[MUSIC]
-- NO WORRIES.
-- ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING
EVERYONE. THE JULY 22nd, 2026
MEETING OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE
ON THE FAMILIES, EDUCATION,
PRESCHOOL AND PROMISE LEVY. SIX
YEAR IMPLEMENTATION AND
EVALUATION PLAN WILL COME TO
ORDER. IT'S 9:33 A.M.. I'M
MARITZA RIVERA, CHAIR OF THE
COMMITTEE. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL?
-- COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ. HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER LIN HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER HERE. VICE
CHAIR HOLLINGSWORTH. PRESENT.
CHAIR RIVERA.
-- PRESENT.
-- CHAIR. THERE ARE NINE
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT.
-- THANK YOU. CLERK. GOOD
MORNING. COLLEAGUES AND MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC AND FOLKS WATCHING
ON THE SEATTLE CHANNEL. AND
SHOUT OUT TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING, WHO I KNOW ARE
WATCHING ON ONLINE. WELCOME TO
OUR LAST MEETING. SELECT MEETING
ON THE LEVY. I PLAN TODAY WE
WILL BE VOTING ON THE CHAIR'S
PACKAGE, WHICH CONTAINS MOST OF
THE AMENDMENTS WE REVIEWED LAST
SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING WILL
ALSO BE VOTING ON TWO AMENDMENTS
NOT INCLUDED IN THE CHAIR'S
PACKAGE THAT WE ALSO REVIEWED AT
THE LAST MEETING, AS WELL AS
TAKING OUR FINAL VOTE ON THE
PLAN BEFORE SENDING IT TO FULL
COUNCIL NEXT WEEK. IF THERE IS
NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. WE WILL
NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD. PUBLIC COMMENT SHOULD
RELATE TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR
WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THIS
COMMITTEE. AS A REMINDER, THE
COUNCIL CANNOT ACCEPT COMMENTS
ON CAMPAIGN RELATED MATTERS, SO
PLEASE KEEP YOUR TOPICS TO CITY
BUSINESS CLERK. HOW MANY
SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP TODAY?
-- CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 31
IN-PERSON SPEAKERS AND 20 REMOTE
SPEAKERS, GIVING US A TOTAL OF
51.
-- THANK YOU. CLERK. GIVEN THAT
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE ONE
MINUTE. CLERK CAN YOU PLEASE
READ THE PUBLIC COMMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
-- THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
WILL BE MODERATED IN THE
FOLLOWING MANNER. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IS UP TO 60
MINUTES. EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE
ONE MINUTE. SPEAKERS WILL BE
CALLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH
THEY ARE REGISTERED. WE WILL
START WITH IN-PERSON SPEAKERS
FIRST, THEN REMOTE SPEAKERS
UNTIL THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
HAS ENDED, SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A
CHIME WHEN 10 SECONDS ARE LEFT
OF THEIR TIME. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW OPEN. WE
WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST
SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
-- THANK YOU. CLERK. WHAT WE'RE
GOING TO DO, I'M GOING TO DO
SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT
THIS MORNING, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE
SOME ELDERS THAT I WANT TO
RECOGNIZE. FIRST IN THE ROOM, OR
WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS A LITTLE
DIFFERENT THAN WE NORMALLY DO.
BUT IN MY COMMUNITY, IN THE
LATINO COMMUNITY, WE RECOGNIZE
OUR ELDERS FIRST. AND SO THAT IS
WHAT I'M GOING TO DO TODAY. AND
THANK YOU FOR INDULGING ME IN
THAT. SO WE'RE GOING TO HEAR
FIRST FROM ELMER DIXON, ELMER
STARTED THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY
HERE IN SEATTLE. THE SECOND
CHAPTER AFTER OAKLAND, IN CASE
ANYONE DIDN'T KNOW. AND THEN WE
WILL BE FOLLOWED BY FORMER STATE
REPRESENTATIVE DON MASON AND
THEN JIM BUCHANAN. AND THEN
WE'LL GO TO OUR LIST. THANK YOU
ALL. THIS MORNING
-- THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOOD
MORNING. HERE, HONORABLE DON
MASON. JIM BUCHANAN, DAN JOY
MARITZA ALEXIS. THOSE ARE THE
ONES I KNOW, AND I JUST MET
DIONNE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE INTENT OF
THE ORIGINAL CHILDREN'S FREE
BREAKFAST PROGRAM WAS, WHICH WAS
STARTED IN 1969. I'M A
CO-FOUNDER OF THE SEATTLE
CHAPTER OF THE BLACK PANTHER
PARTY, AND THE ORIGINAL
BREAKFAST PROGRAM COORDINATOR.
WE INTENDED TO FEED THE MOST
NEEDY AND IN OUR COMMUNITY, THE
BLACK COMMUNITY, THOSE WERE
BLACK KIDS. AND WE STRATEGICALLY
PLACED THESE PROGRAMS IN THE
HOUSING PROJECTS YESLER TERRACE,
RAINIER VISTA, HOLLY PARK AND
HIGH POINT, AND THE ATLANTIC
STREET CENTER. NOW, IN THOSE
LOCATIONS, ALL KIND OF KIDS WERE
THERE. LATINO KIDS, WHITE KIDS,
ASIAN KIDS. AND WHEN THEY CAME
TO THE DOOR, WE DIDN'T KICK THEM
OUT BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO FEED
THEM, TOO. IT WAS ABOUT FEEDING
THE OPPRESSED AND THE MOST
NEEDY. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN
LUDICROUS FOR US TO TAKE A
BREAKFAST PROGRAM OUT TO LOW
LAURELHURST. AND SO THAT WAS THE
INTENT OF THAT BREAKFAST
PROGRAM. THAT SHOULD BE IN THE
INTENT OF THIS FEEDING PROGRAM.
I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF
AMENDMENT 6. ALL POWER TO THE
PEOPLE.
-- THANK YOU, ELMER.
-- [APPLAUSE]
-- STATE REP DON MASON, THANKS
FOR BEING HERE. GOOD MORNING.
-- GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR.
MADAM PRESIDENT, AND THE REST OF
THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS DON
MASON. I'M A FORMER STATE
REPRESENTATIVE AND, YOU KNOW,
I'VE SPENT MY LIFE FIGHTING TO
FEED BLACK CHILDREN IN THIS
CITY. THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I
OPPOSED THIS PLAN IT DRESSES UP
A HANDOUT TO THE WEALTHY AS
JUSTICE FOR THE POOR. AND THAT
HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. IT'S ALMOST
BECOME A TIC IN THIS CITY.
UNIVERSAL MEALS WERE NEVER ON
THE $1.3 BILLION BALLOT. SEATTLE
VOTERS PASSED IT 80% SEATTLE
THAT WE PASSED IT 80%.
SEATTLE'S 104 SCHOOLS ARE
ALREADY 50% COVERED BY FEDERALLY
FUNDED FREE MEALS AND RAINIER
VALLEY 80% OF STUDENTS QUALIFY
MORE THAN TWO TIMES THE DISTRICT
AVERAGE. THEY'RE THE ONES WHO
QUALIFY. THEY'RE THE ONES WHO
NEED IT. THE REST DO NOT, AND
THEY SHOULD NOT. IT SHOULD BE
TAKEN AWAY. SO 18,000 SEATTLE
CHILDREN ALREADY QUALIFY AND ARE
SERVED. THE PLAN FEEDS NO
DOESN'T FEED HUNGRY CHILDREN.
JUST SAYING IT FEEDS ALL
CHILDREN MEANS THAT IT CAN TAKE
AWAY FROM CHILDREN WHO ARE
REALLY HUNGRY ANYWAY. SO WHILE
THE CITY DROWNS IN A $488
MILLION DEFICIT, THE CHILDREN
WHO ACTUALLY GO HUNGRY, GO
HUNGRY ON WEEKENDS AND BREAKS IN
SOUTHEAST SEATTLE. AND SO THE
HOLLINGSWORTH FOSTER AMENDMENT
DOES FEED OUR CHILDREN THAT NEED
TO BE FED. SO THANK YOU FOR
HEARING.
-- THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK
YOU FOR BEING HERE. ALL RIGHT.
JIM BUCHANAN.
-- I'D LIKE TO SAY GOOD
MORNING, MADAM CHAIR, AND TO THE
COUNCIL. IT'S GREAT TO SEE
EVERYBODY.
-- GOOD MORNING.
-- YOU KNOW, I WANT TO KIND OF
STICK TO THE FACTS AND
STATISTICS. I'M JIM BUCHANAN,
PRESIDENT OF THE WASHINGTON
STATE, DESCENDANTS OF THE
ENSLAVED. AND I'M HERE TO ASK
YOU TO VOTE NO, BECAUSE THIS
PLAN TAXES THE WORKING POOR TO
FEED THE WEALTHY. AND IT CALLS
IT COMPASSION. THE NUMBERS ARE
DEVASTATING. UNIVERSAL MEALS
WERE NEVER ON THE $1.3 BILLION
BALLOT. SEATTLE VOTERS PASSED AT
80%. SEATTLE'S 104 SCHOOLS ARE
ALREADY 50% COVERED BY FEDERALLY
FUNDED FREE MEALS AND RAINIER
VALLEY 80% OF STUDENTS QUALIFY,
MORE THAN TWO TIMES THE
DISTRICT'S AVERAGE. 18,000
SEATTLE CHILDREN ALREADY QUALIFY
AND ARE SERVED. THIS PLAN FEEDS
NO HUNGRY CHILD. IT FUNNELS
$1,200 PER CHILD TO FAMILIES IN
QUEEN ANNE, MAGNOLIA AND IN THAT
AREA WHO CAN ALREADY AFFORD
LUNCH, DRAINING A LEVY RESERVE
WHILE THE CITY DROWNS IN THE
$188 MILLION DEFICIT. VOTE NO.
THREE WHEN YOU VOTE NO. THREE
THINGS HAPPEN. YOU PROTECT THE
RESERVE, YOU HONOR THE VOTERS,
AND YOU FEED THE CHILDREN WHO
ACTUALLY SERVE ON THE WEEKENDS
AND BREAKS. IN SEATTLE AND
SOUTHEAST SEATTLE, WHERE FOOD
INSECURITY HITS A 26.5%
HOLLINGSWORTH FOSTER DOES IT FOR
LESS THAN 50%. THAT COSTS
REACHING 5000 FAMILIES. STOP THE
HANDOUT, FEED THE HUNGRY. VOTE
YES ON THE AMENDMENTS.
-- THANK YOU JIM. THANK YOU. ALL
RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO GO NEXT.
SO, COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE A NUMBER
OF FOLKS SPEAKING THIS MORNING.
WE HAVE THREE MIKES AND THEY'RE
ALL THEY ALL WORK. SO WHEN YOU
HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE STEP UP
TO A MIC AND IT'LL MAKE
EVERYTHING GO A LITTLE FASTER IF
YOU WOULD. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND THEN ALSO, WE HAVE A LOT OF
FOLKS IN CHAMBERS AND A LOT OF
WORK TO GET THROUGH. SO IF YOU
COULD DO SNAPS OR HAND WAVES, IF
YOU'RE, IF YOU LIKE SOMETHING
RATHER THAN CLAPPING, IT ALSO
RESPECTS THE PERSON WHO'S GOING
TO SPEAK NEXT. AND ALSO HELPS
THE PROCESS. SO I'M GOING TO
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR DOING
THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY.
SO WE HAVE NILOU JENKS, OLIVER
MYSKA, AND THEN RACHAEL SHELL.
HI. NILOU. WELCOME.
-- THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING
EVERYBODY. I'M NILOU JENKS
RUNNING FOR SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL, DISTRICT FIVE. I'M A
LAKE CITY RESIDENT AND A MOM.
I'M ALSO A FORMER PTA ADVOCACY
CHAIR AT A TITLE ONE NORTHEAST
SCHOOL, WHERE I HAD A CHILD TOLD
ME THEY DON'T EAT DINNER IN
THEIR FAMILY. IT WAS ALSO A
SCHOOL THAT NEARLY LOST ITS
TITLE ONE STATUS BECAUSE OF THE
SITUATION UNDER TRUMP, BY THREE
KIDS. THAT MEANS AN ENTIRE
SCHOOL COULD LOSE LUNCH UNDER
WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING RIGHT
NOW, THERE ARE TWO HIGH SCHOOLS
IN MY DISTRICT THAT WOULD NOT BE
SERVED. 30% OF THE KIDS AT
INGRAHAM ARE GOING TO THEIR
CLOSET ASKING FOR THINGS LIKE
TOOTHPASTE. I UNDERSTAND THAT
THERE'S A LOT OF NEED, BUT I DO
KNOW THAT CHILDREN DON'T LEARN
WHEN THEY'RE HUNGRY. I WAS A
STAY AT HOME PARENT FOR 14
YEARS. I CAN TELL YOU HOW MUCH I
WORKED IN SCHOOLS AND HOW MANY
HUNGRY KIDS THERE ARE, AND HOW
MUCH INVISIBLE POVERTY THERE IS.
WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO FEED
OUR CHILDREN, AND THIS IS A
GREAT WAY. PLEASE VOTE. NO.
THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. OLIVER MISKA,
FOLLOWED BY RACHEL SCHELL,
FOLLOWED BY LINDA SODA. HI,
OLIVER.
-- HI. GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS OF
THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS OLIVER
MISKA. I'M HERE TESTIFYING AS A
RETIRED TEACHER IN 35 YEAR OLD
SEATTLEITE AGAINST AMENDMENT 6.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR
SEEING THROUGH WHAT IS AN
ARDUOUS PROCESS OF PASSING THIS
$1.3 BILLION LEVY, HELPING
SUPPORT A REALLY FULFILL WHAT
THE STATE DOESN'T, FUNDING OUR
SCHOOLS AND THE PROGRAM. SO
IT'S A LOT OF WORK. THANK YOU.
PUBLIC SERVICE IS GRUELING AND
NOBODY DESERVES PERSONAL
ATTACKS. WITH THAT SAID,
POLITICS IS ALWAYS PERSONAL,
REGARDLESS OF HOW HARD WE TRY TO
PUT UP WALLS AND LABELS.
THINKING BACK BEFORE WE HAD A
SOCIALIST MAYOR, I HEARD THE
TALKING POINTS OVER AND OVER
AGAIN THAT WE NEEDED OUR SCHOOLS
TO HAVE UNIVERSAL APPEAL TO OUR
FAMILIES AND HAVE THEIR SERVICES
AND THEIR REPUTATION SPREAD.
AMONGST ALL THE TALKING POINTS A
YEAR AGO WERE DIFFERENT. AND IN
YOUR DEFENSE OF AMENDMENT 6, I
HEAR A BOTH AND NOT A EITHER OR
ARGUMENT. TARGETED UNIVERSALISM
IS JUST THAT BOTH AND NOT EITHER
OR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, AFTER
ALL, ARE JUST WHITE LIBERALS WAY
OF DECIDING WHAT BASIC NEEDS
SERVICES LIKE FOOD AND HOUSING.
WHO GETS THAT? THANK YOU. WE
CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER WAY.
-- THANK. UNIVERSAL.
-- THANK YOU OLIVER. AND YOU CAN
ALSO LEAVE COMMENTS IN THE BOX.
IF FOLKS RUN OUT OF TIME. WHEN
YOU HEAR THAT DING, IT MEANS YOU
HAVE 10 SECONDS LEFT. THANK YOU.
WELCOME, RACHEL. NICE TO SEE
YOU.
-- YEAH, GOOD. GOOD MORNING.
CHAIR RIVERA AND MEMBERS OF THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS
RACHEL SNELL AND I'M AN
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER FOR THE
37th LEAD. I'M HERE TO VOTE
AGAIN. I'M HERE TO SAY NO TO
AMENDMENT 6. IN A TIME WHERE
PEOPLE ALREADY AND CHILDREN IN
SCHOOL ALREADY DON'T HAVE AN
ABILITY TO AFFORD FOOD AT THEIR
AT THEIR HOMES, SCHOOLS, USUALLY
THE ONLY TIME THAT THEY CAN
ACTUALLY GET A FREE MEAL AND OR
HAVE DECENT MEAL. SO TO STARVE
THEM INTO LIKE, SAY TO CUT, CUT,
THIS WOULD BE RIDICULOUS. AND
I'M ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS I
ALWAYS SAY AT EVERY
COUNCILMEMBER, AT EVERY PUBLIC
TESTIMONY I GIVE IS I'M SICK
AND TIRED OF SITTING THROUGH
ANOTHER MEETING WITH LEGISLATORS
AND POLICYMAKERS SAYING, WE NEED
TO CUT SPENDING, WE NEED TO CUT
SPENDING. MEANWHILE, WEALTHY
CORPORATIONS RECEIVE HANDOUTS
YEAR AFTER YEAR. IT'S ENOUGH.
-- THANK YOU. RACHEL, WE HAVE
NEXT. LINDA OSORIO, NOAH
WILLIAMS, FOLLOWED BY BAILEY OR
MENDILLO MIJAILO. SO SORRY
LINDA. WELCOME.
-- HELLO. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME
IS LINDA OSORIO AND I'M A JUNIOR
IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND I AM
TESTIFYING AGAINST AMENDMENT 6.
FOR MANY FAMILIES, THIS
AMENDMENT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR
THEM TO FILE PAPERWORK DUE TO
FEAR IF THEIR FAMILIES ARE
IMMIGRANTS. EMBARRASSMENT OR MAY
NOT EVEN QUALIFY, WHICH COULD BE
DUE TO THEIR FAMILY'S INCOME,
AND THIS WOULD RESTRICT THEM
FROM RECEIVING NUTRITIOUS MEALS
DUE TO GROCERY COSTS. FREE
SCHOOL MEALS HAVE SHOWN TO
REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY FOR
FAMILIES AND IMPROVE STUDENTS
OVERALL HEALTH. STARTING IN
KINDERGARTEN. THAT'S
DISAPPOINTING. 6800 SPS STUDENTS
AND THEIR FAMILIES, CAUSING A
FINANCIAL BURDEN TO THEM AND
LIMITING THEM FROM ACCESSING
FREE SCHOOL MEALS AND THEIR
SUCCESS IN SCHOOL. IN ADDITION,
THIS WOULD HALT FROM. THIS WOULD
HALT STUDENTS FOCUS IN CLASS AND
NOT RECEIVING FREE SCHOOL MEALS.
AND I HOPE THAT AS YOU MAKE THIS
DECISION THAT YOU THINK ABOUT
THESE STUDENTS.
-- THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, LINDA. NOAH
WILLIAMS, FOLLOWED BY BAILEY,
FOLLOWED BY SIDNEY LOCK. NOAH,
WELCOME.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS. MY
NAME IS NOAH WILLIAMS. AND AS A
TAXPAYER WHO DOES NOT HAVE KIDS,
THERE IS NO BETTER USE OF MY
TAXES THAN FEEDING THOSE THAT
ARE HUNGRY, NO QUESTIONS ASKED,
BECAUSE IT IS MORALLY RIGHT. IT
IS ALSO FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE
BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT WE END UP
WITH BETTER TEST SCORES AND MORE
FEDERAL FUNDING. WHEN KIDS HAVE
RELIABLE ACCESS TO FOOD. IMAGINE
MEANS TESTING OTHER CORE
ESSENTIALS IN SCHOOLS,
TEXTBOOKS, PAPER, PENCILS. YOU
MUST BE THIS POOR AND YOUR
PARENTS MUST FILL OUT A FORM
WITH A PENCIL FOR YOU TO GET
ONE. IT WOULD BE HUMILIATING FOR
KIDS AND A WASTE OF
ADMINISTRATIVE TIME AND EFFORT
THAT COULD GO TO SIMPLY FEEDING
THEM. THE CHILDREN AREN'T GOING
HUNGRY BECAUSE WE FEED TOO MANY
OF THEIR PEERS. IT'S A TINY
AMOUNT OF MONEY. THEY'RE GOING
HUNGRY BECAUSE OVERALL, OUR
COUNCIL'S BUDGET PREVIOUSLY
REFLECTS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF
MONEY FOR THE COPS. LET'S KEEP
IT REAL. LAST SESSION, I WAS
REALLY GLAD YOU PASSED AN
EXPANSION TO THE FRESH BUCKS
PROGRAM SO THAT MORE FAMILIES
CAN FEED THEIR CHILDREN WITH
FRESH FOOD FROM WASHINGTON
FAMILIES. FARMERS RATHER KEEP
GOING IN THIS DIRECTION AND FEED
ALL THE KIDS. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, NOAH BAILEY,
FOLLOWED BY SIDNEY, FOLLOWED BY
IRENE.
-- SO HEY EVERYONE, CAN YOU HEAR
ME? YES. AWESOME. BEFORE I
TESTIFY, I JUST WANT TO GIVE A
HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THE YOUNG
PEOPLE HERE TODAY. YOUR BRAVERY
AND SHOWING UP AS STUDENTS, AS
YOUTH IS COMMENDABLE, AND I
APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH. MY NAME
IS BAILEY AND I AM GLAD TO BE
HERE TODAY. GOOD MORNING, MADAM
CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE
COMMITTEE. I AM THE
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FOR THE
WASHINGTON BUS, WHICH IS THE
LARGEST STATEWIDE POLITICAL
ORGANIZATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN
WASHINGTON STATE. I WAS ALSO A
RECIPIENT OF FREE AND REDUCED
SCHOOL LUNCH WHEN I WAS IN HIGH
SCHOOL DURING COVID 19. AND
TODAY I'M HERE BECAUSE MY
ORGANIZATION IS URGING THIS
COMMITTEE TO FULLY FUND FREE
SCHOOL MEALS FOR K THROUGH 12
YOUTH AND REMOVE BARRIERS FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE TO ACCESS THESE
MEALS. AND WE APPRECIATE THE
THOUGHTFUL APPROACH OF AMENDMENT
6. BUT WE ASK THIS COUNCIL TO
NOT ADOPT IT AND PASS THE LEVY
IN ITS MOST PRESENT AND
IMPACTFUL FORM. THE REAL THING
WE NEED TO SAY HERE IS THAT WE
ARE NOT THE EXPERTS. AS
COUNCILMEMBERS. AS ADULTS, WE
NEED TO BE LISTENING TO THE
STUDENTS AND THE TEACHERS AND
THE CONDITIONS THAT THEY ARE
LIVING THROUGH IN THEIR
CLASSROOMS. THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE
SAYING THAT WE NEED TO FUND
UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS, AND
I BELIEVE THEM, AND I STAND WITH
THEM, AND I'M PROUD TO UPLIFT
THEM TODAY AS AN ALLY AND AS A
FORMER RECIPIENT OF FREE SCHOOL
MEALS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
-- THANK YOU. SIDNEY. IRENE,
FOLLOWED BY ANDREW PARK,
FOLLOWED BY KERRY BROWN, FOSTER
IRENE, WELCOME. ARE YOU IRENE
OH. OH, SORRY, SIDNEY. GO AHEAD.
SORRY.
-- GOOD MORNING, SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL. MY NAME IS SIDNEY LOCKE
AND I AM ALSO WITH BAILEY FROM
THE WASHINGTON BUS. I'M HERE TO
URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST
AMENDMENT SIX AND SAY NO TO
LEAVING YOUNG SCHOOL STUDENTS
HUNGRY. AS THE DAUGHTER OF A
FATHER THAT GREW UP HERE IN
SEATTLE LOCALLY, I'VE HEARD OF
HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE PROJECTS
OF YESLER TERRACE AND THROUGH
THAT. ALSO HEARD OF HIS
STRUGGLES WITH FOOD INSECURITY.
NOW HERE IN 2025, I AM HERE TO
CONTINUE OUR MESSAGE OF SUPPORT
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FACING THE SAME
EXACT ISSUES. TO SEE THE
PARALLELS BETWEEN THEN AND NOW
IS DEEPLY SADDENING. AND BECAUSE
OF THIS, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT
OUR YOUTH JUST CAN'T WAIT AND
THEY JUST DON'T DESERVE TO WAIT
ANY LONGER. NOW MORE THAN EVER,
WE'RE SEEING AGGRESSIVE
ROLLBACKS AND POOR TO MIDDLE
CLASS FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING
THE MOST IN THE MIDST OF ONE OF
THE WORST ECONOMIC CRISES OF OUR
GENERATION. I URGE YOU TO VOTE
NO TO AMENDMENT 6. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. SIDNEY. IRENE,
FOLLOWED BY ANDREW, FOLLOWED BY
CARRIE, IRENE. GOOD MORNING.
-- SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME
IS IRENE AND I'M A SENIOR AT
NATHAN HALE HIGH SCHOOL. MY
SCHOOL. NOT EVERY STUDENT HAS
ACCESS TO FREE MEALS, EVEN
THOUGH MANY FAMILIES ARE STILL
STRUGGLING TO AFFORD THEM. THERE
ARE STUDENTS WHOSE PARENTS
EITHER MAKE JUST ENOUGH TO NOT
QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED
PRICE LUNCH, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO
BE PAYING FOR SCHOOL MEALS OR
HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE
APPLICATION PROCESS AND
PAPERWORK. EVERY DAY I SEE
STUDENTS HOVERING BY THE LUNCH
LINE DEBATING IF THEY'RE HUNGRY
ENOUGH TO EAT AT SCHOOL OR IF
THEY SHOULD FIND FOOD ELSEWHERE.
FOOD SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE
SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE HAS TO
SEARCH FOR, ESPECIALLY AT
SCHOOL. LUNCH CAN BE THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING ABLE TO
FOCUS IN CLASS OR SPENDING THE
DAY DISTRACTED BY HUNGER. WHILE
SOME SCHOOLS ALREADY PROVIDE
FREE MEALS FOR EVERY STUDENT,
NATHAN HALE IS NOT ONE OF THEM.
THIS PROPOSAL WOULD MAKE A REAL
DIFFERENCE FOR SCHOOLS LIKE
MINE, AND FOR THE THOUSANDS OF
STUDENTS WHO CURRENTLY DON'T
QUALIFY BUT STILL NEED SUPPORT,
PLEASE PRIORITIZE STUDENTS
WELL-BEING AND REJECT AND REJECT
THINGS THAT CREATE MORE
BARRIERS. HUNGER SHOULDN'T COME
WITH PAPERWORK. THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
-- THANK YOU. IRENE. ANDREW,
FOLLOWED BY CARRIE, FOLLOWED BY
ALEX KRAMER, ANDREW, WELCOME.
-- HI, I'M ANDREW PARK, I'M A
MATH TEACHER AT A MIDDLE SCHOOL.
SHOUT OUTS TO ANY PARENTS OUT
THERE AND A MEMBER OF THE
SEATTLE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.
PLEASE VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 6.
THAT WOULD DELAY THE UNIVERSAL
SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM. OUR
STUDENTS NEED REGULAR MEALS THAT
ARE BOTH FREE AND READILY
AVAILABLE. AMENDMENT 6 PROPOSES
A VOUCHER PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES,
BUT DISTRIBUTING MEALS THROUGH
VOUCHERS AND MEANS TESTED
QUALIFICATIONS TREATS THE ROOT
CAUSE OF HUNGER, HUNGER AS AN
ADMINISTRATIVE INEFFICIENCY
RATHER THAN THAN A STRUCTURAL
INEVITABILITY. WHEN FOOD IS SOLD
AND DISTRIBUTED BY FOR PROFIT
ENTITIES LIKE KROGER,
ALBERTSONS, WALMART, AMAZON, ET
CETERA.. ADDITIONALLY, THESE
VOUCHERS FORCE OUR STUDENTS AND
THEIR FAMILIES INTO NAVIGATING A
SYSTEM WHERE THEY MUST PROVE
THEY ARE PERFECT VICTIMS THAT
DESERVE THE RESOURCES AT STAKE.
AND IT OMITS THE MANY STUDENTS
WHO FLUCTUATE ABOVE AND BELOW
THE DEMARCATION LINE, WHO ARE
STILL IN NEED. A UNIVERSAL
SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM DOES NOT
NEED PERFECT VICTIMS IN ORDER TO
EXIST IN A YEAR. IT SHOULD EXIST
NOW. AGAIN, VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT
6. ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN EXPAND
THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE FREE AND
AVAILABLE MEALS ON WEEKENDS AND
BREAKS WITHOUT THE DELAYS TO THE
ORIGINAL PROGRAM. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU ANDREW. CARRIE.
FOLLOWED BY ALEX KRAMER,
FOLLOWED BY ARI CARRIE, WELCOME.
-- GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR
HAVING ME. HERE I AM AGAINST
AMENDMENT 6. MY NAME IS CARRIE
AND I'M AN SPS TEACHER IN NORTH
SEATTLE WHO BUYS FOOD FOR HER
STUDENTS TO EAT. I KNOW OF
FAMILIES THAT ARE UNDOCUMENTED
THAT WILL NOT APPLY FOR THE FREE
AND REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM.
STUDENTS NEED FOOD TO LEARN,
FEED ALL HUNGRY KIDS, STOP
BLOCKING UNIVERSAL FOOD ACCESS
FOR ALL.
-- THANK YOU CARRIE, ALEX.
WELCOME.
-- GOOD MORNING. I'M ALEX
KRAMER, A PARAPROFESSIONAL AT
SALMON BAY, K EIGHT, THE
PARAPROFESSIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
OF SEATTLE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
AND A GRADUATE OF SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS. I'M HERE TODAY URGING
YOU TO VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT SIX
TO THE LEVY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
AS A PARENT, MY JOB IS TO HELP
STUDENTS ACCESS LEARNING BY
PROVIDING TARGETED ACADEMIC
SUPPORT AND TEACHING EMOTIONAL
REGULATION SKILLS, BUT NO AMOUNT
OF INTERVENTION CAN OVERCOME THE
BASIC FACT THAT HUNGRY STUDENTS
STRUGGLE TO LEARN. THEY'RE
TIRED, THEY STRUGGLE TO FOCUS
AND FALL BEHIND. EDUCATORS AND
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY MEMBERS
ALREADY BUY SNACKS AND PROVIDE
FOOD SUPPORT TO OUR STUDENTS. IT
ISN'T ENOUGH. UNIVERSAL MEALS
ALLOW STUDENTS TO LEARN,
EDUCATORS TO EDUCATE AND LIFT A
BURDEN OFF OF WORKING FAMILIES.
THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY IN SEATTLE
FOR UNIVERSAL MEALS AND FOOD
SUPPORT OVER BREAKS AND
WEEKENDS. LET'S DO BOTH. INSTEAD
OF CHOOSING ONE AND LEAVING
STUDENTS HUNGRY. I LOVE MY JOB.
I CARE DEEPLY FOR OUR STUDENTS
AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY.
YOU CAN ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS
GET BREAKFAST AND LUNCH. PLEASE
VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 6.
-- SORRY. THANK YOU. ALEX. ARI
CHOMSKY, FOLLOWED BY ELENA
MCCALLUM, FOLLOWED BY SIERRA
LEONE. ARI.
-- GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ARI CHOMSKY. I AM A
HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER WITH SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND I AM HERE TO
URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT
SIX. MANY OF MY FELLOW EDUCATORS
HAVE MENTIONED THAT WE TEND TO
BUY FOOD FOR OUR STUDENTS TO
MAKE SURE THAT NOBODY GOES
HUNGRY, BECAUSE AS IT STANDS
RIGHT NOW, MEANS TESTING DOES
NOT FACTOR IN EVERY KID WHO
NEEDS FOOD. EVEN IN WEST
SEATTLE, THERE'S KIDS WHO NEED
FOOD, WHO AREN'T GETTING THAT
SUPPORT WITH THE MEANS TESTING
CURRENTLY IN PLACE. AND SO THE
THE MEANS TESTING JUST ISN'T
ROBUST ENOUGH. IT WAS MENTIONED
IT HURTS OUR UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENTS. I WILL CONTINUE TO BUY
FOOD FOR MY STUDENTS BECAUSE I
WILL FEED THESE KIDS. AND I KNOW
MANY OF MY OTHER EDUCATORS HAVE
TOO. BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE NOT
TO HAVE TO DROP 5 TO $600 A
SCHOOL YEAR. PLEASE FUND
UNIVERSAL MEALS, FEED OUR KIDS.
-- THANK YOU ARI. ELENA.
FOLLOWED BY SIERRA, FOLLOWED BY
CAITLIN MILTON. ELENA. GOOD
MORNING.
-- I'M ELENA MCCALLUM. I'M A
DISTRICT THREE RESIDENT. STATE
SCHOOLS TEACHER, AND I AM HERE
IN SUPPORT OF MAYOR WILSON'S
LEVY PLAN AND AGAINST AMENDMENT
6. THE PURPOSE OF UNIVERSAL FREE
MEALS IS TO ESTABLISH A SAFETY
NET FOR ALL FAMILIES. AS ALREADY
NOTED THAT THERE'S THIS
INCONSISTENCY. STUDENTS AND
FAMILIES STATUS IS CONSTANTLY
CHANGING, AND BY NOT PROVIDING
THAT, WE CAN SEE THE CONSISTENT
IMPACTS THAT I WITNESSED AS AN
EDUCATOR. WHEN STUDENTS ARE
HUNGRY, THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO
FOCUS, AND WE NEED TO ENSURE
THAT WE HAVE THAT BEFORE WE ARE
ADDING ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS. I
THINK WE DO NEED ADDITIONAL
SUPPORTS AS AMENDMENT 6, BUT IT
SHOULD NOT BE SOMETHING A
DECISION THAT'S BASED OUT OF
AUSTERITY THAT WE CAN'T HAVE
BOTH. WE DO HAVE THE MEANS IN
THIS CITY TO DO IT. IF WE ARE
PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE OUR
BUDGET SHOULD BE, VOTE NO ON
AMENDMENT 6. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, ELENA SIERRA,
FOLLOWED BY CAITLIN, FOLLOWED BY
VICTOR SIERRA. WELCOME.
-- GOOD MORNING COUNCIL. MY NAME
IS HERE AND I'M IN SUPPORT OF
AMENDMENT 6. WHEN I WAS IN HIGH
SCHOOL, I WATCHED FRIENDS RUN
OUT OF GROCERY STORES WITH CARTS
OF FOOD OVER SPRING BREAK
BECAUSE THEY HAD NO FOOD AT HOME
AND THE SCHOOL WAS CLOSED AND
WE'RE ABOUT TO HAND EVERY CHILD
IN SEATTLE AN UMBRELLA THAT ONLY
OPENS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 9
TO 3. AND WHILE SOME KIDS GET TO
CLOSE IT AND WALK HOME INTO A
DRY HOUSE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF
KIDS THAT CLOSE AND STAND IN THE
RAIN FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS. IN
TWO WEEKS OVER BREAK. AND SO
BUYING MORE UMBRELLAS DOESN'T
HELP THE KIDS THAT ARE ALREADY
STANDING IN THE RAIN. SCHOOL
MEALS WORK, AND THAT'S EXACTLY
WHY THE GAP OPENS WHEN THEY
STOP. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT FOOD
INSUFFICIENCY FOR THESE FAMILIES
HOLDS STEADY THROUGHOUT THE
SCHOOL YEAR, AND THEN CLIMB
DURING THE SUMMER. AND SO WHILE
WE KNOW WHAT CLOSES THE GAP, THE
USDA TESTED THIS EXACT SAME
MODEL AND IT CUT THE MOST SEVERE
FORM OF CHILD HUNGER BY 33%. AND
SO YOUR OWN DATA SHOWS THAT
BLACK AND LATINX HOUSEHOLD FOOD
INSECURITY IS TWICE THE RATE OF
WHITE HOUSEHOLDS. SO REGARDLESS
OF OPINION, COUNCIL HAS AN
OBLIGATION UNDER RSG TO ACTIVELY
DISMANTLE INSTITUTIONAL RACISM,
NOT JUST DOCUMENTED. NOBODY'S
AGAINST UNIVERSAL MEALS. WE JUST
NEED TO CLOSE THIS. CLOSE THE
DEEPEST GAP FIRST. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. SIERRA. CAITLIN,
FOLLOWED BY VICTOR, FOLLOWED BY
AARON TULLOCH, CAITLIN.
-- GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS CAITLIN SKELTON. I AM
A FORMER CHILD CARE PROVIDER AND
I'M HERE TODAY TO STRESS THE
IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE NUTRITION
AND THE IMPACT THAT IT HAS ON
OUR CHILDREN'S ABILITY TO LEARN,
GROW AND SUCCEED. I UNDERSTAND
THAT SEATTLE IS FACING
SIGNIFICANT BUDGET CHALLENGES,
AND THAT DIFFICULT DECISIONS
MUST BE MADE. HOWEVER,
ELIMINATING OR REDUCING FUNDING
FOR UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS WOULD
SHIFT THOSE CHALLENGES ONTO OUR
CHILDREN AND TEACHERS, RESEARCH
SHOWS THE IMPACT OF ADEQUATE
NUTRITION LEADS TO BETTER
BEHAVIORAL AND ACADEMIC
OUTCOMES. I URGE AND PLEAD WITH
YOU TO FUND OUR CHILDREN AND
THEIR MEALS. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. CAITLIN. VICTOR,
FOLLOWED BY AARON, FOLLOWED BY
LAUREN TRACY. VICTOR, WELCOME.
-- GOOD MORNING, PRESIDENT
HOLLINGSWORTH AND MEMBERS OF THE
SELECT COMMITTEE. I'M VICTOR
JAGU WITH FMS GLOBAL STRATEGIES,
TESTIFYING WITH THE. WE BUILD
BACK BETTER ALLIANCE IN SUPPORT
OF AMENDMENT 6 VERSION TWO.
SEATTLE DATA SHOWS BLACK AND
LATINO HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCE
FOOD INSECURITY AT ROUGHLY TWICE
THE RATE OF WHITE HOUSEHOLDS,
ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHEAST SEATTLE.
IN RAINIER BEACH, NEARLY 80% OF
STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR FREE OR
REDUCED PRICE MEALS, COMPARED
WITH ONE THIRD DISTRICT WIDE.
WHEN THE CAFETERIA CLOSES ON
FRIDAY, THAT GAP WIDENS,
TREATING EVERY HOUSEHOLD THE
SAME IS NOT NEUTRAL. IT PRODUCES
UNEQUAL OUTCOMES. VERSION TWO
CREATES A DISTINCT FOOD
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BEGINNING
SUPPORT NEXT SCHOOL YEAR,
PRESERVING 4.7 MILLION FOR
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS AND
REQUIRES MEASURABLE REPORTING.
VOTE YES ON AMENDMENT 6 VERSION
TWO. DO NOT LET RACE NEUTRAL
PROCESSES PRODUCE ANOTHER
RACIALLY UNEQUAL RESULT. DIRECT
THESE DOLLARS TO THE FAMILIES
CARRYING THE HEAVIEST BURDEN
NOW. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU VICTOR AARON,
FOLLOWED BY LAUREN, FOLLOWED BY
MARTA JOHNSON, AARON, WELCOME.
-- GOOD MORNING. CHAIR RIVERA,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, HOLLINGSWORTH
AND MEMBERS OF THE SELECT
COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS AARON
TULLOCH. TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF
FMS GLOBAL STRATEGIES. AND WE
BUILD BACK BETTER ALLIANCE, A
COALITION OF MORE THAN 900
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
WE URGE YOU TO ADOPT AMENDMENT 6
VERSION TWO. HUNGER IN THE CITY
IS NOT EVENLY SHARED. PUBLIC
HEALTH SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY
OWN DATA TELLS THAT STORY FOR
EVERY 100 ADULTS, ROUGHLY 40
BLACK ADULTS ARE FOOD INSECURE,
COMPARED TO JUST NINE WHITE
ADULTS. BLACK AND LATINO
HOUSEHOLDS GO HUNGRY AT TWICE
THE RATE OF WHITE HOUSEHOLDS AND
COUNTRYWIDE, NEARLY 77% OF BLACK
STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR FREE OR
REDUCED PRICE MEALS, AGAINST
ABOUT 70% OF WHITE STUDENTS.
THAT IS A SYSTEM PRODUCING
PREDICTABLE, RADICALIZED, HARM.
AMENDMENT 6 MEETS THAT REALITY,
WHERE IT LIVES ON WEEKENDS AND
OVER SCHOOL BREAKS. WHEN THE
CAFETERIA CLOSES AND WHEN THE
HUNGER GAP OPENS WIDEST, IT
DELIVERS TARGETED FOOD
ASSISTANCE TO UP TO 5000
FAMILIES A YEAR AND STILL
LAUNCHES THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL
MEALS THE VERY NEXT YEAR. EQUITY
IS ABOUT MEASUREMENT, WHO WE
REACH. PLEASE ADOPT VERSION OR
AMENDMENT 6 VERSION TWO. THANK
YOU.
-- THANK YOU. AARON. LAUREN.
FOLLOWED BY MARTA, FOLLOWED BY
ALBERT SHIVER. LAUREN, WELCOME.
-- HI EVERYONE. MY NAME IS
LAUREN TRACY. PRONOUNS SHE, HER
AND I SERVE AS THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE. POSSIBLE
WASHINGTON. I KNOW A LOT OF
FOLKS ARE TALKING ABOUT
AMENDMENT 6 TODAY. I'M ALSO THE
MOM OF A THREE YEAR OLD WHO IS
WITH ME THIS SUMMER. SO THIS IS
THE ONE DAY I HAD TO DO PUBLIC
COMMENT COLLEGE POSSIBLE
WASHINGTON IS A COLLEGE SUCCESS
AND ACCESS ORGANIZATION. WE
SUPPORT STUDENTS FURTHEST FROM
EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE. WE WORK
WITH THEM SOPHOMORE YEAR FOR SIX
PLUS YEARS UNTIL THEY GET THEIR
COLLEGE DEGREE. AND WE'VE BEEN
WORKING IN SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS FOR 20 YEARS. I'VE TOLD
MANY OF YOU THAT WE WERE ONE OF
THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT LOST OUR
FEDERAL FUNDING, AND THAT
HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. THAT WAS A
THIRD OF OUR FUNDING. I KNOW A
LOT OF COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATIONS LOST BOTH STATE
AND FEDERAL FUNDING AND IS
COMPLETELY REMADE. THE LANDSCAPE
OF COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS
THAT ARE STILL CURRENTLY
OPERATING ARE HOPING TO OPERATE
INTO SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
WE'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO
RECEIVE FUNDING THROUGH THE
PREVIOUS FAF LEVY, AND I'VE
APPRECIATED THE CONSISTENT
INVESTMENT. I'M HOPING TO ECHO A
LOT OF SIMILAR SENTIMENTS FROM
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CSEC
AND THE SENSE THAT I SEE AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR CONTINUED
COLLABORATION, AN OPPORTUNITY TO
BRING CBOS IN, THE
ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE DATA, AND
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING US INTO
THE CONTINUOUS FEEDBACK LOOP
WITH THIS NEW LEVY. THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
-- THANK YOU LAUREN MARTE. I'M
SORRY, I MIGHT BE MISPRONOUNCING
YOUR NAME. ARE YOU MR. JOHN? OH,
YOU ARE SORRY.
-- THAT'S ME. OKAY. HELLO. YES
IT IS.
-- OH, GREAT. OKAY. HI, MARTA.
-- WELCOME. HI. MY NAME IS
MARTA. I'M A RESIDENT OF FREMONT
AND ALSO A MEMBER OF FOREST
SEATTLE. I'M HERE SPEAKING
TODAY IN FAVOR AND SUPPORT OF
AMENDMENT 6. THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH
HOLLINGSWORTH AND FOSTER FOR
ALLOWING US TO HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS FOOD
ACCESS IN THIS CITY WHEN OUR
ORGANIZATION WAS DIGGING INTO
THE DETAILS, WE FOUND THAT THE
HIGHEST POVERTY SCHOOLS IN
SEATTLE ALREADY SERVE FREE MEALS
TO EVERY STUDENT. ABOUT HALF OF
SPS SCHOOLS DO IT TODAY, PAID
FOR BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THEY ARE
CONCENTRATED IN SOUTH AND
SOUTHEAST SEATTLE AS WELL AS THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT. THE CITY'S
UNIVERSAL ADD ON DOES NOT MOSTLY
REACH THE NEEDIEST KIDS. THEY
ARE ALREADY COVERED ON SCHOOL
DAYS. AND THIS REALLY HAS US
THINKING, WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS
DURING BREAKS AND WEEKENDS? THIS
AMENDMENT ALLOWS FOR A SLIGHT
SHIFT IN FUNDS TO ENSURE THESE
KIDS RECEIVE WEEKEND AND BREAK
MEALS FOR SIX YEARS, AND I THINK
THAT'S A TRADE OFF REALLY WORTH
CONSIDERING. MY SUPPORT COMES
WITH TWO CALL OUTS. ONE,
UNIVERSAL IS ABSOLUTELY A
PROGRAM WE SHOULD BUILD TO, AND
TWO, IS THERE A WAY TO LOOK INTO
HOW WE CAN CREATE AN AUTO
ENROLLMENT FEATURE USING DATA
THAT ALREADY.
-- EXISTS?
-- I THINK. SORRY. THANK YOU
MARTA, BUT YOU CAN YOU CAN EMAIL
YOUR YOUR THE REST OF YOUR
COMMENTS. OKAY. SORRY. THANK YOU
SO MUCH. ALBERT. SHIVER SHIVER
SHIVER. GREAT. THANK YOU.
WELCOME, ALBERT.
-- THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MY NAME
IS ALBERT SHIVER SPEAKING ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON
BEHALF OF COMMUNITY PASSAGEWAYS
ON THE VOICE. OUR STRONG SUPPORT
FOR THIS AMENDMENT. AT COMMUNITY
PASSAGEWAYS, WE SEE FIRSTHAND
THE REALITIES FACING THE
FAMILIES WE SERVE. WHILE WE
RECOGNIZE THE INTENTION BEHIND
UNIVERSAL MEAL PROGRAMS, WE MUST
BE HONEST ABOUT WHERE THE GAP
REMAINS. THE CURRENT MODEL
LEAVES OUR MOST VULNERABLE
STUDENTS BEHIND DURING THE
WEEKENDS AND THROUGHOUT WINTER
AND SPRING BREAKS. HUNGER DOES
NOT TAKE A BREAK JUST BECAUSE
THE SCHOOL CAFETERIA IS CLOSED
FOR THE FAMILIES WE WORK WITH.
THOSE GAPS ARE NOT JUST
INCONVENIENCES, THEY ARE CRISIS.
THE AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY.
PIVOT TOWARD TRUE EQUITY BY
PRIORITIZING OUR FINITE, EXCUSE
ME, OUR OUR FINITE RESOURCES.
FOR FAMILIES FACING THE DEEPEST
FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS, WE ENSURE
THAT SUPPORT REACHES THOSE WHO
NEED IT MOST. RATHER THAN
SPREADING FUNDS DAN ACROSS
HOUSEHOLDS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE
ASSISTANCE. FURTHERMORE, THIS
FISCAL STRATEGY PROPOSED HERE IS
RESPONSIBLE AND FORWARD
THINKING. BY DELAYING THE FULL
UNIVERSAL ROLLOUT FOR ONE YEAR,
WE CAN MAXIMIZE OUR BUDGET TO
ESTABLISH A TARGETED PREPAID
GROCERY CARD PROGRAM. THIS
PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH THE
DIGNITY, DIGNITY AND FLEXIBILITY
TO SECURE CONSISTENT NUTRITION
THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL
YEAR, NOT JUST DURING THE SCHOOL
WEEK.
-- THANK YOU ALBERT CALEB TOLDY,
FOLLOWED BY SABRINA BURR,
FOLLOWED BY CJ WELCOME.
-- THANK YOU COUNCIL.
-- MY NAME IS CALEB. I'M AN
EDUCATOR AT RAINIER SCHOLARS,
AND I'D LIKE TO SHARE A GREAT
EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE
DON'T MEANS TEST AND PROVIDE
ACCESS TO MEALS FOR ALL. A
FRIEND SHARED HER EXPERIENCE
WORKING AT EMERGENCY FEEDING
PROGRAM IN 2019, AND HOW SHE
WITNESSED THE GLARING FOOD
ACCESS NEEDS IN OUR CITY. SHE
SHARED THAT WHAT BROKE HER WAS
SEEING AN EXHAUSTED NURSE WHO
WORKED A FULL DAY AND WOULD WAIT
IN LINE FOR TWO HOURS FOR FOOD
BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH
MONEY TO FEED HER KIDS. SHE GOES
ON TO EXPLAIN THAT MOTHER AND
THE MANY FOLKS THAT NEEDED THE
FOOD DIDN'T HAVE TO SHOW ID OR
ANY PROOF OF INCOME. ALL THEY
NEEDED WAS THEIR ZIP CODE AND
HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVED IN THEIR
HOUSEHOLD SO THEY COULD GET
ENOUGH FOOD FOR EVERYONE. AND
EVEN THE MIDDLE CLASS NURSE
NEEDED THAT SUPPORT. JUST LIKE
WITH UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS, BY
REMOVING BARRIERS, WE CAN
INCREASE ACCESS TO FOOD FOR
EVERYONE IN OUR DISTRICT. VOTE
NO ON AMENDMENT SIX. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. CALEB. SABRINA
FOLLOWED BY CJ FOLLOWED BY LEO.
FELIPE BAIAMONTE, SABRINA.
WELCOME.
-- GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
SABRINA BURR. I WEAR A LOT OF
HATS, BUT I'M A PART OF THE
SEATTLE SCHOOL MEALS AND FOOD
EDUCATION PROGRAM. I HAVE BEEN
FOR A COUPLE YEARS. I'M THE
PARENT WHO USED TO PACK EXTRA
FOOD IN MY CHILD'S LUNCH SO
THAT SHE COULD SHARE WITH HER
FRIENDS. I WORK WITH STUDENT
LEADERS. LAST MONTH WE HAD ABOUT
100 FROM ALL OVER, AND WHAT I
KNOW IS ACROSS OUR DISTRICT, WE
HAVE HUNGRY KIDS, WE HAVE
FAMILIES THAT LEFT SOUTHEAST
SEATTLE FOR A BETTER EDUCATION
WHO ARE IN NORTH SEATTLE, WHO
STILL HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS.
AND SO I AM 100% FOR UNIVERSAL
MEALS. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN
THIS DISTRICT, TALKING TO
STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE
DISTRICT. I LIVE IN SOUTHEAST
SEATTLE. I'VE BEEN THERE SINCE
1974. I UNDERSTAND, BUT I AM
AGAINST AMENDMENT 6 BECAUSE WE
HAVE TOO MANY KIDS THAT ARE
HUNGRY IN OUR SCHOOLS AND HUNGRY
KIDS CAN'T LEARN.
-- THANK YOU SABRINA. CJ
FOLLOWED BY LEO, FOLLOWED BY WAI
GARRETT CJ. WELCOME.
-- WE LITERALLY HAVE LAW
ENFORCEMENT EXECUTING FATHERS IN
THE STREETS FROM ISIS. EXECUTION
OF JOHANN GUERRERO IN FRONT OF
HIS THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO
SPD'S EXECUTION OF CHRISTIAN
NELSON LAST YEAR BY SIX SPD COPS
WHO SHOT OVER TWO DOZEN BULLETS
INTO HIM AND THE ADJACENT
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS. YET JUST
A WEEK AFTER HIS MURDER,
PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH YOU
FOUND THE POLITICAL WILL AND
BUDGET TO RAISE SEATTLE POLICE
PAY BY 42%, GIVING SPD AN
ESTIMATED BUDGET INCREASE OF $57
MILLION A YEAR. YOU CAN ALSO
FIND THE POLITICAL WILL AND
FUNDS FOR THE EXPANSION OF
CAMERAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND
OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY. THE
TAXPAYERS EXPENSE OF OVER
$1,025,000 WITH OPERATIONAL
COSTS OF BETWEEN 70,000 TO
$90,000 ANNUALLY PER SITE. BUT
SOMEHOW YOU CAN'T FIND THE
POLITICAL WILL TO BUDGET TO FUND
UNIVERSAL MEALS FOR OUR KIDS IN
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THIS IS
NOT A RACE OR NEIGHBORHOOD
ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF POLITICAL
WILL.
-- THANK YOU, CJ LEO, FOLLOWED
BY WYKING GARRETT, FOLLOWED BY
REDMOND BOSHA LEO. WELCOME.
-- YO. WHAT'S UP? HELLO
COUNCIL, I'M LEO, I'M AN
INCOMING SENIOR AT NATHAN HALE
HIGH SCHOOL AND I'M PRESIDENT
OF THE SEATTLE STUDENT UNION.
I'M SO SAD TO SEE THESE BEING
PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER, BUT
I'M STILL HERE TO URGE YOU TO
VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 6 AND FUND
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL LUNCH WITHOUT
DELAY FOR ALL STUDENTS.
UNIVERSAL LUNCHES ADDRESSES MANY
OF THE ISSUES ACROSS OUR CITY.
IT HELPS ADDRESS ATTACKS FROM
TRUMP IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, DO
NOT APPLY FOR FREE AND REDUCED
LUNCH AT A FEAR. IT ALSO HELPS
WITH AFFORDABILITY, SINCE EVEN
FOR PEOPLE WHO MAKE TOO MUCH TO
QUALIFY FOR FREE LUNCH, IT IS
STILL A BURDEN TO PAY FOR SCHOOL
LUNCH. FINALLY, IT JUST
GENERALLY HELPS WITH EDUCATION
RELATED ISSUES AND STUDENTS DO
BETTER ACADEMICALLY, BEHAVE
BETTER WHEN THEY ARE NOT HUNGRY.
THANK YOU COUNCIL, AND I URGE
YOU TO VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 6.
-- THANK YOU, LEO Y KING.
WELCOME.
-- GOOD MORNING. I JUST HAVE TO
SAY THAT I THINK IT'S A REAL
SHAME THE WAY THAT THIS ISSUE IS
BEING FRAMED UP AS IF ONE SIDE
IS STRIVING TO FEED CHILDREN AND
ANOTHER SIDE IS NOT SEEKING TO
FEED CHILDREN. I THINK IT'S A
MATTER OF IMPLEMENTATION AND
EXECUTION. I THINK IT WOULD BE A
GREAT TRAGEDY. ANOTHER GREAT
TRAGEDY TO HAVE RESOURCES THAT
HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO ADDRESS,
PARTICULARLY IN 1991, THE LEVY
WAS ESTABLISHED. THE. THE
IMPACTS OF ANTI-BLACK RACISM IN
THIS CITY, IN THIS SOCIETY, ON
THE WEALTH AND THE INCOME AND
THE RESOURCES THAT OUR FAMILIES
HAVE, AND TO SEE THOSE RESOURCES
TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT ARE
FOCUSED ON OUR COMMUNITY, THEN
BE SENT OUT TO LAURELHURST AND
MAGNOLIA AND EVERYWHERE ELSE,
AND ALL OF THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT
ARE ALWAYS SAID AND THE
INVESTMENTS THAT ARE SAID TO BE
ON OUR BEHALF DON'T ACTUALLY
REACH OUR HOMES, OUR FAMILIES
THAT DESERVE THE REPAIR. SO WE
NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON MAKING
SURE THE EQUITY ANALYSIS IS
STRONG, RIGHT, SO THAT WE CAN
AVOID THE UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES THAT TIME AND TIME
AGAIN. THAT LEAVES OUR FAMILIES
STILL HURTING. SO I DO I'M HERE
TO SAY YES FOR AMENDMENT 6 AND
GET TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH A
BETTER PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT
ALL OF THE FAMILY, ALL OF THE
CHILDREN THAT ARE IN OTHER
PLACES.
-- THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK
YOU SO MUCH. RAYMOND BASHA,
FOLLOWED BY TATIANA BROWN,
FOLLOWED BY LIZ HUSER REDMOND.
WELCOME.
-- GOOD EVENING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS REDMOND BASHA AND I
AM THE FOOD ACCESS COORDINATOR
AT FEAST. IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU
ALL AGAIN. THIS IS MY THIRD TIME
SPEAKING ON THIS ISSUE AND TODAY
I WOULD LIKE TO FORMALLY SUBMIT
A LETTER FOR PUBLIC RECORD. OVER
THE PAST WEEK, WE HAVE SPOKEN TO
COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT WHAT
THEY NEED. WE HAVE HEARD FROM
OVER 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS,
PARENTS, TEACHERS AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY, STUDENTS. AND THEY
ARE ASKING FOR UNIVERSAL SCHOOL
MEALS WITH NO DELAY. YOUR
COMMUNITY IS SPEAKING AND WE ASK
YOU TO LISTEN. VOTE NO ON
AMENDMENT 6.
-- THANK YOU. REDMOND. TATIANA,
FOLLOWED BY LIZ, FOLLOWED BY
CRYSTAL LEE. TATIANA. WELCOME.
-- GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. MY
NAME IS TATIANA BROWN AND I AM A
FOOD JUSTICE ADVOCATE. I'M HERE
REALLY TODAY, JUST TO PLEAD THAT
WE DON'T FALL INTO THIS TRAP OF
CONVERSATIONS OF DESERVEDNESS. I
THINK WE CAN GO DOWN THAT FOR A
VERY LONG WAY, AND WE CAN TALK
ABOUT A MOTHER WHO GIVES BIRTH
TO A DAUGHTER, AND THAT DAUGHTER
WHOSE MOM MAKES $40,000 DOES NOT
MAKE ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR FREE
MEALS IN SCHOOLS. WE CAN TALK
ABOUT THE 6800 STUDENTS THAT
WERE WERE LEAVING OUT OF THIS.
IF WE DO NOT EXPAND THE MEALS.
AND I THINK FOR ME, IT'S REALLY
THE CORE OF WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
THIS CONVERSATION OF
DESERVEDNESS. YES, IT HAS DEEP
ROOTS IN RACISM. IT HAS DEEP
ROOTS IN THE FACT THAT AT ONE
POINT, MANY OF US AND ALL OF YOU
THAT I'M LOOKING AT WERE NOT
CONSIDERED DESERVING OF
EDUCATION, OF A BANK ACCOUNT, OF
THE RIGHT TO MARRY, OF THE RIGHT
FOR OUR BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS. AND
I THINK THAT WE HAVE AN
INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY AHEAD OF
US, WHICH IS TO CREATE A SYSTEM
THAT PROMOTES UNIVERSAL FREE
MEALS FOR ALL SCHOOL, FOR ALL
STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE
IT. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. TATIANA, LIZ,
FOLLOWED BY KRYSTAL, FOLLOWED BY
A DONNA MAYBE. SORRY, LIZ.
WELCOME.
-- THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS LIZ
WIZARD AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF SOUTHEAST SEATTLE
EDUCATION COALITION, THE
FAMILIES, EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL,
AND PROMISE LEVY WAS CREATED TO
CLOSE THE OPPORTUNITY GAP BY
ADDRESSING THE SYSTEMIC
INEQUITIES THAT SHAPE
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES. YOU KNOW
THIS. WE KNOW THIS AS STEWARDS
OF THE PUBLIC INVESTMENT, WE
HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE
THAT POLICIES WE ADOPT ACHIEVE
THAT PURPOSE THROUGH THOUGHTFUL
IMPLEMENTATION, NOT SIMPLY
THROUGH WELL-INTENTIONED IDEAS.
SEATAC BELIEVES EVERY CHILD
DESERVES NUTRITIOUS MEALS.
HOWEVER, IT WILL TAKE TIME TO
IMPLEMENT A THOUGHTFUL UNIVERSAL
SCHOOLS MEAL PROGRAM FOR THE
LONG TERM. TIME WILL GIVE THE
DISTRICT THE OPPORTUNITY TO
ENSURE MEALS ARE HIGH QUALITY,
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND
DELIVERED IN A WAY THAT TRULY
SERVES STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. I
ALSO RECOGNIZE THIS HAS BEEN A
DIFFICULT CONVERSATION EVEN
WITHIN OUR COALITION. THERE ARE
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, BUT
WE'RE UNITED BY ONE GOAL
ENSURING THIS LEVY DELIVERS
EDUCATIONAL EQUITY FOR SEATTLE
CHILDREN. I URGE YOU TO MAKE THE
THOUGHTFUL CHOICE, NOT THE
POPULAR ONE. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, LIZ CRYSTAL,
FOLLOWED BY, I THINK IT'S DONNA
SINGHA. AND THEN WE'LL GO
ONLINE. CRYSTAL, WELCOME.
-- GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
CRYSTAL LEE AND I WORK FOR
COMMUNITY PASSAGEWAYS, WHERE I
SUPPORT YOUTH AND FAMILIES EVERY
DAY, ONE OF OUR BIGGEST NEEDS WE
HEAR FROM FAMILIES IS SIMPLE
GROCERIES. PARENTS ARE WORKING
HARD, BUT MANY ARE BARELY MAKING
IT ENOUGH TO GET BY. THEY CAN'T
AFFORD TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO
SCHOOL WITH LUNCH MONEY. AND
WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT ON THE
WEEKENDS AND BREAKS, MANY
FAMILIES STRUGGLES TO PUT ENOUGH
FOOD ON THE TABLE. I'VE SEEN
STUDENTS GO BACK FOR SECONDS AT
SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT MAY
BE THEIR LAST FULL MEAL THEY
HAVE FOR THE DAY. NO CHILD
SHOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
WHETHER THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
THIS ISN'T JUST SOMETHING I SEE
AT WORK, IT'S SOMETHING I
UNDERSTAND PERSONALLY. EVEN WITH
THE FULL TIME JOB, I CAN BARELY
AFFORD GROCERIES MYSELF. IT'S
HARD FOR WORKING FAMILIES TO
IMAGINE WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR
THOSE EARNING EVEN LESS. THIS
AMENDMENT WILL HELP MEET A BASIC
HUMAN NEED WITH DIGNITY. MAKE
SURE CHILDREN HAVE FOOD ON THE
WEEKENDS AND SCHOOL BREAKS MEANS
THEY CAN COME BACK TO SCHOOL
HEALTHIER AND READY TO LEARN,
AND WITH ONE LESS BURDEN ON
THEIR FAMILIES. I URGE YOU TO
SUPPORT THIS.
-- THANK YOU. CRYSTAL, MAYBE
IT'S. I'M SORRY I'M HAVING
TROUBLE READING THIS NAME, BUT I
THINK IT'S DONNA SINGHA. ANYONE
BY THAT NAME OR CLOSE TO THAT
NAME? OKAY, THEN I'M GOING TO GO
ONLINE, TAKE TEN FOLKS ONLINE
BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN WAITING A
LONG TIME AS WELL. AND THEN I'LL
COME BACK TO SOME ADDITIONAL ADS
THAT CAME LATER IN PERSON. SO WE
WE'VE GOT LOIS MARTIN, LOIS
PRESS STAR SIX, AND YOU MAY
BEGIN.
-- WAS IT ME?
-- I DON'T THINK SHE CALLED YOU.
DID YOU CALL DAN EDER? OH
-- DANITA, IS THAT WHO THAT?
SORRY, LOIS. WE'LL COME BACK TO
YOU IN ONE MINUTE. DANITA, I'M
SO SORRY I MISPRONOUNCED YOU. NO
PROBLEM.
-- SO MY NAME IS DONNA SINCLAIR.
THANK YOU. AND I AM A COMMUNITY
LEADER AS WELL AS A GUN VIOLENCE
PREVENTION. YOU GUYS ALWAYS SEE
ME. I VOTE YES ON THIS AMENDMENT
WITH THE MISS HOLLINGSWORTH ARE
AS A COMMUNITY LEADER WITH THE
CRISIS INTERVENTION, FOOD
INSECURITY IS THE NUMBER ONE TOP
PRIORITY THAT OUR KIDS IS FACING
ON THE WEEKENDS. WE UNDERSTAND
THAT EVERYBODY DO DESERVE TO
EAT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT
WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE
POVERTY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
LOW INCOME. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
FAMILIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE
TO REACH THAT CAPACITY. WE ASK
THAT YOU VOTE YES AND SUPPORT. I
MEAN, PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH.,
-- THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ALL
RIGHT. WE'LL GO ONLINE NEXT.
LOIS MARTIN, IF YOU'RE THERE,
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX AND YOU
MAY BEGIN.
-- HI. GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS LOIS
MARTIN. I'M THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DAY CENTER
FOR CHILDREN AND EARLY LEARNING
CENTER HERE IN SEATTLE. AND ONE
OF MORE THAN 50 ORGANIZATIONS
THAT ARE PART OF A COALITION
THAT SIGNED A LETTER IN SUPPORT
OF AMENDMENT 6. WE ALL AGREE
THAT NO CHILD SHOULD GO HUNGRY.
THE QUESTION BEFORE YOU IS HOW
TO MEET THAT NEED WHILE HONORING
THE PURPOSE OF THE LEVY APPROVED
BY SEATTLE VOTERS. AMENDMENT 6
KEEPS THE LEVY FOCUS ON ITS CORE
MISSION OF CLOSING OPPORTUNITY
GAPS. IT PROVIDES TARGETED FOOD
ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS AND
FAMILIES DURING PERIODS WHEN
ACCESS TO SCHOOL MEALS IS
UNAVAILABLE. DIRECT RESOURCES
WHERE THE NEED IS GREATEST AND
PROTECTS THE RISK AND RESERVE
FUND. WHILE THE CITY EVALUATES
LONG TERM FUNDING OPTIONS. THIS
AMENDMENT IS A THOUGHTFUL
COMPROMISE. IT MEETS CHILDREN'S
IMMEDIATE NEEDS TODAY WHILE
PROTECTING THE LONG TERM
COMMITMENTS VOTERS APPROVED
THROUGH THE LEVY. I URGE YOU TO
VOTE YES ON AMENDMENT 6. THANK
YOU.
-- THANK YOU LOIS. DIANE TAO, IF
YOU'RE THERE, PLEASE PRESS STAR
SIX AND YOU MAY BEGIN.
-- HI, MY NAME IS DIANE TAO. I
TEACH AT WING LUKE ELEMENTARY
AND I LIVE IN RAINIER BEACH. MOM
TO THREE YOUNG BOYS, TWO AN SPF.
WHILE I THINK IT'S NECESSARY TO
ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY FOR
FAMILIES WITH THE GREATEST NEED
BEYOND THE SCHOOL DAY, I DON'T
SUPPORT AMENDMENT 6. I THINK
SINCE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS IS
ON THE TABLE, WE SHOULD BY ALL
MEANS MAKE IT HAPPEN. IN
SEATTLE, WING LUKE IS FORTUNATE
ENOUGH TO ALREADY HAVE UNIVERSAL
SCHOOL MEALS, AND I'VE SEEN IT
MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON STUDENTS
AND FAMILIES FIRSTHAND OVER THE
YEARS. WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY. I
KNOW THAT NOT EVERY SCHOOL, NOT
EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD NEEDS THE
SAME THING. BUT I DO THINK THAT
THERE ARE KIDS AT EVERY SCHOOL
IN THE DISTRICT, REGARDLESS OF
NEIGHBORHOOD, THAT WILL BENEFIT
FROM UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS. I
HEAR COST IS A CONCERN,
ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY
WITH THE MILLIONAIRE'S TAX AND
ITS FUTURE. BUT I DON'T THINK
THAT UNCERTAINTY SHOULD DISSUADE
US FROM GOOD POLICY. IF LEVY
FUNDS CAN PROVIDE FREE MEALS TO
ANY AND ALL SPS STUDENTS FOR TWO
YEARS, I HAVE TO SAY YES TO
THAT, AND I DON'T THINK PEOPLE
WOULD BLAME THE CITY IN THE
EVENT THE MILLIONAIRE'S TAX
DIDN'T GO THROUGH, WE WOULD
BRING THE FIGHT TO THE STATE.
LASTLY, I WANTED TO BRING UP HOW
OFTENTIMES WHEN IT COMES TO
PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES, STUDENTS
AND THE COMMUNITY, THERE'S
ALWAYS THIS IDEA THAT WE DON'T
HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IF WE NEED TO
PICK AND CHOOSE. AND BECAUSE OF
BUDGET DEFICITS OR WE GET INTO
RESERVES, AND THAT WORRIES US.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S
ANNUAL BUDGET IS $489 MILLION.
SO I JUST SAY THAT TO SAY WE
SHOULD TAKE A CHANCE ON
UNIVERSAL MEALS NOW AND SPEND
LEVY RESERVES, BUT ALSO FIND THE
FUNDS TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY
FOR FAMILIES WITH THE GREATEST
NEED. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, DIANE. MARSHA
WRIGHT SOYKA. IF YOU'RE THERE,
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX AND YOU
MAY BEGIN.
-- THANK YOU. I'M MARSHA SOYKA,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FAMILY
WORKS HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF
THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL ON
UNIVERSAL FREE LUNCH AS PART OF
THE FEPP LEVY. WITHOUT THE DELAY
IN AMENDMENT 6. WE HAVE BEEN ON
THE FRONT LINES OF FIGHTING FOOD
INSECURITY AND HUNGER FOR 30
YEARS IN NORTH SEATTLE, WITH A
DEEP CONNECTION TO SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT INCLUDE ON
CAMPUS RESOURCE CENTERS,
BACKPACKS TO FIGHT WEEKEND
HUNGER AND MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES,
BRINGING FOOD DIRECTLY TO
SCHOOLS. ALREADY THIS YEAR,
THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN 2250
VISITS FROM SPS STUDENTS AND
FAMILIES TO OUR MOBILE FOOD
PANTRY AT NORTH SEATTLE SCHOOLS,
A 68% INCREASE THAN THE WHOLE OF
LAST YEAR. WE NEED TO ADDRESS
FOOD INSECURITY BROADLY FOR
EVERY CHILD THAT WANTS OR NEEDS
A MEAL. THIS IS A LAYERED ISSUE.
WE NEED LAYERED SOLUTIONS,
INCLUDING PUBLIC PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIPS, BUT THEY DO NOT
HAVE TO COME AT THE EXPENSE OF
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL LUNCH NOW.
THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, MARSHA, JEN,
JAIME, IF YOU'RE THERE, PLEASE
PRESS STAR SIX AND YOU MAY
BEGIN.
-- GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR
HOSTING PUBLIC COMMENT THIS
MORNING. MY NAME IS JEN JAIME.
I'M THE FACULTY COORDINATOR AND
PARENT EDUCATOR FOR THE SOUTH
SEATTLE COLLEGE PARENT
COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM.
AND I REALIZED NOT AMENDMENT 6,
BUT WE'RE JUMPING IN HERE THIS
MORNING BECAUSE WE HAVE AN
EMERGENCY ASK OF THE COMMITTEE.
WE SUBMITTED A PACKET OF
INFORMATION VIA EMAIL LAST NIGHT
WITH LOTS OF INFORMATION, BUT
WE'RE HERE TO ASK FOR ONE TIME
EMERGENCY FUNDING FROM THE LEVY
FOR SEATTLE COLLEGE'S PARENT
EDUCATION AND COOPERATIVE
PRESCHOOLS TO COVER THE COSTS OF
OUR PROGRAM FOR WINTER AND
SPRING QUARTERS 2027. IT'S A
LONG AND COMPLICATED SAGA, BUT
DESPITE FRANTIC EFFORTS FROM
JANUARY THROUGH JUNE OF THIS
YEAR, THE STATE BOARD OF
COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES
NO LONGER RECOGNIZES PARENTING
AS A VOCATION. AND AS SUCH, ON
JULY 1st, STOPPED ALLOCATING ANY
MONEY TO OUR COMMUNITY AND
TECHNICAL COLLEGES FOR OUR
PROGRAM. NORTH AND SOUTH DON'T
HAVE EXTRA FUNDS TO COVER THE
COSTS WE'VE FUNDRAISED AND
SCRAPE TOGETHER ENOUGH FOR FALL
QUARTER, BUT WE REALLY NEED SOME
SUPPORT FOR WINTER AND SPRING.
-- AND THANK YOU JEN. YOU CAN
ALSO SEND IN YOUR COMMENTS.
ADDIE, CAN CAN NATI, IF YOU'RE
THERE, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX AND
YOU MAY BEGIN
-- MY NAME IS EDDIE KENNEDY.
I'M A PARENT, EDUCATOR AND
INSTRUCTOR AT NORTH SEATTLE
COLLEGE COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL
PROGRAM. IT'S AN AFFORDABLE,
MULTIGENERATIONAL PROGRAM
THAT'S BEEN QUIETLY WORKING IN
OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.
AS YOU KNOW, THE STATE BOARD OF
COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES
DEFUNDED PARENT EDUCATION AND
OVER 2000 PARENTS AND THEIR
CHILDREN IN SEATTLE WILL LOSE
ACCESS TO THIS PROGRAM. IN
JANUARY OF 2027. HOW THIS
UNFOLDED, AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
TO SAVE THE PROGRAM TO DATE HAS
BEEN SHARED WITH YOU. IN AN
EMAIL. DESPITE THE NEWS MEDIA
AND REPORTING AND WIDESPREAD
COMMUNITY SUPPORT, WE WERE NOT
SUCCESSFUL IN RESTORING FUNDING
THROUGH THE STATE BOARD. OUR
PROGRAM IS IN LINE WITH THE
GOALS OF THE FEPP LEVY AND THE
VALUES EXPRESSED BY THE VOTERS.
WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP IN A
SHORT TERM SOLUTION WHILE WE
PLAN AND ENSURE THIS PROGRAM IS
AVAILABLE TO SEATTLE FAMILIES
FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
-- THANK YOU. EDDIE. SANDY
SHETLER, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX
AND YOU MAY BEGIN
-- GOOD MORNING. HI, THIS IS
SANDY SHETLER, D6 RESIDENT IN
SUPPORT OF AMENDMENT 6. YOU'RE
USED TO HEARING ME TALK ABOUT
TREES, BUT I WAS PREVIOUSLY THE
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR AT SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS. TOPS K-8. MANY
OF OUR STUDENTS FACE FOOD
INSECURITY. OUR COMMUNITY
ORGANIZED FOOD BACKPACKS OVER
WINTER BREAK BECAUSE WE KNEW
SOME STUDENTS WOULDN'T HAVE
ENOUGH TO EAT WHEN SCHOOL WAS
CLOSED. I REMEMBER CHAPERONING A
FOURTH GRADE FIELD TRIP ON A
MONDAY WHEN ONE STUDENT QUIETLY
ASKED IF SHE COULD HAVE ONE OF
THE SNACKS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED
SNACK BREAK. SHE TOLD ME THE
ONLY THING SHE'D EATEN ALL DAY
SUNDAY WAS A POP TART. THE
DISTRICT HELPS DURING SUMMER
BREAK, BUT WEEKENDS AND SHORTER
SCHOOL BREAKS ARE A GAP. SCHOOL
COUNSELORS KNOW WHICH CHILDREN
ARE GOING HUNGRY. PUBLIC DOLLARS
ARE LIMITED. AS JOAQUIN JUST
SAID, WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING,
SO LET'S HELP THE CHILDREN WHO
NEED IT MOST. RATHER THAN
PROVIDING THE SAME BENEFIT TO
FAMILIES WHO CAN ALREADY AFFORD
IT. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU SANDY. WE HAVE
APARNA BARD. IF YOU'RE THERE,
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX AND YOU
MAY BEGIN.
-- HI. GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
APARNA AND I'M THE EARLY
EDUCATION STRATEGY MANAGER AT
VOICE OF TOMORROW. EVERY DAY OUR
TEAM SERVES SOMALI AND EAST
AFRICAN FAMILIES AND HOME BASED
CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ACROSS KING
COUNTY. SO HOME VISITING, EARLY
LITERACY AND PROVIDER SUPPORT.
WE FOCUS ON THE CRITICAL BIRTH
TO FIVE YEARS WHEN 90% OF THE
BRAIN DEVELOPMENT OCCURS. THANK
YOU TO THE COUNCIL FOR
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY,
TRANSPARENCY AND EARLY LEARNING
AND TO CHAIR RIVERA FOR
AMENDMENT 14. WE RESPECTFULLY
ASK YOU TO STRENGTHEN IT BY
REQUIRING OPEN, COMPETITIVE
GRANT PROCESSES BEGINNING IN
2027 FOR HOMELESS CHILD CARE
PROGRAM, FAMILY CHILD CARE
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM AND
DEVELOPMENTAL BRIDGE SCREENING
PROGRAM. THIS SMALL CHANGE WILL
GIVE TRUSTED, CULTURALLY
RESPONSIVE COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS THE OPPORTUNITY TO
COMPETE AND BETTER SERVE SEATTLE
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND
CONSIDERATION.
-- THANK YOU APARNA. WE HAVE
ANITA ADAMS. PLEASE PRESS STAR
SIX AND YOU MAY BEGIN.
ANITA, IF YOU'RE THERE, PLEASE
PRESS STAR SIX AND YOU CAN. OH,
I THINK YOU'RE ON.
-- YES, I'M HERE. WELCOME. GOOD
MORNING, COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME
IS ANITA ADAMS AND I URGE YOU TO
SUPPORT AMENDMENT NUMBER SIX. AS
A RETIRED SOCIAL SERVICE
PROFESSIONAL AND FORMER GARFIELD
HIGH SCHOOL PTSA BOARD MEMBER, I
HAVE SEEN WHAT FIRSTHAND WHAT
ONE SIZE FITS ALL SUPPORT CAN
DO. IT CAN SPREAD LIMITED
RESOURCES TO BROADLY CREATE
WASTE AND FAIL TO CLOSE THE
GAPS. STEP WAS CREATED TO
ADDRESS. I RECENTLY HEARD A
RADIO DISCUSSION ABOUT UNIVERSAL
FOOD ACCESS IN WHICH ONE CHILD
RECEIVING SUPPORT AT A PARK WAS
ACCOMPANIED BY HER NANNY. I DID
NOT QUESTION THIS CHILD'S RIGHT
TO EAT, OF COURSE, BUT COMING
FROM A LARGE FAMILY, I
IMMEDIATELY REMEMBERED MY OWN
HUNGER DURING SCHOOL BREAKS.
WHAT THIS DIFFERENCE. WHAT IS
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EQUALITY
AND EQUITY? WE'VE ALL SEEN THE
IMAGES OF THE FENCE WHERE THE
PERSON IS TRYING TO LOOK OVER.
EQUALITY GIVES EVERYONE THE SAME
SUPPORT. EQUITY EXAMINES WHO IS
CARRYING THE GREATEST BURDEN.
-- THANK YOU. ANITA, PLEASE DO
SEND IN THE REMAINDER OF YOUR
COMMENTS. SORRY WE WERE NOT ABLE
TO FIT IN YOUR FULL TESTIMONY.
SUZANNE CABRERA IF YOU'RE THERE,
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX AND YOU
MAY BEGIN.
-- GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
SUZANNE CABRERA. I AM A
GRANDMOTHER MOTHER THAT LIVES IN
SEATTLE AREA, AND I ASK THAT YOU
VOTE NO TO AMENDMENT SIX. WE'RE
ALL SEEING THE RISING COSTS IN
FOOD. CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING
TODAY. LET'S NOT BLACK BLOCK
THE ACCESS TO FOOD FOR OUR KIDS.
PLEASE VOTE NO. WE ALL KNOW THAT
CHILDREN DO BETTER WHEN NOT
HUNGRY, BOTH BEHAVIORALLY AND
ACADEMICALLY. AGAIN, I ASK THAT
YOU VOTE NO ON THIS AMENDMENT.
ALL CHILDREN DESERVE TO EAT.
-- THANK YOU SUZANNE. CYNTHIA
GREEN IF YOU'RE THERE, PRESS
STAR SIX AND THEN WE'LL COME
BACK IN PERSON. CYNTHIA.
-- CYNTHIA, PLEASE PRESS STAR
SIX TO UNMUTE.
-- CYNTHIA, WE'LL COME BACK TO
YOU. WE'LL GO TO CADE RAY
TIPTON, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO
UNMUTE, AND YOU MAY BEGIN. CADE.
-- GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS CADE TIPTON, AND I'M
A CO-CHAIR AND PARENT AT
POLITO'S COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL
IN ESPANOL AT NORTH SEATTLE
COLLEGE. THE MONOLINGUAL SPANISH
IMMERSION CO-OP. I'M HERE TODAY
TO ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THE
AMENDMENT PUT FORWARD THAT
PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THE PARENT
EDUCATION PROGRAM THROUGH THE
WINTER AND SPRING QUARTERS OF
2027 IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN
KEEPING PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS
OPEN. BRIDGE FUNDING WOULD
PRESERVE EXPERIENCED EDUCATORS
JOBS, PROVIDE STABILITY FOR
COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOLS THAT
FAMILIES RELY ON, AND ENSURE
PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN
CONTINUE RECEIVING EVIDENCE
BASED PARENT EDUCATION DURING
SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT YEARS
OF A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT.
WITHOUT THIS BRIDGE, PROGRAMS
THAT HAVE SERVED SEATTLE
FAMILIES FOR DECADES FACE
UNNECESSARY DISRUPTION EVEN AS
LONG TERM FUNDING SOLUTIONS
CONTINUE TO BE EXPLORED BY THE
STATE. PARENT EDUCATION
STRENGTHENS CHILDREN, SUPPORTS
CAREGIVERS, AND BUILDS CONNECTED
COMMUNITIES. A RELATIVELY SMALL
INVESTMENT TODAY CAN PRESERVE A
MODEL THAT BENEFITS FAMILIES
ACROSS SEVERAL YEARS TO COME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
CONSIDERATION.
-- THANK YOU. CADE. ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL GO BACK IN PERSON AND
THEN I'LL COME BACK TO THE
ONLINE. THE REMAINDER OF THE
ONLINE FOLKS, WE HAVE SUE
WELLER, FOLLOWED BY ZEBA SFD,
FOLLOWED BY MATEO DAHLSTROM SUE
XU WEI, XU, ELLA.
WELCOME. YOU MAY BEGIN
-- GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS SODA ABDI AND I'M A
HEALTH COORDINATOR WITH VOICES
OF TOMORROW. TWO WEEKS AGO, I
SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF AMENDING THE
DEVELOPMENTAL BRIDGE LANGUAGE TO
ALLOW QUALIFIED COMMUNITY BASED
HUBS TO PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE
DELIVERY. TODAY, I WANT TO THANK
THE COUNCIL FOR LISTENING TO THE
CONCERNS RAISED BY FAMILIES,
PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITY
PARTNERS. SINCE MY LAST
TESTIMONY, I WAS ENCOURAGED TO
SEE CHAIR RIVERA INTRODUCE
AMENDMENT 14, AND I'M HAPPY TO
SEE THAT IT TAKES IMPORTANT
STEPS TOWARDS PROMOTING EQUITY
IN THE LANGUAGE. I APPRECIATE
THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO
RECOGNIZE THE VITAL ROLE
COMMUNITY BASED HUBS PLAY IN
CONNECTING FAMILIES TO SERVICES
AND SUPPORT. TRUSTED COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS ARE OFTEN THE
FIRST PLACE FAMILIES TURN
BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE CULTURALLY
RESPONSIVE, TRAUMA INFORMED
SUPPORT. SPEAK THE FAMILIES
LANGUAGES, AND HAVE ESTABLISHED
RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE
COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. I
APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL'S EFFORTS
IN ADVANCING THE CURRENT
AMENDMENTS AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO
MAKE THIS ADJUSTMENT SO THAT ALL
FAMILIES HAVE GREATER ACCESS TO
CARE, AND PROVIDERS CAN EXTEND
THEIR SERVICES AND SUPPORT
PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
-- THANK YOU. SUELA. MCKENZIE
FOLLOWED BY MATEO DAHLSTROM,
FOLLOWED BY KEN NEGRI ZEBA
-- OKAY.
-- GOOD MORNING. CAN YOU HEAR
ME? OKAY.
-- GOOD MORNING.
-- HOW'S EVERYONE? IT'S A LOT
TODAY. THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO
SAY THANK
-- YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP AND FOR THE
THOUGHTFUL WORK THAT HAS GONE
INTO THIS LEVY. I KNOW IT'S NOT
EASY TO TO HAVE COMPETING
PRIORITIES AND JUST GO THROUGH
THIS PROCESS, BUT I COMMEND YOUR
COURAGE BACK HOME. WHEN WE SAY A
CHILD IS GIFTED, IT MEANS THAT
NO ONE GAVE THAT ONE TO THEM.
YEAH, THEY WERE BORN THAT WAY.
THOSE GIFTS BECOME A PART OF
THEIR IDENTITY. THAT'S THE THING
THAT MAKES THEM, THEM AND NOBODY
ELSE. WE'RE ALL BORN
DIFFERENTLY, AND EACH OF US IS
UNIQUE IN OUR OWN WAY. THE SAME
IS TRUE OF OUR COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS. EACH HAS ITS OWN
EXPERTISE AND EACH SHINES
DIFFERENTLY. THE COMMUNITIES
THAT CHOSE THEM RECOGNIZE AND
VALUE THAT EXPERTISE.
RECOGNIZING THIS, I'M ASKING FOR
YOUR SUPPORT IN STRENGTHENING
THE LANGUAGE FOR AMENDMENT 14 BY
ENSURING THE DEVELOPMENTAL
BRIDGE. HOMELESS. HOMELESS,
CHILD CARE AND FAMILY CHILD CARE
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS MOVE TO AN
OPEN, COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT
PROCUREMENT PROCESS BEGINNING IN
2027. WHEN WE CREATE SPACE FOR
THOSE DIFFERENCES TO BE
RECOGNIZED, EVERYONE BENEFITS.
CHILDREN'S AND FAMILIES GAIN
ACCESS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT
REFLECT THEIR LANGUAGES,
CULTURES, AND LIVED EXPERIENCES
AND APPROACHES TO SERVICE. OUR
NONPROFIT NETWORK IS STRONGER
WHEN ORGANIZATIONS ARE ABLE TO
CONTRIBUTE THE UNIQUE.
-- THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH,
MATEO DAHLSTROM, FOLLOWED BY
KEN, FOLLOWED BY CELIA SANCHEZ,
MATEO. HELLO.
-- I'M. I'M AN ELEMENTARY
TEACHER WITH SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS
AMENDMENT COMES FROM A SINCERE
EFFORT TO HELP CHILDREN WHILE
MAKING DIFFICULT BUDGET
DECISIONS. I DON'T DISPUTE THAT.
HOWEVER, I WANT TO SHARE WHAT I
HAVE EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND. I'VE
TAUGHT AT SCHOOLS WITH UNIVERSAL
FREE MEALS, AND I'VE TAUGHT AT
SCHOOLS. WITHOUT THEM, THERE IS
A REAL DIFFERENCE WHEN EVERY
CHILD KNOWS THEY'LL BE FED.
THERE IS LESS STRESS. THERE IS
LESS STIGMA, AND THEY COMPLAIN
LESS. THAT'S WHY I FEEL SUCH
URGENCY. I'M GOING TO ASK THAT
YOU PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THE
AMENDMENT.
-- THANK YOU. MATEO. KEN,
WELCOME.
-- SORRY.
-- GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. MY NAME IS KEN AND I
SERVE AS A FAMILY SUPPORT
SPECIALIST AS VOICES OF
TOMORROW. I'M HERE TODAY ON
BEHALF OF THE PARENTS, CHILDREN,
AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS I WORK
WITH. EVERY DAY. I WALK
ALONGSIDE FAMILIES OF THREE AND
FOUR YEAR OLDS AS THEY PREPARE
TO ENROLL THEIR CHILD IN A ICAP
PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES HIGH
QUALITY EARLY LEARNING,
CHILDCARE AND KINDERGARTEN
READINESS SUPPORT THROUGH OUR
HOME BASED FAMILY CHILDCARE
NETWORK, I OFTEN HAVE THE
PRIVILEGE OF SUPPORTING THE
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN UNTIL THEY
AGE OUT OF OUR PROGRAM I
ENCOURAGE YOU TO ENHANCE
AMENDMENT 14 TO INCLUDE DIRECTLY
AWARDED PROGRAMS SUCH AS
HOMELESSNESS, HOMELESS CHILD
CARE, FAMILY CHILDCARE,
MENTORSHIP AND DEVELOPMENTAL
BRIDGE, A FAIR AND TRANSPARENT
COMPETITIVE PROCESS HELP ENSURE
THAT PUBLIC INVESTMENT SUPPORT
THE HIGHEST QUALITY, CULTURALLY
RESPONSIVE CARE WHILE CREATING
EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
COMMUNITY BASED PROVIDER ALL
AROUND SEATTLE. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME.
-- THANK YOU KEN. CELIA SANCHEZ
WELCOME.
-- GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS SALLY AND I WORK AS A
HEALTH COORDINATOR AT VOICES OF
TOMORROW. FIRST, I WANTED TO
START WITH A THANK YOU TO THE
ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL FOR TAKING
ON THIS LEVY INITIATIVE. MY DAY
TO DAY WORK IS DRIVEN BY DATA
COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF
HEALTH OUTCOMES AND THE REAL
NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES WE SERVE
EVERY DAY I AM ON THE GROUND
TRACKING DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESS,
KEEPING UP WITH HEALTH AND
SAFETY COMPLIANCES, AND
CONNECTING PROVIDERS AND PARENTS
TO THE BEST CARE AVAILABLE.
BECAUSE I WORK SO CLOSELY WITH
THESE SERVICES, I AM TESTIFYING
TODAY TO STRENGTHEN AMENDMENT
14. THANK YOU, CHAIR RIVERA, FOR
SETTING FOR SETTING UP 2 TO 3
YEAR REBIDDING CYCLES. IT IS A
HUGE STEP TOWARDS REAL COMMUNITY
INCLUSION AND INVOLVEMENT, BUT
BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT IS
CURRENTLY WRITTEN, IT ONLY
APPLIES TO INVESTMENTS THAT
ALREADY HAVE COMPETITIVE BIDS,
WHICH LEAVES OUT PROGRAMS THAT
STARTED AS DIRECT AWARDS LIKE
HOMELESS CHILD CARE, FAMILY
CHILD CARE, MENTORSHIP, AND
DEVELOPMENTAL BRIDGE PROGRAM.
STARTING IN 2027. OPENING THESE
PROGRAMS UP TO A FAIR,
COMPETITIVE PROCESS PROVIDES
PROCESS GIVES ALL OF OUR LOCAL
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS A CHANCE
TO SHOW WHAT THEY CAN DO, AND
THE SMALL CHANGE IN LANGUAGE
WOULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR.
-- FUTURE.
-- THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
OKAY, WE'RE GOING BACK ONLINE
WITH CYNTHIA GREEN. IF YOU'RE
THERE, WILL YOU PLEASE PRESS
STAR SIX TO UNMUTE AND YOU MAY
BEGIN. I THINK I HEAR YOU,
CYNTHIA.
-- GOOD MORNING.
-- GOOD MORNING MADAM CHAIR. AND
COUNCIL. I'M GLAD TO BE HERE
THIS MORNING. I WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE YOUR TWO OF MY OPINIONS.
FIRST OF ALL, I AM IN FAVOR OF
ALL KIDS BECAUSE FOOD IS A BASIC
NEED. NUMBER TWO, I'M AGAINST
MEANS TESTING. AND THE REASON
BEING THAT AS A ADVOCATE FOR THE
KINSHIP COMMUNITY AND ALSO A
KINSHIP CAREGIVER, WE HAD TWO
MEAN TESTS IN ORDER TO GET THE
SMALL TANF TO HELP CARE FOR THE
CHILDREN. MANY OF THE FAMILIES
DID NOT TRUST THE SYSTEM, SO
THEY WOULD NOT APPLY FOR THE
TANF. INSTEAD, THEY CHOSE TO GO
WITHOUT SO MY MAIN CONCERN ABOUT
MEANS TESTING IS THAT I CAN SEE
POSSIBLY. ONCE AGAIN, HISTORY
REPEATING ITSELF. THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
-- THANK YOU. CYNTHIA. WE ARE
GOING TO GO TO NORA KENWORTHY.
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE,
AND YOU MAY BEGIN.
-- HELLO, THIS IS NORA
KENWORTHY. I WANT TO THANK THE
COUNCIL FOR TAKING THIS UP AND
ENCOURAGE THEM TO VOTE AGAINST
AMENDMENT SIX. I'M A PCO FROM
THE 46th DISTRICT. I'M A PUBLIC
HEALTH EXPERT AND I'M THE
PARENT OF A CHILD AT MCDONALD
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, WHERE MANY
OF OUR FAMILIES ARE IN NEED OF
FREE MEALS AND NOT CURRENTLY
GETTING THEM DUE TO CONCERNS
ABOUT THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS
OR THE MEANS TESTING RULES. THE
BENEFITS OF UNIVERSAL SCHOOL
MEALS ARE UNEQUIVOCALLY GOOD FOR
OUR COMMUNITIES, FOR ALL
FAMILIES, REGARDLESS OF INCOME
LEVELS. THEY IMPROVE FOOD
SECURITY, NUTRITION, EDUCATIONAL
PERFORMANCE AND TEST SCORES,
REDUCE STIGMA AND EVEN IMPROVE
OBESITY. THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS
OF THESE INVESTMENTS ARE
UNDENIABLE. FOR EVERY DOLLAR
THAT WE SPEND ON UNIVERSAL
SCHOOL MEALS, WE SEE $2 IN
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS,
AND THESE BENEFITS HOLD TRUE FOR
HIGHER INCOME STUDENTS IN FREE
SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS
LOWER INCOME COUNTERPARTS. I
WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT SEE SUCH SHOW,
SUCH RETURNS ON THE DOLLAR
SPENT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT
WE'RE FACING AN EITHER OR
CHOICE HERE, BUT AYE.
-- THANK YOU, NORA. YOU'RE
WELCOME TO SUBMIT THE REMAINDER
OF YOUR COMMENTS ONLINE. WE'RE
GOING TO GO TO SIOBHAN LIN.
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE,
AND YOU MAY BEGIN. SIOBHAN,
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO BEGIN.
THERE YOU ARE.
-- HI THERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MY NAME IS SIOBHAN. I AM A
TAXPAYER. I'M IN WASHINGTON AND
I 100% SUPPORT EXPANDING ACCESS
TO FREE SCHOOL MEALS BECAUSE NO
CHILD SHOULD EVER HAVE TO LEARN
WHILE HUNGRY, NUTRITIOUS MEALS
AND IMPROVE STUDENTS ABILITY TO
FOCUS AND PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL.
AND THEY CAN EASE FINANCIAL
PRESSURES ON FAMILIES. I HAVE
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE BEING THAT
HUNGRY KID IN CLASS, UNABLE TO
FOCUS IN SCHOOL, BECAUSE THE
ONLY THING I COULD REALLY FOCUS
ON WAS HOW EMPTY MY STOMACH WAS.
AND REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCE,
NO CHILD SHOULD EVER FEEL LIKE
THOSE BELLY PAINS. AS THE CITY
MAKES THIS INVESTMENT, I REALLY
ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO
ESTABLISH CLEAR MEASURES OF
SUCCESS BEYOND THE MEASURES OF
MEALS SERVED. I'D ALSO LIKE TO
SEE EQUAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO
LITERACY OUTCOMES. A FOOD HELPS
STUDENTS ARRIVE READY TO LEARN,
BUT READING PROFICIENCY IS ONE
OF THE STRONGEST PREDICTORS OF
LONG TERM ACADEMIC SUCCESS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
-- THANK YOU. SIOBHAN. JENNIFER
GODFREY, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX
TO UNMUTE AND YOU MAY BEGIN
JENNIFER, IF YOU'RE THERE,
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO BEGIN.
JENNIFER WILL COME BACK TO YOU.
WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ADRIANA
GORSKI. PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO
UNMUTE AND BEGIN. ADRIANA, IF
YOU'RE THERE, YOU ARE.
-- GOOD MORNING. SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL I HAVE WORKED FIVE YEARS
AS A CO-OP TEACHER IN POLLITOS
COOPERATIVO PREESCOLAR IN
ESPANOL. I AM ASKING YOU ALL TO
CONSIDER MAKING AN INVESTMENT TO
FUND THE GAP NEEDED FOR CO-OP
PRESCHOOLS TO HAVE PARENT
EDUCATORS. THEY ARE KEY
PROFESSIONALS WHO CONNECT
FAMILIES TO RESOURCES THAT WILL
HELP CHILDREN THRIVE, SUCH AS
DIAGNOSTICS, THERAPIES, EARLY
INTERVENTIONS ARE KEY FOR OUR
STUDENTS TO BE READY FOR
KINDERGARTEN. PARENT EDUCATORS
ARE AKIN TO OUR ELDERS. THEY
HAVE A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE
NEEDED TO HELP OUR CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES THRIVE. I MYSELF HAVE
HAD HAD MY CHILD IN A CO-OP
PRESCHOOL AND HAVE SEEN THE
IMPACT OF PARENT EDUCATORS NOT
ONLY IN HELPING KIDS BE READY
FOR KINDERGARTEN, BUT ALSO
HELPING WITH HELPING PARENTS
FIND RENT ASSISTANCE AND
CONNECTING THEM.
-- THANK YOU ADRIANA. IF YOU
WANT TO EMAIL THE REST OF YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU CAN DO SO.
DAVID HAYNES, PRESS STAR SIX TO
UNMUTE AND YOU MAY BEGIN.
-- JENNIFER GODFREY IS ON AND
UNMUTED NOW.
-- JENNIFER, WELCOME. DAVID WILL
COME BACK TO YOU IN A SEC. GO
AHEAD. JENNIFER.
-- THANK YOU. SORRY. YES, I
SUPPORT THE FREE UNIVERSAL MEALS
AND THE CURRENT VERSION OF
AMENDMENT 6 TO THE FEPP LEVY
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. AND I WOULD
PLEASE INCLUDE UNDOCUMENTED
CHILDREN BY HELPING WITH FOOD
ASSISTANCE DURING WEEKENDS AND
SCHOOL BREAKS. AMENDMENT 6 MOVES
RESOURCES TO STUDENTS WITH THE
GREATEST NEED WHILE PROVIDING
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS FOR FOR
FREE. ALL. ALL KIDS DESERVE TO
EAT LUNCH. I WAS ONE OF THE KIDS
WHO RECEIVED SUBSIDIZED LUNCHES
IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IT WAS
EXTREMELY HARD TO FOCUS IN CLASS
WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING TO EAT
BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL. WHILE
GROWING, I WOULD FILL UP FROM
HALLWAY WATER FOUNTAIN AS MUCH
AS POSSIBLE TO JUST GET MY
STOMACH TO STOP ROLLING, TO GET
THROUGH CLASS UNTIL LUNCH TIME.
SO IT WAS EVEN HARDER GETTING IN
TROUBLE FOR NOT FOCUSING WHEN
THE CAUSE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY
OBVIOUS, AND ONE GOOD MEAL
HELPED PROVIDE FOCUS AND HOPES
BY DIRECTING RESOURCES TO
FAMILIES EXPERIENCING THE
GREATEST NEED WHILE PRESERVING
FEPP LEVY. AMENDMENT 6 SUPPORTS
STUDENTS. SO THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. JENNIFER DAVID
HAYNES, YOUR NEXT. PLEASE PRESS
STAR SIX AND YOU MAY BEGIN.
-- HI. THANK YOU. THIS IS AN
EDUCATION LEVY THAT'S SUPPOSED
TO IMPROVE EDUCATION FOR ALL,
NOT A RACE WAR. CAPITULATING TO
DEVIL'S ADVOCATES, CREATED BY
JENNY DURKIN AND THE BIPOC CITY
COUNCIL, SPONSORS OF AMENDMENT
6. PERVERTING THE INVESTMENTS
BASED ON SOME IGNORANT PAST. WE
NEED MORE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT THE
LEVY THAT REDIRECTS OVER A
QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS TO UP TO
500 AND OVER $500 MILLION AWAY
FROM. WELL, THAT'S
NON-EDUCATIONAL AND WE NEED TO
CALL OUT COMMUNITY PASSAGEWAYS
AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SHOW UP
PLAYING THE RACE CARD WHILE
THEY'RE RUNNING INTERFERENCE
FOR FELONS WHO ARE UNDERMINING
THE YOUTH AND THEN MISCONSTRUING
WHAT CONSTITUTES A YOUTH RUNNING
INTERFERENCE FOR ADULTS AND
ACTING LIKE THEY GOT TO
WEAPONIZE AND BROWBEAT AND BULLY
THE CITY COUNCIL REGULARLY
COMING DOWN TO COUNCIL MEETINGS
AND SHAKING DOWN THE BUDGET AND
UNDERMINING THE EFFORTS OF THE
YOUTH, ACTING LIKE THEY'RE
DOING THEM A FAVOR, RUNNING
INTERFERENCE FOR THEM, KEEPING
FELONS OUT OF JAIL.
-- THANK YOU DAVID. CHRISTINE
CROMER IS NEXT. PLEASE PRESS
STAR SIX AND YOU MAY BEGIN.
KRISTEN, IF YOU'RE THERE,
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE.
-- HI. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
-- YES. WELCOME.
-- OKAY. HI, MY NAME IS KRISTEN
CROMER. I AM A PARENT OF TWO
BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS AND THEY ARE
IN THE EIGHT SOAP, A SPANISH
PRESCHOOL. AND I AM JUST CALLING
TO TELL ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCE AS
WORKING PARENTS WITH OUR
CHILDREN IN THIS PARENT
EDUCATION PROGRAM. THAT'S AT
RISK OF LOSING FUNDING. I AM A
NURSE AT HARBORVIEW MEDICAL
CENTER AND MY HUSBAND IS AN
ENGINEER AT KING COUNTY. THESE
HAVE BEEN THE HARDEST YEARS OF
OUR LIVES FOR SURE THE PARENT
EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS OFFERED US
AMAZING EDUCATION ON HOW TO
HANDLE OUR CHILDREN, HOW TO MAKE
THEM PROSPER. IT HAS ALSO
OFFERED US A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE
THAT HAVE SUPPORTED US THROUGH
THESE DIFFICULT BUT WONDERFUL
YEARS. IT HAS MADE US BETTER
WORKERS AT WORK AND IT HAS MADE
US BETTER PARENTS. AND I JUST
HOPE THAT YOU CAN SEE THE VALUE
IN THAT FOR FAMILIES, BUT ALSO
FOR OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE. I
BELIEVE THAT THIS PROGRAM MAKES
US BETTER COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND
IT WILL MAKE US GROW BETTER
COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN OUR
CHILDREN. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
-- THANK YOU. KRISTEN, DESCRIBE
YOUR NEXT. PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX
AND YOU MAY BEGIN LADY SCRIBE IF
YOU'RE THERE, PLEASE PRESS STAR
SIX TO BEGIN
-- HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME?
-- YES. WELCOME.
-- OKAY.
-- THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS LADY
SCRIBE WITH THE SEATTLE SOUND
MUSIC AWARDS FAMILY FOUNDATION,
AND I'M HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT
OF AMENDMENT 6. SEATTLE VOTERS
APPROVED THIS LEVY WITH A CLEAR
PURPOSE TO INVEST IN OUR
CHILDREN, STRENGTHEN OUR PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, AND SUPPORT THE
COMMUNITIES THAT NEED THESE
RESOURCES MOST. AND I MAKE THIS
A RACE, WAR OR PIT DISTRICTS
AGAINST DISTRICTS. TODAY'S
DISCUSSION SHOULD REMAIN
GROUNDED IN HONORING THE WILL OF
THE PEOPLE WHO CAST THOSE VOTES,
AND THE ORIGINAL INTENT THEY
APPROVED. PLEASE STOP CREATING
MORE DIVISION PEOPLE, I BEG YOU.
IT'S ABOUT KEEPING FAITH WITH
THE PUBLIC AND ENSURING THAT OUR
MOST VULNERABLE CONSTITUENTS IN
ALL OF OUR CHILDREN FACING FOOD
INSECURITY, HOUSING INSTABILITY,
LEARNING BARRIERS, AND FAMILIES
STRUGGLING TO MEET IN RECEIVE
THE SUPPORT THEY WERE PROMISED.
I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT
6 BECAUSE IT PROTECTS THE
INTEGRITY OF THE VOTERS
DECISIONS AND KEEPS THE FOCUS
WHERE IT BELONGS ON OUR STUDENTS
SUCCESS, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
AND THE WELL-BEING OF SEATTLE'S
CHILDREN. WITH ALL THE WEALTH IN
SEATTLE. WHY TAKE ALLOCATED
DOLLARS AWAY FROM THE VERY
PEOPLE IT WAS CREATED FOR?
PLEASE HONOR THE PEOPLE'S VOTE.
OUR SCHOLARS NEED TO BE
SUPPORTED.
-- THANK YOU, LADY SCRIBE.
PLEASE GO AHEAD AND EMAIL ANY
REMAINDER OF YOUR PUBLIC
TESTIMONY. THERE'S A HANDFUL OF
PEOPLE THAT SIGNED UP ONLINE AND
DON'T LOOK TO BE PRESENT. SO
I'M JUST GOING TO SAY THEIR
NAMES. IF YOU INTENDED TO GIVE
PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE. SEND US
YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS. TANYA HINO
YAMILA STERLING BELINDA DUNBAR.
JOSE. JOSE RIVERA, KATHLEEN
CARSON. AND THEN WE HAVE ONE
MORE IN PERSON. AIDEN CARROLL,
YOU CAN STEP UP. YEP. NO
WORRIES. I SEE YOU WERE ONLINE
AND NOW YOU'RE IN PERSON.
TERRIFIC. WELCOME. AND YOU MAY
BEGIN.
-- I AM A PARAPROFESSIONAL
SUBSTITUTE AND CAO SCHOOLS. AND
I'VE WORKED IN PLACES LIKE
MEANY WHERE EVERYBODY GETS FREE
MEAL, WORKING IN PLACES LIKE
GREEN LAKE WHERE THEY DIDN'T
USED TO, AND NOW THEY DO. I'VE
WORKED IN IN ROOSEVELT, WHERE
DESPITE BEING MORE AFFLUENT
SCHOOL, THERE IS STILL A FOOD
PANTRY. THE NORTH END IS MORE
THAN JUST MAGNOLIA AND, AND
QUEEN ANNE. THERE'S A LOT OF
POOR KIDS IN NORTHGATE AND LAKE
CITY AND BROADVIEW, BUT ALSO, IF
IT WAS POSSIBLE TO JUST FUND
MEALS FOR THE KIDS WHO WHO NEED
IT AND, AND NOT LEAVE ANYBODY
OUT, THAT WOULD BE ONE THING.
BUT THERE'S, THERE'S NOT A WAY
TO DO THAT WITH THESE KIND OF
SYSTEMS. IF YOU DON'T INCLUDE
EVERYONE, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO
NEED IT, WHO GET MISSED BECAUSE
OF THE LAYERS OF BARRIERS THIS
SHOULD NOT BE A MATTER OF WEEKS
VERSUS EVERYONE LIKE WE HAVE THE
MONEY FROM FROM THE COPS, FROM
THE CAMERAS. YOU COULD SAVE A
LOT OF MONEY FROM THE UNITED
CARE TEAM BY PUTTING 2 TO 4
SANCTIONED CAMPS IN EVERY
COUNCIL DISTRICT. FOR EXAMPLE.
-- THANK YOU AIDEN. LOOKS LIKE
WE MIGHT HAVE ONE MORE PERSON.
JACOB, COME ON UP. ZALESKI
WELCOME. YOU CAN BEGIN.
-- SORRY, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY
WRITTEN PREPARED. NO WORRIES.
BUT. THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL.
GOOD MORNING AGAIN. AND I'M
SORRY, I'VE BEEN SAYING, VICE
CHAIR RINCK HAS BEEN VICE CHAIR
HOLLINGSWORTH THIS WHOLE TIME.
I'M REALLY SORRY ABOUT THAT
AGAIN.
-- SO YOU'RE.
-- [LAUGHTER]
-- NOT OKAY?
-- TOTALLY.
-- WELL, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE
WHOLE COUNCIL AND THE MANY
AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE COME IN.
COUNCILMEMBER LIN. COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK. COUNCILMEMBERS, SAKA AND
HOLLINGSWORTH TO SUPPORT OUR
FAMILY, CHILD CARE PROVIDERS,
HOME AND CENTER BASED. THE ONE
THING THAT HAS BEEN KIND OF
BEING BROUGHT UP IS THE
COMPETITIVE BIDDING CYCLES, AND
WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF AMENDMENT
14 WITH THE INCLUSION OF. ONE
MORE CAVEAT IN THAT, THAT THE
PROGRAMS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN
DIRECTLY AWARDED HAVE AN OPEN
COMPETITIVE PROCESS IN THIS
COMING YEAR. AND THAT WAY WE ARE
ABLE TO BRING AN INCLUSIVE,
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS
AND AS WELL AS UNIVERSAL CHILD
MEALS. AND WE ARE IN SUPPORT.
THE $1 MILLION WAS TAKEN AWAY
FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD EARLY
LEARNING FUNDS, BUT ANYTHING TO
FEED THE KIDS
-- THANK YOU JACOB. ALL RIGHT.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT
DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT HERE IN CHAMBERS THAT
WOULD LIKE TO GIVE PUBLIC
COMMENT? STILL GOING ONCE, GOING
TWICE. ALL RIGHT. WELL, THEN I
JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO
SHOWED UP TODAY, EITHER IN
PERSON OR ONLINE, TO GIVE PUBLIC
COMMENT ON THIS REALLY IMPORTANT
FAMILIES, EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL,
AND PROMISE LEVY IMPLEMENTATION
AND EVALUATION PLAN. IT IS
REALLY CLEAR THAT WE ALL CARE
ABOUT CHILDREN IN THIS ROOM.
THAT IS UNDENIABLE. WE SHARE
THAT IN COMMON AND I REALLY
APPRECIATE, AND I'M JUST GOING
TO SAY THIS, THAT THE CARE AND
THE RESPECT THAT YOU SHOWED
EVERYONE WHO CAME TO SPEAK AND
EVERYONE ON THIS DAY IS BECAUSE
WE ARE MORE UNITED THAN WE ARE
NOT. AND SOMETIMES WE MAY
DISAGREE ON HOW TO GET THERE,
BUT WE ALL AGREE THAT WE
ABSOLUTELY LOVE ALL OUR KIDS IN
THIS CITY. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF
THEM. AND WE'RE ALL TRYING TO
DO THE BEST FOR THEM AS BEST WE
CAN, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SO
I WANTED TO SAY THAT I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, AND WE
WILL NOW GO ON TO THE NEXT
PORTION OF OUR MEETING. ALL
RIGHT. THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL
REGISTERED SPEAKERS. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED, SO
WE'LL NOW PROCEED TO OUR ITEM
OF BUSINESS. WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE READ ITEM ONE INTO THE
RECORD
-- AGENDA ITEM ONE AN ORDINANCE
RELATING TO THE 2025 FAMILIES,
EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL, AND
PROMISE LEVY APPROVING AN
IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION
PLAN AS REQUIRED BY ORDINANCE
127238 RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS FOR BRIEFING,
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE.
-- THANK YOU CLERK. COLLEAGUES.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE
SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE INE AS
YOU KNOW, FOR 35 YEARS SINCE THE
1990s, THE FEPP LEVY HAS BEEN
BENEFITING KIDS AND DIRECTLY
SUPPORTING THEIR EDUCATIONAL
ACHIEVEMENT. SEATTLE VOTERS HAVE
CONSISTENTLY AND OVERWHELMINGLY
VOTED TO INVEST IN HIGH QUALITY
EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS THAT SET
UP CHILDREN FOR A LIFETIME OF
SUCCESS TO PROVIDE OUR K THROUGH
12 STUDENTS WITH THE ACADEMIC
AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
SUPPORTS, THEY NEED TO THRIVE
AND TO PAVE THE WAY TO A BRIGHT
FUTURE BY PROVIDING UNIVERSAL
ACCESS TO A TWO YEAR COLLEGE
DEGREE OR A PATH TO THE TRADES
WITH THE AMAZING SEATTLE PROMISE
PROGRAM. THIS IMPLEMENTATION AND
EVALUATION PLAN IS REALLY PHASE
TWO OF THE LEVY. PHASE ONE WAS
THE PASSAGE OF THE LEVY, WHICH
INCLUDED TELLING VOTERS WHAT
INVESTMENTS WOULD BE FUNDED IF
PHASE ONE IS THE FRAME OF THE
HOUSE, PHASE TWO IS THE DRYWALL
AND THE PAINT. I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE FORMER DEPUTY MAYOR
TIFFANY WASHINGTON IN THE MAYOR
BRUCE HARRELL ADMINISTRATION,
WHO WORKED WITH ME AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING TO BUILD THAT
FRAME, WHICH I AM GRATEFUL THAT
COUNCIL SUPPORTED ALL OF THE
AMENDMENTS NOW IN THE I AND E
WERE OUTLINED IN THE 2026 LEVY
BY DESIGN. I'M SORRY, ALL OF
THE INVESTMENTS IN THE I AND E
PLAN WERE OUTLINED IN THE 2026
LEVY BY DESIGN, AND THAT IS
BECAUSE SINCE IT IS A LEVY THAT
GOES TO THE VOTERS, WE NEED TO
TELL VOTERS WHAT WE'RE
INVESTING IN WHEN THEY TAKE THAT
VOTE, AND THEN WE HAVE TO
FULFILL OUR COMMITMENT TO THE
VOTERS. WHEN WE PUT TOGETHER AN
IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION
PLAN. TODAY IS THE FINAL AND
VERY IMPORTANT STEP IN THE
PROCESS FOR THIS SELECT
COMMITTEE. AFTER WE HAVE OUR
FINAL VOTE TODAY, I'LL HAVE A
FEW MORE WORDS TO SAY, BUT I
WANT TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED
WITH THE VOTES. I MOVE
COLLEAGUES AT THE SELECT
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS PASSAGE OF
COUNCIL BILL ONE, TWO, ONE, 240.
IS THERE A SECOND.
-- SECOND, SECOND.
-- THANK YOU. IT IS MOVED AND
SECONDED TO RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF
COUNCIL BILL ONE TWO, ONE, 240.
THE COMMITTEE WILL NOW BEGIN
DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED
CHAIR'S PACKAGE AS PRESENTED ON
THE AGENDA WE HAVE OUR COUNCIL,
OUR TRUSTY COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF
HERE, JASMINE AND TRACY, PLEASE
STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD
AND YOU CAN REVIEW THE CHAIR'S
PACKAGE.
-- GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBERS.
-- JASMINE MARWAHA, COUNCIL
CENTRAL STAFF.
-- AND TRACI RATZLIFF COUNCIL
CENTRAL STAFF. I WILL KICK US
OFF UNLESS YOU HAVE A FEW MORE
ENTRY WORDS OR.
-- I DO. TRACY. I DO. MADAM
CHAIR. MY SCRIPT HERE.
-- MADAM CHAIR.
-- OH, SORRY.
-- I CHAIR.
-- OH JUAREZ COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ. SORRY.
-- YES THAT'S OKAY, I APOLOGIZE.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AND I
APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO
BE THERE IN PERSON. I JUST
WANTED TO SHARE AND I LEARNED
FROM THE CLERKS AND FROM YOUR
STAFF THAT I NEEDED TO PUT ON
THE RECORD THAT I AM A
CO-SPONSOR OF ITEM OF A
AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR AND
AMENDMENT NUMBER SIX.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ. SO NOTED. AND WHEN WE
GET THERE, WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT
THAT IS IN THERE AS WELL.
-- THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ OKAY, COLLEAGUES, I JUST
WANT TO SAY A FEW REMARKS ABOUT
THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE BEFORE WE
GO ON TO CENTRAL STAFF. I WANT
TO THE ITEMS CONTAINED THEREIN
WERE INITIALLY PROPOSED AND
DISCUSSED AT OUR SELECT
COMMITTEE ON JULY 8th, AND AS.
AND THERE IS ALSO A TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT THAT'S INCLUDED IN
THE PACKAGE. THE PLAN IS TO VOTE
ON ALL THESE ITEMS AS A CONSENT
PACKAGE. CENTRAL STAFF WILL
PROVIDE US WITH AN OVERVIEW OF
THE ITEMS IN THE CHAIR'S
PACKAGE THAT HAVE BEEN REVISED
SINCE THE JULY 8th MEETING,
AFTER CENTRAL STAFF'S OVERVIEW,
I'LL ASK MEMBERS IF THEY WOULD
LIKE TO REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THE
PACKAGE. THIS. THIS. THIS
REQUEST DOES NOT REQUIRE A
SECOND OR A REASON WHY THE
REQUEST IS BEING MADE. IF AN
ITEM IS REMOVED, IT WILL BE
CONSIDERED AFTER THE VOTE ON THE
CHAIR'S PACKAGE AND IN
NUMERICAL ORDER BEFORE VOTING ON
THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE, MEMBERS
WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
SPEAK TO THEIR AMENDMENTS
INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE. I'LL
MAKE SURE THAT I TURN TO THE THE
FOLKS THAT PUT AMENDMENTS IN MY
COACH, MY COLLEAGUES THAT PUT
AMENDMENTS IN. I WILL SAY
COLLEAGUES, GENERALLY SPEAKING,
THAT THE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE
INCLUDED IN THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE
HAD, BASED ON OUR DISCUSSION AT
THE PRIOR SELECT COMMITTEE AND
SOME CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAD
ONE ON ONE WITH MANY OF YOU, I
WORKED WITH CENTRAL STAFF TO
INCLUDE THESE THINGS IN THE
PACKAGE BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY
ENJOYED BROAD SUPPORT. BUT
AGAIN, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO
REMOVE ONE FROM THE CHAIR'S
PACKAGE, WE. WE CAN DO SO AND
VOTE ON THEM SEPARATELY. OKAY.
AT THIS POINT, I'LL RECOGNIZE
CENTRAL STAFF TO REVIEW THE
CHAIR'S PACKAGE.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. I
THINK I'LL START US OFF. SO
NINE OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT ARE
IN THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE THAT WE
DISCUSSED THAT WERE DISCUSSED AT
THE JULY 8th COMMITTEE MEETING.
THE MAJORITY OF THE CHANGES I
WILL WALK THROUGH HAVE TO DO
WITH CHANGING THE PAGE NUMBERS
TO ALIGN WITH THE SUBSTITUTE
BILL THAT WE NOW HAVE IN FRONT
OF US, WHICH IS NOT WHAT WE HAD
IN FRONT OF US IN JULY. IN JULY,
WHEN WE HAD JUST THE INTRODUCED
VERSION. SO IT IS STRICTLY
CHANGING THOSE PAGE NUMBERS TO
ALIGN WITH THE NEW SUBSTITUTE
BILL. IT ALSO MAY ADD
CO-SPONSORS. SO THERE AND THEN
THERE ARE TWO OF THE AMENDMENTS
THAT ACTUALLY HAVE SOME
SUBSTITUTE CHANGES THAT WERE
DISCUSSED. AND THEN THERE ARE
FIVE NEW AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE
NOT YET BEEN DISCUSSED THAT WE
WILL WALK THROUGH AS WELL. SO
MOVING TO AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE,
VERSION TWO. SO THIS IS THE
AMENDMENT THAT WOULD CALL FOR
THE FORMATION OF AN
INTERDEPARTMENTAL TEAM FOR THE
LEVY COORDINATION AND THE CHANGE
HERE THAT IS MADE IS JUST THAT.
IT MAKES IT CLEAR THAT DEAL
WOULD BE THE LEAD ON THAT. IT.
-- AND AMENDMENT TWO, VERSION
TWO. IS ONLY UPDATED TO REFLECT
THE NEW PAGE NUMBERS, WHERE THE
TABLES AND GRAPHICS COULD BE
FOUND BASED ON THE SUBSTITUTE
VERSION THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE
SELECT COMMITTEE ON JULY 8th. SO
ALL AMENDMENTS INCLUDE UPDATED
PAGE NUMBERS, BUT THIS HAD TO BE
VERSION TWO JUST BECAUSE OF THE
PAGE NUMBERS. AND AS I SCROLL
DOWN AMENDMENT THREE. VERSION
TWO IS UPDATED FOR PAGE NUMBERS
AS WELL AS TO REFLECT ADDITIONAL
CO-SPONSORS. AND HERE WE WILL
NOTE THAT THE FIRST
COUNCILMEMBER LISTED AMONG THE
LIST OF CO-SPONSORS IS THE PRIME
SPONSOR, AND THAT CONTINUES
THROUGHOUT THE. THE OTHER
AMENDMENTS AS WELL
-- AMENDMENT FIVE, VERSION TWO
WOULD UPDATE THE NEW PAGE
NUMBERS AFTER ADOPTION OF THE
SUBSTITUTE. AND THIS IS THE
AMENDMENT THAT HAS TO DO WITH
COLLABORATION BETWEEN DEEL AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.
AMENDMENT SEVEN, VERSION TWO
WOULD UPDATE AND REFLECT THE
ADDITION OF COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER
AS A CO-SPONSOR AS WELL AS
CORRECTING THE PAGE NUMBER
UPDATES. AND THIS IS THE
AMENDMENT THAT HAD TO DO WITH
RESTORATIVE PRACTICE
COORDINATORS IN ELEMENTARY
SCHOOLS. BEING ABLE TO BE PART
TIME
-- AMENDMENT EIGHT, VERSION TWO
WAS UPDATED TO REFLECT THE
CO-SPONSORSHIP AS WELL AS TO
SIMPLIFY THE REPORT BACK
REQUIREMENT AND TO REMOVE THE
LANGUAGE THAT CONDITION FUNDING
UPON THE SCHOOL SAFETY PROGRAMS.
REPORT BACK AMENDMENT NINE WAS
WAS UPDATED TO REFLECT THE
ADDITION OF COUNCILMEMBER SAKA
AS CO-SPONSOR AND ALSO INCLUDES
PAGE NUMBER UPDATES
-- AMENDMENT TEN, VERSION TWO
WOULD BE UPDATED TO REFLECT
ADDITIONAL CO-SPONSORS, AS WELL
AS CORRECTING PAGE NUMBERS.
-- AMENDMENT 11 IS SIMILARLY
JUST FOR PAGE NUMBERS.
-- MOVING ON TO THE NEW
AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE NOT YET
BEEN DISCUSSED. AMENDMENT 12,
VERSION ONE. THIS IS A NEW
AMENDMENT THAT'S SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA THAT WOULD
ADD THE RED BARN RANCH AS A
POTENTIAL LOCATION FOR THE
SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION'S
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING PROGRAMS.
AMENDMENT 13 ALSO A NEW
AMENDMENT VERSION ONE SPONSORED
BY COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA WOULD
CLARIFY THAT THE PATH TO TRADES
NON COLLEGES PROGRAM IS INTENDED
TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOL
STUDENTS IN SEATTLE ENTERING
TRADES TRAINING PROGRAMS AND.
THIS CHANGE IS BEING DONE TO BE
CONSISTENT WITH THE SEATTLE
PROMISE PATH TO TRADES PROGRAM
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. MOVING
ON TO AMENDMENT 14, THIS NEW
AMENDMENT, SPONSORED BY CHAIR
RIVERA, WOULD STATE THAT THE ALL
INVESTMENTS AWARDED BY
COMPETITIVE PROCESS WILL BE
REBID IN A 2 TO 3 YEAR CYCLE.
-- AMENDMENT 15 IS A NEW
AMENDMENT SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER THAT WOULD
MODIFY THE ELIGIBILITY FOR
SEATTLE FIRE AND POLICE
DEPARTMENT CAREER PROGRAMS BY
GIVING ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION
TO STUDENTS WITH HOUSEHOLD
INCOMES AT OR BELOW 80% OF AREA
MEDIAN INCOME. IN ADDITION, A
DIRECT SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
TO RECRUIT DIVERSE GROUPS OF
STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FOR
OUTREACH EVENTS FOR THE SPD,
CAREER PROGRAMS AND FINALLY,
AMENDMENT 16 IS A NEW AMENDMENT
SPONSORED BY CHAIR RIVERA THAT
WOULD MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS
TO THE PLAN FOR CLARITY AND
CONSISTENCY I BELIEVE THAT THAT
CONCLUDES THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE
PRESENTATION.
-- GREAT. THANK YOU. CENTRAL
STAFF TRACY AND JASMINE FOR
REVIEWING THAT. LET ME GET TO MY
SCRIPT HERE. ALL RIGHT,
COLLEAGUES, ARE THERE ANY ITEMS
THAT COUNCILMEMBER WOULD LIKE TO
REMOVE FROM THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE
BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE
-- CHAIR, CAN WE REMOVE 13 AND
14?
-- WE CAN MOVE 13 AND 14.
REMEMBER WHAT THOSE ARE. ALL
RIGHT. ANY OTHERS? ALL RIGHT.
OH, COUNCILMEMBER SAKA, YOU ARE
RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR
QUESTION FIRST, CAN WE TALK A
LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE
ITERATIVE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE
TO PROPOSE AMENDMENT NUMBER
EIGHT? I HAVE PREVIOUSLY
EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE
PROVISO OR EFFECTIVE PROVISO OR
QUASI PROVISO IN THAT PROVISION
THAT WOULD THAT WENT BEYOND THE
MERE REPORTING OBLIGATION, WHICH
I KNOW SOME OF IT FROM FROM OUR
SEATTLE TRANSIT MEASURE
CONVERSATIONS YESTERDAY. I KNOW
SOME SOME OF US DON'T LIKE. AND
WENT INTO A THRESHOLD OF
REQUIRING EXPRESS AN EXPLICIT
COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION AFTER ANY
REPORT IS DELIVERED. CAN YOU
TALK MORE ABOUT THOSE THOSE
ITERATIVE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE
TO THAT SPECIFIC AMENDMENT?
-- SURE. SO THE THE PREVIOUS
AMENDMENT HAD HAD SAID THAT THE
ADDITIONAL SCHOOL SAFETY
PROGRAMS, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES,
OPPORTUNITY BASED MENTORING, AND
THE HSD SCHOOL SAFETY BUCKET
WOULD WOULD HAVE THEIR FUNDING
CONDITIONED UPON A REPORT BACK
AFTER SCHOOL YEAR 2627 AND
BEFORE CONTRACT RENEWALS. THIS
REMOVES THAT SORT OF EFFECTIVE
QUASI PROVISO. AS YOU MENTIONED,
SO THAT IT IS SIMPLY REQUIRING A
REPORT BACK TO THE CITY IN 2027.
PRIOR TO COMPETITIVE FUNDING
PROCESSES OR CONTRACT RENEWALS.
BUT IT IS NOT CONDITION FUNDING.
UPON THAT REPORT, BACK.
-- THANK YOU FOR THE CLARITY. NO
MORE FURTHER QUESTIONS.
COMMENTS. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA. ANYONE ELSE? COLLEAGUES.
ALL RIGHT. THEN WE'RE GOING TO
GO TO A VOTE ON THE CHAIR'S
PACKAGE. ONE SECOND WHILE I FIND
MY PLACE ON MY SCRIPT. I'M
SORRY. ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMEMBER
RIVERA COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER,
YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
-- I APOLOGIZE. I DON'T HAVE
ANYTHING TO PULL. I JUST WANTED
TO SPEAK TO ONE OF MY
AMENDMENTS. SINCE IT WAS NEW,
SINCE THE LAST TIME WE.
-- WERE HERE. I KNOW THAT SAID
WE WOULD DO THAT. YEAH. THANK
YOU FOR THE REMINDER.
-- APOLOGIES IF ANYONE. I'M NOT
GOING TO CALL ON YOU
INDIVIDUALLY, BUT IF YOU WOULD
LIKE TO SPEAK TO AN AMENDMENT
THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE
CHAIR'S PACKAGE, YOU MAY AND
WE'LL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER.
-- THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIR
RIVERA. AND THANK YOU,
COLLEAGUES. I JUST WANTED TO
HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU AMENDMENT 15,
AND I APPRECIATE CENTRAL STAFF
FOR THIS. THIS IS A CHANGE THAT
PRIORITIZES STUDENTS WITH AREA
MEDIAN INCOME OF 80% AND BELOW.
SO THEY HAVE ADDITIONAL
CONSIDERATION IN SELECTION WHEN
IT COMES TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE
CAREER ELIGIBILITY PROGRAMS.
FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, THIS WAS
AN IMPORTANT ADD TO MAKE SURE,
AGAIN, THAT WE ARE PRIORITIZING
RECRUITMENT OF LOWER INCOME
STUDENTS WHEN IT COMES TO THESE
PUBLIC SERVICE CAREERS THAT TEND
TO BE HIGH QUALITY, GOOD PAYING
JOBS. SO COLLEAGUES JUST WANTED
TO HIGHLIGHT THIS BECAUSE THIS
WAS A NEW AMENDMENT. AND THANK
YOU, CHAIR, FOR INCLUDING THIS
IN THE PACKAGE. AND I ASK FOR
YOUR SUPPORT.
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER COLLEAGUES. ANYONE ELSE
WANT TO SPEAK TO ANY OF THE
AMENDMENT THAT MIGHT APPEAR IN
THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE?
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK YOU'RE
RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU. CHAIR RIVERA. I
SIMPLY WANTED TO VOICE MY
APPRECIATION TO YOU FOR
INCLUDING MY AMENDMENTS IN THE
CHAIR'S PACKAGE. GREATLY
APPRECIATE THE COLLABORATION
WITH YOUR OFFICE AND WANTED TO
JUST EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR
THAT.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK. ANYONE ELSE? COLLEAGUES.
OKAY THEN. AMENDMENTS 13 AND 14
HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND WILL BE
ADDRESSED SEPARATELY. I MOVE TO
ADOPT THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE
EXCLUDING AMENDMENTS 13 AND 14.
IS THERE A SECOND.
-- SECOND, SECOND.
-- THANK YOU. IT IS MOVED AND
SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CHAIR'S
PACKAGE, EXCLUDING AMENDMENTS 13
AND 14. SINCE WE HAVE ALREADY
HAD COUNCILMEMBERS BRIEFLY SPEAK
TO THEIR AMENDMENTS CONTAINED IN
THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE, I WILL ASK
THE CLERK NOW TO CALL THE ROLL
ON THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE,
EXCLUDING AMENDMENTS 13 AND 14.
-- COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ. I
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER LIN AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
-- YES.
-- COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER.
-- YES.
-- VICE CHAIR. HOLLINGSWORTH.
-- YES.
-- CHAIR RIVERA. AYE. CHAIR.
THERE ARE NINE IN FAVOR. ZERO
OPPOSED.
-- THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE
EXCLUDING EXCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
13 AND 14 ARE ADOPTED AND WILL
BE INCORPORATED IN THE BILL. WE
WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE VOTES ON
AMENDMENTS THAT WERE REMOVED
FROM THE CHAIR'S PACKAGE, AND
THE ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL
AMENDMENTS THAT WERE NOT
INCLUDED IN THE CHAIR'S
PACKAGE. ALL RIGHT. COUNCIL.
OKAY, SO AMENDMENT 13 WAS MINE,
SO I MOVE TO AMEND THE BILL AS
PRESENTED IN AMENDMENT 13. IS
THERE A SECOND?
-- SECOND.
-- THANK YOU. IT IS MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMEND THE BILL AS
PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT 13,
CENTRAL STAFF HAS PROVIDED AN
OVERVIEW ALREADY, SO I WILL GO
AHEAD AND ADDRESS THE AMENDMENT
BASICALLY, THIS IS A TECHNICAL.
I CONSIDER THIS A TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT BECAUSE BOTH THE PRIOR
ADMINISTRATION, MAYORAL
ADMINISTRATION. THIS CURRENT
MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION AND THE
DEPARTMENT AND AYE. WHEN WE
ADDED THE THIRD ARM, WHICH I
WILL TALK ABOUT LATER IN MY
REMARKS TO THE PROMISE PROGRAM,
IT WAS TO INCLUDE ANOTHER PATH
FOR THE PROMISE STUDENTS TO DO A
TRADES PROGRAM THAT WOULD NOT BE
AT THE COLLEGES, BUT THAT WOULD
GIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN
APPRENTICESHIP AT A WASHINGTON
STATE ACCREDITED EDUCATION. WHEN
THIS GOT PUT INTO THE INE,
SOMEHOW THIS DID NOT MEET THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNDERLYING
LEVY AND THE INTENT. AND SO IT
WAS ALWAYS TO MATCH THE SEATTLE
PROMISE PROGRAM'S PATH TO
TRADES. BUT JUST AT A STATE
ACCREDITED SCHOOL OR
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, RATHER
THAN AT THE COLLEGES. SO THAT IN
ESSENCE, WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY
IS THE INTENT OF THIS WAS ALWAYS
TO HAVE WE HAVE THE PROMISE
PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS IN
SEATTLE, FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND
CHARTER SCHOOLS IN SEATTLE. THEY
COULD EITHER GO TO THE SEATTLE
PROMISE, A TWO YEAR A A TWO YEAR
ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE, OR THEY
COULD DO THE SEATTLE'S PATH TO
TRADES FOR A CERTIFICATE OR. NOW
THIS IS A THIRD OPPORTUNITY,
WHICH IS THEY COULD GO STRAIGHT
TO THE ACCREDITED TRADES PROGRAM
AT A STATE ACCREDITED
INSTITUTION. AND SO THIS LEVEL
SETS WHAT WE ALWAYS INTENDED AND
TALKED ABOUT, WHICH IS TO MATCH
IT TO THE PATH TO TRADES.
SEATTLE PROMISE PROGRAM. SO THIS
IS A CLEANUP, AND I'M HAPPY TO
TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. GO AHEAD.
COUNCILMEMBER LIN.
-- THANK YOU, CHAIR JUST THAT
WAS HELPFUL. COULD YOU CLARIFY
THE DELETION OF THE UP TO AGE 20
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THAT?
-- THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS
PICKED UP BY, I THINK THIS WAS
TRANSFERRED OVER FROM SOME
LANGUAGE. HSD HAD. AND SO I
DON'T KNOW WAS INCLUDED THERE.
BUT WHEN I SPOKE TO THE I MEAN,
AGAIN, I SPOKE TO THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE. I REGRET NOT HAVING
CAUGHT THIS SOONER WHEN I RAN
THROUGH THE INE BUT WHEN I
TALKED TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND
THE DEPARTMENT, YOU KNOW, WE ALL
AGREED THAT THE LANGUAGE SHOULD
REFLECT WHAT WE ALREADY DO FOR
THE PROMISE PROGRAMS AT THE
COLLEGES. IT WAS JUST ANOTHER
OPPORTUNITY, WHICH WAS REALLY
SOMETHING I PUT IN. THAT'S WHY I
KNOW ABOUT IT. THE MOST PART. AN
ONCOLOGIST WAS MY BIG BABY,
WHICH WE'LL TALK ABOUT LATER.
I'LL TALK ABOUT MORE LATER, BUT
THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTIONS. I
KNOW IT SEEMS ODD. IT WAS ODD TO
ME TOO WHEN I READ IT INTO
CENTRAL STAFF, BUT WE CLEANED IT
UP AND THAT'S WHAT THAT'S
ABOUT. BUT I'M GLAD YOU YOU
ASKED. SO GAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR ME TO SAY WHAT THIS WAS TO
BEGIN WITH.
-- THANK YOU.
-- CHAIR.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER LIN.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COLLEAGUES.
COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE.
-- CHAIR THANK YOU.
-- I JUST WANTED YOU KNOW, WE'VE
HAD LOTS OF DISCUSSIONS
REGARDING THE TRADES AND
ENSURING THAT THOSE OPTIONS ARE
AVAILABLE AND ROBUST ACROSS THE
BOARD. AND WE HAD DISCUSSIONS
ABOUT WHAT TO INCLUDE. AND YOU
RIGHTLY KEPT IT TIGHT HERE IN
THE WRITING. SO THANK YOU FOR
THAT. AND IF POSSIBLE, I'D LIKE
TO BE A CO-SPONSOR.
-- OF COURSE, COUNCILMEMBER
KETTLE, YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN
REALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE TRADES
AS BOTH OUR PARENTS, BOTH OUR
DADS WERE IN THE TRADES. AND SO
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW IS
AS DEAR TO YOUR HEART AS IT IS
MINE. SO THANK YOU FOR THE
CO-SPONSORSHIP ALL RIGHT,
COLLEAGUES, THEN LET'S GO TO A
VOTE ON THIS AMENDMENT ALL
RIGHT. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL ON ADOPTION OF
AMENDMENT 13?
-- COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
-- AYE.
-- COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE. AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER LIN.
-- YES.
-- COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
-- YES.
-- COUNCILMEMBER SAKA I
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER.
-- YES.
-- VICE CHAIR HOLLINGSWORTH.
YES. CHAIR RIVERA. AYE. CHAIR.
THERE ARE NINE IN FAVOR AND ZERO
OPPOSED.
-- THANK YOU. AND I ALSO SHOULD
HAVE SAID, COLLEAGUES, OUR LABOR
PARTNERS, I, I, I DIDN'T LIST
THEM AS A COLLABORATOR WHEN I
WAS PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. AND I
SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT. SO I
WANTED TO MAKE SURE I SAID THAT
NOW. OKAY, THE MOTION CARRIES AN
AMENDMENT 13 IS ADOPTED. SO LET
US GO. NOW, THE SECOND ONE,
AMENDMENT NUMBER 14, IS MY
AMENDMENT AS WELL. CENTRAL STAFF
SPOKE TO IT. SO I GUESS NOW I
WILL SPEAK TO IT AS WELL.
-- SO.
-- YOU.
-- NEED TO MOVE. YOU NEED.
-- TO MOVE. OH I NEED TO MOVE
IT. THANK YOU. CLERK ALL RIGHT.
I MOVE TO AMEND THE BILL AS
PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT 14.
-- SECOND.
-- THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN MOVED
AND SECONDED TO ADDRESS
AMENDMENT 14. I WILL GO AHEAD
AND SPEAK TO IT. COLLEAGUES.
BASICALLY, I HEARD I HEARD
FEEDBACK FROM FOLKS ABOUT THIS
COMPETITIVE PROCESSES. SO IN THE
LEVY ITSELF, IT TALKS ABOUT THE
FACT THAT WE NEED TO DO THINGS
VIA COMPETITIVE PROCESS
PROCESSES. AND I THINK WHEN THE
I WAS PUT TOGETHER, OUR FRIENDS
AT DEEL DIDN'T CALL OUT THAT
THE THE CYCLES OF WHICH THEY
WOULD DO RFP PROCESSES, BECAUSE
I THINK IN THEIR MINDS, THEY
ALREADY DO THAT. AND SO THEY
DIDN'T. IT WAS JUST A
INADVERTENT INADVERTENTLY, THEY
DIDN'T CALL IT OUT. SO I WANT
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE
ADDRESSING SOME CONCERNS FROM
EXTERNAL FOLKS. I WANTED TO MAKE
SURE THAT IT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT
THEY ARE GOING TO BE DOING RFP
PROCESSES EVERY 2 TO 3 YEARS, AS
IS THE STANDARD PRACTICE FOR RFP
PROCESSES, NOT JUST ACROSS THE
CITY BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY,
REALLY. SO THIS WAS JUST A
CLARIFICATION TO CLARIFY THAT
THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE DOING
COMPETITIVE PROCESSES ON THIS 2
TO 3 YEAR CYCLE AND A 2 TO 3,
BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS FIRST YEAR
AS A TRANSITION YEAR, AND
THAT'S WHY IT SHOWS UP AS A 2
TO 3, DEPENDING ON WHEN THEY
ACTUALLY DO THE RFP PROCESS, IF
THAT MAKES SENSE. HAPPY TO TAKE
ANY QUESTIONS. COUNCILMEMBER LIN
-- THANK YOU, CHAIR. JUST WANT
TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND
BECAUSE I HEARD SOME PUBLIC
COMMENT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, CERTAIN
THINGS WERE ALREADY ON THIS 2 TO
3 YEAR CYCLE, BUT MAYBE OTHERS
WEREN'T. COULD YOU JUST KIND OF
CLARIFY THE INTENT THERE AND OR
ANY FEEDBACK YOU MIGHT HAVE
HEARD FROM DEAL OR.
-- YEAH. HAPPY TO COUNCILMEMBER
LIN. MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW
EVERYTHING THE CITY DOES REALLY
HAS TO BE BY COMPETITIVE
PROCESSES. THERE IS A SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE ALLOWANCE FOR A
DIRECT CONTRACT, A CONTRACT AND
IT'S VERY CLEARLY DELINEATED IN
THE SMC. IT HAS TO MEET THE SMC
REQUIREMENT TO BE A DIRECT
CONTRACT. AND USUALLY IT'S FOR
SOMETHING THAT ONLY THAT
ORGANIZATION CAN PROVIDE, AND
OTHERWISE IT HAS TO BE
COMPETITIVE PROCESS. SO WHAT
I'M TRYING TO SAY IS IN THE
SMC, THERE'S SOME ALLOWANCES IS
VERY CLEARLY DELINEATED. WHAT
THEY ARE. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY
THAT DEPARTMENTS CAN DO
NONCOMPETITIVE PROCESSES.
OTHERWISE THEY HAVE TO DO
EVERYTHING VIA COMPETITIVE
PROCESSES. AND THEN I THINK
IT'S IMPORTANT, AND I SHOULD
MENTION FOR THIS PARTICULAR
LEVY, FOR THE LAST LEVY, SOME OF
THE INVESTMENTS WERE DONE. THERE
WAS ONE COMPETITIVE PROCESS AT
THE BEGINNING. AND AND THEN MOST
ORGANIZATIONS WERE AWARDED FOR
THE LIFE OF THE LEVY. AND WE
WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
WEREN'T DOING THAT THIS TIME TO
ALLOW OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER
FOLKS THAT WANTED TO APPLY, YOU
KNOW, FOR A FUTURE RFP IF THEY
DIDN'T WEREN'T SUCCESSFUL IN
THE FIRST RFP OR IF THEY
WEREN'T AROUND DURING THE FIRST
RFP. AND THERE WERE SOME NEW
ORGANIZATION PROVIDING SOME
GREAT TUTORING, FOR INSTANCE,
OR, I DON'T KNOW, SOMETHING
THAT THIS LEVY SUPPORTS THAT
THEY WOULD HAVE OPPORTUNITY
THERE TO BE AT THE MIDYEAR OF
THE SIX YEAR LEVY, AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR GROUPS TO
REAPPLY. AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN
IF THE GROUPS THAT WERE ALREADY
GETTING FUNDED IN THE FIRST RFP
COULD BE APPLIED FOR THE SECOND
RFP, BUT IT REALLY JUST GIVES
OPPORTUNITY TO OTHER GROUPS THAT
WOULD WANT TO APPLY AT THE MID
YEAR. AND IN THE LAST LEVY, THAT
WAS NOT ALLOWABLE, WHICH IS WHY
I UNDERSTAND WHEN SOME GROUPS
CAME TO CHAMBERS TO TALK ABOUT
THE RFP PROCESSES AND THE
CONCERNS ABOUT THE RFP
PROCESSES. SO I WANTED TO MAKE
IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE
DEPARTMENT WILL DO AN RFP
PROCESS AT THE MID YEAR AS WELL,
TO GIVE FOLKS OPPORTUNITY TO
APPLY AND I HOPE I, I, I
ANSWERED THAT I ARTICULATED THAT
WELL ENOUGH FOR YOU TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT I MEANT.
COUNCILMEMBER LIN.
-- YEAH, THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND
JUST BRIEFLY, I MEAN, I THINK IT
MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO, YOU
KNOW, THAT WE HAVE THESE RFP
PROCESSES AND THAT IT IS A LONG
LEVY. AND SO SORT OF A MID LEVY
CYCLE, IT SOUNDS LIKE I MEAN, I
THINK THERE'S, YOU KNOW, A LOT,
A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES INTO
BIDDING FOR AN RFP. AND I ALSO
THINK THAT ORGANIZATIONS NEED TO
DO LONG RANGE PLANNING. SO I
THINK THERE'S ALWAYS A BALANCE
BETWEEN SORT OF THAT NEED FOR
LONG RANGE PLANNING. I THINK
THERE'S ALSO JUST A DIFFICULTY
OF SORT OF THE TIMING OF THOSE
RFPS AND HOW THEY LINE UP WITH
LIKE SCHOOL YEAR CYCLES AND OR.
SO. I WOULD HOPE THAT AS THIS IS
IMPLEMENTED, THAT DEAL WORKS
WITH OUR CBOS TO MAKE SURE THAT
THEY GIVE ENOUGH TIME AS PART OF
THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD IF
THEY ISSUE THE RFP OR THE AWARD,
AND THEN PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO
PIVOT IMMEDIATELY. THAT CREATES
A LOT OF TURMOIL. SO I HOPE AS
THIS IS IMPLEMENTED, THAT THAT
THEY ALLOW FOR ENOUGH SORT OF
LEAD TIME FOR PEOPLE TO PIVOT.
-- AGREED. COUNCILMEMBER LIN,
WHICH IS WHY I WAS IT WAS
IMPORTANT TO ME TO INCLUDE IT IN
THE INE. SO IT WAS VERY CLEAR ON
THE ONSET, BEFORE EVEN ALL OF
THIS GETS IMPLEMENTED, IT WAS
CLEAR TO THE EXTERNAL COMMUNITY
GROUPS WHAT THE INTENT IS IN
TERMS OF THE RFP PROCESSES. AND
SO THAT THEY KNOW. AND SO EVEN
THOUGH THE DEPARTMENT THAT WAS
GOING TO BE THEIR INTENT ANYWAY,
IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT THAT
LANGUAGE, THIS PARTICULAR
LANGUAGE, IS INCLUDED IN THE I N
E TO GIVE EVERYONE THAT
TRANSPARENCY, THAT LEVEL OF
TRANSPARENCY TO, TO ADDRESS THE
VERY THING YOU'RE RAISING. SO I
APPRECIATE THAT.
-- THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.
COLLEAGUES, ARE THERE ANY
COUNCILMEMBER? FOSTER
-- THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIR. I
JUST WANTED TO ASK A QUICK
QUESTION ABOUT THIS. IT SAYS AS
I'M LOOKING AT IT, PLAN
COMPETITIVE PROCESSES ARE
OUTLINED IN TABLE THREE. AND SO
I, I READ THIS TO MEAN THAT FOR
THOSE PROCESSES THAT ARE ALREADY
GOING TO DO A COMPETITIVE
PROCESS, THAT THEY CAN HAPPEN NO
MORE FREQUENTLY THAN 2 TO 3 YEAR
CYCLES. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE
MAYBE TRACY OR JASMINE CAN MAKE
SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS
CORRECTLY. IS IT IS IT ENSURING
BASICALLY THAT WE HAVE A
MINIMUM, OR IS IT LIKE YOU HAVE
TO AT THAT PERIOD?
-- I SO YOU ARE CORRECT. THERE
IS A TABLE THAT TALKS ABOUT WHEN
WILL THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS BE
RFP. THIS LANGUAGE IS SAYING
THERE'S AN INTENT THAT IT WOULD
HAPPEN ON EVERY 2 TO 3 YEAR
PERIOD. IT WILL REQUIRE. IF IT
IS CONTRADICTORY TO WHAT IS IN
THE TABLE AS RFP, THEY WILL HAVE
TO COME BACK TO US EITHER
THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS OR
THROUGH A SEPARATE ORDINANCE TO
AUTHORIZE THAT RFP PROCESS. BUT
I THINK THE INTENT IS THAT THAT,
GENERALLY SPEAKING, FOR THOSE
INVESTMENTS THAT ARE LISTED,
THAT ARE FUNDED BY THE. THEY
WOULD TRY TO DO IT ON A 2 TO 3
YEAR PERIOD, BUT THEY'RE CLEARLY
GOING TO HAVE TO COME BACK TO US
FOR THE ONES WHERE WE ACTUALLY
HAVE LISTED WHAT THE RFP DATES
ARE, BECAUSE YOU ARE CORRECT,
THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE LISTED
THERE AND FRANKLY, SOME THAT ARE
LISTED IN 28 AND 29 THAT YOU'RE
NOT GOING TO SEE A PROBABLY
ANOTHER RFP BECAUSE IT'S SO
LATE IN THE IN THE LEVY FUNDING.
PROCESS.
-- YEAH. COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER.
AND THAT THANK YOU. TRACY. THIS
IS WHY IT'S LEFT ON THIS 2 TO 3
YEAR TERM CYCLE. I WILL ALSO
SAY, AND WE HAVEN'T TALKED
ABOUT THIS PART, THAT THE
DEPARTMENTS DO YEARLY CONTRACTS,
EVEN WHEN THEY AWARD FOR A TWO
YEAR AWARD OR A THREE YEAR
AWARD, THEY STILL HAVE TO DO
LEGALLY CONTRACTS ANNUALLY. AND
AT THAT POINT, THEY CAN RESET
THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACTS IN
TERMS OF OUTCOMES, WHETHER OR
NOT THEY MET THOSE OUTCOMES OR
THINGS NEED. IF THEY NEED TO
REQUIRE SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN
ORDER TO HELP MEET THE OUTCOMES.
SO, YOU KNOW.
-- THANK YOU FOR THAT, CHAIR.
AND I AND I, EXCUSE ME, I, THIS
IS IMPORTANT TO ME AND I
APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE TO YOU
AS WELL. AND I'LL JUST SAY FOR
ME, BECAUSE I WORKED IN
PHILANTHROPY PRIOR AND WE ALWAYS
MADE AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE WHEN
WE COULD BECAUSE WE COULDN'T
ALWAYS JUST THE SAME WAY THE
CITY CAN'T ALWAYS. THESE LONGER
TERM GRANTS TO GIVE THAT
STABILITY TO ORGANIZATIONS AND
THEN BALANCE THAT WITH THE NEED
TO BE ABLE TO MAKE CHANGES IF WE
NEED TO, BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO
GET TO A PARTICULAR OUTCOME. SO
I, I UNDERSTAND THIS AMENDMENT
TO BE SAYING YOU CAN'T LIKE, YOU
KNOW, NO MORE THAN 2 TO 3 OR,
EXCUSE ME, NO FEWER THAN 2 TO 3
YEARS. SO I WILL BE SUPPORTING
IT TODAY. AND THEN CHAIR, I'LL
JUST FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AFTER TO
DISCUSS THE NUANCE HERE. AND I
APPRECIATE YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
LIN, FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS FOR
OUR ATTENTION.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.
FOSTER COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS,
YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU. QUESTION FOR
CENTRAL STAFF. SORRY IF I'M A
LITTLE DENSE AND THIS HAS BEEN
ASKED AND ANSWERED A NUMBER OF
TIMES, WHAT HAS BEEN AND WHAT IS
OUR CURRENT PRACTICE FOR RFPS?
-- I THINK IT DOES. YEAH.
-- SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT
IT VARIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY
DEPENDING ON THE DEPARTMENT. I,
BILL LEVY, FOR THIS LEVY. IN THE
PAST PRACTICE IN 2018. MY
UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE HAD
DEPEND ON THE INVESTMENT FOR
SCHOOL BASED INVESTMENTS. THERE
WAS ONE RFP PROCESS THAT LASTED
FOR THE LIFE OF THE LEVY.
-- OKAY.
-- AND SO THIS IS A MORE
FREQUENT RFP PROCESS.
-- YES.
-- THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS. AND I WILL SAY THE
REASON FOR THAT, AS WELL AS THE
LAST LEVY, WAS SEVEN YEARS. AND
WHEN YOU AWARD ONE ORGANIZATION
FOR SEVEN YEARS, I UNDERSTAND
THE STABILITY PIECE. BUT THEN
ALSO IT DIDN'T GIVE OPPORTUNITY.
AND I THINK YOU HEARD THAT IN
CHAMBERS FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
TO BE ABLE TO AND PROVIDERS TO
BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A FUTURE
OPPORTUNITY. SO THEN IT WAS JUST
THAT'S ALL. AND NOW WITH A
TRANSITION YEAR, THAT MEANS ALL
OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND
PROVIDERS GOT EIGHT YEARS WORTH
OF, OF, OF LEVY FUNDING. AND IT
DIDN'T GIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND
PROVIDERS WHO WANTED TO APPLY.
MAYBE THEY WEREN'T EVEN READY
AT THIS GO ROUND, BUT WITH A
FUTURE RFP, THEY COULD BE. AND
HERE'S THE THING. AND THE
REALITY IS THAT PARTICULARLY IN
THE K THROUGH 12 SPACE, WE
DIDN'T GET THE OUTCOMES THAT WE
WANTED TO SEE WITH THE 2018
LEVY. THAT'S JUST A FACT. AND
SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY. LIKE I SAID
EARLIER, IF THERE IS AN OFFERING
THAT WASN'T AVAILABLE NOW, WHEN
THEY DO THE, YOU KNOW, THE NEXT
YEAR'S RFP, BUT THERE WOULD BE
AVAILABLE AT THE 2 OR 3 YEAR
MARK THAT THAT OPPORTUNITY COULD
BE COMPETITIVE FOR ANOTHER ROUND
OF RFP. SO COUNCILMEMBER LIN,
YOU'RE RIGHT, IT IS A BALANCE,
AND IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT
SOMEONE WHO GETS WHO APPLIES FOR
AN RFP NOW AND GETS AWARDED
DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY WOULD BE
SUCCESSFUL IF THEY HAVE TO
REAPPLY FOR AN RFP. YOU KNOW, IN
THE 2 TO 3 YEAR MARK. BUT IT
DOES MEAN IT GIVES MORE
OPPORTUNITY TO SOME OTHER GROUPS
THAT WERE EITHER UNSUCCESSFUL OR
NOT READY TO APPLY FOR THE
INITIAL RFP. SO IT'S A BALANCING
ACT, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS
STRIKING. BUT I DO KNOW THAT THE
IT WAS DEAL THE LAST TIME BASED
ON PAST PRACTICE. THIS IS WHAT
MAKES MOST SENSE TO DO NOW. AND
THEN WE'LL KEEP MONITORING IT
AND WE WILL KNOW AND DEAL WILL
COME BACK TO US WHEN THEY'RE
THEY'LL THEY WILL KEEP US
UPDATED AND INFORMED ON THE RFP
PROCESSES. AS TRACY HAS
DELINEATED ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER IS THAT A
NEW HAND?
-- NOPE.
-- OKAY. AWESOME. ALL RIGHT
LEAD. I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER
HANDS, COLLEAGUES. SO WHY DON'T
WE TAKE A VOTE? CLERK CAN YOU
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT 14.
-- COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
-- AYE.
-- COUNCIL MEMBER KETTLE.
-- AYE.
-- COUNCILMEMBER LIN.
-- YES.
-- COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
-- YES.
-- COUNCILMEMBER. SAKA.
-- AYE.
-- COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER.
-- YES.
-- VICE CHAIR. HOLLINGSWORTH.
-- YES.
-- CHAIR RIVERA.
-- AYE.
-- CHAIR. THERE ARE NINE IN
FAVOR. ZERO OPPOSED.
-- THE MOTION CARRIES AN
AMENDMENT 14 IS ADOPTED ARE
THERE ANY FINAL COMMENTS ON THE
BILL AS AMENDED, COLLEAGUES. AND
COLLEAGUES, I'LL SAY IF YOU
HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY IN GENERAL,
I THINK THIS IS A A GOOD SPOT TO
DO THAT. OH, TRACY. I THINK.
-- THERE'S
-- [LAUGHTER]
-- TWO AMENDMENTS.
-- APOLOGIES APOLOGIES.
-- IT SAID REPEAT AMENDMENT.
-- MOTION FOR YOUR COLLEAGUES TO
SPEAK UP, NOT WANTING TO SPEAK.
-- [LAUGHTER]
-- FOR THEM SORRY,
COUNCILMEMBER, WHAT CAN YOU SAY?
THE NEXT AMENDMENT. SORRY.
-- IT WOULD BE IF YOU WANTED TO
DO NUMERICAL ORDER WOULD BE
AMENDMENTS FOR FOUR MEMBER.
FOSTER IS THE PRIME AND
AMENDMENT 6 COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH. OKAY. AND I CAN
DESCRIBE THE CHANGES. SO THERE
ARE TWO NEW VERSIONS TO BOTH OF
THOSE AMENDMENTS. AND THE
CHANGES ARE IDENTICAL IN BOTH
BILLS OR IN BOTH AMENDMENTS. SO
WE MOVE.
-- THAT FIRST AMENDMENT FOR
SHOULD WE MOVE TO HAVE
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER MOVE
AMENDMENT FOUR. AND THEN YOU CAN
SPEAK TO IT. OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIR.
I'D LIKE TO MOVE AMENDMENT
FOUR, VERSION TWO. DO I HAVE A
SECOND?
-- SECOND.
-- IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMEND THE BILL AS
PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT FOUR,
CENTRAL STAFF. YOU'RE RECOGNIZED
TO REVIEW IT AND THEN
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER I'LL
RECOGNIZE YOU TO SPEAK TO IT.
-- SO I'M GOING TO SPEAK TO THE
CHANGE OF AMENDMENT 4 BECAUSE
JASMINE HANDLED IT. THE BULK OF
IT, THE CHANGE THAT IS HAPPENING
IN BOTH AMENDMENT 4 AND SIX ARE
IDENTICAL. THESE ARE THE TWO
AMENDMENTS THAT ESTABLISH A NEW
A NEW FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
IN THE PRIOR VERSION, WE
ACTUALLY HAD ATTACHED THE MONEY
TO AN EXISTING PROGRAM, THE
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
PROGRAM, AND IN THE AMENDMENT
VERSION TWO FOR FOUR AND SIX, WE
ACTUALLY ESTABLISH A NEW PROGRAM
LINE CALLED THE FOOD ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, WE
ESTABLISHED SEPARATE OUTCOMES
AND REPORTING ELEMENTS, AS WELL
AS SERVICE TARGETS FOR THAT NEW
PROGRAM. WE MAKE IT CLEAR THAT
IT'S FOR STUDENTS FROM LOW
INCOME FAMILIES TO SUPPORT FOOD
PURCHASES OVER WEEKENDS AND
SCHOOL BREAKS, EXCLUDING SUMMER.
AND IT ALSO AUTHORIZES THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING DIRECTOR TO DO A
DIRECT AWARD OF FUNDS AS
PERMITTED UNDER THE ORIGINAL
LEVY AUTHORIZING ORDINANCE AND
THE REASON FOR THAT AUTHORITY IS
THERE IS A CBO COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANIZATION CALLED ALLIANCE FOR
EDUCATION THAT ALREADY WORKS
WITH SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO
PROVIDE VOUCHERS FOR STUDENTS
FOR FOOD. AND SO THEY WANT THE
FLEXIBILITY OF BEING ABLE TO
CONTRACT WITH AN EXISTING CBO
FOR THE PURPOSES OF EFFICIENCY.
AND THOSE ARE THE CHANGES TO
BOTH AMENDMENT 4 AND AMENDMENT
6.
-- THANK YOU. TRACY
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER YOU ARE
RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK TO YOUR
AMENDMENT 4.
-- THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIR. SO
AS I DID IN THE PREVIOUS
COMMITTEE, I'M GOING TO SPEAK
FIRST TO AMENDMENT 4 IN TERMS OF
THE VOUCHER COMPONENT, AND THEN
I WILL HOLD MY COMMENTS IN TERMS
OF OUR INVESTMENTS IN FOOD
SECURITY FOR OUR DISCUSSION ON
AMENDMENT 6. SO, COLLEAGUES, I
WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF
BACKGROUND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE,
AND I BELIEVE YOU RECEIVED THIS
CONTEXT FROM CENTRAL STAFF. BUT
AS WE ALL KNOW, WE CONTINUE TO
HAVE SIGNIFICANT NEED IN OUR
CITY FOR INVESTMENTS INTO
PRESCHOOL AND A LOT OF DEMAND
FOR ACCESS TO THE SEATTLE
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM. THIS
AMENDMENT IS IN IN ITS
STRUCTURAL CHANGE IS DESIGNED TO
ALLOW ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION
FOR DEAL. WHEN IT COMES TO HOW
THEY MIGHT DEPLOY A VOUCHER
PILOT PROGRAM, AND I TYPICALLY
DON'T READ FROM MY EMAILS, BUT
I'M GOING TO DO THAT AGAIN
TODAY BECAUSE I WANT TO PROVIDE
SOME REALLY IMPORTANT
INFORMATION WHEN IT COMES TO THE
EXISTING WAITLIST. AND THAT'S
WHAT THIS AMENDMENT WOULD MODIFY
IN THE STRUCTURAL COMPONENT, AS
WELL AS WHERE IT SENDS THE
DOLLARS ORIGINALLY. SO WHEN IT
COMES TO THE SEATTLE PRESCHOOL
PROGRAM, BECAUSE THE PRESCHOOL
PROGRAM ALREADY PRIORITIZES
ENROLLMENT BASED ON FACTORS SUCH
AS HOUSING INSTABILITY, AGE, AND
DEVELOPMENTAL NEED, INCOME,
FAMILY STRUCTURE, AND ENGLISH
LANGUAGE LEARNERS, CHILDREN WHO
ARE ON A WAITLIST FOR SBP
CLASSROOMS TEND TO BE YOUNGER,
MIDDLE TO HIGHER INCOME AND OR
ENGLISH LANGUAGE SPEAKERS. AS OF
MARCH 2026, THERE WERE 420
DUPLICATED CHILDREN, NOT
DEDUPLICATED DUPLICATED CHILDREN
ON THE WAITLIST FOR A DEAL
SELECTED SBP CITE. THAT FIGURE
IS AN OVERESTIMATE OF NEED
BECAUSE CHILDREN CAN BE ON A
WAITLIST AT MULTIPLE SITES AND
IN MULTIPLE COUNCIL DISTRICTS AT
THE SAME TIME. CHILDREN CAN ALSO
BE ON A WAITLIST IF THEY ARE
ACTIVELY ENROLLED AND
PARTICIPATING IN AN SBP
CLASSROOM. SO AMONG THE 420
CHILDREN ON AN SEATTLE PRESCHOOL
PROGRAM CLASSROOM WAITLIST IN
MARCH, I JUST WANT TO PROVIDE
SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THAT
DEMOGRAPHIC FOR THOSE 420
CHILDREN, 46% OF THEM, OR 195,
WERE ALREADY BEING SERVED BY
ANOTHER SBP PROGRAM WHILE
WAITING TO GET OFF THE WAITLIST
AT THEIR PREFERRED LOCATION, 34%
OR 143 PEOPLE DECLINED OFFERS OF
PLACEMENT IN AN SBP CLASSROOM,
20% OR 82 PEOPLE DID NOT YET
RECEIVE A PLACEMENT OFFER IN AN
SBP CLASSROOM, AND I JUST WANT
TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF
INFORMATION ABOUT THE THE FOLKS
WHO ARE REPRESENTED BY THAT 20%
OF THE WAITLIST, OR THE 82
PEOPLE WHO ARE WAITING. SO 60%
OF THEM WERE FROM A HOUSEHOLD
WITH A STATE MEDIAN INCOME OF
95% OR HIGHER. SO THOSE ARE
FAMILIES THAT WOULD PAY FULL SBP
TUITION, 37% ARE OR 30 FAMILIES
WERE WHITE, 82% WERE FROM
ENGLISH SPEAKING HOUSEHOLDS. ALL
OF THEM WERE THREE YEARS OLD AND
40% LIVED IN COUNCIL DISTRICT
ONE. THERE'S MORE INFORMATION
THAT YOU ALL WERE PROVIDED, BUT
THE INTENT OF THIS, IT WAS TO
ENSURE THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS
THE TIMELINE AND THE FLEXIBILITY
TO DESIGN A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS
US TO DIRECT ANY DOLLARS FOR A
VOUCHER PROGRAM TO ENSURE THAT
WE'RE REACHING, AGAIN, THE
FAMILIES WHO HAVE THE HIGHEST
NEED. SO THROUGH THIS AMENDMENT,
WHERE WE MAKE CHANGES IN TERMS
OF ALLOWING THE DEPARTMENT TO
TAKE UNDER CONSIDERATION ITEMS
OTHER THAN JUST THE COUNCIL
DISTRICT WHERE WAITLIST FAMILY
MIGHT BE LOCATED, WE GIVE THE
DEPARTMENT FLEXIBILITY TO BRING
IN OTHER CRITERIA AND ENSURE
THAT WE ARE ALIGNED WITH THE
REST OF THE GOALS AND
INTENTIONS. SO THAT'S THE INTENT
BEHIND THE THE STRUCTURAL
CHANGES IN THIS AMENDMENT. AND
THEN AGAIN, I'LL SPEAK TO THE
FUNDING COMPONENTS OF IT. WHEN
WE SPEAK TO AMENDMENT 6.
-- THANK YOU.
-- OH, SORRY. THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER COLLEAGUES,
ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER LIN
YOU RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU. CHAIR, AND I JUST
WANT TO KIND OF CLARIFY. SO THIS
WOULD JUST PUSH BACK THE START
DATE ONE YEAR FOR THIS, THE
VOUCHER PILOT, IS THAT CORRECT
-- THAT'S CORRECT.
-- AND THEN I KNOW THAT WE'RE
GOING TO TALK ABOUT FUNDING
LATER. BUT I GUESS I KIND OF
WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE FUNDING
NOW. SO IT WOULD REDEPLOY THOSE
TO THE FOOD SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR
SEVEN YEARS, IT LOOKS LIKE. IS
THAT CORRECT?
-- THAT'S CORRECT. IT WOULD
AVERAGE OUT TO ABOUT $154,000 A
YEAR FOR THE SIX YEARS.
-- OKAY. AND I GUESS JUST WANT
TO CLARIFY, I MEAN, THIS
AMENDMENT COULD BE A STANDALONE
AMENDMENT, SORT OF REGARDLESS OF
AMENDMENT 6. IS THAT CORRECT? I
MEAN, DO THEY TWO HAVE TO WORK
TOGETHER OR CAN THEY BE
STANDALONE?
-- THEY COULD BE STANDALONE.
-- OKAY, OKAY. THANK YOU
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER LIN
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. YOU'RE
RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AND
THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBERS, FOSTER AND
HOLLINGSWORTH FOR BRINGING THIS
FORWARD. APPRECIATE YOUR YOUR
STEADFAST LEADERSHIP AND
CHAMPIONING OF THE ISSUE. THE
BROADER ISSUE OF FOOD ACCESS AND
FOOD SECURITY. REALLY IMPORTANT
CONVERSATION FOR US TO HAVE NOW
MORE THAN EVER GIVING AMIDST ALL
THE FEDERAL CUTS, INCLUDING TO
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, BY
THE WAY BUT I SUPPORT THE GOAL
OF MAKING SURE FAMILIES HAVE
ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD. NO
FUNDAMENTAL DISAGREEMENT OR NON
ALIGNMENT ON THAT POINT. FROM MY
PERSPECTIVE, I'M ALSO, YOU KNOW,
AT HIGH LEVEL SUPPORTIVE OF
REQUIRING GREATER OVERSIGHT AND
ACCOUNTABILITY OF VARIOUS
PROGRAMS THAT THE CITY WOULD
IMPLEMENT. THAT SAID, I DO WORRY
THAT THIS AMENDMENT
UNINTENTIONALLY PITS TWO VERY
WORTHY COMMUNITY PRIORITIES
AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, SIMILAR TO
ACTUALLY AMENDMENT SIX. BUT
THERE'S ACTUALLY A HUGE
DIFFERENCE WITH THIS ONE,
AMENDMENT 6, WHICH I ALSO HAVE
SOME CONCERNS WITH. WE'LL TALK
ABOUT LATER, BUT BUT I THINK
THERE'S SOME GLARING
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THIS AND
THAT WITH THIS AMENDMENT. I
BELIEVE THAT WE'RE BEING FORCED
TO CHOOSE BETWEEN IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE SEATTLE PRESCHOOL PROMISE
WAITLIST. THE WAITLIST VOUCHER
PILOT FOR THE COMING 2627 SCHOOL
YEAR. ON THE ONE HAND. ON THE
OTHER HAND. AND FUNDING FOOD
ASSISTANCE OVER WEEKENDS AND
SCHOOL BREAKS. AT A HIGH LEVEL
AND GROSSLY OVERSIMPLIFIED. WE
STRUCTURED THE LEVY SO THAT
THERE'S THREE MAIN BUCKETS.
THEY'RE CALLED DIFFERENT
THINGS, BUT FOR SIMPLICITY
PURPOSES, THREE MAIN BUCKETS.
THERE'S EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION COMPONENT, WHICH WAS
MY BABY CHAIR SOMETHING THAT I
LED ON THIS COUNCIL AND HELPED
CHAMPION. AND I'M PROUD OF. AND
I DID IT BECAUSE IT'S AN
AFFORDABILITY ISSUE. AND I DID
IT BECAUSE I HAVE THREE KIDS AND
TWO OF WHICH ARE PROUD GRADUATES
OF SOAP. I ALSO DID IT BECAUSE I
KNOW THAT MY DISTRICT IS MY
COUNCIL DISTRICT. OUT OF ALL THE
SEVEN COUNCIL DISTRICTS. HIS
NUMBER TWO IN THE NUMBER OF
UNDER AGE 18 AND UNDER YOUTH.
AFTER COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO.
THEREFORE, MY DISTRICT IS MORE
LIKELY TO BENEFIT. AND INDEED
SOME OF THE STATS AND DATA SHOW
THAT AT LEAST 40% OF THE
WAITLISTS OCCUR IN DISTRICT ONE.
I ALSO DID IT, AND THIS HAS BEEN
MY BABY BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT
THING TO DO. IT'S GOOD POLICY
HELPS IMPROVE AFFORDABILITY WHEN
WORKING PARENTS ARE ABLE TO NOT
HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CHILD CARE
FOR THEIR KIDS. THEY CAN GO TO
WORK, PURSUE ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY. LIVELIHOOD AND
THEN, YOU KNOW, THE RESEARCH WE
KNOW IS CLEAR ON ON KIDS WHO
HAVE ACCESS TO THESE PROGRAMS.
FORMAL KIND OF CURRICULUM BASED
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
PROGRAMS. THEIR LIFE OUTCOMES
ARE WAY BETTER THAN KIDS WHO
DON'T. SOUND POLICY. SO EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, ONE ONE OF
THREE BUCKETS K THROUGH 12.
ANOTHER BUCKET. AND THEN
POST-SECONDARY OR REALLY PATH TO
TRADES. THOSE THREE BUCKETS. SO
THIS AMENDMENT I HAVE CONCERNS
WITH IT IS BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES
IT PURPORT TO PIT TWO WORTHY
COMMUNITY PRIORITIES AGAINST
ANOTHER, IT DOES IT AT THE
EXPENSE OF OF THE EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PIECE. AND
UNLIKE AMENDMENT SIX, WHERE
THOSE CONNECTIONS, THERE'S
ACTUALLY A DIRECT NEXUS FOOD
ACCESS AND SECURITY AND FOOD
ACCESS, SECURITY. WHEN YOU TALK
ABOUT UNIVERSAL FREE MEALS AND
AND MEALS DURING BREAKS. I THINK
THE CONNECTION HERE IS TOO
REMOTE. IT'S TOO ATTENUATED. IT
REQUIRES ONE TO UNDERTAKE, YOU
KNOW, A BIT TOO MANY MENTAL AND
LOGICAL CONTORTIONS TO, TO
FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, LIKE HOW,
HOW THIS TIES INTO AND, AND I
DON'T, I DON'T THINK IT DOES
TIE INTO EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION AND MY OFFICE HAS
WORKED CLOSELY WITH DEAL AND HSD
TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT
CURRENT SERVICE GAPS EXIST
THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH
AGENCIES LIKE THE BACKPACK
BRIGADE, WHO UTILIZES THE WEST
SEATTLE FOOD BANK. IN MY OWN
DISTRICT, WHICH, BY THE WAY, I
WAS RECENTLY ABLE TO TOUR AND
AND SEE FIRSTHAND THE BAGS OF
FOOD THAT THEY HAND OUT TO KIDS
AND FAMILIES BEFORE SCHOOL
BREAKS. I, I BELIEVE THAT MUCH
OF THIS NEED NOT ALL. BUT MUCH
OF THIS NEED IS IS ALREADY BEING
MET. HOWEVER, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY
MORE WORK TO DO TO CONTINUE
CLOSING THOSE GAPS THAT EXIST.
THIS PAST WEEK IN DISTRICT AT
HIGHLAND PARK PLAYFIELD, WHERE I
WAS HANDING OUT FREE SUMMER
MEALS TO STUDENTS ALONGSIDE HSD
DIRECTOR TANYA KIM, THE SUMMER
MEALS PROGRAM IS A WORTHY CITY
INVESTMENT THAT WE HAVE FUNDED
FOR MANY YEARS, OFFERING
STUDENTS FREE MEALS THROUGHOUT
THE SUMMER, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
FUNDED THROUGH A VARIETY OF
PROGRAMS. THERE OBVIOUSLY
REMAINS SOME SERVICE GAPS. AS I
ALLUDED TO EARLIER, AND I
BELIEVE WE MADE GREAT STRIDES TO
CLOSE THESE GAPS. BUT I DO NOT
BELIEVE THAT PASSING THIS
AMENDMENT WARRANTS THE RISKS AND
DELAYS IMPLEMENTING A CRITICAL
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT K THROUGH
12. THESE ARE DIFFERENT
STAKEHOLDER GROUPS. AND AND
DELAYING THIS PROGRAM RISKS
DELAYING THIS PROGRAM, WHICH
DEEL IS READY TO DO TODAY. AND
SO I APPRECIATE THE INTENT OF OF
THE AMENDMENT AUTHORS HERE. BUT
FOR THOSE REASONS, I WON'T BE
SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT TODAY.
THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA. COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. IS
THAT A NEW HAND?
-- IT IS.
-- OKAY. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIR, AND
THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTIONS AND
COMMENTS TO COUNCILMEMBER LIN
AND COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. AYE. DID
JUST WANT TO KIND OF QUICKLY
CLARIFY SOMETHING HERE, WHICH
IS, YOU KNOW, AND I APPRECIATE
YOUR COMMENTS, COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE
DISCUSSION WHEN WE DISCUSS
AMENDMENT SIX. BUT I WOULD BE
BRINGING THIS AMENDMENT FORWARD
REGARDLESS. AND THE REASON IS AS
WRITTEN, WITHOUT THIS AMENDMENT,
THE CRITERIA THAT ARE PROVIDED
ARE TO PRIORITIZE THE WAITLIST
VOUCHER PROGRAM BASED ON COUNCIL
DISTRICTS. I TAKE PRIDE IN BEING
A CITYWIDE COUNCILMEMBER AND
KNOWING THAT THERE IS NEED ALL
ACROSS OUR CITY FOR ACCESS TO
PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS AND HIGH
QUALITY EDUCATION. I KNOW I
RATTLED OFF THOSE STATISTICS
QUICKLY EARLIER, BUT I WANT TO
BE CLEAR, YOU KNOW, THROUGH
ALLOWING ONLY COUNCIL DISTRICTS
TO BE THE PRIORITIZATION WE RISK
MAKING AN ERROR IN TERMS OF
SERVING FAMILIES WHO NEED THE
SUPPORT THE MOST. THAT'S WHY I
SHARED THE STATS AND THE DATA IN
TERMS OF WHO IS ON THE WAITLIST
AND IN TERMS OF WHO WE'RE TRYING
TO SERVE WITH THE LEVY. AND I
APPRECIATE THE CATEGORIZATION OF
THE VARIOUS BUCKETS OF READY TO
LEARN TO READY TO LAUNCH.
HOWEVER, IT IS MY BELIEF DEEPLY
THAT THROUGH ALLOWING THE
DEPARTMENT ADDITIONAL
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA,
FLEXIBILITY. AND ALLOWING THEM
THE TIME TO DESIGN A THOUGHTFUL
PROGRAM, WE WILL IMPLEMENT A
PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO BE MORE
THOUGHTFUL, MORE EQUITABLE, AND
MORE IN LINE WITH THE VALUES
THAT WE HAVE AS A CITY AND MORE
IN LINE WITH THE GOALS OF THE
LEVY. THAT'S WHY I'M BRINGING
THIS AMENDMENT FORWARD. I'M
PROUD. AND AND I THINK IT'S
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT AS WE
GIVE THE DEPARTMENT MORE TIME TO
DEVELOP THE PROGRAM, WE DIRECT
THOSE RESOURCES TO FAMILIES WHO
NEED THAT SUPPORT TODAY.
COUNCILMEMBER LIN, I APPRECIATE
YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE
CONNECTION BETWEEN AMENDMENT 4
AND AMENDMENT 6, SO I WILL SPEAK
TO IT NOW. EVEN THOUGH I SAID I
WASN'T. SO WHAT WE WOULD DO
WITH THIS AMENDMENT IS IF IT IF
FOUR WERE TO PASS IS IT DOES
PROVIDE THIS ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
THAT'S TARGETED TOWARDS KIDS
WHO HAVE FOOD ACCESS NEEDS, AND
IT WOULD PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL
RESOURCE. MY HOPE IS THAT,
COUPLED WITH AMENDMENT SIX, AND
THAT'S BECAUSE TOGETHER WE
WOULD HAVE OVER 600,000
ADDITIONAL DOLLARS GOING TO OUR
LOWEST INCOME KIDS FOR WEEKENDS
AND SCHOOL BREAKS. IF SOLELY
AMENDMENT 4 PASS COUNCIL CENTRAL
STAFF ALREADY PROVIDED THAT
NUMBER. IT'S AROUND 100,000
ADDITIONAL DOLLARS. AND I'LL SAY
THIS AGAIN WHEN WE GET LATER.
THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE
RIGHT NOW, THE CITY'S
INVESTMENT IN SCHOOLS OR EXCUSE
ME, IN SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FOR
WEEKENDS AND SCHOOL BREAKS IS
AROUND $537,000 ANNUALLY. SO
WITH AMENDMENT 4 AND AMENDMENT 6
TOGETHER, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO
DOUBLE THE INVESTMENT THAT WE
ARE PROVIDING TO KIDS DURING
THESE BREAKS. AND I THINK
THAT'S AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT
PRIORITY. SO JUST TO BE CLEAR,
I'D BE BRINGING THIS AMENDMENT
FORWARD REGARDLESS, BECAUSE I
BELIEVE IT'S THE EQUITABLE THING
TO DO SO THAT AS WE MAKE THE
INVESTMENTS IN A POTENTIAL
PRESCHOOL, EXCUSE ME, SEATTLE
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM VOUCHER PILOT
OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE LEVY,
WE MAKE THOSE INVESTMENTS
EQUITABLY. THANK YOU CHAIR.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. IS
THAT A NEW HAND? OKAY. YOU'RE
RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU. CHAIR. I
APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. AND YOU
KNOW, I DON'T QUESTION AT ALL
YOUR YOUR MOTIVES OR INTENTS AND
THE BASIS FOR YOU BRINGING THIS
FORWARD. I THINK IT'S JUST A
MATTER OF DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVES. RESPECT THE FACT
THAT YOU YOU REPRESENT CITYWIDE
PERSPECTIVES. AND JUST AS I KNOW
YOU RESPECT THE FACT THAT I
REPRESENT DISTRICT PERSPECTIVES.
AND IF THE. AND IF ALL THE
AMENDMENT DID WAS MODIFY THE
CRITERIA TO MAKE IT LESS SORT OF
DISTRICT CENTRIC, WHICH, AS I
HEARD YOU SAY, IS, IS ONE OF THE
MAIN RATIONALES. I WOULD
ABSOLUTELY BE OPEN TO THAT
CONVERSATION. HECK, DEPENDING ON
THE WORDING, IN FACT, THE
RELEVANT WORDING IN THIS
AMENDMENT, I'D PROBABLY SUPPORT
IT IF THAT'S ALL IT DID. BUT
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL IT DOES. IT
ALSO, AGAIN, DOES THAT AT THE
EXPENSE, NOT ONLY MODIFYING THE
CRITERIA, BUT DOES IT DOES IT AT
THE EXPENSE OF DILUTING, IN MY
VIEW, IN MY VIEW DOES THAT AT
THE EXPENSE OF DILUTING AND
DELAYING A VITAL EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION PROGRAM IN FAVOR OF
EXPANDING K THROUGH 12
INVESTMENTS, SPECIFICALLY AS IT
PERTAINS TO FOOD SECURITY TODAY.
AND I DON'T THINK THE, YOU
KNOW, THE COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS,
YOU KNOW, WARRANTS THAT,
ALTHOUGH I DO APPRECIATE YOUR
PERSPECTIVE.
-- THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER SAKA
COLLEAGUES. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS. I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS
THIS. ACTUALLY, THIS AMENDMENT.
I APPRECIATE YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER, FOR BRINGING THIS
FORWARD. COLLEAGUES, I WILL SAY,
AND I AND I APPRECIATE THAT SOME
OF OUR COLLEAGUES WERE NOT HERE
EARLY LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE
WORKING ON THE LEVY. SO I ALSO
WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAD
A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT
UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL. I JUST WANT
TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR COLLEAGUE
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. HE AND I
BOTH HAD A STRONG INTEREST IN
SEEING UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL,
BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT KIDS DO
BETTER, HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES.
LIFETIME OUTCOMES, WHEN THEY
HAVE ACCESS TO PRESCHOOL TO
QUALITY PRESCHOOL. SO I WILL SAY
THAT DEALS PRESCHOOL PROGRAM IS
AWARD WINNING, AN AWARD WINNING
PROGRAM. IT IS SOMETHING THAT
THE CITY DOES VERY WELL. AND IN
TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT
THE FIRST COUNCIL TO CARE ABOUT
PRESCHOOL AND COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA. AYE., I ADMIRE YOUR
ADVOCACY. AND I WILL SAY FOR
UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL, AND I WILL
SAY THERE ARE OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS IN THE PAST WHO
ALSO VERY STRONGLY BELIEVED IN
UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL. AND I'M
GOING TO NAME TIM BURGESS, HAS
THAT COUNCILMEMBER, BECAUSE
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ, YOU SERVED
WITH COUNCILMEMBER BURGESS AND
YOU KNOW HOW MUCH AND HOW DEEPLY
HE CARES ABOUT PRESCHOOL EVEN
EVEN NOW. AND SO I SAY THAT TO
SAY, YOU KNOW, WE ALL OF COURSE,
IT GOES BACK TO WE ALL CARE
ABOUT KIDS. WE ALL CARE ABOUT
ENSURING THAT THEY HAVE QUALITY
EDUCATION, ACCESS TO QUALITY
EDUCATION AT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
LEVEL. AND SO I DO WANT TO CALL
OUT COUNCILMEMBER SAKA, THAT YOU
VERY MUCH CARED ABOUT DOING
THAT. AND WE JUST WHEN COUNCIL
WHEN COUNCILMEMBER BURGESS
LOOKED INTO UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL,
IT WAS TWO. IT WAS COST
PROHIBITIVE. I MEAN, EVEN IF WE
PUT THIS FULL LEVY JUST TO THAT,
IT WOULDN'T COVER ALL THE COSTS.
SO. BUT BARRING THAT, I KNOW YOU
HAD THEN AN INTEREST IN
EXPANDING AS MUCH AS WE COULD.
THE THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM. SO I
WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FOR
YOU. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT,
YOU KNOW, EVERY TIME THAT WE DO
SOMETHING TO EXPAND AN OFFERING
THAT WE ALREADY HAVE, LIKE OUR
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, I WORRY ABOUT
IMPACTS TO THAT AWARD WINNING
PROGRAM. SO I SAY THAT TO SAY I
APPRECIATED YOU BRINGING THAT
VOUCHER PROGRAM. AND THE
DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO HAVE TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO IMPLEMENT THAT
VOUCHER PROGRAM IN A WAY THAT
DOESN'T DILUTE THAT AWARD
WINNING ASPECT TO THE PROGRAM,
BECAUSE NOW IT IS OUTSIDE OF THE
REALM OF HOW THEY NORMALLY DO
IT. AND WHEN YOU START GIVING
VOUCHERS TO FAMILIES, IT BECOMES
LESS FOR THE DEPARTMENT. WE'LL
HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY
TRACK THOSE PROVIDERS AND HOW
THEY ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM
STAYS QUALITY FOR ALL THE KIDS
THAT RECEIVE THAT BENEFIT. AND I
WILL ALSO SAY THAT THIS
AMENDMENT IS NOT FAR AFIELD FROM
WHAT THE DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY
ALREADY DOES. COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER. THEY DO LEAD WITH
EQUITY. AND SO REALLY, IT'S A
CALL OUT TO SOMETHING THE
DEPARTMENT ALREADY DOES IN THAT
WAY. I WILL SAY, IN TERMS OF THE
COUNCIL DISTRICTS, AND I'VE BEEN
SAYING THIS SINCE I GOT TO THIS
COUNCIL, DEMOGRAPHICS ACROSS THE
CITY ARE CHANGING. AND YOU HEARD
A PUBLIC COMMENTER COME TODAY TO
TALK ABOUT NEEDS ACROSS THE
DISTRICTS. WE HAVE A LOT OF
IMMIGRANT FAMILIES ON THE NORTH
END. AND IN THE D FIVE
ESPECIALLY. SO WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT THOSE, YOU KNOW, THAT THE
COUNCIL SPECIFIC, THE DEPARTMENT
WILL HAVE TO LOOK ACROSS ALL
COUNCIL DISTRICTS WHEN THEY
IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM, BECAUSE
WE HAVE NEED ALL ACROSS THE
CITY, THE TYPE OF NEED THAT THAT
YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. SO I
DON'T I WANT TO SAY IT DOESN'T
HAVE TO BE THAT IT IS DISTRICT
SPECIFIC. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
LEADING WITH THE EQUITY PIECE,
WHICH I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE
DEPARTMENT DOES. AND THIS LEVY
HAS ALWAYS DONE. AND IT IS TRUE
THAT, INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THE
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES A
VARIETY OF FOLKS, BECAUSE IF A
SLOT IS OPEN, IT'S IT IS A
LITTLE BIT UNIVERSAL IN NATURE.
IF THERE'S A SLOT OPEN THAT NO
ONE'S USING, IT GETS OFFERED TO
SOMEONE AT A SLIDING SCALE. SO
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FAMILIES
BEING SERVED BY THIS PROGRAM
THAT ARE BEYOND, YOU KNOW, WHAT
WE'VE ALWAYS PRIORITIZED BECAUSE
OF THAT. SO IN THAT WAY, IT
SERVES A LITTLE BIT OF A
UNIVERSAL FUNCTION, BUT WE'RE
NOT THERE YET. OBVIOUSLY, ONE
DAY I WOULD LOVE TO BE AT
UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL, BUT BUT
THAT IS NOT TODAY. SO ANYWAY,
ALL THAT TO SAY THAT I DON'T
SEE THIS, THIS AMENDMENT AS
BEING VERY MUCH DIFFERENT FROM
WHAT THE DEPARTMENT ALREADY
DOES. BUT WHAT I DO APPRECIATE
ABOUT THIS AMENDMENT,
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER, IS TO GIVE
THE DEPARTMENT THE ADDITIONAL
TIME BY WHICH TO ENSURE THAT AS
THEY'RE DOING THIS NEW VOUCHER
PROGRAM, IT ALIGNS WITH THEIR
PRESCHOOL PROMISE. PROGRAM IN A
WAY THAT DOESN'T DILUTE. IT'S
IT'S, YOU KNOW, AWARD WINNING
STATUS BECAUSE THAT IS A BIG
DEAL BECAUSE YOU CAN PROVIDE
EARLY EDUCATION. BUT IF IT'S NOT
QUALITY, IT'S NOT GOING TO HELP
THE KIDS LIFE LONG. SO FOR THOSE
REASONS, I'M GOING TO BE I
APPRECIATE BOTH MY COLLEAGUES,
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA AND
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER, ON THIS,
AND I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS.
AND COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER, I
WOULD LIKE TO CO-SPONSOR AND I
KNOW COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ WOULD
LIKE TO CO-SPONSOR THIS AS WELL,
SHE SAID. SO EARLIER IN THIS
MEETING ONLINE, I MEAN FOR THE
RECORD, SO UNLESS THERE ARE ANY
OTHER QUESTIONS, I APPRECIATE
BOTH OF YOU. COUNCILMEMBERS,
FOSTER AND SAKA. AND LET'S GO TO
A VOTE ON THIS. CLERK, WILL YOU
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON PASSAGE
OF AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR?
-- COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
-- AYE.
-- COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE.
-- AYE.
-- COUNCILMEMBER LIN.
-- YES.
-- COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
-- YES.
-- COUNCILMEMBER. SAKA.
-- NAY.
-- COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. YES.
FOSTER. SORRY. VICE CHAIR.
HOLLINGSWORTH.
-- YES.
-- CHAIR RIVERA. I CHAIR, THERE
ARE EIGHT IN FAVOR. ONE OPPOSED
THE.
-- THANK YOU. CLERK. THE MOTION
CARRIES AN AMENDMENT FOUR IS
ADOPTED. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH WOULD YOU LIKE TO
MOVE YOUR AMENDMENT NUMBER SIX?
-- YES. THANK YOU. I MOVE TO
AMEND EXCUSE ME. I'M SORRY. I
MOVE AMENDMENT NUMBER SIX,
VERSION TWO.
-- SECOND.
-- THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN MOVED
AND SECONDED TO AMEND THE BILL
AS PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT SIX.
CENTRAL STAFF WILL WALK US
THROUGH THE AMENDMENT AND THEN
COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH OR
VICE CHAIR AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT
HOLLINGSWORTH. I'LL RECOGNIZE
YOU TO SPEAK TO YOUR AMENDMENT.
CENTRAL STAFF.
-- SO THIS IS AMENDMENT 6. THIS
IS THE AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ADD
$500,000 A YEAR OVER THE SIX
YEAR LEVY PERIOD TO PROVIDE FOOD
ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME
STUDENTS OVER WEEKENDS AND
SCHOOL BREAKS. THE ASSISTANCE
PROVIDED WOULD BE PROVIDED
THROUGH VOUCHERS THAT WOULD BE
DISTRIBUTED BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL
TO FAMILIES IN NEED. THIS WOULD
BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE 2627
SCHOOL YEAR. THE PROGRAM WOULD
BE FUNDED BY IMPLEMENTING THE
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM
IN THE 2728 SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH
WOULD FREE UP ABOUT $3 MILLION
TO SUPPORT THIS NEW FOOD
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
-- THANK YOU, CENTRAL STAFF
COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND VICE CHAIR
HOLLINGSWORTH. YOU'RE RECOGNIZED
TO SPEAK TO YOUR AMENDMENT.
-- THANK YOU, CHAIR, AND I WANT
TO THANK COLLEAGUES. I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT
DURING THIS PROCESS. I ALSO WANT
TO THANK PEOPLE WHO JOINED US
TODAY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. I TOOK
TIME OUT OF THE DAY. THEY GAVE
FEEDBACK, PROVIDED INFORMATION,
FOLKS THAT SENT IN LETTERS WITH
INFORMATION, SHARED THEIR
STORIES AND OUTLETS THAT
ACTUALLY WROTE ABOUT THE ISSUE
AS WELL. I ALSO WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER FOR HER
THOUGHTFULNESS AND ADVOCACY AND
INTELLIGENCE, AND UNBELIEVABLE
DEEP COMMITMENT TO HELPING CLOSE
THE FOOD EQUITY GAPS WITHIN OUR
SYSTEM, AS WELL. I ALSO WANT TO
SHARE THAT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO
DISCUSS TODAY IS PARTICULARLY A
POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION
DECISION. FOR ME, THIS WAS NEVER
ABOUT UNIVERSAL MEALS OR NOT. IT
WAS ALWAYS ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION
STRATEGY TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE
FOOD SYSTEM. SO FOOD JUSTICE HAS
ALWAYS BEEN AT THE CORE OF THIS
AMENDMENT. WE HAVE ALWAYS LED
WITH FACTS, DATA AND REALITY.
THE FAMILIES, EDUCATION,
PRESCHOOL, AND PROMISE LEVY
TRACES ITS ROOTS BACK TO 1990.
YOU HEARD SOME PEOPLE TALK ABOUT
THE DAY WHEN FORMER MAYOR NORM
RICE ORGANIZED AN EDUCATION
SUMMIT TO IDENTIFY THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, HOW WE COULD IMPROVE
OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN. THE STATE
OF WASHINGTON, AS WE KNOW, IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR FUNDING PUBLIC
EDUCATION. BUT TOO MANY
STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY IN LOW
INCOME FAMILIES AND HISTORICALLY
UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES,
FACE BARRIERS THAT EXTENDED
BEYOND THE CLASSROOMS. WHAT THEY
IDENTIFIED FIVE GUIDING
PRINCIPLES INVOLVE COMMUNITIES
AND SCHOOLS CELEBRATE CULTURAL
DIVERSITY, ENSURE THAT EVERY
CHILD WAS SAFE, HEALTHY AND
READY TO LEARN, STRENGTHENING
LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND
ADVOCATING FOR STRONGER PUBLIC
EDUCATION AND FUNDING. THIS LED
TO SEATTLE'S FIRST EDUCATION
LEVY THAT WAS APPROVED BY VOTERS
IN 1990, AND IT PARTICULARLY
FOCUSED ON EARLY LEARNING HEALTH
SERVICES, ACADEMIC SUPPORT,
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIPS. AND SINCE THEN,
THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE
LEVIES THAT SEATTLE HAS
CHAMPIONED. ONE OF OUR LEGACY
LEVIES BECAUSE WE RENEWED IT IN
1997, 2004 AND 2011, AND WE
EXPANDED TO SEATTLE PRESCHOOL
LEVY IN 2014 AND 2018. SO
THROUGHOUT ITS EVOLUTION, ONE
PRINCIPLE HAS REMAINED
CONSISTENT. EDUCATIONAL EQUITY
REQUIRES MORE THAN EQUAL
FUNDING. IT REQUIRES TARGETED
INVESTMENTS THAT ADDRESS
SYSTEMIC BARRIERS
DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING
STUDENTS OF COLOR. STUDENTS FROM
LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, ENGLISH
LANGUAGE LEARNERS, IMMIGRANT AND
REFUGEE STUDENTS, AND OTHER
HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITIES SO THAT EVERY CHILD
HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.
THIS IS WHY THIS AMENDMENT WAS
BORN. IT WAS NOT ONE OR THE
OTHER. I WAS TRYING TO HIGHLIGHT
SOME OF THE DIVESTMENT FOR FUNDS
THAT WERE INTENDED, EXCUSE ME,
SOME OF THE FUNDS THAT WERE
INTENDED TO CLOSE OPPORTUNITY
GAPS FOR STUDENTS. AND IF YOU
LOOK AT THE DATA CLOSING
OPPORTUNITY GAPS REQUIRE US TO
LOOK WHO WILL BENEFIT THE MOST
FROM THAT POLICY AND TRY TO
ADJUST ACCORDINGLY. IT'S A VERY,
VERY THIN NEEDLE TODAY, AND I
WANT TO THANK MR. ELMER DIXON,
WHO SENT IN A LETTER OF SUPPORT
AND CAME HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE
FREE BREAKFAST PROGRAM, BECAUSE
IN SOME OUTLETS TALKED ABOUT,
YOU KNOW, IMPLEMENTING THIS
PROGRAM BECAUSE OF THE BLACK
PANTHERS AND WHAT WAS IMPORTANT
THAT IN 1969, IT WAS RESPONDING
TO THE IMMEDIATE NEED, THE
CRISIS, THE CHILDREN THAT WERE
IN LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS THAT
HAD EXPERIENCED DECADES OF
SEGREGATION, DIVESTMENT AND
POVERTY WHEN ARRIVING AT SCHOOL,
HUNGRY BECAUSE WE HAVE DIVESTED
IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS IN THIS
CITY. AND AT THE SAME TIME,
THERE WAS NO WIDESPREAD SCHOOL
BREAKFAST PROGRAM IN THEIR
NEIGHBORHOOD. SO THEIR SOLUTION
WAS UNIVERSAL MEALS WITHIN THEIR
COMMUNITY. SEATTLE 2026 IS VERY
DIFFERENT TODAY. AND COLLEAGUES,
YOU KNOW THAT. AND IT'S BEEN
SHARED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF
THERE ARE 50/50 TITLE ONE
SCHOOLS. AND WE'VE ALSO HEARD
FROM PEOPLE TODAY THAT THAT
DOESN'T MATTER. THERE'S KIDS
THAT ARE HUNGRY AT SCHOOLS THAT
ARE TITLE ONE SCHOOLS, OR
THERE'S KIDS THAT ARE HUNGRY AT
SCHOOLS THAT DON'T QUALIFY FOR
FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH. WE HEARD
A TEACHER HERE WHO TALKED ABOUT
HAVING TO PAY THREE, FOUR, $500
TO KEEP THEIR STUDENTS FED, AND
THE ONE QUESTION I'VE BEEN
TRYING TO ANSWER IS, HOW CAN
SEATTLE BEST ADDRESS THE
INEQUITIES THAT STILL PERSIST?
DATA CONTINUES TO SHOW THAT FOOD
INSECURITY DISPROPORTIONATELY
AFFECTS DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS,
PARTICULARLY WITH THE
SEGREGATION THAT HAS HAPPENED IN
SEATTLE. SEATTLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN
A TALE OF TWO CITIES, ALWAYS.
EQUITY DOES NOT MEAN PROVIDING
THE EXACT SAME INVESTMENTS FOR
EVERY STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF
NEED. IT MEANS DIRECTING
RESOURCES WHERE BARRIERS REMAIN
THE GREATEST. AND THAT WAS MY
GOAL WITH THIS AMENDMENT. VERY
LIKE INTENTIONS THAT WERE
INCREDIBLY TRYING TO BE VERY
THOUGHTFUL ABOUT WHERE FOOD
INSECURITY WAS THROUGHOUT THE
CITY. AND THEN ALSO FROM MY
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS WELL, AND
SOME OF THE CRACKS AND GAPS THAT
WE'VE SEEN. SO WHAT I'VE HEARD
FROM PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND
COMMUNITIES WAS ABOUT
SUPPLEMENTING WEEKEND AND
HOLIDAY SCHOOL BREAKS,
PARTICULARLY WINTER BREAK,
BECAUSE THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT
ARE IN SPRING BREAK THAT ARE NOT
IN WINTER BREAK. AND WITH THIS
NEW AMENDMENT, WE HAVE CREATED A
LINE ITEM FOOD ASSISTANCE
BUCKET. AND I WOULD LIKE TO
BREAK DOWN SOME INFORMATION
BECAUSE A LOT OF THE EMAILS THAT
I'VE SEEN IN OBJECTION TO THIS
AMENDMENT WAS MEANS TESTING
MEANS TESTING. THAT WAS NOT
SOMETHING WE EVER PUT OUT. THAT
WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT WAS
EXPRESSED DURING THIS AMENDMENT.
AS YOU HEARD, THE CALEB SPEAK
HERE TODAY, HE WAS REFERRING TO
ME WORKING AT THIS EMERGENCY
FEEDING PROGRAM IN 2019. AND FOR
A LOT OF FOOD BANKS, THEY WOULD
REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE AN ID OR A
LIGHT BILL TO SHOW WHERE YOU
LIVED, BECAUSE THEY WOULD ONLY
SERVICE PEOPLE WITHIN THOSE ZIP
CODES. AND SO FOR US, WE WERE
THE LARGEST BLACK FOOD
DISTRIBUTOR, AND WE SERVED EVERY
SINGLE ZIP CODE. WE HAD PEOPLE
COMING FROM VASHON, PEOPLE
COMING FROM ACROSS THE ISLAND.
WE HAD PEOPLE COMING FROM DOWN
SOUTH, PARTICULARLY SOUTH KING
COUNTY, UP NORTH TO OUR FOOD
BANK, BECAUSE WE WERE THE ONLY
ONE AT THE TIME DURING THE
PANDEMIC THAT DID NOT ALLOW OR
DID NOT REQUIRE PEOPLE TO HAVE A
ZIP CODE OR AN ID TO GET FOOD.
WE WOULD ONLY ASK THEM HOW MANY
PEOPLE WERE IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD
SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH WE
COULD GIVE THEM. SO THIS
PARTICULARLY SO THE MEANS
TESTING. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT
CAME FROM. I JUST WANT TO
HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS FUNDING
WOULD GO DIRECTLY TO. WE CREATED
IT SO IT WAS FLEXIBLE. SO IT
COULD GO DIRECTLY TO FAMILY
SUPPORT WORKERS MCKINNEY-VENTO
PROGRAMS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
TO BEST IDENTIFY THE ROLLOUT OF
A GROCERY CARD ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM FOR WEEKEND AND SCHOOL
BREAKS. THEY ARE THE EXPERTS. I
AM NOT, I'M THE ONLY WHAT I DO
IN MY LEGISLATIVE ROLE IS TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE
RESOURCES AND FUNDING TO LET THE
EXPERTS DO THEIR JOB. THE FOOD
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WOULD BE
FUNDING FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF
THE LEVY. SIX YEARS, $500,000
EVERY YEAR. THIS FOOD ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM IS ALSO SUPER FLEXIBLE.
SO WHEN SPEAKING TO FAMILY
SUPPORT WORKERS, MCKINNEY-VENTO
PROGRAM AND SCHOOL
ADMINISTRATORS, HAVING THAT
EXTRA RESOURCE IS SOMETHING THAT
WAS GREATLY NEEDED, ESPECIALLY
AS WE KNOW WHILE SNAP IS BEING
CUT AND FOOD ASSISTANCE DOLLARS
ARE BEING CUT FEDERALLY, SOME
PEOPLE HAVE SENT IN QUESTIONS.
WILL YOU KNOW, ONE VERSUS THE
OTHER? UNIVERSAL MEALS, $1,200
WILL JOY HOW HOW FAR CAN A $50
GROCERY VOUCHER GO? COLLEAGUES?
A $50 GROCERY CARD FOR WINTER OR
SPRING BREAK FOR FAMILY CAN MAKE
AN INCREDIBLE IMPACT. IT'S NOT
INTENDED TO REPLACE SNAP, BUT ON
A FAMILY GROCERY BUDGET, IT'S
INTENDED TO BRIDGE THE GAP
DURING A THREE DAY WEEKEND AND
WINTER BREAK, SPRING BREAK OR
OTHER PERIODS WHEN SCHOOL
CAFETERIAS ARE CLOSED. THEY CAN
PURCHASE MILK, A DOZEN EGGS, A
LOAF OF BREAD, FRESH FRUIT, A
BAG OF RICE. THEY CAN SURVIVE,
BE ABLE TO TRY TO KEEP SURVIVING
AND FILL THAT GAP. THIS ALSO
CREATES A LINE ITEM OF FOOD
ASSISTANCE UNDER BASIC NEEDS IN
THE LEVY. THIS HAS NEVER BEEN
DONE BEFORE. IN THE LEVY WE HAVE
THE HOUSING AND HOMELESS
SERVICES, THE TRANSPORTATION
BUCKET. WE HAVE HSD SUMMER
FOODS, WHICH YOU TALKED ABOUT
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA GOING TO YOUR
SERVING WITH DIRECTOR KIM. IT
ALSO HAS UNIVERSAL MEALS IN
THERE, AND THIS WOULD CREATE A
FOOD ASSISTANT BUCKET THAT WOULD
BE IN CORRELATION WITH UNIVERSAL
MEALS TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL
SUPPORT FOR RESOURCES FOR OUR
STUDENTS. LET ME BE VERY CLEAR,
I WANT TO I REALLY WANT TO THANK
FOR PEOPLE FOR REACHING OUT AND
CONNECTING WITH US, BECAUSE I'M
GOING TO TELL YOU THIS. IT HAS
BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE
THESE CONVERSATIONS AND TO
LISTEN TO SOME OF THE NARRATIVE
THAT HAS BEEN PUT OUT THERE,
BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE DIVED
AWAY FROM THE POLICY PIECE IN
THIS. AND THIS, FOR ME HAS NEVER
BEEN ABOUT EITHER OR. IT ALWAYS
HAS BEEN ABOUT HOW DO WE
IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM.
THAT'S ALL THIS HAS BEEN. AND I
WANT TO READ FROM FOLKS FROM THE
MCKINNEY-VENTO PROGRAM BECAUSE I
HAD ASKED HOW THEY CURRENTLY.
BECAUSE SOMEONE BECAUSE ANOTHER
THING WAS SAID, WELL, THIS WOULD
BE A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIVE
BURDEN ON PEOPLE. HOW WOULD THEY
IMPLEMENT THIS? AND I WANT TO
SAY THEY ALREADY DO THIS.
PROGRAMS ARE EXISTING IN SCHOOLS
THAT ALREADY DO THIS. FAMILIES.
THIS IS DIRECTLY. FAMILIES
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN
SEATTLE, PUBLIC SCHOOLS FACE
DECISIONS. AND THIS IS NOT
ENDORSEMENT. THIS IS JUST HOW DO
THEY IMPLEMENT THEIR PROGRAM
FACE DECISIONS BETWEEN
PURCHASING FOOD, FUELING THEIR
VEHICLES, AND MEETING OTHER
BASIC NEEDS. SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS IDENTIFIES MORE THAN
2000 STUDENTS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS EACH YEAR, AND THE
GROCERY CARDS PROVIDE A SIMPLE,
DIGNIFIED AND HIGHLY FLEXIBLE
FORM OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE OR
GAP FUNDING TO WHERE THEY CAN BE
ABLE TO PURCHASE NUTRITIOUS
MEALS. WHEN TRADITIONAL FOOD
PANTRIES MAY NOT MEET THEIR
DIETARY, CULTURAL OR SCHEDULING
NEEDS. AND I THINK THIS IS
IMPORTANT. AND THEY DO DIFFERENT
TYPES. THEY DO $25 VOUCHERS,
THEY DO DOLLAR VOUCHERS, AND IT
CAN PREVENT A FAMILY FROM
MISSING WORK, LOSING ACCESS TO
SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION, OR GOING
WITHOUT FOOD FOR SEVERAL DAYS.
AND THE REASON WHY I THOUGHT
THIS WAS SO IMPORTANT TO READ IS
BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE
THAT COLLEAGUES, BECAUSE I HEARD
SOME PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT MEANS,
I HEARD SOME PEOPLE TALK ABOUT.
THIS WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR
TO IMPLEMENT, AND I WANTED TO
MAKE SURE THAT WAS ON THE
RECORD. SO WE UNDERSTOOD WHAT WE
WERE PROPOSING AND THE
FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THIS
AMENDMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT
FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO GET THE
RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED,
ESPECIALLY DURING BREAKS. I ALSO
WANT TO STATE FOR THE RECORD
THAT I'M ALL FOR, AND I AND I
WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR PUBLICLY
FOR ACCELERATING UNIVERSAL MEALS
BEFORE THE STATE IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN, BECAUSE WE BOTH SHARE THE
SAME GOALS OF HELPING TO END
HUNGER, FOOD ACCESS, AND
CENTERING CHILDREN. THAT'S
ALWAYS, I TELL PEOPLE THIS. THAT
HAS BEEN MY MISSION BEFORE BEING
ON COUNCIL, AND THAT'S GOING TO
BE MY MISSION AFTER ON COUNCIL.
AND THAT REMAINS OUR SHARED
VISION. I'LL I WILL HOLD MY
COMMENTS AT THE AT THE END FOR
MY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS THAT I
HAVE. AND THANK YOU, CHAIR.
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH
AND VICE CHAIR HOLLINGSWORTH.
I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO
YOU. COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. AS
CO-CHAIR, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIR, AND
SORRY, I'M NOT. MY COMPUTER DID
A RESTART, SO I'M NO LONGER ON
THE ZOOM. SO THANK YOU FOR
RECOGNIZING ME. AND I WANT TO
START BY EXPRESSING MY DEEP
APPRECIATION TO YOU. COUNCIL
PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH AND, AND
I I'LL COME BACK TO THIS LATER,
BUT I THINK YOUR BACKGROUND IN,
IN WORKING DIRECTLY IN FOOD
ASSISTANCE AND ALSO I THINK OUR
WILLINGNESS TO HAVE WHAT IS IN
THE PUBLIC A DIFFICULT
CONVERSATION. BUT WHAT I KNOW TO
BE TRUE IS THAT THIS IS A
CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE
ACTUALLY REACH ALL OF OUR KIDS.
AND I KNOW THAT I'VE SAT IN
COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND
NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THERE'S
ALREADY UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS
AND LISTEN TO PEOPLE TALK ABOUT
THEIR GAPS DURING BREAKS AND
WEEKENDS. I'VE LISTENED TO KIDS
TALK ABOUT HOW THEY HAD SOMEBODY
WHO LOOKED OUT FOR THEM AND GAVE
THEM A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA MONEY
TO CLOSE THAT GAP. AND TO ME,
THAT'S WHAT'S AT THE CENTER OF
THIS CONVERSATION. THAT IS
WHAT'S BEEN AT THE CENTER OF
THESE AMENDMENTS. THAT'S WHAT
THE AMENDMENT LANGUAGE SAYS AND
DOES. AND IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING
TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
WHAT I KNOW IS THE HEART OF THIS
CONVERSATION. WHAT I KNOW IS THE
LANGUAGE OF THE AMENDMENTS, AND
THEN THE SURROUNDING PUBLIC
CONVERSATION. AND OUR JOBS ARE
CHALLENGING. I THINK THAT'S OUR
DUTY. AND SO I WANT TO JUST TALK
TO A COUPLE OF PIECES HERE. SO
FIRST, I STARTED TO SPEAK TO
THIS EARLIER IN TERMS OF WHAT
THE CITY IS ALREADY DOING WHEN
IT COMES TO WEEKENDS AND SCHOOL
BREAKS. SO THE CITY CURRENTLY
INVESTS $537,732 ANNUALLY IN
PROGRAMS THAT ARE SUPPORTING
KIDS SPL STUDENTS WITH FOOD
ACCESS ON WEEKENDS AND DURING
SCHOOL BREAKS. ABOUT LESS THAN A
HALF OR, EXCUSE ME, A LITTLE
OVER A HALF $1 MILLION. THE
PROPOSAL THAT WE ORIGINALLY
RECEIVED DID NOT CONTAIN ANY
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THOSE
CRITICAL INVESTMENTS. CURRENTLY,
THOSE INVESTMENTS ARE PAID FOR
BY THE SWEETENED BEVERAGE TAX,
WHICH WE KNOW IS ONE OF OUR MORE
REGRESSIVE TAX SOURCES. THAT'S
HOW WE'RE CURRENTLY PAYING FOR
WEEKEND AND SCHOOL BREAKS. OUR
AMENDMENT ASKS THAT INSTEAD OF
STARTING UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS
ON THE TIMELINE THAT WAS
PROPOSED BY THE MAYOR, WE WAIT
ONE YEAR AND WE TAKE THE
RESOURCES FROM THAT YEAR, AND WE
PUT IT INTO A FUND ALONG WITH
THE FUND THAT WE JUST PASSED
FROM AMENDMENT 4. THE RESOURCES
FROM AMENDMENT 4, AND WE CREATE
A $3.927 MILLION RESOURCE ACROSS
THE LIFETIME OF THE LEVY. THAT
RESOURCE WOULD MEAN AN
ADDITIONAL $654,500 ANNUALLY,
GOING TO STUDENT MEALS OVER
BREAKS AND WEEKENDS. THAT IS
MORE THAN DOUBLE OUR EXISTING
COMMITMENT TO THAT GAP TIME.
NEED. I HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE
TODAY SPEAK ABOUT MEANS TESTING.
WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF EMAILS
ABOUT THIS FRAME OF MEANS
TESTING VERSUS UNIVERSAL MEALS,
AND I WANT TO READ DIRECTLY FROM
THE AMENDMENT LANGUAGE. THE FOOD
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS FROM LOW
INCOME FAMILIES IN NEED OF FOOD
ASSISTANCE OVER WEEKENDS AND
SCHOOL BREAKS, EXCLUDING
SUMMERS. THIS ASSISTANCE WOULD
BE PROVIDED THROUGH VOUCHERS AND
WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BY SPS
PERSONNEL TO STUDENTS AND THEIR
FAMILIES, IDENTIFIED AS IN NEED
OF SUCH ASSISTANCE, SPS WILL
DESIGNATE HOW SUCH FUNDING WILL
BE DISTRIBUTED BY SCHOOL
PERSONNEL. THAT'S THE END OF
THE AMENDMENT. LANGUAGE.
THERE'S NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR
MEANS TESTING. OUR INTENT IS TO
PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY AND TARGETED
RESOURCES TO THE STUDENTS, WHO
ARE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING THE
HIGHEST NEED. THAT'S THE INTENT.
THE INTENT HAS NEVER BEEN TO
UNDERMINE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL
MEALS. IT'S BEEN TO PRIORITIZE
RESOURCES TO KIDS WHO ARE
RELIANT ON THOSE MEALS FOR FOOD
ACCESS, AND TO ENSURE THERE ARE
ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR THOSE
YOUNG PEOPLE DURING OUT OF
SCHOOL TIMES AND WEEKENDS. I
ALSO WANT TO SPEAK TO THE
SUPPORT OF THIS AMENDMENT, AND I
WANT TO APPRECIATE EVERYBODY
WHO'S BEEN IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
TODAY. AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO
WHEN WE DISCUSSED THIS,
AMENDMENT SIX IS SUPPORTED BY A
LARGE COALITION OF PEOPLE. AS
YOU HEARD TODAY, ELMER DIXON,
WHO FOUNDED THE BLACK PANTHER
PARTY HERE IN SEATTLE. IT'S
SUPPORTED BY THE CHILDREN'S
ALLIANCE OF WASHINGTON FOR
SEATTLE. IT'S SUPPORTED BY
FORMER MEMBERS OF THE OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE, MEMBERS OF THE
ALLIANCE OF EDUCATION, PARENTS
AND TEACHERS FROM ACROSS
SEATTLE, LEADERSHIP FROM THE
ASIAN PACIFIC COALITION,
LEADERSHIP FROM THE LEAGUE OF
EDUCATION VOTERS, LEADERSHIP
FROM SEATTLE INSTITUTE FOR EARLY
LEARNING, EXCUSE ME, EARLY
CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, AND MANY
OTHERS. WE'VE RECEIVED LETTERS
OF SUPPORT FOR THIS AMENDMENT
BECAUSE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT
OUR INTENT IS, AND OUR INTENT IS
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING
CARE OF ALL OF OUR CHILDREN. I
ALSO WANT TO SPEAK DIRECTLY NOW
TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE
COME IN TO MY INBOX AROUND THIS,
AND MY OWN PERSONAL HISTORY.
I'VE BEEN ON FOOD STAMPS AS AN
ADULT. I'VE BEEN TO FOOD BANKS
AS AN ADULT. I'VE GONE TO THE
FARMER'S MARKET AND UTILIZED
FRESH BUCKS AS AN ADULT. AND I
WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT IN
PARTICULAR, BECAUSE I HEARD SOME
DISCUSSION OF THE FRESH BUCKS
PROGRAM TODAY. AND I FIND IT
INTERESTING WHEN I THINK ABOUT
THAT PROGRAM THAT IS A TARGETED
VOUCHER TO LOW INCOME PEOPLE. I
DIDN'T HEAR DISCUSSION OF FRESH
BUCKS AS A MEANS TESTED PROGRAM
THAT'S DESIGNED TO TARGET
PEOPLE. I REMEMBER GOING TO THE
FOOD BANK, AND IT'S DIFFERENT
NOW THAN IT USED TO BE. EXCUSE
ME, I'M GOING TO THE FARMER'S
MARKET. IT'S CHANGED. THIS WAS
FOR ME MORE THAN A DECADE AGO.
AND SWIPING MY CARD, MY EBT CARD
AND GET IT, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE
THAT $10 BENEFIT AND THEN YOU
GET THIS $10 MATCH IN THE FORM
OF IT USED TO BE LITTLE PAPER
TOKENS THAT YOU WOULD USE TO
THEN THAT I WOULD USE TO THEN
GET FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
FROM THE FARMER'S MARKET, FROM
MY FAMILY. MY KID HAS TONS OF
GREAT EARLY MEMORIES OF GOING TO
THE FARMER'S MARKET BECAUSE OF
THAT PROGRAM. AND I THINK IT
MATTERS HOW WE TALK ABOUT
THINGS. AND THIS DISCUSSION OF
THIS IDEA OF PROVIDING VOUCHERS
OR GIFT CARDS TO LOW INCOME
STUDENTS WHEN IT GETS FRAMED AS
YOU WANT A MEANS TEST, PEOPLE
OUT OF LUNCHES. BUT THEN WHEN WE
TALK ABOUT OTHER PROGRAMS THAT
REQUIRE ELIGIBILITY, WE TALK
ABOUT THEM AS EXPANSION. AND I
WONDER WHY THAT IS. I WANT TO
ALSO TURN TO SOME OF THIS
DISCUSSION THAT WE'VE HAD AROUND
EITHER OR. I HEARD THAT FROM
PUBLIC COMMENTERS TODAY, AND I
AGAIN, WANT TO REITERATE WHAT
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS
AMENDMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN BOTH,
AND IT HAS BEEN A QUESTION OF
SEQUENCING AND WHAT WE DO.
FIRST, I ALSO WANT TO BE CLEAR,
IF I DIDN'T OFFER AMENDMENT
FOUR AND WE DIDN'T OFFER
AMENDMENT SIX, WE WOULD NOT BE
EXPANDING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
FOR THOSE STUDENTS THAT WE'VE
TALKED ABOUT, WHO WE'VE HEARD
ABOUT, WHO CONTINUE TO HAVE
ACCESS NEEDS, DESPITE THE FACT
THAT THEY ALREADY QUALIFY FOR
FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH. THERE
WAS NOT A BOTH. AND IN THE
ORIGINAL PROPOSAL, I'M PROUD TO
SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. I STAND
HERE, COLLEAGUES, AND I ASK FOR
YOUR SUPPORT. I THINK THAT THE
CONVERSATION THAT WE'VE BEEN
HAVING IN THE PUBLIC IN THE LAST
SEVERAL WEEKS, I HOPE WE CAN
MOVE TOWARDS A MORE NUANCED
CONVERSATION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO
TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN HERE
IN SEATTLE, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT
THAT IS A SHARED PRIORITY. THANK
YOU
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER COLLEAGUES. QUESTIONS,
COMMENTS? I'M LOOKING TO SEE
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. YOU'RE
RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU, CHAIR, AND I WANT
TO START OFF FOR JUST A BRIEF
MOMENT TALKING ABOUT PAPERWORK.
OH, NO PAPERWORK, WHAT ARE YOU
TALKING ABOUT? PAPERWORK. I HAVE
A CONFESSION TO MAKE AS PART OF
THIS, AND, YOU KNOW, ALLOW ME TO
BE VULNERABLE AND CONTINUE TO BE
VULNERABLE. YOU KNOW ME. WEAR MY
HEART ON MY SLEEVE, AND I SAY
WHAT I MEAN, AND I MEAN WHAT I
SAY BUT PAPERWORK. SO HERE'S A
TRUE FOR ME PERSONALLY, GROWING
UP FROM AGE 9 TO 18, I CAN COUNT
ON ONE HAND HOW MANY TIMES I
WENT TO SEE THE DOCTOR DURING
THAT ENTIRE TIME. NOT ONE TIME
DID I GO SEE THE DENTIST. NOT
ONE TIME. WHEN I FINALLY DID GO
TO SEE THE DENTIST, YOU KNOW, IN
MY EARLY 20s, HAD TO HAD TO HAVE
MULTIPLE VISITS BECAUSE THERE
WAS SOME, SOME, LET'S JUST SAY
IT NEEDED TO ADDRESS SOME LATENT
DENTAL HYGIENE ISSUES FOR FROM
OVER A DECADE OF NOT GOING TO
THE DENTIST. I ONE HAND HOW MANY
TIMES I WENT TO THE DOCTOR NINE
THROUGH 18 DESPITE HAVING
SUFFERING SEVERE BACTERIAL
INFECTIONS OF VARIOUS SORTS. ONE
TIME I HAD A FREAKING RINGWORM
ON MY FACE. AS A KID, NOT ONCE.
ONLY A HANDFUL OF TIMES. AND
WHEN I DID, MY DAD PAID OUT OF
OUT OF POCKET. HE RAISED ME
COLLEAGUES, AS YOU KNOW, AS A
SINGLE PARENT FROM AGE NINE. TO
TILL I WAS 18. AND I'M THE PROUD
SON OF A NIGERIAN IMMIGRANT. AND
I'M ALSO VERY FORTUNATE AND
PRIVILEGED TO BE WHERE I AM
TODAY, PERSONALLY AND
PROFESSIONALLY. BUT I'M ALSO
SOMEONE WHO HAS OVERCOME THE
FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IN THE STATE
OF MINNESOTA FROM 0 TO 9 YEARS
OLD, CYCLING IN AND OUT OF THE
SYSTEM, MOSTLY IN. BEFORE MY DAD
WAS ABLE TO RESCUE ME AND WE
WERE ON FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH.
I WAS ON FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH.
WHEN I WAS UNDER HIS CARE. WENT
TO 13 DIFFERENT K THROUGH 12
SCHOOLS GROWING UP 13. ALL OF
THEM EXCLUSIVELY TITLE ONE
SCHOOLS FOR KIDS LIKE MYSELF AT
THE TIME ON FREE AND REDUCED
LUNCH. TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN A
MOMENT BUT I NEVER WENT TO SEA.
I NEVER WENT TO SEE THE DENTIST,
AND I RARELY WENT TO SEE THE
DOCTOR. BECAUSE MY DAD WAS AN
HOURLY WAGE WORKER, PRIMARILY IN
THE WAREHOUSE INDUSTRY, AND WE
DIDN'T HAVE EMPLOYER PROVIDED
HEALTH INSURANCE. NOW, LIKE I
MENTIONED, WE QUALIFY FOR FREE
AND REDUCED LUNCH, BUT I NEVER.
WHICH MEANS WE ALSO WOULD HAVE
LIKELY QUALIFIED FOR MEDICAID.
BUT I, I NEVER WENT TO THE
DENTIST AND ONLY WENT TO THE
DOCTOR A HANDFUL OF TIMES IN
NINE YEARS. BECAUSE OF THE
SEVERE, SIGNIFICANT,
NON-TRIVIAL, AND SUBSTANTIAL
ADMINISTRATIVE PAPERWORK BURDEN
IMPOSED ON PEOPLE THAT NEED
THESE VALUABLE RESOURCES. MANY
FAMILIES WHO NEED HELP. AT THE
END OF THE DAY, BALANCING TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY'RE GOING
TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE HOW
THEY'RE GOING TO PROVIDE
CLOTHING AND SHELTER TO THEIR
FAMILY, TO THEIR KIDS. THEY HAVE
TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO NAVIGATE
THE SYSTEM HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
AND THE RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE TO THEM. HUGE BARRIER.
THEN THEY HAVE TO GO AND
UNDERTAKE THE ADMINISTRATIVE
BURDEN OF FILLING OUT THAT
PAPERWORK. AND I CAN ONLY AND
THIS WAS IN THE 90s, AND I CAN
ONLY IMAGINE THAT BURDEN ON THE
FAMILIES MOST IN NEED TODAY,
ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM IMMIGRANT
AND REFUGEE BACKGROUNDS, BECAUSE
NOW YOU HAVE NOW YOU'RE WORRYING
ABOUT NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM,
FILLING OUT PAPERWORK, AND THEN
WORRYING ABOUT INFORMATION FROM
THAT PAPERWORK BEING, BEING SENT
TO THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. IF
YOU'RE AN IMMIGRANT FROM AN
IMMIGRANT REFUGEE COMMUNITY, YOU
MIGHT BE TARGETED FOR
ENFORCEMENT OF IMMIGRATION.
IT'S MORE BURDENSOME. IT'S MORE
ONEROUS NOW, AND IT'S MORE
RISKY. SO WE KNOW TODAY,
COLLEAGUES, THAT THERE ARE
FAMILIES THAT QUALIFY, MANY
FAMILIES THAT QUALIFY FOR FREE
AND REDUCED LUNCH THAT TODAY ARE
NOT BEING SERVED. WE KNOW THAT.
WHEN WE TALK. SO WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT WAYS TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC
BARRIERS TO REMOVE SYSTEMIC
BARRIERS AND ADDRESS INEQUITIES,
PASSING UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL
MEAL PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. NOW, TODAY IS THE
NUMBER ONE, IN MY VIEW, THE
NUMBER ONE MOST IMPACTFUL THING
WE CAN DO. NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT
THE STIGMA. AND I'VE BEEN VERY
CLEAR. ABOUT THE THE IMPACTS OF
STIGMA ON FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH
PROGRAMS. BECAUSE LIKE I
MENTIONED IN THE PAST I'VE
LITERALLY WAITED TO THE VERY
LAST MOMENT TO, TO BUY MY LUNCH
FOR $0.75 OR HOWEVER MUCH IT WAS
ON THE FREE ON THE REDUCED
PROGRAM, BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT
SOME OF MY CLASSMATES AND PEERS
TO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, I PAID
THE DIFFERENTIAL RATE, THE LOWER
RATE, NOT THE FULL BUCK 50 IN
SOME CHANGE OR WHATEVER IT WAS.
AND I MISSED MEALS BECAUSE
BECAUSE OF IT ON A FEW
OCCASIONS, LUNCH LADY CLOSED UP
SHOP TOO LATE. I SHOULD HAVE
WENT EARLIER. AND WHEN YOU'RE SO
I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE FIRSTHAND
TO GO TO SCHOOL FOR THE NUMBER
ONE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING
SERVICES AND AS A SECONDARY
PURPOSE, EDUCATION AND I KNOW
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO GO THROUGH
CLASS ALL DAY HUNGRY. AND WHAT
THAT MEANS FOR THE REST OF THE
DAY WHEN THE PANTRY IS, IS
SCARCE AND THE WEEKENDS AS WELL.
LAUNCHING UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL
PROGRAMS TODAY, WHICH WE ARE
PREPARED TO DO, HELPS ADDRESS
THOSE INEQUITIES, REMOVE
SYSTEMIC BARRIERS, ELIMINATE THE
ONEROUS AND BURDENSOME PAPERWORK
REQUIREMENT ON OUR COMMUNITY'S
MOST VULNERABLE. IT ALSO
ADDRESSES THE STIGMA. NOW, LET
ME TAKE A MOMENT AND ADDRESS THE
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM. FOR SOME,
AT LEAST BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I'VE
HEARD THAT STATEMENTS ALONG THE
LINES OF THIS IS NOT A RACE OR
NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUE. MAYBE NOT
PRIMARILY, BUT THERE ARE
IMPORTANT UNDERTONES OF RACE AND
CLASS AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.
NOW, I COULD TALK ALL DAY ABOUT
ALL OF THAT, BUT BECAUSE UNLIKE
CLASS AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS,
RACE IS AN IMMUTABLE
CHARACTERISTIC. THERE'S A LOT OF
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT, YOU KNOW,
WHO, WHO'S THIS AT THE AT THE
ELECTED OFFICIAL LEVEL? WHO,
WHO'S THE CHAMPION? WHO ARE THE
CHAMPIONS OF UNIVERSAL FREE
SCHOOL MEALS? FOR ONE, I THINK
IT'S A COMMUNITY LED THING. BUT
AT THE ELECTED OFFICIAL LEVEL,
THERE'S A LOT OF US INVOLVED
AND BASED ON THE ONE ON ONE
CONVERSATIONS I HAD WITH MY
COLLEAGUES. I THINK THERE'S A
RECOGNITION THAT ON THIS FLOOR,
ON THIS BODY, THIS IS THIS HAS
BEEN MY INITIATIVE. WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL
PROGRAMS, FRANKLY, I THINK IT'S
ALL OF OUR INITIATIVES. THOSE OF
US WHO HAVE BEEN HERE THE LAST
THREE YEARS BECAUSE TIME AND
TIME AGAIN, WE'VE WE'VE
DISCUSSED WE'VE TAKEN SPECIFIC
LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS, INCLUDING
THROUGH ADVOCACY OF STATE
LEGISLATURE, TO FINALLY BRING
THIS TO LIFE. AND I'M AND I'M.
AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE
MAYOR'S PARTNERSHIP ON THIS
BECAUSE CHAMPIONING A PARTICULAR
ISSUE MULTIPLE NAMES CAN BE
INVOLVED IN THE CONVERSATION.
BUT SO THAT'S WHY I WANT TO
THANK THE MAYOR FOR FOR HER
EFFORTS TO ACCELERATE UNIVERSAL
FREE SCHOOL MEALS. BUT FROM ITS
INCEPTION AND IDEATION. THROUGH
NOW, THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A
BLACK LED POLICY CONVERSATION,
AN INITIATIVE AT THE CITY LEVEL.
AND IT'S A FORM OF BLACK
ERASURE TO FORGET THAT FROM
INCEPTION TO IDEATION TO THE
CURRENT SPLIT. THAT WE'RE SEEING
AND WITNESSING RIGHT NOW HERE
TODAY. IS A BLACK LED
INITIATIVE. WHY? BECAUSE. MANY
OF THE COMMUNITIES MOST IMPACTED
BY THESE VERY POLICY
CONVERSATIONS WE'RE HAVING
TODAY ARE BLACK COMMUNITIES,
BLACK AND AFRICAN IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES. I DON'T ENVY MY
COLLEAGUES FOR HAVING TO PICK
SIDES ON THIS COMPLEX ISSUE BUT
I DO THINK WE ARE READY TO ROLL
THIS OUT TODAY. WE NEED TO WE
HAVE AN EXECUTIVE WHO IS ALIGNED
AND HAS HELPED CHAMPION THE
ACCELERATION OF THIS EFFORT. WE
NEED TO STICK WITH IT AND AND
ROLL IT OUT TODAY. ROLL IT OUT
NOW. I DO. THAT SAID, I WANT TO
THANK COMMUNITY FOR TAKING THE
TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY DAYS,
SHOWING UP, TESTIFYING TODAY,
SHARING YOUR FEEDBACK. EVEN
WITHIN THE BLACK COMMUNITY, WE
WITNESSED AND OBSERVED AND SAW
FIRSTHAND A SPLIT. WE ARE NOT A
MONOLITH. THERE'S NUANCE HERE.
THERE'S COMPLEXITY. BUT WHEN
YOU TALK ABOUT THE FULL CONTEXT
AND THE EVOLUTION OF THIS, OF
THESE INITIATIVES. REMEMBER HOW
IT STARTED AT THIS AT THE
ELECTED OFFICIAL LEVEL, WHICH IS
WHY I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBERS COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT
HOLLINGSWORTH FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP ON THIS. I KNOW
AFTERWARDS C P I'M GONNA COME IN
YOUR OFFICE AND WE'RE GOING TO
HUG THIS OUT IRRESPECTIVE OF THE
FINAL VOTE COUNT. AND, BUT I
APPRECIATE YOUR YOUR LEADERSHIP
ON ADDRESSING FOOD SECURITY AND
ACCESS AND, AND THAT AND THAT
REMAINS TRUE IRRESPECTIVE OF THE
FINAL VOTE. BUT I, BUT I HAVE
CONCERNS FOR THE REASONS I
MENTIONED. I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT
THIS AMENDMENT AND I CAN'T I
CAN'T SUPPORT IT, BUT I BUT I
APPRECIATE YOU ALL. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA. COUNCILMEMBER LIN. YOU'RE
RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU. CHAIR. GREAT
WORDS. COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. AND
THIS. THIS ONE IS A IS DIFFICULT
FOR ME FOR THE MANY REASONS THAT
YOU JUST STATED. WE'VE HEARD A
VERY ROBUST DIALOG TODAY, AND I
JUST WANT TO THANK COUNCIL
PRESIDENT AND COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER FOR FOR BRINGING THIS
DIALOG FORWARD AND, YOU KNOW,
THERE ARE THINGS THAT IT WAS IT
WAS GREAT TO HEAR ABOUT, YOU
KNOW, THE HISTORY. I MEAN, I
THINK WE KNEW ABOUT THE HISTORY
OF THE BLACK PANTHERS, BUT IT
WAS GREAT TO SEE THAT HISTORY
BEFORE US TODAY. COME TESTIFY.
THAT'S POWERFUL AND I DO THERE
HAS BEEN A LOT OF SORT OF
DISCUSSION AND DIALOG, AND SOME
OF IT IS NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE.
AND THAT MAKES THE DISCUSSION
HARDER. AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK
ONE THING I DO JUST I HAS BEEN
CLARIFIED, BUT I JUST WANT TO
REPEAT THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS,
THIS WASN'T SOMETHING THAT WAS
PROMISED TO THE VOTERS. AND SO I
JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THIS
WASN'T SOMETHING THAT WE VOTED
ON. AND, AND YET IT FEELS THAT
WAY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I THINK
PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT SCHOOL
LUNCH. I'M EXCITED ABOUT
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL LUNCHES. AND I
THINK WE ALL ARE. AND, YOU KNOW,
ONCE THERE IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT
THAT IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN,
IT'S KIND OF HARD TO ROLL THAT
BACK. AND SO IT FEELS IT SORT OF
FRAMES IT A LITTLE BIT
DIFFERENTLY. AND SO I JUST WANT
TO RECOGNIZE THAT. BUT BUT
AGAIN, IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT
THAT VOTERS APPROVED. YOU KNOW,
THIS IS HARD FOR ME AS, AS
DISTRICT TWO REPRESENTATIVE,
PRETTY MUCH EVERY SCHOOL IN MY
DISTRICT HAS A UNIVERSAL SCHOOL
LUNCH, FREE LUNCHES, WHICH IS
GREAT PEOPLE. IT'S A GREAT
THING. I THINK THERE'S ONE
SCHOOL THAT DOESN'T AND, YOU
KNOW, JUST OVERALL DISTRICT TWO,
PROBABLY MORE THAN ANY OTHER
DISTRICT UNDER THE LEVY, GETS A
TON OF SUPPORT, AS IT SHOULD
BASED ON EQUITY. AND I'M
EXTREMELY THANKFUL FOR THAT. AND
SO THIS THIS IS HARD BECAUSE,
YOU KNOW, THIS AMENDMENT WOULD
BRING A LOT OF RESOURCES TO
DISTRICT TWO TO, TO FAMILIES IN
NEED, TO STUDENTS IN NEED. AND I
THINK WE HEARD VERY COMPELLINGLY
THAT, YOU KNOW, FOOD INSECURITY
DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN FOR
BREAKFAST OR LUNCH. IT HAPPENS
IN THE EVENING. IT HAPPENS ON
WEEKENDS. IT HAPPENS DURING
SCHOOL BREAKS. AND THAT
ABSOLUTELY IS SOMETHING WE NEED
TO, TO FIGURE OUT AND ADDRESS.
IT'S PART OF WHY I WAS EXCITED
TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT NUMBER
FOUR. AND, YOU KNOW,
UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, THIS
SHOULDN'T BE A ZERO SUM GAME. I
WOULD LOVE TO DO BOTH. AND, YOU
KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T
HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES. I MEAN,
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY
HARD BUDGET CONVERSATION THIS
FALL. AND THIS CONVERSATION
TODAY IS JUST A SMALL PREVIEW OF
THOSE VERY, VERY HARD
DISCUSSIONS THAT WE ARE GOING TO
HAVE. BUT I WON'T BE SUPPORTING
THIS TODAY. JUST I AM EXCITED TO
TO BUILD THE MOMENTUM FOR
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL LUNCHES ACROSS
BOTH THE CITY AND HOPEFULLY THE
STATE. AND. BUT I DO JUST WANT
TO SAY AN ENORMOUS GRATITUDE FOR
FOR YOU BRINGING THIS FORWARD
FOR UPLIFTING THE THE DIALOG FOR
JUMPING INTO THE NUANCE,
REGARDLESS OF SOME OF THE PUBLIC
DISCOURSE. AND, YOU KNOW, I
THINK FOR THE PUBLIC, THEY ARE
SORT OF CERTAINLY WELCOME TO SAY
WHATEVER THEY WANT ABOUT US. AND
WE GET CRITICISM FROM ALL SIDES
OVER A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT
THINGS. BUT JUST FOR ME
PERSONALLY, IT IS IT IS LESS
PERSUASIVE WHEN THINGS ARE SAID
THAT DON'T RING TRUE TO ME.
WHEN THINGS ARE SAID THAT
QUESTION THE CHARACTER OF SOME
OF MY COLLEAGUES, WHEN I KNOW
THAT YOU CARE DEEPLY AND HAVE A
DEEP ROOTED HISTORY AROUND FOOD
ACCESS AND FOOD EQUITY. AND SO
WHILE PEOPLE ARE FREE TO MAKE
THOSE COMMENTS, THEY ARE NOT
PERSUASIVE TO ME. WHEN I KNOW
THERE'S NO TRUTH TO THAT. SO I
JUST WANT TO STATE THAT, FOR THE
RECORD SO THANK YOU AGAIN. THIS
I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD
DIALOG FOR, FOR ALL OF US TO
UNDERSTAND THAT THE HUGE UNMET
NEED. SO IF WE DO PROVIDE, YOU
KNOW, UNIVERSAL SCHOOL LUNCHES,
IF THAT GOES FORWARD AND WE
DON'T DO THIS, I DON'T KNOW HOW
THIS VOTE IS GOING TO PLAY OUT.
BUT I THINK REGARDLESS, IT
HIGHLIGHTS THE CRITICAL NEED,
UNMET NEED THAT YOU'VE RAISED.
SO THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER LIN
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. YOU'RE
RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU, CHAIR RIVERA. I
WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING
BOTH COUNCILMEMBER SAKA AND
COUNCILMEMBERS FOSTER FOR
SHARING YOUR STORIES. I REALLY
WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR
COURAGE TO SHOW THAT
VULNERABILITY AND SHARE A BIT
ABOUT YOUR STORIES AND
UPBRINGING. SO THANK YOU
COLLEAGUES. THE DISCUSSION ON
UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS AND THIS
AMENDMENT IN PARTICULAR, HAS
BEEN ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING
AND EMOTIONAL POLICY DISCUSSIONS
I'VE EXPERIENCED DURING MY TIME
ON COUNCIL AND HEARING TODAY'S
PUBLIC COMMENT, I HAVE BEEN
REMINDED OF MY OWN EXPERIENCES
OF HUNGER. NOW, I DIDN'T GO
HUNGRY BECAUSE MY MOM MY GRANDMA
DIDN'T PACK ME A LUNCH. I WAS
HUNGRY FOR A WHILE BECAUSE MY
FRIENDS PARENTS DIDN'T PACK
THEM A LUNCH, AND I WAS GIVING
THEM MY FOOD AND THEY DIDN'T GET
FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES, BUT THEY
WERE FOLKS WEREN'T GIVING THEM
FOOD, AND I WAS GIVING THEM
MINE. AND MY FOLKS WERE SO MAD
WHEN THEY FOUND OUT I WAS GIVING
AWAY MY LUNCH TO MY FRIENDS. AND
OF COURSE, I TRIED TO KEEP IT A
SECRET FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE I
DIDN'T WANT MY FOLKS TO BE MAD
AT ME. I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO
GET IN TROUBLE. YOU KNOW, WHEN
YOU'RE A KID, YOU DON'T WANT TO
GET IN TROUBLE. YOU JUST WANT TO
HELP YOUR FRIEND OUT. BUT ONCE
MY FOLKS FOUND OUT WHAT WAS
GOING ON, THEY SAID, OKAY. THEY
STARTED PACKING ME DOUBLE AND
TRIPLE LUNCHES. YOU KNOW, HUNGER
CAN BE HIDDEN. HUNGER ISN'T
ALWAYS OBVIOUS, AND IT ISN'T
ALWAYS EXPERIENCED BY WHO YOU
WOULD EXPECT IT TO BE. AND WE
DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN
YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIVES. AND I
DON'T THINK WE, THE GOVERNMENT,
NEED TO KNOW EVERY SINGLE DETAIL
ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN KIDS
LIVES WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN
GETTING THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET,
AND WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS
HAPPENING ACROSS OUR COUNTRY
RIGHT NOW, I DO BELIEVE IT IS
IMPERATIVE THAT WE MOVE WITH
URGENCY TO ADDRESS HUNGER IN OUR
COMMUNITY. SO ON ONE HAND, IT
HAS BEEN HEARTENING TO SEE THE
OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT ACROSS OUR
CITY FOR FEEDING OUR KIDS,
WHETHER IT BE IN SCHOOLS, ON
WEEKENDS, OVER SCHOOL BREAKS. NO
CHILD IN THIS COMMUNITY SHOULD
BE GOING HUNGRY. I KNOW WE ALL
AGREE TO THAT AND THAT IS WHY IT
IS SHOCKING TO MY CONSCIENCE
THAT IN A CITY WITH THE WEALTH
THAT WE KNOW EXISTS, WE STILL
HAVE KIDS GOING HUNGRY. THE
POLICY GOALS OF UNIVERSAL SCHOOL
MEALS AND EXPANDED FOOD
ASSISTANCE ON WEEKEND AND
WEEKENDS AND BREAKS ARE BOTH
GOOD POLICIES. THE POLICY CHOICE
IN FRONT OF US WITH AMENDMENT 6
ASKS US TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION
OF UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS TO
FUND THAT WEEKEND AND BREAK
MEALS. NOW, IF THE OPTION BEFORE
US WAS TO FUND THIS WEEKEND
BREAK MEALS PROGRAM USING
ANOTHER FUND SOURCE OUTSIDE OF
THIS LEVY, PERHAPS OUR GRAFFITI
ABATEMENT FUND, THE UNIFIED CARE
TEAM, OR THE REAL TIME CRIME
CENTER, JUST TO NAME A FEW
EXAMPLES. THAT CHOICE WOULD BE
CLEAR TO ME AND I WOULD SUPPORT
IT IN A HEARTBEAT BUT TO TAKE IT
OUT OF OUR UNIVERSAL SCHOOL
MEALS EXPANSION IS A TRADE OFF
THAT I CAN'T SUPPORT TODAY NOW,
LIKE MY COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO
TAKE A MOMENT TO SPEAK TO THE
RHETORIC THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON
IN THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS
AMENDMENT OVER THE PAST COUPLE
OF WEEKS, PARTICULARLY THE
ATTACKS ON THE CO-SPONSORS OF
THIS AMENDMENT GOING AFTER THEIR
CHARACTER AND THEIR INTENTIONS.
I DO NOT SUPPORT THAT. I KNOW
THE SPONSORS OF THIS AMENDMENT
CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE KIDS IN
OUR CITY AND TAKE THEIR
RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR COMMUNITY
VERY SERIOUSLY. THERE IS NO
QUESTION OF THAT. AND WHILE WE
MAY FALL ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF A
SPECIFIC POLICY CHOICE WE'RE
MAKING HERE, I WANT TO BE CLEAR
THAT I STAND WITH OUR AMENDMENT
SPONSORS AND OUR SHARED
COMMITMENT TO USE OUR POWER TO
TAKE CARE OF OUR KIDS EQUITABLY
AND SUSTAINABLY AND
HOLISTICALLY. SO I WILL BE
RESPECTFULLY VOTING NO ON THIS
AMENDMENT TODAY. AND IT IS MY
HOPE THAT WHEREVER WE GO FROM
HERE, WE KEEP UP THIS ENERGY AND
PASSION FOR FEEDING YOUNG
PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT
COMES TO OUR BUDGET
DELIBERATIONS LATER THIS YEAR.
THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ
JUAREZ. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I
WANT TO START WITH JUST A FEW
FACTS, AND I WANT TO THANK.
FIRST OF ALL, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
HOLLINGSWORTH AND COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER FOR BRINGING THIS. I'LL
GET INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE
DETAIL ABOUT THAT IN A MOMENT,
BUT COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER BROUGHT
UP A REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE, AND
I'M REALLY GLAD WE HAD A CHANCE
TO TALK THROUGH. AND WITH THE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THESE ISSUES,
AS WELL AS YOURSELF,
COUNCILMEMBER OR MADAM CHAIR ON
THE SWEETENED BEVERAGE TAX THAT
WE PASSED IN 2017, WHICH WAS
IMPLEMENTED IN 2018. THE FACT IS
THIS OVER THE EIGHT YEARS, $191
MILLION HAS BEEN GATHERED AND
ONLY 4 MILLION HAS BEEN
DEDICATED TO CHILDREN IN SCHOOL,
HEALTHY FOOD IN SCHOOLS, WHICH
COMES OUT TO ABOUT LESS THAN 9%
OVER EIGHT YEARS OF TOTAL
INVESTMENT. AND THAT SHOULD BE
CONCERNING. WHAT I WANT TO
SHARE, THOUGH, FROM A HEARTFELT
POSITION OF I'VE TAKEN HARD
VOTES BEFORE AND QUITE FRANKLY,
I'VE SEEN IT A LOT WORSE. BUT
I'VE BEEN AROUND PROBABLY A LOT
LONGER. I WANT TO SAY THIS ABOUT
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH
AND COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. I WANT
TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR
CONVICTION, THEIR CONSCIENCE
BASED ON DIGNITY AND KINSHIP.
AND IN INDIAN COUNTRY WE WOULD
CALL THAT GOOD WORDS AND GOOD
MEDICINE. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN
ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION. IT HAS
NEVER BEEN ABOUT DENYING A
PROGRAM. IT'S ABOUT DELAYING A
PROGRAM AND COUNCIL. MADAM
CHAIR, YOU AND I, ALONG WITH THE
DURKIN ADMINISTRATION, KNOW AND
HAD WORKED ON AND WERE THE
ARCHITECTS OF A UNIVERSAL
PROGRAM CALLED THE PROMISE
PROGRAM AND HOW WE LAYERED AND
SCAFFOLD THAT PROGRAM IN.
STARTING WITH TWO HIGH SCHOOLS,
THEN FOUR, AND THEN EVERY HIGH
SCHOOL. SO EVERY HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT COULD ENJOY GOING TO
COLLEGE FOR FREE IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. WE DID THAT AS
ARCHITECTS AND WORKING WITH
LEADERSHIP BECAUSE WE WANTED IT
TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND
SUSTAINABLE. AND I WANT TO THANK
THOSE OF YOU WHO BROUGHT UP
HISTORY IS SO IMPORTANT, AND WE
HEARD SO MANY GOOD COMMENTS. I
MEAN, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE A
RIGHT TO COME TO PUBLIC COMMENT
AND HAVE THEIR OPINIONS IN
HISTORY. BUT SOME OF THE
COMMENTS WERE INCREDIBLY SUBLIME
AND PROFOUND. I LOVE HOW PEOPLE
COME WITH HISTORY AND FACTS.
BEFORE WE GET TO FEELINGS.
TALKING FROM 1990, 1997, 2004,
2011, 2014, 2018 WE ARE SIX
TIMES THE VOTERS WENT OUT THERE
AND SAID, THIS IS WHAT WE WANT
AND COUNCILMEMBER LIN, THANK YOU
FOR BRINGING UP SOMETHING THAT I
JOTTED DOWN EARLIER. FIRST OF
ALL, YOUR GOOD WORDS ABOUT
EQUITY. BUT SECOND OF ALL, WE
HAD YOU HAD STRUCTURED THIS,
MADAM CHAIR, UNDER THE HAROLD
ADMINISTRATION. AND THAT'S
THAT'S WHAT THE VOTERS WERE
ASKING FOR. NOW, I UNDERSTAND
THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAVE THEIR
IDEOLOGY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY
HAVE POLITICAL GOALS THAT THEY
WANT TO SEE DONE, AND I RESPECT
THAT. BUT AGAIN, I WANT TO TAKE
US BACK TO EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT HERE. WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION. WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING
BEING DELAYED, NOT DENIED. WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT EQUITY. WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT THE ROOTS OF
CHILDREN BEING HUNGRY. AND I
JUST I'VE BEEN I WAS TAKING
NOTES DURING PUBLIC COMMENT,
WHICH I ALWAYS DO. AND I WANT TO
THANK COUNCIL. OUR FORMER
REPRESENTATIVE, JOHN MASON, FOR
HER GOOD WORDS. I WORKED WITH
HER IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE
MANY YEARS AGO, WHICH I WON'T
BRING UP. AND THE FOLKS, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM JIM AND DON AND
ELMER, AND PARTICULARLY FROM THE
BLACK PANTHER, AND HOW THESE ALL
BEGAN WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE
MOVEMENTS, BECAUSE PEOPLE OF
COLOR HAD TO DO IT OURSELVES.
WELL, I THANK OUR ALLIES.
SOMETIMES I THINK YOU TRY TO
SPEAK FOR US. AND SO LET ME JUST
SAY THIS. I LOVE THE FOLKS THAT
TALKED ABOUT THAT HUNGER
DOESN'T TAKE A BREAK AND
UNDERSTOOD THE HISTORY OF THIS
AND THE PASSION BEHIND IT. THIS
ISN'T EITHER OR. IT NEVER HAS
BEEN. SOME PEOPLE HAVE
CHARACTERIZED IT AS THAT HAS PUT
IT INTO SOME KIND OF CONTEXTUAL
US VERSUS THEM. IT WAS NEVER
THAT. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT
HOW DO WE FEED ALL OF THESE
CHILDREN, DO IT UNIVERSALLY,
MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE ACROSS THE
BOARD AND THEN NOT ONLY THAT,
BUT TALK TO THE VALUES THAT THIS
CITY PROCLAIMS TO HAVE EVERY
DAY, ALL THE TIME, AND NOT JUST
ABOUT NOT JUST ABOUT POLITICS.
AND COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, THANK
YOU FOR POINTING OUT SOME OF THE
COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE. AS YOU
ALL KNOW, I'M NOT ON SOCIAL
MEDIA, SO I DON'T YOU KNOW, I
THINK IT'S JUST TRASH. BUT MY
POINT IS THIS. I THINK IT'S
UNFORTUNATE, BUT I'VE WATCHED IT
A LOT IN THIS JOB WHERE PEOPLE
HAVE TAKEN ISSUES THAT ARE SO
DEAR TO US ABOUT CHILDREN BEING
HUNGRY AND THOSE THAT DON'T GET
FED ON THE WEEKENDS AND DURING
BREAKS. SO I APPRECIATE WHAT
COUNCIL MEMBER SAKA SAID. I,
TOO, WAS ONE OF THOSE KIDS THAT
GREW UP WITH THE LAST THREE DAYS
OF THE MONTH. I DIDN'T EAT FOOD
STAMPS, REDUCED LUNCH, NO LUNCH.
SO I MEAN, I COULD GO ON AND ON,
BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT. THE
POINT IS, I'M SAYING THAT FROM
WHAT YOU ALL LOVE TO SAY, LIVED
EXPERIENCE, BUT I'M NOT
VULNERABLE AND I'M NOT
MARGINALIZED. AND I REALLY WANT
TO THANK COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER TO STEP UP
AND HAVE A VOICE, HAVE THE
SUPPORT SO PEOPLE CAN HEAR US
AND WHY THESE PROGRAMS CAME
ABOUT. AND AGAIN, I'LL JUST
I'LL END ON THIS NOTE. MADAM
CHAIR, I WANT TO THANK YOU
BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I WORKED WITH
YOU UNDER THE DURKIN
ADMINISTRATION. I'VE WATCHED,
AND UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOU
HAVE BEEN GREAT ABOUT SITTING
DOWN WITH US, GOING THROUGH THE
LEVY, GOING THROUGH THE CHAIRS
PACKAGE. THAT'S THE KIND OF
THAT'S THE KIND OF QUOTE,
UNQUOTE PROGRESSIVE, IF YOU
WILL. THAT'S THE KIND OF
CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE TO HAVE
IN THESE POLICIES THAT WE START
WITH THE FACTS. CAN WE FUND IT?
IS IT SUSTAINABLE? WE DON'T HAVE
TO GO INTO SCREAMING AT ELECTED
FOLKS AND ATTACKING THEIR
INTEGRITY AND THEIR HEART. AND
IT'S IT SADDENS ME TO SEE THAT,
BUT I GUESS THAT'S WHERE WE'RE
AT IN POLITICS THESE DAYS. SO
THAT BEING SAID, I AS YOU KNOW,
MADAM CHAIR, I AM A PROUD
SPONSOR OF AMENDMENT 4 AND
AMENDMENT 6. AND AGAIN, I CANNOT
THANK YOU MORE, MADAM CHAIR, FOR
YOUR LEADERSHIP. AND ALSO, OF
COURSE, THE RESPECT I HAVE FOR
COUNCIL, COUNCIL, PRESIDENT AND
COUNCILMEMBER. FOSTER. THANK
YOU.
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU, CHAIR, AND THANK
YOU TO THE SPONSORS. THANK YOU
TO ALL THE COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE
SPOKEN ON THIS ISSUE. UNIVERSAL
MEALS ARE IMPORTANT AND THEY'RE
IMPORTANT TO ME. IT'S IMPORTANT
THAT NO KID IN ANY SCHOOL IS
HUNGRY. STIGMA AND PAPERWORK AND
DOCUMENTATION, AS WAS DISCUSSED,
ARE BARRIERS THAT NEED TO BE
REDUCED OR ELIMINATED. I THINK
THE QUESTION OF STANDING IN THE
LUNCH LINE AND WONDERING IF THEY
SHOULD GET LUNCH OR NOT IS
SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO
ME. THAT RINGS REALLY TRUE TO
THE VALUES THAT I HOLD AND THE
PERSPECTIVE THAT I BRING HERE AT
CITY COUNCIL. AS COUNCILMEMBER
LIN MENTIONED JUST A COUPLE
MINUTES AGO, THE QUESTION BEFORE
US WAS NOT A PROMISE MADE TO
VOTERS THROUGH THE FAMILIES,
EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL, AND
PROMISE LEVY. IT WAS A PROMISE
THAT WAS MADE JUST IN THE LAST
FEW MONTHS THE SOURCE OF FUNDING
FOR THIS PLAN, USING THE RISK
AND RESERVE FUND, IS, AS THE
NAME STATES, RISKY. AND I SAY
THAT BECAUSE. AND SPEAKING AS
THE BUDGET CHAIR, I'M MOSTLY
FOCUSED ON THE NUMBERS HERE
TODAY. I CALL THE RISK AND
RESERVE ACCOUNTS WITHIN OUR
LEVIES. THE INFLATION ACCOUNT,
THE COST RISING ACCOUNT, BECAUSE
THESE LEVIES ARE SET UP FOR 8 TO
10 YEARS, DEPENDING AND IN THOSE
8 TO 10 YEARS, EVEN OUR BEST
GUESSES AT INFLATION DO NOT
NECESSARILY INCLUDE THE COST.
ESCALATORS OF MATERIALS, GOOD
LABOR, EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IT
TAKES TO DELIVER THE PROMISES OF
THE LEVIES THAT ARE TAKEN TO
VOTERS. JUST LOOK AT THE LAST
TRANSPORTATION LEVY. IF WE
HADN'T HAD THE OVERSIGHT BODY
ALERT US TO THE FACT THAT WE
WERE SO OFF BASE, WE WOULD NEVER
HAVE GOTTEN BACK ON TRACK. AND
WE HAD TO USE EVERY TOOL IN OUR
BOOK BECAUSE OF THE INFLATION
AND COST ESCALATIONS THAT
OCCURRED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE AND WE'VE
SEEN, YEAH, WE'VE SEEN TIME AND
TIME AGAIN OUR LEVIES, HAVING
DIFFICULTY MEETING OUR GOALS
BECAUSE COSTS RISE OVER THOSE 8
TO 10 YEARS OF THE LEVY. BEYOND
THIS, THE PROMISE THAT HAS BEEN
MADE TO OUR COMMUNITY RELIES ON
A MILLIONAIRE'S TAX, WHICH
IT'S EVEN ITS FUTURE IS
UNCERTAIN. MY HOPE IS THAT IT
HAS A SECURE FUTURE. BUT WE
DON'T KNOW THAT TODAY. THE PLAN
TRANSMITTED HAS MADE A PROMISE
TO SEATTLEITES WITHOUT A PLAN.
IN MY TIME AS BUDGET CHAIR, WE
HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO REDUCE
THE STRUCTURAL BUDGET DEFICIT
FROM $270 MILLION TO $150
MILLION IN JUST THIS LAST
BUDGET. IN THIS YEAR ALONE, WE
HAVE APPROVED ADDITIONAL FUNDING
REQUESTS FOR IMPORTANT PROGRAMS.
THAT HAS INCREASED OUR
STRUCTURAL BUDGET DEFICIT TO
$175 MILLION. AND THERE ARE
ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROMISES THAT
HAVE BEEN MADE OF 30 TO $40
MILLION WITHOUT A FUNDING SOURCE
IDENTIFIED I SAY THIS BECAUSE I
SUPPORT THOSE PROGRAMS AND I
SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS. AND WE
NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR EYED ABOUT
THE WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING
WITH OUR BUDGETS AND THE AND THE
BUDGET REFORM, BOTH STRUCTURALLY
AND PROCEDURALLY, THAT WE'VE
BEEN DOING, WE'VE BEEN DOING TO
OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGETS, BUT
ALSO TO OUR LEVY BUDGETS. WHEN
THIS LEVY WAS BUILT, WE BUILT IT
TO ENSURE THE FUNDING SOURCE WAS
SUSTAINABLE AND SECURE TO
DELIVER THE PROMISES MADE
WITHOUT RELYING ON OTHER FUND
SOURCES. NEW PROMISES LIKE THE
UNIVERSAL MEALS, ARE GOOD, AND
THEY SHOULD RELY ON SECURE
SOURCES OF FUNDING. THIS IS
IMPORTANT BECAUSE WITHOUT
SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY, WE
COULD BE RIGHT BACK HERE AGAIN
ASKING FOR FUNDING AND ADDING
INSTABILITY TO THE LIVES OF THE
VERY KIDS WE WANT TO SERVE.
STIGMA IS REAL. DOCUMENTATION IS
REAL. AS WE HEARD FROM THE
SPONSOR TODAY, IT IS UP TO SPL
TO DETERMINE THAT THERE'S NO
MEANS TESTING, THERE'S NO
NECESSARILY ADDITIONAL
DOCUMENTATION. IT'S UP TO THEM
TO DECIDE WITH THE MONEY THAT WE
ARE PROVIDING TO ADD SECURITY
TODAY. BUT FOR UNIVERSAL MEALS
AS THE PLAN, AS WHAT HAS BEEN
DESCRIBED TODAY, WE COULD BE
HERE, WE COULD BE RIGHT BACK
HERE AGAIN. AND STABILITY IS
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE
MAKING A PROMISE OF FOOD AND
THEN TELLING OUR KIDS THAT IT'S
IN JEOPARDY ONLY FOR US ADULTS
IN THE ROOM TO FIND A BETTER
FUNDING PATH TO BRING IT BACK.
THAT CAN NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE
VERY CHILDREN THAT WE ARE
LOOKING TO SERVE NOT THE ADULTS
IN THIS ROOM, BUT YET THEY'RE
THE ONES THAT SUFFER BECAUSE
WE'RE SAYING YOU HAVE IT, THEN
YOU DON'T, AND THEN YOU DO, AND
THEN YOU DON'T. WHY NOT TAKE
THE EXTRA TIME TO MAKE A PLAN
THAT IS ROBUST, TO MAKE A PLAN
THAT IS SECURE, TO MAKE A PLAN
THAT IS STABLE. WE BRIEFED THE
MIDYEAR SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
YESTERDAY, AND I WAS TRULY I WAS
IMPRESSED TO ONLY SEE A $500,000
INCREASE IN GENERAL FUND SPEND
IN GENERAL FUND SPENDING AND
THAT $500,000 WAS SET UP TO
SUPPORT AN EXTREME RISK
PROTECTION ORDER. ASSISTANT CITY
ATTORNEY TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE
WHO ARE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES
AND OTHERS WITH FIREARMS IN OUR
COMMUNITY ARE HELD THROUGH DUE
PROCESS TO ACCOUNT. THAT'S THE
INCREASE IN GENERAL FUND SO FAR
THIS YEAR THAT WE'RE SEEING IN
THE MIDYEAR SUPPLEMENTAL. I
GUESS I'M WONDERING OUT HERE
OUT I'M WONDERING OUT LOUD WHY
THE PLAN FOR UNIVERSAL MEALS
WERE NOT FUNDED BY GENERAL FUND.
EVEN IT IS A MORE SECURE FUNDING
SOURCE THAN THE MILLIONAIRE'S
TAX TODAY. EVEN THAT PROCESS
ENSURES THAT WE ARE NOT PUTTING
AT RISK THE OTHER PROMISES THAT
WE'VE MADE TO OUR CHILDREN
THROUGH THE FAMILIES, EDUCATION,
PRESCHOOL, AND PROMISE LEVY WHAT
I JUST DESCRIBED IS EXACTLY WHAT
I DID WHEN I FOUND A WAITLIST
FOR FRESH BUCKS. WHEN I CAME
INTO OFFICE, THE FIRST DOLLAR OF
GENERAL FUND THAT EVER WENT INTO
FRESH BUCKS WAS MY FIRST BUDGET
AMENDMENT THAT I EVER PASSED.
BECAUSE WHAT WE WERE SEEING WAS
THE SWEETENED BEVERAGE TAX WAS
NOT A SECURE FUNDING SOURCE. IT
WAS COMING IN LOWER THAN
PROJECTIONS BECAUSE OF
SUBSTITUTION EFFECT SAID IN MORE
PLAIN LANGUAGE, PEOPLE WERE
GOING TO SHORELINE TO BUY THEIR
SODA OR TUKWILA AND SO THAT'S
WHAT I DID TO SECURE THAT
FUNDING FOR FRESH BUCKS. I SAID,
LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THIS
GENERAL FUND. DOES THAT DID MY
ACTIONS INCREASE THE STRUCTURAL
STRUCTURAL BUDGET DEFICIT? YES,
IT DID. DID IT CREATE A MORE
STABLE FUNDING SOURCE?
ABSOLUTELY. AND TODAY I'M
CONCERNED THAT THE PLAN AS
TRANSMITTED MAKES A PROMISE
WITHOUT A PLAN. IT PUTS AT RISK
THE STABILITY WE SHOULD BE
PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS. IT PUTS
AT RISK OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER
THE PROMISES WE HAVE MADE TO
VOTERS BECAUSE WE'RE RUSHING TO
MAKE DECISIONS. FRANKLY, I'M
DISAPPOINTED BY THE AVOIDABLE
CONFLICT WE ARE IN TODAY. IT WAS
VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO HEAR
FROM ELMER DIXON, AS EVERYONE
HAS SAID, WHO FOUNDED THE BLACK
PANTHER PARTY HERE IN CITY OF
SEATTLE. I WAS HONORED TO GET TO
PARTICIPATE IN POW WOW AT UNITED
INDIANS OF ALL TRIBES THIS
WEEKEND. THOSE TWO, BOTH WITH
ELMER, SHARED WITH US TODAY AND
POW WOW ARE THE LIVING,
BREATHING EXAMPLES OF THE GANG
OF FOUR COMING TOGETHER IN THE
1970s. AND SO I'M MOVED BY THE
WORDS THAT I HEARD FROM ELMER AS
HE WAS THE ONE THAT STARTED THE
PROGRAMS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE
THAT I KNOW BENEFITED FROM AND
WHO, THROUGH ACTION, INSPIRED
EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM TO BE
HAVING THE CONVERSATION THAT WE
ARE HAVING TODAY. BECAUSE
WITHOUT ELMER AND THE BLACK
PANTHER PARTY OF SEATTLE, WE
WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THESE FOOD
PROGRAMS IN THE FIRST PLACE TO
EVEN INSPIRE US TO HAVE THE
CONVERSATION WE'RE HAVING
TODAY. AND SO WHAT YOU HAVE FROM
ME IS MY COMMITMENT TO MAKE
UNIVERSAL MEALS A REALITY ACROSS
OUR CITY. AND THAT WE WILL DO SO
WITH A PLAN THAT DOES NOT PUT
PROMISES IN JEOPARDY. I'LL BE
SUPPORTING AMENDMENT 6 TODAY,
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT I
HOPE WILL BE A COLLABORATIVE
PROCESS WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
TO FIND A SECURE AND STABLE
FUNDING SOURCE. THANK YOU
COLLEAGUES.
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. IS
THAT A NEW HAND? OKAY. AND
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER, ARE YOU
TRYING TO OR IS THAT A NEW HAND?
IS THAT YOUR FINAL REMARKS?
-- IT IS NOT, NO.
-- OKAY.
-- THEN I'LL.
-- CALL YOUR HAND THOUGH.
-- YES.
-- THEN YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.
-- THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIR, AND
THANK YOU. I, I APPRECIATE ALL
OF YOU DEEPLY, COLLEAGUES. I
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE A
LITTLE BIT OF SPACE JUST TO TURN
TO CENTRAL STAFF BEFORE WE CLOSE
OUT TODAY. I WASN'T GOING TO DO
THIS, BUT COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS
LISTENING TO YOUR COMMENTS
AROUND THE THE LONG TERM
PLANNING, I JUST I REALIZE
THERE'S A PART OF THIS
CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVEN'T YET
SPOKEN ABOUT. SO I JUST WANT TO
ASK CENTRAL STAFF IF YOU CAN
SHARE WITH US FROM THE LAST
LEVY, HOW DID WE USE THE
UNDERSPEND IN THE 2019 FEPP
LEVY.
-- YEAH. SO IN THE IN THE
PREVIOUS LEVY, THERE WASN'T A
LINE ITEM FOR COST AND RISK
RESERVE. RATHER, INDIVIDUAL
LARGE PROGRAMS HAD A BIT OF LIKE
A, FOR BETTER LACK OF A BETTER
WORD, PADDING IN THEM TO ACCOUNT
FOR ANY SORT OF UNINTENDED OR
UNANTICIPATED COSTS. AND SO THAT
THE. UNDER THAT UNDERSPEND, MY
UNDERSTANDING IS THAT ON
AVERAGE, THERE WAS ABOUT A 2 TO
3% UNDERSPEND THAT PROBABLY
REFLECTED THE EXTRA RISK AND
RESERVE MONEY THAT WAS BUILT
INTO THE PROGRAMS THEMSELVES IN
FOR THIS YEAR'S THIS CURRENT
LEVY, WE HAVE AN EXTRA. WE HAVE
A MORE TRANSPARENT COST AND RISK
RESERVE THAT IS THAT IS PULLED
OUT.
-- THANK YOU. AND LET ME JUST I
GUESS I'LL JUST READ FROM THE
THE MEMO THAT I HAVE FROM
CENTRAL STAFF, WHICH SHARES THAT
THE. DURING THE 2019 LEVY,
ACCORDING TO THE WAY THAT THE
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FUNCTIONED,
THEY DEDICATED ANY OF THAT
UNDERSPEND TO PRESCHOOL FOR. IS
THAT CORRECT?
-- THE. THE PREVIOUS I E PLAN
HAD A POLICY THAT SAID ANY
UNDERSPEND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED
TOWARDS PRESCHOOL. WHAT ENDED UP
HAPPENING? BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY
BECAUSE OF COVID, YOU KNOW,
THERE WAS THERE WAS ACTUALLY A
SIGNIFICANT UNDERSPEND WITHIN
PRESCHOOL. AND THE UNDERSPEND
WAS THEN REALLOCATED TOWARDS
OTHER PROGRAMS, MOSTLY PROMISE
AND SOME K THROUGH 12
INVESTMENTS.
-- THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO
MAKE SURE WE WERE HIGHLIGHTING
THAT IN TERMS OF ENSURING THAT
WE HAVE CLARITY AROUND THE
PREVIOUS PRACTICES WITH
UNDERSPEND, AND THEN THE CURRENT
PRACTICES. THANK YOU.
-- AND IF I COULD ADD SOMETHING
HERE, COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER,
BECAUSE YOU RAISE A A GREAT
POINT IN TERMS OF UNDERSPEND IS
THAT DURING COVID, THERE WAS A
LOT OF DISRUPTION TO THIS LAST
LEVY. AND SO WE USE SOME OF THE.
AND I HAPPEN TO BE IN THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE. SO THAT'S WHY I
SAY WE. AND WHEN I SAY I'VE
WORKED WITH WITH DIRECTOR
CHAPELLE FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS IS
BECAUSE OF THAT. BUT WE WORK
TOGETHER AND, AND A LOT OF THE
FUNDING DID GO TO FUND MEALS FOR
KIDS BECAUSE THAT WAS NEEDED
DURING COVID. KIDS WEREN'T
COMING TO SCHOOL AND THEN WE
WEREN'T GETTING THEM BREAKFAST
AND LUNCH BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT
LUNCH, BUT THEY GET FREE
BREAKFAST ALSO AT SCHOOL. AND SO
WE WERE DOING WORKING WITH
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO DO
SACK MEALS FOR FAMILIES, YOU
KNOW, FOR KIDS, FOR THE KIDS.
AND OVER THE WEEKEND. SO
THERE'S A LONG STANDING PRACTICE
OF, OF USING SOME OF THE FUNDING
FOR THAT FOOD ASSISTANCE, WHICH
IS ACTUALLY IN THE, IN THE LEVY
LANGUAGE ITSELF IN TERMS OF FOOD
ASSISTANCE. SO JUST WANTED TO
SAY, YOU KNOW, THE RISK RESERVE
PIECE WAS IMPORTANT THIS GO
AROUND BECAUSE WE DIDN'T THEY
DIDN'T THE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T
CALL IT OUT THAT WAY LAST GO
ROUND. AND THEN WHEN THINGS
HAPPEN, LIKE A GLOBAL PANDEMIC,
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO
PIVOT AND, AND USE SOME OF THE
RESERVES TO BACKFILL ANYTHING
THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO
BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH
FUNDING FOR ET-CETERA. SO THAT
PIECE IS REALLY IMPORTANT. SO
THANKS FOR CALLING OUT THE, THE
UNDERSPEND PIECE, COLLEAGUES.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS
ABOUT AMENDMENT NUMBER SIX? ALL
RIGHT. SEEING NONE, I I'D LIKE
TO ADDRESS A COUPLE THINGS.
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ THANK YOU
FOR CALLING OUT. YOU KNOW, THIS
IS AN INTERESTING LEVY BECAUSE
IT DOES START WITH A DIFFERENT
MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION. AND NOW
THERE'S THIS MAYORAL
ADMINISTRATION. SO I WANT TO SET
SOME THINGS. STRAIGHT HERE IN
TERMS OF WHEN I WORKED WITH THE
PRIOR ADMINISTRATION AND THE
DEPARTMENT ON THE LEVY, WE
DIDN'T SPECIFICALLY CALL OUT
UNIVERSAL MEALS. THAT'S NOT IN
THE LEVY. FOOD ASSISTANCE IS IN
THE LEVY. IT'S VERY PLAINLY
SPELLED OUT. SO THAT IT SAYS
UNDER K THROUGH 12 HEALTH AND
SAFETY THAT WE WOULD INCLUDE
HEALTH, EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH
CARE AND FOOD ASSISTANCE,
BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT KIDS NEED
ALL OF THOSE THINGS TO BE
SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL. BUT IT WAS
NOT CALLED OUT AS AS OTHER
COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, UP HAVE
HAVE SAID, HAVE SET UP HERE.
UNIVERSAL MEALS WERE NOT CALLED
OUT. THAT SAID, WE ALL SUPER
SUPPORT MEALS. THERE ISN'T A
PERSON SITTING UP HERE NOW OR
WHO IS SITTING HERE. WHEN THE
LEVY WAS PASSED LAST YEAR, OR
THE LAST GO ROUND, OR EITHER
MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION, THAT I
WOULD SAY DOESN'T OBVIOUSLY
SUPPORT SCHOOL MEALS FOR OUR
KIDS, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR
THE PUBLIC TO KNOW BECAUSE
THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS AWARE THAT
UNIVERSAL MEALS WERE NOT PART OF
THIS LEVY AT THE TIME. AND ALSO,
IT BEARS MENTIONING THAT UNDER
WASHINGTON STATE LAWS, THE
SCHOOLS WHERE 40% OR MORE OF THE
KIDS ARE ON FREE AND REDUCED
LUNCH ALREADY GET UNIVERSAL
SCHOOL MEALS. SO, COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ, YOUR POINT ABOUT
SCAFFOLDING WITHOUT KNOWING,
BECAUSE I HAVEN'T TALKED TO THE
GOVERNOR ABOUT THIS, BUT WHEN HE
PROPOSED A UNIVERSAL SCHOOL
MEALS, IT SOUNDS LIKE HE WAS
SCAFFOLDING RIGHT? AND SO AND I
UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CURRENT
MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO
INTERESTED IN MEALS. SO IT
SOUNDS LIKE THEY WANTED TO
BRIDGE A GAP. BUT AS WE'VE SAID
HERE THERE IS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE
CONCERNS ABOUT CONTINUATION OF
FILLING THE GAP. IF WE SHOULD
NEED TO INTO THE FUTURE. AND SO
WE'RE WE'RE A LITTLE BIT ON,
ON UNSTEADY GROUND HERE IN TERMS
OF THE LONG TERM, HOW WE WOULD
SUPPORT THIS LONG TERM IF WE
SHOULD NEED TO, BECAUSE ONCE WE
STARTED AND WHAT I DO KNOW ABOUT
WORKING AT THE CITY SO MANY
YEARS AND COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ
YOU AS WELL, IS THAT ONCE WE
START SOMETHING, WE CANNOT JUST
TAKE IT AWAY. WHAT I ALSO KNOW
IS THAT SUPPORTING AFTER SCHOOL
MEALS, SO BACKPACKS LIKE THE
BACKPACK BRIGADE THAT SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOL ALREADY DOES, AND
WEEKEND MEALS HAS A LONG
STANDING PRACTICE. SO SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE WELL
POSITIONED TO IMPLEMENT THE
FUNDS BEING CONTEMPLATED BY
COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCIL PRESIDENT
HOLLINGSWORTH. WITH THIS
AMENDMENT, AND I WILL SAY THAT I
SPOKE WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
ABOUT THIS IN PARTICULAR,
BECAUSE IN RIVERA DUE DILIGENCE
FASHION, I WANTED TO TO YOU
KNOW, WE WE WOULD BE GIVING
FUNDING TO THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS. AND I WANTED TO CHECK
IN, YOU KNOW, HOW WOULD THIS
WORK OUT IN TERMS OF ITS, YOU
KNOW, UNIVERSAL MEAL EXPANSION,
EXPANSION ACROSS ALL THE
SCHOOLS. SO WE KNOW OR I KNOW
FROM SPEAKING TO THE
SUPERINTENDENT THAT THE MEALS
CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AMENDMENT
IS DOABLE. THEY ALREADY DO IT.
IT'S AN EXPANSION OF SOMETHING
THAT THEY DO AND IS NEEDED
BECAUSE THE KIDS THAT ARE
GETTING FREE AND REDUCED
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH IN SCHOOL DO
NEED MEALS AFTER SCHOOL AND INTO
THE WEEKENDS. THAT'S SOMETHING
THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF
AND THAT WE COULD DO AND READILY
DO AND EASILY DO. SO TO ME, IT
MAKES SENSE TO BRIDGE THE
WEEKEND MEAL GAP, IF YOU WILL,
KNOWING THAT THE KIDS THAT MOST
NEED THE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH
ARE ABLE TO TO GET THAT AT
SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY SINCE
IT'S ALREADY UNIVERSAL IN THOSE
SCHOOLS THAT SERVICE MORE THAN,
YOU KNOW, 40 OR MORE PERCENT OF
THE KIDS ARE FREE AND REDUCED
LUNCH. THESE ARE DIFFICULT
CONVERSATIONS, I KNOW, AND TO
THE POINT OF SCAFFOLDING, I'LL
SAY TO THE SCHOOL BASED HEALTH
CENTERS, WHICH PROVIDE THE
HEALTH AND THE THE MENTAL HEALTH
SUPPORT TO STUDENTS. THAT WAS
SCAFFOLD AS WELL. COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ YOU'LL REMEMBER WE
STARTED SCHOOL BASED HEALTH
CENTERS AT SOME SCHOOLS. AND
THEN EVERY YEAR THE LEVY, WE
HAVE ADDED MORE SO THAT WITH
THIS LEVY, WE'RE ADDING MORE
SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS TO
THE LIST. AND WE STILL DON'T
HAVE SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS
AT EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL. BUT AS
IN THE THE MEALS THAT WE DO
AFTER SCHOOL AND OVER THE
WEEKEND, I BELIEVE THAT I AM
CORRECT IN SAYING ANY KID, JUST
LIKE WITH THE SCHOOL BASED
HEALTH CENTER THAT NEEDS ACCESS
TO THAT CAN ACCESS THAT AT A
DIFFERENT SCHOOL. SO SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND DEAL HAVE
PARTNERED AND WORK TOGETHER TO
MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS THE CASE.
SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT
THIS IS THIS IS I THIS IS ONE OF
THOSE POINTS WHERE AGAIN, WE ARE
ALL ALIGNED HERE. THERE'S MORE
ALIGNMENT THAN NOT INCLUDING
WITH THE MAYOR. AND I APPRECIATE
THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO BRIDGE
THAT GAP BETWEEN WHEN THE STATE
COULD START THIS. AND AND NOW.
AND IT ALL GOES TO WHAT'S THE
BEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT IN THE
FASTEST WAY MEALS FOR KIDS THAT
NEED THEM ACROSS OUR SYSTEM. SO
IT IS NOT ABOUT FOLKS, NOT FOLKS
UP HERE, CITY COUNCIL NOT CARING
ABOUT KIDS. IT IS REALLY ABOUT
AT THIS JUNCTURE, WHAT IS THE
BEST WAY AND WHAT IS THE BEST
WAY TO PROVIDE THAT FOOD SUPPORT
TO THE KIDS THAT NEED IT IN THIS
CITY RIGHT NOW? SO THIS IS WHY
THIS PARTICULAR CONVERSATION HAS
BEEN SO DIFFICULT, IS BECAUSE
THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT GOT
ADDED LATER. IT DID NOT GET
ADDED AS UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS
IN THE LEVY. WE COULD HAVE DONE
SO AT THE TIME IF THAT HAD BEEN
CONTEMPLATED. BUT AGAIN, WE KNEW
THAT WASHINGTON STATE LAW WAS
COVERING THE FREE AND REDUCED
KIDS MEALS. AND THEN IN THOSE
SCHOOLS THAT HAD THE 40% OR
MORE, IT WAS UNIVERSAL. IN ORDER
TO ADDRESS THAT, THE STIGMA
PIECE THAT COUNCILMEMBER SAKA
YOU, YOU RAISED. AND THAT IS AN
IMPORTANT POINT TO RAISE. SO I
SAY ALL THIS TO SAY THAT NO
MATTER WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS
PARTICULAR AMENDMENT TODAY, IT
IS TRUE THAT WE ALL SUPPORT KIDS
IN OUR SCHOOLS AND FOOD ACCESS
TO KIDS IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND TO
ALL KIDS ACROSS THE CITY. THIS
IS IMPORTANT. WE'VE DONE A LOT
TO SUPPORT FOOD ACCESS, AND I
KNOW THAT. COUNCILMEMBER
HOLLINGSWORTH, THIS IS SOMETHING
THAT'S BEEN NEAR AND DEAR TO
YOUR HEART, AND I KNOW.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER IS IN YOUR
COLLEAGUE YOU CARE ABOUT THIS
DEEPLY TOO. SO AGAIN, I JUST
WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WE ALL CARE
DEEPLY ABOUT PROVIDING FOOD TO
KIDS. AND I KNOW THE MAYOR CARES
DEEPLY ABOUT PROVIDING FOOD TO
KIDS. AND WHATEVER HAPPENS WITH
THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT, THAT
DOES NOT CHANGE. AND THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER LIN, FOR RAISING
THAT EARLIER AS WELL. SO THERE
IS NO THERE IS NO NEED. AND I
HOPE THAT THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF
THOSE THINGS THAT DOESN'T GO
DOWN. YOU KNOW, FOLKS LOVE
CONTROVERSY OUT THERE IN THE
STRATOSPHERE. AND I DON'T WANT
THIS TO BE ANOTHER SOURCE OF
CONTROVERSY, CONTROVERSY. I HOPE
THAT WE WILL ALL RESPECT EACH
OTHER NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS
WITH THIS AMENDMENT, AND THAT WE
RECOGNIZE THAT THE MAIN THING
AND THE IMPORTANT THING HERE IS
THAT WE SUPPORT FOOD FOR KIDS IN
THIS CITY, PERIOD. FULL STOP. SO
I WILL LET THE, THE AND I WILL
SAY ALSO, I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE
BOTH COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER FOR
BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I TOO,
LIKE COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ WANT
TO ADD MY NAME AS A CO-SPONSOR
TO THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT. I
WILL BE SUPPORTING IT, AND I
LOOK FORWARD TO A DAY JUST LIKE
UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL AND MAYBE
UNIVERSAL MEALS WILL COME FIRST,
BUT WHERE WE CAN DO UNIVERSAL
MEALS FOR ALL KIDS ACROSS ALL
OUR SCHOOLS IN THE CITY. BUT
UNTIL THEN, I THINK THERE IS A
HUGE NEED FOR AFTER SCHOOL AND
WEEKEND MEALS. AND THAT IS WHAT
THIS NEED IS TRYING TO FILL. OR
THAT IS THE NEED THAT THIS
AMENDMENT IS TRYING TO FILL. AND
I'M VERY SENSITIVE TO THAT
NEED, GIVEN WHAT I KNOW FROM MY
EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE
DEPARTMENT DURING COVID AND AND
SUBSEQUENTLY, BECAUSE I KNOW
THEY'VE GIVEN FOCUS TO THIS
SINCE THEN. SO ANYWAY, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY
ANY FINAL REMARKS OR
COUNCILMEMBER? FOSTER. I KNOW
YOU HAD TO AS WELL.
-- I THINK WE BOTH WOULD. CHAIR
IF THAT'S OKAY.
-- YES.
-- YOU'RE RECOGNIZED A COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
-- AWESOME. THANK YOU. THANK
YOU, CHAIR. AND I WANT TO FIRST
START BY THANKING COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA FOR YOUR WORDS AND THE HUG.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS FOR YOUR WORDS AS WELL.
COUNCILMEMBER LIN FOR YOUR WORDS
ABOUT DISTRICT TWO.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER AS
CO-SPONSOR AS WELL.
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR YOUR
WORDS AS WELL AND COUNCILMEMBER.
KETTLE FOR OUR CONVERSATIONS AND
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ AND CHAIR
TO YOU AS WELL. COLLEAGUES, THIS
IS OBVIOUSLY A REALLY HARD
DECISION, AND I BELIEVE THAT
THIS WAS NEVER ABOUT EITHER OR.
IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT AND AND
IMPLEMENTATION. AND I JUST WANT
TO HIGHLIGHT THAT BECAUSE I KNOW
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVES OUT THERE. THERE'S
BEEN A LOT OF SWIRL. SOMETIMES
THE LIES ARE MORE ENTERTAINING
THAN THE TRUTH, I GET THAT, BUT
I DO, I DO WANT TO SAY, AND JUST
FOR THE RECORD, THAT I'VE ALWAYS
BEEN WILLING AND READY TO WORK
WITH OUR MAYOR'S OFFICE ON THIS.
AND SOME PEOPLE SAID, WELL, CAN
WE DO BOTH? I'VE ALWAYS BEEN
WILLING AND READY TO WORK WITH
OUR MAYOR'S OFFICE. WE SHARE
THE SAME GOALS OF FOOD ACCESS.
WE SAME THE SAME GOALS OF
ACCESSIBILITY, AND TO MAKE SURE
THAT KIDS ARE FED AND THAT
FAMILIES ARE NOT GOING HUNGRY.
WE SHARE THE SAME GOALS OF THE
CLOSING THE GAP ON INCOME
INEQUALITY AND MAKING SURE OUR
CITY IS RUNNING WELL. AND
FUNCTIONALLY, THESE ARE THINGS
THAT WE SHARE AND THE VALUES.
THE PIECE THAT COMES IS THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF IT. AND HOW
ARE WE MOVING FORWARD. AND
THAT'S WHAT'S ALWAYS BEEN IN OUR
CITY. SO THOSE VALUES CONTINUE
TO BE THE SAME. AND OBVIOUSLY
THIS IS NOT A THIS IS NOT AN
EASY VOTE. AND THIS IS ALSO NOT
AN EASY DECISION. FEELING LIKE
YOU'RE CHOOSING THIS OR THAT.
BUT I FEEL LIKE FROM THIS
POSITION, AND I'M GOING TO TELL
YOU THIS, KNOWING WHAT I KNOW,
GOING THROUGH THIS WHOLE
PROCESS, SEEING WHAT I'VE SEEN,
INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE, I WOULD
HAVE CONTINUED TO DO THIS AGAIN,
EVEN KNOWING WHAT I'VE HAD TO
GONE THROUGH IN THE LAST COUPLE
OF WEEKS, ENGAGING WITH
COMMUNITY AND TALKING TO PEOPLE
AND SEEING THE COMMENTS, READING
THE ARTICLES, SOME
MISINFORMATION. I WOULD HAVE
CONTINUED TO DO THIS BECAUSE IN
MY TRUEST HEART OF HEART, I
BELIEVE THIS IS THE RIGHT THING
TO DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND
COLLEAGUES. I JUST ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT. I KNOW WHERE SOME OF
YOU STAND, SO I APPRECIATE THAT
WE JUST HAVE A DIFFERENT OF
OPINION ON POLICY, BUT I REALLY,
REALLY APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION
TODAY. FOCUS ON POLICY AND
IMPLEMENTATION. SO THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER YOU'RE
RECOGNIZED FOR FINAL COMMENTS.
-- THANK YOU, CHAIR, AND I'LL BE
BRIEF. I'LL SAY I BELIEVE THAT
WHAT THIS AMENDMENT DOES IS
ALLOW US TO PRIORITIZE
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS WHILE
STILL ENSURING THAT WE REACH
EVERYONE. I ECHO WHAT YOU SAID,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THIS IS ABOUT
SEQUENCING AND ABOUT MAKING SURE
THAT WE GET ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
TO KIDS DURING SCHOOL BREAKS,
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO KIDS
DURING WEEKENDS, AND WITHOUT
THIS AMENDMENT, WE WOULD NOT BE
ADDING THOSE ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES. SO THAT'S WHAT THIS
IS ABOUT FOR ME. THAT'S WHAT'S
IN THE CORE OF THIS AMENDMENT.
AND COLLEAGUES, I ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER. ALL RIGHT. COLLEAGUES,
LET US GO TO A VOTE ON AMENDMENT
NUMBER SIX. CLERK, CAN YOU
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
AMENDMENT NUMBER SIX?
-- COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
-- AYE.
-- COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE.
-- AYE.
-- COUNCILMEMBER LIN.
-- NO.
-- COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. NO.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
-- NAY.
-- COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
-- AYE.
-- COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER.
-- YES.
-- VICE CHAIR. HOLLINGSWORTH.
-- YES.
-- CHAIR RIVERA.
-- AYE.
-- CHAIR. THERE ARE SIX IN FAVOR
AND THREE OPPOSED.
-- THE MOTION CARRIES AN
AMENDMENT. NUMBER SIX IS
ADOPTED. OKAY. ALL RIGHT,
COLLEAGUES. ONE SECOND. THIS IS
A VERY LONG SCRIPT. APOLOGIES.
AND IT'S BEEN A LONG MEETING.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO STAYED
HERE FOR IT. ALL RIGHT.
-- I GOTTA GO RUN IT BACK TO.
-- YA, BUT ALL RIGHT.
SORRY, COLLEAGUES. ONE MORE
MINUTE I LOST ONE OF.
-- MY
-- ALL RIGHT. WELL,
-- [LAUGHTER]
-- THANK YOU. HERE IT IS. NO, I
DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO IT.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S SEE HERE. NO
-- I GOT IT.
-- GREAT
-- ALL RIGHT. COLLEAGUES, ARE
THERE ANY FINAL COMMENTS ON THE
BILL AS AMENDED ALL RIGHT. THEN
WE WILL COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. AYE.
DIDN'T SEE YOUR HAND UP HERE.
-- THANK YOU. CHAIR. COUPLE
QUICK POINTS. FIRST. YOU KNOW, I
WANT TO ADDRESS THE NOTION THAT
THE. BECAUSE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS
IN. AND PROPOSALS WERE NOT
INCLUDED IN THE UNDERLYING LEVY
LEGISLATION AND FORM THE BASIS
FOR WHAT VOTERS ULTIMATELY
APPROVED, THAT. THEREFORE, WE
SHOULDN'T APPROVE THEM OR AND
WANT TO ADDRESS THE RELATIVE
RELEVANCE, SIGNIFICANCE OF OF
THAT FACT OR NOT, I JUST I
COULDN'T DISAGREE MORE ON THE
NOTION THAT JUST BECAUSE
SOMETHING WASN'T INCLUDED
EXPRESSLY OR EXPLICITLY STATED
IN THE UNDERLYING LEVY
LEGISLATION, THAT THEREFORE, YOU
KNOW, WHEN A PROPOSAL EMERGES,
WHEN WE START FLESHING OUT THE
DETAILS THAT WE SHOULD DISCOUNT
THAT BECAUSE IT WAS INCLUDED
COLLEAGUES, WE KNOW THE PURPOSE
GOAL OF ANY LEVY, LEGISLATION OR
LEGISLATION THAT ULTIMATELY
FORMS THE BASIS OF A PROPOSAL
THAT WILL ULTIMATELY GO BEFORE
VOTERS, WHETHER IT'S A LEVY OR
IT'S A AS IN THE CASE OF
YESTERDAY, A TRANSIT MEASURE.
THE WHOLE PURPOSE AND GOAL OF
THAT EXERCISE IS NOT TO
SPECIFICALLY ARTICULATE OR
CODIFY OR, OR ENUMERATE EVERY
SINGLE CONCEIVABLE PROGRAM AND
INVESTMENT, YOU KNOW, THAT COULD
POTENTIALLY BE SPENT, YOU KNOW,
WORTHY OF INVESTMENT IN, IN
CREATE AND ARTICULATE AN
EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF STUFF.
PURPOSE IS FRAMEWORK LEVEL
LEGISLATION ONLY WITH DETAILS TO
BE IMPLEMENTED AND FINALIZED AND
ITERATED UPON LATER. AND THAT'S
WHY WE HAVE THIS LEVY
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. SO ALTHOUGH
ON THE ONE HAND, IT WAS NOT
EXPRESSLY OR EXPLICITLY
CONTEMPLATED IN THE OR OR
COVERED IN THE FRAMEWORK LEVEL
LEVY LEGISLATION, IT WAS 100%
CONTEMPLATED. WE HAD SO MANY
PARALLEL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT
THAT INITIATIVE AT THE TIME.
AND, AND SO I JUST WANT TO BE
MINDFUL OF THAT. THE SECOND
THING I WANT A FRIENDLY REMINDER
THAT WE LEARNED AND WERE
REMINDED TODAY THAT THE WHOLE.
THE WHOLE UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL
MEAL PROGRAM, FROM ITS IDEATION
AND INCEPTION HERE IN THE CITY
OF SEATTLE, IT'S. IT STARTED
OUT AND CONTINUES TODAY TO BE A
BLACK LED INITIATIVE GOING BACK
DECADES WITH THE LOCAL BLACK
PANTHER PARTY. THROUGH THE
CONVERSATIONS WE'RE HAVING
TODAY, DON'T FORGET THAT. THIRD
FINAL POINT IS, LOOK, I HAD
THREE MAIN PRIORITIES FOR THE
LEVY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, WHICH
ARE SORT OF OFFSHOOTS OF, YOU
KNOW, HOW I APPROACH THE
ORIGINAL LEVY LEGISLATION OR SO
THREE OF MY BABIES, IF YOU WILL,
AS AS THE CHAIR NOTED, ONE OF
THEM WAS, IS THE ULTIMATELY
CREATING UNIVERSAL FREE
PRESCHOOL FOR ALL. SO EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. ANOTHER WAS
FOOD ACCESS AND AND SECURITY
THROUGH PRIMARILY THROUGH
UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR
ALL. AND THE THIRD AND FINAL ONE
IS DIGITAL ADDRESSING DIGITAL
EQUITY, DIGITAL SKILLING, AND AI
INITIATIVES TO MAKE SURE MORE
SEATTLEITES ARE EMPOWERED WITH
THE SKILLS TO BE COMPETITIVE.
AND, YOU KNOW, VARIOUS TECH
FIELDS. SO DIGITAL SKILLING
PROFESSIONS. TWO OF THOSE THREE
PRIORITIES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY
ABROGATED, SLOWED DOWN, WATERED
DOWN, ERODED AS PART OF THIS
AMENDMENT PROCESS AND THAT THAT
I FOUGHT SO HARD FOR, FOR MY
CONSTITUENTS AND COMMUNITIES TO
HELP BRING TO LIFE AND DELIVER.
SO 2 OR 3 OF THOSE SIGNIFICANTLY
ABROGATED. AND I CANNOT SUPPORT
THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE THE
AMENDED LEGISLATION. I DO INTEND
TO WORK WITH CENTRAL STAFF TO
FIGURE OUT WAYS TO TO STRIKE A
BETTER BALANCE AND POTENTIALLY
RESTORE SOME SOME ELEMENTS
BEFORE THE FINAL LEGISLATION
COMES TO FULL COUNCIL. BUT IN
ITS CURRENT AMENDMENT FORM, I
CANNOT SUPPORT FOR THOSE
REASONS. THANK YOU.
-- THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAKA. I WILL ASK, PLEASE, THAT
IF YOU'RE ANYONE CONSIDERING
ANYONE CONSIDERING MAKING ANY
AMENDMENTS FOR NEXT WEEK TO
PLEASE TALK TO ME RIGHT AWAY.
THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN VERY
ROBUST AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO
MOVE FORWARD, AND WE NEED TO
TAKE A VOTE ON IT NEXT WEEK
BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT HAS TO
START IMPLEMENTING THIS WORK.
AND THERE IS SOMEWHAT OF A TIME,
A TIME ISSUE. SO IF YOU ARE
CONTEMPLATING ANYTHING, PLEASE
LET ME IN. CENTRAL STAFF KNOW
RIGHT AWAY. ALL RIGHT,
COLLEAGUES, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
RECOMMENDATION TO PASS THE BILL
AS AMENDED?
-- COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ. I
COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE. A
COUNCILMEMBER. LIN.
-- YES.
-- COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. YES.
COUNCILMEMBER SAKA.
-- AYE.
-- COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER.
-- YES.
-- VICE CHAIR. HOLLINGSWORTH.
YES. CHAIR RIVERA. I CHAIR,
THERE ARE EIGHT IN FAVOR AND ONE
OPPOSED.
-- THANK YOU. CLERK. THE MOTION
CARRIES THE RECOMMENDATION TO
PASS THE BILL AS AMENDED, WILL
BE SENT TO THE JULY 28th. FULL
CITY.
-- I HEARD FROM AMELIA BECAUSE
THAT THE VOTE HAPPENED AFTER 1
P.M. TODAY. THE INTENT TO SEND
THIS TO THE JULY 28th MEETING
HAS TO BE VOTED ON BY COUNCIL.
SO.
-- OKAY.
-- ALL RIGHT.
-- COLLEAGUES, IF THERE'S NO
OBJECTION, COUNCIL BILL ONE TWO,
ONE, TWO, FOUR ZERO WILL BE
RECOMMENDED. RECOMMENDED FOR
PASSAGE AT THE JULY 28th CITY
COUNCIL MEETING. DO I HEAR ANY
OBJECTION? HEARING NO OBJECTION.
THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO BRING,
ONCE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL
HAPPENS TODAY TO THE JULY 28th
FULL COUNCIL MEETING. ALL RIGHT.
NOW, THE RECOMMENDATION TO PASS
THE BILL, AS AMENDED, WILL BE
SENT TO THE JULY 28th FULL
COUNCIL, FULL CITY COUNCIL
MEETING. COLLEAGUES, I'M SO
SORRY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO READ.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
TODAY. IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG
MEETING, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO
READ SOME REMARKS FOR THE
RECORD. I AM SO HAPPY, AS I'M
SURE YOU ARE TOO, TO BE AT THIS
POINT. THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT
LEVY. WE ALL CARE SO MUCH ABOUT
OUR KIDS ACROSS THE CITY. THIS
LEVY MEANS SO MUCH TO THOSE KIDS
AND THEIR FAMILIES. AS I SAID
EARLIER, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT
STEP IN THE LEVY PROCESS. I JUST
WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS.
FIRST, I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR
SUPPORT IN EXPANDING THE PATH TO
TRADES INVESTMENT WITH THE PATH
TO TRADES NON COLLEGES, WHICH I
PUT IN THE LEVY SO THAT OUR
PROMISE STUDENTS WILL HAVE AN
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY. THIS
MEANS THAT OUR PUBLIC HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN EITHER GET
AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE OR
CERTIFICATE FROM A TRADE PROGRAM
AT SEATTLE COLLEGES, OR THIS
THIRD OPTION, WHICH IS TO GO
STRAIGHT FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO AN
APPRENTICESHIP AT AN ACCREDITED
TRADE SCHOOL. AS YOU ALL KNOW,
THIS ONE IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY
HEART. AS THE DAUGHTER OF A
WELDER WHO LIVED PAYCHECK TO
PAYCHECK, BUT WHOSE GREAT UNION
JOB PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.
TODAY, THE TRADES ARE AN
EXCELLENT OPTION FOR STUDENTS,
WHICH IS WHY I WANTED TO ENSURE
THEY HAD THIS ADDITIONAL PATH.
AND I ALSO WANT TO SHOUT OUT THE
SEATTLE COLLEGES WHO WERE
SUPPORTIVE OF THIS THIRD PATH,
WHICH I KNOW WOULD BE OUTSIDE OF
THE COLLEGES. BUT IT DOESN'T
DIMINISH ALL THE GREAT WORK THEY
DO. THERE'S SO MANY GREAT
TRADES PROGRAMS AT COLLEGES,
INCLUDING WELDING. AND SHOUT OUT
TO PRESIDENT MONICA BROWN AT
SEATTLE CENTRAL AT SOUTH
SEATTLE, WHO RUNS ALL THE TRADE
PROGRAMS AT SEATTLE COLLEGES.
THE SECOND POINT I WANT TO MAKE,
WHICH I CANNOT OVERSTATE, IS
THIS LEVY, AND THEREFORE I AND E
PLAN INCLUDES INVESTMENTS FROM
OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS. WHILE
NOT NEW TO THE CITY, THEY ARE
NEW TO THIS LEVY. AS YOU KNOW,
THESE INVESTMENTS FROM THE HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SEATTLE
PARKS AND REC AND SEATTLE OFFICE
OF SUSTAINABILITY WERE
TRANSFERRED OVER BECAUSE THEY
WERE IN SUPPORT OF KIDS
EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATE TO
THIS LEVY WITH, OF COURSE, THE
UNDERSTANDING THAT BY LAW THEY
WOULD HAVE TO MEET THE LEVY
REQUIREMENTS AND PARAMETERS AS
TOLD TO VOTERS AS THIS I AND E
IS IMPLEMENTED, WE NEED TO
ENSURE. AND I WILL BE MONITORING
CLOSELY THAT ALL INVESTMENTS,
INCLUDING THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN
TRANSFERRED, DO NOT STRAY FROM
THE CONSTRAINTS SET FORTH IN THE
LEVY AND WHICH WE TOLD VOTERS WE
WOULD DO. DOING SO WOULD
DIMINISH OUR ABILITY TO TRULY
HELP KIDS. THIS LEVY HAS BEEN SO
SUCCESSFUL FOR DECADES BECAUSE
WE HAVE ALWAYS STAYED TRUE TO
ITS PURPOSE TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS,
WHETHER THAT BE CHILD CARE K
THROUGH 12 OR PROMISE. THIS 2026
LEVY WAS PASSED BY 80% OF VOTERS
BECAUSE WE SHOWED OUR WORK IN
SIX YEARS. I WANT TO BE IN THE
SAME POSITION WHERE KIDS ARE
RECEIVING THIS INVESTMENT, ARE
BETTER OFF AND DOING WELL. AND
SO I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU
FOR ENGAGING IN THIS PROCESS. I
WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO MY SISTER,
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ. IT'S HER
BIRTHDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. THANK
YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR YOUR
DISTRICT AND FOR OUR CITY. I
ALSO WANT TO THANK MY STAFF
CHIEF, MY CHIEF OF STAFF, WENDY
SYKES AND JACOB EVINGER. AND I
ALSO WANT TO THANK TRACI
RATZLIFF AND JASMINE MARWAHA
FROM CENTRAL STAFF, WITHOUT
WHICH WE COULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN
TO THIS POINT TODAY. AND I WANT
TO THANK THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING FOR
THEIR PARTNERSHIP, NOT JUST ON
THIS, BUT FOR THE LAST ALMOST
TEN YEARS. ON THE PRIOR LEVY AND
IN SUPPORT OF THE KIDS, BECAUSE
THEY TOO CARE ABOUT KIDS ACROSS
OUR CITY AS MUCH AS WE DO. SO
THANK YOU ALL. IF THERE ARE NO
FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE
THIS COMMITTEE, IT IS 121121 AND
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED
-- THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
-- THANK YOU.