>>> THE MEETING WILL COME
TO ORDER.
THE TIME IS 9:31 A.M.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLl?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT?
>> PRESENT.
MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> PRESENT.
>> NUMBER HERBOLD?
>> HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS?
>> HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALEZ?
>> PRESENT.
NINE PRESENT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
MINUTES OF MARCH 22, 2021 WILL
BE A.THAT.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
MINUTES ARE ADOPTED.
COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE A FULL
AGENDA TODAY.
I WILL GO AHEAD AND DISPENSE
WITH THE PRESIDENTS REPORT WITH
A REMINDER THAT WE DO HAVE AN
EXECUTIVE SESSION AGAIN TODAY.
ONCE YOU GET THROUGH OUR
LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE, WE
WILL GO AROUND THE ZOOM ROOM
FOR REPORTS. I AM HOPING THAT
WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET TO
EXECUTIVE SESSION'S TODAY BY NO
LATER THAN 11 AM SO WE CAN
ADJOURN AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30
AM.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WILL
HANDED OVER TO OUR TEAM FROM THE
OFFICE OF INTERGOVENMENTAL
RELATIONS . I WILL HEAD OVER
TO LILY WILSON-CODEGA, THE
DIRECTOR FOR INTRODUCTIONS FOR
THE RECORD.
THEN I WILL HANDED OVER TO THEM
FOR THE PRESENTATION.
MORNING.
>> I AM LILY WILSON-CODEGA,
OIR.
I WILL PASS IT OVER TO ROBIN
KOSKEY.
>> ROBIN KOSKEY, DEPUTY
DIRECTOR, OIR.
>> QUINN MAJESKI, THE RELATIONS
DIRECTOR, OIR.
HANNAH SMITH, OIR.
>> WE ARE HERE WITH THE STATE
LEGISLATIVE HEARING ONLY WITH
ONE MONTH LEFT IN THE 21
LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
WE ARE EXCITED TO SPEND MOST
OF OUR TIME WITH THE BUDGET AS
THEY RELEASED THEIR FINAL
BUDGETS AND SUPPLEMENTAL
TRANSPORTATION BUDGETS LAST WEEK
, NOTABLY WITH A MUCH MORE
POSITIVE REVENUE OUTLOOK THAT
HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED EARLIER.
THAT BEING SAID, AS I'M SURE
WHEN WE'LL REMIND US TODAY,
WHILE THE BOATS FOR OPERATING
BUDGETS, THERE ARE OTHER
ISSUES.
WHILE THE MORE POSITIVE REVENUE
HAS DAMPENED SOME EFFORTS, WE
ARE THRILLED TO REPORT THE
CAPITAL GAINS CONTINUES TO
ADVANCE IN THE SESSION AND IS
REFERENCED IN BOTH THE HOUSE
AND SENATE OPERATING BUDGETS.
WE ARE APPRECIATIVE IN THE
ASSISTANCE OF MANY OF YOU ON
THIS ISSUE, REACHING OUT TO KEY
ISSUES AS NEEDED TO MAKE SURE
THE BILL MOVES THROUGH THE
PROCESS THE SESSION.
I WILL ALSO NOTE SOME
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS WITH
ASSISTANCE TO OUR IMMIGRANT AND
REFUGEE COMMUNITIES, BUT DOUBT
IN MUCH OF THE FEDERAL AID THAT
OUR STATE WILL RECEIVE.
HANNAH WILL REPORT ON THAT IN
MORE LENGTH IN OUR PORTFOLIO
TODAY.
ROBIN HAS EXCITING NEWS TO
REPORT ON HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS INVESTMENTS
SPECIFIC TO OUR CAPITAL BUDGET
AND SOME EXCITING NEWS ON THE
EXPANDED CAPACITY FOR RAPID
ACQUISITION FUNDING.
WITH THAT, THE FINAL REMINDER
ON TIMING.
WE ARE COMING UP ON FISCAL CUT
OFF THIS FRIDAY.
AND THEN THE LAST DAY OF THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS
SCHEDULED TO BE SUNDAY, APRIL
25.
GOD WILLING.
I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO FOR
35, OUR STATE RELATIONS
DIRECTOR, FOR A STATE BUDGET
UPDATE AND COUNSEL PRIORITY
HIGHLIGHTS.
>> AS WAS ALREADY MENTIONED,
ALL THE BUDGETS WERE ALREADY
ROLLED OUT.
INCLUDES A HOUSING BUDGET
TRANSPORTATION CAPITAL AND
OPERATING.
I WILL START BY PROVIDING AN
OVERVIEW OF THE OPERATING
BUDGET.
THIS IS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT
DOCUMENT IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND
THE SENATE.
I WILL PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW.
WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ON ALL OF THESE
BUDGETS AND MORE DETAILED
SUMMARIES RUNNING OUT HERE IN
THE NEXT DAY OR TWO.
AS WE PROVIDED IN OUR PREVIOUS
UPDATES, THE REVENUE FORECAST
FOR THE STATE HAS CONTINUED TO
IMPROVE TO THE POINT WHERE
THERE WAS ONLY A MINOR
SHORTFALL IN THE CURRENT
BIENNIUM.
THAT COMBINED WITH SOME
ASSUMPTIONS, AND THE HOUSE AND
SENATE DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE
ABOUT HOW MUCH OF THE AMERICAN
RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS THEY ARE
APPROPRIATING, BUT THEY ARE
DOLING OUT SOME OF THOSE IN THE
BUDGETS.
BUT WE ARE SEEING IN BOTH THE
HOUSE AND THE SENATE IS
ACTUALLY A PRETTY STARK
REVERSAL OF FORTUNES COMPARED
TO WHAT WE SAW OVER THE SUMMER,
WHICH IS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT
AND SIZABLE INCREASE IN
INVESTMENTS AND FUNDING.
I WILL SUMMARIZE THOSE NOW, BUT
MORE INFORMATION IS
FORTHCOMING.
SPECIFICALLY, EITHER ENTIRELY
OR PRINCIPALLY, FEDERAL
FUNDING, BOTH THE HOUSE AND
SENATE ARE INVESTING
APPROXIMATELY $1.7 BILLION IN K-
12 SCHOOL ASSISTANCE. BOTH
INCLUDE PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL
INVESTMENTS IN RENTAL
ASSISTANCE.
WHEN I AM DONE SUMMARIZING, I
WILL HANDED OVER TO ROBIN TO
DIG MORE INTO DETAIL ABOUT THE
HOUSING INVESTMENTS EVEN HER
EXPERTISE THEIR BOTH HOUSE AND
SENATE FUND, AS LILY MENTIONED,
THE CONTINUATION OF THE
IMMIGRANT RELIEF PROGRAM, WHICH
WAS STARTED OVER THE SUMMER.
THE SENATE INCLUDES $300 MILLION
WHILE THE HOUSE INCLUDES $340
MILLION.
BUT THE HOUSE AND SENATE
ADDRESS THE SHORTFALLS IN THE
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM,
PROVIDING RELIEF TO THAT FUND,
WHICH WILL BENEFIT BOTH WORKERS
AND BUSINESSES.
THE SENATE, $500 MILLION, THE
HOUSE, $600 MILLION.
BOTH INCLUDE GRANTS FOR
STABILIZATION OF FUNDING FOR
CHILD CARE PROVIDERS.
THE SENATE, $509 MILLION, THE
HOUSE, $490 MILLION.
BOTH INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES.
THE SENATE GIVES IN THE FORM OF
TAX INCENTIVES WHILE THE HOUSE
INCLUDES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR
SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS FOR THE
HOUSE, $250 MILLION, THE
SENATE, $138 MILLION.
SHIFTING QUICKLY INTO FUNDING
THAT IS, A LOT OF FUNDING IS A
MIX OF FEDERAL AND STATE TO THE
POINT WHERE IT IS DIFFICULT AND
NOT PARTICULARLY HELPFUL TO
SEPARATE OUT.
MOST OF THE REMAINING FUNDING
INCLUDES A MIX OF FEDERAL AND
STATE FUNDS.
BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE FULLY
FUND THE FAIR START FOR KIDS
CHILD CARE AND EARLY LEARNING
ON THE BUS LEGISLATION.
BOTH FULLY FUND THE WORKING
FAMILIES TAX CREDIT, WHICH IS A
STATE VERSION OF THE EITC.
BOTH INCLUDE FUNDING FOR THE
EXPANSION OF PAID FAMILY AND
MEDICAL LEAVE UNDER HOUSE BILL
1073.
BOTH INCLUDE INCREASES ON A
VARIETY OF SAFETY NET PROGRAMS,
WHICH HANNAH WILL COVER MORE
SPECIFICALLY IN HER PORTFOLIO.
BOTH INCLUDE INVESTMENTS AND
FOUNDATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH BUT
THE SENATE, $150 MILLION.
THE HOUSE, $100 MILLION.
SUPPORT FOR PREMIUM ASSISTANCE,
INVESTMENTS IN BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH, AND SUPPORT FOR
WILDFIRE AND FOREST HEALTH AND
WILDFIRE PREVENTION EFFORTS,
THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF
DIFFERENCES THAT I DO THINK ARE
WORTH MENTIONING, NOT TO PICK
THE BUDGETS AGAINST ONE
ANOTHER.
THEY ARE BOTH VERY SIZABLE
INVESTMENTS.
THE HOUSE DOES SPECIFICALLY
FUND THE 988 SYSTEM
IMPLEMENTATION, WHILE THE
SENATE DOES NOT.
THE HOUSE INCLUDES 26 MILLION
FOR HOUSING AND ESSENTIAL
NEEDS, WHILE THE SENATE INCLUDES
FUNDING SPECIFICALLY FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF 5160, THE
BACK OUT FOR THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM.
>> PLEASE USE YOUR HAND,
PREFERABLY USING THE RAISED
HAND FEATURE IN ZOOM IF YOU
WANT TO GET INTO THE QUEUE TO
MAKE COMMENTS AFTER OIR
FINISHES WITH PRESENTATION.
>> I WILL HANDED OFF TO HANNAH
TO TALK ABOUT EDUCATION.
>> THANKS, QUINN.
IN ADDITION TO THE FUNDING BEEN
INCLUDED IN BOTH BUDGETS, THE
VEHICLES ARE BOTH ALIVE AND OUT
OF THEIR RESPECTIVE POLICY
COMMITTEES AND MOVING INTO
FISCAL.
THE BILLS WERE AMENDED IN
COMMITTEE TO COME A LITTLE
CLOSER TOGETHER.
THEY STILL VARY IN
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINES.
THE SENATE BILL HAS A MORE
EXPEDITED APPROACH TO ALL OF
THIS WITH THE UPDATES.
THE FINAL DETAILS ARE STILL
BEING NEGOTIATED.
THAT INCLUDES WHICH WILL BE THE
FINAL VEHICLE.
THAT IS THE BIG UPDATE IN
EDUCATION.
>> IN THE ENVIRONMENT, AND
LITTLE BIT OF MOVEMENT IN
ACTION LAST WEEK.
ON SATURDAY, THE SENATE HEARD,
THE SENATE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE HEARD THE GREENFIELD
STANDARD LEGISLATION, HOUSE BILL
1091.
THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR EXECUTIVE
SESSION TOMORROW.
THE CLIMATE COMMITMENT ACT LAST
MONDAY AFTER OUR BRIEFING WAS
VOTED OUT OF WAYS AND MEANS.
IT IS NOW IN THE RULES
COMMITTEE.
AND FINALLY, SENATE BILL 5141
IS SCHEDULED FOR A HEARING IN
APPROPRIATIONS TOMORROW.
IN GENERAL GOVERNMENT, JUST TWO
SMALL UPDATES.
HOUSE BILL 1173, THE STATE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
LEGISLATION THAT WAS VOTED OUT
OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE AND NOW
HAS A HEARING IN SENATE WAYS
AND MEANS COMING UP TOMORROW AT
1:30.
SIMILARLY, HOUSE BILL 1258, THE
MICRO ENTERPRISE HOME KITCHEN
LEGISLATION, WAS VOTED OUT OF
POLICY COMMITTEE LAST WEEK AND
HAS A HEARING COMING UP ON
WEDNESDAY.
IN WAYS AND MEANS.
>> IN HEALTHCARE, HOUSE BILL
1273 IS SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC
HEARING TOMORROW IN WAYS AND
MEANS.
HOUSE BILL 1477, THE NATIONAL
988 NUMBER WE WERE FOLLOWING
CLOSELY, THAT HAS GONE TO WAYS
AND MEANS.
5068, THE POSTPARTUM MEDICAID,
HAS BEEN PLACED ON SECOND
READING.
AND SENATE BILL 5313, WHICH IS
THE HEALTH INSURANCE
DISCRIMINATION BILL, THAT PAST
THE HOUSE LAST WEEK IN A 57-41
VOTE.
I WILL MOVE ON TO HOUSING.
>> IF YOU UPDATES ON HOUSING
BILLS FOR THIS WEEK.
HOUSE BILL 1220, THAT DOES SOME
THINGS ABOUT HOUSING AND
INCLUDES SOME LANGUAGE ON
MAKING SURE THAT FACILITIES
THAT SERVE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS ARE AS ABLE TO BE
OFFERED IN AREAS THAT ARE ZONED
FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS HAS A
HEARING IN THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON.
HOUSE BILL 1277, THE DOCUMENT
RECORDING BILL THAT EXPANDS
DOCUMENT RECORDING FEES BY $100
AND WOULD GENERATE OVER $100
MILLION STATEWIDE PAST THE
HOUSE WITH FAIRLY SHORT DEBATE.
IN THE PAST, IT HAS BEEN VERY
DIFFICULT TO GET DOCUMENT
RECORDING FEES INCREASED. IT IS
INTERESTING THAT IT PASSED
QUITE EASILY YESTERDAY IN THE
HOUSE.
NOW IT IS ONTO THE SENATE.
THERE WERE SOME AMENDMENTS MADE
TO SENATE BILL 5160, WHICH
PROVIDES PROTECTIONS WITH THE
ENDING OF THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM.
THERE WERE QUITE A FEW SMALL
CHANGES, BUT THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE
THAT IT PROVIDES THAT A
PROPERTY OWNER MAY NOT REPORT A
NONPAYMENT OF THREATS TO
ANOTHER PROPERTY OWNER FROM
MARCH 1, 2020 UNTIL SIX MONTHS
AFTER THE END OF THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM.
ALSO, IT SAYS THAT A
PROSPECTIVE PROPERTY OWNER
CANNOT DENY A 10 AND A TENDENCY
BASED ON MEDICAL HISTORY AND
MAY NOT ASK FOR MEDICAL
RECORDS.
IT SETS THE PARAMETERS FOR WIN
LANDLORDS MUST OFFER A PAYMENT
PLAN OF THAT SAME MARCH 1 DATE
THROUGH THE EXPIRATION OF THE
EVICTION MORATORIUM, SIX MONTHS
AFTER THE EXPIRY OF THE
EVICTION MORATORIUM OR THE END
OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY,
WHICHEVER IS GREATER.
IT ALSO INCREASES HOW MUCH THE
LANDLORDS CAN GET FROM THE
LANDLORD MITIGATION PROGRAM UP
TO $15,000 PER THAT BILL IS
SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
IN APPROPRIATIONS ON WEDNESDAY.
I CAN MOVE ON FROM HOUSING TO
POLICE REFORM.
A COUPLE OF UPDATES THERE.
HOUSE BILL 1267, THE GOVERNOR'S
REQUEST LEGISLATION THAT WILL
ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE
CENTRALIZED INVESTIGATIONS
ENTITY FOR USE OF FORCE.
IT HAS A HEARING IN THE WAYS
AND MEANS COMMITTEE ON
WEDNESDAY, AS DOES HOUSE BILL
1310 ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
NEW STANDARD FOR USE OF FORCE.
SENATE BILL 5051, SENATOR
PEDERSEN'S OVERSIGHT AND
ACCOUNTABILITY OF PEACE
OFFICERS BILL HAS A HEARING IN
THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ON
WEDNESDAY.
SENATE BILL 5066, THE DUTY TO
INTERVENE BILL, IS ALSO BEING
HEARD IN APPROPRIATIONS ON
WEDNESDAY.
THESE ARE SOME PRETTY
SIGNIFICANT POLICE REFORM BILLS
THAT ARE CONTINUING TO MOVE ON
IN BOTH CHAMBERS.
SWITCHING GEARS TO PUBLIC
SAFETY.
THIS IS AN AREA WHERE THERE IS
QUITE A BIT OF NEWS THIS WEEK.
SENATE BILL 5038 THAT
ELIMINATES OPEN CARRY AT THE
STATE CAPITAL AND PUBLIC
DEMONSTRATIONS PAST THE HOUSE
YESTERDAY AFTER AN AFTERNOON
AND EVENING DEBATE ON A
PARTYLINE VOTE.
THAT IS QUITE A SUBSTANTIAL
PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT
PASSED YESTERDAY, QUITE
HISTORIC.
I WANTED TO TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT
THE LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE TO THE
BLAKE DECISION.
CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN LAWMAKERS
ARE CURRENTLY ONGOING.
TWO BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED
LAST WEEK ANOTHER BILL HAS A
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED AS OF
THIS MORNING ONE SENATE BILL
WOULD DECRIMINALIZE POSSESSION
OF DRUGS.
IT WOULD ESTABLISH A
LEGISLATIVE WORKGROUP THAT
WOULD HOLD PUBLIC MEETINGS TO
STUDY THE IMPACT OF THE
DECISION.
ANOTHER SENATE BILL HAS BEEN
INTRODUCED, WHICH ESTABLISHES
PERSONAL USE AMOUNTS FOR
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND
REMOVES CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR
POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCES THAT DON'T EXCEED
THAT PERSONAL USE AMOUNT AS
ESTABLISHED IN THE STATE LAW.
IT ALSO AUTHORIZES LAW
ENFORCEMENT TO REFER
INDIVIDUALS POSSESSING PERSONAL
USE AMOUNT TO A FORENSIC
NAVIGATOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF
EVALUATION AND TREATMENT.
THIS IS AN APPROACH MORE
FOCUSED ON REFERRING PEOPLE TO
SERVICES VERSUS RE-
CRIMINALIZING.
I THINK THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE
FOR MY REPORT THIS WEEK.
>> IN SAFETY NET AND CIVIL
RIGHTS, IT HAS A PUBLIC HEARING
TOMORROW IN WAYS AND MEANS.
HOUSE BILL 1078 THAT RESTORES
VOTER ELIGIBILITY PASSED THE
SENATE, 27-22.
HOUSE BILL 1151, A BIG ON THE
BUS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BILL,
PASSED OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR, 34-
14 LAST WEEK.
AND THE WORKING FAMILY TAX
CREDIT HAS A PUBLIC HEARING IN
WAYS AND MEANS TOMORROW.
>> THE BIG NEWS IS THE RELEASE
ON TRANSPORTATION BUDGETS.
I DO WANT TO DISTINGUISH, THESE
ARE OUR CURRENT LAW BUDGETS,
WHICH DON'T ASSUME ANY NEW
REVENUE.
THEY ARE DISTINCT FROM WHAT WE
MORE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A
TRANSPORTATION REVENUE PACKAGE,
WHICH WOULD BE WHERE WE WOULD
BE LOOKING AT SOME SUBSTANTIAL
NEW FUNDING FOR PROJECTS.
IN THAT CONTEXT, AS LILY
MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING,
WHILE OVERALL OPERATING REVENUES
HAVE CONTINUED TO INCREASE
SINCE THE LOW POINT IN THE
SUMMER, TRANSPORTATION REVENUES
HAVE NOT.
THEY CONTINUE TO BE DOWN ALMOST,
ACTUALLY MORE THAN $1 BILLION
OVER THE CURRENT BIENNIUM AND
THE NEXT.
THAT WAS ADDRESSED. I GUESS
SOME PROGRESS WAS MADE WITH THE
DECISION BY THE SUPREME COURT
ON RESTORING ABOUT $300 MILLION.
THERE WAS STILL A SUBSTANTIAL
SHORTFALL IN THE BUDGET.
BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE
ADDRESSED THAT BY APPROPRIATING
APPROXIMATELY $1 BILLION IN
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING
TO BACKFILL THAT.
THAT BY AND LARGE PREVENTED ANY
SIGNIFICANT CUTS OR DELAYS IN
PROJECTS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND
SENATE BUDGETS, WHICH IS GOOD.
WE HAVE PROJECTS THAT ARE
FUNDED LARGELY THROUGH THE 2015
PACKAGE CONNECTING WASHINGTON
THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE
DELAYED.
IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE
BUDGET DOES NOT INCLUDE MANY
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS, BUT I
THINK IT IS WORTH NOTING JUST A
HANDFUL.
THE SENATE BUDGET LARGELY
DIRECTS THE SMALL INCREASES IN
FUNDING THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO
STARTING A HANDFUL OF PROJECTS
AROUND THE STATES, NONE OF
WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN SEATTLE.
IT ALSO INCLUDES APPROXIMATELY
$4.1 MILLION TO CONTINUE THE
STUDY OF ROAD USAGE CHARGED BY
THE STATE AS A POTENTIAL
REPLACEMENT FOR THE GAS TAX.
THE HOUSE BUDGET INCLUDES SOME
INCREASES TO FUNDING FOR
MULTIMODAL GRANTS, AS WELL AS
GREEN TRANSPORTATION GRANTS,
APPROXIMATELY $10 MILLION AND
$15 MILLION FOR THOSE PROJECTS.
THERE ARE SOME SMALL
DIFFERENCES, BUT OVERALL,
DOMINANTLY, A MAINTENANCE
BUDGET THAT ALSO MEETS THE
OBLIGATION OF THE STATE TO FUND
FISH PASSAGE BARRIER REMOVALS
STATEWIDE.
THE ONLY OTHER UPDATE IN THE
TRANSPORTATIONS BASE IS HOUSE
BILL 1301, WHICH WOULD ALLOW
SOUND TRANSIT TO PROVIDE
ALTERNATIVE FAIR ENFORCEMENT,
INCLUDING WARNINGS WITHOUT
CITATIONS.
THAT LEGISLATION IS SCHEDULED
FOR EXECUTIVES POSSESSION
TOMORROW AT 1:30.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR
PRESENTATION.
WE ARE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY
QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, QUINN,
ROBIN, HANNAH, LILY.
WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE HARD
WORK.
THERE ARE SOME GREAT THINGS
COMING OUT OF THE STATE
LEGISLATURE AS IT RELATES TO
SOME OF THESE BUDGET ITEMS.
I AM EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON
THIS REPORT?
COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA,
PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOOD MORNING.
THANKS FOR THE REPORT.
FIRST, ON HOUSE BILL 1220,
THANK YOU FOR REPORTING OUT ON
THE PROGRESS OF THAT BILL.
THIS IS A BIG PRIORITY FOR THE
CITY AND OUR REGION AS WE TRY
TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE HOUSE
FOLKS AND KEEP THEM SAFELY
HOUSED.
IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT
THE COUNCIL OR OUR PARTNERS
NEED ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE IN
THIS LAST LEG? OR YOU PRETTY
POSITIVE IN ITS PASSAGE?
>> THERE ARE STILL SOME
NEGOTIATIONS HAPPENING ON HOUSE
BILL 1220.
WE WILL CERTAINLY LET YOU KNOW.
I THINK RIGHT NOW, WE ARE IN AN
OKAY POSITION.
I WILL CERTAINLY LET YOU AND
OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS KNOW IF WE
THINK THERE IS SOME HELP WE CAN
DO TO GET IT OVER THE FINISH
LINE.
>> THANK YOU.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE
OTHER ASSOCIATIONS THAT WE ARE
PART OF, INCLUDING THE
ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON
STATE, TO HELP US AND OTHERS
WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE BILL.
I THINK THE COUNCILMEMBERS FOR
THEIR ENGAGEMENT IN HOW WE CAN
HELP. AND THEN, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, I DO HAVE ONE MORE
BILL I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT.
QUINN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
YOUR CORRESPONDENCE ON SENATE
BILL 5354.
I AM WONDERING IF YOU MIGHT BE
ABLE TO LET US KNOW IF THERE IS
ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE OR
HOW THE CITY IS WEIGHING IN ON
THE FLAGGER BILL TO MAKE SURE
THAT PEACE OFFICERS ARE NO
LONGER TRAFFIC COORDINATORS.
>> THAT LEGISLATION PASSED THE
SENATE I BELIEVE WITH A RATHER
ROBUST MARGIN.
WE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE
LEGISLATION AND, AS IT HAS
PROCEEDED TO THE HOUSE AND
QUESTIONS HAVE COME UP ABOUT
HOW IT WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED, WE
HAVE BEEN WORKING TO ANSWER
THOSE QUESTIONS FOR LEGISLATORS
AND COMMITTEE STAFF AND TO
ASSUAGE ANY CONCERNS THAT THEY
HAVE.
WHAT ABOUT X SCENARIO OR Y
SCENARIO?
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR A
COMMITTEE VOTE TODAY.
THE LEGISLATORS THAT I HAVE
SPOKEN TO THAT WE HAVE PROVIDED
INFORMATION TO, I THINK AFTER
THEY GET THEIR QUESTIONS
ANSWERED, THEY HAVE ALL BEEN
SUPPORTIVE.
I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER, YOU WERE
REACHING OUT TO MEMBERS OF THE
COMMITTEE TO EXPRESS SUPPORT,
AS WELL.
I DON'T GET THE SENSE THAT THE
LEGISLATION IS IN DANGER.
I THINK THERE WERE QUESTIONS
THAT NEEDED TO BE ANSWERED.
I AM HAPPY TO CONTINUE TO
ENGAGE THEIR AND WORK ON THAT
LEGISLATION.
>> I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE HIM
YOUR -- NO, COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA, STATE AND LOCAL HERE,
THEY GOT AN OVERVIEW OF THIS.
WE SAY WE WERE HAPPY TO CONNECT
AT ANY POINT IF THEY FELT LIKE
THE BILL NEEDED AN ADDITIONAL
PORCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COLLEAGUES.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
LILY, DO YOU WANT TO CLOSE US
OUT?
THEN WE WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE
TO THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM.
>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR REPORT
TODAY.
WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
>> THANK YOU, EVERYONE FROM
HAWAII E.R.
YOU ARE FREE TO LEAVE NOW --
EVERYONE FROM OIR.
YOU ARE FREE TO LEAVE NOW.
>>> AS A REMINDER, ROLL CALL
FOR TODAY'S ROTATION BEGINS
WITH COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
FOLLOWED BY PEDERSEN, AND SO
ON.
AND THEN I WILL CONCLUDE THE
AGENDA DISCUSSION.
FIRST UP IS MOSQUEDA.
TAKE IT AWAY.
>> MY STAFF REMINDED ME, SO I
WILL SAY HAPPY HOLIDAY TO FOLKS
WERE CELEBRATING AND RECOGNIZE
THIS HOLIDAY, INCLUDING IN MY
OFFICE.
THE FIRST ITEM TO REPORT ON IS
THAT THERE ARE NO ITEMS FROM
THE HOUSING AND FINANCE
COMMITTEE ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
THE FINANCE AND HOUSING
COMMITTEE IS GOING TO MEET
AGAIN X TUESDAY AT 9:30 AM.
INCLUDED ON OUR TENTATIVE
AGENDA IS AN ONGOING
CONVERSATION THAT WILL BEGIN IN
EARNEST ABOUT THE AMERICAN
RESCUE PLAN ACT.
WE HAD A MEMO, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH TO THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
WE HAVE PROVIDED FOR YOU A
CALENDAR FOR YOUR REFERENCE.
ALL COUNCILMEMBERS ARE INVITED
TO ATTEND IF YOU LIKE TO COME
BUT YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO
PARTICIPATE.
IF YOU ARE NOT ON THE
COMMITTEE, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO
BRING SOMETHING FORWARD AND
OFFERED TO BE A SPONSOR FOR
SOMETHING IN OUR DISCUSSIONS.
WE WILL ENDEAVOR TO HAVE THE
ARPA DISCUSSIONS IN THE FIRST
HALF OF OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS
GOING FORWARD.
IN THE MEMO, YOU WILL SEE THERE
ARE THE DATES NOTED FOR ALL OF
OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
WE HAVE ALSO INCLUDED AT LEAST
ONE SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING
MONTHLY BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE.
IS POSSIBLE THAT WE MIGHT NOT
NEED THE EXTRA TIME.
FOR MY COLLEAGUES ON THE
COMMITTEE, PLEASE NOTE WE WILL
KEEP YOU UPDATED IF WE DO NEED
THOSE TIMES.
WE WANTED TO HAVE THEM ON THE
CALENDAR JUST IN CASE.
WE WILL ENDEAVOR TO HAVE TWO
PIECES OF LEGISLATION.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US
TO LOOK AT THIS FUNDING AND
IDENTIFY WHICH ALLOCATION CAN
BE SENT OUT AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE BEFORE JUNE 20
PROGRAMS RELIANT ON FEDERAL
DOLLARS DON'T HIT A CLIFF AND
WE CAN ACT QUICKLY WITH THE
FIRST ALLOCATION OCCURRING
BEFORE JUNE.
THEN WE WILL SHIFT OVER TO
ORDINANCE NUMBER TWO, THE
SECOND ALLOCATION, TO ALLOW FOR
US TO THINK ABOUT IT A LITTLE
BIT MORE LONG-TERM RECOVERY
EFFORT.
AS A REMINDER, TRANCHE TWO FROM
THE ARPA FUNDS, THAT WILL COME
12 MONTHS LATER.
IT IS A REALLY EXCITING
OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PARTNER
WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,
WHO HAS PROVIDED UP TO $239
MILLION FOR THE CITY OF SEATTLE
FOR US TO USE.
WE ARE DIVIDING IT IN THESE
THREE BUCKETS SO WE CAN
CONTINUE TO WORK VERY QUICKLY
WITH THE EXECUTIVE, WITH
COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND TO GET
MONEY OUT THE DOOR SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
AND YOUR PARTICIPATION TO THE
DEGREE THAT YOU ARE ON THE
úCOMMITTEE AND ARE ABLE TO
ATTEND OR TO NOTIFY ME AND
CENTRAL STAFF AND WE WILL BRING
ITEMS FOR TO YOU, THIS WILL
ALLOW US TO MOVE RELATIVELY
QUICKLY.
THIS IS BOTH FOR WORKERS AND
SMALL BUSINESSES WERE MOST
HONORABLE AND OUR COMMUNITY AT
LARGE AS WE EAGERLY ANTICIPATE
OPENING OUR ECONOMY IN A
HEALTHY AND EQUITABLE WAY.
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU DO
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON IT.
THE FINANCE AND HOUSING
COMMITTEE MEETS ON THE FIRST
AND THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH
AT 9:30 AM.
YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE WAS ONE
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL FINANCE AND
HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING EACH
MONTH.
WE WILL KEEP THE FULL COUNCIL
UPDATED IF WE NEED THOSE
SELECT BUDGET MEETINGS.
WE HAVE ALSO INCLUDED A PUBLIC
HEATING FOR ONE MEETING AS WELL.
WE WILL MAKE SURE ALL THE
PEOPLE CAN CALL IN AND INVITE
OTHERS TO JOIN, AS WELL.
IF YOU DO HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,
PLEASE DO LET ME KNOW.
WE WILL ALSO SEND A CALENDAR
FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE ON THEIR
CALENDAR JUST AS AN FYI.
AGAIN, FOR OUR COLLEAGUES WERE
PART OF THE FINANCING HOUSING
COMMITTEE MEETING, WE HAVE
ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL TIME SO WE
CAN DO BOTH OUR DISCUSSION FOR
THE FIRST HALF AND ANY
CONTINUED BUSINESS AS NEEDED IN
THE SECOND HALF.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR
TIME.
WE HAVE PUT THAT ADDITIONAL
TIME ON YOUR CALENDAR, LOOKING
TO WRAP UP BY 1 PM AT THE VERY
LATEST, MAKING SURE TO BE
CONSCIOUS OF OUR TIME AND USE
IT VERY EFFICIENTLY.
LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS ON THAT.
NEXT IN TERMS OF OTHER UPDATES,
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE RENTAL
ASSISTANCE BILL IN OUR
COMMITTEE AGAIN NEXT WEDNESDAY.
THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, FOR
PROVIDING YOUR FEEDBACK IN THE
FORM OF AMENDMENTS TO THE
RENTAL ASSISTANCE BILL.
THE DEADLINE WAS LAST FRIDAY AT
NOON.
CENTRAL STAFF IS WORKING ON A
HANDFUL OF AMENDMENTS.
WE WILL UPDATE FOLKS AND HAVE
AN OVERVIEW OF THOSE AMENDMENTS
AVAILABLE FOR BRIEFING NEXT
MONDAY AND FOR DISCUSSION,
DELIBERATION, ANY POSSIBLE VOTE
NEXT TUESDAY.
I AM EXCITED TO WORK WITH ALL
OF YOU AS WE GET THE FUNDING
OUT THE DOOR AND EXCITED TO
LEARN ABOUT THE EXTENSION ON
THE MORATORIUM OF EVICTIONS.
CITY, STATE, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
WORKING HAND-IN-HAND TO MAKE
SURE PEOPLE DON'T FACE EVICTION
AND THEY HAVE STABLE HOUSING
AND SUPPORT IN TERMS OF JOB
SECURITY.
THAT IS GOING TO BE THE GOAL AS
WE LOOK AT THE ARPA FUNDS
COMING FORWARD.
MUCH MORE THAT TO COME NEXT
TUESDAY.
IN TERMS OF OTHER UPDATES, LAST
THURSDAY, MARCH 24 WAS EQUAL
PAY DAY.
MANY OF US PUT INFORMATION OUT
ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND
NEWSLETTERS ABOUT IT.
I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION
THAT THE DATE OF MARCH 24 MARKS
THE DATE THAT AVERAGE WOMEN, SO
PREDOMINANTLY WHITE WOMEN, ARE
ABLE TO FINALLY CATCH UP IN
TERMS OF PAY THAT A WHITE MAN
MAKES IN A CALENDAR YEAR.
TAKES ANOTHER 3 1/2 MONTHS TO
MAKE SURE THAT THE AVERAGE WOMAN
GETS THE SAME COMPENSATION.
HOWEVER, I DID WANT TO NOTE
THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT AS WE
ALSO CALL OUT EQUAL PAY DAY
THAT EQUAL PAY DAY FOR BLACK
WOMEN IS NOT UNTIL AUGUST 3.
FOR NATIVE AMERICAN AND
INDIGENOUS WOMEN, IT IS
SEPTEMBER 8. FOR LATINA WOMEN,
EQUAL PAY IS OCTOBER 21.
OVERALL, WOMEN IN THIS COUNTRY,
WOMEN OF COLOR IN THIS COUNTRY
NEED TO WORK NEARLY A YEAR AND
A HALF TO ALMOST 2 YEARS LONGER
TO EARN THE SAME WAGE AS THEIR
MALE COUNTERPARTS.
I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT
REMINDER AS WE HEAD INTO THE
DISCUSSION ABOUT CORPORATE
RELIEF, BUT ALSO REMEMBER THAT
THIS WAS THE PROBLEM BEFORE
COVID.
COVID EXACERBATED THIS PROBLEM.
TWO OUT OF EVERY THREE WOMEN
ARE NOW FRONT-LINE WORKERS AND
HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY
COVID.
WOMEN OF COLOR, PARTICULARLY
BLACK WOMEN, ONE OUT OF THREE
WHO WORK ARE WORKING ON THE
FRONTLINE TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY
SAFE, HEALTHY, AND ALL.
THEIR WORKING SECTORS OF OUR
ECONOMY THAT WERE HIT HARDEST
BY THE SHUTDOWNS, LIKE
HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, AND THESE
POSITIONS ARE
DISPROPORTIONATELY FILLED BY
WOMEN.
LAST WEEK, WE TALKED ABOUT
CHILDCARE.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP
THAT IN CONTEXT, WHILE, WITH
LACK OF ACCESS TO CHILDCARE,
ESPECIALLY WITH A LACK OF IN-
PERSON SCHOOLING DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
NEARLY 3 MILLION WOMEN HAVE LEFT
THE WORKFORCE ACCORDING TO A
REPORT RECENTLY BY NPR.
THIS DISPROPORTIONATE LY AFFECTS
SINGLE MOTHERS, WHO HAVE HAD TO
STRUGGLE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS
APPROPRIATE CARE FOR THEIR
FAMILIES WHILE KEEPING FOOD ON
THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER THEIR
HEADS.
WHICH OF THIS WE HAVE HELPED TO
TRY TO MITIGATE AT THE LOCAL
LEVEL.
OUR STATISTICS HAVE BEEN
REPORTED AS MUCH BETTER LOCALLY
BOTH IN SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY
COMPARED TO THE NATIONAL
AVERAGE, WHICH IS 40% OF CHILD
CARE FACILITIES CLOSING
NATIONALLY.
BOTH PAY EQUITY AND ACCESS TO
GOOD LIVING WAGE JOBS AND
ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE
IS GOING TO BE A PRIORITY AS WE
THINK ABOUT CREATING MORE
EQUITABLE RECOVERY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
ALL OF YOU ON THAT.
LASTLY, I WANT TO PROVIDE A FEW
UPDATES ON THE ACTIVITIES THAT
WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN OUR
OFFICE.
LAST WEEK, I HAD A CHANCE TO
HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH CHIEF
DIAZ AS A FOLLOW-UP CONVERSATION
TO A ZOOM MEETING THAT WE HAD.
WE WANTED TO HAVE A FOLLOW-UP
MEETING BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE
EXPERIENCES THAT NEIGHBORHOOD
ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESS
LEADERS HAVE HAD WITH OFFICERS
SHOWING UP AND SAYING THERE WAS
NOTHING THEY COULD DO.
THEY NEEDED TO CALL CITY
COUNCIL.
CHIEF DIAZ REITERATED THAT THIS
IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE.
WE NEED TO DO IS MAKE SURE
THERE IS A TRIAGE SYSTEM SO IF
AN OFFICER SHOWS UP AND IT IS
NOT A CRIME RELATED ISSUE, SPD
HAS A WAY TO TRIAGE THOSE CALLS
OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS WITHIN
THE CITY PEOPLE GET APPROPRIATE
RESPONSES.
I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO
THAT.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD WITH TRYING TO MAKE
SURE THAT THOSE MENTAL HEALTH
CALLS ARE GETTING TRIAGED TO
THE RIGHT PLACE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
HER ON THAT.
I THINK CHIEF DIAZ FOR THE
COMMENT MADE IN THAT MEETING.
ALSO, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE KING COUNTY
REGIONAL SUMMIT, COMING
TOGETHER WITH MANY OF YOU AND
LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE GO
FIRST STRATEGY TO ADDRESS THE
ISSUES OF GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR
REGION.
I ATTENDED THE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING COMMITTEE AND HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE REGIONAL POLICY COMMITTEE
MEETING TO DISCUSS THE BEST
STARTS FOR KIDS LEVY.
I WAS VERY EXCITED TO SEE THE
PROPOSAL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY OUT
OF THE COMMITTEE. THIS IS A
VERY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR
US TO OFFER TO VOTERS THE
CHANCE TO PASS $872 MILLION
OVER THE TERM OF THE 60 OR LEVY
TO BRING FUNDING INTO OUR
REGION TO INVEST BACK INTO KIDS
IN A MORE EQUITABLE WAY.
I THINK COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
FOR THE AMENDMENT SHE BROUGHT
FORWARD.
JUST A NOTE THAT THE IMPORTANCE
OF THIS, I HAVE A QUOTE FROM
THE 25 SEIU LETTER WHERE THEY
SAID IN THEIR STATEMENT
ENCOURAGING US TO PASS THIS,
BEST STARTS FOR KIDS REPRESENTS
A SINGLE HER OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY
CARE AND INVEST IN THE
WORKFORCE AT THE VERY SAME
TIME.
CHILDCARE IS ASKED --
ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO THE
REOPENING OF OUR ECONOMY.
THEY TALK ABOUT ACCESS TO CARE
AND MAKING SURE IT IS BOTH
EQUITABLE IN TERMS OF ACCESS
FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND FOR
THE LARGELY WOMEN OF COLOR
WORKFORCE THAT MAKES UP OUR
CHILDCARE NETWORK.
VERY BRIEFLY, LAST WEEK, I DID
NOT GET A CHANCE TO NOTE A FEW
THINGS FROM THE OFFICE OF
LABOR'S HUNDREDS.
FOR FOLKS WHO ARE FOLLOWING THE
GROCERY STORE HAZARD PAY
ORDINANCE, A WEBINAR HAS BEEN
RELEASED FOR GROCERY PAY.
A Q&A DOCUMENT ON THE WEBSITE
HAS PROVIDED A FACT SHEET IN
MULTIPLE LANGUAGES.
THERE IS A JOINT WEBINAR THAT
THEY HAVE DONE WITH THE OFFICE
OF CIVIL RIGHTS ON DOMESTIC
WORKER PROTECTIONS.
AS A REMINDER, A BILL OF RIGHTS
FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS WAS PASSED
IN 2018.
THEY HAVE BEEN DILIGENTLY
WORKING ON RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
EACH WE WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE
THIS SUMMER.
THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE THE
CHANCE TO RESPOND TO THOSE
RECOMMENDATIONS SO THEY DON'T
SIT ON THE SHELF AND GATHERED
THE HOSPITAL WE WANT TO WELCOME
NEW STAFF MEMBERS.
THEY WILL ADD TO THEIR
ENFORCEMENT TEAM AND POLICY
TEAM.
TWO SENIOR INVESTIGATORS, AND
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE SENIOR
INVESTIGATOR AND POLICY ANALYST
WHO WILL BE JOINING IN LATE
APRIL.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DON'T
JUST PASS LEGISLATION, BUT WE
ALSO HAVE EDUCATION AND
ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE LAWS ARE MEANINGFUL.
FINALLY, FAS HAS DONE A
TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK IN
TERMS OF PLANNING FOR THE LUMEN
FIELDS SUPPORTING SEATTLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT IN THEIR ONGOING
VACCINATIONS IN POP
APPLICATIONS.
AS YOU HAVE HEARD, THE
CONVERTED TESTING FIGHTS INTO
MORE AVAILABLE VACCINATION
SITES.
FAS IS REALLY HELPING TO
PROVIDE THE ROADMAP TO MAKE
SURE WE HAVE 22,000 DOSES
ALLOCATED PER DAY.
THEY ARE ALSO HOLDING THEIR
ANNUAL MEETING ABOUT THE ANIMAL
SHELTER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.
AND THEY HAVE MADE SURE THAT
MORE PEOPLE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES
TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE IN
SHELTERING ANIMALS IN THIS AREA
IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
WE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE
TAKEN ON NEW PETS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY
HOUSED.
ALSO, LAST WEEK, THEY PROVIDED
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
THERE IS A SCHOOL MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
SCHOOL BOARD ANY THIRD-PARTY
ADMINISTRATOR EARLIER THIS
MONTH, THEY SIGNED IT AND MADE
SURE THAT FAS IS GOING TO BE
MONITORING AND SUPPORTING AND
ADMINISTERING THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENT AND
COMMUNITY WORKFORCE AGREEMENT
AND ASSOCIATED SOCIAL EQUITY
PROVISIONS.
I WILL END THERE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR
YOUR ONGOING CONVERSATIONS AND
OUR FINANCE AND HOUSING
COMMITTEE.
I HOPE TO SEE MANY OF YOU
STARTING NEXT TUESDAY AT 9:30
AM.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER
OSQUEDA FOR THAT REPORT.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS ON THAT REPORT?
OKAY, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE
NONE.
OKAY, COLLEAGUES.
WE STILL HAVE EIGHT OF US TO
GET THROUGH AND AN EXECUTIVE
SESSION THAT WE ARE PLANNING.
IS CURRENTLY ALMOST 10:20 AM.
I WILL HEADED OVER TO
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN FOR HIS
REMARKS.
AFTER THAT IS COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
>> GOOD MORNING, COLLEAGUES.
OUR TRANSPORTATION AND
UTILITIES COMMITTEE HAS ONE ITEM
ON THE FULL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA.
AT OUR COMMITTEE ON MARCH 17,
WE ACCEPT THE COUNCIL BILL
120015 TO REAFFIRM ELECTRICITY
RATES FOR SEATTLE CITY LIGHT.
I AM PLEASED THAT CITY LIGHT
HAS MANAGED TO TAKE VARIOUS
ACTIONS THAT SHOULD AMAZINGLY
RESULT IN NO NECK -- THAT
INCREASE IN CUSTOMER BUILT THIS
YEAR.
EVERY COMBINATION OF ACTIONS,
WE CAN CONTINUE TO PREVENT AN
INCREASE IN BILLS THIS YEAR.
IN ADDITION, CITY LIGHT WILL BE
KEEPING THEIR PROMISE FOR NEXT
YEAR, 2022, BY STICKING WITH
THE ORIGINAL REDPATH AGREED TO
BACK IN 2018. I APPRECIATE
PUBLIC UTILITIES FOCUSING ON
AFFORDABILITY.
OUR NEXT MEETING IS WEDNESDAY,
APRIL 7 AT 9:30 AM.
AT OUR APRIL 7 COMMITTEE, WE
WILL HEAR FROM SEATTLE PUBLIC
UTILITIES ON THEIR STRATEGIC
PLAN.
THIS WILL LEAD INTO A
DISCUSSION ABOUT SPU RATES FOR
CLEAN WATER, WASTEWATER, TRASH,
RECYCLING, AND COMPOST.
OUR CITY HAS BECOME LESS
AFFORDABLE AND UTILITY BILLS
ARE REGRESSIVE.
WE WANT TO KEEP COSTS DOWN TO
KEEP RATES LOW.
IDEALLY, YOU CAN KEEP OR EVEN
IMPROVE UPON THE PROMISES MADE
FROM THE PREVIOUS STRATEGIC
PLAN.
ARE IN THE, OUR CITY-OWNED
UTILITIES HAVE MANAGED TO KEEP
RATES STEADY TO INCREASE
ENROLLMENT IN THE UTILITY
DISCOUNT PROGRAM AND TO WAIVE
LATE FEES.
DUE TO OUR GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
WITH KING COUNTY FOR WASTE AND
WATER TREATMENT, THE MAJORITY
OF THE KING COUNTY COUNCIL
RAISED THEIR WASTEWATER
TREATMENT FEE, WHICH IS PASSED
DIRECTLY THROUGH TO SEATTLE
RESIDENTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE KING COUNTY
GOING FORWARD MAKE GROWTH PAY
FOR GROWTH, ESPECIALLY IN REAL
ESTATE DEVELOPMENT IN SUBURBAN
AND RURAL AREAS OF THE COUNTY.
IN DISTRICT 4, LAST WEEK I
JOINED SEVERAL COMMUNITY
LEADERS AND NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SERVICES
TO THE 850 LOW INCOME RESIDENTS
WHO CALL MADISON PARK HOME.
WE MET TO DISCUSS CRIME
PREVENTION SOLUTIONS, BECAUSE
THERE HAS BEEN AN UPTICK IN
THEFTS AND OTHER ILLICIT
ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE PARK.
WE WERE JOINED BY THE PARKS
DEPARTMENT.
ALTHOUGH WE ARE STILL WAITING
FOR SPD TO FILL THE OPEN CRIME
PREVENTION COORDINATOR POSITION
TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE VAST
NORTH PRECINCT, WE WERE ABLE TO
HAVE THEIR SUPERVISOR ATTEMPT
TO LISTEN AND PROVIDE SOME
INSIGHTS.
COLLEAGUES, WHAT TO THESE FIVE
NAMES HAVE IN COMMON?
FORCED THE PLUNGER, DAPHNE,
MOLLY THE MALL, ANSWERED DIGS A
LOT?
THESE ARE THE FINALISTS FOR
NAMING THE NEW TUNNEL BORING
MACHINE THAT WILL ENABLE THE
CITY AND COUNTY TO COMPLETE BY
YEAR 2025 OUR AMBITIOUS 2.7
MILE, 19 FOOT DIAMETER SHIP
CANAL, WATER QUALITY PROJECT.
AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE AND
FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO PREVENT
HARMFUL STORM WATER AND
WASTEWATER FROM POLLUTING OUR
LOCAL WATERWAYS, WE ARE
INVESTING A COMBINED $570
MILLION. I LIKE TO THANK THE
SEATTLE TIMES FOR THEIR
INCREASING FOCUS ON THESE LARGE
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS,
INCLUDING THIS ARTICLE ON THE
WATER QUALITY PROJECT THAT WAS
RECENTLY PUBLISHED.
AS WITH ALL LARGE CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, THIS IS
ON THE WATCHLIST AND WILL
RECEIVE MORE SCRUTINY AS WE
MOVE AHEAD TO MAKE SURE WE
CONTAIN COSTS AND PRODUCE A
HIGH QUALITY PROJECT ON TIME.
WHILE THIS PROJECT IS LED BY
SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES, IT
INVOLVES MULTIPLE LAYERS OF
GOVERNMENT AND IS LITERALLY
SEVERAL MOVING PIECES.
TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE NAME
FOR THIS NEW DRILL THROUGH THIS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, YOU CAN GO
TO MY CITY COUNCIL BLOG.
I WANT TO THANK THE WASHINGTON
STATE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION FOR THEIR
PROACTIVITY ON BRIDGES.
WE HAVE A BRIDGE THAT IMPACTS
THE REGION.'S TRANSPORTATION
SHARE, I WANT TO REITERATE THE
ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE
WASHINGTON D.O.T.
THAT THEY WILL BE REPAIRING
THAT BRIDGE IN TWO PHASES THIS
SUMMER AND FALL.
THEY PUBLISHED IT.
PHASE 1 WILL REQUIRE A MONTH-
LONG CLOSURE IN AUGUST.
THERE REPLACING ALL 84 PANELS OF
BRIDGE DECK.
THIS WORK HAD NOT BEEN DONE FOR
20 YEARS.
THERE REPLACING TWO EXPANSION
JOINTS.
SO AUGUST 9 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3
IS WHEN THIS WILL BE CLOSED.
THERE WILL BE MORE
ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT ALTERNATIVE
GROUPS.
PHASE 2 WILL REQUIRE FIVE
WEEKENDS TO CLOSE THE BRIDGE
THIS FALL.
I WANT TO THANK WSDOT FOR THEIR
PROACTIVE APPROACH TO BRIDGE
MAINTENANCE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS FOR COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN?
IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE NOT.
WE WILL GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE
DOWN THE LINE.
NEXT UP IS COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
FOLLOWED BY COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU.
THERE ARE SEVERAL ITEMS TODAY
ON TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
FROM THE SUSTAINABLE COMMITTEE.
THERE WILL BE A CONFIRMATION
VOTE ON THE FIRST FOUR
APPOINTMENTS ON THE GREEN NEW
DEAL OVERSIGHT BOARD.
AFTER THE MAYOR TWICE GOT THE
FUNDING FOR THE GREEN NEW DEAL
OVERSIGHT BOARD AND OUR
MOVEMENT TWICE FOUGHT TO
RESTORE THAT FUNDING, THE
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND
ENVIRONMENT HAS HIRED AN
ADVISOR.
WE HAVE BEGUN MAKING
APPOINTMENTS.
THERE ARE 19 SEATS ON THE
OVERSIGHT BOARD.
TODAY, WE WILL BE VOTING TO
CONFIRM THE FIRST FOUR OF THEM.
THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY
AND ENVIRONMENT, OFFICE HAS
OPENED UP A NEW APPLICATION
WINDOW FOR THE REMAINING
POSITIONS. ANY MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO APPLY TO
DO SO BY FINDING AN APPLICATION
ON THE OSC WEBSITE OR MY
COUNCIL OFFICE BLOG.
THE PEOPLE WE WILL BE
CONFIRMING TODAY ARE FOUR
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN APPROVED
UNANIMOUSLY BY THE COMMITTEE.
ALL HAVE VAST EXPERIENCE IN
BUILDING THE MOVEMENT FOR A
GREEN NEW DEAL FOR A TRANSITION
TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE.
ALSO IN TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA IS THE FINAL VOTE ON THE
RIGHT TO COUNCIL LEGISLATION
FROM MY OFFICE.
THIS ORDINANCE COMMITS THE CITY
TO ENSURING THAT ANY RENTS ARE
FACING EVICTION IN SEATTLE HAS
THE RIGHT TO A LAWYER IN THEIR
EVICTION HEARING, WHICH IS
ESSENTIAL FOR MANY RENTERS TO
REMAIN HOUSED.
ALMOST NINE OUT OF 10 PEOPLE
EVICTED IN SEATTLE BECOME
HOMELESS.
WE CANNOT OVER EMPHASIZE THE
IMPACT OF EVICTION.
THE REALITY IS, HAVING LEGAL
SUPPORT MAKES ALL THE
DIFFERENCE.'S LAWYER CAN
PREVENT YOU FROM BEING EVICTED
IN AN UNJUST EVICTION AND CAN
HELP PEOPLE GET ACCESS TO
SOCIAL SERVICES LIKE MENTAL
ASSISTANCE TO STAY HOUSED IN
OTHER INSTANCES.
WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS
ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
MY OFFICE HAS BROUGHT NUMEROUS
AMENDMENTS TO FUND EVICTION
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ALONGSIDE THE
PEOPLE'S PROJECT MOVEMENT.
THIS YEAR, WE HAVE DISCUSSED
THIS PARTICULAR BILL SINCE
JANUARY.
IT WAS VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE
WITH THREE VOTES IN FAVOR AND
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN VOTING
AGAINST.
THE FULL COUNCIL VOTE WAS
DELAYED FROM ARCH FIRST UNTIL
MARCH 8. ON MARCH 8,
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN PROPOSED
TO DELAY THE VOTE BY AN
ADDITIONAL TWO WEEKS.
I BELIEVE THAT WAS MARCH 15,
SORRY.
A MAJORITY OF THE PROGRESSIVE
DEMOCRATS VOTED YES ON THE
DELAY.
THAT IS WHY IT IS ON TODAY'S
MEETING AGENDA.
LAST FRIDAY, MY OFFICE RECEIVED
THREE NEW AMENDMENTS TO THE
RIGHT TO COUNCIL LEGISLATION
PROPOSED BY OTHER COUNCIL
OFFICES.
THEY WILL BE DESCRIBING THEIR
OWN AMENDMENTS.
I DID WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
GIVE MY VIEWS ON THEM.
AN AMENDMENT WAS SENT OUT ON
FRIDAY THAT IS NOT LISTED ON
THE AGENDA.
HE CAN CLARIFY IF HE INTENDS TO
MOVE IT OR NOT.
THIS AMENDMENT LIMITS THE
CITIES COMMITTED OF A RIGHT TO
COUNSEL, SAYING IT IS
CONDITIONAL ON THEIR BEEN
SUFFICIENT MONEY IN THE BUDGET.
THE ONLY REASON THAT WE ARE NOT
HAVING SUFFICIENT FUNDING IS
THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS
INTENTIONALLY WANTED TO
UNDERFUND THIS PROGRAM.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LESS THAN
$1 MILLION PER YEAR.
WE HAVE ALSO SEEN, FOR EXAMPLE,
WITH NEW YORK CITY, WHICH HAS
THE RIGHT OF COUNSEL, THEY SAW
EVICTION FILINGS GO DOWN BY
30% BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WILL
HAVE TO FACE A LAWYER.
FOR CONTRAST, THE SECRET HAVE
FULLY FUNDED EVICTION DEFENSE
ATTORNEYS FOR 500 YEARS THE
COST OF ONE YEAR OF THE SPD
BUDGET I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS
AMENDMENT. IF IT IS GOING TO BE
BROUGHT FORWARD, I DO NOT
SUPPORT IT.
WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THE RIGHT
OF COUNSEL.
IF WE ARE SERIOUS, HE NEEDS TO
BE FUNDED AND THERE WILL BE NO
NEED FOR THIS QUALIFIER.
I DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD BE
OPENING THE DOOR TO
UNDERFUNDING THE RIGHT OF
COUNSEL IN THE FUTURE.
WE ALSO SENT OUT AN AMENDMENT
THAT IS INCLUDED ON TODAY'S
AGENDA TO AMEND TO SAVE THE
DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION
INSPECTIONS WILL DO AN RFP. IN
OTHER WORDS, EVERY TWO YEARS,
THEY WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THE
HOUSING JUSTICE PROJECT OR SOME
OTHER ORGANIZATION PROVIDES
LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR
RENTERS FACING EVICTION.
THIS IS JUST AN AMENDMENT TO A
CLAUSE.
IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO CHANGE
ANYTHING SUBSTANTIVELY.
I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS
AMENDMENT, BECAUSE IT IS OVERLY
PRESCRIPTIVE OF HOW THE
DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS OUT THESE
SERVICES.
THE WAY WE HAVE PREPARED THE
BASE LEGISLATION, WE DID HAVE
THE DEPARTMENT GIVEN THE
ABILITY TO CHOOSE WITH
SUBSTANTIVE RENTERS OF WHAT
QUALIFIES AS AN ORGANIZATION
THAT WILL BEST REPRESENT
RENTERS.
THE ATTORNEYS FROM THE HOUSING
JUSTICE PROJECT WILL TELL YOU
THERE ARE NOT MANY BE ATTORNEYS
OFFERING THE SERVICE.
THE CLAUSES EXPLAINED THAT
CURRENTLY THE HOUSING JUSTICE
PROJECT DOES THE WORK.
WHO KNOWS WHO WAS DEFENDING
RENTERS IN 20 YEARS?
MAYBE IT IS SOME OTHER
ORGANIZATION THAT WILL BE
CREATED IN THE FUTURE, BUT DOES
NOT EXIST CURRENTLY.
AS THE CI IS EMPOWERED BY THE
LEGISLATION TO MAKE THAT
DECISION AT THAT GIVEN TIME, WE
DO NOT REQUIRE THAT, AS DCI
CONTRACTORS, BUT WE DO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE
PLAYING THE ROLE RIGHT NOW.
THAT IS IF THEY ARE USING RFP
OR RFQ OR ANY EXISTING
CONTRACTS, IT DOES NOT NEED TO
BE PRESCRIBED IN THE EXISTING
LEGISLATION.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALEZ SENT
OUT AN AMENDMENT INSERTING
MEANS TESTING, WHICH I OPPOSE.
ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF SOCIAL
SERVICES, ANY MEANS TESTING,
EVEN THE LEAST INVASIVE, HAS
THE EFFECT OF PREVENTING SOME
OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE
FROM USING THIS SERVICE.
FROM WELFARE PROGRAMS TO A
DISCOUNT PROGRAM TO THE CENTERS
FOR DISEASE CONTROL'S EVICTION
MORATORIUM DURING THE PANDEMIC,
EVERY SOCIAL SERVICE THAT HAS
ACTUAL UTILIZATION DATA SHOWS
THAT MEANS TESTING EVEN THE
LEAST INVASIVE, SUBSTANTIALLY
UNDERMINES THE ABILITY OF THE
POOR AND THE MOST VULNERABLE
COMMUNITIES TO ACCESS THE
SERVICE.
EVEN IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING
, WHEN IT IS NOT TECHNICALLY
ONEROUS, PEOPLE ARE HESITANT
ABOUT USING MEANS TESTED
SERVICES BECAUSE THEY FEEL
HUMILIATED OR THEY ARE NOT SURE
IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE OR THEY
HAVE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HOW
DIFFICULT THE APPLICATION WILL
BE.
MOREOVER, THE EFFECTIVE MEANS
TESTING, EVEN THE LEAST
INVASIVE ONES, IS THAT IT WRITES
THAT SERVICE INTO FUTURE EVENTS.
MEANS TESTING HAS BEEN USED
POLITICALLY
>> ONE REASON WHY BILL CLINTON
AND THE DEMOCRATS WERE ABLE TO
DESTROY WELFARE IN 1996 WAS
BECAUSE THE PROGRAMS, WHEN THEY
WERE SET UP SOME DECADES
BEFORE, WERE SET UP WITH THIS
TESTING IN THE FIRST PLACE.
THROUGHOUT THE INSTANCE OF THIS
PROGRAM, THERE WERE WILDLY
FALSE RUMORS ABOUT PEOPLE
ABUSING IT, AND THESE COMPLETE
FABRICATIONS WERE USED FOR
CLIENTS THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM.
SOCIAL SECURITY HAS ENDURED FOR
ALMOST A CENTURY, 86 YEARS,
PRECISELY BECAUSE IT IS
AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE, AND IT
IS MUCH HARDER FOR POLITICIANS
TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER BECAUSE
IT IS UNIVERSALLY APPLICABLE.
THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO
DISMANTLE IT.
THIS PROGRAM HAS STATED
REPEATED BRAZEN ATTEMPTS BY
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO
DISMANTLE IT.
THERE ARE TWO OTHER AMENDMENTS,
COUNCILMEMBER HERBERT SEND OUT
CLARIFYING LANGUAGE TWO WEEKS
AGO.
I SAID THAT I WILL BE
SUPPORTING IT.
THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED
MEETING OF THE RENTERS RIGHTS
COMMITTEE IS TUESDAY, APRIL
27th.
AT THE LAST COMMITTEE MEETING,
WE WERE UNABLE TO [
INDISCERNIBLE ] TO SCHEDULE AN
ADDITIONAL MEETING IN APRIL.
WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE
HAVE IDENTIFIED A TIME.
THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
WILL BE DISCUSSING, OBVIOUSLY,
WHICH MY OFFICE HAS BEEN
WORKING ON FOR YEARS, AND WE
DISCUSSED SUSTAINABILITY LAST
WEEK -- I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER
MIRELES WILL ALSO BE SPEAKING
THERE, AND IS ALSO WORKING ON
CRUCIAL LEGISLATION WHICH I
APPRECIATE.
THE COMMISSION, OF COURSE, WILL
BE TALKING ABOUT RENTERS RIGHTS
AS A WHOLE, DURING THIS
PANDEMIC, RENTERS ARE BEING
FORCED TO ACCUMULATE DEBT
BECAUSE OF JOBLESSNESS OR LOSS
OF INCOME.
THERE ARE SEVERAL UNDER RENTERS
RIGHTS BILLS THAT WE WILL BE
FIGHTING FOR, THIS SPRING.
WE ARE COMMITTED AFTER
COMPLETING THE FIGHT ON RIGHT
TO COUNCIL TO EXTEND THE RIGHT
TO COUNCIL LEGISLATION -- THE
COUNCIL WILL BE VOTING ON,
TODAY, TO SUPPORT RENTERS BY
DEFAULT.
THIS, AS I HAVE MENTIONED
BEFORE, IS A MASSIVE PROBLEM IN
SEATTLE, AND ACTUALLY ACROSS
THE COUNTRY.
IN SEATTLE, HALF OF ALL
EVICTIONS HAPPEN BY DEFAULT.
RENTERS ARE NOT ABLE TO DEFEND
THEMSELVES IN COURT.
MY OFFICE IS ALSO DRAFTING
LEGISLATION THAT WAS
RECOMMENDED BY SCHOOL BOARD
MEMBERS AFTER -- CREATING THE
MORATORIUM ON THE EVICTION OF
SCHOOLCHILDREN AND THEIR
FAMILIES DURING THE MONTHS OF
THE SCHOOL YEAR.
THE FACT THAT CHILDREN GET
EVICTED AT ALL IN ONE OF THE
RICHEST CITIES IN ONE OF THE
COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD IS
UNACCEPTABLE.
IT'S A DEVASTATING [
INDISCERNIBLE ] OF HOW THIS
ECONOMY TREATS HUMAN BEINGS,
INCLUDING CHILDREN.
THE SHAMEFUL REALITY IS THAT
CHILDREN ARE EVICTED ON A
REGULAR BASIS IN SEATTLE.
SEATTLE HAS THE POWER -- WE
KNOW THERE ARE DETRIMENTAL
EFFECTS TO THIS HAPPENING.
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE
SURE EVICTIONS DON'T INTERRUPT
THE LEARNING OF SCHOOLCHILDREN
DURING THE YEAR.
THANK YOU.
>> COLLEAGUES, IF YOU HAVE
AMENDMENTS ON THE COUNCIL BILL
12007, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR
US TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT
THOSE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AT
THIS JUNCTURE BEFORE WE
CONTINUE THROUGH THE REPORT.
FOR ANY INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD
LIKE TO ADDRESS THEIR
AMENDMENTS NOW DURING COUNCIL
BRIEFING, I WOULD SOLICIT THAT
CONVERSATION.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSON, YOU
HAVE RAISED YOUR HAND.
UNLESS COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS YOUR
COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER FOR
GOING OVER YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE
AMENDMENTS.
I AM ABLE TO SPEAK TO THE
AMENDMENT TO THE RECITALS,
TODAY, THE WAY THE RECITAL IS
CURRENTLY WRITTEN IS
PROBLEMATIC, IN HAS
BEEN GO THROUGH A REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS PROCESS.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT
AWAY.
IT GIVES THEM PLENTY OF TIME TO
PUT THAT TOGETHER.
SO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN
PROVIDING THESE LEGAL SERVICES
AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT
SINGLE ORGANIZATION, I THINK,
DOESN'T DO SERVICE TO OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS THAT MIGHT BE
WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
SERVICES.
SO, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO
CLARIFY THAT IN THE RECITAL.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSON.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSON'S
COMMENT?
HEARING NO COMMENTS, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL?, YOU
HAVE A QUESTION?
>> I HAVE RESPONSES.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO HOLD MY
RESPONSES UNTIL --
>> YOU ARE WELCOME TO RESPOND.
I WILL TAKE IT AMENDMENT BY
AMENDMENT.
IF YOU WANT TO RESPOND OR ADD
ANYTHING YOU HAVEN'T STATED,
YOU --
>> OKAY.
I WANT TO SAY THAT WHAT
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN READ-OUT
WAS NOT THE ENTIRETY OF THE
CLAUSE OF WHAT HE LEFT OUT --
UNLESS ANOTHER ORGANIZATION
BECOMES BETTER SUITED TO
ACCOMPLISH THIS WORK AT SOME
FUTURE DATE, SO IT ALREADY
ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM THAT
COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSON
BELIEVES EXISTS, BUT IT DOESN'T
EXIST BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE [
INDISCERNIBLE ] SAYS.
>> OKAY.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS
ON COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSON'S
PROPOSED AMENDMENT?
OKAY.
LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE NO
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS ON COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN'S AMENDMENT.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, DID YOU
WANT TO ADDRESS YOURS AGAIN?
>> HAPPY TO DO SO.
THIS IS A REFRESHER, AMENDMENT
ONE, SPECIFIES THAT AN ATTORNEY
ORGANIZATION WHICH THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION AND
INSPECTION CONTRACTS SHOULD
HAVE EXPERIENCE PROVIDING LEGAL
REPRESENTATION TO TENANTS.
THIS AMENDMENT WAS ADJUSTED BY
AN ADVOCATE WITH DEEP
EXPERIENCE AND ADVOCATING FOR
SUPPORTING TENANTS.
THE OUTREACH TO US AS
COUNCILMEMBERS REFERENCED THIS
ADVOCATES EXPERIENCE WORKING
WITH MANY LEGAL AID
ORGANIZATIONS THAT MIGHT ONLY
PROVIDE ADVICE ABOUT NOTICES,
OR REPRESENT TENANTS IN VERY
NARROW SITUATIONS.
THOUGH THIS BILL, ITSELF, IS
NOT THE FUNDING MECHANISM, IT'S
IMPORTANT, I THOUGHT, THAT
COUNCIL INCLUDE INTENTION IN
THE BILL THAT FUTURE FUNDING
FOR THIS POLICY BE MADE ONLY TO
THOSE WILLING TO REPRESENT
TENANTS IN A COURTROOM.
SECOND AMENDMENT WOULD REQUIRE
THAT THE ORGANIZATION WITH WHOM
THE CITY CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE
REPORTING NUMBERS ON CASES FOR
REPRESENTATION THAT OCCURS
OUTSIDE OF THE INITIAL SHOW
CAUSE HEARING -- JUST, AGAIN,
JUST WORKING TO TRY -- IN THIS
CASE, TO GET DATA ABOUT THE
TYPES OF CASES THAT ARE TAKEN
UNDER THE RIGHT TO COUNCIL
ORDINANCE.
WE KNOW THAT THE MOST RECENT
YEAR WE HAVE DATA -- ONLY 11
CASES OF NEARLY 9000 EVICTION
CASES WENT TO TRIAL IN KING
COUNTY., BUT THIS WAS BEFORE
STATEWIDE EVICTION REFORM THAT
SUCH A SMALL NUMBER OF CASES
WENT TO TRIAL.
SO, I'M INTERESTED IN KNOWING
WHETHER OR NOT THAT NUMBER OF
CASES THAT ARE GOING TO TRIAL
-- CASES THAT GO TO TRIAL WILL
HAVE A LARGER IMPACT ON THE
COST TO THE CITY TO PROVIDE THE
SERVICE -- INTERESTED TO KNOW
WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS
ACTUALLY A GROWING NUMBER OF
CASES THAT GO TO TRIAL AFTER
THE STATEWIDE AND LOCAL
EVICTION LAW REFORM -- AND THIS
AMENDMENT WOULD REQUIRE
REPORTING ON THE NUMBER OF
THOSE TYPES OF CASES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD'S
DESCRIPTION?
GREAT.
COLLEAGUES, I KNOW WE HAD A
CONVERSATION ABOUT THESE
PARTICULAR AMENDMENTS -- I
THINK IT WAS A COUPLE WEEKS
AGO.
IF THERE ARE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THE
AMENDMENTS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR
HAND.
COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSON,
PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
I SUPPORT BOTH AMENDMENTS.
I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE ONE
THAT IS ASKING FOR REPORTING
INFORMATION.
ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAS
BEEN RAISED IS BY THOSE
LANDLORDS THAT OWN ONE, TWO,
THREE OR FOUR UNITS.
WHILE WE DON'T NEED TO AMEND
YOUR AMENDMENTS, IN TERMS OF
YOUR INTENT, WOULD IT BE
SOMETHING YOU WOULD BE OPEN TO
HAVING -- A REPORT INCLUDE HOW
MANY UNITS THE LANDLORDS OWN,
SO WE CAN SORT OF SEE IF SMALL
LANDLORDS -- HOW THEY ARE
IMPACTED VERSUS THE CORPORATE
LANDLORDS?
>> I THINK, YES, ALL
INFORMATION IS FRIENDLY.
THIS IS INFORMATION WE WOULD BE
SEEKING.
THE CONTRACTED PROVIDERS OF --
TO REPORT BACK TO THE CITY,
THIS IS INFORMATION THAT IS
EASY FOR THEM TOGETHER.
AS I SPOKE WITH YOU BEFORE, THE
COUNCIL HAS INDICATED AN
INTEREST IN GETTING REPORTS ON
THE IMPACTS OF TENANT LAWS ON
SMALLER LANDLORDS.
THERE HAS BEEN, I THINK, A
DELAY ASSOCIATED WITH GETTING
SOME OF THAT INFORMATION.
BUT ALSO INTERESTED IN GETTING
AN UPDATE FROM COUNCIL CENTRAL
STAFF.
THEY HAD IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO DO
THE STUDY THAT WE WERE
INTERESTED IN RECEIVING -- SORT
OF WITH A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO
GET US THE INFORMATION.
I AM AGNOSTIC ABOUT HOW WE GET
IT, AND AGREE THAT GETTING
INFORMATION ABOUT THE IMPACT OF
OUR TENANT LAWS ON SMALLER
LANDLORDS IS DEFINITELY USEFUL
INFORMATION TO HAVE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GREAT.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS
ON THAT AMENDMENT?
OKAY.
IT LOOKS LIKE, I THINK,
AMENDMENT ONE, TWO, AND FOUR, I
WILL ADDRESS AMENDMENT THREE,
WHICH IS MY AMENDMENT.
SO, LAST FRIDAY, CENTRAL STAFF
SHARED AMENDMENT WITH ALL OF
YOU, AND IT WAS ALSO PUBLISHED
ON THE REVISED AGENDA FOR
TODAY'S FULL CITY COUNCIL
MEETING.
I REQUESTED THEY GENERATE THIS
AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL BILL
12007, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS RIGHT
TO COUNSEL BILL.
A FEW WEEKS AGO, I WAS ABLE TO
REVIEW THE LEGISLATION AFTER IT
CAME OUT OF COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT'S COMMITTEE.
MY REVIEW ALSO INCLUDED A
REVIEW OF PRIOR LEGAL OPINIONS
ON THE LEGISLATION
PARTICIPATING IN A TWO HOUR
EXECUTIVE SESSION ON MONDAY,
MARCH 22nd, AND CONVERSATIONS
WITH CENTRAL MEMBERS TO HEAR
YOUR CONCERNS -- MY OFFICE ALSO
SPOKE TO VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS,
INCLUDING LEADERS WITHIN THE
HOUSING JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND
LA CENTER WHICH ARE THE TWO
MAJOR LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
FOR TENANTS FACING EVICTIONS
HERE IN SEATTLE AND ACROSS THE
REGION.
AFTER ALL OF THIS, IT BECAME
CLEAR TO ME THAT THERE WERE A
SIGNIFICANT LEGAL RISK WITH
12007 HAS PASSED OUT OF
COMMITTEE -- SO DURING THE LAST
TWO WEEKS, WE DUG INTO THOSE
LEGAL ISSUES TO FURTHER
UNDERSTAND THEM AND TO ANALYZE
THEM, AND WE HEARD CLEARLY FROM
SERVICE PROVIDERS AND ADVOCATES
HOW LEGAL ADVOCATES OVER
TENANTS WERE FACING EVICTION
WORKS.
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT
TO SHARE SOME OF WHAT WE
LEARNED THROUGH THE OUTREACH
ABOUT HOW THESE SERVICES WORK
IN PRACTICE, THAT MIGHT BENEFIT
BOTH THE PUBLIC CONVERSATION
AND OUR ONGOING DEBATE AROUND
THIS IMPORTANT BILL.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF
ADDICTIONS, MOST TENANTS ARE
LOWER INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD
LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
MORE BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCE
AS AN ATTORNEY, I KNOW THAT
THERE ARE ALMOST NO PRIVATE
ATTORNEYS WHO PROVIDE THESE
TYPES OF LEGAL SERVICES TO
TENANTS FACING UNLAWFUL
DETAINER ACTIONS.
IN OTHER WORDS, FOR MOST
TENANTS, ACCESS TO LEGAL
REPRESENTATION AND UNLAWFUL
DETAINER ACTIONS IS LARGELY
LIMITED TO ACCESSING SERVICES
FROM LEGAL AID ORGANIZATIONS
LIKE THE HOUSING JUSTICE
PROJECT, AND THE TENANT LA
CENTER.
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE HOUSING
JUSTICE PROJECT, FOR EXAMPLE,
PRIMARILY SERVE INDIVIDUALS WHO
MAKE 200% OF THE FEDERAL
POVERTY LEVEL, WHICH IS $25,760
FOR A HOUSEHOLD OF ONE IN 2021,
OR $43,920 FOR A FAMILY OF
THREE IN 2021.
PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, PEOPLE
WHO SEEK LEGAL AID IN EVICTIONS
ARE ALREADY INCOME QUALIFIED TO
RECEIVE THESE CRITICAL LEGAL
SERVICES.
I BELIEVE THAT PROVIDING LEGAL
AID AGAINST EVICTION AND
KEEPING PEOPLE STABLY HOUSED IS
SMART POLICY FOR THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, ESPECIALLY AS WE FACE
AN END TO THE EVICTION
MORATORIUMS IN PLACE DUE TO THE
PANDEMIC.
HOWEVER, AS A POLICYMAKER AND
AN ATTORNEY PASSING GOOD TO
LEGISLATION MEANS WE ARE NOT
OBJECTIVE ON THE BILL, BUT ALSO
ENSURING THAT THE LEGISLATION
WE PASS IS WORKABLE, AND IT
WILL WITHSTAND LEGAL SCRUTINY.
OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE CITY
COUNCIL HAS PASSED SEVERAL
PROTECTIONS.
I WAS THE PRIME SPONSOR FOR 2
OF THOSE NEW ORDINANCES, WHICH
INCLUDED ESTABLISHING A PAYMENT
PLAN FOR OVERDUE RENT AND
EVICTION DEFENSE IF THE
NONPAYMENT OF RENT WAS DUE TO
REDUCED INCOME BECAUSE OF THE
PANDEMIC.
ALL OF THESE LAWS WERE LEGALLY
CHALLENGED, AND OUR CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SUCCESSFULLY
DEFENDED OUR LAWS, AND THESE
SURVIVED FOR CHALLENGES, BUT IN
PLACE IMPORTANT TENANT
PROTECTION SPONSORED LAST YEAR
AND CREATED RENTAL PAYMENT
PLANS.
SO FOR THIS REASON, I HAVE AN
AMENDMENT FOR THIS AFTERNOON'S
CONSIDERATION THAT WILL MAKE
THE RIGHTS TO COUNCIL BILL
WORKABLE, WHILE STILL CREATING
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RENTERS TO
ACCESS LEGAL AID.
FIRST, THE AMENDMENT ADDS THE
RECITAL TO MINIMIZE BARRIERS AS
NEEDED.
SECOND, THE AMENDMENT
ESTABLISHES THAT ANY TENANT
RESIDING IN SEATTLE HAS THE
RIGHT TO LEGAL COUNCIL FREE OF
CHARGE . IF THE TENANT MEETS A
SIMPLE STANDARD.
THIS STANDARD IS MODELED ON THE
SAME EXACT STANDARD UTILIZED IN
THE IMMIGRANT LEGAL DEFENSE
FUND, WHICH WAS UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN
2016.
THE DEFINITION OF INDIGENCY
FOCUS ON THE INABILITY TO
AFFORD AN ATTORNEY AT ANY POINT
DURING THE UNLAWFUL DETAINER
SUIT.
AND AMENDMENT THREE SAYS,
SPECIFICALLY, QUOTE, A PERSON
IS INDIGENT IF THEY ARE UNABLE
TO PAY THE COST OF COUNCIL FOR
REPRESENTATION IN THE UNLAWFUL
DETAINER SUIT BECAUSE THE
PERSON'S AVAILABLE FUNDS ARE
INSUFFICIENT TO RETAIN
COUNCIL.
". THIRD, THIS AMENDMENT ALLOWS
CONTRACTED LEGAL SERVICE
PROVIDERS TO ESTABLISH THE
PROCESS IN A MANNER BY WHICH TO
IDENTIFY INDIGENCY.
THIS HAS BEEN TAKEN BY OTHER
PROVIDERS IN OTHER
CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS A SELF
CERTIFICATION PROCESS THAT WAS
APPROVED IN THE COVID-19
DEFENSE BILL LAST YEAR.
IN THAT EXAMPLE, THE TENANT
NEEDS TO SIGN A FORM AT THEIR
APPEARANCE IN EVICTION COURT.
THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO SATISFY
THE CRITERIA.
I WILL NOTE THAT ADOPTION OF
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD ALSO MAKE
THE CITIES LEGISLATION CLOSER
IN LANGUAGE TO SENATE BILL
5160, WHICH IS -- THE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA SUPPORTS,
AND IS UNDER CONSIDERATION TO
CREATE A STATEWIDE RIGHT TO
COUNCIL.
SENATE BILL 5160 INCLUDES
LANGUAGE THAT TENANTS SEEKING
COUNCIL MEET THE DEFINITION OF
INDIGENCY.
I BELIEVE THIS LANGUAGE WILL
MAKE SURE THAT SEATTLE BECOMES
THE 1st TO PASS LEGISLATION
WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING AND
MINIMIZING THE LEGAL RISK OF
HAVING THIS LOSS OF LEGAL
CHALLENGE, WHICH IS ALMOST
CERTAIN AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO
A RIGHT TO COUNCIL TO THOSE
WHO NEED IT.
THIS AMENDMENT CALLING SHOULD BE
FAMILIAR FOR THOSE WHO WERE ON
COUNCIL IN 2016, AS IT IS A
CONCEPT I USED WHEN I SPONSORED
AND PASSED THE DEPORTATION
LEGAL DEFENSE FUND FOR
IMMIGRANTS IN 2016.
SO, IN THE THREE YEARS OF
EXISTENCE, THEY FELT HUNDREDS
OF IMMIGRANTS AND DEPORTEES
FIGHTING, WHILE HAVING NO
ADMINISTERED A BURDEN OR
CHILLING EFFECT ON THOSE
SEEKING SERVICES AS A RESULT OF
THE INDIGENT STANDARD THAT WAS,
AGAIN, UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED IN
THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND WHEN WE
PASSED IT IN 2016.
SO, I WOULD ASK YOU COLLEAGUES
FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON ADOPTING
AMENDMENT THREE TO THIS
IMPORTANT BILL.
I THINK IT IS A COMMONSENSE WAY
OF MAKING THE RIGHT TO COUNCIL
BILL LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE AND
ACCESSIBLE TO THOSE TENANTS WHO
CANNOT AFFORD A LAWYER . AGAIN,
IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS ABOUT AMENDMENT THREE
BEFORE 2:00, TODAY, YOU CAN
CONTACT ME DIRECTLY, OR YOUR
STAFF IS WELCOME TO REACH OUT
TO MY SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR IN
MY OFFICE, AND ALSO, [
INDISCERNIBLE ] IS AVAILABLE TO
ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR
CONCERNS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT
AMENDMENT THREE.
THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, HAPPY TO
TAKE ANY QUESTIONS OR HEAR ANY
COLLEAGUES COMMENTS ON
AMENDMENT THREE.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
>> I HAVE ALREADY CLARIFIED WHY
I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THIS
AMENDMENT, BUT JUST TO
REITERATE THOSE POINTS, THE
PROBLEM, AS I SAID, IS EVEN IN
THE CASE OF THE LEAST INVASIVE
TYPE OF NEEDS TESTING, WE HAVE
SEEN TWO OVERWHELMING AMOUNTS
OF DATA WITH VARIOUS PROGRAMS
-- NOT JUST RENTERS RIGHTS
PROGRAMS -- VARIOUS PROGRAMS
THAT ARE FEDERALLY, AND
STATEWIDE ADMINISTERED -- EVEN
SOME OF THE LEAST INVASIVE
TESTING REQUIREMENTS ARE
DETERRENTS TO PEOPLE FROM
ACCESSING THE SERVICES THAT
THEY NEED.
IT IS A WAY, AS RENTERS RIGHTS
ADVOCATES HAVE SAID, IT'S A WAY
OF MAKING POOR PEOPLE DANCE FOR
A SERVICE THEY NEED.
IT IS PROFOUNDLY HUMILIATING TO
HAVE PEOPLE SIGN ANY PIECE OF
PAPER SAYING THEY ARE POOR
BEFORE THEY CAN GET LEGAL AID.
JUST TO QUOTE A LETTER FROM 30
ORGANIZATIONS, MANY OF WHOM ARE
PART OF THE STAY HOUSED STAY
LEGAL COALITION THAT IS
LAUNCHING, TODAY, THE EVICTION
PROCESS IN WASHINGTON MAKES THE
USED OF THE MEANS TEST
UNWORKABLE.
THE EVICTION PROCESS IS
DESIGNED TO BE QUICK, INCURRING
AS LITTLE AS THREE WEEKS.
[ INDISCERNIBLE ] MISSES A
RENTAL PAYMENT.
[ INDISCERNIBLE ] INVOLVED
MULTIPLE COURT DATES, MOST
TENANTS ONLY HAVE ONE COURT
DATE.
DURING THE COURT DATE, THE
TENANT WILL HAVE TO PRESENT ANY
DEFENSES TO THE PROCEEDING [
INDISCERNIBLE ] THE MATTER.
THERE MUST NEVER CONTINUE THE
CASE AND DRY OUT IS RARE
THROUGH WASHINGTON STATE.
AT THE HEARING, THE
COMMISSIONER OR JUDGE WILL
DETERMINE IF THE TENANT SHOULD
BE OF THE, IN WHICH CASE, THE
TENANT CAN BE EVICTED AS
QUICKLY AS ONE WEEK [
INDISCERNIBLE ] GIVING THESE
OBSTACLES, IT IS MIND-BOGGLING
THAT DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING THIS
IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAKE
THIS LAW LEGALLY SOUND.
AND, COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ,
YOU MENTIONED THE HOUSING
PROJECT.
YOU CONSULTED VARIOUS
STAKEHOLDERS -- WHO ARE THE
STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE SAYING
THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE ANY KIND
OF MEANS TESTING TO MAKE THIS
LAW -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] ALL
MEMBERS HAVE SEEN THE LETTER
FROM THE ACLU WHICH IS STRONGLY
URGING THE CITY COUNCIL NOT TO
INSERT ANY LANGUAGE OF THIS
KIND.
WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE HOUSING
JUSTICE, THEMSELVES, WHO WERE
IN MY OFFICE THIS MORNING, WHO
EXPLAINED THAT RENTERS RIGHTS
ATTORNEYS DO NOT BELIEVE THAT
THERE IS ANY BASIS IN LAW TO
HAVE THIS KIND OF LANGUAGE.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST -- ON
THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCERN THAT
I HAVE THAT IS SHARED BY MY
COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INCLUDING
YOUR ATTORNEYS WHO PROVIDE THE
SERVICES TO RENTERS -- IS THAT
ANY KIND OF MEAN TESTING
LANGUAGE IS PRECEDENT-SETTING.
IN OTHER WORDS, TODAY,
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS HAVE A
CHANCE TO PASS A STRONG LAW
WITHOUT ANY MEANS TESTING TO
HELP SET A PRECEDENT THAT WE
CAN PASS LAWS, AND WE SHOULD BE
PASSING LAWS, THAT ARE
UNAMBIGUOUSLY IN FAVOR OF
PEOPLE WHO ARE THE MOST
MARGINALIZED, AND THAT WE MAKE
THESE LAWS THE MOST IMMUNE TO
DISMANTLING IN THE FUTURE BY
MAKING THEM AVAILABLE
UNIVERSALLY SO WE CAN PREVENT A
DIVIDE AND CONQUER.
YOU HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY.
IT IS ASTOUNDING TO ME THAT
DEMOCRATS -- PROGRESSIVE
DEMOCRATS DO NOT WANT TO TAKE
THE OPPORTUNITY, AND AS HOUSING
JUSTICE PROJECT ATTORNEY AND
OTHERS HAVE SAID, RENTERS
RIGHTS ADVOCATES LIKE OTHERS --
HAVE SET ON TWITTER -- THOSE
CITIES FUND TO REIMBURSE THE
LANDLORDS FOR DAMAGES WHEN
THEIR TENANTS MIGHT FLEE
BECAUSE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,
THAT IS NOT A MEANS TESTERS
PROGRAM.
WHEN LANDLORDS DON'T FACE MEAN
TESTING, WHY SHOULD RENTERS
FACE MEAN TESTING?
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT I
WASN'T [ INDISCERNIBLE ] MY
COMMENTS TO ANYONE IN THE
HOUSING JUSTICE PROCESS . I
POINTED OUT THAT WE DID ENGAGE
WITH THOSE FOLKS AND HEARD OUT
SOME OF THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE
CONCERNS.
I AGREE THAT EVAN FROM THE
HOUSING JUSTICE PROJECT
CONTINUES TO EXPRESS A
PREFERENCE FOR THE BASE BILL
AND DID NOT INTEND TO, NOR
THINK I ASCRIBED ANY SORT OF
INTENT OR ENDORSEMENT OF MY
APPROACH.
I UNDERSTAND HE HAS A DIFFERENT
LEGAL PERSPECTIVE.
LAWYERS CAN DISAGREE ALL THE
TIME.
LAWYERS DISAGREE ALL THE TIME
ON THIS COUNCIL.
SO I THINK -- I THINK IT IS AN
AREA OF DISAGREEMENT, BUT I
THINK I HAVE OFFERED UP AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNCIL TO
-- AGAIN, NOT JUST PASS COUNCIL
BILL 12007 AS A VIRTUE SIGNAL
EXERCISE, BUT TO ACTUALLY HAVE
A BILL THAT WILL BE WORKABLE
AND DEFENSIBLE, AND STILL
MEETS THE GOALS OF THE
UNDERLYING LEGISLATION, WHICH
IS TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL
COUNCIL TO TENANTS FACING
EVICTION WHEN THOSE PARTICULAR
TENANTS CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY
FOR THEIR OWN LEGAL COUNCIL.
I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE A SIMPLE
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN
MYSELF AND COUNCIL MATTERS A
LOT -- HEARING NO COMMENTS,
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE
BILL?
ON WHETHER OR NOT THIS WILL --
AGAIN, WE USE THE SAME LEGAL
STANDARD IN THE DEFENSE FUND.
WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE, NO DATA,
NO INFORMATION TO LEAD US TO
BELIEVE THAT IT PROVIDES A
BARRIER TO LEGAL SERVICES.
I BELIEVE THAT WILL BE TRUE.
I'M EXCITED TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF
THIS COUNCIL BILL, AND I PLAN
TO DO SO IF THIS AMENDMENT IS
ADOPTED.
COLLEAGUES, ANY OTHER COMMENTS
OR QUESTIONS?
OKAY, HEARING NONE, WE WILL GO
AHEAD AND GO DOWN THE LINE.
NEXT UP IS COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS, FOLLOWED BY
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, PRESIDENT AND
COLLEAGUES, I KNOW YOU ASKED US
TO BE WRAPPED BY 11:00 A.M.
WHICH IS FOUR MINUTES AWAY, SO
I WILL BE BRIEF.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS FROM THE [
INDISCERNIBLE ] COMMITTEE, AND
THERE ARE 11 ITEMS FROM THE
LAND-USE AND NEIGHBORHOODS
COMMITTEE ON THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA.
COUNCIL BILL 120021, THE LAND
MARKING AGREEMENT FOR THE
SWEDISH CLUB, FIVE APPOINTMENTS
TO THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
AND 5 TO THE URBAN FORESTRY
COMMISSION.
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE
COMMITTEE WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY,
APRIL 28th.
A LITTLE OVERVIEW AND PREVIEW
OF MY ACTIVITIES AT COUNCIL,
LAST WEEK , I ATTENDED THE
FREMONT COUNCIL AND INDUSTRIAL
ASSOCIATION MEETINGS.
I WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE
DIRECTOR OF THE PARKS
DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE LITTLE
LEAGUE PRACTICE CAN PROCEED
UNIMPEDED, AND I MET WITH CHIEF
DIAZ AS WELL AS RECEIVED AN
UPDATE FROM CHIEF EISENBERG ON
MUNICIPAL COURT OF THE VIOLENCE
INTERVENTION PROGRAM.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE PRS C BOARD
MEETING, AND THE MARITIME AND
INDUSTRIAL ADVISORY GROUP
MEETING.
IN ADDITION TO MEETING WITH
DISTRICT 6 RESIDENTS, AND
CONVENING IN A WORKGROUP FOR
THE NEXT STEPS ON THE LEARY
TRIANGLE IN THE FREMONT AREA,
AND WRAPPING UP MY WEEK PICKING
UP LITTER ON THE BEAUTIFUL
SHORES OF [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
PARK.
I DO HAVE JURY DUTY, TOMORROW,
SO I WILL BE EXCITED TO SHARE
THE COUNTY'S PROCESS IS
WORKING.
ON WEDNESDAY, I WILL MEET WITH
A BREWER IN THE BREWERY
DISTRICT . I AM MEETING WITH
DEREK BOGARD OF THE SEATTLE
CHIEFS CLUB.
I WILL ALSO BE PLANNING COUNCIL
ON WEDNESDAY, AND THE PS RC
GROWTH POLICY BOARD MEETING ON
THURSDAY, I WILL BE ATTENDING
THE [ INDISCERNIBLE ] BOARD OF
DIRECTORS ON THURSDAY, AND
LASTLY, WILL BE SPENDING BOTH
WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY SPEAKING
TO DISTRICT VI RESIDENTS.
IN DISTRICT VI, I WILL BE
HOSTING THE DISTRICT SIX
OFFICE HOURS ON WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON AND THURSDAY FROM
1:30 TO 6:00 P.M.
LAST THURSDAY, I HAD GREAT
CONVERSATIONS WITH NEIGHBORS
FROM NORTH CROWN HILL, AND EAST
GREEN LAKE ABOUT THE GREEN LAKE
BIKE INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN AT
EAST GREEN LAKE WAY AND
MERIDIAN AVENUE NORTH.
WE TALKED ABOUT HOMELESSNESS
ACROSS THE CITY AND ABOUT THE
GREEN LAKE RECREATION CENTER
UPDATES AND KING COUNTY METRO
REALIGNMENT PROGRAM.
AS I MENTIONED JUST A MINUTE
AGO, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
PARTICIPATE IN A PARKS
DEPARTMENT PILOT PROGRAM TO
HAVE VOLUNTEERS BACK OUT IN THE
PARKS. THE PARKS DEPARTMENT
HOSTED FOR EVENTS AT MAGNUSON,
JEFFERSON, GOLDEN GARDENS AND
ONE OTHER.
I GOT TO PARTICIPATE AT THE
GOLDEN GARDENS LONG TEAR EVENT,
AND MANY THANKS TO DARRELL,
SCOTT AND MACHO FOR ALL OF YOUR
HELP MAKING OUR PARK CLEAN AND
ORGANIZING PEOPLE DURING THIS
PANDEMIC -- AS WELL AS THANK
YOU AGAIN TO SUPERINTENDENT FOR
ASSISTING THE LITTLE LEAGUE TO
MAKE SURE THEY HAD A SUCCESSFUL
SEASON.
LASTLY, COLLEAGUES, AT COUNCIL
TODAY, I WILL BE PRESENTING A
PROCLAMATION HONORING DR. SAM
JOSEFA WHOSE LAST DAY IN
OFFICE WAS LAST FRIDAY.
THE PROCLAMATION WAS CIRCULATED
LAST WEEK. I WILL ASK FOR YOUR
SIGNATURES IN JUST A MOMENT.
I WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY AT FULL
COUNCIL.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HONORING
HIM FOR HIS YEARS OF LEADERSHIP
IN SEATTLE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THAT'S MY
REPORT.
CAN I NOW ASK FOR SIGNATURES ON
THIS PROCLAMATION?
>> YES, I WILL WALK US THROUGH
THAT PROCESS, GIVE ME JUST A
MOMENT TO SCROLL UP AND DOWN,
HERE.
WELL, NEVERMIND.
I WILL USE A DIFFERENT
PLATFORM, BECAUSE MY iPAD SEEMS
TO BE CRAWLING.
GIVE ME JUST A SECOND.
SO, COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE THIS
PROCLAMATION, WE NEED TO GET
SIGNATURES BEFORE IT IS
PRESENTED AT THE FULL COUNCIL
MEETING.
SO ARE THERE QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE PROCLAMATION BEFORE I
REQUEST THE ROLLCALL?
SEEING NO QUESTIONS, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE TO
SEE WHICH COUNCIL NUMBERS WOULD
LIKE THEIR SIGNATURE AFFIXED
TO THE PROCLAMATION?
>> MOSQUEDA?
PEDERSEN?
SAWANT?
STRAUSS?
HERBOLD?
I WILL COME BACK.
WHEREAS?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD SAID
YES, AND I SAID YES, TOO.
>> LEWIS?
LEWIS?
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALES?
AND COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> BYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> BITTERSWEET NEWS, TOMORROW
IS ALLISON McLEAN'S LAST DAY IN
THE OFFICE.
SHE WILL HAVE A FEW DAYS OF
LEAVE BEFORE STARTING HER NEXT
POSITION WITH THE YOUTH AND
FAMILY POWER DIVISION AT THE
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
ALLISON HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE
ASSET TO NOT ONLY MY OFFICE,
BUT TO THIS ENTIRE FLOOR.
WE ALREADY HAD ONE GO AWAY
CELEBRATION FOR HER LAST YEAR
WHEN SHE STARTED TO TAKE SOME
FAMILY LEAVE, SHE CAME BACK.
WHILE WE WON'T BE HAVING A
SECOND PROCLAMATION HONORING
HER THIS YEAR, I JUST WANTED TO
TAKE THIS MOMENT TO REALLY
CONGRATULATE HER ON HER NEXT
GIG AND THANK HER FOR ALL OF
HER WORK, HERE.
AND LASTLY, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
I'M HEREBY REQUESTING TO BE
EXCUSED APRIL 12th FROM BOTH
FULL COUNCIL AND COUNCIL
BRIEFING.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL NUMBER
STRAUSS, NOTED ON THAT
REQUEST, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU
MAKE THE FORMAL REQUEST AT THE
FULL COUNCIL MEETING CONSISTENT
WITH COUNCIL RULES SO WE CAN
TAKE THAT MOTION TO BE EXCUSED
UP DURING OTHER BUSINESS AT
TODAY'S FULL COUNCIL.
GREAT.
I GOT A THUMBS UP.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS FOR COUNCIL NUMBER
STRAUSS?
ALL RIGHT, HEARING NONE, I
MEAN, I DID SET OUT A LOFTY
GOAL TO GET US TO A FINISH BY
11:00, BUT SEEING HOW THAT WAS
NOT IN THE CARDS, WE WILL GO
DOWN THE LINE.
NEXT IS COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD
FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WAR
IS.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING.
EXCUSE ME.
I WILL KEEP MY COMMENTS SHORT.
FIRST OFF, MY WEEKLY HUMAN [
INDISCERNIBLE ] APARTMENT -- I
WANT TO REMIND THE VIEWING
PUBLIC AND COUNCILMEMBERS WHO
ARE IN CONTACT WITH THEIR
CONSTITUENTS THAT APPLICATIONS
FOR THE SEATTLE YOUTH
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM ARE DUE THIS
FRIDAY, APRIL 2nd.
YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 16 TO 24 CAN
APPLY FOR A SUMMER INTERNSHIP
IN CITY DEPARTMENTS, NONPROFITS
OR LOCAL BUSINESSES.
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE AT
SEATTLE.GOV/HUMA N SERVICES, AND
CLICK ON THE SEATTLE VIEWS
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.
AS FAR AS HEALTH GOES, I THINK
YOU HAVE ALL SEEN HOW NEW CASES
OF COVID ARE SIGNIFICANTLY DOWN
FROM THE EXTREMES WE HAVE SEEN
OVER THE WINTER, BUT I JUST
WANT TO NOTE FOR EVERYBODY THAT
CASES ARE TRENDING UPWARD
AGAIN.
YOUNGER ADULTS AGES 20 TO 40
ARE THE HARDEST HIT.
AND NEW AND MORE CONTAGIOUS
úVARIANTS ARE CIRCULATING,
LOCALLY.
NEW CASES ARE UP 31% IN THE
LAST TWO WEEKS.
OF COURSE, THE GOOD NEWS IS
THAT MASKS WORK AGAINST THE
VARIANCE, PHYSICAL DISTANCING
WORKS AGAINST THE VARIANCE.
AND GOOD AIRFLOW AND INDOOR
VENTILATION ARE, AS ALWAYS,
ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT.
HANDWASHING -- ALL THE THINGS
THAT SHOULD, BY NOW, BE SECOND
NATURE TO ALL OF US, STILL WORK
AGAINST THESE VARIANTS.
A RECENT UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON STUDY FOUND THAT 89%
OF KING COUNTY RESIDENTS WAR
FACE COVERINGS OVER THE MOUTH
AND NOSE IN PUBLIC DURING THE
LAST FOUR MONTHS.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY FANTASTIC
NEWS SHOWING EVIDENCE OF HOW
MUCH PEOPLE IN OUR REGION CARE
ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR
LOVED ONES, AND ARE WILLING TO
TAKE STEPS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT
CARE.
31% OF KING COUNTY RESIDENTS
AGED 16 AND OLDER HAVE RECEIVED
THEIR FIRST VACCINE DOSE, AND
17% ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.
THAT IS SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN
THE REST OF WASHINGTON STATE.
A NEW GROUP OF PEOPLE WILL
BECOME VACCINE ELIGIBLE ON
MARCH 31st, PEOPLE WHO ARE 16
YEARS OR OLDER WITH TWO OR MORE
COMORBIDITIES, EVERYONE 60 AND
OLDER, AND STAFF VOLUNTEERS IN
CERTAIN CONGREGANT LIVING
CENTERS, SUCH AS GROUP HOMES,
AND SERVICES FOR PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
FINALLY, HIGH RISK CRITICAL
WORKERS IN RESTAURANTS,
CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER CONCRETE
NETWORK SETTINGS.
VACCINE SUPPLY IS STILL SCARCE,
BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY.
FOR EVERY AGE WHO ARE NOW
ELIGIBLE, THERE IS ONE
AVAILABLE FOR THEM IN KING
COUNTY.
WE ARE HOPING THAT THAT TURNS
AROUND SOON.
TO JOIN THE NOTIFICATION LIST
FOR VACCINE AT THE CITY'S THREE
COMMUNITY VACCINATION SITES --
ONE WAS SEATTLE, ONE WAS RANIER
BEACH, AND ONE WAS THE LUMEN
EVENTS CENTER.
YOU CAN GO TO
SEATTLE.GOV/VACCINE.
FOR ANYONE 65 YEARS OR OLDER,
THE WEST SEATTLE AND RANIER
BEACH VACCINE SITES ARE OPEN
MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY WITHOUT
AN APPOINTMENT, AND RECEIVE
YOUR VACCINE.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NEW
DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE CITY'S
EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE
NOT LEAVING ANYONE 65 OR OLDER
UNVACCINATED BECAUSE OF
BARRIERS THAT THEY MIGHT BE
EXPERIENCING TO GETTING AN
APPOINTMENT.
AGAIN, YOU CAN SHOW UP AT THE
VACCINATION SITES.
YOU DO NOT NEED AN APPOINTMENT.
YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR VACCINE.
THE WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT
THE EFFORT -- SUCCESSFUL
EFFORTS OF HIGHER END, FOCUSED
ON VACCINATION -- THE TASKS
ADMINISTRATED FORESIGHT ARE NOW
NEARLY 688,000 PEOPLE THROUGH
LAST WEEK.
THE VACCINATION ADMINISTERED --
I THINK -- I ONLY HAVE MARCH
20th.
I THINK I SHOULD HAVE UPDATED
NUMBERS, HERE.
BUT NEVERTHELESS, FANTASTIC.
[ INDISCERNIBLE ] LAST WEEK, I
HAD VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS ON
FRIDAY.
I ALSO ATTENDED A HIGHLAND PARK
COMMITTEE TO TALK ABOUT PUBLIC
SAFETY.
AND ATTENDED THE REGIONAL
POLICY MEETING WHERE MYSELF AND
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA ARE
PRESENTED THE CITY, AND WE HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE --
KIDS LED DE-AUTHORIZATION [
INDISCERNIBLE ], THIS COMING
WEEK, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT
I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO
A MEETING WITH THE COMMUNITY
TASK FORCE ON THE CRIMINAL
LEGAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENT.
I THINK -- I THINK THAT'S ALL I
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, TODAY, THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ANY QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS FOR COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD?
HEARING NONE, WE WILL MOVE TO
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ, GOOD
MORNING, COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
>> GOOD MORNING, PRESIDENT.
I HAVE MY STAFF TO SCREAM AT ME
TO TURN UP MY VOLUME.
BUT I'M RIGHT, GOT IT.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
GOOD.
WHAT A MORNING.
SO I WILL BE BRIEF!
LIKE SOME PEOPLE, I AM
LISTENING TO THE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
SO, JUST THE BASICS, FIRST, I
WANT TO START WITH THE
PROCLAMATION FOR MARCEL'S
TURNER MT. I WILL BE PRESENTING
A PROCLAMATION TO REPRESENT THE
10 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY THIS AFTERNOON.
MY OFFICE CIRCULATED THE
PROCLAMATION ON FRIDAY.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I'M READY
FOR A ROLL CALL IN SUPPORT OF
THIS LETTER WHEN YOU ARE.
>> GREAT.
COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS ON THE PROCLAMATION
FOR MT?
HEARING NO QUESTIONS, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE PROCLAMATION?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN?
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
PRESIDENT GONZALES?
>> YES.
>> NINE IN FAVOR.
>> WE HAVE UNANIMOUS [
INDISCERNIBLE ] -- BACK TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
STILL UNDER THREE MINUTES,
HERE.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS ON THE
PUBLIC ASSETS AND NEEDED
COMMUNITY ON THIS AFTERNOON
AGENDA.
THERE'S A COMMITTEE MEETING ON
APRIL 6th AT 2:00.
WE WILL HOST THE SECOND PUBLIC
MEETING OF THE WATER FROM THAT
APPEALS.
PARKS, CLEAN CITY INITIATIVE
BETWEEN MARCH 15th AND 20th
LAST WEEK, CLEAN CITY
CREWMEMBERS REMOVED 60,000
POUNDS OF TRASH.
THE CRUISE ALSO VISITED
ENCAMPMENTS AND CLEANED UP
ABOUT 1500 NEEDLES.
NEAR KINNEAR AND NORTH AKERS
PARK IN DISTRICT V, THEY GOT A
LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA MAINTENANCE
THIS WEEK.
SHUTTLE PROGRAM, WE SERVED OVER
300 PEOPLE IN THE WEEK WHICH IS
PRETTY GOOD.
CHILDCARE, LAST WEEK THE PARKS
DEPARTMENT SERVED 288 CHILDREN
AT 17 CHILDCARE SITES
THROUGHOUT THE CITY -- FOOD
DISTRIBUTION AT RANIER BEACH
COMMUNITY CENTER -- AGAIN, FOOD
DISTRIBUED, 1500 MEALS TO
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
LITTLE BROOK PARK DESIGN
MEETING, THE LITTLE BROOK PARK
LAKE CITY COLLECTIVE HOSTED AN
ONLINE PUBLIC MEETING ON
SATURDAY, MARCH 27th TO SHARE
THREE NEW CONCEPT DESIGNS FOR
LITTLE BROOK PARK.
THIS COMMUNITY INITIATED
PROJECT INCLUDED SUPPORT BY THE
SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATION SEEKS
TO CREATE A SPACE BETTER SUITED
TO THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT
LIVES IN THE AREA AND PRODUCE
STRONGER EDUCATION TO [
INDISCERNIBLE ] THORN CREEK
WHICH IS A SALMON BEARING
STREAM.
A FILE COMMUNITY LEADING WILL
BE HELD LATER THIS SPRING.
VERY BRIEFLY, NATIVE
COMMUNITIES FOR SENATOR MURRAY
AND OTHER DELEGATES INTRODUCED
A SIGNIFICANT BILL ON THURSDAY,
MARCH 24th, TO AMEND THE [
INDISCERNIBLE ] ACT, COMMONLY
KNOWN AS FASTA, ALL TRIBAL
GOVERNMENTS [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
AS YOU ALL KNOW -- THIS HAS TO
DO WITH THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
FACILITY -- AND ON THAT NOTE,
I WILL SAY THAT THIS IS A BSD,
BIG DEAL, BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN
GOING ON SINCE THE 1990S UNDER
BILL CLINTON WHO HAD AN
EXECUTIVE ORDER WHO SAID IF YOU
DO ANY PROPERTY THAT AFFECTS
TRIBES YOU MUST HAVE
CONSULTATION -- I AM DONE --
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BY.
I APPRECIATE IT.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT SUCCINCT
-- REPORT?
OKAY, LOOKS LIKE THERE'S NONE,
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, TAKE AWAY.
>> I WILL FALL COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ'S EXAMPLE AND TRY TO
MEET OR EXCEED HER RECORD THIS
MORNING.
SO, I'M GOING TO JUMP IN,
THERE, YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE
A WHOLE LOT TO REPORT.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS ON THIS
AGENDA FROM SELECT COMMITTEE ON
HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIES AND
INVESTMENTS.
I DO JUST WANT TO SHARE, AS AN
UPDATE, WHAT MANY FOLKS HERE
SAW ON THE NEWS OR HEARD FROM
VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS LAST WEEK,
THAT MULTIPLE HOTELS ARE NOW
OPEN TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND
OUT OF ENCAMPMENTS AND CAN
BEGIN PUBLIC SPACES.
THOSE HOTELS ARE IN THE
DOWNTOWN AREA.
AS WELL IS THE KING'S INN
HOTEL, OPERATED BY THE LOW
INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE AND
SEATTLE HOUSING CLUB
RESPECTIVELY, A THIRD HOTEL IS
IN THE WORKS.
IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED IN
RECOGNITION OF THE $12 MILLION
OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT
THIS COUNCIL APPROVED FOR FEMA
REIMBURSABLE SUPPORT, AND I
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT
HOTEL ACTIVATED AS WELL.
JUST AS A BIT OF A REMINDER
UNDER THIS SHELTERED SURGE
PLAN, THAT THE COUNCIL RECEIVED
AND IMPLEMENTED IN THE BUDGET
LAST FALL, THE GOAL WILL BE TO
STAND UP APPROXIMATELY 300 WHO
TELLING UNITS -- A LITTLE MORE
NOW WITH THE SUPPLEMENTAL FEMA
FUNDING AND COMPARE THAT WITH
RAPID HOUSING TO INCREASE THE
EFFECT AND IMPACT OF THOSE 300
HOTEL ROOMS, SO WE WILL BE
MOVING MULTIPLE PEOPLE THROUGH,
THEN MOVING THEM INTO HOUSING
PLACEMENTS, BE THEY ON THE
MARKET OR IN SUPPORT OF [
INDISCERNIBLE ]. I LOOK FORWARD
TO SEEING THAT AGAIN.
PEOPLE ARE BEING MOVED TO
HOTELS.
THEY ARE OPERATIONAL.
THAT IS GOOD TO SEE , GIVEN
THAT THAT HAS BEEN A LONG-
STANDING COUNCIL PRIORITY.
I AM ATTENDING THE PUGET SOUND
REGIONAL [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
POLICY BOARD THIS THURSDAY ,
AND OTHERWISE DO NOT HAVE ANY
OTHER REGIONAL COMMITTEE
OBLIGATIONS, AND MADAM
PRESIDENT, WITH THAT, I WILL
CONCLUDE MY REPORT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, ANY
QUESTIONS FOR COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS ON THAT REPORT?
>> [ INDISCERNIBLE ], JUST
SAYING.
>> I LIKE THE HEALTHY
COMPETITION.
OKAY, COLLEAGUES, MOVING ON,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, I THINK
SHE IS STILL ON --
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, THE
FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS FROM THE
COMMUNITY IN THIS AGENDA.
I DO WANT TO LET FOLKS KNOW
THAT LAST WEEK I TESTIFIED ON
BEHALF OF OF THE BOARD OF
HEALTH AT THE KING COUNTY
COMMITTEE ON MOBILITY AND [
INDISCERNIBLE ]. THEY AGREED WE
WANT TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND
WELL-BEING OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS
WHO ARE ACUTELY IMPACTED BY
HAVING AN AIRPORT IN THEIR
NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO THERE ARE SOME AMENDMENTS TO
ADD SPECIFIC EMISSIONS
REDUCTION TARGETS TO THE KING
COUNTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,
AND WE WILL BE SUBMITTING A
LETTER TO SUPPORT AS THE
COMMITTEE TAKES THE REPORT IN
THE NEXT WEEK.
LAST WEEK, MY STAFF AND I
PARTICIPATED IN A WORKSHOP
HOSTED BY SEATTLE ON THE
BUILDING TENANT POWER AND
GETTING TENANTS INVOLVED IN THE
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
TENANTS EXPRESSED A GREAT NEED
FOR EVICTION PREVENTION.
WE THINK NOT JUST ABOUT THE
CURRENT EMERGENCY, BUT HOW WE
CAN HELP TENANTS DURING THE
RECOVERY.
AS COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
MENTIONED, THEY WILL BE
PARTICIPATING IN THE STATE
HOUSED STAY HEALTHY LUNCH.
I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT WORK
THAT MY OFFICE HAS BEEN DOING
WITH THE COMMUNITY TO CLOSE
THE JUST CAUSE LEASE
LEGISLATION LOOPHOLE.
MY OFFICE HAS BEEN CRAFTING
WITH COMMUNITY TO PROTECT ANY
TENANT WHO IS FACING FINANCIAL
HARDSHIP DURING THE PANDEMIC
FROM EVICTION.
LAST WEEK, I PARTICIPATED IN
THE PEOPLE'S TOWN HALL ON
COMMUNITY SAFETY.
THIS WAS SPECIFICALLY REGARDING
ISSUES IN THE SAFEWAY PARKING
LOT IN RANIER BEACH.
I WANT TO THANK, AGAIN, THE
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WHO
ORGANIZED AND PARTICIPATED IN
THAT INCLUDING URBAN FAMILIES,
SAFE PASSAGE, THE BOYS AND
GIRLS CLUB SOUTHEAST NETWORK,
COMMUNITY PASSAGEWAYS, AND
RANIER BEACH COALITION.
I JUST WANT TO THANK THEM AGAIN
FOR ALL OF THE WORK THEY DO
WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE
BEAUTIFUL SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH
INITIATIVE.
I WAS EXCITED TO BE INVITED --
LAST WEEK, MY LOCAL PROGRESS
MEMBER, GERBER PORTER, WHO IS A
CITY COUNCILMEMBER IN
ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, HE
INVITED ME TO SPEAK ABOUT THE
WORK THAT SEATTLE IS DOING ON
DIVESTING FROM POLICE SO WE CAN
ALLOCATE -- REALLOCATE FOR
PUBLIC INVESTMENT AND
COMMUNITY.
MR. PORTER IS A BOARD MEMBER OF
THE SOLIDARITY PROJECT ADVOCACY
NETWORK.
HE ALSO INVITED -- SORRY -- MY
NOTES ARE LITTLE MESSED UP,
HERE.
ALSO INVITED [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
FROM THE PRISON REFORM
COALITION, AND CURTIS DAVIS
FROM DAKAR STREET LOUISIANA.
SO THE THREE OF US WERE INVITED
TO SPEAK IN THIS PANEL AND
SHARE WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON.
ON WEDNESDAY, I WILL BE
VISITING LUMEN FIELD, THE MASS
VACCINATION SITE, TO SEE
FIRSTHAND HOW THAT SITE IS
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.
AND TOMORROW, WE WILL BE
JOINING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR
A RIDE ALONG WITH HELP ONE.
COUNCIL NUMBER LEWIS IS GETTING
MYSELF ON THE LIST.
WE WILL SEE HOW THE PROGRAM IS
WORKING.
AND ON FRIDAY, WE WILL BE
JOINING LEAD STAFF IN THE
AMOUNT BAKER COMMUNITY -- MT.
BAKER COMMUNITY, WHO ARE
INTERESTED IN TAKING A WALKING
TOUR OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH
SOMEBODY FROM LEED TO
UNDERSTAND HOW THE PROGRAM
WORKS AND HOW THEY ARE SERVING
COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL I HAVE --
I DO WANT TO REITERATE A POINT
THAT COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD MADE
, WHICH WAS LAST WEEK, THE [
INDISCERNIBLE ] HEALTH OFFICER,
DR. JEFF NGUYEN, HAD A DIRE
WARNING, THAT WE ARE ON THIN
ICE IN WASHINGTON AND KING
COUNTY.
NEW COVID CASES ARE UP 43% FROM
TWO WEEKS AGO, AND COUNTY
HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE UP 20%.
SO IT IS VERY EXCITING THAT WE
HAVE LOTS OF VACCINES COMING,
DIFFERENT MODELS COMING, AND
THE VACCINATION RATES ARE GOING
UP, BUT IT IS STILL REALLY
IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO
OBSERVE PROTOCOLS SO WE CAN TRY
TO PREVENT ANOTHER SURGE OF
COVID IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE,
COUNCILMEMBER.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS, ANY
QUSTIONS ON THAT REPORT?
HEARING NONE, I WILL ROUND THIS
SECTION OUT BEFORE WE GET INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
REALLY QUICKLY -- NOTHING TO
REPORT FROM THE GOVERNANCE AND
EDUCATION COMMITTEE AS SET --
THE REGULAR MEETING IS SET.
THE COMMITTEE, HOWEVER, HAS NO
ITEMS ON TODAY'S INSTRUCTION
AND REFERRAL CALENDAR, AND
NOTHING ON THIS AFTERNOON'S
FULL COUNCIL AGENDA.
LAST WEEK, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY
TO ATTEND THE REGIONAL
EXECUTIVE BOARD, AND THIS WEEK,
I WILL BE ATTENDING A SPECIAL
PUGET SOUND POLICY BOARD
MEETING AT 3:00 P.M.
LAST WEEK, MY OFFICE ALSO
ATTENED A MEETING AT THE [
INDISCERNIBLE ] OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE WHERE SEATTLE PROMISE
UPDATES WERE SHARED WITH ALL
OF THE LEVY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
MEMBERS.
LAST WEEK, I HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOUTH
ADVOCACY PROGRAM COHORT, WITH
CHOOSE 180 AND PASSAGEWAYS, IT
WAS A REAL HONOR TO BE THERE
FIRST ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT
THEY GOT TO MEET IN THAT
SETTING.
I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED WITH ALL
THEIR GREAT QUESTIONS ON WHAT
LEADERSHIP MEANS AND HOW THEY [
INDISCERNIBLE ] IN OUR
COMMUNITIES AS WELL -- I JUST
WANT TO THANK CHOOSE 180 AND
COMMUNITY PASSAGEWAYS FOR
HOSTING ME.
ALL RIGHT.
I WILL LEAVE MY COMMENTS THEY
ARE SO WE CAN SHIFT INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION, UNLESS THERE
ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING
ELSE FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER.
IT LOOKS LIKE THERE AREN'T ANY
HANDS RAISED OR QUESTIONS THAT
WANT TO BE ADDED, SO,
COLLEAGUES, AS PRESIDING
OFFICER, I AM ANNOUNCING THAT
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL
CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THE PURPOSE OF THE EXECUTIVE
SESSION IS TO DISCUSS PENDING
LITIGATION, THE EXECUTIVE
SESSION IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
COUNCIL TO DISCUSS CONFIDENTIAL
LEGAL MATTERS WITH THE CITY'S
ATTORNEYS AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
A MEMO FROM THE CITY'S ATTORNEY
OFFICE IS PRESENT TO MAKE SURE
COUNCIL RESERVES QUESTIONS OF
POLICY FOR OPEN SESSIONS.
I EXPECT THE TIME OF THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION TO END BY
12:00 NOON, TODAY, IF THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION IS TO BE
EXTENDED BEYOND NOON, I WILL
ANNOUNCED THE EXTENSION AND THE
EXPENDED DURATION IN OPEN
SESSION.