>>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE,
THE MARCH 2025 MEETING WILL COME
TO ORDER. IT IS TO: 03 . WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROAD?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ]
>> NINE PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU, THERE ARE NO
PRESENTATIONS TODAY, SO WE WILL
OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THIS IS BASED ON ITEMS IN THE
AGENDA , THE CALENDAR, AND THE
WORK PROGRAM. HOW MANY SPEAKERS
ARE SIGNED UP TODAY, PLEASE?
>> [ INAUDIBLE ] AND THREE
REMOTE.
>> LET'S BEGIN WITH THE ONE
PERSON, TWO MINUTES FOR
EVERYBODY.
>> SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN
THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE
REGISTERED WITH SPEAKERS WILL
HEAR A CHIME WHEN 10 SECONDS ARE
LEFT OF THEIR TIME. SPEAKERS
MICROPHONES WILL BE MUTED IF
THEY DO NOT END THEIR COMMENTS
WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME, TO
ALLOW US TO CALL ON THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
>> OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS MALIK.
>> HELLO .
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> HELLO? OKAY. HI,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I WOULD LIKE TO
START BY INTRODUCING MYSELF. I
AM HERE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON, REPRESENTED THE TECH
POLICY LAB THAT IS HOSTED INSIDE
OF THE LAW SCHOOL THERE. I
WANTED TO BRING TO YOU GUYS'
AWARENESS AN EVENT THAT WE ARE
GOING TO BE HAVING NEXT WEEK, IT
IS ON THURSDAY EVENING AT 7:00
P.M., WE ARE GOING TO BE HOSTING
A DISTINGUISHED LECTURE WITH A
LAUNDRY NELSON. I DID SEND AN
EMAIL TO YOU GUYS, I HAVEN'T
RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION BACK ON
IT, I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE BUSY, SO
NO PROBLEM ON THAT, BUT I WANTED
TO BE ABLE TO COME HERE AND
DIRECTLY IMPLORE YOU GUYS TO BE
IN ATTENDANCE AND TO ENCOURAGE
OTHERS TO BE IN ATTENDANCE FOR
THIS AS WELL. SHE WAS A DEPUTY
ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT BIDEN IN
THE PREVIOUS WHITE HOUSE
ADMINISTRATION, AND SHE WAS ON
THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TASK
FORCE. AND SO, I REALLY THINK
THAT ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW, IT IS
IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE
REPRESENTATION FROM OUR CITY,
AND -- IN THESE SORT OF EVENTS
AND LECTURES. IT IS GOING TO BE
EXTREMELY INFORMATIONAL FOR
ANYBODY THAT IS IN ATTENDANCE.
AND ESPECIALLY FOR COUNCILMEMBER
MARITZA. I KNOW YOU ARE
REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR DISTRICT,
AS I UNDERSTAND IT, SO YOU
SPECIFICALLY, IT WOULD BE GREAT
TO HAVE NOT THAT ANYBODY ELSE IS
ANY LESS WELCOME, BUT ALSO, FOR
COUNCILMEMBER ALEXIS AND FOR
COUNCILMEMBER SARA , OUR
CITYWIDE REPRESENTATIVES, IT
WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE YOU GUYS
OR ANYBODY FROM YOUR OFFICE OR
ANYBODY WHO YOU THINK WOULD BE
RELEVANT. TO BE IN ATTENDANCE.
SO, YEAH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME AND HOPE TO SEE YOU GUYS
THERE.
>> THANK YOU. THAT WAS OUR LAST
IN PERSON SPEAKER POINT A
REMINDER TO OUR REMOTE SPEAKERS,
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX AFTER YOU
HAVE HEARD THE MESSAGE THAT YOU
HAVE BEEN UNMUTED. OUR FIRST
REMOTE SPEAKER IS CHARLOTTE KANE
AMARILLO , FOLLOWED BY ASHLEY
FORD. GO AHEAD, CHARLOTTE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT,
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MY NAME
IS CHARLOTTE KANE AMARO,
SPEAKING IN MY CAPACITY AS THE
43rd DISTRICT DEMOCRAT. I'M
SPEAKING TODAY ON COUNCIL BILL
ONE 2950. AT OUR MOST RECENT
MEETING, THE 43rd DEMOCRATS
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED MY
RESOLUTION OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE
TO FREELY EXIST IN THE UNITED
STATES WITHOUT FEAR OF
DISCRIMINATION OR HATE CRIMES.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT SEATTLE
DOES ALL WE CAN TO PROTECT TRANS
PEOPLE FROM THE ILLEGAL AND
UNCONSTITUTIONAL DISCRIMINATION
FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
TRANSIT CHILDREN ARE BEING
FORCIBLY TAKEN OFF OF THEIR
PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND [ INAUDIBLE
] TRANS PEOPLE WHO APPLY FOR
PASSPORTS ARE HAVING NEW
PASSPORTS ISSUED WITH INCORRECT
GENDER MARKERS, AND THAT IS IF
THEY EVEN GET A PASSPORT
REISSUED TO THEM. SOME STATE
LEGISLATURES HAVE INSTITUTED
BILLS THAT WILL TARGET TRANS
PEOPLE WITH IDENTITY FRAUD IF
THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES AS A
GENDER OTHER THAN THAT WHICH
THEY WERE ASSIGNED AT BIRTH. THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ENGAGED IN
SYSTEMIC ERASURE OF TRANSGENDER
PEOPLE. WE MUST BE A LOUD VOICE
TO REMIND WASHINGTON, A WORLD
WITHOUT TRANS PEOPLE HAS NEVER
EXISTED. WE WILL ALWAYS EXIST,
NO MATTER WHAT. WE HAVE TO STAND
UP AND SAY WITH CONVICTION,
TRANS PEOPLE, REFUGEES, AND
IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE WELCOME IN
SEATTLE, THIS IS A PLACE WHERE
YOU CAN BE LOVED, RESPECTED, AND
UNAFRAID. WE WILL HELP YOU, WE
WILL PROTECT YOU, BECAUSE THIS
IS YOUR HOME. WE MUST SAY IT AND
WE MUST MEAN IT, AND WE MUST ACT
ACCORDINGLY. THIS BILL IS AN
EXCELLENT FIRST STEP. I URGE
YOUR PASSAGE OF THE BILL. AND I
WANT TO THANK SELECT COMMITTEE
CHAIR ALEXIS RINCK FOR LEADING
THIS FIGHT COULD PASS THE BILL,
KEEP US SAFE, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT REMOTE
SPEAKER IS ASHLEY FORD, AND
ASHLEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY DAVID
HAYNES. GO AHEAD, ASHLEY.
>> HI, CITY COUNCIL, THIS IS
ASHLEY FORD, I USE SHE/THEY
PRONOUNCE, COCHAIR OF THE LGBTQ
COMMISSION. I AM HERE TODAY TO
SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE,
AND WANT TO SHARE THE
ENDORSEMENT FROM THE LGBTQ
COMMISSION. [ INAUDIBLE ] I HAVE
SPOKEN IN MANY CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS, COMMITTEE MEETINGS,
ESPECIALLY RECENTLY, AND I HAVE
HEARD REALLY AFFIRMING GENERAL
CONSENSUS FROM THE COUNCIL,
MAYOR'S OFFICE ON WANTING TO
STAND UP FOR QUEER SEATTLEITES,
AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR THE AFFIRMATION THAT WE WANT
TO BE A WELCOMING CITY AND WE
AREN'T BACKING DOWN. ON THAT
NOTE, I HAVE ALSO HEARD MANY
REQUESTS FOR A TANGIBLE ACTION
THAT CAN BE TAKEN AND WAYS THAT
YOU ALL, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS,
CAN DO SOMETHING. TO THAT, I
WANT TO RESPOND AND ENCOURAGE
YOU ALL TO TAKE JUST ONE STEP.
SMALL STEP THAT IS CRUCIAL TO
REALLY HELPING US MOVE FORWARD
AND CONTINUE THIS WORK THAT WE
ARE WORKING ON HERE TODAY. MOVE
OUTSIDE OF THE TYPICAL POLICY
PROCEDURE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE
HAVE IN THESE SPACES. MY ONE
RECOMMENDATION IS TO LISTEN TO
QUEER COMMUNITIES, LISTEN TO
COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIKE THE
PERSON WHO SPOKE BEFORE ME
TODAY, THANK YOU. LISTEN TO US
ON THE LGBTQ COMMISSION TO
FREELY GIVE OUR TIME TO ADVISE
YOU ON QUEER ISSUES, AS WELL AS
YOUR QUEER COLLEAGUES. KNOW THAT
THERE IS SOME NUANCE WHEN
NAVIGATING THESE CHANGES THAT
HAVE HISTORICALLY HARMED AND
EVEN KILLED MEMBERS OF OUR
COMMUNITY THAT MAY NOT BE
UNDERSTOOD FIRSTHAND, AND MAY
TAKE SOME TIME TO REALLY DIG
DEEP INTO. WE REALLY VIEW THIS
TRIGGER LAW DESIGNATION AS
CRUCIAL TO ENSURE THAT THE
HIGHER STATE COURT HANDLE
INFRACTIONS ON STATE SHIELD
LAWS, [ INAUDIBLE ] AS THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TARGETS
CITIES STATION WIDE FOR THE
EFFORTS TO PROTECT QUEER
CONSTITUENTS, WE MUST TAKE A
CRITICAL ACTION [ INAUDIBLE ] TO
BYPASS OUR LOCAL [ INAUDIBLE ] .
>> THANK YOU, OUR LAST REMOTE
SPEAKER WILL BE DAVID HAYNES. GO
AHEAD, DAVID.
>> HI, THANK YOU, DAVID HAYNES.
THESE PEOPLE ARE SPELLING DOUBT
AS TO WHY TRUMP GOT ELECTED WITH
A MANDATE. JUST LOOK AT THE
AGENDA ON THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL TODAY. THEY WANT THE
WHOLE NATION TO KNOW THAT YOU
CAN KILL OFF YOUR UNBORN BABY
AND CALL IT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH,
WITH NO PRO-LIFE OPTION FOR A
MOTHER LIKE ADOPTION. AND THEY
ARE SEXUALIZING CHILDREN WITH
PERVERTED INTERPRETATIONS OF
BIOLOGY, TRYING TO GOUGE
INSURANCE TO COVER CHANGES FOR
KIDS AND ADULTS. DEMOCRATS
DON'T HAVE THE BEST INTEREST OF
OTHER PEOPLE'S KIDS. COUPLE
THAT WITH SEATTLE'S RACE AND
SOCIAL JUSTICE LANDS THAT
PROMOTES RACIST, WOKE ,
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND
PRIORITIES FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS,
AND A RACE WAR AGAINST INNOCENT
WHITE CITIZENS, AND IT BECOMES
CLEAR THAT SEATTLE IS THE
EPITOME OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH
AMERICA. WHERE LEADERS ARE
PROACTIVE IN GOING FURTHER INTO
THE PROVERBIAL PROGRESSIVE
BOTTOM OF THE BARREL POLICIES,
TURNING THAT INTO ANOTHER
ELECTION YEAR [ INAUDIBLE ] AND
DONORS, WHILE SOCIETY CONTINUES
WITH THE WRONG LAWS, WRONG
LEADERS, WRONG TRAINING, AND THE
WRONG PRIORITIES. THAT SAID, HOW
MANY COPS TO PLAY FOR A PEACEFUL
PROTEST FOR A PRESIDENTIAL VISIT
AND HOW MUCH OVERTIME IS PAID TO
THEM FOR THAT? COMPARE THAT TO
HOW MANY COPS IN OVERTIME ARE
PAID TO WORK TOGETHER TO COMBAT
A SPECIFIC CRIME HOTSPOT, WHERE
INSTEAD, A HANDFUL OF COPS TEST
WITH DISCOURAGING THE WHOLE AREA
AND DISPERSING PEOPLE WHEN
THEY'RE CATCHING UP WITH PEOPLE
WHO ARE SO SCREWED UP THAT THEY
ARE DEEMED UNSUITABLE TO GO TO
JAIL. THEY DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO
BE QUESTIONED TO FIND OUT WHERE
THEY GOT THE JERK TO SHUT IT
DOWN. AND WHERE ARE THE LAWS TO
KEEP THE SERVICE PROVIDERS
ACCOUNTABLE? I KNOW FOR A FACT
THAT THERE ARE STILL WRAPAROUND
SERVICES THAT PROVIDE SUBHUMAN
ACCOMMODATIONS TO DRUG ADDICTS
AND THEY CLAIM EXPERTS ARE
SOLVING OTHER PEOPLE'S
PROBLEMS, BUT THEY ARE NOT KEPT
HONEST BY THE HOMELESS
AUTHORITY.
>> THANK YOU, THAT WAS OUR LAST
REMOTE SPEAKER.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
CLOSED. ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON. IF
THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
REFERRAL CALENDAR WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR IS ADOPTED. AND IF
THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING
NONE, THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. WE
WILL NOW CONSIDER THE PROPOSED
CONSENT CALENDAR. ITEMS ON THE
CONSENT CALENDAR ART COUNCIL
BILL 120959 WHICH IS THE PAYMENT
OF THE BILLS, ONE APPOINTMENT
FROM THE GOVERNANCE
ACCOUNTABILITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND TWO
APPOINTMENTS FROM THE LAND USE
COMMITTEE. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS
THE COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO
REMOVE FROM TODAY'S CONSENT
CALENDAR? ALL RIGHT, HEARING
NONE. I MOVED TO ADOPT THE
CONSENT CALENDAR. IS THERE A
SECOND? THANK YOU, IT HAS BEEN
MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE
CONSENT CALENDAR, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT
CALENDAR?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON?
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON? NINE IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
ARE ADOPTED, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE GIVE MY SIGNATURE TO THE
MINUTES AND LEGISLATION ON THE
CONSENT CALENDAR ON MY BEHALF?
OKAY. ITEM 1, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE READ THE TITLE OF ITEM 1
INTO THE RECORD?
>> [ INAUDIBLE ] FEDERAL FUNDING
AUTHORIZING DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS
TO ACCEPT CERTAIN GRANTS AND
PASS THROUGH FUNDING IN 2025.
>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, I MOVED
TO PASS CONSTABLE 120955, IS
THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS HAS
SPONSORED, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO
ADDRESS THE BILL. X THANK YOU,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THIS IS A
BILL REGARDING GRANT ACCEPTANCE
FOR THIS YEAR. OUR NEXT GRANT
ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL BILL
WILL BE IN THE FINANCE AND
TRAVEL GOVERNMENTS COMMITTEE ON
APRIL 16th. THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM
COLLEAGUES? ALL RIGHT. SEE ANON.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE IN
FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT. WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF? NO
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
2 FOR THE RECORD?
>> [ INAUDIBLE ] APPOINTMENT
3094. APPOINTMENT OF KIERSTEN
GROVE AS DIRECTOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF [ INAUDIBLE ] FOR
THE TERM MARCH 1st, 2029. [
INAUDIBLE ]
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS IS CHAIR OF THE
COMMITTEE, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED IN
ORDER TO PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE
REPORT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
EVERYBODY WAS ABLE TO SEE
KIERSTEN GROVE'S FIRST
PRESENTATION AT THE SELECT
COMMITTEE, IT WAS WONDERFUL TO
HAVE HER BACK. TO OFFER THE
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT YOU
ADDED TO HER APPOINTMENT POCKET.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT IS WITH
GREAT EXCITEMENT THAT I BRING
FORWARD THIS APPOINTMENT TO YOU
TODAY. FAS IN MY OPINION IS THE
BACKBONE OF OUR CITY. FAS ARE
THE FOLKS THAT RANKED BUILDINGS
TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS
OURSELVES. WE HAD GREAT
CONVERSATION AND COMMITTEE ABOUT
MY D6 DISTRICT OFFICE THAT IS
NOT OWNED BY FAS, BUT [
INAUDIBLE ], IT JUST
DEMONSTRATES ALL THE DIFFERENT
LAYERS OF THE CITY THAT FAS
NAVIGATES FOR US, INCLUDING
FOR-PROFIT TENANTS, WHICH IS
LIKE THE SEATTLE CENTER [
INAUDIBLE ]. THEY ALSO MAINTAIN
OUR POOL FLEETS, WHETHER THAT IS
FOR THE MOTOR POOL THAT WE HAVE
ACCESS TO WITH FIRE ENGINES THAT
ARE ALSO REPAIRED. THEY ARE THE
ONES THAT PUBLISH THE RFPs FOR
ANY DEPARTMENT IN OUR CITY,
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT IMPLEMENT
THE LEVEES AND COLLECT TAXES.
FAS IS ALSO IN CHARGE OF OUR
CONSUMER PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
AND OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE BUREAU.
SO, FOR EVERYONE AND FAS THAT
WORKS OUT OF FRONT DESK ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE,
THANK YOU. WE SEEM HERE IN CITY
HALL AND WE SEE THEM ALL ACROSS
OUR DISTRICTS. THEY ALSO
IMPLEMENT THE FIND IT, FIX IT
UP. AND THE LAST TWO YEARS, I
HAVE SEEN GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN
THE FIND IT, FIX IT UP. AND THEY
CAN ONLY GET THE TICKETS TO THE
DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT
WORK, SO ANY PROBLEMS THAT ARE
GOING ON, FIND IT, FIX IT, IS
ALSO NOT THEIR FAULT. WE CAN GO
AND LOOK AT THOSE DEPARTMENTS.
THAT WAS ACTUALLY A VERY
POSITIVE PART OF THE
CONVERSATION WE HAD AT
COMMITTEE, WHERE C.O.O. MARCO,
WHEN ASKED THAT QUESTION OF WHY
ISN'T IT WORKING FOR THOSE
SPECIFIC DEPARTMENTS, HE TOOK
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THAT. SO,
KIERSTEN, IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR
THAT WE PUT FORWARD YOUR
PERMANENT APPOINTMENT AS THE
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
COLLEAGUES, I URGE YOUR YES
VOTE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.
COUNCILMEMBERS, IF YOU WERE NOT
AT COMMITTEE TO SING THE PRAISES
OF KIERSTEN GROVE, YOU'RE
WELCOME TO DO SO NOW, OR ASK ANY
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. ALL
RIGHT. SEEING NONE. WHILE THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE CONFIRMATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE IN
FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. TEXT OF THE
MOTION CARRIES AND THE
APPOINTMENT IS CONFIRMED,
CONGRATULATIONS, DIRECTOR GROVE.
YOU ARE RECOGNIZED AT THIS POINT
TO PROVIDE COMMENTS TO THE
COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE CUP
-- PUBLIC. STEP ON UP.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I
APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TIME YOU
HAVE INVESTED AND THE THOUGHTFUL
QUESTIONS FROM LAST WEEK. THANK
YOU, CHAIR STRAUSS, FOR YOUR
SUPPORT DURING THIS PROCESS, AND
TO JESSE ON YOUR TEAM FOR HIS
ASSISTANCE ALONG THE WAY. I
WOULD LIKE TO THANK MAYOR
HARRELL FOR HIS SUPPORT AND HIS
ONGOING COMMITMENT TO THE WORK
OF FAS, PARTICULARLY TO ENSURING
OUR WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED
BUSINESSES HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO
WORK WITH THE CITY. I'VE COURSE
WOULD LIKE TO THANK MARCO LOW, [
INAUDIBLE ], FOR THEIR
ASSISTANCE AND THEIR TIME. YOU
HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE THROUGHOUT
THIS PROCESS. AND WHILE FAS IS
LARGELY AN INTERNAL SERVICES
DEPARTMENT, OUR KEY COMMUNITY
PARTNERS, INCLUDING [ INAUDIBLE
], AND OUR SMALL BUSINESSES ARE
ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING THAT WE
PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE, AND I
WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR
SUPPORT AND FOR THE WORK THEY DO
ON A DAILY BASIS TO KEEP OUR
CITY WORKING. I WOULD OF COURSE
LIKE TO THANK MY FELLOW CABINET
MEMBERS FOR THEIR MENTORSHIP AND
ASSISTANCE, PARTICULARLY [
INAUDIBLE ] AND IN THE HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DIRECTOR
KIM. [ INAUDIBLE ] FOR THEIR
HUMOR AND PATIENCE FOR MY WORK
AT FAS AND REALLY MY ENTIRE TIME
WITH [ INAUDIBLE ]. FAS IS A
WIDE-RANGING PORTFOLIO OF
RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDING
BUILDING AND MAINTAINING CITY
FACILITIES SUCH AS OUR FIRE AND
POLICE STATIONS, SUPPORTING
SEATTLE RESIDENTS AND ALL OF OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE
CENTERS, PROCURING, MAINTAINING,
AND [ INAUDIBLE ] , AND RUNNING
THE SEATTLE ANIMAL SHELTER. JUST
ON OUR WAY OVER TODAY, I SAW OUR
TEAM WORKING ON THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL TOWER ELEVATOR
PROJECT. I PASSED OUR CONSUMER
PROTECTION TEAM. I SAW OUR
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND
JANITORIAL TEAM [ INAUDIBLE ].
AND OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE BUREAU
ANSWERING COMMUNITY QUESTIONS
ABOUT CITY SERVICES. I CAN'T
SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE AMAZING
WORK OF [ INAUDIBLE ], THEY ARE
TRULY THE BACKBONE OF THE CITY
AND PLAY A PART IN NEARLY EVERY
ELEMENT OF CITY SERVICE. I
BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT THE
INTERNAL COME OFTEN UNSEEN WORK
OF CITY GOVERNMENT HAS THE
ABILITY TO CATALYZE THE MOST
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, AND THIS IS
THE WORK [ INAUDIBLE ]. NONE OF
THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT
OUR FAS LEADERSHIP TEAM. I WANT
TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THEY DO TO
PROMOTE A WORK ENVIRONMENT ,
COLLABORATION, AND EXCELLENT
CUSTOMER SERVICE. AND I WANT TO
PARTICULARLY THANK OUR
PURCHASING CONTRACTING DIVISION
[ INAUDIBLE ] , AND OUR
DIRECTORS OFFICE TEAM. FOR
EVERYTHING THEY DO TO SUPPORT
OUR TEAM ON A DAILY BASIS. YOU
MAKE ME PROUD OF BEING A PART OF
FAS. I'M SO HONORED TO BE THE
FAS DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR AND
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT
DURING THIS PROCESS, I LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. ALL
RIGHT, WILL THE CLERK HE IS READ
THE TITLE OF ITEM 3 INTO THE
RECORD?
>> CONSTABLE 120950, AFFIRMING
THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS A
WELCOMING CITY, SUPPORTING
ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
CARE SERVICES AND GENDER
AFFIRMING TREATMENT IN SEATTLE,
EXTENDING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
CITY EMPLOYEES TO PROTECT THE
PROVISION OF OR PRODUCTIVE
HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND GENDER
FROM TREATMENT. THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS THAT THE PASS AS
AMENDED.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AS CHAIR
OF THE COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED
THE LEGISLATION, [ INAUDIBLE ]
EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE SENT AS THIS LEGISLATION
TO CONFORM SEATTLE LAW WITH THE
WASHINGTON STATE SHIELD LAW,
SUPPORTING ACCESS TO
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE
SERVICES AND GENDER AFFIRMING
TREATMENT. THE PROPOSAL CREATES
A FIREWALL, PREVENTING CITY
EMPLOYEES FROM BEING USED TO
ENFORCE ARTFUL AND RESTRICTIVE
LAWS FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE DRAFTED THE
BILL IN COOPERATION WITH THE
CITY'S LGBTQ COMMISSION, AND IT
ALSO HAS THE SUPPORT FROM THE GS
BE A AND SEATTLE PRIDE. KEY
PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE
INCLUDE -- OF THE COUNCIL WILL
INCLUDE MAKING WASHINGTON STATE
SHIELD LAW ENFORCEABLE AT THE
CITY LEVEL, PROVIDES THE
AUTHORITY FOR THE CAO TO BRING A
CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION FOR
INTERFERENCE WITH PROTECTED
HEALTH SERVICES THAT WOULD BE
CREATED IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT.
SUCH A CAUSE OF ACTION IS
AVAILABLE UNDER WASHINGTON COURT
AND STATE LAW, THE PROPOSED SMC
14.11 5.040 WOULD CREATE ONE
AVAILABLE THROUGH THE MUNICIPAL
COURT AS WELL. AND THEN FINALLY,
IT PROHIBITS CITY EMPLOYEES,
INCLUDING THOSE IN PUBLIC
HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND LAW
ENFORCEMENT FROM COOPERATING [
INAUDIBLE ] TO PENALIZE GENDER
AFFIRMING CARE THAT IS LEGAL IN
WASHINGTON. THIS PASSED OUT OF
COMMITTEE LAST WEEK, THE WEEK
BEFORE -- THE WEEK BEFORE LAST
ON A VOTE OF 4-0 POINT ARE THERE
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> I BELIEVE THIS IS WHEN I AM
SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THIS,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT. AT THIS TIME,
I MOVED TO AMEND COUNCIL BILL
120950 AS PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT
A ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMEND COUNCIL BILL
120950 AS PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT
A. COUNCILMEMBER MOORE, A
SPONSOR, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO
ADDRESS IT, AND I WOULD ALSO
LIKE TO NOTE THAT YOU ARE [
INAUDIBLE ] A COSPONSOR OF THIS
LEGISLATION DURING COMMITTEE
LAST TIME, SO YOU ARE A
COSPONSOR. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, IF I MAY TURN IT
OVER TO TOMMASO TO GIVE A
PRESENTATION AS TO WHAT THE
AMENDMENT DOES, IS THAT OKAY?
>> IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION,
CENTRAL STAFF WILL PRESENT THE
AMENDMENT. HEARING NONE, YOU ARE
WELCOME TO PROCEED.
>> COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF.
AMENDMENT A BROUGHT BY
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE WOULD DO TWO
THINGS, IT WOULD DEFINE THE TERM
ASSISTANCE, WHICH IS A TERM USED
IN THIS ORDINANCE, AND ALSO USED
UNDER WASHINGTON STATE LAW, BUT
IT IS CURRENTLY UNDEFINED. IT
WOULD ALSO EXPLICITLY ADD AGENTS
OF CITY AGENCIES, COMMISSIONS,
BOARDS, OR DEPARTMENTS TO THE
PROHIBITION AND COOPERATION WITH
[ INAUDIBLE ] RELATED TO
PROTECTED HEALTH CARE SERVICES,
BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, BOTH OF
THESE CHANGES ARE BEING PROPOSED
BY A BILL CURRENTLY MOVING
THROUGH THE WASHINGTON STATE
LEGISLATURE THAT HAS PASSED THE
STATE SENATE, BUT IS CURRENTLY
IN THE STATEHOUSE, AND THAT
STATE BILL IS BEING SUPPORTED BY
THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S
OFFICE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU,
TOMMASO, FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE
WITH THIS, AND SETTING FORTH
WHAT THE AMENDMENT DOES. THE
REASON THAT I WANTED TO BRING IT
TO THIS BILL AND INCORPORATE IT
IS IN THE SLIM CHANCE THAT THAT
LEGISLATION DOES NOT PASS, THE
STATE LEGISLATURE WILL BE SIGNED
, THAT WE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT
WE DO HAVE MORE EXPENSIVE
PROTECTION IN OUR SEATTLE
QUALIFICATION OF THE STATE
SHIELD LAW, SO THAT'S WHY I AM
BRINGING THIS HERE. IT IS JUST
SORT OF BASIC BACKSTOP AND
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION. AND I
WOULD ASK FOR MY COLLEAGUES '
SUPPORT.
>> ALL RIGHT, ARE THERE ANY
COMMENTS ON AMENDMENT A? ALL
RIGHT, I AM NOT SEEING ANY. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL
ON THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT
EIGHT?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON?
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL
PRESIDENT NELSON? NINE IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND
AMENDMENT A IS ADOPTED. ARE
THERE FOR THEIR COMMENTS ON THE
BILL AS AMENDMENT -- AMENDED?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVED TO
AMEND COUNCIL BILL 120950 AS
PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT BE.
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMENDMENT BILL AS
PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT BE. YOU
ARE RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO
ADDRESS IT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
I WILL SAVE MY REMARKS FOR AFTER
THE PRESENTATION BY TOMMASO
EXPLAINING.
>> AMENDMENT B WOULD ADD A
TRIGGER PROVISION CREATING LEGAL
EFFECT FOR PROTECTIONS IN THE
SHIELD ORDINANCE ONLY IF STATE
SHIELD LAW IS APPEALED. WE DO SO
BY MODIFYING SECTION 2 OF THE
ORDINANCE, WHICH IS THE
EFFECTIVE DATE PROVISION, WHICH
NORMALLY WOULD TAKE EFFECT 30
DAYS AFTER PASSAGE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, TOMMASO.
COLLEAGUES, WHILE I ABSOLUTELY
SUPPORT THE MAYOR'S INTENTIONS
IN DRAFTING THIS ORDINANCE AND
COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND THE
COSPONSORS INTENTIONS FOR
SPONSORING THIS THREAT COUNCIL,
WE SHARE CONCERNS OF MANY OF THE
STAKEHOLDERS WE HAVE LISTENED
TO, INCLUDING SEATTLE'S LGBTQ
COMMISSION, WHO HAVE SHARED
THEIR ENDORSEMENT OF THIS
AMENDMENT WITH ALL
COUNCILMEMBERS, AND IN MY
RESEARCH AND CONVERSATIONS WITH
ORGANIZATIONS ON THE FRONT LINES
OF LGBTQ AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
FIGHTS LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY,
AS WELL AS CONSULTATION WITH THE
LAW DEPARTMENT AND CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, I HAVE COME
TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN
IMPORTANT MESSAGE, BUT DOES
LITTLE ABOVE THE EXISTING STATE
SHIELD LAW FROM WHAT AUTHORITY
DOES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND THIS
WILL ADD RISK AND UNCERTAINTY AT
A TIME WHEN THAT IS WHAT WE NEED
A LOT LESS OF, THAT WE CERTAINLY
DON'T NEED MORE UNCERTAINTY.
THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED ORDINANCE
SENDS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE, BUT
UNFORTUNATELY IT DOES NOT ADD
ANY NEW SUBSTANTIVE PROTECTIONS
TO OUR NEIGHBORS. AS FOR CITY
EMPLOYEES, THIS ORDINANCE WOULD
ALLOW FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE TO PROACTIVELY SEEK OUT
AND MITIGATE POTENTIAL
VIOLATIONS ON BEHALF OF CERTAIN
CITY EMPLOYEES, WHICH THE STATE
ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN DO
CURRENTLY, BUT MY CONCERN IS
THAT ADDING THIS LOT TO CITY
CODE WOULD ALSO EXPOSE THE CITY
TO INCREASED LEGAL AND FINANCIAL
RISK. AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE
OF ADDING THE STATE LAW TO CITY
ORDINANCE IS THAT IF ANOTHER
STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
WANTS TO PICK A LEGAL FIGHT OVER
SHIELD LAWS, THAT WOULD HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PICK A FIGHT WITH
OUR CITY WORKERS AND SAID --
INSTEAD OF THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL'S OFFICE. SO, IN
SUMMARY, I SHARE AND WHOLLY
SUPPORT THE INTENTIONS BEHIND
THIS ORDINANCE, BUT HAVE SERIOUS
CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACTS AND
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, SO I AM
PROPOSING THIS AMENDMENT TO
COUNCIL BILL 120950 THAT WILL IN
MY ESTIMATION DO TWO THINGS.
FIRST, ENSURE THAT SEATTLEITES
WILL BE PROTECTED BY A LOCAL
SHIELD LAW, EVEN IF THE STATE
SHIELD LAW GOES AWAY FOR ANY
REASON, AND SECOND, ENSURE THAT
SEATTLE WILL NOT BE SINGLED OUT
AND TARGETED ITS SHIELD LAW BY
ANOTHER GOVERNMENT THAT IS
LOOKING FOR A LEGAL FIGHT
AGAINST A SMALLER TEAM THAN THE
STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE
ALREADY HAS AT THE READY.
COLLEAGUES, I ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT ON THIS AMENDMENT, THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS
AMENDMENT? ALL RIGHT. I WOULD --
AS THE SPONSOR OF THE
LEGISLATION, I WOULD SAY THAT IT
IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE
AMENDMENT WOULD EFFECTIVELY
NULLIFY OR PUT ON HOLD THE
ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS OF
COUNCIL BILL 120950 BY MAKING
THIS ORDINANCE ONLY EFFECTIVE IF
THE STATE SHIELD LAW IS
REPEALED, AND SO, I'M GOING TO
VOTE AGAINST THIS. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> [ INAUDIBLE ] OKAY, WELL,
FIRST OFF, I WANT TO THANK THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR BRINGING
THIS DOWN. COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR
COSPONSORING IT. ALL THE PEOPLE
THAT BROUGHT AMENDMENTS, I KNOW
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON HAS ONE,
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RINCK
FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK ON
AMENDMENTS, AND I KNOW
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE BROUGHT HERS
AS WELL. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING,
AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, THE
CITY SHIELD LAW HAS ADDITIONAL
AND EXPANDED ACTIONS COMPARED TO
THE STATES LEGISLATION LAW, SO
THE CITY LAW WOULD MAKE IT
APPLICABLE TO OUR LOCAL
MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES AND
EMPLOYEES, WHEREAS THE STATE
WOULD ONLY ALLOW THE STATE
COURTS. SO, THIS ALLOWS
INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE THE CITY
ATTORNEY BRING LEGAL ACTION. THE
BILL DOES NOT TAKE AWAY THE
STATES ABILITY TO ENFORCE, BUT
IT GIVES PEOPLE THE OPTION TO
SEEK ENFORCEMENT ACTION AT THE
CITY OR STATE LEVEL. THAT IS MY
UNDERSTANDING, AND I HAD ASKED
LAW TO HELP US READ THROUGH
THAT, BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT CAN
BE CONFUSING, READING ALL THE
BILLS AND JUST TRYING TO
UNDERSTAND THAT. I ALREADY KNOW
THAT WE ARE A TARGET ALREADY AS
A SANCTUARY'S READY, AS WELL.
AND IT IS NOT NEW FOR OUR CITY
TO REGULARLY CODIFY STATE LAW,
SO THAT WE CAN LOCALLY ENFORCE
PROVISIONS, INSTEAD OF DEPENDING
ON THE AG'S OFFICE. SO, A PRIME
EXAMPLE IS OUR OFFICE OF CIVIL
RIGHTS ENFORCES HOUSING AND
EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, WHICH
IS ALSO ILLEGAL AT THE STATE
LEVEL. SO, ANYWAYS, THAT IS HOW
I UNDERSTAND THIS. I REALLY
APPRECIATE THE -- I REALLY
APPRECIATE COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK'S BRINGING THIS. TODAY, I
CAN'T SUPPORT YOUR AMENDMENT,
BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE
HARD WORK THAT YOU PUT INTO
THIS, THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
ALSO, I DID WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU TO COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR
REACHING OUT TO OTHER
STAKEHOLDERS AND ASKING THEM
THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS ,
AFTER THIS BILL DID COME DOWN. I
KNOW WHEN WE WERE AT COMMITTEE,
I ALSO ASKED ABOUT WHY WE WERE
NOT DOING A TRIGGER , MAKING
THIS A TRIGGER LAW INSTEAD, AND
I WAS CONVINCED BOTH AT
COMMITTEE, AND THEN IN A
SEPARATE MEETING WITH CITY
COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
THAT IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE MORE
PROTECTIVE IF WE CODIFIED THE
STATE LAW. AND FROM MANY OF THE
POINTS THAT COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH HAS JUST MADE. I
APPRECIATE THAT THERE ARE
CONCERNS ABOUT US BEING
POTENTIALLY TARGETED FOR
LITIGATION. I WANT TO POINT OUT,
THOUGH, THAT EVEN IF WE WERE NOT
-- EVEN IF WE HAD THIS TRIGGER
BILL, AND A CITY EMPLOYEE
REFUSED TO COMPLY ON THE BASIS
OF STATE LAW, WE COULD STILL BE
SUED UNDER THAT SCENARIO. AND I
ALSO THINK THAT IF WE WERE TO
CODIFY THIS AND SUDDENLY NOW BE
TARGETED , WE HAVE A NUMBER OF
OPTIONS. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE CAN CONTRACT OUT WITH
PRIVATE COUNCIL, WHICH THEY
FREQUENTLY DO. WE COULD ALSO ASK
THE AG TO INTERVENE, OR WE CAN
JOIN THE AG. AND I HAVE NO DOUBT
THE ASSISTANT OF THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL'S OFFICE WOULD WANT TO
BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN
LITIGATION, BECAUSE A LAWSUIT
BROUGHT TO CHALLENGE THE SEATTLE
LAW WOULD ACTUALLY BE
CHALLENGING THE UNDERLYING STATE
BILL. SO, I UNDERSTAND THE
CONCERNS, BUT I DON'T THINK --
THEY ARE HYPOTHETICAL AND I
THINK THERE ARE ENOUGH
ALTERNATIVES THAT I THINK
REALISTICALLY, WE WOULD BE WELL
REPRESENTED IF THERE WERE ANY
LEGAL ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE
CITY. I DO THINK THAT IT'S
IMPORTANT FOR US TO BASICALLY
MAKE IT CLEAR , TO SEND A LOUD
AND CLEAR STATEMENT THAT WE DO
SUPPORT THE STATE LAW AND THAT
WE SUPPORT ITS IMPLEMENTATION
AND EXPANSION HERE IN THE CITY
OF SEATTLE. AND I WOULD HOPE
THAT IN FACT IT MIGHT SERVE AS
AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER
JURISDICTIONS . SEATTLE IS OFTEN
SERVING AS AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER
JURISDICTIONS THAT FOLLOW SUIT,
SO PERHAPS IT WOULD GIVE OTHERS
A SENSE THAT THEY WOULD BE OKAY
TO FOLLOW SUIT AS WELL. UM, AND
BASICALLY, FOR THOSE REASONS, I
DON'T SHARE THE SAME CONCERNS,
ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE THAT THEY
HAVE BEEN AIRED. SO, FOR THOSE
REASONS, I WILL NOT BE VOTED FOR
THE TRIGGER AMENDMENT. THANK
YOU.
>> OKAY. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?
OKAY. SEEING NONE. OH, WOULD YOU
LIKE TO --
>> THANK YOU. I THINK JUST
TAKING A MOMENT TO CLARIFY A
POINT THAT JUST WAS RAI
WANT TO HEAR THAT OUR FOLKS WHO
WORK AT MUNICIPAL COURTS ARE
COVERED UNDER OUR STATE LAW.
EVERYBODY WHO IS A WASHINGTONIAN
IS COVERED BY THE SHIELD LAW, SO
I REALLY WANT TO MAKE THAT
ABUNDANTLY CLEAR FOR ANYBODY WHO
MAY BE LISTENING. THIS
THEORETICALLY COULD ONLY BE MORE
PROTECTED IF THE CITY ATTORNEY
PROACTIVELY SOUGHT OUT OR
BROUGHT IN IN DEFENSE OF
MUNICIPAL COURT EMPLOYEES, SO I
JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
CLARIFY THAT MATTER. IF YOU ARE
A WASHINGTON RESIDENT, YOU ARE
PROTECTED BY THE STATE SHIELD
LAW. THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. I AM NOT SEEING
ANY OTHER HANDS UP, SO, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF
AMENDMENT B?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ]
>> TWO IN FAVOR, SEVEN OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION FAILS AND
AMENDMENT B IS NOT ADOPTED BUT
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON
THE BILL AS AMENDED? [ INAUDIBLE
] OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE AMENDMENT
SEA.
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMEND THE BILL AS
PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT C. YOU
ARE RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO
ADDRESS IT.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT,
AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER
THIS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT C IS [ INAUDIBLE ]
WITH POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE
STATE SHIELD LAW, ENSURING THAT
THIS BODY CAN RESPOND TO THOSE
CHANGES IN A TIMELY MANNER TO
BEST PROTECT OUR CONSTITUENTS.
AND TO THAT END, IT CALLS ON
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS TO DO
WHAT THEY DO BEST, WHICH IS
KEEPING THIS COUNCIL APPRAISED
OF CHANGES TO THOSE LAWS, WHICH
MATTER MOST TO THE PEOPLE WHO
LIVE AND WORK IN SEATTLE. I WANT
TO THANK OIR FOR [ INAUDIBLE ] I
THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. AND I ASK
YOU TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT C.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD,
TOMMASO?
>> NO, NOTHING TO ADD.
>> ALL RIGHT, ARE THERE ANY
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON
AMENDMENT C? ALL RIGHT. AND YES,
I DO CONSIDER THIS A FRIENDLY
AMENDMENT. ALL RIGHT, SEEING NO
OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS,
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE ON THE ADOPTION OF
AMENDMENT C?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE IN
FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THE
MOTION CARRIES AND AMENDMENT C
IS ADOPTED. ALL RIGHT, ARE THERE
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE BILL
AS AMENDED? COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA?
>> NOW WE ARE MAKING COMMENTS ON
THE FULL BILL. NO MORE
AMENDMENTS.
>> CORRECT. THAT'S THANK YOU.
COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON AND THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR BRINGING
THIS LEGISLATION FORWARD. AND
ONE THAT COUNCILMEMBER MOORE AND
I WANTED TO COSPONSOR BECAUSE WE
BELIEVE SO STRONGLY IN THIS
ORDINANCE, HAVING THE LAW --
HAVING THIS LAW ON OUR BOOKS
VERY CLEARLY STATES OUR
COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE AND
GENDER AFFIRMING TREATMENT IN
SEATTLE, AND TO EXTEND AND IN
ESSENCE SHIELDING OUR EMPLOYEES
FROM SUPPORTING THE PROVISIONS
WITHIN . DURING THESE TIMES, IT
IS IMPORTANT TO STAND UP AND
SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY , AND THIS
IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AND I
APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE
AMENDMENTS THAT YOU ALL BROUGHT.
YOU KNOW, AND I ALWAYS SAY, WE
ARE GOING TO AGREE TO DISAGREE
ON SOME THINGS, BUT I KNOW ON
THIS BILL, WE ALL AGREE ON THE
NEED TO BRING IT AT THIS TIME,
AND FOR THE REASONS . WE WANT TO
BE SUPPORTIVE. AND I ALSO WANT
TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO
THE LGBTQ COMMISSION FOR THEIR
WORK ON THIS BILL, AND FOR
STANDING UP. AND FOR , YOU KNOW,
REQUESTING THAT THE MAYOR AND
THAT COUNCIL BRING THIS FORWARD,
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK
AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP, AND I AM
VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS
ORDINANCE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS.
OKAY, LOOKING AROUND FOR ANY
FURTHER COMMENTS BEFORE -- ALL
RIGHT, I WILL JUST CLOSE THIS
OUT AND SAY THAT THIS
LEGISLATION SENDS A VERY CLEAR
MESSAGE THAT SEATTLE IS AND WILL
REMAIN A SAFE HARBOR FOR
COMMUNITIES UNDER RELENTLESS
ATTACKS FROM THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION AND ITS ALLIES.
SEATTLE HAS LONG BEEN A
WELCOMING CITY, OFFERING
SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO ANYONE
IN NEED, AND THIS PROPOSAL WILL
DEFEND VULNERABLE PEOPLE FROM
ANTICHOICE AND ANTI-TRANSGENDER
POLICIES THAT DO NOT REFLECT OUR
VALUES AND NEEDS AS A COMMUNITY.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> THANK YOU, SORRY, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, IF I MISSED MY
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, I JUST
WANTED TO THE TAKE A MOMENT TO
THANK MAYOR HARRELL FOR THIS ,
BECAUSE IT DOES ADD IMPORTANT
PROTECTIONS TO OUR CITY AND OUR
RESIDENTS. THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> AND I WANTED TO ALSO THANK
THE LGBTQ COMMISSION FOR
BRINGING -- FOR WORKING SO --
FOR BRINGING THIS -- FOR WORKING
SO CLOSELY WITH THE CITY TO
BRING THIS UP BEFORE US. AND
THIS REALLY DOES SHOW THIS HAS
BEEN -- IT HAS BEEN A GROUP
EFFORT, AND I HOPE THAT PEOPLE
ARE HEARING US WHEN WE SAY THAT
WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR VALUES
AS A WELCOMING CITY. SO, WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL
ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ]
>> JUST CORRECT, FOR THE RECORD,
AS AMENDED.
>> I DID SAY THAT, YEP.
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE IN
FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AS AMENDED
AND THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF? THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
EVERYONE, FOR THAT. SO, THERE
WERE NO ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE
CONSENT CALENDAR AND THERE IS
NOT A RESOLUTION FOR
INTRODUCTION IN ADOPTION TODAY.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS TO
COME BEFORE COUNCIL?
COUNCILMEMBER -- IS THAT AN OLD
HAND, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? ALL
RIGHT, COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON?
>> I REQUEST TO BE EXCUSED ON
APRIL 8th. I WILL BE GOING TO
PUERTO RICO TO ATTEND MY
DAUGHTER'S WEDDING.
>> WOW, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR
FAMILY. IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON
IS EXCUSED.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT, COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
I WANTED TO CIRCLE BACK TO THE
LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ
STUDENTS THAT WE DISCUSSED
YESTERDAY AND BRING YOU BACK FOR
SIGNATURES TODAY. AS STATED
YESTERDAY, RIGHT NOW, WE KNOW
THAT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, AS WE
HAVE JUST VOTED TO AFFIRM
SUPPORT OF, THEY'RE FACING
DIRECT ASSAULT AT A VARIETY OF
LEVELS. THE LETTER OF SUPPORT
BEFORE YOU IS SUPPORT OF HOUSE
BILL 1296 AND SENATE BILL 5181,
WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING
CONSIDERED BY THE STATE
LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT LGBTQ
STUDENTS IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. THE
BILLS WOULD ENSURE SAFETY,
PRIVACY, AND LEGAL RIGHTS WITHIN
EXISTING LAW AND ALLOW THEM TO
ACCESS ACCURATE INFORMATION AND
SUPPORT BY TRUSTED ADULTS WHILE
ALLOWING PARENTS TO STAY
INVOLVED WITH THEIR EDUCATION.
THIS LEGISLATION REQUIRES
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE OFFICE
OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION AND THE WASHINGTON
STATE SCHOOL DIRECTORS
ASSOCIATION TO DEVELOP A MODEL
TRANSGENDER STUDENT POLICY AND
PROCEDURES THAT AT MINIMUM
INCLUDE INCORPORATING OS PI
GUIDELINES TO ELIMINATE
DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ON THE BASIS OF GENDER IDENTITY
AND EXPRESSION, ADDRESSING THE
UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND NEEDS
FACED BY TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS, DESCRIBING THE
APPLICATION OF THE MODEL POLICY
AND PROCEDURE PROHIBITING
HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND
BULLYING TO TRANSGENDER
STUDENTS. THE LEGISLATION HAS
BEEN WIDELY SUPPORTED BY EVERY
MEMBER OF SEATTLE'S LEGISLATIVE
DELEGATION IN OLYMPIA. HOSPITAL
1296 WAS SUPPORTED BY EVERY
DEMOCRAT IN THE STATE HOUSE. THE
OTHER WAS SUPPORTED BY EVERY
DEMOCRAT IN THE STATE SENATE. AS
REPRESENTATIVES OF WASHINGTON'S
LARGEST CITY, WE MUST ENSURE
THAT OUR YOUTH UNDERSTAND THAT
WE HAVE THEIR BACKS. I KNOW WHEN
I CAME OUT WHEN I WAS 12, I WAS
ABLE TO GO AT MY OWN PACE AND I
HAD THE SUPPORT OF MY SCHOOL,
AND I WANT THAT FOR EVERY
SEATTLE KIDDO AS WELL.
ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO MAKE IT
CLEAR , JUST BASED ON THE
DISCUSSION YESTERDAY, I WANT TO
MAKE IT CLEAR THAT MY STAFF
FOLLOWED THE APPROPRIATE PROCESS
FOR LETTER REVIEW AND APPROVAL
FOR BOTH COUNCIL BRIEFING
YESTERDAY AND TODAY'S COUNCIL
MEETING. WE WORKED WITH THE
STAFF AND THE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT'S OFFICE LAST WEEK TO
ENSURE IT WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR
YESTERDAY'S BRIEFING. WE
EMAILED ALL OF THE STAFF OF OUR
MEMBERS TO SOLICIT FEEDBACK FROM
EACH OFFICE ON LANGUAGE WITH A
DEADLINE THAT WAS INCLUDED FOR
SUGGESTED EDITS. THE LETTER WAS
ALSO FLAGGED IN THE WEEKLY
LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT MEETING
LAST THURSDAY AND MY STAFF HAD
DIRECT DISCUSSIONS WITH STAFF
FROM COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON,
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA,
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON LAST WEEK
AHEAD OF COUNCIL BRIEFING. AND
MY STAFF AGAIN HAD CONVERSATIONS
WITH EACH OFFICE TO ENSURE
EVERYONE ONCE AGAIN HAD A CHANCE
TO SUGGEST ANY LANGUAGE CHANGES,
AND I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SOME
MEMBERS DIRECTLY TODAY TO ENSURE
THERE IS NO POTENTIAL CONFUSION.
AND I EXPLAIN ALL OF THIS TO SAY
IT LAST WEEK, AS A COUNCIL BODY,
WE SAT ON THE DAIS AND HEARD
FROM MEMBERS THAT THEY HAD TIME
TO QUICKLY READ UP ON NINE
DIFFERENT AMENDMENTS THAT
DROPPED THE DAY BEFORE TO VOTE
ON ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS THIS YEAR. BUT
WHEN IT COMES TO SIMPLY VOICING
SUPPORT, ENCOURAGING OUR STATE
DELEGATION TO STAND UP FOR QUEER
AND TRANS YOUTH, AND WHEN WE
WENT THROUGH THE OFFICIAL
PROCESS AND ALLOW FOR AMPLE TIME
FOR ENGAGEMENT, I AM HEARING
MEMBERS ASKED FOR MORE TIME.
AGAIN, THIS LETTER DOES NOT BIND
US AS A CITY, WE ARE VOICING OUR
SUPPORT FOR TWO BUILDS TO
PROTECT KIDS THAT ARE FACING
INCREASING AND CONSTANT ATTACKS.
SO, THERE WAS TIME TO DECIDE ON
WHERE YOU WILL STAND WITH THIS
SIMPLE SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR QUEER
AND TRANS KIDS. I THINK IT IS
WORTH OUR SIGNATURES. I KNOW I
WILL BE VOTING TO SIGN. WITH
THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THOSE
REMARKS. ARE THERE ANY
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FROM THE
COUNCILMEMBERS? COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
SO, THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK, FOR BRINGING THIS LETTER
ABOUT THESE BILLS. MY OFFICE DID
HAVE A CHANCE TO WORK WITH YOUR
STAFF AND READ THE LETTER FRIDAY
, I THINK IT WAS. WE WERE ON
TRACK, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
AND TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
READ THROUGH THE BILLS. AND I
JUST WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR FOR
THE RECORD, IT'S A COMPLICATED
BILL IN THAT IT IS THREE
SECTIONS. THE FIRST PART --
SORRY, LET ME PULL IT UP HERE.
PART 1, PROTECTION OF STUDENTS
SAFETY, EDUCATION ACCESS, AND
PRIVACY DOES CREATE NEW
LANGUAGE. THAT REQUIRES THE
SCHOOLS TO ELIMINATE
DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ON THE BASIS OF GENDER
EXPRESSION AND GENDER IDENTITY ,
TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES
AND NEEDS FACED BY TRANSGENDER
STUDENTS AND GENDER EXPENSIVE
STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AND
IT GOES ON TO ELABORATE THAT,
AND I AM 100% SUPPORTIVE OF
THAT. I THINK IT IS AN
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT -- THE
SECOND PART OF THE BILL RELATES
TO THE STATEMENT OF STUDENTS
RIGHTS. AND THEN THE THIRD PART
OF THE BILL IS A STATEMENT OF
PARENT RIGHTS. SO, PARENTS AND
LEGAL GUARDIANS. SO, HAVING
RAISED THREE BOYS THROUGH THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SYSTEM
AND HAVING EXPERIENCED OUR OWN
CHALLENGES IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
WITH BULLYING AND HAZING AND A
VERY UNRESPONSIVE SCHOOL
ADMINISTRATION, I AM TRYING TO
GET ACCESS TO ACADEMIC RECORDS
AND HEALTH, I AM VERY, VERY
FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROCESS AND
THE FRUSTRATIONS OF A PARENT,
AND I AM VERY MUCH SUPPORTIVE OF
STUDENTS HAVING THEIR RIGHTS AND
PARENTS HAVING RIGHTS AS WELL.
BUT IN LOOKING AT THIS BILL,
THERE ARE SOME PROVISIONS IN
WHICH I AM NOT ENTIRELY
COMFORTABLE. SOME ARE RELATING
AROUND TO THE TIMEFRAME OF WHICH
RECORDS ARE TO BE RELEASED. I
HAPPEN TO THINK 45 DAYS IS TOO
LONG A TIME TO WAIT TO HAVE
RECORDS RELEASED TO PARENTS.
THERE ARE SOME OTHER PROVISIONS
OF THE BILL AROUND PARENT RIGHTS
THAT ARE CONCERNING TO ME. IN
TERMS OF OTHER ACADEMIC AVENUES
THAT A PARENT WOULD APPARENTLY
HAVE A RIGHT TO. SO, BECAUSE
THIS IS A STATE LEGISLATION, THE
BILL IS DIFFERENT NOW THAN IT
WAS WHEN ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED.
IT IS STILL ITERATIVE, AND WE
DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER
WHAT THE FINAL VERSION LOOKS
LIKE. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE AT
THIS POINT, BECAUSE AS I SAID,
THERE ARE PIECES OF THIS THAT I
WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGED. THE
BROAD STROKES AND CERTAINLY THE
MESSAGE THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO
TOLERATE DISCRIMINATION IN OUR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AGAINST
TRANSGENDER STUDENTS , GENDER
EXPENSIVE STUDENTS, GENDER
IDENTITY, AND THAT WE NEED TO
PROTECT THAT, I AM 100%
SUPPORTIVE OF AND CERTAINLY
WOULD BE WILLING TO SIGN OFF ON
SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. BUT
BECAUSE OF THE SORT OF POSTURAL
POSITION OF THIS BILL, I'M NOT
COMFORTABLE AT THIS TIME, SO
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT
FORWARD, BUT I WILL BE
ABSTAINING IN MY VOTE TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
UM, FOLLOWING THE SHIELD LAW, I
DO BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR
US TO MAKE THE POINT THAT WE
SHOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR
LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS
GENERALLY. BUT ALSO, LOOKING OUT
FOR DIFFERENT , YOU KNOW,
ELEMENTS OF THAT , TO INCLUDE
THE PROTECTION OF STUDENTS AND
PARENTS AND FAMILIES. IT WAS A
FAMILIES TWICE, BECAUSE I THINK
ULTIMATELY, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT
TO SUPPORT THAT PROCESS. I ALSO
, IN TERMS OF THE BILLS, I
UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE WORKING
IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND
THERE WILL BE CHANGES AND
CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE THE FINAL,
BUT I SUPPORT THE CONSIDERATION
OF THESE TWO BUILDS IN THE STATE
LEGISLATURE AS THEY MOVE
FORWARD. AS I READ THE LETTER, I
ALSO WANTED TO KNOW, OVER THE
LAST YEAR PLUS, I HAVE GOTTEN TO
KNOW DR. JONES, AND I HAVE GREAT
RESPECT FOR DR. JONES. I KNOW HE
RECENTLY MADE HIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
IN TERMS OF HIS LEAVING HIS POST
AFTER BASICALLY FOUR YEARS. AND
I JUST WANT TO THANK HIM FOR HIS
SERVICE. OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE
DIFFERENT CHALLENGES IN THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SYSTEM.
INCLUDING A FISCAL CRISIS. THERE
ARE A LOT OF PIECES THAT GO TO
THAT, IT IS EXTREMELY
COMPLICATED. I JUST WANTED TO
TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
RECOGNIZE DR. JONES' SERVICE TO
THE COMMUNITY. NEXT POINT I JUST
WANTED TO NOTE IS I RECOGNIZE
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON,
D.C., AND IT IS TRAGIC IN MANY
WAYS WHAT IS HAPPENING. WITH OUR
NEW ADMINISTRATION. THIS HAPPENS
ON SO MANY FRONTS, TO INCLUDE AS
NOTED IN THE LETTER, MILITARY
PERSONNEL. I HAVE HAD DIRECT
CONTACT FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
LOOKING TO FIND SUPPORT FOR
TRANS NAVY JAG OFFICERS WHO HAVE
BEEN REPRESENTING OUR COUNTRY
WITH HONOR, BUT THEY ARE NOW
GOING TO BE EXITING MILITARY
BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE IN THE
ADMINISTRATION. AND THAT IS SAD.
ONE NOTE, THOUGH, AND KIND OF
RECOMMENDATION, I ALSO DON'T
BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD JUST SAY
TRUMPS VARIOUS FEDERAL EXECUTIVE
ORDERS, I THINK WHETHER FOR OR
AGAINST, HE IS PRESIDENT, SO I
WOULD RECOMMEND SAYING PRESIDENT
TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS OR THE
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S VARIOUS
FEDERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS,
THAT POINT WHERE WE ARE JUST
CALLING THE PRESIDENT BY HIS
LAST NAME LIKE THAT, I THINK
THAT JUST OPENS US UP FOR, YOU
KNOW, AS THE FORMER FIRST LADY
SAID, GO HIGH. AND SO, WITH
THAT, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE
THOSE COMMENTS. OH, THE LAST
PIECE I WANTED TO NOTE IN THE
HOUSE BILL, I REALLY BELIEVE
THAT OUR NATION IS IN DIRE NEED
OF CIVICS EDUCATION. IT IS SAD
THAT THE MOST THAT SOME PEOPLE
MAY GET IS SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK. AND
WE NEED TO HAVE GREATER CIVICS
EDUCATION. WE NEED TO HAVE THIS
UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS
HAPPENING RELATED TO OUR
DEMOCRACY, RELATED TO THE RIGHTS
THAT WE ALL HOLD . AND HOW TO
MAKE OURSELVES A MORE PERFECT
UNION. AND I THINK BECAUSE OF
THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF OUR
CIVIC WORLD, IS UNDERMINING OUR
DEMOCRACY. AND I THINK THAT IF
EVERYONE HAD A BETTER SENSE OF
OUR CIVIC LAY DOWN IN TERMS OF
OUR DEMOCRACY, I THINK WE WOULD
BE IN A BETTER PLACE. AND THIS
IS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE
POLITICAL SPECTRUM, THOSE IN THE
MIDDLE AS WELL. THIS IS ONE AREA
THAT SADDENS ME GREATLY, AS
SOMEBODY WHO COMES FROM A RED
PART OF A BLUE STATE. AND AS A
FORMER MILITARY OFFICER, I SEE
THIS PLAY OUT CONSTANTLY. AND IT
SADDENS ME GREATLY. AND I THINK
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED,
AND I THINK IT WOULD HELP US
PROTECT OUR RIGHTS LONG-TERM IF
EVERYBODY UNDERSTOOD ,
PARTICULARLY AS I SEE REPORTS
NOW GOING AFTER THE FEDERAL
COURT SYSTEM. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
AND SO, WITH THAT, I JUST WANTED
TO MAKE THOSE COMMENTS,
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, AND I WILL
SUPPORT THE LETTER, RECOGNIZING
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE'S POINTS,
BUT I THINK MOVING FORWARD AND
SHOWING SUPPORT FOR OUR LGBTQ
COMMUNITY, WHO IS REALLY, FOR
LACK OF BETTER WORDS, A CANARY
IN A COAL MINE RELATED TO OUR
DEMOCRACY, I THINK IT IS
IMPORTANT TO MAKE THAT
STATEMENT, SO THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
I WANT TO THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR YOUR
WORK. I KNOW THAT THIS IS
SOMETHING YOU CARE A LOT ABOUT,
AS I DO, AND I REALLY WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME TODAY
TO TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS LETTER.
AND SOME OF THE CONCERNS I HAD
WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THE
LETTER. I WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU
KNOW, AS WE CLEARLY INDICATED IN
PASSING COUNCIL BILL 120950
TODAY , OF COURSE I SUPPORT
TRANS AND LGBTQ+ KIDS' RIGHTS
AND THE RIGHTS OF ALL STUDENTS
BROADLY, AND THAT INCLUDES
PRIVACY IN THE SCHOOLS. I HAD
TWO DAUGHTERS IN SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, I HAVE ONE LEFT IN
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND I
VERY MUCH RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY,
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT NOT ALL
FAMILIES ARE LIKE OUR FAMILY.
AND THAT SOME STUDENTS DON'T
HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THEIR
FAMILIES, AND SO, THE PRIVACY
PIECE IS IMPORTANT. HOWEVER,
RELATED TO THIS LETTER, AND I
DID SHARE WITH YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, I HAVE SOME
STATEMENTS THAT GIVE ME PAUSE ,
UNRELATED TO THE POLICY. I WOULD
LIKE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE
FOR THE RECORD. AS I STATED
YESTERDAY DURING OUR COUNCIL
BRIEFING, THE CITY HAS NO
AUTHORITY OVER SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS. SPS IS GOVERNED BY THE
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, AS WE ALL
KNOW, OR SPI AT THE STATE LEVEL.
IF THE SCHOOL IS IN VIOLATION OF
STATE LAW, PARENTS OR STUDENTS
NEED TO SEEK RECOURSE AND
ENFORCEMENT FROM OSPI. I DON'T
WANT TO LEAVE THE IMPRESSION
THAT THESE ISSUES ARE UNDER CITY
AUTHORITY, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE
WE WOULD HAVE NO ABILITY TO
ENFORCE THESE LAWS. REGARDING
THE LANGUAGE ABOUT BUDGETARY
ISSUES FACED BY SPS, THIS
PARAGRAPH IS NOT RELEVANT TO THE
BILLS MENTIONED IN THE LETTER,
AND ALSO LEAVES THE IMPRESSION
THAT THE CITY HAS AUTHORITY OVER
SPS'S BUDGET, WHICH WE OF
COURSE DO NOT. WHILE WE MAY BE
SUPPORTIVE OF THE POLICY IN
THESE BILLS THIS LETTER IS NOT A
COMMITMENT TO SPS THAT THE CITY
CAN OR WILL COVER THEIR
FINANCIAL NEEDS. THAT IS THE
STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY. NOTHING
IN THIS LETTER PROPOSES THE CITY
WILL COVER SPS'S BUDGET, JUST
AS THE STATE WOULD NOT COVER THE
CITY'S BUDGET AND VICE VERSA.
AND PLEASE THAT GOVERNOR
FERGUSON HAS MADE A COMMITMENT
TO PRIORITIZE EDUCATION, AS IS
THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY,
GIVEN THE STRUCTURE OF THIS
LETTER AND BASED ON THESE
CONCERNS, I WILL NOT BE SIGNING
MY NAME ONTO THIS LETTER,
ALTHOUGH, AS COUNCILMEMBER, I
AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER MOORE.
AT A LATER POINT IN TIME, IF
THERE IS A LETTER THAT IS
SUPPORTIVE OF THE UNDERLYING
RIGHTS OF STUDENTS THAT DOES NOT
INCLUDE SOMEHOW OUR OVERSIGHT OF
SPS, THAT WOULD BETTER CLARIFY ,
THEN I WOULD BE OPEN TO
RECONSIDERING THAT. THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, JUST
TAKING A MOMENT TO ECHO SOME OF
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE'S COMMENTS
REGARDING PROPER EGG KNOWLEDGE
MEANT OF A POSITION IN OUR
ADMINISTRATION. I'M WONDERING
TO THE SPONSOR IF WE CAN MAKE
THAT CHANGE? I KNOW IT IS TOO
LATE FOR THE DRAFT THAT HAS BEEN
DISTRIBUTED, BUT IF WE CAN MAKE
A VERBAL AMENDMENT TO ADD TO
PRESIDENT IN FRONT OF THE NAME,
THAT WOULD HELP ME.
>> I AM SEEING NONE, SELECT THE
RECORD NO THAT THAT CHANGE WILL
BE MADE.
>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
SUPPORTING THE LETTER, THANK YOU
FOR BRINGING THIS TOGETHER.
>> I WILL LET YOU HAVE THE LAST
WORD, I JUST WANT TO SAY I GOT
FOR THE FACT THAT YES, YOU DID
FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURE, AND
I KNOW BECAUSE JEREMY MAKES
PEOPLE DO THAT, SO I JUST WANTED
TO VALIDATE THAT. AND RECOGNIZE
THAT LAST WEEK WAS A BUSY WEEK,
BECAUSE OF THE LEGISLATION THAT
WE VOTED ON ON TUESDAY, WHICH
WAS TIME-CONSUMING FOR EVERYBODY
TO GET THEIR MINDS AROUND, AND
THEN PROBABLY EMAILS FELL OFF
THE INBOX, AND PERHAPS STAFF DID
NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO INFORM
COUNCILMEMBERS. JUST WANTED TO
RECOGNIZE THAT LAST WEEK WAS
PRETTY BUSY. SO, WITH THAT, GO
AHEAD AND YOU'RE WELCOME TO
PROVIDE THE LAST WORD.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
AND THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, FOR
YOUR COMMENTS. AND I WILL JUST
REITERATE HERE, WE ARE NOT
CRAFTING LEGISLATION, OR FIXING
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE,
WE NEED A LOT MORE TIME FOR
THAT. THE QUESTION BEFORE US IS
SIMPLY, IS THIS SMALL SHOW OF
SUPPORT FOR OUR COLLEAGUES IN
OLYMPIA, STANDING UP FOR QUEER
AND TRANS KIDS WITH YOUR
SIGNATURE? YES OR NO? THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT, WITH THAT, WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE -- [ INAUDIBLE
]
>> SORRY, I TAKE ISSUE WITH THAT
STATEMENT. THIS ISN'T A DO YOU
SUPPORT TRANS KIDS OR NOT OR
STUDENTS IN GENERAL OR NOT. WE
HAVE STATED OUR RATIONALE BEHIND
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE
LETTER, AND I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT
THAT IS THE BOAT THAT I AM
TAKING TODAY.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> YEAH, I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO
THOSE COMMENTS, I THINK I MADE
IT VERY CLEAR THAT I ABSOLUTELY
SUPPORT THE RIGHT OF
TRANSGENDER, GENDER FLUID,
GENDER EXPRESSIVENESS, GENDER
IDENTITY, WILLING TO SIGN THE
LETTER. THIS BILL IS THREE
PARTS, IT RELATES TO PROTECTING
AGAINST DISCRIMINATION FOR THOSE
SPACES , STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS
AND PARENT BILL OF RIGHTS. IT IS
A COMPLICATED BILL. MY
ABSTENTION HAS NOTHING TO DO
WITH MY SUPPORT, AND I WANT THAT
TO BE VERY CLEAR. THANK YOU.
>> AND BEFORE WE GET SIGNATURES,
I WILL REMIND PEOPLE THAT THERE
ARE MANY WAYS THAT WE CAN
EXPRESS SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION TO
BILLS IN OLYMPIA. BY SIGNING IN
PRO OR CON, BY TALKING TO
LEGISLATORS IN OLYMPIA OURSELVES
, BY WRITING A LETTER ON OUR OWN
, INDIVIDUALLY, TO OUR
DELEGATION OR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
THEREIN. IT IS SOMETIMES HARD TO
GET A HANDLE ON JUST THE
LEGISLATION BEFORE US, THE CITY
LEGISLATION, AND I RECOGNIZE
WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THIS HAVING
THREE PARTS AND YOU MIGHT AGREE
WITH SOME OF THEM, BUT NOT
OTHERS, SO JUST WANTED TO MAKE
SURE THAT PEOPLE REACH OUT TO
OIR, OLYMPIA STAFF , TO KEEP
APPRISED OF PIECES OF
LEGISLATION THAT YOU ARE
TRACKING AND MONITORING AND CARE
ABOUT, SO YOU KNOW OTHER WAYS TO
EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT OR
OPPOSITION. WITH THAT, GO AHEAD.
>> I JUST HAVE A POINT OF
CLARIFICATION FOR COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS. WAS THE REQUEST TO ADD
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE TO THE
LETTER?
>> THANK YOU, CLERK, YES, JUST
TO ADD THE WORD PRESIDENT BEFORE
THE PRESIDENT'S LAST NAME.
THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL, AS LONG AS THERE
IS NOTHING ELSE. OKAY. SEEING NO
FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE
LETTER, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL TO DETERMINE
WHICH COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE
THEIR SIGNATURE AFFIXED TO THE
LETTER IN SUPPORT OF THESE
BILLS?
>> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] SEVEN
SIGNATURES WILL BE AFFIXED TO
THE LETTER.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL
RIGHT, LET'S SEE, OTHER
BUSINESS. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN
ITEM 2 HERE. GO AHEAD.
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR AN
ABSENCE FOR APRIL 1st.
>> I ASKED THAT LAST TIME, DO I
NEED TO ASK AGAIN?
>> HAS IT BEEN MADE ALREADY?
>> I MADE A JOKE ABOUT IT --
>> OH, THANK YOU.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> HOLD ON A SECOND, SO THERE IS
NO OBJECTION, THERE WAS NO
OBJECTION, SO COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE IS EXCUSED ON APRIL 1st
CITY COUNCIL MEETING. IS THERE
ANY FURTHER BUSINESS?
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> THANK YOU, I'M JUST
CONFIRMING, BECAUSE RIGHT AFTER
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE MADE THAT
REQUEST, I MADE THE SAME REQUEST
BUT I'M JUST DOUBLE CHECKING ON
MY REQUEST.
>> CONFIRMED.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. OKAY, GOING ONCE,
TWICE, THIRD TIME FOR ADDITIONAL
BUSINESS. SEEING NONE. WE HAVE
REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S
AGENDA AND OUR NEXT REGULARLY
SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING
IS ON APRIL 1st, NO JOKE, AT
2:00 P.M. HEARING NO FURTHER
BUSINESS, WE ARE ADJOURNED AND
IT IS 3:06 P.M. THANK YOU,
EVERYBODY.