRESS á6 TO UNMUTE . HI
CANDACE, I CAN SEE YOU, GO
AHEAD.>> I HAD MY SPEAKER
UNMUTE, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> YES, THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR
STAYING SILLY TO LISTEN PUBLIC
COMMENT, I'M AN 18 YEAR SEATTLE
RESIDENT, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
AND A RENTER IN DISTRICT 5.
ALSO WORKING IN A TENANT
RELATIONS ROW FOR A PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT COMPANY I WANT TO
PERSONALLY SAY I'VE NOT HAD ANY
TENANTS COME TO ME WITH FEARS
OF THEIR SAFETY.
IN CONTRAST I'VE SEEN AN UPTICK
IN OUR TENANTS CARE AND CONCERN
FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNES AROUND OUR
BUILDING AND HOPES FOR US AS
PROPERTY MANAGERS TO TREAT
THESE PEOPLE WITH KINDNESS OF.
I'M CALLING IN TODAY WITH
REGARDS TO THE 20/21 BUDGET.
I URGE YOU TO DO BEST SPD BY AT
LEAST 20% AND USE THOSE FUNDS
FOR PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
PROCESS.
I'M ALSO ASKING YOU TO MAKE
SURE INVESTMENTS IN THE BLACK
COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY LED
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, FROM
DEFUNDING POLICE, PROSECUTORS
AND COURT.
NOT FROM ANY OTHER CITY FUNDS.
NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED TO
RESERVE VITAL PUBLIC SERVICES
AND COMPLETE URGENT PROJECTS
SUCH AS THE CREATION OF A
CROSSWALK.
I ALSO URGE YOU TO FIND
DIGNIFIED HOUSING FOR ALL
INCLUDING COVID SAFE, SINGLE
ROOM ACCOMMODATIONS THROUGH THE
PURCHASE OF HOTELS AS A STEP ON
THE WAY TO PERMANENT HOUSING.
I ALSO ASK COUNSEL TO REAFFIRM
THE VOTE YOU MADE IN THE
REBALANCING PACKAGE TO
ELIMINATE THE NAFTA TEAM.
AND CONDUCT OUTREACH TO THE
MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS, THE
BUDGET YOU VOTE ON NEEDS TO
REFLECT THE CITY THAT WORKS FOR
ALL OF US AND ELEVATES BLACK
LIVES.
THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH FOR
YOUR TIME, I HOPE YOU HAVE A
GREAT NIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, YOU AS WELL.
CINDY, GOOD EVENING.
JUST á6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
AFTER THAT WE WILL DO JAZLEN,
ALYSSA STARR AND ANN WHEELER.
>> HI MY NAME IS CINDY AND I'M
REPRESENTING THE STATES LARGEST
ASSISTING LIVING BUILDING
LOCATED IN REGNIER BEACH
DISTRICT 2. MOST OF OUR
MEDICALLY COMPROMISING YEARS
RECEIVED UNDER $800 PER MONTH
IN INCOME, AND WILL INCREASE
OUR ON SHELTERED POPULATION AS
A RESOURCE FOR THEM.
I FEEL LIKE THROWING AN
ARBITRARY NUMBER AT THE PROBLEM
AS FAR AT DEFUNDING POLICE IS
RECKLESS AND WITHOUT MUCH
THOUGHT.
THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITHIN
OUR SYSTEMS BUT CUTTING OUT
FUNDING WITHOUT A PLAN IS NOT
AN ANSWER PROCESS BY COMMITTEE
AS WE KNOW, CAN TAKE AN
ETERNITY.
OUR AREA HAS ALWAYS HAD SOME
MINOR ISSUES WITH CAR PROWLER'S
AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT THE
POLICE TEAM, LATER AS THE
NAVIGATION TEAM IS ALWAYS THERE
TO LEND SUPPORT.
THEN CAME COVID.
I WORKED IN THIS LOCATION FOR
12 YEARS, AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD
THE LEVEL OF UNSAFE ACTIVITY IN
OUR AREA.
WE HAVE ON SHELTERED
ENCAMPMENTS, I THINK ON
SHELTERED IS THE CORRECT WORD
TO USE.
THAT'S GROWN FROM 3 TO 30 IN
THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
POLICE ARE INSTRUCTED BY
DISPATCH NOT TO RESPOND TO
ISSUES AT OUR BUILDING
INCLUDING WHEN THERE WERE FOUR
GUNSHOT VICTIMS DIRECTLY ACROSS
THE STREET FROM VULNERABLE
ADULTS.
THAT I THINK IS REPULSIVE, I
BELIEVE THAT EVERYBODY HAS THE
RIGHT TO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
SUPPORT.
BUT THIS IS NOT THE WAY,
DEFUNDING IS NOT THE WAY . WE
NEED TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER
THROUGH THIS CRISIS.>> THANK
YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
TONIGHT.
WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO
JAZLEN, ALYSSA STARR AND ED
WHEELER.
JAZLEN, THANK YOU FOR
WAITING.>> HEY, THANK YOU FOR
KEEPING THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN
SO LATE, I APPRECIATE IT.
I AM A VOTER LIVING IN DISTRICT
3 AND I'D LIKE TO ECHO WHAT THE
OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF
CALLERS ARE RECOMMENDING.
I ASKED THAT IT'S DEFENDED BY
AT LEAST 50% AND TO PUT THAT
MONEY INTO THE BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES FOR SAFETY
SOLUTIONS.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE OVER THE
LAST YEAR, I'VE BEEN TEAR GAS,
I'VE BEEN MACED, I'VE BEEN CUT
UP BY EXPLODING CANISTERS THEY
SHOOT RIGHT AT US.
IN FACT EVERY TIME CITY COUNCIL
COMMITS TO DEFUNDING, THEY ACT
OUT VIOLENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY
AS I'VE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED
FIRSTHAND.
IT'S PRETTY SCARY BUT I'M HAPPY
TO GO OUT THERE, AND NOT
BECAUSE I LOVE BEING TEAR
GASSED, I HATE IT, IT BURNS,
AND WHEN YOU SWEAT IT BURNS
AGAIN.
ALSO THE POLICE WILL TRY TO HIT
YOU WITH THEIR BIKES AND IT'S
TERRIFYING TO RUN AND TRY NOT
TO RUN OVER PEOPLE, HORRIFYING
EXPERIENCE.
WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY IS THAT
I'M HAPPY TO CONTINUE TO GO OUT
THERE AND ESSENTIALLY GET BEAT
UP BY THE POLICE BECAUSE I
BELIEVE BLACK LIVES MATTER AND
I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE WORKING
TO MAKE SURE THAT BLACK LIVES
MATTER IN SEATTLE.
SO I DON'T LOVE GETTING TEAR
GASSED BUT I FEEL LIKE I DON'T
KNOW, GETTING OUT THERE AND
PARTICIPATING IS IMPORTANT.
IT'S DOING WHAT I CAN, I HAVE A
LOT OF FAITH IN EVERYONE IN
YOUR OFFICE.
SO THANK YOU, AND PLEASE DEFUND
THE SPD BY AT LEAST 50%.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
ALYSSA STARR, GOOD EVENING.
WELCOME.>> HI, I'M A VOTER IN
DISTRICT 3, I'M CALLING ON THE
CITY TO DEFUND THE POLICE BY
50% AND USE THAT MONEY FOR A
REHAB PROGRAM AS WELL AS
KEEPING METRO FREE.
I ALSO SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY
PROJECT AND I WANT TO CALL
ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT
SEATTLE HAS NO PROGRAM RIGHT
NOW FOR PEOPLE TO BE
IMMEDIATELY HOUSED.
SIX YEARS AGO I MOVED INTO MY
LOW INCOME HOUSING, THE PROGRAM
THAT CONNECTS HOUSING TO PEOPLE
WITH THE MOST NEED HAS BEEN
DISCONTINUED.
NOW WHILE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE
OF A PANDEMIC, AS A HOMELESS
PERSON, FOR HOUSING YOU NEED TO
MAKE AT LEAST 36,000 A YEAR.
I KNOW THAT TWO BRAND-NEW FIVE
STORY APARTMENT BUILDINGS ARE
SITTING EMPTY RIGHT NOW.
HOWEVER, THERE IS NO PROGRAM
THAT CAN CONNECT THOSE EMPTY
APARTMENTS WITH THE HOMELESS
ENCAMPMENT.
I LIVE RIGHT NEXT TO KELLY
ANDERSON AND THOSE PEOPLE MOVE
TWO BLOCKS AWAY AND THEY HAD NO
ASSISTANCE.
THEY FLED TO THE NEAREST OTHER
PARK.
NOW THE PARKS ARE FULL OF TENT
VILLAGES, BUT WITHOUT A SYSTEM
AND GARBAGE PICKUP, AND IT
WOULD BE A LOT CHEAPER TO MOVE
THEM TO EMPTY APARTMENTS THAT
THEY ARE SLEEPING UNDERNEATH
THEN TO CREATE A SEWAGE SYSTEM
FOR EVERY PARK.
I ALSO WANTED TO REMIND YOU
THAT TEARGAS CAUSES ABORTION
AND THE COPS THAT ARE USING IT
ARE POSSIBLY GETTING IT INTO
OUR WATER SUPPLY AND I WANT YOU
TO TAKE THAT AWAY FROM THEM.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TONIGHT.
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO DRF.
WELCOME AND THANKS FOR CALLING
BACK AND.
JUST á6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
HI THERE.>> I, GOOD EVENING.
I'M CALLING ON BEHALF OF THE
ASIAN COUNSELING AND REFERRAL
SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF THE
EXPANDED SEATTLE KING COUNTY
LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK BUDGET.
OUR ORGANIZATION IS FOR PACIFIC
ISLANDERS AND OTHER
MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN
KING COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT
WASHINGTON STATE FOR MULTIPLE
PROGRAMS.
ONE OF THEM BEING LEGAL
SERVICES TO ASYLUM SEEKERS,
VICTIMS OF CRIME, INDIVIDUALS
IN DEEP ROTATION PROCEEDINGS,
UNACCOMPANIED MINORS, DACA
RECIPIENT SOMEWHERE.
WE WANT A CASE FOR ONE OF OUR
CLIENTS, IT WOULD BE LIKELY BE
REMOVED FROM THE COUNTRY AND BE
SUBJECT TO TORTURE OR WORSE,
FACE THE DEATH SENTENCE.
LIKE THIS CLIENT MOST
IMMIGRANTS WE REPRESENT WOULD
NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD LEGAL
SERVICES BECAUSE OF THEIR
ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE REVERSE CHANGES TO THE
BUDGET WILL CREATE A BARRIER TO
LOW INCOME MEMBERS, ACCESS TO
LEGAL SERVICE, THAT IS THAT IS
CRITICAL TO THEIR SAFETY,
SECURITY AND PROTECTION.
WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOU TO
CONSIDER THE CONTINUING NEED OF
SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME
FAMILIES.>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
I'M GOING TO READ THE LAST
SEVEN NAMES OF THE FOLKS WE
HAVE LISTED AS PRESENT.
IF YOU DON'T HEAR YOU NAME
READ, THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE
YOU LISTED AS NOT PRESENT.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR NAME
READ, THAT'S THE CLUE TO
CALLING RIGHT NOW.
THE LAST SEVEN SPEAKERS ARE ANN
WHEELER, NIKITA OLIVER AND
ROBIN SCHWARTZ.
THAT'S 131, 132 AND 133.
YOU WILL SPEAK NEXT.
AFTER THAT WE HAVE JESSE, AND
MARSHA SMITH, AND ADAM STERN.
THOSE OF THE UPCOMING 7, AND IF
YOU'VE NOT HEARD YOUR NAME
THAT'S BECAUSE WE ARE AT THE
END OF OUR LIST AND WE NEED YOU
TO CALLING OUT IN ORDER TO
SPEAK TONIGHT.
AND WE WILL AGAIN CALL THE
FOLKS THAT ARE LISTED HERE.
AND NIKITA ROBIN, IN THAT
ORDER, THANKS FOR WAITING.
IT MIGHT BE ANY WHEELER, PRESS
á6 TO UNMUTE . YOU ARE NUMBER
131.
I'M GOING TO MOVE TO THE NEXT
PERSON, NIKITA OLIVER, YOU ARE
UP NEXT, THANKS FOR WAITING.
I SEE YOU ON THE LINE, JUST á6
TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNSEL, THIS
I LIVE AND OCCUPY DUWAMISH
LAND.
I'M WITH KING COUNTY NOW.
I WANT TO FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE THE
MOVEMENT OF PROTESTERS AND
ORGANIZERS THAT ARE MAKING THE
POLITICAL SPACE FOR ELECTED
OFFICIALS TO DO THE RIGHT
THING.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, HOUSING
SUPPORT, LABOR, ALL COMING
TOGETHER TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE
DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT UP IN
THE NONPROFIT HUNGER GAME.
THE BUDGET OF OUR CITY IS WHAT
WE VALUE, AND THE CRISIS WE ARE
FACING DEMAND THAT WE ESTABLISH
A NEW NORMAL.
AM WHAT YOU VOTE ON TO WORK FOR
ALL OF US, THAT ACKNOWLEDGES
THAT BLACK AND NATIVE LIVES
MATTER AND IS WILLING TO INVEST
IN OUR COMMUNITY BASED
STRATEGIES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
AND SAFETY.
SO WE ARE ASKING YOU TO THE
VEST UP POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT
LEAST 50% AND INVEST IN A
PERCEPTIVE TORY BUDGET THAT
WILL REFLECT THE NEEDS OF THE
COMMUNITY.
UNDERSTANDING THAT IT HAS TO
HAPPEN IN TANDEM WITH THESE
INVESTMENTS.
THE MAYORS BUDGET INCLUDES
INVESTMENTS IN POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY.
BUT INVESTIGATING EXCESSIVE USE
OF FORCE IN A POLICE DEPARTMENT
WE ALREADY KNOW HAS FAILED,
WIDENS THE SPACE FOR THOSE WHO
HAVE OVER 130 DAYS HAVE BEEN
PROTESTING IN THE STREETS AND
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DONE THIS
WORK FOR MUCH LONGER.
WE ASK YOU THAT YOU INVEST IN
TRAINING RELIEF, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND BLACK AND NATIVE
COMMUNITIES AND WE ASK YOU TO
INVEST IN A CROSSWALK AND THAT
YOU ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS
HAD ACCESS TO HOUSING.
WHAT WE DO THIS BUDGET SHOWS
WHO AND WHAT WE VALUE AND IT'S
YOUR TURN TO DO THE RIGHT
THING.>> THINK YOU VERY MUCH.
APPRECIATE YOU WAITING ON THE
LINE AND CALLING IN TONIGHT.
ROBIN, THANK YOU FOR WAITING.
YOU ARE UP NOW.
AND THEN AFTER ROBIN WE WILL GO
BACK TO AND.
CAN YOU HEAR ME, JUST STAR SIX
TO UNMUTE.
WE WILL COME BACK TO ROBIN AS
WELL, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET
ANN ON THE LINE.
HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
OKAY, I SEE YOU CAN YOU HEAR
ME?
MAYBE YOU HAVE YOURSELF ON MUTE
ON YOUR PHONE>> SORRY, I DID,
THANK YOU.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> I'M A RESIDENT OF SEATTLE
SINCE 2001 AND A HOMEOWNER IN
DISTRICT 6, I'M CALLING ON
MAYOR DURKAN FOR THE PROGRAM
FOR THE HOMELESS.
WHILE THERE IS NOTHING TO
REALLY SOLVE ALL POLLUTION, I
LIVE NEAR GREEN LAKES, THE MOST
POPULAR LAKE IN KING COUNTY,
THE TENANTS HAVE DOUBLED SINCE
WE STARTED THE COVID CRISIS.
PEOPLE NEED SAFE PLACES TO LIVE
AND LIVING IN A CITY PARK DOES
NOT PROVIDE THIS, BUT CAN CAUSE
SEVERE DAMAGE TO OUR PARKS.
IN ESCALATING SITUATION WITH
VARIOUS CHANNELS OF THE CITY I
WAS TOLD THERE WILL BE NO
ACTION UNTIL IT BECOMES
DANGEROUS.
SIMILARLY, THE POLICE ARE
UNRESPONSIVE TO THE INCREASING
CRIME REPORTED IN THEIR
NEIGHBORHOOD.
PEOPLE ARE MAKING CALLS TO
TONIGHT TO DEFUND THE POLICE
AND THEY ARE DOING SO BECAUSE
THEY ARE NOT WORKING ON BEHALF
OF OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY
THE INDIGENOUS AND BLACK
COMMUNITIES.
SO I HAVE TO ASK, WHO ARE THEY
WORKING FOR?
WE ARE IN A CRISIS IN THE SHORT
AND LONG-TERM ACTIONS FOR OUR
CITY.
BUT THE AREAS THAT ARE NOT
PUBLIC PARKS, WHILE BUILDING
LONG-TERM CAPACITY FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE'VE HEARD
AMAZING TESTIMONY FROM OUR
FELLOW SEATTLE RESIDENTS, LET'S
FIND SOLUTIONS THAT HELP PEOPLE
AND PARKS, IT'S NOT EITHER/OR.
THANK YOU, AND I APPRECIATE
EVERYONE STAYING ON THE LINE
TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GLAD WE GOT YOU IN.
AND ROBIN.
CAN YOU HEAR ME, YOU MIGHT BE
UNMUTE AS WELL.
OKAY WE HAD YOU FOR A SECOND.
THERE YOU ARE.>> HERE I AM,
GREAT, I'M SORRY.
>> WE WILL RESTART YOUR TIME
HERE IN JUST A SECOND.
THANKS.
>> MY NAME IS ROBIN SCHWARTZ
AND I'M GOING TO ADDRESS
FUNDING FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY
COORDINATOR.
I LIVE IN SOUTHPARK AND I AM A
MEMBER OF THE SOUTHPARK PUBLIC
SAFETY TASK FORCE AS WELL AS
SEVERAL OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS.
YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT
SOUTHPARK HAS UNIQUE NEEDS, WE
ARE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY WITH A
HISTORIC LACK OF YOUTH AND
OLDER ADULT COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE A LACK OF
TRANSPORTATION AND WE ARE IN
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
COMMUNITY.
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE
REASONS WE NEED EXTRA SUPPORT.
WHETHER OR NOT ONE AGREES WITH
DEFUNDING SPD, IT'S HARD TO
ARGUE WITH EXTRA FUNDING FOR
COMMUNITY LED SAFETY ACTIONS.
THE SAFETY POSITION HAS IN MANY
WAYS REVITALIZE THIS COMMUNITY.
OUR PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATOR
HAS PRINTED OUT NEWS LETTERS IN
MULTIPLE LANGUAGES, HE'S DONE
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING WALKS,
CLEANUPS, LED SEVERAL YOUTH
PROJECTS INVOLVING VISUAL,
WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ART.
THE PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATORS
ARE HELPING OUR COMMUNITY BE
MORE CONNECTED AND COOPERATIVE
EVEN IN THIS SOCIAL DISTANCING
AND FINANCIAL AND HEALTH
CONCERNS IN THE COMMUNITY.
SOUTH PARK NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF
A PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATOR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.>> THANK YOU
FOR HOLDING ON THE LINE.
ROBIN WAS SPEAKER 133.
SO IF YOU ARE HOLDING A TICKET
NUMBER FOR ANYTHING BEYOND 133,
AND YOU DON'T HEAR YOUR NAME
CALLED, WE DO NOT HAVE YOU
LISTED AS PRESENT AND WE NEED
YOU TO DIAL IN AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
WHAT WE DO HAVE IS NUMBER 139,
JESSE, NUMBER 140, NUMBER 143,
RYAN KLEE, NUMBER 147 ADAM
STERN AND 150, JEN MYERS.
IF YOU HAVE A NUMBER BEYOND 133
AND DID NOT HEAR YOUR NAME,
PLEASE DIAL IN NOW.
JESSE, IT IS YOUR TURN, THANK
YOU FOR WAITING.
>> ALL RIGHT, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> SURE CAN, THANKS.
>> MY NAME IS JESSE, I'M A
SAILOR AND A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 7. I'M CALLING TO URGE
YOU TO DIVEST SPD BY AT LEAST
50% AND USE THOSE FUNDS THROUGH
THE PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING
PROCESS.
I'M ALSO ASKING YOU TO MAKE
SURE THAT INVESTMENTS AND
COMMUNITY LED HEALTH AND SAFETY
COMES FROM DIVESTED POLICE,
PROSECUTORS AND COURTS.
NOT FROM ANY OTHER CITY FUNDS.
NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED TO
SUPPORT VITAL PUBLIC SERVICES
AND COMPLETION OF PROJECTS
INCLUDING THE CROSSWALK FROM
THE DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE TO THE
PARK ACROSS THE STREET.
I URGE YOU TO FIND SINGLE
HOUSING FOR ALL, INCLUDING
HOUSING FROM HOTELS IN THE
INTERIM.
INTERVAL YOU MADE IN THE 2020
REBALANCING PACKAGE TO
ELIMINATE THE NAVIGATION TEAM
AND HAVE TRUSTED COMMUNITY TO
CONDUCT OUTREACH WITHOUT THE
PRESENCE OF POLICE.
THE BUDGET YOU VOTE ON SHOULD
REFLECT THE CITY THAT WORKS FOR
ALL OF US AND ONE THAT ELEVATES
BLACK LIVES.
I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT
THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSING THE
DEFUNDING OF SPD BECAUSE THEY
FEEL UNSAFE, THEY DON'T REALIZE
THAT THIS UNRESTED CAUSE IS BY
THE CURRENT OPPRESSIVE SYSTEM.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME>> THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
JUST á6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF AS
WELL.
AFTER THAT IT WILL BE RYAN
KLEE, ADAM STERN AND JEN MEYER.
IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD YOUR NAME
CALLED AND YOU HAVE A NUMBER
OVER 100 PLEASE DIAL IN NOW.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, I
AM A NATIVE OF SEATTLE, CURRENT
RESIDENT IN DISTRICT 2 AND I AM
CALLING TODAY ADVOCATING FOR
THE DIVESTMENT OF SPD BY AT
LEAST 50%.
I AM ASKING YOU TO REALLY BE
THOUGHTFUL OF THOSE SPEAKING,
AS EMPLOYEES OR OTHERS WHO LIVE
IN PRIMARILY COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR BUT DON'T ACTUALLY LIVE
IN THE COMMUNITY, TRYING TO
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF SAFETY FOR
OUR COMMUNITY.
I WOULD ASK YOU TO ALLOW
COMMUNITY VOICES AND
PARTICULARLY BLACK VOICES BE
THE CONCERN FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
THE REALLOCATION FROM THE
DEFUNDING FROM THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT AND POURING
IT INTO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AS WE
DESCRIBE AND WE DEFINE AS THE
BEST SOLUTION.
A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS WE ARE
HAVING DOWNTOWN AND WITH
HOMELESSNESS WERE BASED ON
POLICY DECISIONS THAT WERE NOT
MADE BY OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY WERE MADE BY OTHER PEOPLE
WHO THOUGHT THEY KNEW WHAT WAS
BEST BY GENTRIFYING OUR
COMMUNITIES AND PUTTING US IN
BAD SITUATIONS.
NOW THEY ARE BLAMING COMMUNITY
FOR THOSE POOR DECISIONS.
BUT DID NOT HAVE A
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PROCESS
AND DID NOT INCORPORATE THE
COMMUNITIES THAT WOULD BE MOST
IMPACTED.
WE HAVE THE SOLUTIONS, THE KNOW-
HOW AND THE EXPERTISE TO SOLVE
THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE FACING
OUR COMMUNITIES.
BUT WE NEED THE BUDGET AND
RESOURCES IN ORDER TO DO SO.
THE MAYOR'S BUDGET IS REALLY
THE MAINTAINING STATUS QUO AND
THAT'S BASICALLY UPHOLDING IT
TO RACISM AND THAT IS VERY ANTI-
BLACK.
I AM REALLY URGING YOU TO
CONTINUE WITH YOUR COMMITMENT
FOR THE 20/21 BUDGET, DIVEST
SPD BUDGET.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, THANK YOU
FOR CALLING IN TODAY.
BRYAN KLEE, YOU ARE UP NEXT.
JUST á6 TO UNMUTE .>> HI, MY
NAME IS BRYAN KLEE, AND LIVE IN
DISTRICT 3 AND CAPITAL HILL,
ADJACENT TO THE PLAYFIELD.
I'VE BEEN LISTENING FOR THE
LAST FOUR HOURS AND I'M VERY
MUCH AGAINST MOST OF THE
CALLERS WHO JUST KEEP READING
FROM THE SAME SCRIPT I'VE BEEN
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT FULLY
FUNDING THE NAVIGATION TEAM.
DO NOT DEFUND THE POLICE, IF
ANYTHING, WE HAVE A POLICE
ISSUE AND WE NEED TO INCREASE
THE FUNDING TO INCREASE
TRAINING.
I'M REALLY CALLING BECAUSE THE
HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT MY HOUSE IS
TAKING OVER THE PARK.
I'VE LIVED HERE FOR ABOUT FOUR
YEARS AND I'VE NEVER SEEN IT SO
BAD.
I KEEP CALLING THE POLICE AND
TRYING TO CONTACT THE
NAVIGATION TEAM.
I'VE TALKED TO MY DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVE, THE MAYOR, I
HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM A
KANSAS CITY REPRESENTATIVE.
THE MAYOR WAS THE ONE WHO TOLD
ME TO TO CONTACT, I WANT TO SEE
THE HOMELESS SITUATION BEING
HANDLED AND I DO NOT THINK THAT
DEFUNDING THE POILICE IS THE
WAY TO GO.
THANK YOU FOR STAYING ON THE
PHONE THIS LONG, I YIELD MY
TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND
PROVIDING YOUR PUBLIC TESTIMONY
TODAY.
SO THE NEXT TWO SPEAKERS ARE
ADAM STERN AND JEN MEYER.
WELCOME ADAM JUST á6 TO UNMUTE.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS
AND FELLOW CALLERS.
I'M CALLING ABOUT SOMETHING A
LITTLE MORE SPECIFIC AND LESS
GLOBAL THAN THE BULK OF THE
OTHER CALLERS AND I REALLY HOPE
THIS DOESN'T COME OFF AS A RENT
TOTALLY DEVOID TO COMPASSION.
I'M A RENTER WHO LIVES ON QUIET
DIMLY LIT ONE LANE STREET IN
DISTRICT 4 THAT HAS BECOME A
MAGNET FOR HOMELESS CAMPERS.
MY NEIGHBORS AND I FULLY
UNDERSTAND, SYMPATHIZE AND
EMPATHIZE WITH THE PLIGHT OF
THE HOMELESS.
SIMULTANEOUSLY, OUR STREET HAS
BECOME A CONSTANT LOCUST FOR
THEFT, VANDALISM, DRUG USE,
PROSTITUTION, VERBAL ABUSE OF
RESIDENTS AND DESTRUCTION OF
CITY PROPERTY.
WE ARE FORCED TO PUT UP WITH
NEEDLES AND CONDOMS, EXCREMENT
AND UNSPEAKABLE AMOUNTS OF
GARBAGE ON HER STREET.
WE LIVE IN A FREQUENT STATE OF
ANXIETY WONDERING IF HER HOME
WOULD BE TARGETED FOR VANDALISM
IF WE GO OUT FOR AN HOUR'S
WORTH OF ERRANDS.
PLEASE DO NOT DISBAND OR DULY
CUT BACK THE VARIOUS TASK
FORCES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO
HELP YOUR CONSTITUENTS WITH
THESE PROBLEMS.
OTHERWISE WE ARE ESSENTIALLY
SAYING DEAL WITH IT, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH AND I YIELD THE
REMAINDER OF MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU AS WELL FOR YOUR
TIME TONIGHT.
THE LAST TWO SPEAKERS WE HAVE
LISTED ARE JEN MEYER AND ALI
AND I BELIEVE A NEDRA JOINED
US.
>> GOOD EVENING I'M A HOMEOWNER
IN DISTRICT 2 AND I SUPPORT THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND ASKED
THEM TO DEFUND THE POLICE AND
RELOCATE THE FUNDING TO
COMMUNITY PRIORITIES.
I SEE THIS IS NOT JUST AN
EQUITABLE DECISION BUT A SOUND
FINANCIAL ONE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER
INVESTMENTS THAT WILL GET A
BETTER RETURN THAN WE ARE WITH
POLICING.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THREE
THINGS IN PARTICULAR.
FIRST, SETTLEMENTS, THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT WILL BE SUED
MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE NEXT YEAR
FOR POLICE MISCONDUCT.
I SEE AN ALLOWANCE OF ONE POINT
5 MILLION FOR FUNDS.
UNLESS I MISSED SOMETHING IN
THE 700 PLUS PAGE DOCUMENT, YOU
HAVE THE EQUIVALENT OF A
SUPERFUND SITE THAT IS
CONTINUING TO CREATE
LIABILITIES.
THE VERY LEAST YOU SHOULD ALLOW
FOR THAT FUNDING IN THE POLICE
BUDGET AND YOU SHOULD WORK ON
CONTROLLING THE VERY SECOND I'D
LIKE TO GO TO THAT SERIOUS
CONSIDERATION FOR OVERTIME.
THERE IS A SMALL REDUCTION OR
EVENTS WHICH DOES NOT MAKE
SENSE, I'D LIKE TO SEE THE NEW
POLICE CHIEF REPORT TO THE
COUNCIL ON OVERTIME.
AND I'VE ASKED THAT COUNSEL
CONSIDER THE TRANSPORTATION
INVESTMENTS THEY ARE MAKING.
5% OF ALL TRANSPORTATION
EMISSIONS IN THE CITY OR FROM
CARS.
WE NEED TO STEP UP ALL OTHER
MODES OF TRANSPORTATION.
WE NEED TO SHOW INVESTMENT BY
MODE AND TO REALLY UP BIKING,
WALKING AND ALL OTHER
SUSTAINABLE FORMS OF
TRANSPORTATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
THIS EVENING.
>> THINKS FOR WAITING ON THE
LINE.
WELCOME, JUST á6 TO UNMUTE
YOURSELF.
I CAN SEE YOU, PERFECT, GO
AHEAD.>> HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, THANK YOU.
>> HI, I WILL KEEP THIS VERY
SIMPLE, I AM AN IMMIGRANT AS
WELL AS A CITIZEN.
I GREW UP IN SHORELINE AND I
WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THAT I DO
SUPPORT WHAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN
SAYING, AND I WOULD LIKE TO
DEFUND THE POLICE BY AT LEAST
50%.
SOMEONE AS AN IMMIGRANT AND
REFUGEE I WENT TO A 90% ALL-
WHITE SCHOOL AND I HAD AN
EXPERIENCE WHERE COUNSEL TOLD
ME I CANNOT GET INTO A
UNIVERSITY, AND I DIDN'T.
I CURRENTLY HAVE MY MASTERS
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON.
I'M A SOCIAL WORKER WORKING AT
U-DUB AND I'M ALSO A HOUSING
COORDINATOR AND SEE A LOT WHO
COME IN TO CLINICS THAT ARE
INDIGENOUS AND BLACK PEOPLE
THAT LOST RESOURCES.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT
FUNDING PUT INTO BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BECAUSE THOSE
ARE THE PEOPLE SUFFERING THE
MOST.
I SUPPORT SAWANT, I'M WITH HER
100%.
PLEASE DEFUND THE POLICE AT
LEAST 50%.
>> THANKS FOR WAITING ON THE
LINE.
OUR LAST SPEAKER IS ANITRA.
I KNOW WE CALLED YOU BEFORE,
LET'S TRY ONE MORE TIME.
IF YOU CAN HEAR ME JUST PRESS
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE.
PERFECT.
>> HELLO.
>> , THANKS FOR WAITING.
>> YEA.
I'M ANITRA FREEMAN SPEAKING
TONIGHT AS A MEMBER OF WHEEL,
HELPING YOU MAKE GREAT
AMENDMENTS TO THE MAYOR'S
BUDGET.
HARD TIMES ARE PRECISELY WHEN
RESOURCES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO
THOSE WHO ARE HAVING IT THE
HARDEST.
FOR 20 YEARS WHEEL HAS RUN A
LOVING SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND
HAS NEVER TURNED A WOMAN AWAY.
DURING THE TRAINEE CRISIS WE
GOT SPECIAL FUNDING FOR 24-HOUR
OPERATION.
I'VE SEEN WOMEN COMING ALIVE,
BECOMING MORE OPTIC NOW THAT
THEY HAVE MORE REST.
AND I'VE SEEN A WONDERFUL SENSE
OF COMMUNITY GROWING BETWEEN
WOMEN WHO ARE LIVING TOGETHER,
NOT JUST SPENDING A FEW HOURS
AT NIGHT TOGETHER.
CONTINUING 24/7 OPERATION
THROUGH 2021 WILL COST ABOUT
455,000 MORE THAN OUR PREVIOUS
BUDGET.
BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT TO THE
CITY.
OUR CAPACITY IS LIMITED UNDER
THE TRAINEE ROLES AND WE
URGENTLY NEED MORE REFERRAL
OPTIONS TO KEEP OUR RECORD OF
NEVER TURNING A WOMAN AWAY
WITHOUT A REFERRAL.
OF THE 300 HOTEL ROOMS THAT THE
MAYOR IS PROPOSING, AT LEAST
HALF SHOULD BE FOR THE
DESPERATE WOMEN WHO HAVE NO
SHELTER NOW.
THANK YOU.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU, WE
APPRECIATE YOU HOLDING ON THE
LINE.
WE'VE GONE THROUGH EVERY PERSON
WHO HAS DIALED IN TODAY AND WAS
PRESENT.
WE APPRECIATE ALL THE FOLKS WHO
CALLED IN FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY
TODAY AND ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT
IF YOU DID DIAL IN AND WERE NOT
ABLE TO STAY ON THE LINE DUE TO
ANY OBLIGATIONS YOU HAVE IN THE
COMMUNITY OR WITH YOUR FAMILY,
WHERE HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR PUBLIC
TESTIMONY AT
COUNSEL@SEATTLE.GOV.
I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL,
AND THINGS TO THE FOLKS AT I.T.
AND COMMUNICATIONS, ESPECIALLY
ERIC JOSEPH AND IAN.
WE WANT TO THANK SEATTLE
CHANNEL FOR CARRYING THIS
FORWARD AND ALL OF OUR
COUNCILMEMBERS.
I CAN SEE YOU, THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE.
I KNOW WITH ZOOM WE DON'T GET
TO SEE EVERYONE IN PERSON.
BUT IT IS GREAT TO SEE ALL OF
YOU ON THE LINE WITH US.
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ WANTED ME
TO PASS ON, SHE'S ON THE LINE
BUT SHE WANTED ME TO ANNOUNCE
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SEATTLE
STORM.
SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN FOLLOWING
THIS OVER FROM PARKS AND CIVIC
EVENTS, CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE
FOURTH TIME TO THE SEATTLE
STORM.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THEIR
INCREDIBLE WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP.
VERY EXCITED TO SEE THAT WIN
FOR THE CITY.
SO WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF
TODAY'S PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
AS A REMINDER, WE HEARD OVER
150 PEOPLE SIGN UP TODAY TO
TESTIFY AND GOT THROUGH THEM
ALL.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE
WE GET THROUGH ALL THE PUBLIC
TESTIMONY AGAIN ON THE 27th.
THAT STARTS AT 5:30 AND YOU CAN
SIGN IN FOR THAT AT 3:30 PM.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO
ENDEAVOR AND HAVE PUBLIC
TESTIMONY EVERY MEETING THAT
THE COUNCIL HAS.
THAT IS PUBLISHED ONLINE, AND
WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON
THURSDAY AS WE START UP THE
PUBLIC COMMENT CONVERSATIONS
AGAIN.
AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT
FOLKS GET THE CHANCE TO PROVIDE
LOCAL PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE MEETING FOR AT
LEAST 30 MINUTES.
WITH THAT, THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD IS ALSO ALWAYS AVAILABLE
AT CANCEL@SEATTLE.GOV.
WITH THAT, A HUGE THANK YOU, IT
IS 9:55 PM, IF THERE'S NOT
ANYTHING ELSE, THE MEETING IS
ADJOURNED AND WE WILL SEE YOU
ALL VERY SOON, THANKS TO
EVERYBODY FOR CALLING IN
TONIGHT.
TAKE CARE, BYE-BYE.