>>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING
EVERYONE. SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
MEETING OF THE LIBRARIES,
EDUCATION, AND NEIGHBORHOODS
COMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER.
IT'S 9:32 A.M. I'M MARITZA
RIVERA, CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.
FOR MANY OF US SAYING THE WORDS
SEPTEMBER 11 STILL DIFFICULT AND
UNCOMFORTABLE. SINCE 2001, THIS
DATE IS SEARED IN THE MEMORIES
OF SOME OF US, ESPECIALLY THOSE
OF US FROM NEW YORK CITY WHOSE
FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES WERE
FOREVER IMPACTED THAT DAY, SUCH
AS MYSELF. I WANTED TO TAKE A
MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MANY
LIVES THAT WERE LOST. WHAT OUR
COUNTRY WENT THROUGH ON THAT
DAY, AND THE WEEKS, MONTHS, AND
YEARS AFTER, AND HOW WE REMAIN A
CHANGED NATION. THANK YOU FOR
ALLOWING ME TO REFLECT ON THIS
THIS MORNING. ONTO OUR AGENDA
FOR TODAY. I'LL NOTE FOR THE
RECORD, COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ IS
EXCUSED FROM TODAY'S MEETING.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON?
>> HERE.
>> VICE CHAIR RINCK?
>> PRESENT.
>> AND CHAIR RIVERA?
>> PRESENT.
>> FOUR COUNCILMEMBERS ARE
PRESENT.
>> ALL RIGHT, IF THERE'S OX,
THE AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA
IS ADOPTED. THERE ARE 13 ITEMS
OF BUSINESS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
WE WILL BE CONSIDERING AND
VOTING ON TWO APPOINTMENTS TO
THE LANDMARKS PRESERVATION
BOARD. THE APPOINTMENT OF
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION BOARD OF
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, AND FOR
DWANE CHAPPELLE AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING. WE WILL NOW OPEN
THE PUBLIC -- EXCUSE ME, THE
HYBRID PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
PUBLIC COMMENT SHOULD RELATE TO
ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR WITHIN
THE PURVIEW OF IT THIS
COMMITTEE. CLERK, HOW MANY
SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP TODAY?
>> ONE MOMENT.
>> CURRENTLY WE HAVE NO
IN-PERSON SPEAKERS AND TWO
REMOTE SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR
TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU PLEASE
READ THE PUBLIC COMMENT
INSTRUCTIONS?
>> THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
WILL BE MODERATED IN THE
FOLLOWING MANNER. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IS UP TO 20
MINUTES. EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE
TWO MINUTES. SPEAKERS WILL BE
CALLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH
THEY ARE REGISTERED. WE WILL
START WITH IN-PERSON SPEAKERS,
IF THEY ARE HERE, AND THEN
REMOTE SPEAKERS UNTIL THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD HAS ENDED.
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A CHIME WHEN
TEN SECONDS ARE LEFT OF THEIR
TIME. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
IS NOW OPEN, AND WE WILL BEGIN
WITH THE FIRST SPEAKER ON THE
REMOTE LIST.
WHICH IS DAVID HAINES.
>> HI, THANK YOU, DAVID HAINES.
THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE IN DIRE
STRAIGHTS, AND WE HAVE PRAISES
AND PULLINGS FOR A MAYOR WHO HAS
FAILED THIS COMMUNITY. EVEN YOU,
DISTRICT, HAVE BECOME A HOT BED
OF GANG RAPE AND SEX
EXPLOITATION. THERE IS NO REAL
EFFORT TO PUT AN END TO IT. AND
IN SEPARATE, CITY COUNCIL HAS
NOT MADE ANY REAL EFFORTS TO
IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE IN THE
HOURS OF THE CENTRAL LIBRARY AND
THE OTHER LIBRARIES. THERE IS
LITERALLY MISERABLE EXPERIENCE
THAT ARE REPULSIVE WHEN YOU
CAN'T GO INTO THE LIBRARY AND
SIT DOWN AND READ BECAUSE OF THE
WAY YOU DESIGN THE LIBRARY AS IF
IT IS DESIGNED TO KEEP YOU
AWAKE, IRRITATED, AND BOTHERED.
AND THERE IS ALMOST ALWAYS
SOMEBODY WITHIN A FEW INCHES OF
YOU MAKING A BUNCH OF NOISE WITH
INCONSIDERATE BAD HABITS, JUST
WALKING RIGHT PAST YOU, DROPPING
BODY DUST ON YOU. AND THEN YOU
GO OVER TO THE COMPUTER, AND YOU
CAN'T EVEN GET AWAY FROM THE
SMELL, THE BAD HABITS, AND THE
ANNOYING NOISES OF PEOPLE WITH
MENTAL PROBLEMS AND
INCONSIDERATE CHAIR DRAGGINGS,
STARTLING EVERYONE. YOU START
REALIZING THE LIBRARY IS
PERMEATED WITH ALL OF THESE
HOMELESS AND BEHAVIORAL CRISIS
AND DRUG ADDICTS, AND
DISRESPECTFUL PEOPLE. NOBODY IS
DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE
LIBRARIANS DON'T WANT TO BE
BOTHERED. YET THEY HAVE -- ALL
THEY HAVE TO DO IS CALL THE
SERVICE PROVIDERS. ALL COUNCIL
HAS TO DO IS KEEP THOSE SERVICE
PROVIDERS HONEST, BUT WE DON'T
HAVE THAT. WE HAVE A BUNCH OF
VIRTUE SIGNALING AND EMPTY WORDS
TO REFERENCE IT, BUT THERE
HASN'T BEEN ANY IMPROVEMENT
YET. ALL WHILE COUNCIL WANTS TO
ISSUE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
AND LANDMARK PRESERVATION ON ANY
AND EVERY PIECE OF SLUM REAL
ESTATE IN SEATTLE, LIKE
ICONICALLY RIDICULOUS. I'M NOT
TALKING ABOUT THE CHURCH. I'M
TALKING ABOUT ALL THESE RUNDOWN
BUILDINGS IN PIONEER SQUARE.
IT'S LIKE THERE'S CERTAIN
NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THEY JUST
NEED TO BE TORN DOWN. BUT SOME
OF THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN
DRUNK IN SEATTLE SINCE WAY BACK
IN THE DAY, THEY'RE STUCK WITH
WHAT THEY'RE FAMILIAR WITH, AND
THEY WANT TO KEEP THINGS AS THEY
ARE. IF YOU IMPROVE THINGS,
THEY'LL FEEL EMPTY INSIDE
BECAUSE OF A SLUMP PIECE OF REAL
ESTATE THEY USED TO GET DRUNK
IN. WE NEED BETTER LEADERSHIP.
WE NEED SOBER FOCUSED
LEADERSHIP. NOT COUNCIL THAT IS
DISTRACTED WITH SELF-DEALING
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BEHIND THE
SCENES. WATERING DOWN THE
INTEGRITY OF OVERSIGHT. YOU NEED
TO IMPROVE THE LIBRARIES. JUST
LIKE YOU NEED TO IMPROVE OUR
SOCIETY. THEY'RE NOT REALLY
MAKING THE DILIGENT HONEST
EFFORT WITH THAT. YOU WANT A
VIRTUAL SIGNAL ABOUT HOW
ADVANCED THE LIBRARY IS IF YOU
CAN GET SOMETHING ONLINE. BUT
YOU GO IN THERE JUST TO USE THE
LIBRARY FOR AN HOUR OR TWO.
IT'S THE MISERABLE EXPERIENCE.
>> TIME HAS EXPIRED.
>>
>> OH MY GOSH, I'M SO SORRY.
THAT'S SUPPOSE TO AUTOMATICALLY
COME OFF WHEN THE TIME IS UP.
THANK YOU, SPEAKER. AND WE'RE
GOING TO FIX THE TIMER HERE.
>> THAT WAS THE LAST SPEAKER.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> I THOUGHT THERE WERE TWO?
>> CHAIR, THAT WAS THE LAST
REGISTERED SPEAKER.
>> THANK YOU, CLERK. ANY
ADDITIONAL REGISTERED SPEAKERS
OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
CLOSED, SO WE WILL PROCEED TO
OUR ITEMS OF BUSINESS. BUT
BEFORE WE DO THAT, I NOTICED WE
HAVE WHAT LOOKS LIKE A CLASS IN
HERE TODAY. VICE CHAIR RINCK, I
SAW YOUR STAFFER ESCORT THEM IN.
DO YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE THEM?
>> CERTAINLY. WELL, THIS IS A
SURPRISE TO ME THIS MORNING AS
WELL. AND SO I WANT TO WELCOME
THE CLASS THAT'S HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR COMING TO CITY
HALL. THANKS FOR GETTING
CONNECTED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
WE HAVE AN EXCITING AGENDA FOR
US TODAY. WELCOME TO THE
LIBRARY'S EDUCATION AND
NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE HERE ON
COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU. STUDENTS, CAN ONE
OF YOU TELL ME WHAT SCHOOL
YOU'RE FROM? I WOULD LOVE TO
KNOW TO WELCOME YOU PROPERLY AS
A SCHOOL. THE DOWNTOWN SCHOOL.
WELCOME, DOWNTOWN SCHOOL TO
SEATTLE CITY HALL AND TO THE
LIBRARIES EDUCATION AND
NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE. WE'RE
SO HAPPY THAT YOU'RE HERE
TODAY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
ALL RIGHT. I ALWAYS ENJOY YOUNG
PEOPLE COMING. YOU'RE THE
FUTURE. MAYBE SOME OF YOU WILL
BE SITTING UP HERE SOME DAY, SO
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE
ENGAGEMENT FROM THE STUDENTS AND
THE SCHOOLS THAT COME TO VISIT
CITY HALL. THANKS FOR BEING HERE
AGAIN. ALL RIGHT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEMS
ONE AND TWO INTO THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEMS ONE AND TWO.
AGENDA ITEM 1, APPOINTMENT
03321. THE APPOINTMENT OF ERICA
THOMAS AS MEMBER OF THE
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION BOARD, AS
AN AT LARGE MEMBER FOR A TERM TO
AUGUST 14, 2028. AGENDA ITEM
TWO, APPOINTMENT 03320, THE
AVICINITIMENT OF VJ KOPACKI AS A
MEMBER OF THE LANDMARKS
PRESERVATION BOARD AS A
HISTORIAN FOR A TERM TO AUGUST
14, 2028 FOR BRIEFING,
DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THESE
APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN READ INTO
THE RECORD. WE'RE JOINED BY
ERIN DOHERTY, THE LANDMARKS
COORDINATOR AT THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS, WHO WILL BE
PRESENTING THE APPOINTMENTS.
ERIN, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR
THE RECORD, AND YOU MAY BEGIN.
>> GOOD MORNING, ERIN DOHERTY,
THE SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS. SO THANK YOU ALL
FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. WE
HAVE, STARTING WITH THE TWO
APPOINTMENTS, AND THEN WE HAVE
ANOTHER ITEM TO DISCUSS. SO I'M
JOINED TODAY BY ERICA J. THOMAS.
SHE'S HERE IN THE AUDIENCE.
HERE SHE IS. SO WE ARE SEEKING
TO APPOINT ERICA IN THE AT-LARGE
POSITION ON THE LANDMARKS
PRESERVATION BOARD. THIS IS FOR
A TERM THROUGH AUGUST 14, 2028.
ERICA THOMAS IS A LIFELONG
SEATTLEITE. SHE HOLDS A BACHELOR
OF ARTS IF PSYCHOLOGY WITH A
MINOR IN SOCIOLOGY, SPECIFICALLY
COMPARATIVE ETHNIC STUDIES.
ERICA WORKS IN ADMINISTRATIVE
OPERATIONS, DATA MANAGEMENT, AND
CLIENT RELATIONS. IN THE
CORPORATE AND NON-PROFIT SECTOR.
SHE SEES THE IMPORTANCE OF
PRESERVING SPACES THAT TELL THE
STORIES OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT
BUILT THIS CITY, AND IS
CONCERNED ABOUT NEIGHBORHOODS
AND HISTORIES THAT MAY BE
OVERLOOKED OR ERASED. HER HOPE
IS TO BRING HEART, HISTORY, AND
PERSPECTIVE TO THE LANDMARKS
BOARD AND TO HELP PRESERVE
SEATTLE'S LEGACY.
>> THANK YOU, ERIN. ERICA, WOULD
YOU LIKE TO COME UP TO SAY A FEW
WORDS? YOU'RE WELCOMED TO IF
YOU WOULD LIKE.
EITHER MICROPHONE IS WORKING, SO
WHICHEVER ONE IS MOST
COMFORTABLE TO YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. I'M
HAPPY TO BE HERE. YES, GOOD
MORNING, EVERYBODY, I'M HAPPY
TO BE HERE. I APPRECIATE THE
CHANCE TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, I AM ERICA, AND I AM FROM
SEATTLE. I GREW UP IN RAINIER
BEACH, AND I LOVE IN THE
DISTRICT, AND I'M A MEMBER OF
MOUNT ZION. I WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M
HONORED TO SERVE AS A MEMBER AT
LARGE ON THE LANDMARKS
PRESERVATION BOARD TO HELP
BALANCE GROWTH WITH STEWARDSHIP,
PROTECTING PLACES THAT TELLS
SEATTLE'S WHOLE STORY. I WANT
TO SERVE BECAUSE I SEE IT AS MY
CIVIC DUTY TO GIVE BACK TO THE
COMMUNITY THAT RAISED ME.
PRESERVING OUR LANDMARKS,
ESPECIALLY THOSE TIED TO
UNDERREPRESENTED HISTORIES AND
PEOPLE. SO I'M HERE TO SERVE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ERICA. [ APPLAUSE
]
ERIN?
>> THANK YOU, ERICA. OKAY, OUR
SECOND CANDIDATE IS VJ KOPACKI.
VJ COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. HAD
A WORK CONFLICT. WE'RE SEEKING
TO APPOINT VJ IN THE HISTORIAN
POSITION FOR A TERM THAT ENDS
AUGUST 14, 2028. VJ KOPACKI HAS
OVER A DECADE OF PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE IN MUSEUM LEADERSHIP,
PUBLIC HISTORY, AND HISTORIC
PRESERVATION. SHE IS PASSIONATE
ABOUT HONORING AND INTERPRETING
THE LAYERED HISTORIES OF OUR
BUILT ENVIRONMENT THROUGH
COMMUNITY CENTERED RESEARCH AND
PRESERVATION. TO HELP TELL THE
FULL STORY OF OUR SHARED PAST.
VJ HOLDS A MASTER'S DEGREE IN
MUSEUM STUDIES AND A BACHELOR'S
DEGREE IN ANTHROPOLOGY AND
GENDER STUDIES. SHE IS CURRENTLY
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
KENT HISTORICAL MUSEUM IN KENT
WASHINGTON AND SEEKS TO BRING
HER PASSION FOR PRESERVING
HERITAGE IN A PRACTICAL
KNOWLEDGE OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS
TO THE LANDMARKS PRESERVATION
BOARD.
>> THANK YOU, ERIN. THANK YOU,
VJ, FOR WANTING TO SERVE ON THIS
COMMISSION. THANK YOU, ERICA FOR
WANTING TO SERVE ON THIS
COMMISSION FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS
TO SERVE. COLLEAGUES, DO YOU
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
ALL RIGHT. IF NOT, I MOVE THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT
03321 AND 03320. IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO
CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENTS. ARE
THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? THEN
I'M JUST GOING TO SAY WHAT I
ALWAYS SAY. I'M ALWAYS SO
APPRECIATIVE PEOPLE ARE WILLING
TO STEP UP AND SERVE THEIR
COMMUNITIES AND IT THIS CITY BY
TAKING THESE VOLUNTEER PAID
POSITIONS. THEY VOLUNTEER THEIR
TIME AND THEIR PASSION TO THESE
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AT THE
CITY, AND I AM SO GRATEFUL AND
HONORED THAT FOLKS CARE ENOUGH
ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITIES IN THE
CITY TO TAKE ON THESE VOLUNTEER
POSITIONS. AND STUDENTS IN THE
BACK, WE HAVE A YOUTH COMMISSION
ACTUALLY. SO IT IF SOMEDAY YOU
WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SERVING
ON A COMMISSION, YOU CAN LET US
KNOW. WE CAN SEND THE
INFORMATION TO YOUR PRINCIPLE,
YOUR TEACHERS. YOU CAN SIGN UP
TO SERVE ON THE COMMISSION
POSITION, VACANCIES WILL COME
OPEN FROM TIME TO TIME,
ESPECIALLY AS STUDENTS MOVE ON
TO COLLEGE AND SUCH. AND SO
THESE ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES
FOR YOU TO GET INVOLVED IN YOUR
COMMUNITY AND SERVE. WE WOULD
LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. IT IS
IMPORTANT TO HEAR FROM YOUTH
VOICES, SO I WILL ENCOURAGE YOU
TO THINK ABOUT THAT FOR THE
FUTURE. ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE CONFIRMATION OF THE
APPOINTMENTS? HAD
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON?
>> AYE.
>> VICE CHAIR RINCK?
>> YES.
>> CHAIR RIVERA?
>> AYE.
>> WE HAVE FOUR IN FAVOR AND
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE
APPOINTMENTS BE CONFIRMED WILL
BE SENT TO THE SEPTEMBER 16,
2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. THANK
YOU AGAIN, ERICA. THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE. CONGRATULATIONS.
THANK YOU, VJ. SORRY YOU
COULDN'T BE WITH US TODAY, BUT
WE'RE THINKING ABOUT YOU. ALL
RIGHT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE
NEXT AGENDA ITEM. CLERK, PLEASE
READ ITEM 3 INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 3, COUNCIL BILL
121075, AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION, IMPOSING
CONTROLS UPON TOLLIVER TEMPLE
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, A
LANDMARK DESIGNATED BY THE
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION BOARD
UNDER CHAPTER 25.12 OF THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE, AND
ADDING IT TO THE TABLE OF
HISTORICAL LANDMARKS CONTAINED
IN CHAPTER 25.32 OF THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE FOR A BRIEFING,
DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU, THIS ITEM HAS BEEN
READ INTO THE RECORD.
COLLEAGUES, ERIN WILL STAY HERE
TO INTRODUCE THIS LANDMARK
DESIGNATION FOR OUR
CONSIDERATION.
>> I APOLOGIZE. IT'S UP ON THE
SCREEN, BUT NOT SHOWING ON THE
BIG SCREEN.
>> NO WORRIES, WE'VE HAD TECH
ISSUES IN CHAMBER ALL WEEK.
THANK YOU TO OUR CLERK FOR
HELPING GET THIS PRESENTATION UP
AND RUNNING.
>> AND WHILE THAT'S HAPPENING,
I'LL ALSO THANK THE COUNCIL.
YOU POINTED ANOTHER MEMBER FOR
THE PROGRAM. THE YOUTH PROGRAM.
SO THANK YOU FOR APPOINTING
CAMERON WONG. AND YOU ALSO
APPOINTED SOME TO THE PIONEER
SQUARE. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> ALL RIGHT. OKAY, SO TODAY,
WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT AN
ORDINANCE TO CODIFY CONTROLS AND
INCENTIVES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
TOLLIVER TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN
CHRIST AND THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION OFFICER. BUT WE
WILL START WITH A SHORT OVERVIEW
OF THE BROADER HISTORICAL
PRESERVATION PROGRAM, UNDER
WHICH THE LANDMARKS' BOARD
RESIDES. THE MISSION OF SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS IS
TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY
MEMBERS TO BUILD STRONG
COMMUNITIES, RECEIVE EQUITABLE
ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT, AND
IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION WORKS IN
COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITIES
TO PRESERVE PLACES THAT ARE
IDENTIFIED AS IMPORTANT. KEEPING
THE CONNECTION OF THE PAST HELPS
FOSTER COMMUNITY BELONGING IN
THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE. AND
THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION
PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE
INCLUDES BOTH THE LANDMARKS. PA,
WHICH IS OVER 450 INDIVIDUALLY
DESIGNATED LANDMARKS, BUT THERE
ARE ALSO EIGHT LOCAL HISTORIC
DISTRICTS IN THE CITY. THE WORK
OF OUR BOARDS, THE BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONS, ALL LED BY
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS. WE CAN'T
DO THE WORK WITHOUT THE
VOLUNTEERS. THEY ARE THE
DECISION MAKERS. WE SUPPORT
PEOPLE THROUGH THE NOMINATION
AND DESIGNATION PROCESS OF
MAKING NEW LANDMARKS, MANAGING
THE CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL
PROCESS, AND THAT IS LIKE A
PERMIT TO ALTER AN EXISTING
LANDMARK OR CONTRIBUTING
BUILDING OR OUR FUTURE AND
HISTORIC DISTRICT. WE ALSO
CONDUCT SURVEYS AND INVENTORIES
OF HISTORIC RESOURCES, AND WE
COMPLETED THE DISABILITY
ACTIVISM PROJECT LAST YEAR. WE
DO COORDINATION OF MAJOR PROJECT
REVIEW. SOMETIMES THAT'S
HELPING AN APPLICANT WHO IS
SEEKING TO DO WORK IN A LANDMARK
OR IN A DISTRICT. AND THEY NEED
PERMITS FROM MULTIPLE
DEPARTMENTS. SO WE ARE ASSISTING
AND COORDINATING THAT. IT MIGHT
ALSO MEAN WE'RE HELPING ANOTHER
DEPARTMENT THAT OWNS A LANDMARK
OR A CONTRIBUTING BUILDING OR
FEATURE IN A DISTRICT. WE ARE
ASSISTING THEM WITH MANY TIMES,
MULTI-YEAR PROJECTS AND PHASES.
HELPING THEM NAVIGATE THAT
PROCESS. AND THEN ALSO ENGAGING
THE COMMUNITY IN EDUCATION,
OUTREACH, AND STORY TELLING. SO
WHEN THE BOARD CONSIDERS A NEW
POTENTIAL LANDMARK, THEY ARE
LOOKING AT THE DESIGNATION
STANDARDS. IN ORDER TO BE
DESIGNATED AS A LANDMARK, A
BUILDING OBJECT, AND SITE, THIS
IS THE CODE WRITTEN TODAY 25
YEARS OLD THAT IT IS CHANGING.
THEY MUST MEET ONE OF THE SIX
STANDARDS FOR DESIGNATION AS
OUTLINED IN THE ORDINANCE AND
THE SIX STANDARDS A THROUGH F
ARE HERE. I WILL JUST READ THEM
INTO THE RECORD. BECAUSE WE HAVE
MANY PEOPLE HERE TODAY. BUT THEY
ONLY NEED TO CHOOSE ONE. BUT ALL
SIX ARE HERE. A, IT IS THE
LOCATION OF OR ASSOCIATED IN A
SIGNIFICANT WAY, WHERE THE
HISTORIC EVENT FOR THE
SIGNIFICANT AFFECT UPON THE
COMMUNITIES, CITY, OOPS, SORRY.
COMMUNITY, CITY, STATE, NATION.
B, IT IS ASSOCIATED IN A
SIGNIFICANT WAY WITH THE LIFE OF
A PERSON IMPORTANT IN THE
HISTORY OF THE CITY, STATE, OR
NATION. C, IT IS ASSOCIATED IN A
SIGNIFICANT WAY WITH A
SIGNIFICANT ASPECT OF THE
CULTURAL, POLITICAL, OR ECONOMIC
HERITAGE OF THE COMMUNITY, CITY,
STATE, OR NATION. D, IT EMBODIES
THE DISTINCT VISIBLE
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OR PERIOD OR
METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION. E, IT IS
AN OUTSTANDING WORK OF A DESIGN
OR BUILDER. F, BECAUSE OF THE
CONTRACT OF AGE, IT'S EASILY
IDENTIFIABLE FEATURE OF THE
CITY, AND DISTRIBUTES TO THE
DISTINCTIVE QUALITY OR IDENTITY
OF SUCH NEIGHBORHOOD OR THE
CITY. IN ADDITION TO MEETING AT
LEAST ONE OF THE STANDARDS, THE
OBJECT SITE OR IMPROVEMENT MUST
ALSO POSSESS INTEGRITY. OKAY,
THAT'S A LOT OF WORDS, I
APOLOGIZE. BUT READING
EVERYTHING THAT'S ON THE
SCREEN. SO TODAY, WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT TOLLIVER TEMPLE CHURCH OF
GOD IN CHRIST. I'D LIKE TO
THANK PASTOR ISABEL, WHO IS HERE
WITH US IN THE AUDIENCE. EDITH
HARRISON IS ALSO HERE. I DON'T
KNOW IT IF ROSE IS HERE? OKAY, I
DON'T SEE ROSE. BUT I WANT TO
THANK BISHOP MOORE, PASTOR
ISABEL, AND EDITH HARRISON AND
WALLACE CROON, ALL CONTRIBUTED
TO TOLLIVER TEMPLE IN DIFFERENT
WAYS, IN TERMS OF PRESENTING AND
PREPARING THE NOMINATION, BUT
ALSO BEING STEWARDS OF THE
BUILDING. I'D LIKE TO THANK AND
RECOGNIZE JAMIE AND SARAH
MARTIN, WHO HELPED PREPARE THE
NOMINATION. THE WORK THAT THEY
HAVE DONE IS WHAT WE'RE SHOWING
YOU HERE IN TODAY'S
PRESENTATION. SO THIS IS
TOLLIVER TEMPLE, CHURCH OF
CHRIST. PARDON ME. 1915 EAST 1
STREET IN THE CENTRAL AREA. THIS
IS DESIGNATED BY THE LANDMARKS
BOARD ON JUNE 1, 2023. UNDER
STANDARDS A, B, C, D, E, AND F,
SO ALL SIX STANDARDS, EVEN
THOUGH THEY ONLY NEED TO CHOOSE
ONE. SO TOLLIVER TEMPLE JOINS A
SHORT LIST OF OTHER LANDMARK
PROPERTIES WHO HAVE ALL SIX
STANDARDS. JUST MENTIONED THEM,
SO PEOPLE CAN KIND OF GET A
SENSE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH. THE
MURAL AT SEATTLE CENTER, THE
COLISEUM, WHICH WE ALL KNOW
TODAY AS CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA.
SPECIFIC SCIENCE CENTER, AND THE
SPACE NEEDLE. SO TOLLIVER
TEMPLE, THEY WILL JOIN THAT
GROUP TODAY. THE BOARD
DESIGNATED THE SITE OF THE
BUILDING, THE EXTERIOR OF THE
BUILDING, THEN THE SANCTUARY
INTERIOR SPACE AND THE SANCTUARY
IS LOCATED HERE ON THE EAST END
OF THE BUILDING. SO THIS
SIMPLIFIED ROMAN STYLE
STRUCTURES, WHO DESIGNED A
NUMBER OF STRUCTURES IN THE
SEATTLE REGION. TOLLIVER TEMPLE
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST WAS HOST
FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS. UNTIL THEY
BUILT A NEW STRUCTURE. ALTHOUGH
THEY MOVED, SOME OF THE MEMBERS
AND THE RABBIS MAINTAINED
RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS AND
PASTORS OF TOLLIVER TEMPLE FOR
DECADES ACROSS GENERATIONS OF
FAMILIES. ROSE WALLACE IS ONE OF
THOSE PEOPLE. WHEN IT BUILDING
WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1929, THE
CENTRAL AREA WAS HOME TO BLACK,
JEWISH, AND JAPANESE
COMMUNITIES, WHERE THE STRONG
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
FABRIC THAT WAS INTERTWINED.
TOLLIVER TEMPLE IS NAMED FOR
ELLIE TOLLIVER, ONE OF THE
ORIGINAL TRUSTEES FOR SEATTLE'S
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST AND GOD.
FOLLOWED BY HIS SERVICE IN WORLD
WAR I. MR. TOLLIVER MOVED TO
SEATTLE FROM MISSISSIPPI, PART
OF THE GREAT MIGRATION OF BLACK
AMERICANS WHO LEFT THE SOUTH FOR
OPPORTUNITY AND A BETTER LIFE.
BISHOP TOLLIVER BEGAN HIS OWN
CONGREGATION IN SEATTLE IN 1940.
IN A COMMERCIAL BUILDING LOCATED
AT 424 21st AVENUE. JUST OFF THE
SCREEN UP TO THE TOP OF THE
RIGHT. THEY WORSHIPED IN THAT
SPACE FOR OVER TWO DECADES,
PURCHASING THE SUBJECT PROPERTY
YOU SEE HERE, OUTLINED IN RED.
AND THEY BEGAN BUILDING ON THIS
PROPERTY. THEY COMPLETED IN 1963
AND DEDICATION SERVICES WERE
HELD ON JANUARY, 1964. IN
ADDITION TO THOUSANDS OF
SERVICES AND CELEBRATIONS, THE
CHURCH OPENS THEIR DOOR TO THE
GREATER COMMUNITY, HOSTING
MEALS, MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, AND
FUNDRAISERS. TODAY, I'M JUST SO
GRATEFUL THAT WE'RE HERE TO
CELEBRATE THE BUILDING. I WANT
TO THANK ALL OF YOU, AND I'M
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU, ERIN.
THANK YOU, PASTOR ISABEL FOR
BEING HERE, AND EDITH HARRISON
FOR BEING HERE, AND FOR YOUR
WORK. THANK YOU TO ROSE, EVEN
THOUGH SHE COULDN'T BE HERE
TODAY FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU
PUT INTO THIS DESIGNATION AND
FOR THE CARE TAKING OF TOLLIVER
TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING
HERE TODAY. ALL RIGHT.
COLLEAGUES, DO YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR RIVERA.
THANK YOU, PASTOR ISABEL FOR
BEING HERE AND SISTER HARRISON
FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR
THAT PRESENTATION. REALLY
EXCITED ABOUT THIS IN THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT. PEOPLE OFTEN
WONDER WHY I GO SO HARD FOR
BLACK CHURCHES AND CELEBRATE
BLACK CHURCHES IN OUR CITY. NOT
BECAUSE I BELONG TO A BLACK
CHURCH, BUT REALLY BECAUSE THE
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION, THE
COMMUNITY BUILDING, THE SOCIAL
CONNECTION, THE CULTURAL
PRESERVATION, AND ALSO THE
EDUCATION IN ECONOMIC
EMPOWERMENT THAT BLACK CHURCHES
OFFER IN OUR CITY. IT WAS A HOME
FOR FOLKS WHO COULD NOT GO TO
OTHER PLACES IN OUR CITY. BLACK
CHURCH FOR ME IS ONE OF THE
PLACES WHERE I FEEL SOMETIMES
THE MOST SAFEST IN OUR CITY
BECAUSE OF THE CONNECTION AND
THE COMMUNITY -- THE FAMILY THAT
IT BRINGS TO OUR CITY. VERY
EXCITED ABOUT THIS. I KNOW IT'S
IN OUR CENTRAL DISTRICT. IT
BELONGS THERE. FOR US TO
CONTINUE THAT PRESERVATION, AND
LIKE I ALWAYS SAY FOR ANYTHING
OF BLACK HISTORY, WE KNOW OUR
HISTORY, WE KNOW OUR POTENTIAL
GREATNESS. THANK YOU ALL FOR
BEING HERE. LOOKING FORWARD TO
VOTING YES ON THIS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH. PASTOR ISABEL, I
MEANT TO DO THIS EARLIER, BUT I
DIDN'T WANT TO PUT YOU ON THE
SPOT. IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP
TO SAY A FEW WORDS, YOU'RE
WELCOME TO. YOU DON'T HAVE TO,
BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. THIS IS
AN IMPORTANT DAY FOR TOLLIVER
TEMPLE.
>> EXCUSE ME. IT'S GOOD TO BE
HERE TODAY. WE THANK YOU FOR
EVERYONE WHO IS PRESENT. YES,
I'M THE PASTOR AT TOLLIVER
TEMPLE. I'M THE FIFTH IN
SUCCESSION. BISHOP TOLLIVER WAS
THE FIRST. AFTER HIM,
SUPERINTENDENT F.L. JAMES. AMEN.
THEN AFTER HIM, EXCUSE ME, I'M
THE FOURTH. AFTER HIM CAME
SUPERINTENDENT O.J. JENKINS AND
MYSELF. PASTOR KENNETH IS
PASSIONATE ABOUT GOING ON MY
18th YEAR. HE HAD A CHURCH
LOCATED IN SOUTH SEATTLE. BECAME
ILL AND THE CHURCH VOTED FOR ME
TO TAKE OVER TOLLIVER TEMPLE
CHURCH. I THANK GOD FOR THAT
CHURCH AS WAS SAID BY MS.
HOLLINGSWORTH. IT'S BEEN A
STAPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR A
LONG TIME. WE ARE THE SECOND
OLDEST CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.
SECOND ONLY TO MADISON TEMPLE,
WHICH IS LOCATED ON 23rd AND
MADISON. JUST TO BE A LANDMARK,
BE DESIGNATED A LANDMARK SPEAKS
VOLUMES. I'M SURE
SUPERINTENDENT JAMES AND BISHOP
TOLLIVER COULD BE HERE TODAY,
THEY WOULD BE MORE THAN
THRILLED. SO WE THANK YOU FOR
ALLOWING US TO SERVE. WE DO HAVE
CONTACT WITH THE JEWISH
COMMUNITY. THEY COME BY EVERY
MONTH OR SO. THEY BRING A VAN
LOAD OR A BUS ROAD. THERE'S 30
OR 40 OF THEM THAT COME UP, AND
WE SHOW THEM THE BUILDING AND
THEY WALK THROUGH IN SOME OF
THOSE. THEY WOULD SAY I GOT
MARRIED RIGHT OVER THERE. AND SO
IT IS REALLY A PLACE OF HONOR.
SO WE THANK GOD. WE ARE LOCATED
IN THE HEART OF THE CENTRAL AREA
RIGHT OFF OF YESLER, RIGHT ON
20th AND FIR, RIGHT ON THE
CORNER. SO WE ARE THANKFUL WE'VE
BEEN PRESERVED. WE WILL BE THERE
WITH ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE
GOING AROUND IN OUR CITY. JUST
KNOWING THAT WE'LL BE THERE,
EVEN WHEN I'M PASSED ON. THAT
CHURCH WILL YET BE HERE, SO I
WANT TO THANK YOU ALL AND THANK
YOU SO MUCH ERIN. WE THANK
SISTER HARRISON FOR BEING HERE
WITH US. SO CONTINUE TO HOLD US
IN YOUR PRAYERS, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, PASTOR. THOSE WERE
BEAUTIFUL WORDS. I WILL SAY I'VE
HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO
VISIT SOME BLACK CHURCHES IN
THIS COUNTRY. I'VE NEVER HAD
FELT MORE WELCOMED THAN I HAVE
WHEN I'VE BEEN TO A BLACK
CHURCH. I AM SO HONORED TO BE A
PART OF THIS TODAY OF THIS
DESIGNATION, SO THANK YOU. ALL
RIGHT, COLLEAGUES. LET US TAKE
THE VOTE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
ONE SECOND HERE. ALL RIGHT. I
MOVE THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND
PASSAGE OF COUNCIL BILL 121075,
DESIGNATED TOLLIVER TEMPLE
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST AS A
LANDMARK, A HISTORIC LANDMARK.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> ALL RIGHT, IT'S BEEN MOVED
AND SECONDED TO RECOMMEND
PASSAGE OF THE BILL. ARE THERE
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
RECOMMENDING PASSAGE OF COUNCIL
BILL 1201075?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON?
>> YES.
>> CHAIR RIVERA?
>> A RESOUNDING YES. [ APPLAUSE
]
>> THERE ARE -- PARDON ME, THERE
ARE FOUR IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE
RECOMMENDATION THE BILL BE
PASSED WILL BE SENT TO THE
SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU
AGAIN, ALL.
>> THANK YOU, AND IF I MAY? I
WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK BISHOP.
HE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE HERE TODAY,
BUT HE REALLY DID SUPPORT THIS
THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT,
ERIN. THAT'S IMPORTANT. THANK
YOU.
ALL RIGHT, AND THANK YOU ALL
AGAIN FOR BEING HERE TODAY. THIS
IS REALLY AN HONOR, SO THANK
YOU. ALL RIGHT, CLERK, PLEASE
READ AGENDA ITEM 4 INTO THE
RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 4, APPOINTMENT
03294, THE REAPPOINTMENT OF
DWANE CHAPPELLE AS DIRECTOR OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING FOR A TERM TO
AUGUST 1, 2029 FOR BRIEFING AND
DISCUSSION.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. THIS
APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN READ INTO
THE RECORD. WHILE DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE COMES UP TO THE DESK,
I WANT TO SAY COLLEAGUES, I HAVE
HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF
KNOWING AND WORKING WITH
DIRECTOR DWANE CHAPPELLE FOR THE
PAST ALMOST EIGHT YEARS. BETWEEN
MY PAST ROLE IN THE DURKAN
ADMINISTRATION. WE WORK TOGETHER
IN SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND THEIR
FAMILIES WITH CHILDCARE,
PRESCHOOL, K-12, AND THE PROMISE
PROGRAM. I WORKED WITH DWANE ON
THE LAST TWO FAMILY AND
EDUCATION LEVIES. I CAN TELL YOU
PUTTING TOGETHER A LEVY RENEWAL
IS NO SMALL FEAT FOR A
DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY AS THEY
CONTINUE THE DEPARTMENT'S
DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS. DWANE LED
HIS TEAM THROUGH THESE PROCESSES
WITH AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO
DELIVER THE BEST SERVICES TO OUR
KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES. AND WE
EVEN HAVE SOME MORE WOUNDS
TOGETHER. AS WE NAVIGATED THE
IMPACTS OF THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC
AND PIVOTED SERVICES TO RESPOND
TO THE NEEDS DURING EXTREMELY
STRESSFUL TIMES. I CAN TELL YOU
I NEVER ONCE SAW DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE WITHOUT A SMILE ON HIS
FACE, AND A POSITIVE COME
ATTITUDE, AND A POSITIVE KIND
WORD TO SAY TO SOMEONE. DWANE
HAS SERVED IN THREE MAYORAL
ADMINISTRATIONS. THAT IS A VERY
BIG DEAL. AS MOST FOLKS KNOW,
WHEN NEW MAYORS COME ON, THEY
TYPICALLY HIRE NEW DIRECTORS.
BUT THE FACT DWANE HAS BEEN HERE
FOR THREE MAYORALLED
ADMINISTRATIONS IS A TESTAMENT
TO DWANE'S WORK AND COMMITMENT
AND INTEGRITY. HE IS -- HE HAS
WORKED WITH THE PAST FOUR
SEATTLE PUBLIC SUPERINTENDENTS
BY MY COUNT. HE'S BELOVED AT
RAINIER BEACH HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE
HE SERVED AS PRINCIPAL BEFORE
JOINING THE CITY OF SEATTLE IN
HIS CURRENT ROLE UNDER THE
MURRAY ADMINISTRATION. THAT WAS
THE FIRST ADMINISTRATION. AS
DIRECTOR OF DEAL, DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE HAS MAINTAINED STRONG
RELATIONSHIPS WITH SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LEADERS, BOTH
EARLY AND HIGHER LEARNING, AND
COMMUNITY PARTNERS. YOU WOULD BE
HARD PRESSED TO FIND ANYONE WHO
DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD WORD TO SAY
ABOUT DIRECTOR CHAPPELLE AND HIS
ENDURING COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING
OUTCOMES FOR ALL SEATTLE
CHILDREN. DURING HIS TENURE,
DIRECTOR CHAPPELLE AND ALSO DR.
CHAPPELLE HAS OVERSEEN THE
GROWTH OF IT HAD CITY'S AWARD
WINNING SEATTLE PROMISE PROGRAM
AND THE SUCCESS OF SEATTLE
PROMISE. HE IS A FRIEND TO ALL,
AND HE IS MY FRIEND. WELCOME.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I KNOW
YOU PREPARED A FEW COMMENTS.
I'M GOING TO SAY REINTRODUCING
YOURSELF BECAUSE WE KNOW YOU.
AND THEN COLLEAGUES, WE WILL
HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR QUESTIONS.
AND DIRECTOR CHAPPELLE, IF
YOU'RE NOT PREPARED TO ANSWER A
QUESTION TODAY, WE'LL ADD IT TO
THE LIST OF QUESTIONS THAT WE
WILL BE SENDING YOU FROM COUNCIL
MEMBERS HERE AS PART OF THE
REAPPOINTMENT PROCESS.
COLLEAGUES, YOU WILL ALSO HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT
QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR CHAPPELLE
TO RESPOND TO BEFORE OUR NEXT
MEETING AS PART OF THIS PROCESS.
DIRECTOR CHAPPELLE, PLEASE
INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR THE
RECORD AND THEN YOU MAY BEGIN
YOUR INTRODUCTION. YOU HAVE A
FRIEND WITH YOU, SO PLEASE
INTRODUCE -- HAVE YOUR FRIEND
INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AS WELL.
>> BEFORE I INTRODUCE MY FRIEND,
I WANT TO THANK YOU, COUNCIL
MEMBERS, FOR THOSE KIND WORDS.
IT'S ALWAYS HARD HEARING PEOPLE
SAY NICE AND POSITIVE THINGS
ABOUT WHAT YOU DO, ESPECIALLY
WHEN, YOU KNOW, YOU LOVE THE
WORK YOU DO. YOU KNOW YOU'RE A
SERVANT LEADER. I JUST WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR THAT. BUT I'M
ALSO HERE WITH ANOTHER AMAZING
COLLEAGUE, LORI BAXTER. I'LL
LET YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE, THANK YOU, CHAIR
RIVERA AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. I
HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF PRESENTING
SOMEONE YOU KNOW VERY WELL ON
BEHALF OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
AND CHIEF DEPUTY MAYOR
WASHINGTON, DR. DWANE CHAPPELLE,
WHO MAYOR HARRELL INTENDS TO
REAPPOINT THE DIRECTOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING. AS YOU WELL
KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING
PROVIDES CRITICAL SERVICES TO
SEATTLE'S CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND
FAMILIES, AND UNDER DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE'S LEADERSHIP, WE ARE
SERVING MORE OF THEM THAN EVER.
DURING HIS TIME AS DIRECTOR, DR.
CHAPPELLE SHEPHERDED THE CITY'S
EDUCATION LEVY THROUGH THE
COUNCIL PROCESS, NOT ONCE, BUT
TWICE. AND HIS DEPARTMENT
SERVICES HAVE EXPANDED DURING
THAT TIME TO BENEFIT CHILDREN IN
YOUTH FROM CRADLE TO COLLEGE.
SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT IN 2016,
THE SEATTLE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
HAS SERVED MORE THAN 11,000
CHILDREN, AND RECEIVED MULTIPLE
NATIONAL AWARDS FOR QUALITY. HE
ALSO PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN
ESTABLISHING THE TRANSFORMATION
SEATTLE PROMISE PROGRAM THAT
ENROLLS 1,500 STUDENTS EACH FALL
IN SEATTLE COLLEGES, AND LED
EFFORTS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR ALL
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.
HE IS RECOGNIZED BY THE
COMMUNITY AS AN ACCOUNTABLE AND
RESPONSIVE LEADER, AS WELL AS
RESPONSIBLE STEWARD OF
INVESTMENT IN OUR CITY'S YOUTH.
HIS RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY
AND STRONG TIES WITHIN EDUCATION
ARE A GREAT ASSET AND LED TO THE
TRANSFORMATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
WITH MORE THAN 200 SCHOOLS AND
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
ACROSS SEATTLE. ALL OF WHICH
HELP US FOSTER MEANINGFUL,
MEASURABLE OUTCOMES ACROSSER
LILY LEARNING, K-12, AND
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. AS
CHAIR RIVERA NOTED, HE'S ALSO
HELPED OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. THE
EDUCATORS AND PROVIDERS WHO CARE
FOR THEM THROUGH SOME OF THEIR
MOST CHALLENGING TIMES,
INCLUDING PROBLEMATIC PIVOTS
DURING REMOTE LEARNING AND
QUICKLY STANDING UP EMERGENCY
CHILDCARE THAT SUPPORTED OUR
CITY'S ESSENTIAL WORKERS EARLY
IN THE COVID PANDEMIC. HE IS
CONTINUOUSLY ADOPTED TO THE
ONGOING AND CHANGING NEEDS OF
OUR SCHOOL WITH SOCIAL AND
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS,
INVESTMENTS IN SCHOOL SAFETY AND
MORE. WHILE I NOW HAVE THE
PRIVILEGE OF SUPPORTING THE WORK
FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, AS
CHAIR RIVERA KNOWS, I WAS ALSO
AN EMPLOYEE. I ACTUALLY FIRST
GOT MY START AT THE CITY UNDER
DWANE'S LEADERSHIP DURING THE
EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
LEVY. AFTER OBSERVING HIM AS A
LEADER FOR NEARLY SIX YEARS, I
CAN SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT
DWANE'S COMMITMENT TO HIS
STAFF, TO PARTNERS, AND TO THE
COMMUNITY, AND MORE THAN
ANYTHING, HIS PASSION FOR
SUPPORTING THE CHILDREN IN YOUTH
OF SEATTLE SHINE THROUGH IN THE
WORK THAT HE DOES EVERY DAY.
IT'S THIS PASSION, AS WELL AS
HIS EXPERIENCE AS A FATHER,
EDUCATOR, FORMER PRINCIPAL OF
RAINIER BEACH HIGH SCHOOL, AND
HIS DEEP EXPERIENCE LEADING DEEL
THAT MAKE DR. DWANE CHAPPELLE
THE CLEAR CHOICE FOR THIS
POSITION. THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS
THRILLED TO BE SUPPORTING HIS
REAPPOINTMENT. AND WITH THAT,
I'LL PASS IT OVER TO DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE, SO HE CAN INTRODUCE
HIMSELF BEFORE TAKING YOUR
QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, LORI. I APPRECIATE
THOSE NICE WORDS AS WELL FROM
YOU. SO GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. MY NAME IS DR. DWANE
CHAPPELLE. AS COUNCIL MEMBER
RIVERA AND LORI JUST MENTIONED,
I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF
SERVING AS SEATTLE'S DIRECTOR
OF EARLY LEARNING SINCE 2016.
IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE. VERY
MUCH HONORED TO BE HERE SEEKING
CONFIRMATION TO CONTINUE THIS
CRITICAL WORK, ALONGSIDE THE
EXECUTIVE, COUNCIL, AND AS YOU
MENTIONED, YOU STOLE A LITTLE
BIT OF WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY,
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. ALONGSIDE
YOU, WHOSE LEADERSHIP WAS
INSTRUMENTAL AS YOU JUST
MENTIONED IN OUR PAST FEW LEVIES
TO HELP ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATION
THAT WE'RE BUILDING UPON TODAY.
I AT RAINIER BEACH HIGH SCHOOL,
WE HAD A STUNNING SURGE IN
GRADUATION RATES, WHICH WAS
TRANSFORMING A SCHOOL THAT WAS
ONCE FACING CLOSURE INTO ONE
WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE WALKED ACROSS
THE STAGE INTO FUTURES FILLED
WITH POSSIBILITIES, WHICH IS THE
WORK THAT ALIGNS PERFECTLY.
ENSURING THEY'RE SAFE AND
ENRICHING ENVIRONMENTS FOR OUR
YOUNG PEOPLE. I COULD SAY THAT
OVER THE PAST NINE YEARS, WE
HAVE ACCOMPLISHED REMARKABLE
THINGS TOGETHER. WE HAVE SECURED
OVERWHELMING VOTER SUPPORT FOR
THE TRANSFORMATIVE $619 MILLION
LEVY BACK IN 2018, WHICH
EXPANDED, AS YOU ALL JUST
MENTIONED, AS LORI AND COUNCIL
MEMBERS JUST MENTIONED, ACCESS
TO OUR AWARD-WINNING SEATTLE
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM THAT MY OWN
CHILD JUST GRADUATED FROM, WHICH
NOW SERVES MORE THAN 2,500
CHILDREN ANNUALLY. A PROGRAM
THAT EXEMPLIFY THE COMMITMENT TO
EQUITY BY PRIORITIZING
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. AS YOU
MENTIONED A MOMENT AGO. DURING
COVID-19, WE DID STEP UP WITH
EMERGENCY CHILDCARE. WE HAD
TECHNOLOGY DISTRIBUTION. WE HAD
MEAL PROGRAMS, AND PROVIDED
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. REALLY,
WHICH DEMOCRATS OUR EQUITY. WE
LAUNCHED THE SEATTLE PROMISE,
NOW SERVING MORE THAN 1,500
STUDENTS ANNUALLY WITH
TUITION-FREE COLLEGE, AND
COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT. I'M JUST
AS EXCITED TO CREATE PATHWAYS
THAT REFLECT WHAT COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA'S VISION IS FOR ENSURING
OUR YOUNG YOUTH HAVE ACCESS TO
BOTH HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE
TRADES, SO I'M SUPER EXCITED
ABOUT THAT. I'LL ALSO SHARE
THAT DURING MY TENURE, BUILDING
AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS HAS
TRULY BEEN THE CORNERSTONE OF MY
LEADERSHIP. I HAVE PERSONALLY
VISITED OVER 200 PARTNER SITES.
I DID SEE ONE OF OUR PARTNER
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CROWD
EARLIER. PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS,
ALL THE WAY TO GRADUATION
CEREMONIES BECAUSE THOSE
RELATIONSHIPS SHAPE EVERY POLICY
DECISION THAT WE MAKE. THERE IS
NOTHING MORE THAN WITNESSING A
SHY PRESCHOOLER BLOSSOM INTO A
CONFIDENT KINDERGARTENER OR A
PROMISE SCHOLAR RETURN AS A
COLLEGE GRADUATE READY TO GIVE
BACK. SO LOOKING AHEAD, I'M
EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT MAYOR
HARRELL'S READY INITIATIVE, AND
THE LEVY RENEWAL THIS NOVEMBER.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA, WE'LL EXPAND THE
PRESCHOOL ACCESS. I KNOW YOU
KNOW IT THIS, BUT YOUR
COMMITMENT TO EARLY LEARNING
WILL CONTINUE TO BE VITAL. WE
WILL ENSURE EVERY CHILD IS READY
TO START WITH 600 NEW PRESCHOOL
SEATS, READY TO LEARN WITH
EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,
AND READY TO LAUNCH THROUGH OUR
PROMISE PROGRAM AND INNOVATIVE
PATH TO TRADES INITIATIVE. OUR
VISION IS POWERFUL, BUT YET
SIMPLE. EVERY CHILD IN SEATTLE
WILL THRIVE AND PROSPER AND
PURSUE THE FUTURE THEY CHOOSE
FROM PRENATAL SUPPORT TO
POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, WHERE
BUILDING A CITY WIDE PROMISE
THAT NO CHILD'S FUTURE WILL BE
DETERMINED BY THE ZIP CODE, BUT
THEIR RACE, OR THEIR FAMILY
INCOME. AND I JUST WANT TO BE
CLEAR ABOUT SOMETHING THAT
ACCOUNTABILITY TO OUR COMMUNITY
IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THIS WORK. WE
WILL MEASURE SUCCESS
TRANSPARENTLY, USING CLEAR
OUTCOMES SUCH AS KINDERGARTEN
READINESS. SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT,
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, AND
COLLEGE PERSISTENCE AND
COMPLETION, AND CAREER PLACEMENT
AS WELL. WE WILL CONTINUE TO
PUBLISH OUR RESULTS REGULARLY.
CONSISTENTLY LIFT UP OUR FAMILY
VOICES AND DECISION MAKING, AND
ENSURE OUR LEVY DOLLARS ARE
INVESTED WHERE THEY HAVE THE
GREATEST IMPACT. THIS COUNCIL,
OUR COMMUNITY, THEY DESERVE
NOTHING LESS THAN FULL
TRANSPARENCY ABOUT HOW WE ARE
STEWARDING THESE PUBLIC
INVESTMENTS. SO THE CHALLENGES
THAT ARE FACING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
TODAY, THEY HAVE TO LOOK TO SEE
IF THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE STILL
HERE. THEY WILL REQUIRE BOLD
LEADERSHIP AND PROVEN
EXPERIENCE. AND THEY MIGHT NOT
LOOK LIKE IT, BUT MORE THAN
THREE DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE
IS GROUNDED IN AUTHENTIC
COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS, DIRECT
ENGAGEMENT WITH STUDENTS AND
FAMILIES AND HAS PREPARED ME TO
NAVIGATE THESE COMPLEX
COMPLEXITIES WHILE MAINTAINING
THE FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS THE
MOST, AND THAT IS ENSURING EVERY
SEATTLE CHILD HAS WHAT THEY NEED
TO SUCCEED. SO IF YOUR
PARTNERSHIP AND CONFIRMATION,
I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING
THIS WORK AND ENSURING SEATTLE
REMAINS A NATIONAL LEADER IN
EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND
OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL. SO
TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE SEATTLE A
CITY, WHERE EVERY CHILD
POTENTIAL IS REALIZING EVERY
FAMILY DREAMS ARE WITHIN REACH.
SO THANK YOU, AND I WELCOME YOUR
QUESTIONS OR AS COUNCIL MEMBER
RIVERA SAID, I LOOK FORWARD TO
RETURNING WITH YOUR ANSWER.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I
CALLED YOU A FRIEND BECAUSE YOU
ARE A FRIEND.
>> YEP.
>> WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND THE
HONOR. I FEEL VERY LUCKY,
FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH YOU BOTH
ON THE LEVY AND NOW UPCOMING ON
THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN THAT
WILL COME THROUGH COUNCIL LATER.
THE THING THAT I FEEL THE MOST
FORTUNATE ABOUT IS WE ALL ARE SO
PASSIONATE ABOUT THE KIDS IN
THIS CITY IN MAKING SURE THEY
ALL HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO BE
SUCCESSFUL AND ACCESS TO ALL
THINGS THE KIDS NEED TO BE
SUCCESSFUL. THAT'S SOMETHING
I'M PROUD OF AND SOMETHING I
APPRECIATE IN WORKING WITH BOTH
OF YOU ON AND YOUR TEAMS BECAUSE
YOUR DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT
THAT YOU LEAD YOU LEAD WITH YOUR
TEAM MEMBERS THAT ARE COMMITTED
TO THE WORK. SO THANK YOU.
COLLEAGUES, AS I SAID EARLIER,
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FORMAL
QUESTIONS THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE
TO SUBMIT OUR OFFICE, WE'LL
COLLECT AS WE DO LIKE OTHER
APPOINTMENTS. THEN DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE WILL HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT WRITTEN
RESPONSES. BUT TODAY, IT WAS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY HAVE HIM
REINTRODUCE HIMSELF. IF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO
ASK, I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THE
COMMENTS FOR YOU TO DO THAT.
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM
CHAIR. YOU KNOW I WON'T GO EASY
ON YOU. BUT I REMEMBER WHEN
YOU'RE THE PRINCIPAL AT BEACH.
HOW LONG AGO WAS THAT?
>> SO I STARTED HERE IN 2016, SO
THE CLASS OF 2016 IS THE LAST
GRADUATING CLASS.
>> OKAY.
>> AGAIN, YOU MENTIONED HOW LONG
YOU'VE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS. I
THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHERS
THAT I HAVE SEEN, YOU KNOW, LIKE
DR. GERMAN. AND NOTE YOUNG
PEOPLE, THIS IS DR. DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE. THAT MEANS SOMETHING.
WERE YOU WITH THE YOUNGEST
PRINCIPAL?
>> I WAS AT THAT TIME, YES.
>> ALL RIGHT. A NOTE FOR YOUNG
PEOPLE. JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY,
WHERE DID YOU GO TO HIGH SCHOOL?
>> I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL AT
ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL IN THE BAY
AREA RIGHT NEXT TO IF MANY
BETWEEN BERKELEY AND RICHMOND
CALIFORNIA.
>> OKAY, YOU'RE ORIGINALLY FROM
THE BAY AREA. BUT SEATTLE HAS
BEEN YOUR HOME FOR DECADES? AND
THE REASON THAT I'M ASKING YOU
THESE QUESTIONS IS BECAUSE OF
THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WE DO HAVE
IN THE AUDIENCE, YOU KNOW,
LOOKING AT THE SUCCESS THAT
YOU'VE HAD AS AN EDUCATOR, AN
ADMINISTRATOR. THINKING ABOUT
THE ROAD YOU TRAVELED. YOU KNOW,
THE THING THAT WE WOULD DO FOR
THE BREAKFAST GROUP, IF THEY
COULD SEE IT, THEY COULD BE IT.
AGAIN, DR. CHAPPELLE, RIGHT? AND
I'M NOT JUST CALLING THEM OUT
BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SAME BARBER.
I MEAN, THIS GUY, WE TRAVEL THE
SAME ROADS TOGETHER. WE WERE AT
THE RIBBON CUTTING FOR
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL THIS PAST
FRIDAY. IT WAS AN HONOR FOR ME
TO SHARE THE STAGE WITH YOU TO
SEE THAT SCHOOL, TO SEE THAT
ENVIRONMENT, AND TO WELCOME THE
COMMUNITY TO THAT ENVIRONMENT.
AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN IN
MANY SCHOOLS, I HAVE DONE A LOT
OF SECURITY ASSESSMENT FOR
SCHOOLS. SOMETIMES IT'S BECAUSE
THEY HAD TRAGIC INCIDENTS
HAPPEN. I CAN TELL YOU THAT IS A
BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED SCHOOL. SO
AGAIN, A LOT OF MY REMARKS ARE
JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE KNOWN EACH
OTHER FOR A WHILE. I WANT THE
FOLKS WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE
TUNING IN AND THE FOLKS IN OUR
AUDIENCE, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG
PEOPLE, TO AGAIN, IF YOU CAN SEE
IT, YOU CAN BE IT. THIS IS A MAN
THAT I HAVE THE UPMOST RESPECT
FOR. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM
CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER
SOLOMON. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR RIVERA. I'LL
HAVE MY QUESTIONS. I'LL SUBMIT
THOSE TO COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA'S
OFFICE. WE SAY DR., DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE?
>> IT IS HOWEVER YOU ALL SAY IT.
>> OKAY, I GOT YOU. I'LL BE
SUPER QUICK BECAUSE I'LL TELL
YOU TWO THINGS THAT I REALLY
LIKE ABOUT YOU. NUMBER ONE, I
NEVER MET A AMERICAN WHO DOES
NOT LIKE YOU. EVERYONE SPEAKS
HIGHLY ABOUT YOU, NUMBER ONE.
NUMBER TWO, EVERY TIME YOU'VE
COME HERE, GIVEN A PRESENTATION
OR YOU HAVE GIVEN A PRESENTATION
TO OUR OFFICE, WHATEVER IT IS,
YOU ALWAYS TALK ABOUT OUTCOMES.
AND I THINK THAT IS SO
IMPORTANT. WE CAN TALK ABOUT HOW
MUCH WE HAVE INVESTED IN THIS.
AND HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE
THROWING AT THAT, BUT YOU ALWAYS
TALK ABOUT THE OUTCOME. THAT'S
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE
THEN YOU COULD FIGURE OUT, OKAY,
IS THIS WORKING? IS IT NOT? WHAT
ARE WE IMPROVING ON OR WHATNOT?
THE ONE THING THAT'S PROBABLY
THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THING IN
YOUR RESUME, WHICH I WAS READING
OVER. THE GRADUATION RATE AT
RAINIER BEACH WENT FROM 50% TO
79%. THAT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE IN
THAT SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO BE
ABLE TO DO THAT. AND THAT IS THE
ONE THING THAT WILL SPEAK OUT TO
ME BESIDES THE THREE CONSECUTIVE
BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP THAT
RAINIER BEACH WON ON THE BOYS
SIDE. BUT THE COMMITMENT TO
EDUCATION THAT YOU HAVE IN KIDS
AND YOUTH AND COMMUNITY IS
REALLY INSPIRATIONAL. SEEING YOU
EVERYWHERE FROM DAYCARES TO
SCHOOLS TO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS
AROUND SEATTLE AND THE PASSION
THAT YOU HAVE IS SOMETHING THAT
I THINK WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE AND
THE PEOPLE THAT LEAD OUR
DEPARTMENTS AND CONTINUE TO LEAD
OUR CITY. SO I WILL HAVE MORE
QUESTIONS FOR YOU. I'LL SUBMIT
THOSE TO COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA.
REALLY APPRECIATE YOU
REINTRODUCING YOURSELF TO THE
COMMUNITY AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE
KNOW SOME OF THE PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE THAT YOU BRING TO THE
TABLE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH. VICE CHAIR RINCK?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. DR.
CHAPPELLE, WE NEED A NEW WORD TO
RECOGNIZE THESE TWO IMPORTANT
TITLES YOU HOLD. I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE
CITY. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR MAKING SEATTLE A NATIONAL
LEADER IN EDUCATION AND
OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
THAT MEANS THE WORLD. BECAUSE I
KNOW I SIT UP HERE ON THIS
BECAUSE OF THE INVESTMENTS IN MY
CHILDHOOD JUST LIKE THE ONES
THAT THEY ARE PROVIDING EVERY
DAY. WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
CLOSING OPPORTUNITY GAPS. I KNOW
I FEAR THAT WE WILL LOSE GROUND
ON THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN
CLOSING THOSE OPPORTUNITY GAPS.
SO MY ONE QUESTION FOR YOU
TODAY, JUST LOOKING AHEAD. I'D
LOVE TO KNOW WHAT QUESTION YOU
HAVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE RIGHT NOW
BECAUSE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE
FACING SO MUCH, WHETHER IT IS
CLIMATE ANXIETY, THE EVOLVING
TECHNOLOGICAL FRONT AND TO
SEEMINGLY EVERY ASPECT OF OUR
LIVE, THE POLITICAL FRONT. WHAT
MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE TO YOUNG
PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, WHERE YOU SEE
OPPORTUNITY IN THE DIRECTION OF
THE DEPARTMENT MOVING FORWARD?
>> YES. FOR ONE, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT. I
APPRECIATE YOUR REMARKS. YOU
SAID WHAT QUESTION OR WHAT DO I
HAVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGAIN?
>> JUST A MESSAGE FOR YOUNG
PEOPLE. WHAT'S EXCITING YOU
ABOUT DEEL AND THE FUTURE OF
DEEL?
>> I FEEL LIKE FOR ME, MY
MESSAGE IS SIMPLE. AS I
MENTIONED IN MY REMARKS EARLIER
THAT HERE AT THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. YES, WE HAVE A NATIONAL
AWARD-WINNING PRESCHOOL PROGRAM.
YES, WE HAVE THIS OUTSTANDING
SEATTLE PROMISE PROGRAM. BUT WE
ALSO HAVE A SLEW OF INVESTMENTS
IN K-12 THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
HAVE ACCESS TO. EVERYTHING FROM
MENTORSHIP, MENTORING PROGRAMS,
AS MR. SOLOMON, COUNCILMEMBER
SOLOMON WAS TALKING ABOUT. ALL
THE WAY TO MENTAL HEALTH
THERAPY. EVEN ACADEMIC TUTORING.
BUT I SHARE THOSE THREE EXAMPLES
RIGHT THERE TO LET THE MESSAGE
KNOW OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, IF THEY
SEE IT, THEY CAN ACHIEVE IT. BUT
MORE IMPORTANTLY HERE IN
SEATTLE, THEY COULD BE ANYTHING
THAT THEY WANT TO BE. I JUST
MENTIONED A MOMENT AGO THAT
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA HAS US, AND
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE BUILD OUT
OF THE TRADES PROGRAM. SO WHEN
THE YOUNG PERSON GRADUATES FROM
HIGH SCHOOL, LITERALLY, I'LL GO
BACK TO WHEN I USED TO BE A
PRINCIPAL. YOU WOULD SIT ON THE
STAGE AND SEE ALL THESE YOUNG
PEOPLE SITTING IN, SITTING DOWN.
WHEN THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH
SCHOOL, THEY HAVE SO MANY
OPPORTUNITIES FROM STEPPING IN
TO THE SEATTLE PROMISE, TO
ATTENDING THE UDUB. NOW WE'LL
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO
EVEN PARTICIPATE IN THE TRADE.
SO MY MESSAGE TO YOUNG FOLKS IS
THAT CONTINUE TO DREAM WHATEVER
YOUR DREAM IS HERE IT IN
SEATTLE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO
ESTABLISH IT BECAUSE WE HAVE THE
SUPPORT, WE HAVE THE PARTNERS
FROM SEATTLE SCHOOLS,
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION.
US, THE CITY, NOT JUST DEEL, BUT
OTHER DEPARTMENTS. THERE IS AN
ECOSYSTEM OF SUPPORT HERE TO
MAKE SURE THE YOUNG PEOPLE COULD
ACHIEVE ANYTHING THEY WANT, BUT
IT STARTS WITH THEM BELIEVING IT
AND DREAMING, AND KNOWING THEY
CAN ACHIEVE IT. THAT'S THE
MESSAGE I WANT TO SEND.
>> THANK YOU. I'M LOOKING
FORWARD TO THIS PROCESS OF
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION AND
REAPPOINTING YOU TO THIS
POSITION. IT HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS
TO SEE THE DIRECTION OF THE
DEPARTMENT. AGAIN, I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO
OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.
CENTER THANK YOU, VICE CHAIR. GO
AHEAD, DIRECTOR.
>> I WANT TO THANK ONE OTHER,
BUT I'LL FOLLOW YOUR LEAD. I
JUST HAVE ONE.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY
AMAZING TEAM AT DEEL. THEY ARE
PHENOMENAL. I ALWAYS, I GIVE MY
OTHER DIRECTOR COLLEAGUES A HARD
TIME AND LET THEM KNOW THAT
DEEL, THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY
LEARNING IS THE BEST DEPARTMENT
IN THE CITY BECAUSE WE HAVE
AMAZING INDIVIDUALS. SO I JUST
WANT TO THANK THEM FROM MARISSA,
JONATHAN, CHRIS, ALL OF THE
AMAZING LEVELS. JIM AND I THAT
MAKE THE WORK WE HAVE HAPPEN IN
DEEL A REALITY. WITHOUT THEM,
THINGS WILL BE A LOT MORE
DIFFICULT. I JUST WANT TO START
THERE. BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK
THE FAMILIES IN THE
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION,
THE COLLEGES, SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS. ALL OF OUR PARTNERS
THAT ARE IN THE GOOD. I WOULD
SAY THE GOOD SPACE THAT WE
CREATE FOR OUR KIDS AND
FAMILIES. SO I WANTED TO THANK
THEM. I DIDN'T DO THAT IN THE
BEGINNING, AND I REALLY WANTED
TO DO THAT, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE. COLLEAGUES, ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. YOU KNOW,
WHEN YOU DO TALK TO COMMUNITY
MEMBERS AND THE FOLKS WE GET TO
WORK WITH IN THE CHILDCARE
PRESCHOOL SPACE, K-12, AND THE
PROMISE SPACE, THERE ISN'T A
PERSON THAT I'VE SPOKEN WITH
THAT WHEN I BRING UP YOUR NAME,
THEY DON'T JUST HAVE -- THEY
HAVE NOTHING, BUT GLOWING THINGS
TO SAY ABOUT YOU. AND THAT FEELS
REALLY GOOD, WORKING IN MY ROLE
HERE AND MY PRIOR ROLE IN THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE TO HAVE
COMMUNITIES THINK SO GREATLY
ABOUT ONE OF OUR LEADERS AT THE
CITY. SO THAT IS JUST, YOU KNOW,
A TESTAMENT TO YOUR HARD WORK,
YOUR RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, AND
HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS TO YOU.
I'VE SEEN IT, I KNOW IT. AND I
WILL SAY THE LAST THING I'LL
SAY, DWANE, I'LL JUST CALL YOU
DWANE BECAUSE WE HAVE KNOWN EACH
OTHER FOR SO LONG. IT'S REALLY
A FORM FOR ME OF RESPECT WHEN I
CAN CALL YOU BY YOUR GIVEN NAME.
YOU CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THE KIDS
AND IT SHOWS WHEN YOU TALK TO
THE KIDS. THIS IDEA IF YOU CAN
DREAM IT, YOU CAN BE IT. YOU'VE
ALWAYS SAID THAT. YOU BELIEVE
THAT AND YOU WANT TO HELP KIDS
GET THERE. AND THAT IS SOMETHING
THAT I REALLY ADMIRE AND RESPECT
ABOUT YOU. IT'S REALLY GREAT TO
HAVE IN OUR DIRECTOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING AT THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO
CONTINUING THIS PROCESS, AND I
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER
ON THE INVESTMENTS. THANK YOU
FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING. DO
YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D
LIKE TO SAY?
>> NO. AGAIN, I SAID MY THANKS
TO THE TEAM. THANK YOU TO YOU,
ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR'S
OFFICE. AGAIN, THIS COULDN'T
HAPPEN WITHOUT TRUE PARTNERSHIP
AND COLLABORATION. YOU KNOW,
PEOPLE KNOW THAT REAL WORK
HAPPENS. YOU CAN'T DO THIS WORK
IN ISOLATION, AND I'M LOOKING
FORWARD TO THE NEXT STEPS. I
WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR
BELIEVING, TRUSTING IN ME. AND I
LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT WORK.
>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
DIRECTOR CHAPPELLE. OKAY. SEEING
NO FURTHER QUESTIONS,
COLLEAGUES, THIS CONCLUDES THE
SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 MEETING OF
THE LIBRARIES, EDUCATION, AND
NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE. DUE TO
THE BUDGET PROCESS, OUR NEXT
COMMITTEE MEETING IS SCHEDULED
FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025
AT 9:30 A.M., WHERE WE WILL
CONTINUE DIRECTOR CHAPPELLE'S
REAPPOINTMENT PROCESS. DIRECTOR
CHAPPELLE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING
US TODAY AND ENGAGING WITH OUR
COMMITTEE. LORI, THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE AS WELL, REPRESENTING
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. IF THERE IS
NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THIS
MEETING WILL ADJOURN. I WANT TO
THANK THE STUDENTS FOR BEING
HERE THIS MORNING, AND STAYING
THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE MEETING.
REALLY ENJOYED HAVING YOU IN THE
AUDIENCE TODAY. HEARING NO
FURTHER BUSINESS, IT'S 10:34
A.M., AND