Moving forward on the Monorail

Last Monday, my colleagues and I voted unanimously to approve an agreement between the City and the Seattle Monorail Project (SMP) to allow the future monorail system to be built on city streets. The legislation, known as the "transit-way agreement," outlines a set of mitigation responsibilities, design requirements, and development parameters intended to ensure that the system is built with the interests of all of Seattle's residents in mind. To view the transit-way agreement, click here.

Several key provisions were adopted, including an amendment that I proposed to require the Seattle Monorail Project to convene a community advisory committee on disability access. It is extremely important that during the design process of the monorail, there be adequate attention placed on the needs of people with disabilities.

Other key components of the transit-way agreement include:

Given the importance of the long-term financial viability of the Seattle Monorail Project, the Council adopted a resolution outlining our intention to commission an independent financial review of the construction and operation of the Monorail Transit System. I strongly support this approach because it establishes a threshold for financial viability and review prior to the issuance of any City project construction permits for the monorail. This financial review will provide a degree of accountability that Seattle's taxpayers expect from its City Council. If you would like to review the key provisions the City Council has included as part of this financial review, click here.

I know that many of you have been very involved in reviewing and commenting on the monorail. During the past three months I have devoted hundreds of hours to the monorail. I met with numerous community groups and individuals to hear their concerns and recommendations on the future transit system. I opposed sending the monorail through the Seattle Center. In some cases the monorail was proposed to be as close as nine feet from people's homes and businesses. I was successful in persuading the Council to increase that distance along some parts of the route. On balance, the changes and conditions the Council has required of the Monorail will result in a better system. I am grateful for the time many of you invested to improve this project.

If you have any questions about the monorail, please call me at (206) 684-8808.

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Crafting a responsible Families and Education Levy

Since late April, the City Council has considered the components to include in the 2004 Families and Education Levy. The current levy expires at the end of this year and the Mayor proposed a new levy for renewal that prioritizes academic achievement.

My conclusion is that the Mayor's emphasis on academic achievement and accountability is a responsible approach. It is important for the City to identify how it can make a meaningful difference with limited resources. Focusing on the academic needs and support services for students who are underachieving and at risk of failure is where the levy can deliver real, tangible outcomes.

However, I also felt that the Mayor's proposal made some significant funding reductions that would lead to negative impacts on existing programs. There were four proposals in the Mayor's levy that I opposed:

I worked with my colleagues to craft a new levy package that restored some funding in each of these program areas. The final package is $116 million over the course of 7-years at an average cost of $65/year in property taxes for homeowners. The entire Council demonstrated responsible constraint in maintaining a financially viable levy package that would meet our community goals and objectives.

This summer and fall I will work to help voters understand the importance of continuing this public investment in Seattle's families and children. I want to thank the hundreds of people who testified and shared with me their thoughts and priorities about this issue. To learn more about the Families and Education Levy, click here or call me at (206) 684-8808.

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Seattle will not tolerate hate crimes

As you may have heard from media reports, a gay man was viciously beaten and severely injured on Saturday night, June 26th. This assault, which occurred on Gay Pride weekend, was an attack on all of us. We must stand up against violence. Hate will not be tolerated in our city.

The Seattle Police have been working diligently on this case and have been investigating this assault as a hate crime. Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske joined me in speaking on Sunday at a rally at Westlake Center to support Mr. Micah Painter who was assaulted. The Chief has assured me that hate crimes are a priority for the police department. I have also assured Micah that I will do all that I can to insure that his attackers are brought to justice.

I am monitoring this case closely and will continue to receive updates from the police department as new information emerges.

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Legislative Update: Multi-family Tax Exemption Program

In March, the City Council renewed the Multi-family Tax Exemption program with a number of changes that I proposed. (Click here to read a previous article on this program). The program offers a tax exemption in exchange for the development of affordable housing in distressed neighborhoods and areas targeted for growth in the city. On Monday, the first project to qualify under the new program was approved by the City Council.

Housing Resources Group, a non-profit affordable housing developer, is developing 16 new two and three bedroom apartments in the Judkins Park community. Eight units are affordable at or below 30% of median income, four units at 50% and 4 units at 65% of median. Four of the units will serve families with a member who is living with AIDS. I am very pleased that the Multi-family Tax Exemption program helped this project become financially feasible. Our city needs more affordable housing and I will work to stimulate affordable housing development. Two additional projects will come to the Council for approval later this month. I am confident we will continue to see the Multi-family Tax Exemption program stimulate the development of affordable housing in our community.

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Working in the Neighborhoods

The most enjoyable part of each day is attending community events and meetings. I enjoy the opportunity to visit and see first hand the important work taking place in our neighborhoods. I hope to see you at one of these or future events.

Please contact my office if you have any questions about these events or would like more information about where I will be in the community in the coming weeks.

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