>>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU
FOR COMING. JANUARY 30th 2024
MEETING OF THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER. IT
IS TO: 01. I AM SARA NELSON,
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE
PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU , VERY MUCH. JUST
ONE MOMENT , PLEASE, FOLKS. IF
YOU COULD TAKE YOUR SEATS. WE
CAN'T REALLY HEAR WHAT WE ARE
DOING UP HERE. PLEASE TRY TO BE
QUIET, PLEASE, AS WE CONTINUE
WITH OUR MEETING. OKAY, I AM
NOT AWARE OF ANY PRESENTATION
FOR TODAY. I AM GOING TO GIVE
A PAUSE SO PEOPLE CAN TAKE
THEIR SEATS. OKAY.
COLLEAGUES, AT THIS TIME, WE
WILL NOW OPEN UP THE HYBRID
COMMENT PERIOD. IT SHOULD
RELATE TO ITEMS ON THE
CALENDAR, TODAY'S AGENDA OR
THE WORK PROGRAM. FOR TODAY'S
PERIOD, I AM PROPOSING WE HEAR
SPEAKERS FOR 20 MINUTES, NOT
KNOWING HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL
WANT TO SPEAK. WE DO HAVE THREE
ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA WE WANT TO
GET TO. I AM HERE TO MAKE A
MOTION TO POSTPONE WHEN WE
REACH THE END OF PUBLIC
COMMENT, WE CAN GET TO FOLKS
LATER ON. MADAM CLERK, HOW MANY
PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK?
>> WE HAVE 14 IN PERSON . WE
HAVE FIVE REMOTE.
>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WE CAN DO
THEM ALL IN THE BEGINNING. IN
THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
IF IT GOES OVER, WE WILL
CONTINUE WITH PUBLIC COMMENT. I
WILL GIVE EVERYBODY ONE MINUTE
EACH. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ
THE INSTRUCTIONS.
>> PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL
BE MONITORED IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER. EACH SPEAKER WILL BE
GIVEN ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK.
THERE MAY BE A PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS ONLINE AND IN PERSON.
I WILL BEGIN BY CALLING THE
FIRST IN PERSON SPEAKER .
SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED ON BY
NAME AND IN THE ORDER THEY
REGISTERED ON THE WEBSITE OR
SIGN UP SHEET AVAILABLE IN
COUNCIL CHAMBERS. PLEASE BEGIN
BY STICKING YOUR NAME AND ITEM
YOU ARE ADDRESSING. PUBLIC
COMMENT SHOULD RELATE TO AND
ITEM ON THE AGENDA, THE
REFERRAL CALENDAR OR THEY WORK
PROGRAM. SPEAKERS WILL CLEAR A
TIME WHEN THERE IS 10 SECONDS
LEFT OF THE ALLOTTED TIME. ONCE
YOU HEAR THE CHIME WE ASK YOU
WRAP UP YOUR COMMENTS. IF
SPEAKERS DO NOT IN THEIR
COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE
ALLOTTED TIME PROVIDED,
SPEAKERS' MICROPHONE WILL BE
MUTED FOR US TO ALLOW THE NEXT
SPEAKER TO SPEAK. PUBLIC
COMMENT IS NOW OPEN. 'S NAME
AT ONE MOMENT, PLEASE. I WOULD
LIKE TO MAKE -- JUST SAY
SOMETHING. I UNDERSTAND THERE
ARE TRANSLATION DEVICES BEING
SET UP. SO PEOPLE WHO ARE
USING THIS CAN HAVE A TOTAL OF
TWO MINUTES. WE WILL REASSESS
THE AMOUNT OF TIME -- THE
AMOUNT OF SPEAKERS REMAINING
AFTER 20 MINUTES. THIS ITEM IS
WHAT I THINK YOU WILL BE
TALKING ABOUT, AS NOT ON OUR
AGENDA. WE DO NOT HAVE A
PUBLISHED WORK PLAN. I AM
MAKING AN EXEMPTION FOR
TODAY'S SPEAKERS. MANY WHO
CAME FROM OUT OF TOWN TO BE
HERE TODAY. CONTINUE, PLEASE .
I AM SORRY , MADAM CLERK.
>> OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
NOW OPEN.
>> OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS ALEX
TSIMERMAN .
>> MY NAME IS ALEX TSIMERMAN.
MY LOVELY COUNCIL, I AM
APPRECIATIVE . I THINK MAYBE
SOMEONE IN COUNCIL HAS MORE
THAN 60 IQ. IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT. I WANT TO SPEAK
ABOUT THE AGENDA, 471. I SPEAK
ABOUT MONEY. GOVERNMENT. IT'S
BEEN FOR NOTHING. IT'S MEANT
FOR MANY -- GUYS, $57 MILLION.
I TOLD YOU MANY TIMES BEFORE,
YOUR SALARY -- YOU HAVE FOUR
ASSISTANTS, $60,000. YOU HAVE
$300 MILLION. WHY DON'T YOU
CUT YOUR SALARY AND YOUR
ASSISTANCE? YOU KNOW WHAT THIS
MEANS? I MAKE MILLIONS. YOU
ARE SO STUPID YOU NEED FOUR
ASSISTANCE. YOU CAN PAY $60,000
EACH.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MIKE .
EXCUSE ME, THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON . I DIDN'T
REALIZE THERE WOULD BE CAMERAS
HERE TODAY. I HAVE MORE TO
SAY. I HAD A TWO MINUTE SPEECH
THAT WAS TIMED. I EMAILED EACH
AND EVERYONE OF YOU. FIRST --
DEFENSE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE. WE
JUST HAVE TO TALK AND GET
THINGS RIGHT FOR THE PIONEERS,
LIKE MYSELF, IN THE BLACK
COMMUNITY. I WON'T TAKE UP ANY
MORE TIME. I HAVE MORE TO SAY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO A DIALOGUE
WITH YOU GUYS. I'VE BEEN HURT,
PETER HAS BEEN HEARD. WE HAVE
TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. THE CITY OF
SEATTLE HAS TO DO SOMETHING.
THANK YOU.
>> MIKE, CAN YOU SEND IN YOUR
COMMENTS BY EMAIL AS WELL?
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS PETER.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL. NEW
FACES. A LOT OF NEW FACES. SARA
NELSON. YOU ARE THE LEADER
NOW. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU, WE
ARE BEHIND YOU. JOY
HOLLINGSORTH, YOU HAVE BEEN
WITH THE COMMUNITY. SO MANY
GREAT STORIES TO SAY ABOUT YOU.
WE LOVE YOU. I SPEAK ABOUT THE
INCLUSION OF CANNABIS INDUSTRY.
THE CITY OF SEATTLE IS PARTLY
RESPONSIBLE OF CLOSING OUT A
LOT OF BLACK AND BROWN
DISPENSARIES. THERE NEEDS TO
BE SOME RECONCILIATION.
REPARATIONS PAID. WE WORKED
WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE LAST
YEAR. THAT DIDN'T EVOLVE INTO
ANYTHING. THERE WAS MONEY
MISSING FROM THE PROGRAM. MY
QUESTION TO THIS COMMITTEE , TO
THESE COUNCILMEMBERS , WHAT
DOES THE UNIT HAVE TO DO WITH
-- THINK ABOUT THAT. I LOOK
FORWARD TO MEETING WITH YOU.
WE HAVE THESE COMMENTS SENT TO
YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> MAYBE YOU COULD SAY A
COUPLE MORE SPEAKERS.
>> FOLLOWING ADRIANA WILL BE IN
MERIDA .
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: MY NAME IS
MARIA.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: TODAY, THE
LEADER FOR MY COMMUNITY,
REPRESENTING 90 FAMILIES
CURRENTLY'S -- CURRENTLY
SHELTERING AT THE QUALITY INN
HOTEL.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I AM HERE TO
TALK TO YOU ALL WITH A LOT OF
RESPECT . WE HAVE PETITIONS WE
ARE CURRENTLY ASKING .
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WITHOUT WHAT WE
HAVE GOING ON TODAY. WE ARE
FACING EVICTION FROM THE HOTELS
WHERE WE ARE SHELTERING.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: MY FRIENDS WILL
BE ABLE TO SHARE THE HISTORY
ABOUT HOW WE GOT TO THE HOTEL
AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE WILL
BE REQUESTING.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I'M HERE TO
REPRESENT MY COMMUNITY AS WELL.
AND TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY STORY
. WE WERE SHELTERING AT THE
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH . WE
WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE
SHELTER. THE REASON WHY WE WERE
TAKEN AWAY FROM THE SHELTERS
BECAUSE --
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE WERE
SHELTERING AT THE CHURCH . IT
WAS A VERY DIFFICULT PLACE TO
BE LIVING. THERE WERE RATS. IT
WAS NOT A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.
WE HAVE CHILDREN, PREGNANT
WOMEN. WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM THE
LGBTQ COMMUNITY THERE. WE WERE
TAKEN TO THIS HOTEL. WE REALLY
WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT WE GET
SUPPORT SO WE DON'T GET
EVICTED FROM THIS PLACE.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE ARE VERY
GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
WE REALLY HOPE YOU CAN HELP US
SO WE CAN GET INTO --
INTEGRATED IN THIS COMMUNITY.
>> THE NEXT TWO ARE MARIA AND
ROSALIND.
>> I'M RIGHT BEHIND YOU. I
JUST WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT
THEY HAVE PROVIDED A SPANISH
TRANSLATOR. ANYONE WHO WANTS TO
PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT WE DO
HAVE A TRANSLATOR. I DO
APPRECIATE YOU HAVE A
TRANSLATOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> JUST TO REPEAT. WE ARE
GIVING TWO MINUTES EACH SO WE
CAN USE HALF OF THAT TIME FOR
TRANSLATION . YOU WILL HAVE TO
STOP SPEAKING. THE CHIME MEANS
YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS LEFT TO GO.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: MY NAME IS
MARIA. I AM VENEZUELAN. I AM
ALSO IN THE HOTEL.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I COME TODAY
ASKING FOR HELP.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: TO RESOLVE THE
PROBLEM WE ARE EXPERIENCING IN
THE HOTEL.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: FAMILIES,
COUPLES, PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT
TO MEET IN THE STREET.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE NEED HELP
BECAUSE TODAY WE HAVE BEEN
TOLD WE NEED TO LEAVE THE
HOTEL.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE DO NOT WANT
TO BECOME A BURDEN TO YOU.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE WANT TO ASK
FOR HELP WITH DECENT HOUSING
AND WORK.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE DO NOT WANT
TO BE A BURDEN FOR YOU, BUT WE
HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE DECENT
HOUSING AND HELP.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE CAME HERE TO
GET OUR FAMILIES AHEAD. WE'VE
ASKED FOR HELP FROM A LOT OF
ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE
GOVERNMENT TO HAVE DECENT
HOUSING AND WORK.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> ROSALYN AND JOSEPH.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: ABOVE ALL, THANK
YOU, SO MUCH, FOR HEARING US.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ] .
>> Translator: I AM ALSO ONE OF
THE GIRLS OF THE QUALITY INN. I
AM A MOTHER.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE DON'T WANT
TO BE A BURDEN ON YOU. WE ASK
THAT YOU PLEASE HELP US.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: TO RESOLVE THIS
PROBLEM. IT'S POSSIBLE WE WILL
GET THERE AND HAVE NO PLACE TO
STAY.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE ASK THAT YOU
TAKE US INTO CONSIDERATION.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: SO YOU CAN HELP
US WITH SOME KIND OF SOLUTION.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ] KEPT
>> Translator: THERE ARE SINGLE
PEOPLE THERE, THERE ARE
FAMILIES THERE.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE ALSO NEED
HELP WITH ATTORNEYS FOR ASYLUM.
WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR
EVERYTHING, BUT WE NEED SOME
HELP.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: SO WE CAN GET A
JOB AND PAY OUR BILLS.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: THE EMERGENCY IS
NOW THAT WE MIGHT GET BACK
THERE AND WE WON'T HAVE ANY
PLACE TO STAY.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: THANK YOU.
>> JOSEPH .
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: FIRST OF ALL,
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I'M HERE TO
SPEAK FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT
LIVE IN THE QUALITY INN.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE HAVE COME TO
ASK FOR HELP. A LOT OF US HAVE
HAD SITUATIONS LIKE HAVING TO
SLEEP IN OUR CARS.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: SOME OF US HAVE
LIVED IN TENTS. SOME OF US HAVE
CHILDREN. WE PUT IN SITUATIONS
THAT ARE TERRIBLE THAT EVEN
HAVE RATS.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: LOTS OF CHILDREN
GOT PNEUMONIA. THANK GOD THEY
HAVE IMPROVED.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: IT'S BEEN
DIFFICULT TO FIND JOBS BECAUSE
THE IMMIGRATION HAS BEEN
LENGTHY TRYING TO GET OUR
PAPERS.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE ARE ASKING TO
HAVE HELP TO HAVE A DIGNIFIED
LIFE. LIKE THE OTHER PEOPLE
HERE HAVE SAID, WE DO NOT WANT
TO BE A BURDEN.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE ASK FOR YOUR
HELP. WE'VE GONE THROUGH
DIFFICULT THINGS. A LOT OF US
ARE YOUNG AND HAVE YOUNG
CHILDREN.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE HAVE A LOT TO
OFFER FOR JOBS. THANK YOU.
>> REALLY QUICK. THE NEXT
SPEAKERS WE HAVE IS ROSALIND .
>> WE SHOULD GO TO THE --
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO ONLINE?
>> SHE GIVES ME THE CHANCE TO
EXPLAIN TO YOU ABOUT THE
SITUATION. I WANT TO TRY TO
EXPLAIN EVERYTHING .
>> YOUR NAME, PLEASE?
>> HEAVIER. [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
THE PEOPLE ARE HALF-AND-HALF.
IT'S ABOUT 300 PEOPLE . I AM
VERY SORRY. THE ONLY TIME SHE
BRINGS MORE PEOPLE , 20, 25
FAMILIES. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE
PEOPLE FOR -- FROM VENEZUELA?
I EXPLAINED TO HER ABOUT THE
SITUATION. YET SHE EXPLAINED
TO ME HERE --
>> IS SEED. [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
>> THANK YOU.
>> [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ASK
YOU FINISH UP NOW.
>> SORRY.
>> IT'S OKAY, THANK YOU. I
JUST HAVE TO BE FAIR.
>> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE
REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENTERS. AND
THEN WE ARE GOING TO PAUSE
PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND WE WILL GO
BACK AFTER WE HAVE ADDRESSED
OUR AGENDA ITEMS. AT THIS TIME
WE WILL -- JODY, PLEASE CALL
ON THE NEXT COLOR FOR THE
SPEAKER, PLEASE.
>> I WANT TO REMIND THE REMOTE
SPEAKERS YOU WILL HEAR A
PROMPT YOU ARE ON MUTED. THAT
IS YOUR CUTE TO BEGIN SPEAK.
YOU MUST PRESS STAR SIX ONCE
YOU HAVE BEEN ON MUTED. OUR
FIRST REMOTE SPEAKER IS ADRIAN.
ADRIAN WILL BE FOLLOWED BY
STEPHEN. GO AHEAD, ADRIAN.
>> HI, MY -- NAME IS ADRIAN.
I'M A TRANSLATOR FOR THE
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
IMMIGRATION LEGAL
. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF A
SISTER CONGREGATION HOSTING THE
SHELTER. I AM ALSO PERSONALLY
BEFRIENDED TO SOME OF THE
FAMILIES AT THE SHELTER. I WANT
TO ADVOCATE FOR MY FRIENDS AND
NEIGHBORS TO GET TEMPORARY
EMERGENCY FUNDING FROM THE CITY
TO FUND THEIR HOUSING AT THE
HOTEL FOR 1 TO 2 MORE MONTHS
TO GIVE THEM TIME TO PROCESS
THEIR ASYLUM APPLICATIONS FOR
LEGAL MEANS AND LEGAL
SO THEY CAN GET WORK PERMITS. I
WANT TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES. I
WANT TO BE CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY. THEY WANT TO
PAY TAXES. THEY DON'T WANT TO
BE A BURDEN ON ANYONE. THEY
NEED TO BUY MORE TIME BEFORE
THEY ARE HOMELESS THIS
AFTERNOON. WE NEED EMERGENCY
FUNDING TO EXTEND ONE OR TWO
MORE MONTHS. 460 PEOPLE'S --
160 PEOPLE. MIGHTY FAMILIES
WILL HOMELESS TODAY WITH
NOWHERE TO GO BECAUSE THE
CHURCH HAS ALREADY BEEN
BACKFILLED WITH MORE MIGRANTS
SINCE THEY LEFT. THEY DON'T
HAVE SPOTS TO RETURN TO. PLEASE
, CONSIDER A GENEROUS DONATION
TO THE HOTEL WHO HAS
GENEROUSLY BEEN PUTTING THEM UP
FOR FREE AT THEIR OWN PERSONAL
EXPENSE TO FUND THESE ASYLUM
CECUM -- SEEKING RESIDENTS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS DAVID HAYNES. DAVID WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY JANE. GO AHEAD.
>> JODY, PLEASE ADJUST THE
TIME, THANK YOU.
>> OH, I AM SORRY. THANK YOU,
YOU ARE RIGHT. GO AHEAD,
DAVID.
>> HELLO. I WANTED TO ADDRESS
-- DO YOU HEAR THE CRY OF
DESPERATION COMING FROM THE
COUNCIL -- FROM THE FREE PUBLIC
COMMENT? THERE IS A DESPERATE
NEED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY,
HOMELESS CRISIS, AND MINE GRADE
-- MY GREAT CRISIS FOR BETTER
HOMES, SHELTERS, AND A WHOLE
BUNCH OF HOUSING. I THINK THE
COUNCIL NEEDS TO REALIZE THAT
THE PREVIOUS COUNCILS AND
PREVIOUS MAYORS SABOTAGED
POLICE REFORM AND DEFUNDED THE
POLICE AND REDIRECTED THE MONEY
TO RUN INTERFERENCE FOR
REPEATING CRIMINALS AND BUY
OFF A WHOLE BUNCH OF BLACK
LIVES MATTER AND GEORGE FLOYD
PROTESTERS THAT INTIMIDATED
COUNCIL AND CREATED NONPROFITS
TO CLAIM EXPERTS ON COMMUNITY
SAFETY WHO HAS ALREADY
POCKETED OVER $188 MILLION IF
YOU INCLUDE THE PARTICIPATORY
BUDGET THAT NO ONE ELSE GETS
TO PARTICIPATE IN.
>> THANK YOU, OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS JADE. JADE WILL BE FOLLOWED
BY MICHELLE EASTMAN. GO AHEAD,
JADE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL, MY
NAME IS JADE. FIRST I WANTED
TO EXPRESS MY DEEP GRATITUDE TO
THE COMMUNITY AND THE
ORGANIZERS WHO HAVE STOPPED TO
MEET THE MATERIAL NEEDS OF
THOSE ELECTED TO DO THE
OPPOSITE. WHEN SPEAKING IN
SUPPORT OF FAMILIES AND
INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BE
UNSHELTERED AFTER A SHORT-TERM
BAND-AID WAS OFFERED WHEN
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS ARE
NEEDED. THEY CAME FOR REFUGE
AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LIFE AND
SUFFERING IN INHUMANE
CONDITIONS. [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN FURTHER
HARMED SINCE THE MOMENT THEY
ARRIVED. I URGE YOU TO PLEASE
YOUR -- USE YOUR POSITIONS TO
DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY
AND CREATE AN IN TERM WORK
PROCESS. THE ALSO -- SEATTLE
PRIDES ITSELF -- PROVE IT BY
HOLDING THE STATE ACCOUNTABLE
BY DOING --
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS OUR LAST
REMOTE SPEAKER. GO AHEAD,
MICHELLE. MICHELLE, YOU MAY
NEED TO PRESS STAR SIX. OKAY,
I AM NOT -- OKAY, GO AHEAD.
THANK YOU.
>> SORRY. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES. OKAY.
>> MICHELLE [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN
SUPPORT OF THE REFUGEE FAMILIES
AND TO ASK THAT THE COUNCIL
ADDRESSED THE NEED FOR HOUSING
. YOU HAVE HERDS -- HEARD MANY
OF THE SPEAKERS ARE FACING
EVICTION. TODAY, TO GO OUT ON
THE STREET TODAY. THIS IS A
REMINDER HOW MUCH OF A NEED
THERE IS TO INVEST IN A MEDIA
HOUSING , AS WELL AS TO INVEST
IN LONG-TERM HOUSING SOLUTIONS.
AND TO WORK ON COMMUNITIES TO
GIVE PEOPLE CHANCES TO SUPPORT
THEMSELVES THROUGH WORK PERMITS
AND LEGAL PROCESS. YOUR
SUPPORT WILL SUPPORT FAMILIES
WITH CHILDREN AND MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES
OUR REMOTE SPEAKERS, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU, WE ARE NOT GOING
TO MOVE ON TO OTHER BUSINESS.
>> WE HAVE ONE MORE. OKAY. AT
THIS POINT, WE DO HAVE THE
DIRECTOR OF OUR OFFICE OF
IMMIGRANT REFUGEE AND AFFAIRS.
IF I COULD SUSPEND THE RULES ,
WE CAN MAKE A COUPLE OF POINTS.
YES, PLEASE. PLEASE INTRODUCE
YOURSELF. THEN WE WILL CONTINUE
WITH PUBLIC COMMENT AFTER WE
GET THROUGH THE THREE ITEMS ON
THE AGENDA, WHICH WILL NOT TAKE
VERY LONG. HOLD ON. SAY THAT
AGAIN, BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE
THE MIC ON.
>> IS THE MIC ON? GREAT. GOOD
AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS -- FOR
THE RECORD, I AM THE DIRECTOR
OF SEATTLE'S OFFICE OF
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS.
I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PROVIDE
COMMENTS AROUND MIGRANT ISSUES.
FIRST, I WANT TO SAY, I DO
SYMPATHIZE WITH A LOT OF FOLKS
IN THIS ROOM TODAY. I CAME TO
THIS COUNTRY AS A
THREE-YEAR-OLD REFUGEE FROM
SOMALIA. I CAN RELATE TO A
NUMBER OF ISSUES MANY OF THE
FOLKS ARE EXPERIENCING TODAY.
THAT SAID, OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN
WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH
THE ENTIRE STATE. WE HAVE BEEN
TRACKING THE INFLUX OF
MIGRANTS COMING INTO WASHINGTON
STATE AS A WHOLE FOR ABOUT TWO
YEARS. THE INFLUX OF MIGRANTS
WE ARE SEEING AND WASHINGTON
STATE IS ALSO BEING SEEN ACROSS
THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. THE
UNFORTUNATE SITUATION IS THE
FACT THAT THIS IS A FEDERAL
MATTER. IT'S AN INTERNATIONAL
MATTER. IT'S A HUMANITARIAN
ISSUE. A LOT OF TIMES NORMALLY
WE LOOK TO THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT FOR DIRECTIONS ON
MIGRANT ISSUES AND SUPPORT. WE
ARE NOT SEEING THAT TODAY. A
LOT OF LOCALES ARE HAVING TO
TAKE ON THAT ADDITIONAL BURDEN
AND LOOK AT THEIR RESOURCES AND
HAVING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
THERE. AS AS CITY OF SEATTLE ,
ONE THING WE HAVE BEEN DOING IS
IN OFFICE, OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T
RESPOND TO HOUSING. THAT IS
NOT THE AREA OF EXPERTISE. WE
HAVE A TEAM OF ABOUT 13 PEOPLE
WITH A BUDGET OF MICE -- $5
MILLION. WE'VE BEEN A REGIONAL
PARTNER. WE'VE BEEN CONVENING
BOTH STATE OFFICES AND
IMMIGRANT REFUGEE AFFAIRS FOR
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. WE
HAVE BEEN BRINGING KING COUNTY
TO THE TABLE. THE CITY WHO HAS
EXPERIENCED THIS AND TACKLING
THIS ISSUE FOR MANY MONTHS NOW.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE
COME OUT OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS
IS THAT THE CITY -- THE COUNTY
HAS ALLOCATED ABOUT $3 MILLION
WHERE THEY ARE USING THOSE
FUNDS . EVERYONE HERE IS
VULNERABLE, RECOGNIZE THAT.
WHAT THE COUNTY HAS DONE IS
THEY PRIORITIZED PREGNANT
WOMEN, THOSE WITH YOUNG
CHILDREN. THEY ARE HOUSING THEM
AT THIS MOMENT. THERE ARE A
COUPLE OF BILLS RIGHT NOW IN
THE STATE LEGISLATOR. LOOKING
TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES. THERE IS A
POSSIBILITY OF $3 MILLION GOING
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF AN
OFFICE SIMILAR TO OURS THAT
RESPONSE TO MIGRANT ISSUES THAT
IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE ABOUT $5
MILLION. THOSE DOLLARS WILL
NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL AFTER THE
SESSION, UNTIL THOSE BILLS
PASS. I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK
FOR THE STATE OR THE COUNTY,
BUT WE ARE TRYING TO COME UP
WITH A REGIONAL PLAN. AS AN
OFFICE, OUR PRIORITY AREA WE
HAVE PUT A LOT OF ATTENTION
INTO IS HELPING CONNECT PEOPLE
WHO ARE MIGRANTS WITH
EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
ASSISTANCE TO HELP THEM ACCESS
EMPLOYMENT. WE KNOW THAT WHEN
PEOPLE HAVE THEIR EMPLOYMENT
AUTHORIZATION CARDS, THEY CAN
BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT. WE SEE
THAT HAPPENING IN PLACES WHERE
PEOPLE HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE
HOTEL AND INTO OTHER HOMES.
WE'VE PUT A LOT OF ENERGY
THERE AS A SMALL OFFICE WITH
SMALL RESOURCES. WE CONTINUE TO
DO THAT AND FIND MORE
OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH OUR
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO
COORDINATE ON HOW TO USE THE
RESOURCES WE'VE RECEIVED TO
MAKE THE GREATEST IMPACT.
THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING AS AN
OFFICE. I WANTED TO COME UP
TODAY AND LET YOU KNOW , AS A
CITY, WE ARE AT THE TABLE AND
ARE PARTICIPATING IN THOSE
REGIONAL DISCUSSIONS . OUR
OFFICE IS OFTEN FACILITATING
THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO MAKE SURE
IT'S A COORDINATED RESPONSE.
OUR FEDERAL AND STATE, COUNTY
AND OTHER SMALL CITIES COMING
TOGETHER TO RESPOND TO THIS.
IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT
SITUATION. I BELIEVE EVERYONE
SHOULD HAVE SOME LEVEL OF ASK
-- ACCESS TO HOUSING AND
SHELTER. I DO SYMPATHIZE WITH
THE FOLKS HERE TODAY. THANK YOU
FOR THE TIME TO ALLOW ME TO
PROVIDE YOU WITH COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I
APPRECIATE THAT. GO AHEAD ,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
SHARING THAT. I DO WANT TO SAY,
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE TODAY. YOU ARE IN A
HARD SITUATION. WE UNDERSTAND
YOU ARE HERE FOR MANY DIFFERENT
REASONS. LOOKING FOR HELP IN A
NEW COUNTRY FOR YOURSELVES AND
YOUR FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO
THRIVE. I APPRECIATE YOU
COMING HERE TO CITY HALL TO
TALK WITH THE ELECT DID
LEADERS DIRECTLY. LAST YEAR ,
IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, MY
OFFICE DID PUT IN $150,000 TO
HELP WITH HOUSING SUPPORT.
OBVIOUSLY A DROP IN THE BUCKET
RELATIVE TO THE GREAT NEED WE
HAVE. IT IS MY HOPE THAT AS THE
MONEY STARTS TO GET OUT THE
DOOR, WE ARE ABLE TO PRIORITIZE
THE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, THE
WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT. AND
REALLY HELP SUPPORT WITH
HOUSING. MY HOPE IS THAT
BETWEEN THE OFFICE , THE HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND OUR ,
-- POTENTIALLY THE OFFICE OF
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, THAT WE
ARE ABLE TO FIND EMERGENCY
SHELTER OPPORTUNITIES. AND THAT
WE ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE
AUTHORIZATION CARDS THAT CAN
HELP YOU ACCESS TO JOB
OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL. THERE IS
WORK HAPPENING WITH DIFFERENT
JURISDICTIONAL LEVELS AND
COMMUNITY PARTNERS. IT IS A
HARD PROBLEM TO SOLVE. I DO
WANT YOU TO KNOW WE ARE WORKING
TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES YOU
NEED TO BE ABLE TO THRIVE IN
YOUR NEW COUNTRY. THANK YOU FOR
COMING HERE TODAY. CMAC
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
>> YES.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> OKAY, IF THERE'S NO
OBJECTION, THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL
AFTER CONSIDERATION OF ITEM
THREE. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER
CONSIDERATION OF ITEM THREE.
MOVING ON. IF THERE'S NO
OBJECTION, THE INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE INTRODUCTION TO THE
REFERRAL CALENDAR IS ADOPTED.
NOW, IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION,
SO WILL THE AGENDA BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO AGENT -- THE AGENDA
IS ADOPTED. WE WILL CONSIDER
THE PROPOSED CALENDAR. THE
MINUTES OF JANUARY 2nd, 2024,
AND COUNCIL BILL 120741,
PAYMENT OF THE BILLS. ARE THERE
ANY ITEMS THE COUNCILMEMBERS
WISH TO REMOVE? SEEING ON, WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
NO. C ANON, I MOVED TO ADOPT
THE CONSENT CALENDAR. IS THERE
A SECOND?
>> SECOND PERIOD
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S
BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
ADOPT THE CALENDAR. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE ADOPTION OF THE CLERK --
CALENDAR.
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE
IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ARE
ADOPTED. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE ON MY
BEHALF.
>> OF FAILED TO ADD THE
MINUTES AS WELL.
>> I SAID THE MINUTES BEFORE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> YEP. BEFORE WE CONSIDER OUR
THREE AGENDA ITEMS I'M GOING
TO MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO
ALLOW A REPRESENTATIVE TO DRESS
-- TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE RULES
ARE SUSPENDED. WE WILL PROCEED
WITH A BRIEF OVERVIEW. YOU ARE
NOW RECOGNIZED. WE -- YOU ARE
WELCOME TO COME TO THE TABLE.
REMEMBER, I AM DOING THIS
BECAUSE THESE ITEMS WERE
REFERRED TO MY COMMITTEE LAST
YEAR. WE DO NOT HAVE A MEETING.
THEY ARE GOING STRAIGHT TO THE
FULL COUNCIL.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU
FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR ME
IN THE MIDST OF SUCH IMPORTANT
BUSINESS. I WILL BE BRIEF. AS
COUNCILMEMBER AND MEL --
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON SAID , I
AM AT CITY LIGHTS. IN ADDITION
TO HELPING FACILITATE THE
DEVELOPMENT OF OUR BIANNUAL
STRATEGIC PLAN, I ALSO AM THE
ADMINISTRATOR, THE LIAISON WITH
THE REVIEW PANEL. LET ME GIVE
YOU A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE
PANEL. THE CITY LAWYER -- CITY
LIGHT REVIEW PANEL WAS
ESTABLISHED IN MARCH OF 2010.
THIS PANEL IS THE SUCCESSOR
TO, AND COMBINES THE DUTY OF
THE PREVIOUS CITY LIGHT
ADVISORY BOARD, AMBER RATE
ADVISORY BOARD. THERE WAS AN
UPDATED ORDINANCE FOR THE PANEL
IN 2015. THE PANEL WAS
COMPRISED OF NINE MEMBERS DRAWN
FROM CITY LIGHT CUSTOMER
GROUPS. THEIR ROLE IS TO
ADVISE ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND
MERITS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN
EACH TWO YEARS, AS WELL AS THE
ACCOMPANYING RATE PATH. WE MEET
MONTHLY AND ARE CURRENTLY
MEETING IN A HYBRID MANNER.
THESE ARE TECHNICALLY PUBLIC
MEETINGS. WE DO OFFER A PUBLIC
PRESENCE, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO
WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND VIRTUALLY.
THERE ARE NINE MEMBERS TO THE
PANEL. FIVE OF WHOM ARE
APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR. THREE
ARE APPOINTED BY THE CITY
COUNCIL. THE POSITIONS ARE AS
FOLLOWS. WE HAVE AN ECONOMIST,
FINANCIAL ANALYST , AND
NONPROFIT ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ADVOCATE , A RESIDENTIAL
CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE. A
COMMERCIAL CUSTOMER
REPRESENTATIVE. AN INDUSTRIAL
CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE. I LOW
INCOME CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE.
AND AT-LARGE CUSTOMER
REPRESENTATIVE, AND A SUBURBAN
FRANCHISE CITY REPRESENTATIVE.
I AM GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT
THREE APPOINTEES TODAY. TWO NEW
APPOINTEES, AND ONE POSITION
SWAP. THE CANDIDATES FOR YOU
TODAY, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE SEEN
THE MATERIALS. THE FIRST IS
AMY, FOR THE INDUSTRIAL
CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE
POSITIONS. AMY HAS A BACKGROUND
IN ELECTRICITY TRAINING,
TRADING, AND ELECTRICITY
SPECIFIC RISK PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT. HER CURRENT ROLE,
SHE WORKS WITH THE FIRST MODE,
ONE OF CITY LIGHTS INDUSTRIAL
CUSTOMERS IN SEATTLE. HER
BACKGROUND HAS PROVIDED HER
WITH A SIGNIFICANT RANGE OF
EXPERIENCE TO REPRESENT THE
INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMER ON THE
PANEL. SHE LIVES IN COUNCIL
DISTRICT 3. REFERRED FOR THE
CUSTOMER AT-LARGE POSITION. AN
EXPERIENCED MARKETING AND
COMMUNICATIONS LEADER WITH
PROVEN EXPERTISE IN STRATEGY
DEVELOPMENT, AND CULTURE AND
TEAM BUILDING. SHE CURRENTLY
SERVES AS THE MARKETING AND
COMMUNICATIONS LEADER AT
NORTHSTAR ENERGY . SHE LIVES IN
COUNCIL DISTRICT 6. FINALLY,
WE ARE RECOMMENDING A CURRENT
MEMBER SWAP POSITION, JOHN
WOULD SWAP FROM THE AT-LARGE
POSITION ROLE TO BECOME OUR
FINANCIAL ANALYST. JOHN IS A 15
YEAR VETERAN. A 15 YEAR
VETERAN OF THE ENERGY AND
SOFTWARE TRADING INDUSTRIES.
HE RECEIVED HIS PHD IN THE
EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON . HE
IS CURRENTLY A RESEARCH
SCIENTIST FOR THE ENERGY
AUTHORITY. A PUBLIC POWER OWNED
NONPROFIT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
CORPORATION. JOHN LIVES IN
COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 OH THOSE
ARE THE THREE APPOINTMENTS. I
AM HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ANY
QUESTIONS AS YOU LIKE.
>> I AM NOT SEEING ANY
QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT. THANK
YOU VERY, VERY MUCH. I DO
INVITE ANYBODY TO REACH OUT
FOR ANY TIME AND ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION. I REMEMBERED WHEN
I SHARED CITY LIGHT, I ALWAYS
ASKED LEADERSHIP IF THE
REVIEW PANEL HAS SEEN THIS.
WHAT IS THEIR THOUGHTS, ET
CETERA. THIS IS AN AUGUST
PANEL OF MINE PROFESSIONALS.
>> WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM.
WE WOULD WELCOME ANYONE TO SIT
IN ON OUR MONTHLY MEETING IN
PERSON OR VIRTUALLY.
>> DOES NOTE, THEY ARE ACTING
ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC
INTEREST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR COMING HERE AND GIVING US
INFORMATION.
>> OKAY. I THINK WE ARE READY
TO PROCEED WITH OUR ITEMS OF
BUSINESS AFTER THAT
INTRODUCTION. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE.
>> APPOINTMENT 2737 THROUGH
2739. APPOINTMENTS AND
REAPPOINTMENTS OF AMY,
THIEN-DI DO , AND REAPPOINTMENT
OF JOHN AS NUMBER CITY LIGHT
REVIEW PANEL UNTIL APRIL 2026.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I MOVED
TO CONFIRM APPOINTMENTS . IS
THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S
BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
CONFIRM THOSE APPOINTMENTS. I
WAS GOING TO SPEAK TO THE
INDIVIDUALS WE WOULD BE
CONFIRMING, HOWEVER, IT'S
ALREADY BEEN DONE. I WOULD
PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR
MORE COMMENTS BEFORE WE PROCEED
TO A VOTE.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING AND
SPEAKING TO US. I KNOW ALL OF
THEM -- I BELIEVE THIS IS A
VOLUNTEER POSITION. THE
INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE
COMING TO THIS REVIEW BOARD AS
THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT
MENTIONED. ANYONE MEMBERED OR
BEING REAPPOINTED TODAY, THANK
YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU, SIMPLY THAT THIS
PANEL PUTS IN MANY HOURS. ALL
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. AND
SERVES AS A RESOURCE IN
BETWEEN MEETINGS, ET CETERA.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO OUR
APPOINTEES WERE BEING WILLING
TO GIVE UP YOUR TIME AND
EXPERTISE AND SERVE THE CITY
OF SEATTLE. OKAY, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. WE WILL NOW GO TO A
VOTE, PLEASE.
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE
IN FAVOR, MAN OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, THE MOTION
CARRIES AND THE APPOINTMENTS
ARE CONFIRMED. NO ITEMS REMOVED
FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR. ARE
THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS ITEMS
TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL ?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I NEEDED
TO BE EXCUSED FOR NEXT
TUESDAY'S MEETING AS I WILL BE
REPRESENTING THE CITY OF
SEATTLE IN OLYMPIA.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK
YOU FOR DOING THAT. NOTED. YOU
ARE EXCUSED. OKAY. WHAT? I
HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION? JUST A
SECOND HERE. HEARING NO
OBJECTION, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS IS EXCUSED FROM THE
FEBRUARY 6 COUNCIL MEETING.
>> THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES.
>> IT IS OFFICIAL.
>> ALL RIGHT. NOW WE HAVE
REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S
AGENDA. BEFORE I GET ON TO
TALKING ABOUT OUR NEXT MEETING,
I WOULD LIKE TO REOPEN THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. CAN YOU
PLEASE TELL ME HOW MANY PEOPLE
REMAIN ON THE LIST?
>> SEVEN.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE WILL CONTINUE BEFORE, WITH
TWO MINUTES HE AND THE ABILITY
TO TRANSLATE. IS THE
TRANSLATOR HERE?
>> JUST A SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE FIRST SPEAKER IS JOSEPH.
>> ONE MINUTE IF YOU DON'T
NEED TRANSLATION.
>> I AM DR. JOSEPH. I AM WITH
THE WASHINGTON PHYSICIANS FOR
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. I AM ON
THE BOARD. WE, AS PHYSICIANS
ADVOCATED AT ALL LEVELS OF
GOVERNMENT FOR X ESSENTIAL
CRISES THAT WE PHYSICIANS
CANNOT CURE. CLIMATE DISASTER
, NUCLEAR WEAPONS, AND
INEQUITY. IN THAT REGARD, WE
ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE HOUSING
FOR THESE REFUGEES THAT IS A
BIG ISSUE. WE HAVE HEARD
PLENTY ABOUT THE. ONE SOURCE
OF FUNDING FOR THIS CRISIS IS
FROM REDUCING OUR MILITARY
BUDGET. WE BELIEVE THE CITY
COUNCIL HAS A ROLE IN
ADVOCATING FOR DECREASING OUR
MILITARY BUDGET AND
ELIMINATING NUCLEAR WEAPONS. WE
WILL COME BACK TO YOU ON THAT.
AND HOPE TO WORK WITH YOU ON
THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: TODAY, WE CAME
FROM THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. WE
NEED HELP, YOU KNOW.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE ARE VERY
WORRIED. IF WE DON'T GET HELP
TODAY, WITH LITTLE FUNDING, WE
ARE GOING TO BE ON THE STREETS
TODAY.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE ARE VERY
WORRIED BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T BEEN
ABLE TO PUT OUR CHILDREN IN
SCHOOL BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW
WHERE WE ARE LIVING BECAUSE WE
DON'T HAVE STABLE HOUSING.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE WOULD LIKE
YOU TO LOOK INTO YOUR HEARTS
AND HELP US. WE HAVE A LOT OF
CHILDREN.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE DON'T WANT TO
GO BACK TO THE CHURCH AND SLEEP
WITH ROUTES AND THE COLD.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: OUR CHILDREN
WHILE WE WERE IN THE HOTEL AND
WARMTH WERE HAPPIER. WE DON'T
WANT THEM TO GO BACK AND
SUFFER.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I ASK YOU LOOK
INTO YOUR HEARTS AND HELP THE
FAMILIES THAT ARE HERE.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE WORK PERMIT SO WE CAN WORK
. WE DON'T WANT TO BE A BURDEN
TO THE UNITED STATES.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> IRIS.
>> AS YOUR CONSTITUENT AND ON
BEHALF OF THE TASK FORCE, I
CONDEMNED THIS USE FOR PUBLIC
FUNDS. WE HAVE AN IMMINENT
DEMONIC AREA -- HUMANITARIAN
CRISIS. THE FINANCIAL CRISIS
AND THEY ARE HERE DEMANDING JOB
SECURITY, PERMANENT HOUSING
SOLUTION. WE ARE HERE STANDING
IN SOLIDARITY WITH ORGANIZERS
AND ALL REFUGEES WHO HAVE BEEN
FORCED TO LIVE IN UNSUSTAINABLE
AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS. IT IS
BEYOND UNJUSTIFIABLE TO BE
ADDRESS OUR FUNDS TO WEAPONS
CORPORATIONS WELL PEOPLE HERE
SUFFER. ESPECIALLY WHEN THESE
WERE VESTMENTS HAVE
CATASTROPHIC EFFECTS ON OUR
HEALTH. EAGERLY DEFLECTING A
MONTH -- MONEY AND SHOULDN'T
BE HAPPENING ACCORDING TO THE
TREATY ON PROHIBITION THREE
YEARS AGO. WE ARE [
INDISCERNIBLE ] IMMEDIATE
ACTION . I URGE YOU TO TAKE
ACTION TO USE YOUR VOICES AND
PICK UP RESPONSIBILITIES THAT
ARE BEING NEGLECTED. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS , I
BELIEVE IT IS LINDSAY.
LINDSAY.
>> I CAN DO ENGLISH. CAN YOU
INTERPRET FOR ME? HELLO, MY
NAME IS ROSARIO LOPEZ. I AM
UNDOCUMENTED. I'VE BEEN ON
DOCUMENTED SINCE AGE 13. I
HAVE SEEN HOW THE UNDOCUMENTED
COMMUNITY HAS BEEN USED TO
ESCAPE THE CRISIS GOING ON. I
SEE HOW NONPROFITS BENEFIT FROM
SUFFERING. I WANT TO ASK THAT
MY COMMUNITY, THE REFUGEE
COMMUNITY GETS SUPPORT. WE
DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO MAKE
ANYMORE PROMISES. WE WANT
ACTIONS. I KNOW IF THERE WAS AN
EMERGENCY WITH WHITE CHILDREN
BEING IN THE STREETS, NO ONE
WOULD ALLOW THEM TO LIVE IN THE
CONDITIONS THAT THESE BLACK
AND BROWN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
EXPERIENCING. I ASK THAT THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON TAKE
ACTION. I HERE THERE IS A
COLLISION OF NONPROFITS MAKING
THE DECISIONS. ON BEHALF OF
REFUGEES. THEY ARE NOT INVITED
TO THESE PLACES WHERE DECISIONS
ARE BEING MADE. THERE IS NO
ACCOUNTABILITY TO TALK ABOUT
HOW MANY -- I HERE THERE WERE
$960,000 [ ROLL BEING CALLED ]
WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS
GOING AND HOW IT'S BEING USED
FOR OUR REFUGEE COMMUNITIES.
THEY CANNOT GO BACK TO THE
STREETS -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> OUR LAST REGISTERED SPEAKER
IS NOEL. NOEL. SEEING NO NOEL
WE WILL GO TO --
>> TWO MINUTES, PLEASE.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: HELLO, I AM
DANIEL.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I AM A YOUNG
IMMIGRANT WHO CAME TO THIS
COUNTRY A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I AM IN A GROUP
OF YOUNG PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN
WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP THE
REFUGEES.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: IT MAKES ME VERY
SAD BECAUSE WE SEE THESE
GROUPS, THE NONPROFIT GROUPS
THAT HAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
SAYING THEY ARE HELPING THE
REFUGEE COMMUNITY. WE SEE THEY
ARE NOT . THAT IS NOT SO.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: IT IS VERY
TIRING TO SEE THE TRAUMA OVER
AND OVER AGAIN.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: SEEING THE
PEOPLE SUFFERING.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: YOU SEE PEOPLE
COME, GET THEIR PICTURE TAKEN
, AND LEAVE.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: THE PEOPLE THAT
ARE SUPPOSEDLY HELPING, THERE
NEEDS TO BE FOLLOW-UP.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> YOU CAN TRANSLATE THAT LAST
POINT.
>> Translator: IN THE SOLITARY
WE ARE GIVING, THEY TOLD US WE
THINK -- THEY THINK WE ARE
SELLING DRUGS.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE ARE HERE
TRYING TO HELP.
>> Translator: BY NOT WANTING
TO SIGN A PAPER SAYING WE ARE
HELPING, THEY ARE TELLING US WE
ARE SELLING DRUGS. IT IS NOT
FAIR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: HELLO, GOOD
AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS EMMA
BARBARA.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I AM HERE TO
BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
COMMUNITY.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: SHE HAS GONE AND
SHE CANNOT COME BACK TO SPEAK.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I AM A LEADER
AND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
COMMUNITY.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE ARE HERE
EXPRESSING OUR CONCERNS.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: AND ADVOCATE FOR
THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A VOICE.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I AM BRINGING MY
MESSAGE WITH THE HOPE OF
HEARING A YES.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: AS A RESPONSE
FROM YOU.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: TELL US, CAN WE
COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT?
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION.
>> OKAY. WE WILL FINISH THE
LAST NAMES ON THE LIST RIGHT
NOW, AND THEN WE WILL END THE
PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THE LAST THREE SPEAKERS,
JESSICA --
>> HI, MY NAME IS JESSICA
ROJAS. I LIVE HERE AS A
RESIDENT HERE IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. SOMEONE WHO LIVES LESS
THAN 10 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE
REFUGEE CAMP, AND HAS BEEN
THERE FOR THE PAST MONTH AND A
HALF. WHAT YOU TO LISTEN TO
WHAT EVERYBODY IS SAYING. I AM
NOT SEEING THE LEVEL OF GRAVITY
ON YOUR FACES BECAUSE PEOPLE
ARE HOMELESS TONIGHT. WE ARE
NOT ASKING FOR PEOPLE TO
CONTINUE CONVERSATIONS. WE
READ THE NEWS ARTICLES. WE KNOW
THE CITY IS SEATTLE HAS BEEN
THERE, THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN
THERE. KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE
HAS BEEN TO THIS CAMP. IT'S
BEEN OVER A YEAR OF TALKING.
PEOPLE ARE STILL HAVING TO
SLEEP OUTSIDE. WHAT I WANT IS
WHEN COVID HAPPENS, WE WERE
ABLE TO OPEN UP HOTEL ROOMS,
ENTIRE HOTELS. THERE WAS
HOUSING ABLE TO BE FIGURED OUT.
WHAT I'M ASKING IS THE CITY
OF SEATTLE TO RESPOND TO THE
EMERGENCY. EACH AND EVERY ONE
OF THESE MIGRANTS IS ASKING FOR
YOU TO ADDRESS IT TODAY. THANK
YOU. TO GO TO --
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: GOOD AFTERNOON,
FIRST OF ALL, WE WANT TO THANK
ALL OF YOU AND THANK GOD FOR
HEARING US.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ] TREND --
>> Translator: MY MESSAGE WILL
BE SHORT. I WANT THE MOMS AND
KIDS TO STAND UP.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: TO UNDERSTAND
THIS IS URGENT. THIS IS URGENT.
WE DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO SPEND
THE NIGHT TONIGHT.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: THAT'S THE
FIRST THING WE ARE HERE FOR.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: NONE OF THE
CHILDREN HERE TODAY, THE
MOTHER'S , NOR THE MEN, HAVE
A PLACE TO STAY TONIGHT.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE REALLY NEED
HELP FROM YOU.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: WE ARE ASKING
YOU FROM OUR HELPS -- HEARTS TO
HOPE . WE HAVE A LOT OF NEEDS
AS MIGRANTS. BUT TODAY, WE
HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT POINT,
AND THAT IS HOUSING. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
>> OUR LAST SPEAKER.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: HI, GOOD
AFTERNOON, GOOD DAY.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: FIRST OF ALL, I
WANT TO TELL YOU YOU NEED TO
SUPPORT THE PEOPLE. I AND
OTHER PEOPLE HERE DON'T HAVE
PAPERS.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: ALL OF THE
COMMUNITIES, THERE ARE PEOPLE,
BLACK PEOPLE, PEOPLE WITH LESS
PRIVILEGES THAT I SEE HERE.
THEY ARE SUPPORTING OUR PEOPLE,
OUR COMMUNITY. WHY DON'T YOU
TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR
PRIVILEGE AND PUT IT HERE. I
DON'T HAVE INSURANCE. IF I DIE
OR GET SICK , IT DOESN'T MATTER
TO THIS GOVERNMENT. BUT I DO
HAVE TO PAY TAXES, RIGHT? AND
THESE TAXES, WHERE ARE THEY?
THEY ARE PROBABLY SENDING IT TO
PALESTINE ABOUT GENOCIDE. WHY
AREN'T THE TAXES BEING USED
HERE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT NEEDED
IT ? I, WHO HAVE LESS
PRIVILEGE THAN ALL OF YOU, HAVE
TO BE HELPING MY PEOPLE. WHY?
YOU HAVE A LOT OF FRUSTRATION
AND ANGER WITH THE GOVERNMENT
AND WHAT THEY ARE SHOWING TO
OUR PEOPLE.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> Translator: I HOPE WHEN YOU
GET HOME TO YOUR WARM HOUSES
TONIGHT , THERE WILL BE PEOPLE
OUTSIDE IN THE COLD.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK
YOU FOR BEING HERE. I
APPRECIATE YOU COMING.
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT FOR AMENDING THE
RULES OF THE LAST MINUTE TO
ALLOW EVERYONE TO ADDRESS US.
THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT
ISSUE. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE
BE ABLE TO HEAR FROM EVERYONE.
I CANNOT BEGIN TO BEGIN -- BE
IN YOUR SHOES. WHAT I CAN SAY
IS I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOU
HAVE COME HERE TO TALK TO US
ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY
EXPERIENCING, AND ALSO WHAT IS
THE ISSUE THAT IS GOING TO HAVE
NATIONAL RAMIFICATIONS. FROM
WHICH WE NEED HELP FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DESPERATELY,
AS WELL AS THE STATE AND
COUNTY. I KNOW YOU WANT US TO
WRITE YOU A CHECK TODAY TO PAY
FOR THE HOTEL ROOM, OR TO OPEN
UP SHELTERS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE,
AS A BODY, ARE NOT IN A
POSITION TO WRITE A CHECK, NOR
ARE WE NECESSARILY IN A
POSITION TO OPEN UP SHELTERS.
WHAT I CAN TELL YOU WHAT WE
HAVE DONE SO FAR IN MY OFFICE
WAS, MY CHIEF OF STAFF READ THE
ARTICLE NOTIFYING ME PEOPLE
WERE COMING HERE , WHAT THE
CONCERNS WERE. WE REACHED OUT
TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. WE
REACHED OUT TO KING COUNTY
EXECUTIVE OFFICE. WE REACHED
OUT TO THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S
OFFICE. WE REACHED OUT TO THE
OFFICES OF REFUGEE AFFAIRS.
THEY WERE ABLE TO COME DOWN.
THANK YOU, VERY MUCH IN THE
LAST MINUTE, COMING DOWN AND
EXPLAINING WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
WHAT I CAN OFFER FROM MY OFFICE
IS NOT A LOT, BUT IT IS
SOMETHING. WHAT I HEARD YOU
ASKED FOR TODAY WAS A MEDIA
SHELTER, PERMANENT SHELTER ,
HELP WITH ATTORNEYS, HELP WITH
GETTING WORK PERMITS, AND
BASICALLY FOLLOW THROUGH. MY
OFFICE CAN HELP MAKE SURE THERE
IS FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE
OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND
REFUGEE AFFAIRS. I'M ALSO
WILLING TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS
AT CITY LEVEL AND KING COUNTY.
I WOULD NOTE THE ARTICLE
REFERENCE THAT THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE AND HEALTH SERVICES HAD
BEEN REACHED OUT TO. THE HOTEL
OWNER IS SIMPLY ASKING FOR A
GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT SO YOU
CAN STAY THERE FOR A LITTLE BIT
LONGER WHILE THEY RESOLVE IT.
WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. I'M
GOING TO BE FRANK ABOUT THIS.
WE DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO
ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THIS IS AN
ISSUE THE REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS
AUTHORITY WAS CREATED TO
ADDRESS. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE
THEY ARE AT. I DO NOT KNOW
WHERE KING COUNTY IS AT . I DO
NOT KNOW WHERE THE MAYOR IS
OUT. WE ALL HAVE A SHARED
RESPONSIBILITY. MY
RESPONSIBILITY IS TO TRY TO BE
A CONDUIT TO THOSE OTHER
ENTITIES AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE
DOING THEIR JOB. IT'S WHAT I
CAN OFFER YOU TODAY. I'M
AFRAID I CANNOT OFFER YOU A
BED. I CAN DO MY BEST TO MAKE
SURE YOU GET A BED AT SOME
POINT. PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH
WITH MY OFFICE. THANK YOU.
>> COULD YOU PLEASE NOTE YOU
ARE THE --
>> I'M SORRY. THIS IS IN MY
CAPACITY AND IN THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT. PLEASE DON'T
INUNDATE MY OFFICE. IF YOU HAVE
A CONTACT PERSON , WE ARE HAPPY
TO TRY TO WORK WITH YOU AS A
CONDUIT. I CANNOT STRESS, WE
ARE NOT -- OUR ROLE IN THE
GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ALLOW US TO
BE A SERVICE PROVIDER, BUT WE
CAN HELP SERVICE PROVIDERS.
THAT'S TRULY ALL I CAN OFFER
TO YOU AT THIS POINT. AND A
LISTENING EAR TO WHAT YOU ARE
STRUGGLING WITH. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE
HAVE REACHED THE END OF
TODAY'S AGENDA. THE NEXT
COUNCIL MEETING IS SCHEDULED
FOR FEBRUARY 6th AT 2:00 P.M.
HEARING NO OTHER BUSINESS, IT
IS 3:10 , AND WE ARE NOW
ADJOURNED.