>> READY TO GO?
>> SON, WE ARE READY TO RECORD
.
>> STANDBY, PLEASE.
>> RECORDING IN PROGRESS.
>> WE ARE RECORDING.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE.
JANUARY 2nd, 2024 MEETING OF
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WILL
COME TO ORDER. IT IS TO: 02
P.M. I AM TRYING TO COUNSEL
CITY PRESIDENT PRO TEM. PLEASE
CALL ROLE. 20
[ ROLL BEING CALLED ]
>> OKAY, GOOD AFTERNOON,
EVERYBODY. I WANT TO WELCOME
EVERYBODY. IT IS SO GREAT TO
SEE ALL OF OUR BEAUTIFUL
COMMUNITY HERE IN THE AUDIENCE
TODAY. THANKS FOR BEING HERE. I
WANT TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO!
IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THIS
AFTERNOON. I AM THE SENIORMOST
COUNCILMEMBER RIGHT NOW WHICH
MEANS I'M SERVING AS COUNCIL
PRESIDENT PRO TEM. UNTIL WE
HAVE A VOTING PROCESS FOR NU
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, WHICH WILL
HAPPEN IN JUST A FEW MINUTES
HERE. AT THAT TIME, I WILL
SWITCH SEATS WITH THE PERSON
WHO IS ELECTED, AND THAT PERSON
WILL CHAIR THE REMAINDER OF
TODAY'S PUBLIC MEETING AND WILL
SERVE AS THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT
FOR 2024 AND 2025. FOLLOWING
THAT, EACH COUNCILMEMBER WILL
BE SWORN IN AND PROVIDE REMARKS
TO THE PUBLIC. AS WE BEGIN A
NEW TERM WITH THE MAJORITY OF
NEW COUNCILMEMBERS, I DO WANT
TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
WELCOME MY NEW COLLEAGUES. I AM
HOPEFUL THAT TOGETHER WE CAN
BUILD A CULTURE OF COLLEGIALITY
AND RESPECT. AND I THINK WE CAN
MANAGE SOME COLLABORATION, TOO.
THAT IS MY HOPE. THAT WE CAN
WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF
ALL SEATTLEITES AND THAT WE CAN
ENGAGE IN LIVELY DISCUSSION
ABOUT POLICY THAT WE CAN AGREE
TO DISAGREE ABOUT POLICY,
WITHOUT ACRIMONY OR PERSONAL
ANIMOSITY. I THINK THAT'S HOW
WE SERVE THE CITY BEST. AND I
THINK WE ALL AGREE BECAUSE
WE'VE ALL HAD CONVERSATIONS
ABOUT THAT ALREADY READ
>> EACH OF US HAS BEEN DULY
ELECTED BY OUR CONSTITUENTS. WE
CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OUR
DISTRICTS HAVE SOME PRIORITIES
THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THE
RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES AND
NEIGHBORHOODS. AND AT THE SAME
TIME, WE HAVE TO WORK HARD TO
ENSURE ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE
SERVED WELL. WE KNOW THAT THE
PEOPLE IN SEATTLE ARE SERVED
BEST WHEN WE WORK TOWARDS
SHARED PROSPERITY AND EQUITY
FOR EVERYONE WITH A FOCUS ON
BUILDING HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS
ACROSS OUR CITY. FINALLY THIS
AFTERNOON WE WILL DISCUSS THE
APPOINTMENT OF A VACANCY THAT
WILL BE CREATED TOMORROW WHEN
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA BEGINS
HER NEW ROLE AS A COUNTY
COUNCILMEMBER. I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA FOR HER
YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE
COUNCIL. YOU'LL BE MISSED
YEAR, BUT WE COULD NOT ASK FOR
A BETTER PARTNER FOR THE
COUNTY. CONGRATULATIONS. WE
HAVE A CHALLENGING YEAR I HAD
AS I KNOW YOU WILL KNOW. IN
2024, THIS NEW COUNCIL WILL
VOTE ON A NEW COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN TO DETERMINE HOW OUR CITY
CHANGES AND GROWS OVER THE NEXT
DECADE. WE WILL VOTE ON A
TRANSPORTATION LEVY PROPOSAL
FOR HOW WE ENSURE THAT OUR
CONSTITUENTS CAN GET AROUND THE
CITY SAFELY AND RELIABLY. WE
WILL BE VOTING ON THE NEW SPA
CONTRACT WHICH I HOPE WILL
IMPROVE ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WE
WILL NEED TO DECIDE HOW TO
ADDRESS A $250 MILLION BUDGET
DEFICIT WHILE MAINTAINING
ESSENTIAL SERVICES, ESPECIALLY
TO THE MOST VULNERABLE IN THE
CITY. WE HAVE NOT ONE BUT
SEVERAL ENORMOUS TASKS AHEAD OF
US THIS YEAR. AS WE QUICKLY
TURN OUR ATTENTION TO
APPOINTING A NEW CALLING BY THE
END OF THE MONTH, I HOPE THAT
SEATTLE REALLY CONTINUES TO
VALUE CRITICAL EXPERIENCE THAT
CAN ASSIST US IN MAKING THE
REALLY IMPORTANT DECISIONS THAT
WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS YEAR. I
LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH
THE NEXT COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND
MY COLLEAGUES AS WE ENGAGE THE
COMMUNITY IN APPOINTING OUR
FUTURE COLLEAGUE AND MY SINCERE
DESIRE IS THAT WE APPOINT
SOMEONE WHO BRINGS A LEVEL OF
EXPERTISE IN ONE OR MORE OF
THESE AREAS TO HELP GUIDE OUR
CONVERSATIONS. SO COLLEAGUES, I
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INDULGING
ME FOR A FEW MOMENTS WHILE I
HAVE THE MIND. THE FIRST AGENDA
ITEM IS THE ELECTION OF OUR
NEXT COUNCIL PRESIDENT. WE
WILL PROCEED TO ELECT COUNCIL
PRESIDENT FOR 2024 AND 2025.
ARE THERE ANY NOMINATIONS?
>> COUNCILMEMBER E ELECT
KETTLE.
>> I NOMINATE COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON FOR COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? ARE
THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS?
ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? I DON'T
KNOW IF I HAVE TO DO THIS THREE
TIMES. WHAT THE HECK. ARE THERE
ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? OKAY.
HEARING NO FURTHER NOMINATIONS
WE WILL CLOSING PROCEED WITH A
VOTE. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
ELECTING TREND 13 --
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON AS
COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE
IN FAVOR, NOT OPPOSE.
>> THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS
TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON.
>>
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> YEP. YOU WERE WAITING FOR
THE PODIUM.
>> HELLO EVERYBODY. HAPPY NEW
YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS, HUSKIES
AND THANK YOU, FRIENDS AND
FAMILY, FOR SHOWING UP TO THIS
VERY MOMENTOUS OCCASION. I
THINK YOU, COLLEAGUES FOR
PUTTING YOUR TRUST IN ME TO
CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. I PROMISE TO BE
FAIR, TRANSPARENT AND SUPPORT
YOUR SUCCESS. I WILL KEEP THIS
SHORT. WE HAVE ONE JOB, WHICH
IS TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE
HAROLD ADMINISTRATION. GREAT TO
SEE MEMBERS OF HIS CABINET IN
LEADERSHIP HERE TO WORK
ALTOGETHER FOR THE MOST GOOD OF
THE GREATEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE,
PERIOD. THAT'S IT. NOT GOING
TO LIST A BUNCH OF PRIORITIES
THAT WILL MAKE UP OUR
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. WE KNOW
WHAT WE WERE SENT HERE BY THE
VOTERS TO DO. WHAT REALLY
MATTERS IS HOW WE DO IT. FOR
EXAMPLE, BEING IN PERSON. I
HAVE TO SAY THAT IT'S SO
EXCITING TO SEE EVERYBODY HERE
GETTING SETTLED IN TODAY.
SENIOR STAFF ALL RUNNING
AROUND. I HOPE THIS CONTINUES
BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE HERE ON
SITE, IT IS JUST SO MUCH EASIER
TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO EACH OTHER
AND GET THINGS DONE FASTER. AND
THINGS DO MOVE FAST HERE, I
HAVE TO SAY. THEY DO, AND THEY
WILL. BUT WE DO NOT RUSH OUR
LEGISLATION. WE NEED TO TAKE
THE TIME TO GET THE DETAILS
RIGHT AND REALLY LISTEN TO ALL
SIDES OF AN ISSUE. IS HOW WE
MINIMIZE UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES. I AM REALLY
HOPING THIS IS A PRACTICE GOING
FORWARD. THEN FINALLY, WE
REALLY DO NEED TO DOUBLE DOWN
ON OUR OVERSIGHT ROLE, WHICH
MEANS MAKING SURE THAT OUR
OUTCOMES, MEASURING OUR
OUTCOMES ARE PRODUCING THE
INTENDED RESULTS, WHICH IS
ACCOUNTABILITY. I KNOW I HEARD
YOU WILL MENTION THAT ON THE
CAMPAIGN TRAIL THIS PAST YEAR.
THIS IS HOW WE BUILD TRUST. SO
I HAVE TO SAY -- I HAVE TO SAY
THAT MY GRAND VISION AS COUNCIL
PRESIDENT IS SIMPLE, GOOD
GOVERNANCE. I BELIEVE THAT IF
WE DO BUSINESS THIS WAY WE WILL
DO A WHOLE LOT OF GOOD FOR OUR
CONSTITUENTS AND DELIVER
RESULTS FOR THE PEOPLE OF
SEATTLE. AM PROUD TO BE HERE.
I'VE GOT A FRESH START FOR IT
NOW LET'S GET TO WORK. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH, EVERYBODY. ALL
RIGHT. NOW LET'S GET TO THE
REAL SHOW, RIGHT? WHAT? SO WE
NOW MOVE ON TO THE SWEARING IN.
WE WILL PROCEED TO THE OATH OF
OFFICE CEREMONIES FOR NEWLY
ELECTED DISTRICT COUNCIL
MEMBERS, AND WE WILL GO IN THE
ORDER OF THE DISTRICT NUMBERS.
AS LISTED ON THE AGENDA, THIS
WILL BE FOLLOWED BY BRIEF
REMARKS FROM EACH
COUNCILMEMBER. WE WILL COMMENCE
WITH COUNCILMEMBER ROB SAKA
REPRESENTING DISTRICT 1. THE
OATH OF OFFICE WILL BE
ADMINISTERED BY HIS DAUGHTER
AND SHE WILL BE JOINED BY HIS
WIFE TO AFFIX THE CITY PEN. I
WILL MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. YOU
TAKE IT AWAY.
>> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. I,
STATE YOUR NAME.
>> IS THE MICROPHONE UP? YOU
CAN PICK IT UP. HELLO, HELLO?
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A HOTTER MIKE.
CAN WE USE THIS ONE? OKAY, GOOD
JOB.
>> I, STATE YOUR NAME.
>> I, ROB SAKA --
>> SWEAR OR AFFIRM.
>> SWEAR.
>> THAT I POSSESS ALL OF THE
QUALIFICATIONS DESCRIBED IN THE
SEATTLE CITY CHARTER.
>> I IS A FALL BUT
QUALIFICATIONS DESCRIBED IN
THAT SEATTLE CITY CHARTER. AND
THAT SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE .
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER. THAT I WILL
SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
UNITED STATES.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY
OF SEATTLE.
>> IN THE CHARTER AND
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
>> AND I WILL OFFICIALLY
CONDUCT MYSELF AS A CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY
CONDUCT MYSELF AS A CITY
COUNCILMEMBER.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, DADDY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
ALL RIGHT, FIRST OFF, GIVE A
HAND TO ONE OF OUR FINEST.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. ALL RIGHT.
GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM ROB SAKA.
I HAVE THE ABSOLUTE PRIVILEGE
OF REPRESENTING DISTRICT 1. A
DISTRICT THAT REPRESENT SOME OF
THE MOST VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS
IN SEATTLE, WEST SEATTLE,
SOUTHPARK PIONEER SQUARE, SOTO
AND GEORGETOWN. LIKE MANY OF
YOU ALL, I HAVE HAD THE HONOR
OF WEARING KNEE TATS AND
SERVING IN MANY ROLES IN MY
LIFE. FATHER, SON, HUSBAND,
VETERAN, ATTORNEY . I HAVE THE
INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING
AS A CITY OF SEATTLE
COUNCILMEMBER. I'M THRILLED TO
START WORKING EVERY DAY. TO
FIGHT AND THAT CHANCE SOLUTION
FOR THE CITY THAT I LOVE. I
WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY STARTED
WITH MY WIFE, MY KIDS WERE HERE
WITH ME TODAY. AND HAVE BEEN
WITH ME EVERY STEP OF THIS
INCREDIBLE JOURNEY. I WOULD
NEVER THE PERSON I AM TODAY
WITHOUT YOU, SO THANK YOU. ALSO
THANKS TO MY FATHER, MARTIN,
HIS WISE WORDS AND LESSONS HAVE
GUIDED SO MUCH OF ME IN MY
LIFE. TODAY I WANT TO TALK
ABOUT RESILIENCE AND UNITY.
THESE PRINCIPLES ARE WHAT
CAUGHT ME -- BROUGHT ME HERE
TODAY. I MISS -- I AM THE PROUD
SON OF A NIGERIAN IMMIGRANT. I
CYCLED IN AND OUT OF THE FOSTER
CARE SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF
MINNESOTA BEFORE MY DAD, A
NIGERIAN IMMIGRANT, WAS ABLE TO
RESCUE ME FROM THE
CIRCUMSTANCES AT AGE 9. MOVED
OUT WEST, LANDED IN SOUTH KING
COUNTY IN KENT AND OUR
STRUGGLES CONTINUED BUT WE
STRUGGLED TOGETHER. AND I
WATCHED AS MY DAD WORKED LONG
HOURS DURING PHYSICALLY
DEMANDING WORK INCLUDING AS A
FRONT-LINE WAREHOUSE WORKER IN
KENT. JUST TO KEEP A ROOF OVER
OUR HEAD. SO I KNOW WHAT IT IS
LIKE TO STRUGGLE LIKE MANY OF
THE PEOPLE I AM HOPING TO HELP
NOW IN THIS NEW CAPACITY. BUT
IT IS HIS LOVE, HIS EXAMPLE
THAT TAUGHT ME THE IMPORTANCE
OF RESILIENCE AND COMMUNITY.
RESILIENCE TO COME FROM PLACES
AND IN JUSTICE AND IN A WAY AND
UNFAIRNESS. AND WORK TOWARDS A
BETTER FUTURE. NOT JUST FOR
YOURSELF. TABLE SPACE. BUT FOR
ALL OF US. YOUR COMMUNITY.
RESILIENCE AND UNITY ARE WHY
ORIGINALLY ENLISTED IN THE
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. RIGHT
AFTER THE 9/11 ATTACKS. DURING
SOME OF THE NATION'S DARKEST
MOMENTS WHEN SMOKE WAS STILL
BELLOWING FROM THE ASHES OF THE
TWIN TOWERS. IT'S THE SPIRIT OF
RESILIENCE AND UNITY THAT
INSPIRED ME TO SERVE OUR
NATION. IT'S WHY I BECAME AN
ATTORNEY AND DECIDED TO MOVE
BACK AFTER LAW SCHOOL. I WANTED
TO USE THE POWER OF THE LAW.
TWO HELP THEM OVERCOME SYSTEMIC
BARRIERS THAT I HAD TO FACE
GROWING UP. MORE EQUITABLE, A
BETTER, EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR
PEOPLE FROM BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES. IN THE SPIRIT OF
RESILIENCE AND UNITY, THIS IS
WHAT INSPIRED ME TO RUN FOR
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL. THE
CHALLENGES BEFORE US TODAY,
MAKE NO MISTAKE THEY ARE
IMMENSE AND GREAT. WE NEED TO
IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY IN A
MANNER WHERE EVERYONE FEELS
PROTECTED AND RESPECTED. WE
NEED TO BUILD A TON OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE NEED TO
TAKE ACTION TO END
HOMELESSNESS. WE ALSO NEED TO
FOCUS ON CRITICAL PUBLIC
INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE FIXING
BRIDGES, MAINTAINING ROADS,
FILLING POTHOLES AND BUILDING
SIDEWALKS. THESE ARE THE BASICS
OF A WELL-FUNCTIONING CITY
GOVERNMENT. DURING THE
CAMPAIGN, I REPEATEDLY HER
DEMANDS FROM RESIDENTS ACROSS
DISTRICT 1. TO FOCUS ON THE
BASICS. IN FACT I ENDED UP
CAMPAIGNING HEAVILY ON THIS
PRINCIPLE. SO MUCH SO THAT I
WAS TALKING TO A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 1 RECENTLY. SHE SORT
OF JOKED AS MUCH AS HE TALKED
ABOUT ALL OF YOUR MESSAGING AND
YOUR WHOLE AGENDA ON FOLKS ON
THE BASICS IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU
WANT TO BE THE KING OF
POTHOLES. FOR CLARITY, YES. I
DO WANT TO BE THE KING OF
POTHOLES IN DISTRICT 1. AND I'M
CALLING UPON MY NEW
COUNCILMEMBER COLLEAGUES TO
JOIN ME IN THIS GREAT WORK OF
BECOMING POTHOLE ROYALTY ACROSS
THE CITY. AS YOUR COUNCILMEMBER
I'M COMMITTED TO PRIORITIZING
EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT AND THE
EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF SERVICES
THAT MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
IN PEOPLE'S EVERYDAY LIVES. THE
LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE MATTER,
FOLKS. BECAUSE AS GENERAL
POWELL ONCE SAID, IF YOU ARE
GOING TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE IN
BIG THINGS, YOU NEED TO DEVELOP
THE HABIT THAT LITTLE MATTERS.
I AM CONFIDENT IN OUR ABILITY
TO COLLECTIVELY ACCOMPLISH
THESE THINGS LARGE OR SMALL
BECAUSE OF RESILIENCE AND OUR
COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT. I SPENT
THE LAST YEAR TALKING TO PEOPLE
ACROSS DISTRICT 1. I KNOW THERE
IS NOTHING WE CANNOT DO WHEN WE
WORKED TOGETHER. WE ALSO HAVE A
ONCE IN A GENERATION
OPPORTUNITY TO RESHAPE THE
CULTURE HERE AT SEATTLE CITY
HALL FROM THE GROUND UP. A
CULTURE THAT TRULY UNIFIES OUR
CITY. AND WHEN I SAY UNITY, I
DO NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE ALL
GOING TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING
EVERY TIME. WE ARE NOT. BUT
RATHER WE ARE UNIFIED IN OUR
MUTUAL RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE
THAT EACH OF US ARE WORKING
TOWARDS A SHARED GOAL TO DO
WHAT WORKS FOR MOST AND ALL.
DISTRICT 1 IS INCREDIBLY
DIVERSE. OVER 100,000 PEOPLE IN
THIS DISTRICT. I AM PERSONALLY
-- HAVE PERSONALLY KNOCKED ON
16,000 DOORS. VOLUNTEERS HAVE
DOUBLED THAT NUMBER, 32,000 AND
MORE DOORS TO THE COURSE OF THE
CAMPAIGN. OF PARTICIPATED IN
DEBATES, TALK TO COMMUNITY
GROUPS AND SAT DOWN ONE-ON-ONE
WITH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO
SHARED WITH ME THEIR STRUGGLES
TO GET BY. WE RAN A GRASSROOTS
CAMPAIGN THAT FOCUSES ON
COMMUNITY BUILDING FOR
EVERYONE. THAT'S THE KIND OF
COUNCILMEMBER, FOLKS, THAT I'M
GOING TO BE. SOMEONE WHO IS
AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE
GOOD RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 1.
SOMEONE WHO WORKS WITH OUR
COMMUNITY TO FIND COMMON SENSE
SOLUTIONS. SOMEONE WHO WILL
FOCUS ON BUILDING BRIDGES
BETWEEN PEOPLE IN NEIGHBORHOODS
AND CITY GOVERNMENT AND SOMEONE
WHO WILL REPRESENT THE
INTERESTS OF ALL DIVERSE
COMMUNITIES ACROSS DISTRICT 1.
I'M TRULY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR
TRUST, AND TRUST THAT I AM
COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH
INTENSITY TO REPAY THE
CONFIDENCE YOU HAVE PLACED IN
ME. INDEED, I WILL WORK
TIRELESSLY EVERY DAY -- EVERY
SINGLE DAY -- TO SERVE YOU WITH
GREAT PRIDE, HONOR, AND
DISTINCTION. AND RELYING ON
THESE SHARED GOALS, THERE IS
NOTHING WE CANNOT DO TOGETHER.
ABOVE ALL ELSE, WE ARE
RESILIENT AND WE ARE UNITED.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT, REPRESENTING DISTRICT
2, COUNCILMEMBER TAMMY MORALES.
HER SON , MATTEO, WILL
ADMINISTER HER OATH OF OFFICE
AND AFFIX HER CITY PAIN. SHE
WILL ALSO BE JOINED BY HER SON
AND MOTHER.
>> ARE WE READY?
>> YOU CAN RAISE YOUR RIGHT
HAND. I, STATE YOUR NAME.
>> I, TAMMY MORALES SWEAR --
>> THAT I POSSESS ALL OF THE
QUALIFICATIONS DESCRIBED IN THE
SEATTLE CITY CHARTER.
>> I POSSESS ALL THE
QUALIFICATIONS DESCRIBED IN THE
CITY CHARTER AND SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE.
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> FOR THIS POSITION OF CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES.
>> I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
DATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES
OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
>> THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES
OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
>> I WILL FAITHFULLY CONDUCT
MYSELF AS A SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> I WILL FAITHFULLY CONDUCT
MYSELF AS SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
MEMBER.
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> OKAY, GOOD AFTERNOON,
EVERYONE. THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON. ASK EVERYONE
FOR BEING HERE. MY SON, MATTEO,
AS LONG AS WE'RE SHOUTING OUT
SEATTLE SCHOOLS, A PROUD
CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.
TO MY HUSBAND, HARRY, MY SON,
JOSH, AND MY MOM, THANKS FOR
BEING HERE. I THINK EVERYONE OF
YOU KNOWS WHEN YOU RUN FOR
OFFICE, YOU DO NOT RUN BY
YOURSELF. YOUR WHOLE FAMILY
RUNS WITH YOU AND YOU JUST
CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT THEIR
SUPPORT TO THANK YOU ALL. I AM
HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY. TO
BEGIN MY SECOND TIME
REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE OF
DISTRICT 2. A PART OF THE CITY
WITH SO MUCH BRILLIANCE AND SO
MUCH POTENTIAL. I WANT TO THANK
EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED ME, NOT
JUST IN THE LAST YEAR, BUT IN
THE LAST FOUR YEARS. AS I BEGAN
WHAT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARILY
UNUSUAL FIRST TERM OF OFFICE
WITH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, A
GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS AND A
RACIAL RECKONING. IT WAS A LOT
FOR A NEW COUNCILMEMBER TO DEAL
WITH ESPECIALLY FROM HOME FOR
THE FIRST TWO YEARS. THANK
YOU, EVERYONE. I WANT TO THANK
THE DISTRICT FOR THE HONOR OF
CONTINUING TO SERVE YOU. I WANT
TO WELCOME MY COLLEAGUES TO THE
CITY COUNCIL ONCE AGAIN. I LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH
AND EVERYONE OF YOU. I KNOW WE
WILL NOT ALWAYS AGREE ON POLICY
MATTERS. BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS
KNOW WHERE I STAND. AND I HOPE
THIS CAN DOOR ALLOWS US TO
DEVELOP STRONG WORKING
RELATIONSHIPS. IT CAN'T BE
OVERSTATED HOW QUICKLY FOUR
YEARS GOES BY. THROUGH
COLLABORATION AND CONVICTION OF
YOUR PRINCIPLES, WE CAN ACHIEVE
SO MUCH. THROUGHOUT THE LAST
YEAR, I HAVE BEEN REFLECTING ON
THE COMMITMENTS THAT I'VE MADE
IN 2019. THOSE COMMITMENTS
INCLUDED INVESTING IN OUR YOUNG
PEOPLE, BY CONNECTING THEM TO
HIGHER EDUCATION AND
APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
TO INVESTING IN RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE AND ALTERNATIVES TO
POLICING. TO ESTABLISH ANY
PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SO
WE CAN ENSURE PERMANENTLY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
IMMINENTLY AFFORDABLE CULTURAL
SPACE IN OUR CITY. AND CREATING
A PERMANENT SOURCE OF FUNDING
FOR THE EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVE WHICH HELPS PREVENT
RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL AND
CULTURAL DISPLACEMENT IN THE
CITY. AND ALLOWS FOR MEANINGFUL
ECONOMIC IMPACT AND COMMUNITIES
-- IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
TOGETHER WITH MY COLLEAGUES
SUPPORT OVER THE PAST TWO
YEARS, THROUGH BUDGETS, PASSING
27 PIECES OF LEGISLATION, WE
WERE ABLE TO DELIVER ON ALL OF
THOSE COMMITMENTS. WE INVESTED
IN SEATTLE MARITIME ACADEMY TO
CONNECT OUR STUDENTS TO
PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS. WE
INVESTED IN RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
AND SOUTH AND HIGH SCHOOL
PROGRAMS. WE CREATED TWO
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES. BOTH
OF WHICH WILL SUPPORT THE CITY
GOALS OF STABILIZING OR
CREATIVE SECTOR AND HOUSING FOR
RENTERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
THE 9% OF THE PAYROLL DEDICATED
TO DEVELOPMENT IN COMMUNITIES
OF COLOR. I'M EXCITED TO BE
SHARING THE LAND USE COMMITTEE,
ENSURING OUR RESOLUTION PASSES
TODAY. THIS COMMITTEE WILL BE
VITAL TO ADDRESSING THE QUALITY
OF LIFE FOR EVERY SEATTLEITE.
AS WE PASSING YOU COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN THAT IS DESIGNED AROUND
PEOPLE. MY PRIORITY IS TO
BUILD A SEATTLE IN REACH.
WITHIN WALKING OR ROLLING
DISTANCE OF A HOME THAT IS
AFFORDABLE TO THEM IN A
NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY LOVE. AS
A TREND THAT NEVER HAD PLANETA,
I WILL BE FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
BUILDING RESOURCE RICH
NEIGHBORHOODS IN EVERY PART OF
THE CITY AND IN BUILDING
SOCIAL HOUSING. IN RESEARCH
NEIGHBORHOODS, I MEAN MAKING
SURE THAT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES
HAVE ACCESS TO COMMERCIAL SPACE
INCLUDING WHAT IS TYPICALLY
RESIDENTIAL AREAS. A PHARMACY,
A CHILDCARE CENTER. AS WE
INCREASE DENSITY THROUGHOUT THE
CITY, WE MAKE SURE WE CREATE
HEALTHY, THRIVING
NEIGHBORHOODS. ONE OF MY FIRST
ACTIONS WILL BE DUE PASS PHASE
TWO OF OUR EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT ZONE IN LEGISLATION
WHICH MY OFFICE CRAFTED WITH
COMMUNITY AND THE OFFICE OF
PLANNING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT TO JUMPSTART OUR
EFFORTS TO BUILD GENERATIONAL
WEALTH FOR BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES AND TO ADD DENSITY
WITHOUT CULTURAL, COMMERCIAL OR
ECONOMIC DISPLACEMENT. I WILL
ALSO BE WORKING WITH OUR FIRE
DEPARTMENT AND PERMITTING AND
PLANNING DEPARTMENTS. WE HAVE
A LOT OF EMPTY BUILDINGS IN OUR
DISTRICT AND THAT'S A LOT OF
UNMET POTENTIAL THAT WE NEED TO
ADDRESS QUICKLY. WE WILL BE
WORKING WITH S., NOT JUST TO
FIX POTHOLES, WHICH I
ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH, BUT TO
ENSURE THAT OUR SIDEWALK AND
STREETS ARE SAFE FOR NEIGHBORS
TO NAVIGATE AND WE WILL WORK
WITH THE OFFICE OF HOUSING TO
ENSURE VACANT PROPERTIES GO
TOWARDS THE KIND OF DEVELOPMENT
THAT CAN LEAD TO AFFORDABLE AND
SOCIAL HOUSING. CONTINUING
REGULAR IN PERSON OFFICE HOURS
WORK AND THE JOINT SERVICES
CONTINUE TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE
THEY ARE. THIS IS MY COMMITMENT
TO THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE AND
THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT TO, AND
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR NEXT
FOUR YEARS TOGETHER. THANK YOU
SO MUCH.
>> ALL RIGHT. NEXT UP
REPRESENTING DISTRICT 3,
COUNCILMEMBER JOY HOLLINGSWORTH
. THE OATH OF OFFICE -- I
KNOW. THE OATH OF OFFICE WILL
BE ADMINISTERED BY WAY OF JONES
AND THE COUNCILMEMBER WILL BE
JOINED BY HER FATHER TO A FIX
HER CITY IN.
TESTING, ONE, TWO. OKAY.
>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT
HAND. RIGHT HAND. I, STATE YOUR
NAME.
>> I, JOY HOLLINGSWORTH --
>> SWEAR THAT I POSSESS ALL OF
THE QUALIFICATIONS PRESCRIBED
IN THE SEATTLE CITY CHARTER.
>> SAID THAT WHEN THE TIME, I'M
SORRY.
>> SWEAR THAT I POSSESS ALL OF
THE QUALIFICATIONS
>> SWEAR THAT I POSSESS ALL OF
THE QUALIFICATIONS --
>> PRESCRIBED IN THE SEATTLE
CITY CHARTER.
>> DESCRIBED IN THE SEATTLE
ADMISSIBLE CITY CHARTER.
>> AND THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL
CODE.
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCILMEMBER .
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> IN THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
>> IN THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
>> AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY
CONDUCT MYSELF.
>> I WILL FAITHFULLY CONDUCT
MYSELF.
>> I CITY COUNCILMEMBER.
>> IS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
THANK YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THANKS. AND DISGRUNTLED THIS
ONE. I TOLD HER IF SHE MESSED
UP THAT I HAD TO START ALL OVER
AGAIN WITH RUNNING A CAMPAIGN.
I MIGHT HAVE MADE HER MESS UP.
I'M JUST PLAYING. CAN'T SCARE
THE BABY LIKE THAT. I'M JUST
PLAYING. THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON. GOOD
AFTERNOON. I AM JOEY
HOLLINGSWORTH. IT'S AN ABSOLUTE
HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY IS YOUR
SEATTLE CITY COUNCILMEMBER FOR
DISTRICT THREE. I WOULD ALSO
LIKE TO FIRST RECOGNIZE ALL THE
PEOPLE THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE
FOR ME TO BE HERE FROM YOUR
LOVE, SUPPORT AND PRAYERS,
DONATIONS, VOLUNTEER HOURS,
TEXT MESSAGES, PHONE CALLS, PEP
TALKS, HIGH-FIVES. YOU'VE BEEN
AN ABSOLUTE SOURCE OF MY
STRENGTH. THE CAMPAIGN STARTED
AND IT GREW FROM THE WOMB. AND
TALKED ABOUT THIS A LOT, WORD
OF MOUTH. IT WAS A TRUE TEAM
EFFORT. THERE IS A POWERFUL
VILLAGE THAT LITERALLY HOLD ME
UP TODAY, EVERY SINGLE DAY. AS
MANY OF YOU KNOW, I WAS BORN
AND RAISED IN SEATTLE. MY
FAMILY HAS CALLED DISTRICT 3
HOME FOR THE PAST FOUR
GENERATIONS. I TALK ABOUT THE
CAMPAIGN TRAIL OF THREE
GENERATIONS AND IT WAS MY
GREAT-GRANDMOTHER WHO MOVED
HERE. I AM JUST A KID FROM THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT TO GREW UP AT
THE KNEES OF CIVIL RIGHTS
LEGEND THROUGHOUT SAVE OUR
CITY. JUST A KID WHO RAN A
LEMONADE STAND WITH MY BROTHER
AND OUR PARENTS DRIVEWAY,
SHOOTING LAYUPS AT THE GARFIELD
COMMUNITY CENTER, GOLFING AT
JEFFERSON PARK WITH MY DAD. I
SANG IN THE CHURCH CHOIR. I SEE
MY PASTOR HERE. I WAS THE ALTO.
I CAN HOLD A NOTE EVERY NOW AND
THEN. MY CHOIR TEACHER, MS.
JACKSON. I SEE SIMEON HERE, AS
WELL. I PLAYED PIANO. I HAD
RECITALS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
DISTRICT 3 IS LITERALLY IN MY
DNA. MY PARENTS WERE DRIVE TO
THE ENDS OF THE EARTH FOR EVERY
BASKETBALL GAME AND NOW YOU'RE
SITTING IN THE BLEACHERS OF THE
HOT SUMMER JAM. NOW YOU'RE
SITTING AT CITY HALL WATCHING
ME GIVE THIS SPEECH. YOU HAVE
BEEN MY BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS
SINCE DAY ONE. WE'VE BEEN
MARRIED FOR 40 YEARS. MOM SAYS
DAD, YOU HAVE 40 MORE TO GO.
I'M GOING TO PRAY FOR YOU.
GROWING UP, I HAD THE AMAZING
WOMEN IN MY LIFE WHO HELPED
PREPARE MY WORLD. MY MOTHER WAS
MY TEACHER. SHE WAS BORN AND
RAISED IN NEW ORLEANS. SHE
TAUGHT ME EVERYDAY HOW TO BE
SMART AND NIMBLE AND HOW TO
NAVIGATE A WORLD THAT DID NOT
LOOK LIKE ME. I HAD MY AUNT
JACKIE, THE SECOND WOMAN IN MY
LIFE, SHE WAS THE EXAMPLE.
ANOTHER KID FROM THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT TO GREW UP TO BE A
BOEING EXECUTIVE. SHE EXPOSED
ME TO A WORLD I NEVER KNEW
EXISTED UNTIL YOU SAT ME IN THE
OFFICE CHAIR AT 11 YEARS OLD
AND SAID SHE YOURSELF ONE DAY
SITTING IN A CHAIR LIKE THIS?
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MY
GRANDMOTHER, DOROTHY. SHE WAS
MY ROLE MODEL. BORN IN SOUTH
CAROLINA, SHE WOULD LATER MOVE
ON TO MOVE HERE IN THE 1940S
TO SEATTLE. SHE WOULD GRADUATE
FROM THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON AND B, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT IN THE 1970S. SHE DID
NOT HAVE TO TEACH ME MUCH. SHE
JUST DID. AS SHE WALKED IN THE
ROOM, HOW SHE TALKED TO HOW SHE
PRESENTED HERSELF. THE
SIGNATURE SMILE. SHE WAS KNOWN
AS THE VELVET HAMMER. AND THEN
I ALSO SEE A BUNCH OF WOMEN WHO
ARE SITTING IN THIS AUDIENCE.
WHEN I WALKED IN, I SAW YOU. I
SAW A MOTHER, HARRIET WALDEN,
JANET PRESTON , FORMER COUNSEL
SHERRY HARRIS. MY GODMOTHER,
LINDA TAYLOR. VICKI BEACH.
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE DON
MASON. MY FIRST BASKETBALL
CHURCH. MS. COOPER, MISS
BUCHANAN, MISS CHARLOTTE. SO
MANY OF YOU HERE. I KNOW I
FORGOT SOME OF YOU SO PLEASE
DON'T GET MAD AT ME. I JUST RAN
THROUGH. BUT I'VE BEEN STANDING
ON YOUR SHOULDERS, AS WELL. I
RAN FOR CITY COUNCIL BECAUSE I
LOVE THE VALUES OF SEATTLE.
THIS HAS BEEN THE SECOND
HARDEST THING I'VE EVER DONE.
AT THE AGE OF 16 I HAD HEART
SURGERY AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
THAT WAS THE FIRST HARDEST
THING. THIS WAS THE SECOND.
COMMUNITY, CULTURE, AND
COMMERCE. WHEN WE KNEW OUR
NEIGHBORS, WE SHOOK OUR HANDS
FACE-TO-FACE, WE LOOK THEM IN
THE EYES. WE HAD CONVERSATIONS
ABOUT OUR DIFFERENCES BUT WE
ALWAYS FOUND THE COMMONALITY.
BLESS YOU. WE AS ADULTS TAKE
PRIDE IN BEING ROLE MODELS FOR
OUR YOUTH AND WORKING AS A
TEAM. THAT WAS THE SEATTLE WAY.
THE YOUNG LADY WHO SWORN IN, 13
YEARS OLD, SHE IS QUICK TO THE
BALL AND HAS AN AMAZING FLOOR
PRESENCE. SHE'S A SEVENTH
GRADER. SHE DESERVES TO GROW UP
IN A CITY WHERE SHE HAS AN
OPPORTUNITY LIKE I DID.
AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE, CLEAN
PARKS, ABUNDANT AFTERSCHOOL
PROGRAMS, VIBRANT COMMUNITY
CENTERS AND ACTIVITIES FOR OUR
YOUTH. TO GRANDMA, YES, THAT'S
HER NAME. EVERYONE CALLS HER
GRANDMA. TURNED HER APARTMENT
INTO A FOOD PANTRY FOR HER
ENTIRE BUILDING IN SOUTH
SEATTLE. GRANDMA DESERVES TO
ACCESS AFFORDABLE FOOD AND
SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY AND SHE
ALSO DESERVES TO AGE GRACEFULLY
IN PLACE. TO THE OWNER OF
BLUEWATER BISTRO, A SMALL
BUSINESS THAT'S BEEN OPEN FOR
OVER 30 YEARS. TROUBLED TO MAKE
ENDS MEET, BUT KEPT HIS
BUSINESS GOING FOR EMPLOYEES
AND CUSTOMERS. THE ARTIST'S,
MUSICIANS AND CREATORS ON
CAPITOL HILL WHO MADE THINGS
THAT LAST A LIFETIME, YOU'VE
KEPT US ENGAGED IN CONNECTED TO
IT AS WE BUILD IS A CITY TO
BOUNCE BACK, THE ARTS WILL BE A
PRIORITY IN THE MOVEMENT.
FIRST RESPONDERS FROM OUR FIRE
DEPARTMENT AND SOCIAL WORKERS,
POLICE DEPARTMENT. DOCTORS,
NURSES, EMTS. MORE HOSPITALS IN
DISTRICT 3. STATIONS. SMITH,
THE FIRST BLACK CITY COUNCIL
PERSON HELPED ESTABLISH THIS IN
OUR CITY. YOU'VE ALL WORKED
OVERTIME TO KEEP OUR CITY SAFE
AND HEALTHY. THANK YOU. YORK
DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED AND WE
WILL WORK HARD TO COUNSEL TO
HELP ADVOCATE. FOR MORE SUPPORT
AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR
CONTINUED WORK . TO THE DAY
CARE OWNERS WHO PROVIDE AN
ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICE TO
EDUCATE OUR KIDS. ESPECIALLY
EARLY LEARNING. THANK YOU. MISS
DEBORAH, MISS LOIS, WHO IS
HERE, TO NAME A FEW AMAZING
DAYCARE PROVIDERS IN OUR
DISTRICT. YOU WORK DAY AND
NIGHT HELPING FEED THE MINDS OF
OUR LITTLE BABIES. I HAD A
BASKETBALL COACH. I WILL END
WITH THIS. I HAD A BASKETBALL
COACH NAMED COACH HAWKINS. HE
COACHED THE SEATTLE SONICS FOR
A LITTLE BIT. WHEN HE RETIRED,
HE TOOK ON A PROJECT LIKE ME. I
HAD A SMART MOUTH EVERY NOW AND
THEN. TWICE A WEEK WE WOULD GO
TO THE GYM AND SHE WOULD PUT ME
IN THE CORNER, MAKE ME PIVOT
FOR 30 STRAIGHT MINUTES. EVERY
SINGLE TIME. ANYONE WHO'S IN
HERE PLAYING SPORTS, YOU DON'T
WANT TO PIVOT FOR 30 MINUTES
AND BASKETBALL. YOU WANT TO
DRIBBLE, SHOOT AND GO AHEAD AND
BE LIKE MIKE. ONE DAY I ASKED,
HEY, WHY ARE YOU PUTTING ME IN
THE CORNER TO PIVOT ALL THE
TIME, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?
HE'S A GIRL, I'M TEACHING YOU
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE GAME.
YOU DON'T KNOW THE
FUNDAMENTALS, YOU CAN'T KNOW
THE GAME. THAT'S WHERE OUR CITY
IS AT RIGHT NOW. THE
FUNDAMENTALS OF OUR CITY HAVE
TO BE PRIORITIZED FOR US TO
CONTINUE TO GROW.
FUNCTIONALITY, NOT POLITICS.
FUNCTIONALITY, NOT POLITICS. AS
WE CONTINUE TO HELP CLB A
SAFER, CLEANER, GREENER
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR
EVERYONE, LET'S TAKE OWNERSHIP
AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND
RESPONSIBILITY AND STOPS IN THE
CITY OF SEATTLE AND START
SAYING OUR CITY OF SEATTLE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
MY NEW TEAMMATES ON A NEW TEAM
FOR A NEW GOAL FOR A NEW
CHAMPIONSHIP AND WE WILL WORK
HARD TOGETHER. GOD BLESS
SEATTLE AND THE PEOPLE WHO CALL
THIS CITY HOME. THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
>>
>> ARE AT [ APPLAUSE ]. NEXT,
REPRESENTING DISTRICT FOR,
MARTIZA RIVERA. THE OATH OF
OFFICE WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY
HER DAUGHTER, ELAINA AND HER
CITY PAN WILL BE AFFIXED BY HER
MOTHER.
>> I CAN'T OPEN IT. OKAY.
>> I, STATE YOUR NAME, SWEAR OR
AFFIRM.
>> I, MARTIZA RIVERA, AFFIRM --
>> THAT I POSSESS ALL OF THE
ALLEGATIONS PRESCRIBED IN THE
SEATTLE CITY CHARTER.
>> THAT I POSSESS ALL OF THE
QUALIFICATIONS PRESCRIBED IN
THE SEATTLE CITY CHARTER.
>> AND THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL
CODE.
>> AND THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL
CODE.
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
DATES.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> IN THE CHARTER AND
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
>> IN THE CHARTER AND
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
>> AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY
CONDUCT HERSELF AS CITY COUNCIL
MEMBER.
>> THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY
CONDUCT MYSELF AS CITY COUNCIL
MEMBER.
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
NELSON. GOOD AFTERNOON TO
EVERYONE YOU REALLY WANT TO
THANK MY FAMILY, ESPECIALLY MY
MOTHER WHO ALONG WITH HER
FATHER IN STILL THE IMPORTANCE
OF SERVING COMMUNITY AND IT IS
THE REASON I'M STANDING HERE
BEFORE YOU TODAY. I ALSO WANT
TO THANK RESIDENTS IN THE D4
AND MY FRIENDS ACROSS THE CITY
WHO OUR RESPONSE WILL FOR ME
ALSO BEING HERE TODAY. I'M
GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND
TRUST IN MY ABILITIES. AND
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE
TODAY. HAPPY NEW YEAR. WE ARE
LAUNCHING A NEW CITY COUNCIL
TERM AS WELL AS A NEW YEAR. I
AM ENERGIZED AND LOOKING
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY
COLLEAGUES AND WITH MAYOR
HAROLD TO BRING SEATTLE BACK TO
THE SAFE AND VIBRANT THAT WE
ALL LOVE. I DECIDED TO RUN FOR
OFFICE AFTER THE TERRIBLE
SHOOTING AN ENGLAND HIGH SCHOOL
WERE BOTH MY DAUGHTERS ATTEND.
PUBLIC SAFETY WAS MY TOP
PRIORITY DOING MY CAMPAIGN. AND
IT DID NOT TAKE LONG TO LEARN
THAT IT IS ALSO A TOP PRIORITY
FOR THE RESIDENT DISTRICT FOR
AS WELL AS RESIDENCE ACROSS THE
CITY. ON BEHALF OF THE
RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 4, I WILL
ACT WITH URGENCY AND FOCUS TO
REDUCE 911 RESPONSE TIMES,
GETTING OFFICERS ON THE STREETS
TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN AND ALL
CITIZENS SAFE AND CREATE PUBLIC
SAFETY ALTERNATIVES, BECAUSE WE
KNOW THAT EVERY SITUATION DOES
NOT REQUIRE A UNIFORMED
OFFICER. ALSO LOOKING FORWARD
TO BRINGING ACCOUNTABILITY AND
CIVILITY BACK TO CITY HALL. OUR
CITY PROGRAM SHOULD BE
CONSISTENTLY DELIVERING THE
INTENDED RESULTS, WITH ROBUST
SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO MEASURE
PROGRESS AND OUTCOMES. IF
PROGRAMS DO NOT DELIVER, THEN
WE MUST ACT AND MAKE NECESSARY
CHANGES TO CITY'S
GOALS. AS CITY LEADERS, WE OWE
IT TO SEATTLE TO WORK TOGETHER
AS RESPECTFUL PARTNERS TO
ENSURE THAT POSITIVE PROGRESS
IS MADE. THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE
EMBODIES MANY RICH
BACKGROUNDS, BELIEFS,
EXPERIENCES AND OPINIONS. I
WILL ALWAYS BE READY TO LISTEN
TO AND WORK WITH EVERYONE,
DOING -- TO RESTORE SEATTLE TO
THE SAFE AND WELCOMING,
AFFORDABLE CITY THAT I MOVED TO
20 YEARS AGO. I BELIEVE WE CAN
ON BACK THE TRUST AND RESPECT
OF RESIDENTS OF SEATTLE. I AM
HUMBLED BY THE PRIVILEGE TO
WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES ON THE
COUNCIL WITH MAYOR HAROLD AND
WITH OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. NOW
LET'S GET TO WORK. THANK YOU,
GROSSE YES.
>>
>> ALL RIGHT. NEXT REPRESENTING
DISTRICT 5, [ APPLAUSE ]
COUNCILMEMBER CATHY MOORE. THE
OATH OF OFFICE WILL BE
ADMINISTERED AND HURT PIN WILL
BE AFFIXED BY HER FATHER.
>> ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?
>> I'M READY.
>> I, STATE YOUR NAME.
>> I, CATHY MOORE AFFIRM THAT
I POSSESS ALL THE
QUALIFICATIONS PRESCRIBED IN
THE SEATTLE CITY CHARTER.
>> IN THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL
CODE.
>> IN THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL
CODE.
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> ALSO FOR THE ADDITION OF THE
UNITED DATES.
>> WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
DATES. THE CONCERT DIFFUSION OF
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> AND THE CHARTER AND
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
>> THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES
OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
>> AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY
CONDUCT THYSELF AS A CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY
CONDUCT MYSELF AS A CITY
COUNCILMEMBER.
>> I HAVE A PEN FOR YOU.
>> OH, GOODNESS. SO --
>> HELLO, EVERYONE, THIS IS
SUCH A MOMENTOUS OCCASION.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COLLEAGUES,
MY DEAR FAMILY AND WELL-WISHERS
NEAR AND FAR. IT'S AN ABSOLUTE
HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY
AS THE NEWLY ELECTED
COUNCILMEMBER FOR THE BEST
DISTRICT IN SEATTLE. DISTRICT
5. I WANTED TO THANK THE MANY
INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS ACROSS
DISTRICT 5 AND CITYWIDE THAT
MADE THIS PRIVILEGE POSSIBLE
TODAY. AND I ALSO WANT TO SHOUT
OUT A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE
EARLY SUPPORTERS. MANY OF WHOM
ARE HERE TODAY FOR PROPELLING
ME THROUGH THE PRIMARY. I WANT
TO MAKE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO
THE MAYOR AND ALSO TOOK 242 AND
THE BUILDING TRADES. OUR
AMAZING FIREFIGHTERS AND TREE
PACK. I HAVE ALWAYS CONSIDERED
MYSELF LUCKY TO CALL SEATTLE
HOME. IT'S A DYNAMIC CITY KNOWN
FOR PARADIGM CHANGING
INNOVATION, NATURAL BEAUTY, AND
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSCIOUSNESS THAT HAS PUT US
AT THE LEADING EDGE OF SOCIAL
AND PROGRESSIVE CHANGE. THE
PROUD AS I AM OF OUR CITY,
WOULD YOU HAVE WORKED TO DO.
WHEN I STARTED THIS JOURNEY 10
MONTHS AGO, I BELIEVE THEY
WOULD FIND OTHERS WHO SHARED MY
CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE OF
SEATTLE. WHAT I FOUND WAS FAR
MORE THAN THE. I FOUND PEOPLE
ACROSS DISTRICT 5 IN THE CITY
EXHAUSTED. EXHAUSTED BY THE
TECTONIC SHIFT WROUGHT BY THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE RAVAGES
OF THE FENTANYL EPIDEMIC AND AN
EIGHT YEAR AND COUNTING
HOMELESS EMERGENCY AND A
RAPIDLY CHANGING CLIMATE. I
FIND PEOPLE HUNGRY FOR
CONNECTION, NORMALCY AND ORDER.
I SEE THIS RECENT ELECTION AS
A CALL FOR A LIFELINE OUT OF
THIS YOU WILL DURING AND
BATTERING STORM THAT OUR CITY
HAS ENDURED THESE PAST 40
YEARS. FINDING OUR WAY FORWARD
WILL WIRE US TO RECALIBRATE
THOUGHTFULLY AND CAREFULLY TO
BUILD UPON THE POSITIVE CHANGES
FORGED OUT OF THE CRUCIBLE OF
THE PAST FOUR YEARS. ADVANCES
SUCH AS CIVILIAN ALTERNATIVE IS
ON STEAM. WHILE ALSO BEING
UNAFRAID TO RESHAPE OR RETIRE
APPROACHES THAT FALL SHORT.
PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY ARE
ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS AND
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY NEEDS.
SO, FRIENDS, AT THIS TIME, WHEN
THE SIRENS OF A STRONGMAN SING
LOUDLY, WE MUST DEMONSTRATE
THAT A PLURALISTIC SOCIETY AND
A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT CAN
MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL OF ITS
RESIDENTS, FOR SAFETY, FOR
SHELTER, FOR OPPORTUNITY, FOR
COMFORT, AND FOR JOY AND FOR
CARE. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT
SEATTLE WILL RISE TO THIS
CHALLENGE, AND THAT WE WILL
ONCE AGAIN BE A LEADER. THANK
YOU SO MUCH. GODSPEED.
>>
>> ALL RIGHT [ APPLAUSE ].
NEXT, REPRESENTING DISTRICT
SIX, COUNCILMEMBER DAN STRAUSS.
THE OFFICE OATH WILL BE
ADMINISTERED BY FORMER COUNTY
CLERK AND THE PAIN WILL BE
AFFIXED BY FORMER COUNCILMEMBER
SALLY.
>> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. I,
STATE YOUR NAME.
>> I, DANIEL STRAUSS --
>> SWEAR OR AFFIRM --
>> SWEAR AND AFFIRM --
>> THAT I POSSESS ALL THE
QUALIFICATIONS PRESCRIBED IN
THAT CITY OF SEATTLE CHARTER.
>> THAT I -- SAY THAT AGAIN?
>> OKAY. WHO WROTE THIS? THAT I
POSSESS ALL OF THE
QUALIFICATIONS PRESCRIBED IN
THE SEATTLE CITY CHARTER.
>> THAT I POSSESS ALL OF THE
QUALIFICATIONS PRESCRIBED IN
THE SEATTLE CITY CHARTER.
>> WE DID THIS ONCE BEFORE. AND
THAT SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE.
>> IN THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL
CODE READ
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCILMEMBER.
>> FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES.
>> AND I WILL SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
DATES OF AMERICA.
>> THE CONCERT EDITION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
>> IN THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
>> IN THE CHARTER AND
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
>> AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY
CONDUCT MYSELF AS A CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY
CONDUCT MYSELF AS A SEATTLE
CITY COUNCILMEMBER.
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M
COUNCILMEMBER DAN STRAUSS
REPRESENTING FREMONT,
GREENWOOD, MAGNOLIA, MANY MICRO
NEIGHBORHOODS AND MANY OTHERS
IN OUR CITY OF SEATTLE.
>>
>> [ APPLAUSE ] IT'S A HUMBLE
HONOR TO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT
IN THE CITY THAT RAISED ME. I
WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY FOR ALL
THE LOVE AND SUPPORT FOR MY
WIFE, CAROLYN. ONE ON THE
HARDEST DAYS, WE GET TO THEM
TOGETHER. I THINK MY PARENTS,
ROBERT AND CHRIS FOR GIVING ME
THE LIFE THAT I HAVE LIVED.
THANK YOU. BECAUSE I REALLY
CANNOT DO THIS JOB WITHOUT YOU.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK AND
INTRODUCE MY FRIENDS. YOU BOTH
GIVE ME SO MUCH STRENGTH IN
HARD TIMES AND IN GOOD. NESTOR
HAS A LOT OF FANS IN THIS
WORLD. HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO
SERVICE WITH THE U.S. ARMY
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND IS A
KING COUNTY DEPUTY CLERK. AND
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS. SHE
DEDICATED HER LIFE TO SERVICE
WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON. THE PROSECUTOR'S
OFFICE IN HERE AT THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL. ONE COMMON THREAD
THAT THEY DID REALIZE BEFORE
THEY CAME OUT HERE TODAY IS
THAT THEY BOTH WORKED FOR NORM
MAILING WHO CULTIVATED
COLLABORATIVE GOVERNMENT AND
WAS A TOWERING FIGURE IN OUR
COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF HOW HE
WORKED TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
AND TREATED THEM WITH RESPECT.
BY DOING SO HE ELEVATED EACH
PERSON'S ABILITY TO SOLVE DAILY
PROBLEMS AND RISE TO THEIR FULL
POTENTIAL SERVING OUR
COMMUNITY. I SEE NORM IN BOTH
OF YOU AND LIVING HIS EXAMPLE
IS WHAT GIVES ME THE STRENGTH
TO SERVE OUR CITY TODAY. A
SHORT STORY WHILE YOU ARE HERE
WITH US. ONE EVENING I WAS
SITTING WITH NESTOR AND OUR
FRIEND, CASEY. I WAS
COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS OR THAT.
HE LOOKED AT ME AND CHALLENGED
ME, WANTED TO DO SOMETHING
ABOUT IT? AND HE AND CASEY
URGED ME TO SEEK THIS PATH
BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO
COMPLAIN. WE MUST EACH DO ALL
WE CAN TO SOLVE THE ISSUES WE
FACE. THANK YOU FOR ENCOURAGING
ME TO SEEK OFFICE AND GET
THINGS DONE FOR OUR CITY AND
OUR COMMUNITY. I THEN WENT TO
SALLY TO ASK FOR HER OPINION
ABOUT THIS, RUNNING FOR OFFICE.
BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY, SHE
SAID I WAS GOING TO DO IT. I
WAS JUST ASKING YOUR OPINION.
BEFORE I KNEW IT, SHE WAS
TELLING OTHERS THAT I WAS
RUNNING FOR OFFICE, EVEN BEFORE
I FELT CONFIDENT THAT I WAS.
THANK YOU, SALLY, FOR NEVER
LETTING ME LOOK BACK AND ALWAYS
BELIEVING IN IT. COLLEAGUES, I
KNOW EACH OF YOU ARE HERE
BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE THE
CHANGE THAT WE WANT TO SEE IN
OUR CITY. WE EACH HAVE THE
PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES LIKE NESTOR
AND SALLY WHO GIVE US
INSPIRATION BY DEDICATING THEIR
OWN LIVES TO SERVICE,
DEDICATING THEIR LIVES TO OUR
COMMUNITY AND TO OUR NATION. WE
TOGETHER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO RESET THE CULTURE HERE OF
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL. AS
MANY OF YOU STATED, IT'S MY
VISION THAT WE HAVE A
COLLABORATIVE TEAM WHERE WE
CAN DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING
DISAGREEABLE OR DISPARAGING
EACH OTHER. WE ARE OFF THE
CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND WE ARE HERE
TO GOVERN IN A WAY THAT SETS
OUR CITY UP TO REACH ITS
HIGHEST POTENTIAL. WE DON'T
HAVE TO PUT OURSELVES DOWN TO
LIFT OURSELVES UP. PULLING UPON
EACH OTHER'S STRENGTHS TO GET
THE JOB DONE. COUNCILMEMBER,
PROUD MEMBER OF THE RED, I'M
GOING TO GO OFF SCRIPT BECAUSE
YOUR POTHOLE CAN COMMENT LET'S
GET THIS JOB DONE. I LOOK
FORWARD TO WORK WITH YOU ON
LAND USE ISSUES. HARD TO GIVE
UP. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH, COMMUNITY,
CULTURE, COMMERCE, THOSE
>>> IT DID. THAT BUS
DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE. IT USED
TO. BUT THAT CONNECTION KEPT
OUR COMMUNITIES TOGETHER, AND
THE VISION THAT I RECEIVED IS
ROOTED IN THIS AS WELL.
>> COUNCILMAN RIVERA, WE'VE
ALREADY WORKED TOGETHER DURING
THE PANDEMIC, MAKING THE
GOVERNMENT WORK FOR EVERYDAY
RESIDENCE. I'M LOOKING FORWARD
TO WORKING WITH YOU, ESPECIALLY
SINCE GREEN LAKE, WHICH I
CONSIDERED ALL PART OF OUR
DISTRICT, SINCE IT IS THE
CENTER OF SEATTLE AND THE
BIGGEST PARK IN THE ENTIRE
CITY. COUNCILMEMBER MOORE, YOU
BRING A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE,
HAVING SERVED IN SO MANY
IMPORTANT ROLES, INCLUDING
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE,
UNDERSTANDING THE SEPARATION OF
POWERS, AND HAVING INSIDE
KNOWLEDGE INTO THE SYSTEMS OF
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THE
JUDICIAL SYSTEM WILL BE
INVALUABLE TO ALL OF US.
COUNCILMEMBER CATTLE. I THINK
YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE OF US WHO
WAS BRIEFED AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
I'M HONORED TO SHARE MAGNOLIA
WITH YOU, AND I KNOW THERE SO
MUCH THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH
TOGETHER AS LONG AS WE USE THE
COMMUNITY RULE. COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA, I'M GOING TO MISS THE
HECK OUT OF YOU. YOU HAVE SET
US UP WELL TO TACKLE THE
PROBLEMS AHEAD. AND IF WE NEED
ANYTHING, INCLUDING FUNDING, I
KNOW WILL JUST CALL ACROSS THE
STREET. I'M JOKING. BUT IN ALL
SERIOUSNESS, I'M GRATEFUL FOR
YOU EVERY DAY. IN SUCH A SHORT
AMOUNT OF TIME, WE'VE ALREADY
SET THE FOUNDATION AND RESET
THE CULTURE OF OUR LEGISLATIVE
BODIES. AND THIS IS ON SCRIPT,
EVEN THOUGH YOU SAID IT
EARLIER. THIS IS HOW MUCH WE
ARE ALL ALIKE. YOU LOOK AT THE
DETAILS. ALL OF THE DETAILS.
I'M PROUD TO CALL YOU COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. FOR ANYONE WHO
DIDN'T KNOW, SHE IS A DOCTOR.
IT IS US WORKING TOGETHER THAT
WILL CREATE THE SUCCESS WE ALL
WANT AND KNOW WE CAN BE. MY
OFFICE SPENDS THE MOST AMOUNT
OF OUR TIME ON OUR TOP THREE
PRIORITIES, ADDRESSING SAFETY,
AND CREATING HOUSING THAT IS
AFFORDABLE FOR WORKING
FAMILIES. THE FAMILY THAT I
GREW UP IN SHOULD BE ABLE TO
AFFORD TO LIVE IN SEATTLE TODAY
OR TOMORROW. ON TOP OF FOCUSING
OUR TIME AND RESOURCES ON THESE
PRIORITIES, IN THE LAST YEAR,
WE GOT A LOT DONE. WE PROPOSED
A WORKABLE SOLUTION TO THE
TRAIL, PASSED THE STRONGEST
PROTECTIONS IN MUNICIPAL CITY'S
HISTORY, WE PROTECTED OUR
MARITIME AND INDUSTRIAL LANDS,
PAST KEY ELEMENTS OF THE
ACTIVATION, AND WE ADDRESS THE
CLIMATE CRISIS HOLDING
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND SO
MUCH MORE. I HAVE TO THINK MY
TEAM, KATE, NAOMI, ANTHONY, FOR
BEING ABLE TO GET THIS WORK
DONE. BUT I HAVE TO BE VERY
CANDID THAT THESE ACHIEVEMENTS
WERE ONLY BECAUSE OF OUR
PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND
MAYOR HARO'S OFFICE AND THE
MAYOR. AND TO EVERYONE WHO
STOOD UP TO STOP COMPLAINING
AND HELP ACHIEVE THE SOLUTIONS.
WHILE THIS IS JUST A CONDUIT
FOR GETTING THINGS DONE, IT IS
AN HONOR TO DO OFFICE HOURS
EVERY SINGLE WEEK AND HAVE OUR
DISTRICT DIRECTOR IN DISTRICT
SO MUCH OF THE TIME. WE SET THE
TABLE FOR PARTNERS TO BE PART
OF THE SOLUTION, WHICH IS HOW
WE WERE ABLE TO GET MUCH DONE
LAST YEAR. AND OF COURSE, WITH
MAYOR HARO'S LEADERSHIP FROM
THE TOP DOWN, WE'VE IMPROVED
OUR CITY OVER THE LAST TWO
YEARS IN WAYS I HONESTLY NEVER
THOUGHT POSSIBLE. WITH HIS
LEADERSHIP, WE HAVE RESET THE
TRAJECTORY OF OUR CITY AND
WHISTLE IS SO MUCH MORE TO DO.
HE IS BROUGHT ON APPROACH I
HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE. I DON'T
THINK IT'S CORNY, BUT SOME
PEOPLE SAY IT IS. BUT IT IS THE
ONE SEATTLE APPROACH. IT IS SO
IMPORTANT, BECAUSE WE BREAK
DOWN THE BARRIERS TO WORK
TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE MOST
INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS. MAYOR
HARO LEAVES WITH HIS HEART AND
WITH LOVE, AND BY SETTING THIS
EXAMPLE FROM THE TOP DOWN, IT
GIVES OUR CITY WORKERS AND
EVERYONE INVOLVED EXPRESS
COMMISSION TO SOLVE THE ISSUE
OF THE DAY THROUGH
COLLABORATION, URGENCY, AND
OUTCOMES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO
SEATTLE. BECAUSE WE ARE IN THIS
BETTER POSITION, BECAUSE OF HIS
LEADERSHIP AND OUR WORK, WE ARE
IN A BETTER POSITION THAN OUR
WEST COAST PEERS. A BETTER
POSITION IN LOS ANGELES, SAN
FRANCISCO, PORTLAND, AND THINGS
ARE BETTER. BUT BETTER IS NOT
GOOD ENOUGH. I KNOW WE ALL
AGREE, WHICH IS WHY WE ARE ALL
HERE TOGETHER. IT'S NOT GOOD
ENOUGH TO BE BETTER THAN OUR
PEER CITIES. WE MUST BE THE
BEST THAT WE CAN BE. WE HAVE
STRONG BONES, AND WITH THE
REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS, WE
KNOW THAT WE CAN BE THE GEM OF
THE NATION. OF THE WEST COAST
AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. WE
HAVE SO MUCH WORK TO DO, AND TO
DO IT TOGETHER. TO BE THE GEM
OF THE NATION, WE NEED MORE
THAN GOOD BONES, THOUGH. WE
NEED THE VIBRANCY THAT MAKES
OUR BONES COLORFUL AND UNIQUE.
OUR CITY IS A COLLECTION OF
NEIGHBORHOODS, EACH WHICH
PROVIDE UNIQUE CONTRIBUTIONS,
AND WE WILL KEY IT CREATES THE
VIBRANCY WE NEED BY GOVERNMENT
FOCUSING ON THE BASICS AND
STAYING OUT OF THE WAY. THROUGH
BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT, JUST LIKE WE HAVE
BEEN DOING IN DOWNTOWN AND DOWN
ON THE AVENUE. GROWING UP IN
DISTRICT SIX, I SEE THE
HORIZON. IT HAS A BRIGHTER
FUTURE THAN WHAT WE HAVE TODAY.
AS LONG AS WE DON'T LET UP. I
DEDICATED MY LIFE TO PUBLIC
SERVICE, I'VE NAVIGATED HARD
TIMES, I'VE DELIVERED OUR CITY
AND DISTRICT BY BRINGING PEOPLE
TOGETHER TO FIND COMMON GROUND.
I'M COMMITTED TO KEEPING
MOMENTUM TO MAKE OUR CITY THE
GEM WE KNOW IT TO BE. I LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF
YOU, WORKING FOR THE DISTRICT'S
RESIDENCE IN SEATTLE, AND ELLIS
GET THE JOB DONE FOR OUR CITY.
>> ALL RIGHT. FINALLY,
REPRESENTING DISTRICT 7, DR.
ROBERT KETTLE. THE OATH OF
OFFICE WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY
HIS FATHER-IN-LAW, ANTHONY
DUNN, AND HIS WIFE SARAH DONE
WILL AFFIX THE CITY PIN.
>> I LEARNED A LESSON FROM THE
EARLY ONES. I BROUGHT THE OATH
AND IN PLACING IT RIGHT HERE
JUST IN CASE.
>> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND
PLEASE, BOB. I, ROBERT KETTLE,
SWEAR THAT -- I POSSESS ALL THE
QUALIFICATIONS PRESCRIBED IN
SEATTLE'S CITY CHARTER AND THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE. FOR
THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCILMEMBER. THAT I SUPPORT
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, AND THE
CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. AND THAT I WILL
FAITHFULLY CONDUCT MYSELF AS A
CITY COUNCILMEMBER.
CONGRATULATIONS, BOB.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON,
EVERYONE. THANK YOU COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON, MY COLLEAGUES
ON THE CITY COUNCIL, AS SO
WONDERFULLY DONE BY DAN IN
TERMS OF HIGHLIGHTING THEIR
STRENGTH. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
THANK YOU DISTRICT SEVEN. I
ALSO WANT TO MAKE A SPECIAL
THANK YOU TO MY FATHER-IN-LAW,
TONY DUNN, AND ESPECIALLY MY
WIFE SARAH AND MY DAUGHTER ABBY
FOR MY CEREMONIAL OATH. AS A
NEW COUNCILMEMBER, I AM LOOKING
TO BRING MY PUBLIC SERVICE SIX.
FROM MY NAVAL CAREER IN THE
PAST DECADE HAVING HIS TYPICAL
VOLUNTEER TO MY NEW ROLE. ON
THAT POINT, I WANT TO THANK MY
FORMER MILITARY COMMANDERS, BUT
ALSO MY NONPROFIT COMMUNITY
LEADERS HERE IN THE ATUL FOR
THEIR SOUP WORK. JACKIE MILLER
FROM THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
OF SEATTLE, PAUL MUELLER FROM
THE QUEEN AND COMMUNITY
COUNCIL. ELLIE BAKER FROM THE
VFW POST 3630. AND I HAVE TO
GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO NESTOR, AS
WELL, WAS ALSO REPRESENTING
WITH A FEW OTHERS. AND ALSO
LYNN ROSS, THE WEST PRECINCT
ADVISORY COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SUPPORT OVER THE PAST
DECADE AND GROWING ME INTO THE
SEATTLEITE THAT I AM NOW.
MOVING FORWARD, MY FOCUS
REMAINS ON PUBLIC SAFETY,
PUBLIC HEALTH, AND
HOMELESSNESS. THESE PILLARS ARE
NEEDED TO FURTHER OUR ABILITY
TO ACTIVATE OUR DOWNTOWN
NEIGHBORHOOD. THE VIABILITY OF
OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM,
AND THE SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR
POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY.
ULTIMATELY, THOUGH, IT'S ABOUT
CREATING A SAFE SPACE FOR OUR
CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES, OUR
SMALL BUSINESSES, AND BIGGER
ONES, TOO. OUR SCHOOLS, OUR
BUSES, IT ALSO IMPORTANTLY, FOR
THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US,
AND FOR THOSE IN CRISIS. MORE
BROADLY, THE FOCUS FOR ME
INCLUDES THE FACT THAT WE ARE A
PORT CITY. WE WERE A PORT A
CENTURY AGO AND WILL BE A
CENTURY FROM NOW. WE CANNOT
KEEP OUR TOPOGRAPHY, OUR
GEOGRAPHY. WE MUST PROTECT OUR
PORT AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES
FACING IT AND OUR CITY. THIS
COMES WITH OUR MEMBERS HERE IN
DISTRICT ONE AND 6. WE HAVE TO
WORK TOGETHER, BUT WE ALSO NEED
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OUR RULE IS
NOT JUST FOR OUR CITY, BUT ALSO
FOR OUR REGION, DATE, AND OUR
NATION. FURTHER, OUR CITY IS A
GATEWAY -- OUR CITY, NOT THE
CITY, IS A GATEWAY TO THE
WORLD. WE MUST EMBRACE THIS NOT
ONLY FOR THE ECONOMIC REASONS,
BUT THE ACADEMIC, SPORTING, AND
CULTURAL BENEFITS THAT OUR FAIR
CITY RECEIVES. UNDERSTANDING
THE WORLD MEANS UNDERSTANDING
HOW BEAUTIFULLY DIVERSE OUR
WORLD IS. AND IN TURN,
UNDERSTANDING HOW BEAUTIFULLY
DIVERSE OUR CITY IS BECOMING
AND CAN BECOME. MY FATHER CAME
TO AMERICA WITH AN AMERICAN
DREAM THAT WASN'T IN PART
CENTERED ON EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITY. SO HE WOULD OFTEN
ASK ME, WHY DID I COME TO
AMERICA, BOB? AND THE ANSWER
WAS ALWAYS, EVEN AFTER THE
THOUSANDTH TIME, EDUCATION,
EDUCATION, EDUCATION. WITH
RESPECT TO EDUCATION, WE NEED
TO CHAMPION OUR LIBRARIES AND
CHARTER DUTIES FOR THEIR ROLE
IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AS A
STAY-AT-HOME DAD, I SAW HOW
IMPORTANT LIBRARIES WERE FOR
EARLY EDUCATION, BUT ALSO WHAT
THEY BECOME FOR THE ELDERLY,
AND EVERYBODY IN BETWEEN.
THEY'VE ESSENTIALLY BECOME A
COMMUNITY CENTER. SO WE MUST
SUPPORT OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM AND
ENSURE ALL COMMUNITIES HAVE
ACCESS TO ONE OF THEM. A FOCUS
ON POLICY AND ISSUES IS
IMPORTANT, BUT AS IMPORTANT IS
GOOD GOVERNANCE. GOOD
GOVERNANCE IS CENTERED ON
LEADERSHIP. LEADERSHIP WITH A
NORTHSTAR. INCORPORATING
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
WITH PROGRAM OVERSIGHT BEING
CENTRAL. GOOD GOVERNANCE ALSO
MEANS BEING ENGAGED WITH
NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS, IT UNDERLINES
EVERYTHING AND INCLUDES
BRINGING IN ALL STAKEHOLDERS,
LISTENING TO STAKEHOLDERS,
BEING POSITIVE IN ITS
ENGAGEMENT, AS NOTED, LIKE THE
MAYORS ONE SEATTLE PLAN. WE
NEED THAT POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT,
BUT IT'S ABOUT GETTING THE NUTS
AND BOLTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DONE. TO THIS END, WE WILL
CRANK THE DISTRICT SEVEN
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL AND HOLD
MEETINGS, BRINGING TOGETHER THE
OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
TO HELP CONNECT THEM TO CITY
HALL, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, IN
SOME RESPECTS, TO EACH OTHER,
SO THEY UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF
OUR DISTRICT AND OUR CITY. SO
IN CLOSING, I AM GRATEFUL FOR
THIS OPPORTUNITY. I AM HONORED
TO WORK WITH MY FELLOW
COUNCILMEMBERS IN PARTNERSHIP
AND COLLABORATION, ALL OF YOU.
AND I'M COMMITTED TO SERVING
OUR CITY. I WANT TO THINK AGAIN
MY FAMILY, BOTH HERE AND IN
WESTERN NEW YORK FOR THEIR LOVE
AND SUPPORT, AND GOD BLESS THE
CITY OF SEATTLE. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE TO SAY, THIS IS
COMPLETELY UNSCRIPTED AS WELL
-- HOW CAN YOU NOT LISTEN TO
OTHERS BEACHES AND RECOGNIZE --
I DON'T KNOW, HOW LUCKY WE ARE
AS A CITY TO HAVE THESE LEADERS
NOW? AND -- YEAH. YOU HEARD
COMMON THEMES, AND I JUST HAVE
TO SAY THAT WE WILL -- WE ARE
GOING TO FOLLOW THROUGH, AND
YOU ARE GOING TO KEEP US -- YOU
ARE GOING TO KEEP ON US, AND
YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
DO IT. YOU ARE OUR WITNESSES,
AND I WANT TO SAY ONE THING --
THAT WE WILL HAVE A SHORT
RECEPTION THAT WILL FOLLOW THE
CONCLUSION OF THIS MEETING. THE
RECEPTION IS LOCATED ON THE
FIRST FLOOR, AND ALL ARE
WELCOME TO ATTEND. ONE LAST
THING, I JUST HAVE TO SAY, I
CAN'T JUST WAIT TO GET TO WORK
WITH YOU. I AM REALLY LOOKING
FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW YOU
ALL. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO
HAVE SOME FUN ON TOP OF
EVERYTHING. ONE SHOUT OUT TO MY
HUSBAND, MATT, MY SON, NELSON.
I WAS SWORN IN BY ZOOM TWO
YEARS AGO, SO I WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU FOR COMING. THEY SORT
OF FELT LIKE MY OATH TAKING AS
WELL. THIS IS A NATURAL TIME TO
LEAVE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO
STAY, BUT YOU ARE VERY MUCH
WELCOME TO STAY. WERE GOING TO
MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
CLERK, REPUBLICS SPEAKERS ARE
SIGNED UP? OH, YEAH. WE ARE
GOING TO TRANSITION. NO NATURAL
BREAK.
>> CHAIR NELSON, ARE WE READY
TO COME BACK TO ORDER?
>> WE ARE READY TO COME BACK TO
ORDER.
>> THANK YOU. FIRST AND LAST
TIME I WILL PROBABLY USE THIS
GAVEL.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, PETER.
>> ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES. AT
THIS TIME, WE WILL NOW OPEN THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OF OUR
HYBRID MEETING. MADAME CLERK,
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE SIGNED UP
TODAY?
>> WE HAVE 5 IN PERSON AND 6
REMOTE.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE WILL START
WITH THE SPEAKERS THAT CAME IN
PERSON FIRST, AND EVERYBODY
WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. I WILL READ
THE INSTRUCTIONS HERE. I WILL
MODERATE THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER.
THE PERIOD IS 20 MINUTES AND
EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TWO
MINUTES. I WILL BEGIN BY
CALLING ON THE AND PERSONS
BEAKERS AND I WILL CALL IN THE
ORDER THAT YOU ARE SIGNED UP ON
THE SIGN IN SHEET. I WILL CALL
ON EACH SPEAKER BY NAME, AND
ONCE I CALL YOUR NAME, COME TO
THE PODIUM TO LEAK. FOR REMOTE
SPEAKERS, YOU WILL BE CALLED ON
AFTER THE IN PERSON SPEAKERS.
LISTEN FOR A PROMPT IF YOU HAVE
BEEN ON MUTED, AND I WILL BE
YOUR CUE DEPRESSED START 6 TO
UNMUTE YOUR PHONE. SPEAKERS
REMOTE AND IN PERSON WILL HEAR
A CHIME WHEN THERE'S 10 SECONDS
LEFT OF YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT,
THAT IS YOUR CUE TO WRAP IT UP,
BECAUSE WE WILL TURNING OFF THE
MICROPHONE. OUR FIRST TWO
SPEAKERS IN PERSON, THE FIRST
SPEAKER IS MATT CHAN, AND MATT
WILL BE FOLLOWED BY CAROLYN.
>> IS MATT CHAN HERE? OH, THERE
YOU GO.
>> AND ALSO, IT'S GOOD TO SPEAK
RIGHT INTO THE MICROPHONE SO IT
PICKS UP YOUR VOICE.
>> MY NAME IS MATT CHAN, AND
I'M HERE TO ACTUALLY
CONGRATULATE COUNCIL PRESIDENT
NELSON. SHE'S BEEN A BIG
SUPPORTER OF THE CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT. AND MY
COMMENT TODAY REALLY IS, I WANT
TO ADDRESS EVERYONE WHO IS THE
ONE THE COUNTS WILL TO REALLY
TAKE A LOOK AT TRYING TO SOLVE
THIS YEAR, THIS TERM, THE
INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS IN THE
CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT. 12 AND JACKSON HAS
BEEN A BLIGHT ON THE CITY, AND
I WANT YOU TO THINK OF MAYBE
CENTERING THE SOLUTIONS ON THE
CHILDREN AND THE RESIDENCE AND
THE BUSINESSES. FOR TOO LONG,
WE LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS AND
THINK WE CAN POLICE OUR WAY OUT
OF THIS. I DON'T THINK WE CAN.
BUT I THINK IS A NEW COUNCIL,
IF YOU LOOK AT THIS , AND
TOGETHER COME UP WITH A REAL
SOLUTION TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM
ONCE AND FOR ALL, BECAUSE THE
NEIGHBORHOOD DESERVES MORE THAN
THAT. IT IS THE LAST
FUNCTIONING CHINATOWN IN THE
PACIFIC NORTHWEST. AND IT
DESERVES BETTER THAN IT IS
GETTING. BECAUSE YOU CAN GO
DOWN THERE ANYTIME, DAY OR
NIGHT, AND NOT FEEL SAFE. IF
YOUR PRIORITY IS PUBLIC SAFETY,
I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO LIVE UP
TO YOUR WORD AND TAKE CARE OF
THIS LIGHT ON THIS COMMUNITY,
MY CULTURAL HOME, AND THE CITY
OF SEATTLE.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS CAROLYN MALONE, WHO WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY ALEX ZIMMERMAN. GO
AHEAD, CAROLYN.
>> I HAVE A PRETTY LOUD VOICE,
SO I THINK YOU CAN HEAR ME
WITHOUT THIS. I'M CAROLYN
MALONE. I'VE BEEN HERE NUMEROUS
TIMES. I LIVE IN SENIOR HOUSING
ON FIRST HILL CATHOLIC HOUSING
SERVICES. AND MY SENIOR HOUSING
SHOULD NOT -- IS ONE OF THEM.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ANOTHER, AND THEN -- DANIEL
POTTER. AND IN CASE YOU
DISCOUNT WHAT I AM SAYING, THAT
I ASKED TO KEEP IN MIND THAT
WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT A YOUNG
WOMAN FROM INDIA, THAT HER LIFE
HAD LIMITED VALUE. KEEP IN MIND
WHAT JORDAN HILL SAID WITH THE
LANGUAGE TOWARD AN ASIAN
MENTALLY ILL WOMAN, TELLING HER
TO KEEP HER DOG ON A LEASH.
KEEP IN MIND, THE TOMBSTONE
MOCKERY OF TO MARY S BUTLER AT
12th AND PINE. SO MY COMPLAINTS
WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SEATTLE
POLICE ARE REMOVED FROM MY
HOUSING. I'VE CONTACTED
NUMEROUS AGENCIES. I'VE
CONTACTED ADULT PROTECTIVE
SERVICES. I'VE CONTACTED THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL. I'VE
CONTACTED SOLID GROUND. I'VE
CONTACTED HOUSING JUSTICE
PROJECT NORTHWEST HOUSING, AND
I GET FORWARDED. AND THE
RETALIATION CONTINUES. RIGHT
NOW, THE DOOR ON MY APARTMENT
IS BUSTED. SOMEONE DID IT. I
DON'T KNOW. I TAPED IT AND CAME
HERE TODAY. BEING BLACK IN
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY SHOULD
NOT BE A MARKER FOR POLICE
HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION,
VIOLATION, AND VIOLENCE. AND I
SHALL RETURN.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS ALEX ZIMMERMAN, AND ALEX
WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A HARRY
WALKER.
>> YEAH. YEAH. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH, I VERY APPRECIATE YOU.
YOU MAKE ME A VERY BIG GUY
CELEBRITY NOW. SO FOR 40 YEARS,
I VERY APPRECIATE YOU, BECAUSE
IT MAKES ME A CELEBRITY,
BECAUSE NOBODY IN WASHINGTON
STATE OR AMERICA HAS 16
TRESPASSES FOR 400 DAYS. YOU DO
A VERY GOOD JOB. I LIKE YOU
GUYS. IT'S A NICE, NICE, NICE,
AND I VERY APPRECIATE YOU. IN
MY HISTORY, FOR TWO YEARS, HOW
MANY --? MY QUESTION. WHY ARE
YOU QUIET? YOUR GENERATION OF
ANIMAL FARM, IT WILL BE ANOTHER
SIGN SPEAK. IT'S A SHAME FOR
YOU. I'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS FOR
MANY YEARS. FOR PUBLIC HEARING
IN YOUR DISTRICT EVERY MONTH.
AND FOR 10 YEARS, I TALK IN
CITY HALL, AND WE HAVE A
GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED BY
DEGENERATE IDIOTS. IT IS MY
EXPERIENCE. I TALKED ABOUT THIS
FOR MANY YEARS. ZERO REACTION.
YOU KNOW IT WILL BE DIFFERENT,
BECAUSE WHEN YOU WANTED TO BE
DIFFERENT, IT WILL BE
DIFFERENT. STEP UP AMERICA.
MAKE IT CLEAR ANOTHER
GENERATION WILL MAKE LIFE
MISERABLE. GOOD LUCK.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT SPEAKER.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY, OUR
RULES PROHIBIT DISRUPTING
BEHAVIOR. THAT COMES CLOSE TO
AN EXAMPLE OF SUCH. SO PLEASE
DON'T SPEAK LIKE THAT TO US AND
TO YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS AND
RESIDENTS WHEN YOU GET PUBLIC
COMMENT. THANK YOU.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT. POINT OF
ORDER. COUNCIL PRESIDENT, POINT
OF ORDER. I AM PUTTING ON THE
RECORD THAT IS OPENING
STATEMENTS WERE ABUSIVE AND
HARASSING. THANK YOU.
>> REVEREND HARRIET WALKER,
PLEASE.
>> THAT EVENING. I'VE BEEN
SPEAKING TO CITY COUNCIL SINCE
1990. AND I AM JUST SO HAPPY
TO SEE THIS COUNCIL. THE LAST
FOUR YEARS -- SO ANYWAY, I'M
JUST HAPPY THAT YOU ARE HERE.
I'M SPEAKING LIKE OTHERS ON
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY. I'M
SPEAKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION
THAT IS 34 YEARS OLD. SO I'M
ABSOLUTELY ECSTATIC ABOUT
WORKING WITH THE NEW COUNCIL.
AND PUBLIC SAFETY. WE HAVE A
COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN
FORGOTTEN WHEN IT COMES TO
PUBLIC SAFETY. EVERYBODY COMES
TO TALK ABOUT BLACK LIVES
MATTER. WHEN THE POLICE HAVE
HARMED PEOPLE. BUT WHEN WE ARE
HARMING OURSELVES, AND WE HAVE
MOTHERS WHO ARE WEEPING,
ESPECIALLY A LOT OF OTHER
DISTRICTS, NOBODY SAYS A WORD.
IT IS SILENCE. AND SO ALL THE
PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY SPEAK FOR
BLACK LIVES MATTER, I GUESS
THEY SAY THAT BLACK PEOPLE CAN
SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. WE'VE
BEEN HERE BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR.
OUR ANCESTORS. WE'VE BEEN HERE
FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. I'M
REALLY GLAD TO BE HERE, REALLY
GLAD TO SEE THE COUNCIL,
WORKING IN COLLABORATION. LET'S
KEEP LAKE WASHINGTON BOULEVARD
OPEN FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LET
THE BICYCLES WIN, AND THEY TAKE
LAKE WASHINGTON BOULEVARD AWAY
FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENTLY
ABLED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS MANNY CONNING, I BELIEVE.
MANY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY JEWEL
RAWLS.
>> AFTERNOON, HONORABLE CHAIR,
AND DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF
CITY COUNCIL. I'M THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR FOR INSPIRE
WASHINGTON. WE CHAMPION
OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BROAD
STATEWIDE COALITION OF CULTURAL
BUSINESSES WITH MISSIONS,
SCIENCES, AND THE COMMERCIAL
CREATIVE INDUSTRY. FROM LARGE
ORGANIZATIONS TO ALL AN URBAN
OR RURAL REGIONS, ALL
BUSINESSES ARE VITAL BECAUSE OF
THE COMMUNITIES ACCOUNT ON THEM
FOR HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE. ON
BEHALF OF OUR BROAD CULTURAL
COALITION, WE CONGRATULATE ALL
OF YOU. WE WERE THRILLED TO GET
TO KNOW MANY OF YOU DURING OUR
CANDIDATE FORMS, AND WE LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER ON
SEATTLE'S CULTURAL FUTURE. ARTS
AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS ARE A
SOURCE OF INSPIRATIONAL CIVIC
PRIDE. OUR VIBRANT PROGRAMS ARE
NOT EXTRA, THEY ARE BASIC. THE
CITY'S HISTORIC ADMISSION OF
TAX REVENUE PROVIDE STABILITY
TO HUNDREDS OF SMALL CULTURAL
BUSINESSES, AND THEREFORE JOBS.
TO THOUSANDS OF CREATIVE AND
CULTURAL WORKERS THAT ARE
TRYING TO MAKE A HOME HERE. WE
LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING MORE
ABOUT SEATTLE'S POLICY 100%
DEDICATION OF ADMISSION TAX TO
THE OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURAL
SECTOR. WE BELIEVE IN THEIR
LEADERS AND BEING ABLE TO
PROVIDE THOSE FUNDS EQUITABLY
TO ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES. THERE
ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES AND
CHALLENGES AHEAD. FOR OUR
SECTOR, THE PANDEMIC HAS A LONG
TAIL, AND FURTHER BUSINESSES
NEED HELP AS A STABILIZING
RESTART PROGRAMS IN A VERY
CHALLENGING LANCE DAY. YOU
PROBABLY HEARD ARE GOOD NEWS.
AFTER A PASSIONATE CAMPAIGN
WITH THE HELP OF OUR COALITION
OF ADVOCATES EARNED UNANIMOUS
REPORT OF THE METROPOLITAN KING
COUNTY COUNCIL TO ADOPT. THIS
IS THE LOCAL AUTHORIZATION OF
CULTURAL ACCESS PROGRAM, AND
OUR COMPANY SERVES AS THE
PRIMARY PROPONENT. CULTURAL
FUNDING WILL EXPRESS
SIGNIFICANTLY TO OUR COUNTRY'S
CULTURAL AGENCY, AND THE
ADMISSION TAX REMAINS A
CRITICAL PIECE OF THE PUZZLE. I
LOOK FORWARD TO BRIEFING YOU
ALL AND WORKING WITH YOU ON
THIS BIG EXCITING FUTURE. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE
INTO REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENTERS.
OUR FIRST IS TOBY FAILER, AND
TOBY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY DAVID
HAYNES. AND REMEMBER, PLEASE
PRESS STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOUR
PHONE'S.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES. WE COULD.
>> ALL RIGHT. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
WELCOME TO THE NEW COUNCIL
MEMBERS, AND WELCOME BACK TO
STRAUSS AND MORALEZ AND FOR
JUST TODAY TO MOSQUEDA. AND
SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO
NELSON'S COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
HAVE FUN. TWO MAJOR ISSUES
BEFORE YOU IN 2024 OF GREAT
CONCERN TO ME AND MANY OTHERS,
SEATTLE RESIDENTS, THE TREE
ORDINANCE ADOPTED LAST NUMBER
IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE COUNCIL
FAILING TO PROPERLY EXERCISE
ITS LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT
POWERS. IN THE FACE OF
EXECUTIVE ACTIONS, IT IS BEEN
WELL DOCUMENTED HOW THIS
HAPPENS. THE COUNCIL ALLOWED
PRIVATE INTEREST TO MANAGE THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THESE ORDINANCE
AND LARGELY IGNORED
RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE FORESTRY
COMMISSION EXPRESSLY DESIGNATED
IN THE CITY CODE. WE'VE ADVISED
THE COUNCIL ON URBAN FORESTRY
ISSUES. SECOND, REGARDING THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THIS IS A
MAJOR UPDATE. CM MORALEZ
ACCURATELY NOTED THAT IT'S THE
FIRST LISTED TASK BEFORE 2024.
IMPROVED URBAN FORESTRY
POLICIES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE
PLAN, AND IT WOULD SERVE THE
CITY WELL TO DO SO. FINALLY,
THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL
HOUSING, ESPECIALLY LOW INCOME
HOUSING, IS A MAJOR, IF NOT THE
MAJOR ISSUE TO BE ADDRESSED IN
THE CONFINES. THE UPDATE
PROCESS INCLUDES CONSIDERATION
OF AND MITIGATION FOR IMPACTS
ON THE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING
DISPLACEMENT DUE TO THE LOSS OF
LOW INCOME HOUSING. THE BEST
MITIGATION MEASURES FOR THIS
PLACEMENT ARE TO PREVENT IT
FROM HAPPENING. THE BEST WAY TO
PREVENT DISPLACEMENT IS TO
REQUIRE THE REPLACEMENT OF
EXIST IN CONSTRUCTION OF NEW
HOUSING, AFFORDABLE TO LOW
INCOME PEOPLE, AND --
>> THANK YOU. I MISSED TWO IN
PERSON SPEAKERS, SO I'D LIKE TO
CALL ON JULES RAWLS, WHO WILL
BE FOLLOWED BY NATE MILES. AND
THEN WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO
THE REMOTE SPEAKERS.
>> THINK.
>> HELLO, IT'S JULIE RAWLS, NEW
TO CHINATOWN FOR ABOUT A YEAR
AND A HALF. I HAPPEN TO BE A
FAN OF CEASE-FIRES, CALLING
TRUTH IS, AND THE IDEA OF A 988
SYSTEM. I BROUGHT MY LITTLE
KIT THAT I WERE AROUND WHEN I
CAME IN CHINATOWN. WHEN I FIRST
GOT THERE, THERE IS A LOT OF
STERN OIL. I CONTACTED JOE
McDERMOTT'S OFFICE AND ASK ON A
POSITION OF THE DISABLED, HOW
CAN I BE INVOLVED? AND I WAS
TOLD, HE'S ALREADY PICKED THE
PEOPLE HE WANTS TO WORK WITH.
OKAY. SO I STILL MANAGED TO BE
INVOLVED. I'M ALSO A FOUNDER
TONYA WILL. AND I WOULD LIKE
YOU TO CONSIDER VOTING HER IN
TO REPLACE TERESA, WHO ALREADY
LEFT, I GUESS. I JUST WANTED TO
SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF THE
THINGS WALKING AROUND
CHINATOWN, JUST GOING TO THE
LIBRARY, , TO SEE SOMEBODY
UNDER A BLANKET -- I ALREADY
HAVE PTSD FROM DIFFERENT THINGS
IN MY LIFE. IT TERRIFIED ME. I
WENT OVER TO ICH ASKED TO TRY
TO GET NARCAN, YOU JUST WALK IN
AND THEY GIVE IT TO YOU. NOPE.
I HAD TO ORDER IT. I ORDERED
IT, PUT IT ON A NECKLACE,
BECAUSE SEEING ADDICTS AROUND,
THEY WILL WALK OFF OF THEIR
STUFF WILL BE ROLLING. I TRY TO
TALK THEM INTO USING IT, AND
PEOPLE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WHERE IT AND LEARN HOW TO USE
IT, BUT ALSO, I LOVE OUR LOCAL
LIBRARY, AND THEY HAVE THE
RESOURCE GUIDE. THANK YOU TO
THE CITY FOR PROVIDING US WITH
THAT. MY TIME IS GETTING SHORT.
I ALWAYS CARRY WATER, TOO. THE
988 SYSTEM, I WAS IN 2022, AND
NOBODY SEEMED TO KNOW ANYTHING
ABOUT IT. I GOT TAMMY AND
TERESA TO WORK ON THAT. BECAUSE
WE HAVE TO DO IT AS A NETWORK.
SO I WILL JUST SAY, BY JOE
McDERMOTT. SEE YOU LATER,
ALLIGATOR. TO TERESA, TAMMY,
AND HOPEFULLY TONYA, NO MATTER
WHAT, WE ARE ALL GOING TO BE IN
THERE TOGETHER. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS NATE MILES, AND THEN WE WILL
RETURN BACK TO REMOTE BEAKERS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAME
PRESIDENT, AND MEMBERS OF THE
COUNCIL. IT'S A GREAT DAY IN
SEATTLE. I JUST GOT TO SAY.
I'VE BEEN IN AND AROUND THE
SEATTLE AND THE POLITICS A LONG
TIME IN THIS LEASE, AND I KNOW
LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE, IT'S
A FRESH START. IT'S A TIME FOR
CHANGE. A CHANGE THAT MANY OF
US, ESPECIALLY IN THE BUSINESS
COMMUNITY AND IN THE COMMUNITY
AT LARGE, HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR
A LONG TIME, WHERE YOU ARE
TALKING TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE,
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS TALKING
TO YOU, AND YOU ARE THE CHANGE
THAT MANY OF US HAVE SOUGHT FOR
A LONG TIME. AND WE ARE JUST
LOOKING FOR THAT FRESH START TO
TAKE LACE. WE'VE HEARD A LOT
ABOUT THE POLICE AND WHETHER
THE POLICE ARE GOING TO DO -- I
CAN JUST TELL YOU. I'M GLAD TO
SEE THE POLICE AND US TALKING
ABOUT THE POLICE. THE POLICE IN
A DIFFERENT WAY. I'VE SEEN THE
POLICE NOW BACK ON BIKES. WE
HAVEN'T SEEN THAT IN A LONG
TIME. I'VE SEEN THE POLICE NOW,
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE POLICE
AND MENTAL HEALTH, THAT THEY
GET TO A PLACE AND IT'S NOT
JUST POLICE IN UNIFORM GOING TO
LOCK SOMEBODY UP. THAT THEY ARE
GOING THERE IN PACE. HIS MENTAL
HEALTH ISSUES GOING ON. I CAN
HELP TAKE CARE OF THOSE PEOPLE
THAT HAVE SOME MENTAL HEALTH
ISSUES. THAT THEY CAN TALK TO
AND TAKE THOSE PEOPLE AND MAKE
SURE THEY GET THE HELP THEY
NEED. THAT IS THE THING THAT WE
NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET
THE RIGHT HELP THAT THEY NEED,
AND THIS IS A COUNCIL THAT
UNDERSTANDS THAT IT IS NOT JUST
POURING A BUNCH OF MONEY INTO
SOMETHING THAT MEANS LOCK
PEOPLE UP. IT MEANS POOR NOT
ENOUGH MONEY INTO TAKING CARE
OF PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN
CARE OF. AND I LIKE THAT,
BECAUSE THAT'S THE KIND OF
CONVERSATION WE ARE GOING TO
HAVE TO HAVE OUT OF THIS BODY.
I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE HEARD IT ON
THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND NOW WE
ARE STARTING TO HEAR IT IN
HERE, AND THAT'S THE THING THAT
WE NEEDED. AND SO THANK YOU SO
MUCH. A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN
HERE. WHATEVER WE CAN DO FROM
THIS COMMUNITY, THE BLACK
COMMUNITY, FROM ME -- JUST
CALL. MOST OF YOU KNOW THE
NUMBER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF
THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO. ONE
NATION, ONE COUNTRY. WE ARE
MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP OUT IN
WHATEVER WAY WE CAN. THANK YOU
SO MUCH AND KEEP UP THE GOOD
WORK.
>> THANK YOU. OUR REMOTE
SPEAKER -- NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER
NOW WILL BE DAVID HAYNES. DAVID
WILL BE FOLLOWED BY JOE. GO
AHEAD, DAVID.
>> THANK YOU. DAVID HAYNES.
CONGRATULATIONS TO COUNCIL.
IT'S BEEN ALMOST TWO MONTHS
SINCE YOUR ELECTION. YOU PLENTY
OF TIME FOR CELEBRATION. NOW
IT'S TIME TO GET TO WORK. TO
RIGHT THE WRONGS OF THE PAST
COUNCIL. FOR EXAMPLE, WE NEED
TO STOP EXEMPTING LOW-LEVEL
DRUG PUSHERS FROM JAIL. THE
POLICE CHIEF IS REFUSING TO
QUESTION REPEAT OFFENDING DRUG
ADDICT TO FIND OUT WHERE THEY
GET THE DRUG TO GO SHUT THEM
DOWN. AND WE NEED TO STOP
PRIORITIZING CRIMINAL REPEAT
OFFENDING SELF-DESTRUCTIVE'S
WHO CONSPIRE IN THE PURSUIT OF
HAPPINESS OF OTHER PEOPLE IN
THE COMMUNITY WHILE GIVING
FIRST DIBS AND PRIORITY ON A
VERY LIMITED OFFERING OF
HOUSING AND SERVICE IS. YOU ARE
UNDERMINING THE EFFORTS WHEN
YOU ALLOW THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT
OF DRUG PUSHING INTO THE HOME
LIST SERVICES WHILE PURPOSELY,
RACIST LEAD FORSAKING AND
DISCRIMINATING AGAINST INNOCENT
HOUSE LIST PEOPLE. SOME OF WHOM
THAT ARE STILL OWED BACK PAY
FROM CORRUPT LOCAL BUSINESSES
THAT ARE STILL COERCING THE
COPS TO PERSECUTE INNOCENT
WORKERS WHO ARE STILL OWED BACK
PAY. YET WE HAVE THIS RACIST
WOKE AGENDA THAT IS TAINTED AND
PERMEATED OUR PROGRESSIVE
POLICIES TO THE POINT OF
EMPHASIZING THE BOTTOM OF THE
BARREL, MANIPULATING SKILLED
COLOR INCARCERATION RATES AT
THE EXPENSE OF PUBLIC SAFETY
AND A HOMELESS CRISIS THAT
DEEMS IT SUITABLE TO
DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AN
INNOCENT PERSON BECAUSE THEY
ARE NOT CONSIDERED VULNERABLE
ENOUGH BECAUSE THEY HAVE WHITE
PRIVILEGE. WE NEED TO STOP
TAKING PEOPLE'S LIVED
EXPERIENCE, WOULD BEEN
TRAUMATIZED AND VICTIMIZED, AND
PUTTING THEM IN CHARGE TO JUMP
THEIR HATRED ON THE INNOCENT
PEOPLE LIKE, YOU WANT TO FIND
OUT IF YOU LIKE TO SUFFER. THIS
WHOLE COMMUNITY IS SUFFERING
BECAUSE EVIL LOW-LEVEL DRUG
PUSHERS -- PLUS, WE NEED AN
ELECTION FOR THE PEOPLE EVERY
90 DAYS WHEN 70 GETS REPLACED
THAT THE PEOPLE CHOOSE, NOT
HAVE A COUNCIL CHOOSE .
>> THANK YOU. JOE WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY KIRK ROBBINS. GO
AHEAD, JOE.
>> THANK YOU, CLERK. I WANT TO
BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT
WHEN I DIALED IN, SOMEBODY SAID
THAT I WAS A CREEP OR
SOMETHING, AND I REALLY FIND
THAT OFFENSIVE. I DON'T WANT TO
RUIN THE DAY, BUT I HOPE
THERE'S AN INVESTIGATION AND
THE INDIVIDUAL IS DISCIPLINED.
THOSE KIND OF COMMENTS ARE
VICIOUS AND HAS NO PLACE IN A
PLACE OF OPEN DISCUSSION.
ABSOLUTELY NO PLACE. WE HAVE
SOME REALLY WONDERFUL PEOPLE
THAT WILL STEP UP TO THE PLATE.
I'M GOING TO STEP UP AND FIGHT
FOR IT. I WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU. BECAUSE I SPENT SOME TIME
IN THE WORKING SEATTLE AREA AND
I SEEN THIS GREAT CITY
THIS STARTS TO CRUMBLE UNDER
THE WEIGHT IN THE WAKE OF
INCOME INEQUALITY. I FIND, YOU
KNOW, WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER.
I REALLY APPRECIATE VERY MUCH
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SARA NELSON
DID TODAY AS WELL AS WHAT THEY
DID TODAY. IT'S AN IMPORTANT
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION,
KNOWING THAT THIS DAY WOULD
COME. I THINK WE ARE IN A REAL
CROSSROADS HERE. NOT JUST IN
SEATTLE, BUT THE FUTURE OF OUR
COUNTRY. I'M PRETTY SURE
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA WILL BE
JOINING THEM. MY CHEERING WILL
HAVE TO BE SOMEWHAT LIMITED.
WE ALSO HAVE AN EVIL MAN
WANTING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT
AND POSSIBLY OTHERS IN THE
REGION. WE NEED TO STAND UP TO
HIM. I WANT TO THANK ALL THE
COUNCILMEMBERS AND MAKE EXCUSES
FOR THAT. I GUESS THAT THOSE
THAT WANT TO EXCUSE -- THOSE OF
YOU WHO STOOD UP FOR WHAT IS
RIGHT, THANK YOU. I THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. I'M NOT A
CREEP. I'M A NICE GUY.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS KIRK ROBBINS, AND KIRK WILL
BE FOLLOWED BY OUR LAST BEAKER,
STEVE.
>> HELLO. I WANT TO
CONGRATULATE ALL THE MEMBERS ON
YOUR SWEARING IN TODAY. WE LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. I
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE
PREVIOUS WORK DONE BY THE
COUNCIL BUT THE TREE ORDINANCE
DOES NEED TO BE FIXED. WE NEED
TO EVALUATE IT AND THERE ARE
THINGS THAT OBVIOUSLY HAVE
CONSEQUENCES. AND HOW IT'S
AFFECTED ON 11/21. AND ALSO THE
ADDENDUM'S THAT WERE ADDED IN
THE LAST MINUTE. I LOOK FORWARD
TO WORKING WITH YOU TO LOOK AT
WAYS THAT WE CAN MAKE CERTAIN
WE ARE ABLE TO REACH A
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF 30% FREE
CRETE TREE CANOPY GOAL BY 2027
AND 40% OVER TIME. WE NEED TO
LOOK AT HOW WE CAN DO MORE TO
PRESERVE EXISTING TREES. WE
URGE THAT YOU CONSIDER CREATING
A NEW DEPARTMENT AND
ENVIRONMENT WITH AN URBAN
FORESTRY DIVISION AND
ILLUMINATING CONTENT IN TERMS
OF THEIR MISSION. IN THE
PROCESS OF INCREASING
ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY TO HELP
KEEP OUR CITY LIVABLE. AS WE
MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR
TAKING ON THE TASK BEFORE YOU.
WE APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU
BEEN DOING AND WHAT YOU'VE DONE
IN THE PAST.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT IN
PERSONS BEAKER -- I'M SORRY,
REMOTE SPEAKER, IS KIRK
ROBBINS. KIRK WILL BE FOLLOWED
BY CHARLOTTE, WHO WAS SIGNED UP
FOR REMOTE, BUT IS IN PERSON.
WE ONLY HAVE TWO LEFT. KIRK,
AND THEN IT WILL BE CHARLOTTE.
THANK YOU.
>> MOST OF WHAT YOU ARE GOING
TO BE DOING IS GOING TO SOMEHOW
INVOLVE BUDGETARY MATTERS AND
SPENDING MATTERS. AND YET WHEN
YOU DISCUSS THESE MATTERS,
EVERY EXPENDITURE BUT HAVE OF
YOU, IF ANY, WHAT THE
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YOUR
SPENDING AND THE ACTUAL
INVESTMENT. HAVING A
BUSINESSWOMAN IS COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, CONGRATULATIONS. THE
MILITANT SOCIALIST HAS BEEN
REPLACED BY ANOTHER
BUSINESSWOMAN. CONGRATULATIONS.
THE QUESTION IS, WITH AN
INVESTMENT, PEOPLE WANT TO ASK,
WHAT WE GOT TO SHOW FOR THIS?
USUALLY, THE QUESTION IS
NOTHING. SIDEWALKS TAKES MONTHS
TO CLEAR. UNDER THE RUBRIC OF
INVESTMENT. AND HOMELESSNESS,
WHICH IT CLEARLY IS NOT. THIS
IS SORT OF A USE OF THE WORD
SPENDING, BUT THAT'S REALLY
WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
ALSO, THE SECOND, WHAT WAS THAT
ABOUT TREE CANOPIES, I THINK
MAYBE TRANSFERRING THE WHOLE
OPERATION OUT OF THE BUILDING
DEPARTMENT, IT'S NOT A BUILDING
MATTER. IT'S BARELY A LAND-USE
MATTER. OUR ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEMS IS SO'S GATED WITH THE
SIMPLY BEING AN OBSTACLE IN THE
WAY OF DEVELOPERS, YET THAT IS
WHAT HAS BEEN THOUGHT AND
CAMPAIGNS PREVIOUSLY. SO JUST
SOME INSIGHT ABOUT HOW TO
HANDLE THIS. WE NEED TO THINK
MORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES OF
LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM FEEL
GOOD AND USEFUL EXPENSES. WHEN
THAT HAPPENS, PROBABLY, WE
WON'T HAVE TO FACE THIS REQUEST
THAT EVERYONE KEEPS TALKING
ABOUT. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL
OF YOU. I'M REALLY GLAD ABOUT
THIS TURNOVER, AND TAKE CARE.
GOOD LUCK ON PICKING A NEW
FINANCE CHAIR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR LAST SPEAKER
NOW WILL BE CHARLOTTE MRO.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. I'M
A DEMOCRATIC PCO IN DISTRICT 3.
I WANT TO SPEAK ON THE UPCOMING
VACANT THE, BUT I ALSO WANT TO
BRIEFLY ADDRESS OUR NEWEST
COUNCILMEMBERS, FIRST.
CONGRATULATIONS. YOU'VE ALL
BEEN ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE IN
YOUR DISTRICTS TO REPRESENT ALL
THE PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICTS,
AND I TRUST THAT YOU WILL
CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN OFFICE
WITH FAIRNESS AND
PROFESSIONALISM AS YOUR ROLE IN
THE CITY DEMANDS OF YOU. AND A
HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO
OUR NEWEST COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
IF I DID MY RESEARCH CORRECTLY,
YOU ARE THE FIRST IN THE AT
LEAST A QUARTER-CENTURY TO BE
ELECTED PRESIDENT IN HER FIRST
TERM IN OFFICE, AND CERTAINLY
THE FIRST WOMAN. I WISH YOU THE
BEST OF LUCK. THE COUNCIL
POSITION WILL SOON BE VACANT
AS THE COUNCIL PICS WILL BE
INDICATIVE OF WHO SEATTLE IS .
AT DAYS END, THAT POWER RESTS
WITH COUNCIL, BUT I IMPLORE YOU
TO CHOOSE A COUNCILMEMBER THAT
LOOKS LIKE SEATTLE MEMBER, WITH
PARTICULAR CARE TO CHOOSE
SOMEONE FROM A COMMUNITY NOT
CURRENTLY OR PERHAPS EVER
REPRESENTED ON THIS DAIS.
FINALLY, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA, I AM SURE I SPEAK FOR
MANY OF SEATTLEITES WHEN I SAY
WILL BE DEARLY MISSED ON THIS
COUNCIL . BUT AS A CONSTITUENT
OF YOURS IN DISTRICT 8, I LOOK
FORWARD TO SEEING THE WORK YOU
DO ACROSS STATE. THERE'S LOTS
OF WORK FOR Y'ALL TO DO IN THE
NEXT FOUR YEARS, AND I HOPE YOU
KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY EYES WILL
BE ON THIS CHAMBERS. AS YOU
CARRY OUT THE WORK OF THE CITY
AND ITS PEOPLE. I WISH YOU ALL
THE BEST OF LUCK. HAPPY NEW
YEAR.
>> THANK YOU, THAT CONCLUDES
OUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS TODAY.
>> THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR YOUR
COMMENTS TODAY. WE DO HAVE SOME
ITEMS OF BUSINESS. THAT
CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PROCEDURAL
VOTES COMING UP, AND THEN SOME
SIGNIFICANT OR WEIGHTY
LEGISLATION. SO PLEASE STICK
AROUND. I KNOW FOLKS ARE
INTERESTED IN GETTING DOWN TO
JOIN THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS
DOWNSTAIRS. OKAY. THE FIRST
ITEM OF BUSINESS HERE IS TO
ADOPT A REFERRAL CALENDAR. I
MOVED TO ADOPT OUR INTRODUCTION
REFERRAL CALENDAR. IS THERE A
SECOND QUESTION MARKS THE MAC
SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. IT'S
BEEN SECONDED TO ADOPT THE
INTRODUCTION REFERRAL CALENDAR.
ANY COMMENTS? SEEING NO
COMMENTS, THE RULES -- IF THERE
IS NO OBJECTION, BECAUSE THIS
IS THE FIRST MEETING, THE RULES
WILL BE SUSPENDED TO ALLOW
CONSIDERATION TO TWO
RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION
AND ADOPTION THAT WERE NOT
CIRCULATED PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.
THE PREVIOUS BUSINESS DAY. SO
SEEING NO OBJECTION, THE RULE
IS SUSPENDED, AND WE WILL
PROCEED WITH CONSIDERATION TO
AMENDMENTS TO THE REFERRAL
CALENDAR. I MOVED TO AMEND THE
INTRODUCTION REFERRAL CALENDAR
BY INTRODUCING RESOLUTIONS
32123 AND 32124, AND BY
REFERRING THEM TO THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION AT
TODAY'S MEETING. THE
RESOLUTIONS ARE ENTITLED A
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE
MONTHLY PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE FOR 2024 2025,
SUSPENDING RESOLUTION 32036,
AND A RESOLUTION RELATING TO
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE MEMBERSHIP,
MEETING TIMES, AND DUTIES OF
THE STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE
CITY -- SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
FOR 2024 2025, AND SUPERSEDING
RESOLUTION 32037. IS THERE A
SECOND? THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN
MOVED AND SECONDED TO INTRODUCE
RESOLUTIONS 32123 AND 32124 FOR
REFERRAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR INTRODUCTION TODAY. ARE
THERE ANY COMMENTS? SEEING NO
COMMENTS, WE WILL NOW PROCEED
TO A VOTE. WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL ROLE ON THE
ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH.
>> AYE. COUNCIL AMBER CATTLE.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON. 9 IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE
RESOLUTIONS WILL BE ADDED TO
TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL AGENDA FOR
CONSIDERATION. I DON'T BELIEVE
THERE ARE ANY MORE COMMENTS, SO
WE WILL NOW -- SO IF THERE IS
NO OBJECTION, THE INTRODUCTION
REFERRAL CALENDAR WILL BE
INTRODUCED AS AMENDED. HEARING
NO OBJECTION, THE CALENDAR IS
NOW ADOPTED AND AMENDED. NOW WE
WILL DO THE AGENDA. IF THERE'S
NO WHAT OBJECTION, THE AGENDA
WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING NONE,
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. WE NOW
PROCEED TO CONSIDER THE CONSENT
CALENDAR. ITEMS INCLUDE THE
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 12, 2023,
AND COUNCIL BILLS THAT ARE
PAYROLL BILLS , AND THEIR
COUNCIL BILLS 120733 THROUGH
120735. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WISH TO REMOVE
FROM OUR CONSENT CALENDAR?
SEEING NONE, I MOVED TO ADOPT
THE CONSENT CALENDAR. IS THERE
A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE ON THE ADOPTION
OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR?
>> HOLLINGSWORTH. COUNCILMEMBER
CATTLE. COUNCILMEMBER MOORE.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALEZ.
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. CANCEL
MEMBER STRAUSS. COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON. 9 IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> IF ANYONE IS FOLLOWING ALONG
IN THE AGENDA, WE ARE NOW IN
ITEM H. THERE ARE NO COMMITTEE
REPORTS FOR PRESENTATION TODAY.
ITEM I, THERE WERE NO ITEMS
REMOVED FROM THE CAN AND
CALENDAR. SO WE WILL MOVE RIGHT
INTO J. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ THE TITLE OF NEW ITEM ONE.
>> NEW AGENDA ITEM ONE,
RESOLUTION 32123, RESOLUTION TO
DESIGNATE THE PRO TEM OF THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL FOR 2023
THROUGH 2025.
>> THANK YOU. I MOVED TO ADOPT
RESOLUTION 32123. IS THERE A
SECOND QUESTION MARKS THE MAC
SECOND.
>> ALL RIGHT. GO AHEAD.
>> YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
>> OH, IT IS MOVED AND
SECONDED, SO -- RIGHT. TO ADOPT
A RESOLUTION.
>> SO HERE IS THE THING. LET ME
SAY THAT AGAIN. IT HAS BEEN
MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT A
RESOLUTION, AND THE SPONSOR
WILL ADDRESS IT AND OPEN THE
FLOOR TO COMMENTS. THE PRO TEM
CALENDAR IS SIMPLY A CALENDAR
OF -- IT IS A SCHEDULE OF
PEOPLE WHO WILL STAND IN FOR
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, AND IF
NECESSARY, THE MAYOR IF AND
WHEN WILL THE PRESIDENT AND
MAYOR ARE GONE. SO IT IS A
PROCEDURAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION
THAT KEEPS US ON SCHEDULE WHEN
PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO BE HERE,
EITHER FOR PLANNED ABSENCES OR
FOR ANY KIND OF UNPLANNED
ABSENCE. ALL RIGHT. ANY
COMMENTS? OKAY. CLERK, WOULD
YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH.
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE .
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALEZ.
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON. 9 IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE
TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY
BEHALF? ALL RIGHT. IT'S BEEN
MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE
RESOLUTION. AS SPONSOR, I WILL
NOW ADDRESS IT AND OPEN THE
FLOOR TO COMMENT.
>> AGENDA ITEM TWO, RESOLUTION
32124, THE STRUCTURE
MEMBERSHIP TIMES AND DUTIES OF
THE STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL FOR 2024
AND 2025 AND SUPERSEDING
RESOLUTION 2237.
>> THIS IS OUR BASIC -- THIS IS
A RESOLUTION THAT SETS OUR
COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.
JUST FOR SOME BACKGROUND, THE
SEATTLE CITY CHARTER ONLY
IDENTIFIES THREE COMMITTEES
THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE. THEY ARE
THE RULES COMMITTEE, FINANCE
COMMITTEE, AND LABOR COMMITTEE.
AND THEN, EVERY TWO YEARS, WE
-- WE RECONFIGURE THE
COMMITTEES TO REFLECT WHAT
MAKES SENSE AT THE TIME, AND
FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, IN
ANTICIPATION OF BEING ELECTED,
I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ALL OF
YOU COLLABORATIVELY, HEARING
WHAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN, AND
I LEAD WITH WANTING TO ASSIGN
COMMITTEE CHAIRS -- COMMITTEE
CHAIRPERSON SHIPS TO THE PEOPLE
WHO WANT IT MOST, BECAUSE THAT
IS THE WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT
YOUR INTEREST ARE REFLECTED,
AND YOU ARE ENGAGED, AND IT'S
VERY DIFFICULT TO GIVE
EVERYBODY EXACTLY WHAT THEY
WANT. I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE A
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE THAT
REFLECT ALL OF YOUR STRENGTHS
AND WILL ALLOW US TO MOVE
LEGISLATION EFFECTIVELY AND
EFFICIENTLY ON BEHALF OF THE
GOOD OF THE PEOPLE. SO THAT IS
WHAT WE GOT BEFORE US RIGHT
NOW. A RESOLUTION THAT WILL
ADOPT THE EXTERNAL COMMITTEES
IS GENERALLY VOTED ON IN THE
FOLLOWING WEEK, AND SO THAT
WILL BE COMING NEXT WEEK, AND
FOR ALL OF YOU OUT THERE IN THE
AUDIENCE, THE RESOLUTION THAT
WE ARE REFERRING TO RIGHT NOW,
BECAUSE IT WAS WALKED ON, WILL
BE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENDA
PROBABLY IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES.
BUT IF YOU JUST CAN'T WAIT TO
HEAR WHO THE CHAIRS ARE, I'M
JUST GOING TO GO TO THE LIST
AND LET FOLKS KNOW, STARTING
WITH DISTRICT ONE.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA,
TRANSPORTATION. TWO,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALEZ,
LAND-USE. COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH. PARKS, PUBLIC
UTILITIES, AND TECHNOLOGY.
DISTRICT FOUR. COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA. LIBRARIES, EDUCATION,
AND NEIGHBORHOODS. DISTRICT
FIVE, COUNCILMEMBER MOORE,
HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. FINANCE
NATIVE COMMUNITIES AND TRIBAL
GOVERNMENTS. DISTRICT SEVEN,
KETTLE. PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE
VACANT POSITION WILL BE THAT
PERSON, ONCE THEY ARE
APPOINTED, WILL HANDLE
SUSTAINABILITY, CITY LIGHTS,
ARTS, AND CULTURE. AND FINALLY,
MY COMMITTEE IS GOVERNANCE,
ACCOUNTABILITY, AND ECONOMIC OF
DEVELOPMENT AS A BUSINESS
OWNER. I WANTED TO MAINTAIN MY
INTEREST IN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT. SO THAT WILL BE
OUR COMMITTEE STRUCTURE GOING
FORWARD. YOU CAN READ MORE
ABOUT IT ON THE AGENDA VERY
SOON. LET'S SEE. HOLD ON. I
HAVE TO MOVE. SO NOW, I WILL
MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 32124.
IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND ADOPTED.
YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
UNLESS THERE ARE ANY OTHER
COMMENTS, EXCUSE ME. OKAY.
SEEING NONE.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH.
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE.
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALEZ.
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON. 9 IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> ALL RIGHT. THE MOTION
CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS
ADOPTED. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF? ALL
RIGHT. ANY OTHER BUSINESS HERE?
OKAY. ANYWAY, SO WE DO HAVE
ONE MORE ITEM ON THE AGENDA,
WHICH IS TO DISCUSS HOW WE ARE
GOING TO GO ABOUT FEELING THIS
VACANT THE, BUT THIS IS
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA'S LAST
MEETING WITH US BEFORE YOU GO
ON TO THE KING COUNTY COUNCIL.
SO I WANTED TO PROVIDE AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO SEE BEAK
TO ADDRESS THE AUDIENCE IN YOUR
CALLING. PLEASE TAKE IT AWAY.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
MADAM PRESIDENT, AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND ALL
OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS THAT ARE
WITH US TODAY, BOTH THE NEW
COUNCILMEMBERS AND THE
INCUMBENTS. IT'S VERY EXCITING
TO BE HERE MY LAST COUNCIL
MEETING AND HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE DAIS
WITH YOU. COUNCILMEMBER SAKA
ASKED IN THE BRAKE IF I WAS
GOING TO GET A CHANCE TO SAY
SOMETHING. INC. YOU FOR ASKING,
BUT THIS IS REALLY ALL ABOUT
YOU ALL TODAY. I APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SAY SOME WORDS
ON THE WAY OUT AND APPRECIATE
YOU ALL IS WELL. I DO WANT TO
SAY, IT HAS BEEN IN HONOR OF A
LIFETIME TO SERVE IN THE CITY
OF SEATTLE. ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO
IN NOVEMBER 2017, THERE WAS A
VACANCY SO I GOT SWORN IN A
LITTLE BIT EARLY, AND IT WAS A
ROOM PACKED LIKE IT WAS THIS
AFTERNOON, AND IT WAS EXCITING
TO SEE THAT SAME ENERGY TODAY
FOR ALL OF YOU THAT ARE COMING
IN AS A FIRST-TIME
COUNCILMEMBER, AND FOR THOSE
WHO DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO DO
THAT DURING COVID. IT'S REALLY
EXCITING TO SEE THE ENERGY THAT
IS HERE. I HAVE HEARD
COUNCILMEMBERS MENTION THE
IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY, AND I
WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY WHO HAS
BEEN HERE WITH ME IN SPIRIT AND
ALSO WORKING AT HOME FOR THE
LAST THREE YEARS WHO LITERALLY
WAS IN THE ROOM HELPING TO BE
PART OF HOW WE SHAPE AND INVEST
IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE. TO MY
HUSBAND MAN WELL INTO OUR
DAUGHTER WHO IS NOW FOUR YEARS
OLD, I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR
THEIR WORK. IT FEELS LIKE IT
WAS A LIFETIME AGO THAT WE
STARTED THIS WORK. IT WAS A
LIFETIME AGO, BECAUSE CAMILLA
IS NOW FOUR YEARS OLD AND SHE
WAS NOT HERE WHEN I STARTED.
IT'S AN HONOR TO NOT ONLY BE
ABLE TO HAVE SERVED, BUT ALSO
TO THEN HAVE THE TITLE OF FIRST
SITTING COUNCILMEMBER TO GIVE
BIRTH WHILE IN OFFICE. CAMILLA
IS A REPRESENTATION OF THAT.
AND TO MY PARENTS, THEY ARE NOT
HERE. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE
HERE NEXT WEEK WHEN I GET TO
SWEARINGEN AND KING COUNTY
COUNCIL. MY DAD, LARRY, AND MY
MOM, PATTI, ACTIVISTS,
EDUCATORS, THEY INSPIRED IN ME
THE DESIRE TO FIGHT FOR MORE
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY AND TO
FIGHT FOR PROGRESSIVE CHANGE
AND TO STAND UP WHEN THE STATUS
QUO IS WORKING FOR US.
HOPEFULLY YOU WILL GET A CHANCE
TO MEET THEM IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD
A CHANCE ALREADY. BUT THAT IS
THE FAMILY THAT HAS BEEN
GUIDING ME THROUGH THIS. AND
MANY OF YOU. THERE'S FOLKS IN
THIS AUDIENCE AND SOME
DOWNSTAIRS WAITING FOR YOU,
MEMBERS OF BOTH THE BUSINESS
AND LABOR COMMUNITY. FOLKS WHO
WORK ON HOUSING AND
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. PEOPLE
WHO WORK ON TRANSPORTATION AND
FIGHTING FOR OUR MOST
VULNERABLE. WE'VE HAD A MOTTO
IN OUR OFFICE ABOUT AGGRESSIVE
COLLABORATION, AND WE WANT TO
FREQUENTLY MEET WITH MEMBERS OF
THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR
COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLE MEETINGS
THAT WE HOLD QUARTERLY TO
ACTUALLY HEAR DIRECTLY FROM
FOLKS ABOUT WHAT ISSUES NEEDED
TO BE ADDRESSED. I WANTED TO
THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN
COMING TO MEET WITH US BOTH
VIRTUALLY AND IN PERSON PRIOR
TO COVID, TO MAKE THESE POLICY
DECISIONS HAPPEN. IT HAS BEEN A
COLLECTIVE EFFORT. I WANT TO
THANK THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AS
WELL. WE MENTION THEM, THERE
STILL SOME FOLKS IN THE ROOM. A
QUEUE FOR COLLABORATION TO THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE, ESPECIALLY
AFTER THE LAST TWO YEARS AS WE
WORK TO TRY TO EMERGE FROM THE
IMPACT OF THE COVID CRISIS AND
TO DO SO IN COLLABORATION AND
PARTNERSHIP AND TO REALLY DO SO
HAS REQUIRED ALL OF THE
COUNCILMEMBERS IN ADDITION TO
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ALONG WITH
CENTRAL STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT
TEAM. TO THE CENTRAL STAFF
MEMBERS WERE STILL HERE, TO THE
EXECUTIVE TEAM, AND TO EVERY
MEMBER OF THE CITY FAMILY WHO
WORKS FOR THE CITY OF THE ATUL
WHO HAD BEEN ON THE LINES
DURING THE COVID CRISIS, WHO
CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR MORE
VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND
THINK ABOUT THE CITY THAT WE
WANT TO BE, WE WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'VE
DONE, ESPECIALLY IN THESE
TRYING TIMES AND TO DO SO IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNCIL,
ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST TWO
YEARS, IT HAS BEEN REALLY
APPRECIATED. THANK YOU TO THE
HERALD ADMINISTRATION. TO ALL
OF THE FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE
DEPARTMENT I MENTIONED, THE
CENTRAL STAFF TEAM, AND TO THE
CLERKS, TO OUR I.T. TEAM, TO
SECURITY, TO PEOPLE WHO MAKE
THIS FLOOR RUN, WHETHER IT'S
VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON, THERE'S
A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES INTO
THESE EFFORTS, SO YOU GUYS ARE
VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THEM AT YOUR
SIDE. AND IT'S REALLY EXCITING
TO BE HERE WITH NEW
COUNCILMEMBERS. I DID A LITTLE
BIT OF SOME INTERVIEWS BEFORE
LEAVING AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
WELL, I GUESS TODAY IS MY LAST
DAY. BUT I DID SOME INTERVIEWS
AND FALSE ASKED, WHAT YOU THINK
ABOUT THE NEXT COUNCIL? I
REALLY FOCUSED ON OPTIMISM AND
UNITY . AND THE STRENGTH OF
COMING TOGETHER TO FIND WAYS TO
SOLVE SOME OF THESE MOST
PRESSING CRISES. THAT'S WHAT I
TALKED ABOUT. I THINK THAT THIS
IS THE MOMENT AS COUNCIL
MEMBERS HAVE NOTED, TO FOCUS ON
UNITY. AND I THINK THAT IT IS
-- IT RUNS COUNTER TO THE
NARRATIVE THAT SOME WOULD LIKE
US TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS
GREAT DIVISION IN THIS CITY. IF
WE FOCUS ON WHERE THERE IS
UNITY AND COMMON GROUND AND WE
BRIDGE THOSE DIVIDES, IF WE DO
THAT, WE CAN ADDRESS THE CRISES
THAT WE SEE GROWING. I DO THINK
THAT VOTERS WANT TO SEE CHANGE.
BUT WHAT I THINK VOTERS WANT TO
SEE A CHANGE IN IS THE SYSTEMIC
CRISES THAT ARE GROWING IN OUR
COMMUNITY. WHETHER THAT IS
HEALTH ISSUES, BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES,
WHETHER IT'S HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS, WHETHER IT'S
INVESTMENT IN OUR BUSINESS
COMMUNITY WITH THE GROWING ARTS
SECTOR, WE ALL WANT TO SEE
CHANGES IN HOW WE GROW AS A
CITY. WE ARE THE LARGEST LARGE
CITY THAT CONTINUES TO GROW
THROUGHOUT THE COVID CRISIS. WE
HAVE SEEN A GROWTH IN
POPULATION, AND WE HAVE SEEN A
GROWTH IN NEEDS WITHIN OUR
COMMUNITY. AND I THINK WHAT WE
HAVE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY,
LOUD AND CLEAR, IS THAT THEY
WANT TO SEE A CHANGE IN WHAT WE
SEE IN TERMS OF HUMAN
SUFFERING. AND I ALSO KNOW THAT
EVERYONE THAT IS SITTING UP
HERE HAD THE PORT FROM OUR
LABOR COMMUNITY. EVERY SINGLE
PERSON. AND WHAT I THINK THAT
THAT SIGNALS IS THAT WE ARE
STRONGER WHEN WE FOCUS ON
WORKING FAMILIES AND INVESTING
IN WHAT WORKING FAMILIES AND
RETIREES AND FUTURE WORKERS OF
THIS THE NEED. THE LABOR
COMMUNITY WHO CAME TOGETHER TO
SUPPORT FOLKS TO COME SIT IN
THE SEATS WANT US TO WORK
TOGETHER TO DELIVER ON THESE
MOST PRESSING CRISES. AND FOUR
INCUMBENTS WERE ON THE BALLOT.
3 WON. 75% OF THOSE INCUMBENTS
WINNING IN THEIR RACES MEANS
THAT I THINK, THE NEW ELECTEDS
AND THE INCUMBENTS, THEY CHOSE
US. WHETHER IT'S WITH THE CITY
OR THE COUNTY, WE CAN
COLLECTIVELY ADDRESS THESE
CRISES TOGETHER. WE CAN DO THIS
BY FOCUSING ON THESE BIG
SYSTEMIC ISSUES. WE CAN DO THIS
BY MAKING SURE THAT THE FUNDING
WE ARE INVESTING IN DELIVERS.
WE HAVE BUILT SOME OF THAT IN.
WHEN WE LOOK AT HOW WE INVESTED
IN HOUSING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE
FUNDING THAT WE PUT INTO SMALL
BUSINESSES THROUGH EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT, WE HAVE BUILT IN
WAYS THAT WE CAN INVEST IN
ACCOUNTABILITY AND
TRANSPARENCY, AND I KNOW THAT
THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO BE WELL
SERVED BY THIS COUNCIL IF WE
COLLECTIVELY FOCUS ON WORKING
FAMILIES AND SHOWING FOLKS THAT
WE WILL BE RESILIENT AND MORE
INCLUSIVE AND MORE EQUITABLE
AND MORE JUST CITY AND REGION
COLLECTIVELY. I'M EXCITED THAT
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK
TOGETHER, WHETHER I'M AT THE
BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET, OR
AS YOUR CONSTITUENT OR
CITYWIDE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO
WORK ON THESE ISSUES, AND WITH
THIS BODY, I'M HOPING THAT WE
CAN COLLECTIVELY FOCUS ON THE
URGENCY, THE NEED FOR INVESTING
IN THESE ISSUES OF HUMANITY AND
INTEGRITY AND COMPASSION THAT
THEY NEED. I WANT TO THANK THE
COUNCILMEMBERS THAT HAVE HAD
THE CHANCE TO SERVE WITH OVER
THE LAST X YEARS. SOME OF THEM
WERE IN THE ROOM HERE EARLIER.
I SEE SOME EXISTING
COUNCILMEMBERS WHO STILL HAVE
AMERICA'S BADDEST IN THE ROOM
HERE TODAY, AND I WANT TO THINK
MY COLLEAGUES HAVE HAD THE
CHANCE TO WORK WITH OVER THE
LAST FEW YEARS BEING IN THIS
HEAT. COUNCIL NUMBER STRAUSS,
COUNCILMEMBER ROLLINS, INKS
FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I WORKED
WITH YOU OVER THE LAST FEW
YEARS. CONTINUE COLLEAGUES, I'M
EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO
CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU. IT
HAS BEEN, I THINK, SOMEONE SAID
DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE WHEN
I TALKED TO THEM EARLIER. IN
MOVES FAST HERE AS A COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NOTED. AND YOU HAVE A
HUGE OPPORTUNITY IN THIS CITY
TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE
CALLS FROM CONSTITUENTS WITH
MUCH FASTER PACE THAN I'VE SEEN
AT THE STATE LEVEL WHEN
LOBBYING THERE THEN WE SEE IN
CONGRESS THERE. AND WE KNOW
THAT WITH COLLABORATION AND
PARTNERSHIP, WE CAN HAVE A
TREMENDOUS IMPACT IN THE CITY,
BUT FRANKLY, ACROSS THE NATION,
TOO. BECAUSE THIS IS THE CITY
WHERE WE'VE LED. AND ADJUST OUR
SHORT TIME HERE, IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, AS THE CHAIR OF THE
COMMITTEE THAT HAS PURVIEW OVER
LABOR, WE HAVE NOT ONLY LED
HERE IN OUR REGION AND FOR OUR
STATE, BUT FOR THE NATION.
TAXING LEGISLATION, HUMAN
SERVICE PROVIDERS, CANNABIS
EQUITY LEGISLATION, WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT, GROCERY WORKER
HAZARD PAY, CASH ASSISTANCE FOR
WORKERS DURING COVID. PAID SICK
LEAVE THAT WE THEN MADE
PERMANENT. PAID SICK LEAVE FOR
PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES SO THAT
WHEN SOMEBODY HAS TO CALL IN
FOR THEIR LOVED ONE WHO IS
EITHER IN CHILDCARE OR ADULT
CARE, WE CAN TAKE PAID LEAVE
WHEN THERE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY. THE DOMESTIC WORKERS
BILL OF RIGHTS, AND ELIMINATING
THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS
WITH DISABILITIES. IN HOUSING,
WE INCREASE THE FUNDING FOR
HOUSING SIXFOLD IN OUR TIME IN
OFFICE. WE DID THAT BY PASSING
THE PROGRESSIVE PAYROLL TAX. WE
DID THAT BY PROTECTING THE
INVESTMENTS THAT JUMPSTART
INVESTMENT WITH TWO THIRDS OF
THE FUNDING FROM JUMPSTART
GOING INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IT IS CREATING 1800 UNITS OF
NEW HOUSING THROUGH JUMPSTART.
THAT, COUPLED WITH THE LEVY
THAT WE JUST PASSED, THANK YOU
SEATTLE VOTERS AND THE COUNCIL
WHO PASSED THE HOUSING LEVY
ONTO THE VOTERS. WE WILL SEE
ANOTHER 4000 UNITS OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMING
ONLINE. AND WE DID THAT NOT
ONLY WITH INVESTMENTS IN BRICK
AND MORTAR, WITH THE WORKERS
WHO HELPED PEOPLE KEEP STABLY
HOUSED. A SELF-DETERMINATION
FUND THAT PUTS THEM AT THE
FRONT OF THE LINE FOR WORKERS
AND FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE
LED BY CAN AT MOST RISK OF
DISPLACEMENT, AND TO PUT THOSE
ORGANIZATIONS AT THE FRONT OF
THE LINE TO BUILD HOUSING IN
THE VEIN OF WHAT COMMUNITY
WANTS AND WHO IS AT HIGHEST
RISK OF THIS BASEMENT. WE
PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY FOCUS
ACQUISITIONS, PERMANENT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING OWNERSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES, FIGHTING THIS
BRACELET, AND ECONOMIC
DISPLACEMENT BY INVESTING NOT
IN JUST HOUSING UNITS, BUT
HOUSING THAT PUTS CHILDCARE AND
SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ON
THE FIRST FLOOR. CULTURAL SPACE
AND CHILDCARE. THANK YOU FOR
THE CHILDCARE SHOUT OUT
EARLIER. WE INVESTED IN
COMMUNITY PREFERENCE,
PRIORITIZING CITY-OWNED LAND
AND PREVENTING IT FROM EVER
BEING SOLD ON THE PRIVATE
MARKET AGAIN TO TAKE THAT LAND
AND INVEST IN THE PUBLIC GOOD,
AND TAKING PROPERTY ALSO OFF
THE SPECULATIVE MARKET AND
PUTTING IT BACK INTO THE THESE
HANDS. THAT IS HOW WE CREATE
PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE OPTIONS.
WE DID THIS ALL WITHIN THE VEIN
OF WHAT COUNCILMEMBER MORE
ALICE STARTED WITH TODAY, WITH
THE GOAL OF HAVING A RECKONING
OF WHAT OUR EXISTING LAND-USE
POLICY MEANS, TO TRY TO
ACTUALLY RECTIFY THE FACT THAT
WE HAVE EXCLUSIONARY POLICIES
THAT ARE STILL EMBEDDED IN OUR
LAND-USE CODE. I LOOK FORWARD
TO ALL THE WORK THAT IS TO COME
OF THE LAND-USE POLICY AND
BUILDING ON WHAT WE ARE TRYING
TO DO, WHICH IS UNDOING
EXCLUSIONARY POLICY AND
CREATING A MORE INCLUSIVE
SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD. AND TO MY
COLLEAGUES THAT FOCUSED ON
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE
COUNTING ALL THE WIDGETS, THANK
YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. WHAT WE
HAVE DONE ON SEATTLE BUDGET AS
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS -- GOOD
LUCK AND CONGRATULATIONS, MR.
CHERUB BUDGET. WE HAVE HELPED
ELEVATE A DAY LIKE THE SIX-YEAR
FINANCIAL PLAN SO THAT WE CAN
BETTER PLAN FOR THE REVENUE AND
EXPENDITURE AND NEEDS OF THE
FUTURE. WITH INCREASED ACCESS
TO THE CITY BUDGETS OFFICE
DATA. WE'VE DONE THAT WITH
BUILDING OVERSIGHT
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
INTO THE CODE, AND THANKS AGAIN
TO CENTRAL STAFF FOR THAT WORK.
MANY OF US KNOW THE REASON I
WANT TO BE A PARTNER AT THE
COUNTY IS TO FOCUS ON PUBLIC
HEALTH. AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS AN
OUTCOME OF PUBLIC HEALTH
INVESTMENTS. SO I LOOK FORWARD
TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU
ON CREATING A HEALTHIER,
DEEPER, REGION FOR EVERYONE. A
MORE AFFORDABLE AND VIBRANT
REGION, AND WE CAN DO THIS BY
CONTINUING TO INVEST IN
STRATEGIES THAT INVEST IN THE
HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY AND
SECURITY OF ALL OUR RESIDENTS.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE IS STILL IN
THE AUDIENCE, BUT MR. MILES
NOTED, WE CAN'T JUST LOCK
PEOPLE UP. WE HAVE TO FREE UP
OFFICERS SO THEY CAN RESPOND TO
HIGHER-LEVEL CALLS. WE ARE
FREEING UP OFFICERS TO RESPOND
TO LOWER-LEVEL CALLS BY
INVESTING IN DIVERSION
PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY PATHWAY
INVESTMENTS, HEALTHONE
INVESTMENTS, INCREASED FUNDING
FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION,
INTERRUPTION STRATEGIES, GUN
VIOLENCE, BEDSIDE INTERRUPTION
STRATEGIES, AND MAKING SURE
THAT OUR COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS CLOSEST TO THE
COMMUNITY HAVE DIRECT CASH. WE
ARE ALSO INVESTING IN OTHER
STRATEGIES THAT PARTNER WITH
FIREFIGHTERS. OUR HEALTHONE
EXPANSION IS SOMETHING THAT I
WILL ETERNALLY BE PROUD OF,
BECAUSE WE'VE DONE THAT TO
ALLOW FOR MENTAL HEALTH
PROVIDERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
THROUGHOUT FIREFIGHTERS TO BE
ABLE TO RESPOND IN ADDITION TO
THE STANDING UP OF THE CRISIS
CARE CENTER, CONNECTION ONE
CALL, AND THE COMMUNICATIONS
CENTER DEPARTMENT. WE ARE
LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING
ALL THAT WORK ON PUBLIC SAFETY,
AND PUBLIC HEALTH, AND BUILDING
A MORE EQUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE
REGION FOR EVERYONE. I LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL
IN OUR UPCOMING EFFORT, AND AS
WE -- AS WE KNOW, I STILL HAVE
A MASK UP HERE. THE IMPACT OF
THE PANDEMIC BOTH ON HER
PHYSICAL HEALTH AND A LINGERING
EFFECT ON HER ECONOMIC
STABILITY FOR OUR REGION STILL
IS PRESENT. AND THIS IS
COUPLING THE INEQUITIES THAT WE
ALREADY SAW PRIOR TO THE
PANDEMIC. SO OUR JOB IS A BIG
ONE, BOTH ACROSS THE REGION AND
HERE IN SEATTLE, TO BE SURE
THAT WE CONTINUE TO TACKLE THE
CRISIS OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN ALL BE
MORE HEALTHY. THERE IS A
PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON, AND HE TALKS ABOUT
THE HEALTH OLYMPICS. AND THE
MORE THAT WE INVEST IN THE MORE
EQUITABLE ECONOMY, WHERE THERE
IS A NARROW GAP BETWEEN THE
WEALTHIEST AND THE LOWEST
INCOME, THE HEALTHIER WE WILL
ALL BE. SO THE LIFE EXPECTANCY
OF OUR BABIES, THE LIFE
EXPECTANCY AND HEALTH OUTCOMES
OF OUR ELDERS, AND OUR
COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORS REALLY
RELIES ON US CREATING A MORE
HEALTHY AND EQUITABLE ECONOMY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS, AND
CONGRATULATIONS TODAY.
>> I FORGOT SOMETHING. I JUST
HAVE AT THE TOP OF MY NOTES, I
WANT TO THANK MY TEAM, WE
CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT. THANK
YOU, ERIN, FOR ALL OF YOUR
WORK. MELANIE CRAY ON OUR TEAM,
AND OVER THE YEARS, WE'VE ALSO
BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE THE WORK
OF -- MICHAEL MATTIX, AND --.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, THIS WORK IS
IMPOSSIBLE TO DO WITHOUT OUR
TEAM. JOIN ME IN THANKING THEM
FOR ALL THE WORK WE'VE DONE
OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS, AS
WELL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I
ALWAYS APPRECIATE HOW YOU MAKE
SURE TO SHARE THE APPRECIATION
FOR EVERYBODY THAT TAKES PART
IN PUBLIC SERVICE. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR COMMENTS, AND I WILL
SEE RIGHT OVER THERE. ALL
RIGHT. NOW WE ARE GOING TO MOVE
ON TO ITEM K, WHICH IS THE
MATTER OF FILLING THE VACANCY.
SO THE CITY CLERK WILL NOW LEAD
US THROUGH AN OVERVIEW OF THE
APPOINTMENT PROCESS AND
TIMELINE FOR THE APPOINTMENT TO
THE VACANT CITY COUNCIL
POSITION 8, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA'S POSITION. GO AHEAD.
>> OKAY, GREAT.
>> YOU ARE ALSO WELCOME TO COME
TO THE TABLE.
>> I HOPE THIS IS OKAY. SO GOOD
AFTERNOON, COUNCILMEMBERS. ON
DECEMBER 12th, 2023,
COUNCILMEMBER TERESA MOSQUEDA
SUBMITTED HER RESIGNATION TO
ME, AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO
EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO YOU FOR
YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, AND WE WISH YOU THE
BEST OF LUCK. YOUR FINAL DAY IS
TODAY. JANUARY 2nd, 2024,
THROUGH THE END OF THE DAY.
WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT. AS A
RESULT, HER SEAT POSITION WILL
BE VACANT AS OF TOMORROW,
JANUARY 3rd, 2024. TODAY, I
WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE AN
OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS TO FILL
A VACANT THE COUNCIL SEAT.
THESE CONSIDER THIS THE
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE
VACANT POSITIONS SEAT ON CITY
COUNCIL. THE CITY OF SEATTLE
CHARTER ARTICLE 19 SECTIONS 5
AND SIX DETERMINED THAT AN
OFFICE BECOMES VACANT AMONG
OTHER THINGS UPON THE
RESIGNATION OF THE INCUMBENT.
IF ANY OFFICE OTHER THAN MAYOR
BECOMES VACANT, THE CITY
COUNCIL SHALL, WITHIN 20 DAYS
THEREAFTER, SELECT A PERSON TO
FILL THE VACANCY. THAT PERSON
SHALL POSSESS THE
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO CITY
COUNCIL OFFICE AND THE
SELECTION IS EFFECTIVE ONLY
UPON THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A
MAJORITY OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE
COUNCIL. HER ARTICLE 19 SECTION
2, THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
FOR ELECTIVE OFFICERS OF THE
CITY ARE BEING A CITIZEN OF THE
UNITED STATES, BEING A
QUALIFIED ELECT OR OF THE STATE
OF WASHINGTON, AND ELECTOR
MEANS ANY PERSON WHO POSSESSES
ALL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS TO
VOTE UNDER ARTICLE SIX OF THE
STATE CONSTITUTION. BEING ABLE
TO READ AND WRITE THE ENGLISH
LANGUAGE AND BEING A REGISTERED
VOTER AND RESIDENT OF THE CITY
OF SEATTLE FROM AT LEAST 120
DAYS PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN
APPLICATION. IF THE OFFICE IS
NOT FILLED WITHIN 20 DAYS AFTER
BECOMES VACANT, THE CITY
COUNCIL SHALL MEET AND VOTE AT
LEAST ONCE EACH BUSINESS DAY
UNTIL THE VACANCY IS FILLED.
THIS MEANS THAT COUNCIL WILL
NOT NEED TO MEET ON SATURDAYS,
SUNDAYS, AND ANY HOLIDAYS
SHOULD AN APPOINTMENT NOT BE
MADE BY THE 20th DAY. SECTION
1.0 4.070 OF THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE GOVERNS THE
COMPUTATION OF TIME AND CHARTER
IN THE CODE AND STATES THAT THE
DAY OF THE EVENT FROM WHICH THE
TIME BEGINS TO RUN IS EXCLUDED
FROM THE COUNT. SO THAT MEANS
JANUARY 3rd IS EXCLUDED. THE
LAST DAY OF THE PERIOD IS
INCLUDED UNLESS IT IS A
SATURDAY, SUNDAY, OR LEGAL
HOLIDAY. IN WHICH CASE, IT RUNS
UNTIL THE END OF THE NEXT DAY.
THAT IS NOT A WEEKEND OR
HOLIDAY. THEREFORE, THE 20th
DAY WILL BE TUESDAY, JANUARY
23rd, 2024. ONCE THE VACANCY
IS FILLED, THE PERSON APPOINTED
TO THE VACANCY SHALL HOLD
OFFICE UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS
ELECTED AND QUALIFIED AT THE
NEXT REGULAR MUNICIPAL GENERAL
ELECTION, WHICH WILL BE IN
NOVEMBER, 2024. THE APPOINTEE
WILL SERVE UNTIL THE ELECTION
IS CERTIFIED AND A SUCCESSOR IS
ELECTED AND QUALIFIED. PER THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER
3.93010, THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL
ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR ANYONE
QUALIFIED TO BECOME A
COUNCILMEMBER. WITHIN FIVE
BUSINESS DAYS OF THE SEAT
BECOMING VACANT, CITY COUNCIL
SHALL PUBLISH APPLICATION
PROCEDURES WHICH MUST INCLUDED
THE MINIMUM THE METHOD FOR
SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS,
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOCUMENT
TYPES, AND CONTENT SUBMISSIONS.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE
SUBMISSIONS, THE METHOD FOR
SUBMISSION, THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR SUBMISSION, AND AN
ESTIMATED TIMELINE OF NECESSARY
EVENTS UNDER THE CITY CHARTER
IN THIS CHAPTER OF THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE. THIS
INFORMATION MUST BE DETERMINED
BY COUNCIL. AFTER THE CITY
COUNCIL VACANCY SUBMISSION
DEADLINE, CITY COUNCIL SHALL
PUBLISH ALL SUBMISSIONS
MEETING THE APPLICATION
STANDARDS AS ESTABLISHED BY
COUNCIL. AT THIS POINT, THE
CITY CLERK WILL PROVIDE EACH
COUNCILMEMBER WITH A DIGITAL
NOTEBOOK THAT INCLUDES ALL OF
THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY
THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE. ALSO
WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS, CITY
COUNCIL SHALL PUBLISH
APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR
COMMUNITY ENTITIES INTERESTED
IN PARTICIPATING IN THE PUBLIC
FORUM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS,
INCLUDING A MINIMUM OF THE
METHOD DISCIPLINE APPLICATIONS.
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCUMENT
TYPES AND CONTENT OF THE
SUBMISSIONS, THE DEADLINE FOR
SUBMISSIONS, AND CRITERIA FOR
EVALUATION. AFTER THE
SUBMISSION DEADLINE, CITY
COUNCIL WILL DEVELOP A PUBLIC
FORUM FOR HOSTING APPLICANTS.
THIS WILL BE NOTED ON THE
ESTIMATED TIMELINE, WHICH WILL
BE HERE SHORTLY AND IS
AVAILABLE ON SCREEN. THE CITY
COUNCIL SHALL CONSULT WITH THE
COMMUNITY ENTITIES THAT
SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS AND
SELECTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL SO
THAT THE COMMUNITY ENTITIES CAN
THEN INFORM THE STRUCTURE,
QUESTION, AND ACCESSIBILITY.
ONLY APPLICANTS THAT SUBMIT A
COMPLETED APPLICATION MATERIAL
MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC.
AFTER THIS INTERVIEW PROCESS,
CITY COUNCIL CELL MEET TO
CONSIDER THE APPLICATIONS. THIS
IS DONE AT AN EXECUTIVE
SESSION. CITY COUNCIL SHALL
HAVE AT LEAST ONE MEETING AFTER
APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE
PUBLIC, AT WHICH PUBLIC COMMENT
IS AND IT WHICH CANDIDATES WHO
PARTICIPATED IN THE FORM
ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL. ONLY
APPLICANTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN
THE FORUM MAY APPOINTED TO FILL
THE VACANT SEAT. FINALLY,
COUNCIL SHALL HOLD A PUBLIC
MEETING TO APPOINT A
COUNCILMEMBER TO POSITION. THIS
MAY OCCUR AT THE REGULAR
MEETING ON TUESDAY, JANUARY
23rd, 2024. GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE VACANCY HAS BEEN
POSTED TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE
SINCE DECEMBER 26, 2023.
A.K.A., FIVE BUSINESS DAYS.
INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE
VACANCY AND INVITATIONS WHO
WANT TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ABOUT
OR PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC
FORUM DEVELOPMENT. I WANT TO
THANK THE ENTIRE COMMUNICATIONS
CREW FOR THEIR FLEXIBILITY AND
AVAILABILITY DURING THE HOLIDAY
BREAK TO MAKE THAT INFORMATION
AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. IN
ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH
CHARTER MANDATES, BUT BY
COUNCIL TO DO THE FOLLOWING.
ONE, ADOPT AN ESTIMATED
TIMELINE OF NECESSARY EVENTS.
TWO, TO DECIDE THE FOLLOWING
PORTIONS OF THE APPLICATION
PROCESS FOR POSITION
CANDIDATES. THAT INCLUDES THE
METHODS FOR SUBMITTING
APPLICATIONS, REQUIREMENTS FOR
GETTING STUFF, AND CONTENT OF
THE APPLICATIONS. THE DEADLINE
FOR SUBMISSIONS, THE METHOD OF
SUBMISSIONS, THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR SUBMISSIONS, AND AN
ESTIMATED TIMELINE OF NECESSARY
INFORMATION. AND WE WOULD LIKE
FOR YOU TO DECIDE THE FOLLOWING
PORTIONS OF THE APPLICATION
PROCESS FOR THE COMMUNITY
INPUT, INCLUDING THE METHOD FOR
SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS,
REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCUMENT
TYPES, CONTENT OF THE
APPLICATION, AND THE DEADLINE
FOR SUBMISSIONS AND CRITERIA
FOR EVALUATION. JUST AS A SIDE
NOTE, ONCE THE ESTIMATED
TIMELINE IS ESTABLISHED, PLEASE
RESERVE THOSE DATES AND TIMES
IN YOUR CALENDARS. I AM NOW
READY TO HEAR IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
THAT. I THINK THE TAKE AWAY IS
THAT THERE'S A LOT OF
INFORMATION ON THE COUNCIL
WEBSITE THAT WILL PROVIDE THE
IMPORTANT DATES THAT YOU JUST
READ. THE VOTE IS ANTICIPATED
TO BE ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 23rd.
THE APPLICATION PERIOD IS UNTIL
THE NINTH, DID YOU SAY?
>> THAT IS FOR YOU TO
DETERMINE.
>> I THOUGHT THAT WAS ALREADY
DETERMINED.
>> THAT'S JUST A
RECOMMENDATION. IT'S JUST FOR
COUNCIL FOR DECIDE.
>> THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC
FORUM, AND THAT DATE IS YET TO
BE DETERMINED. AND THERE WILL
BE COMMUNITY INPUT, AND THERE
ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE
THAT IN ANY COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION INTERESTED IN
HAVING THAT INPUT. THEY CAN
SUBMIT THEIR -- NOT RESUME, BUT
THEIR SHOW OF INTEREST ON THE
RESUME AS WELL. I KNOW THAT
THIS IS GOING TO BE A -- AN
INTERESTING PROCESS, BECAUSE
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME WE
WILL BE IMPLEMENT AND CODIFY
PROCEDURE . THIS IS A PROCESS
THAT WAS USED IN -- WHEN WAS
IT? 2020. 2019. LATER THAT
YEAR, WAS CODIFIED INTO LAW. WE
ARE THE FIRST ONES TO BE
FOLLOWING CODE IN THIS PROCESS.
SO I WILL NOW OPEN IT UP TO ANY
QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAME
CLERK, FOR REVIEWING THE
PROCESS. IT'S GOING TO BE
IMPORTANT TO HAVE AS MUCH
TRANSPARENCY AS POSSIBLE ABOUT
THIS PROCESS IN THE NEXT FEW
WEEKS. I WILL SAY, YOU KNOW, WE
DO HAVE A PROCESS, WE DON'T
HAVE SPECIFIC CRITERIA BY WHICH
WE MAKE A DECISION AS
COUNCILMEMBERS. AND I WILL ALSO
SAY THAT I SAW AT LEAST FOUR
PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM TODAY WHO I
KNOW ARE INTERESTED IN THE
POSITION, I THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT THAT WE REALLY GET
SOME CLARITY AMONG OURSELVES
ABOUT HOW WE WILL BE MAKING OUR
OWN DECISIONS ABOUT THIS
POSITION. I WANT TO SAY AT THE
OUTSET THAT I WILL BE LOOKING
FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE
OR EXPERTISE IN ANY OF THE BIG
ISSUES WE HAVE TO TACKLE THIS
YEAR, AND SO -- WE DO FACE SOME
SERIOUS CHALLENGES IN THE NEXT
FEW YEARS. I'M SURE THAT
WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN BEST
SERVE OUR CONSTITUENTS. BUT AS
I SAID BEFORE, A LOOMING
DISCUSSION IS HOW WE ARE GOING
TO ADDRESS THE $250 MILLION
DEFICIT IN OUR BUDGET. WE WILL
HAVE THAT CONVERSATION STARTING
IN THE FALL. HOW WE PROTECT
CITY WORKERS WHO PROVIDE
ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES
AS WE WORK WITH THE EXECUTIVE,
WITH CBO, WITH OUR OWN OFFICE
OF ECONOMIC FORECASTING. WE
WILL BE GRAPPLING WITH HOW TO
MAKE THOSE DECISIONS. MY HOPE
IS THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT OUR
NEWEST CITY WORKERS WHO VERY
OFTEN HAVE BEEN RECRUITED
RECENTLY FROM COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR ARE NOT THE FIRST OR THE
ONLY PEOPLE WHO MAY BE LOOKING
AT CUTS. THE BUDGET DEFICIT
DEMANDS THAT WE MAKE HARD
DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO GENERATE
REVENUE AND WHAT SERVICES MAY
NEED TO BE CUT. I WILL SAY, WE
ARE NOT CORTISOL THE $250
MILLION DEFICIT BY CUTTING FAT
OR FINDING EFFICIENCIES IN OUR
CITY GOVERNMENT. IS GOING TO BE
SOME VERY HARD CONVERSATIONS
FOR US TO HAVE. AND SO BETWEEN
THE BUDGET, THE COMP PLAN, THE
SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION LEVY,
THE CONTRACT -- WE HAVE SOME
CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS COMING
THIS YEAR, AND IT'S GOING TO BE
REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE
HAVE SOMEBODY FILLING THIS
PARTICULAR SEAT, LEAVING BIG
SHOES TO FILL WITH SOMEBODY WHO
HAS GOT SOME EXPERTISE OR
EXPERIENCE IN THESE PARTICULAR
ISSUES. I JUST WANTED TO REACH
OUT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WE DON'T
HAVE SPECIFIC DECISION-MAKING
CRITERIA. WE HAVE A PROCESS,
BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT
SPECIFIES HOW WE AS
COUNCILMEMBERS WILL BE MAKING
THOSE DECISIONS. JUST WANTED TO
GET THAT OUT. FOR MYSELF. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I'M LOOKING DOWN
THE ROAD HERE TO SEE IF ANYBODY
ELSE HAS ANY QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS. WE HAVE BEEN -- WE
HAVE DECIDED -- EVERYONE, AND
AT LEAST I AM READY TO GET TO
WORK. THE PROCESS OF
LEGISLATION AND ET CETERA, WE
WILL NOT BE HAVING COMMITTEE
MEETINGS THIS MONTH UNTIL WE --
UNTIL WE FILL THIS VACANCY,
BECAUSE WE NEED THE TIME. WE
COULD CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS.
THERE IS A LOT THAT IS
UNDECIDED, AND THAT IS BECAUSE
THERE HAS NOT BEEN SOMEBODY IN
THE POSITION THAT IS SUPPOSED
TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, AND OF
COURSE, THEY WILL BE MADE
COLLABORATIVELY. SO MORE TO
COME TO EVERYONE. DID YOU HAVE
ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY IN
CLOSING?
>> NO, JUST IF THERE IS ANY
QUESTIONS ON THE FLOOR, I CAN
ADDRESS THAT.
>> OKAY.
>> NOTHING FURTHER TO SAY. IF
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT
HOW THINGS ARE DONE IN 2019, I
HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
THAT IF THAT WOULD HELP. BUT
OTHERWISE, WE ARE HOPING FOR
THAT DECISION, BECAUSE WE
CANNOT FIVE BUSINESS DAYS TO
PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION. IF WE
NEED A DECISION SOONER THAN
LATER, I ALSO NEED TO MAKE THE
COMMENT THAT THE INFORMATION
THAT IS AVAILABLE ON THE
WEBSITE IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT
WE JUST SAID, BECAUSE THAT
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COUNTING
OF TIME IS SOMETHING THAT WE
MERELY DISCOVERED TODAY. SO
THAT WILL BE CORRECTED.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK
YOU. I WAS RAISING MY HAND ON
ZOOM, BUT I REALIZE I'M NOT ON
ZOOM TODAY. YOU MADE A COMMENT
THAT A LOT OF THESE DECISIONS
HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AT THIS
TIME, AND I WANT TO ALSO
HIGHLIGHT THAT WE ARE ON THE
SECOND DAY OF 2024. NOT EVEN AT
THE END OF OUR FIRST BUSINESS
DAY OF THE YEAR. AND IT IS
BECAUSE OF YOUR STEADFAST HARD
WORK AND BECAUSE OF STAFFS
STEADFAST HARD WORK THAT WE ARE
IN THE POSITION FOR THIS
VACANCY THAT HAS EVEN BEEN
CREATED OFFICIALLY WE ARE READY
TO GET TO WORK. SO THANK YOU,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? NO?
WELL, I DO WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ,
OUR DEPARTED PRESIDENT. I WAS
GOING TO WAIT TO KNOW THIS AT
THE END, BUT TALK ABOUT BIG
SHOES TO FILL. I WAS GOING TO
END THIS MEETING BY EXPRESSING
MY APPRECIATION FOR SETTING A
GOOD EXAMPLE FOR ME IN TERMS OF
LEADERSHIP AND REALLY HOW TO
RUN A DEPARTMENT. SHE DID A LOT
OF THE WORK IN BETWEEN THE END
OF LAST YEAR AND RIGHT NOW, SO
WE GOT TO SHARE CREDIT AND
APPRECIATION ALL AROUND. ALL
RIGHT. IF THERE ARE NO -- GO
AHEAD.
>> AT THE VERY LEAST, IF WE CAN
AT LEAST GET THE CALENDAR -- IF
EMOTION COULD BE MADE TO
APPROVE THAT CALENDAR WITH THE
RECOMMENDED TIMELINE, THEN WE
CAN MOVE FORWARD A LITTLE MORE
INFORMED IF THAT WOULD BE OKAY.
>> I MOVED TO PROVE THAT
CALENDAR.
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. OKAY, THERE
IS NO -- LET'S VOTE. OKAY. IT
HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
LET'S VOTE ON THE CALENDAR.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH.
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE .
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALEZ.
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON. 9 IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. AND WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR YOUR GRACE. THIS IS MY
FIRST TIME. WE ARE WORKING OUT
SOME KINKS HERE IN MY ABILITY
TO LEAD A MEETING. I DO NOT
BELIEVE THERE IS ANY OTHER
BUSINESS UNLESS SOMEBODY WANTS
TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEY WILL BE
ABSENT AT A FUTURE MEETING. ALL
RIGHT. SO COLLEAGUES, WE
REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S
AGENDA. OUR NEXT REGULARLY
SCHEDULED MEETING WILL BE HELD
ON JANUARY 9th AT 2:00 P.M.. AS
A REMINDER, THERE'S A SHORT
RECEPTION THAT WILL NOW
COMMENCE ON FLOOR ONE OF
SEATTLE CITY HALL. ALL ARE
WELCOME TO ATTEND THE
RECEPTION. HEARING NO FURTHER
BUSINESS, WE ARE ADJOURNED. IT
IS 4:31. Q VERY MUCH. WE GOT
THIS, EVERYBODY! THANK YOU!