>>> ORDER IN THE HOUSE. HI,
EVERYBODY. GOOD AFTERNOON. THE
APRIL 2nd, 2024 MEETING OF THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WILL COME
TO ORDER. IT IS 2:01. I'M SARA
NELSON, PRESIDENT OF THE
COUNCIL.
>> COUNCIL SAKA?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCIL STRAUSS?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL WOO?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL MOORE?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON ?
>> EIGHT PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE AND WOO
HAVE A PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING
APRIL 2024 TO BE AWARENESS
MONTH AND THEN WE'LL ALLOW OUR
GUESTS TO PROVIDE BRIEF
COMMENTS THEMSELVES.
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE, YOU ARE
RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. I WANT TO THANK MY
COUNCIL COLLEAGUES FOR ADDING
THEIR SIGNATURES TO THIS
PROCLAMATION. I WANT TO THANK
THE KING COUNTY SEXUAL ASSAULT
CENTER TO ACCEPT THIS
PROCLAMATION. ON BEHALF THE
CITY THANKS YOU FOR ALL THE
WORK YOU DO TOO BRING AWARENESS
TO THE ISSUE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.
YOUR DETERMINATION TO COMBAT
THIS PERVASIVE ISSUE AND YOUR
COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
TO SURVIVORS. I'M HONORED TO
JOIN COUNCILMEMBER WOO IN
PRESENTING YOU BOTH THIS
PROCLAMATION AND I WILL NOW
TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE,
COUNCILMEMBER WOO.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE. IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO
WORK WITH YOU AND THE OFFICE OF
THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON THIS
IMPORTANT PROCLAMATION,
ESPECIALLY THANKS TO HANNAH
FROM YOUR STAFF FOR THIS
PARTNERSHIP AS WELL AS THE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION AND THE
KING COUNTY SEXUAL ASSAULT
RESOURCE CENTER. SO ARE WE
MAKING OUR COMMENTS NOW? TODAY
WE GATHER NOT ONLY AS
INDIVIDUALS, BUT AS UNIFIED
FORCE DRIVEN BY COMMON PURPOSE
AND THAT IS TO CONFRONT THE
ISSUES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT,
ABUSE, AND HARASSMENT AND AS WE
EMBARK ON THIS JOURNEY
TOGETHER, IT IS CRUCIAL TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE UNIQUE
PERSPECTIVE AND EXPERIENCES
WITHIN THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES
OF SEATTLE. FOR TOO LONG THE
SHADOWS OF SILENCE HAVE
OBSCURED THE REALITY OF SEXUAL
VIOLENCE WITHIN OUR
COMMUNITIES, CULTURAL STIGMAS
AND TABOOS SHROUDED THESE
CONVERSATIONS LEAVING SURVIVORS
FEELING ISOLATED AND UNHEARD,
BUT TOGETHER WE STAND TO BREAK
THE SILENCE AND SHINE A LIGHT
ON THIS CRITICAL ISSUE. SO AS A
PERSON OF COLOR, I WANT TO
POINT OUT THE COMPLEXITIES AND
NUANCES THAT SURROUNDS
DISCUSSIONS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
AND I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT
THE CULTURE, TRADITION, AND
GENERAL DYNAMICS THAT CAN
EITHER PERPETUATE OR CHALLENGE
HARMFUL BEHAVIOR. LET'S BE
CLEAR. NO TRADITION OR CULTURE
NORM CAN EVER JUSTIFY THE
VIOLATION OF ANOTHER PERSON'S
DIGNITY. CONCEPT IS NOT MERELY
A WESTERN CONCEPT. IT IS THE
UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE ROOTED IN
RESPECT, EQUITY AND EQUALITY,
ABOUT RECOGNIZING AND HONORING
THE AGENCY OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL
REGARDLESS OF THEIR GENDER,
ETHNICITY OR BACKGROUND.
CONSENT IS NOT SILENT. IT IS
EXPLICIT. IT IS OUR COLLECTIVE
RESPONSIBILITY TO INSURE
CONSENT IS NOT ONLY UNDERSTOOD,
BUT ACTIVELY PRACTICED IN EVERY
INTERACTION. SO AWARENESS IS
ALONE NOT ENOUGH. WE MUST WORK
TIRELESSLY TO DISMANTLE THE
SYSTEMS OF POWER AND OPPRESSION
THAT ENABLE SEXUAL VIOLENCE TO
THRIVE. WE MUST CONFRONT
HARMFUL STEREOTYPES AND TOXIC
CULTURE AND MUST HOLD
PERPETRATORS ACCOUNTABLE FOR
THEIR ACTIONS REGARDLESS OF
STATUS OR PRIVILEGE. TODAY WE
COME TOGETHER TO COMMEMORATE
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.
LET US RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO
THE FINE AGAINST SEXUAL
VIOLENCE AND PLEDGE TO THE
ALLIES OF SURVIVORS AND AMPLIFY
THEIR VOICES AND TO CREATE SAFE
AND INCLUSIVE SPACES WHERE THEY
CAN SEEK SUPPORT AND HEALING
AND LET US NEVER WAIVER IN OUR
PURSUIT OF JUSTICE, EQUALITY
AND RESPECT FOR ALL.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> YES.
>> I KNOW I WAS EXCUSED
YESTERDAY FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON
BRIEFING WHERE WE SIGNED THIS.
IF POSSIBLE, I'D LIKE TO ADD
MY NAME.
>> NOTED. SURE, THAT'S FINE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I WILL LEAVE THAT UP TO THE
SPONSORS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> GREAT.
AT THIS POINT I WILL OPEN THE.
>> ARE FOR COMMENTS TO ANY OF
MY COLLEAGUES. WE'LL ALL CHIME
IN AND JUST SAY THAT AS
SOMEBODY WHO PARTICIPATED IN
THE ANNUAL TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
MARCH AND I KNOW I'M DATING
MYSELF, I APPRECIATE BOTH OF
YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS
FORWARD AND I RECOGNIZE THINGS
HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE
THEN, SINCE BACK IN THE '80s.
THE EMPHASIS ON CONSENT AND THE
RECOGNITION OF THE BREADTH OF
PEOPLE THAT EXPERIENCE SEXUAL
VIOLENCE AND ASSAULT HOWEVER IT
IS DEFINED HAS GROWN AND THAT
IS A GOOD THING, BUT WE STILL
HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS
FORWARD AND INCREASING THE
AWARENESS AND ATTENTION TO THE
MATTER. WITH THAT IF THERE ARE
NO OTHER COMMENTS FROM MY
COUNCILMEMBERS, IF THERE'S NO
OBJECTION, COUNCIL RULES WILL
BE SUSPENDED TO PRESENT THE
PROCLAMATION AND ALLOW OUR
GUESTS TO ACCEPT IT AND PROVIDE
REMARKS. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE COUNCIL RULES ARE SUSPENDED
AND PROCLAMATION WILL BE
PRESENTED.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL BE
PRESENTING THE PROCLAMATION TO
WHITNEY NAKAMURA FROM THE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
>> I'M GLAD TO RECEIVE THIS
PROCLAMATION. WE ARE A DIVERSE
GROUP OF WOMEN WHO VOLUNTEER AS
COMMISSIONERS BECAUSE WE CARE
DEEPLY ABOUT OUR COMMUNITIES
AND OUR CITY. WE DEVELOP OUR
FOCUS AREAS AND WORK PLANS
THROUGH SURVEYS AND OTHER
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AS
WELL AS THROUGH OUR EXPERIENCES
AND EXPERTISE FROM OUR VARIOUS
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY
ROLES. TOPICS AROUND VIOLENCE
AND SAFETY CONTINUE TO BE
PRIORITY ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY
SEATTLITES AND BY OUR
COMMISSIONERS. THEREFORE, THE
COMMISSION HAS MAINTAINED
RELATED WORK FOR MANY YEARS,
INCLUDING SUBCOMMITTEES FOCUSED
ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AND
ADDRESSING GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE AND ESPECIALLY MISSING
AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN.
THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL AND
FOR THE MAYOR FOR RECOGNIZING
APRIL AS SEXUAL ASSAULT
AWARENESS MONTH. THIS IS AN
ISSUE THAT IMPACTS ALL OF US
AND EACH OF US HAS A ROLE TO
TAKE IN BEING PART OF THE
SOLUTION. THANK YOU TO ALL THE
SURVIVORS, ADVOCATES,
COALITIONS, GROUPS, AND
ORGANIZATIONS PROMOTING
HEALING, SUPPORT, AND HOPE IN
OUR REGION. THEY ENVISION THE
LIBERATED ANTI-RACIST FUTURE
THAT WE DESERVE. WE NEED TO
CONTINUE RESOURCING THESE
EFFORTS AND WE CAN AND MUST
JOIN ALONGSIDE THEM IN THIS
WORK TO CREATE SAFE, HEALTHY,
AND RESPECTFUL COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU.
>> SO I AM HONORED TO HAVE KATE
CRUGG FROM THE KING COUNTY
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESEARCH CENTER
JOINING US TODAY TO ALSO
RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION, WANT
TO THANK KATE AND EVERYONE IN
THIS WORK SPIRIT AND THE ENTIRE
TEAM FOR THE EXTREMELY
DIFFICULT YET CRUCIAL WORK YOU
DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
WOO. I AM WITH THE KING COUNTY
SEXUAL ASSAULT NONPROFIT
RESOURCE CENTER HERE TO ACCEPT
THE SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS
MONTH PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF
OUR ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU FOR
BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION TO
SEXUAL VIOLENCE. TO THE
SURVIVORS IN OUR COMMUNITY I
WANT TO SAY YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
SEXUAL ASSAULT IS COMMON. HALF
OF WOMEN AND ONE-THIRD OF MEN
HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL ASSAULT
IN THEIR LIFETIME. PEOPLE FROM
MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES,
PEOPLE WHOSE DISABILITY, RATE,
ETHNICITY, GENDER OR SEXUAL
IDENTITIES ARE AT EVEN GREATER
RISK. CHANCES ARE, YOU KNOW
SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN SEXUALLY
ABUSED. THE TRAUMA OF SEXUAL
ASSAULT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN
AFFECT A SURVIVOR'S MENTAL,
PHYSICAL, AND BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH, THEIR ABILITY TO FORM
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, REMAIN
IN SCHOOL OR IN THE WORKPLACE
AND SO MUCH MORE, BUT RECOVERY
FROM SEXUAL TRAUMA IS POSSIBLE
WITH SUPPORT. WE ASSISTED MORE
THAN 4,800 INDIVIDUALS AND
SURVIVOR AND THEIR FAMILY
MEMBERS
IN 2023. ALMOST HALF OF TEENS
AND YOUNG CHILDREN. I WANT TO
LET OUR COMMUNITY KNOW THAT WE
ARE FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL. HELP
IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO
SURVIVORS OR ANYONE WHO NEEDS
INFORMATION ABOUT SEXUAL
ASSAULT. OUR 24-HOUR RESOURCE
LINE IS A GOOD STARTING POINT.
888-99-VOICE. WE ALWAYS SAY WE
CAN'T CHANGE WHAT WE CAN'T
TALK ABOUT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP AND WILLINGNESS TO
BE LOUD ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COLLEAGUES, AT THIS TIME WE'LL
MOVE TO THE HYBRID PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD. MADAM CLERK,
HOW MANY SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP
TODAY?
>> WE HAVE 16 IN PERSON AND
NINE REMOTE.
>> OKAY. WE'LL START WITH
SPEAKERS IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
FIRST AND EACH SPEAKER WILL
HAVE ONE MINUTE. MADAM CLERK, I
WILL NOW HAND THIS OVER TO YOU
TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
CALL ON THE INDIVIDUAL
SPEAKERS.
>> THANK YOU. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE UP TO 20
MINUTES. WE MAY ALTERNATE
BETWEEN SETS OF IN-PERSON AND
REMOTE SPEAKERS. WE WILL START
WITH IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A CHIME WHEN
TEN SECONDS ARE LEFT OF THEIR
TIME AND MICS WILL BE MUTED IF
THEY DON'T END THEIR COMMENTS
WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME. THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
OPEN. WE HAVE ONE MINUTE, IS
THAT RIGHT, COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
YES, IT WAS. BEFORE WE CONTINUE
I WANT TO NOTE COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES IS PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU. OUR FIRST SPEAKER
WILL BE STEVE CLEGGETT FOLLOWED
BY JOHN STOMSTAD. GO AHEAD,
STEVE.
>> HI, MY NAME'S STEVE
CLEGGETT. I LIVE IN
COUNCILMEMBER CATHY MOORE'S
DISTRICT 5, 1419 NORTHEAST
107th STREET. YOUR WEBSITE SAYS
TWO MINUTES. I TIMED THIS THREE
TIMES TO GET IT DOWN TO ONE
MINUTE 52 SECONDS. I'M GOING
TO A BRIDGE IT FOR YOU AS BEST
I CAN TO KEEP IT TO ONE MINUTE.
I URGE YOU TO CHANGE YOUR
WEBSITE, PLEASE.
>> NOTED.
>> THANK YOU.
>> SEATTLE IS ONE OF THE FIRST
CITIES IN THE NATION TO ADOPT A
MINIMUM WAGE. PROUDLY THIS,
COUNCIL UNDERSTOOD IT MUST ALSO
PROVIDE MINIMUM PROTECTIONS
WHEN CORPORATE AMERICA INVADED
UNION'S REGULAR EMPLOYMENT BY
GRATING THE GIG WORKER OR
SO-CALLED INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTOR. WORD ON THE STREET
IS YOUR COMMITTEE IS LOOKING
FIRST OFF AT REDUCING
PROTECTIONS OF THE PAY UP
ORDINANCE. MANY OF YOU ARE
CAMPAIGNING THE STRONG BUSINESS
SUPPORT TO DO JUST THAT. I
CAUTION YOU TO WAIT AND MOVE
SLOWLY. VOTERS WATCHING AN
ALARM IS BEING RAISED LEST YOU
STEP BACKWARDS FROM EFFECTIVELY
MAINTAINING MINIMUM WAGE
GUARANTEES FOR ALL WHO WORK IN
OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU
SINCERELY FOR THE COUNCIL'S
HISTORY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOHN
STOMSTAD FOLLOWED BY SASHA
BAMARITO.
>> BEWARE THAT WHEN FIGHTING
MONSTERS, YOU YOURSELF DO NOT
BECOME A MONSTER. THAT IS WHAT
HAS HAPPENED TO WORKING
WASHINGTON AND THEIR
SUPPORTERS. WORKING WASHINGTON
IS SACRIFICING US AS PAWNS IN A
LARGER LABOR DISPUTE. MLK LABOR
COUNCIL SAID THE QUIET PART OUT
LOUD IN THE STRANGER LAST
THURSDAY. THEY MEAN WELL BUT
ARE SO PRIVILEGED THEY CAN'T
SEE HOW THE PAY UP BILL IS
HARMING SO MANY VULNERABLE
PEOPLE AND INSTEAD THEY HIDE
THE FACTS. LOOK AT THE
DOWNSTREAM OF 1,000 PEOPLE
BECOMING HOMELESS. NOW THEY ARE
UNEMPLOYABLE. THINK OF ALL THE
PEOPLE WHO CAN'T PAY THEIR
TAXES IN A COUPLE WEEKS. LAST
WEEK I WORKED 54 HOURS AND MADE
$324. LAST WEEK FOR THAT WEEK I
MADE $739 IN 31 HOURS. DRIVE
FORWARD GAVE SOME GREAT
CONCRETE INFO ON HOW THIS BILL
IS HURTING WORKERS, BUT THE
PEOPLE HURT MOST BY THE BILL
ARE TAKING ONLINE LOBBY GROUP
SURVEYS SO THE ACTUAL RESULTS
ARE SO MUCH MORE DIRE. I PICK
UP FROM McDONALD'S ON THIRD
AVENUE EVERY DAY. I SEE THE
PEOPLE THERE. THEY -- LET'S
NOT ADD TO IT.
>> THANK. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS
SASHA BAMARITO FOLLOWED BY MS.
HERNANDEZ WITH HER INTERPRETER,
DANIELLE. GO AHEAD, SASHA.
>> MY NAME IS SASHA BAMARITO,
CHIEF STEWARD WITH THE
MACHINISTS UNION LOCAL 289. WE
ARE YOUR AUTO MECHANICS. I
PARTICIPATED WITH THE
NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE WITH
COALITION OF CITY UNIONS THAT
HELPED BRING THE UNION CONTRACT
PACKAGE BEFORE YOU TODAY. I'M
ALSO AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE
TECHNICIAN IN THE SEATTLE FIRE
GARAGE AND IF YOU READ THE
SEATTLE TIMES YESTERDAY, YOU
KNOW WE'RE IN TROUBLE. IF
WE'RE IN TROUBLE, THIS CITY IS
IN TROUBLE. WE'RE WORKING ON
AN AGING FLEET WITH A SKELETON
CREW. WE ARE DRAMATICALLY
UNDERSTAFFED AND BURNOUT IS
GETTING ITS HOOKS IN US, BUT
IT'S NOT JUST THE FIRE GARAGE.
MECHANICS IN OUR DIVISION SERVE
THE SEATTLE POLICE, CITY LIGHT,
DOWNTOWN MOTOR POOL. WE ARE
LOSING SKILLED TECHNICIANS AT
AN UNPRECEDENTED AND
UNSUSTAINABLE RATE.
IT'S NOT JUST THE MECHANICS.
IT'S CARPENTERS, PLUMBERS,
ELECTRICIANS. WE NEED TO BE
ABLE TO OFFER MORE AND WE NEED
TO DO IT FAST. THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
WILL BE MS. HERNANDEZ WITH HER
INTERPRETER DANIELLE AND WE
WILL ALLOW TWO MINUTES TO ALLOW
FOR THE INTERPRETATION. THANK
YOU, TIMEKEEPER. GO AHEAD.
[SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ] .
>> THANK YOU. GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM WAS A
DASHER FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS,
WHICH SAYS WHY I PROMOTE LAWS
THAT PROTECT THE MOST
UNPROTECTED WORKERS. WE GIG
WORKERS ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE
AND UNPROTECTED WORKERS. EVEN
THE BANKS WHEN WE REQUEST A
LOAN WITH OUR DEPOSIT SAY THIS
IS NOT A JOB. SO WHAT ARE HE?
GIG WORKERS USED TO MAKE
DELIVERIES, TAKE CARE OF PETS,
BUT DON'T WE DESERVE LAWS THAT
SUPPORT US? DON'T WE DESERVE
SICK PAYS AND FAIR PAYMENTS
FROM COMPANIES THAT USE US AND
ABUSE US. WE ASK THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT THE
WORKERS WHO DO THESE JOBS DAY
AND NIGHT AND ARE EXPOSED TO
CAR THEFTS, BEATINGS AND
ACCIDENTS? WHY IS THE MOTTO
NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW? CAN
COMPANIES ABUSE ANY OF US?
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
WILL BE ALEX KIM FOLLOWED BY
GARY LARDAZABOL. GO AHEAD,
ALEX.
>> PLEASE DO NOT APPLAUD OR
SPEAK IN BETWEEN SPEAKERS. IT
SLOWS DOWN THE PROCESS. THANK
YOU. YOU CAN SILENTLY EXPRESS
YOUR SUPPORT.
>> HI. MY NAME IS ALEX KIM HERE
IN SUPPORT OF THE APP-BASE
WORKER MINIMUM PAY. THIS LAW
HAS ONLY BEEN ENACTED 80 SHORT
DAYS BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT HAS
DECIDED TO TAKE ACTION TO
REPEAL AND REPLACE THE LAW WITH
A VERSION THAT'S BEEN CREATED
ESSENTIALLY BY PEOPLE WHO ARE
PINKERTONS. IS THIS DEMOCRATIC?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. IF THE MAJORITY
OF WORKERS WANTED THIS, MAYBE
IT WOULD BE, BUT THAT'S NOT
THE CASE HERE. SO WHY HAVEN'T
WORKERS BEEN HEARD? ONE,
THERE'S A BELIEF AMONGST
WORKERS THAT SAYING HOW WELL
YOU'RE DOING IS A DETRIMENT
BECAUSE IT DRAWS MORE PEOPLE TO
YOUR AREA. PEOPLE AREN'T GOING
TO BE SAYING OH, IT'S SO GREAT
FOR ME. TWO, THE SQUEAKY WHEEL
GETS THE GREASE MEANING THE FEW
PEOPLE RESISTANT TO CHANGE ARE
GOING TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST IT
AND BE LOUD. PEOPLE THAT ARE
HAPPY, THEY'RE GOING TO BE
WORKING. THREE, SEATTLE SAYS
IT'S DEDICATED TO EQUITY. MANY
OF THESE WORKERS ARE IMMIGRANTS
AND DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH AND
ARE NOT POLITICALLY ENGAGED.
IMMIGRANTS MAKE UP ONE OF THE
LARGEST GROUP OF THESE WORKERS
AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS
HAPPENING. IT IS THE OPPOSITE
OF EQUITY TO CHANGE THIS LAW
WITHOUT HEARING FROM THEM PRO
OR AGAINST. THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL CANNOT DRIVE FORWARD
WITH REPLACING THIS LAW UNTIL
MORE WORKERS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED
TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
WILL BE FOLLOWED BY JASON
OGLENECT.
>> PLEASE DO NOT CLAP IN
BETWEEN THE SPEAKERS. THANK
YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL. I
PRESENT TODAY THE GRAND
COMPROMISE WHICH WILL NOT TAKE
AWAY PROTECTIONS AND WILL NOT
TAKE AWAY RIGHTS OF WORKERS.
GIVE THIS CHANGE A VOTE. LET IT
SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY. BOTH
SIDES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
BASICALLY REDUCE THE RATE.
DOORDASH SAID THEY ARE WILLING
TO NEGOTIATE THIS. THIS IS FAR
MORE COLLABORATION THAN THE '22
COUNCIL RECEIVED. THEY HAD NO
COLLABORATION WITH THE
COMPANIES. NOW WE HAVE THAT
OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLABORATION
TO KEEP PROTECTIONS. THESE
PROTECTIONS ARE GOING TO BE
KEPT, WHICH WAS FALSELY SAID BY
THE LAST SPEAKER. LISA HERBOLD
TOOK A LEAP OF FAITH SAYING
IT'S UP TO THE GIG COMPANIES
TO DECIDE IF THEY ARE GOING TO
RAISE RATES. WELL, THAT LEAP OF
FAITH WAS A DISASTER. WE NEED
TO MAKE IT RIGHT. RIDESHARES
DOWN. LET IT SEE THE LIGHT OF
DAY.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS JASON OGLENECT FOLLOWED
SCHMITT. GO AHEAD, JASON.
YOUR TIME WILL START NOW.
>> OKAY.
>> GO AHEAD AND START THE TIME,
PLEASE.
>> FINANCIALLY I'VE BEEN
TREADING WATER SINCE JANUARY
13. I WORK 60 HOURS PER WEEK
AND I'M BARELY ABLE TO SCRAPE
BY. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SAVE
FOR AN EMERGENCY. I WORK, EAT
AND SLEEP. I HAVE NO TIME FOR
ANYTHING THAT'S NOT CRITICAL.
I NEED TO UTILIZE EVERY
POSSIBLE MINUTE AS A WORK
OPPORTUNITY. I KEEP COMING BACK
TO THE CITY HALL BECAUSE I KNOW
THINGS CAN CHANGE. THEY NEED TO
FOR COURIERS, RESTAURANTS, AND
CUSTOMERS. I WANT TO GO OVER MY
EARNINGS FOR A SEVEN-DAY PERIOD
RECENTLY MARCH 25th THROUGH
THE 31st. I WORKED 53 HOURS
PLUS. MY TOTAL EARNINGS IN THAT
PERIOD WERE $613. THAT'S AN
AVERAGE OF $11.41. THAT
REPRESENTS A BETTER THAN
AVERAGE WEEK AS WELL. $11.41 AN
HOUR IS NOT ADEQUATE.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS STEFAN SCHMITT FOLLOWED BY
JENNIFER CLAYTON.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL. MY NAME'S
STEFAN. I WORK WITH SEATTLE
PARKS AND RECREATION. I'M ALSO
A UNION SHOP STEWARD
REPRESENTING COORDINATORS WHO
SUPERVISE THE COMMUNITY CENTERS
FOR THE CITY OF SEATTLE. I'M
HERE TO OPTIMISTICALLY SAY
THANK YOU FOR MOVING FORWARD ON
THE VOTE FOR THE UNION COUNCIL
COALITION CONTRACT IN FRONT OF
YOU TODAY AND OPTIMISTICALLY
SAY THANK YOU FOR A VOTE YES.
TWO OF MY POSITIONS HAVE BEEN
GAP NOW FOR 19 MONTHS AND NINE
MONTHS OF THE LAST THREE YEARS,
TWO OF THREE CORE POSITIONS AT
A COMMUNITY CENTER, ORGANIZING
SPORTS LEAGUES, SENIOR
PROGRAMS, HELP SCHOLARSHIP
REGISTRANTS THAT MAY NOT SPEAK
ENGLISH GET ACCESS TO OUR
PROGRAMS, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
SUPPORT CHILD CARE, RESPOND TO
GUN VIOLENCE AND MENTOR TEENS.
THEY ARE MAKING SEATTLE SAFE
AND THRIVING TODAY AND FOR THE
FUTURE. I THANK YOU FOR VOTING
YES ON THIS CONTRACT,
STRENGTHENING SEATTLE, MAKING
IT SAFE AND MAKING IT THRIVE.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS JENNIFER CLAYTON FOLLOWED BY
SPENCER COLE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M
JENNIFER CLAYTON, PRESIDENT OF
THE SEATTLE DISPATCHERS GUILD.
I'M HERE TO REPRESENT
EVERYBODY IN OUR COALITION IN
THE CONTRACT WE'RE ABOUT TO
TALK ABOUT LATER. AS A LONG
TIME 911 DISPATCHER, WE ARE THE
HUB OF MANY SERVICES. WE
COORDINATE WITH SEVERAL
DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WITHIN
OUR CITY FOR REQUESTS FROM
CITIZENS OF SEATTLE FROM PARKS,
ENGINEERS, POLICE, FIRE, EMS,
PARKING ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER
PUBLIC SERVICES, WE ARE THE
FIRST TO PICK UP THAT PHONE
WHEN A COMMUNITY MEMBER CALLS
FOR OUR ASSISTANCE. WE WORK
TIRELESSLY AROUND THE CLOCK
HOLIDAYS, WEEKENDS, 24/7 TO
COORDINATE SERVICES TO SERVE
THIS COMMUNITY AND WE ASK FOR
THE CITY COUNCIL'S SUPPORT
TODAY. WE ASK YOU SUPPORT THE
COALITION BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
AS WE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY
EVERY DAY. WE NEED THE SUPPORT
TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE CITY
WITH EXPERIENCED DEDICATED
EMPLOYEES THROUGH FAIR WAGES
THAT ALLOW THEM TO BE PART OF
THIS CITY. WE ASK FOR YOU TO
ANSWER OUR CALL TODAY AND
SUPPORT THE BARGAINING UNITS
THAT KEEP THE CITY RUNNING.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SPENCER
COLE FOLLOWED BY ALEX
TSIMERMAN.
>> HI. MY NAME IS SPENCER. I'M
A SUPERVISOR WITH THE 911
CENTER ALSO KNOWN AS THE CARE
DEPARTMENT. AS A CIVIL SERVANT,
I'M DEEPLY COMMITTED TO
SERVING SEATTLE. BEFORE
SPEAKING ON MY UNIQUE
PERSPECTIVES AS A DISPATCHER,
I'D LIKE TO PRAISE ALL MEMBERS
OF THE COALITION AND CITY
WORKERS WHO TIRELESSLY SERVE
OUR COMMUNITY, EACH OF THEM
DESERVING TO LIVE IN THE CITY
THEY SERVE. MY CO-WORKERS AND I
WORK TIRELESSLY THROUGH
PROTESTS AND PANDEMIC. WE
ENDURED LOW STAFFING NUMBERS,
GREATLY INCREASING OUR
WORKLOAD. WE EXPERIENCE
FIRSTHAND THE TRAGIC GUN
VIOLENCE THAT GRIPS OUR CITY
AND WE HEAR UNSPEAKABLE ACTS
DAY AFTER DAY. INSTEAD OF
SPENDING HOLIDAYS WITH FAMILY
I'VE INSTEAD BEEN AT WORK
TALKING TO SOMEONE AS THEY TAKE
THEIR FINAL BREATHS. THESE ARE
THE TRAUMAS MYSELF AND MY
CO-WORKERS CARRY WITH US EVERY
DAY IN THE NAME OF PUBLIC
SAFETY AND OUR PROFOUND
DEDICATION TO SERVICE. WE MADE
SIGNIFICANT SACRIFICES FOR A
CITY THAT WE NOW STRUGGLE TO
AFFORD TO LIVE IN. VOTING YES
ON THIS CONTRACT WILL ALLOW
COUNTLESS CITY WORKERS TO
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WORK/LIFE
BALANCE AND PROVIDE THE QUALITY
OF CARE TO THE CITIZENS OF
SEATTLE THEY DEDICATED THEIR
LIVES TO SERVE.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS ALEX TSIMERMAN FOLLOWED BY
ARIANNA RILEY.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ]
>> PLEASE PAUSE THE TIMER.
PLEASE DO NOT -- PLEASE I WOULD
JUST ASK YOU ABOUT. I'M ASKING
YOU TO PLEASE NOT USE THAT
LANGUAGE. IT IS CONSIDERED
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR.
>> WHEN YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND
THIS, I WILL --
>> YOU MAY NOW, PLEASE, START
THE TIMER AGAIN.
>> GO AHEAD AND START THE TIMER
AGAIN. THANK YOU.
>> I CAN SPEAK. YES. I WANT TO
SPEAK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS
VERY UNIQUE. YOU CANNOT GIVE
EVERY MEETING ONE MINUTE TO
PEOPLE. THEY ARE LIKE CHILDREN,
YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEAN, LIKE A
CHICKEN. YOU KNOW WHAT THIS
MEAN? YOU GET ONE MINUTE.
NOBODY PROTESTS. WHY? BECAUSE
YOU MAKE FROM THEY . YOU CANNOT
GIVE ALL TIME ONE MINUTE. IT'S
NOT POSSIBLE. ONLY PSYCHOPATH
CAN DO THIS. IT'S EXACTLY
WHAT'S HAPPENED. WE HAVE TOO
MANY BOSSES, PSYCHOPATH.
EXAMPLE, WE HAVE THREE MEN IN
THE ROOM WHO ARE MENTALLY SICK.
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? STAND UP,
AMERICA. IT'S YOUR
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO SPEAK
HERE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ARIANNA
RILEY FOLLOWED BY RUBY ROMERO.
GO AHEAD, ARIANNA.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS
ARIANNA RILEY. I'M A DRIVER
WITH DOORDASH, UBER EATS AND
AMAZON FLEX IN THE SEATTLE
AREA. THE REVISIONS BEING
PROPOSED TO THE APP-BASED WORK
MINIMUM PAYMENT ORDINANCE
VIOLATE FEDERAL LAW. THE
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE LAW
VIOLATE NOT ONLY FEDERAL, BUT
CITY LAWS AS WELL. THE TEXT OF
THE ORDINANCE CURRENTLY IN
PLACE WAS WRITTEN VERY
CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE THAT
DRIVERS ARE TRUE INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTORS. UNDER FEDERAL
GUIDANCE ISSUED THIS YEAR IF AN
EMPLOYER DECIDES WHEN A WORKER
CAN OR CANNOT WORK, THIS MAKES
A WORKER AN EMPLOYEE AND NOT A
CONTRACTOR. FEDERAL GUIDANCE
ALSO STATES THAT IF AN EMPLOYER
CONTROLS THE WAGES, THEN A
WORKER IS AN EMPLOYEE AND NOT A
CONTRACTOR. THE PROPOSED
CHANGES TO ALLOW DOORDASH TO GO
BACK TO LIMITING OUR HOURS AND
TO TAKE AWAY PAID TRANSPARENCY
CONFLICTS WITH THIS DIRECTIVE.
NINETEEN DOLLARS AN HOUR FOR A
DOORDASH DRIVER IS NOT $19 AN
HOUR TAKE HOME EVEN BEFORE
TAXES. AS WELL, DOORDASH
ALREADY PAYS UP TO $24 AN HOUR
IN EVER YET YET COMPLAINS THAT
26.50 IS UNTENABLE IN SEATTLE.
THE COUNCIL SHOULD ABANDON THE
IDEA OF MAKING --
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
WILL BE RUDY ROMERO FOLLOWED BY
MARK SOLOMON.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL. I'M A
LIFELONG SEATTLITE POLICY
ANALYST, MUSICIAN AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY YOUR COLLEAGUE. I
HOLD A LIVED EXPERIENCEY ON THE
FEDERAL KING COUNTY CONTINUUM
OF CARE BOARD AND CO-CHAIR THE
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE
FOR THE KRCA HERE AS AN
INDIVIDUAL. I WANT TO REPORT ON
WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON IN
REFERENCE TO THE QUESTIONS LAST
WEEK AT THE HOUSING AND HUMAN
SERVICES COMMITTEE IN. WORK
GROUPS THE BOARD IS FOCUSED ON
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
THE COUNCIL AND PUBLIC DEMAND.
WE ARE ADJUSTING OUR
CONSOLIDATED APPLICATION TO
ELIMINATE PERFORMING ACTIONS
MADE BY ORGANIZATIONS ZEROING
IN ON COMMUNITY'S SPECIFIC
GAPS AND CONTINUE TO GATHER THE
REQUIRED DATA FOR THE HUD
APPLICATION. WE'RE GOING TO
SIMULTANEOUSLY EXPAND THOSE
SAME METRICS ACROSS THE
SERVICES LANDSCAPE, INCLUDING
FOR THE SYSTEM REBID WHICH WE
ALL KNOW IS VERY IMPORTANT. MY
ASK IS COUNCILMEMBERS JOIN THE
NEW POLICY WORK GROUP AND
TOMORROW THE COC BOARD WILL
VOTE TO APPROVE THE SCOPE OF
WORK. I URGE YOU TO JOIN
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW OUR SOLUTIONS
ARE LIKE A DOG CHASING THEIR
OWN TAIL AND THEY KNOW IT.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARK
SOLOMON FOLLOWED BY HEATHER
NIELSEN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR
THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU.
MY NAME IS MARK SOLOMON, A
CRIME PREVENTION COORDINATOR
WITH THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT, A CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE
AND PROUDLY REPRESENTED BY
PROTECT 17. WE'RE COMING
FORWARD TO SAY THANK YOU AND
ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND
POSITIVE VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE
CONTRACT. WHEN I FIRST STARTED
IN THIS POSITION 34 YEARS AGO,
OUR FOCUS WAS RESIDENTIAL BLOCK
PLEDGE, ORGANIZING AND HELPING
THEM GET TOGETHER. I CAN'T
TELL YOU THE LAST TIME I DID A
STRAIGHT UP BLOCK PLEDGE
MEETING. I CAN TELL YOU THE
LAST TIME I HAD A MEETING ABOUT
A SHOTS FIRED INCIDENT IN THE
COMMUNITY. I CAN TELL YOU THE
LAST TIME I HAD A MEETING ABOUT
A HOME INVASION ROBBERY. I CAN
TELL YOU ABOUT THE LAST TIME
THAT I COORDINATED WITH OTHER
STEP AGENCIES TO POSITIVELY
IMPACT PUBLIC SPEAKING OF THE
CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY. OUR
ROLES HAVE EVOLVED AND
RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE INCREASED
AND OUR CONTACTS WILL REFLECT.
THAT.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS HEATHER
NIELSEN FOLLOWED BY OUR LAST
IN-PERSON SPEAKER, JUSTIN
CAPRI.
>> THIS IS IN REGARDS TO THE
PAY UP BILL. IT'S OBVIOUSLY
MOST OF THE COURIERS ARE
HURTING VERY BADLY AS A RESULT
OF THE GIG WORKER LAW THAT
STARTED JANUARY 13th AND IT'S
OBVIOUS PROPER STUDIES NEED TO
BE DONE ON NEGATIVE EFFECTS
INCURRED BY THE PAYOUT BILL AND
IT'S ALSO OBVIOUS THE BIG
CORPORATIONS ARE NOT BEING
TRANSPARENT. HOWEVER, ROLLING
BACK THE MINIMUM WAGE
PROTECTIONS PROVIDED BY THE PAY
UP BILL IS AN ILL-INFORMED
STATEMENT. THE GIG WORKERS ARE
NOT BEING PROTECTED, NOR IS
THERE A TIME TO CONDUCT PROPER
STUDIES NOW. WORK IN WASHINGTON
WANTS TO KEEP THE LAW AS IT IS
BECAUSE THEY'VE SPUN THE
NARRATIVE THAT IS PROVIDING A
MINIMUM WAGE AND COURIERS
AREN'T HURTING. IF THIS WAS
TRUE, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.
INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME
THING OVER AND OVER AND
EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS.
THAT'S WHAT WORKING WASHINGTON
WANTS. DRIVE FORWARD IS THE
ONLY GROUP THAT PRESENTED
PROPOSED LEGAL CHANGES TO THE
BILL THAT WOULD NO LONGER HURT
THE COURIER, SEATTLE BUSINESSES
AND THE BIG CORPORATIONS ARE
WILLING TO EXPLORE IMMEDIATELY
REDUCING THEIR FEES ONLY IF A
MODIFICATION TO THE CURRENT LAW
IS MADE. THIS IS A WIN, WIN,
WIN. THE ONLY CHOICE FORWARD IS
TO AMEND THE CURRENT BILL AS IT
IS USING --
>> THANK YOU. OUR LAST
IN-PERSON SPEAKER IS JUSTIN
CAPRI AND THEN WE'LL MOVE INTO
A FEW REMOTE SPEAKERS.
>> I HOPE WORK IN WASHINGTON
ACTUALLY SEES WHAT THEY HAVE
DONE. IF ANYBODY IS IT UNAWARE,
LET ME EXPAND. THE DEMISE OF
THE SEATTLE GIG WORKER
INDUSTRIAL HAS ARRIVED. NO
LONGER IS THERE AN ACTUAL
WORKING WAGE FOR HARD WORKING
GIG WORKERS. SOME OF THE CARS
TALK ABOUT HOW THEY'RE MAKING
MONEY. IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE
SITTING IN TRAFFIC GETTING PAID
FOR NOTHING. THAT'S A WASTE OF
TIME AND MONEY. AS A BIKE
MESSENGER, I WAS WORKING AS
HARD AS I COULD DOING AS MANY
DELIVERIES AS I COULD, WHICH IS
20 TO 30 ORDERS A DAY. NOW
IT'S ONE TO TWO IF I'M LUCKY
CUTTING MY INCOME FROM $200 A
DAY TO 13. MY RENT IS DUE. PAY
UP, WORKING WASHINGTON, BECAUSE
THE CRAFT THAT I STRIVED SO
HARD TO PERFECT OVER THE PAST
TEN YEARS IS DONE. IT'S DEAD.
IT'S GONE.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW MOVE
INTO REMOTE SPEAKERS. AS A
REMINDER, PRESS STAR 6 WHEN YOU
HEAR A PROMPT. THAT'S THE ONLY
WAY WE'LL HEAR YOU, STAR 6.
OUR FIRST REMOTE SPEAKER IS
ROBIN DOTT FOLLOWED ABOUT I
MICHAEL SMITH. GO AHEAD,
ROBIN.YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
TIMER, ARE THEY SHOWING
PRESENT?
>> ROBIN, YOU MAY NEED TO PRESS
STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
>> WE'LL MOVE ON TO MICHAEL
SMITH AND COME BACK TO ROBIN.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR
6.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MICHAEL
SMITH. I LIVE IN SEATTLE'S 3rd
DISTRICT IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT AND I'M A FOOD
DELIVER CUSTOMER THROUGH
DOORDASH AND DELIVERY. I
BELIEVE ALL WORKERS DESERVE TO
EARN AT LEAST A MINIMUM WAGE
AND THE PAY UP LAW MAKES SURE
SEATTLE DELIVERY DRIVERS GET
PAID FAIRLY. AS A DELIVERY
CUSTOMER I WANT TO MAKE SURE
THE WORKERS DELIVERING MY FOOD
ARE GETTING PAID A FAIR WAGE
AFTER EXPENSES. IF THE MINIMUM
WAGE FOR GIG WORKERS IS
REPEALED, I WON'T FEEL
COMFORTABLE USING DELIVERY
SERVICES BECAUSE I'LL KNOW
WORKERS ARE BEING EXPLOITED
EVERY TIME I PLACE AN ORDER.
I'M FRUSTRATED DELIVERY
CORPORATIONS HAVE PASSED THE
INTENTIONS OF PAYING THEIR
WORKERS FAIRLY ONTO THEIR
CUSTOMERS. THIS IS CLEARLY A
TACTIC IN FAVOR OF RICH
BUSINESS EXECUTIVES INSTEAD OF
WORKING PEOPLE. SO I ASK THOSE
ON THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL TO
KEEP THE PAY UP LAW INTACT.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS KAT BECK.
>> HI. I'M A DELIVERY CUSTOMER
IN DISTRICT 3 AND I WANT TO
TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF PAY UP
AND AGAINST THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS. I'VE ALWAYS FELT
UNCOMFORTABLE ORDERING DELIVERY
KNOWING HOW LITTLE WORKERS GET
PAID AND I KNOW NOW THEY'RE
GETTING PAID AT LEAST MINIMUM
WAGE AFTER EXPENSES. I'VE SEEN
COMPANIES SAY WORKERS DON'T
LIKE THE LAW, BUT BE REAL.
WORKERS DON'T WANT YOU TO CUT
THEIR PAY AND I TALKED TO
WORKERS WHEN I ORDER DELIVERY
AND WHAT I HEAR FROM THE VAST
MAJORITY OF GIG WORKERS IS THE
LAW IS WORKING AND THEY'RE
FINALLY GETTING DECENT PAY AND
DON'T WANT THAT TO CHANGE AND
CUSTOMERS DON'T WANT IT TO
CHANGE EITHER. WE'RE PROUD OF
TAKING CARE OF WORKERS IN
SEATTLE. PLEASE DON'T REPEAL
OR GUT THE PAY UP LAW AND ALSO
WHILE I'M HERE, PLEASE INCLUDE
THE LINE 8. IT'S CONSISTENTLY
LEAKED. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
RELY ON THIS BUS LINE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS OLIVIA
HILL.
>> HI, MY NAME'S OLIVIA. I'M A
RESIDENT IN DISTRICT 2. I'M A
CUSTOMER OF VARIOUS DELIVERY
SERVICE APPS AND I'VE WORKED
FOR INSTACART AT VARIOUS POINTS
IN MY LIFE. I OFTEN USE
DELIVERY DUE TO MY OWN WORK
SCHEDULE AND WAS DISHEARTENED
TO SAY THE LEAST WHEN THE
AGGRESSIVE ANTI-WORKER MESSAGES
STARTED POPPING UP ON THE APPS
AFTER PAY UP WAS PASSED SAYING
MINIMUM WAGE IN SEATTLE OR
ANYWHERE IS REALLY NOT
NEGOTIABLE AND TO THINK OUR
CITY COUNCIL WOULD THINK
ROLLING BACK PROTECTIONS
INSURING THAT IS REALLY
UNACCEPTABLE. I OPEN POSE
OPPOSE CHANGES TO PAY UP
LEGISLATION. DON'T LET OUR
CITY GO BACK ON WORKERS.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS ANN GOODEN.
>> HI. THE FOUR YEARS I'VE
LIVED NEAR SEATTLE. I STAND
BEFORE YOU TO REQUEST THE
COUNCIL --
>> ANN, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO HEAR
YOU. WE MIGHT COME BACK TO YOU,
SOUNDS LIKE A BAD CONNECTION.
CAN YOU HEAR THAT AT ALL?
LET'S MOVE ON TO EARL
J.CAOLI.
>> HELLO. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> OKAY. MY NAME IS EARL J.
CAOLI, RESIDENT AND HOMEOWNER
IN SEATTLE. I MOVED INTO MY
CURRENT HOME NOVEMBER 2020 AND
AT THAT TIME I DIDN'T KNOW OF
THE PLACE NEXT-DOOR, A SHELTER
FOR LOW BARRIER HOMELESS AND
LOW INCOME PEOPLE. I DON'T
HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HOUSING FOR
POOR PEOPLE, BUT WHAT I DO HAVE
A PROBLEM WITH IS THE LACK OF
ACCOUNTABILITY. WE'VE MANY
YEARS OF GRIEF. WE'VE ALL SEEN
CRAZY PEOPLE YELLING IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TALKING
ABOUT SUICIDE, STALKERS
KNOCKING ON DOORS AND A LOT OF
THE HOMEOWNERS IN MY AREA ARE
SINGLE WOMEN. SPECIFICALLY A
PERSON KNOCKING ON THE YOUNGEST
SINGLE WOMAN'S DOOR. I KNOW
YOU BROUGHT UP SEXUAL ASSAULT,
SEXUAL HARASSMENT. I'M SURE
YOU CARE ABOUT THAT, RIGHT? YOU
HAVE BREAKING INTO CARS,
URINATING, DEFECATING AROUND
PROPERTY AND ATTRACTING
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY SUCH AS
PROSTITUTION AND DRUG DEALING.
SO I --
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS DAVID HAINES AND THEN WE'LL
GO BACK AND TRY ROBIN DOTT. GO
AHEAD, DAVID.
>> HI, DAVID HAINES. I JUST HAD
TO WALK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
ROW BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH
BECAUSE THERE'S ALL THESE METH
HEADS ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE
WEST LAKE TUNNEL AND THE
TRANSIT SECURITY JUST STANDING
THERE ACTING LIKE IT'S NOT IN
THEIR TERRITORY AND ALL THE WAY
DOWN THIRD AVENUE THERE'S ALL
THESE DRUG ADDICTS. SOME OF
THEM DON'T EVEN HAVE THEIR
PANTS ON AND IT'S TELLTALE
SIGN WE NEED NEW LAWS TO HELP
FIGHT THE EVIL SCOURGE OF DRUG
PUSHERS AND THE FACT WE NEED A
NEW POLICE CHIEF AND A NEW
MAYOR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NOW WE'LL GO
BACK TO ROBIN DOTT. TRY
PRESSING STAR 6 IF YOU HAVEN'T,
PLEASE.
>> HI. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES. OKAY. I JUST WANTED TO
SPEAK ON THE POSSIBLE REPEAL OF
THE PAY LAW FOR PAY UP THAT WAS
PASSED IN 2022. I DO BELIEVE
THERE'S SERVICES THAT I USE
AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT
DESERVE TO HAVE WORKER
PROTECTION. THEY DESERVE TO
HAVE AT LEAST A MINIMUM WAGE.
APP BASE WORKERS DOESN'T MEAN
THEY GET DISCARDED AND I REALLY
WANT TO ASK YOU ARE YOU REALLY
REPRESENTING YOUR CONSTITUENCY
IF YOU DISREGARD PEOPLE? I'VE
BEEN AN ADMIN AND BEEN AT THE
BOARD MEETINGS AND A BUNCH OF
RICH PEOPLE MIXING AND ALL
THAT, BUT YOU REALLY NEED TO
LISTEN TO EVERYBODY ELSE, TOO.
AND REALIZE WHO IS VOTING FOR
YOU, WHO IS GOING TO PUT IN THE
EFFORT TO PUT THAT VOTE IN.
PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF, YOU KNOW
--
>> THANK YOU. OUR LAST REMOTE
SPEAKER WILL TRY A BETTER
CONNECTION FOR ANN GOODEN. ANN,
ARE YOU STILL THERE?
YOU MAY NEED TO PRESS STAR 6.
>> I AM. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, MUCH BETTER.
>> I LIVE NEAR A PLACE FOR THE
HOMELESS OPERATED. I REQUEST
YOUR HELP IN NEGATING THE
NEGATIVE IMPACT SOME OF THE
RESIDENTS FROM THIS FACILITY
HAS. WE SPEAK ABOUT FAIR
COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES AND
THE FACILITIES CREATING A
SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THIS
PLACE HOUSES ABOUT 100
INDIVIDUALS, 20% OF WHO ARE
UNABLE TO INTEGRATE WITH THE
COMMUNITY. PUBLIC INTOXICATION
AND VANDALISM, DESTROYING
PUBLIC PLACES LIKE OUR COMMON
GARDEN, LITTERING, DEFECATING
AND URINATING IN THE PUBLIC
PLACE AND DECLINING THE QUALITY
OF LIFE AND PROPERTY VALUES.
THIS HAS CAUSED MORE FINANCIAL
LOSS AND TRAUMA FOR RESIDENTS.
THEY'VE BEEN MOSTLY
UNRESPONSIVE IN PROVIDING
LASTING SOLUTIONS. I'M ASKING
THAT --
>> THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES
OUR PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FOR
THAT LAST SPEAKER, IT WOULD BE
APPRECIATED IF YOU COULD SEND
IN YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE IT
SEEMED LIKE YOU WERE READING
FROM SOMETHING AND IT WAS
DIFFICULT TO HEAR AND THAT GOES
FOR ANY PUBLIC COMMENT SPEAKER.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO SEND IN YOUR
COMMENTS TO
COUNCIL@SEATTLE.GOV. WE'VE
REACHED THE END OF THE
REGISTERED SPEAKERS. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IS CLOSED NOW.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR YOUR
COMMENTS TODAY. IF THERE'S NO
OBJECTION, INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR IS ADOPTED. IF
THERE'S NO OBJECTION, THE
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING
NONE, THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED.
WE'LL NOW CONSIDER THE
PROPOSED CONSENT CALENDARS. THE
MINUTES OF MARCH 26, 2024.
COUNCIL BILL 120760, PAYMENT OF
BILLS, APPOINTMENT 02778 OF
KODY L. ALLEN AS MEMBER OF THE
SEATTLE LGBTQ COMMISSION,
APPOINTMENTS 02779 AND 02780 OF
JULIO PEREZ AND MARTHA LUCAS
RESPECTIVELY TO THE COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT COMMISSION AND
REAPPOINTMENTS, 02781 THROUGH
02783, REAPPOINTING AHOUA KONE,
HEIDI MORISSET AND JULIO PEREZ
TO THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
COMMISSION. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS
THAT COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE
TO REMOVE FROM TODAY'S CONSENT
CALENDAR? HEARING NONE, I MOVE
TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S
BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> ALL IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
ARE ADOPTED. WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO
THE CONSENT CALENDAR ON MY
BEHALF. MOVING ON TO THE MEET
OF OUR AGENDA HERE, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE READ THE TITLE OF
ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4 INTO THE
RECORD.
>> THE REPORT OF THE CITY
COUNCIL, COUNCIL BILL 120756,
ORDINANCE RELATED TO CITY
EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZING
EXECUTION OF A COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND
WASHINGTON STATE COUNTY,
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE
COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
LOCAL 21SP AND AGENDA ITEM 2,
COUNCIL BILL 120757 AUTHORIZING
EXECUTION OF COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENTS BETWEEN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND CERTAIN
UNIONS IN THE COALITION OF CITY
UNIONS FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY
1st , 2023, THROUGH DECEMBER
31st, 2026, AGENDA ITEM 3
COUNCIL BILL 120758 AN
ORDINANCE PROVIDING WAGE
INCREASES EFFECTIVE JANUARY
24th , 2023, AND JANUARY 3rd,
2024, FOR CERTAIN
NONREPRESENTED CITY EMPLOYEES
AND OFFICERS PROVIDING
ADJUSTMENTS TO CERTAIN PAY
TITLES IN ADDITION TO THE 2023
AND 2024 WAGE INCREASES, AGENDA
ITEM FOR COUNCIL BILL 120759 AN
ORDINANCE RELATING TO CITY
EMPLOYMENT COMMON ONLY REFERRED
TO AS THE PAY ZONE ORDINANCE
ADJUSTING THE PAY ZONE
STRUCTURES FOR 2023 AND 2024
FOR THE CITY'S DISCRETIONARY
PAY PROGRAMS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HERE'S
HOW THIS PROCESS WILL GO.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS IS
SPONSOR OF ALL THESE PIECES OF
LEGISLATION. WE RECOGNIZED TO
MOVE ITEM 1 AND WE'LL GO
FORWARD AND I'LL EXPLAIN THE
FOLLOWING PROCESS AFTER IT'S
BEEN SECONDED.
>> THANK YOU. I MOVE TO PASS
COUNCIL BILL 120756.
>> SECOND.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO PASS THE BILL.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME TO ADDRESS
EACH ITEM 1 THROUGH 4 TOGETHER
AND EACH ITEM WILL BE MOVED AND
VOTED ON INDIVIDUALLY. AFTER
ALL THE VOTES I'LL PROVIDE
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILMEMBERS
TO MAKE FINAL COMMENTS. WITH
THAT , COUNCIL STRAUSS.
>> IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT
ALL CITY WORKERS KNOW WE HERE
AT CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT THE
WORK THAT YOU DO BECAUSE WE
UNDERSTAND THAT WITHOUT YOU WE
CANNOT PROVIDE THE BASIC
SERVICES TO ALL SEATTLE
RESIDENTS AND YOU NEED TO BE
COMPENSATED IN A WAY THAT
ALLOWS YOU TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY,
NOT SURVIVE, THRIVE IN OUR CITY
THAT WE ARE IN TOGETHER.
PASSING THIS DEAL IS A PRUDENT
DECISION. IT KEEPS OUR
EMPLOYEES IN OUR WORKFORCE. IT
INVESTS IN OUR EMPLOYEES AND
INSURES AS I JUST SAID THAT THE
SERVICES THAT WE UP HERE SPEAK
ABOUT BEING SO IMPORTANT TO ALL
SEATTLITES ARE ACTUALLY
IMPLEMENTED THAT ARE ACTUALLY
COMPLETED. I'LL GO THROUGH THE
LIST OF WHAT YOU ALL DO IN A
MINUTE BECAUSE WE CAN'T
PROVIDE OUR BASIC SERVICES OR
ATTEND TO OUR CITY'S NEEDS
WITHOUT PUBLIC SERVANTS DOING
THIS WORK. WE APPRECIATE ALL
YOU DO FOR OUR CITY. CLEARLY I
WENT OFF SCRIPT. NOW I'M BACK
ON. WE HAVE FOUR BILLS RELATED
TO OUR CITY LABOR AGREEMENTS
AND THE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
UP FOR VOTE TODAY. I'M GOING
TO SPEAK TO THEM AS A GROUP
BECAUSE IT'S THE.
>>>EST WAY TO UNDERSTAND HOW
THEY RELATE TO ONE ANOTHER AND
SUMMARIZE THE POLICY DECISIONS
THAT UNDERLIE THEM. ONE BILL
AUTHORIZES AN INITIAL
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
WITH A RELATIVELY SMALL GROUP
OF EMPLOYEES IN 2021 AND THERE
ARE THREE BILLS RECENTLY
NEGOTIATED WITH COALITIONS OF
CITY UNIONS. LET ME FIRST SPEAK
TO COUNCIL BILL 120756, WHICH
IS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TODAY.
THIS BILL APPROVES THE INITIAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND
A GROUP OF STRATEGIC ADVISERS
AND MANAGERS AT SEATTLE PUBLIC
UTILITIES. IT TOOK SOME TIME TO
NEGOTIATE THIS AGREEMENT AND IF
ONLY COVERS THE YEARS OF 2021
AND 2022. THE AGREEMENT SIMPLY
GRANTS EMPLOYEES THE SAME BASIC
WAGE AND BENEFITS AS THE
COALITION FOR THAT PERIOD AND
GOING FORWARD, THIS GROUP IS
EXPECTED TO BARGAIN AS PART OF
THE COALITION. THEN THERE ARE
THREE BILLS WHICH DIRECTLY
RELATE TO THE NEW COALITION
AGREEMENT, THIS LEGISLATIVE
PACKAGE THAT AUTHORIZES THE
TERMS OF THE RECENTLY COMPLETED
NEGOTIATIONS AND EXTENDS THOSE
BASIC TERMS TO NONREPRESENTED
CITY EMPLOYEES. THE LEGISLATIVE
PACKAGE INCLUDES COUNCIL BILL
120757 AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF
18 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY AND
COALITION. COUNCIL BILL 120758,
THE BILL ESTABLISHES COMPARABLE
CHANGES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES NOT
REPRESENTED BY A UNION WHO WORK
IN SIMILAR POSITIONS AND
COUNCIL BILL 120759 WHICH
ESTABLISHES COMPARABLE CHANGES
TO THE PAY BANS FOR THE CITY
DISCRETIONARY PAY PROGRAMS,
THIS AFFECTS EMPLOYEES SUCH AS
STRATEGIC ADVISERS, MANAGERS,
WHOSE RATE OF PAY IS SOMEWHAT
DISCRETIONARY AND ULTIMATELY
DETERMINED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.
SO LET ME TAKE THIS BACK INTO
BASIC TERMS. THE COALITION
CONTRACT IS A FOUR-YEAR
AGREEMENT COVERING 2023 TO 2026
IT WILL PROVIDE ANNUAL WAGE
ADJUSTMENTS APPROXIMATELY 4 TO
5% EACH YEAR OF THE CONTRACT.
THESE INCREASES WILL PARTIALLY
OFFSET THE INCREASE OF HIGH
INFLATION AND HELP RESTORE
PURCHASING POWER OF EMPLOYEES'
WAGES. IN ADDITION, THE
AGREEMENT INCLUDES MARKET
DRIVEN WAGE FOCUSING ON RAISING
WAGES FOR THE CITY'S LOWEST
PAID WORKERS AND THIS HELPS THE
CITY DELIVER HIGH QUALITY
SERVICES THAT OUR COMMUNITY
EXPECTS AND DEMANDS. IN BROAD
TERMS, THIS IS TALKING ABOUT
FILLING POTHOLES TO FIXING FIRE
ENGINES. IF YOU EXPECT THE FIRE
ENGINE TO SHOW UP AND PUT OUT
THE FIRE, YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE
THE FIRE ENGINE'S WORKING.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THE
MECHANIC SHOP FOR MAKING SURE
THAT HAPPENS. MAKE SURE WHEN WE
WANT POTHOLES FILLED, THERE'S
SOMEBODY OUT THERE TO DO IT.
THE COMMUNITY CENTER'S OPEN. I
COULD GO ON AND I WILL.
FOCUSING JUST ON THE COALITION
LEGISLATION, I WANT TO
HIGHLIGHT WE ARE CONSIDERING A
BILL THAT APPROVES AGREEMENTS
THAT HAVE COMPLETED LABOR
NEGOTIATIONS AND PAST AGREED
UPON CONTRACTS WITH 18 UNIONS,
INCLUDING JOINT CRAFTS COUNCIL,
PROTECT 17, LIUNA, LOCAL 242,
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
MACHINISTS AND AEROSPACE
WORKERS, WESTERN STATE REGIONAL
COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS,
WASHINGTON STATE COUNCIL OF
COUNTY AND CITY EMPLOYEES,
AFSME, AFL, CIO, A BUNCH OF
LOCALS. WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL,
TEAMSTERS LOCAL 117, PUBLIC
PROFESSIONAL AND OFFICE
CLERICAL EMPLOYEES AND DRIVERS
UNIONS NUMBER 763, PUBLIC
PROFESSIONAL AND OFFICE AS WELL
AS 763. WE JUST SAID THAT.
EXCUSE ME. THERE'S A LOT ON
THIS LIST. ALSO THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL COURT MARSHALS GUILD
AND SEATTLE DISPATCHERS GUILD.
THESE CONTRACTS AFFECT MORE
THAN 6,000 CITY EMPLOYEES IN
OVER 1,000 JOB TITLES WHO
PERFORM INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT
JOBS AS I KEEP SAYING FROM
FILLING POTHOLES TO MAKING SURE
OUR FIRE ENGINES ARE OPERATING.
SPECIFICALLY, THESE CONTRACTS
INSURE WE ARE RETAINING AND
VALUING OUR EMPLOYEES WHO
MAINTAIN OUR HVAC SYSTEMS AT
OUR SEATTLE SYSTEM, MAINTAIN
AND IMPROVE OUR CITY PARKS AS
GARDENS, GROUNDSKEEPERS, TREE
TRIMMERS, ARBORISTS, A MAN TAKE
CITY FACILITIES AS EQUIPMENT
MECHANICS, TECHNICIANS,
DRAINAGE AND WASTEWATER
COLLECTION WORKERS AND
JANITORS, KEEP OUR RECREATION
CENTERS ACROSS THE CITY OPEN,
STAFFED, SPECIAL EVENTS
COORDINATORS, CAMP SERVICE
AIDES AND OTHER RECREATION
SPECIALISTS, PROVIDE
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES,
ELECTRICIANS, BUILDING PLAN
EXAMINERS, SERVICE PARKING
ATTENDANTS, INCREASED SAFETY AS
PARK RANGERS AND SECURITY
PERSONNEL, PROVIDE CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES, CIVIL
AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS AND
BRIDGE MECHANICS. THESE PEOPLE
HELP OUR CITY GROW AS CAPITAL
PROJECTS COORDINATORS, PROVIDE
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FISCAL
SUPPORT TO CITY DEPARTMENTS WHO
DO THE WORK, INSURE THAT OUR
CITY SERVICES AND PROGRAMS ARE
WORKING FOR CITY STAFF AS
RETIREMENT SPECIALISTS, FISCAL
ANALYSTS, MANAGEMENT
SPECIALISTS, CONTRACT ANALYSTS
AND PLANNING DEVELOPMENT
SPECIALISTS. THIS DEAL INSURES
THAT OUR CITY WORKERS WHO ARE
WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY AS
COUNSELORS, CUSTOMER SERVICE
REPRESENTATIVES, HUMAN SERVICES
COORDINATORS AND PERMIT
PROCESSORS, ENFORCING CITY
LAWS, CIVIL RIGHTS AND LABOR
STANDARDS INVESTIGATORS,
PROVIDING SERVICES AFFILIATED
WITH SEATTLE'S LAW DEPARTMENT
AS PARALEGALS, VICTIM ADVOCATES
AND PROBATION COUNSELORS AND
PERFORMING A MYRIAD OF SERVICES
FOR DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE
CITY. IF WE WANT OUR CITY TO
WORK, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT
DO IT. THIS IS JUST A SMALL
SAMPLE OF THE INCREDIBLY BROAD
RANGE OF SERVICES THAT OUR
EMPLOYEES PROVIDE TO SUPPORT
OUR CITY SERVICES AND IN TURN,
SUPPORT ALL SEATTLITES AND IN
TURN SUPPORT THE FOLKS WHO
DON'T LIVE IN SEATTLE THAT
COME TO OUR CITY BECAUSE OUR
DOWNTOWN IS THE MEETING POINT
BETWEEN BREMERTON AND NORTH
BEND, BETWEEN TAKOMA AND
EVERETT, FROM VASLON,
BAINBRIDGE, KITSAP. DOWNTOWN
IS OUR MEETING PLACE AND WE
HAVE TO GET DOWNTOWN MORE
VIBRANT AND WE CAN'T WITHOUT
OUR CITY EMPLOYEES. JUST LAST
WEEK I RECEIVED AN EMAIL ABOUT
SWIM CAPACITY, THE EMAIL
READING WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR
THIS PUBLIC RESOURCE. HOWEVER,
SECURING A SPACE IN THESE
CLASSES FEEL A BIT LIKE TRYING
TO SNAG TICKETS FOR A COVETED
CONCERT. THE SLOTS ARE
INSTANTLY FULL. THIS IS HARDLY
THE ONLY RESIDENT THAT I'VE
RECEIVED REQUESTS FOR THE CITY,
ESPECIALLY REGARD BE LIFEGUARD
STAFFING AT OUR POOLS AND
BEACHES.
>> THE FINAL AGREEMENT DOES --
THE FINAL TERMS OF THE
AGREEMENT ARE SOMEWHAT MORE
GENEROUS IN A GENERIC SENSE OF
THAT WORD THAN HAD BEEN
ANTICIPATED. FOR 2023, THE
ADDITIONAL COST TO THE GENERAL
FUND BEYOND WHAT HAD BEEN
PLANNED IS APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2
BILLION DOLLARS -- 2 1/2
MILLION DOLLARS. AND AGAIN,
THIS YEAR, WE WILL OWE THE SUM
OF THOSE TWO THINGS. THE RETRO
AND THE ONGOING. BEYOND WHAT
HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED FOR 2024
AND WHAT WE HAVE IN RESERVES.
THAT SAID, THE EXECUTIVE HAS
IMPLEMENTED A HIRING FREEZE AS
THEY ANTICIPATE AND WE REVIEW
THE PROJECTIONS THAT DON'T
APPEAR UNREALISTIC TO SAVE AS
MUCH IS $20 MILLION THIS YEAR
RELATIVE TO THE BUDGET AND WE
ARE, WE JUST GOT A YEAR-END
REPORT THAT INDICATES A
YEAR-END REVENUE REPORT FOR
2023 THAT INDICATES THE GENERAL
FUND -- PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX
WERE ACTUALLY $40 MILLION OF
THE FORECAST. THERE IS SOME
GOOD NEWS ON THE REVENUE FRONT
FOR 23. WE HAVE YET TO GET THE
FINAL YEAR END EXPENSE REPORT
FOR 2023. CONSISTENT WITH PAST
ACTIVITIES, THERE WILL PROBABLY
BE SOME UNDER SPEND THERE.
BOTTOM LINE, THERE ARE ENOUGH
AVAILABLE RESOURCES FOR WHAT WE
OWE BE ON THE RESERVES FOR '23
AND '24. TO BE CLEAR, IT'S
ABOUT 10 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS.
IT COULD BE SPENT FOR OTHER
THINGS. I DON'T WANT TO BRUSH
IT ASIDE. FOR 2025, THERE IS
ANOTHER PAY INCREASE SCHEDULED
FOR 2025. BY THAT POINT, THE
NET INCREMENT, ABOUT 65
MILLION. THE CURRENT ESTIMATE
OF THE DEFICIT ANTICIPATED
ABOUT 65 MILLION, THE DEFICIT
HAD ANTICIPATED ABOUT $55
MILLION IN EXPENSE. SO THE NET
EFFECT IS BY APPROXIMATELY $10
MILLION. EXLEY -- ACTUALLY,
CLOSER TO 11 MILLION . $230
MILLION WOULD BE CLOSER TO $241
MILLION, $241 MILLION. IT'S
ABOUT 15 MILLION SO, AGAIN, IT
WOULD HAVE PROJECTED DEFICIT
OF THAT SAME MAGNITUDE SO
THOSE REPRESENT EITHER
REDUCTION OR INCREASE REVENUES
OR SOME OFFSET THAT WILL HAVE
TO BE FOUND FOR '25 AND '26.
ON THE NON-GENERAL FUNGICIDE,
THE COMPARABLE AMOUNTS ABOVE
RESERVES FOR -- THAT'S TO BE
PAID FROM ALL THE OTHER --
IT'S FROM A SIGNIFICANT BASE
BUT IT'S INCREMENTAL AMOUNT
ABOVE RESERVES FOR 2025 IS
APPROXIMATELY 36 MILLION , AND
FOR 26, APPROXIMATE THE 46
MILLION. SO, AGAIN, IN
ABSOLUTE NUMBERS, IN ABSOLUTE
TERMS, THESE NUMBERS ARE LARGE,
THEY ARE RESPECTIVELY ABOUT 5%
WITH EACH INCREMENT OF THE
UNDERLYING LABOR BASE AND FOR
23, 2024, THERE ARE SUFFICIENT
RESOURCES . THE VARIETY OF
FINANCIAL -- AND I'M HAPPY
TO ANSWER ANY SPECIFIC
QUESTIONS. SEEING NONE, I WILL
RETIRE TO MY SEAT.
>> THANK YOU, BEN THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. SO ITEM ONE HAS BEEN
SECONDED. ANY COMMENTS ON
COUNCIL BILL ?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> YES?
>> IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID, I
MEAN, I DON'T CARE.
>> I WAS GOING TO OFFER THAT UP
TO BEFORE OR AFTER WHATEVER,
WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE, BUT I JUST
WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE
KNEW THAT THEY WOULD BE THAT
OPPORTUNITY, AS WELL..
>> OKAY. NO OTHER COMMENTS ON
120756? WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL ?
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE? COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> YES.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSE.
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX
MY SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF. ITEM
TWO HAS ALREADY BEEN -- YOU
ARE SPONSORED TO MOVE TO ITEM
TWO.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. I MOVE ITEM TWO, I
MOVE 757.
>> SECOND.
>> BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
PASS THE BILL. COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS IS A SPONSOR. YOU HAVE
ADDRESSES ITEM. YOU HAVE ANY
ADDITIONAL, SOURCES ANYONE
ELSE?
>> NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL ON THE BILL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER PRESIDENT
NELSON. NINE IN FAVOR, NONE
OPPOSE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE
MOTION PASSES AND THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT WILL. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE
TO LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF.
MOVING RIGHT ALONG, IS ITEM
THREE, ALREADY BEEN READ INTO
THE RECORD. THAT'S COUNCIL
BILL 120758. COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS IS THE SPONSOR. YOUR
RECOGNIZE TO MOVE THE ITEM
THREE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. I MOVE TO PASS BILL
0758.
>> SECOND.
>>
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? IS
THE SPONSOR. YOU HAVE ADDRESSES
ITEM ALREADY. YOU HAVE ANY
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR DOES
ANYONE ELSE?
>> NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT. WILL CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
BILL?
>> OKAY.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> AYE .
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> YES. COUNCIL PRESIDENT
NELSON
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> ITEM FOUR HAS ALREADY BEEN
READ INTO THE RECORD. COUNCIL
MEMBERS STRESS IS --
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS IS A
SPONSOR, YOU --
>> 759.
>> SECOND.
>> IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO
PASS THE BILL. COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS IS SPONSOR. YOU ARE THE
ADDRESSES. YOU HAVE ANY
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?
>> I DO. I WANT TO JUST TAKE A
MOMENT FOR MY COLLEAGUES. I'M
ABSOLUTELY A STICKLER FOR THE
10 MINUTE RULE. SPEAKING ON THE
DAIS. IF ALL OF US SPOKE FOR A
10 MINUTE, THAT WOULD BE AN
HOUR AND A HALF. THANK FOR THE
GRACE TODAY, GIVING ME AN EXTRA
COUPLE OF MINUTES SINCE I HAD
FOUR ITEMS BEFORE US.
VITALIZING AND RUNNING THE SOW,
I HAVE TO THINK EVERYONE WAS AT
THE NEGOTIATION TABLE. I KNOW
IT WAS UGLY AT TIMES. IT WAS
NOT A HAPPY MOMENT IN PLACES.
AND WE GOT THE DEAL DONE. I
WANT TO THANK MAYOR HARRELL IN
PARTICULAR FOR GETTING THE DEAL
DONE. AND I KNOW COLLEAGUES,
YOU WEREN'T ON LABOR RELATIONS
WHEN THE LAST PARAMETERS WERE
SET SO I WANT TO THANK THE
FOLKS THAT WERE THERE. THEY GOT
THE DEAL DONE. AND THANK YOU
TO ALL WHO DO THE WORK ON
BEHALF OF SEATTLE. THANK YOU,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL
RIGHT. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
--
>> MAY I? SORRY. SORRY,
COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS, I
DIDN'T KNOW I WASN'T GOING TO
LET YOU HAVE THE LAST WORD.
>> YOU ARE FINE.
>> I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT
THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE TWO THINGS
ABOUT ALL OF THESE BILLS. THAT
WE TAKE THIS VOTE,
UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL HAVE
AN IMPACT ON OUR BUDGET, SO I
WANT TO THANK CHAIR STRAUSS AND
BEN FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THAT,
AND THAT CITY WORKERS LIKE ALL
WORKERS DESERVE WAGES THAT KEEP
UP WITH INFLATION AND THAT
YOUR WORK FOR THE CITY IS
RECOGNIZED. I DO WANT TO
APPRECIATE COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THAT
THESE ADJUSTMENTS WILL INCREASE
THE DEFICIT. WE WILL LOOK TO
THE SUPPLEMENTAL TO TRY TO
ADJUST THIS , AND WE KNOW WITH
EVEN MORE CERTAINTY NOW, THAT
WE WILL NEED TO HAVE A
DISCUSSION ABOUT INCREASING
REVENUE TO HELP ADDRESS THE
STRUCTURAL ISSUES, NOT JUST FOR
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET OR NEXT,
BUT FOR THE FUTURE. THESE ARE
NOT RACES THAT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT. THESE ARE WAGE
ADJUSTMENTS -- RAISES . I
THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, AND THE LAST
THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, I
KNOW MOST OF MY COLLEAGUES
WEREN'T HERE AT THE TIME, BUT
IN 2021, I ASKED THE CITY
AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO STUDY PAY
EQUITY IN THE CITY. THE AUDITOR
FOUND THAT WOMEN AND WOMEN OF
COLOR IN PARTICULAR CONTINUED
TO BE LEFT BEHIND IN THE CITY.
THE REPORT CONCLUDED THAT
WOMEN OF COLOR, I THINK THIS IS
ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT AS WE --
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND
THE IMPACT AND BEING A WOMAN
ON CITY PAYROLL, THE REPORT
CONCLUDED THAT WOMEN OF COLOR
ARE THE MOST UNDERREPRESENTED
AT THE -- EVEN WHEN WOMEN ARE
PROMOTED, THEY RECEIVE LOWER
PROMOTION PAY INCREASES
COMPARED TO MEN AND EMPLOYEES
IN THE LOWEST PAY BAND RECEIVED
THE LOWEST PROMOTION PAY
INCREASES. SO IT'S REALLY
IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE PASSING
THESE BILLS. IT'S IMPORTANT
THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPACT
THAT THIS WILL HAVE IN OUR
CITY FAMILY AND ALL OF THIS
POINTS TO WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT
THAT WORKERS RECEIVE AT LEAST
THE WAGE ADJUSTMENTS THAT CAN
KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION. SO
THIS GETS YOU ALMOST THERE. I
KNOW THERE'S STILL A LITTLE
WAYS TO GO BUT JUST WANT TO
THANK ALL OF YOU AND THANK MY
COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING ALL
OF THESE BILLS. THANK YOU.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] .
>> ALL RIGHT, WITH THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>>
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> YES.
>>
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>>
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES .
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> YES .
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. WITH THE
LEGISLATION PLEASE CARRY -- I
WILL ASK IF THERE ARE ANY FINAL
COMMENTS ON THE FOUR BILLS
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL? HEARING
NONE -- OH, GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU , COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. JUST WANTED TO SAY
TO THE, FOR EXAMPLE, TO THE
SEATTLE DISPATCHERS BILLED TO
THE MECHANICS AND TO ALL THE
UNIONS REPRESENTED. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR YOUR SERVICE TO THE
CITY. I SHOULD NOTE, TOO,
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS POINT
THAT THEY UNIQUE -- THAT THE
UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES , WE'VE
HAD DISCUSSIONS HERE. AND I DO
MAKE THE ASK THAT YOU STAY
WITH SEATTLE AS WE MOVE FORWARD
AND I DO ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT WE
HAVE BUDGET CHALLENGES
REQUIRING BUDGET REFORM AND
HARD DECISIONS ON PROGRAM AND
THE OFFICES AS WE MOVE FORWARD
SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH OUR SELECT BUDGET
COMMITTEE AS WE MOVE FORWARD
AND ALSO, OBVIOUSLY, THE
EXECUTIVE AS WELL. IN QUEUE,
AND AGAIN, THANK YOU TO ALL OF
YOU THAT ARE OUT THERE. I
APPRECIATE IT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] .
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
THOSE COMMENTS. I WANT TO NOTE
THAT I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT
THAT WE DO HAVE THE DETAILS
ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF OUR BUDGET
BECAUSE THAT IS JUST THE
RESPONSIBLE GOOD GOVERNANCE
THING TO DO IS KNOW A BIT MORE
ABOUT HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO
ADD TO OUR ALREADY EXISTING
DEFICIT BEFORE VOTING ON IT.
HOWEVER, IT NEVER OCCURRED TO
ME NOT TO VOTE ON THIS OR THE
OTHER PIECES OF LEGISLATION
TODAY BECAUSE WHEN YOU REALLY
DO THINK ABOUT IT, WHEN WE ARE
LOOKING AT, FOR THE GENERAL
FUND IMPACT, THIS CHART THAT I
HAVE, THAT BEEN PRODUCED, WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT A 7,940,000
-- 7,940,000 INCREASE ON OUR
GENERAL FUND DEFICIT, WHICH IS
CURRENTLY 230 MILLION . WHEN
YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THAT IS A
SMALL, THAT IS A SMALL
INCREMENT AND I WAS SITTING,
WE CAN GO DOWN THE LINE OF 2025
AND 2026, THE FACT IS THAT I
WAS AT THESE COUNCIL MEETINGS
LAST YEAR AND MANY OF YOU THAT
I SEE IN THE AUDIENCE WERE
BEFORE THESE PODIUMS TALKING
ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU NEEDED
TO HAVE , YOU ARE WAITING FOR
THIS CONTRACT AND THAT IT WAS
TIME AND I AM MENTIONING THAT
THESE CAN BE TRUE AT THE SAME
TIME AND THAT IT WOULD'VE BEEN
NICE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE
ABOUT HOW THE EXECUTIVE AND
COUNCIL IS THINKING ABOUT HOW
WE DEAL WITH THE OPERATING
DEFICIT BEFORE TAKING ON EVEN
THE SMALLEST NEW COST BUT THAT
IS NOT THE REALITY AND WHAT WE
HAVE BEFORE US IS A CONTRACT
AND ARE AGREEMENTS THAT NEED TO
BE AGREED TO AND WE DON'T --
FOR MONTHS, ACTUALLY. SO I WANT
TO EXPLAIN WHY I THOUGHT IT WAS
IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT EXTRA
INFORMATION AND ALSO COMMEND
THE WORK THAT YOU DID ALL LAST
YEAR. THE TERMS AND THE
EXECUTIVE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> POINT OF CLARIFICATION. JUST
WANT TO NOTE THAT THAT NUMBER,
230 MILLION IS AN ESTIMATE AND
IT'S MOVING. WE WILL HAVE A
MORE ACCURATE NUMBER LATER THIS
MONTH AS YEAR END, THE FORECAST
RATHER IS BEING MENTIONED, AS
WELL AS THE REVENUE FORECAST
NEXT WEEK.
>> ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. ALL
RIGHT. SO, IF THERE'S NOTHING
ELSE ON THESE ITEMS , THERE WAS
NOTHING REMOVED FROM THE
CONSENT CALENDAR , THERE IS NO
RESOLUTION FOR INTRODUCTION AND
ADOPTION TODAY. ARE THERE ANY
OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS TO COME
BEFORE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT.
SEEING NONE, WE HAVE REACHED
THE END OF TODAY'S AGENDA. OUR
NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY
COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HEAD
-- HELD ON APRIL 9th AT 2:00.
HEARING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, WE
ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU,
EVERYONE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]