>>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.
THE SEPTEMBER 17 2024 MEETING
OF THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
WILL COME TO ORDER. IT IS 2:04
P.M. I AM SARA NELSON, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
COUNCILMEMBER WOO? I'M SORRY,
COUNCILMEMBER WOO? THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> HERE.
>> NINE PRESENT .
>> EXCELLENT. THANK YOU,
EVERYONE. FOLKS, WE HAVE A FULL
AGENDA TODAY WITH CONSIDERATION
OF INITIATIVE 137 IN THE
PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE COUNCIL
BILL 120864 WHICH WAS MENTIONED
IN BRIEFINGS YESTERDAY AND ALSO
PROPOSED, DISTRIBUTED BY
RELEASE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
THEN, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION
AND FINALLY, TWO PIECES OF
PUBLIC SAFETY LEGISLATION. THAT
BEING THE CASE AND BECAUSE WE
HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE SIGNED UP
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, I AM HOPING
WE CAN GET THROUGH ALL OF OUR
AGENDA ITEMS WITH MINIMAL OR NO
DISRUPTIONS. JUST FOR
EVERYONE'S INFORMATION, HERE
IS THE DEFINITION OF
DISRUPTION, WHICH IS PROHIBITED
BY COUNCIL BILL 11 D 1. FAILURE
OF THE SPEAKER TO COMPLY WITH
THE ALLOTTED TIME ESTABLISHED
FOR THE INDIVIDUALS PUBLIC
COMMENT, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
WHO HAVE NOT BEEN RECOGNIZED BY
THE PRESIDING OFFICER, COMMENTS
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH
COUNCIL RULE 11 C DIG 2 A,
DELAYING THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF
PROGRESS OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD, USING A COMMENT FOR
PURPOSEFUL DELAY, STANDING IN
THE CENTER AISLE OF A FRONT
ROW, ET CETERA. BEHAVIOR SUCH
AS THREATS, PERSONAL ATTACKS,
THE RACE OF RACIAL,
MISOGYNISTIC OR GENDER ABUSIVE
LANGUAGE AND THE FAILURE TO
FOLLOW THE DIRECTION OF A
PRESIDING OFFICER OR SECURITY
OFFICIAL. MY GOAL IS TO AVOID
LENGTHY DELAYS, RECESSES, ET
CETERA. WITH THAT IN MIND, WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE TELL ME HOW
MANY PEOPLE ARE SIGNED UP FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> WE CURRENTLY HAVE 50 AND
CONTINUING TO SIGN UP IN PERSON
AND 59 IN REMOTE.
>> OKAY. WE WILL START WITH
PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME IN PERSON
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, RECEIVING
BATCHES OF 10 AND ALTERNATING
IN-PERSON AND REMOTE. AFTER THE
INSTRUCTIONS, I ASK THAT FOLKS
-- THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN NUMBERS
SO THAT THEY KNOW WHERE THEY
ARE AT IN THE SEQUENCE. I WILL
ASK THAT PEOPLE LINEUP AT LEAST
IN GROUPS OF FIVE SO THAT WE
CAN GET THROUGH THE FOLKS
QUICKLY WITHOUT DELAY AND
WITHOUT MISPRONOUNCING NAMES.
PLEASE GO AHEAD WITH THE FIRST
SPEAKER ON THE LIST OR READ THE
INSTRUCTIONS AND THEN PROCEED.
>> SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN
THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE
REGISTERED. WE WILL ALTERNATE
BETWEEN SETS OF IN-PERSON
SPEAKERS AND REMOTE SPEAKERS
UNTIL THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
HAS ENDED. SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A
CHIME WHEN 10 SECONDS ARE LEFT
OF THEIR TIME AND MICROPHONES
WILL BE MUTED IF THEY DO NOT
END THEIR COMMENTS WITHIN THEIR
ALLOTTED TIME TO ALLOW US TO
CALL ON THE NEXT SPEAKER. WE
ARE NOW GOING TO BEEN -- BEGIN
WITH SPEAKERS NUMBER 1 THROUGH
10. PLEASE LINEUP BETWEEN THESE
TWO MICROPHONES. THEY ARE BOTH
ACTIVE. PLEASE MAKE SURE THE
MICROPHONE IS CLOSE TO YOU SO
YOU CAN BE HEARD. SPEAKER ONE?
>> I AM -- CAN YOU HEAR ME
OKAY? MY NAME IS SARAH AND I'M
THE DIRECTOR OF SURVIVAL
SERVICES OF THE MORE WE LOVE. I
AM ALSO A SURVIVOR. TODAY, I AM
SPEAKING FOR THE WOMEN WHO ARE
CURRENTLY SUFFERING FROM THE
EXPLOITED AND ARE VICTIMS OF
HUMAN TRAFFICKING ON AURORA.
SEX WORK AND THE WOMEN WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT IS TWO TOTALLY
DIFFERENT THINGS. I AM SAYING
THAT I SUPPORT THIS BILL IN THE
HOPES THAT WE CAN KEEP WORKING
TOGETHER AS WELL AS CATHY MOORE
HAS BEEN WORKING WITH SURVIVOR
LED ORGANIZATIONS AND REALLY
CHANGE THE GAME AND SHOW UP FOR
SURVIVORS IN A NEW WAY. I GUESS
I SUPPORT THE BILL.
>> SPEAKER TWO?
>> MY NAME IS CHRISTINE
MORELAND. ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, I
STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY IN
STRONG SUPPORT OF THE LOITERING
LAW DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH STAY
OUT OF PROSECUTION AREAS. THESE
MEASURES WILL HOLD BOTH JOHN'S
AND ACCOUNTABLE BY PROVIDING A
VITAL REBOOKING DIVERSION FOR
COMMERCIALLY EXPLOITED WOMEN
AND CHILDREN ON AURORA.
CRUCIALLY, THIS BILL HAS BEEN
CRAFTED WITH THE ADVISEMENT OF
DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS
INCLUDING ESTEEMED
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE ONES I
REPRESENT, THE MORE WE LOVE. IT
IS BUILT WITH THOUGHTFUL
INTENTION, ENSURING THAT THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL
BE RECEIVING TRAINING FROM
THOSE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE ON
THIS ISSUE, DIRECT SERVICE
PROVIDERS AND SURVIVORS OF
COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.
PASSING THIS BILL REPRESENTS A
CRITICAL STEP IN OUR FIGHT TO
PROTECT AND REACH OUR DIGNITY
OF VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS AND
ASSURE SERVICE PROVIDERS WE ARE
COMMITTED TO RALLYING TOGETHER
TO SUPPORT THE NECESSARY WORK
THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. THANK
YOU.
>> HI. MY NAME IS LESLIE CRUZ
AND I HAVE BEEN A CASE MANAGER
ON THE FRONT LINES OF AURORA
FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND I
AM STANDING IN SUPPORT OF THE
LOITERING LAW. WHILE I
UNDERSTAND THAT THIS LAW IS NOT
A CURE ALL AND ONE FIX
EVERYTHING, IT IS A CRUCIAL
FIRST STEP. WE NEED TO START
HUMANIZING PEOPLE AND STOP
WALKING BY TRAUMA EVERY DAY. WE
ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT SEX
WORKERS BUT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND
WOMEN WHO NEED INTERVENTION. I
UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN ABOUT
CRIMINALIZING ANYONE BUT I HOPE
THAT SERVICE PROVIDERS ALONG
WITH THE COUNCIL WILL STAY
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CHANGES
MADE TO ENSURE THIS LAW WORKS
TO PROTECT, UPLIFT, AND NOT
PUNISH. THANK YOU.
>> SPEAKER FOUR? FOUR?
>> HI. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME
IS KATHLEEN ROSE. FIRST OF ALL,
ON INITIATIVE 137, WHICH HE
WILL TALK ABOUT LATER , IS NOT
READY TO BE PRESENTED TO THE
VOTERS. IT IS RIPE FOR WASTE
AND FRAUD. NEEDS TO BE
OVERHAULED. GO BACK TO THE
DRAWING BOARD, PLEASE.
SECONDLY, I SUPPORT S.O.A.P..
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
OVERSEES THE FINANCIAL HELP OF
OUR CITY. ALMOST 800,000 PEOPLE
DEPEND ON YOU TO OVERSEE PUBLIC
SAFETY AS WELL . STOP THE OPEN
DRUG USE IN SO MANY DIFFERENT
NEIGHBORHOODS OF SEATTLE. STOP
THE SEX TRAFFICKING AND TURF
WAR OCCURRING ON AURORA. MY
DAUGHTERS ATTENDED INGRAM HIGH
SCHOOL IN THE EARLY 2000'S AND
WERE PROPOSITIONED WHILE
WAITING FOR THE BUS AFTER
ATTENDING AFTERSCHOOL EVENTS. I
STOPPED GOING TO LOWE'S
BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT
POTENTIAL GUNFIRE. PLEASE VOTE
YES FOR S.O.D.A. AND S.O.A.P.
SAFETY IS YOUR NUMBER ONE
PRIORITY. THANK YOU.
>> SPEAKER FIVE?
>> GOOD MORNING, GOOD AFTERNOON
COUNCIL. I AM WITH THE
COALITION FOR SAFETY. I AM A
SURVIVOR AND AN ADVOCATE. FOUR
YEARS AGO AT THE HEIGHT OF THE
DEFENSE OF BLACK LIGHTS, THIS
COUNCIL APPEALED A LAW THAT WAS
WIDELY SEEN AS RACIST ,
INEFFECTIVE AND HARMFUL TO
WOMEN OF COLOR AND TRANS WOMEN.
FOUR YEARS LATER, THE SAME
COUNCIL IS BRINGING BACK THE
SAME FAILED POLICIES OF PAST
AND THEN SOME WITHOUT
CONDUCTING ANY RACIAL EQUITY
ASSESSMENTS OR MITIGATING THE
RACIALLY HARMS. THIS IS THE
GREATEST BACKSLIDING OF THE
CITY'S COMMITMENT TO
SUPPORTING BLACK LIVES AND
RACIAL EQUALITY. TODAY IS YOUR
LAST OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A STEP
BACK AND WORK ON A TRULY
EQUITABLE SOLUTION FOR CRIMES
THAT DOES NOT SACRIFICE THE
MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR
COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> MY NAME IS MARSHA SANDERS
AND I AM A LONG-TERM RESIDENT
OF DISTRICT 5. MY NEIGHBORHOOD
HAS CHANGED. IT IS DANGEROUS
AND DEMORALIZING. I USED TO
COMMUTE FROM SHORELINE TO 99
AND AS SOON AS I CROSSED 1/45
INTO SEATTLE, IT BECAME A
DIFFERENT WORLD. GIRLS AND
WOMEN ARE BOUGHT AND SOLD. I
READ THAT SOME TRAFFIC WORKERS
MAKE $7000 A NIGHT FOR THEIR .
WITH THIS KIND OF MONEY, THE IS
INTENT ON KEEPING THE PROPHET.
THERE ARE TURF WARS. THERE IS
GUN VIOLENCE. SOMETIMES I HEAR
GUNSHOTS FOR NIGHTS IN A ROW. I
HAVE CLOSE NEIGHBORS WHOSE
HOMES HAVE BEEN SHOT BY
BULLETS. I NO LONGER PATRONIZE
SHOPS. I DON'T GO TO THE GAS
STATION. I DON'T WAIT AT THE
BUS STOP. IT IS TOO DANGEROUS.
USED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL INCOME
BY HOSTING FOREIGN STUDENTS BUT
I DON'T ANYMORE. I DECLINED
REQUESTS FOR KEEPING THEM
BECAUSE IT IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR
A STUDENT TO LIVE THERE.
>> WHEN YOU HEAR THAT CHIME,
YOU HAVE 10 MORE SECONDS, JUST
SO YOU KNOW.
>> I AM FOR THIS PROPOSAL
BECAUSE WE OBVIOUSLY NEED TO DO
SOMETHING FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> OPPONENTS OF S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. SAY THE REASON THERE
IS NO VISIBLE DRUG MARKET IN
PROSTITUTION IS NOT THAT IT HAS
INCLUSION ZONES BUT THAT IS
SPENT $100 MILLION TO MAKE THE
STREETS PRETTY AND THE
SIDEWALKS WIDE. THAT MAY HAVE
HAD SOME EFFECT BUT IT IS
UNPROVABLE. COMMON SENSE SAYS
IF YOU HAVE A DO
CRIMINALIZATION ZONE, BUSINESS
WILL MOVE THERE. S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. SEND A MESSAGE THAT
THIS IS NOT WELCOME. THERE HAVE
BEEN SEVEN HOMICIDES IN THREE
YEARS AND COUNTLESS SHOOTINGS.
I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE
DESTRUCTION OF LOCAL BUSINESSES
. THERE ARE NO CASHIERS AT
LOWE'S BECAUSE WORKERS ARE
AFRAID TO COME TO WORK.
WALGREENS IS CLOSING. OTHER
BUSINESSES HAVE CLOSED OR ARE
ON THE BRINK. GANGS HAVE MOVED
IN AND THIS HAS LED TO
INCREASED VIOLENCE AND NIGHTLY
SHOOTING. IT IS NOT THE JOB OF
OUR PUBLIC SAFETY LAWS TO SOLVE
THE UNDERLYING CONDITIONS OF
CAPITALISM OR TO PROTECT THE
LIVELIHOOD OF DRUG USERS AND .
IT IS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC
FROM HARM. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL. I AM AN
ANTI-TRAFFICKING CONSULTANT. I
LIVE IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. I
WAS TRAFFICKED ON AURORA AVENUE
NORTH OVER THE COURSE OF TWO
YEARS AND BEFORE WE BEGIN
TODAY, I WANT TO PREFACE THAT
LANGUAGE IS VERY AND EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT AND THAT WHEN WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS
AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE
TRAFFICKED ON AURORA, I WAS ONE
OF THEM FOR MANY YEARS, WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT HUMAN
TRAFFICKING. I JUST WANT TO
MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR TODAY.
MANY OF US CAN AGREE THAT
TRAFFICKERS AND BUYERS MUST BE
HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THIS IS WHAT
THIS BILL LAYS OUT WITH
PROMOTING LOITERING. THERE IS A
DISCUSSION AS TO WHETHER THE
PROSTITUTION LOITERING CLAUSE
WILL TARGET MARGINALIZED
COMMUNITIES BASED ON RACE OR
DEMOGRAPHIC AND HARM THE PEOPLE
ON THE STREETS OF AURORA. THERE
IS AN ABILITY TO PREVENT THIS
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE BY
MAKING SURE PROPERTY IS
DEVELOPED AND THE IMPOTENT
SURVIVORS AND SURVIVOR LED
ORGANIZATIONS ARE ABLE TO WORK
ON THESE PROTOCOLS AND
IMPLEMENTATION. I DO SUPPORT --
>> SPEAKER NINE?
>> MY NAME IS HEATHER BILL AND
I AM A SURVIVOR OF HUMAN
TRAFFICKING. I'M A SURVIVOR OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND A
SURVIVOR OF AURORA 85th UP TO
1/45. WHEN I WAS 17 WITH NO
LIFE EXPERIENCE AND NAÏVE TO
ALL THE EVILS IN THIS WORLD, MY
/BOYFRIEND SENT ME DOWN ON
AURORA AND I TURN MY FIRST
TRICK AND GIVE EVERY DOLLAR MY
PROFITS AWAY. TODAY I STAND IN
FULL SUPPORT OF THE LOITERING
LAW BECAUSE ANY GIRL THAT WALKS
UP AND DOWN A LAWYER HAS A
PIMP. THAT IS A FACT. I
RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS SIX
WORKERS WHO FEEL EMPOWERED AND
HAVE NOT EXPERIENCE THE SAME
LEVEL OF TRAUMA. THAT DOES NOT
MEAN YOU GET TO IGNORE THE
WOMEN. THE REASON I AM IN FAVOR
OF THIS LEGISLATION IS BECAUSE
OF THE S.O.A.P. BILL WHICH
FOCUSES ON TRAFFICKING AND
BUYERS, THE TRUE SOURCE OF THE
PROBLEM. SIMPLE SUPPLY AND
DEMAND . THIS IS WHERE OUR
ENERGY AND ATTENTION SHOULD BE
DIRECTED, TO PROTECT THOSE WHO
ARE MOST VULNERABLE AND NAÏVE
AND ARE USED AND ABUSED ON A
NEVER-ENDING BASIS. PLEASE VOTE
YES ON THIS BILL.
>> BACK IN FEBRUARY, MY HOME
WAS SHOT UP BY RANDOM STRAY
BULLET FIRE AND THE BULLET
ALMOST HIT MY TERMINAL
FATHER-IN-LAW WHO UNFORTUNATELY
ONLY HAD THREE MONTHS TO LIVE
AT THAT POINT. WE HAVE SEEN AN
UPTICK IN VIOLENCE GOING ON IN
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR 18 MONTHS
AT THAT POINT AND WE HAD
REACHED OUT TO KATHY BECAUSE WE
HAD NO OTHER OPTION FOR FINDING
ANY SORT OF HELP. THE POLICE
WEREN'T HELPING. NO ONE WAS
HELPING. WE WERE ABLE TO TALK
OVER THE LAW AND WHAT WAS GOING
ON AND THE REVISIONS THAT WERE
CREATED AFTER HEARING PUSHBACK
FOR PROTECTIONS WAS MORE IN
LINE WITH WHAT WE WERE LOOKING
FOR BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN
NOTHING BUT TURF WAR OVER WHO
GOES WHERE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE NEED TO START TACKLING A
LARGER ISSUE OF GROWING
VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT
HAS ADDED HOLES TO SO MANY
HOMES AND PUT PEOPLE IN THE
HOSPITAL.
>> THAT WAS OUR LAST SPEAKER IN
THIS SET AND WE WILL MOVE ON TO
REMOTE SPEAKERS. IF YOU HAVE AN
EMPTY SEAT NEXT TO YOU, CAN YOU
JUST RAISE YOUR HAND? THANK
YOU. JODY, GO AHEAD.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU
AFTER YOU HEAR THE MESSAGE THAT
YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTED, PLEASE
PRESS *6 IN ORDER TO SPEAK.
HER FIRST THREE REMOTE SPEAKERS
WILL BE ROBIN PEDERSEN FOLLOWED
BY STELLA FOLLOWED BY HOWARD
GAIL. GO AHEAD, ROBIN.
>> ROBIN, YOU MAY NEED TO PRESS
*6. GO AHEAD.
>> HI . I AM A CURRENT RESIDENT
ON 103rd A COUPLE OF BLOCKS
AWAY FROM AURORA. WE MOVED INTO
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IN 2010 AND
WE HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND
A DOG. WE HAVE SEEN NOTHING BUT
EXTREME GUN VIOLENCE. --
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> PLEASE PAUSE ROBIN.
>> WE MOVED INTO THIS
NEIGHBORHOOD IN 2010 AND WE
HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN. SORRY,
SHOULD I JUST KEEP GOING? I
JUST WANTED TO REITERATE THAT
THE GUN VIOLENCE HERE HAS BEEN
ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING. WE HEARD
GUNSHOTS BEFORE 10:00 P.M. ON
OUR STREET. WE HAD JOHNS COMING
INTO THE STREET, PARKING THEIR
CAR IN FRONT OF OUR HOME. WE
HAVE TO PUT OUR KIDS UPSTAIRS,
AWAY. ARE IN LIES -- OUR
IN-LAWS VISITED AND WE HAVE
BEEN FEELING INCREDIBLY
DANGEROUS. WE REACHED OUT TO
KATHY TO HELP PUT SOMETHING IN
PLACE. THE BARRICADE ON 101st
HAS MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS. WE
WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF THAT.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
HOWARD GAIL AND HOWARD WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY PETER. GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THE S.O.A.P.
AND S.O.D.A. LEGISLATION YOU
ARE VOTING ON TODAY IS SAID TO
CONTROL WHEN AND HOW PEOPLE IN
SEATTLE CAN EXIST INDICATES A
STUNNING DEGREE OF CYNICISM AND
PATRONIZATION. WE KNOW THIS
BECAUSE WHILE YOU REPEATEDLY
ADMIT THAT IT IS SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE
UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT
PLACES FOLKS IN THE SITUATIONS
YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISRUPT, THIS
VERY WEEK YOU WILL PROPOSE
LEGISLATION TO UNDERMINE I-137
BY REPLACING $50 MILLION PER
YEAR OF NEW TAX REVENUE PER
HOUSING -- AM I BEING HEARD?
>> GO AHEAD. KEEP ON GOING.
OVER. SORRY. I NEED TO
>> THAT IS FINE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. HOWARD GAIL
FROM DISTRICT 7. THE
LEGISLATION YOU ARE VOTING ON
TODAY , LEGISLATION THAT
ATTEMPTS TO CONTROL WHERE AND
HOW PEOPLE CAN EXIST IN SEATTLE
INDICATES A STUNNING DEGREE OF
CYNICISM AND PATRONIZATION. WE
KNOW THIS BECAUSE WHILE YOU
REPEATEDLY ADMIT THAT IT IS
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE UNAFFORDABLE
HOUSING PLACES FOLKS AND
SITUATIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE
TO DISRUPT, THIS VERY WEEK YOU
WILL PROPOSE LEGISLATION TO
UNDERMINE I-137 BY REPLACING
$50 MILLION PER YEAR OF NEW TAX
REVENUE PER SOCIAL HOUSING WITH
THE POULTRY $10 MILLION PER
YEAR ROBBED FROM THE EXISTING
JUMPSTART FUND, THEREBY
CRIPPLING THE NEW SOCIAL
HOUSING INITIATIVE AND TAKING
AWAY MONEY FROM OTHER SOCIAL
BEINGS. DID YOU GUYS JUST GET
BACK FROM A JUNKET TO A
COMIC-CON FESTIVAL WHERE YOU
LEARN HOW TO BE CARTOON
VILLAINS? WE ARE ALL AWARE THAT
IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS YOU WILL
NOT ONLY FAILED TO FUND THE
SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND OFFER REAL
SOLUTIONS FOR THESE PROBLEMS
INSTEAD OF PUNISHMENT BUT THAT
BECAUSE YOU REFUSE TO EXPLORE
OTHER REVENUE SOURCES, YOU WILL
MOST CERTAINLY CUT BACK ON THE
NEEDED PROGRAMS PROVING YOUR
PATRONIZING MISTAKE.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
PETER CONDIT AND PETER WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY KATE RUBIN. GO
AHEAD, PETER.
>> THANK YOU. I LIVE IN GREEN
LAKE BY AURORA AND 85th AND
I'M CALLING TO OPPOSE S.O.A.P.
AND S.O.D.A. AND TO SUPPORT
I-137. THE BILLS FOLLOW RACIST
LEGACY OF REDLINING IN THE WAR
ON DRUGS. THESE BILLS FAILED TO
ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES AND
WILL SEVERELY DESTABILIZE AND
DISADVANTAGE ALREADY
MARGINALIZED FOLKS. IT IS
OBVIOUS THAT YOU ARE LISTENING
TO THE SHORTSIGHTED CONCERNS
THAT BUSINESS AND PROPERTY
OWNERS WHO WANT POOR PEOPLE TO
DISAPPEAR. YOU ARE BEING
ACCOUNTABLE TO PEOPLE LIKE THE
PRESIDENT OF THE SEATTLE HOTEL
ASSOCIATION WHO SPOKE HERE LAST
WEEK DESPITE LIVING IN
BREMERTON. IF YOU IGNORE THE
INFORMED PEOPLE IN THE RACIST
IMPACT OF THESE BILLS AND ALIGN
YOUR BOAT WITH PRIVATE
INVESTORS AND OUTSIDE
INTERESTS, IT CREATES THE
APPEARANCE OF CORRUPTION. AT
WORST, YOU'RE A BIGOT,
PRETENDING THAT RACISM IN
POLICING DOESN'T EXIST AND
WORKING DIRECTLY AGAINST
EFFORTS TO CREATE A CITY --
THESE BILLS SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN
BY THEIR SPONSORS.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
KATE RUBIN AND KATE WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY CHRIS WOODWARD. GO
AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS KATE RUBIN AND I
AM THE ORGANIZING DIRECTOR OF
THE SEATTLE INTERVENTION WORKER
AND VOTER LIVING. WE ARE A WEEK
AWAY FROM BUDGET SEASON AND THE
CITY IS FACING A SHORTFALL. THE
CITY COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER
PASSING THE OUTRAGEOUSLY
ANTI-HUMAN LEGISLATION. THESE
APPROACHES HAVE BEEN TRIED,
FAILED, AND CAUSED
DISPROPORTIONATE IRREVERSIBLE
HARM TO COMMUNITIES. LEGAL
EXPERTS, PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS,
SOCIAL WORKERS AND PEOPLE WITH
REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE IN THEIR
COMMUNITIES, IGNORING THESE
VOICES CONTINUE THE PATTERN OF
SILENCING THE PUBLIC AND
PUSHING HARMFUL AGENDAS. WE SEE
THIS CONTINUALLY, WITHHOLDING
TENANT WORKGROUP FUNDS, GAS
LIGHTING COMMUNITIES AND NOW
ATTEMPTING TO UNDERMINE SOCIAL
HOUSING. WHEN THE COUNCIL
CLAIMS TO OBJECT SPECIAL
INTEREST, THEY ARE OBJECTING
THOSE WHILE FAVORING THOSE WHO
PROFIT. FROM A SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE, WE CANNOT
AFFORD S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A..
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER GO AHEAD.
>> YOU MAY NEED TO PRESS *6.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I REP RESIGN
THE ALLIANCE OF PIONEER SQUARE.
THIS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS THE
DISTRICT'S LONG-TERM VITALITY.
I AM IN SUPPORT OF COUNCIL BILL
120835 . THIS BILL WILL GIVE
THE CITY A TOOL TO DISRUPT
ENTRENCHED DRUG MARKETS IN
PIONEER SQUARE THAT NEGATIVELY
IMPACT BUSINESSES WHILE
BALANCING ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT
AND OTHER SERVICES. WE HAVE
HEARD THAT THE CURRENT
CONDITIONS ARE HURTING HOME
BUSINESSES WHILE ALSO AFFECTING
INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM
SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS. WE
URGE THE COUNCIL TO ADOPT
COUNCIL BILL 120-8352 HELP
ENSURE PIONEER SQUARE STAYS
SAFE WITH A PLACE TO LIVE, WORK
, AND VISIT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
PETER FOLLOWED BY VIOLET. GO
AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS -- I'M A
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 5 LIVING
IN THE S.O.D.A. ZONE. I AM A
FATHER OF TWO SMALL CHILDREN
AND I HAVE A WIFE . I WOULD
JUST LIKE TO MENTION A COUPLE
OF MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING MY
CAR DOWN ON AURORA, TURNED WEST
ON 100, CAME BACK TO MY HOUSE
AND TWO MINUTES AFTER STEPPING
IN THE DOOR I HEARD A GUN FIRE.
THIS WAS A SHOOT OFF MADE THE
NEWS. A COUPLE OF MOMENTS
EARLIER AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN
CAUGHT IN IT AND MY KIDS COULD
POSSIBLY NOT HAVE A FATHER. THE
NEXT MORNING WE WALKED TO THE
BUS STOP WHICH IS ON THE SAME
ROUTE THAT WAS LITTERED WITH
GUN SHELLS THAT WERE THE SIZE
OF MY KIDS' FINGERS. WE CAN'T
HAVE THIS GOING ON IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD. I SYMPATHIZE WITH
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED
FOR OTHER VICTIMS THAT MAY
RESULT BUT WE CAN'T LET THIS
GO ON UNTIL THERE IS A TRAGEDY
INVOLVING PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS VIOLET.
VIOLET WILL BE FOLLOWED BY KAI.
>> THANK YOU. HELLO, CITY
COUNCIL. I AM VIOLET. I HAVE A
-- I AM A TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR.
I HAVE ALSO WORKED AT THE ROCK
ON AND SENT VOLUNTEERED WITH
THE STREET COMMUNITY ON AURORA.
I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE
SHARING WHERE I LIVE, IF YOU
CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. I FEEL
THAT S.O.A.P. IS A SIDEWAYS
POLICY BECAUSE GUN VIOLENCE
DOES NOT HAVE TO DO WITH SEX
WORK ORDER TRAFFICKING AND
NOBODY IN THAT AREA HAS THOUGHT
-- WHEN PEOPLE GET OUT OF JAIL,
THEY ARE USUALLY IN A WORK --
WORST SITUATION THAN WHEN THEY
ARE PUT IN WITH LESS RESOURCES.
I THOUGHT WE WERE PAST THE TIME
WHEN PEOPLE GOT ARRESTED FOR
EXISTING AND I HOPE YOU WILL
VOTE THIS DOWN. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KAI.
FOLLOWING KAI WILL BE MEGAN. GO
AHEAD.
>> I LIVE IN DISTRICT 5. I AM
CALLING TO ASK THE COUNCIL TO
VOTE NO. IS A WOMAN OF COLOR
LIVING IN THE EFFECTIVE ZONE, I
WILL BE DIRECTLY NEGATIVELY
IMPACTED BY THIS LAW THAT THE
CITY OF SEATTLE PREVIOUSLY
REMOVED AFTER RESEARCH PROVED
ITS DISCRIMINATORY NATURE.
ANYTIME I GO FOR A WALK, I
EXPECT TO BE CUT CALLED OR
HARASSED BY MEN. THAT IS WHAT
IT IS LIKE BEING A YOUNG WOMAN.
UNDER THIS LAW, I WOULD BE
CRIMINALIZED FOR BEING
APPROACHED OR CALLED TO BY MEN.
I WOULD BE AT RISK OF ARREST,
POLICE VIOLENCE AND BEING
BANNED FROM MY OWN HOME JUST
FOR SIMPLY EXISTING IN MY OWN
NEIGHBORHOOD. BOTH THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER
ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN
FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING
WOMEN. THIS LAW PUTS A TARGET
ON MY BACK. AS WE HAVE HEARD IN
THE PUBLIC COMMENT FROM LAST
WEEK, IT WILL DO NOTHING TO
ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE. PLEASE
VOTE NO ON THIS DEAL. THANK
YOU.
>> OUR LAST SPEAKER FOR THIS
REMOTE GROUP WILL BE MEGAN
CRUZ. GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM MEGAN
CRUZ, A RESIDENT IN THE AREA
PROPOSED TO THE DRUG MARKET. I
SUPPORT S.O.D.A. AS A RULE TO
ADDRESS THE ASSAULTS
OVERWHELMING LIFE IN THIS
RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS
NEIGHBORHOOD. I ALSO BELIEVE IT
IS NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO
THE CRISIS ON THE BLOCK SO ASK
THE COUNCIL TO STAND UP WITH
THE DRUG AND MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES AS AN OPTION FOR THE
PEOPLE ON THIS STREET WE KNOW
NEED HELP AND WANT IT. OUTREACH
GROUPS SUGGEST JUMPSTARTING
HOTELS AND APARTMENTS USED IN
THE PANDEMIC. PLEASE COME WITH
OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS IS THE CRISIS SO IF THE
PLAN DOESN'T WORK, WE NEED TO
KNOW WHY AND ADJUST. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO THE
NEXT 10 SPEAKERS. WILL SPEAKERS
11 THROUGH 20 PLEASE COME UP TO
THE PODIUM AND LINEUP? SPEAKER
11 WILL BE THE FIRST SPEAKER.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. HELLO, CITY
COUNCIL. I AM BORN AND RAISED
HERE IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. I
GREW UP ON THE STREET. I AM IN
SUPPORT OF THIS LEGISLATION
WITH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT FOR
AMENDMENTS. ONE OF THE FACTS,
KNOWING THAT IT WILL GREATLY
IMPACT OUR BLACK AND BROWN,
ESPECIALLY WITH OUR
MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES. I
HAVE TALKED WITH MS. MOORE
ABOUT NEW STRATEGIES AND NEW
IDEAS AND I KNOW THERE IS A LOT
OF CONFLICTING RHETORIC THAT IS
GOING AROUND BUT ALSO, TO NOT
ONLY HAVE A PROVIDER FOR OVER
25 YEARS IN THIS MOVEMENT, I
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO
RESPOND AND MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO
HELP AND RESCUE AND RESOLVE THE
ISSUES THAT ARE HAPPENING ON
OUR STREET. IF YOU ARE NOT,
THERE SHOULD NOT BE A WHOLE LOT
YOU SHOULD HAVE TO SAY AND I
KNOW THE CONCERNS OF OUR
CONSTITUENTS THAT THIS WILL BE
A GREAT --
>> GO AHEAD. MY NAME IS KEITH
CARPENTER. I AM THE PASTOR OF
EPIC LIFE CHURCH AND THANK YOU
FOR HEARING OUR COMMENTS.
REALLY APPRECIATE THE COURAGE
THAT IT HAS TAKEN TO DO THIS.
THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT
CONVERSATION AND ANYONE WHO IS
LAUGHING AT IT NEEDS TO SEE IT
IN A LITTLE DIFFERENT LIGHT. I
JUST WANT TO TELL A STORY AND
YOU CAN TAKE IT. A FEW WINTERS
AGO, I ALWAYS GO TO THE BACK
DOOR OF OUR CHURCH WHEN I FIRST
ARRIVED THEM IN THE DARK
MORNING TO FIND, OFTEN, PEOPLE
LEFT THERE, USUALLY YOUNG WOMEN
WHO ARE VERY LITERALLY CLOTHED
AND HAVE A LOT OF SCARS AND
BEATINGS ON THEM. THAT WOULD
NIGHT WHEN I PICKED UP A LADY
AND BROUGHT HER INSIDE, SHE IS
RUNNING FROM HER PIMP, ONLY TO
WALK OUT LATER ON ACROSS THE
PARKING LOT TO SEE A WOMAN
COMING DOWN THE STREET WITH
NOTHING ON, RUNNING . I AM
TIRED. IT IS DIFFICULT. THERE
WAS A LOT OF TEARS AND PEOPLE
NEED HELP. IF THIS HELPS,
PLEASE BE WISE ABOUT MAKING
THIS.
>> WE ARE AT SPEAKER NUMBER 13.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM HERE
AGAIN TODAY BECAUSE I AM A
DISABLED SURVIVOR SEX WORKER
AND PERFORMER HERE TO OPPOSE
BOTH THE S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A.
BILLS. TESTIFIED AGAINST THESE
BILLS LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ABOUT IT AND I AM APPALLED BY
YOUR PASSING OF IT. YOU HEARD
ME. YOU ARE GOING TO KILL US.
THIS BILL WILL KILL US. WHAT
YOU EXPECT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU
REMOVE ANY SORT OF SUPPORT FOR
US? SEX WORKERS ON AURORA MEANS
RESOURCES AND SAFE SPACES.
ANALYZING THEM WILL AFFECT OUR
WORKERS FINDING REGULAR JOBS
WHICH SEX WORK IS WORK AND SAFE
HOUSING, ET CETERA. THAT SHOVES
US DEEPER INTO POVERTY. HOW CAN
THE SEX WORKERS STAY ALIVE
WITHOUT ACCESS? WE NEED
PROTECTION, SAFE HOUSING AND WE
NEED COMMUNITY SUPPORT. WE ARE
PEOPLE. WE ARE NOT BERMAN.
THESE ARE BASICALLY HUMAN
RIGHTS. WE ARE NO LESS
IMPORTANT THAN ANYONE IN THIS
ROOM INCLUDING --
>> MY NAME IS MacKENZIE. I LIVE
IN DISTRICT 4 AND I'M HERE TO
OPPOSE THE S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. LEGISLATION. IF THE
PURPOSE OF THIS BILL IS TO STOP
DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION, IT
WILL NOT DO THAT. THE FIRST
THING I LEARNED IN AL-ANON WHEN
I WAS A TEENAGER IS YOU CAN'T
FORCE SOMEBODY TO STOP USING.
MY DAD IS A RECOVERING
ALCOHOLIC AND I TRIED FOR A LOT
OF YEARS TO HELP THEM GET
SOBER. I POURED HIS ALCOHOL
DOWN THE DRAIN. I TRIED TO
CONSTANTLY SUPERVISE HIM AND I
CHOSE TO STOP SPEAKING TO HIM.
MY MOM LIMITED HIS ACCESS TO
MONEY AND OUR FAMILY WAS
RUINED. HE ONLY GOT SOBER
BECAUSE HE WANTED TO. ADDICTION
IS A DISEASE AND IT NEEDS
TREATMENT. IT DOES NOT NEED
CRIMINALIZATION. SOME OF YOU I
KNOW HAVE SUFFERED ADDICTION.
CAN YOU HONESTLY SAY GOING TO
JAIL WOULD HELP YOU? IT
WOULDN'T HAVE. IF YOU WANTED
TO WORK ON PUBLIC SAFETY,
DECRIMINALIZATION OR SAFE
INJECTION SITES WOULD STOP
PEOPLE FROM USING IN THE
STREETS. YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE
POOR PEOPLE SUFFERING.
>> PLEASE KEEP THE CLAPPING TO
A MINIMUM BETWEEN SPEAKERS. GO
AHEAD AND PLEASE LINE UP SO
THAT YOU CAN COME STRAIGHT TO
THE MICROPHONE WHEN THE OTHER
PERSON IS DONE.
>> WE ARE ON SPEAKER NUMBER 15.
>> I AM HERE IN THE PUGET SOUND
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT. I HAVE
A FEW QUICK THINGS TO SAY. YOU
HAVE DECIDED YOU CAN TALK
ENDLESSLY AND WE ONLY HAVE ONE
MINUTE. TALK ABOUT LIKING TO
HEAR YOUR SELVES TALK . YOU ARE
ABLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING
RIGHT NOW AND VOTE WITH YOUR
CONSCIENCE, HUMANITY AND LEGACY
IN MIND, NOT POLITICS OR
CLASSISM. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED
FOR YOUR ACTIONS IN THIS WATER
SLED LEGISLATION. YOU KNOW THIS
WILL CREATE A RIPPLE EFFECT IN
THE REGION, EVADING THE CLIMATE
OF ANTI-HOMELESSNESS AND THE
RACIST WAR ON DRUGS AND FURTHER
CRIMINALIZING SEX WORKERS. YOU
WILL JOIN THE RACIST
POLITICIANS WHO SACRIFICE HUMAN
LIVES FOR THE INTEREST OF REAL
ESTATE AND CORPORATE POWER. YOU
GOVERN IN THEIR INTEREST, NOT
OURS. I TRUST YOU WILL DOCUMENT
YOUR DISREGARD FOR HUMAN --
>> YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO
REWRITE THE LEGACY. YOU LIVE IN
THIS SOCIETY THAT IS
UNPREDICTABLE AND UNSTABLE. YOU
AND YOUR LOVED ONES --
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT
SPEAKER.
>> PLEASE STOP SPEAKING AND LET
THE NEXT PERSON CONTINUE TO
SPEAK. I AM NOW GIVING YOU A
WARNING THAT YOU ARE CONTINUING
TO SPEAK. CUT THE MICROPHONE.
PLEASE HAVE A SEAT. I AM ASKING
THAT YOU PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEAT.
>> I AM A BURLESQUE PERFORMER
IN DISTRICT 3 ALTHOUGH I AM NOT
A CURRENT SEX WORKER BUT THERE
IS OVERLAP IN COMMUNITIES. I AM
HERE TO OPPOSE THE BILLS. THIS
BILL WILL HARM MY COMMUNITIES
AND FRIENDS AND THREATEN OUR
SAFETY. THESE LAWS FOCUS ON
APPEARANCES AND PERCEPTION. THE
REASON CITY COUNCIL APPEARED IT
IN 2020 WAS BECAUSE SPD ENGAGE
IN RACIAL PROFILE AND ABUSE OF
POWER. THE GOAL IS TO HELP
VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING,
CONSIDER DECRIMINALIZING SEX
WERE, ORGANIZATIONS AND HUMAN
RIGHTS SUPPORT SO PEOPLE CAN
ACCESS HELP AND RESOURCES.
LOITERING LAWS AND
CRIMINALIZATION THREATEN
ABILITIES TO MAKE A SAFETY.
THIS WILL NOT PROTECT SEX
WORKERS. YOU ARE MAKING THEM
MORE VULNERABLE TO ABUSE. IT IS
CLEAR YOU ARE WILLING TO
SACRIFICE SEX WORKERS SIMPLY
FOR OTHERS' COMFORT OF NOT
HAVING TO SEE THEM. SEE PEOPLE
AS EQUALS AND LISTEN TO US.
>> ARE YOU SPEAKER 16? AWESOME.
THANK YOU.
>> Y'ALL LOVE TO USE THE TERM
ADDITIONAL TOOL OF POLICING BUT
THERE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO
LEAVE OUT OF THE SHED.
SEGREGATION AND POLICY IS ONE
OF THEM. MANAGEMENT ORDERS HAVE
EXISTED ELSEWHERE BUT THAT IS
INCOMPLETE WITHOUT MENTIONING
THAT THE MANAGEMENT ORDERS OF
THE 90s EMPOWERED VIOLENCE
AGAINST WOMEN AND THAT THE
RHETORIC OF THOSE BANISHMENT
ORDERS CULTURALLY ENCOURAGED
VIOLENCE AGAINST SEX WORKERS
INCLUDING THE GREEN RIVER
KILLER. PUSHING PROBLEMS THAT
YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE FURTHER
TO THE MARGINS IS NOT A POLICY
OF PUBLIC SAFETY. Y'ALL LOVE
TO USE THE TERM FINELY CRAFTED
AND CAREFULLY CONSTRUCTED IN
YOUR JUSTIFICATION FOR THESE
SEGREGATION ZONES BUT JUST
BECAUSE YOU SAY SOME COMPUTER
PROGRAM CONFIRMATION BIAS OF
WHERE CROWDS ARE IN SEATTLE,
THIS WILL AND ALWAYS BE WEEPING
SEGREGATION AS POLICY AND WE
NEED TO OPPOSE THIS.
>> SPEAKER 18?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I AM THE
COEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COALITION OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE. I APPRECIATE THE WORK
OF OUR COALITION MEMBERS TO TRY
TO IMPROVE THE BILL AND TO
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE AND
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS FOR
MAKING CHANGES THAT SEEM TO
MINIMIZE HARM TO SURVIVORS AND
THAT EVALUATION OF THE BILLS
IMPACT. BECAUSE OUR COALITION
VALUES ADDRESSING THE ROOT
CAUSES OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE, WE CANNOT IN GOOD
CONSCIOUS SUPPORT THE LOITERING
LAW AND THE INCREASED ARREST OF
VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS THAT WILL
OCCUR BECAUSE OF THIS BILL. WE
ARE ALSO TROUBLED BY THE ZONES,
DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
ARE AMONG THE TOP PRECURSORS TO
HOUSING INSTABILITY, MENTAL AND
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AS
SURVIVORS TRY TO COPE WITH THE
IMPACT OF TRAUMA AND ABUSE.
ARREST AND JAIL IS NOT WHERE
HEALING HAPPENS. THERE ARE
PLACES THAT INCREASE THE RISK
OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ABUSE OF
POWER. I HAVE SIGNED A LETTER
OPPOSING THE LOITERING LAW IN
EVERY DISTRICT THIS COUNCIL
REPRESENTS. I HOPE FOR THE SAKE
OF SURVIVORS IN THE CITY THAT
THE COUNCITHE
SOLUTIONS THAT SURVIVORS
DESERVE. THANK YOU.
>> AS A LOCAL SEX WORKER, I AM
HERE TO OPPOSE THE LOITERING
BILL WHICH HAS RAISED SERIOUS
CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS. USED
TO STRIP IN HOUSTON WERE MANY
DANCERS HAD . REALISTICALLY, IT
IS THE OPPOSITE. IN TEXAS, SEX
WERE CAN RESULT IN A FELONY OR
LARGE FINE AND I CAN'T HELP
BUT WONDER WHAT THIS PEOPLE'S
LIVES WOULD LOOK LIKE IF THERE
WAS NOT A HARSH PENALTY OR JAIL
TIME. I WANT YOU TO CLOSE YOUR
EYES AND ENVISION A SEX WORKER.
DO I STRIKE YOU AS A SEX WORKER
OR JUST ANOTHER PERSON WHO
LIVES IN SEATTLE? WHAT YOU
THINK A SEX WORKER LOOKS LIKE?
YOU CAN'T BECAUSE WE ARE ALL
DIFFERENT PEOPLE DIFFERENT
IDENTITIES AND DIFFERENT
BACKGROUNDS. YOU ARE JUDGING
SOMEONE BASED ON WHAT THEY LOOK
LIKE. IN 2020, THE LAST TIME
THIS BILL WAS OVERTURNED, MORE
PEOPLE THAN EVER WERE DOING
SOME FORM OF SEX WORK. I
EXPERIENCED A NUMBER PEOPLE
DOING SO AND THRIVING FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES. SEX
WORK IS JUST AS VALID AS A 9:00
TO 5:00. WE ALL HAVE BILLS TO
PAY, CHILDREN TO RAISE AND
LIVES TO LIVE. PLEASE DO NOT
PUT THIS INTO ACTION. THIS IS
MY DESPERATE PLEA. THINK OF THE
PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY INTO
EFFECT'S. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
OF WASHINGTON. WE STRONGLY
OPPOSE THE S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. LEGISLATIONS PROPOSED
HERE IN COUNCIL. I HAVE WORKED
AND LIVED IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE FOR THE BETTER PART OF
20 YEARS, TAKING THE BUS TO
THIRD AVENUE. WHAT I THINK THAT
YOU ARE TRYING TO SOLVE FOR IS
A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND THE
RESULT OF INEQUITABLE LAND IN
SUFFICIENT ACCESS TO HELP
RESOURCES AND REQUIRE A PUBLIC
HEALTH SOLUTION AND I WOULD ASK
FOR YOU, WHEN REVIEWING THIS
PROPOSAL, TO QUESTION , DOES
THIS INCREASE ACCESS TO
SERVICES OR DOES IT RESTRICT
ACCESS TO SERVICES AND I WOULD
URGE YOU TO SPEAK TO PUBLIC
HEALTH OFFICIALS AND THE VAST
MAJORITY OF SERVICE PROVIDERS
WHO CURRENTLY PROVIDE SERVICES
HERE IN SEATTLE. MEET WITH THEM
AND ASK THEM, WILL THIS HELP
WITH ACCESS TO SERVICES? BILLS
LIKE THIS HAVE BEEN TRIED
BEFORE AND HAVE ONLY CAUSED
HARM AND THEY HAVE MADE IT MUCH
HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO GET THE
SERVICES THEY NEED TO BE
HEALTHY AND TO THRIVE.
>> THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE
ON TO REMOTE SPEAKERS. ANNEXED
REMOTE SPEAKER WILL BE AUDREY.
>> WAIT A SECOND. I HAVE BEEN
FAMILIARIZING MYSELF WITH THE
RULE. THERE IS A RULE THAT SAYS
THAT TOTAL PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD SHALL NOT EXCEED 20
MINUTES UNLESS EXTENDED AT THE
DISCRETION OF THE PRESIDING
OFFICER. I AM SEEKING YOUR
INPUT. PLEASE VOICE YOUR
OBJECTION IF YOU OBJECT TO ME
EXTENDING THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION?
GO AHEAD. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANNEXED REMOTE
SPEAKER WILL BE AUDREY.
WALLOWING AUDREY WILL BE
SHAKIRA. GO AHEAD.
>> I WORK WITH A NONPROFIT THAT
ENGAGES MORE THAN 600 SURVIVORS
OF THE SEX TRADE EACH YEAR.
MANY OF YOU HAVE WALKED AURORA.
THE ROUTE OUT OF SEX WORK IS
COMPLICATED AND TYPICALLY
REQUIRES RESOURCES, TIME. WE
APPRECIATE THE BILL TO SOLICIT
SURVIVORS. WE ARE HAPPY TO SEE
PREFILING DIVERSIONS. WE ARE
CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL
INCREASE THE NEED FOR SERVICES,
RELYING ON AGENCIES WORKING
MAXIMUM CAPACITY BUT WE ALSO
HEAR SURVIVORS SAY INTERVENTION
IS BETTER THAN IGNORING A
PERSON'S EXISTENCE. PEOPLE ARE
ALREADY BEING HARMED ON AURORA.
WE ASK THAT YOU REMEMBER NOW
AND THAT IMPLEMENTATION AND
BUDGET TIME. WE ALL DESERVE NOT
ONLY INTERVENTION BUT AN
ALTERNATIVE TO A ROUTE TO HELP.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
SHAKIRA. THEN IT WILL BE BRYCE.
GO AHEAD.
>> I AM TESTIFYING IN
OPPOSITION TO THE S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. LAWS . WITH COMMUNITY
MEMBERS TELLING YOU TO YOUR
FACE THAT THESE LAWS WILL KILL
YOU AND THEIR FRIENDS, IF YOU
PASS THESE LAWS, YOU WILL HAVE
BLOOD ON YOUR HAND. HOW DARE
YOU SEEK TO EXPAND ADDITIONAL
ZONES. YOUR CHOICES THUS FAR DO
NOT REFLECT THE PEOPLE. I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE SEX WORKERS AND
I AM CONCERN FOR HOW THIS WILL
AFFECT THEM. IF YOU PASS THESE
LAWS, I HAVE NO WORDS EXCEPT
FOR SHAME ON YOU. TAKE ACTION
FOR THE PEOPLE. THANK YOU.
>> ANNEXED SPEAKER -- OUR NEXT
SPEAKER IS BRYCE FOLLOWED BY
JULIA.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS BRYCE
BAYLOR. I'M A LICENSED SOCIAL
WORKER AND I AM HERE AS A
DISTRICT 3 RESIDENT SPEAKING
AGAINST *6'S ONE -- S.O.A.P.
AND S.O.D.A.. THE BILLS ARE
SCIENTIFICALLY MISGUIDED.
CRIMINALIZING SUBSTANCE USE
INCREASES THE RISK OF POVERTY,
HOMELESSNESS AND TRAUMA.
EXCLUSION ZONES ARE AN IN
EFFECT OF TOOL. THESE TOOLS
WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO
SERVE EXPLOITATION. THEY ARE
FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE. THIS
COUNCIL HAS THREATENED FOR
YEARS . THESE BILLS WILL HOLD
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL
RESOURCES AWAY FROM SERIOUS
CRIMES TO FOCUS ON THESE ISSUES
WHICH CAN'T BE EFFECTIVELY
ADJUST BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM. THEY ARE MORALLY WRONG.
WE KNOW THAT THESE LAWS WILL
DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT
PEOPLE OF COLOR, WOMEN, LGBT
FOLKS AND WOMEN OF POVERTY.
THAT IS WHY YOU HAVE NOT DONE
THE RACIAL EQUITY TOOLKIT
ANALYSIS OF THESE BILLS. IT
WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR
THESE INDIVIDUALS.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
JULIA. FOLLOWING JULIE WILL BE
ANNE. GO AHEAD.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS JULIA. I
AM A HOMEOWNER IN BALLARD. I AM
CALLING TO EXPRESS MY
OPPORTUNITY -- MY OPPOSITION TO
THE S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A.
BILLS. THESE ALLOW PEOPLE TO BE
PUNISHED WITHOUT HAVING TO
PROVE THAT THEY HAVE COMMITTED
A CRIME. SOMEONE CAN SIMPLY
ACCUSE SOMEONE OF BEING ON
DRUGS OR BEING INVOLVED IN THE
SEX TRADE AND IF THEY HAPPEN TO
BE ON A FAIRLY WIDE SWATH OF
OUR STREET AND MAJOR TRANSIT
AREAS, THEY ARE GUILTY OF
EXISTING -- I CAN'T BELIEVE
THAT WE ARE PROSECUTING PEOPLE,
PUNISHING PEOPLE WITHOUT HAVING
TO CONVICT THEM OF ANYTHING.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANNE
JOHNSON.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> I AM THE GENERAL MANAGER AT
THE HOTEL ON THE SECOND AND
PIKE AS WELL AS A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 5. I HAVE BEEN A PART
OF THIS COMMUNITY FOR 15 YEARS.
I AM HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY
STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE S.O.D.A.
LEGISLATION. AS A DOWNTOWN
BUSINESS LEADER, I HAVE SEEN
FIRSTHAND HOW DRUG ACTIVITY HAS
MADE OUR PUBLIC SPACES UNSAFE .
ARE HOTEL GUESTS SPEAK HIGHLY
OF THE AMENITIES OF THE CITY
ARE IN DISBELIEF OF WHAT IS
HAPPENING JUST OUTSIDE OF OUR
DOORS. NOT ONLY WITNESSING
HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS, FENTANYL
SMOKING, DRUG DEALING BUT ALSO
OVERDOSING. MY STAFF AND I HAVE
BEEN ASSAULTED, THREATENED AND
LEFT UNPROTECTED. ONE OF MY
EMPLOYEES WAS HOSPITALIZED
AFTER BEING ATTACKED AFTER
LEAVING THE HOTEL. WE NEED TO
TAKE ACTION TO RECLAIM OUR
STREETS AND RESTORE SAFETY.
PLEASE APPROVE OUR LEGISLATION.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS READ
PRAME. FOLLOWING RED WILL BE
JENNIFER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
TODAY IS NATIONAL VOTER
REGISTRATION DAY. THE PROJECT
2025 AGENDA CREEPING INTO
SEATTLE. THE S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. LAWS HAVE BEEN
DISCREDITED YET THEY KEEP
PUSHING POLICY. THESE LAWS
MIRROR PROJECT 2025 . READ THE
PDF. THEY WANT TO TURN SEATTLE
INTO A 2025 CITY. IF THEY BRING
BACK OVERTURNED LEGISLATION
LIKE S.O.A.P., THEY ARE
ENDORSING PROJECT 2025 AND THIS
AGENDA. NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SHOW THE
VIOLENCE AND HARM THESE CAUSE.
THIS IS NOT JUST POLICY. THIS
IS ABOUT PUNISHING OUR MOST
VULNERABLE AND CONTROL FOR
EXTREMISTS. DON'T LET SEATTLE
FALL IN LINE WITH PROJECT 2025.
VOTE THEM OUT AND PROTECT OUR
CITY.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
JENNIFER. GO AHEAD, JENNIFER.
>> I AM A DISTRICT 5 RESIDENT.
I LIVE INSIDE THE S.O.A.P.
ZONE. MY FAMILY HAS LIVED ON
AURORA SINCE I SENT WAS EIGHT .
HE IS 16 NOW. LIVE'S -- HE
WALKS BY SEX WORKERS EVERY DAY
AND HE WANTS ME TO TELL YOU
THEY ARE REGULAR PEOPLE, OUR
NEIGHBORS. I AM NOT AFRAID OF
HIS SAFETY ON AURORA. I WAS
AFRAID FOR HIS SAFETY WHEN A
KID WAS SHOT TO DEATH IN THE
HALL OF HIS HIGH SCHOOL BY
ANOTHER KID TWO MONTHS INTO HIS
FRESHMAN YEAR. POLICING IS
INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE AND WE
KNOW IT DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE
HERE WE ARE WITH THE SAME
PROBLEM. WHAT WORKS IS THE $10
MILLION IN MENTAL HEALTH
FUNDING YOU JUST BACK FROM
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AURORA
COMMONS SHOULD BE THE BEST
FUNDED NONPROFIT IN THE
SEATTLE. YOU COULD FUND PEER
RESOURCE OUTREACH AND DO MUCH
BETTER THAN TODAY. THESE ARE
EASY SOLUTIONS. I WILL REMEMBER
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE, WHAT YOU
DO TODAY WHEN YOU ARE UP FOR
RE-ELECTION. I AM FEELING VERY
INSPIRED.
>> THANK YOU, JENNIFER.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TICE WHO
WILL BE FOLLOWED BY JACLYN. GO
AHEAD.
>> WHAT WE ARE WITNESSING IS
THE BACKSLIDING OF HUMAN
LIBERTIES HERE IN SEATTLE WHICH
HAS ALWAYS BEEN HELD UP TO THIS
COUNTRY. WE ARE GOING TO PASS
THESE LAWS THAT WERE APPEALED A
FEW YEARS AGO BECAUSE YOU KNOW
THAT THEY TARGET PEOPLE OF
COLOR YET, THEY DON'T CARE.
EVERY SINGLE ISSUE THAT PEOPLE
OUT HERE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT
IS DUE TO PEOPLE WHO SET UP THE
EXISTENCE THAT HAVE POVERTY
DRIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE
PEOPLE IN THE COUNCIL KNOW THAT
THEY HAVE THE KEYS AND
SOLUTIONS TO POVERTY. INSTEAD,
THEY CHOOSE TO TRAFFIC DEBT
WHICH WILL BUILD HOUSING. THEY
WANT TO JAIL PEOPLE INSTEAD OF
PROVIDING SERVICES THAT WILL
MAKE PEOPLE SAFER. BOAT NO ON
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A. AND
WHATEVER ELSE YOU ARE TRYING TO
DO.
>> THANK YOU. ANNEXED SPEAKER
IS JACLYN. FOLLOWING JACLYN
WILL BE JENNIFER.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> I LIVE IN DISTRICT 4 AND I
AM HERE TO ASK YOU TO OPPOSE
THE S.O.A.P. LAW. IT IS
INCOMPATIBLE WITH A FREE
SOCIETY TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT
THE ABILITY TO ARREST PEOPLE
FOR ANYTHING THEY CHOOSE.
VICTIMS WOULD BE BARRED FROM
THE AREA, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE
FOR THE SEX TRAFFICKING TO GET
THE RESOURCES THEY NEED. FOR
RESIDENTS IN AURORA WHO ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE, I
URGE YOU TO READ THE FULL TEXT
OF THIS BILL. THE WORD GUN
APPEARS FOUR TIMES IN THIS BILL
WHILE THE WORD PROSTITUTION
APPEARS 88 TIMES. THIS IS NOT
THE SOLUTION WE NEED. AS A
COUNCIL , THIS IS A SOLUTION
AND WE WANT MORE PROGRAMS TO
PROTECT VICTIMS. SHOW US THE
AND PART FIRST INSTEAD OF
FALLING BACK ON THE TERRIBLE
LOITERING LAWS. WE CAN BE
BOTHERED TO LEARN ABOUT THE
MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE SO I
HOPE YOU CAN BOTHER TO CARE
ABOUT YOUR OWN RE-ELECTION. I
URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS
LAW.
>> THANK YOU. LAST REMOTE
SPEAKER IS JENNIFER. GO AHEAD,
JENNIFER.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
JENNIFER. I'M A DISTRICT 3
RESIDENT AND I OPPOSE THE
UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND
INEFFECTIVE LEGISLATION. THESE
LAWS DON'T WORK AND WE ALREADY
KNOW THAT. THIS ANYTHING IS
BETTER THAN NOTHING ATTITUDE IS
NOT ONLY PATERNALISTIC BUT IT
IS DANGEROUS. WE KNOW WHAT
WORKS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE,
INCREASED GUN CONTROL AND
STRONG LOCAL ECONOMIES. THIS
COUNCIL'S REFUSAL TO CONSIDER
ANY MEANINGFUL FUNDING
INCREASES FOR EXISTING PROGRAMS
INSTEAD OF CONTINUING TO
CRIMINALIZE EXISTENCE IS
IMPORTANT AND SHAMEFUL. YOU
NEED TO VOTE NO. THIS DOESN'T
WORK. IT ISN'T THE ANSWER AND
WE ALREADY KNOW THAT. I DO NOT
UNDERSTAND WHY YOU KEEP
BRINGING THIS BACK TO US. WE
KNOW IT DOESN'T WORK. STOP IT.
I YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME.
>> WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO
IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE
ARE GOING TO CALL THE NEXT 10
NUMBERS, 21 THROUGH 30. 21
THROUGH 30, PLEASE SIGN UP AT
THE TWO SETS OF MICROPHONES.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM HERE IN
OPPOSITION TO THE ZONES WHICH
HAVE BEEN POSSESSED BY COUNCIL
MY PREVIOUS PERSONAL
EXPERIENCES WOULD SALE ORDERS
IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE AND MY
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AS
OUTREACH WITH SOCIAL SERVICES
HAVE ONLY REINFORCE THE
PROHIBITIVE ZONES ONLY SHUFFLES
DRUG USE AND THE RELATED
ACTIVITIES TO ANOTHER AREA.
PUSHING OUR MOST VULNERABLE
COMMUNITY MEMBERS FURTHER INTO
THE MARGIN DURING THIS CRISIS
WILL LEAD TO MORE FATAL
OVERDOSES AS PEOPLE BECOMORE
VISIBLE WITH SYSTEMS OF CARE
AND PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVIDE
LINKAGES TO THE SERVICES. THIS
UNSTABLE DRUG SUPPLY REQUIRES
UPSTREAM CENTERED APPROACHES
WITH MORE OF THE SAME HARMFUL
DOWNSTREAM CRIMINAL RESPONSES
WE HAVE ALWAYS GOT.
>> MY NAME IS DAVID. I AM A
MEMBER OF TECH FOR HOUSING.
THESE LAWS WERE REPEALED
BECAUSE WE TRIED THEM AND THEY
DID NOT WORK. WHY DO YOU
BELIEVE THEY WILL WORK THIS
TIME? WHAT DATA ARE YOU LOOKING
AT? OUR POLICE ARE UNDER
FEDERAL SUPERVISION FOR BEING
TOO ZEALOUS IN VIOLATING CIVIL
RIGHTS. YOU ARE NOW GIVING THEM
MORE. POLICE IN THE BROAD CITY.
ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT OUR
POLICE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE IN
EXERCISING THIS DISCUSSION AND
WHY? THE ACLU IS TELLING YOU
THESE LAWS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
AND INEFFECTIVE. IF YOU THINK
THAT THE ACLU IS TELLING YOU
THAT PURPOSELY OR ARE YOU
TRYING TO GET THE CITY SUED AS
SOME SORT OF MISGUIDED
POLITICAL STUNT? THESE ARE
BASIC QUESTIONS YOU WOULD GET
FOR PROPOSING A PLAN OF ACTION
AT ANY NORMAL -- YOU ARE
SUBJECT TO THE SAME STANDARDS
AS I PROPOSED A SOLUTION AT MY
JOB. THANK YOU.
>> I AM A HOMEOWNER ON CAPITOL
HILL. I HAVE LIVED AND WORKED
IN SEATTLE SINCE 2005 AND SPENT
A LOT OF TIME ON OUR PUBLIC
TRANSIT. I AM HERE IN
OPPOSITION TO S.O.D.A. AND
S.O.A.P. AND TO SUPPORT PUBLIC
HOUSING. I AM VERY TIRED OF
SEATTLE PROMISING TO ARREST ITS
WAY OUT OF THE STREET PROBLEMS
WE HAVE HAD FOR A VERY LONG
TIME. I WORKED AND LIVED
DOWNTOWN HERE AT 3rd AND PIKE.
OVER DECADES, WE HAVE SEEN
STREET DISORDERS THAT WE CANNOT
ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF. WE DO
NOT HAVE ENOUGH POLICE AND
ENOUGH JAIL CAPACITY TO ENACT
THESE LAWS IN ANY EFFECTIVE
MANNER . POLICE ALREADY HAVE
PLENTY OF LAWS TO ARREST PEOPLE
FOR ASSAULT, THEFT, AND OTHER
CRIMES. JUDGES ARE ABLE TO SET
-- THESE LAWS ARE NOT GOING TO
PREVENT PEOPLE FROM DOING DRUGS
AND ENTERING THE PLACES OF THE
CITY THAT ARE VITAL --
>> HELLO. I AM 82 YEARS OLD AND
LIVING DOWNTOWN, CLOSE TO
LITTLE SAIGON. I FREQUENTLY
WALK OR TAKE PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION TO THE
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT
DOWNTOWN, DOING RESTAURANTS,
MUSEUMS AND CONCERTS AND HAVE
NEVER FELT SAFE, EVEN IN THE
EVENING.
>> PAUSE, PLEASE.
>> PLEASE REFRAIN FROM MAKING
NOISES WHEN
>> I AM OPPOSED TO THE
S.O.D.A. LEGISLATION. AND
RECOMMEND INSTEAD THAT YOU
RAISE PROGRESSIVE REVENUE TO
PROVIDE HOUSING FOR THE
HOMELESS AND ALSO IF POSSIBLE
TO REDUCE RECKLESS DRIVING
WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY BENEFIT
US ALL. THANK YOU.
>> I AM HOPE, I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 4. I URGE YOU TO VOTE
NO. I DID NOT WANT TO COME HERE
TODAY, BUT I DID. IF MY
COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE ADULT
INDUSTRY DID NOT MAKE IT TODAY
THAT IS BECAUSE THEY FEEL THE
RISK OF VIOLENCE, LOSING
FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES OR
WORSE. OF COURSE MANY ARE
WORKING RIGHT NOW ARE TAKING
CARE OF KIDS BECAUSE THEY
CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE TIME OFF.
YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD FROM ANY
WORKERS THAT ARE DIRECTLY
IMPACTED BY THIS POLICY. THEY
JUST DIDN'T FEEL SAFE TO
IDENTIFY THEMSELVES. THAT IS
WHY IT ANGERS ME THAT YOU
REPEATEDLY ASK SEX WORKERS COME
HERE AND TESTIFY YET YOU IGNORE
US. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE RISK OUR
SAFETY AND LIVELIHOODS TO SHARE
OUR PERSPECTIVE. WHY ARE YOU
IGNORING US IN THE EVIDENCE
THAT SHOW THESE LAWS WILL HARM
AND NOT HELP. SEX WORKERS IN
ALL CORNERS OF THE INDUSTRY SAY
THIS YEAR HAS BEEN MORE
FINANCIALLY TOUGH THAN MOST. WE
ARE VULNERABLE TO TAKING SAFETY
RISKS, THE SUPPLIES GOING TO
MAKE THIS WORSE, NOT BETTER. NO
ONE --
>> MY NAME IS ALYSSA, I OWN
BOTH THE HOME AND BUSINESS IN
DISTRICT 5 JUST OFF OF AURORA
IN THE PROPOSED SOAPSTONE AND
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN
OPPOSITION TO THE S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. LITTERING BILLS.
NEARLY EVERY DAY I WALK TO AND
FROM WORK DONE AURORA AVENUE
AND FREQUENTLY A FRIEND WILL
PICK ME UP HALFWAY THROUGH MY
WALK TO DRIVE ME HOME. THIS IS
A RATHER NORMAL OCCURRENCE BUT
ACCORDING TO THE PROPOSED
LEGISLATION IT COULD GET ME
ARRESTED BECAUSE I'M DOING
EXACTLY WHAT THEY CLAIM CAUSES
SOMEONE TO LOOK LIKE A
PROSTITUTE. THIS OF COURSE IS
UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN BECAUSE
HISTORY TELLS US THESE LAWS ARE
DISPROPORTIONALLY ENFORCED
AGAINST THOSE WERE BLACK, BROWN
AND POOR. WE DO NEED TO ADDRESS
VIOLENCE, DRUGS AND TRAFFICKING
BUT WE HAVE SEEN OVER AND OVER
AGAIN MAKING ALREADY
MARGINALIZED PEOPLE'S LIVES
HARDER DOES NOTHING TO HELP BEG
PROVIDE RESOURCES AND SOCIAL
SEOSE WERE
STRUGGLING RATHER THAN PUSHING
THEM FURTHER OUTSIDE TO TRY TO
HIDE THEM FROM THOSE OF US --
>> WE ARE NOW AT NUMBER 27.
>> MY NAME IS MIMI, I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 2. I'M HERE TO ASK
YOU TO VOTE NO ON COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE'S SUPPLY. ABOVE ALL ELSE
I'M A MOTHER TRYING TO PROVIDE
A BETTER LIFE FOR MY DAUGHTER.
WAS LIKE THIS WOULD DEVASTATE
MY FAMILY. LEAVING HER ALONE IN
THIS WORLD, PUTTING ME IN A
LEGAL, FINANCIAL BIND I WOULD
LIKELY NEVER RECOVER FROM.
ALTHOUGH I AM IN A VOCATIONAL
SCHOOL OPEN TO RELY ON ENGAGING
SEX WORK LESS IT'S STILL A
NECESSARY FORM OF WORK TO
SUPPORT US IN A HOSTILE
ECONOMY. I HAVE THE RIGHT TO
ENGAGE IN THE SAFEST WAY I CAN
WHICH OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS
PROVES MORE DIFFICULT. SOME OF
US ONLY RELY ON THIS TO
SURVIVE. WE KNOW BEST HOW TO DO
IT SAFELY, NOT TO HAVE THIS
DECRIMINALIZE US AS THEY
SPECULATE AND PROJECT A FALSE
NARRATIVE ONTO AN ALREADY
HIGHLY STIGMATIZED PROFESSION.
WE KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE.
FINING, JAILING, AND FORCING AN
ALREADY VULNERABLE PERSON --
IMPLEMENTED WITH EXTREME BIAS
DOESN'T. I ASKED MY CITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS TO VOTE NO ON
THE LOITERING LAWS. THANK YOU.
>> AMIDE DISTRICT 5 RESIDENT
AND GREENLIGHT PROJECT ONTO. MY
SEX WORKER FRIEND IN DISTRICT 5
CAME HERE TODAY TO TESTIFY WITH
THEIR KIBBE HAD TO LEAVE
BECAUSE BEING A WORKING MOTHER,
MAKES DOING THINGS LIKE THIS
REALLY DIFFICULT. THE RECENT
BILL AMENDMENT'S TO CHARGE AND
TARGET PIMPS AND CLIENTS
INSTEAD OF WORKERS DOESN'T
AFFECT HOW HARMFUL IT IS.
GREENLIGHT PROJECT OUTREACH
PARTICIPANTS ON AURORA GETTING
ARRESTED FOR LOITERING AND
HAVING THEIR LIVES UPTURNED AND
INCREASED RATES SINCE THE BILLS
INTRODUCTION TO COUNCIL LAST
MONTH. AGAIN THE LOITERING LAW
IS NOT IN EFFECT AND SEX
WORKERS ARE STILL BEING
ARRESTED. WHY WHAT THE
AMENDMENT CHANGE ANYTHING? THEY
BOTH REPORTEDLY TARGET THOSE
WHO PROMOTE PROSTITUTION
LOITERING IN THE S.O.A.P. ZONE.
AS WRITTEN SPD COULD DECIDE
THAT INCLUDES GOP WHEN WE ARE
DOING OUTREACH. KATHY MOORE DID
NOT LISTEN TO THE MOST IMPACTED
STAKEHOLDERS AND DOES NOT HAVE
COMMITTEE TRUST WHEN IT COMES
TO PASSING THIS LEGISLATION.
EVEN WITH THE AMENDMENT THIS
BILL --
>> NEXT PLEASE. GO AHEAD. BEGIN
SPEAKING.
>> MY NAME IS ALEXANDRA. I'M
HERE TO SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE'S BILL. ON THE SCHOOL
DAY THIS BRING ME MY
THREE-YEAR-OLD BUDDY TO PICK UP
THE SIX YEAR OLD SIBLING FROM
HIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. AS WE
WERE READY TO WALK TWO CARS
SPED PAST US, A DANGEROUS
SPEED. IT WAS UNKNOWN PIMP AND
A GANG NUMBER THAT DROVE FROM
AURORA. SECONDS LATER WE WISH
LIST THEM FIRING SHOTS AT EACH
OTHER RIGHT OUTSIDE OF CHRIST
THE KING SCHOOL. THE HOUSE
WHERE THE CASINGS WERE FOUND
HAS A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD LIVING IN
IT. THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING
WAS 2:58 PM. THIS IS WHEN L
ENTRY SCHOOLS LET THE KIDS OUT.
THE GUN VIOLENCE FROM PIMP TURF
WARS IS CREEPING FURTHER INTO
THE NEIGHBORHOODS. THIS
TERRIFIED US. NOW MY CHILDREN
DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE FRONT
YARD. IS MOST SCHOOL
IMPLEMENTED DRILLS IN SCHOOL
CANCEL AN EVENT AND SURE ENOUGH
THAT AFTERNOON THERE WAS
ANOTHER SHOOTING.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR LAST SPEAKER IN THIS SET
IS NUMBER 30.
>> MY NAME IS MAIA AND I LIVE
IN DISTRICT 5. I AM A STUDENT
AT ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY AND I'M
ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO ON THE
S.O.A.P. ZONE. HAVING CLOSE
FRIENDS WHO ARE SEX WORKERS IN
LIVING TWO BLOCKS FROM AURORA,
I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE
VIOLENCE AND EXPLICATION ARE
COMMITTEE. YES, MY DISTRICT
NEEDS HELP, BUT NOT FOR MORE
ARRESTS. THE PEOPLE WE ARE
PROPOSING TO BAN FROM THIS AREA
ARE OUR NEIGHBORS AND THEY
DESERVE OUR SUPPORT, NOT
EXCLUSION. DISPLACING PEOPLE
THROUGH S.O.A.P. ZONES WILL
PUSH SEX TRAFFICKING FOR THE
UNDERGROUND INTO OTHER
COMMUNITIES MAKING IT MORE
DANGEROUS FOR SEX WORKERS AND
EVERYONE INVOLVED. THIS LAW IS
FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSPHOBIC,
RACIST, SEXIST AND CLASSIST
BECAUSE IT DISPROPORTIONALLY
TARGETS AND PROFILES
MARGINALIZED PEOPLE. THIS IS
NOT WHAT I WANT FROM SEATTLE.
WE MUST FOCUS ON REAL
SOLUTIONS. HOUSING FIRST
INITIATIVES, DECRIMINALIZING
SEX WORK , PROGRAMS AND
HEALTHCARE FOR ALL. PLEASE VOTE
NO.
>> THANK YOU. WE WILL MOVE INTO
10 REMOTE SPEAKERS. AS A
REMINDER, WHEN YOU HEAR YOU
HAVE BEEN UNMUTED, PLEASE PRESS
STAR SIX. OUR FIRST REMOTE
SPEAKER FOR THIS GROUP, INDIGO.
FOLLOWING INDIGO WILL BE TAYLOR
FARLEY. GO AHEAD.
>> HI, MY NAME IS INDIGO I LIVE
IN DISTRICT 3 AND I AM
TESTIFYING IN OPPOSITION TO
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A.. PUBLIC
SPACES BELONG TO EVERYONE AND
IT IS WRONG TO LET POLICE
DECIDE WHO IS ALLOWED TO BE IN
WHICH SPACES AND IN WHAT WAY.
PEOPLE WHO ARE ACCUSED OF
LOITERING WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
ACCESS KEY SEATTLE TRANSIT
ROUTES AND WILL BE CUT OFF FROM
ALL THE BUSINESSES, HOUSING AND
OTHER RESOURCES IN THE AREA.
AND BECAUSE LAWS LIKE THESE ARE
DISPROPORTIONALLY ENFORCED ON
BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE, IT WILL
LEAD TO DE FACTO SEGREGATION.
SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL CLAIM IT
TARGETS PROMOTERS AND BUYERS
RATHER THAN SEX WORKERS
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS. THE
REALITY IS THE PROSTITUTION
LOITERING LAW AS WRITTEN IN
S.O.A.P. STILL APPLIES TO SEX
WORKERS. IF YOU CLAIM YOU'RE
TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF
TRAFFICKING AND HELP THE
VICTIMS, YOU DON'T CREATE A
LOT TO ARREST THEM. WHAT OTHER
LAWS ARE THERE TO HELP VICTIMS
OF ABUSE BY RESTING THEM? THANK
YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER'S TAYLOR
FARLEY FOLLOWING -- FOLLOWED BY
ALLISON BAKER. GO AHEAD.
>> HELLO, I AM TAYLOR FARLEY
AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AT CLEAR POWER ALLIANCE. WE
STRONGLY OPPOSE BOTH ORDERS OF
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A.. THEY DO
NOT PREVENT CRIME NOR REDUCE
GUN VIOLENCE. THIS HAS NOTHING
TO DO WITH THE SAFETY OF
PEOPLE. THIS IS GIVING MORE
MONEY TO DO MORE FUNDING FOR
POLICE AND TAKING AWAY FROM
OTHER PROGRAMS. THOSE THAT ARE
THE MOST HARMED WILL BE BLACK,
BROWN, INDIGENOUS, POOR AND
ALGAE B TO Q INDIVIDUALS, --
LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS. THERE IS A
BETTER PATHWAY, INSTEAD OF
REVERTING TO HARMFUL POLICIES
AND ERASING FUNDING, WE ASK YOU
TO EXPAND HARM REDUCTION
PROGRAMS, DECRIMINALIZING SEX
WORK, STRENGTHEN
ANTIDISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS
AND PROMOTE RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE.
>> THANK YOU. I NEXT SPEAKER IS
ALLISON BAKER. FOLLOWING
ALLISON WILL BE ELLIE. GO
AHEAD, ALLISON.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS ALLISON, I
WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SEATTLE.
I OPPOSE THE S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. LAWS. THEY ARE ARCHAIC
LAWS THAT WOULD PUT VULNERABLE
POPULATIONS IN MORE PRECARIOUS
SITUATIONS. GETTING TRAPPED IN
THE LEGAL SYSTEM. GOING TO JAIL
DOES NOT HELP PEOPLE GET CLEAN
OR REDUCE VIOLENCE. FURTHERMORE
IT DOES NOT WORK IN THE PAST OR
PREVENT SEX TRAFFICKING OR
CRYING. THIS LAW WOULD GO
FURTHER AND MAKE IT OKAY FOR
THE POLICE TO ARREST PEOPLE
SEEMING LIKE THEIR PROSTITUTES.
IT WOULD BE UP TO POLICE TO
MAKE THAT JUDGMENT CALL MAKING
IT MORE LIKELY FOR POLICE
MENTALITY TOOK HER. EVIDENCE
FROM THE PAST SHOWS THE LAW
TARGETS FOR BROWN, BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS AND LGBTQ
INDIVIDUALS ARE COMMITTEE. IT
DOES NOTHING TO HELP PEOPLE
ALREADY IN HARD SITUATIONS,
ONLY MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT
FOR THEM TO SURVIVE. I FEEL FOR
PEOPLE -- WHO ARE IN HARMS WAY
OF GUN VIOLENCE. IF YOU WANT
YOUR CHILDREN SAFE FROM GUN
VIOLENCE INCREASE PUBLIC GUN
CONTROL. THIS IS NOTHING TO
STOP SEX TRAFFICKING.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ELLIE
AND FOLLOWING ELLIE WILL BE
NOEL GOMEZ. GO AHEAD, ELLIE.
ELLIE, YOU MAY NEED TO PRESS
STAR -- GO AHEAD.
>>
>> I LIVE IN RENTED AND WORK IN
SEATTLE. BY BLOCKING GRASSROOTS
HOUSING INITIATIVE 137 IT'S
CONTINUING TO EMPTY SEATTLE OF
ALL THE WEALTHIEST FAMILIES OF
SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN. YOU'RE
MAKING THINGS HARDER FOR
MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES THE DO
TRY TO STAY IN SEATTLE. YOUR
PUTTING A STRAIN ON NEIGHBORING
CITIES THAT WERE ACCESSIBLE TO
FAMILIES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE
RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT AT THE
MOMENT IS ABOVE CAPACITY AND WE
ARE SENDING SOME STUDENTS TO
BUILD THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SEATTLE SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS ARE
BELOW CAPACITY. I WONDER WHY
THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE. SEATTLE
IS ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST CITIES
ON THE PLANET. AND HE RETURNED
TO PREVENT A BADLY NEEDED
SOURCE OF REVENUE. PLEASE
DON'T DO THIS. PUT INITIATIVE
137 ON THE BALLOT WITH NO
ALTERNATIVE AND VOTE NO ON
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A..
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NOEL
FOLLOWED BY PARIS CHAPMAN. GO
AHEAD, NO WILL. -- KNOLL.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS
NOEL AND I AM EIGHT SEX
TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR AND I HAVE
ALSO WORKED IN THE SEATTLE AREA
WITH SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIMS. I
AM HERE IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.
THIS BILL WILL BE GOING AFTER
PEOPLE WHO ARE CHOOSING TO USE
THE EXPLOITED PEOPLE ON AURORA.
WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE
PEOPLE WERE BEING TRAFFICKED ON
AURORA , THE 12, 13, 14 AND
50-YEAR-OLD KIDS I'VE WORKED
WITH OFF OF AURORA. WE ARE NOT
DISCUSSING THAT HERE AND I'M
CONFUSED ABOUT THAT. WE NEED TO
HOLD THE BUYERS AND TRAFFICKERS
ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT IS GOING
ON ON AURORA. THIS IS ABOUT THE
MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE
STUCK IN THIS LIFE, NOT THE
MINORITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO CALL
THEMSELVES SEX WORKERS WHO FEEL
EMPOWERED. WE AS A SOCIETY
CANNOT LEAVE THESE EXPLOITED
PEOPLE OUT THERE TO DIE. WE
MUST MAKE AN INTERVENTION AT
THIS POINT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS PARIS CHAPMAN FOLLOWED BY
THEO REINHARDT. GO AHEAD ,
PARIS.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE, I AM THAT
JUSTICE AND PREVENTION MANAGER
AT THE COALITION TO END
VIOLENCE. I HAVE GROWN UP IN A
FAMILY FULL OF WOMEN WHO HAVE
SURVIVED SEX TRAFFICKING . WE
CAN AGREE THAT INTERVENTION IS
NECESSARY, BUT THE S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. BILLS HAVE ALREADY
BEEN INEFFECTIVE AND WERE
ALREADY REPEALED IN 2020 AND
BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE HARMFUL
PATTERNS OF DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST SURVIVORS OF COLOR IN
PARTICULAR. AND SO, I WANTED TO
MAKE SURE WE KNOW THAT THESE
BILLS ARE AN INVESTMENT IN
CRIMINALIZATION , THE
SYNCHRONIZATION WE SAW AGAINST
SURVIVORS TRYING TO MAKE THEIR
WAY UP OUT OF SLAVERY IN 1676.
ALSO TRYING TO MAKE IT --
TRYING TO GET THEIR BILLS PAID
AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A
VIABLE WAY TO LIVE. MY ASK IS
THAT YOU VOTE NO ON THE BILLS.
>> THANK YOU. I NEXT SPEAKER IS
THEO FOLLOWED BY RIVKA. GO
AHEAD.
>> HELLO, I AM A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 3. I'M CALLING TO
OPPOSE S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A..
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN
TOUCHED ON BRIEFLY OTHER
SPEAKERS BUT NOT DISCUSSED IN
DETAIL IS HOW THIS IS AN
UNFUNDED MANDATE. AND ALL OF
THIS IS GOING TO COST MONEY. WE
ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ASK FOR
MORE IN THE BUDGET DESPITE
PEOPLE HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THEY
DON'T WANT ANY MORE FUNDING
GOING TO THE POLICE. ALSO, AT
THIS MOMENT THERE IS AN ISSUE
WITH COURT SYSTEMS BEING THAT
THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY HAS
MADE IT SO THAT ONE CRIMINAL
JUDGE CANNOT TAKE CASES WHICH
MEANS RIGHT NOW THE CRIMINAL
CASELOAD IS OVERWHELMING.
PEOPLE ARE GETTING STUCK IN IT.
CRIMINALIZING PEOPLE IN SEX
WORK IS GOING TO PUT THEM --
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COME OUT
FOR VERY LONG TIME. IT'S NOT
EVEN GOING TO KEEP THEM OUT OF
-- BECAUSE THE PIPELINE IS SO
OVERLOADED.
>> THANK YOU. I NEXT SPEAKER'S
RIVKA FOLLOWED BY MY UP. GO
AHEAD RIVKA.
>> HI, MY NAME'S RIVKA. I GREW
UP NOT FAR FROM AURORA. I USED
TO GO TO THE LATE-NIGHT AT THE
COMMUNITY CENTER QUITE OFTEN.
PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING FROM IN MY
COMMITTEE IS POVERTY. AND
LOCKING US UP AND PREVENTING US
FROM ACCESSING OUR OWN
COMMUNITY IS NOT GOING TO HELP
THAT ISSUE. WHAT COULD HELP
THAT ISSUE IS MENTION THE KIDS
THAT ARE OVER THERE, WHAT DO
KIDS DO WHEN THEY GET OUT OF
SCHOOL? THERE REALLY ISN'T
ANYTHING FOR US TO DO. FUNDING,
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS LIKE THE
LATE-NIGHT AT THE COMMITTEE
CENTER, AND THINGS OF THAT
NATURE, CAN HELP US NOT HAVE TO
ENGAGE IN OTHER EXTRACURRICULAR
S THAT ARE SUPER HELPFUL. I
THINK IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO
UNDERSTAND THAT ADDRESSING
POVERTY IS WHAT WE SHOULD FOCUS
ON HERE. AND FUNDING PUBLIC
HOUSING WITH HELP TO ALLEVIATE
THAT. I OPPOSE THE S.O.A.P.
LAW, I THINK IT IS BARBARIC AND
IT'S KIND OF CRAZY --
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
MAIA FOLLOWED BY ALBERTO. GO
AHEAD,
>> HI. I'M A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 5 LIVING IN THE
S.O.A.P. ZONE. I'M HERE TO ASK
YOU TO VOTE NO. AND CONCERNED
ABOUT THE BILL AS IT WILL
DIRECTLY HER MY COMMITTEE. I
HAVE TWO BLACK SIBLINGS WHO
ATTEND INGRAM HIGH SCHOOL IN
THE LOCATION OF THIS BILL WILL
THICKLY IMPACT OUR LIVES THE
NEIGHBORS. IT UNDERLINES THE
MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE. --
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE ALSO
LINKED TO PREVENT -- POLICE
VIOLENCE. WITH HELP VAGUE THE
BILL IS THERE'S A HYPER
ABILITY FOR POLICE TO ENGAGE IN
PENALIZING SERVICES. INCREASING
POLICING CAN EXACERBATE
VIOLENCE RATHER THAN LEAVING
IT. FOR MARGINALIZED COMMITTEES
THIS COULD MEAN HEIGHTENED
VULNERABILITY. MY SIBLINGS ARE
ALREADY SCARED TO GO TO SCHOOL
IN FEAR BEING SHOT. MORE
OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS COMMISSION
ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL. WE BARELY
EVEN HAVE SIDEWALKS. WE JUST
GOT A SIDEWALK AND EVEN
GRADUATED FROM INGRAM. CAN WE
FUND THE RIGHT THINGS? MAYBE
METAL DETECTORS?
>> I LAST SPEAKER FOR THIS
REMOTE GROUP IS ROBERTO.
>> S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A. ZONES
DO NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS
THIS COUNCIL AIMS TO FIX.
INSTEAD OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
CRISIS OUTREACH, OR DRUG REHAB,
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE AND
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE ALONG WITH
THEIR FAR RIGHT ALLIES AND
BACKERS SEEK TO HARASS THE POOR
AND STRUGGLING. THESE LAWS HAVE
BEEN PROVEN TO OVER POLICE
BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE. MOORE
EVEN HAD TO CENSOR HER
PUBLICATIONS WHEN SHE
INTRODUCED HER BILL. MAKING A
TARGET OF THE LG PARTICULAR
COMMUNITY IN OUR COMMUNITY
THESE LAWS HAVE OFTEN BEEN USED
BY THE POLICE TO GAIN SEXUAL
FAVORS IN RETURN FOR LETTING
PEOPLE OFF THE HOOK. HOW IS
THIS JUSTICE? HOW IS THIS
RIGHT? THESE BILLS ARE RACIST
AND SOLELY THE PRODUCT OF NIMBY
AND THE ELITE. SHAME ON
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE AND
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE AND THOSE
ON THIS COUNCIL HAVE NOT SPOKEN
OUT AGAINST THESE BILLS. VOTE
NO ON S.O.D.A. AND S.O.A.P..
>> WE ARE NOW READY FOR THE IN
PERSON SPEAKERS. WE ARE NOW AT
NUMBER 31 OUT OF 101 SPEAKERS.
THE NEXT SPEAKER'S OUR NUMBER
31 AND 40. IF YOU ARE 31
THROUGH 40 LINEUP . NUMBER 31
IS THE FIRST SPEAKER IN THIS
GROUP.
>> MY NAME IS GABRIEL JONES AND
I HAVE EXCITING NEWS. I AM NOW
ABLE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHICH
MEANS MY OPINION HERE MATTERS
MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE'S. WHO
CARES THE GROUPS LIKE THE ACLU
OF WASHINGTON, THE COALITION OF
HOMELESSNESS IN THE KING COUNTY
PUBLIC DEFENDERS SAID THIS IS
AN AWFUL IDEA. I AM A SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER AND THAT MEANS
MY OPINIONS MATTER MORE THAN
ANYONE ELSE. WHO CARES WE'VE
TRIED THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN
IT DIDN'T WORK . WHO CARES IF
GOING BACK 50 YEARS TO TRY THE
SAME THING AGAIN AND AGAIN
HITTING OUR HEADS THE SAME WAY.
I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.
I'M SO EXCITED, ISN'T IT
GREAT? MY OPINION MATTERS SO
MUCH MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.
THAT'S WHY I GOT THE EMAIL TO
COME EARLIER SO ONLY THE PEOPLE
WE WANT HEARD GET HEARD OVER
AND OVER AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN I'M
A MEMBER OF A SMALL BUSINESS.
GREAT. MY OPINION MATTERS MORE
THAN EVERONE ELSE. AND VERY
EXCITED FOR THE TAX CUTS I GET.
VERY EXCITED FOR THE COUNCIL TO
KISS THE GROUND TO WALK ON
BECAUSE I'M A SMALL BUSINESS
OWNER. THANK YOU.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> I LIVE IN THE LITTLE SAIGON
PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT. I HAVE LIVED THERE
BEFORE THE STRICKER AND JACKSON
SO I HAVE A FRONT ROW SEAT TO
WHAT'S HAPPENING ON 12. ONE OF
THE AREAS PROPOSED BY THE
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A. BILLS.
WHO KNEW BEING CITY
COUNCILMEMBER WOULD BE SUCH A
HARD JOB, RIGHT? YOU WANTED TO
DO THIS JOB BECAUSE YOU
BELIEVED YOU WOULD DO THE MOST
GOOD FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REALLY
LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS WHO WERE
HERE TO TALK AND TELL YOU THAT
THIS BILL WILL CAUSE MORE HARM
THAN IT WILL DO GOOD. BEING A
CITY COUNCILMEMBER IS HARD. AND
REINSTITUTING IT ONCE REPEALED
LAW IS AN EASY FIX. A BILL THAT
IF PASSED WILL PROBABLY AT
LEAST AT BEST BRING ANOTHER
LAWSUIT TO THE CITY AND AT
WORST, BE A DEFICIT. CREATING
NEW SOLUTIONS FOR THE SAME
PROBLEM THE DON'T GET OUT OF
THE JOB. HOUSE GIVING MORE
DISCRETION --
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> YOUR TIME IS A. HAVE A SEAT,
PLEASE. NEXT SPEAKER, GO AHEAD.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS AMBER, I
LIVE AND WORK IN DISTRICT 5
JUST A FEW BLOCKS OFF OF AURORA
AVENUE NORTH. I VOLUNTEER FOR
GREENLIGHT PROJECT DOING
OUTREACH TWICE PER WEEK ON
AURORA FOR STREET-BASED SEX
USERS -- WORKERS, AND MORE.
WE'VE BEEN PROVIDING RESOURCES
AND SERVICES TO STREET-BASED
SEX WORKERS EVERY WEEK SINCE
2019. I HAVE PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE WHO
WILL BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY
THE ORDINANCES I'M HERE TO
OPPOSE. THE RACIST, SEXIST,
TRANSPHOBIC LITTERING WAS IN
THE S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A.
ZONES. EVERY COMMUNITY EXPERT
AND SEATTLE ORGANIZATION THAT
WORKS WITH SEX WORKERS
CURRENTLY AND TRAFFICKING
VICTIMS IS UNANIMOUSLY OPPOSED
TO THIS BADLY WRITTEN AND
INTENTIONALLY VAGUE
LEGISLATION. THERE ARE 57
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE STATED
OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL
INCLUDING MINE. THE COALITION
FOR SAFETY. PLEASE LISTEN TO
THE EXPERTS AND THE SEX WORKERS
TESTIFYING TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS ANDREW. I'M A
SEATTLE AREA NATIVE AND USE
COAST GUARD VETERAN THAT LIVES
FOUR BLOCKS AWAY FROM AURORA. I
SUPPORT LEGALIZING SEX WORK.
IT'S NOT GOING AWAY. THEY
DESERVE A TOMMY. NOT BEING
RECRUITED BY A MAN AND SOLD TO
ANOTHER MAN. THEY DESERVE TO
SERVE THE CLIENTS ONLINE AND
WORKPLACE SAFETY LIKE NOT
GETTING SHOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A
TOUR FOR. THEY DESERVE A SAFE
WORKING ENVIRONMENT LIKE A
BROTHEL, NOT CONTORTED INSIDE
OF A FIAT IN THE ALLEYWAY NEAR
MY HOUSE. PSYCH WORKERS --
THESE LOVE -- THE CHANCE TO PUT
THEM IN JAIL. OTHERWISE A PIMP
GOES FREE. THESE ARE EXACTLY
WHAT REGULATION FRAMEWORK WOULD
LOOK LIKE IN A LEGALIZED
INDUSTRY. I'VE NEVER SEEN THE
OPPOSITION IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'VE NEVER SEEN THEM ON AURORA
I'VE NEVER SEEN SEX
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS ON AURORA.
--
>> NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE.
>> SPEAKER 35. MY NAME IS
AMANDA. I HAVE LIVED DIRECTLY
OFF OF AURORA AND 101st FOR THE
LAST 17 YEARS. USED TO COME
DOWN TO ROAR ALL THE TIME AND
RIDE THE BUS AS A KID AT EIGHT
YEARS OLD BY MYSELF. I NEVER
HAD AN ISSUE. I'VE NEVER FELT
UNSAFE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD UP
UNTIL THE LAST 18 MONTHS. EVERY
TWO DAYS THERE WAS A SHOOTING.
I CAN'T WASH MY CAR. I CAN
PARK MY CAR. I CAN'T TAKE HIM
A GARBAGE. I WOULD COME INTO
CONTACT WITH TRAFFICKED
CHILDREN, NINE, 10, 11, 12
YEARS OLD, THAT I'VE TRIED TO
HELP. WE DO NEED MORE SERVICES.
AND I AGREE THAT SEX WORK IS
ABSOLUTELY WORK. AND IT'S HARD
WORK. BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT. WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT TRAFFICKED
CHILDREN. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
GUN VIOLENCE THAT HAS ESCALATED
OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS TO THE
POINT HER NEIGHBORS DO . THMOVI
THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I AND MY
HUSBAND LITERALLY HAVE CHOSEN
NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN BECAUSE OF
WHERE WE LIVE.
>> NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE.
>> MY NAME IS HEIDI. I'VE
LIVED IN DISTRICT 54 BLOCKS OFF
OVER YOUR 105th FOR 15 YEARS.
I'M A SOCIAL WORKER AND A
MOTHER OF THREE. I STRONGLY
SUPPORT THE S.O.A.P. BILL. THE
MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR
COMMITTEE ARE OUR CHILDREN. OUR
CHILDREN HEAR GUNSHOTS AT NIGHT
AND SCREAMS FROM SEX WORKERS
BEING SHOT. OUR CHILDREN WATCH
PIMPS DROP OFF SEX WORKERS AND
JOHNS PICK THEM UP. OUR
CHILDREN DODGE USED CONDOMS ON
WALKS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. OUR
DAUGHTERS ARE PROPOSED BY PIMPS
AND JOHNS. THIS IS A REQUEST
FOR HELP. THIS BILL MAY NOT
ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE
ISSUES NOR DOES IT PREVENT US
FROM TAKING ACTION TO ADDRESS
THOSE ROOT CAUSES. THE CITY
MUST TAKE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE
INCREASED GUN VIOLENCE AND SEX
TRAFFICKING ALONG AURORA
THAT'S PUTTING RESIDENTS IN
DANGER. HAVE TRAUMATIZED THE
CHILDREN AND RESIDENTS. THANK
YOU.
>> I AM IN OPPOSITION TO
S.O.D.A.. I AM A TRANS-WOMAN
WHO SPIRITUALLY BEEN IN HOUSTON
SUFFERED FROM DRUG ADDICTION
AND IS NOW STABLY HOUSED.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA, AS YOU'VE
SAID, SHAME ON US FOR LUNG
PEOPLE TO LIVE IN THE STREET
AND NOT HAVING BETTER
CREDIBILITY FOR OUTCOMES. WE
WILL INVEST HEAVILY IN THE
SOLUTION. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH, I SEE EVERYTHING
CONNECTED TO POVERTY. YOU GO TO
THE DEEPER QUESTION OF WHY DO
PEOPLE JOIN GANGS, BECAUSE OF
CONNECTION AND FAMILY. IT
OFFERS A SENSE OF BELONGING.
AND COUNCILMEMBER MOORE, IT IS
SO MUCH EASIER TO KEEP PEOPLE
HOUSED THAT IT IS TO HOUSE THEM
ONCE THEY BECOME UNSHELTERED.
PEOPLE LIVE IN THESE AREAS.
PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE PROCESS
OF ESCAPING FROM SITUATIONS OF
DESPERATION. AND WHO WILL BE
FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMES, OUT
OF THE COMMUNITIES AND ANY
SENSE OF CONNECTION TO
STABILITY THEY HAVE. WHERE IS
THE RELOCATION SUPPORT? A
PUBLIC SAFETY SOLUTION. AND
WILL ACTIVELY CREATE MORE THESE
ISSUES AND REPORTS TO SWEEP
AWAY. THANK YOU.
>> GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> MY NAME IS SARAH A RESIDENT
OF DISTRICT 3. A GROUP IN
DISTRICT 5. AND THE SISTER OF A
SEX WORKER WHO DIED EARLIER
THIS YEAR. I'M IN STRONG
POSITION OF THE S.O.A.P. ZONE
PUSHING SIX WORK FOR THE
UNDERGROUND TO THE NEXT BLOCK
OR INTO A JAIL CELL DOES
NOTHING TO CURB TRAFFICKING OR
THE LIVES OF SEX WORKERS. IT
WILL MAKE IT MORE DANGEROUS AND
EXACERBATE THE CYCLE OF
CRIMINALITY FOR YOUR
CONSTITUENTS MOST IN NEED OF
YOUR SUPPORT. WE MUST BRING
PEOPLE IN, NOT PUSH THEM OUT.
WE MUST LEAD WITH EMPATHY,
RESOURCES AND RESPECT, NOT
INCARCERATION, FINES AND
DISCRIMINATION. BUILDING SAFE
AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AMONGST
UNMET NEED AND DECADES OF
UNDERINVESTMENT IS HARD. THE
PAIN EXPRESSED BY EVERYONE HERE
TODAY THIS LAST TWO MEETINGS --
BUT BANISHMENT IS NOT
DIVERSION. IT IS NOT CARE. AND
BANISHMENT DOES NOT WORK.
PLEASE NO.
>> GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> MY NAME IS PHOEBE, A
RESIDENT IN DISTRICT 3 AND
UNION REPRESENTATIVE FOR OP EIU
LOCAL EIGHT. BEFORE HE DID THAT
I WORKED AT DIRECT SERVICE FOR
SIX YEARS. LOCAL EIGHT
REPRESENTS WORKERS AT KNEE-HIGH
COMPASS, PLYMOUTH HOUSING YOUTH
CARE, SOLID GROUND, FRIENDS OF
YOUTH AND CRISIS CONNECTIONS.
THE COUNCIL HAS HEARD THAT THE
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A.
ORDINANCES ARE AN ATTACK ON
CIVIL LIBERTIES. MANY EXPERTS
HAVE TOLD YOU THESE METHODS
SIMPLY DO NOT WORK AND WILL
EXACERBATE THE ISSUE. YOU HAVE
HEARD REPEATEDLY THAT THE MOST
EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE-BASED MEANS
OF SOLVING ALMOST THIS IS THE
MOST HUMANE. TO HOUSE PEOPLE.
IT SEEMS THAT NONE OF THIS HAS
MOVED THE COUNCIL. SO I WANT TO
EMPHASIZE YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE
WATCHING. OP EIU LOCAL EIGHT
AND THE OVER 7000 MEMBERS WHO
REPRESENT ACROSS THE STATE --
LABOR COMMUNITY , STANDS WITH
US BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. MAKE NO
MISTAKE, WE ARE WATCHING AND WE
WILL REMEMBER --
>> GO AHEAD, NEXT SPEAKER.
>> I AM THE MANAGER AT THIRD
AND PIKE, I'VE BEEN THERE FOR
39 YEARS. I THINK THE CITY
COUNCIL, I THINK COUNCILMEMBER
KETTLE, COUNCILMEMBER WOO, EACH
OF YOU FOR LISTING TO US AND
PARTICIPANTS IN THIS. WE KNOW
IT'S NOT EASY. I WILL TELL YOU
WHAT, ALLOWING FOR DRUG
ADDICTION, ALLOWING FOR
OPEN-AIR DRUG USE, ALLOWING FOR
PROPERTY DAMAGE, ALLOWING FOR
OPEN-AIR THEFT AND PEOPLE
WALKING IN AND OUT , SELLING
RIGHT ON THE SIDEWALKS,
EMPLOYEES BEING ROUGHED UP AND
HURT , ONE OF MY COWORKERS WAS
PUT IN THE HOSPITAL AND OUT FOR
TWO MONTHS WITH A BROKEN SHE
NOON BECAUSE OF A YOUNG PERSON
THAT HAD PUNCHED HIM ON THE
STREET. THIS IS NOT WHAT WE
NEED. I DO URGE YOU TO SUPPORT
-- CO-LEAD AND LEAD FOR
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING BUT WE NEED
TO SUPPORT THIS. IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. WE WILL MOVE ON
TO REMOTE SPEAKERS. OUR NEXT
THREE REMOTE SPEAKERS ARE ELIZA
--
>> WE'VE NOW BEEN IN SESSION
FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF AND WE
NEED TO GET TO THE INITIATIVE
DISCUSSION. I WILL ASK THE WE
CONTINUE THIS , THAT WE GO
THROUGH THIS BATCH OF REMOTE
SPEAKERS AND THEN WE WILL
CONSIDER BREAKING FOR THE
CONSIDERATION OF THE INITIATIVE
BECAUSE IT WILL BE GETTING
TOWARD THE END AND MAKING TIME
. GO AHEAD.
>> THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS,
ELIZA, JERRY AND KAT. GO AHEAD.
>>
>> PLEASE GO ON TO THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
>> JERRY. PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS JERRY, I AM AN
ENROLLED TRIBAL MEMBER. A
SURVIVOR OF TRAFFICKING, I'M
ALSO REPRESENTING WASHINGTON
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION WAYS
FORWARD. I AM A DIRECT SERVICE
PROVIDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FOR INNOVATION HUMAN
TRAFFICKING COLLABORATIVE. I
STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS BILL. WE
CURRENTLY HAVE ON AURORA IS DE
FACTO DECRIMINALIZATION. IT IS
ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO BUY AND
SELL TRAFFIC VICTIMS. WE ARE
NOT TALKING ABOUT SEX WORK.
THIS IS TRAFFICKED INDIVIDUALS
WE ARE DISCUSSING. AND, THE
S.O.A.P. ORDER WOULD AFFECT
BUYERS AND TRAFFICKERS. THERE
IS NO PROVISION OF ARRESTING
ANYBODY THAT IS OUT THERE. WHAT
WE WANT TO DO IS PROVIDE
SERVICES AND WHAT I WAS TRAFFIC
ON AURORA I WAS EXTREMELY
EXPLOITED AND IT STILL IS
HAPPENING. I STRONGLY URGE YOU
TO SUPPORT THIS BILL. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
>> GO AHEAD KAT.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS KAT, I
AM AGAINST THIS S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. LAW. THESE TWO
PROPOSED LAWS ARE BACKWARDS,
RACIST AND FRANKLY AN UGLY LOOK
FOR SEATTLE. PERSONALLY LOOKING
LIKE A PROSTITUTE IS OBJECTIVE.
ALLOWING POLICE TO PROFILE
PEOPLE, IN THIS CASE OFTEN
WOMEN OF COLOR, IS EXTREMELY
DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE
ALLOWED. THESE POLICIES KEEP
PEOPLE IN POLICY, BANNING
SOMEONE FROM AN AREA OF TOWN
PREVENTS THEM FROM BEING ABLE
TO DO SOMETHING THAT MAY BE
ESSENTIAL TO THEM, THE FAMILY
AND THE COMMITTEE. WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT SEX WORKERS. SEX
WORKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
AND ORGANIZERS ARE ASKING FOR
RESPECT AND BEGGING YOU NOT TO
PASS THE LAW. LISTEN TO THEM.
DON'T DO IT. IT IS
UNDERSTANDABLE TO BE CONCERNED
ABOUT VIOLENCE, BUT IT'S NOT
GOING TO BE SOLVED WITH THESE
OUT OF TOUCH TOUGH ON CRIME
POLICIES. I'M NOT OKAY WITH
LIVING IN A CITY THAT BELIEVES
THAT SEX WORKERS SHOULD BE IF
I'D BANDED JAILED AND THAT'S
WHY STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE
LAWS. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE
DJ, AIDAN AND SCOTT. GO AHEAD,
DJ.
>> MY NAME IS DJ, BALLARD
HOMEOWNER. I'M STRONGLY
AGAINST S.O.D.A. AND SO. IT'S
FUNNY HOW COUNCIL IS SO
CONCERNED ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE,
TRAFFICKING, THINGS THERE
ALREADY LINGLE THAT THE GOING
TO CRIMINALIZE OTHER STUFF
RANDOMLY AND SOMEHOW THAT WILL
ADDRESS IT. IT WILL REDUCE DRUG
USE OR SEX WERE, SIMPLE MAIL --
EMAILED LAY THIS OUT. WE KNOW
THIS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BAR
PEOPLE FROM THE CITY WITHOUT A
CONVICTION, JUST BECAUSE THE
COPS ARRESTED THEM AND A
PROSECUTOR TOLD THE JUDGE THEY
SWEAR THEY WERE CONNECTED TO
DRUGS AND OR SEX WORK. WE KNOW
THIS WILL THIS PERSONALLY
IMPACT BIPOC UNITIES BECAUSE
THAT IS WHO IS PRETTY ARREST
SEVEN TIMES HIGHER UP TO THE
NINE TIME HIGHER. WE KNOW THEY
GET HARSHER SENTENCES THAN
WHITE PEOPLE. WE KNOW COUNCIL
HAS MENTAL HEALTH, FOR HOUSING,
WE CAN KEEP OUR LIBRARIES OPEN
OR MAINTAIN THE HOURS.
>> GO AHEAD, AIDAN.
>> AIDAN PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX.
>> THERE. THE LEGISLATION OF
THE S.O.A.P. ZONE FAILS TO
DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SEX
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS AND
CONSENSUAL SEX WORKERS. WE KNOW
BOTH EXIST. SO THE PROPORTION
IS NOT THE ISSUE. ALSO IT FAILS
TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN BUYERS
OF SEXUALLY EXPLOITED TRAFFIC
VICTIMS AND BUYERS OF SEX WORK.
THE LEGISLATION ISN'T CAPABLE
OF DOING SO BECAUSE OF THE WAY
IT IS WRITTEN. ARIANA POINTED
OUT THE MOST TRAFFIC INTENSE
JOBS OUR CONSTRUCTION AND
AGRICULTURE BUT WE DON'T
PROPOSE ARRESTING ALL OF THEM.
AND YES, ARREST SEX WORKERS AND
PROMISE A TO CHARGE THEM, THANK
YOU SWEAR. THE S.O.D.A. ZONE IS
WORSE. WE NOTE DRUG USE IS A
DISABILITY. AND IT'S CAUSED BY
ALL SORTS OF SELF-MEDICATION
AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND
OTHER TRAUMA NEEDS.
>> GO AHEAD, SCOTT.
>> MY NAME IS SCOTT, A RESIDENT
OF BEACON HILL. I VEHEMENTLY
OPPOSE THE BILL FOR S.O.D.A.
AND S.O.A.P.. I'M SPEAKING AS
A CONCERNED COMMITTEE MEMBER ,
TEACHER, TRAINER, PARENT,
RESEARCHER, AND PSYCHOLOGIST
FAMILY THERAPIST AND SUBSTANCE
ABUSE COUNSELOR FOR OVER 25
YEARS. THESE ARE NOT LIKE
SAFETY BILLS. THESE ARE
VIOLENCE AGAINST THE COMMITTEE
AND A VEHICLE TO INCREASE
FUNDING IN THE PIPE WENT TO
PRISON. IT IS CRITICAL THE
COUNCIL AND SPD STOP
CRIMINALIZING MEMBERS OF THE
COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY
MARGINALIZED FOLKS, BIPOC,
IMMIGRANTS, TRANSIT AND OUR
NEIGHBORS WERE HOMELESS. AND
INVEST IN EVIDENCE-BASED
SOLUTION. SUPPORTING THE
COMMUNITY FROM VIOLENCE. KING
COUNTY DECLARED RACISM A PUBLIC
HEALTH CRISIS. YET --
>> OUR NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE
ASHLEY, KATIE AND AARON. GO
AHEAD, ASHLEY.
>> WE ARE GOING TO SKIP ASHLEY.
GO AHEAD KATIE.
>> MY NAME IS KATIE, I'M
CALLING IN TODAY TO OPPOSE
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A.. [
INDISCERNIBLE ] STREET-BASED
OUTREACH. MY HEART GOES OUT TO
THOSE WHO HAVE OR ARE
EXPERIENCING HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
THE CITY SHOULD DECRIMINALIZE
SEX WORK AND INVEST IN
RESOURCES AND SUPPORT. COUNCIL,
ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU FEEL MOST
COMFORTABLE CHOOSING TO PUNISH
PEOPLE RATHER THAN HELPING
PEOPLE? I BELIEVE LOVE AND CARE
TOWARDS PEOPLE IS WHAT BRINGS
HEALING AND SAFETY AND REDUCES
HEART. CAN YOU FIND COMPASSION
WITHIN YOURSELF TO INVEST IN
SYSTEMS OF COMMUNITY CARE,
PORTABLE CARE SUCH AS WELL AND
37, FOOD ACCESS, LOW BARRIER
VOLUNTARY HEALTHCARE ESPECIALLY
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE
SUPPORT, JOBS THAT PAY A LIVING
WAGE, LIBRARIES AND CHILDCARE.
WHY DO YOU FEEL THE NEED TO
CONTINUE INVESTING IN POLICING
AND INCARCERATION PERPETUATING
CYCLES OF POVERTY? WE HAVE
DECADES OF DATA THAT SHOW THESE
APPROACHES DON'T HELP. THEY
HARM. PLEASE INVESTED
EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO --
>> GO AHEAD, AARON.
>> MY NAME IS ASHLEY, CAN I
SPEAK, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE
PHONE?
>> GO AHEAD, ASHLEY.
>> MY NAME IS ASHLEY AND I'M
ONE OF THE COCHAIRS FOR THE
LGBTQ COMMISSION FOR THE CITY
OF SEATTLE. I'M ALSO A
NONPROFIT WORKER AND RESIDENT
OF DISTRICT 5. I'M CALLING IN TO
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A.
LEGISLATION AND ENCOURAGE CITY
COUNCIL TO ENGAGE CONSISTENCE
FROM DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES,
SPECIFICALLY LGBTQ, BLACK AND
BROWN FOLKS THAT WILL BEAT THIS
PARTIALLY HARMED. AT OUR LAST
COMMISSION WE SPENT 20 EVENT --
20% OF OUR TIME -- WE SUBMITTED
A RESOLUTION TO THE COUNCIL AND
HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A
MEANINGFUL RESPONSE. CIVIL
RIGHTS IN A FEEL YOU OPPOSE
THIS BILL. ARE DOING SOMETHING
FOR THE SAKE OF DOING SOMETHING
WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE HARMFUL
IMPLICATIONS IS EXACTLY WHY THE
LAWS WERE AGAINST WITH. I AM
FOR THE COUNCIL TO -- YOU WANT
TO WORK WITH YOU BUT WE NEED
YOU TO WORK WITH US. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, GO AHEAD, AARON.
>> MY NAME IS AARON WHEELER AND
EMMY MASTERS OF SOCIAL WORK
STUDENT SITTING AT THE MERCY OF
WASHINGTON. I'VE LIVED HERE
FOR 15 YEARS AND HAVE BEEN A
SERVICE PROVIDER FOR FOLKS
AFFECTED BY THIS POLICY. I
STRONGLY ASK YOU TO VOTE
AGAINST EXCLUSION ZONES. LOCAL
NATIONAL RESEARCH HAS PROVEN
THESE POLICIES DO NOT WORK. PER
THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER
INTELLICODE, I DEMAND YOU CAN
LAMENT THE RACIAL EQUITY
TOOLKIT UNDER THE RACE AND
SOCIAL JUSTICE ORDINANCE. THESE
POLICIES ARE RACIST AND
CLASSIST. THAT IS PART OF THE
REASON WE STOPPED DOING IN
2020. INTERVENING IN SITUATIONS
INVOLVING EXPORTED SEX WORKERS
AND HUMAN TRAFFICKERS AND
PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION
REQUIRES TRAUMA CENTERED
APPROACHES SUPPORTING SAFETY
AND LONG-TERM RECOVERY.
MANAGEMENT HAS PROVEN TO BE A
HARMFUL INTERVENTION. THESE
WILL NOT AND THE GUN VIOLENCE
OR SEX TRAFFICKING MENTIONED BY
PREVIOUS SPEAKERS. ARREST AND
BANISHMENT ARE NOT AN
APPROPRIATE INTERVENTION TO.
OTHER CITIES ENDED THIS BECAUSE
THEY DON'T CREATE POSITIVE
CHANGE. --
>> ALASKA SPEAKERS .
>> HI, I AM A HOLDER --
HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT 5,
IVORIES KIDS HERE FOR 20 YEARS.
AND I SUPPORT THE S.O.A.P.
LEGISLATION AND I AM CURIOUS ,
THE REASON I'M DOING IT IS
BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN SUCH A
LARGE RAISING GUN VIOLENCE OVER
THE LAST FEW YEARS. AND IT
STRIKES ME THAT PEOPLE ARE
TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY STOPPED
SINCE 2020 ANYWAY, I SUPPORT
THE LEGISLATION AND APPLAUDS
THE COUNCIL FOR DOING
SOMETHING.
>> BRETT.
>> HELLO, I AM ANOTHER COCHAIR
OF THE SEATTLE LGBTQ
COMMISSION. WHICH OPPOSES THE
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A. LAWS. WE
HAVE HEARD FROM AN INCREDIBLE
NUMBER OF CONSTITUENTS JUST AS
THE COUNCIL HAS HEARD FROM AN
INCREDIBLE NUMBER THEIR
CONSTITUENTS WOULD BE AFFECTED
BY THIS LEGISLATION . AND
OPPOSE IT DUE TO THEIR
INEFFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS
CONSEQUENCES THAT THEY WOULD
HAVE FOR MARGINALIZED PEOPLE IN
THE CITY. PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR
CONSTITUENTS AND VOTE NO ON THE
LEGISLATION.
>> THAT CONCLUDES THIS SECTION
OF REMOTE SPEAKERS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IF
THERE IS NO OBJECTION THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE
POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER
CONSIDERATION OF THE INITIATIVE
AND THE PRESENTATIONS SCHEDULED
FOR TODAY'S MEETING. HEARING
NO OBJECTION, THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IS POSTPONED
UNTIL AFTER CONSIDERATION OF
THE INITIATIVE AND TODAY'S
PRESENTATION. ALL RIGHT, THAT
MEANS WE ARE PROCEEDING TO ITEM
D ON OUR AGENDA. INITIATIVE 137
IS BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THE
COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO
CONSIDER THE OPTIONS PROVIDED
BY THE CHARTER IN THE ALLOTTED
45 DAYS PROVIDED. AS NOTED
ABOVE WE GOT A PROPOSED
ALTERNATIVE TO 137 BEFORE US.
WE ARE JOINED BY JEN TO
PRESENTED AND ANSWER QUESTIONS
CUSTOMERS MAY HAVE.
>> I AM PAUSING FOR CENTRAL
STAFF. WHILE WE ARE WAITING, IF
THERE IS NO OBJECTION THE RULES
WILL BE SUSPENDED TO ALLOW
CONTROL CENTRAL STAFF TO
ADDRESS THE COUNCIL. HEARING NO
OBJECTION, THE RULES ARE
SUSPENDED.
>> HELLO.
>> WE HAVE SUSPENDED THE RULES
, WALK US THROUGH THE MAIN
POINTS.
>> GIVE ME A MOMENT TO PUT MY
NOTES. I WILL BE PROVIDING A
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE
ALTERNATIVE FOR I-137. GIVE ME
JUST A MOMENT TO CATCH MY
BREATH. OKAY, SO YOU HAVE , ON
THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR TODAY, THERE WILL BE
THERE IS AN ORDINANCE,
LEGISLATION FOR AN ALTERNATIVE
TO I-137. THAT ALTERNATIVE
AMENDS THE PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX
CODE TO DEDICATE $10 MILLION
ANNUALLY FOR FIVE YEARS TO THE
SEATTLE SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER . FUNDS CAN BE USED
TO ACQUIRE, DEVELOP SOCIAL
HOUSING INTO PROVIDED MINISTRY
TO SUPPORT. THAT $10 MILLION
WILL BE ADJUSTED, $10 MILLION
WILL BE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY FOR
INFLATION. UP TO 95% OF THE
FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR
ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION OR
REHABILITATION COSTS INCLUDING
REDEVELOPMENT COSTS AND UP TO
5% CAN BE USED FOR THE SEATTLE
SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPERS
MISTREATED COSTS. A COUPLE OF
KEY THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE
ORDINANCE, FUNDS DEDICATED TO
THE SEATTLE SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER
BACK AND SAY THAT THE ORDINANCE
, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THE
$10 MILLION ANNUALLY, ALSO
AMENDS SOME OTHER THINGS IN THE
CODE OR THE PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX
CODE. UNDER THE LEGISLATION,
FUNDS THAT ARE DEDICATED TO THE
SEATTLE SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER CAN BE USED TO
SUPPORT UNITS UP TO 80% A OF I.
CURRENTLY ONLY 60% AMI. THE
SEATTLE SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER WOULD NEED TO FIND
OTHER SOURCES OF OTHER UNITS
ABOVE 80% AMI. UNDER THIS
LEGISLATION, THE SEATTLE SOCIAL
HOUSING DEVELOPER WOULD BE
CONSIDERED AN ELIGIBLE BORROWER
PROVIDED IT HAS A CEO, CFO, AND
ADEQUATE FINANCIAL CONTROLS .
UNDER THE CURRENT HOUSING
FUNDING POLICIES, IN ORDER FOR
A SEATTLE SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER, IT WOULD NOT BE
CONSIDERED DUE TO LACK OF
EXPENSE. THE SEATTLE SOCIAL
HOUSING DEVELOPER WOULD NOT
HAVE TO COMPETE IN THE REGULAR
KNOW FULL PROCESS FOR THE
DEDICATED PORTION OF THE $10
MILLION OF CAPITAL FUNDS THAT
WOULD NEED TO SUBMIT A PROJECT
APPLICATION AND ANY APPLICATION
WOULD BE SUBJECT TO OH STANDARD
UNDERWRITING PROCESSES IS FOUND
IN THE HOUSING FUNDING POLICY.
THEREFORE A FUNDING AWARD IS
NOT GUARANTEED. UNLESS
OTHERWISE EXEMPTED IN THE
ORDINANCE, ALL OF OH HOUSING
FUNDING POLICIES WILL APPLY TO
ANY SOCIAL HOUSING PROJECT
RECEIVING DEDICATED FUNDS.
THOSE POLICIES INCLUDE BUT ARE
NOT LIMITED TO ELIGIBLE AND IN
ELIGIBLE COSTS. CRITERIA FOR
COMPLETE APPLICATION.
UNDERWRITING STANDARDS. LOAN
CONDITIONS. MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS REQUIREMENT AN
ONGOING PROJECT MONITORING.
THERE'S ALSO A REPORTING
REQUIREMENT CONSISTENT WITH
BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE REPORTS
OH PROVIDES USE OF ALL OF ITS
CAPITAL FUNDS. IF DEDICATED
FUNDING IS NOT AWARDED WITHIN
THREE YEARS, IT WILL BE MADE
AVAILABLE THROUGH OH REGULAR
PROCESS, DEDICATED FUNDS
CONTAINED UNDER THE FORM OF A
GRANT OR LOAN, WHICH IS MORE
FLEXIBILITY THAN THE HOUSING
POLICY CURRENTLY ALLOWS.
CURRENTLY FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING PROJECTS RECEIVING
FUNDS TO THE OFFICE OF HOUSING
IN THE FORM OF A LOAN. UNDER
THE LEGISLATION, THE SEATTLE
SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPER MUST
COMPETE LIKE ANY OTHER
ORGANIZATION FOR OTHER PT
DOLLARS OUTSIDE OF THE
DEDICATED FUNDING AMOUNT OR
OTHER TYPES OF OH CAPITAL
DOLLARS. FOR ANY FUNDING
OUTSIDE OF THAT $10 MILLION IN
DEDICATED FUNDS, ALL OH HOUSING
FUNDING POLICIES WILL APPLY. OH
DIRECTOR HAS THE DISCRETION TO
MAKE AN WERE GREATER THAN 40%
OF THE TOTAL DEVELOPMENT COST
FOR A PROJECT WHICH IS THE
TYPICAL LIMIT AND OH'S HOUSING
FUNDING POLICIES. ONE
ADDITIONAL THING WHICH I
SHOULD'VE PREFACED AT THE
BEGINNING, AND I THINK IT IS
PROBABLY COME CLEAR AT THIS
POINT, OH WOULD ADMINISTER THE
$10 MILLION IN DEDICATED
FUNDING ACCORDING TO THE
HOUSING FUNDING POLICIES
COUNCIL ADOPTED HOUSING FUNDING
POLICIES AND THE ONLY PLACES
WHERE THE HOUSING FUNDING
POLICIES WOULD NOT APPLY IS
SPECIFICALLY WHERE THEY ARE
EXEMPTED IN THIS PARTICULAR
LEGISLATION. I WILL STOP THERE.
>> TO MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON
INITIATIVE 137 OR THE
ALTERNATIVE? GO AHEAD,
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT
AND THINK YOU, JEN, FOR BEING
HERE AND TAKING US THROUGH THE
HIGH POINTS TO THIS
ALTERNATIVE. AS YOU KNOW, AND
AS I SAID YESTERDAY, I
COSPONSORED THIS ALTERNATIVE
WITH HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES
CHAIR KATHY MOORE AND COUNCIL
MEMBERS CATTLE AND
COUNCILMEMBER WOO. THE MAYOR
HAD VOICED SUPPORT FOR VOTERS
TO HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE ON THE
BALLOT . WE HAVE CREATED AN
ALTERNATIVE. WE CAN ALL AGREE
WE NEED MORE AND WE DO AGREE WE
NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN
SEATTLE. AS I SAID YESTERDAY,
THE ALTERNATIVE MEASURE
BALANCES THE NEED FOR
INNOVATION WITH THE NEED FOR
ACCOUNTABILITY. IT ALLOWS US,
SEATTLE SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER, AND NEW PUBLIC
ELEMENT AUTHORITY TO
DEMONSTRATE PROOF OF CONCEPT
INSTEAD OF THE CITY GIVING OVER
A BLANK CHECK TO YET ANOTHER
NEW AGENCY THAT DOES NOT HAVE A
TRACK RECORD OF CREATING
HOUSING. AS YOU HEARD FROM OUR
CENTRAL STAFF, THE ALTERNATIVE
REQUIRES THAT THE NEW SOCIAL
HOUSING EFFORT COMPLIES WITH
THE SAME SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE
FOR THE EXISTING AFFORDABLE
HOUSING PROVIDERS. THAT WILL
ENSURE PUBLIC DOLLARS ARE SPENT
WISELY AND EFFECTIVELY . AS
STEWARDS OF PUBLIC FUNDS WE ARE
ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR
ENSURING THE TAXPAYERS SEE THE
INTENDED RETURNS ON THEIR
INVESTMENT. WE NEED TO SEE
RESULTS FIRST. BOTH PIECES OF
LEGISLATION WOULD APPEAR ON THE
BALLOT IN FEBRUARY FOR VOTERS
TO DECIDE. THE ALTERNATIVE AND
THE RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE BOTH
THE LEGISLATION, THE ORIGINAL
I-137 AND THE ALTERNATIVE ,
WILL APPEAR FOR A VOTE THIS
THURSDAY AT A FULL COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING WHICH IS
SEPTEMBER 19, AT 2:00. JEN IS
HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS AS WELL. BOTH WOULD
APPEAR AND I AM GOING TO SAY
THAT THIS WILL APPEAR ON THE
FEBRUARY BALLOT. I FEEL PRETTY
CONFIDENT THAT WE ARE ALL GOING
TO VOTE TO MAKE SURE THIS
APPEARS ON THE BALLOT, WITH OR
WITHOUT THE ALTERNATIVE. BUT WE
HAVE CRAFTED AN ALTERNATIVE
THAT WAS THOUGHTFUL AND THAT
KEPT IN MIND WHAT CURRENT
HOUSING PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN
DELIVERING ON. THEY HAVE
EXPERIENCE DOING THIS WORK. KE
MAY HAVE. ALL RIGHT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES.
>> THE FIRST OF WHICH, I THINK
THERE'S A COMPLETE LACK OF
UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THIS
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WOULD BE
DOING AND HOW IT WOULD ACTUALLY
WORK WITH EXISTING NONPROFIT
AND FOR-PROFIT AFFORDABLE
HOUSING DEVELOPERS. OR EVEN
MARKET RATE DEVELOPERS, GIVEN
THAT IT CAN GO UP TO 120%. I
THINK THERE'S A
MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT WHAT THE
INTENT OF THIS MODEL IS. THE
OTHER THING I WILL SAY IS THIS
ALTERNATIVE ROBS PETER TO PAY
PAUL. IT IS TAKING FROM
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS ,
FROM ANTI-DIS-PLACEMENT
PROJECTS, FROM HOMELESS
SHELTERS WERE DEPENDENT ON THE
PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX. ARE
SHELTERS, AS WE KNOW ARE
GROSSLY UNDERFUNDED. SERVICE
PROVIDERS ARE GROSSLY
UNDERFUNDED. ARE
ANTI-DISPLACEMENT PROJECTS ARE
GROSSLY UNDERFUNDED. AND OUR
INVESTMENTS IN GREEN NEW DEAL
PROJECTS ARE GROSSLY
UNDERFUNDED. WE ARE WOEFULLY
BEHIND IN PRODUCING ENOUGH
HOUSING IN THE CITY FOR LOW AND
MIDDLE INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES. AND WE SHOULD BE
INVESTING EVERY CENT WE HAVE
INTO HER HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS. SO PITTING
ONE TYPE OF DEVELOPER AGAINST
ANOTHER AND MAKING EVERYBODY
COMPETE FOR PARTICULAR
RESOURCES IS NOT THE RIGHT
ANSWER. WE NEED BOLD
INVESTMENTS YESTERDAY. FOR
THOSE ON COUNCIL WHO NEED PROOF
OF CONCEPT, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU
TALK TO THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
. FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS THEY
HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY EMPLOYING A
SOCIAL HOUSING MODEL.
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE IS
WORKING ON A SIMILAR HOUSING
INNOVATION. CHICAGO,
CALIFORNIA, HAWAII, ATLANTA,
RHODE ISLAND, THE LIST GOES ON
AND ON. IN FACT I CHAIR THE
SOCIAL HOUSING COMMITTEE ON THE
LOCAL PROGRESS ORGANIZATION
WHICH IS A GROUP OF ELECTED
OFFICIALS FROM ACROSS THE
COUNTRY WHO ARE INTERESTED OR
ALREADY PROMOTING THIS KIND OF
MODEL. SOCIAL HOUSING IS NOT A
RADICAL IDEA. IS AN
INTERNATIONALLY PROVEN MODEL
AND COUNTLESS JURISDICTIONS ARE
TAKING IT UP HERE IN THE U.S.
WE SHOULD'VE BEEN INVESTING IN
THIS MODEL DECADES AGO. BUT
THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO
START TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
PUBLIC SAFETY ISN'T JUST
INCARCERATION OR MORE POLICE OR
MORE PUNITIVE POLICIES. IT IS
INVESTING IN THE SOCIAL FABRIC
OF OUR SOCIETY. THIS
ALTERNATIVE WOULD DRASTICALLY
HAMPER THE INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL
OF THIS MODEL HERE IN SEATTLE.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE IT. THANK
YOU.
>> QUIET IN THE HOUSE PLEASE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
COUNCILMEMBER WOO.
>> I HAVE A CLEAR FINE
QUESTION. THIS MONEY IS COMING
OUT OF JUMPSTART. IS A COMING
OUT OF EXISTING FUNDING OR
ACCESS FUNDING FROM JUMPSTART?
WHERE SPECIFICALLY?
>> SO THIS MONEY WOULD COME OUT
OF THE EXISTING UPSTART
REVENUE. IT IS NOT ADDITIVE.
>> DOES IT TAKE AWAY FROM ANY
OF THE BUCKETS?
>> THE LEGISLATION ITSELF IS
SILENT ABOUT THAT. IT JUST SAYS
$10 MILLION OF JUMPSTART WILL
BE USED OR DEDICATED FOR THIS
PURPOSE. I THINK WHERE IT COMES
FROM AND WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS
ARE IMPACTED IN ORDER TO
ACCOMMODATE THIS IS STILL TO BE
DETERMINED DURING THE BUDGET
PROCESS.
>> THANK YOU. SO, I BELIEVE WE
NEED --
>> WILL SECURITY -- YOU HAVE
BEEN WARNED ABOUT NOT SPEAKING
OR MAKING DISRUPTIONS WHILE WE
ARE UP HERE CONDUCTING OUR
BUSINESS. YOU PLEASE NOW STOP
THE BEHAVIOR. THE NEXT TIME I
WILL ASK SECURITY TO ESCORT YOU
OUT OR COMMIT YOU TO
DISCONTINUE THE BEHAVIOR. GO
AHEAD.
>> I ALSO WANT TO CLARIFY
SOMETHING. AND SOCIAL HOUSING
MODEL, I BELIEVE IS 80 TO 100%
AMI. WHEN WE SAY THIS HOUSING
IS GOING TO HELP OUR UNHOUSED
NEIGHBORS AND UNHOUSED FOLKS, I
DON'T THINK THAT IS CORRECT. I
THINK THIS WILL HELP PEOPLE,
WHAT WE CALL 80% AMI, PEOPLE
WHO ARE WHAT WOULD BE THE TERM
FOR THAT?
>> YOU HEAR VARIOUS TERMS. I
THINK THERE IS NO FORMAL
DEFINITION . SOMETIMES YOU HEAR
WORKFORCE HOUSING. SOMETIMES
YOU HEAR LITTLE HOUSING. YOU
CAN DEPEND. NO SPECIFIC
DEFINITION.
>> I THINK AS OUR ROLE IN
GOVERNMENT WE NEED TO HELP FUND
PEOPLE WHO NEED THE MOST
RESOURCES, WHO NEED THE MOST
HELP. ZERO TO 40% AMI .
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDER, WE
DO WORKFORCE HOUSING. WE CHARGE
RENT BASED ON PEOPLE'S INCOME.
WE FOUND THAT THE 30, 40, 50
AND UNDER AMI, THERE'S A
WAITING LIST FOR THIS TYPE OF
HOUSING. 80% AMI WHICH IS WHAT
SOCIAL HOUSING IS I BELIEVE, IT
IS NOT THAT?
>> THERE ARE MULTIPLE
INDIVIDUALS ENGAGING IN
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR AND THAT IS
CAUSING DISRUPTION OF OUR
MEETING. PROACH
DIVIDUALS DISRUPTION. IF ORDER
RESTORED WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT
STEP. I'M NOT GOING TO WAIT
FOR SECURITY TO ESCORT THE
INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS SPOKEN WE
WERE TRAINED TO CONDUCT THEIR
BUSINESS TO PLEASE LEAVE.
WORKING JUST AS THAT PERSON.
YES. YOU ARE ENGAGING IN
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR . WHAT DID
YOU SAY? LET'S TRY ONE MORE
TIME. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR
ME TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS WHO
DOING THE DISRUPTION. LET'S
PAUSE HERE AND WE WILL CONTINUE
WITH OUR MEETING. THE NEXT TIME
THERE IS AN INTERRUPTION,
PLEASE ESCORT THAT PERSON OUT.
OKAY.
>> SO BASICALLY, COULD YOU
CLARIFY WHAT SOCIAL HOUSING IS,
WHAT AMI SPECIFICALLY WE ARE
ADDRESSING?
>> AND NOW IT'S ON. UNDER
I-135 WHICH IS THE INITIATIVE
THE PAST TO CREATE SOCIAL
HOUSING, IT SAID THAT SOCIAL
HOUSING SHOULD HAVE A RANGE OF
INCOMES OR UNITS AFFORDABLE TO
A RANGE OF INCOMES TO THE
MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE. THAT
RANGE OF INCOMES WAS FROM 0%
AMI TO 120% AMI.
>> SO, THIS WOULD HELP PEOPLE
WHO ARE HOMELESS, BASICALLY?
>> I THINK THAT THE IDEAS ARE A
RANGE OF INCOME SERVE TO THE
MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE. WHAT
THAT MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE IS
DEPEND ON THE PROJECT CREATED.
IT IS HARD TO ANSWER THAT IN A
HYPOTHETICAL. BUT IT COULD. IT
IS ENVISIONED TO SERVE A RANGE
OF INCOMES.
>> GREAT. SO, I WAS UNDER THE
IMPRESSION THAT THIS WAS 80% TO
120% AMI. REGARDLESS OF THAT,
TO FINISH MY SENTENCE, UNDER
50% AMI , WE SEE THERE IS A
WAITING LIST. THERE ARE A LOT
OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO NEED THIS
HOUSING. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE
80% AMI RANGE OR 50% OR ABOVE,
THESE UNITS REMAIN OPEN,
BASICALLY. THEY ARE A LITTLE
HARD TO LEASE OUT. WE ALWAYS
END UP LOWERING THE AMI FOR
THESE UNITS. I BELIEVE WE NEED
HOUSING OF ALL TYPES . WE WANT
SOCIAL HOUSING TO SUCCEED. BUT,
WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE
IS A STRONG LEGAL FOUNDATION
AND A WELL-ESTABLISHED SOURCE
OF PROVEN SAFEGUARDS FOR THE
FUNDING. AND SO I THINK, I
WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS GO
BEFORE THE VOTERS. I WOULD LOVE
TO HAVE AN OPTION AS WELL FOR
VOTERS TO LOOK AT. AND SO, I
WILL BE SUPPORTING BOTH TO GO
BEFORE THE VOTERS TO SEE WHAT
THEIR THOUGHTS ARE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. I JUST WANTED TO
THANK FIRST COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA WHO PUT A LOT OF WORK IN
WITH THE CENTRAL STAFF TEAM. I
APPRECIATE THE EFFORT THAT WAS
DONE ON THIS. I ALSO, AS
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA NOTED, I
APPRECIATE THE MAYOR AND HIS
EXPRESSION THAT TO THE NEED
THAT WE SHOULD HAVE AN
ALTERNATIVE ON THE BALLOT FOR
THE VOTERS, TO COUNCILMEMBER
WOO'S POINT, TO DECIDE. AS I
NOTED LAST WEEK, FOR ME THIS
ABOUT GOOD GOVERNANCE. FIRST
THERE ARE THE LEGAL ISSUES THAT
EXIST. I-130 IS GOING TO LOSE
MOST LIKELY IN COURT AND GET
CHALLENGED. WE NEED TO HAVE
EIGHT LEGAL SMART ALTERNATIVE
ON THE BALLOT. WE CAN'T WISH
THIS AWAY. I MADE THE POINT
ABOUT FUNDING SOURCES.
REGARDING THE VARIOUS SOURCES
WE HAVE. FT, PT, OTHER MEANS
WHICH WITH HER AGAIN. I THINK
THIS PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR US ON EXISTING AND
ESTABLISHED FUNDING SOURCES TO
DEDICATE FUNDS TO THE SOCIAL
HOUSING EFFORT WHICH I
APPRECIATE. ALSO NOTED LAST
WEEK, STRUCTURE. THE SOCIAL
HOUSING PDA , IN MY MIND, IS
NOT OFF TO A GOOD START. WE
HAVE SUFFERED BECAUSE OF THE
FAILURES THE START OF THE KING
COUNTY REGIONAL HOMELESS
AUTHORITY. WE CAN'T DO IS HAVE
ANOTHER TWO POINT WHEN IT COMES
TO THE -- I THINK THIS WILL
HELP TO ENSURE WE DO GET SOCIAL
HOUSING. AT THE END OF THE DAY
TO HAVE THAT IN THE MIX IN
TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO
DO. AND I WILL RESTATE AGAIN,
IN TERMS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE ,
WE WENT THROUGH AN INCREDIBLE
PROCESS WITH THE CHAIR AND
TRANSPORTATION WITH THE SEATTLE
TRANSPORTATION PLAN. HOUSING IS
JUST AS IMPORTANT. I BELIEVE WE
SHOULD GO THROUGH A PROCESS
SIMILAR, DIFFERENT BUT SIMILAR,
THAT HAS THE RIGOR AND THE
LOOKS AND BRINGS IT UP THROUGH
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND AT ONE
POINT THEN COMES TO THE
COUNCIL. I THINK WE CAN LEARN A
LOT OF LESSONS FROM THE PROCESS
WE WENT THROUGH THE
TRANSPORTATION PLAN TO HELP
HOUSING EFFORTS WE'RE TRYING
TO. WITH THAT, I AM A COSPONSOR
OF THE ALTERNATIVE AND I THINK
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA WITH
CENTRAL STEPS HELP IN THE
SUPPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE FOR
THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE?
>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO CLARIFY
JEN, THE FUNDING IS COMING FROM
THE PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX. IT
COULD COME FROM THE ENTIRE
BUCKET, RIGHT? OF THE PAYROLL
EXPENSE TAX? IT ISN'T, IT
HASN'T BEEN DESIGNATED TO COME
FROM THE HOUSING PORTION THAT
WE HAVE SET ASIDE , THE OTHER
HOUSING PROVIDERS ARE PULLING
FROM.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. IT DOES NOT
DESIGNATE WHAT POT OR BUCKET OF
THE PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX THIS
FUNDING IS COMING FROM. THAT IS
STILL TO BE DETERMINED AS PART
OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS.
>> OKAY. THERE IS ACCESS TO THE
TOTALITY OF THE PAYROLL EXPENSE
TAX? WE AREN'T NECESSARILY
PITTING ONE PROVIDER AGAINST
ANOTHER WITH THE ALTERNATIVE.
THE OTHER THING I WANT TO
CLARIFY IS THAT 80% AMI, BASED
ON OFFICE OF HOUSING, FOR ONE
PERSON IS ABOUT $83,000 PER
YEAR. AND THE WAY THE PDA IS
CURRENTLY SET UP, THERE IS NO
REQUIREMENT FOR A CERTAIN
PERCENTAGE OF 80%. SO IT'S
REALLY TARGETED MORE AT 120%.
AND SERVING ON THE KING COUNTY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE,
THE STATISTICS SHOW THAT OUR
GREATEST NEED IS 0% TO 30% AND
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE HOUSING
LEVY. BUT ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY
50% TO 60%. TO ME THAT IS WHERE
WE ARE REALLY FALLING DOWN. NOT
TO SAY WE DON'T NEED
ADDITIONAL HOUSING AT THE 80%
TO 120% BUT IF WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THAT
IS WHERE THE GREATEST NEED HAS
BEEN IDENTIFIED. AND JUST TO
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES'S POINT,
SOCIAL HOUSING IS BEING DONE,
IT'S BEING DONE IN EUROPE,
IT'S A GREAT MODEL. IT'S
BEING DONE IN MARYLAND. IT'S
BEING DONE DIFFERENTLY IN
MONTGOMERY COUNTY. THEY HAVE A
LOT MORE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE
STRUCTURE THEY HAVE SET UP. IN
MARYLAND. WE ALSO NOTE THAT
WHEN I-137 WAS PASSED WE WERE
GIVEN ASSURANCES AND PROMISES
THAT THEY WOULD BE SELF
FUNDING. THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE
SEEKING LOCAL CITY FUNDING. AND
TWO YEARS LATER THEY ARE BACK
HERE ASKING FOR GOVERNMENT
FUNDING . AND BASICALLY TO
BYPASS THE PROCESS THROUGH THE
COUNCIL SO THERE IS NO
OVERSIGHT ABOUT HOW THEY ARE
ACTUALLY MANAGING THE MONEY AND
DELIVERING ON THE PROMISE. AND
LASTLY, I WOULD SAY THIS GIVES
THE VOTERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO
LISTEN TO THE ARGUMENTS OF BOTH
SIDES. TO MAKE UP THEIR OWN
MIND ABOUT WHICH IS GOING TO
BETTER DELIVER ON THE PROMISE
OF DESPERATELY NEEDED HOUSING
BETWEEN 80% AND 120%. THAT IS
WHY I AM PROUD TO BE A
COSPONSOR AND I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA FOR
THOUGHTFUL WORK.
>> I'M GOING TO MAKE A COMMENT
AND THEN YOU CAN AND THEN IT
WILL ALLOW THE SPONSOR TO
FINISH OUT. I WILL JUST NOTE,
WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY,
THIS WILL BE BEFORE US ON
THURSDAY SAY TODAY,
BUT I SIMPLY WANTED TO NOTE
THAT IT IS CLEAR THAT VOTERS
OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IN PAST
I-135 LAST YEAR , IT WAS PASSED
WITH GOOD MARGINS. HOWEVER THAT
WAS AN INITIATIVE THAT WAS
BASICALLY AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.
PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WERE VOTING
FOR FOR HOUSING BUT THERE WAS
NO FUNDING MECHANISM TO GO
ALONG WITH THAT. AND SO NOW
HERE WE ARE, I DO BELIEVE THE
BACKERS OF THE ORIGINAL
INITIATIVE, STICKEL 35 COULD BE
MORE TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHERE
THEY THOUGHT THE MONEY WOULD
COME FROM. THEY DID MENTION IN
CONVERSATION SHORTLY AFTER ONE
OF THEIR FIRST PRESENTATIONS
LAST YEAR. BE THAT AS IT MAY,
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO
ENSURE THAT PUBLIC DOLLARS ARE
SPENT WISELY AND EFFECTIVELY.
AND WE ALSO HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO CONSIDER AN
AMAZING RISK TO THE CITY AS WE
HAVE MET IN ONE OF OUR FIRST
MEETINGS ON THIS TOPIC EARLIER
ON. I SUPPORT GIVING VOTERS A
CHOICE. AND I APPRECIATE
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA BRINGING
THIS FORWARD. WE NEED TO MAKE
SURE, IF EVERYBODY IS WANTING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHICH I
BELIEVE WE DO, WE HAVE TO SET
UP CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS. AND
IN CREATING A FUNDING MECHANISM
FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS
HAD ONE YEAR TO RAMP UP BUT HAS
NOT RELEASED ANY PLANS FOR
DEVELOPMENT OR ACQUISITION OF
HOUSING AND DOESN'T HAVE A
TRACK RECORD OF ANY EXPERTISE
OR SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE
TOPIC, IT DOES MAKE ME
CONCERNED. SO THIS ALTERNATIVE
BALANCES ACCOUNTABILITY SUPPORT
FOR A NEW HOUSING MODEL, WHICH
IS WHAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE
WANT TO SEE. IF IT CAN WORK
HERE. IT DEDICATES A FUNDING
STREAM TO ENABLE THE PDA TO
DEMONSTRATE THAT THE CONCEPT
WORKS. BUT STILL ALIGNS THE
SOCIAL HOUSING EFFORT WITH THE
SAFEGUARDS THAT APPLY TO OTHER
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS.
AND SO, LIKE I SAID, WE DO HAVE
IS THE COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITY
TO ENSURE PUBLIC DOLLARS ARE
SPENT WISELY AND EFFECTIVELY
AND MINIMIZE LEGAL RISK. BY
SENDING THIS TO THE BALLOT
ALONGSIDE 137, WE ARE LAYING A
FIRMER FOUNDATION FOR THE
PDA'S SUCCESS AND ABILITY TO
DELIVER ON THEIR PROMISES IN
OFFERING A NEW HOUSING MODEL IN
A SUSTAINABLE AND
COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER. THOSE
ARE SOME OF THE COMMENTS I WANT
TO SAY. NO DOUBT THERE WILL BE
COMPARISONS TO WHEN I OPPOSED
SENDING AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE
BALLOT I BELIEVE IN 2022. THAT
WAS NOT -- THAT DID NOT CONCERN
A PUBLIC -- THAT DID NOT
CONCERN THE EXPENSIVE PUBLIC
FUNDING. THIS IS A DIFFERENT
SITUATION. GO AHEAD,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES. AND THEN
I WILL LET COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA
CLOSES OUT.
>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE
HAVE A SPEND PLAN FOR THE
PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX. IF THAT
$10 MILLION ISN'T GOING TO
COME FROM THE HOUSING
ALLOCATION, THEN IT'S GOING TO
HAVE TO COME FROM GREEN NEW
DEAL OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LINE ITEM BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A
SPEND FOR HOW THAT REVENUE GETS
MADE. THAT WAS MY POINT ABOUT
HITTING PROJECTS AND PRIORITIES
AGAINST ONE ANOTHER. AND USING
THAT TAX TO FUND THE SOCIAL
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. THANK YOU.
>> I WILL ALSO NOTE THAT
BETWEEN THE APRIL AND AUGUST
PROJECTION OF PET REVENUES,
THAT NUMBER WENT UP 70%, I MEAN
$70 MILLION. AND SO YOU ARE
RIGHT, IT DOESN'T -- THERE ARE
PERCENTAGES THAT THAT MONIES TO
GO TO BUT QUARTER TO QUARTER IT
SEEMS TO BE OVER PERFORMING. GO
AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
>> THANK YOU, PENCIL -- COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. TO GIVE YOUR
COMMENTS, YOU MADE MOST OF THE
COMMENTS I WAS GOING TO RAISE
WHICH IS, IT IS TRUE THAT
PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX IS OVER
PERFORMING. SO THERE IS NO
REASON TO THINK THIS IS TAKING
MONEY AWAY FROM ANY OF THE
CURRENT HOUSING PROVIDERS THAT
APPLIED FOR THOSE FUNDS. IT IS
ALSO TRUE THAT WHILE SOCIAL
HOUSING MIGHT BE WORKING IN
OTHER CITIES, IT IS NEW TO THE
CITY OF SEATTLE. IT IS NOT A
PROVEN CONCEPT AT THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY
PLANS THAT THE PDA HAS RELEASED
FOR THEIR VERSION OF THE SOCIAL
HOUSING. WE JUST DON'T KNOW.
IT IS NOT A PROVEN CONCEPT IN
SEATTLE. I WILL SAY THAT BOTH
OF THESE THINGS WILL APPEAR ON
THE BALLOT FOR VOTERS. AND
RESPONSIBILITY AND THE REASON
WHY BRINGING THE ALTERNATIVE IS
BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE ARE BEING RESPONSIVE TO
TAXPAYERS AND BEING RESPONSIBLE
FOR PUBLIC DOLLARS. IS THE
MAYOR ALSO INDICATED, WHEN HE
SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN
ALTERNATIVE, WE REALLY WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER IS
CREATED IN TERMS OF SOCIAL
HOUSING IS ACTUALLY SET UP FOR
SUCCESS, QUITE FRANKLY. THIS
ALTERNATIVE WAS PUT TOGETHER
WITH THAT IN MIND. IF THE
SOCIAL HOUSING PDA , IF THIS
PARTICULAR ALTERNATIVE PASSES,
WITH THE SAFEGUARDS WE HAVE PUT
IN PLACE THAT OTHER HOUSING
PROVIDERS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO,
PROVIDERS THAT ACTUALLY HAVE
EXPERIENCE CREATING LOW INCOME
HOUSING, THEN THE PDA WILL BE,
IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL, THEN THEY
WILL HAVE ACCESS TO WE CAN DO
DOLLARS INTO THE FUTURE FOR IT.
SO THEY HAVE TO DO A PROOF OF
CONCEPT TO DO THAT, IT REALLY
IS A WAY, THIS ALTERNATIVE IS A
WAY TO GIVE THE PDA THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THEY CAN DO
THE WORK. AND IF THEY DO, I
THINK THAT IS GREAT, BECAUSE AS
I STARTED WITH, WE NEED MORE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CITY.
THERE ARE, IN THIS ALTERNATIVE,
THINGS BAKED IN THAT THE PDA
WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THAT
CURRENT EXISTING PROVIDERS DO
NOT. SO THERE IS SOME
ALLOWANCES FOR THE PDA IN ORDER
TO HELP SET THEM UP FOR
SUCCESS. SO IT REALLY WAS A
THOUGHTFUL WAY OF MOVING
FORWARD AN ALTERNATIVE THAT
VOTERS CAN CONSIDER THE REALLY
DOES PUT ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE
FOREFRONT. SO THANK YOU. I KNOW
WE WILL BE TALKING MORE ABOUT
THIS ON THURSDAY. JUST TO
ADDRESS SOME OF COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES'S CONCERNS AND GIVE
MORE INFORMATION ON HOW THIS
WAS PUT TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL
RIGHT, THEN I MOVED TO POSTPONE
RESOLUTION 32142 FOR
CONSIDERATION AT THE SEPTEMBER
19 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL
MEETING.
>> A SECOND.
>> IS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO POSTPONE RESOLUTION 32142 TO
SEPTEMBER 19. WITH THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
MOTION TO
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE.
POSTPONE RESOLUTION 32142 FOR
CONSIDERATION ON
>> AYE. SEPTEMBER 19
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING?
>>
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON.
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR AND THEN
OPPOSED.
>> THE RESOLUTION IS POSTPONED
UNTIL SEPTEMBER 19 AT THE
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
MOVING ONTO E, PRESENTATIONS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA HAS A
PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING
SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 TO BE
OLYMPICS, PICS ATHLETES THEY.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA, YOU'RE
WELCOME TO PRESENT THIS
RECLAMATION. TAKEN AWAY. WE
WILL ASK QUESTIONS AFTERWARDS.
>> THANK YOU. AN EXCITING TIME
HERE. TO DO THIS BUSINESS.
PROCLAMATION TIME. COLLEAGUES,
TODAY I AM HONORED TO PRESENT
THIS PROCLAMATION SIGNED BY
MAYOR HARRELL AND BITE YOU ALL,
COLLEAGUES, TO RECOGNIZE, PAY
TRIBUTE TO AND HONOR ALL THE
TERRIFIC LOCAL ATHLETES FROM
THE GREATER SEATTLE AREA WHO
COMPETED AND THOSE WHO
ULTIMATELY ACHIEVED MEDALS IN
THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPIC AND
PARALYMPIC GAMES. AS OUR
PROCLAMATION POINTS OUT ALL THE
ATHLETES WHO COMPETED OUR
WINNERS. IRRESPECTIVE OF
WHETHER THEY ENDED UP STANDING
ON THE PODIUM OR NOT. WE HONOR
THEM WE APPRECIATE THEM. AND DA
WITH US TODAY ARE A FEW
IMPORTANT PEOPLE. DIRECTLY
RELEVANT TO THE DISCUSSION.
COACH CALLAHAN WAS HERE, HAD TO
LEAVE UNFORTUNATELY. HE IS A
U-DUB ROWING COACH. WE HAVE A
FEW ALUMNI. WE HAVE RILEY,
EVAN, AND PETER. AND THE TEAM
THAT ULTIMATELY ACHIEVED A
BRONZE MEDAL FOR TEAM USA ,
CONGRATS AND A FEW ALUMNI WHO
ALSO COULDN'T BE HERE, NEXT WE
ARE PLEASED TO WELCOME TAYLOR
SWANSON, IC TAYLOR IN THE BACK.
IN THE BACK WITH YOUR MEDALS. I
LOVE IT. TAYLOR SWANSON IS ALSO
A PROUD SATELLITE WHO NOW LIVES
AND TRAINS IN SPOKANE. SHE IS
HERE WITH US TODAY WITH FAMILY
MEMBERS. SHE IS A PARALYMPICS
SPRINTER WHO HAS WON MANY
COMPETITIONS AND RECENTLY WON A
SIMILAR METAL IN THE T 37 100
AND A BRONZE MEDAL IN THE MIXED
UNIVERSAL REALLY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> SHOUT OUT TO TAYLOR. I
LEARNED THAT DT 37 IS A
DISABILITY SPORT CLASSIFICATION
FOR DISABILITY ATHLETICS. IN
TRACK AND JUMP EVENTS. EVEN
MORE INTERESTING, AND INSPIRING
IN FACT, TO SHARE ABOUT TAYLOR,
SHE WAS BORN IN SOUTH KOREA AND
AT AGE 2 SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH
DEPRESSIVE DISORDER WHICH
AFFECTS LINKAGE PROCESSING.
ALTHOUGH SHE EXHIBITED SIGNS OF
CEREBRAL PALSY GROWING UP, SHE
WASN'T OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED
UNTIL JUNE OF 2023 . WHEN
DOCTORS DISCOVERED SHE HAD A
TYPE OF CEREBRAL PALSY. SHE HAS
TRAINED HARD , DEDICATED HER
LIFE RECENTLY TO STAND AND
ULTIMATELY ACHIEVED SUCCESS BY
STANDING AT THE PODIUM . AM SO
PROUD OF YOU, THE CITY OF
SEATTLE IS SO PROUD OF YOU ALL.
AGAIN, WHETHER OR NOT YOU STAND
ON THE PODIUM OR NOT, I WANT TO
EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE AS
EVIDENCED BY THIS IMPORTANT
PAPERWORK AND DOCUMENT HERE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR HANGING OUT
IN MY OFFICE DURING SOME OF THE
EARLIER CONVERSATIONS. YOU ALL
LOOK AMAZING. YOU ALL LOOK
AMAZING. YOU OBVIOUSLY, YOUR
CONTRIBUTIONS AS OLYMPIANS
REFLECT OBVIOUSLY NOT JUST
GREAT CREDIT ON YOUR COUNTRY,
THEY REFLECT GREAT CREDIT ON
YOUR COMMUNITY. INNER-CITY. WE
ARE TREMENDOUSLY PROUD OF YOU.
I AM A U-DUB ALUM. I ALSO
REPRESENT, BUT REGARDLESS OF
YOUR SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
AFFILIATION, YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
ON THE ROWING SIDE, WE ARE ALL
PROUD OF YOU. SO, THANK YOU
AGAIN, IF ANY OF THE -- DO ANY
OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS AT THIS
TIME?
>> ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES, ARE
THERE ANY OPPORTUNITIES LOCALLY
-- WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE
APPEARANCE OF THESE SPORTS HERE
IN SEATTLE IN BETWEEN
>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. I
DON'T KNOW. BUT THEY COMPETE,
WE WILL GIVE THEM AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SAY SO REMARKS
IN A MOMENT. MAYBE THEY MIGHT
HAVE BETTER INSIGHTS ON THAT.
WE CAN SUPPORT OUR ATHLETES ,
SOME FOLKS NAME HERE, FOR
EXAMPLE TIES TO THE SEATTLE
STORM. JEWEL LLOYD. WE CAN COME
SUPPORT THEM AND HONOR THEIR
WORK AND THEIR SUCCESS ON THE
COURT. BY SHOWING UP TO A STORM
GAME. U-DUB, KELSEY, YOU DIE --
U-DUB ALUMNI, THERE ARE MANY
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THE DON'T
RISE TO THE LEVEL OF THE
REMARKABLE SUCCESS THAT THESE
GREAT ATHLETES AND ULTIMATELY
LIBYANS AND PARENT INSTEAD, BUT
WE CAN SUPPORT THEIR WORK AND
THEIR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT IN
SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS ACROSS
OUR CITY. THEY PROBABLY HAVE
BETTER THOUGHTS AND REMARKS ON
THAT. BUT THAT'S MY TWO CENTS.
>> THANK YOU PRETTY MUCH.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> SO, IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION
THE COUNCIL WILL BE SUSPENDED
TO PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION
WHICH WAS ALREADY SPOKEN TOO.
BUT ALSO ALLOW OUR GUESTS TO
SAY A FEW REMARKS. LIKE YOU SO
MUCH FOR BEING HERE. HEARING NO
OBJECTION, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> SO, FOR ME, I WANT TO START
OFF BY THANKING THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, COUNCILMEMBER SAKA,
FOR THIS HONOR. IT HAS BEEN AN
ABSOLUTE DREAM TO GET THE
OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THE
UNITED STATES AT THE PARALYMPIC
GAMES IN TRACK AND FIELD. MY
JOURNEY TO PAIR ATHLETICS
WASN'T EXACTLY EXPECTED OR
DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT IT WAS
AVAILABLE FOR ME. AS A KID
GROWING UP IN SEATTLE , I HAD A
DREAM OF ONE DAY GOING TO THE
OLYMPICS , BUT I WASN'T SURE
IF THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. SO
BEING ABLE TO REPRESENT THE
U.S. AT THE PARALYMPICS WAS A
DREAM FULFILLED. AS A CHILD I
GREW UP IN SEATTLE WASHINGTON,
I WENT TO ROOSEVELT ALL FOUR
YEARS IN SEATTLE. I COMPETED
TRACK THERE AS WELL. AND
ALTHOUGH I COMPETED WELL
COMPARED TO MY PEERS, WHAT I
DID NOTE THE TIME, I ALWAYS HAD
A QUALIFYING DISABILITY. WHICH
IS CEREBRAL PALSY WHICH IS A
NEUROLOGICAL AND COORDINATION
DISABILITY. SO, AND THEN FOR ME
THERE WERE MANY HURDLES ALONG
THE WAY TO GET ME TO THIS POINT
OF COMPETING. AT THE PARIS
PARALYMPICS. I DIDN'T SEE OR
EVEN KNOW AT THE TIME. THESE
OBSTACLES WERE NEEDED TO HELP
ME IN LIFE TO LEARN ABOUT CP.
AFTER HIGH SCHOOL I HAD PLANNED
TO CONTINUE TO DO TRACK. I
STILL HAD MY OWN EPIC DREAMS,
BUT IT DIDN'T GO LIKE I
EXPECTED. AS A CONTINUED TO
TRAIN WITH THE LOCAL ELITE CLUB
IN SEATTLE . AND THEN, IN 2014
I HAD A KNEE INJURY AND ENDED
UP NEEDING MANY SURGERIES ON MY
RIGHT KNEE. THESE SURGERIES
RESULTED IN PERMANENT NERVE
DAMAGE SO I DEVELOPED FOOTDROP.
AND THEN I SAW MANY DOCTORS
OVER THE YEARS AND OTHER
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. THERE
WERE SO MANY, I CAN'T REMEMBER
HOW MANY. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS
OF DOING PHYSICAL THERAPY WITH
NO IMPROVEMENTS, I PHYSICAL
THERAPIST THOUGHT I MIGHT
QUALIFY FOR PAIR ATHLETICS. SO,
I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO GET
STARTED IN PAIR ATHLETICS.
IT'S COMPLETELY NEW TO ME. SO
I DID WHAT MOST PEOPLE DO,
GOOGLE. AND FOUND A LOCAL
MEETING IN SPOKANE. AND THIS IS
MY STARTING. WHEN I WENT TO
SPOKANE FOR A TRACK MEET, PUT
ON BY SPOKANE, WILL I WAS THERE
AT THE TRACK MEET I MET WITH
TERESA SKINNER WHO DID AN
UNOFFICIAL CLASSIFICATION, A
SERIES OF TESTS USED TO MEASURE
THE IMPAIRMENT IN ORDER TO LOOK
AT SIMILAR DISABILITIES. THE
SERIES OF TESTS PERFORMED
DURING THE CLASSIFICATION THE
RESULT SHOWED HAD CEREBRAL
PALSY WHICH AT THE TIME I HAD
NO IDEA. WHEN TERESA TOLD ME
THAT I HAVE CEREBRAL PALSY IT
WAS A COMPLETE SHOCK TO ME
BECAUSE NO ONE EVER TOLD ME I
HAD CP. THAT, AFTER DOING A
LITTLE RESEARCH, THERE WERE SO
MANY PUZZLE PIECES THAT FIT
TOGETHER, IT WAS AN ANSWER I
WAS LOOKING FOR BUT NEVER KNEW
I NEEDED. I HAD MANY CHALLENGES
GROWING UP THE NOW MADE QUITE A
BIT OF SENSE. WITH THE
DIAGNOSIS OR FINDING OUT I HAD
CEREBRAL PALSY. AND, FOR
EXAMPLE, I HAD DIFFICULTIES IN
SCHOOL, I HAD HORRIBLE HAND I
CORONATION. I GOT FATIGUED A
LOT QUICKER THAN EVERYONE ELSE.
THAN MY PEERS. THAT WAS JUST A
FEW THINGS. A FEW MONTHS LATER
I ENDED UP MOVING TO SPOKANE TO
TRAIN WITH PARA SPORTS SPOKANE.
MY COACH HAS REALLY HELPED ME
TO GET TO THE LEVEL AND HAS
TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT BOTH
HAVING CEREBRAL PALSY AS WELL
AS HOW TO TRAIN AS A PARA
ATHLETE. IT HAS MADE ALL THE
DIFFERENCE AND ONE OF THE
REASONS I WAS ABLE TO COMPETE.
AT THE PARIS PIER OLYMPICS. I
AM STILL LEARNING MORE ABOUT MY
DISABILITY AND WHAT CEREBRAL
PALSY LOOKS LIKE FOR ME. THE
PARIS PARALYMPIC GAMES WERE MY
FIRST PARALYMPICS . I WAS BLOWN
AWAY BY RACING IN FRONT OF
70,000 SPECTATORS IN THE
STADIUM. HAVING A COMPETITOR
FROM FRANCE AND BEING IN
FRANCE, THE LOUD RECEPTION SHE
RECEIVED WAS A NEW EXPERIENCE
FOR ME. IN PARIS I RAISED BOTH
THE 100 METER, 200 METER, AND I
ALSO DID THE UNIVERSAL RELAY.
UNIVERSAL RELAY IS A FOUR BY
ONE RELATE COMPOSED OF ATHLETES
FROM DISABILITY GROUPS
REPRESENTING EACH LEG OF THE
RELAY. ALTHOUGH THINGS DIDN'T
START OFF AS I HAD HOPED, I
ENDED UP CRASHING IN THE 200
FINAL, BUT I WAS ABLE TO PICK
MYSELF UP . REFOCUS, AND CAME
BACK AND GOT A SILVER MEDAL IN
THE 100. AND HELPED TEAM USA TO
WIN A BRONZE IN THE RELAY.
THESE PROLIFIC GAMES SURPASSED
ALL OF MY OWN EPIC DREAMS AS A
KID. BUT AT THE PARALYMPICS,
JUST AS AMAZING AND
ELECTRIFYING AND JUST AS
POWERFUL , AM SUPER EXCITED FOR
LOS ANGELES TO BE NEXT UP TO
HOST THE GAMES IN 2028. THANK
YOU AGAIN FOR THIS INCREDIBLE
HONOR. AND LOOKING FOR TO
REPRESENTING THE U.S. IN
SEATTLE , THE CITY OF SPOKANE
AND MY CLUB AS I CONTINUE TO
CHASE MY DREAM AND COMPETE,
HOPEFULLY AT THE 2028
PARALYMPICS IN L.A.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> GO AHEAD.
>> HI, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS
EVAN OLSON. I WAS BORN IN
SEATTLE, I LIVE IN WAFFLE AND
HAVE LIVED THERE MY ENTIRE
LIFE. I STARTED ROWING WHEN I
READ THE BOOK THE BOYS IN THE
BOAT WHICH IS ABOUT A GROUP OF
BOYS FROM WASHINGTON THE
TRAINED TOGETHER AT UNIVERSITY
OF WASHINGTON AND THEN WENT OFF
TO THE 1936 OLYMPICS. THAT WAS
KIND OF THE STARTING POINT FOR
ME . I STARTED ROWING JUST A
COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I READ THAT
BOOK. I RODE AT A LOCAL CLUB
AND THEN MOVED TO THE ROWING
CENTER. THAT IS ON LAKE UNION.
THAN I WENT OFF AND I RODE --
IT IS A DREAM OF MINE TO
COMPETE AT THE LIPIDS. HAS BEEN
A 10 YEAR JOURNEY FOR ME. I'M
FROM SEATTLE, THROUGH AND
THROUGH, IS MY HOME. I'M
HONORED TO BE HERE AND HONORED
ALL OF YOU ARE HERE. AND THAT
YOU HAD US. THIS IS AMAZING A
COMPASS MEANT FOR ME AND THE
U.S. AND I'M TRULY HONORED TO
BE ABLE TO REPRESENT NOT ONLY
AMERICA, THE CITY OF SEATTLE,
MY HOMETOWN, I'M REALLY
EXCITED TO CONTINUE TRAINING
FOR THE HOME GAMES L.A. 2028.
THE PARIS CROWD HAD A LOT OF
FRENCH PEOPLE AND THEY REALLY
CHEERED LOUD FOR ALL THE FRENCH
ATHLETES. I'M REALLY EXCITED
FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE
TRAINING FOR THE
THANK YOU.
>> HI, EVERYONE. I AM RILEY. I
AM FROM WASHINGTON, I WENT TO
UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON WITH
THESE GUYS. THANK YOU ROBIN
YOUR STAFF FOR BEING SUCH GREAT
HOSTS AND THE CITY OF SEATTLE
COUNCIL. AND THE REST OF YOU, I
KNOW YOU'RE ON BREAK, IT'S
IMPORTANT DAY. WE WERE IN THE
MEN'S EIGHT THE ONE THAT'S
WON BRONZE. WE WERE ALSO AT THE
Mc WASHINGTON. I KNOW THE CITY
SUPPORTS IT SO MUCH TO A DEGREE
THAT OUR LARGEST HOME RACE, THE
WINDERMERE CUP, IT ACTUALLY HAS
PROBABLY CLOSE TO AS MANY IN
PERSON FANS IS THE LIMIT GAMES
ACTUALLY HAD. THERE ARE PEOPLE
WATCHING ON BOATS AND ON THE
SHORES. I KNOW NO OTHER
UNIVERSITY OR CITY IS ABLE TO
PRESENT THAT. THE OLYMPICS IS
THE ONLY OTHER BIG EVENT I
KNOW. THAT IS LIKE A RACE LIKE
THAT. THANK YOU, EVERYONE. I
KNOW IT'S A BIG DAY. THANK
YOU. GO SEATTLE.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> I AM PETER QUINTON. I AM
FROM PORT ONE OREGON BECAME UP
HERE TO THE UNIVERSITY. I GREW
UP RACING IN SEATTLE ON LAKE
UNION. THE CITY IS CLOSE TO MY
HEART WHEN IT COMES TO ROWING.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR
YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS SPORT. WE
CANNOT HERE IN APRIL AND
TRAINED AND THE PEOPLE OF
SEATTLE OPEN THEIR HOUSES AND
HOSTED US TO TRAIN DURING THAT
MONTH AND IT WAS AN INTEGRAL
PIECE OF OUR TRAINING BLOCK. SO
THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING
US, THIS SPORT WE LOVE SO MUCH.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> GO AHEAD .
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY,
LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN . THANK
YOU, TAYLOR, RILEY, EVAN AND
PETER. AND I'M NOT SURE IF
TAYLOR 'S MOTHER STILL HERE, I
HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING HER
IN THE BACK. ONE THING I LOVE
ABOUT THE OLYMPICS AND
PARALYMPICS IS THAT THE
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE OF EACH
INDIVIDUAL ATHLETE IS ON FULL
DISPLAY FOR THE WORLD. BUT,
WHEN I FIND A PERSON WEIGHT
MOST POWERFUL ABOUT THE
OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPIC GAMES
IS THAT ATHLETES LIKE
YOURSELVES, YOU NOT ONLY
REPRESENT YOUR COUNTRY ,
SELF-EXPLANATORY, YOU ALSO
REPRESENT YOUR CITY, YOUR
COMMUNITIES, AND THE COUNTLESS
PARENTS , SIBLINGS, COACHES,
INFLUENTIAL MENTORS AND
TEACHERS IN YOUR LIFE THAT
HELPS YOU ACHIEVE WHAT YOU
ULTIMATELY ACHIEVED. WHETHER IT
IS BEING AT THE OLYMPICS OR
EARNING A METAL, WE ARE
TREMENDOUSLY PROUD OF YOU.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, EVERYBODY
GIVE HER MOM A ROUND OF
APPLAUSE. THE PARENTS. ALL OF
HER PARENTS. THANK YOU AGAIN,
MADAME COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
BEFORE WE GET THERE, DOES ANY
ONE ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA, FOR BRINGING THESE
AMAZING AND PEOPLE FORD. I JUST
WANT TO SAY IN ADDITION TO ALL
OF THE ACCOLADES THAT
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA JUST WENT
THROUGH, YOU ALL ARE ROLE
MODELS AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING
AT YOU YOUNG PEOPLE, LOOKING AT
YOU AND SAYING, I WANT TO BE AN
OLYMPIAN TOO. SO THANK YOU FOR
WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU FOR
BEING SUCH GREAT ROLE MODELS TO
YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO
HOPEFULLY WILL BE IN YOUR SHOES
SOMEDAY IN THE VERY NEAR
FUTURE. SO THANK YOU AND
CONGRATULATIONS . I'M SO
PROUD. I'M GOING TO STAND AND
CLAP AGAIN.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> MADAME COUNCIL PRESIDENT IF
YOU WOULD KINDLY JOIN ME IN
PRESENT IN A COMMISSION TO OUR
GUESTS. THEY HAVE THE ULTIMATE
FLEX WITH THESE METALS. I LOVE
IT.
>> COLLEAGUES, WE BROKE TO HAVE
THE DISCUSSION THE INITIATIVE
AND ALSO THE PRESENTATION OF
THE PROCLAMATION. I WOULD LIKE
TO KNOW IF PEOPLE WERE ALERTED
THAT THIS MEETING WOULD
PROBABLY GO ON LONGER THAN
USUAL. BEFORE WE DECIDE WHAT TO
DO NEXT, ARE THERE PEOPLE WHO
HAVE ANY HARD STOPS, ANYTIME
THAT IS A HARD STOP TONIGHT?
THAT YOU HAVE TO DEPART? OKAY.
HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE LISTED
--
>> I DO HAVE A HARD STOP.
>> 6:00.
>> WE HAVE 58 SIGNED UP
SPEAKERS. AND FOUR REMOTE. I AM
NOT SURE IF ALL 58 ARE
CURRENTLY STILL PRESENT. WE CAN
GO THROUGH THE NUMBERS TO
FIGURE THAT OUT.
>> IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE WE GET
TO ALL OF THE ITEMS ON THE
AGENDA BEFORE 6:00, I WILL BE
ENDING PUBLIC COMMENT --
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT? I THINK
IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US TO HEAR
FROM EVERYONE WHO IS REMOTELY
OR PHYSICALLY PRESENT. WITH DUE
RESPECT TO THE COLLEAGUE WHO
NEEDS TO LEAVE, I THINK WE NEED
TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.
>> I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW
TO ACCOMMODATE SORE VOTE --
COLLIE GETS TO VOTE ON THE
LEGISLATION.
>> IS IT POSSIBLE TO FINISH OUR
BUSINESS AND THEN GO BACK TO
PUBLIC COMMENT OR DO WE NEED TO
DO THE PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEN
FINISH BUSINESS?
>> PROBABLY PEOPLE WANT TO VOTE
-- THEY WANT TO SPEAK ON
SOMETHING WE ARE ENDING UP
VOTING ON. I'M GOING TO CONFER
WITH FOLKS , PLEASE LET'S GO
WITH THE NEXT 10 PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP ON
THE LIST. AND THEN WE WILL SEE
WHAT'S HAPPENING.
>> WE WILL START WITH THE NEXT
10 IN PERSON SPEAKERS. WE ARE
AT NUMBER 41. 41 THROUGH 50. IF
YOU'RE STILL HERE PLEASE LINE
UP AND WE WILL START WITH 41.
IS 41 STILL HERE, IF YOU ARE
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THANK
YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS
JOSH, A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
INDEED TOO. I'M ASKING YOU TO
VOTE NO ON THE DISCRIMINATORY
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A. ZONES. WE
KNOW YOU KNOW BETTER. YOU HAVE
HEARD FROM SO MANY THAT THIS
WILL HARM BLACKETT, BROWN AND
NATIVE PEOPLE. IT WILL HARM
TRANS PEOPLE. VAGRANTS. PEOPLE
LIVING HOMELESS. AND SEX
WORKERS. YOU ARE BETTING IT
WON'T HARM ANYONE WHO HAS YOUR
DIRECT NUMBER. BUT WE ARE YOUR
CONSTITUENTS. THIS COUNCIL
EDITED AN IMPARTIAL MEMO. AND
VOTED AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC TO
PASS THIS BILL. THAT IS HOW WE
KNOW YOU KNOW. YOU CANNOT BLAME
IGNORANCE AND WE WILL NOT
ACCEPT YOUR CALLOUS THIS. YOU
KNOW WHICH COMMUNITIES YOU ARE
WILLING TO LET THE POLICE
CIVALE AND EXPLOIT BUT WE ARE
YOUR CONSTITUENTS TOO. IN TIME
VOTERS WILL KNOW IT IS YOUR
FAULT WHEN THESE LAWS DIDN'T
HELP AND ONLY HURT. WHEN MORE
PEOPLE ARE JOBLESS OR ON THE
STREETS BECAUSE -- THIS AND
PAST COUNCILS PUTTING AGAINST
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING AND
DRUG TREATMENT, THIS IS YOUR
CRUELTY WE SEE IN THE PIPELINE
ON AURORA AND OTHER PARTS OF
THE CITY. THIS WILL BE YOUR
FULL. --
>> THANK YOU. NEXT THE SPEAKER.
>> S.O.A.P. HAS ALREADY BEEN
REPEALED BECAUSE IT'S NOT
EFFECTIVE AND IT'S RACIST AND
TRANSPHOBIC AND SEXIST. IT
RELIES ON RACIAL AND GENDER
PROFILING AND WHAT, TELEPATHY?
WHAT DOES A PROSTITUTE LOOK
LIKE? IS THIS WHAT A PROSTITUTE
LOOKS LIKE? BUT THIS IS NOT
WHAT YOU WILL USED TO TRAIN
YOUR COMPS IN PROFILING, RIGHT?
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US KNOWS
AND LOVES A SEX WORKER, FORMER,
CURRENT OR FUTURE. WHETHER
WORKING THE STREETS, DANCING OR
A HAND ESCORT, EVERY SINGLE ONE
OF YOU KNOWS A SEX WORKER AND
LOVES A SEX WORKER AND WE ARE
CONNECTED. THERE IS NO
HIERARCHY. YOU CRIMINALIZE
WORKERS ON AURORA, THE NEXT
CITY COUNCIL WILL BE COMING FOR
THE SEX WORKER YOU LOVE. EVERY
SINGLE ONE OF US KNOWS AND
LOVES A CONSUMER OF SEX WORK.
DIGITAL OR IN REAL LIFE. MOST
OF US ARE CONSUMERS A SEX WORK.
SEX WORKERS ARE PEOPLE. WE
DESERVE CHOICE AND A TINY.
CRIMINALIZATION IS NOT HELPFUL.
LEGALIZE ALL SEX WORK
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT
SPEAKER.
>> THE MLK LABOR COUNCIL AND
SEATTLE SERVICE WORKERS STAND
UNITED IN OPPOSITION TO THESE
REGRESSIVE S.O.A.P., S.O.D.A.
AND PROSTITUTION LITTERING
ORDINANCES. WORKERS KNOW THAT A
SAFER SEATTLE WILL COME THROUGH
GOOD, HIGH PAYING UNION JOBS
BUILDING SOCIAL HOUSING,
BUILDING COMMUNITY SPACES, AND
PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES.
THESE ORDINANCES WILL NOT MAKE
A SINGLE PERSON SAFER.
REALIZATION AND INCARCERATION
ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE, THE
LEAST EFFECTIVE, AND THE MOST
HARMFUL WAYS TO ADDRESS SOCIAL
PROBLEMS. THIS COUNCIL FACES A
HISTORIC DEFICIT. THIS COUNCIL
ALSO FACES A HISTORIC
OPPORTUNITY TO FUND THINGS THAT
WORK AND PUT PEOPLE FIRST.
INVEST IN YOUR COMMITTEE.
INVEST IN LABOR, INVEST IN
THINGS THAT WORK. VOTE NO ON
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A., VOTE NO
ON THE PROSTITUTION LITTERING
LIMITS. WORKERS STAND UNITED.
>> THANK YOU, GO AHEAD.
>>
>> I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF
OF DECRIMINALIZE SEX WORK. I AM
ALSO A FORMER SEX WORKER WHO
WORKED A BLOCK AWAY FROM AURORA
ON 104th. I'M ALSO OCCURRENCE
THE EMPLOYEE, SO THAT SHOULD
GIVE YOU PERSPECTIVE. I WORKED
AT THE COMMITTEE CENTER,
BALLARD COMMITTEE CENTER,
GARFIELD. I WORKED AT THE
BUSINESS SERVICE CENTER. I
WORKED AS A SENIOR EVENT
SCHEDULER. I DID SEX WORK FROM
THE AGES OF 18 AND 23 WHILE I
WAS EMPLOYED AT A COMMUNITY
CENTER. WOULD YOU ARRESTED ME?
I ALSO STAND BEFORE YOU TO
OPPOSE THIS LAW BUT ALSO TO SAY
THIS, I PASSED COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE AND CALLED HER TRASH WILL
STANDING OUTSIDE OF AN EINSTEIN
BAGEL -- HOLD ON. AND IT'S
KIND OF CRAZY YOU CAN SIT THERE
AND TALK OBLIVIOUS AROUND YOUR
SURROUNDINGS. I THINK IT IS
SHOCKING TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE
HYPERVIGILANT AND AWARE OF YOUR
SURROUNDINGS.
>> MY NAME IS SHERRY, I'VE
BEEN A SEX WORKER FOR 20 YEARS.
CRIMINALIZATION ONLY MOVES US
UNDERGROUND. UNDERGROUND IS
HARDER TO FIND TRAFFIC VICTIMS.
THIS POLICY WILL MAKE MANY OF
US MORE DEPENDENT ON PIMPS TO
FIND CLIENTS. REALIZATION IS
WHY SEX WORKERS ARE ON THE
STREETS IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND
YOU MAKE SOMEONE ILLEGAL YOU
MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO HARM THEM
BECAUSE THEY CANNOT CALL THE
POLICE. WE'VE LEARNED THE
CARAMELIZATION MAKES THINGS
DANGEROUS. AS A SINGLE PARENT
MISSING AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE I
HAVE TWO REALISTIC OPTIONS. SEX
WORK OR BE DEPENDENT ON SOMEONE
ELSE OR THE WAS SOMETHING I
WANT TO LIVE WITH. UTILIZATION
REMOVES CHOICES. PUSHES
MARGINALIZED PEOPLE INTO BEING
FINANCIALLY DEPENDENT
INVERTIBLE TO EXPECTATION. THE
PEOPLE BEST EQUIPPED TO MAKE
DECISIONS ARE THEMSELVES. THE
POLICY PASSED BY PEOPLE WHO'VE
NEVER MET THEM. ALL
METALLIZATION POLICIES WERE
CAMPAIGNED -- THESE GROUPS HAVE
MADE SEX WORK ILLEGAL, PUSHING
US INTO ISOLATED PLATFORMS AND
THEN CRIED AT THE DAMAGE THEIR
POLICIES --
>> THANKS.
>> NUMBER 47.
>> I LIVE IN DISTRICT 5. THE
SAFE ZONE LAWS HORRIFY ME.
THESE POLICIES OUR WAR ON DRUGS
2.0 PUNISHMENT AND FOCUS ON
ARREST THE NEGATIVE INCENTIVES
EXACERBATE ISSUES WILL
SHIELDING COPS FROM CRITICISM
UNDER THE GUISE OF DOING WHAT
IS NEEDED. WE ARE TOLD WE NEED
MORE ARRESTS BEFORE THINGS GET
BETTER BUT THIS NEVER BEARS OUT
OR LEADS TO MORE RESOURCES AND
IT NEVER WILL. WHEN YOU SEND
THEM TO JAIL IT DOESN'T JUST
AFFECT THEM, IT DEEPENS THE
WAYS OF POVERTY IN OUR
COMMITTEE. WHEN YOU ARREST
SOMEONE TO UNDERSTAND THAT ALSO
AFFECTS THEIR LIVES AND THEIR
FAMILY MEMBERS? I DO THINK THAT
AFFECTS CRIME RATES? I DO THINK
THIS AFFECTS THEM? IT AFFECTS
US ALL. THE SAFETY ZONE
POLICIES CAME ON THE HEELS OF
INCREASED SURVEILLANCE IS A
BROADER MEASURE WERE SAFETY IS
MEASURED IN TERMS OF ARREST.
ALL OF THESE BILLS ARE PRISON
PIPELINES. WE SEE WHAT YOU ARE
DOING AND WE SEE THEY ARE
CONNECTED. IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS
WILL BE HER LAST TERM. WE KNOW
WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
>> I'M A DISTRICT 5 VOTER
ASKING CITY COUNCIL TO OPPOSE
S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A.. THIS IS
NOT TARGET VIOLET OFFENDERS.
THEIR CRIMES ALONG WITH
EVERYTHING ELSE ALREADY LEGAL.
IT'S OBVIOUSLY ILLEGAL TO
KIDNAP CHILDREN AND FELT ON THE
STREET. S.O.A.P. AND S.O.D.A.,
DESPITE WITH THIS UNINFORMED
SUPPORTERS SAY HAS NOTHING TO
DO WITH IT. POLICE ARE CHOOSING
TO SPEND THEIR TIME AND MONEY
DOING HIGH-SPEED CHASES,
HITTING AND KILLING
PEDESTRIANS, AND TAKING FIELD
TRIPS TO ISRAEL TO TRAIN IN
PROTESTER SUPPRESSION. YOU
SHOULD BE ANGRY POLICE ARE
CHOOSING TO IGNORE SHOOTINGS
AND IGNORE VIOLENT CRIMES
AGAINST SEX WORKERS AND
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS. THIS LAW
CREATES NEW CRIMES THAT ARE SO
VAGUE THEY TARGET ANYONE THE
POLICE BELIEVE ARE BEHAVING
LIKE SEX WORKERS OR DRUG USERS.
WE HAVE MONEY, BUT CITY COUNCIL
CHOOSES TO INVEST IN PUNISHMENT
AND FAILED POLICY. WHEN KATHY
MOORE WAS RUNNING FOR CITY
COUNCIL I BROUGHT MY CONCERNS.
-- EVIDENCE-BASED REQUESTS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS. THE CONSENSUS
ON THIS BILL IS IT WILL MAKE
THE PROBLEM WORSE. YOU ARE
DIVERTING RESOURCES --
>> I LIVE IN DISTRICT 3. AM A
MUTUAL AID ORGANIZER IN
CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT WHICH IS ONE OF THE
NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE PROPOSED
S.O.D.A. ZONE. I'M SPEAKING
TODAY IN OPPOSITION OF
LEGISLATION. IT IS STRIKING THE
COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF OWN
RESEARCH ON THESE BILLS
CONCLUDES THAT THE PROPOSED
S.O.D.A. AND S.O.A.P. BILLS ARE
NOT ANTICIPATED TO REDUCE
PUBLIC DRUG USE OR SEX WORK.
INSTEAD THEY WOULD DESTROY THE
LIVELIHOODS OF THE COMMUNITIES
I AM PART OF AND SERVE. AND
TRANS PEOPLE OF COLOR, PEOPLE
EXPENSIVE HOMELESSNESS, AND
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THEY
WOULD PREVENT PEOPLE FROM
ACCESSING VITAL SOCIAL SERVICES
AND PUBLIC TRANSIT.
CRIMINALIZATION OF PEOPLE IN
POVERTY ONLY DRIVES THEM
FURTHER INTO POVERTY AND AS A
MEANS OF SURVIVAL INTO THE
ACTIVITIES THAT THE CITY WANTS
TO PUT IN INTO. THESE POLICIES
DIVERT FUNDING AWAY FROM
EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS SUCH AS
HOUSING AND SUBSTANCE USE
DISORDER TREATMENT ACTUALLY
ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF POVERTY
AND WILL REDUCE COMMITTEE
VIOLENCE. THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER IN
THIS SET. NUMBER 50.
>> GOOD EVENING, I AM FROM
RAINIER BEACH. DISTRICT 2.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS FOR
THEM. I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO
VOTE NO ON BRINGING BACK
OUTDATED AND HARMFUL S.O.A.P.
AND S.O.D.A. LAWS. I HAVE A PHD
IN SOCIOLOGY AND A PROFESSOR AT
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. I AM
ALSO A FORMER COCHAIR OF THE
SEATTLE LGBTQ COMMISSION. I
KNOW FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF
RESEARCH TEACHING AND LISTENING
TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE SEX TRADE
THAT LAWS LIKE THIS ARE TIRED
OLD PLAYBOOK. HARMFUL TO THOSE
THEY PROPOSE TO HELP. IN FACT I
OFTEN SHOWCASE SUCH LAWS IN
CLASS TO TEACH MY STUDENTS HOW
TO IDENTIFY SERIOUS LOGIC AND
INSTEAD INSTRUCT THEM HOW TO
IDENTIFY DIRECT LINES BETWEEN
CAUSE-AND-EFFECT. S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. LAWS ARE NOT JUST
BASED ON LOGIC AND BED
RESEARCH. THEY ARE BASED ON A
LACK OF MORAL ENCOURAGE TO
SEARCH FOR TRUE CAUSES OF THESE
PROBLEMS AND TRYING
EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS. THIS
ROOM IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE
A DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF THE ROOTS
OF THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE WORK
WITH US TO CREATE A BETTER
PROPOSAL.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE REMOTE SPEAKERS.
>> THERE ARE THREE REMOTE
SPEAKERS. DAVID, REGINA AND
NATHANIEL. GO AHEAD, DAVID.
>> THANK YOU, MAYBE SOCIAL
HOUSING NEEDS TO BE GIVEN THE
LAND WERE ALL THE SLUM HOTELS
ARE THAT ATTRACT THE PEOPLE
WITH EMINENT DOMAIN INDEED. THE
ENGINEERS CUTS AND FOOTERS TO
HELP WITH THE COST. THERE IS A
NEED FOR CAPACITY. THE THING
IS, WE NEED TO WIPE OUT THE
DRUG PUSHERS AND PIMPS CAUSING
A SOCIETAL MESS. FORCING THEM
TO ADDRESS. INSTEAD CITY HALL
IS -- SABOTAGING POLICE REFORM
EVEN ALLOWING REPEAT OFFENDERS
TO DESTROY LIVES DAILY AND THEN
GET PRIORITIZING FOR HOUSING
AND SERVICES FIRST BEFORE THEY
GET PROPERLY PUNISHED AND
SEPARATED FROM COMMUNITY WILL
THEY CONDUCT AN UNCIVIL WAR.
THEY NEED TO BE TRESPASSED AND
QUESTIONED IN THE INTERROGATION
ROOM AT THE POLICE STATION
BEFORE THEY GET TRANSFERRED TO
FIND WHERE THE SAFEGO UT EDS W
OVERTIME FIGHTING CRIME WORKING
TOGETHER WITH OTHER AGENCIES
WHEN THEY GO TO A CRIME HOTSPOT
INSTEAD OF DISPERSING THEM AND
GRABBING A COUPLE OF PEOPLE --
>> GO AHEAD, REGINA.
>> REGINA, YOU MAY NEED TO
PRESS STAR SIX.
>> THERE WE GO. THANK YOU FOR
BEING PATIENT. MY NAME IS
REGINA AND I WANT TO FIRST
ADDRESS, I AM IN NO WAY
VISITING MY PLACE OF
EMPLOYMENT. AM SPEAKING AGAINST
THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL 1236. I
BELIEVE THIS BILL WILL DO A
TERRIBLE DISSERVICE TO THOSE
PEOPLE MOST VULNERABLE WITH
INTERSECTING IDENTITIES OF
LGBTQIA AND BIPOC. THIS IS
CRIMINALLY THING PEOPLE. I
AGREE SEX TRAFFICKING IS
TERRIBLE AND GUN VIOLENCE IS
OUTRAGEOUS. BUT THIS WILL
ABSOLUTELY NOT DO ANYTHING FOR
THAT. THIS BILL WILL SCARE
PEOPLE FROM SEEKING HELP IF
THEY KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF
BEING IN A S.O.A.P. OR S.O.D.A.
AREA. WHAT DOES PROBABLE CAUSE
LOOK LIKE FOR S.O.A.P.? ARE
PLEASE GOING TO QUESTION WHY
PEOPLE ARE WEARING WHAT THEY
ARE WEARING? WE WANTING TO PUT
WOMEN OF COLOR, ESPECIALLY
TRANS WOMEN OF COLOR IN EVEN
MORE DANGER? THIS BILL -- ARE
WE GOING TO ADD MORE RESOURCES
BECAUSE WE DEFINITELY DON'T
HAVE ENOUGH NOW. S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A. ARE NOT THE ANSWER.
THIS BILL IS GOING TO HELP
LANDLORDS --
>> GO AHEAD, NATHANIEL.
>> I AM -- THE LAWS ARE GOING
TO WORK. IF YOU KNOW WHERE THEY
ARE, GO FIND WHO IS DOING WHAT
AND WHEN. SO YOU CAN FIGURE OUT
WHO'S BEING TRAFFICKED AND
WHO'S JUST OUT THERE WORKING.
THEY BEEN DOING THE SAME THING
TO COMBAT SEX TRAFFICKING FOR
500 YEARS. YOU NEED TO GET YOUR
THUMB ON IT WILL YOU HAVE THE
CHANCE. IF YOU CASTE THEM OUT
AND DON'T TELL THEM WHERE TO
GO, HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT
GOING TO HAVE THEM GO SOMEWHERE
YOU DON'T WANT THEM? NO.
>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR REMOTE
SPEAKERS.
>> PLEASE CONTINUE WITH THE
NEXT 10.
>> NUMBERS 51 THROUGH 60. IF
YOU CAN PLEASE LINE UP. IF YOU
WOULDN'T MIND STATING HER NAME
BEFORE YOU START YOUR PUBLIC
COMMENT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT WE
CAN KNOW WHO IS SPEAKING. THANK
YOU. NUMBER 51. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL. MY
NAME IS ALLIE, RESIDENT OF
LITTLE SAIGON, MUTUAL AID AND
HARM REDUCTION ORGANIZER.
TRANSIT USER. I'M HERE TO
VERDURE TO VOTE NO ON S.O.A.P.
AND S.O.D.A.. NEITHER MY
PARTNER OR I, BOTH YOUNG
DISABLE HAVE NEVER FELT
PARTICULAR AND SAFE WALKING
AROUND HER TAKING TRANSIT IN
THE NEIGHBORHOOD. EVEN AT
NIGHT. EXCEPT, FOR WHEN THERE
ARE POLICE HARASSING PEOPLE OR
JUST BEING THERE. ALL THIS IS
INTIONE SAME THING THE U.S.
MILITARY DOES PROTECTING OIL
FIELDS IN THE NAME OF
DEMOCRACY. IF YOU PASS THESE
BILLS, YOU WOULD BE DIRECTLY
RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE DEATHS AND
AN INCREASE IN CRIME BOTH PETTY
AND VIOLENT. FOR MY TIME DOING
MUTUAL AID AND HARM REDUCTION
-- AND ACROSS THE CITY I'VE
SEEN AND HEARD ANYTIME YOU
DISPLAY SOMEONE CRIME AS WELL
AS OVERDOSES GO UP. BECAUSE
PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE AND IN
DESPAIR. LET'S BE REAL, THAT
IS WHAT YOU WANT.
>> NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE.
>> I AM LEXI, DISTRICT 3. I
LIVE NEAR THE PROPOSED S.O.D.A.
ZONE IN CAPITOL HILL. ON MY 30
OF LIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD I
WAS PART OF AN EFFORT TO STOP
AN OVERDOSE. NEIGHBORS
RESPONDED QUICKLY WITH CARE AND
WE SAVE THE PERSON'S LIFE.
WITH S.O.D.A. IN EFFECT THAT
PERSON WHO OVERDOSED BE PUSHED
AWAY FROM COMMUNITY INCREASING
THE RATE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH.
LAST SATURDAY I CAME TO THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND TALK TO MOORE
ABOUT THE ANTI-PROSTITUTION
LAWS. PEOPLE EXPRESS CONCERN
THAT MANY CONSTITUENTS DIDN'T
BELIEVE THE S.O.A.P. LAWS TO BE
A REAL SOLUTION. CRIMINALIZING
JOHNSON PROFILING WOMEN
ULTIMATELY PUSHES SEX WORK INTO
MORE DANGEROUS AREAS. PEOPLE IN
THE SEX TRADE, OVER 55 EXPERT
ORGANIZATIONS , LIKE THE
ALLIANCE FOR GUN
RESPONSIBILITY, THE CITY OF
SHORELINE AND EVEN SPD AGREED
THE PROSTITUTION LOITERING --
WILL MAKE ISLETS WORSE. VOTING
FOR THE DISPLACEMENT OF OUR
MOST VULNERABLE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS IS UNDEMOCRATIC AND
DEADLY. VOTE NO ON S.O.A.P. AND
S.O.D.A..
>> I LIVE IN CAPITOL HILL. I
DON'T THINK YOU WILL
UNDERSTAND HOW DEPRESSING IT IS
TO BE REPRESENTED YOU. WEEK
AFTER WEEK PEOPLE HAVE COME IN
HERE OFTEN IN THE MIDDLE OF
THEIR WORK DAYS TO TELL YOU HOW
OBVIOUSLY BAD OF AN IDEA THESE
LAWS ARE. NO ONE HERE THINKS
GUN VIOLENCE OR HUMAN
TRAFFICKING ARE GOOD. BUT THESE
LAWS DON'T FIX EITHER OF THOSE
PROBLEMS. WE KNOW THESE LAWS
WILL DISPLACE PEOPLE. WE KNOW
THEY WILL SIMPLY SHIFT THE
PROBLEM AS YOU SEE IT SOMEWHERE
ELSE. WE KNOW THAT MEANS HE
WILL EXPAND THE ZONE SO IT WILL
EXCEED THE PREVIOUS ZONES WE
GOT RID OF BECAUSE OF THEIR
KNOWN RACIST IMPACT. WE KNOW IT
WILL EMPOWER THE POLICE TO
ARREST PEOPLE THEY THINK DON'T
BELONG IN PUBLIC. A FEW DAYS
AGO SPD'S UNION POSTED A
PERSON WALKING IN CAPITOL HILL
THEY THOUGHT WASN'T WEARING OF
CLOTHES. IS THIS THE MORALITY
PLEASE WANT TO SET LOOSE IN
YOUR CONSTITUENTS? -- CHECKING
TO SEE IF THEY HAVE PERMISSION
TO LOOK LIKE THAT PUBLIC. I
GUARANTEE IF YOU PASS THESE
LAWS IT WON'T FIX ANYTHING.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT SPEAKER,
PLEASE.
>> MY NAME IS TRAVIS FROM D3.
THIS IS A LAST-SECOND BAIT AND
SWITCH. THE CITY COUNCIL HAD
MONTHS AND WEEKS TO PROPOSE AN
ALTERNATIVE BUT DELAYED SO MUCH
THEY HAD TO HAVE A SPECIAL
MEETING ON THIS THURSDAY SO
THEY COULD GET IT APPROVED.
THERE ARE COSPONSORS WHO ARE
ASKING BASIC FACTS ABOUT I-137.
THIS IS NOT A PLAN TO SOLVE
HOMELESSNESS. IT DOESN'T HAVE
THAT GOAL. IT'S A PLAN TO
BUILD MORE HOUSING AND STOP THE
BLEEDING THE FORCES PEOPLE INTO
HOMELESSNESS. IT'S A YES AND
PLAN. IT'S NOT SUBSIDIZING
HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WHO MAKE
120% OF THE AREA INCOME. HIGHER
INCOME PEOPLE SUBSIDIZE LOWER
INCOME PEOPLE. THAT'S WHY
CAPPING AT 80% WILL KNEECAP THE
WHOLE THING. YOU DON'T WANT
ANOTHER FAILED EXPERIENCE BUT
THE ALTERNATIVE -- YOU SAID
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO INTRODUCE
A COMPETING BILL AND YET HERE
WE ARE TODAY , THE SAME DAY YOU
COULD BE NIGHT WITHDREW FROM
THE CITY HALL CANDIDATE FORUM
RUN BY THE SOCIAL HOUSING
PROVIDER.
>> WE SHOULD BE AT NUMBER 56.
>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK
ABOUT HOW THERE IS SO MANY SEX
WORKERS ARE PEOPLE WHO IDENTIFY
AS SEX WERE COMING UP HERE WHO
DON'T HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCE
AND THE LABELS WHETHER USE THEM
OR NOT CANNOT BE PUT ON US,
THERE ARE PLENTY OF SEX WORKERS
INCLUDING MYSELF WHO HAVE
EXPERIENCED TRAFFICKING AND
WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED
TRAFFICKING OR ASSAULT AND WE
MAY NOT BE HOLDING THOSE LABELS
TO IDENTIFY OURSELVES. AND I
ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THIS
PROCESS IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE SEX TRADE TO
ENGAGE WITH WHEN THEY DO NOT
HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING
PAID BY ORGANIZATIONS TO DO SO.
THEY RISK BEING OUTED AND RISK
BEING STALKED AND KILLED. WE
ARE THERE TO MAKE CONVERSATIONS
IT IS EXTREMELY OPPRESSIVE AND
I REALLY JUST WANT TO NAME
THAT. THANK YOU.
>> GO AHEAD PLEASE.
>> I'M A MUTUAL AID ORGANIZER
IN LITTLE SAIGON AND A RESIDENT
UNDER NEIGHBORHOOD CONSIDERED
FOR AN S.O.D.A ZONE AND I AM
OPPOSED TO S.O.D.A AND S.O.A.P.
THESE PROPOSED ZONES THAT
PEOPLE COULD BE DENIED ACCESS
TO THEY HAVE BEEN FRAMED AS
POLICIES TO ENHANCE PUBLIC
SAFETY BUT FOR WHO? PEOPLE WHO
LIVE ON THE STREET, PEOPLE WHO
DO SEX WORK ALSO WANT A PLACE
WHERE THEY CAN FEEL SAFE. THAT
IS WHAT I CARE FOR MY NEIGHBORS
IN LITTLE SAIGON. HAVING
FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS MET, WHO IS
ALLOWED TO BE PHYSICAL IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND THIS IS DEEPLY
UNETHICAL. SEATTLE HAS ENACTED
VANTAGE ZONES BEFORE. WHY THE
RECYCLING POLICIES THAT DO NOT
WORK. THIS DOES NOT ENHANCE
SAFETY. WHAT IT DOES ENHANCE
SAFETY SOCIAL SERVICES AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT IS ALSO
PROMOTING RACIAL PROFILING. AND
CITY COUNCIL ACKNOWLEDGED THIS
WHEN IT REVOKED SIMILAR
POLICIES IN 2020. BEING POOR
SHOULD NOT BE A CRIME.
>> HI, MY NAME IS RJ, I OPPOSE
S.O.A.P S.O.D.A AND I OPPOSE
COVERING THE CITY IN BAND-AIDS.
WHICH I EXIST BETWEEN DISTRICT
1 AND THREE FOCUSING MY
PROFESSIONAL ENERGY ON OVERDOSE
AND GANG VIOLENCE PREVENTION,
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, HOLDING
DIFFERENT TITLES AND MULTIPLE
DIFFERENT POSITIONS IN THE
GREATER SEATTLE AREA AND I FEEL
CALLED TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS. A
WORLD DIVIDED APPARENTLY THE
CITY HAS ITS LIMITS. LET'S TALK
LACK OF COMMUNICATION,
EDUCATION, LACK OF
UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSION,
FOR ALL OF THE STORIES WE
DON'T KNOW WHERE TO PUT THEM.
WE ARE CHANGING THE NARRATIVE
WITHOUT EDUCATING OURSELVES ON
THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED. THESE
PROBLEMS ARE NOT GOING AWAY WE
ARE JUST MOVING THEM ALONG. WE
ARE USING THIS FUNDING TO
DIRECT TRAFFIC AND
STRENGTHENING THE VISIBLE LINES
THAT ALREADY SEPARATE AND
DIVIDE THE CITY. THANK YOU.
>> THAT IS, WE WILL CONTINUE
WITH PUBLIC COMMENT EVERYBODY
WILL SPEAK BEFORE WE BRING ANY
ITEM UP FOR A VOTE AND I WOULD
LIKE TO CALL FOR A 10 MINUTE
RECESS SIMPLY TO GIVE STAFF AND
COUNCILMEMBERS A BREAK BEFORE
RETURNING. SO, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE WE WILL
CONTINUE WITH PUBLIC COMMENT
AND, WE ARE IN A BRIEF RECESS
RIGHT NOW UNTIL 5:13 PM.
>> 5:15 PM WE DO HAVE CORAM,
WILL YOU PLEASE READ HER TAKE
THE ROLE FOR OFFICIAL NOTICE
AND THEN WE WILL RESEED,
PROCEED.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> I'M SORRY, I AM NOT HEARING
ANYTHING.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MARK?
>> NOT PRESENT YET BUT WE HAVE
ENOUGH TO PROCEED, CONTINUE
WITH THE ROLL CALL.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER TANYA WOO?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON.
>> SIX PRESENT.
>> PLEASE BRING PUBLIC COMMENT
WITH THE NEXT BATCH OF PUBLIC
SPEAKERS.
>> WE ARE NOW AT NUMBER, THE
NEXT , 61-70 I BELIEVE NUMBER
63 IS THE NEXT ONE , IF 63 IS
HERE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THANK YOU, NUMBER 63 THROUGH
NUMBER 70 SO IF YOU ARE NUMBER
63 THROUGH 70 PLEASE COME UP.
>> I AM A VOTER AND A HOMEOWNER
WHO LIVES ON CAPITOL HILL IN
DISTRICT 3 AND I VEHEMENTLY
OPPOSE THESE TWO BILLS. I
BELIEVE, I OPPOSE THESE BILLS
FOR VARIOUS REASONS. OUR MORAL
GROUNDS AND ETHICAL GROUNDS AND
ON PRACTICALITY. BUT MORE
IMPORTANTLY I OPPOSE THESE
BILLS BECAUSE THEY ARE
UNCONSTITUTIONAL. IT IS WRONG
TO TARGET A PERSON'S STATUS
AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THESE
BILLS TRY TO DO. I THINK YOU
NEED TO LOOK AT THE ROOT CAUSES
OF WHY WE HAVE THIS SITUATION,
YOU NEED TO LOOK AT POVERTY AND
YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE
INEQUALITY THAT EXISTS AND THE
RACISM THAT EXISTS IN OUR CITY.
THESE BILLS WILL NOT HELP THAT.
I HAVE NEVER FELT UNSAFE IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH IS NEXT TO
HIS OWN. THESE PROPOSALS ARE
SHAMELESS, UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND
WILL END UP COSTING THIS CITY
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TRYING
TO DEFEND THEM.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> PLEASE PROCEED WITH THE NEXT
SPEAKER, GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS ANITA FREEMAN
FROM HOMELESS WOMEN ORGANIZING
AND WE WANT TO BE SAFE ON THE
STREET. WE WANT FAMILIES AND
NEIGHBORS TO BE SAFE ON THE
STREET, THERE ARE ALREADY LAWS
AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME. WHY
AREN'T THOSE BEING ENFORCED?
IS IT GOING TO IMPROVE
ENFORCEMENT OF THOSE? TO TELL
POLICE TO GO CHASE PROSTITUTION
LAWYERING. , LOITERING. WE WANT
WOMEN WHO WANT TO GET OUT OF
SEX TRAFFICKING, WHATEVER YOU
CALL IT. TO HAVE HELPED. THAT
TAKES RESOURCES. RESOURCES TAKE
MONEY. MONEY TAKES PROGRESSIVE
TAXATION.
>> SO DO THE REAL COURAGEOUS
THING AND RAISE PROGRESSIVE
TAXES TO PAY FOR REAL
SOLUTIONS.
>> HI, AND I AM HERE
REPRESENTING SHARE WHICH IS A
GROUP OF HOMELESS MEN AND
WOMEN. A BLOCK OFF OF AURORA
AND HAVE LIVED IN A TENT CITY
FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I AM NOT
GOING TO REPEAT THE ARGUMENTS
EVERYBODY ELSE HERE HAS DONE A
GREAT JOB IN PRESENTING THE
ARGUMENTS BUT I WANT TO TAKE A
MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT THE BIGGER
PICTURE. TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE
IS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE THE
KNOWLEDGE AND WHAT WE LACK IS
THE POLITICAL WILL, YOU KNOW IN
YOUR HEARTS THIS IS A BAND-AID.
I CAN GUARANTEE YOU WITHIN A
YEAR YOU WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT
GROUP OF HOMEOWNERS AND
BUSINESS OWNERS HERE
COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PEOPLE
THAT YOU PUSHED OUT OF THE
ORIGINAL ZONES INTO THE NEW
AREAS WHERE THINGS ARE
HAPPENING. SO I WANT TO ASK
THAT YOU STOP LOOKING TO FIELD
POLICIES , FAILED POLICIES IN
THE PAST AND MAKE
TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE THAT WILL
CREATE A COMMUNITY THAT WILL
CARE FOR EVERYONE. HOMEOWNERS
AND PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH
ADDICTION, THE CARES OF THE
BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE SEX
WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN SPEAKING
HERE TODAY.
>> NUMBER 68.
>> THAT AFTERNOON. I AM THE
PRESIDENT CEO OF VISIT SEATTLE
AND DISTRICTS IN RESIDENT.
VISITORS SPENT $8.2 BILLION IN
OUR COMMUNITY LAST YEAR
GENERATING $787 MILLION IN
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES THAT HELP
SUPPORT IMPORTANT PROGRAMS AND
SERVICES THAT IMPROVE THE
QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL OF OUR
RESIDENTS. VISIT SEATTLE EXIST
TO GROW THE ECONOMY RESPONSIBLY
TO THE BENEFIT OF OUR
COMMUNITY. NONE OF THAT MATTERS
IF OUR COMMUNITY IS UNSAFE AND
UNWELCOMING PARTICULARLY IN OUR
HIGHEST VISITATION AREA. AND WE
HEAR ABOUT THAT FROM OUR
VISITORS AND OUR CLIENTS EVERY
DAY. THE S.O.D.A LEGISLATION IS
NOT PERFECT, WE NEED ACCESS TO
MORE SERVICES AND HAVE HEALING
BUT OUR HOPE IS THAT THIS LAW
WILL DISRUPT THE SALE OF DRUGS
GIVING RECOVERY A CHANCE WHILE
PROTECTING VISITORS SAFETY AND
THEIR IMPACT ON OUR ECONOMY.
SUPPORTING OUR RESIDENTS
INCLUDING THE PEOPLE STRUGGLING
IN THE S.O.D.A ZONE. THANK YOU.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> NUMBER 69.
>> CAN I GO?
>> PLEASE BEGIN.
>> I'M AN INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTOR AND I WORK IN
DISTRICT 5. I KNOW FROM
FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE THAT A
POLICE PRESENCE IS NOT HELPFUL.
I HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED IN CLUBS
THAT I WORK AT BY UNDERCOVER
COPS. WHO HAVE TOLD ME THAT
THEY ARE UNDERCOVER. PAYING FOR
A SERVICE THAT WHEN I TELL THEM
THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ASSAULT
ME SEXUALLY, THEY SAY OH, I AM
ONE OF THE GOOD ONES. THIS IS
WHAT SPD DOES AND I DO NOT
TRUST THAT THEY WILL GET
SPECIAL TRAINING TO HELP
VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING.
THIS IS THE REALITY OF WHAT SPD
DOES. THEY ASSAULT SEX WORKERS.
VOTE NO ON S.O.A.P AND S.O.D.A.
NO.
>> WE ARE NOW GOING TO MOVE
INTO THE NEXT GROUP OF 10,
NUMBER 71 THROUGH 80 AND NUMBER
73 IS THE FIRST SPEAKER IN THIS
SET SO IF YOU ARE NUMBER 73
THROUGH 80, THERE'S TWO SETS
OF MICROPHONES AGAIN, PLEASE
AND THANK YOU AND IF YOU CAN
JUST PLEASE START BY SAYING
YOUR NAME OR NUMBER THAT WOULD
HELP US SO WE CAN KNOW WHICH
NUMBERS TO CALL ON NEXT, THANK
YOU.
>> SPEAKER NUMBER 73, BENNETT,
I HAVE NOT SPOKEN ON S.O.A.P OR
S.O.D.A A PUBLIC COMMENT
BECAUSE I JUST DON'T THINK I
HAVE THE EXPERTISE. BUT I HAVE
BEEN IN SITUATIONS LIKE THAT,
YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE
AND THE INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE
THE EXPERTISE AND THE ACLU AND
THE KING COUNTY PUBLIC
DEFENDER'S ASSOCIATION AND
HARBORVIEW ABUSE AND TRAUMA
CENTER. I ASSUME YOU ALL
WHATEVER ELSE I THINK OF YOU
GUYS I ASSUME YOU ALL BELIEVE
IN VACCINES, RIGHT? BUT THE
REASON YOU BELIEVE IN IT IS NOT
BECAUSE YOU READ THE MEDICAL
LITERATURE YOURSELF, IT'S
BECAUSE YOU TRUST THE JUDGMENT
OF THE PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS
THAT HAVE DEVOTED THEIR LIVES
TO STUDYING THAT STUFF AND THE
OVERWHELMING RECOMMENDATION OF
VACCINES SO WHY WOULD YOU NOT
APPLY THE SAME LOGIC LISTENING
TO ALL THE INSTITUTIONS AND
GROUPS THAT HAVE COME TO SPEAK
OUT AGAINST THIS? AT SOME POINT
PROBABLY LAUGHED AT SOMEONE ON
FACEBOOK SAYING THEY DID THEIR
OWN RESEARCH. PLEASE DON'T
BECOME THE ANTI-VACCINE
INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU LAUGH AT,
IT'S NOT TOO LATE.
>> NEXT SPEAKER PLEASE.
>> MY NAME AND I'M WITH UTOPIA
WASHINGTON, WE ARE AN
ORGANIZATION BUT I AM SOMEONE
WITH A LIVED EXPERIENCE. THE
BILLS THAT ARE IN QUESTION. I
KNOW TO TELL YOU FIRSTHAND HOW
VITAL IT IS THAT POLICIES THAT
REFLECTS THE REALITY OF THOSE
MOST AFFECTED. COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE DOING THE LAST WEEKS
SESSION, YOU MENTIONED NOT
HEARING FROM THOSE WITH LIVED
EXPERIENCE. WELL, WE ARE HERE.
WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE. THE
REAL QUESTION IS, ARE YOU TRULY
LISTENING? YOU ARE NOT. S.O.D.A
AND S.O.A.P ARE NOT NEW LAWS,
THEY ARE RECYCLED FAILURES THAT
CONTINUE TO PUSH ON OUR
COMMUNITY FOR DECADES. FOR THE
PAST YEARS WE HAVE BEEN ON THE
FRONT LINES. DURING THE
PANDEMIC WE WERE THERE. DURING
THE HARSH AND COLD WEATHER WE
WERE THERE. WE WERE PROVIDING
ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
AND I ASK YOU, WHERE WERE YOU?
STOP RECYCLING BILLS THAT
CONTINUE TO IMPACT OUR
COMMUNITY AND PUT SOAP AND SODA
EXACTLY WHERE IT BELONGS. THE
TRASH. VOTE NO, DO BETTER AND
LET'S DO SOMETHING NEW PLEASE.
THANK YOU.
>> WHERE WE SERVE SEX WORKERS
WORKING ON AURORA AVENUE NORTH,
SEX WORKERS ARE WORKERS WHO
DESERVE TO HAVE THEIR RIGHTS
PROTECTED AND RESPECTED.
PASSING S.O.A.P AND S.O.D.A
WILL ONLY CAUSE HARM TO THOSE
THAT NEED OUR SUPPORT, NOT
LISTENING TO THOSE WITH LIVED
EXPERIENCE WILL NOT DROP CRIME
RATES INSTEAD IT WILL PUSH
THOSE WHO ARE MARGINALIZED
FURTHER INTO THE MARGINS. IF
YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO SUPPORT
SEX WORKERS AND TO CRIMINALIZE
SEX WORK AND PROVIDE DIRECT
SERVICES AND LISTEN TO THEM.
S.O.D.A AND S.O.A.P WOULD
DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT BLACK
AND TRANS FOLKS. WE CANNOT BE
WIPED OUT, DO YOUR JOBS AND
SERVE THE CITY AND ALL ITS
PEOPLE, THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. I SERVE AS A
PROGRAM MANAGER WITH UTOPIA
WASHINGTON. I AM HERE TO ASK
YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS PROPOSAL
THAT JUST LEGISLATION ON
S.O.A.P AND S.O.D.A FOR THE
PAST FEW YEARS I HAVE HAD THE
HONOR OF PROVIDING DIRECT
SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO STREET
WORKERS IN AURORA AND ALL OF
THOSE THROUGHOUT KING COUNTY.
AND I APPROACH THIS WORK WITH A
LIVED EXPERIENCE AS A SEX
WORKER MYSELF. AND I CARRY WITH
ME THE VOICES OF THOSE THAT ARE
NOT IN THIS ROOM. PASSING THIS
BILL WILL IMPOSE FURTHER
DISCRIMINATION TOWARDS SEX
WORKERS SIMPLY BASED ON HOW WE
LOOK AT HOW WE ACT AND HOW WE
DRESS. AS SOMEONE WHO HAS
WORKED TO DEVELOP EQUAL SYSTEMS
OF CARE, WITHIN MANY OF THE
ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE A SPOKEN
BEFORE YOU TODAY, I CAN TELL
YOU THAT THIS IS NOT THE
SOLUTION. THE SOLUTIONS THAT WE
NEED NEEDS TO FOCUS ON
DECRIMINALIZING SEX WORK AND A
STIGMATIZING SEX WORK SO THAT
LAWS DO NOT FURTHER CRIMINALIZE
OR ISOLATE PEOPLE WHO ARE
CONTINUING TO STRUGGLE. I URGE
YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER PLEASE.
>> WE ARE AT NUMBER 78.
>> 80. OKAY. GO AHEAD. THANK
YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS
ELIZABETH AND I'M AN ATTORNEY
WITH SEXUAL VIOLENCE LAW CENTER
AND I WORK WITH CRIMINALIZED
SURVIVORS FOR 12 YEARS. I
SERVICE ADVISORS STATEWIDE IN
OUR OFFICE IS DOWNTOWN, SO I AM
IN THE S.O.D.A. ZONE SO I'M
ASKING YOU TO PLEASE NOT PASS
THIS SOAP ORDINANCE,
CRIMINALIZING SURVIVORS OF
TRAFFICKING MAKES THEIR
SITUATION WORSE. A CRIMINAL
RECORD MAKES OBTAINING SAFE
EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING EVEN
MORE DIFFICULT AND INCREASING
VULNERABILITY TO COERCIVE
SITUATIONS LIKE TRAFFICKING.
THE VERSION DOES NOT AVOID
THAT. IN VACATING CRIMINAL
RECORDS THREE YEARS LATER AS
REQUIRED BY OUR STATE STATUTE
ALSO DOES NOT AVOID THAT. RCW
966 080 ADDRESSES CRIMINAL
RECORDS FOR VICTIMS OF SEX
TRAFFICKING AND IT REQUIRES A
THREE YEAR WAITING PERIOD SO
THIS COUNCIL WAS GIVEN A LETTER
SIGNED BY MULTIPLE SERVICE
PROVIDERS INCLUDING OURSELVES
AND WE ARE ASKING YOU TO PLEASE
WORK WITH US ON REAL SOLUTIONS,
THIS ISN'T IT. PLEASE VOTE NO.
THANK YOU.
>> WE NOW HAVE THE NEXT SET,
THE NEXT SET WILL BE 81 THROUGH
90 I BELIEVE WE ARE STARTING
WITH NUMBER 84, SO IF YOU ARE
NUMBER 84 PLEASE LET US KNOW
YOU'RE STILL HERE, NUMBER 84?
ALL RIGHT, NUMBER 85. THANK
YOU. GO AHEAD. AND THEN AFTER
THEM AT 85 THROUGH 90. THANK
YOU.
>> HI, MY NAME IS JOHN BUTLER.
AND I GUESS I'M ONLY GOING TO
BE THE SECOND OLDEST PERSON TO
SPEAK TO YOU TODAY. THE
82-YEAR-OLD GAL GOT ME BEAT.
BUT I WANT TO SPEAK FROM A
SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT ANGLE ABOUT
THE MISTAKE THAT THIS LAW
REPRESENTS. 60 YEARS AGO I
SPENT A YEAR AS A STREET KID
AND I SOLD LSD, THAT WAS MY
CHOSEN JOB. AT THAT TIME, IT
WAS ILLEGAL BUT SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT HAD TWO DETECTIVES
WHO WERE ON CAMPUS REGULARLY
WHO KEPT AN EYE ON WHAT WAS
GOING ON. AND I WAS NEVER
DISTURBED. NOR WAS MY LIFE
INTERRUPTED. I WENT BACK TO
SCHOOL. WENT TO MEDICAL SCHOOL.
WORKED AT MICROSOFT AND I HAVE
HAD A GREAT LIFE. PLEASE VOTE
NO ON THESE BILLS.
>> I AM 87, I MARIANA RILEY,
SITTING HERE IN CLAIMING THAT
ANY OF YOU CARE ABOUT
TRAFFICKING THE EMS IS
DISRESPECTFUL AND UNSERIOUS
GIVEN THAT THE POLICE FORCE YOU
GUYS KEEP WORKING OVER AND
RUNNING TO UNCONDITIONALLY HAS
DECIDED AS A MATTER OF POLICY
THAT THEY DON'T INVESTIGATE
RAPES AT ALL. THEY ARE STUPID,
RACIST AND INEFFECTIVE BUT YOU
ALREADY KNOW THAT, RACISM IS
NOT A DEALBREAKER FOR YOU GUYS.
THE POLICIES YOU ALL HAVE PUT
FORWARD SINCE THE BEGINNING OF
THE YEAR HAVE SHOWN THAT YOU
LOVE RACISM. AND YOU WANT MORE
OF IT. MANY SHOOTINGS IN
REALITY ARE TIED TO DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE. IF YOU ARE SERIOUS
ABOUT DECREASING GUN VIOLENCE,
YOU WOULD BE FINDING SHELTERS
AND INCREASING MINIMUM WAGE SO
PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO LEAVE
THEIR ABUSERS AND FAMILY COURT
REFORM AND DECRIMINALIZING SEX
WORK. NO TO SOAP AND SODA.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> HELLO CITY COUNCIL I AM
RACHEL SNELL AND THE WORLD CUP
IS COMING TO SEATTLE IN 2026,
SEATTLE IS PREDICTED TO
GENERATE $90-$100 MILLION IN
REVENUE, THAT IS SO EXCITING,
THIS EVENT WILL ATTRACT SO MANY
TOURISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
SO WE NEED TO START NOW IN
REPAIRING AND PREPARING FOR
THIS BIG EVENT THIS MEANS
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION,
RESTAURANTS, HOTELS AND OTHER
ESTABLISHMENTS NEED TO BE
PREPARED WITH EXTRA RESOURCES
AND TOOLS TO ACCOMMODATE A
MASSIVE AMOUNT OF TAURUS. THIS
WILL REQUIRE THAT EVERY
BUSINESS BE FULLY STAFFED SO
THE FLOW OF BUSINESS WILL BE
SMOOTH AND EVERYONE HAS A
WONDERFUL TIME. LAST WEEK I
ADDRESSED MY CONCERN REGARDING
THE DEFICIT INCREASE OF CRIME.
IN A CITY WITH THAT BEING SAID
THERE NEEDS TO BE IN INCREASE
OF SECURITY IN THE STREETS,
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND ALL
BUSINESSES ESTABLISHMENTS IS
EVERYONE IN SEATTLE CAN BE
PROTECTED WHILE ENJOYING
THEMSELVES AND AFTER ALL, NO
ONE CAN HAVE FUN WITHOUT SAFETY
AND SECURITY. THANK YOU. PEACE
AND SOLIDARITY.
>> NUMBER 89.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS
COURTNEY AND I AM A LONGTIME
BELLTOWN RESIDENT. AND SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER IN THE PROPOSED
S.O.D.A. THREE AND THE DRUGS
ARE OUT OF CONTROL. I
UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS LIKE
TAKING AN ANTS NEST. BUT THAT
IS OUT OF THE POINT, THAT'S
PART OF THE POINT, THE
BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS IN
THESE AREAS NEED A BREAK. THERE
WAS A BOMB IN OUR ALLEY TWO
WEEKS AGO AND THREE SHOOTINGS
IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. I
THINK EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM AND
ONLINE KNOWS THAT WE DON'T
HAVE ENOUGH POLICE TO ARREST ,
NOR DO THE JAILS HAVE ROOM. SO
THIS IS BASICALLY PERMISSION TO
GIVE WARNINGS. ON THE OTHER
HAND, I DON'T LIVE IN A
S.O.A.P. ZONE BUT I SAY GIVE
WOMEN AUTONOMY OVER THEIR
BODIES AND DECRIMINALIZE
PROSTITUTION, THANK YOU.
>> NUMBER 90.
>> I AM A SENIOR COMMUNITY
ORGANIZER AT THE ALLIANCE FOR
GUN RESPONSIBILITY AND A
CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT 2, AT
THE ALLIANCE FOR GUN
RESPONSIBILITY WE AIM TO HAVE
ADVOCACY AND S.O.A.P. WILL NOT
EVENT THAN VIOLENCE. GUN
VIOLENCE ALONG AURORA AVENUE IS
NOT DRIVEN BY SEX WORKERS
TARGETING THEM FAILS TO ADDRESS
THE ROOT CAUSES OF GUN
VIOLENCE. SEX WORKERS
EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY HIGH RATE
OF VIOLENCE OF ALL KINDS
INCLUDING GUN VIOLENCE MORE
THAN 80% OF SEX WORKERS REPORT
BEING THE VICTIM OF VIOLENCE
AND 30% REPORTED VIOLENCE OR
THREATS OF VIOLENCE FROM LAW
ENFORCEMENT. S.O.A.P. DOES
NOTHING TO CHANGE THE ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS THAT LEAD TO
EXPLOITATION OR RISK OF
VIOLENCE. FEAR OF ARREST MAY
CAUSE SEX WORKERS TO AVOID
REPORTING INCIDENTS OF GUN
VIOLENCE, LEADING TO A
SIGNIFICANT UNDERESTIMATION AND
THEREFORE FURTHER
MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE
PROBLEM. PLEASE INVEST MORE
MONEY INTO GREEN LIT PROJECTS
AND THE SEATTLE CARE TEAM, SOAP
WILL NOT PROTECT OR PREVENT GUN
VIOLENCE. I URGE YOU TO VOTE
NO.
>> WE ARE NOW MOVING INTO THE
NEXT SET OF 10 SO NUMBERS 91
THROUGH 100 AND I BELIEVE
NUMBER 95 IS THE NEXT PERSON,
NEXT PERSON TO SPEAK IF YOU ARE
NUMBER 95, RAISE YOUR HAND
PLEASE. WE HAVE 95 SO THEN
AFTER 95, 96 THROUGH 100, THANK
YOU.
>> HELLO, I AM A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 4. COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA'S DISTRICT, I AM URGING
THE COUNCIL TO VOTE NO ON SOAP
AND SODA. AND ALSO TO VOTE JUST
MAKE SURE THAT I 137 MAKES IT
TO THE BALLOT SO THE VOTERS
INSTEAD OF LOBBYISTS AND
INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE
COMMITTEES WHO BANKROLL THE
ELECTIONS OF REPRESENTATIVES
LIKE TONYA WU, LIKE BOB KETTLE,
LIKE KATHY MOORE. LIKE SARAH
NELSON. GET A VOICE, INSTEAD OF
THE REAL ESTATE AND LANDLORD
LOBBIES LIKE THE RENTAL HOUSING
ASSOCIATION AND THE MULTI
FAMILY HOUSING ASSOCIATION.
HONOR THE WILL THE VOTERS, NOT
THE LOBBYISTS AND INDEPENDENT
EXPENDITURE COMMITTEES, THANK
YOU.
>> NUMBER 96. I AM A FIFTH
DISTRICT RESIDENT AND I
APPRECIATE KATHY MOORE'S
LEADERSHIP, LONG TIME COMING. I
SUPPORT THE EFFORT TO INTERJECT
THE DANGEROUS AND LEGAL
ACTIVITY AND I'M VERY
DISAPPOINTED THAT IT HAS TAKEN
SO LONG TO ADDRESS THE
SITUATION. I AM MUCH HAPPIER TO
SEE WHAT WE HAVE MADE UP AS OUR
CITY COUNCIL NOW THAN THE
PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE BEFORE.
OKAY, IN ADDITION TO THE DANGER
CAUSED TO LOCAL RESIDENTS WE
HAVE SEEN MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES
LEAVE. LES SCHWAB FOR ONE. THIS
HAS LED TO LESS JOBS. YOUR
STEWARDS OF OUR TAX REVENUE.
ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THE
CITIES CURRENT BUDGET DEFICIT
OVER $200 MILLION IS LOSS OF
REVENUE. LAWLESSNESS LEADS A
NEGATIVE LEASE TO A NEGATIVE
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, YOUR
NUMBER ONE JOB IS TO CREATE AN
ENVIRONMENT THAT ATTRACTS
BUSINESSES AND IN TURN
EMPLOYEES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> 99? OKAY, 100?
>> MY NAME IS ROSE AND I'M A
REGISTERED VOTER OF DISTRICT 3.
I'M HERE TO OPPOSE THE SOAP
AND SODA BILLS BUT DUE TO TIME
WE WILL SPEAK ABOUT SODA, IT IS
A DISHONEST INHUMAN INEFFECTIVE
SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM. IT'S
DISHONESTY AS OUTLINED IN THE
FIRST PAGE LISTING THE 763
OVERDOSE DEATHS. THESE DEATHS
ARE LISTED IN ATTEMPT TO GARNER
SUPPORT FOR SODA BUT IS A
DISHONEST ATTEMPT. IF YOU CARED
ABOUT THESE PEOPLE YOU PROVIDE
THEM A SAFE PLACE TO INJECT.
YOU WOULD TO CRIMINALIZE DRUGS,
ALLOW PEOPLE TO REACH RESOURCES
AND HOPEFULLY GET SOBER AND
ALLOW AND HOUSED PEOPLE WHO ARE
MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS
OF ADDICTION. TO STAY IN THEIR
HOMES AND NOT SWEEP THEM AWAY
CAUSING ONLY MORE AND MORE
DAMAGE TO THE UN-HOUSED AND
MORE AND MORE ADDICTION. YOU
WOULD MAKE A REAL STRONG EFFORT
TO EXPAND HEALTHCARE SO PEOPLE
WOULDN'T HAVE TO SELF
MEDICATE. IT WOULD CREATE
ACCESS AND SUCCESSFUL REHAB
PROGRAMS. ALL REAL SOLUTIONS
THAT IF YOU SPOKE TO THE
POPULATIONS YOU PRETEND TO WANT
TO HELP YOU WOULD HEAR
REPEATEDLY. INSTEAD YOU FURTHER
CRIMINALIZE OR CRIMINALIZE
POPULATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY
DISENFRANCHISED AND NEED HELP.
>> WE ARE AT THE LAST THREE IN
PERSON SPEAKERS NUMBER 101, 111
AND NUMBER ONE AND 22 WHICH
DOESN'T HAVE A NUMBER SO THAT
IS PATRICIA. SO AGAIN NUMBERS
101, 111 AND 122 WHICH IS
PATRICIA.
>> ARE THE OTHER PEOPLE HERE?
>> I DON'T SEE THEM, PLEASE
COME UP.
>> WELL, AFTER HEARING
EVERYBODY COMMENT ABOUT THE
S.O.D.A. AND S.O.A.P. WHICH I
DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT
IT, I LIVE ON 107 AND WHITMAN
RIGHT THERE IS AURORA, THE
PARKING LOT GETS USED AND MY
STREET THERE IS 105th AND
AURORA, 107, 109th. ALL THE
STREETS GET USED OKAY? THERE IS
GIRLS AT THE END OF THE STREET.
THEY NEED SAFETY AND PROTECTION
AND THAT IS A SEPARATE MATTER.
I AM TALKING ABOUT THE ACTIVITY
ON AURORA. OKAY? THE GUYS WHO
ARE NOT EVEN BUYING ANYTHING GO
WHIPPING AROUND THE BLOCKS. AND
I SEE IT, MY WINDOW IS RIGHT
THERE, THEY GO AROUND THE
BLOCKS. THE PIMPS SIT THERE OR
THEY STAND OUTSIDE, MY NEIGHBOR
WAS RUN OVER BY SOMEONE
SPEEDING THROUGH.
>> SORRY, I CAN'T SAY IT UNDER
A MINUTE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> PLEASE GO AHEAD AND FINISH
YOUR COMMENTS VIA EMAIL. FEEL H
JODI.
ARE REMOTE SPEAKER IS HANNAH
, GO AHEAD. HANNAH, YOU MAY
HAVE TO PRESS STAR SIX, THERE
YOU GO. GO AHEAD PLEASE.
>> MY NAME IS HANNAH AND I'M A
HOMEOWNER IN COUNCILMEMBER
CATHY MOORE'S DISTRICT. I'M
ASKING YOU TO OPPOSE THIS
LEGISLATION. IT IS FULL OF
BRILLIANT AND CARING PEOPLE AND
I KNOW WE CAN COME UP WITH
BETTER SOLUTIONS RATHER THAN UP
DATING OLD, RACIST BIGOTED
LEGISLATION THAT THE ACLU ,
STRIPPERS ARE WORKERS.
GREENLIGHT PROJECT AND MORE
OPPOSED. WE CAN AND MUST DO
BETTER THAN TO CREATE AN
ADDITIONAL PIPELINE TO JAIL FOR
SOME OF THE MOST MARGINALIZED
NEIGHBORS. MONIES AND RESOURCES
SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON GOING
TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION ALREADY DOING THE
GROUNDWORK. ADDITIONALLY, THE
GUN VIOLENCE THAT HAS BEEN ON
THE RISE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS
ALREADY ILLEGAL. SHORTCUTS TO
ARREST PEOPLE THAT SEEMS
SUSPICIOUS CANNOT BE A SOLUTION
TO GUN VIOLENCE. WHICH NOT ONLY
INCREASED IN NEIGHBORHOODS BUT
ALL OVER ESPECIALLY WHILE JAILS
HAVE BEEN CLIMBING IN MORTALITY
RATE OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.
EVEN THE INTERIM POLICE CHIEF
HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS.
>> WE ALSO HAVE KATE BALDWIN,
GO AHEAD KATE.
>> HI, THIS IS KATE. I LIVE IN
GREENWOOD AND I WANT TO THINK
COUNCILMEMBER CATHY MOORE FOR
ALL THIS WORK, THIS
NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BECOME SO
DANGEROUS, I HAVE LIVED HERE
FOR 23 YEARS AND I HAVE
EXPERIENCED NOTHING LIKE IT'S
BEEN IN THE LAST ONE OR TWO. IT
IS JUST INSANE. I AM AFRAID TO
BE IN MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. AND,
THIS LEGISLATION IS NOT GOING
TO SOLVE EVERYTHING BUT IT IS A
START. PLEASE, PLEASE, VOTE YES
, I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE WE
CAN DO. TO MAKE POSITIVE STEPS
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AND, I
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
OTHERWISE, WHAT ELSE IS IT
GOING TO TAKE BEFORE THIS
STOPS, I MEAN IS SOMEBODY GOING
TO HAVE TO GET SHOT? THE
GUNSHOTS ARE INSANE, I HEAR
THEM MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU. PLEASE VOTE
YES.
>> I CONCLUDES OUR REMOTE
SPEAKERS.
>> WE REACHED THE END OF OUR
PUBLIC COMMENT LIST AND PUBLIC
COMMENT IS NOW CLOSED. WE WILL
NOW MOVE ON TO THE INTRODUCTION
REFERRAL CALENDAR, JUST ONE
MOMENT HERE, IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, THE INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NONE, THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR IS ADOPTED, AND IF
THERE IS NO OBJECTION THE
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED HEARING
NONE, THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED.
AND NOW WE WILL CONSIDER THE
PROPOSED CONSENT CALENDAR AND
THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT
CALENDAR ARE THE MINUTES OF
SEPTEMBER 10, 2024, COUNSEL
BILL 120863 PAYMENT OF BILLS.
FOUR APPOINTMENTS FROM THE
HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES
COMMITTEE, SIX APPOINTMENTS
FROM THE PARKS, PUBLIC
UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
COMMITTEE. IN 23 APPOINTMENTS
FROM LIBRARIES EDUCATION AND
NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE. EITHER
ANY ITEMS THAT THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE
REMOVED? SEEING NONE, I MOVED
TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND, THANK YOU VERY MUCH
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO ADOPT THE SAID CONSENT
CALENDAR AND PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER CATHY MOORE?
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> NINE IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THE CONSENT
ARE CONFIRMED. ALL RIGHT,
MOVING ON TO COMMITTEE REPORTS
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
ONE INTO THE RECORD.
>> HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
COMMITTEE RELATING TO THE
MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROPERTY
TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM AND MANY
SECTION OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
TO MARCH 31 THEY RECOMMEND THE
BILL PASSED.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AS CHAIR
OF THE COMMITTEE, COUNCILMEMBER
MORE YOU ARE WELCOME TO PRESENT
THIS ITEM.
>> SO, COUNSEL BILL 120817
SIMPLY EXTENDS THE MULTIFAMILY
HOUSING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
PROGRAM. WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE
SUNSET AT THE END OF DECEMBER
AND IT IS OF VITAL TOOL FOR
PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN
OUR COMMUNITY AND SO WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT IT CONTINUES,
THE LEGISLATION EXTENDS THE
SUNSET DATE TO MARCH 31, 2025.
IN ORDER TO GIVE THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING MORE TIME TO PREPARE
THEIR PROPOSAL FOR THE NEXT
PROGRAM. AND MORE TIME FOR
COUNSEL TO REVIEW THAT
PROPOSAL. THE SUNSET OR
EXTENSION OF THE SUNSET PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY FROM COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT
SUMMER, ARE THERE ANY
QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL
ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER CATHY MOORE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES ?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> FIX MY LEGISLATURE SIGNATURE
ON MY BEHALF. MOVING TO ITEM 2
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE
TITLE INTO THE RECORD.
>> 1208 35 RELATING TO STAY OUT
OF DRUG AREA ZONES GREETING THE
ABILITY TO SHOOT , ISSUE
WRITTEN ORDERS TO CRIMINAL
DEFENDANTS DESCRIBING
CONDITIONS OF THEIR PRETRIAL
RELEASE OR POSTCONVICTION
CONDITIONS OF SENTENCE.
CREATING SODA ZONES AND
PROVIDING FOR BOTH THE ISSUANCE
OF COURT ORDERS RELATING TO
THOSE UNSENT ADMINISTRATION OF
THOSE ZONES GREETING THE GROSS
MISDEMEANOR OF VIOLATING A SODA
ORDER. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS IT
PASS.
>> YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO
PRESENT IT.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
COLLEAGUES, DRUG DEALERS PREY
ON THE VULNERABLE IN CRISIS
EACH DAY. CREATING TRAGEDIES ON
THE INDIVIDUAL BASIS. BUT ALSO
ON A NEIGHBORHOOD BASIS AS
WELL. I RECOGNIZE THE ARGUMENTS
MADE ABOUT COUNSEL BILL 120835
AND THE FOCUS ON AIDING THOSE
SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION. I
AGREE, WE MUST START WITH
COMPASSION TO HAVE EMPATHY FOR
THOSE AFFLICTED. AND I SUPPORT
THOSE PROGRAMS THAT AID THEM.
WE MUST ALSO THOUGH, HAVE THE
WISDOM TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE
COMMUNITY. THE WHOLE OF
NEIGHBORHOODS. NEIGHBORS HAVE
BEEN ASSAULTED. LACED UNDER
CONSTANT THREAT. AND UNABLE TO
HAVE COMMUNITY. BUSINESSES HAVE
BEEN HARMED WERE WORKERS MY
BREEZE DOES, RETAIL WORKERS
HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED, THREATENED
ON A DAILY BASIS AND MANY HAVE
LOST THEIR JOBS. YES,
BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN SHUTTERED
AND NEIGHBORHOODS DAMAGED. THIS
BILL COVERING LESS THAN .5% OF
SEATTLE WILL NOT SOLVE IN
ITSELF WHAT WE ARE FACING WITH
THE DRUG MARKETS. BUT WILL HELP
DISRUPT THE DRUG TRADE,
BUILDING ON THE LESSONS LEARNED
FROM PREVIOUS EDITIONS AND
FOLLOWING THE DATA-DRIVEN
APPROACH TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS
OF OUR STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK PLAN
AND TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE IN
OUR CITY. SEPARATELY, I APPLAUD
OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS HELPING
THOSE IN NEED AND RESPECT THEIR
VIEWS BOTH FOR AND AGAINST THIS
BILL. WE AS COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE
A BROADER RESPONSIBILITY TO
LOOK AT THE WHOLE OF COMMUNITY.
AND SO THEREFORE I ASK MY
COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS
BILL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I WILL
OPEN THE FLOOR FOR QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS FROM COLLEAGUES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> GO AHEAD.
>> I HAVE A NUMBER OF
AMENDMENTS IS THIS THE TIME YOU
WOULD LIKE ME TO MOVE THESE
AMENDMENTS?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF
ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS ON
THE BASE LEGISLATION FIRST.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL ADDRESS
ALL SIX AMENDMENTS BRIEFLY THEN
I WILL MOVE THEM. SIX
AMENDMENTS TODAY, FOR THE SODA
BILL AND THREE FOR THE SOAP
THEY ARE MERE AMENDMENTS FOR
EACH BILL. COLLEAGUES THAT DO
HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT BOTH OF
THESE BILLS AND THESE
AMENDMENTS CREATE ADDITIONAL
ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH DATA
COLLECTION, ANALYSIS AND
REGULAR REEVALUATION HERE AT
THE CITY COUNCIL. THEIR DATA
COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS MY
CONCERNS WILL EITHER BE PROVEN
WITH DATA OR NULLIFIED BY DATA.
AND THAT IS FOR THE DATA TO
DETERMINE. AT A HIGH LEVEL FOR
BOTH OF THESE BILLS I HAVE AN
AMENDMENT IN THE RECITALS OF
THE BILL. AN AMENDMENT
REQUIRING THE AUDITOR TO AUDIT
THE DATA AND IN A COMPREHENSIVE
EVALUATION. ABOUT THE OUTCOMES
OF THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION.
AND AN AMENDMENT REQUIRING THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE TO
REEVALUATE THESE POLICIES ON A
REGULAR CADENCE. AND SO AT THIS
TIME, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE
TO AMEND COUNSEL BILL 120385 AS
PRESENTED ON THE RECENTLY
DISTRIBUTED AMENDMENT DAY.
>> SECOND.
>> WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO
ADDRESS THESE AMENDMENTS?
>> YES COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I
THINK COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS , I
THINK FOR BRINGING THE
AMENDMENTS, THE BILL DOES HAVE
ACCOUNTABILITY AND MEASURES IN
AND I DO VIEW OUR PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE AS AN OVERSIGHT AND
ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE. THAT
PARTNERS WITH THE PROGRESS WE
HAVE MADE AND THE CONSENT TO
CREATE IT ALL BUT WITH OUR
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS. THAT
SAID, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS,
AMENDMENT BRINGS ADDITIONAL
PIECES TO INCLUDE BRINGING IN
THE AUDITOR. WHICH IS THE
DIFFERENCE, WE HAD SOME OF THE
BASE PIECES AND ADDED TO IT THE
BIG DIFFERENCES ALSO ADDING THE
AUDITOR ASPECT CITY AUDITOR
ASPECT. SO, UNDER GOOD
GOVERNANCE RULES I ASK HIM
WELCOME MORE DATA AND INSIGHT
AND SO I SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS'S AMENDMENT.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> YES. THANK YOU.
>> REGARDING AMENDMENT A WHICH
IS BEFORE US THIS AMENDMENT
WOULD ADD RECITALS TO THE BILL
STATING OUR COMMITMENT TO BEING
DATA-DRIVEN AND HAVING A
FOCUSED APPROACH WHEN IT COMES
TO SODA ZONES THIS AMENDMENT
STATES THAT THE ZONES NEED TO
BE BASED ON DATA-DRIVEN
BOUNDARIES AND IF THESE
BOUNDARIES BECOME TOO EXPENSIVE
OR IF THERE ARE TOO MANY ZONES
CREATED THE POLICY BECOMES LESS
EFFECTIVE. AND UNINTENDED
CONFIDENCES ARE INCREASED. THIS
AMENDMENT ADDS THESE RECITALS
TO THE BILL AND I ASKED
COLLEAGUES FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND
THANK YOU TO THE CHAIR FOR
BEING OPEN TO THIS.
>> DO YOU NEED TO MOVE EACH
THAT THIS IS YOUR REFERRING TO
AMENDMENT A, DOES EACH NEED TO
BE MOVED SEPARATELY?
>> YES, WE HAVE TO MOVE SECOND
AND VOTE ON EACH SEPARATE ONE
SO IT HAS BEEN SECONDED. ARE
THERE ANY COMMENTS? OKAY.
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL AND THE ON AMENDMENT
A?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> AYE.
>> IS A MEMBER MORALES?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE ?
>> AYE. NINE IN FAVOR, NONE
OPPOSED.
>> AMENDMENT A PASSES AND IT
WILL NOW BECOME PART OF THE
BASE BILL. LET'S BRING UP THE
AMENDMENT B.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> I MOVED 120835 AS PRESENTED
ON THE RECENTLY DISTRIBUTED
AMENDMENT B.
>> SECOND.
>> GO AHEAD AND EXPLAIN IT.
>> AMENDMENT B WOULD GIVE
COUNSEL BETTER INFORMATION
ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS AND
UNINTENDED CONFIDENCES OF THIS
LEGISLATION THROUGH A PHASED
EVALUATION OF THE BILLS
IMPACTED BY THE CITY AUDITOR A
THIRD PARTY. THIS WILL INFORM
US ON HOW THE ZONES ARE WORKING
AND WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE
AFTER THEY RECEIVE SODA ORDERS
AND WHAT IMPACT THIS
LEGISLATION IS WITHIN THE ZONES
AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.
AS WELL AS WHAT UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES ARE OCCURRING AND
AT WHAT LEVEL THEY ARE
OCCURRING. THIS AMENDMENT SETS
A BASELINE STANDARD FOR THIS
PHASED EVALUATION AND I ASK YOU
FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FOR
MY COLLEAGUES?
>> SEEING NONE, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> CONSUL MEMBER MORE?
>> AYE.
>> MORALE IS?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> AMENDMENT B IS ADOPTED.
MOTION CARRIES, MOVING ON TO
AMENDMENT C, GO AHEAD PLEASE.
>> I MOVED TO AMEND 12835 AS
PRESENTED ON THE DISTRIBUTED
AMENDMENT C.
>> SECOND.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMEND COUNSEL BILL
120835 AS PRESENTED ON THE
AMENDMENT C, PRESENTED PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU FOR WALKING THIS
PATH WITH ME, AND THEN C WOULD
CREATE A PROCESS FOR REGULAR
REVIEWS OF SODA ZONES EVERY TWO
YEARS BY THE PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE. REQUEST FORMAL
RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT WHAT
NEEDS TO BE CHANGED OR AMENDED.
THIS WILL ENSURE THIS
LEGISLATION WILL BE REVIEWED
AND REEVALUATED ON A REGULAR
INTERVAL. WHEN PAIRED WITH THE
PREVIOUS AMENDMENT THESE
AMENDMENTS TOGETHER PROVIDE THE
OPPORTUNITY THAT UPDATE THE
POLICY BASED ON DATA AND
THIRD-PARTY ANALYSIS. THANK YOU
TO THE CHAIR FOR YOUR WELCOME
THIS TO THESE AMENDMENTS.
COLLEAGUES ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT.
>> QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, NOT
SEEING ONE, CAN THE CLERK
CALLED THE ROLL ON AMENDMENT C.
>> COUNCILMEMBER CATHY MOORE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>>
>> AYE.
>> IS A MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE ?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> YES.
>> IT IS ADOPTED AND ARE THERE
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE
BASE LEGISLATION? GO AHEAD
COUNCILMEMBER YES, THIS WILL BE
NOW FINAL COMMENTS ON THE
LEGISLATION THE BASE
LEGISLATION AS AMENDED.
>> I HAD CONTEMPLATED TRYING TO
BRING SOME AMENDMENTS TO I DO
BELIEVE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER
STRESSES AMENDMENTS MAKE IT
MARGINALLY BETTER BUT THIS IS
STILL NOT SOMETHING THAT I CAN
SUPPORT. THE OVERWHELMING
RESPONSE ABOUT THESE BILLS HAS
BEEN THAT ANY TRULY MEANINGFUL
SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM IS WE
SEEK TO ADDRESS WILL NOT BE
FOUND IN THIS LEGISLATION. SO
THERE ARE THREE POINTS THAT I
WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ABOUT THE
BILL. THE FIRST HAS ALREADY
BEEN MADE HERE MANY OF TIMES,
WE HAVE TRIED THIS BEFORE AND
IT DIDN'T WORK. SUPPORTERS
CLAIMED THESE LAWS WILL
DECREASE GUN VIOLENCE, DECREASE
DRUG DEALING TOOTH SEATTLE HAS
BEEN USING EXCLUSIONARY
POLICIES FOR 25 YEARS.
>> WE HEARD THE SPONSOR SAY
MANY TIMES THAT WE NEED TO
REINTRODUCE THESE MEASURES
BECAUSE CONDITIONS ARE BAD AND
WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.
>> FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN
DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES ON OUR
STREETS. AND THIS HAS HAD A
NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS. THERE IS NO
QUESTION ABOUT IT. TO SAY
NOTHING OF THE HARM TO
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OUT ON OUR
STREETS DEALING WITH ADDICTION,
WITH INCOME INSTABILITY AND
HOMELESSNESS. WE DO NEED TO DO
SOMETHING. AND WE SHOULD BE
TURNING TO APPROACHES THAT WE
KNOW ARE EFFECTIVE. WE NEED TO
BE INCLUDING THE ACTIVATION OF
PUBLIC SPACES LIKE CITY HALL
PARK AND OCCIDENTAL PARK AND
PIONEER PARK AND WESTLAKE PARK.
WE NEED DE-ESCALATION AND
PROBLEM-SOLVING AS PROVIDED BY
THE THIRD AVENUE PROJECT. WE
NEED LONG-TERM CASE MANAGEMENT
AS PROVIDED BY LEAD. THE
HOTSPOTS IDENTIFIED FOR SODA
ZONES WOULD INSTEAD AND COULD
INSTEAD BE THE FOCUS OF
INTENTIONAL ENGAGEMENT AND CASE
MANAGEMENT AND STREET-BASED
SAFETY TEAMS AND SHELTER. AND
HOUSING PLACEMENT. WITH LAW
ENFORCEMENT DOING THE DIRECT
ENFORCEMENT OF SERIOUS LAW
VIOLATIONS, NOT MISDEMEANORS.
NUMBER TWO, DISRUPTION AS A
TACTIC ACTUALLY INCREASES THE
VIOLENCE AND OVERDOSE DEATHS.
OUR CITY IS DEALING WITH
SEVERAL CRISIS AT ONCE, WE KNOW
WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.
WE ALSO HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH
ISSUES AND WE HAVE A HOUSING
CRISIS. AND WHILE THESE BILLS
MAY SCRATCH AND IT'S TO FEEL
LIKE COUNSEL IS DOING SOMETHING
TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY, TO
CLAIM THAT THESE LAWS WILL
ADDRESS ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS
IS DANGEROUS AND IS THE EPITOME
OF PERFORMATIVE. I DO
UNDERSTAND THE DESIRE TO JUST
WAVE A HAND AND DISBAND THE
ILLICIT STREET ECONOMY AND THE
HARMS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH
IT BUT THAT IS MAGICAL
THINKING. EVEN IF THAT WERE
POSSIBLE, THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL
EVIDENCE THAT DISRUPTING DRUG
MARKETS ACTUALLY INCREASES
VIOLENCE AND INCREASES OVERDOSE
DEATHS AND THIS IS BECAUSE
THOSE WHO USE DRUGS SUDDENLY
HAVE TO FIND NEW SUPPLIERS
WHOSE PRODUCT IS OF UNKNOWN
QUALITY, BECAUSE THOSE WHO SELL
AND COME INTO CONFLICT AS THEY
ESTABLISH NEW DISTRIBUTION
AREAS A STUDY OF THE AMERICAN
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH JUST
LAST YEAR BASED ON EXTENSIVE
DATA FROM INDIANAPOLIS FOUND
THAT POLICE DISRUPTION OF DRUG
MARKETS WAS ASSOCIATED WITH
ARISE AND OVERDOSE DEATHS AND
MULTIPLE STUDIES OVER MANY
YEARS HAVE TIED ENFORCEMENT
AGAINST DRUG SALES WITH A SPIKE
IN ASSOCIATED VIOLENCE. EVEN IF
THESE MEASURES WERE BEING
ADOPTED, OR BEING ADOPTED
ACTUALLY DO DISRUPT DRUG
MARKETS, THERE IS EVERY REASON
TO EXPECT THAT THIS WILL BE
ASSOCIATED WITH ARISE AND
OVERDOSE DEATHS OR AN ACTUAL
INCREASE IN VIOLENCE. AND
FINALLY, IT'S TIME TO BE
HONEST WITH THE PEOPLE OF
SEATTLE. EXCLUDING PEOPLE ALL
OVER THE CITY WILL JUST MAKE
ACCESSING SERVICES MORE
DIFFICULT. WE HAVE
INTENTIONALLY LOCATED SERVICES
IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE CITY SO
THAT THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM
CAN ACCESS THEM. THE PEOPLE
ENGAGING IN CERTAIN BEHAVIORS
PEOPLE ARE BEING EXCLUDED FROM
THE VERY PLACES THEY NEED TO
BE. IN DISTRICT 1, THIS
INCLUDES DSC THE NORTHWEST
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS PROJECT AND
YMCA. IN DISTRICT 2 THE CID IS
A CRS AND THE CITY OF, SEATTLE
INDIAN HEALTH BOARD. DISTRICT 3
THE SEATTLE CENTRAL REENTRY
PROGRAMS, IN DISTRICT 4, YOUTH
CARE, DISTRICT 5, VALLEY CITIES
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PLANNED
PARENTHOOD. IN DISTRICT 7,
SHARE WHEEL AND PUBLIC
DEFENDERS. THIS DISREGARD FOR
THE HEALTH OF POOR AND
VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS IS
CALLOUS. I WILL ALSO SAY IT'S
PROBLEMATIC THAT A PUBLIC
IMPRESSION HAS BEEN CREATED
THAT SODA ORDERS WILL BE
POINTED PRIMARILY AT THOSE WHO
SELL TO OTHERS OR WHO ENGAGE IN
GUN VIOLENCE. CONTRARY TO MANY
COMMENTS THAT WE HAVE HEARD
FROM THOSE SUPPORTING THESE,
THE SODA ORDINANCE. SODA ORDERS
WILL NOT BE ISSUED TO PEOPLE
BEING PROSECUTED FOR DRUG
DEALING OR GUN VIOLENCE. DRUG
DEALING AND ASSAULT WITH A
WEAPON OUR FELONIES AND THOSE
ARE NOT CHARGED BY THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL COURT. BUT THESE
ORDERS WILL PROVIDE AND ONLY
PROVIDE AUTHORITY TO SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES. INSTEAD
JUDGES ARE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE
SODA ORDERS FOR PUBLIC USE OF
DRUGS AND SEVERAL OTHER
MISDEMEANORS. SO DESPITE THE
STATED INTENT, NOT TO FOCUS ON
PEOPLE WHO ARE DRUG USERS. WHO
ARE LIVING IN DIRE CONDITIONS
DUE TO POVERTY. THOSE WILL IN
FACT BE THE PRIMARY RECIPIENTS
OF SODA BANDS. SO WE NEED
SOLUTIONS AND WE NEED THEM
QUICKLY. LUCKILY WE DO HAVE A
DETAILED AUDITOR'S REPORT THAT
PROVIDES A ROADMAP ON HOW WE
CAN TAKE AND EVIDENCE-BASED
APPROACH TO ADDRESSING PLACES
IN SEATTLE WHERE OVERDOSES AND
CRIMES ARE CONCENTRATED. THESE
INCLUDE ASSIGNING A HIGH-LEVEL
CITY PROJECT CHAMPION TO
CONVENE AND WORK IN
COLLABORATION WITH THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE, THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT FIRE AND POLICE AND
OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. TO BUILD
OUT A COORDINATED MULTI AGENCY
GROUP WITH WELL-DEFINED
OBJECTIVES AND GOALS AND
REPORTING MECHANISMS.
TO LEVERAGE THEIR COORDINATION
WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
WE NEED TO IMPROVE WITH
TREATMENT, SUPPORT, AND
INTEGRATE HARM REDUCTION'S AND
WE WHO FULLY AND CARE IN THE
DISPATCH CRISIS TEAM TO THESE
AREAS OF OUR CITY. I WOULD LOVE
TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES ON
FINDING WAYS THAT THE CITY
COULD PARTNER WITH OTHER
JURISDICTIONS, WITH BUSINESS,
WITH PHILANTHROPY AND ANYONE
WILLING TO COMMIT TO THE
LONG-TERM PLANNING AND
INVESTMENT THAT CAN INCREASE
ACCESS TO SERVICES, JOB
TRAINING, DRUG TREATMENT, AND
THE THINGS THAT WILL MAKE A
MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN THE
LIVES OF OUR NEIGHBORS BUT THIS
BILL IS NOT IT AND I WILL BE
VOTING NO. LOOKING FOR COMMENTS
FROM MY COLLEAGUES. I AM GOING
TO PROVIDE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY
TO GIVE YOU THE LAST WORDS.
UNLESS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE
ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY. GO-AHEAD.
ON THE S.O.D.A. BILL, PLEASE, I
WANT DOWNTOWN SEATTLE AND
NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE UNIVERSITY
DISTRICT TO BE A PLACE WHERE
RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS ARE SAFE
AND FEEL WELCOME. WHERE ARE
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS CAN
RECEIVE THE HELP THEY NEED
WITHOUT BEING PRAYED UPON BY
THE DRUG DEALERS WHO ARE
CAUSING THE MOST HARM. I HAVE
HEARD FROM SUMMARY RESIDENTS
INCLUDING PARENTS, THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, AND
THE IS NICK IMPROVEMENT AREA
AND THE DISTRICT WHO ARE
SUPPORTIVE OF THIS DATA. THEY
ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE OPEN
DRUG DEALING IN THE AREA AND
THE ADDITIONAL CRIME THAT COMES
ALONG WITH IT. THIS DRUG AREA
BILL WILL ALLOW SPD TO MORE
EFFECTIVELY DISRUPT THE SALE
AND USE OF DANGEROUS DRUGS LIKE
FENTANYL AND METH. ONE EXAMPLE
OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE FACING IS
THE UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS BUILDING
IN THE U DISTRICT. THERE ARE
TWO PRESCHOOLS IN ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL CHILDREN'S. HEY
CHILDREN'S JAPANESE LANGUAGE
SCHOOL. A CHILDREN'S THEATER.
AND OTHER PROGRAMS OPERATE OUT
OF THE BUILDING. PARENTS AND
TEACHERS HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS
ABOUT THE DRUG DEALING ON AND
AROUND THE PROPERTY. KIDS ARE
COMING TO SCHOOL AND BEING
CONFRONTED WITH DRUG DEALING
AND AN INCREASE IN NEEDLES ON
AND AROUND THE PROPERTY AND
THIS IS NOT OKAY. THAT IS WHY I
BOUGHT AN AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE
THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT TO STAY
OUT OF DRUG AREA LEGISLATION
WHICH COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE
SPONSORED ON MY BEHALF AT THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. I
APPRECIATE HIS LEADERSHIP ON
THIS LEGISLATION IN HIS
SPONSORING OF THE AMENDMENT
THAT I BROUGHT. WE KNOW THIS IS
NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION, BUT IT
IS ANOTHER SOLUTION TO ADDRESS
THE DRUG DEALING THAT IS
HAPPENING IN THE DRUG ZONES
ACROSS THE CITY, AND I WANT TO
ADDRESS SOMETHING ABOUT THE
PRIOR ELIMINATION OF THESE LAWS
BY THE PRIOR COUNSEL. THOUGH
THE LAWS WERE ELIMINATED AND
INCREASES WERE MADE TO HUMAN
SERVICES, WE SEE THIS HAS NOT
MADE A DIFFERENCE, AND IN FACT
IS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. TO BE
CLEAR AND TO BE VERY CLEAR I
AND MANY OF THE RESIDENTS I
SPEAK WITH IF NOT ALL SUPPORT
TREATMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES
ACROSS THE CITY. TO ADDRESS A
SEPARATE ISSUE THAT ACTIVATION
OF SPACES LIKE PARKS WILL CUT
BACK ON SOME OF THIS ACTIVITY,
I WILL SEE THAT ACTIVATION OF
PARKS HAS NOT CURBED THE DRUG
DEALING WE ARE ADDRESSING. WE
SEE IT AT THAT UNIVERSITY
HEIGHTS OPEN-SPACE PARK THAT IS
LITTERED WITH DRUG DEALING AND
NEEDLES WHICH CHILDREN THREE
YEARS AND ABOVE HAVE TO
NAVIGATE ON THEIR WAY TO
PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL EVERY DAY.
SO WHILE I SUPPORT THE
ACTIVATION OF PARKS AND PUBLIC
SPACES, THIS ALONE IS NOT GOING
TO -- IS NOT A DEALING WITH
THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE CAUSING
THE MOST HARM IN THE CITY. I
REMAIN OPEN TO WORKING TOGETHER
WITH THIS COUNSEL AND WITHOUT
PARTNERS INTERNALLY AND
EXTERNALLY AND WITH OUR CITY
DEPARTMENTS AND THE MAYOR TO
CONTINUE TO EXPLORE SOLUTIONS.
AS I SAID, THIS IS ONE
SOLUTION. NOT ALL THE
SOLUTIONS. BUT I WILL BE
SUPPORTING THIS BILL BECAUSE WE
CANNOT SIT AROUND WELL
RESIDENTS ARE ASKING US TO DO
SOMETHING AND NOT BE ABLE TO DO
SOMETHING TO HELP IN THIS
REGARD. AND SO FOR THOSE
REASONS, I WANT TO THANK
COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE FOR HIS
LEADERSHIP AND I WILL BE VOTING
FOR THIS BILL. THANK YOU.GO
AHEAD, COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS.
SO I AM SURE MANY OF YOU KNOW
THAT WE'RE BETWEEN 12th AND
JACKSON. AND I GREW UP NEAR THE
CID. SO I HAVE SEEN THE
COUNTESS. FIVE YEARS AGO IN
2020 WHEN THE PRIOR COUNSEL
REPEALED S.O.D.A., LITTLE
SAIGON WAS A THRIVING BUSINESS
DISTRICT. PEOPLE CAME IN FROM
ALL OVER THE CITY TO SHOP THERE
AND, TODAY, IT IS VERY
DIFFERENT SO WITHIN THESE LAST
FIVE YEARS YOU CAN GO THERE
ANYTIME AND THERE MAY BE 100
PEOPLE IN NEED OF SERVICES
THERE AND NOT JUST PEOPLE IN
NEED OF SERVICES BUT ALSO DRUG
DEALERS. WE GO UP THERE AND DO
MUTUAL AID AND GO AT NIGHT AT
LIKE 9:10 P.M. WE KNOW WHO IS
DOING WE WHO
HAS THE GUNS. AND WE ARE
AND YET WE STILL GO OUT THERE
BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD
TRUST. WE KNOW WHO DOES WHAT TO
THE RESOURCES AND WHO ARE THE
PEOPLE WHO ARE PREYING ON THOSE
WHO NEED RESOURCES. AND SO I
ALSO HAVE SEEN, YOU KNOW, WE
JUST HAD A GRAND OPENING. AND
WE WERE SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW?
THE CHILDREN'S PARK. WE HAD
ALL THESE ACTIVITIES PLANNED.
AND, NOW, AT PARK IS LOST TO US
BECAUSE AT ONE TIME THERE IS
ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 20 TO 30
PEOPLE ENGAGING IN FENTANYL,
DRUG USE, AS WELL AS THEY ARE
RIGHT ABOUT VANDALISM ON THE
WALL. THE VETERANS WAR
MEMORIAL. AND SO I MEAN WHEN
YOU GO TALK TO THE RESIDENTS IN
LITTLE SAIGON AND YOU TALK TO
THE BUSINESS OWNERS -- NOT ONLY
LITTLE SAIGON BUT TODAY AT
THIRD AND PINE, THE SENSES JUST
DESPERATION. YOU KNOW? THIS IS
JUST NOT HOW WE REMEMBER
GROWING UP IN SEATTLE. HOW IT
LOOKED LIKE. IT HAS NEVER
GOTTEN THIS BAD. AT THE SAME
TIME, WE HAVE COMPASSION. WE
HAVE THE SENSE OF TALKING TO
PEOPLE WHO RUN 12th AND
JACKSON. THE SENSE OF
HOPELESSNESS AND THAT HUNGER
FOR HUMAN CONNECTION. PEOPLE
WHO ARE ON FENTANYL, I THINK WE
ALSO HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT HOW
DID THE FENTANYL IS. YOU KNOW?
MANY OF US HAVE DONE NARCAN AND
CPR. SOME PEOPLE HAVE SURVIVED
AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE NOT. IS
JUST DEVASTATING TO SEE YOUNG
PEOPLE AND OLD PEOPLE DIE WHO
BECAUSE THEY WERE TAKING DRUGS
THAT THEY MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE
BEEN AWARE OF THE FENTANYL BUT
THEY KNOW WHERE TO BUY THESE
DRUGS. YES WE DO BECAUSE THESE
ARE IN THESE ZONES. BUT IT IS
JUST THIS IS A DIFFERENT TIME,
A DIFFERENT DRUG. AND IT IS
VERY EVIDENT IN LITTLE SAIGON
THE CHANGES THERE. AND SO
WHILE, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO BE
COMPASSIONATE AND WE LIVE IN
CARE AND REACH FOR THE AMAZING
WORK, ESPECIALLY THE CARE TEAM
DOES IN THESE AREAS. IT IS JUST
SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH AND I KNOW
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP AS PART
OF A HOLISTIC APPROACH. I AM
SUPPORTING THIS. I THINK
COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE AND
COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS, HIS
AMENDMENTS -- BUT I WILL ALSO
BE FIGHTING FOR LEAD AND REACH
AND TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND THE
PROGRAM AND BECAUSE WHILE I AM
HOPING THAT THIS LEGISLATION
WILL ADDRESS THE DRUG DEALERS,
BUT LATER DURING BUDGET WE CAN
ADDRESS MORE PROGRAMMING
RESOURCES FOR THOSE UNDERGOING
ADDICTION BECAUSE FENTANYL, IF
YOU HAVE SEEN PEOPLE ON
FENTANYL, THEY ARE NOT
THEMSELVES. THEY ARE TOTALLY
DIFFERENT PERSON. IT IS JUST
TOUGH SO IT IS GOING TO TAKE A
LOT MORE. IT IS DOING WHAT WE
HAVE NOT BEEN DOING BEFORE BUT
DOING MORE AND SOMETHING NEW
AND ESPECIALLY GETTING OUT
THERE AND DEALING THAT TRUST
WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDICTED
AND TRYING TO GET THEM OUT OF
THE SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS AND
THE SENSE OF I GUESS THERE IS
THAT POVERTY AND HUMAN
CONNECTION AND TOUCH AND BEING
SEEN. SO I THINK IT IS A
MULTIFACETED APPROACH. BUT I
WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS PIECE
OF LEGISLATION TODAY. ALL
RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANYBODY ELSE? I'M LOOKING AT
YOU COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA BECAUSE
YOU USUALLY HAVE SOMETHING TO
SAY. I APPRECIATE YOU COUNCIL
MEMBER MARA FOR SHINING A LIGHT
ON MY COMMITTEE BECAUSE I REFER
TO IT QUITE OFTEN TO THINK
ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING
FOR NOT JUST DRUG-RELATED CRIME
BUT ALSO OVERDOSES. AND ALL
THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU
TICKED OFF ARE INDEED
IMPORTANT. THE COORDINATION.
THE LEADERSHIP. THE USING OF
ALREADY EXISTING FEDERAL
RESOURCES. TAKE A PAGE FROM
JURISDICTIONS THAT ARE MANAGING
THE INTERTWINED PROBLEMS
BETTER. SO, YES, THAT IS ALL
COVERED IN THE AUDIT AND I
FULLY ENDORSE THEM AND WE WILL
BE GETTING BACK TO THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE ON HOW WE ARE
IMPLEMENTING SOME OF THOSE
THINGS, BUT THE CENTRAL
RECOMMENDATION IN THAT AUDIT IS
TO TAKE A PLACE-BASED APPROACH
TO CRIME, BE IT DRUG-RELATED
CRIME OR CRIME WITH OVERDOSES
OR WHATEVER. TAKE A
POLICE-BASED APPROACH BECAUSE
THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TARGET
OUR RESOURCES WHETHER IT BE
LAW-BASED OR HUMAN SERVICES.
THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT THIS
LEGISLATION DOES. AND I SPOKE
AT LENGTH ABOUT WHY I SUPPORTED
IT DURING THE COMMITTEE
MEETING. I JUST WANTED TO THANK
THE CITY ATTORNEY AND HER TEAM
FOR TRANSMITTING THIS
LEGISLATION AND WORKING WITH
THE KETTLE OFFICE VERY EARLY ON
TO CRAFT IT WELL. AND I KNOW
YOU WILL NOT RESPOND TO WHY
SOME OF THE MAPS EXPRESSLY SEEK
TO RECOGNIZE LOCATIONS WHERE
THERE ARE SERVICE PROVIDERS.
BUT, IN ANY CASE, THANKS TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND
ALSO THANK YOU CHAIR KETTLE,
FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. ALL
RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I RECOGNIZE
MY COLLEAGUES' POSITION FROM
DISTRICT 2. BUT LET'S BE CLEAR
AND I RECOGNIZE THERE ARE A
BUNCH OF PUBLIC COMMENTERS. I
APPRECIATE THE COMMITTEES WHO
ARE FOR AND AGAINST. BUT I HAVE
BEEN ON WALKABOUTS. I HAVE DONE
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY MEETINGS
COUNTLESS, COUNTLESS. I HAVE
SEEN IT FIRSTHAND WORKING THE
VARIOUS ISSUES OF THE
DEPARTMENTS AGAIN AND AGAIN AND
AGAIN. IT IS OVERWHELMING THE
NEED AND SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE
RECEIVED ON THIS. THE
NEIGHBORHOODS NEED THE SUPPORT
AND THAT IS CLEAR. THE OTHER
THING THIS BILL DID NOT JUST
COME OUT OUT OF NOWHERE. THIS
BILL WAS CREATED THROUGH A ONE
SEATTLE APPROACH, ONCE IN THE
MAKING, MULTIPLE MEETINGS WITH
THE CITY ATTORNEY OFFICE AND
OTHERS TO CRAFT A PLAN THAT
BUILDS ON THE LESSONS LEARNED
OF PREVIOUS EDITIONS. SO I
RECOGNIZED THE ARGUMENTS
AGAINST IT BUT THOSE ARGUMENTS
ARE USING THE OLD PLAN. THIS
PLAN IS DIFFERENT. IT TAKES IN
THE LESSONS LEARNED. IT IS
FOCUSED. IT IS LESS THAN .5%
ABOVE THE CITY NOT LIKE THE OLD
PLAN. IT TOOK IN THE SERVICE
PROVIDERS. AND WE LOOKED AT
THOSE LOCATIONS AND CANNOT DO
IT 100%. BUT DRAMATICALLY AND
ALMOST VERY LITTLE WHEN THEY
HAVE THOSE IMPACTS. THIS IS
ABOUT CREATING SAFE
NEIGHBORHOODS FOR OURSELVES AND
ABOUT IMPLEMENTING OUR
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK PLAN THAT
ADDRESSES THE PERMISSIVE
ENVIRONMENT THAT THE PRIOR
TERMS OF DISCOUNTS ARE CREATED,
ALONG WITH THE FORMER CITY
ATTORNEY. WE HAVE TO TAKE
ACTION TO UNDO WHAT THEY HAVE
CREATED IN TERMS OF THE
CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE TODAY.
SO CLEARLY I ABSENTLY DISAGREE
WITH MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT
2. AND EVEN IN DISTRICT 2 JUST
LAST WEEK I WAS AT A FORUM IN
CHINATOWN. THEY NEED OUR
SUPPORT. HERE IS THE THING. WE
CANNOT RELY ON WHICH PROJECT
ANYMORE.
ACCOUNTABILITY FROM COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS AND MOST OF IT
WAS ALREADY IN BED I APPRECIATE
HIS AMENDMENTS. AND MOVE
FORWARD. SO THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. EVERYONE, FOR YOUR
SUPPORT. PLEASE GO TO THE VOTE.
COUNSEL MEMBER MOORE? GO AHEAD.
WHY DON'T YOU START THAT
AGAIN, PLEASE. THANK YOU.
COUNSEL MEMBER MOORE? COUNCIL
MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL MEMBER
RIVERA?SIX. COUNSEL MEMBER
SAKA? COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
COUNCIL MEMBER WHO? COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH? YES.
COUNSEL MEMBER KETTLE? AYE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON? EIGHT
IN FAVOR AND ONE OPPOSED .
>> STOP DISRUPTING. YOU'RE IN
VIOLATION OF THE COUNSEL ROLE
SO I ASK THAT YOU STOP THAT
BEHAVIOR. ALL RIGHT. THE THIRD ?
>> ITEM 3. RELATED TO
PROSTITUTION AND CRIMES OF
PROSTITUTION FOR THE PURPOSES
OF PROSTITUTION AND POLICIES
GOVERNING ARRESTS FOR
PROSTITUTION AND PROSTITUTION
LOITERING, CREATING STAY OUT OF
AREA OF PROSTITUTION ZONES AND
PROVIDING FOR BOTH THE ISSUANCE
OF COURT ORDERS RELATING TO
THOSE ZONES AND ADMINISTRATION
OF THOSE ZONES, CREATING THE
GROSS MISDEMEANOR OF VIOLATING
A SOAP ORDER, AND ADDING NEW
SECTIONS 12A.10.010,
12A.10.030, AND 12A.10.040 AND
A NEW CHAPTER 12A.11 TO THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE. THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT CITY
COUNCIL PASS AS AMENDED THE
COUNCIL BILL.
>> RECOMMENDED.
>> I WANTED TO THANK COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA AND NELSON FOR
SPONSORS AND CHAIR KETTLE FOR
MANAGING THIS COMMITTEE. AND TO
MY PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
CALLING FOR THEIR SUPPORT. IT
CONTINUES TO DISTRESS ME, SO
MANY OF THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS
WHETHER UNINTENTIONAL OR
INTENTIONAL FOR THIS BILL, AND
I JUST WANT TO WALK TO THIS A
LITTLE BIT. THIS IS NOT A DOE
THAT WAS REPEALED IN 2020. BUT
I DELIBERATELY IN COUNSEL
TATIAN WITH SURVIVOR GROUPS AND
TRUCK SERVICE PROVIDERS --
>> MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS ARE
ENGAGING IN BEHAVIOR THAT IS
CAUSING DISRUPTION AND
INTERRUPTING THE MEETING. SO
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM THAT
BEHAVIOR. THE MEMBERS OF
SECURITY ARE HERE TO ASSIST IF
THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE. PLEASE GO
ON.
>> OKAY. AS WELL AS WITH THE
HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNIT,
DETECTIVE THERE WHO HAVE BEEN
DOING THIS WORK FOR 15 YEARS,
BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY TO
LOOK AT HOW DO WE ADDRESS WHAT
IS GOING ON AND WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT THE INCREASE IN GUN
VIOLENCE, NEITHER I NOR ANYBODY
ELSE UP HERE IS SAYING THAT
THAT IS THE RESULT OF THE
INDIVIDUAL WHO IS BEING
PROSTITUTED . ABSOLUTELY NOT.
WHAT IT IS THE RESULT OF IS A
CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE WHICH IS
CALLED COMMERCIAL SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION WHERE WOMEN AND
OTHER INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING
TRAFFICKED AND BEING
PROSTITUTED FOR THE VERY, VERY
PROFITABLE GAIN OF PIMPS, AND
OF THE SOUL PERSONAL
GRATIFICATION OF BUYERS. AND
THEY ARE CAUSING THE CITY OF
SEATTLE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
BASED ON REVIEW AND VIDEO ON
107. 12 HOURS DOCUMENTED
BETWEEN 1000 AND 2000 JOHN DOE
INTERACTIONS. THAT IS A
TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY
WHICH FEELS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT
OF LUCRATIVE TRADE WHICH PEOPLE
ARE SEEKING TO CONTROL. AND
WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY DRIVING THE
GUN VIOLENCE. WE SAW THE
VIDEO FROM THE
STATISTICS OF SPD AND THE
DETECTIVE IS MAKING IT CLEAR
THAT IS A HUGE FACTOR IN THE
ESCALATING GUN VIOLENCE THAT WE
ARE SEEING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND IT IS NOT UNFAIR TO ASK
THAT THIS COUNCIL DO SOMETHING
TO MAKE EVERYONE IN THE
COMMUNITY SAFE. THE NEIGHBORS
IN THE COMMUNITY SAFE. THE
BUSINESSES, SAFE. THE KIDS WHO
GO TO AND FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL,
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND HIGH
SCHOOL SAFE, AND EVEN THE WOMEN
AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BEING
TRAFFICKED AND PROSTITUTED ON
THE STREET. WE HAVE AN
OBLIGATION TO MAKE EVERYONE
SAFE AND TO NOT ALLOW THE
ONGOING TRAUMA AND PROFIT
ISOLATION OF TRAUMA, AND THAT
IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING.
AND IN 2020 THERE WAS A
WELL-INTENTIONED REVIEW AND
REPEAL. I DON'T CLAIM THAT
BECAUSE WE WERE IN THE THROES
OF A RACIAL JUSTICE RECKONING
AND WE HAD A RE-ENTRY GROUP
THAT RECOMMENDED TAKING THAT
STEP. I WILL NOTE THAT ALL OF
THE DATA THAT THAT REPORT
RELIED ON DID NOT COME FROM
SEATTLE. IT CAME FROM NEW YORK.
IT CAME FROM CALIFORNIA. IT DID
NOT HAVE LOCAL DATA. VERY
DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES IN
THOSE COMMUNITIES. BUT WHAT WE
HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IS SINCE
THEN WE HAVE NOT HAD THE
COURAGE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SO
MUCH OF THAT HAS NOT WORKED,
LARGELY BECAUSE WE HAVE FAILED
TO PUT IN THE SUFFICIENT
RESOURCES TO PROVIDE ALL OF THE
SUPPORT THAT PEOPLE HAVE TALKED
ABOUT HERE TODAY. WE HAVE NOT
PROVIDED ENOUGH HOUSING. WE
HAVE NOT PROVIDED, YOU KNOW,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE HAVE
ACKNOWLEDGE WE HAVE A LOT OF
WORK TO DO AND THAT IS WHY I
HAVE CONTINUOUSLY SAID THAT I
WILL BE -- THIS IS NOT A
FUNDING BILL. WE WILL BE MAKING
A REQUEST IN THE BUDGET TWO
WEEKS FROM NOW FOR AN EMERGENCY
RECEIVING CENTER THAT SAID, AS
DETECTIVE WASHINGTON NOTED, THE
MESSAGE WAS SENT THAT SEATTLE
IS A PROSTITUTION HAVEN AND YOU
ARE FREE TO COME HERE WITH NO
CONSEQUENCE AND TO TRAFFIC
WHOEVER. CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS
9, 10, AND 11. PEOPLE WHO ARE
DRUG ADDICTED AND RELY ON THEIR
PIMPS TO KEEP THEM DRUG
ADDICTED SO THEY CAN DO THE
QUOTE, UNQUOTE, WORK ON THE
STREETS. THIS . WE CANNOT
CONTINUE TO ALLOW THIS DEGREE
OF TRAUMA AND SUFFERING ON OUR
STREET CORNERS, NOR CAN WE
CONTINUE TO ALLOW THE GUN
VIOLENCE AND THE GENERAL
VIOLENCE THAT HAS BEEN
PROPELLED BY IT. AND SO WHAT DO
WE DO? YOU KNOW, WE HAVE
LIMITED RESOURCES, SO ONE THING
WE HAVE TO DO IS WE DO NOT WANT
TO FURTHER TRAUMATIZE WOMEN
BECAUSE BRINGING PROSECUTIONS
FOR PROMOTING PROSTITUTION
WHICH IS A FELONY REQUIRES THE
VICTIMS TO COME FORWARD. SO HOW
DO WE WORK SO THEY DON'T HAVE
TO BE ENDANGERED? HOW CAN WE
PURSUE AND DISRUPT THE MARKET?
HOW DO WE GO AFTER THE ? WE GO
AFTER AN ENTIRELY NEW LAW
CALLED PROMOTING WOODEN FOR THE
PURPOSES OF PROSTITUTION, AND
WE MAKE IT A MISDEMEANOR, AND
WE BASE IT ON THE OBSERVABLE
BEHAVIOR OF THE EXPLOITERS.
MONITORING, SURVEILLING,
SHOUTING AT, DIRECTING,
TRANSPORTING INDIVIDUALS TO THE
AURORA CORRIDOR, AND WE HAVE
THIS BEHAVIOR ON VIDEO. YOU CAN
GO ON YOUTUBE AND WATCH A WOMAN
BEING CHASED AROUND A DOGGIE
DAY CARE BY HER PIMP SHOUTING
AT HER. IS THAT WHAT WE
SUDDENLY SUPPORT IN THIS
COMMUNITY? ABSOLUTELY NOT. SHE
DESERVES THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE.
SHE DESERVES THE RIGHT TO HAVE
RESOURCES. AND FOR US TO SAY
THAT BEHAVIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE
AND WE ARE GOING TO DO
SOMETHING ABOUT IT. AND THAT IS
THE GENESIS OF PROMOTING . THE
OLD BILL DID NOT ATTACK PIMPS.
THE OLD BILL DID NOT GO AFTER
BUYERS OR THE PURVEYORS OF
TRAUMA AND HARM. THEY WENT
AFTER THE WOMEN AND THE OTHER
INDIVIDUALS. THE TRANS. THE GAY
NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE TO LEARN
FROM THOSE LESSONS AND
ACKNOWLEDGE THE LESSONS AND
THAT IS WHY THIS BILL IS
FOCUSED ON LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR
THOSE INDIVIDUALS. BECAUSE OF
THE WAY THE LAW WORKS, WE
CANNOT GO AFTER THE PIMPS FOR
PROMOTING LOITERING IF
FLICKERING IS NOT A CRIME .
BUT, WHAT WE CAN DO, IS A VERY
CLEARLY AND EXPLICITLY, THAT
LOITERING BY THE SELLER IS TO
BE DIVERTED INTO SERVICES, INTO
RECEIVING CENTERS, RUN BY MANY
OF THE PEOPLE HERE WHO
THEMSELVES WERE VICTIMS AND
HAVE HAD THE COURAGE TO COME
FORWARD AND KNOW WHAT IT IS
LIKE AND WHO HAVE PRESENTED
COMPELLING TESTIMONY WHICH DOES
NOT NECESSARILY ALIGN WITH SOME
OF THE IDEOLOGICAL POSITIONS OF
THE ACLU OR AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL. PEOPLE WHO HAVE
REFUSED TO LOOK AT WHAT IS
REALLY HAPPENING IN PLACES LIKE
NEW ZEALAND AND GERMANY. THERE
IS AN IDEOLOGICAL DIVIDE HERE
THAT WE CANNOT IGNORE. BUT IT
DOESN'T NEED TO PREVENT US
FROM PROVIDING SAFETY FOR
EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND
SO WE HAVE CREATED A LOITERING
FOR THE PURPOSES OF
PROSTITUTION WHICH IS
DIFFERENT. WE HAVE MADE IT VERY
CLEAR THAT THEY VERSION IS THE
FIRST AND REALLY THE ONLY
OPTION FOR LOITERING BY
SELLERS, AND WE HAVE MADE IT
VERY CLEAR THAT YOU ARE TO GO
AFTER THE BEHAVIOR OF BUYERS.
AND TO THE CONCERN THAT PEOPLE
THINK THEY ARE GOING TO BE
ARRESTED BECAUSE THEY ARE
WEARING SKIMPY CLOTHING, THAT
IS UTTER NONSENSE. IF YOU
ACTUALLY TOOK THE TIME TO READ
THE BILL YOU WOULD SEE IS
BEHAVIOR-BASED. AND IT IS
BEHAVIOR-BASED FOR SELLERS AND
BUYERS AND THAT WAS
INTENTIONAL. IT USED TO BE YOU
COULD BE ARRESTED FOR SIMPLY
LOOKING LIKE A SEX WORKER. WE
HAVE LEARNED OUR LESSON AND
TAKEN IT OUT. AND FOR OTHER
LAWS, I WOULD LOOK AT WHAT IS
HAPPENING IN CALIFORNIA. IT IS
AN ABSOLUTE ARMAGEDDON DOWN
THERE. THEY REPEALED THEIR
LOITERING LAW AND IT IS BEYOND
WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE. IT IS
JUST AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE AND
DISASTER. AND THEY ARE
DESPERATE TO REINSTATE IT SO WE
CANNOT ONLY JURISDICTION THAT
IS NEEDING TO HAVE INTELLECTUAL
HONESTY AND MORAL COURAGE TO
TAKE A DIFFICULT POSITION,
LEARN FROM THE LESSONS OF THE
PAST, AND TRY TO MOVE FORWARD
IN A THOUGHTFUL HARM REDUCTION
APPROACH, AND THAT IS WHAT THIS
LEGISLATION DOES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ARE
THERE ANY COMMENTS?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> YES.
>> LET'S DO THIS AGAIN. I
APPRECIATE YOU. COLLEAGUES, AS
I MENTIONED BEFORE, I STILL
HAVE CONCERNS ON THIS POLICY.
WE WILL ENSURE WE ARE CREATING
AN ENVIRONMENT FOR DATA-DRIVEN
DECISION-MAKING. BECAUSE THESE
AMENDMENTS THAT I WILL SPEAK TO
YOU RIGHT NOW LOOK VERY
FAMILIAR BECAUSE THEY ARE
SIMILAR, BUT THAT IS BY DESIGN
WITH THE INTENT TO CREATE A AS
UNIFORM AS POSSIBLE PROCESS FOR
RE-EVALUATION OF THE STAY OUT
OF AREAS. COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I
>> BEFORE WE DO THAT, WE DO
HAVE A WITNESS FIRST, BUT
MEMBER MOORE DOES HAVE QUITE
THE OPPORTUNITY.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. YOU SHOULD
HAVE SUPERSEDED SOONER. SO I
WOULD LIKE TO AMEND COUNSEL
BILL 120860 AS PER AMENDMENT
(A) ON THE AGENDA. THIS WAS
SIMPLY A TECHNICAL AMENDMENT
RECOMMENDED BY LAW. AND
RECOGNIZES THAT BOTH BUYERS AND
SELLERS ARE COVERED BY THE
DEFINITION OF PROSTITUTION
UNDER THE DIVISION TO MAKE IT
AIRTIGHT THAT THAT LAW APPLIES
TO BUYERS.
>> ANY COMMENTS? SEEING NONE,
MADE THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNSEL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SOCCER?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS? COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
>> 9 IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> IT CARRIES AN AMENDMENT (A)
IS ADOPTED. ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> NOPE.
>> I HAVE AMENDMENT (B). I DID
NOT KNOW IF WE WERE GOING. I
MOVED TO AMEND COUNSEL BILL
12086 AS PRESENTED ON RECENTLY
DISTRIBUTED AMENDMENTS . I HAVE
AN AMENDMENT FOR AMENDMENT (B).
>> THAT IS SECONDED .
>> WE ARE LOOKING TO AMEND
COUNSEL BILL 12086 AS PER
AMENDMENT (B). GO AHEAD AND
PRESENT YOUR AMENDMENT.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT
AND COUNSEL MEMBER MOORE FOR
BRINGING THIS BILL. MY
AMENDMENT IS SUPER SIMPLE.
THERE IS AN ANGLE REPORTING
PIECE TO THIS. THIS AMENDMENT
WOULD REQUIRE THE DATA FROM THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE CRIME OF
THE PROSTITUTION A LOITERING.
THIS BASICALLY DEFINES BUYERS
AND THOSE CHARGED AS SELLERS.
THIS DATABLE ACCOUNT ARRESTS,
REFERRALS TO THE CITY ATTORNEY
OFFICE FOR PROSECUTION AND
PREFER CASES DISMISSED BEFORE,
ON, OR DURING TRIAL. I THINK I
AM PERSONALLY DATA-DRIVEN. THIS
CREATES A LITTLE BIT MORE
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
AND FOR US TO BE ABLE TO
ANALYZE ABOUT THE LAW. SO I
WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO MY
COLLEAGUES SUPPORTING THAT AND
BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WOULD LIKE
TO SPEAK TO THAT.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK
YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH FOR BRINGING THIS
DETAIL AND I DO CONSIDER IT TO
BE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
>> WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNSEL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SOCCER?
COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNSEL MEMBER WOO? COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> AMENDMENT (B) IS CARRIED.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON
THE AMENDMENTS?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVED
TO AMEND COUNSEL BILL 12086 ON
RECENTLY DISTRIBUTED AMENDMENT
(C).
>> GO-AHEAD. I WILL NOT REPEAT
MY COMMENTS AGAIN. IT WOULD
STATE OUR INTENT TO CONDUCT
REGULAR INVESTIGATION AND
MINIMIZE UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES AND I ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMENDMENT (C).
WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE
IF THERE ARE NO COMMENTS ON
THIS? GO-AHEAD. PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE ON AMENDMENT (C).
>> COUNSEL MEMBER MOORE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA?
>> COUNTRY SIX.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SOCCER?
COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS? COUNSEL
MEMBER WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
>> AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT
HOLLINGSWORTH. NINE IN FAVOR.
NONE OPPOSED.
>> ANY COMMENTS?
>> I MOVED TO AMEND 12086 AS
PRESENTED ON THE RECENTLY
DISTRIBUTED AMENDMENT (D).
>> YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO
DISCUSS IT.
>> THANK YOU. IT WILL GIVE
BETTER INFORMATION ABOUT THE
EFFECTIVENESS AND UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES OF THIS
LEGISLATION TO EVALUATION OF
THE BILL IMPACTED BY THE CITY
AUDITOR. THIS WILL INFORM US ON
HOW THE POLICY IS WORKING IN
THE OUTCOMES OF PEOPLE GIVING
IN THE EFFICACY OF DIVERSION
SERVICES AND WHAT UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES ARE OCCURRING AND
AT WHAT RATE ARE THEY
OCCURRING. THIS SETS THE BASE
FOR STANDARD OF EVALUATION. I
ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I WOULD
LIKE TO MAKE A REQUEST THAT THE
RULES BE SUSPENDED SO THAT I
CAN MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO
AMENDMENT (D) THAT HAS BEEN
PRESENTED AFTER THE DEADLINE
WHICH I HAVE DISCUSSED IT WITH
COUNCIL MEMBER STROSS'S OFFICE
TO SAY I VIEW ALL OF THESE
AMENDMENTS AS FRIENDLY.
>> I SEE. SO IF YOU'RE WANTING
TO AMEND THAT, THEN THAT IS
FINE WITH ME. DO YOU HAVE ANY
CHANGE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?
>> I GUESS THERE IS NO
OBJECTION. SO I WENT TO MOVE
AMENDMENT -- MOVED TO AMEND
AMENDMENT (D) TO SECTION (D)66
SO IT WOULD NOW READ "
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES." SO IT
WOULD NOW READ LOOK AT THE
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
>> IT HAS BEEN SECONDED.
>> I HEARD THE SECOND. I AM
JUST WAITING TO TRY TO FIND OUT
TO CHANGE WOULD BE MADE. TRYING
TO FOLLOW ALONG. I DON'T HAVE
A PRINTED COPY. WHAT I CAN TELL
YOU IS RIGHT NOW IT READS
POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL AND WITHOUT
ASKING TO REMOVE POTENTIAL OR
ACTUAL. STRIKE THAT AND JUST
HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. I
THINK IT IS A CLEANER LANGUAGE.
THANK YOU.
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL
THE ROLE ON THE AMENDED
AMENDMENT. ARE THERE ANY
QUESTIONS? PLEASE CALL THE ROLE
ON THE AMENDMENT.
>> COUNSEL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS.
COUNCIL MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> IT IS ADOPTED. ARE THERE ANY
FURTHER COMMENTS ON THIS
AMENDMENT BEFORE WE GO FURTHER
FORWARD? NO? OKAY. GO-AHEAD.
>> ONE ROLL CALL ON IT.
>> AMENDMENT (D) AS AMENDED IS
NOW UP FOR VOTE.
>> COUNSEL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SOCCER?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
COUNSEL MEMBER WOO? COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED
.
>> THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED.
ARE THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS?
I DO HAVE TO SAY IT IS AN
AWKWARD PROCESS TO HAVE TO
AMEND AN AMENDMENT, AND THAT IS
BECAUSE THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT
CIRCULATED WELL IN ADVANCE. AND
SO I RECOGNIZE THAT SOMETIMES
PEOPLE DON'T HAVE -- DON'T
KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO
ON A BILL UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE
OR UPON REFLECTION OR UPON
TALKING TO STAKEHOLDERS SO I DO
WELCOME AMENDMENTS AT FULL
COUNSEL. AND I DO JUST HOPE
THAT DRAWING THE BUDGET CUT
PROCEEDINGS THAT WE WILL BE --
THAT THE GRACE WILL BE EXTENDED
TO HAVE THE SAME KIND OF
FLEXIBILITY DURING THE BUDGET
CONVERSATIONS AND
DELIBERATIONS. DO YOU HAVE --
LET ME MAKE SURE. IS THERE ONE
MORE AMENDMENT?
>> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK
ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE
BUDGET SECTIONS, I WOULD LIKE
TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. AND
I BELIEVE WE STEPPED UP TO THE
LINE. I MOVED TO AMEND COUNSEL
BILL 120836 AS PRESENTED ON THE
RECENTLY DISSIPATED AMENDMENT
(D).
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN SECONDED TO
120836 ON AMENDMENT (E).
>> THANK YOU. AMENDMENT (E)
WOULD CREATE A PROCESS FOR
REGULAR REVIEW . THIS AMENDMENT
WILL ENSURE THAT THE
LEGISLATION WILL BE REVIEWED
AND RE-EVALUATED IN TWO YEARS
AND HAVE FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS
ABOUT WHAT NEEDS CHANGING.
COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS
AMENDMENT, THESE LIMITS
TOGETHER PROVIDE THE
OPPORTUNITY BASED ON DATA AND
ANALYSIS. I ASK YOU FOR YOUR
SUPPORT.
>> COMMENTS? QUESTIONS? SEEING
NONE, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE ON ADOPTION OF
AMENDMENT (E)?
>> COUNSEL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA?
COUNCIL MEMBER SOCCER? COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER WOO? COUNCIL
MEMBER KETTLE. COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> EITHER ANY FURTHER COMMENTS
AND THAT BILL IS AMENDED.
>> TIME TO MAKE FINAL COMMENTS.
NEVERMIND. WE WILL MAKE SURE TO
MAKE FINAL COMMENTS. COUNCIL
MEMBER, I DON'T KNOW WHO RAISE
THEIR HAND FIRST. COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES, YOU
HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COLLEAGUES, I AM SURE IT IS NO
SURPRISE THAT I WILL BE VOTING
NO ON THIS BILL. STANDING WITH
THE COUNTLESS SEX WORKERS,
ANTITRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS,
CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, WHO
HAVE COME OUT STRONGLY AGAINST
THIS BILL. AMONG THESE IS
FREEDOM NETWORK USA, THE
LARGEST NETWORKING OF SURVIVORS
AND ATTORNEYS WORKING DIRECTLY
WITH TRAFFICKING VICTIMS. OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE COME
TODAY AND HAVE BEEN COMING,
CUPCAKE GIRLS COALITION FOR
RIGHTS AND SAFETY OF PEOPLE IN
THIS SEX TRADE, THE WOMEN'S
NETWORK, AND DOZENS OF OTHERS.
THESE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENT
PEOPLE. MANY OF WHOM YOU SEE IN
THIS ROOM TODAY AND OTHERS WHO
CANNOT BE HERE AND WHO HAVE
EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE WORST
HORRORS THAT CAN BE AFFLICTED
UPON HUMAN BEINGS. TO NEGATE
THEIR EXPERIENCES AND PLOW
THROUGH THIS BILL IS SIMPLY
UNJUST. WHILE THE SPONSOR POINT
THAT SHE AMENDED HER FACE
LEGISLATION TO EXCLUDE SEX
SELLERS FROM THE S.O.A.P. ZONE,
THIS BILL STILL INCLUDES A
REINSTATEMENT OF THE
PROSTITUTION LOITERING LOT
WHICH WE ALL KNOW WE
UNANIMOUSLY REPEALED IN 2020.
AS THE ACLU SHARED, AS THE NEW
PROPOSAL RESTS WITH
WELL-INTENTIONED INDIVIDUALS
WHO WANT TO PROTECT PEOPLE IN
THE SEX TRADE, FOR INSTANCE A
FELLOW WATCHING OUT FOR
SOMEONE'S SAFETY COULD
INADVERTENTLY FACED CHARGES. IF
WE WANT GOOD GOVERNANCE,
SEATTLE MUST CONSIDER THE FULL
BODY OF RESEARCH THAT REFLECTS
THE EXPENSES OF THOSE
TRAFFICKED AND THOSE IN THE SEX
TRADE. LEGAL VOICE CONDUCTED A
REVIEW OF THE STUDIES OF THE
IMPACT OF PROSTITUTION WOULD
RELIES ON COMMUNITIES AND FOUND
THAT INCREASED CRIMINALIZATION
DID NOT CORRELATE TO A DECREASE
IN GUN VIOLENCE. AND I HAVE TO
SAY WE KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW OUR
POLICE DEPARTMENT IS STILL
UNDER A FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE
FOR ITS EXPLICIT BIASED AND
RACIST POLICING. IN ADDITION,
SPD HAS NUMEROUS LAWSUITS
ALLEGING GENDER AND RACIAL
DETERMINATION AND HARASSMENT
WITHIN THEIR OWN DEPARTMENT.
AND SO WHEN WE HEAR FROM FOLKS
WHO ARE SEX WORKERS AND THAT
THEY HAVE BEEN TARGETED, I
DON'T THINK IT IS HARD TO
IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING. AND,
FINALLY, THERE IS NO
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS BILL
FOR POLICE TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON
DIVERSION SERVICES EVEN IF IT
IS AVAILABLE. INCREASING
COMMUNICATION OF SEX WORKERS AS
A PREFERRED POLICY TO REGULATE
SEX WORK HAS ONLY RESULTED IN
MORE HARM AND DEPLETE OUR VITAL
PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES WITHOUT
ACTUALLY SOLVING THE PROBLEM.
THESE PERFORMATIVE REGULATIONS
ARE BAND-AIDS. REAL SOLUTIONS
SUCH AS SUPPORTING STABLE
LONG-TERM ACCESS TO SOCIAL
SERVICES FOR PEOPLE IN THE SEX
TRADE, RESOURCING ORGANIZATIONS
WHO HAVE BUILT TRUST WITH THESE
INDIVIDUALS TO PROVIDE SAFE
OFFERING PROCESSES, FOR THOSE
WHO WANT TO LEAVE THE TRADE,
AND PROVIDING STABLE AFFORDABLE
SHELTER AND HOUSING COULD GO A
LONG WAY IN CURBING THE PUBLIC
NUISANCE AND HELPING US STOP
SEX TRAFFICKERS MORE
EFFECTIVELY. SEX WORKERS ARE
AMONG SOME OF THE MOST
ADVERTISED PEOPLE IN SOCIETY.
AND TO ALLEGED THIS IS A
BROADLY SUPPORTED BILL BY
PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE THE
MOST IMPACTED IS SIMPLY NOT
TRUE. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING
THIS TODAY AND I'M REALLY
DISHEARTENED THAT WE ARE HAVING
THESE CONVERSATIONS AGAIN AS A
CITY WHEN THERE ARE THINGS WE
COULD BE DOING TO ADDRESS THE
ROOT CAUSES OF ALL OF THESE
ISSUES. SO I WILL BE VOTING NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. THIS BILL HAS BEEN
THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED TO
PROTECT THE WOMEN WHO ARE BEING
VICTIMIZED AND THE UNDERAGE
GIRLS WERE BEING TRAFFICKED FOR
PROSTITUTION. AS SOMEONE WITH A
LAW DEGREE AND WHO HAS WORKED
FOR THE ACLU AND WHO HAS BEEN
ON THE BOARD OF LEGAL VOICE, I
UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS AROUND
CIVIL LIBERTIES AND WE ALSO
NEED TO BE CLEAR THAT THERE IS
NO CIVIL RIGHT TO VICTIMIZE
CHILDREN AND WOMEN, AND THERE
IS NO CIVIL RIGHT TO TRAFFIC
HUMANS, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE
ADDRESSING WITH THIS
LEGISLATION. IT EMPHASIZES --
THIS BILL EMPHASIZES DIVERSION,
WHICH I VERY MUCH SUPPORT, AS
DOES I KNOW MY COLLEAGUE,
COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, WHEN SHE
BROUGHT THIS FORWARD, AND THE
COUNTLESS OF FORMER SEX WORKERS
WE ALSO HEARD FROM TODAY. AND I
APPRECIATE THEM SHARING THEIR
STORIES AND COMING FORWARD. I
KNOW IT IS NOT AN EASY THING TO
DO. IT EMPHASIZES REFERRALS TO
SOCIAL SERVICES, POLICEMAN AND
SAFE HOUSES, AND OTHER
ALTERNATIVE TO BOOKING WELL
GIVING THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT MORTALS TO GET THE
PIMPS AND THE JOHNS OFF THE
STREET. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE
DOING THE MOST HARM AND THE
SUBJECT OF THIS LEGISLATION. WE
ALSO NEED WAYS TO REDUCE THE
UNACCEPTABLE GUN VIOLENCE WE
HAVE BEEN SEEING IN THE
NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND WITH
AURORA. WE HAVE BEEN SEEING
SOME GOOD AMENDMENTS TODAY THAT
WILL ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY
WHICH I VERY MUCH SUPPORT. AUNT
THIS LAW -- I AM SORRY. THE
DATA IS IMPORTANT AND I AM A
HUGE PROPONENT OF
ACCOUNTABILITY AND METRICS OF
SUCCESS. THEIR GUNFIGHTS
OUTSIDE PEOPLE'S HOMES,
CHILDREN ARE BEING SOLICITED ON
THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL, SUCH AS AT
INGRAM HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE MY
KIDS WENT TO SCHOOL AND ALSO
ROBERT EAGLE STAFF AND CASCADIA
ELEMENTARY. WE MUST ADDRESS
THIS. WE KNOW THAT CONSTITUENTS
WANT ACTION. WE KNOW THAT THIS
IS NOT LIKE THE SEATTLE DRUG
AREA. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY
SOLUTION. BUT IT IS A TOOL TO
ADDRESS THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING
ON AURORA AND HOLD THOSE WHO
ARE CAUSING THE MOST HARM
ACCOUNTABLE WHILE OFFERING
SERVICES TO THE VICTIMS. I VERY
MUCH APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO
CAME DOWN HERE TODAY FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT. THAT IS YOUR RIGHT.
THAT IS A CIVIL RIGHT TO COME
DOWN HERE AND TELL US WHAT YOU
THINK AND I VERY MUCH
APPRECIATE THAT. AND ALSO WE
NEED TO BE VERY THOUGHTFUL
ABOUT THE FACT THAT WHEN WE ARE
TRYING TO DO THINGS TO ADDRESS
THESE ISSUES THAT WE ARE DOING
AND WHAT I'M TRYING TO ADDRESS
IN THE CITY WE ARE DOING IT
WELL-INTENTIONED AND WE ARE
LOOKING AT THE THINGS THAT
PRIOR COUNSEL HAS DONE AND
MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE MAKING
CHANGES ALONG WITH OUR
COLLEAGUES AND THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND IN THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE, AND ACROSS THE
CITY DEPARTMENTS, TO ENSURE
THAT WE ARE NOT CAUSING FURTHER
HARM WITH THE THINGS THAT WE
ARE DOING. BUT WE CAN'T SIT
AROUND AND HAVE CONSTITUENTS
WHO ARE LIVING UP IN THIS AREA
AND ARE ASKING FOR US TO TAKE
ACTION AND SAY THAT WE ARE NOT.
WE NEED TO DO THE BEST THAT WE
CAN WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE
HAVE. WE VERY MUCH ARE VERY
CLEAR THAT WE ARE TRYING TO
HELP THE VICTIMS OF -- OF THE
PIMPS AND THE JOHNS, AND WE
NEED A MECHANISM FOR TAKING
PIMPS AND THE JOHNS OFF THE
STREET. AND WITH THE GREAT
AMENDMENTS OFFERED FOR
ACCOUNTABILITY, WE ARE GOING TO
LOOK AT IS THIS WORKING? AND IF
IT IS NOT, THEN WE ARE GOING TO
MAKE CHANGES BECAUSE THAT IS
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU BECAUSE
AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE
LOOKING TO PROTECT THE VICTIMS
OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING UP ON
AURORA AND THE CHILDREN THAT
ARE GETTING TRAFFICKED UP ON
AURORA, AND AS A PARENT, THAT
MEANS A LOT TO ME. AND I KNOW I
AM NOT ALONE AND I HAVE HEARD
FROM MANY RESIDENTS FROM NOT
JUST MY DISTRICT, BUT FROM THE
D5 AND OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY
WHO ALSO CARE ABOUT THIS. SO I
WANT TO BE VERY, VERY CLEAR
AGAIN, AS MY FINAL POINT, WE
ARE TRYING TO HELP THE VICTIMS
OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THE
WOMEN AND OTHER HUMANS WHO ARE
BEING VICTIMIZED UP ON AURORA,
AND WE ARE WANTING TO PUT THE
JOHNS AND THE PIMPS AWAY. AND
WE CANNOT -- WE CANNOT -- WE
MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
WE CANNOT SIT AROUND AND NOT DO
ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THAT IS WHY
I AM COSPONSORING THIS
LEGISLATION WITH COUNCIL MEMBER
MOORE, AND I APPRECIATE YOU
BRINGING YOU AND YOUR
LEADERSHIP ON THIS DESPITE THE
FACT I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A VERY
LONG AND ROUGH ROAD. I AM GOING
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT. I WILL
ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE
TRYING TO DO GOOD HERE AND DID
YOUR DUE DILIGENCE AND WORKING
WITH MANY FOLKS AND THAT WE CAN
AGREE TO DISAGREE ON SOME
THINGS BECAUSE THAT IS HOW WE
GOVERN AND THAT IS HOW WE WORK
TOGETHER AND THAT IS HOW WE ARE
IN COMMITTEE SPACE TOGETHER. WE
AGREE TO DISAGREE ON SOME
THINGS AND ON OTHER THINGS WE
COME TOGETHER AND WE WORK
TOGETHER TO HELP PEOPLE. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.
YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK.
>> SO IT IS TRUE. MANY OF US DO
KNOW SEX WORKERS. I KNOW IF YOU
AND I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS AS
WELL. AND SO I WAS REALLY TORN
ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION. BUT
THESE ARE SOME STORIES I HAVE
DEALT WITH IN MY HUMIDITY. I
WAS OUT AT 10:00 P.M. AT NIGHT.
A YOUNG LADY WHO WAS JUST -- I
GUESS SHE WAS KICKED OUT OF A
CAR. SHE FELL FROM A CAR. AND
SHE WAS HALF DRESSED. BASICALLY
SHE HAD A SHORT TIGHT AROUND
HER WAIST AND WAS NOT WEARING
ANYTHING ELSE AND SHE WAS
YELLING. AND WE -- WE TRY TO
APPROACH HER. WOULD YOU LIKE
SOME WATER? WOULD YOU LIKE A
JACKET? SHE WAS LASHING OUT AT
US BECAUSE SHE WAS JUST RAPED,
AND THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING WE
COULD DO. WE MADE SURE SHE WAS
SAFE AND WE COULD FOLLOW HER
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK? NO. I
HAVE TO GO TO MY FRIEND. AND IT
WAS A MALE NAME. AND SO
BASICALLY SHE JUST LAID DOWN
AND JUST RESTED AND WE DID NOT
WANT TO CALL FOR THE HELP
BECAUSE WE WERE NOT SURE SHE
WAS GOING TO ACCEPT IT. SO
MAKING SURE SHE WAS SAFE. THERE
WAS ANOTHER LADY. SHE LOOKED
LIKE SHE COULD HAVE BEEN MY
SISTER. SHE WAS ALSO THROWN
FROM A CAR. OBVIOUSLY, WE KNEW
HER. WE KNEW SHE WAS A SEX
WORKER. WE KNEW SHE HAD A PIMP.
WE TRY TO DO OUTREACH. WE KNEW
SHE LOVED HER PIMP AND WE COULD
NOT GET HER AWAY FROM HIM. SO
WE HAD TO BE LIKE, HEY, THIS IS
OUR NUMBER. IF YOU EVER NEED
HELP OR ARE IN DANGER GIVE US A
CALL. WE ALSO MET A MAN
PROPOSING HIS SERVICES TO A
GROUP OF OTHER MEN AND THEN
THEY STARTED BEATING HIM AND WE
GOT IN THERE AND DEACTIVATED
THE SITUATION. LEAVE HIM ALONE.
HE JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO
WHERE HE LIVES, WHICH WAS A
TENT DOWN THE STREET
UNFORTUNATELY. THE BEST WE
COULD DO WAS, HEY, THIS IS OUR
NUMBER. WE CAN GET YOUR
RESOURCES AND GET YOU TO A SAFE
PLACE. BUT UNFORTUNATELY I
BELIEVE THAT THEY LOVE THEIR
PERSON WHO THEY ARE WORKING
FOR. THEY ARE GIVING THEIR
MONEY TO THEM. IT IS A SENSE OF
MIND CONTROL. AND YOU FEEL SO
HELPLESS. YOU WANT TO HELP. BUT
SUTHIS LEGISLION SE TO. SO I
BECAUSE THIS GOES AFTER THE
PIMPS. THIS GOES AFTER THE
JOHNS . THAT CAUSES THE
TRAUMATIC EFFECTS OF WHAT I SAW
THESE THREE PEOPLE GO THROUGH
AND HOPEFULLY WHEN THE JOHNS
AND THE PIMPS ARE SEPARATED
FROM THESE PEOPLE WHO NEED
RESOURCES AND NEED HELP AND GET
THEM AWAY FROM THAT CONTROL,
THEN THERE IS A CHANCE THAT
THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO ACCEPT
RESOURCES AND ACCEPT HELP. I AM
SUPPORTIVE OF THIS BILL. I ALSO
KNOW HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO BE
ON AURORA AVENUE NORTH. MANY OF
MY FRIENDS WHO ARE ENGAGED IN
THE SEX WORK DO NOT GO THROUGH
AURORA BUT THEY GO TO OTHER
MEANS TO FIND CLIENTS BECAUSE
THEY KNOW HOW SCARY IT IS
THERE. SO HOW DO WE MAKE SURE
WE ALLOW FOR THE AREA TO BE A
LITTLE BIT SAFER AND STOP THAT
SEX TRAFFICKING TO'S SEPARATE
PEOPLE FROM THEIR PIMPS AND
THEIR JOHNS AND ALLOW THEM TO
GET THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO
HEAL AND TO -- AND TO PROPERLY
MOVE ON?
>> THANK YOU.
>> I AM SORRY. I JUST WANT TO
SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY FOR TRANSMITTING
THIS LEGISLATION AND FOR
COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO CRAFT
IT AND ALL THE NUANCES THAT WE
SEE HERE BEFORE US TODAY. AND I
ALSO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
LISTENING TO COMMUNITY AND
MAKING CHANGES THAT YOU THOUGHT
WERE NECESSARY IN CONVERSATION
WITH THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SPENT
A LONG TIME IN CONVERSATION
WITH. IF THERE ARE NO MORE
COMMENTS, I WILL NOW BRING THIS
TO A VOTE.
>> CAN I JUST SAY ONE THING?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO MY
COLLEAGUES FOR ALL YOUR
COMMENTS. I REALLY APPRECIATE
THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE
COMPLEXITY AND THE NUANCE AND
THE SUPPORT, AND I UNDERSTAND
AND REALLY APPRECIATE THE
SUPPORT OF THIS WORK. IT IS
CONTROVERSIAL. IT IS TOUGH. AND
I THINK WE ARE ALL COMING FROM
THE SAME PLACE BUT WE MIGHT GET
THERE DIFFERENTLY AS WE TRIED
TO PUT AN END TO THE ONGOING
CYCLE OF TRAUMA AND HARM . AND
AS I HAVE SAID, I AM COMMITTED
TO MAKING SURE THAT WE GET MORE
MONEY. WE WILL MOVE MONEY
AROUND IN OUR BUDGET TO MAKE
THAT HAPPEN. AND, FOR ME, THIS
IS THE BEGINNING OF THE WORK.
IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORK.
AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO,
SO MUCH TO THE PEOPLE WHO
SHOWED UP TODAY AND THE
SURVIVORS AND THE DIRECT
SERVICE PROVIDERS. THE SILENT
HARM TASK FORCE. I MEAN, I
COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS
WITHOUT YOU. THIS BILL
REPRESENTS YOUR EXPERIENCE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE -- WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA? COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL MEMBER
WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR. ONE OPPOSED.
>> WHILE THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX
MY SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION
ON MY BEHALF. ALL RIGHT. TAKE A
DEEP BREATH. MOVING ONTO THE
NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA AND
FOLKS WE DO HAVE FOUR MORE
ITEMS BUT THEY SHOULD GO FAIRLY
QUICKLY. WHILE THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEM 4 INTO THE RECORD.
>> FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
COMMITTEE. AGENDA ITEM 4. THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE BILL
PASS.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH
IS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE. YOU
ARE RECOGNIZED BY THE COMMITTEE
REPORT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNSEL FOR. THIS
IS COUNSEL BILL 120860. THIS IS
THE LEASE AGREEMENT. CURRENTLY
THIS IS FOR THE RENEWAL OF A
RELEASE AGREEMENT WHERE THEY
ARE RENTING AN AREA TO -- I
WILL PAUSE FOR DISRUPTION AND
LET OUR GUESTS LEAVE SO WE CAN
CONTINUE WITH COUNSEL BUSINESS.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION. THANK
YOU. OKAY. SO THIS IS A RENEWAL
OF A LEASE. AND FOR THE SEATTLE
CENTER TO CONTINUE THEIR
STORAGE, COLLEAGUES, WANTS THE
MEMORIAL STADIUM IS BUILT, THAT
WILL MOVE A LOT OF THEIR
MATERIALS AND EVEN THINGS THAT
THEY HAD TO MEMORIAL STADIUM
BECAUSE IT IS NECESSARY FOR
THEM TO CONTINUE THE OPERATIONS
IN SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SEEING
NONE, MADE THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE ON THE
LEGISLATION?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA? COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL MEMBER
WOO? COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON? AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE FIX MY SIGNATURE
TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY
BEHALF. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEM 5 INTO THE RECORD.
>> COUNSEL BUILT 850. THEY
RECOMMEND THE BILL PASS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. THIS BILL IS FOR SPU
TO -- EXCUSE ME -- I WAS GOING
TO SAY INTIMATE -- IMMINENT
DOMAIN. THERE IS BASICALLY TWO
PROPERTIES. THERE IS A PIPE
RUNNING THROUGH THERE THAT IS
65 YEARS OLD THAT GOES TO
PIPER'S CREEK. THEY WOULD LIKE
TO PURCHASE THESE PROPERTIES IN
CASE THAT WATER MAIN BREAKS AND
THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS IT
TO CONTINUE SERVICING FOLKS, SO
IT IS VERY SIMPLE AND I WOULD
LOVE YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? SEEING
NONE, MADE THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE ON THE PASSAGE OF
THE BILL?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA?
COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
COUNCIL MEMBER WOO? COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON? IN
FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF. MOVING ON, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM 6 INTO
THE RECORD.
>> COUNSEL 120843, THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE BILL
PASS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AGAIN,
THIS IS A -- THIS IS
LEGISLATION COMING FROM COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH. GO AHEAD
AND PLEASE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THIS BILL
AUTHORIZES OUR INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT FOR US TO DO OPEN
SPACE ACQUISITION PROJECTS. IT
IS CHANGING OF A LANGUAGE SO WE
WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE OUR
GROWTH, SUSTAINABILITY, WITH
PURCHASING DIFFERENT PARKS
AND CONTINUE OUR OPEN SPACE
PLAN. SO THE COMMITTEE PASSED
IT FIVE IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED AND WE WOULD LOVE YOUR
SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NO
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE IN
THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA?
COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA? COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL MEMBER
WOO? COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WITH
THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION.
AND WITH THE CLERK PLEASE READ
ITEM 7 INTO THE RECORD.
>> NEGOTIATION OF TWO PARCELS
OF LAND. THEY COMMITTEE
RECOMMEND THAT THE BILL PASS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. THIS BILL HAS BEEN
FIVE YEARS IN THE PROCESS. THEN
IS SPU IS GOING TO ACQUIRE
PROPERTY THAT IS GOING TO HELP
RESTORE SALMON RECOVERY. THEY
ARE PLANNING THE PROPERTIES,
AND A YOUNG WOMAN WHO IS 92,
AND I BELIEVE HER NAME IS MS.
HELEN, AND I BELIEVE SHE IS
STILL ON THE PROPERTY AND SHE
WILL MAINTAIN A SMALL PART OF
THE PARCEL AND THEY WILL HONOR
HER WITH THIS, YOU KNOW,
TRANSFER OF PROPERTY THAT SHE
IS GIVEN BACK TO OUR CITY SO WE
CAN CONTINUE WITH THE
RESTORATION OF OUR SALMON AND
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THAT WE
HAVE. AND I AM JUST REALLY
EXCITED AND HAPPY FOR THIS GIFT
TO OUR CITY AND FIVE IN FAVOR
AND NONE OPPOSED AT OUR
COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SEEING
NO COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE
ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA? COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL MEMBER
WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE? COUNCIL PRESIDENT
NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WITH
THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE AND READ ITEM 8 INTO
THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 8. RESOLUTION
32146. PARTICIPATION IN THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON'S CLEAN
FUEL STANDARD PROGRAM. THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE
CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SAID THIS
RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGES AND
APPROVES THE CITY'S
PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON'S CLEAN FUEL
STANDARD PROGRAM. IT ALSO
KNOWLEDGES THAT INTERDEPARTMENT
AL MEMORANDUM AMONG CITY
LIGHTS, FINANCE, AND
ADMINISTERED SERVICES IN THE
SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC
UTILITIES JOIN THIS PROGRAM. IT
ALIGNS WITH SEATTLE'S
COMMITMENT TO COMBAT CLIMATE
CHANGE AND IMPROVE AIR QUALITY
FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND FOR
PARTICIPATION IN THE CLEAN
FUELS PROGRAM, CITY, LIGHT, AND
OTHER PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS
TO BE ABLE TO SELL CREDITS AND
FURTHER THE CITY'S
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND
EQUITY GOALS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND
SEEING NO QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS, AND I AM TALKING
FULLY JUST IN CASE, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE ON
THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA? COUNCIL MEMBER
SAKA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
COUNCIL MEMBER WOO?
>> S.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO
THE LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF
AND READ ITEM 9 INTO THE
RECORD.
>> RESOLUTION 32144 ADOPTED IN
2024. THE FOOD ACTION PLAN AND
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE CITY
PLAN BE ADOPTED.
>> GO-AHEAD.
>> SO THE OFFICES OF
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT
PLANNED THE UPDATE TO THE FIRST
UPDATE TO THE FOOD ACTION PLAN
SINCE 2012. SO THE FOOD ACTION
PLAN SERVES AS A ROAD MAP TO
CREATING AN EQUITABLE LOCAL
FOOD SYSTEM AND THERE ARE ABOUT
47 VERY SPECIFIC ACTIONS THAT
WILL ENHANCE SECURITY, SUPPORT
LOCAL ECONOMICS, AND ENSURE
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.
THE PLAN ALSO EMPHASIZES RACIAL
SOCIAL JUSTICE, ADDRESSES FOOD
SECURITY DISPARITIES AND ALSO
SUPPORTS LOCAL FOOD BUSINESSES
AND PRODUCERS BY INCREASING
EQUITABLE LAND ACCESS FOR
AGRICULTURE. SO THEY DID A
GREAT JOB. THEY ENGAGED WITH
OVER 250 PARTNERS INCLUDING
TRIBES, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, TO
TRULY MAKE THIS PLAN A SUCCESS
AND I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY
QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, MAYBE
PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA? COUNCIL MEMBER
SAKA?
>> AYE.
>> MEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> AYE.
>> THANK YOU . COUNCIL MEMBER
WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE? COUNCIL PRESIDENT
NELSON? NINE IN FAVOR. NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX THE
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF AND READ ITEM 10 INTO
THE RECORD.
>> ITEM 10, 120497. THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE
BILL PASS.
>> YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO
ADDRESS THIS ITEM.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, WITH YOUR
PERMISSION I WOULD LIKE TO
ADDRESS ITEMS 10-17 ALL AT ONCE
SINCE THERE ARE EIGHT
DESIGNATIONS OF LAND.
>> BY ALL MEANS.
>> THANK YOU. PERFECT. THE
LANDMARK PRESERVATION BOARD IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR DESIGNATING
LANDMARKS. ONCE A SITE IS
DESIGNATED THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORS NEGOTIATE AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE PROPERTY
OWNER REGARDING CONTROLS ON HOW
THE PROPERTY CAN BE CHANGED IN
THE FUTURE. THESE PIECES OF
LEGISLATION, 10-17, APPROVE
THESE AGREEMENTS. HERE ARE THE
DESIGNATIONS. THE EAST PINE
SUBSTATION WHICH WAS BUILT IN
1967 AND DESIGNATED AS A
LANDMARK IN 2018. FIRE STATION
26 WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1920 AND
DESIGNATED IN 2022. THE
GEORGETOWN STEAM PLANT PUMP
HOUSE WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1916
AND DESIGNATED IN 2019. THE
BLOCK HOUSE BUILT IN 1908, WITH
A LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF 2023.
THE CONTINENTAL HOTEL, WHICH
WAS BUILT IN 1926 AND WAS
DESIGNATED AS A LANDMARK IN
2023. THE BEACON HILL GARDEN
HOUSE WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1886
AND DESIGNATED AS A LANDMARK IN
2019. THE SETTLEMENT HOUSE
BUILT BETWEEN 1926 AND 1939,
WHICH WAS DESIGNATED IN 2023 AS
A LANDMARK. THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON'S ANDERSON HALL,
WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1925 AND
DESIGNATED AS A LANDMARK IN
2022.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT
SUMMARY OF ALL OF THOSE. ARE
THERE ANY COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS? MY COLLEAGUES? OKAY.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE -- WOULD
YOU LIKE TO -- THOSE ARE JUST
ALTOGETHER SO --
>> WE CAN JUST RUN TO THE MALL,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> THAT IS FINE.
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL
THE ROLE ON THE BILLS HAS
ADDRESSED.
>> NUMBER 10 FIRST WHICH IS
COUNSEL BILL 120479. COUNCIL
MEMBER MOORE? COUNCIL MEMBER
MORALES? COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA? COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL MEMBER
WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE? COUNCIL PRESIDENT
NELSON? NINE IN FAVOR. NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. PLEASE
AFFIX THE SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF. ITEM
11 HAS BEEN ADDRESSED AND THAT
IS 120562. WILL THE COUNCIL
PLEASE CALL THE ROLE? COUNCIL
MEMBER MOORE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA? COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL MEMBER
WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE?
>> AYCOUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO
THE LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF.
WE HAVE ALREADY HEARD ABOUT THE
ITEM NUMBER 12 WHICH IS COUNSEL
BILL 120480. SEEING NO
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA? COUNCIL
MEMBER SAKA? COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>>
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> PLEASE AFFIX THE SIGNATURE
TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY
BEHALF. ITEM 13 WHICH IS
COUNSEL BILL 120849 HAS BEEN
ADDRESSED. WHAT THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLE ON BEHALF
OF THE BILL?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA? COUNSEL
MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> MAY THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX
THE SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF. ITEM
14 HAS BEEN ADDRESSED WHICH IS
COUNSEL BILL 1450.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA? COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER WOO? COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. PLEASE
AFFIX THE SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF AND
FINALLY ITEM 15 HAS BEEN
ADDRESSED. WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLE ON COUNSEL
BILL 120851 .
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MIRELES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER WOO? COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. PLEASE
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE -- PUT THE
SIGNATURE ON THE BILL ON MY
BEHALF. AND WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE READ THE ROLE ON ITEM 16
WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN
ADDRESSED WHICH IS COUNSEL BILL
120852?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA? COUNCIL MEMBER
SAKA? COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER WOO?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE? COUNCIL PRESIDENT
NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES. THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT. PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE ON THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF AND WILL YOU PLEASE
READ -- CALL THE ROLE ON ITEM
18 WHICH IS COUNSEL BILL --
JUST A SECOND -- 17 WHICH IS
120853.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE?
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES? COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
COUNCIL MEMBER WOO? COUNCIL
MEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. MAY
THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF. AND I HAVE TO SAY
TODAY WOULD HAVE BEEN A REALLY
GOOD DAY IF YOU HAVE A LANDMARK
DESTINATION PASSED BY CITY
COUNCIL BECAUSE USUALLY THEY
TAKE A LOT LONGER AND I NEVER
REMEMBER COMPLETING SO MANY IN
SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
ALL RIGHT. SO THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. THERE WERE NO ITEMS
REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
CALENDAR AND THERE WERE NO
RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION
AND ADOPTION TODAY. IS THERE
ANY FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME
BEFORE THE COUNCIL?
>> I JUST WANT TO WISH
EVERYBODY A HAPPY MID AUTUMN
FESTIVAL. TODAY IS THE MOON
CAKE FESTIVAL FOR THE CHINESE
CULTURE, AND WE USUALLY SPEND
THE DAY HAVING A FAMILY DINNER.
I SPEND THE DAY WITH FAMILY
FRIENDS AND EATING A MOON CAKE
FOR GOOD LUCK AFTERWARDS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
THAT. COLLEAGUES, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR STICKING IT OUT
TODAY. IT WAS A VERY LONG
MEETING AND THERE WAS A LOT
GOING ON AND IT TOOK A LOT OF
CONCERN AND WORK ON OUR BEHALF
AND ALSO I APPRECIATE THE
SUSTAINED ATTENTION OF PEOPLE
THAT CAME TO GIVE COMMENT AND
CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THE ISSUES
THAT WE DEAL WITH DAY TODAY. SO
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IF THERE
ARE NO FURTHER COMMENTS THIS
MEETING IS ADJOURNED. IT IS
7:12. THANK YOU.
>> [ MUSIC ]