>> GOOD AFTERNOON. WE ARE READY
TO BEGIN. GOOD AFTERNOON,
EVERYONE. THE FEBRUARY 12, 2025
MEETING OF THE PARKS, PUBLIC
UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY WILL
COME TO ORDER. IT IS 3:03 P.M. I
AM JOY HOLLINGSWORTH, CHAIR OF
THE COMMITTEE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE
>> HERE
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA
>> PRESENT
>> VICE-CHAIR NELSON
>> HERE
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE
>> HERE.
>> SOME. FIVE HERE. THIS IS OUR
FIRST MEETING OF THE PARKS AND
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE. LAST YEAR
WE HAD A LOT OF TECHNICAL STUFF
WE HAD TO PASS AND I APPRECIATE
THE WORK THIS BODY HAD TO DO.
THIS YEAR WE HAD A BUNCH OF
GREAT AGENDA ITEMS COMING DOWN
THE PIPELINE ESPECIALLY WITH OUR
SEATTLE CENTER AND TO HEAR MORE
ABOUT THE CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT
OF SEATTLE PARKS AND SERVICES TO
THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO HOW WE
ARE JUST GETTING BETTER AT JUST
THE INFRASTRUCTURE PIECES WITH
OUR SEATTLE PARKS DEPARTMENT AND
ALSO, TECHNOLOGY. WE NEVER WANT
TO FORGET ABOUT TECHNOLOGY. WE
WERE ABLE TO INTRODUCE A NEW
DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR LLOYD, AND HE
HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL. WE HAVE OUR
MONTHLY MEETINGS ALL THE TIME
AND JUST TO HEAR ABOUT THE
IMPROVEMENTS WE ARE DOING WITH
OUR TECHNOLOGY IN OUR CITY,
PARTICULARLY MY FOCUS HAS BEEN
FRONT-FACING ON HOW WE ARE
INTERACTING WITH OUR
CONSTITUENTS, WITH OUR PEOPLE IN
SEATTLE, AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE
ARE BEING ABLE TO ACCESS A LOT
OF THE INFORMATION THEY NEED. WE
ARE A WORLD-CLASS CITY, AND WE
SHOULD EXPECT WORLD-CLASS
SERVICES IN OUR CITY OF SEATTLE
SO REALLY HAPPY THAT YOU ALL
HAVE JOINED US TODAY AND WE ARE
NEXT GOING TO JUMP INTO THE
PUBLIC COMMENT. SORRY, I LOST MY
PLACE. THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW I
HAVEN'T RUN A MEETING IN A LONG
TIME, WHEN I LOSE MY PLACE. WE
WILL NOW CONSIDER THE AGENDA. IF
THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS, THE
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING
NO OBJECTIONS, THE AGENDA WILL
BE ADOPTED. HEARING THAT WE ARE
NOW GOING TO OPEN THE HYBRID
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ITEMS
SHOULD BE ON TODAY'S AGENDA AND
WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE
COMMITTEE.
>> THE BEST CLERK IN THE WORLD,
HOW MANY DO WE HAVE SIGNED UP?
>> WE HAVE SEVEN SPEAKERS IN
PERSON AND ONE REMOTE.
>> SOME. EVERYONE WILL GET TWO
MINUTES TODAY. YOU ARE ONE OF
THE BEST CLERKS IN THE WORLD AND
THAT IS FINE. PLEASE READ THE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
WILL BE MODERATED IN THE
FOLLOWING MANNER. I WILL:
SPEAKERS BY NAME IN THE ORDER IN
WHICH THEY ARE REGISTERED BOTH
ON THE COUNCIL WEBSITE AND FROM
THE SIGN-UP SHEET AVAILABLE HERE
IN CHAMBERS. WILL START WITH IN
PERSON SPEAKERS FIRST. IF YOU
HAVE NOT REGISTERED TO SPEAK,
BUT WOULD LIKE TO, YOU CAN
SIGN-UP BEFORE THE END OF PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD. YOU CAN GO TO
COUNSEL'S WEBSITE OR BY SIGNING
UP ON THE SIGN IN SHEET IN
CHAMBERS. THE ONLINE LINK IS
LISTED ON TODAY'S AGENDA. WHEN
SPEAKING, PLEASE BEGIN BY
STATING YOUR NAME AND THE ITEM
YOU ARE ADDRESSING. SPEAKERS
WILL HEAR A CHIME WHEN 10
SECONDS ARE LEFT OF THE ALLOTTED
TIME. IF SPEAKERS DO NOT AND THE
COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE
ALLOTTED TIME, THE MICROPHONE
WILL BE MUTED TO ALLOW US TO:
THE NEXT PERSON. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW OPEN AND
WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST
SPEAKER ON THE LIST. THE FIRST
SPEAKER FOR THE IN PERSON, DOES
ALEX ZIMMERMAN.
>> HELLO, MY BEST FRIEND. I AM
ALEX ZIMMERMAN, PRESIDENT OF
STANDUP AMERICA FOR TENURE. ALL
MY COLLECTION, AND A MAGA
MEMBER.
>> HOW MANY TIME DO I HAVE,
TWO-MINUTE?
>> GIVE US A MINUTE TO GET YOUR
TIME OF THERE.
>> I APPRECIATE. MY EXPERIENCE
WITH COMMISSION HAS BEEN FOR THE
LAST 40 YEAR AND I COME TO EVERY
COMMISSION, A BUNCH OF KIND
PEOPLE IN THE SIDE. MY
COMMONSENSE OPINION, ALL
FREAKING IDIOT. ALL SAME
STANDARD, ALL SUPPORT DEMOCRAT.
I NEVER HEAR ONE DIFFERENT
OPINION. NOT DEMOCRAT. DEMOCRAT
NAZI FASCIST MOB. MY POSITION
VERY SIMPLE RIGHT NOW. WE'VE
BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR
YEARS. AS PEOPLE WILL BE CHOICE.
EVERYBODY CAN COME AND SPEAK FOR
A MINUTE WITHOUT YOUR CONTROL.
IT IS ONLY ONE WAY WE CAN READ
PEOPLE LIKE ALEX AND IT MEANT
FOR EXAMPLE THAT HAVE DIFFERENT
OPINION. THIS EXACTLY WE NEED
RIGHT NOW. WE CANNOT HAVE
700,000 COCKROACHES UNDER YOUR
COMMAND BUT IT'S ABSURD . I
REPEAT AGAIN YOU RIGHT NOW HAVE
THREE BLACK PEOPLE AND BLACK
PEOPLE MORE THAN EVERYBODY, IT
MAY BE MORE THAN JEW HAVE RIGHT
TO SPEAK FOR THREE MINUTE
WITHOUT YOUR CONTROL. [
INAUDIBLE ] SO, I SPEAK TO YOU,
MY COUNSEL. MY COUNSEL, YEAH.
DOING SOMETHING, OPEN [
INAUDIBLE ] IN CITY HALL SO NO
PEOPLE WITH COMMON SENSE CAN
COME AND TALK. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS. IT'S GOOD TO
SEE YOU GUYS AGAIN. I AM HERE AS
A SEATTLE RESIDENT, AS AN ACTOR
AND AS A TREASURE AND BOARD
MEMBER FOR THEATER PUGET SOUND.
I'M HERE TO REPORT THE NEW DPS
CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF
SEATTLE AND SEATTLE CENTER UNDER
YOUR CONSIDERATION. BPS HAS
MANAGED SPEED AT THE SEATTLE
ARTS CENTER, MENSING AFFORDABLE
RENTAL SPACE INCLUDING THREE
HITTERS. THOUSANDS OF
INDIVIDUALS ACTIVELY USE THE
SPACE EVERY YEAR. HOWEVER, THE
PANDEMIC AND ITS AFTERMATH HAVE
BEEN VERY TOUGH ON THE LOCAL
ARTIST, THE LOCAL THEATERS AND
BPS. BPS ALMOST WENT UNDER IN
2024 AND SURVIVE THROUGH THE
SUPPORT OF THE GENEROUS LOCAL
COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THIS
EXPECTED CONTRACT NEGOTIATION.
THIS NEW CONTRACT , NEGOTIATED
BETWEEN THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND
BPS, REFLECTS THE CURRENT
ECONOMIC REALITIES. IT
ACKNOWLEDGES THE HIGHER
OPERATIONAL COSTS FOR RUNNING
THE SPACE FOR ARTS PROGRAM. IF
APPROVED AND IMPLEMENTED, I
EXPECT THAT THE CONTRACT WILL
HELP GENERATE MORE REVENUE FOR
BOTH BPS AND THE CITY OF SEATTLE
IN THE LONG RUN. IT WILL ENABLE
THE LOCAL ART SCENE TO REMAIN
ALIVE AND THRIVE. IF NOT
APPROVED, IT WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY
HINDER THE ABILITY OF BPS TO
SURVIVE AS AN ONGOING ENTITY.
COUNCILMEMBERS, I REQUEST ENERGY
TO APPROVE THIS CONTRACT. I
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
THANK YOU FOR YOUR YES VOTE IN
ADVANCE. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT WE HAVE TERESA THURMAN,
BILL FARMER FOLLOWED BY JARED.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS TERESA
NEWMAN AND I AM THE FOUNDER AN
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF SOUND
THEATER COMPANY. WE ARE PROUD TO
BE LOOKING TOWARDS OUR 20th YEAR
AS A PRODUCING ORGANIZATION . IN
2026. WE ARE ALSO PROUD TO BE A
CURRENT TPS , THEATER PUGET
SOUND COMPANY AND I'M PROUD TO
SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
I'VE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF TPS
SINCE I MOVED HERE IN 2001 AS AN
INDEPENDENT ARTIST. I'VE
BENEFITED AS AN ACTOR, DIRECTOR,
TEACHER, PRODUCER AND NOW IS AN
ADVOCATE FOR DEAF AND DISABLED
ARTISTS. TPS HAS SUPPORTED OUR
COMMUNITY IN SO MANY WAYS,
MEMBERS OF WHOM ARE INCREASINGLY
TARGETED AND OFTEN MANAGING
GENERATIONAL AND OTHER KINDS OF
TRAUMA. TPS STANDS ALONE IN
THEIR EARLY EFFORTS TO CREATE
ACCESSIBLE SPACES AND CONTINUE
TO BUILD AND ADAPT SPACES SO
THEY ARE INCLUSIVE FOR ALL
SEATTLEITES. THIS CONTRACT WILL
PROVIDE PROFOUND CAPACITY BOTH
FINANCIALLY AND WITH
PROGRAMMATIC VISION, TO CONTINUE
TO BE THE CENTER OF THE THEATER
COMMUNITY IN SEATTLE. THIS
CONTRACT IS HELD OVER FROM
PREVIOUS ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE
FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF LOCAL ARTS
ORGANIZATIONS. IT HAS BEEN
AMAZING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL
YEARS TO SEE THE SHIFT TO
SUPPORTING MIDSIZED AND EMERGING
THEATER COMPANIES AND THEIR
WORK. THIS CONTRACT SUPPORTS THE
THOUSANDS OF LOCAL THEATER AUDIT
-- ARTIST AND AUDIENCES THAT
FIND THESE EVENTS MEANINGFUL AND
TRANSFORMATIVE. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
>> BILL FARMER, JARED SLUMAN
FOLLOWED BY RYAN ARMSTRONG NEXT.
>> HELLO, COUNCILMEMBERS . BILL
FARMER. YOU MAY KNOW ME FROM
PLAYFIELD ADVOCACY BUT I'M HERE
FOR A DIFFERENT REASON TODAY.
THE BUDGET THE MAYOR PROPOSED IN
THE COUNCIL APPROVED INCLUDED A
$1 MILLION CUT TO THE
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING PROGRAM,
THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
PROGRAM WITHIN THE SEATTLE PARKS
DEPARTMENT. THAT INCLUDED HALF
OF THEIR BUDGET AND THE
ELIMINATION OF ALL QUALIFIED
STAFF. WE THOUGHT WE HAD 2025 TO
FIX IT BECAUSE THE BUDGET CUT
DOES NOT OCCUR UNTIL 2026.
HOWEVER, PARKS HAS GIVEN A MUSK
ASH OFFER THAT THE TAKE OTHER
POSITIONS WITH THEM SPR TO ADD A
CLASS IF THEY WANT TO BE
GUARANTEED A JOB. THEY DON'T
TAKE THAT, NO GUARANTEE OF A JOB
AT THE END OF THE YEAR SO RIGHT
NOW THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM
HAS LOST HALF ITS STAFF. IF YOU
ARE PLANNING ON DOING SOMETHING
ABOUT IT YOU HAD BETTER HURRY
UP. IT PROBABLY WON'T TAKE
EFFECT FOR A FEW MONTHS. HR HAS
TO DO ITS THING. SO, COUNSEL HAS
BEEN GIVEN NO TIME TO PURSUE
OTHER FUNDS. I KNOW A COUPLE OF
YOU HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN
DOING THAT. NO TIME. STAFF WAS
GIVEN UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY
TO DECIDE, SO THAT DEADLINE HAS
ALREADY PASSED. ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION PROGRAM , VERY
SUCCESSFUL . I THINK I HAVE SENT
YOU THE FLYER. I WILL DO THAT
AGAIN. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
CITIZENS RIGHT HERE IN LOCAL
PARKS GET OUT ON NATURE HIKES
AND OTHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
ALL THE MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL
BENEFITS ARE THERE. WE DON'T
NEED NEW PROGRAMS. WE DON'T
NEED TO BUILD A NEW CAMP
SOMEWHERE ELSE. YOU HAVE A YEAR.
IT IS SUCCESSFUL. THERE IS NO
PLAN FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP TO
TAKE IT OVER SO PLEASE TAKE
ACTION NOW.
>> NEXT, JARED SLUMAN FOLLOWED
BY RYAN ARMSTRONG.
>> HI. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR
HELP OVER IN THE WALLINGFORD
GREEN LAKE AREA , AT GREEN LAKE
PARK. IT SEEMS NO ONE HAS RAKED
UP THE LEAVES , AND THERE ARE
HUGE PILES OF LEAVES AND PINE
NEEDLES ALL AROUND THE LAKE AND
THE DOG PARK AREA. SO, THAT IS A
BIG JOB AND AFTER THE WILDFIRES
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA , WE HAVE
LEARNED THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE
THAT TYPE OF FUEL LAYING ON THE
GROUND SO I JUST PROPOSE THIS
PROJECT AND I THINK IT WOULD BE
GOOD. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS
RYAN ARMSTRONG. I USE THEY THEIR
PRONOUNS. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF
THEATER PUGET SOUND TO SAY THANK
YOU. WE CAME TO PUBLIC COMMENT
AND NOW HAVE WORKED IN
COLLABORATION AND GOTTEN TO THIS
AMAZING POINT WHERE TPS CAN HAVE
A FUTURE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
I WANT TO THANK ELLEN NORTON. I
WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR FOSTER.
THE COLLABORATION HAS BEEN
INCREDIBLE. ANTHONY DEREK FROM
JOY'S TEAM HAS BEEN AMAZING.
COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE CAME AND
LOOKED AT THE THEATER SPACE
SURROUNDED BY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
IN COMMUNITY AND SAW THE JOY
THAT CAN COME FROM THE ARTS. IN
1999 -- 1991 I LIKE THIS FACT.
PAUL GIAMATTI WAS PERFORMING ON
ANNEX THEATER . IN THE 90s, THE
ARTS OR THE PLACE TO DO NEW
THINGS, TO INNOVATE, AND WE HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO BRING
THAT BACK AND I THINK THAT IS A
PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE
STORIES WE TELL OURSELVES ABOUT
OUR CITY ARE IMPORTANT SO I'M
HERE TO SAY THANK YOU. SEND SOME
FLOWERS. SEND SOME GRATITUDE,
AND I HOPE TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT
ON THE COUNSEL BILL UP BEFORE
YOU TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> OUR LAST IN-PERSON SPEAKER,
BARBARA COLANDER.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS BARBARA
CALENDAR AND I AM ALSO HERE TO
SPEAK ABOUT THEATER PUGET SOUND.
I'M A LONGTIME SEATTLE ACTOR. I
HAVE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS BEEN
PART OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR
THE LOCAL EQUITY COMMUNITY. I AM
A FORMER ARTS COMMISSIONER. I
WAS A FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER OF
THEATER PUGET SOUND AND I AM NOW
BACK ON THE BOARD. SO, I WILL
TRY NOT TO REPEAT THINGS THAT MY
COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID BUT I AM
HERE TO URGE THE COUNCIL TO
APPROVE THE NEW LICENSING
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THEATER PUGET
SOUND AND THE SEATTLE CENTER.
THIS AGREEMENT IS AT THE CORE OF
THE WORK THAT THEATER PUGET
SOUND HAS BEEN DOING IN SUPPORT
OF THE SEATTLE ARTS COMMUNITY
FOR VERY MANY YEARS. THE SPACE
FOR ARTS PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN SEATTLE CENTER AND TPS
WAS FIRST PUT INTO PLACE SOON
AFTER TPS WAS FORMED IN 1997 . I
KNOW BECAUSE AS I SAID, I WAS A
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER. SINCE
THEN IT HAS BEEN A HUGE ASSET TO
THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND THE LAST
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CENTER AND
TPS DATES TO 2014 . A LOT HAS
HAPPENED IN OUR WORLD SINCE
THEN. THE NEW AGREEMENT IS MUCH
MORE IN LINE WITH THE NEEDS --
THE ECONOMIC NEEDS OF TODAY, AND
I URGE YOU TO APPROVE IT. THANK
YOU MUCH.
>> WE WILL NOW MOVED TO THE
REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT. ONCE I
CALL A REMOTE SPEAKER'S NAME, I
WILL UNMUTE THE APPROPRIATE
MICROPHONE AND AN AUTOMATIC
PROMPT, YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTED,
IS THE SPEAKER'S Q TO SPEAK.
THE SPEAKER MUST THEN PRESS STAR
SIX TO BEGIN SPEAKING. DAVID
HAYNES, PLEASE EXPRESS STAR SIX.
>> YEAH, THIS IS DAVID HAYNES
AGAIN UPSET ABOUT [ INAUDIBLE ]
THAT IS PASSED THROUGH THE
WATERFRONT CHOKING OFF FRESH AIR
WITH OVERLOADED COAL CARS AND
I'M UPSET ABOUT THE FACT THAT
THE TOURISTY POST IN THE
WATERFRONT THAT DON'T REALLY
EMBRACE RESIDENCE AND LOCALS
STILL DON'T HAVE FOUR TO SIX
STORY BUILDINGS WITH CAFES ON
THE TOP SO YOU CAN ENJOY IT
WITHOUT LISTENING TO THE ROAD
RAGE PASSING BY OR THE TRAIN
HONKING HIS HORN OR TALK TO FIND
THE FRESH AIR AND THE THING I'M
REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IS YOU
ARE INVITING ALL THESE INNOCENT
PEOPLE TO CHECK OUT THE
PEDESTRIAN PASS BECAUSE OF THE
TRAIN IT BRINGS YOU TO THE
TOURIST DEPOT BUT YET THERE IS A
LATINO CARTEL THAT CONTROLS THE
WATERFRONT , DRUG PUSHING,
PIMPING, KIDNAPPING OPERATION,
AND THEY MAKE THEIR WAY ALL THE
WAY UP TO FIRST AND SECOND
AVENUE AND SOMETIMES HOVER IN
THAT ALLEYWAY, BUT THEN WHEN
THEY HIT THIRD AND BELL AND
OTHER PARTS OF THIRD AVENUE,
THERE IS A RING IN TERMS OF
BLACK AND BROWN DRUG PUSHERS AND
YOU ALL ARE SENDING INNOCENT
PEOPLE UNBEKNOWNST WITHOUT THE
PROPER CRIME-FIGHTING ABILITIES
TO SHUTDOWN THESE PREDATORS WITH
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES LIKE
DRONES THAT WOULD FOLLOW BACK
THE EVIL CRIMINALS THAT KEEP
RESUPPLYING [ INAUDIBLE ] BUT
I'M REALLY CALLING TODAY
BECAUSE I THINK THAT IN ORDER TO
BE A SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY
UTILITY OVERSIGHT, YOU HAVE TO
HAVE SOME LEGISLATION AND SOME
PRIORITY INVESTMENT IN NON-TOXIC
ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES THAT ARE
INDEPENDENT FROM THE GRID , LIKE
YOU DON'T HAVE ANY HIGH WIRES
FROM UTILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN
KNOCKED DOWN. YOU DON'T HAVE
ANY GAS BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT
TO DETOXIFY YOUR LIVING SPACE
AND YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH
INDEPENDENT FROM THE GRID THAT
GOES BEYOND YOUR GENERAL SOLAR
NEEDS. WINDMILLS [ INAUDIBLE ]
WOULD HELP OFFSET THE NEGATIVE
IMPACT OF HAVING UTILITIES .
>> THANK YOU AND IF THERE ARE NO
ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS WHO SIGNED
UP ONLINE OR IN PERSON, WE WILL
NOW PROCEED TO OUR ITEMS OF
BUSINESS. BEFORE WE GO TO OUR
ITEMS OF BUSINESS REAL QUICK I
WANT TO THANK THEATER PUGET
SOUND FOR JOINING US TODAY AND
GIVING YOUR COMMENTS. IT WAS
REALLY JUST AN HONOR TO WORK
WITH YOU ALL AND THE SEATTLE
CENTER DIRECTOR FOSTER AND MY
OTHER COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE AND STUFF TO HELP IN
WHATEVER WAY POSSIBLE SO WE ARE
REALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU ALL
COMING TODAY. OUR FAVORITE
FARMER, THANK YOU, BILL FARMER.
NOT MY DAD . MY DAD USED TO BE
MY FAVORITE FARMER, NOW YOU ARE
AND YOU KNOW MY DAD SO YOU ARE
MY FAVORITE FARMER. ALSO TO THE
YOUNG MAN WHO CAME TO TELL US
ABOUT THE PARK CONDITIONS UP
NORTH, THANK YOU. THAT IS A LONG
WAY TO COME AND REQUEST SERVICES
ON PUBLIC COMMENT SO APPRECIATE
YOU DOING THAT AND BRINGING IT
TO OUR ATTENTION AND WE ARE
GOING TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE CARE
OF THAT AND ELEVATE THAT SO
THANK YOU. ALSO, I CAN'T FORGET
SHOBIT AND RYE WE ALL RUN
AGAINST EACH OTHER FOR DISTRICT
THREE SO THANK YOU ALL FOR
COMING. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE
THROUGH 12 INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH 12,
APPOINTMENTS 3053 TO 3064,
APPOINTMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS OF
ERIC HOWARD, PAMELA QUADROS,
KATIE GARROW, SEAN JACKSON, GARY
JOHNSON, EDWARD M. LEIGH, JIM
ROWE, JOHNNY SHAFER AS MEMBERS
TO THE WATER OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
FOR BRIEFING, DISCUSSION AND
POSSIBLE VOTE. PRESENTING WILL
BE MARSHALL FOSTER AND TIFFANI
MELAKE .
>> REAL QUICK, COLLEAGUES, YOU
WILL NOTICE THERE ARE 12
APPOINTMENT PACKETS BUT WE HAVE
LEARNED ABOUT A 13th APPOINTEE.
THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A
CLERICAL ERROR SO -- WITH THE
PACKET, SO WE ARE GOING TO BE
ABLE TO GET A CONFIRMATION VOTE
. IT WILL OCCUR ON TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 25th, AT FULL COUNSEL
SO JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT
IF YOU ALL HAD ANY QUESTIONS
REGARDING THE CLERICAL ERROR SO
THANK YOU. DIRECTOR FOSTER,
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND
JUMP RIGHT IN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON . IT'S GREAT
TO BE WITH YOU ALL AGAIN.
MARSHALL FOSTER, SEATTLE CENTER
DIRECTOR, AND HERE WITH ME --
>> TIFFANI MELAKE, I AM THE
WATERFRONT PARK OPERATIONS
MANAGER FROM SEATTLE CENTER.
>> IF YOU ARE ALL RIGHT, WE WILL
JUST JUMP RIGHT IN.
COUNCILMEMBERS, THANK YOU AGAIN.
TODAY'S PRESENTATION INVOLVES
OUR CENTRAL WATERFRONT OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE. TIFFANY WILL GIVE YOU
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE
COMMITTEE AND REAPPOINTMENT OF
SOME MEMBERS. I WILL JUST SAY
THIS GROUP PLAYS A REALLY
ESSENTIAL ROLE IN MAKING OUR
WATERFRONT SUCCESSFUL. WE HAVE
SPENT YEARS AS A CITY WORKING ON
THE CONSTRUCTION ON THE DESIGN
AND ALL THOSE GREAT THINGS. THIS
COMMITTEE IS THE EVOLUTION OF
MANY OF OUR PREVIOUS WATERFRONT
COMMITTEES WITH THE CENTRAL
FOCUS ON THE QUALITY OF OUR
MAINTENANCE, PUBLIC SAFETY AND
PUBLIC PROGRAMMING SO THEY HELP
TO OVERSEE ALL THOSE ACTIVITIES
AND HAVING A GREAT GROUP OF
APPOINTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS IS
KEY TO THEIR SUCCESS. I WILL
HAND IT OVER TO TIFFANI MELAKE.
>> THANK YOU, MARSHALL. THANK
YOU, CHAIR HOLLINGSWORTH AND
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR CONSIDERING
THESE APPOINTMENTS AND
REAPPOINTMENTS TODAY. I REALLY
QUICKLY WANT TO WALK YOU THROUGH
SOME OF OUR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
FOR PARK OPERATIONS THAT INVOLVE
THE COMMITTEE. A LOT OF THIS
STARTED WAY BACK IN THE DAY, SO
2009, THE FIRST CENTRAL
WATERFRONT PARTNERSHIPS
COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED. THEY
REALLY LOOKED AT LARGE-SCALE AND
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TO
REALLY ENVISION WHAT THE
WATERFRONT COULD LOOK LIKE.
2017, EXCUSE ME, 2012 WE HAD A
WATERFRONT CONCEPT DESIGN THAT
WAS ACTUALLY ENDORSED AS WELL,
BY THE WATERFRONT COMMITTEE.
THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2011,
AND 2017, THERE WAS A COMMITMENT
FOR FRIENDS OF WATERFRONT PARK
TO BE OUR LONG-TERM 501(C)(3)
PARTNER LONG-TERM OPERATIONS.
2019 IS ONE WE ACTUALLY HAD ALL
OF THE FRAMEWORK FOR OUR O AND M
FOR THE WATERFRONT ESTABLISHED.
THIS CREATED THE WATERFRONT
COMMITTEE WAS 19 MEMBERS. THAT
AUTHORIZED THE TWO-YEAR
AGREEMENT FOR PIER 62 WITH
FRIENDS AND ESTABLISH WHAT OUR
FRAMEWORK WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE
FOR LONG-TERM AGREEMENTS FOR
PARK OPERATIONS. WITH THIS , IT
ALSO SUNSET AT THE PREVIOUS TWO
COMMITTEES. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL
OTHER PIECES OF LEGISLATION
SINCE 2019 IN RELATION TO PARK
OPERATIONS INCLUDING THE
DESIGNATION OF THE WATERFRONT AS
A PARK BOULEVARD AND
TRANSFERRING PARK OPERATIONS TO
SEATTLE CENTER. SO, SEATTLE
CENTER BECAME THE LEAD OPERATING
DEPARTMENT IN 2023 AND IS
WORKING WITH OUR NONPROFIT
PARTNER, FRIENDS OF WATERFRONT
PARK, WITH A DEDICATED CITY
MAINTENANCE TEAM. FRIENDS
PROVIDES FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMMING
AND EVENTS YEAR-ROUND AND WE
HAVE A JOINT RESPONSIBILITY FOR
>> SAFETY AND OUTREACH AND AS
DIRECTOR FOSTER MARSHALL
MENTIONED, THIS OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE IS REALLY ENGAGED IN
THE WORK THE CITY IS DOING IN
TERMS OF PROGRAMMING AND PUBLIC
SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE. THEY DO
ANNUAL REPORTING, AS WELL, AND
ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE
ONGOING PERFORMANCE STANDARD
THAT WE HAVE FOR THE PARK. SHOUT
OUT TO OUR OPERATIONS TEAM.
YOU'LL SEE THEM OUT THERE IN
THE PARK IN THE BRIGHT BLUE.
THIS TEAM STOOD UP IN 2023 ALONG
WITH OUR EMERGENCY SERVICE TEAM
THAT HAS A DAILY PRESENCE DOWN
ON THE WATERFRONT. THIS IS PART
OF OUR AMAZING OVERSIGHT . NOT
BACK WE GET THEM DOWN THERE TO A
TOUR OF THE WATERFRONT. WE ARE
CONTINUING TO MEET ON A
QUARTERLY BASIS. YOU WILL SEE
THERE ARE QUITE A LOT OF
APPOINTMENTS THAT WE HAVE HERE
AND I WILL EXPLAIN WHY IN JUST A
MINUTE BUT WE DO HAVE 20 MEMBERS
THAT ARE ON THE COMMITTEE. SIX
OF THEM ARE AT LARGE . EIGHT OF
THEM ARE TENANT-OWNERS. FIVE
NONPROFIT AND ONE IS [ INAUDIBLE
] SEATTLE. THIS COMMITTEE
DEVELOPED A PERFORMANCE STANDARD
IN 2021. 2019 LEGISLATION REALLY
SCOPED FOR US TO GO AND SAY HOW
ARE WE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF
THIS PARK AT A HIGH LEVEL AND IN
OUR PROGRAMMING, MAINTENANCE AND
ACTIVATION, SO THIS COMMITTEE
REALLY FOCUSES ON THOSE THREE
BUCKETS AND THEY GO THROUGH
EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THEY LOOK AT
OUR DATA, OUR METRICS. THEY
BUILT THE STANDARD TO REALLY SAY
HOW ARE WE PERFORMING AT THIS
HIGH LEVEL , PROVIDING THIS
AMAZING PARK EXPERIENCE AND THEY
DO PROVIDE REPORTS TO MAYOR AND
COUNCIL, AND RECOMMENDATIONS, IF
THERE ARE ANY, FOR FUTURE YEARS.
COMMITTEE WORK STARTED IN 2020
AND THEN COVID HIT, SO IT
IMPACTED THEIR ABILITY TO DO ANY
WORK IN 2020, AND SO WE CAME
BACK IN 2023 AND ASKED TO RESET
THEIR TERMS . THEY HAD
ALTERNATING TERMS. THEY HAD
TWO-YOUR TERMS AND THREE-YOUR
TERMS. WE HAVE TO FLUSH THAT OUT
AND START OVER WITH FOUR-YEAR
TERMS. WE OUT OF THE REPORT,
FRIENDS OF WATERFRONT PARK IN
SEATTLE CENTER AS WE HAD AT THE
TRANSITION TO SEATTLE CENTER SO
THESE ARE NOW ON FOUR-YOUR
TERMS. WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE
LAST YEAR BUT WE WERE WORKING ON
FILLING ALL OF OUR VACANCIES, SO
WE ARE HERE NOW TO DO ALL OF OUR
REAPPOINTMENTS, SO THE FOLKS YOU
SEE ON THE SCREEN, DONNIE
STEPHENSON, KATIE GARO, JERRY
JOHNSON, JIM ROWE, CRAIG
SCHAFER, JOHN JACKSON HAVE ALL
SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE SINCE
2019 AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO
CONTINUE TO SERVE ON THE
COMMITTEE. WE HAVE THREE NEW
APPOINTMENTS. PAMELA QUADROS,
LESLIE VELOZ AND RYAN SMITH WHO
ARE FILLING VACANCIES THEN ERIC,
HOWARD AND MICHELLE RUST HAVE
SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE SINCE
2019 BUT THEY SWITCHED FROM A
COUNCIL-APPOINTED POSITION TO A
MAYOR-APPOINTED POSITION SO THEY
ARE A NEW APPOINTMENT. AND, WE
DID NOT BRING THEM ALL HERE WITH
US TODAY BUT WE WANTED TO REALLY
RECOGNIZE THE HARD WORK THAT
THEY HAVE BEEN DOING. THEY ARE
VERY ACTIVE COMMITTEE. THEY STAY
REALLY ENGAGED. THEY MEET
QUARTERLY AND THEY ARE DOING THE
HARD WORK. THEY WORKED ON THE
PARK ROLES IN THE PARK BOULEVARD
DESIGNATION AND NOW THEY ARE
REALLY WORKING ON THE
PERFORMANCE STANDARD IN MAKING
SURE THE PARK IS KEPT BEAUTIFUL
FOR THE CITY.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO ADD ONE
THING TO THAT. THAT WAS GREAT .
ONE UNIQUE THING ABOUT THIS
COMMITTEE, TIFAFNI MENTIONED .
THE LARGEST IN THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON, A SIGNIFICANT
INVESTMENT IN THE PARK LIKE
THIS. AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT
THERE, THE CITY MADE A
CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT TO OUR
DOWNTOWN PARTNER COMMUNITY TO
HAVE THEM REPRESENTED IN THIS
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE SO YOU MAY
REALIZE ON THAT LIST OF NAMES,
TIFFANI HAD VERY SPECIFIC
POSITIONS ALL COVERED. THAT WAS
ALL LAID OUT IN THE AGREEMENT WE
APPROVED AS A CITY BACK IN 2019.
SOME OF YOU REMEMBER THAT WHEN
IT WAS GOING ON IN THE CITY . I
JUST WANTED TO CALL THAT OUT
BECAUSE IT IS A UNIQUE THING
ABOUT THIS COMMITTEE.
>> THAT IS ALL WE HAD. ARE THERE
ANY QUESTIONS WE CAN ANSWER? WE
ARE HAPPY TO DO SO.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
OVERVIEW. SUPER HELPFUL. WE ARE
ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR THE
COMMITTEE AND THEIR WORK AND WE
ASSUME YOU HAVE SOME QUESTIONS
HERE SO I WOULD RECOGNIZE FIRST
COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS.
>> [ INAUDIBLE ] AS FORMER STAFF
FOR COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE'S
DISTRICT IT'S A PLEASURE TO SEE
BOTH OF YOU. TIFFANI, I REMEMBER
WORKING CLOSELY WITH YOU AND THE
SAME WITH YOU, MARSHALL,
DIRECTOR FOSTER, AND THE LIST
THAT YOU HAVE HERE IS A CLEAR
REPRESENTATION OF THE BALANCE
THAT WAS CREATED IN 2019. AS YOU
SAID, THESE ARE ALL
REAPPOINTMENTS EXCEPT FOR THE
TWO THAT ARE SWITCHING SPOTS
TECHNICALLY AND YOU KNOW,
TALKING ABOUT DONNIE STEPHENSON
AND THE NEED TO GET THE BUILDING
UP AND READY AND THERE ARE SOME
ADDITIONAL DELAY AREAS THERE.
KATIE GARROW WITH THE LABOR
BACKGROUND, GERRY JOHNSON
UNDERSTANDING ALL OF THE BITS
AND PIECES. I COULD GO THROUGH
EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS. I
WILL SAVE US ALL THAT COMMUNAL
TIME JUST TO SAY THIS IS A
REALLY GOOD BALANCE. THESE ARE
THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO KEEP
THIS WORK MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE
THERE WAS A TIME AND I BELIEVE
IT WAS 2007 THAT SOMEBODY TOLD
SALLY BACK SHOT SHE COULD NOT BE
SUCCESSFUL WITH THIS AND LOOK AT
THE WATERFRONT NOW. BACK TO YOU,
CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS. COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR
HOLLINGSWORTH, DIRECTOR FOSTER.
REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING
HERE. ACTUALLY, THE ENTIRE
SEATTLE CENTER COMMUNITY BUT ON
THIS SPECIFICALLY IN TERMS OF
THE CENTRAL WATERFRONT, I WILL
SAY BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE IT IS
A ROBUST GROUP AND I HEAR FROM
THEM. I KNOW A BIG CHUNK OF
THEM. FUNNY ENOUGH, MOST OF THEM
ARE MAYORAL APPOINTEES BUT I
KNOW SOME COUNSEL APPOINTEES, AS
WELL, AND I JUST WANTED TO GIVE
A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO GERRY
JOHNSON BECAUSE HE HAS ADVOCATED
ON BEHALF OF THE CENTRAL
WATERFRONT COMMITTEE WITH ME AND
REALLY HAS TAKEN HIS
RESPONSIBILITIES QUITE SERIOUSLY
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT
WORK THAT HE HAS DONE ALONG WITH
HIS COLLEAGUES ON THE COMMITTEE
SO MY QUESTION IS, CAN YOU
PLEASE PASS A THANK YOU TO MR.
JOHNSON AND THE OTHERS.
>> I CAN DO THAT. THANK YOU. CAN
BE MORE TRUE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE. I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BUT ALWAYS
APPRECIATE YOUR WORK, DIRECTOR
FOSTER AND TIFFANI. THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION AND
CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF
APPOINTMENTS 3053 THROUGH 3064.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE
>> AYE
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA
>> AYE
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS
>> YES
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON
>> AYE
>> CHAIR HOLLINGSWORTH
>> YES.
>> THERE ARE FIVE IN FAVOR, NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES IN THE
RECOMMENDATION OF COMMITTEE
APPOINTEES WILL BE CONFIRMED
SENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WITH THE 13th APPOINTEE GOING TO
FEBRUARY 26 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING. THERE WAS A CLERICAL
ERROR JUST TO REMIND YOU SO
THANK YOU. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE
ONTO THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM.
PLEASE READ AGENDA ITEM 13 INTO
THE RECORD.
>> COUNSEL BILL 120939, AND
ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE
SEATTLE CENTER DEPARTMENT
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A
LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH THEATER
PUGET SOUND TO MANAGE AND
OPERATE SPACE IN THE SEATTLE
CENTER ARMORY FOR BRIEFING,
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE.
PRESENTING TODAY ARE MARSHALL
FOSTER AND ELLEN NORTON. WE ALSO
HAVE CRYSTAL YINGLING, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THEATER PUGET SOUND.
>> WE ARE SO EXCITED. THANK YOU
ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND JUMP
RIGHT IN.
>> THANK YOU. MARSHALL FOSTER
SEATTLE CENTER DIRECTOR.
>> ELLEN NORTON .
>> CRYSTAL YINGLING.
>> THANK YOU AGAIN. WE ARE VERY
EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY. THIS
IS A VERY CREATIVE AND VERY
TIMELY ADJUSTMENT TO OUR
LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH
THEATER PUGET SOUND TO HELP SET
THEM ON A COURSE FOR SUCCESS AS
THEY LOOK FORWARD AND KIND OF
RISING OUT OF SOME REAL
CHALLENGES WE HAD IN 2023, BUT
PERSONALLY, I COULD NOT BE MORE
HAPPY WITH WHERE YOU HAVE LANDED
WITH WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU AND
I REALLY WANT TO THANK THESE TWO
INCREDIBLE LEADERS, ELLEN AND
KRYSTAL HU PUT THEIR HEADS
TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO
MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS FOR
SEEING US TODAY. BEFORE I START,
I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO MOVE TO
THE NEXT SLIDE. THANK YOU. JUST
TO SUMMARIZE, WHAT WE ARE
REVIEWING TODAY IS AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND
THEATER PUGET SOUND SO THAT TPS
CAN CONTINUE TO MANAGE THIS
PROGRAM CALLED SPACE FOR ARTS
THAT SEATTLE CENTER HAS HAD IN
THE SEATTLE CENTER ARMORY FOR
MANY YEARS. SEATTLE CENTER AND
TPS BEGAN THIS . THE VERY FIRST
AGREEMENT I CAN FIND IN OUR
RECORDS IS FROM 1998. THE FIRST
LICENSE AGREEMENT I BELIEVE
STARTED IN 2000. IN ALL OF THOSE
YEARS, WE HAVE HAD A REVENUE
SHARE ARRANGEMENT WITH TPS WHERE
WE HAVE SHARED REVENUE EARNED IN
THAT PROGRAM 50-50 SPLIT IN THE
SNOW AGREEMENT HAS A DIFFERENT
REVENUE SHARE ARRANGEMENT THAT
MAKES THE AGREEMENT MUCH MORE
MANAGEABLE AND MUCH MORE
FEASIBLE FOR IT TO GO INTO THE
FUTURE. I JUST WANTED TO MENTION
THAT TPS WAS FORMED AROUND THE
SAME TIME THE SPACE FOR ARTS
PROGRAM WAS FORMED. THERE WAS
SPACE IN THE ARMORY THAT WAS
VACANT BECAUSE THE TENANT MOVED
OUT AND THE DIRECTOR OF SEATTLE
CENTER AT THE TIME WANTED TO
MAKE THAT SPACE AVAILABLE FOR
THE THEATER COMMUNITY ON THE
ARTS COMMUNITY TO HAVE LOW-COST
CREATIVE SPACE IN THE ARMORY. IT
WAS THE CENTER HOUSE AT THE TIME
AND TPS WAS TAPPED TO BE THAT
NONPROFIT PARTNER TO HELP US DO
THAT. I THINK WE DISCOVERED
PRETTY QUICKLY WE WERE NOT GOING
TO BE ABLE TO DO IT BY OURSELVES
SO TPS FORM THE SPACE FOR ARTS
PROGRAM FORMED, AND THOSE TWO
THINGS ARE REALLY CONNECTED TO
EACH OTHER AND INTEGRAL TO EACH
OTHER. WE ARE HOPING THAT WE CAN
MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT IN THE
NEXT 10 YEARS. QUICKLY, JUST SO
YOU ARE AWARE OF WHAT WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT, THE SPACES THAT
ARE AVAILABLE FIRST, THERE IS A
THEATER COMPLEX ON THE FIRST
FLOOR OF THE ARMORY THAT
CONTAINS IN IT THE MAIN
AUDITORIUM PLUS THE SMALLER
SPACE IN A CONFERENCE ROOM.
WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE
ABOUT THE BLACK BOX AND SEND A
THEATER LATER. WE ALSO HAVE THE
STUDIOS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR .
THERE IS A MINI STUDIO AND THERE
ARE STUDIOS A THROUGH I. THE
SPACES ON THE FOURTH FLOOR ARE
MAINLY REHEARSAL SPACE BUT THERE
IS ALSO A PERFORMANCE SPACE
THEATER. THESE ARE THE SPACES
THAT SEATTLE CENTER AND TPS
OVERSEE TOGETHER. TPS MANAGES
THE SPACES, AND ALL OF THE
THINGS INSIDE THE SPACES THAT
ARE DEDICATED TO THE SPACES
BEING AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY
THAT USES THEM. SEATTLE CENTER
MANAGES THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE
BUILDING. YOU KNOW, WE SEND OUR
CARPENTERS IF THE DOORJAMB
BREAKS. WE PAINT THE WALLS AND
MAKE SURE THE LIGHTS ARE
WORKING, THAT KIND OF THING BUT
THEATER PUGET SOUND HAS THE
OTHER MANAGEMENT OVER THE
SPACES. TO GIVE BACKGROUND ON
HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE , WE
WERE IN THE PROCESS OF
RENEGOTIATING THE AGREEMENT THAT
WAS NEGOTIATED IN 2014. IT WAS
GOING TO EXPIRE IN 2019. THE
DIRECTOR OF TPS AT THAT TIME AND
STARTED THE CONVERSATION WITH US
ABOUT HOW THE REVENUE SHARING
MODEL BACK THEN WAS NOT WORKING.
IT WAS AN UNSUSTAINABLE MODEL
AND WE HAD SPENT SOME TIME
DISCUSSING WHAT A NEW MODEL
MIGHT LOOK LIKE. WE HAVE GOTTEN
AN EXTENSION TO THAT AGREEMENT
FOR A YEAR AND WE WERE
NEGOTIATING A NEW AGREEMENT WITH
A NEW REVENUE SHARE MODEL THAT
WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE WE
ENDED UP WITH HERE BUT THEN 2020
HAPPENED AND COVID HAPPENED AND
EVERYTHING STOPPED. THAT
DIRECTOR HAD TO RESIGN. TPS DID
NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY HER.
TPS WENT INTO HIBERNATION AT
THAT TIME BECAUSE NOBODY WAS
REHEARSING IN SMALL SPACES.
FAST-FORWARD TO TPS REOPENING,
GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS AND
HIRING CRYSTAL YINGLING IS THE
DIRECTOR. THAT IS WHEN TPS CAME
TO US AND SAID THIS MODEL IS NOT
GOING TO WORK AND WE NEED A
DIFFERENT MODEL OR WE ARE NOT
GOING TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE AND
ALERTNESS AT THAT TIME THAT THE
SPACE FOR HER PROGRAM WAS IN
JEOPARDY SO HERE WE ARE AGAIN
TODAY. WE HAVE A NEW AGREEMENT
AND SPENT SOME TIME FIGURING OUT
HOW WE ARE GOING TO SURVIVE
TOGETHER. THE NEW AGREEMENT IN
THE NEW REVENUE SHARE AGREEMENT
PLUS THE NEW ONLINE BOOKING
SYSTEM THAT THEATER PUGET SOUND
HAS CREATED AND BROUGHT ON BOARD
THAT SEATTLE CENTER HAS ASSISTED
WITH , SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY, A
NEW FEE SCHEDULE, EXPANDED
RESIDENT COMPANY PROGRAM ,
HOPEFULLY -- NOT HOPEFULLY
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE THEATER
COMPLEX PROGRAM THAT ARE
IMMINENT WILL CREATE A SITUATION
WHERE MORE REVENUE CAN BE
EARNED, TPS CAN BE MORE
SUCCESSFUL AND CONTINUE THIS
PROGRAM. THE MAIN CHANGES TO THE
AGREEMENT, AS I SAID, WE'VE HAD
AN AGREEMENT WITH TPS FOR MANY
YEARS. THE MAIN CHANGES ARE THE
NEW REVENUE SHARE AGREEMENT. WE
AGREE THAT TPS CAN DEDUCT THE
OPERATIONAL COSTS THEY INCUR
THAT ARE DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED
WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF SPACE FOR
ARTS BEFORE WE HAVE A REVENUE
THAT WE SPLIT 50-50 SO THAT WILL
COVER THEIR COST OF MANAGING THE
PROGRAM. TPS NOW HAS A LITTLE
MORE FLEXIBILITY TO RAISE RENTAL
RATES. RENTAL RATES WERE RAISED
IN 2023 , 2024? JUST RECENTLY.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NINE YEARS
RENTS HAD NOT BEEN RAISED SO
WE'VE GOT A NEW AGREEMENT IN
THE AGREEMENT THAT THEY HAVE A
MORE FLEXIBLE PROCESS FOR
RAISING RATES. WE STILL HAVE TO
APPROVE ANY RATES THAT ARE
RAISED OR CHANGED AND SOME NEW
DYNAMIC PRICING, A POINTS
PROGRAM. ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE
SET UP TO INCREASE RENTALS , BUT
THERE IS A LITTLE MORE
FLEXIBILITY FOR TPS TO DO THAT
AND ALSO, THERE IS ADDITIONAL
SPACE OPENING UP IN THE THEATER
CENTER COMPLEX WHEN WE CREATED
THIS POWERPOINT PRESENTATION. WE
WERE NOT NAMING NAMES BUT NOW WE
KNOW THAT SEATTLE SHAKESPEARE
COMPANY IS LEAVING SEATTLE
CENTER AND MOVING DOWNTOWN OF
THOSE SPACES IN THE CENTER
THEATER COMPLEX THAT SEATTLE
SHAKESPEARE COMPANY CURRENTLY
RESIDES IN WILL BECOME PART OF
THE SPACE4ARTS PROGRAM, PART OF
WHAT TPS CAN RENT TO ITS USERS
AND THAT WILL INCREASE USE IN
THE SPACE, VITALITY IN THE
SPACE, AND WE ARE EXCITED FOR
THAT TO HAPPEN. A COUPLE OF
FINANCIAL THINGS TO POINT OUT .
THE NEW ARRANGEMENT , WE HAVE
ALWAYS SORT OF PROJECTED THAT
SEATTLE CENTER WOULD GET ABOUT
$100,000 PER YEAR IN REVENUE
FROM THE SPACE FOR ARTS PROGRAM.
SO, OVER A FIVE-YEAR TERM WOULD
BE ABOUT $500,000. WE ANTICIPATE
THAT REVENUE FROM THIS PROGRAM
IN 2025 AND 26 WILL DIP BELOW
$500,000 BUT EVENTUALLY BECAUSE
OF THE PROJECTIONS TPS HAS FOR
THE FUTURE, WE WILL SURPASS THAT
$500,000 AND BY THE END OF THE
FIVE-YEAR TERM WE WILL PROBABLY
HAVE ABOUT $660,000 IN REVENUE.
ALSO, AN EXCITING ADDITION TO
THE FUTURE IS TPS WENT OUT --
WELL, DR. YINGLING WENT OUT AND
GOT A $230,000 GRANT TO MAKE
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE THEATER
CENTER COMPLEX. THIS WILL MAKE
THE TWO SPACES IN THE CENTER
THEATER MORE USABLE. WE CAN USE
BOTH OF THE SPACES AT THE SAME
TIME RATHER THAN ONE OR THE
OTHER. SEATTLE CENTER HAD
COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THAT
EFFORT AND WE ARE WONDERING
WHERE WE WERE GOING TO GET THE
MONEY FROM AND NOW WE DON'T
HAVE TO WONDER ANYMORE BECAUSE
TPS WENT OUT AND DID IT. THAT
GRANT APPLICATION REQUIRED TPS
HAVE A 10-YEAR AGREEMENT AND
CONTROL OF THE SPACE SO THAT IS
WHY THIS AGREEMENT HAS A
FIVE-YEAR TERM WITH AN OPTION
FOR A FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION SO
THAT IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY. I
TALKED REALLY FAST. WE ARE
FEELING LIKE WE ARE IN A
SITUATION WHERE TPS HAS BEEN SET
UP FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE AND
WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK
WE HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO IN
THE SPACES AND HAVE BEEN DOING.
I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO
CRYSTAL.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LOVE TO
THANK DIRECTOR MARSHALL FOSTER
FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN THIS AND
OUR MANAGER ELLEN NORTON. I'VE
BEEN WITH TPS FOR ABOUT TWO
YEARS NOW AND CAME ON BOARD
ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS MARSHALL
DID AND IT HAS JUST BEEN A
FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY WORKING
WITH YOU TO DEVELOP SOMETHING
THAT IS BETTER FOR THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, BETTER FOR TPS AND
COULD ENABLE THE LONG TRANSISTOR
ABILITY OF THE SPACE FOR ARTS
PROGRAM SO THE PICTURE ON THE
SCREEN YOU SEE IS THE CENTER
THEATER LOBBY WITH HUNDREDS OF
PEOPLE IN IT FOR OUR GREGORY
AWARDS, WHICH IS ANOTHER ONE OF
OUR PROGRAMS WE RUN FOR THIS
AREA. A SPACE FOR'S PROGRAM IS
EXCITING. IT IS OUR BIGGEST
PROGRAM AND I WANT TO THANK THIS
COUNSEL OF COMMITTEE FOR BEING
IN CONSIDERATION OF THIS
AGREEMENT AND ALSO FOR YOUR
SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM AND
COMING TO SEE THE SPACES AND
THIS LONG-STANDING AGREEMENT.
THIS COMMITTEE HAS BE
OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR 27 YEARS
AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE IT
CONTINUE FOR 25,000 SQUARE FEET
OF SPACE TO CONTINUE TO BE
AVAILABLE TO ARTISTS. WE HAVE
HAD MORE THAN 800 ORGANIZATIONS
USE THESE SPACES AND 200
ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVELY USE THE
SPACES ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF
INDIVIDUALS. WE ESTIMATE ABOUT
$40 MILLION ANNUALLY COME BACK
TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH THE
USE OF THE SPACES AND IT IS A
REALLY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR
IT TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE IN A
WAY THAT MEETS THE ECONOMIC
REALITIES OF 2025 AND BEYOND.
THE OTHER AGREEMENT WAS
UNFORTUNATELY NO LONGER
SUSTAINABLE , AS IT IS A VERY
DIFFERENT WORLD THAN IT WAS IN
2014 BUT THIS NEW AGREEMENT
CREATES GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE PROGRAM FOR TPS AND I
BELIEVE FOR SEATTLE CENTER, AS
WELL, MOVING FORWARD INTO THE
FUTURE. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE IT
BACK OVER TO DIRECTOR FOSTER IF
YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL THINGS.
>> THAT WAS ALL VERY WELL SAID
AND SO I WILL TURN IT BACK TO
YOU FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> AWESOME. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR
FOSTER AND CRYSTAL AND ELLEN.
REALLY APPRECIATE THE
PRESENTATION. AND ALSO,
HIGHLIGHTING THE GOOD WORK THAT
TPS DOES. I WILL ALWAYS SAY THAT
THE ECONOMIC ENGINE TO THE CITY
OF SEATTLE, THE NEW ONE, IS
GOING TO BE THROUGH THE ARTS. I
WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVE THAT.
ARTS, CULTURE, COMMUNITY
CONNECTION. THAT IS WHAT SEATTLE
IS AND I KNOW THAT A LOT OF
TIMES ARTS IS REALLY UNDERFUNDED
AND UNDER-RESOURCED AND IT IS
HAPPENING HERE THAT YOU ALL ARE
STILL PLUGGING ALONG AND
PROVIDING THE SPACE AND CREATING
VERY GREAT PROGRAMMING FOR OUR
COMMUNITY, AS WELL, BECAUSE IT
IS MUCH-NEEDED, SO THANK YOU AND
THEN I WILL PAUSE TO SEE IF MY
COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I
SEE TWO FOLKS. COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE BUT I WOULD LOVE TO GO TO
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON. I KNOW
SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN SO COUNCIL
PRESIDENT ELSON FOLLOWED BY
COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE THEN I
WILL THROW IT OVER TO MY LEFT
FOR COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS.
>> HI. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
THIS PRESENTATION. I AM A FAN
AND SUPPORTER OF PETER PUGET
SOUND SO I HOPE THAT THIS
QUESTION IS NOT TAKEN IN THE
WRONG WAY BUT I'M TRYING TO GET
SOME CLARITY ON WHAT YOU SAID.
YOU INDICATED THAT MAYBE
REVENUES BACK TO THE CITY ARE A
LITTLE BIT UNDER WHAT WAS
PROJECTED. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF
THE GRANT, FOR THE IMPACT TO THE
CITY IS NOT GOING TO BE -- THERE
IS NO IMPACT TO THE CITY IN THE
SHORT TERM OR IN THE NEXT
BIENNIUM IS THAT CORRECT?
>> I THINK THAT IS CORRECT,
LOOKING AT THE FIVE-YEAR HORIZON
WITH THIS. IT ACTUALLY PUTS THE
PART -- DEPARTMENT IN A BETTER
POSITION. IS TPS IS GOING
THROUGH THIS REBUILDING SPACE
BECAUSE WE ARE ALLOWING THEM TO
RECOVER OPERATING COSTS FIRST,
WE WILL SEE A DIP. I ALSO WANT
TO MENTION IF IT WERE NOT FOR
TPS, WE WOULD NEED ANOTHER WAY
TO OPERATE THE SPACES AND SO TPS
PROVIDES A REALLY VITAL SERVICE
TO THE LARGER COMMUNITY AND
OBVIOUSLY, SEATTLE CENTER IS
VERY INVESTED IN THAT ARTS
COMMUNITY BUT ALSO TO THE
DEPARTMENT TO HAVE THEM AS A
NONPROFIT PARTNER OPERATING AS
PART OF THE ARMORY IS USUALLY
VALUABLE TO US. TO SAY NOTHING
OF THE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY
AS A WHOLE. YES, THANK YOU. JUST
LIKE I HAD TO MAKE SURE I
UNDERSTOOD, THANKS.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE.
>> THANK YOU , CHAIR
HOLLINGSWORTH. DIRECTOR FOSTER,
I THINK YOU AND EVERYONE FOR
YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS AND
STARTED HER BIG PICTURE, I
REALLY APPRECIATE THE
PROTECTIVENESS YOU KNOW, BEING
ON OUR TOES NOT JUST FOR TPS BUT
YOU ARE LIKE THE FOURTH OR FIFTH
-- I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY
MEETINGS I'VE HAD WITH OTHER
TENANTS . THE IMPORTANCE OF
FINANCING, THE IMPORTANCE OF ALL
THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT MAKE
A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF THE
DOLLAR AND CENTS OPERATION
BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW NONPROFIT
DOESN'T MEAN -- YOU KNOW, THEY
STILL HAVE THEIR PAYROLL TO MAKE
AND ALL THOSE HARD THINGS YOU
ARE FACING, MR. ARMSTRONG, AND
OTHERS YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF
MAKING THINGS WORK AND SO I
REALLY APPRECIATE THE -- THIS
KIND OF COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
SEATTLE CENTER HAS THE THANK YOU
AND FOR TPS YES, I HAVE SEEN THE
SPACES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO [
INAUDIBLE ] BEFORE. AND
UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP AND
YOU KNOW, AND THAT KIND OF, YOU
KNOW, HELP TO OTHERS, YOU KNOW,
FOR THE COMMUNITY SO IT IS NOT
JUST IN ITSELF . IT IS FOR THE
COMMUNITY. THAT IS A KEY
IMPORTANT PIECE BECAUSE AS YOU
NOTED , IF THEY WEREN'T THERE,
SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD HAVE TO BE A
COLLABORATOR TO MAKE THESE
THINGS HAPPEN IN TERMS OF
PUTTING ON THE BEST THAT WE CAN
IN TERMS OF THE QUALITY OF THE
PRODUCTION, SO THANK YOU FOR
THAT . I JUST WANTED TO SAY AS
WELL IT'S LIKE YOU MENTIONED
MS. NORTON, YOU MENTIONED THE
PANDEMIC. THAT TOOK A HIT IN ONE
OF THE THINGS I'VE BEEN SAYING
IN MY GOING AROUND DISTRICT AND
SO FORTH IS THAT WE REALLY NEED
TO REBUILD COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY
REALLY TOOK A HIT IN THE
PANDEMIC SO WHETHER IT IS ME
GOING TO A SCOUT CEREMONY WHERE
I AM GETTING THREE EAGLE SCOUTS
NAMED OR TO SOME OTHER GROUP ,
MAYBE A CHURCH GROUP WERE JUST
HAVING A LITTLE LEAGUE PARADE
WITH THE STOP AND HAVING THE
SEAHAWKS ' DRUM TEAM PLAYING.
THESE LITTLE THINGS ARE WHAT
BUILD COMMUNITY AND SEATTLE
CENTER BUILDS COMMUNITY FOR THE
CITY AND THIS IS WHERE TPS COMES
IN SO IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF THE
ARTS AND CULTURE COMMUNITY AND
AS WE KNOW FOR ALL THE OTHER
REASONS WHY ARTS AND CULTURE ARE
IMPORTANT BUT SORT OF TALKING
ABOUT THE BUSINESS SIDE OF IT I
THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO TALK
THE COMMUNITY SIDE OF IT AND I
APPRECIATE THAT AND SO I REALLY
APPRECIATE WHAT THE ARMORY IS
DOING BECAUSE I WENT RECENTLY TO
THE SEATTLE CHILDREN'S TRICKS
THEATER. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE
NAME OF THE PRODUCTION BUT IT
WAS THE FOUNDATION. HE WAS THE
INSPIRATION FOR FROZEN, AND I
JUST CAN'T LET THE EXPERIENCE
GO AND AFTERWARDS, MY DAUGHTER
AND I -- THANK YOU FOR PICKING
UP ON THAT POND. THANK YOU. MY
DAUGHTER AND I WENT OVER TO THE
ARMORY AND IT WAS GREAT, YOU
KNOW. THE TRAIN YOU KNOW, SEEING
THE TRAIN. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND
THEN MY WIFE JOINED US SO THE
THREE OF US WERE THERE AND
JOINED A MOMENT AT THE ARMORY
WHICH IS SO NICE AGAIN WITH THAT
MODEL VILLAGE OF THE TRAIN
SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING IT IS
FANTASTIC AND I CHECKED OUT THE
MEAT PIE PLACE. IT IS MY ENGLISH
ROOTS, I CAN'T HELP IT AND IT
GOES TO THAT COMMUNITY PIECE AND
I MISS IT BECAUSE PRIOR TO THE
PANDEMIC WHEN I WAS STILL A
STAY-AT-HOME DAD I WOULD TAKE MY
DAUGHTER DOWN THERE ALL THE
TIME. WE WOULD GO DOWN THERE
BECAUSE BENEATH IS A PLAYGROUND
AREA OR OUTSIDE AND WE WOULD
ALWAYS STOP IN TO THE ARMORY AND
THERE WAS ALWAYS BUSTLING GOING
ON SO I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE
ARMORY FUNCTION, TOO, AS BEING A
PLACE WHERE COMMUNITY COMES
TOGETHER FOR SEATTLE SO THAT WAS
A VERY LONG, BUT I WANTED TO
HIGHLIGHT THAT BECAUSE I THINK
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REFLECT NOT
JUST -- BECAUSE IT IS EASY TO
SAY ARTS AND CULTURE IS NEEDED
TO KICKSTART THE DOWNTOWN. TRUST
ME, I'VE HAD LOTS OF
CONVERSATIONS AND I RECOGNIZE
TPS AND WHAT IT IS DOING FOR THE
ARTS COMMUNITY NATURALLY
IMPORTANT THAN THAT PLUS THE
ARMORY AND SEATTLE CENTER AND
WHAT YOU'RE DOING ON THE
WATERFRONT IT'S REALLY ABOUT
RECONNECTING COMMUNITY AFTER THE
IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC SO THAT
IS A LONG WAY FOR ME TO SAY
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE.
>> THANK YOU FOR GETTING MY
CONNECTION WITH FROZEN.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS.
THANKS, I WILL TAKE TOO MUCH
TIME BECAUSE OUR OTHER
COLLEAGUES COVERED MY POINTS.
JUST TO SAY DURING THE PANDEMIC
I WAS REALLY WORRIED I WOULD
NEVER GO TO ANOTHER SHOW AT THE
CENTER THEATER. WE DID NOT KNOW
WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN SO I AM
JUST REALLY GLAD COUNCIL MEMBER
KETTLE LIKES TO TALK ABOUT WITH
ME BUDGET REFORM. I WOULD CALL
THIS REVENUE REFORM BECAUSE IF
YOU ARE NOT PROPERLY INVESTING
IN THE SPACE AND SETTING
EVERYONE UP FOR SUCCESS , WE ARE
GOING TO BE LOSING MONEY IN THE
LONG RUN AND SO THAT IS WHAT I
REALLY APPRECIATE ABOUT THIS
CHANGE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> AWESOME. THANK YOU, COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS AND IF WE DON'T
HAVE ANY MORE COMMENTS , COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA, YOU GOOD?
>> YOU KNOW ME, I CAN ALWAYS SAY
SOMETHING. THANK YOU ALL FOR
BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
COMMENTS AND THANK YOU FOR THE
PRESENTATIONS. I AM A BIG FAN OF
THE ARTS AND I LOVE THE SEATTLE
CENTER. I ATTEND A LOT OF SHOWS
THERE AND OVER THE YEARS MY
FAMILY AND I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED
ALL THE VARIOUS ARTS , EVENTS
AND PROGRAMMING AT THE SEATTLE
CENTER SO I REALLY APPRECIATE
YOU BRINGING THIS FORWARD. THANK
YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, FOR YOUR
QUESTIONS. I HAD THOSE
QUESTIONS, AS WELL. IT IS GOOD
TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP, IF YOU
WILL, WHERE THE SEATTLE CENTER
IS NOT GOING TO BE LOSING MONEY
AND THEN WE ARE SUPPORTING THE
ARTS AND I APPRECIATE THAT THIS
IS A CONTRACT THAT GOES THROUGH
, AN AGREEMENT THAT GOES THROUGH
THE 2029 BECAUSE THEN WE ALWAYS
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
REASSESS, SEE HOW IT IS GOING,
SEE HOW THE PROGRAM IS GOING,
SEE IF THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO
ADD OR CHANGE OR ET CETERA SO
AND WE CAN SEE WHERE WE ARE
FINANCIALLY, AS WELL, SO I
APPRECIATE ALL THAT
THOUGHTFULNESS AND THE TERM
LIMIT PUT ON IT TO GIVE US THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT SO AGAIN
REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND LOOKING
FORWARD TO PRODUCTIONS THERE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER
RIVERA, DIRECTOR FOSTER, CRYSTAL
AND ELLEN. REALLY APPRECIATE THE
PRESENTATION AND ANSWERING
QUESTIONS AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS A
WIN-WIN SO WE ARE SUPER EXCITED
ESPECIALLY FOR THE CITY AND THE
COMMUNITY. I'M GOING TO NOW
MOVE THAT THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF COUNSEL
BILL 120939.
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. MOVED AND SECONDED
TO RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF THE
BILL. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS
AFTER THAT? IT IS NOT REALLY IN
MY SCRIPT BUT I SHOULD'VE JUST
STOPPED AT ARE THERE ANY OTHER
COMMENTS? WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL ON COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COUNCIL
PASS COUNSEL BILL 120939.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE
>> AYE
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA
>> AYE
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS
>> YES
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON
>> AYE
>> CHAIR HOLLINGSWORTH
>> YES.
>> FIVE MEMBERS IN FAVOR.
>> MOTION CARRIES THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE BILL
PASS WILL BE SENT TO THE
FEBRUARY 18 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING. IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER
QUESTIONS WERE GOING TO MOVE ON.
IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER
QUESTIONS WERE GOING TO MOVE ON
TO THE LAST AGENDA ITEM. CLERK,
PLEASE READ AGENDA ITEM NUMBER
14 INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 14, SEATTLE PARKS
AND RECREATION STATE RECREATION
AND CONSERVATION OFFICE 2025
GRANT APPLICATIONS. FOR BRIEFING
AND DISCUSSION. PRESENTING TODAY
IS MICHELLE FINNEGAN AND MOSHE
HECHT FROM SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION.
>> AWESOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I
KNOW YOU ALL ARE GETTING YOUR --
WE WILL GET YOU ALL SET UP WITH
YOUR PRESENTATION TODAY. REALLY
HAPPY TO HEAR FROM PARKS
REGARDING -- SORRY, FROM PARKS
REGARDING SOME OF THE STATE
RECREATION AND CONSERVATION
OFFICE, THE GRANT APPLICATIONS.
THERE ARE NO VOTES TODAY ON
THIS, COLLEAGUES. IT IS JUST FOR
US TO GET A REVIEW AND HEAR FROM
YOU ALL WHAT YOU ALL ARE WRITING
AND COOKING UP IN THE BACK. I
HEARD MICHELLE CONTRACT, RIGHT?
THAT IS WHAT PARKS DOES, PUT A
LITTLE SALT AND PEPPER IN IT, A
LITTLE GARLIC, YEAH, THEN
OUTCOMES A PARK. OLIVE OIL.
>> I AM MOSHE HECHT, GRANT
MANAGER FOR SEATTLE PARKS AND
RECREATION.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US
TODAY. I MICHELLE FINNEGAN,
DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICY
AND FINANCE PITCHING IN FOR
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS, WHO IS
UNDER THE WEATHER TODAY. WE ARE
HERE TO PRESENT OUR ANNUAL
LEGISLATION TO RECEIVE
PERMISSION TO APPLY FOR STATE
GRANTS THROUGH THE RECREATION
CONSERVATION OFFICE. WE WILL USE
OUR CO TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THEM.
YOU WILL RECALL THIS COMMITTEE
APPROVED SIMILAR LEGISLATION
LAST YEAR ALLOWING US TO APPLY
FOR A SEPARATE ROUND OF OUR CO
GRANTS AND MOSHE HECHT IS GOING
TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THAT
BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THIS
YEAR'S LATE. THIS LEGISLATION
IS REQUIRED BY RCO AS A
CONDITION TO BE ELIGIBLE TO
APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDING. WE WILL
BE BACK TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDING
LATER BUT THE PROJECTS WE
SELECTED A REALLY OPPORTUNISTIC
IN TERMS OF WHICH CATEGORIES ARE
OPEN IN ANY PARTICULAR YEAR AND
WHAT PROJECTS WE HAVE AT THE
RIGHT PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT SO
MOSHE HECHT AGAIN WILL WALK YOU
THROUGH THAT BUT THESE GRANTS
ARE CRITICAL FOR US TO MAKE
PROGRESS IN OUR CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PLAN WITHOUT IT
REPAIRING AND REPLACING ASSETS
WOULD BE MUCH MORE CHALLENGING.
THERE IS REALLY FOUR MAIN
REASONS WHY WE SEEK GRANTS. TO
ADDRESS ESCALATING COST, TO ADD
SCOPE TO AN EXISTING PROJECT, TO
FUND A NEW PROJECT OR TO
LEVERAGE OUTSIDE RESOURCES TO BE
MORE EFFECTIVELY UTILIZING OUR
CITY RESOURCES. THOSE REASONS
ARE ALL IN EFFECT IN THIS SLATE
OF PROJECTS SO I WILL TURN IT
OVER TO MOSHE.
>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING US
HERE TODAY. I WILL GIVE YOU A
QUICK OVERVIEW OF RCO AND AN
OVERVIEW OF THE GRANTS WE
APPLIED FOR LAST ROUND AND WHAT
WE WILL BE APPLYING FOR THIS
YEAR. RCO WAS ESTABLISHED IN
1964 OF THEIR ROLE IS TO
ADMINISTER STATE AND FEDERAL
FUNDS FOR PARKS ACROSS THE
STATE. THEY USE A COMPETITIVE
PROCESS. THEY CURRENTLY HAVE 25
DIFFERENT CATEGORIES THAT
AGENCIES CAN APPLY FOR AND IT
REGIONS -- RANGES FROM OUTDOOR
CONSERVATION, FORESTRY AND
RECREATION. APPLICANTS ARE
REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN ADOPTED
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
AGENCY TO APPLY AND IT TYPICALLY
RANGES FROM $350,000-$2 MILLION
AND TYPICALLY THEY REQUIRE A ONE
TO ONE MATCH. THIS YEAR, THE
NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION --
SORRY, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HAS
INCREASED THE MAXIMUM ORLOB
FUNDS . THESE ARE THE PROJECTS
WE APPLIED FOR LAST YEAR. A
GRANT REQUEST WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.
IT WAS TOO EARLY IN THE PROCESS
AND DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AT THE TIME.
WE BELIEVE IT IS BETTER SITUATED
NOW AND AS YOU WILL SEE, WE ARE
GOING TO TRY TO REAPPLY THIS
ROUND. FIRST T IS A GOLF YOUTH
ORGANIZATION THAT OPERATES
CLASSES AND CAMPS. BECAUSE THEIR
APPLICATION WAS NOT ORIGINAL --
ORIGINALLY INCLUDED OUR 2024
RESOLUTION, RCO IS ALLOWING US
TO INCLUDED IN THIS RESOLUTION.
FRED HUTCHINSON WAS A HOMETOWN
HERO AND BASEBALL RESIDENT WHO
MANAGE THE SEATTLE RAIN EARS AND
IS THE NAMESAKE OF HUTCHINSON
CANDOR -- CANCER CENTER. A LAKE
CITY. FLOODPLAIN PARK WAS ARE
MORE SUCCESSFUL PROJECT. IT IS
THE HIGHEST OF APPLICATIONS.
THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE
PARTNERSHIP WE DEVELOPED WITH
MIDTOWN HISTORIES TO DO THE
OUTREACH AND PLANNING IN THE
REAL CARE THEY'LL PUT INTO THIS
PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH US.
THIS FUNDING WILL COVER THE COST
OF ALL THE RECREATION ELEMENTS
OF THAT PROJECT. SMITH COVE
PLAYFIELD WAS NOT RECOMMENDED
FOR FUNDING PRIMARILY BECAUSE
THE NEIGHBORHOOD SET THAT
PROJECT AT A DISTANT BANDAGE.
RCO HAS PHYSICAL LOCATIONS FOR A
PARKING YOU AUTOMATICALLY
RECEIVE POINTS OR NO POINTS FOR
WHERE A PARK IS LOCATED. I THINK
THAT WAS OUR BIGGEST BARRIER.
>> DO YOU WANT ME TO WAIT UNTIL
THE END OR ADDRESS THAT RIGHT
NOW.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> I THINK WE SHOULD CONTINUE
WITH THE CONVERSATION. I'M GOING
TO RESPECTFULLY BE VERY UPSET
ABOUT SMITH COVE PARK. WE CUT
THE RIBBON FOR IT WHEN MAYOR
McGINN WAS MAYOR. WHAT YOU OR
SOMETHING FROM ME, IT'S NOT
EVEN MY DISTRICT, AND IT IS A
PLACE THAT WHILE IT IS AT THE
BASE OF MAGNOLIA, IT IS ON
LIQUEFACTION ZONE THAT IS EASILY
ACCESSIBLE FROM DOWNTOWN, QUEEN
ANNE, MAGNOLIA, BALLARD, MANY
OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE WE
HAVE PLAYFIELD SHORTAGES THAT I
KNOW YOU ARE AWARE OF BECAUSE I
WORKED WITH YOUR SCHEDULE IS TO
TRY TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. THE
FACT THAT THE PARK HAD THE
RIBBON CUTTING UNDER MAYOR
McGINN AND HAS STILL NOT BROKEN
GROUND -- I GET THERE IS NO ROOM
TO BE ANYTHING BUT SERIOUS ABOUT
THIS PARK. I GUESS THAT IS MY
FEEDBACK AND MY REACTION IN THE
MOMENT.
>> THIS IS NOT STOPPING THE
PROJECT FROM MOVING FORWARD.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE, I
THINK YOU HAD A QUESTION.
>> YES, YOU KIND OF ANSWERED
THAT BUT I WILL ASK THAT AGAIN
JUST FOR THE RECORD BUT I WOULD
SAY JUST TO BACKUP MY COLLEAGUE,
FROM DISTRICT 6, IS THAT , THAT
POINT DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE
BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A FULCRUM
BETWEEN MAGNOLIA, QUEEN ANNE,
BALLARD. I HAVE BEEN THERE WITH
MY DAUGHTER FOR SOCCER, YOU
KNOW. AND BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH
SHORTAGES , IT IS A PLACE THAT
CAN HANDLE THEM, YOU KNOW, AND
HAS THAT ACCESSIBILITY SO THE
LOGIC DOES NOT REALLY FIT WITH
ME AND SO THAT IS A COMMENT .
YOU CAN TAKE THAT BACK TO
WHOEVER LIKES TO HEAR IT BUT THE
QUESTION , IF YOU CAN ANSWER, IS
GIVEN THIS PIECE, CAN YOU GIVE A
SUMMARY OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THE
SMITH COVE PROJECT?
>> WE ARE STILL ON SCHEDULE TO
BID THIS YEAR. IN Q2 WAS WHAT I
HEARD EARLIER TODAY SO WE ARE
STILL MOVING FORWARD. THIS GRANT
WILL NOT STOP THAT.
>> [ INAUDIBLE ] THAT NATURAL
BARRIER AT THE SOUTHERN AND THAT
WHOLE PIECE WE'VE BEEN BRIEFED
ON BEFORE. THANK YOU.
>> SOME OF THESE JUST LIKE IN
THE WW RP CATEGORY, WHICH IS ONE
OF THE MOST POPULAR CATEGORIES
ACROSS THE STATE I THINK IN THIS
LAST ROUND THEY RECEIVED NEARLY
70 APPLICATIONS, THE ONE IN
THREE OF THOSE RECEIVED IN
AWARD. I SAT ON THAT PANEL.
THERE WERE ABOUT 30
APPLICATIONS. SEVEN PROJECTS
RECEIVED AWARDS SO SOME OF THESE
ARE VERY COMPETITIVE SO WE
DON'T REALLY HAVE CONTROL OVER
HOW THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE
SCORES THE PROJECTS. WE JUST TRY
TO PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD AND
SECURE THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT POINT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
ANSWERS AND AS SOMEONE WHO HAS
TAKEN A YOUTH FOR ATHLETIC
REASONS, DOWN TO SMITH COVE, I
RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THEIR
ASSESSMENT ON THAT AND THANK YOU
FOR THE UPDATE. I WILL BE
FOLLOWING UP ON Q2.
>> I WILL SAY ON THE OTHER HAND
THAT WHILE CUDDLY PLAYFIELD WAS
RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING TO HELP
PAY FOR SYNTHETIC FIELD UPGRADES
AND SAFETY NETTING WHICH NEEDS
TO GO BEHIND THE SOCCER GOALS ON
THAT THOUGH THESE PROJECTS WERE
ALSO RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING,
ALL OF THIS FUNDING IS STILL
CONTINGENT ON THE STATE SO THE
STATE LEGISLATURE DOES NEED TO
VOTE AND APPROVE FUNDING FOR
EACH OF THESE PROJECTS.
>> HERE YOU CAN SEE THIS IS JUST
A SUMMARY OF SUCCESSFUL AWARDS
ACROSS THE CITY . THE BLUE
PEN'S MARK PROJECTS THAT HAVE
RECENTLY RECEIVED AWARDS. THE
GOLD ONES ARE THE LOCATIONS
BRINGING TO YOU TODAY.
>> I THINK WE HAVE A QUESTION IF
WE COULD JUST -- WITH
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA WILL QUICK.
>> I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A STATE
GRANT AND THESE ARE THE PROJECTS
THAT GOT ADMITTED FOR FUNDING
AND WHAT YOU ARE PRESENTING AS
THE STATE RECOMMENDATIONS, NOT
THE CITIES. OBVIOUSLY THE CITIES
PRESENTED THESE FOR FUNDING SO
THE CITY IS SUPPORTING THESE
FORCE -- FOR FUNDING BUT MY
QUESTION WILL BE HOW DID YOU
SELECT THE PROJECTS TO APPLY FOR
THIS LIST OF PROJECTS?
>> MOSHE JUST WALKED YOU THROUGH
THE PROJECTS YOU APPROVED LAST
YEAR. WE'RE JUST TELLING YOU
HOW THEY TURNED OUT. THESE GOLD
PINS ARE WHAT WE ARE
RECOMMENDING WE APPLY FOR THIS
YEAR. THAT IS IN THIS YEAR'S
RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU SO THIS
WILL BE WHAT WE APPLY FOR AND
THEY ARE RATED ONTO THE SCO
PROCESS IF YOU CONCUR FOR THE
NEXT MEETING.
>> I'M ASKING CAN YOU REMIND US
HOW YOU SELECTED THE PROJECTS.
>> YES, I HAVE A SLIDE ON THAT
FOR YOU.
>> AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, RCO
DOES REQUIRE APPLICANTS SUBMIT
THEIR RESOLUTION TO RCO BY THE
17th. THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE
EXTENDED. THEY DO REQUIRE THE
CITY TO WRITE A MATCH AND
PROJECTS MUST BE MAINTAINED IN
PERPETUITY FOR WHICH WE HAVE
SOUGHT FUNDING. THE 2025 GRANT
APPLICATIONS WE ARE LOOKING AT
RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING TO
APPLY FOR $24 MILLION IN GRANT
FUNDING FOR SEVEN PROJECTS. FIVE
OF THE PROJECTS ARE IN THE
OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WHICH IS
FEDERAL FUNDING THROUGH THE
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. ONE OF
THEM IS THE RECREATIONAL TRAILS
PROGRAM AND ONE IN THE COMMUNITY
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PROGRAM.
ORLP IS A NATIONAL GRANT PROGRAM
FOCUSING ON LOW INCOME AREAS
WITH LIMITED PARK RESOURCES.
APPLICATIONS COMPETE NATIONWIDE
AND THEY WILL FUND THE PROJECTS
A MINIMUM OF 300,000 UP TO A
MINIMUM OF -- MAXIMUM OF 2
MILLION AS I MENTIONED EARLIER.
THERE IS A ONE-TO-ONE MATCH AND
IT IS FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION BUT
IN A MILD CLIMATE IT WILL FUND
INDOOR SWIMMING POOLS AND GRANTS
ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE SO
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PROJECT
SELECTION, THINGS WE LOOK AT OUR
THE NEED AND LOCAL PRIORITIES,
THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT , HOW
MUCH ENGAGEMENT WE HAVE DONE.
SOMETIMES COMMUNITIES COME TO
US. HAVE WE REALLY DONE OUR WORK
TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT
THE COMMUNITY NEEDS AND WANTS IN
A PARTICULAR PROJECT, HOW
SUSTAINABLE THE PROJECTS ARE,
COST EFFICIENCIES AND THERE IS
ALSO AN ALIGNMENT WITH THE
STATEWIDE OUTDOOR RECREATION
PLAN THAT REALLY DEFINES
PRIORITIES FOR THE STATE. SO THE
FIRST PROJECT AND BRINGING TO
YOU TODAY IS ONE THAT WAS
APPLIED FOR BY FIRST TEE. THAT
IS ONE OF OUR PROJECTS UP BY
BEACON HILL. THEY DO A LOT OF
YOUTH PROGRAMMING THERE. THEY
WORK HARD TO BRING SCHOLARSHIP
DOLLARS AVAILABLE SO YOU CAN
PARTICIPATE IN GOLF PROGRAMMING.
THIS WOULD REALLY AFFECT THE
NINE-HOLE GOLF COURSE THERE SO
THE IDEA IS TO MAKE A COUPLE OF
MODIFICATIONS TO THE GOLF
COURSE. ONE OF THEM HERE IS TO
MOVE THE NINTH HOLE JUST A
LITTLE BIT FORWARD SO THEY CAN
OPEN UP AND HAVE A PUTTING AREA
AND ALSO TO PUT SAFETY NETTING
UP THERE SO THEY DON'T HAVE
BALLS FLYING INTO THE PUTTING
AREA AND THE LAST THING THEY ARE
HOPING TO INSTALL IS SECURITY
LIGHTING. THIS PROJECT WAS ALSO
APPLIED FOR BY FIRST TEE IN 2024
. I NEGOTIATED WITH THE STATE
THAT WE WOULD BE A CO-APPLICANT
ON THE PROJECT SO WE COULD
ACCEPT THE FUNDING. THIS IS WHY
WE DID NOT INCLUDED IN THE
ORIGINAL ROUND LAST YEAR, BUT WE
ARE INCLUDING IT TODAY.
DISCOVERY PARK SOUTH BEACH
TRAIL. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF
YOU HAVE HIKED THAT BUT IT IS A
WONDERFUL TRAIL THAT GOES ALL
THE WAY DOWN TO THE WATER. IT IS
ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR TRAILS
IN THE CITY. IT IS ONE OF FEW
TRAILS IN THE CITY WHERE FOLKS
CAN IMMERSE THEMSELVES
COMPLETELY IN NATURE. THE TRAIL,
UNFORTUNATELY, IS IN BAD SHAPE.
IT HAS NOT BEEN MAINTAINED. WE
NEED TO REROUTE IT BECAUSE OF
BLUFF INSTABILITY, REBUILD THE
STAIRS IN A NUMBER OF OTHER
THINGS TO MAKE IT MUCH MORE
ACCESSIBLE AND SAFE. WE ARE
GOING OUT FOR $150,000 WHICH IS
THE MAXIMUM IN THE RECREATIONAL
TRAILS PROGRAM.
>> STANDS THERE'S BOAT LAUNCHES
THE HOME OF SEAFARER. THIS IS
WHERE HYDROPLANE'S LUNCH FROM
AND WHERE MANY OF OUR
RECREATIONAL BOATERS LIKE TO
LAUNCH FROM AND WE HAVE THE
ROWING AND SAILING CENTER. THAT
SITE HAS BEEN THERE . THE RAMP
IN THE PEERS OF BEEN THERE FOR
ABOUT 65 YEARS, AND THEY ARE IN
DISREPAIR AND WE REALLY NEED TO
REPLACE THE ASSETS THERE. THE
OTHER THING WE HAVE HEARD IS
THAT WE NEED TO ADD BOARDING
FLOATS SO THAT FOLKS WHO ARE
LAUNCHING FROM THAT SITE, IT IS
EASIER AND SAFER FOR THEM TO BE
ABLE TO GET IN AND OUT OF THEIR
BOATS AND PROVIDE OTHER
ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS AT
THE SITE. LASTLY, WE WOULD BE
REMOVING A NUMBER OF CREOSOTE
CONTAMINATED TIMBERS AND PULLING
THAT CONTAMINATION OUT OF THE
WATER. AS MICHELLE MENTIONED, WE
ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH DR. JOSE
RIZAL. RIGHT NOW WE ARE MOVING
FORWARD WITH THE RESTROOM
RENOVATION AS PART OF THE
APPLICATIONS WE ARE PUTTING
TOGETHER FOR THIS PROJECT. WE
ARE HOPING TO LEVERAGE FUNDING
TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE
PLAYGROUND WHICH IS ALSO BEING
PLAN TO ADD ADDITIONAL
ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS,
EXPAND OR IMPROVE THE VIEWPOINT
THERE , AND AS I MENTIONED
EARLIER, WE HAVE DONE MORE
OUTREACH ON THIS PROJECT SO WE
DO HOPE THIS WILL BE MORE
COMPETITIVE IN THIS ROUND.
JUDKINS PARK IS IN SEATTLE
CENTRAL DISTRICT AND THE HOME OF
WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL. WE ARE
PLANNING AND DESIGNING AND
UNIVERSALLY INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND
AND SPRAY PARK THERE. OUR GOAL
IS TO MAKE THIS A UNIVERSALLY
ACCESSIBLE PLAYSPACE FOR
CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITIES
ENSURING ACCESS TO OUTDOOR
RECREATION. THE PROJECT ALIGNS
WITH SEATTLE CHICKS COMMITMENT
TO INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SPACES AND
A.D.A. ACCESSIBILITY AND WE ARE
SEEKING 3.25 MILLION IN ORLP
FUNDING FOR THE PARTNERSHIP. WE
ARE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
INCLUSION MATTERS AND OUR GOAL
IS TO RAISE A TOTAL OF $7
MILLION FROM MULTIPLE FUNDING
SOURCES TO CREATE A TRULY
DYNAMIC PARK HERE. GREEN LAKE
COMMUNITY CENTER POOL IS AT THE
END OF ITS USEFUL LIFE AND
DESPERATELY NEEDS TO BE
RECONSTRUCTED. WHILE ORLP
FUNDING IS LIMITED TO OUTDOOR
RECREATION PROJECTS, IT DOES
FUND INDOOR SWIMMING POOLS IN
AREAS THAT HAVE MILD CLIMATES.
THE SERVICES PROJECT MIGHT NOT
ALIGN IS CLOSELY WITH FUNDING
CRITERIA OF SOME OF THE OTHER
PROJECTS AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS
NONETHELESS THE POOL HAS BEEN
IMPORTANT FOR RESIDENTS IN NORTH
SEATTLE, OFFERING FREE SHOWERS
TO THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS WHO
RECEIVED SHOWERS THERE EACH
MONTH, PARTICULARLY OVER COVID.
WE HAVE LOTS OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR
DROP-IN SWIMMING AND SWIM
LESSONS THERE AND OVER 1 MILLION
VISITORS THAT VISIT GREEN LAKE
EACH YEAR. THOUSAND STOP BY THE
COMMUNITY CENTER FOR RESPITE.
THEY COME INTO THE CENTER
SEEKING RESTROOMS, A SNACK, TO
GET OUT OF THE HEAT, MAYBE THE
COLD, GET DIRECTIONS AND
OBVIOUSLY PROGRAMMING AND
SWIMMING. THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS
TO BUILD A MUCH LARGER REGIONAL
FACILITY WITH A $100 MILLION
PRICE TAG. THE PROJECT HAS SINCE
BEEN REDUCED IN SCOPE WITH A $59
MILLION BUDGET. CURRENTLY WE DO
NOT BELIEVE THAT IS ENOUGH TO
BUILD BOTH THE POOL AND THE
COMMUNITY CENTER. THEREFORE, WE
ARE SEEKING ADDITIONAL FUNDING
SO WE CAN REALLY BUILD ALL OF
THIS ALL AT ONCE. IF SUCCESSFUL
WITH THE GRANTS, WE MAY BE ABLE
TO BUILD THE COMMUNITY CENTER
AND THE POOL INCLUDING SOME OR
ALL OF IT IN THE INITIAL PHASE.
WE ARE AWARE THAT THERE MIGHT BE
SOME PROGRAM RESTRICTIONS FROM
THE STATE AND THE NATIONAL PARK
SERVICE THAT MIGHT LIMIT OUR
ABILITY TO APPLY FOR THE FULL 15
MILLION . WE HAVE A COUPLE OF
PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED FOR
APRIL, AND WE HOPE TO BE AT 60%
DESIGN BY SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR
AND START CONSTRUCTION HOPEFULLY
LATER IN 2026. THE NORTHWEST
NATIVE CANOE CENTER IS IN SOUTH
LAKE UNION. IT WILL SERVE AS A
VITAL CULTURAL HUB CELEBRATING
THE RICH MARITIME TRADITIONS OF
SAILORS AND OTHER INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES. IT ALIGNS TO
HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN
HERITAGE, FOSTERING CULTURAL
EDUCATION AND SUPPORTING
INDIGENOUS-LED INITIATIVES. WE
ARE WORKING WITH FAS TO LOOK AT
THE BIDS THAT HAVE COME IN. I DO
UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE EXTENDED
THE BID TIMELINES ON THAT
PROJECT AND WE HAVE INCLUDED
THIS PROJECT BECAUSE WE WANT TO
HAVE THE OPTION TO GO OUT FOR
ADDITIONAL FUNDING IF NEEDED.
HERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE
PROJECTS WE HOPE TO APPLY FOR
FUNDING FOR. AND, A TIMELINE ,
SO MY GOAL ON THESE PROJECTS,
PARTICULARLY THE
FEDERALLY-FUNDED PROJECTS IS TO
GET THOSE UNDER CONTRACT AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE, HOPEFULLY SOONER
THAN SUMMER OF 2026. ANY
QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU. BEFORE I JUMP INTO
MY QUESTIONS, I KNOW MY
COLLEAGUES PROBABLY HAVE SOME,
BUT THANK YOU FOR THE DETAILED
INFORMATION AND WALKING US
THROUGH THAT AND SO FORTH BUT I
WILL DEFER TO -- I DON'T KNOW
WHO WAS FIRST, BUT COUNCIL
MEMBER RIVERA THEN COUNCIL
MEMBER KETTLE.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU
FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE
PRESENTATION AND YOU DID GET TO
MY QUESTION. FIRST TEE, IS THAT
NOT-FOR-PROFIT THE DOES GOLF
LESSONS FOR LOW INCOME AND BIPOC
KIDS? IS THAT THE SAME PROGRAM?
>> IT OPERATES OUT OF THE BILL
RIGHT COMPLEX AT JEFFERSON PARK
SO YES, IT DOES, KIND OF LIKE A
CLUB SPORT.
>> YES, BUT I THINK IT
PRIORITIZES LOW INCOME KIDS .
THANK YOU.
>> IT DOES, AND COUNCIL APPROVED
FUNDING, THANK YOU FOR THE. IS A
POOR A -- PARTICIPATORY BUDGET
TO GO TO FIRST TEE AND FIRST
KIDS.
>> YES AND A LOT OF BIPOC KIDS
NEED THAT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS
PRESENTATION AND FOR THE NEW
LIST. THE MISSION AFTER HEARING
THE NON-RECOMMENDED FOR SMITH
COVE IS TO GET A RECOMMENDED FOR
THE NORTHWEST NATIVE CANOE
CENTER. AS MR. THORPE OUT IN THE
AUDIENCE KNOWS, MY TEAM HAS BEEN
WORKING WITH VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF
PARKS AND WITH THE SOUTH LAKE
UNION COMMUNITY AND WAS AS YOU
NOTED, UNITED INDIANS OF ALL
TRIBES AND OTHERS AND THE NATIVE
COMMUNITY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT FOR, YOU KNOW, AGAIN,
THAT CONNECTION TO OUR PAST AND
THAT , SO YOUR MISSION IS TO GET
A RECOMMENDED ON THIS ONE. SO NO
PRESSURE AFTER THE FAILURE OF
SMITH COVE, YOU KNOW. I DO THINK
ALL THE VARIOUS ENTITIES WITHIN
PARKS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING
THIS BECAUSE I KNOW THERE ARE A
LOT OF DIFFERENT PIECES LIKE THE
SOUTH LAKE UNION BECAUSE THERE
ARE SOME UNDERLYING UTILITIES.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT
MOVING PIECES TO THIS AS RELATES
TO THE PARK AND THE COMMUNITY IS
REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE SOUTH
LAKE UNION COMMUNITY AND THIS IN
DOWNEY PARK AND CASCADE. THESE
PARKS ARE SOMETHING WE WANT TO
BUILD UP AND THIS IS A FANTASTIC
WAY . THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS
AND THAT IS YOUR MISSION IF YOU
CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT.
>> AWESOME. A COUPLE QUESTIONS I
HAD. THE FIRST IS A COMMENT.
I'M HAPPY TO HEAR YOU'RE
SHORTENING THE NINTH HOLE AT
BILL RIGHT COMPLEX. I WAS HIT
OVER THE FENCE SO TO HAVE IT
SHORT I CAN USE A PITCHING WEDGE
AND SON OF MY NINE BUT ONE OF
THE THINGS I WANTED TO ASK YOU
ALL IS HOW DO YOU -- HOW DID YOU
ALL INTEGRATE SOME OF THE
PROJECTS THAT YOU CHOSE TO WRITE
GRANTS FOR WITH THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN,
UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME OF THE
DENSITY IN PROPOSED PLACES WERE
GOING TO BE INCREASING, PEOPLE,
IS GOING TO INCREASE FOOT
TRAFFIC AT PARKS AND SO FORTH.
WAS THERE ANY OP CD OR WITH
SEATTLE PARKS, ANY TYPE OF
COLLABORATION THERE?
>> NOT SO MUCH ON THE GRANT
SELECTION. I DO LOOK AT THE
METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT PLAN
VERY CAREFULLY AND GO THROUGH
EACH OF THOSE PROJECTS. EVERY
NOW AND THEN THERE IS A PROJECT
THAT COMES TO US FROM THE
COMMUNITY AND BECOMES A PRIORITY
IN THE COMMUNITY COMES TO YOU
ALL FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND
THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE FOR
ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN THOSE
CASES WHERE THOSE DO ELEVATE AND
ARE NOT PART OF THE ACTUAL PLAN.
YOU KNOW, I WORK VERY CLOSELY
WITH THEM TO TRY TO HELP SECURE
THAT FUNDING BUT IT REALLY IS
LOOKING AT OUR ASSET INVENTORY,
LOOKING AT THE TIMING OF THE
PROJECTS. TIMING IS REALLY KEY
BECAUSE IF YOU APPLY TOO SOON,
YOU'RE JUST NOT REALLY READY TO
PUT IN THAT SUCCESSFUL
APPLICATION. IF YOU APPLY TOO
LATE IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR
THE WHOLE GRANT PROCESS TO WORK
THROUGH AND YOU COULD ACTUALLY
PUSH THE PROJECT BACK A YEAR AND
A HALF, MAYBE TWO YEARS, YOU END
UP GETTING COST ESCALATIONS, SO
IT IS A VERY OPPORTUNISTIC
PROCESS IF I CAN BE CANDID YOU
KNOW, REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT WE
HAVE GOING ON, FIGURING OUT WHAT
COULD BE COMPETITIVE, TALKING TO
CITY PLANNERS AND PROJECT
MANAGERS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE
THEY'RE AT, WHAT KIND OF
OUTREACH THEY HAVE DONE, LOOKING
AT COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHICS
BECAUSE THAT IS A BIG DEAL FOR A
LOT OF OUR FUNDERS.
>> I WOULD JUST ADD TO THAT A
LITTLE BIT UPSTREAM IS THAT THE
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN THAT
YOU ALL ADOPTED OUR UPDATE LAST
YEAR DOES ALIGN WITH THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND SO I
WOULD SAY MOSHE'S JOB IS MORE
THE MATCHMAKER ONCE PROJECTS ARE
FUNDED THAT HE IS TRYING TO
LEVERAGE THOSE EFFORTS BUT
UPSTREAM WE CERTAINLY ALIGN
THROUGH THE BASE PLAN AND PARK
ELEMENT AND COMP PLAN.
>> NICE. NEXT WEEK WE ARE
GETTING A PRESENTATION FROM
DIFFERENT CITY DEPARTMENTS
REGARDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE
PIECE TO THE CITY AND HOW THAT
ALIGNS WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN AND GROWTH AND HOW CITY
DEPARTMENTS ARE PREPARING FOR
THAT, AND I WAS CURIOUS OF IT AT
ANY COORDINATION, AND IT DOES,
SO YOU ALL ARE ON IT. THOSE ARE
ALL MY QUESTIONS. I DON'T KNOW
IF THAT IS AN OLD HAND ? COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS, YOU ARE
RECOGNIZED.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A BUNCH OF
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS I WILL SAVE
FOR AFTER THE VOTE BECAUSE THE
PROJECTS HAVE MERIT. I THINK THE
CANOE HOUSE IS ANOTHER ONE THAT
HAS BEEN LONG STALLED AND
WRAPPED UP AND RCO DRAMA FROM
RECEIVING PAST GRANTS AND GREEN
LAKE POOL , YOU KNOW,
COLLEAGUES, YOU MAY OR MAY NOT
BE AWARE THE PLAN RIGHT NOW IS
TO PHASE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF
THE GREEN LAKE COMMUNITY CENTER,
WHICH I THINK IS A VERY BAD IDEA
. THIS GRANT WOULD ALLOW US TO
UNFAZED THAT PROJECT SO WE HAVE
THE ECONOMY OF SCALE OF BUILDING
THE ENTIRE PLAN AT ONCE RATHER
THAN HAVING TO REDEPLOY
CONSTRUCTION MULTIPLE TIMES. WE
ARE ABOUT $14 MILLION SHORT SO
THIS WOULD COVER THAT AND SO I
AM SUPPORTIVE HERE BUT I HAVE
GOT MORE QUESTIONS AND WILL SAVE
THOSE FOR ANOTHER DAY, THOUGH.
THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS. COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA.
>> THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, I SHOULD
HAVE SAID EARLIER, SUPPORT THE
PROJECTS HERE, SUPPORT FIRST
TEE, SUPPORT THE IMPROVEMENTS AT
THAT PARK. I WILL ALSO SAY THAT
I WAS JUST WITH SUPERINTENDENT
DIAZ AND JACOB THORPE FROM YOUR
TEAM, WHO I SEE IN THE AUDIENCE
AT OUR PATHWAYS PARK WHICH IS
ACTUALLY IN THE DISTRICT THAT I
REPRESENT. COLLEAGUES, THAT IS
AN AMAZING PARK IF YOU HAVEN'T
HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND,
PLEASE DO SO AND I AM HAPPY TO
SEE THAT THERE IS AN EFFORT TO
DO AN INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND.
THESE INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS
PROVIDE ACCESS , WHICH ALL OUR
PARKS SHOULD BE MOVING TOWARD ,
BUT IT IS COSTLY AND SO I AM
REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT JUDKINS
IS BEING RECOMMENDED OR AT LEAST
BY YOU ALL FOR THIS GRANT AND
HOPEFULLY YOU WILL PREVAIL AT
THE STATE LEVEL SO THAT WE CAN
ALSO COMPLETE THAT PARK BECAUSE
IT IS REALLY AN AMAZING PARK SO
HAPPY TO SEE THAT ON THERE,
ALONG WITH THE OTHER PROJECTS,
SO THANK YOU.
>> AWESOME. THANK YOU. ARE THERE
ANY MORE QUESTIONS FROM
COLLEAGUES? REALLY HAPPY TO SEE
THE PROJECTS. REALLY HAPPY TO
SEE THE GROWTH IN THE CITY. I
KNOW OUR PARKS GET USED A LOT
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE, AS THEY
SHOULD, I WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE
TO ADVOCATE FOR TRIPPING OF THE
FIELDS IN DIFFERENT PLACES
OBVIOUSLY JUST BECAUSE OF THE
RAIN THAT WE GET TO AND WANTING
TO HAVE LIKE YEAR-ROUND ACCESS
AND YOUTH FOR KIDS AND
EVERYTHING SO IT -- JUST REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT. I KNOW SOME
PEOPLE MIGHT NOT LIKE TO HEAR ME
SAY TURF IN, BUT ONLY CERTAIN
PLACES AND THEY USE COURT. THANK
YOU ALL AND DEFINITELY THINK MY
FAVORITE COUNCIL LIAISON JACOB
THORPE BECAUSE I HAVE SOME
REQUESTS FOR PARKS FOR YOU. SO
YOU'RE MY FAVORITE TODAY. I'M
JUST PLAYING. WITH THAT WE HAVE
NO OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR
TODAY AND IF THERE IS NO FURTHER
BUSINESS, THIS MEETING WILL
ADJOURNED. THIS CONCLUDES
FEBRUARY 12 MEETING OF PARKS
PUBLIC UTILITIES TECHNOLOGY
COMMITTEE. OUR NEXT COMMITTEE
MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR YOUR 26
AT 2:00 P.M. HEARING NO FURTHER
BUSINESS, IT IS 3:31 P.M. THIS
MEETING IS ADJOURNED, THANK YOU.