>> A GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
JULY 23rd, 2024 MEETING OF THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WILL COME
TO ORDER. IT IS 2:01. I'M
SARAH NELSON. THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ].
>> WE HAVE TWO OTHER FOLKS
JOINING US HERE. CAN YOU CALL
THE ROLL AGAIN PLEASE?
COUNCILMEMBER HAS ASKED TO BE
EXCUSED.
>> COUNCILMEMBER DAN STRAUSS.
>> SEVEN COUNCILMEMBER'S
PRESIDENT -- PRESENT.
>> FAIRLY SHORT AGENDA TODAY.
WE ONLY HAVE TWO ITEMS. THERE
IS NOT A PRESENTATION TODAY. WE
WILL OPEN THE HYBRID PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD. HOW MANY DO WE
HAVE SIGNED UP?
>> 13 IN PERSON. ABOUT 12
ONLINE.
>> LET'S START WITH THE
SPEAKER IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
FIRST. YOU WILL HAVE ONE MEMBER
-- MINUTE TO SPEAK. CAN YOU
PLEASE CITE THE DIRECTIONS?
>> OF THE COMMENT PERIOD WILL
BE IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER. UP
TO 20 MINUTES. SPEAKERS WILL BE
CALLED TO ORDER IN THE WATER
THEY REGISTERED. SPEAKERS WILL
HELP A CHIME WHEN 10 SECONDS
LEFT OF THEIR TIME. THIS IS
WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME TO
ALLOW THEM TO CALL ON THE NEXT
SPEAKER. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
IS NOW OPEN. WE WILL BE AGAIN
WITH THE FIRST SPEAKER ON THE
LIST.
>> FIRST SPEAKER IS BRANDON.
>> THIS IS ENCUMBERED BY
FREEWAY ON RAMP TRAFFIC. 10 TO
30 MINUTES SEVERAL TIMES EACH
DAY. SEATTLE.GOV. THERE IS
POTENTIAL FOR A TIMES
IMPROVEMENT OVER THE CURRENT
SITUATION. THIS IS MOVING UP TO
8000 PEOPLE PER HOUR. INSTEAD
OF MIXING CARS AND BUSES. THIS
IS SIMILAR TO 1000 PEOPLE PER
HOUR. CURRENT INITIATIVE IS TO
IMPROVE THIS. THEY ARE TAKING
TOO LONG AND PROMISING TOO
LITTLE. I PROPOSE THAT THE
SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION TAKE IMMEDIATE
ACTION. IMPLEMENTING EASTBOUND
BUS ONLY LANE BETWEEN THE QUEEN
BOUND AVENUE AND FAIRVIEW
AVENUE. ONE LANE WILL STILL BE
AVAILABLE FOR CARS. THIS MUST
BE NECESSARY TO DECIDE IF THE
COMMUTERS RIGHT TO USE A CAR IS
A TIMES AS IMPORTANT AS THE
SEATTLE RESIDENTS RIGHT. THANK
YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER, JOE COX.
FOLLOWED BY YVETTE DANISH.
>> I SPOKE AT THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING TWO MONTHS AGO ABOUT
THE NOISE LEVELS BEING
GENERATED. THIS WAS FROM
INDIVIDUALS USING AMPLE VICE
SOUND DEVICES. SEATTLE POLICE
SHOWED UP ONE WEEK LATER. THEY
WERE NOT ALLOWED AT THAT
LOCATION. SINCE THAT TIME, THEY
HAVE MIGRATED BACK TO THE
BALLPARK WITH AMPLIFICATION
LEVELS HIGHER THAN ANY I HAD
PREVIOUSLY RECORDED. AS HIGH AS
108 DECIBELS. THESE NOISE
LEVELS WERE RECORDED AT A
DISTANCE OF 15 TO 20 FEET.
INCLUDING FAMILIES OF YOUNG
CHILDREN. HALF OF THAT DISTANCE
FROM THE SOUND SOURCE. EXPOSED
TO EVEN HIGHER SOUND LEVELS.
THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL
SAYS EXPOSURE TO SOME LEVELS
ABOVE 100 DECIBELS FOR LONGER
THAN 15 MINUTES, CAN HAVE
PERMANENT HEARING LOSS. THIS IS
A PROBLEM THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY
WITHOUT CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT
ACTIVITY. THANK YOU.
>> THESE MICROPHONES IN THE
MIDDLE ARE ALSO OPERABLE.
>> A GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO
THE FLAG OF THE UNITED DATE OF
AMERICA. TO THE REPUBLIC FOR
WHICH IT STANDS. IN DIVISION,
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. MY
ORGANIZATION, DISTRIBUTES FOOD
TO OUR COMMUNITY. WITH THE HELP
OF THE NORTHWEST PANTRY, I'M
HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE TWO.
THE CITY ALWAYS HAS MONEY. THIS
IS ANOTHER ORGANIZATION. GIVING
SOME HOPE. WE DON'T HAVE
ENOUGH TIME TO DISCOUNT THE
COMMUNITY. THAT'S WHY I WAS
ADVOCATING FOR THAT. THEY ARE
BOTH TESTIFYING THAT WHAT I DO
IN THE COMMUNITY, IS GOING TO
BE HELPFUL FOR FIVE YEARS NOW.
I WILL HAVE HER PERMISSION.
JUST ADVOCATING FOR THE
REGISTRATION.
>> WE NOW HAVE MARSHALL BENDER,
THEN JASON.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
DISTRICT FIVE. I'M HERE TODAY
TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION. THE
PLAN TO DeLAY THE INCREASE IN
SEATTLE'S SMALL BUSINESS
MINIMUM WAGE. THIS IS SUPPOSED
TO GO ON INTO AFFECT NEXT YEAR.
IT HAS BEEN GOING INTO EFFECT
FOR 10 YEARS BY NOW. IF YOU
GUYS WANT TO DO THAT ANYMORE, I
HAVE FRIENDS THAT WORK IN THE
SERVICE JOBS. PEOPLE OF THE
CITY DESERVE MORE. THIS IS
ALREADY NOT ENOUGH TO PAY RENT.
PAY FOR A BUS PASS, OR A CAR IF
YOU HAVE ONE OF THOSE. YOU NEED
TO HIRE MINIMUM SERVICE WAGE
WORKERS. $75 FOR UP TO A WEEK
OF FOOD. THAT'S A LOT OF
MONEY. PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD
THIS. INCREASE THE MINIMUM
WAGE. KEEP THE CURRENT POLICY
IN PLACE. DON'T ALLOW PEOPLE
TO BECOME HOMELESS. YOU GUYS
CAN DO SOMETHING, REPRESENT
THEM, OR REPRESENT OUTDOOR
SMALL BUSINESSES AND WORKERS.
>> SOME PEOPLE WOULD SPEAK ON
THIS. WE CANNOT LIE ABOUT THE
EFFECTS THAT IT IS HAVING ON
OUR RESTAURANTS AND CAREERS.
HURTING PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOODS.
ALL OF THOSE STATEMENTS NEED TO
BE FACT CHECKED. THIS IS THE
ORDER VOLUME THAT WAS THE SAME
AS THE SIGNED LAST YEAR. THE
TRUTH IS THAT MANY RESTAURANTS
IN SEATTLE HAVE GONE SINCE
JANUARY. ACCORDING TO SEATTLE,
CHAMBER OF METROPOLITAN
COMMERCE, 97% OF RESTAURANTS
LIKE APPEAL. SOME PEOPLE CLAIM
DOWNTIME BETWEEN THE REASONS OF
TWO AND FIVE MINUTES. JANUARY
6, IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON TO
WAIT MORE THAN ONE HOUR.
RESTAURANTS, ORDER VOLUMES,
THEY HAVE BEEN CUTTING OUT.
CAREER WAIT TIMES, LOOKING AT
THE INCREASE. AND THE AT THE
WAIT TIME BETWEEN DELIVERIES.
WE ARE SHOWING THE COUNCIL
MEMBERS AND STAFF PLENTY OF
TIME.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THURSDAY,
JULY 18th, MY BOUND -- BIKE WAS
STOLEN. I DID NOT BOTHER TO
FILE A STAFF REPORT. THE NEXT
MORNING AT 10:55, I SPOTTED MY
BIKE WAS IN THE SAME AREA.
WEARING A BLACK HOODIE AND
BACKPACK. POSSIBLY DEALING
DRUGS. NOT THE TYPE OF PERSON
THAT I WOULD APPROACH BY
MYSELF. I CALLED 91 AND CALLED
IN THE ONGOING CRIME. AFTER
THREE MINUTES WITH THE
DISPATCHER, THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT DIDN'T COME BECAUSE
I DID NOT FILE A THEFT REPORT.
I WAS HIDING MYSELF IN THE
ALLEYWAY ACROSS THE STREET,
KEEPING AN EYE ON THE SUSPECT.
SIMULTANEOUSLY FOLLOWING UP A
RED TAPE REPORT ON MY PHONE. 30
MINUTES HAS PASSED. NOT A
SINGLE OFFICER INSIDE. FINALLY
I GOT A CALL AFTER FOUR HOURS.
[ INAUDIBLE ].
>> THAT IS CONSIDERED ABUSIVE
LANGUAGE.
>> PLEASE CONTINUE THE TIMER.
>> YOU UNDERSTAND? [ INAUDIBLE
]. SICK PEOPLE. THIS IS WHO YOU
ARE. RIGHT NOW, I GIVE TO
SEATTLE SO THEY CAN READ THIS.
THEY CAN CONTROL US FOR SO MANY
YEARS. THIS POSITION HAS BEEN
OPEN. FROM 9:00 TO 9:00 PEOPLE
CAN COME AND TALK. PEOPLE WHO
COME HERE, LOOK AT WHAT THEY
ARE TALKING ABOUT. THEY ARE
STUPID. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS
MEANS? IDIOT. 700,000 PEOPLE.
NO ONE IS THERE TO SUPPORT
THEM. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?
>> WE NOW HAVE BREANNA
MARTINEZ. FOLLOWING BREANNA,
QUINTON McCOY.
>> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON,
EVERYONE. MY NAME IS BREANNA.
I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE ON
RESTAURANT AND BAR WORKERS.
I'M ASKING THAT YOU HONOR THE
COMPROMISE THAT WAS MADE A
DECADE AGO. PERMANENT SUB
MINIMUM WAGE IS UNACCEPTABLE.
I'M ALSO NOT TRYING TO
ADVOCATE FOR THE RESTAURANTS
CLOSING DOWN, OR ANYTHING. I
JUST DON'T THINK THAT DEFICIT
SHOULD BE MADE UP FROM OUR
PAYCHECKS. THAT IS COMPLETELY
UNFAIR. JUST A PICTURE OF WHY
WE ARE UPSET, ACCORDING TO
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THE HOURLY
RIGHT NEEDED FOR SOMEONE TO
MAKE RENT IN SEATTLE IS $41.90
PER HOUR. IF I WERE MAKING MY
FULL AMOUNT, I WOULD BE MAKING
UPWARDS OF $48 AN HOUR MAYBE.
IS NOT INCLUDING THE FACT THAT
I HAVE TO ACTUALLY SPLIT THOSE
BETWEEN FOUR OR FIVE PEOPLE.
PLEASE STOP ASKING US TO WORK
FOR FREE. THAT HAS TO STOP.
THANK YOU.
>> FELLOW -- HELLO, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. I'M HERE FOR THE
WORKERS RECEIVING WAGE RATES. I
HAVE BEEN IN THE COFFEE
INDUSTRY FOR ALMOST SEVEN
YEARS. I'M ALMOST 21. A THIRD
OF MY LIFE SO FAR. AFTER
GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL,
INCLUDING STARBUCKS.
>> IS A COMPANY WITH LESS THAN
500 EMPLOYEES. THEY GO BETWEEN
AND BELOW MINIMUM WAGE. I
THOUGHT ALL OF IT WOULD BE
FINE. THEIR PAY SYSTEM WAS
IMPRESSIVE. THESE WERE GRADED
BY MANAGEMENT. AFTER TWO LONG
YEARS OF FIGHTING, THEY BROUGHT
IN THE DISBURSEMENT. THIS WAS
BEFORE REACHING THE CONTRACT.
THIS WAS OUR FIGHTING CHANCE TO
BE ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. MANY
STUDENTS LIKE MYSELF, HAVE A
PERMANENT --
>> IF IT WILL PLEASE THE
AUDIENCE, I HAVE SAID IT MANY
TIMES ALREADY. PLEASE DO NOT
CLAP OR MAKE OTHER AUDIBLE
NOISES. NOT IN BETWEEN
SPEAKERS. IT DOESN'T SLOW DOWN
OUR PROCEEDINGS. GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS
ARIANA RILEY. TAKING A PUBLIC
STAND ON ANY POLITICAL ISSUE
WILL ALWAYS LEAD TO ANGER ON
ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.
RESTAURANTS WILL NOT REPEATEDLY
BE IN THE MEDIA AGAINST THE
PAYOFF. THEY CHOSE TO COME OUT
IN FAVOR OF DELIVERY DRIVERS.
THIS IS IN AN EXTREMELY
UNPOPULAR POSITION. THEY HAVE
CONTINUED TO DO US DELIVERY.
THESE ARE ONE OF THE PLACES I
USED TO FREQUENT. THIS WAS
SINCE THEY FIRST OPENED THEIR
LOCATION IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN
YEARS PAST. SINCE THEY HAVE
COME OUT AGAINST ME MAKING
MINIMUM WAGE, IT SIMPLY ALIGNS
WITH FEDERAL LABOR LAW. I HAVE
TO DOWNGRADE MY BUDGET AND NOT
EAT THERE ANYMORE. OPENING
THEIR WALLETS.
>> FOLLOWED BY THE SENATE?
>> HELLO. I'M HERE ON BEHALF
OF RESTAURANT WORKERS. I HAVE
BEEN A RESTAURANT WORKER FOR
SEVEN YEARS. DISHWASHER TO SOUS
CHEF. ALL AROUND US, PEOPLE IN
OUR COMMUNITY WORK HARD TO
MAINTAIN LUXURY SERVICES THAT
WE ENJOY. ALL FOR A FEW HANDS
TO PULL THROUGH MY POCKETS TO
BE ACHIEVED. WAGE THEFT, AND
THEFT. THIS IS ACCEPTABLE IN
THE EVER-GROWING AND EVER
CHANGING LANDSCAPE READ THIS IS
WITHOUT THE HARD-WORKING PEOPLE
IN OUR CITY. EVERY MAJOR NATION
COMES TO THE OBVIOUS SOLUTION
THAT THEY ARE COMING THROUGH IT
WITH THAT VALUE. ONE OF THE
WEALTHIEST CITIES IN THE
NATION. THIS WILL KILL US. WE
DESERVE TO LIVE.
>> WE HAVE BEEN IT. ROSEMARY
JUNE, WILL BE THE LAST IN
PERSON SPEAKER.
>> WE ARE MAKING COMMENTS
REGARDING THE D FROM THE POLICE
MOVEMENT IN 2020. WE ARE
LOOKING AT DEFUND THE POLICE
NARRATIVE IS DEAD. I JUST WANT
PEOPLE TO REMEMBER, DEFUND THE
POLICE, MEANT PARTIALLY DEFUND.
HOW MUCH 50%? AT LEAST. IT IS
MORE COST-EFFECTIVE TO USE THAT
MONEY FOR PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
THE MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT OVER
COMMUNITIES TO REDUCE THE NEED
FOR LEASE. THEY ARE DEALING
WITH THE PROBLEMS AFTER THEY
GET OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN YOU
PUT IT THAT WAY, IT IS NOT ONLY
REASONABLE. IT IS ACTUALLY HARD
TO COME UP WITH AN ARGUMENT
AGAINST THAT TYPE OF POSITION.
IT WAS ONLY LATER THAT DEFUND
THE POLICE BECAME DEFUNDING THE
POLICE. THERE ARE FAR FEWER
PEOPLE THAT AGREE WITH THAT.
THANK YOU.
>> ON THE HEAD OF SECURITY AT
HELLO. DISTRICT THREE. WE HAVE
BEEN HERE IN SEATTLE FOR NINE
YEARS. I GO TO SCHOOL FOR UNION
TRADE WORK READ UNION TECH
CENTER IN DISTRICT 3. I LIVE IN
BEACON HILL IN DISTRICT 2. BY
ALL ACCOUNTS, I AM A SEATTLE
WORKER. AS WORKERS, THE
EXPLOITERS OF OUR LABOR, SIMPLY
ASK TO KEEP THE SYSTEM AS IS.
BUSINESS OWNERS, ALSO ON
MULTIPLE PROPERTIES AND HOMES
IN THE SYSTEM AS IS BURIED
BUSINESS OWNERS, HAVE MORE THAN
ENOUGH MONEY FOR TESLA TOYS AND
BOATS FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
MODELING AND REFURBISHING THE
WORKSPACE. WORKER --
>> THANK YOU.
>> YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEAT.
>> PLEASE HAVE A SEAT.
>> YOU ARE NOW ENGAGING IN
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR. PLEASE
TAKE A SEAT.
>> HOW MUCH LONGER DO YOU HAVE
TO SPEED? I'M NOT GOING TO
CALL A RECESS JUST FOR THIS.
>> FIRST REMOTE SPEAKER, ETHAN
COREY. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRESS
THE STAR SIX WHEN YOU HEAR THE
PROMPT. YOU HAVE BEEN UN-MUTED.
GO AHEAD.
>> HI. MY NAME IS JASON.
>> I AM VERBALLY ADVOCATING
THIS.
>> THIS IS INTERESTING AND
HARD-WORKING PEOPLE, WHO
ALREADY LOOK AT THE VIEW.
EVERYTHING IS PART OF THE
SECURITY OF FULL MINIMUM WAGE.
TIPS ARE MEANT TO BE GRATUITY
FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE, AND
SHOULD REMAIN AS SUCH. THIS
PRACTICE IS NOT UNDERMINED THE
RIGHTS OF WORKERS, BUT INCOME
STABILITY IN AN ALREADY
CHALLENGING HISTORY. MINIMUM
WAGE, NOT UPPING THE MINIMUM
WAGE SHOULD BE THE SOLUTION.
THANK YOU.
>> FOLLOWED BY RACHEL SNELL. GO
AHEAD.
>> I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.
>> THIS IS THE BARISTA. LOOKING
AT THE BARTENDER. I WAS NEVER
ABLE TO FOCUS TOTALLY ON ONE ..
I WAS LOOKING AT 40 HOURS PER
WEEK. THIS WAS A FULL HOURS.
TYPICALLY MEANING AT LEAST ONE
FULL HOUR. LOOKING FOR
OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN IT. THIS
IS INCREDIBLY LUCRATIVE.
>> THIS IS THE GENERAL PUBLIC
MORE THAN EVER. WE KNOW BETTER
THAN TO LOOK AT INSTABILITY.
>> GO AHEAD, RACHEL.
>> GREETINGS, CITY COUNCIL.
THIS IS THE IMPORTANCE OF
LIVING IN SEATTLE. THEY CANNOT
BE IGNORED. THIS IS WITH MORE
DAYS THAN WE SPEAK. THE LOSS OF
LIES HAS INCREASED. PROVIDERS
ARE LOOKING FOR IT TO BE
UNFAIR. THEY HAVE EXPOSURE TO
DRUG USE AROUND SEATTLE.
INNOCENT TODDLERS ARE IN THE
STROLLERS. THEY HAVE POTENTIAL
VIOLENT DRUG USERS. UNIVERSITY
OF WASHINGTON, CONDUCTING A
STUDY. SHOCKING AMOUNT OF
SENTINEL, AND A SHOCKING AMOUNT
OF METH AFFINITIES --
METHAMPHETAMINE. KEEPING KING
COUNTY AT BAY, THIS IS A MUST.
WE MUST HAVE OUR LEADERS DO A
BETTER JOB LOOKING AT THE
SAFETY AND SECURITY. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> HELLO. CURRENTLY IN SEATTLE,
WASHINGTON. I HAVE BEEN WORKING
HERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS. I
CONSIDER MYSELF WELL EDUCATED
AND ACCOMPLISHED. IT HAS COME
TO MY ATTENTION THAT CITY
COUNCIL HAS DEFINITELY BEEN
DELAYING THE MINIMUM WAGE.
COMPENSATION FOR OVER MUST BE
STANDARD. PARTICULARLY BECAUSE
THE COST OF LIVING CONTINUES TO
SUPERSEDE OVER A MAJORITY OF
THE CITIZENS THAT ARE NOT
FINANCIALLY OBLIGED. I HAVE
CURRENTLY BEEN INVOLVED SINCE I
WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THOSE
FEW EXTRA DOLLARS FOR EVERY
HOUR, I'M LOOKING AT MY HARD
WORK SAVINGS. THIS IS MORE THAN
THE TRANSITION. ANY AMOUNT FROM
COWORKERS IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE
ARE WORTHY TO BE ABOVE MINIMUM
WAGE. I URGE ALL OF YOU NOT TO
DeLAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THIS ANY LONGER. THANK YOU,
CITY COUNCIL, FOR YOUR TIME.
>> NEXT SPEAKER, IT LOOKS LIKE
THEY HAVE DROPPED OFF. WE ARE
GOING TO GO TO CLEO GALLAGHER.
GO AHEAD, CLEO.
>> THIS IS WHAT I RECEIVED.
ALLOWING THEM TO ALL BE AGREED
UPON. TO THE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE
TIRED OF SUBSIDIZING.
RESTAURANT WORKERS, THEY WILL
PAY THEIR WORK IS MENTAL WAGE.
RESTAURANT WORKERS, THEY WERE
FAILING TO PREPARE MINIMUM
WAGE. THIS IS NEVER A
GUARANTEE. FOURTH, FIFTH, SIX
LOCATIONS. THEY DON'T HAVE
HEALTH INSURANCE. PAYING
EXPONENTIALLY MORE
YEAR-BY-YEAR. BRINGING THESE TO
LIFE EVERY SINGLE DAY. I HAVE
NEVER MET THE OWNERS. WE ARE
WATCHING, AND WE ARE ANGRY.
THIS IS FOR SERVICE WORKERS --
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER,
THEN WE WILL GO ON TO THE NEXT
PERSON. GO AHEAD, ALBERT.
>> SEATTLE WORKERS DESERVE A
LIVING WAGE, DIGNITY, AND
SAFETY. DROP CV 127 75. VOTE NO
ON ANY REDUCTION OVER APPEAL.
THEY INFLICT PAIN ON LOCAL
RESTAURANTS AND FIVE DOLLAR
JUNK FEES. USING THAT MONEY TO
PAY LOBBY GROUPS AND FAKE
DRIVERS LIKE DRIVE FORWARD.
THEY PRICE GOUGE AND TAKE 30%
OF EARNINGS FROM SMALL
RESTAURANTS. BILLION-DOLLAR
COMPANIES, SEATTLE DOES NOT
NEGOTIATE WITH HOSTAGE TAKERS.
MAKE THESE APPS COMPETE WITH
EACH OTHER. DO NOT STRAIN THE
LOCAL ECONOMY. HOLD THE LINE.
NO REDUCTION, NO REPEAL.
SEATTLE HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL
DOOR DASH TO PAY UP. THANK YOU,
AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER.
FOLLOWED BY SARAH SHEENA. GO
AHEAD.
>> MOST RECENTLY HAVE A JOB AND
COMPANY WITH LESS THAN 100
WORKERS. THEY HAVE UNPAID TIPS,
AND UNPAID WAGES. I WAS FIRED
FOR ORGANIZING IN FEBRUARY.
CURRENTLY IN AN L&I
INVESTIGATION. THEY TOLD ME
THIS MONTH I AM OWED 20,000 IN
UNPAID WAGES. AT LEAST FOUR
OTHERS. BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOKED
IN AT SUCH A HUGE BACKLOG OF
UNPAID LABOR CLAIMS, IT WAS
TAKING OVER 10 MONTHS FOR THEM
TO ISSUE MY SPOT. THE COST OF
LIVING RISES, AND MANY ARE ONE
EMERGENCY AWAY FROM BEING OUT
OF CONTROL IN SEATTLE. SEATTLE
NEEDS TO FIX HER PAYMENTS TO
MINIMUM WAGE FOR THESE WORKERS.
SLASHING WORKERS WAGES DOESN'T
HELP BUSINESSES. IT'S JUST
HARMS THE WORKERS. EVERYONE IS
BUILDING ALL OF THAT. RENT AND
NECESSITIES ARE RISING. PROVIDE
RELIEF --
>> THANK YOU. FOLLOWED BY ALEX
KIM. GO AHEAD, SARAH.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS SARAH, FOR
THE RECORD DID I'M HERE IN
SUPPORT OF SEATTLE RESTAURANT
WORKERS. MINIMUM WAGE IN 2025.
I WORKED IN RESTAURANTS AND
CAFES IN THE AREA FOR OVER FOUR
YEARS NOW. IN THAT TIME, I HAVE
SEEN SO MANY OF MY COWORKERS
AND FRIENDS HAVE TO SWITCH
JOBS, OR GET MORE THAN ONE JOB
IN ORDER TO MAKE RENT. IT IS
INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL TO RELY ON
TIPS. THIS IS IN ORDER TO
BUDGET FOR RENT AND OTHER
LIVING EXPENSES. ESPECIALLY
BECAUSE YOU CANNOT ACCURATELY
BUDGET FROM A TWO WEEK PAY
PERIOD. ADDITIONALLY,
HOSPITALITY IS A SKILL AND
CAREER THAT SHOULD BE MORE
VALUED. PLEASE RAISE THE
MINIMUM WAGE AS PROMISED IN
JANUARY.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
-- BEN REYNOLDS. GO AHEAD,
ALEX.
>> HI. MY NAME IS ALEX KIM.
I'M A RESIDENT IN SUPPORT OF
THE PAYOFF ORDINANCE. MOST
DRIVERS ARE DOING BETTER THAN
EVER. WE WANT TO ADDRESS THE
MISCONCEPTION. FOOD DELIVERY IN
SEATTLE HAS BECOME EXTREMELY
EXPENSIVE. PRICE COMPARISON WAS
DONE BETWEEN DOOR DASH ORDERS
IN SEATTLE. THIS WAS THE
RECOMMENDED TIP. AT THE $20
LEVEL, SEATTLE IS FOUR DOLLARS
MORE EXPENSIVE. AT $100, THEY
ARE $13 MORE EXPENSIVE. THE
RECENT PAYOFF HAS MADE SEATTLE
ORDERS CHEAPER. WE CAN NOW EARN
A LIVING WAGE FOR EVERY
DELIVERY THAT WE DO. I URGE
EVERYONE TO STOP SAYING PAY UP,
AND TO INCREASE PRICES IN
SEATTLE. CUTTING THAT
NARRATIVE, ONLY LOOKING AT THE
PAYOFF AGENDA, ALSO PAYING
RESTAURANT AND DELIVERY
WORKERS. THANK YOU.
>> LESS REMOTE SPEAKER -- GO
AHEAD.
>> I MET BEN REYNOLDS.
ORGANIZER AND FORMER RESTAURANT
WORKER MYSELF. I'M LOOKING AT
THE ACCOUNTS THAT ARE
POSTPONING ABOUT THE SUB
MINIMUM WAGE. CITY WORKERS CAN
BARELY AFFORD TO MAKE IT. THEY
HAVE DEFINITELY TALK TO SOME
RESTAURANT OWNERS
BEHIND-THE-SCENES. LET ME JUST
REMIND YOU, THERE ARE MORE THAN
100,000 RESTAURANT WORKERS IN
THESE CITIES. THIS IS THE
RESPONSE THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO
USE. EVERYONE IN THE SERVICE
INDUSTRY REMEMBERS WHERE YOU
STOOD WHEN THE ELECTION COMES
AROUND. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THAT IS OUR LAST REGISTERED
PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK
YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR COMING AND
SPEAKING TODAY. IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION OR INTRODUCTION,
REFERRAL CALENDAR WILL BE
ADOPTED SEEING DONE, ADOPTION
AND REFERRAL CALENDAR IS
ADOPTED. IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPTED. SEEING NONE, THE
AGENDA IS ADOPTED. LET'S MOVE
ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR
ARE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY
16th, 2024 MEETING. COUNSEL
NUMBER 82106, CAME INTO BILLS.
FINANCE COMMUNITIES AND TRAVEL
GOVERNMENTS COMMITTEE. SEVEN
FROM THE GOVERNANCE AND
ECONOMIC COMMITTEE. ARE THERE
ANY ITEMS THAT THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO BE
REMOVED FROM TODAY'S CONSENT
CALENDAR? ALL RIGHT. THE
HEARING ON, I MOVED TO ADOPT
THE CONSENT CALENDAR. IS THERE
A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION AND
CONSENT CALENDAR?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ].
>> SEVEN IN FAVOR, NONE
OPPOSED. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
ARE ADOPTED. AFFIX MY SIGNATURE
TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY
BEHALF. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WITH THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
ONE INTO THE RECORD?
>> FINANCE NATIVE COMMUNITIES
AND GOVERNANCE COMMUNITY. 2897
APPOINTMENT OF CHENEY HAS
FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY
FINANCE RETURN TO JUNE 1st,
2028. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS
THAT YOU CONFIRM.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER ,
YOU ARE ADVISED TO PROVIDE THE
COMMITTEE REPORT.
>> WE HAD THE INTERIM DIRECTOR
AT THAT TIME. WITH US FOR TWO
MEETINGS. SHE ALSO ANSWERED
MANY QUESTIONS THROUGH HER
PACKET. HER APPOINTMENT PACKET.
I GET TO SIT WITH DIRECTOR
CARNELL ON MANY DIFFERENT
BOARDS OUTSIDE OF MY CITY. IN
CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL DUTIES.
FINANCE CHAIR, I SIT ON THE
DEBT MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY. --
COMMITTEE. THE BOARD OF
ADMINISTRATORS, TWO COMMITTEES
WITHIN THERE. ALL THAT SAID, I
GET TO WORK WITH THE DIRECTOR
IN MANY DIFFERENT SPACES. THIS
IS AS OFTEN AS I SEE MANY OF
YOU. LET ME READ FROM MY
SCRIPT. THIS IS PROBABLY
SMARTER. CITY BUDGET OFFICE,
DECIDES HOW THE CITY SHOULD
SPEND OUR DOLLARS. THIS IS THE
OFFICE OF CITY FINANCE. CITY
FINANCE DIRECTOR, THIS IS
ESSENTIALLY THE COMP
CONTROLLER. THIS WAS THE
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
THEY CAN ACT AS A TRUE LEADER.
THIS IS PART OF THE
DECISION-MAKING. DIRECTOR
CARNELL HAS BEEN A CIVIL
SERVANT HERE AT THE CITY OF
SEATTLE FOR OVER 30 YEARS. THIS
IS EVERY SINGLE JOB WITHIN THE
OFFICE OF FINANCE.
>> SHE HAS PROVEN HER
EXPERTISE.
>> WE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT
CAN BE DONE BETTER. AS SOME
KNOW, THE CITY'S BUDGET IS NOT
ON THE INTERNET. IT IS ON OUR
WEBPAGE. ACCESSIBLE BY ANYONE.
IT IS VERY HARD TO READ. ONE OF
THE BIANNUAL REPORTS THAT THE
OPPOSITE FINANCE REPORT
REDUCES, THE DIRECTOR SAYS IT
IS NOT EASY TO UNDERSTAND. I
REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR FORWARD
THINKING. THIS IS HOW WE MAKE
COMPLEX INFORMATION DIGESTIBLE.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE, SEATTLE
MAINTAINS THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE
BOND RATING. THANKS TO HER AND
HER TEAMS RESPONSIBLE FISCAL
MANAGEMENT. THESE POLICIES WERE
MAINTAINED A STRONG, FINANCIAL
DIVERSITY. WHEN CONFIRMED, SHE
WILL BE THE FIRST WOMAN IN
SEATTLE'S HISTORY TO
PERMANENTLY HOLD THIS POSITION.
I THINK IT IS ALSO EVEN MORE
MEANINGFUL THAT YOU CAN WORK
EVERY SINGLE PATIENCE ALONG THE
WAY. THIS IS WHERE THE DIRECTOR
CARNELL IS LOOKING AT. THIS IS
GOING TO CLARIFY THE PRACTICAL
CONSEQUENCES OF POTENTIAL
OFFICES. DIRECTOR, COLLEAGUES,
I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES.
>> DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> DOES HE ENJOY THESE MEETINGS
WITH COUNCILMEMBER DAN STRAUSS?
>> THIS IS MORE OFTEN. MORE
WITH THE FINANCE DIRECTOR. THE
WORKINGS OF YOUR OFFICE, ARE
MORE SECURE. THESE ARE THE
DECISIONS. THIS IS TO HELP THEM
MAKE IT LONG-TERM. THIS IS PART
OF THE FINANCIAL STATUS. THIS
IS THE RIGHT THING IN ITSELF.
THIS IS A TERRIBLE THING.
ENTERTAINING THE THOUGHT. I'M
SPEAKING FOR OTHER PEOPLE.
>> I'M APPRECIATIVE THAT YOU
STUCK AROUND SO LONG. I'M
HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS
CONFIRMATION. IF THERE ARE NO
MORE COMMENTS, I WILL ASK THE
CLERK TO PLEASE CALL ROLE.
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ].
>> WE DID SAY THAT FIRST. YOU
ARE NOW RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO
ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AND MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC.
>> ALL RIGHT. IT IS HARD TO
READ FROM THESE NOTES, WHEN I
HAD SUCH AN AMAZING
TESTIMONIAL. I DO REALLY WANT
TO THANK ALL OF YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M
GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
TO SERVE AS THE FINANCE
DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. I THINK YOU FOR YOUR
CONFIDENCE IN ME. I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR THE EXEC TEAM FOR
PUTTING MY NAME FORWARD FOR
CONFIRMATION PUTTING MY NAME
FORWARD IN THE SS. I'M EXCITED
TO WORK WITH THE EXECUTIVE
TEAM. I WANTED TO THINK -- TAKE
A MOMENT TO THANK THE OFFICE OF
CITY FINANCE. BUSY LEADER IN
PUBLIC SERVICE. I'M HONORED TO
REPRESENT THEM HERE TODAY. I'M
GRATEFUL FOR MY FELLOW
DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS AND THE
PARTNERSHIP. I LOOK FORWARD TO
CONTINUING THE ONE SEATTLE
APPROACH AS WE MOVE SEATTLE
FORWARD. AS IT HAS BEEN
MENTIONED, I'VE BEEN HERE 30
YEARS. NOT QUITE EVERY SINGLE
POSITION. A FAIR AMOUNT. I'M
HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF THOSE
OPPORTUNITIES THAT WERE
PROVIDED TO ME. THEY SAW A
POTENTIAL, AND ENCOURAGED ME TO
CONTINUE FORWARD IN THE
LEADERSHIP ROLES. EVEN WHEN IT
WAS DIFFICULT. THE CITY IS A
GREAT PLACE TO WORK. THERE ARE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANYONE TO
MOVE INTO A LEADERSHIP ROLE. I
LOOK FORWARD TO THE
COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN.
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ
ITEM TWO INTO THE RECORD?
>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE. ADAPTING THE
DEFINITIONS RELATED TO CANNABIS
BUSINESSES. THIS IS TO ALIGN
WITH STATE LAW. THE COMMUNITY
WORK AMENDS THAT THE BILL
PASSES.
>> I WILL SPEAK TO IT.
COUNCILMEMBER BILL 12708, WROTE
OUT OF THE GOVERNANCE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ABILITY
UNANIMOUSLY. THIS IS STRAIGHT
UP CONFORMING LEGISLATION. IT
IS NECESSARY. LAST YEAR, THE
STATE LEGISLATOR UPDATED THE
STATES LEGISLATION OF CANNABIS
AND CANNABIS PRODUCTS. THEY
ALSO CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF
THE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANT WHO
IS ELIGIBLE FOR CANNABIS
LICENSES. THERE FOR, THE
SEATTLE LAW WAIVING THE FEE FOR
CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY
APPLICANT'S HAS TO CHANGE. IT
IS ALWAYS GOOD PRACTICE WHEN
SOMETHING CHANGES, IT WILL
IMPACT THE SEATTLE REGULATIONS
IN GENERAL. WE HAVE TO CHANGE
THE DEFINITIONS TO MATCH. THAT
IS WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES. WE
HAD IT UP FOR DISCUSSION. I
WILL ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO
SUPPORT THIS TECHNICAL CLEANUP
BILL. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
ALL RIGHT. SEEING THE
QUESTIONS, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL ROLE?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ].
>> BILL PASSES.
>> THIS IS A SITUATION ON MY
BEHALF. NO ITEMS THAT WERE
REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
CALENDAR. THIS IS THE END OF
OUR AGENDA. NO RESOLUTIONS FOR
ADOPTION TODAY. I ALWAYS HAVE
TO SAY THAT PART. IS THERE ANY
FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE
COUNSEL? ALL RIGHT, SEEING
NONE,
>> IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, MY
EXCUSED ABSENCES FROM THE JULY
30th, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS,
WILL BE RESCINDED. HEARING NO
OBJECTION, MY JULY 30th ABSENCE
IS RESCINDED. WE HAVE REACHED
THE END OF OUR AGENDA. IT IS
2:45. WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK
YOU, EVERYBODY.