>>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
TODAY IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8,
2024 AND THIS IS THE MEETING OF
THE LIBRARIES, EDUCATION, AND
NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE . IT
WILL NOW COME TO ORDER. IT IS
9:32 AM AND I AM MARITZA
RIVERA, CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.
WILL THE CLERK CALLED THE ROLE
.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER WOO .
>> PRESENT .
>> COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH.
>> PRESENT .
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE .
>> PRESENT .
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA .
>> HERE .
>> MORALES .
>> HERE.
>>> THERE IS ONE ITEM ON THE
AGENDA . BEFORE WE GET INTO THE
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA, SINCE
THIS IS THE FIRST MEETING OF
THIS COMMITTEE I WANT TO SAY A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WORK THAT
THIS COMMITTEE WILL ADDRESS
THIS YEAR. THE LIBRARIES,
EDUCATION, AND NEIGHBORHOODS
COMMITTEE ARE THE WORK WHOSE
THE COMMITTEE WILL BE
ADDRESSING. LIBRARIES ARE ARE A
RESOURCE IN THE CITY NOT JUST
FOR THE BOOKS THEY PROVIDE BUT
MORE AND MORE THEY PROVIDE A
COMMUNITY SPACE FOR RESIDENTS
INCLUDING YOUTH AND SENIORS.
AS WE MOVE TOWARDS RECEIVING
LITERATURE IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT
IT PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE IN
BRINGING ACCESS TO THE
COMMUNITY. THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING
ADMINISTERS THE FAMILY
EDUCATION LEVY THAT IS UP FOR
RENEWAL NEXT YEAR AND PROVIDES
-- THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDE
SUPPORTS TO SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN
FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH OUR
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, K-12 AND
INTO COLLEGE VIA THE SEATTLE
PROMISE PROGRAM. OF THE OFFICE
OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
AFFAIRS DIVIDES SUPPORT TO THE
DIVERSE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES
IN THE CITY PROVIDING LANGUAGE
ACCESS SUPPORTS AMONG OTHER
SERVICES. THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS , WHO WE WILL
HEAR FROM TODAY, ADMINISTERS
SAID THE EXTENT EXTENSIVE
GARDENING PROGRAM, THE
NEIGHBORHOOD MARCHING PLAN AND
THE HISTORIC RESERVATION WORK.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
MY COLLEAGUES AND TO HEAR MORE
ABOUT THE WORK OF THE
DEPARTMENTS IN THE FUTURE
MONTHS. IF THERE ARE NO
OBJECTIONS, THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTIONS
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. IT WITH
THAT WE WILL OPEN THE HYBRID
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. PUBLIC
COMMENTS SHOULD RELATE TO THE
ITEM ON TODAY'S AGENDA OR
WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THIS
COMMITTEE. CLERK, HOW MANY
SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP?
>> WE HAVE ONE IN PERSON
SPEAKER SIGNED UP AND KNOW
REMOTE SPEAKERS.
>> THANK YOU. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE
MODERATED IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER. EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE
TWO MINUTES. WHO WILL BE
CALLING ? SUSPECT I WILL BE
CALLING SPEAKERS BY NAME IN
ORDER OF WHICH THEY ARE
REGISTERED THROUGH THE COUNCIL
WEBSITE AND THE SIGN UP SHEET
IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND WE WILL
START WITH THE IN PERSON
SPEAKERS FIRST. IF YOU HAVE
NOT REGISTERED TO SPEAK BUT YOU
WOULD LIKE TO YOU CAN SIGN UP
BEFORE THE END OF THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD BY GOING TO THE
COUNCIL WEBSITE OR SIGNING UP
ON THE SIGN-UP SHEET NEAR THE
PUBLIC COMMENT MICROPHONE.
WHEN SPEAKING, PLEASE BEGIN BY
STATING YOUR NAME AND THE ITEM
THAT YOU ARE ADDRESSING ALL
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A TIME WHEN
10 SECONDS ARE LEFT ON YOUR
ALLOTTED TIME. IF SPEAKERS DO
NOT END THERE COMMENTS AT THE
END OF THE TIME PROVIDED THE
SPEAKER MICROPHONE WILL BE
MUTED TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
SPEAKER. AFTER YOU COMPLETE
YOUR COMMENT PLEASE DISCONNECT
FROM THE LINE IF YOU ARE
REMOTE. WE DON'T NEED THAT
TODAY. THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD IS NOW OPEN AND WE BEGIN
WITH THE FIRST SPEAKER ON THE
LIST. THE FIRST SPEAKER FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT IN PERSON IS
ALEX ZIMMERMAN.
>> MY NAME IS ALEXANDER
ZIMMERMAN. THE SITUATION IS [
INDISCERNABLE ]. 700,000
PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME POLITICAL
VIEW FOR 20 YEARS WITH THIS --
AND TIME AND TIME I NEVER HEAR
ONE MAN, FOR EXAMPLE, LET ME,
WHO SUPPORTS DONALD TRUMP. HOW
IS THIS POSSIBLE?
>> PLEASE SPEAK TO AN ITEM ON
TODAY'S AGENDA.
>> I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE
AGENDA. THIS IS ABOUT
NEIGHBORHOODS. FOR MANY
YEARS, I GO IN SCHOOL AND
EVERYWHERE AND THEY SAY I AM
BRAINWASHED. SO FOR MANY YEARS
I HAVE A SIMPLE PROPOSITION
FOR TO FREE AMERICA AND THE
CONSTITUTION. OPEN -- ONE DAY
PER WEEK SO PEOPLE ARE NOT
SCARED TO COME AND TALK ABOUT
EVERYTHING. ABOUT DIFFERENT
OPINIONS. IT IS VERY CRITICAL.
PEOPLE ARE SCARED TO COME HERE
AND COMMENT A DIFFERENT
OPINION. YOU NEED TO DO
SOMETHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THIS
LOOKS LIKE A GESTAPO
CONCENTRATION CAMP. WHAT ARE
YOU TALKING ABOUT? OPEN --
ROOM ONE DAY PER WEEK SO PEOPLE
CAN COME AND TALK WITHOUT
LIMITATION ABOUT ANYTHING.
THERE ARE TOO MANY PROBLEMS
RIGHT NOW. WE NEED TO BE ALL
UNDER THE CONSTITUTION AND
FREEDOM OF SPEECH. GOODBYE MY
FRIENDS.
>> IF THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL
PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP FOR
COMMENT WE WILL NOW PROCEED TO
OUR ITEM OF BUSINESS.
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ
ITEM 01 INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE,
BRIEFING PROVIDED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS FOR
BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
DIRECTOR CHAO AND DEPUTY
DIRECTOR READ. PLEASE COME TO
THE TABLE.
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELVES FOR
THE RECORD AND THEN YOU MAY
BEGIN YOUR PRESENTATION.,.
>> THANK YOU COUNSEL CHAIR
RIVERA. I AM JENIFER CHAO AND I
AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
>> I AM SAM REED AND I AM THE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
>> WE WILL HOLD -- UNTIL THE
AND. HELLO COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT
IS GREAT TO SEE ALL OF YOU.
ESPECIALLY IN THE CITY AND
THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO
INTRODUCE WHAT WE DO. JUST
ONE MOMENT AS WE PUT UP THE
PRESENTATION. IN ALIGNMENT
WITH THE MAYORS VISION OF ONE
SEATTLE, D.O.N., THE --
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS IS
THE HEART OF THE CITY. IT
PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN REALIZING
THE MAYORS COMMITMENT TO
CREATING AN CITY BY ENGAGING
ALL COMMUNITIES. OF FOSTERING
COLLABORATION AND ADDRESSING
HISTORICAL INEQUITIES. THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS WAS
CREATED FOR BUILDING AND
MAINTAINING RESILIENT
RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY.
THE DEPARTMENT WAS ESTABLISHED
IN 1991 TO INCREASE CIVIC
ENGAGEMENT AND ACCESS TO
GOVERNMENT. OVER THE YEARS THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS
HAS EVOLVED ADAPTING TO THE
NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY WITH AN
EMPHASIS ON RACIAL EQUITY AT
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT WHILE
STANDING FIRM ON WHY IT WAS
CREATED. ULTIMATELY THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS IS
A BRIDGEBUILDER TO CONNECT
NEIGHBORHOODS TO EACH OTHER AND
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES TO BUILD
THRIVING LIFE FOR SEATTLE
RESIDENTS. THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS HAS TWO GUIDING
PRINCIPLES THAT SERVE AS OUR
NORTHSTAR. CENTER RECENT
EQUITY AND INVEST IN THE POWER
OF COMMUNITY TO FORGE THEIR OWN
SOLUTIONS. THESE PRINCIPLES
ARE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH OUR
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD
CORE VALUES ARE GROUNDED IN
BUILDING COHESION AND INTERNAL
AND EXTERNAL ALIGNMENT THAT IS
CENTERED IN RELATIONSHIPS.
THESE CORE VALUES MAKE UP
D.O.N. ECOSYSTEM. A COMMUNITY
OF PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS THAT
LEANS ON AND THRIVES OFF OF
EACH OTHER AND IS BUILT ON OUR
PILLARS OF RELATIONSHIPS,
INVESTMENTS, AND CAPACITY
BUILDING. CULTIVATING AND
SUSTAINING RELATIONSHIPS IS
EMBEDDED IN OUR APPROACH TO
EVERYTHING WE DO. IT IS THE
FOUNDATION THAT ELSE TRUST AND
STRENGTHENS RELATIONSHIPS WITH
COMMUNITIES. INVESTMENTS
INCLUDE TIME AND RESOURCES IN
COMMUNITY LED SOLUTIONS TO
MAKE SURE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE
HISTORICALLY BEEN EXCLUDED HAVE
INPUT INTO CREATING SYSTEMIC
CHANGE. WE SUPPORT CAPACITY
BUILDING BY EMPOWERING
COMMUNITIES TO FORGE THEIR OWN
SOLUTIONS. EACH COMMUNITY IS
UNIQUE AND THEY KNOW WHAT THEY
NEED TO THRIVE. OUR VISION OF
ONE SEATTLE IS CELEBRATING
DIVERSITY, CONNECTING
COMMUNITIES TO EACH OTHER AND
BRIDGING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES.
OUR CORE VALUES AND
FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS ARE
EMBEDDED THROUGHOUT OUR
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AT
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND
INVESTMENTS. I AM EXCITED TO
HAND IT OVER TO SAM TO ENSURE
THE PHENOMENAL WORK OF OUR
STAFF AND IMPACT ON COMMUNITY.
THIS WILL BE HIGH LEVEL FOR
YOU TO GET A SENSE OF OUR
PROGRAMS AND A FULL DEPARTMENT
OVERVIEW WILL BE SHARED AFTER
THIS MEETING.
>> THANK YOU JENNIFER. YOUR CAR
FOR INVITING US HERE TODAY TO
SHARE OUR STORY. I HAVE BEEN
BLESSED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY
THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS FOR EIGHT YEARS.
I AM HAPPY TO --. AS I SPEAK
ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS I HOPE WHAT
RESONATES OF THE CORE VALUES
THAT JENNIFER HIGHLIGHTED AND
HOW THEY ARE REALLY
INTERSECTIONAL AND WOVEN
THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS. WE WILL
FOCUS FIRST ON OUR AREA OF
SERVICE AROUND IMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIPS. FIRST IS OUR
COMMUNITY GRANTS. COMMUNITY
GRANTS TEAMS SUPPORT
GRASSROOTS PROJECTS BY
PROVIDING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF
COMMUNITY DRIVEN PROJECTS WITH
AN EMPHASIS A PROJECTS
IMPACTING INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES. OUR FIRST IS THE
COMMUNITY MATCHING FUND. THAT
IS FOR PROJECTS DEVELOPED AND
IMPLEMENTED BY COMMUNITY
MEMBERS. SINCE ITS CREATION
MORE THAN 6000 COMMUNITY
PROJECTS THROUGHOUT SEATTLE
HAVE RECEIVED OVER $64 MILLION
IN FUNDING AND GENERATED AN
ADDITIONAL $72 MILLION FROM
COMMUNITY MATCH. OUR NEXT
PROGRAM IN THE COMMUNITY
GRANTS DIVISION IS THE FOOD
EQUITY FUND. THIS IS FUNDED BY
THE SWEETENED BEVERAGE TAX AND
CREATES COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO CREATE
AN EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE
FOOD SOURCE IN SEATTLE. IT
SUPPORTS WORK FOR THOSE THAT
EXPERIENCE FOOD EQUITIES THAT
INCLUDE BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND
OTHER COMMUNITIES. THOSE WITH
YOUTH AND ELDERS. IN 2023 THE
FOOD EQUITY FUND RECEIVED MORE
THAN $8.8 MILLION IN REQUEST
FROM COMMUNITY AND WE WERE ABLE
TO GRANT 2.8 MILLION IN
FUNDING. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE
CAPITAL PROJECTS OR PHYSICAL
IMPROVEMENTS LIKE GREEN
HOUSES, FARM IRRIGATION, AND
COMMERCIAL KITCHENS. COALITION
BUILDING TO ADVANCE FOOD
JUSTICE AND FOOD PROGRAMS FOR
ELDERS, SENIORS, AND YOUTH.
FOOD PANTRY AND MAIL SERVICES
AS WELL. JUST TO NAME A FEW.
OUR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES TEAM
IS COMPRISED OF TWO DIFFERENT
PROGRAMS. FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING
STRATEGIES FOR EQUITABLE
OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT TO
HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED AND
UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.
ONE HAS A MORE INTERNAL FOCUS
ON CITY DEPARTMENTS AND THAT IS
THE OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT
ADVISORS. ONE WITH A MORE
EXTERNAL FOCUS ON COMMUNITY AND
THAT IS THE COMMUNITY LIAISONS.
OUR COMMUNITY LIAISONS ARE
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS WHO ACT
AS ADVOCATES FROM HISTORICALLY
UNDERREPRESENTED AND
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. IS
INCLUDE IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR, SENIORS, YOUTH , PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES, PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND
MORE. COMMUNITY LIAISONS BRING
STRATEGY AROUND THE NEEDS AND
CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY AND
THE SUPPORT THESE PROJECTS
THROUGH LANGUAGE OUTREACH AND
ENGAGEMENT AND FACILITATION OF
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN A WAY
THAT IS MEANINGFUL, FAMILIAR,
AND RELATIONAL TO THEIR
COMMUNITIES. WE CURRENTLY WORK
WITH 49 COMMUNITY LIAISONS
REPRESENTING 25 LANGUAGES AND
MANY CULTURAL COMMUNITIES. THE
COMMUNITY LIAISON PROGRAM
PARTNERED WITH 11 DEPARTMENTS
ON 45 PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, AND
INITIATIVES. THESE RANGE FROM
TRANSPORTATION, UTILITIES,
FOOD JUSTICE, TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE, ECONOMIC RECOVERY,
EMERGENCY SUPPORT, COMMUNITY
SAFETY, AND MORE. THE NEXT
DIVISION IS OUR CIVIC
ENGAGEMENT DIVISION. OH, I AM
SORRY, I'M EAST MISSED THE
OUTREACH ENGAGEMENT ADVISORS.
THEY ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS
WHO COLLABORATE WITH AND ARE
FUNDED BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO
ASSIST THOSE DEPARTMENTS,
PRIMARILY SEATTLE DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC
UTILITIES IN DESIGNING AND
IMPLEMENTING EQUITABLE OUTREACH
AND ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE
CITY. THEIR ROLE IS NOT FOCUSED
ON PLANNING OUTREACH AND
ENGAGEMENT BUT THE FACILITY
CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN CITY
DEPARTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
DELETE FOCUS GROUPS AND
PROVIDE STRATEGIC PLANNING
SUPPORT WITH A FOCUS ON EQUITY.
OUR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TEAM
INCLUDES OUR PEOPLE'S ACADEMY
FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AS
WELL AS OUR PUBLIC
COMMISSIONS. OUR PEOPLE'S
ACADEMY FOR COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT HELPS EVERY DAY
PEOPLE LEARN HOW CITY
GOVERNMENT WORKS AND HOW THEY
CAN GET INVOLVED IN THAT IS NOT
AN EASY TASK. PROGRAM
PARTICIPANTS LEARN ACTION
ORIENTED -- INCLUDING
DECISION-MAKERS, LEVERAGING
RESOURCES AND ACCESSING LOCAL
GOVERNMENT FROM EXPERTS IN THE
FIELD. THE P.A.C.E. PROGRAM
SHIFTED TO COMMUNITY NEED AND
STARTED PARTNERING WITH
ORGANIZATIONS TO CO-CREATE AND
DEVELOP CURRICULUM TAILORED TO
THE RELEVANT ISSUES AND NEEDS
OF INDIGENOUS , BLACK, ASIAN
AND PACIFIC ISLANDER
COMMUNITIES AND MORE. IN THIS
NEW MODEL 44 COMMUNITY MEMBERS
HAVE COMPLETED THE TRAINING
EACH YEAR. IN TERMS OF OUR
COMMISSION THAT WE STAFF AND
FACILITATE, THE INDIGENOUS
ADVISORY COUNCIL IS A
CULTURALLY GROUNDED GROUP
REPRESENTING INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES THAT ACT AS A
TRUSTED ADVOCATE, ADVISOR, AND
CONNECTOR AMONG CITY PARTNERS
IMPACTING TRIBAL AND URBAN
COMMUNITIES. THE COUNCIL
DIRECTLY ADVISES ELECTED
OFFICIALS AND CITY DEPARTMENTS
ON POLICY BUDGETS, PROGRAMS,
SERVICES, AND PROJECTS DIRECTLY
INSPECTING INDIGENOUS
POPULATIONS INCLUDING AMERICAN
INDIAN AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN
PEOPLE. IN 2023 THE
INDIGENOUS ADVISORY COUNCIL
COLLABORATED WITH THE OFFICE OF
THE MAYOR AND OTHER TRIBAL
LEADERS TO HOST THE INAUGURAL
TRIBAL NATIONS SUMMIT. OUR
OTHER COMMISSIONS INCLUDE THE
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
COMMISSION WHICH IS AN
INDIVIDUAL COMMISSION CREATED
BY COUNSEL LEGISLATION TO
ADVISE CITY DEPARTMENTS ON
EQUITABLE OUTREACH AND
ENGAGEMENT PRACTICES. THE
SEATTLE RENTERS' COMMISSION
WAS ESTABLISHED TO REPRESENT
DIVERSE RENTER VOICES ACROSS
THE CITY AND THE PURPOSE IS TO
PROVIDE INFORMATION, ADVICE,
AND COUNSEL TO THE MAYOR, CITY
COUNCIL, REGARDING POLICIES
INVOLVING RENTERS. THIS
SEATTLE YOUTH COMMISSION IS A
GROUP OF TEENAGERS FROM ALL
OVER THE CITY APPOINTED BY THE
MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL TO
CONNECT YOUTH TO LOCAL ELECTED
OFFICIALS AND ADVISE AND CITY
POLICIES. THEY DISCUSS ISSUES
FACING SEATTLE YOUTH. OUR
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
COORDINATORS SERVE AS A DIRECT
RESOURCE AND LIAISON TO
COMMUNITY MEMBERS. MAKING IT
EASIER FOR RESIDENTS TO ENGAGE
IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND
BEYOND. THEY WORK TYLER SLEEP
TO FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS AND
COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY
MEMBERS AND COLLECT THEM --
CONNECT THEM TO THE WORK OF
THE CITY. IT CURRENTLY WE HAVE
FOUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
COORDINATORS COVERING THE CITY
ACED ON GEOGRAPHY. NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTHEAST, AND WITH
SEATTLE AS WELL AS SOUTH PARK.
IN THE FIRST 25 DAYS OF 2024,
OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
COORDINATORS PARTICIPATED IN
OVER 25 EVENTS . THEY ARE A
CONSISTENT ACCESS POINT AND
INVALUABLE RESOURCE TO PEOPLE
THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. OUR
COMMUNITY SAFETY PROGRAMS, WE
HOLD SEVERAL CONTRACTS AND
PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITY
SAFETY INCLUDING MANAGING THE
SOUTH PARK PUBLIC SAFETY
COORDINATOR, THE CHINATOWN
PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATOR AND
THE BALLARD PUBLIC SAFETY
COORDINATOR. THEY CREATE A
SYSTEM OF CONNECTING RESIDENCE,
BUSINESSES, AND CITY
DEPARTMENTS TO ADDRESS CRIME
AND THE PERCEPTION OF SAFETY IN
NEIGHBORHOODS. D.O.N. PROVIDES
FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO KEEPING
THE BEACH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE
FOR YOUTH. A1 TO REDUCE
VIOLENCE . EACH OF THESE
PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS ARE
FUNDED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE
BUT MANAGED BY COMMUNITY
PARTNERS. IN 2024 WE HOPE TO
PERFORM A COMPREHENSIVE
ANALYSIS OF THESE PROGRAMS THAT
WILL HELP US BUILD A STRATEGIC
PLAN AIMED AT CONNECTING THESE
PROGRAMS MORE CLOSELY TO ONE
ANOTHER AND BUILDING
PARTNERSHIPS WITH CITY
DEPARTMENTS TO CREATE A SHARED
VISION FOR HOW SAFETY DRIVEN
PROJECTS LIKE THIS CAN FUNCTION
AS A COLLECTIVE AND LEAD WITH
OUR SJ VALUES. I'M GOING TO
PAUSE. FOR A DRINK OF WATER.
OUR NEXT AREA OF SERVICE IS
AROUND COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS.
THE FIRST PROGRAM HERE IS THE
P-PATCH COMMUNITY GARDENING
PROGRAM. IT ENCOMPASSES 90
COMMUNITY MANAGED OPEN SPACES
ACROSS THE CITY. MORE THAN 3500
GARDENERS AND USE IT GARDENING
SPACE TO BUILD COMMUNITY
CONNECTIONS AND GROW ORGANIC
FOOD, FLOWERS, AND HERBS FOR
THEIR FAMILIES. ALL P-PATCH
GARDENS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
TO ENJOY AND USED AS COMMUNAL
SPACES, LEARNING AND IDEA
INCUBATORS AND VENDORS FOR
IMMUNITY GATHERINGS. ONE OF THE
CORE VALUES OF THE P-PATCH IS
TO SUPPORT LOW INCOME AND
UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.
IN 2023 42% OF GARDENERS WERE
ASSIGNED NEW GARDENS . THIS
POLICY PRIORITIZES THOSE
COMMUNITIES INCLUDING BLACK,
INDIGENOUS, LATINX, HISPANIC
AND HOUSEHOLDS MAKING BELOW
THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME,
IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES, PEOPLE
THAT NEEDS TO NEED TO GARDEN
IN A ACCESSIBLE RAISED BEDS AS
WELL AS YOUTH. 60 LOW-INCOME
FAMILIES RECEIVED ASSISTANCE
AND P-PATCH GARDENERS THAT
DONATED MORE THAN 33,000
POUNDS OF LOCAL ORGANIC
PRODUCE TO LOCAL PROGRAMS.
OUR HISTORY PRESERVATION
PROGRAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
DESIGNATION OF MORE THAN 480
LANDMARKS AS WELL AS EIGHT
HISTORIC DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT
SEATTLE. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT
BUT THAT ONLY COMPRISES .5% OF
THE CITY PARCELS. HISTORIC
DISTRICTS INCLUDE BALLARD
AVENUE LANDMARK STRICT,
COLUMBIA CITY DISTRICT , FORT
LAWTON , HARVARD ELMONT,
INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL REVIEW
DISTRICT, THE PIKE PLACE
MARKET HISTORICAL DISTRICT,
PIONEER SQUARE PRESERVATION
DISTRICT, AND SANDPOINT NAVAL
AIR STATION DISTRICT. THESE
DISTRICTS ARE ECONOMIC ASSETS
FOR THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE MANY
OF THEM CONTAIN HIGHER
RESIDENTIAL POPULATION AND HAVE
MORE JOBS IN SMALL AND NEW
BUSINESSES AS WELL AS A HIGHER
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN. BEYOND
THESE STRUCTURES AND THE
DISTRICTS AND THE ECONOMIC
INCENTIVES INVOLVED WITH
HISTORIC PRESERVATION WE
UNDERSTAND THAT PRESERVATION IS
ABOUT COMMUNITY, STORIES, AND
BELONGINGS. WHAT WE PRESERVE,
BE IT A BUILDING, A PARK, A
SIGN, OR A STORY SPEAKS TO OUR
COLLECTIVE IDENTITY AND SHARED
VALUES AS A CITY. OUR
DEPARTMENT PRIORITIZES
CULTIVATING PEOPLE CENTERED
PRESERVATION THAT IS
INCLUSIVE, COMMUNITY DRIVEN,
AND CENTERED IN VALUES AROUND
RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS
ALSO COORDINATE PUBLIC
INVOLVEMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
PLANS OF MAJOR INSTITUTIONS
INCLUDING HOSPITALS,
UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, AND
PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THESE
INSTITUTIONS REQUIRE
DEVELOPMENT PLANS TO ENSURE
EQUITABLE GROWTH AND THE
WELL-BEING OF SURROUNDING
COMMUNITIES. THE CITY APPOINTED
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES
THAT OVERSEE THIS WORK ARE
STAFFED AND SUPPORTED BY OUR
DEPARTMENT. THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOOD FACILITATES
INTERNAL CITYWIDE ENGAGEMENT
WITH THE CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT
ADVISORY GROUP. AS A RESPONSE
TO THE CID'S REQUEST FOR THE
CITY TO BE BETTER COORDINATED
IN SERVING THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD,
OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL
CAPACITY BUILDING STRATEGY IS
TO ADVANCE COORDINATED EFFORTS
THROUGH OUR RACIAL JUSTICE
FRAMEWORK. THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOOD CID COMMUNITY
CAPACITY BUILDING PORTFOLIO
INCLUDES CRITICAL MANAGEMENT
WITH THE CID COMMUNITIES,
LONG-TERM RACIAL JUSTICE
FRAMEWORK FOR STRATEGIC PROJECT
MANAGEMENT AND FACILITATION OF
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND
ENGAGEMENT FOR CITYWIDE
PLANNING INITIATIVES AND MAJOR
CAPITAL PROJECTS. CONTRACT
MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE FOR THE CID GROUP
LONG-TERM COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN
AND RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS AND
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THE
CID COMMUNITY BENEFITS LOCAL
WORK. IN 2022, THE CITY
ENACTED THE PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX
KNOWN AS THE JUMPSTART TAX.
THIS LEGISLATED APPAREL
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE
OVERSIGHT ON THE PROGRAM
SUPPORTED BY PAYROLL TAX
REVENUE AND WE MEASURED THE
IMPACT OF IT ON ECONOMIC
GROWTH. THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS OVERSEAS THIS
TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
LASTLY, GENERATIONAL WEALTH.
BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM
COMMUNITIES, THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS WAS GIFTED THE
GENERATIONAL WEALTH PROGRAM TO
DEVELOP COMMUNITIES CENTERED
PROGRAMS AIMED AT ADDRESSING
THE WEALTH GAP. WE HAVE BEEN
RESEARCHING, LEARNING, AND
REIMAGINING HOW TO COLLECTIVELY
ADVANCE COMMUNITY WEALTH
BUILDING STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT
THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF
BLACK , INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE
OF COLOR COMMUNITIES IN
SEATTLE. THIS IS CULMINATED IN
THE INVESTMENT OF $9 MILLION
IN PILOT PROJECTS. THE
IDENTIFICATIONS OF SIX
COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING
STRATEGIES TO ALIGN WITH
POLICIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF
A CITY COUNCIL COMMISSION TO
REPORT PROVIDING STRATEGIC
GUIDANCE ON HOW THE CITY CAN
ADDRESS THE WEALTH GAP. THE
NEXT PHASE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE GENERATIONAL WEALTH
STRATEGIES WILL GO TO THE
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
OUR DEPARTMENT AND THE OFFICE
OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARE
WORKING ON A TRANSITION AND
DEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT IS DUE TO
THE COUNCIL JUNE 2024.
>> NOW WE ALL HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A DEEP
BREATH AND PAUSE AND SAY THANK
YOU TO SAM FOR SHARING ALL OF
THE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR
PROGRAMS. I GAVE HIM THE
HEALTHY LIFTING. THANK YOU SAM
NOW THAT WE HAVE SHARED ABOUT
OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WITH
THE WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A
PREVIEW OF WHERE WE ARE HEADED
IN 2024. WE ARE EXPANDING OUR
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM TO
PRIORITIZE THE COMMUNITY
CONNECTIONS, LEADING WITH
SEATTLE'S INDIGENOUS AND
NATIVE COMMUNITIES. WE ARE
BUILDING A COMPREHENSIVE
INTERNAL DATA SYSTEM IN
CULTIVATING PARTNERSHIPS
BETWEEN THE CITY AND PRIVATE
PHILANTHROPY TWO MONTH --
MAXIMIZE THE WEALTH OF OUR
REGION IN SERVICE OF CREATING
EQUITY.
>> IN 2024 WE WILL BE
INVESTING IN A DEPARTMENT WIDE
DATA AND EVALUATION PROGRAM
THAT WILL ASSESS THE IMPACT OF
INVESTMENTS COMMUNITY
PRIORITIES. THE GOAL IS TO
DEFINE PROGRAM SUCCESS AND HOW
IT CONNECTS TO OUR OVERARCHING
VALUES. WE CREATE, AN TRUCKS
TO IDENTIFY WHERE OUR
INVESTMENTS DEMONSTRATE THE
STRONGEST RETURNS AND WHERE WE
CAN IMPROVE. IT ALSO CLEARLY
COMMUNICATES OUR VALUE AND
IMPACT BOTH INTERNALLY AND
EXTERNALLY. OUR P-PATCH
PROGRAM OFFERS US A DATA
BRIGHT SPOT THAT WE ARE USING
AS A MODEL. A 2018 RACIAL
EQUITY TOOLKIT ANALYSIS
REVEALED THAT MANY GARDENERS
RELY ON THEIR P-PATCH TO
REDUCE FOOD COST AND GROW FOOD
NOT AVAILABLE TO THEM. WE
KNEW THAT THE PROGRAM COULD
SERVE THOSE THAT ARE
CHRONICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED.
THE DATA CONTRIBUTED TO A
DECISION TO CREATE A
PROCEDURAL SHIFT THAT RESULTED
IN GARDEN SPACE ASSIGNMENT
GUIDELINES THAT PRIORITIZE
UNDERREPRESENTED POPULATIONS.
IF A PERSON FALLS INTO THAT
GROUP THEY MOVE UP THE ENTRY
LIST MORE QUICKLY.
IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES, PEOPLE
WHO NEED TO GARDEN IN A
ACCESSIBLE RAISED BEDS AS WELL
AS SENIORS, CHILDREN, AND
YOUTH. THE FIRST YEAR THIS
POLICY WAS IN PLACE 40% OF
PEOPLE PLACED IN GARDENS WERE
FROM THIS GROUP. IN 2022 THAT
NUMBER ROSE TO 62% . THIS
DECISION CREATED A METRIC OF
SUCCESS FOR THE PROGRAM THAT
WAS ROOTED IN OUR NORTHSTAR
AND HAS CONTRIBUTED TO MORE
DIVERSE GARDENS THROUGHOUT THE
COMMUNITY. WITH THIS FOCUS ON
DATA WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND FULLY
EMBRACE THAT OUR TRUE VALUE
LIES IN THE TRUSTED AND
RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE BUILD IN
COMMUNITY OVERTIME. THAT IS
THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT WE
DO AS A DEPARTMENT. TO TELL OUR
STORY THROUGH DATA WE NEED TO
BUILD STRATEGIES THAT MEASURE
THE INTRINSIC IMPACT OF OUR
WORK. HOW INDIVIDUALS AND
COMMUNITIES ARE TRANSFORMED
THROUGH OUR RELATIONSHIP. THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST, A
SENSE OF BELONGING. HOW ALL OF
THESE THINGS CONTRIBUTE TO
COMMUNITY MEMBER FEELING SEEN,
HEARD, EMPOWERED, AND ENGAGED
WITH THEIR COMMUNITY AND
GOVERNMENT.
>> IN CLOSING, WE WOULD NOT BE
THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS
IF WE DID NOT HAVE TESTIMONIES
FROM THE COMMUNITY AND CITY
DEPARTMENT PARTNERS. WE HAVE A
FEW TESTAMENTS OF OUR IMPACT
FROM COMMUNITY AND PARTNERS
THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO IMPART
WITH YOU. FROM ASIA TAIL FROM
THE INDIGENOUS ADVISORY
COUNCIL, "DON IS HOLDING
CRITICAL SPACE FOR COAST SALISH
AND URBAN NATIVE TRIBAL
MEMBERS TO COME TOGETHER TO
BUILD POLICIES THAT WILL
IMPACT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
CITYWIDE FOR THE BETTER THIS
IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE
STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND
SERVED COMMUNITIES AND BRING
THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES TO
AND FORM THEIR WORK. " BACK "
YOU HELP CREATE CAPACITY WITHIN
THE COMMUNITY SO THAT FOLKS
HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO GET
IMPORTANT THINGS DONE AND
CONTINUE ORGANIZING THEMSELVES
FOR THE LONG TERM."
>> AND FROM CHARITY RANGER, A
TANYA WOO GARDNER. êI HAVE
FRIEDREICH S ATAXIA. AS MY
DISABILITY PROGRESSES, MY
WORLD JUST GETS A LITTLE BIT
SMALLER. BEING PART OF THE
P-PATCH GARDENING COMMUNITY
HAS REALLY OPEN THINGS FOR ME.
I FEEL LIKE I CAN BE A VALUABLE
MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.
>> AND THIS IS FROM THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
D.O.N.'S VALUE LIES IN THEIR
COMMITMENT TO CENTERING
COMMUNITY AND BUILDING AND
SUSTAINING LONG-TERM
RELATIONSHIPS. WHEN SDOT
PARTNERS WITH D.O.N., WE FEEL
LIKE WE CAN SHOW UP AS ONE CITY
AND LEAN ON THE RELATIONSHIPS,
KNOWLEDGE, AND CONNECTIONS TO
BEGIN MOVING A PROJECT FORWARD.
>> WITH THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
UTILITIES, WE WERE TOLD , "OUR
PARTNERSHIP WITH D.O.N. HELPS
OUR TEAM SEE THINGS FROM A
BROADER COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE.
D.O.N. IS A GREAT CONNECTOR,
LEVERAGING THE RELATIONSHIPS
WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS AND
OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE
SURE SPU PROJECTS EXEMPLIFY A
ONE SEATTLE APPROACH."
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR
PRESENTATION. I HAVE A FEW
QUESTIONS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO
OPEN IT TO MY COLLEAGUES IF
THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS. I WELCOME THOSE NOW.
>> CAN I JUMP IN?
>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR AND SAM
FOR DOING THIS PRESENTATION. I
HAVE WORKED WITH YOU, DIRECTOR,
ON SOME PROJECTS AND I KNOW
THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS IS UNDER GREAT
LEADERSHIP. A COUPLE OF
COMMENTS. I JUST WANTED TO
COMMENT ON THE FOOD EQUITY FUND
THAT YOU ALL PROVIDE. JUST
BEING IN THE FOOD SPACE AND
SEEING THE IMPACT OF THAT
THROUGHOUT THE CITY HAS BEEN
PHENOMENAL, ESPECIALLY
PROGRAMS OUTSIDE THE FOOD BANK
SECTOR. THERE ARE FOOD BANKS
WITHIN SEATTLE THAT GET MONEY
DIRECTLY FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE AND
THERE ARE A LOT OF FOOD
PROGRAMS THAT ARE NOT
CLASSIFIED AS FOOD BANKS
BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BE
IN A CERTAIN CATEGORY WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND
THE U.S. AGRICULTURE. THEY
BENEFIT GREATLY FROM THIS
PROGRAM AND THEY DO VERY
INTENTIONAL PROGRAMMING SO I
JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT I
THINK IT IS A GREAT FUND THAT
YOU DO THAT. I ALSO LOVE THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS AS
WELL BECAUSE OF WE HAVE THE
TECHNICAL SIDE OF LAND USE AND
SDOT BUT I THINK, THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS ,
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BUILDING A
HOME, THAT IS WHAT YOU DO. THE
COMMUNITY IS BUILDING
INTENTIONAL SPACES AND HOMES.
I WANTED TO GIVE YOU ALL A
SHOUT OUT THAT I APPRECIATE
THAT. I ALSO APPRECIATE THE
PIECE ABOUT ADDRESSING THE
WEALTH GAP. THE AVERAGE INCOME
IS $40,000 AND THE AVERAGE
WEALTH FOR A BLACK FAMILY IS
$25,000. 50% OF BLACK HOMES
HAVE ZERO NET WORTH. SO TO BE
ABLE TO ADDRESS THE WEALTH GAP
IN THE CITY IS CRUCIAL AS WE
PUSH FORWARD WITH
INTENTIONALITY AND MAKING SURE
THAT IT IS AFFORDABLE AND
BUILDING GENERATIONAL WEALTH.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST I LOVE THAT
YOU ALL HAVE THE P-PATCH
PROGRAMS. THE AVERAGE FARMER
IN AMERICA IS 65. WE NEED TO
GET THE YOUNGER GENERATION
CONNECTED TO GROWING FOOD. THE
U.S. HAS TO -- OR THE ENTIRE
WORLD NEEDS TO GROW 50% MORE
FOOD BECAUSE WE ARE RUNNING LOW
ON FOOD SUPPLY SO WE NEED TO
FIGURE OUT HOW WE SHIFT LOCAL
FOOD RESOURCES. THERE ARE
FARMERS BUYING A LOT OF
PROPERTY IN THE YAKIMA VALLEY
TO GROW FOOD SO TO BE ABLE TO
LOCAL THAT -- LOCALLY DO THAT
IS IMPORTANT. SO WE NEED TO
HELP YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERSTAND
WHERE THE FOOD COMES FROM. I
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROGRAMS
THAT YOU ARE DOING. THEY ARE
DEFINITELY AN INVESTMENT. I
LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THIS
WITH YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE
WORK THAT YOU DO. I HAVE
WORKED WITH D.O.N. ON PROJECTS
INVOLVING COMMUNITY
PRESERVATION AND SEEING MANY
OF YOU ARE TEAM MEMBERS IN THE
COMMUNITY AND I APPRECIATE
EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. I AM
LOOKING FORWARD AND HONORED TO
SERVE WITH YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER
COUNCIL MEMBERS WISH TO SPEAK?
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR
THE PRESENTATION. YOU DO AN
AMAZING BREADTH OF WORK AND
IMPORTANT WORK. I LOOK FORWARD
TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU.
DO YOU OVERSEE THE FARMERS
MARKETS?
>> NO, WE DO NOT. I THINK
PEOPLE CONNECT US THAT WAY BUT
ACTUALLY THEY ARE THEIR OWN
BUSINESS ENTITY AND THEY ARE
MANAGED BY BUSINESS PERMITS SO
THEY WORK WITH PERMITTING. WE
WERE ASKED ABOUT THE FARMERS
MARKET AND HOW WE COULD PROVIDE
IT AND IT IS NOT PART OF
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS .
AT CITY HALL, THEY MANAGE THE
BUILDING SO THEY ARE CONNECTED
THAT WAY.
>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION TO
CLARIFY.
>> ACTUALLY THE OFFICE OF
ECONOMIC ENVELOPMENT PARTNERS
WITH THE FARMERS MARKETS
ACROSS THE CITY PROVIDE
PERMITTING AND OTHER SUPPORTS.
>> GREAT . I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> I DON'T HAVE QUESTIONS
BUT, I WANT TO BE A
CHEERLEADER FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE
WORK THAT YOU DO. IT IS
IMPORTANT WORK FOR OUR
COMMUNITIES. I THINK
PARTICULARLY THE ROLE THAT YOU
PLAY IN HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS
UNDERSTAND HOW GOVERNMENT
WORKS. BY BEING THAT LIAISON
BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS, BY
SUPPORTING FUNDING AND HELPING
COMMUNITIES WALKS OR WHAT THE
CITY PROCESSES ARE FOR GETTING
PROJECTS DONE WITH
NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING FUNDS.
IT IS A CRITICAL ROLE THAT
ALLOWS US TO WALK THE TALK
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT AND HELPING PEOPLE
UNDERSTAND HOW GOVERNMENT
WORKS. I SEE THIS AS A
CRITICAL DEPARTMENT AND I AM
REALLY EXCITED FOR YOU. THERE
IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO MAKE
SURE OUR NEIGHBORS GET THE
RESOURCES THEY NEED,
PARTICULARLY THE LANGUAGE
ACCESS RESOURCES SO THAT THEY
UNDERSTAND HOW TO ENGAGE WITH
US. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER
MORALES.
>> THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES
FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I DO HAVE
A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. IT IS
MORE ABOUT SPECIFICS ON THE
COMMUNITY SAFETY PROGRAM AND
YOU MENTIONED YOU ARE
PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITIES
AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE
DETAILS ABOUT THAT. IT IS HARD
TO KNOW WHAT THE SCOPE IS AND
WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE
GROUND. PUBLIC SAFETY IS
SOMETHING THAT WE ARE MANAGING
ACROSS THE CITY. I KNOW YOU
SAID YOU ARE DOING AN ANALYSIS
THIS YEAR SO WE WOULD LIKE TO
HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT IN A
FUTURE MEETING. IN GENERAL I
KNOW THAT YOU SUPPORT SOME OF
THE CITY -- THE PIECE ABOUT
MAJOR -- SOME OF THE
COMMUNITIES WOULD LOVE TO HEAR
HOW YOU PARTNER WITH MAJOR
INSTITUTIONS AND SCHOOLS ON
THAT WORK. THAT SOUNDS VERY
BROAD AS WELL AND I JUST WANT
TO KNOW WHAT IT IS SPECIFICALLY
THAT CITY GETS INVOLVED WITH IN
TERMS OF ITS MAJOR
INSTITUTIONS AND SCHOOLS. YOU
WOULD THINK THIS HAS A NEXUS TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE
ABOUT THAT. IN GENERAL, I
REALLY APPRECIATE, I KNOW MOST
OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE
P-PATCH GARDENS AND I KNOW THEY
ARE REALLY POPULAR IN DISTRICT
4. WE LOVE ALL OF THE
INTENTIONAL WORK THAT HAS GONE
ON TO MAKE -- TO ENSURE THAT
WE HAVE DIVERSITY AND ACCESS
IN THE RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
SPACE TO MAKE SURE THAT
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES CAN
PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM,
PARTICULARLY WITH THE COMMENTS
THAT COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH SAID ABOUT FOOD
INSECURITY AND NEEDING TO DO
MORE AND THEN YES, LET'S
FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET YOUNG
PEOPLE INVOLVED. I FEEL LIKE
THIS JUST ABOUT ANY JOB. WE
HAVE LABOR SHORTAGES IN MANY
INDUSTRIES AND I THINK IT IS
BECAUSE WE ARE NOT TAPPING
INTO YOUNG PEOPLE AND GETTING
THEM TO WANT TO DO THESE TYPES
OF JOBS. THANK YOU FOR THE
WORK THAT YOU DO. LET'S
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON
HOW WE CAN GET YOUNG PEOPLE
INVOLVED. PARTICULARLY IN
THINGS LIKE P-PATCH. I KNOW
SOME OF THOSE ARE RIGHT NEXT TO
SCHOOLS SO LET'S GET THOSE
STUDENTS WORKING WITH FOLKS IN
THE P-PATCHES . SINCE THERE
ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, WE
WILL ADJOURN THIS MEETING. YOU
CODE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS FOR THIS
PRESENTATION. WE APPRECIATE
YOUR TIME AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
TOGETHER WITH YOU. I ALSO WANT
TO SAY, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU
TO THE CITY CLERK OFFICE. THIS
IS MY FIRST MEETING. THANK YOU
FOR THE GRACE AS WE GOT
THROUGH THE MEETING AND THANK
YOU TO THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
CLERK FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR
OFFICE AND ALL OF THE OFFICES
THAT ARE NEW ON THE CITY
COUNCIL BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN
A GREAT RESOURCE AND GREAT
SUPPORT. SO I WANT TO GIVE
RECOGNITION TO THE CITY CLERK
OFFICE.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
AND MAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR
US TO BE THE FIRST. IT IS A
MILESTONE AND I THINK WE WILL
REMEMBER THAT WE ARE THE FIRST
DEPARTMENT TO BE ABLE TO
REPRESENT AND SHINE FOR YOU.
WE WOULD LOVE TO FOLLOW BACK UP
TO DO A SHARED TOUR OF OUR
ECOSYSTEMS SO THAT YOU CAN BE
OUT IN THE COMMUNITY WITH US,
MAY BE IS A FIELD TRIP TO SOME
OF OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
SO THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE
AND IT IS IN EACH OF YOUR
DISTRICTS SO WE WILL MAKE SURE
THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO
FOR EACH OF YOU.
>> I WOULD DEFINITELY WELCOME
THAT. EVERYONE IS NODDING SO
WE WILL DEFINITELY TAKE YOU UP
ON THAT MOVING FORWARD. THIS
CONCLUDES THE THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 8, 2024 MEETING. OF
THE LIBRARIES, EDUCATION, AND
NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE. THE
NEXT MEETING IS FEBRUARY 22,
2024 AT 9:30 AM. IF THERE IS
NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE
MEETING WILL ADJOURN. IT IS
10:17 AM AND THIS MEETING IS
ADJOURNED.