>>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
JANUARY 4, 2021 COUNSEL BRIEFING
ORDER WILL COME TO ORDER.
PLEASE CALL ROLE.
>> [ROLL CALL]
EIGHT PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION THE
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 14, 2020
WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING NO
OBJECTION THE MINUTES ARE
ADOPTED.
PRESIDENTS REPORT. NOTHING TO
REPORT HERE OTHER THAN JUST TO
SAY, WELCOME BACK AND HAPPY NEW
YEAR TO ALL OF YOU.
I HOPE YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY
TO ACTUALLY GET SOME REST AND
SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY
VIRTUALLY OR OTHERWISE.
I AM EXCITED TO BE BACK THIS
YEAR.
IT IS A NEW YEAR AND I HOPE WE
CAN START 2021 ON A STRONG
NOTE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES TO
FACE THIS PARTICULAR YEAR.
BUT ALSO A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY.
I AM HOPEFUL WE WILL BE ABLE TO
ACCOMPLISH MUCH THIS YEAR AND I
LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT WITH
EACH OF YOU INTO 2021.
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WELCOME
BACK.
LOOKING FORWARD TO DIGGING BACK
INTO ALL OF THE IMPORTANT WORK
THAT LAYS IN FRONT OF US.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND DIG INTO
PREVIEW OF TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL
ACTIONS.
WE WILL GO AHEAD AND FOLLOW THE
ROLLCALL ROTATION.
THAT WE ORDINARILY FOLLOW.
AS A REMINDER IT IS
COUNCILMEMBER DAN STRAUSS
FOLLOWED BY THE OTHERS.
I WILL CONCLUDE THIS SECTION OF
THE AGENDA WITH MY OWN REPORT.
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE AND TAKE
IT AWAY.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING IS
ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13.
THIS COMING WEEK ON THURSDAY I
WILL BE ATTENDING THE GROWTH
MANAGEMENT POLICY COUNSEL.
IN OTHER REPORTS FROM OVER THE
RECESS MY OFFICE HAS BEEN
ASSISTING A LOCAL WOMAN OWNED
HARD CIDER BUSINESS AND WE HAVE
BEEN ASSISTING RUBENS BREWING.
úTHEY NEED ASSISTANCE NAVIGATIN
CITY SERVICES AND REGULATIONS.
IN DISTRICT 6 I AM HAPPY WITH
THE CONVERSATIONS I HAD WITH
RESIDENTS OVER THE RECESS AND
WE ARE FORMALLY RESTARTING OUR
DISTRICT 6 OFFICE HOURS WITH
RESIDENT MEETINGS THIS WEEK.
THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND
COLLEAGUES. THAT IS MY REPORT
FOR JANUARY 4, 2021.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON
THAT REPORT?
HEARING NONE WE WILL HEAR FROM
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD AND THEN
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ .
>> GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY NEW
YEAR TO EVERYBODY. WE HAVE ONE
ITEM ON THE FULL COUNCIL AGENDA
TODAY.
THIS IS COUNSEL BILL 11 9974.
IT IS AN ORDINANCE RELATED TO
CIVILIAN AND COMMUNITY
OVERSIGHT POLICE AND A SUBPOENA
PROCESS FOR THE OFFICE OF
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR
GENERAL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY WHILE
ENSURING DUE PROCESS FOR
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE THE SUBJECT
OF SUBPOENA.
LEGISLATION WILL AFFIRM THE
CITY'S POSITION THAT THE OPA
AND OIG CAN SEEK SUBPOENAS OF
THOSE WHO MAY HAVE WITNESSED OR
BEEN INVOLVED IN POTENTIAL
MISCONDUCT INSTANCE.
IN ADDITION THE LEGISLATION
CREATES A PROCESS FOR OPA AND
THE OIG TO ISSUE THE SUBPOENAS
AND ENFORCE THEM BY SEEKING A
COURT ORDER FOR THE SUBJECT OF
THE SUBPOENA FAILED TO COMPLY.
LEGISLATION REQUIRES
INDIVIDUALS AND THIRD-PARTY
RECORD HOLDERS SERVED WITH THE
SUBPOENA ARE PROVIDED WITH A
WRITTEN NOTICE OF THEIR RIGHT
TO DUE PROCESS.
THE PROTECTION WAS NOT CODIFIED
PREVIOUSLY AND THIS IS INTENDED
TO INCREASE CIVILIAN
PARTICIPATION IN OPA
INVESTIGATIONS AND OIG AUDITS
AND REVIEWS.
THE SUBPOENA AUTHORITY IS STILL
SUBJECT TO COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENT
REQUIREMENTS.
THE NOTICE ITSELF REQUIRED IN
THE ORDINANCE RECOGNIZES THAT
THERE ARE SEARCH WARRANT
REQUIREMENTS NEEDED THAT WOULD
NEED TO BE SEPARATELY MET FOR
PARTICULAR TYPES OF EVIDENCE.
AND I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT
OF THANKS TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AS WELL AS
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. THE OFFICE
OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY,
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL,
AND THE COMMUNITY POLICE
COMMISSION.
WE HAVE ALL WORK TOGETHER ON
DEVELOPING THIS BILL.
AS WE ALL KNOW THE 2017 ACCOUNT
OF THE LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY
WAS BUILT ON THAT LEGISLATION
AND PROVIDING CLARITY ON
PROCEDURES AND PROCESS.
QUICK UPDATE FROM THE HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THEY WILL WELCOME HELEN AS THE
INTERIM DIRECTOR BEGINNING
TODAY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT FORMER INTERIM
DIRECTOR JASON JOHNSON WILL
HELP WITH THE TRANSITION OVER
THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO. I
APPRECIATE HIS WILLINGNESS TO
ASSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
INTERIM DIRECTOR HOWELL.
HST HAS RECENTLY PROVIDED SOME
UPDATES ON ITS WORK TO SUPPORT
VULNERABLE PEOPLE DURING THE
PANDEMIC LAST YEAR.
I THINK THE WORK IS WORTH
ELEVATING AND I APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THAT.
HST HAS SUCCESSFULLY REDEPLOYED
APPROXIMATELY 130 EMPLOYEES
THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT TO
FULFILL MISSION PRIORITY WORK
RELATED TO FOOD DISTRIBUTION,
SET UP EMERGENCY SHELTERS AND
SHELTER STAFFING SUPPORT
INCLUDING OVERNIGHT SHIFTS.
STAFF HAVE PROVISIONED OVER
$600,000 IN PPE.
SANITATION SUPPLIES AND TO GO
FOOD DISTRIBUTION SUPPLIES.
AS A SEPTEMBER 13, 2020, NEARLY
11,000 HOUSEHOLDS WERE ENROLLED
IN THE UTILITY DISCOUNT PROGRAM
THROUGH THE COVID-19 ONLINE
SELF CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.
AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
HOUSEHOLD BENEFITING NOW
EXCEEDS OVER 40,000 HOUSEHOLDS.
FINALLY, THE EVALUATION TEAM
BUILT AN INTERACTIVE MAP OF
FOOD BANK AND MEAL PROGRAMS
OPERATING IN SEATTLE, KING
COUNTY WHICH IS REGULARLY
UPDATED.
TO DATE THE SITE HAS OVER
34,000 VIEWS AND YOU CAN FIND IT
-- THIS IS AN INTERACTIVE MAP
OF FOOD BANK AND MEAL PROGRAMS
AND YOU CAN FIND IT ON
SEATTLE.GOV/HUMAN SERVICES.
PUBLIC HEALTH, WE WOULD LIKE TO
GIVE THE UPDATE ON THE SEATTLE
FIRE DEPARTMENT COVID-19 TESTS
ADMINISTERED AT THEIR FOUR
SITES.
THEY ARE NOW NEARLY AT 525,000
TESTS ADMINISTERED.
UP TO DECEMBER 29.
AS WE KNOW, THE HOLIDAYS COULD
BE A DIFFICULT TIME FOR FOLKS,
EVEN IN THE BEST OF TIMES.
I JUST WANT TO UPLIFT THE
EXISTENCE OF THE WASHINGTON
LISTEN SUPPORT LINE THAT HELPS
PEOPLE MANAGE STRESS AND
ANXIETY THEY MAY BE
EXPERIENCING BECAUSE OF COVID-
19.
THE SUPPORT LINE IS THAT 833681
IS 211.
SEATTLE HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST
COVID RATES OF ANY AMERICAN CITY
, HOSPITAL BEDS IN KING COUNTY
ARE FILLING UP. 86% OF ICU BEDS
AND 89% OF ACUTE CARE BEDS IN
OUR COUNTY ARE OCCUPIED.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE
PRECAUTIONS NOW TO KEEP
YOURSELF AND OTHERS SAFE.
THE GOVERNOR HAS EXTENDED SOME
TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS THROUGH
JANUARY 11. INCLUDING INDOOR
SOCIAL GATHERINGS WITH PEOPLE
WHO DO NOT LIVE WITH YOU ARE
NOW PROHIBITED UNLESS YOU
QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS PRIOR OR
QUARANTINE FOR SEVEN DAYS AND
RECEIVE A NEGATIVE COVID TEST
RESULT.
AND OUTDOOR GATHERINGS ARE
LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN FIVE
PEOPLE.
WHO DO NOT LIVE WITH YOU.
JUST ANOTHER PLUG FOR
WASHINGTON NOTIFY.
THAT APPLE NOTIFIES YOU IF YOU
COME INTO CONTACT WITH SOMEONE
WITH CORONAVIRUS. USING
RANDOMIZED CODES TO PROTECT
PRIVACY.
MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION
WASHINGTONIANS ARE USING IT.
YOU CAN FIND IT ONLINE.
THE CITY OF SEATTLE HAS ADDED
SEVERAL NEW FREE TESTING SITES
INCLUDING NEW SELF TESTING
KIOSKS.
IF YOU FEEL SICK OR BELIEVE YOU
ARE IN PROXIMITY TO SOMEONE
WITH CORONAVIRUS YOU CAN GET AN
APPOINTMENT FOR FREE TESTING OR
FIND A KIOSK BY GOING TO KING
COUNTY.GOV/COVID TESTING.
AND I THINK THAT IS ALL I'VE
GOT.
I WANT TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP
WE ARE WORKING ON MAKING UPDATES
TO THE PROCLAMATION HONORING
WORKERS WHO HAVE MADE A SAFER
THROUGH CITYWIDE TESTING. THAT
WE SIGNED AT THE END OF THE
YEAR.
THAT I WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU
PROBABLY LATER ON TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
OTHER ANY COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS ON THE REPORT?
HEARING NONE WE WILL MOVE TO
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD FOLLOWED
BY COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS .
>> GOOD MORNING.
HAPPY NEW YEAR COUNCIL
PRESIDENT AND TEAM.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS OF THE
PUBLIC ASSET COMMUNITIES
COMMITTEE ON THIS AFTERNOON'S
AGENDA.
THE MEETING THAT WAS SCHEDULED
FOR THE FIFTH IS CANCELED AND
WE WILL RESUME ON FEBRUARY 2 AT
2:00.
MY OFFICE IS WORKING WITH
COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF TO UPDATE
THE 2021 WORK PROGRAM ADJUSTING
FOR CHANGING CONDITIONS
PRESENTED IN 2020. ONE MAJOR
PRIORITY WILL BE THE NEXT SIX
YEAR METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT
STRATEGIC PLAN.
BECAUSE OF COVID WE COULD NOT
DO THESE COMMUNITY MEETINGS WE
NORMALLY WOULD DO TO SEE HOW WE
WOULD PUT TOGETHER THE SIX-YEAR
PLAN AND DISPENSE THE MONEY ON
THE CAPITAL SIDE AND THE
PROGRAM SIDE.
THE CITY DELAY THE ENGAGEMENT
AROUND THIS TIME TO BEGIN THE
SPRING OF 2021 DUE TO COVID-19.
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
OUR PARTNERS IN DIFFERENT
COMMUNITIES ACROSS SEATTLE TO
CREATE A ROBUST PLAN THAT
ADVANCES OUR SHARED VALUES, FOR
PUBLIC PARKS USE AND CAPITAL
PROJECTS. THE WEEK AHEAD.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7 I HAVE A
SOUND TRANSIT RIDER EXPERIENCE
AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
MEETING AT 1:00.
DISTRICT NEWS, 2020 ENDED WITH
HORRIFIC NEWS FOR THE GREATER
LAKE CITY NEIGHBORHOOD. ON
DECEMBER 28 TWO ALARM FIRE
BURNED DOWN SEVERAL BUSINESSES
ON NORTHEAST 127th STREET.
SEATTLE INVESTIGATORS HAVE
DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS
INTENTIONALLY SET AND OF
ESTIMATED THE LOSS I BELIEVE
AROUND $2.7 MILLION.
THE SEATTLE POLICE AND BOMB
SQUAD ARE CARRYING OUT A FULL
INVESTIGATION.
I WENT DOWN THERE ON MONDAY THE
28th AND HAD BEEN IN CONSTANT
CONTACT WITH THE CHIEF.
THANK YOU CHIEF SCOGGINS.
AMAZING JOB WITH SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
ARE FIREFIGHTERS STATION 39 AND
ALL 84 FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE
OFFICERS THAT RESPONDED
IMMEDIATELY.
A BIG SHOUT OUT TO KRISTIN
TINSLEY.
THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
AT SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SHE WAS RIGHT THERE WITH ME
ASSISTING US WITH INFORMATION.
ASSISTANCE WITH THE BUSINESSES
AND PUBLIC STATEMENTS AND
UPDATES.
AND I WANT TO THANK A FEW
PEOPLE.
WHEN THESE KIND OF THINGS
HAPPEN YOU SEE HOW CITY
GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK. ON THE
DAY I BELIEVE IT DID.
SPD SECURING THE BLUEPRINTS FOR
THE BUILDING.
THE SEVEN BUSINESSES THAT WERE
BURNED DOWN SO THEY COULD WORK
WITH THE SEATTLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT AND SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND THE ARSON FOLKS
TO SEE HOW THEY COULD GET INTO
THE BUILDING AND SAFELY GET IN
OR NOT GET IN.
AND WHAT THE BUILDING STRUCTURE
WAS.
NICOLE DID A WONDERFUL JOB.
OED ALREADY HAD SENT A BUSINESS
ADVOCATE TO WORK WITH THE
OWNERS TO HELP THEM APPLY FOR
GRANT FUNDING, FILE INSURANCE
CLAIMS. THERE ARE SEVEN
BUSINESSES THAT WERE COMPLETELY
DESTROYED.
EIGHT BUSINESSES -- EIGHT
BUILDINGS BUT SEVEN BUSINESSES.
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
THANK YOU FOR COORDINATING WORK
WITH OUR OFFICE, AND EVERYONE
THAT WAS INVOLVED AND THE
COMMUNITY AND THE BUSINESSES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH OEM. IT WAS
GREAT TO BE OUT THERE AND
WORKING WITH PEOPLE AND TALKING
TO BUSINESS OWNERS.
AS I SHARED, EVEN THOUGH THIS
HAS BEEN DIFFICULT, THE LAKE
CITY COMMUNITY STARTED PLANNING
A FUNDRAISING EFFORT ON BEHALF
OF THE BUSINESSES. WE HAVE
BUILD LAKE CITY TOGETHER AND
THE CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF
WASHINGTON ARE COORDINATING A
DONATION DRIVE TO SUPPORT SMALL
BUSINESSES THAT WERE LOST.
BOTH ORGANIZATIONS WILL WORK TO
EVENLY DISTRIBUTE FUNDS AMONG
THE BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY THE
FIRE.
PLEASE VISIT THE CHILDREN'S
HOME SOCIETY WEBSITE FOR MORE
INFORMATION. WE PLAN TO GIVE
THIS COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY
AND THE PUBLIC, AN UPDATE ON
THE INVESTIGATION AND THE
EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE SEVEN
BUSINESSES THAT WERE COMPLETELY
DESTROYED BY THE FIRE.
THIS IS JUST ON A PERSONAL NOTE
AND I HOPE TO GIVE YOU MORE
INFORMATION LATER. I DON'T KNOW
IF YOU ARE LISTENING BUT LAST
WEEK AND THIS MORNING KO W
STARTED WITH MARKED TRAY HAND
DOING A TRIBUTE TO A DEAR
FRIEND IN INDIAN COUNTRY.
A GREAT LOSS TO ALL OF US AND
THAT IS HANK ADAMS.
WE LOST HANK.
HE IS FROM FRANCE LANDING.
INTERESTING QUICK STORY.
I HAVE KNOWN HIM SINCE I WAS
PRETTY MUCH A CHILD. I KNEW HIM
AS A CHILD. I KNEW HIM IN HIGH
SCHOOL, COLLEGE, LAW SCHOOL.
PUBLIC DEFENDER.
WHEN I WAS A LEGAL SERVICE,
HANK ADAMS INTRODUCED ME TO THE
FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN LAWYER I
EVER MET AND I THINK IT WAS 13.
FAST FORWARD, THAT WAS UNDER, HE
BROUGHT THE JUDGE TO THE
RESERVATION TO MEET OUR PEOPLE
AND UNDERSTAND THE FIGHT FOR
OUR RIGHTS TO TREATY AND FISH.
FAST-FORWARD 18 OR 20 YEARS AND
I AM ONE OF THE TRIAL LAWYERS.
AND HANK IS STILL ADVISING US.
HE WAS NOT A LAWYER BUT HE WAS
THE ONE THAT ADVISED THE
LAWYERS, HISTORIANS,
ANTHROPOLOGISTS, ELDERS, THE
DEPOSITIONS. HE WAS A SEMINAL
AND POWERFUL VOICE THAT SHAPED
FEDERAL INDIAN LAW AND
JURISPRUDENCE.
I HOPE TO SHARE MORE WITH YOU
WITH THE RESOLUTION.
I CANNOT UNDERSCORE WHAT A
GREAT MAN HE WAS.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, HANK WAS
KIND. HE WAS HONEST. HE HAD
DIGNITY.
AND HE CREATED CHANGE, EVEN
THOUGH WE TOOK OVER BUILDINGS
AND RIVERS AND DID SIT IN'S.
HE NEVER ADVOCATED FOR VIOLENCE
. BUDDY ADVOCATED FOR US, TO
HAVE AN OPEN MIND AND AN OPEN
HEART.
I WILL ALWAYS BE THANKFUL THAT
HE WAS MY LIFE.
I AM HOPING THAT WE ARE WORKING
WITH THE FRANKS LANDING INDIAN
COMMUNITY TO PUT TOGETHER SOME
INFORMATION.
I HOPE TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR
THIS COUNCIL NEXT WEEK WHERE WE
CAN HAVE A RESOLUTION TO HONOR
HANK ADAMS.
HANK WAS IN LOCKSTEP WITH UNCLE
BILLY FRANK.
AND ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL
PEOPLE AT FRANKS LANDING INDIAN
COMMUNITY.
AND THE TRIBES WHO SECURED AND
FOUGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS AND THEIR
RIGHTS TO FISH, BUT THE TREATY
RIGHTS IN ESTABLISHING THAT
TREATIES ARE THE LAW OF THE
LAND.
I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ FOR THAT
REPORT.
OUR DEEPEST, MOST PROFOUND
SYMPATHIES TO THE NATIVE
AMERICAN COMMUNITY ON THE LOSS
OF HANK ADAMS.
BASED ON YOUR DESCRIPTION, I
CAN IMAGINE HOW DEEPLY IT IS
BEING FELT THROUGHOUT THE
NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
NOT JUST IN WASHINGTON STATE.
BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
HE PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN THE
MOVEMENT BUILDING BEYOND OUR
STATES.
AND WE APPRECIATE YOU LIFTING
UP THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO
RECOGNIZE HIS LEGACY.
AND THE IMPORTANT WORK HE DID
THROUGH A PROCLAMATION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
HE WAS LIKE A MARSHALL.
>> OKAY.
WE WILL GO AHEAD AND GO DOWN
THE LINE.
BEFORE WE DO, I WILL ASK
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD TO MUTE
HERSELF . THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES .
>> GOOD MORNING, MADAM
PRESIDENT.
IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE AND BACK
IN THE SWING OF THINGS. THERE
ARE NO ITEMS ON THIS
AFTERNOON'S AGENDA FROM THE
SELECT COMMITTEE ON
HOMELESSNESS AND STRATEGY
INVESTMENTS. THE SELECT
COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON JANUARY
27. TOWARD THE END OF THE MONTH.
TO CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSIONS ON
THE BILL I PUT FORWARD ON
STREAMLINING CERTAIN LAND USE
CONTROLS AROUND PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. OVER THE
RECESS, SPEAKING OF OUR
RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS
EMERGENCY, I HAD THE GREAT
PRIVILEGE OF BEING HOSTED BY
AMY KING FOR A TOUR AT PALLET
HOUSING FACTORY IN EVERETT.
WERE LARGELY A WORKFORCE OF
PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE,
PEOPLE WHO HAVE, IN MANY CASES
SERVED TIME IN PRISON AND
EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS
THEMSELVES, ARE EMPLOYED IN
GOOD JOBS.
MAKING AND CONSTRUCTING PALLET
SHELTER HOUSING FOR A NUMBER OF
JURISDICTIONS IN THE PUGET
SOUND REGION, CALIFORNIA AND
BEYOND.
PALLET HOUSES ARE PRESENT,
WHICH ARE ESSENTIALLY A TYPE OF
TINY HOUSE, ARE NOW PRESENT IN
11 STATES AND JURISDICTIONS.
IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO HAVE THIS
TOUR OF THIS FACILITY MAKING
RELIABLE SOUND, EASY TO CLEAN
AND EASY TO REASSEMBLE AND
RELOCATE HOUSING OPTIONS,
RATHER SHELTER OPTIONS FOR
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
I AM HAPPY THAT THIS YEAR WE
WILL BE ADDING 545 ADDITIONAL
TRANSITIONAL SHELTER SPACES,
WHICH ARE FOUR WALLS AND A DOOR
THAT LOCKS AS WELL AS ATTENDANT
ON-SITE SERVICES.
FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS IN SEATTLE. SO WE
CAN OFFER A PLACE THAT IS
BETTER TO GO THAN IN
NONSANCTIONED ENCAMPMENTS,
WHICH AS WE ALL KNOW ARE NOT
DESIRABLE SHELTER LOCATIONS FOR
ANYBODY IN THE CITY AND THAT
PEOPLE USING PURELY OUT OF
NECESSITY.
BUT WE NEED TO STIPULATE TO THE
FACT THAT 545 NEW SHELTER
SPACES IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH. TO
MEET THE DEMAND OF WHAT WE ARE
SEEING. AND WE NEED TO WORK IN
THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR
TO SCALE FURTHER THE
TRANSITIONAL SHELTER AND TO
WORK CLOSELY WITH KING COUNTY
AS THEY SEEK TO PURCHASE AS
MANY AS 12 ADDITIONAL FOR AS
MANY AS 12 MOTELS AND HOTELS TO
CONVERT INTO PERMANENT LONG-
TERM TRANSITIONAL SHELTER, AND
ULTIMATELY INTO PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
I PLAN TO MAKE A STANDING
AGENDA ITEM IN MY COMMITTEE
THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR FOR THE
STATUS FROM THE HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT AND THE EXECUTIVE.
ON THE EXPEDIENCY OF
CONTRACTING WITH HOTELS FOR THE
300 HOTEL SPACES, SETTING UP
THE 125 TRANSITIONAL ENHANCED
SHELTER SPACES, AND THE 120
BUDGETED TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
LOCATIONS. IT IS CRITICAL WE
USE OUR OVERSIGHT PREROGATIVE
AS A COUNCIL TO CONTINUE TO
WORK WITH THE EXECUTIVE AND
CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR
EXPEDIENTLY STANDING UP THOSE
ASSETS GIVEN THE CRISIS THAT WE
ARE SEEING EVERY DAY OF
UNSANCTIONED ENCAMPMENTS AND WE
ARE ESSENTIALLY AS A CITY,
HAVING A POLICY WHERE
UNSANCTIONED ENCAMPMENTS ARE
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. AND
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS
WITHIN OUR POWER TO CHANGE.
WITH THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANY
OTHER UPDATES THIS MORNING.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT
COMMITTEE MEETING ON THE 27th
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH ALL OF YOU IN 2021.
HOPEFULLY, THIS YEAR WILL
CULMINATE IN US ACTUALLY BEING
PHYSICALLY TOGETHER ON THE
SECOND FLOOR AGAIN AT SOME
POINT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT AND
SEEING WHAT THAT EXPENSES LIKE
ACTUALLY GOVERNING IN CITY
HALL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYBODY.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS FOR THAT REPORT.
IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO
FINALLY COME BACK TOGETHER AS A
COUNCIL IN 2021.
I COMPLETELY AGREE AND
HOPEFULLY WE ARE ON A GOOD PATH
TO ACCOMPLISH THAT SOMETIME
LATER THIS YEAR.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON
THAT REPORT?
HEARING NONE WE WILL GO AHEAD
AND MOVE DOWN THE LINE.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES IS GOING
TO BE FOLLOWED BY COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN.
>> WELCOME BACK COLLEAGUES . I
HOPE EVERYONE HAD A CHANCE TO
RELAX AND RECONNECT WITH YOUR
LOVED ONES.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER TO
SAY GOODBYE TO THE PAST YEAR.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY I SPENT A
LOT OF TIME OVER THE LAST
COUPLE OF WEEKS THINKING ABOUT
WHERE OUR FAMILY IS AND I WANT
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM ONE OF
THE LUCKY PEOPLE IN THIS CITY.
I STILL HAVE A JOB.
I HAVE A HOME.
I DON'T WORRY ABOUT MY KIDS
GOING HUNGRY.
AND WILL MY FAMILY IS STILL
MOURNING THE LOSS OF ONE OF MY
UNCLES TO COVID, I AM GRATEFUL
THAT SO FAR, THE REST OF MY
FAMILY IS HEALTHY.
I AM HOPEFUL THAT IN 2021 WE
CAN CONTINUE TO USE OUR
POSITIONS OF POWER TO SERVE THE
PEOPLE IN OUR CITY WHO SHARE
OUR CITY.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION
ABOUT HOW WE BUILD COMMUNITY
WEALTH. WE TRIED TO START THE
CONVERSATION LAST YEAR BUT THE
UNIVERSE HAD OTHER AND IS FOR
US.
IN OUR COMMITTEE THIS YEAR, WE
WILL BE TALKING ABOUT
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO
PRESERVE ART AND CULTURE SPACE,
AND UNDERTAKING A FEASIBILITY
STUDY TO SEE HOW SEATTLE MIGHT
LAUNCH A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
TRUST THAT WOULD ALLOW
NEIGHBORS TO BUY SHARES IN
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS SO WE CAN
INCREASE COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP OF
PROPERTY. SIMILAR TO WHAT IS
HAPPENING IN PORTLAND RIGHT NOW.
WE WILL FACILITATE THE CREATION
OF THE EDI ADVISORY BOARD AND
GET THOSE FOLKS SEATED. SO THEY
CAN START WORKING TOGETHER NOW
AND PREPARE FOR THE $20 MILLION
IN COMMUNITY LED INVESTMENTS
THAT WILL BE COMING DOWN THE
PIKE IN 2022.
I ALSO AS A SIDE NOTE WANT TO
SEND A HUGE SHOUT OUT AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO BEN HUNTER,
AND ALL OF THE BLACK AND TAN
ORGANIZERS.
ON THE RECENT PURCHASE OF THEIR
BUILDING IN HILLMAN CITY.
I AM REALLY EXCITED TO WATCH
THAT COMMUNITY SPACE COME TO
FRUITION IN THE NEXT YEAR OR
TWO.
WE WILL ALSO BE WORKING CLOSELY
WITH CONSTITUENTS IN GEORGETOWN
AND SOTO TO THINK CREATIVELY
ABOUT HOW TO PRESERVE
COMMERCIAL AFFORDABILITY IN THE
AREA AND HOW TO SUPPORT MORE
GROWTH IN THE INDUSTRIAL LANDS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS AND ALL
OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE REALLY
THINKING HARD ABOUT HOW TO MAKE
SURE WE ARE PRESERVING
AFFORDABILITY AND REALLY
STARTING TO BUILD UP WHAT
ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND WHAT
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND
ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES
LOOK LIKE IN THAT PART OF THE
CITY.
AND WE WILL ADVANCE THE WORK OF
THE PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH
PROJECT, WHICH WILL INFORM HOW
WE IMPLEMENT THE ANTICIPATORY
BUDGET PROCESS. SO WE CAN
RADICALLY CHANGE HOW WE INVEST
IN IMPROVING COMMUNITY
CONDITIONS, TO CREATE A
THRIVING BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES.
BEFORE RECESS MY OFFICE
RECEIVED THE PRELIMINARY
RESEARCH REPORT ON THE BLACK
BRILLIANCE RESEARCH PROJECT .
I'M SORRY.
WE ARE REVIEWING THE MATERIALS
FOR COMPLETION I WILL BE
SENDING COUNCIL MEMBERS A COPY
THIS WEEK. IF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS
REGARDING THE REPORT, I WOULD
LIKE TO ASK YOU FORWARD THIS TO
MY OFFICE.
WE WILL BE INVITING THE
RESEARCH TEAM TO MY COMMITTEE
IN FEBRUARY.
SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY
ARE PREPARED TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
WE HAVE A BUSY AGENDA FOR 2021.
BUT FOR TODAY, THERE ARE NO
ITEMS ON THE AFTERNOON'S AGENDA
FROM THE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC
DEVELOPING COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT
REPORT.
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON
THAT REPORT?
LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
YOU ON ALL OF THE THINGS YOU
JUST HIGHLIGHTED.
I KNOW THE WILL BE MUCH MORE
INFORMATION COMING OUT FROM YOU
AND FROM ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES
AND PRIORITIES FOR 2021 AND I
APPRECIATE THE NEED TO LOOK AT
THE ORIGINALLY APPROVED WORK
PLANS FOR COMMITTEES IN LIGHT
OF 2020.
I KNOW THAT MUCH OF THAT WILL
NEED TO BE RETOOLED AND
ADJUSTED AND LOOKING FORWARD TO
SUPPORTING MUCH OF THE WORK
THAT I KNOW NEEDS TO OCCUR NOW
IN 2021.
OKAY.
NEXT IS COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN
AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT .
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT
AND I APPRECIATE THE VERY
THOROUGH REPORTS FROM
EVERYBODY.
WE ARE HITTING THE GROUND
RUNNING AS A CITY COUNCIL AND
I'M EXCITED TO BE BACK.
ON TODAY'S WHOLE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA THE TRANSPORTATION
UTILITIES COMMITTEE HAS 13
ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE FOUR
COUNSEL BILLS AND NINE MAYORAL
APPOINTMENTS TO TRANSPORTATION
PROVIDED ADVISORY BOARDS,
SPECIFICALLY FOR BIKES,
PEDESTRIAN AND TRANSIT.
ALL OF THESE ITEMS WERE
RECOMMENDED DECEMBER 16 BY OUR
TRANSPORTATION UTILITIES
COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY AND I
ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO
ADOPT ALL OF THESE
NONCONTROVERSIAL ITEMS TODAY.
REGARDING THE FOUR PIECES OF
LEGISLATION, A QUICK OVERVIEW.
COUNSEL BILL 119176 AUTHORIZES
EASEMENTS FROM THE PORT OF
SEATTLE WITH A COMPLETED
OVERPASS JUST SOUTH OF SPOKANE
STREET.
COUNSEL BILL 119955 SWAPS SMALL
PIECES OF LAND NEAR THE CITY OF
RENTON BETWEEN SEATTLE PUBLIC
UTILITIES AND THE WASHINGTON
STATE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION TO ACCOMMODATE
THE FRESHWATER PIPELINE LOCATED
THERE.
COUNSEL BILL 119 COUNSEL BILL
119518 AUTHORIZES ADDITIONAL
TIME TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY
ECOLOGICAL FITTING OF TREES TO
IMPROVE FOREST HABITAT AND
BIODIVERSITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE CEDAR RIVER WATERSHED
CONSERVATION PLAN.
THE TRIBE AND THE SIERRA CLUB
SUPPORTED THIS TWO-YEAR
EXTENSION WITH LETTERS OF
SUPPORT TO THE COUNCIL.
CONSUL BILL 119163 UPDATES
WATER REGULATIONS. WE HEARD
THAT BILL OVER TWO COMMITTEE
MEETINGS.
AND THE AGENDA ITEM INCLUDES A
HELPFUL POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
THAT SUMMARIZES THE NINE
CHANGES BEING MADE TO THE WATER
REGULATIONS. ALL OF THESE
COUNSEL BILLS PASSED OUT OF THE
COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY.
THE TRANSPORTATION UTILITY
COMMITTEE MEETS ON JANUARY 20
AT 2:00 P.M.
NORMALLY OUR COMMITTEE MEETS IN
THE MORNING BUT WE MOVE INTO
THE AFTERNOON BECAUSE MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC MAY BE MORE
INTERESTED IN WATCHING THE
INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT BIDEN
AND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS
COMMITTEE. T DAY INSTEAD OF OUR
WE WILL HAVE A 2:00 P.M.
AND DISTRICT 4 DURING THE WEEK
OF CHRISTMAS I VOLUNTEERED AT
THE FOOD BANK FAMILY WORKS
WHICH IS LOCATED IN WALLINGFORD
. EARLIER IN THE YEAR I HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER AT
A FOOD BANK.
I MENTION THIS BECAUSE FOOD
BANKS CONTINUE TO SEE HIGH
DEMAND DURING THE PANDEMIC. I
APPRECIATE COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD REPORT ON THIS.
THE NEED WAS HIGHLIGHTED
SATURDAY IN A SEATTLE TIMES
ARTICLE ENTITLED, NEED FOR FREE
FOOD IN WASHINGTON STATE HAS
DOUBLED AS COVID-19 RIPS AWAY
JOBS AND SECURITY . I WAS
PERSONALLY HUMBLED BY
WITNESSING THE PERSEVERANCE OF
THOSE STRUGGLING IN POVERTY TO
FEED THEMSELVES AND THEIR LOVED
ONES. I APPRECIATE THE GENEROUS
VOLUNTEERS FOR ALLOWING ME TO
HELP IN THE LEADERSHIP OF THOSE
NONPROFITS FOR THE ESSENTIAL
WORK THEY PROVIDE TO OUR
COMMUNITIES MANY THANKS TO OUR
OWN CITY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT
AND THE OFFICE OF
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT
FOR THE WORK THEY DO TO PROVIDE
FOOD SECURITY.
THE COUNCIL BOOSTED FUNDING FOR
THIS AS WELL AS PART OF THE
BUDGET PROCESS. EVEN THOUGH THE
TRADITIONAL SEASON OF GIVING
MAY HAVE PASSED, THE NEED TO
FEED OUR NEIGHBORS PERSISTS. IF
YOU'RE LISTENING AND ARE
WILLING AND ABLE, YOU CAN
GOOGLE SEATTLE FOOD BANKS TO
FIND A NONPROFIT NEAR YOU THAT
NEEDS HELP. MY OFFICE WILL
RESTART OUR VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS
ON THIS FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
SIGN UP TO MY CITY COUNCIL
WEBSITE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN FOR THAT REPORT . ARE
THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
HEARING NINE, WE WILL GO AHEAD
AND KEEP GOING DOWN THE LINE.
NEXT UP IS COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
AND THEN I WILL CLOSE OUT THIS
AGENDA ITEM WITH MY REPORT .
>> GOOD MORNING.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS ON TODAY'S
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA FROM THE
SUSTAINABILITY AND RENTERS
RIGHTS COMMITTEE.
THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE WILL
BE TUESDAY, JANUARY 26. LAST
MONTH ALONGSIDE RENTERS,
COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS, UNION
MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE
BE SEATTLE, MY OFFICE ORGANIZED
TO DEMAND MAYOR DURKEN AND
GOVERNOR INSLEE EXTEND THE
EVICTION -- SUPPORT IN THE
COMMUNITY FOR THE DEMAND WAS
ABSOLUTELY OVERWHELMING.
IN THE FINAL DAYS OF DECEMBER
THE GOVERNOR AND THE MAYOR
EXTENDED THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM'S WHICH IS A VICTORY
FOR THE RENTERS MOVEMENT BUT
THE EXTENSIONS FOR ONLY THREE
MONTHS WHICH IS TOTALLY
INSUFFICIENT.
THE MEANS RENTERS WHO LOST
THEIR LIVELIHOOD TO THE
ECONOMIC CRISIS, WILL SPEND THE
NEXT THREE MONTHS IN FEAR OF
POTENTIAL IMMINENT EVICTION AND
SOME WILL EXPERIENCE REAL
ANXIETY AND THE PROSPECT OF
BECOMING HOMELESS.
AND IT ALSO MEANS THAT RENTER
RIGHT ORGANIZATIONS MUST START
ORGANIZING A NEW T█O DEMAND THE
NEXT EXTENSION AFTER HAVING
JUST EXERTED A LOT OF EFFORT TO
ORGANIZE FOR THIS EXTENSION.
MY OFFICE IS WORKING WITH CITY
COUNCIL STAFF TO DEVELOP
LEGISLATION TO EXTEND THE
EVICTION MORATORIUM TO THE END
OF 2021.
WE THINK THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY
REASONABLE PROPOSAL. BECAUSE
NOT ONLY DO TO THIS CRISIS, BUT
THE FACT THAT COVID AS FAR FROM
GONE AWAY.
WE HAVE EPIDEMIOLOGISTS
PREDICTING NEW STRAINS WILL
ARRIVE IN THE U.S. ANY TIME.
AND THE CRISIS HAS EVERY CHANCE
OF COMPOUNDING.
ESPECIALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF
CONGRESS AND THE BIDEN
DEMONSTRATION REFUSING TO CARRY
OUT A REAL STIMULUS THAT IS
NEEDED BY MANY PEOPLE
THROUGHOUT THE NATION.
SOME 530,000 SEATTLE, KING
COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE FILED FOR
UNEMPLOYMENT SINCE MARCH AND
THIS IS DATA FROM NOVEMBER OF
LAST YEAR.
STRUGGLING SMALL BUSINESS
OWNERS HAVE HAD TO CLOSE THEIR
DOORS WITH INADEQUATE
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT.
AND EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC
78% OF AMERICAN WORKERS WERE
LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.
AND NEARLY 75% REPORTED BEING
IN DEBTS.
WORKING PEOPLE FACE A TSUNAMI
OF EVICTIONS FOR CLOSURES AND
BANKRUPTCIES ONCE THE EMERGENCY
DECLARATION EXPIRES.
AND AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE
SEEN CORPORATIONS LIKE AMAZON
AND MICROSOFT HAVE STAGGERING
PROFITS AND ALSO MAJOR SEATTLE
AREA LANDLORDS HAVE RECORDED
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
IN PROFITS.
THESE CORPORATE LANDLORDS,
WHICH HAVE CONTROL OF ABOUT
20,000 APARTMENTS IN THE
SEATTLE AREA, RECENTLY REPORTED
MORE THAN $1.1 MILLION IN
PROFITS IN JUST THE FIRST NINE
MONTHS OF LAST YEAR.
THIS IS ASIDE FROM THE OVERALL
STATISTIC WE KNOW THAT U.S.
BILLIONAIRES ENRICH THEMSELES
BY $1 TRILLION MORE THROUGHOUT
THE PANDEMIC.
ONCE A DRAFT OF THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM LEGISLATION HAS BEEN
REVIEWED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE, MY OFFICE WILL SEND IT
TO OTHER OFFICES FOR REVIEW.
I HOPE EVERY COUNCILMEMBER WILL
SUPPORT THIS.
IT IS A NECESSARY DEFENSE OF
OUR RENTERS IN OUR CITY.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT
CONVERSATION AND ALSO TO THE
COMMITTEE ON THE 26th.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT FOR THAT REPORT.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS ON THAT REPORT ?
HEARING NINE.
I WILL GO AHEAD AND CONCLUDE
WITH MY VERY SHORT REPORTS.
THE GOVERNANCE AND EDUCATION
COMMITTEE MEETING THAT WAS
REGULARLY SCHEDULED FOR
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 IS
CANCELED.
I EXPECT THE COMMITTEE WILL
NEED TO MEET ON TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 9, 2021 AT 2:00 P.M.
I EXPECT WE WILL HAVE A FULL
AGENDA IN FEBRUARY.
THERE IS NOTHING FOR MY
COMMITTEE ON THE REFERRAL
CALENDAR.
AND NOTHING ON THIS AFTERNOON'S
FULL COUNCIL AGENDA FROM THE
GOVERNANCE AND EDUCATION
COMMITTEE.
THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.
I PROMISED IT WOULD BE BRIEF
AND I THINK I MET THAT
COMMITMENT.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE
GOOD OF THE ORDER BEFORE WE
ADJOURNED THIS MORNING COUNCIL
BRIEFING?
HEARING NOTHING ELSE. I'M SORRY.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS IS GIVING
A I-5, NOT RAISING HIS HAND.
I THINK THERE IS NOTHING ELSE
TO COME BEFORE US THIS MORNING
I COUNCIL BRIEFING.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
THIS AFTERNOON AT 2:00.
COLLEAGUES, WE ARE ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU.