>> IT IS 2:2 AND THE SEPTEMBER
12 MEETING OF THE GOVERNANCE,
ACCOUNTABILITY, AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL COME
TO ORDER. I AM SARA NELSON,
CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE. WILL
THE EM?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> PRESENT.
>> SAKA?
>> HERE.
>> RIVERA?
>> CHAIR NELSON?
>> PRESENT.
>> FOUR PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU. ON TODAY'S
AGENDA, WE HAVE A PUBLIC
HEARING AND POSSIBLE VOTE ON
COUNCIL BILL 120831, A
DISCUSSION IMPOSSIBLE VOTE ON
COUNCIL BILL 120827, THE MUSIC
VENUE LOADING ZONE PERMIT
PROGRAM ORDINANCE AND, JUST A
NOTE, MY OFFICE HAS DISTRIBUTED
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS ON THAT
PREVIOUS TO THIS MEETING. AN
APPOINTMENT, WHICH THE CLERK
FILED TO THE CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION IN REAPPOINTMENT,
03005 OF THAT SAME PERSON AS
THE FIRST APPOINTMENT ENDS IN
DECEMBER. FINALLY, A BRIEFING
AND DISCUSSION OF APPOINTMENT
-- CLERK FILED 02930,
APPOINTING MINA HASHEMI IS THE
DIRECTOR OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS . ALL RIGHT. IF THERE
IS NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA
WILL BE APPROVED. HEARING NONE,
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. WITH
THAT, WE WILL MOVE INTO PUBLIC
COMMENT ON THOSE AGENDA ITEMS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE
HERE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING,
PLEASE HOLD YOUR COMMENTS UNTIL
THAT PART OF OUR AGENDA. WE ARE
JUST NOW OPENING PUBLIC COMMENT
ON THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
CLERK, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE
SIGNED UP TO GIVE COMMENT?
>> SEVEN VIRTUAL AND ONE IN THE
PERSON FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
LET'S START WITH THE ONE IN
PERSON COMMENTOR AND EVERYONE
WILL GET TWO MINUTES. PLEASE
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.
>> I WILL CALL THE SPEAKERS IN
THE ORDER THEY SIGNED UP TO
SPEAK STARTING WITH IN-PERSON
COMMENTERS. WE WILL HAVE TWO
MINUTES. WHEN YOU HEAR THE
CHIME, YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS
LEFT. IF YOU EXCEED THAT TIME,
YOUR MICROPHONE MAY BE CUT OFF
SO THAT WE CAN MOVE ONTO THE
NEXT SPEAKER. IF YOU'RE
OFFERING REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT,
MAKE SURE TO PRESS *6 TO
UNMUTE YOURSELF. FOR THE FIRST
IN PERSON COMMENTOR, IT WILL BE
ALEX ZIMMERMAN. ZIMMERMAN.
>> PLEASE STOP . I REMIND YOU
THAT ABUSIVE LANGUAGE AND
DECEPTIVE BEHAVIOR IS NOT
ALLOWED IN COUNCIL MEETINGS.
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM SUCH
LANGUAGE.
>> WHAT IS GOING ON? I DO THIS
IN EVERY ASSEMBLY. YOU KNOW
THIS. IF YOU WANT TO INTERRUPT
ME -- MY NAME IS ALEX
ZIMMERMAN. I WANT TO SPEAK
ABOUT AGENDA NUMBER FIVE,
INTERCOMMUNICATION RELATIONS.
WE DON'T HAVE INTERCOMMUNICATI
ON RELATIONS. ABSOLUTELY NOT.
FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, I
NEVER HEAR THIS. THREE YEARS, I
NEVER HEAR THIS. FOR EXAMPLE,
ENTER GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS
MEANS GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE.
YOU DON'T HAVE PUBLIC
HEARINGS, NO Q&A, NEVER. WHY? I
DO THIS AND -- WHY? IS IT
COMMUNICATION? BETWEEN
GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE? EXACTLY
NOT. LOOK WHAT MAYOR BRUCE
HARRELL DID. YOU DO NOT HAVE
ONE Q&A. YOU CANNOT HAVE A
GOING COMPLAINT. YOU UNDERSTAND
--
>> STOP. PLEASE HAVE A SEAT.
>> EXACTLY WHAT IS YOU DOING?
>> MUTE THE MICROPHONE FOR THE
REMAINDER OF HIS TIME.
>> [INDISCERNIBLE - LOW VOLUME]
>> NOW WE WILL MOVE ONTO THE
REMOTE SPEAKERS, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT VIRTUAL
PUBLIC COMMENTOR WILL BE
ANDREW. YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTED.
>> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES
AND GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY
COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR TAKING
THE TIME TO HEAR MY COMMENTS
TODAY. MY NAME IS ANDREW AND I
AM THE HEAD OF THE SCHOOL WHICH
IS LOCATED ON THE 4700 BLOCK OF
CALIFORNIA AVENUE. WE WOULD BE
AT THE FAR END OF THE EXPANSION
OF THE JUNCTION OF B.I.A. I AM
SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THIS
AMENDMENT. I HAVE WATCHED THIS
ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD GROW AND
CHANGE FROM HAVING A FORD CAR
DEALERSHIP TO HAVING MIXED USE
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
DEVELOPMENT UP AND DOWN
CALIFORNIA. NOW, I RUN THE VERY
SCHOOL I ONCE ATTENDED. I HAVE
SEEN THE WORK OF THE JUNCTION
ASSOCIATION AND THE B.I.A. AND
HOW IT HAS HELPED THE SMALL
TOWN FEEL OF WEST SEATTLE WHILE
STILL ADAPTING AND BECOMING
PART OF THE SEATTLE
METROPOLITAN AREA AND KEEPING
US CURRENT. MY HOPE IS THAT BY
HAVING THIS AMENDMENT GO
THROUGH AND HAVING THE JUNCTION
ASSOCIATION ADOPT ALL THE WAY
OUT TO THE BLOCK THAT WE ARE
LOCATED AT, WE WILL SEE A LOT
OF IMPROVEMENTS TO MY SCHOOL
WHICH HAS BEEN HERE SERVING THE
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY SINCE
1985. OVERALL, I WANT TO CONVEY
THAT THIS WOULD BENEFIT THE
BUSINESSES UP AND DOWN
CALIFORNIA. IT WOULD EXPAND THE
HEART OF WEST SEATTLE ITSELF
AND WOULD BE A GREAT WAY FOR
THE COMMUNITY TO GROW AND
EXPAND AND MODERNIZE. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME. YIELD BACK
WHATEVER IS LEFT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE DID
REQUEST THAT FOLKS HOLD THEIR
COMMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING
SECTION. YOU ARE WELCOME TO
STAY AND DELIVER THAT MESSAGE
AGAIN. IF NOT, WE WILL ENTER
YOUR NAME ON THE LIST AS HAVING
SPOKEN TO THIS ISSUE IN THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THAT IS
UP TO YOU. THIS IS THE FIRST
ITEM ON THE AGENDA. I DO SEE
THAT RAY ALBA, YOU ARE ALSO
SIGNED UP TO GIVE COMMENT
DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING
SECTION SO WE WILL CALL YOUR
NAME IN THAT SECTION OF OUR
AGENDA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GO
AHEAD WITH THE NEXT SPEAKER.
>> MY APOLOGIES AGAIN. THE NEXT
REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENTER WILL BE
RICHELLE GREENQUIST . YOU HAVE
BEEN UNMUTED.
>> GO AHEAD AND PRESS *6 ,
PLEASE.
>> THERE WE GO. THANK YOU. I AM
ADDRESSING 120827 WHICH IS
ADDRESSING PARKING UNLOADING
AND MUSIC SOUNDS. MY NAME IS
RICHELLE GREENQUIST AND I AM
THE DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES. WE
ARE A CHAMPION OF LOCAL MUSIC
AND MUSICIANS AND WE UNDERSTAND
AND EMPATHIZE WITH THE
CHALLENGES THAT MUSICIANS FACE.
WE BOOK 3 TO FIVE LIVE
PERFORMANCES A WEEK IN THE
PROCESS TO RESERVE AREAS ARE
TIME-CONSUMING EVEN WITH THE
HELP AND SUPPORT FROM SEATTLE
CENTER. WE SEND IN REQUESTS
EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS AS WE BOOK
BANDS. WE HAVE TO TRACK
PERMITS, PRINT PERMITS, PROVIDE
A VAN PARKING IDENTIFICATION
AND OCCASIONALLY CALLED TO TOW
VEHICLES AND RESERVED SPACES.
BANDS WILL COME TO US IN THEIR
PRIVATE VEHICLES, TOUR BANDS
AND BUSES AND THEY MAY BE
TELLING TRAILERS AND WE HAVE TO
BE READY FOR DIFFERENT
CONFIGURATIONS EVERY DAY.
SOMETIMES OUR FRAMES ARE STOLEN
WE TO REPLACE THEM. WE
CURRENTLY PAY AT THE METER PARK
BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD PERIODS
WHERE PARKING ENFORCEMENT WOULD
ISSUE TICKETS. PARKING COSTS
AROUND SEATTLE CENTER ARE HIGH,
ESPECIALLY ON EVENT DAYS AND
SOME STREET PARKING HAS TIME
LIMITS SO BANDS WILL RECEIVE
PARKING TICKETS AND RESERVED
PARKING IF THERE IS NOTHING
GOING ON. ALL OF THESE ARE
REASONS WHY WE SHOULD HAVE
THESE LOADING ZONES . I AM
HEARTENED BY THE WORK OF THE
MUSIC COMMISSION AND THE MAYOR
TO ADDRESS THE PAY POINT IN
SEATTLE'S LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY
AND COUNCILMEMBER NELSON FOR
WORKING WITH THE COMMISSION ON
THIS. THE CITY STEPPED UP WANTS
TO CREATE PRIORITY LOADING
AREAS BUT THAT WAS MOSTLY
SYMBOLIC. PLEASE ADOPT THIS NEW
AND IMPROVED ORDINANCE. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE WILL
HAVE SHAYNA FOLEY. YOU HAVE
BEEN UNMUTED.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS SHAYNA
FOLEY . I SPOKE WITH YOU LAST
TIME ALSO ABOUT THE MUSIC VENUE
PARKING ZONE ORDINANCE THAT IS
GOING INTO PLAY. I'M A GENERAL
MANAGER FOR THE CROCODILE
VENUES. I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF
FEEDBACK SINCE THE LAST TIME
YOU WERE THERE IN PERSON
SPEAKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO I
WANTED TO GIVE YOU FEEDBACK I
HAD HEARD FROM MY BANDSTAND MY
COMMUNITY AS WELL AS ADDRESS
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS PRESENTED
BY RIVERA ON OUR LAST MEETING ,
SPECIFICALLY ENGAGED FOR THE
ARTIST PARKING DURING THE
MOMENTS WHEN WE ARE NOT HAVING
A PERFORMANCE. BANDS WILL
ALWAYS BE ABLE TO USE OUR
PRIORITIES SPACES. THAT IS
NUMBER ONE. WE HAVE BEEN
PUSHING HARD FOR THIS AND LET
ME TELL YOU, THIS HAS BEEN
ENLIGHTENING. WE KNEW THAT THEY
WERE HAVING TROUBLE BUT THE
NUMBER OF BANDMEMBERS AND
MUSICIANS WHO I SPOKE WITH WHO
LISTED PARKING AS THE NUMBER
ONE STRESSOR WAS A LITTLE
SHOCKING . I DO THINK IF THIS
DOES PASS, THE COUNCIL WILL
HAVE THE APPRECIATION OF A LOT
OF VERY TALENTED PEOPLE IN OUR
CITY. RUNNING A MUSIC VENUE, AS
MANY OF YOU KNOW, IS A SEVEN
DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY
BUSINESS. ARTIST ARRIVAL IS
TYPICALLY OVERNIGHT OR EARLY IN
THE MORNING WHEN THEY ARE
TRAVELING FROM CITY TO CITY IN
A BUS OR A SPRINTER. THEY LOAD
IN ON AVERAGE FIVE HOURS BEFORE
THE SCHEDULED SHOWTIME STARTS
OR IT OPENS TO THE PUBLIC AND
EVEN IN SMALLER VENUES,
APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS PRIOR
TO SHOWTIME FOR LOAD IN, SOUND
CHECK, ALL OF THOSE ITEMS. A
LOT GOES INTO THE PRODUCTION OF
A LIVE SHOW BEFORE THE ARTIST
EVEN WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR.
SOME OF THOSE THINGS ARE
DELIVERY OF SUPPLEMENTAL AUDIO,
LIGHTING OR VIDEO EQUIPMENT,
DELIVERY OF INSTRUMENT RENTALS
LIKE DRUM KITS, PIANOS AND
LARGE AMPS, DELIVERY OF STAGE
RAZORS OR OTHER HEAVY STAGING
AUGMENTS, DELIVERY OF CHAIRS OR
TABLES IF THE FACILITY REQUIRES
CHANGES FOR THE PUBLIC,
DELIVERY OF CATERING AND THEN,
FOR A SMALLER VENUE, OUR OWNERS
ARE CONSTANTLY LOADING IN ITEMS
THAT THEY HAVE PROBABLY GONE
OUT AND SHOPPED THEMSELVES LIKE
CONSUMABLES AND GOODS FOR SALE,
FOODS, BEVERAGES AND MORE. WE
WOULD BE USING THOSE LOAD ZONE
AREAS FOR A LOT OF ITEMS
UNRELATED TO JUST THE PARKING
OF THE ARTIST VEHICLE. I DO
THINK THAT WOULD MAKE OUR VENUE
A SAFER PLACE AND OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD EXPECT US TO
BE PARKING IN THOSE SPACES
RATHER THAN MAYBE DOUBLE
PARKING ON THE STREET.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE KITTY WU.
>> YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND SPEAK.
PRESS *6.
>> THANKS FOR THAT. I AM HERE
TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MUSIC
VENUE PARKING ZONES. THE
EXISTING TEMPORARY NO PARKING
PERMIT SYSTEM IS REALLY
CUMBERSOME, EXPENSIVE AND IT IS
A HARDSHIP FOR BOTH THE VENUE
OPERATORS AND MUSICIANS HAVING
TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM.
CURRENTLY, MUSICIANS HAVE TO
PARK FAR FROM THE VENUE,
LEAVING VALUABLE EQUIPMENT WITH
SAFETY CONCERNS. THIS PROGRAM
WILL ALSO KEEP MONEY IN THE
POCKETS OF MUSICIANS.
ESTABLISHING DEDICATED PARKING
ZONES WOULD STREAMLINE THE
PROCESS. THIS INITIATIVE
REPRESENTS A LOGICAL
PROGRESSION FROM THE PILOT
PROGRAM, THE MUSICIAN PRIORITY
LOAD ZONE AND I ASK YOU SUPPORT
THIS SENSE IT WILL BE GREATLY
BENEFICIAL TO OUR LOCAL AND OUR
TOURING DIVISION AND ENHANCE
THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE FOR
PERFORMERS AND VENUES. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE
ANDREA FRIEDMAN. GO AHEAD.
>> ANDREA? ANDREA, PLEASE --
THERE YOU GO.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ANDREA
FRIEDMAN. I AM A MUSIC
COMMISSIONER AND I HAVE WORKED
IN SEATTLE'S MUSIC INDUSTRY
FOR 10 YEARS. I AM CALLING YOU
TO SHARE MY SUPPORT FOR THE
MUSIC VENUE PERMIT PROGRAM. I
WORKED AS A TALENT BUYER FROM
2013 TO 2017 AND WHEN I FIRST
STARTED, WE DID NOT HAVE THE
RESOURCES TO RESERVE PARKING
FOR ARTISTS. THEY WOULD HAVE TO
FEND FOR THEMSELVES IN THE
LOWER NEIGHBORHOOD AND OFTEN
THEY WOULD PAY TO PARK QUITE A
FEW DISTANCE AWAY OR BE
TICKETED DURING A SHOW. A FEW
LOCAL BANDS TOLD ME THEY WOULD
NOT PLAY AT THE VENUE ANYMORE
BECAUSE IT WAS TOO COSTLY AND
STRESSFUL SO THAT GIG WAS NOT
WORTH IT AND I EXPERIENCED THE
HEARTBREAK OF LEARNING BUT AN
ARTIST VEHICLE BEING BROKEN
INTO DURING THE SHOW MULTIPLE
TIMES. EVENTUALLY, WE WERE ABLE
TO START TO RESERVE PARKING. AT
THIS POINT, I WAS INTRODUCED TO
THE CUMBERSOME ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCESS OF RESERVING PARKING
MOST WEEKS OF THE YEAR AND THE
HEADACHES THAT COMES WITH THE
UNPREDICTABLE OF THE OF THE
INDUSTRY LIKE THE SPRINTER BAN
-- VAN ARRIVING BEFORE THEIR
LOADING TIME, THERE IS NOWHERE
SAFELY THEY CAN PARK THEIR
VEHICLE. I LEFT MY ROLL THERE
SEVEN YEARS AGO. I HAVE BEEN
TALKING WITH MUSICIANS AND
VENUES STAFF ABOUT THIS AND THE
EXCITEMENT IS PALPABLE IN THE
POTENTIAL IMPACT IS CLEAR. THIS
WILL GREATLY IMPROVE THE
OPERATIONS, PUT MONEY BACK IN
THE POCKETS OF MUSICIANS,
INCREASE OPERATING COSTS FOR
VENUES AND MAKE SEATTLE A
LEADER IN CITIES LIKE AUSTIN
AND L.A. I URGE THE COUNTY TO
SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION. THANK
YOU AND TO YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE'VE GOT
ADAM CLARY FOLLOWED BY MARIO.
GO AHEAD, ADAM.
>> *6.
>> WHILE WE ARE WAITING,
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA IS NOW
JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ADAM, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO
PRESS *6 .
>> GO ON TO THE NEXT PERSON.
>> WE WILL TRY AGAIN, ADAM.
>> HI.
>> GO AHEAD, ADAM.
>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY
COMMENTS. I AM ADAM CLARY AND I
AM SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF PASSING
THIS MUSIC VENUE LOADING ZONE
PROGRAM. I AM A TALENT BUYER
AND I HAVE PLAYED IN LOCAL
BANDS IN SEATTLE OVER THE LAST
DECADE AND A HALF . SPEAKING
WITH MY VENUE HAT ON, I CAN SAY
THAT HAVING THE ABILITY TO
RESERVE THESE PARKING UNLOADING
SPOTS WILL BE OF GREAT HELP FOR
OPERATIONS WITH THE SHOWS WE
PUT ON. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF
THOSE EVENTS WILL RUN MORE
SMOOTHLY WITH THE ACTIVE
PARKING. SPEAKING WITH MY LOCAL
MUSICIAN HAT ON, I CAN'T
STRESS ENOUGH HOW AMAZING WOULD
BE TO HAVE ACCESS TO RELIABLE
PARKING THAT IS HERE, CLOSE TO
THE VENUE THAT MAKES LOADING IN
AND OUT EASIER. IT IS HONESTLY
THE DREAM. THE REALITY IS THAT
IT IS MUSICIANS WHO ARE
BRINGING FOLKS OUT EVERY NIGHT
THROUGH EACH ONE OF OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS. THESE FOLKS ARE
THE ONES THAT ARE BUYING DRINKS
AND NEARBY BARS, THEN MEET WITH
FRIENDS TO HAVE DINNER BEFORE
ATTENDING THE SHOWS. LET'S
PASS THIS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR
OUR LOCAL MUSICIANS TO PRACTICE
THE CRAFT IN THE CITY THAT HAS
BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN
AMAZING PLACE FOR LOCAL MUSIC
TO FLOURISH. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WEEK GOT
MARIO ABOUT A FOLLOWED BY
MARSHALL HUGH AND THEN TO
CONCLUDE IN VIRTUAL PUBLIC
COMMENT, JACK. MARIO, GO AHEAD.
>> HELLO. THIS IS MARIO. I'M A
TALENT BUYER AT THE NECTAR
LOUNGE IN FREMONT. WE FIND THAT
PARKING FOR OUR MUSICIANS IS
OFTEN A CONSTANT STRUGGLE. THE
CURRENT STATUS QUO SYSTEM WITH
THE TEMPORARY NO PARKING
PERMITS -- WE FIND THAT IF
PEOPLE DECIDE TO PARK IN THOSE
AREAS ANYWAY, EVEN THOUGH THERE
ARE NO PARKING SIGNS POSTED AND
A PERMANENT IN PLACE, SOME
PEOPLE HAVE FIGURED OUT THAT
OFTEN TIMES THEY ARE NOT
ACTUALLY GOING TO GET TICKETED
AND THEY HAVE FIGURED OUT THAT
THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO
TOE SOMEONE -- PEOPLE CHANCE
IT. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS YOU
WILL HAVE A 60 FOOT TOUR BUS,
READY TO PARK IN THEIR
PERMITTED ZONE BUT UNABLE TO .
ON A BUSY STREET, THERE IS
NOTHING STRESS. THERE NEEDS TO
BE A BETTER SYSTEM. THE
MUSICIAN LOAD ZONES WOULD BE A
HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS
AND I YIELD THE REST OF MY
TIME.
>> THANK YOU, MARIO. NEXT WE'VE
GOT MARSHALL AND TO CONCLUDE
THE VIRTUAL PUBLIC COMMENT,
JACK. MARSHALL, GO AHEAD.
>> CAN YOU HEAR US, MARSHALL?
>> YES, I CAN. MI UNMUTED?
THANK YOU SO MUCH. MARSHALL,
SINGER . I AM SPEAKING FROM A
MUSICIANS PERSPECTIVE. THIS
WOULD BE AMAZING TO HAVE
BECAUSE FROM AN ANECDOTAL
PERSPECTIVE, ONE OF OUR
KEYBOARD PLAYER IS ONE TIME WAS
TRYING TO RUSH TO GET HIS GEAR
IN, LEAVES HIS CAR FOR ONE
MINUTE AND COMES BACK AND
SOMEONE HAS RAN OFF WITH HIS
KEYBOARD. IT IS SAFER. IN
ADDITION, MUSICIANS ARE ALREADY
PRETTY LOW ON THE FINANCIAL
TOTEM POLE AND IF YOU HAVE TO
SPEND $25 PARKING THERE FOR THE
DAY, IT IS TAKING A BIG CHUNK
OUT OF WHAT YOU WILL MAKE.
HOPEFULLY YOU ALL CAN CREATE
SOME MORE SPACE FOR US TO MAKE
LIFE A LITTLE EASIER AND WE
WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP THE CITY
COOL.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. NEXT, AND TO
CONCLUDE VIRTUAL PUBLIC
COMMENT, WE'VE GOT JACK. GO
AHEAD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM A
PRODUCTION MANAGER AT KB XP AND
I AM ALSO A DRUMMER, RECORDING
ENGINEER AND FORMER TECHNICIAN
FOR DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE AND THE
POSTAL SERVICE. AS THE GUY
OFTEN TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT,
SAFELY LOADING AND PARKING
VEHICLES, IT IS OFTEN THE MOST
STRESSFUL PART OF THE SHOW DAY.
THERE IS AN UNWRITTEN RULE WHEN
IT COMES TO UNLOADING
EQUIPMENT, SOMEONE ALWAYS STAYS
WITH THE VEHICLE WHILE GEER IS
BEING LOADED BUT WHAT DO YOU DO
IF YOU ARE A SOLO PERFORMER
WERE WORKING LONG? BEING ABLE
TO PARK CLOSE TO THE VENUE
WITHIN EYESIGHT WOULD GREATLY
REDUCE THIS STRESS AND MITIGATE
POTENTIAL THEFT. I COMMEND THE
MUSIC COMMISSION, MAYOR BRUCE
HARRELL AND COMMUNITY MEMBER
NELSON WITH THIS WORK. WILDLIFE
MUSIC IS OFTEN ONE OF
SEATTLE'S MOST IMPORTANT
CULTURAL ASSETS , THE MUSICIANS
DOING THE ACTUAL LABOR OF
GETTING EQUIPMENT FROM POINT A
TO POINT B ARE TYPICALLY LEFT
TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES. PAYING
FOR STREET PARKING IN A LOT
BRINGS THEM TO THE SLIM MARGINS
OF THE GIG, NOT TO MENTION
THOSE TIMES WHEN THE METER RUNS
OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHOW .
TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT AND
PARKING VEHICLES ARE WHAT IS
REQUIRED TO MAKE THESE SHOWS
HAPPEN. THERE IS REALLY NO
ALTERNATIVE. THIS IS IMPORTANT
PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATION THAT
RECOGNIZES THE WORK REQUIRED TO
PRODUCE LIVE MUSIC IN SEATTLE
AND I URGE THE COUNCIL TO
SUPPORT THIS NEW CURBSIDE
DESIGNATION PROGRAM. THANK YOU.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THAT
CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
EVERYONE. MOVING RIGHT ALONG
WITH OUR AGENDA , THAT IS THE
END OF OUR PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD WHICH IS NOW CLOSED.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
ONE INTO THE AGENDA. -- INTO
THE RECORD.
>> COUNCIL BILL 120831 AN
ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE WEST
SEATTLE JUNCTION PARKING AND
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA,
MODIFYING THE BOUNDARIES, AND
AMENDING ORDINANCE 113326, AS
PREVIOUSLY AMENDED BY
ORDINANCES 119539, 120570,
121758, 124528, AND 125152.
PUBLIC HEARING, DISCUSSION, AND
POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> JUST TO RECAP, BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREAS, THEY ARE
FUNDING MECHANISMS FOR BUSINESS
DISTRICT REVITALIZATION AND
MANAGEMENT. WITH TAX MONEY
COLLECTED DIRECTLY FROM
PROPERTY OWNERS OR IN THE CASE
OF THE WEST SEATTLE INJUNCTION
FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES, A
B.I.A.S PAYS FOR ONGOING
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCAL
STAKEHOLDERS OVERSEE AND FUND
THE MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENT IN
PROMOTION OF THEIR COMMERCIAL
DISTRICT. THIS LEGISLATION
WOULD MODIFY THE BOUNDARIES OF
THE WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
B.I.A. ADDING 32 RATE PAYERS TO
THE B.I.A. AND THE OFFICE OF A
CONNECTICUT ELEMENT ANTICIPATES
THAT THE B.I.A. ASSESSMENTS
WOULD INCREASE BY 8.2% OR
$490,000 PER YEAR. THERE WOULD
NOT BE ANY CHANGE TO THE RATES
WE CHARGE TO THE RATEPAYERS.
THE WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
B.I.A. WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN
1987. ITS CURRENT BOUNDARIES
WERE ESTABLISHED THROUGH
ORDINANCE 124528. COUNCIL BILL
120831 WOULD IMPLEMENT THE
FIRST CHANGE TO THE BOUNDARIES
IN 10 YEARS. SO, THIS ALLOWS
COUNCIL TO MODIFY THE
BOUNDARIES , EXPANDING OR
CONTRACTING THEM AFTER HOLDING
A PUBLIC HEARING AND EXPANSIONS
MUST BE ADJACENT TO THE
EXISTING BOUNDARY. NOTIFICATION
OF A PUBLIC HEARING MUST
INCLUDE ADOPTING A RESOLUTION
AND MAILING NOTICE TO ALL
BUSINESSES, MULTI FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL AND MIXED-USE
BUILDINGS WITHIN THE EXISTING
AND OPPOSED B.I.A.. COUNCIL SET
TODAY'S PUBLIC HEARING WHEN A
PASSED RESOLUTION 32141 ON
AUGUST 6 WHICH GAVE 30 DAYS'
NOTICE OF THE HEARING TO MAKE
SURE THAT EVERYBODY COULD LEARN
ABOUT THE BOUNDARY EXPANSION
AND ALSO PLAN TO SPEAK ABOUT
THIS MATTER BEFORE COUNCIL.
WITH THAT, AS PRESIDING
OFFICER, I AM NOW OPENING THE
PUBLIC HEARING ON COUNCIL BILL
120831. CLERK , HOW MANY
SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK
AT THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, WE HAVE
ONE REMOTE SPEAKER AND WE HAVE
FOUR IN PERSON SPEAKERS.
>> ALL RIGHT. I WILL NOTE THAT,
JUST TO BE ALL OFFICIAL, MR.
GUSTAV, IF YOU ARE STILL THERE
AND WOULD LIKE TO ADD YOUR
COMMENT OFFICIALLY TO THE
PUBLIC HEARING, YOU ARE WELCOME
TO DO SO. PER MY USUAL
PRACTICE, WE WILL START WITH
THOSE PEOPLE IN PERSON AND
PROVIDE TWO MINUTES FOR EACH.
>>
>> ALL RIGHT. FIRST, WE HAVE
ALLISON FOLLOWED BY STACY.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. MY NAME IS
ALLISON AND I'M THE PRESIDENT
OF THE WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
ASSOCIATION. I AM ALSO A FORMER
BUSINESS OWNER. I OWN A
BUSINESS IN THE JUNCTION B.I.A.
BUSINESS . I CAN JUST SAY THAT
AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE HAVE
HELPED EVENTS WITH
BEAUTIFICATION, WITH CLEAN AND
SAFE PROGRAMS AND, AS EVERYONE
KNOWS, WEST SEATTLE HAS GROWN.
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HAS GROWN
AND IS SO DOES THE NATURAL
BOUNDARY OF OUR BOUNDARY.
EXPANDING 10%, JUST TO INCLUDE
A COUPLE OF STREETS OVER THAT
ARE NEEDING TO BENEFIT FROM OUR
PROGRAMMING. THAT IS ALL I
HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE'VE GOT
STACY FOLLOWED BY ALEX AND THEN
TO ROUND IT OUT WE HAVE
DANIELLE. ME]. I AM STACY. I WOR
THE WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
ASSOCIATION. TO BE HONEST, I
DID NOT REALIZE I WAS GOING TO
BE PUBLIC SPEAKING. STORY
SHORT, ECHO WHAT ALLISON SAID
WITH REGARDS TO EXPANDING THE
BOUNDARIES TO INCLUDE THE
BUSINESSES THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE
PARAMETERS. WE ASK TO BE A PART
OF EVENTS AND BEAUTIFICATION
EFFORTS THAT WE HAVE CREATED.
CURRENTLY, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO
ALLOW THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT
WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE'VE GOT
ALEX ZIMMERMAN FOLLOWED BY
DANIELLE.
>> MY NAME ALEX ZIMMERMAN.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON, YOU
INTERRUPT ME IN EVERY MEETING.
THIS LOOKS TO ME LIKE A
PERSONAL CORRUPTION. WHEN WILL
YOU STOP DOING IT? I AM VERY
PATIENT WITH YOU. I DON'T
COMPLAIN TO GOVERNMENT EVERY
TIME BUT YOU INTERRUPT ME. THIS
IS EXACTLY WHAT I DID BEFORE.
>> THAT IS YOUR FIRST WARNING
THAT YOU ARE ENGAGING IN
ABUSIVE LANGUAGE WHICH IS
OFFICIALLY DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR.
>> I GIVE YOU INFORMATION. IT
IS PERSONAL WHAT HAS COME FROM
YOU. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. I
TALKED TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. WHY
YOU ONLY DOING THIS? HONESTLY,
I AM PATIENT WITH YOU FOR A
LONG TIME. I VERY APPRECIATE
YOU. I DON'T WANT BROKEN
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND
ME. I HAVE DIFFERENCE OF
OPINIONS. NOBODY TALKING LIKE I
DO. WHY? WHY DOES ONE MAN HAVE
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION?
EVERYTHING I DO IS LEGAL.
PRESIDENT TRUMP DOING EXACTLY
LIKE I DO. I AM DOING LIKE HE
IS DOING. I GO TO GOVERNMENT
AND I COMPLAIN. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. HAVE A NICE DAY.
>> THANK YOU. LAST IN-PERSON
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE PUBLIC
HEARING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT IS
DANIELLE HAVEN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM
DANIELLE HAVEN AND I AM HERE ON
BEHALF OF TINA McGLOCKLIN. TINA
IS THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF
CLUB PILATES. CLUB PILATES
OPENED IN JANUARY AT 4722. TINA
WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE TODAY.
SHE IS ASSISTING HER SISTER WHO
NEEDED MEDICAL HELP. TINA IS
OPPOSED TO THIS EXPANSION OF
THE DISTRICT. SHE HAD
CONSIDERED MOVING INTO A
PROPERTY UP ON CALIFORNIA BUT
THE TAX BURDEN OF THAT WAS
EXCESSIVE AND THEN SHORTLY
AFTER SHE WAS WEIGHING IT, THE
PARKING IN THE LOT THAT HAD
PREVIOUSLY BEEN FREE WENT TO
PAID PARKING. SO, THE BENEFITS
OF IT REALLY SEEMED LIKE THEY
WOULD NOT WORK FOR HER AND HER
SMALL BUSINESS BUT SHE WAITED
AN ADDITIONAL THREE YEARS TO
HAVE THE PROPERTY THAT SHE
ULTIMATELY MOVED INTO COMPLETED
AND TO BE ABLE TO OPEN HER
BUSINESS. I AM A MEMBER OF THIS
CLUB PILATES AND I FEEL LIKE IT
HAS TRULY SAVED MY LIFE AND IT
HAS MADE ME FEEL MORE LIKE A
SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN WEST
SEATTLE THAN I HAVE EVER HAD
BEFORE. TINA IS TRYING TO
BALANCE THE MANAGEMENT OF HER
SMALL BUSINESS WHERE SHE HAS 13
EMPLOYEES AND IS ALREADY PAYING
A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RENT.
PART OF WHAT SHE IS PAYING FOR
IS THE PARKING THAT IS WITHIN
THE BUILDING THAT SHE IS
LEASING FROM. SHE SIGNED A 10
YEAR LEASE AT THIS LOCATION
UNDER THE BELIEVE THAT HER TAX
RATES WOULD EXPAND NORMALLY
OVER THAT 10 YEAR PERIOD BUT
NOT THAT THERE WOULD BE AN
EXPANSION THAT WAS GOING TO
COST HER SUBSTANTIALLY MORE AND
IN A WAY THAT WOULD REQUIRE HER
TO PASS THAT COST ALONG TO HER
CLIENTS AND MEMBERS. SHE IS
RESPECTFULLY ASKING THAT THIS
ANNEXATION , THIS
EXPANSION IS GOING TO PUT A
FINANCIAL BURDEN ON HER SMALL
BUSINESS AND HER MEMBERS. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THAT CONCLUDES THE IN-PERSON
PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTERS AND
WE HAVE ONE REMOTE. NEXT, RAY.
>> RAY?
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS RAY. I AM
HERE ON BEHALF OF MOLLY MAIDS
ICE CREAM. OUR CFO COULD NOT BE
HERE BUT EVERYONE IN THE
COMPANY HERE IS VERY EXCITED TO
JOIN THE WEST SEATTLE
COMMUNITY. I WILL BE THE
MANAGER OVER THERE SO I AM
REALLY EXCITED TO GET INVOLVED.
I FEEL LIKE THE B.I.A. HAS A
LOT OF VALUABLE -- VALUES THAT
ARE SIMILAR TO OURS AND IT IS
REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.
WE ARE EXCITED TO BE A PART OF
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION AND
CONTINUE TO GROW WITH ALL OF
THE OTHER WONDERFUL BUSINESSES
THAT ARE HERE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> FINALLY , WE WILL ALLOW YOU
TO SAY YOUR COMMENTS OFFICIALLY
DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT IF
YOU ARE STILL THERE.
>> OKAY. IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAS
ALREADY LEFT THE LINE . IS THAT
THE END OF OUR SPEAKERS?
>> YES. THAT CONCLUDES THE
PUBLIC HEARING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE
COME TO THE END OF THE LIST OF
SPEAKERS FOR OUR PUBLIC HEARING
AND THEREFORE, THE PUBLIC
HEARING IS NOW CLOSED. CENTRAL
STAFF, YOU ARE ALREADY AT THE
TABLE. THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE. I WILL PROVIDE SOME
COMMENTS AND THEN YOU CAN GO
AHEAD.
>> LISH WHITSON, COUNCIL
CENTRAL STAFF.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> AT OUR MEETING ON AUGUST 8,
WE HAD A PRESENTATION FROM OED
ON THE CITYWIDE B.I.A. PROGRAM
AND WE ALSO HAD A PRESENTATION
FROM WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
DIRECTOR . WE HEARD PUBLIC
TESTIMONY FROM THE DIRECTORS
ALL IN SOLIDARITY, WEARING THE
SAME T-SHIRT. THE DIRECTORS OF
B.I.A. ACROSS THE CITY , THE
ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE,
ALL IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS
LEGISLATION . WITH THAT, LISH,
PLEASE GO AHEAD IF YOU WOULD
LIKE TO SAY SOME COMMENTS ABOUT
THE BOUNDARY.
>> I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST SHARE
THEM UP WITH MY VIEW OF THE TWO
AREAS THAT ARE BEING ADDED
UNDER THE LEGISLATION. IT IS
ONE BLOCK ON CALIFORNIA AVENUE
SOUTHWEST AT THE NORTH END OF
THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA
AND THEN HALF A BLOCK SOUTHWEST
ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE
B.I.A. I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DETAIL
PRESENTATION.
>> COLLEAGUES, ARE THERE ANY
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL
RIGHT, SEEING NONE, I WILL
SIMPLY SAY THAT IT LOOKS LIKE
WE ARE READY FOR A VOTE TODAY
AND WE NEED TO SUSPEND THE RULE
TO ALLOW A VOTE ON THE SAME DAY
THAT WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
COUNCIL RULES WILL BE SUSPENDED
TO ALLOW THE COMMITTEE TO VOTE
ON COUNCIL 120821 ON THE SAME
DAY THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD
. HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
RULES ARE SUSPENDED AND THE
COMMITTEE NOW MAY VOTE. SINCE
THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ABOUT
SPECIFICS OF THE PROPOSAL, I
WILL SIMPLY SAY THAT THIS CITY,
WITHOUT BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
AREAS AND THE ASSESSMENTS THAT
PROPERTY OWNERS NEED WOULD NOT
BE THE SAME WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
THEY WERE MANDATED WITH THE
ABILITY TO PROVIDE WHAT IS
SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS
SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES BUT WE
HAVE SEEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN
THAT THOSE SERVICES WITH
ADDITIONAL CLEANING, SECURITY,
AND ALL OF THE EVENTS ARE
ESSENTIAL AND REALLY MAKE THE
CITY WHAT IT IS TODAY. I WILL
SAY THAT WHEN THE BUSINESS
DISTRICTS COME TO US AND ASKED
TO BE RENEWED, OR IN THIS CASE,
EXPANDED TO ALLOW FOR MORE
ASSESSMENTS TO PROVIDE MORE
SERVICES, USUALLY AIR ON THE
SIDE OF SAYING, OF COURSE. THAT
IS FINE WITH US. BUT, IN ANY
CASE, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE MY
COLLEAGUES TO PASS THIS
LEGISLATION. THAT SAID, I MOVE
THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND
PASSAGE OF COUNTABLE 120831. IS
THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED. ARE THERE FURTHER
COMMENTS?
>> GO AHEAD.
>> LITTLE OLD ME OVER HERE.
THANK YOU. NO, LET ME JUST SAY
THAT I TOTALLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND
APPRECIATE AND RESPECT, AND I
HAVE ENDLESS EMPATHY FOR THE
FACT THAT NOT EVERY SMALL
BUSINESS THAT IS DIRECTLY
IMPACTED BY THE PROPOSED
EXPANSION IS GOING TO SUPPORT
THIS KIND OF THING AND THAT THE
IMPACT THAT IT HAS ON THEIR
BOTTOM LINE, THE PIANO THAT
THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE, PROFIT
AND LOSS MARGIN, IT WILL HAVE
OTHER IMPACTS. I AM MINDFUL OF
THAT. I AM COMMITTED TO WORKING
WITH YOU . I AM LOOKING AT THE
PUBLIC COMMENTOR WHO SPOKE ON
BEHALF OF HER FRIEND, THE SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER AND THE
GENTLEMAN WHO SPOKE AGAINST
THIS. RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU,
MA'AM, IS MY CHIEF OF STAFF.
WE WOULD LOVE TO CONNECT WITH
YOU TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING
THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP
FACILITATE THIS AND MAKE IT A
SOFT LANDING, SO TO SPEAK. I DO
KNOW CHRIS AND THE WEST SEATTLE
JUNCTION B.I.A. TO BE -- CHRIS
IS A GREAT PERSON LEADING THIS
ORGANIZATION AND THAT
ORGANIZATION ITSELF, TO PROVIDE
PROFOUNDLY IMPACTFUL WORK AND
SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THEIR
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS,
POTENTIALLY INCLUDING YOUR
FRIEND. I KNOW THEY ARE
INTERESTED IN BUILDING
COMMUNITY AND EXPANDING --
AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT I HEARD. I
HAVE BEEN PAYING VERY CLOSE
ATTENTION TO THIS FROM
INCEPTION TO WHERE WE ARE
TODAY. I WILL SAY THAT IS THE
FIRST OPPOSITION -- I CHECKED
WITH MY STAFF. YOUR VOICE AND
YOUR PERSPECTIVE MATTER AND,
AGAIN, COMMITTED TO DOING
WHATEVER WE CAN AND TO BUILD
COMMUNITY TOGETHER. THAT SAID,
I ALSO AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS
TODAY AND COLLEAGUES, I URGE
YOU TO DO THE SAME. WEST
SEATTLE JUNCTION IS A GREAT
PLACE. WE PREVIOUSLY BANTERED,
COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA AND I
ABOUT THE GREAT HUSKY DELI ICE
CREAM BUT IT IS NOT JUST ICE
CREAM, IT IS DELI. ALSO, I
HEARD SOMEONE FROM MOLLY MOONS
PUBLIC COMMENTING EARLIER AND
MY WIFE ABSOLUTELY LOVES MOLLY
MOONS ICE CREAM I A FAN AS
WELL BUT I AM GLAD THERE WILL
BE ANOTHER OPTION THERE TO
SUPPLEMENT, NOT REPLACE THE
GREAT ICE CREAM OPTIONS THAT WE
ALREADY HAVE IN THE JUNCTION.
WE CAN ALL EXIST IN HARMONY,
COEXIST HERE. THAT IS WHERE I
AM GOING. ANYWAY, I AM PROUD TO
SUPPORT THIS TODAY AND LOOKING
FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR
PARTNERSHIP WITH ALL OF YOU ALL
TO DO MORE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. I JUST WANT TO
UNDERSCORE WHAT COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA SAID . I HAVE WORKED WITH
THE B.I.A. IN THE PAST AND I
KNOW THEM TO BE VERY
COLLABORATIVE AND THEY REALLY
WATCH OUT FOR THE BUSINESSES IN
THE JUNCTION SO I AM SURE THAT
THEY WILL BE HELP ALL IN THIS
CAPACITY AND I APPRECIATE MY
COLLEAGUE FOR ACKNOWLEDGING
THAT SOME FOLKS MAY NOT LIKE A
PIECE OF LEGISLATION ONLY
BECAUSE THEY ARE HAVING
CHALLENGES. HER JOB UP HERE IS
TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HELPING
EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING
CHALLENGES. WE ARE DOING THINGS
FOR AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE
AND FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE
HAVING THE PARTICULAR
CHALLENGES, HELPING WITH THAT
AS WELL AND BEING COLLABORATORS
AND CONNECTORS. APPRECIATE YOU
WORKING WITH THE B.I.A. AT THE
JUNCTION TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS
PARTICULAR BUSINESS IS ALSO
THRIVING. WE WANT ALL OUR SMALL
BUSINESSES TO THRIVE. I WILL BE
SUPPORTING THIS BUT KNOW THAT I
TOO CARE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT
MY DISTRICT. I CARE ABOUT ALL
OF SEATTLE. WE ALL DO. THANK
YOU FOR COMING TODAY ON BEHALF
OF YOUR FRIEND. I HOPE HER
RELATIVE IS FINE. ALSO, I LOOK
FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT THE
CONVERSATION ON HOW WE CAN, AS
A BODY, HELP. THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA AND COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU. POINT OF PERSONAL
PRIVILEGE, MY FOMO IS STILL
GOING CRAZY, RAGING RIGHT NOW.
I LOVE THE JUNCTION SHIRT.
WHERE IS MINE? ANYWAY, THANK
YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. FUN ENTHUSIASM
FOR WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE. NO
OTHER COMMENTS. WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> KETTLE?
>> GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY,
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE.
>> HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> RIVERA?
>> GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY,
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE.
>> SAKA?
>> GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY,
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE.
>> NELSON?
>> AYE. FOUR IN FAVOR, AND
UNOPPOSED. THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION THE COUNCIL PASS
COUNCIL BILL 120831 PASSES. ALL
RIGHT. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEM TWO INTO THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO,
COUNCIL 012-0827, AN ORDINANCE
RELATING TO MUSIC VENUE ZONES
AND THEIR USE, ESTABLISHING
RULES FOR PARKING AND LOADING
AT MUSIC VENUE ZONES, AND
ADDING NEW SECTIONS 11.14.376,
11.23.425, AND 11.72.255 TO,
AND AMENDING SECTIONS
11.23.120, 11.23.440,
11.30.040, AND 11.31.121 OF,
THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE.
BRIEFING, DISCUSSION, AND
POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE
PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD
AUTHORIZE SDOT TO AUTHORIZE
CURB SPACE AS A MUSIC VENUE
ZONE PARKING SPACE. MUSIC
VENUES CAN THEN ALLOW THE
MUSICIANS TO USE THE PERMITS
WHEN THEY ARE ON PREMISE. WHEN
WE TALK ABOUT VENUES, THEY MUST
POST LIVE MUSIC AND CHARGE A
FEE FOR ADMISSION AT LEAST TWO
DAYS A WEEK. AT OUR AUGUST 8
MEETING, WE HAD A PRESENTATION
FROM THE CURBSIDE MANAGEMENT
TEAM AT SDOT. THEY ARE AT THE
TABLE. I WILL ALLOW THEM THE
OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE
THEMSELVES AND A HISTORY OF
PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE FOR
THE PROBLEM OF THE LACK OF
CONVENIENT, SAFE, AND RELIABLE
PARKING FOR OUR MUSICIANS AND
CREW. THEN, ALSO, WE DID GO
THROUGH SOME OF THE HISTORY. IN
2014 US THE SEATTLE MUSIC
INITIATIVE WITH RESOLUTION
31173 , TO SUPPORT SEATTLE'S
MUSIC COMMUNITY AND ECONOMY,
SEATTLE INITIATED A PILOT
PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MUSICIAN
LOADING ZONES NEAR FIVE
PARTICIPATING MUSIC VENUES. AS
WE HEARD SOME OF THE PUBLIC
COMMENT TODAY AND LAST TIME,
THE PILOT PROGRAM WAS NOT IDEAL
BECAUSE IT WAS VOLUNTARY. IT
LACKED ENFORCEMENT AND YOU
COULD NOT PARK FOR THE DURATION
OF THE GIG, IT WAS ONLY FOR
LOADING AND UNLOADING. SINCE
THEN, THERE HAS BEEN SUSTAINED
ADVOCACY ON THE PART OF
MUSICIANS, VENUES, AND THE
SEATTLE MUSIC COMMISSION
COMMISSIONERS TO COME FORWARD
WITH A SOLUTION THAT WOULD
REALLY WORK ALL AROUND AND I
HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH
TO SDOT AND ALSO THE MUSIC
COMMISSION FOR WORKING SO
CLOSELY TOGETHER OVER THE
YEARS. WITH THAT, I WOULD ASK
YOU TO INTRODUCE YOURSELVES AND
THEN I WILL CONTINUE TALKING
AND SEE IF THERE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> CALVIN CHOW .
>> MIKE ESTEY.
>> VIRGINIE NADIMI .
>> SCOTT PLUSQUELLEC .
>> I WAS GOING TO DESCRIBE WHAT
THE PROGRAM DOES BUT SINCE YOU
GOT THE EXPERTS AT THE TABLE,
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROVIDE A
SUMMARY?
>> SURE. STARTING WITH HISTORY,
YOU PROVIDED A PRETTY DETAILED
PRESENTATION AT THE LAST
MEETING. THE QUICK SUMMARY AT
THE LEGISLATION ALLOWS US TO DO
WAS TO CREATE A USE AT THE CURB
WHICH IS SOMETHING WE CAN
REGULATE THAT WE CAN ENFORCE. A
FORMAL SIGN. THE LAST SITUATION
WAS AN ADVISORY SIGN. THE
SECOND IS TO ALLOW US TO PUT
TOGETHER THE CURB. MUSIC
VENUES CAN APPLY FOR A PERMIT
AND IF THEY MEET THE CONDITIONS
THEY CAN SEEK AND UTILIZE A
PERMIT FOR FOLKS USING THOSE
SPACES TO LOAD AND THAT IS THE
GENERAL GIST OF WHAT WE ARE
TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE. THAT
WAS REFLECTED IN A LOT OF WHAT
YOU HEARD ON PUBLIC COMMENT
EARLIER IN THE MEETING. IT IS
THE ABILITY TO ALLOW MUSICIANS
TO UTILIZE THE SPACE ADJACENT
TO THEIR VENUES A LITTLE MORE
EFFICIENTLY, RECOGNIZING THE
WORK THAT WE DO. WE WILL BE
WORKING WITH THE OTHERS ON
THOSE BLOCKS AND IN THOSE AREAS
TO MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING
WITH EVERYBODY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT SUMMARY.
YOU MIGHT HAVE SAID THIS BUT I
UNDERSTAND THAT THE ANNUAL FEE
COST $250 AND IT WOULD
AUTHORIZE EACH VENUE TO APPLY
FOR UP TO THREE SPACES BUT THAT
WOULD DEPEND ON THE USES OF THE
BLOCK AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY
ARE DOABLE AND WHATEVER THEIR
NEEDS ARE AND ALSO THAT PARKING
AND LOADING IS ALLOWED 24 HOURS
A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AS
LONG AS A VALID PERMIT IS
DISPLAYED IN THE VEHICLE. MUST
SAY THAT -- THAT IS THE BASIC
PROGRAM. I WILL PROVIDE A
LITTLE MORE BACKGROUND. COUNCIL
HAD PROVIDED SDOT WITH THE
AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH CURB USE
ZONES THIS LIVES IN THE SECTION
OF OUR MUNICIPAL CODE 112-3440,
ZONES FOR THINGS LIKE TAXICABS,
OFFICIAL CAREER VEHICLES ,
MOVING MORE LOADING DISABLED
PERSONS, CURB SPACE PARKING
INCLUDING NO PARKING ZONES,
SERVICE PARKING, CARPOOL
PARKING, CAR SHARE PARKING,
FOOD VEHICLES, VENDING UNITS
AND OUR RESTRICTIVE PARKING
ZONES OR THE PROGRAM WHICH
EXISTS ALL OVER THE CITY. THEN,
DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE CITY
TURNED ON A DIME AND ALLOWED
FOR IT TO BE BUILT TO SUSTAIN
THE BUSINESS OF RESTAURANTS
DURING THE PANDEMIC AND MANY
PEOPLE THINK THAT HAS
ENLIGHTENED OUR BUSINESS
DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
I MENTIONED THIS, AND THANK YOU
FOR INCLUDING THIS IN THE MEMO,
TO NOTE THAT WE HAVE ALLOWED
FOR PRIORITIZED PARKING AND
ALSO TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE
IS FIERCE COMPETITION FOR
CURBSIDE SPACE. DURING LAST
MEETING'S DISCUSSION, I HEARD
QUESTIONS ABOUT TAKING UP
VALUABLE SPACE 24/7 AND ONE OF
OUR COMMENTERS TO COMMENT ON
THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT JUST
TALKING ABOUT THE HOURS OF THE
SHOW, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE
FACT THAT -- I DID NOT REALIZE
THAT MUSICIANS SHOW UP HOURS IN
ADVANCE TO UNLOAD, AS DO OTHER
CREWMEMBERS. BUT, FOLLOWING
THAT DISCUSSION, I DID ASK SDOT
TO MAKE SURE THAT NEIGHBORHOOD
CHAMBERS AND ALSO B.I.A.S
ACROSS THE CITY WERE AWARE OF
THIS LEGISLATION. SOMETIMES ONE
IS SO IN THE WEEDS OF
DEVELOPING A PROGRAM THAT IT
TAKES SOMEBODY ELSE PUSHING TO
SAY, ARE YOU SURE THAT FOLKS
KNOW ABOUT THIS? IN THE
INTERVENING TIME, SDOT HAS GONE
INTO AN EXTENSIVE OUTREACH
PROJECT. THEY TRIED TO CONTACT
A WHOLE LIST OF BUSINESSES AND
BUSINESS DISTRICTS AND THERE
ARE MANY LINES ON THE EXPEL --
EXCEL SHEET LONG. THE BUSINESS
HAS BEEN CONDUCTED. THANK YOU
FOR DOING THAT. ALSO, I WANT TO
POINT OUT WHAT I THINK IS
REALLY IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE
THAT JUST BECAUSE THIS
LEGISLATION AUTHORIZES SDOT TO
CREATE THIS PROGRAM AND
EVENTUALLY ISSUE THESE PERMITS,
IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY WILL DO
SO FOR ALL OF THE 33 OR 32
VENUES THAT HAVE BEEN
IDENTIFIED AS CURRENTLY MEETING
THAT CRITERIA OF HOSTING A LIVE
SHOW TWO NIGHTS A WEEK AND
CHARGING FOR ADMISSION. THAT IS
ONLY THE FIRST STEP IN MEETING
THE CRITERIA. THEN IT IS
UNDERSTOOD THAT SDOT WILL
CONDUCT A PROPER OUTREACH AND
ANALYSIS OF COMPETING USES ON
THAT BLOCK . JUST TO BE SURE, I
HAVE AN AMENDMENT. AS A
SPONSOR, I WILL MOVE THAT
AMENDMENT AND THEN WE CAN
CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT THIS.
SO, FIRST, WE HAVE TO MOVE THE
ACTUAL LEGISLATION. I'M OF THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF
COUNCIL BILL 120827 .
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT HAS
BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. I MOVE
THAT AMENDMENT 12 COUNCIL
120827 AND PRESENT ON THE
AGENDA BE ADOPTED.
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT HAS
BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
EDMUND -- ADOPT AMENDMENT ONE
IS PRESENT ON THE AGENDA. WITH
ALL OF THAT, CALVIN, CAN YOU
PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT THE
SENTIMENT DOES?
>> SURE. YOUR AMENDMENT WOULD
ADD A SECTION TO THE
LEGISLATION THAT DIRECTS THE
DEPARTMENT TO ENGAGE IN
ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNERS WHEN
THEY ARE IMPLEMENTING THE MUSIC
VENUES ZONE TO MAKE SURE THAT
THEY ARE BALANCING THE NEEDS OF
OTHER CURB USES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. I AM WONDERING IF --
YOU KNOW, WHILE GENERALLY
SUPPORTIVE -- LET ME START
THERE. I KNOW SOMETIMES THERE
ARE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
WHEN WE DO THINGS. IS THERE A
POINT IN TIME WHEN WE CAN
REEVALUATE AND GET AN UPDATE ON
HOW THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO
MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT
EXPERIENCING THOSE UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES?
>> THERE IS NO, TO MY
KNOWLEDGE, POINT IN THE
LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW WHERE
THAT REPORTING IS REQUIRED. YOU
ARE WELCOME TO BRING AN
AMENDMENT IF YOU LIKE OR YOU
CAN HAVE ON THE RECORD THAT YOU
ARE ASKING AND THEN BUG THEM
PERIODICALLY FOR THAT
INFORMATION IF YOU WOULD LIKE,
HAVE IT FUNNELED THROUGH THE
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE,
WHATEVER YOU PREFER.
>> I THINK I WOULD JUST LIKE TO
REQUEST SDOT TO GIVE UPDATES ON
HOW THIS IS GOING. IF WE ARE
HEARING THIS IS NOT WORKING FOR
THE ADJOINING BUSINESSES WERE
THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE LIVING
NEARBY, THAT WE CAN LOOK AT
THIS AGAIN.
>> THAT IS FAIR.
>> PRESUMING THAT COUNCIL
ADOPTS LEGISLATION, WE WILL
NEED TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS TO
PUT TOGETHER THE PERMIT ITSELF
BUT WILL REQUIRE THE PROCESS.
WE ARE NOT ISSUING UNTIL LATER
THIS YEAR, EARLY NEXT YEAR AND
THEN WE ARE HAPPY TO COME BACK
AND SHARE WITH YOU PROGRESS ON
HOW THINGS ARE GOING. IF THERE
ARE SPECIFIC CITY BLOCKS OR THE
LOCATIONS OR THINGS LIKE THAT
THAT APPROVING CHALLENGING OR
NOT, WE ARE HAPPY TO PROVIDE
THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD WELCOME
THAT AND I UNDERSTAND IN SOME
SPACES IT MAY BE STICKIER THAN
OTHERS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I THINK
THAT SATISFIES MY WANTING TO
MAKE SURE WE ARE GIVING THE
ATTENTION. I CAN FOLLOW-UP.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL NOTE THAT
AS CHAIR OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, THE LAST THING I
WANT IS A LOT OF NEGATIVE
IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES. I
TAKE IT AS MY MISSION TO
REPRESENT AND SUPPORT THEM.
THANK YOU.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. AS THE DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVE, THERE IS A LOT
LOCATED IN MY DISTRICT. I
DEFINITELY SUPPORT THE
AMENDMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO
HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS GOING
ON. THE IDEA -- WE HAVE BEEN
DOING A LOT OF THIS WITH MY OWN
OFFICE BECAUSE THESE THINGS ARE
HAPPENING ALL THE TIME
REGARDING CONFUSION OR
DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT PARKING.
SO, HAVING THIS KIND OF
DIALOGUE BETWEEN SDOT WITH THE
NEIGHBORING RESIDENTS AND
BUSINESSES -- WE HOPE FOR A
SMOOTH PLANTATION. AT THE END
OF THE DAY, WHAT WE DON'T WANT
IS THE POTENTIAL TO GO THE
OTHER WAY WITH BUSINESSES
SAYING -- THIS ENGAGEMENT BIAS
IS CRUCIAL.
>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO SAY ONE
MORE THING. THERE ARE A NUMBER
OF AMAZING LIVE MUSIC VENUES IN
THE DISTRICT AND PRESENT THAT I
VERY MUCH SUPPORT. I WOULD LOVE
TO SEE SOME LIKE THIS TO HELP
THOSE VENUES AND THEN THERE ARE
NEIGHBORING BUSINESSES. I AM
SEEING WHERE THERE MIGHT BE
THINGS -- A SUPER APPRECIATE
THAT SDOT WILL BE LOOKING AND
THANK YOU FOR THE AMENDMENT. WE
WILL MAKE SURE THE BUSINESSES
AND EVERYONE ELSE 'S NEEDS ARE
BEING TAKEN CARE OF. WE SUPPORT
LIVE MUSIC. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL
ON THE AMENDMENT?
>> KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> AYE.
>> NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> FIVE IN FAVOR, [ GUNSHOTS ]
OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES.
AMENDMENT ONE IS ADOPTED AND WE
NOW HAVE THE AMENDED
LEGIBEFORE US.
>> FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE GIVEN
SOME INFORMATION. ARE THERE ANY
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> I THINK THIS MERITS --
FIRST, I WILL SAY THAT WE TALK
A LOT ABOUT SUPPORTING THE
CREATIVE ECONOMY BUT WHAT DOES
THAT REALLY MEAN? WE LIVE IN A
STATE WHERE, PER THE WASHINGTON
STATE CONSTITUTION, WE ARE NOT
ALLOWED TO GIVE MONETARY
SUPPORT DIRECTLY TO PRIVATE
INTERESTS LIKE MUSICIANS OR
VENUES . SOMETIMES THE SUPPORT
THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS
HEARING FEEDBACK AND THEN
HELPING THEM TO OUR POLICIES
AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS
LEGISLATION SEEKS TO DO AND
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE COMMISSIONS
LIKE THE MUSIC COMMISSION AND
THE FILM COMMISSION, TO BRING
REALITY TO POLICYMAKERS SO THAT
WE CAN HELP THEM. THAT IS WHAT
THIS LEGISLATION SEEKS TO DO.
DON'T TAKE IT FROM ME. WE
HEARD SOME PUBLIC COMMENT
EARLIER AND I JUST WANTED TO
READ SOME OF THE EMAILS THAT
YOU MIGHT HAVE RECEIVED OR
MIGHT HAVE JUST COME TO ME.
LET'S START WITH THE MUSIC
COMMISSION. JASON SENT THIS
EMAIL. HAVING LISTENED TO AND
BEING PRESENT FOR THE LAST
COMMITTEE MEETING, HE IS
SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO THE
PARKING IMPACT ISSUE AND THE
COMMISSIONER NOTES IN THEIR
LETTER, QUOTE, AS
REPRESENTATIVES FROM SDOT
EXPLAINED IN THE PRESENTATION,
THEIR APPROACHES TO TAILOR
SPACES ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS
OF THE BLOCK AND CONVERSATION
WITH EACH VENUE A NEIGHBORING
BUSINESSES. IF THERE ARE
CONCERNS WERE PUSHBACK, IT
SHOULD BE NOTED WHETHER THEY
ACTUALLY HAVE VENUES IN THE
AREA. MUSIC VENUES ARE AN
ECONOMIC MULTIPLIER. INCREASING
REVENUES FOR NEIGHBORING
BUSINESSES AND SUPPORTING
INDUSTRY. AS SEATTLE STRUGGLES
TO RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC
AND BRING LIFE BACK TO ITS
URBAN CORE, SUPPORTING LIVE
MUSIC VENUES IS AN IMPORTANT
STRATEGY IN CULTIVATING A
TRADING ECOSYSTEM. THE SEATTLE
MUSIC COMMISSION URGES COUNCIL
TO PASS THE PARKING AND LOADING
ZONE PERMIT LEGISLATION. THAT
IS FROM THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF
THE MUSIC SCENE. HERE IS ONE
FROM DAVE DEER RIVER SAYING,
DEAR CITY COUNCIL. THIS IS DAVE
DEETER, FOUNDER OF TWO-TIME
GRAMMY LOSING NATIONAL ROCK AND
ROLL GROUP KNOWN AS THE
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA. I HAVE BEEN ENGAGED
IN ISSUES RELATED TO THE LOCAL
POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AROUND
MUSIC IN THE PAST AND THERE WAS
A WHOLE PARAGRAPH TALKING ABOUT
HIS ENGAGEMENT. I CURRENTLY
PLAY IN FOUR LOCAL BANDS AROUND
TOWN AND BEYOND. LOADING GEAR
IN AND OUT OF THESE VENUES IS
UNIVERSALLY A TREMENDOUS HASSLE
AND CREATES HAZARDS FOR BOTH
THE ARTIST AND THE COMMUNITY.
ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS
FRUSTRATION FOR ARTISTS OF
FINDING PLACES TO PARK AND THE
RISK OF THREAT OR THEFT IS --
PLEASE CONSIDER THE HAZARDS TO
PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS AND
OTHER MOTORISTS WHEN VEHICLES
INEVITABLY ARE DOUBLE PARKED,
PARKED IN CROSSWALKS AT
CORNERS, ET CETERA, TO ALLOW
LOAD IN AND LOAD OUT MUSICAL
GEAR. THE WORLD KNOW SEATTLE
FOR A FEW THINGS. COPY,
SOFTWARE, JET AIRPLANES AND
MUSIC. IT SEEMS THE LEAST WE
CAN DO IS MEET THE BASIC NEEDS
OF THOSE MAKING THIS GLOBALLY
IMPACTFUL MUSIC BY FACILITATING
SAFE AND CONVENIENT ACCESS TO
LOAD GEAR IN AND OUT OF
SIERRA'S CLUBS AND CONCERT
HALLS. THAT COVERS A LOT OF
POINTS AND I HAD NOT CONSIDERED
THE IMPACT TO OUR VISION ZERO
GOALS. HERE IS ANOTHER ONE. MY
NAME IS SEAN. I AM THE BRAND
DIRECTOR OF RAINIER BEER AND I
SUPPORT THE MENU -- MUSIC VENUE
ZONE. DESPITE THE ROLL OF ANY
VENUES AND SHAKING SEATTLE'S
IDENTITY AND CULTURE FOR
DECADES, THE FINANCIAL AND
LOGISTICAL BURDEN OF HOSTING
TOURING AT'S BALLS ON
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED VENUES.
LET'S SUPPORT OUR ARTISTS WITH
A SIMPLE LOW-COST SOLUTION,
THEN YOU LOAD ZONES. I AM OF
THE OPINION THERE IS NO REASON
NASHVILLE SHOULD GET MORE MUSIC
TOOLS -- TOURS. LET'S START
THAT JOURNEY OF MARKETING
SEATTLE AS A MUSIC CITY
BYPASSING THEN YOU LOAD
LEGISLATION. I WOULD ADD , TO
MARKET IT AS A MUSIC CITY WHERE
IT IS EASY TO FIND SAFE AND
CONVENIENT PARKING. ON AND ON
AND ON. I HAVE EMAILS GOING ON
AND ON AND ON. WE HAVE HEARD
FROM MUSICIANS, VENUE OWNERS,
ET CETERA AND I WOULD SIMPLY
ADD MY POINT THAT MUSICIANS AND
VENUES IN THIS TOWN NEED A
BREAK. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS
LEGISLATION.
>> GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER
KETTLE.
>> I DID NOT GET MY HAND UP
EARLY ENOUGH TO SPEAK BUT I WAS
LOOKING AT THE MAP AND
HIGHLIGHTING THE DISTRICT SEVEN
THAT I WAS REFERRING TO
EARLIER. ONE THING THAT STRIKES
ME AS THIS IS THE UNIQUENESS OF
SEATTLE, I OFTEN TALK ABOUT
HERE AT THE WATERFRONT OR IN
PARTS OF THE CITY, THE WATER
SPACE, THE BAY AND THEN HAVING
THE CASCADES ON ONE SIDE AND
THE OLYMPICS ON THE OTHER, NO
OTHER CITY HAS THAT. TO ADD --
LIKE, THE EVERGREEN NATURE OF
OUR CITY BETWEEN THE TREES AND
THE UNIQUE PARTS OF THE
COUNTRY. THOSE THINGS MAKE
SEATTLE UNIQUE. I HAD MY OWN
VERSION OF SEAN'S EMAIL. I WAS
GOING TO HIGHLIGHT IT BUT YOU
DID SO WELL FROM THE MUSIC
SCENE. THAT IS ANOTHER THING
THAT SEPARATES US OUT. SEAN
NOTES ABOUT NASHVILLE. WE CAN
GO TOE TO TOE. THAT IS ANOTHER
THING, THAT SEPARATES SEATTLE
FROM OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY. SHOULD BE EMBRACED AS
PART OF THE PACKAGE WHEN PEOPLE
COME NEAR OR FAR, WHETHER
THEY'RE COMING FROM ACROSS
LAKE WASHINGTON OR ACROSS THE
COUNTRY. I THINK WE SHOULD BE
PROMOTING THE MUSIC SCENE, AS
SEAN NOTED. WE SHOULD DO WHAT
WE CAN TO ENSURE THE VIABILITY
OF THE MUSIC SCENE HERE BECAUSE
IT IS SPECIAL. EVERY TIME WHEN
I AM DRIVING UP I-5 AND ALL OF
A SUDDEN SEATTLE IS THERE AND I
HEAR ONE OF THE BANDS THAT SEAN
NOTED FROM THE GRUNGE GENRE, IT
IS PART OF WHAT SEATTLE IS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. I AM
NOT SEEING ANY OTHER QUESTIONS
OR COMMENTS. I WILL SIMPLY SAY
IT HAS BEEN A LONG ROAD.
ANYWAY, THE POINT IS, YOU HAVE
BEEN AT THIS FOR A LONG TIME
AND I THINK THAT YOUR SUSTAINED
WORK ON THIS -- I GAVE IT A
LITTLE PUSH COMING IN AT THE
FINAL HOUR HERE BUT I THINK WE
ALL AGREE THAT THIS IS
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND TOOK A
LOT OF WORK AND THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR KEEPING YOUR EYE ON IT
ALL.
>> WITH THAT, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL THAT THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF
COUNCIL BILL 120827?
>> KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> SAKA?
>> ONE.
>> RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> MOTION CARRIES AND THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THAT
COUNCIL PASS THIS BILL WILL BE
CONSIDERED FOR FINAL
CONSIDERATION ON SEPTEMBER 24.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND
CONGRATULATIONS.
>> LET'S PROCEED TO THE NEXT
ITEM ON THE AGENDA. CLERK, CAN
YOU PLEASE READ AGENDA ITEM
THREE INTO THE RECORD?
>> THREE AND FOUR INTO THE
RECORD.
>> APPOINTMENT OF DENISE WELLS
AS MEMBER, CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION, FOR A TERM TO
DECEMBER 31, 2024. AND 03005,
REAPPOINTMENT OF DENISE WELLS
AS MEMBER, CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION, FOR A TERM TO
DECEMBER 31, 2027. BRIEFING,
DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WANT
TO NOTE THAT DENISE WELLS WAS
PLANNING ON JOINING BUT SHE IS
SICK . WE ARE JOINED BY FOLKS
THAT CAN REPRESENT HER WELL.
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY NAME
IS ANDREA SCHEELE. I AM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CIVIL
SERVICE COMMISSION.
>> SARAH BUTLER, OPERATIONS AND
POLICY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU ARE
WELCOME TO TAKE IT AWAY AND
PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU MUCH. AS HE
MENTIONED, UNFORTUNATELY,
DENISE WELLS, THE CANDIDATE I
AM HERE TO INTRODUCE WAS TOO
ILL TO BE WITH US TODAY BUT I
THINK SHE IS WATCHING ON THE
SEATTLE CHANNEL. I WILL FIRST
PROVIDE A VERY FAST REVIEW OF
THE WORK SHE HAS DONE FOR THIS
COMMISSION AND THEN I WILL
SPEAK TO THE INTRODUCTION OF
DENISE WELLS. THE CITY OF
SEATTLE ESTABLISHED A CIVIL
SERVICE TO ENSURE THAT HIRING
AND PROMOTION IN THE CITY IS
BASED ON AN EMPLOYEE'S MERIT,
THAT IT IS FAIR TO EMPLOYEES
AND PROVIDES VALUE TO TAXPAYERS
FOR CITY SERVICES. TODAY,
APPROXIMATELY 7000 CITY
EMPLOYEES ARE COVERED BY THE
CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM. MOST
REGULAR CITY EMPLOYEES ARE
MEMBERS AND THEY ARE SERVED BY
THE COMMISSIONER. SOME
CLASSIFICATIONS ARE EXEMPT FROM
THE CIVIL SERVICE INCLUDING
APPOINTED SERVICES AND ELECTED
POSITIONS SUCH AS THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S. AS WELL AS THE
ENTIRE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
THERE IS ALSO A SEVERAL MISSION
FOR SWORN FIREFIGHTERS AND
POLICE OFFICERS AND THAT IS
OVERSEEN BY A SEPARATE
COMMISSION. THE DUTIES OF THE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION ARE TO
HEAR EMPLOYEE APPEALS AND
RENDER DECISIONS ON DISCIPLINE.
THEY ONLY HEAR APPEALS OF
DEMOTIONS, SUSPENSION AND
TERMINATION AND THAT IS USUALLY
AN OUR TENTATIVE PATHWAY FOR
EMPLOYEES THAT ARE ALSO
REPRESENTED BY A UNION. THEY
CAN CHOOSE WHETHER TO PROCEED .
THE COMMISSION ALSO CONDUCTS
POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS. THEY
ARE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER
PROMOTIONS COMPLY WITH
SEATTLE'S MERIT-BASED
REQUIREMENTS. THE COMMISSION IS
ALSO ABLE TO MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS ON CITY
PERSONNEL SYSTEMS INCLUDING
POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
LEGISLATION RELATED TO THE CITY
'S PERSONNEL SYSTEM. THEY MAKE
THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS ON
OCCASION TO THE MAYOR AND/OR
THE CITY COUNCIL. THE CIVIL
SERVICE COMMISSION STAFF
PROVIDES TRAINING TO EMPLOYEE
GROUPS, DEPARTMENTAL
DECISION-MAKERS AND OTHER
AUDIENCES. I WILL TURN NOW TO
THE CANDIDATE. DENISE WELLS IS
THE CANDIDATE FOR CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION OR. THE POSITION
THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING HER
FOR TODAY AND YOU MAY CONSIDER
HER FOR HAS BEEN VACANT SINCE
MAY. IT IS A THREE-YEAR TERM
THAT IS SCHEDULED TO END AT THE
END OF THIS YEAR SO I VERY MUCH
APPRECIATE YOU CONSIDERING HER
FOR THE SHORT PERIOD AND ALSO
FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE NEXT
TERM. AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
THE COMMISSION, I AM PLEASED TO
SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF MS. WELLS,
HER APPOINTED TO THE POSITION
OF COMMISSIONER. THE
COMMISSION'S WORK IS GROUNDED
BY PRINCIPLES OF INTEGRITY
EQUITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN
THESE ARE VALUES THAT MS. WELLS
HAS IT SIMPLIFIED IN HER
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT. SHE
RECENTLY RETIRED AFTER 18 YEARS
AS AN ADVISOR AT THE SEATTLE
CENTER . DURING HER TENURE, SHE
HAD A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND
EXPERTISE, SERVING IN KEY ROLES
SUCH AS LEGISLATIVE LIAISON,
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OFFICER,
PRIVACY OFFICER AND RISK
MANAGER. HER CONTRIBUTIONS AS
THE SEATTLE CENTER'S
REPRESENTATIVE ON MANY
COMMUNITY BOARDS RELATED TO
TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY WERE
VALUABLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND
SHE WAS A TRUSTED AND RESPECTED
MEMBER OF THE DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE TEAM FOR MANY YEARS.
IN ADDITION TO THE IMPACTFUL
WORK AT SEATTLE CENTER, HER
CAREER HISTORY INCLUDES SERVICE
TO THE CITY OF BELLEVUE, THE
SEATTLE ANIMAL SHELTER AND THE
SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT. THROUGHOUT HER
CAREER, SHE HAS DEMONSTRATED
INTELLIGENCE, GOOD JUDGMENT AND
A DEEP COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC
SERVICE. THESE ARE QUALITIES
THAT ALIGN WITH VALUES OF THE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. WE AT
THE COMMISSION ARE HONORED BY
HER INTEREST IN SERVING THE
CITY OF SEATTLE AS
COMMISSIONER, EVEN INTO
RETIREMENT AND WE ARE CONFIDENT
THAT HER EXTENSIVE EXPERTISE
AND DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF CITY
OPERATIONS MAKE HER
WELL-QUALIFIED FOR THE SCHOOL.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY RECOMMEND MS.
WELLS FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE
ROLL. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR
TIME AND CONSIDERATION AND I
WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE ABOUT
THE COMMISSION OR ABOUT MS.
WELLS.
>> NO QUESTIONS.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. MS. WELLS
HAS BEEN SERVING SINCE MAY?
>> SHE HAS NOT BEEN SERVING
SINCE MAY. SHE HAS NOT SERVED
AT ALL. THE POSITION WE ARE
SEEKING TO FILL HAS BEEN VACANT
SINCE MAY. A COMMISSIONER NAMED
SHELLY McMILLAN HAD TO VACATE
THE POSITION FOR PERSONAL
REASONS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT
CLARIFICATION. COLLEAGUES,
THERE ARE ONLY THREE PEOPLE ON
THIS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
THERE IS ONE MAJOR APPOINTMENT
AND ANOTHER THAT IS EMPLOYEE
ELECTED. THERE IS A LOT OF
POWER CONDENSED IN THREE
POSITIONS AND THEY IMPACT
PEOPLE, OUR CITY EMPLOYEE'S
LIVES IN VARIOUS WAYS. THIS IS
AN IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT
CONFIRMATION AND PIECE OF
LEGISLATION BEFORE US. I POURED
OVER HER APPOINTMENT PACKET AND
WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING
ABLE TO INTERACT WITH HER LIVE
BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT IS NOT
POSSIBLE TODAY. I WILL SAY UPON
SEEING THAT SHE WORKED FOR
YEARS AND YEARS AT SEATTLE
CENTER, I HAPPEN TO HAVE
DIRECTOR FOSTER IN MY OFFICE
AND JUST BASICALLY SAID, DO YOU
KNOW THIS PERSON? HE SPOKE
EXTREMELY HIGHLY OF HER
DEDICATION AND IT IS CLEAR FROM
HER HISTORY, HAVING WORKED FOR
SO LONG BUT IN VARIOUS
CAPACITIES, SHE KNOWS
GOVERNMENT WORK PRETTY MUCH
INSIDE AND OUT, IT SEEMS LIKE.
I FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING
FORWARD WITH THIS AND I INVITE
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS BEFORE WE GET TO THE
MEAT OF MOVING AND VOTING.
>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT
YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY?
>> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU
SHARING DIRECTOR FOSTER'S
PERSPECTIVE. THAT IS NICE TO
HEAR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER
QUESTIONS, I MOVE THAT THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED
CONFIRMATIONS OF APPOINTMENT
03004 AND 03005. IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO CONFIRM APPOINTMENT
03004 AND 03005. WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> KETTLE?
>> AYE.
>> HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> SAKA?
>> AYE.
>> RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> NELSON?
>> ONE.
>> MOTION CARRIES IN THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION TO
CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENTS WILL
BE FORWARDED TO THE CITY
COUNCIL FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION
ON SEPTEMBER 24. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR COMING TODAY AND
CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ
OUR LAST ITEM INTO THE
APPOINTMENT OF MINA HASHEMI AS
RECORD?
>> SURE.
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE,
APPOINTMENT 02930, DIRECTOR OF
THE OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS. BRIEFING AND
DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
PATIENCE. YOU HAVE BEEN SITTING
BACK THERE FOR A LONG TIME. YOU
WATCHED EVERYTHING GET VOTED ON
BUT I JUST WANT TO EXPLAIN THAT
IT IS MY PRACTICE TO FINISH
BUSINESS THAT WE STARTED
PREVIOUSLY IN OTHER COMMITTEES
AND THEN THE SECOND PRIORITY IS
TO GET THROUGH FASTER THINGS
BEFORE SPENDING TIME ON LONGER
THINGS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
BEING HERE. I APPRECIATE THE
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS.
BEFORE WE GET INTO THE MEAT OF
YOUR RESPONSES, I WILL LET YOU
INTRODUCE YOURSELVES AND THEN
YOU MAY PROCEED WITH YOUR
PRESENTATION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE
APPRECIATE YOU HANDLING THE
SUBSEQUENT BUSINESS FIRST.
>> WE ARE HERE TODAY WITH THE
MAYOR'S NOMINEE FOR THE
DIRECTOR OF OFFICE AND
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. --
[INDISCERNIBLE - LOW VOLUME]
>> O.I.R. PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLL
IN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH
NEIGHBORING GOVERNMENTS. THAT
ALLOWS US TO AMPLIFY -- WE
COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED WITH
MAYOR BRUCE HARRELL'S NOMINEE.
>> THERE WE GO. I UNDERSTAND
EACH OF YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
TO ENGAGE WITH INTERIM DIRECTOR
OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
SHE HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH
EACH OF YOU, WITH OUR CITY
DEPARTMENT AND WITH
REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER
GOVERNMENTS. I KNOW SHE HAS
ALSO BEEN BUSY GEARING UP FOR
THE FORTHCOMING STATE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION, INCLUDING
STRATEGIC PLANNING ON A REFRESH
OF THE CITY STATE LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA. INTERIM DIRECTOR
HASHEMI BRINGS EXPERIENCE
COLLABORATING WITH VARIOUS
LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. SHE JOINS
US AFTER SEVERAL YEARS IN KING
COUNTY WHERE SHE WAS A PIVOTAL
MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE
CONSTANTINE LEADERSHIP STEAM,
FOSTERING RELATIONSHIP WITH
COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT. SHE ALSO
HAS STRONG TIES WITH STATE
LEGISLATORS, HAVING SERVED AS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSE
DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.
HER REPUTATION AS A
COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM
PROCEEDED HER WHEN WE WER
LOOKING OUR NEXT DIRECTOR
AND WE HEARD THIS AS A
CONSISTENT MESSAGE WHEN WE WERE
TALKING WITH HER FORMER
COLLEAGUES AND THOSE WHO KNOW
HER WORK. SHE HAS A CLEAR TRACK
RECORD OF NAVIGATING COMPLEX,
TRICKY INTERGOVERNMENTAL ISSUES
IN A MELODIC WAY THAT BRINGS
DIVERSE VOICES TO THE TABLE AND
ENSURES EVERYONE FEELS HURT.
DIRECTOR HASHEMI HAS BROUGHT
COMMUNITY SUPPORT. OUR TEAM
SPOKE WITH STATE LEGISLATORS,
TRIBAL PERMITS, REPRESENTATIVES
FROM BUSINESS AND OTHER
ASSOCIATIONS, ALL OF WHOM
STRONGLY SUPPORTED HER
NOMINATION. ALSO, HER STAFF AT
O.I.R. WORKED WITH HER IN HER
PREVIOUS CAPACITY IN THE COUNTY
AND COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE
ENTHUSIASTIC IN SUPPORTING HER
AS THE NEXT DIRECTOR. SHE IS A
NATURAL LEADER AT BRIDGING
CRITICAL DIVIDES AND WINDING
COMMON GROUND. AS I HAVE
PERSONALLY WORKED WITH HER, I
AM CONFIDENT IN HER ABILITIES
TOWARD SUCCESS. I WOULD LIKE TO
SAY BEYOND HER RESUME, HER
EXPERIENCE, HER SKILL, I HAVE
FOUND HER TO BE A STRONGLY
PROACTIVE PERSON WHO SEEKS TO
CREATE POSITIVE AND TANGIBLE
CHANGE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF
OUR CITY , GOVERNMENT, AND ITS
PEOPLE AND I THINK YOU WILL
FIND, AS I HAVE, THAT SHE DOES
IT WITH INTELLIGENCE, WITH
POSITIVITY AND WITH MUTUAL
RESPECT FOR ALL.
COUNCILMEMBERS, I GREATLY
APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION
OF THE MAYOR'S NOMINEE AND I
KNOW THE MAYOR DOES AS WELL.
WITH THAT, I WILL TURN THINGS
OVER TO MINA HASHEMI FOR HER
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU DEPUTY
MAYOR GREG WONG FOR YOUR KIND
REMARKS AND CONFIDENCE IN ME.
GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON AND OTHER
COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF ME. I
ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SUPPORT FOR ME PERSONALLY OVER
THESE LAST FOUR MONTHS AS WELL
AS YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE TEAM AT
O.I.R. AND OUR DIVERSE WORK
PORTFOLIO. I HOPE IN THIS SHORT
TIME THAT YOU HAVE KNOWN ME
THAT WE HAVE ALSO INTERESTED IN
CONFIDENCE. I AM SO EXCITED
ABOUT THIS POSITION. IT HAS
BEEN AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO
SERVE AS INTERIM DIRECTOR AND
TO USE MY PASSION AND EXPERTISE
TO BUILD THE INCREDIBLE TEAM OF
STAFF, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH
THE NEW COUNCIL AND TO SERVE
THE MAYOR AND OUR DEPARTMENTS
AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO PRODUCE
RESULTS FOR OUR CITY. WHILE I
HAVE DONE THIS TYPE OF WORK FOR
A WHILE, IT IS REWARDING TO
SERVE THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE,
THE CITY I CALL HOME IN
DISTRICT 3. I HAVE HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY DIRECTLY TO SERVE
ELECTED OFFICIALS AT THE STATE,
REGIONAL, AND LOCAL LEVEL
WORKING DIRECTLY FOR AN
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BODY.
IN EACH ROLL , I HAVE GAINED
VALUABLE PERSPECTIVE AND
DEMONSTRATED MY ABILITY WITH
PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE REGIONS,
BACKGROUNDS AND POLITICAL
IDEOLOGIES. I AM EXCITED TO USE
THIS EXPERIENCE TO HELP THE
COUNCIL ACHIEVE THEIR POLICIES
AND GOALS. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE
CITY IS MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN WE
ARE REGULAR AND COLLABORATIVE
DISCIPLINES IN CONVERSATIONS
WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS. THERE
ARE MANY AVENUES INCLUDING ON
THE GROUND LOBBYING, EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE CITY'S
PRIORITIES, ORGANIZED AND
COMPELLING FUNDING ACTS AND
REGULAR ENGAGEMENT. O.I.R.
PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLL
BUILDING AND STEWARDING
POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY AND
CONNECTING US WITH GOVERNMENT
PARTNERS AT THE REGIONAL,
STATE, FEDERAL, TRIBAL AND
INTERNATIONAL LEVEL AND OUR
WORK SPANS EVERY DEPARTMENT IN
THE CITY BUT WE CAN ONLY BE
SUCCESSFUL WHEN WE HAVE A
FOCUSED ORGANIZED AGENDA AND
PLAN, THE RIGHT TEAM IN PLACE
AND STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND
UNDERSTANDING OF OUR PARTNERS.
MOST RECENTLY IN MY ROLL AT
KING COUNTY, I WAS ALSO A
STAKEHOLDER SO I KNEW COMING IN
THAT I HAD A TALENTED STAFF,
SOME OF WHOM HAD SERVED
MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIONS. IT
HAS BEEN A MATTER OF HOW WE
ORGANIZE AND FOCUS MOVING
FORWARD ON ISSUES THAT ARE
IMPORTANT TO THE CITY TO ME AND
HOW WE EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE
WITH OUR GOVERNMENT PARTNERS.
MY VISION FOR O.I.R. IS ACTION
ORIENTED SO IT WAS IMPORTANT TO
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING ON DAY
ONE. IN THE FOUR MONTHS I HAVE
BEEN HERE, I HAVE FOCUSED ON
SETTING THE CITY UP FOR MORE
SUCCESS IN THE 2025 REGICIDE OF
SESSION BY WORKING CLOSELY WITH
THE COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVES
TO REDESIGN THE CITY STATE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO A SHORTER
AND MORE CONCISE DOCUMENT.
THIS, COUPLED WITH EARLIER
ENGAGEMENT WITH LEGISLATORS AND
STAKEHOLDERS WILL BE A KEY
COMPONENT TO OUR SUCCESS NEXT
SESSION. I HAVE ALSO PUT A
HEAVY EMPHASIS ON O.I.R.'S
CRITICAL ROLL IDENTIFYING
FUNDING SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS
OUR CITY'S BUDGET CRISIS. I
HAVE BEGUN MEETING WITH
PARTNERS , INNOVATION AND
PERFORMANCE ACROSS DEPARTMENTS
TO UNDERSTAND THE GRANTMAKING
PROCESS AND IDENTIFY SYSTEM
IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE
ARE KEEPING MORE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR FUNDING AND DELIVERING
COMPELLING ASKS. FINALLY, UNDER
MY LEADERSHIP, O.I.R. IS
TALKING MORE FREQUENTLY WITH
REGIONAL PARTNERS AND SEEKING
OPPORTUNITIES TO BETTER
COORDINATE ON STATE AND FEDERAL
ASKS ON POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND
APPLICATION OF THE REGIONAL
LEVEL. AS DIRECTOR OF O.I.R., I
WILL ALWAYS FIGHT FOR SEATTLE
TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND
YOU CAN COUNT ON O.I.R. FOR
FIERCE ADVOCACY , OPEN
COMMUNICATION, TRANSPARENCY AND
A DEEP UNDERSTANDING AND
RESPECT FOR THE INTRICACIES OF
THIS CITY AND OUR ELECTED
OFFICIALS AS WELL AS OUR
DIVERSE GOVERNMENT PARTNERS. I
AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE
COLLABORATION AS WE WORK AS ONE
OF SEATTLE AND I WANT TO THANK
YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME TODAY
AND CONSIDERATION OF MY
APPOINTMENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT
INTRODUCTION AND FOR LETTING US
KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT
YOURSELF THAT IS NOT COVERED IN
THE RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS. I
WOULD LIKE TO NOW OPEN IT UP TO
SEE IF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> THANK YOU. I WILL BE VERY
BRIEF. HAD A CHANCE TO MEET
WITH YOU AND TALK AND I AM VERY
EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE
WILL DO TOGETHER. I DON'T WANT
TO -- I WILL PROMOTE THAT YOU
DO LIVE IN DISTRICT 3 SO WE
WON'T ASK YOU WHO YOUR
FAVORITE COUNCILMEMBER IS BUT
-- JUST PLAYING. LOOKING
FORWARD TO ALL THE WORK WE ARE
DOING AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME
THAT YOU SPENT WITH OUR OFFICE.
I'M ASSUMING OTHER PEOPLE WILL
ASK US WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE
AND HOW CAN WE HELP INTEGRATE
THOSE WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS AND
THE EXECUTIVE AND ALL OF THE
PIECES THAT GO INTO THE
LEGISLATIVE SAUSAGE MAKING THAT
WILL HAPPEN IN JANUARY. I JUST
WANT TO THANK YOU AND I AM
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WORK DIR
FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND THANK
YOU FOR THE TERRIFIC LEVEL OF
ENGAGEMENT AND INITIAL
COLLABORATION THAT I HAVE HAD
DIRECTLY WITH YOU, THAT WE HAVE
HAD TOGETHER IN OUR RESPECTIVE
OFFICES AND, ALSO EXCITED TO
PARTNER TOGETHER TO LET US
CONTINUE THESE MOTIONS BUT, I
DO REALLY APPRECIATE THE
INITIAL COLLABORATION AND
WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER TOGETHER
TO ACHIEVE OUR SHARED GOALS IN
THE SO MANY THINGS. THIS IS A
REALLY IMPORTANT ROLL, ONE OF
THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE
FORTYSOMETHING EXECUTIVE
DEPARTMENTS. IT HIGHLIGHTS THE
IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS,
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING,
MAINTENANCE AND THE POTENTIAL
POWER THAT CAN UNLOCK TO
ACHIEVE ANY NUMBER OF THINGS.
ALSO, THIS ROLL IS -- ONE CAN
MAKE A VALID ARGUMENT THAT THIS
ROLL IS A MINI SECRETARY OF
STATE, IF YOU WILL. YOU ARE
PRINCIPALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR
DIRECTLY ENGAGING IN
REPRESENTING THE CITY'S
INTERESTS WITH OTHER
GOVERNMENTS. BECAUSE OF THE
STRONG DIPLOMATIC OVERLAY -- I
HEARD DEPUTY MAYOR WONG TALK
ABOUT DIPLOMACY IN TEEING THIS
UP TODAY. GIVEN THE DEMONIC
OVERLAY, I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO
BETTER UNDERSTAND YOUR
APPROACH, GENERALLY SPEAKING,
TO DIPLOMACY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION,
COUNCILMEMBER. I APPRECIATE
THAT. I APPRECIATE THE
COMPARISON TO A SECRETARY OF
STATE.
>> MINI.
>> I THINK THAT MY GENERAL
APPROACH HAS BEEN A CONSENSUS
BUILDER. THE WAY THAT I
APPROACH THIS IS TO MAKE MYSELF
AVAILABLE, ACTIVELY LISTEN, AND
TRY TO COME FROM A PLACE OF
YES. THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, I
HAVE HAD THE BENEFIT OF WORKING
FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF
ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM ALL OVER
THE STATE AND DIFFERENT
IDEOLOGIES AND IT HELPS ME
UNDERSTAND WHAT DRIVES PEOPLE.
I TRY TO FOCUS ON LISTENING AND
BUILDING CONSENSUS.
>> THAT IS GREAT. LISTENING
STARTS WITH LISTENING AND
UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE'S
INTERESTS IS CRITICALLY
IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ALL GET
HUNG UP ON I DON'T LIKE THIS
WORD ON A PAPER OR -- TAKE A
STEP BACK AND UNDERSTAND
PEOPLE'S UNDERLYING CONCERNS
AND YOU CAN ONLY DEDUCT FROM
LISTENING. ANYWAY, GREAT
ANSWER. MY SECOND AND FINAL
QUESTION FOR NOW IS, YOU HAVE
BEEN ENROLLED NOW IN THIS
INTERIM BASIS FOR ALMOST 4
MONTHS NOW. GREAT. DO YOU HAVE
ANY INITIAL OBSERVATIONS IN
TERMS OF THE WORK YOU AND THE
O.I.R. TEAM DOES? WITH RESPECT
TO POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR
LAUNCHING NEW STRATEGIC
INITIATIVES? YOU SHARED YOUR
VISION EARLIER, WHICH IS GREAT
BUT ARE THERE ANY POTENTIAL
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES YOU ARE
THINKING OF IN THIS ROLL? YOU
WOULD BE WORKING ON BEHALF OF
-- TO HELP ENACT THE POLICY
AGENDA OF OUR MAYOR AND THIS
COUNCIL . BUT, YOU HAVE A LOT
OF OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY TO
DO EXACTLY THAT. DO YOU HAVE
ANY INITIAL OBSERVATIONS BASED
ON YOUR FOUR MONTHS HERE ON ANY
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, SYSTEM
REFORMS TO HELP THE TEAM DO
BETTER AND DO MORE?
>> SURE. THANK YOU FOR THE
QUESTION. AS I SAID, I WAS A
STAKEHOLDER OF O.I.R. BEFORE I
CAME IN. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
TO OBSERVE THE TEAM. AND WE HAD
A STRONG TEAM COMING IN. ONE OF
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WE ARE
FACING IN OPPORTUNITIES IS BACK
TO THE BUDGET CRISIS. SEATTLE
HAS ALREADY DONE A REALLY GOOD
JOB OF APPLYING FOR STATE AND
ENTERAL GRANTS. THERE IS ALWAYS
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. ONE PLACE
I HAVE BEEN FOCUSING IS ON
DEVELOPING SOME SYSTEMS THAT
ARE COST DEPARTMENTAL AND SOME
SYSTEMS WITH OUR INNOVATION
PERFORMANCE TEAM. WE HAVE BEEN
LOOKING AT POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
FOR HOW DEPARTMENTS CAN WORK
BETTER AND MORE EFFECTIVELY
TOGETHER AND O.I.R. HAS A
STRONG ROLL IN DEVELOPING
COMPELLING CASES AND
MAINTAINING STRONG
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR ELECTED
OFFICIALS AT THE STATE AND
FEDERAL LEVEL SO THAT WE
UNDERSTAND THEIR PRIORITIES AND
WE CAN FIND ALIGNMENT WITH THE
CITY. ANOTHER AREA THAT I
TOUCHED ON WAS THE STATE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. BEFORE I
CAME TO SEATTLE, AS WELL AS IN
MY CONVERSATIONS SINCE I HAVE
BEEN HERE, I HAVE LEARNED THAT
WE COULD BE MORE CLEAR AND
CONCISE IN OUR COMMUNICATION
WITH LEGISLATORS. WE HAVE SPENT
A LOT OF TIME FOCUSING ON THE
STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
PROCESS AND WE HAVE BEEN SO
GRATEFUL FOR COUNCIL'S
WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE WITH US
ON THAT AND COLLABORATE .
>> THANK YOU.
>> THAT WAS ONE OF MY BANGING
MY FIST ON THE TABLE DEMANDS
WHEN I STARTED, WAS TO SHORTEN
THAT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
COLLEAGUES, WE MUST REMEMBER IT
WAS 16 PAGES LONG. IT READ AS A
WISH LIST. STAFFERS CAN'T READ
THAT. THIS IS A TOOL THAT YOU
CAN GIVE SOMEBODY AS YOU ARE
PASSING THEM IN THE HALL.
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
>> THANK YOU. WELCOME. WE
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
ASK QUESTIONS. WE MOVED TO
APPROVE YOU AS THE DIRECTOR. I
DO HAVE TWO QUESTIONS. THIS
GOES TO DEVELOPING THE STATE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, REALLY
PROMOTING OUR LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES IN ONE SEATTLE WAY.
THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN DO THIS
BETTER AND FORWARD. THIS IS
LIKE A CASE STUDY, IF YOU WILL.
AS CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE, SUCH AN IMPORTANT
OUR FRAMEWORK PLAN, A NOW. WITH
KEY PILLAR OF THAT PLAN IS
ENGAGING THE COUNTY AND STATE ,
PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES. FOR
EXAMPLE, THE COUNTY HAS PUBLIC
SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH
RESPONSIBILITIES AND THEN ON
THE STATE SIDE, THEY HAVE
MENTAL HEALTH. MANY TIMES, OUR
DOGS WERE LAST YEAR IN COLLEGE
FOOTBALL AND MENTAL HEALTH
STANDING. THE CAPACITY THAT
WOULD EQUATE COULD HAVE SUCH AN
DRAMATIC IMPACT ON OUR PUBLIC
SAFETY POSTURE BECAUSE YOU
CAN'T SEE PUBLIC SAFETY
WITHOUT PUBLIC HELP. WE NEED TO
ENGAGE. WITH THE RCW, THERE HAS
BEEN DIFFERENT LAWS AND
UPDATING THE PUBLIC SAFETY
ISSUES. THERE IS THE ISSUE AND
THE FIX WHICH BASICALLY TOOK
THE ISSUE AT THE FELONY COUNTY
LEVELLAND PUSHED IT TO A
MISDEMEANOR LEVEL . I HAVE NOT
SEEN A LOT OF FOLLOW ON PIECES
TO MAKE THAT TRANSITION BETTER.
OBVIOUSLY WE ARE WORKING,
INCLUDING RIGHT NOW IN COUNCIL.
WE NEED TO BE WORKING THESE
ISSUES AND THAT IS SOMETHING
THAT HAS BOTH A COUNTY AND A
STATE ISSUE. BASED ON SETTING
THE AGENDA AND HOW TO WORK IT
AND MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE, DO
YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT?
>> SURE. THANK YOU. I KNOW THIS
IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE TO
THE COUNCIL AS WELL AS YOUR
CONSTITUENTS AND THE RESIDENTS
IN SEATTLE. IT IS HELPFUL TO
HEAR ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT ARE
IMPORTANT . THIS IS AN
IMPORTANT ISSUE TO OTHER
LEGISLATORS AND STAKEHOLDERS
AROUND THE STATE. O.I.R. 'S
JOB THIS FALL IS TO COORDINATE
WITH THESE OTHER INTERESTED
PARTIES TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY
AND ALSO FIND WAYS THAT SEATTLE
CAN BE HELPFUL IN EXCEEDING OUR
SHARED GOALS, SPECIFICALLY
AROUND THESE ISSUES. WE HAVE
BEEN SEEKING TO COORDINATE NOW
WITH KING COUNTY AND TO OPEN UP
MORE COMMUNICATION AND FIND
THAT SHARED ALIGNMENT. THEY ARE
ALSO GOING TO THE LEGISLATIVE
GOAL SETTING RIGHT NOW BUT
THERE IS CERTAINLY A GROUP THAT
WILL BE COORDINATING WITH AS WE
APPROACH THE SESSION. SEATTLE
HAS OUR OWN UNIQUE NEEDS AND
PRIORITY. WHILE THERE WILL BE
SOME COORDINATION, OUR TEAM IS
PREPARED TO WORK ON THE COUNCIL
INTERESTS REGARDLESS OF THE
COUNTY'S POSITION. LEGISLATIVE
COMMITTEE DAYS IS IN DECEMBER,
LATE THIS YEAR. THAT IS THE
TIME WHEN THE LEGISLATOR COMES
TOGETHER TO SET THEIR OWN
AGENDAS AND THAT IS WHEN WE
WILL KNOW THE FINAL COMMITTEE
MAKE UP. WE ARE NOT WAITING FOR
THAT TO HAPPEN TO START TALKING
ABOUT THESE PRIORITIES. THAT
WILL BE A CRITICAL PIECE OF THE
TIMELINE. YOU CAN EXPECT TO
HEAR FROM O.I.R. THROUGHOUT THE
FALL WITH UPDATES ON THAT AND
OF COURSE , AS LONG AS YOU HAVE
US, WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE
OUR WEEKLY BRIEFINGS WITH
COUNCIL TO GIVE YOU AND THE
PUBLIC UPDATES ON THE
LEGISLATION AS WELL AS
OPERATING CHICKENS WITH YOUR
OFFICES INDIVIDUALLY ON YOUR
PERSONAL PRIORITIES.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. WE HAVE
THE SAME RESPONSIBILITY. WE DID
HAVE THAT MEETING AND
DISCUSSION WITH A NUMBER OF
COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES. ONE
WAS MISSING, MY COUNTERPART. I
DID MEET WITH THEM. AS I ASKED
THAT QUESTION, I AM REMINDED
THAT WE HAVE OUR
RESPONSIBILITIES. THAT IS
HELPFUL, IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU
ARE LOOKING TO DO. THE OTHER
QUESTION I HAVE COMES FROM MY
INTEREST IN INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS. IT IS ENGAGING IN A
WAY WITH THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY HERE. IT HAS NOT BEEN
PARTICULARLY AS STRONG AS IT
COULD BE. OVERALL, WE COULD DO
MORE. I MET WITH THE COUNCIL
GENERALS OF INDIA, SOUTH KOREA
LAST WEEK AND ANY
REPRESENTATIVE FROM TAIWAN.
THESE THINGS HAPPENED PARTLY
BECAUSE OF MY OWN INTEREST AND
I KNOW WE HAVE A COMMISSION BUT
WHAT CAN WE DO TO BETTER
FACILITATE THE LINKING OF
SEATTLE TO THE WORLD IN THE
WORLD BACK TO SEATTLE?
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE
QUESTION. WE HAD APPRECIATED
YOUR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM.
WE HAVE GOT A DIRECTOR -- WE
HAVE TWO POSITIONS IN THAT.
THERE IS CERTAINLY MORE THAT WE
COULD DO. IT IS A BIG BODY OF
WORK TO THE POINT THAT I THINK
WE HAVE BEEN ACCEPTING MORE.
OUR TEAM HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT
WAYS THAT WE CAN ENGAGE IN
SISTER CITIES NEXT YEAR,
ESPECIALLY NOW THAT FOLKS ARE
BACK IN PERSON. IT HAS BEEN A
WHILE SINCE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE
TO BRING FOLKS IN AND DO SOME
NETWORKING. WE ARE LOOKING AT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE
IN-PERSON EVENTS NEXT YEAR,
ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THERE
WILL BE SOME BUDGET CHALLENGES
THAT MIGHT MAKE IT MORE
DIFFICULT FOR US TO DO
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL. WE ARE
TRYING TO LOOK AT WAYS TO FIND
WAYS TO GET BACK HERE AT HOME.
I WOULD WELCOME YOUR IDEAS AND
FEEDBACK AND PROBABLY WILL WE
BE REACHING OUT VERY SOON TO
SET UP SOME TIME TO MEET WITH
YOU AND HEAR SOME OF YOUR IDEAS
TOO.
>> THANK YOU. I AM A LITTLE
DISMAYED THAT WE CAN'T HAVE A
SISTER CITY IN ENGLAND LIKE
MANCHESTER. THE FACT THAT I AM
FIRST-GENERATION FROM
MANCHESTER HAS NOTHING TO DO
WITH THAT. STRIKE IT FROM THE
RECORD.
>> SO NOTED.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION.
>> ONE YOU NOTED IN YOUR
COMMENTS AND YOUR RESPONSES TO
THE WRITTEN QUESTIONS IS ONE OF
THE GREATEST CHALLENGES AND
OPPORTUNITIES, GETTING SEATTLE
MONEY FOR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECTS. I COMPLETELY AGREE. I
HAVE THREE STAFFERS IN MY
OFFICE WHO ALL WORK IN OLYMPIA
AND THEY REMIND ME THAT THE
CAPITAL BUDGET IS ONE OF THE
MOST BIPARTISAN THINGS THAT
OLYMPIA DOES. THEREFORE, IT IS
IMPORTANT TO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS
WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE AISLE.
THEN, THE FIRST QUESTION THAT
YOU RECEIVE DOES SAY, HOW CAN
YOU BRING YOUR EXPERIENCE TO
BEAR ON THE NEED TO WORK WITH
THOSE PARTIES? I NOTE THAT IN
ONE OF THE PARAGRAPHS, I HAVE
WORKED CLOSELY AND EFFECTIVELY
WITH MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE
LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS FRESHMEN
FROM URBAN AND RURAL DISTRICTS
AND MEMBERS WHO IDENTIFY AS
PROGRESSIVES AS WELL AS MEMBERS
WHO IDENTIFY AS MODERATES.
PERIOD. I AM REALLY HOPING THAT
YOU HAVE ALSO HAD EXPERIENCE
WORKING WITH REPUBLICANS AND
CONSERVATIVES BECAUSE THAT WILL
BE IMPORTANT FOR GETTING US THE
DOLLARS. CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE
BIT TO THAT?
>> SURE. THANK YOU. SINCE THE
TIME I HAVE BEEN WITH THE HOUSE
DEMOCRATS, I SERVED KING COUNTY
FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND I PRIDE
MYSELF ON THE EXPERIENCE THAT I
EARNED THAT WORKING WITH
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ON
THE COUNTY COUNCIL. THERE WAS A
NUMBER OF TALENTS THAT THE
COUNTY -- CHALLENGES THAT THE
COUNTY WAS FACING AND IT WAS
IMPORTANT WE WERE HEARING FROM
BOTH PARTIES. THERE WERE
MULTIPLE EXAMPLES OF TIMES THAT
I WORKED WITH A REPUBLICAN
COUNCILMEMBER TO HELP THEM GET
THERE LEGISLATION THROUGH THE
COUNCIL AND TO GAIN EXECUTIVE
SUPPORT AS WELL AS WORKING WITH
THEM TO GAIN THEIR SUPPORT OF
THE EXECUTIVE POLICIES. I THINK
IT COMES BACK TO BEING A
CONSENSUS BUILDER AND MAKING
SURE IT WAS A REALLY COMPELLING
ASK. I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY
TIME IN OLYMPIA THAT SOMETIMES
IT IS HARD TO EVEN GET A
MEETING WITH REPUBLICANS WHEN
YOU ARE REPRESENTING THE CITY
OR KING COUNTY BUT IT NEVER
STOPPED OUR TEAM. WE ARE VERY
PERSISTENT AND I THINK THAT THE
RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH
THE KEY MEMBERS OF THE BUDGET
COMMITTEES WILL GO A LONG WAY
FOR US THIS SESSION. I AM
CONFIDENT THAT MY TEAM AND I
HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS TO
CHAMPION SEATTLE'S CAPITAL
NEEDS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I FORGET
SOMETIMES THAT THE COUNTY IS
STILL PARTISAN.
>> RIGHT?
>> NO PARTISAN BUT THERE ARE
MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES.
>> WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN
NONPARTISAN, THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
>> YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. WE
HAVE A REPRESENTATION TO FIGHT
IN A WAY, IN OLYMPIA. BY THAT,
WE HAVE A REPUTATION THAT
PRECEDES US AS BEING NOT
NECESSARILY COLLABORATIVE
ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL BOARD
AND WHEN IT COMES TO ASKING FOR
REFILLS. I APPRECIATE THAT
RESPONSE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
DAN THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE
TIME A FEW WEEKS AGO TO MEET TO
ANSWER A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS
THERE. I REALLY ENJOYED OUR
CONVERSATIONS. I WANTED TO SAY
THAT ON THE RECORD. LIKE
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE , I WILL
RAISE AS WELL, JUST THE THINGS
THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF
SEATTLE, THINGS IN THE
EDUCATION. SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS ARE STRUGGLING. WE HAVE
CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE VERY UPSET
ABOUT THAT. THEN, WORKING ON
THAT. IN THE HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS BASE , AFFORDABLE
HOUSING IS HUGE IN SEATTLE. WE
HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE
UNHOUSED AND WE ARE TRYING VERY
DESPERATELY. WE KNOW IT IS --
NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE RAISE, IT
IS NOT ENOUGH. COUNCILMEMBER
RAISED US IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND
THE MENTAL HEALTH SPACE,
PARTICULARLY WITH CHILDREN,
MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE
RESOURCES TO ADD TO MEET THESE
NEEDS. THE FIGHTER, I DON'T
MIND THAT. I AM SCRAPPY. I AM
FROM A ROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD. I AM
OKAY WITH THAT BUT I AM ALSO
VERY COLLABORATIVE AND WE KNOW
THAT YOU CAN'T JUST BE
FIGHTING. YOU HAVE TO WORK
TOGETHER. THERE IS A LOT OF
COMPROMISE INVOLVED WHEN YOU
ARE TRYING TO GET SOMETHING
DONE FOR THE CITY. I VERY MUCH
APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR
EXPERIENCE IN THE SPACE. IT IS
OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO BE
COLLABORATIVE . WE KNOW THAT
THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPETING
NEEDS IN OTHER CITIES. WE
REALLY NEED SOMEONE WHO WILL BE
LASER FOCUSED AS WELL AS VERY
COLLABORATIVE AND WILLING TO
COMPROMISE WHERE NECESSARY BUT
NOT IN OTHER INSTANCES. IT IS A
BALANCING ACT SO I VERY MUCH
APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR
EXPERIENCE IN THAT REALM. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.
>> LET'S GET TO THE ELEPHANT
IN THE ROOM. MAYBE IT IS ONLY
AN ELEPHANT TO ME. YOU REPORT
TO THE MAYOR. YOU WILL BE THE
HEAD OF ONE OF THE EXECUTIVE
DEPARTMENTS. AT THE SAME TIME,
IT HAS BEEN THE CASE THAT THE
DIRECTOR OF O.I.R. ALSO
REPRESENTS THE POLICY POSITIONS
OF COUNCIL. NOT ONLY DO YOU
REPRESENT THAT BUT TWO BRANCHES
OF GOVERNMENT, AND I HAVE NINE
COUNCILMEMBERS TO SERVE AS
WELL. THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS
THAT AIM TO GET THIS BUT HAVE
YOU EVER HAD EXPERIENCE WHERE
-- LET'S NOT BE HYPOTHETICAL.
WE HAVE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT
SOME PUBLIC SAFETY THINGS.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA HAS
EXPRESSED INTEREST IN HAVING
SOME LAW CHANGED AROUND ANOTHER
PUBLIC SAFETY ITEM. WHAT WILL
HAPPEN IF THERE IS A BILL AND I
UNDERSTAND WHO YOU HAVE TO WORK
FOR. AT THE SAME TIME, HOW CAN
YOU HELP US TO NOTE IN YOUR
RESPONSE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. O.I.R. TAKES OUR
VERY UNIQUE ROLL OF REPORTING
TO THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL
VERY SERIOUSLY . THROUGHOUT OUR
HISTORY, THERE HAVE BEEN
EXAMPLES OF TIMES WHERE THE
EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNCIL OR AN
INDIVIDUAL COUNCILMEMBER HAS
HAD DIFFERING VIEWS. IT IS
SOMETHING THAT THE TEAM AT
O.I.R. THINKS ABOUT A LOT AND
WE TALK ABOUT A LOT . I SEE
O.I.R.'S ROLL AS PROVIDING
AVENUES FOR OUR ELECTED
OFFICIALS TO EXPRESS THEIR
VIEWS, WHETHER THEY ARE ALIGNED
OR DIFFERING. OUR OFFICIAL
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS A
DOCUMENT THAT THE MAYOR HAS
AGREED UPON BUT THAT IS NOT THE
ONLY LEGISLATION POLICY THAT
OUR TEAM WORKS ON IN OLYMPIA.
WE ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO SIGN
IN ON THE BILLS AND HAVE
CONVERSATIONS EVEN IF THEY
DON'T MAKE THE AGENDA.
FURTHERMORE, IF THERE IS A
PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT ONE
COUNCILMEMBER IS SUPPORTING, OR
MAYBE A FEW, EVEN IF IT IS NOT
OFFICIAL POLICY, OUR TEAM WANTS
TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY
REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CITY
ARE WELL POSITIONED AND
PREPARED TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE
TESTIMONY. WHETHER THAT IS
SITTING WITH YOU AND HELPING
YOU WRITE YOUR TESTIMONY OR
ROLL-PLAYING TESTIMONY,
PREPARING LETTERS IN OPPOSITION
OR SUPPORT , WE ARE AVAILABLE
TO DO ALL OF THAT. TO
ILLUSTRATE THAT WITH A COUPLE
OF EXAMPLES, LAST SESSION WHEN
COUNCILMEMBER WOO JOINED THE
LEGEND OF AGENDA , IT WAS
ALREADY SORT OF SET. SHE
EXPRESSED INTEREST IN
SUPPORTING THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION BILL. OUR TEAM
WORKED WITH HER TO HELP PREPARE
COMMENT AND TESTIMONY WITH
THAT. ANOTHER UNIQUE EXAMPLE IS
THE AWC WHICH STANDS FOR THE
ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON
CITIES WHICH SEATTLE IS A
MEMBER. COUNCILMEMBERS STRAUSS
AND MORALES ARE MEMBERS THERE
SO THEY OFTEN HAVE TO BE
PREPARED TO SPEAK ON ISSUES
THAT ARE AWC PRIORITIES BUT NOT
NECESSARILY PRIORITIES OF THE
CITY OF SEATTLE. WE TAKE A LOT
OF PRIDE IN BEING VERY
RESPONSIVE TO COUNCIL AND
MAKING SURE THAT THIS IS ABOUT
WHAT YOU NEED DURING THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL NOTE THAT
BECAUSE OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
WAS SO LONG AND CONTAINS SO
MUCH THAT I ABSTAINED THE PAST
FEW TIMES BECAUSE THERE WERE
THINGS IN THERE THAT I DID NOT
AGREE WITH AND I DID NOT WANT
TO HAVE MY NAME ON A PIECE OF
LEGISLATION ENDORSING A 16 PAGE
DOCUMENT THAT I DID NOT REALLY
READ. I APPRECIATE DIFFERENCES
OF OPINION. THE WAY SOME OF THE
THINGS I CAN THINK OF IS -- THE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS SIMPLY A
TEMPLATE, A GUIDE . THINGS COME
UP ALL THE TIME IN OLYMPIA. YOU
DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL BE LIVE.
YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON
THINGS THAT DON'T EVEN SEE THE
PRINT. I CAN JUST ANTICIPATE
THAT IF SOMETHING IS COMING UP
AND THE EXECUTIVE HAS A
POSITION ON A LIVE BILL THAT WE
DID NOT SEE COMING, WHEN YOU
PROVIDE THE BRIEFINGS ON MONDAY
MORNING, IF YOU COULD JUST BE
ARTICULATE ABOUT THAT, BE
TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE POSITION.
THEN, IF COUNCILMEMBERS DO NOT
AGREE, IF YOU'RE OPEN TO
LETTING THEM KNOW WHEN THERE
WILL BE A HEARING AND WHEN THEY
MIGHT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPRESS THEIR POSITION. THAT
WAY, WE KNOW WHERE THE
DIFFERENCES LIE.
>> SURE. YES. I WILL ADD THAT
THE SOFTWARE THAT WE USE TO
TRACK LEGISLATION, WE DO HAVE
THE ABILITY TO KEEP AN EYE ON
INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF POLICY AT
A TIME. WE CAN CONNECT WITH YOU
TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THAT
INFORMATION. I WILL NOTE FROM
MY COLLEAGUES THAT EVERY SINGLE
DEPARTMENT HAS A LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA TOO. YOU ARE TRACKING A
LOT MORE THAN WE KNOW RIGHT
NOW. I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT. ARE THERE ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS? OKAY. SEEING NONE,
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME
HERE AND WE ARE NOT VOTING
TODAY BUT WE WILL CONSIDER YOUR
APPOINTMENT AND A POSSIBLE VOTE
AT THE COMMITTEE MEETING ON THE
16th, IF I AM NOT MISTAKING.
CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM THAT?
>> YES. THAT IS CONFIRMED. THE
POSSIBLE VOTE WILL BE THIS
UPCOMING MONDAY, 9:30 A.M. AT
THE SPECIAL GOVERNMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> IF THERE IS NO OTHER
BUSINESS, THIS MEETING IS
ADJOURNED AT 3:51. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.