Past Issues

Community Center Partnership and Planning Analysis
Last fall, we went into the budget process knowing three things: 1) the City faced a $67M shortfall; 2) we wouldn't be able to make all the reductions through budget cuts alone; and 3) the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) would be severely impacted.

Community Conversations
A series of discussions on the City's priorities. These pilot conversations are held in the "world café" format, with smaller groups in a facilitated meeting format, discussing five pre-scripted questions.

Families and Education Levy
The City's primary role in the education of Seattle schoolchildren revolves around the Families and Education Levy. Using revenue from a voter-approved supplemental property tax, the Levy funds a variety of support services to improve the academic achievement of struggling students.

Plastic Bag Ban
Seattle would join cities along the West Coast, hundreds of cities across the country and twenty nations worldwide that have already taken action to reduce the use of single use plastic bags.

Review of Solid Waste, Drainage and Wastewater Rates
On July 3, 2012, the Mayor and Seattle Public Utilities delivered their proposals for drainage, wastewater, and solid waste rate increases to the City Council Libraries, Utilities, and Center Committee.

Seattle Children's Hospital's proposed Major Institution Master Plan
The Council is reviewing a proposed Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP) for the expansion of Seattle Children's Hospital.  The review of a proposed MIMP is subject to the city's quasi-judicial rules which means the Council will act as judges in its review, rather than legislators. Reports, appeals, and other documents regarding the proposed MIMP are available at this link.

Solutions for Economically Distressed Americans
Seattle City Council passed resolution 31337 supporting the peaceful exercise of the First Amendment and seeking solutions for economically distressed Americans at the federal and local levels.

Special Committee on the Library Levy
Providing funding stability for The Seattle Public Library is a priority for the City of Seattle. The Library supports the economic, educational and cultural vitality of our city, contributes to an informed community, and serves as anchors of Seattle's neighborhoods.

Street Food Vending
In July 2011, the Council passed rules to regulate mobile food vendors, allowing for expanded menu options, better health enforcement and allowing more sidewalk vending.

Zero Waste Strategy
On January 25, 2010, the Council passed Resolution 31169 which calls on the state of Washington to provide a Do Not Mail registry to minimize the volume of unwanted direct mail delivered to Washington residents.