>>> THE HOUSING AND HUMAN
SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL NOW COME
TO ORDER. I'M CATHY MOORE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PRESIDENT
RINCK.
>> PRESENT.
>> SAKA.
>> HERE.
>> VICE CHAIR SOLOMON.
>> HERE.
>> CHAIR MOORE.
>> PRESENT.
>> THERE ARE FOUR PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU. I KNOW THAT
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON IS EXCUSED
TODAY. AND THEN I WOULD ALSO
LIKE TO EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO
OUR NEWEST COMMITTEE MEMBER AND
OUR VICE CHAIR COUNCILMEMBER
MARK SOLOMON.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANKS FOR BEING HERE FOR THE
FEBRUARY 12th MEETING. ON
TODAY'S AGENDA FIRST WE WILL
HAVE SEVEN APPOINTMENTS. THE
FIRST IS TO THE HOUSING LEVY
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. THREE FOR
THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. AND
THREE FOR THE PACIFIC HOSPITAL
PDA. OUR FINAL AGENDA ITEM IS A
PRESENTATION FROM OUR OFFICE OF
CIVIL RIGHTS. FROM ALL THE
COMMISSIONS. AND THEY ARE HERE
TODAY TO DO AN INTRODUCTION TO
THE WORK THEY DO. TO MAKE
SEATTLE A BETTER PLACE AND THEIR
POLICY PRIORITIES FOR THE
UPCOMING YEAR. SO TODAY WE WILL
NOW OPEN.
>> WE CURRENTLY HAVE ONE PRESENT
SPEAKER AND ONE ONLINE SPEAKER.
>> SO EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE TWO
MINUTES.
>> THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION
WILL BE IN THE FOLLOWING MATTER.
SPEAKERS WILL HAVE A CHIME WHEN
TEN SECONDS ARE LEFT.
>> I'M GARY LEE, I HAVE BEEN
BEFORE THE COUNCIL A FEW TIMES.
REGARDING CONCENTRATION OF
HOMELESS HUMAN SERVICES AROUND
THE DOWNTOWN. AND I'M
REQUESTING THAT YOU WORK ON THAT
ZONING REGULATION I HAVE BEEN
TALKING ABOUT. I'M ASKING YOU
ASK TO LOOK INTO THAT PROCESS.
>> THANK YOU. WE ALSO DID
RECEIVE THE COMMENTS.
>> OH YEAH. I SENT THIS EMAIL
LAST NIGHT. BUT I CORRECTED THIS
MORNING.
>> OKAY, WE DO. ALL RIGHT, THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. OUR NEXT SPEAKER?
>> THE FIRST REMOTE SPEAKER IS
DAVID HAYNES. DAVID, PLEASE
PRESS STAR 6 TO SPEAK.
>> HI I THANK YOU DAVID HAYNES.
IT IS OBVIOUS THE CITY COUNCIL
HAS ABSOLUTELY NO MOTIVATION TO
SOLVE THE HOMELESS CRISIS. HERE
WE ARE IN THE DEAD OF WINTER AND
THERE IS NO EFFORT TO BUILD
CAPACITY SHELTER. VIRTUE
SIGNALING RACE BAITING BUTTON
PUSHING MEETING. WHILE IT IS
ANOTHER WINTER OF SUFFERING FOR
THE HOMELESS. THE ONLY THING
DEMOCRATS CARE ABOUT IS BUILDING
THE CAPACITY AFTER A BUNCH OF
COMMUNITY STAKE HOLDERS WHO LINE
THEIR POCKETS WITH GOVERNMENT
MONEY AND RECIPROCATE BY
DONATING TO THEIR POLITICAL
CAMPAIGN THAT WATERS DOWN THE
INTEGRITY OF THE OVERSIGHT THAT
TRADES ELECTION SUPPORT FOR NOT
SCRUTINIZING THE SQUANDERED
MONEY CREATING SUBHUMAN SHELTERS
AND HOUSING SERVICES FOR BIPOC,
REPEAT OFFENDING CRIMINALS. THE
CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO VIRTUE HOW
MUCH THEY CARE FOR GENDER BASED
COMMISSION. SEXUAL ORIENTATION
COMMISSION AND RACIST
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WHO HATE
WHITE CITIZENS. WHAT DOES THIS
HAVE TO DO WITH THE HOMELESSNESS
CRISIS? MAYBE IF WE HAD
TRUSTWORTHYS AT THE CIVIL RIGHTS
COMMISSION THEY WOULD
INVESTIGATE THE RACIST WOKE CITY
OF SEATTLE EMPLOYEES CONDUCTING
A RACE WAR AGAINST INNOCENT
WHITE CITIZENS. THIS IS ANOTHER
EASY PAYDAY GOING THROUGH THE
MOTIONS AND NO REAL LEADERSHIP.
NO REAL EFFORT TO RIGHT LAWS TO
TEAR DOWN AND TAKE OVER AND
REBUILD THE LANDS. THE COUNCIL
CATERS TOO MUCH TO THE PRIVILEGE
THAT TREADS ON EVERYONE ELSE.
UNLESS YOU LIVE ON THE SIDE OF
THE ROAD NEXT TO THE TRANSIT
ORIENTED INNER CITY DEPOT. SHAME
ON THIS WHOLE CITY COUNCIL FOR
YOUR CONTINUING. PUBLIC SAFETY
HOSING CRY WHICH HAS BEEN
EXACERBATED.
>> CHAIR, THAT WAS OUR LAST
SPEAKER. THAT CONCLUDES OUR
SPEAKERS.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. SO
THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL
REGISTERED SPEAKERS AND WE WILL
NOW PROCEED TO OUR ITEMS OF
BUSINESS. CLERK WILL YOU PLEASE.
JUST HAVE THE RECORD REFLECT
THAT COUNCILMEMBER SAKA HAS
JOINED US IN PERSON. WELCOME.
WILL THE CLERK READ THE FIRST
AGENDA ITEM. SEEING NO FURTHER
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS I MOVE
THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT
3072. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN MOVED
AND SECONDED TO RECOMMEND 3072.
WILL THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
>> YES.
>> COUNT SAKA.
>> AYE.
>> VICE CHAIR SOLOMON.
>> AYE.
>> CHAIR MOORE.
>> AYE.
>> FOUR IN FAVE, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, THE MOTION CARRIES
AND THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT WILL
BE SENT TO THE FEBRUARY 18th
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ
AGENDA ITEM 2-4 INTO THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEMS 2-4 APPOINTMENTS
3073-3075, APPOINTMENTS OF
MIRANDA CATSAMBAS, PHILLIP LEWIS
AND GOUTHAM PUTTA FOR THE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION.
>> THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
SERVES. THE CITY OFFICE OF CIVIL
RIGHTS AND OTHER CITY
DEPARTMENTS. MIRANDA HAS
EXPERIENCE WITH NON-PROFITS,
GRASS ROOTS ACTIVISM WORKING
TOWARD HER MASTERS OF PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION. PHILLIP WORKS AS
A YOUTH AND COMMUNITY PASTOR AT
UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND
HAS HELPED TO CALL A CITY WHERE
EVERYONE CAN THRIVE. HE IS PART
OF THE SOLUTION IN HIS WORK.
GOUTHAM HAS LIVED ALL OVER THE
COUNTRY AND PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS
A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IN
AUSTIN AND MINNESOTA. ARE THERE
ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE MOVE TO
A VOTE? OKAY. SEEING NO FURTHER
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS I NOW MOVE
THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS
3073-3075. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. MOVED AND
SECONDED. WILL THE CLERK CALL
THE ROLL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> YES.
>> COUNT SAKA?
>> AYE.
>> VICE CHAIR SOLOMON?
>> AYE.
>> CHAIR MOORE.
>> AYE.
>> FOUR IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU. THE MOTION CARRIES
AND THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENTS WILL
BE SENT TO THE FEBRUARY 18th
CITY COUNCIL MEETING. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE READ THE TITLE OF
AGENDA ITEMS 5-7 INTO THE
RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEMS 5-7. 3706-
-3708. REAPPOINTMENT OF PAUL
FELDMAN AND DOUGLASS L. JACKSON
AS MEMBERS OF THE PACIFIC
IMPORTANT PRESERVATION AND
HOSPITAL.
>> ROBERT'S WORK HAS INCLUDED
ACTING AS THE STRATEGIC ADVISER
SERVING ON THE REAL ESTATE
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND THE
FINANCE COMMITTEE WHERE THEY
OVERSAW THE STRUCTURING OF
MUNICIPAL BONDS. HE HAS
PARTICIPATED IN 870 BONDS
TOTALING $18.4 BILLION. PAUL HAS
SERVED AN THE PACIFIC HOSPITAL
PDA SINCE 2015. ALSO SERVING ON
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE UNTIL
2022. PAUL IS VERY ACTIVE AS A
COMMUNITY LEADER AND HIV AIDS
ADVOCACY AND POLICY. AND DR.
JACKSON IS A CLINICAL PROFESSOR
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ORAL HEALTH
SCIENCES. AND THE DEAN FOR
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY. THIS WILL
BE HIS SECOND TERM WITH THE
PACIFIC PDA. COLLEAGUES, ARE
THERE ANY COLLEAGUES OR
QUESTIONS BEFORE WE MOVE TO A
VOTE? OKAY, SEEING NO FURTHER
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, I NOW
MOVE THAT THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION OF
APPOINTMENTS 3076-3078. IS THERE
A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
>> AYE.
>> VICE CHAIR SOLOMON?
>> AYE.
>> CHAIR MOORE.
>> AYE.
>> FOUR IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, AND THE
RECOMMENDATION WILL BE SENT TO
THE FEBRUARY 18th, SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL MEETING. WILL THE CLERK
READ THE TITLE OF ITEM 8 INTO
THE RECORD?
>> OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
COMMISSION INTRODUCTION AND
UPDATE FOR BRIEFING AND
DISCUSSION.
>> ALL RIGHT. IF YOU WOULD ALL
LIKE TO COME TO THE TABLE. OKAY,
SO WHILE EVERYONE IS GETTING
SEATED, TODAY, WE HAVE WITH US
BRYENNAH, EMILY ROSE, KRYSTAL,
AND BRETT FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION, SEATTLE WOMEN'S
COMMISSION, AND LGBTQ
COMMISSION. THEY ARE HERE TO
SHARE THEIR WORK SO FAR AND TOP
POLICY PRIORITIES. BEFORE I TURN
IT OVER I WANT TO SAY HOW
GRATEFUL I AM THAT WE HAVE SUCH
COMMITTED VOLUNTEER TO HELP MAKE
SEATTLE A MUCH BETTER PLACE FOR
EVERYONE. MAKE IT A THRIVING AND
EQUITABLE CITY. SO WE APPRECIATE
ALL THE WORK GOING INTO AND
THINKING ABOUT MAKING
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL.
IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A
VARIETY OF OPINIONS PRESENTED.
IT MAKES GOOD FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
SO I APPRECIATE THAT. AND ALSO,
AS A FORMER CHAIR OF THE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION, I UNDERSTAND
THE PASSION AND EFFORT THAT YOU
ALL PUT INTO YOUR WORK. SO THANK
YOU FOR THAT. SO AGAIN, IF YOU
WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE
YOURSELVES AND THEN BEGIN.
>> AND FOR THE RECORD,
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA HAS JOINED
US.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> HI, MY NAME IS ASHLEY. I USE
SHE AND THEY PRONOUNS. I AM ONE
OF THE LGBTQ COCHAIRS. I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 5 AND WORK AS A
NON-PROFIT FUNDRAISER.
>> HELLO, I'M IS BR ETT, NO
PRONOUNS. I HAVE BEEN SERVING ON
THE COMMISSION. I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 2 IN NORTH BEACON HILL
AND I WORK IN PIONEER SQUARE.
>> HI THERE, I'M PHILLIP LEWIS.
I AM WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 7
AND THIS IS MY FIRST YEAR
SERVING. I'M GLAD TO BE HERE.
AND THANK YOU MADAME CHAIR FOR
THE INTRODUCTION AND FOR BEING A
FELLOW CHAIR FOR THE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. WE HAVE SOME
PEOPLE ONLINE?
>> HI, DO YOU HEAR ME?
>> YEAH, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> AWESOME, HI EVERYONE. I'M
KRYSTAL GUERRERO ON THE WOMEN'S
COMMISSION. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 4
IN WALLFORD AND I HAVE BEEN
SERVING ON THE COMMISSION ABOUT
TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS NOW AND I
JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT PHILLIP
SAID. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT
WITH OUR WORK.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> HI EVERYBODY, SO LOVELY TO
SEE YOU. I'M JESSICA WITH THE
SEATTLE DISABILITY COMMISSION.
SO GRATEFUL TO BE HERE, THANK
YOU FOR ALL OF Y'ALL'S TIME.
>> WELCOME. ALL RIGHT.
>> WELL I GUESS I'LL START.
I'M PHILLIP LEWIS. I'M ONE OF
THE COCHAIRS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION. QUANDER WAS NOT ABLE
TO BE HERE SO I'M REPRESENTING
ALL OF US AS COCHAIR. THE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION ADVOCATES FOR
ALL SEATTLE RESIDENTS BY
ADDRESSING SIMILARRIC
INEQUALITIES. ADVISING
POLICYMAKERS. TO BUILD A JUST
AND INCLUSIVE CITY FOR ALL
SEATTLEITES. AND I JUST WANT TO
NOTE THAT WE JUST CAME OFF OF A
RETREAT RECENTLY AND IT WAS
EXCITING THINKING ABOUT THE
POSSIBILITIES OF HAVING CLOSE TO
A FULL TEAM AND OUR COMMISSION
IS EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK COMING
IN THE NEXT YEAR. ONE OF THE
THINGS I WANT TO SHARE REAL
QUICK IS THE COMMISSION MAKEUP.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE 19
COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE ON THE
COMMISSION. JUST AS I NAMED
AVERY, BRYENNA AND MYSELF. OUR
COMMUNICATIONS LEAD IS JAMES
MONGER. OUR FINANCIAL LEAD WAS
IN PROCESS WHEN WE MADE THIS
PRESENTATION. BUT WE HAVE FILLED
THAT POSITION AS WELL. THE
COMMISSIONER NICK LADEN WILL BE
OUR FINANCE LEAD. AND THE
SECRETARY IS GWYNN . NEXT SLIDE.
WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON THIS
YEAR, HAVING A FULL COMMISSION
WHICH IS 21 SEATS. WITH
DEMOGRAPHICS REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE COMMITMENT WITH THE GOAL OF
80% FROM PROTECTED CLASSES. WE
ARE AT 19 SEATS LOOKING TO FILL
THOSE OTHER TWO SEATS TO HAVE A
FULL MISSION IN THE COMING YEAR.
WITH THAT, ONE OF THE GOALS WAS
ALSO TO FILL ALL LEADERSHIP
ROLES AND ENSURE DUTIES AND
SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES ARE
HELD. WE JUST FILLED ALL OF OUR
LEADERSHIP ROLES WHICH IS
EXCITING SO WE ARE MEETING THAT
GOAL AS OF RIGHT NOW. THE SECOND
IS APPEALS. WE PARTNER WITH THE
OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS. THE HRC
HURRICANES INTENDS TO MEET WITH
THE FOLLOWING, MEET THE
FOLLOWING GOALS. TO FULLY STAFF
ALL APPEARS HEARINGS. TO
MAINTAIN AN APPEALS CHAIR. AND
TO PARTICIPATE IN GENERAL
HEARINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THE
CIVIL RIGHTS AND APPEALS
PROCESS. AND THE FINAL THING
THAT I WANT TO SHARE IN THIS
TOPIC IS GENERAL ADVOCACY AND
GUIDANCE. THE HRC WOULD ADVISE
THE CITY OF SEATTLE ON ISSUES OF
HUMAN RIGHTS IN SEATTLE. THIS
INCLUDES GENERAL ADVOCACY OF
AWARENESS AROUND HUMAN RIGHTS
ISSUES THROUGH THE EVENTS OF OUR
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENTS AND
PARTNERSHIP AND CONNECTION WITH
RESIDENTS DIRECTLY TO CITY
OFFICIALS. ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT JUST TO KIND OF ADD TO THAT
POINT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
CAME OUT OF OUR RETREAT WAS AN
EXCITEMENT TO CONNECT TO
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS. A NUMBER
OF OUR COMMISSIONERS SPAN ACROSS
DIFFERENT DISTRICTS. LISTENING
TO THE NEEDS THAT COME UP AROUND
HUMAN RIGHTS. HOW WE CAN BE
PARTNERING WITH NEIGHBORHOOD
COUNCILS AND CREATING EVENTS OF
BOTH AWARENESS AND ALSO ADVOCACY
AND WORKING WITH YOU ALL TO
PROMOTE A MORE EQUITABLE CITY.
NEXT SLIDE. BASED OUT OF THIS
WORK, WE HAVE TASK FORCES. FROM
THESE TASK FORCES THE HRC
FOCUSES ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE
REFORM. HOUSING AND THE
UNHOUSED. AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
IN SEATTLE THESE ISSUES WE
BELIEVE THESE ISSUES DRIVE
SUBSTANTIAL HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLATIONS AND ARE TOP OF MIND
FOR BOTH A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO
WORK IN SEATTLE AND LIVE IN
SEATTLE AS WELL. WITH THAT, AS
WE BREAK DOWN THE TASK FORCE, I
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE REFORM'S GOALS AND THE
WORK THEY DO. THEY SUPPORT
REFORMATION OF THE CASH BAIL
SYSTEM. SENTENCING REFORM.
INCARCERATED EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES. WE HOPE TO WORK
WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE
ALREADY DOING THIS WORK AND
COLLABORATE WITH THEM ON
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND EDUCATION
EVENTS TO HELP MOVE FORWARD SOME
OF THESE REFORMS THAT NEED TO
HAPPEN IN OUR CITY AND BOTH ON A
STATE LEVEL. SOME OF THE
ORGANIZATIONS WE WOULD HOPE TO
WORK WITH ARE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE
COMMUNITY PASSAGEWAYS AND CIVIL
SURVIVAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE
ALREADY DOING THIS WORK IN
COMMUNITY AND PARTNERING
ALONGSIDE THEM IN THAT WORK.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AS I SAID
EARLIER WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS
AND CREATING ENGAGEMENT AND
FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITIES. THE HRC
REALLY BELIEVES THAT THE BEST
SOLUTIONS DON'T COME FROM THE
TOP DOWN. BUT IT COMES FROM
COMMUNITY RAISING THEM UP IN A
GRASS ROOTS WAY THAT CREATES
SUSTAINABLE CHANGE FOR ALL THAT
ARE IMPACTED SPECIFICALLY THOSE
ON THE MARGINS. AND SO, WITH
THAT FEEDBACK, THE ENGAGEMENT
OPPORTUNITIES WE HOPE TO DO THIS
WORK MORE EQUITABLY. ONE OF THE
FINAL GOALS THAT THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE REFORM TASK FORCE HAS IS
TO RELATE COMMUNITY PRIORITIES
TO YOU ALL TO EXISTING
LEGISLATION EFFORTS ON THE
AGENDA. AND TO ORGANIZE AND
SUPPORT ACTIVITIES THAT ARE
HAPPENING IN THE CITY AND STATE
LEVEL. QUICK QUESTION. DO I STOP
FOR QUESTIONS OR IS THAT AT THE
END?
>> GOOD QUESTION. I THINK WE
WILL LET PEOPLE ASK QUESTIONS AS
WE GO BECAUSE IT IS NOT TOO LONG
OF A PRESENTATION. THAT SAID,
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS
STAGE IN I'M LOOKING AT
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. I THINK SHE
DOES HAVE A QUESTION.
>> SURE. I WAS GOING TO HOLD
THEM UNTIL THE END. HI, WELCOME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU
MENTIONED IT IS YOUR FIRST YEAR
IN THIS COMMISSION?
>> YES.
>> WELCOME. AND THANK YOU. I'M
PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT ALL
OF OUR PRESENTATIONS TODAY GIVEN
THE STATE OF THE NATIONAL
DISCOURSE AROUND OUR BASIC CIVIL
LIBERTIES AND LOOKING TO OUR
COMMISSIONS AS LEADERS TO GUIDE
THE WAY OF HOW WE NAVIGATE THIS
TIME. WHAT WE WERE SHARING ABOUT
THE WORK PLAN, I HAVE A NATURAL
CURIOSITY AROUND THIS BODY OF
WORK. LOOKING AT THE
INTERSECTION OF IMMIGRATION
RIGHT NOW. AND WHAT WE ARE
SEEING WITH AN AGENDA RELATED TO
MASS DEPORTATION. THINKING ABOUT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONNECTING
WITH IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
COMMISSION AND CURIOUS IF THAT
IS SOMETHING YOU ARE POTENTIALLY
PLANING TO DO AND WHAT SOME OF
THE DISCOURSES AROUND MAY BE
REFORM IT LIKE THE NORTHWEST
DETENTION CENTER. SO I HOPE THAT
IS NOT QUITE A FULLY FORMED
QUESTION. BUT I AM CURIOUS ABOUT
THAT QUESTION. IT FEELS
PERTINENT AS IT RELATES TO HUMAN
RIGHTS.
>> THAT'S A PARTNERSHIP WE WANT
TO CULTIVATE IN LIGHT OF THE
NATIONAL DISCOURSE AND THE
REALITIES THAT ARE IMPACTING OUR
COMMUNITY. THERE HASN'T BEEN
ANY IMMEDIATE PLANS FOR THAT.
BUT I KNOW THAT IS SOMETHING
THAT IS TOP OF MIND FOR OUR
CRIMINAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE SO I
WILL TAKE THAT BACK TO OUR TASK
FORCE TO SHARE ABOUT HOW WE GET
THAT CONVERSATION STARTED.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I'LL CONTINUE. THE NEXT IS
HOUSING AND UNHOUSED TASK FORCE.
OUR GOAL IS TO ADVOCATE FOR
HOUSING. ONE OF OUR GOALS IS TO
ADVOCATE FOR HOUSING FOR YOUTH
AND EXTENDED FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.
AND THE EXTENDED FOSTER CARE
SYSTEM. SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE
OF SENATE BILL 5082. FOR THOSE
OF YOU WHO MIGHT NOT KNOW WHAT
5082 IS, THE BILL, I'LL READ
THE BILL CONTEXT FOR YOU ALL. IT
ESTABLISHES A NEW HOUSING
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR YOUTH
ENROLLED IN EXTENDED FOSTER CARE
IN WASHINGTON STATE. IT AIMS TO
ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF
HOMELESSNESS AMONG THESE YOUNG
INDIVIDUALS AS APPROXIMATELY 13%
EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS IN THE
LAST FISCAL YEAR OF 2024. THE
PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE RENTAL
ASSISTANCE AND ASSOCIATED
HOUSING FEES TO ELIGIBLE YOUTH
ALLOWING THEM TO RECEIVE SUPPORT
WHILE REMAINING DEPENDENT AND
STILL BENEFITING FROM PROGRAMS.
IT INCLUDES BEING A RECIPIENT OF
FOSTER CARE SERVICES AND
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR
BEING AT IMMINENT RISK OF
HOMELESSNESS. THE BILL MANDATES
THE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A
TRANSITION PLANNING PROCESS AND
EXTENDED FOSTER CARE AT LEAST
THREE MONTHS BEFORE THEY TURN
21. SO PREVENTATIVE CARE IN THAT
WAY. THE PROCESS WILL ASSESS
THEIR HOUSING AND FINANCIAL
STABILITY. SUPPORT APPLICATIONS
FOR FUNDING HOUSING VOUCHERS AND
REFERRALS TO VARIOUS ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS. I WANT TO NOTE IN
2024, 757 YOUTH ENTERED EXTENDED
FOSTER CARE ACCORDING TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S YOUTH
AND FAMILIES AND WITHIN THAT
PROGRAM, 13% OF THOSE ARE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
CURRENTLY. THIS BILL WILL HELP
ADDRESS YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN
SEATTLE AND ACROSS WASHINGTON
STATE. AND SO, WE ARE WANTING TO
PARTNER WITH BOTH YOU ALL, CITY
OFFICIALS. AND ALSO, STATE
OFFICIALS, STATE SENATORS AND
HOUSE REPS. IT IS GETTING
SUPPORT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE
AISLE AND IT IS A BILL THAT A
NUMBER OF OUR LOCAL SENATORS IN
THE SEATTLE AREA SUPPORT AS
WELL. THAT IS ONE OF THE GOALS
WE HAVE AS THE HOUSING AND
UNHOUSED TASK FORCE. THE SECOND
IS TO ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIPS
WITH ORGANIZATION THAT'S ARE
NOT LIMITED TO BUT INCLUDE THE
WASHINGTON LOW INCOME HOUSING
ALLIANCE. SEATTLE HOUSING
AUTHORITY. SEATTLE SOCIAL
HOUSING DEVELOPER. KING COUNTY
HOUSING AUTHORITY. THE CITY OF
SEATTLE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND
COMPASS HOUSE ALLIANCE. A LOT OF
THAT WAS BASED AROUND THE WAY
THEY SHOW UP IN COMMUNITY AND
ARE A PART OF LARGER
CONVERSATIONS ON THE COUNTY AND
CITY LEVEL AROUND HOUSING AND
SUSTAINABLE HOUSING AND
EQUITABLE HOUSING IN THAT WAY.
AND THE THIRD AND FINAL GOAL IS
TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT HOUSING
ISSUES WITH THE COMMUNITY AND
HOST COMMUNITY EVENTS.
>> NEXT SLIDE.
>> THE HUMAN RIGHTS TASK FORCE,
ONE OF THE FOUR GOALS IS TO
FOCUS ON THE FIFA WORLD CUP
COMING IN 2026. TO ENHANCE
VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES. TO
ADDRESS PUBLIC AVAILABLE DATA.
TO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR
TRAFFICKERS THAT ARE
PARTICIPATING IN THIS WORK OF
HUMAN TRAFFICKERRING. AND THAT
IS THE GOALS FOR THE HUMAN
TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE.
>> EXCUSE ME. SORRY. I'M SORRY.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA HAS A
QUESTION.
>> OH YEAH, SORRY.
>> THANK YOU MADAME CHAIR. THANK
YOU FOR THIS PRESENTATION HERE
SO FAR. NO WORRIES. YOU SHOULD
SEE ME UP HERE SOMETIMES. BUT
THANK YOU FOR THIS PRESENTATION.
REALLY APPRECIATE THIS BODY OF
WORK. LOOKING FORWARD TO
LEARNING MORE AS THE
PRESENTATION PROGRESSES. BUT IF
YOU WOULDN'T MIND GOING BACK TO
THE LAST SLIDE YOU WERE ON. THE
ONE RIGHT BEFORE THAT. THERE WE
GO. TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE
WORK FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH.
AND SO, COLLEAGUES YOU KNOW THAT
I AM A FORMER FOSTER KID. I
SPENT THE FIRST NINE YEARS OF MY
LIFE IN AND OUT OF THE SYSTEM.
MOSTLY IN, IN THE STATE OF
MINNESOTA BEFORE MY FATHER, A
NIGERIAN IMMIGRANT, WAS ABLE TO
FINALLY TAKE CUSTODY OF ME AND
ESSENTIALLY RESCUE ME FROM THOSE
CIRCUMSTANCES. AND I'M GRATEFUL
FOR WHERE I AM TODAY PERSONALLY
AND PROFESSIONALLY AND WILL
NEVER FORGET MY BACKGROUNDS AND
ORIGINS AND THIS BILL SOUNDS
IMPORTANT. LIKE IT IS ORIENTED
TOWARD HOUSING. HOUSING IS ONE
OF MANY CHALLENGES FACING FORMER
FOSTER YOUTH. THE STATS ARE DIRE
AND BLEAK FOR FOSTER YOUTH. YOU
BEEN IN THE SYSTEM ONE DAY, YOUR
OUTCOMES IN LIFE ARE HORRIBLE,
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING. THERE IS
LITERALLY A FOSTER CARE TO
PRISON PIPELINE AND FOSTER CARE
TO HOMELESSNESS PIPELINE. 40 TO
50% RESPECTIVELY OF KIDS WHO
HAVE BEEN IN THE SYSTEM ONE DAY
END UP DOWN ONE OR BOTH OF THOSE
PATHS. AND THAT'S JUST HOUSING.
I HAVE ALREADY CHAMPIONED A
NUMBER OF ISSUES ON FOSTER YOUTH
ON CHAIR MOORE'S COMMITTEE. AND
WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. I
ACKNOWLEDGE I HAVE A BLIND SPOT
BECAUSE I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS
BILL, SENATE BILL 5082. DO YOU
HAPPEN TO KNOW THE CURRENT
STATUS OF THIS BILL? DO DO YOU
HAPPEN TO KNOW, I UNDERSTAND THE
COMMISSION'S OFFICIAL POSITION.
DO YOU KNOW THE CITY'S OFFICIAL
POSITION ON THIS BILL? AND IF
THE ANSWER TO BOTH OF THOSE IS
LESS CLEAR RIGHT NOW, THAT'S
FINE TOO.
>> WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING THE
BILL. AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE
BELIEVE IT IS IN APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE SO IT IS MOVING
TOWARDS EXECUTIVE SESSION SO IT
IS PRETTY FAR DOWN THE PIPELINE
WITHIN THE SESSION NOW. SO ANY
SUPPORT WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING
TRACK OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS. ANY
SUPPORT YOU COULD GIVE IS ALWAYS
APPRECIATED. I DO NOT KNOW
PARTICULARLY WHAT THE CITY'S
POSITION IS.
>> THAT'S OUR TOIL. I HAVE HAD
THE PLEASURE OF TESTIFYING ON A
FEW BILLS AND ORGANIZING LETTER
WRITING CAMPAIGNS AND I WOULD
LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS
BILL. IS THIS THING ON? OIR?
WOULD LOVE TO MAKE SURE THIS
SPECIFIC BILL IS INCLUDED IN
YOUR NEXT PRESENTATION. REQUEST
ONE. AND, I WILL PERSONALLY BE
LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES AND IT
IS NOT JUST THIS BILL. BUT OIR
IN MY OFFICE VERY WELL KNOWS
THAT ANYTHING TIED TO FOSTER
YOUTH IS AN IMPORTANT PRIORITY
OF MINE AND OUR OFFICE OF
HOUSING, AND ANY CITY
ADMINISTRATION OF THIS WORK. SO
BE ON NOTICE EVERYONE. PLEASE
MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CLOSELY
TRACKING AND MONITORING AND
WOULD LOVE TO MAKE SURE THIS IS
INCLUDED AND I'LL BE LOOKING
FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO PERSONALLY
CHAMPION THIS AND DO MY PART. SO
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
AND YEAH. JUST SHARING YOUR
STORY IN THAT WAY. I THINK IT'S
OUR STORIES THAT IMPACT THE
POLICIES WE IMPLEMENT IN OUR
WORLD TODAY. SO THANK YOU FOR
SHARING THAT COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
>> ANOTHER QUESTION,
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH MADAME
CHAIR. WEIGHING IN ON THIS
ISSUE, OF FOSTER YOUTH, FOR A
NUMBER OF YEARS I SERVED ON THE
BOARD OF YOUTH CARE. AND I KNOW
THAT A LOT OF KIDS WHO GET INTO
THE FOSTER SYSTEM AGE OUT AND
WIND UP ON THE STREETS SO THIS
IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. SO I
WOULD APPRECIATE GETTING SOME
UPDATES AS TO WHERE THIS
PARTICULAR SENATE BILL IS S.
WHAT OUR POSITION AS A COUNCIL
AND A CITY IS. IF WE ARE GOING
TO END ADULT HOMELESSNESS, WE
NEED TO START WITH YOUTH
HOMELESSNESS. AND IF WE STRIVE
TO END YOUTH HOMELESSNESS, WE
NEED TO LOOK AT THE FOSTER
SYSTEM AND NOT PENALIZE A KID
WHO AGES OUT. I APPRECIATE YOUR
WORK AND I WOULD APPRECIATE
GETTING CONTINUED INFORMATION
AND UPDATES FROM YOU.
>> DEFINITELY. THANK YOU VICE
CHAIR. WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK
WITH YOU. EVEN IF IT IS A
RESOLUTION TO BRING A POSITION
THAT THE CITY HAS SO IT ELEVATES
THAT TO THE STATE LEVEL. IT
HELPS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKS WITH YOU ON THAT.
>> TO THAT POINT, SO, BEFORE
EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION THE
COUNCIL SETS FORTH WHAT OUR
PRIORITIES WILL BE. IT WOULD BE
REALLY HELPFUL ACTUALLY TO HEAR
FROM ALL OF THE COMMISSIONS. YOU
COULD PRESENT TO US YOUR
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WHAT YOU
WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDED TO THE
CITY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. AND
THAT IS SOMETHING WE COULD MAKE
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYBODY TO
SUBMIT TO US SO WE ACTUALLY
CATCH SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THE
FOSTER CARE YOUTH BILL. AND LOTS
OF OTHER BILLS TOO WE WOULD LIKE
TO GIVE THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE
CITY COUNCIL'S ENDORSEMENT OF
THAT. JUST GOING FORWARD FOR
NEXT YEAR. KEEP THAT IN MIND.
>> THANK YOU CHAIR. THANK YOU
FOR INDULGING MY QUESTIONS. I
KNOW I DON'T SIT ON THE
COMMITTEE.
>> YOU'RE AN HONORARY MEMBER.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR
BEING HERE AND THANK YOU ALL FOR
THE WORK THAT YOU DO. I WILL
ECHO WHAT MOORE SAID. WE HAVE A
PRIORITIES LIST AS IT GETS
GOING, WE KNOW OTHER BILLS, WE
WOULD KNOW ABOUT. SO, NOT JUST
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION
WHICH I THINK WOULD BE HELPFUL
TO HAVE JUST A LIST FROM THE
COMMISSIONS ON THE BILLS THAT
YOU WILL BE TRACKING THROUGHOUT
THIS SESSION IF OTHER BILLS COME
UP. YOU KNOW, I WOULD ENCOURAGE
YOU TO REACH OUT TO US EMAIL US.
SEND US A LIST OF BILLS YOU ALL
THINK YOU WOULD LIKE US TO
SUPPORT. I THOUGHT I HEARD THERE
WERE AT LEAST 1600 BILLS
CONSIDERED IN OLYMPIA AT ANY
GIVEN TIME THIS SESSION. IN
PARTICULAR. SO WE HAVE TO
PARTNER TOGETHER TO TRACK ALL OF
THESE BILLS. SO I REALLY
APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING IT UP.
AND ANOTHER THING I WANTED TO
SAY AS I WAS SITTING TO MY
COLLEAGUE WHO I KNOW HAS A
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE
FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. I DO NOT.
BUT I DID HELP COVENANT HOUSE IF
ANYONE IS FAMILIAR WITH IT. IT
IS A COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS FOSTER
CARE AND OTHER AT RISK AND
HOMELESS YOUTH. THEY RUN AWAY
AND MAKE THEIR WAY TO COVERAGE
INNOCENT HOUSE WHICH HELPS TEACH
KIDS ALL THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO
BE SUCCESSFUL AND ALSO HAVE DONE
WORK IN THE COURT SYSTEM WITH
FAMILY, ABUSE, AND NEGLECT CASES
SO I HAVE SOME NOT DIRECT BUT
INDIRECT EXPERIENCE. SOME THINGS
WE CAN DO TO REALLY SUPPORT
FOSTER CARE KIDS AND OTHER YOUTH
WHO ARE HOMELESS IN OUR CITY.
AND I WILL SAY TOWARD THAT END I
WAS TYPING HERE AND SENT OUR
OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENT
AFFAIRS AN EMAIL ASKING ABOUT
SB5082. WHEN YOU SEE US TYPING
UP HERE, IT'S NOT THAT WE ARE
NOT PAYING ATTENTION. WE ARE
JUST MOVING IN REALTIME AND NEED
TO GET OUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
KNOW THAT IS HAPPEN. WE'LL TRACK
IT AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> THANK YOU. I WANTED TO TAKE
US TO THE SLIDE ON HUMAN
TRAFFICKING AND THAT BODY OF
WORK. AND WITH FIFA AND THE
WORLD CUP COMING UP, WE WILL
HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS COMING INTO
THE CITY. THERE IS A CORRELATION
WITH A SPIKE IN HUMAN
TRAFFICKING OPPORTUNITY.
ENCOURAGING TO SEE THIS IS PART
OF YOUR WORK PLAN FOR THIS YEAR
AND WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU
ALL ARE BEING INCLUDED. I KNOW
THERE ARE PLANNING MEETINGS ALL
OVER THE PLACE. I WANT TO KNOW
HOW YOU ARE BEING INCLUDED AND
SUPPORTED.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I
THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST WAYS
THAT YOU ALL CAN HELP SUPPORT US
IN THIS WORK AROUND FIFA26, I
BELIEVE THERE IS A FIFA
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE ON THE CITY
LEVEL THAT HAS ONGOING
CONVERSATIONS AROUND PLANNING.
THE CITY PLANNING FOR FIFA2026.
TO GET AN INVITATION OR KNOWING
WHEN THE MEETINGS ARE HAPPENING
WILL HELP US TO BE IN THOSE
ROOMS AND THE CONVERSATIONS
HAPPENING SO WE CAN WEIGH IN AND
BE A DIALOGUE PARTNER IN THE
PLANNING AND WORK THAT WE DO.
THAT IS PROBABLY THE NUMBER ONE
THING. GETTING THROUGH THE DOOR
IN THAT WAY. YEAH. THANK YOU.
>> AS TO THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
I'M GLAD THAT IS ONE OF YOUR
AGENDA ITEMS. IT IS AN ISSUE OF
SERIOUS CONCERN AND PRIORITY FOR
ME. AND IT WOULD BE NICE, WE DO
NEED TO FOCUS ON FIFA BUT IT'S
HAPPENING EVERY DAY. SO THE
EXTENT WE CAN CONTINUE TO TACKLE
IT CURRENTLY AS WELL AS FOR THIS
MAJOR EVENT I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY
TO PARTNER WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION AND THE WOMEN'S
COMMISSION AND LGBTQ COMMISSION.
IT CROSSES ALL OF THE
COMMISSIONS REALLY THIS WORK.
JUST OFFERING THAT INTEREST AND
WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH
EVERYONE ON THIS AND REALLY
TRYING TO. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS
THAT IS HAPPENING IS THERE ARE
SO MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS WORKING
REALLY SILOED AND WE NEED TO END
THE SILOS AND WE REALLY NEED TO
BRING EVERYBODY TOGETHER TO
AMPLIFY THE POWER OF THE WORK
BEING DONE. THE OTHER THING I
THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK
AT AND I KNOW IT IS NOT
NECESSARILY POPULAR, BUT WE HAVE
TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REDUCE
DEMAND. WE NEED TO HAVE SOME
HARD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT IT
IS ABOUT OUR SOCIETY THAT
TOLERATES THE DEMAND AND CREATES
THE MARKET FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING
SO THAT IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE
I BELIEVE. AND IT WOULD BE NICE
TO HAVE SOME OF THOSE
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW TO DO
THAT. NOT NECESSARILY IN A
PUNITIVE WAY. THAT IS ONE TOOL
THAT IS IMPORTANT TO USE BUT
ULTIMATELY, IT NEEDS TO BE A
SOCIETAL AND ATTITUDE CHANGE.
AND I THINK THE COMMISSIONS ARE
A GREAT PLACE TO BEGIN THOSE
DISCUSSIONS SO PUTTING THAT OUT
THERE.
>> THANK YOU MADAME CHAIR. THANK
YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND
QUESTIONS. AND SUPPORT IN THIS
WORK. SO LOOKING AHEAD, SO OUR
2025 FOCUS, AS I SHARED THROUGH
THE WORK OF THE TASK FORCE IS
SUPPORTING BILLS AND INITIATIVES
RELATED TO HOUSING AND THE TASK
FORCES. PRIORITIES I SHARED
THROUGH AN EQUITY AND
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE LENS.
BUILDING AND EXPANDING COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIPS. MORE LISTENING
SESSIONS. AND TO YOUR POINT,
MADAME CHAIR, THAT'S WHAT WE
REALLY WANT TO DO THIS YEAR IS
CREATE MORE OF A COALITION
WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE CITY
AND WITH NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS
AND LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS
IMPACTED BY THESE ISSUES AND
THESE PARTICULAR TOPICS. JUST
LIKE YOU SAID, IT IS IN
COALITIONS WE GET THINGS DONE
AND CHANGE OUR SOCIETY FOR THE
BETTER IN THAT WAY. AND SO THE
TYPE OF SUPPORT WE WOULD LIKE IS
THE SUPPORT YOU ARE GIVING RIGHT
NOW IN THIS MEETING. SO I WANT
TO THANK YOU FOR BEING DIALOGUE
PARTNERS AND WORKING TOGETHER ON
POSSIBLE RESOLUTIONS. WE ARE
WANTING THIS TO BE A
COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP IN
THAT WAY. SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO
TO SUPPORT YOU. IT GOES BOTH
WAYS. WE WOULD LIKE YOU FOR ALL
TO APPROACH LEGISLATION WITH A
RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE LENS
THROUGH THE RSJ DIVISION WORKS
PILLARS. THIS WAS THROUGH THE
OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS
ESTABLISHED TO HELP US CREATE
POLICY ON ALL LEVELS OF THE
GOVERNANCE THAT IMPACT
COMMUNITIES MOST IMPACTED SO
SOME OF THE KIND OF VALUES OF
THAT IS TO CENTER THOSE MOST
IMPACTED BECAUSE THOSE ARE WHERE
THE SOLUTIONS COMPOST EQUITABLY
FROM AND THE PEOPLE MOST
IMPACTED KNOW WHAT THEY NEED.
JUSTICE SHOULD BE THE FIRST
CONSIDERATION, NOT THE LAST.
HEALING IS A NECESSARY PATHWAY
TO JUSTICE. THOSE ARE SOME OF
THE RSJ'S VALUES IN THE WORK
THEY DO ON THE CITY LEVEL. WE
ASK THAT YOU WOULD COLLABORATE
WITH US AND LEGISLATE THROUGH
YOUR CAPACITY FROM THIS LENS.
THE SECOND THING, TO BE
ACCESSIBLE TO COMMISSIONERS.
I'M ALREADY HEARING YOU ARE
EXCITED TO DIALOGUE AROUND THE
WORK WE ARE DOING. SO JUST THAT
CONTINUED OPENNESS AND
ACCESSIBILITY IS KEY. AND HOW WE
WOULD LIKE TO PARTNER WITH
COUNCIL. THOSE INITIATIVES THAT
FOCUS ON OUR AREAS THAT WE ARE
FOCUSING ON RIGHT NOW. WORKING
RELATIONSHIP AS I MENTIONED. AND
COLLABORATION ON THE LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA AND SO, KNOWING AHEAD OF
TIME, JUST WHAT Y'ALL'S
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS. AND HOW
WE CAN BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS
AS WELL. AND THAT IS MY
PRESENTATION. ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> NO I DON'T THINK SO.
>> AWESOME. WELL THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL
RIGHT. WE ARE NOW ONTO THE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
>> I THERE. I'M EMILY ROSE AND
ONE OF THE COCHAIRS OF THE
SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS
MORNING. MY FELLOW COCHAIR
KRYSTAL IS ALSO HERE. SHE IS
ATTENDING ONLINE. SO JUST A
BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION. THE SEATTLE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION, OUR ROLE IS
TO ADVISE THE MAYOR, AND CITY
COUNCIL ON WOMEN'S ISSUES. WE
HAVE IDENTIFIED THREE FOCUS
AREAS WHICH ARE GENDER BASED
VIOLENCE, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACCESS.
THE COMMISSION AIMS TO ADDRESS
THESE ISSUES THROUGH POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS, ADVOCACY AND
INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS. AND
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION. I'M
EMILY. I JOINED THE WOMEN'S
COMMISSION A LITTLE OVER A YEAR
AGO. I WAS NEW TO SEATTLE. I
MOVED TO SEATTLE A
YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO. AND I WAS
REALLY EAGER TO GET INVOLVED AT
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVELS.
ONCE I SAW THE WOMEN'S
COMMISSION EXISTED I KNEW IT WAS
THE COMMISSION I WANTED TO BE A
PART OF. OUTSIDE OF MY
COMMISSION WORK I WORK AS A
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST WHERE I
WORK WITH WOMEN IN THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST. SO I SERVE WOMEN IN
WASHINGTON AND OREGON AND ON THE
EAST COAST AND MARYLAND.
OBVIOUSLY. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2.
COLUMBIA CITY. I HAVE BEEN
LIVING THERE FOR A YEAR NOW. AND
REALLY LOVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SOME OF MY HOBBIES INCLUDE
HIKING, BAKING, LISTENING TO
AUDIO BOOKS AND EXPLORING ALL OF
SEATTLE. AND CAN KRYSTAL
INTRODUCE HERSELF ONLINE? I'LL
HAND IT OVER TO KRYSTAL TO
INTRODUCE HERSELF. KRYSTAL, IF
YOU ARE AVAILABLE. WE WOULD LOVE
TO HEAR FROM YOU.
>> THANKS EMILY. I GAVE A QUICK
INTRODUCTION A LITTLE EARLIER
BUT I WILL QUICKLY SHARE AGAIN I
HAVE BEEN WITH THE SEATTLE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION ABOUT
TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS. I SERVED
AS CHAIR FOR A LITTLE BIT OVER A
YEAR-AND-A-HALF. I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 4. I SEE COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA IS ON. HI. I LOVE BEING
YOUR CONSTITUENT. AND I USED TO
WORK AT A NON-PROFIT THAT
SUPPORTED GETTING WOMEN AND
GIRLS IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. SHE
JUMPS. AND I WORK AT AT&T AND
DIGITAL MARKETING. EMILY, I'LL
PASS IT OVER TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SO NOW I WILL TALK
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR WORK PLAN
FOR THIS YEAR. SO OUR GENDER
BASED VIOLENCE SUBCOMMITTEE, OUR
MISSION IS TO ADVOCATE FOR
EQUITABLE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
THAT PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST
WOMEN, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE. INCREASE ACCESS AND
PROMOTE HEALTHY AND SAFE
SITUATIONS. WORKING WITH
COMMUNITY LEADERS SPEAKING ABOUT
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE TO FURTHER
UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE AND
MULTILEVEL RESPONSE. TO ORGANIZE
AN EVENT TO ELEVATE LOCAL VOICES
WORKING TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND
INFORMATION RELATED TO GENDER
BASED VIOLENCE ON THE SEATTLE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION. SOCIAL
MEDIA PAGES AND WEBSITE. NEXT
SUBCOMMITTEE REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH, OUR MISSION IS TO
ADDRESS REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
DISPARITIES AFFECTING PEOPLE IN
SEATTLE BY ENGAGING WITH THE
COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUALS TO
BETTER UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF
LIMITED ACCESSIBLE AND
AFFORDABLE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
CARE AND INSPIRATIONAL
INSPIRATIONS. FINDING THE
COMMISSION'S VOICE TO PROVIDE
INSTITUTIONAL BACKING FOR KEY
POLICY AND COMMUNITY BASED
INITIATIVES. AND AMPLIFYING THE
VOICES AND WORK OF COMMUNITY
GROUPS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
AND OTHER STAKE HOLDERS BY
SHARING LOCAL REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH CARE RELATED INFORMATION
AND OUR THIRD AND FINAL
SUBCOMMITTEE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ACCESS. OUR MISSION IS TO
IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS BARRIERS TO
SHELTER AND HOUSING AND SUPPORT
SAFE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR WOMEN
AND FAMILIES IN SEATTLE. TO
INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BY
ADDING THE NECESSARY PROFISSIONS
TO THE 2025 BUDGET PROPOSAL IN
SUPPORTING OTHER LEGISLATION
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL HOUSING
ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICULARLY
THOSE FOCUSED ON WOMEN AND
FAMILIES TO EXPLORE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIPS
AND THROUGH SHARING AFFORDABLE
HOUSING RESOURCES TO THE
COMMUNITY WITH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA
CHANNELS. LOOKING AHEAD, SOME
GOALS FOR THIS YEAR ARE AGAIN
WORKING TO INITIATE PREVENTION
EFFORTS AGAINST DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE AND TRAFFICKING AT THE
FIFA WORLD CUP. WE WOULD LIKE T
COUNTY CLINIC IN APRIL OF 2025.
WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER
ORGANIZATIONS, CIVIC AGENCIES TO
PRODUCE THE LARGEST FREE CLINIC
OF ITS KIND AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING ACCESS. WE WOULD LIKE TO
ATTEND THE WASHINGTON HOUSING
CONFERENCE WHICH IS HAPPENING IN
SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR. IN
BELLEVUE AND A LITTLE
INFORMATION ABOUT THAT. IT IS
WASHINGTON'S MOST SIGNIFICANT
RESOURCE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
GUIDANCE INNOVATION AND
SOLUTIONS AND LED BY THE
WASHINGTON STATE HOUSING FINANCE
COMMISSION AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH
THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT
OF COMMERCE. AND WASHINGTON LOW
INCOME HOUSING ALLIANCE. THE
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE HOUSING
WASHINGTON CONFERENCE IS TO
ENHANCE THE SKILLS DIVISION AND
UNDERSTANDING OF PEOPLE WORKING
IN WASHINGTON STATE AN CHALLENGE
THEM TO WORK TOWARD RACIAL
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR
COLLABORATION INCLUDE PARTNERING
WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE
SEATTLE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS
LIAISONS TO DEVELOP
PROCLAMATIONS FOR ANNUAL EVENTS
LIKE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY IN
MARCH, SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS
DAY IN APRIL. AND DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IN
OCTOBER. AND WE ARE CONSIDERING
HOSTING A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
EVENT IN OCTOBER. THAT'S ALL.
ANY QUESTIONS? THANKING YOU
HAVING US HERE TO REPRESENT THE
INTERESTS OF OUR COMMISSION. WE
ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO
COLLABORATING WITH YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> THANK YOU CHAIR. I WANT TO
THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE. I
WILL SAY THIS WORK IS VERY NEAR
AND DEAR TO MY HEART FOR MANY
YEARS I SAT ON THE NORTHWEST
WOMEN'S LAW CENTER WHICH THEN
BECAME LEGAL VOICE. ALL THESE
ISSUES, THE GENDER BASED
VIOLENCE AND HOUSING ACCESS. IT
IS SOMETHING WE CONTINUE TO
STRUGGLE WITH AND I APPRECIATE
ALL THE WORK THE COMMISSION DOES
AND ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK ON
BEHALF OF WOMEN IN THE CITY. SO
PLEASE, I AM A PARTNER. PLEASE
DO REACH OUT AND LET ME KNOW OF
WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP. I'M NOT
AWARE OF ANY CURRENT BILLS YOU
ARE TRACKING IN OLYMPIA. WHICH
IS QUITE FRANKLY OF CONCERN TO
ME. GIVEN THAT ALL THE BILLS
THAT I SAID ARE BEFORE OLYMPIA
AND ANYWAY, SO JUST MOVING
FORWARD, PLEASE KNOW I AM A
STRONG FRIEND AND DO FLAG THINGS
THAT YOU THINK I AND THIS
COUNCIL CAN HELP SUPPORT WITH.
WE VERY MUCH CARE AND I KNOW
THAT CHAIR, YOU CARE VERY MUCH
ABOUT THESE ISSUES TOO AND I
APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP IN
THIS SPACE AS WELL. SO THANK
YOU. THANK YOU TO EMILY AND
CRYSTAL. THANK YOU.
>> WAS IT SAKA OR RINCK THAT WAS
NEXT? COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> I THINK COUNCILMEMBER RINCK
WAS NEXT.
>> OH, OKAY, GO AHEAD. SORRY.
>> EMILY, KRYSTAL, THANK YOU FOR
TODAY'S PRESENTATION. A LOT OF
THE TOPIC AREAS THAT YOU ARE
FOCUSED ON, ON THE COMMISSION
ARE FRONT OF MIND FOR ME AS
WELL. AGAIN, NAVIGATING
INCREASINGLY UNCERTAIN TIMES AND
I WANTED TO FOCUS ON
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS.
IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO NAME
FOR OUR COMMUNITY JUST IN
DECEMBER, WE SAW VIRGINIA MASON
CLOSE THEIR BIRTH CENTER AND CUT
REPRODUCTIVE ACCESS BY I BELIEVE
IT WAS ELIMINATING THE OPTION
FOR ABORTION ACCESS AND
VISCESTOMYS. IT IS A REALLY HARD
REALITY FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND
THAT EVEN IF A STATE SUCH AS
OURS AND A COMMUNITY SUCH AS
OURS WHICH HAS TAKEN STEP TO
PROTECT THIS KIND OF ACCESS
BECAUSE OF A HOSPITAL MERGER WE
HAVE HAD FOLKS WITHIN THIS CITY
LOSE ACCESS TO THOSE HEALTH CARE
SERVICES. SO I WOULD LOVE TO
KNOW HOW YOU ARE ENGAGING ON
THAT MATTER. IF YOU HAVE
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR US ON HOW WE
DO WORK IN THE CITY COUNCIL
LEVEL TO BOLSTER AND WORK ON
THIS. JUST WANTED TO NAME THAT.
AND ALSO JUST SEEK YOUR COUNCIL
ON WHAT WE COULD BE DOING.
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. ONE
OF OUR LARGEST GOALS FOR THIS
YEAR IS JUST TO INCREASE
AWARENESS OF THE THINGS THAT ARE
HAPPENING. LIKE THE CLOSING OF
THAT CENTER . THE SERVICES NO
LONGER BEING AVAILABLE. THE
ABORTION SERVICES. WITH REGARD
TO THE CLOSING OF VIRGINIA
MASON, THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS
WHO AREN'T AWARE OF THE
NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS OF THE
HOSPITAL MERGERS. WITH HOSPITAL
MERGERS THEY ARE OFTEN PRESENTED
AS A BENEFIT TO THE LARGER
COMMUNITY BUT THE NEGATIVE
IMPLICATIONS OF THAT ARE
OVERSHADOWED AND I THINK
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER SO
COMMUNICATING TO THE LARGER
COMMUNITY THAT THESE CLOSURES
ARE HAPPENING. THAT THESE
MARGERS ARE HAPPENING AND WHAT
THAT MEANS FOR US. AS FAR AS HOW
WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH
COUNCIL, THAT IS SOMETHING WE
ARE STILL BRAINSTORMING AROUND.
AND JUST HAPPY TO COLLABORATE
WITH YOU AS THESE CLOSURES AND
INITIATIVES ARE TAKING PLACE
HAVING YOUR BACKING AND YOUR
SUPPORT AND COLLABORATING AROUND
WHAT WE CAN DO TO SPREAD
AWARENESS AND TACKLE THESE
ISSUES HEAD ON IS A PRIORITY. IT
IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS HOW
WE DO THAT. BUT DEFINITELY
SOMETHING WE WANT TO CONTINUE
FOCUSING ON SO THANK YOU FOR
ASKING AND FOR YOUR COMMIT. TO
SUPPORTING US IN THAT WAY.
KRYSTAL, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING
YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
>> YEAH, THAT WAS GREAT EMILY. I
WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT WE HAVE
SIX NEW COMMISSIONERS JOINING
OUR COMMISSION. AND WE HAVE OUR
RETREAT ON MARCH 1st. THERE IS
SO MUCH GOING ON AT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT. 1600 BILLS. THAT
PERTAINS TO WOMEN'S HEALTH AND
OUR RIGHTS AND SO MUCH WORK HAS
TO BE DONE TO FIGHT WHAT IS
GOING ON WITH THIS CURRENT
ADMINISTRATION'S BS. SO WE WILL
COME TOGETHER. WE WILL PUT OUR
BRAINS TOGETHER WORK ON AS MUCH
AS WE CAN. WITH YOUR SUPPORT
I'M SURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO
A LOT OF GREAT WORK TOGETHER. SO
MORE TO COME FROM THE WOMEN'S
COMMISSION. SO GLAD TO HAVE YOUR
SUPPORT ON WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> THANK YOU MADAME CHAIR. I'M
GLAD THAT COUNCILMEMBER RINCK
WENT FIRST. I THINK HER HAND WAS
RAISED BEFORE ME. BUT EVEN IF IT
WASN'T I'M GLAD SHE WENT FIRST
BECAUSE THIS IS A PRESENTATION
FROM THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S
COMMISSION SO IT IS APPROPRIATE
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA AND RINCK
GO FIRST. RATHER THAN THE DUDE
JUMP IN HEY, I HAVE SOME
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS. SO THANK
YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK. REALLY
APPRECIATE THIS. KRYSTAL AS
WELL, THANKS FOR CALLING OUT.
IT'S A TECHNICAL TERM, BS, THE
ADMINISTRATION'S BS. IN ANY
EVENT, IF YOU CAN GO BACK TO,
BUT I APPRECIATE THIS WORK. AND
I ENDEAVOR TO BE THE BEST ALLY
THAT I CAN BE IN SUPPORT AND
UPLIFT AND AMPLIFY THE WORK YOU
ALL DO. EVERY DAY. IF YOU CAN GO
BACK TO THE SLIDE THAT SAYS
LOOKING AHEAD PLEASE. SO I NOTE
IT TALKS GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
IN WORLD CUP. WE WANT TO HAVE A
SAFE, SECURE, FUN, AND INCLUSIVE
WORLD CUP. AND ONE THAT WHERE
THE BENEFITS ARE SHARED AND THE
BURDENS ARE MINIMIZED. NOT NONE,
BECAUSE WHEN A MILLION NET NEW
VISITORS ARE CRUNCHED INTO THE
CITY, THERE WILL BE NONTRIVIAL
IMPACTS ON TRAFFIC AND OTHER
THINGS BUT MY HOPE IS THOSE
BURDENS WOULD BE MINIMIZED AND
THEN, THE BENEFITS WOULD BE
SHARED BROADLY. THAT'S MY
VISION AT LEAST. THOSE ARE MY
PRIORITIES AT A HIGH LEVEL AT
WORLD CUP. I WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN
THOUGHT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE
IS LEGITIMATE RISK ASSOCIATED
WITH WORLD CUP PERTAINING TO
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
TRAFFICKING. CAN YOU TALK A
LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE SCOPE OF
THAT RISK. AND THEN TWO, WHAT DO
YOU THINK THE CITY CAN DO OR
WHAT MORE DO YOU THINK THE CITY
CAN DO TO HELP MITIGATE THAT
RISK? AND OTHER GOVERNMENT
PARTNERS, IT IS NOT ALL ON THE
CITY. BUT ALL THE PLAYERS IN THE
POLICY, NON-PROFIT SPACE. WHAT
ARE SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS TO
HELP MITIGATE AND PREVENT?
>> ABSOLUTELY. GREAT QUESTION.
AS YOU KNOW, THE WORLD CUP IS AN
INTERNATIONAL EVENT. MILLIONS OF
PEOPLE WILL BE COMING TO OUR
CITY FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
THE DATA SHOWS MOST PEOPLE THAT
ARE BEING TRAFFICKED. MOST WOMEN
BEING TRAFFICKED ARE COMING FROM
AT RISK COMMUNITIES. USUALLY
LOWER INCOME. SOMETHING I
NOTICED AND WAS DISCUSSING WITH
EMILY. AT THE INTERNATIONAL
TERMINAL IN SEATAC. WE ONLY HAVE
HUMAN TRAFFICKING MESSAGING IN
ENGLISH. IF WE ARE ONLY HAVING
HUMAN TRAFFICKING INFORMATION IN
ENGLISH, HOW ARE VICTIMS OF
HUMAN TRAFFICKING SUPPOSED TO
UNDERSTAND HOW THEY COULD GET
HELP IF THEY CAN'T READ
ENGLISH? AND SO WHAT WE WANT TO
LOOK INTO IS WHAT ARE THE THREE
OR FOUR MAIN LANGUAGES OF THE
PEOPLE BEING TRAFFICKED COME
FROM AND HOW DO WE HAVE THESE
SYSTEMS IN PLACE IN AREAS WHERE
PEOPLE ARE BEING MOST
TRAFFICKED? THINK OF AIRPORTS,
THE PORT OF SEATTLE. AND OTHER
LOCATIONS WHERE WOMEN AND
CHILDREN CAN GET THE HELP THEY
NEED. THAT IS JUST ONE IDEA. THE
SCOPE IS SO HUGE. AND SO MANY
THINGS CAN BE DONE. BUT THAT IS
JUST SOMETHING WE COULD
POTENTIALLY PARTNER ONTO HAVE
THESE SYSTEMS IN PLACE IN THE
LANGUAGES THAT VICTIMS ARE
SPEAKING. SO THAT'S ONE IDEA.
HAPPY TO DISCUSS MORE. BUT YEAH.
WE WOULD LOVE TO COLLABORATE
WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
AND OTHER COMMISSIONS WORKING ON
THIS AS WELL.
>> AWESOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I
APPRECIATE YOU SHARING YOUR
EXPERTISE.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
SOLOMON?
>> YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
REGARDING THE WORLD CUP, LET'S
NOT FORGET WE HAVE THE CLUB CUP
COMING THIS YEAR. SO SEATTLE
ALREADY HAS AN ISSUE WITH
TRAFFICKING IN CERTAIN SECTORS
AND WITH WORLDWIDE EVENTS COMING
TO US IT WILL BE EXACERBATED SO
I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU IN
WHATEVER CAPACITY I CAN.
REGARDING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH I
SHARE COUNCILMEMBER RINCK'S
CONCERN ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING
ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND WHAT
THAT WILL DO TO OUR COMMUNITY.
AND OUR SISTERS BEING ABLE TO
CONTROL THEIR OWN BODIES SO VERY
COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A WALL
AGAINST WHAT THE FEDS MAY WANT
TO TRY TO DO TO US LOCALLY. IN
ADDITION I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
HEARING THE NEXT PRESENTATION
REGARDING THE LGBTQ COMMISSION
BECAUSE AGAIN, REGARDING OUR
TRANS NEIGHBORS, OUR TRANS
FAMILY MEMBERS, OUR TRANS STAFF
WHO ARE UNDER THREAT, THIS IS
VERY PERSONAL FOR ME. SO LOOKING
FORWARD TO HEARING THE UPCOMING
PRESENTATION REGARDING THAT
COMMISSION. SO THANKING YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SO IT SOUNDS LIKE
IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION AND LGBTQ
AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONS
INVITED TO THE FIFA ORGANIZING
COMMITTEE. SO WE CAN WORK ON
THAT MAYBE, COUNCILMEMBER SAKA,
WE CAN WORK ON THAT. JUST TO
POINT OUT THE LOSS OF
REPRODUCTIVE CARE AT VIRGINIA
MASON. THERE HAS BEEN A BILL IN
OLYMPIA MANY YEAR TO TRY TO MAKE
SURE WHEN THERE'S HOSPITAL
MERGERS THAT PARTICULARLY
BECAUSE THE HOSPITALS ARE BEING
BOUGHT OUT BY RELIGIOUS
HOSPITALS, CATHOLIC HOSPITALS,
SWEDISH IS ACTUALLY A CATHOLIC
HOSPITAL. BUT THEY KEPT THE NAME
SWEDISH SO PEOPLE WOULDN'T BE
AWARE OF THAT. AND THAT BILL
WHICH WAS TO REQUIRE THAT THE
HOSPITALS CONTINUE TO PROVIDE
REPRODUCTIVE CARE CONTINUES TO
NOT GET TRACTION. AND
UNFORTUNATELY, BY OTHER
DEMOCRATS IT IS NOT GETTING
TRACTION. SO WE NEED TO CALL ON
OUR FELLOW DEMOCRATS TO STAND UP
TO THE HOSPITAL INDUSTRY AND
MAKE SURE PARTICULARLY IN THIS
TIME THAT WE GET THIS BILL
PASSED. SO TO THE EXTENT WE CAN
HELP WITH THAT, I'M VERY, VERY
HAPPY TO DO SO. AND REALLY, IF
WE NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER
COMMITTEE MEETING WHERE WE BRING
YOU ALL TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT
KIND OF A COORDINATED EFFORT ON
SORT OF THESE INTERSECTIONAL
ISSUES, I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT AS
WELL. AND JUST THE SIMPLE IDEA
OF MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE
MESSAGES IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE
PEOPLE BEING TRAFFICKED, THAT IS
SOMETHING WE CAN DO. WE CAN
QUICKLY GET LEGISLATION, WELL, I
SHOULDN'T SAY QUAKILY. WE CAN
BE MOVING THAT IN TIME. EVEN
THESE SMALL CHANGES CAN HAVE A
PROFOUND EFFECT. SO PLEASE,
PLEASE REACH OUT TO US WITH
THESE SUGGESTS. WE REALLY DO
WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN
THIS REGARD. ALL RIGHT. WELL
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU
AGAIN FOR YOUR WORK AND
PRESENTATION. AND WE WILL MOVE
ONTO THE LGBTQ COMMISSION.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
CITY COUNCIL, CITY STAFF,
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. BOTH HERE
IN PERSON AS WELL AS THOSE WHO
ARE ATTENDING ONLINE. THANK YOU
FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. WE ARE
REALLY EXCITED TO SHARE MORE
ABOUT THE WORK WE HAVE BEEN
DOING ON THE LGBTQ COMMISSION
AND GIVE MORE INSIGHT INTO OUR
2024 WORK PLAN. WE HAVE BEEN
FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE
COMMUNITY THE LAST COUPLE OF
YEARS. A LOT OF THE PRESENTATION
FALLS INTO THE THEME. AND YOU'LL
SEE PICTURES THROUGHOUT THIS
PRESENTATION AS WELL FROM OUR
INCREASED SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
THIS YEAR AS WELL AS THE
COMMUNITY EVENTS. ON THIS SLIDE
YOU WILL SEE A FULL LIST OF OUR
CONFIRMED AND AWAITING
COMMISSIONERS AS WELL AS A PHOTO
FROM A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AT
OUR ANNUAL STRATEGIC PLANNING
RETREAT WHERE WE CELEBRATED A
YEAR OF GROWTH AND STARTED TO
PREPARE FOR WHAT IS TO COME FOR
OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE FOR THIS
ADMINISTRATION. YEAH. NEXT
SLIDE. ON THE SCREEN NOW, YOU
WILL SEE A SNIPPET FROM OUR POST
ELECTION STATEMENT. AS YOU ARE
LIKELY AWARE AND WE HAVE TALKED
ABOUT A COUPLE OF TIMES ALREADY,
THE CURRENT FEDERAL
ADMINISTRATION HAS CLEARLY
IDENTIFIED ITSELF AS HOSTILE TO
THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY. ALREADY
ISSUING MULTIPLE EXECUTIVE ORDER
THAT'S ARE DIRECTLY TARGETING
TRANS AND GENDER NONCONFORMING
FOLKS. IN SEATTLE WE ARE SEEING
ALREADY THE REMOVAL OF LGBTQ
COORDINATORS AT THE VA HOSPITAL.
THE ABANDONMENT OF GENDER
AFFIRMING CARE AT SEATTLE
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. THE
FEDERAL LEVEL, THERE IS ERASING
OF LGBTQ PROGRAMS, EMPLOYEE
GROUPS, EVEN PRONOUNS IN EMAIL
SIGNATURES. THERE IS INCREASING
FEARS LOCALLY FROM LGBTQ
NON-PROFITS. ESPECIALLY THOSE
WORKING TO REDUCE HIV AND
HOMELESSNESS LEVELS WITHIN OUR
COMMUNITY. I LIST THESE EXAMPLES
AS JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE
OF WHERE WE ARE NOW AND WHERE WE
WILL BE THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND
FURTHER. AS WE SHARE OUR WORK
TODAY, PLEASE KNOW THAT WE WILL
LIKELY SPEND A LOT OF THE YEAR
ALSO WORKING TO ENSURE THAT OUR
LBBTQ COMMUNITY IN SEATTLE IS
SAFE FROM THE FEDERAL
ADMINISTRATION AND REACTING TO
VARIOUS ATTACKS WE ANTICIPATE WE
WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE. WE
ALSO KNOW THAT WE CAN'T DO THIS
ALONE. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT
THAT WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO
HELP KEEP SEATTLE AS A WELCOMING
CITY AND MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS
A CHANCE TO LIVE A HAPPY AND
HEALTHY LIFE HERE. SEATTLE HAS
POSITIONED ITSELF AS A GREAT
PLACE FOR QUEER PEOPLE TO COME
TO AND WE REALLY WANT TO WORK
TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE IT REMAINS
THAT PLACE AND WE CONTINUE TO
IMPROVE. NEXT SLIDE. SO, RIGHT
NOW, THIS IS HOW WE ARE
ORGANIZING OUR WORK. WE HAVE
THREE STANDING COMMITTEES. OUR
SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY
OUTREACH COMMITTEE WHICH HAS
BEEN REALLY DOING A LOT OF WORK
RECENTLY TO BOLSTER OUR PRESENCE
ONLINE AND WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS
MAKING SURE WE ARE GETTING
INFORMATION FROM PEOPLE ON
GROUND DOING THE WORK AND
PROVIDE OURSELVES AS A RESOURCE.
YOU MET WITH MEMBERS OF OUR
COMMISSION AND NON-PROFIT GROUPS
AND THIS CAME FROM THE WORK THIS
COMMITTEE. OUR NEXT COMMITTEE IS
A COMMISSION OPERATIONS KEEPING
EVERYTHING RUNNING. AND LASTLY
OUR JUSTICE COMMITTEE KEEPS US
HONEST TO OUR COMMITMENT TO LEAD
WITH AN INTERSECTIONAL AND TRANS
FOCUSED LENS. WE ARE ALSO
WORKING TO CREATE COMMUNITY
ADVISORY COMMITTEES. WE REALLY
TRYING TO UPLIFT THE WORK OF
GROUPS ON THE GROUND WHO ARE
WORKING WITH THOSE WHO ARE MOST
AFFECTED BY POLICIES, SYSTEMIC
OPPRESSION THAT IMPACTS FOLKS
WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. ONE OF OUR
MOST SUCCESSFUL VENTURES THIS
YEAR HAS BEEN CREATING THE
COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISORY
COMMITTEE MADE UP OF THE
ORGANIZATIONS YOU SEE ON YOUR
SCREEN WHO ARE ALL WORKING TO
ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND HEALTH
EQUITY WITHIN THE LGBTQ
COMMUNITY. WE CHOSE THESE GROUP
TO HAVE A WIDE BREADTH OF WHO WE
ARE SERVING. WE ARE DOING WORK
WITH LATIN, BLACK, DOING A LOT
OF WORK WITH PACIFIC ISLANDER,
ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND
OUR TWO OVERARCHING
ORGANIZATIONS. THIS YEAR, WE ARE
ALSO HOPING TO CREATE A SMALL
BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
RECOGNIZING THAT SMALL BUSINESS
OWNERS FROM THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY
FACE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES WHEN
TRYING TO BE SUCCESSFUL. NEXT
SLIDE.
>> I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF
TAKING YOU THROUGH OUR THREE
WORK PLAN PILLARS FOR OUR TWO
YEAR WORK PLAN. THE FIRST IS
SOCIO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND
THE SECOND IS COMMISSION
SUSTAINABILITY. IN THE PHYSICAL
LOWING SLIDES YOU WILL SEE AN
EXPLANATION OF OUR FOCUS AND YOU
WILL SEE EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE ARE
WORKING ON. THE GREEN ARE THE
ITEMS WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO
FAR. THE RED, ARE THE ITEMS WE
WORKED ON AND DIDN'T GET THE
RESULTS WE WANTED AND THE BOLD
ARE THE ONES WE REALLY WANT TO
WORK CLOSELY WITH CITY COUNCIL
ON. SO FOR US, SOCIO-ECONOMIC
EMPOWERMENT MEANS JOB
DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
INCREASING FUNDS FOR QUEER
BUSINESSES, PEOPLE IN
ORGANIZATIONS. SO, AS ASHLEY
MENTIONED WE ARE WORKING ON
CREATING A SMALL BUSINESS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE. WE WOULD
LIKE TO WORK, WHERE THE CITY
COUNCIL CAN REALLY HELP US OUT,
WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU
TO INCREASE THE TRANSGENDER
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FUNDING.
THAT IS UNDER THE OFFICE OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RIGHT NOW
IN THE PAST. IT HAS BEEN USED TO
HELP TRANS PEOPLE APPLY FOR AND
OBTAIN INCLUSIVE JOBS AND IT HAS
BEEN USED TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. SO
ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE
CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE IT IS
IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT TRANS
PEOPLE IN THE WORKPLACE. WE
WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH YOU TO
INCREASE THAT FUNDING BY 50%.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. OH, OKAY, OUR
SECOND PILLAR IS COMMISSION
SUSTAINABILITY. INCREASING,
DIVERSITIES AND MAINTAINING OUR
MEMBERSHIP. ESTABLISHING CLEAR
PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES. AND WE
HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB THIS YEAR
OF GROWING OUR SOCIAL MEDIA
FOLLOWING AND GROWING OUR
MEMBERSHIP. WE ARE WORKING ON
OUR COMMISSION RIGHT NOW. AND
WHERE WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH
CITY COUNCIL IS ON TWO TOPICS.
FIRST, ON MAKING SURE THAT
COMMISSIONERS GET APPOINTED IN A
TIMELY MANNER. WHEN THEY GET
APPOINTED QUICKLY THEY ARE MORE
LIKELY TO GET ENGAGED IN THE
COMMISSION. AND STIPENDS. WE PUT
IN A LOT OF HOURS, IT IS A LABOR
OF LOVE BUT IT ALSO MEANS THIS
WORK IS NOT FINANCIALLY
ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYBODY IN THE
CITY. PARTICULARLY PEOPLE WHOSE
VOICES MOST NEED TO BE HEARD. SO
IF WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY FOR
STIPENDS THAT MEANS THAT WE CAN
DIVERSIFY OUR COMMISSION IN A
WAY THAT IS REALLY MEANINGFUL TO
US AND THAT IS IMPORTANT. NEXT
SLIDE PLEASE. OUR THIRD PILLAR
IS HEALTH EQUITY. AND FOR US
THAT MEANS SUPPORTING PEOPLE,
ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADDRESS OUR
COMMUNITY'S SPECIFIC HEALTH
NEEDS ESPECIALLY AT THE
INTERSECTIONS OF HOMELESSNESS
AND POVERTY. THIS IS WHY WE
FOCUSED ON WATCHING OUR
COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISORY
COMMITTEE WHICH HAS BEEN
WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH. A LIST
OF RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF
SAFE SHELTER BEDS THAT ARE
AVAILABLE TO THE QUEER
COMMUNITY. ESPECIALLY THE
QTBIPOC COMMUNITY. IT IS SCARIER
IF YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE
SHELTER WILL ACCEPT YOU BASED ON
WHO YOU ARE. SO WE WANT TO WORK
WITH YOU ALL TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE ARE PRIORITIZING SAFETY .
OKAY WE BROUGHT OUR NON-PROFIT
MEMBERS TO MEET A NUMBER OF
STIFF COUNCIL MEMBERS. PLEASE
SCHEDULE THE MEETINGS WITH US.
WE WOULD LOVE TO TALK. WE ALSO
PARTNERED WITH PARKS AND
RECREATION WITH THEIR COMMUNITY
FUND. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON
INTEGRATING OURSELVES WITH THE
COMMUNITY, EVEN MORE THAN WE DID
LAST YEAR. SO TABLING, PRIDE
FLAG RAISING. IT WAS A GREAT
TIME LAST YEAR. NEXT SLIDE
PLEASE. SO WE WOULD FINALLY LIKE
TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
AND EMPHASIZE WE TAKE OUR ROLE
AS AN ADVISORY COMMISSION VERY
SERIOUSLY. WE ARE VERY EXCITED
TO MEET ALL OF YOU. PLEASE COME
ASK US ABOUT TOPICS RELATED TO
OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE COME TO
OUR MEETINGS. THEY ARE THE THIRD
THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH IN THE
EVENING. NOW MORE THAN EVER, IT
IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO
WORK TOGETHER. AND KEEP SEATTLE
A WELCOMING CITY. SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY
QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> CHAIR, I JUST WANT TO THANK
THE COMMISSION. YOU ALL CAME TO
ME. THE COMMISSION CAME TO MEET
WITH ME LAST YEAR. AND I
APPRECIATE THE PROACTIVE
REACHING OUT TO ME TO SHARE
ABOUT PRIORITIES AND TALK
PARTNERSHIPS SO I WELCOME THAT
FROM ALL THE COMMISSIONS. SO
OPEN TO CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS
AND I APPRECIATE THE
PARTNERSHIP. THANK YOU CHAIR.
>> I FORGOT TO PUT DOWN MY OLD
HAND. BUT QUICKLY ADJUSTED.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR
SERVICE TO THIS COMMISSION AND
YOUR LEADERSHIP ESPECIALLY
DURING THESE TIMES. I
PARTICULARLY APPRECIATE HOW MUCH
YOU ARE JUST CLEARLY NAMING TO
THE PUBLIC WHAT IS GOING ON. AND
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE
ATTACKS AND ERASURE HAPPENING TO
OUR TRANS COMMUNITY IN
PARTICULAR. IT IS IMPORTANT TO
NAME THAT AS SEATTLE CONTINUE TO
BE A WELCOMING CITY AND STANDS
BY THESE VALUES. WE WILL LIKELY
HAVE NEW NEIGHBORS COMING INTO
OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE OVER THE
YEARS. FOLKS WHO ARE SEEKING
POLITICAL REFUGE BECAUSE WE ARE
A CITY THAT RECOGNIZES AND SEES
QUEER AND TRANS INDIVIDUALS. AND
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP
IN THIS SPACE NAMING WHAT HAS
BEEN GOING ON. I CERTAINLY WANT
TO CALL ON MY COLLEAGUES TO
CONTINUE TO NAME WHAT HAS BEEN
GOING ON AND WHAT OUR QUEER AND
TRANS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN FACING.
TO THAT END, HEARING A CALL TO
MAKE SURE WE GET APPOINTMENTS TO
COMMISSIONS DONE ON TIME, I
THINK THIS IS A CHALLENGE THAT I
HAVE BEEN HEARING ACROSS THE
BOARD. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE
GET THOSE DONE ON A TIMELY
MANNER. I KNOW WE ARE WAITING ON
FOLKS IN THE RENTERS COMMISSION
AS WELL. LET'S GET THOSE IN. I
DON'T WANT TO DISSUADE THE
PUBLIC FROM ENGAGING. I WANT TO
MAKE SURE WE FIND A WAY TO
SUPPORT THE ABILITY TO BRING
ONLINE MORE SAFE SHELTER BEDS
FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND
WORKING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
THAT IS AN ACTION ITEM IN THEIR
FIVE YEAR PLAN IDENTIFIED AS A
HUGE GAP IN OUR SYSTEM. WE
DON'T HAVE SHELTER BED OR
EMERGENCY SHELTER CAPACITY OR
SPACES FOR TRANS INDIVIDUALS.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN
A MAJOR GAP IN THE SYSTEM. IT
DOESN'T EXIST. I KNOW BECAUSE I
DID THE COUNTY WIDE ANALYSIS ON
IT. WE HAVE TWO PROGRAMS OUT OF
450 THAT ACTUALLY ARE SPECIFIC
FOR SERVING LGBTQIA POPULATIONS.
THAT FEELS LIKE A MEANINGFUL
AREA WHERE WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS.
AND WANT TO SUPPORT AND HAVING
THOSE CONVERSATIONS AS THEY LOOK
TO REPROCURE THEIR SYSTEM. ALL
OF THIS TO SAY, I DON'T THINK I
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR YOU ALL.
OTHER THAN HOW CAN WE CONTINUE
TO SUPPORT YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO NOTE,
TOO, WE RECENTLY HAD A
COMMISSIONER TO WORKS WITH QUEER
YOUTH BRING TO OUR COMMISSION
THEY ACTUALLY FACE LIMITATIONS
WHEN TRYING TO GET QUEER PEOPLE
INTO THOSE SPACES THAT ARE
SUPPOSEDLY RESERVED FOR QUEER
FOLKS. AND WERE FORCED TO PUT
NON-QUEER IDENTIFYING PERSON
INTO SOME OF THESE SPACES DUE TO
CONFLICTING LEGISLATION THAT
DOESN'T ALLOW YOU TO PUT
SOMEONE IN SPACES BASED ON
IDENTITIES SO HA IS ANOTHER
CHALLENGE WE FACE AS WELL. IT IS
SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN RECENTLY
BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION FROM
SOME OF OUR COMMISSIONERS. SO
DEFINITELY A CHALLENGE THAT
PEOPLE FACE AND A REASON PEOPLE
DON'T SEEK SHELTER AS WELL. IF
YOU KNOW THAT YOU, YOU CAN'T
GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE SAFE
WITHIN THE SHELTERS, IT OFTEN IS
PUT ON THE BACKS OF QUEER PEOPLE
TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN SAFETY AND
SECURITY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU MADAME CHAIR. AND
THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL WORK
YOU ALL DO EVERY DAY. CURRENTLY
ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS. IT IS A
HEAVY LIFT. A NONTRIVIAL AMOUNT
OF EFFORT. BUT I'M VERY
GRATEFUL FOR THE IMPACT THAT YOU
ALL HAVE. REALLY IMPORTANT
STUFF. GOING BACK TO YOUR SLIDE
THAT SAYS SOCIO-ECONOMIC
EMPOWERMENT. TALK A LITTLE BIT.
I LEARN STUFF ALL THE TIME.
GREAT JOB. ASSEMBLING THIS
PRESENTATION A MADAME CHAIR.
LEARNING STUFF ALL OVER. WE HAVE
HUNDREDS, PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF
INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED
THROUGH 40 PLUS DEPARTMENTS AT
THE CITY. AND EIGHT POINT
SOMETHING BILLION ANNUAL BUDGET.
I DON'T HAVE VISIBILITY ON ALL
OF THOSE. BUT CAN YOU TALK ABOUT
THE TRANS ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
FUNDING THROUGH I THINK YOU SAID
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
TALK A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THAT
PROGRAM. WHAT IT DOES IN YOUR
OWN ASSESS. AND OBSERVATIONS
THAT IT IMPACTS. THANK YOU.
>> SO I ACTUALLY, I GUESS IT IS
RELATED. I HAD A HARD TIME
FINDING THE EXACT LANGUAGE. BUT
YES, IT IS UNDER OAD. IT IS
CURRENTLY AT $185,000. WHICH IS
ALSO GREAT BUT ADDING 50% MEANS
MORE STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP
PROGRAMS LIKE THESE. WE ALL
KNOW. NON-PROFITS. PRICES AT A
PREMIUM RIGHT NOW FOR OPERATING
A NON-PROFIT. SO INCREASING BY
50% MEANS MORE PEOPLE HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO GET JOB TRAINING
OR HELP FILLING OUT THEIR
DOCUMENTATION. IN THE PAST IT
WAS USED FOR HELPING PEOPLE TO
GET IDENTITY DOCUMENTS LIKE
THINGS RELATED TO JOB COACHING.
AND LAST YEAR, OAD ACTUALLY
ASKED US TO HELP WITH ASSESSING
AN APPLICATION FOR I THINK IT
WAS AUTO REPAIR TRANSFORMATION
AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO REVIEW
THE APPLICATION WITH THEM AND WE
ARE PROUD OF WHAT WE SAW. IF YOU
WOULD LIKE, I CAN WORK WITH OED
AND GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
THOSE FUNDS TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU. YES. I WOULD BE
CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE. BUT LET
ME AND MY OFFICE WORK WITH OED
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT. IT
SOUNDS LIKE A COOL PROGRAM. YOU
ALL DO A LOT. IF YOU WANT TO BE
INVOLVED SHARING THAT, I WOULD
BE HAPPY TO LISTEN AND CONTINUE
THE DIALOGUE. THANK YOU.
>> I THINK A BIG PIECE, SORRY TO
ADD ONTO BRETT'S ANSWER. YOU
MENTIONED BRIEFLY. I WANT TO
ELEVATE THE ACCESS TO FINDING
THESE FUNDS. I WORK AS A
NON-PROFIT PROFESSIONAL AND SEEK
CITY FUNDS. PRETTY REGULARLY. IS
ONLY REASON WE REALLY KNEW ABOUT
IT AND KNEW THAT THERE WAS
REALLY ONLY ONE APPLICANT WAS
BECAUSE OF THIS OED PERSON WHO
REACHED OUT TO US. THAT IS A
SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF THIS. HOW
CAN WE HELP GET THE WORD OUT TO
THE COMMUNITY SO THE FUNDS CAN
BE USED.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SOLOMON?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH MADAME
CHAIR. SO, COUPLE OF THINGS. DID
I HEAR YOU SAY THIS FUND THAT IS
AN OED THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT
185,000? THAT IS BUDGET DUST. WE
CAN DO MORE THAN THAT. AND NOT A
QUESTION BUT AN OFFER. EVERY ONE
OF THE COMMISSIONS THAT HAS
PRESENTED TO US TODAY AND I
THINK WE HAVE ONE MORE, YOU ARE
ALL DOING VERY IMPORTANT WORK.
ESPECIALLY WITH THE UNCERTAINTY
LOOMING IN THE HORIZON AND THE
THREATS TO OUR PEOPLE AND OUR
LIBERTIES. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE
YOU UP ON THE INVITATION TO MEET
UP WITH YOU INDIVIDUALLY TO
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR WORK AND
WHAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT YOUR
WORK AS WELL AS HOW YOUR WORK
CAN SUPPORT, SPEAKER ESPECIALLY
THE LGBTQ COMMISSION. SUPPORTING
MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY. MY CHILD.
SUPPORTING MEMBERS OF MY STAFF.
WHO ARE BASICALLY, THEY HAVE
CROSS HAIRS ON THEM RIGHT NOW.
SO AGAIN, IT'S PERSONAL FOR ME.
SO PLEASE CONNECT WITH MY OFFICE
AND LET'S GET SOME TIME ON THE
CALENDAR. ALL RIGHT? THANK YOU.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE
BEEN DOING. I'M REALLY EXCITED
ABOUT THIS ONE PAGER AND TO THE
EXTENT THAT KCRHA IS PUTTING
TOGETHER AN EXTENSIVE DATA BASE.
WE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT ABOUT
THAT. AND WE ARE GOING TO GET
YOUR REMAINING FOUR PEOPLE
APPOINTED. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM
MY CLERK IS THEY HAVE BEEN
APPROVED AND THEY ARE JUST
WAITING FOR THE CLERK'S OFFICE
TO FINALIZE. SO THAT WILL BE
HAPPENING SOON. SO THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. WE ARE NOW ONTO THE
DISABILITY COMMISSION.
>> WONDERFUL. GOOD MORNING
COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M SO EXCITED
TO BE HERE AND SHARE ABOUT THE
DISABILITY COMMISSION. NEXT
SLIDE PLEASE. SO, THE SEATTLE
DISABILITY COMMISSION GROUNDS
ITS WORK IN THE FOLLOWING.
QUOTE, WE BELIEVE IN A WORLD
WHERE DISABILITY IS CELEBRATED
AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF HUMAN
DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY AND
EQUITY. THE WORK PLAN THAT WE
ARE GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU
REPRESENTS OUR ACTUALIZATION OF
THIS BELIEF. AND OUR WORK IS
CARRIED OUT THROUGH OUR FOUR
PASSIONATE COMMISSIONERS. NEXT
SLIDE PLEASE. 2024 THROUGH 2026,
WE HAVE THREE MAJOR FOCUSES THAT
REPRESENT CORE ISSUES OF THE
SEATTLE DISABILITY COMMUNITY. WE
HAVE ACTIVELY ENGAGED ON
ACTIVITIES WITHIN THESE FOCUSES
THROUGHOUT THE PAST YEAR AND
WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO IN 2025.
THESE THREE FOCUSES ARE
PRESENTED IN BRIEF. STARTING
WITH ADVOCACY. WE HOPE TO
AMPLIFY THE VOICE THROUGH THE
COMMISSION. EXAMPLES OF HOW WE
HAVE DONE SO INCLUDE THE
SPONSORSHIP FOR THE LEADERSHIP
EXCHANGE FOR THE DISABILITY
CONFERENCE. INPUT OF THE FUNDS
TO CREATE SPACE FOR THE
COMMUNITY FUND. AND PROVIDING
FEEDBACK ON ANTI-AGEISM
TRAINING. OUR GOALS FOR 2025
CONTINUE TO GROW OUR COMMUNITIES
SO WE CAN ENGAGE IN SPECIFIC
TASKS ESPECIALLY TO ADDRESS
ACCESSIBILITY CONCERNS WE HAVE
HEARD SURROUNDING PUBLIC EVENTS.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THE SECOND
MAJOR AREA OF CONCERN IS IS
TRANSPORTATIONS ARE THE TOPIC OF
CONCERN TO THE DISABILITY
COMMUNITY. TOUCHING UPON ITEMS
FROM ACCESSIBLE PARKING AND
SIDEWALKS TO ASPECTSOVER PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION. THE SEATTLE
DISABILITY COMMISSION MAINTAINS
ACTIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH SDOT,
THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, MEMBERS OF THE
ADA COORDINATION TEAM. THESE
GROUPS ARE FREQUENT VISITERS TO
OUR MEETINGS. WHO SEEK FEEDBACK
FROM THE COMMISSION ON ITS
PROJECTS WHILE PROVIDING UPDATES
ON THE MANY ACTIVITIES THEY ARE
PURSUING TO IMPROVE
ACCESSIBILITY ACROSS THE CITY.
IT INCLUDES THE INSTALLATION OF
WHEELCHAIR CHARGING STATIONS AND
SEVERAL PUBLIC LOCATIONS
INCLUDING SEATTLE CITY HALL. THE
REMOVAL OF TOLL BOOTH BARRIERS.
FINALLY CONTINUING OUR PROVISION
OF INPUT TO OUR COMMUNITY
PARTNERS. OUR GOALS ARE MANY AS
THIS REPRESENTS AN ACTIVE AREA
OF CONCERN. WE WANT TO CONTINUE
ADVOCATING FOR AN ENHANCEMENT OF
ACCESSIBLE PARKING AND SIDEWALKS
IN THE SEATTLE COMMUNITY TO CALL
FOR THE UPDATE OF THE FIND AND
FIX IT APP. TO PETITION FOR
OPTIONS THAT REDUCE THE FAIR.
THE FINAL AREA OF CONCERN I WILL
DISCUSS BRIEFLY IS EMPLOYMENT.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE
PARTNERSHIPS. GIVEN THE VALUE
EMPLOYMENT. OUR GOAL IS TO
EXPAND EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS FOR
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL
TYPES.
>> SHELBY, I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T
REALIZE YOU HAD JOINED.
>> YEAH. YEAH. SO, EMPLOYMENT IS
ONE OF OUR THIRD COMMITTEES AND
SOME OF THE AREAS THAT I HAVE
MET WITH IS THE PERSON WHO WORKS
WITH THE DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES PROGRAM. SHE
EXPLAINED THIS PROGRAM TO ME AND
WHAT WE ARE HOPING TO MEET WITH
IS ALSO THE LEADER OF HR WITH
THE CITY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. AND
TAKEN US A FEW YEARS TO GET
HERE, BUT WE ARE HOPING TO DO IS
EXPAND ON THAT PROGRAM AND
HOPEFULLY EXPAND IT TO PEOPLE
WITH ALL DISABILITIES. AND ALSO,
MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO
UNDERSTAND OR MAYBE HAVE A
PERSON. I UNDERSTOOD THAT AT ONE
POINT THEY HAD A PERSON ALSO
THAT THEY COULD GO TO, TO GET
COACHING IN HR TO ASK QUESTIONS
LIKE ON THEIR EMPLOYMENT
APPLICATION AND GET
CLARIFICATION ON WHETHER TO PUT
IF YOU HAD A DISABILITY OR NOT.
AND TO ALSO HAVE MORE EXPANDED
JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES BECAUSE CITY JOBS
ARE MORE SECURE. THAT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT TO HELP PEOPLE IN THAT
REALM FOR ME. AND ALSO, TO
PARTNER WITH EMPLOYERS TO EXPAND
EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE
LIKE I SAID WITH DISABILITIES OF
ALL TYPES. NOT JUST WITH THIS
CITY. BUT ALSO WITH THAT. SO ONE
OF THE ONES WITH DV R. SO HAVING
THEM HAVE CONNECTIONS WITH
PEOPLE IN THE CITY. OFTEN TIMES
THEY HELP PEOPLE. BUT DON'T HAVE
ACTUAL CONNECTIONS. SO IT WOULD
BE GREAT THAT THEY KNOW PEOPLE
LIKE IN THERE BECAUSE OFTEN,
PEOPLE WHO GET JOBS KNOW THEIR
RECRUITERS. AND TO THE
NETWORKING, EVEN DOING ON COLD
EMAILS AND STUFF. AND THE REAL
LIFE SEATTLE PROMISE FOR
CHILDREN WHO ARE 18, EXPANDING
THAT TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE
DISABILITIES REGARDLESS OF
INCOME. THAT IS ONE OF MY OTHER
GOALS. BUT ALSO REMOVING THE
AGEISM PART OF THAT IS ONE OF MY
OTHER GOALS. AND I I WANTED TO I
WOULD LOVE TO INVITE EVERYONE TO
COME. EVEN IF THEY DON'T WANT
TO COME TO A WHOLE MEETING. I
DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL GET TO
SEE YOU AGAIN. BUT TO DEEPEN OUR
RELATIONSHIP. I KNOW WE NEVER
REALLY GET TO SEE YOU GUYS. IT
IS KIND OF AN ECHO CHAMBER. SO I
WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU GUYS COULD
COME AND ATTEND A MEETING
BECAUSE I FEEL THAT FOR ME,
SORRY, I'LL WRAP THIS UP
QUICKLY. BUT FOR ME, I USED TO
BE SOMEONE WHO WAS NORMAL AND
THEN SIX YEARS AGO I HAD THIS
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND THEN
FINDING A JOB AFTER THAT WAS
PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE. I WAS
SOMEONE WHO WAS GOING TO BE AN
ACTUARY BEFORE THAT. AFTER THAT,
MY LIFE JUST KIND OF CRASHED. SO
I WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU GUYS CAME
TO THE MEETINGS AND INTERACTED
WITH US. YOU KNOW. KIND OF GOT
TO KNOW US AND UNDERSTAND AND I
REALLY LOVE THAT I'M MEETING
WITH YOU GUYS AND I REALLY THANK
YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO
MEETING WITH US. IT'S VERY
AMAZING. THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY. JESSICA?
>> THANKS SHELBY. SO GLAD WE
COULD HEAR YOUR VOICE HERE.
BEFORE WE HOP TO QUESTIONS I
WANT TO SUMMARIZE A COUPLE OF
POINTS AND HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF
THE THINGS YOU SAID, SHELBY. WE
HOPE TO CREATE A TOOL KIT FOR
ENSURING THAT EVENTS ARE
ACCESSIBLE WHICH WILL BE SHARED
WITH EVENT PLANNERS. TO EXPAND
ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT OPTIONS AND
TO IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE OF
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ON
PUBLIC TRANSIT. AND TO EXPAND
PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES SEEKING EMPLOYMENT
THROUGH ACTIONS SUCH AS
RECOGNIZING INSTITUTIONS THAT
POSITIVELY SUPPORT THE
EMPLOYMENT OF THIS COMMUNITY. IN
TERMS OF THE TYPES OF SUPPORT
THAT SHELBY MENTIONED, WE ARE
EXCITED TO HAVE THIS SPACE TO BE
SPEAKING WITH Y'ALL TODAY AND
INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AT
MEETINGS IF YOU ARE ABLE TO. TO
KEEP THESE LINES OF DIALOGUES
OPEN. AND WE APPRECIATE THE
COUNCIL. TO CLOSE I WOULD LIKE
TO SAY WE WOULD LIKE TO PARTNER
WITH THE COUNCIL THROUGH THE
CREATION OF INITIATIVE THAT'S
SUPPORT THE FOCUSES WE HAVE
DISCUSSED HERE THROUGH THE
SUPPORT OF BILLS THAT POSITIVELY
ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE
DISABILITY COMMUNITY. AND
CONTINUE THE LINE OF
COMMUNICATION. WE ARE HAPPY TO
ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE
PRESENTATION. ANY QUESTIONS?
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA?
>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU JESSICA.
AND SHELBY FOR BEING HERE. I
HAVE A QUICK QUESTION AND THEN I
HAVE TO RUN BECAUSE I HAVE
ANOTHER MEETING. JESSICA, WHEN
YOU BROUGHT UP, UPDATING, ONE OF
THE GOALS IS TO UPDATE THE FIND
IT FIX IT APP. CAN YOU TELL ME A
LITTLE MORE ABOUT WHAT THAT
WOULD ENTAIL? WHAT IS NEEDED?
THANK YOU.
>> YEAH. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU
SO MUCH FOR ASKING THAT
QUESTION. THAT'S A GREAT ONE.
ESSENTIALLY THE FIND IT FIX IT
APP IS AN APPLICATION THAT FOLKS
CAN USE TO SAVE REPORT ISSUES OF
CONCERN. ACCESSIBLE PARKING. OUR
HOPES OF UPDATING THAT APP WOULD
BE TO MAKE IT MORE RESPONSIVE.
WE HAVE HEARD FROM COMMUNITY
MEMBERS, THERE IS NOT ALWAYS A
CLEAR FOLLOW THROUGH. OUR GOAL
WOULD BE TO MAKE THE PROCESS
MORE RELIABLE. TO MAKE THAT
CLEAR FOR FOLKS ABOUT WHAT THAT
PROCESS WOULD ENTAIL. SO OUR
GOALS WOULD BE TO MEET WITH THE
PEOPLE WHO OPERATE THE APP AND
SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE.
>> SO IT IS MORE ABOUT HOW DO
YOU, ONCE YOU REPORT. I GUESS
I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE APP.
ONCE YOU REPORT FOLKS ARE NOT
GETTING A RESPONSE BACK AS TO
WHERE THEIR REPORT WENT IF YOU
WILL. THAT TYPE OF, OKAY. THANK
YOU. THANK YOU.
>> ABSOLUTELY. OF COURSE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR
PRESENTATION. SO NICE TO MEET
YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
ON THIS COMMISSION AND I WANT TO
TAKE YOU UP ON THE OFFER TO
ATTEND AN UPCOMING MEETING. I
WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DEVELOP A
GOOD CONNECTION. I REALLY
APPRECIATE WHAT YOU NOTE AND I
THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NAME
THAT ANYONE CAN BECOME A MEMBER
OF THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY.
ACQUIRED DISABILITIES EXIST. AND
IT BENEFITS ALL OF US. CERTAINLY
WANT TO SUPPORT IN YOUR WORK
PLAN. AND WANT TO KNOW IF THERE
IS AN OPPORTUNITY ENGAGING YOU
ALL. THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT
OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE
THINKING ABOUT HOW WE ARE
BUILDING OUR CITY. PARTICULARLY
IN TERMS OF INCORPORATING
ELEMENTS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN
INTO THIS WORK. WE JUST WANTED
TO OPEN THE DOOR AND SAY WE
WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE THAT
DISCUSSION WITH THE COMMISSION
AND ASK IF IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE
TO WORK WITH YOU ALL AS WE ARE
SHAPING UP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
>> YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
THAT INVITATION. WE ARE ALSO
EXCITED TO DEEPEN THIS
PARTNERSHIP. IF THERE IS ANY WAY
WE CAN CONTRIBUTE AND BE
SUPPORTIVE OF THAT, WE WOULD
LOVE TO BE INVOLVED.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA?
>> THANK YOU MADAME CHAIR. I
WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE
DISABILITY COMMISSION HERE FOR
SHARING YOUR INSIGHTS AND
EXPERTISE. AND DOING SO VERY
GRACIOUSLY. THIS IS CRITICALLY
IMPORTANT WORK. ALL OF THE WORK
BY THE WAY, YOU KNOW. I ASPIRE
TO BE THE BEST ADVOCATE IN
AMPLIFYING AND UPLIFTING. IT IS
ANOTHER THING I LEARNED WERE
SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES WE
HAVE IN THE CITY. TO ADDR
YOUR SLIDE THERE ON
TRANSPORTATION. TO MAKE OUR
SYSTEM AND TRANSPORTATION
INFRASTRUCTURE MORE ACCESSIBLE.
AND INCLUSIVE. AND SO, DURING
THE LEVY CONVERSATIONS LAST
YEAR, VOTERS ULTIMATELY AS WE
ALL KNOW OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED
THAT LEVY. LAST YEAR I HAD THE
PRIVILEGE OF ENGAGING WITH A LOT
OF STAKE HOLDERS INCLUDE MANAGER
FROM THE DISABILITY COMMITTEE OR
COMMUNITY. MORE BROADLY. IN
NON-PROFIT LEADERS. AND ADVOCACY
ORGANIZATIONS. PARENTS WITH
DIFFERENTLY ABLED KIDS WORRIED
ABOUT ACCESS TO SIDEWALKS,
SCHOOLS. SPECIFIC GROUPS
INCLUDING DISABILITY RIGHTS
WASHINGTON. I'M VERY PROUD OF
THE STAKE HOLDERRING THAT WE DID
LEADING UP TO THE TRANSPORTATION
LEVY. WE SHAPED A GREAT PACKAGE.
THERE WERE A LOT OF COOL
INVESTMENTS FOR THE DISABILITY
COMMUNITY. INCLUDING SIDEWALKS.
THE SINGULAR BIGGEST INVESTMENTS
IN NEW SIDEWALKS EVER IN THE
CITY'S HISTORY. EVER. THE THEE
COUNCIL MEMBERS COINCIDENTALLY
WITH, WE HAVE 27% MISSING
SIDEWALKS IN THE WHOLE CITY AS
WE ALL KNOW. AND THE THREE
COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE THE
WORST OFF WHOSE DISTRICTS ARE
THE WORST OFF ARE HERE AT THIS
DAIS TODAY. COUNCILMEMBER MOORE
UP NORTH. MYSELF IN THE
SOUTHWEST. WEST SIDE. AND THEN,
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON EAST OF
I-5. WE ADDED A TON OF NEW
SIDEWALKS. ALL IT IS TO SAY,
THANK YOU FOR SHARING ALL OF
THIS. I WOULD LOVE TO PERSONALLY
MEET WITH YOU ALL. AND LEARN
MORE ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS AND
PERSPECTIVES ON WHAT MORE WE CAN
DO IN THIS POTENTIAL SPACE. MY
OFFICE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL. AND
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED I JUST
DON'T WANT TO IMPOSE MORE WORK
ON YOU. THAT'S MY STRUGGLE. BUT
ALSO THE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION
ON THAT AREA. I WANT TO SIT DOWN
AND MEET. IF YOU ARE FLEXIBLE ON
TIMING. IN ANY EVENT, THANK YOU
DISABILITY COMMISSION. LET'S
CONNECT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER, WE
WOULD LOVE TO CONNECT.
>> I WOULD DEFINITELY LOVE TO
CONNECT, ESPECIALLY ON FOSTER
YOUTH. ONE OF THE THINGS I HAD A
QUESTION ON. I KNOW THAT I'M
ALLERGIC TO THE PERTUSSIS
VACCINE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS
STILL TRUE. BUT I HAD A
QUESTION, CAN YOU FOSTER KIDS IF
YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO VACCINES? IS
THAT STILL TRUE? I WAS WONDERING
IF THAT HAD BEEN UPDATED OR NOT
BECAUSE I REALLY WANTED TO
FOSTER KIDS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER
BUT I THINK YOU CAN. BUT I WAS
WONDERING IF THAT HAD CHANGED OR
NOT. BUT I REALLY DO LOVE KIDS.
THEY ARE A PASSION OF MINE.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S A GREAT
QUESTION. AND YOU KNOW, WE COULD
POTENTIALLY EXPLORE MORE DURING
OUR OFFLINE HUDDLE. AND
ESPECIALLY TRANSPORTATION. SO
LET'S GET IT.
>> THANK YOU MADAME CHAIR. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. I WAS GOING TO
ASK ABOUT THE FIND IT FIX IT
APP. SO THAT HAS BEEN ASKED. SO,
AND ALSO, REALLY, SOMETHING I
DON'T SIT ON THIS COMMITTEE.
BUT IT IS A CONCERN OF MINE.
WHICH IS BEING ABLE TO ACCESS
EMPLOYMENT AT THE CITY. THERE DO
SEEM TO BE A LOT OF BARRIERS.
THIS IS A DIFFICULT PROCESS TO
GET THROUGH THE INITIAL
SCREENING AND HIRING. SO, ALL
THAT TO SAY I'M VERY INTERESTED
IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT. AND TRYING
TO MAKE ACCESS MORE READILY
AVAILABLE. SO INTERESTED TO
LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU
JESSICA AND SHELBY FOR YOUR
PRESENTATION. AND THINK. OH,
SORRY.
>> I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
>> THANK YOU CHAIR. SORRY. I
HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS TODAY
BECAUSE I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE
OUR COMMISSIONERS AGAIN. AND I
DIDN'T WANT TO MISS AN
OPPORTUNITY JUST OUT OF
CURIOSITY. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE
BEEN TALKING A LOT ABOUT THESE
CUTS TO FEDERAL FUNDING AND IT
JUST DAWNED ON ME THINKING ABOUT
OUR CRITICAL PROGRAMS THAT MANY
WITH DISABILITIES DEPEND ON.
THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT
THREATS. IS THERE ANYTHING ON
YOUR RADAR IN TERMS OF CRITICAL
PROGRAMS THAT ARE SERVING PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES THAT COULD BE
ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK?
>> YEAH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
THAT THOUGHTFUL QUESTION.
SHELBY, I CERTAINLY INVITE YOUR
THOUGHTS ON THIS AS WELL. I
THINK YOU NAMED A COUPLE ON OUR
MIND. SSI, SSDI. WATCHING WHAT
WE UNDERSTAND ABOUT MEDICAID AND
MEDICARE AS WELL. THINGS THAT
IMPACT THIS COMMUNITY. CERTAINLY
THINGS WE ARE KEEPING TABS ON.
>> WE WOULD LOVE TO JUST STAY IN
CONTACT ABOUT THOSE IMPACTS AND
WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AS THINGS
COME UP. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU TO
EVERYONE FOR ALL OF YOUR
PRESENTATIONS. AND THIS WAS AN
ACTIVE SESSION WHICH SHOWS THAT
WE ARE ALL TRULY INTERESTED IN
WHAT YOU ARE DOING. WE WANT TO
CONTINUE TO BE BETTER. BE
PARTNERS AND BE BETTER PARTNERS.
SO, I THINK WE ARE ALL
INTERESTED IN MEETING WITH YOU
INDIVIDUALLY AS COMMISSIONS AND
ALSO TRYING TO GET TO THE
COMMISSION MEETINGS IN THE
EVENING. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE
WORK YOU ARE DOING AND FOR YOUR
PRESENTATIONS. IT WAS REALLY
INFORMATIVE. THANK YOU. ALL
RIGHT. WELL, THANK YOU TO
COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR BEING
WILLING TO STAY. WE DID RUN OVER
A LITTLE BIT. BUT IT WAS
WORTHWHILE TO BE ABLE TO HEAR
ALL THIS INFORMATION AND HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN
CONVERSATIONS SO THANK YOU FOR
YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STAY A
LITTLE BIT LATE. SO, THAT SAID,
THIS WILL CONCLUDE THE FEBRUARY
12th MEETING OF THE HOUSING AND
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE. THE
NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED
FEBRUARY 26, THE TIME IS 11:22
AND WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.