>>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL I.T.
AND WELCOME, EVERYBODY TO THE
AUGUST 3, 2022 MEETING OF THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC ASSETS AND
HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE.
MY NAME IS ANDREW LEWIS, CHAIR
OF THE COMMITTEE.
IT IS 2:01 P.M.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> HERE.
>> CHAIR LEWIS.
>> PRESENT.
>> CHAIR, THERE ARE THREE
MEMBERS, TWO EXCUSED.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR.
CLERK.
AND FOR THE RECORD,
COUNCILMEMBERS HERBOLD AND
MOSQUEDA ARE EXCUSED THIS WEEK.
SO THEY ARE NOT PRESENT.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
AGENDA IS ADOPTED.
CHAIR'S REPORT, JUST TO REMIND
FOLKS THAT PUBLIC COMMENT AND A
PUBLIC HEARING ARE DIFFERENT
THINGS.
IF YOU PERUSE THE AGENDA TODAY,
YOU'LL SEE THAT ONE OF THE
THINGS ON THE AGENDA IS A
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE POTENTIAL
TRANSFER OF CITY HALL PARK,
FROM THE CITY OF SEATTLE TO
KING COUNTY.
THAT IS A SEPARATE AGENDA ITEM
THAT IS NOT PART OF OUR GENERAL
PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE MEETING.
SO I DO JUST WANT IT MAKE THAT
CLEAR.
SINCE I KNOW WE HAVE A NUMBER
OF PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT.
THAT WE WILL BE BE TAKING THE
COMMENT ON THE PARK, THE THIRD
ITEM ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
PUBLIC PUBLIC COMMENT, OF
COURSE, CAN BE RELATED TO ANY
TOPIC ON THE AGENDA OR THE WORK
PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE.
WITH THAT, WHY DON'T WE GO
AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OF THE
MEETING.
AND THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
WILL BE MOTT MODERATED BY THE
COMMITTEE CLERK.
AND I WILL ALLOW TWO MINUTES
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT WITH THAT
EXISTING ADMONITION ABOUT
RESERVING COMMENTS ON CITY HALL
PARK UNTIL THE PUBLIC HEARING,
WHICH IS ITEM 3 ON OUR AGENDA.
SO MR. CLERK, YOU MAY COMMENCE
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WHEN
READY.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
WE HAVE ONE IN-PERSON PUBLIC
COMMENTER.
AND THREE ONLINE.
I'M GOING TO BEGIN WITH OUR IN-
PERSON COMMENTER.
MR. ALEX TSIMERMAN.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND
BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY.
>> ZEKE HIGHLY.
MY DIRTY DAM NAZI COUNTERPART
WHO SPEAK TO US FROM THE
HEAVEN.
MY NAME ALEX TSIMERMAN.
I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT
AGENDA ONE.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.
WHY RECREATION?
WHY PARK NEED SO MUCH MONEY?
AND COMMITTEE WHOA ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR HOMELESS?
EVERY MONEY WE HAVE RIGHT NOW,
WE NEED TO GIVE TO HOMELESS
PEOPLE, FIX THIS PROBLEM.
WHEN YOU SERVICE ANIMAL -- TO
ME.
STUPID, AGGRESSIVE, PRIMITIVE.
WHY YOU DON'T SEND ALL MONEY TO
HOMELESS WHO FIX THIS PROBLEM?
PARK CAN BE WAIT, CAN WAIT ONE
YEAR, FIVE YEAR, 10 YEAR, WHO
CARE ABOUT PARK?
I DON'T CARE.
WHO CARE?
HOW MANY PEOPLE GO TO PARK?
THOUSAND?
10 THOUSAND?
WE HAVE A DOZEN THOUSAND
HOMELESS.
THIS PROBLEM NEEDS FIXING.
THIS IS WHERE MONEY NEED GO.
AND STOP THIS B.S.
ABOUT PARK.
CLEAN PARK, BUILD PARK, I KNOW
ABOUT ALL PARK IN SEATTLE.
MAYBE FIVE OR SIX PARKS I KNOW
VERY CLOSE.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? %
WE DON'T NEED TO SPEND MONEY
FOR THESM.
IT'S A PROBLEM WE HAVE RIGHT
NOW.
WE HAVE A CRIME, SKYROCKETING,
HOMELESS IN TOTALLY BAD SHAPE
RIGHT NOW.
CITY, YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEAN.
>> DOWNTOWN SEATTLE IS A
NIGHTMARE NOW.
YOU CANNOT WALK IN, BECAUSE ALL
ON DRUG, HOMELESS, MOSTLY YOUNG
PEOPLE.
IT'S A NIGHTMARE.
YOU CAN BREAK INTO YOUR CAR AND
NOTHING HAPPEN.
NO POLICEMAN AROUND.
EVEN POLICEMAN COME AND DON'T
DO THANKSGIVING.
THIS IS WHAT WE NEED DOING
RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT MY
PRESIDENT TRUMP TALKING, AND
I'M TALKING ALL TIME, LIVE FOR
UNITED CITIZEN NEED TO BE
BETTER.
STAND UP, AMERICA!
>> OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER
HAS CALLED IN VIRTUALLY.
THAT IS SHANNON PRATTORRUOUS.
WHEN YOU'RE READY, YOU'LL HAVE
TWO MINUTES.
AND SHANNON, YOU'LL NEED TO
PRESS STAR 6 TO BEGIN.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS SHANNON PRATORRUOUS.
I'M A LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF
QUEEN ANNE'S.
I'M THE VOICE OF ABOUT 600
QUEEN ANNE RESIDENTS.
IN SUPPORT OF
COUNCILMEMBERULOUS LEWIS'S
MISSION AND GOAL.
WE ENCOURAGE TO WORK WITH OUR
COMMUNITY IN CREATING AN O.L.A.
IN UPPER QUEEN ANNE.
IN SUPPORT OF THAT EFFORT, WE
ASK THAT YOU APPROVE SUFFICIENT
FUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
NEW L.O.A.s THROUGHOUT THE
CITY, INCLUDING UPPER QUEEN
ANNE'S.
FOUR PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS
HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO PARKS
AND REC FOR CONSIDERATION.
I BELIEVE EACH OF THESE
SUBMITTALS MEETS THE
PRELIMINARY THRESHOLD.
THE PARK DEPARTMENT AND POLICY
LEADER SHOULD CONSIDER ALLOWING
THE CHANGE TO EXISTING PARK,
WHERE THERE IS BROAD COMMUNITY
SUPPORT.
THIS IS IN LINE WITH SEATTLE
PARKS AND REC PROPOSAL
STRATEGIES IN THEIR CURRENT
PRESENTATION.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER
THE REQUISITION OF NEW LAND
PARCELS FOR SPECIFIC PROPOSALS,
OR PURPOSE OF O.L.A.
DEVELOPMENT, WHERE NO SPACE
EXISTS.
AGAIN, WE ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER
APPROVING FUNDS IN THE UPCOMING
BUDGET FOR THE SUPPORT OF THIS
EFFORT.
ANY QUESTIONS?
I BELIEVE THIS IS A SOLUTION.
FOR SOME OF THE HOMELESSNESS,
SOME OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR
PARKS THAT WILL CREATE SOME
ACTIVITIES WHERE -- THEY'RE
VERY POSITIVE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SHANNON.
OUR NEXT CALLER IS RACHEL
MORRIS.
RACHEL, PLEASE PRESS "STAR 6"
AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES WHEN
YOU'RE READY.
>> HI THERE.
THIS IS RACHEL MORRIS, FROM
LITTLE WEST SEATTLE DOG PARK
COALITION.
AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT
THE FIVE PROPOSED SITES THAT
HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO PARKS
AND REC.
WE'RE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH TWO
INDIVIDUALS THERE.
WE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF LISA
HERBOLD'S OFFICE, PARKS AND
REC, CULLA AND IN OUR
ADVENTURE, AND WE'RE WORKING TO
BECOMEAN OFFICIAL NONPROFIT,
WHICH WILL LEGITIMIZE OLA
FUNDING AND INCORPORATE LOCAL
SUPPORT GROUPS INTO OUR
MISSION.
WE'RE EXPANDING OUR SCOPE TO
PUBLIC EDUCATION, DOG SAFETY
TRAINING, AND SHARING OUR NEW
OLA PROCESSES WITH OTHER GROUPS
TO HELP WITH THE PROCESS OF
REQUESTING NEW O LAs.
AND OUR HOPE IS TO PROVIDE A
BRIDGE BETWEEN DOG OWNERS AND
OWNERS THAT WE CAN SAFELY
COEXIST.
OUR REQUEST IS FUNDING
SPECIFICALLY FOR NEW O.L.A.s,
ONE IS IN WEST SEATTLE.
INCLUDING DOG PARK.
THIS IS CREATING SIGNIFICANT
SAFETY ISSUES BECAUSE PEOPLE
ARE LETTING THEIR DOGS OFF
LEASH ON THE BEACHES AND ON
PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY.
AND IT'S CREATING MAJOR
PROBLEMS ALSO AT THE LOCAL
PARKS AS WELL.
THESE PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE A
PLACE TO TAKE THEIR DOGS.
THE ONE DOG PARK THAT WE DO
HAVE IS WESTCREST, WHICH IS
CLOSED FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
BUT THESE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE
CLOSED EVEN MORE SPACE AND
CREATED MORE PROBLEMS,
INCLUDING CRIME.
WE'RE LOOKING AT QUEST SEATTLE
DOG PARK COALITION IS LOOKING
TO GET SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING
FOR THOSE OL As IN WEST
SEATTLE.
AS WELL AS SUPPORT FOR BUILDING
THE OLAS.
AND HOPEFULLY APPROVAL TO GET
AT LEAST ONE SET UP IN WEST
SEATTLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, RACHEL.
OUR NEXT CALLER IS SHARON
LEVINE.
>> HI.
I'M SHARON LEVINE, AND SOMEONE
WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE
CREATION OF SEATTLE'S ORIGINAL
14 OFF-LEASH AREAS.
I'M CONFIDENT IN STATING THAT
THE PARK DEPARTMENT MUST REVERT
TO THE PREVIOUS METHOD OF
APPOINTING A PLANNER AND
HOSTING PUBLIC MEETINGS SO
COMMUNITY RESIDENTS CAN
NEGOTIATE TERMS OF NEW DOG
PARKS.
CURRENTLY PARK EMPLOYEES REVIEW
SHORT FORMS SUBMITTED BY
APPLICANTS FOR NEW OLA.
THE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS THEN
TEND TO DENY THE APPLICATION,
BASED ON NEGATIVES THEY
PERCEIVE.
AND THERE'S NO CHANCE FOR
NEIGHBORHOOD DIALOGUE AND
COMPROMISE TO CREATE THE
REQUIRED 18-MONTH PILOT
PROGRAM, WHERE ISSUES CAN BE
ADDRESSED AND RESOLVED.
THE NEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
AND CRITERIA IMPLEMENTED
RECENTLY BY A FORMER
SUPERINTENDENT, DO NOT MEET
NEEDS OF NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE
LAND IS LIMITED AND EXPENSIVE.
HAS CHALLENGING TOPOGRAPHY, OR
NEARING AREAS LIKE PLAYGROUNDS
OR SPORTS FIELDS.
POLICIES MUST BE REVISED WITH
CURRENT CONDITIONS.
AND SINCE AN OLA MUST BEGIN AS
AN 18-MONTH PILOT, ALL
STAKEHOLDERS CAN RESOLVE ISSUES
TO ENSURE ITS SUSTAINABILITY.
AND PARKS SHOULD WORK HARDER TO
MAKE SURE THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S
NEEDS ARE SATISFIED.
ANOTHER MAJOR IMPEDIMENT TO
CREATION OF NEW OLAS IS THE
MODEST AMOUNT OF ABOUT $100,000
A YEAR PER DOG PARK.
IN THE FIRST PARK DISTRICT
BUDGET.
COUNCIL, PLEASE ADDRESS
MAINTENANCE NEEDS OF CURRENT
OLAS.
AND THE PLANS OF UPPER QUEEN
ANNE, WITH SEATTLE, THE
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT,
WALLINGFORD, MADISON PARK, AND
OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS TO CREATE
OLAs BY APPROPRIATING GENEROUS
FUNDING IN THE NEW BUDGET, SO
THAT THESE COMMUNITIES CAN
FINALLY REALIZE THEIR NEEDS FOR
SAFE, WELL-MAINTAINED OLAs,
WHERE DOGS CAN PLAY, AND
TAXPAYING OWNERS CAN ENJOY A
SENSE OF COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>> MR. CHAIR, WE'VE RECEIVED
ONE ADDITIONAL SIGN-IN FOR IN-
PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'M GOING TO INVITE ALEX
RODENHAUSER TO PLEASE APPROACH
THE PODIUM.
ALEX, YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES
TO SPEAK.
>> THAT ALEX.
>> HI THERE.
MY NAME IS ALEC ROSENHAUSER.
I'M ALSO HERE ON BEHALF OF THE
WEST SEATTLE DOG PARK
COALITION.
AS WELL AS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE
2,992 PEOPLE WHO REGISTERED
DOGS IN THE WEST SEATTLE ZIP
CODES LAST YEAR.
MANY WOULD CONSIDER, YOU KNOW,
DOWNTOWN WEST SEATTLE TO BE THE
ALASKA JUNCTION.
FROM THE ALASKA JUNCTION TO
WEST CREST PARK IS ABOUT 20
MINUTES DRIVE TIME.
YOU KNOW, YOU EXTRAPOLATE THAT
OUT, SAY YOU GO THERE FIVE
TIMES A WEEK.
BUT IT QUICKLY ADDS UP TO
SEVERAL HOURS.
SO WHAT WE FOUND IS PEOPLE
AREN'T SPENDING THAT TIME.
YOU KNOW, AS RACHEL HAD
MENTIONED, THEY'RE LETTING
THEIR DOGS OFF LEASH, YOU KNOW,
ON THE BEACHES, IN PARKS, WHERE
THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO, ON
SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS.
AND IT REALLY CREATES A SAFETY
ISSUE, YOU KNOW, FOR THE
COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
SO I THINK IN GENERAL, AN
INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR OFF-
LEASH AREAS.
AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW,
ENGAGEMENT, WELL, CONTINUED
ENGAGEMENT FROM SEATTLE PARKS,
AS FAR AS THESE FIVE SITES THAT
WE'VE PROPOSED FOR THE CREATION
OF A NEW OFF-LEASH AREA.
FOUR OF THEM ARE ALREADY ON
SEATTLE PARKS LAND.
THE FIFTH IS OWNED BY THE PORT.
YOU KNOW, I'M CONFIDENT THAT
WE'LL GET SOMETHING, YOU KNOW,
EVENTUALLY.
I JUST THINK THE SOONER THE
BETTER.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ALEX.
MR. CHAIR THAT, CONCLUDES OUR
LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED
UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR.
CLERK.
WE WILL NOW PROCEED TO THE
ITEMS OF BUSINESS ON OUR
AGENDA.
THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM 1
INTO THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM RESOLUTION 30262
RESOLUTION TO SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION.
AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT
AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS THE
REPRESENTATIVE AGENT.
AND TO LEGALLY BIND THE CITY OF
SEATTLE FOR PROJECT.
FOR WHICH THE CITY SEEKS GRANT-
FUNDED ASSISTANCE MANAGED
THROUGH THE PARKS AND REC
OFFICE.
>> AND WE ARE JOINED BY BRIAN
GOODMAN ON OUR COUNCIL CENTRAL
STAFF.
AND CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS WITH
THE SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION FOR THIS AGENDA
ITEM.
AND SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS,
DID YOU BRING ANYBODY ELSE WITH
YOU WHO IS GOING TO BE ON THE
PANEL?
>> YES, I DID.
I'VE GOT DONNIE GRABOWSKI WITH
ME, OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR.
>> GREAT.
ALL RIGHT.
WELL, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO
YOU FOR THIS PRESENTATION.
I WOULD ASK THAT COUNCIL
MEMBERS HOLD THEIR QUESTIONS
FOR PANELISTS, UNTIL THE
CONCLUSION OF THE SLIDE DECK.
>> GREAT.
MAYBE I'LL JUMP IN HERE.
I'VE GOT A COUPLE SLIDES I'LL
START OUT WITH.
AND THEN PERHAPS TURN IT OVER
TO DONNIE ON OUR TEAM.
SO IT HAS BEEN A LONG PRACTICE
FOR THE SEATTLE PARK AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO
LEVERAGE, ESSENTIALLY, OTHER
PEOPLE'S MONEY, THROUGH GRANTS.
AND WE'RE HERE TODAY, AS A
PRACTICE BEFORE WE APPLY FOR A
GRANT, TO GET AUTHORIZATION TO
APPLY FOR $8.8 MILLION IN
GRANTS FROM THE WASHINGTON
STATE RECREATION CONSERVATION
OFFICE.
AS YOU ARE AWARE, WE ROUTINELY
SEEK COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
BEFORE APPLYING FOR THESE
GRANTS AS THEY TYPICALLY
REQUIRE A MATCH, WHICH REQUIRES
THE CITY TO COMMIT TO SOME
FUTURE SPENDING.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF
FUNDING THAT WE USED TO
LEVERAGE ON A WHOLE VARIETY OF
CAPITOL PROJECTS.
NEXT SLIDE.
WE'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL APPLYING
FOR AND BEING AWARDED GRANTS.
HISTORICALLY, WE WERE AWARDED
$2.3 MILLION FROM THE
RECREATION CONSERVATION OFFICE
IN 2019.
AND $4.1 MILLION IN 2021.
WE'VE INCREASED OUR EFFORTS IN
APPLYING FOR GRANTS OVER THE
PAST TWO YEARS, AND SINCE COVID
IN 2020 AND 2021, WE APPLIED
FOR $7.8 MILLION IN FUNDING.
AND IN 2022, WE RECEIVED A
TOTAL OF $6.4 MILLION IN GRANTS
AWARDED FROM THE RCO IN KING
COUNTY.
THIS SLIDE SHOWS SPECIFIC
PROJECTS AWARDED BY RCO, FROM
FUNDING SOURCES, THE OUTDOOR
RECREATION LEGACY PARTNERSHIP
OR ORLP LEGACY GRANTS.
AND THEN MONEYS FROM THE LAND-
WATER CONSERVATION FUND, I
THINK AS AN INTERESTING NOTE,
COMES FROM FEDERAL SOURCES,
SUCH AS OFF-SHORE LEASES FOR
OIL AND GAS RESOURCES.
IT COMES FROM RECREATION FEES,
THE SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
AND MOTOR BOAT FUEL TAXES AT
THE STATE LEVEL.
THAT'S HOW A LOT OF THESE
GRANTS ARE FUNDED.
SINCE 1966, THE SEATTLE PARK
AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT HAS
RECEIVED OVER $43 MILLION IN
GRANT FUNDING FROM RCO, WHICH
HAS HELPED FUND OVER 147
PROJECTS ACROSS THE CITY.
WE ACTIVELY MANAGE 48CIP
GRANTS, TOTALING $25 MILLION.
THE OTHER THING I WILL CALL OUT
HERE IS THAT WE HAVE AN
EXTRAORDINARY GRANT APPLICATION
TEAM, WHICH IS MANAGED BY
DONNIE.
IN FACT, WE WERE ASKED EARLIER
THIS SUMMER TO COME TO THE CITY
PARK ALLIANCE NATIONAL
CONFERENCE MEETING AND SHARE
WHY SEATTLE PARKS HAS BEEN SO
SUCCESSFUL SECURING LARGE GRANT
DOLLARS, OR LARGE GRANT AWARDS.
SO WE'VE ACTUALLY GOT QUITE A
BIT OF NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR
OUR EFFORTS HERE.
SO WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER
TO DONNIE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
NEXT SLIDE.
ALL RIGHT.
SO GOOD AFTERNOON.
TO FIRST GIVE A BIT OF CONTEXT
ON THIS GRANT APPLICATION
PROCESS, RCO ADMINISTERS
COMPETITIVE STATE OF WASHINGTON
GRANT PROCESSES AND PART OF
THEIR APPLICATION REQUIRES
FORMAL APPROVAL OF GRANT
APPLICATIONS, VIA A RESOLUTION.
THIS YEAR, OUR CO REQUIRED
DELIVER AN APPLICATION BY THE
END OF AUGUST FOR GRANT
APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED.
THIS RESOLUTION WOULD ALLOW US
TO APPLY FOR $8.8 MILLION, AS
CHRISTOPHER MENTIONED.
$8.8 MILLION FOR FUND FOR
EXAMPLE FIVE PROJECTS THROUGH
FOUR RCO GRANT PROGRAMS.
THEY ARE THE AQUATICS LAND
ENHANCEMENT, ALEA, LAND
ACQUISITION FUND, LWCF,
WILDLIFE WASHINGTON RECREATION
PROGRAM, AND YAF.
NEXT SLIDE.
OKAY.
SO WE HAVE A VERY RIGOROUS
SELECTION PROCESS AT PARKS LED
BY STAFF.
AND ONE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS
IS PROJECTS FUNDED WITH RCO
DOLLARS MUST BE OPERATED AND
MAINTAINED IN PERPETUITY FOR
WHICH FUNDING IS SOUGHT.
PROJECTS ARE BASED ON SEVERAL
ACQUISITIONS WHICH YOU SEE ON
THE SLIDE, INCLUDING WHETHER
THE MATCHING FUNDING CAN BE
MET.
THE PROJECT'S LOCATION IN
EQUITY ZONE.
WHETHER THE PROJECT MEETS THE
GRANT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS,
WHETHER THE PROJECT HAS
COMMUNITY SUPPORT, IF THE BUILD
TIME LINE FITS WITHIN THE GRANT
TIME LINE.
WHEN THE PROGRAM HAS A
CONCEPTIONAL DESIGN IN PLACER
AND WHETHER THERE'S URGENCY TO
FIX OR REPAIR SOMETHING.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
THIS SATURDAY FIRST OF OUR FIVE
PROPOSED FUNDING, GRANT FUNDING
PROJECTS HERE.
THE FIRST ONE IS COLEMAN POOL.
IT'S ONE OF TWO OUTDOOR POOLS.
AND IT'S THE ONLY SALT WATER
POOL LOCATED BY SPR PARKS AND
LOCATE THE IN SEATTLE.
THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL ADDRESS
MUCH NEEDED ADA-ACCESSIBILITY
AT THE POOL, WILL RENOVATE THE
LOCKER ROOM FOR PEOPLE OF ALL
ACCESS ANDABILITIES.
NONE CURRENTLY EXIST.
IT WILL IMPROVE THE ON-SITE
CARETAKER.
PROVIDE SEVERAL THROUGHOUT THE
BATH HOUSE AND ON THE POOL
DECK.
AND IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE MUCH
NEEDED UPDATES TO THE UNIQUE
OPERATION CRITICAL FILTER
EQUIPMENT.
FOR DRAWING IN WATER FROM PUGET
SOUND.
IN THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT,
WE'RE APPLYING FOR $850,000 IN
OUR FIELD GRANT FUNDS, $350,000
FROM THE YOUTH ATHLETIC FIELD
GRANT AND $500,000 FROM THE
WASHINGTON RECREATION WILDLIFE
GRANT.
COST IS $4.467 MILLION.
NEXT SLIDE?
PLEASE?
OKAY.
THE NEXT, SECOND PROJECT IS THE
RAINIER BEACH SKATE PARK.
THIS SITE IS LOCATED IN THE
RAINIER BEACH PLAYFIELD,
ALONGSIDE THE RAINIER BEACH
COMMUNITY CENTER, WITH PLAY
FIELDS SOCCER AND BASEBALL,
TENNIS COURTS IN THE PLAY AREA.
THERE ARE TWO ADJACENT PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AT THIS SITE.
IT'S A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN
PROJECT, WITH THE HOPES OF
COMPLETING A SKATE PARK AT
RAINIER BEACH PLAYFIELD, WHICH
IS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2007 SKATE
PARKS MASTER PLAN.
IF YOU GOOGLE RAINIER STATE
PARK, YOU'LL FIND MANY ARE
EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
COMMUNITY COMING AFTER US FOR
THE FUNDING AND PLANNED BE
AREAS.
AND THE GOAL OF THIS IS TO FUND
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT TO
INCLUDE DEMOLITION, EROSION
CONTROL, GRADING, INSTALLATION
OF DRAINS, STORM WATER
INFLASTRUCTURE, A SKATEBOARD
FACILITY, CIRCULAR STRUCTURE,
SEATING, PATHWAYS.
WE'RE APPLYING FOR $1.5
MILLION.
FROM THE LAND AND WATER TO BE
FUND AND WILDLIFE WATER.
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET IS $2.5
MILLION.
NEXT THIRD PROJECT IS THE RAIL
OVERPASS.
THIS IS LOCATED IN NORTHWEST
SEATTLE.
AND IT WILL REPLACE EXISTING
RAILROAD CROSSING PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGE THAT PROVIDES THE ONLY
SAFE PARK ACCESS TO THE BEACH.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THIS
REGIONAL DESTINATION, 220-ACRE
PARK.
CARCY PARK IS HOME TO ONE OF
THREE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING
CENTERS, WITHIN OUR SYSTEM.
AND IT PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND
STEWARDSHIP AND PROGRAMMING.
LARGE PARK USERS AND SCHOOL
GROUPS.
AND THE ACTIVE TRAIN TRACK,
WHICH YOU CAN SEE IN THE
PICTURE, PROVIDES A VITAL
ATTENTION TO THE SHORE LINE AND
BEACH AND SALMON SPAWNING IN
THE CREEK.
THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS BUILT
IN 1956.
AND RECENTLY RECEIVED SOME
SHORING AND IN 2021, IT WAS
LIMITED DUE TO EROSION AND
CONCRETE CRACKING.
NEW WOULD BE WITH A MAIN PIER
LOCATE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE
RAMPS.
WITH VIEWING PLATFORM, WHICH
ONE CAN SEE THE TRAINS BELOW IN
PUGET SOUND.
IN THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT,
WE'RE APPLYING FOR $2.3
MILLION.
$1.8 MILLION FROM THE
WASHINGTON WILDLIFE RECREATION
PROGRAM AND 500,000 FROM THE
LAND EQUATIC.
NEXT PROJECT IS LITTLE BRICK
PARK IMPROVEMENTS.
AND THIS IS A COMMUNITY
INITIATED COMMUNITY-LED PROJECT
TO CONSTRUCT A NEW VISION FOR
ROUGHLY ONE EIGHT PER PARK.
THIS IS SURROUNDED BY LOWIRIZE
RESIDENTIAL AND MIXED USE
ZONING, WHERE DEVELOPMENT ARE
ALLOW.
IT'S A HIGH-DENSITY, LOW INCOME
AREA.
WITH THE PARK BEING THE ONLY
SPACE RESIDENTS CAN WALK TO.
AND THE ONLY PUBLICLY
ACCESSIBLE GREEN SPACE WITHIN
THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE PROJECT IS TO REDESIGN THIS
PARK TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE
ENVIRONMENT, TO BETTER FIT THE
NEEDS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE LOCAL ORGANIZATION LADY --
EXCUSE ME.
LAKE CITY COLLECTIVE HAS
ORGANIZED RESIDENTS TO DISCUSS
DESIRED AMENITY AND PARK
ACTIVATION FEATURES THAT WILL
RESULT IN RESIDENTS FEELING
WELCOME AND SAFE IN THE PARK.
OUR AND LCC'S SHARED GOAL IS TO
CRATE CREATE A BETTER DESIGN TO
THIS PARK THAT BETTER RESPONDS
TO THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE
COMMUNITY AND POSITIVE
STEWARDSHIP OF THIS STREET.
IT INCLUDES A COMMUNITY GARDEN
SEATING WALLS.
BIKE FURNISHING.
INCLUDING PICNIC TABLES AND
REALS.
LOOPED WALKING PATH.
ALL INTERWOVEN IN NATURE, UNDER
SOME TREES AND THE SOUND OF THE
STREAM.
IN THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT,
WE'RE APPLYING FOR $1.5 MILLION
IN RCO GRANT FUNDS.
$800,000 FROM THE LAND AND
WATER CONSERVATION FUND AND
$500,000 FROM THE WATER
WILDLIFE RECREATION GRANT.
NEXT SLIDE.
AND THE FIFTH PROJECT HERE IS
THE LOWER SOUND VIEW PLAY
FIELD.
THIS IS CURRENTLY A GRASS FIELD
IN NORTHWEST SEATTLE.
IT GETS RAINED OUT, MUDDY.
PLAYING TIME IS LIMITED IN THE
WINTER.
THIS PROJECT WILL RENOVATE AN
EXISTING GRASS PLAYFOLD TO
SYNTHETIC TURF WITHIN THIS 10-
ACRE PARK AND WILL ENHANCE
ACCESSIBILITY AND SAFETY.
IT WILL INSTALL ABOUT 130,000
SQUARE FEET OF MULTIPURPOSE ALL-
WEATHER FIELD AMINITIES,
INCLUDING STATE OF THE ART
SYSTEM.
NEW ACCESSIBLE LOOPED WALKING
PATH, BLEACHERRED SEATING AND
WALLS OF ONE THING TO NOTE, IN
2019, THIS FIELD WAS ONLY
BOOKED FOR 670 HOURS.
AND THIS BEING IN HIGH DEMAND,
WE EXPECT THIS WILL RESULT IN
THE TRIPLING OF HOURS OF PLAY.
AND BY COMPARISON.
THE NEARBY LOYAL HEIGHTS PLAY
FIELD WAS BOOKED FOR ABOUT
2,000 HOURS IN 2019.
AND IT'S IMPORTAN TO THE
COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN
ACTIVE SPORT SYSTEM GROWING.
BUT LOCAL ACREAGE TO BUILD NEW
SPORTS FACILITIES IS LIMITED.
GAME QUALITY FIELDS AND
ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES ARE
PARTICULARLY LACKING IN THIS
AREA OF SEATTLE, WHERE DEMAND
IS HIGH, AND MOST NEARBY PLAY
FIELDS ARE GRASS.
AND IT WILL SUPPORT LITTLE
LEAGUES AND YOUTH BASEBALL AND
SOFTBALL SOCCER AND FOOTBALL
TEAMS.
BOTH YOUTH AND ADULT LEAGUES.
AND OTHER SPORTS.
AND SO WITH THIS PARTICULAR
PROJECT, WE ARE APPLYING FOR
$2.85 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDS.
$2 MILLION FROM THE WATER LAND
CONSERVATION FUND.
AND 3 $350,000 FROM THE YOUTH
ATHLETICS FACILITIES GRANT AND
$500,000 FROM THE WASH WARBLE
WILDLIFE RECREATION PROGRAM
GRANT.
THE TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET HERE
IS $4 MILLION.
NEXT SLIDE.
THIS SLIDE JUST GIVES A RECAP
OR SUMMARY OF THE PROJECTS THAT
WE WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR
FUNDING FOR.
THE COUNCIL DISTRICT THAT THEY
BELONG IN.
THE GRANT REQUESTS THAT WE ARE
MAKING.
MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT.
AND THE TOTAL PROJECT COST.
SO JUST TO RECAP HERE $8.8
MILLION IS OUR GRANT REQUEST.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
>> THIS SLIDE JUST GIVES THE
RECAP OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY
THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR EACH OF
THE FOUR RCO GRANT CATEGORIES
WILL SO I WON'T READ THOSE
NUMBERS.
BUT YOU CAN SEE ON THE SLIDES
WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR.
THE LARGEST AMOUNTS ARE FROM
THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION
FUND.
AND THE WASHINGTON WILDLIFE AND
RECREATION PROGRAM.
AND A TOTAL OF $8.8 MILLION,
AGAIN.
NEXT SLIDE.
THIS SLIDE JUST KIND OF GIVES
YOU A KIND OF A QUICK TIME LINE
FOR OUR RCO GRANT PROCESS.
SO WE ARE HERE TODAY, WITH THE
COUNCIL REVIEW OF THIS PROPOSED
RESOLUTION.
THE RESOLUTION, AGAIN, IS DUE
TO RCO BY THE END OF THE MONTH.
RCO THEN TAKES OUR APPLICATION,
ALONG WITH OTHER APPLICATIONS,
AND REVIEWS THEM, AND WE WILL
HEAR BY MID-JUNE OF THE RCO
AWARDS.
AND THEN WE GET INTO CONTRACT
EXECUTION AND ALSO SUPPLEMENTAL
LEGISLATION BACK TO THE CITY
COUNCIL, AFTER WE, AFTER WE
HEAR OF THE GRANT AWARDS FROM
RCO.
AND THAT WOULD BE NO SOONER
THAN THIRD QUARTER OF 2023.
>>> NEXT SLIDE?
AND I THINK THAT'S IT.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR
PRESENTATION.
WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE
ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
REALLY APPRECIATE GETTING THAT
OVERVIEW.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS,
AND THEN I'LL OPEN IT UP TO
COUNCIL COLLEAGUES.
I SEE COUNCILMEMBER MORALES
GETTING IN THE QUEUE.
SO THAT'S GOOD.
THERE'S SOME FOLKS ON THE
PANEL.
CAN WE GO BACK TO SLIDE 11
REALLY QUICKLY, PLEASE?
YES.
SO FOR THIS LIST OF THE GRANT
REQUESTS,JUXTAPOSED WITH OUR
MATCH AND THE TOTAL COST OF THE
PROJECTS, WHAT ARE THE SOURCES
FOR OUR MATCHES?
I MEAN, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF
CONSERVATIONS OVER THE LAST
COUPLE OF MONTHS, ABOUT THE
VARIOUS DIFFERENT PLUG-INS FOR
CAPITAL PROJECTS FROM PARKS,
METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT, RE,
GENERAL FUND.
WHERE DO WE ANTICIPATE THESE
COMING FROM.
IS THIS ANY VIG TO BE DEBT
FINANCED?
CAN WE GET INTO ANY OF OUR VIEW
OF THINGS SEPARATE.
>> I CAN ATTEMPT TO ANSWER
THIS.
AND THEN MICHELLE WHITFIELD,
WHO IS OUR TRUE GRANT EXPERT IS
ON THE CALL AS WELL.
AND SHE CAN HELP FILL IN.
DO YOU WANT A PROJECT-BY-
PROJECT, KIND OF QUICK LISTING
OF THOSE, SORT OF OTHER
SOURCES?
>> YES.
>> OKAY.
YEP.
OKAY.
SO FOR COLEMAN POOL, IN
ADDITION TO THE RCO GRANT
CONTRIBUTION, WE ALSO HAVE CITY
FUNDS OF ALMOST $1.1 MILLION.
AND WE ALSO HAVE A KING COUNTY
AQUATIC CENTER GRANT PROGRAM,
AMOUNT THAT IS $1.8 MILLION,
SUPPORTING THIS.
FOR THE SECOND PROJECT, WHICH
IS THE RAINIER BEACH SKATEPARK,
INCLUDING ADDITION TO THE RCO
FUNDS, WE ARE CONTRIBUTING, THE
CITY IS CONTRIBUTING
$$917,000.
LOCAL NONPROFIT IS CONTRIBUTING
$33,000, AND KING COUNTY
MATCHING PROJECTS ARE ALSO
CONTRIBUTING ABOUT $50,000.
AND THEN FOR CARKEEK, RCO, IN
ADDITION TO RCO, WE HAVE THE
CITY OF SEATTLE CONTRIBUTING
$1.3 MILLION TO THIS PROJECT.
FOR THE BROOK, WE HAVE, IN
ADDITION TO RCO, THE CITY
CONTRIBUTING $470,000, AND KING
COUNTY WATERWORKS ABOUT
$30,000.
AND THEN FOR THE LAST PROJECT,
CITY OF SEATTLE WOULD ALSO BE
CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOWER SOUND
VIEW PLAYFIELD OF ABOUT $1.18
MILLION.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, THE
CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TO THESE
FUNDS ARE IT REEKED FUNDS.
SO REAL ESTATE EXCISE, LARGELY
THE CONTRIBUTION.
AND THERE IS NO DEBT FINANCING
HERE.
>> OKAY.
GOOD TO KNOW.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
REALLY APPRECIATE THAT WE ARE
CUEING UP THIS DISCUSSION AND
BEING SO COMPETITIVE FOR LAND
AND WATER CONSERVATION FUNDS TO
PROJECTS.
I THINK I WOULD BE REMISS
BEFORE I OPEN IT UP TO
QUESTIONSFROM MORE COLLEAGUES,
NOT TO MENTION THAT THE ORIGIN
OF THE WATER LAND FUND IS FROM
THE LATE LEGISLATION FROM OUR
OWN LATE SENATOR HENRY JACKSON,
SCUBA JACKSON, WHO REPRESENTED
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND
CREATED THE WATER LAND
CONSERVATION FUND.
AND DEFINITELY WANT TO GIVE DUE
CREDIT FOR ITS RENEWAL IN THE
LAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO THE
HARD WORK OF SENATOR CANTWELL
WHO REALLY MADE SURE THAT THAT
PROGRAM WAS RENEWED THAT WE
RELY ON SO MUCH FOR PARTNERSHIP
IN PROTECTING AND EXPANDING OUR
OPEN SPACES.
AND THE HENRY M. JACKSON
FOUNDATION, LOCALLY, FOR THE
ADVOCACY WORK THAT THEY DID, IN
MAKING SURE THAT THAT CRITICAL
LEGISLATION WAS REAUTHORIZED,
REFUNDED AND PASSED.
SO GOOD LEGACY IN THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST HERE OF GETTING MORE
RESOURCES FOR THE PRESERVATION
AND EXPANSION OF OPEN SPACE.
WITH THAT, I AM GOING TO PASS
IT OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES FOR QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU.
CHAIR LEWIS.
I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION, JUST
ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION ON THE
TIME LINE, YOU -- WELL, SHOOT.
I WROTE MY NOTES DOWN.
AND THEN I ERASED THEM.
YOU SAID THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT
IS JUNE 2023, THIRD QUARTER
CONTRACT EXECUTION.
WHEN MIGHT THE DOLLARS ACTUALLY
GET OUT THE DOOR?
I THINK I MISSED THAT.
>> THEY WOULDN'T GET OUT THE
DOOR UNTIL WE, UNTIL THESE
CONTRACTS ARE EXECUTED.
SO IT WOULDN'T BE UNTIL AT
LEAST THIRD QUARTER OF 2023.
AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE WOULD
NEED TO APPLY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL
LEGISLATION THROUGH THE CITY
COUNCIL.
>> OKAY.
SO OKAY.
SO LATE 2023, MAYBE EARLY 2024?
>> UH-HUH.
YEAH.
>> OKAY.
GOOD TO KNOW.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, I'M REALLY
EXCITED TO SEE THE RAINIER
BEACH SKATEPARK ON HERE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HELPING
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE FOR THIS.
IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT
ADDITION TO THE RAINIER BEACH
COMMUNITY CENTER AND PROVIDE,
YOU KNOW, A SAFE, ACTIVE SPACE
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AREA.
SO I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD
TO HELPING THIS MOVE ALONG.
AND I WILL ALSO SAY, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT JUAREZ, I WAS JUST AT
THAT CARKEEK OVERPASS.
I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THAT WAS
THE ONLY ACCESS.
TO GET DOWN TO THE WATER.
SO GLAD TO KNOW THAT WE'RE
WORKING ON MAKING SURE THAT IT
IS SAFE TO PASS OVER IT, SO
THAT PEOPLE.
I'VE BEEN TAKING MY KIDS THERE
SINCE THEY WERE REALLY SMALL.
SO GLAD TO KNOW THAT WE'RE
WORKING ON THAT.
>> YEAH.
GOOD TO KNOW.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH T. ARE THERE
ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR THE PANEL?
OKAY.
I DON'T SEE ANY.
MY INTENTION HAD BEEN TO VOTE
ON THIS TODAY.
SO I THINK I AM GOING TO MOVE
THIS RESOLUTION, GIVEN THAT
THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS.
SO I MOVE THAT THE COUNCIL
RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION
320262 TO THE FULL COUNCIL.
IS THERE A SECOND.
>> SECOND.
>> HAVING BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE ON THE MOTION TO
RECOMMEND PASSAGE.
RESOLUTION 30262.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> YES.
>> CHAIR LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> CHAIR, THERE ARE THREE IN
FAVOOPPOSED.
>> WITH THREE IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED, THE MOTION PASSES AND
THE MEASURE WILL BE CONSIDERED
AT THE NEXT FULL COUNCIL
MEETING.
OKAY.
SO MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT PARTS
PANEL, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEM 2 INTO THE RECORD?
>> ITEM 2.
SEATTLE PARK'S PRESENTATION ON
OFF-LEASH AREAS.
>> AND I THINK WE HAVE MOSTLY
THE SAME PANEL HERE.
SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS, ARE
YOU JOINED BY SOME FOLKS FROM
PARKS WHO CAN WALK US THROUGH
THIS NEXT ITEM?
YOU MAY BE MUTED,
SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS.
>> YES.
YES.
I'VE GOT DANYAL LOTFI HERE WHO
IS GOING TO GIN JOIN ME IN THE
PRESENTATION.
AND I'LL GIVE SOME BACKGROUND
AND TURN IT OVER TO DANYAL.
>> OKAY.
GREAT.
>> WELL, MAYBE I'LL JUMP IN AND
KICK IT OFF.
YOU'VE HEARD FROM A FEW FOLKS
TODAY WHO HAVE TESTIFIED ABOUT
OFF-LEASH AREAS.
AND WE WANT TO GIVE YOU A
COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF THE
DEPARTMENT'S WORK IN THE PAST
25 YEARS AND JUST RECENTLY,
KIND OF AN UPDATE TO THE PLAN.
WE'VE HAD OFF-LEASH AREAS FOR
ABOUT 25 YEARS, RESULTING FROM
A CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION TO
ESTABLISH OFF-LEASH AREAS.
WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE GRADUALLY
EXPANDED THE OFF-LEASH AREA
SYSTEM TO ABOUT 15 LOCATIONS
ACROSS THE SYSTEM.
THE PARK, OUR SEATTLE PARK AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT IS RANKED
EACH YEAR BY THE TRUST FOR
PUBLIC LANDS, IN A NATIONWIDE
PUBLIC URBAN PARKS RANKING
SYSTEM.
AND EACH YEAR, INCLUDING THIS
YEAR, WE ARE WITHIN THE TOP 10
PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS
IN THE COUNTRY.
AND WE ARE ALWAYS WITHIN THE
TOP 10 CITIES FOR OFF-LEASH
AREAS IN THE COUNTRY.
IN ADDITION TO THE 15 OFF-LEASH
AREAS WE HAVE IN THE SYSTEM.
DOGS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME, AS
LONG AS THEY'RE ON LEASH.
AND THE OTHER 485 PLUS PARKS
ACROSS THE SYSTEM.
THE SEATTLE PARK AND -- I'M
SORRY.
THE SEATTLE PARK DISTRICT,
SUPPORT FOR MAJOR MAINTENANCE
PROJECTS THAT ARE OFF-LEASH
AREAS AND SUPPORT PARTNERSHIP
WITH SEATTLE ANIMAL CONTROL,
WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
ENFORCEMENT OF OFF-LEASH AND
SCOOP LAWS AND OTHER ANIMAL-
RELATED LAWS IN THE CITY.
WE'VE GOT A GREAT PARTNERSHIP
WITH THEM THAT IS CURRENTLY
FUNDED IN THE METROPOLITAN PARK
DISTRICT.
TODAY, WE'LL SHARE HOW WE WORK
WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
VOLUNTEERS TO MAINTAIN AND GROW
OUR OFF-LEASH AREA SYSTEM.
AND WE'LL HIGHLIGHT A FEW NEW
OFF-LEASH AREAS THAT ARE ON THE
HORIZON, OR IN THE PLANNING
PHASE.
AND I JUST WANT TO SALUTE
DANYAL, WHO HAS DONE AN AMAZING
JOB HERE OVER THE LAST FEW
YEARS, TAKING THIS WORK ON.
SO WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER
TO YOU, DANYAL.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS DANYAL LOTFI.
I'M A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
ADVISER WITH SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION.
AND WITH MY WORK HERE, I
OVERSEE THE OFF-LEASH AREA
PROGRAM.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE
TODAY.
AS COMMENCES
MENTIONED, I'LL BE SPEAKING A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT, GIVING A
BRIEFING ABOUT OUR OFF-LEASH
AREA PROGRAM.
THIS IS A LIST OF THE AGENDA
FOR WHAT IS COMING UP TODAY.
I'LL GO OVER AN OVERVIEW OF THE
XISTING SYSTEM.
I WILL SHARE WITH YOU WAYS THAT
WE ARE MAINTAINING AND WORKING
TO EXPAND THE OFF-LEASH AREA
SYSTEM.
I'LL PROVIDE A COUPLE OF
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATIONAL
CAMPAIGNS THAT WE HAVE DONE ON
THIS TOPIC.
I'LL SHOW YOU A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT HOW THE ENFORCEMENT OF
PET LAWS, ANIMAL LAWS IN THE
CITY WORK.
AND OF COURSE, WHAT WE HAVE ON
THE HORIZON.
SO SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS
MENTIONED, OUR OFF-LEASH AREA
SYSTEM DATES BACK TO 1997.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE 15 FENCED,
OFF-LEASH AREAS THAT TOTAL
ROUGHLY AROUND 28 ACRES OF
PUBLIC LAND.
THESE OFF-LEASH AREAS RANGE IN
SIZE FROM THREE ACRES LIKE THE
MAGNUSON TO .1 ACRES, LIKE OUR
SMALLER ONES.
OFF-LEASH AREA.
THIS IS, OF COURSE, IN ADDITION
TO OVER 400 PARKS, WHERE
LEASHED DOGS ARE ALLOWED TO
WALK, EXERCISE AND HAVE FUN.
THE ONLY AREAS THAT DOGS ARE
NOT ALLOWED, PER THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE, ARE ORGANIZE
ATHLETIC FIELD, BEACHES OR
CHILDREN'S PLAY AREAS.
AND OF COURSE, CHRISTOPHER
SHARED THIS DATA POINT WITH YOU
ALL THAT, AMONG THE 12, TOP 12
PARK SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY,
GET TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND, RANK
SEATTLE AMONG THE TOP FIVE, IN
TERMS OF OUR DOG PARK PER
CAPITA.
THIS IS A MAP OF OUR EXISTING
OFF-LEASH AREA SYSTEM.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE GREEN ICONS
ARE WHERE OUR CURRENT OFF-LEASH
AREAS ARE.
THERE ARE ALSO THREE ON THE
HORIZON, WHICH I WILL COVER A
LITTLE LATER ON IN THE
PRESENTATION.
AND WE HAVE ONE, THERE'S ONE
OFF-LEASH AREA THAT WAS BUILT
AND IS OPERATED BY SEATTLE CITY
LIGHT ON THEIR DENNY'S
SUBSTATION PROPERTY.
BUT THAT WE STILL INCORPORATE
INTO OUR LARGER, OFF-LEASH AREA
SYSTEM.
THAT BRINGS US TO A TOTAL OF 15
DOG PARKS.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE
MAINTENANCE OF OFF-LEASH AREAS,
WE PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY, TWO
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, FIRST
BEING MAGNUSON OFF-LEASH GROUP,
WHICH SOLELY FOCUSES ON THE
MAGNUSON DOG PARK, WHICH IS OUR
LARGEST AND MOST POPULAR IN THE
CITY.
AS WELL AS COLA, 14 OFF-LEASH
AREAS.
THESE GROUPS PARTNER WITH US IN
THE DAY-TO-DAY OF THE OFF-LEASH
AREAS.
THEY HELP US MAINTAIN A CLEAN
AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR
BUSINESSES.
THEY HELP US RECRUIT VOLUNTEER
STEWARDS, AND ORGANIZE WORK
PARTIES, WHERE THEY CAN
PARTICIPATE IN MAINTENANCE
PROJECTS, SIMPLE THINGS.
WE ALSO, THEY ALSO HELP US
EDUCATE OFF-LEASH VISITORS
ABOUT THE RULES AND ETIQUETTE
AND BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS AT
THESE DOG PARKS.
THEY REGULARLY REPORT MINOR AND
MAJOR MAINTENANCE NEEDS AT OFF-
LEASH AREAS.
AND OF COURSE, PROPOSE
IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW AMENITIES.
AND FINALLY, THEY ALSO DO SOME
FUNDRAISING, AS WELL AS
PURSUING SPONSORSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES.
AGAIN, IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OUR
EXISTING OFF-LEASH AREAS.
FROM THE PARKS DEPARTMENT SIDE,
WE SUPPORT THESE GROUPS BY
LEADING MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS AND
INSTALLATION OF NEW AMENITIES.
WE PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR THEIR
WORK PARTIES WHEN REQUESTED.
WE REGULATE EMPTY DUMPSTERS IN
TRASH CANS.
WE ASSESS TREES, ESPECIALLY
AFTER STORMS, AND OF COURSE,
MOWING OF THE GRASS.
WE RESPOND TO AND RECOVER
DAMAGES FROM VAGE VANDALISM AT
DOG PARKS.
AND FINALLY, REVIEW AND APPROVE
SPECIAL MAINTENANCE AT OFF-
LEASH AREAS.
IN TERMS OF MAJOR MAINTENANCE
PROJECTS, AS MENTIONED, THE
SEATTLE PARK DISTRICT PROVIDES
ROUGHLY A LITTLE BIT OVER
$100,000 ANNUALLY FOR MAJOR
MAINTENANCE PROJECTS AT OFF-
LEASH AREAS.
BETWEEN 2017 TO 2021, WE SPENT
$635,000 ON THESE PROJECTS.
AND THIS ANNUAL INVESTMENT IS
EXPECTED TO PROVIDE US WITH
$120,000 THIS YEAR FOR MAJOR
MAINTENANCE PROJECTS.
SOME EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS.
SOME EXAMPLES OF WHERE THIS
MONEY HAS GONE, ARE WAITING
IMPROVEMENTS AT MAGNOLIA MANOR
APARTMENTS.
W HAVE INSTALLED AGILITY
EQUIPMENT AT GOLDEN GARDENS.
WE HAVE MADE ADA AND DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE WEST CREST
OFFICE AREA.
Y AND WE'RE HAVE DEVELOPED AND
CONSTRUCTED A SMALL AND SHY DOG
AREA AT GENESEE OFF-LEASH AREA.
AND OF COURSE, FINISHED
RESURFACING AND FENCING
THROUGHOUT VARIOUS AREAS
THROUGHOUT OUR SYSTEM.
I WANTED TO COVER A FEW
STRATEGIES THAT EXIST FOR
EXTENDING OUR OFF-LEASH AREA
SYSTEM.
FIRST IS ADDING OFF-LEASH AREAS
THROUGH A NEW PARK OR
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS,
CONSIDERING LAND-BANKED,
UNDEVELOPED SITES AS OFF-LEASH
AREA OPPORTUNITIES.
PROPOSALS BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
INTERAGENCY PARTNERSHIPS.
AND PRIVATELY-OWNED PROPERTY.
JUST TO COVER, JUST TO GIVE YOU
ALL A SENSE OF KIND OF SOME OF
THE STANDARDS THAT WE CONSIDER
WHEN LOOKING AT A PROPOSED SITE
FOR AN OFF-LEASH AREA.
SO THE THRESHOLD CRITERIA THAT
WE HAVE, THAT THE SITE CANNOT
BE LOCATED IN A PARK THAT IS A
DESIGNATED LANDMARK, OR ON THE
REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.
IT CANNOT BE LOCATED IN NATURAL
AREAS THAT ARE UNDER ACTIVE
REGISTRATION, OR
ENVIRONMENTALLY CRITICAL AREA.
THE SITE SHOULD NOT EXIST IN
EXISTING PARK USES, IN A WAY
NACREATES SAFETY ISSUES.
AND IF IT'S PRIVATE PROPERTY,
THERE MUST BE PRELIMINARY
APPROVAL FROM THE SITE OWNER.
FROM THE SITE OWNER TO BUILD AN
OFF-LEASH AREA ON THE PROPERTY.
SOME ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS,
WE -- THE SITES THAT ARE ADA
ACCESSIBLE.
AND IF THEY ARE NOT, A PLAN FOR
THEM TO BE ACCESSIBLE.
SITES CANNOT HAVE SIGNIFICANT
VEGETATION AND LARGE TREES.
BECAUSE THEY QUICKLY DIE.
INSIDE AN OFF-LEASH AREA.
PROPOSED SITE MUST BE AT LEAST
50 FEET AWAY FROM PROPERTY
LINES TO CREATE A BUFFER FROM
NOISE AND ODOR.
WE PREFER FLAT SITES TO SLOPES.
SINCE SURFACING ERODES OVER
TIME ON SLOPES.
WE HAVE MADE CONSIDERATIONS TO
ACCESS TO PARKING SPOTS OR
ACCESSIBILITY TO THE SITE BY
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
AND FINALLY, HIGH VISIBILITY
INTO THE SITE, IN ORDER TO
ENSURE BETTER SAFETY.
>>> THIS SLIDE SHOWS A COUPLE
OF EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS THAT
WE ENGAGED IN OVER THE PAST
COUPLE OF YEARS.
ON THE LEFT IS EDUCATIONAL
VIDEO THAT WE DEVELOPED ON BEST
PRACTICES FOR DOGS AND THEIR
OWNERS, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, OFF-
LEASH AREAS.
IT COVERS THE EXISTING RULES,
YOU KNOW, WHERE DOGS ARE
ALLOWED, LEASHED AND UNLEASHED,
AND JUST PROVIDES, IN A FUN,
CARTOONY WAY, AN ENGAGING WAY,
IT PROVIDES SOME INFORMATION TO
DOG OWNERS, ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN
DO, WHERE THEY CAN HAVE FUN AND
WHAT THEY SHOULD AVOID, OF
COURSE.
AND ON THE RIGHT IS AN INFO
GRAPHIC THAT WE DEVELOPED AS A,
YOU KNOW, AS A RESPONSE TO THE
GROWING PROBLEM OF ABANDONED
DOG WASTE IN PARKS.
WHETHER IT'S INSIDE OFF-LEASH
AREAS OR OUTSIDE, THE PURPOSE
OF THIS INFO GRAPHIC IS TO
REALLY EDUCATE PET OWNERS
ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENS
AFTER THEY LEAVE THEIR DOG
WASTE IN THE PARK.
AND THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS IT
HAS, NOT JUST ON THE
ENVIRONMENT, BUT THE POTENTIAL
IMPACTS IT MIGHT HAVE ON OTHER
DOGS.
AND OF COURSE, HUMANS.
SO.
THE ENFORCEMENT OF ALL ANIMAL
LAWS IN THE CITY ARE, OF
COURSE, MANAGED BY THE ANIMAL
CONTROL OFFICERS AT THE SEATTLE
ANIMAL SHELTER.
OUR STAFF AND COMMUNITY
PARTNERS, WE REGULARLY SHARE
REPORTS OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING
DOGS WITH ANIMAL CONTROL, AND
ACOs OR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS
CAN CONDUCT EMPHASIS PATROLS OR
AREAS OF PARKS, WHERE THEY ARE
RECEIVING REPEATED REPORTS.
I WANTED TO SPEAK A LITTLE
ABOUT KIND WHAT HAVE IS ON THE
HORIZON FOR US.
SO SOME NEW STRATEGIES THAT
WE'RE TRYING TO PURSUE, IN
LOOKING TO EXPAND OUR SYSTEM.
WE ARE PURSUING SMALLER
NEIGHBORHOOD SIZE OFF-LEASH
AREAS, UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE
OF THE REALITIES ON THE GROUND.
IT'S NOT AS EASY FOR US TO
CREATE ANOTHER OFF-LEASH AREA,
BESIDES MAGNUSON PARK, HOWEVER,
WE CAN TURN OUR FOCUS TO MORE
SMALL, NEIGHBORHOOD DISTANCE
OFF-LEASH AREAS.
CONTINUING TO INCREASE OUR
FOCUS ON GEOGRAPHICAL EQUITY.
AND AN EXAMPLE, OF COURSE, IS
OUR RECENT WORK WITH THE WEST
SEATTLE DOG PARK COALITION, WHO
YOU HEARD FROM EARLIER IN THE
PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION, AND
TRYING TO EXPAND THIS SYSTEM TO
AREAS THAT ARE DENSE AND HAVE
AN INCREASING POPULATION OF
DOGS.
WE ALSO LOOK FOR INTERAGENCY
PARTNERSHIPS, AN EXAMPLE OF
WHICH I WILL COVER IN JUST A
MINUTE.
AND WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT HOW
WE MAY BE ABLE TO ADJUST THE
STANDARDS THAT WERE SET AND THE
PEOPLE, DOGS AND PARKS PLAN.
IN A WAY THAT WOULD, OF COURSE,
ALLOW FOR MORE OFF-LEASH AREA
OPPORTUNITIES.
BUT NOT SACRIFICE THE KIND OF
INTEGRITY OF AN OFF-LEASH AREA
OF WHAT WE BELIEVE A SUCCESSFUL
OFF-LEASH AREA IS, AND A DOG
PARK THAT PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO.
AND BE AT.
SO WE HAVE THREE OFF-LEASH
AREAS THAT ARE APPROVED AND ARE
IN VARIOUS STAGES IN THE
PLANNING PROCESS.
SO THE FIRST, WHICH IS A PRIME
EXAMPLE OF INTERAGENCY
PARTNERSHIP, IS THE GEORGETOWN
FLUME PROPERTY.
THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN
US, SD U AND -- EXCUSE ME.
IT SHOULD SAY, SBR, CITY LIGHT
AND S-DOT.
AND MY APOLOGIES.
THIS WAS A PARTNERSHIP, WHERE
CITY LIGHT WAS ABLE TO TRANSFER
OWNERSHIP OF THEIR PIECE OF THE
FLUME PARK TO SEATTLE PARKS AND
SDOT AND SEATTLE PARKS INTO A
PEDESTRIAN TRAIL AND A RETURN,
I BELIEVE, CITY LIGHT REQUESTED
A PERMANENT SITE AT THEIR SOTO
PROPERTY.
ADDITIONALLY, THE SOUTH PARK
COMMUNITY CENTER, SITE
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, WILL
ALSO INCLUDE OFF-LEASH AREA.
AND THE SMITH COVE PARK
DEVELOPMENT WILL ALSO INCLUDE
AN OFF-LEASH AREA.
SO THESE ARE, AGAIN, THREE
PROJECTS THAT ARE APPROVED,
THAT ARE FOR SURE GOING TO
BECOME OFF-LEASH AREAS.
BUT OF COURSE, BEYOND THESE
THREE, WE ARE ACTIVELY HAVING
CONVERSATIONS WITH VARIOUS
COMMUNITIES, NEIGHBORHOODS
ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND
THE OFF-LEASH AREA SYSTEM.
THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF MY
PRESENTATION.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT
OVERVIEW.
AND I'M HAPPY TO JUMP INTO THE
QUESTION PORTION OF THE
PRESENTATION.
SO I'LL ASK A FEW FIRST.
AND THEN I'LL OPEN IT UP TO
COLLEAGUES.
AND I'VE BEEN KIND OF MAKING
úNOTES AS THE PRESENTATION WAS
GOING THROUGH.
THIS WAS A BIG AREA OF
INTEREST, NOT JUST FOR MYSELF,
BUT I KNOW ALSO FOR
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, WHO
COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY, BUT
WOULD BE VERY PROUD THAT
CERTAIN CONSTITUENTS ARE HERE,
NOTE ONLY IN COUNCIL CHAMBER,
BUT IN VIRTUAL TO COMMENT ON
THE LACK OF OFF-LEASH AREAS IN
WEST SEATTLE.
AND WAS GLAD THAT WAS A FOCUS
OF THE PRESENTATION IN
ADDRESSING GEOGRAPHIC EQUITY IN
FUTURE PLANS.
AND ALSO, APPRECIATED IN THE
PRESENTATION THE NOD TOWARD
REVISING POTENTIALLY OVERLY
RESTRICTIVE POLICIES ON WHERE
OFF-LEASH AREAS CAN BE
CURRENTLY CITED IN THE FUTURE
PLANS TO PLACE MORE, WHICH I'VE
HEARD MORE FROM CONSTITUENTS,
WHICH IS, AT LEAST BEING
INTERPRETED AS AN OBSTACLE TO
BE ABLE TO EXPAND OFF-LEASH
AREAS, FURTHER BEYOND THE
CURRENT FOOTPRINT THAT THEY
HAVE.
I APPRECIATE THOSE AREAS OF
FLEXIBILITY.
AND WANT TO DRILL DOWN A LITTLE
BIT INTO THEM.
SO CAN WE GO BACK, MAYBE AS A
STARTING POINT, TO THE MAP IN
THE SLIDE DECK?
I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH SLIDE IT
WAS.
IT WAS TOWARDS THE BEGINNING.
>> I'LL SHARE MY SCREEN AGAIN.
CAN YOU SEE MY SCREEN,
COUNCILMEMBER?
>> I CAN SEE IT.
YEAH.
>> EXCELLENT.
AS WE CAN SEE, TO EMPHASIZE
AGAIN, SO THAT WHEN
COUNCILMEMBER RER BOLD COMES
BACK FROM VACATION, OR I'M
SORRY, THE LOCAL CONFERENCE SHE
IS ATTENDING.
I DIDN'T WANT TO BE CROSSWISE
WITH HER, BECAUSE WEST SEATTLE
HAS DEFINITELY VERY LIMITED
FERRY COVERAGE.
AND WE CAN SEE SOME OF THESE
OTHER AREAS, WHERE THERE'S
GAPS.
IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE PLANNING
FOR WHERE TO PUT THESE SMALLER
NEIGHBORHOOD-BASED OFF-LEASH
AREAS.
WHAT IS SORT OF THE BROADER IN-
FILL WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THAT?
AND I THOUGHT LOADING UP THE
MAP WOULD BE A WAY TO CENTER
THE CONVERSATION.
>> HEY, COUNCILMEMBER?
>> APOLOGIES.
MY INTERNET BRIEFLY --
SO MAYBE I CAN JUMP IN HERE,
COUNCILMEMBER.
WHILE WE'RE WAITING ON DANYAL.
AND MAYBE HE CAN FILL IN SOME
OF THE BLANKS.
OUR OVERALL STRATEGY,
HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN TO
CONSIDER OFF-LEASH AREAS AT THE
TIME WE ACQUIRE LAND.
THIS STRATEGY ALLOWS US TO WORK
WITH THE COMMUNITY, IT ALLOWS
US NOT TO DISPLACE OTHER
ACTIVITIES THAT ARE ALREADY IN
A PARK.
IT ALLOWS US TO ENGAGE THE
COMMUNITY IN A FULLSOME,
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.
THAT'S BEEN THE STRATEGY SO
FAR.
WE ARE OPEN TO OTHER
STRATEGIES.
I THINK WHERE IT REALLY COMES
DOWN TO SOME LEVEL OF
DIFFICULTY IS WHERE YOU HAVE A
PARK, AND THERE ARE EXISTING
USES ALREADY PLACING AN OFF-
LEASH AREA IN A PLACE THAT, YOU
KNOW, MAY ALREADY HAVE EXISTING
PARK USES, HAS BEEN
CHALLENGING.
SO WE'RE OPEN TO RETHINKING AND
YOU KNOW, I THINK THE STARK
EXAMPLE OF WEST SEATTLE CLEARLY
ILLUSTRATES WE NEED MORE OFF-
LEASH AREAS IN THAT PART OF
TOWN.
>> YEAH. I
APPRECIATE THAT, AS WE'RE
PLANNING THIS AND DEVELOPING,
PARTICULARLY EXISTING PARK
PROPERTIES, WE BE AWARE OF
DISPLACING EXISTING ACTIVITIES.
THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD SEGUE TO
TALK ABOUT ONE QUESTION I HAVE
THAT IS MORE DISTRICT-SPECIFIC,
RELATED TO AN UPCOMING PLAN TO
BUILD OUT OF SORT OF LONG, LONG-
AWAITED SMITH COVE PARK
DEVELOPMENT IN THE INNER BAY
NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE RECENTLY -- WE, MEANING
MYSELF AND MEMBERS OF MY STAFF,
HELD A TOWN HALL MEETING IN
QUEEN ANNE.
AND THIS WAS A LARGE ITEM OF
INTEREST THAT CAME UP FROM
ATTENDEES, REGARDING THE PLAN
FOR THE DOG RUN AT THAT PARK.
AND THIS IS SORT OF RELATED TO
SOME OF THE SAFETY
CONSIDERATIONS THAT ARE RAISED
ON SLIDE 9.
OF THE PRESENTATION DECK.
BUT THE IDEA THAT -- OR AT
LEAST THE REPORTED CONCERN FROM
THE COMMUNITY WAS THAT THE DOG
RUN IS GOING TO BE SMALLER THAN
WHAT WAS INITIALLY PROMISED AT
THE SMITH COVE PARK LOCATION.
THAT THEY HAVE CONCERN THAT A
SMALLER DOG PARK OR SMALLER OFF-
LEASH AREA, AT SMITH COVE PARK
WOULD HAVE THE IMPACT OF MORE
PEOPLE USING NONOFF-LEASH AREA
LAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF RUNNING
THEIR DOG OR HAVING THEIR DOG
OFF-LEASH, WHICH COULD IN TURN
CREATE PRESSURE OF PEOPLE USE
THE PARKWAYS.
I WANTED TO RAISE THAT VERY
SPECIFIC CONCERN ABOUT THE
PLANNED OFF-LEASH AREA AT SMITH
COVE PARK.
AND WHETHER WE COULD GO BACK TO
THE ORIGINAL PLAN AND PROMISE
SCOPE AND SCALE OF THAT PLANNED
PARK.
IT WAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT AREA
OF COMMUNITY CONCERN AT THE
TOWN HALL, AND ONE OF WHICH MY
OFFICE IS ALIGNED AND IN
SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY IN
SEEKING A LARGER OFF-LEASH AREA
IN LINE WITH WHAT WAS INITIALLY
PROPOSED.
>> SO MAYBE I'LL TRY TO RESPOND
TO SOME OF THAT, AND ALLOW
DANYAL TO MAYBE FILL IN SOME
BRANKS HERE.
SMITH COVE IS A NEWLY ACQUIRED
PARCEL OF LAND, WHERE WE ARE
LITERALLY TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE
A VARIETY OF INTERESTS.
FROM ATHLETIC FIELDS TO OFF-
LEASH AREA TO WALKING PATH TO
BE RECREATIONAL USES AND A
PARKING LOT AREA.
AND THEN ON THE EAST SIDE,
ACCESS TO THE BEACH.
I THINK THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO
WE PARSE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF
LAND, SO THAT ALL OF THOSE USES
CAN TAKE PLACE IN A COMPATIBLE
WAY?
AND A USER-FRIENDLY WAY, FOR
EVERYONE WHO COMES TO THE PARK
AND WANTS TO USE THE PARK.
THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF, I
THINK, ATTEMPTING TO DO LOTS OF
THINGS AT A SINGLE SITE.
BUT YOUR POINT IS WELL TAKEN.
WE WILL GO BACK AND ROLL UP OUR
SLEEVES AND SEE IF WE CAN
RECONSIDER HOW TO ADD MORE
SPACE TO THE OFF-LEASH AREA.
SUPERINTENDENT. ECIATE THAT,
BECAUSE AS WE ARE FACED WITH
CHOICES ON HOW TO USE LIMITED
SPACE IN OUR PLANNED OR
EXISTING PARKS, I MEAN, FOR ME,
PERSONALLY, A BIG PART OF IT
REALLY COMES DOWN TO, WHAT ARE
WE HEARING IN TERMS OF THE
PRIORITIZATION OF THE COMMUNITY
AND PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO USE
THAT PARK?
IN THE CASE OF SMITH COVE PARK,
OVERWHELMINGLY, THAT WAS A BIG
CONCERN, NOT JUST TO HAVE
SUFFICIENT AREA.
>> SURE.
>> AS I INDICATED TO USE THE
OFF-LEASH AREA EFFECTIVELY.
BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT OFF-
LEASH ACTIVITY WAS NOT SPILL
BEING OUT OF THE PARK IF THERE
WAS INSUFFICIENT ROOM.
I JUST REALLY WANTED TO
UNDERSCORE THAT.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO
CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU AND
YOUR TEAM, AND I KNOW
THOSECONSTITUENTS WILL BE
REALLY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT WE
CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND SEE
IF IT ACCORDS WITH WHAT THEIR
PRIORITIES ARE.
SO I WANTED TO STICK ON SLIDE 9
HERE FOR A MINUTE, TO ASK
QUESTIONS MORE GENERALLY.
I THINK A BIG PART OF THE
TENSION THAT YOU ALLUDED TO
EARLIER, SUPERINTENDENT
WILLIAMS, AROUND THE CONCERN
THAT OFF-LEASH AREAS COULD
CROWD OUT EXISTING USES AND
PARKS OR COMPETE FOR SPACE WITH
OTHER ACTIVATIONS, IS AN
ONGOING PRESSURE ABOUT HAVING
MORE OF THEM.
I THINK THAT'S INEXTRICABLY
LINKED WITH SOMETHING THAT I
THINK WAS ON SLIDE, MAYBE SLIDE
10?
BUT IT'S SORT OF A -- YEAH.
RIGHT HERE.
SO INDICATING THAT THESE ARE
SORT OF THE, THESE ARE SORT OF
THE, UM, NICE-TO-HAVE
CONSIDERATIONS, I GUESS, I
WOULD ALMOST CHARACTERIZE THEM.
THESE, IF SLIDE 9. I GUESS
MAYBE WHY I'M ASKING YOU FOR
CLARIFICATION ON THAT.
IF SLIDE 9 IS KIND OF THE HARD
AND FAST RULES OF THE THINGS
THAT ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BE
DONE, FOR THE MOST PART.
I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THINGS LIKE
ADA ACCESSIBILITY, THAT'S
SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO.
BUT HOW WE INCORPORATE AROUND
SITE-SPECIFIC OBSTACLES, LIKE
VEGETATION, LARGE TREES, THE
SLOPE OF A SITE.
I GUESS PART OF MY QUESTION IS
HOW FLEXIBLE WE ARE IN THESE
POINTS.
BECAUSE ANOTHER THING I HAVE
HEARD FROM A LOT OF COMMUNITY
MEMBERS IS SPOTS MIGHT BE
IDENTIFIED THAT ARE CITY
SURPLUS PROPERTIES, PARK
PROPERTIES, MAYBE PORTIONS OF
EXISTING PARKS.
AND THEY GET VETOED BY THE
DEPARTMENT FOR THINGS THAT FALL
IN SLIDE 10.
LIKE THAT THERE'S A SUBTLE
SLOPE TO THE SITE.
OR MAYBE THERE'S AN EXCEPTIONAL
TREE ON THE SITE THAT WOULD
PROVE TO BE TOO MUCH OF AN
OBSTACLE, OR PROVIDE VISIBILITY
ISSUES.
I THINK IN A LOT OF CASES,
THESE CAN BE TROUBLESHOT BY
CAREFUL AND EFFECTIVE PLANNING
OF A SITE.
AND THE IMPRESSION IN THE
COMMUNITY, HISTORICALLY, AND
WHAT I EXPERIENCED A LOT AS A
CANDIDATE, WHEN I WAS
DOORBELLING IN 2019, WAS PEOPLE
WHO HAD PITCHED OFF-LEASH
AREAS, BECAUSE OF THINGS WITHIN
THESE SLIDE 10 CONSIDERATIONS,
THAT PROJECT NEVER GOT FURTHER
THAN AN E-MAIL OR A
CONVERSATION.
AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE CAN BE NIMBLE AND MAYBE
REALLY LOOK INTO HOW TO WORK
AROUND SOME OF THESE THINGS AND
BE FLEXIBLE.
AND I WONDER WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS
ON THAT ARE.
I MEAN, THE PHRASING OF THIS
SLIDE SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT
THERE IS AN INTEREST IN BEING
FLEXIBLE ON THE PART OF THE
DEPARTMENT.
BUT I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM
THAT.
BECAUSE IF SO, WE'VE GOT SOME
POTENTIAL SITES IN QUEEN ANNE
THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT.
BUT I WANT TO CLARIFY.
>> YEAH.
SO THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
YOU KNOW, SO OUR GOAL IS TO BE
RIGIDLY PROFESSIONAL
PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO
PUBLIC USE OF THE SYSTEM.
I THINK AS THIS CITY BECOMES
INCREASINGLY DENSE, WE'RE GOING
TO NEED MORE OFF-LEASH AREAS.
I THINK ONE REMINDER IS THAT
PEOPLE ARE WELCOME TO GO TO ANY
PARK WITH A DOG ON LEASH, AS
PART OF THIS.
BUT IF WE HAVE PROPERTY LINE
ISSUES, YOU CAN ALWAYS DO
THINGS TO BUFFER THE ADJACENCY
TO A PRIVATE PROPERTY.
WE CAN MITIGATE ISSUES LIKE
SIGNIFICANT TREES BY PLACING A
PICKET FENCE AROUND THE TREE.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF
STRATEGIES THAT WE ARE OPEN TO.
A LOT OF OUR EXISTING OFF LEASH
AREAS WERE INSTALLED AT A TIME,
WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE THESE
PREFERRED CONSIDERATIONS.
CAN AND THEY'RE WORKING TODAY.
SO I'LL JUST USE GOLDEN GARDENS
ON A STEEP SLOPE, FOR EXAMPLE.
IF WE WERE GOING TO GO BACK AND
REDO THAT, WE PROBABLY WOULDN'T
DO THAT TODAY.
BUT WE HAVE MITIGATED SOME OF
THE RISK OUT OF THAT, BY THE
WAY WE MANAGE IT.
SO WE WOULD DEFINITELY BE OPEN
TO THINKING ABOUT THESE
CONSIDERATIONS AND WANT TO WORK
WITH COMMUNITY TO ASK THE
QUESTION, HOW DO WE MITIGATE
THE RISK OUT OF WHAT FEELS LIKE
A DIFFICULT SITUATION?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER --
>> SUPERINTENDENT, THANK YOU
FOR THAT.
BUT I'LL HAND IT OVER TO DANYAL
IN A SECOND.
AND MAYBE DANYAL, YOU CAN BUILD
ON THIS.
BUT SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS
SORT OF ANTICIPATED ONE OF MY
OTHER QUESTIONS, WHICH, YOU
KNOW, I USED TO BE A, WELL, I
AM STILL A BARRED ATTORNEY, I
GUESS.
BUT I'M NOT REALLY PRACTICING.
BUT ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAD
SET UP THAT SUPERINTENDENT
WILLIAMS FORESHADOWED THIS THAT
LINE IS HOW MANY OF OUR CURRENT
SITES ARE NONCONFORMING, TO OUR
CURRENT STANDARDS?
AND ONE WAS RAISED ON GOLDEN
GARDENS, WHICH I APPRECIATE YOU
RAISING AND BRINGING THAT OUT.
I THINK IT IS JUST A GOOD
EXAMPLE THAT WE CAN HAVE SITES
THAT MIGHT NOT SLIGHTLY CONFORM
TO THE IDEAL, BUT STILL BE
EFFECTIVE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S OTHERS
IN OUR LIST OF 15 THAT FIT THAT
DESCRIPTION.
BUT I APPRECIATE YOU
INTRODUCING THAT.
SORRY, I INTERRUPTED YOU,
DANYAL.
DO YOU HAVE A --
>> FIRST OFF, SORRY, MY CAMERA
IS OFF.
I'M HAVING HAVING INTERNET BAND
WIDTH ISSUES.
>> NO WORS.
>> BUT TO BUILD OFF ON WHAT IT
WAS MENTIONED, OF COURSE, WE
HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH, IN 1997,
WHEN OUR OFF-LEASH AREA PROGRAM
STARTED.
AND SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE
LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT
MAKES AN OFF-LEASH AREA
SUCCESSFUL IN THE LONG RUN,
BOTH IN TERMS OF THE DEPARTMENT
AND THE MAINTENANCE COSTS THAT
WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OVER
TIME.
BUT ALSO, FROM THE COMMUNITY
SIDE, YOU KNOW, SITES THAT THE
COMMUNITY TRULY WANTS TO GO TO.
SITES THAT ARE FUN TO BE AT,
THAT ARE SAFE TO BE AT.
SO, YOU KNOW, ANOTHER EXAMPLE
THAT I WOULD USE IS WOODLAND
PARK, FOR EXAMPLE.
IT'S A WONDERFUL PARK.
BUT IT IS AN OFF-LEASH AREA
THAT SITS ON A HILL AND IT
SLOPES.
SO ONE OF THE BIGGEST
CHALLENGES, ONE OF THE BIGGEST
LESSONS WE'VE LEARNED IS THAT
OVER TIME IN THE LONG RUN.
THIS BOTH CREATES EXTRA
MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR US.
WILL AND IT CREATES EXTRA WORK
FOR OUR STEWARDS AT THESE OFF-
LEASH AREAS.
AND AGAIN, SUPERINTENDENT
WILLIAMS MENTIONED THIS AS
WELL.
BUT WE ARE STILL LEARNING.
SO THAT LEARNING DID NOT STOP
BETWEEN '97 AND 2017, WHEN WE
RELEASED OUR PLAN.
WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY LEARNING.
AND AS I SHARED IN MY
PRESENTATION RIGHT NOW, WE ARE
LOOKING AT WHICH OF THESE
CONSIDERATIONS, CRITERIA, WE
HAVE SAID, THERE'S
FLEXIBILITIES SO THAT WE CAN,
AGAIN, INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES
TO BUILD OFF-LEASH AREAS AND
EXPAND THE SYSTEM.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, NOT
JEOPARDIZE KIND OF THE
INTEGRITY AND SUCCESSFUL, LOVED
OFF-LEASH AREA.
>> GREAT.
WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH, GUYS.
THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT
PRESENTATION.
AND WE REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO
BEING IN TOUCH ON THIS AND IN
THE CONTEXT OF THE GENERAL WORK
OF THE SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION, BUT ALSO THE
METROPOLITAN PARKS RENEWAL
DISTRICT, WHERE THIS WAS RAISED
AS A VERY SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC
PRIORITY THROUGH THE OUTREACH
THAT WAS CONDUCTED.
SO THIS IS REALLY HELPFUL
INFORMATION AND REALLY
APPRECIATE THE THOROUGHNESS OF
THE PRESENTATION AND YOUR TIME
TODAY.
DO COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY FINAL
QUESTIONS ON THIS MATTER BEFORE
WE MOVE TO OUR FINAL AGENDA
ITEM?
>> I'M GOOD.
>> EXCELLENT.
OKAY.
SEEING NONE, WE CAN MOVE
FORWARD TO THIS.
AND I THINK THAT DOES IT FOR
OUR PARKS PANELIST.
I DON'T THINK THAT THEY HAVE TO
TESTIFY AT ALL ON ITEM 3.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
JOINING US, SUPERINTENDENT
WILLIAMS, AND EVERYONE FROM
YOUR TEAM.
APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL,
READ ITEM 3 INTO THE RECORD?
>> ITEM 3.
CITY HALL PARK LAND SWAP
PROPOSAL, PUBLIC HEARING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR.
CLERK.
SO AS A REMINDER, THIS IS A
PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSAL
TO GIVE CITY HALL PARK, TO
TRANSFER CITY HALL PARK TO KING
COUNTY FROM THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, IN EXCHANGE FOR A
NUMBER OF PROPERTIES THAT HAVE
BEEN PROFFERED BY KING COUNTY,
AS PART OF THAT POTENTIAL
TRANSFER.
THAT IS THE ONLY TOPIC PEOPLE
CAN SPEAK TO AS PART OF THESE
COMMENTS.
THAT'S WHY AT THE BEGINNING OF
THE MEETING, WE HAVE A GENERAL
PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS.
THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS A
COMPONENT.
THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT,
WHICH IS PART OF THE GOVERNING
POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR LAND
TRANSFERS BETWEEN PUBLIC
ENTITIES OF THIS NATURE.
AND WITH THAT, WE WILL BEGIN
THIS PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION,
WHICH WILL BE MODERATED BY THE
COMMITTEE CLERK.
SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TWO
MINUTES TO SPEAK.
AND AS A FINAL REMINDER, THIS
WILL BE A MORE STRICTLY-
ENFORCED COMMENT SECTION, GIVEN
THAT IT REALLY IS FOR OUR
PURPOSE OF BUILDING A RECORD
AND DELIBERATING ABOUT THIS
KING COUNTY PROPOSAL.
SO PLEASE KEEP YOUR REMARKS TO
REMAIN TO THAT TOPIC.
OTHERWISE, I WILL [ INAUDIBLE ]
THE TIME OF THE SPEAKER.
WITH THAT, MR. CLERK, YOU MAY
BEGIN THE PUBLIC COMMENTS
SESSION.
AND WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND
BEGIN WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE IN
CHAMBERS, WHO I THINK HAVE BEEN
WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THIS
ITEM, NOT THAT THE OTHER ITEMS
ON THE AGENDA WEREN'T
INTERESTING.
BUT TO HAVE IN-CHAMBER SPEAKERS
GO FIRST, AND THEN GO TO
VIRTUALLY SIGNED UP SPEAKERS.
>> OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS JUDGE
PATRICK OISHII.
>> THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
SO MY NAME IS PATRICK OISHII, I
AM THE KING COUNTY SUPERIOR
COURT PRESIDING JUDGE.
I'M HERE BOTH IN MY OFFICIAL
CAPACITY AND ALSO AS A LONG-
TIME RESIDENT OF SEATTLE.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF
THE PROPOSED LAND SWAP.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO THANK
COMMITTEE CHAIR LEWIS, AS WELL
AS THE OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE
THOUGHTFULLY CONSIDERED THE
PROPOSAL.
I'M HERE TODAY.
AGAIN, I'VE ACTUALLY
CONSISTENTLY, SPOKEN FROM THIS
BODY.
BUT I'M HERE AGAIN TODAY TO ASK
THIS COMMITTEE TO VOTE THE
PROPOSAL OUT OF COMMITTEE AND
MOVE IT ON TO THE FULL COUNCIL
FOR THREE REASONS.
ONE, THE COURT FEELS VERY
STRONGLY THAT THIS IS IN ACCESS
TO JUSTICE ISSUE FOR ALL THE
USERS FOR THE KING COUNTY
COURTHOUSE.
SO JURORS, LITIGANTS,
SUBSERVERS, COURT PROCEEDINGS,
AS WELL AS COURT EMPLOYEES.
SECOND, AS I'VE STATED
PREVIOUSLY, CITY HALL PARK IS
QUITE LITERALLY THE FRONT YARD
OF THE KING COUNTY COURTHOUSE,
WHICH IS THE SEED OF COUNTY
GOVERNMENT.
THE COURT FEELS STRONGLY THAT
THE PARKS SHOULD BE PART OF THE
COUNTY'S DOWNTOWN CIVIC CAMPUS.
I WOULD ASK THE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS TO RECALL THE VERY
POIGNANT AND FRANKLY WELL-
STATED COMMENTS OF KING COUNTY,
COUNCILMEMBER JEAN COLE WELLS
AT THE LAST MEETING.
AND IT IS MY FIRM BELIEF THAT
KING COUNTY WILL BE A
RESPONSIBLE STEWARD OF THE
PARK.
AND THIRD AND FINALLY, I THINK
THIS IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC
SAFETY.
I WOULD ASK THE COMMITTEE TO
SUPPORT THE LAND SWAP AND VOTE
THE LEGISLATION OUT OF
COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE OISHII.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
BETH PURCELL, WHO WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY LISA HOWARD.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS BETH PURCELL.
AND I'VE WORKED ON PUBLIC PARK
SPACE IN THE COUNTY AND THE
CITY FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS.
I'M ALSO ON THE SEATTLE PARK
FOUNDATION BOARD.
I'M A PART OF A BROAD COALITION
OF NONPROFITS AND PUBLIC SPACE
ADVOCATES WHO HAVE HAD CONCERNS
ABOUT THE CITY HALL PARK
TRANSFER.
IN DECEMBER OF 2021, I LISTENED
TO THE ENTIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
DISCUSSION, ABOUT THIS
TRANSACTION.
COUNTY COUNCILMEMBERS VOTED
TWICE AGAINST LANGUAGE THAT
WOULD REQUIRE THE PARK TO BE
USED AS PARK LAND IN
PERPETUITY.
THAT WAS CONCERNING TO ME.
A COALITION HAS DISSECTED THE
COVENANT LANGUAGE THE COUNTY
HAS SUBMITTED.
AMBIGUITIES REMAIN THROUGHOUT.
NO MENTION OF HOW THE PARK WILL
BE FUNDED AND MAINTAINED.
AND THE CITY WILL HAVE NO
CONTROL OF THAT, ONCE THE TRADE
IS MADE.
AND REGARDING THE TRADE, THE
SOUTH PARK PROPERTY THAT IS
INCLUDED IN THIS TRADE, BORDERS
THE DUWAMISH RIVER, WHICH IS A
SUPER FUN SITE.
THERE ARE LIKELY MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS OF CLEANUP WORK THAT
THE CITY WILL BE REQUIRED TO
INVEST TO MAKE THAT A SAFE PARK
FOR THE SOUTH PARK COMMUNITY.
TAKE A LOOK AT DUWAMISH
WATERWAY PARK AND HOW IT HAS
BEEN SITTING IDLE FOR THAT VERY
REASON.
AT THE LAST MEETING, YOU WERE
PRESENTED WITH AN ATTRACTIVE
GRAPHIC IMAGE FROM THE COUNTY,
AS TO WHAT THE PARK MIGHTLOOK
LIKE.
HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NO
ACTUAL PLANS, AND THE RESULT
COULD VARY SIGNIFICANTLY FROM
THAT GRAPHIC.
ARE YOU ALL AWARE THAT PARKS
DEPARTMENT AND SDOT WERE
WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND
HAVE DESIGN IDEAS AS WELL?
HAS ANYONE ASKED THE PARKS
DEPARTMENT TO PRESENT THE WORK
THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING,
BEFORE THIS WAS ABRUPTLY SHUT
DOWN BY THE TRANSFER
DISCUSSION?
IN CLOSING, I'M GENERALLY
CURIOUS AS TO WHAT IS
MOTIVATING YOU AS A CITY
LEADER, TO GIVE AWAY DOWNTOWN
PARK AREA THAT SERVES A
SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITY AND NEEDS ACCESS TO
GREEN SPACE.
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SERVE THE
NEEDS OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS,
ENGAGE YOUR PARTNERS TO MAKE
THAT HAPPEN.
THEY'VE HAD SUCCESS IN THE
PAST.
NOW THEY NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND
THE RESOURCES TO BE BETTER.
>> THANK YOU, BETH.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
LISA HOWARD.
LISA, WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.
>> THANK YOU.
HI.
MY NAME IS LISA HART.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR
ALLIANCE SQUARE.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING MY
COMMENT TODAY.
I'M PRESENTING COMMENT AS
DEDICATION COALITION OF PARK
AND PUBLIC SPACE ADVOCATES THAT
IS ASKING THE CITY NOT TO
EXCHANGE THE SPACE.
I HAVE PROVIDED DETAILED
COMMENT LETTER, WHICH I ASK YOU
TO READ.
WE ONLY HEARD ABOUT THIS
HEARING FRIDAY.
AND WE WERE NOTIFIED 10 DAYS
WERE REQUIRED FOR NOTICE.
CITY HALL PARK AND THE OTHER
ENTITIES WHICH CARE ABOUT THIS
SPACE.
WE, THANKS TO THE CITY AND
COUNTY POLICY, WE HAVE THE
HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF LOW-
INCOME RESIDENTS IN THE REGION.
THE PARK SERVES OVER 800
PEOPLE, PRIOR TO BEING CLOSED
AND FENCED.
OUR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS LIVE
IN TINY SPACES AND NEED QUALITY
GREEN SPACE, MAYBE NOW MORE
THAN EVER.
WE ARE VERY UNCLEAR ABOUT THE
COUNTY'S GOALS IN ACQUIRING THE
PARK.
AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE COUNTY
SIMPLY DISPLACING UNWANTED
BEHAVIORS FROM THE PARK TO THE
NEIGHBORHOODS AND OTHER
SURROUNDING PARKS.
WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT THIS
PROCESS CLEARLY VIOLATES THE
WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
AS EMBODIED IN INITIAL
INITIATIVE 42.
THE PROPERTY DEGREES NOT
PERTAIN TO CITY HALL PARK.
IF THIS DOES NOT I-42 WITH THIS
PARK, ARE THERE ANY THAT WOULD
IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE?
THIS SPACE NEEDS MORE
CONSIDERATION, COOPERATION AND
THOUGHTFULNESS, NOT LESS.
WE ARE PREPARED TO WORK WITH
THE CITY AND THE COUNTY IN
HELPING TO ENSURE THAT PIONEER
SQUARE HAS A SAFE, CLEAN AND
OPEN SPACES THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE
AND AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF OUR
RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT THE SOLE
RESPONSIBILITY OF SPD.
IT IS A CONDITION THAT WILL BE
REACHED IF OUR SYSTEMS WORK
WELL, FROM OPERATIONS,
MAINTEANCE, AS WELL AS THE
JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN ITS
ENTIRETY.
WE URGE THE CITY TO TURN ITS
ATTENTION FROM DISPOSING OF THE
PARK BACK TO THE CENTRAL ISSUE
OF PROVIDING ITS CITIZENS WITH
QUALITY SPACE AND LOOK FORWARD
TO PARTNERING WITH THE CITY IN
THOSE EFFORTS.
>> THANK YOU.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR IN-PERSON
PUBLIC COMMENTERS.
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO PUBLIC
COMMENTERS WHO HAVE CALLED IN.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU NEED
TO PRESS STAR SIX TO TAKE
YOURSELF OFF MUTE.
OUR FIRST CALLER IS TIERA
DEERBONE.
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX AND BEGIN
SPEAKING WHEN YOU'RE READY.
>> HELLO, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS TIERA DEERBONE.
I'M CALLING AS MEMBER OF
COALITION OF PARK AND PUBLIC
PARK ADVOCATES.
WE'RE ASKING NOT TO EXCHANGE
THE LAND AND INCLUDE THE
SURROUNDING YOU COMMUNITIES IN
THE CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW THIS
LAND SHOULD BE PROJECTED OR
MAIN TAPED.
AS YOU KNOW IN THE SUMMER OF
2021, A COALITION OF PROVIDERS
MOVED TO WORK FOLKS HERE INTO
RAPID LODGING SERVICES.
THE HOPES WAS THAT THE PARK
WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE
ENTIRE COMMUNITY FOR USE.
AS HUNDREDS OF LOW TO NO-INCOME
PEOPLE.
IT IS CRITIC THAT THERE WILL AN
AGREEMENT AND AVAILABLE TO ALL,
INCLUDING THOSE WHO NO LONGER
NEED TO LIVE THERE, BUT SHOULD
HAVE ACCESS TO THE SPACE FOR
RECREATIONAL USE.
PEOPLE WERE NOT MOVED SO THAT
IT COULD BE CLOSED.
THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TIME TO
PROVIDE ADEQUATE FEEDBACK.
WE WOULD AULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE
AN IMMEDIATE PLAN TO REOPEN AND
REACTIVATE THE PARK.
THIS COMMUNITY HAS GONE OVER A
YEAR WITHOUT ACCESS TO A PARK.
PLEASE COMMIT TO MAKING THIS A
SUCCESSFUL SPACE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, TIERA.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
DEREK BELLBELGARDE.
>> HELLO, EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL, FOR HEARING
ME TODAY.
I'M DEREK DEREK BELL GARD.
BY EARLY NEXT YEAR, WE'LL HAVE
1 FIX 56 UNITS HERE WITHIN
PIONEER SQUARE, WHICH WILL
PROVIDE HOUSING FOR 180 OF OUR
MOST VULNERABLE RIL TIVES.
I'M REQUESTING THAT THE CITY DO
NOT TRANSFER CITY HALL PARK.
AND INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY IN
DISCUSSIONS ON HOW THE LAND
SHOULD BE MAINTAINED FOR THE
FOLLOWING REASONS.
FIRST, CITY HALL PARK IS AN
HISTORIC COMMUNITY, SERVICED
OVER 800 PRIOR IT BEING CLOSED.
MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE
AROUND THIS SPACE TO ADDRESS
ISSUES THAT HAVE MERGED OUT OF
THE CURRENT PROPOSAL.
THIRDLY, WE ARE CONCERNED WITH
THE LACK OF INFORMATION,
REGARDING THE LAND TRANSFER
WHILE THE PROCESS MOVES
FORWARD.
MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING
LAND VALUE PARCELS, KING COUNTY
STAFFING AND PROPOSED USE OF
THE PARK MUST BE PRESENTED IN
DETAIL TO THE PUBLIC FIRST.
FINALLY, A TIME LINE FOR
OPENING, STAFFING AND
ACTIVATING THE PARK MUST BE
PROVIDED BY KING COUNTY, AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE.
OR THE CITY NEEDS TO OPEN STAFF
THE PARK WHILE IT'S IN PROCESS.
ALLOWING THE PARK TO BE CLOSED
DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHILE
NEARBY RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE
ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE IS A
FAILURE OF YOUR DUTY TO YOUR
CONSTITUENTS.
MEMBERS DESERVE THE RIGHT TO
UTILIZE PUBLIC USE SPACE.
NUMBER IS ONE THAT ALL OF OUR
MEMBERS CAN UTILIZE WITHIN
WALKING DISTANCE.
I ASK THAT YOU KEEP THAT PARK
OPEN IN PERP TUTTY,ETUITY.
[ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ]
THANK YOU, ALL.
BYE BYE.
>> THANK YOU, DERRICK.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
HAROLD HILLSETH.
HERALD, YOU CAN BEGIN WHEN
READY.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS HERALD HILLSETH.
AND I AM THE PARK AND ADVOCACY
MANAGER FOR CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB.
AND I AM CALLING AS A
REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR MEMBERS,
OVER 80 RESIDENTS AND ALL ARE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPERTY IN
PIONEER SQUARE.
AND I, TOO, AM REQUESTING THE
CITY NOT TRANSFER CITY HALL
PARK.
AND I ASK THAT YOU INCLUDE OUR
COMMUNITY IN A SURROUNDING
CONVERSATION, AS WE HAVE BEEN
THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS,
BUT CONTINUING GOING FORWARD
ABOUT HOW THIS LAND SHOULD BE
PROTECTED AND REMAIN FOR THE
FOLLOWING REASONS.
INTERFACABLE COMMUNITY AND
HISTORIC ASSET, WHICH SERVES
OVER 800 LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS,
PRIOR TO BEING CLOSED.
LAST YEAR, AND WE SHOULD NOT
GIVE UP THIS CITY PARK, AS MORE
WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE AROUND
THIS SPACE TO ADDRESS THE
ISSUES THAT HAVE EMERGED OUT OF
THE CURRENT PROPOSAL.
WE ARE JUST GENERALLY CONCERNED
WITH THE LACK OF INFORMATION,
REGARDING THE LAND TRANSFER,
WHILE THE PROCESS MOVES
FORWARD.
AND JUST THE GENERAL TIME LINE
FOR OWNING, STAFFING AND
ACTIVATING CITY HALL PARK, MUST
BE PROVIDED BY KING COUNTY TO
THE CITY, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,
OR THE CITY NEEDS TO OPEN AND
STAFF THE PARK PROCESS, AND
JUST ALLOWING THE PARK TO
REMAIN CLOSED, DURING THE
SUMMER MONTHS, WHILE NEARBY
RESIDENTS INCLUDING THOSE AND
ALL FOLKS THAT WE SERVE IN OUR
CENTER, DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO
GREEN SPACE.
AND WE KIND OF SEE THIS AS A
FAILING OF OUR MORAL DUTY TO
THE MEMBERS WE SERVE, TO
CONTINUE ADVOCATE BEING FOR
THIS TO YOU ALL AND TO YOUR
CONSTITUENTS.
MANY OF OUR MEMBERS WE SERVE,
ESPECIALLY IN THE URBAN NATIVE
COMMUNITY, DESERVE THE RIGHT TO
UTILIZE THE PUBLIC GREEN SPACE.
AND CITY HALL PARK IS ONE OF
THE ONLY GREEN PARKS THAT OUR
MEMBERS CAN UTILIZE WITHIN
WALKING DISTANCE.
AND I ASK THAT YOU FIND A WAY
TO KEEP THE PARK OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC IN PERPETUITT.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME ONCE AGAIN.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, HERALD.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
TIFFANY McCOY.
>> HI.
THIS IS TIFFANY McCOY.
I AM THE ADVOCACY DIRECTOR AT
REAL CHANGE AND ALSO PART OF
THE CITY HALL PARK COALITION,
WHICH IS ASKING YOU TO NOT
TRANSFER CITY HALL PARK IN
EXCHANGE FOR COUNTY PROPERTIES
AND ALSO TO INCLUDE SURROUNDING
COMMUNITIES IN THE CONVERSATION
ABOUT HOW THIS LAND SHOULD BE
PROTECTED AND MAINTAINED.
I JUST WANT TO, LIKE, ENCOURAGE
CITY COUNCIL TO, LIKE, STEP
BACK AND THINK LONG TERM ABOUT
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH
THIS PARK AND WITH THIS AREA OF
THE CITY GOING FORWARD.
I JUST WANT US TO NOT RUSH INTO
SOMETHING BECAUSE THERE JUST
SEEMS TO BE TREMENDOUS PRESSURE
FROM THE COUNTY AND THE MAYOR,
AND EVEN LIKE MAINSTREAM MEDIA
PUBLICATIONS, THAT IN IS A DONE
DEAL.
IT'S NOT A DONE DEAL.
YOU STILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO
STOP THIS TRANSFER.
AND I JUST HAVE TO SAY, LIKE,
BASED ON THE JUDGE'S COMMENTS,
I'M A BIT CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT
THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN
BEHIND THE SCENES ABOUT THIS
LAND SWAP.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS LAND SWAP
IS GOING TO MAKE ANYTHING SAFER
NEAR THE COURTHOUSE, AND HOW
THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE?
WE HAVE A HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.
WE HAVE A CRISIS OF POVERTY AND
LACK OF INVESTMENT INTO THE
COMMUNITY.
AND JUST TRANSFERRING THIS
ISN'T GOING TO SOLVE ANY OF
THOSE UNDERLYING ISSUES.
SO THAT'S A FALSE NARRATIVE PUT
FORWARD THAT WE'RE GOING TO
RESOLVE THIS BY SWAPPING.
I ALSO WANT TO READ A COUPLE OF
POSTCARDS THAT YOU ALL ON THE
COUNCIL ARE GOING TO GET.
THEY USED TO USE THAT PARK.
I'M JUST GOING TO READ A COUPLE
OF THOSE.
ONE SAYS THAT WE NEED TO --
ALSO, THIS IS ALL "DON'T
TRANSFER THE PARK."
ONE SAYS, KEEP IT CLEAN, BUT
DON'T TRANSFER IT.
ANOTHER VENDOR, WHO ACTUALLY
SERVED MEALS AT THE PARK SAYS
THIS CITY HAS BEEN IN THE HANDS
OF THE PARK FOR YEARS.
WE MUST KEEP IT THAT WAY.
AND ANOTHER VENDOR SAYS, THIS
IS THE BATTLE OF SEATTLE.
THIS PARK IS MEMORIALIZED, AND
WE DON'T WANT TO BECOME SAN
FRANCISCO, WHERE FOLKS THAT ARE
NOT IN HOMES ARE NOT WELCOME
ANYWHERE, DON'T TRANSFER THE
PARK, FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO
TRANSFER.
OVERALL, I'M GOING ON TO SEND A
BUNCH OF THESE POSTCARDS TO ALL
OF YOU.
WHO DO NOT WANT THIS PARK TO BE
TRANSFERRED.
AND THEY WANT IT ACTIVATED SO
THEY CAN ACTUALLY GO THERE AND
ENJOY TIME OUTSIDE.
THANK YOU.
>> AND THANK YOU, TIFFANY.
OUR FINAL PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
JEANNE COLWELLS.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR LEWIS AND
THE COMMITTEE.
I'M KING COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER,
JEANNE COLWELLS, REPRESENTING
THE DISTRICT, ALL IN THE
COMMUNITY OF SEATTLE.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE LAND
SWAP AGREEMENT.
I BECAME ACUTELY AWARE OF THE
PANDEMIC ON THE OPERATION.
BUT ALSO ON THE ONCE BEAUTIFUL
CITY HALL PARK, ADJACENT TO THE
HOUSE.
AS EMPLOYEES STOPPED COMING TO
THE WORKPLACE.
BUSINESSES CLOSED.
AND THE PARK IS BECOMING USED
FOR UNINTENDED PURPOSES.
WE HAVE SEEN WHAT IMPROVEMENTS
HAVE BEEN MADE.
AND OF COURSE, WE ALL BECAME
AWARE OF THE HARDSHIPS OF SO
MANY, AS WELL AS INCREASING
THREATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE
VICINITY.
I THINK OF THE BEAUTIFUL PLAZA
YOU ALL HAVE TO DELIVER THROUGH
CITY HALL.
IT'S INSURED BY THE PUBLIC AND
BY THE CITY AND COUNTY
EMPLOYEES AT CITY HALL EVENTS.
AND THAT IT'S, OF COURSE, OWNED
BY THE CITY.
AND I THINK OF HOW FORTUNATE
THIS CITY IS, AND WHAT IT COULD
BE LIKE IF OUR COUNTY
GOVERNMENT'S HOME, THE KING
COUNTY COURTHOUSE, WOULD BE
ABLE TO HAVE THE SPACE TO EVICT
SOME.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS NOT THE
CASE.
THE PARK JOINING THE COURT HAS
BEEN ZONED BY THE CITY.
AND IT'S FENCED OFF FOR USE BY
THE CITY.
THINK OF THIS, YOUR CLOSET,
THAT IT WAS OWNED BY THE
COUNTY, THAT IT WAS NOT
MAINTAINED, AND IT WAS CLOSED
OFF TO THE PUBLIC.
AND THINK HOW YOU HAD NO SAY
OVER WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE
PARK.
THINK HOW WE FEEL ABOUT THE
SAME WITH CITY HALL PARK.
BUT YOU'RE NOW CONSIDERING
APPROVING A LAND SWAP FOR THE
COUNTY TO TAKE OVER CITY PARK,
CITY HALL PARK, MAINTAIN IT,
IMPROVE IT, AND PRESERVE IT, AS
OPEN SPACE TO BE USED BY ALL.
SO NEEDED IN THE PIONEER SQUARE
COMMUNITY.
AND IMPORTANTLY, [ INAUDIBLE ]
BUT THAT IT WOULD INDEED BECOME
WHAT WE ALL WANT.
IT'S A GOOD DEAL FOR ALL.
SEATTLE WILL GAIN EVEN MORE
GREEN SPACE IN ITS PARKS
THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
AND KING COUNTY WILL HAVE A
PARK ZONED IN THE HEART OF THE
COUNTY SEAT, A PART THAT WILL
REMAIN A PARK FOR ALL.
AND THE STEWARDSHIP WILL NOT BE
TAKEN LIGHTLY.
IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US
TO CONSIDER REOPENING THE
ORIGINAL JEFFERSON STREET
ENTRANCE, WHICH FLOWS INTO THE
PARK FOR NEARLY 80 YEARS.
AND WOULD LEAD TO MORE FOOT
TRAFFIC IN THE PARK AND OFF OF
THIRD AVENUE.
ADDING TO --
>> COUNCILMEMBER COLWELLS, I'M
SO SORRY.
YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED, BUT THANK
YOU FOR CALLING IN AND THANK
YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
OKAY.
NEXT SPEAKER, MR. CLERK?
>> CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR
LIST OF SPEAKERS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SO THE PUBLIC HEARING, HAVING
BEEN CONCLUDED, OR THE
SPEAKERS' LIST HAVING BEEN
CONCLUDED, WE DON'T HAVE ANY
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC ITEMS, IN
TERMS OF THE NEXT STEPS.
THIS PROPOSAL AROUND A
POTENTIAL LAND TRANSFER OF CITY
HALL PARK IS STILL GOING
úTHROUGH THE SEEPA PROCESS.
SO I DON'T THINK WE HAVE
ANOTHER SCHEDULED CHECK-IN FOR
THIS TOPIC IN COMMITTEE YET,
CHECKING WITH THE CLERK, WE
DON'T YET.
SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO TALK TO
SEATTLE PARKS ABOUT WHAT THE
POTENTIAL NEXT STEP FOR
CONSIDERING THIS IS, GIVEN THAT
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY WORK
IS STILL PENDING ON THIS
PROJECT.
THERE'S NOT A PLAN FOR A VOTE
AT THIS TIME.
BUT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL
BE DULY INFORMED, WHEN THERE IS
A SCHEDULED VOTE FOR THE
COUNCIL TO FORMALLY MAKE A
DECISION ON THE TRANSFER THAT
HAS BEEN PROPOSED.
SO WITH THAT, COLLEAGUES, WE
DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL
AGENDA ITEMS.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING FOR
THE GOOD OF THE ORDER, BEFORE
WE ADJOURN THIS AFTERNOON'S
MEETING?
I DON'T SEE ANY COMMENTS FROM
COLLEAGUES.
I WILL JUST VERY, VERY BRIEFLY
MAKE A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT, AND
I MADE THIS AT THE CONCLUSION
OF FULL COUNCIL YESTERDAY.
BUT IN CASE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING
AND INTERESTED, THERE WILL BE
TWO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HEARING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO
WEIGH IN ON THE METROPOLITAN
PARK DISTRICT RENEWAL,
PUBLICLY.
ONE OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES WILL
BE ON MONDAY, AUGUST 15th, AT
THE RAINIER BEACH COMMUNITY
CENTER AT 6:00 P.M.
AND THE SECOND WILL BE AT THE
NORTHGATE COMMUNITY CENTER ON
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7th, ALSO
AT 6:00 P.M.
BOTH OF THESE METROPOLITAN PARK
DISTRICTS, HEARINGS ARE GOING
TO BE TAKEN ONLY IN-PERSON
PUBLIC COMMENT.
JUST AS A REMINDER, AT ALL OF
THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT PARK
MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE IN
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, WE ACCEPT
VIRTUAL COMMENT.
THIS IS REALLY AN ADDITIONAL
SUPPLEMENTAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US
TO GET TO WONG LOCATION SOUTH
SEATTLE, ONE LOCATION NORTH
SEATTLE AND HAVE SHOULD
ADDITIONAL IN-PERSON
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS TO
COMMENT, WHO OTHERWISE MIGHT
NOT BE ABLE TO GET DOWNTOWN TO
PARTICIPATE IN OUR DISTRICT
PARK MEETINGS.
JUST WANTED TO REMIND PEOPLE OF
THAT OPPORTUNITY.
I'M GOING TO MAKE ANOTHER
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THEM
ON COUNCIL BRIEFING NEXT
MONDAY, AND PROBABLY SEND OUT A
FORMAL STATEMENT ABOUT THOSE
COMMENTS OR ABOUT THOSE
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMING
DAYS.
BUT JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE,
FOR THOSE OF YOU WATCHING, AND
FOLLOWING THE METROPOLITAN PARK
DISTRICT, THERE ARE GOING TO BE
TWO OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO
PROVIDE IN-PERSON FEEDBACK.
WITH THAT, COLLEAGUES, IT IS
3:35 P.M.
AND HEARING NO ADDITIONAL
BUSINESS, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD
AND ADJOURN THIS MEETING OF THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC ASSETS AND
HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU.