Past Issues

As the City of Seattle navigates the response to the coronavirus / COVID-19, the City has put together the following resource guide to help provide information and resources to the public.

This page aims to serve as a baseline of information for the public to understand the budget, and engage in the Council’s process.

Councilmember Kshama Sawant is sponsoring a bill to expand access to Tiny House Villages throughout Seattle. This bill will allow Seattle to issue permits for from 0 to 40 villages, in any zone.

The Council is considering an impact fee program which would help accommodate transportation, schools and other capacity needs as the city grows.

Councilmember M. Lorena González is proposing legislation to protect our democracy from the corruption of big money and foreign influence.

2019 Annual Report of the Seattle City Council

As the city faces an affordable housing crisis, the Council developed legislation to increase the housing supply by encouraging low-impact housing options that fit within the scale and character of Seattle's single-family neighborhoods.

2018 Annual Report of the Seattle City Council

SDOT Director Confirmation Process

Seattle City Light CEO Confirmation Process

Councilmember Johnson is proposing a framework that would create stronger stewardship of the trees we have, allow our canopy to keep pace with growth and greater density, and plant more trees in neighborhoods that lack them.

The Council is considering legislation to extend labor protections, the same safeguards that most other workers in Seattle already have, to domestic workers.

Councilmember M. Lorena González will host the confirmation process for the appointment of Carmen Best as the next Seattle Police Department’s Chief of Police.

To address homelessness, the Seattle City Council is considering a Progressive Tax on Business.

The Council has convened a taskforce to identify progressive sources of revenue to assist people who are homeless or at high risk of becoming homeless. The goal is to help such people obtain and retain stable housing.

The City of Seattle may create a legal defense fund for immigrants and refugees, providing representation for them in immigration court. This vastly increases their chances of being able to stay in the country.

View an infographic explaining the how the Council is building lasting, independent police reform in Seattle.

This legislation would add stability and predictability to workers' schedules as well as their incomes.

The Council unanimously passed legislation to ban conversion therapy, or the attempt to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, for minors.

The city sought applications for the Community Police Commission.

The Council seeks to balance the economic opportunity created by short term rentals with the need to maintain the availability of long-term rental housing.

The purpose of the Seattle Renters’ Commission is to advise the Mayor and City Council on issues and policies of importance to renters citywide.

Seattle City Council unanimously adopted legislation that will give eligible drivers at taxi, for-hire, and companies like Uber and Lyft a voice on the job and the opportunity to negotiate for improved working conditions.

The City is considering legislation to expand paid parental leave and create a family leave benefit for City of Seattle employees.

On Wednesday, January 25th, 2017 President Trump signed Executive Orders that directly impact our immigrant and refugee community. This resolution reaffirms the City’s commitment to stand by, support and protect our immigrant and refugee communities

Learn more about marijuana in Seattle.

Chinatown-International District, and the people, business and organizations that call it home, are a valued part of Seattle. The history, culture and community represented here are part of what makes Seattle a thriving city and our goal is to protect and strengthen the neighborhood.

The Council unanimously passed two pieces of legislation to improve gun safety in Seattle. One establishes a gun violence tax on firearms and ammunition and the other to requires mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms.

The Council is considering the construction of a new North Precinct facility for the police to serve the north end of the city.

The Council has passed legislation to create more affordable housing throughout the city.

Oil trains, which have resulted in death, injury, and substantial damage to property and the environment, regularly run through the heart of Seattle. The Council is doing everything in its power to ensure the safety of the city.

Read the recommendations from the City Council to the Sound Transit Board as to the content of the proposed ST3 ballot measure in November 2016.

The Seattle City Council has the responsibility to confirm or reject the nominee, Larry Weis - the former general manager of Austin Energy, chosen by the Mayor.

The Office of Police Accountability helps ensure the actions of SPD employees are constitutional and in compliance with federal, state, and local laws by investigating and making recommended findings regarding allegations of misconduct.

The Council may repurpose surplus property for community-driven development of affordable housing.

The Seattle City Council passed the Job Assistance Bill at Full Council on June 10th, 2013. The ordinance increases public safety and reduces criminal recidivism by providing job assistance to individuals with previous criminal records.

United States Department of Justice - Seattle Police Department Civil Rights Pattern or Practice Investigation

Councilmember Obrien's thoughts on accessory dwelling units, including backyard cottages

Councilmember O’Brien is proposing a Transit Benefits Ordinance, meaning that Seattle employers would offer their employees the opportunity to use pre-tax income to purchase qualified transit benefits.

2020 Annual Report of the Seattle City Council

The Seattle City Council earmarked approximately $30 million in the 2021 budget to run a Participatory Budgeting process that allows Seattle neighbors to vote on how to invest public dollars.

The City of Seattle is seeking qualified applicants to serve in on the 2021 Districting Commission. The Districting Commission will redraw the boundaries of the seven Seattle City Council districts.

The Council puts together its version of the City budget after receiving a proposal from the Mayor in late September. Each Councilmember offers amendments, and the budget chair - Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda - puts together a draft budget, or balancing package, that reflects the Council's shared values and priorities.