>> THE SELECT BUDGET COMMITTEE
WILL COME TO ORDER THOSE 5:01
PM NOVEMBER 12, 2024 I AM DAN
STRAUSS. WILL THE CLOUT THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? CHAIR
STRAUSS. FIVE PRESENT.
>> WE WILL GET GOING THIS
EVENING I DO HAVE SOME COMMENTS
TO SHARE BEFORE WE GET GOING
WHICH IS I WANT TO KICK OFF
TONIGHT PUBLIC HEARING BY
ACKNOWLEDGING THE AMERICA LOOKS
VERY DIFFERENT THAN IT DID LAST
WEEK, NOW IT'S UP TO ALL OF US
IN THIS ROOM AND ON THIS DAIS
TO FIGHT HARDER THAN EVER FOR
OUR SHARED SEATTLE VALUES.
THROUGHOUT THE COMING WEEKS AND
MONTHS IT WILL BE CRITICAL THAT
THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR WORK
TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY WAYS THAT
WE CAN PROTECT OUR MOST
VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS. WE ALSO
HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO SAFEGUARD
PROGRAMS THAT ARE COMMUNITY
DEPENDS ON IT FROM PUBLIC
TRANSIT TO FIGHTING CLIMATE
CHANGE. WE ALSO NEED TO RECKON
WITH MAJOR ISSUES SEATTLE AND
THE REST OF THE COUNTRY FACES
FAR TOO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY
AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY THE
EVERYDAY BASICS HAVE BECOME
UNAFFORDABLE. IT IS NOT A
PROBLEM THAT THE ELECTED
LEADERS APPEAR ON THIS DAIS
CREATED AND IT IS OUR
RESPONSIBILITY AS ELECTED
LEADERS TO FIGHT ON THE BEHALF
OF WORKING-CLASS SEATTLE
INDIVIDUALS TO FIX IT. THE
BALANCING PACKAGE IS IN DELETE
, DEEP COLLABORATION WITH EVERY
COUNCIL MEMBER THAT BEGINS OUR
FIGHT AGAINST THIS ON
AFFORDABILITY ACROSS OUR
COMMUNITY AND ACROSS OUR
NATION. A FEW THINGS THAT ARE
BALANCING PACKAGE DOES IS WE
ARE INCREASING THE FUNDING FOR
FOOD BANKS, MAIL PROVIDERS AND
MEAL PROGRAMS AND INCREASING
ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE
TO GET WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES
OFF THE WAITLIST INTO CHILDCARE
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND
INVESTING HER WORKERS IN SMALL
BUSINESSES AND RESTORING
FUNDINGS FOR THE CITY
STOREFRONT PROGRAMS TO
STRENGTHENING OUR LABOR
PROTECTIONS THROUGH ADDITIONAL
OUTREACH AND INCREASING OUR
FUNDING FOR WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITY
PROGRAMS. WE ARE DOING RIGHT BY
OUR OWN CITY WORKERS AND THIS
IS ONE OF THE HARDEST CHOICES
THAT WE HAD TO MAKE WHICH WAS
THERE ARE SOME LAYOFFS IN THIS
BUDGET AND WE ARE ALSO
EXTENDING THE AMOUNT OF TIME
THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO BE
EMPLOYED BY OUR CITY. ANOTHER
SIX MONTHS TO MAKE SURE THAT
CONTINUITY PLANNING IS ABLE TO
BE DONE FOR EVERY WORKER IN
SEATTLE. WE ARE INCREASING OUR
INVESTMENT AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
INCLUDING ALMOST $6 MILLION TO
CREATE NEW DIGIT SHELTERS LIKE
TINY HOME VILLAGES. WE HAVE
MONEY TO BUILD NEW AFFORDABLE
HOUSING PROJECTS AND JOB
TRAINING CENTER FOR HOMELESS
YOUTH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUTH
CARE. ANOTHER ALMOST $4 MILLION
IN ADDITIONAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE
TO HELP PEOPLE STAY IN THEIR
HOMES AN ADDITIONAL 3 MILLION
PEOPLE AND $3 MILLION TO HELP
PEOPLE LIVING IN THEIR RVS
TRANSITIONING TO HOUSING AND
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR
HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
BETWEEN THESE INVESTMENTS AND
THE MAYOR'S BUDGET PROPOSALS
SEATTLE WILL BE INVESTING MORE
IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING THIS YEAR
THAN ANY YEAR PREVIOUSLY. AT
THE SAME TIME WE KNOW OUR WORK
TO BRING DOWN HOUSING PRICES IS
FAR FROM DONE, WE NEED TO
IMPROVE OUR ZONING LAWS TO
ALLOW FOR MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING TO BE BUILT AND WE NEED
TO STREAMLINE OUR PERMANENT
SYSTEM, ADDRESSING OUR PORTABLE
HOUSING CRISIS WILL TAKE
COMPLEX THOUGHTFUL AND
MULTIFACETED SOLUTIONS WHICH IS
WHY I AM PROPOSING A STATEMENT
OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT ASKING
THEM TO EXPLORE WHAT IT WOULD
TAKE FOR THE CITY TO IMPLEMENT
A SIMILAR PROGRAM TO THE
BILLION-DOLLAR BOND PROPOSED BY
KING COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER TO
FINANCE REGIONAL WORKFORCE
HOUSING. WE ALSO NEED TO WORK
TOWARDS ENSURING THAT WE HAVE
MORE MONEY FROM THE JUMPSTART
PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX GOING
TOWARD AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AS
ONE OF THE ORIGINAL SPONSORS OF
JUMPSTART I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT
THIS IS, EACH AND EVERY YEAR
SINCE WE PASSED JUMPSTART WE
HAVE USED A PORTION OF IT TO
HELP SUPPORT THINGS IN THE
GENERAL FUND. WHICH IS THE MAIN
SOURCE OF FUNDING OF MANY
IMPORTANT THINGS FROM OUR WORK
TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS TO
SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES TO
FUNDING PUBLIC SAFETY. THIS
YEAR, WE ARE FACING A $250
MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT BEFORE
THE MAYOR SENT DOWN A PROPOSAL,
THEN JUST THREE WEEKS AGO THE
NEWS GOT EVEN WORSE WITH THE
REVENUE FORECAST SHOWING A
GENERAL FUND WAS GOING TO BRING
IN NEARLY $50 MILLION LESS THAN
EXPECTED. THIS IS ONLY HAPPENED
IN 2020 IN OCTOBER, AND IN
2008. SO WE ARE NOT IN A GOOD
POSITION. IF WE WERE FOR THE
FIRST TIME EVER TO NOT USE
HIGHER-THAN-EXPECTED JUMPSTART
REVENUES TO OFFSET
LOWER-THAN-EXPECTED GENERAL
FUND REVENUES WE WOULD BE
LOOKING AT DEEPER CUTS TO
CRITICAL SERVICES AND IT WOULD
BE THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE WOULD
BE DOING THIS. WE WOULD BE
HAVING TO LOOK AT AGGRESSIVE
LAYOFFS WITHOUT ANY
TRANSMISSION. AND FUNDING
THINGS FOOD BANKS TO HOMELESS
SERVICES WOULD BE HIT HARDER
AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HITTING
OUR BUDGET WITH AN AX AND NOT A
SCALPEL, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN
UNACCEPTABLE. AT THE SAME TIME
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE WORK
TOWARDS STABILIZING OUR GENERAL
FUND FOCUSING JUMPSTART ON ITS
INTENDED PURPOSES AND I'VE
INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO DO
JUST THAT OVER THE NEXT FOUR
YEARS. ULTIMATELY WE CAN'T
GROW OUR WAY OUT OR CUT OUR WAY
OUT OF THE STRUCTURE BUDGET
DEFICIT. SAID ANOTHER WAY WE
CANNOT FIX OUR STRUCTURE BUDGET
TAXES. WE HAVE TO TAKE A
CAREFUL APPROACH THAT BALANCES
THE NEEDS OF OUR CITY THAT
REMAINS THE FOCUS AFFORDABILITY
CRISIS THAT SO MANY SEATTLE AND
VIGIL'S FACE. WE ARE TAKING A
STEP DOWN APPROACH TO
ADDRESSING THE BUDGET DEFICIT,
THIS DEFICIT IS A PRODUCT OF
DECADE OF HIGH-GROWTH AND LOW
INFLATION, SOLVING AN ISSUE IN
THE DECADE MAKING ONE YEAR IS
NOT RESPONSIBLE GOVERNING. WE
HAVE MANY STATEMENTS OF
LEGISLATIVE INTENT WITHIN THIS
BUDGET STARTING UP THE NEXT
ROUND OF OUR BUDGET REFORM WORK
AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR WE CAN
PROMISE THE FUNDING LEVELS FOR
THE PROGRAMS THAT WE CAN'T
THAT WE ACHIEVED THIS YEAR, WE
CAN PROMISE THAT IN THE FUTURE
IF THE FORECASTS RETURN AS THEY
DID JUST THIS LAST A FEW WEEKS
AGO. THE CHAIRS PACKAGE WAS A
PRODUCT OF ALL OF US ON COUNSEL
WORKING TOGETHER, THIS IS NOT
THE PACKAGE I WOULD'VE CREATED
ON MY OWN AND IT IS A BETTER
PACKAGE THAN WHAT I WOULD'VE
CREATED ON MY OWN BECAUSE WE
ARE BETTER TOGETHER. IN COLLEGE
WE SHOULD FEEL PROUD OF THE
PACKAGE PRESENTED BECAUSE IT IS
ALL OF OUR PACKAGE, NOT JUST
MINE. WHILE WE COULD'VE MADE
HISTORY BY HAVING NO AMENDMENTS
TO MY PACKAGE I SEE THAT IS NOT
THE CASE. WE ARE NOW IN THE
STATE FOR EACH COUNCILMEMBER
CAN MAKE OR PROPOSE THE CHANGES
THAT THEY WANT. AND THAT'S
WHERE WE ARE MOVING INTO FOR
THE REST OF THIS WEEK. I WANT
TO CONCLUDE BY THANKING ALL OF
YOU IN THIS ROOM FOR COMING OUT
TONIGHT AND FOR EVERYONE
ONLINE. IN A MOMENT WHERE THERE
IS MORE UNCERTAINTY THAN
CERTAINTY, THERE IS NO PLACE I
WOULD RATHER BE THAN WITH ALL
OF YOU HERE EXERCISING OUR
CIVIC DUTY. WITH THAT I WANT TO
LET YOU KNOW THAT TONIGHT
EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE TWO
MINUTES TO SPEAK. IF WE GET TO
ABOUT NINE OR 9:30 PM I WILL
BRING AN ADJUSTMENT TO BRING IT
DOWN TO A MINUTE, WE DO HAVE
CHILDCARE THAT IS AVAILABLE
UNTIL 7:00 P.M. AND AS I SAID
THE PARKING GARAGE CLOSES AT
10:00 P.M., IF YOU ENTER THE
PARKING GARAGE AFTER 4:00 P.M.,
YOU CAN JUST TELL THEM ON THE
WAY OUT IT IS ONLY FIVE
DOLLARS. SO THERE IS THAT. WE
HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT TOMORROW
MORNING. I HAVE HAD STANDARD
ADVISEMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
AT MY COMMITTEE WHICH HAS NOT
BEEN USED SO I WILL LET YOU
KNOW WHAT IT IS NOW. IF WE HAVE
MORE THAN 30 PEOPLE SIGN UP, SO
UNDER 30 PEOPLE I WILL GIVE TWO
MINUTES IN THE MORNING, IF
THERE IS MORE THAN 30 PEOPLE IT
WILL BE DOWN TO A MINUTE AND IF
IT GOES LONGER THAN TWO HOURS
IT WILL BE 30 SECONDS AFTER THE
120th PERSON. SO, THAT'S FOR
TOMORROW MORNING HOPEFULLY
EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO
EXPRESS THEMSELVES TONIGHT
FULLY. WITH THAT, COLLEAGUES,
ANY QUESTIONS I THINK I'VE
GONE OVER I FILIBUSTERED THE
INTRO STATEMENT SO THAT
EVERYONE COULD BE HERE WE ARE
STILL ONLY WAITING ON
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE AND I
WOULD LIKE TO REFLECT THAT
EVERYONE ELSE IS HERE BUT
COUNCILMAN KETTLE WAS EXCUSED
UNTIL HE ARRIVED SO YOU'RE
HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
CITY'S 2025 GENERAL REVENUE
SOURCES INCLUDING A POSSIBLE
PROPERTY TAX LEVY INCREASE THE
MAYOR'S 2025 TO 2026 PROPOSED
BUDGETS IN THE 2025 AND 2030
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND
THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE
CITY'S 2025 GENERAL REVENUE
SOURCES AND MAYORS PROPOSED
BUDGETS AND CIP. IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. AND FOR
THOSE OF YOU IN THE ROOM I
ALREADY KIND OF GAVE YOU THE
RUNDOWN, THE SELECT BUDGET
COMMITTEE WILL NOW OPEN THE
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2025 AND
26 PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDING
THE THREE ITEMS THAT I JUST
MENTIONED LL
HAVE TWO MINUTES, WE WILL DO 10
PEOPLE IN THE ROOM, 10 PEOPLE
ONLINE, 10 PEOPLE IN THE ROOM,
10 PEOPLE ONLINE. AND CLERK HOW
MANY FOLKS DO WE HAVE ONLINE
AND IN PERSON?
>> 70 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
SIGNED UP ONLINE, 150 IN
PERSON.
>> IT WILL BE LONGER, SPEAKERS
WILL BE CALLED AND THE ORDER IN
WHICH THEY REGISTERED SPEAKERS
WILL ALTERNATE BETWEEN 10 SETS
OF IN PERSON REMOTE SPEAKERS
WILL HEAR A TIME WHEN YOU HAVE
10 SECONDS LEFT SO WHEN YOU
HEAR THE CHIME YOU STILL HAVE A
MOMENT TO WRAP UP. AND WE WILL
MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SPEAKER AS
SOON AS THAT PERIOD IS UP. AND
EVERY TWO HOURS WE WILL TAKE A
MINUTE STRETCH BREAK. GREAT,
WITH THAT, LET'S ROLL, I WILL
GO WITH THE LIST A IN PERSON
SPEAKERS SO I HAVE LIST A1
THROUGH 10 CECELIA BLACK,
SOMEONE HANDS. STEVE, GLORIA
PUMPHREY. SOMEONE ELLIS. EDWARD
DUMAS'S. ANYMORE, GARRETT. MR.
SAULSBERRY AND JIM BUCHANAN. SO
WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, THAT
MEANS COME LINEUP SO WE CAN
JUST GO RIGHT THROUGH. CECELIA
THANK YOU FOR LEADING BY
EXAMPLE. GOOD EVENING. AT YOUR
CONVENIENCE WE WILL GET GOING.
>> MY NAME IS CECELIA BLACK AND
I'M A WHEELCHAIR USER,
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND I URGE
YOU TO PROTECT THE MAJORITY OF
SEATTLE INDIVIDUALS AND
INCREASE FUNDING FOR TENANT BY
$3.5 MILLION, I AM ALSO URGING
YOU TO RESTORE THE $2 MILLION
IN THE BUDGET FOR ADA FUNDING
NEARLY EVERY YEAR COUNSEL TRIES
TO CUT ADA FUNDING SIDING
SEATTLE IS AHEAD OF ITS GOALS.
AND I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT
THESE GOALS ARE THE ABSOLUTE
MINIMUM REQUIRED TO CONSENT AND
AT THE SAME TIME LESS THAN A
QUARTER OF CROSSINGS HAVE
ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS.
THE FUNDING IN THE LEVY IS
MEANT TO BE ADDED AND NOT TO
REPLACE EXISTING FUNDS. I ALSO
WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE
NOT HAD TIME TO LOOK AT ANY OF
THE RECENT AMENDMENTS. AND
COUNSEL ERODES TRUST WHEN IT
PUBLISHES HUGE BUDGET DOCUMENTS
SO CLOSE TO PUBLIC HEARINGS AND
REMOVES TOOLS LIKE IT'S BUDGET
TRACKING TOOL. AND I WANT TO
MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT
WE ARE HERE SHOWING UP AS
COMMUNITY WITH COMMUNITY
EXPERTS AND SOCIAL SERVICE
PROVIDERS AND AS RENTERS AND AS
CLIMATE ACTIVISTS AND AS
TRANSIT RIDERS AND WE ARE
ASKING FOR BUDGETS AND POLICIES
ROOTED IN BEST PRACTICES IN
DATA AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
AND SAFETY AND EQUITY
STANDARDS. SO WHEN YOU'RE
HOLDING LEVY FUNDING HOSTAGE
CREATING OBSTACLES TO BUS
LANES, ENDING EVICTION DEFENSE
I'M ASKING YOU TO THINK ABOUT
WHO YOU ARE RESPONDING TO. IS
IT COMMUNITY MEMBERS,
PRACTITIONERS, PROGRAM EXPERTS
ARE SPECIAL INTERESTS OF THE
SELECT FEW?
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT, WE HAVE
MR. AND MRS. HAYNES. HELLO. I
AM BAD AT READING HANDWRITING
AND I AM GOING TO MISPRONOUNCE
NAMES I APOLOGY, MY APOLOGIES
IN ADVANCE.
>> I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE
GRASSROOTS GROUP , THE HARBOR
ALPINE NEIGHBORS, 170 STRONG.
SEVERAL OTHERS HERE IN THE ROOM
THAT WILL SPEAK TONIGHT. WE ARE
MADE UP OF OWNERS AND RENTERS
ON THAT AREA, PLEASE APPROVE
THE BUDGET TO CHANGE THE
DIAGONAL PARKING AREA ALONG
WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF
TECHNOLOGY IN THE FORM OF SPEED
AND NOISE ACTIVATED TICKETING
CAMERAS. NO ONE LIVING IN THIS
AREA WANTS TO RESTRICT SEATTLE
RESIDENTS AND VISITORS FROM
ENJOYING ALL THE AREA HAS TO
OFFER. THOSE OF US LIVING THERE
ARE ALSO ENTITLED TO QUIET
ENJOYMENT, WE ARE AFRAID TO GO
OUT ON THE STREET AFTER DARK
YEAR-ROUND. YOU'VE SEEN THE
VIDEOS AND PHOTOS WE HAVE SENT.
YOU'VE HEARD THE STORIES OF
THE SLEEP DEPRIVATION WE
SUFFER. THE VERY REAL DANGEROUS
SAFETY ISSUES THAT EXIST. YOU
KNOW ABOUT THE DRUG DEALING AND
USE, DRUNKENNESS, PUBLIC
URINATION AND DEFECATION. CARS
TRAVELING AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING
90 MILES PER HOUR. CARS BEING
SLAMMED INTO AND PUSHED OR
DRIVEN INTO THE BAY. CARS
PARKED ON THE STREET BEING HIT
AND TOTALED BY DRUNK DRIVERS.
CAR BREAKING, BREAK-INS AND
THEFTS, LITTERING IN THE ABJECT
HORROR OF GUNFIGHTS THAT HAVE
INCLUDED A FATALITY. THIS
ENVIRONMENT CHANGE AND USE OF
EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY TO AID OUR
POLICE AND DOING THEIR JOBS IS
NECESSARY FOR BOTH RESIDENTS
AND VISITORS TO THE AREA. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE ALSO BEEN
ADVISED I NEED TO LET FOLKS
KNOW WHERE THE RESTROOMS ARE
AND EMERGENCY EXITS THERE ARE
EMERGENCY EXITS AND RESTROOMS
OUT THAT DOOR AS WELL AS
GENDER-NEUTRAL RESTROOM ON THE
OTHER SIDE OF THE BLUE BRIDGE.
>> MY NAME IS STEVE HUMPHREY
AND I AM GOING TO BASICALLY SAY
THE SAME THINGS THAT SHE JUST
SAID. BUT I WANT TO SAY ONE
THING THAT AT 5:00 P.M. THIS
PAST SUNDAY MORNING, I CHASED A
MAN AND A WOMAN OUT OF OUR
LANDSCAPING WHILE THEY WERE IN
THERE URINATING, THAT'S WHAT
IT'S LIKE ON OUR STREET THESE
DAYS. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT
PUBLIC SAFETY AND THIS BUDGET
SPECIFICALLY ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD
PUBLIC SAFETY. FROM THE AVERAGE
ALCO POINT RESIDENTS OF HARBOR
AND AVENUES ARE UNDER SIEGE. BY
THE VARIOUS THINGS THAT SHE
JUST EXPLAINED. SEATTLE POLICE
ARE WILLFULLY UNDERSTAFFED.
THEY ARE BASICALLY NOT ABLE TO
ACT RESPONSIBLY LET ALONE BE
PROACTIVE AND AS A RESULT,
THERE ARE NO CONSEQUENCES FOR A
LOT OF THE BAD BEHAVIOR THAT
TAKES PLACE IN THE CITY.
ESPECIALLY ALONG THE HARBOR AND
AL QAEDA. PUBLIC SAFETY CAN BE
MORE THAN POLICE IT CAN BE
TECHNOLOGY. LIGHTSPEED
ACTIVATED TICKETING SYSTEMS,
NOISE ACTIVATED TICKETING
SYSTEMS SEE CCTV AND OTHER
THINGS, IT ALSO CAN BE CHANGES
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
ENVIRONMENT. WE DESIGNED THE
STREETS AND PARKING, MAKE
PARKING ACCESS WORK TO BE MORE
SAFE FOR PEOPLE, MAKE OUR PARKS
ACCESS MORE SAFE FOR PEOPLE. WE
CAN DO ALL OF THIS AND STILL
MAINTAIN FRIENDLY, WELCOMING
NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE SAFE.
THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY IS
THESE SYSTEMS ARE EFFECTIVE AND
ARE IN USE ELSEWHERE AND ARE
COLORBLIND. THEY ARE RACE BLIND
AND LANGUAGE BLIND, ALL THEY DO
IS NOTE A VEHICLE DOING
SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED
TO DO IN THAT AREA. ALSO MEMBER
SAKA HAS TWO LINE ITEMS THAT
ADDRESS THE CHANGES WE NEED,
ONE IS THE ALTERATION OF THE
PARKING AT THE HEAD AND THE
OTHER IS THE USE AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF SPEED
ACTIVATED CAMERAS.
>> THANK YOU STEVE. UP NEXT IS
GLORIA AND COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE
HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR THE LAST
FOUR MINUTES. GLORIA WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS GLORIA PUMPHREY,
WELCOME TO MY WORLD. I LIVE ON
HARBOR AVENUE SOUTHWEST. ACROSS
FROM THE DIAGONAL PARKING AREA.
LOOK OUT MY WINDOW, WAVES OF
FAMILIES , WALKERS, BIKERS,
SKATERS, YOUNG AND OLD A
RAINBOW OF CULTURE, CULTURES
AND COLORS. THEY JOYFULLY MOVE
ALONG THE ARCHIVE TRAIL AND IT
IS DAYTIME. JUNE 22 SATURDAY.
THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT FALLS
TO THE STREET. 4:00 A.M., WAKE
UP. TO THE SOUND OF BULLETS
FLYING. RUN TO MY FRONT WINDOW,
THERE IS A BODY LAYING IN THE
DIAGONAL PARKING. THE PARKING
AREA EMPTIES AS CARS RACE AWAY
ABANDONING THE DYING BODY.
THERE IS A BULLET HOLE IN MY
FRONT WINDOW AND OUR STREET IS
NOT SAFE. PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO
GO OUT AT NIGHT. THE DIAGONAL
PARKING AREA IS A DANGEROUS
EPICENTER FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITY
AND A AREA FOR RACING DRUG
SALES AND USE, DRINKING,
EXCESSIVE NOISE AND MUSIC,
SHOOTING AND FIGHTS. PUGET
SOUND WATERS, OUR STREETS AND
NEIGHBORHOODS ARE BEING
POLLUTED. WITH BROKEN BOTTLES,
CANS, BURNT TIRE RUBBER, RAZOR
BLADES, FOIL, FAST FOOD
WRAPPINGS AND ALCOHOL BOXES.
THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE
INSTANCES THAT WE EXPERIENCE
ALMOST NIGHTLY. WE MUST ALTER
THE AREA WHILE CONTINUING TO
ALLOW POSITIVE DAYTIME
ACTIVITIES. WE SUPPORT CHANGING
THE PARKING AREA CONFIGURATION.
AND THE USES OF SPEED CAMERAS
TO MAKE THE AREA LESS
ATTRACTIVE FOR ILLEGAL
ACTIVITIES. PLEASE HELP US
BECOME A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> THANK YOU GLORIA UP NEXT IS
AUSTIN ELLIS, EDWARD DUMAS'S,
AND ANNIE MOORE. DO WE HAVE
AUSTIN?
>> GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS AUSTIN ELLIS AND
I AM A REAL CHANGE VENDOR AND I
HAVE BEEN FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS.
I AM ALSO CURRENTLY ON HOUSE, I
HAVE BEEN THAT WAY FOR ABOUT
TWO YEARS. I AM WORKING WITH
DSC TO GET HOUSING. AND I
CAN'T TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT
THAT IS TO ME AND EVERYONE OUT
THERE RIGHT NOW. SO JUST
BASICALLY STAYING ALIVE, THE
NEED FOR FUNDING AND HOUSING IS
CRITICAL AT THIS POINT. I CAN
TELL YOU RIGHT NOW NOBODY
REALLY WANTS TO BE OUT THERE
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S NOT
FUN. IT'S NOTHING EXCITING AND
I JUST KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE
CRITICAL AT THIS POINT TO HAVE
FUNDING AND HOUSING. SO THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU AUSTIN.
>> EDWARD DUMAS , WELCOME
EDWARD.
>> SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF
COUNCIL MEMBER, SAKA AND THE
BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR A VERY
IMPORTANT ROAD SAFETY PROJECT
ON DELL RIDGE. THE PROPOSAL HAS
TAKEN A LOT OF CRITICISM AND
HAS BEEN PERSONAL ATTACKS
AGAINST COUNCILMEMBER SAKA AND
THE RHYTHMIC , AND THE
IMMIGRANTS AND THE COMMUNITIES
THAT ARE NOT RELEVANT TO THE
PROJECT. DIFFERENT VIEWS ARE
OKAY. BUT PERSONAL ATTACKS ARE
UNCALLED FOR. THIS ROAD SAFETY
PROJECT IS CRITICALLY NEEDED,
THERE ARE MANY IMMIGRANTS AND
REFUGEE FAMILIES LIVING AND
WORKING IN THE AREA. WHO ARE
NOT SAFELY ABLE TO ACCESS A
SMALL BUSINESS OR DAY CARE
FACILITIES AND HAVE VOICED
THEIR CONCERNS FOR YEARS NOW.
ROB SAKA THE PROPOSAL FINALLY
GIVES A VOICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
THIS IS A ROAD TO SAFETY AND
EQUITY ISSUES. THE DELL RIDGE
SAFETY PROJECT ENSURES THE CITY
BRINGS IMPACTED COMMUNITIES
TOGETHER AND FIND SOLUTIONS
THAT MAKE IT SAFER FOR
EVERYONE, DRIVERS, BICYCLES,
PEDESTRIANS AND FAMILY WORKERS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU EDWARD. UP NEXT IS
ANNIE MOORE. GARRETT, MR.
SALISBURY AND JIM BUCHANAN.
>> MY NAME IS ANNIE BICE MOORE
AND I'M GOING TO BE SPEAKING
ABOUT TENANT SERVICES. I AM
SENIOR RENTER RESIDING AT
COLUMBIA GARDENS IN RAINIER
VALLEY IN DISTRICT 2 SINCE
2014. WE ARE SENIORS LIVING ON
FIXED INCOMES AND ARE
PREDOMINANTLY BROWN AND BLACK
PEOPLE. I AM URGING THE COUNCIL
TO SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT FROM
COUNCILMEMBERS MORALE US, MOORE
AND HOLLINGSWORTH TO FULLY
RESTORE FUNDING TO TENANT
SERVICES AT THE SAME LEVEL AS
2024 AND TO ENCOURAGE DOUBLING
THIS FUNDING IN THE FUTURE.
PLEASE DON'T PIT RENTAL
ASSISTANCE AGAINST RENTERS AND
TENANT SERVICES, WE NEED THEM
BOTH. I HAVE BEEN A HOMEOWNER
MOST OF MY LIFE SO WHEN I
TRANSITIONED TO APARTMENT
LIVING, I WAS NAÏVE TO THINK
THAT IF I PAID MY RENT ON TIME
THE LANDLORD WOULD DO THEIR
PART AREA THE FIRST FEW YEARS
OF APARTMENT LIVING WAS GREAT.
THEN IT WENT DOWNHILL WHEN THE
OWNERS ALSO KNOWN AS SEED HIRED
A NEW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
COMPANY NAMED COAST PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT IN 2019. IT SEEMS
LIKE IT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING
WITH COAST, SINCE THIS PAST
SUMMER, UP TO THE PRESENT THERE
HAS BEEN FOUR SEPARATE
OCCASIONS WHERE THEY HAD BEEN
NO HOT WATER IN THE MAIN
BUILDING AND PETS CONTROL WAS
GIVEN THE KEY TO THE WRONG
APARTMENT. AND A VARIETY OF
VIOLATIONS TO THE 48 HOUR
NOTICE TO ENTER. THERE IS MORE
BUT I WOULD RUN OUT OF TIME.
EQUIPPED WITH TENANT
INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND
MATERIALS PROVIDED FROM TENANTS
UNION AT B SEATTLE AND THEIR
BACKING, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
WRITE MORE EFFECTIVE EMAILS
WITH
WE MEAN BUSINESS. SO
PLEASE, FULLY FUND TENANT
SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT
SEATTLE, THE TENANTS UNIONS AND
OTHERS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT
RENTERS LIKE US. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING.
>> THANK YOU ANNIE. UP NEXT MR.
GARRETT AND MR. SAULSBERRY AND
MR. BUCHANAN. WELCOME, GOOD
EVENING.
>> GOOD EVENING, CEO OF
COMMUNITY LAND TRUST SPEAKING
TODAY AS A THIRD-GENERATION
COMMUNITY BUILDER. AND
COFOUNDER OF KING COUNTY EQUITY
NOW. THE FIRST ISSUE IS IN
SUPPORT OF COUNSEL , COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH AND THE
AMENDMENT, WE ARE GRATEFUL AND
THINK COUNCILWOMAN
HOLLINGSWORTH FOR HER
LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS THE
SUPPORT OF COUNCILMEMBERS KATHY
MOORE AND TONYA TRENDS 11 AND
THE REST OF THE COUNCIL TO
HONOR THE INTENT OF RESOURCES
ALLOCATED TO MITIGATE THE
IMPACTS OF ANTIBLACK RACISM AND
CREATE A NEW NORMAL ROOTED IN
EQUITY AND THOSE FUNDS ARE
LONG-OVERDUE TO THE COMMUNITY.
TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
, PUBLIC SAFETY AND
GENERATIONAL WEALTH IN OUR
COMMUNITY. SECONDLY, THE ISSUE
IS HANDS OFF THE JUMPSTART TAX.
ANTIBLACK RACISM AND CORPORATE
GREED ARE THE NUMBER ONE
THREATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR
CITY AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.
THE RESULTS OF THAT IS WHAT YOU
SEE HAPPENING IN THE STREETS OF
SEATTLE WHICH THE LADY WAS
UNFORTUNATELY SPEAKING TO
BEFORE. AND DIVERTING FUNDS
FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND
SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT WILL
ONLY WORSEN THESE INEQUITIES
AND KEEP OUR PEOPLE IN THE
STREETS AND CREATE THE VERY
CONDITIONS THAT FUEL CRIME AND
UNSAFE COMMUNITIES. IT IS
REALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WE
SAY THAT YOU DO NOT PERMANENTLY
DIVERT THIS FUNDING TO BALANCE
THE BUDGET AND TO REJECT ANY
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CHANGE
THE SPENDING PLAN WITHOUT
PUBLIC PROCESS, WE WANT TO SEE
FULLY FUNDED AND URGE YOU TO
FULLY FUND COMMUNITY LED
PROJECTS. SUCH AS THE COMMUNITY
HOME, THE ONLY SHELTER PROGRAM
DEDICATED .
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU MR.
GARRETT.
>> THANK YOU MR. GARRETT.
>> MR. GARRETT, THANK YOU.
>> MR. SALISBURY YOU'RE UP
NEXT AND YOU'RE AT THE PUBLIC
COMMENTS, YOU NEED TO KEEP THAT
FREE AND CLEAR OF YOUR CAMERAS,
THANK YOU.
>> IS IDENTIFIED HERE. HE WENT
TO MOVE HIS CAR. NO COMMENT
FROM YOU TODAY.
>> MR. BUCHANAN YOU ARE UP
NEXT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GREETINGS COUNSEL. I AM
PRESIDENT OF THE WASHINGTON
STATE DESCENDENTS OF SLAVES
COALITION. I AM PRESENT TODAY
TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH'S
AMENDMENTS DIRECTING RESOURCES
TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY. THE
AMENDMENTS HELP ADDRESS KEY
CRITICAL AREAS, HOMELESSNESS,
FOOD INSECURITY, PUBLIC SAFETY,
ARTS AND CULTURE AND BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT. WE WOULD LIKE TO
THINK, THINK MEMBER MOORE AND
MEMBER WOO FOR COSPONSORING THE
AMENDMENTS AND PRESIDENT NELSON
FOR YOUR GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT
THIS PROCESS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE
TO THINK BUDGET CHAIR STRAUSS
FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HELP
AND TACKLE TOUGH ISSUES FOR THE
BLACK COMMUNITY. AND
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE FOR YOUR
CONSISTENT SUPPORT ALONG WITH
MEMBERS SAKA, MORALES AND
RIVERA, WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL
LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO THE
VOICE OF THE BLACK DESCENDENTS
SLAVES COMMUNITY. WE WILL LOOK
FORWARD TO CONTINUING AND
STRENGTHENING OUR RELATIONSHIP
IN THE FUTURE. NOW WE ASK FOR
YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT BY
VOTING YES ON COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGWORTH'S AMENDMENT. WE
HAVE DEVELOPED A LARGE
COALITION OF A LOT OF GROUPS
THAT NOW HAVE TOTALED OVER
200,000 MEMBERS. AND OUR GOAL
AND OBJECTIVE IS TO CONTINUE TO
ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHT THING.
SPECIFICALLY IN THE CORNER FOR
BLACK DESCENDENTS OF SLAVES
BECAUSE WE ARE SO MISSED USED,
ABUSED AND OVERLOOKED.
CONSISTENTLY. AND AS WE SUPPORT
ALL ISSUES OF OBVIOUSLY,
BECAUSE THEY AFFECT US. TALKING
TO EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM, THEY
AFFECT US MORE THAN ANYBODY.
BUT, WE ARE ZOOMING IN ON WHAT
AFFECTS DESCENDENTS OF SLAVES.
THANK YOU.
>> THINK YOUR, THINK YOU ,
THANK YOU MR. BUCHANAN. WHAT'S
YOUR NAME?
>> HELLO?
>> YOU ARE NOT UP YET MY
FRIEND.
>> OKAY.
>> THAT'S WHAT GOT ME
CONFUSED. WE WILL JUST HAVE HIM
START AT THE NEXT ROUND SO WE
WILL TRANSITION TO ONLINE
SPEAKERS NOW AND DO THE FIRST
10 I WILL CALL EVERYONE'S NAME
SO THAT THEY KNOW WHERE THEY
ARE AT, WE HAVE MARSHALL
BENDER, CHRIS WOODWARD, GARRETT
MOORE, ROBIN BRADY, TANYA
MOORE, ISABEL DIAZ, SO WITH
THAT, WE WILL BRING THE FIRST
SPEAKER UP, I SEE MARSHALL YOU
ARE HERE STAR SIX TO UNMUTE.
YOU ARE OFF MUTE. TAKE IT AWAY
AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS MARSHALL
BENDER AND I'M A SEATTLE
PUBLIC LIBRARY EMPLOYEE AND AN
82 MEMBER. NOT OF THAT IN MY
EMPLOYER. I SEE DAILY THE
STRUGGLE OF SEATTLE'S
RESIDENCE ADDICTION,
HOMELESSNESS, CRIME AND MORE
ARE PRESENT IN SEATTLE'S
LIBRARY AND WE ARE OFTEN THE
FIRST TO RESPOND TO THESE
ISSUES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THE
STD SLEEPS ON THE JOB TAKING
HOURS TO RESPOND TO ASSAULTS
AND TRAFFIC CRIME, WE LIBRARY
WORKERS HAVE TO DE-ESCALATE,
DIRECT PEOPLE TO RESOURCES AND
WORK TO KEEP OURSELVES AND OUR
COMMUNITIES SAFE. WE NEED A
SOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING NOT KILLER
COPS. COUNSEL I URGE YOU NOT TO
GOT JUMPSTART TAX FOR THE
GENERAL FUND. AFFORDABLE
HOUSING IS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO
THE PROBLEM OF CRIME,
ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND
HOMELESSNESS. WHEN WE BUILD
HOUSING WE CREATE STABILITY AND
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO
REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND CLIMB
OUT OF ADDICTION AND LIVING ON
THE STREETS. TO GOT THIS BUDGET
TO PAY FOR SWEEPS AND COPS
WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF YOUR
SUPPOSE IT COMMITMENT TO
SEATTLE'S RESIDENCE. FUND
HOUSING AND NOT COPS.
ADDITIONALLY PLEASE RESTORE
FUNDING TO FUND SENATE SERVICES
FURTHER AND IN THE FUTURE. THE
MAJORITY OF SEATTLEITE'S AR. I
VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR MOORE AND
THE CAPITAL GAINS LEGISLATION.
WE NEED MORE PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE TO FIX BUDGET HOLES
LIKE THIS, TO SUMMARIZE STOP
FUNDING COPS, START FUNDING
HOUSING THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
AND THAT IS MY TIME.
>> CHRIS WOODWARD. CHRIS. YOU
ARE PUT FORWARD. CHRIS I SEE
YOU ARE THERE, STAR SIX TO
UNMUTE.
>> YOU ARE OFF MUTE, TAKE IT
AWAY.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU. GOOD
AFTERNOON BUDGET COMMUNITY
MEMBERS, MY NAME IS CHRIS
WOODWARD AND I REPRESENT THE
ALLIANCE IN D1. ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT NONPROFIT WORKING
FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE
PIONEER SQUARE DISTRICT. FIRST
OFF THANK YOU COMMITTEE MEMBERS
AND STAFF WORKING TO CREATE A
COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET PACKAGE.
PROVIDING COMMENTS REGARDING
THE BUDGET TODAY. THE ALLIANCE
IS IN SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING
PROPOSED BUDGET ALLOCATIONS AND
WHAT THAT PROMOTES THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN
PIONEER SQUARE WHICH INCLUDES I
WILL NOT NAME THE AMENDMENT
NUMBERS SPECIFICALLY, THE
TRANSFER OF 448,000 CULTURE
FUNDS IN 25 AND 26 FROM SPR TO
ARTS FOR DOWNTOWN AND NUMBER
TWO USING 800,000 AND IN
JUMPSTART FUNDS AND 25 AND 26
FOR OED REPAIR PROGRAMS. NUMBER
THREE, INCREASING THE BUDGET BY
7 MILLION IN 25 AND 26. FOR A
NEW COUNCIL DISTRICT FUND HERE
FOR $500,000 FOR THE SEATTLE
MEASURE FUND FOR WATERFRONT
TRANSIT SERVICE. AND FINALLY
INCREASING THE BUDGET BY 10
MILLION FOR OFFICER OVERTIME.
THESE INVESTMENTS WILL ENSURE
PIONEER SQUARE IS SAFE,
WELCOMING AND VIBRANT FOR YEARS
TO COME TAKE YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION.
>> THANK YOU CHRIS UP NEXT IS
PETER CONDIT FOLLOWED BY
GARRETT MOORE, ROBIN BRIGGS.
PETER I SEE YOU ARE OFF MUTE
ALREADY, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, I WANT TO BE SAFE
AS I GO THROUGH MY LIFE AND MY
EXPERIENCE SAFETY COMES FROM
RELATIONSHIPS AND RESOURCES.
HOUSING CREATES SAFETY AND
IMPROVES HEALTH AND EDUCATION
AND EMPLOYMENT REDUCES CRIMINAL
CONVICTIONS AND MORE. BY
DIVERTING JUMP START FUNDING
FROM ITS INTENDED PURPOSES THIS
COUNSEL IS EXACERBATING THE
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS AND
UNDERMINING PUBLIC SAFETY. I
ASK THAT YOU REJECT
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS AS BILL
120913 WHICH WOULD MAKE THE
JUMPSTART RATE PERMANENT.
SECOND THE CITY SHOULD BE
SPENDING LESS ON THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE
TO CREATE SAFETY FOR POLICING
AND INCARCERATION. SINCE 2015
ONE IN 10 HOMICIDES IN SEATTLE
HAVE BEEN PERPETRATED BY LAW
ENFORCEMENT. AS YOU SURELY KNOW
SPD'S HARMS FALL ON BLACK AND
NATIVE INDIVIDUALS, THIS IS
CALLED STRUCTURAL RACISM. BY
GIVING SBD BONUSES, RAISES AND
EXPENSIVE TECHNOLOGY YOU
COUNSEL EXPOSE ALL OF YOUR
CONSTITUENTS TO THE HARMS AND
UNCHECKED RACISM. FOR EXAMPLE,
IT SHOULD BE NO SURPRISE THAT
THIS DEPARTMENT ALSO REMAINS
FULL OF MISOGYNY. YOU MUST
COMMIT TO NONVIOLENCE AND
ANTIRACISM BY SUPPORTING
NONPOLICE RESPONSES TO HARM.
THIS YEAR'S $96 MILLION BUDGET
INCREASE FOR POLICING COURTS
AND CASES SHOULD INSTEAD BE
DIVERTED TO PROVING SOLUTIONS
SUCH AS VIOLENCE INTERACTION
PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH
TREATMENT, SUBSTANCE ABUSE
TREATMENT FACILITIES, EXPANDED
LIBRARY HOURS, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND GUARANTEED BASIC
INCOME. ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS
IMPROVE SAFETY AND ARE
COST-EFFECTIVE ESPECIALLY
COMPARED TO THE CRIMINAL LEGAL
SYSTEM THAT WE CURRENTLY PROP
UP WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS OF DISCRETIONARY
FUNDING EVERY DAY. IN THIS
BUDGET I ASK THAT YOU DEFUND
SBD, RESTORE JUMPSTART HOUSING
AND INVESTMENTS. RESTORE
FUNDING FOR ENVIRONMENT
EDUCATION AND PROVIDE HUMAN
SERVERS WORKERS WITH A 5%
RAISE. THANK YOU.
>> GARRETT FOLLOWED BY ROBIN
YOU ARE ALREADY OFF MUTE TAKE
IT AWAY AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.
WELCOME.
>> HIGH CHAIR STRAUSS AND
COUNCILMEMBERS, MY NAME IS
GARRETT AND I AM A RESIDENT OF
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT, I AM HERE
TONIGHT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO
SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGWORTH'S AMENDMENT TO
FULLY FUND THE GARFIELD
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, MY WIFE
AND I HAVE LIVED IN THE CD FOR
YEARS AND WE LOVE AND LOOK
FORWARD TO CONTINUING WALKING
THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND ENJOYING
HOPEFULLY EVERY DEVELOPED
GARFIELD PARK AND SENDING OUR
KIDS TO GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL.
BUT WE NEED A SAFE FUTURE FOR
OUR KIDS. AND THAT IS FREE FROM
GUN VIOLENCE. I LISTEN TO MY
NEIGHBORS AND WE KNOW WHAT
MAKES PROGRESS TOWARDS BOTH
SAFETY AND FEELINGS OF SAFETY
THAT IS ACCESS TO HEALTH WHILE
BEING A GOOD JOB AND COMMUNITY
CONNECTION, IT HELPS MAKE
PROGRESS ON ALL OF THESE
FRONTS. FROM THE ART PIECES
REPRESENTING DIVERSE ETHNIC
BATH GROUNDS OF THE CD TO
CONNECTIONS TO BUSINESSES ALL
AROUND THE CD. AND ACCESSIBLE
WALKING PATH AND
MULTIGENERATIONAL AT THE PARK,
IT DOES IT ALL. I ALSO AM
EXCITED IN THE MOVEMENTS
TOWARDS ADDITIONAL PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE. THE CITY COUNCIL IS
SHOWING, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE
YOU TO CONTINUE THIS DIRECTION
TO ENSURE WE DON'T HAVE TO
TAKE FROM HOUSING AND PROGRAMS
THAT ARE COMBATING CLIMATE
CHANGE TO BE ABLE TO INVEST IN
PARKING COMMUNITY ACTIVATION.
SO PLEASE, SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH'S
AMENDMENT AND SEEK PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE FOR THE FUTURE OF
SEATTLE, THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT IS ROBIN BRIGGS
FOLLOWED BY SELMAN.
>> I LIVE IN CAPITOL HILL AND
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE
CLIMATE. THIS COUNSEL AND MAYOR
HAVE THE PRIORITIZED CLIMATE
AND HOUSING IN THIS BUDGET AND
NEED TO TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE
THAT THIS IS NOT REPEATED IN
THE NEXT BUDGET. IF WE CANNOT
PAY OUR BILLS THEN MAYBE WE
NEED MORE PROGRESSIVE REVENUE.
OR MAYBE WE NEED TO OPEN OUR
CITY TO MORE NEWCOMERS WHO CAN
HELP SHARE THE LOAD. SPENDING
ON CLIMATE INITIATIVES IS DOWN
28% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. THIS
MEANS THAT PROGRAMS MEANT TO
HELP RESIDENTS ARE CURRENTLY
UNFUNDED. WE NEED TO WORK MORE
NOT LESS ON NEW POLICIES TO
HELP REDUCE EMISSIONS AND
IMPROVE RESILIENCE. MORE PEOPLE
HAVE TO LIVE FURTHER OUT WHICH
RAISES EMISSIONS. THIS HAS BEEN
A HUGE DRIVER NOT JUST FOR AN
AFFORDABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS
BUT ALSO FOR OUR REGENTS
ADMISSIONS AND AIR POLLUTION.
WITH MORE PEOPLE LIVING CLOSER
TO JOBS AND SERVICES THERE
WOULD BE LOWER POLLUTION AND
MORE REVENUE FOR THE CITY. THE
CITY HAS WANTED TO REDUCE OUR
EMISSIONS BY 2030 IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE PARIS AGREEMENT. IT'S
NOT LIKE OUR EMISSIONS GO DOWN
ON THEIR OWN, IT REQUIRES WORK
AND INVESTMENT AND ASSISTANCE
FROM THE CITY. WE WILL NEVER
FIX OUR SOCIAL PROBLEMS WITHOUT
HOUSING AND WILL HAVE A BIG
ECONOMY WITHOUT A DECENT
CLIMATE. WITH RESPECT TO
AMENDMENTS THAT ARE BEFORE YOU,
JOTTING DOWN THE THREE
SHORTSIGHTED, WE NEED MULTIPLE
WAYS TO GET AROUND. A STUDY OF
BUS LANES IS UNLIKELY TO GET
DIFFERENT RESULTS THAN PREVIOUS
STUDIES OF BUS LANES. AND WITH
RESPECT TO THE PROPOSAL TO TEAR
DOWN THE WALL, EACH OF YOU WERE
TO GIVE UP THE 2 MILLION FUNDS
YOU HAVE THAT WOULD DOUBLE TIME
AND FUNDING, THESE
APPROPRIATIONS WILL GET
MEASURED AGAINST THE VALUE OF
THE THINGS WE HAD TO CUT TO
MAKE THEM. PLEASE CONSIDER THAT
CAREFULLY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU ROBIN UP NEXT IS
SELMAN AND THEN TONYA MOORE.
>> I SEE YOU ARE THERE, STAR
SIX TO UNMUTE. IF WE COULD
BRING UP TONYA MOORE. AND YOU
CAN LEAVE SELVAN THERE. TONYA ,
YOU ARE HERE, STAR SIX TO
UNMUTE. TONYA? STAR SIX TO
UNMUTE. WE WILL MOVE ON TO
ISABEL DIAZ. OH, I SAW TONYA
COME OFF MUTE, TRY THAT ONE
MORE TIME TONYA. THERE YOU ARE,
YOU ARE OFF MUTE.
>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MY NAME IS TONYA MOORE, I AM A
CODIRECTOR AT B SEATTLE AND A
RENTER IN DISTRICT 5. I GE THE E
AMENDMENT FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
MORALES, MOORE AND
HOLLINGSWORTH TO FULLY RESTORE
FUNDING TO TENANT SERVICES AT
THE SAME LEVEL MMXXIV AND
ENCOURAGE DOUBLING THE FUNDING
IN THE TEACHERS, I WANT TO
THANK THEM FOR THAT SUPPORT. I
ALSO WANT TO URGE COUNCIL TO
REJECT THE SECOND SBC I 006A
FOCUSED ON THE RIGHT TO
COUNSEL. THE LIMITATION
INCLUDED IN THEIR WHICH WOULD
LIMIT IT TO CLIENTS WITH INCOME
AT OR BELOW 200 AT THE POVERTY
LEVEL, WOULD EXCLUDE ALMOST
ANYONE WHO WORKS FULL-TIME IN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE. A MINIMUM
WAGE WORKER IN SEATTLE EARNS
APPROXIMATELY 41,000 $537 ,
THEREFORE A FAMILY OF ONE OR
TWO WOULD BE REMOVED FROM
ACCESSING THE SERVICE. AND THIS
WOULD, THEREBY INCREASE THE
LIKELIHOOD THEY WOULD LOSE
THEIR HOUSING. I ALSO WANT TO
ENCOURAGE THAT COUNSEL NOT TO
PIT RENTAL ASSISTANCE AGAINST
TENANT SERVICES. WE NEED BOTH.
IN ORDER FOR TENANTS TO REMAIN
STABLY HOUSED, RENTAL
ASSISTANCE IS OF COURSE
ESSENTIAL. I HAVE HAD TO USE IT
BEFORE IN MY LIFETIME. WITHOUT
TENANT SERVICES TO HELP EDUCATE
TENANTS TO CONTINUE CONTACT
WITH THEIR LANDLORD, AND HOW TO
DO THAT EFFECTIVELY, RENTAL
ASSISTANCE IS A STOPGAP AND
WILL NOT HELP PEOPLE IN THE
UN-HOUSED. WE APPRECIATE AGAIN
COUNCILMEMBERS MORALES, MOORE
AND HOLLINGSWORTH TO SUPPORTING
THE AMENDMENT TO RESTORE THOSE
SERVICES AND WE ENCOURAGE
COUNSEL TO DO THE SAME THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU TONYA.
>> LET'S GO TO ISABEL DIAZ,
THEN READ ASTERIX THEN WE WILL
COME BACK TO SELVAN. ISABEL,
WELCOME. STAR SIX TO UNMUTE.
>> THERE YOU ARE YOU ARE OFF
MUTE, TAKE IT AWAY AT YOUR
CONVENIENCE.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS ISABEL
DIAZ AND I'M A SEATTLE
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 4 AND WORK
IN A SOFTBALL TEAM WITHIN THE
SEATTLE PARKS AND REC SOFTBALL
PROGRAM. I'M CALLING TODAY TO
ASK THE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
TO KEEP ADULT ATHLETICS WITHIN
THE CITY BUDGET. CURRENTLY
PARKS AND REC IS PROPOSING TO
CUT THE ATHLETIC CORD NADER
POSITION WHICH IS THE SINGLE
FULL-TIME STAFF POSITION
SUPPORTING THE ADULT ATHLETICS
PROGRAM. SO ELIMINATING IT
WOULD EFFECTIVELY END ALL OF
THESE BASEBOARDS PROGRAMS
OFFERED BY PARKS AND REC. I
HAVE ONE OF 25% DEPENDS AT THE
PARKS AND REC SOFTWARE PROGRAM
WHICH IS NOT TO MENTION THE
EIGHT OTHER SPORTS THE CITY
OFFERS. EACH PROGRAM HAS A HUGE
REACH, THE SOFTBALL PROGRAM HAS
TEAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE
LEAGUE FOR 20 YEARS, MANY OF
WHICH ARE INTERGENERATIONAL
WITH PARENTS AND THEIR ADULT
KIDS ON THE SAME TEAMS. A
TESTAMENT TO HOW THESE TEAMS
ARE COMMUNITY TOUCHSTONES. AND
UNLIKE FOR-PROFITS SPORTS
GROUPS, ACCESSING EQUITY ARE
INTEGRAL TO PARKS PROGRAMMING
OFFERING LOWER FEES MAKING IT
ACCESSIBLE FOR MOORE TO PLAY.
THIS LOW BARRIER LEAD PROVIDES
SAFE OUTSIDE OF A BAR SETTING
TO GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS
CROSS CULTURES AND GENERATIONS
AND THOSE TYPES OF CONNECTIONS
KEEP OUR COMMUNITY STRONG . I
HEAR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
STRESS THEY WANT TO KEEP
SEATTLE SAFE AND THAT IS DONE
BY HAVING A STRONG VIBRANT
COMMUNITY AND THAT IS WHAT THIS
PROGRAM DOES. SOFTBALL IS A
SOURCE OF JOY WHEN THINGS ARE
HARD FOR SO MANY OF US. FOR ME
WHEN MY MOM WAS RECEIVING
BREAST CANCER TREATMENTS LAST
SUMMER THESE GAMES TO GO TO AND
HAVING A SPACE OF NORMALCY WAS
PIVOTAL FOR MY MENTAL HEALTH.
THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT ALSO HAD
MINIMAL EFFECT ON THE PARKS
BUDGET. WE PAY TO PLAY. WE PAY
THE CITY EACH YEAR TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM AND
ITS CLOSE TO A NET NEUTRAL
PROGRAM FOR THE CITY. KEEPING
ADULT ATHLETIC PROGRAMS WITHIN
THE CITY BUDGET IS A NO-BRAINER
IN TERMS OF BOTH COST TO THE
CITY AND THE VALUE OF THE
COMMUNITY IT FOSTERS. I ASK YOU
TO PLEASE KEEP THIS COMMUNITY
ALIVE AND KEEP ADULT ATHLETICS
IN THE PARKS BUDGET, THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU ISABEL, UP NEXT IS
READ ASTERIX. TAKE IT AWAY.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS,
AS YOU WORK TO BALANCE THE
BUDGET, I URGE YOU TO
PRIORITIZE PROTECTIONS AND
FUNDING FOR TENANT USE AND
RENTERS, THIS PROJECT 2025
RESHAPING NATIONAL HOUSING
POLICY SEATTLE MUST LEAD IN
SAFEGUARDING TENANT AND
EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY TO
STAY HOUSED. THE EVIDENCE IS
CLEAR, TENANT PROTECTIONS ARE
VITAL ESPECIALLY IN A HIGH-COST
CITY LIKE OURS. KEEPING PEOPLE
HOUSED IMPROVES THEIR ABILITY
TO WORK, STRENGTHENS MENTAL
HEALTH AND MAINTAINS
CONNECTIONS TO ESSENTIAL
SUPPORT NETWORKS INVESTING IN
THESE PROTECTIONS IS INVESTING
IN THE STABILITY AND HEALTH OF
OUR COMMUNITY. PROJECT 2025'S
RESET OF HUD AND ENDING THE
FIRST HOUSING MODEL THREATENS
PROVEN LIFESAVING MEASURES. IN
RESPONSE, WE MUST DOUBLE DOWN
ON SUPPORTING TENANTS
PARTICULARLY THROUGH TENANT
UNIONS AND RENTER ADVOCACY
ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TO KEEP
SEATTLE RESIDENTS IN THEIR
HOME. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO
ENSURE YOU ARE COMMITTED TO
PROTECTING RESIDENTS AND
SUPPORT CONVENIENCE OF
WASHINGTON AND RENTER ADVOCACY
IN THIS BUDGET CYCLE TO KEEP
SEATTLE HOUSED AND THRIVING AND
STOP CREATING JUMP STARTS,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> WE WILL GO BACK TO SELVAN
ONE LAST CALL AND THEN WE WILL
COME BACK TO SELVAN AT THE NEXT
GROUP, STAR SIX TO UNMUTE.
SELVAN STAR SIX TO UNMUTE
YOURSELF. WE WILL GO ONE MORE
TIME THERE YOU ARE. FANTASTIC.
>> GOOD EVENING. SORRY ABOUT
THAT. I AM THE OWNER OF THE
CENTRAL AMERICAN RESTAURANT. HE
THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2025
AND 2026. IT IS MY
UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS
PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES CUTS
TO VARIOUS ENTITIES INCLUDING
THE OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS,
WHICH PROVIDES VITAL PROGRAMS
SUCH AS BUSINESS OUTREACH AND
EFFICIENT FUNDS OR BE OEF. I
JUST WANTED TO NOTE OVER THE
LAST FOUR YEARS, PERSONALLY I
HAVE BENEFITED FROM THIS IN THE
RESOURCES PROVIDED BY THIS
PROGRAM. BECAUSE OF THIS
PROGRAM MYSELF, I WANTED TO BE
A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND I
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GAIN A DECENT
UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLES IT
AND REGULATIONS AT THE CITY,
COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL
LEVELS, IT HAS INCLUDED MY
OTHER BUSINESS PRACTICES, THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SELVAN, WE WILL
RETURN TO HER IN PERSON
SPEAKERS BEFORE WE DO THAT I
WANT TO READ THE NEXT 10 ONLINE
SPEAKERS THAT WE WILL COME BACK
TO IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES. IRIS,
JANICE , MIKE STEWART, ALBERTO
ALVAREZ, TED AND DAVID HAYNES
WHO IS NOT PRESENT AND HILLARY
WHO WILL COME BACK TO ALLISON
ABOUT 20 MINUTES, WE WILL NOW
RETURN TO THE IN PERSON
SPEAKERS, MR. SALISBURY PLEASE
YOUR UP FIRST, FOLLOWED BY
DAVID TOLEDO, RAY ROGERS, FIRST
LADY DAVIS, GEORGE MOFFAT, ROSE
WITH NO LAST NAME, JEREMY,
MARCUS WHITE SO WITH THAT, MR.
SALISBURY, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU COUNSEL FOR TAKING
THE TIME TO HEAR ME TODAY. MY
NAME IS SALISBURY AND TODAY I
AM HERE REPRESENTING SERVICES
OF LIFESTYLE AND BLACK LEGACY
HOMEOWNERS. I AM HERE AS A
COMMUNITY MEMBER, AND A
LIFELONG RESIDENT OF SEATTLE
AND A HOMEOWNER. I AM HERE TO
SUPPORT THE PACKAGE THAT IS PUT
FORTH BY COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH THAT INCLUDES
BLACK LEGACY HOMEOWNER FUNDING,
ARTS AND CULTURE PRESERVATION
FUNDING. HOUSING AND HOMEOWNER
SUPPORT WHICH IS WHAT WE DO.
ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND SMALL
BUSINESS GROWTH. THIS PACKAGE
IS IMPORTANT TO MANY IN THE
COMMUNITY AND I KNOW THAT THERE
WILL BE OTHERS TODAY TO COME
AND TALK AFTER ME AND POSSIBLY
BEFORE ME AS I WAS MOVING MY
CAR. BUT THE THING THAT'S
IMPORTANT TO ME ABOUT THIS
PACKAGE IS THAT WHILE WE MOST
CERTAINLY HAVE MANY PROGRAMS
THAT SEEK TO HELP HOMEOWNERS,
AND THE MAJORITY A LOT OF
PEOPLE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT
RENTERS RIGHTS AND TENANT
RIGHTS AND THOSE ARE VERY
IMPORTANT AS WELL THAT MANY OF
THE EXISTING POLICIES THAT WE
HAVE ON THE BOOKS SUCH AS THE
EXISTING AMI ARE ACTIVELY
DRIVING EXISTING HOMEOWNERS OUT
OF THE CITY. TO EVEN EXIST IN
THE CITY YOU HAVE TO ALMOST BE
ABOVE 80% AMI SO WHAT WE ARE
LOOKING TO IN PARTICULAR AS
PART OF THIS PACKAGE IS
ADAPTING ACROSS THE CITY A
COMMUNITY ADJUSTED AMI THAT
REALLY LOOKS AT HOMEOWNERS THAT
ARE THERE AND WHAT THEY CAN
AFFORD. THIS BROAD RATE BASED
APPROACH OF AN AMI THAT SPEAKS
TO JUST EVERYONE THERE IS NOT
HELPING EXISTING HOMEOWNERS IN
FACT IT IS REALLY HASTENING A
SLOW DENSIFICATION, A SLOW
DISPLACEMENT, WE DO NOT, WE ARE
NOT ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE
PROGRAMS AND WE DO
AND IF YOU WORKED AND LIVED IN
THIS COMMUNITY YOUR ENTIRE
LIFE, YOU OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO
RETIRE IN THE HOME THAT YOU
PURCHASED HERE INITIALLY. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> AMEN, THANK YOU MR.
SALISBURY UP NEXT WE HAVE DAVID
TOLEDO, RAY ROGERS, DAVID.
>> I AM HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBERS , SAKA'S DELL
RIDGE ROAD SAFETY PROPOSAL, I
HAVE LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR
20 YEARS. MY BROTHER RAISED HIS
FAMILY THERE AND MY SISTER AS
WELL, WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF
CHANGES. AND UNFORTUNATELY TWO
YEARS AGO WE SAW SOME CHANGES
TO THAT ROADWAY THAT THE
COMMUNITY JUST DIDN'T HAVE A
VOICE AND AND WE FEEL THAT
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA IS TRYING TO
REMEDY THAT AND WE ARE JUST
HOPING THAT YOU STAND BEHIND
THEM AND SUPPORT THAT. I WILL
GO A LITTLE OFF SCRIPT AS WELL
AND JUST SAY HOW PROUD I AM OF
THIS COUNSEL. A YEAR AGO WE SAW
MANY OF YOU, HOLLINGSWORTH,
KETTLE, MOORE, RIVERA AND SAKA
COME TO THIS COUNSEL. AND THERE
WAS I THINK A COMMON BELIEF IN
PUBLIC SAFETY AS A NECESSITY
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR
BRAVERY. IN STANDING FOR THAT.
A SPEAKER EARLIER TALKED ABOUT
THE PERSONAL ATTACKS AGAINST
SAKA AND I KNOW MANY OF YOU
HAVE SUFFERED THAT BECAUSE OF
YOUR STANCE. ON PUBLIC SAFETY
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY PLEASE
CONTINUE STANDING AND BEING
STRONG. LAST THING, TWO YEARS
AGO I STOOD BEFORE YOU AND
TALKED ABOUT THE FENTANYL
CRISIS, I LOST TWO PEOPLE IN MY
CIRCLE BECAUSE OF THAT. AT THAT
TIME SARA NELSON WAS A STRONG
ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. AND
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS ACTUALLY
AFTER THE MEETING CAME DOWN AND
HANDED ME HIS CARD AND I JUST
WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO BOTH
OF YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT
FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUST YOUR
STRENGTH, PLEASE KEEP THIS
COALITION TOGETHER, SUPPORT
EACH OTHER, PLEASE. AND,
THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU MR. TOLEDO. MR.
ROGERS. WHICHEVER ONE OF YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN STRONG
SUPPORT OF COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA'S BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR
CRITICAL ROAD SAFETY PROJECT IN
DELL RIDGE, I KNOW THIS AREA IS
COMMUNITY AND FAMILY AND ITS
SMALL BUSINESS. THIS IS A HIGH
TRAFFIC AREA THAT SEES HEAVY
CARD TRAFFIC AS WELL AS
PEDESTRIANS WALKING TO AND FROM
SCHOOL AS WELL AS TO THE LOCAL
DAYCARE GROCERIES AND SMALL
BUSINESSES. WE ALSO KNOW THAT
THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN LEFT OUT
OF DISCUSSION ON WHAT IS BEST
FOR ITS IMMIGRANTS BUSINESSES
AND RESIDENTS. TOO OFTEN PEOPLE
FAR REMOVED FROM THIS COMMUNITY
ARE MAKING THE DECISIONS FOR
THOSE MOST AFFECTED WITHOUT
GIVING THOSE SAME PEOPLE AT THE
SEAT AT THE TABLE, THIS ROAD
SAFETY PROJECT IS CRITICALLY
NEEDED AND THERE ARE MANY
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FAMILIES
LIVING AND WORKING IN THE AREA.
WHO ARE NOT SAFELY ABLE TO
ACCESS SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE
AREA. ALTHOUGH, THE INTENTIONS
OF THOSE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF
THE COMMUNITY MIGHT BE WELL
MET, BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES DO NOT NEED THEM TO
SPEAK OUT ON OUR BEHALF
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE ONLY
MAKING ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT WHAT
IS BEST FOR US. WE ARE HERE TO
SPEAK FOR OURSELVES. AND WHAT
WE ARE SEEING AND SAYING IS
PLEASE SUPPORT THE SAKA
DELRIDGE SAFETY PROJECT, THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. MR. ROGERS. AND
IF FOLKS CAN MAKE SURE TO SAY
THEIR NAME TO MAKE SURE I GOT
IT RIGHT.
>> MY NAME IS BISHOP ROGERS AND
I AM LIKEWISE IT HERE TO ECHO
THE SAME SENTIMENT AND SUPPORT
FOR SAKA'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.
FOR IMPORTANT ROAD SAFETY
PROJECT IN THE DELRIDGE AREA,
COUNCILMEMBERS, I URGE YOU
AGAIN, TO TAKE A COMPLETE STAND
AGAINST THESE PERSONAL ATTACKS
THAT HAVE OCCURRED AGAINST ROB.
HIMSELF. DELRIDGE DESERVES TO
KNOW THAT IT IS SAFE TO WALK TO
THE LOCAL STORE TO THE SCHOOLS,
OR TO THE DAYCARE. PLEASE, I
URGE YOU TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER
IN THIS ENDEAVOR. IT IS VERY
CRITICAL AND SUCH A TIME AT
WHICH WE STAND THAT WE COME
TOGETHER AND TO WRITE SOME OF
THOSE WRONGS. AGAIN, I URGE YOU
IN SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER TO PULL
TOGETHER AND MY FINAL
CONCLUSION, THIS YOUNG LADY
WANTED TO WAVE TO SARAH. SHE
REMEMBERS WHEN SHE SAW HER AND
SAID CAN I GO AND WAVED TO HER?
THANK YOU GUYS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT REBECCA RILEY, IF
YOU WANT TO USE THIS STAND, WE
CAN JUST GO BACK AND FORTH,
OVER TO YOU. WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING MR. CHAIR AND
COUNCILMEMBERS MY NAME IS A
HORROR AND I'M THE ADVOCACY
AND POLICY MANAGER AT HABITAT
FOR HUMANITY SEATTLE KING
COUNTY, FIRST I WANT TO EXTEND
OUR APPRECIATION FOR INCLUDING
AN ADDITIONAL 3 1/2 MILLION
DOLLARS TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE
HOMEOWNERSHIP. THIS COMMITMENT
BRINGS US CLOSER TO MAKING
HOUSING ACCESSIBLE FOR MANY
SEATTLE FAMILIES WHO ARE PRICED
OUT OF THE COMMUNITIES THEY
LOVE. IN THE OTHER HAND, WE
REMAIN CONCENT
RE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THIS SHIFT
RISKS REDUCING THE RESOURCES
NEEDED TO BUILD HOMES AND COULD
MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR
SEATTLE'S HOUSING MARKET TO
KEEP UP WITH DEMAND. WE KNOW
FROM OUR WORK THAT WHEN FUNDING
A CITY, DEVELOPERS CAN DELIVER
MORE HOUSING OPTIONS IF THIS
REALLOCATION BECOMES A
LONG-TERM SHIFT WE WILL FACE
DEEPER SHORTAGES OF AFFORDABLE
HOMES. LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO
SHARE OUR SUPPORT FOR
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE'S PROPOSAL
ON THE EXCISED TECH. FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ESSENTIAL
TO ADDRESSING SEATTLE'S
GROWING HOUSING NEEDS. AND THE
LOCAL CAPITAL GAINS TAX WOULD
BE A STEP TOWARD SECURING A
PREDICTABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE
FOR THIS CRITICAL WORK.
INVESTING IN HOMEOWNERSHIP IS
NOT JUST ABOUT HOUSING, IT'S
ABOUT STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES
AND SUPPORTING LONG-TERM
ECONOMIC STABILITY. AS WE AND
AS YOU MOVE THROUGH THIS
CHALLENGING BUDGET PROCESS, WE
URGE YOU TO KEEP PET FUNDS IN
TAX IN FUTURE YEARS, THE
DISTRIBUTIONS MADE IN THIS
CHAMBER HAVE A LASTING IMPACT
ON SEATTLE'S HOUSING
LANDSCAPE. AND WE NEED TO AVOID
GAPS IN FUNDING THAT COULD TURN
INTO PERMANENT SETBACKS. THANK
YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP
AND SUPPORT AND WE LOOK FORWARD
TO PARTNERING WITH ALL OF YOU
AND MAKING SEATTLE A PLACE
WHERE EVERYONE CAN CALL HOME.
THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT IS REBECCA RILEY
FOLLOWED BY GEORGE MOFFAT,
REBECCA WELCOME.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS BECCA
RILEY AND I'M SPEAKING TODAY
ABOUT THE 2025, 2026 PROPOSED
CITY BUDGET CUTS. PLEASE
RESTORE FUNDING FOR DISCOVERY
PARK , ARE KEEP PARK AND THE
CITYWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION TEAM. IN SEATTLE
PARKS AND RECREATION, AND
PLEASE DON'T LET PARKS
PRIVATIZE ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION. I WORK FOR SEATTLE
PARKS AND RECREATION AND MY
POSITION ALONG WITH NINE OTHER
ONE OF MY COWORKERS ARE ALL
SLATED FOR ELIMINATION IN THIS
BUDGET PROPOSAL. IF PASSED, THE
IMPACT OF THIS WILL REACH ALL
CORNERS OF SEATTLE. DISCOVERY
PARK IS A GEM IN THE CITY, HARD
FOUGHT FOR AND PROTECTED BY THE
PEOPLE OF THE CITY FOR OVER 50
YEARS. AS THE LARGEST PARK IN
SEATTLE, IT IS UNIQUELY
PROTECTED FROM DEVELOPMENTS BY
THE PASSING OF THE DISCOVERY
PARK MASTER PLAN IN 1974. THE
PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE
DISCOVERY PARK VISITORS CENTER
WILL PUT THE CORE VALUES OF
THIS PARK IN JEOPARDY AND THESE
ARE PROTECT DID BY THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE. DEFUNDING AND
PRIVATIZING ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION IS THE WRONG CHOICE.
HOW CAN SEATTLE PRIDE ITSELF IN
BEING A GREEN CITY, A LEADER
AMONGST OTHER CITIES WHEN IT IS
ACTIVELY DEFUNDING OUR
NATURALISTS, OUR EDUCATION
SPECIALISTS AND CLOSING OUR
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTERS.
PLEASE RESTORE FUNDING FOR
DISCOVERY PARK, CAR KEY PART IN
THE CITYWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION TEAM AND DO NOT LET
PARKS PRIVATIZE ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU REBECCA. UP NEXT
IS GEORGE FOLLOWED BY ROSE.
GEORGE, WELCOME.
>> I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN
OPPOSITION TO THE AMORTIZATION
OF THE ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION
PROGRAM. BUT MORE GENERALLY, I
JUST WANT TO SPEAK AGAINST THE
IDEA THAT WE CAN SOLVE OUR
BUDGET PROBLEMS BY PRIVATIZING
IMPORTANT CITY WORK. IT DOES
NOT REALLY DO WHAT YOU THINK IT
DOES. IT MAY RUSTLE UP A COUPLE
THINGS SHORT TERM BUT IT
INEVITABLY COSTS MORE IN THE
LONG TERM AND REDUCES OUR
ABILITY TO ASSESS THE
COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. BRUCE
HARRELL UP NEXT IS ROSE. AND IF
YOU CAN FIRST AND LAST NAME FOR
THE RECORD.
>> THANK YOU , MY NAME IS ROSE
McMURRAY I'M A PROUD BOATER IN
DISTRICT 3, I AM HERE TO APPEAL
TO CITY COUNCIL ON BEHALF OF
PUBLIC FUNDING FOR LOW INCOME
HOUSING AND MEAL PROGRAMS WHICH
BENEFIT OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY.
AFTER THE ELECTION OF DONALD
TRUMP WE AS A CITY HAVE AN
OBLIGATION TO STEP UP EVEN MORE
IN HELPING OUR CITY AND OUR
NATION SURVIVE AND SHOW HOW NO
MATTER WHO IS AT THE HELM OF
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE IN
SEATTLE ALWAYS SUPPORT THOSE
WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR
COMMUNITY. WE AS VOTERS HAD AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THIS LAST
NOVEMBER WITH AN OVERWHELMING
VOTE OF SUPPORT FROM MAYOR
BRUCE HARRELL'S HOUSING LEVY.
WE SHOW UP BY TURNING UP FOR
VARIOUS MEAL PROGRAMS AND
MUTUAL AID GROUPS WHO USE
FUNDING FROM YOU TO SUPPORT OUR
COMMUNITIES EVERY DAY. YOU AND
CITY COUNCIL NOW HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW UNITY WITH
SEATTLE AND VOTERS BY
PROTECTING JUMPSTART FUNDING
AND CONTINUING OUR CITY'S
PROUD TRADITION OF SUPPORTING
ECONOMIC OR MOST ECONOMICALLY
VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. WE KNOW
THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE
SAVED BY THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, WE WILL NOT BE
BILLED OUT, HOWEVER WE ALSO
KNOW THAT IT IS IMPORTANT NOW
MORE THAN EVER TO FUND OUR
PEOPLE AND NOT SEND EVEN MORE
MONEY TO POLICE IN SLEEVES THAT
ARE PROVEN TO EXACERBATE THE
PROBLEM AND CAUSE DEATH WITHIN
OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE SHOW US
THAT YOU WILL STAND WITH US AND
NOT TRUMPS GOVERNMENT AND
RECONSIDER THE CURRENT BUDGET
AND PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE
NEIGHBORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME. BRUCE HARRELL WELCOME.
>> HELLO COUNSEL MY NAME IS
JEREMY AND I AM A OWNER OF
PRODUCE IN CASCADIA FRESH MONTH
ON DEL RIDGEWAY, IN DISTRICT 1.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE A NEIGHBOR
HERE, ROB. I'M HERE TO SPEAK
TODAY IN FAVOR INVESTING IN
SEATTLE MEALS PROGRAMS I WANT
TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH AND STRAUSS FOR
SUPPORTING AMENDMENTS FOUR AND
10, ADDING TO THE CAPITAL
BUDGET, I AM OPERATING BUDGET,
WHILE THE MEAL PROGRAMS DO
GREAT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY,
THEY ALSO HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT
ON SMALL BUSINESSES AND FARMS
IN THE CITY AND SURROUNDING
AREAS. THESE FUNDS WILL CREATE
JOBS AND SUPPORT MANY SMALL
BUSINESSES INVOLVED IN THE
SEATTLE FOOD SYSTEM. EVERY
DOLLAR SPENT WITH THESE FARMS
GETS MULTIPLIED WITH GROWTH IN
THE LOCAL ECONOMY. SUPPORTING
MEAL PROGRAMS FALLS IN LINE
WITH THE FOOD ACTION PLAN AND
THE VALUES FOR DISEASE THAT HAS
BEEN ADOPTED BY THE CITY. SO I
AM GRATEFUL OF THAT AND
ENCOURAGE IT. ADDITIONALLY,
BEING A RESIDENT JUST OFF OF
DELL RIDGE, AND HAVING A
GROCERY STORE ON DELRIDGE I
WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR
LOOKING OUT FOR THE SAFETY OF
MY WIFE WHO HAS TO WALK A
CROSSED DELRIDGE EVERYDAY FROM
20th AVENUE TO THE STORE TO BE
ABLE TO KEEP IT OPEN AND SO THE
SAFETY OF DELRIDGE IS EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT TO ME ALONG WITH THE
PLAN TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT
LOCAL STORES, SMALLER
RETAILERS, THROUGHOUT THE CITY
THAT CAN TRULY BE AN ECONOMIC
IMPACT FOR ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS
THROUGHOUT THE CITY BUT ALSO
FOR THOSE THAT ARE SUPPORTED,
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. FREEMAN YOU ARE
UP NEXT FOLLOWED BY MARCUS
WHITE.
>> WITH WHEEL, WOMEN AND BLACK.
IN SPITE OF BROAD COMMUNITY
SUPPORT, AND PUBLIC COMMENT,
THE FUNDING FOR A DAY CENTER
THAT IS CRITICALLY NEEDED TO
REPLACE MARY'S PLACE AFTER IT
CLOSES, IS NOT IN THIS BUDGET.
THOSE CRITICALLY NEEDED
SURVIVAL SERVICES ARE NOT GOING
TO BE SAVED BY THIS BUDGET.
PLEASE REMEMBER, THAT THERE ARE
LIVES THAT DEPEND ON YOU. TO
FIND THAT FUNDING. BEFORE NEXT
MARCH. OR WOMEN WILL DIE. YOU
ARE STILL READING JUMPSTART,
PLEASE DON'T MAKE THAT
PERMANENT. STOP IT. KEEP THE
GUARDRAILS ON. AND FIND A
BETTER WAY TO BALANCE THE
BUDGET NEXT YEAR. OR NEXT TIME.
YOU ADDED BACK SOME OF THE
FUNDING FOR TENANT SERVICES.
FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADD MORE OR
YOU WILL HAVE MORE HOMELESS
PEOPLE AND YOU WILL HAVE MORE
HOMELESS DEATHS. KEEP WORKING.
>> THANK YOU.
>> MARCUS?
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> I HOPE YOU'RE DOING WELL
EVERYONE, I JUST WANT TO VOICE
SUPPORT FOR COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA'S AMENDMENT FOR THE
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY PROJECT.
ON DELRIDGE WAY, THE PURPOSE OF
GOVERNMENT IS TO MAKE LIFE
EASIER AND MORE EFFICIENT FOR
EVERYBODY IN THE CITY AND THIS
ADJUSTMENT WILL HELP REACH THAT
END WORKING AS A COMMISSIONER
THAT IS PRIMARILY THERE TO HELP
DISENFRANCHISED GROUPS, BECOME
MORE INVOLVED IN CITY
GOVERNMENT, THIS ADJUSTMENT
WILL HELP THEM TO FEEL THAT
THEY ARE INCLUDED IN GOVERNMENT
PROCESSES ONE REASON WHY A LOT
OF PEOPLE ARE NOT IN GOVERNMENT
PROCESSES IS BECAUSE THEY FEEL
DISRESPECTED AND I THINK THIS
WILL SHOW THAT WE CARE ABOUT
THE CITY AND HELPING TO MOVE IT
FORWARD AND MAKING LIFE BETTER,
LIFE IS A GAME OF INCHES AND I
THINK REMOVING THIS MEDIAN WILL
HELP GIVE THESE REFUGEES AND
PEOPLE GOING TO THE RFC ON A
DAILY BASIS EASIER BECAUSE WHO
KNOWS THE STRUGGLE THEY HAVE TO
GO THROUGH ON A DAILY BASIS AND
I THINK REMOVING THIS WILL HELP
THEM TO SEE THAT THE NINE
COUNCILMEMBERS WE CARE ABOUT
YOU AND ARE THERE FOR YOU AND
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR
VOICE IS HEARD AND THANK YOU SO
MUCH WANTED TO SAY FOR
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA, REGARDLESS
OF WHETHER THIS AMENDMENT IS
BEING PUSHED BACK AGAINST OR
EVIDENCE, I JUST WANT TO SAY
THAT IT MAKES THE MOST SENSE TO
ADJUST THE PROJECT AND TRY LIKE
I SAID MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR
PEOPLE IN THE CITY, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU MARCUS. WE ARE NOW
AND IT SEEMS LIKE FOLKS DID
LEAVE TO MAKE MORE ROOM FOR THE
FOLKS THAT ARE DOWNSTAIRS, JUST
A REMINDER THAT ONCE YOU HAVE
SPOKEN MEGAN, JESSE DO WE STILL
HAVE PEOPLE DOWNSTAIRS? OR ALL
WE , ARE WE ALL APPEAR? WE ARE
GOOD TO GO, MOVING BACK ONTO
ONLINE COMMENTS I WILL READ
EVERYONE'S NAME NOW. SO THAT
YOU CAN BE READY. ALICE
LOCKHART, LYDIA, JANICE, MIKE
STEWART, ALBERTO ALVAREZ, TED ,
DAVID HAYNES, HILLARY , WITH
THAT, ALICE LOCKHART YOU ARE UP
NEXT. I SEE YOU ARE HERE, STAR
SIX TO UNMUTE. YOU ARE OFF
MUTE, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNSEL, MAKE
NO MISTAKE WASHINGTON'S SHIFT
WITH AN INDICATION THAT
CITIZENS DIRECTLY FEAR
OPPRESSION UNDER A PRESIDENCY.
AND THERE IS ALREADY EVIDENCE
THAT WE ARE RIGHT IN THE FORM
OF HR 9495 THAT WOULD ALLOW
TRUMP TO STRIP NINE LIKE THOSE
PROVIDING ABORTION SERVICES AND
IMPACT ANY SERVICES IN THE
SEATTLE OF THEIR TAX-EXEMPT
STATUS AND IF YOU HAVE A STRATA
OF HUMAN KINDNESS WHICH I KNOW
YOU DO, PLEASE DEFUND AND
REPEAL THE LEGISLATION THAT NOW
WOULD NOT, NOT WOOD BUT WILL
ENDANGER YOUNG WOMEN ACCESSING
REPRODUCTIVE CARE AND WILL NOT
WOULD BE STAMPEDED OR OTHERWISE
HIJACKED BY LAW-ABIDING BUT
LEFT-LEANING SEATTLE
INDIVIDUALS AS WELL, AND
ENSURING OF OUR MENTAL JUST AS
NONPROFITS THAT COUNT ON CITY
FUNDING COULD CONTINUE TO
THRIVE AND PROVIDE CRITICAL
SERVICES. IF YOU HAVE A SHRED
OF HUMAN KINDNESS WHICH I KNOW
YOU DO, YOU WILL MOVE QUICKLY
ON SUBSTANTIVE PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE AND PROTECT JUMPSTART
TENANT AND OTHER HUMAN SERVICES
ON THE HOUSING, EDI AND GREEN
NEW DEAL, NOW AND IN THE LONG
TERM. I URGE YOU TO REJECT
LEGISLATION THAT WAS IN
JUMPSTART AS WE KNOW IT AND
INSTEAD PASS THE MUCH KINDER
AND MORE BALANCED MORALES THAT
IS ON TOMORROW'S AGENDA, IF
YOU HAVE A SHRED OF HUMAN
KINDNESS AND I KNOW YOU DO
REJECT AMENDMENT B THAT WOULD
REMOVE ALL RESTORATION OF
CRITICAL SERVICES, MENTORS,
WORKERS, VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES
IN THE COMING. DEPEND ON YOUR
KINDNESS.
>> THANK YOU ALICE. YOU STILL
HAVE 20 SECONDS.
>> I'M GOOD, THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO LYDIA
FELTY FOLLOWED BY IRIS. LYDIA
YOU ARE OFF MUTE, GOT JOB WELL
DONE, TAKE IT AWAY AT YOUR
CONVENIENCE.
>> MY NAME IS LYDIA AND I'M A
RENTER AND NONPROFIT EMPLOYEE
AND LIVE IN DISTRICT 3 AND I'M
ALSO A PART OF THE RENTERS
COMMISSION AND I'M HERE TO
REDUCE THE TO SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBERS HOLLINGSWORTH,
MORALES AND MOORE AMENDMENT TO
RESTORE TENANT SERVICES AT THE
SAME LEVEL OF 2024 TO REJECT
THE PROVIDE INCOME REQUIREMENTS
EFFECTIVELY EXCLUDE FULL-TIME
WORKERS FROM ACCESSING RATE TO
COUNSEL AND CONSIDER INCREASING
THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING FOR
TENANT SERVICES IN THE FUTURE.
RENTERS MAKE UP NEARLY HALF OF
SEATTLE'S POPULATION AND AS WE
WROTE YOU LAST MONTH MANY ARE
FACING UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES
DUE TO THE GROWING HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY CRISIS AND
ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY. THE
FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT AND
ACCESS TO SECURE STABLE HOUSING
IS CRITICAL TO ENSURING THE
DIGNITY, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
OF INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS
PROMOTING COMMUNITY COHESION.
NEED FUNDING FOR BOTH RENTAL
ASSISTANCE AND TENANT SERVICES,
NOT JUST THAT, INVESTING IN
PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY
COHESION. TENANT EDUCATION,
OUTREACH AND COUNSELING HELP
IMPROVE TENANT LANDLORD
RELATIONSHIPS, LEADING TO FEWER
NEEDS FOR CITY INTERVENTION AND
BETTER CARE OF OUR LIMITED
HOUSING REDUCING THE BURDEN ON
CODE ENFORCEMENT. STABILIZE
HOUSING, WHICH REDUCES THE RISK
OF DISPLACEMENT, HOMELESSNESS
AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS THAT
CONTRIBUTE TO INSTABILITY AND
HIGHER CRIME RATES. FUNDING
SENATE SERVICES NOT ONLY
SUPPORTS RENTERS BUT ALSO THE
PRESSURES ON ALREADY BURDENED
CITY DEPARTMENTS. TENANT
SERVICES ALSO MAKE RENTAL
ASSISTANCE MORE EFFECTIVE BY
ENSURING BETTER USE OF
RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN HOUSING
STABILITY. AND OF COURSE WITH
UNPAID RENT BEING THE LEADING
CAUSE OF EVICTION CASES IN A
STATE, THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE
WAY TO ADDRESS IS TO PREVENT IT
AND BY HELPING FAMILIES AND
INDIVIDUALS STAY HOUSED WITH
RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND TENANT
SERVICES. PLEASE DON'T CHOOSE
BETWEEN RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND
TENANT SERVICES, FULLY RESTORE
FUNDING FOR TENANT SERVICES TO
BE THE INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATIONS
THAT SUPPORT RENTERS AND
PREVENT DISPLACEMENT AND REJECT
THE PROVIDING CRUCIAL ACCESS
THANK YOU.
>> IRIS FOLLOWED BY JANICE.
STAR SIX TO UNMUTE.
>> NOT POUND SIX THERE YOU ARE.
TAKE IT AWAY AT YOUR
CONVENIENCE. WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU. HELLO MY NAME IS
IRIS AND I'M A RENTER LIVING
IN DISTRICT TWO I AM IN SEVERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GROUPS
AND I'M CONCERNED THAT THE
PROPOSED CITY BUDGET IS
DECREASING SPENDING ON CLIMATE
BY 28% RELATIVE TO LAST YEAR.
JUMPSTART FUNDS WHICH ARE
SPECIFICALLY FOR ADDRESSING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, GREEN NEW DEAL
CLIMATE PROJECTS AND THE
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVE AS WELL AS YOUTH
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE
BEING USED TO FILL IN GAPS IN
THE GENERAL FUND. REDUCING
FUNDING ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES
IS SHORTSIGHTED. IF WE ARE TO
THRIVE AS A CITY, WE MUST TAKE
SERIOUSLY THE NEED TO MEET OUR
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
REDUCTIONS TARGETS. INCREASING
SPENDING ON
MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION
AND NOT ONLY IGNORES THE GOALS
WE SET FOR OURSELVES, BUT ALSO
THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF
OUR RESIDENTS. AND THE HEALTH
OF THE ENVIRONMENT WE NEED IN
ORDER TO THRIVE. PLEASE, FIND
NEW PROGRESSIVE REVENUE SOURCES
AND FUNDING ON HOUSING AND
CLIMATE CAN BE MAINTAINED FOR
FUTURE YEARS.
>> UP NEXT IS JANICE FOLLOWED
BY MIKE STEWART. STAR SIX TO
UNMUTE.
>> THERE YOU ARE YOU ARE OFF
MUTE, TAKE IT AWAY. WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, HI MY
NAME IS JANICE, AND I AM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH AND A
MEMBER OF THE SEATTLE HUMAN
SERVICES COALITION. I'M ALSO
THE COCHAIR OF THE COALITION
FOR CHANGING LIVES CAMPAIGN.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO UPLIFT THE
CITY COUNCIL FUNDED STUDY
CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON THAT DETERMINE HUMAN
SERVICES WORKERS EARN 37% LESS
THAN WORKERS DURING COMPARABLE
JOBS IN OTHER SETTINGS. THE
CITY THAT FOUNDS A COMMISSION
RECOMMENDED AN IMMEDIATE 7%
POST INFLATIONARY WAGE EQUITY
ADJUSTMENT TO HUMAN SERVICES
CONTRACTS AND LAST YEAR WE
RECEIVED A 2% ADJUSTMENT BUT NO
EQUITY ADJUSTMENT THIS YEAR. AT
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE ARE PRINTED
50 STAFF SPEAK OVER 40
LANGUAGES AND LIKE MOST WORKERS
IN HUMAN SERVICES THEY ARE
PREDOMINANTLY WOMEN AND PEOPLE
OF COLOR. PROVIDING EARLY
LEARNING, RESOURCE NAVIGATION,
JOB-SEARCH, SUPPORT, HOUSING
STABILITY, AND HEALTH
NAVIGATION FOR OLDER ADULTS AND
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. I
COMMEND THE COUNCIL FOR
CONSIDERING PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
SOURCES TO CRITICAL BASIC NEEDS
FOR SEATTLE RESIDENTS AND URGE
YOU TO ADDRESS THIS GROWING
WAGE GAP FOR PEOPLE PROVIDING
THE ESSENTIAL, HUMAN SERVICES
THAT ARE NEEDED FOR LIVABLE
CITIES THAT AFFORD
OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL. WE ALSO
SUPPORT THE FOOD BANKS AND
DELIVERY PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT
THE RESTORATION OF BALANCE AND
INVESTMENTS. WHICH WILL REDUCE
TENANT SERVICES FUNDING AND
OPPOSE RESTRICTING ACCESS
FUNDING SEATTLE RESIDENTS TO
PREVENT ADDICTION. WE URGE THE
CITY TO REJECT COUNSEL BILL
120912 WHICH ELIMINATES
ALLOCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
JUMPSTART PAYROLL IN THE
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE OPENING
THIS FUNDING TO BE USED FOR
WHATEVER NEEDS THE COUNCIL
GIVES THEM. HANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS MIKE
STEWART FOLLOWED BY YOUR OFF
MUTE, TAKE IT AWAY, YOU'RE
WELCOME.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU AND
GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS MY
NAME IS MIKE STEWART AND I AM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
BALLARD ALLIANCE REPRESENTATION
OF SMALL BUSINESSES AND
THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS IN
BALLARD, I'M HERE TODAY TO
VOICE SUPPORT FOR S.104 FE,
EARLIER TODAY THE BALLOT OF
ALLIANCE HAD A STRONG LETTER OF
SUPPORT OVER THE BROAD
COALITION REPRESENTING HUNDREDS
OF SMALL BUSINESSES AND
RESIDENTIAL STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS
BALLARD, FREMONT AND ALONG
WESTLAKE AVENUE INCLUDING THE
NORTH SEATTLE INDUSTRIAL
ASSOCIATION, THE FREMONT
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE
NATIONAL MUSEUM, BAR
ASSOCIATION AND THE NORTHWEST
MARINE TRADE ASSOCIATION, TO
NAME JUST A FEW. THIS FL I
REPRESENTS A CRITICAL ACTION TO
HELP ENSURE THAT NEW
NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSPORTATION
INVESTMENTS ARE IMPLEMENTED
BASED ON CURRENT AM A LOCAL
DATA. WHICH ENSURES THAT ARE
OUTCOMES FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. I
WOULD LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL
PRESIDENT SARAH NELSON ALONG
WITH HER COSPONSORS,
COUNCILMEMBER ROB SAKA AND
CATTLE FOR CHAMPIONING THIS
IMPORTANT ACTION, THANK YOU FOR
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LETTING ME
SPEAK TODAY AND THANK YOU FOR
YOUR CONSIDERATION AND SUPPORT.
>> THINK YOU MIGHT COME UP NEXT
IS DEPA FOLLOWED BY ALBERTO
ALVAREZ.
>> THANK YOU, I AM THE LOCAL
POLICY MANAGER AT CLIMATE
SOLUTIONS, A CLEAN ENERGY
NONPROFIT IN THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST, I WANTED TO ECHO
SOME OF THE COMMENTS FROM OTHER
FOLKS BEFORE ROBIN BRIGGS,
LOCKHART AROUND CLIMATE IN HIS
BUDGET, AND I ALSO WANTED TO
SHARE THAT CLIMATE SOLUTIONS
SUPPORTS THE PRIORITIES
OUTLINED BY THE GREEN NEW DEAL
OVERSIGHT BOARD IN THEIR TWO
LETTERS ABOUT THE CLIMATE.
INVESTMENTS AND GREEN NEW DEAL
INVESTMENTS IN THE BUDGET, AND
PARTICULARLY I WANT TO SPEAK TO
JUMPSTART AND NOT RATING
JUMPSTART AS A GENERAL FUND I
THINK WHAT HAS BEEN
DISAPPOINTING TO HEAR AND IS
MISSING FROM COUNSEL
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT JUMPSTART
IS THAT THE ALLOCATIONS WERE
NOT DECIDED BECAUSE OF COUNSEL,
THEY WERE ADVOCATED FOR BY THE
BROAD COALITION OF COMMUNITY
THAT HELPED TO GET THIS EXPENSE
TAX PASSED IN THE FIRST PLACE
THAT INCLUDED ENVIRONMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS,
ORGANIZATIONS, UNIONS AND LABOR
ADVOCATES, AND SO MANY MORE
SMALL BUSINESSES, AND TO THEN
GOT THAT FUND, TO FUND THINGS
THAT ARE DIRECTLY IN OPPOSITION
TO THE COMMUNITY CARE THAT
JUMPSTART WAS PASSED TO FUND IS
UNCONSCIONABLE. SO, YOU KNOW I
REALLY URGE COUNSEL TO KEEP ON
JUMPSTART FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND FOR CLIMATE
INVESTMENTS FOR EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS BECAUSE
NONE OF THOSE HAVE BEEN SINCE
THE TAX TIME, I WANT TO SPEAK
MORE SPECIFICALLY TO SOME OF
THE FUNDING AROUND IT THE
OFFICE OF
COUNCILMWOO'PLAN TO
RESTORE FUNDING TO THE
SNOHOMISH VALLEY ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, BUT WE ALSO URGED
COUNSEL TO RESTORE FUNDING TO
THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND.
AND TO FUND POLICE AND CONTINUE
FUNDING SUSTAINABILITY PRESENCE
THAT ARE REALLY CORE TO
SEATTLE'S MISSION OF
RESPECTING AND EMPOWERING.
>> THANK YOU COME UP NEXT IS
ALBERTO ALVAREZ FOLLOWED BY
TED, I SEE YOU ARE HERE AND
YOUR OFF MUTE, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> COUNSEL, OVER 200,000
SEATTLE VOTERS DELIVERED A
MANDATE TO YOU. THE DEMAND IS
TO BUILD, BUILD. AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. AND NOT PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE. UPHOLD WORKER
PROTECTIONS, AND WAGES. TO
BUILD A SEATTLE THAT WORKS FOR
ALL. IT MUST BE MADE CLEAR THAT
SHOWING UP IS NEVER ENOUGH. A
PLAN HAS TO BE PUT FORWARD AND
REAL ACTION HAS TO TAKE PLACE.
A GREAT EXAMPLE IS TODAY'S
AMENDMENT FOR PROGRESSIVE TAX
ON THE WEALTHIEST GROUPS TO
FUND RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
HOMEOWNERSHIP AND FIGHT FOOD
INSECURITY. I WANT TO COMMEND
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE AND ALL
MEMBERS TO SPONSOR HER PLAN IT
MAY JUST BE A FIRST STEP BUT,
THIS IS THE WORK AND
PARTNERSHIP WE WANT TO SEE. OUR
WORK AND OUR SPENDING IS THE
BEDROCK OF CITY REVENUE. IT IS
TIME , THE WEALTHY PAY THEIR
FAIR SHARE. TAKE ACTION ON WHAT
200,000 WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE
ARE DEMANDING. AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, WORKER PROTECTIONS.
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE. THANK YOU
AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.
>> THANK YOU ALBERTO. UP NEXT
IS TED FOLLOWED BY DAVID HAYNES
AND HILLARY THEN WE WILL MOVE
BACK TO A 11 THROUGH 820. TED,
TAKE IT AWAY.
>> HI MY NAME IS TED, I AM A
LAND-USE PLANNER AND I AM
COMMENTING ON THE BUDGET
REBALANCING PROPOSAL, I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING
COMMENTS REGARDING THE PROPOSED
LAYOFFS AND SUPPORT THE CITY
BUDGET OFFICE AMENDMENT 00 2A1
TWO HELP REPAY AN INSTITUTIONAL
KNOWLEDGE AND RELATIONSHIPS
WITHIN THE CITY. HOWEVER I
WOULD ALSO ASK YOU THAT YOU
PROPOSE TO EARMARK OR RESTORE
SPECIFICALLY LAND-USE PLANNER
POSITIONS WITHIN THE CITY AS
THIS POSITION IS
DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY
THE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND
RESTORING THOSE POSITIONS WOULD
HELP GUARANTEE THAT BUILDING
PERMITS MOVE THROUGH THE SYSTEM
EFFICIENTLY AND KEEP SEATTLE
GROWING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU TED AND THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR CITY.
UP NEXT, IS DAVID HAYNES
FOLLOWED BY HILLARY AND THEN WE
WILL MOVE BACK TO A 11-A 20.
DAVID HAYNES, YOU ARE OFF MUTE,
AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.
>> THANK YOU, DAVID HAYNES. CAN
YOU HEAR ME?
>> HI. I WAS GOING TO COME IN
THERE TONIGHT WITH A SIGN THAT
SAID SEATTLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO
WORK, PLAY AND VISIT BECAUSE WE
STILL HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY
CRISIS WHERE WE ARE WAITING FOR
THE LAWS AND PRIORITIES THAT
ALL OF THESE LOW-LEVEL DRUG
PUSHERS ALL THROUGHOUT THE
COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST IN THE
CRIME HOTSPOTS, THERE HAVE BEEN
QUESTIONS AT THE JAIL HOUSE TO
FIND OUT WHERE THEY KEEP
GETTING IT TO SHUT IT DOWN. AND
OUR HOMELESS CRISIS HAS BEEN
THE FIRST THING THAT KEEPS
GETTING CUT ON THE BUDGET,
MAKING UNNECESSARY SUFFERING
PROLIFERATE WELL THE SIGNAL
POLICIES THAT GET IN THE WAY OF
SOLVING THE HOMELESS CRISIS,
THE HOUSING CRISIS, AND PUBLIC
SAFETY. INSTEAD OF THE CONTENT
OF A CRIMINAL CHARACTER, A
REPEAT OFFENDER WHO DESTROYS A
FELLOW MAN'S LIFE WHO WANTS TO
FIND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
THAN THEY FINDING HOUSING
SERVICES FIRST BECAUSE OF THE
WRAPAROUND OR PROFITABLE AND
POLITICALLY CONNECTED TO THE
REELECTION APPARATUS IN THE
DEMOCRAT PARTY, THAT TRADES THE
INTEGRITY OF THE OVERSIGHT, TO
SOLVE THE CRISIS THAT JUSTIFIES
HAVING AN INDEPENDENT VOICE OF
THE HOMELESS CRISIS TO BE
SOLVED WHERE THEY SUPERSEDE THE
SUSPECT OVERSIGHT FROM THE KING
COUNTY REGIONAL HOMES AUTHORITY
AND DIRECTLY TO THE COUNCIL TO
OVERSEE THE BUDGET TO SOLVE THE
HOMELESS CRISIS THERE IS MORE
THAT CAN BE PAID FOR THE
MATERIALS, AND WE BUILD RAPIDLY
SOME EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAFFICKED
THAT ARE IN DESPERATE
SITUATIONS DESTROYED FOR HUMAN
TRAFFICKING WE TAKE THEM OVER.
AND BUILD SOME HOUSES THAT HAVE
ALL LEVELS.
>> THANK YOU DAVID, UP NEXT IS
HILLARY. WELCOME.
>> STAR SIX TO UNMUTE. THERE
YOU ARE, TAKE IT AWAY AT YOUR
CONVENIENCE, WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING I AM HILLARY,
AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT
3 WITH CHILDREN ATTENDING THE
NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
AND I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF THE
GARFIELD SUPER COALITION. THE
INCLUSION OF THE NECESSARY
FUNDS TO FINISH THE GARFIELD
SUPERBLOCK PARK RENOVATION.
PLEASE ADOPT THIS AMENDMENT AND
FULFILL THE DECADES-OLD PROMISE
TO CENTRAL DISTRICT RESIDENTS
AND USERS OF THE PARK.
ADDRESSING REAL NEEDS RELATED
TO MENTAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND
COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS. IN
ADDITION PLEASE ADDRESS THE
INEQUITY OF THE GARFIELD
BALLFIELD AND PROVIDE FUNDING
TO TURFS OF SOFTBALL AND FIELD
AT GARFIELD PARK. THIS
HARD-WORKING PARK IS USED BY
EVERYDAY PEOPLE OF ALL AGES,
BACKGROUNDS AND ABILITIES AND
INVESTMENT IN THIS PARK IS AN
INVESTMENT IN THE PEOPLE WHO
USE IT. IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN
PUBLICLY USED INFRASTRUCTURE
AND IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN
MENTAL HEALTH. IT IS AN
INVESTMENT IN YOU. THE GARFIELD
SUPERBLOCK AND SURROUNDING
NEIGHBORHOOD PERSISTENTLY
EXPERIENCES GUN VIOLENCE. IT IS
A RESPONSE FROM THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL. THE LONG-TERM
EFFECTS POSITIVE ACTIVATIONS
THROUGH THE GSP PARK
RESERVATIONS WILL INCREASE THE
USERS OF THE PARK. AND WILL
INCREASE THE DIVERSITY OF
ACTIVITIES OCCURRING AT THE
PARK AND WILL RESULT IN
INCREASED SAFETY. LET'S MAKE
THE GARFIELD SUPERBLOCK A PLACE
THAT CALMS AND ADDRESSES OF
VIOLENCE NOT A PLACE FOR
VIOLENCE TO OCCUR REGULARLY.
PLEASE JOIN COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH AND FUND THE
PROJECT WITH CAPACITY FUNDS FOR
THE GSP COALITION TO ORGANIZE
POSITIVE ACTIVATION ON THE
CAMPUS DURING CONSTRUCTION. TO
KEEP THE GARFIELD SUPERBLOCK
SAFE AND VIBRANT. I THINK THE
CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR PATH AND
PASS SUPPORT AND INVESTMENT AND
WE ASK YOU NOW TO PUSH YOUR
INVESTMENT OVER THE FINISH LINE
TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF
SEATTLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE TO THE CITY.
>> THANK YOU HILLARY WE WILL
MOVE ON TO IN PERSON A 11-A
COUPLE A 20. I WILL CALL THE
NEXT 10 PEOPLE THAT ARE REMOTE
SO YOU WILL BE CALLED IN 20
MINUTES IF YOU HEAR YOUR NAME
RIGHT NOW. MICHELLE THOMAS,
BRENDAN COLDEN, DENNIS SILLS,
FREDA GRAY, LOIS MARTIN, HANNAH
LYNDELL SMITH, JARED AND
JENELLE MORGAN YOU ARE GOING TO
BE CALLED IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES.
WE ARE GOING BACK TO IN PERSON
WE'VE GOT A 11 ALREADY READY
TO GO, DEBORAH HENDRICKSON,
SKYLER SCHMIDT, LARS ERICKSON,
NICOLE ANDREWS, BRUCE HALL,
MELISSA LARSON. CESAR GARCIA,
AND CHRISTOPHER TEENY. WELCOME
DEBORAH. THANK YOU FOR BEING
READY.
>> I AM DEBORAH AND I AM HERE
TODAY ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS
TO REPRESENT A GROUP OF 170 W.
SEATTLE RESIDENCE KNOWN AS THE
HARBOR AL ORS AND
WE SPEND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO
ASK YOU TO SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA'S PUBLIC
SAFETY BUDGET LINE ITEMS. THESE
LINE ITEMS WILL FUND STEPS TO
FURTHER ADDRESS THE STREET
RACING, STUNT DRIVING AND
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES THAT
CONTINUE TO THREATEN OUR
COMMUNITY. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
HURT, A YOUNG MAN RECENTLY
DIED. WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH
POLICE TO PATROL THIS AREA TO
STOP THE CRIME AND MAKE IT
SAFE. WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF CAMERA TECHNOLOGY THAT
CAPTURES THE LICENSE PLATES OF
RACERS DOING 70 MILES PER HOUR.
IN A 25 MILE PER HOUR ZONE. WE
NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
STREET DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS THAT
SPECIFICALLY TARGET CHRONIC AND
ALL-NIGHT STAGING AREA FOR
STUNT DRIVING. THIS BY THE WAY
IS WHERE THE YOUNG MAN WAS
RECENTLY SHOT AND KILLED AND
BULLETS TORE THROUGH THE HOMES
OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA WE
APPRECIATE HOW HARD YOU ARE
WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE
COMMUNITY YOU REPRESENT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON, WE
APPRECIATE YOUR UNWAVERING
LEADERSHIP ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC
SAFETY. TO ALL COUNCILMEMBERS,
WE ARE ASKING YOU TO PLEASE,
PLEASE PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY
IN THE BUDGET, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU DEBORAH. UP NEXT
IS SKYLER SCHMIDT.
>> I AM TAKING SKYLER'S SPOT.
>> IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY.
SO IF YOU CAN SIGN.
>> UNLESS I , I DON'T BELIEVE
IT WORKS THAT WAY. YES.
>> MY APOLOGIES. WE WILL HAVE A
TIME FOR YOU AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT IS LARS ERICKSON,
LARS WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS
MY NAME IS LARS ERICKSON AND
I'M HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF
THE OVER 2500 MEMBERS OF THE
SEATTLE METROPOLITAN CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE. FIRST THANK YOU FOR
THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE TO CREATE A BUDGET AND
BALANCING PACKAGE THAT USES ALL
AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO FUND
VOTER PRIORITIES LIKE PUBLIC
SAFETY, FIRST RESPONDER
INVESTMENTS, DOWNTOWN
ACTIVATION, HOMELESSNESS
SUPPORT, HISTORIC INVESTMENTS
IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
REINVESTING IN THE STOREFRONT
REPAIR FUND. TO ENSURE THAT
THESE PRIORITIES ARE FUNDED
FLEXIBILITY AND UTILIZING THE
JUMPSTART PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX
IS NECESSARY IN RESPONSIBLE.
EVERY YEAR SINCE THE TAX IS
PASSED, SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
HAS USED HIGHER THAN
ANTICIPATED JUMPSTART
COLLECTIONS TO ADDRESS GENERAL
FUND SHORTAGES. INC. YOU FOR
YOUR PROPOSAL TO MAINTAIN THAT
PRACTICE WHILE HONORING THE
ORIGINAL SPENDING CATEGORIES.
WE ALSO NEED CITY GOVERNMENT TO
BE MORE EFFICIENT IN
TRANSPARENCY. WHICH IS WHY WE
SUPPORT THE PROVIDING
STATEMENTS OF LEGISLATIVE
INTENT THAT ASKED FOR REPORTS
ON FUND BALANCES AND OUTCOMES
ON OUR INVESTMENTS. THESE ARE
ESSENTIAL IN UNDERSTANDING
WHERE OUR CITY CAN DELIVER
SERVICES MORE EFFECTIVELY. THIS
YEAR CHAIR STRAUSS AND THE
MAYOR INITIATED A FULL-SCALE
BUDGET REVIEW THAT WILL PUT OUR
CITY ON A PATH FOR MORE
SUSTAINABLE SPENDING AND
GROWTH. THESE ACCOUNTABILITY
MEASURES ARE A NECESSARY NEXT
STEP. SINCE 2017 SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL HAS APPROVED OVER $300
MILLION IN NEW TAXES. NOW IS
NOT THE TIME FOR NEW REVENUE.
THE CITY IS COLLECTING MORE
MONEY THAN EVER BEFORE. THIS
YEAR ALONE BRINGING IN 100,
NEARLY 180 MILLION MORE IN
PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX THEN
ANTICIPATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
COMMITMENT TO NOT JUST
INVESTING IN YOUR CONSTITUENTS
PRIORITIES BUT INCLUDING
MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT THOSE
OF US AND INVESTMENTS ARE
AFFECTED. WE WILL ENSURE
SAFETY, AFFORDABILITY AND A
STRONG ECONOMY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS
NICHOLAS HERNANDEZ. AND NICOLE
PARRISH, WE WILL GO ONE BY ONE.
>> WE ARE A GROUP, LET'S GO
ONE BY ONE. YOU ARE UP FIRST.
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, SO MY NAME IS
NICHOLAS HERNANDEZ AND I AM
SPEAKING INTO LINE ITEM 105A.
THE REDUCTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROGRAMMING STARTING IN 2026. I
AM ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING
NATURALISTS IN THE CITY, OF
SEATTLE ORGANIZATION. THIS IS A
ROLE THAT IS SET TO BE
ELIMINATED BY 2026 OF THE
PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS GO
FORWARD. FOR THIS HEARING, I
WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL
THE YEARLY REPORTS THAT I HAD
WRITTEN IT FOR MY PROGRAMMING
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, MY OFFICE IS
AT CAMP LONG. AND IT BURNED
DOWN LAST NIGHT. SO AFTER THE
OUTPOURING OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT
LAST NIGHT, IT IS CLEAR NOW
MORE THAN EVER JUST HOW
IMPORTANT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL
LEARNING CENTERS ARE TO THE
PEOPLE IN THE CITY. I WORK AND
LIVE IN DISTRICT 1. AND MY
NATURE PROGRAMS HAPPEN IN
DISTRICT 1. AND DISTRICT 2 AND
IN DISTRICT 3. ONE PROGRAM IN
PARTICULAR I WANTED TO SHARE
ABOUT IS TREE EQUITY AND
EDUCATION WHICH IS OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS TREE WHICH HAS SERVED
THE 11th GRADE CLASSES OF
CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL SINCE THE
SPRING OF 2023. THIS PROGRAM ,
THROUGH THIS PROGRAM STUDENTS
SEE THE IMPACT THAT SEATTLE'S
HISTORY OF REDLINING HAS HAD ON
THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGH THE
LOSS OF TREE CANOPY COVERAGE.
AT TREES, STUDENTS GAIN THE
OPPORTUNITY TO EARN SERVICE
HOURS WHILE TRANSFORMING A
NEGLECTED HISTORICAL ORCHARD IN
BEACON HILL JUST BLOCKS AWAY
FROM THEIR CAMPUS. I HAVE SEEN
THE TRANSFORMATION IN BOTH THE
SPACE WHICH IS ROUGHLY 2 ACRES
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY IN THE
STUDENTS. AND I INVITE EACH ONE
OF YOU TO COME OUT AND VISIT
US. AND SEE THE WORK THE
STUDENTS HAVE DONE. THESE CUTS
WOULD NOT ONLY ELIMINATE
CRUCIAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
FOR YOUTH AND VULNERABLE
POPULATIONS, BUT ALSO MEANS THE
LAST TWO CONNECTION OF
CONNECTION FOR THAT TENS OF
THOUSANDS TO NATURE. THIS CITY
HAS THREE ENVIRONMENTAL
LEARNING CENTERS, ONE JUST
BURNED DOWN LAST NIGHT, THE
OTHER TWO ARE SET TO BE
ELIMINATED.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SERVICE TO OUR CITY. WE
HAVE NICOLE PARRISH ANDREWS
NEXT.
>> FOLLOWED BY BRUCE HALL.
NICO
THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. HI, MY
NAME IS NICOLE PARRISH ANDREWS
AND I AM A CONSTITUENT OF
DISTRICT 1. I AM HERE TO SPEAK
ON LINE ITEM SPR 105A. I ALSO
WORK AS A PUBLIC EDUCATION
PROGRAM SPECIALIST WITH SEATTLE
PARKS AND RECREATION AND I
WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT HOW
DISAPPOINTED I AM IN OUR
LEADERSHIP WITHIN PARKS
ACTUALLY THAT TOLD US THAT WE
WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK AND
ADVOCATE FOR OURSELVES AND OUR
PROGRAMS ON OUR OWN TIME
PREVIOUSLY WHICH WAS A LIE. I
WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THOUGH
HOW IMPACTFUL OUR COMMUNITY
SCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS ARE
SUCH AS THE ONE THAT SHE JUST
MENTIONED. AS WELL AS SAM AND
STEWARDS. A PROGRAM OUT OF THE
PARK THAT JUST LAST WEEKEND
REACHED OVER 1200 PEOPLE.
EDUCATING COMMUNITY ON
WATERSHED HEALTH. THIS IS
ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT IS AT
RISK. AND ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT
YOU ARE ALL WELCOME TO COME
VISIT. EVERY WEEKEND, RECENTLY
CITY AND PARKS LEADERSHIP HAVE
BEEN ALLUDING TO A MYSTERIOUS
PLAN THEY HAVE IN THE WORKS
WHICH EITHER WAY YOU LOOK AT IT
WOULD BE ILLEGAL. ONE OPTION OF
REPLACING OUR TEAM OF
NATURALISTS WOULD BE TO REPLACE
THEM WITH EMPLOYEES WITHIN US
SPR A PRACTICE CALLED SKIMMING
WHICH ARE UNION IS FILING A
FORMAL GRIEVANCE ABOUT. ANOTHER
OPTION IS TO UNETHICALLY HIRE
OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS AND
PRIVATIZE PARKS PROGRAMS. OR,
THEY ARE JUST NOT PLANNING ON
HAVING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
IN SEATTLE ANYMORE. BUT I ALSO
WANT TO BRING UP THE FINANCIAL
IMPLICATIONS OF TRAINING NEW
STAFF INSTEAD OF KEEPING THE
HIGHLY SKILLED AND EFFECTIVE
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS THAT WE
ALREADY HAVE. WHILE ELIMINATING
OUR ENTIRE TEAM AND DISCOVERING
PARKS VISITOR CENTER ONLY
SAVING LESS THAN $1 MILLION PER
YEAR IN THE BUDGET. I WANT TO
GIVE A THANK YOU TO
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE FOR BEING
THE FIRST TO PROPOSE A NEW
REVENUE WITH YOUR CAPITAL GAINS
TAX. COUNCILMEMBERS, LET'S
PROTECT SEATTLE'S ROOTS. MAKE
GOOD CHOICES.
>> THANK YOU. FRIENDS,
REMEMBER, THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS
BRUCE HALL AND MELISSA LARSON,
BRUCE TAKE IT AWAY.
>> I AM BRUCE HALL AND I AM A
CHAIR FOR A PROGRAM CALLED
SHARED BREAKFAST AT FIRST
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ON
DENNY ON THE BORDER OF UPTOWN
AND BELLTOWN. EVERY SUNDAY
MORNING WE SERVE A HOT
BREAKFAST TO THOSE IN NEED
MOSTLY ON HOUSED PEOPLE. AN
AVERAGE OF 130 BREAKFAST EACH
WEEK. I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK
IN FAVOR OF INVESTING IN
SEATTLE MEAL PROGRAMS, I WANT
TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH AND STRAUSS FOR
AMENDMENTS HSD FOUR AND 10
ADDING CAPITAL AND OPERATIONS
FUNDING FOR MEAL PROGRAMS TO
THE BUDGET. AND I ALSO WANT TO
THANK COUNCILMEMBER MOORE FOR
PROPOSING A CAPITAL GAINS TAX
TO FUND HIS FOOD SECURITY AMONG
CRITICAL NEEDS.'S ARE SHARED
BREAKFAST PROGRAM AT FIRST
CHURCHES COMPLETELY VOLUNTEER
RUN AND STAFFED. AND RELY ON
DONATIONS AND ANY GRANTS OF
PUBLIC MONEY THAT WE CAN GET TO
PROVIDE THE FOOD AND SUPPLIES
WE NEED TO SERVE AS A
VULNERABLE POPULATION. AND
IT'S GETTING HARDER AND HARDER
TO FIND. WE FOCUS ON TREATING
ALL GUESTS EQUALLY WITH DIGNITY
AND WARMTH. REALIZING THAT WE
MAY BE GIVING THEM THE ONLY
KIND WORDS THEY HEAR ON A GIVEN
DAY OR WEEK. AND WHEN WE CAN WE
SHARE COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO
STEER THEM TO. WE ARE VERY
EFFICIENT WITH OUR FOOD, IT IS
COOKED AND SERVED THAT MORNING
AT OUR CHURCH ALSO PROVIDES
SPACE TO THE VETERANS CENTER
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH COMPASS
HOUSING SO ANY LEFTOVER FOOD WE
GIVE TO THE SENDER. THANKS SO
MUCH FOR YOUR ADVOCACY AND
SUPPORT AND I HOPE WE CAN RELY
ON YOU TO HELP US HELP THOSE ON
THE STREETS AND THOSE IN
SHELTERS IN OUR COMMUNITY,
THANKS A LOT.
>> THANK YOU BRUCE, UP NEXT IS
MELISSA LARSON, WELCOME
MELISSA.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME I AM
MELISSA LARSON AND I HAVE BEEN
A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE MONTHLY,
I GET UPSET ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE
SERVE YOUTH FROM 13 TO 24. WHO
ARE HOMELESS AND THEY ARE FOOD
AND NUTRIENT INSECURE. AND I
HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM AS
A VOLUNTEER MEAL TEAM LEADS
SINCE 2002. AND, THEY ARE AN
AMAZING GROUP, TEAM FEED IS BUT
THEY COULD USE AND I WOULD LIKE
TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN
HOLLINGSWORTH AND COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS FOR SUPPORTING THE
AMENDMENTS TO HELP ADD MEAL
FUNDING THESE PEOPLE DO AN
INCREDIBLE JOB WITH THE FUNDS
THAT THEY CAN FIND. THEY GET
FROM VOLUNTEERS, WE GET THEM
FROM OUR COMPANIES. EVERYWHERE
WE CAN, THEY USE FOOD LIFELINE,
THEY OFFER ALL KINDS OF
DIFFERENT AVENUES FOR
VOLUNTEERS. AND DONORS AND IT
IS FABULOUS. I HAVE SEEN YOUNG
PEOPLE COME IN WHERE YOU KNOW
THEY COULD BARELY HOLD THE
PLATES WE HAND THEM. AND AFTER
A FEW MONTHS OF COMING IN FOR A
NIGHT LEASE MEAL WITH A SAFE
GROUP OF ADULTS, BECAUSE THEY
HAVE ALLIES AND OTHER ADULTS
THAT SIT AT THE TABLES WITH
THEM, THEY DON'T, THEY ARE NOT
PREACHED TO, THEY ARE NOT MADE
TO DO ANYTHING BUT THEY CAN GET
SERVICES, THEY CAN GET HELP AND
THEY CAN JUST VENT. SO WE SEE
THESE PEOPLE JUST GROW. AND GET
A HOME, AND A JOB. AND WHATEVER
EDUCATION IS THEY WANT AND
DURING COVID WE ALL, THESE
STAFF FOUND A WAY FOR US TO
MAKE MEALS EVEN THOUGH WE COULD
ONLY HAVE THREE PEOPLE IN THE
KITCHEN. SO THE MONEY WE NEED
WOULD HELP KEEP THOSE SHARED
CONCERNS GOING AND THE TRIPODS
THAT WE HAVE TO FILL OUT TO
GIVE OVER TO THE PEOPLE AT THE
ROOT SHELTER THANK YOU SO MUCH.
FOR LISTENING.
>> THANK YOU MELISSA. UP NEXT
IS NELLY FOLLOWED BY CAESAR AND
CHRISTOPHER AND THEN WE WILL
MOVE BACK TO ONLINE COMMENTERS
STARTING WITH ANNE-MARIE.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS NELLY
AND I LIVED IN DISTRICT 2 AND
WORK IN DISTRICT 1 AND TWO AND
SERVE YOUTH AND ALL OF YOUR
DISTRICTS. I AM TESTIFYING TO
PROTECT JUMPSTART SPEND PLAN IN
THE CONVENING OF THE JUMPSTART
OVERSIGHT BOARD AND I WORK AT
YOUNG WOMEN EMPOWERED MANAGING
OUR YOUTH AND FOOD JUSTICE
PROGRAM CALLED WHY WE GROW
BASED IN SOUTH PARK. THIS
PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE AND
HAS BEEN SUSTAINED BY THE
CITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
FUND AND THE OPPORTUNITY FUND
OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS.
FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY LEAD
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PROJECTS
LED BY COMMUNITY FACE MAJOR
CUTS UNDER THE PROPOSED CHANGES
TO JUMPSTART. PUTTING VITAL
PROGRAMS LIKE OURS AT RISK.
YOUTH INVOLVED IN WHY WE GROW
ARE PROVIDED BY ENVIRONMENTAL
RACISM, FOOD INSECURITY, OVER
POLICING, SCHOOL SHOOTINGS,
DISPLACEMENT AND RESULTING
MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. FOR
EXAMPLE IN SOUTH PARK WHERE OUR
FARM IS LOCATED AS WELL AS MANY
YOUTH WE WORK WITH, FIRST AND
SECOND GENERATION IMMIGRANTS OF
COLOR ARE SURROUNDED BY HEAVY
INDUSTRY THAT DUMPED ON THE
STREET, THE EPA SUPER SITE AT
THE RIVER, THE FREEWAY JUST UP
THE HILL WITH PLANES FLYING
CLOSELY OVERHEAD, EVERY 90
SECONDS. OUR SOILS CONTAMINATED
WITH MOTOR OIL, ROUNDUP AND
HEAVY METALS. KIDS IN SOUTH
PARK HAVE HIGHEST RATES OF
HOSPITALIZATION FOR ASTHMA IN
THE CITY AS WELL. WITH FUNDS WE
HAVE RECEIVED WE HAVE COCREATED
A SENSE WHERE HE SPACE WITH
YOUNG PEOPLE WHERE THEY CAN
COME AS THEY ARE, HE'LL WITH
THE LAND, EACH OTHER AND ADULT
MENTORS AND LEARNED SKILLS TO
TAKE CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY
OUTSIDE OF RACIST SYSTEMS.
YOUTH GROW PRODUCE TO SHARE
WITH FOOD INSECURE NEIGHBORS
AND BUILD GARDEN BOXES, TEST
THE SOIL AND EVER TOXINS
REMEDIATE THE SOIL, THEY COME
BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR BRING
THEIR FRIENDS, TAKE ON
LEADERSHIP AS INTERNS, THEY
JOIN OUR STAFF AND GET GREEN
JOBS. THEY ALSO ADVOCATE AROUND
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. SO
PROGRAMS LIKE WHY WE GROW ARE
NOT DISPOSABLE AND JUMPSTART
FUNDING IS INTENDED TO ADVANCE
THE GREEN NEW DEAL AND MAKE
PROGRAMS LIKE THIS POSSIBLE AND
ACCESSIBLE . CAN BE THE
OVERSIGHT BOARD AND RAISE NEW
PROGRESSIVE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS CAESAR FOLLOWED BY
CHRISTOPHER. WELCOME.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. SELECT THE
BUDGET COMMITTEE MY NAME IS
CESAR GARCIA AND I AM COFOUNDER
OF COLLECTIVE AND A FORMER
EQUITY MARKER MEMBER. HOWEVER,
I AM HERE TO SPEAK AS A PARENT.
IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE REFUGEE
AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES CENTER,
BILINGUAL PRESCHOOL WHICH IS A
NONPROFIT LOCATED IN SOUTH
DELRIDGE. ON OCTOBER 16, THE
SCHOOL DIRECTORS OFFER THE
PUBLIC COMMENT BUT TODAY THEY
ARE MOURNING THE PASSING OF
BELOVED TEACHER, WHO LOST HER
BATTLE TO CANCER LAST WEEK. MY
VOICE IS THEIR VOICE. EARLY
LEARNING, HAVE PLAYED AN
IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE EDUCATION
OF HUNDREDS OF KIDS IN SEATTLE
INCLUDING MY KIDS WHO ATTENDED
THEIR BILINGUAL PROGRAM IN A
SPAN OF SIX YEARS. THEY ARE
FAMILY TO US AND TO THE NEARLY
50 FAMILIES THAT THEY SERVE
EVERY YEAR. NOT INCLUDING MORE.
IT IS AN EARLY SUCCESS OF THE
PROGRAM. WHICH FUNDED THE
PURCHASE OF THEIR SITE IN 2018.
EVER SINCE THEY OPENED THEIR
SCHOOL, NINE YEARS AGO, THEY
NEVER HAD ISSUES OR ACCIDENTS
UNTIL THE MEDIAN BARRIER AND
BUS STOP WAS BUILT IN FRONT OF
THEM. UNTIL THEN, THEY HAVE
BEEN AT LEAST THREE CRASHES,
VANDALISM AND BURGLARIES
OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL. THE
CODIRECTOR HAS TAKEN THE ROLE
AND THEY HAVE IMPACTED TWO
DELIVERIES AND DROP-OFFS AND
PICKUPS. IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED
BUT NO MISTAKE, FIXING THIS IS
NO SACRIFICE IN SAFETY, IT IS
ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO SIT
DOWN AT THE TABLE AND FIND A
SOLUTION. THE COMMUNITY IS ALSO
A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND
PROJECT TRANSPORTATION
PROJECTS. SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN
IN PART OF OUR COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT I KNOW POSITIVE
OUTGOING AS POSSIBLE. I COULD
BE HERE ADVOCATING FOR ALL THE
ISSUES BUT SOMETIMES IT'S
ABOUT SPEAKING FOR OTHERS THAT
CANNOT SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU. FROM LAKE CITY TO
DELRIDGE, CESAR GARCIA'S IS
EVERYWHERE. WE WILL MOVE BACK
TO ONLINE COMMENT.
>> MY NAME IS CHRIS THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS CHRIS AND I AM A
CO-OWNER OF FARM STAND LOCAL
FOODS AND PACIFIC COAST
HARVEST. SINCE 2017, MY TEAM
AND I HAVE PROVIDED AN ONLINE
MARKETPLACE FOR LOCAL FARMS AND
WE DELIVER ALL ACROSS THE CITY.
INCLUDING ACTUALLY RIFF WHICH I
WILL TALK ABOUT IN A SECOND. WE
DELIVER TO HOME CHEFS ON
HOUSEBOATS. JAMES BEARD AWARD
WINNERS. AND MEAL PROGRAMS, WHY
I AM HERE TO TALK TODAY. WHEN
WE STARTED IN 2017, WE WERE A
MOTLEY CREW WITH A VERY ,
BARELY A PALLET JACK TURNING
BUT THE CITY OF SEATTLE HAD A
$250,000 OPPORTUNITY THROUGH
THE SUITE AND BEVERAGE TAX,
THEY WORKED WITH US TO ENSURE
THAT THE PRIORITY OF THAT
FUNDING WENT TO LOCAL FARMS.
AND THE REASON IS, IS BECAUSE
IT ALIGNS WITH THE NOW CURRENT
FOOD ACTION PLAN WHERE
GENERATING JOBS, PROVIDING FOOD
, COMBATING FOOD INSECURITY,
AND THE LONG-TERM CLIMATE
RESILIENCE MISSION AND THE
INVESTMENT PAID OFF. TODAY, WE
HAVE HAD OVER $7 MILLION OF
NONGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE GOING
TO LOCAL FARMERS. OF COURSE,
THAT ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME COVID
FUNDING PLAYED A BIG ROLE. BUT
IT ALSO CREATED EFFICIENT
DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS AND
SUPPLY CHAINS THAT ARE BEFORE
YOU AND THIS COUNSEL TODAY.
BECAUSE OF PROPER FUNDING, TO
THIS DAY, WE ARE ABLE TO
CONNECT OVER 100 LOCAL FARMS TO
OVER 30 MEAL PROGRAMS IN THE
CITY. ARE ALSO ABLE TO CONNECT
WITH JEREMY WHO WAS HERE
EARLIER WHO DOES FOOD RESCUE
AND USE OUR FLEET OF VEHICLES
TO SIMULTANEOUSLY DELIVER LOCAL
PRODUCT ALONG COST-EFFICIENT
PRODUCTS TO THESE MEAL
PROGRAMS. IT'S UNLIKELY THAT
EVER AGAIN, WILL THE PUBLIC
UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF
HOW ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AND
CLIMATE RESILIENCE WITH A
PROPER INVESTMENT AND FOOD MEAL
PROGRAMS, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU CHRIS. REMEMBER
FRIENDS WE WILL MOVE BACK
ONLINE I WILL CALL EVERYONE'S
NAME THAT IS IN THIS NEXT
SECTION, AND THEN WHEN WE COME
BACK TO IN PERSON COMMENTS IT
WILL BE B 11 THROUGH B 20. THE
NEXT 10 PEOPLE ONLINE AND
TORRES, MICHELLE THOMAS, DENNIS
SILLS, BRIAN, LOIS MARTIN,
HANNAH LYNDELL SMITH, JENELLE
MORGAN, I SEE YOU ARE OFF MUTE,
WELCOME AND TAKE IT AWAY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, GOOD
EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS, I AM
THE COEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COALITION AND THE CULTURE OF
THE SEATTLE COALITION, I AM
SPEAKING TODAY TO URGE YOU TO
MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE
JUMPSTART PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX
SPENDING PLAN THIS TAX WAS
PASSED TO ENSURE THAT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND BY PROXY
COMMUNITIES ARE PRIORITIZED
DIVERSITY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS
A LEADING PRECURSOR TO
HOMELESSNESS AMONG WOMEN AND
CHILDREN. AND BY PROXY
SURVIVORS EXPERIENCE
PROSPERITY'S IN VIRTUALLY
EVERY SYSTEM THEY REACH OUT TO
AS THEY LEAVE ABUSIVE
RELATIONSHIPS SURVIVORS NEED
RENTAL ASSISTANCE, TENANT
SERVICES AND PROTECTION,
EVICTION PREVENTION, SHELTERS
AND OF COURSE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. THESE SERVICES ARE ALL
PART OF SURVIVORS EFFORTS AT
SEEKING SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING
AND THEY MUST BE ROBUSTLY
FUNDED. PLEASE KEEP THE
PROMISES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN
OUR COMMUNITIES AND DO THE
NECESSARY AND SERIOUS WORK OF
ADDRESSING THE STRUCTURAL
SHORTFALL IN THE CITY'S
GENERAL FUND. SO THAT WE HAVE
WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE SEATTLE A
CITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO
LIVE AND WHERE BRIDE PROXY
COMMUNITIES ARE SUPPORTED AND
WHERE SURVIVORS CAN SEEK OUT
SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING. I ALSO
IF I HAVE TIME WANT TO SHARE
APPRECIATION SUPPORT FOR ALL
THE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE SUCH
AS HSE 14, 15, 27 AND 28 HOPE
TO JOIN FURTHER MEETINGS LATER
THIS WEEK TO SPEAK MORE TO
THAT, BUT THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH
FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. AND FOR
THE TIME TO SPEAK, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COME UP NEXT IS
MICHELLE THOMAS FOLLOWED BY
BRENDAN GOLDING. I SEE YOU ARE
HERE, TAKE IT AWAY AT YOUR
CONVENIENCE.
>> I AM MICHELLE THOMAS WITH
THE WASHINGTON ALLIANCE AND THE
DISTRICT FUND, THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS FOR
YOUR AMENDMENT TO THE STORE
FUNDING FOR TENANT SERVICES AND
TO COUNCILMEMBERS MOORE AND
HOLLINGSWORTH FOR COSPONSORING
IT. UNFORTUNATELY SINCE RENTAL
ASSISTANCE WAS PREVIOUSLY IN
ITS OWN FUNDING BECKETT WAS
ADDED TO THE SENATE SERVICES
BUCKET THIS REPRESENTS A
DECREASE IN FUNDING FOR
CRITICAL TENANT SERVICES THAT
SEATTLE RENTERS NEED TO
NAVIGATE THE RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES. HOUSEHOLDS
REPRESENT OVER HALF THE PEOPLE
WHO LIVE IN OUR CITY. AND
RENTERS NEED ACCESS TO TENANT
SERVICES IN TIMES OF CRISIS
ESPECIALLY NOW AS EVICTIONS ARE
AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. SEATTLE'S
BYPRODUCTS HOUSEHOLD ARE MOST
LIKELY TO BE RENTERS AND
SUPPORTING THEIR HOUSING
STABILITY. AND SUPPORTING
TENANT SERVICES IS CRITICAL TO
ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY IN THE
CITY AND TO ADDRESS THE
DISPROPORTIONATE EXPERIENCES OF
EVICTIONS AND HOMELESSNESS SET
BY THIS, ALSO REJECTING ANY
AMENDMENTS TO RIGHT TO COUNSEL
SERVICES FOR ONLY PEOPLE WITH
EXTREMELY LOW INCOMES. PEOPLE
WITH INCOMES HIGHER THAN 200%
OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE ARE
ALSO FACING EVICTIONS AND NEED
ASSISTANCE BUT CAN'T AFFORD
ATTORNEYS. PEOPLE ARE, PLEASE
REJECT AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE
PROVIDERS MOVE AWAY, CREATING
BARRIERS TO SHELTERS, THE THING
IS BACKWARDS IN OUR ATTEMPTS TO
END HOMELESSNESS. AND THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER MORE FOR
PROPOSING REVENUE AND WE URGE
SUPPORTED THAT. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU MICHELLE, UP NEXT
IS BRENDAN HOLDING. I SEE YOU
ARE HERE, STAR SIX TO UNMUTE.
BRANDON, NOT POUND SIX BUT STAR
SIX.
>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO DENNIS
SILLS.
>> WELCOME.
>> MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL,
GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS DENNIS
AND I WORK FOR PUBLIC HOUSING
IN SEATTLE, WE PROVIDE SUPPORT
HOUSING FOR MORE THAN 1400
INDIVIDUALS. WHO HAVE
EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS.
OVERALL FUNDING LEVELS IN THE
BUDGET AND THINKS PRESIDENT
NELSON FOR HST 026A1 WITH
RECOVERY SERVICES INCLUDING
MANAGEMENT. PRESERVING THE JUMP
START FUNDAMENTAL TO AS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE
REGION. CB 120912 WOULD
JEOPARDIZE THE CITY'S
LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WHILE THE
PROPOSAL PRESERVES SO
GOALS OF THE JUMPSTART PLAN, IT
FALLS SHOROF ENTERING
ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR HOUSING
AND MAKES INVESTMENTS IN
HOUSING OPTIONAL. LASTLY, THE
RECENTLY PROPOSED 08007 A1 HAS
NOT HAD TIME FOR THOROUGH
REVIEW AND HAS THE POTENTIAL
FOR INTENDING CONSEQUENCES,
THIS AMENDMENT CAN DELAY THE
IMPORTANT HUMAN SERVICES
FORMERLY HOMELESS SEATTLE
BUSINESSES POTENTIAL INCREASES
ASSOCIATED WITH PROPOSAL, HAVE
NOT HAD SUFFICIENT REVIEW TIME.
WE URGE COUNSEL TO PAUSE THESE
PROPOSALS, AND UNTIL THEY CAN
GUARANTEE THAT HUMAN SERVICES
FOR RESIDENTS AND PUBLIC SAFETY
WILL NOT BE NEGATIVELY
AFFECTED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
>> THANK YOU DENNIS WE WILL GO
ON TO BRIAN, RITA GRAY, LOIS
MARTIN THEN WE WILL COME BACK
TO BRENDAN GOLDING AT THE END
OF THIS SECTION. YOU ARE
ALREADY OFF MUTE, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU CHAIR, MY NAME IS
BRIAN AND I LIVE IN BALLARD AND
I WORK IN INTERBAY, I AM HERE
AS A SUPPORTER OF PUBLIC
TRANSIT. SINCE I MOVED TO THE
SEA AREA ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, I
HAVE COMMITTED TO A CAR FREE
LIFESTYLE. THE RESULTS FROM
THAT HAVE BEEN A LOSS OF 120
POUNDS. ON MY END WHICH HAS
BEEN VERY NICE. AND THAT IS ALL
DUE TO A TRANSIT PROGRAM THAT
IS SAFE, RELIABLE AND
CONSISTENT. AS THESE REASONS,
IT IS FOR THESE REASONS THAT I
WOULD SUPPORT A BUDGET THAT
FUNDS PROJECTS LIKE THE ROUTES
FOR THE TRANSIT PLUS PROJECT.
THE ROUTE 40 TRANSIT PLUS
PROJECT IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF
A PROJECT WHICH IS IMMENSELY
POPULAR IN ITS COMMUNITY BY
DELIVERING BENEFITS SUCH AS
42,000 MINUTES OF CUMULATIVE
DAILY RIDERSHIP TIME, SAVED
THROUGH THE USE OF BUS ONLY
LANES. THIS BUDGET SHOULD
SUPPORT PROJECTS LIKE THIS
WHICH HAVE UNDERGONE EXTENSIVE
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS TO REACH
A SOLUTION WITH ALL
STAKEHOLDERS AT THE TABLE. AND
CUT RED TAPE WHICH ONLY SERVES
TO DELAY THE DELIVERY OF THESE
BENEFITS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT WE HAVE
RITA GRAY FOLLOWED BY LOIS
MARTIN. RITA, WELCOME. YOU ARE
OFF MUTE TAKE IT AWAY AT YOUR
CONVENIENCE.
>> HELLO, HONORABLE PEOPLE, MY
NAME IS RITA GRAY, I AM A CITY
OF SEATTLE EMPLOYEE. AS A
LEARNING PARTNER ON THE
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT TEAM
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF SEATTLE
HUMAN RESOURCES. I'M CURRENTLY
THE PROJECT MANAGER AND FOR
LEARNING DESIRE FOR THE TRIBAL
NATIONS SCREENING PROGRAM WHICH
WAS A COMMITMENT FROM MAYOR
BRUCE HARRELL. MY POSITION IS
SET TO BE CUT, ALL THREE
POSITIONS BEING ELIMINATED IN
THE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION ARE FILLED BY WOMEN OF
COLOR, OUR WHITE MANAGER WHO
HAS BEEN WITH THE CITY A
SHORTER TIME THAN ALL OF US IS
NOT BEING LAID OFF. AS A
STRATEGIC ADVISOR I AM NOT A
PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEE
THEREFORE I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR
PROJECT HIGHER. I AM TRULY
DEVASTATED BY LOSING THIS
PROJECT AS IT IS A CRITICAL
PIECE TO TRIBAL AND URBAN
NATIVE RELATIONS, I'M ALSO
EXTREMELY STRESSED AND
OVERWHELMED FOR PERSONAL
REASONS. I AM THE MOTHER TO A
SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD. HE RELIES
HEAVILY ON MY MEDICAL. THE COST
OF COBRA WILL ESSENTIALLY COST
BUT I WAS PAID THROUGH
UNEMPLOYMENT WHICH IS TRULY
UNFEASIBLE IN THIS ECONOMY. THE
CURRENT JOB MARKET AND ECONOMIC
SITUATION WITHIN SEATTLE IN THE
UNITED STATES IS UNSETTLING AND
HAS MADE IT INCREDIBLY
CHALLENGING FOR THOSE OF US
LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT. IT IS
MY UNDERSTANDING THAT
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS HAS
RECOMMENDED TO REDUCE THE
NUMBER OF PROPOSED LAYOFFS AND
DELAY THE REMAINING LAYOFFS FOR
SIX MONTHS. I WOULD LOVE TO
CONVINCE ALL OF YOU TO
RECONSIDER MY POSITION AND THE
TRIBAL NATIONS TRAINING PROGRAM
I RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S UNLIKELY
SO I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO
PLEASE CONSIDER COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS'S AMENDMENT TO THE
BUDGET AND DELAY THE LAYOFFS BY
SIX MONTHS. THE CURRENT JOB
MARKET IS TAKING JOB SEEKERS 6+
MONTHS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT SO
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD BE COULD
WE HELP ABREAST THAT ARE, TO
THOSE OF US THAT ARE BEING LAID
OFF. I AM FINISHED.
>> YES THE SIX MONTHS IS NOT
BEING AMENDED OUT, UNLESS
SOMEBODY BRINGS A WALK ON
AMENDMENT, SO. I THINK WE
SHOULD BE GOOD THERE. MOVING
ONTO LOIS MARTIN AND HANNAH
LYNDELL SMITH FOLLOWED BY JARED
. LOIS WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, GOOD EVENING
COUNCILMEMBERS, MY NAME IS LOIS
MARTIN AND I AM A LEGACY HOME
AND BUSINESS OWNER. I HAVE
LIVED IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT
OF SEATTLE. PASSING THE
AMENDMENT SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH
WITH SUPPORT BY COUNCILMEMBERS
WOO AND MOORE AS COSPONSORS.
THE GARFIELD SUPERBLOCK AND
AMENITY, HAVING ACCESS TO
CULTURAL PLACES, BEING ABLE TO
AGE IN PLACE, OR RECEIVE
ASSISTANCE TO BUY A FIRST HOME.
PROVIDING A SAFE PLACE DURING
THE DAY FOR AND HOUSED ADULTS.
PROVIDING SAFE SPACES FOR
CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO SPREAD
THEIR WINGS ALONG WITH ACCESS
TO HEALTHY AND FRESH FOOD IN
AREAS FILLED WITH OLD AND NEW,
URBAN TREES IS VITAL TO
COMMUNITIES HAVING THE ABILITY
TO THRIVE. A DIRECT INVESTMENT
CAN POSITIVELY IMPACT
ORGANIZATIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE
TO THE DAILY WELL-BEING OF EACH
OF US AND THE BEST WAY TO
ENSURE THE BLACK COMMUNITY
CONTINUES TO BE A VIBRANT PART
OF THE FABRIC OF THIS CITY.
SUPPORT THIS WORK BY VOTING YES
TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU LOIS, UP NEXT IS
HANNAH LYNDELL SMITH FOLLOWED
BY JARED'S AND THEN WE WILL
COME BACK TO BRENDAN COLDEN,
HANNAH I SEE YOU ARE HERE, STAR
SIX TO UNMUTE. NOT PODS BU HANN
SMITH, STAR UNSE. GOING ONE MOR
HANNAH LYNDELL SMITH, STAR SIX
TO UNMUTE. PLEASE. WE WILL MOVE
ON TO JARED. JARED I SEE YOU
ARE HERE, STAR SIX TO UNMUTE
PLEASE. JARED STAR SIX TO
UNMUTE PLEASE. I CAN'T READ
WELL, I'M SORRY, JARED . TAKE
IT AWAY.
>> THIS IS JARED VELAZQUEZ. I
AM THE OWNER AND TALKING ABOUT
THE PROPOSAL NOT JUST FOR 2025
AND 2026, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT
THIS PROPOSAL INCLUDES SOME
SIGNIFICANT PROGRAMS SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER MYSELF, IT IS TO
BENEFIT FROM. AND BEING
AFFECTED BY. THE LABOR OF
STANDARDS WHICH HAS THE PROGRAM
BUSINESS, WHICH FOR THE LAST
FIVE YEARS, HAVING SOME
CLASSES, I HAVE BEEN LEARNING
AND I HAVE SO, THERE IS THIS
BUDGET CUT. AND THIS PROGRAM
THAT HELP US BE PART OF OUR
COMMUNITY, NOT JUST AS CITIZENS
BUT SOMEONE WHO CAN PROVIDE AND
LOOKING FORWARD TO .
>> WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT A CITY
THAT IS SAFE WITHOUT TALKING
ABOUT THIS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU JARED. UP NEXT IS
JANEL MORGAN AND THEN WE WILL
GO BACK TO BRENDAN GOLDING
HANNAH LYNDELL SMITH, AND THEN
WE WILL RETURN TO IN PERSON
SPEAKERS, JANEL I SEE YOU'RE
HERE, STAR SIX TO UNMUTE
PLEASE. YOU ARE OFF MUTE, TAKE
AWAY AT YOUR CONVENIENCE,
WELCOME
>> I AM A 25 YEAR VETERAN OF
THE CITY, WORKING IN THE
SEATTLE HUMAN RESOURCES AND MY
COLLEAGUE LAID OFF AS OF
DECEMBER 31. I STARTED WITH THE
CITY AS AN INTERN AND HAVE
DEVOTED THE ENTIRETY OF MY
CAREER TO THE SUCCESS AND
FORWARD PROGRESS OF THE CITY
AND ITS EMPLOYEES SO I'M HERE
TO SAY I STRONGLY SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS BUDGET
AMENDMENTS MY FAMILY GREATLY
RELIES ON ME FOR FINANCIAL
STABILITY , HEALTHCARE AND
INSURANCE BENEFITS AND I'M
DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE
LAYOFFS. PROPOSED IN THE
BUDGET. ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE
WORKFORCE AND THE CURRENT
CHALLENGING JOB MARKETS. I
WOULD LOVE TO REQUEST SUPPORT
FOR SIX MONTHS OR LONGER
EMPLOYMENT, AS THE POSITION I
WORK WITH SUPPORTS ALL 13,000
EMPLOYEES LOOKING FOR
LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES. AS A VETERAN OF
THE CITY, I KNOW FIRSTHAND IT
WILL CREATE A VOID IN THE
CITIES CAPACITY TO SERVE THE
PUBLIC. AS WELL AS EMPLOYEES
RECEIVING SUPPORT FOR
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. WHICH
IS WHAT I HAVE GIVEN MY CAREER
TOO. MANY OF THOSE OF US FACING
LAYOFFS ARE STILL BREADWINNERS
AND THE AFTERSHOCKS OF LOSING
OUR LIVELIHOOD WOULD
REVERBERATE THROUGHOUT OUR
FAMILIES. I RESPECTFULLY
REQUEST THE COUNCILS
RECOMMENDATION TO MINIMIZE AND
ALLAY LAYOFFS THE SMALL CHANGE
CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR
OUR FAMILY. AND FOR OTHER
EMPLOYEES IN THE
>>> VERY WELL SAID AND THANK
YOU FOR YOUR PART IN OUR CITY.
WE'LL GO TO BRENDAN. AND
HANNAH LINDELL SMITH. BRENDANUX
I SEE YOU'RE HERE. STAR 6 TO
UNMUTE PLEASE. BRENDAN COLDING.
ONE LAST TIME, WHICH THEN WE'RE
GOING TO GO ON TO HANNAH.
BRENDAN, IF YOU COULD PRESS
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE? WE'RE GOING
TO MOVE ON TO HANNAH LINDELL
SMITH. AND WE'LL COME BACK TO
BRENDAN. IN THE FUTURE. HANNAH?
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE, PLEASE.
HANNAH LINDELL SMITH? STAR 6 TO
UNMUTE. THERE YOU ARE. YOU'RE
OFF MUTE.
>> HELLO.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> MY NAME IS HANNAH LINDELL
SPLITTING AND I'M A YOUTH
REPRESENTATIVE ON THE OVERSIGHT
BOARD. AND I'M HERE TO
ENCOURAGE THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL TO REVISE THE PROPOSED
CITY BUDGET TO INCLUDE FUNDING
FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE
BUDGET GRANT SYSTEM. THESE ARE
NOT NEGOTIABLE FUNDING. NOT
SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CUT,
ESPECIALLY AS A CLIMATE CRISIS.
AND ALL THE IMPACTS TO OUR
COMMUNITY FACING IT, WE NEED
THAT FUNDING. WE NEED THE
OPPORTUNITIES THAT IT BRINGS,
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, FOR PEOPLE
FROM COMMUNITIES THAT ARE
GETTING FLOODED AND POLLUTED
AND HAVE BEEN FOR DECADES. WE
REALLY NEED THE SOURCE OF
JUSTICE, THE SOURCE OF HEALTH,
THE SOURCE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR
ALL OF OUR PEOPLE IN THE CITY
OF SEATTLE. I WOULD LIKE TO
SAY, ESPECIALLY AS A WEST
SEATTLE RESIDENT AND STUDENT
AND PUBLIC TRANSIT USER, I
WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE
SEATTLE TRANSIT 3 PROJECTS,
INCLUDING THE BALLARD AND WEST
SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL. THE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND IS
NOT THE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO
TAKE THOSE FUNDS OUT. IT IS
RESERVED SPECIFICALLY FOR
PROJECTS IN FRONT-LINE
COMMUNITIES, INDIGENOUS
SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS. AND
WHILE PUBLIC TRANSIT IS
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, IT SHOULD
NOT BE TAKEN OUT, SHOULD NOT BE
PITTED AGAINST TO ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO
ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO RESTORE
THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FUND, THE
DWELL OPPORTUNITY FUND TO 2024.
FUNDING ALLOCATION AS A SUPPORT
ORGANIZER, AS A YOUNG PERSON,
AND SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES THAT
JUSTICE MEANS ALL OF US. AND
THAT JUSTICE MEANS FUNDING AND
ACTIONS TOWARDS IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, HANNAH. WE'LL
TRY BRENDAN ONE LAST TIME. AND
THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO
B11 THROUGH 20. BRENDAN
COLDING. BRENDAN COLDING.
CALLING ONCE, BRENDAN COLDING,
BRENDAN COLDING, TWICE, BRENDAN
COLDING, BRENDAN COLDING, THREE
TIMES. GOING TO GO BACK TO
IN-PERSON COMMENTS, B11 THROUGH
B20. AND WE'VE GOT BOTH
MICROPHONE PLACES. TYRELL,
MICHAEL, JESSICA PETERSON.
ALLEN? IS THAT YOU?
>> HELLO.
>> ARE YOU ALLEN?
>> I'M ALLEN.
>> FANTASTIC. TAKE IT AWAY.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ALLEN.
THERE SHOULD BE NO REDUCTION IN
SHELTER BEDS. PLEASE ALLOCATE
$500,000 TO ENSURE WOMEN HAVE A
SAFE PLACE, WHEN MARY'S DAY
CENTER CLOSES IN 2025. END
ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS WITH A LOT
MORE SHELTERS OF ALL KINDS.
LEAVE JUMP START MONEY FOR ITS
INTENDED MONEY OF HOUSING,
WHICH WE DESPERATELY NEED. WE
NEED FULL RESTORATION OF TENANT
MORE PEOPLE WILL BECOME
HOMELESS. TENANT SERVICES ARE
ESSENTIAL FOR HELPING LANDLORD
ISSUES. TENANTS, LEADING TO
EVICTIONS, DISPLACEMENT, AND
HOMELESSNESS. CONTINUED FUNDING
IS CRUCIAL FOR STABILITY AND
PREVENTING CRISES. AS A COST
BURDEN, LOW-INCOME RENTER IN
SEATTLE'S DISTRICT 4 ROOSEVELT
NEIGHBORHOOD. ONE SIGNIFICANT
MEDICAL EVENT OR RENT INCREASE,
AND I'M TERRIFIED OF THIS,
COULD PUSH ME RIGHT BACK INTO
HOMELESSNESS. IF THIS EVER
HAPPENED TO ME, I WOULD HOPE, I
WOULD PRAY, WE HAVE TENANT
SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ADVOCATE
FOR ME, SO I DON'T HAVE TO GO
BACK. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ALLEN. FRIENDS,
REMEMBER, JAZZ HANDS, NOT
SNAPS.
>> MY NAME IS TYRELL PALOMINO.
I'M FROM Y2K. THERE SHOULD BE
NO NET LOSSES OF SHELTERS IN --
FOR WOMEN AND SHELTER BEDS FOR
THE DAY CENTERS. I FEEL LIKE
YOU GUYS SHOULD ADD $500,000 TO
THE BUDGET FOR WOMEN'S
SHELTERS. AND I -- THERE SHOULD
BE AN END TO THE ENCAMPMENT
SWEEPS. BECAUSE THEY'RE SIMPLY
NOT FAIR TO THE HOMELESS OF OUR
COMMUNITY. AND THAT'S ALL.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT AND
SHARING YOUR VOICE WITH US
TONIGHT. UP NEXT, WE HAVE
JESSICA PETERSON, FOLLOWED BY
STEVEN CLERRA.
>> HI, COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M
JESSICA. I'M A PARTICIPANT .
WE SUPPORT THE SOLITARY BUDGET,
NO LOSS OF DAY CENTER SHELTERS
AND SHARE IS ASKING FOR
$500,000 FOR DAY CENTERS.
BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM, LIKE
WOMEN DIE, MEN DIE, WE JUST
NEED OUR SHELTERS. AND WITHOUT
IT, PEOPLE JUST PASS AWAY. SO
PLEASE CONSIDER KEEPING THEM
OPEN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JESSICA. UP NEXT
IS STEVEN. STEVEN, ARE YOU IN
THE AUDIENCE? STEVEN, RAISE
YOUR HAND? NOPE. MOVING ON TO
LAUREN HILL. WELCOME. STUDY MY
NAME IS LOREN HILL, THANKS FOR
GIVING ME A CHANCE TO SPEAK.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE
GARFIELD PLAYFIELD. BUT WE NEED
TO GO A STEP FARTHER AND DO THE
WHOLE FIELD. SYNTHETIC. I MEAN,
IT JUST MAKES SO MUCH SENSE.
RIGHT NOW, IT'S DARK FROM
NOVEMBER 1st TO MARCH 1st. JUST
A BIG MUD PIT. IF THAT PLACE
WAS TURF, PEOPLE COULD BE OUT
THERE PLAYING FOR SIX HOURS A
NIGHT. ALSO, IT'S GOING TO ADD
2,000 TO 3,000 PROGRAMMABLE
HOURS OF NONHISTORICAL USE. SO
THIS IS OPPORTUNITY FOR A LOT
OF PEOPLE THAT CAN'T GET PLAY
TIME TO BE THERE. IT'S IN
BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND HIGH
SCHOOL. THERE WILL BE
OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL TO
USE IT, FOR JV SPORTS. FOR
P.E., FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER
TO USE IT, FOR DAY CARE. IT
JUST -- AND IF THERE ISN'T THE
MONEY, LET'S MAKE A PATHWAY TO
MAKE IT HAPPEN IN THE
COMMUNITY. LET'S FORCE PARKS
TO PUT IN THEIR BID PACKET,
ALTERNATIVE COSTS TO WHAT
THEY'RE DOING. I THINK THEY'RE
INFLATING NUMBERS BECAUSE THEY
DON'T LIKE MORE FIELDS BECAUSE
THAT'S MORE MAINTENANCE. AND
LET'S MAYBE PUT SOME MONEY IN
TO GET SOMEBODY TO CALL UP AND
GO FOR DONATIONS, GRANTS. I
MEAN, IT CLICKS ALL THE BOXES.
AND IT WILL BRING SAFETY,
SECURITY AND FUN. OKAY. I'LL
JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT. BUT
LET'S NOT MISS THIS
OPPORTUNITY. WE ALREADY BLEW IT
AT BALLARD, AT THAT PLAYFIELD.
AND WE'RE BUILDING ALL OF
THESE HOUSES IN OUR BACKYARDS.
WE'RE DENSIFYING. WE NEED TO
DO MORE PLAY FIELDS. GOOD
NIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, WARREN.
>> .
>> UP NEXT. STEPHANIE, WELCOME.
>> THANKS. GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING TO US TODAY. MY NAME
IS STEPHANIE INGRAM. I'M HERE
TO SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH BUDGET ITEM TO
SUPPORT THE GARFIELD SUPER
BLOCK AND THE GARFIELD SOFTBALL
IMPROVEMENTS. AS A RESIDENT OF
THE DISTRICT AND FUTURE
GARFIELD PARENT, I STRONGLY
SUPPORT THIS IN OUR PUBLIC
GATHERING PLACE. A NEW
RESTAURANT BUILDING OF PROVIDE
SAFETY AND IMPROVEMENT. IN
ADDITION TO THE CONTINUED USAGE
OF THE SPORTS FIELDS. THE
IMPROVEMENTS WILL PROVIDE A
WALKING LOOP, A PARKOUR PARK.
>> TYPES OF POSITIVE ACTIVITIES
ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF
CREATING AN ACTIVE, SAFE AND
INVITING ENVIRONMENT. AS OUR
COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE
WITH STRONG GUN VIOLENCE. I
BELIEVE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT
TOOL IN SUPPORTING THE
COMMUNITY AND MAKING CHANGES.
THIS IS A COMMUNITY-LED PROJECT
THAT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR
20 YEARS NOW. THIS ADDITIONAL
FUNDING WILL HELP ENSURE THAT
MANY OF
ASKED FOR BY THE COMMUNITY
AND THAT WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST
IMPACT, INCLUDING THE PARKOUR
PARK AND HIGH QUALITY SITE
FURNISHING WILL BE INCLUDED IN
THE PARK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> UP NEXT IS ROBERT. WELCOME,
ROBERT.
>> GOOD EVENING, GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS ROBERT STEVENS. I AM
A LEGACY HOMEOWNER AND RESIDENT
OF SINCE 1959. A PROUD
VIETNAM-ERA VET. AND FOUNDER
AND CURATOR OF THE GARFIELD
CAMPUS, SUPER BLOC RENOVATION
PROJECT. WE COME BEFORE YOU
THIS EVENING TO ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT IN CONTINUING THAT
20-YEAR PROMISE. SOMETIME THE
CITY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
KIND OF FORGETS ABOUT US. BUT
AS YOU KNOW, THIS PROJECT WAS
BROUGHT ABOUT DURING THE
RENOVATION OF GARFIELD HIGH
SCHOOL. WE WANTED TO BUILD
QUINCY JONES A NEW THEATER. AND
THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH
PARKING SPACES. SO THEY HAD TO
GO THROUGH THE CITY TO GET A
CITY ORDINANCE. COMMITTEE HAD
HAD TO COME BACK AND ASK THE
COMMUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO
SAY IF IT'S OKAY. THEN THEY
PROMISED TO RENOVATE THE WHOLE
BLOC. AND SOMEHOW THEY FORGOT.
I'M A JULY BABY. AND I
UNDERSTAND THEY'RE A LITTLE
BIT STUBBORN. SO I HELD ON TO
THIS PROJECT. BECAUSE I
PROMISED MY COMMUNITY THAT WE
WOULD GET THIS, AND THEY WOULD
NOT FORGET US. SO WE ARE AT THE
PLACE THAT WE CAN SEE THE END
OF THE TUNNEL. THIS COALITION
WE MET ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE
TWO YEARS, EVERY WEEK, DURING
COVID. AND DURING THAT TIME,
PARKS FINALLY HEARD US. THIS IS
THE COALITION THAT HELPED ME
WITH ANOTHER 20-YEAR PROJECT
THAT I HAD PROMISED MY
COMMUNITY IT'S CALLED THE
CENTER DESIGN AND REVIEW BOARD.
AND CENTER DESIGN AND
GUIDELINES. SO PLEASE, HELP ME
TO KEEP THE PROMISE TO MY
COMMUNITY SO THAT I'M NOT
TARRED AND FEATHERED AND RAN
OUT AT 78 YEARS OLD. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ROBERT. IF ONLY
WE HAD MORE ROBERT STEVENS' IN
OUR SEATTLE, WE WOULD BE A
BETTER PLACE.
>> YEAH.
>> UP NEXT IS HALLIE WILLIS,
FOLLOWED BY JEN MUSE AND DANIEL
LUGO.
>> MY NAME IS HALLIE WILLIS. I
AM THE POLICY MANAGER ON THE
SEATTLE KING COALITION ON
HOMELESSNESS. I'M A RENTER ON
D6 AND I'M HERE TONIGHT AS A
MEMBER OF THE JUMPSTART
STAKEHOLDERS COALITION. WE
APPRECIATE COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS. THE PROPOSED JUMP
START COALITION WOULD ALLOW TO
JUMP START FUNDS WHICH ARE
CURRENTLY THE HIGHEST PRIORITY.
WE URGE YOU TO FUND THE JUMP
START PROGRAM, CONVENE THE
OVERSIGHT BODY AND KEEP ANY
FUNDS TO THIS BIENNIUM ONLY.
MANY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE JOINED
US AND SIGNED ONTO THESE
RECOMMENDATIONS. INCLUDING EL
CENTRO DELA RAZA, CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY SERVICES, CHIEF
SEATTLE CLUB, OPIU LOCAL 8.
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTE.
THE COALITION ENDING
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE,
ELIZABETH GREGORY HOME, PUGENT
JETSOUND PAGE, PLYMOUTH
HOUSING, THE HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM, THE
SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION, SOLID GROUND, YOUTH
CARE, WASHINGTON BUILD BACK
BLACK ALLIANCE, 350 SEATTLE,
CATHOLIC HOUSING SERVICES, BE
SEATTLE, CLIMATE SOLUTIONS,
COORDINATED CARE OF AHA. HOUSER
NEIGHBORS. LAKE CITY TASK
FORCE. LEHI, MULTICULTURAL
COALITION, PEOPLE'S ECONOMY
LAB. PEOPLE POWER WASHINGTON.
PORCH LIGHT, QUEER POWER
ALLIANCE. SEATTLE KING COUNTY
COALITION ON HOMELESSNESS,
SEATTLE SOLIDARITY BUDGET,
SHARE, SOUND GENERATIONS,
TRANSIT RIDERS UNION,
WASHINGTON PHYSICIANS FOR
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY,
WASHINGTON WORKING FAMILIES'
PARTY, THE WASHINGTON
LOW-INCOME HOUSING ALLIANCE AND
WHEEL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> UP NEXT IS JEN MUSE.
WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JEN MOUSSET. THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUS AND
HOLLINGSWORTH. FOOD BANKS AND
CULTURAL. EVERY DAY, WE SEE
THEIR FACES, HEAR THEIR
STORIES. THEY ARE OUR
NEIGHBORS. WE NEED TO DO
BETTER. THE NEED HAS GROWN
EXPONENTIALLY. THESE
INVESTMENTS ARE A GREAT NEXT
STEP TO STRENGTHENING FOOD
ACCESS. WE STRONGLY URGE CITY
COUNCIL TO REJECT COUNCIL BILL
10912. LONG TERM, WE NEED TO
KEEP JUMP START FOR ITS
INTENDED USE, INVESTMENTS IN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND CLIMATE
INITIATIVES, MUST BE
PRIORITIZED BOO BY OUR CITY. WE
SUPPORT EXPLORING PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE. THE FACT IS,
INVESTMENTS IN HUMAN SERVICES
ARE CRITICAL TO ADDRESSING THE
CHALLENGES WE FACE IN OUR CITY.
WE MUST FUND AT A LEVEL THAT
ALLOWS AGENCIES TO OPERATE AT
FULL CAPACITY. INCLUDING
INVESTING IN WAGE EQUITY THERE
STAFF. PLEASE PRIORITIZE
HOLISTIC INVESTMENTS ACROSS
CITY. INCLUDING YOUTH,
FAMILIES, SENIORS, INVESTMENTS
IN SHELTERS AND DAY CENTERS.
HOUSING, HOMELESS SERVICES,
FOOD PROGRAMS AND GENDER-BASED
SERVICES. IT ALSO MEANS WE
PREVENT HOMELESSNESS BY KEEPING
PEOPLE HOUSED. INVEST IN RENTAL
ASSISTANCE. WE NEED TO MAKE
THESE PROGRAMS EASIER TO
ACCESS, NOT HARDER. WE NEED TO
INCREASE INVESTMENT, NOT
DECREASE. THE YEARS AHEAD WILL
BE CHALLENGING FOR OUR
NEIGHBORS. LET'S MAKE SURE WE
HAVE A SAFE AND THRIVING
COMMUNITY FOR EVERYONE NOT JUST
A FEW. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JEN. I DON'T
KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I'M GOING
TO ASK. HANDS, NOT SNAPS.
APPRECIATE YOU ALL. DANIEL?
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS, ALWAYS GOOD TO
SEE YOU. FOR THE RECORD, MY
NAME IS DANIEL LUGO, HE/HIM
PRONOUNS. YOUTH CARE, DEDICATED
TO ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
AND I WOULD BE REMISS FOR NOT
MENTIONING COUNCILMEMBER WOO,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES AND
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUS. WITH THAT
SAID, I STRAUSS.
>> JUST LAST YEAR, THEY FOUND
16,000 INDIVIDUALS WERE
HOMELESS ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT.
JUST TO PUT THAT INTO
PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S MORE
PEOPLE THAN WHO LIVE
CENTER THAT A
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THESE
PEOPLE LIVE IN SEATTLE. AND
JUST TO SHARE DATA ABOUT YOUTH
CARE. YOUTH CARE, WE HAVE DATA
THAT SUGGEST THAT 50% OF ALL
ADULTS WHO EXPERIENCE
HOMELESSNESS WERE YOUTH AS
WELL. AND OF THOSE 50%, OUR
CLIENTS INCLUDE 37% WHO
IDENTIFY AS FEMALE. 35% WHO
OVER AS LGBTQ+. AND 74%
IDENTIFY AS BIPOC. SO I JUST
ASK YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER
THESE PEOPLE, AS YOU CONTINUE
TO LOOK AT JUMPSTART. THESE ARE
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE
IMPACTED BY YOUR DECISIONS. SO
AGAIN, JUST ECHOING THE
COMMUNITY SENTIMENT THAT JUMP
START NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED AS
MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, DANIEL. WE'RE
GOING TO MOVE INTO ONLINE
SPEAKERS. AND WHEN WE COME BACK
TO IN PERSON SPEAKERS, WE'LL
BE ON LIST A. SO BE READY IN
ABOUT 15 TO 20 EMPTIES. WE'RE
MOVING BACK ONLINE. JANELLE
MORGAN HAS ALREADY SPOKEN. ALL
RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO GO TO
REN WILSON. SHARON SOY. HELEN
GILBERT. VANESSA RODRIGUEZ.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIR
STRAUSS. AND SELECT BUDGET
COMMITTEE MEMBERS. PROPOSED
BUDGET. I'M A MEMBER. I'M
VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE
MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET ON TAX
REVENUES. [ INAUDIBLE ] AND
THAT THE COUNCIL IS PROPOSING
ALTERNATE TAX ALLOCATIONS. IT
VERY SPECIFICALLY. LONG-TERM
BASIS. THE PAYROLL EXPENSE [
INAUDIBLE ] SINCE THAT METHOD
HAS BEEN SO CLEARLY SUCCESSFUL.
I URGE YOU TO SEEK OUT YOUR
GENERAL BUDGET OPERATING
DECISIONS. AND THAT IS ALL I
HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, REN. WE'RE GOING
TO MOVE ON TO SHARON SOY.
SHARON? SHARON SOY? IS NOT
PRESENT. SO WE'RE GOING TO
MOVE ON TO HELEN GILBERT.
HELEN, I SEE YOU'RE HERE. STAR
6 TO UNMUTE. THERE YOU ARE AND
WELCOME.
>> HI. MY NAME IS HELEN
GILBERT. AND I AM SPEAKING
TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF SEATTLE
WOMEN. WE ARE WORKING CLASS
FEMINISTS AND OUR WORKERS ARE
APPALLED AT THE CUTS BEING
PROPOSED IN THE CITY OF
MILLIONAIRES. THESE BUDGET CUTS
INCLUDE FOOD PROGRAMS. GENDER
BIAS. PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE
JOBS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WHO
HANDLE THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS.
AND ALSO AS THE CLIMATE IS
GOING HAYWIRE, AS WE ALL SEE,
YOU ARE CUTTING PARKS
DEPARTMENTS FOR ALL
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS. I HAVE
TO SAY, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
THERE ARE SOME WINNERS WITH
THIS BUDGET. THE
ALREADY-BLOATED SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT. AND THE RICH, WHO
ONCE AGAIN WILL GRIPE ABOUT
HOMELESS PEOPLE, OUTSIDE THEIR
LUXURY CONDOS, BUT WON'T SPEND
A DIME TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
IT'S [ INAUDIBLE ] WITH HIGH
EARNERS. IT'S NO COINCIDENCE
THAT THE ONE BRIGHT SPOT WITH
BUDGET SURPLUS IS DUE TO THE
JUMP START TAX THAT ASSESSES
THE BUSINESS OF HIGH EARNERS IN
ORDER TO FIND A SOLUTION TO
HOMELESSNESS AND OTHER VERY
NECESSARY GOALS. BUT INSTEAD OF
KEEPING JUMP START MONEY, WHERE
IT'S MOST NEEDED, MAYOR
HARRELL WANTS TO RAID IT FOR
THE GENERAL FUND. WE SAY NO
WAY. AND DO NOT TALK ABOUT
INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES
THAT'S JUST ANOTHER WAY OF
FORCING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR
HOMES AND INCREASING
GENTRIFICATION. IT HAS NO CUTS
TO HUMAN SERVICES. WE CALL ON
YOU TO IMMEDIATELY PASS THE
CITY LEVEL CAPITAL GAINS TAX TO
MAKE THE CITY SERVE ALL WHO
LIVE HERE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, HELEN. VANESSA,
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE. THERE YOU
ARE. WELCOME.
>> HI. I'M A MEMBER [
INAUDIBLE ] MY NAME IS VANESSA
RODRIGUEZ. AND I AM THE OWNER
OF [ INAUDIBLE ] ACCOUNTING
SERVICES. I'M HERE TODAY TO
SPEAK ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET
FOR 2025, 2026. IT IS MY
UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS BUDGET
INCLUDES CUTS TO VARIOUS AREAS,
INCLUDING THE OFFICE [
INAUDIBLE ] WHICH PROVIDES
PROGRAMS AT BUSINESS [
INAUDIBLE ] OVER THE PAST FOUR
YEARS, I HAVE BENEFITED FROM
THIS PROGRAM. BECAUSE OF THIS
PROGRAM, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
LEARN HOW TO LAUNCH AND MANAGE
A BUSINESS IN THE SEATTLE AREA.
WHAT WE CALL IN MY COUNTRY,
EVERYTHING IS NEW FOR US.
TODAY, I AM NOT ONLY THE PROUD
OWNER OF ACCOUNTING FIRM. BUT
ALSO SMALL BUSINESSES. THE
SIMILAR POSITIONS TO WHERE I
STARTED. INAUDIBLE [ INAUDIBLE
]
>> VANESSA, ARE YOU STILL
THERE?
>> YES. I'M HERE.
>> GREAT. IN LIGHT OF THE [
INAUDIBLE ] FACTS CAN YOU HEAR
ME?
>> YES. WE CAN HEAR YOU.
UNLESS.
>> OKAY. IN LIGHT OF THE [
INAUDIBLE ] IMPACT THIS HAS HAD
ON MY BUSINESS, I URGE YOU TO
INVEST IN [ INAUDIBLE ] SO I
CAN CONTINUE TO [ INAUDIBLE ]
SMALL BUSINESS. AND THANK YOU
FOR OPPORTUNITY.
>> THANK YOU, VANESSA. ANYTHING
ELSE TONIGHT?
>> NOT [ INAUDIBLE ]
>> FANTASTIC. THANK YOU FOR
CALLING IN. YOU'RE OFF MUTE.
TAKE IT AWAY. WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING, CHAIR AND
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
TALANNA REED. I'M WITH
WASHINGTON STATE. AND AS A
FORMER OFFICIAL, I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOICES AND
CONSIDERING THOSE MOST IMPACTED
BY YOUR DECISIONS. THE BUDGET
PROCESS ISN'T FUN AND THE
DECISIONS YOU ALL HAVE TO MAKE
ARE VERY DIFFICULT AND THE
PROCESS IS GRUELING. THIS PART
OF THE JOB IS SIMILAR TO
SOMEONE HAVING TO SCRAPE GUM
OFF OF SIDEWALKS. IN MY
OPINION, BOTH ARE PRETTY
IMPORTANT. I'LL LET YOU DECIDE
WHICH ONE YOU PREFER. I'M
ADVOCATING FOR INVESTMENT IN
LEGAL SERVICES. RATHER THAN
FOCUSING ON ALLOCATING FUNDING
SPECIFICALLY TO RENTAL
ASSISTANCE, I SUPPORT THE
AMENDMENTS MADE BY CROWN
MORALES AND PRESENTED BY
COUNCILMEMBERS RIVERA [
INAUDIBLE ] EQUITY IS A
PROBLEM. BLACK AND HISPANIC
HOUSEHOLDS ARE NEARLY DOUBLE
THOSE OF WHITE HOUSEHOLDS. THIS
TURNS INTO FAMILIES UPROOTED.
AND INDIVIDUALS WITH
INSTABILITY, OFTEN EXACERBATING
THE CYCLE OF TRAUMA. EVICTION
CASES IS CRITICAL. IT EMPOWERS
TENANTS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND
ADVOCACY. STUDIES SHOW THAT
LEGAL ASSISTANCE CAN CAN
PREVENT [ INAUDIBLE ] WHAT
WOULD OTHERWISE BE
LIFE-ALTERING FAMILIES. KEEPING
A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS OR
FACING HOMELESS SERVICES.
TENANT SERVICES [ INAUDIBLE ]
INTERVENTION, MEDICATION
ASSISTANCE, EXCUSE ME, AND
EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS. BEING
NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES
--
>> THANK YOU. AND IF YOU HAVE
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, DO FEEL
FREE TO WRITE US AND WRITTEN
COMMENT. MIKE, I SEE YOU'RE
HERE AND OFF MUTE. WELCOME.
TAKE IT AWAY.
>> HI. MY NAME IS MIKE GAIN.
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS HAVE
BEEN MEETING, QUITE ACTIVELY,
OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WITH
MANY OF OUR CITY LEADERS, TO
MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER
PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, VISIT AND
ENJOY. A FEW YEARS AGO, OUR
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL AND THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE, WANTED TO
REIMAGINE POLICING. AND WE ALL
SAW HOW THAT WORKED OUT FOR US.
WE DEFUNDED THE POLICE, AND IT
DIDN'T TURN OUT GOOD FOR OUR
CITY. I BELIEVE OUR CURRENT
CITY COUNCIL IS HEADED IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION. AND HAS
OPPORTUNITY TO REPAIR THE
DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE
PREVIOUSLY. THEY SEEM TO ONCE
AGAIN, SUPPORT OUR POLICE,
RETURNING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
THOSE WHO ENDANGER OTHERS AND
BREAK THE LAW. EVEN THOSE WHO
ATTEND PUBLIC ACTIVITIES ON
STREETS, NEED TO FACE
CONSEQUENCES. WE NEED THE
FUNDING NECESSARY TO RETURN OUR
CITY TO A SAFE PLACE ONCE
AGAIN. WE NEED FUNDING TO BEGIN
TO USE THE CAMERAS TO ASSIST
OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND POLICE.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OFFICERS
AND WILL NOT HAVE IN THE NEAR
FUTURE. WE CAN'T JUST KEEP
KICKING THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD
AND HOPE IT IMPROVES. IT'S
TIME FOR LESS CONVERSATION AND
MORE ACTION. WE NEED TO GET
THESE CAMERAS GOING, SOONER
RATHER THAN LATER. BENEFITS OF
CAMERAS. THERE'S REALLY QUITE
A FEW OF THEM. WE HAVE A SAFE
AND EFFICIENT WAY TO ENFORCE
OUR LAWS. NO OFFICERS ARE
NEEDED FOR ENFORCEMENT. NO
CONFRONTATION OR CONFLICTS WITH
THOSE BEING TICKETED. NO MORE
POLICE CHASES. NO EXPENSES FOR
PURCHASEAND MAINTENANCE OF
VEHICLES. A SOURCE OF REVENUE
THAT WILL LIKELY PAY FOR
ITSELF. ALSO, IT PASSES THE
TEST. ON ANOTHER NOTE. PLEASE
DO NOT BRING ANOTHER TAX.
CAPITAL GAINS TAX.
>> THANK YOU. WE ARE GOING TO
MOVE ON. AND ANY ADDITIONAL
WRITTEN COMMENT, PLEASE DO SEND
US IN. LATANYA, YOU'RE ALREADY
OFF MUTE. WELL DONE. TAKE IT
AWAY AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO
MUCH. GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS LATANYA DuBOIS. I'M
THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE
[ INAUDIBLE ] TASK FORCE. MY
TEAM AND I HAVE WORKED IN OUR
COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH SEATTLE
FOR OVER 30 YEARS, PROVIDING
AND RENDERING SERVICES ON A LIT
18 OF WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING
TODAY. FROM HOUSING TO DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE. TO YOUTH EMPLOYMENT.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS ALL THE
SAME. WE ARE CURRENTLY
CONCERNED ABOUT THE MAYOR'S
BUDGET AND THE PRIORITIES, TO
US, THE SILENT TASK FORCE
ONLINE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING
ON THE GROUND IN OUR
COMMUNITIES. WHAT WE ARE TRULY
CONCERNED WITH, WHERE IT'S
TOP-HEAVY. PARTICULARLY IN
AREAS WITH PARTICIPATORY
BUDGETING, WHICH IS ONE OF THE
COMMITMENTS THAT WE ARE -- I
KNOW THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY
THE SPACE FOR THAT. HOWEVER,
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MONEY,
BUDGET, COMMITMENT MADE BY
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, A COUPLE
OF YEARS BACK. AND WE NEED TO
SEE THOSE RESOURCES IN PLACE IN
OUR COMMUNITY. WE'RE ALSO
SUPPORTING COUNCILMEMBER JOY
HOLLINGSWORTH, COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE, WHO IS SPONSORING HER,
MS. TANYA WOO, REGARDING FIVE
POINTS OF PROGRESS. SO WE'D
LIKE TO SUPPORT THOSE
AMENDMENTS. WE WANT TO THANK
PRESIDENT SARA NELSON, AND ALL
THE REST OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS
THAT HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY. WE
UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A VERY
-- VERY SERIOUS TIME IN THE
WORLD. AND IN OUR STATE. AND WE
UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE NEEDS
THAT NEED TO BE MET FOR THE
COMMUNITY. THE GREATER
COMMUNITY. WE HOPE THAT THERE
IS MEASURES OF ACCOUNTABILITY
THAT OCCUR BECAUSE FUNDING
LARGE ORGANIZATIONS, GET
FUNDING, FUNDING, FUNDING. THE
PROBLEM IS NOT GOING AWAY. THE
PROBLEM IS BETTER. AND --
>> THANK YOU, LATANYA.
>> WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO
ELIZABETH POWELL. WELCOME,
ELIZABETH. YOU'RE ALREADY OFF
MUTE. TAKE IT AWAY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY NAME
IS ELIZABETH POWELL. I AM ONE
OF THE ATTORNEYS AT THE LAW
CENTER. OUR MISSION IS TO KEEP
PEOPLE HOUSED. SO WHAT I'D
LIKE YOU TO TAKE AWAY FROM MY
NEXT COUPLE OF MINUTES OF
REMARKS IS THAT AN OUNCE OF
PREVENTION IS ALWAYS MORE
EFFICIENT THAN A POUND OF CURE.
I TALK TO PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE
DAY, WHO ARE LIVING IN HOMES
THAT ARE IN DISREPAIR, PEOPLE
WHO ARE DISABLED, AND THERE IS
SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEIR
HOUSING, THAT THEY CAN'T GET
FIXED. I TALKED TO PEOPLE WHOSE
PRIMARY LANGUAGE IS NOT
ENGLISH. AND SOME OF THEM HAVE
ISSUES WITH THEIR STATUS THAT
MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM
TO FEEL COMFORTABLE,
APPROACHING A COURT. I CAN
EXPLAIN TO THEM HOW THEY NEED
TO DO THAT. ON EVERY SINGLE
EVICTION SUMMONS THAT GOES OUT
IN KING COUNTY, IT SAYS YOU
HAVE TO RESPOND. GET HELP. AND
NO MATTER WHAT THAT PHONE
NUMBER IS. IT COMES TO MY
OFFICE. AND WE HAVE TO TRIAGE
PEOPLE PRETTY DARN HARD TO MAKE
SURE THAT THEY CAN GET SOME
HELP. SO WHAT WE'RE FOCUSING
ON IS THE HOUSING JUSTICE
PROJECT, COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
GROUP. THAT THEY ARE SO SLAMMED
THAT THEY CANNOT HELP WITH
EJECTMENTS, WHICH IS ANOTHER
WAY THAT LANDLORDS ARE DOING
EVICTIONS, KIND OF A BACK-DOOR
THING OR SUBSIDY
DETERMINATIONS. WHEN SOMEONE IS
BEING TOLD THEY WILL NOT HAVE
ACCESS TO THEIR VOUCHERS FOR
GOD KNOWS HOW LONG. IN THIS
STATE, GOOGLE ESQUIRE TELLS
PEOPLE THAT IF THEY HAVE BEEF
WITH THEIR LANDLORD, THEN THEY
SHOULDN'T PAY THEIR RENT. AND
THAT'S NOT TRUE. IF WE CAN
COUNSEL PEOPLE, WE CAN KEEP
THEM HOUSED.
>>> UP NEXT, HANNAH-JONES. STAR
6. YOU'RE OFF MUTE. TAKE IT
AWAY AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.
>>> HI. MY NAME IS
HANNAH-JONES. I'M A VOLUNTEER.
I AM SPEAKING ABOUT THE
PROPOSED BUDGET. THAT PLANS TO
DIVERT $300 MILLION FROM THE
JUMP START FUNDING. OUR CITY
DEFINITELY NEEDS THE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING CLIMATE RESILIENCE. AND
EQUITABLE FUNDING. HOUSING IS
KEY TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL
HEALTH, INCREASED EDUCATION AND
EMPLOYMENT. AND REDUCING RATES
OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS, AND
INCREASING FOOD SECURITY. BY
DIVERTING FUNDING FROM JUMP
START. THAT WAS SET ASIDE FOR
BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND INSTEAD, INCREASING
FUNNELING FOR ENCAMPMENT AND
POLICE. THAT CAUSED GREAT HARM
TO HOUSING COMMUNITY. IT
MASSIVELY EXACERBATES THE
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS. AND PUTS
PEOPLE AT RISK. I STRONGLY
ENCOURAGE TO INCREASE FUNDING
FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND
TENANT SERVICES, AS WELL AS
ADDICTION DEFENSE. PRESERVE
JUMP START PRIORITIES. AND PROG
ADDRESS THE BUDGET DEFICITS. I
ALSO WANT TO MENTION THE
ENVIRONMENTAL, THAT THE MAYOR
AND COUNCIL PLAN TO CUT FUNDING
BY 54%. THIS INCLUDES THE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUNDS AND
THE RIVER OPPORTUNITY FUNDS.
THIS DOES HARM TO THE COMMUNITY
MOST AFFECTED BY CLIMATE
CHANGE. AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATOR, I WORK WITH YOUTH
EVERY SINGLE DAY. WE NEED A
BIPOC-LED ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT
IN OUR COMMUNITIES. PLEASE
RESTORE THE ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE FUND. THANKS.
>> THANKS, HANNAH.
>>> WE'RE GOING TO MOVE BACK
TOIN N-PERSON SPEAKERS. WE HAVE
ABOUT 120 PEOPLE LEFT. SO IF
EVERYONE SPOKE FOR ONE MINUTE,
WE'D BE HERE UNTIL 9:30. IF
EVERYONE SPEAKS FOR TWO
MINUTES, WE WILL BE HERE UNTIL
11:30. IAN
AS YOU'RE ALL LINING UP, I'M
GOING TO CALL FOR THE FOLKS WHO
ARE ONLINE. YOU WILL BE CALLED
IN 20 MINUTES FROM NOW.
>> THANKS FOR TAKING BOTH
PODIUMS. IAN.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL CHAIR.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBER. MY
NAME IS IAN WEST. CHURCH
COUNCIL OF GREATER SEATTLE.
I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 2. I SPEAK TO YOU AS A
MEMBER OF THE ROUND TABLE,
WHICH IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH
SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND HUMAN
SERVICES COALITION. AND AS A
PERSON OF FAITH, TO SAY BUDGETS
ARE A MORAL DOCUMENT. WE ARE
UNITED IN DEMANDING A PROJECT
THAT REFLECTS CARE,
PRESERVATION OF THE JUMP START
SPENDING PLAN. AND CALL TO
ADDITIONAL REVENUE SOURCES TO
ADDRESS OUR BUDGET DEFICIT. I
PRESENT TO YOU ALL THE LETTERS
OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS,
REPRESENTING ACROSS THE CITY.
WHO ARE IN ALLIANCE. IN
SALIDARITY WITH OUR ALLIES AND
IN AGREEMENT WOURE ON CALLS TO
ACTION. WE ARE ON THE SAME
PAGE. NO MORE BALANCING THE
BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF OUR
COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> GREG, WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS GREG
THIESEN. I STAND UNITED WITH
THE CHURCH COUNCIL OF
SEATTLE'S GREAT ROUND TABLE.
WE DEEPLY BELIEVE THAT BUDGETS
ARE MORAL DOCUMENTS. DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING JR. DELIVERED THE
"BEYOND VIETNAM" SERMON.
SPENDING MORE ON MILITARY
PROGRAMS RATHER THAN SPIRITUAL
UPLIFT IS APPROACHING DEATH.
TODAY IN 2024, THE BUDGET
ADVANCED BY MAYOR HARRELL, WITH
YOUR LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT,
ALICATES MONEY FOR COPS, WHILE
SIMULTANEOUSLY CUTTING FUNDS.
COVERING HUGE RAISES. AND
EFFECTIVE SIGNING BONUSES.
GHOST COP POSITIONS NAWON'T BE
FILLED. PROGRAMS OF UPLIFT ARE
BEING DEFUNDED. THE DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION AND EARLY
LEARNING. ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION. OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE
ARE HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR
PROGRAMS THEY SEE AS VITAL.
SUCH AS WOMEN'S CENTER. AND
OTHER PROGRAMS THAT PEOPLE HAVE
TESTIFIED ABOUT TONIGHT? WELL,
IT HAS BEEN PUT FORTH AS A
BUDGET TO SPIRITUAL DEATH. IT
PRIORITIZES PUNISHMENT. WE
DESERVE THE BUDGET FUNDING WE
FOUGHT FOR. DEDICATED TO
FUNDING. EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT
AND GREEN NEW DEAL INITIATIVES.
BY CUTTING JUST 27 OF THE 212
GHOST, YOU COULD RESTORE RENTAL
ASSISTANCE, RESTORE LEGAL
COUNSEL FOR YOUTH AND
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND
WORKER PROTECTIONS. BUDGETS
SPEAK TO THE VALUES OF --
>> GREG, THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS
MARY SUE GALVAN, FOLLOWED BY
PHIL LOUIS. WELCOME, MARY SUE.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS
MARY SUE GALVAN. I AM A 48-YEAR
RESIDENT OF SEATTLE AND LIVE IN
EAST LAKE. RAISED MY TWO KIDS
THERE. WENT TO TOPS AND SEWARD
AND GARFIELD. I AM UNITED WITH
CHURCH COUNCIL OF SEATTLE.
SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COMMISSION AND THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET. AS PEOPLE ARE FAITH, WE
BELIEVE THAT BUDGETS NEED TO
REFLECT OUR VALUES, THEY'RE
MORAL DOCUMENTS, AND WE WANT TO
SEE A BUDGET THAT FULLY
REFLECTS THOSE PRIORITIES. I
ALSO SPENT 43 YEARS AS A NURSE
AND NURSE PRACTITIONER. AND I
WANT TO ECHO EARLIER WORDS
ABOUT PREVENTION COSTS A LOT
LESS THAN BAILING PEOPLE OUT.
MOO I CHURCH COMMUNITY SPENDS
CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES, 300
ACTIVE PEOPLE, HELPING TO FILL
GAPS IN SOCIAL SERVICES. WE
SUPPORT COMMUNITY NONPROFITS
LIKE TEEN FEED, WELL SPRING
ALLIANCE SERVICES AND MANY
MORE. PLEASE USE JUMP START
FUNDS AS THEY'RE INTENDED,
WITH THE FULL VALUE OF THE FULL
PERCENTAGE, AS WAS INTENDED IN
PERPETUITY. THIS INCLUDES
SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.
AS YOU KNOW, EQUITABLE
INITIATIVE AND DEFINITELY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT IS SO
DESPERATELY NEEDED. WE HAVE TO
PRIORITIZE CARING FOR EACH
OTHER, SUPPORTING EACH OTHER,
OVER PUNISHMENT, BY FUNDING
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND
ACCESS TO SHELTER, INSTEAD OF
SWEEPS IN SURVEILLANCE. BUDGETS
SPEAK TO THE VALUE OF OUR CITY.
WE WANT THIS PLACE TO BE A
LIVABLE PLACE FOR EVERYONE THAT
SUPPORTS PEOPLE OF ALL
DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS. I WOULD
LIKE TO SEE A BUDGET THAT TRULY
REFLECTS THOSE VALUES OF
COMMUNITY CARE. WE'LL ALL BE
SAFER WHEN EVERYONE IN OUR
COMMUNITY IS HOUSED AND HAS
MENTAL SERVICES. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME. AND I APPRECIATE THE
HARD DECISIONS TO BE MADE.
>> THANKS, MARY SUE.
>>> UP NEXT IS PHIL LOUIS,
FOLLOWED BY APRIL LITTLE.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. AND I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR
WORK ON THIS PAST YEAR FOR THE
2025 BUDGET. MY NAME IS PHIL.
AND I'M ONE OF THE PASTORS
WITHIN COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE'S
DISTRICT. I STAND WITH THE
CHURCH OF THE GREATER SEATTLE
ROUND TABLE. AS PEOPLE OF
FAITH, WE BELIEVE THAT BUDGETS
ARE A MORAL DOCUMENT. AND IN MY
TRADITION, WE ARE REMINDED THAT
WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE
LIES YOUR HEART. THE WELL BEING
OF OUR CITY IS DIRECTLY TIED TO
THE BUDGET YOU ALL WILL
IMPLEMENT THIS YEAR. I HAVE
WITNESSED FIRSTHAND IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD, WHEN FUNDS THAT
ARE INTENDED FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
ARE DIVERTED ELSEWHERE. OUR
YOUTH SUFFER, OUR NEIGHBORS
SUFFER. AND SUBSEQUENTLY, OUR
COMMUNITY TAKES THE BRUNT OF
THESE DECISIONS, AND OFTENTIMES
OUR CHURCH SEES THE BRUNT THAT
THE COMMUNITY IS IMPACTED BY.
PLEASE DO NOT BALANCE THE
BUDGET OFF THE BACKS OF OUR
YOUTH, AND OUR UNDERRESOURCE
COMMUNITY MEMBERS. BECAUSE THEY
DO NOT DESERVE TO HAVE THE
BUDGET BALANCED OFF OF THEIR
BACKS. IT FULLY REFLECTS OUR
SHARED VALUES AND PRIORITIES.
AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS, SUCH
AS PRESERVING AND EXPANDING THE
JUMP START FUNDING FOR ITS
INTENDED PURPOSES. SUPPORTING
SMALL BUSINESSES, THE EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. THE
SEATTLE GREEN NEW DEAL. AND THE
DEVELOPMENT OF DESPERATELY
NEEDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR
SEATTLE LIGHTS IN OUR
COMMUNITY. BUDGETS COMMUNICATE
THE VALUE OF OUR CITY, THROUGH
PUBLIC INVESTMENT. AND ASK THAT
AS A COUNCIL, THAT YOU ADOPT A
BUDGET THAT TRULY REFLECTS
COMMITMENT THAT CARE AND
TRANSFORMATION THAT EACH AND
EVERY SEATTLITE DESERVES.
BECAUSE WE BELIEVE -- I
BELIEVE, THAT YOU ALL ARE
ELECTED TO THIS POSITION
BECAUSE YOU ALL LOVE OUR CITY.
AND I ASK THAT YOU WOULD
REFLECT THAT IN THE BUDGET THAT
YOU PUT FORWARD. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, PHIL. THE FIRST
SELF-IDENTIFYING DISTRICT 6
MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. DISTRICT
7. EXCUSE ME. UP NEXT IS APRIL
LITTLE, FOLLOWED BY CHLOE.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
APRIL LITTLE. I AM HERE AS A
MEMBER OF THE FIRST UNITED
METHOD FIRST CHURCH, WITHIN
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE'S
DISTRICT. I STAND UNITED WITH
THE CHURCH COUNCIL OF GREATER
SEATTLE ROUND TABLE. AS PEOPLE
OF FAITH, WE BELIEVE THAT
BUDGETS ARE MORAL DOCUMENTS.
AND WHERE WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE
FLOOR IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
SUPPORTING A $1,500,000
INVESTMENT OVER THE NEXT TWO
YEARS ON MEAL PROGRAMS. I URGE
YOU TO VOTE YES ON HSD4 AND 10
TO ENSURE THIS IS INCLUDED IN
THE FINAL BUDGET. MY CHURCH HAS
SHARED BREAKFAST PROGRAM, WHICH
FEEDS MANY EACH SUNDAY, WITH
BENEFIT FROM THIS. I ALSO WANT
TO SEE A BUDGET THAT FULLY [
INAUDIBLE ] LIKE SUPPORTING
PURPOSES, SUPPORTING ALL SMALL
BUSINESSES, THE EQUITABLE
INITIATIVE. SEATTLE. BUDGETS
SPEAK TO THE VALUES OF OUR CITY
THROUGH PUBLIC INVESTMENT. I
WANT TO SEE ONE THAT TRULY
REFLECTS THE VALUES OF
COMMUNITY CARE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. TWO D7S, RIGHT IN
A ROW. CHLOE, YOU'RE UP NEXT.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
CHLOE AND I'M HERE FROM QUEST
CHURCH. WITHIN COUNCILMAN
STRAUSS'S DISTRICT. I STAND
UNITED WITH THE GREATER SEATTLE
ROUND TABLE. IN THE BOOK OF
JAMES, OUR SCRIPTURES SAY IF A
BROTHER OR SISTER IS NAKED AND
LACKS IN FOOD, AND ONE OF YOU
SAYS GO IN PEACE, KEEP WARM AND
YET YOU DO NOT SUPPLY THEIR
BODILY NEEDS, WHAT GOOD IS
THAT? WHAT GOOD IS IT FOR US,
AS LEADERS OF THIS CITY, TO
LOOK AT THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY,
WHO NEED FOOD, WHO NEED
HOUSING, WHO NEED SOCIAL
SERVICES, AND TO WISH THEM THE
BEST, WHILE USING THE FUNDS TO
ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS TO FUND
POLICING AND SWEEPS THAT HARM
OUR COMMUNITIES. OUR CHURCH,
OVER THE YEARS, HAS SEEN A
CONSTANT STREAM OF PEOPLEEC
SEEING SHELT ARE IN OUR PARKING
LOT AND OUTSIDE OUR DOORS. WE
WILL KEEP FINDING WAYS TO GIVE
CLOTHING AND SLEEPING BAGS,
BECAUSE WE SEE THE NEEDS OF OUR
COMMUNITY. AND WE DO NOT WANT
TO BE PEOPLE WHO SEE THOSE
NEEDS AND DO SOMETHING. BUT
THOSE ARE TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS
TO LONG-TERM NEEDS, LONG-TERM
NEEDS THAT PROGRAMS LIKE
JUMPSTART ARE MEANT FOR. I'M
HERE WITH LETTERS FROM MY
COMMUNITY TO SAY THAT WE NEED
OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO INVEST
IN LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS FOR CARE
FOR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE
NEED OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO
INVEST IN AND PROJECT AND
SUSTAIN RESOURCES. OUR CHURCH
IS DOING OUR BEST TO BE GOOD
NEIGHBORS. AND WE IMPLORE YOU
TO DO THE SAME. I WANT TO SEE A
BUDGET THAT VALUES AND
PRIORITIZES CARE OVER
PUNISHMENT. I DO NOT WANT TO
HEAR MORE STORIES OF MY
NEIGHBORS BEING SWEPT FROM
PLACE TO PLACE, YOU LOSING ALL
THEIR BELONGINGS, AGAIN AND
AGAIN. WE SHOULD BE FULLY
ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SHELTERS
TO KEEP ALL PEOPLE SAFE.
BUDGETS SPEAK TO THE VALUE OF
THE CITY THROUGH PUBLIC
INVESTMENT AND I WANT TO SEE
ONE THAT TRULY REFLECTS OUR
VALUES OF COMMUNITY CARE. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT -- WE'RE
GOING TO MOVE ON. DEE DEE
EVERGREEN. WELCOME, DEE DEE.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS DEE
DEE EVERGREEN. I AM HERE AS
SOUTH SEATTLE FRIENDS MEETING,
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS,
BETTER KNOWN AS QUAKERS. WE
MEET IN THE CENTRAL COMMUNITY
AREA. WE STAND UNITED WITH THE
CHURCH COUNCIL OF GREATER
SEATTLE. GREATER SEATTLE'S
BUDGET ROUND TABLE. AND THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND SEATTLE
HUMAN SERVICES COALITION. SOUTH
SEATTLE FRIENDS MEETING WANTS
TO SEE A BUDGET THAT FULLY
REFLECTS OUR VALUES AND
PRIORITIES. WE ARE SUBMITTING
PACKETS FOR EACH COUNCILMEMBER,
CONTAINING FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP.
>> THANK YOU, DEE DEE.
>> UP NEXT, WE HAVE CELIA
CASSELL. WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
CELIA CASSELL. AND AS YOU CAN
PROBABLY TELL BY THE T-SHIRT,
I'M ALSO FROM SOUTH SEATTLE
FRIENDS MEETING. WE WORSHIP IN
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT AND THIS
IS OUR FRIEND SALLY. I ALSO
LIVE IN COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH DISTRICT. THE
PROPOSED BUDGET CONTINUES TO
PRIORITIZE POLICING, EXPANDING
SURVEILLANCE SWEEPS AND
PUNISHMENT OVER CARE FOR OUR
AT-RISK COMMUNITIES. I
UNDERSTAND THE COUNCIL IS
PLANNING TO ENACT LEGISLATION,
COUNCIL BILL 10912, ENSURING
THAT THE JUMPSTART FUNDS WILL
CONTINUE TO BE DIVERTED FROM
ITS INTENDED PURPOSES. THOSE
PURPOSES WERE TO SUPPORT SMALL
BUSINESSES, THE EQUITABLE. I AM
STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THIS
CHANGE. I DO WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS JESSE.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JESSIE McABEE. I
LIVE IN THE WEDGEWOOD
NEIGHBORHOOD. I HAVE A WHO
GOES TO ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL.
THESE ARE ALL COUNCILMEMBER
DISTRICT 4. I AM UNITED WITH
THE COUNCIL OF GREATER
SEATTLE'S BUDGET ROUND TABLE.
WE BELIEVE THAT BUDGETS ARE
MORAL DOCUMENTS. THE CITY OFTEN
RELIES ON CHURCHES AND OTHER
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS TO
FILL IN THE GAPS AND SOCIAL
SERVICES. OUR CHURCH BUILDING,
ON THE CORNER OF 45th AND 15th
AVENUE NORTHEAST, HOSTS THE
FOLLOWING SERVICES, TEEN FEED,
UNIVERSITY CHURCHES EMERGENCY
FUND, TRENTON EARLY LEARNING
DROP-IN CENTER. YOUTH CENTER,
CHILD LEARNING CENTER. AT THE
POINT CITY, AND INTERAGENCY
HIGH SCHOOL. JUMPSTART HAS
FUNDED TO ADDRESS UNDERLYING
ISSUES IN OUR CITY. SUCH AS
MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
IF THOSE ARE DIVERTED NOW OR IN
THE FUTURE, FUNDING PRIORITIES
WOULD INCLUDE SWEEPS,
SURVEILLANCE AND POLICING.
SOLUTIONS THAT ONLY ADDRESS THE
SYMPTOMS OF THESE PROBLEMS, IN
WAYS THAT ARE DEHUMANIZING TO
THE WAYS THAT ARE IMPACTED. AND
THEREFORE, ALSO DENY US OF OUR
OWN HUMANITY AND CARING.
BUILDING A HUMANE AND LIVABLE
SEATTLE FOR ALL RESIDENTS,
REQUIRES THAT JUMPSTART FUNDS
BE INTENDED FOR THEIR INTENDED
PURPOSES. AS WELL AS FINDING
SUSTAINABLE PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
SOURCES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO
BACK INTO ONLINE VOTING. WE
HAVE B21 THROUGH B30. SO BE
READY IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES. I
DID SAY WE WERE GOING TO TAKE A
STRETCH BREAK. WITH SO MANY
PEOPLE SIGNED UP. WE'RE JUST
GOING TO KEEP PLOWING THROUGH.
I'M STANDING UP. FEEL FREE TO
STAND UP AS WE'RE GOING
THROUGH THIS. WITH WHAT WE'VE
GOT GOING ON NOW. I'M GOING TO
CALL EVERYONE IN ORDER, IN
WHICH THEY ARE ON HERE. SO WE
HAVE JAMIE CARLSON. CAMILLE.
>> JAMIE. STAR 6 TO UNMUTE.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, WE CAN.
>> HELLO? OH, PERFECT. MY NAME
IS JAMIE CARLSON. I'M A LAND
USE PLANNER AT THE DEPARTMENT
OF CONSTRUCTION AND 17 UNION
MEMBERS. I WANT TO COMMENT ON
THE BUDGET REBALANCING
PROPOSAL, IN REGARDS TO THE
PROPOSED LAYOFF. THANK YOU FOR
THE PROPOSAL, DELAYING THE
LAYOFF BY SIX MONTHS. I ALSO
WANT YOU TO CONSIDER HOW THESE
LAYOFFS WILL IMPACT OUR
DEPARTMENT WITH THE TIME LINE
AND SERVICE. [ INAUDIBLE ] SO
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JAMIE. ANYTHING
ELSE THIS EVENING?
>> THAT'S IT.
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR CALLING
IN. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE. LITERALLY, FROM THE
BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I DID ALSO
NOTE THAT I -- WE HAD SOME
MIX-UPS. WE'RE GOING TO CALL
REN WILSON AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW
IF WE HAVE TWO REN WILSONS OR
WHETHER OR NOT IT IS GOING ON
HERE. BUT I HAVE BEEN
INSTRUCTED, I NEED TO CALL REN
WILSON NEXT. REN, WE SEE YOU'RE
HERE. STAR 6 TO UNMUTE. THERE
YOU ARE.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS REN
WILSON. AND I AM THE PUBLIC
MANAGER FOR BAL AROUND [
INAUDIBLE ] THE LIONS
COAUTHORED A LETTER TO YOU
TODAY, ALONG WITH 20 BUSINESS
ORGANIZATIONS LOCATED
THROUGHOUT THE CITY. WE ARE
UNANIMOUS IN OUR EFFORT FOR
STORE FRONT [ INAUDIBLE ] THIS
FUND MEANS A CONTINUATION OF A
PROGRAM THAT HAS ALREADY PROVEN
ITSELF EFFECTIVE. AND IT IS AN
ABSOLUTE CRITICAL LIFELINE FOR
SEATTLE SMALL BUSINESSES WHO
ARE CHALLENGED BY REPEAT
BREAK-INS. THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON FOR LEADING
THIS EFFORT. I'D ALSO LIKE TO
VOICE SUPPORT FOR OPZ001-A-2.
OFFERED BY COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS, THAT WOULD PROVIDE
FUNDING FOR THE SUBBALLARD
PLAN. AS A NEW REGIONAL CENTER.
THIS IS CRITICAL IN ENSURING
THAT IT DOESN'T GRIND TO A
HALT WITH THE UNSSHT, IN TERMS
OF BUILDING HEIGHT, DENSITY.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS AND THANK YOU CITY
COUNCIL FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON
THESE CRITICAL BUDGET ITEMS.
>> THANK YOU, REN. THAT'S WHY
I WAS CONFUSED. THERE'S TWO
REN WILSONS IN THIS WORLD. I
DIDN'T EXPECT THAT. WE'RE
GOING TO MOVE ON TO CAMILLE.
>>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. AS I AM SURE
YOU ARE ALL TOO AWARE, WE ARE
ENTERING A DARK TIME. I AM SURE
THAT YOU, LIKE ME, WERE
DEVASTATED BY LAST WEEK'S
NATIONAL ELECTION RESULTS. I
HOPE IN THIS DARK TIME, SEATTLE
CAN CONTINUE TO BE A SANCTUARY
CITY. BUT THERE ARE TWO MAJOR
BARRIERS TO. THAT LACK OF
HOUSING. THE CITY IS SENDING
$10 MILLION FOR A MASSIVE
CLOUD-BASED NETWORK. IN SO
DOING, YOU HAVE JUST HANDED THE
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND RED
STATES A POWERFUL WEAPON, TO
TERRORIZE OUR COMMUNITIES,
THOSE SEEKING GENDER-AFFIRMING
AND ABORTION CARE IN THE STATE.
AND THOSE EXERCISING FREE
RIGHTS AND PEACEFUL FROM TEST.
WE NEED TO TREAT HOMELESS FOR
WHICH IT IS. WE NEED TO PROVIDE
EVERYONE TO COME INSIDE, AND
CONNECT TO SERVICES THEY NEED.
THIS INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH AND
SOCIAL SERVICES. THOSE ARE NOT
MY WORDS. THOSE ARE STRAUSS'S
WORDS. JUMP START HAS BEEN THE
SINGLE LARGEST FUND FOR HOUSING
IN THE SEATTLE BUDGET.
INCREASING FUNDING FOR
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT. 415
PEOPLE DIED OUTSIDE LAST YEAR.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR CRITICAL
SAFETY AND PUBLIC INVESTMENTS
WE COULD MAKE. I URGE YOU ALL
TO REJECT AMENDMENT B. AND
REJECT TEAM STRAUSS'S COUNCIL
BILL. INSTEAD, I IMPLORE YOU TO
DO WHAT IS FISCALLY AND MORALLY
RESPONSIBLE. ELIMINATE
POSITIONS AND PASS REVENUE.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> UP NEXT.
>> GOOD EVENING, SEATTLE
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
MONICA MATTHEWS. AND I'M
CALLING IN TODAY FIRST AS A
PROUD MEMBER. BUT ALSO AS A
COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO PROVIDES
TO BUSINESS OWNER, WITH
LOCATIONS IN DISTRICTS 2 AND 3.
AND I'M A PROUD VOTER IN
DISTRICT 2. I AM DEEPLY
INVESTED IN THE HEALTH OF THE
BLACK COMMUNITY. I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR THE COMMUNITY TO
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE BUDGET
AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY COUNCIL
HOLLINGSWORTH'S OFFICE. THESE
HOLD A TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT IN
THE BLACK COMMUNITY OF SEATTLE.
A COMMUNITY THAT CONTINUES TO
EXPERIENCE DISPARITIES AND
ACCESS TO RESOURCES
OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT. I
FULLY SUPPORT AND REPRESENT
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR FUNDING
THE FOLLOWING. ARTS AND
CULTURAL PRESERVATION [
INAUDIBLE ] THESE FOCUS ON
COMMUNITY HEALTH, ECONOMICS,
SOCIAL SERVICES AND CULTURAL
ENHANCEMENT NEEDED FOR SOCIAL
HEALING AND SUPPORTING OUR
FAMILIES. TAKEN A TOLL ON THE
BLACK COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY
IN AREAS SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH
AND WELLNESS. IT IS CRITICAL
THAT WE PRIORITIZE FUNDING THAT
WILL ADDRESS THESE DISPARITIES.
WE SUPPORT THE BUDGET
AMENDMENTS ON OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW
THAT THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO
EQUITY, JUSTICE AND INCLUSION.
LET US CULTIVATE WHERE ALL
FAMILIES CAN THRIVE. AND WHERE
THE COMMUNITIES OF THE BLACK
COMMUNITY CAN BE UPLIFTED.
THANK YOU FOR EMPOWERING OUR
COMMUNITY. TOGETHER, WE CAN
MAKE SEATTLE A PLACE WHERE
EVERY FAMILY CAN SUCCEED.
>> WELL SAID. AND THANK YOU FOR
CALLING IN TONIGHT. EDMOND TRUE
LOVE. YOU'RE ALREADY OFF MUTE.
TAKE IT AWAY. THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. MY NAME IS ED TRUE
LOVE. MY WIFE AND I LIVE ON
HARBOR AVENUE. HAVE FOR 25
YEARS. ADDRESS HOUSING, FOOD
INSECURITY AND SAFETY. SAFETY
IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT
AFFECTS US DRAMATICALLY. UNTIL
A FEW YEARS AGO, HARBOR WERE
EXAMPLES OF THE BEAUTY AND
WELCOMING OF OUR COMMUNITY.
NOW, THE NEIGHBORHOOD OVERRUN
AT NIGHT, BY YOUTH GROUPS,
ENGAGING IN HIGH-SPEED RACES
AND SPEEDING IN MODIFIED RACE
CARS. NIGHTLY EXTREME SOUND
ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS, FROM
EXTENSIVE SOUND SYSTEMS. OPEN
USE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.
DISREGARD OF SAFETY AND RIGHTS
OF OTHERS. STREET SAFETY,
ASSAULTS. AND PARKING AND PARK
OCCUPANCY HOURS. OUR PROGRAMS
HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THOSE
WHO ARE HOMELESS, LIVE IN
POVERTY, OR FACE FOOD
INSECURITY. THIS IS A SAFETY
ISSUE. WE SUPPORT BUDGET
PROPOSAL OF MEMBER SAKA,
INCLUDING PARK THROUGH
REASONABLE STREET DESIGN.
ENFORCEMENT, USING
SPEED-ACTIVATED. THESE MEASURES
TARGET THOSE WHO VIOLATE THE
LAW. NOT THE HOMELESS, NOT THE
DISADVANTAGED. SPD HAS DONE AS
MUCH AS IT COULD WITH ITS
RESOURCES. THANK YOU FOR
ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU, ED. UP NEXT, WE
HAVE KIM ENGLAND. THEN SHANE
DOMBROWSKI. STAR 6 TO UNMUTE.
TAKE IT AWAY. WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS,
FOR HEARING MY REMARK. I AM KIM
ENGLAND. AND THE FACULTY OF THE
UW. I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE
SEATTLE DOMESTIC WORKERS
COALITION. I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS FOR THE
AMENDMENT TO REVERSE THE
PROPOSED CUT OF OFFICE OF LAY
DEFENDERS. IN PARTICULAR,
SAVING THREE, FULL-TIME
POSITIONS. AND CONTINUING TO
PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE
BUSINESS OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
FUNDS ALREADY MENTIONED BY US
THIS EVENING. AS WELL AS THE
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND
EDUCATION FUND. SEATTLE IS
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR ITS
DECADES LONG HISTORY OF POLICY
MAKING SUPPORTERS RIGHTS.
SEATTLE IS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS
LEADERSHIP IN FORCING OVER A
DOZEN LABOR ORDINANCES.
INCLUDING THE MINIMUM WAGE
POLICY. AND VERY CLOSE TO MY
HEART, DOMESTIC WORKERS
ORDINANCE. ACROSS THE COUNTRY,
I REPEATEDLY HEAR HOW
SEATTLE'S OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS IS HELD UP AS THE
GOLD STANDARD. THE CITY'S
LABOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. AS WELL
AS THE MODEL FOR COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIP. I AM PROUD, THEY
HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN
SUCCESSFUL PUSH FOR THE
DOMESTIC ORDINANCE. I AM
GRATEFUL FOR THE CONTINUED
REMARKABLE PARTNERSHIP FOR
DOMESTIC WORKERS, COALITION AND
EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT. THE
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND
EDUCATION FUND SUPPORTS THE
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION,
SUPPORTING SEATTLE'S DOMESTIC
WORKERS. AND THUS FUNDING IS
CRITICAL TO THEIR WORK. IN MY
ROLE AS A UW LABORS FACULTY
MEMBER. I ALSO WISH TO POINT
OUT THAT THE HARRY BRIDGES
CENTER FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON HAS BEEN PARTNERING
FOR A FEW YEARS, PROVIDING
HIGH-QUALITY RESEARCH TO THE
CITY. IN ADDITION, AND IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BRIDGET
CENTER. THE OFFICE PROVIDES
VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. AND UP NEXT IS
SHANE DOMBROWSKI. FOLLOWED BY
AARON GOODMAN. AND THEN WE'LL
FOLLOW WITH IN PERSON. WELCOME,
SHANE. YOU'RE OFF MUTE. SHANE,
WE SEE YOU'RE OFF MUTE. START
AT YOUR CONVENIENCE. YOU WENT
BACK ON MUTE. STAR 6 TO UNMUTE.
DID YOU MUTE YOUR TELEPHONE ON
YOUR TELEPHONE? IF YOU PRESSED
YOUR MUTE BUTTON, THEN YOU
GOTTA UNPRESS THAT.
>> HELLO. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW.
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW. TAKE IT
AWAY.
>> APOLOGIES. GOOD EVENING,
COUNCIL. MY NAME IS SHANE
DOMBROWSKI. I LIVE AND WORK IN
DISTRICT 6. JUST WANT TO CALL
IN TODAY TO GIVE MY SUPPORT FOR
CITY BUDGET THAT FUNDS TRANSIT
PROJECTS LINE THE ROUTE 40.
SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY SDOT SHOW
OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THIS.
THERE HAVE BEEN NEARLY 400
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO
ENGAGE IN ON THIS MATTER. IT IS
IMMENSELY POPULAR. WHICH IS WHY
I ASKED COUNCIL TO REJECT SDOT.
THEY ARE UNAFFECTED, AFFORDABLE
AND VANSIT IMPROVEMENTS. OTHERS
ARE NOT REQUIRED TO JUSTIFY
THEIR EXISTENCE. IN MY
EXARE
OFTEN IDLING IN TRAFFIC. YOU
CAN'T AFFORD TO FURTHER DELAY PT
HAVE GOALS TO REDUCE. WE ALSO
HAVE ACES SESSIBILITY
COMMITMENTS TO OUR NEIGHBOR.
TRANSITS AND THE IMPROVEMENT
THAT COMES WITH THIS CAN HELP
DO THIS. ULTIMATELY, IT IS AN
IRRESPONSIBLE PUBLIC USE. THE
TRANSIT REDUCE OF THESE
MISSIONS AND SIMPLY GIVES US
MORE CHOICES TO EFFECTIVELY
MOVE. IT PRESENTS THE CHOICE OF
NOT OWNING. IT ALLOWS MORE
CUSTOMERS TO REACH MORE SMALL
AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. SO LET'S
FUND IT, AND KNOW THAT NOW IS
NOT THE TIME TO FURTHER THEY
AND HINDER CRITICAL POPULAR
IMPROVEMENTS WITH MORE
NEEDLESS, TARGETED AND WASTEFUL
REQUIREMENTS. THAT'S ALL I
HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU AND HAVE
A LOVELY EVENING.
>> GOOD EVENING.
COUNCILMEMBERS. CHAIR STRAUSS.
THIS IS ERIN SOTO. SOTO
REPRESENTS OVER 1200 BUSINESSES
AND MORE THAN 40,000 EMPLOYEES
IN THE SOTO INDUSTRIAL AREA.
AND WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE
PROPOSED BUDGET AND BALANCING
PACKAGE THAT MAKES STRONG
INVESTMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT.
ESSENTIAL HOMELESS SERVICES.
AND RANGE OF PUBLIC SAFETY
MEASURES. WE ARE DUE TO SUPPORT
THIS BALANCING PACKAGE.
INCLUDING SPECIFICALLY,
CONTINUING THE RESTORING OF THE
PROGRAM. THE EXPANSION OF THE
CARE TEAM. AND INCREASE OF
FUNDING TO SUPPORT OUR VIEW
RESIDENTS TO TRANSITION TO
SHELTER AND PERM NENT HOUSING.
HOWEVER, THE FLEXIBILITY TO USE
THE JUMP START PAYROLL TAX FOR
ALL PRIORITIES ON A PERMANENT
BASIS IS ESSENTIAL. THIS YEAR
ALONE, THE CITY'S PAYROLL,
TAWILL BRING IN OVER $100
MILLION. ABOUT $179 MILLION
MORE THAN EXPECTED. WHICH WILL
ALLOW COUNCIL TO RECEIVE THESE
FUNDS, WHILE STILL MAINTAINING
THE ORIGINAL INTENDED
INVESTMENTS. YOU, OUR CITY
COUNCIL, WAS ELECTED ON THE
PROMISE OF IMPROVING
ACCOUNTABILITY, EFFICIENCY AND
TRANSPARENCY. AND ALLOWING
THEIR POLICY CHOICES OF VOTER
PRIORITIES. WHICH HAS
CONSISTENTLY BEEN PUBLIC SAFETY
AND HOMELESSNESS. THIS BALANCED
PACKAGE REFLECTS AS PRIORITIES
AND SHOULD BE PASSED.
>> ERIN. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE
BACK TO IN PERSON. I'M GOING
TO BE CALLING EVERYONE FOR 20
MINUTES. BECAUSE YVONNE WHITE
IS NOT PRESENT.
NOT PRESENT. AND THEN REED
HAMPTON. YOU'LL BE THE NEXT
SET OF ONLINE SPEAKERS. RIGHT
NOW, WE'RE MOVING BACK TO B21
THROUGH B30. LYNN DOMINGO.
THANK YOU FOR BEING READY.
>> GOOD EVENING. COUNCILMEMBERS
AND BUDGET CHAIR. MY NAME IS
LYNN DOMINGO. AND I AM HERE TO
ADVOCATE FOR LICENSING PROGRAM
LILO IS A LEGACY OF ORGANIZING.
I BEGAN THE RELICENSING PROGRAM
IN 1999 AND FINISHED ONCE I
BECAME DISABLED. AND WE
CONTINUE TO WORK ON LOW-INCOME
DRIVERS WHO NEED THEIR
DRIVER'S LICENSE BACK. IT
REALLY IS AN ESSENTIAL PROGRAM.
ALTHOUGH OUR NUMBERS HAVE SHOWN
THAT IT HAS BEEN REDUCED. BUT
THERE'S ALSO MANY MORE
SOLUTIONS THAT WE CAN DO TO
CONTACT THOSE DRIVERS. THE
REASON THESE DRIVERS NEED THEIR
LICENSE BACK IS FOR EMPLOYMENT,
IS FOR HEALTH REASONS. IT'S
FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR FAMILY.
IT'S FOR CHILD CARE.
TRANSPORTATION IS NOT THAT EASY
TODAY. AND WE DO NOT CONDONE
PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND WITH
UNPAID TRAFFIC TICKETS.
HOWEVER, THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE
BECAUSE WE NEEDED JOBS IN
RAINIER VALLEY. AND STARTED OUT
WITH SOUND TRANSIT. NOW, SINCE
URBAN LEAGUE AND THE OTHER
CONSTRUCTION AREAS HAVE TAKEN
UP THE RELICENSING. WE STILL
HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHER
WORKERS FOR PRIORITY HIRE. WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT CLERKS. WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT HOTEL WORKERS.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RESTAURANT
WORKERS. WE ARE GOING TO SEE A
BUNCH OF LAYOFFS. PEOPLE
CHANGING JOBS. AND THEY DO NEED
TO HAVE THEIR LICENSE. JUST
RECENTLY, APPLIED FOR A JOB FOR
THE COUNTY. AND THEY REQUIRED A
DRIVER'S LICENSE. AND OF
COURSE, I DON'T HAVE ONE. BUT
THAT IS ONE OF THE INEQUALITIES
OF NOT HAVING THE DRIVER'S
LICENSE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH
AND PLEASE, REFUND ME. LILO
RELICENSING PROGRAM UNDER THE
REHIRE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AND UP NEXT, WE HAVE RICARDO
ORTEGA. WELCOME, RICARDO.
>> MY NAME IS CARLO ORTEGA AND
I WORK FOR LILO COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION, THAT IS PEOPLE OF
COLOR. SO LILO PARTNERED WITH
THE CITY OF SEATTLE UNDER THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE. AND THE
HIRE PROGRAM. WE CREATE
LICENSING OR FILING PROGRAM TO
ASSIST OUR COMMUNITY, IMPACTED
BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
THAT PROPORTIONATELY AFFECT
LOW-INCOME. OUR SERVICE HELP
CLIENTS TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE
DRIVER'S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED.
IN WHICH CAR THEY HAVE TICKETS.
AND HOW WE CAN DO TO HAVE THE
DRIVER'S LICENSE TOGETHER. WE
ASK REDUCE COLLECTIONS. THE
FINES AND ALSO A PAYMENT PLAN
WITH OUR CLIENTS. AND ALSO
COORDINATE TO REMIND THEM TO DO
THE MONTHLY PAYMENT AND
COMMUNITY SERVICE. THIS TAKES A
LONG TIME. THIS PROVIDES BASED
ON CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR PEOPLE
WHO HAVE BEEN TICKETED BY THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR
DRIVING WITH A DRIVER'S
LICENSE SUSPENDED IN THE THIRD
DEGREE. THE IDEA IS TO FILE
AGAINST INDIVIDUALS THAT
HISTORICALLY IN THE CRIMINAL
SYSTEM AS ASIANS, BLACK,
LATINO, NATIVE AMERICANS AND
ALASKAN NATIVES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, RICARDO.
>> UP NEXT IS BENNETT
HUSSLEMAN. FOLLOWED BY FREES. I
CAN'T READ THIS HANDWRITING.
BUT IT'S B25. BENNETT, GOOD
MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. WELCOME TO YOU
HAVE TOO MUCH FAITH. DO YOU
REMEMBER WHAT I TOLD YOU GUYS
ABOUT THE TIME, I WAS ARRESTED
ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THERE WAS A
RIOT OUTSIDE THE POLICE
STATION. NOW, I WAS NOT THERE
ONCE AGAIN. SWEAR TO GOD. I WAS
BUYING PIZZA A MILE AWAY WHEN
IT HAPPENED. AND TURNED OUT,
THEY HAD A LIST OF US WHO WERE
VOLUNTARY SAFETY DRIVERS IN THE
COMPLETELY ILLEGAL STREET
MARCHES DURING THE DAY. CAN
THEY JUST PUT OUT PROBABLE
CAUSE STATEMENTS FOR ALL OF US
WHO WERE DRIVERS. AND TURNED
OUT, WE CALLED THEM BECAUSE
THEY COPIED AND PASTED THAT
STATEMENT FROM SOMEBODY ELSE'S
PROBABLE CAUSE TO MINE, AND
THEY FORGOT TO CHANGE THE NAME
FROM JANG TO HAZELTON. WHICH
MEANS, OFFICIALLY, I SPENT TWO
DAYS IN JAIL FOR A RIOT I HAD
NOTHING TO DO WITH BECAUSE ST.
SPD SAID MISTOOK ME FOR AN
ASIAN WOMAN. VIDEO FROM A
NEARBY TRAFFIC STOP ALSO SHOWED
A VEHICLE RESEMBLING COMPLAINT.
EAST MADISON STREET. AT ABOUT
1856 HOURS. ACCORDING TO THE
GPS, THE COMPLAINANT WOULD HAVE
HAD TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE
FIERTD ORDERED. SO THEIR
OFFICIAL EXCUSE IS CRIMINAL
MASTERMIND BENNETT COULD HAVE
SET THE FIRE AT THE DUMPSTER
AND HIGH-TAILED IT TO BUY A
PIZZA, ESTABLISHING MYSELF AN
ALIBI. HANG ON A SECOND. WANT
THE MIKE TO PICK THIS UP. [
LAUGHTER ]
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
>> CAN YOU USE THE MICROPHONE,
THOUGH?
>> YES. MY NAME IT MELISSA
FREEZE. AND I AM CURRENTLY AT
WHEEL. I AM SOMEONE THAT HAS
USED MARY'S PLACE FOR THE PAST
YEAR, DAILY TO SHOWER, CHANGE
CLOTHES, DO LAUNDRY, ACCEPT
MAIL. WITHOUT IT, I FEEL IT
WOULD BE A GREAT LOSS TO THE
CITY. AS YOU KNOW, THEY ARE
CLOSING IN MARCH. I HOPE THAT
YOUR BUDGET PLAN FITS IN
SOMETHING WITH THAT. I SUPPORT
FULLY TENANT SERVICES. WITHOUT
THAT, MORE WOMEN LIKE MYSELF
WILL BE HOMELESS. THERE SHOULD
BE NO NET LOSS OF SHELTER BEDS
OR DAY CENTER SPACE. PLEASE ADD
MONEY IN PLACE FOR SHELTERS FOR
MEN AND WOMEN. AND PLEASE, STOP
SWEEPS, ADD SERVICES. ALSO,
JUMPSTART TAX MONEY SHOULD BE
USED FOR AFFORDABLE, WE
DESPERATELY NEED IT. WE WANT TO
STOP HOMELESSNESS, GET THESE
PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND MAKE
THE CITY BEAUTIFUL AGAIN. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. HAVE A GOOD
NIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, MELISSA.
>>> JAZZ HANDS ALL AROUND.
HELLO. I'M SORRY. I COULDN'T
READ YOUR NAME.
>> YEAH. MY NAME IS -- OR --
GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS FATRINA HUSSEIN.
I'M A JUNIOR AT HIGH SCHOOL IN
DISTRICT 2. I'M ON THE
EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR SEATTLE
UNION. WE ARE DEMANDING FOR
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT THE AREA. MENTAL
HEALTH RESOURCES HAS BEEN
EVIDENT FOR STUDENTS. WHICH IS
WHY WE NEED FUNDING TO
IMPLEMENT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS. WHILE
WORKING WITH THE STUDENTS IN
COMMUNITY-BUILDING CIRCLES, AND
TOWARDS WELLNESS ROOMS AT OUR
SCHOOLS, WE FOUND THAT STUDENTS
REALLY DO FEED THESE RESOURCES
IMPLEMENTED IN SCHOOLS. WHEN
THE 2020 LOCKDOWN OCCURRED,
STUDENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH
NEEDS FOR THERAPY OR
COUNSELING, ALL MOVED TO
ONLINE. AND IT CAUSED SOME OF
THOSE STUDENTS TO MOVE AWAY
FROM USING SOME OF THESE
RESOURCES. AND NOW IT HAS
STAYED THE SAME. STUDENTS
STOPPED USING THESE ONLINE
RESOURCES. EVER SINCE SCHOOLS
IN THE SOUTH SEATTLE AREA HAS
LOST MORE AND MORE FUNDING. TO
THE POINT, WHERE WE ONLY HAVE
ONLINE COUNSELING SERVICES
NTERMS OF MENTAL HEALTH FOR
STUDENTS. EVER SINCE THE 2020
INGRAM SCHOOL SHOOTING
HAPPENED, STUDENTS MADE THE
DECISION TO START TAKING THEIR
NEEDS INTO THEIR OWN HAND. LAST
YEAR, WE WON 20 MILLION, BUT
THIS YEAR HAS BEEN CUT BY
COUNCIL. AND WE HAD TO WORK
TOWARDS FIGHTING FOR MENTAL
HEALTH RESOURCES, WITHOUT
HAVING ACCESS TO THE MANY
MILLION. THIS YEAR, WE STAND
HERE, DEMANDING THAT 20, AND
STUDENTS ENACTING THE CHANGE WE
NEED TO SEE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
THANKS .
>>> HELLO. I AM A DISTRICT 4
RESIDENT AND STUDENT DISTRICT
5. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE
SEATTLE STUDENT UNION. AND
LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL. I'M HERE
TO ASK YOU ALL TO FULLY
FUNDAMENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
AND SO YOUTH HAVE A SAY TO
WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING. IF
YOU ALL SPEND TIME IN YOUR
SCHOOLS, YOU'LL SEE WHY
STUDENTS ARE ASKING FOR THIS
MONEY. YOU'LL SEE STUDENTS
CRYING IN THE HALLWAYS AND
BEING SCARED DURING AND AFTER
THEIR CLASSES. YOU ALL HAVE THE
ABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO
CHANGE ALL OF THIS. BY FULLY
FUNDING OUR MENTAL HEALTH
RESOURCES AT OUR SCHOOLS. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> UP NEXT IS KATHERINE,
FOLLOWED BY HOWARD ANDERSON.
>> MY NAME IS KATHERINE. I AM A
STUDENT AT U-DUB. AND I
ORGANIZE WITH THE SEATTLE
UNION. AS YOUNG PEOPLE, WE ARE
GROWING UP ON CLIMATE CRISIS.
THE RISE OF RIFTIO FASCISM.
STUDENTS EXPERIENCE GUN
VIOLENCE. LAST YEAR, SEATTLE'S
UNION WORKED TO PASS $20,000.
THIS CITY HAS ALREADY SEEN
MULTIPLE CUTS ALREADY. AND IT
IS UNCLEAR WHETHER IT WILL BE
IN DEMAND. AS CURRENTLY
PROPOSED, THIS INCLUDES $19.25
MILLION. SET TO BE CUT TO $16
MILLION NEXT YEAR. I HAVE HERE,
60 LETTERS, SIGNED BY STUDENTS
AT LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL. CALLING
FOR JUMP START MONEY TO BE USED
ACCORDING TO ITS INTENDED
PURPOSES. THESE LETTERS CALL
FOR CARE OVER PUNISHMENT.
THROUGH FULLY FUNDING MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES, AND VIOLENCE
PREVENTIVE FOR EXPANDING,
SURVEILLANCE AND OVERPOLICING
OUR COMMUNITIES. YOUNG PEOPLE
ARE CONTINUALLY SHOWING UP TO
PLEAD WITH THE CITY TO RESPOND
TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. ONLY
TO BE DISREGARDED, TO SEE
PROMISES GONE BACK ON. STANDS
IN COLLECTIVE POWER PROPOSED
BUDGET TO SEE IF IT CAN EXPAND.
STUDENTS KNOW WITH -- I'M
SORRY. IT'S WITH URGENCY THAT
I ASK YOU TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS
WITH YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT
SYMBOLIC, BUT ARE VESTED WITH
REAL GUIDANCE THAT CAN RESTORE
HEALTH AND SAFETY TO SEATTLE
SCHOOLS. THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT IS HOWARD ANDERSON.
>> REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> I'M WITH THE TRANSIT
ALLIANCE. AND IT'S A GROUP OF
PEOPLE THAT ARE ALONG THE
CORRIDOR. AND THEN THE SOUTHERN
PART OF OUR STREET GRID. SMALL
BUSINESSES ENTERTAINMENT
CENTERS. IT'S RESTAURANTS.
IT'S THE PIKE PLACE MARKET.
AND ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN
DOWN THERE. THOSE ARE THE
ELEMENTS THAT ARE IN OUR
ASSOCIATION. WE ARE HERE
TONIGHT TO ASK THAT THE BUDGET
NOT INCLUDE ANY FUNDING FOR THE
FIRST AVENUE STREET. IT IS NOT
A SOLUTION FOR ANY OF OUR MAJOR
TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND SHOULD
BE TERMINATED.
>> THE DELIVERY ASSESSMENT,
WHICH YOU ALL HAVE, WHICH WILL
BE OUT IN OCTOBER, WILL
DOCUMENT AND GIVE YOU GOOD
CAUSE WHY THIS PROJECT SHOULD
NOT MOVE FORWARD. OR BE FUNDED.
450 MILLION TO START WITH. THE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS WOULD BE
DETRIMENTAL AND OVERWHELMING,
IF THIS PROJECT WERE TO MOVE
FORWARD. TRAFFIC, ALONG FIRST
AVENUE DEAD END. [ INAUDIBLE ]
>> THE STREET PARKING WOULD
IMPACT THE BUSINESS AND ACCESS
TO PIKE PLACE PARK IS THE KEY
ELEMENT OF THIS WHOLE AREA.
>> REDUCE IT DOWN TO THREE
LANES FOR THE STREET CAR. AND
TWO ONE-LANE ALLEYWAYS FOR THE
WHOLE LENGTH OF FIRST AVENUE.
WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO PUT
TRANSIT BACK ON FIRST AVENUE.
AND THE OPERATION DURING
CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF
THIS WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO
DOWNTOWN.
>> THANK YOU, HOWARD.
>> GOOD EVENING, CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS TAN.
AND I WORK AT THE LOW-INCOME
HOUSING INSTITUTE. FIRST, I'D
LIKE TO THANK THE CITY FOR
FUNDING FOR VILLAGES. YOU HAVE
LISTENED TO THE VOICE OF OUR
CLIENT, WHO CAME TO TESTIFY AND
SHARED HOW TINY HOUSES HAVE
CHANGED THEIR LIVES FOR THE
BETTER. WE KNOW THIS PROGRAM
WORKS WELL TO LET PEOPLE KNOW,
FIND SAFETY, STABILITY AND
EVENTUALLY LONG-TERM HOUSING.
THE CITY DESPERATELY NEEDS TO
EXPAND SHELTER AND YOU TOOK A
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I
WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REQUEST THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL RETAIN THE
SPENDING PLAN FOR THE JUMPSTART
PAYROLL TAX. MANY COMMUNITY
STAKEHOLDERS CAME TOGETHER TO
ESTABLISH JUMPSTART AND FORM AN
OVERNIGHT BODY TO ENSURE THE
FUNDS ARE SPENT ON AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND BRING NEW DEAL
PRIORITIES. WE ASKED THAT THE
COUNCIL NOT -- TO MAKE ANY --
WE ASKED THE COUNCIL NOT TO
MAKE ANY PERMANENT CHANGES TO
THE SPENDING PLAN THIS YEAR.
WITHOUT A MORE ROBUST COMMUNITY
DISCUSSION. THE COMMUNITY
PLACED TRUST IN THE CITY
COUNCIL TO SAFEGUARD THE
JUMPSTART SPENDING PLAN. TO
COMPROMISE IT JEOPARDIZES THAT
TRUST. PLEASE SUPPORT
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE OPTIONS,
SUCH AS CAPITAL GAINS.
>> UP NEXT IS AMANDA.
>> MY LAST NAME IS BENSON.
>> GOOD EVENING, CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS. LIKE I SAID, MY
NAME IS AMANDA BENSON. I ALSO
WORK FOR THE LOW HOUSING
INSTITUTE. I WANT TO START BY
SAYING, WE APPRECIATE THE CITY
COUNCIL FUNDING FOR TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES. THANK YOU FOR TAKING
STEPS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS CAN
GET A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.
TINY HOUSES ARE THE FASTEST AND
MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO GET
PEOPLE INSIDE AND OUT OF COLD,
WET TENTS. MORE THAN 50% OF
VILLAGERS WHO MOVE ON FROM THE
PROGRAM, SECURE PERMANENT
HOUSING AND ONLY 2% RETURN TO
HOMELESSNESS. I'M ALSO HERE TO
TESTIFY OF A NEW WINTER SHELTER
PROPOSED BY COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE. AS THE WINTER MONTHS ARE
APPROACHING, WE DESPERATELY SEE
THAT WE NEED MORE SHELTER
CAPACITY. LAST YEAR, 415 PEOPLE
WHO WERE HOMELESS DIED. MANY OF
THEM FROM EXPOSURE TO THE
ELEMENTS. PLEASE LEAVE THE
JUMP-START SPENDING PLAN FOR
AFFORD SABLE HOUSING. DO NOT
ELIMINATE THE OVERSIGHT BODY.
WE SUPPORT THE CAPITAL GAINS
PROPOSAL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, AMANDA.
>>> WE ARE NOW GOING TO SWITCH
BACK TO ONLINE PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE ONLY HAVE 11 PEOPLE PRESENT
ONLINE RIGHT NOW. SO WHAT I'M
GOING TO DO IS CALL ON THE NEXT
11 ONLINE PEOPLE. AND THEN AT
THE END, WE'LL COME BACK, AND
WE'LL GIVE A LITTLE BIT MORE
WARNING TO FOLKS THAT THEY CAN
CALL IN, IF THEY ARE NOT
PRESENT ONLINE. RIGHT NOW. AT
THAT POINT, WE WILL COME BACK
TO A31 THROUGH A40. AND WE'LL
JUST TICK THROUGH THE IN-PERSON
SPEAKERS. AND THEN COME BACK TO
THE ONLINE SPEAKERS AT THE VERY
END. THAT'S THE GAME PLAN.
DON'T FORGET TO STRETCH. WE'RE
GOING TO ROCK AND ROLL. EBONY,
YOU'RE HERE. STAR 6 TO UNMUTE.
YOU'RE OFF MUTE. WELCOME.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. THANK YOU
SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME. AND
THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL, FOR
BEING HERE TONIGHT, AS WE GET
THROUGH THIS PUBLIC COMMENT. MY
NAME IS EBONY ARUNGA. AND I AM
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
LANGSTON. NONPROFIT CENTERED ON
PROGRAMMING THAT CULTIVATES
BLACK BRILLIANCE AND SUSTAIN
ACT IN THE HISTORIC HENT
HISTORIC ARTS T. I'M ALSO A
LONG-TIME COMMUNITY MEMBER AND
CUSTODIAN OF THE DISTRICT OF
SEATTLE. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2
AND WORK IN DISTRICT 3. I'M
HERE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT,
SPONSORED BY COUNCILMEMBER JOY
HOLLINGSWORTH. AND WITH CLOSE
SPONSORSHIP BY COUNCILMEMBERS,
MORALES AND WOO. HOUSING AND
HOMEOWNERSHIP. EDUCATION AND
THE ARTS. HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND SMALL
BUSINESS. WORK FORCE TRADES AND
DEVELOPMENTS. THESE AMENDMENTS
ARE VITAL FOR THE ECONOMIC
SUSTAINABILITY, COMMUNITY
SAFETY, AND GENERATIONAL WEALTH
OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS . I'D
LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL PRESIDENT
SARA NELSON, DAN STRAUSS FOR
HIS WORK THIS LEGISLATIVE
SESSION. AND COUNCILMEMBERS ROB
SAKA, TAMMY MORALES, RIVERA.
FOR MEETING SO MANY ON THESE
ISSUES. TO PROTECT JUMP START
FUNDING. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT
AFFORDABILITY. IT'S ABOUT
HEALTH, SAFETY AND RESILIENCE.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING REDUCES
VIOLENCE, IMPROVEMENTS TO
MENTAL HEALTH, AND PHYSICAL
HEALTH. SUPPORTS EDUCATION AND
EMPLOYMENT. AND ENHANCES FOOD
INSECURITY.
>> THANK YOU, EBONY. AND THANK
YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR
CITY. UP NEXT IS YVETTE. STAR 6
TO UNMUTE. WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU.
YVETTE DINESH. AND I'M
SPEAKING IN SUPPORTING
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH. IN
PARTICULAR, ADVOCATING FOR
BLACK OR AT RISK. SPECIFICALLY
THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS.
GIVING GIFTS OF HOPE. SEED TO
FORKS. MISSIONARY RESTORE
OUTREACH. YULES VIOLENCE
PREVENTION. AND MY CLUB, THE
COLORED GIRLS GARDEN CLUB. ALL
OF THESE ARE WILLINGLY
COLLABORATIVE. AND THEY'RE
DOING GREAT WORK. FUNDING WILL
BE PUBLIC DOLLARS, VERY WELL
SPENT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE
COMMUNITY AT LARGE, FOR YOUR
PARTICIPATION IN THIS BUDGET
PROCESS. AND ON A DIFFERENT
NOTE. I WANT TO THANK YOU, CITY
COUNCIL, FOR LISTENING TO
RESTRICTIONS FOR LOW-LEVEL
OFFENSES. AND HOPEFULLY THAT AT
ADS TO MORE, WHICH IS OPEN AIR
DRUG USE, DEFINITELY A PUBLIC
NUISANCE. AND LASTLY, I PLEDGE
ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO
THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT
STANDS, ONE NATION,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL. AND THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'RE
GOING TO GO TO TERRY ANDERSON
NEXT, THEN MICHAEL MOLINI.
TERRY, YOU'RE HERE -- YOU'RE
OFF MUTE. TAKE IT AWAY.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS
TERI ANDERSON. AND I'M THE
INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
THE TENANTS UNION OF WASHINGTON
STATE. AND I'M SPEAKING TODAY
TO URGE YOU TO RESTORE AND
INCREASE FUNDS FOR TENANT
SERVICES. AND NOT CUT THESE
CRUCIAL SERVICES TO KEEP
RENTERS IN THEIR HOMES AND TO
PREVENT HOMELESSNESS. THE
TENANTS' UNION OF WASHINGTON
STATE, RECEIVES FUNDS FROM THE
CITY OF SEATTLE. TO OPERATE A
HOTLINE. AND TO CONDUCT IN
PERSON AND VIRTUAL RIGHTS
WORKSHOP. WE OFFER THESE IN THE
LANGUAGES TENANTS SPEAK AND
COMPREHEND. WE HAVE SPANISH
SPEAKERS ON STAFF. TENANT
SERVICES KEEP RENTERS HOUSED
AND PREVENTS HOMELESSNESS FOR
THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES
IN SEATTLE. WE HELP RENTERS WHO
ARE AT RISK FOR DISPLACEMENT.
AND HAVE SUBSTANDARD HOUSING.
AND LIVE IN FEAR OF
COMMUNICATING WITH THEIR
LANDLORDS. RENTERS ARE
DISPROPORTIONATELY BECAUSE OF
HISTORIC RACES, HOUSING
POLICIES AND PRACTICES, THAT
HAVE CAUSED A DIVIDE IN
POLICIES AND HOMEOWNERSHIP AND
RACE. MAKES THE SITUATION
WORSE, AND MANY LOW-INCOME
TENANTS ARE FORCED TO LEAVE
SEATTLE, WHERE THEY BECOME
FAMILIES. RETALIATION AGAINST
THOSE WHO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS
ARE PROHIBITED BY LAW. BUT
TENANTS REFER IT. NOT IN FORCE
BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
REPAIRS ARE NOT MADE. WITHOUT
THE SERVICES OF THE TENANTS
UNION, TENANTS WHO ARE UNAWARE
OF THE LAWS AND RIGHTS WOULD
MOVE, EVEN WHEN THEY HAVE
NOWHERE TO GO. PLEASE CONTINUE
TO SUPPORT TENANT SERVICES AT
AND ABOVE THE 2024 BUDGET
LEVEL.
>> AND UP
PEOPLE COME ONLINE. SO WE WILL
STOP AND THEN COME BACK IN
PERSON. STAR 6 TO UNMUTE.
MICHAEL MOLINI. STAR 6 TO
UNMUTES. LET'S MOVE ON TO
SHEILA MEAD. YOU CAN LEAVE
MICHAEL UP THERE. YEP. JUST
LEAVE MICHAEL UP. SHEILA MEAD,
YOU'RE UP. STAR 6 TO UNMUTE.
THERE YOU ARE. YOU ARE WITH US,
SHEILA MEAD.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS SHEILA
MEAD, AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE
HARBOR NEIGHBORHOOD
NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP. I AM
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA'S BUDGET
PROPOSAL, REGARDING THE CAMERAS
FOR SPEEDING ON ALKI AND
HARBOR. SINCE I LIVE ON HARBOR
AVENUE BY THE 7-ELEVEN, AND
CLOSER TO THE WEST SEATTLE
BRIDGE, I HAVE A DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVE FROM THOSE LIVING
BY DONNER MEDIAN OAK LAUNCH.
7-ELEVEN HAS THEIR SHARE. WILD
GET-TOGETHERS. BUT I LIVE AT
THE BEST PLACE TO REV YOU'RE
ENGINE, BE IT A CAR OR
MOTORCYCLE, TO GET YOUR SPEED
UP, TO RACE UP AND DOWN THE
STREET AS IT IS FLAT AND
STRAIGHT. TWO YEARS AGO, I KEPT
A TALLY OF 90 CARS AND OR
MOTORCYCLES SPEEDING. I HAD TO
STOP CALLING POLICE, AS I
REALIZED, THEY COULD DO NOTHING
AS THEY WERE UNDERSTAFFED. I
TOLD THE STORY BEFORE OF
SLOWING DOWN AT A CROSSWALK,
ONLY TO HAVE A TRUCK BEHIND ME,
GO AROUND WITH A WOMAN PUSHING
A STROLLER IN THE WALKWAY.
LET'S HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR
THOSE WHO CONTINUALLY FLAUNT
THE LAW, WITH THE USE OF THE
SPEED AND NOISE-ACTIVATED
CAMERAS. CITATION IS BASED ON
LICENSE PLATE AND CAR
DESCRIPTIONS. PLEASE SUPPORT
COUNCILMAN SAKA'S BUDGET, TO
MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFER AND
DECREASE NOISE POLLUTION. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SHEILA. MICHAEL
MOLINI. ARE YOU HERE? STAR 6 TO
UNMUTE. THERE YOU ARE.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, WE CAN.
>> SORRY. DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL MOLINI. I'M
A RENTER IN DISTRICT 3. AND
CALLING ON THE COUNCIL TO
PRESERVE THE JUMP START FUNDING
FOR THEIR INTENDED USE. WE NEED
TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
SERVICES TO GET AT THE ROOT OF
ISSUES, PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES,
SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE CALLED
ABOUT. THESE FUNDS FOR THEIR
INTENDED USE, AND PURSUE A
CAPITAL GAINS TAX INSTEAD.
>> THANK YOU, MICHAEL. UP NEXT
IS DAVID SCOTT. STAR 6 YOU'RE
OFF MUTE. TAKE IT AWAY, DAVID
SCOTT.
>> THANK YOU. YEAH. I'M DAVID
SCOTT. RESIDENT AND HOMEOWNER
DISTRICT 3. WE'VE HEARD SO
MUCH TODAY ABOUT THE VITAL
IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING
FUNDING FOR CRITICAL HOUSING
AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. AND TO
BALANCE THE BUDGET, WE MUST
TAKE THE LEAD WITH NEW
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE SERVICES,
LIKE COUNCILMEMBER MOORE'S
PROPOSAL. INSTEAD OF JUMP START
FUNDS. BUT RIGHT NOW, I'M HERE
WITH DOWNTOWN SEATTLE SUBWAY.
WE STRONGLY OPPOSE TO
PERMANENTLY SHUTTER AND CANCEL
THE CITY CONNECTOR/CULTURE
PROJECT. WHILE THE STREET CAR
HAS STRUGGLED WITH RIDERSHIP
SINCE ITS INCEPTION. THIS IS
BECAUSE THE LINE IS TOO SHORT.
AND NOT BECAUSE IT IS A STREET
CAR. THE SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION
PLAN RECOGNIZES THIS. AS THE
COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE
TRANSPORTATION PLAN CALLS ON US
TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL. BY NOT
ONLY CONNECTING THE TWO STREET
LINE. BUT ALSO BY FURTHER
EXPANDING THE STREET CAR SYSTEM
TO SERVE THE STADIUMS. THESE
LATE-BREAKING PROPOSAL, WOULD
GRAVELY UNDERMINE THE
TRANSPORTATION PLAN, WOULD
LEAVE THE FIRST HILL STREET CAR
ABANDONED WITH NO FUTURE.
HAVING NEVER APPROACHED ITS
FULL POTENTIAL. AND WOULD ALSO
LEAVE ITS DAILY RIDERS OUT TO
DRY. INSTEAD, WE MUST INVEST IN
AN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS
FUTURE. A CONNECTED, EXPANDED
AND IMPROVED, STREET CAR
SYSTEM. TOGETHER, WITH MORE AND
MORE RELIABLE SERVICE, WOULD
COMPLIMENT NS. WITHOUT THE SOUT
LINE AND ITS STORAGE
MAINTENANCE FACILITY. NONE OF
THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS REED
HAMPTON. FOLLOWED BY MADISON
CUST. REED, WELCOME.
>> AWESOME. THANKS SO MUCH.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS REED HAMPTON. I'M A
RESIDENT OF 6. I WOULD LIKE TO
PROVIDE CONTENT. SPONSORED BY
CM NELSON. AND COSPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. IMPACT OF
ON GENERAL. NOT PER CAPITA
TRAVEL TIME. AND ENVIRONMENTAL
AND ECONOMIC IMPACT. THIS
PROJECT ARE IMMENSELY POPULAR.
AND SUPPORTED BY OVER A DOZEN
SMALL BUSINESSES AND
NONPROFITS. AND NOT HUNDREDS
BUT THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY
MEMBERS WHO HAVE RIDDEN THE
CITY IN SUPPORT OF THIS
CONTRACT. NOT TO MENTION THE
OVER 184 DAILY RIDERS. I URGE
THIS COUNCIL TO REJECT THIS
SLI. THIS IS OPPOSITE. THESE
REPORTS TAKE TIME. AND ADD
ADDITIONAL EXPENSE AN
ALREADY OVERSTRESSED BUDGET
JUST TO RELITIGATE. HOW DO WE
KNOW THEY WORK? LOOK AT PRIOR
SDOT PROJECTS, SUCH AS THE
ELINE. WHICH EXPERIENCED A 15%
RIDERSHIP PROJECT. THE ROUTE 40
IS A LOW-EMISSION ELECTRIC
TROLLEY BUS. WILL EMIT ON
AVERAGE OF 4 POUNDS OF CO2.
THAT MEANS EACH ADDITIONAL
RIDER COULD RESULT IN OVER AN
HOUR OF ADDITIONAL IDLING AND
STILL BE NET NEUTRAL. AND THAT
IGNORES THE EXISTENCE OF
ELECTRIC CARS, BY THE WAY. FOR
A ROUTE WITH POST PANDEMIC
RIDERSHIP RATE. OR 2 AND 3/4th
RIDERSHIP. JUST A WASTE OF
VALUABLE FUND. THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. AND I HOPE
YOU HAVE A GOOD EVENING. PLEASE
REJECT [ INAUDIBLE ]
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS
MADISON. FOLLOWED BY JESSE.
MADISON. WELCOME.
>> HI. GOOD EVENING. ECHOING
MANY OF MY FELLOW SEATTLE
RESIDENTS WHO HAVE CALLED IN
TONIGHT. THANKS -- AND SHOWED
UP IN PERSON. THANKS,
EVERYBODY. I WOULD LIKE TO URGE
THE CITY COUNCIL TO INCREASE
SPENDING, DEDICATED TO THE
PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. PLEASE PROTECT THE
JUMPSTART FUNDING FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHICH
BENEFITS RESIDENTS AT ALL
INCOME LEVELS IN SEATTLE. CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS, YOUR
CONSTITUENTS ARE BEING VERY
CLEAR, WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING IN SEATTLE. YES, THE
CURRENTLY PROPOSED FUNDING FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IN
2025-2025, PALES IN COMPARISON.
AS SO MANY SPEAKERS HAVE
COMMENTED, LACK OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING IS A ROOT OF MANY
CONCERNS. SIETLEITES ARE
SPEAKING. PLEASE SEE BEST,
PROACTIVE PROVEN STRATEGY TO
COMBAT HOMELESSNESS. IMPROVE
PUBLIC SAFETY. AND REVITALIZE
SEATTLE FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS JESSE
SIMPSON.
>> HI. THANKS FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TONIGHT. I'M JESSE
SIMPSON. WE KNOW THAT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS THE
THRIVING. DESPITE THE RECENT
PROGRESS. THE NEED FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSE HAS NEVER BEEN
GREATER AS YOU HEARD FROM SO
MANY OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS. I
URGE YOU TO DOUBLE DOWN. AND
THIS ROBUST ALLOCATIONS FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. JUMPSTART
HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN SCALING
UP INVESTMENTS FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. JUMP STARTS HAVE MADE
IT POSSIBLE. INCREASES IN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVERALL. WE
CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED BY THE
PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE. BELIEVE
THAT ANY CUTS TO THE GENERAL
FUND NEEDS TO BE TEMPORARY.
PAIRED WITH THE COMMITMENT TO
NEW PROGRESSIVE REVENUE, TO
CLOSE OUR CITY'S STRUCTURAL
DEFICIT, WHICH IS ONLY SET TO
GROW IN THE YEARS BEYOND THE
PLANNING. ALSO BELIEVE THAT ANY
PERMANENT CHANGES TO JUMPSTART
SPENDING PLAN, SEEKS A MORE
ROBUST PROCESS. WE KNOW THAT
THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. BUT SO IS THE CAPACITY
OF OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
SECTOR. PIPELINE OF THOUSANDS
OF AFFORDABLE HOMES. THIS FALL
ALONE. OCCUPANCY RECEIVED OVER
$360 MILLION. AND REQUESTS TO
BUILD OVER 2400 AFFORDABLE
HOMES. AS AVAILABLE TO
ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF
NEW HOUSING. OUR MEMBERS CAN
SCALE UP. BUT ADDITIONAL
FUNDING CRUCIAL. THANKS FOR
YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT
TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE
OPPORTUNITY ON YOUR PROPOSED
BUDGET.
>> THANK YOU, JESSE. UP NEXT IS
ANGELES. YOU'RE OFF MUTE.
WELCOME TO IT.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS AN
GELES McNALLY. I'M SPEAKING
TODAY OF ADVOCATING. KEY PART
TO ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT. SERVES
ACCESS NEEDS. I KNOW THAT FOLKS
WHO PASS UP ON A ROUTE BECAUSE
OF THE MOVEMENT THAT IT
PROVIDES. BEYOND PROVIDING
TRANSPORTATION. IT ALSO
PROVIDES ECONOMIC VITALITY, BY
CONNECTING FOLKS TO A VIBRANT
WALK DISTRICT. WITH NEW
INFORMEES AND AMAZON EMPLOYEES
RETURNING TO THE OFFICES IN
JANUARY. TERRIFIC WILL ONLY
INCREASE IN THE AREA. STREET
CAR OVERLOOKED ITS CENTRAL ROLE
AND A LONG-TERM VISION FROM
MULTIVISUAL. WHEN I THINK OF
THE SEATTLE OF MY DREAMS. AND
MY VISION HAS NEVER INCLUDED
SITTING ON BUSES IN TRAFFIC. I
URGED THE CITY COUNCIL TO
EVALUATE AND OTHER MODES OF
TRANSIT, AS PART OF OUR
LONG-TERM VISION, RATHER THAN
SACRIFICING FOR SHORT-TERM
GAINS. THE STREET CAR ISN'T
EVEN OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE. BUT I
WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE AM WHYS
FOR SPEED CAMERAS. ALSO AGAINST
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA'S PROPOSAL
TO MOVE THE ROAD BARRIER. COSTS
ALMOST HALF. AND MAKES THE
STREETS MORE DANGEROUS FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO
MOVE BACK TO IN-PERSON
SPEAKERS. WE HAVE FIVE REMOTE
SPEAKERS PRESENT LEFT. SO I'M
GOING TO DO 10 IN PERSON, DO
THOSE LAST FIVE ONLINE. AND
THEN WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO
HERE. RAISE OF HANDS. HOW MANY
PEOPLE PARKED IN C PARK? LET'S
TRY TO ROCK AND ROLL THIS.
WE'VE GOT AN HOUR AND 15
MINUTES. AND WE HAVE 60 IN
PERSON SPEAKERS SIGNED UP. A31
THROUGH 40.
>> JAMES POTS.
>> MY NAME IS JOEY LOPEZ. I'M
ONE OF THE COEXECUTIVES OF THE
CHURCH IN SEATTLE. WHEN YOU'RE
A BOSS, YOU'RE NOT IN THE SAME
BLOCK LEFT. I LIVE IN DISTRICT
3. COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGS
WORTH. COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE .
FOR MANY OF THESE YEARS, WE
ACTED AS DIRECT SERVICE
PROVIDER. WOULD STILL BE ON THE
CHOPPING BLOCK. WITH EACH
SUCCESSIVE COMMENT FOR THE
SUCCESSIVE BUDGET, WE HAVE HAD
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE OF FAITH.
JOIN US IN PROCLAIMING THE
MESSAGE. BUDGETS ARE A MORAL
DOCUMENT. AND SPEAK TO THE
VALUES OF OUR CITY THROUGH
PUBLIC INVESTMENT. TONIGHT, WE
HAVE HEARD FROM THE FAITH
COMMUNITY. THE SPEAKER BROUGHT
WRITTEN COMMENTS AND LEFT THEM
WITH YOU TONIGHT. INCLUDING AN
INSPIRED LINCOLN HIGH STUDENT.
I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THE TIME
TO READ THESE COMMENTS. IN THE
FACE OF SUCH A DAUNTING BUDGET
DEFICIT, IT IS OBVIOUS THE CITY
HAS A REVENUE PROBLEM. NOT A
SPENDING PROGRAM. THIS IS
EVIDENT AND APPALLING, GIVEN
THE HEAVY CUTS TO HUMAN
SERVICES, YET SIGNIFICANT FOR
SURVEILLANCE AND POLICE
BONUSES. THE CHURCH COUNCIL IS
ASKING YOU TO REFLECT VALUES OF
COMMUNITY CARE. AS I MENTIONED,
THE CITY HAS A REVENUE PROBLEM.
WE ARE INVITING YOU TO BOLD
LEADERSHIP BOO BY NEW REVENUE
STREAMS. WE ARE CALLING ON YOU,
AT CITY COUNCIL, TO ENSURE THAT
JUMP-START SPENDING PLAN IS FOR
PERPETUITY FOR ITS INTENDED
PURPOSES. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS AARON
PARKER. A33. AARON WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU. AARON PARKER.
HERE FROM DISTRICT 3, WITH
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGS WORTH.
WANTED TO SPEAK ON THE RE --
TURF AND THE DIRT FIELD AT
GARFIELD. SUPPORTING THE
CONVERSION OF G3 INFIELD. FOR
TURF SHARED BY HIGH SCHOOL SOFT
BALL AND LITTLE LEAGUE TEAMS IS
CRITICAL INVESTMENT. TURF
PROVIDES A CONSISTENT LEVEL
SURFACE THAT MINIMIZES THE RISK
OF INJURIES, FROM BAD HOPS,
UNEVEN GROUND, ENSURING SAFER
PLAY FOR YOUNG ATHLETES. IT IS
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR
SOFTBALL FIELDS, AS MANY
PROGRAMS FOR GIRLS IN FACILITY
QUALITY COMPARED TO BASEBALL
TEAMMATES. TURF LEVELS, THE
PLAYING FIELD, BOTH LITERALLY
AND FIGURATIVELY. BY PROVIDING
HIGH QUALITY, LOW MAINTENANCE
THAT SERVES ALL GENDERS
EQUALLY. MOREOVER, TURF
ENHANCES THE FIELD TO ALLOWING
PLAY. WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE
RENDER A DIRT INFIELD UNUSABLE,
DUE TO MUD OR STANDING WATER.
THIS INCREASED PLAYABILITY NOT
ONLY SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT BUT
ALSO ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT BY MAXIMIZING FIELD
AVAILABILITY FOR PRACTICES
GAMES AND TOURNAMENTS. TURF
ALSO REDUCES MAINTENANCE COST,
ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR
REPEATED, REGRADING, DRAGGING
AND WATERING, WHICH ARE
RESOURCE INTENSIVE, FOR DIRT
INFIELDS. SUPPORTING THE
CONVERSION REPRESENTS A
COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A SAFE,
EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE
ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG ATHLETES
TO GROW, COMPETE AND THRIVE.
AND I HOPE YOU ADDRESS TURF IN
DW 3 AT GARFIELD. AND ANY OTHER
DIRT FIELDS THAT ARE BEING
DISCUSSED ON THE AGENDA
TONIGHT. AGAIN, AARON PARKER,
DISTRICT 3 RESIDENT. BORN AND
RAISED. AND CURRENTLY SERVED AS
SEATTLE CENTRAL LEAGUE.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PARKER. UN
NEXT IS JORDANNA KING. A34.
JORDANNA.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS JORDANNA.
AND I AM A SENIOR ON THE
GARFIELD SOFTBALL TEAM.
GARFIELD HAS BEEN HOME TO
MYSELF AND MY TEAMMATES FOR
MORE THAN A DECADE. MANY OF US
GREW UP PLAYING ON THE SAME
SEATTLE CENTRAL LITTLE LEAGUE
TEAM TOGETHER. WE PRACTICED AND
PLAYED ON THE SAME FIELD WE
COMPETE TODAY AS HIGH SCHOOL
TEAMMATES. G3 IS OUR HOME. DUE
TO RAIN CLOGGING OUR DIRT
FIELD, EVERY SEASON, WE ARE
FIRST TO HOLD COUNTLESS
PRACTICES IN OUR PG GYM, WHERE
WE CAN'T EVEN HOLD REAL BALLS.
AFTER 10 YEARS OF WATCHING THE
BOYS BASEBALL TEAM, WHO HAS
THEIR OWN TURF FIELD, GET TO
PLAY THROUGH THE RAINY DAYS. IT
IS OUR TURN TO HAVE A PLAYING
FIELD. WE COMPETE AT THE
HIGHEST LEVEL. TURFING WILL NOT
ONLY BEFORE US BUT ALL THE
YOUNG LITTLE LEAGUERS WHO THE
FIELD IS HOME TO AS WELL. WE
ENCOURAGE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT
THE AMENDMENT FROM
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH TO
TURF G3. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS THE ONLY
TIME YOU'LL HEAR ME SAY,
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH,
GO, BULLDOGS.
>> UP NEXT. MARISSA PEREZ.
WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS
MARISSA PEREZ. I'M A RENTER.
AND SERVE AS CENTRAL SERVICES
OF SEATTLE COALITION. WE
PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES
ACROSS THE CITY THAT ARE
VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE CITY
OF SEATTLE. THE UPCOMING YEARS
WILL BRING SUBSTANTIAL HARM TO
OUR COMMUNITY. OUR
ORGANIZATIONS AND STAFF ARE
TERRIFIED OF THE LOOMING
PROBABILITY OF LOSING VITAL
FUNDING AND SERVICES. IT IS UP
TO YOU ALL TO ALLEVIATE FEARS.
AND INCREASING, NOT DECREASING,
SOCIAL SAFETY NETS AT A TIME
WHEN OUR MOST VULNERABLE
CITIZENS HAVE A TARGET ON THEIR
BACK. WILL HELP VITAL AGENCIES
AND ENABLE OUR COMMUNITY TO BE
RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF WHAT
IS COMING. WE URGE YOU TO PASS
THE RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO
RESTORE CUTS TO HOUSING, FOOD
EQUITY, GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE.
WE SUPPORT THOSE INVESTMENTS,
WHICH INCREASE AND PROTECT OUR
MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS. AND
WE ASK THAT WAGE IS PRIORITIZED
MOVING FORWARD. THOUGH THEY
WILL NOT FULLY SOLVE THE
PROBLEM OF OUR COMMUNITY. THEY
WILL FIRST ALLEVIATE THE HARM
CAUSED BY ADMINISTRATION. WE
URGE CITY COUNCIL TO REJECT
COUNCIL BILL 14192. WHICH
INCLUDES JUMPSTART PAYROLL
EXPENSE ATTACKS. WHILE WE
UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO USE
THOSE FUNDS, WE HOPE IT DOES
NOT BECOME A PERMANENT SOURCE
OF FUNDING FOR THE CITY. FOR
GENERAL FUNDS, NOT FOR THE
THINGS IT'S INTENDED FOR. WE
ALSO SUPPORT THE
RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING
SEATTLE KING COUNTY ON
HOMELESSNESS. MEALS PARTNERSHIP
COALITION. SERVICES FOR SENIORS
AND THE COALITION ENDING RACE
AND VIOLENCE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT TAKE IT
AWAY.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS.
>> DO YOU KNOW HIGHEST REVENUE
RATE OF 60%? DO YOU ALSO KNOW
THAT TEXTILE ACCOUNTS FOR 60%
OF LAND FILL WASTE. I AM THE
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF REFUGEE ARTIST DISTRICT. WE
CREATE GREEN JOBS, REFUGEE AND
IMMIGRANT WOMEN BY UPCYCLING
MATERIALS. OVER 90,000 POUNDS
OF MATERIALS. CREATE OVER 50
JOBS AND MADE 150,000 ITEMS.
BED SHEETS ARE CLEAN. WE ALSO
FINISH MAKING -- SLEEPING BAG
THAT DOUBLES COATS FOR OUR
IN-HOUSE COMMUNITY. ARE I AM
VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE ARE IN
YOUR BUDGET THIS YEAR. THANK
YOU FOR COUNCILMEMBER WOO.
IT'S ON THE SOLID WASTE FUND.
WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT IT
ALLOWS US TO MAINTAIN AND ALSO
EXPAND . WE HAVE REFUGEE WOMEN
COME ALMOST EVERY DAY. WE HAVE
100 NOW ON THE WAIT LIST. THEY
MAY NOT SPEAK ENGLISH. BUT
SEWING IS UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE.
THEY CAN USE THIS IN SUPPORT
FOR THEIR FAMILY. AND ALSO BY
HAVING THEM IN SUPPORT OF YOUR
BUDGET, IT'S NOT ONLY BUDGET
ITEM. IT'S ALSO TO CREATE MORE
RESILIENT AND CREATE INCLUSIVE
COMMUNITY. I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY
TRYING TO FINALIZE YOUR BUDGET
BUT I URGE YOU. BY CREATING A
HEALTHY PLANET. IT'S A
WIN-WIN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
LEADERSHIP IN CONSIDERATION.
>>
>> I'M HERE TODAY AS A
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 3. I'D
LIKE TO EXPRESS MY
DISSATISFACTION WITH THE
PROPOSED BUDGET THAT RAIDS OVER
HALF OF THE JUMP START FUNDS
FOR INVESTMENTS LIKE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND THE GREEN NEW DEAL.
A RECENT REPORT BY THE SEATTLE
OF HOUSING ESTIMATED WE WILL
NEED 112,000 NEW HOMES BY 2034,
WITH 38% RECOMMENDED TO BE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COMING OUT
TO ABOUT 2100 NEW UNITS PER
YEAR. THE CURRENT BUDGET FALLS
SHORT. AND ONLY FUND ABOUT HALF
OF THAT AMOUNT OR 1,068 UNITS.
WHAT IS EVEN MORE CONCERNING IS
THE PROPOSAL TO LIMIT SPENDING.
TO MAKE IT EASIER TO DIVERT
FUNDING AWAY FROM THE
DIVERSIFYING OF JUMPSTART
REVENUES. ALSO INCLUDES SPD
BUDGET IN ORDER TO GIVE RAISES
TO POLICE OFFICERS AND FUND THE
REALTIME CRIME CENTER. AND CCTV
CAMERAS. THIS BUDGET SHOULD BE
DIRECTED TOWARDS INVESTMENT IN
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO MITIGATE
THE ROOT CAUSES OF PROBLEMS,
INSTEAD OF OVERINDEXING ON
SHORT-TERM PUNITIVE MEASURES.
AND THE CITY SHOULD EXPLORE
REVENUE OPTIONS. TO PAY THEIR
FAIR SHARE. RATHER THAN PLACING
THE BURDEN ON MARGINALIZED
COMMUNITIES. FOCUSING ON CARE
AND CERTAINLY SERVICES FOR ALL.
PEOPLE'S LIVES DEPEND ON IT.
>> GOOD EVENING. YOU'VE GOT
GOOD BOSSES HERE. YOU KNOW
THAT? ALL OF US ARE YOUR
BOSSES. WE DON'T BEG. WE COME
IN TO INFORM YOU HOW TO DO YOUR
JOB. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY
POSITION IS INFORMED BY THIS,
THAT PEOPLE DESERVE DIGNITY AND
CARE. WE SEE THAT YOUR PROPOSAL
IS WAGING WAR ON POOR PEOPLE.
ON BIPOC PEOPLE. ON PEOPLE WHO
BY THE SYSTEM ARE MARGINALIZED,
PUSHED AWAY. AND WE SEE THIS IT
BUDGET IS TRYING TO PUSH MORE
OF YOUR BOSSES AWAY. WE ARE
VERY DISAPPOINTED.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, YOU ARE
NOT MORE WORTHY THAN I TO HAVE
MY MATERIAL NEEDS MET, IN ORDER
TO THRIVE, IN ORDER TO LIVE.
HE'S OUT ON THE STREET. FACING
SWEEPS, ALL THE TIME. NONE OF
US IS MORE WORTHY THAN AUSTIN
AND OUR NEIGHBORS AND OUR
RELATIVES. IN ORDER TO THRIVE.
LIVE. THAT IS MY POSITION. THAT
PEOPLE DESERVE CARE AND
DIGNITY, NO CONDITIONS.
FUND HOUSING, FUND COMMUNITY
CARE, NOT VIOLENCE. AND THE
POLICE.
>> UP NEXT IS SAM ANDERSON, WAS
THAT SAM? 38, WHO'S GOT A 38?
LAST SPEAKER WAS OUT OF ORDER,
A 39, RIVER? A 39, RIVER? ARE
YOU RIVER? WELCOME TO IT.
THANKS FOR COMING.
>> MY NAME IS RIVER HAYES, I'M
A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 6. WE
REPRESENT LAW STUDENTS FROM THE
SCHOOL'S CHAPTER OF THE
NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD. WE
SUPPORT THE SOLITARY BUDGET
DEMAND AND THEIR NINE
GUARANTEES. OUR CRIMINAL LEGAL
SYSTEM RELIES ON THE MYTH THAT
CRIME CAN ONLY BE PREVENTED
THROUGH PUNISHMENT. WE KNOW
THAT THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM
IS BRUTAL AND RACIST, BUT THIS
IS CONSIDERED AN ACCEPTABLE
COST FOR SAFETY AND ORDER. AS
POVERTY GROWS IN THIS COUNTRY,
MANY EXPERIENCED NEITHER SAFETY
NOR ORDER, AND THE MYTH IS
FALLING APART. MAYOR HAROLD'S
PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES
MASSIVE PAY RAISES AND HIRING
BONUSES FOR COPS. IT INCLUDES
FUNDING FOR GHOST COP
POSITIONS, MASS POLICE
SURVEILLANCE, AND A CONTRACT
WITH THE DEADLY SCORE JAIL.
THIS PROPOSED BUDGET,
DEMONSTRATE THAT MAYOR HERRELL
AND THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD
RATHER CRIMINALIZE POVERTY THAN
ADDRESS IT. PRISONS DO NOT
PREVENT CRIME. IN THE U.S.,
WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF RELEASE,
70% OF FORMERLY INCARCERATED
PEOPLE WILL COMMIT ANOTHER
OFFENSE. DATA DEMONSTRATE THAT
FOUR FACTORS CAUSED BY RENTS.
SHAME, ISOLATION, VIOLENCE, AND
LACK OF RESOURCES. THESE ARE
EXACTLY THE EXPERIENCES THAT
PRISONS SUBJECT PEOPLE TO.
INCARCERATION DOESN'T PREVENT
CRIME, IT CAUSES IT. IT
DOESN'T PREVENT POVERTY, IT
CAUSES IT. YOU KNOW WHAT
PREVENTS CRIME? HOUSING.
HOUSING PREVENTS CRIME. THAT IS
NOT WHAT WE ARE HERE TODAY. WE
ARE HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE A
MORAL IMPERATIVE TO BE HERE. I
DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN THAT
PEOPLE DESERVE HOUSING. I
DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BUILD THE
ARGUMENT ON. IT IS SO
SELF-EVIDENT THAT PEOPLE
DESERVE SHELTER AND SIMPLE
HUMAN KINDNESS. THEY DESERVE A
CHANCE TO LIVE OUT OF THE
ELEMENTS. THEY DESERVE A DOOR
TO CLOSE AGAINST THE COLD, THEY
DESERVE SOMEWHERE TO GO HOME
TO. WHEN YOU HAVE THE FUNDS TO
PROVIDE HOUSING FOR EVERYONE IN
YOUR CITY AND CHOOSE NOT TO, I
DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO
THAT.
>> THANK YOU, RIVER. UP NEXT IS
CASEY BURTON. A 40. HERE WE GO
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS CASEY
BURTON, I'M A SENIOR STAFF
ATTORNEY AT THE TENANT LAW
CENTER WHERE WE PROVIDE RIGHT
TO COUNCIL ADDICTION PREVENTION
SERVICES. THAT MEANS WE HELP
WITH SUBSIDY TERMINATIONS AS
YOU HEARD FROM MY COLLEAGUE
EARLIER. WE HELP NEGOTIATE
MUTUAL TERMINATIONS OF TENANCY
THAT BENEFIT ALL INVOLVED
PARTIES, WE HELP WITH
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND
REVIEW NOTICES AND ULTIMATELY
WE HELP TENANTS FIGURE OUT HOW
TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BEFORE
THEY END UP IN COURT. I WANT TO
TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH FOR
REINSTATING A SIGNIFICANT
PORTION OF THE FUNDING FOR
TENANT SERVICES IN THE CITY. I
DO ASK YOUR COLLEAGUES TO
SUPPORT YOU IN THAT, AND TO
HELP YOU INTRODUCE ANOTHER
AMENDMENT OF THE THAT REPLACES
THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT'S
BEEN REMOVED FROM TENANT
SERVICES. WE DO RENTAL
ASSISTANCE, AND I CAN'T EVEN
TELL YOU SOME OF THE CRAZY
STUFF I'VE SEEN ON THOSE
LEDGERS. WE'VE GOT LEGAL FEES
BEING CHARGED IN VIOLATION OF
THE LAW, LATE FEES THAT ARE TOO
HIGH AND RESULT FROM IMPROPER
APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. HIGHER
RENT WITHOUT PROPER RENT
INCREASES, I'VE SEEN IT. IT'S
IMPORTANT TO HAVE TENANT
SERVICES INVOLVED WITH RENTAL
ASSISTANCE, BECAUSE WE CAN MAKE
SURE THAT THE TAXPAYER MONEY IS
SPENT RESPONSIBLY AND FAIRLY.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE
GOING TO GO BACK TO THE ONLINE
PUBLIC COMMENTERS WHO SIGNED UP
BEFORE 6:00 P.M., BECAUSE I
THINK EVERYONE ELSE IN HERE WAS
HERE BEFORE 6:00 P.M. I'M
MAKING SURE WE'RE DOING WHO
GOT HERE FIRST IN THE ORDER IN
WHICH YOU REGISTERED CORRECTLY.
SHARON, MJ MIN CS, JESSICA
GREENE. THEN WE WILL COME BACK
TO EVERYONE ELSE AT THE END.
SHARON SOY? I'M SORRY IF I'M
SAYING YOUR NAME INCORRECTLY.
STAR 62 UNMUTE. SHARON, STAR 62
UNMUTE. SHARON, IF YOU'RE WITH
US, WE'RE READY FOR YOU. IF
YOU COULD LEAVE HER UP, AND
LET'S BRING UP MJ AND JESSICA
GREENE, JUST BRING ALL THREE OF
AT THE SAME TIME. GREAT. SO,
MJ. IF YOU ARE HERE, STAR 6 TO
UNMUTE. MJ, STAR 6 TO UNMUTE.
JESSICA, IF YOU COULD HANG ON.
>> I'M HERE.
>> FANTASTIC, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS, MY NAME IS MJ,
AND I AM A GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
MANAGER FOR THE WASHINGTON LIKE
ALLIANCE. TODAY, I'M NOT ONLY
SPEAKING AS AN ADVOCATE, BUT AS
SOMEONE WHO IS DEEPLY INVESTED
IN THE WELL-BEING OF SEATTLE
BLACK COMMUNITIES. THE
AMENDMENTS WE ARE DISCUSSING
TODAY REPRESENT MORE THAN JUST
ITEMS IN THE BUDGET. THEY
REPRESENT HOPE, OPPORTUNITY,
AND CHANGE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
WE WORKED WITH BLACK LEADERS,
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS,
EDUCATORS AND FAMILIES TO
IDENTIFY VERTICAL AREAS WHERE
SUPPORT IS URGENTLY NEEDED.
HOUSING, HOMEOWNERSHIP,
EDUCATION, ARTS, HEALTH, AND
WELLNESS, ECONOMICAL MOBILITY,
AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
THESE AREN'T JUST BUZZWORDS,
ON OUR E THE PILLARS
NEIGHBORS, AND FUTURE. WE
BELIEVE THAT IN THESE
AMENDMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WERE
CRAFTED WITH COMMUNITIES AT
HEART, COUNCILMEMBERS
HOLLINGSWORTH ALONG WITH
COUNCILMEMBER CATHY MOORE HAVE
CHAMPIONED THESE INITIATIVES
WITH US. UNDERSTANDING THE REAL
PROGRESS STARTS WITH TARGETED
INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES,
STABILITY, SAFETY, AND
ECONOMICAL EMPOWERMENT. WE
WANTED TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST
THANKS TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT
SARA NELSON FOR HER LEADERSHIP,
BUDGET CHAIR FOR HIS COMMITMENT
THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, TAMMY
MIRELES, BOB KETTLE FOR THEIR
ENGAGEMENT, WILLING TO HEAR US,
AND OUR VOICES, AND
UNDERSTANDING THERE ARE VISIONS
FOR SEATTLE'S BLACK IMMUNITY.
SEATTLE IS KNOWN FOR ITS
PROGRESSIVE VALUES AND FOR
STANDING WITH COMMUNITIES WHEN
IN NEED. BY PASSING THESE
AMENDMENTS, YOU'RE MAKING A
STATEMENT TO SEATTLE'S BLACK
COMMUNITIES THAT IT'S BEING
SEEN, THAT IT'S VALUED AND
SUPPORTED. PLEASE STAND WITH US
IN CREATING A CITY WHERE
EVERYONE IS SUPPORTED, AND HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE. HANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU, MJ. JESSICA
GREENE, STAR 6 TO UNMUTE,
JESSICA GREENE. JESSICA GREENE,
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE. THERE YOU
ARE.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> WE CAN, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> THANK YOU. I'M JESSICA
GREENE, CALLING IN FROM
DISTRICT 2. THANKS FOR GIVING
ME A MOMENT, I WILL KEEP IT
BRIEF. SO EVERYONE IN THE ROOM
CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT
OF PRESERVING THE JUMPSTART TAX
AND ITS ORIGINAL INTENT. AND I
JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE
LARGE COALITION OF PEOPLE WHO
WORK SO HARD TO SECURE THAT ARE
HONORED. WE DESERVE GREATER
INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE IN OUR CITY, AND WE
NEED MORE PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
LIKE THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX, SO
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS FOR
INTRODUCING THAT AMENDMENT,
WHICH I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT.
WE NEED A BIGGER, MORE
GENEROUS, MORE VISIONARY
INVESTMENTS IN POVERTY
REDUCTION, WE KNOW THAT HOUSING
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND
EDUCATION ARE WHAT WILL KEEP US
SAFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, NOT
MORE COPS. I WILL CEDE THE REST
OF MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU, JESSICA, WE'RE
GOING TO GO ONE MORE TIME,
SHARON SOY, SHARON SOY, STAR 6,
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE, THERE YOU
ARE. WELCOME, SHARON.
>> I FIGURED IT OUT. HI,
EVERYONE, MY NAME IS SARAH,
I'M A DISTRICT 3 RESIDENT AND
I WORKED IN DISTRICT 7
DOWNTOWN. I'M SPEAKING TONIGHT
IN A PERSONAL CAPACITY. THE
CITY HAS BEEN LONG OVERDUE IN
PASSING MORE PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE. AS SEATTLE HAS BECOME
WEALTHIER OVER UV YEARS, THE
INCOME TAX IS INCREASED AND
MORE SO AFTER THE PANDEMIC.
FURTHERMORE, THE HOMELESS
POPULATION AND THE SHORTAGE OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAVE
INCREASED AS WELL. WHAT IS THE
CITY DOING TO ADDRESS THE
GROWING INCOME INEQUALITY?
ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE THE
MAYOR'S INTENTION TO LESSEN
THE IMPACT OF SERVICES,
CREATING JUMPSTART FUNDS IS NOT
SUSTAINABLE. I FEAR THE
JUMPSTART FUNDS WILL BE USED AS
A CRUTCH FOR BALANCING THE
BUDGET WHENEVER GENERAL FUNDS
RUN SHORT. THIS WAS A TEMPORARY
FIX AND NOT A LONG-TERM
SOLUTION OF WHAT THE CITY COULD
BE DOING, REDISTRIBUTE WEALTH
BY GENERATING MORE PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE. WE MUST COME TO TERMS
THE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING
FUNDS FOR FORMAL HOUSING NOW
AND IN THE NEAR FUTURE WILL NOT
ONLY THE GROWING INCOME
INEQUALITY BUT PUBLIC SAFETY AN
HEALTH. THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE
AND PRIORITY WAS TO FUND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND TAKING
MONEY AWAY FROM THAT TO
INCREASE SPENDING ON LAW
ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT CREATE
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS, BOTH
HOMELESSNESS AND THE
CRIMINALIZATION OF PEOPLE WHO
ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE EVERY
DAY. I URGE YOU TO EXPLORE
OTHER ADDITIONAL REVENUES
DREAMS INSTEAD OF TAKING FUNDS
AWAY FROM JUMPSTART, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, WE'RE GOING TO
MOVE BACK TO IN PERSON
SPEAKERS, NOW, MOVING TO B 31.
WE'VE GOT ABOUT 30 PEOPLE IN
THE AUDIENCE RIGHT NOW, SO THAT
MEANS THAT IF WE MOVE QUICKLY,
EVERYONE IN PERSON WILL BE DONE
BY 10:00. TWO MICROPHONES,
LET'S LINE UP ONE AFTER
ANOTHER, WE'RE DOING B 31
THROUGH 40. NATHAN BROWN, MARTA
K, LISA JONES, SARAH STANLEY,
ANSELL S, BRIAN LAWRENCE, KAREN
ESTEVAN, JAMIE FACKLER, ZOE F.
WITH THAT, IF YOU ARE A 31,
WITH YOUR HAND, FANTASTIC
TICKET AWAY, NATHAN.
>> I WORK AT A LOW INCOME
HOUSING INSTITUTE, I LIKE TO
THINK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR
ADDING FUNDING FOR MORE TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES IN THE BUDGET.
WE ALL KNOW WHAT A DIFFERENCE
THOSE ADDITIONAL SHELTER BEDS
WILL MAKE. I'M TESTIFYING
TODAY TO ASK THE CLE CITY
COUNCIL, RETAIN JUMPSTART
PAYROLL TAX SPENDING PLAN TO
PRIORITIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WHEN JUMPSTART WAS FORMED, A
BROAD STAKEHOLDER GROUP CAME
TOGETHER TO DETERMINE ITS SCOPE
WITH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS,
HOUSING PROVIDERS,
ENVIRONMENTALISTS, LABOR
UNIONS, AND MORE. REPEALING THE
SPENDING PLAN AND REMOVING THE
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE RUNS
COUNTER TO THE PREVIOUS WORK
DONE BY THE COMMUNITY, BEYOND
PROTECTING JUMPSTART THE CITY
DESPERATELY NEEDS MORE
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE. I
ENCOURAGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO
ADOPT COUNCILMEMBER MOORE'S
CAPITAL GAINS TAX TO CLOSE
FUTURE BUDGET HOLES GRANDMA
RATHER THAN LEADING INTO
AUSTERITY MEASURES. PLEASE
PROTECT JUMPSTART AND BRING IN
SUPPORT SO THAT ALL SEATTLE CAN
BE AFFORDABLE.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS MARTA,
32, IS THAT YOU YOU MARK
WELCOME TO IT.
>> MY NAME IS MARTA, I WORK AT
THE LOW INCOME HOUSING
INSTITUTE, I'D LIKE TO THANK
THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ADDING
FUNDING FOR MORE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES INTO THE BUDGET. IT
WILL MAKE A MEANINGFUL
DIFFERENCE IN MANY PEOPLE'S
LIVES WHO EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS. I'M ALSO
TESTIFYING TODAY TO ASK THAT
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL RETAIN
THE JUMPSTART PAYROLL TAX
SPENDING PLAN AND PRIORITIZE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN GREEN NEW
DEAL PRIORITIES. WHEN JUMPSTART
WAS FORMED, A BROAD STAKEHOLDER
GROUP CAME TOGETHER TO
DETERMINE ITS SCOPE, SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS, HOUSING
PROVIDERS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS,
LABOR UNIONS AND MORE.
REPEALING THE SPENDING PLAN AND
REMOVING THE OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE RUNS COUNTER TO THE
PREVIOUS WORK DONE BY THE
COMMUNITY. PLEASE CONSIDER NEW
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE SOURCES
SUCH AS CAPITAL GAINS TAX
PROPOSED BY COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE. THE CITY OF SEATTLE
DESPERATELY NEEDS MORE REVENUE
AS ITS RESIDENTS ARE STILL
RECOVERING FROM THE ECONOMIC
FALLOUT CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC.
WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, MORE SERVICES, AND
MORE SHELTER. THE PROPOSED
CHANGES TO JUMPSTART REQUIRE
MORE COMMUNITY INPUT, MORE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO
WEIGH IN AND GREATER
TRANSPARENCY IN HOW THESE
DECISIONS ARE MADE. PLEASE
PROTECT JUMPSTART SO THAT
SEATTLE CAN BE AFFORDABLE TO
ALL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JOHN
GRANT, YOU'RE UP NEXT, TAKE IT
AWAY.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS, MY NAME IS JOHN
GRANT, THE CHIEF STRATEGY
OFFICER WITH THE LOW INCOME
HOUSING INSTITUTE. LEHIGH IS A
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPER
THAT HAS DEVELOPED 5000 UNITS
IN THE PUGET SOUND AREA,
ACTIVELY MANAGING 3500 UNITS ON
ITS OWN, WE ARE HERE TO URGE
THE COUNCIL TO RETAIN THE
SPENDING PLAN FOR JUMPSTART,
FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. BACK
WHEN WE WERE CONTEMPLATING THE
ALMOST $1 BILLION SEATTLE
HOUSING, ONE OF THE THINGS WE
DID IS WE LOOKED AT THE
RESOURCES THAT JUMPSTART WAS
BRINGING TO THE TABLE AND HOW
WE GET INTERTWINED THOSE WITH
THE SEATTLE HOUSING LEVY. I
THINK THERE'S NOT REALLY BEEN
A FULL DISCUSSION OR ANALYSIS
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE IMPACTS
ARE IF WE GET RID OF THE
SPENDING PLAN AS THAT MONEY IS
LEVERAGED WITH ALL THESE OTHER
RESOURCES LIKE THE SEATTLE
HOUSING LEVY. IT'S ALSO
IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE SCALE OF
THE PROBLEM WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT, THERE ARE 46,000
SEATTLEITES, HOUSEHOLDS, SO
MUCH MORE INDIVIDUALS. WHO ARE
RENT BURDENED. SPENDING MORE
THAN HALF OF THEIR INCOME ON
RENT. ELECTIONS COME WITH
CONSEQUENCES. WE UNDERSTAND
THAT THIS COUNCIL IS TURNING A
NEW PAGE, BUT THERE IS A DEEPER
COMMITMENT TO THOSE 46,000
PEOPLE THAT THIS COUNCIL NEEDS
TO HONOR. WHAT CAN WE DO TO
DRAMATICALLY EXPAND THE
PROVISION TO AFFORDABLE
HOUSING? AND THE JUMPSTART
SPENDING PLAN IS WHAT CAN
ENABLE THAT KIND OF CHANGE.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE COST OF
HOUSING RIGHT NOW, THE COST OF
HOUSING IS GOING UP AS WELL,
CURRENTLY LEHIGH, WE'RE
SPENDING $500,000 PER UNIT TO
BUILD PERMANENT HOUSING.
THAT'S A LOT, THAT'S A LOT OF
MONEY WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
46,000 HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE
DESPERATELY IN NEED OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. GIVEN THE
GROWING NEED, WE NEED TO SEE
THOSE RESOURCES AND REVENUES
CAN ALSO GROW TO MEET THOSE
NEEDS. WE ASK YOU TO RETAIN THE
PLAN, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE
NEEDS TO BE A ONE-TIME
REALLOCATION OF RESOURCES BUT
ELIMINATING THE PLAN IS NOT
NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE
BUDGET.
>> THANK YOU, JOHN, WHERE IS
KEYSER? NO KEYSER TODAY. SARAH
STANLEY, SARAH STANLEY? SARAH
STANLEY? KEASA. A 34? JONES?
YES. A 34, A 34. NO ONE'S GOT
A BINGO, WE'RE GOING TO A 35,
IS THAT YOU? IN QUEUE, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU TWO
COUNCILMEMBERS, I APPRECIATE
YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR TIME THIS
EVENING, MY NAME IS SARAH
STANLEY, AND I'M HERE TO
ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT
FUNDING FOR THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
LIBRARY IN THE FINAL BUDGET. I
AM PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF
THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOUNDATION, AND AS YOU KNOW WE
ARE THE LIBRARY'S NONPROFIT
PARTNER. WE REPRESENT THOUSANDS
OF DONORS FROM ACROSS OUR CITY
WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT OUR
LIBRARY. THEIR SUPPORT MAKES SO
MUCH POSSIBLE, INCLUDING EQUITY
BASED SERVICES, FREE PUBLIC
EVENTS, AND A SIGNIFICANT
INVESTMENT TO BUILD OUR
COLLECTIONS OF BOOKS AND
MATERIALS. MORE THAN 100,000
NEW ITEMS JUST THIS YEAR. MAYOR
HARRELL'S PROPOSED BUDGET,
WHILE PRIORITIZING STABLE
LIBRARY OPERATIONS, WOULD HAVE
AN IMPACT ON COLLECTIONS FOR
NEXT YEAR. ON BEHALF OF OUR
DONORS, I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER WU FOR HER
AMENDMENT TO ADD COLLECTIONS
FUNDING TO THE BUDGET AND THANK
YOU TO COUNCILMEMBERS MOORE AND
SAKA FOR THEIR SUPPORT. THIS
AMENDMENT WOULD PROVIDE MORE
MAGAZINE AND NEWSPAPER
SUBSCRIPTIONS AT THE LIBRARY,
SOMETHING WE KNOW THAT MANY
PATRONS GREATLY VALUE, AND HAVE
BEEN ASKING TO EXPAND. THE
FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO
EXPANDING OUR SUPPORT FOR
COLLECTIONS SO THAT EVERYONE
CAN READ WHAT AND HOW THEY WANT
THROUGH THE LIBRARY. BUT, WE
CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE HIGH
DEMAND FOR BOOKS AND MATERIALS
THROUGH PRIVATE AND FOR THIS
AMENDMENT MEANS SO MUCH. OUR
CITY LOVES TO READ. NOW MORE
THAN EVER, WE NEED TO SUPPORT
INCREASED ACCESS TO READING AND
INCREASED SUPPORT FOR OUR
LIBRARY. THANK YOU ALL, AND
MAYOR HARRELL FOR PRIORITIZING
ONE OF OUR CITY'S MOST LOVED,
TRUSTED, AND ESSENTIAL
INSTITUTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. A 36 IS NEXT. IS
THAT YOU? HERE WE GO. BINGO!
>> I'M SO GLAD TO BE HERE.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS FOR
SPENDING YOUR TIME HERE INSTEAD
OF WITH YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR
FRIENDS, AND AT HOME, AND THANK
YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR
CONSISTENCY AND YOUR DRIVE IN
STAYING HERE. MY NAME IS ANGEL
SOULS, I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO
SUPPORT FUNDING FOR THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC LIBRARY IN THE FINAL
BUDGET. I AM THE PROUD BOARD
PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS OF
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY. AS YOU
KNOW, WE WORK WITH A GRASSROOTS
NETWORK OF PEOPLE AROUND THE
CITY TO RECEIVE AND GIVE AWAY
BOOK DONATIONS, INSPIRE A LOVE
OF READING IN OUR COMMUNITY,
AND ADVOCATE, MOST OF ALL ON
BEHALF OF SEATTLE PUBLIC
LIBRARY. WE'RE SO GRATEFUL
THAT THE LIBRARY HAS BEEN
PRIORITIZED AND PROTECTED IN
THE BUDGET PROCESS THUS FAR. WE
THANK MAYOR HARRELL AGAIN FOR
HIS PROPOSAL, AND WE THANK
COUNCILMEMBERS MOORE, AND SAKA
FOR THEIR AMENDMENT TO ADD MORE
FUNDS FOR MAGAZINES AND
NEWSPAPERS AT LIBRARIES. THANK
YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, AND BRIAN WILL BE
UP NEXT.
>> WAIT, I'M NOT DONE.
>> SORRY. YES, MA'AM.
>> WE APPRECIATE THAT THIS
BUDGET WOULD KEEP LIBRARIES
OPEN AND STAFFED SO THAT THEY
CAN CONTINUE TO BE A REFUGE FOR
READING AND BELONGING AND JOY
THROUGHOUT OUR CITY, IT WAS
AMAZING TO SEE SOME OF YOU AT
THE REOPENING OF GREEN LAKE,
YOU SAID SOME REALLY BEAUTIFUL
WORDS ABOUT THE USE OF
LIBRARIES AND LOVE OF LIBRARIES
IN OUR COMMUNITY. AS WE LOOK
AHEAD, I HOPE THAT YOU WILL
WORK WITH US TO MAKE OUR
LIBRARIES EVEN STRONGER. WE'RE
GOING TO NEED MORE SUPPORT TO
KEEP UP WITH OUR COMMUNITIES
HIGH DEMAND FOR BOOKS, AND THE
HIGH NEED FOR MORE PROGRAMS
THAT SUPPORT PATRONS OF ALL
AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. WE'RE
LUCKY TO LIVE IN A CITY THAT
LOVES ITS LIBRARY, THAT STANDS
UP TO BOOK BANS AND TRIES TO
EXPAND ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR
THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST.
THANKS TO YOU AND THE MAYOR FOR
YOUR WORK ON THIS BUDGET AND
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THE
MANY FRIENDS FOR OUR LIBRARIES
AND CONTINUING TO PROTECT AND
EXPAND SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
YOU SO MUCH.
>> YES, THANK YOU. IF YOU COULD
REOPEN THAT BACK DOOR? IT'S
OKAY, IF YAYA CAN COME IN AT
ANY TIME THAT WOULD BE GREAT,
UP TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS,
I'M THE CEO OF THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION. NO
MATTER WHAT BRANCH YOU GO TO ON
ANY GIVEN MORNING, THE 27
LOCATIONS, YOU'RE GUARANTEED
TO FIND PATRONS WAITING AT THE
FRONT DOOR. CHANCES ARE,
THERE'LL BE A DASH TO GO TO
THE NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINE
COLLECTION WHERE PATRONS WANT
TO READ OUR COPIES OF THE
SEATTLE TIMES AND OTHER PAPERS.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT TO SEE,
BECAUSE OUR NEIGHBORS LOVE TO
READ. AND THEY CAN CARE DEEPLY
ABOUT OUR COUNTRY, OUR
COMMUNITY. I'M HERE TO ASK YOU
TO PROTECT FUNDING FOR THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY IN YOUR
FINAL BUDGET. WE KNOW OUR
NEIGHBORS VALUE FREE ACCESS TO
INFORMATION. AND THEY KNOW THAT
OUR LIBRARY PROVIDES SUCH
SERVICES. AS LIBRARIES PUBLIC
FUNDRAISING AND IS A PARTNER,
WE'RE COMMITTED TO EXPANDING
ACCESS TO BOOKS, PROGRAMS,
RESOURCES, THAT HELP PEOPLE OF
ALL AGES LEARN AND GROW. AND
PHILANTHROPY, WHAT WE DO, CAN
ONLY GO SO FAR, BUT IT DOES
ENHANCE PUBLIC FUNDING, AND
WE'RE ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT
PUBLIC FUNDING. WE'RE GRATEFUL
TO COUNCILMEMBER WU AS WELL AS
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA AND MORE FOR
THE AMENDMENT TO INCREASE
FUNDING FOR NEWSPAPERS AND
MAGAZINES. AS I SAID, THEY ARE
THINGS THAT ARE PEOPLE AND OUR
NEIGHBORS LOVE. WE THANK ALL OF
YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, WE THANK
MAYOR HARRELL FOR THE
LIBRARY'S BUDGET, FOR
PRIORITIZING LIBRARY
OPERATIONS, IT'S CLEAR THAT
YOU UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF OUR
LIBRARIES, AND THE SAFE AND
WELCOMING SPACES THAT THEY
OFFER OUR NEIGHBORS. WE PLEDGE
TO DO OUR PART TO SEEK FUNDING
FROM FEDERAL AND STATE
RESOURCES TO CONTINUE TO ENSURE
THAT SEATTLE HAS A WORLD-CLASS
LIBRARY SYSTEM. SO, THANK YOU
AGAIN, PLEASE PROTECT FUNDING
FOR THE LIBRARY AND INCLUDE THE
AMENDMENT IN YOUR FINAL BUDGET.
HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. JAMIE, I'M
ASSUMING THAT'S BECAUSE KAREN
ISN'T HERE ANYMORE? FOR THE
GENTLEMAN IN THE BACK, COULD
YOU ASK YAYA TO COME IN HERE?
WHEN HE GETS A CHANCE? JAMIE,
OVER TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS, JAMIE FACKLER, I'M A
SHOP STEWARD AND I WORK OVER AT
SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF
CONSTRUCTION AND INSPECTIONS,
STRUCTURAL BUILDING INSPECTOR.
FIRST OFF, WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU FOR THE VETERANS IN THE
ROOM. ESPECIALLY ROB SOCCER AND
BOB KETTLE, JUST WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SERVICE, THANK
YOU. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS FOR
HOLDING OFF THE LAYOFFS FOR SIX
MONTHS FOR IMPACTED WORKERS AND
UNDERSTANDING THE OPTICS OF
LAYING OFF FOLKS DURING THE
HOLIDAY SEASON. AND HOPEFULLY,
OUR HOPE IS THAT WE WILL BE
ABLE TO FIND WAYS TO
PERMANENTLY KEEP THESE I THINK
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH CAN
UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF
CITY JOBS AND WHAT THAT MEANS
TO RAISE A FAMILY AND GROW UP
WITH A STEADY INCOME AND GOOD
BENEFITS, AND WHAT COMES WITH
THAT. I, MYSELF, MY PARENTS, MY
MOM WAS A TEACHER, MY DAD
WORKED FOR THE CITY AND THE
BENEFITS OF THAT, IT'S HUGE TO
HAVE THAT STABILITY. WE HAVE
FOLKS IN OUR DEPARTMENT, THERE
IS ONE HEARTBREAKING STORY, OF
A WOMAN WHO IS PREGNANT WITH
HER SECOND CHILD, JUST BOUGHT A
HOUSE, SHE'S THE PRIMARY
BREADWINNER, AND IT'S HER
INSURANCE THAT THE FAMILY
COUNTS ON. SO, WHAT WE'RE
ASKING REALLY IS THAT WE CAN
WORK TO PERMANENTLY FUND THESE
POSITIONS, BUT AT LEAST AT A
MINIMUM FIND WAYS TO KEEP THESE
FOLKS EMPLOYED WITHIN THE CITY.
POSITIONS IN THESE DEPARTMENTS
WHERE THEY'RE SEEING LAYOFFS,
AND REALLY WORKING TOWARD
KEEPING THESE FOLKS EMPLOYED. I
THINK THERE'S PATHWAYS TO THIS
WITH ALL THE DEPARTMENTS, AND
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENTS FOR
THESE FOLKS TO LAND, AND I WANT
TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR
SERVICE AND THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBERS, FOR MEETING
WITH US.
>> THANK YOU, JAMIE, REALLY
WELL SAID. ZOE F? B 40? B 40?
WE'RE GOING TO GO TO A 41,
KATE RUBEN. A 41 THROUGH 50. I
SEE YOU'RE COMING UP TO THE
MICROPHONE. SO, WE'VE GOT
KATE, AND THEN, A 42, SO, IF
YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN THIS QUEUE,
GET A MICROPHONE, KATE, TAKE IT
AWAY.
>> MY NAME IS KATE RUBEN, I'M
THE COEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
SEATTLE AND ENDORSER OF THE
SOLITARY BUDGET AND A RENTER
LIVING IN DISTRICT 2. I'D LIKE
TO THANK COUNCILMEMBERS
MORALES, MOORE, AND
HOLLINGSWORTH FOR THE AMENDMENT
TO ADD A $456,000 ANNUALLY FOR
TENANT SERVICES. HOWEVER, AN
ADDITIONAL $527,000 IS NEEDED
TO ACTUALLY RESTORE THE FUNDING
TO THE SAME LEVEL AS 2024, AS
THIS AMENDMENT WAS INTENDED TO
DO. I THINK IF YOU HEARD THE
HORROR STORIES WE HEAR EVERY
DAY, OF HORRIFIC AND UNSANITARY
LIVING CONDITIONS, ABUSIVE
PROPERTY MANAGERS, THREATS OF
LOCKOUTS AND OUTRAGEOUS FEES,
IF YOU PROVIDED A SHOULDER TO
CRY ON FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED
PEOPLE WHO ARE EXHAUSTED FROM
FIGHTING TO KEEP THEIR HOUSING,
WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE HERE
BEGGING FOR FUNDING TO KEEP OUR
JOBS. WE TRIED TO GET THESE
RENTERS TO TESTIFY BUT MANY ARE
AFRAID, THAT NO ONE, ESPECIALLY
PEOPLE IN POWER WILL LISTEN OR
THAT THEY WILL FACE RETALIATION
OR DOXING. I EXPECT THESE
STORIES WILL ONLY INCREASE AS
PEOPLE MOVED TO THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST SEEKING PROTECTION
FOR FAMILY PLANNING, BODILY
AUTONOMY, GENDER AFFIRMING CARE
AND MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
RIGHTS. THE SEATTLE IS A SMALL
ORGANIZATION SERVING 785
RENTERS EACH YEAR. WE HELP TO
DE-ESCALATE CONFLICT THAT WOULD
OTHERWISE LEAD TO COSTLY
ADDICTIONS AND TEACH RENTERS
THEIR RIGHTS, HOW TO ASSERT
THOSE RIGHTS, AND HOW TO
ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES. THIS
KNOWLEDGE SPREADS TO THEIR
COMMUNITIES, OFTEN REACHING
THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE
HAVE ACCESS TO THESE TOOLS.
WITHOUT FUNDING RENDER
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH THE
BURDEN ON CITY RESOURCES WILL
ONLY INCREASE. COST OF TENANT
SERVICES WILL IMPACT BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, LGBTQ+
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES,
ELDERS AND DISABLED PEOPLE,
THOSE MOST AT RISK OF
DISPLACEMENT AND HOMELESSNESS.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE AMENDMENTS
AND FIND THE ADDITIONAL
$527,000 TO FULLY RESTORE
FUNDING TO TENANT SERVICES.
THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT, A 42, A 43, A 43. A
44? IF I CALL YOUR NUMBER,
RAISE YOUR HAND BECAUSE I'M
GOING TO KEEP GOING, A 45,
THERE WE GO. THANK YOU. CEDAR.
>> I'M CEDAR NIGHTINGALE, I'M
A LONG TIME RESIDENT, I WORK
FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY,
I'M A MEMBER OF LOCAL
23, EVEN THOUGH I FORGOT MY
T-SHIRT TODAY. I REPRESENT
MYSELF, NOT MY UNION. I AM VERY
UPSET TO SEE THE PILLAGING OF
JUMPSTART THAT HAS OCCURRED IN
THE CITY. PILLAGING WHAT IS
MEANT TO BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
MONEY, INSTEAD OF SEEING MONEY
MOVED TO SWEEPS AND EXCLUSION
ZONES, THAT ARE OSTENSIBLY
MEANT TO MOVE PEOPLE INTO
HOUSING THAT IS BEING DEFUNDED,
RATHER THAN BUILD. AT THE SAME
TIME, WE SEE PRESIDENT-ELECT
TRUMP WANTING TO PUT HOMELESS
PEOPLE IN CAMPS. IS THAT
SOMETHING, WHAT OUR POLICY IS?
TO MOVE PEOPLE AROUND AND NOT
HELP ANY OF THEM? WE CANNOT
EXPECT HELP TO COME FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, EVEN THE
LATEST ELECTION. WE NEED
NEIGHBORS LOOKING OUT FOR
NEIGHBORS, WE NEED THE CITY
LOOKING OUT FOR ITS CITIZENS.
THIS HAS BEEN TRUE FOR MANY
PEOPLE, BUT NOW MORE THAN EVER
AUSTERITY MEANS DEATH. FOR
MANY. THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE
KNOW THIS, THEY REJECTED
AUSTERITY AT THE BALLOT BOX
THIS LAST ELECTION. WE HAD THE
OVERWHELMING PASSAGE OF THE
TRANSPORTATION LEVY. WE
DEFENDED THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX
STATEWIDE, AND WE HAVE ELECTED
A NEW COUNCIL MEMBER FOR THE
COUNCIL BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE
TIRED OF THE STATUS QUO OF THE
PAST YEAR. THE PUBLIC HAS NO
INTEREST IN AUSTERITY, THEY
WANT THE MONEY THAT WE ARE
ENTITLED TO, THE SERVICES WE
ARE ENTITLED TO, FUND SERVICES
NOT SWEEPS, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JACOB SHEAR, A
46. FANTASTIC, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS JACOB SHEAR, HERE
IS MY COWORKERS FROM THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY. LOCAL
83 SPEAKING IN A PERSONAL
CAPACITY. I WANT TO TOUCH ON
THE COMMENTS MADE BY MY
COLLEAGUE ABOUT THE NATIONAL
ELECTION. I KNOW A LOT OF US IN
THIS ROOM ARE STILL PROCESSING
THAT, BUT WE DON'T NEED TO GO
VERY FAR TO CONFRONT THOSE SAME
IDEAS THAT WE SAW SWEPT INTO
POWER ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE
MAYOR AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF
CITY COUNCIL HAVE MADE IT VERY
CLEAR THAT WHEN IT COMES TO
THEIR TREATMENT OF THE POOR,
UNHOUSED, AND WORKING-CLASS
PEOPLE IN THE CITY, THEY HAVE
NO PROBLEM COSIGNING MANY OF
THE CORE TENETS OF THAT EXTREME
RIGHT-WING AGENDA, AND NOWHERE
IS THIS MORE PLAINLY OBVIOUS
THAN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
ALLOCATED FOR SWEEPS, WHICH IN
THE CURRENT VERSION OF THIS
BUDGET WILL INCREASE BY $6
MILLION-$33 MILLION. MADE
POSSIBLE ONLY BY READING MONEY
ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. A RECENT
REPORT FROM PROPUBLICA FURTHER
CONFIRMED THAT WE ALREADY KNOW
ABOUT SWEEPS, THAT THEY ARE
STUNNINGLY CRUEL AND
INEFFECTIVE. PEOPLE FROM CITIES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING
SEATTLE REPORTED LOSING THINGS
LIKE SEIZURE MEDICATION, SOCIAL
SECURITY CARDS, ASHES OR FAMILY
MEMBERS, EBT CARDS, AMONG MANY
OTHER VITAL NECESSITIES WHOSE
LOSS AND DESTABILIZING IMPACT
PROLONGED HOMELESSNESS AND
INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF
ILLNESS OR DEATH. AS LONG AS
THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR
CONTINUE TO SIGN ONTO
DISPLACEMENT AND PREMATURE
DEATH, THEY ARE JUST AS
COMPLICIT IN THE RIGHT-WING
EXTREMISM FROM THE POLITICIANS
THEY OPENLY CLAIM TO THE STAIN.
STOP THE SWEEPS, FUND SOCIAL
HOUSING, RAPID HOUSING
ACQUISITION, TENANT SERVICES,
VEHICLE SAFE LOTS AND SHOW US
WHERE YOU STAND.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT, A 47, A
47, A 48? YOU'RE 47.
>> I'M 47.
>> FANTASTIC, WELCOME.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS KEISHA,
I'M HERE AS A RESIDENT OF
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA'S
DISTRICT. I AM HERE THAT I FEEL
THE COUNCIL IS SQUANDERING AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR SEATTLE TO BE A
REAL LEADER IN ADDRESSING THE
HOUSING CRISIS THAT DISPLAYS
PLAGUING OUR COUNTRY AS RENTS
RISE AND WE STAGNATE
NATIONALLY. SINCE MOVING IN
2018, I HAVE WATCHED AS THE
CITY HAS INVESTED MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN HARMFUL SWEEPS THAT
DESTROYED ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS,
SHELTER, AND MEAGER
POSSESSIONS. ALL FOR THE
COSMETIC GAINS OF KEEPING THE
PROBLEM OUT OF SIGHT AND OUT OF
MIND WELL OUR HOMELESS
POPULATION HAS GROWN. PUTTING
LIPSTICK ON A PIG DOES NOT
OBSCURE THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY
OF BRUCE HARRELL AND HIS
COUNCIL PROPOSING TO GET THE
VERY SERVICES THAT ARE ACTUALLY
CAPABLE OF ADDRESSING THE TWIN
CRISES OF HOMELESSNESS AND
PUBLIC SAFETY PIN IMPACT OUR
CITY IN FAVOR OF YET MORE
INEFFECTIVE MANDATE SOLUTIONS.
INTRODUCING GREATER CLARITY TO
PEOPLE'S LIVES WILL NEVER MAKE
OUR STREETS SAFER, OUR CITY
MORE WELCOMING OR OUR
COMMUNITIES STRONGER. THE IRONY
SHOULD NOT BE LOST ON ANYONE
THAT, DESPITE COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS IS OPENING COMMENTS,
TWO MONTHS BEFORE A SHAMELESS
AUTOCRAT IS A TAKEOFF IS THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL IS
PROPOSING INCREASING THE
DEFICIT TO PAY FOR MORE OF THE
SAME SURVEILLANCE, POLICING,
AND PARTIAL SOLUTIONS THAT
DONALD TRUMP IS SURE TO
ENTHUSIASTICALLY EMBRACE OVER
HIS NEXT FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO REQUEST OF
THE CITY INSTEAD INVEST IN OUR
COMMUNITY BY PASSING NEW
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE SOURCES TO
FUND VITAL SERVICES LIKE
EVICTION DEFENSE, LEGAL
SERVICES FOR HOMELESS YOUTH,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND TENANT
SERVICES. IN THE SEVENTH
WEALTHIEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY,
NONE OF THESE PROGRAMS SHOULD
BE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK. IN
LINE WITH THIS, I WOULD LIKE TO
COMMEND COUNCILMEMBER MOORE,
FOR HER PROPOSAL OF A LOCAL
CAPITAL GAINS TAX.
ADDITIONALLY, THE COUNCIL MUST
PRESERVE THE PRIORITIES OF
JUMPSTART INSTEAD OF DIVERTING
FUNDS FROM THE SOLUTIONS WE
NEED IN THIS MOMENT IN FAVOR OF
THE FAILED MODEL OF MORE
UNACCOUNTABLE RACIST POLICING,
SURVEILLANCE AND VIOLENT SWEEPS
YORK FUNDING NON-SOLUTIONS LIKE
GREATER SURVEILLANCE AND
PHANTOM COPS AT THE NEEDS OF
OUR NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITIES
IS NOT THE BUDGET SOLUTION
SEATTLE NEEDS.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS KEISHA
JONES. THERE ARE TWO , THIS IS
A NIGHT, TAKE IT AWAY, KEISHA
JONES.
>> MEMBERS OF SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL, MY NAME IS KEISHA AND
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE
ESTAR TRANSPORTATION WORK
GROUP, WE WOULD LIKE TO
REITERATE THE CRITICAL
PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR TRANSPORTATION EQUITY WORK
IN SEATTLE, WE ARE GRATEFUL TO
THE VOTERS FOR APPROVING
PROPOSITION ONE, THE 1.55
BILLION TRANSPORTATION LEVY, WE
STRONGLY SUPPORT MAYOR
HARRELL'S LEVY BUDGET CENTERED
AROUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT,
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY,
ACCESSIBILITY AND EQUITABLE
MOBILITY OPTIONS. WE URGE YOU
TO WORK WITH S.TO PRIORITIZE
THESE INVESTMENTS FOR OUR MOST
VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES
INCLUDING LOW INCOME BIPOC
IMMIGRANT REFUGEE DISABLED AND
AGING COMMUNITIES. EACH
NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMITTEE HAS
UNIQUE NEEDS AND WE WANT TO
EMPHASIZE THAT THE LEVY
INVESTMENT AND PROGRAMS LIKE
THE NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATED
SAFETY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IS
VITAL TO ACHIEVE EQUITABLE
INVESTMENTS AND SAFE OUTCOMES.
WE WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THE
IMPORTANCE OF BEING INTENTIONAL
ABOUT ADDRESSING COMMUNITY
NEEDS AND PARTNERSHIP WITH
NEIGHBORHOODS PARTICULARLY
THOSE IN THE SEATTLE RACIAL
INDEX MAP. PART OF THIS
INCLUDES HAVING DEDICATED CITY
STAFF AND TO BUILD TRUSTING
RELATIONSHIPS AND WORK CLOSELY
WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
ORGANIZATIONS AND
SUPPORT KEY PROJECTS THAT VOCAL
DIVISIONS OF THESE INITIATIVES
BY HAVING PURPOSEFUL
COLLABORATIONS, WE CAN MAKE
INFORMED DECISIONS THAT REFLECT
EQUITY AND REALIZE OUR
COLLECTIVE VISION OF A CITY
THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE. OUR
RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE
LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY,
ENSURING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
BY MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY
ARE, DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS
UTILIZING DATA ON INCIDENTS
SUCH AS STREET SPECIFIC DEATH
RATES, TO INFORM FUNDING
ALLOCATIONS AND PRIORITIZING
SAFETY MEASURES BACKED BY
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES,
FACE-TO-FACE ENGAGEMENT,
ENGAGING COMMUNITY MEMBERS
THROUGH TRUSTED LIAISONS WHO
CAN FACILITATE MEANINGFUL
DIALOGUE AND ENSURE THAT VOICES
ARE HEARD AND RESPECTED. THE TW
WORK CLOSELY WITH SDOT TO
ENSURE THE LEVY REFLECTS THE
VALUES OF THE TRANSPORTATION
EQUITY FRAMEWORK PRIORITIZING
THIS LEVY IS DEDICATED TO
MAKING TRANSPORTATION
INVESTMENTS THAT ARE COMMUNITY
DRIVEN AND EQUITABLE AND ALIGNS
WITH THE CITIES SOCIAL JUSTICE
AND ENSURES THE FUTURE
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS MEET
THE NEEDS OF HISTORICALLY
OVERLOOKED.
>> THANK YOU, KEISHA JONES,
THANK YOU TO OUR SERVICE TO OUR
CITY. JEAN, A 49, A 49. A 50,
RUSSELL? A 50, A 50? WE'RE
GOING TO MOVE ON, THEN. WE ARE
B 41 THROUGH B 50, NICK MEYER,
PJ HAYES, PENELOPE, JESSE
WASSON, MEGAN JACKSON, ANDY
WOLF, ERIC KETO. IF YOU'VE GOT
YOUR NUMBER, JUST SHOW IT, WE
GOT TO KEEP MOVING. WHAT YOU
GOT? A 43 IS BEFORE A 44, A 42
IS BEFORE THAT, LET'S LOOK --
ROCK 'N ROLL, WELCOME.
>> COUNCILMEMBERS AND CHAIR,
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SPEAK THIS EVENING. MY NAME
IS NICK MEYER, I'M A SEATTLE
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 1, AND
PRESIDENT OF WEST SEATTLE
LEAGUE, I'M HERE TODAY TO
EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR COUNCILMAN
SOCCER'S BUDGET AMENDMENT TO
PROVIDE FUNDING TO CONVERT
FAIRMOUNT PARK PLAYFIELD DIRT
INFIELD TO AWLS SEASON TURF
INFIELD. A SIX TO
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD VOLUNTEER RUN
YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM PROVIDING
ACCESS TO RECREATION LEVEL
BASEBALL, AND AS OF THREE YEARS
AGO, GIRLS SOFTBALL. TO OUR
COMMUNITIES AND ATHLETES. OUR
FOCUS IS ON PARTICIPATION,
SPORTSMANSHIP, AND COMMUNITY
BUILDING RATHER THAN WINNING
BALL GAMES. RECOGNIZING THE
NEED TO PROVIDE MORE ATHLETIC
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS IN OUR
COMMUNITY, WE STARTED OUR
LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL PROGRAM
THREE YEARS AGO, AS SUCH, WE'VE
SEEN OUR ENROLLMENT JUMPED 80%
FROM 450 A FEW YEARS AGO TO
OVER 820 PLAYERS THIS SPRING.
SINCE THEN WE'VE SEEN OUR
DEDICATED GROUP OF YOUNG
SOFTBALL ATHLETES THAT ARE
PASSIONATE ABOUT THE SPORTS
THRIVE, ULTIMATELY ALONG THEIR
WAY TO BECOMING WELL-ROUNDED
COMMUNITY MEMBERS. 68 YOUTH
TEAMS IN OUR LEAGUE SCHEDULING
GAMES AND PRACTICES, SCHEDULING
GAMES AND PRACTICES IS A
SUBSTANTIAL UNDERTAKING. ACCESS
TO PLAYABLE AND SAFE PLAYFIELD
ARE CRITICAL TO OUR PROGRAMS.
WHEN SPRING RAINS RENDER THE
DIRT PLAYFIELD IN WEST SEATTLE
AND PLAYABLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS,
WE END UP CANCELING DOZENS OF
GAMES AND PRACTICES. THIS
AMOUNTS TO A DIMINISHED
EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNG PLAYERS.
CONVERTING FAIRMOUNT PARK
PLAYFIELD INFIELD TO AN ALL
SEASON TURF WILL HELP PROVIDE
CONSISTENT ACCESS IN VARIOUS
WEATHER CONDITIONS, ALLOWING
YEAR-ROUND PLAY. THIS MEANS
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
TRAINING, GAMES, AND COMMUNITY
EVENTS REGARDLESS OF THE
SEASON. OUR LOCAL ATHLETES CAN
BENEFIT FROM EXTENDED PLAYTIME,
FOSTER DEVELOPMENT. I ASK THAT
YOU SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT AND
PROVIDE THE 820 YOUTH SOFTBALL
AND BASEBALL ATHLETES IN WEST
HILL COMMUNITY WITH A SAFE TURF
INFRASTRUCTURE.
>> THANK YOU, NICK. THANK YOU,
PJ, UP NEXT, PJ, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS PJ HAYES,
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN
BALLARD IN RECENT YEARS I
RETURNED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS
A LOW INCOME RENTER. TAKING
JUMPSTART TAX DOLLARS AWAY FROM
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PUTTING
THEM TOWARD HOUSING ENCAMPMENT
SWEEPS IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AND
CRUEL. FURTHERMORE, IT
DEMONSTRATES A SHORTSIGHTED
UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROOT
CAUSES OF THE HOUSING CRISIS IN
THE CITY. DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR, IT
IS LESS EXPENSIVE FOR THE
GOVERNMENT TO PROACTIVELY
PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH
AS HOUSING, FOOD, AND MENTAL
AND PHYSICAL HEALTHCARE. THEN
IT IS TO PUSH PEOPLE IN CRISIS
THROUGH THE SYSTEM. KEEPING THE
FULL $530 MILLION IN JUMPSTART
FUNDS TOWARD THEIR ORIGINAL
GOALS OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY,
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS A MORE
EFFECTIVE INVESTMENT IN THE
LONG TERM HEALTH AND SAFETY OF
THIS CITY THAN FUNDING SWEEPS
AND POLICE EVER COULD BE.
>> THANK YOU, PJ, UP NEXT IS
44, CINDY.
>> CINDY PARKER, I HAVE A
BRAND-NEW TOPIC FOR YOU
TONIGHT. I'M ONE OF THE
FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE SEATTLE
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION HUB,
AND WE ARE A COMMUNITY FORMED
COMMUNITY LED GROUP THAT
RESPONDS FOR DISASTERS. WE'VE
CREATED GATHERING SPACES
THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF
WASHINGTON, SEATTLE,
WASHINGTON, THROUGHOUT THE CITY
OF SEATTLE, WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO
AFTER A MAJOR DISASTER BEFORE
CITY SERVICES IN PLACE
AND HAVE THE NEIGHBORS HELP
NEIGHBORS. WE SAW THIS HAPPEN
RECENTLY IN HELENE. THAT MODEL
WE WATCHED, AND THAT IS EXACTLY
WHAT WE WILL BE DOING. OUR
PROBLEM IS, WE ARE SO UNREADY
AS CITIZENS IN THIS CITY, I DO
A LOT OF OUTREACH AS A
VOLUNTEER, TEACHING PEOPLE,
BECAUSE IF WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO
ARE NOT PREPARED TO BE ON THE
WORST CAMPING TRIP OF THEIR
LIFE, THEY CANNOT HELP OTHER
PEOPLE. WE WILL HAVE MORE
VICTIMS THAN PEOPLE WHO CAN
BRING THEIR SKILLS, THEIR
KNOWLEDGE, THEIR RESOURCES TO
HELP OTHER PEOPLE. THE OFFICE
OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HAS TWO
COORDINATORS THAT YOU OUTREACH
RIGHT NOW, AND THAT IS BECAUSE
THEY'RE CUTTING THE BUDGET,
THEY USED TO HAVE THREE. THEY
HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO FILL
THAT THIRD POSITION. THREE
PEOPLE DOWN TO TWO FOR 800,000
PEOPLE. SO, WE REALLY THINK
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE AND THE
OTHERS WHO SIGNED ONTO THAT
AMENDMENT TO RESTORE THE LITTLE
BIT OF STAFF ADMINISTRATION AND
THEIR TRAINING AND TRAVEL, BUT
PLEASE EXTENDED ALL THE WAY TO
RESTORE THAT OUTREACH POSITION,
YOU'VE PUT IN SOME FOR A
REPORT, IF YOU REALLY NEED A
REPORT TO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE
NOT READY, WHY DON'T YOU COME
TO ONE OF OUR TRAINING CLASSES.
I WAS GOING TO TURN AROUND AND
ASK EVERYBODY, HOW MANY OF YOU
WERE PREPARED TO BE ON YOUR OWN
FOR A WEEK OR TWO AS FEMA
RECOMMENDS AFTER A DISASTER?
THERE IS USUALLY TWO PEOPLE.
WE'VE GOT THREE, AND I DIDN'T
PLANT THEM. THAT'S THE
PROPORTION WE SEE OVER AND OVER
AGAIN. PLEASE SERIOUSLY
CONSIDER RESTORING THAT PERSON
TO THEIR STAFF, THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE WILL BE
ON THE HAM RADIO TONIGHT, B 47?
B 48, B 49? WE, ARE YOU 45?
COME ON UP. LET'S ROCK 'N
ROLL.
>> GOOD EVENING, CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS, MY NAME IS
PENELOPE PENNY KETTLE, I'M A
SENIOR AT THE CENTER SCHOOL AND
I'M HERE TO ASK FOR A
DIFFERENT SOLUTION TO THE
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.
>> WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE IN
SEATTLE? IT MEANS WALKING DOWN
RAVENNA AND SEEING PEOPLE IN
BLANKETS CROWDED AROUND THE BUS
STOP OUTSIDE THE SHUTDOWN
PHARMACY. IT MEANS OWN WITH A
CARDBOARD SIGN AND A DISPARATE
HOPE AT EACH FREEWAY ENTRANCE
AND EXIT, IT MEANS, IN A WORD,
HOMELESSNESS. THIS BUDGET WILL
GIVE 6 MILLION TO THE UNIFIED
CARE TEAM LAYING SEVEN DAYS A
WEEK INSTEAD OF FIVE, THEY
ALREADY CONDUCT 11 SWEEPS EACH
DAY AND ONLY 11% OF ALL
REFERRALS LEAD TO PEOPLE TAKING
THEIR OFFERS, AND IT'S NOT
HARD TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN
SOMEONE BREAKS INTO THE CLOSEST
THING TO A HOME YOU HAVE AND
OFFERS AN OVERNIGHT STAY IN A
CONGREGANT SHOULDER INSTEAD OF
PERMANENT HOUSING, YOU MIGHT BE
INCLINED TO REFUSE. 99% OF YOU
TT SWEEPS OUR OBSTRUCTION
SWEEPS, MEANING THE CITY
DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO OFFER
THEM HOUSING. THAT ISN'T
REDUCING HOMELESSNESS, THAT'S
PLAYING WHAC-A-MOLE. WHY ARE WE
FUNDING A PROGRAM THAT DOES NOT
WORK? WE LOOK AT THE STRUGGLES
OF OUR CITY, THE RAMPANT RACIAL
INEQUITY, 52% OF ALL HOMELESS
IN SEATTLE ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR.
WE LOOK AT THE TRAFFICKING ON
AURORA, ARE COLLAPSING THE
STRUCTURE, THE SMALL BUSINESSES
GO THROUGH, WOULD YOU SEND A
COP TO FIX A SIDEWALK TO DO
SOMEONE'S TAXES? OF COURSE
NOT. BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT EVERY
SITUATION DOES NOT REQUIRE A
UNIFORMED OFFICER. WHY DO WE
SEE THAT AS A SOLUTION TO
HOMELESSNESS? SEATTLE TIMES
SAYS THE STATE'S IN CAMERA
RESOLUTION PROGRAM CLOSED 18
ENCAMPMENTS
BROUGHT 90% OF
SLOWER, MORE METHODICAL
SOLUTIONS THE PATH TO CHANGING
OUR CITY FOR THE BETTER, AND
ENDING THIS CRISIS FOR GOOD.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE IN
SEATTLE? IT MEANS COMMITTING TO
CHANGE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, PENELOPE. B 47, B
47, B 48, REAGAN. WILL BE 49,
ANGIE? B 50, ERIC KIDO?
WELCOME.
>> HI, THERE, I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 4, I'D LIKE TO
ADDRESS MY REPRESENTATIVE
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
COUNCILMEMBER, YOU'VE TALKED A
GREAT DEAL ABOUT PRIORITIZING
PUBLIC SAFETY. I LIVE RIGHT
ACROSS THE STREET FROM MAGNUSON
PARK HIM AND I'M ASKING YOU TO
FOCUS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS THAT
MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFER.
FUNDING HOUSING, FUNDING
SERVICES, AND ASSISTANCE FOR
RENTERS, FUNDING TREATMENT FOR
FOLKS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDERS. THESE ARE REAL
ISSUES IN DISTRICT 4 AND ACROSS
OUR CITY. AND WE ARE NOT GOING
TO POLICE OUR WAY OUT OF THESE
CHALLENGES. COUNCILMEMBER,
YOU'VE ALSO TALKED ABOUT USING
TAXPAYER DOLLARS EFFECTIVELY.
ONE OF YOUR TOP BUDGET
PRIORITIES THIS YEAR IS TO
SPEND MONEY ON A STUDY TO TURN
A KING COUNTY SOBERING CENTER
INTO A LOCKED FACILITY FOR DRUG
LAW VIOLATORS. ACCORDING TO
REPORT TODAY FROM ERICA
BARNETT, THE COUNTY HAS ZERO
INTEREST IN THIS PROPOSAL, THE
STUDY IS A WASTE OF TIME AND
MONEY. RATHER THAN SPENDING
MONEY ON MORE POLICE AND
UNNECESSARY STUDIES, LET'S
SPEND MONEY SUPPORTING OUR
NEIGHBORS AND OUR COMMUNITIES.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, ERIC, UP NEXT, WE
HAVE RITA HOLTZMAN. WE ARE ON A
51 THROUGH 60. RITA, THANK YOU
FOR WAITING AND WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING, I'M A
LIFELONG RESIDENT OF SEATTLE
AND HAVE LIVED IN WEST FOR OVER
40 YEARS. I'M HERE TO CALL
YOUR ATTENTION TO ITEM OF THE
BALANCING PACKAGE OF OCTOBER
30. IMPROVED AND ACTED UPON BY
SDOT EDWARD TO REMOVE A BARRIER
TO PREVENT CARS TO TURN LEFT
TURNS INTO AND OUT OF A
PROPERTY ON DEL RIDGWAY
SOUTHWEST. MOTORISTS MAKING
THIS TURN WOULD BE INVOLVED IN
CROSSING A REGULAR CAR TRAFFIC
LANE, A BUS ONLY LANE, A
SEPARATED BIKE PATHWAY, AND A
SIDEWALK FOR INGRESS AND
EGRESS. AND THE BARRIER IN
QUESTION IS ON A FAIRLY SHORT
STRETCH OF ROADWAY, BOOK ENDED
BY CURVES THAT LIMIT MOTORISTS
ABILITY TO SEE AND ACCOUNT FOR
HAZARDS POSED BY ONCOMING
TRAFFIC. IN MY ALMOST 30 YEAR
CAREER AS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
TEACHER, I DID MORNING CROSSING
GUARD DUTIES AT INTERSECTIONS
JUST OUTSIDE MY BUILDING AND
WORKED WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO
GET KIDS SAFELY TO THEIR CARS
DURING OUR AFTERNOON DISMISSAL
TIME. OUR PRINCIPAL WORKED WITH
NEARBY BUSINESSES, RESIDENTS,
AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO
ENSURE SAFE AND EFFICIENT
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES HE DAY.
EVEN WITH ALL THAT EFFORT AND
TEAMWORK I WITNESSED A NUMBER
OF NEAR MISSES INVOLVING
DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS,
CYCLISTS, AND OTHER VULNERABLE
USERS. WHETHER DUE TO MOMENTARY
LAPSES IN ATTENTION, WEATHER
CONDITIONS OR OTHER FACTORS,
THE POTENTIAL FOR TRAGIC
OUTCOMES IS THERE. YOU MAY ALSO
RECALL THAT MY HUSBAND WAS
STRUCK AND KILLED LAST DECEMBER
BY A DRIVER ATTEMPTING TO TURN
LEFT, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HIM
ON A STREET NEAR OUR HOME. I AM
INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED WITH
THESE TYPE OF DANGERS. I'M
DISMAYED THAT JUST AFTER
PASSAGE OF THE 2024
TRANSPORTATION LETTER WHICH
INCLUDED SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING
FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS, THIS PROJECT
WOULD PUT VULNERABLE USERS AT
GREATER RISK OF INJURY AND
DEATH, MAKING CHANGES TO SOLVE
ONE PROBLEM WHILE
SIMULTANEOUSLY CREATING ANOTHER
ONE IS DEEPLY CONCERNING TO ME.
I URGE THE COUNCIL TO CAREFULLY
CONSIDER THE POTENTIAL DANGERS
OF THE PROPOSED DELTA RIDGE
ROADWAY CHANGES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, RITA, I'M GOING
TO JUST CHECK, ANYONE ELSE
STILL HAVE A CAR IN SEA PARK
RIGHT NOW? YOU DO, YOU'RE
NEXT, COME ON UP. YOU ALREADY
SPOKE. FANTASTIC. NOBODY IS
ABOUT TO BE LOCKED OUT OF THEIR
CAR LOCKED IN THERE. I'M GOING
TO TAKE IT DOWN A NOTCH. AND
LET US GET THROUGH THIS A
LITTLE MORE GRACEFULLY. SO, THE
GARAGE CLOSES IN 13 MINUTES.
EVERYONE, VICE CHAIR, THANK YOU
FOR THE REMINDER. WE ARE GOING
TO GO, A 52, THROUGH A 60.
YOU'RE A 52? THANK YOU VERY
MUCH, BRANDON.
>> MY NAME IS BRANDON, I'M
RENTING OUT OF BELLTOWN.
COUNCILMEMBERS, HAVE ANY OF YOU
EVER'
DIFFICULT EXPERIENCE. YOU MIGHT
NOT KNOW WHERE YOU CAN USE A
TOILET OR A SHOWER. YOU MIGHT
NOT KNOW WHERE YOUR NEXT MEAL
IS COMING FROM. YOU MIGHT NOT
HAVE A PLACE TO KEEP YOUR
POSSESSIONS SAFE. IT CAN GET
COLD AND WET WHEN YOU'RE
TRYING TO SLEEP. YOU CAN BE
DISPLACED BY THE POLICE SIMPLY
BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.
IF YOU TRY TO GET A JOB IT CAN
BE HARD TO MAKE YOURSELF
PRESENTABLE FOR AN INTERVIEW.
IF YOU GET AN OFFER YOU MIGHT
NOT HAVE AN ADDRESS FOR THEM TO
SEND YOUR PAYCHECK. EVERYONE
NEEDS A HOME, AND EVERYONE
DESERVES A HOME. THE MOST COST
EFFICIENT AND ETHICAL WAY OF
ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM IS TO
PROVIDE HOUSING TO THOSE IN
NEED OF IT AND PROVIDE
PROTECTIONS TO THOSE AT RISK OF
LOSING THEIR HOUSING. PEOPLE
WHO HAVE HOUSING ARE LESS
LIKELY TO COMMIT CRIME AND LESS
LIKELY TO DO DRUGS. THEY ARE
MORE LIKELY TO BE EMPLOYED AND
LIVE HEALTHY, FULFILLING LIVES.
I CAME TO COMMENT TONIGHT IN
SUPPORT OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND IN
SOLIDARITY WITH OTHER RENTERS.
WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE
EVERYONE WITH A HOME. PLEASE
USE JUMPSTART, THE JUMPSTART
FUND FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE,
HOUSING. PLEASE PRIORITIZE
HOUSING OVER POLICING, AND
OTHER SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS.
PLEASE MAKE SEATTLE A HOUSING
FIRST CITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT IS A 53.
NANCY.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL, GOOD
TO SEE YOU ALL TODAY. MY NAME
IS NANCY, I'M A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 2, I'VE LIVED IN
BEACON HILL MY ENTIRE LIFE. I
GRADUATED FROM FRANKLIN HIGH
SCHOOL, AND GRADUATED FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON WITH A
DEGREE IN AQUATIC SCIENCES, AND
WHILE I WAS AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF WASHINGTON, I LEARNED ABOUT
HOW POLLUTION IMPACTED OUR
WATERWAYS. IT WASN'T UNTIL I
GRADUATED COLLEGE THAT I
LEARNED ABOUT HOW POLLUTION
IMPACTED MY FAMILY, AND THE
COMMUNITY THAT I LIVE IN. I'M
HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT
PROTECTING THE JUMPSTART SPEND
PLAN, SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT
THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND
HAS FUNDED IMMUNITY LED
SOLUTIONS TO OUR CLIMATE CRISIS
AND ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICES
THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. MY MOM
IMMIGRATED HERE FROM THE
PHILIPPINES, AND SHE DIDN'T
HAVE ASTHMA. THEN SHE MOVED TO
BEACON HILL AND IN BEACON HILL,
WE HISTORICALLY HAD A MEDICAL
INCINERATOR, OUR FREEWAYS, THE
AIRPLANE PATH, SO OVER TIME SHE
DEVELOPED ASTHMA. SO DID MY
BROTHER, AND A LOT OF MY
FRIENDS DID, TOO, AND I REALLY
DIDN'T KNOW THAT ALL OF THAT
WAS BECAUSE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT
AND THE POLLUTION WE WERE
LIVING IN. SO, I'M ASKING YOU
ALL TODAY TO SUPPORT THE SPEND
PLAN BECAUSE THINGS LIKE THE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND
SUPPORT CULTURALLY RELEVANT
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION,
SUPPORT YOUTH LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT AND CONNECTING OUR
COMMUNITIES TO HEALTH
RESOURCES, AND ECONOMIC
JUSTICE. AND AS YOU ALL HAVE
HEARD TODAY, THERE'S BEEN A
LOT OF SUPPORT FROM OUR
COMMUNITY PARTNERS. I WAS HERE
FIVE YEARS AGO TO SUPPORT THE
GREEN NEW DEAL RESOLUTION, TO
THE JUMPSTART FUNDING IN PLACE,
AND I WILL CONTINUE TO BE HERE,
AND I'M REALLY HOPING THAT YOU
ALL ARE WITH US AND BELIEVE IN
US, BELIEVE IN ME AND MY
NEIGHBORS, IN THE SOLUTIONS
THAT WE ARE CREATING FOR OUR
COMMUNITIES. WITH THAT, PLEASE
PROTECT THE JUMPSTART SPEND
PLAN, CONVENE THE OVERSIGHT
BOARD, AND CONTINUE PASSING
OTHER PROGRESSIVE.
>> THANK YOU. SO, WE ARE NOW
ON, WAS THAT A 54? THAT WAS 53,
WE'RE ON A 54. IS THAT YOU,
FRIEND? FANTASTIC, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, MY NAME IS
BRITTANY, I LIVE IN D7, I'M
LUCKY ENOUGH TO WORK IN D7.
I'M HERE AGAIN REQUESTING MORE
FUNDING. I ALWAYS NOTE THAT CAR
DRIVERS DON'T HAVE TO SHOW UP
TO THESE MEETING REQUEST
FUNDING FOR THEIR NEEDS. IT'S
ONLY THOSE OF US THAT DON'T
DRIVE BUT HAVE TO COME TO THESE
MEETINGS TO REQUEST FUNDING AND
KEEP REQUESTING FUNDING, IT
SEEMS LIKE I'M ALWAYS AT A
MEETING TO REQUEST FUNDING TO
MY FREEDOM. THAT'S A SIDE
EFFECT OF DRIVER CONVENIENCE
AND CAR BRAIN IN THIS COUNTRY,
UNFORTUNATELY. I WISH IT
WASN'T THAT WAY, BUT IT IS. I
WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH I'M
VISION IMPAIRED I CAN DO
ANYTHING, EXCEPT DRIVE. THAT'S
ONE THING THE GOVERNMENT TELLS
ME I CAN'T DO. WITH THAT, I
RELY ON EITHER MY FEET, MY
BIKE, OR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
ONE OF THE THINGS WITH PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION IS, IT CAN BE
GOT AWFULLY SLOW. WHAT MAKES IT
FASTER? BUS ONLY LANES. WHAT
MAKES IT EVEN FASTER? IS
WINDOWS BUS ONLY LANES ARE
TRULY BUS ONLY LANES. WHAT
MAKES IT EVEN BETTER, RAPID
RIDES. THOSE ARE THE BEST THING
I'VE EVER MET. WHAT EVEN
GREATER, I LOVE THAT WE HAVE
STREETCARS IN THIS CITY AND I
LOVE THAT THEY CONNECTED,
BECAUSE THOSE ARE FREQUENT AND
RELIABLE , BUT UNFORTUNATELY,
CAR BRAIN AND DRIVER
CONVENIENCE USUALLY WINS OUT IN
THIS CITY, SO I MASK YOU TO
PLEASE CONTINUE TO FUND
TRANSIT. THE CITY JUST
OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED THE
TRANSPORTATION LEVY. THEY'RE
TELLING YOU WHAT THEY WANT IN
THIS CITY. THEY ARE BEGGING YOU
TO KEEP IT UP. SO PLEASE, MAKE
SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO GIVE
PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT, AND
OPTIONS IN THE CITY OF HOW TO
GET AROUND OUTSIDE OF THE
VEHICLE, BECAUSE THERE ARE
THOSE OF US THAT CAN'T DRIVE,
THAT DON'T WANT TO DRIVE, AND
AT SOME POINT YOU WANT BE ABLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS
EVENING.
>> THANK YOU, BRITTANY. FOR
THOSE LISTENING IN ON LINE,
WE'VE GOT ABOUT 20 MORE
SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED IN IN
PERSON THAT WE'RE GOING TO
TAKE THROUGH PRETTY QUICKLY. IF
YOU ARE STILL IN ONLINE
REGISTERING AND YOU WOULD LIKE
TO CALL BACK IN, NOW IS THE
TIME TO CALL BACK IN. BECAUSE
WE WILL BE COMING BACK TO
ONLINE SPEAKERS SOON. WE ARE A
55. LAST NAME OSWALD. A 56,
PAULINA LOPEZ? A 57, CARMEN
MARTINEZ? A 58, GABRIEL JONES?
>> HOWDY, COUNCIL, MY NAME IS
GABRIEL JONES, I'VE BEEN
TALKING TO YOU GUYS A LOT THE
LAST FEW MONTHS, GLAD TO BE
BACK HERE AGAIN. ONE THING I
THINK WE'VE LEARNED OVER THE
LAST FEW WEEKS IS SEATTLE IS
TIRED OF SOLUTIONS THAT DON'T
ACTUALLY WORK MUST BE ILLUSIONS
THAT LOOK GOOD BUT THEY'RE NOT
MAKING ANY CHANGE. ONE EXAMPLE
OF THAT IS SWEEPS. SWEEPS DO
NOT WORK. WE KEEP DOING SWEEPS,
THEY DON'T WORK. THE CITY OF
SEATTLE IS TIRED OF IT. IF YOU
WANT TO KNOW HOW TIRED OF
SEATTLE CITY IS OF SWEEPS, LOOK
AT THE FACT THAT ONE OF THE
BIGGEST OPPONENTS OF SWEEPS GOT
30% THE SELECTION. WE ARE SICK
OF THE RENTING OF JUMPSTART AND
THE IDEA THE JUMPSTART CAN BE
RATED, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE HAVE MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, WE DON'T NEED TO
FIGHT AGAINST EACH OTHER
BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY,
WE NEED MORE HOUSING OVERALL.
WE NEED TO BE A HOUSING FIRST
CITY. WE ARE SO FRUSTRATED AT
THE IDEA OF MORE FUNDING FOR
COPS. WE PLAY SO MUCH WHAT WE
HAVE SO MANY OPTIONS THAT WE
DON'T TOUCH. WE HAVE SO MANY
OPTIONS WE COULD DO TO MAKE
CHANGE AND INSTEAD WE HAVE TO
MAKE SURE EVERYTHING ALWAYS IS
MORE MONEY FOR COPS, MORE MONEY
FOR COPS, MORE MONEY FOR COPS,
AND IF WE DON'T SEE CHANGE,
IT'S GOING TO BE TIME TO START
PUTTING PEOPLE OUT WHO ARE NOT
AFFECTING CHANGE. ANOTHER PROOF
OF THIS IS ALSO MEMBER WOO HOO
GOT 41% OF THE VOTE. IF YOU
DON'T START BUILDING AND
LISTENING TO PEOPLE WHO COME
HERE EVERY DAY AND SPEAK ABOUT
THE THINGS THAT ACTUALLY NEED
TO CHANGE INSTEAD OF WHAT YOU
THINK MIGHT GET YOU RE-ELECTED,
YOU ARE NEXT. WE WILL VOTE EACH
AND EVERY ONE OF YOU OUT. FREE
PALESTINE, THANK YOU.
>> LANGUAGE. IS YOUR CAR IN C
PARK? I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU,
GABRIEL. IT IS? YOU GOT FOUR
MINUTES. OKAY, OKAY. SURE. A
59? A 60, JENNIFER BEATON?
WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO B, B
51, BOLIN AIDEN. IS THAT YOU?
52, HOWARD GREENWICH. IS THAT
YOU? FANTASTIC, HOWARD,
WELCOME.
>> NOTHING LIKE BEING THE 100
SPEAKER. THANK YOU, COUNSELORS
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK
TONIGHT. I'M HOWARD GREENWICH,
I'M A RESEARCH DIRECTOR OF
PUGET SOUND SAGE, FIRST I LIKE
TO SAY, WE URGE YOU TO NOT
PERMANENTLY DIVERT JUMPSTART
FUNDS TO THE GENERAL FUND. THE
SECOND THING I WANT TO TALK
ABOUT WAS RESTORING THE 50% CUT
TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
FUNDING THAT IS MANAGED BY OSC.
THE WAY THAT THE MAYOR
PRESENTED THESE CUTS WAS VERY
CONFUSING. MAYBE ON PURPOSE, I
DON'T KNOW. THE EJ FUND, AND
THE RIVER OPPORTUNITY FUND HAVE
BEEN COMBINED GOING FORWARD,
BUT WHAT THEY DIDN'T TELL YOU
WAS, HOW MUCH TOGETHER THEY GOT
IN 23 AND 24, WAS $2 MILLION.
ANOTHER THING THAT THEY SAID
WAS, THEY WERE AT THAT LEVEL
BECAUSE OF ONE-TIME FUNDING
WHICH WAS A RECOMMENDATION BY
THE GREEN NEW DEAL OVERSIGHT
BOARD, TO INCREASE THE FUNDING
FOR THOSE PROGRAMS. WITH THE
EXPECTATION THAT THEY WOULD
CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT
RECOMMENDATION TO THE MAYOR.
FROM A COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE,
IT LOOKS LIKE A $2 MILLION FUND
WHICH FUNDS A SMALL COMMUNITY
BASED ORGANIZATIONS, OBVIOUSLY
IN SOUTH PARK ALL OVER THE
CITY, IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS CUT
IN HALF. SO, WHAT WE'RE ASKING
YOU TODAY IS TO RESTORE THAT $1
MILLION FOR THE GREEN NEW DEAL
FUNDS, I'M OUT OF BREATH
BECAUSE I RAN TO GET MY CAR OUT
OF C PARK. TO RESTORE THAT $1
MILLION, IN THE GREEN NEW DEAL
FUNDING IS ALSO FUNDING $1.6
BILLION TO SOUND TRANSIT FOR
PLANNERS FOR TRANSIT PLANNERS.
PUBLIC TRANSIT, WE THINK OF
THAT MONEY IS BETTER SPENT ON
THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND
THE OESTERLE OPPORTUNITY FUND,
THANK YOU.
>> THANKS, HOWARD, THANKS FOR
RUNNING. WE'RE GOING B 53, B
53. B 54. B 55. YOU'RE B 55?
COME ON UP. I WILL ADMIT, I
CAN'T READ THE HANDWRITING.
>> MY NAME IS SCOTT STERNBERG,
I LIVE IN NORTH BEACON HILL. AS
A COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH
PROFESSIONAL, A PUBLIC HEALTH
RESEARCHER, A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
CLINICIAN, AND A CONCERNED
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, I STAND
WITH THE PROPOSALS OF
SOLIDARITY BUDGET, A TRUE VOICE
OF THE PEOPLE AND CARE.
MOREOVER, THEIR PRINCIPLES,
THEIR PROPOSALS, ARE GROUNDED
IN EVIDENCE-BASED FUNDING
STRATEGIES. IT'S NOT BASED ON
FEAR, IT'S NOT BASED ON
SHORTSIGHTED VISION. I CAN'T
ACKNOWLEDGE INCREMENTAL
AMENDMENTS THAT ANYONE OF YOU
HAVE PUT FORWARD. WE NEED BOLD,
DIRECT, CONFERENCE OF CHANGE.
THIS BUDGET EXACERBATES THE
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS BY
DEFUNDING RENTAL ASSISTANCE,
TENANT SERVICES AND EVICTION
DEFENSE. WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY
INCREASING FUNDING FOR POLICE,
PRISONS, AND SWEEPS, WHICH TILL
OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS. I WANT
TO RAISE UP THE VOICES OF OUR
YOUTH WHO HAD A BANNER, DEFUND
POLICE, DEFUND THE PIPELINE
PRISONS, FUND COMMUNITY CARE.
FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
CREATES PUBLIC SAFETY. NOT
SURVEILLANCE, NOT MORE POLICE.
NOT PRISONS, NOT SWEEPS.
FUNDING FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
TREATMENT, INCREASES PUBLIC
SAFETY. NOT SURVEILLANCE. NOT
MORE POLICE, NOT PRISONS.
FUNDING FOR FOOD SECURITY
INCREASES PUBLIC SAFETY. NOT
SURVEILLANCE, NOT MORE POLICE,
NOT PRISONS. BASIC INCOME
INCREASES PUBLIC SAFETY. NOT
SURVEILLANCE, NOT MORE POLICE,
NOT PRISONS.
>> THANK YOU. B 56? I THINK
WE'RE MOVING BACK INTO THE
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING OF THE
PUBLIC HEARING. AND THEN WE'LL
DO B 57. B 57? THANK YOU TO OUR
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING GUIDES
COMING BACK. STICKING WITH THIS
LATE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY NAME
IS JOE BERNINA SOURS, AND I'M
HERE TO EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT THE HISTORY OF OUR UNIT,
OF THE CITYWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION TEAM IN AN EFFORT TO
BRING SOME LIGHT TO WHAT WE ARE
AND WHAT WE DO. ORIGINALLY, THE
NATURALNESS OF OUR SEATTLE
PARKS WERE WHAT YOU NOW CALL
THE RANGER PROGRAM, THERE WERE
NO RANGERS IN SEATTLE PARKS
WHEN THIS PROGRAM BEGAN, THEY
WERE NATURALISTS. THEY DID BOTH
EDUCATION WITH OUR SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, PUBLIC
PROGRAMS WITH THE PUBLIC AND
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, NATURE,
FUND, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. THEY
ALSO PATROLLED THE PARKS,
FOLLOWED THE POLICIES, PARK
POLICIES AND TALKED TO PEOPLE
ABOUT LAWS AND CITY, WHAT WAS
OKAY IN CITY PARKS. IN THE
BUDGET CUTS OF 2009, WE LOST
TWO OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL
LEARNING CENTERS, AND SEWER
PARK LEARNING CENTER. WE LOST
MANY OF OUR NATURALISTS AT THAT
TIME. ALSO AT THAT TIME, THE
MANAGEMENT DECIDED TO SEPARATE
OUT THE ENFORCEMENT PART OF THE
NATURALIST JOB FROM THE
EDUCATION PART OF THE
NATURALIST JOB, AND STARTED THE
RANGER PROGRAM. WITH THREE OF
THE NATURALIST TITLES BEING
CHANGED OVER TO RANGERS. THE
REASON I'M TELLING YOU THIS
TODAY IS JUST TO LET YOU KNOW
THAT OVER THE PAST COUPLE
YEARS, THE RANGER PROGRAM HAS
GROWN AND GROWN, AND BY POPULAR
VOTE OF THE CITY RESIDENCE, THE
COUNCIL, AND THE MAYOR, IT HAS
GROWN, AND I FEEL THAT PEOPLE
ARE CONFUSED, AND DON'T
UNDERSTAND THAT THE RANGERS IN
OUR SEATTLE PARKS ARE
ENFORCEMENT IN POLICY
EN
NATURALNESS ARE THE EDUCATORS.
WE REACHED OVER 10,000 YOUTH
AND STUDENTS ALREADY THIS YEAR
WITH A MINIMAL STAFF OF JUST
THE PEOPLE YOU SEE BEHIND ME.
IN 2023, WE REACHED OVER 20,000
PEOPLE WITH OUR EDUCATION
PROGRAMS, BECAUSE WE HAD
ADDITIONAL STAFFING AND BUDGET,
BUT IT KEEPS GETTING CUT.
>> THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR
EDUCATING OUR YOUTH AND ALL YOU
DO. FUN FACT, I RAISED SALMON
AT ADAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND
WAS A FIFTH GRADER. UP NEXT,
56, B 56, B 57, B 58, B 59, B
60, YES. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS KAREN TAYLOR, AND
I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO IS
NOT ON THE STREETS YET BUT IS
ALWAYS VERY PRECARIOUS. I'M
DISABLED, I LIVE ON SOCIAL
SECURITY, DISABILITY, AND, I
RENT ON BEACON HILL. I'M
ASKING FOR YOU TO RESTORE FULLY
THE TENANT SERVICES FUNDING, I
PAY MOST OF MY INCOME, MOST OF
MY SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK FOR
RENT, AND THAT PUTS MY LANDLORD
IN HIS HUGE POSITION OF POWER
OVER ME. IF I LOSE THAT, WILL I
GET ANOTHER PLACE? WHAT DO I
ASK ABOUT THE DRYER IS BROKEN,
HOW DO I DEAL WITH THAT? AND
GROUPS LIKE THE SEATTLE ARE SO
WONDERFUL IN HELPING OUT WITH
INFORMATION OF ADVOCACY KNOWING
THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE THERE WHO
ARE ON YOUR TEAM, AND ONE THING
THAT THE SEATTLE DID THAT WAS
AWESOME WAS, I COULDN'T
UNDERSTAND THE SECTION 8
VOUCHER PROCESS AT ALL AND I'VE
ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY AND FIGURE
THAT OUT, AND THEY HAD THIS
AMAZING WORKSHOP WHERE THEY
LAID OUT ALL THE DETAILS DOWN
TO THE LITTLE THINGS LIKE, YOU
HAVE TO SIGN IN EVERY MONTH, OR
YOU LOSE YOUR SPOT. SO, I MAYBE
WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH
EVERYTHING BUT NOT LEARNED FROM
THE SEATTLE THAT YOU NEED TO
SIGN IN EVERY MONTH. SO THEN,
I'VE TOLD MANY, MANY OF MY
FRIENDS ABOUT THAT, THAT'S WHY
I HAVE ON MY SIGN THAT THE
TENANT SERVICES IMPACTED
EXPONENTIAL, THIS IS THE KIND
OF INFORMATION THAT PEOPLE
SHARE WITH EACH OTHER TO HELP
EACH OTHER OUT. IF I JUST WENT
TO THE MEETING AND PEOPLE GOT
THIS INFORMATION, IT'S REALLY
IMPORTANT. PLEASE FUND TENANT
SERVICES, THANK YOU.
>> YOU SO MUCH. THANKS, KAREN,
FOR COMING DOWN. B 60, MARGO
JONES? FANTASTIC.
>> I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE.
>> YOU'RE NOT WRONG.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, MY
NAME IS MARGO JONES. I AM A
COMMUNITY LEADER, MENTOR,
LEGACY HOMEOWNER, THE CENTRAL
AREA OF OVER 30 YEARS, BUSINESS
OWNER OF OVER 30 YEARS AND I'VE
LIVED IN THE CD FOR OVER 45
YEARS, DISTRICT 3. I'M ALSO
THE BOARD CHAIR OF COMMUNITY
PLANTERS. A COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS AND CREATIVE'S,
RIGHT TO EXPRESS OUR STRONG
SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS IN THE SEATTLE
BUDGET THAT PRIORITIZES
INVESTMENTS DIRECTLY IMPACTING
THE BLACK COMMUNITY. OUR
PRIORITY IS FOCUSED ON FIVE KEY
AREAS ESSENTIAL TO OUR
COMMUNITY'S PROGRESS. THAT
WOULD BE HOUSING AND
HOMEOWNERSHIP, THAT WOULD BE
EDUCATION AND ARTS, HEALTH AND
WELLNESS, ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND
SMALL BUSINESS, WORKFORCE
TRADES AND DEVELOPMENT. THE
AMENDMENTS SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER JOY
HOLLINGSWORTH, THANK YOU, JOY,
AND COSPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBERS CATHY MOORE AND
TONYA WU ARE ESSENTIAL TO
ADVANCING ECONOMIC STABILITY,
PUBLIC SAFETY AND GENERATIONAL
WEALTH. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE
LEADERSHIP AND CHAMPION THESE
INITIATIVES. WE ARE GRATEFUL
FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN
CHAMPIONING THESE INITIATIVES.
WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR
APPRECIATION TO COUNCIL
PRESIDENT SARA NELSON FOR HER
LEADERSHIP, TO COUNCILMEMBER
AND BUDGET CHAIR JAN STRAUSS,
EXCUSE ME, DAN STRAUSS, AND FOR
HIS DEDICATION DURING THE
BUDGET PROCESS, AND TO
COUNCILMEMBERS ROB SOCCER,
TAMMY MORALES, MARITZA RIVERA,
EXCUSE ME IF I'M SAYING YOUR
NAME WRONG, AND BOB KETTLE FOR
TAKING THE TIME TO MEET WITH
THE MEMBERS OF OUR ALLIANCE.
SEATTLE HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN FOR
ITS AGGRESSIVE APPROACH TO
ADDRESSING SOCIAL CHALLENGES,
THESE PROPOSED INVESTMENTS
REFLECT SEATTLE ENSURING, TO
ENSURING THAT OUR BLACK
COMMUNITY REMAINS STRONG,
VIBRANT, AND RESILIENT. WE URGE
THE COUNCIL TO ADOPT THESE
CRITICAL AMENDMENTS, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU ALL FOR
STAYING SO LATE AND FOR YOUR
TIME AND ALL YOU'RE DOING FOR
OUR CITY.
>> THANK YOU, MARGO, GREAT TO
SEE YOU. I'M GOING TO ADMIT, I
CAN'T READ ANY OF THE HAND MY
HANDWRITING THAT'S LEFT. I
HAVE HL IS WHAT I THINK THIS
SAYS. R, STEPH HAGGERTY, ARE
YOU STEPH? FANTASTIC, COME ON
UP AND THEN DONALD C JUNIOR.
AND CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR
THE RECORD?
>> MY NAME IS STEPH HAGGERTY,
THANK YOU, COUNCIL FOR YOUR
TIME. STAYING HERE FOR ALL OF
US. OUR CITY FACES MANY
CHALLENGES, PUBLIC SAFETY IS
TOP OF MIND, WE TALK ABOUT
THAT, WITH THIS BUDGET TO MAKE
SEATTLE A SAFER HOME FOR
EVERYBODY, AND I URGE YOU TO
CONSIDER PRIORITIZING
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE OVER CUTS .
AS A RENTER, I SEE A BIG PART
OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AS A MUTUAL
AID VOLUNTEER IN OUR COMMUNITY
I SEE THE IMPACT OF UNMET NEEDS
ON OUR COMMUNITY'S WELL-BEING.
PLEASE CONSIDER RESTORING
FUNDING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE
AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
JUMPSTART, INVESTING IN HOUSING
HEALTH REDUCE HOMELESSNESS,
HEALTHCARE COST AND EMERGENCY
SERVICE EXPENSES OVER THE
LONGTIME WHILE REDUCING THE
BURDEN WE PLACE ON LAW
ENFORCEMENT. AS A WORKER I SEE
THAT A SAFE CITY NEEDS A STABLE
SUPPORTED WORKFORCE, HUMAN
SERVICE WORKERS ARE UNDERPAID,
PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING A 5%
WAGE INCREASE FOR THESE
CRITICAL WORKERS TO ENSURE
REDUCE TURNOVER AND ENSURE
COMMUNITY STABILITY AND SAFETY.
ALSO RESTORING FUNDING TO THE
OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS WILL
STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR STABLE,
SAFE JOBS. AS A VOLUNTEER FOR
350 SEATTLE, ICY ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AS
ESSENTIAL TO OUR SAFE LANDSCAPE
ENVIRONMENT AS A CITY. PLEASE
CONSIDER RESTORING THE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND,
A.D.A. SIDEWALKS AND PREFER
SEATTLE PARKS AND REC EDUCATION
FUNDING. OVERALL ENCOURAGE YOU
TO RESTORE CENTRAL SERVICES
FUNDING TO PRESERVE THE
ORIGINAL JUMPSTART PLAN AND TO
ENSURE A SAFER SEATTLE. I
BELIEVE IN YOUR ABILITY TO MAKE
A SEATTLE THAT HAS A LEGACY WE
CAN ALL BE PROUD OF, AND I HOPE
WHEN YOU GO HOME TONIGHT AND
THINK ABOUT ALL OF WHAT THE
COMMUNITY SAID THAT YOU CAN
LOOK YOUR FAMILY IN THE EYE AND
TELL THEM THAT YOU DID ALL THAT
YOU COULD TO TRY TO MAKE OUR
CITY A BETTER PLACE AND
CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF OUR MOST
VULNERABLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, STEPH. THANK YOU.
HERE WE ARE. DONALD? HI,
DONALD, WELCOME.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS
DON CASALE, I'M A VICTIM OF A
NINE-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER THEY GOT
SHOT. I'M ALSO AN INDIVIDUAL
THAT SURVIVED THE RELICENSING
PROGRAM. AND I DON'T HAVE YOUR
D.O.C. NUMBER, I'VE PAID
$250,000 IN CHILD SUPPORT, AND
I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE IN
1991 WHEN MY DAUGHTER DIED, BY
A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING, JUST AS MY
MOTHER WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN
SEATTLE TO GO TO THE UNION
ADMISSION AND START A PROGRAM.
FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THE
IMPORTANCE OF ALL THE ISSUES AT
HAND AREN'T IMPORTANT IF WE
DON'T HAVE PEOPLE, AND IF WE
LOOK AND DON'T HAVE THE
EMPATHY, THEN WE'RE EVEN MORE
WRONG. IF GOD GAVE YOU THE PHD,
IT'S NOT FOR YOU TO PUT IT ON
A PEDESTAL OR A WALL. IT'S FOR
YOU TO GO BACK WITH THE
SHORTCUT TO BRING THOSE THAT
MAY BE MISFORTUNATE OR
UNDERMINED BY OUR SOCIETY THE
HELPING HAND. I ALSO WANT TO
SAY THAT THERE IS A CASE, PULL
YOUR INK PEN OUT, THERE'S A
CASE ON YOUR MAYORS DESK RIGHT
NOW, OPA, OIG, HAVE ALL GIVEN
THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, AND
BECAUSE THIS CASE IS AGAINST
DIAZ, CHANGE MEANS CHANGE. DIAZ
IS NOT CHANGE. HE WAS THERE FOR
35 YEARS AS A POLICE OFFICER,
THAT'S NOT CHANGE. WHAT I DO
ASK YOU TO CALL YOUR MAYOR, AND
GET THE CASE NUMBER 20220P8
0321, AND TELL HIM TO GET THAT
PAPERWORK OFF HIS DESK. OR
YOU'LL SEE ME AGAIN AND
THEY'LL TAKE THE CASE TO DOJ.
I P█ROMISE YOU THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH
US SO LATE. ANYONE ELSE --
>> I'M RETIRED, I AIN'T GOT
NOTHING TO DO BUT BE UP IN YOUR
FACE.
>> I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT ONE
DAY. ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK
TO MARK WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK
TO ONLINE COMMENTERS, I'M
GOING TO STALL JUST A SECOND.
WE'VE GOT TWO FOLKS CURRENTLY
STILL PRESENT, RUBY ROMERO AND
KYLE MATTHEWS. ANYONE WHO IS
REGISTERED CAN CALL BACK NOW,
AND WE WILL TAKE EVERYONE AS
LONG AS WE GO. WITH THAT, RUBY
ROMERO, YOU'RE HERE, PRESS
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE, THANK YOU FOR
WAITING WITH US.
>> THANK YOU GUYS FOR STAYING
HERE THIS EVENING. I NAME IS
RUBY ROMERO, AND I WAS IN
DISTRICT 1, TO COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS, I TOO RAISED SALMON
AND GREW UP ON 87th IN BETWEEN
LINDEN AND AURORA. THAT STRUCK
A CHORD WITH ME TO HEAR THE
POSSIBILITY FOR THE CURRENT
DEFUNDING OF THOSE EDUCATION
PROGRAMS, WHICH JUST TO REMIND
YOU THE STARK REALITY THAT WE
ARE IN, WE ARE FACING AN
ADMINISTRATION THAT IS ALSO
DEFUNDING EDUCATION. JUST TO
HOLD OURSELVES SEPARATE FROM
THAT, PARTICULAR GROUP. I
WANTED TO COME HERE TODAY, THE
COMMUNITY MEMBER AND COLLEAGUE
WITH COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON
AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT MOORE, AS
THE CHAIR OF THE CONTINUUM OF
CHAIR BOARDS, I'M HERE TO
SPEAK AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND THE
TIME TO COLLABORATE IN THE
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THESE
UNCOMFORTABLE TOPICS, THAT WE
NEED TO GET TO THE CRUX OF, AND
I THINK THAT WE'RE READY TO DO
THAT AND I'M ENCOURAGED TO
HEAR THAT WE CAN START WORKING
ON POLICY THAT'S GOING TO
WORK, AND AS A CONTINUUM OF
CARE, IT'S A LOT LARGER
PROBLEM THAN ANY COUNCIL OR ANY
GROUP OF PEOPLE CAN DO, WE NEED
TO WORK TOGETHER, I'M
ENCOURAGED TO HEAR THE THINGS
THAT WE ARE FUNDING, AND I
WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO
COLLABORATE AND LOOK FOR OTHER
PATHWAYS FOR NEGATING THIS, AND
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU
LISTENING TO PUBLIC COMMENTS
UNTIL NEARLY 10:30 AT NIGHT AND
>> YOU'RE FINE, RUBY.
>> I YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME.
>> THANKS FOR HANGING OUT SO
LATE AND STICKING WITH US. WE
GOT ONE ADDITIONAL SPEAKER
PRESENT RIGHT NOW, KYLE
MATTHEWS. AND YOU'RE OFF MUTE,
WELCOME.
>> HELLO. GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS, I KNOW IT'S
LATE SO I'LL MAKE IT QUICK. MY
NAME IS KYLE MATTHEWS, I LIVE
IN DISTRICT 3 AND WORK IN
DISTRICTS TWO AND THREE, I'M
HERE SUPPORT COUNCILWOMAN'S
COLLINSWORTH AMENDMENT TO THE
BUDGET TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.
THE ARTS AND CULTURAL
PRESERVATION FUNDS NARRATIVE
BECAUSE WE NEED TO HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
INSPIRE THE YOUTH AND SHOW THEM
THE GREATNESS THAT THEY COME
FROM. THANK YOU, AND I
APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU
DO, AND I YIELD THE REST OF MY
TIME.
>> THANKS FOR WAITING WITH US,
KYLE. THAT DOES, AT THIS TIME,
BRING US TO THE END OF OUR LIST
OF FOLKS THAT ARE REMOTELY OR
PHYSICALLY PRESENT. 10:17 P.M.
A COUPLE MINUTES LONGER, BUT I
TALKED THIS TIME, MY FAULT, MY
APOLOGIES, COLLEAGUES. HERE WE
ARE. WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF
THE LIST OF REGISTERED
SPEAKERS, THE NEXT SELECT
BUDGET COMMITTEE IS TOMORROW,
WEDNESDAY 13th AT 9:30 A.M.
SINCE COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE HAS
REMINDED US THAT EARLY IS ON
TIME, IT'S ACTUALLY 11 HOURS
FROM NOW IS ON TIME. IT'S TOO
LATE FOR JOKES, I APOLOGIZE. WE
WILL HAVE VERBAL PUBLIC COMMENT
TOMORROW MORNING, WE DO ALSO
HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON SOME
BONDS. THE PUBLIC MAY CONTINUE
TO SUBMIT WRITTEN PUBLIC
COMMENT AT COUNCIL SEATTLE.GOV.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
TO COME BEFORE THE SELECT
BUDGET COMMITTEE BEFORE WE
ADJOURN? SEEING NONE, WE ARE
ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.