RINCK, CHAIR. CALL THE ROLE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON .
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WOO -- STRAUSS.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
>> HERE.
>> WITH NO OBJECTION THE AGENDA
WILL BE ADOPTED. WELCOME TO THE
SUSTAINABILITY CITY LIGHTS AND
CULTURE COMMITTEE. I WANT TO
THANK OUR COLLEAGUES FOR
ATTENDING THE LAST MEETING WHERE
WE PROVIDED AN UPDATE FROM
LEADERSHIP. ACTIONS NOTED IN THE
REPORT ARE DEEPLY EGREGIOUS AND
IN MANY CASES DRAMATIC FIRST
CITY LIGHT EMPLOYEES ON THE
RECEIVING END OF THE HOSTILE
WORK ENVIRONMENT. WE ARE IN
REGULAR COMMUNICATION WORKING TO
PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE
ARRAY OF ISSUES PROVIDED IN THE
REPORT WHICH OUTLINED THE
PERVASIVE CULTURE OF HEAVY
DRINKING WHILE OPERATING HEAVY
MACHINERY AS WELL AS SEXUAL
ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT TO A
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES . THE
COMMITTEE WILL BE PROVIDED AN
UPDATE REGARDING ACTIONABLE
STEPS CITY LIGHT IS TAKING TO
CHANGE ITS INTERNAL CULTURE AND
ENSURE ANY WORK DONE BY
INTOXICATED EMPLOYEES IS SAFE.
MOVING TO TODAY'S AGENDA, WE
WILL VOTE ON THE APPOINTMENT OF
LUIS ERNST TO THE REVIEW PANEL
AND PRESENTATIONS FROM THE
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND
ENVIRONMENT. THE FIRST WILL BE
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FRESH BOX
PROGRAM. THE SECOND WILL BE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND. WE
WILL NOW OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT.
PUBLIC COMMENT SHOULD RELATE TO
ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR WITHIN
PURVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE. HOW
MANY SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP FOR
TODAY?
>> WE HAVE ZERO IN PERSON
SPEAKERS AND ONE REMOTE SPEAKER.
>> THE ONE REMOTE SPEAKER WILL
HAVE TWO MINUTES. CLERK, COULD
YOU PLEASE READ PUBLIC COMMENT
INSTRUCTIONS.
>> PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE
MODERATED IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER. UP TO 30 MINUTES .
SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN ORDER
IN WHICH THEY WERE REGISTERED .
SPEAKERS WILL ALTERNATE BETWEEN
IN PERSON REMOTE SPEAKERS UNTIL
PUBLIC COMMENT HAS ENDED.
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A TIME WHEN
10 SECONDS IS LEFT. MICROPHONES
WILL BE MUTED IF THEY DO NOT END
THERE COMMENTS WITHIN THE
ALLOTTED TIME TO ALLOW US TO
CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER. PUBLIC
COMMENT IS OPEN AND WE WILL
BEGIN WITH THE FIRST SPEAKER ON
THE LIST. THE FIRST SPEAKER IS
DAVID HAYNES. PLEASE PRESS STAR
SIX WHEN YOU HEAR THE PROMPT.
[SILENCE]
>> THANK YOU. DID THE SEATTLE
CITY GOVERNMENT INVEST IN ANY
TRUCKS FOR THE FLEET TO PICK UP
SOME GOODS IN THE LARGER REGIONS
OF THE FARM FIELDS SO WE CAN
START FILLING UP SOME FOOD BANKS
AND SCHOOLS SO KIDS CAN GET AN
APPLE A DAY AND CHERRIES IN THE
SUMMERTIME WITHOUT SEEN IT ALL
GO TO CHINA AND INDIA WHILE THE
REST OF THE USA PEOPLE HAVE TO
PAY PRICES SO THE MIDDLEMAN CAN
RECORD RECORD PROFITS AT THE
GROCERY STORES? THE FARMERS
STILL GET CHEATED AND THE PEOPLE
OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON ARE
STILL STARVING WITH HER BELLY
FULL OF JUNK FOOD. FRESH BOX IS
ANOTHER JUSTIFICATION TO HAVE
SOME SORT OF INVESTMENT IN LARGE
DELIVERY TRUCKS. THEY NEED TO
ALMOST SATURATE THE SHELF SPACE
WITH SOME OF THE GREAT FOODS IN
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. NOT
JUST THE LOCAL REGION THAT WANT
TO POCKET ALL THE MONEY . IN A
DIFFERENT POLICY , CONCERN ABOUT
PRESENTATION, THE RACIST WOKE
AGENDA WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE, IS IT TRUE THAT THESE
NONPROFITS THAT ARE POLITICALLY
CONNECTED ARE GOING TO GET THIS
MONEY THAT MIGHT HAVE THESE
SIX-FIGURE SALARIES AND WILL
HIGHER BLACK AND BROWN KIDS AT
MINIMUM WAGE TO MOVE DIRT,
CLAIMING THEY ARE RESTORING AND
SOIL REMEDIATING HABITAT. I KNOW
IT IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY AND IS
PROBABLY NEEDED TO HELP BUILD
CHARACTER. I AM SICK AND TIRED
OF THE RACIST WOKE BUTTON
PUSHING VOTING BLOCKS THAT KEEP
GETTING PAID TO SPEW SKIN COLOR
POLICIES BASED ON SOME IGNORANT
PAST. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO
FOCUS ON THE WHOLE OF THE
COMMUNITY , THE INDUSTRIAL
TRAINS PASSING THROUGH THE
WATERFRONT CHOKING OUT THE FRESH
AIR FOR EVERYBODY. STOP PITTING
ONE AGAINST ANOTHER AND RISE UP
AGAINST THE TOXIC ELEPHANT
CHOKING OFF THE FRESH AIR.
>> THANK YOU. THERE ARE NO
ADDITIONAL REGISTERED SPEAKERS.
WE WILL NOW PROCEED TO BUSINESS.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE FIRST
ITEM OF BUSINESS. THE CLERK
PLEASE READ ITEM 1 INTO THE
RECORD?
>> APPOINTMENT 0313 -- 03130 ,
APPOINTMENT OF LUIS ERNST TO THE
CITY LIGHT REVIEW PANEL .
BRIEFING, DISCUSSION AND
POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE FOLKS THAT
ARE COMING IN TODAY. PLEASE TAKE
A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF
FOR THE RECORD BEFORE SPEAKING.
>> [ INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ]
>> LEIGH BARRECA INTERIM CHIEF
OF STAFF AT SEATTLE CITY LIGHT.
>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING
HERE. MILLION PLEASE PROCEED.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. GOOD
MORNING COUNCILMEMBER RINCK AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERS. LEIGH BARRECA
INTERIM CHIEF OF STAFF AT CITY
LIGHT. I'M HERE TODAY TO SEEK
THE APPOINTMENT OF LUIS ERNST TO
THE CITY LIGHT REVIEW PANEL INTO
THE FINANCIAL ANALYST POSITION.
JUST AS A POINT, JUST BACK IN
TIME, THE PANELISTS ESTABLISHED
IN 2010 MY SEATTLE CITY
ORDINANCE. THEY ARE TO REVIEW
AND STRESS -- TO PROVIDE AN
OPINION ON BOTH . THE PANEL IS
MADE UP OF NINE MEMBERS
REPRESENTING CITY LIGHT
CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS. AS YOU
CAN SEE EACH OF THE EXISTING
CURRENT PANEL MEMBERS AND THEIR
ROLES. ALL FOUR POSITIONS ARE
ASSIGNED BY CITY COUNCIL, FIVE
BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND ALL
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL. THE
POSITION I AM BRINGING BEFORE
YOU TODAY IS A CANCEL
APPOINTMENT. HE IS AT THE BOTTOM
LEFT, BOTTOM RIGHT SQUARE THERE.
TYPICALLY WE WOULD HAVE THE
CANDIDATE WITH US TODAY SO HE
COULD SAY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
HIMSELF. HIS WIFE HAD THEIR
SECOND CHILD YESTERDAY. AT 9:15
LAST NIGHT HE MESSAGED ME THAT
HE UNFORTUNATELY WAS NOT ABLE TO
COME. WE CONGRATULATE HIM AND
EXCUSE HIM. I WILL TELL YOU A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIM. HIS
INTEREST IN THE ENERGY SECTOR
BEGAN AS AN ENGINEERING STUDENT
DRAWN TO THE ROLE IN THE ECONOMY
AND ITS EVOLUTION AMID CLIMATE
AND POLICY SHIFTS. HE LAUNCHED
HIS CAREER AS A MECHANICAL
ENGINEER AT KANSAS CITY POWER
AND LIGHT. HE HAS SINCE HELD
ROLES IN CONSULTING, STRATEGY
AND FINANCE. CURRENTLY SERVING
AS A FINANCE MANAGER FOR TWO
AMAZON SUBSIDIARIES. HE HELD A
BACHELORS DEGREE IN MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING AND MBA IN FINANCE
AND ECONOMICS FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOOL OF
BUSINESS WHERE HE EARNED
RECOGNITION FOR HIS WORK IN
SUSTAINABILITY AND POLICY
ANALYSIS. HE CARES ABOUT CLEAN
ENERGY AND HAS STRONG SKILLS IN
FINANCE AND PROBLEM-SOLVING
WHICH MAKES HIM A STRONG
CANDIDATE TO BE ON THE CITY
LIGHT REVIEW PANEL AS A
FINANCIAL ANALYST. THAT IS ALL
THAT I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. BEFORE
PROCEEDING I WANT TO NOTE THAT
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE HAS JOINED
US VIRTUALLY. THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE. WITH THAT , ANY
QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE
APPOINTMENT. COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS.
>> THANK YOU. NO QUESTIONS
TODAY. I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S
VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
>> COLLEAGUES , ANY ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I WILL
JUST SAY CONGRATULATIONS . VERY
EXCITING. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE
HE TOOK A MOMENT IN THE MIDST OF
PARENTHOOD TO NOTIFY THAT HE
WOULD NOT BE COMING TODAY. WE
ARE GLAD WE WILL HAVE A FULLY
SEATED REVIEW PANEL. LET'S TRY
TO KEEP IT THAT WAY. THANK YOU
TO THE CITY LIGHT TEAM FOR
FINDING AND RECRUITING SUCH
AMAZING PANELISTS . WE ARE VERY
GLAD WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE THIS
BODY AND BE ABLE TO POTENTIALLY
CONFIRM HIS APPOINTMENT TODAY.
IF THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES, I
MOVE
COMMITTEE RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION
OF THE APPOINTMENT. IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> SECOND. IT IS MOVED AND
SECONDED. ANY FINAL COMMENTS?
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE
APPOINTMENT BE CONFIRMED WILL BE
SENT TO THE MAY 13 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING. THANK YOU CITY LIGHT
STAFF FOR BEING HERE. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM 2 INTO
THE RECORD.
>> OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND
ENVIRONMENT BRIEFING AND
DISCUSSION.
>> AS THE PRESENTERS MAKE THEIR
WAY TO THE TABLE, WHEN YOU HAVE
A MOMENT PLEASE INTRODUCE
YOURSELVES TO THE RECORD BEFORE
BEGINNING YOUR PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR
HAVING US. MY NAME IS LYLIANNA
ALLALA THAT INTERIM DEPUTY
DIRECTOR AT THE OFFICE OF
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT.
>> YOU NEED TO PRESS THAT.
>> MY NAME IS ROBYN KUMAR, THE
PROGRAM MANAGER.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
SAVANNAH FONSECA AND ALICE .
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS
MORNING.
>> EXCELLENT. TODAY WE WILL BE
CHATTING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE
FRESH BOX PROGRAM AND
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND. WE
ARE EXCITED TO GIVE YOU THIS
OVERVIEW. WE WILL START WITH
FRESH BOX .
>> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE GOOD TO GO.
THIS IS EVERY GROUNDING OF THE
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND
ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS TO ENSURE
CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
FOR ALL SEATTLE RESIDENTS. WE DO
THIS IN A WAY THAT PRIORITIZES
THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY AND
HISTORICALLY OVERBURDEN I THE
IMPACTS OF RACIAL, ECONOMIC AND
ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE. WE KNOW
THAT THE SCALE OF THE ISSUES
THAT WE WORK ON ARE QUITE LARGE
AND REQUIRE SCALE SOLUTIONS.
THAT MA DEEP PARTNERSHIP
AND COLLABORATION. WE CANNOT DO
OUR WORK ALONE. WE WORK TO SEEK
THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE AND
KNOWLEDGE TO ENSURE POLICIES AND
PROGRAMS WE ARE PUTTING FORTH
OUR RESPONSIVE TO THE ISSUE. AS
YOU KNOW, WE WORK ON CLIMATE
POLICY AND GREENHOUSE GAS
REDUCTION AND TO THAT IN A WAY
THAT ALSO SEEKS TO EASE THE
BURDEN OF THAT TRANSITION FOR
SEATTLE RESIDENTS. NEXT SLIDE IS
JUST A BIT OF A GLIMPSE OR
REMINDER OF OUR CORE SERVICES
THAT WE DO AT THE OFFICE OF
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT.
YOU WILL SEE TODAY WE ARE
FOCUSED ON A PROGRAM THAT FALLS
UNDER CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE WORK. OUR FOOD POLICY
AND PROGRAMS WORK WHICH IS FRESH
BUCKS . AT THIS POINT I WILL
PASS IT OVER TO ROBYN KUMAR.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT ABOUT THE
FRESH BUCKS PROGRAM. FRESH BUCKS
IS PART OF THE MISSION TO FOSTER
HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE CLIMATE
RESILIENT COMMUNITIES. ALONG
WITH THE CLIMATE ADJUSTMENT
AGENDA, FRESH BUCKS IS A PROGRAM
THAT ADDRESSES FOOD ACCESS NEEDS
IN THE CITY BY CONNECTING
SEATTLE RESIDENTS MOST IMPACTED
BY FOOD INSECURITY AND CHRONIC
DISEASE WITH LOCALLY GROWN,
CULTURALLY RELEVANT, HEALTH
PROMOTING FOODS WHILE ALSO
ENHANCING THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY
OF LOCAL BUSINESSES. TODAY I
WILL BE SHARING A HIGH LEVEL
OVERVIEW OF FRESH BUCKS. HOW IT
WORKS, WHO WE PARTNER WITH AND
THE IMPACT OF STRATEGIES GRANTED
IN EQUITY. I'VE SAVE TIME TO
ADDRESS YOUR QUESTIONS AT THE
END OF THE PRESENTATION. FRESH
BUCKS PROVIDES A HEALTHY FOOD
BENEFIT. WE KNOW HEALTHY FOODS
PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE
SUPPORTING LONGEVITY AND OVERALL
HEALTH AND ARE GENERALLY MORE
EXPENSIVE THAN LESS HEALTHY
OPTIONS. WE ARE LIVING IN AN
UNPRECEDENTED TIME. FOOD COSTS
HAVE DRIVEN DRAMATICALLY FROM
2020 TO 2024. THESE ARE
PARTICULARLY PRONOUNCED FOR
HEALTHY FOODS THAT COST NEARLY
DOUBLE THAT OF UNHEALTHY FOODS.
IT'S NOT SURPRISING WE'VE SEEN
AN INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION IN
FOOD ASSISTANCE BENEFIT PROGRAMS
HERE IN KING COUNTY. WITH $230
BILLION IN PROPOSED REDUCTIONS
TO FEDERAL FOOD ASSISTANCE
NATIONWIDE WE ARE BRACING FOR
THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF THESE
POLICIES, INCREASING FOOD
INSECURITY AND REDUCING REVENUE
FOR LOCAL FOOD RETAILERS. FRESH
BUCKS STARTED AS A HYPER LOCAL
SNAP OR FOODSTAMP MATCHING
PROGRAM IN 2012 . GROUNDED IN
COMMUNITY ADVOCACY CALLING FOR
DEEPER INVESTMENTS AND HEALTHY
FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMMING, WE HAVE
GROWN THE PROGRAM THROUGH A
COMBINATION OF PHILANTHROPIC,
CITY, AND FEDERAL INVESTMENTS.
THE PASSAGE OF THE FOOD AND
BEVERAGE TAX WAS A HUGE
MILESTONE TO SCALE CITY
INVESTMENTS ENABLING THE PROGRAM
TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY AND GROW
FROM SERVING 2000 TO 12,000
HOUSEHOLDS BETWEEN 2018 AND
2022. WE ARE NOW IN A STEADY
STATE CONTINUING TO SERVE 12,000
HOUSEHOLDS WITH FRESH BUCKS.
FRESH BUCKS IS A CORE STRATEGY
OF THE CITY ACTION PLAN
ADDRESSING COMMUNITY FOOD
INSECURITY ALSO INTEGRATED INTO
THE ONE SEATTLE APPROACH TO
ENSURE FOOD ACCESS. WE ARE A
LEADER IN THE SPACE WORKING TO
CONVENE CROSS DEPARTMENTAL
COLLABORATION TO ADDRESS THE
MYRIAD FACTORS IMPACTING LOCAL
FOOD SYSTEMS AND ACCESS. FRESH
BUCKS COLLABORATES WITH ALL
OTHER CITY FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS
AND WE ORMAN NETWORK THAT IS
CRITICAL TO HOW THE CITY
ADDRESSES FOOD INSECURITY AND
NEEDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS. FRESH
BUCKS IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT IS
HELPING INCOME ELIGIBLE
HOUSEHOLDS TO PURCHASE HEALTHY
FOOD WHILE ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO
LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THERE ARE OVER 12,000 HOUSEHOLDS
ENROLLED. ANY SEATTLE HOUSEHOLD
WITH AN INCOME AT OR BELOW 80%
OF THE MEDIAN AREA INCOME IS
ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. PARTICIPANTS
RECEIVE $40 A MONTH TO SPEND ON
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AT 40
PARTICIPATING RETAILERS
INCLUDING SUPERMARKETS, FARMERS
MARKETS, GROCERY DELIVERY AND
INDEPENDENT MARKETS. WE ARE
PROUD OF THE WAY FRESH BUCKS
CONTRIBUTES TO THE VIABILITY OF
LOCAL BUSINESS. LAST YEAR $4.87
MILLION IN BENEFITS WERE SPENT
IN LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS. OF
THIS THERE WAS OVER 535,000
SPENT AT FARMERS MARKETS AND
INDEPENDENT GROCERS. WE KNOW THE
SALES ARE MAKING A HUGE
DIFFERENCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.
ANECDOTALLY ONE SMALL BUSINESS
PARTNERSHIP WITH US THAT FRESH
BUCKS REVENUE WAS THE REASON
THEY WERE ABLE TO STAY OPEN
THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. AS WE
EXPAND RETAIL OPTIONS FOR
CUSTOMERS, WE ARE FOCUSED ON
SUSTAINING A VIBRANT LOCAL FOOD
SYSTEM. EFFORTS ARE INFORMED BY
CUSTOMER AND COMMUNITY PARTNER
INPUT AND SERVE TO SUPPORT
CUSTOMER CHOICE AN AGENCY WHERE
THEY WOULD LIKE TO USE THEIR
BENEFITS. I HAVE LISTED THE
RETAIL PARTNERS WE HAVE ON
PORTED OVER THE PAST COUPLE
YEARS IN NEIGHBORHOODS WITH
LIMITED OPTIONS. WE CONTINUE TO
FOCUS EXPANSION AND UNDERSERVED
AREAS OF NORTH, CENTRAL AND
SOUTH SEATTLE AND EXPLORE MORE
CITYWIDE DELIVERY OPTIONS
CONSIDERING PARTNERSHIPS TO
BOOST LOCAL DISTRIBUTION THROUGH
THE RETAIL NETWORK. FRESH BUCKS
IS SERVING RESIDENTS FROM THE
MOST UNDERS RESOURCE
NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY. THE
GREEN MAP ON THE LEFT IS A HEAT
MAP OF WHERE CUSTOMERS LIVE. THE
BLUE MAP ON THE RIGHT SHOWS RACE
AND SOCIAL EQUITY INDEX PRIORITY
AREAS MAINTAINED BY THE OFFICE
OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT WHICH COMBINES DATA
FOR POVERTY, RACE AND COMMUNITY
INDICATORS. AS YOU CAN SEE
SERVING HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE
CONCENTRATED IN THE
NEIGHBORHOODS OF HIGHEST NEED.
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS, CUSTOMERS
ARE ENROLLED INTO THE PROGRAM
WITH THE HELP OF COMMUNITY
ENROLLMENT PARTNERS. BENEFITS
ARE TO LOADED DIRECTLY INTO
THEIR ACCOUNT. THEY CAN USE THE
CARTER MOBILE APP TO SHOP AT
PARTICIPATING RETAILERS. WE
TRANSITION FROM PAPER TO
ELECTRONIC -- I LOST MY PLACE.
WE TRANSITION FROM PAPER TO
ELECTRONIC BENEFITS A FEW YEARS
AGO WHICH HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT
IMPROVEMENT FOR CUSTOMERS,
PARTNERS AND OPERATIONS.
CUSTOMERS NO LONGER HAVE TO WAIT
FOR PAPER VOUCHERS TO ARRIVE.
RETAILER REIMBURSEMENT HAPPENS
SEAMLESSLY THROUGH THE BACKEND .
IT REDUCES ADMIN TIME FOR
RETAILERS AND OUR TEAM . THE
ELECTRONIC BENEFIT SYSTEM
PROVIDES CUSTOMER SPENDING DATA
THAT HELPS TO PROJECT AND TRACK
BENEFIT SPENDING TO MAXIMIZE THE
ANNUAL BUDGET AND HAS ENABLED
BROADER ADMINISTRATIVE
CAPABILITIES THAT STREAMLINE OUR
ABILITY TO ADJUST MONTHLY LEVELS
AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING BENEFITS.
WE WORK WITH A BROAD RANGE OF
COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO OFFER
FOCUSED ENROLLMENT WITHIN
MINORITY COMMUNITIES. THESE
PARTNERS HELP TO ENROLL PEOPLE
INTO THE PROGRAM AND SUPPORT
THEM WITH USING THEIR BENEFITS.
THEY HELP CUSTOMERS TO ACTIVATE
ACCOUNTS, THEY OFFER GROCERY
STORE AND FARMERS MARKET TOURS
AND HEALTHY COOKING CLASSES.
RELYING ON COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIPS FOR EQUITABLE
PROGRAM ENROLLMENT IS AN
IMPORTANT AND IMPACTFUL PROGRAM
STRATEGY. 71% OF CUSTOMERS ARE
FROM FOCUSED COMMUNITIES MOST
JUST PROPORTIONATELY DISCUSSED
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED.
THIS INCLUDES AMERICAN INDIAN,
PACIFIC ISLANDER AND IMMIGRANT
REFUGEE COMMUNITIES. OVER HALF
OF CUSTOMERS PREFER A LANGUAGE
OTHER THAN ENGLISH. THE MAJORITY
OF CUSTOMERS ARE IN THE LOWEST
HOUSEHOLD AND BRACKET. WE
RECENTLY OPENED THE FRESH BUCKS
WAITLIST APPLICATION TO GIVE
HOUSEHOLDS A WAY TO REGISTER
INTEREST IN RECEIVING BENEFITS.
THIS PUBLIC FACING APPLICATION
WILL REMAIN OPEN INDEFINITELY
WHICH REMOVES THE BARRIERS OF
THE LIMITED ENROLLMENT AND ALSO
WIDENS ENROLLMENT THE CURRENT
COMMUNITY PARTNER NETWORK. WE
PLAN TO ENROLL PEOPLE FROM THE
WAITLIST AS SPOTS BECOME
AVAILABLE EITHER THROUGH
ATTRITION OR WHEN SOMEBODY MOVES
FROM SEATTLE. THE WAITLIST
APPLICATION IS HOSTED ON THE
AFFORDABILITY PORTAL. WHEN
SOMEBODY SUMMITS THE APPLICATION
THEY ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT
APPLICATIONS FOR OTHER CITY
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THEY QUALIFY
FOR. THE TEAM SHARED THAT 80% OF
THE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED IN
MARCH WHEN WE FIRST OPENED THE
WAITLIST FOR THOSE THAT WERE
REFERRED TO OTHER PROGRAMS
FOLLOWING SUBMISSION OF THE
WAITLIST APPLICATION. THIS
UNDERSCORES THE SCALE OF
COMMUNITY ACCESS NEEDS AND THE
IMPORTANT ROLE FRESH BUCKS PLAYS
AS A GATEWAY TO OTHER PROGRAMS.
THERE ARE OVER 40 PROGRAMS
HOSTED ON THE PORTAL INCLUDING
THE UTILITY DISCOUNT PROGRAM,
SEATTLE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AND
OTHERS. 10% OF ADULTS IN SEATTLE
ARE FOOD INSECURE WHICH IS
AROUND 60,000 PEOPLE. WE
CURRENTLY SERVE A LITTLE OVER
12,000 HOUSEHOLDS. SINCE OPENING
THE WAITLIST APPLICATION IN
EARLY MARCH WE HAVE RECEIVED
OVER 3000 APPLICATIONS. GIVEN
THE SCALE OF FOOD INSECURITY
NEEDS OF THE CITY IT IS LIKELY
THE NUMBER WILL CONTINUE TO GROW
AS MORE PEOPLE LEARN OF THE
WAITLIST OPPORTUNITY. THE
IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY FOOD
BENEFIT IN ADDRESSING EQUITABLE
OUTCOMES IS UNDENIABLE. AT A
COMMUNITY LEVEL WE KNOW THAT LOW
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INTAKE IS
ASSOCIATED WITH A HIGHER CHRONIC
DISEASE . CUSTOMERS LIKE DEREK
HAVE SHARED THE IMPORTANCE FRESH
BUCKS HAS HAD ON THEIR HEALTH.
PRELIMINARY DATA FROM CUSTOMER
SURVEYS SHOWS THAT CUSTOMERS
REPORTED INCREASED FRUIT AND
VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION AND FOOD
SECURITY WHEN RECEIVING
BENEFITS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY
TRUE FOR CUSTOMERS THAT START
WITH LOW FRUIT AND VEGETABLE
INTAKE. CUSTOMERS HAVE DOUBLED
CONSUMPTION DURING THE TIME OF
THE PROGRAM. IT IS REALLY
HUMBLING TO HEAR HOW BENEFITS
OUR CUSTOMERS. I WANTED TO CLOSE
THE PRESENTATION BY SHARING A
COUPLE OF TESTIMONIALS WITH YOU.
THIS TESTIMONIAL SHOWS HOW IT IS
GOING BEYOND PROVIDING HEALTHY
FOOD BENEFITS AND HELPING TO
BOOT BUILD FAMILY TRADITIONS.
THIS SHOWCASES HOW IT IS HELPING
TO GET MORE HEALTHFUL CULTURALLY
IMPORTANT FOODS AND SAFE AND
CONVENIENT NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL
OPTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE FRESH
BUCKS WITH YOU. I AM HAPPY TO
TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AND ALWAYS
AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY WESTERNS
OF THE FUTURE YOU MAY HAVE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE
PRESENTATION. AT THIS TIME,
COLLEAGUES I INVITE YOU TO
ANSWER IS, ASK YOUR QUESTIONS.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS
PRESENTATION ABOUT THIS EXCITING
PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR
A WHILE. IT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO
MANY OF MY OWN CONSTITUENTS
REPRESENTING MANY COMMUNITIES
AND FOOD INSECURE FOOD DESERT
TYPE ENVIRONMENTS LIKE DELRIDGE,
SOUTH PARK, GEORGETOWN, A REALLY
IMPORTANT PROGRAM AS YOU NOTED
TO PROVIDE FRESH, IN MANY CASES
LOCALLY SOURCED CULTURALLY
RELEVANT AND IDEALLY HEALTHY
FOOD OPTIONS . TERRIFIC,
TERRIFIC PROGRAM . LOVE THIS
WORK. A PRIORITY OF MINE IS TO
ADDRESS FOOD DESERTS ACROSS THE
CITY , BUT MY DISTRICT IN
PARTICULAR IN THOSE
NEIGHBORHOODS I MENTIONED. THIS
IS ONE OF MANY TOOLS TO DO THAT.
AT LEAST THAT IS MY VIEW. WE
NEED A VARIETY OF OPTIONS FROM
FARMERS MARKETS TO SUPERMARKETS
THAT HAVE MORE STEADY,
PREDICTABLE AND RELIABLE LONGER
HOURS FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK A
RANGE OF JOBS AND HOURS . WE
WILL TAKE A TRADER JOE'S IN
DELRIDGE. IN ANY EVENT . I AM
NOT EXPECTING AN ANSWER NOW BUT
IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU COULD
FOLLOW UP WITH MY OFFICE. TO
SHARE A LIST OF VARIOUS
RETAILERS AND SUPERMARKETS THAT
CURRENTLY ACCEPT THESE PROGRAM
BENEFITS . IDEALLY IT IS ON YOUR
SITE SOMEWHERE, BUT IF YOU WOULD
NOT MIND SHARING THAT WITH MY
TEAM IT IS AN EXCELLENT RESOURCE
I WOULD LOVE TO INCLUDE IN ONE
OF MY SUBSEQUENT NEWSLETTERS.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK IN
ADVANCING THIS EFFORT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA. COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON .
>> JUST TO FOLLOW UP, IN TERMS
OF KNOWING WHICH RETAILERS ARE
PARTICIPATING I WAS CURIOUS. I
THINK I MAY HAVE MISSED IT. IS
THERE A LAND TO EXPAND THE LIST
OF RETAILERS THAT ARE ENROLLED
IN THE PROGRAM? I'M THINKING
ABOUT A LOT OF THE , NOT ONLY
THE SMALLER INDEPENDENT
RETAILERS THAT PROVIDE
CULTURALLY SPECIFIC, BUT EVEN
THINKING ABOUT LARGER RETAILERS
LIKE THE KROGER FAMILY,
ALBERTSON'S THAT HAVE A LOT
THAT MAY END UP GOING TO WASTE
THAT FOLKS CAN BENEFIT FROM .
PEOPLE LIKE McPHERSON'S,
ANOTHER PLACE WHERE NEIGHBORS
CAN ACCESS THIS PROGRAM. JUST
WONDERING ABOUT THE EXPANSION
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO
ACCESS THIS.
>> THANK YOU. ABSOLUTELY. WE ARE
IN EXPLORATORY CONVERSATIONS
WITH LOTS OF DIFFERENT
RETAILERS. OUR SORT OF
PRIORITIES OR THE WAY WE ARE
THINKING ABOUT EXPANSION AS BOTH
TO TRY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
ACCESS POINTS WITHIN SEATTLE
NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THERE ARE
OTHER LIMITED OPTIONS, ALSO
THINKING ABOUT TRYING TO EXPAND
CULTURALLY RELEVANT OPTIONS,
TRYING TO EXPAND LOCAL PRODUCE
OPTIONS, YOU MENTIONED THE LARGE
RETAILERS. WE ARE IN ALL OF THE
SAFEWAY ALBERTSON'S STORES IN
THE STATE RIGHT NOW WHICH
OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A VARIETY OF
THOSE. WE CONTINUE TO TRY
PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE KROGER
BAND OF RETAILERS AS WELL. WE
ARE BOTH COMING AT IT FROM A
PLACE OF TRYING TO EXPAND BRICK
AND MORTAR ACCESS OPTIONS AS
WELL AS TRYING TO SUPPORT LOCAL
SMALL BUSINESSES THAT REALLY
SPECIALIZE IN THOSE OPTIONS IN
PARTICULAR IN NEIGHBORHOODS
WHERE WE HAVE LIMITED OTHER
OPTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. YOU MENTIONED IT
EARLY ON IN THE PRESENTATION
ABOUT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE. QUITE
FRANKLY THAT SEEMS TO BE GOING
AWAY . HOW DO WE PROTECT OUR
PEOPLE FROM THOSE CUTS THAT ARE
COMING ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL .
I'M LOOKING AT THIS PROGRAM AS
A WAY TO DO THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE
PRESENTATION. I HAD A COUPLE OF
QUESTIONS. ONE IS, IT SEEMS LIKE
$40 A MONTH FOR FRUIT AND
VEGETABLES IS NOT ENOUGH HONEY .
PARTICULARLY NOW THAT FRUIT AND
VEGETABLES WILL BE MORE. IT
WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE COULD GET
SOME FIGURES FROM YOU ABOUT WHAT
IS REALLY A MORE REALISTIC
AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS NEEDED
PER MONTH TO SUPPORT THAT. IF
YOU COULD GET BACK TO MY OFFICE
WITH SOME FIGURES I WOULD
APPRECIATE THAT. THE OTHER THING
I NOTICED UNDER THE COMMUNITY
ENROLLMENT, I SEE THAT THE
COLLECTIVE IS THERE. I'M
WONDERING WHY THE HELPLINE IS
ALSO NOT LISTED AS COMMUNITY
ENROLLMENT BECAUSE THEY DO A LOT
OF SERVICE ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS
BEING A FOOD BANK.
>> ABSOLUTELY WE KNOW THAT OUR
COMMUNITY PARTNER ENROLLMENT
NETWORK, THERE IS NO WAY IT
COMES CLOSE TO HAVING
REPRESENTATION FROM ALL OF THE
GREAT ORGANIZATIONS THAT TO THIS
GREAT WORK AND SERVE RESIDENTS
IN THE CITY. THAT'S ONE OF THE
REASONS WHY THE APPLICATION IS A
REALLY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY. WE
ARE ACTUALLY WORKING -- THE
PARTNERS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING
WITH THIS YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN
WORKING WITH THEM FOR THE PAST
THREE OR FOUR YEARS. WE HAVE
STRONG PARTNERSHIPS AND
RELATIONSHIPS. THOSE
ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A WIDE
NETWORK OF PARTNERS THEY DO WORK
WITH. SO THIS IS TO SERVE AS A
WAITLIST APPLICATION AMBASSADOR
TO REALLY SHARE THE OPPORTUNITY
WITH THEIR PARTNER NETWORK SO
THAT WE CAN REALLY HEAR FROM
FOLKS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN
DIRECTLY SERVED BY COMMUNITY
PARTNERS BUT ARE BEING SERVED BY
THEIR COLLEAGUES EITHER
NEIGHBORHOOD-BASED OR
COMMUNITY-BASED COLLEAGUES THAT
ARE SERVING FOLKS THAT COULD USE
FRESH BUCKS BENEFITS. IT WAS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE
WHO ARE NOT DIRECTLY SERVED BY
THE FOLKS THAT ARE WORKING.
>> WE DID NOT GET A SPECIFIC
ANSWER TO WHY SEATTLE HELP WAS
NOT A COMMUNITY PARTNER.
>> WHEN WE ORIGINALLY STARTED
WORKING WITH PARTNERS THESE ARE
THOSE THAT HAD A WIDE AND WE
CONTINUED IN THOSE PARTNERSHIPS.
NORTH SEATTLE HELPLINE WAS NOT
ONE OF THOSE THAT HAD APPLIED AT
THAT TIME.
>> I WOULD REQUEST TO REACH OUT
TO THEM AND SEE IF THEY ARE
WILLING TO BE A PARTNER. THE
COLLECTIVE DOES A GREAT JOB BUT
WE NEED TO BE EXPANDING THIS
PROGRAM. NORTH SEATTLE HELPLINE
HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THEY
HELP . I DO NOT THINK -- IF THEY
DID NOT REACH OUT AT THE
BEGINNING LET'S GIVE THEM
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.
THE OTHER -- LOOKING AT THE
FRESH BUCKS IRONY NEIGHBORHOODS,
IT SHOWS THAT IT STOPS AT
NORTHGATE IN TERMS OF
DISTRIBUTION OF CUSTOMERS. IF
YOU LOOK AT THE CITY OF SEATTLE
RACE AND SOCIAL EQUITY, FOR
NORTH SEATTLE WE HAVE A WIDE
PRIORITY AREA THAT EXTENDS WAY
BEYOND NORTHGATE. I'M JUST
WONDERING HOW THAT ADDITIONAL
COMMUNITY IN NEED IN NORTH
SEATTLE IS BEING MET. INC.
>> SURE. I THINK THIS SHOWS THE
CURRENT CAPTURE OF WHERE THE
CURRENT CUSTOMERS ARE LIVING.
THE WAY WE HAVE ENROLLED PEOPLE
INTO THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN
THROUGH COMMUNITY ENROLLMENT
PARTNERSHIPS. IT SPEAKS TO YOUR
COMMENT THAT THERE IS DEFINITELY
A NEED TO ENGAGE WITH ADDITIONAL
COMMUNITY PARTNERS NORTH OF THE
AREA TO TRY TO REACH COMMUNITIES
THERE WITH BENEFITS. ABSOLUTELY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I
APPRECIATE THAT . I GUESS THE
LAST QUESTION , IT HAS ALWAYS
STRUCK ME AS ODD THAT WE DIVIDE
FOOD WORK BETWEEN HST AND
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS. I
AM JUST WONDERING WHAT KIND OF
COORDINATION IT HAS BETWEEN THE
DEPARTMENTS THAT DO HAVE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR DIFFERENT
PARTS
>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.
>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. THE
FOOD ACTION PLAN
INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORK IS A
REALLY GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW ALL
OF THE DIFFERENT FOOD ACCESS AND
FOOD PROGRAMS IN THE CITY COME
TOGETHER. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH
OUR PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE WORK IS COORDINATED . A LOT
OF THE FOOD ACCESS WORK IS
REALLY FOCUSED WITHIN THE
EMERGENCY FOOD SECTOR NETWORK
AND FOOD BANK NETWORK. THAT IS
NOT ALL OF THE WORK, BUT IT IS A
LOT OF THE WORK THEY DO. WE ARE
DEEPLY COORDINATED WITH THEM AND
PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE FOOD
ACTION PLAN COORDINATION. WE
MEET TOGETHER ALL THE TIME ,
MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW THE WORK
THAT IS GOING ON ACROSS ALL OF
THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAM AREAS.
WHAT WE ARE SPECIFICALLY
FOCUSING ON IS PROVIDING A
HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS BENEFIT. IT
IS SORT OF A SUPPLEMENTAL
BENEFIT ON TOP OF WHAT OTHER
BENEFITS PEOPLE MIGHT BE USING .
I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT HELPS TO
ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> A LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE. COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT
WORK. IT'S IMPRESSIVE TO SEE
THE IMPACT THAT YOU HAVE WITH
THE DOLLARS THAT YOU USE. THE
RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS
INCREDIBLY HIGH . YOU ARE
LEVERAGING BOTH THE FARMERS
MARKET, THE FARMERS MARKET SMALL
BUSINESSES AND THE BIG BOX
STORES AS COUNCILMEMBER SAKA
SAID. COLLEAGUES, YOU MAY OR MAY
NOT REMEMBER YOUR FIRST BILL OR
YOUR FIRST BUDGET AMENDMENT YOU
CHAMPIONED. FOR ME IT WAS FRESH
BUCKS. WHEN I TALK ABOUT, I AM
ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF
DISTRICT 6 AND I SERVE THE
ENTIRE CITY, YOU CAN LOOK ON THE
MAP WHERE THE DISTRIBUTION OF
PEOPLE USING FRESH BUCKS ARE. IT
IS NOT MOSTLY IN MY DISTRICT.
THERE IS ONE PRECINCT THAT
HAPPENS TO BE THE INCOME
RESTRICTED HOUSING OR OTHER
PEOPLE CALL IT AFFORDABLE
HOUSING. THAT IS WHERE IT IS
LOCATED. IT MAKES SENSE THAT IS
WHERE THE PARTICIPANTS ARE IN MY
DISTRICT. I REALLY CANNOT THANK
YOU ENOUGH AS YOU DO THE QUIET
WORK, PROBABLY DON'T GET A LOT
OF ATTENTION. USUALLY DON'T
HAVE TO COME ON CAMERA. THE WORK
THAT YOU ARE DOING IS CHANGING
PEOPLE'S LIVES. IT IS CHANGING
PEOPLE'S LIVES, THOSE WHO ARE
RECEIVING FOOD TO HAVE THAT
CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE FOOD , TO
BE ABLE TO GET MORE FOOD WHEN
THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE
MONEY FOR IT. MORE THAN THAT,
YOU ARE STIMULATING THE ECONOMY
. YOU SHARED THE STORY OF THE
SMALL BUSINESS THAT SAID THEY
COULD NOT SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC
IF IT WERE NOT FOR FRESH BUCKS
CUSTOMERS. I LOOK OUTSIDE OF THE
CITY AS WELL AND ALL THE FARMERS
THAT COME IN. THE BALLARD
FARMERS MARKET IS THE BEST IN
THE CITY. FREMONT IS THE CRAFTS
MARKET. FREMONT IS THE BEST
CRAFTS MARKET. FIGHT ME FOR IT.
I SAY THAT BECAUSE WHEN I AM
DOWN THERE INTERACTING WITH
FARMERS AND I SEE FOLKS SETTING
UP AND TAKING DOWN, PEOPLE SPEND
THEIR ENTIRE WEEKEND TO GET TO
SEATTLE TO SELL FOOD. THOSE
FOLKS ARE DEFINITELY ON THE
MARGINS AS WELL. THERE'S NOT A
LOT OF MONEY IN FARMING,
ESPECIALLY SMALL FARMING. I AM
JUST HERE PAYING YOU THAT
COMPLEMENT FOR DOING THAT QUIET
WORK THAT DOES NOT GET A LOT OF
ATTENTION. IT'S NOT JUST THE
FAMILY LIVES YOU ARE MAKING AN
IMPACT ON, IT'S THE BROADER
ECONOMY . IT IS THE FOOD ECONOMY
AS WELL. THIS IS USUALLY WHERE I
ANSWERED A QUOTE ABOUT THE POWER
OF FOOD. JUST KNOW THAT
HOLLINGSWORTH IS AN INCREDIBLE
SUPPORTER AS WELL. WHEN I MADE A
BUDGET AMENDMENT IN 2020 IT WAS
TO CLEAR THE EXISTING WAITLIST
AT THAT TIME. YOU MENTIONED YOUR
CHANGES TO THE OPEN WAITLIST. I
THINK IT IS GENIUS. CAN YOU TALK
A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW MANY
PEOPLE ARE ON THAT WAITLIST?
WHAT IS THE RATE YOU MENTIONED
THAT FOLKS DROP OFF THE PROGRAM
WHETHER THEY CHOOSE NOT TO
REENROLL, MAYBE THEY ARE NOT
ELIGIBLE OR THEY MOVE OUT OF THE
CITY. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE
RATE OF FOLKS DROPPING OFF?
>> GREAT QUESTION. WE CURRENTLY
HAVE A LITTLE OVER 3000
APPLICATIONS ON THE WAITLIST. WE
OPEN THE APPLICATION AT THE
BEGINNING OF MARCH. IT HAS ONLY
BEEN TWO MONTHS AND WE HAVE 3000
PEOPLE. WE GET MORE EVERY DAY.
IN TERMS OF THE, I WILL CALL IT
THE ATTRITION RATE . GENERALLY
WE HAVE ABOUT 1000 SPOTS OPEN UP
EACH YEAR JUST THROUGH NATURAL
ATTRITION. PEOPLE MOVING OUT OF
THE CITY, NO LONGER ELIGIBLE.
PEOPLE , FOR A VARIETY OF
REASONS NO LONGER ON THE
PROGRAM. IT IS T 1000 THAT
OPENS UP NATURALLY. THAT IS JUST
THE BASELINE BUDGET.
>> 1000 PER YEAR?
>> YES.
>> WE ARE ALREADY EXCEEDING OUR
DESIRE.
>> EXACTLY. TWO MONTHS IN.
>> I WILL ASK TWO GENERAL
QUESTIONS. YOU SHOW THE STORY OF
THE SMALL BUSINESS THAT HAD THIS
BIG IMPACT. ARE THERE OTHER
STORIES WHETHER IT IS WITH THE
FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE THE FOOD OR
SMALL BUSINESSES OR EVEN BIG
BUSINESSES? YOU GAVE US A LOT OF
DATA . THE DATA SPEAKS VOLUMES
TO ME. DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL
STORIES ABOUT HOW THE PROGRAM
HAS CHANGED PEOPLE'S LIVES?
WHETHER THEY ARE IN BUSINESS,
FARMING OR JUST RECEIVING
CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE FOOD OR
JUST FOOD IN GENERAL?
>> WE DO. WE HAVE A COLLECTION
OF STORIES. DID NOT FUTURE THEM
BECAUSE OF TIME. I COULD COMPILE
SOME IF THAT IS OF INTEREST.
>> I'M PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT
.
>> I WOULD LOVE TO GET BACK TO
YOU BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO
THINK ABOUT A WAY TO ORGANIZE .
A LOT OF THE STORIES WE GET ARE
THROUGH COMMUNITY ENROLLMENT
PARTNERS. THEY ARE ANECDOTAL
>> HAPPY FOR YOU TO GET BACK TO
ME.
>> BECAUSE WE ARE LEVERAGING
OTHER DOLLARS THE IMPACT IS SO
BROAD AND WIDE. DATA HERE
DEMONSTRATES THE COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING TO OUR MIND AND THE
HEART A LITTLE BIT. ALL OF THOSE
DATA POINTS. I LOOK AT THE
FISCAL BOOKS BUT THOSE ARE JUST
NUMBERS.
>> SOMETHING THAT JUST CAME TO
ME RECENTLY. A COLLEAGUE , THEIR
GRANDMA IS A FRESH BUCKS MEMBER
. SOMETHING THEY REALLY ENJOY
DOING IS GOING TO THE COLUMBIA
CITY FARMERS MARKET. THEY GO AND
IT IS A SOCIAL ACTIVITY FOR
THEM. SPEAKING TO THE HEART OF
THE PROGRAM, ABSOLUTELY THERE'S
HARD NUMBERS. WE CAN SHOW A
STRONG IMPACT THAT THE PROGRAM
HAS . THE PEOPLE MAKING THIS
INTO A SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY AND A
WAY TO BE TOGETHER WITH THEIR
FRIENDS AND FAMILIES. I THINK
THAT IS AT THE HEART. WHEN YOU
TALK ABOUT THE QUIET WORK
THAT'S ME TO THE WORK EVERYDAY.
>> THAT IS FANTASTIC. THIS IS
YOUR PRESENTATION TODAY . IT
CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE DATA IS
SUPPORTING THIS WORK THIS IS
COMMUNITY BY HAVING THE
COMMUNITY WORK TOGETHER. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR
QUESTIONS. THIS PROGRAM IS
IMMENSELY IMPACTFUL. THEY ARE
ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM AND IT
WILL BE TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT
IN THE MOMENTS WE ARE ABOUT TO
ENCOUNTER AHEAD OF US. I HAVE A
COUPLE OF QUESTIONS JUST TO
CLOSE US OUT. MY COLLEAGUES
DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS. ON ONE OF THE SLIDES
RELATED TO SNAP DATA, ONE OF
THEM IS PUBLIC HEALTH . HOW
OFTEN IS THAT UPDATED . DO WE
KNOW WHAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH DATA
SET IS?
>> THAT IS FROM LAST YEAR. I AM
NOT SURE HOW OFTEN THAT
PARTICULAR STUDY GETS REMOVED --
RENEWED. THERE IS SOME IN THE
SLIDES TALKING ABOUT FOOD
INSECURITY IS HIGHER NOW THAN
EVEN DURING COVERT TIMES. THIS
IS SOMETHING THAT IS A RECENT
STUDY ASKING PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT
THINGS THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT
IN THE PAST MONTH. GROCERY COSTS
RANKED EVEN HIGHER THAN HOUSING
COSTS FOR FOLKS IN SEATTLE. I
JUST WANT TO MENTION OTHER
THINGS THAT DID NOT MAKE IT INTO
THE PRESENTATIONS THAT REALLY
SPEAK TO THE NEED OF THESE TYPES
OF BENEFITS. I APPRECIATE
EVERYBODY'S COMMENTS . REALLY
OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS WHAT
WE HAVE DONE IS BUILT THE
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A PROGRAM
THAT IS READY TO SCALE AND
DEPLOY BENEFITS TO A WIDER
NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE KNOW
WILL BE IMPACT DID IN DEEPER
WAYS. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
HELP FILL SOME OF THE GAPS THAT
WE KNOW AND PEOPLE CONTINUE TO
FACE IN THIS.
>> I'M HAPPY YOU BROUGHT UP
INFRASTRUCTURE. HOW BIG IS YOUR
TEAM ?
>> LET'S SEE. WE HAVE SIX
PEOPLE ON THE TEAM . WE ARE A
SMALL , LEAN MEAN OPERATING
MACHINE. THE MAJORITY DOES GO
TOWARDS THESE BENEFITS DIRECTLY.
THAT SYSTEM GIVES US A WAY TO
OPERATE THE PROGRAM IN A MUCH
MORE EFFICIENT FUNCTION WHILE
ALSO BEING ABLE TO SCALE
OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS .
>> IF I'M UNDERSTANDING YOU
CORRECTLY WE HAVE SIX FULL-TIME
EMPLOYEES IN A PROGRAM THAT
SERVES 12,000 HOUSEHOLDS. THAT
IS A VERY LEAN PROGRAM. WE KNOW
THERE IS STILL A TREMENDOUS NEED
. THE PROJECTED AMOUNT OF 60,000
ADULTS IN THE AREA THAT ARE FOOD
INSECURE. WE CAN ESTIMATE IN
TERMS OF IF WE WERE TO TRY TO
REACH THE SCALE OF THE PROGRAM
TO EVEN GO BEYOND THAT TO TRY TO
MEET THE NEED OF HOW MANY SECURE
ADULTS WE HAVE. TO WE HAVE AN
ESTIMATE AND HOW TO SCALE THAT
PROGRAM?
>> I KNOW THAT WE HAVE THAT --
WE HAVE DONE SOME OF THAT
THINKING ALREADY. I'M HAPPY TO
PROVIDE YOUR OFFICE WITH MORE OF
THAT .
>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT TO
CONTEXTUALIZE AGAIN. IT IS A
VERY LEAN PROGRAM AND WOULD BE
INTERESTING TO KNOW HOW MUCH
MORE PEOPLE POWER WOULD BE
NEEDED . JUST SO I'M
UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, THE
BENEFIT IS $40 PER MONTH PER
HOUSEHOLD. IS THAT A FLAT AMOUNT
OR IS THERE ANYTHING RELATED TO
HOUSEHOLD SIZE?
>> THAT ISGREAT QUESTION. IT
IS CURRENTLY A FLAT AMOUNT.
EVERYBODY ACROSS THE BOARD
RECEIVES THOSE BENEFITS . IT IS
CURRENTLY -- THE OTHER HALF IS
BEYOND THAT. THAT IS ALL.
>> DO WE KEEP TRACK OF HOW MANY
HOUSEHOLDS HAVE KIDDOS?
>> WE ASK ABOUT HOUSEHOLD SIZE .
SO WE HAVE THE AGES OF HOUSEHOLD
MEMBERS AND THE HOUSEHOLD SIZE.
>> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAD
AN UPDATE.
>> IT WAS IN 2018 WHEN WE SET
THE AMOUNT. SINCE THEN THE THING
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IS THERE IS
ALWAYS MORE NEED THAN BUDGET
AVAILABLE. PRIORITIZED SERVING
MORE PEOPLE WITH A LITTLE BIT
LESS MONTHLY BENEFIT RATHER THAN
INCREASING BENEFITS .
>> DEFINITELY DIFFICULT
TRADE-OFFS. WE HAVE NOT SEEN AN
UPDATE TO THE MONTHLY BENEFIT
AMOUNT SINCE 2018. I DO NOT HAVE
AN INFLATION CALCULATOR BUT I AM
CURIOUS IF WE WERE TO KEEP IT
STEADY WHAT THE MONTHLY BENEFIT
AMOUNT WOULD LOOK LIKE THEN.
MAYBE LOOKING AT TRYING TO DO
NOT HOUSEHOLD SIZE WHEN
DETERMINING BENEFIT AS WELL. I
THINK THAT WE COVERED SOME OF
THOSE PIECES. ALSO CURIOUS ABOUT
DUAL ENROLLMENT PARTICULARLY
WITH SNAP . WE KNOW THAT AS WAS
VOICED EARLIER THERE WAS
UNCERTAINTY ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL
ABOUT S.N.A.P. AND I WAS CURIOUS
HOW MANY HOUSEHOLDS WERE USING
THAT.
>> WE DON'T CLICK THAT DATA.
THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX CALLED
FOR FRESH BUCKS TO SERVE THOSE
IN THE FOOD GAP WHICH DON'T
QUALIFY FOR S.N.A.P. EITHER THEY
MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY OR THERE
WERE IMMIGRATION RESTRICTIONS.
WE DO NOT ASK ABOUT S.N.A.P.
ENROLLMENT BUT THE MAJORITY OF
THE CUSTOMER BASE IS IN THE
AREA. WE KNOW THAT A MAJORITY
WOULD QUALIFY.
>> MY FINAL QUESTION IS JUST
RELATING TO THIS. IT IS CLEAR
YOU HAVE BEEN COLLECTING GREAT
DATA. I AM CURIOUS TO SEE AND
WOULD SEEK YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS
ON WHAT A MEANINGFUL UPDATE TO
THE PROGRAM WOULD LOOK LIKE
BASED ON ANY KIND OF PROCESS
IMPROVEMENTS .
>> ANY FINAL QUESTIONS BEFORE
OUR PRESENTERS GO . THANK YOU
FOR THIS PRESENTATION .
>> WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH
UR QUESTIONS. WE
WILL SEGUE TO AN OVERVIEW OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND WITH
XIMENA.
>> WE NEED TO READ INTO THE
RECORD. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEM 3 INTO THE RECORD.
>> ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE OFFICE
OF SUSTAINABILITY AND
ENVIRONMENT BRIEFING AND
DISCUSSION.
>> COULD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME TO PROVIDE THIS
BRIEFING ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE FUND. THIS MORNING I
WILL DIVE INTO SOME CONTEXT AND
BACKGROUND ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AS
WELL AS PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW ON
THE GUIDING GOALS AND
STRATEGIES. I WILL HIGHLIGHT
SOME OF THE IMPACTS THE PROGRAM
HAS HAD AND I WILL LEAVE
SOMETIME AT THE END FOR YOUR
QUESTIONS. THE ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE FUND IS ONE OF THE GRANT
PROGRAMS AT THE OFFICE OF
SUSTAINABILITY. IT STEMS FROM
THE 2015. IT REALLY REPRESENTED
THE COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL
JUSTICE. THE INITIATIVE IS
GUIDED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL
AGENDA . IT WAS CREATED IN
PARTNERSHIP FOR COMMUNITIES THAT
HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY CLIMATE
CHANGE. IT WAS WORKING WITH
THESE COMMUNITY LEADERS . ONE OF
THOSE PRIORITIES WAS THE
CREATION OF THE MECHANISM TO
INVEST DIRECTLY. THIS PROGRAM IS
THE KEY EARLY ACTION . MANY OF
THOSE HIGHLIGHTED IN THE PROGRAM
HAVE BEEN IN THE COACH.
>> THE FUND LAUNCHED IN 2018. IT
WAS DESIGNED WITH COMMUNITY
PARTNERS. THE MISSION OF THE
PROGRAM HAS BEEN TO INVEST IN
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SOLUTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MOST
OVERBURDENED BY ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICES. WE IDENTIFY PRIORITY
COMMUNITIES WITH INDIVIDUALS
THAT IDENTIFY AS LACK INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE OF COLOR AS WELL AS
INDIVIDUALS WITH LOW INCOMES,
YOU AND ELDERS. WE KNOW THAT THE
ECOSYSTEM OF ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE IS FAST. SINCE THE
BEGINNING WE HAVE SOUGHT TO
INVEST IN GROUPS THAT ARE DOING
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WORK OR
GROUPS THAT MENA MAY NOT BE
DOING THAT WORK EXPLICITLY BUT
ARE DOING THE WORK WITHOUT
CALLING IT THAT AS WELL AS
GROUPS AND COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT HAVE
THE RESOURCES OR FUNDING TO DO
SO. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT
SOME WORK AND I WILL PROVIDE
MORE OF THIS DIRECTLY. WE HAVE A
VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO HELP THEM
CULTIVATE CONNECTIONS WITH
KNOWLEDGE AND HELPING TO EMPOWER
YOUTH TO SEE THEMSELVES AS THE
STUDENTS THEY ARE AS WELL AS A
WORKSHOP SERIES FOR ELDERS TO
REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND
CLIMATE CHANGE IN A WAY THAT
REALLY BUILDS SOCIAL COHESION .
WE ALSO HAVE -- WHO HAS
FACILITATED AN EDUCATIONAL
SERIES . THIS IS A HIGHLIGHT OF
THE GRANTEES THAT , THESE
INVESTMENTS ARE REACHING ALL
DISTRICTS . WE ALSO KNOW FROM
THE INDEX THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN
COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE CITY THAT
ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED.
FOR EXAMPLE, FOLKS THAT ARE
EXPERIENCING DISPROPORTIONATE
EXPOSURE TO POOR AIR QUALITY
IMPACTING HEALTH, DUE TO A LACK
OF TREE CANOPY COLOR . THESE ARE
REACHING COMMUNITIES IN THE
GEOGRAPHIC AREA. WE ARE
LEVERAGING THESE INVESTMENTS
USING THEM AS A WAY TO LIFT
EVERYONE AND CLOSE THOSE
DISPARITIES . NOW THAT WE TALKED
ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND BACKGROUND
I WANT TO TRANSITION US TO THE
GUIDING GOALS AND STRATEGIES FOR
THIS PROGRAM SUCCESS AND IMPACT.
WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT OF THIS
FUNDING FOR COMMUNITIES. WE SENT
TO THEM IN THE GRANTMAKING
APPROACH. THIS MEANS WE SEEK TO
IMPROVE BARRIERS TO ACCESS
FUNDING. THIS FOR US LOOKS LIKE
PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
TO APPLICANT SO ORGANIZATION
GROUPS CAN ACT AS FUNDING. WE
CONNECT THEM TO TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS TO WALK
THEM THROUGH THE APPLICATION
PROCESS AND HELP WITH REALLY
COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. THE
APPLICANTS THAT COME TO THE
PROGRAM MAY HAVE LIMITED GRANT
WRITING EXPERIENCE. THIS ALLOWS
THEM TO PROVIDE STRONG PROPOSALS
AND FUNDING. WE ALSO HOLD
BUILDING TRUST . WE DO NOT TAKE
A TRANSACTIONAL APPROACH AND DO
NOT SEE THE GRANT RECIPIENTS AS
ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE PROVIDING
THE SERVICE. THIS HELPS TO
ADVANCE . THIS REQUIRES THAT
COMMUNITY GROUP ORGANIZATIONS ,
ALL COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCED
DIFFERENT CHALLENGES . WE TRUST
THAT THEY KNOW WHAT THOSE
SOLUTIONS ARE TO SUPPORT THE
IMPLEMENTATION ON THE WAY.
>> AS A PROGRAM WE SEEK TO
DEEPEN THE BENCH OF COMMUNITY
LEADERS TO REALLY GROW
REPRESENTATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL
WORK. WE DO THIS THROUGH THE
COMMUNITY REVIEW TEAM. THAT HAS
BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF THE
PROGRAM SINCE IT LAUNCHED IN
2018. WE SEE THIS AS A CRITICAL
ROLE IN ENABLING COMMUNITY
GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO
LEVERAGE THESE FUNDS AND SYSTEMS
AND BUILD THE RESOURCES AND
SKILLS THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO
PROVIDE CRITICAL PROGRAMMING TO
COMMUNITIES WHICH ADVANCE
ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE
JUSTICE FOR ALL. HERE IS A
DEEPER DIVE INTO THE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE.
THIS COMMITTEE IS COMPRISED OF
COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE
DEEPLY ROOTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE . THESE FOLKS SERVE ON
TWO YEAR TERMS. THIS REALLY
FUNCTIONS AS A LEADERSHIP
OPPORTUNITY . THEY ARE IN A
POSITION WHERE THEY LEARN ABOUT
HOW THIS LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS
APPROACHING, DIRECTING THESE
INTO COMMUNITIES BUT THEY ARE IN
A POSITION TO REALLY INFLUENCE
HOW THE WORK HAPPENS. THEY ARE
THE ONES THAT REVIEW ALL OF THE
PROPOSALS WE RECEIVE AND
DIRECTLY INFORM FUNDING
RECOMMENDATIONS. THEY REALLY ARE
TRUSTED PARTNERS IN THIS WORK.
NOW THE AJC REALLY HIGHLIGHTS
HOW IT LEADS TO CREATIVE
SOLUTIONS. WE CONVENE LEARNING
CIRCLES TO COME TOGETHER, TO
EXPLORE COLLABORATIONS . THIS
SUPPORTS COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE NETWORK. WE
ALSO REALLY HOLD A KEY PRINCIPLE
OF EQUITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE AT THE CENTER OF THE
WORK. THAT IS TO ENSURE THAT
MOST OF THAT ARE MOST AFFECTED
CAN ASSIGN INFORMED
DECISION-MAKING . A BRIDGE TO
CONNECT PARTNERS TO REALLY
IMPORTANT CITY LED EFFORTS THAT
ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM AND THE
COMMUNITY. ROBYN SPOKE ABOUT THE
ACTION PLAN, MANY OF OUR
PARTNERS WORK CLOSELY TO PROVIDE
FEEDBACK . LOOKING AHEAD AT THE
COMING YEAR THEY WILL BE WORKING
CLOSELY TO INFORM THE UPCOMING
CLIMATE ACTION. NOW THAT WE HAVE
COVERED THE RED AND BUTTER OF
THIS PROGRAM THAT HAS LED TO
SUCCESS I WOULD LIKE TO WALK US
THROUGH SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS
WE ARE SEEING. OVER THE LAST
SEVEN YEARS AS WE LAUNCH THIS
PROGRAM WE HAVE AWARDED TO
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND
ORGANIZATIONS A TOTAL OF 82
PROJECTS. COMMUNITIES ARE
EXPERIENCING DIFFERENT IMPACTS
FROM ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND
CLIMATE CHANGE, WE DO NOT DIG
TATE THE TYPE OF WORK THAT OUR
PARTNERS LEAD. THIS MEANS WE
FIND A WIDE VARIETY OF PROJECTS
FROM ORGANIZATIONS THAT WANT TO
LEAD REMEDIATION EFFORTS AS WELL
AS AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH
IMPACTS AS WELL AS YOUTH
EMPOWERMENT AND WHAT A CAREER AS
WELL AS INDIGENOUS AND CULTURAL
KNOWLEDGE. THIS WOULD NOT BE
POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR PARTNERS.
OUR 64 PARTNERS ARE LISTED HERE.
THIS FULL LIST REALLY
DEMONSTRATES ONE OF THE CORE
COMMITMENTS TO THIS PROGRAM
WHICH IS TO INVEST IN FIRST TIME
GRANT RECIPIENTS AS WELL AS
GROUPS FOR THIS ORGANIZATION .
THAT HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN ONE
GRANT. THEY HAVE BEEN FUNDED
MORE THAN ONCE WHICH IS TO
REALLY DEEPEN OUR PARTNERSHIP
AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. NOW
THAT WE HAVE TALKED A LITTLE
BIT, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF GRANTEES.
ONE OF THEM IS THIS ORGANIZATION
BUILDING RESILIENCE . THEY
STARTED OFF , EARLY ON IN THEIR
WORK. ANECDOTALLY WE KNOW THAT
THIS GRANT FUNDING REALLY
ENABLED THEM TO GROW THE STAFF
SIZE TO INCREASE AND LEVERAGE
MORE FUNDING WHICH HAS ENABLED
THEM TO GROW AND PROVIDE
PROGRAMMING FOR THE COMMUNITIES.
THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW
THE AJ FUND CAN SERVE AS MORE OF
A GRANT. IT CAN REALLY SUPPORT
THE GROWTH ORGANIZATIONS AND
EXEMPLIFIES . ANOTHER PARTNERS
LAKE CITY COLLECTIVE. THEY ALSO
EXEMPLIFY GUIDING GOALS AND
ACTIONS. ONE OF THESE HAS WORKED
AS A MEMBER OF COMMUNITY PARTNER
, HE HAS OFTEN SHARED HOW THAT
EXPERIENCE THAT THEY ARE NOW
DOING. THEY ARE ALSO A GRANT
RECIPIENT. THAT ALLOWED THEM TO
CONNECT WITH COMMUNITIES AND
UNDERSTAND THEIR PRIORITIES TO
ALLOW THEM TO CREATE A GREEN
SPACE WHICH WAS CLINICAL --
CRITICAL. AGAIN, THIS IS JUST
ONE EXAMPLE OF THE GRANTEES THAT
THEY ARE DOING. TRANSITIONING
FROM THE IMPACT THAT THESE
CRITICAL INVESTMENTS HAVE HAD, I
WANT TO DIVE INTO THE TRENDS WE
HAVE SEEN WITH THE FUNDING THAT
WE HAVE AWARDED AND HAS BEEN
REQUESTED. HERE WE HAVE A GRAPH
THAT SHOWS DATA FROM 2018
THROUGH 2023. THE BLUE BARS
PRESENT THE FUNDING THAT HAS
BEEN AWARDED . THE ORANGE BARS
REPRESENT THE WHOLE FUNDING THAT
HAS BEEN REQUESTED. IN 2018 IT
WAS $250,000 FROM THE GENERAL
FUND. THIS WAS DIRECTED REVENUE
STARTING 2020 . THROUGH A
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE AND THE COUNCIL WE'VE
BEEN ABLE TO MODESTLY INCREASE
THE FUNDING WE ARE AWARDING
YEAR-OVER-YEAR. ULTIMATELY WE
SEE THAT THE CURRENT NEED FOR
THIS FUNDING IS OUTPACING WHAT
IS AVAILABLE. NOW THAT WE HAVE
COVERED THESE, YOU WANT TO
HIGHLIGHT SOME MORE THAT IS
AHEAD FOR US THIS YEAR.
SPECIFICALLY WE LAUNCHED THE
2025 RFP WHICH WILL CLOSE ON
JUNE 3. WE LOOK FORWARD TO ON
BOARDING A NEW COHORT OF
PARTNERS. WE WILL ALSO SOON BE
RELEASING THE FIRST
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND
IMPACT REPORT FROM THE FIRST
FIVE YEARS AND SOME OF THE
INFORMATION YOU SEE TODAY WILL
BE IN THAT REPORT. WE LOOK
FORWARD TO SHARING THAT WITH YOU
AND WE WILL RELEASE A VIDEO THAT
HIGHLIGHTS THE PROGRAM AND SOME
STORIES. WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU
SEE THAT AS WELL. WE LOOK
FORWARD TO HOSTING MORE
GATHERINGS FOR PARTNERS THIS
YEAR. CONVENING THEM TO THE WORK
THEY ARE DOING AS A CITY. WITH
THAT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> INC. YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON.
>> MY QUESTION IS REALLY BASIC.
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THE
FUNDING FOR THE FUNDS THAT YOU
GIVE OUT.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S A GREAT
QUESTION. THE PAYROLL EXPENSE
TAX REVENUE IS FULLY FUNDING THE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND .
>> HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE IN THE
BUCKET.
>> WE HAVE $740,000 AVAILABLE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR THIS PRESENTATION. THE
HIGHLY IMPACTFUL WORK TO
ADMINISTER THIS TERRIFIC
INVESTMENT AND MAKE SURE THE
DELIVERY PARTNERS AND ORYX THAT
DO THE WORK ARE ABLE TO SUCCEED
. THANK YOU FIRST OFF. LET ME
QUICKLY REVERT BACK TO A COMMENT
MADE BY ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES
ABOUT THE BEST FARMERS MARKET IN
THE CITY. COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS,
I WILL BE PERFECTLY BLUNT. THE
DELRIDGE FARMERS MARKET
ADMINISTERED BY THE A CHD IS THE
BEST . ANOTHER BEST IS THE WEST
SEATTLE FARMERS MARKET. THEY
SERVE TWO DIFFERENT SEGMENTS.
CHECK OUT THE DELLWOOD FARMERS
MARKET. THEY HAVE THE BEST , I
PARTICULARLY ENJOY THE CATERING,
RICE AND WEST AFRICAN STAPLE AND
THE BLACK FARMERS MARKET
COLLECTIVE. THEY HAVE A NUMBER
OF GREAT VENDORS AND PROVIDERS
AND SORCERERS. ANYWAY, THAT'S
MORE OF AN ASIDE THAN A FACT. WE
HAVE MANY POLICY DEBATES, WHAT I
LOVE THE ONES WHERE WE TALK
ABOUT THE BEST. BACK TO THIS
IMPORTANT WORK. THANK YOU AGAIN.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.
BUILDING RESILIENCE AND
COMMUNITY . IT IS SOMETHING THAT
IS NEAR AND DEAR TO ME. I
REPRESENT THAT THE WARMISH
VALLEY, BOTH SIDES . THEY ARE
DEEPLY IMPACTED. I KNOW
FIRSTHAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS
WORK SO YOU MENTION THE
COMMUNITY PARTNERS. SHOUT OUT TO
THEM. IN ANY EVENT THANK YOU FOR
THIS WORK. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU
DO . I KNOW THAT MY CONSTITUENTS
DO ALSO.
>> ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> NO QUESTIONS. JUST A SIMILAR
MESSAGE. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK
YOU DO AND BEING HERE TODAY. I
WILL SHARE I WAS PROUD TO STAND
WITH THE EXECUTIVE LAST WEEK OR
TWO WEEKS AGO. WE STOOD TOGETHER
ON EARTH DAY TO ANNOUNCE THE
UPDATE IN THE WORK WE ARE DOING
TO UPDATE THE CLIMATE ACTION
PLAN WONDERING ABOUT THE
INTEGRATION AND IF WE CAN EXPECT
TO SEE SOME OF DATES OR
RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT HOW WE CAN
USE SOME OF THESE INVESTMENTS
INCLUDED IN THE CLIMATE ACTION
PLAN.
>> I WILL ANSWER THAT AND SAY
ABSOLUTELY. WE ARE LOOKING
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE
ORGANIZATIONS TO GATHER THEIR
FEEDBACK. NOT ONLY ON THE POLICY
AND PROGRAMMATIC PRIORITIES TO
ADDRESS THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE
CHANGE, BUT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE
THE NEED IS GREATEST TO CONTINUE
TO INFORM THE ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE FUND.
>> FANTASTIC. THAT WAS LAST
WEEK.
>> WONDERING ABOUT THIS CRITICAL
WORK ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS
SO IMPORTANT. I HAVE AND
HEARTENED TO SEE THE STATE TAKE
A ROLE STEPPING INTO THIS SPACE.
I'M WONDERING HOW YOU ARE
COORDINATING SOME OF YOUR WORK
WITH THE STATE. SOME OF THE
STATE LEGISLATION RELATED TO THE
HEEL ACT. WHAT IS THE INTERPLAY
AND HOW ARE WE COORDINATING
THOSE EFFORTS?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
QUESTION. THERE IS SO MUCH
COORDINATION. WITH REGARDS TO
THE HEEL ACT, WE ARE REALLY
PROUD TO HAVE A FORMER STATE
STAFFER IN THE OFFICE, ELISE
RASMUSSEN WHO HELPED STAND UP
THE COMMUNITY BOARD THAT WORKED
ON THAT LEGISLATION. THERE IS
SOME INTERNAL KNOWLEDGE ON
STAFF. THERE'S ALSO MEMBERS OF
THE GREEN NEW DEAL OVERSIGHT
BOARD AS WELL AS GRANTEES OF THE
FUNDS THAT SERVE ON THE STATE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TASK
WORSE. THERE IS OPEN DIALOGUE
THERE AMONGST THE STATE-LEVEL
ACTIONS AND HOW THAT CORRELATES
BACK TO THE CITY. I WILL ALSO
SAY THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
FUND, I JUST WANT TO SING
XIMENA'S PRAISES. IT IS A
PROGRAM THAT IS QUITE UNIQUE FOR
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THE STRUCTURE
OF THE GRANT PROGRAM HAS
INSPIRED STATE-LEVEL WORK AND
HOW STATE-LEVEL GRANT PROGRAMS
ARE SHAPED. COUNTY LEVEL WORK
AND HAS ALSO INFLUENCED OTHER
CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THERE
IS A BIT OF AN EMULATION OF
STRUCTURE IN SOME REGARD.
>> INCREDIBLE . SEATTLE BEING A
LEADER AGAIN. IT IS SOMETHING WE
SHOULD BE PROUD OF. THINKING
ABOUT JUST LOOKING AHEAD AT
ENGAGEMENT . THERE IS A NOTE ON
THE WHAT IS AHEAD. JUST EFFORTS
TO AMPLIFY COMMUNITY EFFORTS.
I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW WE ARE
ENGAGING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.
COULD YOU SPEAK MORE ABOUT THAT
AND THE COMMUNITY LED EFFORTS
AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THE GRANT
SUPPORTS A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS.
I WILL SAY THAT WE LOOK FOR WAYS
TO CONNECT ORGANIZATIONS TO CITY
LED WORK. LAST YEAR THROUGH THE
FOOD ACTION PLAN UPDATE PROCESS
THERE WAS A REALLY CLOSE AND
INTENTIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH
COLLEAGUES LEADING THAT EFFORT
TO PARTNER WITH YOUNG WOMEN IN
POWER USING THE BRIDGE TO
CONNECT THESE EFFORTS SO THEY
CAN ENGAGE YOUTH TO HELP INFORM
THAT BODY OF WORK. IT IS JUST
ONE EXAMPLE . CAN YOU REPEAT THE
SECOND QUESTION?
>> JUST CURIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING
YOU WANTED TO ADD ABOUT
COMMUNITY EFFORTS OR ANY
SPECIFIC STORIES YOU WOULD LIKE
TO SHARE.
>> THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT
STORIES OF THE WORK. I FEEL LIKE
I HIGHLIGHTED A FEW HERE SO I'M
TRYING TO THINK OF SOME
DIFFERENT ONES. I WILL SAY THE
WORK THAT WE ARE SEEING ,
ANOTHER REALLY GREAT AND
CRITICAL PROGRAM. THEY HAVE BEEN
INTENTIONALLY PARTNERING WITH
ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE YOUTH
WHO ARE REALLY NEWER TO THE AREA
SEEKING OUT COMMUNITY, SEEKING
OUT CONNECTIONS SO THEY CAN ALSO
FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PART OF A
NETWORK THAT IS SUPPORTIVE AND
HELPING THEM FEEL ROOTED .
THEY'VE BEEN HELPING THEM TO DO
THAT WORK INTENTIONALLY THROUGH
PROGRAMMING LIKE WEEKLY
VOLUNTEER PARTIES, MONTHLY
GATHERINGS THROUGH WHICH FOLKS
ARE COMING TOGETHER INFUSING OUR
AND DANCE. PRACTICES THAT KEEP
THEM CONNECTED TO THEIR CULTURE
AS WELL. I THINK THAT IS ONE
EXAMPLE. ALSO HOW WE ARE
SUPPORTING YOUTH WITH THESE
FUNDS. ANOTHER ONE IS THAT
REALLY IMPORTANT WORK BEING LED
BY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE COMMON
ACRE. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING IN
PARTNERSHIP IN THE RAINIER
VALLEY AREA TO CONTINUE SOME
EFFORTS AROUND NATURAL
RESTORATION AND HOSTING
DIFFERENT GATHERINGS AND
OPPORTUNITIES WHERE THEY ARE
BRINGING FOLKS FROM DIFFERENT
BACKGROUNDS, ARTISTS AND
INDIGENOUS FOLKS THAT CAN
PROVIDE A SPACE TO REALLY
CONTINUE TO FEEL DEEPLY ROOTED
IN THEIR PRACTICES IN A SPACE
THAT IS DESIGNED BY AND FOR
THEM.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT . THANK
YOU FOR YOUR WORK AS WELL. I
WILL CONCLUDE WITH THIS. WE HAVE
AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND
BECAUSE WE HAVE A HISTORY OF
ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM. THIS IS TO
REMEDY WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO SO
MANY BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES. I WILL OFTEN USE
THE TERM FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES
BECAUSE I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR
TO SAY THERE HAVE BEEN A
DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF,
BROWN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THAT
HAVE WORN THE BRENT OF POLLUTION
IN THE CITY. WE CONTINUE TO SEE
TIME AND TIME AGAIN PEOPLE
HAVING LOWER LIFE EXPECTANCY
RATES, DEVELOPING DIFFERENT
KINDS OF ILLNESSES AND DISEASES
ASSOCIATED WITH DISPROPORTIONATE
POLLUTION. THE DATA IS THERE ON
THE STATE AND THE CITY LEVEL. I
THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO
CONTINUE TO NAME THAT. THESE
INVESTMENTS ARE IMPORTANT. I
WANT TO COMMEND YOU WORKING IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES TO
TRY TO REMEDY THESE. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR COORDINATION ON THE
STATE. THIS WAS INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION FOR THE
STATE TO START TAKING STEPS IN
THIS DIRECTION. WE ALSO HAVE TO
TAKE STEPS TO BRING DOWN
ADMISSIONS AND POLLUTION AS
WELL. THAT WILL TAKE SOME
INTERVENTIONS TO GET SOLUTIONS
-- POLLUTANTS OUT OF THE
COMMUNITY. I AM REALLY EXCITED
TO SEE HOW WE CAN WORK IN THE
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN OF DATE TO
BE FURTHER FOCUSED AND EXPAND ON
THIS WORK. THANK YOU AND I'M
SURE I WILL SEE YOU SOON.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. HAVE
A GOOD WEEKEND.
>> COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE REACHED
THE END OF THE AGENDA. IS THERE
ANYTHING FOR GOOD OF THE ORDER?
I SAVED MY COMMENTS TO COMMENT
ON FARMERS MARKETS AS WELL. WE
HAVE A LOT OF GREAT FARMERS
MARKETS IN THE CITY SO I HAVE TO
SHOUT OUT COLUMBIA CITY BUT ALSO
CAPITOL HILL WHICH IS ONE OF THE
YEAR-ROUND ONCE. SAME AS
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT. I ALSO DO
LOVE WEST SEATTLE AS WELL . IT
IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES.
>> I HAVE TO GET OUT TO
DELRIDGE. I HAD TO AT LEAST NAME
THAT ALL OF OUR FARMERS MARKETS
ARE AMAZING . ANYTHING ELSE FOR
THE GOOD OF THE ORDER? WITH
THAT, THAT CONCLUDES THE MEETING
-- WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF
TODAY'S MEETING AGENDA. IS
THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
BEFORE WE ADJOURN? HEARING NO
FURTHER BUSINESS WE ARE
ADJOURNED. IT