>>> GOOD AFTERNOON, THE
SEPTEMBER 30th SELECT BUDGET
COMMITTEE MEETING WILL COME
BACK TO ORDER. IT IS TO: ZERO 1
PM. I AM DAN STRAUSS. CAN YOU
CALL THE ROLL?
>> ROLL CALL MEL -- [ ROLL
BEING CALLED ] SIX ARE PRESENT.
>> AND COUNCIL MEMBER TRANSPORT
REQUESTED AND RECEIVED AN
EXCUSE FOR THIS AFTERNOON AS
SHE WAS DEALING WITH A PERSONAL
MATTER. AND WE WILL ROLL RIGHT
IN. OUR FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS
TODAY. CLERKS, CAN YOU READ THE
SHORT TITLE.
>> THE SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION AND METROPOLITAN
PARKS DISTRICT BRIEFING AND
DISCUSSION.
>> IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU
BOTH, DR. EDER, I WILL TURN IT
OVER TO YOU FOR INTRODUCTIONS.
THEN WE WILL PASS IT OVER TO
COUNCIL MEMBER HOLLANDSWORTH.
-- HOLLINGSWORTH.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I AM AP
DIAZ, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
SEATTLE WORKS AND RECREATION. I
AM JOINED BY MICHELE FINNEGAN
WHO IS PART OF OUR FINANCE AND
POLICY TEAM. IT IS A PLEASURE
TO BE WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON.
AND TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE
PROPOSED BUDGET AS IT RELATES
TO PARKS AND RECREATION. I WANT
TO THANK THE BUDGET COMMITTEE
FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT
TODAY AND WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS
A CHALLENGING TIME FINANCIALLY
FOR SEATTLE AND THAT YOU HAVE
DIFFICULT DECISIONS AHEAD. AS
WE WALK THROUGH THE KEY CHANGES
TO OUR PARKS AND RECREATION
BUDGET I HOPE YOU WILL SEE THE
EFFORTS MADE TO ADDRESS THE
CITY'S GENERAL FUND SHORTFALL
AND OVERALL PRESSURES OF
ESCALATING COST BOTH NEEDED TO
PRESERVE ESSENTIAL PARKS AND
RECREATION PROGRAMS AND
SERVICES WHICH WE ALL KNOW AND
AGREE ARE VITAL TO OUR
COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL
DISTRICTS AND TO THE CITY'S
HEALTH AND WELLNESS AS A WHOLE.
TODAY WE BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC
SERVING ORGANIZATIONS WORK BEST
WHEN THEY ARE PURPOSE DRIVEN
AND GUIDED BY DEFINING
PRINCIPLES. WE HAVE ADOPTED
AFFIRMATIONS TO DRIVE OUR
STRATEGIC DECISIONS TO HELP
COMMUNITIES WITH THEIR PARKS
SYSTEM AND OUR MOTTO IS SEATTLE
SHINES AND WE ARE THE SHINING
SYSTEM EVEN ON THE DARK AND
GRAY DAYS IN SEATTLE THE PUBLIC
LOVES AND EXPECTS THEIR PARKS
TO BE DRIVING. WE ARE FOCUSED
AROUND THREE MISSIONS, THE
DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTHY PEOPLE,
TO BUILD A THRIVING ENVIRONMENT
AND TAKE CARE OF OUR CLIMATE
INITIATIVES AND CREATE A
VIBRANT COMMUNITY. WHETHER YOU
ARE A CHILD, ADULT OR MEMBER OF
THE AGING POPULATION. THESE ARE
FRONT AND CENTER AS WE HELP
DEVELOP THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND
FRAME BUDGET PRIORITIES. WE ARE
EXCITED THAT WE STILL HAVE
SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES TO
CONTINUE HELPING SEATTLE SHINE
THROUGH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
LIKE SWIM SEATTLE. OUR EFFORT
TO REDUCE DROWNINGS WITHIN THE
CITY OF SEATTLE AND
DISPROPORTIONATELY AMONG PEOPLE
OF COLOR. WE WANT TO CONTINUE
TO ADVOCATE AND ADVANCE THAT
PROGRAM. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING TO
LEAN INTO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.
AND THROUGH FUNDING WE HAVE THE
ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO LEAN
INTO THAT SYSTEM FOR OUR TEENS,
OUR YOUTH AND ALSO AN EXCITING
PROGRAM AT RED BARN RANCH THAT
WE ARE LOOKING TO DEVELOP A
PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP CLOSE
THE DEFICIT AND GIVE CHILDREN
AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY NATURE
IN THIS NATURE FOCUSED CITY. SO
A LOT OF THINGS ARE COMING OUR
WAY. WITH THIS IN MIND YOU WILL
FIND BEFORE YOU A PEOPLE FIRST
BUDGET THAT PRESERVES CRITICAL
SERVICES, PROGRAMMING AND OUR
INCREDIBLY TALENTED STAFF AND
OUR PRIORITIZATION OF REVENUE
STREAMS WHILE MAKING
INVESTMENTS IN CITY PRIORITIES.
THIS HIGH LEVEL BUDGET SUMMARY
SHOWS YOU THE GRAPH OF OUR
COMBINED OPERATING AND CAPITAL
RESOURCES ACROSS ALL OF OUR
FUNDING RESOURCES WHICH INCLUDE
THE GENERAL FUND, THE
METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT,
PARK FUND AND A MYRIAD OF OTHER
CAPITAL FUNDING. THE OTHER
FUNDS CATEGORY INCLUDES PARK
DISTRICT FUNDING AND WE WILL
DISCUSS THAT MORE IN UPCOMING
SLIDES. YOU CAN SEE HOW THIS
FLEXIBLE FUNDING SOURCE IS
CONTINUING TO SUPPORT
RECREATION SERVICES AS
ORIGINALLY ENVISIONED DURING
CHALLENGING TIMES. SOMETHING
MORE TRADITIONAL AND WE ARE
EXTREMELY THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE
THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH YOU
ALL IN UTILIZING OUR PARK
DISTRICT FUNDING FOR SUCH TIMES
AS THIS. WE ARE FACING SUCH A
CRITICAL BUDGET SEASON AHEAD OF
US AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO
SUPPORT THE PARK AND RECREATION
SERVICES FOR OUR PUBLIC AND THE
PROPOSED BUDGET MEETS THAT
COMMITMENT. WE'D LIKE TO ALSO
TELL YOU, AND WE WILL TALK MORE
ABOUT THE METROPOLITAN PARK
DISTRICT, ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION , IF YOU CAN MOVE
TO THE NEXT SLIDE. I WANT TO
TALK ABOUT THE NOTABLE
ALLOCATIONS IN THE BUDGET AND
CONTINUE TO CENTER ALL OF US ON
THE FACT THAT WE ARE MAKING
NOTABLE ALLOCATIONS IN THE
FOLLOWING AREAS. WE ARE
FOCUSING ON KEEPING PARKS SAFE
AND ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE
ENTIRE CITY OF SEATTLE AND ALL
THE DISTRICTS, THAT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE
PANDEMIC WHEN WE WELCOME SO
MANY BACK TO THE PARKS, THERE
ARE CHALLENGES WE HAVE TO
ADDRESS AND OUR BUDGET IS
FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON KEEPING
THE PARKS SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE.
WITHOUT THAT, WE CAN'T DO
ANYTHING. THAT IS THE KEY
OBJECTIVE AND ONE OF THE KEY
PRIORITIES. SECOND IS
SUPPORTING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
ISSUES. I THINK WE ALL KNOW
THAT THE TRAGEDIES OF MANY OF
OUR YOUTH THAT FACED TODAY,
PARTICULARLY IN THEIR TEEN
YEARS. TRADITIONALLY WHEN THEY
DROP OUT OF THE TRADITIONAL
RECREATION PROGRAMS, SO WE
REALLY NEED TO MAKE CONCERTED
EFFORTS ON HOW OUR TEENS ARE
BEING SERVED THROUGH PARKS AND
RECREATION. AND LASTLY, WE ALL
KNOW THE TRAGEDIES WE HAVE
FACED AS A CITY WITH TEEN
SHOOTINGS, TEEN DEATHS AND
TEENS BEING EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE
ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES, NEAR THEIR
SCHOOLS OR AT THEIR SCHOOLS. WE
AS A CITY BELIEVE WE HAVE AN
OBLIGATION AS PARKS AND
RECREATION TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
PROVIDING AS MANY RESOURCES AND
OPPORTUNITIES AS POSSIBLE FOR
KIDS TO FIND SAFE ENVIRONMENTS.
>> CAN YOU PULL THE MICROPHONE
A BIT CLOSER. IF YOU CAN HEAR
YOURSELF ECHO, IT IS WORKING
CORRECTLY.
>> I'M SORRY.
>> IT MUST BE ON VERIZON. BAD
JOKE, SORRY, DON'T LISTEN TO
ME.
>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT HOW WE
ARE GOING TO DO THAT AND WE
WILL TALK ABOUT HOW WE
CONTINUOUSLY LEAN INTO THE
MAYOR'S DOWNTOWN REACTIVATION
PROGRAM TO ROBUSTLY ACTIVATE
OUR DOWNTOWN, THE CORE OF OUR
CITY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
CONTINUING TO PROSPER AND
CONTINUING TO COME BACK
STRONGER FROM THE PANDEMIC. SO
WE WILL TALK ABOUT SOME OF
THOSE KEY OBJECTIVES COMING UP.
I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT ONE OF
THE KEY INVESTMENTS I WAS JUST
TALKING ABOUT IN SUPPORTING
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH. AND
TALKING ABOUT THE INVESTMENT
STRATEGY WHICH INCLUDES $15
MILLION FROM THE PAYROLL
EXPENSE FUNDING IN 2025 AND
2026 BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING.
AND SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION FOR YOUTH MENTAL
HEALTH PREVENTION, EARLY
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT. SO
THE BUDGET INCLUDES $500,000
FOR ONE-TIME FUNDING IN 2025 TO
DESIGN AND CREATE AND IMPLEMENT
AN ONLINE YOUTH CONNECTOR
PROGRAM. THIS PLATFORM WILL BE
FOR TEENS TO IMPROVE MENTAL
HEALTH SUPPORT, PROGRAM
AWARENESS AND REDUCE BARRIERS
TO ACCESS. THIS INVESTMENT IS
VITAL BECAUSE IT IMPROVES
AWARENESS, NAVIGATION AND
ACCESS TO SEATTLE YOUTH
PROGRAMS INCLUDING YOUTH
EXPLORATION, EDUCATION, SEATTLE
MENTORS, RECREATIONAL
PROGRAMMING, SCHOLARSHIPS AND
DISCOUNTS AND MENTAL HEALTH
SUPPORT. SPR WILL MAINTAIN THE
PLATFORM USING EXISTING BUDGET.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR THIS
ALLOCATION SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE
TO MY POINT EARLIER, A LOT OF
YOUTH, RELY, WHEN THEY ARE
YOUNG KIDS, OBVIOUSLY ON THE
PEOPLE THAT DO THE
INVESTIGATION, SIGNING UP AND
RESEARCH, OUR PARENTS. THEY ARE
THE ONES INVOLVED. WE ALL KNOW
THAT WHEN WE GET TO THOSE TEEN
YEARS, TEENS EITHER DON'T WANT
THEIR PARENTS INVOLVED IN
SIGNING THEM UP FOR PROGRAMS,
THEY WANT TO BE IN CHARGE OF
THAT AND MAKE THE DECISIONS. WE
HAVE TO BE STRATEGIC AND
UNDERSTAND THAT IS THE WAY OUR
YOUTH WORKS. THIS IS A FAST AGE
OF TECHNOLOGY, INFORMATION
LEARNING AND TRADITIONAL FLYERS
AND WEBSITES ANNOUNCING ALL OF
THESE GREAT PROGRAMS THAT THE
CITY HAS AND THE MONEY WE PUT
INTO THEM, THEY MEAN NOTHING IF
PEOPLE ARE NOT ACCESSING THAT
INFORMATION. THE YOUTH PLATFORM
DESIGN MODEL IS REALLY UNIQUE
AND VITAL TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO
STRATEGICALLY CAN WORK WITH OUR
OFFICE OF INNOVATION
PROGRAMMING IN THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE AND REALLY COME UP WITH
CREATIVE WAYS THAT TEENS CAN
GET ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION.
THEY SPEAK TO THEM IN THEIR
"TEEN" LANGUAGE AND PIQUE THEIR
INTEREST. WE KNOW THAT THE BEST
APPROACH TO GETTING TEENS
INVOLVED IS BY HAVING A VARIETY
OF PROGRAMMING. SOME THINGS
WILL RESONATE WITH SOME KIDS
AND SOME THINGS WILL RESONATE
WITH OTHERS. IT IS OUR JOBS AS
DEPARTMENT HEADS TO EXPOSE THEM
TO AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES AS
POSSIBLE. NOT JUST SPORTS, BUT
ARTS, MUSIC, THEATER, ALL THE
GREAT THINGS THAT CAN PEAK A
KIDS INTEREST. THERE IS ALSO
600,000 OF ONGOING FUNDING FOR
PARTNERSHIPS SUPPORTING MENTAL
HEALTH. BY PROVIDING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO
ACCESS REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES
AT THE RED BARN RANCH IN
AUBURN. IT IS ADJACENT TO SOME
OF OUR NATIVE TRIBAL LANDS AND
WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR
PARTNERS AND THIS INVESTMENT
HAS A GOAL TO IMPROVE MENTAL
AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OUTCOMES OF
SEATTLE YOUTH BY CONNECTING
STUDENTS WITH THE OUTDOORS. YOU
CAN SEE SOME PICTURES OF
ACTIVATIONS WE HAVE STARTED
WITH SOME OF OUR COURSE
PROGRAMS. JUST A SNAPSHOT OF
WHAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT.
THIS WILL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
LIKE FACILITATED DAY AND
OVERNIGHT TRIPS, EQUINE TRAIL
BUILDING AND RESTORATION
PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS
THE NATURE DEFICIT EXPERIENCE
AT THIS AGE. YOUNG PEOPLE,
ESPECIALLY YOUTH IN
HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITIES. ONE THING I'VE
REALIZED IN MY TIME HERE, THOSE
OF YOU WHO HAVE GROWN UP HERE,
THE MAJESTY AND BEAUTY OF THE
EVERGREEN STATE IS THAT THE
ABUNDANT NATURE THAT SURROUNDS
US. OUR MOUNTAINS, WATERWAYS
AND ALL OF THESE GREAT
EXPERIENCES. BUT THERE ARE
STILL TOO MANY KIDS IN SEATTLE
THAT HAVE NEVER VISITED MOUNT
RAINIER. THEY DON'T HAVE THE
ABILITY TO GO INTO THE
MOUNTAINS TO GO SKIING. THEY
DON'T HAVE THE MEANS OR ACCESS
OR OPPORTUNITIES TO GO CANOEING
OR VISIT OUR ISLANDS. THINGS
THAT WE OFTEN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
AND THINK EVERY PERSON HAS THE
OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN
FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DO THOSE
THINGS. WE STILL HAVE TO
REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE TOO
MANY KIDS IN SEATTLE THAT HAVE
NEVER UNVEILED THEMSELVES TO
THE WONDERFUL MAJESTY OF THE
STATE. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE
PROPERTY THAT WE OWN IN AUBURN
AND TO DEVELOP IT INTO
SOMETHING WHERE WE COULD TAKE
THE KIDS EASILY AND GET THEM
INTO NATURE AND TEACH THEM ALL
THE GREAT THINGS, IS AN AMAZING
PROGRAM. I CREDIT AND THANK THE
MAYOR FOR SUPPORTING THAT AND
PRIORITIZING THAT IN THE
BUDGET. I JUST WANTED TO POINT
THAT OUT. THE NEXT THING IS THE
INVESTMENT IN THE DOWNTOWN
ACTIVATION PROGRAM. THE PARKS
HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF
THE DOWNTOWN ACTIVATION
PLANNING COMMITTEE AND WORKING
WITH OUR OTHER PARTNERS , THE
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
ART, TRANSPORTATION AND A
VARIETY OF PARTNERS THAT ARE
COMING TOGETHER TO REALIZE THIS
VISION. ONE OF THEM ANNOUNCED
THAT THEY CONTINUE TO REFORM
THE DOWNTOWN AREA AS WE ARE
STILL RECOVERING FROM IMPACTS
OF COVID-19. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL
SEE AND AGREE THAT OUR DOWNTOWN
IS IN A MUCH HEALTHIER STATE
THAN IT WAS IN YEARS PAST AND
WE STILL NEED CONCERTED EFFORTS
TO COME TOGETHER AND COME UP
WITH THE TYPE OF INVESTMENTS,
PROGRAMMING, ACTIVATION,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REALLY
HAVING THE BIG CITY APPROACH TO
CONTINUE TO DELIVER ON THIS.
THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES
$1.3 MILLION IN 2025 AND $2.3
MILLION IN 2026 TO REIMAGINE
AND REVITALIZE WESTLAKE PLAZA,
WHICH COULD INCLUDE THE REMOVAL
OF THE OUT OF COMMISSION
FOUNTAIN, THE STAGE RENOVATION
AND OTHER NEEDED UPGRADES TO
MAKE THE AREA SAFE AND
INVITING. THE REASON WHY WE ARE
FOCUSING ON WESTLAKE IS, NOT
ONLY IS IT SORT OF THE CORE OF
THE DOWNTOWN AREA, BUT WE ARE
LUCKY TO HAVE A PLAZA IN OUR
DOWNTOWN AREA THAT HAS NOT BEEN
TAKEN BY LARGE DEVELOPMENT.
THERE IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY
THERE FOR US TO SET THE STAGE
AND CREATE A FOCAL POINT THAT
MANY CITIES HAVE DEVELOPED,
WITH PLAZAS AND SQUARES
DOWNTOWN. SEATTLE HAS THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. WE ALSO
WANT TO BE READY FOR THE WORLD
CUP. WE ALSO WANT TO HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER THIS AS AN
EXPLORATION DESTINATION. MAYBE
AS A FUN CHALLENGE ZONE DURING
THE WORLD CUP WATCH PARTIES. IT
WILL ALSO BE THE ENTRY INTO THE
SEATTLE CENTER WITH THE
MONORAIL AND THERE IS JUST A
LOT OF OPPORTUNITY HERE. THIS
INVESTMENT WILL ALLOW US TO
CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND STAY
FOCUSED ON WESTLAKE PLAZA WHICH
IS OWNED BY SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION. NEXT I'D LIKE TO
TALK ABOUT SOME OF OUR GENERAL
FUND SAVING TO SUSTAIN CORE
PROGRAMS WHILE MEETING REDUCED
GENERAL FUND LEVELS. THE
PROPOSED BUDGET UTILIZES
FUNDING FLEXIBILITY, AND ASK IF
EFFICIENCIES IN VARIOUS PARKS
AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS,
WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN
THE VISION OF THE OVERALL PARK
AND RECREATION PROGRAMS THAT WE
WILL STILL BE PROVIDING TO THE
COMMUNITY AND IT PROVIDES A
CITYWIDE GRAFFITI PROGRAM,
WHICH I WILL TALK ABOUT. THE
GENERAL FUND SAVINGS IN THE
PARK DISTRICT FLEXIBILITY, THE
PROPOSED BUDGET UTILIZES OUR
MOST FLEXIBLE FUNDING SOURCE,
THAT IS THE PARK DISTRICT, TO
SUPPORT CORE PROGRAMMING AND
PEOPLE. ALL OF YOU, AS MEMBERS
OF THE CITY COUNCIL, ARE THE
OVERSEERS AND SIT ON THE PARK
DISTRICT COMMITTEE FUND. THE
PRIMARY CHANGES INCLUDE SHIFTS
IN PLANT DEBT PAYMENTS TO ALIGN
WITH CURRENT PROJECT SCHEDULES,
ABOUT $2.5 MILLION. AND A
ONE-TIME USE OF A CRUDE PARK
DISTRICT INTEREST INCOME WHICH
IS $2.4 MILLION. AND UTILIZES
THE CAPITAL PROGRAMS WHICH IS
ABOUT $3.9 MILLION. CHANGES TO
DEBT SERVICE REFLECT A ONE-YEAR
SHIFT PLAN, BOND FUNDING FOR
THE GREENLAKE COMMUNITY CENTER,
THE EVIDENCE WILL RENOVATION
AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER
DEVELOPMENT. THESE ADJUSTMENTS
ARE PARTIALLY SUSTAINED BY
ELIMINATING PLANNED BOND
FUNDING ASSUMED TO BEGIN IN
2027. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE
PROPOSED BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES
TWO BUDGET MUTUAL REALIGNMENTS
RELATED TO TIMING OF COMMUNITY
CENTER PROJECTS. THESE ONE-TIME
REALIGNMENTS SHIFT RESOURCES,
IDENTIFY THE LAKE CITY
COMMUNITY CENTER TO THE
SOUNDVIEW ATHLETIC FIELD
PROJECT, $3.2 MILLION OF DEBT
SERVICE AND OPERATING
MAINTENANCE AND FROM THE CITY
COMMUNITY PROJECT TO THE WEST
QUEEN ANNE PLAYFIELD WHICH IS
ABOUT $1.3 MILLION. THESE
CHANGES MITIGATE COST AND
RECOGNIZE THE ADDRESS IN
FUNDING GAPS IN THESE
CONVERSION PROJECTS AT THIS
TIME. I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT WE
ARE NOT NOT DOING THE LAKE CITY
RENOVATIONS OR THE QUEEN ANNE
COMMUNITY RENOVATIONS, IT IS
JUST THAT BASED ON THE SCHEDULE
AND TIMING, THEY ARE NOT AT A
STAGE WHERE THEY WERE
COMPLETELY READY SO WE ARE
USING THAT MONEY TO SHORE UP
SOME OF THE SHORTFALLS NOW AND
WE WILL TALK ABOUT HOW WE WILL
CONTINUE THOSE.
>> WE ARE DOING BOTH OF THOSE
PROJECTS. I JUST WANT TO CLEAR
THAT UP.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. THE PROPOSED
BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES SOME
ONGOING CHANGES TO THE CAPITAL
PROGRAM. RESOURCES ARE SHIFTED
FROM OUR CAPITAL MAJOR ASSET
ASSESSMENT PROGRAM PREVIOUSLY
FUNDED BY THE GENERAL FUND.
ABOUT $2 MILLION OF THIS TOTAL
PRODUCTION IS ONGOING WITH
$500,000 IN REDUCTIONS ONLY
OCCURRING IN 2025. AS A RESULT
OF THIS REDUCTION SPR WILL
REVISE THE SOAP -- SCOPE AND
SCALE OF THE MANAGEMENT
PROJECTS WHILE PRIORITIZING
CRITICAL ASSETS LIKE PUBLIC
RESTROOMS, PLAY AREAS,
ACCESSIBILITY, ET CETERA.
RESOURCES ARE ALSO SHIFTED FROM
THE PARK'S COMMUNITY FUNDED TO
THE OPERATING BUDGET TO SUPPORT
CORE SERVICES PREVIOUSLY FUNDED
BY THE GENERAL FUND. THE
COMMUNITY FIND PREVIOUSLY
CALLED THE MAJOR PROJECT
CHALLENGE FUND WAS INCREASED
FROM $1.5 MILLION TO $2.5
MILLION IN 2023 AS PART OF THE
CYCLE TWO OF THE PARK DISTRICT.
THIS ITEM REMOVES THAT
EXPANSION. HOWEVER, FUNDING
ADDED FOR THE TWO STAFF
POSITIONS TO ENGAGE WITH AND
SUPPORT COMMUNITY IN CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ARE
RETAINED. WE STILL WILL BE
DOING THE PROGRAM AND WILL
STILL OFFER THE ABILITY FOR
PARK COMMUNITY FUNDING TO OCCUR
BUT WE WILL NEED TO MAKE THESE
REVISIONS IN ORDER TO PRESERVE
THE OVERALL PROGRAM AND THE
OTHER NEEDS. FINALLY, $440,000
IS BEING SHIFTED FROM OUR PARK
ACQUISITION PROGRAM TO THE
OPERATING BUDGET TO SUPPORT
CORE DEPARTMENT SERVICES
PREVIOUSLY FUNDED BY THE
GENERAL FUND. THE BUDGET
RETAINS $1 MILLION ANNUALLY TO
LEVERAGE ACQUISITION GRANT
OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT OTHER
LOW-COST PRIORITY ACQUISITIONS
SUCH AS GREEN SPACE ADDITIONS.
WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE BUSINESS
AND WE CERTAINLY WILL CONTINUE
TO KEEP EYES ON THOSE IMPORTANT
ACQUISITIONS THAT ALLOW FOR
OPPORTUNITIES DOWN THE ROAD. WE
HAVE ABOUT $1 MILLION SET ASIDE
TO DO THAT. BUT WE NEED TO MAKE
SOME ADJUSTMENTS. THE OTHER WAY
WE ARE SUPPORTING THE GENERAL
FIND IS THROUGH PARK AND
RECREATION EFFICIENCIES. THE
PROPOSED BUDGET ALSO MAKES
PROGRAMMATIC CHANGES ON THAT
OPERATING SIDE. THEY WILL
REDUCE STAFFING FOR PARK
MAINTENANCE BY AGGREGATING
SEVEN PART-TIME LABORERS AND
ONE SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT
DECISIONS THAT PROVIDE
SUPPLEMENTAL STAFFING DURING
PEAK SEASON. THERE WILL BE
MINIMAL IMPACT ON THE OVERALL
MAINTENANCE AND WE WILL
ENDEAVOR TO MINIMIZE EFFORTS
WHEN THESE PART-TIME POSITIONS
WOULD HAVE SUPPLEMENTED
YEAR-ROUND STAFF. THERE WAS A
TIME WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT
EVEN MORE CUTS AND WHILE CUTS
ARE NEVER EASY, IN THE OVERALL
GENERAL FRAME OF ALL THAT WE
HAVE TO DO, THIS IS THE WAY
THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO
THOSE BY AGGREGATING SOME OF
OUR PART-TIME POSITIONS AND
RETAINING AS MANY FULL-TIME
POSITIONS AS POSSIBLE. THE
BUDGET REMOVES ONE POSITION IN
NONLABOR FUNDING TO ACTIVATE
OUTDOOR PROGRAM SPACES OUTSIDE
OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA. IT
RETURNS FUNDING FOR ACTIVATIONS
OF PARKS NOT IN THE CITY'S
CORE, DOWN TO THE CYCLE ONE
LEVEL AND WE STILL WILL BE
DOING ACTIVATIONS OUTSIDE IN
SPECIFIC AREAS. THE PROPOSED
BUDGET CONSOLIDATES TWO
COMMUNITY GRANTING PROGRAMS
INTO ONE PROGRAM. THE TWO
PROGRAMS SERVE SIMILAR
POPULATIONS FOR SIMILAR
PURPOSES, WHICH IS TO PROVIDE
GRANTS FOR GROUPS TO PROVIDE
CULTURALLY RELEVANT HEALTH AND
FITNESS FOCUSED PROGRAMS FOR
UNDERSERVED IMMUNITIES. IN 2023
THE TWO PROGRAMS WERE AWARDED
APPROXIMATELY $440,000 IN
GRANTS WHICH RESULTED IN
PROVIDING 3000 HOURS OF
ENGAGEMENT AND SERVING
APPROXIMATELY 10,000
PARTICIPANTS. THIS REDUCES
GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE TO
400,000 FROM $600,000. WE FEEL
THIS CHANGE WILL STILL PROVIDE
FOR SIMILAR OUTCOMES. THE
PROPOSED BUDGET ALSO REDUCES
STAFFING LEVELS IN THREE
DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP AND
SUPPORT TEAMS INCLUDING POLICY
AND PERFORMANCE, MEDICATIONS,
BUSINESS SYSTEMS THROUGH THE
REDUCTION OF CURRENT VACANCIES.
FINALLY THE PROPOSED BUDGET
MAKES AN ONGOING REDUCTION TO
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMING
LINE OF BUSINESS IN 2026, NOT
2025, BY 50% OR ABOUT $1
MILLION. THE DEPARTMENT WILL,
HOWEVER, BE SEEKING
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
WHICH WILL ELIMINATE OPERATION
OF THE DISCOVERY PARK VISITOR
CENTER AND CITYWIDE
PROGRAMMING. THIS IS AN
IMPORTANT PROGRAM AND, AGAIN,
WE HAVE TO MAKE SOME
ADJUSTMENTS TO MEET OTHER
NEEDS. THAT IS WHY I WANT TO
POINT OUT THAT, THANKFULLY WITH
THE WAY IT IS STRUCTURED, THESE
CHANGES WILL NOT TAKE PLACE IN
2025 BUT IN 2026. WITH THAT
SAID, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE
MANY AND I'VE TALKED TO MANY
STRONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS,
COMMUNITY GROUPS, NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS, PEOPLE WHO DO
THIS TYPE OF WORK AND ARE
INTERESTED IN EXPANDING IT. SO
I WANT TO USE MY TEAM TO
EXPLORE THOSE PUBLIC/PRIVATE
OPPORTUNITIES. WE SUPPORT
SEATTLE BUSINESSES, WORKERS AND
ENTREPRENEURS. AND IF WE CAN
GET THOSE TO FRUITION WE WILL
BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THOSE
SERVICES FOR PARENTS AND KIDS.
IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF A
STRATEGY THAT WE WILL HAVE TO
ENGAGE WITH BUT IT IS AN
IMPORTANT ONE. I WOULD ALSO
LIKE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE
CITYWIDE EFFICIENCIES THAT HELP
SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND
SAVINGS. THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER OF 2022, A
STRATEGY TO COMBINE RESOURCES
AVAILABLE CITYWIDE FOR GRAFFITI
REMOVAL TEAMS. THE PROPOSED
BUDGET INCLUDES A TRANSFER OF
THE GRAFFITI ABATEMENT
RESOURCES FROM THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT TO
SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION,
INCLUDING THE GRAFFITI RANGERS,
A DEDICATED TEAM RESPONSIBLE
FOR INSPECTION ASSESSMENTS,
DISPATCH COMPLAINTS AND
GRAFFITI OF PAVEMENT ACROSS
VARIOUS AREAS. THIS WILL SAVE
APPROXIMATELY $500,000 ANNUALLY
RELATED TO THE SPU OVERHEAD
RATE. IT ALSO INCLUDES A
TRANSFER OF ABOUT $600,000 FROM
SPU TO SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF
PORTABLE TOILETS IN BUSY PARKS.
I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT
THOSE ARE TWO WAYS WE ARE
MEETING THOSE TWO EFFICIENCIES
AND WILL HAVE A PROGRAM IN
PLACE TO RECEIVE THOSE
EMPLOYEES AND THE CONTINUATION
OF THE OVERALL CITY SERVICE
COMBINED WITH THE GRAFFITI
ABATEMENT WE DO ON PARK
PROPERTIES. THEN WE WILL DO
SOME STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT OF
OTHER FUNDING SOURCES. THE LAST
CATEGORY OF GENERAL FUND SAVING
STRATEGIES REALIGNS CERTAIN
PROGRAMS INCLUDING PAYROLL TAX,
THE BUDGET PRESERVES THE
DOWNTOWN PROGRAM BY SHIFTING
ABOUT 224,000 TWO TAX REVENUES.
THIS COORDINATES IN
PERFORMANCES FROM MUSICIANS TO
PERFORM IN AND ACTIVATE THE
DOWNTOWN PARKS AND SPACES. THE
BUDGET PRESERVES THE ARTS IN
THE PARKS PROGRAM BY SHIFTING
$436,000 TO TAX REVENUES.
THROUGH THIS PROGRAM ARTISTS
AND ART ORGANIZATIONS ARE ABLE
TO ACTIVATE WORKSPACES
THROUGHOUT THE CITY IN A
PROCESS COORDINATED WITH THE
OFFICE OF PARKS AND CULTURE.
THE ARTS PROGRAM IS ALSO
SHIFTED TO THE ADMISSION TAX
REVENUE.
>> CAN YOU TEST YOUR MICROPHONE
REAL QUICK? OKAY, CAN WE TURN
IT OFF?
[ NO AUDIO ]
>> MIC CHECK, THERE WE GO.
>> MIC CHECKS, THERE WE GO.
>> LET ME DOUBLE CHECK HERE.
ED, IN OUR EMMY AWARD-WINNING
SEATTLE CHANNEL, ARE YOU STILL
WITH US, ARE WE STILL
BROADCASTING?
>> SEATTLE CHANNEL CAN YOU
PLEASE CONFIRM THAT YOU CAN
HEAR US IN CHAMBERS. THEY CAN
HEAR US, THANK YOU.
>> WITH THIS BRIEF ERUPTION I
WILL SHARE, BEFORE YOUR
PRESENTATION BEGAN, WE WERE
JOINED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WOO AT
209 P.M., TO REFLECT. BACK TO
YOU.
>> FOR THE SPR TEEN PROGRAM,
THAT HAS ALSO SHIFTED
APPROXIMATELY $224,000. THIS
LONG-STANDING PROGRAM
INTRODUCES YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE
WORLD OF THEATER. IF ANY OF YOU
HAVE EVER BEEN TO THIS, AND IF
YOU HAVEN'T, I HIGHLY
ENCOURAGE YOU TO, I WENT FOR
THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR AND IT
FELT AS THOUGH I WAS WATCHING A
BROADWAY PERFORMANCE. I'VE
SEEN SO MANY KIDS FROM SEATTLE
YOUTH PERFORMING ON STAGE WITH
THEIR PARENTS AND FAMILY, JUST
THE MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE. I
AM JUST SO PROUD WE ARE ABLE TO
SUPPORT AND CONTINUE THIS TYPE
OF SERVICE WHICH HELPS LAUNCH
KIDS INTO POSITIVE OUTCOMES.
FINALLY, THE PROPOSED BUDGET
SHIFTS, A PORTION OF THE CITY
ACTIVATION PROGRAM TO THE
PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX FUND, ABOUT
$186,000. THIS PROGRAM IS
OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
RECREATION COUNCIL TO PROVIDE
CONCIERGES IN PARKS AND PLEASE
NOTE THAT THE OVERALL BASELINE
IS RETAINED BUT DUE TO THE COST
OF DOING BUSINESS, THERE WILL
BE SOME REDUCTION IN CONCIERGE
COST COVERAGE. OUR CONTRACT
WILL BE PRIORITIZED AND WILL BE
USED TO SUPPORT ACTIVATION IN
OTHER DOWNTOWN PARKS SUCH AS
THE CITY HALL PARK . SIMILAR TO
THE CITY'S OTHER FUNDS, THE
INCREASED COST OF DOING
BUSINESS ALSO AFFECTS THE PARK
FUND AND THE MPD. THE
FLEXIBILITY OF THE PARK
DISTRICT FIND WAS ABLE TO
MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF THESE
ESCALATING COSTS THROUGH
REALIGNMENT OF THE BUILDING
ANNUAL INFLATION FACTOR, ABOUT
4%. AND THROUGH THE
DISTRIBUTION OF THE INFLATION
RESERVE INCLUDED IN THE
FINANCIAL PLAN TO MITIGATE
INFLATION IN THE PARK FIND,
RATHER THAN PROPOSING IMPACTFUL
REDUCTION TO SERVICES VALUED BY
THE COMMUNITY TO CLOSE THE GAP.
THE PROPOSED BUDGET ADDRESSES
THE PARK FIND SUSTAINABILITY BY
IDENTIFYING THE INCREASES TO
MITIGATE THE SHORTFALL,
SPECIFICALLY FOR THE AQUATIC
AND TENNIS CENTER. SPECIAL
EVENTS AND FACILITY RENTALS,
AND REVOCABLE PARK USE PERMITS.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE
GENERALLY IN LINE WITH WHAT
OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE
CHARGING. IN SOME CASES,
SEATTLE IS BEHIND MARKET RATE.
MOST OF THE FEE INCREASES WILL
BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1st OF
2025. HOWEVER, THE ATHLETIC
FIELD FEE INCREASES WOULD BE
EFFECTIVE ON JULY 1st,
RECOGNIZING A PREVIOUS
AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
NOTICE FOR FIELD USER GROUPS,
ALLOWING THEM TO KNOW ABOUT THE
CHANGES, ABSORB THE FEES AND
ADJUST THEIR FEES AS NEEDED, IF
NEEDED.
THOSE ARE THE SNAPSHOTS OF THE
OVERVIEW OF OUR BUDGET. AGAIN,
WE BELIEVE IT IS A VERY
DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING TIME
BEFORE ALL OF US AND BEFORE ALL
OF YOU, THAT THIS PROPOSED
BUDGET ALLOWS US TO REALLY
CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE PARKS
AND CONTINUE TO DELIVER
SERVICES WHILE ENACTING
EFFICIENCIES AND LOOKING AT
OTHER REVENUE SOURCES AND
LEANING INTO BEING CREATIVE AND
STRATEGIC WITH PUBLIC PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIPS GOING FORWARD AND
UTILIZING OTHER COMMUNITY
PARTNERS TO SUPPORT THESE
SERVICES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH, I WILL PASS IT
OVER TO YOU. AS CHAIR OF THE
PARKS COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK
YOU SUPERINTENDENT, AND
MICHELLE AND OUR ENTIRE SEATTLE
PARK STAFF. WHEN YOU TALKED
ABOUT THE PLAY ACTS ON STAGE, I
DEFINITELY WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT
OUT TO ISAIAH ANDERSON WHO DOES
A PHENOMENAL JOB WITH THAT
THOSE KIDS. I SAW THEM AT
PRACTICE AND IT WAS JUST
OVERWHELMINGLY GREAT AND
EMOTIONAL TO SEE ALL THOSE KIDS
HAVE SOMETHING FUN TO DO AND
REALLY EXPRESS THEMSELVES.
REALLY GREAT PROGRAM. I KNOW
THE WORK YOU ALL DO IS VITAL TO
THE HEALTH OF OUR CITY WITH
OPEN ACCESS TO CLEAN PARKS,
PROGRAMMING, COMMUNITY CENTERS,
TRAILS AND WATER. I COULD NOT
BE MORE PROUD OF OUR PARKS
DEPARTMENT, I THINK IT IS A
TRUE GIFT TO OUR CITY AND COMES
WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILITY FOR
US TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT,
MAINTAIN AND INVEST IN. I
DON'T THINK, MYSELF AND YOU
WILL, WE'VE HAD MANY
CONVERSATIONS, ESPECIALLY ABOUT
THE MAINTENANCE WORKERS AND HOW
THEY ARE LITERALLY THE
HEARTBEAT OF THE PARKS
DEPARTMENT. I OFTEN TALK ABOUT
MY DAD. HE PICKED UP TRASH AT
THE SAME PLAYGROUND THAT HIS
KIDS PLAYED AT. HE WAS
ESSENTIALLY A PARK RANGER. HE
PROVIDED KIDS WITH LUNCHES,
BROKE UP FIGHTS, GAVE THE SHIRT
OFF HIS BACK ONE TIME TO A KID
PLAYING IN THE WOOD CHIPS. HE
WAS PHENOMENAL AND ALSO MEANT
TOWARD SOME OF THE CURRENT
STAFF IN THE PARKS DEPARTMENT
NOW WHO ARE NOW OLDER.
DEFINITELY WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT
OUT TO THEM AND EVERYTHING THEY
PROVIDE TO OUR PARKS
DEPARTMENT. I ALSO WANT TO
RECOGNIZE THAT MAINTENANCE
WORKERS ALSO HAVE TO ENDURE
VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES
THAN THEY DID BEFORE THE
PANDEMIC JUST BECAUSE OF A LOT
OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES AND
MENTAL HEALTH THAT WE SEE ARE
IN OUR PARKS, THEY ARE ON THE
FRONT LINES HELPING TO TAKE
CARE AND MAINTAIN A LOT OF
THAT. JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.
AND ALSO, IT DOES NOT FALL ON
YOU ALL. WE AS A COMMUNITY AND
SOCIETY NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB
TAKING CARE OF OUR PARKS. JUST
SIMPLE CLEAN UP AFTER
OURSELVES. I JUST WANT TO SHARE
THAT AND ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT
MENTAL HEALTH IS ALSO PARKS,
RECREATION AND PROGRAMMING. WE
ALSO NEED TO CONTINUE
SUPPORTING OUR PARENTS, THEY
ARE A BIG PIECE WHEN IT COMES
TO OUR KIDS AND THEIR SUCCESS
AND ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE RED
BARN RANCH THAT THE SEATTLE
PARKS DEPARTMENT WILL BE
INVESTING IN. IT WAS A FACILITY
GIVEN TO US BY THE GREAT ELGIN
BAYLOR. AND IT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND
THE IMPORTANCE OF PARKS IN OUR
YOUTH. I HAD A FRIEND LOCKED UP
FOR 17 YEARS AND HE JUST GOT
OUT AND WE WERE LITERALLY ON
THE CORNER AND I SAID, DO YOU
WANT TO SEE MY OFFICE AND HE
SAID, I'VE NEVER BEEN AT CITY
HALL BUT I CAN TELL YOU THE
ADDRESS OF THE KING COUNTY
JAIL. AND WE LEFT A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT IT BUT IT WAS A REAL
EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE THAT
HE'D NEVER BEEN ACROSS THE
STREET BUT EXPERIENCED THE
OTHER SIDE OF THAT STREET, AND
HOW WE HAVE TO HAVE RESOURCES,
EXPOSURE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR
OUR KIDS. WE HAVE THE
RESOURCES, WE NEED TO EXPOSE
OUR YOUTH TO HAVE THOSE
OPPORTUNITIES. I JUST WANT MY
COLLEAGUES TO KNOW THAT REO IS
MY ACRONYM FOR OUR KIDS.
ANOTHER COMMENT I HAD WAS ABOUT
THE FEE INCREASES FOR YOUTH. I
KNOW WE ARE IN A BUDGET CRISIS
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED
TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF A DIVE
INTO WAS THAT THE INCREASES,
EXCUSE ME, NOT FOR YOUTH BUT
THE ATHLETIC FEES FOR THE
FIELDS. I KNOW WE ARE LOWER
THAN A LOT OF OUR COMPETITORS,
BUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO TRY TO
MITIGATE, WHEN I TALKED TO SOME
YOUTHS, AND THE PROGRAMS, THEIR
ISSUE IS NOT THE FEE, BUT IT IS
MORE THE LOCATION OF THE FIELDS
THAT THEY TALK ABOUT. THEY SAY,
HEY, WE ARE PAYING THIS BUT WE
HAVE CONDITIONS ON THE FIELDS.
CAN YOU GO A LITTLE BIT INTO
THE IMPACT ON THEM AND THE
EXPECTATION ON THE MAINTENANCE
THEY CAN EXPECT FOR THOSE FEES?
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT IS ALWAYS
CHALLENGING, TO YOUR POINT, TO
RAISE FEES, ANYWHERE. SO WE
WANTED TO BE STRATEGIC AND WE
DIDN'T WANT TO RAISE FEES ON A
LOT OF OUR PROGRAMMING AND WE
ARE STILL OFFERING AS WE DO
EVERY YEAR, SCHOLARSHIPS. WE
TRY NEVER TO TURN DOWN A FAMILY
THAT IS IN TRUE NEED ATTENDING
A SUMMER PROGRAM OR 18 PROGRAM.
AND WE ALSO WILL STILL BE
OFFERING MANY OPPORTUNITIES OF
WHAT WE CALL THE OPEN FIELDS
WHERE YOU CAN DROP IN AND PLAY
AND YOU DON'T NEED A
FORMALIZED RESERVATION. THIS IS
FIRST LOOKING AT SOME OF OUR
MORE TRADITIONAL PERMITTING
THAT WE DO WITH PRIVATE SPORTS
GROUPS, ADULT AND YOUTH
LEAGUES, AND TO YOUR POINT
ABOUT MAINTENANCE, WE ARE
CONTINUING TO STILL DO
INVESTMENTS IN TURF CONVERSIONS
WHERE POSSIBLE. OFTEN TIMES
WHEN IT IS GOOD FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT IT HELPS MAKE
ACCESS TO FIELDS LONGER AND
ABLE TO OFFER MORE OPPORTUNITY.
ONE EXAMPLE IS AT THE RAINIER
BEACH PLAY FIELDS, PARENTS FOR
YEARS WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT
HOW MUDDY AND TERRIBLE THE
CONDITIONS WERE. WE HAVE
BEAUTIFUL NEW FIELDS THAT HAVE
OPENED THE DOOR TO MORE PLAY.
WE WANT TO LOOK AT THOSE
OPPORTUNITIES AND SOME OF THE
FEES WE TAKE IN FROM THE
INCREASE WILL GO BACK INTO THE
MAINTENANCE OF THE FIELDS AND
ALLOW US TO SHORE UP SOME OF
THE GAPS. WE WANT TO CONTINUE
TO KEEP OUR EYE ON THAT,
WHETHER IT IS A SYNTHETIC TURF
FIELD THAT STILL REQUIRES
MAINTENANCE FROM TIME TO TIME
OR OTHER PARTS OF OUR FIELDS,
WE STILL NEED TO WORK STRONGLY
ON THAT. ALSO, THE OVERALL
MAINTENANCE. AS YOU ALL
HOPEFULLY ARE SEEING, WE REALLY
HAVE SOME AMAZING FOLKS ON OUR
MAINTENANCE TEAM AND I ALWAYS
SAY THAT THEY ARE OUT THERE
RAIN OR SHINE, BEFORE WE ARE
EVEN UP, AND LATE AT NIGHT.
THERE IS SO MUCH PARKLAND IN
THIS CITY. IT IS A BLESSING BUT
ALSO, TO YOUR POINT, IF
CITIZENS ARE NOT TAKING CARE OF
THE PARKS, WE HAVE TO STEP IN
AND DO THAT. WE REALLY WANT TO
STRATEGIZE MOST ON WHERE THE
PUBLIC IS, AND WHAT THEY SEE
AND ALSO COMING UP WITH OTHER
EFFICIENCIES FOR MAINTENANCE.
IT IS A BIG HAUL BUT WE BELIEVE
WE WILL CONTINUE AND THE PUBLIC
IS NOT GOING TO SEE, IN FACT
SOME OF OUR EARLIER PROPOSALS
COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE
DAUNTING BUT WE REALLY WANTED
TO SUPPORT THAT AND THE WORKERS
THAT SUPPORT IT.
>> AND MY SECOND QUESTION, CAN
YOU EXPLAIN THE COST SAVINGS
BETWEEN THE TRANSFER FROM SPU,
THE GRAFFITI RANGERS, I AM
ASSUMING, AND I DON'T KNOW THE
PROCESS BUT I KNOW THAT THERE
ARE A LOT OF PARKS THAT GET
TAGGED AND I'M HOPING THAT A
PART OF THIS PROGRAM IS A
POTENTIALLY -- AND WE TALKED
ABOUT IT WHEN YOU WERE AT THE
OPENING AT RAINIER BEACH HOW
THE BATHROOM IS WRAPPED AROUND
THIS BEAUTIFUL PAINTING AND
MURAL, MORE OF THE PREVENTATIVE
CARE. IT'S NOT JUST LIKE, HEY,
WE ARE COMING AND PUTTING PAINT
UP EVERY TIME SO WE ARE
PREVENTING THAT AS WELL.
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT IS A WISE
MOVE ON BEHALF OF THE EXECUTIVE
BECAUSE IT LEANS INTO THAT SORT
OF ONE SEATTLE APPROACH.
ECONOMICALLY IT IS SAVING ABOUT
HALF $1 MILLION JUST BECAUSE
THE UTILITY, SPU, IS OVERSEEING
THAT PROGRAM AND HAS DIFFERENT
RATES. ALSO, OUR TEAMS, TO YOUR
POINT, TAKING CARE OF ALL OF
THE PARKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY,
ONE OF THE THINGS WE DEAL WITH
IS THE GRAFFITI OR VANDALISM
AND WE ARE ALREADY WORKING VERY
CLOSELY WITH THE MAYOR'S LEAD
FOR THE ONE SEATTLE GRAFFITI
PROGRAM. WE HELP LEAD OUT ON
THAT A LOT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO
DO THAT AND CONTINUE TO FOCUS
AND STRATEGIZE AND HAVE ALL OF
OUR WORKERS TOGETHER.
PREVENTION AND MITIGATION IS
THE BEST APPROACH RATHER THAN
JUST RESPONDING. WE HAVE
STRATEGIES TO DO THAT IN PLACE
AND WE ARE BEGINNING TO HAVE
TALKS NOW WITH THE TRANSFER OF
EMPLOYEES COMING TO SPR. WE
THINK IT WILL BE VERY EFFICIENT
AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY
DISRUPTION TO THE PUBLIC
SERVICES THEY ARE RECEIVING. IF
THE PROGRAM WORKS WELL WE ARE
ACTUALLY HELPING TO PROVIDE
BETTER SERVICES WHEN WE ALIGN
THESE SERVICES AND NOT HAVE A
SO MANY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS
DO SO MANY SIMILAR THINGS.
>> THAT IS GOOD TO KNOW. I
DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF MY
COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN TO THE
WYNNEWOOD AREA, IF WE COULD
TURN CAPITOL HILL INTO OUR OWN
LITTLE WYNNEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD,
IT WOULD BE AMAZING. BEAUTIFUL
MURALS. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST,
MY LAST QUESTION BEFORE I GIVE
IT BACK TO THE CHAIR, I READ
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
HOURS, AND TWO OF THEM, PETER
LAKE AND RAINIER BEACH HAD
ABOUT 81 HOURS OF OPERATIONAL
TIME. I AM ASSUMING THAT IS
BECAUSE OF LATE NIGHT, THEY
JUST HAVE MORE HOURS ASSIGNED
TO THEM IF I'M CORRECT. IN
THIS CAN BE SOMETHING WE DO,
BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TO SOME OF
THIS STUFF.
>> SOME OF IT IS LATE NIGHT BUT
ALSO SOME OF IT IS USAGE AND
THERE ARE LESS OPPORTUNITIES
AROUND THAT AREA. THAT IS ONE
OF THE AREAS THAT IS KIND OF A
HELP FOR THAT ACTIVITY. WE WANT
TO BE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO
SERVE THE NEEDS IN THAT
COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU CHAIR
HOLLINGSWORTH.
>> THANK YOU CHAIR STRAUSS,
INCLUDING OUR TWO BUDGET
DIRECTORS, PAST AND PRESENT AT
THE TABLE. APPRECIATE IT.
GETTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
OF THE PARKS DISTRICT
INTERPLAY. THIS HAS REALLY BEEN
POURED OUT IN THIS BRIEFING, SO
I THANK YOU FOR THAT. ALTHOUGH
I HAVE TO START OFF WITH A
QUESTION ABOUT SLIDE ONE, DID
YOU ACTUALLY MAKE IT UNDER THAT
CONGO LINE? JUST A TEST HERE,
SUPERINTENDENT DIAZ, WERE YOU
ABLE TO MAKE IT UNDERNEATH?
>> I'VE GOT SOME LATIN ROOTS
SO WE CAN DO A LITTLE CONGO
LINE.
>> APPRECIATE HOW YOU BROKE IT
DOWN INTO ROBUSTLY ACTIVATING
DOWNTOWN, VERY IMPORTANT,
CLEARLY FOR A WHOLE HOST OF
REASONS. APPRECIATE YOUR POINT
ABOUT WEST LAKE AND YOU CAN SEE
THE FUNDING WITH WORLD CUP 26
IN MIND, AND DIFFERENT PARTS OF
THE EARLIER BRIEFINGS, BECAUSE
BY JUNE AND JULY IT WILL BE
OVER THAT PERIOD OF TIME. VERY
IMPORTANT, SO THANK YOU. TO
YOUR POINT, IT IS KIND OF THE
BEST CENTERPOINT AND WILL BE A
CENTERPIECE WHEN THIS IS ALL
DONE. AND ALSO DOWNTOWN, PEOPLE
NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND
APPRECIATE THE TRIO OF THE
DENNY, SOUTHLAKE AND CASCADE
PARKS AND HOW THEY CAN WORK
TOGETHER. AND HOW THEY CAN ALSO
WORK TOGETHER WITH THE SEATTLE
CENTER IN TERMS OF DEVELOPING
THAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE, NOT
ONLY FOR VISITORS BUT ALSO FOR
RESIDENTS. SO THANK YOU FOR
THAT SHOUT OUT. AND TIED TO
THAT IS THE IDEA OF PORTAL PARK
. I RECOGNIZE THIS IS A
STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS, SO IT IS
OUT SOME YEARS AND AWAY BUT AT
THE SAME TIME IT DOES NEED THAT
STARTUP WORK BECAUSE IT IS A
BROWNFIELD SITE. WHAT CAN WE
DO, IT IS ARRAIGNED -- AROUND
STATE ROUTE 99. IF WE CAN START
SOME OF THOSE PROCESSES SOONER
AND MAYBE GET SOME STATE
SUPPORT GIVEN THAT IT IS AROUND
STATE ROUTE 99, THAT WOULD BE
REALLY INTERESTING FOR ME. AND
THAT ALL PLAYS TO MOSTLY
ACTIVATING DOWNTOWN. WE HAVE TO
GET AWAY FROM WESLEY, PIKE
PLACE MARKET AND WE HAVE TO
BUILD THAT KIND OF LINK TO
SEATTLE CENTER AND I THINK THAT
IS A GREAT WAY TO DO IT.
>> CAN YOU GET A LITTLE CLOSER
TO THE MICROPHONE?
>> THANK YOU. THAT IS WHY THE
MICROPHONE IS ON THIS SITE NOW.
SUPPORTING YOUTH, VERY
IMPORTANT SECTION. THANK YOU
FOR THIS. I HAVE TO ASK,
BECAUSE WE DID CHECK IN WITH
THE TEAM. EVERYTHING IS ON
TRACK WITH THE CLEANUP OF THE
PLAYFIELD TO START THE PLANNING
FOR JANUARY OF 2025. I'M
ASSUMING THE DOUBLE DOUBLE
NEGATIVE, EVERYTHING IS GOOD
WITH THAT IN TERMS OF PRESSING
FORWARD. WE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH
THE TEAM, IN FACT THEY PROBABLY
ALREADY ARE. AND TIED TO THAT
IS THE QUEEN AND COMMUNITY
CENTER. THEY ALL TIE IN
TOGETHER. THE POOL, THE MIDDLE
SCHOOL, THEY ALL PLAY IN
TOGETHER. MENTIONED SOUTH LAKE
UNION KANU CARVING CENTER. VERY
HELPFUL, AGAIN, ONE OF THESE
THINGS WE NEED TO CONTINUE ON
AND ALSO SMITH COVE. THE
ADVANTAGE OF BEING ON THE PARKS
COMMITTEE, I KNOW THE DIFFERENT
PIECES ARE MOVING ALONG AND
THAT IS IT REALLY E- REALLY
IMPORTANT, TOO. WE TALK ABOUT
TURF CONVERSION, WHICH WILL
REALLY BE A BIG HELP, BY THE
WAY, BECAUSE IT IS CONSTANTLY
IN A TERRIBLE STATE. TITLE IX,
FROM THIS CONCEPT, HAVING THAT
BALANCE BETWEEN THE SOFTBALL
FIELDS AND BASEBALL FIELDS,
SEEKING MORE BALANCE IS REALLY
IMPORTANT. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING
ON THAT, BY THE WAY? IS THAT
KIND OF CAPTURED IN TERMS OF
WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WHAT YOU
ARE PLANNING OUT. SOFTBALL AND
BASEBALL IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT
TITLE IX BALANCE FOR THE BOYS
AND GIRLS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I WILL SAY, THE
MORE TURF CONVERSIONS WE DO,
THE MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAT
THEY WILL BE MULTI USE FIELDS ,
THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. WHEN
WE DO A TURF CONVERSION, WE ARE
NOT JUST DOING A FOOTBALL FIELD
TURF CONVERSION OR A BASEBALL
FIELD, THE BEST FIELDS ARE
MULTI USE SPORTS. YOU CAN USE
THEM FOR A VARIETY OF SPORTS
AND YOU CAN ALSO USE THEM FOR
ULTIMATE FRISBEE AND ALL KINDS
OF GAMES. TO THE POINT, THE
MORE THAT WE CREATE THOSE, THE
MORE OPPORTUNITY THERE IS TO
SERVE BOYS, GIRLS, ANYONE THAT
IS PLAYING. AND GENDER PARITY
IS REALLY AN IMPORTANT THING WE
ARE FOCUSING ON IN OUR CITY. WE
HAVE GOOD NUMBERS BUT WE CAN
ALWAYS DO BETTER. IT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT FOR ANY PARKS
DEPARTMENT TO ALWAYS CONSTANTLY
LOOK AT THE PROGRAMMING AND
MAKE SURE THERE ARE
OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT GENDER
PARITY REMAINS HIGH AND
EVERYBODY HAS ACCESS TO SPORTS.
>> TYPE TO THAT, THAT REMINDED
ME OF, YOU KNOW WITH THE TURF
CONVERSION, CAN YOU SPEAK TO
THE ADULT PROGRAMS? THE ADULT
PROGRAMS CAN LEVERAGE THAT,
WHICH IS IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF
REVENUE. YOU MENTIONED THE FEES
BUT IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN
EXPAND ON IN TERMS OF THAT
FLEXIBILITY YOU WERE TALKING
ABOUT. THAT CAN ALSO BE
LEVERAGED BY ADULT PROGRAMS
WHICH CAN THEN BRING IN FEES
AND WHICH MAY THEN BE ABLE TO
HELP THE YOUNGER PEOPLE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THE MOST
CHALLENGING -- THE PROVISION OF
PUBLIC SPACE IS CHALLENGING FOR
ANY CITY BUT ESPECIALLY
SEATTLE. WE ARE CONSTRAINED BY
WATER AND LAND. WE HAVE SO MUCH
DEMAND FOR OUR PUBLIC FIELDS
AND SPACES. WE ARE ALSO
REQUIRED TO PROGRAM ALL THE
PUBLIC SCHOOL FIELDS. WE ARE
CONSTANTLY TRIAGING AND TRYING
TO SATISFY A VARIETY OF NEEDS.
BUT TO YOUR POINT, THERE ARE A
LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT
USE OUR FIELDS AND A LINE OF
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP
ALLOW US TO BE FLEXIBLE TO FILL
IN THE GAPS. WE CAN'T DO ALL
THE PROGRAMMING OURSELVES, BUT
WE DO A LOT OF IT AND OFFER
OPPORTUNITIES. ALSO THE ABILITY
TO LEAN INTO THOSE PARTNERS AND
SAY, CAN YOU BE THE ONES TO
PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITIES,
PROVIDE MORE SCHOLARSHIPS AND
MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE. IT IS
A CONSTANT BALANCE WE ARE
TRYING TO DO THROUGHOUT THE
CITY. IT IS NOT EASY BUT IT'S
WHAT WE DO. AND WE CONTINUE TO
USE OUR EXISTING SPACE AS BEST
AS POSSIBLE, BUT ALWAYS KEEPING
OUR EYES ON HOW CAN WE ALSO BE
CREATIVE. PUBLIC/PRIVATE
HARDSHIPS WILL BE REALLY
IMPORTANT TO DEPARTMENTS SUCH
AS OURS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
WE HAVE UNDERDEVELOPED ASSETS,
TO YOUR POINT AS WELL, WE HAVE
SOME BROWNFIELDS AND WE HAVE
HUGE OPPORTUNITIES IN OTHER
PARTS OF OUR CITY WHERE THERE
IS A LOT OF PARKLAND AND MAYBE
FACILITIES WHERE WE DON'T HAVE
THE RESOURCES TO INVEST IN, BUT
WHY NOT PUT THE CALL OUT TO THE
PUBLIC TO SAY, CAN YOU DO
SOMETHING THAT IS OF PARK
PURPOSE AND SERVES THE
COMMUNITY. WE CAN PROVIDE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITIES AND FOR KIDS. I
WANT TO HELP EXPLORE THOSE
OPPORTUNITIES AND DELIVER THEM.
THAT IS WHERE I THINK WE WILL
REALLY MAKE OUR PARKS
TRANSFORMATIONAL AND UTILIZE
OUR BEST INVESTMENTS.
>> YOUR ANSWER, THE EARLIER
PART PLUS THAT PIECE AT THE
END, ONE QUESTION I WANTED TO
ASK, BECAUSE AS YOU CAN
IMAGINE, I'M SURE NOT ALL
PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE SCHOOL
DISTRICTS IMPACT ON PARKS. LIKE
CATHERINE BLAINE, THE K-8
SCHOOL IN MAGNOLIA, THE WHOLE
SCHOOL SYSTEM IS INTERTWINED.
SO WHEN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS
MAKING DECISIONS, HOW DOES THAT
AFFECT PARKS? ARE YOU IN
COMMUNICATION WITH THEM? THERE
IS A PARK NEAR LINCOLN HIGH
SCHOOL AND INK AND IS LOOKING
TO TAKE IT FOR THEM. AND THIS
PARTNERSHIP AND INTERACTION
WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, CAN
YOU SPEAK TO THAT?
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE WORK VERY
CLOSELY WITH THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOL SYSTEM. THAT IS THE
PROVIDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE. WITH THE
WAY MANY OF OUR PARKS WERE
DESIGNED, IN THE EARLY DAYS YOU
WILL NOTICE THAT YOU WILL OFTEN
HAVE A LIBRARY, A PARK AND A
SCHOOL. IN A LOT OF THE
SITUATIONS THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE
ADJACENT TO THE PARKS. BECAUSE
OF THAT ORIGINAL DESIGN, SOME
SCHOOLS WERE BUILT WITH THEIR
OWN FIELDS , BUT SOME NEVER HAD
THEM BECAUSE OF THE PUBLIC PARK
NEXT DOOR. SOME OF THEM HAVE
LOST SOME OF THE LAND TO
EXPANDING FACILITIES, PARKING
LOTS AND OTHER THINGS. THERE IS
A HUGE RELIANCE ON AND
OFTENTIMES KIDS GO TO SCHOOL
AND PLAY AT THE PARK BEFORE OR
AFTER SCHOOL. IT IS IN A SENSE,
THE HEART OF THE SCHOOL CAMPUS
EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SEPARATED
JURISDICTION ONLY. SO WE WORK
VERY CLOSELY WITH THEM AND WE
HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE
KIDS THAT GO TO THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THEY ARE
CONSTITUENTS, THEY ARE THE SAME
FAMILIES AND KIDS THAT COME TO
THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS. WE
TRY TO BE STRATEGIC AND
THOUGHTFUL. WE KNOW THAT IT IS
A BALANCE WITH THE COMMUNITY
AND OFTENTIMES THE COMMUNITY
DOES NOT SEE THE CONNECTION
BETWEEN PARKS AND SCHOOLS. BUT
OFTENTIMES THE CHILDREN WOULD
NOT BE ABLE TO DO ATHLETIC
PROGRAMMING IF IT WERE NOT FOR
THE PARKS SYSTEM. WHILE WE
DON'T SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL
NEEDS, WE DO PROVIDE THE
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND
IN THAT SENSE WE DO CONTRIBUTE
TO THEIR HEALTH AND WELLNESS
AND SO WE DO COMMUNICATE WITH
THEM, IT IS VERY CHALLENGING
AND AGAIN, IT IS, HOW DO WE
CHALLENGE ALL THE NEEDS, THE
SPORTS TEAMS, THE ADULTS, WITH
THE LIMITED LAND THAT WE HAVE
BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE TRY TO
DO VERY THOUGHTFULLY AND
INTENTIONALLY. AT THE END OF
THE DAY, SUPPORT CHILDREN AS
MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
>> McCLURE MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A
PERFECT EXAMPLE. BECAUSE THEY
DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. JUST TO
FOLLOW UP, I RECOGNIZE IT IS IN
THE CHAIR'S DISTRICT, BUT THE
CATHERINE BLAINE SCHOOL IS SUCH
A KEY PIECE OF THE COMMUNITY. I
AM THERE ON SATURDAYS WITH
SOCCER GAMES AT 9:00. I DON'T
HAVE THE SAME DEMAND AS COUNCIL
MEMBER SAKA BUT I DO HAVE SOME
MYSELF IN TERMS OF
EARLY-MORNING SOCCER GAMES AND
THE LIKE. LASTLY, IN TERMS OF
SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH, I KNOW IN
THE MAYOR'S SPEECH, HE TALKED
ABOUT FORT LAWTON AND ADDING
ACREAGE TO DISCOVERY PARK, BUT
WHEN WE PLANNED OUT THIS
PROJECT IT SEEMS LIKE PARKS,
EVEN POCKETS OR SMALLER CAN BE
PUT INTO THAT. SO WILL THAT BE
PART OF THE PLANNING PROCESS?
NOT JUST THROWING 20 ACRES TO
DISCOVERY BUT DO YOU HAVE
SOMETHING FOR THAT DEVELOPMENT,
AND SORRY, THIS IS TWO THINGS
RELATED TO MAGNOLIA.
>> THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
THAT PROJECT IS SO UNIQUE, AND
IT IS NOT JUST ADDING PARKLAND
OR THROWING MORE ACREAGE. IT IS
INTENTIONALLY LOOKING AT, HOW
CAN WE BEST SERVE FAMILIES THAT
MIGHT COME AS A RESULT OF THIS
CONVERSION AND MEETING THEIR
NEEDS AS WELL AS THE NEEDS OF
PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE THERE.
THERE IS GREAT OPPORTUNITY
THERE. IT IS A HUGE PARK. THERE
ARE SOME PERSPECTIVES THAT WE
SHOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING THERE.
I DON'T THINK THAT IS WISE. I
THINK WE SHOULD BE OPEN TO
OPPORTUNITY. SO TO YOUR POINT,
WHAT CAN WE DO THAT IS ADDITIVE
TO PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND
WELLNESS AND ALSO PRESERVES THE
BEAUTY OF THAT MAJESTIC PARK.
SOME OPPORTUNITIES HAVE ARISEN
IN THE PAST AT SOME OF OUR
OTHER BIGGER, REGIONAL PARKS.
THERE IS ALWAYS OPPORTUNITY TO
BE THOUGHTFUL AND LOOK AT HOW
WE CAN UTILIZE THAT PARKLAND
FOR EVERYBODY.
>> MY LAST QUESTION RELATES TO
PUBLIC SAFETY AND PILLAR NUMBER
FOUR RELATED TO THE PLAN FOR
GRAFFITI. THANK YOU FOR THE
SLIDE AND FOR SPEAKING TO THE
GRAFFITI RANGER PROGRAM AND THE
PARK RANGER PROGRAM. WE WILL BE
FOLLOWING UP. ANYTHING MORE ON
THAT I WILL DEEPLY APPRECIATE.
THAT IS ONE SEATTLE PIECE,
PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT JUST SPD
AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING BUT IT
IS THE ACTIVATION OF PARKS,
BRINGING PEOPLE OUT, PROGRAMS
LIKE THE GRAFFITI PROGRAM AND
THE PARK RANGER PROGRAM. I
GUESS THAT IS NOT A QUESTION.
>> ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE
TO ADD?
>> NO. JUST THAT OBVIOUSLY WE
AGREE THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS
VITALLY IMPORTANT TO PARKS AND
IT IS A CITYWIDE TEAM EFFORT
THAT REALLY INVOLVES ALMOST
EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT AS WELL
AS OUR CITIZENS. IT IS A SHARED
RESPONSIBILITY BUT ONE THAT IS
VERY IMPORTANT. NONE OF THE
THINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
TODAY CAN OCCUR IF PEOPLE
DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE PARK OR
IF WE DON'T HAVE SOME PLANS
THAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT AND
INCORPORATING.
>> UP NEXT WE'VE GOT VICE
CHAIR RIVERA.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU
FOR BEING HERE TODAY. I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR THE PARTNERSHIP.
SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR
PARTNERSHIP IN ALL OF OUR
DISTRICTS AND I WANT TO
PERSONALLY THANK YOU FOR THE
PARTNERSHIP WITH D4. COULD NOT
AGREE WITH YOU MORE ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF ACCESSIBLE AND
INCLUSIVE PARKS LIKE THE
PATHWAYS PARK THAT RECENTLY
REOPENED AS A PATHWAYS PARK IN
THE DISTRICT, REALLY APPRECIATE
THAT. ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I
APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP
RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN
REGARDS TO PARK RANGERS AND THE
PARTNERSHIP THEY PROVIDE WITH
SPD. REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR ALL THAT YOUR TEAM IS DOING
TOWARDS THOSE EFFORTS. I KNOW
IT IS DIFFICULT, PUBLIC SAFETY
AND AT THE PARKS IN GENERAL.
REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOUR
TEAM IS DOING. COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE, JUST TO BRING UP TITLE
IX AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE
COMPETING INTEREST WITH ALL OF
THE PARK SPACE. NOT ALL
SCHOOLS, AS YOU POINTED OUT,
HAVE PARKS OR FIELDS ATTACHED
TO THEM SO IT MAKES IT REALLY
DIFFICULT AS KIDS ACROSS THE
CITY ARE COMPETING AND
GROWN-UPS FOR THAT MATTER, FOR
THE PARK SPACE THAT IS
AVAILABLE. I KNOW YOU ARE ALL
WORKING TOWARD THE CONSTANT,
LOOKING AT THE PLAN AND
FIGURING OUT HOW TO BEST SERVE
EVERYONE'S NEED. I JUST WANT
TO CONFIRM ON PARK RANGERS,
THERE IS NO CHANGE, BECAUSE I
DID NOT SEE ANY CHANGE IN THE
BUDGET THAT WAS PRESENTED. I
JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM, NO
CHANGES TO THAT.
>> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> AND THE OTHER PIECES RELATED
TO THE GRAFFITI RANGERS MOVING
OVER TO SPR, THE GRAFFITI
RANGERS PROVIDE SUCH A HUGE
SERVICE ACROSS THE CITY AND
MORE AND MORE I FEEL LIKE THEY
HAVE BEEN SO HELPFUL IN
NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE DISTRICT
IN ADDRESSING SOME OF THE
GRAFFITI NEEDS. NOT JUST AT THE
PARKS BUT JUST IN GENERAL IN
THE COMMUNITY. WE KNOW THAT WE
ARE NOT ABLE TO ADDRESS ALL THE
ISSUES RELATED TO GRAFFITI. I
KNOW THAT I FOR ONE HAVE BEEN
SO GRATEFUL FOR THE GRAFFITI
RANGER HELP. WILL THAT
CONTINUE?
>> YES. IT WILL CONTINUE. IT IS
JUST A REALIGNMENT OF WHERE THE
RESOURCES AND THE BODIES LIVE.
THE PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE,
SERVICES WILL CONTINUE. THEY
WILL JUST BE UNDER THE PURVIEW
OF THAT THE PARKS DEPARTMENT
WHICH SAVES THE CITY GENERAL
FUND. BUT ALSO CONSOLIDATES AND
COMBINES SOME OF THE SERVICES
BECAUSE, AGAIN, BECAUSE THERE
ARE SO MANY PARKS THROUGHOUT
THE CITY, WHICH IS FANTASTIC,
THEY ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
YOU'VE GOT TAGGING ON
BUILDINGS, COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS, ADJACENT TO PARKS,
BENCHES. SOME OF THESE
RESOURCES IN THAT ONE SEATTLE
APPROACH WILL ALLOW US TO
REALIZE MORE EFFICIENCY AND
HOPEFULLY BETTER DELIVERY OF
SERVICES.
>> GREAT TO HEAR THAT THAT
SERVICE WILL CONTINUE. MY LAST
QUESTION, REALLY IT IS MORE OF
A COMMENT THAN A QUESTION. TEEN
NIGHTS, WE ALL TALKED ABOUT THE
INFLUENCE OF TEEN NIGHTS ACROSS
THE CITY AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT
YOU HAVE ALL PARTNERED WITH ME
ON TEEN NIGHTS AND I WANT TO
THANK YOU PUBLICLY FOR BRINGING
TEEN NIGHTS TO THE COMMUNITY
CENTER FOR THE FAMILIES LIVING
AT MAGNUSON PARK. AND A REALLY
-- REALLY A PLUG FOR, WE NEED
MORE TEEN NIGHTS, NOT LESS. AND
I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING RELATED
SPECIFICALLY TO TEEN NIGHTS,
BUT WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE, IF
NOT TODAY, AT A LATER POINT IN
TIME ON HOW WE CAN EXPAND TEEN
NIGHTS BECAUSE I THINK IT IS
ANOTHER, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH, IT IS
ANOTHER AREA THAT, IF KIDS ARE
NOT FEELING SUPPORTED, IT GOES
TOWARDS HOW THEY FEEL
EMOTIONALLY AND THOSE TEEN
NIGHTS ARE A SAFE PLACE FOR
THEM TO GO AND THAT IMPACTS
THEIR MENTAL HEALTH. SO HOW WE
CAN SUPPORT MORE OF THAT ACROSS
THE CITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
AND AS WE HAVE ALL SAID, I AM
JUST REITERATING, MENTAL HEALTH
ACROSS TEENS, THE BOARD, THE
CITY AND THE COUNTRY WITH
HIGHER INCIDENCE OF DEPRESSION,
ANXIETY AND SUICIDALITY. SO IT
IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE
SAFE PLACES AND ACTIVATIONS FOR
TEENS DURING THIS TIME,
POST-PANDEMIC. SO MORE OF THAT,
PLEASE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. IF YOU LOOK AT
THE ENTIRE BUDGET, WE
STRATEGICALLY, THROUGH THE
PROVISIONS PROVIDED TO US BY
THE MAYOR'S ALLOCATIONS,
SPECIFICALLY IS NOT TO DISRUPT
PROGRAMS SUCH AS THAT. THE
REDUCTIONS, TRANSFERS AND
REALIGNMENTS WAS ALL DONE
THROUGH THE LENS OF HOW CAN WE
KEEP OUR CORE PROGRAMS FOR OUR
KIDS. FOR MENTAL YOUTH HEALTH,
IT WAS INTENTIONALLY DONE AND
SHAPES THAT WAY. UNFORTUNATELY
WE WILL NO LONGER BE DOING
CERTAIN PROGRAMS, WE DON'T
HAVE TO SAY THAT. SOME
DIFFICULT DECISIONS BUT IN THE
OVERALL CONTEXT IN THE AMOUNT
OF INVESTMENTS WE ARE PUTTING
INTO OUR PUBLIC PARKS, THE
NUMBERS ARE STRONG AND I WANT
TO REASSURE YOU THAT OUR TEAM
HAS THEIR EYE ON THAT. I CALLED
THEM PARK PROFESSIONALS BECAUSE
ALL OF THEM ARE COMMITTED IN
THEIR SPECIALTY AREAS TO REALLY
DELIVER THE BEST PARK SYSTEM
THAT WE HAVE AND WE ARE NOW THE
SIXTH RANKED PARK SYSTEM IN THE
UNITED STATES. THAT IS A BADGE
OF HONOR. THAT IS A COMMITMENT
TO HOW WE MAINTAIN OUR PARKS,
TO HOW WE SPEND PER CAPITA, THE
TYPES AND VARIETIES OF PROGRAMS
WE OFFER AND THIS BUDGET WILL
CONTINUE TO ADVANCE THOSE
AREAS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OVER TO YOU COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON.
>> THIS WILL BE MY SEMI-ANNUAL
PLEADING TO CONSIDER TO GET
STAFF FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
YOU ARE KNOTTING BECAUSE YOU
KNEW I'D SAY THIS. PARK
FIELDS, SURFING, THE PLAYFIELD
HAS BEEN A NEED FOR A LONG TIME
AT SCHOOL PROPERTY. BASEBALL
AND FOOTBALL ALL YEAR LONG HAS
BEEN A PRIORITY OF MINE. AND I
BELIEVE FOR OTHER FOLKS IN THE
CITY. SO MAYBE JUST PUT IT ON A
TO DO LIST TO SEE WHO NEEDS TO
BE IN THE SAME ROOM TO DISCUSS
WHAT NEXT STEPS MIGHT BE. MAYBE
FIGURING OUT IF WE CAN PUT A
COST EXERCISE ON THE CALENDAR
AT SOME POINT. THAT WOULD BE
GOOD. YOU RIGHTLY NOTED
PROVIDING YOUTH ACCESS, YOU
KNOW THAT PROVIDING YOUTH
ACCESS TO NATURE IS KEY TO
MENTAL HEALTH AND YET YOU ARE
REDUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROGRAMMING BY 50%. I AGREE
THAT IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT
THE STRENGTH OF THAT PROGRAM
CAN CONTINUE BUT I DON'T
UNDERSTAND EXACTLY, CAN YOU
PLEASE DESCRIBE THAT?
>> SURE.
>> IT IS ON PAGE 93. IT IS MY
IMPRESSION THAT THEY TOOK YOUTH
IN THE SUMMER AND GAVE THEM
SKILLS, SO A SEMI INTERNSHIP, I
DON'T KNOW.
>> WE CAN PROVIDE MORE DETAIL
BUT THE GENERAL SAVINGS IS
ABOUT A CUT OF ABOUT 7 1/2 FTE
2026. THESE ARE STAFF THAT
CURRENTLY DO VISITORS CENTER
OPERATIONS, DISCOVERY PARK'S
AND DISCOVERY WHITE
PROGRAMMING. IF YOU THINK OF
NATURALISTS OUT IN THE FIELD,
THEY DO THINGS WITH THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT TO SUPPORT KIDS'
EDUCATION. LIKE THEY BRING THE
FIELD TRIP TO THE SCHOOL TYPE
OF PROGRAM.
>> THANK YOU. JUST CONFIRMING,
MOVING THAT $500,000 FROM THE
PARKS WILL NOT RESULT IN LESS
GRAFFITI BEING MITIGATED,
RIGHT?
>> CORRECT. AGAIN, IT IS THE
SAME NUMBER OF STAFF MEMBERS
DOING THE SAME WORK, JUST
ORGANIZATIONALLY HOUSED AT THE
PARKS DEPARTMENT INSTEAD OF
SPU.
>> CAN YOU TAKE A WHOLE BUNCH
OF MORE EMPLOYEES? JUST
KIDDING. OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> ANYTHING ADDITIONAL?
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK
YOU, SUPERINTENDENT DIAZ FOR
THE GREAT PRESENTATION. KUDOS
TO THE NUMBER SIX RANKING IN
THE U.S. FOR THE BEST PARKS AND
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE
COUNTRY. HAT TIP TO YOU AND
WORKERS THAT DO THE WORK TO
ENABLE THAT TYPE OF RANKING.
OUR DISTINGUISHED CHAIR DOWN
THE DAIS FROM ME, CHAIR
HOLLINGSWORTH , SO MANY PEOPLE,
THIS COUNCIL FOR PROVIDING AND
ENABLING THE GREAT RESOURCES.
LET US CELEBRATE THAT. I AM
FIERCELY COMPETITIVE AND SO,
LET US ALSO DO THE WORK TO MAKE
SURE WE CAN RISE IN THE
RANKINGS AND BE NUMBER THREE,
NUMBER TWO OR X, MAYBE EVEN
NUMBER ONE. BUT THAT IS
TERRIFIC. I WANT TO COMMENT ON
SOMETHING THAT COUNCIL MEMBER
RIVERA COMMENTED ON A MOMENT
AGO. SHE TALKED ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF A HOLISTIC
APPROACH TO YOUTH AND YOUTH
SAFETY AND CREATING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND
TEENS. IT IS NOT JUST YOUTH
MENTAL HEALTH. YES, THAT IS AN
ESSENTIAL PART BUT WE NEED TO
BE CREATIVE AND HAVE
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND THE
LIKE. WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT I
COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH. AS
SOMEONE WHO PERSONALLY HAS
OVERCOME THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM
TO ULTIMATELY LIVE IN ANY
NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOUSING
ARRANGEMENTS AND LOW INCOME,
THIS AND THAT, I BENEFITED
PERSONALLY FROM SOME OF THESE
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS. IN KENT,
WHERE I ENDED UP GOING TO HIGH
SCHOOL, PROJECT LIGHTHOUSE WAS
KEY FOR ME. AT THE GYM AT MY
APARTMENT, THERE WAS A PROGRAM
OFFERED THROUGH THE CITY THAT
WAS DELIVERED THROUGH A NUMBER
OF LOCAL PARTNERS. A COUPLE OF
DAYS A WEEK AFTER SCHOOL I
WOULD PLAY BASKETBALL WITH
FRIENDS. THEY DID NOT WANT TO
SEE ME ON THE BOARDS, I WAS A
BEAST ON THE BOARDS, GUYS. ALSO
GET SOME SNACKS THAT WERE
GENERALLY NUTRITIOUS, AND MORE
IMPORTANTLY, ABOVE THOSE
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR
YOUTH, IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR ME TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.
BETWEEN THAT AND SOME OF THE
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND THE
OPEN GYM ON SITE, AND I WAS
LOOKING ON THE PARKS WEBSITE
AND SAW SOME OF THE LATE-NIGHT
PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH A
NUMBER OF COMMUNITY CENTERS AND
TEEN LIFE CENTERS, WHICH IS
GREAT. I WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE
YOU ALL TO THINK -- YOU TALKED
ABOUT THE PLANNING EFFORTS AND
HISTORICALLY HOW ON-SITE VERSUS
CITY PROPERTY AND SCHOOL
PROPERTY BUT FOR SOME OF THESE
OPEN GYM TYPE OPPORTUNITIES AND
TEEN NIGHT, LATE-NIGHT
PROGRAMS, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU
TO PARTNER MORE DIRECTLY WITH
THE SCHOOLS AND NOT JUST SOLELY
AT COMMUNITY CENTERS. BECAUSE
IT DOES REFLECT A NONTRIVIAL
BARRIER TO ENTRY. IT MAY BE
JUST DIRECTLY ACROSS THE
STREET, BUT IF SOMEONE DOESN'T
NORMALLY OR OTHERWISE WOULD
HAVE NO REASON TO GO THERE BUT
FOR THIS PROGRAM, THAT MIGHT GO
INTO A NEW SPACE AND MIGHT BE A
POTENTIAL BARRIER, IT MIGHT
NOT. I JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO
THINK ABOUT DOING MORE OF THESE
ON-SITE SCHOOL PROGRAMS LIKE
THE OPEN GYM TYPE OF
PROGRAMMING. IF FOR NOTHING
ELSE, A POTENTIAL MEANS TO HELP
DRIVE ADOPTION. WE NEED TO BE
IN THE BUSINESS OF DOING MORE
THAN JUST PROVIDING NEW
OFFERINGS, PROGRAMS OR
SERVICES. WE NEED TO BE DOING
THE HARD WORK, MAKING SURE WE
ARE DRIVING ADOPTION AND PEOPLE
ARE ACTUALLY UTILIZING THESE
PROGRAMS AND ULTIMATELY IN THE
CASE OF THESE LATE-NIGHT
PROGRAMS, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE
ARE GOING THAT REPRESENT THE
MOST AT OPPORTUNITY YOUTH, IF
YOU WILL. WE ARE NOT JUST
CREATING A PROGRAM ON PAPER BUT
WE ARE ACTUALLY CREATING AN
EXPERIENCE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE
ARE USING. IN ANY EVENT, KUDOS
TO YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA,
FOR YOUR GREAT COMMENTS. I
COULDN'T AGREE MORE. I DO HAVE
A QUESTION AROUND SOMETHING
THAT HAS COME UP A NUMBER OF
TIMES NOW. SUPERINTENDENT DIAZ
MENTIONED THIS AS WELL. THE
ATHLETIC FIELD TURF
CONVERSIONS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO
ME AND I KNOW THAT THE
PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH AND ANY NUMBER OF
MEMBERS ON THIS DAIS, PARKS HAS
THE PLAN TO NOT ONLY MAINTAIN
BUT EXPLORE CONVERTING MORE
FIELDS OVER TIME. THIS IS AN
EFFORT THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT
TO ME FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS,
INCLUDING GENDER PURITY AND
EQUITY CONSIDERATIONS. HOW DOES
THIS PROPOSED BUDGET, HOW DOES
THE FUNDING ALLOW US TO MAKE
PROGRESS ON FIELD TURF
CONVERSIONS AND CAN YOU ALSO
SPEAK TO THE POTENTIAL
ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH
CONCERNS SOME PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE
ABOUT TURF CONVERSIONS?
>> ABSOLUTELY. THE GOOD THING
IS THAT OUR PROGRAM, FIRST OF
ALL WE ARE HAVING AN ATHLETIC
FIELD SUMMIT. I THINK YOU ARE
AWARE OF THAT, AND OTHER
MEMBERS ARE. IF NOT, WE CAN
GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION. WE
ARE BRINGING BACK AN OUTREACH
PROGRAM THAT WE HAD A LOT
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. THERE IS A
LOT OF PEOPLE INTERESTED IN
ATHLETIC FIELDS FOR A VARIETY
OF REASONS. SO WE ARE INVITING
THE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT, ASK
QUESTIONS AND ALSO CONTINUE TO
UPDATE ON OUR CAPITAL PLANS. A
GOOD THING ABOUT THE CONVERSION
PROGRAM, CAPITAL MONEY IS NOT
SPECIFICALLY RELIANT ON GENERAL
FUND. IT COMES THROUGH THE
VARIOUS CYCLES AND SO WE HAVE A
NUMBER OF EXISTING RENOVATIONS
UNDERWAY, IN PROGRESS, THAT WE
WILL CONTINUE TO GO FORWARD. TO
YOUR POINT ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL
CONCERNS, THERE WAS CERTAINLY A
TIME WHEN SOME OF THE MATERIALS
THAT WERE USED IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF ATHLETIC FIELDS
HAD SOME HEALTH CONCERNS. I
WILL SAY, BEFORE I GOT HERE,
SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION
MOVED AWAY FROM THAT TYPE OF
INFILL THAT WAS NOT THE MOST
SUSTAINABLE AND HEALTHY OF
PRODUCTS. I WILL JUST POINT TO
THE MOST RECENT WHEN I DID THE
FIELD OPENING AT RAINIER BEACH.
I WAS SO PROUD TO ANNOUNCE, I
DID SOME PRE-INSPECTIONS AND
DID SOME WORK WITH THE
DEVELOPMENT. THAT INFIELD IS
ACTUALLY CORK. IT IS NATURAL
AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE AND
THERE ARE OTHER TYPES OF
PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET. WE DO
NOT USE ANY HARMFUL PRODUCTS IN
THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR FIELDS,
WHICH IS REALLY GOOD. IT ALSO
IMPLEMENTS THE BEST
ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES. AND TO
COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLES POINT
EARLIER, WE HAVEMINDFUL
OF HOW WE USE WATER IN THE
CITY. WHEN YOU ARE THE LARGEST
LAND OWNER OF LAND IN THE CITY
OF SEATTLE, YOU CAN GUESS WHOSE
WATER BILL CAN ALSO BE THE
HIGHEST. SO FINANCIALLY IT
MAKES SENSE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY
IT IS GOOD AND WE WILL CONTINUE
TO INVEST IN THIS PROGRAM AS
MUCH AS POSSIBLE. AND I WILL
SAY FOR THE RECORD, WE ALSO
RECOGNIZE THAT THE COMMUNITY
DOES VALUE AND LOVE GRASS AND
OPEN FIELD. THAT IS IMPORTANT.
NOTHING IN OUR PROGRAM WILL
EVER TAKE AWAY FROM THE
ENORMITY OF THOSE ABILITIES TO
TOUCH THOSE NATURAL SPACES. WE
DEPLOY THEM IN AREAS WHERE WE
WANT TO INCREASE ACCESS FOR
KIDS OF ALL ABILITIES, TO
SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND OTHER NEEDS
THAT COME UP THROUGH COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT. AND THE ATHLETIC
FIELD WILL BE ANOTHER
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY
TO GIVE INPUT.
>> APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. TO
CLOSE IT OUT, FROM MY
PERSPECTIVE, ATHLETIC FIELD
TURF CONVERSIONS, I AM AWARE
THAT JUDKINS PARK IS A GOOD
CANDIDATE. MY DAUGHTER HAD AT
LEAST ONE SOFTBALL GAME THAT I
AM AWARE OF AND ME AND COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH WERE
TALKING ABOUT THAT. AND I ALSO
INITIATED AN INFORMAL SURVEY
THAT I SENT OUT TO MY
CONSTITUENTS IN DISTRICT ONE
AND OUT OF THE EIGHT PROJECTS,
POTENTIAL CANDIDATES THAT WE
SOURCE, BY THE WAY WITH HAVING
CONVERSATIONS WITH ALL THE FIVE
OR SIX NEIGHBORHOOD, COMMUNITY
RECREATIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUES,
WE SOURCED THAT CANDIDATE LIST
OF EIGHT POTENTIAL OPTIONS BUT
THEN DISTRICT ONE AND FAIRMONT
PARK ELEMENTARY, OF THOSE EIGHT
INCLUDED WE HEARD THE STRONGEST
SUPPORT FOR CONVERTING THAT
ONE. I WILL JUST NOTE THAT. MY
NEXT QUESTION RELATES TO WATER
FOUNTAIN ACCESS. JUST AS AN
ASIDE, COUNCIL MEMBER CATTLE
MENTIONED, HE BASICALLY KNOWS
WHAT I DO ON THE WEEKENDS. IT
ALL RELATES TO KIDS, SPORTS
ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. THREE
KIDS IN SOCCER AND OTHER
ACTIVITIES. I SPEND A LOT OF
TIME AT GAME PRACTICES.
YESTERDAY A GAME WAS AT
HIAWATHA PLAYFIELD. I HAD SOME
PARENTS COME UP TO ME BECAUSE I
AM JUST ANOTHER PARENT ATTENDEE
AT THESE GAMES BUT I'M ALSO
THERE HUMBLE SERVANT AND
COUNCIL MEMBER AND THEY KNOW
THAT, TOO. SO I HEAR ALL KINDS
OF STUFF. I HAD A FEW PARENTS
COME UP TO ME AND COMPLAINED
THAT THE WATER FOUNTAINS AT
HIAWATHA PLAYFIELD WERE NOT
FUNCTIONING AND I ASKED MY TEAM
TO KIND OF FOLLOW UP OFF-LINE.
I'M NOT EXPECTING A COMMENT ON
THAT ISSUE. MY SENSE IS THAT IT
IS PROBABLY RELATED TO SOME OF
THE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION THERE.
REGARDLESS, HOW DOES THIS
BUDGET POSITION US TO DO MORE,
BECAUSE THERE IS A WHOLE WINTER
WEATHERIZATION EFFORT THAT TIES
INTO SOME OF THE CLOSED REST
ROOMS AND WATER FOUNTAINS
DURING CERTAIN TIMES OF THE
YEAR. HOW DOES THIS BUDGET
POSITION US TO CONTINUE TO MAKE
PROGRESS ON THOSE EFFORTS?
>> IT SPECIFICALLY PRIORITIZES
CERTAIN CORE SERVICES AND AMONG
THEM, WHEN WE LOOKED AT OUR
MAINTENANCE AND THE APPROACH TO
WHETHER THAT IS MAJOR
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO
EXISTING FACILITIES LIKE WATER
FOUNTAINS, SHELTERS, THE FOCUS
CONTINUES TO BE ON AREAS THAT
ARE MOST USED. PUBLIC
RESTROOMS, ALSO ADDRESSING THE
HIGHEST NEED AREAS. SO MAKING
SURE WE ARE FIXING THINGS AND I
THINK THERE IS OPPORTUNITY, WE
CAN TALK MORE OFF-LINE BUT I
WANT TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES
WITH OUR UTILITIES AND HOW WE
CAN IMPLEMENT HYDRATION
STATIONS IN VARIOUS PARKS,
USING MONEY FROM THE UTILITIES
AS A REINVESTMENT BACK UP. IT
IS A BETTER USE THAN A
TRADITIONAL WATER FOUNTAIN AND
IT ALLOWS PEOPLE ACCESS TO
WATER MORE. AND THERE MAY BE
OPPORTUNITY WITH A PREVIOUS
PROJECT I WORKED ON AND I WOULD
LIKE TO EXPLORE THAT WITH SOME
OF MY PREVIOUS PARTNERS SO WE
CAN BE INNOVATIVE AND TO SERVE
OUR COMMUNITY BETTER. I AM
HAPPY TO TALK MORE WITH YOU
ABOUT IT OFF-LINE. TO YOUR
SPECIFIC QUESTION, ALTHOUGH WE
ARE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS, WE WILL
PRIORITIZE ON THE VERY THINGS
YOU TALKED ABOUT.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL FINALLY
NOTE THAT, I THINK WE HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY, I DON'T WANT
SEATTLE TO EVER BE A CHILDLESS
BIG-CITY THAT SOME OF THE OTHER
BIGGER CITIES ARE EXPERIENCING.
CHALLENGES WITH AFFORDABILITY
AND THE AMOUNT OF PROGRAMS AND
AMENITIES. SAN FRANCISCO,
SOMEONE WOULD SAY THAT IS A
CHALLENGING CITY. I HAVE LIVED
IN SAN FRANCISCO BEFORE DURING
LAW SCHOOL AND I THINK WE HAVE
A POLICY RESPONSIBILITY, I'VE
HEARD TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT
ALL, I LIVED IN SEATTLE AND
WHEN I HAD KIDS MOVED TO THE
SUBURBS. I THINK WE HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY AND AFFORDABLE CITY
WHERE WORKING FAMILIES CAN
ACTUALLY LIVE TODAY AND
TOMORROW. ALSO CREATING
ADEQUATE PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND
OFFERINGS, WHETHER IT IS YOUTH
PROGRAMS, MORE ATHLETIC FIELD
TURF CONVERSIONS, OR WHATEVER
IT IS. ONCE PEOPLE MADE THE
DECISION TO START A FAMILY
HERE, AND THEY CAN STAY HERE,
THRIVE AND RAISE THEIR
FAMILIES. PARKS IS LESS
CENTRALLY INVOLVED IN THE
AFFORDABILITY ASPECT BUT YOU
ARE THE TIP OF THE SPEARS IN
MAKING SURE WE HAVE GREAT
HEALTHY PARKS THAT ARE
WELCOMING AND ACCESSIBLE TO
ALL, EXCELLENT PROGRAMMING AND
DELIVERED IN AN ACCESSIBLE WAY.
THAT IS ALL I WANTED TO ASK AND
ESTATE FOR THE RECORD. NO
FURTHER QUESTIONS.
>> SUPERINTENDENT, ANYTHING
YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE? ALL
RIGHT, FANTASTIC.
>>> IN THE INTEREST OF TIME I
WILL JUST READ THROUGH MY
QUESTIONS FOR CENTRAL STAFF TO
NOTE AND WE CAN FOLLOW UP. I
WANT TO START BY THANKING YOU
FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THE
IMPORTANCE OF FIELD TRIPS AND
ALL THE ASSETS THAT WE DO HAVE
IN THIS CITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
IT IS SO IMPORTANT,
PARTICULARLY KIDS GROWING UP IN
LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. MY
DAUGHTER DID NOT HAVE A SINGLE
FIELD TRIP IN THREE YEARS. THE
THINGS THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO
PROVIDE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.
THAT SAID, THAT IS THE LENS IN
WHICH I AM LOOKING AT THESE
REDUCTIONS SO I DO HAVE SOME
QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF THESE
THINGS THAT WE SEE. I KNOW YOU
HAVE EFFICIENCIES YOU ARE
TRYING TO PROVIDE. THE
CHALLENGE IS THAT YOU ARE
PROVIDING THEM BY ELIMINATING
THE RAINY DAY OF PLAY, WHICH IS
REALLY IMPORTANT IN THE RAINIER
VALLEY. ESPECIALLY IN AREAS
WHERE THEY DON'T GET TO GO ON
FIELD TRIPS. ALSO OPPOSES
REDUCING ACTIVATION PROGRAMMING
FOR PARKS. I WOULD BE
INTERESTED TO KNOW, WHAT
RESOURCES WILL CONTINUE TO BE
ACTIVATED OUTSIDE OF THE
DOWNTOWN AREA, AND I WOULD LIKE
TO COMPARE THAT TO WHAT IS
BEING INVESTED IN THE DOWNTOWN
AREA. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW
MUCH IS BEING RETAINED FOR THE
PARK CONCIERGE PROGRAM AND IF
THAT IS ALSO PREDOMINANTLY FOR
DOWNTOWN OR FOR PARKS OUTSIDE
OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA. I
UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMMUNITY
FUNDS GRANTING PROGRAM IS
REDUCED FROM 600 TO 400 AND AS
YOU NOTED, THESE PROGRAMS ARE
REALLY IMPORTANT FOR
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. THEY ARE
SPECIFICALLY FOR PROVIDING
GREEN SPACE FOR NEIGHBORHOODS
WITH THE HIGHEST NEED.
RECREATION FOR ALL AND
IMPROVING PROGRAMS TO HAVE A
REALLY SUCCESSFUL TRACK RECORD
FOR PROVIDING RELEVANT
PROGRAMMING FOR NEIGHBORHOODS
WITH THE HIGHEST NEEDS. IT IS
PROBLEMATIC FOR ME TO SEE ANY
REDUCTION IN THOSE PROGRAMS. I
WANT TO UNDERSTAND BETTER THE
SWITCH TO THE ADD TAX. YOU
MENTIONED ART IN THE PARK AND
THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER THINGS
YOU MENTIONED THAT WILL BE
SWITCHED TO THE ADD TAX AND I
WANT TO MAKE SURE, WHAT I THINK
THAT SAYS IS THAT WHATEVER THAT
TOTALS TWO WILL BE REDUCED FROM
ARTS AND CULTURE, SO I JUST
WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND
THAT. AND THEN IN TERMS OF
REDUCTIONS, I THINK THAT I
UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE
REDUCING THE THIRD SHIFT
MAINTENANCE WORKERS BY 25
FTD'S, IS THAT WRONG?
>> I THINK YOU ARE SEEING SOME
OF THE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS THAT
DID NOT GET SELECTED.
>> THAT IS GOOD TO KNOW. I WAS
LOOKING THROUGH SOME OF THE
BUDGET DOCUMENT SO IT IS
POSSIBLE THAT THE PROPOSALS
THAT WERE SUBMITTED WERE NOT
PART OF THIS PACKAGE. THAT IS
WHY I LOOK THROUGH THOSE AND
ASK THE QUESTIONS. AND I DO
WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE PROPOSED
INCREASE IN AQUATICS FEES. AND
I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
SWIM EQUITY PROGRAM, WHICH I
CAN ASK LATER. BUT I DO FIND IT
TROUBLING THAT WE ARE
INCREASING PRICES FOR SWIM
LESSONS, PARTICULARLY FOR LOW
INCOME FAMILIES AND KIDS IN A
CITY SURROUNDED BY WATER WHERE
WE DO KNOW THAT IT IS BLACK AND
BROWN KIDS THAT DROWNED THE
MOST IN THIS CITY. ANYTHING
THAT MAKES IT HARDER FOR THEM
TO ACCESS THAT RESOURCE IS A
PROBLEM FOR ME. I UNDERSTAND
THE INCREASE IN REVENUE WOULD
POTENTIALLY BE USED FOR
SCHOLARSHIPS, BUT IT DOES NOT
MAKE SENSE TO ME TO INCREASE
FEES AND SUSTAINED
SCHOLARSHIPS. THOSE ARE ALL OF
MY ISSUES AND COMMENTS. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIR.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
I ECHO THE COMMENTS OF MANY OF
MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF PARKS FOR YOUTH
AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING. BUT AT
THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM I
ALSO WANT TO SHOUT OUT THE
INCREDIBLE PROGRAMMING YOU ARE
DOING FOR SENIORS, PEOPLE 50
AND OVER. THOSE ARE CRITICALLY
IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
THERE IS AN EPIDEMIC OF
LONELINESS AND DISCONNECTION
FOR PEOPLE 50 PLUS SO I WANT TO
SHOUT OUT TO PARKS FOR THE
REALLY IMPORTANT PROGRAMMING,
PARTICULARLY AROUND THE
DEMENTIA PROGRAMMING. THAT HAS
BEEN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. I
WAS ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT
RESOURCE WITH MY MOTHER. IT WAS
A LIFESAVER. MY ONLY PLUG WOULD
BE, COULD WE EXPAND THE HOURS?
RIGHT NOW THEY ARE REALLY
MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON. IT
WOULD BE NICE, WHEN WE HAVE
MORE MONEY TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT
HAVING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES
AVAILABLE LATER IN THE
AFTERNOON AND EVENING. I THINK
WE WOULD SEE A HUGE INCREASE IN
PARTICIPATION AND CERTAINLY
THERE CAN BE SOME FEE-BASED
INVOLVEMENT IN THAT AS WELL.
AND THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME
HOW TO PLAY PICKLE BALL.
THAT'S IT.
>> AT GREEN LAKE?
>> IT WAS AT MAGNUSON.
>> I BELIEVE THAT WAS THE LAST
COUNCIL MEMBER WITH THEIR HAND
UP. SEEING NO OTHER QUESTIONS,
I WILL SHARE MY REFLECTIONS AND
THEN PASS IT TO COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH TO CLOSE THIS
SECTION OF PRESENTATION.
SIMILAR TO COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES, I WILL READ OUT THE
ISSUES I'D LIKE TO COME BACK
TO. SO CENTRAL STAFF, IF YOU
COULD KEEP IN, ALTHOUGH THE
FIRST ONE I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS.
MAINTENANCE AND ACTIVATION
OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN. I HAVE
SEEN THE ABSOLUTE BENEFIT OF
THE ACTIVATION THAT HAS
OCCURRED BECAUSE FROM MIGHT
DISTRICT OFFICE YOU CAN SEE THE
PARK AND THAT TRANSFORMATION,
HAVING THE CONCIERGE THEY ARE
-- THERE AND YOGA IN THE PARK
AND MOVIE NIGHTS, IT HAS BEEN
INCREDIBLE. THE WORK YOU ALL DO
TRANSFORMS PEOPLE'S DAILY
LIVES IN WAYS THAT FOLKS IN
YOUR DEPARTMENT PROBABLY DON'T
FULLY REALIZE BECAUSE IT IS A
LIVED EXPERIENCE AND BUILT
ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES OR
BREAKS A PERSON STAY. CAN YOU
HELP ME UNDERSTAND, IN THIS
BUDGET, WE DON'T HAVE
ACTIVATION OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN?
>> THE PROPOSED BUDGET STILL
ALLOWS ACTIVATION OUTSIDE OF
DOWNTOWN. THERE IS REDUCTION IN
THE ABILITY TO REACH ALL PARTS
OF THE CITY BUT THERE WILL
STILL BE ACTIVATIONS, CONCIERGE
AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE
WHAT WE DEFINE AS THE DOWNTOWN
CORE.
>> FOR BOTH CENTRAL STAFF AND
CBO I'M HOPING TO DO A
POSITION BY POSITION REVIEW OF
EVERY POSITION TERMED TO BE
CLOSED OR AGGREGATED THROUGH
THIS BUDGET. I WILL NOT GO
THROUGH THOSE RIGHT NOW BUT FOR
ANYONE WATCHING, PLEASE NOTE
THAT I WILL BE DOING THAT.
>> THIS INVOLVES A QUESTION YOU
POSED EARLIER. WE DO HAVE THAT
REQUEST IN TO CBO AND HOPEFULLY
WE WILL HAVE THAT SHORTLY.
>> IT IS NOT JUST DIRECT OR
NOBLE, IT IS COMING STRAIGHT
FROM ME. LOOKING AT PAGES 92
AND 93 OF THE BUDGET, COMING
BACK TO THE FEE INCREASES.
UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AQUATICS
PROGRAM, REVOCABLE USE PERMITS,
ATHLETIC FIELDS, SPECIAL
EVENTS, TENNIS CENTER AND
COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS ARE
THE FEES LOOKING TO BE
INCREASED. ARE THERE OTHERS OR
IS THAT IT? WILL WE INCREASE
FEES FOR THE POTTERY CLASS OR
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING OR IS
THIS THE FULL LIST?
>> THE POTTERY CLASS FEES ARE
DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
RECREATIONAL COUNCIL. WE CAN
GET BACK TO YOU ON WHETHER OR
NOT WE THINK THAT WILL
INCREASE. I DO KNOW WE ARE
TALKING WITH ARC ABOUT
CHILDCARE FEES POTENTIALLY
BEING RAISED NEXT SUMMER. FOR
THIS SCHOOL YEAR THEY WILL NOT
BE CHANGED.
>> IT IS A HARD CHOICE, RIGHT?
WHEN WE DO INCREASE FEES WE DO
LIMIT ACCESS. AT A DIFFERENT
RATE THAN IF IT IS A VERY LOW
FEE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME IF WE
CAN'T PROVIDE SOME OF THIS A
PROGRAMMING, WHAT IS MOST
IMPORTANT TO ME IS THAT I HAVE
A FULL, COMPREHENSIVE
UNDERSTANDING OF THESE BUDGET
DECISIONS. BECAUSE IF THE ARC
CLASSES ARE ALSO GETTING THEIR
FEES RAISE, I NEED TO KNOW THAT
INFORMATION. AND KIND OF TO
WHAT COUNCILMEMBER MORALES WAS
ALLUDING TO, I THINK YOU ARE
PROBABLY READING SOME OF THE
BIBS WE RECEIVED THAT HAVE NOT
BEEN COLLATED, NECESSARILY. IT
JUST DEMONSTRATES THAT WHEN
EVERYONE STARTED THE BUDGET
EXERCISES IN JANUARY, THIS
COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT ANY OF THE
REDUCTIONS TO ANY OF THE
PROGRAMMING IS GOOD BUT THIS
COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE
THAN SOME OF THESE HARD
TRADE-OFFS THAT YOU MADE. IT
WILL BUOY US A LITTLE BIT FROM
SOME OF THESE OTHER REDUCTIONS
IN SERVICES AND PROGRAMMING. I
JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
I KNOW THAT PARK RANGERS ARE
FUNDED IN THE METROPOLITAN PARK
DISTRICT CYCLE. AT THE SAME
TIME WE NEGOTIATED WITH SPOCK
TO GET JURISDICTION FOR
DOWNTOWN. DO WE HAVE ANY PLANS
NOW TO BRING ON ANOTHER 28?
>> WE SHOULD DEFINITELY TALK
ABOUT THAT FOR THE NEXT CYCLE
WHICH WE WILL START PLANNING AT
THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
THANKFULLY THAT WAS AN
ALLOCATION THAT WAS MADE AND WE
FILLED ALL THE POSITIONS. WE
WOULD LOVE TO HIRE MORE BUT WE
DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING OR
IMMEDIATE PLANS TO DO IT. A
CAVEAT IS, ASSUMING THAT YOU
ALL AGREE THAT THE PROGRAM IS
KEY AND CRUCIAL TO THE PARK
SYSTEM. WE NEED MORE PARK
RANGERS SO LET'S FIGURE OUT
HOW TO GET THAT IN THE FUNDING.
NOW THAT WE ARE CITYWIDE, THE
28 WAS FACTORED AROUND
DOWNTOWN, NOW WE WILL HAVE TO
LOOK AT SERVING THE ENTIRE
CITY. WE WILL PROBABLY NEED A
50 PARK RANGER UNIT.
>> OR AT LEAST THREE SETS OF
28. I MEAN, I REALLY APPRECIATE
THEM. I'VE HAD REALLY GREAT
EXPERIENCES WITH PARK RANGERS.
I AM THE SECRET SHOPPER THAT
DOES NOT TELL THEM WHO I AM AND
I'VE WATCHED THEM HANDLE
SITUATIONS IN A VERY GRACEFUL
AND PROFESSIONAL MANAGER --
MANNER.
>> I USED TO DO THAT, TOO. AND
PEOPLE SAID, YOU CAN'T DO THAT
ANYMORE. IT IS A WAY TO SEE HOW
PEOPLE INTERACT WITH THE
PUBLIC.
>> IN THE INTEREST OF TIME I
WON'T SHARE MORE ABOUT THAT.
BUT TO BE CLEAR, THE LAKE CITY
COMMUNITY CENTER, STILL
HAPPENING?
>> YES. NOT USING A DOUBLE
NEGATIVE, THE LAKE CITY
IMMUNITY CENTER IS STILL GOING
FORWARD. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
HOUSING AND THE RECREATIONAL
CENTER.
>> BEEN TESTED. AS YOU SEE
COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE
ADVOCATING, IT WAS A DECADE AGO
THAT I WENT ON MY FIRST
COMMUNITY WALK TRYING TO GET A
NEW COMMUNITY CENTER. CHAIR
HOLLINGSWORTH, OVER TO YOU.
>> I WILL BE SUPERQUICK. THANK
YOU, MR. CHAIR AND
SUPERINTENDENT DIAZ. WE ARE IN
THE TOP 10 FOR PARK SYSTEMS,
THAT IS AMAZING. THE
COMPETITION, COUNCIL MEMBER
SAKA, WASHINGTON, D.C. IS
NUMBER ONE AND THEIR PARKS ARE
PRETTY PHENOMENAL. BUT WE CAN
GET THERE. IN MINNESOTA AND ST.
PAUL, NUMBER TWO, AND THEY HAVE
THE BEST STATE FAIR, SHOUT OUT
TO MY AUNT HEIDI WHO MAKES THE
BEST STATE APPLE PIE. I THINK
WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY AS WE
CONTINUE TO GROW AND CONTINUE
TO MAINTAIN IT. I SEE THE LOVE
AND PASSION YOU HAVE EVERY TIME
WE ARE AT AN EVENT, EVERY TIME
YOU ARE POSTING OR SENDING OUT
AN EMAIL. EVERY TIME, YOU JUST
REALLY EMBODY WHAT SEATTLE
PARKS IS AND I'M SO GRATEFUL
FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
THANK YOU, MICHELLE, I KNOW IT
WAS A LOT TO DO THIS BUDGET AND
ALL THESE NUMBERS. LOOKING
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH PARKS
AND I WILL HAVE BEHIND-THE-SCEN
ES QUESTIONS WHILE WE DO A
DEEPER DIVE. JUST WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK,
WE LOVE YOU ALL, THANK YOU.
>> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, IT
IS A PLEASURE TO ALWAYS BE
BEFORE YOU AND TO HAVE GOTTEN
TO KNOW YOU IN THE PAST YEAR
AND A HALF. WE HAVE BEEN AT SO
MANY EVENTS TOGETHER. YOU ALL
OF THE COMMUNITY AND LOVE PARKS
AND I ECHO EVERYTHING YOU'RE
SAYING. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE
THE SUPERINTENDENT IN ONE OF
THE GREATEST PARKS, WE HAVE TO
KEEP OUR EYES ON OUR KIDS AND
HELP ADULTS STAY HEALTHY AND
TAKE CARE OF OUR AGING
POPULATION. THOSE THREE THINGS
HAVE GOT TO BE OUR NORTHSTAR
AND I AM PRIVILEGED TO LEAD A
DEPARTMENT AND HAVE A MAYOR
THAT REALLY BELIEVES IN THE
POWER OF PARKS. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR LEADERSHIP AND HARDSHIP
AND GOVERNANCE OF THIS GREAT
CITY.
>> SINCE WE ARE BRINGING UP
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING WE WILL SAY
THANK YOU, KEEP GOING, SORRY.
>> PRESENTATION FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING DISCUSSION.
>> I WANT TO PROVIDE A LITTLE
BIT OF TECHNICAL CLARIFICATION.
WE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE WOULD
GET YOU A LIST OF ALL THE
POTENTIAL BUDGET PROPOSALS THAT
HAD BEEN REJECTED BY THE MAYORS
INCLUDING SOME TECHNICAL
ISSUES, WE HAVE NOT HAD A WAY
TO DISTINGUISH THOSE THAT HAVE
BEEN INCORPORATED AND THOSE
THAT HAVE BEEN EJECTED. BY
TOMORROW WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET
YOU A LIST THAT WE PROMISED,
WHICH IS REALLY THE CHANGES
THAT THE BUDGET IS CONSIDERED
THAT WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE
MAYORS OFFICE BUT WERE
ULTIMATELY REJECTED.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES HAD BEEN
LOOKING THROUGH THE FULL PACK
AND HAD SEEN SOME THAT SHE
THOUGHT HAD BEEN INCORPORATED
AND I DID NOT WANT THE REST OF
YOU TO BE IN THAT PLACE AND I
THINK WE JUST ABOUT SOLVE THAT
PROBLEM AND WILL GET THE FULL
LIST TO YOU BY TOMORROW.
>> IS THE PARKS DEPARTMENT IS
WALKING OUT THE DOOR I WILL
JUST THANK THEM IN THE UPCOMING
PRESENTATION FOR THE FOCUS ON
ALL AGES AND ABILITIES IN THE
CLASSROOMS AND IN THE PARKS.
WITH THAT, DIRECTOR CHAPELLE, I
WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU AND
THEN COUNCIL MEMBER RIVIERA.
>> IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU. I AM
DWANE CHAPPELLE, JOINED BY MY
AMAZING COLLEAGUE , JONATHAN
SWIFT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO
GOING OVER THE 2025/2026
PROPOSED BUDGET WITH YOU. OKAY,
SO JUST TO GET STARTED, AS WITH
ANY INVESTMENT WE DO, THIS IS
OUR MISSION. WE AIM TO
TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF
SEATTLE'S CHILDREN, YOUTH AND
FAMILIES THROUGH OUR STRATEGIC
INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION. THE
VISION IS AWARE A CITY WHERE
ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAVE
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO
HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION
SERVICES, SUPPORT AND OUTCOMES.
OUR KEY IMPACT AREAS ARE ACCESS
TO AFFORDABLE, QUALITY
CHILDCARE, KINDERGARTEN
READINESS, COLLEGE AND CAREER
READINESS AND POST SECONDARY
DECREE -- DEGREE CREDENTIAL OR
CERTIFICATE ATTAIN.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES IS
TAKING THE MEETING FROM HER
OFFICE. FOR ANY OF YOU, SHE IS
STILL WITH US.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.
TO TRACK OUR PROGRESS TOWARDS
OUR IMPACTED AREAS, HERE ARE
HIGH-LEVEL RESULTS THAT COME
FROM OUR 2022-2023 ANNUAL
REPORT. WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS
THAT, WITH THE CHILDCARE
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, DEEL
SUPPORTED 853 CHILDREN,
PROVIDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE
CHILDCARE SERVICES. FOR THOSE
FAMILIES ENROLLED IN THE
PROGRAM, THEY HAVE SEEN AN
AVERAGE SAVINGS OF $6500
ANNUALLY. FOR OUR SEATTLE
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, DEEL SERVED
2042 CHILDREN THIS YEAR. THOSE
HAVE ACHIEVED A 9-14% GAIN IN
THE GARDEN READINESS AMONG OUR
HISPANIC, LATINX, ASIAN, BLACK
AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN.
FOR OUR K-12 SERVICES, DEEL
PROVIDED SUPPORT TO OVER 24,000
K-12 YOUTH WHERE WE HAVE SEEN A
6% GAIN IN ENGLISH WHICH ARTS
AND MATH PROFICIENCY AMONG
PARTICIPATING STUDENTS IN THE
2022-2023 ACADEMIC YEAR. FOR
THE SEATTLE PROMISE, WE HAVE
ENROLLED 1250 SCHOLARS IN THE
PROGRAM WITH A 34% COMPLETION
RATE FOR STUDENT EARNING A
DEGREE WITHIN THREE YEARS AND
SUPPORTING THEIR TRANSITION
INTO FURTHER EDUCATION OR
CAREER PATHS. TO ACHIEVE THESE
RESULTS, WE IMPLEMENT
PERFORMANCE PAID CONTRACTING
WITH OUR PROVIDERS. THIS REALLY
ENSURES THAT WE ARE MAKING
PROGRESS TOWARD OUR RESULTS. WE
RECENTLY PRESENTED TO THE
LIBRARY'S EDUCATION
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITTEE OUR
RESULTS AND EVALUATION FINDINGS
TO DATE. IF YOU DID NOT HAVE A
CHANCE TO SEE IT, THESE REPORTS
ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR
DEPARTMENTS WEBSITE. IN A
MOMENT YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT
THE CONTRACT ACCOUNTABILITY
STRUCTURE AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
PROVIDERS DO NOT ACHIEVE THE
AGREED UPON DELIVERABLES AS
WELL AS THE REASON FOR THE
SMALL UNDER SPENT RESOURCES.
SO, OUR DEEL BUDGET COVERS,
WHICH I'M EXCITED ABOUT, THE
THREE MAYORAL BUDGET
PRIORITIES. WE KNOW THE IMPACT
THAT COVID HAS HAD ON YOUNG
SCHOLARS. THE FIRST PRIORITY IS
STUDENT WELL-BEING. EXPANDED
INVESTMENTS IN STUDENT MENTAL
HEALTH RESOURCES THAT COVERS
YOUTH PROGRAMS WHICH ARE
SUSTAINING INVESTMENTS IN YOUTH
DEVELOPMENT AND SUMMER
LEARNING. THEN WE HAVE THE POST
SECONDARY SUCCESS AS I JUST
MENTIONED. THIS ULTIMATELY
MAINTAINS SCHOOLS, I SHOULD SAY
STUDENTS FOR -- TO COMPLETE A
FOUR-YEAR DEGREE. PLEASE NOTE
THAT WITHIN THE POST SECONDARY
SUCCESS, ONE OF THE PRIORITIES
IS TO ENSURE THAT OUR SEATTLE
PROMISE SCHOLARS HAVE THE
ABILITY TO TRANSFER TO THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, IN
WHICH WE MADE SURE THIS WAS
POSSIBLE THROUGH OUR PATH
THROUGH U DUB INVESTMENT. WITH
THAT BEING SAID, WHAT I WILL DO
NOW IS I WILL PASS THIS OVER TO
JONATHAN TO TAKE US THROUGH THE
REST.
>> IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE WITH
YOU. I AM JONATHAN SWIFT, THE
CFO FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING. I
WILL TALK ABOUT THE OVERALL
BUDGET PICTURE FOR DEEL AND
WILL TOUCH ON A FEW KEY
INVESTMENTS AND SPEND A LITTLE
EXTRA TIME ON OUR YOUTH HUB
INVESTMENT BECAUSE THERE IS A
LOT OF INTEREST IN THAT AND
TOUCH ON THE CONTINUATION OF
SERVICES WITH A HIGHLIGHT ON
THE BUDGET RENEWAL AND THEN
QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION AFTER
THAT. AS YOU CAN SEE DEEL'S
PROPOSED BUDGET FROM 2024 TWO
2025 SHOWS A REDUCTION IN
GENERAL FUND SERVICES. WHAT
THAT REALLY AND TRULY REFLECTS
IS A DISCONTINUATION OF SOME
ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS THAT WERE
IN THE BUDGET. FOR EXAMPLE, WE
HAD CHILDCARE WORKER BONUSES
THAT WAS ONLY MEANT TO BE A
ONE-TIME INVESTMENT. THERE ARE
A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS
ILLUSTRATED IN REDUCED
RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL
FUND BUT NO SERVICE IMPACT FROM
THESE CHANGES. WE SHIFTED A
COUPLE OF INVESTMENTS AND
RESTORED PRACTICES AS WELL AS
INVESTMENTS IN RESPONSIVE
PROGRAMMING FROM THE GENERAL
FUND TO AVAILABLE RESOURCES
FROM OUR LIVING FUNDS. I DO
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, I WILL
REPEAT THIS SEVERAL TIMES
BECAUSE IT IS EASY TO OVERLOOK,
OUR BUDGET IS A CONTINUATION OF
SERVICES, WE DO NOT HAVE
REDUCTIONS TO DIRECT SERVICES.
A LOT OF THINGS YOU'RE SEEING
ARE SIMPLY A SHIFT IN SERVICES.
IN THE EXPENSE TAX YOU CAN LOOK
AT THE CHANGE FROM 2024 TO 2025
AND I THINK ALL COUNCILMEMBERS
GOT THAT AT THE END OF 2023, A
LUMP-SUM ACCOUNT IS INCLUDED IN
THE TRAINEE'S BUDGET OF $20
MILLION WITHOUT A DESIGN OR
PLAN ON HOW TO USE IT. WITHIN
THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE BEEN
WORKING ON THAT PLAN. THIS
REFLECTS A RIGHTSIZING OF THAT
BUDGET FOR THE ONGOING SERVICES
WE ARE PROVIDING. I WILL TALK
ABOUT THAT IN QUITE A BIT OF
DETAIL IN A MOMENT. THE OTHER
PIECE TO EMPHASIZE HERE,
ESPECIALLY AS WE SHIFT FROM
2025 TO 2026, YOU WILL NOTICE
THAT THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF
FUNDS FOR 2025 AS A REDUCTION
OF OVER 40%. THAT REALLY IS TO
REFLECT THE SUNSETTING OF THE
CURRENT LEVY. THAT LEVY SUNSETS
FOR THE 2026 SCHOOL YEAR, WE
ARE PLANNING ON INTERNAL LEVY
REPLACEMENT STARTING IN 2026. I
THOUGHT YOU WERE SWATTING AT
ME. WE WILL BE BRINGING BACK
LOTS OF DISCUSSION ON THIS
UPCOMING REVISED LEVY IN 2024.
I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME
NOTABLE CHANGES. I WILL SPEND
MOST OF THE TIME ON YOUTH
MENTAL HEALTH AND WILL TALK A
LITTLE MORE ABOUT FOREIGN
INVESTMENTS THAT CAME TO US
WITH THE CONTINUATION OF EITHER
PILOT PROGRAMS OR ADDED
PROGRAMS THAT HAD A LOT OF
COLLECTIVE POSITIVE IMPACT. OUR
BUDGET AND TRAINEE'S BUDGET AS
WELL AS PARKS AND YOU WILL HEAR
FROM HUMAN SERVICES TOMORROW,
REALLY ADDRESSES THE
SIGNIFICANT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
NEEDS. I WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT WHAT THE PURPOSE OF THIS
IS TO REMIND FOLKS. I THINK YOU
ARE ALL VERY IN TUNED TO THIS
AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AT RISK
HERE AND WHAT THE OPPORTUNITIES
ARE. I WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT KEY
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
THAT HAVE COME FROM OUR
INNOVATION AND PERFORMANCE
OFFICE. FUNDAMENTALLY, THE
PROPOSALS YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE
ARE BASED ON A LOT OF OUTREACH,
A LOT OF WORK. NOT JUST WITH
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, WITH
PARTNERS SUCH AS PUBLIC HEALTH
AND SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
I DO WANT TO THE SIZE THE
IMPORTANCE OF THIS EXISTING AND
ONGOING PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE
WITH THE SEATTLE KING COUNTY
PUBLIC HEALTH. THEY ARE A
CORNERSTONE OF THIS , THEY HAVE
A STRONG PRESENCE IN THE
SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY AND WE
REALLY ARE GOING TO LEVERAGE
THE PARTNERSHIP IN ORDER TO
MAKE SURE WE SEE RESULTS
QUICKLY. I ALSO WANT TO MENTION
THAT WE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD
DIRECT EXPERIENCES WITH THE
SMALL-SCALE PUBLIC. WE ARE
FINISHING UP WITH SEVEN
SCHOOLS, A MENTAL HEALTH PILOT
IN THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR.
CAPTURING SPEC [ CAPTIONERS
TRANSITIONING ]
SO, WHAT YOU ARE SEEING ON THE
SCREEN, IT TAKES IT FROM THE
REPORT, A STUDENT-LED APPROACH
TO HUMAN SERVICES. TAKE A LOOK
AT THAT IF YOU HAVE NOT THIS
FRAMEWORK. PREVENTION, EARLY
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT. THE
BUDGET FOCUSES ON ALL THREE OF
THE ASPECTS. AND, SO, IN TERMS
OF THE PREVENTION AND EARLY
INTERVENTION YOU CAN SEE SORT
OF ON THE LEFT, THE RESEARCH
INSIGHT AND THE TYPES OF
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE MADE
NOT JUST BY OUR STAFF OR OTHER
ORGANIZATION BUT BY THE
COMMUNITY. THERE IS WHAT THEY
ARE ASKING FOR AND DEMANDING
AND SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE
REALLY NEED. SO, ON THIS LINE I
AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS,
AGAIN, FRAMEWORK, INTERVENTION
AND I AM GOING TO START WITH
THE TOP PORTION OF THIS BY
TALKING ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS.
WHEN IT COMES TO TWO OF THE
FIVE INVESTMENTS WHICH IS
"REACH OUT SEATTLE" AND
"UNIVERSAL SCREENING" THESE ARE
HELPING OUR KIDS, OUR YOUTH GET
PASSED THE BARRIERS. GET PASSED
THE BARRIERS TO RECEIVE
SERVICES. UNDER INTERVENTION WE
HAVE THREE ADDITIONAL PIECES
SOME ARE COMMUNITY BASED,
SCHOOL BASE AND TELE HEALTH AND
I WILL GO INTO MORE OF THAT.
PREVENTION, REACH OUT SEATTLE
WE HAVE HAD SOME INITIAL
PLANNING WORK WE HAVE BEEN
DOING TO HAVE, REALLY, A FULL
THROTTLE REACH WITH KIDS SO
THESE TYPES OF THINGS WITH
BARRIERS RIGHT
NOW THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF
SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO SCALE
TO DO A COMMUNITY WIDE IMPACT,
FOCUSING ON THE SAME THINGS THE
PARKS DEPARTMENT TALKED ABOUT.
REACHING YOUTH WHERE THEY ARE
AT. NOT USING POSTERS AND
THINGS ON, SORRY TO SAY THIS,
ON SEATTLE PUBLIC TV BUT THINGS
LIKE APP-BASED PUSHES,
INFLUENCERS, REALLY USING A
FULL-FLEDGED MORE YOUTH-ENABLED
APPROACH TO REMOVE SOME OF THE
STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL
HEALTH. THE OTHER PIECE THAT I
THINK IS REALLY EXCITING IS
THAT WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON
UNIVERSAL SCREENING AND EXPAND
THAT SIGNIFICANTLY. RIGHT NOW,
ALL KIDS ARE SCREENED FOR
MENTAL HEALTH. NO HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS ARE. IT IS NOT A PART
OF THE DESIGN OF THE PROGRAM.
SO, WHAT WE ARE HEARING AND
GOING TO ENABLE IS MOVE
UNIVERSAL SCREENING AND GO UP
TO SCALE WITHIN 2025 TO DO
THAT. UNIVERSAL SCREENING IT IS
IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU DETECT
PROBLEMS EARLY AND OFTEN. YOU
CAN ACTUALLY DIVERT KIDS OR
GIVE THEM THE BEST RESOURCES
BEFORE THINGS ARE A CRISIS.
THAT IS REALLY WHAT
INTERVENTION IS ALWAYS ABOUT.
THE THIRD AREA, INTERVENTION IT
IS THE ON THE GROUNDWORK. THIS
IS WHERE WE CAN HAVE A POSITIVE
AND DIRECT AND IMMEDIATE IMPACT
WITH KIDS. AGAIN, WE ARE USING
THE LEVERAGE OF OUR
PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC
HEALTH, SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TO REALLY PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
SERVICES. WE WILL SERVE A LOT
MORE KIDS. I WILL TALK ABOUT
THIS IN THE NEXT SLIDE. NOT
JUST DOING IT WITH EXISTING
SITES WE ARE LOOKING AT DOING
COMMUNITY HUB, AND REALLY
EXPANDING OUT THE REACH FOR
KIDS OF WHERE THEY WANT TO BE.
SO, A LOT OF TIMES, YOU KNOW,
THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING
THESE SERVICES AT A LIMITED
NUMBER OF PLACES IS THE BARRIER
ITSELF. COMBINING THE THINGS
TOGETHER, PREVENTION, EARLY
INTERVENTION AND THE
INTERVENTION CAN HELP
SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE THAT TIDE.
THE OTHER AREA, THE FIFTH AREA,
IT IS AROUND TELEHEALTH
SERVICES. IT HAS BEEN REALLY
INTERESTING AND EXCITING THING
TO ACTUALLY LOOK OUT INTO THE
UNITED STATES PARTICULARLY. WE
ARE SEEING A LOT OF SMALL AND
LARGE SCALE INTERVENTIONS
FOCUSED ON TELEHEALTH SERVICES.
A LOT OF READY MODELS WE CAN
EASILY PIGGYBACK ON IN OTHER
CITIES AND JURISDICTIONS AND
OTHER STATES. THEY ARE
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES THAT
USE A SUITE OF SERVICES.
SOMETIMES IT IS DIRECT MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES THAT TYPICAL
SORT OF TALK THERAPY, OTHER
THINGS ARE SIMPLY COACHING OR
HAVING AVAILABILITY TO APPS AND
EDUCATION. SO, ALL OF THESE
THINGS WE ARE CONTINUING. SO,
OF COURSE, I AM THE CFO. I WILL
TALK ABOUT THE MONEY FOR JUST A
MOMENT. THIS IS SORT OF A 2-1/2
YEAR INVESTMENT TOTAL WITH THE
PE T-FUNDS. -- PET-FUNDS. KEEP
IN MIND THIS IS REALLY EARLY.
THAT WE DON'T HAVE SOME OF
THESE SERVICES ON THE GROUND IN
THE WAY THAT WE WILL HAVE THEM
LATER ON WHAT WE SCALE IT UP IN
2025. THESE ARE SORT OF
ESTIMATES OF THE TYPES OF
IMPACTS WE ARE EXPECTING TO
SEE. SO, ACTUALLY WITH THE
UNIVERSAL SCREENING ALONE IT
SHOULD HAVE AN IMPACT OF
SCREENING 14,000 ADDITIONAL
KIDS, THAT IS THE INTENTION AND
IT IS ALL HIGH SCHOOL BASE.
>> WITH TREATMENT, TELE HEALTH
THE MODELS SAY 4-8% OF ACTIVE
HIGH SCHOOL KIDS, ESPECIALLY
WITH SCHOOLS THAT WE ARE
REACHING. 4-8%. THAT IS 2200 TO
4,000 KIDS. SCHOOL-BASED AND
COMMUNITY HUBS WE ARE LOOKING
AT AN ADDITIONAL 3500 KIDS
SERVED BY THESE SERVICES. OF
COURSE, EVERYTHING IS A CONCEPT
UNTIL YOU PUT IT INTO ACTION. I
JUST WANTED TO TOUCH ON SOME OF
THE NEXT STEPS. EARLY IN THIS
WORK. WORKING ON IT WITH OUR
PARTNERS AND NEGOTIATING
CONTRACTS AND PUTTING THINGS
OUT FOR RFIs AND RFPs AND
TECHNICAL THINGS ALL PART OF
THE PROCESS TO HAVE A FAIR AND
TRANSPARENT PROCESS. SO, WE
HAVE RELEASED OUR TELE-HEALTH
REP AND SCHOOL-BASED IN-PERSON
PROPOSALS FOR OCTOBER. WE HAVE
BEEN NEGOTIATING THE SCOPE OF
WORK, HOW WE ARE IMPLEMENTING
STAFFING, DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE
THAT WITH PUBLIC HEALTH AND WE
ACTUALLY ANTICIPATE THAT WE
WILL BE MOVING INTO SCALING UP
AND Q1 OF 2025 WHEN IT COMES TO
THE TELEHEALTH AND SCHOOL-BASED
SERVICES AND THE
COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES WILL
TAKE A LITTLE MORE TO
IMPLEMENT. SOME OF THE
INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT IN PLACE
AND WE NEED TO DO THE HIRING
AND THE FACILITY PIECES IN
ORDER TO GET IT UP TO SCALE. WE
EXPECT TO HAVE IT UP TO SCALE
AND RUNNING IN FALL OF 2025.
THAT WAS THE SHORT
PRESENTATION, I HOPE, ON MENTAL
HEALTH. I KNOW THERE ARE GOING
TO BE QUESTIONS. WE HAVE GIVEN
A COUPLE SIGNALS OF WHAT THAT
MIGHT BE. APPRECIATE THAT. I DO
WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE OTHER
SORT OF CONTINUATION OF
SERVICES. DUAN DWAYN MENTIONED
WE USE A PAPER-PERFORMANCE
MODEL. OUR CONTRACTS, WHAT IT
MEANS IN TERMS OF RESOURCES IF
THE SERVICE IS NOT DELIVERED WE
DO NOT PAY FOR IT. IF THE
PERFORMANCE IS NOT ACHIEVED WE
DO NOT PAY BONUSES. WHAT THAT
MEANS EVERY YEAR WE HAVE 2-3%
OF RESOURCES COMMITTED THAT END
UP IN SAVINGS. THEN WE BUY
COUNCIL LEGISLATION AND BUY OUR
IMPLEMENTATION OR EVALUATION
PLAN. THE PATH FOR USING THAT
MONEY TO GO TO OUR LEVY
COMMITTEE. THEY MAKE PROPOSALS
AND COME BACK TO YOU IN THE
REGULAR BUDGET. THAT IS WHERE
THIS MONEY IS COMING FROM. IT
COMES LARGELY FROM THE
RESOURCES FROM THAT. SO, THESE
ARE ALL CONTINUATION OF
SERVICES AND SO I JUST WANT TO
HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THINGS
JUST TO MAYBE TOOT OUR OWN HORN
WHEN IT COMES TO HOW WELL
THINGS ARE GOING HERE. SO, WE
HAVE AN ALLOCATION OF
CONTINUATION THROUGH THE END OF
THE LEVY. YOUTH EDUCATION AND
LEADERSHIP DIVERSITY.
LEADERSHIP SERVES ROUGHLY 1300
PEOPLE ANNUALLY. FOCUSED ON
SKILL BUILDING AND MENTORSHIP
WITH KIDS IN THE SCHOOLS AND IT
ROUGHLY SERVED 84% OF THE KIDS.
EDUCATOR DIVERSITY CREATES A
PATHWAY FOR TEACHERS. OVER AND
OVER AGAIN RESEARCH SHOWS A
CHILD WHO HAS AT LEAST ONE,
JUST ONE, IT IS AMAZING. JUST
ONE PERSON WHO IS THE SAME
COLOR AS THEM AND IT INCREASES
THEIR POTENTIAL FOR FINISHING
HIGH SCHOOL. IT IS AN AMAZING
ASTOUNDING THINGS. THEY SEE
PEOPLE WHO ARE THEM AT SCHOOLS
THE OTHER PIECE OF THIS IS WITH
K-12. WE SERVE 250. IT WAS
EXPERIMENT COMING OUT OF COVID.
GIVING THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO BE
EDUCATED ANDEPTER TAINED AND
LEARNING NEW SKILLS. WHEN WE
STARTED THIS A FEW YEARS AGO WE
WERE SERVING 800 TO 900 KIDS WE
ARE UP TO 1400 KIDS THIS PAST
SUMMER. THE PROPOSAL IS TO
CONTINUE THAT THROUGH THE END
OF THE LEVY. AND MAINTAINING
POST-SECONDARY
PROGRAMS. THEY ARE CONTINUATION
OF SERVICES. WE PILOTED A
PROGRAM A PATH TO UW. FOR OUR
PROMISE SCHOLARS. I WILL TALK
ABOUT OUR PROMISE PROGRAM AND
HOW GREAT IT IS DOING. THE PATH
TO U-DUB IS GREAT. WE HAVE
DOUBLE THE ENROLLMENT
ANTICIPATED THOSE THAT
PARTICIPATE 71% GO ON TO, WELL,
THEY ARE NOT COMPLETED YET BUT
ENROLLED IN FOUR YEAR PROGRAMS
AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. IT
IS GOING GANGBUSTERS. I SHOULD
NOT SAY THAT. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
OKAY. SO, IN THE OTHER PIECE OF
THIS, SEATTLE PROMISE. WE HAVE
EQUITY ENHANCEMENTS AND A VERY
HIGH ENROLLMENT IN THIS
PROGRAM. OUR ENROLLMENT IS
HITTING CLOSER TO 1400. RIGHT
NOW SCALE OF THE PROMISE IT
PAYS FOR SORT OF THE WRAPAROUND
EQUITY SCHOLARSHIPS AS WELL AS
THE HIGHER THAN INITIALLY
ANTICIPATED ENROLLMENT IN THE
PROGRAM. SO, WITH THAT SAID. WE
ARE ON TO QUESTIONS. THAT IS
THE END OF OUR PRESENTATION.
>> THANK YOU TO YOU BOTH. I
WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE CHAIR
OF YOUR COMMITTEE. VICE CHAIR
OF THERE COMMITTEE. VICE MEMBER
MORALES.
>> THANK YOU "DEEL" FOR BEING
HERE. FULL DISCLOSURE WE HAVE
HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING
TOGETHER FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS
AND WITH THE TEAM AT "DEEL." I
AM HAPPY TO BE CONTINUING TO
WORK WITH THIS TEAM. WHO HAVE
HAD A LOT OF WORK TO DO WITH
THIS FAMILIES AND EDUCATION
PRESCHOOL PROMISE LEVY. THE
FEPP LEVY. IN WASHINGTON STATE
WE KNOW AND DISCUSSED EDUCATION
SAY STATE RESPONSIBILITY. THE
CITY PROVIDES SUPPORTS, THOUGH,
TO KIDS, VIA THIS FEPP LEVY
EVERY YEAR. AS YOU HEARD FROM
"DEEL" IT INCLUDES CHILDCARE
AND PRESCHOOL FOR ELIGIBLE
FAMILIES TO GET KIDS
KINDERGARTEN READY. K-12
WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO GET KIDS
COLLEGE READY AND I WANT TO
UNDER SCORE THE K-12
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT THINGS THAT
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR ON THE HOOK
FOR, BUT THAT THEY ARE JUST
THAT TO HELP KIDS WITH SOME
SUPPORT AROUND THAT K-12 PIECE.
AND THEN, THE SEATTLE PROMISE
WHICH IS THE UNIVERSAL
TWO-YEARS OF FREE COLLEGE AND
THEN AS YOU HEARD "DEEL" SAY
THEY PARTNER WITH U-DUB TO HAVE
SOME OF THE PROMISE KIDS GO ON
TO GET A FOUR YEAR DEGREE. IT
IS VERY EXCITING AND IT WAS AN
ADD-ON NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL
SEATTLE PROMISE PROPOSAL. AS
THE PROGRAM HAS GOTTEN UNDERWAY
THERE HAVE BEEN THESE GREAT
PARTNERSHIPS AND PIECES
INCLUDING PROVIDING SOME
SUPPORTS TO THE SEATTLE PROMISE
STUDENTS AS WELL BY WAY OF
WRAPAROUND SERVICES. TO HELP
THEM COMPLETE THE TWO YEAR
DEGREES AND THEN TO HELP THEM
TRANSITION TO U-DUB FOR THOSE
THAT WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT. SO,
IT IS REALLY A REALLY GREAT
PROGRAM AND SEATTLE PROMISE AS
JONATHAN SAID EARLIER, IT IS
REALLY A PROGRAM THAT A LOT OF
KIDS AVAILED THEMSELVES OF AND
I THINK REALLY IMPORTANT PIECE
TO POINT OUT IS THAT THIS
PARTICULAR PROGRAM IS HEAVILY
UTILIZED BY KIDS WHO ARE FROM
MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES THAT
MIGHT NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
IN THEORY, IT IS FREE TO ANY
KID SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOL KID
IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND WE
KNOW THAT THE BULK HAS BEEN
UTILIZED BY THOSE KIDS WHO HAVE
ACCESS AND THEY ARE UTILIZING
THE PROGRAM. SO, IT WAS NOT
DESIGNED TO BE THAT WAY AND
THEN THAT IS HOW IT IS WORKING
OUT BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE KIDS
THAT NEED THE HELP THE MOST. SO
THAT IS REALLY GREAT AND I
REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE
WORK THAT "DEEL" HAS DONE FOR
ALL OF THE PROGRAMS,
PARTICULARLY PROMISE, IT WAS A
NEWER PROGRAM TO THEM AND YOU
ALSO KNOW THAT THEIR BUDGET IS
PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH THE
LEVY AND IT IS REALLY GREAT TO
HEAR DIRECTOR THAT ALL OF YOUR
PROGRAMS WILL BE FUNDED INTO
2025-2026. THERE IS JUST A
SMALL LESS THAN, I THINK I SAW
IN YOUR BUDGET, YOU CAN
CONFIRM, LESS THAN $4 MILLION
IS BACKFILLED BY FEPP LEVY
UNDERSPEND. EVERY YEAR DEEL HAS
A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THEFT LEVY
UNDERSPEND. IT IS COMMON. WHAT
WE HAVE SEEN AND THEY ARE ABLE
TO REPURPOSE IT BACK TO THOSE
PROGRAMS. IT IS GREAT TO SEE
THAT SMALL REDUCTION OF GENERAL
FUND. IT IS BACKFILLED BY JUST
THE OVERAGE THAT HAS NOT BEEN
UTILIZED BY THE LEVY. IN 2024,
"DEEL" WAS DASKED WITH A NEW
LINE OF BUSINESS. THE MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES TO SUPPORT
STUDENTS WITH THE FUNDING.
AGAIN, I WANT TO REMIND US THAT
THE STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
MENTAL HEALTH. NEVER THE LESS,
THE CITY HAS CONSISTENTLY PUT
IT IN THEIR BUDGET THE HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN GENERAL
BUT THIS PARTICULAR FUNDING WAS
FOR YOUTH, PARTICULARLY
POST-PANDEMIC AS WE WERE SEEING
AND WE ALL TALKED ABOUT IT WHEN
WE WERE TALKING ABOUT OR WITH
SEATTLE PARKS AND REC ABOUT THE
NEEDS OF YOUTH POST PANDEMIC
RELATED TO, YOU KNOW, MENTAL
HEALTH. AND, SO, THE PLAYER HAS
PROPOSED THIS $19.5 MILLION
INVESTMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH IN
2025, AND MORE IN 2026. AND
$13. 9 IS IN D "DEEL" PERVIEW.
THE UNIVERSAL SCREENING AND
TELEHEALTH AND IN-PERSON
PROVIDERS TO KIDS? SO, THAT IS
THE PROPOSAL AND IT IS AN
IMPORTANT ONE AND I APPRECIATE
ALL OF THE WORK IS THAT "DEEL"
DID. IT TOOK THEM TIME TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE
INVESTMENT BECAUSE IT IS A NEW
LINE OF BUSINESS AND SOMETHING
THEY WERE NOT DOING. WITH THE
HELP OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE
U-DUB AND VARIOUS OTHER MENTAL
HEALTH PROVIDERS THEY WERE ABLE
TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL THAT
IS PART OF WHAT YOU SEE HERE
AND WORKING WITH THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE AND THE INVASION AND
PERFORMANCE TEAM AT THE CITY.
SO, THAT IS REALLY ALL GREAT
BECAUSE IT IS GROUNDED IN
EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS. AND,
SO, LOOKING FORWARD TO 2025
WHEN THIS IS REALLY
IMPLEMENTED. AND THEN AGAIN, AS
I SAID EARLIER, THEY ARE MEANT
TO SUPPLEMENT AND NOT STOP THE
STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY. I AM
GOING TO KEEP SAYING THAT.
WHILE THESE INVESTMENTS ARE
ROBUST, WE KNOW THEY ARE NOT
NECESSARILY -- THERE IS ALWAYS
MORE AND MORE NEED AND WE
REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THE
STATE TO HELP WITH THINGS THAT
THEY ARE ACTUALLY LEGISLATED TO
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE CITY IS GETTING
WHAT THEY NEED FROM THE STATE
AS WELL. SO I JUST WANT TO KEEP
UNDERSCORING THAT. BECAUSE WE
KEEP ASKING SEATTLE LOCAL,
LOCALLY FOR MORE AND MORE FROM
OUR SEATTLE RESIDENTS FOR ALL,
FOR THIS LEVY AND ALL OF THE
THE OTHER LEVIES THAT WE RUN. I
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE,
I AM GOING TO KEEP TALKING
ABOUT HOW THE STATE IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE THINGS
AND MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING
OUR SHARE BACK FROM THE STATE
TO HELP DO SOME OF THIS STUFF.
ANY WAY, THAT IS WHAT I WANTED
TO SAY. I DID NOT HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS FOR "DEEL" BECAUSE WE
WORK SO CLOSELY TOGETHER. I
REALLY JUST WANTED TO FLAG SOME
OF THESE THINGS. THANK YOU,
CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, VICE CHAIR
RIVERA. COLLEAGUES, QUESTIONS,
COMMENTS?
>> I GOT SOME. IS THAT .
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS
PRESENTATION HERE. LOVE THE
"DEEL" DEPARTMENT AND YOU ARE
TERRIFIC AND INNOVATIVE
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT YOU
OFFER AND I AM PROUD THAT MY
KIDS WERE A PART OF ONE OF THE
MEMBER PROGRAMS, PRESCHOOL
PROVIDERS FOR THE SEATTLE
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM. SO, YOU
KNOW, I KNOW FIRSTHAND SOME OF
THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU ALL DO.
THIS YEAR, UP UNTIL A FEW
MONTHS AGO THEY WERE PART OF
THE PRESCHOOL WHICH IS PART OF
THE SPP, BUT MY YOUNGEST SINCE
AGED OUT AND SO IS IN
KINDERGARTEN NOW. REALLY
IMPORTANT WORK AND IMPORTANT
PROGRAM. THANK YOU. JUST ONE
QUESTION. RELATED TO CHILDCARE
WAIT LIST. AS I UNDERSTAND IT
THERE IS CURRENTLY STILL A WAIT
LIST FOR THE CHILDCARE
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. AND I JUST
WOULD BE CURIOUS TO BETTER
UNDERSTAND HOW BIG IS THE WAIT
LIST EXACTLY AND HOW MUCH
FUNDING WOULD BE NEEDED TO MEET
THE CURRENT DEMAND FOR THAT
PROGRAM, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION,
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. I AM GOING
TO LET JONATHAN ANSWER THIS
ONE.
>> SO WE MOVED TO A WAIT LIST
JUST SIMPLY BECAUSE WE DID NOT
HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO SERVE
THE DEMAND. THE WAIT LIST GREW
TO ABOUT 350 KIDS. A FEW MONTHS
AFTER WE ENLISTED THAT LAST
YEAR. SINCE THEN IT HAS GONE
DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY BUT NOT ALL
OF THE WAY. WE ARE AT ABOUT 200
TO 250 KIDS. WE ARE WORKING
THROUGH A PORTION OF THE WAIT
LIST. IN ORDER TO SERVE
IS ON THE WAIT
LIST WE ESTIMATE IT WOULD BE
AROUND $1.5-$2 MILLION A YEAR.
>> THANK YOU. NO FURTHER
QUESTIONS, MR. CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA. ANYONE ELSE? WE DO.
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. REALLY
APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU
ARE DOING. I DON'T HAVE QUITE
THE DIRECT EXPERIENCE THAT SOME
OF MY COLLEAGUES DO BUT I SEE
IT IN OTHER WAYS I WAS AT AN
EVENT FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.
THEY DO GREAT WORK. I WAS
ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOUTHWEST
YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.
GREAT TEAM THERE. IT IS THESE
KINDS OF THINGS THAT MAKE A
DIFFERENCE. I APPRECIATE IT
FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE. I WANTED
TO SAY TO WHAT COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA WAS SAYING, MENTAL
HEALTH I SUPPORT WHAT WE ARE
DOING. AS SHE NOTED, IT REALLY
SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE BACK OF
YEARS AND YEARS OF ADVOCATING
OLYMPIA TO BE DOING IT. WE CAN
NOT LET THEM OFF OF THE HOOK.
WE NEED TO KEEP THAT PRESS ON,
US AS A COUNCIL AND COUNTY TO
GET THE SUPPORT IN NEED OF
EDUCATION AND MENTAL HEALTH. IT
IS SO IMPORTANT. I DO
APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE ARE
AUGMENTING, EARLY, IN TERMS OF
THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK
WITH THAT.
>> THANK YOU. ONE THING, IN
REGARDS TO SUCCESS, OBVIOUSLY I
AM A SON OF A WELDER, CAME TO
AMERICA AND THEN MY MOM CAME
OVER AS WELL. AND SO I KIND OF
GREW UP IN THE TRADES WORLD.
AND I RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF A
FOUR-YEAR DEGREE BECAUSE
BASICALLY I AM SITTING HERE.
SO, I SEE THAT. BUT I ALSO SEE
THE NEED FOR THAT DIVERSITY OF
TRAINING. NOT SOMETHING YOU
LEARN IN THE TRAINING. IT IS
DIFFERENT. IT CAN SET SOMEONE
UP FOR SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.
PLAY NOT BE THAT FOUR YEAR
DEGREE BUT THERE ARE
OPPORTUNITIES TO USE OTHER
PROGRAMS. SO MY QUESTION IS,
THE SLIDE SAID FOUR YEAR
DEGREES BUT IS THERE ANYTHING
YOU ARE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF
ALTERNATIVE? THESE CAREER PATHS
AS SOMEONE WHO LIVES AND OWNS A
HOME IN SEATTLE IT CAN BE
LUCRATIVE IN TERMS OF THE
TRADES IN HAVING IT AS A
CAREER.
>> YES. EXCUSE ME FOR JUMPING
IN BEFORE YOU FINISH. THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER FOR NOTING
THAT. THAT IS ONE THING THAT WE
HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXCITED ABOUT
WITH THE SEATTLE PROMISE IS
THAT THOUGH WE JUST HIGHLIGHTED
HOW WE BUILT OUT THE
OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG SCHOLARS
WHO ASPIRE TO ATTEND THE FOUR
YEAR UNIVERSITY. AS WE PARTNER
WITH SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND
SEATTLE COLLEGES. ON THE
SEATTLE PROMISE WE DO WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUNG
SCHOLARS ARE EXPOSED TO THE
COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE TRADES
THAT ARE OFFERED AT THE SEATTLE
COLLEGES, SO WE DO WORK WITH
THEM, HAND IN HAND, TO MAKE
SURE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE
VARIOUS TRADES THAT ARE OFFERED
UP THERE AT THE COLLEGES. I
DON'T HAVE THE DATA
SPECIFICALLY OFF HAND BUT I
WOULD BE HAPPY TO FOLLOW UP
WITH YOU TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT
MORE ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP, THE
NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE THAT
HAVE BEEN TAKING ADVANTAGES OF
THOSE POST-SECONDARY
CERTIFICATES WITHIN SEATTLE
COLLEGES.
>> I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN
THAT.
>> OKAY. I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH
YOU ON THAT.
>> THANK YOU. AND ALONG THOSE
LINES FOR MY NEXT AND LAST
QUESTION, IS, I SEE THE SEATTLE
PROMISE PROGRAM AND THE
OPPORTUNITIES THAT IT BRINGS
SEEN IT WITH MY OWN FAMILY
NIECES AND NEPHEWS NOT HERE IN
SEATTLE, BUT HOW IMPORTANT IT
IS AS A BRIDGE. AGAIN, IF YOU
ARE NOT READY FOR THE FOUR-YEAR
EXPERIENCE AND SO FORTH. BUT I
ALSO SEE IT AS A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN THE
DIVERSITY, TO BRING IN THE
PEOPLE TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING
OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS INTO THE
POLICE FORCE. I SEE SEATTLE
PROMISE PROGRAM AS LIKE
POTENTIALLY AS A GREAT WAY TO
CREATE A PIPELINE OR PERHAPS A
POLICE VERSION OF ROTC. TO,
INTO THE POLICE ACADEMY
PIPELINE. TO DO THAT AND, AND
TO DO THAT, BEFORE THE BADGE
PROGRAM AND THEN, YOU KNOW, TO
BECOME A POLICE OFFICER. IS
THAT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE,
YOU KNOW, ACTUALIZED?
>> SO, I WILL SAY THAT THE GOOD
THING ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP
WITH SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND
SEATTLE COLLEGES IS THAT I
THINK AS WE ARE PREGNANT WITH
POSSIBILITIES. MEANING YOU JUST
TALKED ABOUT THE TRADES FOR IF
IT IS HVAC OR WHAT NOT, NOW AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR PURSUING,
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED
IN BECOMING INTO THE LAW
ENFORCEMENT. I AM SAYING THAT
WE CAN ALWAYS EXPLORE THINGS TO
SEE WHAT IS POSSIBLE. YES, A
LONG WAY OF SAYING YES, AN
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE TO SEE
WHAT IS POSSIBLE.
>> I LIKE TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT.
>> OKAY.
>> DON'T WORRY, THAT WILL NOT
BE A SURPRISE TO PEOPLE
UPSTAIRS BECAUSE I MENTIONED IT
BEFORE. [ LAUGHTER ]
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I HAD
A QUICK COMMENT. THANK YOU,
DIRECTOR, DOCTOR, DD. AND
DEFINITELY WANT TO GIVE YOU A
SHOUT OUT IN THE BACK. THE MOST
QUIET I HAVE EVER SEEN YOU BACK
THERE. I AM JUST PLAYING. CFO
SWIFT, RIGHT? I SAID THAT
RIGHT? I JUST -- HIGHLIGHTING
THE AMAZING PROGRAM OF THE
PROMISE. I KNOW SOME OF MY
COLLEAGUES HAD SAID IT. I HAD A
CHANCE TO MEET WITH DR. BRADLEY
LANE, THE PRESIDENT AT SEATTLE
CENTRAL AND THE CHANCELLOR WHO
GAVE ME STATS ABOUT THE PROMISE
PROGRAM THAT I THOUGHT I WAS
COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY BY. 2023,
THEY HAD 2500 APPLICANTS. 60%
OF SEATTLE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATES THAT IS HOME GROWN
TALENT. 1400 STUDENTS WERE
ENROLLED IN THAT. 60% OF
STUDENTS OF COLOR YEAR OVER
YEAR OVER YEAR. THAT IS, THAT
IS THE DOPEST THING I EVER
HEARD. THAT IS DEFINITELY A
BLUEPRINT. I KNOW IT HAS BEEN
TRYING TO BE -- IMMULATED
ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I KNOW THAT
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA YOU ALL
WILL BE WORKING TOGETHER
CLOSELY. JUST WANTED TO
HIGHLIGHT THAT. OBVIOUSLY MY
COLLEAGUE AS HE WAS TALKING
ABOUT THE TRADES WE ALWAYS
TALKED ABOUT THAT. AND ONE
THING THAT I AM INTERESTED IN
AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER
THIS NOW, IT WILL BE
INTERESTING TO SEE HOW WE
INVEST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION FOR THIS LGEN-ALPHA.
BORN WITH A CELL PHONE IN THEIR
HANDS ALL THEY KNOW IS
TECHNOLOGY AND TV AND HOW WE
ARE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, ADJUST
TO THAT AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK
LIKE AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO
INVEST IN THEIR EDUCATION. I
THINK I WAS LUCKY TO BE AN
OLDER MELLENIAL AND RAISED BY
GRANDMOTHER FROM THE GREATEST
GENERATION. BORN IN 1920. IT
WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE HOW
WE INVEST IN YOUNG KIDS WHO ALL
THEY KNOW IS A CELL PHONE OR A
BOOK OR HOW TO LOOK UP STUFF
AND NAVIGATE THAT. REALLY
INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY
INVEST THAT AND THE CITY AND
YOUR DEPARTMENT TAKE THAT ON.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR
YOUR COMMENTS
>> WHO IS GOING TO TEACH THEM
HOW TO WRITE CHECKS? [ LAUGHTER
]
>> WORD. IT IS. DIRECTOR,
DOCTOR, I LIKE THAT. THE WORD
PHRASING THAT HOLLIGSWORTH. MY
COLLEAGUES SAKA AND RIVERA
ASKED YOU THE QUESTIONS THAT I
WAS GOING TO ASK YOU. I WILL
NOT DOUBLE DOWN BUT I WILL ASK
YOU TO REFLECT ON A PROMPT I
WILL GIVE YOU. I THINK YOU GOT
A SPECIAL PLACE IN THIS CITY
WHERE WE ASK YOU TO DO SOMEBODY
ELSE'S RESPONSIBILITY WITH A
DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE. AND I
HAVE TUESDAY TO YOU IN PRIVATE
AND I WILL SAY IT TO YOU ON THE
RECORD. I CAN NOT HAVE
FAVORITES UP HERE. WHAT I HAVE
SEEN FROM YOU, YOU ARE ONE OF
THE MOST RESPECTABLE
ADMINISTRATORS IN OUR REGION.
THAT CAME FROM YOU WERE
PRINCIPAL IN THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT TO COMING HERE. YOU
ARE ALSO COLLECTED AND PRESENT
AND SEE A PATHWAY FORWARD EVEN
IF THERE ARE BARRIERS IN YOUR
WAY. WE ASKED YOU TO DO A LOT.
WHEN YOU CAME TO THE CITY IT
WAS THE PRE-SCHOOL LEVY, IT WAS
THE EDUCATION LEVY. WE BUNDLED
IT TOGETHER AND ADDED TWO YEAR
COLLEGE, NOW YOU ARE PUTTING
KIDS ON PATHWAYS, YOUTH, YOUNG
ADULTS ON PATHWAYS TO FOUR YEAR
EDUCATIONS AND CAREER TECHNICAL
EDUCATION AND AWARD-WINNING
SEATTLE CHANNEL IF WE CAN PUT
UP THE POWER POINT AND I WOULD
LIKE TO GO TO THE "DEEL"
RESULTS PAGE TO -- REINFORCE
THIS. YOUR GENERAL FUND HAS
STAYED THE SAME IF NOT TAKEN A
DIP. HARD FOR ME TO SEE THE
NUMBERS. WE GAVE YOU JUMP-START
FUNDS WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH
FUNDING LAST YEAR. JUST LOOK AT
THESE NUMBERS. 853 CHILDREN
SUPPORTED, OVER 2,000 CHILDREN
SERVED. IN THE PRESCHOOL
PROGRAM. WHAT I AM GOING TO ASK
YOU TO EXPAND ON IS
SPECIFICALLY REGARDING K-12.
THAT IS THE STATE'S
RESPONSIBILITY AND WE ARE LUCKY
ENOUGH HERE IN THE CITY WHERE,
AND I BELIEVE CORRECT ME IF I
AM WRONG, WE ARE THE ONLY CITY
IN THIS STATE THAT HAS A
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. WE ARE
THE ONLY OF THE 280 OTHER
CITIES TO STEP UP WHERE THE
STATE IS NOT DOING THEIR, WHAT
THEY NEED TO BE. CAN YOU HELP
ME UNDERSTAND FROM YOUR
PERSPECTIVE HAVING BEEN AN
ADMINISTRATOR IN THE DISTRICT
AND HERE AND STEPPING UP IN A
WAY THAT OTHER CITIES HAVEN'T,
WHAT MORE DO WE NEED TO BE
DOING WITH K-12? WHAT GAPS DO
YOU SEE THAT ARE CURRENT LEVY
IS FILLING THAT WOULD OTHERWISE
BE HOLES FOR OUR YOUTH BECAUSE
IT IS A STATE RESPONSIBILITY
BUT -- HERE WE ARE.
>> SO, LET ME FIRST START BY
THANK YOU FOR THE COMPLEMENTS
OF OUR AMAZING DEPARTMENT AND
THE GREAT WORK THAT WE HAVE
DONE OVER THESE PAST ALMOST A
DECADE, RIGHT? I WILL START BY
SAYING THAT YES, TO ANSWER YOUR
QUESTION, THE ONLY DEPARTMENT
IN THE STATE THAT IS PROVIDING
THIS TYPE OF ROBUST SUPPORT FOR
ALL OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HERE IN
SEATTLE. AND, I WILL SAY AS ONE
THING THAT IS REFLECTING ON MY
MIND, I AM GOING, TAKING MYSELF
TO BACK TO BEING A HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL AND I AM SEEING,
WATCHING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE
WALK INTO THE SCHOOL BUILDING,
14-YEAR-OLDS, RUNNING TO CLASS,
EXCITED TO LEARN. THEN I AM
PICTURING MYSELF ON THE STAGE
WATCHING THEM GRADUATE FROM
HIGH SCHOOL, RIGHT? WHEN YOU
ARE ON STAGE YOU TAKE THAT VIEW
YOU SEE PEOPLE THROWING UP
THEIR CAPS HEY, SEATTLE
PROMISE, HERE I COME, OR U-DUB,
WHEREVER YOU WANT TO GO, HERE I
COME AND YOU SEE OTHERS AS
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE WAS
SPEAKING TO, TRADES HERE I
COME. ONE THING TO JUST
THINKING ABOUT IT FROM THAT
VISUAL AND ANSWERING YOUR
QUESTION, THE SUPPORT THAT WE
ARE PROVIDING RIGHT NOW TO OUR
SCHOLARS AROUND WRAPAROUND
SUPPORT SERVICES MAKING SURE
THERE IS YEAR AROUND
PROGRAMMING FOR THEM, THEM TO
PARTICIPATE THROUGHOUT THE
SUMMER AND DURING THE SCHOOL
YEAR. IT IS THE RIGHT STUFF
THAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW.
AND ONE OTHER THING THAT I AM
THINKING ABOUT IS THAT I AM
THINKING ABOUT ONE OF OUR
PROVIDERS I HAD A CHANCE TO GO
AND VISIT. SO, A MOMENT AGO,
SUPERINTENDENT DIAZ SAID HOW HE
WAS THE SECRET BOSS, UNDERCOVER
BOSS, RIGHT? AND, I AM JUST
THINKING ABOUT OVER THE SUMMER
THROUGH ALL OF OUR ROBUST,
AMAZING SUMMER PROGRAMMING I
HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT ALL
OF THEM. ONE THAT STANDS OUT TO
ME IS EMPOWERING YOUTH AND
FAMILY SERVICES. IT IS JUST THE
WORK THEY ARE PROVIDING TO ALL
OF OUR YOUNG SCHOLARS WHEN THEY
WALK IN THERE. WHAT I SAW WAS
THEM PROVIDING LIKE 21st
CENTURY SKILLS. WRITING
ACTIVITIES FOR THOSE OLDER
SCHOLARS IN THEIR PROGRAM. BUT
I SAW THEM SUPPORTING FAMILIES,
RIGHT? SO, THAT IS JUST WHAT I
AM THINKING ABOUT AND THAT IS
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT WORKING FOR
THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND US AND
ALL OF YOU UP HERE WE TAKE THE
ONE SEATTLE APPROACH AND WE
MAKE SURE THAT FAMILIES HAVE
THE NECESSARY SUPPORT THEY NEED
FOR THEIR YOUNG PEOPLE TO
THRIVE. THAT IS THE HOPE, I
HOPE THAT PICTURE OR THAT STORY
ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
>> YES AND YOU KNOW, I THINK AS
A ROLE YOU SERVED BOTH AS
PRINCIPAL BUT NOW HERE AT THE
CITY, I REMEMBER MY PRINCIPALS.
ERIC BENSON, HE MADE A REALLY
BIG IMPACT.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
FOR OUR CITY.
>> YEP.
>> OVER TO YOU TO VICE CHAIR TO
CLOSE US OUT AND I WILL
CLOSEOUT THE MEETING.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I WILL SAY
THE TEAM AND I HAVE HAD A LOT
OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS N
THE K-12 SPACE WE ARE NOT
SEEING THE RESULTS THAT WE
WOULD LIKE TO SEE. SO THAT IS
AN AREA THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING
DEEPER AT. THERE WAS NOT THE
REVIEW, I WILL SAY, THAT THERE
COULD HAVE BEEN MORE ROBUSTLY
THE K-12 WRAPAROUNDS. THERE IS
JUST LIKE WHEREVER THE
DEPARTMENTS HAVE A PROGRAM AND
THEN THEY USUALLY HIRE EXTERNAL
CONSULTANTS TO DO A REVIEW TO
SEE HOW WELL THE PROGRAMS ARE
WORKING. IN THIS SPACE THAT
REVIEW HAPPENED LATER. IT WAS
NOT AS ROBUST AS WE WOULD ALL
HAVE LIKED TO, INCLUDING "DEEL"
FOR IT TO BE. WE WILL CONTINUE
TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION
BECAUSE WE ARE MAKING A HUGE
INVESTMENT AND WE ARE JUST NOT
SEEING THE OUTCOMES THAT WE
WOULD LIKE TO SEE. SO, WHAT IS
MISSING? AND SO THIS IS WHAT
MAKES THE STATE NOT STEPPING UP
TO ITS RESPONSIBILITY EVEN MORE
CHALLENGING BECAUSE WE JUST
DON'T KNOW WHAT IS NEEDED TO
REALLY MAKE THE IMPACT HERE.
DESPITE THE FACT WE MADE THERE
INVESTMENT. I WILL SAY THAT AND
SAY THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO
WORK WITH DIRECTOR CHAPPELLE TO
GET MORE INFORMATION AND DATA
AROUND THAT. AND THEN OTHERWISE
I WILL JUST SAY THAT, ONE OF
THE THINGS, AND YOU SAID, THAT
MAKES WORKING WITH DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE ON ALL OF THESE
THINGS IS HE WAS A PRINCIPAL
AND HE HAS THAT WEALTH OF
KNOWLEDGE HE BRINGS TO THE WORK
ON WHAT THE KIDS NEED
PARTICULARLY AND THAT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT
UNDERSTANDS AND WORKED
ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE KIDS TO
KNOW WHAT THEY NEED. I AM
APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. DR.
CHAPPELLE. I AM GLAD YOU ARE
WITH US. I LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH "DEEL" AS WE MOVE
FORWARD AND ON WHAT CHANGES WE
NEED TO MAKE TO HAVE THE ROBUST
CHANGES WE WANT FOR ALL OF OUR
KIDS IN SEATTLE.
>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU, ALL.
>> VERY WELL SAID. WE ARE NOW
MOVING TOWARDS ADJOURNMENT OF
OUR SECOND DAY OF DEPARTMENT
PRESENTATIONS. REGARDING THE
2025 BUDGET. THANK YOU ALL FOR
COMING DOWN TODAY. AND
TOMORROW, WE WILL START PUBLIC
SAFETY. COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE
WILL TELL YOU EVERY MEETING IS
A PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING AND
TOMORROW IT IS TRUE. WE HAVE
CARE DEPARTMENT AND SPD IN THE
MORNING AND HUMAN SERVICES IN
THE AFTERNOON, HUMAN SERVICES
DOES QUITE A BIT. OCTOBER 2nd
WE WILL HAVE OFFICE OF HOUSING
AND THE SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
IN THE MORNING. RESERVING THE
AFTERNOON FOR OVERFLOW IN CASE
IT OCCURS OR WE WILL GIVE YOU
SOME TIME BACK IN YOUR DAY.
REMEMBER, ALSO, BY THE END OF
OCTOBER 22nd TO START HAVING
YOUR PRIORITIES YOU WOULD LIKE
CENTRAL STAFF TO ADDRESS DURING
THEIR PRESENTATIONS NOT NEXT
WEEK, THE WEEK AFTER, THAT WILL
BE HELPFUL FOR THEM. AGAIN,
THANK YOU TO MY FATHER, YOU
RAISED ME WELL ENOUGH TO BE
HERE BEFORE ALL OF YOU. HAPPY
BIRTHDAY. AGAIN, IT IS BABE
RUTH HITTING 60 HOME RUNS AND
154 GAME SERIES AND THE ONLY,
MAYBE NOT THE ONLY PERSON BUT
ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLAYERS TO
PLAY FOR THE YANKEES AND THE
METS. ONE MR. YOGI BEARA. SINCE
WE WILL BE BACK HERE TOMORROW
AT 9:00 A.M. DEJA VU ALL OVER
AGAIN. I WILL SEE YOU AT 9:30.
WE REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S
MEETING. THE NEXT BUDGET
COMMITTEE IS TUESDAY OCTOBER
1st. WRITTEN COMMENT, THAT WILL
BE OCTOBER 16th. IF THERE IS NO
FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE
THE COMMITTEE, WE WILL BE
ADJOURNED. HEARING NO FURTHER
BUSINESS, WE ARE ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH