>> THE SELECT BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING WILL COME BACK ORDER. I
AM DAN STRAUSS , CHAIR OF THE
COMMITTEE. COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ
IS EXCUSED. CLERK, PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL.
>> HEALTH MEMBER SOLOMON? MEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON? COUNCILMEMBER RINCK ?
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA ?
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA ? CHAIR
STRAUSS LEXI SEVEN PRESENT .
>> THANK YOU, WE COME TOGETHER
TONIGHT TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING
ON TWO SEPARATE ITEMS. FIRST, WE
ARE GOING TO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC
HEARING ON THE MAJOR INSTITUTION
MASTERPLAN AND SCHOOL PROGRAM
BEING MOVED FROM DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS TO OP CD. CAN I
CONFIRM WITH THE CLERK, DO WE
HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP FOR THAT
PUBLIC HEARING?
>> AT THIS POINT WE DO NOT.
>> OKAY, SO WE ARE GOING TO MOVE
ON. I'M NOT GOING TO CLOSE THAT
ITEM COMPLETELY, SO THAT IF
SOMEBODY COMES UP WE CAN REOPEN
IT AT THE END. WITH THAT, WE ARE
MOVING ON TO ITEM TWO OF THE
AGENDA , WHICH IS THE PUBLIC
HEARING ON THE CITY BUDGET.
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT
TONIGHT. IT IS A BLUSTERY
EVENING, THE WEATHER IS NOT OUR
FRIEND . BUT WE ARE ALL TOGETHER
HERE TONIGHT AND WE ARE EXCITED
TO HEAR FROM YOU. WE ARE GOING
TO MOVE THROUGH THIS AS RAPIDLY
AS POSSIBLE , AND AS SLOWLY AS
NECESSARY TO HEAR FROM YOU. TO
HELP FACILITATE THAT, IF YOU
AGREE WITH SOMETHING, SNAPPING
THE FINGERS OR JAZZ HANDS HELPS
US HEAR THE MESSAGE OF THE
INDIVIDUAL AND CALL UP THE NEXT
NAME . WE'VE GOT THREE
MICROPHONES, I STRONGLY SUGGEST
THIS MIDDLE ONE . YOU ARE GOING
TO NEED TO ADJUST IT. IF YOU SEE
ME PLAYING WITH THE MICROPHONE,
THAT MEANS WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
WE ARE GOING TO CALL NAMES IN
SETS OF 10, SO THAT YOU CAN LINE
UP, SHOULD YOU PLEASE. AGAIN,
EITHER MICROPHONE WORKS. YOU
ALSO HAVE A NUMBER . IF YOU ARE
LEAVING EARLY, IF YOU COULD LET
SOMEBODY KNOW SO THAT WE KNOW TO
TAKE YOU OFF THE LIST. WE ARE
ALLOWING GROUP TESTIMONY TODAY.
SO IF YOU HAVE GROUPS OF THREE
OR MORE , WE ARE GOING TO GIVE
YOU FOUR MINUTES AND 30 SECONDS.
THIS AMOUNTS TO THE SAME AMOUNT
OF TIME AS IF YOU TESTIFIED
INDIVIDUALLY, BUT THIS DOES HELP
IF FOLKS NEED TO LEAVE OR SOME
FOLKS IN YOUR GROUP DON'T ,
AREN'T AS COACHABLE SPEAKING IN
PUBLIC AS OTHERS . THIS WAS A
REQUEST FROM THE CENTER SCHOOL
STUDENTS LAST YEAR AND WE ARE
MAKING GOOD ON OUR PROMISE TO
COME BACK TO IT. WITH THAT, WE
ARE , AND JUST TO DO A CHECK, WE
DON'T HAVE ANY FORMERLY ELECTED
OFFICIALS ON THIS LIST, DO WE?
ACTUALLY, I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT
AN ELECTED OFFICIAL FROM A
DIFFERENT JURISDICTION, SO WE
WILL LIKELY CALL HIM FIRST. WITH
THAT, WE ARE GOING TO DO ONE
LAST CHECK TO SEE ANY ELECTED
OFFICIALS. SEEING AS WE ONLY
HAVE OUR FRIEND, COUNCILMEMBER
JAMES LOVELL WITH THIS FROM THE
CITY OF SEATAC , WE WILL LET YOU
GO FIRST. UNLESS YOU JUST WANT
TO GO IN ORDER, THAT'S YOUR
DECISION. WE ARE JUST GOING TO
GO IN ORDER, SO I'M GOING TO
CALL UP THE FIRST LIST OF 10. AS
I SAID EVERYONE OUTSIDE A MINUTE
AGO, WE ARE GOING TO GO
SMOOTHLY, CALMLY, THROUGH THIS
WHOLE PROCESS. WE ARE GOING TO
BE HERE AS LATE AS IT TAKES TO
HEAR FROM EVERYONE, BUT ALSO,
AGAIN, THE JAZZ HANDS HELPS US
KEEP MOVING FORWARD SO WE ARE
NOT HERE UNTIL MIDNIGHT. YES,
I'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN BEFORE.
WITH THAT I'M GOING TO CALL THE
FIRST 10 NAMES AND WE ARE JUST
GOING TO ROLL THROUGH THIS
AMAZING PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES, THANK YOU FOR
JOINING US THIS EVENING. 1-10 ,
WE HAVE HARMONY, CURTIS RALPH,
MARCIE RALPH, SHANNON JOHNSON,
TOM F, NUMBER FIVE, FREEMAN,
PINKERTON, NUMBER EIGHT IS A
FIRST NAME, D LAST NAME. NUMBER
NINE IS CAM HERZOG. AND NUMBER
10 IS ALEXANDER KLEIN. COME ON
UP. WHEN YOU HEAR THE CHIME, YOU
HAVE 10 SECONDS REMAINING. SO
YOU DON'T HAVE TO START RIGHT
AWAY. GOOD EVENING.
>> IT EVENING. WE ARE A GROUP,
SO WE WERE NOT SURE --
>> COME ON UP, EVERYONE IS
SIGNED UP ALREADY?
>> YEAH, BUT WE ARE LATER IN THE
LINE.
>> WONDERFUL. IF YOU CAN LEAVE
YOUR NUMBERS WITH THIS, IS THAT
HOW YOU WANT TO DO IT? IF YOU
CAN ANNOUNCE YOUR NAMES, THAT
WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>> WHAT NUMBER? 14, THANK YOU.
>> NUMBER 15.
>> NUMBER 16.
>> OKAY, WE WILL HAVE 40 MINUTES
AND 30 SECONDS. WELCOME, AND AT
YOUR CONVENIENCE, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ANDRA. I LIVE IN
DISTRICT TWO AND WORKING
DISTRICT ONE AS A MANAGER FOR
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT. I AM HERE TONIGHT
TO EXPRESS MY DEEP GRATITUDE AND
STRONG SUPPORT FOR COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA'S INVESTMENT IN THE
SEATTLE MARKET PROJECT. FOOD IS
LIFE. YET TODAY, ACCESS TO
FRESH, NOURISHING FOOD IS MORE
DIFFICULT THAN EVER. WITH CUTS
TO SNAP AND RISING FOOD PRICES,
TOO MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE
GOING HUNGRY WHILE LOCAL FARMERS
STRUGGLE TO FIND PLACES FOR
THEIR HARVEST. FRESH FOOD
ROTTING IN THE FIELDS. THE DELL
RIDGE FARMERS MARKET BRIDGES
THAT GAP, CONNECTING LOCAL
FARMERS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS
WHO NEED THE MOST, AND MAKING
SURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO
HEALTHY, CULTURALLY RELEVANT
FOOD GROWN IN KING COUNTY. OUR
MARKET GIVE AWAY MORE THAN
75,000 POUNDS AWAY TO COMMUNITY
MEMBERS FOR FREE, PROVIDING
SUPPORT TO FARMERS AND THE
GROWING SEASON, AND HIGH QUALITY
PRODUCE TO NEIGHBORS
CONSISTENTLY. THE SEATTLE
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC MARKET WILL
EXPAND THAT VISION, CREATING
LASTING JOBS, JOY, AND
OPPORTUNITY FOR GENERATIONS
ACROSS SEATTLE. THESE INVESTORS
ARE NOT JUST ABOUT FOOD, THEY
ARE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS IN
COMMUNITY, CULTURE, AND ECONOMIC
PROSPERITY ROOTED IN EQUITY AND
JUSTICE. ONCE AGAIN, I PROBABLY
SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBER SAKA'S
INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF OUR
COMMUNITIES.
>> MY NAME IS ISAAC, I AM THE
MANAGER WITH THE HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT. I AM HERE TO
EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA'S FUNDING
FOR THE MARKET. THIS PROJECT
GOES FAR BEYOND CONSTRUCTION. IT
IS ECONOMIC MOBILITY, FOOD
ACCESS, AND CULTURAL VITALITY.
THIS VIBRANT MARKET WILL SUPPORT
HUNDREDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES,
MANY OF THEM ON BY IMMIGRANTS
AND WOMEN, TO GROW FROM
STOREFRONTS , CREATING LIVING
WAGE JOBS, AND CIRCULATING AN
ANCHOR OF OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR
COMMUNITY FOR GENERATIONS TO
COME. THIS IS INCLUSIVE GROWTH
AND ACTIONS AND CULTURE
SIDE-BY-SIDE. I TOUT
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA FOR HIS
LEADERSHIP AND I RESPECTFULLY
URGE YOUR SUPPORT.
>> HI, MY NAME IS DAVID
LIEBERMAN AND I AM AN ARCHITECT
AND NONPROFIT HOUSING DEVELOPER.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 3 AND I CARE
DEEPLY ABOUT THE CITY, THE
PEOPLE, THE SMALL BUSINESSES,
AND ALL THE BUILDINGS THAT WE
CHERISH. IT IS REFRESHING TO BE
HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT
SEATTLE. NOT SEATTLE'S PROBLEMS,
THE SEATTLE'S FUTURE. SEATTLE
HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CITY THAT
BUILDS GREAT PUBLIC SPACES.
PUBLIC MARKETS, SEATTLE CENTER,
LIBRARIES, LIGHT RAIL, AND
WATERFRONT PARK . EVERY
GENERATION LEAVING SOMETHING FOR
THE NEXT. THE SEATTLE
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC MARKET IS
THE NEXT ON THE LIST. IT WILL
TRANSFORM A FORGOTTEN STRETCH BY
DELL RIDGE INTO A FOOD ACCESS
HUB WITH SMALL BUSINESSES, A
TEACHING KITCHEN, COMMUNITY
SPACE, LOCAL JOBS, AND THE
CELEBRATION OF OUR CITY'S
DIVERSITY. THIS IS SPECIFIC
PRIDE IN ACTION. PLEASE SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA'S FUNDING
FOR THE SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC MARKET AND TAKE PRIDE IN
SEATTLE'S FUTURE.
>> I AM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF
THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT. I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA AND CHAIRMAN
STRAUSS FOR THEIR INVESTMENT IN
THE DELL RIDGE FARMERS MARKET IN
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC
MARKET PROJECTS. I WOULD LIKE TO
REQUEST FOR AN INCREASE TO
ADVANCE OUR GOAL , TO DEVELOP
THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT. I
RESPECTFULLY URGE ALL
COUNCILMEMBERS TO SUPPORT THIS
VISION, INVESTING IN THIS MARKET
IS INVESTING IN SEATTLE'S
SHARED FUTURE. A FUTURE WHERE
FAMILIES HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT ,
WHERE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS CAN
GATHER, WHERE SMALL BUSINESSES
CAN BE BUILT , CAN BUILD
GENERATIONAL WEALTH, AND WHERE
KNOWLEDGE FLOURISHES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU ALL
VERY MUCH. UP NEXT IS CURTIS
RALPH, FOLLOWED BY MARCIE RALPH.
CURTIS AND MARCY, WELCOME.
>> I'M HERE FOR THE HIGHLAND
PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB, BECAUSE
THEY'VE BEEN A COMMUNITY
THRESHOLD FOR A VERY, VERY LONG
TIME. AND WE NEED THE FUNDING TO
HELP US REBUILD OUR BUILDING, SO
THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR, TO
HOPE YOU GUYS CAN SUPPORT US A
LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I'M MARCIE RALPH. I AM
LUCKILY RELATED TO, MARRIED TO
HIM. I AM HERE ALSO FOR THE
HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB,
AND I WOULD LIKE TO THINK ROB
SAKA FOR TRYING TO BRING FORTH
INVESTING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD,
WE ARE ADJACENT TO THE DELL
RIDGE FOLKS, AND OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD , WE ARE VERY CLOSE
KNIT . BUT WE HAVE LOST OUR
PLACE. AND , SORRY, THIS T-SHIRT
REPRESENTS OUR RESILIENCE , OF
GETTING TOGETHER OUTSIDE . AFTER
OUR CLUB BURNED DOWN, OUR ENTIRE
VOLUNTEER STAFF, WE DON'T HAVE
ANY PAID PEOPLE. WE ARE ALL
VOLUNTEERS. AND EVERYBODY GOT
TOGETHER AND WE HAD AN OUTDOOR
RESET FEST , TO TRY TO BRING OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD BACK TOGETHER.
BECAUSE OUR PLACE WAS GONE. OUR
HEARTS ARE NOT GONE, OUR PLACE
IS GONE. AND I JUST ASK YOU TO
CONSIDER INVESTING IN HIGHLAND
PARK, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD , TO
BRING OUR PLACE BACK. BECAUSE WE
HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO
KEEP OUR HIGHLAND PARK
IMPROVEMENT CLUB GOING . IT HAS
BEEN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE
SAME PLACE FOR 105 YEARS ,
INTUIT WAS BURNED DOWN. SO,
YOUNG PEOPLE WANT TO KEEP IT
GOING, CAN YOU GUYS CONSIDERED
GIVING US A PLACE TO KEEP GOING?
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS SHANNON
JOHNSON, FOLLOWED BY TOM F,
NUMBER FIVE, AND ANITA FREEMAN.
WE HAVE SHANNON JOHNSON WITH US
TODAY?
>> WE ARE ACTUALLY PRESENTING AS
A GROUP.
>> GREAT. WHAT ARE YOUR NUMBERS?
>> FOUR, FIVE, AND 65.
>> 65 GREAT. FOUR, FIVE, 65.
THAT MAKES THAT EASY. AND I'LL
COME UP TO THE DAIS TOGETHER,
THAT WAY WE CLEARLY HAVE A
GROUP. THANK YOU, WELCOME, IF
YOU CAN ANNOUNCE YOUR NAMES THAT
WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS ERIC
BELL, AND I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE
FOR THE FUNDING OF SPU COMMUNITY
CLEANUP BUDGET. THANK YOU,
COUNCILMAN SAKA FOR YOUR
ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT ON THIS
ISSUE. FOR MEMBERS RINCK,
HOLLINGSWORTH, AND NELSON FOR
YOUR COSPONSORSHIP, AND FOR
CHAIRMAN STRAUSS AND THE REST OF
THE COUNCIL'S WORK ON THE
BALANCING PACKAGE. I KNOW
FIRSTHAND THE ENERGY AND
ENTHUSIASM THAT CLEANUP GROUPS
ALL AROUND SEATTLE BRING TO
THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. EACH AND
EVERY DAY. I CAN SAY WITH
CERTAINTY THAT ANY DOLLARS SPENT
ON THESE ENDEAVORS WILL BE SOME
OF THE BEST RETURNS ON
INVESTMENT THAT WILL BE INCLUDED
IN THE BUDGET. COLLABORATING FOR
SEVERAL YEARS WITH SEATTLE
PARKS, S DOT, AND PORT. BRINGING
GREAT EFFICIENCIES AND COMMUNITY
BUILDING TO THE WORK WE ARE
DOING WITH THESE AGENCIES. I
BELIEVE WE ARE ALSO CHALLENGING
THEM TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT
HARNESSING NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE
MAKING OF SEATTLE AS A CLEANER
AND SAFER CITY. LAST YEAR ALONE
OUR GROUP VOLUNTEERED OVER 1500
HOURS OF LABOR TO COLLABORATING
WITH THE CITY ON A WIDE RANGE OF
PROJECTS. AND WITH FUNDING I
BELIEVE IT WILL BRING EVEN
GREATER GROWTH AND VALUE IN
THESE PARTNERSHIPS. I ASK YOU TO
VOTE YES TO SPU 282. THANK YOU.
>> TOM FREBERG, FOLLOWING ERIC .
I HAVE AN ANALOGY, AND IT GOES
BACK TO NEW YORK CITY IN THE 80s
AND 90s. THEY HAD A PROGRAM
CALLED THE BROKEN WINDOW
PROGRAM. AND IT WAS CITY FUNDED,
THAT IF A WINDOW WAS BROKEN AND
THEY FIXED IT , IT WAS BETTER
FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IF IT
STAYED BROKEN, MORE THINGS BROKE
AND IT WENT DOWNHILL. I THINK
CLEANER ALKI IS SIMILAR TO THAT.
WE GO OUT AND CLEAN THINGS UP.
IF THEY ARE NOT CLEANED UP, IF
THEY ARE NOT RUSHED, THERE IS AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR THINGS TO GO
DOWNHILL. WE ARE THERE, SPRUCING
IT UP . IT LOOKS GOOD, AND THE
INTENTION IS IT WILL STAY THAT
WAY. THANK YOU.
>> I'M SHANNON JOHNSON, AND
I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE ALSO FOR
THE INCREASE IN SPU GENERAL FUND
FOR GROUPS LIKE CLEANER ALKI. I
AM A VOLUNTEER WITH THEM.
REMOVING BLACKBERRIES, PICKING
UP LITTER. I SEE THIS IS A
WELL-ORGANIZED GROUP. THEY HAVE
A TWO YEAR TRACK RECORD, AND
THEY ARE EXPANDING TO ALL OF
YOUR DISTRICTS. THEY WORK WELL
WITH , SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH SEATTLE
PUBLIC UTILITIES AND THE PARKS,
OTHER GROUPS. AS A PHYSICIAN, I
SEE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF
VOLUNTEERING , BUILDING
COMMUNITY, THE SOCIALIZING,
BEING IN THE GREEN SPACES AND
THE PHYSICAL EXERCISE. SO THANK
YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU. AS WE HAVE GROUPS
APPEAR, IF YOU'RE PART OF THE
GROUP, STICK AROUND UNTIL ALL OF
THE TIME IS ALLOTTED. WITH THAT,
AND ANITA FREEMAN, HILLARY
PINKERTON, FIRST NAME A, LAST
NAME B .
>> THANK YOU TO COUNCILMEMBER
SOLOMON AND COUNCILMEMBER RINCK
FOR YOUR HELP FOR 10 CITY THREE
. THAT LEAVES 10 CITY THREE AND
FOUR BOTH MOVING ON NOVEMBER
15th. I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL HAD
TO MOVE SOMETIME, AND IT IS
MISERABLE, ISN'T IT? IMAGINE
MOVING 200 PEOPLE. ALL AT ONCE.
IN MISERABLE WEATHER. IT'S GOING
TO BE MISERABLE WEATHER. AND
IT'S GOING TO KEEP BEING
MISERABLE WEATHER . YOU HAVE A
LOT OF DEMANDS ON YOU. WITH
LIMITED FUNDS. BUT PRESERVING
HUMAN LIFE HAS TO BE A TOP
PRIORITY. AND WITHOUT SHELTER,
PEOPLE DIE. CREATE MORE SHELTER
FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET,
AND SAVE THE SHELTER THAT THE
PEOPLE ON THE STREET HAVE
ALREADY CREATED FOR THEMSELVES.
PLEASE HELP TENT CITY THREE AND
FOUR SURVIVE, AND COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH, WE'D LOVE TO
HELP YOU CREATE MORE. THANK YOU.
>> OF NEXT IS HILLARY PINKERTON,
FOLLOWED BY AJ, I BELIEVE.
HILLARY? WELCOME. HOW ARE YOU?
>> THANK YOU, MR. SOLOMON . AND
MS. RINCK. SORRY IF I MURDERED
YOUR NAME. I APPRECIATE YOU
OFFER TENT CITY THREE AND FOUR.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. BUT I
AM ONE OF THE FAMILIES THAT
LIVED THERE , AND WE DO HAVE
FIVE CHILDREN AND A PREGNANT
LADY, AND THE WEATHER IS BAD,
AND EVERYBODY HAS LIFE. YOU
DON'T WANT TO LOSE LIFE. YOU
CAN'T PUT A BUDGET ON LIFE. TO
HELP US MOVE, WE ARE ALL
UNFORTUNATE, BUT FORTUNATE
ENOUGH TO HAVE AT LEAST A TENT
TO CALL HOME. PLEASE HELP US.
>> THANK YOU, HILLARY. AJ ? DID
I SAY IT RIGHT? ALL RIGHT.
>> MY NAME IS AJ DORSEY, I'M
FROM 10 CITY FOUR. ALL I CAN ASK
FOR IS FUNDING FOR US TO STAY
OPEN , AND FOR US TO CONTINUE TO
HAVE SOMEWHERE TO LIVE. I
RECENTLY GOT PUT OUT, AND EVERY
SINGLE PLACE THAT I TRIED TO GO
TO TURNED ME AWAY, BECAUSE I
HAVE A SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING.
TENT CITY WAS THE ONLY PLACE
THAT ALLOW ME TO COME AND HAVE
SOMEWHERE SAFE TO GO. I AM ALSO
DISABLED, AS WELL. I WOULD NOT
LAST ON THE STREETS WITHOUT AT
LEAST HAVING SOMETHING OVER MY
HEAD. EVEN IF IT IS A TENT. I AM
BEYOND GRATEFUL FOR 10 CITY FOUR
. AND I JUST HOPE THAT YOU ALL
SEE THE VALUE IN OUR LIVES, AND
MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A PLACE
IN THE COMMUNITY TO CALL HOME.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY, THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. EVERYONE IN THIS
ROOM IS SNAPPING THEIR FINGERS
FOR YOU. THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS
KAM , FOLLOWED BY ALEXANDER.
>> IT EVENING, MY NAME IS KAM
HERZBERG, I AM HERE REPRESENTING
TENT CITY FOR TODAY. I WOULD
LIKE TO MEET IS CLEAR AS QUICKLY
AS POSSIBLE. 10 CITY FOUR
REPRESENTS AND HELPS SHELTERS
WHO FELL OUT OF JOB LOSSES AND
EVICTIONS. TENT CITY HELP
SHELTER FAMILIES WITH KIDS,
VULNERABLE ADULTS IN THEIR 60s
AND 70s GOOD FOR THEIR LIVES.
THOSE WITH CANCER AND MULTIPLE
OTHER DISABILITIES. WHEN WE
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF TENT CITY
FOUR, WE SPEAK NOT JUST ON
BEHALF OF OURSELVES, BUT FOR
THOSE I JUST MENTIONED WHO ARE
UNABLE TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES
HERE TODAY. PLEASE TAKE US INTO
CONSIDERATION AND WITH MERCY IN
HELPING US FINDING A NEW SPOT TO
RELOCATE. NOT JUST ON BEHALF OF
HERE TODAY, BUT FOR THOSE OF US
WHO CANNOT MAKE IT HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> UP NEXT IS ALEXANDER KLEIN,
FOLLOWED BY JAMES LOVELL, DANNY
JOHNSON, CHRIS LEVINSON, BRANDON
MONSON, WHITNEY NAKAMURA,
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
HERE. I'M SURE THIS WILL BE A
LONG NIGHT FOR YOU ALL, BUT I
REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING.
MY NAME IS DREW KLEIN, I'M A
FORMER AMAZON EMPLOYEE. WHILE I
WAS THERE, IN DISTRICT 6, I FELT
I COULD NO LONGER IGNORE THE
CITY'S HOMELESSNESS CRISIS. SO
I'M TAKING A ONE YEAR CAREER
BREAK TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO
SUPPORT THIS POPULATION.
VOLUNTEERING IN THE BANKS AND
EMERGENCY SHELTERS, BUILDING
TINY HOMES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
ONE THING THAT I'VE LEARNED IS
THAT IT IS SO MUCH LESS
EXPENSIVE AND SO MUCH MORE
HUMANE TO HELP PEOPLE AVOID
FALLING INTO HOMELESSNESS THAN
TO HELP THEM RISE OUT OF IT
AFTER THEY'VE ALREADY FALLEN IN
IT. AS YOU KNOW, FEDERAL FUNDING
TO SUPPORT SOME OF OUR
PRECARIOUSLY HOUSED NEIGHBORS
STAY IN THEIR HOUSING IS DRYING
UP . IF WE ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN,
IT WILL BE THE EQUIVALENT OF
PUSHING HUNDREDS MORE PEOPLE
OVER THE EDGE INTO HOMELESSNESS.
AND IT WILL COST SO MUCH MORE TO
GET THEM OUT AFTERWARDS. I'M
ASKING YOU TO SIGNIFICANTLY
INCREASE THE RESERVE FOR FEDERAL
CUTS TO HOUSING, SO WE CAN AVOID
MAKING THIS PROBLEM SO MUCH
WORSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME .
>> THANK YOU, ALEX. OF NEXT WE
HAVE COUNCILMEMBER JAMES LOVELL,
GRADUATE OF SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL
IN REPRESENTING SEATTLE CLUB.
WELCOME, JAMES.
>> I NEED TO DO MY BIO? WE ARE
GOOD. THANK YOU, JEFF. GOOD
AFTERNOON, BUDGET COMMITTEE,
CHAIR STRAUSS, AND OTTO CITY
COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JAMES
LOVELL, I'M A CITY
COUNCILMEMBER SOUTH OF HERE IN
SEATAC. TODAY I AM HERE IN MY
CAPACITY AS THE CHIEF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER AT CHIEF
SEATTLE CLUB. WE SERVE ARE
CHRONICALLY HOMELESS NATIVE
BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN EVERY
DISTRICT IN SEATTLE , THROUGH
OUR DATA CENTER, ARE TWO TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES, AND ARE FIVE
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
BUILDINGS. WE ARE DOING SOME
INCREDIBLE WORK. THROUGH THIS
ALL, WE KNOW THAT WE CONTINUE TO
FACE GROWING DIFFICULTIES
SERVING OUR RELATIVES WITH
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
TODAY WE ARE ASKING FOR SUPPORT
FOR COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ
AMENDMENT HSD 0.4 TWO INVEST
$350,000 FOR HISTORIC
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH SPACE BUILDING. THE
CENTER WILL ALLOW US TO ACTIVATE
THE NEXT GENERATION OF OUR WORK,
SERVING THE NATIVE COMMUNITY
WITH CULTURALLY RESPONSIBLE
NATIVE HEALTH SERVICES. THIS IS
A TIME OF GREAT UNCERTAINTY, BUT
IT DOES NOT IT BE A TIME OF
GREAT INACTION OR OF GREAT
INEQUITY. ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE
HUMBLY ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT
HSD 042-2. SINCE WE HAVE A FEW
MORE SECONDS, I WOULD LIKE TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE A LOT
OF WHERE THE THINGS UP ON THE
DAIS TODAY. FOLKS ASKING FOR A
LOT OF SUPPORT ACROSS THE
SPECTRUM, THE BUDGET SPECTRUM. I
WOULD LIKE TO CALL HSD 050-2,
SUPPORT FOR THE THUNDERBIRD
TREATMENT CENTER WITH OUR
PARTNERS. HSD 0.14.J , AND HSD
053-2 , THE VALOR FOOD BANK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU, MR. LEVEL. UP NEXT
DANNY JOHNSON, CHRIS LEVINSON,
BRANDON JOHNSON, WHITNEY
NAKAMURA. WELCOME.
>> A MINIMUM WAGE WORKER AND
RENTER IN DISTRICT 3. I URGE YOU
TO APPROVE COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK'S PROPOSAL TO ADD AT
MINIMUM A NUMBER $500,000 TO WAS
PROPOSED IN THE BALANCING
PACKAGE. LAST NIGHT I WAS
WALKING THROUGH BROADWAY ON MY
WAY HOME FROM A FRIEND'S HOUSE.
ON MY WAY I SAW SOMEONE OFF TO
THE SIDE OF THE SIDEWALK
CROSSLEGGED IN THE WET LEAVES,
HUNCHED OVER, STARING DOWN AT
THE GROUND. I ASKED IF THEY WERE
OKAY BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY
THING I COULD THINK TO ASK IN
THE MOMENT, AND OFFERED A COUPLE
OF BUCKS, BECAUSE IT'S ALL THAT
I HAD TO OFFER. BUT WHAT KIND OF
SOCIETY AND WHAT KIND OF CITY
ARE WE LIVING IN WHERE THE BEST
WE CAN OFFER SOME PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS A
$10 AND A WEAK SMILE FROM A
YOUNG PERSON WHO WILL ALWAYS BE
CLOSER TO LIVING ON THE STREET
AND NEVER OWNING A HOME? TENANT
SERVICES COULD HAVE HELPED THE
PERSON STAY HOUSE, AND COULD'VE
HELPED THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE
STREET THAT I PASSED ON THE WAY
HOME STAY HOUSE. IT HELPS YOU
SEE THE VALUE OF A, THE MOST
COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO ADDRESS
HOMELESSNESS IS TO PREVENT IT
FROM HAPPENING IN THE PEOPLE IN
THE FIRST PLACE. WE HAVE THE
RESOURCES IN THE CITY TO MAKE
SURE THAT EVERYONE IS PROVIDED
WITH DIGNIFIED, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. THE ONLY QUESTION IS
WHETHER YOU CARE ENOUGH TO MAKE
THAT HAPPEN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE
THEY SEATTLE, AND THE TENANTS
UNION OF WASHINGTON STATE CAN
CONTINUE TO HELP RENTERS AND
PREVENT THIS HOMELESSNESS.
PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OTHER ITEMS
ON THE SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION BUDGET. THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT IS DANNY JOHNSON
FOLLOWED BY CHRIS LEVINSON.
DANNY, WELCOME.
>> IT EVEN, COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY
NAME IS DANNY JOHNSON, I'M A
SENIOR AT THE CENTER SCHOOL. I
WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE DRUG
AND HOMELESSNESS CRISIS
ADVERSELY AFFECTING SEATTLE.
HOMELESSNESS AND DRUG ADDICTION
ARE TIGHTLY WOUND, AND AS A
STUDENT ATTENDING SCHOOL AT THE
SEATTLE CENTER, I SEE THE
EFFECTS OF POVERTY DAILY. I SEE
IT ON THE BUS, AT THE GROCERY
STORE, AND SEATTLE'S LARGEST
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, AND IN ITS
MOST FORGOTTEN SPACES AND
ALLEYS. IN THIS PAST WEEK ALONE,
I SAW , I WAS INDECENTLY EXPOSED
BY MEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE
RESTROOM WHILE I WAS AT A BUS
STOP, AND COUNTLESS , I HAVE
SEEN COUNTLESS PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING POVERTY IN HORRIFIC
WAYS. COUNCILMEMBER SARAH
NELSON, YOUR WORK ON PASSING
BILLS CB 12083, WHICH INVENTED A
SALES TAX THAT WILL GENERATE AN
ESTIMATED $7 MILLION TOWARDS
DRUG RECOVERY PROGRAMS IN THE
NEXT YEAR, WAS ASTOUNDING. YET I
BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN GO FURTHER
ON THIS MATTER. AS THIS IS YOUR
LAST YEAR ON THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL, I URGE YOU TO HEED MY
ADVICE. THE SALES TAX WILL
GENERATE AN ESTIMATED $39
MILLION. WITH ONLY 19.2% OF THAT
ALLOCATED TO DRUG RECOVERY
PROGRAMS. THE OTHER 18.8 PERCENT
OF THAT REVENUE IS ALLOCATED TO
PUBLIC SAFETY. PUBLIC SAFETY IS
NOTORIOUSLY OVERFUNDED, AND I
THINK THE PRIORITIZING HARM
REDUCTION PROGRAMS WILL DECREASE
THE DRUG-RELATED CRIMES ACROSS
SEATTLE, WHICH HAVE COST OVER
$20 MILLION IN 2025 ALONE.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, I AM ASKING FOR
50% OF THE TAXES REVENUE TO BE
REALLOCATED TOWARDS DRUG
REHABILITATION, SPECIFICALLY --
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, DANNY. WELL SAID .
AND YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE THOSE
EXPERIENCES TRYING TO GO TO
SCHOOL. WELCOME, CHRIS.
>>, 21 YEAR RESIDENT OF LAKE
CITY, I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR THE
PAST 10 YEARS TO SUPPORT SMALL
BUSINESSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WHILE THE LOSS OF BUSINESSES AND
AMOUNT OF EMPTY STOREFRONTS IS
NOT UNIQUE TO LAKE CITY, THE
HISTORICAL LACK OF REAL
INVESTMENTS RESULTS, I THINK, IN
A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT IN OUR
SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR RICHLY
DIVERSE NEIGHBORS. AS YOU ARE
AWARE, WE RECENTLY LOST OUR FRED
MEYER, WHICH WAS ALSO OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS LARGEST EMPLOYER.
ALONG WITH SEVERAL LARGE
BUSINESSES, IS HAVING A
DEVASTATING AND HAS CREATED A
CRITICAL SITUATION FOR OUR MOST
MARGINALIZED RESIDENTS AND
FAMILIES. FOOD AND PHARMACY
ACCESS GAPS ARE SIGNIFICANT
REAL. MOST OF OUR SMALL
BUSINESSES, MANY IMMIGRANTS
OWNED, ARE JUST GETTING BY, AND
WITHOUT THOUGHTFUL STRATEGIES
AND INCREASE INVESTMENT AMMA
LAKE CITY FACES THE POSSIBILITY
OF LOSING ITS COMMERCIAL CENTER.
THE CURRENT CLIMATE , THE
ECONOMIC CLIMATE IS THREATENING
OUR WELL-BEING, AND WE NEED YOUR
SUPPORT TO REMAIN VITAL AND TO
ENSURE THAT OUR NORTHEAST CORNER
OF THE CITY REMAINS LIVABLE .
LAKE CITY IS AN AMAZING PLACE,
FOR THOSE OF YOU HAVE BEEN
THERE. IT IS RETAINING, I THINK,
A LOT OF WHAT THE REST OF THE
CITY IS LOSING. IT'S GRITTY AND
IT'S WEIRD AND IT'S WONDERFUL,
SO PLEASE SUPPORT LAKE CITY.
>> THANK YOU, CHRIS. BEFORE YOU
LEAVE, DO YOUR MEMBER A DENNY'S
ON LAKE CITY WAY? WE WILL COME
BACK TO THAT LATER. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. UP NEXT IS BRANDON
MONSON. BRANDON, WELCOME.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. I'VE
GOT TO READ OFF MY PHONE OR I'M
GOING TO GO WAY OFF COURSE HERE.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I AM HERE TO STRONGLY SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ 'S
PROPOSED BUDGET ITEMS FOR LAKE
CITY. $50,000 FOR BUSINESS
INCUBATION PROJECT TO FILL EMPTY
STOREFRONTS, AND 100,000 FOR
EXPANDED CLEANUP SERVICES. LAKE
CITY IS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY,
FULL OF IMMIGRANTS, SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS, A FOOD BANK
THAT SERVES SO MANY, AND
RESILIENT PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP FOR
EACH OTHER EVERYTHING TODAY.
IT'S ALSO A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT
IS FACED YEARS OF
UNDERINVESTMENT. THESE PROPOSED
FUNDS ARE NOT JUST ABOUT
CLEANING STREETS OR FILLING
STOREFRONTS, THEY ARE ABOUT
EQUITY. AND WHEN YOU ARE TALKING
ABOUT THE , ONE OF THE MOST
DIVERSE Z.I.P. CODES IN THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, WE NEED TO
MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT LEAVING
THOSE Z.I.P. CODES BEHIND. THIS
INVESTMENT WILL HELP TRANSFORM
VACANT SPACES INTO LOCAL
BUSINESSES, KEEP OUR STREETS
SAFE, CLEAN, AND WELCOMING, AND
THE LAST I CHECKED THERE WERE 14
VACANT SPACES IN THE DOWNTOWN
CORE DOOR OF LAKE CITY, SO THIS
INVESTMENT IS NEEDED NOW THAN
EVER. I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE
THE SEATTLE RESTORE PROGRAM, FOR
THE GREAT WORK THEY ARE ALREADY
DOING IN LAKE CITY HELPING SMALL
BUSINESSES AND ARTISTS ACTIVATE
VACANT STOREFRONTS AND BRING NEW
LIFE TO OUR COMMERCIAL CORE.
PROGRAMS LIKE THAT SHOW EXACTLY
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CITY
PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITIES TO
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES. ON A
SEPARATE NOTE, NORTH HELPLINE
FOOD BANK HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING
PARKING ISSUES SINCE THE FRED
MEYER CLOSED . ON 33rd AVENUE
THERE ARE BOLLARDS THAT YOU ALL
INSTALLED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
IF YOU REMOVE THOSE WE CAN GET
BACK TENSE PARKING SPOTS. PLEASE
FIND TENT CITY THREE AND FOUR.
>> THANK YOU, BRANDON. WE HAVE
WHITNEY NAKAMURA NEXT. WHAT WAS
YOUR NAME?
>> I WAS WITH CHRIS'S GROUP .
>> WAS CHRIS A GROUP? WE ONLY
HAD HIM AS A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL.
DID YOU SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT? WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER?
>> MY NUMBER IS 101.
>> WE ARE, UNFORTUNATELY, GOING
TO NEED TO COME BACK TO YOU .
I'M SO SORRY.
>> YOU WANT TO SPLIT MY TIME?
>> YOU ARE BOTH FROM LAKE CITY,
SORT OF. WHEN A NAKAMURA? THE
FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANKS. MY NAME IS WINNIE, I
AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE SEATTLE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION. WE ARE A
DIVERSE GROUP OF WOMEN WHO
VOLUNTEER AS COMMISSIONERS,
BECAUSE WE CARE DEEPLY ABOUT OUR
COMMUNITIES AND ABOUT OUR CITY.
WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE
DESERVES TO BE SAFE AND HAVE A
PLACE TO CALL HOME. WE SUPPORT
THE AMENDMENTS THAT PROTECT OUR
SHELTER AND HOMELESS SUPPORT
PROGRAMS, INCREASE HOUSING, AND
RESTORE TENANT SERVICES. PLEASE
INCLUDE INVESTMENTS IN THE
CRITICAL PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT
OUR LGBTQ COMMUNITIES , OUR
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
COMMUNITIES, AND THOSE SURVIVING
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. THE CITY
MUST STABILIZE OUR HUMAN
SERVICES SECTOR BY INVESTING IN
THIS ESSENTIAL WORKFORCE. PLEASE
PROVIDE A 5% WAGE EQUITY
INCREASE FOR HUMAN SERVICE
PROVIDERS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THE TIME IS STILL
ROLLING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU
FOR THE SOLID. I AM A RESIDENT
OF LAKE CITY. I'M A MOTHER OF
TWO, WHO BOTH GO TO PUBLIC
SCHOOL. I'VE LIVED IN LAKE CITY
SINCE 2014, MOVED THERE WHEN I
WAS RELATIVELY AFFORDABLE, AND
NOW ARE BUSINESSES ARE
STRUGGLING ON MULTIPLE FRONTS.
AS CHRIS ELABORATED EARLIER, WE
HAVE A CRISIS NOW, AND WE REALLY
NEED TO ENDORSE THE ALLOCATION
FOR LAKE CITY SO THAT WE CAN
INCUBATE OUR BUSINESSES, SO THAT
WE CAN PROVIDE THE NECESSARY
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO KEEP
THOSE THAT ARE STILL THERE
AFLOAT , SO THEY CAN SURVIVE AND
THRIVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
THE TIME TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. DO ANY OF YOU
REMEMBER THE DENNY'S ON LAKE
CITY WAY?
>> YOU ARE UP NEXT. JUAREZ MIGHT
HAVE THIS ONE ON ME.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. I AM WITH THE COUNCIL
BOARD OF SEATTLE, I AM A
FOURTH-GENERATION RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 3. IN THE BOOK OF
EXODUS, THE ISRAELITES CRIED OUT
UNDER THE WEIGHT OF OPPRESSION
AND GOD HEARD THEIR CRYING.
TODAY THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 3
ARE CRYING OUT, TOO. BLACK
FAMILIES WHO HAVE LIVED HERE FOR
GENERATIONS ARE STILL BEING
PUSHED OUT BY RISING RENT AND
REDEVELOPMENT. OUR CRIES ARE
ABOUT MORE THAN HOUSING. THEY
ARE ABOUT BELONGING, DIGNITY,
AND LEGACY. DISTRICT 3 WAS ONCE
A PLACE WHERE BLACK RESIDENTS
BUILD CHURCHES, SMALL
BUSINESSES, AND CULTURE THAT
MADE SEATTLE VIBRANT. BUT THAT
FOUNDATION IS BEING ERASED. WE
NEED DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING
THAT KEEPS BLACK FAMILIES ROOTED
IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THEY HELPED
BUILD. TO DO THIS WE MUST
EMBRACE PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
SOLUTIONS, ASKING THOSE WITH THE
MOST TO CONTRIBUTE SO THAT ALL
CAN HAVE STABLE HOMES, AND OUR
CHILDREN CAN LEARN AND GROW AND
THRIVE IN COMMUNITIES. LIKE
MOSES, CHOOSE LIBERATION OF HER
COMFORT, AND JUSTICE OVER
CONVENIENCE. LET'S MAKE SURE
OUR CITY REMAINS A PLACE WHERE
ALL PEOPLE CAN LIVE AND
FLOURISH. THANK YOU.
>> I'M GOING TO CALL THE NEXT
10 NAMES. AT 21-30. LEE, KEITH,
JAMES POTTS, CHLOE, ANNIE, STEVE
JERVE E, ALEX BOOKER, TONY
HIGGS, JESSE McCABE. WELCOME.
ARE YOU A GROUP OR ARE YOU ALL
INDIVIDUALS?
>> INDIVIDUALS.
>> WONDERFUL, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL
MEMBERS.
>> WE ARE GOING TO RESTART YOUR
TIME. IF YOU CAN HEAR ME IN THE
HALLWAY, IF YOU CAN HEAR ME IN
THE HALLWAY, CAN YOU ASK THEM TO
BE A LITTLE QUIETER? THANK YOU.
OVER TO YOU, MY FRIEND.
>> IT EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M REVEREND LEAH DOVE, I'M ONE
OF THE PASTORS AT SEATTLE FIRST
BAPTIST IN DIFFERENT VERY. I
ALSO LIVED IN DISTRICT 3, AND I
AM HERE WITH THE CHURCH COUNCIL
OF GREATER SEATTLE. AS A
CHRISTIAN PASTOR, MY FAITH
DEMANDS THAT I SEE THE IMAGE OF
GOD IN MY FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS.
THAT I AFFIRM THEIR INHERENT
DIGNITY AND WORTH. TIME AND
AGAIN IN SCRIPTURE, GOD'S
CONCERN IS FOR THOSE ON THE
MARGINS. THOSE THE SYSTEM HAS
PUSHED ASIDE, IGNORED, AND
HARMED. GOD'S CALL IS TO CARE
FOR THOSE FOLKS, THAT IS WHY
I'M HERE TONIGHT. MY CHURCH
SITS AT THE CORNER OF HARVARD
AND SENECA . WE FREQUENTLY HAVE
UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS WHO TAKE
SHELTER UNDER OUR AWNINGS OR SET
UP TENTS ACROSS THE STREET. LAST
WEEK WE MET A WOMAN WHO HAD SET
UP A TENT ACROSS THE STREET. SHE
CAME TO SEATTLE LAST YEAR AFTER
LOSING HER HOME IN ASHEVILLE,
NORTH CAROLINA FROM HURRICANE
HELENE. WE MET THIS WOMAN
BECAUSE THE CITY WAS PREPARING
TO SWEEP THE STREET. WE OFFERED
HER WHAT WE COULD BEFORE SHE WAS
FORCED TO MOVE ON YET AGAIN.
IT'S TRUE THAT THIS YEAR'S
BUDGET PUTS MORE MONEY TOWARDS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. BUT IT ALSO
PUTS MONEY TO CONTINUE VIOLENT,
DEHUMANIZING SWEEPS OF OUR
UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS. SWEEPS
DON'T HELP ANYONE. THEY ONLY
HARM. SWEEPS ONLY EXIST SO FOLKS
CAN PRETEND LIKE OUR UNHOUSED
NEIGHBORS DON'T EXIST. OUR
UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS DESERVE
BETTER. THEY PRESERVE A BUDGET
THAT PRIORITIZES COMMUNITY CARE,
OFFERING AVENUES TO SAY, FOR THE
HOUSING. PLEASE, PASS A BUDGET
THAT PRIORITIZES COMMUNITY CARE
OVER PUNISHMENT, SYMBOLS CAN
HAVE THE CARE THEY NEED. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU, LEE. UP NEXT IS
KEITH, FOLLOWED BY JAMES.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS
REVEREND KEITH, I AM A LIVE-IN
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH
DISTRICT, I LIVE IN
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE'S
DISTRICT. I AM A MINISTER AT THE
PRESBYTERY OF SEATTLE, AND I AM
ALSO HERE AS PART OF THE CHURCH
COUNCIL OF GREATER SEATTLE. I
WORK AT AN ENVIRONMENTAL
NONPROFIT WHERE IT IS MY JOB TO
UNDERSTAND HOW THE CLIMATE
CRISIS AFFECTS LOCAL
COMMUNITIES. ESPECIALLY THE MOST
VULNERABLE PEOPLE WITHIN THOSE
COMMUNITIES. AS A CHRISTIAN
MINISTER, I AM CALLED TO STAND
IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE WHO ARE
SUFFERING OR IN NEED, WHO ARE
MOST HARMED BY SYSTEMS OF
INJUSTICE. THROUGHOUT THE
CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES, THERE IS
CLEAR CORRELATION BETWEEN THE
HELP OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE
HEALTH OF THE LAND. AS A CLIMATE
CRISIS CONTINUES CAN WORSEN, THE
IMPACTS ARE FELT MOST HEAVILY BY
THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR
COMMUNITY. OUR NEIGHBORS WHO
LIVE IN POVERTY AND OUR UNHOUSED
NEIGHBORS. SEATTLE IS
EXPERIENCING WARMER TEMPERATURES
THAN EVER. WE HAVE HAD 34 DAYS
ABOVE 80 DEGREES AND EIGHT DAYS
OVER 90 DEGREES THIS YEAR. SOME
PEOPLE MAY HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO
TURN ON AN AIR CONDITIONER AND
PAY HIGHER UTILITY BILLS, BUT
FOR OTHERS IT IS A MATTER OF
LIFE AND DEATH. THE CITY
CURRENTLY SPENDS 40 TIMES MORE
MONEY ON POLICING THAN ON GREEN
NEW DEAL INITIATIVES. IT IS VERY
CLEAR THAT POLICING DOES NOT
MAKE A COMMUNITY SAFER. HOWEVER,
RELIABLE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER
McLEAN AIR, GOOD FOOD , AND
CLEAN ENERGY DOES MAKE
COMMUNITIES SAFER. SO I ASK YOU
TO PASS A MORAL BUDGET THAT
PRIORITIZES THE HEALTH OF THE
COMMUNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT,
THAT WILL ACTUALLY MAKE OUR
COMMUNITY SAFER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, REVEREND. UP NEXT
IS JAMES, FOLLOWED BY NUMBER 24,
LAST NAME CASTLE.
>> IT EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JAMES POTTS. I LIVE,
WORK, AND WORSHIP IN DISTRICT 7,
REPRESENTED BY COUNCILMEMBER
KETTLE. I AM WRITING TO YOU AS A
MEMBER OF QUEEN ANNE'S UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE CHURCH COUNCIL OF
GREATER SEATTLE. I STAND WITH
THEM AND WITH THE SEATTLE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET COALITION. MY
FAITH COMPELS ME TO STAND IN
SOLIDARITY WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE
VULNERABLE, IN NEED, AND OFTEN
UNABLE TO NAVIGATE THE
COLLOCATED WEB OF SOCIAL
SERVICES TO ACCESS THEM IN A
TIMELY MANNER. OR, AS WE SAY IN
THE CHURCH, TO STAND IN
SOLIDARITY WITH THE LEAST, THE
LAST, AND THE LOST. BUDGETS
REFLECT A COMMUNITY'S
PRIORITIES, AND IN TURN, REFLECT
THE MORAL STANDING OF SUCH A
COMMUNITY. BUDGETS ARE A MORAL
DOCUMENT. I LOVE AND CARE ABOUT
SEATTLE DEEPLY, AND I WANT TO
SEE ALL OF ITS PEOPLE WELL CARED
FOR. SEATTLE'S BUDGET SHOULD
PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
AND DEVELOPMENT. IT SHOULD
CREATE , SUPPORT THE CREATION OF
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT OUR
CITY BADLY NEEDS. FINALLY, AND
MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT SHOULD
REFLECT AN EFFORT TO INCREASE
ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES THAT
REDUCE SUFFERING AND PREVENT
COMMUNITY VIOLENCE. PLACING
THESE THINGS HIGHER IN PRIORITY
THEN INCREASE SPENDING FOR
PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT. I ADVOCATE FOR CARE
FOR INCARCERATION. A BUDGET THAT
SPEAKS TO THE VALUES OF OUR CITY
THROUGH PUBLIC INVESTMENT IS
IMPORTANT. PLEASE PASS THAT
REFLECTS THE VALUES OF COMMUNITY
CARE.
>> UP NEXT IS --
>> FIRST NAME CELIA. I AM HERE
WITH FRIENDS OF SOUTH SEATTLE
QUAKERS. WE WORSHIP IN THE CITY
CENTER, WITHIN COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH 'S DISTRICT. I
ALSO LIVE IN DISTRICT 3, AND
SALLY LIVES IN DISTRICT 2. I
STAND UNITED WITH THE SEATTLE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET, AND THE
CHURCH COUNCIL OF GREATER
SEATTLE. AS PEOPLE OF FAITH, WE
DEEPLY BELIEVE THAT BUDGETS ARE
MORAL DOCUMENTS. QUAKERS BELIEVE
THAT THERE IS GOD IN EVERY
PERSON. WE BELIEVE TRUE SAFETY
COMES FROM GUARANTEEING THAT
PEOPLE'S MATERIAL NEEDS ARE
MET. EVERY PERSON IN SEATTLE
SHOULD HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO
SURVIVE AND THRIVE. THE FIRST
BUDGET PRIORITY NEEDS TO BE
FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY CARE.
FULLY FUND COMMUNITY LED
SOLUTIONS TO FOOD INSECURITY,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, VIOLENCE
PREVENTION , AND MENTAL HEALTH
AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT. A
BUDGET THAT INCLUDES EXPANDED
SURVEILLANCE, SWEEPS, AND OVER
POLICING OF OUR COMMUNITY MAKES
US ALL LESS SAFE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, CELIA. UP NEXT IS
25, CHLOE, AND 26, ANY GERMANY.
CHLOE, WELCOME. JUST FOR A TIME
CHECK, WE HAVE 150 PEOPLE SIGNED
UP TONIGHT. CHLOE, OVER TO YOU.
>> IT EVENING. HELLO, COUNCIL
MEMBERS COME IN MY NAME IS
CHLOE, I AM A MINISTER AT QUEST
CHURCH IN COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS'S DISTRICT. AND I LIVE
IN COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA'S
DISTRICT. I AM HERE STANDING
WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF MY
CHURCH, AND THE CHURCH COUNCIL
OF GREATER SEATTLE. AS A PERSON
OF SCRIPTURE, THE BOOK OF
PROVERBS SAYS THIS. THE PLANS OF
THE DILIGENT LEAD SURELY TO
ABUNDANCE, BUT EVERYONE IS HASTY
COMES ONLY TO WANT. AS I'VE
BEEN WATCHING THIS COUNCIL
PRESENT AND DEBATE THE BUDGET
THAT WE HAVE TODAY, THE WORD
THAT KEEPS COMING UP IS WANT .
THIS BUDGET CERTAINLY ALLOTS
FUNDING TO A LOT OF IMPORTANT
SERVICES IN OUR CITY, AS THE
PEOPLE IN THIS COUNCIL KEEP
SAYING, WE WANT MORE. ACTUALLY,
WE NEED MORE. THE FOLKS THAT
SPOKEN HERE TONIGHT NEED MORE.
THE 100+ FOLKS WHO CAME TO OUR
CHURCH LAST NIGHT FOR A FREE
MEAL BECAUSE THE SUPPORT
SERVICES THEY RELY ON CAN ALWAYS
BE DEPENDED ON NEED MORE. WE
NEED MORE MONEY FOR HOUSING, WE
NEED MORE MONEY FOR MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES, WE NEED MORE
MONEY FOR MEAL PROGRAMS, FOR
COMMUNITY CARE FROM A WHATEVER
THE CRISIS AHEAD OF THIS IS. I
THINK THAT SOMETHING WE CAN ALL
AGREE ON. I URGE THE COUNCIL TO
BE DILIGENT NOT ONLY IN THE
BUDGETING THE CYCLE, BUT IN
THEIR PLANNING FOR THE NEXT YEAR
IN THE YEARS AHEAD. AS THE NEED
IN OUR CITY ARISES, AS UNCERTAIN
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL RISES, WE
NEED DILIGENT PLANNING THAT
LEADS TO ABUNDANCE. WE NEED MORE
STRATEGIC RESEARCH AND
INVESTMENT IT IT AGGRESSIVE
REVENUE SO THAT WE DON'T KEEP
UNDERFUNDING IMPORTANT PROGRAMS
YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE OF A
BUDGET DEFICIT. IMAGINE A BUDGET
THAT DOES NOT JUST MAKE DO WITH
WHAT WE HAVE, BUT ACTUALLY MEETS
AND EXCEEDS NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE
OF THE CITY. TODAY I URGE YOU TO
INVEST IN MORE FORMS OF
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE THIS YEAR IN
THE YEARS TO COME, TO SET THE
CITY OF FOR FUTURE ABUNDANCE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, CHLOE. UP NEXT IS
ANNIE, FOLLOWED BY REVEREND
STEVE JERVE HE.
>> MY NAME IS ANNIE. I'M A
SENIOR AT LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL
AND A RUNNING START STUDENT AT
SEATTLE CENTRAL COLLEGE. IN ONE
MONTH I WILL BE A VOTER.
AFFORDABLE SEATTLE IS NOT JUST
AN ECONOMIC ISSUE, IT'S A MORAL
ISSUE. WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING TO KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE
LIKE ME IN THIS CITY. I CARE
ABOUT THIS SO MUCH THAT I AM IN
THE CARPENTRY PROGRAM AND HOPE
TO WORK ON PROJECTS THAT CREATE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. MANY OF MY
CLASSMATES, BOTH AT LINCOLN AND
THE TECHNOLOGY CENTER, HAVE
THEIR OWN REASONS TO CALL FOR A
BUDGET THAT IS MORAL AND JUST. I
HAVE OVER 200 LETTERS IN SUPPORT
OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL OF GREATER
SEATTLE'S CALL FOR A MORAL
BUDGET. EVEN MY PEERS WHO DON'T
HAVE A FAITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT
THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND THE
VALUES OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL
FIGHTING FOR IT. I AM FOR YOU TO
PRESERVE FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE THAT FUNDS
VALUES THAT SUPPORT A THRIVING
SEATTLE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT IS
REVEREND STEVE JERVE E, FOLLOWED
BY REVEREND ALEX BOOKER. SORRY
FOR NOT GETTING YOUR TITLES
EARLIER. OVER TO YOU, REVEREND.
>> GOOD EVENING. I AM A PASTOR
STEVE JERVE E, I LIVE, WORK,
WORSHIP, AND VOTE IN THE FOURTH
DISTRICT. A HOUSE DIVIDED CANNOT
STAND. IS A POPULAR SAYING IN
POLITICS , AND ROOTED IN
SCRIPTURE. YET EVEN WITH THIS
ANCIENT WISDOM, THAT IS
PRECISELY WHAT WE HAVE IN THIS
BUDGET. A HOUSE DIVIDED, A CITY
OF DIVISION. WE SEE FUNDING FOR
HOMELESSNESS SERVICES AND SAFE
PARKING , BUT AT THE SAME TIME,
AN OVERINFLATED POLICE BUDGET
AND CITY POLICIES THAT SUPPORT
SWEEPING ENCAMPMENTS OF THE
UNHOUSED. THIS LEAVES SERVICE
PROVIDERS , FAITH COMMUNITIES,
NEIGHBORS , AND THE UNHOUSED
COMMUNITY LEFT TO SCRAMBLE WITH
SUPPORT BECAUSE OUR CITY HAS
CRIMINALIZED POVERTY. WE
INCREASE AND SUSTAIN FUNDING FOR
THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRATION AND
REFUGEE SERVICES, BUT THIS SAME
COUNCIL HAS INCREASED FUNDING
FOR SURVEILLANCE , MAKING OUR
MIGRANT NEIGHBORS LESS SAFE.
MORE AT RISK. WE'VE GOT CITIES
LIKE REDMOND TURNING OFF CAMERAS
, AND YET OUR SANCTUARY CITY
SUPPORTS POLICIES THAT CREATE
HARM. THIS BUDGET, WHICH DOES
SOME GOOD, BUT NOT ADDRESSING
THE DEEP INJURY, IS A BUDGET
DIVIDED. THERE IS NO MORALITY IN
LYING . THERE IS NO JUSTICE IN
DIVISION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, REVEREND. REVEREND
ALEX BOOKER, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBERS,
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY BEFORE
US, WITH A PROGRESSIVE SWEEP OF
CITY HALL AND PROCESS WITH OR
WITHOUT THE MAY ORAL OFFICE. WE
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SET US UP
TO LIVE AND TO ESPOUSE
PROGRESSIVE MORAL VALUES WITH
THIS BUDGET CYCLE FOR NOW IN THE
FUTURE. AS SKYWAY RAISED, LIVING
IN DISTRICT TWO IN A DISTRICT
SEVEN CHURCH, REPRESENTING THE
GREATER CHURCH COUNCIL OF
SEATTLE, I BELIEVE WE CAN DO
THIS BY CONTINUING TO FUND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. BUT STOPPING
THE FUNDING OF SWEEPS WHERE THIS
PEOPLE SHOULD BE LIVING IN THOSE
HOUSES. WE CAN LIVE INTO OUR
VALUES BY CONTINUING FUNDING
SERVICES FOR OUR MIGRANT
COMMUNITIES, BUT STOP FUNDING
AND USING SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS
THAT PUT THOSE VERY COMMUNITIES
AT RISK ALONG WITH BLACK AND
POOR COMMUNITIES THAT I COME
FROM. YOU HAD TO MAKE CUTS TO
COUNCILMEMBER PROPOSALS BECAUSE
THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH REVENUE,
WHERE ARE THE BOLD PROJECTIONS
WITH THE REVENUE WE WERE GOING
TO HAVE? THAT IS HOW WE LIVE IN
OUR VALUES. FOCUSING ON THE ROOT
ISSUES OF HARM THAT MY COMMUNITY
FACES DAY IN AND DAY OUT. NOT BY
THROWING MONEY INTO REACTIVE
INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE AN
EXTENSION OF SAID HARM. MY
SACRED TEXT SAYS THAT WHERE YOUR
TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART
WILL BE. IF OUR TREASURES ARE
BENT TOWARDS MORALITY IN THE
LONG MORAL ARC THAT BENDS
TOWARDS JUSTICE, AS DR. KING
SAID, THAN THE TREASURES OF THE
CITY HALL BUDGET WILL BE
REPRESENTED BY MORALITY AND NOT
BY CONDUCTIVITY. LIKE THE SIGN
SAYS , BUDGETS ARE A MORAL
DOCUMENT.
>> THANK YOU, REVEREND. UP NEXT
IS TONY HIGGS AND JESSE McAFEE.
TONY, THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS TONY HIGGS, I LIVE
IN DISTRICT 4, AND I WORK BEFORE
I RETIRED RECENTLY IN DISTRICT
FIVE FOR A FEW SECURITY MEAL
PROGRAM WHERE WE SAW A LOT OF
FOOD INSECURITY, EVEN BEFORE THE
SNAP CUTS AND THE CLOSING OF THE
FRED MEYER IN LAKE CITY. I'M
ALSO HERE WITH CHURCH COUNCIL,
AND A MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY
CONVOCATION OF THE UNITED CHURCH
OF CHRIST. I AM HERE TO TALK YOU
ABOUT MY NEIGHBORS. AND OTHER
SEATTLE RESIDENTS, MY OTHER
NEIGHBORS. MY NEXT-DOOR APP IS
FULL OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ASKING
FOR FOOD, WHO MAYBE CAN'T GET TO
A FOOD BANK DURING THE HOURS
THAT THEY ARE OPEN. THEY'RE
ASKING FOR CHEAPER PLACES TO
LIVE. SOME HAVE NO PLACE TO LIVE
AT ALL, AND OF COURSE, MANY ARE
VERY FEARFUL ABOUT BEING
KIDNAPPED BY ICE. THIS SHOWS ME
WE ARE WITNESSING A TRUE STATE
OF EMERGENCY IN THIS VERY
WEALTHY CITY OF OURS. SO I WOULD
LIKE SEATTLE'S BUDGET TO
REFLECT MY VALUES OF CARE AND
COMPASSION FOR OUR NEIGHBORS, SO
THAT WE ARE A TRUE SANCTUARY
CITY FOR THOSE IN NEED. PLEASE
SUPPORT MORE FUNDING AND
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE FOR SHELTERS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FOOD
SECURITY, AND LESS FUNDING FOR
SURVEILLANCE AND BIG INCREASES
FOR THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR YOUR TIME.
>> UP NEXT IS JESSE McAFEE .
JESSE, WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JESSE MacCABEE. I
LIVE IN YOUR DISTRICT,
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA , DISTRICT
4. I ATTEND UNIVERSITY
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CHERT
CHRIST IN THE DISTRICT. I AM
BRINGING LETTERS FROM OUR
CONGREGATION IN SUPPORT OF A
CARING AND COMPASSIONATE BUDGET.
I TEACH BIOLOGY AT SEATTLE
CENTRAL COLLEGE, AND I A MEMBER
OF AFT 1789. I BELIEVE THAT
BUDGETS ARE A MORAL DOCUMENT,
AND SHOULD REFLECT THE VALUES OF
OUR CITY'S RESIDENCE.
SEATTLE'S BUDGET IS IMPORTANT
TO ME, BECAUSE I HAVE MANY
STUDENTS AND MY OWN SON, WHO ARE
STRUGGLING TO BUILD A FUTURE IN
THIS WEALTHY CITY. THE CITY OF
SEATTLE HAS PROVIDED
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION
THROUGH THE SEATTLE PROMISE
PROGRAM . THIS HELPS SEATTLE
RESIDENTS BUILD THEIR FUTURE AND
CONTRIBUTE TO THIS WONDERFUL
CITY. I HAVE STUDENTS WHO COUCH
SURF OR MOVE FROM SHELTER TO
SHELTER, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT
HAVE A HOME. I HAVE MANY
STUDENTS WHO CANNOT MAKE THE
MOST OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES, BECAUSE SO MUCH
ENERGY IS SPENT ON JUST GETTING
BY. FOOD SECURITY, MENTAL HEALTH
CARE, COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING WILL HELP OUR
RESIDENTS BUILD A FUTURE FOR
THEMSELVES AND FOR SEATTLE.
SWEEPS, SURVEILLANCE, AND
INCREASED POLICING'S WILL NOT
HELP RESIDENTS BUILD A FUTURE
HERE. THERE IS A PHRASE, IF YOU
CAN'T BEAT THEM, JOIN THEM.
LET'S NOT JOIN THEM, LET'S BEAT
THEM WITH A BUDGET OF CARE AND
COMPASSION, RATHER THAN A BUDGET
OF SURVEILLANCE AND
CRIMINALIZATION. THANK YOU FOR
CONSIDERING YOURS AND MY VALUES.
>> THANK YOU. DID I SEE FORMER
REPRESENTATIVE JESSE JOHNSON?
NO? I AM MISIDENTIFYING YOU, MY
FRIEND. EXCUSE ME, I WAS GOING
TO BRING YOU RIGHT UP TO THE
FRONT. WITH THAT, WE'RE GOING
TO GO ON TO JOEY LOPEZ, AMY,
ABIGAIL, ERIC, DAN MILLER, LAURA
DRAKE, ALEX PETTIS, ALEX
WHEELER. WELCOME, IF FOLKS WANT
THE LINEUP.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. I LIVE
IN DISTRICT 3. I NOW WORK IN
DISTRICT FOUR AND I WORSHIP IN
DISTRICT SEVEN. MY FAITH TELLS
ME OVER AND OVER TO WELCOME THE
STRANGER. THE CHURCH COUNCIL HAS
WORKED WITH SEATTLE'S MIGRANT
COMMUNITY SINCE THE 60s. WE ARE
A CRUCIAL PART IN ADVOCATING FOR
SANCTUARY POLICIES IN THE 80s.
WE SUPPORT THE COALITION TO
SUPPORT MIGRANTS ACROSS OUR
STATE. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE
COMMITMENT OF $4 MILLION FOR THE
OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
AFFAIRS. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE
AMENDMENT THAT MAKES THIS
FUNDING FLEXIBLE TO THE GROWING
NEEDS OF OUR MIGRANT NEIGHBORS
FOR THE YEARS TO COME. OUR
MIGRANT NEIGHBORS, HOWEVER, ARE
LIVING IN FEAR. AS MY COLLEAGUES
HAVE SAID, THIS BUDGET HAS SOME
GLIMMERS OF COMMUNITY CARE, AND
IT IS STILL FILLED WITH
CONTRADICTIONS. THE FEAR OUR
COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE FEELING IS
COMPOUNDED BY THE PERSISTENT CAN
VALENCE BY FEDERAL AGENCIES AND
THE DOWNFALLS OF OUR STATE AND
LOCAL SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT OUR
NEIGHBORS. BUDGETS ARE A MORAL
DOCUMENT. THEY SPEAK TO THE
VALUES OF OUR CITY THROUGH
PUBLIC INVESTMENTS. THIS BUDGET
IS MAKING SOME INVESTMENTS IN
COMMUNITY CARE , AND THAT IS TO
BE CELEBRATED. HOWEVER, IT IS
CONTINUING TO FUND THAT
UNDERMINED THE DIGNITY AND
SAFETY OF SO MANY SEATTLEITES.
WE ARE PROUD TO SEE THE STEPS TO
THE PROPOSALS IN OUR
COMMUNITIES. WE HOPE THE
COUNSELOR WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE
OLD CHOICES TO INVEST IN
COMMUNITY CARE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JOEY. OF, 32,
IVAN. 32, GARRETT. GOOD EVENING.
WE'VE BEEN HERE ALL DAY.
>> MY NAME IS IVAN CURTIS.
>> HANG TIGHT. SORRY, I'M USED
TO ONES THAT ARE MORE SENSITIVE.
MY NAME IS IVAN CURTIS. THANK
YOU FOR ALLOWING US ALL TO TALK
TO YOU. I'VE GOT A LOT OF
COMPETITION ON WHO IS BEEN
SPEAKING. THANK YOU TO
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON AND RINCK
FOR THE HELP THEY HAVE GIVEN TO
TENT CITIES THREE AND FOUR. OF
COURSE UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE
GOING TO BE MOVING ON THE 15th.
NOT MUCH WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT IN
LESS THEY GET EXTENSIONS. AND WE
DO NEED HELP ON THAT. I ALSO
WANT TO BRING UP , 200 PEOPLE
THERE. 208 PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY
DIED THIS YEAR ALONE HOMELESS.
THAT IS HORRIFYING, REALLY. SO,
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL I GOT TO
SAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR MAKING THAT
REAL. GARRETT, WELCOME.
>> CHAIR STRAUSS,
COUNCILMEMBERS, GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR HOLDING THIS
HEARING WHEN PEOPLE WHO ARE
WORKING FAMILIES CAN STILL
PARTICIPATE. MY NAME IS GARRETT,
I AM A RENTER IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT WITH MY PARTNER . I AM
ALSO A VOLUNTEER AND PASSIONATE
SUPPORTER OF THE GARFIELD
SUPERBLOCK PROJECT AND PARK
REDEVELOPMENT. I AM INCREDIBLY
EXCITED THAT THE CITY IS MAKING
GOOD ON A 20-YEAR-OLD PROMISE TO
THE RESIDENTS IN THE CENTRAL
AREA, AND CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN
IN EARNEST. I AM SO EXCITED THAT
THIS PROJECT IS BECOMING A
REALITY, INCLUDING AN ACCESSIBLE
WALKING LOOP , BATHROOMS,
BASKETBALL COURTS, BEAUTIFUL ART
INSTALLATIONS THAT ARE FEATURING
THE SEVEN ETHNIC GROUPS THAT
HAVE HISTORICALLY MADE UP THE
CENTRAL AREA. THIS PROJECT COMES
AT A CRITICAL MOMENT , WHEN GUN
VIOLENCE ON CAMPUS AT GARFIELD
HIGH AND BEYOND IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD , WE MUST INVEST IN
WHAT WE KNOW IMPROVES SAFETY .
THAT IS COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AND
ACTIVATION. IT IS EXACTLY WHAT
GSP DOES. GIVEN THE YEARS OF
DELAY ON THIS PROJECT, THE COST
OF INCREASE WHILE THE SCOPE HAS
DECREASED, PLEASE HELP ENSURE
THAT WE ARE ABLE TO INCLUDE
CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF
INTERGENERATIONAL PLAY AND
ACCESS, REGARDLESS OF INCOME.
PLEASE SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH 'S AMENDMENT THAT
WOULD CONTRIBUTE $150,000 TO THE
GARFIELD SUPERBLOCK AND HELP US
COMPLETE THIS PROJECT. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU, GARRETT. UP NEXT
IS AMY, ABIGAIL, AND 36, ERICA
BUSH.
>> CAN WE SPEAK AS A GROUP TO
SAVE TIME?
>> YES PLEASE. WHAT ARE YOUR
NUMBERS?
>> 34, 35, 36. ANYONE ELSE WITH
YOU? 37. 38. NOT 38. 40. AND 39.
WONDERFUL. WITH THAT YOU'VE GOT
FOUR MINUTES AND 30 SECONDS.
THANK YOU FOR COMING TOGETHER TO
SPEAK AS A GROUP.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY NAME
IS AMY, I AM A RESIDENT OF
HIGHLAND PARK , DISTRICT ONE. I
AM ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE
HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB
UNKNOWN AS -- FIRST I WANT TO
EXTEND MY ABSOLUTE HEARTFELT
GRATITUDE TO ROB SAKA, MARK
SOLOMON, AND SULLIVAN FOR
SPONSORING THE BUDGET WITH THE
PROPOSED 500,000. THIS MONEY
WILL HELP US FUND A LITTLE LESS
THAN HALF OF THE NEXT
CONSTRUCTION PHASE, FRAMING OF
THE BUILDING. WE ARE SHOVEL
READY, WORKING ON THE FOUNDATION
RIGHT NOW. OUR NEIGHBORHOOD DOES
NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A DEDICATED
COMMUNITY CENTER. IT FILLS THIS
GAP . THERE IS HIGH DEMAND. WE
ARE GROWING, WE ARE SPONSORING,
WE HAVE GROWN TO 350 MEMBERS
SPONSORING 1000 PEOPLE TO OUR
EMPTY LOT THIS PAST SUMMER. WE
KNOW THAT THE RESEARCH IS
STRONG. STRONG COMMUNITY
CONNECTION AND MUTUAL TRUST ARE
THE FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY
AND REDUCED CRIME. BY
REBUILDING, THE CITY GAINS
PUBLIC SAFETY, EQUITABLE
SERVICES, CIVIC READINESS,
VIBRANT EVENTS. BY INVESTING,
YOU'RE NOT JUST FINDING A
BUILDING, YOU ARE FINDING THE
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THAT
CONNECTION. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS ABIGAIL WEBER, I
AM A RESIDENT IN THE RIVERVIEW
NEIGHBORHOOD. RIGHT NEXT DOOR.
THANK YOU. I MOVED TO THE
NEIGHBORHOOD ONE MONTH AFTER THE
COMMUNITY CENTER BURNED DOWN. IN
THAT AMOUNT OF TIME, I HAVE
GOTTEN TO KNOW OVER 100 MEMBERS
FACE-TO-FACE. NOT EVEN ON THE
INTERNET. IT IS SUCH A STRONG
COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, THE AMOUNT
OF LOVE AND SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE
FOR EACH OTHER IS SO STRONG. THE
WEIGHT IS SO IMMENSE. YOU JUST
WALK INTO THAT SPOT AND YOU FEEL
LIKE YOU BELONG THERE. SO WE ARE
LONG OVERDUE FOR A CENTER TO
COME TOGETHER. ESPECIALLY
POST-COVID. WE NEED A THIRD
PLACE TO HOST MEETINGS, HAVE
CULTURE AND ART FESTIVALS,
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, FOOD
AID, FARMERS MARKETS. THE
ABUNDANCE IS THERE. PLEASE,
PLEASE SUPPORT US IN BUILDING
THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY THAT
HAS BEEN FOR OVER 105 YEARS.
>> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HAVING
US. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I
AM ALSO A RESIDENT OF THIS
NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS SPACE IS
WHERE MY HUSBAND AND I MOVED
WHEN WE FIRST CAME HERE, AND IT
HAS WELCOMED US WITH OPEN ARMS .
IT IS NOW THE PLACE THAT WE HAVE
CHOSEN TO RAISE OUR SON, AND
THIS ENVIRONMENT IS WHAT WE FEEL
HE AND OTHER SMALL CHILDREN WHO
ARE BECOMING A LARGER PORTION OF
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD DESERVE. WE
KNOW ACROSS OUR CITY THAT IT IS
THESE KINDS OF PLACES THAT
CREATE THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT
BUILD RESISTANCE TO THE
PRESSURES AND THE CHALLENGES
THAT WE ARE ALL HERE TO TALK
ABOUT TODAY. PLEASE SUPPORT US
IN REBUILDING THIS INCREDIBLE
SPACE THAT IS BEEN HERE FOR THIS
COMMUNITY FOR OVER 100 YEARS.
THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS DAN MILLER, I'M
HERE FOR THE HIGHLAND PARK
IMPROVEMENT CLUB. I ALSO HAVE A
12-YEAR-OLD SON, AND LIVE IN A
COMMUNITY THAT I FEEL IS
UNDERSERVED. I WOULD LOVE MY SON
TO GROW UP IN A COMMUNITY
CENTER, WHICH IS MUCH MORE THAN
JUST A BUILDING. IT IS A HUB OF
PEOPLE WHERE PEOPLE GET TO KNOW
EACH OTHER . AND WHEN YOU GET A
NO NEIGHBORS, YOU FEEL SAFE AND
YOU FEEL INVOLVED IN YOUR
COMMUNITY. SO THIS IS, I FEEL
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD. SO THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS ALEX, I AM A NEW
MEMBER OF THE HIGHLAND PARK
IMPROVEMENT CLUB , I JUST WANT
TO KEEP THIS SHORT. I AM REALLY
EXCITED TO BE PART OF THIS CLUB.
IN THE SHORT TIME I'VE BEEN
HERE, I FOUND A GROUP OF PEOPLE
REALLY EAGER AND EXCITED TO HELP
THEIR COMMUNITY AND THEIR
NEIGHBORS, AND I HOPE BY FUNDING
THIS PROJECT WE CAN KEEP THAT
GOING.
>> THANK YOU. I AM ALSO ALEX.
I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE
HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB,
GET THE VACUUM. WE ARE VERY
EXCITED. THANK YOU, COUNCIL
MEMBER SAKA FOR PUTTING US IN,
AND THANK YOU FOR MOVING US
ALONG. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR
$500,000. WE WILL BE GRATEFUL
FOR A LOT MORE. WE HAVE A LOT
MORE TO DO. I WANT TO STRESS,
THIS PROJECT IS READY. WE HAVE A
BLUEPRINT, WE TORE DOWN THE
BUILDING, WE HAVE SHOVELS IN THE
GROUND RIGHT NOW. WE ARE READY
TO CASH A CHECK AND START
BUILDING RIGHT AWAY , FOR ALL OF
THESE GREAT REASONS, AND SO MANY
MORE. PLEASE COME OUT AND VISIT
US AT HIGHLAND PARK. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK THAT'S
THE END OF THE SCRIPT, BECAUSE
YOU ARE NUMBER 38, IS THAT
CORRECT? YOU DID NOT WANT TO BE
PART OF THE GROUP?
>> THAT'S CORRECT, YES.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING UP
AS A GROUP. NUMBER 38 , LAURA
DRAKE.
>>> I WAS ABLE TO BUY A HOME AS
A SINGLE MOTHER AND ARTIST BACK
IN THE DAY IN 99 WHICH I CANNOT
DO ANYMORE. FOR ME. THE CLUB
I STARTED MY BUSINESS IN 2001
THAT SUMMER AND THEN CARRIED
SOMEWHERE ELSE 23 YEARS. I HAVE
A LOT OF HISTORY THERE. I WAS A
TEACHER AT HIGHLAND PARK
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NINE YEARS, A
VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF
FAMILIES. IT IS A GREAT PLACE
AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER IS
WONDERFUL, COMMUNITY GATHERINGS
OF ALL KINDS FOR ALL AGES. IT IS
SO UNIQUE I'VE NEVER SEEN
ANYTHING LIKE THIS. IN THE
VARIOUS PLACES I LIVED IN MY
LIFE SO IT'S WORTH KEEPING AND
IT IS VOLUNTEER AND IT IS A
BEAUTIFUL THING I HOPE WE CAN
BUILD IT UP AND INVITE EVERYBODY
HERE TO COME OVER AND PARTY.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON 41
THROUGH 50 WE ARE ONE HOUR IN.
IF I CAN SEE JESSE DO WE HAVE
THE GROUP OF YOUNG ADULTS THAT
HAVE TO LEAVE BY SEVEN? WE DO.
WITH THAT, [ NAME ]
[ READING NAMES ]
>> THANK YOU. GEORGETOWN
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION COMMENTING
IN SUPPORT OF CHAIRPERSON
STRAUSS BALANCING PACKAGE
INCLUDING THE AMENDMENT
SPECIFICALLY FUNDING FOR THE
GEORGETOWN CLIMATE RESILIENCE
HUB AND NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER SEA
LEVEL RISE ADAPTATION PLAN ,
PRIORITIZING FARMERS MARKETS AND
FOOD DESERTS. AND SUPPORTING FOR
THE INITIAL OUTREACH EFFORTS .
YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO MY COLLEAGUES
THIS AFTERNOON SO I ONLY WISH TO
ELABORATE ON TWO DATA POINTS,
FIRST IS THIS FROM SEATTLE
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
BASED ON THIS CHART EVERYTHING
IN THE RED WILL BE UNDERWATER
WITH STATISTICAL CERTAINTY BY
2100, 5050 BY 2050 SO THIS WILL
HIT IN OUR LIFETIME IN THE RED
YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE MICHIGAN
STREET INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR,
EQUINOX STUDIOS, SANDAL DESIGN,
BOEING AIRFIELD AND LITERALLY
ALL OF SOUTH PARK. IN ADDITION
TO THAT THIS MAP FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON , A
GRADUATE STUDENT MAPS OUT TO THE
EQUIVALENT OF FOOD DESERTS FOR
EMERGENCY RESILIENCE HUBS EACH
TRIANGLE IN BROWN WELCOMES A
PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE TO WALK
MORE THAN 80 MINUTES TO GET TO
AN EMERGENCY RELIEF CENTER
ORGANIZED IN THE EVENT OF
EMERGENCY, THOSE 80 MINUTES ARE
CALLED DEATH WALK MINUTES IN THE
LITERATURE. WITH THE RIGHT
PARTNERSHIP AND FUNDING
GEORGETOWN CAN MEET THE PLAN FOR
THE PROBLEM IN THE NEXT 25 YEARS
BEFORE WE ARE UNDERWATER. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COMING WITH THE
DATA. YOUR UP NEXT. NUMBER 42
WILSON LAST NAME STARTS WITH A
J. WE ARE ON 42. WE WILL COME
BACK TO TYLER BLACKWELL 44 COME
ON UP. IT WILL COME BACK TO 42
IN A MINUTE.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS
MY NAME IS TYLER BLACKWELL
REPRESENTING THE DeSOTO BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREA DISTRICT WHEN I
WANT TO THANK COUNCIL FOR
SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSALS FOR THE
TRANSIT STUDY AS WELL AS THE
POLICY REVIEW ON PERMANENT
BENDING OVER THE NEXT DECADE
SOTO WILL EXPERIENCE HISTORIC
LEVELS OF DISRUPTION AND
DISPLACEMENT FROM THE FEE FOR
WORLD CUP TO SOUND TRANSIT
EXPANSION THESE PROJECTS WILL
RESHAPE HOW PEOPLE AND GOODS
MOVE THROUGH THE DISTRICT. WE
HOST MANY SOCIAL SERVICES AS
WELL AS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
JOBS INCLUDING MANY LIVING WAGE
JOBS AND WITHOUT A COURT NEEDED
STRATEGY ACCESS TO JOBS AND
SERVICES WILL BE AT RISK, THE
TRANSIT STUDY IS MODEST BUT
ESSENTIAL INITIATIVE THAT WILL
IDENTIFY TRANSPORTATION GAPS AND
RECOMMEND STRATEGIES TO KEEP
SOTO ACCESSIBLE FUNCTIONAL AND
ECONOMICALLY STRONG. AT THE SAME
TIME WE HAVE SEEN A RAPID
INCREASE THAT CREATES HEALTH AND
SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL AS
UNDERMINES BUSINESSES IN THE
AREA. WE APPRECIATE PROPOSALS IN
THE BUDGET AND THE POLICY REVIEW
WILL ENSURE LASTING EFFECTIVE
SOLUTIONS ARE IN PLACE FOR YEARS
TO COME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU TYLER. UP NEXT 45,
CASEY BURTON. WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS CASEY BURTON.
THANK YOU. MY NAME IS CASEY
BURTON I AM IN DISTRICT 2 AND I
AM A TENANT ATTORNEY HERE TO ASK
AT MINIMUM YOU ALL REINSTATE
TENDON SERVICES FUNDING IN THE
UPCOMING BUDGET. RIGHT NOW THE
BALANCING PACKAGE IS REINSTATING
$500,000 BUT WE NEED ANOTHER
$500,000 TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AT
2024 LEVELS, RIGHT NOW THE
TENANT LAW CENTER IS NOT FUNDED
FOR A FULL ATTORNEY ON TOP OF
THE INTAKE STAFF NEEDED TO HELP.
AS HE WILL KNOW MORE THAN HALF
THE CITY 'S RENTERS WITH
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
WHO NEED HELP AND THE HOUSING
JUSTICE PROCESS IS ONLY FUNDED
FOR 33 SEATTLE RENTERS FOR MONTH
, THERE ARE ABOUT 600 TO 800
UNLAWFUL DETAINER CASES BEING
FILED EVERY MONTH. WE APPRECIATE
YOU ALL ARE SUPPORTING RENTAL
ASSISTANCE. IT IS GOING TO MAKE
A DIFFERENCE IN A LOT OF FOLKS
LIVES BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY
YOU CANNOT JUST THROW MONEY AT
LANDLORDS AND ASSUME THAT SOLVES
EVERY TENANT PROBLEMS RUSSELL
ASSISTANCE IS NOT GOING TO
ENSURE REPAIRS RENTAL ASSISTANCE
IS NOT GOING TO ENSURE YOU GET
ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITY.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE WILL NOT
NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT TO
PRESERVE TENANCY IT'S NOT. SO
WE HAVE TO ENSURE PEOPLE HAVE
EVERYTHING THEY NEED THANK YOU.
FUNDING SERVICES THAT SERVE
TENANTS OF THE CITY THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, CASEY. NEXT 46
FIRST NAME STARTS WITH A, LAST
NAME BELIEVE IT IS J. IS THAT
YOU AWESOME GO FOR IT
>> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS ALAN
FRANCIS A RENTER IN DISTRICT 4
AND PARTICIPANT OF SHARE, A YEAR
AGO I MOVED INTO AN APARTMENT
GOT A RENTAL AGREEMENT WITH MY
NAME ON IT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
10 YEARS THE POSSIBILITY OF
LOSING MY LOW-INCOME HOUSING AND
RETURNING TO THE STREETS
TERRIFIES ME PLEASE RESTORE
TENDON SERVICES TO 2024 LEVELS I
HAVE SEEN NEIGHBORS LOSE THEIR
HOMES BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW
THEIR RIGHTS OR CANNOT ACCESS
LEGAL HELP FOR ME A BAD PROPERTY
MANAGER OR SINGLENESS TO
DISABILITY PAYMENT WITHOUT
TENDON SERVICES IS A PATH BACK
TO THE STREETS. I URGE YOU TO
REINSTATE ALL FUNDING TENANT
SERVICES FOR ADDINGTON 500,000
TO THE CHAIR BALANCING PACKAGE
WE NEED BOTH RENTAL ASSISTANCE
AND TENANT SERVICES AND I
SUPPORT ALLOCATING 4 MILLION,
FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR
RENTERS NONPROFIT AFFORDABLE
HOUSING WITHOUT FUNDING FOR
THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES WE RISK
MORE EVICTIONS AND A DEEPER
CRISIS. SUPPOSED TO MOVE IN JUST
OVER A WEEK. BOTH OF THESE CAMPS
THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY THE
CAMPS HAVE HAD TO MOVE AT ONCE
THIS IS DAUNTING. WE NEED HELP.
WE SUPPORT SUPPORTING
ENCAMPMENTS SUPPORTED BY
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH
THANK YOU AND WE OFFER EXPERTISE
. LET'S KEEP WORKING TOGETHER
TO FIND STATES SITES AND PROVIDE
FUNDING FOR MORE SHELTER AND
WOMEN'S DAY CENTER WITHOUT
SHELTER PEOPLE DIE, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU NEXT IS 47 IT IS
ABLE LAST NAME STARTS WITH M.
>> HI I WOULD LIKE TO THANK CITY
HALL AND YOU PEOPLE FOR BEING
HERE LISTENING TO US. I WOULD
LIKE TO STATE I AM ASKING FOR
YOU GUYS TO HAVE SYMPATHY ON NOT
RELOCATING THE TENT ON MARTIN
LUTHER KING AND REGNIER BECAUSE
WE HAVE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
THERE AND HANDICAP PEOPLE AND IT
IS HARD FOR THEM TO MOVE WITH
THIS INHOSPITABLE WEATHER. ALL I
CAN SAY IS OUR FUTURE IS IN YOUR
HANDS AND THERE'S NOTHING ELSE
I CAN SAY REGARDLESS OF WHAT I
SAY IT'S ALWAYS YOUR DECISION
NOT THE DECISION OF THE PUBLIC
IN GENERAL. SO THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT IS CHARLIE
FOLLOWED BY ROY AND I GET IT
WRONG EVERY TIME. [ NAME ] THANK
YOU AND MY APOLOGIES. CHARLIE
YOU ARE UP.
>> GOOD EVENING THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME AND OPPORTUNITY TO
SPEAK I AM HERE REPRESENTING I
AM A BOARD MEMBER OF SOTO PIA, A
LONG HISTORY BEYOND MANAGING
PROPERTIES TENANTS RANGING TO
DEVELOP MOMENTUM , HOME DEPOT
AND THE GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS OF
STARBUCKS. TOGETHER THOSE
ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN 3000 DAILY
VISITS TO SOTO THIS AREA IS
UNDERSERVED BY PUBLIC TRANSIT AS
SOTO EVOLVES BY MULTI-USE AND
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNITY IT IS
NECESSARY TO GAIN UNDERSTANDING
OF THE GAPS AND SERVICE AND
PREPARE FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES
SUCH AS THE ELIMINATION OF THE
BUSWAY AND RELOCATION OF THE
HIGH-VOLTAGE LINES ON SIXTH
AVENUE SOUTH THAT'S WHY WE
SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BUDGET
AMENDMENT TO FUND THE SOTO
TRANSIT STUDY, A CRITICAL STEP
TO MORE RELIABLE AND THRIVING
SOTO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, CHARLIE. NEXT WE
HAVE ROY AND THEN [ NAME ] STILL
MESSING IT UP I KNOW. SORRY.
>> HELLO MY NAME IS ROY McGEE
AND I LIVE IN WEST SEATTLE. I
WAS, I AM HERE TO ASK TO FUND
HUMAN SERVICES. I WORK FOR
FREMONT PUBLIC ASSOCIATION FOOD
BANK AND VOLUNTEERED THERE ABOUT
15 YEARS A WHILE BACK SO I KNOW
THERE IS A NEED BECAUSE WHEN YOU
VOLUNTEER AND WORK IN THOSE
PLACES YOU SEE THE HOMELESS
PEOPLE COMING THROUGH BY THE
DROVES EVEN OUT IN FREMONT WHICH
IS A FAIRLY WELL-TO-DO AREA. AND
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT
WHEN YOU GUYS HAD YOUR FRESH BOX
PROGRAM AND HOW IT HELPED A LOT
OF PEOPLE ACTUALLY GET FRESH
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND HELP
STABILIZE A BETTER DIET. SO ,
THOSE PROGRAMS HELPED AND WE
HAVE TO KEEP MEDICAID THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I'M STILL MESSING
IT UP I'M SORRY.
>> YOU GOT IT. I APPRECIATE YOUR
EFFORT. WELL, GOOD EVENING
COUNCILMEMBERS I AM HERE ON
BEHALF OF SOLID GROUND AND WANT
TO SHARE SUPPORT FOR THE HUMAN
SERVICE INVESTMENTS AS YOU CAN
SEE BY THE RED SCARVES TONIGHT
AND THE OR SUPPORTING THE
REQUEST TO FULLY FUND TENANT
SERVICES. I WANT TO SHED LIGHT
ON THREATS TO THE CONTINUUM OF
CARE FUNDING PARTICULARLY TALK
ABOUT RAPID REHOUSING AND ASKED
THE COUNCIL INCREASE THE FEDERAL
RESERVE TO AVOID DEVASTATING
LOSSES TO THE HOMELESS SYSTEM.
SO EVERY YEAR RAPID REHOUSING
HELPS ALMOST 400 INDIVIDUALS
INCLUDING 200 CHILDREN MOVE
QUICKLY INTO PERMANENT HOUSING
THAT IS MARKET RATE SO DO THIS
BY PROVIDING RENT SUBSIDIES FOR
UP TO TWO YEARS AND DEEP CASE
MANAGEMENT HELPING PEOPLE WITH
BUS TICKETS, WITH HOUSING
SEARCH, PAYING FOR MOVE IN
COSTS, SO IF THESE CUTS ARE NOT
FILLED OUR CITY WILL LOSE OUT ON
ONE OF THE LOWEST BARRIER
OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO SECURE
PERMANENT HOUSING. A LOT OF
PEOPLE COME TO US ARE REFERRED
BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH
UNITS IN THE ENTRY SYSTEM SO WE
HELP THEM FIND PERMANENT HOUSING
AND THE MARKET RATE. SO WE WOULD
ALSO LOSE ON ONE OF THE MOST
EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO KEEP
PEOPLE FROM FALLING BACK INTO
HOMELESSNESS MAINTAINING A 0%
RETURN TO HOMELESSNESS RATE
BECAUSE WE CAN OFFER LONG-TERM
INTENSIVE SUPPORT SO UNTIL WE
HELP PEOPLE FIND JOBS AND PAY
MORE OF THEIR RENTAL SHARE OVER
TWO YEARS. WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT
RAPID REHOUSING AND WHITE IS SO
IMPORTANT. WE HOPE YOU GUYS
INCREASE THE FEDERAL RESERVE.
>> THANK YOU. GOING BACK TO
NUMBER 42. WILSON J , 42 WILSON
J. 42 WILSON J. I WILL LEAVE A
NOTE UP HERE.
IN CASE WE RETURN TO IT. WE ARE
GOING TO MOVE ON ACTUALLY IT IS
NOW 6:13. WE HAVE A GROUP OF
YOUNG ADULTS THAT NEED TO LEAVE
BY 6:45 P.M. ANY OBJECTION TO
THEM MOVING FORWARD NOW? IF YOU
OBJECT TO JUST RAISE YOUR HAND.
WITH NO OBJECTION WE ARE GOING
TO MOVE GROUP NUMBER 90 MOVE TO
RIGHT NOW SO IF YOU CAN COME UP
NOW AND AS YOU ARE COMING UP WE
DO 51 THROUGH 60 SICILIA BLACK,
MATT JOHNSON, [ READING NAMES ]
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE GROUP NUMBER
90. I NEED TO KNOW WHICH THREE
OF YOU HAVE SIGNED UP. SO WE
NEED THREE SIGNED UP WHAT ARE
YOUR NUMBERS? CAN YOU SHOW ME
YOUR NUMBERS? WE HAVE 140,
NUMBER 90 AND WHAT IS THE THIRD
NUMBER? 144. 140 AND 90. 4:30
CLERK, 4:30?
>> THERE BLOCKING PUBLIC MEMBERS
THAT ARE SITTING.
>> YOU ARE BLOCKING MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO
BE ON EITHER SIDE OR LITTLE BIT
LOWER WE ARE TRYING TO MAINTAIN
THE VISIBILITY. WE HAVE 4:30 ON
THE CLOCK FOR YOU NOW TAKE IT
AWAY.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS LAURA I
WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO LOOK AT
THE SETUP OF THE ROOM AND
QUESTION WHEN WE FACE THE
COUNCIL AS THOUGH THEY ARE NOT
PART OF US. TALK TO EACH OTHER
AND LISTEN TO THE WORDS WE ARE
SAYING NOT TO THE COUNCIL BUT TO
EACH OTHER BECAUSE EVEN IN THE
NEGLIGENT ACTIONS OF
COUNCILMEMBERS WE CAN LISTEN. WE
CAN HEAR EACH OTHER AND SUPPORT
EACH OTHER I URGE THE COUNCIL TO
FIGHT FOR AUTONOMY AND CARE OF
PEOPLE IN SEATTLE AND TO
ACTIVELY LISTEN AND SEEK OUT AND
BELIEVE THOSE EXPERIENCES FOR
THOSE WHO THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO
REPRESENT, WHO YOU GUYS ARE
SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT STOP
FUNDING THE POLICE THEY TAKE
NEARLY 1/THROUGH THE BUDGET THAT
THEY DON'T NEED STOP FUNDING
SURVEILLANCE AND THANKING PEOPLE
FOR SPEAKING WHEN YOU FORGET
THEM SO SOON. FOR THOSE OF YOU
WHO SHOWED UP TODAY GET TO KNOW
YOUR NEIGHBOR WHY THEY ARE HERE
AND WHY THEY NEED WHAT YOU NEED
AND HOW YOU CAN EAT EACH OTHER
THIS DOES NOT ALLEVIATE COUNCIL
OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES BUT IT
IS A RESPONSE TO NEEDS LEAD BY
EXAMPLE AND LEAD WITH EMPATHY.
>> HI MY NAME IS [ NAME ]
BECAUSE OF CREATIVE JUSTICE I
HAVE A SAFE HEALTHY GROWING
COMMUNITY WHICH WE KNOW THERE'S
NOT MUCH LIKE THAT IN SEATTLE OR
WASHINGTON. BECAUSE OF CREATIVE
JUSTICE THERE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE
LIKE ME WHO EXPRESS THEIR SELVES
IN HEALTHY AND SAFE WAYS THEIR
CREATIVITY INSTEAD OF BEING
INVOLVED IN THE STREETS HEAVY
DRUGS ARE NOT HEALTHY
ENVIRONMENTS AND IF YOU DECIDE
TO TAKE MONEY FROM THE PROGRAMS
LIKE THIS HOW YOUTH WHICH IS THE
FUTURE BE ABLE TO KNOW WE DON'T
WANT TO DO BAD OR FOLLOW THE BAD
ENVIRONMENT TO BE HAPPY
ENTERTAIN OR FED IF YOU DEFINE
CREATIVE JUSTICE YOU TAKE AWAY
BRIDGE FOR A BETTER LIFE DON'T
BE PRIDEFUL BECAUSE YOU ARE
COMFORTABLE AND DO NOT
UNDERSTAND WHERE THE LESS
FORTUNATE COMES FROM BUT INSTEAD
STEP INTO THE COMMUNITY TO SEE
THE CHANGES OF SMALL PROGRAMS
AND WHAT THEY CAN DO, THANK YOU
AND I HOPE YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE
THE RIGHT CHOICE.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS LEX I'M 21
AND A COME WITH A DEMAND I AM A
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THERE
WERE SO MANY DAYS AND PASSING
FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE
STREET LOOK LOST AND HELPLESS
WONDERING WHERE THEY WILL LAY
THEIR HEADS THIS WINTER WE NEED
FUNDING TO ERECT NEW HOUSING
UNITS YOUNG ADULTS OR ADULTS OR
WE NEED PROPER PROGRAMMING TO
ACCURATELY TARGET THESE PEOPLE
AND THEIR NEEDS IT'S NOT
OUTLANDISH WE ARE COLLAPSING
MORE THAN EVER WITH CORRUPT
POLITICIANS SO THERE ARE NUANCES
THAT TIE-DYE WE GOT IT TODAY
ANOTHER ASKING IS MORE FUNDING
TO CREATIVE JUSTICE LESS FUNDING
TOWARD POLICE DEPARTMENTS THANK
YOU.
>> MY NAME IS ROSE A CREATIVE
JUSTICE COORDINATOR AND I WANT
TO LIST SOME OF THE DEMANDS ON
THE BANNER HERE THAT THE YOUTH
GROUP CAME UP WITH LAST YEAR BUT
THEY ARE CONSISTENTLY DEMANDS WE
SEE IN THE COMMUNITY THE FIRST
WAS TO DEFUND SPD 100% . TO NOT
RELY ON JAILS OR PRISONS. TO
FUND YOUTH LED PROGRAMMING , TWO
GRAY HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS
ENVIRONMENTS PEOPLE CAN FLOURISH
IN AND ALSO SUPPORTING THE
HEALTH OF THE ACTUAL ENVIRONMENT
LIKE ANOTHER ONE OF THE DEMANDS
WAS HOUSING FOR ALL THAT HAS
BEEN HERE ALL NIGHT WE NEED
EVERYBODY TO HAVE ACCESS TO
HOUSING THAT'S WHAT SAFETY IS.
HEALTHY FOOD AND CLEAN WATER FOR
ALL. EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE AND
BASIC SUPPLIES FOR ALL. THIS IS
ALL LISTED ON THE YOUTH
SOLIDARITY BUDGET BANNER HERE ,
BUT ALSO LIKE YOU HEARD FROM
YOUNG PEOPLE IS EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT WE ARE FUNDING
COMMUNITY. YOU HEARD THAT FROM
EVERYBODY HERE TONIGHT WE HAVE
HEARD AGAIN AND AGAIN THE WAY
POLICE VIOLENCE IS AFFECTING
YOUNG PEOPLE, WE HAVE HEARD
AGAIN AND AGAIN THE WAY THEY
COME TO COUNCIL THEY HAVE NOT
FELT HEARD IT IS AWESOME THEY
WERE ABLE TO SPEAK TONIGHT, THE
LAST TIME WE CAME WE SAT HERE
AND LISTENED SO LIKE THE FIRST
YOUNG PERSON WHO SPOKE HAD SAID
WE NEED TO RELY ON EACH OTHER.
WE HAVE FORMS WE HANDED OUT TO
DIFFERENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
WE WOULD LIKE TO CONNECT WITH
YOU BECAUSE WE KNOW THE POWER IS
WITH US AND ESPECIALLY YOUNG
PEOPLE WHO HAVE A VISION FOR A
BETTER FUTURE. THANK YOU SO MUCH
AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING AND FOR
EVERYONE HERE FOR LETTING OUR
YOUNG ADULTS GO A LITTLE
EARLIER. WITH THAT WE HAVE 51
THROUGH 60.
YOUNG FOLKS PLEASE MAKE WAY.
THANK YOU. FOR EVERYONE ELSE [
READING NAMES ] GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> MINIMUS SICILIA BLACK A BOARD
MEMBER OF BE SEATTLE I WANT TO
THANK COUNCILMEMBERS FOR
SPONSORING AMENDMENT TO RESTORE
TENANT SERVICES AND FUNDING TO
ITS 2024 LEVELS AND URGE THE
COUNCIL TO REINSTATE ALL FUNDING
BY ADDING AT LEAST ANOTHER
$500,000 TO WHAT WAS PROPOSED IN
THE BALANCING PACKAGE THIS IS A
BARE MINIMUM. RELYING ON CITY
FUNDING JUST ABLE TO OPERATE
UNDER THE 2020 FOR FUNDING, LAST
YEAR THE BUDGET CUTS DECIMATED
WORK WE NOW ONLY HAVE ONE
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE. THIS IS AT A
TIME WHEN TENANT SERVICES IS
NEEDED MORE THAN EVER HOUSING IS
ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS
FACING THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY
AND THE KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
WORKSHOPS TAILORED TO PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES HELP RENTERS
NAVIGATE REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATIONS AND DIFFICULT
RELATIONSHIPS WITH LANDLORDS
THAT HELPED KEEP PEOPLE IN
HOUSING AND PREVENT EVICTIONS,
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE
BEEN DEVASTATED BY THE HOUSING
CRISIS AND PAYS MORE UNCERTAINTY
WITH THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND
LOU MADE CUTS WE NEED TO FUND
EVERY RESOURCE TO SUPPORT
COMMUNITIES WE CAN INSTEAD THIS
BUDGET DIVERTS FUNDS TO PROGRAMS
THAT SERVE ALE AND HARM
COMMUNITY LIKE SWEEPS, GRAFFITI
AND STREET VENDOR ENFORCEMENT
AND MILLIONS SET ASIDE FOR
POLICE HIRING PLEASE REINVEST IN
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
>> UP NEXT IS [ READING NAMES ]
INDIVIDUALS OR AS A GROUP
TONIGHT? ONE GROUP OF THREE. IS
IT'S A GROUP OF THREE?
>> AT THE END THERE IS A GROUP
OF THREE.
>> OVER TO YOU, MATT.
>> CHAIR, COUNCILMEMBER AND ALL
COUNCILMEMBERS THANK YOU FOR
HAVING US WE KNOW YOU HAVE GOT A
BIG JOB HERE TO COVER ALL OF
THESE HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS WITH
ONE BUDGET AND WE APPRECIATE
YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR EFFORT
CANNOT BE EASY. I'M THE
CO-AUTHOR OF THE CITYWIDE SKATE
PARK PLAN RATIFIED BY THE BODY
IN 2007, I LIVE IN DISTRICT 1.
PLEASE SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBERS
AMENDMENT FOR COMPLETION FUNDING
OF THE MORGAN JUNCTION ALL
WHEELS AREA WHICH IS LIKE A
COMMUNITY CENTER WITH ACTION
HAPPENING ALL THE TIME AND
OUTSIDE. SEATTLE PARKS HAS BEEN
STRUGGLING TO DEVELOP THE LAND
SITE FOR OVER 10 YEARS , THEY
ASKED THE COMMUNITY TO GET
TOGETHER TO FUND DESIGN WHICH WE
DID WITH A GRANT WE GOT FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS
$28,000 WORTH OF VOLUNTEER TIME
WENT INTO THE TEN-MONTH EFFORT
TO COMPLETE THIS SHOVEL READY
DESIGN THAT WE HAVE AND THEY
TOLD US SORRY WE DON'T HAVE THE
CONSTRUCTION MONEY TO COMPLETE
THE PROJECT. THAT WAS NOT FUN TO
TELL THE HUNDREDS OF KIDS WHO
CAME OUT, EVERYBODY THAT
VOLUNTEERED SO WE WANT TO
COMPLETE THIS IT MEANS A LOT TO
THE COMMUNITY. PLEASE HELP
SEATTLE PARKS AND REC FOLLOW
THROUGH WITH ITS COMMITMENT AND
CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE
AMENDMENT TO FUND THE MORGAN
JUNCTION AREA THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MATT. UP NEXT IS
JOSHUA.
>> THANK YOU FOR AUTHORING AND
FOR COSPONSORING THE BUDGET
AMENDMENT TO FUND THE ALL WHEELS
AREA AT THE MORGAN JUNCTION PARK
EXPANSION SITE. THE SHOVEL READY
DESIGN AT THE ASSOCIATION HAS
WORKED TO CREATE YOUR VOLUNTEER
FUNDING WITH 4400, $44,000
DEPARTMENT IN EVERETT GRANT
MEANT TO BE USER-FRIENDLY AND
ACCESSIBLE TO ALL WHEELS AND ALL
AGES AN UN-INTIMIDATING FACILITY
FOR YOUTH TO LEARN AND GROW
THEIR TALENTS. AS OTHER SPACES
HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THE BEST
AND MOST TALENTED IN MIND WE
HOPE THIS COULD BE A
COLLABORATIVE PLACE FOR LEARNING
AND BUILDING NEW TALENTS ON
ANYTHING WITH WHEELS, THE DESIGN
WE WERE TO PUT FORTH IN
COLLABORATION WITH KIDS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND NEIGHBORS IN
MORGAN JUNCTION KEEPS
ACCESSIBILITY IN MIND AND WILL
OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR
PROGRAMMING IN THE FUTURE. I'M
HERE TO GIVE FULL SUPPORT AND I
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
PLEASE MAINTAIN INCLUSION OF THE
FUNDING AS YOU FINALIZE THE 2026
BUDGET.
>> THANK YOU, KRISTEN.
>> HELLO. HELLO COUNCILMEMBERS I
AM A VOLUNTEER WITH THE MORGAN
JUNCTION ALL WHEELS ASSOCIATION
IN MY DAY JOB I WORK FOR [ NAME
] LOCAL NONPROFIT FACILITATING
EQUITABLE SKATEBOARDING AND
CREATING JOBS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
IN THE CITY. IS A LIFELONG
SKATER AND SEATTLE RESIDENT I
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORT
FOR THE MORGAN JUNCTION SKATE
PARK. IT MIGHT BE HARD TO
PICTURE BUT SKATE PARKS CREDIBLY
VIBRANT INTERGENERATIONAL
CREATIVE AND HEALING SPACES THAT
BRING TOGETHER PEOPLE OF ALL
WALKS OF LIFE TO MOVE, CREATE
AND CONNECT THROUGH THE SIMPLE
JOY OF FREE PLAY AS A VOLUNTEER
IN THE PROJECT I HAVE SEEN MANY
PEOPLE COME TOGETHER BUT MOST
IMPORTANTLY THE YOUTH FROM
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO COLLEGE
STUDENTS YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE SHOWN
UP FOR THE PROJECT WHETHER
SWEEPING THE ORIGINAL SKATES
SPACE ATTENDING PLANNING
MEETINGS WERE ADVOCATING AT
COMMUNITY EVENTS THEY BEEN THERE
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY BY FUNDING
THE PROJECT YOU'RE SHOWING THEM
WITH HARD WORK ADVOCACY AND
CONTINUAL RESILIENCE RAD THINGS
REALLY DO HAPPEN, GROWING UP
SKATING IN THE CITY IT IS NOT
EASY BEING ONE OF THE FEW WOMEN
AT THE SKATE PARK BUT THESE DAYS
IT'S VERTIGO WITHOUT SEEING
OTHER GIRLS THAT SHIFT WITHIN MY
LIFETIME IS THANKS TO THE
AMAZING ACCESSIBLE SKATE SPACES
LIKE MORGAN JUNCTION SO PLEASE
ENSURE THE PROJECT IS FUNDED SO
THE THRIVING COMMUNITY HAVE FREE
SPACE TO CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE
TO ENJOY, CONNECT TO MENTORS,
SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES AND
MORE.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS JOHN
FOLLOWED BY CHIP.
>> A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW.
>> THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR COMING
OUT TONIGHT. INCREDIBLE TO SEE
THE PASSION IT'S AWESOME. THIS
IS REALLY INSPIRING. ALSO THANK
YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR TAKING
TIME TO LISTEN TO ALL OF US AND
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE MORGAN
JUNCTION SKATE PARK IN WEST
SEATTLE. I'M A LIFELONG SKATER
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
CREATE SOMETHING AWESOME,
VIBRANT, A PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO
PLAY AND A ACTIVE SOUTHSIDE
NEIGHBORHOOD. MY NINE AND
12-YEAR-OLD WERE AMONGST THE
FIRST TO HELP START CLEANING UP
THIS PARK FOUR YEARS AGO. TO
MAKE IT A PLACE SUITABLE FOR
SKATEBOARDING. HAVE SEEN MIDDLE
SCHOOLERS UNPROMPTED PICKING UP
SHOVELS AND BROOMS SWEEPING UP
THE PARK AFTER SCHOOL TO TRY TO
GET A SPOT TO ROLL AROUND ON.
THIS WAS YEARS AGO, THE PARK IS
CURRENTLY FENCED AND UNUSABLE,
MY PRIMARY ASK OF YOU AND ALL OF
US THE PARKS DEPARTMENT AND
OURSELVES CAN WE AS ADULTS TAKE
THE SIMPLE STEP TO FINISH WHAT
THE KIDS ALREADY STARTED? THANK
YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE
MORGAN JUNCTION SKATE SPOT AND
LET'S MAKE IT A PLACE OF PLAY
SELF-EXPRESSION AND CONNECTION
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT IS CHIP
FOLLOWED BY BRIAN.
>> STEPPING IN FOR CHIP, HE HAD
TO LEAVE.
>> I'M STEPPING IN FOR BRIAN.
>> HE IS WITH ME.
>> DO YOU HAVE THREE PEOPLE
SIGNED UP?
>> WE HAVE ONE OF THESE CARDS.
>> YOU ALREADY SPOKE.
>> THEY'RE GOING TO SPLIT.
>> OKAY TWO WILL TAKE ONE
PERSON'S TIME. COPY THAT, GO.
THANK YOU.
>> HELLO I AM A LOCAL YOUTH FROM
WEST SEATTLE AND I'M HERE ON
ACCOUNT OF THE MORGAN JUNCTION
ALL-WHEEL SOCIETY I WORK AND RUN
THE SKATE CLUB AT WEST SEATTLE
HIGH SCHOOL AND I'M HERE , FOR
ME THIS PROJECT IS SOMETHING I
HAVE INVESTED A LOT OF TIME IN
AND I HAVE GONE TO CLEANUPS AND
MEETINGS AND A BUNCH OF STUFF
LIKE THAT AND I THINK
SKATEBOARDING IS A WAY OF
SELF-EXPRESSION AND CREATES A
SPACE WHERE YOU FEEL WELCOME AND
IT CAN BE GENUINE AND UNIQUE AND
UNFILTERED SELVES FOR ME
SKATEBOARDING SAVE ME, FOR ME
SKATEBOARDING MAKES IT EASIER
FOR ME TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE
AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND
CONNECTIONS. TEACHING WE VALUE
SUCH AS PERSISTENT CREATIVITY
AND PASSION WORKING ON THE
PROJECT HAS BEEN A WAY TO HAVE A
POSITIVE IMPACT IN MY COMMUNITY
AND SPREAD MY LOVE OF
SKATEBOARDING BY ALLOCATING THE
BUDGET FOR THE SKATE PARK NOT
ONLY DO YOU PROVIDE A MULTI-USE
RECREATIONAL SPACE BUT YOU ALSO
HAVE A DEEPER IMPACT ON THE
LIVES OF SO MANY WHO LIVE, LAUGH
AND LOVE SKATEBOARDING.
>> MY NAME IS OSCAR THORNBURG A
LOCAL SKATEBOARDER FROM WEST
SEATTLE FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW
MORGANTOWN WAS MY LOCAL SKATE
PARK AFTER IT GOT TORN DOWN I
LOST MY PASSION FOR
SKATEBOARDING AND A LARGE PART
OF THE COMMITTEE WAS LOST,
DISCOURAGED A LOT OF KIDS FROM
SKATING AND FINDING THE
COMMUNITY MANY PEOPLE KNOW AND
LOVE IT HAS TAUGHT ME MANY
THINGS LIKE PERSEVERANCE
PATIENCE AND COURAGE. I THINK
PROVIDING THE NEEDED FUNDING
WOULD CREATE A POSITIVE SPACE
FOR YOUTH ENGAGEMENT [ INAUDIBLE
] THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. SO WE
HAVE 56 CHIP BAKER GONE. 57
BRIAN IS THAT YOU? THAT IS YOU.
>> CHIP WAS THE LAST GROUP. ARE
YOU ALL SPEAKING AS A GROUP?
WHAT ARE YOUR NUMBERS?
>> 59, 57, 58, 59 AND 60.
>> AWESOME, THANK YOU ALL. OVER
TO YOU AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.
>> OKAY HI MY NAME IS [ NAME ]
AND WE REPRESENT SCHMIDT PARK
RESTORE AND THE FIRST THING WE
WANT TO DO IS THANK
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR THEIR
COSPONSORING OF THE AMENDMENT TO
FUND OUR PROJECT, SCHMITZ PARK
IS PART OF THE SEATTLE PARKS
DEPARTMENT BUT IS UNLIKE ANY OF
THE OTHER PARKS IN SEATTLE IT IS
A 53 ACRE FOREST IN WEST SEATTLE
AND AS PER THE DIRECTIONS OF THE
SCHMITZ FAMILY WHO DONATED THE
LAND IT HAS BEEN LEFT IN ITS
NATURAL AND PRISTINE STATE, NOT
A CURATED PARK LIKE MOST SEATTLE
PARKS MANY OF WHICH THE OLMSTED
BROTHERS HAD A LOT TO DO WITH,
THEY HAD THEIR FINGERS IN THIS
PARK TOO BUT THEY WANTED THIS
PARK TO BE LEFT TOTALLY NATURAL
AND PRISTINE UNLIKE THE REST OF
SEATTLE IT WAS A BIG FOREST AND
IT WAS MOWED DOWN BUT THIS PIECE
OF PROPERTY IS THERE FOR ALL OF
US TO SHARE. THE PARK ALLOWS
CITIZENS AND VISITORS OF SEATTLE
TO SEE FIRSTHAND WHAT IT WAS
LIKE BEFORE THE FOREST WERE
MOWED DOWN, SCHMITZ PARK HAS A
CREEK FED BY NATURAL ARTESIAN
SPRINGS. A PRISTINE CREEK WHICH
HAS , AT ONE POINT AND TIME WAS
TEEMING WITH SALMON THAT FED THE
NATIVE AMERICAN POPULATION IN
THE AREA AS WELL AS THE WHALES
IN THE PUGET SOUND ALL OVER
SEATTLE. OUR VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION TEAMS WITH SEATTLE
PARKS TO PROTECT THE PARK OUR
MISSION IS TO REMOVE INVASIVE
SPECIES, PLANT NATIVE PLANTS WE
PROVIDE HISTORICAL TOURS OF THE
PARK AND WE EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT
THE HISTORY OF THE AREA AS WELL
AS THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS THAT
LIVE IN THE PARK BUT ONE OF THE
MOST IMPORTANT GOALS IS TO
DAYLIGHT THE CREEK. THE CREEK
FLOWS THROUGH THIS FOREST ONLY
TO BE FOREST INTO A CULVERT AND
PUMP OUT INTO ELLIOTT BAY WITH
STORM RUNOFF, THIS PREVENTS THE
SALMON FROM FINDING THE CREEK
AND OUR HOPE IS BY RELIGHTING
THE END OF THE CREEK WE CAN
REINTRODUCE SALMON LIKE WE DID
IN AND WITH THAT I WILL HAND IT
OFF.
>> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS AND I
WOULD LIKE YOUR SUPPORT FOR
PUBLIC OPINION.
>> HELLO MY NAME IS I AM ONE OF
THE COFOUNDERS OF SCHMITZ PARK
CREEK THANK YOU FOR HAVING US
TODAY. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOME
OF OUR HIGHLIGHT SOME OF OUR
WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENTS THUS FAR.
AS YOU KNOW WE ARE WORKING WITH
SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES,
COMMUNITY COUNCIL, SEATTLE PARKS
AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT THE
WEBSITE SCHMITZ PARK CREEK
RESTORE. WE FIRST CONNECTED WITH
THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON THE
ARCHITECTS DREW OUT SOME
COVERINGS OF COHESIVE DESIGNS TO
CREATE WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH
THE PARK, THE CREEK AND THE
FOREST, WE HAVE TAKEN LAYOUTS
AND USED THEM SO FAR TO HAVE
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THESE
DEPICT THE PROJECT AND GIVE
CONCISE CONCEPTS AND DEVELOPMENT
TO COMPLETE RESTORATION OF
SCHMITZ PARK AND CREEK AND
RESTORE IT. OUR COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT SO FAR WE HAVE
TEAMED UP WITH GREEN SEATTLE
PARTNERSHIPS, WE HAVE GOT
PUBLICITY WITH ENCORE MAGAZINE
GIVING US ADVERTISING THROUGH
PLAYS , EXPEDIA HAS GIVEN US
SOME OTHER OPTIONS TO WORK WITH
AND GAVE US A FREE TABLE AT THE
EARTH DAY LAST YEAR ON THAT NOTE
I WOULD LIKE TO TURN IN OVER .
>> HELLO EVERYBODY I AM THE
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR FOR THIS
GROUP. I'M A VOLUNTEER WHERE
WHENEVER SET VOLUNTEER
ORGANIZATION. MY REAL JOB IS TO
DO EXECUTIVE RECRUITING FOR
NONPROFITS IN THE SEATTLE AREA,
BUT THIS IS A PROJECT THAT IS
SPECIAL I LIVED IN WEST SEATTLE
10 YEARS IT'S A GREAT NATURAL
RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. IT
IS A GREAT RESOURCE FOR THE ORCA
WHO NEED THE SALMON. APPRECIATE
YOUR FUNDING THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER .
>> THANK YOU PLEASE LET DAN AND
I KNOW YOU NOTICED HE WAS NOT
HERE.
>> 61 THROUGH 70 [ READING NAMES
] WONDERFUL, GOOD TO SEE YOU
JESSICA.
>> HI I AM HERE BRIEFLY TO
SUPPORT THE STATEMENT OF INTENT
TO EXPLORE CREATING A NEW
INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT CLIMATE
AND ENVIRONMENT TO PROTECT AND
GROW SEATTLE'S URBAN CANOPY VIA
A NEW URBAN FORESTRY DIVISION
SEATTLE'S TREES ARE MANAGED OR
IN MANY CASES NEGLECTED BY NINE
CITY DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING
D.O.T., LIGHT AND PARKS,
MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS TO REPORT
TREE PROBLEMS LEAD TO CONFUSION,
DELAYS AND NO ACTION AT ALL.
INDEPENDENT URBAN FORESTRY WOULD
BE BETTER FOR SEATTLE'S TREES
OUR CITY EMPLOYEES AND CITIZENS.
URBAN FORCE POLLY SHOULD BE SET
BY EXPERTS WHO FOLLOW
SCIENCE-BASED GUIDELINES. WE CAN
DO BETTER THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU JESSICA, MARTHA?
GOOD TO HAVE A.
>> IT MAY SEEM OFFKILTER TO TALK
ABOUT URBAN FORCE CONSOLIDATION
WHEN WE HAVE SUCH GRAVE CRISES
GOING ON IN THIS NATION THAT
ALLOWS HOUSING TO BE UNDER
FREE-MARKET CAPITALISM, BUT I AM
HERE TO SAY YES TO URBAN FORCE
CONSOLIDATION, CONSOLIDATING
POLICY AND NINE AGENCIES THAT
MANAGE TREES WHEN CITY
DEPARTMENT FOR THE FOREST FOR
THE TREES UNDERSTANDS THE
IMPORTANCE IN PROTECTING TREES
FOR PUBLIC HEALTH FOR CLIMATE
CHANGE IN CLIMATE URBAN
RESILIENCE, THEY'RE VERY
CRITICAL. TODAY OVER HALF OF
SEATTLE'S TREES ARE MANAGED BY
DCI THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT
WHICH MAKES MONEY FROM ISSUING
PERMITS AND RARELY IF EVER
MANDATES EXISTING TREES ARE
PROTECTED AND IT SURE DOES NOT
MANDATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
SEATTLE HAS LOST 4500 TREES ON A
LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEXT
YEARS WHICH MAKES US NUMBER FIVE
IN THE NATION FOR HEAT ISLANDS.
ALLOWING TO CONTINUE TO MANAGE
THIS IS RECKLESS AND COMPLETELY
INSANE IN A CLIMATE CRISIS,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
SUBMITTING THE STATEMENT MO-IAS
ET CETERA TO CONSOLIDATE THE
AGENCIES INTO ONE DEPARTMENT, I
THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING THE
NEED FOR IT.
>> ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU. UP
NEXT [ READING NAMES ]
>> WE ARE ON 63. I HAD TO TAKE
MY OWN ADVICE TO GET CLOSER TO
THE MIC.
>> I NEED TO DO SO AS WELL.
HELLO MY NAME IS [ NAME ] OWNER
OF IN WEST SEATTLE, ONE OF THE
BUSINESSES THAT WILL BE
SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED BY SOUND
TRANSIT ST3 LIGHT RAIL PLAN,
I'M TESTIFYING IN SUPPORT OF
THE COUNCILMEMBERS BUDGET
AMENDMENT TO OFFER FINANCIAL
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES AFFECTED
BY SOUND TRANSIT ACQUISITION.
FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA FOR PROPOSING
THE AMENDMENT AND THANKING
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS FOR
INCLUDING IT IN THE PROPOSAL IN
THE BALANCING BUDGET. THE CORE
ISSUE FACED BY MY BUSINESS AND
MANY OTHERS STEMS FROM THE
INADEQUATE APPROACH TO BUSINESS
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE. THE ISSUE
IS FINANCIAL SOUND TRANSIT WILL
ACQUIRE PROPERTY FOR LIGHT RAIL
FORCING US TO MOVE AND TO MOVE
IT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY SO SOUND
TRANSIT COVERS SOME COST A
SIGNIFICANT PORTION IS NOT
COVERED OR REIMBURSED LEAVING A
GAP THAT SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE
MYSELF ABSORB THE REALITY IS WE
NEED CAPITAL TO RELOCATE IF THE
MONEY IS NOT PROVIDED OR
REIMBURSED BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE
MYSELF ARE FORCED TO COVER THE
COSTS OUT-OF-POCKET OFTEN
REQUIRING US TO INCUR NEW
BURDENSOME DEBT WE ARE LEFT TO
FAIL. SOUND TRANSIT HAS
RELOCATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN
ACROSS THE REGION WITH THE
CURRENT RELOCATION PACKAGE
LACKING RESOURCES WE ARE ASKING
FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IT'S
CRUCIAL WE NEED YOU TO PUSH BACK
TO ADDRESS FAILINGS AND
FORTHCOMING'S.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT IS [ NAME ]
>> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS AARON
RUBIN FOUNDER AND MANAGING
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND PERFORMING
ARTS. BOTH DIRECTED AND IMPACTED
BY SOUND TRANSIT WEST SEATTLE
LEAK EXTENSION HERE TO SUPPORT
THE BUDGET AMENDMENT AND THE
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2026 BUDGET WHICH ALLOCATES
250,000 TO SUPPORT SMALL
BUSINESSES IN NORTH DELL RIDGE ,
OVER THE PAST 11 YEARS OUR
ORGANIZATIONS HAVE EMPLOYED
HUNDREDS OF LOCAL MUSICIANS AND
ARTISTS AND PROVIDED MUSIC AND
ARTS EDUCATION TO THOUSANDS OF
SEATTLE FAMILIES. WE BUILT
SOMETHING THAT CONNECTS
CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND WORKING
ARTISTS, A HUE TRUE COMMUNITY
HUB AND WE NOW FACE THE
CHALLENGE OF RELOCATING
COMMUNITIES SERVING NONPROFIT IN
A SMALL BUSINESS BECAUSE OF THIS
PROJECT. WE ARE IN FULL SUPPORT
OF PUBLIC TRANSIT AND UNDERSTAND
HOW VITAL THE EXPANSION IS FOR
SEATTLE'S FUTURE BUT AS SOUND
TRANSIT WORKS MOVE FORWARD CITY
SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL TO HELP
SMALL BUSINESSES MANAGE THE
FINANCIAL AND LOGISTICAL STRAIN
EVERY LOCATION. THIS FUNDING CAN
HELP OFFSET THE ENORMOUS UNPAID
TIME ENERGY AND RESOURCES IT
TAKES US TO PLAN MANAGE AND
REBUILD. AND IT ALSO CAN SET
IMPORTANT PRECEDENT FOR HOW THE
CITY SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES
AFFECTED BY FUTURE LINK
EXTENSIONS, THIS IS A CRITICAL
STEP TO THE CITY RECOGNIZING AND
SUPPORTING THE INDEPENDENT
BUSINESSES THAT KEEP
NEIGHBORHOOD STRONG IN SEATTLE.
[ INAUDIBLE ]
>> THANK YOU, ERIN. NEXT IS
NUMBER 66 NUMBER $66 BY 67, 68
MARCUS JOHNSON. WELCOME.
>> WE'RE GOING TO GO TOGETHER
AS A GROUP.
>> SHOW ME YOUR NUMBERS.
>> FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO
ACKNOWLEDGE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM
AND I HEAR YOUR.
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU
>> I HEAR THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM
AND THE NEEDS THEY HAVE FOR
SUSTAINING LIFE AND I APPRECIATE
THAT. WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT
TREE MANAGEMENT IN THE CITY BUT
I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW YOUR
GOALS ARE CRITICAL AND NECESSARY
AND I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU
FOR HEARING US THIS EVENING AND
THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING
STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT
TO EXPLORE REGULATING THE
MANAGEMENT OF TREES IN THE CITY
AND ASKING THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
AND OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY TO
UNDERSCORE A CITY TO DO THIS AND
HOPEFULLY BY DOING SO WE HAVE A
STRUCTURE FOR TREE MANAGEMENT IN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE SO WE CAN
IMPROVE THE ORGANIZATION
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS WE HAVE
REGARDING TREE MANAGEMENT TO
ENSURE THEY ARE MEETING CANOPY
GOALS FOR CLIMATE RESISTANCE
RESILIENCE. REQUESTING THE
CURRENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN
TREE MANAGEMENT IN THE CITY COME
TOGETHER TO EXPLORE SOLUTIONS
HOPEFULLY WE WILL IDENTIFY WAYS
THAT CENTRALIZE TREE MANAGEMENT
THAT WILL ALLOW FOR GREATER
EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY,
REDUCE CONFUSION AND REDUNDANCY
AND RESULT IN OPTIMAL OUTCOME
FOR IT IN BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY
TREES WE CURRENTLY HAVE AND ARE
GOING THE TREE CANOPY TO REACH
30% TREE CANOPY GOAL IN THE NEXT
DECADE ALTHOUGH BEING INTRODUCED
AS A BUDGET ITEM TONIGHT THIS
WILL NOT RESULT IN MONETARY COST
AND IT IS CRITICAL AND NECESSARY
TO HELP US COME TOGETHER FOR
TREE MANAGEMENT IN THE CITY
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU. COMMENTING IN
SUPPORT OF THE COUNCILMEMBER TO
STUDY THE BEST WAY TO MANAGE
TREES THIS STUDY WILL HELP US
TAKE A LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT
HAVING NINE DIFFERENT AGENCIES
MANAGING A SINGLE RESOURCE IS
ACTUALLY WORKING TO GET US NEAR
THE 30% GOAL 30% IS THE MINIMUM
NEEDED AS SCIENTISTS TELL US TO
PROTECT US FROM CLIMATE AND HEAT
IMPACT AND I ALSO SUPPORT THE
SLIDE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY
OF THE CITY TAKING OVER
MAINTENANCE OF STREET TREES THE
EXPENSE AND LIABILITY OF BIG
SHADE TREES KEEPS MANY PEOPLE
FROM PLANTING THEM ALONG STREETS
EVEN IN FRONT-LINE COMMUNITY
HEAT ISLANDS WHERE THEY CAN
DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE HEALTH AND
LIVABILITY. SAN FRANCISCO,
WASHINGTON D.C. ALREADY DO THIS
LET'S AT LEAST SEE WHAT IT
COSTS, THANK YOU.
>> HELLO COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME
IS Z SOME OF YOU REMEMBER ME. I
AM HERE, VERY THANKFUL
COUNCILMEMBER I AM HERE IN
SUPPORT OF THE BUDGET THAT WILL
NOT CLEAR-CUT SEATTLE. AND TREE
CANOPIES AND THE MAINTENANCE OF
STREET TREES AND ALSO PLANTING
MORE TREES COME YOU KNOW TO GIVE
POWER TO ISSUE PERMITS TO CUT
TREES IS REALLY DOESN'T MAKE
SENSE. SO CHANGES YOU ARE
PROPOSING I AM REALLY REALLY
HAPPY SO I AM HAPPY I WAS HERE
SEVERAL TIMES AND YOU GUYS ARE
LISTENING TO US. ONE OF THE
IMPORTANT I AM NOT A LAWYER SO
IT'S VERY HARD. FOR ME. I THINK
URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION AND
THE MAINTENANCE THAT IS A MUST
WE NEED TO HAVE , OTHERWISE
SEATTLE WILL GET CLEAR-CUT AND
WE DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU WITH THAT WE HAVE [
READING NAMES ] MARCUS JOHNSON
YOU ARE FIRST.
>> THANK YOU I AM THE DIRECTOR
OF CLEAN SAFE OPERATIONS WE WANT
TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO THE
COUNCIL FOR INVESTING IN PERSON
BASED OUTREACH IN THE DISTRICT
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS THE
DISTRICT OUTREACH TEAM AS HELP
HOUSE MORE THAN 70 PEOPLE
CONNECTING 140 PLUS TO SHELTERS
SINCE 2021 SUPPORTING A DOZEN OF
THE MOST COMPLEX ON HOUSTON
NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE ONCE
RESPONSIBLE FOR 80% OF THE
CRISIS CALLS WERE IN THE
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM THIS IMPROVE
SAFETY AND CLEANLINESS THROUGH
PARTNERSHIPS WITH SAFETY
AMBASSADORS. COUNCIL INVESTMENT
IN THESE BEHAVIOR HEALTH AVERAGE
POSITIONS WILL MAKE THE DISTRICT
SAFER WITH A COMPRESSION
INVESTMENT IN SOME OF THE MOST
CHRONIC PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.
OUTREACH WORK HAS BEEN
SUCCESSFUL IN LARGE PART DUE TO
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LEAD
PROGRAM SUPPORTING BUDGET
ALLOCATIONS AS IT IS CRITICAL TO
WORK. WHISTLE WANT TO EXPRESS
SUPPORT FOR THE COUNCILS WORK TO
ADDRESS ILLEGAL VENDING ON THE
STREETS WHICH IMPACTS SMALL
BUSINESSES THAT ARE ROOTED IN
THE COMMUNITY THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS .
MY NAME IS [ NAME ] COMMUNITY
MANAGEMENT MANAGER. FOR CELICA
THANK FOR ALLOCATING $4 MILLION
IN TENANT-BASED RENT ASSISTANCE.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR SECURING
$500,000 OF THE $1 MILLION
REQUEST FOR TENANT SERVICE
PROGRAMS BUT AS THE COUNCIL
FUNDS $1 MILLION IN FULL THESE
ARE CRITICAL SERVICES AS YOU
HAVE HEARD ALL EVENING. LASTLY
WE APPRECIATE THE INCLUSION OF
7.8 MILLION NON-CONGREGANT
SHELTER AND WE ASKED THE
LANGUAGE ADDED IN THE BALANCING
PACKAGE TO CLAWBACK FUNDS IN THE
EVENT OF FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS BE
REMOVED. WE BELIEVE A HOLISTIC
APPROACH LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE
CITY BUDGET IS A BETTER APPROACH
RATHER THAN IMMEDIATELY CUTTING
MUCH-NEEDED SHELTER. HELP US
PROTECT ON HOUSE NEIGHBORS BY
EDITING THE LANGUAGE AND
SECURING NON-CONGREGANT SHELTER.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ASK THAT
THE COUNCILMEMBERS LIFT UP THE
BUDGET PRIORITIES PUT FORWARD BY
SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES COALITION
WITH A FEW OF THOSE I WOULD LIKE
TO CALL OUT FOR YOU PROTECT
EXISTING HOUSING SERVICES,
SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND
PROTECTING AND SUPPORTING FOOD
BANKS AND MEAL PROGRAMS THESE
SNAP CUTS ARE CAUSING SO MUCH
HARM , INCREASING THE RESERVE
FOR FUNDING FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS
IN ORDER TO ENSURE A LOT OF
THESE PROGRAMS DON'T DISAPPEAR,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU AND I ALWAYS FEEL
LIKE I'M SAYING YOUR NAME
WRONG.
>> YOU GOT IT. GOOD EVENING
COUNCILMEMBERS. THANK YOU. GOOD
EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS I WORK AT
THE LOW INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON AND BUDGETARY
STRESS FOR ADDING 4 MILLION TO
YOUR BALANCING PACKAGE THESE
DOLLARS WILL KEEP YOUR
CONSTITUENTS HOUSED AND WE ASK
YOU PROTECT THESE FUNDS IN YOUR
FINAL BUDGET. I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR INCLUDING 500,000 FOR
TENANT SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND
ENCOURAGE YOU TO ADD 500,000 TO
REACH THE FULL 1 MILLION ASK.
THIS IS CRUCIAL FOR PROVIDERS
WHO KEEP PEOPLE SAFELY HOUSED.
FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR CONSIDERATION
OF THE THREAT OF FEDERAL FUNDING
UNCERTAINTY. I ASK YOU APPROACH
YOUR RESPONSE LOOKING AT THE
ENTIRE BUDGET RATHER THAN
EARMARKING SPECIFIC PROGRAMS FOR
FEDERAL BACKFILL PLEASE PROTECT
THE 7.8 MILLION ALLOCATED FOR
NON-CONGREGANT SHELTER SO WE CAN
GROW NUMBERS ARE SHELTER BEDS
AND SAVE MORE LIVES WITH A
HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE IT'S
POSSIBLE TO ADD SHELTER BEDS
WHILE SUSTAINING HOUSING AND
SERVICES AND I WOULD LIKE TO
SHARE MY SUPPORT FOR ALL SEATTLE
HUMAN SERVICES COALITION BUDGET
PRIORITIES THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE ARE GOING
71 THROUGH 80. [ READING NAMES ]
>> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS AND I
WORK AT THE LOW INCOME HOUSING
INSTITUTE HERE TO EXPRESS
SUPPORT FOR THE $4 MILLION
ALLOCATED FOR TENANT-BASED
RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR AT RISK
RESIDENTS. SEATTLE STRUGGLING TO
SUSTAIN AFFORDABLE AND SAFE
HOUSING DUE TO INCREASED LIVING
EXPENSES PUTTING NEIGHBORS IN
PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS. THESE
CHALLENGES ARE EXPECTED TO
WORSEN IN THE FACE OF CUTS AS
ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS ARE AT
SERIOUS RISK. IT IS VITAL TO
PRIORITIZE HOUSING SUPPLY AND
KEEP TENANTS CURRENTLY HOUSED.
MAINTAIN $4 MILLION ALLOCATED
FOR TENANT-BASED RENTAL
ASSISTANCE WILL GO FAR IN
PROTECTING RESIDENTS AT RISK OF
LOSING THEIR HOMES. I WOULD LIKE
TO THANK YOU FOR ADDING HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TENANT
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND URGE
YOU TO ADD $500,000 TO REACH THE
FULL $1 MILLION ASK THESE
MEASURES ARE CRUCIAL TO HELP
STABILIZE HOUSEHOLD BEFORE THE
FALL TO HOMELESSNESS AND WILL
ENSURE PROVIDERS KEY PEOPLE
HOUSED. I URGE YOU TO PROTECT
THE $4 MILLION ALLOCATED TO
RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND AT 500,000
FOR A TOTAL OF 1 MILLION TO
TENANT SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.
HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND YOU
HAVE THE POWER TO PROTECT IT.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS [ READING NAMES ]
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME WELL?
>> I BELIEVE SO.
>> I AM A RESIDENT OF THE CITY
OF SEATTLE MANAGER AT THE LOW
INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE AND A
MOTHER. I'M HERE TO THANK THE
COUNCIL FOR THE $4 MILLION
ALLOCATED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE IN THE
CITY. AND TO PLEAD THE INITIAL
FIVE AND A DOZEN FOR
TENANT-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IS
ALLOCATED AND I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR THAT AS
WELL AND WE HOPE THAT THE FUNDS
ARE SENT OUT EXPEDITIOUSLY, AS
WELL. I HAVE WORK IN THE HOUSING
SECTOR SINCE 2012 AND WITH THE
COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEMS IN
KING AND PIERCE COUNTY I HAVE
PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE IMPACTS
ON HOUSING AND HOUSING
INSECURITY WITHIN COMMUNITIES.
WE NEED THE HELP, WE DESERVE
THIS HELP AND TOGETHER WE CAN
STABILIZE HOUSING DURING OF
MANY, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS HENRY
TANAKA.
>> HOW'S IT GOING? I WILL TRY
TO KEEP THIS SHORT. I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 3 AND THEIR WORK IN
DISTRICT 5 AS AN AFFORDABLE CASE
MANAGER ADVOCATING FOR THE
PROTECTION OF $4 MILLION IN
TENANT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE
STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO
NEEDED. THE THREAT OF
HOMELESSNESS SHOULD BE THE
FURTHEST THING FROM A PERSON'S
MIND WHEN YOU HAVE ACHIEVE
STABLE HOUSING. AT THIS PIVOTAL
POINT IN AMERICAN HISTORY WE
WANT TO DO RIGHT BY CONSTITUENTS
AND ABIDE BY THE CIVIL
UNDERSTANDING OF TO EACH
ACCORDING TO THEIR NEED FROM
EACH ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY
AND IN THAT WAY I'M SUPPORTING
THE $500,000 BUDGET INCREASE TO
FULFILL THE $1 MILLION BUDGET
ASK AS SPONSORED TO INCREASE
FUNDING FOR TENANT SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS. I KNOW FIRSTHAND
SMALL IMPROVEMENTS CAN HAVE SOME
OF THE BIGGEST IMPACTS ON EACH
MICROCOSM OF CONSTITUENTS , I
ASKED THE COUNCIL TO FUND THE
WORK BEING DONE TO MOVE IN
UNISON OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT
REFUSE TO LEAVE ANYONE BEHIND IN
THE CITY.
>> THANK YOU, HENRY. NEXT IS [
NAME ] WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING HONORABLE
COUNCILMEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT,
CONSIDERATION AND BELIEVING IN
WHAT IS POSSIBLE. I AM DENISE
PEREZ LAWLEY WITH PURPOSE
DIGNITY AND ACTION FOR THE LAST
TWO YEARS THE HONOR AND
PRIVILEGE AS SERVING AS THE
CO-LEAD PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND
FROM THAT VANTAGE POINT I WANT
TO SHARE WHAT WE ARE WITNESSING.
SOMETHING REMARKABLE IS
HAPPENING MORE AND MORE
PARTICIPANTS ARE CONSIDERING
EMBRACING MOU D AND TREATMENT BY
WATCHING THEIR NEIGHBOR TAKE THE
SAME COURAGEOUS STEP . SINCE THE
END OF 20 24/50 INDIVIDUALS
FOUND STABILITY IN HOUSING A
MILESTONE MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH
PERSISTENCE, PARTNERSHIP AND
DEEP HUMAN CONNECTION, THIS
PROGRESS IS NOT ACCIDENTAL IT IS
THE OUTCOME OF THE OUTREACH TEAM
THAT MEETS PEOPLE WHERE THEY
ARE, MOVING AT THE SPEED OF
TRUST, SPARKING HOPE AND
LEARNING EVERY NAME, FACE AND
STORY TEMPORARY LODGING PROGRAM
OPENS THE DOOR TO STABILITY AND
AFTER CARE TEAM STAYS THE COURSE
WALKING BESIDE EACH PARTICIPANT.
UP TO ONE YEAR AFTER MOVING INTO
PERMANENT HOUSING TO REMAINING
ON SOLID GROUND. THE MODEL OF
CARE TRANSFORMING CITY PARKS
CITY HALL PARK, ALONG THE I-5
CORRIDOR THROUGH THE STATE CAMP
RESOLUTION PROGRAM, TOGETHER WE
CAN SUPPORT PIONEER SQUARE TO
THE COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS
INITIATIVE WE CANNOT WAIT TO
WORK WITH THE PARTNERS.
>> THANK YOU. THE SUPERSECRET
EMAIL ADDRESS GOES TO ALL OF US
COUNCIL AT SEATTLE YOU CAN
FOLLOW UP WITH ADDITIONAL
COMMENTARY THERE. NOW YOU
REPRESENT THE MIDWAY POINT THIS
EVENING. WE ARE TECHNICALLY AT
76 AND WE HAVE 150 PEOPLE SIGNED
UP SO WE CAN EXPECT TO BE HERE
UNTIL A LITTLE AFTER 9:00 IF WE
STAY ON TRACK.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBERS MY
NAME IS [ NAME ] SENIOR PROJECT
MANAGER AND RESIDENT OF
SEATTLE'S THIRD CITY COUNCIL
DISTRICT. I STAND BEFORE YOU
ASKING FUNDING WE RESTORED AND
EXPANDED IN YOUR BUDGET AND
FUNDING TO SUPPORT OUTREACH RUN
HOUSING INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESS
RECRUITMENT AREAS BE INCLUDED.
IN THE NORTH PRECINCT WORKING
WITH REACH, POST, THE ALLIANCE
AND UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP THE
FRAMEWORK WAS SUPPORTIVE
COUNCILMEMBERS THIS MODEL HAS
SUSTAINED POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE
DISTRICT THIS WORK DOES NOT
HAPPEN WITHOUT RESOURCES AT THE
END OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF
THIS YEAR THERE WERE 1000
INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN SEATTLE
KING COUNTY IF NOT WILL PROVIDE
LONG-TERM CASE MANAGEMENT
CONNECTION TO LEGAL COORDINATION
CRUCIAL WITHIN THE CONTINUUM OF
SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDING
OUTREACH IN SEATTLE
NEIGHBORHOODS FOR THE WORK TO
EXPAND THE IMPACT ACKNOWLEDGE
THE FISCAL REALITIES. I URGE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL TO BE A
LEADER IN SUPPORTING PROGRAMS
THAT UPLIFT THE MOST VULNERABLE.
PLEASE INCREASE FUNDING AND
INCLUDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT
ADDITIONAL OUTREACH FOR UNHOUSED
INDIVIDUALS IN THE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREAS IN THE
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT IN THE
SEATTLE 2026 BUDGET. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT IS [ NAME ]
FOLLOWED BY [ NAME ] [ READING
NAMES ] DAVID, WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS,
HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT AND ASK
FOR SUPPORT OF THE STATEMENT OF
LEGISLATIVE INTENT TO LOOK AT
WHETHER WE COMBINE TREE
DEPARTMENTS INTO ONE IT IS EASY
TO MISS THIS WITH THE IMPORTANT
ISSUES THAT ARE HERE THAT I HEAR
ABOUT TONIGHT AND I FEEL FOR
THESE ISSUES, BUT THIS ISSUE
THAT IS PROPOSED WILL NOT COST
ANYTHING AND IN THE FUTURE IT
MIGHT SAVE US SOME MONEY AS WE
GO FORWARD SO WE CAN FIND OTHER
THINGS SO I ASKED FOR THE
SUPPORT AND I THANK
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
ON THIS ISSUE. I AM NOT A ONE
ISSUE PERSON LAST WEEK AT THE
BUDGET MEETING I HEARD MANY
COMMENTS SUPPORTING
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH
AMENDMENTS TO HELP THE BLACK
COMMUNITY WHO HAD BEEN WRONGED
SO MUCH IN THE PAST SO I ASK YOU
TO SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH AMENDMENTS TO
SUPPORT THE BLACK COMMUNITY. I
ALSO ASK YOU TO SUPPORT I PICKED
UP THIS RED SCARF TODAY BECAUSE
I WAS ASKED TO SUPPORT THE HUMAN
SERVICES OF THE CITY SO I ASK
YOU TO SUPPORT THEM I CARE I
REALLY DO THE TREES ARE SO
IMPORTANT THEY PROVIDE
PROTECTION FOR NOT JUST THE
PEOPLE THAT WE ARE ADVOCATING
FOR BUT THEIR PEOPLE ON THE
STREETS THE TREES PROVIDE
PROTECTION AND MONEY FOR THE
FUTURE IF WE PASSED THE
AMENDMENT THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS [ NAME ]
>> SORRY I LEARNED TO READ IN
BALLARD.
>> OKAY LET'S SEE. READY TO
BEGIN ALMOST. I AM A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 5 AND A GRUB NEXT TO
LAKE CITY I REMEMBER DENNY'S
AND THE GOLF COURSE.
>> HOLD ON PAUSE THE TIME. WHAT
INTERSECTION WAS THAT DENNY'S
ON? ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE
CURRENT STARBUCKS? YES WE WILL
ROLL BACK THE TAPE. DENNY'S WAS
ON LAKE CITY WAY.
>> FIRST OF ALL TO HEAR THE
STORIES OF SEATTLE RESIDENTS WHO
ARE IN GREAT NEED I WANT TO ADD
MY URGENCY TO WORK YOUR BUDGET
MAGIC OR YOUR MAGIC BUDGET. TO
DO WHAT YOU CAN I KNOW THERE IS
SO MUCH NEED. I DO WHAT I CAN AS
AN INDIVIDUAL BUT IT IS VERY
SOBERING. I LOVED WHAT ONE WOMAN
SAID SUPPORT THE VALUES OF CARE,
COMPASSION AND GENEROSITY.
BECAUSE WE ARE A VERY WEALTHY
CITY. ABOUT OUR TREES WHICH IS
WHY I AM HERE ALSO TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA SO MUCH AND
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK AND SOLOMON
FOR THE SLI TO EXPLORE COMBINING
THE NINE DEPARTMENTS THAT MANAGE
WHEN I LOOK AT THE CLOCK. I AM A
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER ON THE
GROUND NOT ONLY ARE WE LOSING
TREES TO INEFFICIENCY AND THINGS
THAT HAPPEN BUT WE ARE
TRAUMATIZING NEIGHBORHOODS AND I
HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WORKING
WITH COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE OF
LOST TREES THAT WERE NOT IN THE
WAY OF DEVELOPMENT WHERE
DEVELOPERS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT BUT
IT DOES NOT STOP THERE, THE LOSS
DOES NOT STOP THERE SO THIS WORK
IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT
AND I SUPPORT YOU IN ANY WAY IN
MAKING THAT HAPPEN, THANK YOU
FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK. I KNOW IT
IS A LOT.
>> NEXT IS LEONARD MITCHELL
>> AFTERNOON I AM A COLEY
PARTICIPANT I WANT TO SHARE THIS
PROGRAM AND WHAT IT HAS MEANT TO
ME.
>> I DID NOT HAVE A BED TO SLEEP
IN OR A SHOWER TO TAKE ACCESS TO
HEALTHY FOOD OR SNACKS WHEN I
WAS HUNGRY OR EVEN A CASEWORKER
TO KEEP ME ON TOP OF WHAT I NEED
TO DO TO GET BACK ON MY FEET
THAT WAS UNTIL I JOINED THE
PROGRAM THAT HELP ME WITH A LOT
OF STUFF LIKE MY ID OBTAINING A
CARD, GETTING A PHONE. A LOT OF
THINGS. IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE
SOMEWHERE TO GO HOME IT CHANGES
A LOT AND MAKES A DIFFERENCE. I
HOPE I CAN STAY IN THE PROGRAM
LONGER THAN SIX MONTHS BUT IF I
CAN'T AT LEAST I DID WHAT I GOT
TO DO. TO GET IT DONE. THAT'S
ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR
STORY.
>> THANK YOU LEONARD.
>> NEXT CURTIS NUMBER 80 WE CAN
COME BACK IF YOU SHOW UP. THAT
PUT IT ANY WONDER 90 WE HAVE [
READING NAMES ]
>> A YEAR AGO I WAS IN THE
GREENBELT STUCK IN MY TENT FOR A
GOOD MONTH AND THE LAST YEAR
SINCE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET MY
ID MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND GET
ON DISABILITY AND MY SELF-ESTEEM
HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED NOW
TOMORROW I'M MOVING INTO MY OWN
APARTMENT. CANNOT SAY ENOUGH FOR
STAFF AND THE TEAM NOT JUST
THERE TO GET THEIR PAYCHECK.
HAVE STAYED IN A VARIETY OF
SHELTERS IN MY YEARS OF BEING
HOMELESS AND THEY DO THE BEST. I
RUN THE TENT CITY FOR EIGHT
YEARS AND IT'S NOT EASY
ESPECIALLY WITH WINTERTIME
COMING UP. THERE'S A LOT MORE
SUCCESS STORIES BESIDE MYSELF.
THE SYSTEM HAS REALLY WORKED
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU JEFF AND THANK YOU
FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. AUTUMN
NUMBER 82. NUMBER 82. AUTUMN
KEMMER, 83 DENNIS , I WOULD USE
THE TALLER ONE. THANK YOU.
>> PREVIOUS CLIENT OF LEAD ,
CURRENT CLAIMANT CLIENT OF COLEY
PARTICIPANT. AND MEN HAVE THEY
PROVIDED WONDERFUL CASE
MANAGEMENT SERVICES. I DON'T
HAVE NO SCRIPT I AM HERE ON
ABILITY, LOVE AND JUST ME. I
STUMBLED A LITTLE BIT AND
CO-LEAD WAS THERE WHEN I REALLY
NEEDED IT. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN
A GOOD FATHER OF TWO , IN ORDER
TO MAINTAIN MY WELLNESS, MY
HEALTH , REINSTATE MY LICENSE
THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT
CO-LEAD HAS HELPED OUT WHEN I
DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING. YOU KNOW
IT IS NOT EASY OUT THERE AND TO
KNOW I HAVE A BACKBONE OR A
BRIDGE TO HELP ME GET TO
MAINTAIN THESE WONDERFUL GOALS
AND THINGS I HAVE HAD. IT HAS
BEEN WONDERFUL TO KNOW THEY ARE
THERE. SO YES I AM HERE TO SPEAK
ON BEHALF OF THAT AND IT IS
UNFORTUNATE CURTIS IS NOT HERE
HE IS A WONDERFUL STORY. NOT
SURE WHAT HAPPENED BUT
APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU DENNIS, THANK YOU
FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. DANNA,
84. YOU HAVE 84. GREAT.
>> I'M GOING FROM THE HIP ON
THIS I'M SURE YOU CAN MAKE
SOMETHING OF IT. RESPECT THE
STREETS I HAVE NO DOUBT WHAT THE
LORD IS GOING TO DO. I SHOUT OUT
TO MY THREE KIDS AND BASICALLY
EMILY GRATEFUL TO BE HERE I
COULD HAVE DIED LIKE FOUR TIMES
ALREADY BUT I'M GLAD I DIDN'T
BY THE GRACE OF GOD SOME OF YOU
MAY HAVE SEEN ME AROUND ON THE
STREETS SOME OF THE BEST
RELATIONSHIPS I EVER MET SOME OF
THE PEOPLE I MET ON THE STREETS
WERE THE BEST RELATIONSHIPS I
HAD. THANK YOU TO CO-LEAD THEY
HAVE HELPED ME. I GOT HIT IN THE
HEAD WITH A PIPE , I FORGET
THINGS REALLY EASILY. WHEN I GOT
HERE I WAS IN PRETTY SAD SHAPE.
THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY,
THERE IS A NEED FOR MEDICAL, I
KNOW FOR A FACT SOMEBODY WANTED
TO VOLUNTEER AND GO AROUND AND
HELP PEOPLE I KNOW THEY DO THAT
IS A BIG NEED BECAUSE OF
BANDAGES AND BEING CLEAN IS VERY
IMPORTANT. ALSO THE POWER OF
PRAYER. LIKE THE LORD SAID
WHEREVER I AM IN MY NAME AND TOO
IN MY NAME THERE I AM SO WE ARE
NOT GOING TO LOSE THIS BATTLE
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE AND SUPPORTING PEOPLE ON
THE STREETS BECAUSE THAT'S
WHERE THE REAL BATTLE IS THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR
STORY WITH US. GOING TO 85,
CHESTER BRADLEY.
>> WE ARE A GROUP.
>> WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS?
>> GRADE 85 THROUGH 89?
WONDERFUL. GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL.
>> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS MAX.
>> I'M ELIANA.
>> I'M JESTER.
>> I'M MINGO.
>> I'M ENZO.
>> WE ARE SENIORS AT THE CENTER
SCHOOL. LISA BEEN ONE OF THE
DEPARTMENTS RECEIVING MASSIVE
FUNDING EACH AND EVERY YEAR. WE
KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE WE THINK
INCREASING POLICE FUNDING COULD
RESULT IN MORE VIOLENCE AGAINST
MINORITY GROUPS POLICE FUNDING
IS IMPORTANT, BUT THERE ARE
OTHER MORE IMPORTANT PLACES
WHERE THE FUNDING CAN GO LIKE
EMS WHICH BRINGS US TO OUR
ARGUMENT WE WANT THE COUNCIL TO
TAKE 30% OF THE FUNDING TO
POLICE HIRING AND PUT 20% TO
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES EMS
AND 10% TO POST OVERDOSE
RESPONSE. EMS NEEDS MORE
FUNDING. EMS IS ESSENTIAL FOR
SAVING LIVES AND PROVIDING
SUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
SUCH AS FIRES, OVERDOSE, HEART
ATTACKS, CAR CRASHES AND MENTAL
HEALTH EPISODES IT IS IMPORTANT
FIRST RESPONDERS ARE WELL-FUNDED
FOR PROPER TRAINING AND HIRING
THE MORE EMS WE HAVE CAN RESULT
IN A NET POSITIVE FOR THE
COMMUNITY. EMS NEEDS MORE
FUNDING. THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES TEAM DESERVES FAIR PAY
AND TRAINING LIKE ANY OTHER
DEPARTMENT BUT POLICE HAVE A
OVER FUNDING AS EMS AND OTHER
SERVICES ARE LACKING FUNDING AND
SUPPORT WITH INCREASING
HOMELESSNESS POPULATION AND
VIOLENCE IN SEATTLE WE NEED MORE
EMERGENCY SERVICE TO HELP
CONTROL SITUATIONS AND TAKE CARE
PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP. EMS NEEDS
MORE FUNDING.
>> ADDITIONALLY POLICE LACKED
PROPER TRAINING FOR MENTAL
HEALTH CREATING A
MISUNDERSTANDING AND FALSE
ASSUMPTIONS WITH MORE EMS FIRST
RESPONDERS AT THE READY MENTAL
HEALTH CRISES CAN BE DEALT WITH
BEFORE DAMAGE IS DONE NOT A
SINGLE SWORN OFFICER HAS LOST
THEIR JOB OR PAY DUE TO BUDGET
CONSTRAINTS IN FACT RECEIVING
MORE FUNDING FOR HER AND THEN IT
CAN SPEND YET THE MYTH THE
POLICE WAS NOT FUNDED PERSISTS
THIS WAS POSTED APRIL 4 NOT
FUNDED PERSISTS THIS WAS POSTED
APRIL 4, 2024 WE HAVE CONFIRMED
THE FACT WITH CITY BUDGET DEPUTY
DIRECTOR EMS NEEDS MORE FUNDING.
>> WE ALSO NEED FUNDING FOR POST
OVERDOSE RESPONSE TEAM TO HELP
SEATTLE CITIZENS RECOVER FROM
DRUG ADDICTION AS WE KNOW
SEATTLE HAS A OPIOID CRISIS MORE
EMS FUNDING WILL SUPPORT
CITIZENS SUFFERING FROM
ADDICTION SO IN CONCLUSION EMS
NEEDS MORE FUNDING. THANK YOU.
>> WE ALL WANT TO SAY IT
TOGETHER? EMS NEEDS MORE
FUNDING. PLEASE REPORT BACK TO
THE CENTER SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR
EVERYONE HERE THE CENTER SCHOOL
SENIORS FROM LAST YEAR ARE THE
ONES THAT BROUGHT BACK GROUP
PUBLIC COMMENT SO LET'S THANK
THEM NOW. WITH THAT WE ARE
MOVING ON TO 91 WE ARE TICKING
THROUGH HERE. I'M GOING TO BE
SMART ENOUGH NOT TO TRY TO SAY
YOUR NAME.
YOU HAVE NUMBER 91? THAT IS YOU
WELCOME TO IT. [ READING NAMES ]
ARE YOU A GROUP TODAY? DO YOU
WANT TO SPEAK AS A GROUP?
>> WE ALWAYS SPEAK AS COMMUNITY
BUT I WILL USE MY --
>> WHAT ARE ALL OF YOUR NAMES?
DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK BY YOURSELF
AND THE REST GO AS A GROUP?
>> YES. SURE. WE WILL DO A
GROUP.
>> NUMBER 91 IS IT [ NAME ] OKAY
GREAT AND THEN DOMINIQUE?
>> SHE'S NOT WITH OUR GROUP.
>> DID EITHER OF YOU SIGN-UP?
>> WE WILL HAVE EACH OF YOU GO
INDIVIDUALLY. I DID NOT PROPERLY
DESCRIBE THE RULES AND IF I
START BREAKING THEM NOW
EVERYTHING WILL FALL APART. OVER
TO YOU. EACH 1:30.
>> THANK YOU BUDGET CHAIR AND
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL MY NAME
IS AND I AM THE CEO OF THE
TUBMAN CENTER FOR HEALTH AND
FREEDOM AND WE PROVIDE HEALTH
SERVICES TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS
AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR
DISTRICTS AND I'M HERE TO SAY
THANK YOU , THANK YOU SO VERY
MUCH FOR INVESTING IN COMMUNITY
CARE AND SOLUTIONS THERE ARE
THINGS GOING WRONG BUT THERE ARE
THINGS GOING RIGHT AND INVESTING
IN TUBMAN HEALTH IS DOUBLING
DOWN ON THE SOLUTION. I WANT TO
THANK COUNCILMEMBER ,
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON ,
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK,
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ AND TRYING
TO FOR INCLUDING TUBMAN CENTER
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT OP CD 007 C 1.
IT IS IMPORTANT YOU KNOW MY
COLLEAGUES ARE STANDING HERE ,
WE ARE ON THE FRONT LINES EVERY
DAY AS RESEARCHERS, CLINICIANS
AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, CARE IS
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN
SEATTLE AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE
DOING SO THANK YOU BECAUSE THESE
LAST FIVE YEARS WOULD NOT HAVE
HAPPENED WITHOUT PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND
COMMUNITY. WE BUILD TWO
COMMUNITY CLINICS SERVING 54 ZIP
CODES IN THE COUNTY AND WITH
YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE THIRD
CLINIC WE WILL SEE AN ADDITIONAL
10,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN
REGNIER BEACH SO THIS INVESTMENT
IS NOT JUST ABOUT INVESTING
IT'S A COMMUNITY WE ASK YOU TO
RESOURCE THIS PROVEN COMMUNITY
SOLUTION SO WE CAN PROVIDE THE
ADDITIONAL 159 FTES AND
CIRCULATE $16 MILLION ANNUALLY
AMONGST OUR PEOPLE FOR THE
COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. NOW OVER TO YOU.
>> MY NAME IS [ NAME ] I AM A
DAUGHTER OF THE HISTORIC BLACK
COMMUNITY IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT SO I WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU TO THE COUNCIL FOR BEING
HERE THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING I
WANT TO SUPPORT 100% THE
AMENDMENT AND ABLE TO SAY
QUICKLY SUPPORTING THE AROUND
THE TREES PIECE THAT'S REALLY
REALLY IMPORTANT. AS A BOARD
MEMBER I WEAR A LOT OF HATS IN
DIFFERENT SPACES AND PLACES BUT
AS A BOARD MEMBER WITH THE
CENTER FOR HEALTH AND FREEDOM I
WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE
SUPPORT IN THE BUDGET BUT IF WE
CAN'T STRETCH THAT I KNOW IT'S
TOUGH LET'S GET THE FULL 6
MILLION. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE
ASKING FOR. I FEEL LIKE THERE'S
MORE TIME HERE FOR ME TO SPEAK
AND I WANT TO SHARE I KNOW IT IS
CHALLENGING AND I HAVE SET UP
HERE AND LISTEN TO THE FOLKS
LOOKING FOR MORE SHELTER AND
WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT WHY COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH AMENDMENT IS SO
IMPORTANT WE DID NOT GET THOSE
RESOURCES FOR CRACK AND
ADDICTION PLACED IN THE BLACK
COMMUNITY I WILL SAY SOUTH OF
THE SHIP CANAL BRIDGE THE GOAL
WAS THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY
AND THE HOMES SO MY HEART GOES
OUT TO THAT COMMUNITY BUT
THAT'S ALL THE MORE REASON WHY
WE NEED TO RESTORE OUR
COMMUNITY, MY SON AND MY
GRANDDAUGHTER GOES , THAT'S MY
COMMUNITY IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT WHEN I'M WITH MY
FAMILY I FEEL I'M GIVING THEM A
TOUR SO I WANT TO BE IN MY
COMMUNITY FEEL SAFE AND WELCOME
AND HAVE PEOPLE NOT LOOK AT ME
WITH A SIDE EYE LIKE WHY ARE YOU
HERE?
>> THANK YOU. WELL SAID.
DOMINIQUE, WELCOME.
>> HI THIS CITY HAS RECENTLY
INFORMED US OUR FAMILY CENTER IS
LOSING $160,000 IN FUNDING FROM
THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY
EDUCATION I RESPECTFULLY ASK
THAT YOU REALLY AND STATE
CRITICAL FUNDING THE FAMILY
CENTER IS A DROP IN FAMILY
RESOURCE CENTER SOUTH SEATTLE
SERVING FAMILIES EXPERIENCING
HOUSING INSECURITY AND
HOMELESSNESS TO PARTNERSHIPS
WORKING FROM THE ALLEN FAMILY
CENTER WITH MERCY HARDING AND
PROGRESS ALLIANCE WE PROVIDE
ESSENTIAL RESOURCES INCLUDING
CHILDCARE NAVIGATION PLAY AND
LEARN GROUPS BASIC THINGS LIKE
DIAPERS AND FOOD FAMILY SHOWERS
AND HOUSING NAVIGATION SERVICES
THAT DEAL FUNDING SUPPORTS THE
PARTNERSHIP WHICH PROVIDES
CHILDCARE NAVIGATION FOR
UNHOUSED FAMILIES HOPING TO
IDENTIFY PROGRAMS COMPLETE
APPLICATIONS AND NAVIGATE THE
COMPLEX SUBSIDY PROGRAM. WITHOUT
CHILDCARE PARENTS CANNOT WORK OR
SEARCH FOR HOUSING ALSO
PROVIDING PLAY AND LEARN GROUPS
SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR
SIBLING CAREGIVERS, OLDER
CHILDREN WHO ARE CARING FOR
YOUNGER SIBLINGS WHILE PARENTS
TRY TO STABILIZE THEIR SITUATION
FAMILIES ARE LIVING IN SHELTERS,
CARS AND ON THE STREET OR BARELY
HOLDING ON TO HOUSING. THEY
ALREADY FACING POSSIBLE
BARRIERS, ACCESS TO CHILDCARE IS
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PARENT
BEING ABLE TO WORK TOWARD
HOUSING STABILITY OR REMAIN
HOUSED WITHOUT THE $167,000 WE
CANNOT CONTINUE THE
RELATIONSHIP. WE APPRECIATE YOUR
CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU. RACHEL .
>> GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE
COUNCIL. MY NAME IS [ NAME ]
PROGRAM MANAGER AND CHEF WITH
THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
HOTMAIL PROGRAM MEMBER OF THE
MEALS PARTNERSHIP COALITION.
HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MEAL
PROGRAMS WE ASKED CITY COUNCIL
TO PROTECT THE $1 MILLION IN
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MEALS
INCLUDED WITH THE PROPOSED
BUDGET. WE ARE SUPPORTING
AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET
SPONSORED BY COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH AND COSPONSORED BY
-- AS I'M SURE EVERYONE CAN
AGREE WE ARE LIVING IN
POLITICALLY UNPRECEDENTED AND
PREDICTABLE TIMES HOWEVER HUNGER
AND BROKEN FOOD ACCESSIBILITY
SYSTEMS ARE NOTHING NEW .
THANKFULLY SEATTLE HAS DOZENS OF
EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT PROGRAMS
LIKE MY OWN THAT ARE POISED AND
READY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
MARGINALIZED NEIGHBORS, THIS
WEEK MY PROGRAM RECEIVED FEWER
DONATIONS FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE
BECAUSE MUCH OF THE PRODUCT WAS
DIVERTED TO POP UP ENTRY AT THE
AIRPORT TO FEED UNPAID
GOVERNMENT WORKERS, HAVING
ACCESS TO UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
LIKE THE $1 MILLION IN THE 2026
BUDGET ALLOWS MILL PROGRAMS LIKE
MY OWN TO REACT QUICKLY
PURCHASING INGREDIENTS TO FILL
UNFORESEEN GAPS I BRING UP THE
EXAMPLE TO NOT HIGHLIGHT MY
DISCONTENT AT A SISSY STICK
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT TO
DEMONSTRATE HOW COMPLEX AND
FRAGILE THE FOOD SYSTEM IS AT
THIS TIME AND WHAT ORGANIZATIONS
FOR THE MEALS COALITION ARE UP
AGAINST, THANK YOU FOR THE
SUPPORT AND URGE THE FULL
COUNCIL TO ENSURE THESE
INVESTMENTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE
FINAL BUDGET, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT IS CRYSTAL
BROWN. [ NAME ]
>> THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING THE
FARMERS MARKET IN YOUR BALANCING
PACKAGE AND CONTINUED SUPPORT
AND LEADERSHIP IN SOUTH PARK AND
THE VALLEY COMMUNITIES I AM THE
CULTIVATE SOUTH PARK FOCUSING ON
COMMUNITY CENTERED WORK AT SOUTH
PARK AND THE VALLEY
NEIGHBORHOODS. WE ADVANCE FOOD
EQUITY, ARTS AND CULTURE YOUTH
LEADERSHIP SMALL BUSINESS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL
OWNERSHIP I AM PROUD TO SHARE WE
HAVE EXPANDED SUPPORT FOR 100
HOUSEHOLDS PER MONTH IN 2020 TO
OVER 5000 WE HAVE EXPANDED
SUPPORT FOR 100 HOUSEHOLDS PER
MONTH IN 2020 TO OVER 5020 25
WITH FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND
WELLNESS PROGRAMS. WE HELP
SECURE NECK TO BE OVER 30,000
SQUARE FEET OF COMMUNITY OWNED
PROPERTY REPRESENTING 5 MILLION
IN COMMUNITY OF ASSET VALUE FOR
EVERY ONE DOLLAR CITY FUNDING WE
RECEIVE WE RECEIVED 3 TO 4
DOLLARS FROM EXTERNAL FUNDERS ,
WE SUPPORTED DOZENS OF
MICRO-BUSINESSES AND LOCAL
ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH MARKETS
TRAININGS AND EVENTS GENERATING
BOTH DIRECT EMPLOYMENT AND
INDIRECT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND
WHICH LEADS ME TO THE CURRENT
PROJECT ACTIVATING A COMMERCIAL
KITCHEN IN THE HEART OF SOUTH
PARK TO SUPPORT FOOD BUSINESSES
VENDORS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KING
COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND A 2000
SQUARE FOOT THIRD PLACE TO
SUPPORT ALL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE
VALLEY WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK
WITH THE SUPPORT OF CITY COUNCIL
TO HELP CLOSE THE GAP THE
FUNDING GAP ON THE PROJECT WHICH
WILL INCREASE PROSPERITY
SUSTAINABILITY AND WELL-BEING .
THANK YOU.
>> STU HENNESSEY IS UP NEXT AND
YOU WERE VIRTUAL BUT DID NOT
SPEAK VIRTUALLY.
>> FOR SOME REASON I COULD NOT
HANDLE THE TECHNOLOGY.
>> I CAN'T EITHER ON A GOOD
DAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR HANGING OUT SO
LONG FOR STALLONE TO THANK YOU
FOR PROPOSING THE ADMIRAL
JUNCTION IN WEST SEATTLE WOULD
BE FUNDED FOR SOME IMPROVEMENTS
IT IS AN AREA WHERE CALIFORNIA
AVENUE AND ADMIRAL WAY AS WELL
AS THE ADJACENT INTERSECTIONS OF
47 SOUTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST
LANDER STREET EXPERIENCE DANGERS
GIVEN THEIR MULTIPLE SENIOR
HOUSING AND THREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
THE FUNDING WILL GO LITTLE WAY
FURTHER TO HELP US ENSURE SAFETY
PERHAPS IT CAN BE USED FOR STUDY
AND DESIGN TO MAKE A WALKABLE
FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WILL
NOT PROHIBIT MANY RESIDENTS FROM
WANTING TO ENTER OR LEAVE THE
HOUSES. FOR INSTANCE THE
BROOKDALE SENIOR CITIZENS NEED
TO BE ABLE TO COME OUT AND FEEL
SAFE THAT THEY CAN BE OUT IN THE
STREETS, GO TO STORES AND DO
THINGS DAILY AND DO NOT FEEL
TRAPPED. AS WE DO WALKING
THROUGH WITH D.O.T. IT'S
IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER OR IMAGINE
OURSELVES AS THOSE PEOPLE THAT
ARE WALKING OR DISABLED AND
WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN GET
ACROSS FIVE LANES OF TRAFFIC,
FIVE LANES IN 15 SECONDS OR LESS
MANY OF US MANY OF THOSE
RESIDENTS ARE STAYING INDOORS
FOR THE FEAR AND THE INDIGNITY
OF THIS. ALSO, I REMEMBER
DENNY'S. MONTGOMERY WARDS. SO
TO CLOSE I WANT TO SAY THE WALK
ABILITY IS THE ABILITY TO SAFELY
CROSS STREETS NOT THE SIDEWALK
BUT THE ABILITY TO SAFELY CROSS
STREETS.
>> YOU REMEMBER THE DENNY'S IN
LAKE CITY OR DIFFERENT?
>> LAKE CITY.
>> LAKE CITY AND?
>> NOW WE ARE GETTING NOW I
MIGHT BE LOSING MY POINT .
>>'S OF BEFORE GOOGLE MAPS?
>> THAT'S THE INTERESTING PART
ABOUT PARTS OF THE CITY THAT GOT
LESS ATTENTION THEY DON'T HAVE
STREET VIEW BACK AS FAR AS OTHER
PARTS OF THE CITY. OVER TO YOUR.
>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. MY
NAME IS MARISSA PEREZ RESIDENT
OF DISTRICT 1 AND I SERVE AS THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
SEATTLE COALITION REPRESENTING
200 ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING
ESSENTIAL SERVICES ACROSS THE
CITY. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WE
REPRESENT MORE THAN THOSE
AGENCIES , AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE
MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS WEARING
RED SCARVES SEATTLE ITSELF
BELIEVES IN FULLY FUNDING HUMAN
SERVICES. I WANT TO THANK THE
MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR THE
INCREASED FUNDING FOR HUMAN
SERVICES ACROSS NEARLY EVERY
SECTOR OF OUR COMMUNITY HOWEVER
IT WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO PROTECT
THE MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS
AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM
CRUELTY OF THE FEDERAL
ADMINISTRATION AND ACTIONS
PLEASE SUPPORT AMENDMENTS HST
061 THROUGH 64 AND 001 AND
RESTORE THE AMOUNTS THAT WERE
REQUESTED BY MEMBER COALITIONS.
INCLUDING 500,000 FOR SENIOR
SERVICES, 1 MILLION TENDON
SERVICES AND 1 MILLION
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE SERVICES.
WE ASK YOU PROTECT INVESTMENTS
IN WAGE EQUITY FOR HUMAN SERVICE
STAFF AND INCREASES FOR FOOD
BANKS AND MEAL PROGRAMS
STRENGTHENING HUMAN SERVICES
SECTOR AND THE TIME OF INCREASED
NEED OF INSTABILITY. THIS IS A
CRITICAL MOMENT WITH AGENCIES
ROCKED BY FEDERAL CUTS WHICH ARE
IMPACTED BY THE OVERALL CAPACITY
OF THE HUMAN SERVICES. WE
DESPERATELY NEED CITY COUNCIL TO
CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING
FOR HUMAN SERVICES TO PROTECT
THE COMMUNITY AND AGENCIES WHO
SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS.
>> THANK YOU. MARISSA TORRES
FOLLOWED BY YOU
>> HI, GOOD EVENING I AM THE
COEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
COALITION OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE AND COCHAIR SEATTLE
SERVICES COALITION OUR PROGRAM
SUPPORTS SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND
TRAFFICKING EVERY DAY AND THAT
IS WHY WE ARE HERE TO URGE YOU
TO SUPPORT AMENDMENTS 061-2064.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBERS
FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT
ON THESE AMENDMENTS AND BUDGET
CHAIR FOR INCLUDING THEM IN THE
BALANCING PACKAGE. ADVOCATES
SUPPORTS SURVIVORS IN COURT,
HOSPITALS, AND POLICE STATIONS,
INCOME FINANCIAL SHELTERS
SCHOOLS AND AT HOME ADVOCATES
WORK IN ANY SYSTEM THAT
SURVIVORS ARE NAVIGATING TO
ENSURE THEY ARE SUPPORTED AS
THEY SEEK SAFETY DIGNITY AND
SELF-DETERMINATION FROM THE
IMPACTS OF ABUSE INVESTING IN
ADVOCACY IS INVESTING IN
EFFECTIVE HOMELESSNESS
PREVENTION PUBLIC SAFETY EQUITY
AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE. THESE
AMENDMENTS WILL PROVIDE CRITICAL
LOCAL FUNDING SO PROGRAMS CAN
KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN TO ALL
SURVIVORS WITHIN THE CITY SO WE
ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT. LASTLY IN
SOLIDARITY WITH PARTNERS WHO
WORK TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE
HOUSING IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES
AND HUMAN SERVICES WE SUPPORT
RESTORING TENDON SERVICES
STABILIZING FUNDING FOR HOMELESS
YOUTH, INVESTING IN WAGE EQUITY
FOR HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS MAKING
FUNDING ONGOING AND ALL UPDATED
BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS FROM
SEATTLE SERVICES COALITION.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME TO SPEAK
TODAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME WITH
MY PRONUNCIATION.
>> THANK YOU, GOOD EVENING I AM
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
SEXUAL VIOLENCE LAW CENTER AND
LONGTIME RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 1.
AS WE PROVIDE FREE LEGAL
REPRESENTATION TO SURVIVORS OF
SEXUAL ASSAULT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
STOCKING TRAFFICKING AND CHILD
SEXUAL ABUSE THROUGHOUT THE CITY
WITH NEARLY 70% OF OUR CLIENTS
IDENTIFYING AS BIPOC AND 1/3 OF
CLIENTS IDENTIFYING AS HAVING A
DISABILITY OUR ATTORNEYS EACH
ATTORNEY SERVES 100 SURVIVORS
EACH YEAR AND FUNDING CUTS ARE
LOOKING AT REDUCING OUR SIZE OR
REDUCING THREE ATTORNEY
POSITIONS. ON BEHALF OF THE
SURVIVORS WE SERVE WE ARE ASKING
YOU TO SUPPORT THE HST
AMENDMENTS 061-2064 AND SEATTLE
SERVICE COALITION
RECOMMENDATIONS. OUR COLLEAGUES,
OUR TEAM AND SURVIVORS WE WORK
WITH ARE LOOKING LOCALLY TO YOU
TO BE BOLD AND GENEROUS, AS
FEDERAL AND STATE SYSTEMS FAIL
SURVIVORS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES.
WHEN LEGAL SERVICES, COMMUNITY
ADVOCACY AND SAFETY NETS SUCH AS
HOUSING , COUNSELING AND
WORKFORCE SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS
RD PRIORITIZED OR UNDERFUNDED
THERE ARE INCREASES IN DOMESTIC
AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE INCIDENTS,
COMMUNITY SAFETY IS COMPROMISED
AND FOR THESE REASONS WE ASK YOU
TO SUPPORT AMENDMENTS 061-2064
AND THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS
FOR YOUR AMENDMENTS AND FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE ABOUT 46
MORE PEOPLE TO GO. WE ARE ON
NUMBER 102 [ NAME ] YOU'RE UP
NEXT FOLLOWED BY WITH THAT,
WELCOME, GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> HI COUNCILMEMBERS SO GOOD TO
SEE YOU TONIGHT. DEPUTY DIRECTOR
FOR INSPIRE WASHINGTON, THE
CULTURAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION
AND WE SUPPORT THE IMPORTANT AND
UPLIFTING PROGRAMS IN SCIENCE
HERITAGE AND THE ARTS FOR EVERY
COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON STATE
TODAY I'M HERE TO CONVEY
SUPPORT FOR THE AMENDMENT ARTS
NINE B 1 SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBERS AND THIS
AMENDMENT IS TO CORRECT A SMALL
CLERICAL ERROR ENSURING ALL
FUNDING COLLECTED FROM THE
MISSION TAX WILL GO TO THE ARTS
AND CULTURE I UNDERSTAND THIS IS
KIND OF CONFUSING BUT I DO
BELIEVE THIS WILL BE IMPORTANT
TO ENSURE ARTS FUNDING IS
EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED ACROSS OUR
CITY. I ALSO WANT TO THANK AND
EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR YOUR
SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT TO
MAINTAINING THE OFFICE OF ARTS
AND CULTURE AND THE INCREDIBLE
PROGRAMS THEY OFFER SO THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR BEING HERE
TONIGHT. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU JESSE GREAT TO SEE
YOUR. HALLIE WILLIS, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, YOU GOT IT RIGHT.
>> FINALLY, 200 TIMES.
>> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS
HALLIE WILLIS A RENTER DISTRICT
5 POLICY MANAGER AT THE
COALITION OF HOMELESSNESS WHICH
REPRESENTS 60 ORGANIZATIONS THAT
HOUSE, SHELTER AND CARE FOR
PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION I'M HERE TO URGE YOU
TO INCREASE THE RESERVE IN THE
MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR
FEDERAL CUTS TO HOUSING SO
PEOPLE CAN KEEP THEIR HOME WHEN
HUD DEFINES THE COMMUNITY. THE
FEDS ARE RIPPING THE RUG OUT
FROM UNDER PEOPLE WHO ARE
HUNGRY, HOMELESS AND BARELY
GETTING BY, THIS BUDGET NEEDS TO
BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES SO WE
CAN TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN IN THE
CITY. WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR ELEVATING
THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE AND THE
DIRE NEED TO SUSTAIN THOUSANDS
OF PEOPLE'S HOMES AT RISK OF
HUD COC CUTS. I URGE YOU TO
PRIORITIZE FUNDING FOR HOMES
THROUGH HST 073 INCREASING THE
MAYOR'S PROPOSED RESERVE FOR
FEDERAL CUTS AND RESTORE TENDON
SERVICES TO PROTECT PEOPLE'S
HOMES, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU HALLE. NUMBER 104
AND THEN 105. I WOULD PROBABLY
USE THE TALLER ONE.
>> HELLO COUNCIL I AM THE
EXTERNAL --
>> USE THE TALLER ONE.
>> APOLOGIES. BETTER? HELLO.
>> IT SEEMS AWKWARD TO STAND SO
CLOSE BUT YES.
>> HELLO ALL I AM THE EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS MANAGER AT PLYMOUTH
HOUSING. WE OPERATE PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR 1400
RESIDENTS WHO HAVE TRANSITIONED
OUT OF HOMELESSNESS. WE HAVE 11
BUILDINGS IN DISTRICT 7, TWO IN
DISTRICT 2 AND ONE IN DISTRICT 3
AND SIX EACH TOTALING 15 IN THE
CITY. WE PROVIDE STABILITY
SERVICES INCLUDING CASE
MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR CHRONIC
CONDITIONS AND 24/7 STAFFING
THAT PREVENT RETURNS TO
HOMELESSNESS MORE THAN 95% OF
THE TIME, WORK IN SUPPORT OF
RESIDENTS AND RESIDENTS RELY ON
SUPPORTS FACING THREATS FROM
MANY DIRECTIONS FROM ATTEMPTS TO
WITH A NICE FUNDING A FEDERAL
SHUTDOWN ENDANGERING ASSISTANT
CHRONIC UNDERFUNDING OF
OPERATIONS AND FRONTLINE WAGES
IN THE COST OF BUILDING
MAINTENANCE AND BASIC DAILY
LIVING ON TOP OF THE ATTACK ON
PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO BELONG
TONIGHT WE PRIORITIZE STANDING
FUNDING FOR EXISTING SHELTER
HOUSING AND SERVICES AND TO KEEP
COMMUNITY SUPPORT INTACT TO
INCREASE RESERVES FOR FEDERAL
PADS AND TO RECONSIDER INCLUDING
WAGE ADJUSTMENTS FOR HOUSING AND
HOMELESS SERVICE WORKERS IT
TAKES PEOPLE TO HELP PEOPLE.
MOSTLY WE URGE YOU TO WEIGH YOUR
DECISION TO ASK WHO IS THE
SERVING WHO WITH A BUDGET KEEP
PEOPLE SAFE HEALTHY AND IN THEIR
HOMES AND WILL WE BE BETTER
EQUIPPED TO HANDLE MORE CUTS AND
CAST TARGETED AT THE MOST
HONORABLE? THANK YOU. IF I MAY
TALKING ABOUT THE ENTERPRISE? ON
LAKE CITY WAY PROUD LAKE CITY
OVER YOUR.
>> IT WAS DENNY'S?
>> IT WAS. MY FAMILY WALKED
THERE IN THE SNOW AFTER WE LOST
POWER ONE NIGHT FOR DINNER.
>> DO YOU SEE THIS WE WILL ROLL
BACK THE TAPE. THANK YOU. CARLO
YOU ARE UP NEXT GREAT TO SEE
YOU.
>> GREAT TO SEE YOU THANK YOU
FOR STAYING THIS LATE. I AM HERE
REPRESENTING REIMAGINE COALITION
REQUESTING COUNCIL SUPPORT ON A
FEW AMENDMENTS THE FIRST IS
D.O.T. 2022 IS ESSAY AND 0025
ESSAY. IMPROVING SAFETY AND
RELIABILITY ARE THE HIGHEST
RIDERSHIP BUSES THE SEVEN, EIGHT
AND HIS THEY ARE EQUITY ISSUES
SO WE NEED TO START PAINTING
SOME OF THE BUS LANES RED. ALSO
SUPPORTING SLI THAT ASKS TO
MEASURE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
OF THESE TRANSIT PROJECTS AND
ALL PROJECTS ACROSS THE CITY
NEED TO GET OR WILL HELP US MEET
OUR CLIMATE AND EQUITY GOALS
COUNCILMEMBERS STATED IT BEST WE
CANNOT MANAGE WHAT WE DO MEASURE
SO IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THE
CLIMATE ISSUE AND EQUITY WE NEED
TO KNOW HOW TRANSPORTATION
INVESTMENTS ARE MOVING THE
NEEDLE FORWARD. I AM ASKING
SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE STATE SHARED STREETS BILL
042 ESSAY AND FINALLY TO SUPPORT
011 A FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
PROJECT THIS AMENDMENT WILL
PROVIDE FUNDING FOR LONG-TERM
PLANNING THAT IS CURRENTLY
LACKING FOR THE CORRIDOR, LAST
YEAR WE CAME HERE ASKING THE
COUNCIL TO REFUND THE NORTH
AURORA PLANNING STUDY AND YOU
DID REFUND IT SO WE ARE ASKING
TO MAKE GOOD ON THE PROMISE TO
KEEP AND CONDUCT THE LONG-TERM
STUDY FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL
PLANNING AND CHANGE THAT AURORA
NEEDS THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU CARLO. MIKE [ NAME
]
>> HELLO, ED HERE ASKING FOR
REDUCTION IN SOME OF THE BUDGET
MAYBE YOU CAN REUSE THE MONEY IN
BETTER AREAS. I AM A HOMEMAKER.
I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A
LITTLE BIT. HE AND I WERE
TEAMMATES AT WASHINGTON SINCE
THEN I HAVE BUILT A FEW HUNDRED
HOMES AROUND THE SEATTLE AREA.
AND INSIDE THE CITY, ONE THING I
NEED TO BUILD A HOME AND I HAVE
BUILT NET ZERO HOMES SELLING
BELOW THE MEDIAN PRICE POINT BUT
I NEED PERMITS AND I'M NOT
GETTING PERMITS 13 MONTHS
WAITING FOR MY CURRENT PERMITS
LAST SUMMER GETTING FED UP WITH
THIS. I ENGAGED WITH MICROSOFT
FORMER CLAIMANTS OF MINE WE
DEVELOPED A A.I. PROGRAM THAT
CAN DO PERMIT REVIEW AND LESS
TIME THAN I HAVE SPENT AT THE
MICROPHONE. BY ENGAGING NOW AND
SAVING ON 750,000 WHAT WE SPEND
ON A.I. REVIEW WE HAVE A.I. THAT
CAN FULLY VET BUILDING PERMITS.
I WANT TO ENGAGE WITH YOU GUYS
AND BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR YOU
CAN REASSIGN 8% OF THE PEOPLE
AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF THESE
OTHER NEEDS. LET US KNOW THE
MASTER BUILDERS, SOFTWARE IS
HERE AND READY IT IS NOW DON'T
NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME
STUDYING. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS
IMPLEMENT IT SO THAT WAY I CAN
PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON EACH
HOME I BUILT TO THE HOLDING COST
THAT YOU GUYS INCUR TO ME. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MIKE. NEXT IS RITA
FOLLOWED BY LILY AND THEN
JESSICA.
>> WE ARE GOING TO DO A GROUP.
107. 149.
149 AND 151.
>> I DID NOT KNOW EVEN GOT
THERE. COOL. WELCOME.
>> CAN WE START?
>> ONE SECOND THANK YOU.
AT YOUR CONVENIENCE, TAKE IT
AWAY.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL, PRESIDENT
NELSON, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS,
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON AND
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR
INCLUDING US IN THE PROPOSED
BUDGET IN SUPPORT OF THE
HISTORIC ART LODGE HERITAGE
PRIDE OF SEATTLE. I AM THE
COFOUNDER THIS FUNDING IS
ESSENTIAL FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO
CINEMA GLOBAL CULTURAL HUB IN
SEATTLE NOW CALLING FROM THE
CENTER A HEADQUARTERS OF THE
SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL AND
AUDIENCES ATTENDING FROM 22
COUNTRIES ACROSS THE GLOBE WE
WANT THEM TO EXPERIENCE THIS
BUILDING POSITIVELY WITH
ACCESSIBILITY WHEN THEY GO BACK
AND REMEMBER IT FONDLY WE ALSO
CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL AND
CITYWIDE ECONOMY FROM SEATAC TO
DOWNTOWN HOTELS TO BUSINESSES IN
COLUMBIA CITY AS WE WORK TO
SHAPE THE NEIGHBORHOOD INTO THE
VIBRANT CULTURAL CORRIDOR AND
POST PANDEMIC RECOVERY. WE HOST
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST MARKET
WHICH DRAWS INDUSTRY LEADERS
FROM HOLLYWOOD TO MGM STUDIOS
CRATING JOBS FOR SEATTLE
COMMUNITY. THIS CITY IS A
SEATTLE TREASURE INVESTED IN
INVESTING AND GROW WHAT WE HAVE
BUILT TOGETHER.
>> HELLO AGAIN THANK YOU FOR
INCLUDING US IN THE BUDGET. MY
NAME IS AND I'M A COFOUNDER ,
FOUND IN 2002 AND CURRENT BOARD
MEMBER, BRINGING 23 YEARS OF
ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RICHNESS
TO THE CITY OF SEATTLE. WE HAVE
COLLABORATED WITH NUMEROUS LOCAL
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND
BUSINESSES ORGANIZING OVER 800
ARTS AND CULTURAL EVENTS. KNOW
WE HAVE GROWN INTO A
INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN NAME IN
SOUTH ASIA ALONG WITH EVERYWHERE
THAT SOUTH ASIAN DIASPORA
RESIDE. TODAY I AM SPEAKING AS A
INDEPENDENT ARTIST AND RESIDENT
OF ARTS BASED BAKER LOST IN THE
RAINIER VALLEY WHICH IS NOW THE
OWNERS OF ARC LODGE CINEMA AS OF
MARCH AS OF MARCH 2025 AND WE
HAVE HOSTED SEVERAL COMMUNITY
EVENTS INCLUDING OUR SIGNATURE
FILM FESTIVAL AND MARKET WHICH
BROUGHT PEOPLE FROM INDIA NEW
ZEALAND FRANCE AND ALL OVER THE
U.S. AND ACROSS THE WATER FROM
THE EAST SIDE. IN THE SHORT TIME
THAT WE HAVE BEEN HERE WE HAVE
HAD ECONOMICALLY AND CULTURALLY
SUPPORTED NUMEROUS BUSINESSES,
RESTAURANTS, BARS, RENTAL
SPACES, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS,
INDEPENDENT ARTIST, UBER, LYFT
DRIVERS, TRANSPORTATION, ARE
BEING BE AN HOMES IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD AND BEYOND. IN THIS
CRITICAL MOMENT OF CULTURE AND
ARTS WE ARE IN NEED OF CITY
FUNDING TO RUN A HISTORIC ART
THEATER LOCATED IN A MARGINAL
AREA OF SEATTLE RUNNING A
THEATER REQUIRES EXPENSES AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOBS AND
EQUIPMENT AND INVESTMENT WILL
BENEFIT AND ENRICH THE CITY OF
SEATTLE IN THE SOUTH END
NEIGHBORHOODS AND CONNECT LOCAL
TO THE GLOBAL AND NATIONAL ART
COMMUNITIES.
>> HI I AM ALSO ONE OF THE BOARD
MEMBERS AND THANK YOU FOR
INCLUDING US IN YOUR BUDGET SO I
WOULD START BY SAYING FUNDING
FOR CULTURAL PROJECTS IS AN
INVESTMENT AND IT IS NOT
SPENDING EVERY DOLLAR AS
INVESTMENT WITH MORE BY THE
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. WITH THE
YEARS OF RECORD WITH LOCAL
NATIONAL AND GLOBAL RECOGNIZE,
LAST MONTH WHEN OUR MARKET AND
FILM FESTIVAL VISITED BY PEOPLE
ACROSS THE GLOBE. SEATTLE WHICH
IS ON ROUTE TO BEING A GLOBAL
DESTINATION AND WE WOULD ENHANCE
THAT BY CHECKING PEOPLE FROM
ACROSS DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND
CONTINENTS. SINCE WE ARE A TECH
HUB I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE YOU
ALL WITH A TECH METAPHOR OF
WHERE IT FALLS INTO ALL OF THIS.
MAKING FACILITIES FUNDED BY
PUBLIC MONEY IN SEATTLE IT WOULD
ACT LIKE HARDWARE AND IT IS A
VIRUS FOR THAT SO WITH THAT
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU ALSO MUCH. NEXT WE
HAVE [ READING NAMES ] WELCOME,
LISA.
>> THANK YOU. I AM HERE ON
BEHALF OF THE FILM CENTER TO
EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON FOR HER
AMENDMENT AND COUNCILMEMBER
SOLOMON AND COUNCILMEMBER RINCK
FOR THE COSPONSORSHIP AND CHAIR
STRAUSS FOR INCLUDING THE FILM
CENTER IN THE BALANCING PACKAGE.
THESE ARE EXCEPTIONAL TIMES WE
ARE LIVING IN AND THE NEEDS OF
COMMUNITIES AS WE ARE HEARING
TONIGHT AND THOSE MOST
VULNERABLE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE
GREAT AT A TIME WHEN CIVIL
DISCOURSE IS CHALLENGED WHEN THE
DOMINANT NARRATIVE BEING PUT
FORWARD IS ONE OF VIOLENCE AND
AUTHORITARIANISM IT IS VITAL
THAT WE PROTECT COMMUNITY SPACES
THAT CENTERED THE LIVED
EXPERIENCES OF THE GLOBAL
MAJORITY AND MAKE THOSE SPACES
ACCESSIBLE. THE ARC LODGE IN
COLUMBIA CITY HAS A LONG HISTORY
AS A CULTURAL CENTER DATING BACK
TO 1920 WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY
BUILT AS A FREEMASON LODGE AFTER
DECADES AS A ART-HOUSE CINEMA
SERVING COLUMBIA CITY AND THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT IN SOUTH
SEATTLE. MOVIE HOUSES HAVE THE
POWER TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
TO SHARE EXPERIENCE AND CREATE
AND PROMOTE CONNECTION AND
DIALOGUE, EDUCATE AND INSPIRE.
WE NEED MORE OF THESE SPACES IN
TODAY'S FRACTURED WORLD. IN A
UNIQUE POSITION TO NOT ONLY
REVIVE THIS CORNERSTONE BUT ALSO
TO DEEPEN THE CULTURAL AND
ECONOMIC IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY
AS THE FILM CENTER EXTENDS THE
MISSION OF UPLIFTING SOUTH ASIAN
VOICES OF STORYTELLING TO
CREATING SPACE DEDICATED TO THE
VOICES AND STORIES OF THE GLOBAL
MAJORITY.
>> NEXT IS LILY HAYWARD FOLLOWED
BY JESSICA.
>> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS LILY
HAYWARD WITH THE SEATTLE METRO
CHAMBER FIRST WE WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR MAINTAINING INVESTMENTS
IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDING
PUBLIC SAFETY ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AND HOMELESSNESS. WE
KNOW FROM INDEX PULLING THESE
ARE THE PRIORITIES VOTERS CARE
MOST ABOUT SO WE THANK YOU FOR
INCLUDING THEM IN THE BALANCING
PACKAGE. WE WANT TO POINT OUT
WITH A VERY ECONOMIC GROWTH
PRIOR THIS YEAR REALITY IS THE
FUTURE REMAINS UNCERTAIN AND
VOTERS EMPLOYERS ALIKE CONTINUE
TO BE RISING COSTS THE BALANCING
PACKAGE ACCOMPLISHES FISCAL
RESPONSIBILITY WHILE MAINTAINING
INVESTMENTS IN THE KEY ISSUES
YOU HERE TONIGHT AND WE
ENCOURAGE YOU TO STICK WITH THE
STRATEGY. WE ENCOURAGE COUNCIL
TO SUPPORT AMENDMENTS THAT
BOLSTER CAN ABILITY FOR HOW TAX
DOLLARS WERE SPENT IN SURE
TRANSPARENCY AND CITY OPERATIONS
AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES . THANK
YOU FOR CONSIDERING AMENDMENTS
TO HELP MAKE PROGRESS ON KEY
ISSUES AND KEEPING THE ECONOMY
STRONG AND COMPETITIVE AS WE
FINALIZE THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
>> THANK YOU NEXT IS JESSICA.
>> HERE WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND
WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT AS A
GROUP.
>> WONDERFUL WHAT ARE THE OTHER
NUMBERS?
>> 111 AND 112.
>> WONDERFUL.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS
MY NAME IS JESSICA MANAGING
DIRECTOR OF KIDS NEED DEFENSE.
OUR SEATTLE OFFICE PROVIDING
SERVICES TO UNACCOMPANIED
CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN SEATTLE
AND ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE. WE
RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO INCLUDE
AN ADDITIONAL 4 MILLION , TO
EXPAND FUNDING FOR IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES ON A SUSTAINED BASIS
RATHER THAN ONE-TIME FUNDING.
THIS IS A LIFELINE THAT ENSURES
SEATTLE STANDS UP AGAINST
INHUMANE PRACTICES OF FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT BY CARING FOR THE
MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY
MEMBERS. WHEN I SPOKE TO YOUR
BALL EARLIER THIS SPRING
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN AND YOUTH
WERE FACING A UNPRECEDENTED
CRISIS WHICH IS STILL WITH US
TODAY. UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
AND YOUTH ARE SEEKING SAFETY AND
STABILITY ARRIVING IN THE
COUNTRY ALONE AFTER DANGEROUS
JOURNEYS. THERE THEN FORCED TO
FACE A IMMIGRATION SYSTEM
HARMFUL AND BUILD TO RETURN
CHILDREN TO THE DANGERS THEY
WERE FLEEING FROM WITHOUT LEGAL
HELP THEY MUST FACE THE SYSTEM
ENTIRELY ON THEIR OWN. BECAUSE
OF YOUR INVESTMENT ESPECIALLY
THROUGH THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT
AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS KIND AND
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN
ABLE TO CONTINUE REPRESENTING
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN AND YOUTH
EVEN AS FEDERAL CONTRACT HANGS
BY A THREAD RENEWED ONLY EVERY
THREE MONTHS YOUR SUPPORT HAS
MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN AND YOUTH
IN SEATTLE TO HAVE SOMEONE BY
THEIR SIDE WHEN THEY WOULD
OTHERWISE HAVE NO ONE AND HAVE
ENABLED MY OFFICE TO REMAIN
OPEN. THE THREATS ARE GROWING
AND UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN AND
YOUTH ARE THE FOCUS OF INCREASED
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IT IS
CLEAR THE CRISIS FACING THEM IS
MORE ACUTE THAN EVER, THE CITY
MUST STAND STRONG MUST NOT
ABANDON CHILDREN OR THE
IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES FIGHTING
TO SERVE THEM, THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SUPPORT AND IN PARTICULAR
COUNCILMEMBERS SOLOMON,
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, NELSON AND
CHAIR STRAUSS.
>> IN EVENING I AM THE
SUPERVISING PARALEGAL OF KIND
SEATTLE'S OFFICE. ALL CHILDREN
DESERVE STABILITY AND THIS IS
WHY I AM HERE TODAY ASKING FOR
FUNDING AND I HAVE SAT BESIDE
CHILDREN IN IMMIGRATION COURT
FACING PROCEEDINGS THAT COULD
DETERMINE THE TRAJECTORY OF
THEIR LIVES WHILE THEY WERE IN
THE COURTROOM I WATCHED CHILDREN
EYES WIDEN IN FEAR AS OFFICIALS
LINED THE WALLS AND HALLWAYS
WHICH WAS THE ONLY EXIT THE
CHILDREN SEARCHED FOR ME , FOR
SAFETY AND SECURITY. EYEWITNESS
THE EMOTIONAL TOLL OF FUNDING
INSTABILITY ON MENTAL HEALTH
WHEN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LEGAL
SERVICES WERE CUT I WAS FORCED
TO STEP OUT OF MY CURRENT ROLE
AND I LOST CONTACT WITH MANY
CLIENTS. WHEN I RETURNED TO KIND
I RECONNECTED WITH THE CLAIMANT
TO FIND HIS MENTAL HEALTH
DETERIORATED, HE FELT ABANDONED
DEPRESSED AND ANXIOUS, I WAS
ABLE TO ADVOCATE FOR HIM TO
RECEIVE SERVICES HAVE HAD TO
TELL CHILDREN THEY WOULD NO
LONGER HAVE AN ATTORNEY DUE TO
FUNDING LOSS, THE CHILD SAT
SCARED FEELING ALONE WITH TEARS
IN THEIR EYES. I HAVE BEEN ABLE
TO TELL CHILDREN THAT FUNDING
WAS RESTORED. THE RELIEF
EXPRESSED IN THEIR BODY LANGUAGE
AND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS WAS
EVIDENT. SEATTLE AS I KNOW IT IS
A CITY THAT VALUES COMPASSION
JUSTICE AND INCLUSION AND BY
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING OF
LEGAL SERVICES FOR UNACCOMPANIED
CHILDREN WHERE UPHOLDING RIGHTS
AND PROVIDING THEM WITH A
SUPPORT SYSTEM LET'S BE THE
CITY THAT MEETS HOPE WITH HOPE,
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING NAME IS KELSEY
ARMSTRONG MANAGING ATTORNEY WITH
KIND AND I'M HERE TODAY TO
UPLIFT THE VOICE OF ONE CLIENT
WE WORK WITH WHO IS A RESIDENT
OF SEATTLE PROVIDING THIS
STATEMENT I WILL READ. THE TOPIC
I WILL TALK ABOUT IS VERY
IMPORTANT, KIND. YOU HAVE HELPED
ME A LOT IN MY LIFE WITH RESPECT
TO MY IMMIGRATION CASE AND I AM
PLEASED WITH YOUR HELP REGARDING
SOCIAL SERVICES YOU HAVE HELPED
ME A LOT IN MANY MOMENTS I HAVE
FELT I CANNOT CONTINUE FURTHER
THAT MY WORLD WAS CONSTANTLY
CLOSING AND YOU MADE ME REFLECT
AND HELPED ME SURVIVE. YOU ARE
HELPING ME AND I AM VERY
APPRECIATIVE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT
I WOULD'VE DONE WITHOUT YOUR
HELP, NOW MY LIFE IS DIFFERENT
WITH EDUCATION MORE INTELLIGENCE
AND I MORE SOCIABLE THANKS TO
THE ORGANIZATION KIND THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR
THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE GOING TO
NOW MOVE ON 113 [ READING NAMES
]
>> HOW DO I FOLLOW THAT?
>> VERY DIFFICULT.
>> VERY DIFFICULT THE JOB YOU
HAVE TO DO. THANK YOU ALL VERY
MUCH FOR STEPPING UP AND
EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. I WANT
TO THANK YOU ALL BECAUSE MY
SPEECH ONLY CALLED OUT THREE. I
WANTED TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK, COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON AND
FOR A REPORT THAT WILL SHOW IF
CONSOLIDATING TREE RELATED WORK
WILL MAKE SENSE AND HELP SEATTLE
REACH OUR TREE CANOPY CLIMATE
GOALS. I FULLY BELIEVE IT DOES
MAKE SENSE AND IT IS AN
EXCELLENT FIRST STEP. I URGE YOU
TO RUN WITH IT. ULTIMATELY, I
URGE, BAG AND INSIST SEATTLE TO
ADOPT AND ENFORCE A POLICY THAT
IS OR WILL BE SENT BY URBAN
FORESTRY EXPERTS TO ROLL ALL OF
THE TREE WORK . I THINK THEY
KNOW BEST HOW TO KEEP TREES
HEALTHY. AND THANK YOU ALL VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, KATHY. NEXT WE
HAVE [ NAME ] FOLLOWED BY [ NAME
]
>> MY NAME IS ALISHA FROM
DISTRICT 3 SPEAKING IN SUPPORT
OF HST AMENDMENT 061-2064
SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL
ASSAULT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
AND IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS. AND THE
FOUNDER OF JUST ASK A COMMUNITY
INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON SEXUAL
VIOLENCE PREVENTION HAVE
COMMITTED WORK TO PREVENTION FOR
THE LAST SEVEN YEARS BECAUSE I
MYSELF AM A SURVIVOR AND MANY
PEOPLE AROUND ME ARE TOO AND
THAT IS A HEARTBREAKING REALITY,
MY SPRINGS HAS SHOWN ME GAPS IN
SUPPORT AND HOW MANY SURVIVORS
FALL TO THE CRACKS OFTENTIMES ON
THE SIDELINE DUE TO DIFFICULTY
IN ACCESSING COMMUNITY. FOR OVER
FIVE YEARS I WORKED AS A HOUSING
CASE MANAGER IN THE COMMON
CIRCUMSTANCES I WOULD SEE WERE
SINGLE MOMS IMPACTED BY SEXUAL
AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHETHER IT
WAS ACTIVELY HAPPENING, FLEEING
OR THE AFTERMATH THE LACK OF
RESOURCES AND ADVOCACY MAKES IT
DIFFICULT TO SURVIVE AGAINST
HOMELESSNESS I WOULD SIT WITH
CLIENTS AND HEAR THE SAME
DESIRES OVER AND OVER AGAIN FOR
SAFETY AND OPPORTUNITY TO
REBUILD AND A MOMENT TO BREATHE
THESE ARE THINGS WE SHOULD BE
AFFORDED AND WE CAN PROVIDE THAT
WITH FUNDING FOR ESSENTIAL
SERVICES AND SUPPORTS WITH LESS
BAND-AIDS APPLIED AND MORE
SUSTAINABLE CHANGE HAPPENING TO
IMPACT THEM AND GENERATIONS TO
COME. SURVIVOR SUPPORT PROGRAMS
ARE LIFELINES THESE ARE REAL
HUMAN BEINGS AND I BELIEVE WE
ARE A COMMUNITY FOCUSED AND WITH
THAT I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT
AMENDMENT 061-2064 ALONG WITH
ALL OF SH SC BUDGET
RECOMMENDATIONS, THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING AND
SHARING YOUR STORY. GOOD TO SEE
YOU.
>> GOOD TO BE HERE.
>> YOU MAY WANT TO USE THE
TALLER ONE.
>> GOOD EVENING TO ALL OF YOU.
APPRECIATE YOU STAYING HERE LATE
TO LISTEN TO US. I'M ACTIVE
MEMBER OF THE HORIZON HOUSE FROM
DISTRICT 3 AND MEMBER OF THE
FIRST HILL IMPROVEMENT
ASSOCIATION AND EMBATTLED
PEDESTRIAN DOWNTOWN AND FIRST
HILL HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT SDOT
260 A1 PARKING SPACES FOR
SCOOTERS MOTION SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER , COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA. UNFORTUNATELY THIS
REPRESENTS A BAND-AID FOR A
BROKEN LEG. YES THIS IS A STEP
BUT MUCH MORE IS NEEDED TO END
THE SCOOTER DRIVEN CHAOS OF
SEATTLE SIDEWALKS. I WAS ALMOST
HIT THIS AFTERNOON ON MY WAY
DOWN HERE BY A SCOOTER . WHILE
WALKING ON FIFTH AVENUE. IN 2020
THE COUNCIL AUTHORIZED TREND 22
CONTRACT COMPANIES THAT BRENDA
SCOOTERS AND EBIKE'S ON EIGHT
CONDITIONS NONE OF THEM HAVE YET
BEEN AMENDED. THIS MOTION
APPEARS TO BE THE FIRST STEP SO
THAT IS A GOOD STEP . HOW ABOUT
THE REST? COUNCIL AUTHORIZED
6000 SCOOTERS THERE ARE NOW
15,000 SCOOTERS OPERATING IN
SEATTLE. SCOOTERS ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR 400 INJURIES IN
EMERGENCY ROOMS ALONE .
>> WANT TO USE THE SUPERSECRET
EMAIL ADDRESS AND WAS THAT YOUR
OP-ED I READ IN THE TIMES THE
OTHER DAY ON THIS TOPIC?
>> NO BUT IT WAS ONE THAT I
HELPED WITH.
>> COLLEAGUES IF YOU WOULD LIKE
TO REFERENCE THAT SEATTLE TIMES
OP-ED IT CONTAINS MUCH OF WHAT
MR. ROACH JUST SHARED. THANK YOU
FOR COMING DOWN TODAY. WE HAVE
OSCAR, CHARLIE AND NICOLE AFTER
YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 2 AND I AM HERE IS A
MEMBER OF VALLEY MOUNTAIN
FELLOWSHIP LOCATED IN DISTRICT 2
AND AS A STAFF ATTORNEY AT CARE
WASHINGTON THE LARGEST MUSLIM
CIVIL RIGHTS AGENCY IN THE STATE
LOCATED IN DISTRICT 7. I AM VERY
DISTURBED BY THE PROPOSAL TO
INCREASE FUNDING FOR VIDEO
SURVEILLANCE, SOMETHING THAT IS
CREEPY AND TOTALLY INCOMPATIBLE
WITH THE CITIES SUPPOSED
COMMITMENTS AS A SANCTUARY CITY,
USE OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY
WELL INTENTIONED OR NOT HAS BEEN
USED TO PRESS AND DISCRIMINATE
AGAINST MUSLIMS, COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR AND PEOPLE PERCEIVED TO BE
IMMIGRANTS. PROTECTING COMMUNITY
MEMBER DATA AND PRIVACY IS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN EVER WHEN WORKERS
AND SCHOOLCHILDREN ARE STAYING
AT HOME OUT OF FEAR OF BEING
TARGETED BY I.C.E. I DON'T WANT
ANYONE IN THE CITY TO LIVE IN
THIS KIND OF FEAR AND I DON'T
WANT MY NEIGHBORS TO BE HUNGRY
OR WITHOUT A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP
OUR CITY BUDGET SHOULD NOT BE
USED TO HELP I.C.E. DISAPPEAR
PEOPLE OR TO SWEEP PEOPLE OUT OF
SIGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE POOR. I
AM ASKING YOU TO ELIMINATE
FUNDING FOR SURVEILLANCE OVER
POLICING AND HOMELESS SWEEPS AS
IMMORAL AND CONTRARY TO HUMAN
DIGNITY PLEASE USE YOUR
CONSCIENCE AND LISTEN TO THE
MANY VOICES YOU HAVE HEARD
TONIGHT TO PASS A BUDGET THAT
TAKES CARE OF THE MOST
VULNERABLE AMONG US AND INCLUDES
INCREASED FUNDING FOR FOOD AND
HOUSING. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. 117. CHARLEY REESE
118 . [ NAME ] 120 LAST CALL FOR
OSCAR, CHARLIE AND NICOLE. GOING
TO MOVE ON. 121 THROUGH 130, [
READING NAMES ] WITH THAT RUBY
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> IN A GROUP? WHAT ARE ALL
THREE MEMBERS?
>> 121, 124
>> JESSE HAD TO LEAVE?
>> SO WITH YOU I HAVE GOT RUBY,
RUDY AND ?
>> OKAY AND THEN JESSE IS HERE
WONDERFUL TAKE IT AWAY.
>> GOOD EVENING CITY COUNCIL. WE
ARE SENIORS AT THE CENTER SCHOOL
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 5 AND FOUR.
>> MY NAME IS RUDY SORENSEN I
LIVE IN DISTRICT 6 SPEAKING ON
BEHALF OF PETERS WHO LIVES IN
DISTRICT 3.
>> I LIVE IN DISTRICT 6 AND
FOUR. WE ARE TALKING TODAY TO
ADDRESS THE HOMELESSNESS
EPIDEMIC HERE IN OUR CITY. IT
HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YOU WHILE
PARTICULARLY SINCE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THOUGH THERE HAVE
BEEN EFFORTS TO HELP SUCH AS
TAKING ACTION TO END
HOMELESSNESS SEATTLE HAS NOT
SEEN ENOUGH CHANGE.
>> AS SOMEONE WHO RUNS DAILY IF
I DON'T SEE GRAFFITI AND THINK
THE CITY IS DISGUSTING I DON'T
THINK OUR CITY IS DANGEROUS I
DON'T SEE GRAFFITI AND THINK
THE CITY IS DECLINING I SEE
HOMELESS VETERANS CHILDREN,
GENUINE KIND PEOPLE SUFFERING
COLD WET WINTERS AND HOT DRY
SUMMERS, THAT'S WHAT MAKES ME
THINK ILL OF THE CITY.
>> GRAFFITI IS THE LEAST OF OUR
PROBLEMS.
>> I HAVE LIVED IN SEATTLE MY
WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE AND NEVER ONCE
HAVE I GONE ABOUT MY DAY WITHOUT
SEEING HOMELESSNESS. CHILDREN
WITH THEIR MOTHERS ARE ON THE
SIDEWALK DAY AND NIGHT TRYING TO
MAKE MONEY JUST TO SURVIVE
LIVING WITH SEVEN SIBLINGS
MYSELF MONEY WAS NOT EASY.
SIBLINGS AND PARENTS JUST LIKE
MINE HAVE EVEN LESS THESE
FAMILIES ARE FORCED OUT OF THEIR
HOMES AND EVEN SEPARATED
GRAFFITI IS THE LEAST OF OUR
PROBLEMS. LIVING IN BALLARD AND
EXPENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD THERE'S
NO SHORTAGE OF HOMELESSNESS I
ENJOY CONVERSING WITH STRANGERS
AND I ONCE ASKED A GROUP OF
PEOPLE IN THE STREET NO ONE EVER
SITS WITH US ONE OF THEM SAID
THEY DON'T EVEN LOOK AT US HIS
STORY WAS NOT UNCOMMON FIRST HE
LOST HIS JOB AND THEN HIS HOUSE
THEN HIS WIFE AND YOUNG DAUGHTER
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO LIVE HERE
WITHOUT GETTING HOOKED ON
SOMETHING HE CONTINUED IT'S
EVERYWHERE. AND IT IS OVER HALF
OF THE SEATTLE HOMELESS
POPULATION REPORTED STRUGGLING
WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE WITHOUT
TREATMENT THESE PEOPLE CANNOT
MAINTAIN A JOB THEY CANNOT
TRANSITION OUT OF THEIR
SITUATION THEY CANNOT LIVE THEY
CAN ONLY HOPE TO SURVIVE
GRAFFITI IS THE LEAST OF OUR
PROBLEMS.
>> GREW UP SEEING THE
DEVASTATING EFFECTS WITH PEOPLE
STUCK IN THE CYCLE OF
HOMELESSNESS WE NEED TO INCREASE
THE BUDGET NOT JUST PUT IT
TOWARD AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT
ALSO INVESTING IN DRUG
REHABILITATION IT IS YOUR DUTY
TO HELP THESE PEOPLE BREAK OUT
OF THE CYCLE TO LIVE A LIFE
WORTH LIVING
>> GRAFFITI IS THE LEAST OF OUR
PROBLEMS.
>> YOU'RE JUST THE COUNCIL TO
CUT THE PROPOSED INCREASE TO
GRAFFITI CLEANUP AND MOVE IT TO
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THIS
IS NOT ABOUT ART IT'S ABOUT
TAGGING ONE OF THE MOST COMMON
COMPLAINTS I HEAR FROM
CONSTITUENTS BUT A DEFENSE
THAT'S DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE
UNDERSTAND THERE ARE COMPLAINTS
BUT WE ASK YOU THIS. WHY POUR
MONEY INTO SOMETHING AESTHETIC
THAT WILL GET TAG OVER WHY NOT
ASK YOURSELF WHAT SEATTLE'S
BIGGER MORE FATAL ISSUES ARE THE
ANSWERS THE DRUG CRISIS THE
ANSWERS HOMELESSNESS THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME THANK YOU.
>> I NOW SEE WHY THE CENTER
SCHOOL ADVOCATED FOR GROUP
PUBLIC COMMENT. WELL DONE. WITH
THAT WE ARE MOVING ON IAN HAIG .
125. ARE YOU NUMBER 125?
>> YES, HELLO. HELLO CITY
COUNCIL I AM A 16-YEAR-OLD IN
NOVA HIGH SCHOOL I WAS A
HOMELESS, COUCH SURFING WORKING
WITH HER JOB EVER HERE TO SPEAK
ON MY BUDGET PUT IN POLICE
POWERS AND NUMBERS MUST BE PUT
TO CITY FOOD BANKS AND SHELTERS
NOWADAYS A CIGARETTE IS EASIER
TO ACCESS THAN A SANDWICH
SEATTLE WASHINGTON POVERTY
CRISIS HAS LEAKED ONTO YOUR
CHILDREN AND IS NOT SLOWING DOWN
AND PUT STATE FUNDING INTO
POLICE STRENGTH ESPECIALLY WITH
SNAP BENEFIT CUTS COMING INTO
PLACE A BAGGIE WITH MORE FUNDING
AND RESOURCES FOR SHELTERS FOR
YOUTH AND OLDER POLICE WON'T
NEED THE STRENGTH TO CLEAR THE
STREETS OF SEATTLE HOMELESS
PEOPLE THE EYESORES ON THE
SIDEWALK AND CALL GROSSER WASTE
OF SPACE WILL BE ME IN THREE
YEARS OF SEATTLE CHOOSES TO KEEP
TURNING A BLIND EYE FOOD SHOULD
NOT BE A PRIVILEGE, DIRECT
INCOMING POLICE FUNDS INTO FOOD
BANKS AND HOMELESS SHELTERS OR
TURN A BLIND EYE ON KIDS LIKE ME
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR
STORY. SHANE . 126, SHANE M 126.
MOVING ON 127 RIVER HAYES IS
THAT YOU?
>> HI I NAME IS RIVER HAYES. A
RENTER FROM DISTRICT 1 AND
ATTORNEY AND MEMBER OF THE
SEATTLE SOLIDARITY BUDGET. IN
KING COUNTY ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT
AN ESTIMATED 16,800 PEOPLE LIVE
WITHOUT HOUSING, EVICTIONS ARE
AT RECORD HIGHS WITH 600
EVICTIONS EACH MONTH INSTEAD OF
RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS WITH
EMPATHY AND REAL SOLUTIONS LAST
YEAR THIS BODY VOTED TO CUT THE
JUMPSTART FUNDING, YOU CHOSE TO
TAKE $190 MILLION DESIGNATED FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND USED IT
TO FUND AMONG OTHER THINGS
INCREASED SPENDING ON POLICE.
THIS YEAR YOU PLAN TO INCREASE
POLICE SPENDING BY $34 MILLION.
EVIDENCE SHOWS POLICE DO NOT
MAKE THE CITY'S RESIDENTS
SAFER. MORE POLICE MEANS MORE
ARRESTS , MORE SURVEILLANCE AND
MORE DEATHS . IN 2020 SEATTLE
POLICE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE
IN EVERY 10 HOMICIDES THAT
OCCURRED IN THE CITY. POLICE DO
NOT PREVENT CRIME BUT THE ONE
THING THAT DOES IS HOUSING. I
URGE YOU TO PROTECT THE $4
MILLION ALLOCATED FOR RENTAL
ASSISTANCE AND TO PROVIDE THE
ADDITIONAL ASK A $500,000 TO
RESTORE TENANT SERVICES.
PERSONALLY I REQUEST YOU FINALLY
THE FUND THE POLICE.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT IS HARPER
NALLY FOLLOWED BY EDITH REYES .
NUMBER 128, 129, 130 .
>> IS HARPER WITH YOU OR NOT?
LAST CALL, HARPER NALLY LAST
CALL 128 HARPER , EDITH IT'S
ALL YOU.
>> WE ARE IN GROUP 129, 130 AND
150.
>> AND 150 , AWESOME. HENRY?
EXCELLENT. WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS EDITH
A COLUMBIA CITY RESIDENT AND
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH ONE
AMERICA HERE TODAY WITH ME ARE [
NAME ] I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF
AND CITY COUNCIL ESPECIALLY
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON AND
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS FOR THE
ONGOING 4 MILLION INVESTMENT TO
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. ONE
AMERICA ORGANIZES LEADERS AND
ALLIES TO BUILD POWER IN OUR
COMMUNITIES. EVERY DAY I LISTEN
TO STORIES OF IMMIGRANTS WHO
LIVE IN YOUR DISTRICTS. FOR
EXAMPLE IN BEACON HILL A SINGLE
MOTHER ONLY LEAVES HER APARTMENT
FOR GROCERIES, WORK AND TO TAKE
HER CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. BECAUSE
SHE FEARS I.C.E. YET SHE MAKES
EVERY EFFORT TO BE CYNICALLY
ENGAGED SHE WANTS TO CONTRIBUTE
TO FUTURE WHERE CHILDREN CAN
THRIVE. IN COLUMBIA CITY A
STREET VENDOR MAKES A LIVING
SELLING FRUIT AND WAS THE VICTIM
OF WAGE THEFT, YET HE SEEKS TO
TAKING THIS CLASS IS AN DREAMS
OF ATTENDING VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
BECAUSE HE HAS IDEAS THAT WOULD
CONTRIBUTE TO MAKE OUR CITY
BETTER. SEATTLE COMES TO LIFE
WHEN WE IMMIGRANTS PURSUE OUR
DREAMS HERE AND SERVICES ALLOW
MANY IMMIGRANTS TO DO JUST THAT,
I URGE THE COUNCIL TO MAKE
LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO ENSURE
THE INVESTMENT IS ONGOING NOT
ONE TIME BECAUSE AN INVESTMENT
IN HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELL-BEING
WILL BUILD A BRIGHTER CITY FOR
US ALL.
>> GOOD EVENING I AM A GREEN
LAKE RESIDENT MEMBER LEADER OF
ONE AMERICA AND CASE MANAGER AT
A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BASED
IN SOUTHPARK. WE PROVIDE
CULTURALLY RELEVANT SUPPORT FOR
IMMIGRANT FAMILIES ACROSS
SEATTLE IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS
ALONE THROUGH MY WORK AS A CASE
MANAGER I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF
FRUSTRATION AND FEAR , FEAR OF
EVICTION DUE TO SKYROCKETING
RENT, FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF
LOVED ONES, FEAR OF NOT BEING
ABLE TO MEET BASIC NEEDS EVEN
WHEN WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS.
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
ARE ON THE FRONT LINES , WE
UNDERSTAND THE DAILY REALITY
FACED BY NEIGHBORS ESPECIALLY IN
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND WE ARE
UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO RESPOND
WITH COMPASSION CULTURAL
UNDERSTANDING AND EFFECTIVE
SUPPORT. WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME
WHEN CRITICAL RESOURCES MANY
IMMIGRANTS ARE ALREADY EXCLUDED
FROM LIKE HOUSING SUPPORT, FOOD
ACCESS AND HEALTH SERVICES ARE
BEING CUT. EVERY DAY THIS
ADMINISTRATION IS STRIPPING AWAY
LEGAL STATUS AND PROTECTIONS
FROM IMMIGRANTS EVEN LEGAL
PERMANENT RESIDENT, I URGE THE
COUNCIL TO DEDICATE INVESTMENT
TO FUND COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE SUCH AN
INVESTMENT IS NOT JUST FOR
SERVICES BUT FOR THE PEOPLE
WHOSE LIVES ARE IMPROVED IN A
VISION OF A MORE EQUITABLE
SEATTLE.
>> MY NAME IS HENRY A DOWNTOWN
SEATTLE RESIDENT AND VOLUNTEER
WITH ONE AMERICA IMMIGRANTS
BRING SO MUCH TO THE FABRIC OF
AMERICAN SOCIETY SOME WORK IN
RETAIL, HOSPITALITY, LOGISTICS ,
CONSTRUCTION PUBLIC TRANSIT
HEALTHCARE SOME RUN LOCAL
BUSINESS , THEIR PARENTS THEY
ARE CARETAKERS TEACHERS NANNIES
AND NURSES SOME BECOME LEADERS
OF THE COMMUNITY THE NEW YORK
MAYORAL ELECT IS A IMMIGRANTS
SOME OF YOU HERE ON THE COUNCIL
ARE CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS. OR
GRANDCHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS,
IMMIGRANT PARENTS WALKS SO THEIR
CHILDREN COULD RUN FOR OFFICE.
YOUR EXPERIENCES AS SECOND AND
THIRD GENERATION AMERICANS
SHAPED VALUES WIDEN YOUR VISION
AND MAKE YOU MORE EMPATHETIC
LEADERS AS UPLIFTING AS THE
STORIES ARE THE REALITY IS THAT
IT TAKES MORE THAN HOPES DREAMS
SWEAT AND GRIT TO FIND FOOTING
IN A COUNTRY THAT EMBRACES
SEGREGATION AND INEQUALITY AND
EXPLOITATION AND EXCLUSION.
THERE'S ENGLISH CLASSES IN THE
EVENINGS, SECOND JOBS ON THE
WEEKENDS THOUSANDS IN LEGAL
FILING FEES AND MORE IN ATTORNEY
FEES JUST TO NAME A FEW THAT IS
WHY PROVIDING INCREASED
EVERGREEN FUNDING FOR LOCAL
ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE SEATTLE
DIVERS IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IS
INVESTMENT IN THE NEEDS OF TODAY
AND THE FUTURE OF THE CITY SO
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. VERY WELL SAID.
WHO WANTS TO FOLLOW THAT? NO
ONE? DIDN'T THINK SO. PARKER
DAWSON , YOU ARE UP FOLLOWED BY
ALEX DUNN THEN [ READING NAMES ]
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW ME
SHRINKING IN MY CHAIR. GOOD
EVENING AND THINK OF LIVING HERE
PARKER DAWSON IN SUPPORT OF THE
BUDGET ACTION 062A, DELICATE
230,000 OF EXISTING FUNDING
BALANCES FOR CORRAL EXPANSION
SIMPLY PUT THIS AMENDMENT IS A
RESPONSE AND A STEP TOWARD
MEETING SEATTLE'S TRUE
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. WHEN MICRO
ABILITY PARKING IS PLENTIFUL AND
VISIBLE RIDERS PARK CORRECTLY
SIDEWALKS ARE CLEAR AND STREETS
CAN BE NAVIGATED SAFELY AND
EFFICIENTLY. WITHOUT PARKING THE
OPPOSITE OCCURS AND WE SEE THIS
DAILY. THERE ARE 11 MILES OF
PROTECTED BIKE LANES IN THE
DOWNTOWN CORE ALONE MATCHING
THIS EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE
WITH SUFFICIENT PARKING IS A
CRUCIAL NEXT STEP IN MEETING
SEATTLE'S TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.
PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS TO DESIGN A
MODERN MICRO MOBILITY PARKING
SYSTEM THAT MATCHES THE SCALE OF
RIDERSHIP NOW SEEN IN STREETS
AND ACHIEVING THE SYSTEM ALLOWS
US TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM THE
CURRENT FREE-FLOATING MODEL TO A
HYBRID MANDATORY ONE. THAT
LIMITS CLUTTER PROTECTS
ACCESSIBILITY AND IMPROVES
RIDING BEHAVIOR WHILE RETAINING
EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE
SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO RELY ON IT
EACH AND EVERY DAY MICRO ABILITY
IS ESSENTIAL NOW SEATTLE MOVES
K'NEX AND GROWS WITH THE RIGHT
PARKING NETWORKS SEATTLE CAN BE
THE GLOBAL MODEL FOR HOW TO
INTEGRATE SHARED MICRO MOBILITY
SAFELY SUSTAINABLE AND
SUCCESSFULLY . THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT IS ALEX.
NUMBER 132. WONDERFUL WHAT ARE
YOUR NUMBERS?
>> 132 , THREE AND FOUR.
WONDERFUL . WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. I'M
GRATEFUL THAT DENNY'S IS OPEN
24 HOURS. I HAVE A CRAVING FOR A
GRAND SLAM BREAKFAST.
>> I AM GOING TO ASK YOU TO GET
CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE.
>> HOW IS THAT? I STILL HAVE A
CRAVING. WE ARE HERE TODAY TO
TALK ABOUT GRAFFITI ABATEMENT
PROGRAM AND WE ARE HERE TODAY TO
THANK COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON
AND CHAIRMAN , CHAIR STRAUSS FOR
PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE
PROGRAM. NOT ONLY ARE WE
UPDATING GRAFFITI AND
BEAUTIFYING THE CITY BUT THE
PROGRAM IS POSITIVELY IMPACTING
PEOPLE'S LIVES EVERY SINGLE DAY
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
GENERATIONALLY FOR SO MANY
MARGINALIZED INDIVIDUALS AND
PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO
MOVE UP THE LADDER OF LIFE. SO
WE WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR
PARTNERING WITH US. IT IS A
BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF A PRIVATE
PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP MAKING A
DIFFERENCE ON BOTH SIDES HERE TO
TALK MORE WITH SOME OF THOSE
AMAZING RESULTS IS MY COLLEAGUE
AMBER
>> HEY EVERYBODY SENIOR PROJECT
MANAGER AT UPLIFT NORTHWEST,
NONPROFIT IN SEATTLE WHERE WE
PROVIDE HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT,
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO THOSE
DEALING WITH 20% UNDERNEATH THE
POVERTY LEVEL AND UNHOUSED
PEOPLE WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE
LIVES WE HAVE IMPACTED THROUGH
OUR GRAFFITI ABATEMENT
INITIATIVE WE HAVE TRAINED 40
PARTICIPANTS, 26 WHO HAVE BEEN
EMPLOYED IN THE PROGRAM IN SOME
CAPACITY WE OFFER BASIC TRAINING
TO THE CLASSROOM AS WELL AS THE
FIELD FIRST AID CPR TRAINING AT
CERTIFICATES, OCEAN 10 TRAINING
AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS WE
INCORPORATE PERSONAL SKILL
TRAINING SUCH AS CUSTOMER
SERVICE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
TRAINING IN ADDITION TO JOBS AND
SEARCH SKILLS LIKE HOW TO BUILD
A RESUME, INTERVIEW PRACTICE AND
SUPERVISE JOB SEARCHES, THESE
SKILLS INCREASE EMPLOYABILITY OF
CLIENTS AND THEY CAN BE
INVALUABLE TO THE POPULATION WE
SERVE. HOWEVER, THIS PROJECT IS
NOT ONLY UPLIFT NORTHWEST A
NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE PROGRAM
DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE
INNUMERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS
IMPACTED BY COMMUNITY ABATEMENT
EFFORTS IN SEATTLE WHEN WE
STARTED TRACKING INDIVIDUAL SITE
VISITS IN JULY 2024 WE HAVE SEEN
8658 SITE VISITS ON PATROL
ENTERING 171 UNDUPLICATED
ADDRESSES ARE GRAFFITI FREE.
SINCE TURNING THE PROGRAM IN
JUNE 2023 ABATING 953,000 SQUARE
FEET OF GRAFFITI FROM LOCAL
BUSINESSES IN SEATTLE, THE
EQUIVALENT OF 16 1/2 FOOTBALL
FIELDS FINALLY ARE DISCIPLINES
HAVE MADE OVER $942,000 IN TOTAL
WAGES WORKING ON THESE CREWS THE
MAJORITY OF CLIENT POPULATION OF
DOWNTOWN MEETING THE WAGES THEY
EARN NOT ONLY PROVIDE SOURCES OF
INCOME FOR THEM BUT ALSO GOES
BACK TO THE COMMUNITY VIA
PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS AND TAXES
>> MY NAME IS ERIC JARVIS.
DRIVER FOR UPLIFT GRAFFITI
ABATEMENT CREW I WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU FOR FUNDING THE GRANT
THE GRANT WE HAVE WE TALKED
EARLIER SOME PEOPLE WERE TALKING
ABOUT ADDICTION AND HOMELESSNESS
I CAN SEE FIRST-HAND SUFFERING
BOTH OF THOSE THINGS THROUGH
HARD WORK I AM 16 MONTHS SOBER
BUT YOU KNOW I AM NO LONGER
HOMELESS THANKS TO THE GRANT YOU
GUYS FUNDED AND I LIVE DOWNTOWN
AS WELL, PROUD TO LIVE DOWNTOWN
I LIVED IN SEATTLE 34 YEARS
STRUGGLING A LONG TIME WITH
ADDICTION BUT EVERY MORNING WE
GO TAKE CARE OF THE GRAFFITI AND
I AM REALLY PROUD OF THAT. A LOT
OF PEOPLE COME FROM THE SAME
BACKGROUND, WE TAKE A LOT OF
PRIDE IN IT AND WITH THE WORLD
CUP COMING UP THERE WILL BE MORE
AND MORE GRAFFITI AND WE KNOW
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T TAKE
CARE OF IT SO THANK YOU FOR
GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY I
APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU WOULD YOU SAY
GRAFFITI ABATEMENT IS THE LEAST
OF WHAT THIS PROGRAM DOES?
>> IT IS PART OF IT. A BIG PART
OF IT. WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN
IT BUT IT DOES A LOT OF THINGS.
IT DOES A LOT. I AM A RECIPIENT
OF THAT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU AND ON THE REQUEST
IS IF YOU CAN TALK TO THE CENTER
SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT WHAT YOU
DO. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU NEXT WE
HAVE 135 FOLLOWED BY [ READING
NAMES ] GOOD EVENING.
>> I LIVE IN DISTRICT 5 WORKED
IN DISTRICT FOR MY KITCHEN
COORDINATOR OF TEAM FEED MEMBER
OF THE MILLS PARTNERSHIP
COALITION WORKING WITH THE
COMMUNITY TO OFFER SUPPORT TO
MEET BASIC NEEDS, BUILD STRONG
RELATIONSHIPS .
>> HANG TIGHT. TECHNICAL
DIFFICULTY?
>> SWITCH? OKAY GREAT.
>> YEAH.
>> TAKE IT AWAY.
>> AS THEY MEET FUTURE ON THE
STREETS WE SERVE DINNER TO YOUTH
AGE 13 TO 25 SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT
EVERY SINGLE DAY SINCE 1984.
SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF ADDITIONAL
FUNDING FOR MAIL PROGRAMS FIRST
THANK YOU MAYOR FOR INCLUDING
INVESTMENT IN YOUR BUDGET
INVESTMENTS THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA AND
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR
CHAMPIONING ADDITIONAL FUNDING
FOR SENIOR MAIL PROGRAMS. PLEASE
UNDERSTAND THE INVESTMENT
REPRESENTS A FRACTION OF WHAT IT
TAKES TO OPERATE THESE PROGRAMS
TO FEED PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
MOST FOOD IS PURCHASED PREPARED
AND SERVED BY VOLUNTEERS WITH
FUNDING FROM THE CITY HELPING US
TO FILL IN THE GAPS TO MAKE SURE
WE CAN SERVE DINNER EVERY NIGHT,
AND LETS US STOCK UP FOOD FOR
THE NIGHT WE HAVE MORE GUESTS
THAN PLANNED OR WHEN VOLUNTEER
FLAKES LAST MINUTE THE FUNDING
ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE GLUTEN-FREE
OPTIONS FOR GUESTS OR ALLERGEN
FREE MEALS . THE NEED IS GROWING
AND WE HAVE SEEN MORE GUESTS
THIS YEAR THAN LAST WITH MORE
HUNGRY TEENAGERS IN THE DISTRICT
THIS YEAR THAN LAST. I URGE YOU
TO PROTECT FUNDING TO MAIL
PROGRAMS IN THE 2026 BUDGET
EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE FED.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, MR. GARDNER
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT HI. I AM NICK
GARDNER DIRECTOR OF EDIBLE HOPE
KITCHEN A DAILY MEALS PROGRAM IN
BALLARD SERVING 775 MEALS EVERY
WEEKDAY. ON BEHALF OF EDIBLE
HOPE THE MILLS OWNERSHIP
COALITION OF OVER 45 MEALS
PROVIDERS ACROSS THE CITY AND
THE HUMAN SERVICES COALITION I
WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR
INVESTING IN MEALS PROGRAM,
CHAIR STRAUSS FOR INCLUDING OUR
ASK IN THE BALANCE PACKAGE AND
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH,
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA AND
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR
SUPPORTING ADDITIONAL FUNDING,
THOSE INVESTMENTS MAKE A REAL
DIFFERENCE IN THEIR HELPING KEEP
PEOPLE FED TODAY. AS WE KNOW THE
NEED IS GROWING AT EDIBLE HOPE
SERVING TWICE AS MANY MEALS AS
WE WERE THREE YEARS AGO ACROSS
THE REGION HOMELESSNESS IS UP
25% IN ONE YEAR WITH FOOD BANKS
50% MORE VISITS FROM ONE YEAR TO
THE NEXT, PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY,
EXHAUSTED AND RUNNING OUT OF
OPTIONS. SO THANK YOU FOR
STEPPING UP TO ADDRESS THE
CURRENT CRISIS CAUSED BY THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT IS THE
LEADERSHIP WE NEED , BUT IT
MEANS A LOT AS WE ALL KNOW
UNFORTUNATELY IT IS TEMPORARY
AND WE NEED DEEPER INVESTMENT TO
TRULY TACKLE HUNGER IN SEATTLE.
YEAH, SO LET'S SEE I DID NOT
TIME THIS MY APOLOGIES. PLEASE
MAKE SURE WE KEEP THE REALLY
MODEST INVESTMENTS IN THE
PARTNERSHIP COALITION IN THE
BUDGET, THEY ARE REALLY VITAL.
>> THANK YOU NICK, TIM WELCOME
GOOD TO SEE YOUR.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS I
AM DIRECTING ATTORNEY AT THE
NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS
PROJECT YOUR CHURCH SUPPORT FOR
THE ONGOING $4 MILLION BUDGET
AMENDMENTS. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE
WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MAKES TO
HAVE THE ONGOING FUNDING SUPPORT
FOR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES DOES
NOT HAPPEN ONCE AND EVERYTHING
IS FINE THESE ARE CASES AND
PEOPLE WHERE THE ISSUES CONTINUE
OVER YEARS AND ONE EXAMPLE TO
ILLUSTRATE THAT, THE CLIENT I
MET WAS 19 I MET HIM AT THE
DETENTION CENTER HE CAME TO THE
UNITED STATES WHEN HE WAS ONE HE
WAS ABUSED AS A CHILD BY HIS
FATHER AND HE WAS WEEKS AWAY
FROM DEPORTATION. WE WERE ABLE
TO REPRESENT HIM GO TO STATE
COURT GET HIM VULNERABLE YOUTH
GUARDIANSHIP . WE WERE THEN ABLE
TO FIGHT IMMIGRATION COURT TO
GET HIM RELEASED FROM THE
DETENTION CENTER AND OUT BUT THE
FIGHT DOES NOT CONTINUE HE
TRANSFERS TO IMMIGRATION COURT
TO FIGHT TO GET THE CASE CLOSED
THERE AND CONTINUE THE FIGHT
WITH THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE.
YEARS OF THAT FIGHT LEADS TO HIM
GETTING A GREEN CARD AND THAT
STABILITY WITH THE PERMANENT
STATUS , THE ABILITY TO WORK HE
NOW HAS STABILITY LIVING IN
SEATTLE AND HE IS PLANNING TO
STUDY CODING TO LEAD TO BETTER
ECONOMIC FUTURE FOR HIMSELF. SO
THAT DIFFERENCE IS NOT SOMETHING
THAT HAPPENED IN ONE YEAR AND
HAVING THAT STABILITY OVER TIME
IS WHAT MATTERS. THANK YOU SO
MUCH TO COUNCILMEMBER RINCK AND
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON AND
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON FOR
SUPPORTING THIS.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT [ READING
NAMES ] GOOD EVENING .
>> MY NAME IS JENNY IN DISTRICT
TO STAFF ATTORNEY AT THE HOUSING
JUSTICE PROJECT. WHERE THE
CONTRACTING RIGHTS COUNCIL
PROVIDER REPRESENTING EVERY
TENANT GETTING EVICTED IN THE
COUNTY. AS WE HAVE HEARD
EVICTION FILINGS HAS NOT BEEN
LESS THAN 600 AND IN THE FIRST
FIVE MONTHS IT HAS BEEN 700 OR
800 , THROUGHOUT THAT TIME THE
FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 2025
HOUSING JUSTICE ONLY HAD 17
STAFF ATTORNEYS WHO WOULD BE
ABLE TO REPRESENT THESE TENANTS
ON A REGULAR BASIS. THESE
NUMBERS HAVE NOT STOPPED, SINCE
THEN WE HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO
HIRE FOUR ADDITIONAL ATTORNEYS
AND THE NUMBERS ARE CONSISTENTLY
IN THE 700 RANGE. THESE NUMBERS
ARE NOT STOPPING AND IT'S ONLY
GETTING WORSE. WE ARE IN A
EXISTENTIAL CRISIS WHEN IT COMES
TO RENTING IN SEATTLE AND
RENTING IN GENERAL AND WE NEED
TO HAVE FUNDING NOT JUST FOR
LITIGATION ATTORNEYS, BUT ALSO
FOR PRELITIGATION , ATTORNEYS
AND HOUSING ADVOCATES INCLUDING
THOSE AT THE LAW CENTER TENANT
UNIONS BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE
ABLE TO STOP THIS FROM EVEN
COMING TO THE DOORSTEP. TENANTS
WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO COURT'S
AND OF THE COUNCIL WANTS TO
SOLVE THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS
THEY NEED TO SURE UP TENDON
PROTECTIONS INCLUDING FUNDING
THE MECHANISMS TO ENFORCE THESE
PROTECTIONS SO WE ARE ASKING THE
COUNCIL TO MAINTAIN THE 4
MILLION FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE IN
THE 500 K AND IF YOU WANT TO
SOLVE THIS CRISIS THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JENNY. VICTORIA.
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU COME GOOD EVENING
MY NAME IS REVEREND VICTORIA
FROM QUEEN AND BAPTIST CHURCH IN
DISTRICT 7 AND I STAND IN
SOLIDARITY WITH THE CHURCH
COUNCIL OF SEATTLE SOME OF US
ARE HERE AND ALL PEOPLE OF FAITH
AND GOODWILL WHO BELIEVE BUDGETS
ARE A MORAL DOCUMENT. AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS IS A
REALLY PERSONAL ISSUE FOR ME ,
AS A CHILD MY FAMILY EXPERIENCED
HOMELESSNESS AFTER MY FATHER
LOST HIS JOB IN THE ECONOMIC
RECESSION IN THE 80s. HE WAS A
BANKER AND BE RELIED ON FOOD
ASSISTANCE AND GOVERNMENT
ASSISTANCE TO STAY AFLOAT FOR
TIME WE SLEPT IN THE BASEMENT OF
CHURCH IN THE MINIVAN AND IN
PEOPLE'S HOMES AND THERE WERE
MANY MORNINGS I WENT TO SCHOOL
HUNGRY STRUGGLED TO FOCUS AND
THROUGH IT ALL I COVERED A DEEP
SENSE OF SHAME BECAUSE THE
MESSAGE WAS THEN AND NOW WE HAD
DONE SOMETHING WRONG. MY PARENTS
WERE LAZY SO I'M HERE TO SAY
CLEARLY FOOD SECURITY IS A HUMAN
RIGHT AND SO IS AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. BEING UNHOUSED IS NOT A
MORAL FAILURE IN THE RICHEST
COUNTRY IN THE WORLD NO CHILD NO
FAMILY NO PERSON SHOULD LIVE ON
THE STREETS CERTAINLY NOT IN
WASHINGTON STATE THIS IS NOT A
HANDOUT THIS IS JUSTICE WHAT MY
CHRISTIAN FAITH CALLS US TO DO.
I URGE YOU CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND TO STOP
FUNDING THE SWEEPS THAT
CRIMINALIZE NEIGHBORS PUTTING
THEM IN HARM'S WAY AND IN SOME
CASES AT RISK OF DEATH, YOU HAVE
THE POWER TO DO THE RIGHT THING
PLEASE USE THAT POWER TO ENSURE
YOUR CONSTITUENTS THRIVE AND
SURVIVE .
>> THANK YOU. LEX 140. I SEE
MORE PEOPLE ON MY LIST THAN IN
THE CHAMBERS SO WE WILL GO
THROUGH THE NUMBERS AND SEE WHO
IS HERE. [ READING NAMES ]
>> KIRK I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND
YOU OF THE SEATTLE ANIMAL
SHELTER.
>> HANDS OFF, HE IS A GOOD BOY
AND WE WILL GO VISIT HIM THIS
WEEKEND.
>> FANTASTIC 1:30S , PLEASE TAKE
IT AWAY.
>> I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
TRANSPORTATION CHOICE COALITION
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON
THE BUDGET. I'M HERE TO VOICE
SUPPORT FOR AMENDMENTS 22 S, 25
AND 26 STRENGTHENING
TRANSPARENCY AND SAFETY BY
REQUIRING TO RAPPORT ON BUS LANE
AND RELIABILITY PERFORMANCE
TRACK TRANSPORTATION PROJECT
OUTCOMES AND EXPAND BIKE SHARE
AND SCOOTER SHARE FIRST SAFE
FIRST AND LAST MILE TRIPS,
WHISTLE WANT TO SHARE CONCERNS
AROUND AMENDMENT 41 SHIFTING
275,000 FROM SEATTLE TRANSIT
MEASURE DOLLARS TO FUND A NEW
CHIEF TRANSIT SECURITY OFFICER
AMENDMENT 27 S DIRECTING MEASURE
RENEWAL PLANNING TO SIDEWALK
CONSTRUCTION WE BELIEVE IN
PRIORITIZING SAFETY AND
SIDEWALKS BUT WE WANT TO SEE
MEASURE DOLLARS INVESTED TO
EXPAND FREQUENT AND RELIABLE
TRANSIT ESPECIALLY TO
UNDERSERVED AREAS. WE WANT TO BE
CLEAR TRANSIT SAFETY MATTERS
DEEPLY AND WE FULLY SUPPORT
INVESTMENTS IN TRANSIT SAFETY
AND SHARE THE GOAL OF SAFE RIGHT
FOR EVERYONE. THERE ARE MAJOR
INVESTMENTS IN ADDRESSING THOSE
ISSUES THAT WE HOPE TO WIN AT
THE BALLOT INCLUDING 9 MILLION
TRANSPORTATION LEVY 5 MILLION
INVESTED NEXT YEAR BY TRYING 20
AND 26 MILLION METRO 2025 BUDGET
ANY NEW STAFFING SHOULD BE
FUNDED THROUGH OTHER SOURCES NOT
BY REDUCING BUS SERVICE WITH
FEDERALLY DECLINING EVERY DOLLAR
MUST MAIN FOCUS ON KEEPING BUSES
FREQUENT THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP AND INVEST IN SAFETY
WITHOUT SACRIFICING SERVICE
BECAUSE RIDERS DESERVE BOTH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU NUMBER 148 , KYLE
SULLIVAN. GOOD EVENING, THANK
YOU FOR WAITING.
>> HELLO COUNCILMEMBERS I
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. A RENTER
FROM DISTRICT 5 PAINFULLY AWARE
OF HOW INSECURE MY HOUSING IS.
CURRENT BALANCING PACKAGE
AFFORDS 500,000 FUNDING OF
TENANT SERVICES AND THAT IS NOT
ENOUGH AT LEAST ANOTHER 500,000
IS NEEDED TO MEET THE DIRE NEED
FOR TENANT PROTECTION IN ORDER
TO SOLVE SEATTLE'S HOUSING
CRISIS WE NEED TO ENSURE TENANTS
HAVE RESOURCES AND POWER TENANTS
DO NOT HAVE THE LEVERAGE TO
STAND UP TO EXPLOITED LANDLORDS
WITHOUT MUNICIPAL HELP HOUSING
SECURITY IS A BASIC NEED BUT
THAT SOCCER GAME COMING UP WITH
A.I. SURVEILLANCE TOOLS AND
CRUSADE AGAINST RAY ARE
FRIVOLOUS PET PROJECTS WE HAVE
TRUSTED YOU WITH TAX DOLLARS
PLEASE KEEP SEATTLE SPENDING
PRIORITIES STRAIGHT. HOPE YOU
ALL HAVE A GOOD NIGHT THINK OF
YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR WAITING SO LONG
FOR US. WITH THAT WE ARE ON THE
LAST PAGE SO WE HAVE GOT NUMBER
151 I THINK THEY WENT ALREADY,
RENAISSANCE ARE YOU HERE?
RENAISSANCE? JOE GRUBER?
WELCOME, COME ON UP AND WE HAVE
YOU DID YOU WANT TO SIGN UP AND
TALK? ARE YOU SURE?
>> WE'VE GOT TIME.'S MARKETING
BUDGET SHARE.
>> HANG TIGHT WE WILL GIVE YOU
MORE THAN EIGHT SECONDS.
>> ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING MY
NAME IS JOE GRUBER DIRECTOR OF
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT FOOD BANK,
SUPPORTING 2000 CUSTOMER VISITS
EACH WEEK ACROSS VARIOUS
PROGRAMS 70% INCREASE IN
SERVICES SINCE 2023 WE WILL
SPEND MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION
PURCHASING FOOD AGAIN THIS YEAR.
ACCESS TO FOOD IS A BASIC HUMAN
RIGHT ONE THAT WE OWE TO ALL
NEIGHBORS INVESTMENT TWO IN NEXT
YEAR'S BUDGET MUST PROMOTE THIS
RIGHT WE STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE
PACKAGE OF INVESTMENTS
RECOMMENDED BY THE HUMAN
SERVICES COALITION INCLUDING
INVESTMENT IN HUMAN SERVICES
WAGE EQUITY. FURTHER WE ASK YOU
PRESERVE THE PROPOSED PACKAGE OF
FOOD ACCESS INVESTMENTS
INCLUDING FUNDING FOR EXPANDED
FARMERS MARKET ACCESS 1 MILLION
FOR ADDED HOT MEALS AND 3
MILLION SEATTLE FOOD BANKS WE
ARE NOT ALONE IN EXPRESSING SUCH
A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE
FOOD BANK SERVICES THESE FUNDS
12 STABILIZE CITYWIDE NETWORK OF
FOOD BANKS TO ENSURE HEALTHY
CULTURALLY FAMILIAR FOOD IS MORE
RELIABLY AVAILABLE ACROSS ALL
NEIGHBORHOODS. WE SPEAK IN
ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FOR THE
RECOMMENDED INVESTMENT OF
250,000 FOR ADDITIONAL PANTRY
SERVICES SINCE BEFORE COVID WE
OPERATED A PANTRY IN
COLLABORATION WITH MERCY HOUSING
NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY YMCA AND
SOLID GROUND THIS SUPPORTS
NEARLY 200 FAMILIES EACH WEEK
THESE FAMILY SHOP FOR FRESH
PRODUCE DAIRY, MEAT EGGS ANOTHER
PANTRY HELPING ELIMINATE THE
TRANSPORTATION BARRIER
EXPERIENCED BUSING TO AND FROM
THE FOOD BANK THIS INVESTMENT IS
CRITICAL IN DELIVERING EXPANDED
SERVICES IN WAYS PREFERRED BY
THE RESIDENTS THEMSELVES. THANK
YOU FOR THE INVESTMENT.
>> THANK YOU, JOE. BRETT, LAST
BUT NOT LEAST YOU'RE GOING TO
SEND US OFF IN A GOOD WAY.
>> HI I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2 I
WORK IN DISTRICT 1 AND I
VOLUNTEER IN DISTRICT 7. I WANT
TO ECHO WHAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE
HAVE SAID SO BEAUTIFULLY AND
PASSIONATELY TONIGHT FUNDING FOR
HOUSING , SERVICES FOR
IMMIGRANTS AND FOOD ARE ALL VERY
VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND TO MY
COMMUNITY. SO JUST WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE SPEAKING
UP THOSE ARE CRITICAL. I WOULD
LIKE TO ADD IT IS VERY IMPORTANT
AT THIS TIME TO INCREASE FUNDING
FOR SERVICES FOR TRANSGENDER
RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO THE
CITY . MY COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ,
HAS BEEN SO TARGETED BY THIS
FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION. WE ARE
TERRIFIED AND THE ORGANIZATIONS
THAT ARE PROVIDING LEGAL SUPPORT
AS WELL AS SAFE HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY BUILDING ARE VITAL I
CANNOT EXPRESS HOW IMPORTANT
THEY ARE RIGHT NOW. SO WHATEVER
YOU CAN DO TO CONTINUE THOSE
SERVICES WITH THIS BUDGET ,
PLEASE DO THAT. TO ME THAT IS
FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN A
BLOATED POLICE BUDGET THAT HAS
NOT PROTECTED MY COMMUNITY.
PLEASE PLEASE CONSIDER FUNDING
FOR ALL OF THESE VERY IMPORTANT
SERVICES THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BRETT . THANK YOU
FOR COMING AND SHARING YOUR
STORY WITH US. THANK YOU FOR
STAYING SO LATE, LAST CALL FOR
ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO
SPEAK. WITH THAT I WILL THANK
ALL THE VOLUNTEERS FOR STAYING
LATE HELP RUN THIS SUCCESSFULLY
THANK SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR
KEEPING THE DOORS OPEN LATE,
THANK THE JANITORS TO MAKE SURE
WE KEEP THIS PLACE CLEAN. ALL
CITY EMPLOYEES THAT MAKE THIS
CITY RUN WHILE WE SIT UP HERE
AND LISTEN. WITH THAT ANY FOR
THE BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE
SELECT BUDGET COMMITTEE BEFORE
WE ADJOURN? SEEING NO FURTHER
BUSINESS WE WILL BE RECONVENING
NEXT WEEK ON FRIDAY , TO VOTE ON
AMENDMENTS, THE DEADLINE IS
TOMORROW AT NOON. WITH THAT WITH
NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME
BEFORE THE SELECT BUDGET
COMMITTEE I ALMOST FORGOT TO
THANK THE CLERKS AS WELL, THANK
YOU. NOW THAT WE HAVE NO FURTHER
BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE
SELECT BUDGET COMMITTEE WE ARE
ADJOURNED