Welcome and Thank you
For Visiting my Seattle City Council Website

My years on the City Council have taught me that Seattle works best when we work together. I will do my best to keep your faith by listening, valuing the input we receive from communities, and making local government more accessible, accountable, and able to provide the services that citizens need.

My goal as a Councilmember is to work with you and for you to strengthen neighborhoods, foster economic recovery from the current crisis, and make Seattle a leader in sustainability by envisioning, creating, and implementing new and innovative solutions.

I am honored to have served two terms as Council President, from 2008 to 2011, and excited to take on new challenges in 2012-13 as Chair of the Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee. My work is guided by our Comprehensive Plan principles of economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, social justice, and community. I welcome your input on policy ideas and on how we can make a better Seattle.

The last several years have been challenging ones for our city and our country. We must continue to make some tough choices, and we must also reach out to each other and be open to new ideas and opportunities. It's my pledge to you to pursue those opportunities that offer the greatest benefit for our city.

Thanks again for visiting, and please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Richard Conlin, Seattle City Councilmember

Biography

Richard Conlin was first elected to the Seattle City Council in November 1997 after many years of public service with Seattle-based community organizations.  He was reelected in 2001, 2005, and 2009.  In 2009, he received more votes than any other candidate for City office in the history of Seattle.  His fellow Councilmembers chose him to serve as Council President for 2008-2009, and again for 2010-2011.

Richard's priority is to make Seattle more sustainable, a city that values and practices environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, social justice, and community.  His accomplishments include shepherding 37 neighborhood plans through the Council, launching the Zero Waste Strategy and Local Food Action Initiative, working to improve pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and other transportation systems, supporting human services, and making government more transparent.

During his first term (1998-2001), Conlin successfully moved 37 neighborhood plans through Council approval as the Chair of the Neighborhoods, Sustainability, and Community Development Committee. The completion of the Neighborhood Planning Program was a key step in Seattle's implementation of Washington's Growth Management Act.

In his second term (2002-2005), Richard chaired the Council's Transportation Committee. He worked on implementing the region's plan for improved transit, developing new funding sources for transportation maintenance, and supporting pedestrian and bicycle improvements to reduce dependence on the automobile. These efforts continued in his third term when Richard worked extensively with neighborhoods and community interests on the replacement of SR 520 and the Viaduct.

In 2007, as Chair of the Environment, Emergency Management, and Utilities Committee, Richard launched the Zero Waste Strategy (ZWS) with the goal of changing the direction of Seattle's solid waste management programs to an increased emphasis on preventing and reducing waste while continuing to increase our recycling rate.  Richard also launched the Local Food Initiative to increase Seattle's access to nutritional foods, reduce costs for farmers bringing their produce to markets in Seattle, and strengthen the security of our food supply.

As Council President, Richard Chaired special committees on Open Government and Economic Recovery, and led the Council through a challenging transition to a new Mayor and the most difficult economic situation that Seattle has faced in many years.

In 2012-2013, Conlin chairs the Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee. The PLUS Committee oversees the Department of Planning and Development, the Office of Emergency Management, and the Office of Sustainability and Environment.  Conlin also Chairs the Special Committee on the Library Levy, represents the Council on major transportation projects such as the replacement of the SR 520 Bridge and the Sound Transit Board, and serves on the Seattle-King County Board of Health, the Growth Management Planning Council, the Regional Food Policy Council, and the Green-Duwamish Watershed Planning Committee.

Prior to being elected as a Seattle City Councilmember, Richard Conlin was Director of the Community and Environment Division at Metrocenter YMCA from 1985 to 1996. He led the Seattle YMCA Earth Service Corps, supporting youth development through environmental education and action, and the Master Home Environmentalist program, training volunteers to create safer and healthier indoor environments. Richard co-founded Sustainable Seattle in 1991 and was the founding publisher of YES! magazine.  He currently serves on the Board of YES!, the Antioch University Seattle Board of Trustees, and the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities.