>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
IT IS 2:02 P.M.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> [ ROLL CALLED ].
>>
PLEASE KEEP GOING THROUGH THE
ROLL [ ROLL CALLED ]
>> IF YOU COULD CALL ON
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD ONE MORE
TIME.
>> HERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> NINE PRESENT.
THANK YOU MADAM CLERK.
PRESENTATIONS.
I AM NOT AWARE OF
PRESENTATIONS.
THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING OF MARCH 8th 2021
HAVE BEEN REVIEWED.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION THE MINUTES
WILL BE SIGNED.
HEARING NO OBJECTIONS THE
HEARINGS WILL BE SIGNED.
REFERRAL CALENDAR I MOVE
TO ADOPT THE INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR.
IS THERE A SECOND IF.
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO ADOPT THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS ON THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR.
>> MADAM PRESIDENT.
>> YES, COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
>> IS THIS THE TIME TO MOVE TO
AMEND THE CALENDAR?
>> YES.
>> I MOVE TO AMEND THE
INTRODUCTION REFERRAL CALENDAR
BY INTRODUCING 120019 BILL
ENTITLED ORDINANCE AMENDING
ORDINANCE 126237 WHICH ADOPTED
THE 2021 BUDGET INCLUDING THE
2021 TO 2026 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OR C IP
CHANGING THE APPROPRIATIONS TO
VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND VARIOUS
CONTROL LEVELS AND TO THE
BUDGET AND MODIFYING PROVISOS
BY 3/4 VOTE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AND BY REFERRING IT TO THE
FINANCE AND HOUSING COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED FOR
120019.
AND BY REFERRING IT TO THE
FINANCE AND HOUSING COMMITTEE.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THIS AMENDMENT?
HEARING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
WILL THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL ON
I ADOPTION.
>> LEWIS.
>> AYE.
>> MORALES.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> YES.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSON.
>> YES.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ.
>> AYE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> MOTION CARRIES AND THE
AMENDED INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR IS BEFORE THE
COUNCIL.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER FURTHER
COMMENTS ON THE INTRODUCTION
AND REFERRAL CALENDAR?
HEARING NO FURTHER COMMENTS
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLLING ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDED REFERRAL CALENDAR.
>> LEWIS.
>> AYE.
>> MORALES.
>> YES.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSON.
>> YES.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ.
>> YES.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
GIVE ME JUST A MINUTE.
I HAVE A 4th VERSION IN TODAY'S
SCRIPT.
THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
INTRODUCTION AMENDED.
I MOVE TO ADOPT THE AGENDA IS
THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO ADOPT TODAY'S AGENDA.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS OR AMENDMENTS TO THE
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT AND
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSON.
>> THANK YOU.
I MOVE TO HOLD ITEM 17
RESOLUTION 31998 UNTIL JUNE
7th, 2021.
ITEM 17 ON THE AGENDA WAS A
RESOLUTION FROM MY OFFICE
URGING THE MAYOR AND THE
GOVERNOR TO EXTEND THE
MORATORIUMS TO EVICTIONS TO THE
END OF 2021.
MAYOR DURKAN AGREED TO THREE
MONTHS TO THE END OF JUNE.
THIS IS NOT EVERYTHING THAT THE
RENTERS MOVEMENT IS FIGHTING
FOR BUT A CLEAR VICTORY FOR
THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN FIGHTING
FOR IT.
OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD HAVE
PREFERRED MORE THAN 43 MINUTES
NOTICE BEFORE THIS RESOLUTION
CAME UP FOR A VOTE THAT MAYOR
WAS RESPONDING TO OUR COMMANDS
AND THE TIMING IS IMPROBABLE
COINCIDENCE.
GIVING THIS BREAKING NEWS I AM
OPEN TO HOLDING THE VOTE WHICH
IS WHY I AM PROPOSING THAT IT
BE HELD FOR THREE MONTHS UNTIL
JUNE 7th HOPEFULLY BEFORE THEN
THE MAYOR AND THE GOVERNOR WILL
AGREE TO EXTEND THE MORATORIUM
UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR AS
THIS RESOLUTION REQUEST AND IF
THEY DO NOT, WE WILL HAVE THE
RESOLUTION READY FOR A VOTE AT
THAT TIME.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT
OBVIOUS GROW RENTER RIGHT
MOVEMENT AS A SIGN OF GROWING
POWER.
THEY DID NOT EXTENT IT FOR THE
FULL YEAR BUT CONCEDING TO A
THREE MONTH EXTENSION AND
PROTECTION SHE DID SOMETHING
THAT BIG BUSINESS AND THE
LANDLORD LOBBY.
CARPET LANDLORD LOBBY HAS
FOUGHT AGAINST.
IT IS THE 3683 COMMUNITY
MEMBERS THAT HOLD VICTORY,
ORDINARY PEOPLE THAT SIGNED OUR
PETITIONS CALLING FOR A
MORATORIUM EXTENSION THAT ARE
210 COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT
WROTE PERSONAL MOVING STORIES
TO THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT HOW
THEY WERE STRUGGLING AND WHY
THE MORATORIUM MUST BE
EXTENDED.
THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT
HAVE WRITTEN OTHER LETTERS AND
SPOKE UP DEMANDING AN
EXTENSION.
THE 17 COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS THAT
SIGNED ALONG WITH ME ARE
IMPORTANT THAT APPEARED ON THE
JANUARY 22nd STRANGER INCLUDING
GABE TRUEBIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF SEATTLE AND THE WASHINGTON
STATE AND LUKA CACHECKA OF 1488
AND CAROL RILEY PRESIDENT OF
THE WACP AND SIERRA PARSONS AT
WAR BLOCK AND DR. BRANDON
PABLEESKY PRESIDENT OF THE
RESIDENT AND FELLOW UNION.
NORTHWEST AND THE U-DUB AND
HOSPITALS BERNARD STRUCK FROM
THE SAME UNION AS EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR.
CARLA ES TA VAST THAT THE OWNER
OF A SMALL BUSINESS IN DISTRICT
TWO AND SHIRLEY HENDERSON CO-
OWNER OF A SHOP IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT AND DISTRICT THREE.
MATT BREMLEY WHO IS A RENTER'S
RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND BLACK
RIGHTS ACTIVIST OF THE CHATEAU
GARDEN AND SAMANTHA THOMPSON,
SIERRA LOREINNO AND THAT VINO
MORENO ART AND GARDEN AND
OLIVER MITCH SOCIALIST OF
AMERICA AND RENTER RIGHT
ACTIVIST IN DISTRICT TWO AND
KATE WILSON FROM THE AGENDA
WRITERS UNION.
THIS VICTORY BELONGS TO THOSE
PEOPLE I MENTIONED AND ALSO TO
THE RELATIONSHIPS AND THE 47
ORGANIZATIONS THAT WROTE A
JOINT LETTER TO MAYOR DURKAN
CALLING FOR A FULL YEAR
EXTENSION OF THE MORATORIUM
THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL
CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD BUT
FOR NOW THIS IS EXTREMELY
RELIEF FOR RENTERS TO HAVE
THREE MONTHS EXTENSION AND I
WANTED TO INCLUDE SOME OF THOSE
47 ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE
43rd DISTRICT AND THE BALLARD
COMMUNITY TASK FORCE ON
HOMELESSNESS AND HUNGER AND
BODY HEART AND MIND ACADEMY.
CREATIVE JUSTICE.
L CENTER AND FAITH ACTIVE
NETWORK AND ONE AMERICA AND MLK
LABOR COUNSEL AND NICKELS VOTE
AND PROTEST 17 AND GREENHOUSE
HELP LINE AND REAL CHANGE.
SEATTLE ENTRANCE HELP VOTE AND
SEATTLE COUNCIL ON COALITION A
HOMELESSNESS.
925.
SHARE REAL SOLID GROUND.
SIERRA CLUB.
THE URBANIST AND 21 AND LOCAL
AID.
THERE IS MANY OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE DONE
THIS AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO
MENTION ALL OF THEM BUT THE
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS STUCK
TOGETHER AND MADE A BOLD DEMAND
AND WE ARE A PORTION VICTORY
AND IMPORTANT TO CLAIM THAT AS
A VICTORY FOR THE MOMENT TO USE
THAT AS ENERGY TO KEEP ENSURE
THAT IN THE REST OF THIS YEAR
ALSO WE CONVEY THE MESSAGE TO
RENTERS AND WE ARE NOT DONE AND
WILL KEEP FIGHTING FOR THE FULL
YEAR EXTENSION BECAUSE THAT IS
WHAT WORKING PEOPLE NEED AND
THAT IS WHAT THE STATISTICS
SHOW THAT PANDEMIC IS NOT GOING
TO END ANYTIME SOON AS FAR AS
ECONOMIC IMPACT AND THAT THOSE
PROTECTIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE
NEEDED IN ADDITION TO CAN
CANCELING RENTS AND UTILITY
PAYMENTS FOR AFFECTED
HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS AND
SMALL BUSINESSES AND SMALL
LANDLORDS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
TO NOTE THE PROCEDURE HERE,
BEFORE YOU MAKE REMARKS I JUST
WANT TO REMIND THAT WE HAVE TO
HAVE A SECOND BEFORE YOU CAN
SPEAK TO THE UNDERLYING MOTION.
I RECOGNIZE THAT YOU JUST MADE
YOUR COMMENTS AND SO WE WILL GO
AHEAD AND NOW ASK FOR A SECOND
IN ORDER TO CONSIDER YOUR
MOTION TO HOLD AND I WILL ALLOW
ANY OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS THAT
WOULD LIKE TO MAKE COMMENTS TO
DO SO.
IS THERE A SECOND ON THIS
MOTION TO HOLD RESOLUTION
31998?
>> SECOND.
>> OKAY.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
HOLD AGENDA ITEM 17 RESOLUTION
31998 UNTIL JUNE 7th OF 2021.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT, YOU
ALREADY PROVIDED YOUR COMMENTS.
THIS WOULD HAVE ORDINARILY BEEN
THE TIME I OFFERED YOU THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE
SUBSTANCE OF THE MOTION BUT I
WANT TO OPEN IT UP FOR OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS THAT MIGHT HAVE
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THE
MOTION TO HOLD ITEM 17 WHICH IS
RESOLUTION 3199.
HEARING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
TO HOLD COUNCILMEMBER YOU HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE CLOSING
COMMENTS ON THE MOTION TO HOLD.
>> I THANK THE COUNCILMEMBERS
FOR SECONDING THIS MOTION AND I
HAVE MADE I THINK A REALLY
COMPELLING ARGUMENT FOR WHY WE
SHOULD TAKE THE THREE MONTH
EXTENSION AND CONTINUE TO
MONITOR THE SITUATION AND MAKE
SURE TO COME BACK TO THIS WHEN
THE RESOLUTION WILL BE NEEDED.
I WILL JUST STOP THERE.
>> GREAT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SORRY TO HAVE TO BE THE
PARLIAMENTARY BUT IT COMES WITH
THE JOB.
>> THANK YOU.
I APOLOGIZE.
I SPED THROUGH MY COMMENTS JUST
BEFORE GETTING A SECOND.
>> YEAH.
THAT'S OKAY.
WE WOULD HAVE GOT AN TO THE
SECOND EVENTUALLY AND YOU WOULD
HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE
YOUR COMMENTS SO AGAIN I
APPRECIATE YOU UNDERSTANDING
THE ROLE I GOT TO PLAY HERE.
WILL THE CLERK NOW PLEASE CALL
THE ROLE ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDED AGENDA.
>> LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> MORALES.
>> YES.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> YES.
>> PETE PEDERSON YES.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
SAWANT.
>> YES.
JUAREZ.
>> YES.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> YES.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
AGENDA IS -- SORRY.
THE SORRY ABOUT THAT.
THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
AGENDA IS -- THE MOTION CARRIES
AND THE AGENDA IS AMENDED WITH
ITEMS BEING HELD TO JUNE 7th
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSON HAVE YOU
HAWAII YOUR HAND RAISED.
I WILL HAND IT TO YOU FOR THE
AMENDED AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU.
I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE ANOTHER
AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA.
I MOVE THAT WE AMEND TODAY'S
AGENDA TO HOLD ITEM 16 WHICH IS
COUNCIL BILL 12007.
UNTIL THE FULL CITY COUNCIL
MEETING OF MONDAY, MARCH 29TH.
>> THANK YOU.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> OKAY.
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO HOLD AGENDA ITEM 16 COUNCIL
BILL 12007 UNTIL MARCH 29th.
COUPLE MEMBER PEDERSON YOU ARE
REMEMBERING NICED IN ORDER TO
ADDRESS THE MOTION TO HOLD ITEM
NUMBER 16.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
COLLEAGUES.
ITEM 16 ON THE AGENDA COUNCIL
BILL 1007.
IT IS THE PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE
ATTORNEYS AT NO COST REGARDLESS
OF A TENANT'S CIRCUMSTANCES IN
AN EVICTION PROCEEDING KNOWN AS
RIGHT TO COUNSEL.
THE BILL THAT COMES AFTER
SEVERAL POSITIVE ACTIONS AS
CITY COUNCIL HAS TAKEN TO
ASSIST RESIDENTIAL TENANTS TO
ACHIEVE CONFINEMENT.
I BELIEVE THE CITY COUNCIL
SIMPLY NEEDS MORE TIME.
JUST MOMENTS AGO OUR MAYOR
ANNOUNCED ANOTHER EXTENSION OF
THE MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS.
IT CAN PROVIDE THE COUNCIL WITH
TIME TO REFINE THE DETAILS OF
THE NEW AND PERMANENT CHANGE
BEING PROPOSED BY COUNCIL BILL
120007.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSON FOR THOSE COMMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE MOTION TO HOLD
ITEM 16 UNTIL MARCH 29th.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT,
PLEASE.
>> YOU'RE ON MOOT.
>> THIS IS THE BILL TO PROVIDE
GUARANTEED RIGHT TO COUNSEL TO
ALL RENTERS WHO ARE FACING
EVICTION.
I'M UNCLEAR WHY COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSON WANTS TO DELAY IT.
HE VOTED NO AND WE KNOW WHERE
HE STANDS I AM NOT CLEAR IN ANY
HONESTY COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSON
PROPOSES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
THE BILL BETWEEN NOW AND THE
29th, I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT
WAS SUGGESTED.
THE FACT IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN
DISCUSSING RIGHT TO COUNSEL ALL
YEAR THAT IS OVER TWO MONTHS
ACTUALLY THIS POINT ABOUT
HAVING LEGAL AID FOR RENTERS
FACING EVICTION IS A POINT
DISCUSSED BY THE COUNCIL OVER
THREE BUDGET SEASONS BECAUSE IT
WAS THREE YEARS AGO THAT THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET MOVEMENT IN MY
OFFICE WERE ABLE TO WIN THE
FIRST EVER CITY OF SEATTLE
FUNDING FOR EVICTION ATTORNEYS.
EVERY BUDGET SEASON WE EXTENDED
THAT BUDGET FUNDING.
WE HAVE EVIDENCE, PHYSICAL
EVIDENCE THAT IS ACTUALLY
HELPING RENTERS AND MORE THAN
THAT, WE HAVE EVIDENCE FROM
MULTIPLE CITIES ABOUT HOW NOT
ONLY HAVE THEY ALREADY PASSED
THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL GUARANTEED
RIGHTS AND YOU HAVE A TRAINED
ATTORNEY ALONG YOUR SIDE WHEN
YOU FACE AN EVICTION AND YOU GO
TO COURT BUT THESE CITIES, MANY
OF THESE CITIES LIKE NEW YORK
CITY AND SAN FRANCISCO HAVE BY
NO MEANS LIMITED TO THOSE
CITIES HAVE RIGHTS TO COUNSEL
SEVERAL YEARS AGO WELL BEFORE
THE PANDEMIC.
WE HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF SEEING
OVERWHELMING AND VERY STRONG
STATISTICAL EVIDENCE IF
COUNCILMEMBERS WANT TO BE DATA
DRIVEN ABOUT HOW MUCH IT HELPS
EVERY RENTER.
HAVING A LAWYER TO PREVENT AN
EVICTION COULD MEAN LIFE AND
DEATH DIFFERENCE.
YOU HAVE SEEN THE NUMBERS AND
THE LOSING HOME REPORT FROM THE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION AND THE KING
COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION THAT
SHOWS THAT NEARLY 90% OF PEOPLE
THAT FACE AND END UP EVICTED
ALSO END UP BECOMING HOMELESS.
SO THIS IS A DEVASTATING
EXPERIENCE AND SORT OF A
LIFELINE TO HOMELESSNESS UNLESS
EVICTIONS ARE PREVENTED AND I
AM NOT SURE WHAT TWO WEEK DELAY
IS GOING TO ACCOMPLISH BEYOND
WHAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED.
WE HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE
DISCUSSIONS IN TWO COMMITTEES
AND AS I SAID ALL OF THIS YEAR
AND IN THE PAST THREE YEARS WE
HAD PRESENTATION AFTER
PRESENTATION FROM THE ATTORNEYS
THEMSELVES, NOT JUST FROM
TENANT'S RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN
GENERAL BUT ATTORNEYS
THEMSELVES THAT HAVE SHOWN US
POWERFUL EVIDENCE ABOUT HOW IN
CITIES THAT HAVE RIGHT TO
COUNSEL ESPECIALLY IN CITIES
THAT HAVE STRONG RIGHT TO
COUNSEL IS ACTUALLY HAD A
POSITIVE IMPACT NOT ONLY ON HOW
IT PREVENTS EVICTIONS BUT HOW
EVICTION FILINGS HAVE GONE DOWN
BECAUSE LANDLORDS NOW KNOW THAT
THEY FACE NOT JUST A TENANT BY
THEMSELVES BUT A TRAINED
ATTORNEY THAT IS GOING TO KNOW
EXACTLY WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT
THAT EVICTION AND PRESENT THE
TENANT TO OTHER SOURCES OF HELP
LIKE RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE DOES NOT WORK
BY ITSELF BUT THEY ARE
COMPLIMENTS TO EACH OTHER AND
PREVENTING THE EVICTION IN
COURT LEGALLY.
IS A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF
PROTECTING RENTERS.
WE KNOW IT IS WOMEN AND
SPECIFICALLY BLACK WOMEN THAT
ARE DEEPLY AFFECTED BY
EVICTIONS AND WE HAVE SEEN FROM
NEW YORK THAT 86% OF TENANTS
REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL REMAIN
IN THEIR HOMES.
THIS IS JUST STAGGERING
EVIDENCE OF WHAT GOOD WE CAN DO
BILING AMOUNTS OF FUNDING.
I CAN PROMISE YOU REGARDLESS OF
WHICH SORT OF SPECTRUM OF
ESTIMATES YOU LOOK AT, THE
EVICTION DEFENSE FROM THE CITY
WILL COST LESS THAN ONE PERCENT
OF THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET.
SO IT SHOWS THAT IT SAFES LIFE
LITERALLY SAFES LIVES AND NOT A
HYPERBOLE AND WE HAVE DISCUSSED
THIS A LOT.
SEEN A LOT OF OVERWHELMING DATA
DRIVEN EVIDENCE AND NOT SURE
WHAT CAN BE GLEANED IF WE WAIT
ACTUALLY IT AFFECTS RENTERS
MORE BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T HAVE
THIS PROTECTION.
IT WILL BE DELAYED HAVING THAT
PROTECTION AND I WOULD ALSO ADD
MY STAFF HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE
OUTREACH TO COUNCILMEMBERS
ESPECIALLY WHO ARE IN THE
COMMITTEE, COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSON IN THE COMMITTEE
ASKING THEM ABOUT QUESTIONS
THAT WE CAN ANSWER FROM MY
OFFICE.
ASKING THEM TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS
TO CENTRAL STAFF AND FROM THE
CENTRAL STAFF HAVE DONE AN
EXCELLENT JOB TAKING EVERY
QUESTION THAT CAME HER WAY BY
PROVIDING NUMBERS BASED DATA.
IN CLOSING I'M NOT SURE WHAT
WOULD BE GAINED BY DELAYED
OTHER THAN AN ATTEMPT TO DERAIL
THE MOVEMENT THAT IS CLEARLY
READY TO FIGHT AND WIN TODAY
THIS RIGHT TO COUNSEL WITHOUT
LOOPHOLES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD,
PLEASE.
>> THANKS.
I WANT TO SAY THAT I AM EXCITED
ABOUT VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS
LEGISLATION.
I THINK THAT THIS IS REALLY
IMPORTANT BILL.
AND I AM SUPPORTING THE REQUEST
FOR A DELAY.
BASED ON YOU KNOW WHAT FOR ME
IN MY TIME ON THE COUNCIL IS A
STANDARD PRACTICE OF WHEN YOUR
COLLEAGUE ASKS FOR A DELAY.
IT IS NOT A DECLARATION OF WAR
AGAINST THE POLICY BUT IT IS
REALLY ABOUT WORKING TO TRY --
I'M HOPING IN GOOD FAITH TO
MAKE A BETTER BILL.
I HAVE BEEN PRIVY TO SOME OF
THE EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT A
COMMITTEE MEMBER, I HAVE BEEN
PRIVY TO SOME OF THE QUESTIONS
BEING ASKED ABOUT THE BILL AND
RECEIVED SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS FROM CENTRAL STAFF.
AND I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN MAKE
THIS A BETTER STRONGER MORE
DEFENSIBLE BILL IN THE NEXT TWO
WEEK.
I DID HAVE A COUPLE OF
AMENDMENTS THAT I WAS PROPOSING
TODAY.
TO TRY TO TAKE A STEP TOWARDS
DOING SO BUT I AGREE THAT THE
ADDITIONAL TWO WEEKS WILL HELP
US ALL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
STRENGTHEN THE BILL.
THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, PLEASE.
>> I AM TOO EXCITED ABOUT THE
RIGHT TO COUNCIL IS FUNDAMENTAL
IN A LOT OF THINGS WE DO IN
SORTS AND HISTORICALLY IN THE
UNITED STATES AND LAWYERS ARE
WELL AWARE WE ARE NOT EXTENDED
A RIGHT TO COUNSEL INCLUDING
EVICTION PROCEEDINGS AND THAT
HAS HAD INEQUITABLE AND UNFAIR
CONSEQUENCES.
I AM APPRECIATIVE TO
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S EFFORTS
ON THE INFORMATION SHE HAS MADE
AVAILABLE THROUGH CENTRAL STAFF
AND THROUGH HER STAFF
THROUGHOUT THE PENDENCY OF THIS
PROCESS ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE
THAT ARE ON THE COMMITTEE LIKE
MYSELF.
AND YOU KNOW WITH THIS MOTION
COMING FORWARD I CAN'T SAY THAT
I DISAGREE IT MAY MAKE A
DIFFERENCE TO WAIT UNTIL THE
29TH.
BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE FOLLOW-
UP INFORMATION I'VE RECEIVED
FROM THE LAW DEPARTMENT IN
DRILLING DOWN INTO SOME OF
THEIR CONCERNS.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE
THAT PART OF THE REASON THIS
COUNCIL HAS BEEN SO PROFOUNDLY
SUCCESSFUL IN PRODUCING PRO
TENANT LEGISLATION THAT
SURVIVES RIGOROUS AND WELL
FUNDED LEGAL CHALLENGES THERE
IS A REASON WE DON'T HAVE TO DO
A LANDLORD RIGHT TO COUNSEL.
THEY ARE GOING TO SUE AND COME
AFTER THIS THE WAY THEY HAVE
COME AFTER EVERYTHING ELSE AND
THE LAW DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN
ABLE TO TURN THEM BACK AND WIN
AND DEFEND THOSE RIGHTS IN
COURT BECAUSE WE HAVE WORKED
CAREFULLY TO CONSTRUCT
LEGISLATION THAT WILL SURVIVE
THOSE ATTACKS.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SALIENT
ISSUES THAT I STILL THINK NEED
TO BE TIGHTENED UP IN PLACES TO
MAKE SURE THAT THIS WILL
SURVIVE THOSE CHALLENGES.
AND YOU KNOW I WOULD BE
INTERESTED IN HAVING A FULL ON
EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE ENTIRE COUNSEL
ON THE LEGISLATION DURING THE
TIME THAT WE HAVE BETWEEN NOW
AND WHEN COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSON
IS REQUESTING WE TAKE THIS UP
AGAIN TO SEE IF WE CAN FIGURE
OUT WAYS TO, YOU KNOW, EVEN IF
IT DOESN'T LEAD TO MATERIAL
CHANGES IN THE BILL STRENGTHEN
UP THROUGH RECITALS OR
STATEMENTS OR COMMENTS ON
LEGISLATIVE INTENT OR WHATEVER
ELSE TO SHOW HOW WE ARE
STRUCTURING THIS TO FIT WITHIN
THE CONSTRAINTS OF SOME LEGAL
ISSUES WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL
OF.
SO FOR THAT REASON, I DON'T SEE
ANY DISADVANTAGE TO WAITING
UNTIL THE 29TH.
AND WE WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS
MOTION.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT I SEE YOUR
HAND UP.
SINCE YOU ARE THE PRIME SPONSOR
OF THE ACTUAL BILL I THOUGHT
PERHAPS IT WOULD BE BETTER TO
ALLOW OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS TO
MAKE COMMENTS TO ALLOW TO YOU
RESPOND TO ALL OF THEM AS
OPPOSED BECAUSE UNDER THE RULES
EACH COUNCILMEMBER ONLY HAS TWO
BITES AT THE APPLE I WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE TAKE
THAT SECOND BITE WHEN IT MAKE
MOST SENSE.
WOULD THAT BE OKAY?
>> I AM HAPPY TO WAIT UNTIL
OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE
SPOKEN.
>> GREAT.
ANY OTHER COLLEAGUES ANY OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE
TO MAKE A COMMENT?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
>> I'M SORRY.
I AM AWAY FROM THE SITE TO I AM
TRYING TO DO IT FROM THE PHONE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT A
REQUEST FOR DELAY AND I WANT TO
REALLY THANK COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD FOR HER WORDS.
THIS HAS STRUCK ME AS IMPORTANT
BILL.
I DO WANT TO MAKE IT A BETTER
BILL AND I DO WANT TO MAKE IT A
BETTER LAW.
WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AS YOU
KNOW THERE ARE LAWYERS ON THIS
COUNCIL.
WE ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE A 6th
AMEND RIGHT TO COUNSEL BASED ON
THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
AND CRIMINALITY.
AND WE SHOULD POINT OUT THERE
IS SIX OTHER AREAS IN WHICH WE
PROVIDE FREE LEGAL
REPRESENTATION BASED ON
ELIGIBILITY.
NOT A MEANS TESTING.
ELIGIBILITY.
THROUGH THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC
DEFENSE.
THAT IS DEPENDENCY ACTION AND
MENTAL HEALTH AND CIVIL
PROCEEDINGS AND PEOPLE THAT
FACE CONTEMPT FOR CHILD SUPPORT
AND CIVIL COMMITMENT.
A WHOLE ARRAY OF WHERE THE
GOVERNMENT STEPS IN AND PAYS
FOR LEGAL COUNSEL OUTSIDE OF
THE SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHT TO
COUNSEL WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED
AND YOU ARE DEEMED ELIGIBLE TO
HAVE LEGAL COUNSEL.
OR INDIGENT.
I'M SORRY.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PULL UP
AND LOOK AT THE DEPARTMENT OF
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES UNDER
OPD AND I BELIEVE I TALKED TO
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS ABOUT THIS
OFF LINE.
I THINK THAT ALL OF THE ENERGY
AND THE INTENTIONITY OF THIS IS
RIGHT ON.
I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT
WE SHOULD BE DOING.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST
AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT
ELIGIBILITY.
I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE
DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY LIKE IN
OTHER AREAS AND PROBABLY IF WE
SIT DOWN AND LOOK AT HOW WE
WOULD RESTRUCTURE THE
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
I THINK WE COULD HAVE A LOWER
STANDARD FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE
FREE LEGAL COUNSEL IN THE EVENT
THAT THEY ARE BEING EVICTED
UNFAIRLY AND IT CAN LOOK
SOMETHING LIKE OPD, OFFICE OF
OPPOSED DEFENSE DOES AND I
THING I DID SHARE THIS WITH
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
IT IS NOT THAT I'M AGAINST THE
MOVEMENT, I'M NOT AGAINST
HOMELESS PEOPLE.
I'M NOT AGAINST ALL OF THE
THING THAT COME UP.
WHAT I REALLY WANT IS A PIECE
OF LEGISLATION THAT I CAN VOTE
YES ON THAT CAN GUARANTEE LEGAL
COUNSEL TO PEOPLE THAT ARE
ELIGIBLE.
THOSE ARE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BE
LOW-INCOME PEOPLE.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE THE
SAME PEOPLE THAT WE WOULD LOOK
AT FOR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
FOR CRIMINALS.
AND I THINK THAT THE STANDARD
SHOULD BE HIGHER.
I THINK IF WE WERE TO TRY TO
PASS IT TODAY UNDER ITS LOGICAL
CONCLUSION AND COMMON SENSE AND
NOT TRYING TO START A MOVEMENT
DOES THIS MEAN IF I MAKE ONE
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR
AND I QUIT PAYING MY RENT THAT
I GET A FREE LAWYER AND THE
CITY PICKS UP THE TAB?
I DON'T THINK THAT IS RIGHT.
I WANT TO MAKE IT RIGHT.
I WANT TO MAKE IT BETTER.
I WANT IT TO BE ABLE TO
WITHSTAND LEGAL SCRUTINY AND I
THINK WHAT COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
SAID AND I APPRECIATE THAT WE
HAVE SEEN THE MEMOS AND THANK
YOU FOR THE GREAT MEMOS THAT
CAME OUT OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT.
I THINK IF WE HAD EXECUTIVE
SESSION WE CAN CARVE OUT SOME
AND HAVE THE ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENT AND MAKE IT SO THAT
WE PROTECT THE PEOPLE UNDER THE
DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT
THEY HAVE LEGAL COUNSEL DURING
EVICTION HEARINGS AND THAT IS
SOMETHING I WANT TO DO.
I AM GOING TO BE SUPPORTING A
REQUEST FOR THE DELAY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ.
I CAN'T TELL IF ANOTHER HAND IS
UP OR NEW?
HOLD ON.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, YOU ARE
NEXT IN THE QUEUE.
>> I AM PROUD TO BE
COSPONSORING THIS LEGISLATION.
I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT
WE BRING ALL TENANTS
REPRESENTATION IN EVICTION
CASES AND I THINK IT IS ALSO
IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THIS
SUPPORT SHOULDN'T BE CONTINGENT
ON PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND
NUMBERS OF PROPERTIES OWNED BY
LANDLORDS OR ANY OTHER KINDS OF
MEANS TESTING IS POOR PEOPLE
THAT GET EVICTED AND THAT'S
CLEAR.
PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC TENANTS
ALREADY FACE TOUGH ODDS IN
EVICTION COURTS IF THEY DIDN'T
HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND
EVICTION MORE ARE MORATORIUM
ARE LIFTED IN THE COUNTRY AND
HERE IN WASHINGTON AND
EMERGENCY IN THE REAR-VIEW
MIRROR, WE KNOW THAT MANY OF
OUR NEIGHBORS WILL BE IN
TOUGHER SITUATIONS.
STRAIGHT FORWARD LEGISLATION.
I DON'T THINK THERE IS A LOT WE
CAN DO TO STRENGTHEN IT.
I THINK ANY DELAY WOULD REALLY
ONLY BE YOU KNOW RISK
DIMINISHING THE IMPACT THAT
THIS COULD HAVE AND SO I WILL
NOT BE SUPPORTING MOTION TO
DELAY.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES.
ANY OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS THAT
WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT?
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT.
UNFORTUNATELY WHATEVER LEGAL
MEMOS THAT FOLKS ARE REFERRING
TO.
MY OFFICE HAS NOT SEEN THOSE.
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS AND
CONCERNS THAT HAVE COMING UP
SINCE THIS HAS BEEN IN THE
HOPPER FOR THE LAST WEEK I
WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED HAVING
THOSE SENT MY WAY.
I, TOO, UNDERSCORE THE
IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SURE THAT
FOLKS HAVE ACCESS TO LEGAL
PROTECTION BUT I THINK THIS
COUNCIL HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS
JOB IN LISTENING TO NOT JUST
RENTERS BUT SMALL LANDLORDS AS
WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE
HAVE PROTECTIONS AND MAKING
SURE THE SMALLEST LANDLORDS
HAVE ACCESS TO DOLLARS VIA
RESTAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER
SUPPORT.
MOVING FORWARD ON THIS TODAY
BUT ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE ARE ON SOLID LEGAL GROUND.
I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH
FOLK IN THE OFFICE OF HOUSING
AND ASKED ABOUT CONCERNS BASED
ON THE REVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE
MEETING I SAW LAST WEEK WHERE
QUESTIONS WERE ASKED ABOUT
PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE BOOK ON
PUBLIC HOUSING AND ASSURED
THERE WAS NO CONCERN.
SO I DO NOT THINK THAT THERE
ARE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS TO
DELAY TODAY AND IN FACT I THINK
THAT IF THERE ARE ONGOING
CONVERSATIONS I WILL BE HAPPY
TO SUPPORT THE BILL WHEN IT
DOES MOVE FORWARD BUT I DO HOPE
IT DOES MOVE FORWARD TODAY AND
WILL BE SUPPORTING AN EFFORT TO
VOTE TODAY.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE
AMENDMENT TO HOLD?
AND I STILL KNOW YOU ARE IN THE
QUEUE COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
OKAY.
I'LL JUST QUICKLY CHIME IN
HERE.
I AM GOING TO SUPPORT A MOTION
TO HOLD THE BILL BASED ON THE
DEBATE UNFOLDING TODAY.
I DO LIKE COUNCILMEMBER HER HER
AND MANY OTHERS SUPPORT THE
UNDERLYING GOAL AND PURPOSE OF
THE LEGISLATION.
MY SUPPORT TO HOLD IS A
PROCEDURAL VOTE AND NOT ONE
ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE OF THE
UNDERLYING POLICY.
I HAVE IN FACT IN THE PAST
SUPPORTED AND IN SOME INSTANCES
AGREED TO, IF MEMORY SERVES ME
COSPONSOR COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
AND COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD'S
EFFORTS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR
LEGAL AID AND LEGAL DEFENSE IN
THE SPACE OF TENANT PROTECTIONS
AND CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT
HAVING A SYSTEMIC FIX TO THE
ISSUES FACING TENANTS THAT ARE
A SIGNIFICANT DISADVANTAGE IN
LEGAL PROCEEDING IS THE RIGHT
POLICY FOR THE CITY TO PURSUE.
SECOND, A LONG TIME SUPPORTER
OF LEGAL AID FOR THOSE THAT
NEED IT MOST.
FOR THOSE ON THE COUNCIL IN
2016 YOU RECALL I WAS A SPONSOR
FOR THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND TO
PROVIDE FREE ATTORNEYS TO THOSE
FACING DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS
BASED ON CLEAR ELIGIBILITY
CRITERIA.
I SO I AM A LONG TIME SUPPORTER
MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE
SUPPORTS AND LEGAL COUNSEL IN
THESE REALLY DIFFICULT LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS WHERE THERE IS
CLEAR POSITIONAL POWER AND
EXCITED FOR OPPORTUNITY FOR THE
CITY OF SEATTLE TO FINALLY
PURSUE A RIGHT TO COUNSEL
OPPORTUNITY AND I'M
APPRECIATIVE FOR THE EFFORTS
THAT ARE ALLOWING US TO DO SO.
SO I AM GOING TO SUPPORT THIS
MOTION TO HOLD SIMPLY ON THE
PROCEDURAL ASPECTS.
I WILL COMMIT TO HOLDING AN
EXECUTIVE SESSION ON MONDAY
MARCH 22nd.
AND THAT WILL, I THINK, ALLOW
US PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO
RESOLVE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT
HAVE BEEN FLAGGED IN THIS
CONVERSATION TODAY BY MONDAY,
MARCH 29th.
I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I HAVE
HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT
LEGAL MEMORANDUMS THAT RAISE
SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS ABOUT THE
BILL AND THE FORM THAT IT
CURRENTLY EXISTS IN AND I DO
THINK THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS WHILE
STILL FULFILLING THE UNDERLYING
INTENT OF THIS BILL WHICH IS TO
PROVIDE THOSE THAT NEED IT THE
MOST FREE LEGAL COUNSEL IN
THESE EVICTION PROCEEDINGS.
THE BILL AND THE INDIVIDUALS
SEEKING THIS WOULD BE BEST
SERVED BY AN ADDITIONAL TWO
WEEKS TO
>> BUT AS FAR AS COUNCILMEMBERS
OTHER THAN PEDERSON VOTED NO.
IF YOU DELAY IT AS A PROCEDURAL
VOTE LET'S TAKE YOUR WORD FOR A
SECOND.
I DON'T AGREE WITH POSTPONING
THIS FOR DELAYING EVICTION.
THEY DON'T GET A DELAY AND HAVE
COUNCILMEMBERS SAYING HEY
LANDLORD PLEASE DELAY THE
EVICTION.
THE TRUTH IS THEY GET EVICTED.
I DON'T AGREE WITH THE
POSTPONING AND THE SUPPOSED
SORT OF DELAY JUST TO BE
CAREFUL AND TO HAVE LEGISLATION
OR A PROCEDURE VOTE IN MY VIEW
IS A SIGNAL TO TENANTS THAT THE
ESTABLISHMENT CARES ABOUT
LANDLORDS THAN TENANTS GETTING
EVICTED EVERY DAY.
RIGHT NOW RENTERS ARE BEING
EVICTED.
IT IS NOT HYPERBOLE TO DELAY
THE PROTECTIONS AND IT IS
ACTUALLY A BAD THING EVEN BY A
FEW THINGS BECAUSE RENTERS ARE
BEING EVICTED AT THE RATE OF
ONE ADAIR.
THERE IS ONE FAMILY BEING
DEVASTATED EVERY DAY IN ORDER
TO SATISFY A SYSTEM THAT
SUPPORTS CARPET LANDLORD.
IT IS GENUINELY A DESIRE TO
HAVE CLARIFICATION, FINE.
THEN LET'S VOTE ON THIS AND
MAKE SURE THAT IN TWO WEEKS AND
MAKE SURE IT IS A STRONG BILL
AND TO SAY MAKE IT STRONGLY I
DON'T UNDERSTAND.
THIS IS A STRONG BILL.
HOW WILL YOU MAKE IT STRONGER?
YOU CAN ACT ON RESITALS AS
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS WAS SAYING.
WHAT WOULD THE LAW ACTUALLY DO?
ITS ALREADY VERY STRONG.
MY SUSPICION IS YOU WANT TO
MAKE IT WEAKER AND SOMEHOW WE
CONSULTED WITH THE ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE.
WE HAVE DONE A THOROUGH
ASSESSMENT WITH THE ATTORNEY'S
úOFFICE AND THEY HAVE GIFT OF
PUBLIC FUNDS AND I DON'T BLAME
THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IF
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND BECAUSE IT
IS TECHNICAL LANGUAGE BUT I
WANTED TO USE THAT BECAUSE THAT
IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
COUNCILMEMBERS ARE REFERRING TO
WITHOUT REFERRING TO IT.
I WANTED TO QUOTED WHITNER FROM
THE HOUSING PROJECT THAT FOUND
IT RIDICULOUS AND TO QUOTE HIM
FROM AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED THIS
MORNING IN THE STRANGER AND
SAID "IN THE CITY FUNDS A FOOD
BANK AND DOESN'T ASK HOW MUCH
THE SHOPPERS MAKE IS THAT A
VIOLATION OF THE GIFT OF PUBLIC
FUNDS?
."
>> COUNCILMEMBERS ARE GOING TO
DO AND THIS IS TO PEOPLE IN THE
MOVEMENT IS INSERT ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE THEY WILL
CLAIM THAT SOMEHOW THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ARE LEGALLY
THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DO IT.
THAT IS NOT TRUE.
AN ADMINISTRATOR THAT IS AN
ATTORNEY WITH LONG EXPERIENCE
OF DEFENDING TENANTS HAVE FOUND
THE IDEA RIDICULOUS BECAUSE WHY
SHOULD THAT HAPPEN?
AND MORE AND MORE RENTER'S
RIGHTS HAVE WON AND STOOD THE
TEST OF THE COURT BECAUSE
PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING BACK AND
MOST OF THOSE LAWS HAVE BEEN
FROM OUR MOVEMENT AND FROM MY
OFFICE.
THE REASON THAT THE COUNCIL IS
PROFOUNDLY SUCCESSFUL IN
PASSING RENTER'S RIGHTS BECAUSE
SOCIALISTS ARE GETTING
ORGANIZED.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST I WANT TO
WARN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND
UNION MEMBERS AND NONUNION
WORKERS AND SOCIALISTS THAT ARE
FIGHTING FOR RENTERS RIGHTS AND
FOR THE RIGHT OF COUNCIL BILLS
WITHOUT LOOP HOLES I WARN YOU,
WE CAN'T STOP BUILDING THIS
MOVEMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO
PREVENT THIS DELAY FROM BEING
USED AS A MEANS TO PUSH IN
MEANS TESTING LOOP HOLES.
IN OTHER CITIES SIMILAR THINGS
HAPPEN WHEN THE BILLS GOT
WEAKENED WITH LOOP HOLES IT IS
WHEN DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS
BROUGHT THAT FORWARD.
IF TODAY PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS
ON THE CITY COUNCIL ARE SAYING
THEY DON'T INTEND TO PUT IN BAD
LOOP HOLES BUT THEY WANT
CLARIFICATION FINE.
LET'S HOLD THEM TO IT AND
IMPORTANT THAT MOVEMENT
ACTIVISTS UNDERSTAND FROM WHAT
IS HAPPENING TODAY THAT WE NEED
TO FIGHT HARDER.
WE CANNOT TRUST THE REGULAR
POLITICIANS AND HAVE TO FIGHT
FOR WHAT WE NEED.
THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> THANK YOU.
APOLOGY.
I COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO
RAISE MY VIRTUAL HAND SO I JUST
RAISED MY HAND.
I, TOO ARE INTERESTED IN
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS TO MAKE SURE
WE HAVE AS SOUND A BILL TO
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S POINT I
DON'T THINK EVERYBODY IS AFRAID
OF CORPORATED LANDLORDS WHAT WE
ARE AFRAID OF OR ASSISTING THEM
WHAT WE ARE AFRAID OF IS
CREATING A BILL THAT IS NOT
LEGALLY SOUND.
THIS IS SUCH IMPORTANT WORK
THAT WE HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT AND
I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THOSE
MEETING AND COME UP TO SPEED
THAT I MYSELF HAVE NOT READ THE
LEGAL MEMORANDUMS AND ITS
IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE
ARE HE VOTING ON.
JUST TO NOTE WE HAVE
DISAGREEMENTS ALL THE TIME BUT
DON'T NEED TO CALL IN SUCH
VICIOUS MEMBERS.
I HAVE NOT SAID ANYTHING TO THE
FOLKS THAT HAVE VOTED AGAINST
MY BILLS AND STILL SUPPORT THEM
AND TALK TO THEM REGULARLY.
THAT'S AN ASIDE.
THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
APPRECIATE THAT.
I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT THE --
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US NOT TO BE
DISMISSED OF THE REALITIES
AROUND THE PROHIBITION ON THE
GIFT OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND I KNOW
THAT IS A HYPER TECHNICAL TERM
AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ELECTED
OFFICIALS WE ARE
CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED FROM
AVOIDING A SITUATION IN WHICH
WE ARE DOING EFFECTIVELY A GIFT
OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND IN SHORT
THAT MEANS DOING A GIFT OR
LENDING MONEY, PROPERTY OR THE
CREDIT TO A PRIVATE PARTY THAT
NOT ORDINARILY TIED WITH
EXCEPTIONS IN THE CONSTITUTION.
WHETHER WE AGREE WITH THAT
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION OR NOT
IT IS IN PLACE AND WE ARE
REQUIRED AS ELECTED OFFICIALS
TO COMPLY WITH THOSE
CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND
THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE
IN THIS FULL COUNCIL MEET THAT
HAVE YOU INDICATED THAT THEY
HAVE NOT HAD THE FULL BENEFIT
OF SEEING OR KNOWING THAT THERE
ARE LEGAL MEMORANDUM DONEES
RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR
UNDERLYING BILL.
I DO THINK WE WOULD BENEFIT
FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION TO
ENSURE THAT ALL OF US ARE ON
THE SAME PAGE.
NOT ALL OF US ON THIS COMMITTEE
AND NOT ALL OF US GIVEN THAT
COUNCIL RULES ARE ALLOWED TO
ATTEND WITHOUT INVITATION FROM
THE CHAIR.
I THINK THAT THIS IS AN
IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO
ALL GET ON THE SAME PAGE.
DO SO WITH THE BENEFIT OF OUR
ATTORNEYS, HEAR THE SAME
INFORMATION AND FIGURE OUT HOW
TO MOVE FORWARD AS APPROPRIATE
IN OPEN SESSION AFTER OUR
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY
TO DO THAT.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSON YOU HAVE
THE LAST WORD AND WE WILL CLOSE
THAT DEBATE AFTER THIS AND GET
TO OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS ON
OUR AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT
I APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION
THAT WE HAD TO GO THROUGH THESE
ITEMS.
I JUST CONCLUDE BY SAYING THAT
THIS CITY COUNCIL HAS ENACTED
NUMEROUS BUDGETARY AND REGULAR
POLICIES TO BENEFIT TENANTS AND
WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.
IN LIGHT OF AN EXTENSION
MORATORIUM THAT OCCURRED AN
HOUR AGO FOR ANOTHER THREE
MONTHS I THINK ANOTHER TWO
WEEKS TO MAKE THIS BILL MORE
SUSTAINABLE IS A PRUDENT AND
WILL BENEFIT THE LEGISLATION
DESPITE MY CONCERNS WITH IT I
THINK THAT'S -- I APPRECIATE
THE COMMENTS OF EVERYONE HERE
TAKING SERIOUSLY THE CONCERNS
THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSON.
I WILL CLOSE THAT DEBATE AND
ASK THAT CLERK CALL THE ROLL ON
MOTION TO HOLD AGENDA ITEM 16
TO MARCH 20th.
>>> LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> MORALES.
>> NO.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> NO.
>> PEDERSON.
>> YES.
>> SAWANT.
>> NO.
>> STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ.
>> YES.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> YES.
>> SIX IN FAVOR, THREE OPPOSED.
MOTION CARRIES THE AGENDA IS
AMENDED WITH ITEM 16 HELD TO
THE MARCH 29TH CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA.
IS THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON
THE AMENDED AGENDA?
HEARING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
ON THE AMENDED AGENDA WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE ADOPTION ON THE AMENDED
AGENDA.
>> LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> MORALES.
>> YES.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> YES.
>> PEDERSON.
>> YES.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUS.
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ.
>> YES.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> YES.
>> NINE IN FAVOR AND NINE
OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
AGENDA IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED.
OKAY.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE WILL OPEN THE REMOTE COMMENT
PERIOD FOR THE ITEMS ON THE
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA.
INTRODUCTION REFERRAL CALENDAR
AND THE WORK PROGRAM.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR
THEIR PATIENCE AND COOPERATION
AS WE OPERATE THIS REMOTE
COMMENT SYSTEM.
IT REMAINS THE INTENT TO HAVE
PUBLIC ON MEETING AGENDAS BUT
AS A REMINDER THE CITY COUNCIL
RESERVES THE RIGHT TO END THESE
COMMENTS PERIODS AT ANY POINT
IF WE DEEM THAT SYSTEM IS
ABUSED OR NO LONGER SUITABLE
FOR THE MEETINGS TO BE
CONDUCTED EFFICIENTLY AND
EFFECTIVELY.
I WILL MODERATE THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IN THE FOLLOWING
MEMBER.
COLLEAGUES AS WE KNOW THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THIS
MEETING WAS SCHEDULED TO BE 20
MINUTES.
WITH EACH SPEAKER BEING GIVEN
TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.
WE DO HAVE QUITE A VOLUME OF
SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT TODAY.
SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
EXTEND THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD BUT ALSO ADJUST THE
AMOUNT OF TIME THAT EACH
INDIVIDUAL HAS TO ADDRESS THE
COUNCIL FROM TWO MINUTES TO ONE
MINUTE.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE
30 MINUTES.
HEARING NO OBJECTION IT IS
EXTENDED TO 30 MINUTES.
EACH SPEAKER WILL BE ALLOWED
ONE MINUTE OR 60 SECONDS TO
SPEAK.
I WILL CALL ANY SPEAKER BY NAME
AND THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY
REGISTERED ON THE COUNCIL'S
WEBSITE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED YOU
CAN SIGN UP BY GOING TO THE
COUNCIL'S WEBSITE AT SEATTLE
DOT GOV AND IT IS LISTED ON THE
AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL A SPEAKER'S NAME
STAFF WILL IN MUTE THE
APPROPRIATE MICROPHONE AND THE
SPEAKER IS GOING TO HEAR
PROMPT WHEN UNMUTED AND THAT
MEANS IT IS THEIR TURN TO PRESS
STAR 6 TO BEGIN SPEAKING.
AGAIN, YOU HAVE TO HIT STAR 6,
NOT POUND 6 BUT STAR 6 IN ORDER
ORDER FOR US TO HEAR YOU AFTER
YOU HAVE HEARD THE PROMPT IF
YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTED.
BEGIN SPEAKING BY STATING YOUR
NAME AND THE ITEM ADDRESSING
AND IT SHOULD RELATE TO AN
ATTEMPT ON AGENDA OR THE
COUNCIL'S WORK PROGRAM.
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A CHIME IN
TEN SECONDS.
THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS
LEFT BEFORE YOU NEED TO WRAP UP
YOUR COMMENTS AND IF YOU DO NOT
WRAP UP YOUR COMMENTS, BY THE
END OF 60 SECONDS YOUR
MICROPHONE WILL BE MUTED TO
ALLOW US TO CALL ON THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT WE WOULD ASK
THAT YOU PLEASE DISCONNECT AND
IF YOU PLEASE TO CONTINUE YOU
CAN DO SO ON THE SEATTLE
CHANNEL OR THE LISTING OPTIONS
ON THE AGENDA.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
NOW GOING TO BE OPEN.
IT IS 2:55 P.M.
SO WE WILL GO UNTIL 3:25.
SO OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS DANIEL
CAVANAUGH.
GO FOR IT.
>> MY NAME IS DAN I'M A RENTER
IN THE CD AND THIS MORNING I
FOUND OUT THAT MY DOWNSTAIRS
NEIGHBOR DOLLY HAS BEEN [
INDISCERNIBLE ] FOR MONTHS.
OUR LANDLORD HAS REFUSED TO
ALLOW THEM TO FILL EMPTY ROOMS
IN THEIR UNIT TURNING DOWN
EVERY APPLICANT BUT EXPECTED TO
PAY FOR THE EXTRA ROOMS AND HE
HAS TRIED EVERYTHING HE CAN TO
HARASS THEM TO LEAVING DESPITE
THE EVICTION MORATORIUM AND
LIED TRYING TO SAY SAFETY
HAZARDS AND LIED ABOUT THE
WATER BILL AND TURNED IT OFF
ILLEGALLY BUT NOT HAPPENING TO
ONLY DOLLY BUT THOUSANDS OF
RENTERS AND IT HAS GOTTEN TO
THE POINT THAT SHE IS EXHAUSTED
AND GIVEN UP AND MOVING OUT TO
LIVE IN A VAN AND BE HOMELESS
AND HOW DARE THE COUNCILMEMBERS
SITTING ON SIX FIGURE SALARY
WITH PEOPLE FACING DAILY
HARASSMENT FROM THE LANDLORD IN
JUMPING THROUGH BUREAUCRATIC
HOOPS.
I DON'T CARE IF IT HURTS YOUR
FEELINGS, NO LOOP HOLES AND NO
DELAY.
>> NEXT IS HANNA SABUDDA.
>> I AM CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
THE RIGHT TO COUNCIL
LEGISLATION.
I AM DISGUSTED THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL HAS POSTPONED THE VOTE.
THIS DELAY IS THE SAME SORT OF
DISHONEST ATTEMPT THAT WE HAVE
SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ SAID THAT
SHE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT ADDING
TESTING BUT REQUIRING TENANTS
TO PROVE THEIR INCOME LEVEL IS
MEANS TESTING.
THE ASSERTION THAT PEOPLE ABUSE
THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL IS NOT
REALITY.
IT IS A SERIOUS OBSTACLE TO
PEOPLE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
RECEIVING AID.
WE NEED THE LEGISLATION AS
WRITTEN WITH NO LOOP HOLES.
THIS DELAY TO SUPPOSEDLY MAKE
THE BILL MORE DEFENSIBLE SOUNDS
LIKE NOTHING MORE THAN AN
OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE THROUGH
MASSIVE LOOP HOLES AND WHAT
CITY COUNCIL JUST DID -- WE
CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT.
WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A
GLOBAL HOUSE CRISIS AND IT IS
CRITICAL WE PASS THIS NOW.
OTHER CITIES --
>> NEXT IS KATE REUBEN FOLLOWED
BY GRAYSON ARTSDALE.
KATE.
GO AHEAD.
>> HELLO I'M KATE REUBEN.
HELLO.
MY NAME IS KATE REUBEN A RENTER
IN DISTRICT 2 AND THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR AND I AM CALLING ON
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT WITHOUT
MEANS TESTING.
BEING FORCED TO PROVE ECONOMIC
HARDSHIP WILL MAKE IT HARDER
FORETENANTS OVERWHELMED AND
STRUGGLING FOR OVERLAPPING
CRISIS TO ACCESS THE SERVICE.
MANY TENANTS SELF EVICT BECAUSE
THEY FEEL LIKE IT IS THE ONLY
OPTION AND THEY DON'T KNOW
RIGHTS AND WHEN THEY DO THERE
IS A HUGE POWER IN BALANCE.
THEY ARE CAUGHT WITH LAWYERS
AND STRUGGLING TO PUT ON THE
TABLE.
WITHOUT REPRESENTATION HOW WILL
THEY REPRESENT THEMSELVES.
THESE COMMUNITIES WITH AFFECTED
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC BEGIN.
GIVING THEM FAIR REPRESENTATION
AND SUPPORT WILL HELP THEM STAY
HOUSED AND SAVE LIVES.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS GRAYSON VANS
ARTSDALE AND VIA LACON.
>> HEY, I'M GRAYSON AND A
RENTER IN D3.
I POLITELY THE FIRST TIME BUT I
AM ANGRY.
WITH EVERY PLACE I LIVED THAT
WITHHELD INFORMATION THAT
MISREPRESENTED THE LEASE.
WITH EVERY PLACE THAT LIVED
BECAUSE I AM TRANSGENDER AND I
AM A WORKING CLASS PERSON AND
NEVER BEEN BEHIND ON RENT.
THE AVERAGE AMERICAN FAMILY WAS
BEHIND $6000 ON RENT AND LIFE
HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER AND RIGHT
NOW THEY ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO
STOP BEING EVICTED.
COUNCILMEMBERS THIS IS NOT
HYPERBOLE.
IN POSTPONING THIS AND TRYING
TO PAVE THIS OVER AS LEGALLY
NECESSARY WHEN IT IS NOT.
LASTLY COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ
-- YOU ARE A DISAPPOINTMENT.
>> NEXT IS BEA FOLLOWED BY SARA
GAINSER.
>> I A RENNER IN CAPITOL HILL.
WE NEED COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
RIGHT TO LEGISLATION WITHOUT
LOOP HOLES.
I'M DISGUSTED OF THE DELAY OF
THE VOTE.
RENTERS ARE BEING EVICTED ABOUT
ONE A DAY.
SO EACH DAY THAT PASSES WITHOUT
THE LEGISLATION IS ANOTHER DAY
THAT SEATTLE RESIDENTS AND CAN
EVEN DIE.
I AM DISGUSTED AT COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ'S COMMENTS FACING
CRIMINAL EVICTIONS TO CRIMINALS
AND I WOULD LIKE THOSE
REPULSIVE TO A YOUNG BLACK
MEMBER THAT WAS THREATENED WITH
EVICTION BY A LANDLORD BECAUSE
THEY CLAIMED SHE OWED THEM TWO.
HIDING BEHIND LEGAL TERMS TO
POKE HOLES IN THE LEGISLATION
IS SHAMEFUL AND NOT SURPRISING
FROM THE CORPORATE POLITICIANS
WITH THEIR SIX FIGURE SALARIES.
WE HAVE TO FIGHT HARDER IF WE
ARE GOING TO WIN.
>> THANK YOU.
JUST AS A REMINDER TO THE
PUBLIC COMMENTERS, PLEASE KEEP
YOUR COMMENTS FOCUSED ON
LEGISLATION AS TO IMPUGNING
MOTIVES AND CHARACTER OF THE
COUNCILMEMBERS.
NEXT UP IS SARAH GOWNSER.
SARAH.
WELCOME.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS SARAH AND A RENTER
AND CAP HILL AND IN SUPPORT OF
THE EVICTION MORATORIUM AND THE
RIGHT TO COUNSEL.
AS WE KNOW WORKING PEOPLE HAVE
SUFFERED THE BRUNT OF THE
PANDEMIC.
MILLIONS ARE JOBLESS AND FORCED
TO GO TO FURTHER DEBT TO PAY
BASIC BILLS.
AS THE EVICTION MORATORIUM IS
ABOUT TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF
THE MONTH THAT TODAY WE FOUND
OUT THAT IS EXPANDED FOR THREE
MORE MONTHS.
OBVIOUSLY WE SHOULD CELEBRATE
THAT BUT THAT'S DEFINITELY NOT
ENOUGH.
AND THOUSANDS OF RENTERS WOULD
BE AT RISK OF EVICTION AFTER
THOSE THREE MONTHS ARE UP.
WE NEED TO EXTEND THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM THROUGH THE END OF
THE YEAR WITHOUT ANY CORPORATE
LOOP HOLES.
ON TOP OF THIS, WE NEED TO
SUPPORT THOSE THAT ARE
CURRENTLY FACING EVICTION BY
GIVING TENANTS A FIGHTING
CHANCE IN COURT THROUGH A RIGHT
TO COUNSEL AND SOMEONE FACING
EVICTION CAN RARELY SHOW THE
COST TO PROVIDING --
>> NEXT IS REAL CHANGE VENDOR
FOLLOWED BY MARGO STEWART.
I AM A REAL CHANGE VENDOR.
LANDLORD MANAGEMENT COMPANIES
HAVE ALL OF THE ADVANTAGES IN
THIS PROCESS.
I BELIEVE IN THESE HARD TIMES
SEATTLE SHOULD NOT DO THIS
BECAUSE SEATTLE HAS A HOMELESS
POPULATION AND MANY NOT BECAUSE
OF THEIR FAULT.
SO IN SEATTLE'S BEST INTERESTS
I BELIEVE THAT LEGAL COUNSEL
CAN GO A LONG WAYS IN RELIEVING
THIS DOWNWARD SPIRAL.
AS WE SPEAK OUR LEADERS ARE
PROMOTING THIS JUST PASSED
STIMULUS PACKAGE.
WE KNOW WHO THESE PEOPLE THAT
ARE FACING EVICTION WHO THEY
ARE AND WHAT THEY NEED.
LET'S NOT ADD TO HOMELESSNESS.
>> NEXT IS MARGO STEWART.
>>> MY NAME IS MARGO AND I'M A
RENTER IN DISTRICT THREE AND
GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT THE EXPENSE
AND EVICTION MORATORIUM THAT
RENTERS WANT BUT DISAPPOINTED
TO DELAY THE VOTE ON
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S BILL FOR
LEGAL RIGHT TO COUNSEL.
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE TALKED
ABOUT MAKING THIS BETTER BUT I
HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT
SUGGESTIONS HOW TO BE BETTER SO
I THINK IT IS LOOP HOLES AND
MEANS TESTING AND LIMITATION
FOR THE ACCEPTABILITY OF LOW
INCOME TENANTS AND PEOPLE OF
COLOR ALTHOUGH ON THE OTHER
HAND I DO KNOW FOR A FACT THAT
THERE ARE PEOPLE LIVING NEAR ME
THAT HAVE BEEN HARASSED AND
FELT EVICTING THEMSELVES
BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT
LEGAL RECOURSES ARE AVAILABLE
AND IF THEY HAD THESE MEASURES
ALREADY THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN
ABLE TO KEEP HOUSING SO I AM
CURRENTLY SPLITTING COSTS WITH
A ROOMMATE FACING MEDICAL BILLS
FOR A CHRONIC CONDITION THAT
COMPLICATES HER ABILITY TO FIND
WORK.
THESE PEOPLE EVICTION.
>> NEXT UP IS MATTHEW SMITH.
>> MY NAME IS MATT SMITH.
I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT 2. I
THINK IT IS A HUGE VICTORY FOR
THE MOMENT IT IS EXTENDED.
WE NEED TO EXTEND IT TO THE END
OF 2021.
WE HAVE BEEN THIS SINCE 2016
AND IT HAS BEEN GOING ON
LONGER.
RENTERS ARE FACING A WAIVER OF
EVICTION AFTER THE MORATORIUM
END AND THEY NEED THE SECURITY
OF KNOWING THAT AT LEAST THEY
WILL HAVE RECOURSE TO A RIGHT
TO COUNSEL IF LANDLORDS TRY TO
EVICT THEM AND EVERY SINGLE
DELAY MEANS THAT RENTERS ARE
LEFT IN LIMBOS AND GIVE
LANDLORDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
MOBILIZE AGAINST THE CRITICAL
PROTECTION AND COUNCILMEMBER
GONZALEZ I THINK IT IS
OUTRAGEOUS THAT YOU INTIMIDATE
AGAINST ORDINARY PEOPLE THAT
ARE DELAYING A VOTE AT THE LAST
MINUTE THAT DOZENS OF PEOPLE
CAME TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF AND
CRITICAL PROJECT FOR RENTERS
THAT HAVE BEEN FACING UNJUST
EVICTIONS FOR YEAR.
WE NEED TO CHANGE THE BALANCE
OF POWER BETWEEN RENTERS AND
BIG LANDLORDS.
SUSSEX MANAGEMENT AND OTHER --
>> AGAIN, FOLKS I'M NOT TRYING
TO INTIMIDATE ANYBODY.
MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
ENFORCING THE COUNCIL RULES AND
THAT MEANS WE NEED TO KEEP
FOCUSED ON THE INTRODUCTION
REFERRAL COUNCIL.
IF YOU COULD BE MINDFUL OF THAT
I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.
TARA MEL LER IS NEXT UP.
>> THIS IS TARA MILLER.
I AM SPEAKING ON FAITH ACT
NETWORK BUT I WILL SAVE THAT TO
JUNE AND THANKFUL OF
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
I WILL TALK PRESIDENT RENTERS
FACING EVICTION.
AS A RENTER MY COMPLEX WAS
BOUGHT OUT BY A NEW CORPORATION
DURING COVID-19 AND LOOKING AT
$300 INCREASE IN REN WHEN MY
LEASE COMES UP EVEN THOUGH I AM
PAYING 50% OF MY INCOME ON
REMEMBER.
THERE IS NO SAFETY SECURITY IF
WE FALL BEHIND ON PAYMENTS AND
NEED AS MUCH PROTECTION WHEN
FACING THE MONEY HUNGRY GIANTS.
THE PEOPLE GETTING EVICTED FACE
POVERTY AND DISPROPORTIONATE
FROM POVERTY COMMUNITIES.
THIS IS A BARRIER TO KEEP
PEOPLE FROM GETTING JUSTICE.
RENTERS WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED
WHEN FACED WITH EVICTIONS.
PLEASE VOTE YES ON THIS BILL.
>> NEXT IS JESSICA WESTLIN.
>> MY NAME IS JESSICA WESTLIN.
I AM A FORMER CO-CHAIR OF THE
SEATTLE RENTERS COMMISSION AND
A RENTER IN DISTRICT FOUR.
I HAVE FULL SUPPORT FOR RIGHT
TO COUNSEL.
YOU KNOW IN YOUR HEARTS THAT
RIGHT TO COUNSEL IS THE RIGHT
THING.
DELAYING THIS BILL TO DO MEANS
TESTING OR ELIGIBILITY METRICS
JUST SAYS YOU WANT TO MAKE IT
HARDER.
IT IS AWFUL AND DISHEARTENING
TO HEAR ABOUT BAD ACTORS THAT
MAKE 100K A YEAR.
HAVE WE HEARD ABOUT THIS BEING
REAL OR POLITICAL CONJECTURE.
90% OF LANDLORDS ARE
REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEYS AND
SUCH AS MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYER
THEY DON'T HAVE AN ATTORNEY.
I CAN TELL YOU MY SMALL
LANDLORD HAS AN ATTORNEY AND HE
OFTEN STARTS WITH I SPOKE TO MY
ATTORNEY.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND LANDLORDS
THAT ARE AGAINST RIGHT TO
COUNSEL.
THE LANDLORDS ARE NOT PAYING
FOR THE RIGHT TO ATTORNEY AND
WILL STILL WIN, IF THEY DON'T
HAVE LENGTH CASES WHY ARE THEY
AGAINST IT?
>> SHELLY COHEN AND FOLLOWED BY
BARBARA FINEY.
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ, MEMBERS
OF COUNCIL I AM SHELLY COHEN
AND SPEAKING ON THE LEGAL
COUNCIL AREA.
I LIVE LAKE CITY.
I'M A REAL CHANGE VENDOR AND
PLAY MANY ROLES IN THE
ORGANIZATION.
AN EVICTION RECORD REDUCES THE
OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYMENT.
AT REAL CHANGE THIS IS NOT AN
ISSUE BUT SO MANY OF MY REAL
CHANGE COMMUNITY HAS TROUBLE
FINDING OTHER INCOME SOURCES
AFTER BEING EVICTED.
I HAVE BEEN UNHOUSED AND TIMES
THAT I WAS NOT CAPABLE OF
PAYING MY RENT ON TIME.
TO RECEIVE SERVICES YOU HAD TO
HAVE EVICTION ON YOUR RECORD
WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY
WOULD GET THE MONEY.
I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE LEGAL
COUNSEL WITHIN MY FAMILY THAT
WERE ABLE TO GUIDE ME IN THE
CORRECT DIRECTION.
EVICTIONS ARE ONE OF THE FIRST
STEPS TO PEOPLE BEING UNHOUSED
AND EVICTION MORATORIUM ARE A
GREAT STARTING POINT TO MAKE
REAL CHANGE.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS BARBARA FOLLOWED UP
BY LEAH PEARLMOUNTAINER.
WELCOME.
>>
>> I'M BARBARA AND I LIVE IN
DISTRICT FIVE WHERE THE
MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE RENTERS
AND COUNSEL MEMBER JUAREZ YOU
DID NOT ATTEND ANY OF THE
COMMITTEE HEARINGS ON THIS YET.
AND YET YOU ARE NOW VOTING TO
DELAY IT.
IT IS REALLY DISAPPOINTING.
THE REST OF YOU THAT VOTED TO
DELAY I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW
HOLLOW IT RINGS TO HEAR
EXCUSES.
AND YOUR LAWYERLY EXCUSES.
AND FURTHER --
>> BARBARA, CAN YOU FOCUS ON
THE BILL, PLEASE?
>> YES.
YOU'RE ASKING TO FOCUS ON THE
BILL.
I DO FEEL THAT COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS.
>> CAN YOU PAUSE THE TIME?
>> I DON'T LIKE TO BE THE
ENFORCER OF THE RULES BUT YOU
NEED TO FOCUS YOUR COMMENTS ON
THE MATTER.
>> I DON'T ACCEPT THAT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
I WILL ASK.
>> PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO
SPEAK THEIR MINDS.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> AND IF COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE
SOLD OUT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> UNACCEPTABLE.
YOUR BEHAVIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE
AND VIOLATES OUR -- I WILL ASK
YOU TO PLEASE REFRAIN OR YOUR
MICROPHONE WILL BE MUTED.
OKAY.
BARBARA.
I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TURN
IT BACK OVER TO YOU.
GO AHEAD.
BARBARA.
>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF KING
COUNTY RESIDENTS EVICTED END UP
HOMELESS AND SOME DIE AS A
CONSEQUENCE.
THAT IS HOW URGENT IT IS.
AND YOU'RE DELAYING IT TWO
WEEKS.
SHAME ON YOU COUNCIL.
SHAME ON YOU THAT VOTED FOR A
DELAY.
>> NEXT UP IS LEAH
PEARLMOUNTAINER FOLLOWED BY
CORTY BREWER.
LEAH.
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, BARBARA AND HI,
MY NAME IS PEARL MATTER AND I'M
A UNION MEMBER AND ALSO
DISTRICT THREE SEATTLE VOTER.
JUST HOURS AGO THERE WAS AN
EXTENSION ON THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM AND FIGHTING FOR
RIGHT TO COUNSEL.
SO OUR EVICTION SYSTEM IS
LEADING TO PEOPLE OF COLOR AND
OTHERS AND GETTING EVICTED.
I URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO PASS
RIGHT TO COUNSEL LEGISLATION
AND THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE
FORUM.
NO MEANS TESTING OR ELIGIBILITY
TESTING OR OTHER LOOP HOLES AND
PLEASE STOP YOUR DELAYING
TACTICS.
RIGHT TO COUNSEL WILL REDUCE
THE COUNSEL CASES AND WILL STOP
PREDATORY LANDLORDS THAT THEY
KNOW THEY CAN'T WIN.
WEALTHY RENTERS WON'T ABUSE THE
SYSTEM.
WHY WOULD SOMEONE VOLUNTARILY
ENDING INTO PROCEEDINGS WHEN
THEY CAN AFFORD TO PAY RENT.
IT WILL SAVE LIVES BECAUSE IT
LEADS TO HOMELESSNESS FOR SO
MANY RENTERS.
>> NEXT IS CORY BREWER FOLLOWED
BY JACK FRANCIS.
CORY, WELCOME.
>> HI.
THANK YOU.
JUST -- FORGIVE ME IF I'M NOT
UNDERSTANDING SOMETHING
CORRECTLY.
IF THERE IS MONEY AVAILABLE TO
PAY FOR EVICTION ATTORNEYS ON
THE BACK END, IT SEEMS TO MAKE
MORE SENSE TO ME THAT MONEY
WOULD BE GIVEN TO RENTERS NOW
SO THEY CAN PAY THEIR BILLS AND
NOT FALL BEHIND AND EVEN FACE
THE IDEA OF AN EVICTION IN THE
FIRST PLACE.
MAYBE THAT IS TOO SIMPLE OF AN
UNDERSTANDING.
FORGIVE ME FOR THAT.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE
EXTENSION OF THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM.
THE REALITY IS THAT SINGLE
FAMILY LANDLORDS.
OMS AND POPS, THEY ARE NOT
ABLE TO ABSORB THIS AND WHAT IS
HAPPENING IS THAT THEY ARE
SELLING YOU HAVE RENTAL
PROPERTIES.
I WROTE INTO THE COUNCIL WITH
FURTHER DETAIL ON THIS.
I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GET INTO
THIS ON A ONE MINUTE CALL.
DESPITE THE BEST INTENTIONS.
THE REALITY THE HOUSING SUPPLY
DWINDLES BECAUSE OF THE
LEGISLATION GOVERNMENT.
>> NEXT UP IS JACK.
WELCOME.
>> I'M JACK FRANCIS AND A
MEMBER OF THE U DISTRICT AND
ASKING MY CITY COUNCIL TO
FOLLOW THROUGH WITH DEMAND AND
PASS THE RESOLUTION AND EXTEND
THE EVICTION MORATORIUM AND
PASS THE RIGHT TO CAP
LEGISLATION WITHOUT LOOP HOLES
AND PASSING SHOWS TWO BILLS
WILL BE HELPFUL AND BENEFICIAL
FOR RENTERS AND ESPECIALLY
AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND IT CAN BE
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND
DEATH AND SOMEONE THAT DESERVES
THE LIFE OF COUNSEL AND NOT
ECONOMIC DOWNTURN OF THIS
MAGNITUDE.
NOT RUSHING THEM.
OTHERS HAVE PASSED SIMILAR
BILLS.
JUST BECAUSE THE STATE IS
CONSIDERING THESE BILLS DOES
NOT MEAN THAT THEY WILL PASS.
EVEN IF THEY DO PASS A BILL FOR
RIGHT TO COUNSEL IT WOULD NOT
GO TO EFFECT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.
WE NEED TO YOU BE ACTIVE.
A 2019 WASHINGTON STUDY FOUND
THAT TENANT REPRESENTATION --
>> NEXT UP IS NEIL LAMMING.
>> I AM UNAFFECTED BY THE
COUNCIL'S DECISION TODAY.
I HAVE SIGNIFICANT STUDENT DEBT
AND MAKING BOTH RENT SETTLEMENT
OUT OF REACH.
PEOPLE HAVE LIFE HAPPENING
EVERY DAY.
THE BANKS WERE BAILED OUT IN
'09.
I WOULD LIKE YOU TURN YOUR
ATTENTION TO THE PEOPLE AND
PROVIDE RELIEF FOR PEOPLE BEING
EVICTED.
I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE RIGHT
TO COUNSEL AND THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM.
IT IS HARD TO TRUST THE
DELAYING TACTICS.
WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THIS FOR
27 YEARS AT REAL CHANGE AND
RIGHT BACK AT GROUND ZERO.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
MADELINE OLSON AND RENE GORDON.
WELCOME.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU.
GO AHEAD.
>> EXCELLENT.
I AM A RENNER IN GREEN LAKE AND
HERE TO TALK ABOUT RIGHT TO
COUNSEL FOR TENANTS THAT NEED
TO PASS.
EVICTIONS DON'T ONLY PUT PEOPLE
ON THE STREET BUT DESTROY THEIR
RECORDS AND TO FIND HOUSING IN
THE FUTURE AND SOMEONE SAID IF
YOU ARE CAUGHT UP IN COURT THEY
ARE IN PURGATORY AND CAN'T GET
THE AID THEY NEED.
I KNOW SOME HOUSING MEMBERS ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT COSTS AND
PROTECTING RENTERS COULD SAVE
THE CITY MILLIONS AND THAT SAKE
THEM $35.6 MILLION BY INVESTING
NOW INSTEAD OF LATER AND TO
SAVE ON TRANSPORTATION COSTS
AND TRYING TO HOUSE FOLKS.
I HAVE HEARD ABOUT A LIM ON WHO
IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE LEGAL
REPRESENTATION.
MEANS TESTING AND WE HEAR ABOUT
IT ALL THE TIME AND IT HURTS
THE POSITION IN NEED.
IN HEALTH CARE IT IS FOLKS THAT
WHERE ENGLISH IS A SECOND
LANGUAGE.
ALL OF THE HOOPS AND BARRIERS
HAVE PUT UP.
WE NEED RIGHT TO COUNSEL AND NO
MEANS TESTING AND NO LOOP
>> DON'T WANT TO.
THEY CLAIM IT WILL HURT THE
SMALLER LANDLORDS.
WHEN THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY
ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD NOT PAY
RENT ON 211 RESTAURANTS.
THEY GOT $200 MILLION
INVESTMENT.
NO MEANS TESTING THERE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL DOES NOT
FORCE SMALL LANDLORDS TO EVICT
TENANTS BUT IT MEANS THE
CONVICTED TENANT GETS A
LANDLORD THAT THE SMALL
LANDLORD DOES NOT PAY FOR.
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALES YOU
SHOULD NOT THREATEN
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> I SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO
LEGISLATION WITH NO MEANS
TESTING.
I AM AFFORDABLE LANDLORD FOR
LOW AND MODERATE RESIDENTS IN D
7 DOWNTOWN.
I HAVE RARELY SAW WHERE THEY
DID NOT HAVE LEGAL
REPRESENTATION.
LANDLORDS AND ATTORNEYS KNOW
THAT MAGISTRATES AND JUDGES AND
SOME OF THEM HAVE RACIAL AND
GENDER BIASES.
LANDLORDS HAVE ATTORNEYS ON
COUNSEL AND RETAINER.
WE HAVE A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
AND A MINOR PART.
PASS THE RIGHT TO COUNCIL
WITHOUT LOOPHOLES AND DELAYS.
EMILY MCARTHUR.
>> HI.
I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT TWO
AND IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE DELAYED
THIS VITAL LEGISLATION.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I HAVE
ATTENDED MORE MEETING THAN
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ THAT IS ON
THE --
>> EMILY I NEED YOU TO FOCUS
YOUR COMMENTS.
>> WITHOUT DOING DUE DILIGENCE.
IT IS FAIR THAT THE SUCCESSFUL
HAS A FOOT DRAGGING APPROACH.
I KNOW THAT SEATTLE PROCESS.
BROAD BAND SAYS MUNICIPAL BROAD
BAND WOULD LIFT UP COMMUNITIES
OF COLOR AND HOMELESS PEOPLE
BUT HERE WE ARE ONE YEAR IN THE
PANDEMIC WHERE CHILDREN AND
WORKERS ARE COMPLETELY
DEPENDENT ON CORPORATE OWNED WI-
FI THAT IS PRONE TO OUTAGES AND
WE DON'T HAVE MUNICIPAL BROAD
BAND.
THE REASON THAT COUNCIL HAS
PASSED THIS BECAUSE HAVING A
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT IN OFFICE
TO FIGHT FOR THIS LEGISLATION.
THANK YOU FOR FIGHTING FOR
CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE PAID BY
OUR TAX DOLLARS.
>> OUR LAST SPEAKER IS PLIGHT
SORE RONNO.
>> I'M A RENNER IN MOUNT BAKER
AND CALLING TO EXPRESS MY
DISAPPOINTMENT ON THE COUNCIL
LEGISLATION.
THIS IS STRONG ENOUGH AS IS.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT ANY
REVISION WILL WEAKEN UP.
THE IDEA OF MEANS TESTING OR
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS THAT
IS THE SAME THING IS ABSOLUTELY
RIDICULOUS.
PEOPLE THAT ARE FACING EVICTION
ARE A MEANS TESTED GROUP.
IF YOU HAVE MONEY YOU ARE NOT
GOING TO FIND YOURSELF FACING
EVICTION.
THE ARGUMENT THAT PEOPLE MAKING
$100,000 A YEAR WOULD ABUSE THE
SYSTEM IS ABSURD.
MEANS TESTING WOULD SERVE BLACK
RENTERS AND WOMEN RENTERS AND
PARENT AND CHILDREN.
I FIND IT HYPOTHETICAL THAT
COUNSEL IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE
COST BUT HAVE NO PROBLEM IN
APPROVING 300 MILLION-DOLLARS
BUDGET AND WE NEED COUNSEL WITH
NO LOOP HOLES.
AND COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ HAS
NO RIGHT TO SILENCE --
>> THAT BRINGS US TO 3:27.
WE ARE A COUPLE OF MINUTES OVER
AND SO WE WILL CLOSE OUT THE
PERIOD OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
I AM SORRY THAT WE WEREN'T ABLE
TO GET TO EVERYBODY.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND THE
COMMENTS TO US VIA EMAIL AT
COUNCIL AT SEATTLE.COM.
WE ARE HAPPY TO REVIEW YOUR
COMMENTS.
VIA EMAIL.
WE WILL ADDRESS OTHER ITEMS OF
BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA.
FIRST UP IS PAYMENT OF THE
BILLS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE
TITLE?
>> AND MADAM CLERK YOU MAY BE
ON MUTE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
COUNCIL BILL 120122.
CLAIMS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH
1st, 2021 THROUGH MARCH 5th AND
ANY PAYMENTS.
>> MOVE TO PASS 120012.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> SECOND AND MOVED.
ANY COMMENTS.
HEARING NONE WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
PACK ARE PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
>> LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> MORALES.
>> YES.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> YES.
>> PEDERSON.
>> YES.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUS.
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD YES.
>> JUAREZ.
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> YES.
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR.
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE ON MY BEHALF.
ITEM ONE, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEM ONE INTO THE RECORD.
>> EVERY PORT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
ITEM ONE.
APPOINTMENT 1818 APPOINTMENT OF
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COMMUNITY FOR LEASE COMMISSION
FOR FEBRUARY 3rd, THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD YOU
ARE THE CHAIR AND I WILL HAND
IT OVER TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
APPOINTMENT 01818 IS
APPOINTMENT OF BRANDY GRANT AS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION.
BRANDY WAS ONE OF THE THREE
FINALISTS FOR THE POSITION
AFTER THE COMMUNITY POLICE
COMMISSION CONDUCTED A
NATIONWIDE SEARCH.
ALL CANDIDATES PARTICIPATED IN
THE PRESENTATION AND QUESTION
AND ANSWER AT A PUBLIC EVENING
FORUM AND A PUBLIC POLICE
COMMISSION.
AT THE FORUM THE, AFTER THE
FORUMS WITH THE PCP THEY
APPOINTED INTERIM DIRECTOR
GRANT AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE P
CP.
GRANT COMES WITH EXPERIENCE
INCLUDING OVER 20 YEARS OF
MENTAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY
PROGRAMMING IN WASHINGTON STATE
AND SEVEN YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
WORKING WITH COMMUNITY IN
SEATTLE APPLYING HER AN MENTAL
HEALTH EXPERTISE ADDRESSING GUN
VIOLENCE.
DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNITY AND
ENSURING THE VOICES ARE HEARD
IN THE DISCUSSION ABOUT
POLICING.
SHE SERVED AS THE COMMISSIONER
ON THE PC P AND INTERIM
DIRECTOR BEFORE BEING
NOMINATED.
AS THE DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR GRANT
HAS LED THE PCP DURING
UNPRECEDENTED TIMES WITH POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY BEING AT THE
FOREFRONT OF THE CONVERSATION.
SHE HAS SEEN A SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNT OF WORK INCLUDING
RECOMMENDATION STATEMENTS ON
CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS.
FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE
CONSENT DECREE MONITOR AND THE
COURT IN ADDITION TO CEILING
POLICE DEPARTMENT'S USE OF
FORCE POLICY AND THE COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING PROCESS FOR THE NEW
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
ALSO STREAMLINED THE PROCESS
FOR RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE
P CP AND OVERSEEING THE
CREATION OF A RECOMMENDATION
TRACKER FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
BEING MADE TO THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
PARTNERS HAS BROUGHT ON A NEW
POLICY TEAM AND HAS NEW AREAS
OF ADVOCACY WITH STATE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE CPEC
AND I USE THIS AS A TEMPLATE TO
INCLUDE ITEMS AND ADVOCATE FOR
ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE
STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
ADOPTED.
HER TENURE HAS BROUGHT NEW
ENERGY AS SHE HAS DEVELOPED NEW
STAFF AND COMMISSIONER
ONBOARDING AND PROFESSIONAL
COACHING PROCESSES AND IN THE
PROCESS OF DEVELOPING AN
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE NEXT
GENERATION OF LEADERS.
ALL OF THIS IS IMPRESSIVE BUT
WHERE MS. GRANT EXCELS IN HER
ABILITY TO ENGAGE WITH THE
COMMUNITY AND BILL
RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CITY TO
ENSURE THAT CPC IS REPRESENTING
THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
IT IS MY HONOR TO PRESENT HER
CONFIRMATION FOR THE DIRECTOR
OF THE P CP.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD FOR THOSE COMMENTS.
ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THE
CONFIRMATION OF THIS
APPOINTMENT?
>> ALL RIGHT.
IT LOOKS LIKE NO ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE APPOINTMENTS SO
I WILL NOW GO AHEAD AND ASK
THAT CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE
ON THE CONFIRMATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT.
>> AND MADAM CLERK YOU OR MUTE.
>> OKAY.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSON.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WATTIS AND
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ.
>> AYE.
>> 8 IN FAVOR AND NONE OPPOSED.
>> IT IS AFFIRMED.
RANDY GRANT IS WITH US AT THIS
TIME.
SO RANDY, WELCOME TO THE CITY
COUNCIL MEETING AND
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR
APPOINTMENT HAS THE INCOMES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION.
AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO
INVITE OUR CITY CLERK MONICA
SIMMONS TO ADMINISTER THE OATH
OF OFFICE TO YOU AND AFTER THE
OATH MS. GRANT YOU WILL BE
PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO
PROVIDE REMARKS TO THE COUNCIL
AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
I WILL HAND IT OVER TO OUR CITY
CLERK.
CONGRATULATIONS MS. GRANT AND
THANK YOU CITY CLERK SIMMONS
FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
>> THANK YOU AND MY PERSONAL
CONGRATULATIONS TO EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR GRANT.
MY HONOR TO ADMINISTER YOUR
OFFICIAL OATH OF OFFICE.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND
AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
I BRANDY GRANT.
>> I BRANDY GRANT.
>> SWEAR OR AFFIRM.
>> THAT I POSSESS ALL OF THE
QUALIFICATIONS.
>> THAT I POSSESS ALL OF THE
QUALIFICATIONS.
>> PRESCRIBED IN THE SEATTLE
CITY CHARTER.
>> PRESCRIBED IN THE SEATTLE
CITY CHARTER.
>> AND THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL
CODE.
>> AND THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL
CODE.
>> FOR THE POSITION OF THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
>> FOR THE POSITION OF THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
>> OF THE OFFICE OF THE
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION.
>> OF THE OFFICE OF THE
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES.
>> NA I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> AND THE CHARTER AND
ORDINANCES.
>> AND THE CHARTER AND
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CITY.
>> OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
>> AND I WILL FAITHFULLY
CONDUCT MYSELF.
>> AND FAITHFULLY CONDUCT
MYSELF.
>> AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
>> OF THE OFFICE OF THE
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION.
>> OF THE OFFICE OF THE
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION.
>> AND THIS IS A VIRTUAL
HAPPENED SHAKE DIRECTOR GRANT.
AND I WOULD ASK THAT YOU SIGN
BOTH OF THE ORIGINAL OATHS OF
OFFICE IN FRONT OF YOU AT THIS
POINT.
>> OKAY.
>> AND IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND
SHOWING YOUR SIGNATURE TO ME?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ONCE THOSE ARE RETURNED TO MY
OFFICE I WILL ATTEST YOUR
SIGNATURE AND TURN THE TIME
BACK OVER TO THE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU CITY CLERK FOR
THAT.
WE WILL HEAR FROM DIRECTOR
GRANT, DIRECTOR GRANT, WELCOME
ONCE AGAIN AND CONGRATULATIONS
ONCE AGAIN AND THE FLOOR IS
YOURS TO PROVIDE SOME REMARKS
TO THE PUBLIC.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I APPRECIATE THE KIND WORDS
THAT HAVE BEEN SAID.
I'M EXCITED TO CONTINU IN THIS
WORK AND I JUST WANT TO GIVE A
PERSONAL THANK TO EACH OF THE
COUNCILMEMBERS THAT HAVE
SUPPORTD ME THROUGHOUT THE
PROBLEM AND THE COMMISSION AND
COMMUNITY.
YOU CAN EXPECT NOTHING LESS
FROM ME THAN TRANSPARENCY AS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION AND
COMPASSION.
I WILL ALWAYS BE RESPONSIVE TO
COMMUNITY NEEDS AND CONCERNS
INCLUDING AND NOT LIMITED TO
ENGAGING IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH
AND FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON
POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND
POLICIES AND PRACTICES AND THE
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF
US BUT I AM CONFIDENT AND
OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL BE ABLE
TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO
REFORM THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
SO I AM EXCITED AND EAGER TO DO
THE WORK.
AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE
SUPPORT I WILL RECEIVE.
BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO
SHARE THAT THIS IS AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO
HOPEFULLY BE LESS REACTIVE AND
BE MORE PROACTIVE AND LEAD
SEATTLE IN THE MODEL AND WITH
WHAT TRUE POLICING LOOKS LIKE.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR GRANT FOR
BEING WITH US AND FOR YOUR
WILLINGNESS TO SERVE FIRST AS A
COMMISSIONER AND NOW AS THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU EVERYONE.
I APPRECIATE YOU SO VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
TAKE CARE AND ENJOY THE REST OF
YOUR AFTERNOON.
WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL MOVE TO OTHER ITEMS
OF BUSINESS.
WILL THE CLERK READ ITEM 2
THROUGH 7.
>> 18 THROUGH 1824.
APPOINTMENT OF ROBIN TRUST TINO
POLICE COMMISSION FOR THE 31st
OF 202021 AND AUSTIN FIELDS AND
MOHAMMED AS MEMBER OF COMMUNITY
POLICE COMMISSION FOR DECEMBER
31st, 2022 AND APPOINTMENT OF
HUNTER FOR POLICE COMMISSION TO
DECEMBER 31st, 2023.
THE COMMUNITY RECOMMENDS THESE
APPOINTMENTS BE CONFIRMED.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
>> THANK YOU.
PINTA IS ATTENDING PHYSICIAN AT
SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF
PEDIATRIC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON.
HE IS SPENT HIS CAREER
ADVOCATING FOR THE VULNERABLE
AND UNDERSERVED NI FOR CARING
FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND
EVALUATES CHILDREN.
A COUNCIL APPOINTMENT.
AUSTIN FIELDS THE PCP
APPOINTMENT.
A SEATTLE NATIVE AND VETERAN
AND FOREIGN CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATORY AND LAW STUDENT
AND SERVED IN MULTI ROLES
INCLUDING OVERSEAS IN THE
MILITARY AND A CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATOR FOR THE BRONX
DEFENDER AND ATTENDING LAW
SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON AND PASSIONATE ABOUT
RACIAL INJUSTICE WITHIN THE
SEATTLE COMMUNITY AND AS A LAW
STUDENT HAS DEVELOPED LEGAL
ANALYSIS OVER THE COUNTY'S
PROCESS ON BEHALF OF FAMILIES
THAT HAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO
LAW ENFORCEMENT USE OF LEGAL
FORCE.
AS DEFENSE INVESTIGATOR HE
HOLDS HIS ABILITY
COLLABORATIVE.
HE HAS BEEN DISCUSSING SECURITY
ISSUES WITH MEMBERS.
JOHNSON IS A COUNCIL
APPOINTMENT.
SERVES AS THE DIRECTOR OF
OPERATIONS FOR 180 NOR
INFRASTRUCTURE AND INSTRUMENT
MENTATION OF PROGRAMS AND
COCREATING THE LGTB WORKSHOP
AND MANUAL.
AS A MASTER'S OF SOCIAL WORK
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON AND BACHELOR'S OF
SCIENCE.
SHE IS MAGNUM LAUDE AT
PORTLAND AND COMPLETED THE
FAITH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE.
ERICA NEWMAN IS PCP APPOINTMENT
THAT WORKED AS LEGISLATIVE
ANALYST FOR THE KING COUNTY
COUNCIL.
MS. NEWMAN HAS HELPED
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
NAVIGATE THE EDUCATION AND
CRIMINAL SYSTEM.
SHE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF WORK
IN LEGISLATION INCLUDING IN THE
KING COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
AND THE KING COUNTY COUNCIL.
FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PEOPLE OF
COLOR AND NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR
NEGRO WOMEN AND AFRICAN-
AMERICAN GROUP AND THE NCAA.
SHE HAS EXPERIENCED WORKING
DIRECTLY WITH UNDERSERVED AND
UNDERREPRESENTED POPULATIONS IN
A PASSION FOR ADVANCING THE
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
AGENDA.
FOLLOWING THE APPOINTMENT OF
MOHAMMED BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE.
A DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT.
AND ROOTED IN COMMUNITY AND HAS
BEEN A SEATTLE LIFE FOR OVER 20
YEARS AND MAINTAINS GLOBAL
CONSCIOUSNESS AND WORKED FOR
MULTI ETHNIC, MULTI SERVICES IN
THE EQUITY AND AN ALLI FOR LGTB
HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
SOMALI YOUTH AND A NONPROFIT.
ADDRESSES HOMELESSNESS AND
REFUGEE IMMIGRATION.
>> FINALJAHUNT IS A COUNCIL
APPOINTMENT.
REVEREND JAHAN SERVES AS
MINISTER FOR OUTREACH IN
EDUCATION AT SEATTLE'S FIRST
BAPTIST CHURCH AND MINISTER OF
WORSHIP AT MOUNT ZION AND
MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.
REVEREND HUNTER HAS ADVOCATED
FOR SECULAR INSTITUTIONS FOR
DECADES.
AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND
LESBIAN AND TRENDS BASED ON
RACE AND GENDER CLASS AND
SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS.
REVEREND HUNTER IS CERTIFIED
FINANCIAL PLANNER AND SERVED AS
FINANCIAL WELLNESS PROGRAM
MANAGER FOR THE MINISTERS AND
MISSIONARIES BENEFIT BOARD
BEFORE RETIREMENT IN 2020.
HE HAS A DOCTOR RATE OF
MINISTER GRIEF FROM ST. PAUL
THEOLOGY DIVINITY SCHOOL AND
SERVED ON THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S
COMMISSION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COLLEAGUES, ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THOSE APPOINTMENTS?
>> HEARING NOW WILL THE CLERK
CALL THE CONFIRMATION OF 18, 19
THROUGH 18, 24.
>> LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> MORALES.
>> YES.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSON.
>> YES.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> SUAREZ.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> AYE.
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR.
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES.
ANY POINTS ARE CONFIRMED.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
8 INTO THE RECORD.
>> ITEM 8 COUNCIL BILL 120011.
LEADING TO APPROPRIATIONS FOR
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT
INCLUDING A SPENDING PLAN THAT
ADOPTED THE 2021 BUDGET AND
RATIFYING PRIOR ACTS.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD YOU
ARE THE CHAIR AND I WILL HAND
IT BACK TO YOU.
>> FANTASTIC.
THANK YOU.
A LITTLE BIT OF PROCESS
BACKGROUND.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY
AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
PROBABLY REMEMBER THAT HUMAN
SERVICES DIRECTOR ALLEN HOWE
AND HER TEAM PRESENTED AN
OVERVIEW AT THIS WORK AT THE
JANUARY 26th COMMITTEE MEETING
AND FOLLOWING THAT PRESENTATION
THE DIRECTOR RESPONDED.
THE QUESTIONS DEVELOPED IN A
MEMO FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
AND SHARED ON FEBRUARY 18th.
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT
RELEASED THE REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS RELATED TO THIS
FUNDING ON MARCH 1st AND THIS
REQUEST IS AVAILABLE ON THE
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY WEB PAGE
AND ON MARCH 4th MY OFFICE SENT
OUT TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS THE
CENTRAL STAFF MEMO DESCRIBING
THE LEGISLATION AND THE NEW
MEMO ABOUT THE WORK LEADING UP
TO AND CREATING RSP.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND HUMAN
SERVICES COMMITTEE MEMBERS
VOTED THIS OUT OF COMMITTEE
UNANIMOUSLY LAST WEEK.
AND TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
WHAT THE LEGISLATION IS ALL
ABOUT.
LAST YEAR DURING THE BUDGET
PROCESS WE RESPONDED CALLS FROM
COMMUNITY TO INVEST IN
ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING AND
MADE AN EFFORT TO FORWARD
FUNDING THAT WE HAD DEDICATED
THE SUMMER REBALANCING PROCESS
AS WE OBSERVED ONE YEAR
ANNIVERSARY SINCE THE DEATH OF
BREONNA TAYLOR AT THE HANDS OF
POLICE IT IS CLEAR THAT CALLS
MUST BE HEEDED AND THIS WORK IS
URGENT NOW AS LAST YEAR.
CITY COUNCIL ANSWERED THE CALL
BY APPOINTING 16 MILLION FOR
COMMUNITY LED ORGANIZATIONS
THAT ARE CREATING COMMUNITY
SAFETY EVERY DAY IN SEATTLE AND
LAST YEAR THE HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT MOVED QUICKLY TO
AWARD FOUR MILLION OF THE $16
MILLION TO THE SEATTLE
COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVE.
THE FUNDS ARE WORKING TO BUILD
COMMUNITY SAFETY HUBS AND WRAP
AROUND SERVICES IN THREE
SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOODS UNDER THE
LEADERSHIP OF COMMUNITY
PASSAGEWAYS.
WE HAVE BEEN COLLECTIVELY
URGING THE EXECUTIVE TO
EXPEDITE A PORTION OF
INVESTMENT WHILE THE COMMUNITY
IS WAITING TO RECEIVE THIS
INVESTMENT SINCE COUNCIL FIRST
VOTED TO APPROVE IT LAST
SUMMER.
THE LEGISLATION BEFORE THE
COUNCIL TODAY LIFTS A PROVISO
ON THE FUNDS THAT REQUIRE THAT
COUNCIL APPLIES A SPEND FUND
AND ORGANIZED WITHIN THE
INTERCEPT MODEL.
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE HEARD
ABOUT THAT LAST WEEK AND
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THE
LEGISLATION.
THE NEW INVESTMENT WILL BRING
TOGETHER ORGANIZATIONS
DEDICATED FOR IMAGINING HOW
SAFETY CAN BE ACHIEVED IN
SEATTLE AND THE RESOURCES THEY
NEED.
THIS IS THE KIND OF INVESTMENT
RECOMMENDED IN A RECENT REPORT
FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL
COMMISSION OF COVID-19 TO
COMBAT THE INCREASED VIOLENCE
AND OFFENSES IN THE COUNTRY.
IT WILL MOVE THAT CITIES,
COMMUNITY SAFETY STRATEGY
TOWARDS A HARM REDUCTION MODEL
OF RESTORED JUSTICE WHILE
PREVENTING HARM.
>> THANK YOU COUNSEL MEMBER
HERBOLD.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE BILL?
>> HEARING NO ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE BILL WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE BILL ON
THE PASSAGE OF COUNCIL BILL 120-
0211.
>> LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> MORALES.
>> YES.
>>
>>> SPEAKING TO THE
APPOINTMENTS BEFORE US IS BANK
OF NEW YORK.
ABRAHAM IS BEING APPOINTED BY
THE GOVERNING COUNCIL.
NEXT WE HAVE COLLEEN BOWMAN WHO
IS BEING REAPPOINTED BY THE
MAYOR.
SHE'S CURRENTLY SERVING AS THE
INTERIM CHAIR.
COLLLEN HAS MANAGED TWO
BUSINESSES IN THE MARKET.
ALSO PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON THE
PIKE PLACE MARKET.
GORDON IS RETIRED AFTER WORKING
43 YEARS AS A BAR TENDING
INCLUDING 20 YEARS AT THE PIKE
PLACE MARKET.
AND LASTLY, DIP SINGH IS A
REALTOR MANAGEMENT WHERE HE
FOCUSES ON ACCUSATION.
SINGH IS BEING APPOINTED BY THE
MAYOR.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING
THESE APPOINTMENTS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THESE APPOINTMENTS.
HEARING NONE.
WILL YOU PLEASE VOTE ON THE
APPOINTMENTS.
>> MORALES.
>> YES.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ.
>> YES.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> AYE.
>> 8 IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> MOTION CARRIES AND THE
APPOINTMENTS ARE CONFIRMED.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
13 INTO THE RECORD.
>> NEIGHBORHOODS COMMUNITY
COUNCIL BILL 12001 OF HOME
OCCUPATIONS ADOPT THE INTERIM.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT
PASS WITH STRAUSS AND MOSQUEDA.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS
YOU'RE THE MEMBER OF THE
COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT
AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT MOSQUEDA
FOR YOUR SPONSORSHIP.
IN THE PAST, BUSINESSES HAVE
BEEN HIT HARD BY COVID-19 AND
OUR ECONOMIC RECESSION.
TOO MANY BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN
FORCED TO SHUT THEIR DOORS FOR
GOOD.
AND THIS PAST YEAR HAS ALSO
SHOWED US HOW CREATIVE AND
NIMBLE BUSINESS OWNERS CAN BE
WHEN THEY'RE FACED WITH
CHALLENGES.
WE KNOW THAT THE CODE WAS NOT
WRITTEN FOR LIFE DURING A
PANDEMIC AND HAS NOT KEPT UP.
WE ALL INTRODUCE BRINGS PEOPLE
HOME TO BRING SMALL BUSINESS
OWNERS.
AND TIME LIMITED YEAR, BY
EASING SOME OF THE OWNERS.
HOME BASED BUSINESSES ARE STILL
REGULATED BY OTHER.
CITY SEATTLE, DEPARTMENT OF AFS
IN BUSINESS AND FOOD AND HEALTH
CARE.
THIS DOES NOT CHANGE ANY OF
THOSE REGULATORY.
THEY MUST BE OPERATED BY A
RESIDENT OF THE HOME THAT THE
BUSINESS WILL BE CLEARLY
ACCESSORY SO SECONDARY TO THE
MAIN USE OF THE HOME AS
RESIDENT.
THAT THE COMMERCIAL DELIVERIES
ARE LIMITED TO ONE A DAY.
I CAN TELL YOU SOME OF MY
NEIGHBORS GET MORE IN AMAZON
THAN THAT.
BUT AGAIN, THAT'S AN ASIDE.
LASTLY IT'S ALSO VERY IMPORTANT
TO UNDERSTAND THAT HOME
OCCUPANCY BUSINESSES STILL MUST
ABIDE BY THE NOISE, ODOR, LIGHT
OR SMOKE IMPACTS THAT ARE
CURRENTLY WRITTEN IN THE CODE.
THAT THEY CANNOT BE NOTICEABLE
BEYOND THE PROPERTY.
BY NOW ALSO YOU'VE HEARD THE
STORY OF GREENWOOD WHICH WERE
FORCED T CLOSE AFTER THEY WERE
FOUND IN VIOLATION OF CURRENT
CODE.
WHEN YONDER BROUGHT THEIR
SITUATION TO MY ATTENTION WITH
COLLEAGUES AS WELL I'M SURE.
WELL TO OPEN OUR EYES THAT WE
HAVE HOME OCCUPANCY BUSINESSES
OPERATING IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT
ARE NOT OPERATING TO THE LETTER
OF THE CODE AND COULD BE SHUT
DOWN IF THEY WERE CITED.
AGAIN ONCE A CITATION IS IN THE
CUE, IT CANNOT BE UNDONE EVEN
BY THE PERSON THAT SUBMIT HAD
THE CITATION.
AND THAT AGAIN IS WHY WE NEED
TO CREATE THIS LEVEL PLAYING
FIELD AND WHY WE NEED TO
PROVIDE THIS TIME LIMITED
FLEXIBLE AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE
NORM.
THIS BILL IS MORE THAN JUST
ABOUT YONDER IT'S ABOUT THE
OPPORTUNITY TO START AND BUILD
A BUSINESS.
BY GIVING A STRUGGLING YOUNG
BUSINESS A TIME TO MOVE HOME
FOR THE MOMENT TO WEATHER THE
STORM AND THEN COME BACK IN
FULL BLOOM IN OUR BUSINESS
DISTRICTS.
SOME OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESSES IN THE WORLD WERE
FOUNDED IN GARAGES.
I HEARD ABOUT ONE AT COMMITTEE
LAST WEEK THAT SOUNDS VERY
DELICIOUS.
NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE CITY TO
MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR THESE
ENTREPRENEURS RATHER THAN
SHUTTING DOWN THE SMALL
BUSINESSES THAT MAKE UP THE
FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE MUST MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS,
OUR LAND USE CODE SHOULD NOT BE
A BARRIER TO MAKING OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS MORE VIBRANT AND
HAVING A STRONG ECONOMY.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA AND EVERYONE WHO
HELPED.
THANK YOU MAYORS THAT MY
REPORT.
COUNCIL, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS.
I KNOW WE HAVE ONE AMENDMENT TO
CONSIDER IN THIS BILL.
THAT AMENDMENT IS FROM COUNCIL
MEMBERS.
I HAVE SOME REMARKS AND I'M
SURE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA HAS SOME REMARKS ALSO.
MY SUGGESTION IS WE ADDRESS THE
AMENDMENT FIRST.
AND THEN WE CAN OPEN IT UP TO
COMMENTS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED
FROM THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO
SPEAK ON THE BILLS AMENDMENT.
IF THAT SOUNDS AGREEABLE TO
FOLKS I PROPOSE THAT'S HOW WE
SHOULD MOVE FORWARD.
OKAY I'M NOT HEARING ANY
OBJECTION TO THAT LET'S GO
AHEAD AND SEND IT TO COUNCIL
MEMBER HERBOLD TO ALLOW HER TO
MOVE
HER, YES I CAN HEAR YOU NOW.
>> IT'S COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ.
I'M IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION ON
A DIFFERENT PHONE TRYING TO DO
THREE DIFFERENT THINGS.
I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT
ON THE LAST ITEMS THAT WE VOTED
ON REGARDING THE PIKE PLACE
MARKET PRESERVATION THAT I
VOTED YES BUT I DIDN'T DO THE
STAR SIX.
SO I HOPE THE CLERK CAN NOTE I
VOTED YES ON THAT.
AND I'M HERE FOR THE COUNCIL
BILL 120001.
SO THANK YOU.
>> UNFORTUNATE COUNCIL MEMBER
JUAREZ THE AGENDA CAN'T REFLECT
THAT.
UNLESS WE GO BACK ON THE
AGENDA.
>> NO, NO NEED TO GO BACK.
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW I'M
HERE.
THANK YOU.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I APPRECIATE IT.
OKAY SO COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD
I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO
YOU TO MAKE YOUR MOTION ON
AMENDMENT 1 TO COUNCIL BILL
120001.
>> THANK YOU MA'AM PRESIDENT.
I MOVE TO AMEND COUNCIL BILL
120001 AS PRESENTED ON
AMENDMENT ONE.
WHICH WAS RECENTLY DISTRIBUTED.
SECOND.
>> GREAT.
>> OKAY IT'S BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED.
SORRY I'M HAVING MY OWN
TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES WITH WORDS
DISAPPEARING OFF THE SCREEN.
SORRY, GIVE ME JUST A MINUTE.
THERE WE GO, OKAY IT'S BEEN
MOVED AND SECONDED COUNCIL
MEMBER ONE.
COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD BACK TO
YOU TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING
AMENDMENT.
>> THANKS SO MUCH THIS IS A
SINGLE AMENDMENT THAT HAS TWO
COMPONENTS.
THE AMENDMENT REQUIRES FIRST
THAT A HOME OCCUPATION NOT HAVE
A DRIVE IN BUSINESS COMPONENT.
AND SECONDLY, IT REQUIRES THAT
HOME OCCUPATIONS THAT ARE
PERMITTED BUT THAT ARE RELATED
TO AUTOMOTIVE SALES AND SERVICE
NOT CAUSE A SUBSTANTIAL
INCREASE IN ON STREET PARKING
OR VEHICLE TRAFFIC.
AS DISCUSSED THIS MORNING, THIS
AMENDMENT WOULD NOT PROHIBIT
AUTOMOTIVE SALES AND SERVICES.
THE AMENDMENT WOULD THE WOULD
ALSO PROHIBIT A DRIVE-THRU
BUSINESS.
>> THERE MAY NOT BE IN
QUESTIONS THIS AFTERNOON BUT
THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE DIDN'T
HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT.
COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD.
JUST TO KNOW I DID CONTACT WITH
STAFF HAVING THAT CONVERSATION
AT BRIEFING WAS VERY HELPFUL.
THIS IS A VERY NARROW AMENDMENT
MUCH LIKE THE BILL BEING A VERY
NARROW BILL.
>> I ALSO HAD A TIME AND
OPPORTUNITY TO GET A CLOSER
LOOK AT THIS AMENDMENT AND HAD
A CONVERSATION WITH MY STAFF AS
WELL.
SEE IT IS VERY TECHNICAL AND
TPHAR
NARROW TO THIS TYPE OF
BUSINESS.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON AMENDMENT
1? HEARING NONE WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLE ON THE
PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT 1.
>> MORALES.
>> AYE.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ.
>> YES.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU.
SO MUCH FOR THAT.
NOW I'M GOING TO MAKE A CALL
FOR ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND
I SEE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER
PETERSEN HAS HIS HAND UP THEN
WE WILL HEAR FROM COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA.
COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN PLEASE.
>> I WAS ABLE TO ARTICULATE MY
SMALL TRACK RECORD ABOUT
OPERATING BUSINESSES.
I ALSO POSTED MY CONCERNS WITH
THE BILL ON MY CITY WEBSITE.
MY CONSTITUENTS CAN SEE MY
RATIONAL FOR MY NO VOTE.
THE BENEFITS AND CONCERNS THE
BILL HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE
MEDIA AS WELL SO I DON'T WANT
TO GO THROUGH THEM HERE.
BUT I DO WANT TO THANK THE
COMMITTEE CHAIR AND ORIGINAL
COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS
FOR TAKING TIME TO RAISE AND
DISCUSS THE CONCERNS IN HIS
COMMITTEE.
I THINK THAT WAS VERY HELPFUL
FOR EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT IS COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
THEN COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE
COUNCIL, THE COUNCILS
CONSIDERATION OF THIS BILL
TODAY AS AMENDED.
HAPPY TO BE A COSPONSOR THANK
YOU VERY MUCH COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON
THIS FOR A WHILE.
I'M VERY EXCITED TO BE PART OF
THE TEAM AS WE GET THIS OVER
THE FINISH LINE.
TO ME THIS IS REALLY ABOUT
WHAT'S GOOD FOR ECONOMIC
RESILIENCY OF SEATTLE.
AND AS YOU THINK ABOUT HOW MANY
PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR JOB,
THEIR EMPLOYMENT PRIOR TO THE
PANDEMIC AND FOLKS WHO ARE
BEING INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE.
I SPOKE ABOUT HOW SOME OF OUR
SMALL BUSINESSES ARE FAIRING
DURING THIS TIME.
MANY ENTREPRENEURS ARE DOING
EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO TRY TO
BE INNOVATIVE AND CHANGE THEIR
BUSINESS STRATEGIES SO THAT
THEY CAN SURVIVE.
AND ALLOWING FOR THIS TYPE OF
CODE IS REALLY CRITICAL RIGHT
NOW AS PEOPLE THINK ABOUT
OPENING A BUSINESS FOR THE
FIRST TIME OR MODIFYING TYPE OF
BUSINESSES THAT THEY HAD
ORIGINALLY ENGAGED IN AND DOING
IT IN A WAY THAT ACTUALLY
REACHES PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT
RIGHT NOW.
PEOPLE ARE STAYING HOME.
THEY'RE STAYING IN THEIR
NEIGHBORHOODS.
THEY'RE STAYING IN THEIR LOCAL
COMMUNITIES AND THEY'RE WALKING
MORE.
AND MAKING IT MORE ASSESSABLE
FOR PEOPLE TO PURCHASE GOODS
AND SERVICES IN THEIR
NEIGHBORHOOD.
ALLOW FOR THOSE ENTREPRENEURS
TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE FRONT OF
THEIR SHOPS OR THEIR GARAGES
AND BE ABLE TO SELL TO THE
PEDESTRIANS AND BIKERS AND
POTENTIALLY THE FOLKS WHO ARE
GOING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD
AS THEY, GET OUT AND START TO
ENJOY SPRING AND HOPEFULLY ARE
VACCINATED AND ACTUALLY GET A
CHANCE TO WALK AROUND OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS MORE.
THIS IS AN ECONOMIC STIMULUS
BILL.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO
REITERATE WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT
LAST WEEK AS WELL.
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT HELPING
THOSE ENTREPRENEURS WHO NEED
ADDITIONAL SYSTEM OR HELPING TO
CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE THIS
IS ALSO ABOUT HOW WE CREATE
MORE DOLLARS IN THE POCKETS OF
RESIDENTS ACROSS THE CITY WHO
ARE THEN ABLE TO SPEND THAT
MONEY IN EXISTING LOCAL
BUSINESSES.
THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A
BUSINESSES. EXISTING
THE MORE WE ALLOW FOR FINANCIAL
STABILITY IT PAYS FORWARD.
PEOPLE SPEND THAT MONEY IN
LOCAL SHOPS AND LOCAL
RESTAURANTS AND VENDORS.
SO THIS IS TRULY ONE SMALL WAY,
A VERY IMPORTANT WAY FOR US TO
HELP OUR SMALLEST EMPLOYERS AND
FUTURE ENTREPRENEURS IN THE
CITY.
WHETHER THAT'S THE NEXT
MICROSOFT OR THE NEXT TASTY
TACOS OR WHAT HAVE YOU, AND
STILL WANT THAT FRIED BREAD,
AND NOT HAVING SIGNAGE ON THE
STREET THAT'S NOT A GOOD WAY TO
START THIS YEAR.
WE'RE MAKING IT EASIER FOR US
TO DO THAT AND WE'RE ADDRESSING
THE CONCERNS AS WELL IN THIS
BILL.
I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT'S STAFF AND MY STAFF.
ANDRE HOUSTON DID A LOT OF WORK
ON THIS BILL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE
WORK.
PART OF THAT RESEARCH OF HOW
WE CLEAR CURB SIDES TO MAKE
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS TO
BE ABLE TO SEE SMALL BUSINESSES
WAS TO THINK ABOUT HOW THIS
ISN'T JUST ABOUT ACCESS TO
PARKING IN FRONT OF BUSINESSES,
THIS IS ABOUT HOW WE MAKE IT A
MORE WALKABLE THRIVING
NEIGHBORHOOD.
LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT WE CAN
DO TO CHANGE TO IMPROVE THE
EXPERIENCE IN THE FUTURE.
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
ALL OF YOU AND LOOKING FORWARD
TO PASSING THIS.
THANK YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA.
NEXT UP IS COUNCIL MEMBER
MORALES.
THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS
BILL SO I WANT TO THANKS
COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS FOR THE
WORK YOU'VE BEEN DOING TO BRING
THIS FORWARD.
I THINK IT REALLY SPEAKS TO THE
FACT THAT WE NEED TO
FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THE WAY WE
OFFER OPPORTUNITY TO OUR
NEIGHBORS.
WE KNOW THAT MICROBUSINESSES
PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN
GENERATING INCOME FOR SOME
FAMILIES.
IN MY PREVIOUS LIFE, I PROVIDED
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FOOD
BASED BUSINESSES WHO WERE
TRYING TO GET STARTED, TRYING
TO EXPAND AND VERY OFTEN THESE
ARE SHOPS THAT ARE OWNED BY
JUST FAMILY MEMBERS.
THERE AREN'T A LOT OF
EMPLOYEES.
IT IS YOU KNOW MOM AND POP
MAYBE ONE OR TWO OF THE KIDS
AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT
REVENUE THAT THEY ARE BRINGING
IN FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
THROUGH THAT PROCESS I LEARNED
HOW HARD IT IS FOR THESE FAMILY
BUSINESSES TO EXPAND INTO BRICK
AND MORTAR.
YOU KNOW COMMERCIAL SPACE IS
OFTEN TOO BIG FOR SOME OF THESE
VERY SMALL START UPS OR TOO
EXPENSIVE OR THE TENANT
IMPROVEMENTS THAT WOULD BE
REQUIRED ARE COST PROHIBITIVE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO
MAKE IT EASIER FOR THOSE WHO
DON'T HAVE EASY ACCESS TO
CAPITAL TO GET THEIR FOOT IN
THE DOOR FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
TO EXPAND THE GOODS AND
SERVICES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO
OFFER IN OUR COMMUNITIES I
THINK THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT
FIRST STEP TO MAKE SURE THAT
HAPPENS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT WE CAN
LEARN THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR AND
COSPONSOR FOR STARTING THIS
CONVERSATION FOR US.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
MORALES.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE BILL?
OKAY, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SOME
COMMENTS ON THE BILL AS WELL.
I AM REALLY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT
BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS
LEGISLATIVE EFFORT IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS AND ALSO WITH THE
SUPPORT OF COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA.
I DO WANT TO THANK NOAH FROM
YOUR OFFICE COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS FOR THE WORK THEY'VE
DONE.
THE GOOD POLICY WORK THEY'VE
DONE ON BEHALF OF OUR OFFICES,
AND BIG THANKS TO KETO FREEMAN
AS WELL FOR ALL OF HIS WORK IN
THIS SPACE AS WELL.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS BILL IS
GOING TO BE JUST ONE OF MANY
STRATEGIES THAT WILL HELP US
WITH OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY FROM
COVID-19.
WE KNOW THAT WE NEED
FLEXIBILITY AND INVASION.
THIS IS LOCAL GOVERNMENT
MEETING INVASION BY
ENTREPRENEURS WHO WANT TO TRY
OUT IDEAS AND PROVIDE NEEDED
INCOME FOR THEIR HOUSEHOLDS.
THIS BILL WILL HELP LOWER
BARRIERS LIKE CAPITAL OR
AFFORDABILITY THAT WILL KEEP
MANY WOMEN AND OTHERS FROM
STARTING A BUSINESS.
THE BILL WILL STRENGTHEN
NEIGHBORHOODS AND GET US CLOSER
TO COMPLETE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH
AMENITIES FOR SEATTLE RESIDENTS
AND FAMILIES.
AT A TIME WHEN IT'S NOT JUST
IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL
SMALL BUSINESS TO ENSURE
THEY'LL STILL BE WITH US ON THE
OTHER SIDE OF THE PANDEMIC.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO CREATE
FLEXIBILITY AND OPTIONS.
THIS BILL WILL HELP LOWER
BARRIERS LIKE ACCESS TO CAPITAL
AND WOMEN FROM STARTING A
BUSINESS.
WITH MANY OUT OF WORK DURING A
PANDEMIC THIS CHANGE CAN HELP
SEATTLE RESIDENTS START A SMALL
BUSINESS TO ADD MUCH NEEDED
INCOME TO THEIR HOUSEHOLDS.
THIS WILL ONLY HELP US TO GET
THAT MUCH CLOSER TO ECONOMIC
RECOVERY AND ADD AMENITIES TO
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS BILL HELPS US GET TO
BETTER CONNECTED NEIGHBORHOODS
WHICH MEANS WE DON'T NEED TO GO
FAR WHEN SERVICES AND AMENITIES
ARE WITHIN A 10 TO 15 MINUTE
WALK OR BIKE RIDE.
THIS BILL MEANS IT WILL BE
EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO START
THEIR DREAM OF BEING A SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER AND HELP US GET
BACK TO A CITY OF VIBRANT SMALL
BUSINESSES ALL ACROSS THE CITY.
IT WILL SUPPORT INVASION AND
PROVIDE A PATH WAY FOR PEOPLE
TO BUILD THEIR BUSINESS,
CLIENTELE AND GROW CAPITOL IN
HAND FOR THEIR BUSINESS.
WE WANT EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS
TO GROW OUT OF THEIR GARAGE AND
STORE FRONT.
YOU NEED A LOT OF MONEY TO DO
THAT AND THIS BILL ALLOWS
BUSINESSES TO BUILD AT HOME
FIRST BEFORE THEY CAN TAKE THE
NEXT BIG STEP.
AND LASTLY, THE REALITY IS THAT
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE THE
CENTER OF OUR UNIVERSE AS THIS
PANDEMIC CONTINUES.
AND WHILE WE RECOVER THIS BILL
WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO
LIMIT OUR TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF OUR
HOMES TO STAY SAFER UNDER
PANDEMIC PROTOCOLS BY
INCREASING AMENITIES RIGHT IN
OUR BACKYARD.
SO, I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT
THIS BILL AND I KNOW THERE'S
BEEN SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT
THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS
NOT TOO BROAD OF A LEGISLATIVE
FIX.
I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO BROAD OF
A LEGISLATIVE FIX AS COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS LIKES TO
CORRECTLY REMIND US.
THIS IS A NARROW BILL TO
ADDRESS A NARROW ISSUE WITHIN
THE STRUCTURE OF THE LAND USE
BILL.
I DID WANT TO TAKE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO READ TWO
TESTIMONIALS INTO THE RECORD
FROM IMPACTED SMALL BUSINESS
OWNERS.
THE FIRST IS FROM KAITLIN
BROWN.
SHE IS THE OWNER OF YONDER
CIDER AND SHE'S A SUPPORTER OF
COUNCIL BILL THE BRINGING
BUSINESS HOME BILL.
AND SHE WROTE TO US JUST THIS
AFTERNOON, QUOTE IN AUGUST 2020
I LAUNCHED YONDER BAR.
OUR RETAIL TO GO ONLY SPACE IN
MY GARAGE.
WE LAUNCHED IN THE TIME OF
COVID AND WHEN LAUNCHING A
TASTING ROOM WITH A 7 YEAR
COMMERCIAL LEAST WAS NOT
POSSIBLE FOR US.
LAUNCHING IN MY GARAGE HELPED
US TO DETERMINE ITS VIABILITY
AND EVENTUALLY TO THE SIGNING
OF A COMMERCIAL LEASE JUST LAST
MONTH.
I HOPE THIS BILL ALLOWS THIS
OPPORTUNITY FOR SO MANY OTHER
HOPEFUL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.
IN THE PAST WEEK ALONE I HAVE
RECEIVED CALLS, E-MAILS AND
MESSAGES FROM MORE THAN A DOZEN
PEOPLE WHO LIKE ME HAVE DREAMED
OF OPENING THEIR BUSINESS ONLY
TO BE FACED WITH HURDLE AFTER
HURDLE.
I BELIEVE THIS BILL WILL OPEN
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES ACROSS THE CITY NOW
AND INTO THE FUTURE.
AND IN MY OPINION, THIS BILL
DOESN'T TAKE AWAY FROM PEOPLE
SIGNING COMMERCIAL LEASES IT
MAKES THEM POSSIBLE.
FURTHER MORE SINCE THE COMMENTS
AT THE LAST LAND USE COMMITTEE
I HAVE GONE INTO MY LOCAL
COMMUNITY TO TALK TO MY
COMMUNITY ON GREEN VIEW AVENUE.
THEY WELCOME BUSINESSES LIKE
YONDER BAR WHAT THEY SEE IS
MORE TRAFFIC COMING TO THEIR
NEIGHBORHOOD.
MORE POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO
THEIR BUSINESS AND MORE
CONNECTED VIBRANT COMMUNITIES.
THAT BENEFITS EVERYONE.
MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES ALSO
CARRY OUR PRODUCTS NOW AND SEE
GROWING SALES WITH THE
EXISTENCE AND EXPOSURE OF
YONDER BAR.
LAUNCHING IN OUR GARAGE MADE
OUR BIG DREAMS POSSIBLE AND WE
HOPE THAT WILL ALLOW THE SAME
TO OTHERS.
THAT IS KAITLIN AND I THANK HER
FOR HER SUPPORT AND REALLY
IMPORTANT COMMENTS FOR THIS
LEGISLATION.
A SECOND CONSTITUENT WROTE TO
OUR OFFICE THE FOLLOWING ABOUT
THIS BILL.
I'M A VOTER IN DISTRICT 2 AND
THE OWNER OF EMERALD CITY
FLOWERS.
I STARTED EMERALD CITY FLOWERS
DURING THE PANDEMIC AS A PART
TIME JOB TO BRING JOY TO PEOPLE
DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME WITH
THE PANDEMIC AND GAIN
ADDITIONAL INCOME.
I'M WRITING IN SUPPORT OF THE
HOME OCCUPATION BILL.
DURING THE PANDEMIC MY MANY
BUSINESSES HAD TO CLOSE THEIR
STORE FRONTS, PEOPLE WERE LAID
OFF FROM THEIR JOBS, HAD THEIR
HOURS REDUCED, HIRING FREEZES
AND FREEZES ON SALARY
INCREASES.
HOWEVER COST OF LIVING REMAINS
HIGH IN SEATTLE.
BUSINESS OWNERS NEED MORE
AVENUES TO GAIN INCOME AND THIS
LEGISLATION CAN MAKE THAT
POSSIBLE.
LAND USE LAWS AROUND OPERATING
A BUSINESS WITHOUT YOUR HOME
ARE TOO RESTRICTIVE.
INCLUDING HAVING CUSTOMER
SCHEDULE MEETING TIMES WHICH
DOESN'T HELP.
DURING THIS TIME MANY PEOPLE
ARE AT HOME THINKING ABOUT HOW
THEY WANT TO SPEND THEIR TIME
AND WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.
FOR SOME THAT IS STARTING A NEW
BUSINESS OR VENTURE.
OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN
DEVASTATED BY THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
MANY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES WERE
STARTED OUT OF SOMEONE'S
GARAGE, PASSING THIS
LEGISLATION WILL HELP EXISTING
AS WELL AS AID THE RECOVERY OF
THE PANDEMIC WITH A MORE
VIBRANT ECO SYSTEM.
I WILL CONCLUDE MY COMMENTS
THERE.
I THINK THOSE ARE TWO REALLY
GREAT TESTIMONIALS FROM THE
NORTH TO THE SOUTH END OF OUR
CITY.
AND LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE
TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS
LEGISLATIVE EFFORT.
SO THAT BEING SAID, I WANT TO,
I WANT TO GIVE COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS THE LAST WORD BEFORE WE
CALL THE ROLL ON THIS BILL.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU COLLEAGUES JUST WANT
TO AGAIN THANK YOU FOR READING
THOSE WORDS THAT WERE BROUGHT
IN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY
COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
THIS IS ABOUT INCUBATING
INVASION AND BUSINESS.
IN THE CASE OF YONDER, THEY
USED THE MONEY THAT THEY HAVE
RAISED FROM OPENING IN THE
GARAGE TO FULFILL A BUSINESS
FRONT.
THAT TRAJECTORY WE TALKED ABOUT
AND THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
ALSO EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT
TO ME FOR THIS LEGISLATION.
THIS BILL IS ABOUT BEING
SOLUTION ORIENTED AND CREATING
OUTCOMES FOR EVERY DAY
SEATLEITES.
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THE LAST
TWO MEETINGS FOR CONVERSATION
AND WHAT OTHER LEGISLATIONS AND
LICENSURES ARE AVAILABLE.
THE LAND USE CODE NOT ZONING IS
WHAT WE'RE PARTIALLY AMENDING
FOR A TIME LIMITED PERIOD TO
PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY FOR OUR
SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS.
I AGAIN WANT TO THANK EVERYONE
WHO WORKED ON THIS INCLUDING
ANDREW AND COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDAS OFFICE AND FOR
KAITLIN FOR BRINGING THIS ISSUE
INTO OUR ATTENTION THAT IMPACTS
SO MANY HOME OCCUPANCY
BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT SEATTLE.
I HAVE A BALLARD GLASS FULL OF
WATER AND I WOULD SAY LET'S
RAISE OUR GLASSES TO MAKING
THINGS POSSIBLE FOR OUR NEW
ENTREPRENEURS.
>> WE'RE NOW AT CLOSE OUT
DEBATE AND I URGE THE CLERK TO
CALL THE ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF
THE AMOUNT.
>> LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> MORALES.
>> YES.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSEN.
>> NO.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ.
>> AYE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> AYE.
>> 8 IN FAVOR, ONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH THE BILL
PASSES AS AMENDED AND THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ
ITEMS 14 AND 15 INTO THE
RECORD.
>> PART OF THE EDUCATION
COMMISSION, APPOINTMENTS 1825
AND 1826, APPOINTMENT OF AMANDA
SANDOVAL AS MEMBER OF SEATTLE
IMMIGRANTS FOR TERM TO JULY 31,
2022.
AND APARTMENT OF VAL PRAN JO TO
JANUARY 31, 2023 THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS THE THESE
APPOINTMENTS BE CONFIRMED.
>> I WILL OPEN THE FLOOR TO
COMMENTS IF ANY.
COLLEAGUES I'M THRILLED TO HAVE
YOU ADVANCE THE APPOINTMENTS OF
DO AND SANDOVAL.
THEY'RE BOTH YOUNG WOMEN
LEADERS WHO ARE IMMIGRANTS AND
CONNECT WITH IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITY AND WORKING TO GROW
CHANGE.
AMANDA STARTED AS A GET ENGAGED
APPOINTEE AND WISHES TO
CONTINUE SERVING IN A REGULAR
SLOT ON THE IMMIGRANT REFUGEE
COMMISSION.
BT IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WHO
WILL BRING PERSPECTIVE TO THE
COMMISSION.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO AMANDA AND
BT FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO
SERVE ON THE IMMIGRANT REFUGEE
COMMISSION AND FURTHER
CONTRIBUTIONS IN THAT ON THAT
COMMISSION.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE APPOINTMENTS?
HEARING NONE WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS
1825 AND 1826.
>> LEWIS.
>> AYE.
>> MORALES.
>> YES.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSEN.
>> YES.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ, JUAREZ.
>> AYE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> AYE.
>> 9 IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
APPOINTMENTS ARE CONFIRMED.
OKAY.
ITEM 18 WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEM 18 INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 18 RESOLUTION
3997.
HEARING EXAMINER CASE NUMBER
CWF-0295.
THE FINAL FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATION REPORTS ON THE
FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLE FOR LOCAL
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 6751.
>> THANK YOU MA'AM CLERK I MOVE
TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 31997 IS
THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ YOU ARE
THE SPONSOR OF THE RESOLUTION
I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO
YOU TO ADDRESS IT.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
OKAY.
CITY COUNCIL RULES FOR QUASI
JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS REQUIRES
THAT COUNCIL IN TIME AND PLACE
FOR THE HEARING OF AN APPEAL OF
AN INDIVIDUAL'S FINAL
ASSESSMENT FOR A LOCAL
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT OTHER WISE
KNOWN AS A LID THROUGH THE 15th
DAY OF THE SIGNING OF A VALID
APPEAL.
THIS RESOLUTION SCHEDULES FOR
THE APRIL 6th COMMITTEE
MEETING.
I RECOMMEND COUNCIL PASS THE
RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL
MEMBER JUAREZ ARE THERE ANY
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THE
RESOLUTION?
HEARING NONE WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES.
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSON.
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ.
>> YES.
>> AND PRESIDENT GONZALEZ.
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> MOTION CARRIES THE
RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF.
OTHER BUSINESS IS THERE ANY
FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE
THE COUNCIL?
ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES HEARING
NONE DOES THIS CONCLUDE THE
ITEMS OF BUSINESS ON OUR
AGENDA.
OUR NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING IS
MONDAY22nd AT 2:00 P.M.
I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL
AFTERNOON.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.