.
>>> WELCOME EVERYONE. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR COMING TODAY. THE
DECEMBER 3rd, 2024 MEETING OF
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WILL
COME TO ORDER IT IS 2:03 P.M.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL. [ROLL CALL ]
NINE PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO, WE
GOT TWO PRESENTATIONS TODAY.
STARTING WITH COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK'S PUBLIC OFFICE. SHE WAS
OFFICIALLY SWORN IN ON THE DAY
THAT KING COUNTY ELECTIONS FILED
THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION. SO,
THAT IS WHY WE ARE ABLE TO CALL
HER COUNCILMEMBER RIGHT NOW AND
TAKEN OUR GROUP PHOTO. THE
SECOND PRESENTATION FOR THE DAY
IS A PROCLAMATION FROM
COUNCILMEMBER S AKA. SAKA. FIRST
THING IS FIRST. OATH OF OFFICE
WILL BE ADMINISTERED. AFTER OATH
OF OFFICE YOU ARE WELCOME TO
PROVIDE ANY COMMENTS YOU WOULD
LIKE AND I WILL SAVE MY COMMENTS
FOR THE WELCOME RECEPTION. I
WILL MOVE OVER. HOLD ON A
SECOND. I WILL GET OUT OF THE
WAY FIRST.
>>>IT IS MY HONOR TO ADMINISTER
THE OATH OF OFFICE. I ALEXIS
MERCEDES RINCK AFFIRM THAT I
POSSESS ALL OF THE
QUALIFICATIONS. PRESCRIBED IN
THE SEATTLE CITY CHARTER. AND
THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE. FOR
THE POSITION OF CITY
COUNCILMEMBER. THAT I WILL
SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
UNITED STATES. THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. AND
THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF
THE CITY OF SEATTLE. AND THAT I
WILL FAITHFULLY CONDUCT MYSELF
AS CITY COUNCILMEMBER.
[ APPLAUSE ]
.
>> OH, MY GOSH, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY. FIRST
OF COURSE I HAVE TO THANK YOU
FOR SWEARING ME IN. SHOUT OUT TO
HER. IF YOU KNOW HER YOU KNOW.
IT IS INCREDIBLE TO SEE SO MANY
FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, LEADERS
FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY,
HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION,
CLIMATE ACTION. ARTS, COALITION,
WORKING TIRELESSLY ON THE
CAMPAIGN BUT ALSO WORKS EVERY
DAY TO FIGHT FOR A SEATTLE THAT
WORKS FOR ALL OF US. THANK YOU
FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY
TO CELEBRATE THIS MOMENT WITH
ME. YOU KNOW, THERE IS SOMETHING
REMARKABLE THAT HAPPENS WHEN A
CITY COMES TOGETHER. NOT JUST A
DREAM BUT TO TURN THE DREAMS
INTO A REALITY AND THAT IS
EXACTLY WHAT WE DID. I STAND
BEFORE YOU TODAY AS THE YOUNGEST
PERSON EVER ELECTED TO SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL. [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND THE FIRST 20 SOMETHING TO
EVER SERVE HERE REPRESENTING A
GENERATION OF LEADER WHO'S
WONDER IF SEATTLE IS A PLACE TO
MAKE ROOTS, RAISE A FAMILY AND
GROW OLD HERE. WITH OVER 250,000
VOTES OUR PROGRESSIVE VISION AND
OUR VISION AND OUR GOAL FOR AN
AFFORDABLE, SAFE AND WELCOMING
CITY IS ONE THAT ACTUALLY UNITES
OUR CITY. AND EVERY CONVERSATION
WE HAVE HAD FROM GREEN LAKE TO
COLUMBIA CITY, VALOR TO QUEEN
ANNE, RAINIER BEACH TO WEST
SEATTLE, EVERY STORY THAT YOU
HAVE SHARED HAS REMINDED ME THAT
WE HAVE SOMETHING POWERFUL HERE.
A SHARED FAITH IN WHAT THE CITY
CAN BECOME AND WE SLOWED THAT
WHEN WE UNITE AND STAND SHOULDER
TO SHOULDER, CARPENTERS,
CHILDCARE WORKERS, THERE IS NO
CHALLENGE WE CAN NOT MEET, NO
BRIDGE WE CAN NOT DIVIDE. AND
MAKE NO MISTAKE THERE ARE
CHALLENGES AHEAD OF US. SINCE
ELECTION DAY I HAVE BEEN
REFLECTING ON WHAT THIS IN
COMING PRESIDENTIAL
ADMINISTRATION MAY MEAN FOR OUR
CITY, OUR PLANS, OUR NEIGHBORS.
THE LOSS OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR
OUR PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND
PROJECTS AND ATTACKS ON OUR
FREEDOMS. IT HAD ME REFLECT ON
MY FAMILY STORY. MY FAMILY FLED
EL SALVADOR. MY ANCESTORS LEFT
POLAND ON THE OTHER SIDE. AND
THE WHEN I THINK OF THEIR
JOURNEYS, MIDNIGHT CROSSINGS,
WHISPERS AND DREAMS, I AM
REMINDED FOR MILLIONS OF
AMERICANS THE PROMISE OF THIS
NATION IS NOT JUST AN IDEA IT IS
A LIFELINE. IT IS WHAT GAVE MY
ELDERS STRENGTH TO BUILD A LIFE
HERE. IN A COMMUNITY WHERE YOUR
BEGINNINGS DO NOT DEFINE YOUR
DESTINY.THAT PROMISE IS UNDER
THREAT AND WE STAND AT THE CROSS
ROADS THAT THE VALUES THAT MADE
MY FAMILY'S DREAMS POSSIBLE
HANG IN BALANCE. THE IS A
THREAT TO FAMILIES LIKE MINE AND
SO MANY IN THIS CITY AND THAT IS
WHY WHAT WE DO HERE IN SEATTLE
MATTERS NOW MORE THAN EVER. IN A
TIME WHERE SOME BUILD WALLS WE
CAN BUILD BRIDGES, WHEN SOME SEW
DIVISION WE CAN FOSTER UNITY,
WHEN SOMEONE SAYS YOU DO NOT
BELONG WE CAN SAY YOU ARE HOME,
SEATTLE BELONGS TO YOU, TOO.
THAT IS WHO WE ARE. WE ARE A
CITY THAT DOES NOT JUST TALK
ABOUT PROGRESS WE BUILD IT
DAY-BY-DAY, BLOCK BY BLOCK,
COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY. WE ARE A
CITY THAT DOES NOT JUST DREAM OF
A BETTER FUTURE WE ROLL UP OUR
SLEEVES AND CREATE IT. DIVERSITY
IS NOT A WEAKNESS, GREATEST
STRENGTH, TODAY I AM NOT JUST
SWEARING IN TO SERVE A CITY BUT
A MOVEMENT. A MOVEMENT THAT
WHERE EVERYBODY DESERVES
RESPECT. OUR CITY BELONGS TO
EVERYONE, A MOVEMENT THAT
DECLARES IN SEATTLE WE DON'T
JUST RESIST HATE WE BUILD
SOMETHING BETTER. TO EACH OF MY
COLLEAGUES I AM READY TO BUILD
WITH YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH I LOOK FORWARD TO
WORK WITH YOU TO PROTECT AND
GROW OUR GREEN SPACES, VENUES
LIKE SEATTLE CENTER AND THE
WATERFRONT OF ACCESSIBLE FOR
EVERYONE TO ENJOY. AND MAKE SURE
OUR UTILITY SERVICES REMAIN
AFFORDABLE AND KEEP US HEALTHY.
AND COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE AS
CHAIR OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE I
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU
ON MAKING SURE WE ARE IMPROVING
OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY MEASURES
AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE NOT JUST
QUICK RESPONSES BUT THE RIGHT
RESPONSE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
SCENARIOS AND SCALING RESPONSES,
IMPROVING ACCOUNTABILITY AND
ENSURING THAT EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT RESPONSE IS READY TO
MEET WHATEVER WEATHER EVENT MAY
COME BEFORE US IN OUR
EVERCHANGES CLIMATE ENVIRONMENT.
AND COUNCILMEMBER SAKA, AS CHAIR
OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
YOU TO CREATE A SAFETY
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT
SERVES EVERYONE, BUILD A NETWORK
THAT PRIORITIZES WALKING,
BIKING, ROLLING, AND TRANSIT.
MAKING IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO
GET AROUND THE CITY AND
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA AS CHAIR OF
THE LIBRARY AND NEIGHBORHOODS
AND SERVING AS YOUR VICE CHAIR
IN THE COMING YEAR I LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON
THE RENEWAL OF ESCH
PROMISE WE ARE
MEETING THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES
AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND OUR
LIBRARIES ARE RESOURCED WITH
HOURS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON, AS
CHAIR OF GOVERNANCE
ACCOUNTABILITY AND ECONOMY, I
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU
TO SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES
AND CREATIVE ECONOMY GROWTH.
ENHANCING OVERSIGHT AND
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND MAKING
SURE THE OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS IS EQUIPPED TO SUPPORT
WORKERS ACROSS OUR CITY. AS
CHAIR OF THE HOUSING AND HUMAN
SERVICES COMMITTEE.
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE, I LOOK
FORWARD TO DEVELOPING MORE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND AGING
AND DISABILITY AND WORKING TO
SUPPORT RENTERS LIKE ME -- WHILE
MAKING SURE WE SUPPORT RENTERS
LIKE ME THAT MAKE UP HALF OF
SEATTLEITES. AND COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES I LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH YOU TO ADDRESS OUR
HOUSING CRISIS AND WE NEED A
PLAN THAT ALLOWS FOR MORE
HOUSING ACROSS OUR ENTIRE CITY.
CONNECTIONS TO PUBLIC TRANSIT
AND A MEANINGFUL
ANTIDISPLACEMENT STRATEGY TO
MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT CONTINUING
DISPLACEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES
OF COLOR IN SEATTLE. AND
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS I LOOK
FORWARD TO STRENGTHENING
RELATIONSHIPS WITH TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES AND ALSO SEEKING TO
ADDRESS OUR BUDGET CHALLENGES
WITH PROGRESSIVE REVENUE THAT
ALLOW US TO FULLY FUND OUR CITY
SERVICE THAT OUR RESIDENTS KNOW
AND LOVE AND DEPEND ON. WE NEED
STRONG COLLABORATION AND STRONG
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS, LET US LEAVE
HERE TODAY KNOWING IT IS NOT THE
END OF THE JOURNEY BUT OUR
BEGINNING. IF ANYONE TELLS YOU
CHANGE IS NOT POSSIBLE IN
SEATTLE YOU TELL THEM ON A NIGHT
IN NOVEMBER, 2024, A COALITION
OF WORKING PEOPLE, IMMIGRANTS
AND NATIVE-BORN, ONION MEMBERS
AND ACTIVISTS PROVED THEM WRONG.
IN SEATTLE WE STILL BELIEVE IN
AN AMERICA THAT WELCOMED MY
FAMILY FROM EL SALVADOR AND
POLAND AND AN AMERICAN THAT
GIVES A DAUGHTER OF GANG
INVOLVED TEENAGERS A CHANCE TO
SERVE HER COMMUNITY AND WE STILL
BELIEVE THAT OUR BEST DAYS ARE
AHEAD. OUR OFFICE OF POSITION 8
CITYWIDE WILL BE THE PEOPLE'S
OFFICE. [ APPLAUSE ]
SO TO EVERY YOUNG PERSON, EVERY
WORKING PARENT, EVERY COMMUNITY
LEADER, EVERY NEIGHBOR THAT
QUESTIONS IF SEATTLE STILL HAS A
PLACE FOR THEM. I SEE YOU, I
HEAR YOU, AND I AM HERE FOR YOU.
AND THIS OFFICE BELONGS TO YOU.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING
HERE TODAY AND NOW LET'S GET TO
WORK
[ APPLAUSE ]
.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THOSE
REMARKABLE WORDS. NOW, WE WILL
GO ON TO OUR SECOND
PRESENTATION. COUNCILMEMBER SAKA
HAS A PROCLAMATION THAT WILL
HONOR THE WORK IN THE LIFE OF
PATRICK SAND AND DECLARE
DECEMBER 3rd, 2024 TO BE PATRICK
SAND DAY. THE PROCLAMATION WILL
BE PRESENTED BY COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA AND SIGNED TODAY.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA YOU ARE
WELCOME TO EXPLAIN TO YOUR
COLLEAGUES AND THE VIEWING
PUBLIC WHAT THE PROCLAMATION IS
ABOUT AND INVITE WHOEVER MIGHT
BE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN
TO COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
WONDERFUL TO YOU LITERALLY
ACCEPT YOUR FLOWERS THAT YOU
EARNED OVER THE LAST ALMOST YEAR
NOW. IN HONOR TO CALL YOU A
COLLEAGUE. I KNOW THAT WHAT WE
ARE ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT
COLLEAGUES AND DISCUSS, THAT IS
WHY THE ROOM IS NEARLY PACKED
RIGHT NOW, BUT, SERIOUSNESS IT
IS IMPORTANT WORK BECAUSE TODAY,
COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO HONOR THE
LIFE AND LEGACY OF PATRICK AS A
MEMORIAL PROCLAMATION SIGNED BY
THE MAYOR AND HOPEFULLY ALL OF
US TO HONOR PATRICK SAND
COLLEAGUES IF YOU HAVE BEEN
FEATURED IN THE WEST SEATTLE
BLOG AT ALL YOU HAVE SEEN TENS
AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MY
CONSTITUENTS IN WEST SEATTLE ARE
AWARE OF YOUR WORK IF YOU HAVE
BEEN FEATURED. IT IS A HIGH
VISIBILITY, HIGH IMPACT,
MUCH-RESPECTED MICRO-NEWS
BLOGGING SITE AS YOU KNOW.
UNFORTUNATELY THE CO-FOUNDER,
WIDOW, TRACY RECORD AND SON
COULD NOT BE HERE WITH US TODAY.
THEY ARE DOING DOUBLE, TRIPLE
DUTY COVERING THE ENTIRE
PENINSULA ESSENTIALLY 24/7. AND,
SO, WE ARE STILL GOING TO HONOR
PATRICK. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF
MEETING PATRICK ALMOST TWO YEARS
AGO NOW WHEN, RIGHT AFTER I
LAUNCHED MY OWN CAMPAIGN FOR
THIS OFFICE. AND, HE COVERED IT.
WE GOT TO STRIKING UP A SIDE
CONVERSATION AMONG OTHER THINGS
ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF SISU.
S-I-S-U. COLLEAGUES YOU MAY KNOW
I AM A PROUD NIGERIAN AND FINISH
AMERICAN. AND THAT IS OUR ESTEEM
COLLEAGUE FROM GENTLEMAN FROM
BALLARD LIKES TO REMIND US I AM
NIGERIAN AND FINISH AND 100%
AMERICAN BUT PATRICK AND I
SHARED THAT IN COMMON. WE SHARED
OUR FINISH HERITAGE -- FINNS.
TWO FINNS CAN DEBATE ABOUT
EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS. I AM
SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY IN ENGLISH
SO MY FINN IS VERY POOR, IT IS A
VERY DIFFICULT LANGUAGE TO
LEARN. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT
IN THE WORLD, I AM TOLD. BY
VIRTUE OF SPEAKING IN ENGLISH
THERE WILL BE NO TRANSLATION OF
WHAT SISU MEANS, IN SHORT IT IS
A SOURCE OF PRIDE. PROUD FINN.
THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME
SIGNIFICANT ODDS AND BARRIERS
AND IT IS THE REASON WHY THE
RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT DON'T WANT
NO SMOKE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
THEY FOUGHT MULTIPLE BLOODY WARS
BEING. I AM NOT A HISTORY MAJOR
BUT, BECAUSE THE FINNISH ARE
BRAVE, STRONG PEOPLE AND SISU IS
THE FABRIC THAT CONNECTS PEOPLE
OF FINNISH DESCENT. AND PATRICK
AND I SHARED THAT, SISU. WE CAN
ALL TALK ABOUT, WHAT DOES IT
MEAN? CAN NOT DEBATE ABOUT IT.
FLLS YOU ARE A FINN. WE HAD
THAT, HAD A GREAT DEBATE. AND,
AND TRUE SPIRIT TO BOTH OF OUR,
EACH OF OUR FINNISH ANCESTRY, NO
ONE WON, WE ARE BOTH STUBBORN
AND STRONG WILLED. THE ESSENCE
OF SISU. PATRICK WAS BEHIND
DURING THE CAMPAIGN. HE WAS
LITERALLY BEHIND EVERY MOMENT OF
THE CAMPAIGN. BEHIND EVERY
COMMUNITY EVENT WHEN I WAS NOT
CAMPAIGNING. HE IS THE PERSON
BE-- HE WAS THE PERSON BEHIND
THE CAMERA, HIGHLY RESPECTED
JOURNALIST. HIGHLY RESPECTED
MEMBER OF THE WEST SEATTLE
COMMUNITY AND HIS LOTS IS
DEVASTATING FOR THE WEST SEATTLE
PENINSULA AND OUR ENTIRE CITY.
HE WAS A BOLD TRAIL BLAZER AND
SO MUCH. BUT I AM COMFORTED IN
KNOWING THAT THE LEGACY THAT
PATRICK WAS ABLE TO BUILD OVER
MANY DECADES IN WEST SEATTLE AND
BEYOND WILL LIVE ON LONG PAST,
LONG PAST HIS UNTIMELY PASSING.
PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KNOW
HIM. AND BANTER AROUND SISU AND
HAVE A FINN DEBATE OVER CULTURAL
CONNECTIVITY PIECES. COLLEAGUES
I WILL READ THIS PROCLAMATION
BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT. SO WAS
THE LEGACY THAT PATRICK LEAVES
BEHIND. CITY OF SEATTLE
PROCLAMATION WHERE AS PATRICK
SAND PASSED AWAY ON OCTOBER
17th, 2024, UNASSUMING MAN
BEHIND THE CAMERA AND CO-FOUNDER
OF THE WEST SEATTLE BLOG WITH
HIS WIFE, TRACY RECORD, AND
WHERE AS PATRICK AND TRACY MET
40 YEARS AGO IN 1984 AND HE
FOLLOWED TRACY'S TELEVISION
CAREER TO VARIOUS CITIES AND
THEY EVENTUALLY MOVED TO WEST
SEATTLE IN 1991. AND WHERE AS
PATRICK, A PROUD OF FINNISH
AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL BLAZED
IN ATYPICAL ROLE OF A STAY HOME
FATHER TO THEIR SON BORN IN 1996
AND HE WOULD SAY IT WAS HIS
FAVORITE JOB EVER. AND, WHERE
AS, AS TRAIL BLAZERS AGAIN,
PATRICK AND TRACY STARTED THE
HYPERLOCAL NEWS BLOG AS A SIDE
PROJECT AND LATER LAUNCHED IT
FULL TIME IN 2007. AND WHERE AS,
PATRICK AND TRACY ARE ARGUABLY
THE MOST RECOGNIZED COUPLE IN
WEST SEATTLE PROVIDING
UP-TO-THE-MINUTE TRAFFIC AND
EMERGENCY REPORTING AND COVERING
ALL LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN THE
ENTIRE WEST SEATTLE OR WEST
PENINSULA AND NEIGHBORING
COMMUNITIES AND, WHERE AS, AS
TRACY STATES, WE TRIED TO MAKE
SURE FEEL SEEN, END QUOTE. AND,
THEY UNDOUBTEDLY SAVED LIVES
THROUGH THEIR TIMELY 24/7, 365
REPORTING OVER THE YEARS AND,
WHERE AS, PATRICK WAS A
PROFESSIONAL, ALWAYS COUNTED
UPON TO SHOW UP AND THE FIERCE
LOVE AND RESPECT FOR HIM IS ON
FULL DISPLAY IN THE NEARLY 700
MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCES AND
TRIBUTES ON THE BLOG SINCE HIS
PASSING. AND, WHERE AS, TODAY,
THE WEST SEATTLE BLOG IS ONE OF
THE MOST WELL READ HYPERLOCAL
NEWS SITES IN THE CITY AND
POSSIBLY IN THE COUNTRY. WITH
1.5-2 MILLION PAID VIEWS A MONTH
AND EVEN ON THE DAY OF
PATRICK'S PASSING TRACY
CONTINUED TO REPORT ON THE NEWS
AND SHE HAS CONTINUED TO COVER
THE NEWS ON A DAILY BASIS.
CARING ON HIS LEGACE JUST AS HE
WOULD OF WANTED AND WHERE AS
PATRICK WAS QUIET BUT POWERFUL
FORCE OF THE NATURE. A PILLAR OF
THE WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY AND
BEYOND. WHICH WILL BE HIS
ENDURING LEGACY. AND, WHERE AS
PATRICK AND TRACY REPRESENT
SEATTLE'S FINEST. AND
PERSONIFIY THE ONE SEATTLE VALUE
OF BRINGING TOGETHER COMMUNITY
AND SLOWING HOW DEDICATION TO
SERVE AND IMPACT LIVES. NOW,
THEREFORE, MAYOR OF SEATTLE AND
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL PROCLAIM
DECEMBER 3rd, 2024 PATRICK SAND
DAY. COLLEAGUE I ASK YOUR
SUPPORT AND SIGNATURE AFFIXED TO
THIS DOCUMENTATION, A SMALL
GESTURE TO REPRESENT HIGHLY
RESPECTED JOURNALIST IN THE WEST
SEATTLE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ]
.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SAKA
FOR THE MOVING WORDS AND WHAT
THEY WERE DOING BEFORE. IS THERE
ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE
REMARKS OR ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE
WE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
SIGNATURES? OKAY. WELL, I HAVE
SOMETHING TO SAY. I REMEMBER THE
WEST SEATTLE BLOG AS BEING THE,
ONE OF THE FIRST REALLY SERIOUS
NEWS OUTLETS, YOU KNOW. IT SEEMS
LIKE THAT IS WHEN BLOGS WERE
BEGINNING. I RECOGNIZE THAT I
AM, I WAS PROBABLY MISSING A LOT
BEFORE THEN, MY POINT IS SIMPLY
THEY ARE EVERYWHERE, NOT JUST IN
WEST SEATTLE BUT AT MAJOR EVENTS
EVERYWHERE. AND ALSO EVENTS
WHERE YOU MIGHT NOT THINK THEY
WOULD BE, WHERE THEY WOULD SHOW
UP. ONE THING THAT I WILL SAY
LAST SUMMER I WAS WITH STAFF
VISITING THE BUSINESSES OF THE
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION BIA AND WE
WERE WALKING THROUGH THE STREETS
AND INTRODUCING ME TO EVERYBODY
AND PATRICK WAS FOLLOWING US.
AND IT WAS CLEAR BECAUSE WHEN WE
WOULD WALK IN, IT WAS ALL OH, MY
GOD, PATRICK. HEY, GOOD TO SEE
YOU. HE WAS THE MAIN DRAW AS WE
WERE GOING DOOR TO DOOR. THAT
REALLY SAY TESTAMENT TO HIS
KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMUNITY BUT
ALSO HOW MUCH HE WAS LOVED AND
RESPECTED. SO, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD
TO HONOR HIM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OKAY, SEEING NO
OTHER HANDS RAISED WILL THE
CLERK READ THE ROLL CALL OF THE
FOLKS THAT WILL ADD THEIR
SIGNATURES TO THE PROCLAMATION?
[ROLL CALL ]
NINE SIGNATURES WILL BE AFFIXED
TO THE PROCLAMATION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I
APPRECIATE THAT.
>>> ALL RIGHT, MOVING RIGHT
ALONG WE WILL OPEN OUR PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD, HYBRID PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD. HOW MANY PEOPLE
ARE SIGNED UP TODAY? WE HAVE 11
IN PERSON AND TWO REMOTE.
>> OKAY. LET'S GIVE FOLKS TWO
MINUTES AND LET'S START WITH THE
IN-PERSON COMMENTERS.
>>> PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL
BE CALLED TO ORDER, SPEAKERS
WILL BE CALLED TO ORDER IN WHICH
THEY ARE REGISTERED. WE WILL
BEGIN WITH IN-PERSON SPEAKERS
AND FINISH WITH REMOTE SPEAKERS.
SPEAKERS WILL HB A CHIME WHEN 10
MINUTES LEFT OF THE TIME AND
SPEAKERS MIKES WILL BE MUTED IF
THEY DO NOT END THEIR COMMENTS
IN TIME TO ALLOW US TO CALL ON
THE NEXT SPEAKER.
>> OUR FIRST SPEAKER.
>>> THANK YOU, JESUS, I AM
RECOVERING WITH ALL OF OUR SOULS
HERE IN DISTRICT 7. DEAR NATIVE
AMERICANS YOU WERE THE FIRST ONE
THAT I HEARD ABOUT SMOKING AS A
LITTLE GIRL AND HOW THEY FOUND
YOU BY HIDING, FOLLOW THE SMOKE.
SO, I HAVE SMOKE AMERICAN SPIRIT
CIGARETTES AND I AM PAUSING YOUR
TOBACCO AS I HAVE WITH EVERY
CIGARETTE. MY FIRST CIGARETTE
WAS SOLD TO ME BY A CHINESE MAN
AT GOLD STAR. MARBORO GOLD LIGHT
AT AGE 15 FOR 75 CENTS A PACK.
30 YEARS LATER AS I SHOP IN
DISTRICT 7, I SHOP AT THE 7/11
DURING THE PANDEMIC TO KEEP IT
OPEN FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE
WHOLE TIME, THEY, TOO, WERE --
EVERY STARBUCKS THAT I WENT
INTO, CLOSED. THE ICE I CRAVE AT
AM/PM WE ALL SHOPPED AT BEGAN TO
GIVE ME THINGS FROM THE BACK AND
I, TOO, THEY -- [INDISCERNIBLE]
ME AS WELL. I HAVE SPOKEN UP
AGAINST THE CRUEL AND EVIL
THINGS THEY ARE DOING TO OUR
AMERICAN NATIVE BLOOD IN THIS
CITY. AND CHINATOWN HAS KILLED
THE AMERICAN DREAM. THEY ARE
KEEPING US SICK ON DRUGS ADDING
A SIGNIFICANTTIVE ADDITIVE TO IT
AND POISONING US THROUGH FOOD,
CIGARETTES, LIQUOR AND BEER. I
DRANK SOCIALLY MODELA AND CORONA
AND RED STRIPES NOW YOU, TOO,
DRINKING THE POISON THAT YOU
GIVEN ME. CHINATOWN HAS FOUR
STORES THAT BUY OUR FOOD STAMPS
TO FUND LOCAL RESTAURANTS ON
FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT LEAD TO
HOMELESS BECKING AND STEALING
AND FUELING FOR NEED FOR DRUGS
AFTER SELLING THEIR MONTHLY
ALLOTMENT TO CHINATOWN.
CHINATOWN HAS ONE STORE THAT
SELLS CIGARETTES THAT LET THE
PACIFIC ISLANDERS -- [MIKE MUTED
]
MIC MUTED ]
.
>> YOUR TIME IS FINISHED.
>> YOUR TIME IS FINISHED. [MIC
MUTED ]
.
>> PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEAT.
.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME TO PLEASE --
THIS IS -- [MIC MUTED ]
.
>> YOU ARE FINISHED. HAVE YOUR
SEAT OUR YOU WILL BE ESCORTED TO
LEAVE.
>> CAROLYN IS NEXT.
.
>> THIS EVICTION NOTICE WAS PUT
ON A DOOR BY A CRIMINAL COP IN
MY BUILDING. BECAUSE I PROTEST
HIS PRESENCE HE HAS DECIDED TO
HAVE ME EVICTED. ON APRIL 18th,
2014 COPS HAD ME EVICTED FROM
ANDERSON. 5 1/2 YEARS I WAS ON
THE STREETS. IN 2019 I SECURED
HOUSING AT CHANCORY PLACE
APARTMENTS. BEFORE I COULD MOVE
IN SEATTLE COPS SET UP ILLEGAL
SURVEILLANCE ON ME AND I HAVE
BEEN FIGHTING EVER SINCE. THESE
ARE BEDBUGS THAT I COLLECT AT
NIGHT. TWO-THREE TIMES, FOUR
TIMES FOR NIGHT. I AM AWAKENED
BY BEDBUGS. THEY KEEP, COPS KEEP
ENGAGING IN ALL SORTS OF
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY TO KEEP --
MAKE ME UNCOMFORTABLE AND MOVE
OUT. I AM PEPPER SPRAYED, TASED.
OTHER TENANTS HARASS ME. I
CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN MY HOUSING.
THIS IS MY RECERTIFICATION
NOTICE. I WAS GIVEN, ASSIGNED BY
ROBERT HADER WHO IS NO LONGER
THERE. WE HAVE NO MANAGER OR
ASSISTANT MANAGER. THESE ARE ALL
OF THE MONEY ORDERS RETURNED TO
ME BY THIS CRIMINAL THUG. HE IS
AN EXPERT CYBERCRIMINAL. HE IS
IN CHARGE OF MY SENIOR HOUSING.
910 MARIAN STREET DIRECTLY
ACROSS FROM SAINT JAMES
CATHEDRAL. THIS NOTICE PUT ON MY
DOOR TODAY AS I WAS LEAVING. I
HAVE SIX DAYS TO MOVE OUT. [MIC
MUTED ].
>> I AM 79 YEARS OLD. PROUDLY.
[MIC MUTED ].
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PLEASE
HAVE A SEAT. YOUR TIME IS UP. [
APPLAUSE ]
>> NEXT.
>> SHANNON AND ASHLEY. AND
BETHANEY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THIRD
GENERATION OWNER OF WASHINGTON
ALARM. WASHINGTON ALARM IS A
SEATTLE-BASED COMPANY PROVIDING
SECURITY SYSTEMS TO THE BUSINESS
COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS FOR OVER
80 YEARS. IT IS DECEMBER 3rd,
TWO MONTHS SINCE THE VERIFIED
POLICE RESPONSE POLICY BEGAN.
WHILE THE MAYOR'S NEW BUDGET
INCLUDES POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS
FOR SEATTLE POLICE AS THE
REALTIME CRIME CENTER, THE
HIRING BONUSES AND THE NEW
POLICE ACADEMIES THAT HAVE
OPENED UP ACROSS THE STATE TO
ADDRESS THE OFFICER SHORTAGE,
THE CURRENT POLICY HAS LEFT
BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND HOMES
VULNERABLE. AS THE OWNER OF AN
ALARM COMPANY WITH DECADES OF
EXPERIENCE. I AM DEEPLY
CONCERNED THAT THIS POLICY,
THOUGH WELL INTENTIONED,
UNDERMINEDS PUBLIC SAFETY. THE
LACK OF SOV NOTICE HAS CREATED A
DANGEROUS GAP FOR THOSE WHO RELY
ON ALARM SYSTEMS FOR PROTECTION.
WE NEED TO START COLLABORATING
NOW. OUR EXPERTISE CAN BRING
BACK EFFECTIVE ALARM POLICE
RESPONSE. INCORPORATING BEST
PRACTICES THAT ARE PUT IN PLACE
ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO REDUCE
FALSE ALARMS AND ENSURE TIMELY
ACTION. IT IS TIME FOR THE CITY
COUNCIL, THE PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE, AND THE INCOMING
CHIEF OF POLICE TO WORK WITH THE
SECURITY INDUSTRY TO PLAN FOR
THE FUTURE AND REINSTATE POLICE
ALARM RESPONSE ONCE SHORTAGES
ARE RESOLVED. AS THE NEWEST
COUNCILMEMBER STATED IN THE
SPEECHES THIS AFTERNOON SHE
LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE ON POLICE
RESPONSE. COLLABORATION AND
TRANSPARENCY IS ESSENTIAL.
LET'S ACT NOW TO PROTECT
SEATTLE'S RESIDENTS AND
BUSINESSES WHILE MANAGING --
[MIC MUTED ]
>> THANK YOU.
>>> ASHLEY.
>>> GOOD AFTERNOON
COUNCILMEMBERS AND WELCOME
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. I SERVED AS
A SECURITY PROFESSIONAL. I AM
HERE TO ADDRESS THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT ALARM RESPONSE
POLICY. THIS POLICY WAS
IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT INPUT FROM
CITIZENS, CITY OFFICIALS, OR
SECURITY PROFESSIONALS. IN T
RELIES ON FLAWED DATA THAT
DEMONSTRATES A MISUNDERSTANDING
OF SECURITY SYSTEM OPERATIONS.
THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
CONDUCTS AN ANNUAL PUBLIC SAFETY
SURVEY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEE
HOW THIS HAS IMPACTED SAFETY
PERCEPTIONS ACROSS THE
MICRO-COMMUNITIES. AT THE RECENT
MEETING I LEARNED MANY
BURGLARIES, EVEN WHEN VERIFIED,
CONTINUE TO RECEIVE NO POLICE
RESPONSE WHILE IN PROGRESS.
VICTIMS ARE LEFT ALONE FOR DAYS
AFTER TO DEAL WITH THE AFTERMATH
OF THESE VIOLATIONS TO THEIR
HOMES OR BUSINESSES. FURTHER
MORE, THIS POLICY IMPACTS
MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND
REQUIRES CITIZENS TO HAVE COSTLY
UPGRADES TO PROVE THEY ARE IN
DANGER BEFORE THE POLICE WILL
CONSIDER RESPONDING. WHILE I
ADVOCATE FOR SECURITY SYSTEM
UPGRADES, FORCING THEM DURING
HARDSHIP, STRUGGLING TO MEET
NEEDS IS UNJUST. THIS POLICY
PUTS PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK. AS
PROFESSIONALS WE ARE SEEKING TO
COLLABORATE WITH THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT TO COME UP WITH
LIMITED POLICE RESOURCES AND
ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY. THANK
YOU.
>> WE HAVE BETHANEY? AND THEN
BENNETT AND HOWARD.
>> HI, I AM REPRESENTING THE
SECURITY AND LIFE SAFETY
ASSOCIATION OF THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST. SINCE VERIFIED
RESPONSE POLICY TOOK EFFECT TWO
MONTHS AGO SEATTLE BUSINESSES
AND HOMEOWNERS ARE INCREASINGLY
FEELING UNSAFE. MANY CAN NOT
AFFORD THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
NEEDED FOR NEW EQUIPMENT TO
COMPLY LEAVING ALARM EVENTS
UNANSWERED. THIS POLICY SHIFTS
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALARM
RESPONSES ON TO RESIDENTS,
POTENTIALLY PUTTING THEM INTO
DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. IS IT
TRULY THE INTENT OF THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT TO REQUIRE
TAXPAYERS TO RESPOND TO ALARM
EVENTS THAT COULD INVOLVE
VIOLENCE? WE UNDERSTAND THE NEED
TO MANAGE THE POLICE RESOURCES
AND ARE READY TO PARTNER WITH
THE CITY COUNCIL AND POLICE
DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE THIS
POLICY. WITH DECADES OF INDUSTRY
EXPERIENCE WE CAN HELP REDUCE
FALSE ALARMS AND PRIORITIZE
ACCURATE RESPONSES WHILE
MAINTAINING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE URGE YOU TO WORK WITH US TO
FUND A SOLUTION THAT PROTECTS
SEATTLE RESIDENTS AND REFLECTS
THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO SAFETY
AND COLLABORATION, THANK YOU.
>>> WE HAVE BENNETT AND THEN
HOWARD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL AND
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO
NEWLY-ELECT READ COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE.
THE SEATTLE PUT OUT A PRESS
DISQUALIFYING A JUDGE FROM
HEARING CASES SAYING SHE WAS
INCOMPETENT. PART OF THE PRESS
RELEASE SHE SAID IN ONE RECENT
CASE RULED THE DEFENDANT WAS IN
COMPLIANCE OF THE TREATMENT AND
DISMISSED THE CASE EVEN THOUGH
IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE PERSON DID
NOT GET ON THE TRANSPORT VAN.
NOT REQUIRING OFFENDERS TO
CONTINUE WITH THEIR TREATMENT.
SO, AS I DID BEFORE I FILED A
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE REQUEST TO
FIND OUT WHAT CASE THEY WERE
REFERRING TO. THE JUDGE SAID I
DON'T KNOW WHAT CASE YOU ARE
TALKING ABOUT OR WHAT IT IS. THE
INFORMATION NOT REVEALED BEFORE.
670314. GEORGIA PHILLIPS. I GOT
THE AUDIO. IN THE AUDIO FROM THE
TRIAL THE LAWYER CLEARLY SAYS TO
THE JUDGE, DEFENDANT HAD BEEN
SHOT IN THE LEG AND SHE HAD UP
COMING SURGERY SCHEDULED AND SHE
HAD A-ROD IN HER LEG AND
CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR. SHE
MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET ON THE
VAN FOR TREATMENT BUT SINCE SHE
COULD NOT BOARD WITHOUT
ASSISTANCE AND STAFF WAS NOT
ALLOWED TO TOUCH HER SHE COULD
NOT GET ON THE VAN AND IF YOU
HAVE UP COMING SURGERIES YOU CAN
NOT ADMIT YOU TO THE TREATMENT
FACILITY IF YOU HAVE UP COMING
MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS N FACT, THE
JUDGE DELAYED MAKING A DECISION
SO THAT PART OF THE PRESS
RELEASE WAS NOT TRUE EITHER. A
DIFFERENT JUDGE A COUPLE MONTHS
AFTER HEARD THE CASE AND SAID OF
COURSE, YES, VALID REASONS. YOU
KNOW, THE DEFENSE WAS NOT IN
VIOLATION OF THE AGREEMENT. BY
THE WAY THE DEFENDANT WAS A
WOMAN NOT A MAN. SO IF YOU
NOTICED NEVER GOT ON THE VAN TO
FULFILL "HIS." ATTENTION TO
DETAIL NOT THEIR STRONG SUIT.
CITY ATTORNEY MAKING A FALSE
STATEMENTS ABOUT A SITTING JUDGE
TRYING TO RUIN THE JUDGE'S
CAREER AND THE PERSON WHO WROTE
THE PRESS RELEASE MAKING THE
FALSE ACCUSATIONS NATALIE
ANDERSON YOU ALL KNOW IS
MAYOR'S CURRENT PUBLIC SAFETY
DIRECTOR. [MIC MUTED ]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>> GOOD AFTERNOON. TODAY'S
AGENDA YOU WILL VOTE ON THE 2025
STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.
THE VERY FIRST LINE OF THAT, OF
THOSE PRIORITIES SAYS CHAMPION
LEGISLATION THAT FOSTERS A SAFER
ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE. BUT WE
KNOW YOU DON'T REALLY MEAN
THAT. BECAUSE YOU JUST VOTED FOR
A BUDGET THAT ACTUALLY
PRIORITIZES PUNISHMENT OVER
PROTECTION. SO, WE KNOW THAT IT
IS NOT TRUE. WORSE THAN THAT WE
ALSO KNOW THAT IN SEVEN SHORT
WEEKS TRUMP WILL COME TO POWER.
AND START DEPORTING PEOPLE. 20%
OF THE SEATTLE RESIDENTS ARE
FOREIGN BORN. OVER HALF OF
THOSE, ALL STATISTICS. OVER HALF
OF THOSE PEOPLE WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY -- ARE
NONCITIZENS. UNDER THREAT OF
DEPORTATION. DENVER, LOS
ANGELES, CHICAGO, SAN FRANCISCO,
BOSTON, PHILADELPHIA, ALL OF
THESE AND OTHER CITIES HAVE,
RIGHT AFTER THE ELECTION IN
NOVEMBER, TAKEN STEPS TO PROTECT
IMMIGRANTS. WHAT HAS THIS
COUNCIL DONE? ABSOLUTELY
NOTHING. THERE IS NOTHING IN
THIS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY THAT
SAYS ANYTHING WHAT SO EVER ABOUT
IMMIGRANTS. NOTHING IN ANY OF
THE AMENDMENTS YOU PROPOSED SAYS
ANYTHING ABOUT IMMIGRANTS.
SEATTLE REALLY DOES STAND ALONE
AS BEING ONE OF THE VERY FEW
QUOTE PROGRESSIVE CITIES THAT IS
ACTUALLY NOT DOING ANYTHING AND
LEAVING THESE PEOPLE VULNERABLE.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS.
SO, AGAIN, IT IS LIKE A BAD
JOKE. CHAMPION LEGISLATION THAT
FOSTERS SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR
EVERYONE. PLEASE, AT LEAST BE
HONEST AND PUT IN THERE ACCEPT
FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE
IMMIGRANTS. THANK YOU. [
APPLAUSE ]
.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME TO DO THE
JAZZ HANDS.
.
>> BEFORE YOU SPEAK. I AM SORRY.
INTERRUPTING COUNCILMEMBER RINCK
WAS A FORM OF DISRUPTIVE
BEHAVIOR. DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN.
>> NO, NO, I AM A GOOD BOY. I AM
GOOD BOY.
>> GO AHEAD.
.
>> VIVA NEW REVOLUTION. I AM A
MAGA MEMBER. I WANT TO SPEAK
ABOUT SOMETHING CONFUSED ME.
LOCAL MEDIA MAKE MAYOR LIKE A
BIG HERO. SOMETHING COME TO MY
MIND, YOU KNOW. I AM AN OLD MAN,
I LIVE HERE FOR 40 YEARS HERE. A
FEW YEARS AGO I TALK ABOUT
DONALD TRUMP HE HAS A PENIS LIKE
TWO INCHES, MY OPINION FOR
SEATTLE PRINCESS, NEED A MAYOR
WHO HAS A MEDIUM OF 12 INCHES?
WHY. I EXPLAIN TO YOU. BECAUSE
COCKROACHES, 700,000 COCKROACHES
FROM THE GARBAGE. WE ELECT
CROOKS. DOING NOTHING FOR CITY.
I COME TO THIS PLACE FOR 20
YEARS AND I AM TALKING ABOUT
THIS. NOTHING CHANGE. NOTHING.
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?
INTELLECTUAL CITY LIKE SEATTLE
ONLY ELECT IDIOT LIKE YOU, A
CROOK WHO NEVER MAKES CITY
BETTER FOR 20 YEARS? I AM
TALKING THE LAST FEW YEARS IT
SAY NIGHTMARE WITH EVERYTHING.
RIGHT NOW I SPEAK TO EVERYBODY,
STAND UP AMERICA, STAND UPSET
SET COCKROACHES AND ELECT PEOPLE
WHO DO SOMETHING FOR US FOR
LIVING BETTER. CAN YOU DO THIS
700 COCKROACHES FOR DOING BETTER
ELECT PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT US.
ABOUT UNITED AMERICA.
.
>> KATHLEEN FOLLOWING GABRIEL
JONES.
>>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY HUSBAND
AND I ARE RETIRED SMALL BUSINESS
OWNERS OF 40 YEARS. SEATTLE IS
NOT CURRENTLY WORKING FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES. YOU STILL HAVE TIME
TO SAVE MANY SMALL RESIDENTS
FROM CLOSING THEIR DOORS IN
JANUARY. PLEASE DO NOT RAISE THE
MINIMUM WAGE FOR BUSINESSES WITH
LESS THAN 500 EMPLOYEES. WE DO
NOT NEED MORE BOARDED UP
BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE CITY
ESPECIALLY DOWNTOWN. BALLARD IS
FULL OF EMPTY BUSINESSES. PLEASE
SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE
JOBS AND THE TAX REVENUE. WE
NEED A HEALTHY, VIBRANT DOWNTOWN
SEATTLE AND IN OUR BUSINESS AND
OUR WONDERFUL LITTLE BUSINESS
COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
THANK YOU.
>>> HELLO. FIRST OFF
CONGRATULATE COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK, I AM EXCITED TO SEE
CHANGE AND HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE
THE WAY I HOLD EVERYBODY ELSE
ACCOUNTABLE. CB120916 THE IDEA
TO GIVE POLICE OFFICERS LESS
LETHAL OPTIONS WHEN DISBURSING
PROTESTS. DID YOU KNOW THAT WHEN
WE SETTLED FOR POLICE BRUTALITY
DURING BLACK LIVES MATTER WE
SETTLED FOR $10 MILLION. WE
SPENT SO MUCH MONEY WE COULD OF
USED FOR SO MANY THINGS BECAUSE
WE CONTINUE TO DO THIS. THAT IS
WHY WE BANNED IT IN THE FIRST
PLACE. FOR A LITTLE BIT OF
BACKGROUND. I AM A PROTEST
MANIC. MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE
PEOPLE EXPRESS THEIR RIGHTS AND
GET HOME SAFELY. OPTIONS LIKE
THESE, LIKE THE RUBBER BULLETS
OR TEAR GASSING. I HAVE SEEN
PEOPLE IN COMBACE, BROKEN BONES,
BURST EARDRUMS, OVER AND OVER
AGAIN FROM THE LESS LETHAL.
THESE DO NOT WORK AND NOT
NECESSARY. SOME OF YOU MIGHT
NOTICE I ALWAYS HAVE HEARING
ITEMS, I WAS KEEPING SOMEONE
SAFE AND THERE WAS AN OLDER WOMB
WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO WALK BACK
FAST ENOUGH. THEY USED A LOUD
NOISE WHERE MY HEARING IS STILL
MESSED UP YEARS LATER. WE NEED
OPTIONS THAT WORK AND THIS IS
NOT THAT. THERE IS NO NEED FOR
THESE. WE HAVE NOT SEEN PROTESTS
THAT ARE THAT CLOSE TO
NECESSARY. WE ARE GOING TO GIVE
MONEY FOR FUTURE LAWSUITS JUST
SO WE CAN MAKE THE IDEA OF THE
[INDISCERNIBLE] SAFETY. NOT WHAT
HELPS OR MAKES PHYSICAL CHANGE.
IT IS WHAT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL THE
MOST SAFE NOT MAKE THEM SAFE BUT
FEEL SAFE. IT IS OVER AND OVER
AGAIN. I AM EXCITED TO SEE THIS
COUNCIL MAKE CHANGE THAT WORKS
NOT JUST WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL
BETTER, WHAT WE CAN SAY NEXT
YEAR WHEN IT IS TIME TO SAY OH,
WELL, WE DID THIS. SOUNDS GOOD,
RIGHT? OVER AND OVER AGAIN WE
NEED SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. THAT
IS GOOD GOVERNANCE. THANK YOU..
>>> MY NAME IS BAILEY, I AM HERE
REPRESENTING THE WASHINGTON BUS.
WE ARE A STATE MOVEMENT
ORGANIZATION BY YOUTH FOR ALL
PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON STATE. OUR
COLLECTIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO
ALEXIS MERCEDES RINCK. WE WERE
EXCITED TO HELP GET YOU ELECTED.
WE ARE WATCHING THIS MOMENT AS
FASCISM HAS TAKEN CENTER STAGE
WITH THE RE-ELECTION OF OUR
NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT. NEWLY
ELECTED IS A STRONG WORD WHAT IS
DAMNING IS A LOT OF THE PATHWAYS
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR STATE
AND ACROSS THE NATION ARE GOING
TO VANISH ALONG WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. VASPA
IS GOING TO VANISH. NOT A
PROBABILITY IT IS A CERTAINTY.
WE AS A CITY NEED TO BUILD A
COLLECTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE TO
MAKE UP FOR THE LOSS. I
UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COUNCIL
DECLINED TO PASS COMPREHENSIVE
MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING FOR YOUNG
PEOPLE IN SEATTLE CITY SCHOOLS,
I BELIEVE THIS IS A MISTAKE.
RIGHT NOW THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS IS FACING EXTREME BUDGET
DEFICITS AND NEEDS SUPPORT NOW
MORE THAN EVER. AND I ASK THAT
THIS CITY, IN THE LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA PUSH FOR GENUINE
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE. BOTH AT THE
STATE LEVEL AND IN THE CITY
LEVEL. AS WE KNOW RECENTLY IN
THE SAME ELECTION THAT ELECTED
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK THE TAX
PASSED, THE DEFENSE OF IT PASSED
WITH SORING COLORS, LASAY
DAMMING MANDATE FROM THE VOTERS
WE NEED TO TAKE PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE SERIOUSLY. OUR FUTURE
GENERATIONS DEPEND ON IT. THANK
YOU.
>> THAT WAS THE LAST REGISTERED
IN-PERSON SPEAKER.
>> WE WILL MOVE TO REMOTE
SPEAKERS. AS A REMINDER, PLEASE
REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR 6 AFTER
YOU HEARD THE MESSAGE YOU HAVE
BEEN UNMUTED. OUR FIRST REMOTE
SPEAKER IS ALBERTO RAMIREZ. GO
AHEAD, ALBERTO.
>> WELCOME TO COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK. AS THE CITY BECOMES MORE
UNAFFORDABLE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR
A LIVING DEMAND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, WAGES AND A COUNCIL
THAT WILL TAKE ACTION ON
PROGRESSIVE AVENUE. WORKING
PEOPLE BEAR THE SALES TAX. LONG
PASSED DUE THE WEALTHY PAY THEIR
MULTIMILLION DOLLAR SHARE.
SEATTLE IS NOT A SMALL TOWN. WE
ARE IN THE TOP 5 ECONOMIC
POWERHOUSE CITIES IN THE WORLD.
THE DEFICIT IS A PRODUCT OF THE
VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE HAVING
TO MOVE OUT OF THE CITY DUE TO
HIGH RENTS. THE AVERAGE WORKER
HAVING JUST ENOUGH TO LIVE AND
VERY LITTLE TO SPEND LOCALLY.
BUILDING CITIES FOR THE AVERAGE
WORKING CLASS. LOCAL REVENUES
WILL RISE. IT REALLY IS THAT
SIMPLE. SIDE NOTE. NEW YEAR, NEW
LEADERSHIP. THE CHAIR OF THE
BUDGET PROCESS COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS PROVED GOVERNMENT CAN
PROVIDE ADEQUATE TIME FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT. I DISAGREE WITH THE
FINAL BUDGET PASSED. BUT THE
MANNER IN WHICH THE MONTHS-LONG
PROCESS WAS HANDLED IS THE TYPE
OF LEADERSHIP THAT WE NEED ON
THIS COUNCIL. IT IS TIME FOR A
NEW COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU
AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> OUR LAST REMOTE SPEAKER. GO
AHEAD, OLIVER. YOU ARE READY. GO
AHEAD.
>> H RIRKS, I, I AM A SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
AND A LBGTQ SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
AND I WORK WITH YOUTH ADVOCATES
AND EDUCATORS ACROSS THE STATE
INCLUDING BAILEY THAT JUST
SUMMED UP EVERYTHING THAT I
NEEDED TO SAY AND THAT PEOPLE
ARE SAYING ACROSS THE STATE
WHICH IS WE REALLY NEED TO
ADDRESS THE CRISIS IN OUR SCHOOL
FUNDING. WE KNOW THAT SEATTLE IS
FACING A DEFICIT AND THE SCHOOL
BOARD DECIDED TO POSTPONE ANY
CLOSURES FOR THIS YEAR AND WHAT
WE ARE SEEING IS THE LEGISLATURE
IS REALLY PINNED THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT AND THE SCHOOL BOARD
PUSHING WEALTHY PARENTS THAT
ARE, YOU KNOW, SAYING THAT WE
NEED, WE REALLY NEED TO COMPETE
WITH PRIVATE SCHOOLS AGAINST
COMMUNITIES UNDER SERVED
HISTORICALLY BY OUR EDUCATION
SYSTEM. IT IS ABSOLUTELY JUST
TRAVESTY TO WATCH IT PLAY OUT.
IT IS A CONVERSATION THAT WE
COULD BE AVOIDING IF WE WERE
PURSUING PROGRESSIVE REVENUE AT
THE STATE. I HOPE YOU AMEND THE
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE
2025 SESSION TO INCLUDE
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE, WEALTH TAX,
PAYROLL TAX, EXPANDING THE
CAPITAL GAINS TAX AND WHAT IS
LEGAL, A 1% PROGRESSIVE INCOME
TAX THAT WOULD EXEMPT THE FIRST
$200,000 THAT NO LEGISLATURE IS
SAYING THEY WILL DO RIGHT NOW.
WE NEED TO BE DEMANDING LOCALLY
TO FIND A STATEWIDE SOLUTION TO
FUND OUR SCHOOLS, NOT JUST A
SOLUTION THAT WILL SERVE THE
WEALTHIEST DISTRICTS LIKE
SEATTLE AND MERCER ISLAND AND
BELLEVUE AND ISSAQUAH. BUT
LEGISLATION THAT WILL SUPPORT
ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS STATEWIDE.
LET'S BE A BEACON FOR EDUCATION
FOR OUR STATE RIGHT NOW IN THIS
HORRIFIC MOMENT WHERE WE WILL BE
FACING CUTS FOR OUR EDUCATION
SYSTEM FEDERALLY. NOW IS THE
TIME TO INVEST. LET'S GET AHEAD
OF IT. YOU HAVE THE
RESPONSIBILITY. THANK YOU FOR
INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR
PRIORITIES AND WELCOME
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
>> THANK YOU. THAT WAS OUR LAST
REMOTE SPEAKER
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE
REACHED THE END OF OUR LIST OF
REGISTERED SPEAKERS IN THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
CLOSED.
>>> ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON. WE ARE
NOW AT THE POINT OF APPROVING
OUR INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR. ANY OBJECTION TO THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR? SEEING NONE. THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR IS ADOPTED AND IF THERE
IS NO OBJECTION THE AGENDA IS
ADOPTED. HEARING NONE. COUNCIL
BILLS 120194 AND 120195. ANY
BILLS COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE
TO REMOVE FROM THE CONSENT
AGENDA? ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE,
WILL THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL FOR
ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
[CALLING ROLL CALL ]
8 IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> HOLD ON THERE, I SCROLLED
PASSED THE MOVE. WE WILL HAVE TO
GO BACK TO THE VOTE AND PERHAPS
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA WILL BE
THERE. I MOVE TO ADOPT THE
CONSENT CALENDAR, DO I HAVE A
SECOND
>> SECOND.
>> CAN YOU CALL ROLL AGAIN?
[ROLL CALL ]
8 IN FAVOR NONE OPPOSED
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH . MOVING
ON. NO COMMITTEE REPORTS. AND
THERE WERE NO ITEMS REMOVE
FRIDAY THE CONSENT CALENDAR. WE
WILL MOVE RIGHT INTO ITEM 1,
ADOPTION OF OTHER RESOLUTIONS.
WILL THE CLERK READ ITEM 1 INTO
THE RECORD.
>> SETTING FORTH THE CITY OF
SEATTLE STATE LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I MOVE
TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 32155. IS
THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. MOVED AND SECONDED
TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AND
SPONSOR THE RESOLUTION I WILL
ADDRESS IT FIRST AND OPEN THE
DOOR TO COMMENTS FROM
COUNCILMEMBERS.
>> I WANT TO ADDRESS THE
HISTORY. IT IS MANY, MANY MONTHS
OF WORK. SO, JUST TO GIVE YOU A
PICTURE OF THE PROCESS OUR
OFFICE STARTED TALKING WITH THE
DIRECTOR STAFF ABOUT IT IN
APRIL. OUR FIRST MEETING WAS ON
JUNE 27th THAT IS WHEN OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS BEGAN TAKING
MEETINGS AS WELL. IN LATE JULY
WE CONFIRMED WITH OIR THEY WOULD
PRESENT ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS TO COUNCIL AT A BRITTING
ON SEPTEMBER 16th, WHICH THEY
DID, ON OCTOBER 18th, CENTRAL
STAFF CIRCULATED A DRAFT
DOCUMENT AND REQUESTED FEEDBACK
BY OCTOBER 25th. AND THAT WAS
DONE BY COUNCILMEMBERS BEFORE
THE OFFICE CIRCULATED A DRAFT. A
FINAL DRAFT TO BE ATTACHED TO
THE RESOLUTION. AND, THEY
PRESENTED THEIR DRAFT TO
COUNCILMEMBERS DURING THE
BRIEFING ON NOVEMBER 25th.
MEANWHILE, ON NOVEMBER 22nd,
CIRCULATING A COPY OF THE FINAL,
FINAL DRAFT WITH A DEADLINE FOR
AMENDMENTS LISTED AS TUESDAY
11/26 AT 2:00 P.M. I THINK IT
WAS NOON. IN ANY CASE THAT WAS,
THOSE WERE THE MONTHS WE WERE
WORKING ON THIS PROCESS WITH THE
OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENT
RELATIONS. ONE OF THE TASKS THAT
I HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR A LONG
TIME WAS TO REDUCE THE LENGTH OF
OUR 16 PAGE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
AND JUST THIS IS A PAGE. IT IS A
LIST OF THINGS THAT THE CITY
SUPPORTS. IT HAS GROWN. JUST
GROWN OVER THE YEARS. THE
REQUEST THAT THEY ALSO SHARED
WAS TO WHITTLE IT DOWN TO TWO
PAGES SO THAT IT WAS MORE
ACCESSIBLE NOT JUST EASIER TO
READ BUT IT WAS MORE TO THE
POINT OF WHAT OUR PRIORITIES
REALLY WERE. JUST FOR EXAMPLE I
PULLED UP SOME OF THE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS. HERE IS,
HERE IS THE CITY OF SNOHOMISH,
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, TWO PAGES.
KIRKLAND. ONE PAGE. CITY OF
SPOKANE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.
MERCER ISLAND, SO, IT, IT MIGHT
NOT SEEM, IT MIGHT SEEM
FRIVOLOUS TO CARE ABOUT THE
LENGTH OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA BUT
IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE
WE WANT LEGISLATURES AND THEIR
STAFF TO KNOW WHAT SEATTLE'S
PRIORITIES ARE ON AN ONGOING
BASIS THAT THEY CAN REFER TO
EASILY AND READ THROUGH A BUNCH
OF BULLET POINTS SO THEY
UNDERSTAND WHERE OUR POSITION
IS. MEANWHILE, OF COURSE, THERE
IS LOBBYING THAT GOES DOOR TO
DOOR DURING THE WHOLE SESSION. I
AM NOT SAYING THE LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA IS THE BE ALL END ALL. IT
IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR WHITTLING THAT
DOWN. THAT TOOK A LOT OF WORK.
YOU HAD TO REALLY THINK ABOUT
WHAT THE EXECUTIVE'S PRIORITIES
WERE AND ALSO HOW TO MAINTAIN
SOME OF THE LEGACY PRIORITIES
THAT EXISTED YEAR TO YEAR AT THE
COUNCIL. AND THEN WHAT WOULD BE
APPROPRIATE TO CUT. THE
LEGISLATIVE TOOL WILL BE
IMPORTANT THIS COMING
LEGISLATIVE SESSION, A LONG
SESSION. IT IS A NEW LEGISLATURE
AND ALSO THERE IS SOME PRESSING
ISSUES ON THE TABLE. SO, I SAY
ALL OF THIS BUT I DO WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT REALLY IT IS
THE DAY TO DAY WORK OF OUR
ADVOCATES IN OLYMPIA THAT REALLY
PROTECTS AND ADVANCES THE
INTERESTS OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. SO, THAT IS, THAT IS
WHAT WE GOT BEFORE US RIGHT NOW.
ARE THERE ANYMORE COMMENTS
BEFORE THE AMENDMENTS?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
AND THANK YOU FOR THE
BACKGROUND. I THINK IT IS
IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, AND WE HAVE
OUR GREAT TEAM AND DIRECTOR,
THANK YOU FOR BEING IN CHAMBERS
TODAY. I THINK I SAW ANNA
EARLIER. I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE
WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE. I KNOW
THAT YOU DEVELOPED THIS AGENDA
WITH INPUT FROM THE CITY
DEPARTMENTS FROM ELECTED
OFFICIALS FROM THE STATE
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION THAT SO
GREATLY REPRESENTS US IN
OLYMPIA. AS THE CITY. FROM
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
STATEWIDE INTEREST GROUPS AND
ADVOCATES, I KNOW THAT THE
AGENDA THAT YOU DID PUT FORTH
TOGETHER IT IS MADE UP OF, WITH
FEEDBACK FROM ALL OF THESE
ENTITIES AND APPRECIATE YOU
REACHING OUT TO -- THE ENTITIES
TO DO THAT WORK SO BY THE TIME
IT GETS TO US YOU PRIORITIZED
AND WE WILL NOT GET EVERYTHING,
I THINK THE GOAL HERE IS TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE ARE HAVING A
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THAT IS IN A
FORM WHEN THEY ARE REPRESENTING
US IN OLYMPIA ARE THINGS THAT WE
CAN HOPEFULLY GET. THE
EXHAUSTIVE LIST WE KNOW WE WILL
NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE AS MUCH
AS WE WANT TO. ALL OF THOSE
THINGS. WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED
AND THAT IS HOW YOU DO STRATEGY.
SO, SO, I THINK THAT IS
IMPORTANT TO NOTE, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT
IS LESS ABOUT THIS, LIKE YOU
SAID EARLIER, LAUNDRY LIST AND
IT IS MORE ABOUT MAKING SURE WE
ARE WORKING WITH THE
STAKEHOLDERS AND FOCUSING OUR
EFFORTS ON A PRIORITY THAT WE
REALLY CAN HOPE TO ACHIEVE
WITHIN THAT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I KNOW IT IS SHORT NO MATTER HOW
LONG OR SHORT. IT ACTUALLY
PHYSICALLY IS. TIME WISE IS. IT
ALWAYS SEEMS A LOT SHORTER
BECAUSE ONCE THAT TRAIN LEAVES
THE STATION IT DOES NOT STOP.
SO, WANTED TO ADD THAT AS WELL
THANK YOU TO OUR TEAM FOR ALL OF
THE WORK THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU
FOR THOSE COMMENTS. DOES ANYONE
HAVE ANY OTHERS?
>> OKAY. WE HAVE AMENDMENT A
BEFORE US. I INVITE THE SPONSOR
TO GO AHEAD AND SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU. SHOULD I MAKE THE
MOTION FIRST?
>> YES.
>> OKAY. I MOVE TO AMEND
RESOLUTION 32155 WITH AMENDMENT
A, VERSION 1.
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT HAS
BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO A
MEND RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED ON
AMENDMENT A, NOW, RECOGNIZE TO
ADDRESS IT AND WALK US THROUGH
ITS CONTENT.
>> YEAH, THANK YOU, MADAM
COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I ASK YOU FOR
YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS AMENDMENT.
WHAT DOES IT DO? IT IS A
SPECIFIC, NARROW, TECHNICAL
ACCEPTION TO THE YOUTH RIGHT
STATUE AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT
YOU KNOW IT IS BASED OFF OF THE
SEATTLE ORDINANCE AND THE KING
COUNTY ORDINANCE. IT WAS INTO
STATE LAW. AND, APPLICATION OF
THAT HAS BEEN UNEVEN THROUGHOUT
THE STATE. WE SEE HERE
THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SEATTLE
SOME APPLICATION OF THIS
STATUTE. DESPITE BEST EFFORTS TO
COMPLY. I CAN NOT SPEAK FOR
OTHER AGENCIES ACROSS THE CITY
BUT HAVING MULTIPLE
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE AND THE POLICE CHIEFS,
CURRENT AND PAST, I THINK THAT
WE DO WANT TO COMPLY HERE IN
SEATTLE WITH THIS. JUST WITH
THIS STATUTE. IT IS JUST, THERE
IS SOME CONFUSION AROUND WHEN IT
APPLIES AND WHEN IT DOES NOT
APPLY. YOU HAVE SEEN ME TALK
ABOUT THIS OVER AND OVER AND
OVER AND OVER AND OVER. I WILL
CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT IT OVER
AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER UNTIL
WE TAKE ACTION. ENOUGH IS
ENOUGH. I AGREE WITH THE INTENT
AND PURPOSE AND VALUES UNDER
LINING THE ORDINANCE OR STATUTE
HERE. BUT WE HAVE SEEN
MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE. I
MENTIONED EARLIER I AM A PROUD
SON OF IMMIGRANTS. FIRST%
FINNISH. 100% AMERICAN. AND I AM
PROUD -- 50% FINNISH AND 100%
AMERICAN. AND I AM PROUD OF MY
NIGERIAN. BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES, IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES WHERE WE BEAR THE
GUN VIOLENCE IN THE CITY AND
UNEQUAL JUSTICE AND LACK OF
ACCESS TO JUSTICE AS A RESULT OF
LAWS THAT LACK CLARITY AROUND
WHEN THEY APPLY. AGAIN, I THINK
THIS, THIS IS A VERY MINOR
HYPERTECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO THE
STATE STATUTE. SOME ARE CALLING
FOR THE REPEAL, I AM CALLING FOR
CLARIFY WHEN IT APPLIES AND WHEN
IT DOESN'T. THAT IS THE ESSENCE
OF THE GROWTH MIND SET YOU HEAR
ME TALKING ABOUT OVER AND OVER.
AND, SO, SEATTLE'S FIRST
HOMICIDE VICTIM IN THIS CITY,
THIS YEAR AS YOU ALL KNOW,
COLLEAGUES, 15-YEAR-OLD WAS
KILLED DIRECTLY ACROSS THE
STREET. ODDLY AT THE SOUTHWEST
TEEN LIFE CENTER. ACROSS FROM A
HIGH SCHOOL. A YOUNG MAN, 15
YEARS OLD, SON OF IMMIGRANTS,
TRAGICALLY LOST HIS LIFE THROUGH
GUN VIOLENCE. POLICE STILL
DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. THIS
STATUTE WAS NOT INTENDED TO
APPLY TO VICTIMS OF CRIMES OR
POTENTIAL WITNESSES, WE NEED TO
CLARIFY WHEN IT IS INTENDED TO
APPLY AND WHEN IT DOESN'T.
BECAUSE, HAVING -- IF WE HAD
MORE CLARITY COLLEAGUES TO BE
HONEST IT WOULD NOT BRING HIM
BACK. IT WOULD NOT BRING BACK
THE OTHER YOUNG, PRIMARILY BLACK
AND BROWN AND PRIMARILY
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEES, YOUTH,
ACROSS THE CITY THAT WE LOST TO
GUN VIOLENCE, SADLY. I WISH IT
WOULD. I SAT IN THE HOME OF HIS
FAMILY AFTER HE PASSED AWAY WITH
THE MAYOR AND HAD TO EXPLAIN THE
STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION. A
MINOR TWEAK WILL NOT BRING THESE
YOUNG PRIMARILY MEN, BACK. BUT
IT WILL ENSURE THAT FUTURE
FAMILIES, FUTURE FAMILIES OF GUN
VIOLENCE AND OTHER VICTIMS OF
CRIME HAVE ACCESS TO THE JUSTICE
AND HAVE ANSWERS THAT THEY
DESPERATELY NEED. ON BEHALF OF
THE FAMILY, WHO HAVE I BEEN
WORKING WITH JUST THIS YEAR,
COLLEAGUES I ASK AND URGE YOUR
SUPPORT OF THIS MUCH-NEEDED
AMENDMENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY
COMMENTS FROM COLLEAGUES?
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SAKA
FOR YOUR COMMENTS. YOU HAVE BEEN
TALKING ABOUT THIS SINCE THE
TRAGEDY. AND SO I REALLY -- THIS
IS SOMETHING THAT HAS COME UP
NOW BUT YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT IT SINCE. WHEN WE PASS
LAWS WITHY NEED TO CLARIFY
SOMETHING WITHIN THE LAW THAT
MAKES SENSE. THIS IS NOT
ANYTHING NEW. THIS IS A
CLARIFICATION OF SOMETHING THAT
IS EXISTING SO THAT PLEASE
DEPARTMENTS ARE ABLE TO DO THEIR
JOBS AS THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND
JUSTICE FOR THESE FAMILIES.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS
FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES
>> THANK YOU. I REALLY
APPRECIATE THE ATTENTION THAT MY
COLLEAGUE HAS BROUGHT TO THIS
ISSUE. CERTAINLY HAVE HAD
CONVERSATIONS WITH PARENTS WHOSE
CHILDREN DIED FROM GUN VIOLENCE.
I UNDERSTAND HOW HARD THAT IS.
AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS
IS THE RIGHT ACTION TO ADDRESS
THIS ISSUE. THE YOUTH ACCESS TO
COUNCIL PROGRAM THAT WAS
LAUNCHED IN 2022 IS INTENDED TO
MAKE INTERACTIONS WITH LAW
ENFORCEMENT BY PROVIDING THEM
WITH CONNECTION TO A LAWYER TO
UNDERSTAND THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHTS. BEFORE INTERROGATION AND
BEFORE THEY ARE SEARCHED.
UNDERSTANDING THEIR RIGHTS
BEFORE THEY WAVE THEM AND THEY
STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
WAVE THEIR RIGHTS. SO I WANT TO
BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT. LAST YEAR
ATTORNEYS PROVIDED CONSULTATION
WITH 2,000 YOUTH ACROSS THE
STATE WITH AVERAGE OF SIX A DAY.
WASHINGTON STATE OFFICE OF
PUBLIC DEFENSE REPORTS THAT OVER
70% OF CALLS THAT WERE ANSWERED
BY AN ATTORNEY WERE ANSWERED IN
UNDER ONE MINUTE. I HAVE ALSO
HEARD SOME OFFICERS SAYING THAT
IT TAKES TOO LONG. THAT THIS LAW
IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF THEM
BEING ABLE TO CONDUCT
INVESTIGATIONS BECAUSE IT TAKES
TOO LONG FOR ATTORNEYS TO BE
CONTACTED. BUT THERE IS A
STATEWIDE HOT LINE. AND, ABOUT
96% OF CALLS WERE ANSWERED BY AN
ATTORNEY IN LESS THAN TWO
MINUTES. IN 2023. ONCE IN TOUCH
WITH AN ATTORNEY IT IS COMPLETED
WITHIN 20 MINUTES. I CERTAINLY
DON'T WANT TO IMPEDE THE
ABILITY OF INVESTIGATIONS TO
TAKE PLACE BUT I THINK THAT, YOU
KNOW, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THE
MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION THAT
WE HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO THESE
KINDS OF INTERACTIONS WITH
OFFICERS. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW
STRESSFUL IT MIGHT BE TO BE
ENGAGED WITH AN OFFICER. SO I
THINK THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE,
PARTICULARLY IF THEY ARE MINORS,
NEED TO HAVE THAT PROTECTION
THAT COMES WITH HAVING THE
OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO AN
ATTORNEY BEFORE THEY ARE
INTERROGATED OR SEARCHED. EVEN
IF THEY ARE WITNESS TO A CRIME
AND NOT AN ACTUAL SUSPECT IN
SOMETHING THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE.
SO, I WILL BE VOTING NO ON THIS
AMENDMENT. THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. LET'S SEE.
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
>> A QUESTION ACTUALLY BECAUSE
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS
DOES NOT CHANGE WHAT IS
CURRENTLY THE LAW. THE EXCEPTION
APPLIES OR THE EXCEPTION IS LAW
AND THIS IS JUST A CLARIFY WHEN
IT CAN BE APPLIED. THAT IS HOW I
AM READING THIS. SO I WANT TO
MAKE SURE THIS IS NOT SCALING
BACK ANY PROTECTIONS THAT TEENS
HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, ACCESS TO AN
ATTORNEY BUT IT IS MORE OF THE
EXCEPTION TO CLARIFY ITS A
POLITIC BILLET. APPLICABILITY.
>> THAT IS THE INTENT AND MY
UNDERSTANDING. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN
IS TOO MANY INCIDENTS OF LACK OF
CLARITY AROUND AND AND EXCEPTION
OR NOT. AND, WE SEEN THE
UNFORTUNATE RESULTS IN HOW THAT
MANIFESTS ITSELF THROUGHOUT THE
CITY AND THE STATE. AS I
UNDERSTAND IT AS WELL. THERE IS
A VERY NARROW THING TO CLARIFY
WHEN IT APPLIES AND WHEN IT DOES
NOT APPLY. AND, I COULD NOT
AGREE MORE. I WILL JUST SAY,
RESPONDING TO A FEW. I COULD NOT
AGREE MORE THAT YOUTH NEEDS TO
HAVE ACCESS TO LEGAL
REPRESENTATION, AS A LAWYER I
COULD NOT AGREE MORE THAT YOUTH
NEEDS ACCESS TO CRIMINALIZATION.
AND, THAT IS WHY I AM NOT
CALLING FOR REPEAL. I WANT TO
PRESERVE THE VALUES AND THE
ESSENCE OF THIS AND CLARIFY
NARROW AND LIMITED EXCEPTIONS.
IF IS NOT A TIMING OR RESPONSE
ISSUE. THE PROGRAM IS WORKING
GREAT BY ALL MEASURES. DATA
ASIDE I AM TOLD, HAVING
CONVERSATIONS WITH LEGISLATURES
AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY, THE
PROGRAM IS NOT AN ISSUE OF WE
CAN'T GET TO CONNECT YOUTH TO
LAWYERS ENOUGH. THAT IS NOT THE
ISSUE. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO
CONNECT SOMEONE THAT IS A
WITNESS, EYEWITNESS TO SOMETHING
THAT MAY BE A CRIME OR MAY NOT
BE A CRIME. WHO KNOWS. WHAT
HAPPENED MIGHT NOT BE A CRIME. I
DON'T KNOW. I DON'T THINK OUR
POLICE EVEN KNOW. THE FAMILY
CERTAINLY DOES NOT KNOW BUT THEY
DESERVE TO KNOW. THAT IS WHAT IT
IS ABOUT. GRIEVING FAMILIES
DESERVE ANSWERS. GRIEVING
FAMILIES DESERVE ANSWERS. THANK
YOU.
>> I WILL SAY BRIEFLY THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME WHEN
YOU NOTED. ONE OF OUR FIRST
COUNCIL MEETINGS. THE FACT THAT
IT WAS NOT IN THE LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA DOES NOT INDICATE OR DOES
NOT AGREE WITH THE SPIRIT OF IT.
AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT
THERE WAS, THERE WAS A
COMMITMENT TO LOBBY ON OR LOBBY
IN FAVOR IF THERE WAS A BILL
THAT CAME FORWARD. AND, SO, THAT
WAS INDICATION TO ME THAT IT WAS
SOMETHING THAT THE EXECUTIVE AND
COUNCIL WERE ON THE SAME PAGE
ON. AND, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO YOU
TO HAVE IT INCLUDED IN OUR
AGENDA. I WILL BE SUPPORTING
THIS. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER
COMMENTS. WILL THE CLERK CALL
THE ROLL. [ROLL CALL ]
.
>> SEVEN IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AMENDMENT
A IS IS IS AMENDED. NOW IS THE
TIME FOR THE SPONSOR OF
AMENDMENT B. TO RAISE YOUR HAND.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE
>> COUNCIL, THANK YOU. I MOVE TO
AMEND REVOLUTION 32155 AMENDMENT
B VERSION 1.
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE
AMENDMENT B. IS MOVED AND
SECONDED. IT IS MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION
BY AMENDMENT B. AS IT SHOWS ON
THE AGENDA AND YOU ARE NOW
WELCOME TO ADDRESS IT
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
FIRST I WANTED TO THANK DIRECTOR
WHO IS HERE AS YOU MENTIONED AND
THE TEAM FOR THE EFFORTS AND
ALSO FOR THE EXECUTIVE. THE
REVERSE EXECUTIVE THAT ME AND MY
TEAM ARE ON. RELATING TO THE
WHOLE TWO PAGER. THE PUBLIC
SAFETY PIECES. ELEMENTS OF THE
OTHER SECTIONS AS WELL. THIS
AMENDMENT IS JUST A, IT IS AN
ADD-ON. OBVIOUSLY I DID NOT KNOW
THE ENTIRE PROCESS BEFORE WE GOT
THE FINAL DRAFT. BUT THIS
AMENDMENT IT IS JUST
HIGHLIGHTING AN IMPORTANT PIECE.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE
CENTRAL STAFF. HELPING ME WITH
THIS AMENDMENT. IT IS IMPORTANT
TO NOTE, EDUCATION AND MENTAL
HEALTH ARE SO KEY FOR OUR
STUDENTS. FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
TODAY, AND IT IS AN IMPORTANCE
THAT IS REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET.
I RECOGNIZE THERE IS SOME
DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT THAT, BUT
THAT IS A LITTLE BIT IN TERMS OF
HOW IT CAME ABOUT IN OUR BUDGET
FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND HOW
THAT CAME ABOUT IN THE LAST
SECOND WAY. DOES NOT REFLECT
ANYTHING IN TERMS OF HOW THE
EXECUTIVE OR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
AND EVERYBODY IN BETWEEN FEELS
REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND
EDUCATION. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT
TO NOTE THAT EDUCATION AND
MENTAL HEALTH ARE STATE
FUNCTIONS. AND, STATE
RESPONSIBILITIES. AND, I CAN
ARGUE THAT THESE EFFORTS HAVE
NOT DELIVERED. AT LEAST FULLY.
WE HAVE NOT ACHIEVED WHAT WE
NEED TO ACHIEVE IN THIS AREA IN
TERMS OF MENTAL HEALTH IN TERMS
FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. MAKING
SURE THE STATE CARRIES OUT ITS
DUTIES IN THIS AREA TO HELP OUR
STUDENTS THRIVE IN THE
EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. AND I
WOULD ARGUE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE
BEEN HAVING THIS IN YEARS
BEFORE. DEFINITELY YEARS BEFORE
THE ACTION TAKEN LAST YEAR IN
TERMS OF ADDING THE MONEY INTO
THE BUDGET. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN
PREDICATED BY GOING TO THE STATE
SAYING HEY, THIS IS IMPORTANT,
THE STATE, THERE IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY, PLEASE CARRY IT
OUT. THE CASE OF THE STATE NOT
DOING SO, IT IS IMPORTANT TO US
AS A CITY AND IT WILL BE
REFLECTED IN OUR BUDGET BY
TAKING THIS ACTION AS IT WAS
DONE LAST YEAR WITH THE PAYROLL
EXPENSE TAX. I THINK IT IS
IMPORTANT TODAY TO ADD
ESSENTIALLY COMMA, MENTAL
HEALTH, COMMA, JUST TO HIGHLIGHT
THAT POINT AND JUST TO SHOW AND
MAKE THE POINT TO OLYMPIA IT
FALLS UNDER YOUR
RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS IS THE
NEED THAT WE HAVE AND NOT JUST A
SEATTLE NEED OF COURSE,
THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND FOR
THEM TO DO IT. FOR THE PIECE,
THE RELATED PIECE, I THINK ON
THE SUGGESTION AND
RECOMMENDATION OF OUR COLLEAGUES
AND CENTRAL STAFF I THINK IT
DOES ALLOW FOR A BETTER READING
OF THAT POINT AS IT FALLS UNDER
THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SECTION.
SO, SO COLLEAGUES I ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT UNDER THIS AMENDMENT.
>> ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS?
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVIERA?
>> THIS ONE, TOO, WE HAVE BEEN
TALKING ABOUT FOR A LONG --
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
>> THIS ONE, TOO, WE HAVE BEEN
TALKING ABOUT THERE FOR A LONG
TIME. WE ALL SUPPORT MENTAL
HEALTH. IT IS CRITICAL. WE HAVE
BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT
THE SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH
FUNDING FOR IT, IS REALLY A
STATE RESPONSIBILITY. WHILE WE
SUPPORT IT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IT
IS IMPORTANT FOR OLYMPIA TO ALSO
SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH,
ESPECIALLY FOR OUR KIDS. AND SO,
WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS
FOR SO LONG IT IS IMPORTANT FOR
ME TO INCLUDE IT IN THE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AS A FRIENDLY
AMENDMENT. AND I THINK THAT I
DON'T THINK THAT THE EXECUTIVE,
I THINK THE EXECUTIVE WOULD NOT
HAVE -- I CAN NOT SPEAK FOR THE
EXECUTIVE OBVIOUSLY, BUT I THINK
GIVEN OUR CONVERSATIONS OVER THE
COURSE OF THE YEAR THAT THEY
WOULD BE OKAY WITH THIS FRIENDLY
AMENDMENT.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
>> THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING.
>> WILL THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL
ON THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT B.
>> [ROLL CALL ]
.
>> 9 IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED
>> THE MOTION CARES AND
AMENDMENT B. ARE ADOPTED. ARE
THERE FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE
RESOLUTION AS AMENDED?
>> GO AHEAD.
>> I MOVE TO AMEND RESOLUTION
32155 WITH AMENDMENT C VERSION
1.
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GO LADY YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO
ADDRESS IT.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU., COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>>> THIS ONE, TALKING AGAIN
ABOUT EDUCATION ALL YEAR. THE
IMPORTANCE -- THANK YOU -- WE
HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT
EDUCATION ALL YEAR AND
PARTICULARLY THE IMPORTANCE AS
WELL OF EARLY EDUCATION, EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL,
PART OF WHAT IS ALREADY ON OUR
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO SUPPORT
EDUCATION K-12 EDUCATION IT IS
PRUDENT TO INCLUDE EARLY
CHILDHOOD AND PRESCHOOL AS PART
OF THAT K-12 ASK FOR SUPPORT
FROM OLYMPIA. I HAVE TALKED TO
THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ABOUT THIS
AND THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS
AS WELL. I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
>> I DID CHECK WITH OIR AND MADE
SURE THEY COMMUNICATED WITH YOU
AND CONFIRMED YOU HAVE BEEN
TALKING ABOUT, IN YOUR
CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF
FREQUENTLY. GO AHEAD
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
WE ALSO RAISED THIS ONE. THEY
WERE IN CHAMBERS ON THE 25th OF
NOVEMBER ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF
INCLUDING THIS. THEY WERE IN
SUPPORT OF IT AS WAS THE
EXECUTIVE. I DID REACH OUT.
THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. SECONDED AND I AM
NOT SEEING ANY OTHER COMMENTS
WILL THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL ON
AMENDMENT C. [ROLL CALL ]
9 IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED
>> THE MOTION CARRIES, AMENDMENT
C. IS ADOPTED. COME COMMENTS AS
AMENDED?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> I MOVE COUNCIL D. FOR VERSION
32155
>> SECOND.
>> AS THE SPONSOR YOU ARE
WELCOME TO SPEAK TO IT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
I APPRECIATE HAVING A
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THAT IS TWO
PAGES RATHER THAN 16. IT MAKES
IT DIGESTIBLE, MORE EFFECTIVE
AND COLLEAGUES I BRING TO YOU AN
AMENDMENT WITH FOUR ADDITIONS,
CHANGES, ONE REDUCES A LINE. I
SAY IF WE HAD NOT BEEN
ATTEMPTING TO CREATE THESE
AMENDMENTS OVER THE THANKSGIVING
BREAK I WOULD OF SPENT MORE TIME
WORDSMITHING THEM. I WAS NOT
ABOUT TO GO BACK AND FORTH WITH
HER OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
AND, SO, WE HAVE AMENDMENTS
BEFORE US.
>> AND COMING BACK TOGETHER TO
WORDSMITH THIS MORE. IT IS
IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP THERE TO
TWO PAGES. THE AMENDMENT THAT I
JUST BROUGHT BEFORE US DOES FOUR
THINGS THE FIRST ADDS WITHIN THE
PUBLIC SAFETY RELM SUPPORT
CONTINUED EFFORTS OF THE HIGH
RATE OF DISAPPEARANCES AND
MURDERS OF INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND
PEOPLE. THE NEXT CHANGE IS ADDS
UNDER PUBLIC AND BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH. SUPPORT SAFE ACCESS TO
ABORTION AND OTHER SERVICES FOR
ALL. TAKING TWO LINES AND TURNED
IT INTO ONE TO SAY SUPPORT AND
WORLD EVENTS REGARDING FOOD AND
DRINK. LASTLY BUT NOT LEAST,
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT
POLICIES TO FIGHT CLIMATE
CHANGE, SUPPORT ADAPTION AND
ASSIST FISH PASSAGE BARRIERS.
COLLEAGUES, THESE ARE ALL
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THINGS THAT
I BELIEVE WE AS THE CITY ALREADY
AGREE ON AND IT WOULD BE
INCREDIBLY MEANINGFUL TO HAVE IT
INCLUDED ON OUR AGENDA. I ASK
FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL CALL ON
FOLKS WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE
COMMENT. COUNCILMEMBER MOORE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
SO, THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS FOR BRING THESE
AMENDMENTS. I APPRECIATE THE
AMENDMENT FOR CONTINUED EFFORTS
TO ADDRESS THE HIGH RATE OF
DISAPPEARANCES AND MURDERS OF
INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND PEOPLE. I
DID NOT BRING AMENDMENTS IN
RETROSPECT. I REGRET NOT DOING
SO. I WOULD OF LIKED TO HAVE
BROUGHT AN AMENDMENT TO SUPPORT
THE PASSAGE OF THE EBONY ALERT
THAT IS ALSO BEING DISCUSSED. IF
I CAN JUST PUT THAT OUT THERE
THAT WE WOULD LIKE IT AND I AM
SURE OTHERS THAT WOULD SUPPORT
PASSAGE OF THE EBONY ALERT. THE
OTHER THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO
TALK ABOUT IS, SUPPORT SAFE
ACCESS TO ABORTION. OTHER
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES FOR
ALL. TO ME THAT MEANS WE NEED TO
PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
OUR STATE LEGISLATURE TO DATE
HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO DO SO. AND
IT IS CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS.
SO, IT IS ABOUT TIME THEY PUT
THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS
AND PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT TO SUPPORT
REPRODUCTIVE CARE. THAT IS MY
TWO CENTS ON THAT. THANK YOU FOR
THAT.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
AND COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. I
HAVE QUESTIONS. I WANT TO FIRST
START BY SAYING I SUPPORT
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS OF ALL WOMEN
ESPECIALLY AS A MOM TO TWO
DAUGHTERS. I AGREE AS A STATE
AND A NATION WE NEED TO FOCUS
EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS OF
MISSING INDIGENOUS WOMEN. I FEEL
FORTUNATE THAT WASHINGTON STATE
IS A PLACE WOMEN HAVE
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND I KNOW
WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO WITH THE
ELECTION OF OUR NEW GOVERNOR. I
AM NOT SURE WHY WE NEED TO ADD
IT TO THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. IT
IS SOMETHING THAT THE STATE
ALREADY SUPPORTS. AND THEN, IN
TERMS OF THE MISSING AND
MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND
PEOPLE THERE IS A TASK FORCE
THAT WAS CREATED IN 2021 BY THE
STATE. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT
TASK FORCE WAS BROUGHT TOGETHER
TO UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS THE
SYSTEMIC CAUSES OF VIOLENCE
AGAINST INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND
IMPROVE THE STATE'S ABILITY TO
MEANINGFUL ADDRESS THE ROOT
CAUSES OF THE CRISIS. I KNOW A
FINAL REPORT IS DUE UP COMING
HERE JUNE 2025. I LOOK FORWARD
TO REVIEWING. SO, I AM NOT, I AM
NOT SURE WHY WE NEED TO INCLUDE
AN AMENDMENT TO ASK TO DO THINGS
THAT ARE ALREADY BEING DONE.
WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. I WILL
SAY THESE WERE ALL TOGETHER ON
ONE AMENDMENT. I DON'T FEEL
COMFORTABLE. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT
THE REMOVAL OF THE FISH PASSAGE
BARRIERS I AM JUST SEEING THIS
YESTERDAY. SO I NEED MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT THAT. I JUST
DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE VOTING
FOR THINGS WHEN I DON'T HAVE
THE FULL -- WHEN I HAVE NOT DONE
THE DUE DILIGENCE. THOSE ARE MY
COMMENTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR
AMENDMENT, THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> HAPPY TO SHARE CONTEXT HERE.
I KEPT THEM ALL IN ONE AMENDMENT
TO TAKE THE BURDEN OFF OF STAFF
DURING A HOLIDAY WEEKEND. WHEN
THESE WERE ALL COMING TOGETHER
AND BEING WRITTEN. I TOOK,
TRYING TO REDUCE THE BURDEN ON
COLLEAGUES FOR US ALL VOTING YES
ON EVERYTHING MULTIPLE TIMES
OVER. THESE ARE ALL, BUT FOR
FISH PASSAGE. ALL ITEMS IN OUR
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY AGENDAS IN
THE PAST. EVEN IF WE BELIEVE
THAT THE STATE WILL BE MOVING
FORWARD UNDER THESE, YOU KNOW,
WITH SOME OF THESE ITEMS I THINK
THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO
STATE OUR SUPPORT OF THEM
ESPECIALLY WHEN WE GET DOWN INTO
THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHERE I
HAVE A TERM WHERE I CALL THEM
WEEKDAYS IN OLYMPIA, NOT BECAUSE
IT IS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY BUT
A WEEK'S WORTH OF WORK GETS
DONE IN A DAY. AND, WHEN YOU
DON'T HAVE TIME TO CALL BACK TO
SEATTLE TO FIND OUT WHERE ARE WE
ON A CERTAIN ISSUE THIS IS
HELPFUL. IN SUMMARY I PULLED
EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE CLIMATE
CHANGE AND ADAPTION. I ADDED THE
FISH PASSAGE THAT IS AN
IMPORTANT ISSUE TO MANY OF OUR
280 OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS IN
THE STATE. I WOULD URGE YOUR
SUPPORT IF YOU DON'T FEEL
COMFORTABLE VOTING ON IT. THAT
IS OKAY. FEEL FREE TO VOTE NOW.
I FEEL WE NEED TO REDUCE --
>> NOT THAT IT IS NOT EFFECTIVE
BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF MAKING SURE
TO EMPHASIZE TOP PRIORITIES AS A
TOOL AND STAFF, I THINK THAT WE
ARE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM
STATEMENTS. LIVE BILLS AND THE
STATE IS ALREADY DOING. I
UNDERSTAND THE IMPULSE IN IT. I
AM TRYING TO GO THE OTHER
DIRECTION AND IT IS MY
UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE ARE NOT
ISSUES THAT WERE TALKED ABOUT
WITH OIR. AGAIN.
>> POINT OF ORDER?
>> NO, I WOULD LIKE TO FINISH MY
SENTENCE. MIGHT HAVING ASKED OIR
STAFF I WAS MAKING SURE THAT
THESE ISSUES WERE ON THE TABLE
DURING THAT PROCESS THAT I
OUTLINED. THAT IS INFORMING AS I
SAID IN MY OPENING REMARKS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I HOPE THIS IS THE LAST WORD
AND WE WILL MOVE ON. I HAD
CONVERSATIONS AND THERE IS ONE
ABOUT HONESTLY. IF WE BELIEVE
THERE IS A BILL THIS YEAR OR WE
DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS A BILL
THERE YEAR OR MAYBE THERE IS A
BILL THIS YEAR. THIS IS THE WORK
THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO
DEMONSTRATE NOT ONLY THE VALUES
THAT SEATTLE BRINGS TO OLYMPIA
BUT THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO
SHOW OTHERS THAT WE ARE
SUPPORTING. AND JUST BECAUSE
THESE ISSUES DON'T HAVE A BILL
MEMBER ATTACHED TO THEM A MONTH
BEFORE SESSION IS A BIT
IRRELEVANT AT THIS TIME. THESE
ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT I
BELIEVE SHOULD BE CONTAINED
WITHIN OUR CITY'S LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA FOR OUR WORK IN THE
LEGISLATURE. COLLEAGUES, I
INVITE YOU TO COME DOWN TO CITY
ACTION DAYS ALONGSIDE MYSELF AND
OTHER COLLEAGUES AND THERE IS
ONLY ONE OTHER COLLEAGUE THAT I
HAVE SEEN AT CITY ACTION DAYS.
SO, TIME TO DO SOME WORK. I URGE
YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS AMENDMENT.
>> AND I WAS NOT IMPLYING THERE
HAS TO BE A BILL. IN FACT I SAID
PREVIOUSLY CAN SAKA'S AMENDMENT
THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I AM
TALKING ABOUT THE PROCESS OF
COLLABORATION THAT WE UNDER TOOK
GOING TO THIS POINT. ARE THERE
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? SEEING
NONE, WILL THE CLERK CALL THE
ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF
AMENDMENT D. [ROLL CALL ]
.
>> 7 IN FAVOR, NONOPPOSED TWO
ABSTAIN. ANY COMMENT ON THE
AMENDMENT.
>> I MOVE TO 32155 ON AMENDMENT
F., NOT F, E.
>> SECOND
>> AMENDMENT E MY APOLOGIZES.
>> NO PROBLEM. MOVED AND
SECONDED TO ADOPT AMENDMENT E.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SPEAK TO YOUR
AMENDMENT.
>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL FOR
YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS
AMENDMENT. AS I MENTIONED DURING
COUNCIL BRIEFING YESTERDAY I AM
WALKING ON THIS AMENDMENT. WHICH
IS NOT HOW I LIKE TO DO BUSINESS
ON THIS. BUT THE DEADLINE WAS ON
MY FIRST DAY. I HOPE YOU WILL
FORGIVE ME JUST THIS TIME.
AMENDMENT E. THIS AMENDMENT
WOULD ADD LANGUAGE TO OUR
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO STATE THE
CITY'S COMMITMENT TO EXPLORING
REVENUE OPTIONS BEFORE
CONSIDERING OTHER OPTIONS FOR
REVENUE THAT WILL PUT A HIGHER
TAX BURDEN ON LOW INCOME AND
MIDDLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. I
THINK THE CONTEXT FOR HOW WE ARE
ENTERING THE STATE LEGISLATIVE
IS IMPORTANT. THE STATE DEFICIT
FOR FOUR YEARS WILL BE 10-12
BILLION OVER 4 YEARS. WE KNOW
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS FACING
CLOSE TO $100 MILLION DEFICIT IN
THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR. WE
OURSELVES AS A CITY HAD TO
RECKON WITH OUR BUDGET DEFICIT
AS WELL. AND WHAT IS CLEAR IS
SOME OF OUR STOPGAP MEASURES ARE
NOT WORKING AND MUCH OF THE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS AGREEING
AND VOTING ON THIS AGENDA IN
SUPPORT OF THESE CRITICAL
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THAT WILL
NEED FUNDING. AND, SO, WHEN
LOOKING AT MEASURES FOR MAKING
SURE THAT AS WE GUIDE AND WORK
WITH OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE STATE
LEGISLATURE. PROVIDING THE
GUIDANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE
HARDEST HIT WITH OUR LOSS OF
REVENUE ARE NOT LOW INCOME AND
MIDDLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND
URGING OUR STATE GOVERNMENT TO
LOOK INTO NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE
THAT SHIFT THE BURDEN TO OTHERS
AND SEEKING MORE PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE OPTIONS. SO, WITH THAT,
I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS
AMENDMENT. AGAIN, APPRECIATE THE
COMMUNITY TO WALK IT ON TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> IT HAS BEEN SECONDED TO ADOPT
THE RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED AS
AMENDMENT E, ARE THERE ANY
COLLEAGUES THAT WOULD LIKE TO
MAKE COMMENTS? HOLD ON A SECOND
I HAVE TO MOVE THIS. I BELIEVE
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE YOUR HAND
WAS UP FIRST?
>> OKAY. GO AHEAD.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. I JUST HAD A
QUESTION ABOUT HOW THIS WOULD
WORK IN TERMS OF INITIATIVE 2111
WHICH SAID THAT THIS, YOU KNOW,
UNDER THE TERMS OF THE
INITIATIVE THE STATE LEGISLATURE
CAN NOT IMPLEMENT A PROGRESSIVE
INCOME TAX FOR ANOTHER TWO
YEARS, I BELIEVE. SO, JUST
WONDERING WHAT YOU ARE
CONTEMPLATING WITH HERE IN LIGHT
OF THAT INITIATIVE?
>> ABSOLUTELY. HAPPY TO RESPOND
TO THAT AND UNDERSTANDING OF
COURSE WASHINGTON STATE'S
CONSTITUTION DOES PROHIBIT
INCOME TAXES FROM BEING
IMPLEMENTED. AS I UNDERSTAND IT
BOTH HOUSES, THE HOUSE AND THE
STATE SENATE ARE EXPLORING OTHER
FORMS OF PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
OPTIONS FROM LOOKING AT A
STATEWIDE PAYROLL TAX WITH
NOTABLE EXCEPTIONS. EXPLORING
OTHER METHODS AND MEANS. SO,
LOOKING BEYOND SPECIFICALLY
INCOME TAX BUT ADDITIONAL
OPTIONS. THERE IS CREATIVITY
THAT WE MIGHT SEE COME OUT OF
THE WOODWORK. AT THERE TIME I AM
TALKING ABOUT OPTIONS OTHER THAN
INCOME TAX
>> MAY I ASK A FOLLOW UP?
>> YES.
>> LOOKING AT THAT AS OPPOSED TO
INCREASING THE BMO OR SALES TAX
OR SOMETHING ALONG THAT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THE
CLARIFICATION
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR JUMPING IN. AS FAR
AS I AM CONCERNED I AM NOT -- I
AM FINE WITH WALK ON AMENDMENTS
BECAUSE WE NEED TO DO THE WORK
OF THE PEOPLE AND SOMETIMES THAT
MEANS IT WILL REQUIRE A WALK ON
AMENDMENT TO SUPPORT FOLKS. SO,
I AM MORE THAN WELCOMING OF A
WALK ON AMENDMENT. I WILL SAY
THAT I JUST SAW THIS YESTERDAY
LATE AFTERNOON AND I HAVE NOT
HAD TIME TO DO MY DUE DILIGENCE.
TALK TO OIR, I AM THAT PERSON
THAT TALKS TO EVERYONE BEFORE I
FEEL LIKE I NEED TO MAKE AN
EDUCATED DECISION WHEN I TAKE A
VOTE. WHILE I APPRECIATE YOU
BRINGING IT FORWARD I DON'T
FEEL LIKE I HAVE DB BY DUE
DILIGENCE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A
VOTE ON THIS. I WILL BE
ABSTAINING TODAY ON THIS
PARTICULAR VOTE BUT I DO THANK
YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. ANOTHER
TOPIC WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT
ALL YEAR. ABOUT OR MAYBE TALKIN
THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BUDGET
PROCESS I AM IN SUPPORT OF
EXPLORING PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
OPTIONS. WE KNOW THAT THE CITY
HAS AN ENORMOUS DEFICIT THAT WE
WILL FACE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF
YEARS. WE ARE HEARING MORE AS
THE LEGISLATURE IS ABOUT TO
CONVENE ABOUT THE STATEWIDE
BUDGET DEFICIT THAT WE ARE
FACING. SO, I DO BELIEVE THAT AS
A CITY WE SHOULD BE PURSUING
THIS AND WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE
STATE TO PURSUE PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE AS WELL. I WILL SUPPORT
THIS AMENDMENT TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH.
>> WELCOME COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU AND THANK
YOU FOR BRINGING ON THE WALK ON
AMENDMENTS, I RECOGNIZE YOU WERE
JUST LITERALLY SWORN IN SO YOU
HAD NO OTHER OPTION TO BRING
WALK ON AMENDMENTS AND I
APPRECIATE ALL OF THE QUICK WORK
THAT YOU HAD. I AM IN THE SAME
BOAT AS COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
AROUND STANDING THAT DURING THE
BUDGET I ABSTAINED FROM A LOT OF
THE WALK ON AMENDMENTS NOT
HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO CHECK WITH
CITY DEPARTMENTS OR OIR, SO FOR
THAT I WILL ABSTAIN FROM THE
AMENDMENTS BUT I APPRECIATE ALL
OF THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE AND
LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR
CONTINUED WORK AND OUR WORK
TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
FIRST, WELCOME COUNCILMEMBER
RINYK. IMPORTANT, HAPPY TO HAVE
-- RINCK, HAPPY TO HAVE YOU
HERE. I WILL BE UP FRONT BASED
ON THE BUDGET. I DO NOT LIKE
WALK ON AMENDMENTS BUT YOU HAVE
A GOOD EXCEPTION TO THE RULE IN
THE SENSE THAT YOU JUST GOT
HERE. SO, I SUPPORT THE
AMENDMENT. THE EXPERIENCE FROM
THE BUDGET PROCESS THAT WE JUST
WENT THROUGH, WALK ON AMENDMENTS
AND AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDMENTS
MADE IT CHALLENGING TO THE POINT
THAT WERE NOTED. I ALSO WANTED
TO NOTE THAT OUR RECENT BUDGET
PROCESS SHOWS THAT WE HAVE MORE
WORK TO DO ON BUDGET REFORM. AND
THIS, WE NEED TO CONTINUE THIS
WORK TO INCLUDE, UNDERSTAND OUR
SPENDING AND OUR REVENUES. OUR
ARE REVENUES AND OUR SPENDING.
THE IMPACTS OF CHANGES SUCH AS
THE DIFFERENT LEVIES THAT HAVE
COME DOWN. THE HOUSING LEVY.
TRANSPORTATION LEVY ON BOTH AND
WE NEED A COMPREHENSIVE PROCESS
TO INCLUDE COMMITTEE WORK TO
INFORM US. THIS IS, AGAIN, A KEY
FEATURE OF WHAT HE JUST DID. AND
THIS WORK SHOULD PROCEED OUR
ELEMENTS ON THE 2025 STATE
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
DOCUMENTS. AND FRANK THE STATE
SHOULD BE DOING THE SAME IN
TERMS OF THEIR BUDGET REFORM AND
WORKING THROUGH THESE PROCESSES.
I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT
TODAY. AGAIN, WELCOME TO THE
COUNCIL.
>> ANY FURTHER COMMENTS?
>> NO. I WILL NOTE FOR THE
RECORD I AM FINE WITH WALK ON
AMENDMENTS AND BECAUSE I THINK
THAT IS AN EXPRESSION OF
ENGAGEMENT. AND CLEARLY THERE
WAS ALSO THE PROBLEM OF DEADLINE
AND SO, YOU KNOW, YOU CAME ON
BOARD THE DAY, YOU WERE SWORN IN
HOURS AFTER THE DEADLINE. THAT
IS NOT MY ISSUE. MY ISSUE IS
MORE ALIGNMENT WITH THE OUR
PARTNERS. 25 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
REFLECT AN ACCURATE BUT NONNEST
HOSTIVE -- I AM HONORING THE
EFFORT TO BRING EVERYBODY IN
COLLABORATE AND MAKE SURE THAT
THE EXECUTIVE DOES -- HAS VETTED
THIS A BIT. YOU AND I SPOKE
EARLIER AND I DID EXPLAIN THAT
WAS AN ISSUE FOR ME. WE NEED TO
MAKE SURE THAT WHAT OUR
LOBBIESTS ARE PRESENTING TO
LEGISLATURES IS SOMETHING THAT
BOTH SIDES OF THE CITY ARE FOR
THE MOST PART AGREE WITH. SO, I
REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING
THIS IN. AND JUMPING IN RIGHT
AWAY. I WILL BE ABSTAINING. IF
THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS WILL
THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL ON
AMENDMENT E [ROLL CALL ]
.
>> FIVE IN FAVOR. ONE OPPOSED.
THREE ABSTAIN.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND
AMENDMENT E IS ADOPTED. ARE
THERE FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE
RESOLUTION AS AMENDED? GO AHEAD.
>> I MOVE TO AMEND RESOLUTION
32155 AS PRESENTED ON THE
RECENTLY DISTRIBUTED AMENDMENT
F.
>> SECOND.
>> THE GO AHEAD AS THE SPONSOR
YOU ARE WELCOME TO ADDRESS IT.
>> WONDERFUL. I WILL BE BRIEF IN
MY COMMENTS HERE AND LESS THAN
THE LAST ONE. THIS AMENDMENT
WILL SEEK TO ADJUST ONE OF THE
BULLET POINTS WITHIN THE HOUSING
SECTION. THIS WOULD ADD LANGUAGE
TO STATE OUR CITY'S COMMITMENT
TO INCREASING FUNDING
SPECIFICALLY TO THE HOUSING
TRUST FUND AND OTHER HOUSING
PROGRAMS TO MAXIMIZE STATE
LEVERAGE FOR HOUSING PRIORITIES
AND I WANTED TO MAKE THIS
LANGUAGE ADJUSTMENT JUST TO BE
SPECIFIC AROUND THE IMPACT THAT
THE HOUSING TRUST FUND HAS IN
THE COMMUNITY. SEATTLE AND KING
COUNTY RECEIVE LARGE SUMS FROM
THIS FUND. AND MUCH OF THE FUND
GOES INTO NEW CONSTRUCTION OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE SHOULD BE
READY FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF
LOSS OF FEDERAL FUNDS IN THE
COMING YEARS. WE LOOK TO OUR
STATE PARTNERS TO CLOSE THE GAP
ON OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
DEFICIT. A SCIFIC REFERENCE TO
THE HOUSING TRUST FUND SINCE IT
IS A KEY CRITICAL STATE FUND
SOURCES. ALSO OUTLINES THE KIND
OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS
AND PERMANENT SUPPORT AND
HOMEOWNERSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY
AND SO ON. I ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT. THANK YOU. COMMENTS?
>> SEEING NONE
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> I WILL SUPPORT THIS ONE
TODAY. I DON'T LOVE THE WALK ON
AMENDMENTS PERSONALLY. I AM NOT
SAYING PERSONALLY NEVER, THEY
DON'T MAKE SENSE. AS APPLIED
AND NARROW AND LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES. I DO AGREE THAT
IT SHOWS STRONG ENGAGEMENT. IT
SHOWS BEING THOUGHTFUL. AND
SELF--- LIKE A SENSE OF BEING
REFLECTIVE. AND DELIBERATE. AND
INTENTIONAL. SOMETIMES THE RIGHT
ANSWER IS NOT ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY
CLEAR. SOMETIMES YOU NEED A
STAKE HOLD FINDING THE BEST
WORDING. BUT THAT DOES NOT APPLY
TO YOU COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. YOU
JUST STARTED. YOU HAVE ALL OF
THE GRACE AND PATIENCE FROM MY
PERSPECTIVE. AND I THINK THEY
WOULD BE DEPLOYED IN A LIMITED
FASHION. AND NOT NEVER BUT
LIMITED. MY OWN TWO CENTS. WE
ALL CLEARLY HAVE A POINT OF VIEW
ON THIS. SO, I WILL SUPPORT
THIS. I DO THINK, JUST A GLOBAL
COMMENT. I AM NOT POINTING
FINGERS AT ANY OF YOU
COLLEAGUES. IF I AM I AM
POINTING THREE FINGERS BACK AT
MYSELF, I THINK WE NEED TO BE A
LITTLE MORE DISCIPLINED ABOUT
OUR PRIORITIES AS A CITY
COLLECTIVELY WITH THE EXECUTIVE.
NOW WE ARE GOING THROUGH A
PROCESS. WE NEED TO BE A LITTLE
MORE DISCIPLINED AND APPLY A
LITTLE MORE RIGGER AROUND
PRIORITIES. AND INFLUENCE THEM
ON THE PREINTRODUCTION BASIS
BEFORE THEY ARE INTRODUCED. IF
EVERYTHING IS EVERY SINGLE THING
IS A PRIORITY AT THE END OF THE
DAY NOTHING IS A PRIORITY. AND,
I INTENTIONALLY DECLINED. I PUT
ONE AMENDMENT FORWARD AND I SAT
ON AND DECLINED TWO OTHERS. BUT
THE PRINCIPALS THAT I MENTIONED
A MOMENT AGO. BUT I OBVIOUSLY
DID SUPPORT SOME OF YOUR THINGS
AND BECAUSE I KNOW THEY ARE
IMPORTANT TO YOU AND THIS IS A
VALUE STATEMENT DOCUMENT IT IS
ALSO LARGELY A WALKING DOCUMENT,
LITERALLY WALK IT DOWN OLYMPIA
AND HAND IT TO PEOPLE AND TALK
IT THROUGH. BUT THE ACTION IS,
SO, WALKING IS A PREREQUISITE.
IT IS A TALKING POINT. THE
ACTION BEHIND IT, THE MOST
IMPACTFUL FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.
SO, LESS CONCERNED ABOUT WORDS
ON PAPER. THAT SAID, WE NEED TO
BE A LITTLE MORE, NEXT YEAR
ESPECIALLY, MORE DISCIPLINED
AROUND WHAT WE PUT FORWARD AND
WHAT WE CHOOSE NOT TO. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
>> I WILL MAKE IT FAST. YOU NEED
TO GET GOING. FOR THE SAME
REASON I STATED EARLIER NOT
HAVING THE ABILITY DO MY DUE
DILIGENCE I WILL ABSTAIN ON THIS
ONE AS WELL. THOUGH I KNOW THE
LEGISLATURE ADDS FUNDING EVERY
TWO YEARS AND THE LAST TIME THEY
ADDED FUNDING IT INCREASED BY
40%. I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT.
AND I DID WANT TO SAY THAT I
JUST FOUND OUT FROM OUR CITY
CLERK THAT I COULD OF REQUESTED,
I DID NOT KNOW THAT, TO TAKE OUT
THE PORTION OF YOUR AMENDMENT
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS THAT I DID
NOT FEEL LIKE I HAD ENOUGH
INFORMATION AND I COULD OF
SUPPORTED THE OTHER PIECES IN
REGARDS OF THE ABORTION RIGHTS
THAT I DO SUPPORT AND OBVIOUSLY
THE POLICING AND MURDERED
INDIGENOUS WOMAN. I SUPPORT
THOSE THINGS AND IT PASSED ANY
WAY. SO, IT DID NOT IMPACT IT. I
KNOW FOR NEXT TIME, THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. IT IS EASIER WHEN
MANY THINGS ARE BEING DONE IN
AMENDMENT TO BREAK THEM UP SO
YOU CAN EXPRESS SUPPORT IF THAT
IS WHERE YOU ARE GOING. OKAY.
COUNCIL, WILL THE CLERK --
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> YOU CAN MOVE ON I WILL SPEAK
ONCE WE ARE DONE WITH THIS.
>> WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL ON
AMENDMENT F. [ROLL CALL ]
.
>> SIX IN FAVOR, NONOPPOSED.
THREE ABSTAIN.
>> THE MOTION PASSES AND THE
AMENDMENT F. IS ADOPTED. ALL
RIGHT. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON
THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> I HEARD COMMENTS DIRECTED AT
ME. REMINDING COLLEAGUES SHOULD
BE DIRECTED TO THE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. THE FORM IN WHICH I
BROUGHT MY AMENDMENT WOULD HAVE
BEEN DIFFERENT HAD WE NOT BEEN
TAKING UP THIS WORK OVER A
HOLIDAY WEEKEND. THANK YOU,
COLLEAGUES.
>> I RESERVE THE PRIVILEGE OF
INVOKING ROBERT'S RULES AND
REMINDING PEOPLE. YOU ARE
WELCOME TO JOIN IN. THE REASON
WE DID NOT VOTE IT OUT IS
BECAUSE THERE WERE
COUNCILMEMBERS THAT WERE NOT
GOING TO BE PRESENT LAST
TUESDAY. AND I WANTED TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE HAD A FULL FIRST
MEETING OF OUR NEW COLLEAGUE.
THAT IS WHY IT DID NOT HAPPEN
LAST, THERE WERE A COUPLE
ABSENCES FROM BEING ABLE TO BE
HERE IN PERSON. THAT IS, IN
FACT, WHY WE ARE DOING THIS
TODAY. YES T WOULD HAVE BEEN A
DIFFICULT TO WORK IT OVER THE
HOLIDAY WEEKEND. IT WAS
DIFFICULT TO WORK AMENDMENTS
OVER THE, RIGHT AFTER THE BUDGET
WHEN EVERYBODY WAS EXHAUSTED.
AND I WANTED CENTRAL STAFF TO
HAVE A BIT OF A BREAK.
>>> OKAY. ARE THERE ANY FURTHER
COMMENTS ON THE AMENDMENT? I
MEAN ON THE RESOLUTION?
>> GO AHEAD
>> ONE FINAL THING. I DO, I
OBVIOUSLY SUPPORTED ALL OF THE
THINGS THEY ARE ALL GREAT IDEAS,
I STILL STAND BY, YOU KNOW,
MYSELF INCLUDED NEED TO BE MORE
DISCIPLINED NEXT YEAR. IT JUST
WANT TO REEMPHASIZE THE
IMPORTANCE OF ACTION. WE NEED TO
BE ABOUT ACTION, BOSS. I LIKE TO
CHANNEL THE GREAT BEAST MODE. I
WILL JOIN YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS
STRAUSS. CITY ACTION DAYS?
>> LET'S GO!
>> BECAUSE THESE WORDS ON PAPER
ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY ARE
AN EXPRESSION OF OUR VALUES BUT
THE ACTION COMES WITH GOING DOWN
THERE AND BEING MORE THAN JUST
TALKING ABOUT IT, BEING ABOUT
IT. THANK YOU, MADAM COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> OKAY. WILL YOU CALL THE ROLL
ON THE RESOLUTION? [ROLL CALL ]
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JUST FOR
THE RECORD I WILL SAY THE THING.
I JUST WANT TO NOTE IT IS THE
FIRST LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THAT I
HAVE SUPPORTED. I ABSTAINED FOR
THE PREVIOUS TWO.
>>> OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES AND
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED AS
AMENDED AND THE CHAIR WILL SIGN
IT. WILL THE CLERK AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE ON MY BEHALF.
>> MOVING ON TO ITEM 2. WILL THE
CLERK READ IT INTO RECORD.
>> 32157. RELATING TO
PARTICIPATION FOR 2024 AND 2025
ON KING COUNTY COMMITTEES
REGIONAL COMMITTEES, STATE
COMMITTEES AND CITY OF SEATTLE
COMMITTEES AND SUPERSEDING
RESOLUTION 32127.
>> IS THERE A SECOND?
>> IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO
MOVE IT. I WILL OPEN IT FIRST.
COLLEAGUES IF YOU RECALL THIS IS
THE RESOLUTION THAT SETS OUR
EXTERNAL AND COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIPS. YOU WILL REMEMBER
WE PASSED THIS RESOLUTION AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. THE
RELATIONSHIP WE ARE REVISITING
IT TODAY IS TO REFLECT
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK TO
COMMITTEES. I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER
QUESTIONS, DO NOT ASK ME WHAT
ARE ALL OF THOSE COMMITTEES I
DON'T HAVE IT HERE IN FRONT OF
ME. I AM HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN
COMMENTS AS WELL.
>> OKAY, NO COMMENTS ON THE
RESOLUTION. WILL THE CLERK CALL
THE ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
REVOLUTION [ROLL CALL ]
.
>> 8 IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED AND THE
CLAIRE -- THE CHAIR WILL SIGN
IT. WILL THE CLERK PUT MY
SIGNATURE ON MY BEHALF, THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
>>> THE NEXT MEETING IS SO
DECEMBER 10th. AS A REMINDER
THERE IS AN INAUGURATION
CEREMONY, RECEPTION RIGHT NOW
FOR COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. WE WILL
COMMENCE WHEN WE END THIS
MEETING. DON'T GO RUSHING TO
THE DOOR. JUST KIDDING. ALL
RIGHT, SEEING NO OTHER BUSINESS.
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED AND IT
IS 4:03. THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
EVERYBODY. CONGRATULATIONS
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR GETTING
THROUGH YOUR FIRST MEETING. [
APPLAUSE ]