>> GOOD AFTERNOON , NOVEMBER
25th , 2024, THE CITY COUNCIL
BRIEFING WILL COME TO ORDER AND
THE TIME IS TO: 02. PLEASE CALL
THE ROLE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO ?
>> PRESENT .
>> HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> HERE.
>> MOORE?
>> HERE.
>> MORALES?
>> HERE.
>> SAKA? STRAUSS?
>> PRESENT.
>> NELSON?
>> PRESENT.
>> THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER
23rd AND OCTOBER 23rd WILL BE
ADOPTED. TODAY , WE HAVE A
BRIEFING IN FRONT OF THE OFFICE
OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL STATE TEAM
WITH THE 25 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA,
AND OUR ROUND-ROBIN AND WE CAN
MAKE REMARKS TO COUNCILMEMBER
WOO ON HER LAST DAY. WE PASSED
A BUDGET, WE ADOPTED A BUDGET
AND I WANT TO COMMEND MAYOR
HARRELL FOR A BALANCED BUDGET
THAT MAKES HISTORIC INVESTMENTS
IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING . AND
EXTENDING A HUGE THANK YOU AND
MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO ALL OF
YOU AND OUR CHAIR STRAUSS FOR
YOUR WORK DURING THE PAST TWO
MONTHS , IT IS A HUGE EFFORT
AND I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH
FOR YOUR DILIGENCE, CURIOSITY ,
YOUR ATTENTION TO DETAIL, AND
YOUR CARING AS YOU MADE SOME
AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET, TO
THE BALANCING PACKAGE , AND WE
CAME UP WITH A BUDGET THAT IS
RESPONSIBLE TO OUR CONSTITUENTS
NEEDS. OF COURSE, CENTRAL
STAFF, WHO HUNG WITH US EVERY
STEP OF THE WAY. BEN, YOLANDA,
YOUR TEAM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
WORK UP TO THE LAST MINUTE. IT
TAKES A VILLAGE TO ADOPT A
BUDGET. I EXTEND MY GRATITUDE
TO OUR -- THE REST OF OUR
SUPPORT STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT
AT THE SECURITY IN CHAMBERS
DURING THE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND
ALL OF OUR MEETINGS. WE
FUNCTION AS A GOOD TEAM AND I
REALLY APPRECIATE THAT . AND
EVERYBODY'S WORK ON THIS. I AM
SORRY IF I'M OVERLOOKING
ANYONE TO THINK , ALSO, THE
MAYOR'S STAFF, BUDGET OFFICE
STAFF RESPONDING TO OUR
QUESTIONS. I HOPE EVERYBODY HAS
A RESTFUL HOLIDAY WEEK. AND YOU
TREAT YOURSELF IN WAYS YOU HAVE
NOT BEEN ABLE TO IN THE PAST
FEW WEEKS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
OKAY, WITH THAT, JUST A SECOND.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> THE AGENDA WAS ABOUT TO BE
ADOPTED BUT I WANT TO MEND -- I
MEANT TO HAVE DOWNTOWN GO
FIRST. -- AMEND TO HAVE
DOWNTOWN GO FIRST.
>> THAT IS NOT IN MY SCRIPT.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO?
>> SIGNED A LETTER -- SIGN THE
LETTER FIRST BEFORE WE GET INTO
THE PRESENTATION ?
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? CAN
YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IS GOING ON ,
IS THERE A TIME CRUNCH ?
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, YES ,
THE LETTER IS FOR FELLOW PARKS
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, ALL ARE
WELCOME TO SIGN AS WELL. WE
HAVE HAD MULTIPLE MEETINGS WITH
THE STAKEHOLDERS ON PARK , CITY
LIGHT, SDOT, PARKS FOUNDATION,
MAYOR'S OFFICE , THERE IS NO
GREEN SPACE PARK THERE.
>> GOT IT. IS THERE ANY
OBJECTION TO DO THIS FIRST
BEFORE OUR PRESENTATION WITH
OIR ? SEEING NONE , CONTINUE.
>> WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO
WITH THIS LETTER, TO ASSIST IN
GAINING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR
THE PARK. THIS WILL HELP
SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATION
BECAUSE IT SHOWS GOVERNMENT
INTENT AS IT RELATES TO PORTAGE
PARK. THIS GOES TO WHAT THEY
WILL BE DOING WITH THE VARIOUS
DEPARTMENTS I ASK, FOR ALL
THOSE REASONS, OR THE PARKS
COMMITTEE MEMBERS , TO SIGN
THIS LETTER. IN TERMS OF THE
MEETING, ACKNOWLEDGING AND TO
SAY AYE IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO
SUPPORT THE STAFF SHOULD HAVE
GOTTEN THE BACKGROUND. I HAVE
BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A
LONG TIME. THIS IS WHERE THE
VIADUCT WENT INTO THE TUNNEL,
JUST TO THE WEST OF THE PORTAL
BENCH OFF OF FIRST AVENUE.
>> I DROVE BY THAT WITH MY
FAMILY THIS WEEKEND AND I
EXPLAINED WHAT THAT IS . BEFORE
WE TAKE VOTES ON WHICH
COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO
SIGN THE LETTER, ANY FEEDBACKS
COLLEAGUES WOULD LIKE TO
PROVIDE? COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA ?
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY I DID
SPEAK WITH COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE
ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I HAD
QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE -- WHAT
THIS LETTER WOULD DO. WE HAVE
OTHER PRIORITIES AT THE PARKS
AS WELL. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF
THIS? I UNDERSTAND ,
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE , WE WANT
TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GIVING
PARKS THE INFORMATION AND OUR
DESIRE TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT,
AND , HOPEFULLY ADDED TO WHAT
ALREADY IS UNDER CONSIDERATION.
WE ARE NOT PRIORITIZING THIS
OVER THE LIST OF PRIORITIES BUT
THE ABILITY TO HAVE THEM LOOK
AT IT. I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO
FEEL LIKE SOMEHOW THAT IS
HAVING AN IMPACT . I REALLY
APPRECIATED OUR CONVERSATION
AND YOU CAN SHARE MORE. IT IS
NOT GOING TO REPRIORITIZE
SOMETHING ELSE WE ARE DOING,
BUT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO LOOK
AT IT.
>> NO RE-PRIORITIZATION. IN
ADDITION TO THE OTHER
STAKEHOLDERS, I SPOKE TO THE
DEPUTY MAYOR ABOUT THIS, HER
SUPPORT, AND THE SUPPORT OF THE
MAYOR FOR THIS , IT HAS GONE
INTO THE QUEUE. 2028 LIKELY.
THIS IS GOING INTO THE SYSTEM
AND THERE IS NO PRIORITIZATION
OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WHAT IS
KEY, GETTING TO THE STARTING
LINE FROM THE BUDGET PROCESS,
DOING THE INITIAL STUDY, AS
PART OF THIS WORK, WORKING WITH
THE SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATION,
WE CAN GET GRANTS, SO WE CAN
PULL IN OTHER MONEY GRANTS FROM
PUBLIC-PRIVATE TO BRING IN TO
MAKE A BETTER PROGRAM OVERALL ,
A BETTER OVERALL PROJECT. THAT
IS THE INTENT OF THIS LETTER,
NOTHING RELATED TO WHAT PARKS
IS DOING IN TERMS OF THE
SEQUENCING OF THE SCHEDULING.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK IT IS
IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO HEAR
THAT. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
KETTLE, FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.
AND FOR WORKING WITH THE OFFICE
OF THE MAYOR AND PARKS.
>> I THANK YOUR FOR YOUR FOCUS
AND RESPONSE TO YOUR
CONSTITUENTS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE THIS IS A
HIGH-PRIORITY FOR THEM. ANY
OTHER COMMENTS? OKAY. I AM
SEEING NONE. PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE ON MEMBERS WHO INTEND TO
SIGN THIS.
>> WOO?
>> YES.
>> HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> MOORE?
>> AYE.
>>> MORALES? YES.
>> RIVERA?
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> NELSON?
>> YES.
>> NINE SIGNATURES.
>> LET BEGIN , CAN OUR GUESTS
PLEASE APPROACH THE TABLE? THIS
IS A PRESENTATION FROM OUR
OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS TEAM , ADVOCATES FOR
TO THE INTERESTS. WE ARE GOING
TO BE -- THEY WILL BE BRIEFING
AS ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA .
ADDING TO OR WHATEVER. I
WELCOME YOU AND PLEASE COME
INTRODUCE YOURSELVES .
>> THANK YOU. I AM MINA
HASHEMI, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE
OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
.
>> I AM SAMIR JUNEJO STATE
RELATIONS DIRECTOR.
>> ANNA JOHNSON, STATE
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
COORDINATOR.
>> WE WILL BE VOTING ON THIS BY
RESOLUTION DECEMBER 3rd. THAT
IS WHY WE ARE HAVING THIS
PRESENTATION NOW, SO THERE IS
OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IT ALL IN.
WE HAVE HEARD FROM OUR ANALYST
FROM CENTRAL STAFF THAT, IF
THERE ARE ANY AMENDMENTS, THEY
NEED TO BE IN BY TOMORROW.
SORRY TO INTERRUPT. GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
NELSON AND COUNCILMEMBERS, WE
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
BE HERE THE CITY-STATE
RELATIONS TEAM HAS BEEN HARD AT
WORK PLANNING FOR THE 2025
SESSION AND WE ARE EXCITED TO
TALK ABOUT THE LAY OF THE LAND.
THE LEGISLATIVE TIMELINE, AND
THE CITY'S NEW AND IMPROVED
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA DRAFT. I
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
PARTICIPATION IN THE
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY SETTING
PROCESS AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT
TO REVAMPING THE AGENDA. AS YOU
KNOW, WE SOLICITED LEGISLATIVE
POLICY AND BUDGET PRIORITIES
FOR DEPARTMENTS,
COUNCILMEMBERS, AND THE OFFICE
OF THE MAYOR , WE PUT A LOT OF
THOUGHT AND EFFORT INTO GOING
THROUGH THIS LIST, LOOKING FOR
THE HIGHEST AGREED-UPON
PRIORITIES AND THEMES . YOU
WILL SEE THOSE HIGHEST
PRIORITIES REFLECTED IN THE
DRAFT AGENDA WHICH CLEARLY LAYS
OUT THE CITY'S PRESSING NEEDS
FOR THE 105 DAY LEGISLATIVE
SESSION IN JUST TWO PAGES . I
WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT WE TOOK
NOTE OF ALL PRIORITIES THAT
WERE SHARED WITH US AND OIR
WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK CITY
PRIORITIES AND TAKE POSITION
STANCES IN OLYMPIA OUTSIDE OF
WHAT IS FOUND ON THE OFFICIAL
AGENDA. WITH BUDGET CHALLENGES
, MULTIPLE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
, LEGISLATORS WILL BE FACED
WITH A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPETING
NEEDS IN 2025 AND A MORE
CONCISE AGENDA WILL SIGNAL TO
LEGISLATORS JUST HOW SERIOUS WE
ARE AS A CITY . OUR IN-HOUSE
LOBBYISTS AND CONTRACT
LOBBYISTS ARE ENGAGED WITH
LEGISLATORS AND STAKEHOLDERS
NOW TO FLOAT THESE PRIORITIES
AND FIND PROGRESS . WE LOOK
FORWARD TO KEEPING YOU ALL AND
THE PUBLIC UPDATED SESSION AT
OUR REGULAR LEGISLATIVE
BRIEFINGS AND, AGAIN , I WANT
TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
PARTNERSHIP . WE HOPE YOU WILL
USE AS A RESOURCE AND ADVOCATES
IN OLYMPIA THIS SESSION. I WILL
TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES,
SAMIR AND ANNA.
>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT
HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE LAST
TIME WE TALKED AND WHAT WE
EXPECT TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT
MONTH OR SO. WE ARE ENGAGING
WITH LEGISLATORS , PREPPING FOR
THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION .
TALKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS,
FINDING COALITION PARTNERS WITH
PRIORITIES, AND TRACKING
EMERGING ISSUES. THE NOVEMBER
ELECTION ALSO HAPPENED, AND A
NUMBER OF CHANGES TRANSPIRED
BECAUSE OF THAT , THE
INITIATIVES, FOUR ON THE
BALLOT, THREE DID NOT PASS AND
ONE RELATED TO NATURAL GAS DID
PASS, THE THREE WITH THE
BIGGEST BUDGET IMPACTS DID NOT
PASS . NEW GOVERNOR , NEW
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER , NEW
ATTORNEY GENERAL AND
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS.
ALL WILL BRING IN THEIR NEW
PRIORITIES , NEW BUDGET
PRIORITIES AND ENGAGING WITH
THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL A
NUMBER OF NEW LEGISLATORS.
THERE WILL BE A LOT OF NEW
FACES, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE
HOUSE WHO WENT TO THE SENATE --
SENATE DELEGATION, ONE NEW
REPRESENTATIVE, REPRESENTING
THE 43rd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.
THE MAKEUP ACROSS THE SENATE,
BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE, HOUSE
DEMOCRATS GAINED ONE SEAT ,
59-39 SEAT MAJORITY, AND SENATE
DEMOCRATS GAINED ONE SEAT,
30-19 SEAT MAJORITY. IN THE
COMING UP WEEKS, YOU WILL HEAR
ABOUT COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS,
AND ONE THING WE DO KNOW,
LEADERSHIP -- ELECTIONS TOOK
PLACE, ONE MAJOR NEW CHANGE,
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, FORMER
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER RETIRED
AND JAMIE PEDERSEN OF THE 43rd
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT IS THE NEW
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER. ALSO
NEXT WEEK, LEGISLATION BEING
FILED , LEGISLATORS CAN FILE
LEGISLATION AS EARLY AS THE
BEGINNING OF DECEMBER THE WEEK
OF THE NINTH , LEGISLATIVE
COMMITTEE DAYS, A CURRENT
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES MEET TO
HOLD WORK SESSIONS. FUNCTION AS
A PREVIEW OF THE LEGISLATIVE
SECTION -- SESSION. GIVE YOU AN
IDEA OF WHAT THE AGENDAS WILL
LOOK LIKE . AROUND THAT TIME,
THE RELEASE OF THE GOVERNOR'S
BUDGET, CURRENT GOVERNOR WILL
PROPOSE HIS BUDGET, PRESENTED
TO THE LEGISLATIVE IN JANUARY
BY THE NEW GOVERNOR. THIS IS A
105 DAY LONG SESSION, THEY WILL
BE WRITING BIENNIAL BUDGETS,
TWO YEAR OPERATING BUDGETS ,
AND TWO YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET.
>> I WANTED TO RUN YOU THROUGH
THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND
TIMELINE FOR 105 DAY SESSION TO
GET YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE
PACING AND DEADLINES THAT WE
WILL BE TRACKING THROUGHOUT THE
SESSION. STARTING THE SECOND
MONDAY OF JANUARY IS THE FIRST
DAY OF SESSION. THE NEXT CUT
OFF HIS POLICY, WHICH WILL
LIKELY HAVE IT MID FEBRUARY.
ALL LEGISLATION HAS TO START
AND POLICY COMMITTEE, IF IT HAS
A PHYSICAL NOTE, THE NEXT STOP
WOULD BE THE FISCAL CUT OFF
WHICH IS LATE FEBRUARY.
LEGISLATION HAS TO MAKE IT OUT
OF RULES AND COME TO THE FLOOR
BY THE NEXT DEADLINE, WHICH IS
EARLY MARCH, THAT IS CALLED THE
HOUSE OF ORIGIN CUT OFF .
LEGISLATION SWITCHES CHAMBERS ,
STARTING IN THE HOUSE AND GOES
TO THE SENATE , AND IT GOES TO
A SIMILAR PROCESS, STARTING IN
LATE MARCH, THERE IS THE
OPPOSITE CHAMBER POLICY CUT OFF
EARLY APRIL IS THE OPPOSITE
CHAMBER FISCAL CUT OFF, AND IN
APRIL IS THE OPPOSITE CHAMBER
FLOOR CUT OFF, AND END OF
SESSION, SINE DIE, THE END OF
APRIL. THIS TIME BUT DOES NOT
APPLY TO THE BUDGET BILLS AND
THERE IS DIFFERENT TIMELINES
FOR BILLS NECESSARY TO
IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET . THIS
GIVES YOU A SENSE OF HOW FAST
THINGS MOVE AND WHEN BILLS HAVE
TO MAKE KEY CUTOFFS. WE WANT TO
GIVE YOU A PREVIEW OF THE HOT
TOPICS THAT WE KNOW WILL COME
UP IN OLYMPIA. YOU MAY HAVE
BEEN HEARING ABOUT THESE AND
THE NEWS, SIMILAR TO OUR
SITUATION IN THE CITY, THE
STATE IS FACING UNPRECEDENTED
REVENUE SHORTFALLS AND BUDGET
CONSTRAINTS. BECAUSE OF
DECLINING REVENUES , MAINLY FOR
THE STATE, CAPITAL GAINS TAX
REVENUE, SALES TAX REVENUE HAVE
BEEN COMING UNDER PROJECTIONS.
WHAT WE KNOW, THE LEGISLATORS
ARE GOING TO BE FACING BOTH A
BUDGET DEFICIT BUDGET
REDUCTIONS IN THE NEXT BIENNIUM
AND FUTURE BIENNIUM FOR THE
NEXT THREE YEARS, A SHORTFALL
BETWEEN $10 BILLION AND $12
BILLION FOR THE STATE, TO FILL
THAT GAP AND MAINTAIN FUNDING
AND PROGRAMS , AND PROMISED
SERVICES, THE STATE WILL HAVE
TO CONTEMPLATE NEW REVENUE
SOURCES. THE BUDGET SHORTFALL
IS HAPPENING AMIDST INCREASED
COST FOR SERVICES, INCREASED
DEMAND FOR SERVICES. AND LOWER
REVENUE COLLECTIONS . SOME OF
THE NEW REVENUE OPTIONS THE
STATE IS CONTEMPLATING,
INCLUDING LIFTING THE ARBITRARY
CAP ON PROPERTY TAX ,
CONSIDERING A STATEWIDE PAYROLL
EXPENSE TAX, AND TRANSPORTATION
BUDGET THERE CONSIDERED A ROAD
USAGE CHARGE, RETAIL DELIVERY
FEE , CONVERSATIONS ABOUT
POSSIBLY ADJUSTING THE CAPITAL
GAINS TAX, AND OTHER
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE OPTIONS
THAT OTHER LEGISLATORS MAY BE
THINKING ABOUT A LOT OF OPTIONS
ON THE TABLE AND WE WILL KEEP
YOU APPRISED OF WHAT HAPPENS
AND WHAT REVENUE STRATEGIES THE
LEGISLATURE IS PRIORITIZING
ANOTHER AREA YOU HAVE BEEN
HEARING ABOUT BECAUSE WE ARE
FEELING THE STRAIN WITH SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS K-12 BASIC
EDUCATION AND FUNDING FOR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE STATE
PROJECTS THAT THE CURRENT
SYSTEM , CURRENT K-12 SYSTEM ,
REQUIRING ADDITIONAL
INVESTMENTS TO MAINTAIN
SERVICES , INCLUDING SPECIAL
EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION,
GENERAL OPERATION COSTS, COSTS
FOR STUDENT WELL-BEING, AND THE
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
AND PUBLIC INSTRUCTION IS
PROPOSING ABOUT $4 BILLION PER
YEAR PROPOSED INCREASE FOR K-12
SPENDING. ANOTHER HOT TOPIC IS
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY WE WILL
PROBABLY SEE A LOT OF
STRATEGIES COME UP TO INCREASE
HOUSING STOCK IN OUR CITY AND
IN OUR STATE . THERE WILL BE
EFFORTS TO STABILIZE THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING SECTOR AND
PROPOSE A ROUTE RENT
STABILIZATION, A BILL
INTRODUCED LAST SESSION. IT
PROPOSES CAPPING RENTS , RENT
INCREASES TO 7% ANNUALLY WITH
OTHER PROTECTIONS. FINALLY ,
PUBLIC SAFETY , THERE IS LIKELY
GOING TO BE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT
GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION,
INCREASING RETENTION FOR LAW
ENFORCEMENT , AND FUNDING FOR
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, A KEY POLICY
FORM FOR THE INCOMING GOVERNOR
, FERGUSON, AND POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY , AND CONTINUED
TO ADDRESS THE BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH CRISIS AND THOSE
SUFFERING FROM SUBSTANCE USE
DISORDER. OKAY. WE WILL
TRANSITION TO TALK ABOUT OUR
CITY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. AS
THE DIRECTOR MENTIONED, WE ARE
APPRECIATIVE THAT YOU PROVIDED
FEEDBACK AND WE HAVE A
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ILLUSTRATED
ON THE SLIDE. STARTING WITH
PUBLIC SAFETY , WE WILL TALK
THROUGH WHAT IS ON OUR TWO
PAGES, IF THERE ARE UPDATES AND
STATUS REPORTS, WE WILL PROVIDE
THOSE AS WELL. PUBLIC SAFETY ,
WE HAVE A PRIORITY RELATED TO
CHAMPIONING LEGISLATION WHICH
FOSTERS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR
EVERYONE, GIVING LOCAL
JURISDICTION TOOLS AND FUNDING
TO UPHOLD JUSTICE, AND HOLD
THOSE WHO VIOLATE THE LAW
ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR ACTIONS.
WE HAVE A GUN VIOLENCE
PREVENTION, PRIORITY, THAT
REQUIRES THE RESTRICTIONS OF
FIREARMS IN CITY BUILDINGS AND
PARKS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS,
STOPPING THE -- ADDITIONALLY,
WE WANT TO SUPPORT THE
EXPANSION AND USE OF SEATTLE'S
CARE TEAM AND INCREASE 911
RESPONSES. WE WANT TO UPDATE
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY
ARBITRATION RULES AND
PROCEDURES TO MAKE SURE
DISCIPLINE FOR MISCONDUCT IS
FAIR AND CONSISTENT. WE HAVE A
PARTY RELATED TO -- PRIORITY TO
RETAINING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND
FUNDING TO HELP US GET THERE WE
WANT TO SEE THE CONTINUOUS OF
THE STATE COVERING 100% OF THE
BASIC LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY
COST, PREVIOUSLY THERE HAS BEEN
A REQUIREMENT FOR LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS TO PAY 25% OF THE
COST. ADDITIONALLY , WE WANT TO
SEE IMPROVED PUBLIC SAFETY
INFRASTRUCTURE. INCLUDING, OUR
ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO HIRE PRO
TEM JUDGES THAT RESIDE OUTSIDE
OF THE CITY. SOMETHING AFFORDED
TO ALL OTHER MUNICIPAL COURTS
AND WE WANT TO HAVE THE SAME
ABILITY. NEXT, FEDERALLY
ACCREDITED LABS TO CONDUCT
TESTING OF OUR BLOOD SAMPLES
AND PRESUMED DRUG AND LIQUOR
INTOXICATION CASES, THERE IS A
BACKLOG AT THE WASHINGTON
PATROL DOXOLOGY LEFT AND THEY
PRIORITIZE EVIDENCE TESTING FOR
FELONIES , AND IF WE WANT TO,
USE PRIVATE OR FEDERALLY
ACCREDITED LABS TO SEND OUR
EVIDENCE TO. IN THE PUBLIC
SAFETY, FINALLY , HELPING
ADVANCED OUR REGION ZERO GOALS
INCLUDING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND
SAFE SYSTEMS APPROACH,
SIDEWALKS , FUNDING FOR AURORA,
MOVE AHEAD PACKAGE, AND POLICY
CHANGES THAT ALLOW US TO HAVE
SHARED STREETS WHERE
PEDESTRIANS CAN'T ROAM. -- THE
BEST CHANCE CAN ROAM.
>> BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
PRIORITIES, FUNDING THE
MANAGEMENT SUBSTANCE USE
DISORDER TREATMENT . ALSO
INCLUDED , LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT
, MORE FACILITIES IN SEATTLE,
WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN GET
TREATMENT . WE ALSO ASKED THE
LEGISLATURE TO HELP US WITH THE
INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT SYSTEM BY
IMPROVING THE CAPACITY AND
MAKING IT MORE EFFECTIVE. AND
USEFUL FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
LASTLY , WE ASKED THE
LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE FUNDING
FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO
STUDENTS AND INVEST IN PROGRAMS
AND CAPITAL PROJECTS LIKE THE
RED BARN RANCH TO SUPPORT
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF
OUR YOUTH.
>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
SMALL BUSINESS, WE ASKED THE
LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT SMALL
BUSINESSES BY INTRODUCING COST
PRESSURES, CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS, INSURANCE,
ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT, PUBLIC
SAFETY ISSUES. WE ALSO WOULD
LIKE TO HAVE SUPPORT FOR
SPECIAL EVENTS LIKE THE WORLD
CUP , ALLOWING FLEXIBLE
MOVEMENT OF FOOD AND DRINK LIKE
ALCOHOL IN OUR PUBLIC SPACES .
WE ASKED TO CREATE A FAST AND
RESPONSIVE GRAFFITI ABATEMENT
PROCESS ALONG OUR I-FIVE TO
ALLOW FOR MORE -- HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS PRIORITIES , THE
FIRST ONE IS TO IMPROVE OUR
RESOLUTION PROGRAM, MORE URGENT
RESPONSES , ADDITIONAL FUNDING
FOR ACTIVATION OF OUR RIGHTS OF
WAYS. TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE
SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL AND
FAMILY ASYLUM-SEEKERS BY
FUNDING AND PRIORITIZING THE
STATE SYSTEM. WE ALSO ASKED FOR
SUPPORT FOR STABILIZATION TO A
RANGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
OPTIONS INCLUDING PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND
WORKFORCE HOUSING AND PROVIDING
CAPITAL OPERATING BENEFITS AND
SERVICES. WE ASK TO PROVIDE
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS FOR
THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN , AND TO
INCREASE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPTIONS
.
>> NEXT COME OUR CLIMATE AND
ENVIRONMENT PRIORITIES, WE
ASKED THE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT
RECYCLING TO MAKE CURBSIDE
RECYCLING EASIER AND CHEAPER
FOR RESIDENTS . WE WANT TO
PROMOTE AND IT'S A DIVIDE
ENERGY EFFICIENCY --
INCENTIVIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY,
AND ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO
FUND AND THE CAPITAL BUDGET A
DECRIMINALIZATION PROJECT AT
THE SEATTLE CENTER TO REDUCE
NATURAL GAS OMISSIONS AT THE
CAMPUS. ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR
SERVICES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,
INCLUDING OUR PRIORITY OF
LIFTING THE ARBITRARY PROPERTY
TAX CAP ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,
AS WELL AS FULLY FUNDING K-12
AND ALL THE NECESSARY SERVICES
INCLUDING STUDENT MENTAL
HEALTH, THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO
SEE HERE IN SEATTLE. FINALLY,
EFFORTS TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE
CHILDCARE, INCLUDING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITIES,
INCREASING WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT.
>> SO, WE WANT TO REMIND YOU OF
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT DURING THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION, SIMILAR TO
THE FIRST ONE THIS YEAR, WE
BRIEFED COUNCIL REGULARLY ON
THE PROGRESS IN OLYMPIA AND WE
GIVE YOU A SUMMARIZED REPORT ON
WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
WERE FROM THE PREVIOUS WEEK,
BUT POSITION WE TOOK ON BILLS,
AND A WEEKLY COUNCIL BULLETIN
WHAT BILLS WE ARE TRACKING ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY AND PROVIDE
YOU A HEARING SCHEDULE, AND
GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITY OR YOU CAN
WORK THIS TEAM, WE ARE HERE TO
HELP AND CAN MEET WITH YOU OR
YOUR STAFF OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL
BRIEFINGS IF YOU WISH. THAT
CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATIONS AND
WE WILL TAKE QUESTIONS.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE HAS HIS
HAND UP , BUT FIRST, THANK YOU
SO MUCH FOR SHORTENING AND
STREAMLINING THIS AND MAKING A
MORE USER-FRIENDLY AND
MEMORABLE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE
OF THE LEGISLATIVE STAFF AND
MEMBERS. THE LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA, TWO PAGES -- IT TOOK A
LOT OF WORK TO PARE DOWN 16
PAGES TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO PUT
ON TWO, IN ADDITION TO
BALANCING THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN OUR PRIORITIES AND THE
MAYOR'S. THANK YOU, I
APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT WENT
INTO THIS. COUNCILMEMBER
KETTLE?
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE
WORK ON THIS AND OUR
COORDINATION, AND THE MAYOR'S
TEAM, ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY SIDE
OF THINGS, I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE
A GOOD PUBLIC SAFETY, DEDICATED
PUBLIC SAFETY HERE, AND I
APPRECIATE THE ELEMENTS THAT
PLAY INTO PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC
HEALTH, TIE-INS IN TERMS OF
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, THE
INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT THESE,
THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT.
ADDITIONALLY, DID I SEE IT? THE
GRAFFITI PIECE. ALL THESE ARE
VERY IMPORTANT ACROSS THE BOARD
AS WE TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD. I
NOTED, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING
BECAUSE WE DID THIS ORDINATION
BEFORE. ONE THING I NOTED,
COMING TO ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR
SERVICES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,
I APPRECIATE ANY BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH PIECE, A REFERENCE FOR
INCREASED FUNDING FOR MENTAL
HEALTH SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS .
FOR CONSIDERATION, FULLY FUND
K-12 EDUCATION AND SUPPORT , WE
HAVE THAT LIST, MAYBE MENTAL
HEALTH COMMA, DOUBLE TAP , SO
THEY GET IT, IT IS IMPORTANT,
AS WE TALK ABOUT BUDGET, I
THINK, THAT SECOND BULLET ON
THIS ADEQUATE FUNDING AND
SERVICES SLIDE, YOU HAVE A
COMMA BEFORE "MENTAL HEALTH "
WOULD BE A NICE TOUCH. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
>> TRYING TO FIND WHERE THE
COMMA SHOULD GO. COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA?
>> THANK YOU FOR THE
PRESENTATION I APPRECIATE THE
SLIMMED-DOWN PIECE . I KNOW WE
WILL GET MORE INFORMATION
BECAUSE YOU WILL SHARE THE
NUMBERS OF THE BILLS AND WHAT
THEY DO WHICH WILL GIVE US AN
OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN WITH
OLYMPIA AND SEND LETTERS OF
SUPPORT. I REALLY APPRECIATE
YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN HELPING US
DO THAT. I WILL SAY , EDUCATION
PIECE , SUBSEQUENT TO THIS PAST
WEEK WHERE IT WAS ANNOUNCED
THAT PRESCHOOL , THERE MAY BE A
CUT TO THE PRESCHOOL
INVESTMENTS AT THE STATE LEVEL,
I WOULD ADD THAT TO THIS
BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS
CRITICAL IN SEATTLE , ACROSS
THE STATE. I WAS NOT HAPPY TO
HEAR THAT IS SOMETHING THAT
OSPI, THAT IS NOT K-12, HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT I IMAGINE
AT THE STATE LEVEL, IS
CONSIDERING HAVING TO DO, I
WANT TO EXPRESS MY -- I DO NOT
SUPPORT CUTTING INVESTMENTS ON
THE PRESCHOOL SIDE . WE KNOW
THAT PRESCHOOL IS REALLY
IMPORTANT TO KINDERGARTEN
READINESS AND AT THE THIRD
GRADE LEVEL , IT HAS HUGE
IMPACTS TO HOW THE -- A
CHILD'S EDUCATION PATHWAY TO
HAVE PRESCHOOL, YOU ARE MORE
SUCCESSFUL ON THE BACKEND WHEN
THEY HAVE THAT ON THE FRONT
END, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
SUPPORTING THOSE INVESTMENTS. I
AM TELLING OLYMPIA WE WANT TO
CONTINUE AND NOT CUT THE
PRESCHOOL INVESTMENTS . I
WANTED TO ADD THAT TO THE LIST.
IT IS A MORE RECENT
DEVELOPMENT, THAT WE JUST FOUND
OUT LAST WEEK, PUBLIC AFTER YOU
PUT THIS TOGETHER . I WANTED TO
FLAG THAT. THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> I WANT TO EXPRESS MY
APPRECIATION TO OIR TO HELP YOU
SHAPE THESE AND WORKING SO
CLOSELY WITH ME ON MY OFFICE.
PUTTING THIS GREAT PUNCHLIST
TOGETHER, LET'S BRING THEM TO
LIFE AND ADVOCATE. INCLUDING
MOST BUT NOT ALL OF MY
PRIORITIES ON THIS LIST.
INCLUDING HIRING MORE POLICE
OFFICERS , SOME OF THESE COOL
VISION ZERO INVESTMENTS FOR
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
UNIVERSAL , FREE SCHOOL MEALS
FOR ALL. WE HAVE SEEN ONE ON
THAT LATTER . WE HAVE SEEN
OTHER STATES LEAN IN THAT AREA,
INCLUDING GOVERNOR TIM WALZ,
THAT WAS ONE OF HIS SIGNATURE
PROGRAMS, IF IT IS GOOD ENOUGH
FOR MINNESOTA, WHERE I WAS BORN
, IT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON AS WELL AND
LET'S BRING THAT TO LIFE. EVEN
IN THE ABSENCE OF THAT, I HOPE
WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT AND ALL
OF THESE THINGS. ON THAT ONE, I
DO , AS I UNDERSTAND IT, I DO
BELIEVE THAT THE PRIOR TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION HAD TEMPORARILY
BROUGHT RELIEF AT THE FEDERAL
LEVEL, A UNIVERSAL FREE LUNCH
TO ALL PROGRAM TOWARDS THE END
OF HIS ADMINISTRATION . OF SOME
SORT. THAT MAY BE SOMETHING
THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY
EXPECT TO WORK WITH THE NEW
ADMINISTRATION ON GOING FORWARD
. EVEN PUTTING THAT ASIDE, IT
DOES NOT RELIEVE US OF OUR
STATE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THAT
AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN BRING THAT
TO LIFE. QUICK QUESTION ON THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROPERTY TAX
COMPONENT . POTENTIALLY LIFTING
THAT. A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF
THE HISTORY OF THAT . SOME OF
THESE ARE REOCCURRING ITEMS AND
HAVE BEEN ON THE AGENDA
MULTIPLE TIMES, SOME OF THEM
STAND GREATER CHANCES OF
PASSING THIS YEAR AND SOME NEXT
YEAR, BUT YOU HAVE TO KEEP
RAISING THEM. TO BETTER
UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF THAT,
PEOPLE OFTEN COMPLAIN AND
RIGHTFULLY SO, ABOUT A VERY
LARGE LEVIES WE SEE OVER AND
OVER AGAIN. ONE THING WE HAVE
LEARNED DURING THE
TRANSPORTATION LEVY ,
CONTRIBUTING FACTOR FOR WHY WE
HAVE LARGE LEVIES ,
TRANSPORTATION OR OTHERWISE ,
NOT THE ONLY REASON , BUT A
HUGE REASON IS BECAUSE IT IS A
DESIGN FEATURE OF THE CURRENT
SYSTEM, NOT A FLAW. WE ARE
CAPPED , WE CAN ONLY RAISE
ANNUAL PROPERTY TAXES AT 1% ,
EACH YEAR, AND NO MORE THAN
THAT. THAT DOES NOT ALLOW US TO
RAISE -- KEEP UP WITH
INFLATION. WHAT WE ARE SEEING
OVER AND OVER, INCREASINGLY
LARGE -- WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO
THE MOTORS AND GET APPROVAL. --
WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE
VOTERS AND SEEK APPROVAL. HOW
OFTEN HAS DISAPPEARED ON OUR
OLYMPIA LIST?
>> ON THE PROPERTY TAX BILL,
THAT HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY
CONSIDERED THE LAST TWO
SESSIONS, AND, THE VARIOUS
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, THE
ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON
CITIES AND COUNTIES, HAVE BEEN
AT THE FOREFRONT AND IT HAS
BEEN -- IT HAS GONE FAR, THERE
IS RENEWED INTEREST, ESPECIALLY
WITH THE SHORTFALLS FOR ALL
CITIES , ESPECIALLY CITIES
WITHOUT THE CAP ABILITIES OF
BRINGING LEVIES -- CAPABILITIES
OF BRINGING LEVIES. ONE OF THE
OPTIONS THEY WILL BE
CONSIDERING THIS YEAR FOR SURE
.
>> THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES ,
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR HARD
WORK. I WILL JUST SAY , I AM
CONSIDERING PROPOSING AN
AMENDMENT TO MODIFY THIS LIST
TO ADD ONE AND POTENTIALLY TWO
OF MY PARTIES THAT ARE NOT ON
HERE. ONE OF THEM I HAVE BEEN
TALKING ABOUT ALL YEAR, A
TECHNICAL FIX TO THE YOUTH
RIGHT TO COUNSEL LEGISLATION,
TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT HAPPENED
WITH THE FAMILY -- A TECHNICAL
FIX WITHOUT A PERMIT TO THAT ,
THE UNDERLYING FACTS FROM A
15-YEAR-OLD IN GUN DOWN ACROSS
THE STREET FROM A SCHOOL --
15-YEAR-OLD BEING GUNNED DOWN
ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE
SCHOOL, IT HAPPENED IN OTHER
INSTANCES ACROSS THE CITY, AND
, JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE
STATE ARE CONFUSED ABOUT WHEN
THAT LAW APPLIES AND WHEN IT
DOESN'T APPLY SOME ARE
ADVOCATING FOR APPEAL OF THAT,
I AM NOT, AND IF EVERYONE
AGREES IT SHOULD BE THERE , WHY
NOT CLARIFY WHEN IT APPLIES AND
WHEN IT DOESN'T? THAT MAY BE
ONE OF THEM. I WOULD ASK FOR
YOUR SUPPORT. I WILL 100% BE
WORKING ON THAT, WHETHER IT
APPEARS ON THIS LIST OR NOT, I
WILL BE WORKING ON THAT
PERSONALLY AND HELPING TO
CHAMPION THAT ONE ON THE CITY
LEVEL WORKING WITH THE FAMILY
OF THE VICTIM. THANK YOU , NO
FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
>> CAN I ASK A QUICK QUESTION?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> WHO IS THE SPONSOR OF THE
PROPERTY TAX BILL THAT WAS
ASKED ABOUT LAST YEAR?
>> I BELIEVE IT WAS SENATOR
JAMIE PEDERSEN .
>> OKAY, GREAT. THANK YOU. PART
OF OUR DELEGATION.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH ?
>> I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, ONE
OF THE THINGS I WANT TO FLAG, A
FARM BILL THAT HAS NOT BEEN
PASSED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, A
BILL INTRODUCED , $30 BILLION
LESS IN AUGUST THROUGH
COMMITTEE , HAS NOT BEEN PASSED
YET AND FARMERS ARE WAITING ON
THAT. THAT AFFECTS S.N.A.P. AND
PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT
NOT BEING FUNDED TO THE LEVELS
PREVIOUSLY AND HOW IT TRICKLES
DOWN TO THE STATE WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HERE
IN WASHINGTON STATE AND WITH
FOOD BANKS. I WANTED TO FLAG
THAT. I READ AN ARTICLE IT
STILL HAD NOT BEEN PASSED. I
DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WOULD
AFFECT OUR FOOD BANKS SYSTEM IN
THE CITY. THANK YOU.
>> WE PLAN TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF
FOOD SECURITY, INCLUDING FOOD
BANKS SUPPORT AND WE WILL LOOK
OUT FOR ANY SORT OF GAPS TO
FILL, TYPICALLY THROUGH DHSH.
>> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU
ADDRESSED PUBLIC SAFETY IN ITS
OWN SECTION. THAT IS WHAT I
HEAR FROM OUR SMALL BUSINESSES,
WANT TO KEEP THEM SOLVENT AND
IN SEATTLE. THANK YOU FOR THE
LINE WHERE IT SAYS, LET'S SEE,
INSURANCE , WE HAVE TALKED A
LOT ABOUT THAT, ALSO ,
ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT. WE HAD
AN AUDIT THAT WE WENT OVER A
SECOND TIME RECENTLY, THIS PAST
YEAR , THERE ARE
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAVE TO BE
-- CAN ONLY BE PERFORMED AT THE
STATE LEVEL. I SUPPORT THOSE
RECOMMENDATIONS . I HAVE HEARD
THAT A REPRESENTATIVE HAD A
RETAIL THEFT PROVISION OR BILL
THAT DID NOT ADVANCE. OFFLINE,
CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT AND
IF IT IS LIVE THIS YEAR?
>> SURE.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS? THANK YOU FOR TAKING
OUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITIES AND
APPROPRIATING THEM. HAVE FUN.
TO OUR NEW DIRECTOR, YES. THANK
YOU. AMENDMENTS TOMORROW ARE
DUE AND THIS WILL BE BEFORE US
ON DECEMBER 3rd. MOVING RIGHT
ALONG, WE HAVE ALREADY DONE THE
LETTER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
THAT. WE WILL NOW PROCEED TO
OUR NORMAL , USUAL ROUND-ROBIN
DISCUSSION OF THINGS THAT HAVE
HAPPENED AND WILL HAPPEN IN OUR
COMMUNITIES. WE HAVE BEEN BUSY
ON THE BUDGET, SO, LOWERING
EXPECTATIONS , BUT A CHANCE TO
RECOGNIZE COUNCILMEMBER WOO .
UNLESS ANYBODY ELSE HAS
ANYTHING COME OUR ROLLCALL
BEGINS WITH COUNCILMEMBER WOO .
>> IT HAS BEEN A WEEK OF
GOODBYES, I WILL MAKE THIS MY
STATEMENT. I HAVE GRATITUDE AS
MY TIME HERE COMES TO A CLOSE
OUR JOURNEY HAS BEEN REMARKABLE
IN THIS LAST 10 , 11 MONTHS .
LIKE MANY OF US, WHEN I STEPPED
INTO THIS ROLE, IT WAS NOT FOR
THE TITLE OR THE OFFICE OR THE
FAME. IT WAS FOR THE PEOPLE ,
FOR THE FAMILY STRIVING TO
CREATE A BETTER FUTURE , FOR
THE DREAMERS WHO EMBODY
RESILIENCE, ACTIVISTS PUSHING
FOR JUSTICE, AND SMALL BUSINESS
OWNERS LIKE MY FAMILY WHO POUR
THEIR HEARTS INTO KEEPING OUR
CITY DRIVING, IT WAS FOR
CHINATOWN, BEACON HILL, EVERY
COMMUNITY ACROSS SEATTLE I HAVE
HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE. I
CARRY WITH ME THE GENERATIONS
WHO CAME BEFORE ME, STORIES OF
RESILIENCE , HARD WORK, AND
HOPE, MY FAMILY'S JOURNEY FROM
RUNNING A LAUNDROMAT IN THE
FIRST CHINATOWN IN THE 1870S TO
BUILDING A LIFE IN THE CITY,
SHAPED MY COMMITMENT TO SERVE
AND UPLIFT OTHERS, THAT LEGACY
HAS DRIVEN EVERYTHING I HAVE
DONE ON THE COUNCIL, THERE IS
SO MUCH LEFT TO DO TO FIGHT
HATE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THE
PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN THE
CITY THIS YEAR DID NOT HAPPEN
JUST IN ISOLATION, IT WAS A
COLLECTIVE EFFORT. A COUPLE
PEOPLE I WANT TO THANK ,
COUNCIL STAFF WHO SHOWED UP
EVERY DAY WITH PASSION ,
DEDICATION, AND UNYIELDING
BELIEF IN THE POWER OF PUBLIC
SERVICE. THANK YOU . YOU WERE
THE FORCE THAT KEPT ALL OF US
MOVING FORWARD. TO MY
COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL,
WHETHER WE STOOD IN AGREEMENT
OR HAD DEBATE, I AM GRATEFUL
FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND YOUR
CHALLENGES. THIS WORK WAS NEVER
EASY BUT ALWAYS NECESSARY ,
EVERY CONVERSATION AND
LATE-NIGHT MEETING , PHONE
CALL, SHARED SUCCESS,
STRENGTHEN ME AS A LEADER AND A
BIT OF THE PEOPLE. I WOULD NAME
EVERY SINGLE THING BUT WE WOULD
BE HERE FOR HOURS. TO THE CITY
DEPARTMENTS, I WAS
COLLABORATING WITH THE OFFICE
OF ARTS AND CULTURE, SEATTLE
CITY LIGHT, SUSTAINABILITY,
BROAD VISION, AND EXPERTISE,
AND THAT MADE A REAL DIFFERENCE
IN THE LIVES OF ALL OF OUR
RESIDENTS FOR MY TEAM, I AM
FOREVER GRATEFUL, MY CHIEF OF
STAFF, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
FOCUS, MURPHY BUSH , OUR
OUTREACH DIRECTOR FOR KEEPING
US CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITIES
WE SERVE. OUR POLICY DIRECTOR
FOR YOUR SHARP THINKING AND
TIRELESS DEDICATION , YOU ALL
WERE THE BACKBONE OF OUR
MISSION AND I COULD NOT HAVE
DONE THIS WITHOUT YOU. TO MY
COMMUNITY, THANK YOU FOR
KEEPING ME ROOTED IN WHAT
MATTERS MOST, YOUR MONEY EVERY
DAY WHY WE FIGHT SO HARD FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SAFER
STREETS, YOU ARE MY GOD WHEN
THE PATHWAY FELT NOT CLEAR. TO
MY FAMILY IN THE FIRST ROW, MY
FOUNDATION, MY HEART, THANK YOU
FOR YOUR PATIENCE, LOVE , AND
SUPPORT, YOU SHOULD MEET WITH
THE CITY AND YOUR SACRIFICE
MADE MY WORK POSSIBLE. LOOKING
FORWARD, I AM PROUD OF WHAT WE
HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER FROM
ADVOCATING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
TO REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY,
TO ENSURING OUR COMMUNITY HAS A
SEAT AT THE TABLE. WE HAVE LEFT
A LASTING IMPRESSION. BUT THIS
IS NOT THE END OF THE WORK, IT
IS A TRANSITION FOR ME, MY TIME
ON THE COUNCIL MAY BE ENDING
BUT MY COMMITMENT TO SEATTLE IS
LIFELONG THE CITY, WITH ITS
DIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE AND
BALANCED POTENTIAL, IS A PART
OF WHO I AM, AND, AS I CLOSE
THIS CHAPTER, I DO SO WITH HOPE
IN THE HOPE THAT SEATTLE WILL
CONTINUE TO BE A PLACE WHERE
EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY
COME FROM OR WHO THEY ARE, HAS
THE CHANCE TO SUCCEED AND
THRIVE. THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING
IN ME. FOR TRUSTING ME TO
SERVE, IT HAS BEEN THE HONOR OF
A LIFETIME, THANK YOU AND THANK
YOU, SEATTLE , AND LET'S KEEP
BUILDING OUR CITY TOGETHER.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I
APPRECIATE THAT. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> HOW DO I FOLLOW THAT? THANK
YOU. YOUR HUSBAND IS THE BEST
REF WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOU,
SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP
AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. I KNOW
THAT THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
SO, TRANSITIONING INTO PARTS,
UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
MEETING, MEETING WEDNESDAY,
DECEMBER 11th AT 2:00 P.M., THE
JET IS BEING FORMED RIGHT NOW .
WE ANTICIPATE SOME LEGISLATION
FROM SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES
AND POTENTIALLY OTHER
DEPARTMENTS AS WELL. SOME
LAST-MINUTE THINGS THAT HAVE
COME UP ON THE CALENDAR. STILL
WORKING WITH THOSE CITY
DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE
HAVE ALL THAT INFORMATION. I
WILL BE POSTING IT SOON. THANK
YOU, COLLEAGUES, FOR BEARING
WITH US. I WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND GRACE
DURING THE METROPOLITAN PARKS
DISTRICT MEETING LAST WEEK AND
BEING FLEXIBLE THAT WAS IN THE
MIDDLE OF BUDGET AND I
APPRECIATE YOU ALL COMING TO
THAT MEETING. ALSO, I HAD
MEETINGS WITH OUR REGIONAL
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, WITH
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA , WE TALKED
ABOUT DATES, METRO, IMPROVE
SERVICE, TRANSPORTATION NUMBERS
AS WELL REGIONAL WATER QUALITY
COMMITTEE WITH COUNCILMEMBER
KENDALL. IN COMMUNITY , THERE
WERE TWO THINGS I WANTED TO
HIGHLIGHT, THAT HAPPENED ,
OPENING OF SAFEWAY ON QUEEN
ANNE, I GOT TO GO TO
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE'S
DISTRICT. THE COOL THING WITH
FOOD INSECURITY IN SEATTLE
ESPECIALLY WITH OUR GROCERY
STORES, PARTNERING WITH SEATTLE
PUBLIC UTILITIES AND THEY
ORGANIZED TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN
EXTEND THE LIFE OF FOOD AND BE
ABLE TO GET IT OUT TO THE
COMMUNITY . SO THERE IS ZERO
FOOD WASTE AT A LOT OF THESE
GROCERY STORES. ATTENDED THE
URBAN LEAGUE BREAKFAST WITH
OVER 2100 PEOPLE TO SEE THE
GREAT THINGS THE URBAN LAKE IS
DOING. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, A
SPECIAL THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO
THE JONES FAMILY, QUINCY JONES
PASSED AWAY, HE WAS BORN IN
CHICAGO BUT GREW UP IN SEATTLE
AT GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL ,
PHENOMENAL MUSICIAN. REALLY
MEANT A LOT TO THE CITY.
SEATTLE WAS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR
HIM AND WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST
JAZZ BANDS WHO PERFORMS I
QUINCY JONES HALL. REGINA
ROGERS FAMILY, SHE WAS A
BASKETBALL LEGEND IN SEATTLE,
SHE PASSED AWAY, PLAYED AT
UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON AND WAS
VERY WELL KNOWN IN OUR
COMMUNITY. SENDING THOUGHTS AND
PRAYERS TO HER FAMILY. THEY ARE
NOW TRANSITIONING TO THE INCEST
REAL LANDS. COUNCILMEMBER --
ANCESTRAL LANDS.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO, THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SERVICE. WISHING YOU
AND YOUR FAMILY ALL THE BEST. I
WANT TO START, THERE WILL BE NO
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
THIS WEEK. NEXT MEETING WILL BE
ON DECEMBER 10th. THE MAIN
PIECE OF THIS WILL BE LESS
LETHAL WEAPONS. THIS
LEGISLATION RELATES TO
MANAGEMENT AND THE CONSENT
DECREE. IN TERMS OF OFFICIAL
MEETINGS LAST WEEK, ON
THURSDAY, MET WITH THE KING
COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH, BEFORE
OUR BUDGET MEETING, SOME OTHERS
EARLIER IN THE MONTH.
ADDITIONAL ONE. IN TERMS OF
ASSISTING AND GET VARIOUS
MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE KING
COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH.
BRIEFINGS REGARDING VENDORS ,
SOME OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH
PIECES OF THE BUSINESSES , THE
FOOD SERVICE BUSINESSES .
IMPORTANT WORK A DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE PREVENTION COUNCIL
CORONATION MEETING ON FRIDAY
BEFORE THE DECEMBER MEETING.
ONE THING THAT CAME OUT OF
THAT, A PROCLAMATION RELATED TO
TODAY. I WANTED TO SAY, 2024 IS
25 YEARS SINCE THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY DESIGNATED NOVEMBER
25th AS INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR
THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE
AGAINST WOMEN. U.N. DEFINES IT
AS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
RESULTING IN PHYSICAL, SEXUAL,
PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM OR SUFFERING
TO WOMEN INCLUDING THREATS OF
COERCION, WHETHER IN PUBLIC OR
PRIVATE LIFE. A NUMBER OF
PIECES HERE, PROCLAMATION FROM
THE CITY, FROM THE MAYOR, THE
CITY OF SEATTLE INVESTED OVER
14 MILLION VOTES IN COMMUNITY
SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT , HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND
PARTNERS WITH 35 ORGANIZATIONS
TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO MORE
THAN 7500 SURVIVORS AND THEIR
FAMILIES EACH YEAR. LASTLY ,
THE CITY OF SEATTLE SUPPORTS A
WHOLE GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO
THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
PREVENTION COUNCIL ACT OF 19 AT
FIVE TO ADDRESS DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE RELATED HOMELESSNESS
AND IMPACTS ON CHILDREN'S,
INCREASED ACCOUNTABILITY FOR
PEOPLE THAT CAUSE HARM SPEED AT
INCREASED RISK OF SURVIVORS OF
THE SEX INDUSTRY, DRESS GANG
VIOLENCE AND IMPLEMENT
INTERVENTION. ADDRESS VIOLENCE
IN THE WORKPLACE AND SUPPORT
THE NEED FOR COORDINATED SYSTEM
RESPONSE. A LOT OF WORK THAT
HAS BEEN DONE. A LOT MORE WORK
THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I JUST
WANTED TO NOTE THAT TODAY IS
ELIMINATE VIOLENCE AGAINST
WOMEN AND GIRLS STAY IN
SEATTLE. WITH THAT SAID, I
WANTED TO SAY, NEXT WEEK, SOUTH
LAKE UNION ON TUESDAY AND
QUEEN AND COMMUNITY CANCEL --
QUEEN ANN COMMUNITY -- AS
NOTED, WE ALSO HAVE REGIONAL
WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING
NEXT WEEK , WEDNESDAY AS WELL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> NEXT MEETING OF HOUSING AND
HUMAN SERVICES WEDNESDAY ,
DECEMBER 11th. THE AGENDA IS
STILL BEING CRAFTED. DEPENDING
ON WHAT WE COME UP WITH FOR THE
AGENDA, THE MEETING -- I WILL
KEEP EVERYBODY ON MY COMMITTEE
POSTED ABOUT THAT. I WANT TO
TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK
EVERYONE AT CITY LIGHT FOR THE
PHENOMENAL WORK THAT THEY DO TO
RESTORE POWER . NORTH SEATTLE ,
PARTICULARLY DISTRICT 5 , WAS
VERY HARD HIT WITH THE BOMB
CYCLONE LAST WEEK. A LOT OF
TREES DOWN, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE
WITHOUT POWER AND CITY LIKE WAS
WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK IN THE
DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES . I
WANTED TO THANK THEM FOR DOING
A PHENOMENAL JOB. I WANT TO
THANK MY STAFF FOR FIELDING ALL
THE CALLS WE WERE GETTING AND
DOING A GREAT JOB HELPING
PEOPLE STAY ON TRACK AS TO WHEN
THEIR POWER WOULD BE RESTORED
AND ACCESSING RESOURCES . THANK
YOU FOR THAT. LAST BUT NOT
LEAST, I WANTED TO EXPRESS TO
COUNCILMEMBER WOO , MY GREAT
GRATITUDE AND PLEASURE IN
WORKING WITH YOU IN THIS
POSITION. I REMEMBER , FIRST
GETTING TO KNOW YOU WHEN WE
WERE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND
IT WAS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
SOMEBODY TO SHARE THE
EXPERIENCES OF GOING THROUGH
THOSE CANDIDATE FORUMS. AND
INTERVIEWS. I KNOW YOU WERE
GOING TO BE A GREAT
COUNCILMEMBER. THAT WAS THE
CASE . I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED
WORKING WITH YOU ON THE HOUSING
AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE,
THE COMPASSION AND THE
COMMITMENT YOU HAVE BROUGHT TO
ADDRESSING THOSE VERY DIFFICULT
ISSUES. I WAS VERY PLEASED TO
SERVE WITH YOU ON THE CITY LIKE
COMMITTEE . I THOUGHT YOUR
LEADERSHIP OF THAT COMMITTEE
WAS STELLAR AND YOU
ACCOMPLISHED GREAT THINGS AND
KEEPING RATES AFFORDABLE FOR
ALL OF US. AND MAKING SURE WE
CONTINUE TO PURSUE AFFORDABLE
OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE
STRUGGLING. JUST YOUR GENERAL
COMMITMENT TO THE CITY. I KNOW
THAT WILL CONTINUE AND I
GENUINELY BELIEVE THAT THE CITY
IS A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE OF
HAVING YOU HERE AND ALL THE
WORK YOU HAVE DONE AND WILL
CONTINUE TO DO. THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR THAT. I HAVE NOTHING
FURTHER.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, I DON'T HAVE A LOT.
NEXT WEEK, GROWTH MANAGEMENT
POLICY BOARD MEETING, AND WE DO
HAVE A LAND-USE COMMITTEE
MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER
4th , ONLY TWO ITEMS ON THE
AGENDA AT THIS POINT. ONE IS
12833, LIVING BUILDING
AMENDMENTS BILL , LEGISLATION
THAT CLARIFIES THAT PROJECTS IN
THE PILOT PROGRAM CAN USE
HEIGHT BONUSES TO EXCEED 145
FEET REGARDLESS OF LOT SIZE IN
OUR DOWNTOWN MIXED RESIDENTIAL
ZONE. WE DID HAVE A BRIEFING
AND DISCUSSION ALREADY , AND WE
HAD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS
BILL BEFORE THE BUDGET STARTED.
I WILL HAVE OPCD STAFF
AVAILABLE NEXT WEDNESDAY FOR
REFRESHER. I DO INTEND TO HAVE
A VOTE ON THE BILL NEXT WEEK.
AND 32516, SALES TAX EXEMPTION
REGULATION , POSSIBLE VOTE,
THIS RESOLUTION THE CLAIMS ARE
INTENDED TO ESTABLISH A NEW
SALES AND USE TAX DEFERRAL FOR
THE CONVERSION OF UTILIZED
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TO HOUSING
, A REQUIRED STEP IN THE
PROCESS TO ADOPT LEGISLATION
THAT WOULD ENACT OUR AUTHORITY
, GRANTED BY THE STATE, LAST
YEAR, SORRY , THIS YEAR, SENATE
BILL 6175 , THAT BECAME
EFFECTIVE LAST JUNE . FOR US TO
ACTIVATE THE TAX DEFERRAL , WE
HAVE TO PASS A RESOLUTION WITH
OUR INTENTION AND PROVIDE DRAFT
PROGRAM DOCUMENTS FOR REVIEW.
ALL OF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING
AND WE WILL BE SETTING A DATE
FOR PUBLIC HEARING FOR EARLY
NEXT YEAR. IN ORDER FOR US TO
DO THAT, WE HAVE TO GET THIS
RESOLUTION PASSED FIRST. THAT
IS WHAT WE WILL BE DOING NEXT
WEDNESDAY AT 2:00 P.M. THAT IS
ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. QUITE A LOT.
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> THANK YOU. LAST WEEK, I
ATTENDED THE URBAN LEAGUE
BREAKFAST IN SUPPORT OF THE
GREAT WORK THEY DO IN COMMUNITY
, GREAT TO GET TOGETHER WITH SO
MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND IT
REALLY BROUGHT A SILVER LINING
TO A VERY CLOUDY DAY. THAT WAS
REALLY GREAT. I WANT TO THANK
THE URBAN LEAGUE FOR INVITING
ME AND INCLUDING ME IN THAT
WONDERFUL CELEBRATION. I WANT
TO LEND MY GRATITUDE TO
COUNCILMEMBER WOO FOR HER
SERVICE AND HARD WORK AND
PARTNERSHIP ON THE COUNCIL THIS
PAST YEAR , WE WERE ABLE TO
ACCOMPLISH A LOT OF GREAT WORK
IN SUPPORT OF OUR RESIDENTS.
THIS WAS BECAUSE OF HER HARD
WORK. I LOOK FORWARD TO
CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU.
BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU ARE
GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO ALL THE
AMAZING WORK THAT YOU DO IN THE
COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, TANYA,
FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE
WORKED WITH YOU THIS YEAR AND
FOR ALL YOU DO IN THE
COMMUNITY. ALSO, I WANT TO SAY,
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE , WE HAVE
HAD SEVERAL SMALL BUSINESSES
BURGLARIZED IN THE D4,
ESPECIALLY IN THE WEDGEWOOD
AREA, SPD HAS BEEN RESPONDING
AND INVESTIGATING BUT WE SEE
DIFFICULTY FROM THE SHORTAGE OF
OFFICERS. WE HAVE HAD CRIME IN
AND AROUND THE PARK, I SPOKE
WITH THE NORTH PRECINCT CAPTAIN
ABOUT SOME OF THINGS THAT TOOK
PLACE BEFORE THE WEEKEND, I
WANT TO SAY THAT HER TEAM HAS
BEEN GATHERING INFORMATION
ABOUT THIS INCREASING CRIME.
AND SHE DOES CONTINUE TO HAVE
THE EMPHASIS PATROLS AT THE
PARK AT NIGHT. SHE IS LOOKING
INTO WHETHER THERE IS AN
ABILITY TO HAVE PATROLS DURING
THE DAY , BUT AS YOU KNOW, THE
STAFFING SHORTAGES CONTINUE TO
HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT . I WANT
TO THANK THE CAPTAIN AND HER
TEAM ALL THE WORK THEY ARE
DOING ON BEHALF OF THE
DISTRICT. AND JUST KNOW , FOR
ANYONE WHO MAY BE LOOKING, AND
FOR YOU WHILE WATCHING, FROM
THE DISTRICT AND TO YOU WHILE I
WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH, ON
THESE EVENTS, IN THE D4, TO
SEE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK
ON THIS. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE
WORK SHE IS DOING BECAUSE HER
TEAM IS DOING ALL THEY CAN AND
THEY CONTINUE TO DO MORE.
REALLY GRATEFUL FOR HER
PARTNERSHIP. I WILL REPORT OUT
MORE AS I GET MORE INFORMATION.
LASTLY, I WANT TO SAY THAT THE
NEXT MEETING OF THE LIBRARY
EDUCATION AND NEIGHBORHOOD
COMMITTEE WILL TAKE PLACE AT
9:30 A.M. ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER
12th, WE ARE GOING TO BE
HEARING ABOUT THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC LIBRARY'S 2024, THROUGH
2030 STRATEGIC PLAN, AND I WILL
ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE
GROWTH MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF
THE PR -- WITH COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES . THAT IS IT FOR ME,
UNLESS SOMEONE HAS QUESTIONS
COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION, IT IS
TROUBLING AND DISTURBING TO
HEAR ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON ON
35th AND IN AND AROUND MAGNUSON
PARK. YES, MORE OFFICERS WOULD
HELP IDENTIFY AND LET PEOPLE
KNOW, THIS QUARTER , FOR THE
FIRST TIME, THERE WILL BE A NET
POSITIVE IN THE NUMBER OF
OFFICERS HIRED INSTEAD OF
SEPARATED FROM OUR DEPARTMENT
WHICH IS GOOD NEWS. MY QUESTION
IS, IT IS CLEAR THAT YOUR
DISTRICT IS REALLY FOCUSED ON
WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND
MAGNUSON PARK I ATTENDED THE
PUBLIC SAFELY MEETING AND IT
WAS JAMPACKED. I LEARNED A LOT
. IS THERE ANY COORDINATION
THAT YOU CAN ENCOURAGE BETWEEN
PARKS AND SPD? LIGHTING?
>> THERE IS COORDINATION
BETWEEN SPD AND THE PARK
RANGERS, ALSO, THE CAPTAIN
WANTS TO COORDINATE WITH THE
PARK RANGERS NEXT SPRING WHEN
WE HAVE ACTIVITY WITH THE
PARTYING. IT IS CRIME IN AND
AROUND MAGNUSON AND 35th . AND
AROUND THE DISTRICT , IT HAS
INCREASED, WHICH IS WHY THE
CAPTAIN IS GATHERING
INFORMATION, SO WE KNOW WHAT
LEVEL OF INCREASE. WE REALLY
NEED TO GIVE MORE EMPHASIS TO
THAT DISTRICT BECAUSE IT HAS
INCREASED SO MUCH SINCE JUST
THE PARTYING AT THE PARK THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS
MANAGING. ALL OF THIS IS
SOMETHING THAT THE CAPTAIN IS
TRACKING, MONITORING , GIVING A
RESPONSE TO . THERE HAVE BEEN A
COUPLE OF ARRESTS ON SOME OF
THE INCIDENCES THAT HAVE
HAPPENED. THEY ARE WORKING HARD
AND AROUND-THE-CLOCK TO RESPOND
TO THAT INCREASED LEVEL OF
CRIME. IN AND AROUND THE PARK
AND IN THE OTHER AREAS OF THE
DISTRICT , INCLUDING WEDGEWOOD.
MORE TO COME ON THAT. I WILL
REACH OUT TO THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE. I HAVE TALKED ABOUT
THIS IN GENERAL AND I WILL BE
REACHING OUT AGAIN ABOUT THIS
INCREASED NUMBER OF INCIDENTS
IN THE DISTRICT. SO, I AM NOT
SURPRISED I AM NOT -- HEARING
MORE FROM CONSTITUENTS. WE WERE
MANAGING PARTYING AT THE PARK,
AND THAT IT IS INCREASED LEVEL
OF CRIME, CAR BREAK-INS AND
HOME BREAK-INS , THINGS OF THAT
NATURE, AND MORE FRIGHTENING,
MORE GUN VIOLENCE THAT WE HAVE
BEEN MANAGING. OF COURSE, NORTH
PRECINCT ALSO HANDLES D5, ALSO
INCREASED GUN VIOLENCE . THIS
IS IN ADDITION TO THAT. I WANT
TO SAY, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGED
CRIME IN THE D4 HAS INCREASED,
LEARNING MORE ABOUT WHAT THAT
LOOKS LIKE IN TERMS OF
PERCENTAGES. REGARDLESS , THE
CAPTAIN IS DOING EVERYTHING SHE
CAN FROM THE NORTH PRECINCT ,
THEY ARE BEING RESPONSIVE AND I
DO WANT CONSTITUENTS TO KNOW
THAT. IT IS FRUSTRATING , IT IS
FRUSTRATING FOR ME AS WELL. WE
WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS.
ALL OF US TOGETHER , INCLUDING
WITH THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR,
THEY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIVE AND
THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT
THIS AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
EVERYTHING YOU DO. CLEAR THERE
IS A LOT GOING ON WE DO NOT
KNOW ABOUT. COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
??
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY
SINCERE GRATITUDE AND
APPRECIATION TO COUNCILMEMBER
WOO FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR
OUR GREAT CITY THIS YEAR AS A
REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR CITY ON
THIS ESTEEMED BODY. I MADE
REMARKS EARLIER AND I DON'T
WANT TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE, BUT
I WANT TO RESTATE MY PERSONAL
APPRECIATION FOR YOU AND ALL
YOU DO, NOT A GOODBYE, UNTIL
NEXT TIME, THERE WILL BE MANY
MORE NEXT TIMES, LOOKING
FORWARD TO SUPPORTING YOU IN
OUR SHARED WORK IN MAKING
PROGRESS ON THESE ISSUES. WE
OFTEN CONTRIBUTE AND HELP IN
ANY NUMBER OF WAYS . ONE WAY IS
SITTING HERE AT THIS DAY IS BUT
IT IS NOT LIMITED TO THAT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP,
YOUR COLLABORATION, YOUR
COURAGE , YOUR SUPPORT AND
INVESTMENT FOR ALL COMMUNITIES
IN SEATTLE. ESPECIALLY AND
INCLUDED THE CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT. WE WILL
CONTINUE TO CARRY FORWARD YOUR
GREAT LEGACY OF SERVICE IN SO
MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. AGAIN,
CONTINUE TO PARTNER TOGETHER.
THANK YOU, AGAIN . I AM
INSPIRED BY YOUR RESILIENCE ,
YOU FACED A LOT, I WILL BE
HONEST , I DON'T ALWAYS HAVE
THAT MAGNANIMITY AND ABILITY TO
TURN THE OTHER CHEEK LIKE YOU
AND -- LIKE YOU HAVE
DEMONSTRATED. I DO APPRECIATE
YOU AND YOUR BOLD LEADERSHIP ON
ANY NUMBER OF THINGS . THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WOO . ON THE
BUDGET, BUDGET! BUDGET! I AM
WEARING A SHIRT -- LET ME STAND
UP TO PEOPLE ON THE SEATTLE
CHANNEL CAN SEE. WE NEED TO
TAKE LESSONS FROM EVERYONE,
WEIRD SEEING MYSELF ON THE
SCREEN, THIS IS FROM THE GREAT
PHILOSOPHER AND FUTURE PRO
FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER,
MARSHAWN LYNCH , WHEN HE
COMMANDED US TO TAKE CARE OF
YOUR MENTAL, BODIES, CHICKEN.
ONLY APPROPRIATE I WEAR THE
T-SHIRT. NOT JUST TALKING TO
THE YOUNGSTERS, CUTTING THEIR
TEETH IN THE NFL, LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS CAN AND SHOULD TAKE
LESSONS, WE ARE , WE LOVE YOU,
BEAST MODE, WE PUT OURSELVES ON
A PATHWAY TO BUDGET REFORM IN
OUR CITY BY TAKING CARE OF OUR
CHICKEN. MORE TO COME. THANK
YOU, COUNCIL COLLEAGUES ,
CENTRAL STAFF , MY OWN STAFF,
ELAINE, IAN, THANK YOU TO OUR
CHAIR, STRAUSS, TO LEAD, THANK
YOU TO MAYOR HARRELL FOR
PROPOSING SUCH AN OUTSTANDING
INITIAL BUDGET TO BEGIN WITH.
BALANCED BUDGET TO BEGIN WITH
WE MADE EVEN BETTER. GOOD TO
HEAR WE HAVE STRENGTHENED
INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY ,
THAT IS REALLY COOL. SUCH A
GREAT PROCESS, SO MANY PEOPLE
TO BE GRATEFUL FOR, INCLUDING
THE JANITORIAL STAFF, SECURITY
, SPECIALISTS AND PERSONNEL.
LOOKING AT ONE OF OUR SECURITY
SPECIALIST WHO DOES A GREAT
JOB. CAN MERIDIAN , MY ALMA
MATER, GO ROYALS! I WANT TO
THANK EVERYBODY FOR SUCH A
GREAT PROCESS. ON THE BUDGET, I
WANT TO MENTION, THE CAMP LONG
FACILITY INCIDENT IN MY
DISTRICT A FEW WEEKS AGO,
TOWARDS THE END OF THE BUDGET,
IT WAS A BIT TOO LATE TO
INTRODUCED ANYTHING BUDGET
-WISE TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION
BUT I HAVE SPOKEN PERSONALLY ON
THE PUBLIC SAFETY TO ADVANCE
AND ADDRESS THE PUBLIC SAFETY
DIMENSIONS OF THIS, I SPOKE TO
THE DEPUTY MAYOR ON THE PARKS
COMPONENT OF THE CAMP LONG
SITUATION, AND WE ARE IN TOUCH
AND ALIGNED. STILL VERY MUCH IN
A GATHERING STAGE . I SHARED
SOME OF THIS IN AN EARLIER
NEWSLETTER, INCLUDING, NOT JUST
THE UNDERLYING ARSON , BUT
INSURANCE , REPORTING, GETTING
A BETTER SENSE OF THAT. TOO
PREMATURE TO PROPOSE ANYTHING
IN THIS BUDGET . SUPPLEMENTAL
BUDGETS AND THAT IS WHY THEY
ARE HERE. WE WILL EXAMINE THE
NEED BECAUSE WE WANT TO BUILD
BACK AND WE WANT TO BUILD BACK
BETTER THAN THIS IS A PRIORITY
FOR ME IN MY OFFICE I DON'T
HAVE THE PLEASURE OF SITTING ON
THE PARKS COMMITTEE, BUT , THIS
IS A PRIORITY FOR MY OFFICE AND
WE WILL BE CLOSELY TRACKING
THAT. I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH HAVE HAD
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS AND
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO HER AS
WELL. MOVING ON TO MY OWN
COMMITTEE, TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE, WE HAVE CANCELED THE
FIRST REGULARLY SCHEDULED
MEETING ON DECEMBER 3rd. WE DID
THAT FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.
WE DID IT IN PART TO TRY TO BE
A BETTER COLLEAGUE AND HELP
FACILITATE. THE ON BOARDING OF
THE COUNCILMEMBER ELECT. IT IS
NOT SUPER CRAZY, WELCOME TO
COUNCIL, HERE IS A HIGHLY
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE STAFF . WE
WILL HAVE A MEETING ON DECEMBER
17th , THAT WILL BE THE NEXT
ONE FINALIZING THE AGENDA.
REGIONAL TRANSIT COMMITTEE ,
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH
JOINED THAT, GREAT REGIONAL
COMMITTEE, WE TALKED ABOUT A
NUMBER OF THINGS, INCLUDING
IMPROVING TRANSIT RELIABILITY
AND SERVICE, KEY PERFORMANCE
METRICS AND DASHBOARDS,
INCLUDING SOMETHING THAT IS
IMPORTANT TO ME , BENCHMARKING
OUR PERFORMANCE ACROSS SIMILAR
SIZED TRANSIT AGENCIES ACROSS
THE COUNTRY. GOOD TO SEE WHERE
WE ARE WITH THOSE KEY
PERFORMANCE METRICS. IF WE
UNDERSTAND, NEVER A DIRECT
APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON BUT
WE CAN DRIVE KEY INSIGHTS AND
MEASURE OURSELVES AGAINST
OTHERS. WE TOOK INITIAL STEPS
TO DO THAT AT REGIONAL TRANSIT
COMMITTEE LAST WEEK. I ATTENDED
THE URBAN LEAGUE BREAKFAST LAST
WEEK. GREAT TO BE IN THEIR. I
HAVE BEEN HONORED TO BE A PART
OF THAT JOURNEY. OF THAT
ORGANIZATION BEFORE I WAS
ELECTED. I SERVED ON THE BOARD.
IT WAS A SCRAPPY BOARD , 12
EMPLOYEES AT THE TIME , NOW
THERE ARE OVER 100 EMPLOYEES .
A SHOUT OUT TO THE CEO AND
PRESIDENT OF THE URBAN LEAGUE,
MICHELLE MERIWETHER, DOING SUCH
GREAT WORK FOR THE LEAGUE AND
OUR BROADER COMMUNITIES ACROSS
THE SEATTLE REGION. LET ME BE
TRANSPARENT, YES, I SERVED ON
THE BOARD OF YOUR BELIEF AND
PROUD OF IT, GREAT TO WITNESS
THEIR JOURNEY AND BE A PART OF
THE EARLY SUCCESS. NOW, ADD A
NEW LEVEL IN TERMS OF THE
IMPACT. GREAT TO WITNESS SOME
OF THAT AND BE THERE
PERSONALLY. FINALLY, NEXT WEEK
, AN UPCOMING PROCLAMATION THAT
ME AND MY OFFICE WILL PUT
FORWARD WITH MAYOR HARRELL . WE
WILL BE ASKING FOR YOUR
SUPPORT. REALLY EXCITING
PROCLAMATION , VERY IMPORTANT
WORK. YOU SEE THE EMAIL. THAT
IS ALL. I WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS
OR COMMENTS, A SHOUT OUT TO
BEAST MODE, WE LOVE YOU.
WELCOME QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
>> I I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS
ON THE BUDGET. THEY ARE
HEARTFELT AND SHARED. THEY
REMINDED ME I DID FORGET TO
THANK ONE VERY IMPORTANT
CONSTITUENCY, I WILL EXTEND
GRATITUDE TO OUR CONSTITUENTS
WHO CAME FORWARD AND EXPRESSED
THEIR PRIORITIES AND WHAT THEY
WANTED FROM US IN THE BUDGET,
AT TWO QUITE LONG PUBLIC
HEARINGS AND PUBLIC COMMENT AND
THROUGH MEETINGS , ET CETERA.
WE ARE LUCKY TO LIVE IN A CITY
WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SO FOCUSED
ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT . NOT THE
CASE EVERYWHERE. OUR
CONSTITUENCY IS PRETTY ENGAGED
AND I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU
TO YOU ALL. COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS ?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. THE COMMITTEE REPORT
FROM THE TRAVEL GOVERNMENT ,
THE COMMITTEE REPORT HERE, WE
PASSED OUR 2025-2026 BUDGET
LAST YEAR WITH A 8-1 VOTE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I DO
WEEKLY OFFICE HOURS AND , FOR
THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE
PANDEMIC, WE TOOK A BREAK WITH
OFFICE HOURS SO I COULD FOCUS
ON THE BUDGET PROCESS AND
PASSING THE BUDGET . WE WILL
RETURN, WE WILL WORK THROUGH A
BACKLOG , WE CURRENTLY HAVE
OVER 20 HOURS OF OFFICE HOURS
SET UP AND LOOKING TO SEE IF WE
CANNOT SCHEDULE MORE. FINALLY,
COUNCILMEMBER WOO , I WILL SAY
IT AGAIN, YOU CAME TO US AS THE
DAUGHTER OF SEATTLE AND YOU
LEAVE AS THE AUNTY OF SEATTLE,
I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH ON
YOUR HARD WORK AND WE WILL --
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THAT IS MY
REPORT AND I WILL PASS IT TO
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WITH NO QUESTIONS
OR COMMENTS, I WILL SAY THAT,
THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TOMORROW IS CANCELED. IN CASE
NOBODY GOT THE REMINDER. WE
SENT IT OUT A WHILE AGO.
BECAUSE A COUPLE COUNCILMEMBERS
WILL BE ABSENT AND LACK OF
THINGS TO ACT ON. NEXT CITY
COUNCIL MEETING IS DECEMBER
3rd. ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENTAL COMMITTEE MEETING
HAS BEEN CANCELED THIS
THURSDAY, THANKSGIVING , THE
NEXT MEETING IS ON DECEMBER
12th AND THE AGENDA IS STILL
BEING WORKED OUT. MORE NEWS TO
COME ON THAT. THE COUNCILMEMBER
ELECT WILL BE SWORN IN TOMORROW
AND THE CEREMONIAL SWEARING-IN
WILL BE DECEMBER 3rd. THAT IS
PRETTY MUCH THE NEWS I HAVE TO
SHARE ON COMMITTEE MEETINGS, ET
CETERA. I HAVE ALREADY REACHED
OUT TO THE COUNCILMEMBER ELECT
AND OFFERED SUPPORT AS A
RESOURCE BECAUSE I REMEMBER
BEING THE ONLY NEW
COUNCILMEMBER AND -- I TOOK
OFFICE IN 2022. TANYA, I USED
TO SIT IN YOUR SEAT. ONE DAY OF
OCTOBER OF 2022, I CANNOT
REMEMBER WHICH WEEK OR MONTH, I
CAME IN FROM THAT DOOR, THAT
WAS MY SHORTCUT, THE CHAMBERS
WAS PACKED WITH PEOPLE. ELDERLY
PEOPLE IT SEEMED LIKE,
DISPROPORTIONATELY SO. FROM THE
CID. AS THEY MADE PUBLIC,, THEY
WERE SHARING THOUGHTS ABOUT THE
PLANNED NEW PROJECT THAT THE
COUNTY WAS PLANNING ,
PARTNERING WITH THE SALVATION
ARMY TO OFFER HOMELESSNESS
SERVICES , AND THERE WAS A
TRANSLATOR MADE AVAILABLE FOR
PEOPLE TO SHARE COMMENTS. I WAS
THINKING, WAIT, THEY WALKED
FROM THE CID TO CHAMBERS. I
LEARNED YOU WERE A MAJOR
INSTIGATOR OF THAT, YOU
ORGANIZED AND HELP PEOPLE SHOW
UP TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS. I
WAS THINKING, DARN, THAT IS A
POWERFUL ORGANIZER. YOU DID THE
SAME THING IN SEPTEMBER OR
AUGUST WHEN YOU FILLED THE
BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION BUILDING
IN THE CID FOR A PUBLIC SAFETY
MEETING. LOTS OF SENIORS BUT
MULTI-GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE.
WHY DO I MENTION THIS? BECAUSE
YOU GET THINGS DONE FOR YOUR
CONSTITUENCY AND CITYWIDE.
WHETHER YOU NEED A MEMORIAL
SERVICE, A PRESS CONFERENCE IN
THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT, YOU
ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. RIGHT
BEFORE AND AFTER YOU TOOK
OFFICE. YOU ARE A TRUE PUBLIC
SERVANT. NOT JUST THE PEOPLE IN
THE CID, BUT YOU ARE A LEADER
THERE. I HAVE LEARNED A LOT
FROM YOU ABOUT LEADERSHIP. AND
BEING EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME.
LISTENING TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
I WILL MISS YOU BEING NEXT DOOR
TO ME AND SEEING YOU VERY MUCH
EVERY DAY. YOU ARE GOING A STEP
BEYOND ON SHEPHERDING , NOT
JUST CITY LIGHT, BUT ARTS AND
CULTURE WITH YOUR ROUNDTABLE
DISCUSSIONS . IT IS CLEAR YOU
GAVE YOUR HEART AND SOUL TO
YOUR CONSTITUENTS CITYWIDE, AND
YOUR COLLEAGUES. SO, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
OKAY. ANYWAY, COLLEAGUES ,
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
ATTENTION TODAY . THANK YOU FOR
YOUR WORK ON THE BUDGET. IF
THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS,
ONCE , TWICE, CHECKING THE
SCREEN, NOT SEEING ANYTHING, IT
IS 3:23, HAVE A WARM , FUN
FILLED HOLIDAY WEEK. THANK YOU.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.