>>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING
EVERYONE.
THE FEBRUARY 8th, 2021 COUNCIL
BRIEFING MEETING WILL COME TO
ORDER.
NADIA IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT
MONDAYS.
THE TIME IS 9:31 A.M.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> MOSQUEDA
>> PRESENT.
>> PEDERSEN.
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ.
>> MORALES .
>> HERE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES.
HERE.
LINDA, CAN YOU CALL ON
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> HERE.
>> NINE PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH MADAME
CLERK.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 1st, 2021
WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTIONS, THE
MINUTES ARE ADOPTED.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT, I DON'T
HAVE ANYTHING THIS MORNING.
WE'LL JUMP RIGHT INTO THE STATE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATES.
WE DO HAVE, AS WE CUSTOMARILY DO
, MEMBERS OF THE OFFICE OF
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
WITH US.
I'LL GO AHEAD AND HANDED OVER TO
DIRECTOR LILY WILSON-CODEGA TO
BEGIN INTRODUCTIONS FOR THE
RECORD.
>> LILY IS AROUND HERE
SOMEWHERE.
DID WE LOSE HER?
WE MIGHT HAVE LOST LILY.
I'M GOING TO HANDED OVER TO
ROBIN.
>> GOOD MORNING, I'M ROBIN
KOSKEY, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE
OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS.
I'LL HANDED OVER TO CLEAN.
>> QUINN MAJESKI.
>> HANNAH SMITH, GOVERNMENT
AFFAIRS PROGRAM DIRECTOR.
>> HAS LILY GOTTEN BACK ON?
>> I DO NOT SEE THAT LILY IS
BACK INTO THE MEETING.
ROBIN, DO YOU WANT TO JUST
REALLY TAKE IT AWAY?
LEAD US THROUGH THE REPORT?
>> I CERTAINLY WILL.
THIS IS THE FIFTH WEEK OF THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WE ARE
ENTERING INTO RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF ACTION
WITH COMMITTEES TAKING
EXECUTIVE ACTION ON MANY BILLS.
CUT OFF, AS A REMINDER, IS NEXT
MONDAY.
THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION
DESPITE THE HOLIDAY.
MONDAY WILL BE A VERY BUSY DAY
THERE.
WE SHOULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF
THINNING OUT OF PROPOSALS, BUT
WE ARE ALSO SEEING THE
INTRODUCTION OF SOME ADDITIONAL
BILLS TO SORT OF GET THEM IN
UNDER THE WIRE.
SO, WITH THAT, I WILL HANDED
OFF TO QUINN MAJESKI.
I KNOW WE HAVE QUITE A FEW
BILLS TO GET THROUGH IN OUR
INDIVIDUAL REPORTS OF OUR TEAM
MEMBERS.
>> THANKS, ROBIN.
I DO SEE THAT LILY IS BACK WITH
US NOW.
>> I'M SO SORRY ABOUT THAT.
I HAD SOME PASSWORD ISSUES, BUT
I'M BACK.
THANK YOU.
THANKS, ROBIN, FOR COVERING OUR
INTRO.
>> QUINN, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
I WILL START WITH BUDGET AND
REVENUE.
SOME UPDATES FOR YOU THIS WEEK
IN THIS SPACE.
I'LL START WITH THE FEDERAL
EARLY ACTION COVID RESPONSE
BILL.
THIS IS HOUSE BILL 1368.
THIS BILL IS MOVING QUICKLY, AS
BEFITTING SOMETHING THAT IS
INTENDED TO BE EARLY ACTION.
IT WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE ON A
61-38 VOTE.
MOVED TO THE SENATE WAYS AND
MEANS COMMITTEE LAST WEEK WAS
VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE.
IT IS ALREADY ON THE SECOND
READINGS CALENDAR, SO IT IS
LIKELY TO MOVE THROUGH FOR
ACTION THIS WEEK AND HAD TO THE
GOVERNOR'S DESK FOR APPROVAL.
THERE CONTINUES TO BE A DESIRE
FOR MORE DETAIL ON EXACTLY HOW
THE SPENDING PLANS ARE GOING TO
WORK.
I THINK UNTIL THE BILL IS
PASSED AND THE EXECUTIVE
AGENCIES ARE ABLE TO ACCESS
THOSE FUNDS, AND SO TO BEGIN
WORKING OUT THE DETAILS THERE,
WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A
WHOLE LOT.
WE DO KNOW THAT SPECIFICALLY
WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC HEALTH
AND COVID RESPONSE, IN THAT
ARENA, AND PARTICULARLY AROUND
VACCINATIONS, THOSE FUNDS ARE
GOING TO BE DISPERSED TO THE
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT,
WHO IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WILL BE
MOVING THOSE FUNDS OUT TO LOCAL
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES.
THERE REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF
THERE IS ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING
OUTSIDE OF THAT PROCESS, BUT AS
WE UNDERSTAND IT, IN TALKS WITH
EXECUTIVE AGENCY STAFF, THAT
WILL BE A PROCESS THERE.
CONTINUING ON, A NEW, COUPLE
NEW BILLS TO HIGHLIGHT AND THEN
UPDATE ON THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX.
STARTING WITH HOUSE BILL 1465,
THIS IS A PROPOSAL TO REFORM
THE ESTATE TAX TO MAKE IT A BIT
MORE PROGRESSIVE.
IT WOULD CREATE A NEW EXEMPTION
FOR ESTATES UNDER $2.5 MILLION.
THEN, STARTING WITH THE STATES
F $3 MILLION AND OVER, IT
WOULD CREATE A MORE TIERED,
PROGRESSIVE SYSTEM.
THEN, IT WOULD INTRODUCE SOME
NEW, HIGHER RATES FOR ESTATES
RANGING UP TO $1 BILLION IN
VALUE.
>>> MOVING ON TO HELP BILL
1496, THIS IS THE HOUSE
PROPOSAL ON CAPITAL GAINS,
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE
SAM.
THIS WILL CREATE A 9.9% CAPITAL
GAINS TAX BEGINNING AT $200,000
FOR INDIVIDUAL FILERS AND
$400,000 FOR JOINT FILERS.
THERE WOULD BE EXEMPTIONS FOR A
RETIREMENT SAVINGS ACCOUNT, AS
THEY USUALLY ARE FOR CAPITAL
GAINS TAXES, AS WELL AS PRIMARY
RESIDENCES UNDER $5 MILLION IN
VALUE.
SORT OF NARROWLY CONSTRUCTED
EXEMPTION FOR FAMILY-OWNED
SMALL BUSINESSES.
THERE ARE A COUPLE REQUIREMENTS
HERE.
IT HAS TO BE UNDER $10 MILLION
IN GROSS RECEIPTS.
EMPLOYED 50 OR FEWER EMPLOYEES,
AND HAS TO HAVE BEEN HELD BY A
FAMILY MEMBER AS THE PRIMARY
OWNER FOR FIVE OF THE LAST
EIGHT YEARS.
THIS LAST REVISION IS REALLY AN
ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS
RAISED BY A NUMBER OF SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS AT PREVIOUS
HEARINGS ON CAPITAL GAINS,
INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL EARLIER ON IN SESSION
TO REALLY PROVIDE SOME RELIEF
FOR LEGITIMATE SMALL FAMILY
OWNED BUSINESSES.
THAT'S COMING UP FOR A HEARING
THIS THURSDAY.
THE 11th, AT 8:00 A.M.
>>> FINALLY, WANT TO HIGHLIGHT
ONE OTHER REVENUE OPTION, WHICH
HAS BEEN INTRODUCED.
THAT IS SENATE BILL 5371.
THIS WOULD IMPLEMENT A STATEWIDE
SWEETENED BEVERAGE TAX OF 1.75
CENTS PER FLUID OUNCE.
6% OF THE REVENUES WOULD GO TO
A NEWLY CREATED HEALTH EQUITY
ACCOUNT, AND THEN 40% WOULD GO
TOWARD THE FOUNDATIONAL PUBLIC
HEALTH ACCOUNT.
WHICH IS THE GOVERNOR --
GOVERNOR CROSS LEGISLATION TO
BOTH STATEWIDE PUBLIC HEALTH
SYSTEMS AND RESPONSE.
PREVIOUSLY THIS HAS BEEN
PROPOSED TO BE FUNDED BY A
COVERED LIVES ASSESSMENT.
AFTER SOME FEEDBACK FROM
STAKEHOLDERS, AND MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC AT THE PUBLIC
HEARING ON THAT LEGISLATION, I
THINK LEGISLATORS ARE LOOKING
FOR A NEW WAY TO POTENTIALLY
FIND THAT REPOSE.
THIS IS ONE OPTION.
I KNOW THIS IS AN AREA OF
CONCERN ON PRETTY MUCH ANY
STATEWIDE TAX MEASURE.
IT WOULD NOT PREEMPT THE CITY
OF SEATTLE OR ARE CURRENTLY
EXISTING SUGAR SWEETENED
BEVERAGE TAX.
I WILL PAUSE THERE ON BUDGET
AND REVENUE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, QUINN.
LOTS TO DIGEST IN THIS
PARTICULAR AREA.
SORT OF AS A GLOBAL TAKE AWAY,
I'M EXCITED TO SEE SO MANY
PROGRESSIVE TAXATION
OPPORTUNITIES BEING CONSIDERED
AND DEBATED AT THIS STATE
LEGISLATOR.
QUITE A CHANGE FROM TIMES IN
THE PAST.
REALLY, REALLY HAPPY TO SEE
THAT THAT -- THAT THERE'S A LOT
OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR THE
STATE LEGISLATURE TO CONTINUE
TO CONSIDER THAT COULD HELP US
OUT GREATLY.
COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS FOR QUINN ON THE
TAXATION, OR OTHER ISSUES THAT
HE HAS IDENTIFIED?
>> I HAVE A QUESTION, MADAM
PRESIDENT.
>> GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
DIRECTOR, GOING TO THE CAPITAL
GAINS TAX PROPOSAL THAT
REPRESENTATIVE SENN HAS
INTRODUCED, IS THE OTHER --
EARLIER IN THE SESSION THERE
WAS A CAPITAL GAINS PROPOSAL
WHERE THE THRESHOLD WAS A LOT
LOWER.
IS THAT PROPOSAL STILL ALIVE IN
A DIFFERENT BILL, OR IS IT ALL
SORT OF GETTING ROLLED UP INTO
THIS BILL THAT REPRESENTATIVE
SENN HAS PUT FORWARD?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
THE PROPOSAL THAT WAS HEARD
PREVIOUSLY WAS THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL.
THAT WAS THE ONE THAT HAD
THRESHOLDS, THE EXEMPTION FOR
UNDER $25,000 OR $50,000 FOR
JOINT FILERS OF CAPITAL GAINS.
THAT PROPOSAL IS STILL ALIVE.
I WOULD SAY THAT THIS IS THE
HOUSE'S PROPOSAL, AND WE DO
ANTICIPATE THAT THE SENATE WILL
BE RELEASING THEIR OWN PROPOSAL
SOMETIME A LITTLE BIT LATER IN
SESSION.
THAT'S LIKELY TO COME FROM
SENATOR ROBINSON AND ANOTHER
SENATOR.
I THINK WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A
PROPOSALS FROM REALLY SORT OF
THE THREE CHAMBERS.
WHATEVER ULTIMATELY MOVES
FORWARD WILL PROBABLY BE
NEGOTIATED FROM THOSE STARTING
POSITIONS.
>> OKAY.
>> THANKS FOR THE UPDATE.
>> THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR QUINN
ON THIS SECTION?
ALL RIGHT.
I DON'T SEE ANYONE ELSE'S HANDS
UP.
LET'S KEEP GOING.
>>> I'LL HAND OFF TO HANNAH.
>> THANK YOU, I'LL START IN ON
EDUCATION.
5136, THE SENATE CARE LICENSE
FEES BILLS HAS MOVED FORWARD
AND IS SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC
HEARING IN WAYS AND MEANS
TOMORROW.
SENATE BILL 5161, WHICH IS
TEACHING WASHINGTON'S TRAVEL
HISTORY, RECEIVE EXECUTIVE
ACTION LAST WEEK.
THAT CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD
AND WE'LL BE CONTINUING TO
MONITOR THAT.
ONE OF THE BIG BILLS WE ARE
FOLLOWING THIS SESSION IS THAT
THERE STARTS FOR KIDS ACT.
THE EARLY EDUCATION BILL.
BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE
VERSIONS WERE SENT OUT OF
COMMISSION LAST WEEK WITH
AMENDMENTS.
THIS INCLUDED REDUCING THE
WORKING CONNECTIONS OF
ELIGIBILITY RESPONSE IN.
REDUCING SOME OF THE RATES
SLIGHTLY.
DELAYING SOME ENTITLEMENTS A
COUPLE YEARS, AND OTHER
ENHANCEMENTS.
JUST TO REDUCE COST. THE NEXT
STEPS ARE THE FISCAL COMMITTEES
FOR BOTH OF THOSE, SO THEY
CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.
FINALLY, EDUCATION, I'LL
HIGHLIGHT HOUSE BILL 1450.
THIS IS A TAX FOR SCHOOL
COMPUTERS BY REPRESENTATIVE
GREGERSON.
IT IMPOSES A TWO DOLLAR TAX FOR
SMARTPHONE DEVICES THAT RETELL
BETWEEN $250 AND $1000.
A FIVE DOLLAR TAX FOR A HIGHER
DEVICE, AND THAT FUND WOULD
PROVIDE COMPUTERS FOR THOSE
STUDENTS AND TEACHING STAFF.
I'LL PAUSE THERE FOR ANY
QUESTIONS ON EDUCATION.
>> COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS
FOR HANNAH?
I AM NOT SEEING ANY HANDS
RAISED.
SO, WE CAN KEEP GOING.
>>> MOVING ON TO ENVIRONMENT.
THIS WEEK, WE ARE PRETTY IN THE
WEEDS ON ENVIRONMENT.
THERE'S A LOT OF SORT OF
DETAILED ACTION HAPPENING IN
COMMITTEES AND WITH
STAKEHOLDERS.
TWO BILLS, TWO PRIORITY BILLS I
WOULD HIGHLIGHT, THAT ARE
MOVING THIS WEEK.
HOUSE BILL 1075, WHICH RELATES
TO EMISSIONS ON TRANSPORTATION
SERVICES.
IT IS SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC
HEARING TODAY IN HOUSE
APPROPRIATIONS.
WE ANTICIPATE FUTURE ACTION
LATER THIS WEEK OR POTENTIALLY
EARLY NEXT WEEK.
I WOULD JUST NOTE WHILE POLICY
CUT OFF IS MONDAY, NEXT MONDAY,
BILLS AND FISCAL COMMITTEES TO
HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MORE TIME,
APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER WEEK OR
SO.
THERE IS A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME
FOR BILLS THAT HAVE MOVED OUT
OF POLICY COMMITTEES, AND ARE
IN APPROPRIATIONS, FINANCE,
TRANSPORTATION, OR WAYS AND
MEANS.
SIMILARLY, THE LOW CARBON FUEL
STANDARD, HOUSE BILL 1091, IS
SCHEDULED FOR A VOTE IN
APPROPRIATIONS THIS WEEK.
TOMORROW.
THEN, I APOLOGIZE I'M JUMPING
AROUND A LITTLE BIT.
MORE SUBSTANTIVELY, HOUSE BILL
1084, THE BUILDING
DECARBONIZATION BILL, THE PRIME
SPONSOR CONTINUE TO WORK QUITE
DILIGENTLY WITH A VARIETY OF
STAKEHOLDERS TO TRY TO
INCORPORATE FEEDBACK AND
ADDRESS SOME OF THEIR CONCERNS.
WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE A PROPOSED
SUBSTITUTE ON THIS LEGISLATION
THAT TRANSIT BACK A LITTLE BIT.
IT WAS AN AMBITIOUS PROPOSAL,
AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE
SOME OF THAT WINNOWED AWAY, IN
PARTICULAR THE NATURAL GAS
SURCHARGE, AND SOME OF THE MORE
AMBITIOUS ELEMENTS OF THE
ENERGY CODE.
THAT LEGISLATION IS LIKELY TO
MOVE FORWARD, AT LEAST OUT OF
COMMITTEE.
I'LL PAUSE THERE FOR ANY
QUESTIONS ON FINANCE.
>> COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS ON
ENVIRONMENT?
I DON'T SEE ANY HANDS RAISED.
SO, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND KEEP
GOING.
>>> IN GENERAL GOVERNMENT, I'M
JUST GOING TO HIGHLIGHT TWO
BILLS THAT I KNOW ARE OF
INTEREST.
HOUSE BILL 1173.
THIS IS THE ARMY PDA.
THAT WAS VOTED OUT OF THE
COMMITTEE IN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT LAST WEEK.
IT IS NOW UP FOR A PUBLIC
HEARING AND CAPITAL BUDGET
TOMORROW AT 1:30.
THEN, HOUSE BILL 1258, THE
MICRO ENTERPRISE HOME KITCHEN.
IT IS UP FOR A VOTE IN
COMMITTEE IN-HOUSE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ON
WEDNESDAY AT 10:00 A.M.
I'LL PAUSE FOR ANY QUESTIONS ON
GENERAL GOVERNMENT.
>> COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS ON
GENERAL GOVERNMENT?
NOT SEEING ANY QUESTIONS, SO WE
CAN KEEP GOING.
>>> ALL RIGHT, I'LL HAND IT OFF
TO CANADA ON HEALTHCARE.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU, GWEN.
HOUSE BILL 1477 IS THE NATIONAL
988 SYSTEM.
THIS WAS REINTRODUCED WITH A
NEW TITLE IN THE HOUSE, BUT
IT'S THE BILL WE HAD PREVIOUSLY
ABOUT ENSURING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
AND CRISIS RESPONSE FOR THE NEW
NATIONAL 988 EMERGENCY SYSTEM.
TO RECEIVE EXECUTIVE ACTION ON
THE FOURTH, AND IS SCHEDULED
FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TOMORROW
IN FINANCE.
SENATE BILL 5195, THE OPIOID
REVERSAL MEDICATION RECEIVED
EXECUTIVE ACTION LAST WEEK.
A NEW BILL TO HIGHLIGHT HEALTH
BILL 1345, PRODUCTS SOLD TO
ADULTS OVER 21.
MODIFIED SOME OF THE REGULATORY
ASPECTS OF PAPER PRODUCTS AND
BANS THE SALE OF MENTHOL
FLAVORED CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO
PRODUCTS.
TOPICS THAT HAVE BEEN OF
INTEREST TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND
SOME OF YOU IN THE PAST, THAT
RECEIVED A PUBLIC HEARING ON
THE SECOND LAST WEEK.
SENATE BILL 5313, HEALTH
INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION.
THAT IS A TRANS HEALTHCARE BILL
THAT ESTABLISHES IT AS AN
UNFAIR PRACTICE FOR HEALTHCARE
PEOPLE TO DENY COVERAGE FOR
GENDER TREATMENT.
FINALLY, I'LL HIGHLIGHT A NEW
BILL, WAY DOWN HERE ON THE
BOTTOM, WHEN I CATCH UP.
SENATE BILL 5418, BY SENATOR
BILLICK, AND SEVERAL OF OUR
DELEGATE MEMBERS ARE
COSPONSORING.
IT'S ABOUT DRUG AND VACCINE
ACCESS.
IT REQUIRES A HEALTHCARE ENTITY
TO DISTRIBUTE VACCINES IN A
FAIR AND CONSISTENT MANNER.
IT PROHIBITS OFFERING DOSES TO
DONORS WHEN THAT SAME ACCESS IS
NOT OFFERED TO EVERYONE.
IT ALSO CREATES A CIVIL PENALTY
OF UP TO $10,000 PER VIOLATION.
I'LL PAUSE ON THE HEALTHCARE
SECTION FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS ON
HEALTHCARE?
I'M NOT SEEING ANY HANDS
RAISED, SO WE CAN KEEP GOING.
>>> I'LL PASS IT TO ROBIN, BUT
IT SEEMS LIKE SHE IS ON MUTE
STILL.
>> SORRY, I'M OPERATING ON MY
PHONE TODAY, AND IT'S VERY HARD
TO SEE EVERYTHING.
APOLOGIES.
WE HAVE A FEW NEW BILLS TO TALK
ABOUT IN THE HOUSING AREA THIS
WEEK.
FIRST, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT
HOUSE BILL 1236 REPRESENTATIVES
MacI'S JUST CAUSE EVICTION
BILL WAS EXECUTIVES BY THE
COMMITTEE ON FRIDAY.
THAT BILL IS MOVING ALONG.
THEN, AS QUINN DID MENTION, THE
ESTATE TAX THAT WOULD SUPPORT
FORECLOSURE PREVENTION AND
OTHER PROGRAMS.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF OTHER
FORECLOSURE OR HOUSING
STABILITY RELATED PROPOSALS
THAT CAME OUT LAST WEEK.
ONE IS HOUSE BILL 1410, WHICH
WOULD REMOVE THE PENALTY, THE
11% PENALTIES ON PROPERTY TAXES.
THAT HAS A HEARING TOMORROW.
ALSO UP FOR A HEARING TOMORROW
IS A FORECLOSURE PREVENTION
MEASURE, HOUSE BILL 1482.
THAT WOULD ADDRESS CONDO FEES
AND OTHER FEES.
THEN, FINALLY, REPRESENTATIVE
TALLY HAS INTRODUCED HOUSE BILL
1494, WHICH IS AN ANTI-
DISPLACEMENT OF PROPERTY TAX
EXEMPTION THAT WOULD EXEMPT THE
FIRST $250,000 A PRIMARY
RESIDENCE IS, ONCE A
DECLARATION WAS SIGNED BY THE
HOMEOWNER.
THIS WOULD ALSO REQUIRE A
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO GO
INTO EFFECT.
THAT IS HJR 4204.
ALSO, THE BILLS THAT ARE
ADDRESSING THE END OF THE
EVICTION MORATORIUM.
SENATE BILL 5139, THAT WOULD
LIMIT RENT INCREASES SCHEDULED
FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION THIS
WEDNESDAY.
HOUSE SPENDING SENATE BILL 5160
WAS -- TOOK EXECUTIVE ACTION
LAST WEEK, AND WAS SENT TO THE
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.
THOSE VERY IMPORTANT BILLS THAT
WOULD ADDRESS THE END OF THE
MORATORIUM ARE MOVING ALONG AS
WELL.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE THIS WEEK
FOR THE HIGHLIGHTS ON THE
HOUSING BILLS.
IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ROBIN, AND THEN HANNAH IF
YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE BILL
RELATED TO -- THAT YOU
MENTIONED -- THE ANTI-
DISPLACEMENT BILL THAT
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS TALLY HAS
INTRODUCED.
HB 1494.
I'M NOT SURE I'M QUITE TRACKING
WHAT THE BILL DOES.
IT SOUNDS REALLY SIMILAR TO A
LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT EXISTS IN
THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
I JUST WANT TO GET A BETTER
SENSE OF WHAT THIS BILL IS
ACTUALLY DOING.
>> SO, ESSENTIALLY IT WOULD
ALLOW HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE LIVING
INA HOME AS THEIR PRIMARY
RESIDENCE TO OBTAIN AN
EXEMPTION OF THE FIRST $250,000
OF THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN THE
BILL, IT NEEDS PRIVATE
DECLARATION, AND THEN THERE ARE
SOME ROLLS AROUND IF YOU HAVE
SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY LIVING
IN THE RESIDENCE OR SOME OTHER
THINGS.
I CAN PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL
DETAILS ON THE BILL TO YOU
AFTER THE PRESENTATION TODAY,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES FOR
SURE.
AS I DID SAY, BECAUSE THIS
IMPLICATES THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE STATE, THERE NEEDS TO BE A
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL TO
GO INTO EFFECT.
I DON'T THINK WE HAVE THAT IN
THE BULLETIN, BUT THAT IS HJR
4204.
>> GOT IT, THANK YOU.
SUPER HELPFUL.
I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY
SOMETHING DIFFERENT, SO I'M
GLAD I ASKED FOR CLARIFICATION.
THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT I
THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS ON
THE HOUSING SECTION?
I'M GOING TO SCROLL MY TILES
HERE.
DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ANYBODY HAS
RAISED THEIR HANDS.
LET'S KEEP GOING.
>>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
I'LL NOW MOVE INTO THE POLICE
REFORM AREA.
WE STILL HAVE MORE THAN 20
BILLS THAT WE ARE TRACKING.
THIS CONTINUES TO BE AN AREA OF
FOCUS FOR THE LEGISLATURE, AS
FOR THIS COUNCIL.
HOUSE BILL 1203, WHICH WAS, THE
BILL THAT ESTABLISHES CIVILIAN
OVERSIGHT.
WHICH WE ALREADY HAVE IN
SEATTLE, EXECUTIVE ACTION WAS
TAKEN ON THAT BILL IN THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.
WE ARE STILL WORKING TO ENSURE
COMPATIBILITY WITH THE SEATTLE
CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE,
AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE
SPONSOR OF THE BILL CONSIDERS
IT A WORK IN PROGRESS.
WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE WORK TO
DO THERE.
HOUSE BILL 1267, WHICH WAS THE
GOVERNOR'S REQUEST FOR
LEGISLATION ON INDEPENDENT
INVESTIGATIONS.
EXECUTIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN ON
THAT BILL LAST WEEK IN THE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, AND
SOME CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE
BILL.
IN CUSTODY DEATHS AND SEXUAL
ASSAULTS COMMITTED BY INVOLVED
OFFICERS WERE REMOVED FROM THE
INVESTIGATORY JURISDICTION OF
THE STATEWIDE BODY.
THERE IS A PROVISION IN THE NEW
BILL THAT REQUIRES ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS TO CONSIDER
WHETHER THESE THINGS SHOULD BE
INCLUDED, OR IF THERE ARE OTHER
ITEMS THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED
UNDER THE INVESTIGATORY POWERS
OF THE AGENCY.
SO, I THINK WHAT I HAVE HEARD
IS THAT BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW
AGENCY, THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE
SURE THAT THEY CAN SORT OF WALK
BEFORE THEY RUN.
THAT THE SCOPE AND PURVIEW OF
THE AGENCY ISN'T OVERLY
BURDENING SOMEONE WHEN IT FIRST
STARTS OUT.
THE IDEA WOULD BE TO BUILD IT
OUT AS TIME GOES ON.
THERE IS ALSO SOME CHANGES TO
THE PROCEDURES FOR WHEN THE
OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT
INVESTIGATION AND THE LOCAL --
LOCAL AGENCIES COORDINATE, SORT
OF SEEING WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN
WHEN YOU ARE AT THE SCENE WHEN
AN INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED, THAT
ARE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BILL.
HOUSE BILL 131 ON THE USE OF
FORCE WAS NOT EXEC'D OUT OF
THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE,
BUT THE CHAIR DID SAY HE
EXPECTS THAT BILL TO MOVE THIS
WEEK.
THE COMMITTEE CONTINUED TO WORK
ON THAT BILL.
HOUSE BILL 1507 IS A NEW BILL
THIS WEEK ON INDEPENDENT
PROSECUTIONS.
THIS GIVES THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
CONCURRENT AUTHORITY AND POWER
WITH THE COUNTY PROSECUTING
ATTORNEYS TO INVESTIGATE AND
INITIATE AND CONDUCT
PROSECUTIONS OF CRIMES
INVOLVING POLICE USE OF DEADLY
FORCE.
THIS IS SORT OF THE PROSECUTION
COUNTERPART TO THE GOVERNOR'S
INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS
LEGISLATION.
IT ESTABLISHES AN INDEPENDENT
PROSECUTIONS UNIT IN THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, AND
HE REQUIRES PROSECUTORS TO
DETERMINE IF RECUSAL IS
NECESSARY UNDER ETHICAL RULES,
OR TO PRESERVE PUBLIC
CONFIDENCE AND THEN OUTWEIGHS
SOME PROVISIONS FOR WHEN THAT
WOULD BE TRIGGERED.
THIS BILL HAS A HEARING ON
TUESDAY IN THE HOUSE CIVIL
RIGHTS AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE.
FINALLY, IN THE POLICE REFORM
ROB, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE AN
UPDATE.
THE DECERTIFICATION BILL BY
SENATOR PEDERSEN, AND ALSO BY
REPRESENTATIVE GOODMAN ON THE
HOUSE SIDE, THAT IS SENATE BILL
5010.
IT HAD A PUBLIC HEARING LAST
WEEK IN THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN
EXEC'D YET.
WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT BILL
SHOULD MOVE, SO WE EXPECT TO
SEE SOMETHING HAPPENING ON THIS
THIS WEEK OR NEXT.
I'LL TAKE A PAUSE IN CASE THERE
ARE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE POLICE
REFORM LEGISLATION.
>> I SUSPECT THAT THERE WILL BE.
THANKS FOR TAKING A PAUSE,
ROBIN.
I SEE THAT COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD HAS RAISED HER HAND.
COLEY, FOR NEDS OTHERS THAT DO
HAVE QUESTIONS, LET ME KNOW BY
RAISING YOUR HAND.
TAKE IT AWAY, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I'M JUST INTERESTED TO KNOW
WHETHER OR NOT THERE ARE ANY
UPDATES REGARDING SENATOR
WINN'S BILL ON ARBITRATION TO
ADD ANY OF THE ELEMENTS THAT
MYSELF AND MAYOR DURKAN
TESTIFIED ON REGARDING REVIEW,
REPORTING OF HEARINGS, JUST A
SHORT LIST OF FOUR.
ADDITIONS THAT THE CITY OF
SEATTLE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO
SEE IN THAT BILL.
BEEN ANY UPDATES ON WHAT I CALL
THE BRADY LIST BILL.
IT IS NOT SHOWING UP ON THE
SCREEN, BUT I THINK IT IS
REFERRED TO AS THE BILL RELATED
TO IMPEACHMENT.
>> YES, COUNCILMEMBER, HERBOLD.
THE BILL, 5055, THAT WOULD
CREATE A CENTRALIZED LIST OF
ARBITRATORS TO BE USED FOR
POLICE REFORM AND DISPUTE
RESOLUTION.
THAT BILL HAS HAD ITS TITLE
LIMITED SO THAT IT IS NOT
POSSIBLE TO AMEND IT.
IT NOW HAS ARBITRATE OR IN THE
TITLE, SO THE POLICE
DISCIPLINARY PROCESS PROVISIONS
CANNOT BE AMENDED ONTO IT.
I THINK THAT WE ARE STILL
CONTINUING TO HAVE
CONVERSATIONS WITH LEGISLATORS
ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING
SOME POLICE DISCIPLINARY
PROCESS REFORM.
WE'LL CERTAINLY KEEP YOU
UPDATED AS THOSE CONVERSATIONS
PROGRESS IN THE COMING WEEKS.
I'M SORRY, BUT I THINK I WILL
HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THE
OTHER BILL THAT YOU ASKED ABOUT,
CENTERED IN CHRIS' BILL.
>> FOLLOW-UP.
>> THANK YOU.
CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE PROCESS BY
WHICH A BILL HAS ITS TITLE
CHANGED?
IN A WAY THAT PROHIBITS MAKING
CHANGES TO IT?
CAN YOU JUST GIVE US A LITTLE
BIT MORE DETAIL ABOUT HOW THAT
CAME ABOUT?
>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING FROM
SENATOR WINN THAT IT WAS
NECESSARY TO MOVE THE BILL
FORWARD AND IT WAS A DECISION
OF SENATOR WINN AND THE CHAIRS
OF THE COMMITTEE AND LEADERSHIP
THAT THEY WOULD PROCEED WITH
THE BILL WITH A MORE LIMITED
TITLE.
I BELIEVE THAT, ESPECIALLY IN
OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE,
HAVING A AND IDENTIFIED LIST OF
ARBITRATORS IS VIEWED AS A
PRIORITY THIS LEGISLATIVE
SESSION.
I KNOW WE HAVE SOME PROVISIONS
IN SEATTLE THAT MAKE IT LESS
IMPORTANT, BUT IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE IN OTHER
AREAS OF THE STATE.
SO, HE HAS CHOSEN TO GO THAT
ROUTE TO MOVE THE BILL FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COLLEAGUES, ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS ON POLICE REFORM
BILLS?
OKAY.
HEARING NONE, WE CAN KEEP GOING.
>>> FINALLY, JUST A BRIEF NOTE
ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
HOUSE BILL 1283 WAS ANOTHER BILL
THAT WAS HEARD LAST WEEK IN THE
SPHERE OF ARMED INTIMIDATION.
THIS IS A BILL THAT BANS, WHILE
ACTING WITH THREE OR MORE
PERSONS, OPENLY CARRYING OR
DISPLAYING A DEADLY WEAPON IN A
MANNER THAT WOULD LEAD A
REASONABLE PERSON TO FEEL
THREATENED.
AGAIN, HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE
SIGNING IN IN THE VIRTUAL
SESSION.
2300 PEOPLE SIGNED IN.
BOTH PRO AND CON ON THAT BILL
LAST WEEK.
IT IS SCHEDULED FOR EXECUTIVE
SESSION THIS WEEK.
THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE ON
HIGHLIGHTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
THIS WEEK.
>> ALL RIGHT.
COLLEAGUES, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
HEARING NONE, LET'S KEEP GOING.
>>> OKAY.
SAFETY NET AND CIVIL RIGHTS
SECTION, HOUSE BILL 1073,
EXPANDING PAID LEAVE COVERED BY
REPRESENTATIVE BARRY.
IT HAD EXECUTIVE ACTION ON
FRIDAY.
IT REDUCES THE SCOPE A LITTLE
BIT AND IS MORE ALIGNED WITH
THE DIRECT IMPACTS OF COVID ON
ELIGIBILITY VERSUS THE BROADER
HOURS THAT WERE IN THE ORIGINAL
BILL.
THE SAME CHANGES ARE EXPECTED
IN THE SENATE ON SENATE BILL
5097 WHICH HAS BEEN SCHEDULED
FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE
10th.
HOUSE BILL 1151, WHICH IS THE
BIG PRIORITY BILL FOR HUMAN
SERVICE ADVOCATES EXPANDING
CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
IT IS SCHEDULED FOR A HEARING
IN APPROPRIATIONS TODAY.
EXECUTIVE ACTION TOMORROW.
SCROLLING DOWN HERE.
SENATE BILL 5061, UNEMPLOYMENT
INSURANCE.
THAT PROVIDES THAT INSURANCE
BENEFIT TO HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS
WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO LEAVE WORK
FOR SAFETY REASONS DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
THAT WAS DELIVERED TO THE
GOVERNOR LAST WEEK.
FINALLY, SENATE BILL 5287, OUR
1297, THE WORKING FAMILIES TAX
EXEMPTION.
IT IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE
WORKING INCENTIVES TAX CREDIT.
46 HOUSE MEMBERS SIGNED ON TO
COSPONSOR, INCLUDING SIX
REPUBLICANS.
THIS WOULD PROVIDE $500 ANNUAL
CASH PAYMENT, AN ADDITIONAL
$150 FOR EACH CHILD UP TO THREE
CHILDREN.
IT'S AVAILABLE TO LOW AND
MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES.
IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO
UNDOCUMENTED FAMILIES WHO FILE
WITH AN INDIVIDUAL TEXANNA
VACATION NUMBER.
THIS BILL WOULD REACH
APPROXIMATELY 500,000
WASHINGTONIANS, AND 25% OF ALL
WASHINGTON CHILDREN.
WITHOUT BROAD REACH AND ROT
SUPPORT, WE ARE EXCITED TO
FOLLOW THAT ONE THROUGH.
THE SENATE BILL HAS -- WAS
INTRODUCED LATE LAST WEEK AND
HAS 20 SPONSORS AS WELL.
IT IS MOVING THROUGH THE
PROCESS SIMULTANEOUSLY.
THAT'S THE END OF MY SAFETY NET.
I'LL PAUSE FOR QUESTIONS.
>> SOUNDS LIKE A POPULAR BILL
WITH 20 SPONSORS.
COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS ON
THIS SESSION?
OKAY, HEARING NONE, WE CAN KEEP
GOING.
ACTUALLY, HANNAH, IN THAT
SESSION, IS THAT WHERE -- I
THINK LAST WEEK MY OFFICE
SIGNED IN SUPPORT OF A BILL
THAT WOULD ALLOW -- ALLOW LEGAL
PERMANENT RESIDENCE TO BE
CONSIDERED CANDIDATES FOR
SCHOOL BOARDS ACROSS THE STATE.
IS THAT BILL REFLECTED IN THIS
BULLETIN?
IF SO, WHERE?
>> I THINK IT MIGHT BE UP IN
EDUCATION, BUT I NEED TO DOUBLE
CHECK THE NUMBER FOR YOU.
>> THAT'S OKAY, NO WORRIES.
>> I KNOW HE DID SIGN IT IN
SUPPORT LAST WEEK.
I WILL GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON
WHERE IT WENT.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I WOULD APPRECIATE AN UPDATE ON
THAT.
OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON NOW TO
TRANSPORTATION.
>>> ALL RIGHT, CLOSING THINGS
OUT WITH TRANSPORTATION.
BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE,
STARTING WITH JUST A QUICK
UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION
REVENUE PACKAGES.
BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE
PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN RELEASED.
THEY ARE OUT IN THE WORLD.
MOVING FORWARD, WHAT WE ARE
LIKELY TO SEE IS A LOT OF
DISCUSSION AND NEGOTIATION
BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE
CHAIRS, VICE CHAIRS, AND
RANKING MEMBERS.
AS THEY WORKED TO BUILD TOWARD
SOMETHING THAT CAN ATTRACT THE
NECESSARY NUMBER OF VOTES TO
PASS.
WE'LL BE SEEING -- I SUPPOSE
MORE ACCURATELY, WE WON'T BE
SEEING A LOT OF WORK HAPPENING
IN THE BACKGROUND WITH THOSE
LEGISLATORS OR THOSE
STAKEHOLDERS.
WE CONTINUE TO ENGAGE THERE AND
ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY'S REPORT
IS.
IN REGARD TO HEARINGS COMING UP
THIS WEEK, HOUSE BILL 1301
PROVIDES REGIONAL TRANSIT
AUTHORITIES WITH EXPANDED
OPTIONS FOR FAIR ENFORCEMENT,
INCLUDING A NOTICE OF VIOLATION
RATHER THAN A CITATION.
IT'S UP FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
THIS AFTERNOON AT 3:30.
THIS WOULD ESSENTIALLY ALLOW
SOUND TRANSIT -- WOULD PROVIDE
THEM THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO
ISSUE NOTICES OF VIOLATION
WITHOUT MONETARY PENALTIES.
SO, SOMETHING WE ARE TRACKING
CLOSELY.
HOUSE BILL 1304 CONCERNING
SEPARATED TRANSIT, THIS IS THE
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROVIDE
-- IT WOULD DEMAND THE EXISTING
CITY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
AND SORT OF SUBSECTION REVENUE
OPTIONS TO ALLOW FOR NEW
TRANSPORTATION REVENUE SOURCES
TO BE APPLIED FOR LIGHT RAIL
FUNDING.
THAT HAS A HEARING TOMORROW AT
10:00 A.M.
I'LL PAUSE THERE FOR ANY
QUESTIONS ON TRANSPORTATION.
>> COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS ON
TRANSPORTATION?
ALL RIGHT, HEARING NONE, WE CAN
GET GOING.
>>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR REPORT.
>> GREAT.
COLLEAGUES, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS
OR COMMENTS FOLKLORE OIR BEFORE
WE SHIFT INTO THE NEXT AGENDA
SECTION?
OKAY.
LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE NO
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS FOR FOLKS OVER AT OIR.
AGAIN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING
WITH US THIS MORNING AND
CONTINUING TO ENGAGE WITH US.
DID WANT TO GIVE DIRECTOR LILY
WILSON-CODEGA, ANY SORT OF LAST
COMMENTS YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH
US BEFORE WE SHIFT GEARS?
>> NO.
THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD, WE
APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL'S
ENGAGEMENT, PARTICULARLY IN THE
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE PHASE.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS SHOWING
UP THIS WEEK AS WELL.
GIVEN THE INTEREST WE HAVE
HEARD FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT
COUNCILMEMBERS ON PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE, AND HOW MANY PROPOSALS
WILL BE MOVING FORWARD, I THINK
I JUST WANTED TO FLAG THAT THAT
IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY AND
WE APPRECIATE COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT WILL BE SPEAKING IN
SUPPORT OF THE CAPITAL GAINS
TAX THIS WEEK.
THAT IS ALL WE HAVE FOR TODAY,
AND THANKS FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT
IN VIRTUAL OLYMPIA.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME.
OF COURSE, PEOPLE NOW FEEL
INSPIRED TO SHARE SOME WORDS OR
HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
I HAVE TWO MEMBERS IN THE
QUEUE.
FIRST UP IS COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA, AND THEN
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND
GOOD MORNING.
I WANTED TO JUST DOUBLE CHECK.
SENATE BILL 5399, REGARDING
HEALTHCARE CONCERNING THE
CREATION OF THE UNIVERSAL
HEALTHCARE COMMISSION.
THIS HEARING TODAY, CAN YOU
REMIND ME, ARE WE PLANNING TO
SIGN IN PRO ON THAT ONE TODAY?
IF NOT, I'D LOVE FOR ME TO BE
SIGNED IN PRO.
I'M GOING TO TURN THAT ONE OVER
TO HANNAH WHO MAY HAVE MORE ON
THE BILL.
>> YES, COUNCILMEMBER WE ARE
HAPPY TO SIGN YOU IN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THIS COMES FROM OUR PARTNERS
AND A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP
FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE FIGHTING
FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE.
SORRY FOR THE LATE NOTICE ON
THAT.
THE HEARING IS AT 1:30.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
SUPPORT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER, MOSQUEDA,
WE'VE BEEN HAVING SOME
CHALLENGES RECENTLY WITH MANY
COUNCILMEMBERS JUST WHEN WE DO
SIGN FOLKS UP FOR HEARINGS.
JUST BECAUSE OF THIS VIRTUAL
SPACE THAT THEY ARE NAVIGATING.
I KNOW YOU ARE INTIMATELY
FAMILIAR WITH THE CHALLENGES OF
HEARINGS SCHEDULES AND MANY
FOLKS WHO WANT TO TESTIFY ON
POPULAR ISSUES.
JUST AS A WARNING, THEY MAY NOT
CALL YOU UP TODAY.
WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE
SIGNED IN, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S A
LITTLE BIT TRICKY GIVING THE
NEW FORMAT.
WE WILL CERTAINLY MAKE SURE
THAT YOU ARE SIGNED UP.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A
HEADS UP.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE HAVE OUR COMMITTEE MEETING
AT 2:00 P.M.
THIS AFTERNOON.
JUST A NOTE OF SUPPORT IS ALL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANKS FOR THAT
CLARIFICATION.
I KNOW LILY WILSON-CODEGA HAS
BEEN WARNING ME MULTIPLE TIMES
NOW THAT BECAUSE OF THE NEW
VIRTUAL RULES AND WORLD DOWN IN
OLYMPIA, THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS
FROM ALL OVER THE STATE WHO
HAVE BEEN SIGNING IN TO PROVIDE
TESTIMONY LIVE DURING THESE
COMMITTEE HEARINGS ARE OFTEN
TIMES NOT ABLE TO BE CALLED ON
BECAUSE OF THE VOLUME OF PEOPLE
SIGNING UP.
APPRECIATE THAT YOU ARE LOOKING
TO JUST GET A PRO SIGN UP ON
THAT BILL AS OPPOSED TO
ACTUALLY PROVIDING LIVE
TESTIMONY.
OKAY, COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT,
PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, LILY FOR
ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT THAT MY
OFFICE HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR
THE PROGRESSIVE REVENUES AT THE
STATE LEVEL.
AS OTHERS HAVE JUST SAID, I
ACTUALLY SIGNED UP TO TESTIFY
AT THE HEARING ON THE TAX ON
BILLIONAIRES.
THEY HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE SIGNED
UP, AND THERE WAS LIMITED TIME.
I WOULD SAY THAT WHILE I DIDN'T
GET TO SPEAK, AND I WILL TRY TO
SPEAK THIS WEEK, THERE WERE
MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS THERE
WHO WERE ADVOCATING FOR THAT
TAX.
NOT JUST FROM SEATTLE, BUT FROM
STATEWIDE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER,
SAWANT.
EVEN IF THEY DON'T CALL YOU UP,
THAT WILL BE PART OF THE RECORD
THAT YOU WERE WANTING TO
TESTIFY IN SUPPORT.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
COLLEAGUES, ANY OTHER COMMENTS
OR QUESTIONS BEFORE WE SHIFT
GEARS HERE?
OKAY, I'M NOT SEEING ANY OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS LOOKING TO MAKE
COMMENTS.
>>> WE ARE GOING TO SAY THANK
YOU TO FOLKS OVER AT OIR.
WE ARE ONLY FIVE MINUTES OVER.
THAT IS PRETTY GOOD I'D SAY.
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
WE'LL BE IN TOUCH, THANKS SO
MUCH EVERYONE FOR YOUR HARD
WORK TODAY.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON NOW
TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR, WHICH IS A
PREVIEW OF TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL
ACTIONS, COUNCIL AND REGIONAL
COMMITTEES.
AS A REMINDER, THE ROLL CALL
ROTATION FOR THIS MORNING WILL
BE AS FOLLOWS.
FIRST, WE ARE GOING TO HEAR
FROM COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA,
THEN PEDERSEN, SAWANT,
STRAUSS, HERBOLD, HERBOLD,
THEN I WILL CONCLUDE.
FIRST UP, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA, THEN COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN.
GOOD MORNING AGAIN.
>> GOOD MORNING, MADAME
PRESIDENT, HELLO COLLEAGUES.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS ON THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORT FROM
MY OFFICE.
THERE ARE ALSO NO ITEMS ON
TODAY'S FULL COUNCIL AGENDA FOR
MY OFFICE.
I DID WANT TO TAKE A QUICK
MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU TO
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS WHO LEAD ON
DRAFTING A PROCLAMATION IN
HONOR OF COMMUNITY LIFE.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
CELEBRATING AND APPRECIATE THAT
THIS IS ON THE AGENDA FOR OUR
AFTERNOON DISCUSSION HERE TODAY.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS FOR TAKING THE LEAD ON
DRAFTING THIS AND WORKING WITH
OUR OFFICE TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE
AND THE RESULT AS WELL.
WE MENTIONED TONY LEE DURING
HIS PASSAGE LAST NOVEMBER AND
WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE TODAY
TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE WORK
THAT HAS GONE INTO SETTING UP A
MEMORIAL FOR HIM.
SO, KICKING OFF THE WEEK WITH
RECOGNIZING TONY LEE'S LIFE AND
ALL OF THE LEGACY THAT HE HAS
IS VERY APPROPRIATE.
LIKE MANY, I THINK WE ARE ALL
HEARTBROKEN THAT WE CAN'T BE
TOGETHER IN PERSON TO CELEBRATE
HIS LIFE.
REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THIS
PROCLAMATION HAS COME TOGETHER.
I'LL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT
THAT AS WE PRESENT THIS.
I WANTED TO SAY THANKS FOR
INCLUDING THAT ON TODAY'S
AGENDA AND THANKS TO
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS FOR THEIR
OFFICE WORK ON THIS.
>>> FROM THE FINANCE AND
HOUSING COMMITTEE, WE HAVE A
COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULED ON
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19th.
I'M STILL GETTING USED TO THE
FACT THAT WHEN WE HAVE A
HOLIDAY ON A MONDAY, THAT MEANS
THAT OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS
AUTOMATICALLY GET MOVED TO A
FRIDAY.
JUST WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT
IT IS ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19th.
WE'LL HAVE APPOINTMENTS FIRST.
SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS. POSSIBLE
CONFIRMATION OF STEVE MARQISE
LEE AS THE OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS DIRECTOR.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH COLLEGE FOR
SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTIONS AND
COMMENTS.
WE ARE REVIEWING THE PACKET OF
INFORMATION.
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE HAS SENT IT
DOWN FOR HIS POSSIBLE
CONFIRMATION.
WE SHOULD BE GETTING ANSWERS
EARLY NEXT WEEK AND WE WILL
MAKE SURE TO SEND THOSE AROUND.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK ON
THOSE.
WE'LL ALSO HAVE THE CAPITAL
PROJECTS WATCHLIST, WHICH WAS
ESTABLISHED THROUGH ENHANCED
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
IT ESTABLISHED THE CITY'S
INTENT TO USE A STAGE GATE
APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS FOR
SELECTED PROJECTS.
I BELIEVE COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD, YOU WERE INSTRUMENTAL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THAT.
I'VE ALSO INVITED THE BUDGET
DIRECTOR TWO, PRESENT ON ANY
UPDATES THAT WE MAY RECEIVE BY
THE END OF NEXT WEEK ON
AVAILABLE SCHEDULED FUNDS.
FEMA FUNDS, C.A.R.E.S.
ACT FUNDS, AND THE ADDITIONAL
DOLLARS THAT COULD BE MADE
AVAILABLE TO THE CITY OF
SEATTLE AS WE LOOK TO ADDRESS
THE CRISIS OF COVID, BOTH
PUBLIC HEALTH AND ECONOMIC.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO
INCLUDE THAT IN THE AGENDA AS
WELL.
IN TERMS OF UPDATES, I WANT TO
THANK FIRST, OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS FOR THEIR WORK ON
RULEMAKING.
THEIR INTERIM DIRECTORS, THEIR
INCREDIBLE STAFF HAVE BEEN BUSY
SINCE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT
THIS OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS.
THEY HAVE PREPARED THE RULES
FOR HAZARD PAY ORDINANCE TO GO
INTO EFFECT, WHICH WAS SIGNED
INTO LAW AND WENT INTO EFFECT
LAST WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd.
THANKS AGAIN TO OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS AND CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL THE FRONTLINE GROCERY
WORKERS WHO RECEIVED THAT
HAZARD PAY.
THREE QUICK UPDATES FROM FAS.
THEY ARE CONTINUING TO LEAVE
THE PROCUREMENT RELATIONS
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL
OVERSIGHT OF THE CITY'S PLANNED
MASS VACCINATION SITES.
THEY'RE CURRENTLY MURKY ON FOUR
MAIN ELEMENTS.
ONE IS CONTRACTING WITH VACCINE
PROVIDERS.
SECOND, AGREEMENT WITH SITE
PROVIDERS.
THIRD, SCHEDULING AND INSURANCE
SOFTWARE VENDOR.
FOURTH, EXPANDING THE CUSTOMER
SERVICE BUREAU CAPACITY TO
RECEIVE AND RESPOND TO
POTENTIAL CALLS REGARDING
NONMEDICAL COVID-19 VACCINE
QUESTIONS.
THEY'VE DONE A TREMENDOUS
AMOUNT OF WORK THROUGHOUT THE
COMMUNITY AS WELL MAKING SURE
THERE IS ENOUGH FREEZER STORAGE
úCAPACITY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
LEADING AND PLANNING
CONVERSATIONS WITH CITY PARTNER
TO ASSIST WITH EXPANDED VACCINE
ADMINISTRATION EFFORTS.
THEY HAVE NOTIFIED CRITICAL
EMPLOYEES OVER 65 WHO ARE
WORKING ON SITE AND ARE
ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE COVID-
19 VACCINE.
THEY ARE ELIGIBLE, AND MANY OF
THOSE EMPLOYEES DID RECEIVE AN
INITIAL VACCINE.
FAS CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN A
STANDBY LIST FOR EMPLOYEES THAT
ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXTRA
DOSES.
THEY ARE ALSO WORKING TO WITH
CITY PARTNERS TO PROCURE ITEMS
NEEDED TO FACILITATE THE
CONVERSATION OF TESTING SITES
-- I'M SORRY, THE CONVERSION OF
TESTING SITES INTO VACCINE
ADMINISTRATION SITES, AND
PUBLIC HEALTH, IF THEY WERE
HERE, WOULD REMIND US IS NOT
JUST ABOUT CONVERTING THOSE,
IT'S ABOUT ALSO MAINTAINING
TESTING SITES AS WELL AS WE ARE
MAKING SURE WE ARE STANDING UP
VACCINATION CENTERS.
AN UPDATE FROM CBO.
THE 2021 ADOPTED BUDGET BOOK IS
NOW ONLINE.
YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE TO
LOOK AT THE VIRTUAL BOOK THAT
INCLUDES EACH DEPARTMENT
SECTION ALONG WITH A SUMMARY OF
THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND
CHARTS.
IT SHOWS THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED
BUDGET, THE CHANGES THE COUNCIL
MADE, AND THE ARRIVAL OF THE
FINAL ADOPTED BUDGET FOR THIS
YEAR.
THANK YOU TO THEIR TEAM FOR
PUTTING THAT ONLINE.
IN OTHER UPDATES, I WANT TO
NOTE THAT THIS WEEK, STARTING
ON FEBRUARY 6th, MARCH THE 100
-- I'M SORRY THE 102nd YEAR
ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEATTLE
GENERAL STRIKE WHEN MORE THAN
65,000 GENERAL WORKERS STOPPED
WORKING FOR 5 DAYS TO DEMAND
FAIR WAGES AND THE ABILITY TO
COLLECTIVELY BARGAIN.
WE CELEBRATED THE CENTENNIAL OF
THIS TWO YEARS AGO.
IN 2019, AND HERE WE ARE 102
YEARS AFTER THAT GENERAL
STRIKE.
WANTED TO COMMEMORATE THEM, AND
CONTINUE TO READ UP ON THAT.
SPEAKING OF WORKER STRIKES AND
WORKER STRUGGLES, I WANT TO NOTE
THE ONGOING CONCERN THAT WE ARE
HEARING OUT OF EL SALVADOR. TWO
MEMBERS OF THE UPPER SUISUN
PARTY WERE MURDERED WEEKS
BEFORE THE ELECTION AMONGST
MANY OF THE ISSUES WE ARE
SEEING DOWN THERE.
THERE HAS BEEN A RESURGENCE OF
DEATH SQUAD ACTIVITIES.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 31st, GUNMEN
OPENED FIRE ON A GROUP OF
SUPPORTERS OF THE [ SPEAKING IN
FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] PARTY AND TWO
SUPPORTERS WERE KILLED.
SEVERAL OTHERS WERE INJURED.
THIS IS A DEMAND TO MAKE SURE
THAT -- THIS IS A CALL TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE EL SALVADOR AND
GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL CONTINUE TO
CONSTRUCT TRANSPARENT
INVESTIGATIONS.
MANY FOLKS IN OUR SEATTLE AREA
ARE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE IN
SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF
EL SALVADOR.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
PUTTING THIS ISSUE ON THE RADAR
AS WELL TO SHOW SOLIDARITY AND
CONTINUE TO DEMAND
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THESE DEATHS
AND THE ONGOING DEATH SQUAD
ACTIVITIES THAT WE CONTINUE TO
SEE COMING BACK UP.
I BELIEVE THAT'S IT.
MADAM PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, COLLEGE, ANY
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
HEARING NONE, WE'LL MOVE DOWN
THE LINE TO COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN.
GOOD MORNING.
>> OF MY, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
GOOD MORNING COLLEGE.
OUR TRANSPORTATION UTILITIES
COMMITTEE HAS TWO ITEMS ON
TODAY'S FULL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA.
ONE IS FOR TRANSPORTATION
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS OUTSIDE OF
HAZEL SCHOOL IN NORTHEAST
SEATTLE.
THE OTHER IS THE REQUIRED
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
APPOINTMENT TO THE MOVE SEATTLE
LEVY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
BOTH ITEMS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
OUT OF OUR COMMITTEE.
OUR NEXT MEETING OF THE
TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES
COMMITTEE IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17th, AT
9:30 A.M.
ONE OF THE KEY ITEMS WILL BE
CONSIDERING THE UPDATED TRANSIT
SERVICE AGREEMENT, WITH KING
COUNTY METRO FOR BUS SERVICE.
NOW THAT VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY
APPROVED FUNDS FOR OUR SEATTLE
TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT
LAST NOVEMBER.
THE TRANSIT SERVICE AGREEMENT
SPELLS OUT THE TERMS OF
ENHANCED BUS SERVICE THROUGHOUT
SEATTLE.
OUR AGREEMENT IS IMPORTANT AS
WE REALLOCATE BUS SERVICE HOURS
TO GET MORE PEOPLE BACK ON
BUSES AS OUR ECONOMY RECOVERS
AND DOLLARS ARE REGIONAL
TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS GROW
WITH THE OPENING OF NEW
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.
IN DISTRICT 4, THIS PAST WEEK I
VENTURED INSIDE AND UNDERNEATH
THE AGING UNIVERSITY BRIDGE.
WHICH CONNECTS THE UNIVERSITY
DISTRICT IN WALLINGFORD TO
EASTLAKE AND DOWNTOWN.
I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,
WHICH ARRANGED THE BRIDGE CREW
COMING TO THE BRIDGE OPERATOR
WHO WELCOMED US.
SHE POPPED OUT TO SAY HELLO
BEFORE WE WALKED UNDERNEATH THE
BRIDGE TO EXAMINE SOME OF THE
COMPONENTS THAT ARE STILL
OPERATING AFTER 100 YEARS IN
SERVICE.
THIS MAJOR TRANSIT BRIDGE WAS
RANKED IN THE POOREST CONDITION
BY THE CITY AUDITOR.
IT WAS A REPORT THAT WE ORDERED
LAST YEAR AFTER THE WEST
SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSED.
IN A CITI CARD BY WATERWAYS,
THE UNIVERSITY BRIDGE IS JUST
ONE OF MANY BRIDGE PROJECTS
THAT NEED MORE MONEY IF WE WANT
TO KEEP ALL MODES OF TRAVEL
MOVING.
AS OUR ECONOMY REOPENS AND
RECOVERIES, I'LL CONTINUE TO
ADVOCATE FOR US TO PRIORITIZE
MORE FUNDING FOR BRIDGES ACROSS
OUR CITY.
AFTER THE BRIDGE TO HER, I HAD
A QUICK LUNCH AT THE 14 CURRENT
CAFE ON EASTLAKE AVENUE.
I MET WITH THE OWNER, WHO LIKE
MANY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, IS
STRIVING TO SURVIVE UNDER
PUBLIC HEALTH CONDITIONS -- OR,
UNTIL PUBLIC HEALTH CONDITIONS
IMPROVE TO ENABLE MORE
CUSTOMERS TO RETURN.
AS OUR GOVERNOR REOPENS OUR
LOCAL ECONOMY, TO THE EXTENT
YOU FEEL SAFE, I ENCOURAGE
RESIDENTS TO MATCH UP AND GET
BACK OUT THERE TO VISIT YOUR
FAVORITE STORES AND RESTAURANTS.
USA TODAY HAS NOMINATED THE TOP
20 CITY PARKS IN NORTH AMERICA.
THE GAS WORKS PARK MADE THEIR
LIST.
THOSE OF US THAT HAVE VISITED
THE PARK LOVE IT FOR ITS FUNKY
PRESERVATION OF THE GAS WORKS
MACHINERY, THE BLUSTERY WINDS
FOR FLYING KITES AT THE TOP OF
THE HILL, AND OF COURSE IT'S
STUNNING VIEWS OF LAKE UNION
AND DOWNTOWN SEATTLE.
THIS NOMINATION IS WELCOME AND
WELL DESERVED.
I HOPE THE END UP IN THE TOP
10.
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT
I'M HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS
ABOUT PARKS THROUGHOUT SEATTLE.
THE STARK REALITY THAT WE HAVE
SEEN, AND THAT WE HAVE HEARD
FROM CONSTITUENTS, IS THAT
THERE IS AN INCREASE IN
UNAUTHORIZED CAMPING AND
HAZARDS, AND SUFFERING OVER THE
PAST YEAR IN OUR CITY PARKS.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT AS THE
VACCINES BECOME MORE WIDELY
AVAILABLE OVER THE NEXT FEW
MONTHS, AND WE DEVOTE MORE
RESEARCH, RESOURCES TO OUTREACH
AND CLEANING, WE'LL BE ABLE TO
VACCINATE AND HOUSE THOSE THAT
ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
AND RESTORE OUR PARKS FOR
EVERYONE TO USE DURING THE
SUMMER MONTHS.
TO VOTE FOR GAS WORKS PARK AS
YOUR FAVORITE PARK, YOU CAN LOG
INTO USA TODAY'S WEBSITE FOR
THIS CONTEST WHICH IS CALLED 10
BEST.COM.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT
REPORT, COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN?
HEARING NONE, WE'LL GO AHEAD
AND GO DOWN THE LINE.
NEXT UP IS COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT, AND THEN COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS.
GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
GONZALES.
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
TODAY, THERE IS ONE ITEM FROM
MY COMMITTEE.
THE APPOINTMENT OF SHARON E.
CROWLEY TO THE SEATTLE
RENTERS' COMMISSION.
COUNCILMEMBERS WILL REMEMBER WE
HOLD A VOTE ON HER APPOINTMENT
FOR ONE WEEK LAST WEEK TO
ACCOMMODATE THE LOGISTICAL
REQUEST TO THE DEPARTMENTS OF
NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE IS
GOING TO BE ON FEBRUARY -- IS
FOR FEBRUARY 23rd.
HOWEVER, MY OFFICE WILL BE IN
CONTACT WITH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
TO POSSIBLY FIND AN ALTERNATE
MEETING TIME THIS MONTH.
AS I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, MY
OFFICE IS FINALIZING WITH
CENTRAL STAFF AND THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THE
LEGISLATION FOR THE VARIOUS
RENTERS RIGHTS POLICIES WHICH I
WILL TALK ABOUT IN A SECOND.
WE HOPE TO HAVE MADE PROGRESS
BY THE TIME WE HAVE THE NEXT
COMMITTEE MEETING.
THERE IS A RESOLUTION ON
TODAY'S INTRODUCTION TO FULL
COUNCIL FROM MY OFFICE URGING
WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATORS TO
APPROVE STATEWIDE TAXES ON BIG
BUSINESS AND THE SUPERRICH.
CLEARLY STATING THE CITY
COUNCIL'S OPPOSITION TO ANY
PREAMPS INCH SUCH AS A BAN,
LIMITATION, OR PHASING OUT OF
SEATTLE'S AUTHORITY TO TAX BIG
BUSINESS AND THE RICH.
AS WAS JUST DISCUSSED, THERE
ARE THREE PROGRESSIVE TAX BILLS
CURRENTLY BEING DISCUSSED IN
OLYMPIA.
12 TAX BIG BUSINESS CORPORATE
PAYROLL.
ONE TO TAX BILLIONAIRES.
ONE TO TEXT CAPITAL GAINS.
ALL OF THESE, GIVEN THE SHAMBLES
THAT THE TAX SYSTEM IS IN OUR
STATE WITH THE NATION'S MOST
REGRESSIVE TAX SYSTEM, ALL OF
THESE ARE CRUCIAL AND URGENTLY
NEED TO BE PASSED BY THE STATE
LEGISLATURE FOR RAISING THE
FUNDS MANY PEOPLE NEED FOR
HOUSING SERVICES, COVID RELIEF,
AND JOBS PROGRAMS LIKE THE
GREEN NEW DEAL.
HOWEVER, WE ALSO KNOW THAT
WEDNESDAYS LEGISLATORS EVEN
TALK ABOUT THAT IN THE BUSINESS
OF THE RICH, THEY
SIMULTANEOUSLY TALK ABOUT
STRIPPING SETTLES LIKE SEATTLE
OF THEIR LEGAL ABILITY TO DO
THE SAME.
BECAUSE OF THEIR POWER OF BIG
BUSINESS AND POLITICS.
IF PREEMPTION OF BIG BUSINESS
TAXES HAVE PASSED LAST YEAR IN
OLYMPIA, AS THEY WERE
ATTEMPTING TO DO, IT WOULD HAVE
BALLAST THE CORPORATE TAX CUT.
THEY'VE GOT COUNTYWIDE
CORPORATE TAXES THE STATE IS
CONSIDERING IS WHAT THIS
SMALLER TAX ENDED UP WINNING.
THAT PREEMPTION WAS ULTIMATELY
DEFEATED BECAUSE OF THE
ORGANIZING OF THE TAX AMAZON
MOVEMENT.
OUR MOVEMENT MOBILIZED EVERY
PUBLIC EVENT HOSTED BY A
SEATTLE-BASED STATE LEGISLATURE
TO URGE THEM PUBLICLY THAT THEY
PUBLICLY OPPOSED PREEMPTION.
OUR MOVEMENT ALSO WENT TO
OLYMPIA TO DIRECTLY TALK TO THE
LEGISLATORS.
THIS YEAR, THE THREAT OF
PREEMPTION HAS BEEN FAR MORE
HARD.
IT WAS MADE CLEAR THAT IT
CONTINUES TO BE A REAL THREAT.
THAT ARTICLE QUOTES LEGISLATORS
SAYING THINGS LIKE QUOTE, IT
REMAINS AN OPEN QUESTION, WHAT
HAPPENS WITH SEATTLE, END QUOTE.
OH, LIKELY WE WILL HAVE TO
CARVE OUT SEATTLE, END QUOTE.
AND THAT THE LEGISLATION MIGHT
PHASEOUT THE SEATTLE TAX
OVERTIME END QUOTE.
THE PREMISE OF THE ARTICLE IS
THAT THE -- A BUSY BUSINESS TAX
IN OLYMPIA GIVEN SEATTLE'S TAX
ON BIG BUSINESS WOULD BE A
QUOTE UNQUOTE DOUBLE TAX.
WHICH IS COMPLETELY ABSURD
BECAUSE CORPORATE TAXES IN
WASHINGTON STATE ARE SO SMALL
AND WORKING PEOPLE IN THE STATE
ARE ROUTINELY DOUBLE, TRIPLE,
QUADRUPLE TEXT BY EVERY
JURISDICTION WITH AGGRESSIVE
TAXES LIKE SALES TAXES AND
PROPERTY TAXES.
THIS RESOLUTION WOULD STATE
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL URGES
STATE LAWMAKERS TO PASS
PROGRESSIVE TAXES ON BIG
BUSINESSES AND THE RICH
STATEWIDE AND OPPOSE ANY
PREEMPTION ON MUNICIPAL ABILITY
TO RAISE PROGRESSIVE REVENUES.
THIS PAST SATURDAY, THE TAX
AMAZON MOVEMENT HELD AN ONLINE
ACTION CONFERENCE TO HOLD AN
ORGANIZATION AROUND THESE
ISSUES WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY
OVER 200 COMMUNITY MEMBERS,
WHICH ALSO URGED CITY COUNCIL
TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE RECEIVED
LETTERS FROM AROUND 218 PEOPLE
URGING COUNCIL TO APPROVE THIS
RESOLUTION.
MY OFFICE CONTINUES TO WORK
CLOSELY WITH TENANTS THAT ARE
FACING THE BRUNT OF THE
ECONOMIC CRISIS BROUGHT ON BY
COVID AND THE CAPITAL
RECESSION.
THE LEAD ARTICLE IN THE NEW
YORK TIMES DESCRIBES THE
TICKING TIME BOMB OF HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY AND DEBT CRISIS.
EVEN BEFORE LAST YEAR, ABOUT 11
MILLION HOUSEHOLDS, THE ARTICLE
QUOTES 1 AND 4 U.S. RENTERS WAS
SPENDING MORE THAN HALF THEIR
PRETAX INCOME ON HOUSING AND
OVERCROWDING WAS ALREADY ON THE
RISE.
BY ONE ESTIMATE, FOR EVERY 100
VERY LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD, ONLY
36 AFFORDABLE RENTALS ARE
AVAILABLE.
SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, OF
COURSE IT HAS GOTTEN MUCH
WORSE, AND IT IS AN
UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF
FAMILIES DOUBLING UP BECAUSE
THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN
SURVIVE WITHOUT BECOMING
HOMELESS.
THE ARTICLE TALKS ABOUT HOW
THIS IS FALLING
DISPROPORTIONATELY HARD ON
FRONT-LINE WORKERS IN
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR,
ESPECIALLY INDIGENT WORKERS.
THE ARTICLE ALSO QUOTES A STAFF
ATTORNEY AT THE HOUSING JUSTICE
PROJECT IN SEATTLE, WITH WHOM
WE ARE WORKING WITH.
WHO SAID, THAT OVER THE PAST
FEW MONTHS, SHE HAS SEEN A
MARKED INCREASE IN WHAT I CALL
UNAUTHORIZED OCCUPANT CASES.
A LANDLORD SEEKS TO EVICT
SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY ALLOWED AN
OFF THE BOOKS ROOMMATE INTO THE
UNIT.
MY OFFICE IS ALSO CONTINUING
THE WORK OF DEVELOPING TWO
RENTERS RIGHTS BILLS.
BY EXTENDING THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM TO AT LEAST THE END
OF THIS YEAR, AND PROVIDING ALL
TENANTS WITH THE RIGHT TO
COUNCIL WHEN FACING EVICTION,
WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN
ANNOUNCED.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS HAS
COSPONSORED, THANK YOU AGAIN.
IN ADDITION, WE ARE BEGINNING
TO WORK ON THE RECOMMENDATION
FROM THE SEATTLE RENTERS
COMMISSION TO END THE GROWING
PRACTICE OF LANDLORDS USING
CREDIT CHECKS AND RENTAL
APPLICATIONS.
LASTLY, THE CITY OF SEATTLE
RENTERS COMMISSION SENT ALL
COUNCILMEMBERS A LETTER CALLING
ON THE CITY TO ADOPT THIS
MEASURE.
MY OFFICE HAS INCLUDED THIS
ISSUE ON THE WORKPLAN FOR THE
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE FOR
THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE LET THE COMMISSIONERS
KNOW THAT WE WILL BE DRAFTING
THIS LEGISLATION AND WE ARE
ALSO REACHING OUT TO CENTRAL
STAFF TO WORK ON THIS.
PEOPLE MIGHT RECALL THAT LAST
YEAR THE RENTERS COMMISSION
INITIATED THE ADVOCACY THAT LED
TO THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING
THE BAN ON WINTER EVICTIONS.
THESE COMMISSIONERS ARE TAKING
THEIR COMMUNITY ACTIVISM VERY
SERIOUSLY AND I AM EXTREMELY
GRATIFIED TO BE WORKING WITH
THEM ON THIS LEGISLATION AS WE
DID WITH THE WINTER EVICTIONS
BAND.
SIMPLY PUT, CREDIT CHECKS ARE
NOW THE NEW FORM OF REDLINING
IN THE RENTAL HOUSING MARKET.
THEY ARE A RELATIVELY NEW
SCREENING TOOL INSTITUTED BY
LANDLORDS, HAVING BEEN
IMPLEMENTED OVER THE LAST 20
YEARS, ESPECIALLY BY BIG
CORPORATE LANDLORDS.
AS THE RENTERS COMMISSION
POINTED OUT, CREDIT SCORES DO
NOT PREDICT THE LIKELIHOOD OF
PAYING RENT ON A REGULAR AND
TIMELY BASIS.
RATHER, CREDIT SCORES ARE USED
BY LANDLORDS TO CREATE BARRIERS
TO QUALIFY TO RENT.
WE KNOW THAT CREDIT SCORES ARE
EMBEDDED WITH BIAS AGAINST
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR,
IMMIGRANTS, YOUNG PEOPLE, THE
LGBTQ COMMUNITY, AND WOMEN.
ESPECIALLY SURVIVORS OF
DOMESTIC ABUSE AND HUMAN
TRAFFICKING.
AS A NATIONAL CONSUMER LAW
CENTER HAS DOCUMENTED, STUDY
UPON STUDY HAVE SHOWN THAT
USING CREDIT SCORES TO MAKE
ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS ONLY
PERPETUATES PAST DISCRIMINATION
, ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK AND
BROWN COMMUNITIES.
MINNEAPOLIS HAS PASSED A LAW
ALONG THESE LINES, ALTHOUGH IT
IS A -- NOT AS STRONG AS IT
SHOULD BE.
WE WILL BE WORKING ON A LAW
THAT IS, BY ALL ACCOUNTS, FROM
HOUSING ADVOCATES, RENTER
ADVOCATES, AND TENANT ATTORNEYS,
WILL BE A STRONG PROTECTION FOR
TENANTS AGAINST THIS KIND OF
NEW REDLINING.
TO OUR SUSTAINABILITY AND
RENTERS COMMUNITY, AND
COMMUNITY MEETINGS MY OFFICE
WILL BE SCHEDULING, VERY SOON,
WE WILL BE WORKING WITH TENANTS
ON THESE AND VERY URGENTLY
ENTERED TENANT RIGHTS BILLS.
WE FULLY REALIZE THE CORPORATE
LANDLORDS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE
DONE QUITE WELL DURING THE
PANDEMIC, WILL BE FIERCELY
RESISTING EACH ONE OF THESE
MEASURES.
THAT IS WHY IT WILL TAKE A
POWERFUL MOVEMENT TO WIN THESE.
THE STAND, WHICH IS A
PUBLICATION OF THE WASHINGTON
STATE-LEVEL COUNCIL, TODAY
REPORTS THAT MORE THAN 900
MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL
BOARD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS
EMPLOYED IN THE UNION'S SECOND-
LARGEST UNIT ARE IN THIS AREA
ARE ON THE VERGE OF A WORK
STOPPAGE THIS WEEK AFTER THE
UNION REPORTED THAT NEGOTIATORS
FROM THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL
CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION HAVE
BEEN STALLING AND FAILING TO
IMPROVE UPON A CONTRACT OFFER
WHICH WAS OVERWHELMINGLY
REJECTED ON JANUARY 30th.
THE BUSINESS MANAGER SAYS IN
THE ARTICLE QUOTES, NEGOTIATORS
REFUSED TO PRESENT AND IMPROVE
AN EQUITABLE OFFER, THE MEMBERS
WOULD SUPPORT, IS A SLAP IN THE
FACE TO THE MIGHTY 900.
THIS PROUD BARGAINING UNIT HAS
FALLEN BEHIND OTHER TRADE AND
CLASSIFICATIONS ON WAGES FOR
YEARS.
THE WORK THEY PERFORM IS VITAL
TO LOCAL INDUSTRIES.
ALL THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IS
DIGNITY, RESPECT, AND FAIR
COMPENSATION, BUT NOW THESE
ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES, AND ALL OF THE
REGIONAL BUSINESSES AND
COMPANIES THEY SERVE, THEY SAY
PROSPECT OF A MAJOR DISRUPTION.
WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH ALL
MEMBERS FIGHTING FOR A GOOD
CONTRACT.
WE WILL PROVIDE WHATEVER
SUPPORT THEY NEED.
IF THEY STAY, MY COUNCIL OFFICE
WILL BE ON THE PICKET LINES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON
THAT REPORT?
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING WHAT'S
ON THE INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR TODAY.
I SEE THAT AS RESOLUTION 31989
ABOUT THE BIZ BUSINESS TAXES.
I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND,
WE PASSED JUST EIGHT WEEKS AGO,
WE PASSED RESOLUTION 31982.
THAT IS OUR OFFICIAL
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THAT WE ARE
ASKING STATE LAWMAKERS TO
CONSIDER.
THAT STATES THAT WE SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE TAX REFORM.
THAT IS MORE PROGRESSIVE.
IT'S AGAINST PREEMPTION.
SO, I'M CONCERNED.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE JUST
NOT PULLING OUT INDIVIDUAL
TOPICS AS THE SESSION GOES ON
AND SORT OF REITERATING THEM
WITH RESOLUTIONS.
WE COULD DO THE SAME FOR POLICE
REFORM, TRANSPORTATION FUNDING,
AND OTHER ISSUES.
I JUST WANTED TO GET A BETTER
UNDERSTANDING OF WHY WE FEEL
IT'S NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE A
RESOLUTION WHEN WE JUST HAD A
RESOLUTION EIGHT WEEKS AGO?
>> I'LL LET COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT ADDRESS WHY SHE WANTS
THE SPECIFICS AROUND WHY SHE
WANTS TO INTRODUCE THIS
RESOLUTION.
I THINK SHE HAS SPOKEN TO HER
-- POLICY INTERESTS AS IT
RELATES TO THAT.
I'LL LET HER ADDRESS ANY OTHER
ISSUES RELATED TO WHY SHE
THINKS IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A
STANDALONE RESOLUTION.
I'LL ADJUST ADDRESS REALLY
QUICKLY AS A MATTER OF
PROCEDURE.
PRACTICE ON THIS ISSUE.
I DON'T THINK THAT THE PASSAGE
OF THE STATE LOBBYING AGENDA
PRECLUDES A COUNCILMEMBER FROM
WANTING -- FROM ADVANCING A
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A
SPECIFIC BILL THAT IS WITHIN THE
FOUR CORNERS OF OUR STATE
LOBBYING AGENDA, WHICH IS WHAT
WE ADOPTED VIA LEGISLATION.
AS THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT BE AWARE,
BUT CERTAINLY COUNCILMEMBERS
ARE, OR STATE LOBBYING AGENDA
IS VERY VAGUE AND VALUES
STATEMENT ORIENTED, WITHOUT ANY
SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO ANY ACTUAL
HOUSE BILLS OR SENATE BILLS OR
LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS RELATED
TO THOSE PARTICULAR CATEGORIES.
THOSE DETAILS COME TO LIGHT AND
BECOME KNOWN TO US ONCE THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS, AND
WELL AFTER WE HAVE ADOPTED OUR
RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE CITY'S
-- STATE LOBBYING AGENDA.
I THINK FROM A PROCEDURE
PERSPECTIVE, AND FROM THE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S ROLE, MY
RESPONSIBILITY IS TO MAKE SURE
THE RESOLUTION IS STILL WITHIN
THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE SPIRIT
AND ATTEND AND THE VALUE
STATEMENT WITHIN THE LOBBYING
AGENDA FROM A PROCEDURE
PERSPECTIVE.
I THINK THAT COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT IS RESOLUTION CERTAINLY
FALLS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF
THE STATE LOBBYING AGENDA THAT
WE ADOPTED VIA THE RESOLUTION,
BUT ISN'T SPECIFICALLY
ADDRESSED.
THE BILLS SHE'S REFERRING TO
AREN'T SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED
IN OUR LOBBYING AGENDA.
FROM A TECHNICAL PERSPECTIVE, I
THINK THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES
, I THINK, IN WHICH SIMILAR
EFFORTS HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE
PAST.
OTHER EFFORTS INCLUDE DRAFTING
A LETTER THAT COMES
INDIVIDUALLY FROM A
COUNCILMEMBER, OR FROM ALL OF
THE COUNCILMEMBERS IN SUPPORT
OF, OR IN OPPOSITION, OF A
PARTICULAR BILL.
THAT IS ALSO ANOTHER STRATEGY
THAT IS AVAILABLE TO
COUNCILMEMBERS ON SPECIFIC BILLS
THAT MIGHT TOUCH ON THE CONCEPTS
INCLUDED IN OUR STATE LOBBYING
AGENDA THAT WE ADOPTED.
SO, I HOPE THAT'S HELPFUL,
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, JUST
FOR SORT OF THE LOGISTICAL
DRYER PROCEDURAL ASPECTS OF HOW
WE DEAL WITH THOSE THINGS.
I'LL LET COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
SPEAK FOR HERSELF ON ANY INTENT
ISSUES .
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT
GONZALES.
THAT WAS DEFINITELY SOMETHING I
WAS GOING TO ADD IN MY RESPONSE
TO THIS QUESTION, BUT I WANT TO
INCLUDE THE POINT YOU MADE
REALLY WELL.
I WOULD JUST ADD TO WHAT WAS
JUST SAID BY PRESIDENT
GONZALES, IS THAT THE
RESOLUTION THAT WAS PASSED IS
MEANT TO BE SORT OF VAGUE AS
WAS SAID AND COVERS LITERALLY
HUNDREDS OF TOPICS.
SINCE THAT RESOLUTION WAS
ADOPTED, WE HAVE SEEN PUBLIC
MEDIA REPORTS STATING CLEARLY
THAT STATE LEGISLATORS ARE
LOOKING FOR VARIOUS AVENUES TO
PREEMPT OR PHASEOUT, OR IN SOME
WAY UNDERMINE THE MUNICIPAL
ABILITY TO RAISE BIG BUSINESS
TAXES.
I THINK GIVEN THAT KIND OF
SPECIFIC THREAT, I THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT THAT OUR PEOPLE HAVE
A WAY TO ORGANIZE AND HAVE
STATE LEGISLATORS FEEL THE
PRESSURE FROM BELOW.
SAY THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO
ACCEPT THAT.
WE NEED MUNICIPAL TAXATION
ABILITY AS WELL, JUST GIVEN THE
DIRE SITUATION THAT ORDINARY
PEOPLE ARE IN.
THE LAST THING I'LL ADD IS, IF
THE COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN YOU
SUPPORT THE CONTENT OF THE
RESOLUTION AND YOU VOTED YES ON
THE EARLY RESOLUTION, THEN I
DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE A
PROBLEM.
IT IS A GOOD STEP FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT, COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN, ANY ADDITIONAL
FOLLOW-UP OR QUESTIONS?
>> ALL RIGHT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
FOR COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
HEARING NONE, THANKS FOR THAT
REPORT.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE DOWN THE
LINE.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS IS NEXT,
AND THEN COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
AS A QUICK, HOPEFULLY NOT A
SPOILER ALERT, BECAUSE I THINK
HE ALREADY CIRCULATED IT, BUT
ON THE PROCLAMATION HE'S GOING
TO BE DISCUSSING DURING COUNCIL
BRIEFING THIS MORNING.
WE'LL TAKE A SHORT PAUSE AND
ASK COLLEAGUES TO CONSIDER
ADDING THEIR SIGNATURE TO THAT
PROCLAMATION AS DESCRIBED, AS
WILL BE DESCRIBED BY
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
JUST A QUICK HEADS UP FOR THOSE
OF YOU WHO MAY BE MULTITASKING
RIGHT NOW, BUT THAT WILL OCCUR
DURING THIS REPORT.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, PLEASE.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
THERE ARE EIGHT APPOINTMENTS ON
THE -- TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION.
>> THERE ARE NO ITEMS FROM THE
LAND USE AND USE COMMITTEE.
THE FEBRUARY 10th MEETING HAS
BEEN CANCELED.
OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE
FEBRUARY 24th.
WE WILL HIGHLIGHT THE EVENTS
THAT MY STAFF AND I ATTENDED
LAST WEEK.
MY STAFF ATTENDED THE PHINNEY
RIDGE COMMUNITY COUNCIL AND THE
NORTH PRECINCT ADVISORY COUNCIL.
I ATTENDED THE WALLINGFORD
COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
I ALSO WENT ON A RIDE ALONG
WITH THE HEALTHONE TEAM.
THANKS TO COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS,
PEDERSEN, AND MOSQUEDA, FOR
ALREADY HAVING TAKEN THEIR RIDE
ALONG WITH THE HEALTHONE TEAM.
HERE AT COUNCIL, WE TALKED A
LOT ABOUT THE COOP MODEL FROM
THE OREGON -- IT'S IMPORTANT
FOR US TO KEEP IN THE CENTER OF
OUR MIND, THAT WE ALREADY HAVE
A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS RUNNING IN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE THAT
OPERATE IN A VERY SIMILAR
MANNER.
WE NEED TO FUND THESE AT A
HIGHER RATE, AND WE NEED TO
EMPOWER THEM TO MAKE -- TO BE
UP TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES.
SOME OF THOSE OF THE MOBILE
CRISIS TEAM, CRISIS RESPONSE
TEAM, AND THE MOBILE MEDICAL
PROGRAM, AND HEALTHONE.
THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT
PROGRAM BECAUSE HEALTHONE
CREATES MEANINGFUL RESOLUTIONS
TO THE CALLS THEY RECEIVE.
IF THE HEALTHONE TEAM WASN'T
AVAILABLE, YOU MAY SEE A POLICE
OFFICER, A MEDIC, A FIRE ENGINE,
AND THEN POSSIBLY AN AMR TAKING
THIS INDIVIDUAL TO HARBORVIEW
WHERE THEY RECEIVE ATTENTION
FROM THAT TEAM ONLY TO BE
RELEASED INTO THE SAME
SITUATION THEY STARTED WITH
WITHOUT ACTUALLY SOLVING THE
PROBLEM THEY CAME FOR.
THE HEALTHONE TEAM IS TWO
FIREFIGHTERS AND A CASE MANAGER.
THEY ARE ABLE TO FOLLOW UP WITH
THE CLIENTS THAT THEY SERVE.
SOMETIMES A WEEK LATER.
SO THAT, BY GOING OUT IN THE
SUBURBAN, AND JUST HAVING THE
TWO FIREFIGHTERS AND A CASE
MANAGER, THEY ARE ABLE TO
EFFECTIVELY TRIAGE AND CONNECT
INDIVIDUALS WITH SERVICES THEY
NEED.
I WATCHED AS THEY FOUND HOUSING
FOR A GENTLEMAN WHO HAD A
PLACEMENT FOR REHAB, BUT
NOWHERE TO SLEEP UNTIL THAT
MEETING ON FRIDAY.
I ALSO WATCHED AS THEY
CONNECTED WITH ANOTHER GENTLEMAN
WITH CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
SERVICES.
ONCE HE WAS MEDICALLY
STABILIZED, SO THAT ONCE THEY
ARE DONE AT THE CALL, THEY ARE
NOT DONE WITH THE CLIENT.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
WHEN YOU'RE ABLE TO FIND THESE
MEANINGFUL SOLUTIONS,
RESOLUTIONS FOR THESE CASES,
YOU REDUCE 911 CALLS.
YOU SAVE CITY RESOURCES.
WE CREATE SOLUTIONS THAT LAST
FOR THESE CLIENTS RATHER THAN
HAVING THEM CALL 911 LATER THAT
WEEK.
I WANT TO THANK CHRIS, TERESA,
AND DONNA FOR THEIR GREAT WORK
ON THE HEALTHONE TEAM.
COLLEAGUES, IF YOU HAVEN'T
SCHEDULED YOUR RIDE ALONG YET,
PLEASE DO.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE AS
POLICYMAKERS HAVE THESE FIRST-
HAND EXPENSES.
AGAIN, I HEARD THAT
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, LEWIS,
AND PEDERSEN HAVE ATTENDED.
COUNCILMEMBER, HERBOLD HAVE YOU
ATTENDED AS WELL?
SORRY.
I REALLY HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU
TO TAKE THE RIDE ALONG WITH
THEM.
THEY ARE VERY INTERESTED AND
EXCITED TO HAVE COUNCILMEMBERS
ATTEND.
ALSO LAST WEEK ON THURSDAY, I
ATTENDED THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT
POLICY BOARD MEETING.
I ATTENDED THE SEATTLE
NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAYS
VOLUNTEER VIRTUAL THANK YOU
PARTY LAST FRIDAY.
OVER THE WEEKEND, I ATTENDED A
NEIGHBORHOOD TRASH PICKUP WITH
RIDES UNITED WITH ABOUT 25
PEOPLE ATTENDING.
WE COLLECTED REFUSE IN GREEN
LAKE AND WOODLAND PARK.
THANK YOU FOR GARRETT FOR
COORDINATING THAT.
AS ONE GENTLEMAN WHO JOINED THE
CLEANUP SAID, YOU CAN COMPLAIN
TO YOUR COUNCILMEMBER, OR YOU
CAN TAKE ACTION BY PICKING UP
TRASH.
TODAY, YOU CAN DO BOTH, WHICH I
THOUGHT WAS FUNNY.
IT WAS A GREAT EXPENSE OVERALL.
THIS COMING WEEK I'LL BE
TESTIFYING IN FAVOR OF HOUSE
BILL 1035.
THAT WOULD ALLOW A TAX
EXEMPTION FOR PROPERTY OWNERS
WHO SET ASIDE THEIR 25% OR MORE
OF THEIR BUILDINGS FOR LOW
INCOME TENANTS.
I THINK THIS IS A IMPORTANT WAY
-- THERE ARE SO MANY TOOLS THAT
WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING
CRISIS, AND THIS IS JUST ONE OF
THEM.
I'LL ALSO BE ATTENDING THE
CITY'S BOARD OF DIRECTOR
MEETING ON TUESDAY.
MEETING WITH THE BALLARD
ALLIANCE ON THURSDAY.
PARTICIPATING ON A PANEL WITH
THE BALLARD DISTRICT COUNTER
WITH OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS ON
WEDNESDAY.
IN DISTRICT 6, I HOLD RESIDENT
MEETINGS EVERY WEEK.
LAST WEEK I SPOKE TO NEIGHBORS
FROM BLUE RIDGE, CROWNE HILL,
FREMONT, WEST GREEN LAKE,
WESTWOOD ONE, BALLARD, WHITTIER
HIGHLIGHTS, AND PHINNEY RIDGE.
WE DISCUSSED CREATING PUBLIC
SAFETY FOR ALL.
WAYS NEIGHBORHOODS CAN GET
INVOLVED IN CLEANUP EFFORTS.
THIS LED TO US INCLUDING A LIST
OF SIX WAYS, AND MANY RESOURCES
IN OUR NEST NEWSLETTER.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO
TAKE ACTION TODAY, THERE IT IS.
THAT WAS DUE TO A DISTRICT 6
MEETING WE HAD.
WE TALKED ABOUT ADDRESSING
HOMELESSNESS.
THE HAZARD PAY ORDINANCE, AND
THE NEW PORT OF HOUSING
BUILDING IN GREENWOOD.
I WANT TO MAKE A SPECIAL THANK
YOU TO DIRECTOR ALVAREZ O, DAN
WISE, CHRIS, AND ELIZABETH FROM
CATHOLIC HOUSING SERVICES.
I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE
EVERYONE.
IT WAS REALLY A GREAT TEAM THAT
CAME TO A MEETING WITH
NEIGHBORS WHO ARE ABUTTING THE
PROJECT IN GREENWOOD.
THIS WEEK I'LL BE HOLDING
DISTRICT HOURS ON FEBRUARY 10th.
BOTH DURING THE 9:00 TO 5:00
WORKING HOURS, AND IN THE
EVENING AS WELL SO WE CAN
ACCOMMODATE EVERYONE'S
SCHEDULE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING WITH
NEIGHBORS THIS WEDNESDAY.
AS THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT
MENTIONED, I DO HAVE A
PROCLAMATION THAT I'M BRINGING
FORWARD TO YOU TODAY.
I'M BRINGING FORWARD TO DECLARE
LAST FRIDAY, AUGUST -- LAST
WEEK, FEBRUARY 5th, AS
INTERNATIONAL CLASS DAY.
THE MAYOR IS CONCURRENT WITH
THIS PROCLAMATION.
KATIE XP WAS A CONSTANT SOURCE
OF COMFORT DURING LAST YEAR
WHICH WAS A CHALLENGING ISSUE.
SO MANY ISSUES WERE BROUGHT TO
THE FOREFRONT OF OUR CITY AND
NATION'S MIND.
A CORE WAS FORMED OF THE CLASH,
THE ONLY BAND THAT MATTERED.
THEY USED MUSIC TO SHARE
MESSAGES OF PEACE, UNITY,
ANTIRACISM, POVERTY AWARENESS,
AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.
THEIR ADVOCACY AND POLITICAL
EXPRESSIONS HAVE A LONG-LASTING
INFLUENCE ON PUNK ROCK.
THE CITY OF SEATTLE IN SCOURGES
ALL CITIZENS TO TAKE ACTION.
PUNK ROCK MEANS EXEMPLARY
MANNERS TO YOUR FELLOW HUMAN
BEINGS AS WE WORK TO CREATE AN
INCLUSIVE, WELCOMING COMMUNITY
FOR ALL.
THE CLASH'S STAND IS AS
IMPORTANT TODAY IN 2021 AS IT
WAS IN 1976 WHEN THE DRUMMER
SAID, WE ARE ANTI-FASCISTS, WE
ARE ANTI-VIOLENCE, WE ARE
ANTIRACIST, AND WE ARE
PROCREATED.
WE ARE AGAINST INTERESTS.
WITH ALL OF MY VERBAL
STUMBLING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I
BELIEVE THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO
SAY.
I BELIEVE SIGNATURES WILL NEED
TO BE ADDED TO, AND I'LL HAND
IT OFF TO YOU TO WALK US
THROUGH THE NEXT STEPS.
>> NO STUMBLING WHATSOEVER.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS FOR THAT REPORT.
BEFORE I OPEN IT UP FOR ANY
POTENTIAL -- FOR THE ROLL CALL,
I DID WANT TO GIVE COLLEAGUES
AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ANY
QUESTIONS THEY MIGHT HAVE ABOUT
THE PROCLAMATION BEFORE I
REQUEST THAT ROLL CALL.
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
PROCLAMATION?
I THINK IT'S A PRETTY COOL
OPPORTUNITY FOR US EVEN THOUGH
IT'S AFTER-THE-FACT TO BE ABLE
TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON A
PROCLAMATION.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS, FOR SHEPHERDING THIS
THROUGH TO ITS FINAL STOPS.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD
ASK THAT THE CLERK PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL TO DETERMINE WHICH
COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE THEIR
SIGNATURE AFFIXED TO THE
INTERNATIONAL CLASS DAY
PROCLAMATION AS DESCRIBED BY
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> MOSQUEDA
>> YES.
>> PEDERSEN .
>> COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN?
SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ.
>> YES.
MIKE LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> MORALES.
>> SINCE I HAVE THE CLASH ON AT
LEAST THREE OF MY PLAYLISTS, I
WILL SAY YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES.
>> YES.
CAN YOU CALL COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN ONE MORE TIME?
>> COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU
SO MUCH.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
FOR COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS ON
HIS REPORT?
OKAY, ANYTHING ELSE,
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS QUESTION
MARK
>> NO, THANK YOU COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, THANK YOU COLLEGE.
NEXT UP IS COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD, AND THEN JUAREZ.
>> GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
I HAVE NO ITEMS ON THE FULL
COUNCIL AGENDA TODAY.
FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.
I DO HAVE A COMMITTEE MEETING
TOMORROW MORNING AT 9:30.
ON THE AGENDA WILL BE THE
FOLLOWING ITEMS.
WE ARE GOING TO BE HEARING FROM
DIRECTOR HAYES FROM PUBLIC
HEALTH SEATTLE KING COUNTY.
WE'LL ALSO BE HEARING FROM THE
FIRE CHIEF AND REPRESENTATIVES
FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
WHO WERE PRESENT CITY AND
COUNTY PLANS TO VACCINATE
RESIDENTS AS WELL AS THEIR
EFFORTS TO ADDRESS STATE
EQUITIES THAT WE ARE SEEING IN
VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.
WE WILL BE HAVING AN UPDATE
FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AS WELL
ON FIRE CODE CHANGES.
TYPICALLY WHEN THE BUILDING
CODES ARE UPDATED, WE WILL HAVE
A SEPARATE PIECES OF
LEGISLATION THAT ALSO UPDATES
THE FIRE CODES.
WE WILL BE HEARING A
PRESENTATION ON THAT.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL
PRESENT THEIR CHANGES AND
CONSIDER A VOTE.
CARLOS LUGO FROM CENTRAL STAFF
HAS ALSO PREPARED A MEMO AND IS
AVAILABLE SHOULD YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS.
IN ADDITION, WE WILL BE HEARING
COUNCIL BILL 1199 81 REGARDING
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET.
CENTRAL STAFF WILL GIVE THE
PRESENTATION THAT WE DELAYED
FROM THE LAST MEETING DUE TO
THE MEETING ITSELF GOING LONGER
THAN ANTICIPATED.
FOR FOLKS' RECOLLECTION, THIS
IS THE BILL WE INTRODUCED AT
THE END OF THE YEAR AFTER
COUNCIL APPROPRIATED $5.2
MILLION IN OVERTIME SPENDING.
WE INTRODUCED A BILL TO REDUCE
THE 2021 SPENDING BY A SIMILAR
AMOUNT.
WE'LL BE HEARING THAT
LEGISLATION AS WELL AS HEARING
FROM CENTRAL STAFF SOME
BACKGROUND REGARDING THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S NEEDS, ASIDE FROM
STAFFING.
AGAIN, THE BILL PURPORTS TO
REDUCE THE DEPARTMENT'S
SPENDING FROM STAFFING DOLLARS
THAT THEY CANNOT SPEND BECAUSE
OF THE MUCH HIGHER THAN
ANTICIPATED ATTRITION IN 2020.
THE LIMITATIONS OF THE SPD
STAFFING PLAN TO HIRE MORE THAN
114 OFFICERS IN A SINGLE YEAR.
THERE ARE SOME OTHER NEEDS THAT
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS,
SPECIFICALLY AS IT RELATES TO
FULFILLING PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
REQUESTS.
I HAVE ALSO IDENTIFIED A NEED
COMING OUT OF THE OFFICE OF THE
INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT
REGARDING MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
FOR EVIDENCE STORAGE.
THERE ARE ALSO SOME ISSUES
AROUND CIVILIAN HIRES THAT I
KNOW WE EXPECTED THAT THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT WOULD HIRE
POSITIONS AND COMMUNITY -- GOSH,
COMMUNITY POLICING POSITIONS AS
WELL.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE A GOOD,
ROBUST DISCUSSION THERE.
THIS IS AN INITIAL DISCUSSION
OF THAT BILL, AND WE WILL BE
BRINGING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
AT SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS TO COME
AND TALK TO US FURTHER.
WE ALSO WILL BE HAVING A
DISCUSSION ON THE LESS LETHAL
WEAPONS DRAFT BILL.
THE AGENDA PASSED ON FRIDAY
INCLUDED WHAT WE HAVE REFERRED
TO AS THE REVISED BASE BILL AND
A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS.
THE INTENT IS FOR THE COMMITTEE
TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION AT THE
MEETING. AFTER THAT, THE
COUNCIL'S LEGAL COUNSEL WILL
FOLLOW THE PROCESS OUTLINED IN
THE CONSENT DECREE.
IT WILL SEND THE LEGISLATION TO
THE MONITOR AND THE DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE.
AGAIN, IN LINE WITH THE CONSENT
DECREE PROCESS WHICH ALLOWS FOR
ú45 DAYS TO REVIEW.
IN THE EVENT THERE ARE
OBJECTIONS, THERE IS A 14 DAY
PERIOD TO MEET AND CONFER.
AFTER THAT, ANY PART OR MAY
PETITION TO RESOLVE THE
OBJECTIONS.
MY OFFICE CONSULTED WITH LEGAL
COUNSEL ABOUT HOW TO BEST
DESCRIBE THE ACTION THAT THE
COMMITTEE IS TAKING ON THE
AGENDA ITSELF TO REFLECT THAT
THE CITY IS UNDER CONSENT DECREE
, AND THAT'S WHY THE AGENDA
DESCRIBES THE ACTION AS
DISCUSSION OF LESS LETHAL
WEAPONS.
AT BILL RECOMMENDATIONS ON
DRAFT BILL RATHER THAN LISTING
AS A DISCUSSION IN VOTE.
WHEN COMMITTEES VOTE, TYPICALLY
LEGISLATION GO TO THE FULL
COUNCIL.
THAT IS NOT HAPPENING HERE.
WE ARE NOT ACTUALLY VOTING ON
THE LEGISLATION ITSELF.
WE WILL BE VOTING ON A MOTION
TO SEND THE DRAFT BILL THAT
AGAIN HAS NOT BEEN INTRODUCED,
AND THE REASON WHY WE ARE DOING
THAT IS BECAUSE UNDER THE
CONSENT DECREE, AGAIN THE
NORMAL PROCESS IN THE CITY
CHARTER DOES NOT APPLY TO
LEGISLATION RELATED TO THE USE
OF FORCE.
AGAIN, THE BILL HAS BEEN
REVIEWED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE.
ACCORDING TO USUAL PROCEDURES,
ANY FORMAL INTRODUCTION THROUGH
THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR, WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE
CITY REVIEWS BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE AND MONITOR AS PART
OF THE DISSENT DECREE.
I WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS
ABOUT THE STATUS CONFERENCE
WITH THE MONITOR AND THE JUDGE
OVERSEEING THE CONSENT DECREE.
THE MONITOR INCLUDES THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE
CITY ATTORNEY.
THE PURPOSE OF THE STATUS
CONFERENCE WAS TO HEAR THE 2021
MONITORING PLAN, OUTLINING THE
WORK THAT THE MONITOR WILL BE
DOING DURING 2021.
IT COVERS FOUR KEY AREAS.
EVALUATING THE STATUS OF
COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONSENT
DECREE, IMPROVING
ACCOUNTABILITY, PROVIDING
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT
SPD'S INNOVATION AND RISK
MANAGEMENT, AND PROVIDING
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT
REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE WORK PLAN ITSELF INCLUDES
EXTENSIVE REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT
POLICIES.
I'M HAPPY TO SHARE WITH ANY
COUNCILMEMBER WHO IS INTERESTED
IN SEEING THE WORK PLAN A COPY
OF IT.
I THINK WE ALL KNOW THAT THE
JUDGE MADE COMMENTS THAT WERE
COVERED IN THE MEDIA CRITICAL
OF THE COUNCIL'S ACTIONS DURING
THE SPD BUDGET PROCESS AND
IDENTIFYING THIS AS AN AREA FOR
COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONSENT
DECREE.
HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF
HAVING PLANS IN PLACE TO REPLACE
ESSENTIAL SERVICES CURRENTLY
PROVIDED BY THE POLICE.
I'VE ASKED THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
FOLLOW UP AND TO CLARIFY WITH
THE MONITOR AND THE COURT.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE
COURT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE
COUNCIL HAS INCLUDED 2021
FUNDING SUFFICIENT TO FULLY
IMPLEMENT SPD'S 2021 STAFFING
PLAN.
THOUGH OFFICER STAFFING WENT
DOWN BY 135 OFFICERS DURING
2020, SEPARATIONS AND THE
HIRING FREEZE ORDERED BY THE
MAYOR, NO OFFICERS HAVE BEEN
LAID OFF AS A RESULT OF THE
COUNCIL'S BUDGET REDUCTIONS.
THE CITY ATTORNEY WILL BE
FOLLOWING UP WITH THE MONITOR
AND WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON
THE BUDGET IMPACTS IN ITS NEXT
QUARTERLY SUBMITTAL TO THE
COURT.
THAT IS DUE IN APRIL.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S SUBMITTAL TO THE
COURT NOTING THAT THIS PAST YEAR
CITY LEADERS AND COMMUNITY
GROUPS HAVE CALLED FOR BUDGET
CUTS TO THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
ACCOMPANIED BY INCREASED
FUNDING TO POLICING
ALTERNATIVES.
THEY ARE VERY CAREFUL TO SAY
THAT CONCURRENTLY, SPD LOST A
NUMBER OF OFFICERS DUE TO
RETIREMENT, TRANSFER, AND
EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT BUDGET
CUTS DUE TO COVID-19.
THE MONITOR'S WORK PLAN NOTES
THAT THE MONITOR AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RECOGNIZE
THAT THE CONSENT DECREE GIVES
THE CITY SUBSTANTIAL LEEWAY TO
STRUCTURE HOW IT WILL DELIVER
COMMUNITY SERVICES
TRADITIONALLY CONSIDERED TO BE
POLICE SERVICES.
IT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THERE IS
FLEXIBILITY ON THE PART OF THE
MONITOR AND THE DOJ.
IN THE COMMENTS FROM THE JUDGE,
THERE WAS REFERENCE TO THE
SESSION RIGHT AFTER THAT IN THE
MONITOR'S WORK PLAN WHICH SAYS
AT THE SAME TIME, THE CITY
RECOGNIZES THAT MAJOR
REDUCTIONS TO SPD'S FUNDING OR
STAFFING COULD THREATEN
FOCUSING IN THE FUTURE, COULD
THREATEN TO UNDERMINE
SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE
CONSENT DECREE, REQUIREMENT IN
THESE AREAS.
THEY GO ON TO SAY THAT THE DOJ
AND THE MONITORING TEAMS
INTEREST IN REIMAGINING PUBLIC
SAFETY IS TO MAKE SURE THESE
CHANGES ARE NOT TAKEN IN A
MANNER THAT BRINGS THE CITY OUT
OF COMPLIANCE.
I'M AGAIN HAPPY TO FOLLOW UP
WITH ANY DETAILS ON THE
MONITORING PLAN.
ANY DETAILS FROM THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AS IT RELATES
TO THE COUNCILS COMPLIANCE WITH
THE CONSENT DECREE RELATING TO
BUDGET ACTIONS THAT IT HAS
TAKEN IN THE PAST, OR MAY
CONSIDER IN THE FUTURE.
LASTLY, I JUST WANT TO DISCUSS
A LITTLE BIT ON VACCINE
SCARCITY.
WE, I KNOW, ARE HEARING FROM
RESIDENTS ALL OVER THE CITY.
I KNOW I'M HEARING FROM SO MANY
PEOPLE IN DISTRICT 1 OVER THE
PAST SEVERAL WEEKS.
PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED AND THEY
ARE FRUSTRATED AND THEY ARE
CONFUSED ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES
RECEIVING A VACCINATION.
VACCINE PROVIDERS ARE GENERALLY
NOT OFFERING APPOINTMENTS FOR
THE VACCINE WHEN THEY DON'T
HAVE SUFFICIENT NUMBERS OF
VACCINES TO DISTRIBUTE.
THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT
MAKING AVAILABLE ENOUGH
VACCINES FOR EVERYONE WHO IS
NOW ELIGIBLE.
PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE WITHIN TWO
YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY.
WE'VE OPENED UP TEARS OF
ELIGIBILITY FOR MORE PEOPLE
THAN WE HAVE VACCINES FOR.
HERE ARE SOME NUMBERS FROM KING
COUNTY TO SORT OF ILLUSTRATE
THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM.
470,000 KING COUNTY RESIDENTS
ARE CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE VACCINATIONS.
YET, FEWER THAN 200,001ST DOSES
HAVE BEEN RECEIVED THROUGHOUT
THE COUNTY.
WE COULD DO A SIMILAR ANALYSIS
FOR SEATTLE AND SEE A SIMILAR
MISMATCH OF NEED TO VACCINE
CAPACITY.
OUR PROVIDERS ARE WORKING TO
ENSURE THAT ALL DOSES ARE BEING
ADMINISTERED PROMPTLY.
WE KNOW THAT 99% OF THE DOSES
RECEIVED HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.
THE PRACTICE IS WHEN PROVIDERS
LEARN THEY HAVE A CERTAIN
NUMBER OF VACCINE DOSES,, THEY
OPEN UP APPOINTMENTS FOR THOSE
DOSES.
OR, CONTACT ELIGIBLE PEOPLE ON
THEIR WAITLIST.
AGAIN, BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH
MORE DEMAND THAN SUPPLY, THESE
APPOINTMENTS ARE GOING -- VERY,
VERY QUICKLY SNAPPED UP.
THEN, THEY SHUT DOWN THEIR
SCHEDULING AGAIN.
WE KNOW THAT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS
TO INCREASE DISTRIBUTION OF
VACCINES TO THE STATES, MEANING
WASHINGTON MAY BE GETTING
INCREASED VACCINE SHIPMENTS
SOON, BUT IT WILL LIKELY BE
SOME WEEKS BEFORE WASHINGTON
STATE RECEIVES ENOUGH VACCINE
DOSES FOR EVERYONE WHO IS
CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE.
THIS IS THE MAIN REASON THAT WE
HAVE NOT YET ESTABLISHED A MASS
VACCINATION SITE.
BUT, THE CITY IS ABSOLUTELY
MAKING PLANS THAT THEY WERE
RAPIDLY PUT INTO PLACE ONCE
VACCINE SUPPLY IS SUFFICIENT.
IT WILL TAKE THEM TWO DAYS,
THAT BEING THE CITY, IT WILL
TAKE US TWO DAYS TO LAUNCH A
NEW MASS VACCINATION SITE ONCE
WE HAVE A SUFFICIENT VACCINE
SUPPLY.
FAS IS REPORTING THAT THEY HAVE
REPLACED NEEDED EQUIPMENT FOR
VACCINATION SITES, SUCH AS
CHAIRS, LIGHTING, AND TENTS IN
BOTH WEST SEATTLE AND RAINIER
BEACH ALREADY.
RIGHT NOW, IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE
TO RECEIVE A VACCINE, OF
COURSE, THE BEST THING TO DO IS
TO ADD YOURSELF TO THE WAITLIST.
WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
IF YOU HAVE ONE.
MONITOR NEWS FOR UPDATED
INFORMATION ABOUT VACCINE
DISTRIBUTION AND KEEP UP
COVERED PRECAUTIONS SUCH AS
WEARING MASKS AND SOCIAL
DISTANCING.
A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL ON THE
CITY EFFORT.
THE CITY RECEIVES FOR CITY
DISTRIBUTION ABOUT 1000 VACCINE
DOSES A WEEK.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS LAUNCHED
TWO MOBILE VACCINE TEAMS.
THEY STARTED THAT WORK ON
JANUARY 14th.
THEY'VE SINCE ADDED TWO MORE.
THE MOBILE VACCINE TEAMS HAVE
VACCINATED OVER 2500 VULNERABLE
RESIDENTS AT 85 ADULT FAMILY
HOMES.
16 AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUILDINGS,
AND FOUR POP-UP CLINICS.
75% OF THOSE VACCINATED
IDENTIFIED AS [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
THE CITY AND FIRE DEPARTMENT
ARE ALSO WORKING WITH SEATTLE
HOUSING AUTHORITY ON ON-SITE
VACCINATION CLINICS AT SHA
BUILDINGS.
VACCINATING ABOUT 500 RESIDENTS
SO FAR.
SHA PRIORITIZED SEATTLE SENIOR
HOUSING PROGRAM BUILDINGS,
BEGINNING WITH LOCATIONS IN THE
CB.
SOUTH PARK, RAINIER BEACH, AND
CENTRAL AREA NEIGHBORHOODS, ALL
NEIGHBORHOODS HOUSING A HIGHER
NUMBER OF PEOPLE OF COLOR,
PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES,
AND PEOPLE WITH LIMITED ENGLISH
PROFICIENCY.
THEY ARE EXPERIENCING ABOUT A
90% TURNOUT RATE, INDICATING
SIGNIFICANT DEMAND AND
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND
ORGANIZATION.
DESPITE THESE EFFORTS BY THE
CITY, WITH ITS 1000 DOSES PER
WEEK, THAT IS SHARED BY PUBLIC
HEALTH AND SEATTLE KING COUNTY
SHOW THAT IN EQUITABLE
DISTRIBUTION OF VACCINE IS
OCCURRING SYSTEMICALLY IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
NATIVE AMERICAN AND PACIFIC
ISLANDERS REPRESENT 2.7% OF
COVID CASES, BUT ONLY 0.5% OF
VACCINATIONS.
BLACK AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN
INDIVIDUALS MAKE UP 12% OF THE
CASES, AND ONLY 3.5% OF
VACCINATIONS.
STATEWIDE DATA REPORTED BY THE
TIMES SHOWS THAT 67% OF INITIAL
VACCINE DOSES HAVE GONE TO
WHITE PEOPLE, EVEN THOUGH THE
DATE THEY'VE MADE UP ONLY 48%
OF THE CASES.
ONLY 5% OF INITIAL VACCINES
HAVE GONE TO LATINOS, EVEN
THOUGH THEY'VE MADE UP 32% OF
THE CASES.
JUST WANT TO CLOSE OUT BY
RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF HST
STAFF FROM AGING AND DISABILITY
SERVICES.
THEY HAVE MADE 1500 PHONE CALLS
OVER A THREE-WEEK PERIOD TO
SCHEDULE 359 CLIENTS +1000
CAREGIVERS FOR COVID VACCINES.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS AT THE
CHINESE INFORMATION SERVICE
CENTER AND THE ASIAN COUNSELING
AND REFERRAL SERVICES, AND
NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH HAVE
SCHEDULED AN ADDITIONAL 615
CLIENTS AND CAREGIVERS.
AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES
AT HST HAS FACILITATED A
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH THE
AGING NETWORK COMMUNITY
PROVIDERS LATE IN JANUARY
WORKING TO IDENTIFY
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COMMUNITY
MEMBERS RELATED TO ACCESS TO
VACCINES.
JUST ONE LAST THING BEFORE I
CLOSE OUT, ONE TO GIVE A SHOUT
OUT THAT THE APPLICATION
DEADLINE FOR THE SEATTLE
HOSPITALITY WORKERS EMERGENCY
RELIEF FUND HAS BEEN EXTENDED
FROM FEBRUARY 1st, EXTENDED TO
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15th AT 11:59
P.M.
IN ORDER TO ALLOW AMPLE TIME
FOR NON-ENGLISH-SPEAKING
APPLICANTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE
RESOURCES AND APPLY.
YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE TO
APPLY OR LEARN MORE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
ALL RIGHT.
HEARING NONE, WE'LL GO AHEAD
AND MOVE DOWN THE LINE.
NEXT UP IS COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ, FOLLOWED BY
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
>> GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU.
I WILL BE BRIEF WITH, WE HAVE
AN UPDATE ON THE WATERFRONT LID.
UPDATE ON OBG AND THE CLIMATE
PLEDGE ALINA.
PARKS, SOUND TRANSIT, LAST WEEK
'S HIGHLIGHTS AND THE WEEK
AHEAD.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS ON THE
PUBLIC ASSETS AND NATIVE
COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE ON THIS
AFTERNOONS COUNCIL AGENDA.
THE UPDATE ON THE WATERFRONT,
CONSISTENT WITH THE WATERFRONT
LIVE ORDINANCE OF 125760,
PASSED IN JANUARY OF 2019, THE
CITY OF SEATTLE HEARING
EXAMINER HAS ASKED -- HAS BEEN
TASKED TO COMPLETE A REPORT OF
HIS FINDINGS FOR THE WATERFRONT
LIVE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL.
THE HEARING EXAMINER THAN HIS
FINAL REPORT TO THE CHIEF CLERK
BY THE FEBRUARY 1st DEADLINE.
TH CHIEF CLERK COMPLETED THE
NECESSARY PUBLICATION OF THE
FILING.
YOU SHOULD ALL HAVE A COPY OF
THE FINAL REPORT.
AS YOU KNOW, STATE LAW AND CITY
LAW REQUIRE THE COUNCIL TO HEAR
ANY APPEALS FROM THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE HEARING
EXAMINER ON THE FINAL
ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR LOCAL
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS.
SO, WE ARE SCHEDULING MARK
SECOND AND MARCH 6th FOR
RESOLUTION 31979 AS THE
COMMITTEE DATES FOR THE
COMMITTEE, FOR MEMBERS TO HEAR
THE APPEALS.
WE WILL REVIEW THESE APPEALS AS
PARTIAL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL BY
FOLLOWING QUASIJUDICIAL RULES
MANAGED BY STATE LAW AND THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL COURT.
THIS IS A REMINDER AGAIN OF THE
QUASIJUDICIAL RULES THAT THEY
ARE IN PLACE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE HAS
BEEN FIVE APPEALS FILED SO FAR.
AS YOU KNOW, YOU WILL BE
GETTING A LIST SO YOU WILL KNOW
AND YOUR STAFF WILL KNOW, WERE
NOT ALLOWED TO DISCUSS THESE
MATTERS WITH CONSTITUENTS WHO
MAY WANT TO DISCUSS THEIR
INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT.
CENTRAL STAFF IS WORKING WITH
THE CHIEF CLERK TO SEND THE
REQUIRED 21 DAY NOTICE TO THOSE
INDIVIDUALS WHO FILED AN APPEAL
OF WHEN THEIR HEARING IS SET.
I'M PLEASED TO SAY WE ARE ON
TRACK TO CONSIDER EACH STAGE OF
THE PROCESS.
OBG CONSTRUCTION UPDATES.
THE ENTIRE CLIMATE PLEDGE ALINA
CELEBRATES WHAT IS KNOWN IN THE
CONSTRUCTION LANGUAGE AS THE
TOPPING OFF CEREMONY OF THE
ARENA. THEY DID THAT ON FRIDAY,
JANUARY 29th.
IT'S A SYMBOLIC BUT IMPORTANT
TRADITION THAT USUALLY IS
UNDERTAKEN ONCE THE LAST ROOF
BEAM IS INSTALLED.
BECAUSE OUR ROOF IS LANDMARK,
THEY HONORED IT INTERNALLY
INSTEAD.
HERE IS YOUR UPDATE FOR PARKS.
THE QUEEN CITY INITIATIVE FOR
THE WEEK OF JANUARY 25th TO THE
31st.
THE PARKS DEPARTMENT PICKED UP
1395 NEEDLES FROM ENCAMPMENT
LOCATIONS.
THEY PICKED UP ALMOST 166,000
POUNDS OF TRASH FROM 66
ENCAMPMENTS.
COMPLETED TWO CLEANUPS AT THE
GEORGETOWN PLAYFIELD, AND
LONGFELLOW CREEK.
I'VE ASKED THE PARKS DEPARTMENT
TO PROVIDE ME WITH CUMULATIVE
DATA SURROUNDING THEIR TRASH
PICKUP AND MORE SPECIFIC
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS. PARKS
WILL PROVIDE THOSE DETAILS
STARTING NEXT WEEK.
THIS WILL BE EASIER FOR YOU
FOLKS IN THE DISTRICTS TO
MANAGE WHAT AREAS WE CAN START
HITTING HARDER SO WE CAN
CONTINUE TO DO THE SEARCH TO
PICK UP THE GARBAGE.
PICK UP NEEDLES, EMPTY THE
SANDY CANS.
ALL THE STUFF THAT PARKS HAS
BEEN DOING ALONG WITH OTHER
CITY DEPARTMENTS.
THE SHELL PROGRAM.
THAT SERVED 369 USERS FROM
JANUARY 27th TO FEBRUARY 2nd.
LET'S SEE.
BITTER LAKE.
THIS IS THE BITTER LAKE PLAY
AREA AND COMFORT STATION
RENOVATION.
PARKS IS HOSTING AN ONLINE OPEN
HOUSE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9th,
AT 6:00 FOR THE BITTER LAKE
PLAY AREA AND COMFORT STATION
RENOVATION PROJECT.
THE COMMUNITY IS ENCOURAGED TO
REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE EVENT
AND I CAN'T EVEN SAY THAT WORD,
SCHEMATIC DESIGNS.
YOU CAN REGISTER FOR THE OPEN
HOUSE ON THE PARK'S WEBSITES.
LET'S TALK ABOUT POOLS.
POOLS REOPENING.
NUMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE
ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE RETURN
OF THEIR PUBLIC POOLS, BUT AS
YOU ALL KNOW, PUBLIC HEALTH
RESTRICTIONS, LIMITED STAFFING,
AND A REDUCED BUDGET, HAVE
PROHIBITED THE OPENING OF POOLS.
HOWEVER, PARKS HAS GIVEN THE
GREEN LIGHT TO OPEN THEM EDGAR
EVANS POOL IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT IN SEATTLE.
THAT POOL REOPENED TO THE
PUBLIC FOR LAP SWIMMING AND
INDEPENDENT WATER FITNESS
BEGINNING FEBRUARY 17th.
FROM 11:30 TO 6:30.
FULL ADMISSION MUST BE RESERVED
ONLINE OR ON THE PHONE.
THE FIRST RESERVATIONS CAN BE
MADE ON FEBRUARY 10th AT NOON.
THE CLEAN AND POOL WILL BE
AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SWIM
TEAMS.
BUT NOT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC
UNFORTUNATELY.
LIKELY STARTING ON FEBRUARY
22nd.
WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THE
REST OF THE POOLS.
THE GOVERNOR'S GUIDANCE FOR
COUNTIES IN PHASE TWO DOES
ALLOW FOR POOL TO REOPEN IF
THEY ARE AT A REDUCED CAPACITY
AND FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH
GUIDELINES.
FOR POOL VISITORS THAT WILL
LOOK LIKE LIMITED ACCESS TO
COMMON AREAS AND LOCKERS, MASK
WEARING, BUT NOT IN THE POOL,
OBVIOUSLY.
TEMPERATURE CHECKS UPON ENTRY.
CONDITIONAL SAFETY MEASURES FOR
STAFF AND THE FACULTY IN THE
FACILITY, I'M SORRY, WILL
INCLUDE INCREASED CLEANING,
TEMPERATURE CHECKS FOR STAFF
AND POOR USERS, AND MASKS
REQUIRED WHEN NOT IN THE POOL
AND TWO OR FEWER USERS PER LINE.
PARKS IS OPTIMISTIC THEY CAN
OPEN ADDITIONAL POOLS AND
AQUATICS PROGRAMS AS STAFFING
AND HEALTH GUIDELINES AS THEY
ALLOW.
FOOD LIFELINE CONTINUES TO
DISTRIBUTE FREE FOOD BOXES AT
THE RANIER BEACH COMMUNITY
CENTER ON WEDNESDAYS FROM 10:00
TO 1:00.
LAST WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd,
OVER 1000 BOXES OF FOOD WERE
DISTRIBUTED TO FAMILIES IN
NEED.
SOUND TRANSIT.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE
NORTHGATE LINK EXTENSION UP HERE
THAT IS COMING ONLINE IN THE
FALL OF 2021.
SOUND TRANSIT ANNOUNCED LAST
WEEK THAT ALL THREE STATIONS AT
NORTHGATE EXTENSION ARE
SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE.
A MAJOR MILESTONE IN PROGRESS
TO START THE SERVICE FOR THE
START OF SERVICE LATER THIS
YEAR.
LIGHT RAIL TEST TRAINS BEGAN
OPERATING ON THE NEW ELEVATED
LIGHT RAIL TRACKS LAST MONTH TO
TEST THE OVERHEAD ELECTRICL
POWER SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE
NORTHGATE LINE.
TESTING WILL CONTINUE FOR
SEVERAL MONTHS, MOSTLY DURING
THE MORNING HOURS.
LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS.
I HAD A WONDERFUL MEETING WITH
OUR PHENOMENAL CEO AT PARKS THE
WOODLAND PARK ZOO.
HE IS THE CEO OF WOODLAND PARK
ZOO, TO REVISIT THE MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE ZOO AND THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
THE LAST AGREEMENT WAS 20 YEARS
LONG AND IS SET TO EXPIRE THIS
YEAR OR NEXT YEAR, SO WE HAVE
TO GET THAT IN PLACE THROUGH
COMMITTEE.
THIS AGREEMENT WILL EXPIRE THIS
YEAR, AND OUR COMMITTEE WILL
MOST LIKELY REVIEW ONCE
LEGISLATION IS TRANSMITTED.
WE'VE ALREADY BEEN LOOKING AT
THE DRAFTS AND SOME OF THE
CHANGES UNDER THE PUBLIC
BENEFITS PIECE.
OBVIOUSLY A LOT HAS CHANGED IN
20 YEARS, PARTICULARLY WITH
ZOOS AND CONSERVATION.
IT WAS A GOOD MEETING WITH THE
DIRECTOR, THE CEO, THEIR STAFF,
AND OUR STAFF, AND CENTRAL
STAFF.
SO, I GOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
NATHAN HALE PRODUCT -- PODCAST.
WE MET WITH MEMBERS OF THEIR
HIGH SCHOOL COUNCIL.
THEY ALL LOOKED LIKE YOUNG DAN
STRAUSS'. A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL
GROUP OF YOUNG FOLKS.
I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO TALK TO
THEM.
WE TALKED WELL OVER AN HOUR.
THERE YOU GO, THERE YOU GO,
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
A LITTLE SHOUT OUT TO NATHAN
HALE.
THE WEEK AHEAD I WILL BE
ATTENDING THE PUGET SOUND
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
MEETING.
I WILL ALSO BE ATTENDING THE
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE STATE OF
DOWNTOWN ON THURSDAY.
THIS YEAR'S THEME IS RECOVERY
STARTS HERE.
FINALLY, THE D5 TEAM WILL BE
TAKING A GUIDED TOUR OF THE NHL
TRAINING FACILITY AT NORTHGATE.
AT NORTHGATE MALL, TO SEE WHAT
IS GOING ON THERE.
THIS IS ACTUALLY PRETTY COOL.
WITH LIGHT RAIL COMING ONLINE,
AND NOW WE KNOW WITH THE
NORTHGATE COMMONS, WE CAN BUILD
UP TO 1400 UNITS THERE WITH A
BIG CHUNK GOING TO LOW INCOME
AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THAT IS THE NORTHGATE COMMONS
ACROSS THE STREET FROM
NORTHGATE MALL.
WE JUST LEARNED THAT WE WILL BE
BUILDING 200 UNITS ON THE NORTH
SEATTLE CAMPUS, ALONG WITH A
LONGHOUSE.
WORKING WITH SEATTLE UNION
HOUSE BOARD.
ALL OF THE SYNERGY IS WHAT
WE'VE ALL BEEN TALKING ABOUT
SINCE PROBABLY 2014/15.
ABOUT TRANSIT ORIENTED HOUSING.
TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.
NORTHGATE COMMONS IS CREATING
AN ALLIANCE CALLED THE
NORTHGATE COMMONS ALLIANCE.
WE KNOW WE CAN HAVE MIXED-USE
THERE.
COMMERCIAL, BUSINESS, LOW
INCOME, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND
MARKET RATE.
ACROSS I-95, WITH OUR
PEDESTRIAN/BIKE BRIDGE, WHICH
SHOULD OPEN SOON.
WE'LL BE PUTTING 200 UNITS ON
THE SOUTH END OF CAMPUS FOR LOW
INCOME NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS
TO LIVE ON CAMPUS AS THEY USE
THE PROMISE PROGRAM AND GO TO
COLLEGE AND A LONGHOUSE.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF STUFF GOING
ON UP HERE.
I KNOW YOU KNOW DISTRICT 5 IS
HAPPENING, JUST LETTING YOU ALL
KNOW THAT.
LET'S SEE.
THAT'S ABOUT IT, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
GOT NOTHING ELSE FOR YOU.
BACK TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.
LOTS TO DIGEST THERE.
COLLEAGUES, ANY COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS ON THAT REPORT?
ALL RIGHT, HEARING NONE, WE ARE
GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO DOWN
THE LINE.
NEXT UP IS COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
THEN, AFTER COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
WILL BE COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
A COUPLE OF UPDATES.
FIRST OFF, THERE ARE NO ITEMS
ON THIS AFTERNOON'S AGENDA FROM
THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON
HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIES AND
INVESTMENTS.
I DID HAVE THE GREAT PRIVILEGE
LAST WEEK, ALONG WITH COUNCIL
PRESIDENT GONZALES, TO VOTE FOR
REGINA CANNON TO BE THE FIRST
CEO ON THE KING COUNTY REGIONAL
HOMELESSNESS AUTHORITY'S
GOVERNING BOARD.
TO VOTE ON REGINA CANNON TO
TAKE THAT POSITION OF CEO OF
THE REGIONAL BODY, SHE IS THE
CHIEF EQUITY AND IMPACT OFFICER
OF C4 INNOVATIONS, WHICH IS AN
ORGANIZATION THAT DOES
CONSULTING AND TRAINING WORK
FOR BEHAVIORAL MENTAL HEALTH
RECOVERY AND SOCIAL CHANGE.
SHE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN
PUBLIC HEALTH AND CRIMINAL
LEGAL SYSTEM REFORM.
AND IN HOUSING.
MOSTLY IN THE ATLANTA, GEORGIA
AREA.
SHE BRINGS A GREAT WEALTH OF
EXPERIENCE AND DRIVE AND VISION
FOR THIS REGIONAL PROJECT THAT
WE ARE ENGAGED IN TO MAKE
PROGRESS ON THE ONGOING COUNTY
AND CITY STATES OF EMERGENCY ON
HOMELESSNESS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH,
SOON TO BE CEO REGINA CANNON IN
THAT MISSION.
A REALLY GOOD, LONG OVERDUE
GOALPOST BEING PASSED LAST
WEEK, AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE THAT
REGIONAL BODY MOVING ALONG,
DESPITE THE COVID INDUCED
DELAYS.
I ATTENDED THE PUGET SOUND
REGIONAL COUNCIL GROWTH
MANAGEMENT POLICY BOARD LAST
WEEK.
WE DISCUSSED SCHOOL SIDING,
BEST PRACTICES, AS WELL AS
TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS,
FAIRLY EXTENSIVELY AT KING
COUNTY AND SEATTLE'S PROGRAM.
IT WAS MENTIONED AS AN EXAMPLE
OF THE BENEFITS AND ALSO SOME
OF THE HISTORIC ISSUES AROUND
TRANSFERABLE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
AND DESIGNING SUSTAINABLE
PROGRAMS IN THAT AREA.
I HAD A CHANCE OVER THE WEEKEND
TO REVIEW THE SIX-MONTH REPORT
FOR THE SUPPORT TEAM ASSISTED
RESPONSE PROGRAM IN DENVER, OR
STAR, WHICH IS A LOW ACUITY
FIRST RESPONSE POLICE
ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM.
I KNOW IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED BY
SEVERAL COUNCILMEMBERS HERE,
INCLUDING MYSELF, IN THE PAST.
LAST SUMMER I DID HAVE A TOWN
HALL WHERE SOME PEOPLE FROM THE
STAR PROGRAM CAME AND PRESENTED.
THAT TOWN HALL IS STILL
AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE.
IT WAS A GREAT CONVERSATION.
I WANT TO SHARE A FEW OF THE
INTERESTING THINGS FROM THIS
SIX-MONTH REPORT.
STAR IS A PILOT PROGRAM.
THEY RESPONDED TO 748 INCIDENTS
, 68% OF THE PEOPLE THEY
RESPONDED TO THE FOLKS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN
CENTRAL DENVER.
THEY ARE THE PRIMARY RESPONDERS
IN THE AREA.
FOR SOME INCIDENTS, AND DENVER
AS WELL AS HERE, ARE CRIMINAL
INCIDENTS THAT HISTORICALLY THE
POLICE HAVE RESPONDED TO,
INCLUDINGTRESPASSING, INDECENT
EXPOSURE, BUT WHICH CAN HAVE A
HIGH CORRELATION TO BEHAVIORAL
MENTAL HEALTH OR PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING EXTREME POVERTY.
FOR EXAMPLE, MAYBE SLEEPING IN
A DOORWAY WHILE TRESPASSING.
IN NONE OF THOSE 748 INCIDENTS
DID THE START TEAM INVOLVED
POLICE IN THE RESPONSE.
INSTEAD, THEY EMPHASIZED A
RESPONSE INVOLVING SERVICE
NAVIGATION, TRANSPORT TO
SHELTER, OR CONNECTION WITH
BACK END RESOURCES FOR MENTAL
HEALTH AND/OR EDITION.
THE CONCLUSION OF THE REPORT IS
THAT STAR HAS BEEN HIGHLY
SUCCESSFUL SO FAR IN MITIGATING
THE NEED FOR POLICE RESPONSE
FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF INCIDENTS
THAT HISTORICALLY THE POLICE
WOULD HAVE BEEN THE PRIMARY AND
ONLY RESPONDER FOUR.
LIKE SIMILAR PROGRAMS, IT BEARS
A STRONG RESEMBLANCE TO OUR OWN
HEALTHONE PROGRAM, WHICH THIS
COUNCIL HAS FUNDED AND EXPANDED
CONSIDERABLY IN THE LAST
BUDGET IN THE FALL.
IT DOES ALSO HAVE INTERESTING
DIFFERENCES FOR PONDERING AS WE
CONTINUE THIS WORK WITH
STAKEHOLDERS AND THE
POSSIBILITY FOR A PROVIDER BASED
LOW ACUITY RESPONSE THAT COULD
COMPLEMENT THAT WORK.
OF THE HEALTHONE PROGRAM.
FINALLY, I DO HAVE A
PROCLAMATION THAT I BELIEVE WAS
CIRCULATED BY PARKER DAWSON IN
MY OFFICE.
I'M HONORED TO ANNOUNCE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN AND
ESTABLISH THIS PROCLAMATION IN
HONOR OF THE LATE TONY LEE.
A CHAMPION FOR COUNTLESS PEOPLE
IN THE COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON
STATE.
SOMEONE WHO WAS A GREAT FRIEND
AND P█ARTNER OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE AND OUR WORK.
THIS PROCLAMATION PAYS RESPECT
TO TONY'S CAREER AND LIFETIME
DEDICATION TO THE RIGHTS AND
PROTECTIONS OF LOW INCOME AND
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.
HIS CAREER AND PRIVATE LIFE
WERE MARKED BY COUNTLESS AWARDS
AND ACCOLADES RECOGNIZING THAT
GREAT WORK AND HIS LOSS IS A
TRUE LOSS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN ME IN SIGNING
ON THIS PROCLAMATION DECLARING
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, THE DAY OF
TONI'S CELEBRATION OF LIFE, TO
BE TONY LEE DAY HERE IN SEATTLE.
MADAM PRESIDENT, I BELIEVE
SIGNATURES WILL NEED TO BE ADDED
, SO AT THE CONCLUSION OF MY
REMARKS WE CAN CALL THE ROLL ON
THAT PROCLAMATION.
IF THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE AT
THIS TIME.
SIMILARLY, LIKE COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ, I WILL BE ATTENDING THE
STATE OF DOWNTOWN ADDRESS.
THAT WILL BE DONE VIRTUALLY
THIS YEAR FOR THE DOWNTOWN
SEATTLEASSOCIATON, AND LOOK
FORWARD TO REPORTING BACK ON
THOSE ACTIVITIES NEXT WEEK.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS FOR THAT REPORT.
WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND --
I'M GOING TO ASK FOR SIGNATURES
ON THE PROCLAMATON.
BEFORE WE OPEN IT UP TO GENERAL
COMMENTS BECAUSE OTHERWISE I'M
GOING TO FORGET, SO, ANY
QUESTIONS ON THE PROCLAMATION
HONORING TONY LEE?
BEFORE I CALL THE ROLL?
HEARING NO COMMENTS -- HEARING
NO QUESTIONS ON THAT
PROCLAMATION, I'M GOING TO ASK
THE CLERK TO PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL FOR COUNCILMEMBERS WHO
WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEIR
SIGNATURE AFFIXED TO THE TONY
LEE DAY PROCLAMATION AS
DESCRIBED BY COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> YES.
>> PEDERSEN.
>> YES.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> STRAUSS.
>> YES.
BE MY HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ.
>> YES.
>> LEWIS.
>> YES.
MORALES,
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER .
>> YES.
THEIR NINE IN FAVOR.
>> I WILL OPEN IT UP NOW FOR
ANY GENERAL QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS ON THE REPORT.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, PLEASE.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY A COUPLE
VERY QUICK WORDS AS IT RELATES
TO COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS'
DISCUSSION AROUND LOW ACUITY
RESPONSE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS' COMMENTS
EARLIER.
SOME OF THE RESEARCH WORK OF
THE BLACK BRILLIANCE PROJECT.
I WANT TO DIRECT PEOPLE TO PAGES
1029 THROUGH 1037 OF THE
PESENTATION THAT WE RECEIVED
LAST WEEK.
THOSE PAGES DISCUSSED SOME
OPTIONS FOR FUNDING THROUGH
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING FOR
SPECIFIC COMMUNITY-BASED LOW
ACUITY RESPONSE PROGRAMS.
I ALSO WANT TO LIFT THAT NOT
ONLY IS THE WORK OF THE BLACK
BRILLIANCE RESEARCH PROJECT AND
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING FUND
THAT THE COUNCIL HAS SET ASIDE
A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR
THIS TYPE OF A PROGRAM, BUT ALSO
HST IS WORKING TO DEVELOP, AND
THERE WAS A BRIEFING IN MY
COMMITTEE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO
NOW, IS WORKING TO RELEASE A
$12 MILLION RSP.
FOR FUNDS THAT THIS COUNCIL
MADE AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY
SAFETY RESPONSE PROGRAMS.
THAT IS ANOTHER SOURCE OF FUNDS
THAT IS A POTENTIAL RESOURCE TO
FUND A LOW ACUITY EMERGENCY
RESPONSE PROGRAM.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS?
ALL RIGHT, HEARING NONE.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HEAR NOW
FROM COUNCILMEMBER MORALES,
AND THEN I WILL ROUND OUT THIS
SECTION OF THE AGENDA BEFORE WE
KICK OFF OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> THANK YOU.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS FROM THE
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE
OF GREAT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH
OUR OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURE.
THERE IS A SHINE THE LIGHT CALL
FOR ARTS FOR THE STOREFRONT
PROGRAM.
THE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE
ASSOCIATION IS SEEKING ARTISTS
TO HELP WITH THE CORRIDOR
THROUGH PLACEMENT OF OUR WORK
IN THE WINDOWS.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
ARTISTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN
CREATING AN INSTALLATION.
THEY'LL HAVE ABOUT 3 TO 6
MONTHS FOR DISPLAY.
ACCESS TO POWER OUT LIGHTS AND
CEILING HARDWARE.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE THIS WEEK.
FEBRUARY 11th BY 5:00 P.M.
SO, YOU CAN CALL AND WE'LL GIVE
A NUMBER.
206-708-9484 IF YOU'RE
INTERESTED.
OUR OWN YOUTH ARTS GRANTS
PROGRAM IS ALSO -- ALSO HAS AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR GRANTS FOR
SEATTLE'S MIDDLE AND HIGH
SCHOOL AGED YOUTH.
THIS OCCURS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
HOURS AND THE PROGRAM IS LED BY
EXPERIENCED TEACHING ARTISTS
WORKING IN COMMUNITIES TO
INCREASE ART AND CULTURAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
FROM DIVERSE RACIAL AND SOCIAL
ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS.
FOLKS CAN CONTACT THE CREATIVE
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
MANAGER. 206-727-8671.
REGARDING THE BLACK BRILLIANCE
PROJECT, I DO WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN FOR
SUBMITTING QUESTIONS FOR THAT
PROJECT.
AS A REMINDER, THE FINAL REPORT
WILL BE PRESENTED BY COMMITTEE
ON FEBRUARY 26th.
COLLEAGUES, I WILL BE SENDING
QUESTIONS TO THE RESEARCHERS
TODAY, SO IT YOU HAVE A LITTLE
BIT MORE TIME, PLEASE GIVE ME
YOUR QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS TO INCLUDE FOR THEM.
IF YOU COULD GET THIS TO BE MY
NOON, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
LAST WEEK I ATTENDED THE
MEETING OF THE CENTRAL PUGET
SOUND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
WE WERE BRIEFED ON THE
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE
REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS
ASSESSMENT.
I'M SURE NOBODY WILL BE
SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT DRAFT
FINDINGS SHOW THE NEED FOR MORE
THAN 800,000 NEW HOMES IN THE
REGION.
TO MEET THE GROWTH THAT WE ARE
EXPECTED TO HAVE BY 2050.
OF COURSE THE PORT OF AUTHORITY
IS A MAJOR ISSUE.
WE ARE WORKING ON SOME POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS AND IDEAS ON
HOW WE CAN BEGIN TO MEET THAT
NEED.
WE ALSO HEARD FROM THE
WASHINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ASSOCIATION ABOUT THEIR
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE
SESSION.
REALLY THAT INCLUDE SUPPORTING
INVESTMENTS IN THE STATE
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FINANCING
FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY.
LAST WEEK I MET WITH SEVERAL
NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE RANIER
BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE NEED TO
ALIGN COMMUNITY SAFETY WORK
THAT MANY OF THESE
ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING.
ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF THE CITY
COMMITTING TO THE KIND OF
INVESTMENT NEEDED TO REALLY HAVE
AN ABILITY TO CHANGE THE
COMMUNITY CONDITIONS.
SO, WE WILL BE MEETING
REGULARLY WITH FOLKS THERE.
ALSO WE HAVE COME UP WITH
FOLLOW-UP WORK THAT WE NEED TO
DO TO'S ENSURE THAT SAFEWAY IS
RESPONDING TO THE COMMUNITY
CONCERNS ABOUT POOR LIGHTING IN
THEIR PARKING LOT.
CERTAINLY ONE OF THE
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS FOR SOME
OF THE CHALLENGES HAPPENING
DOWN THERE.
I ALSO MET WITH SEVERAL
CONSTITUENTS YESTERDAY DURING
MY SUNDAY DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS.
I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY
TO WISH OUR NEIGHBOR TO
CELEBRATE A HAPPY LUNAR NEW
YEAR.
I HOPE THE YEAR OF THE OX
BRINGS YOUR PROSPERITY AND GOOD
HEALTH.
SPEAKING OF GOOD HEALTH, I DO
WANT TO FINAL THING COUNCIL
PEMBER GONZALES AND
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD FOR THE
DISCUSSIONS THEY HAVE PLANNED
IN THEIR COMMITTEES THIS WEEK
REGARDING EQUITY AND VACCINE
DISTRIBUTION.
AS COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
MENTIONED, I LEARNED TODAY IN
THE PAPER THAT 67% OF VACCINES
ACROSS THE STATE HAVE THUS FAR
BEEN GIVEN TO OUR WHITE
COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
THEY ONLY ACCOUNT FOR LESS THAN
HALF, 45%, OF THOSE WHO ARE
INFECTED.
IN SEATTLE, AS COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD MENTIONED, WE ARE
DOING MUCH BETTER.
I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THE WORK OF
MY FRIEND, THE OWNER OF THE
FELLOW STATION PHARMACY,
HIGHLIGHTED THIS WEEKEND.
HIS WORK TO SUPPORT SENIORS IN
THE RANIER VALLEY REALLY
ILLUSTRATES HOW IMPORTANT IT IS
THAT WE TARGET VACCINE
DISTRIBUTION TO NEIGHBORHOOD
CLINICS.
NOT JUST GOOD MASS VACCINATION
SITES, NOT JUST THE HOSPITALS,
IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY
IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE ENSURING
EQUAL ACCESS.
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THOSE
VACCINES.
I WILL SAY THAT IT'S REALLY
HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
IS ONLY JUST GETTING
INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO
ADDRESS THESE DISPARATE ACCESS
ISSUES.
IT IS NOT NEW INFORMATION THAT
SENIORS HAVE MANY BARRIERS TO
ACCESSING HEALTHCARE.
WE KNOW THEY HAVE TECHNOLOGY
AND DIGITAL LITERACY GAPS.
WE KNOW THAT THEY LACK GOOD
TRANSPORTATION.
THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH
AS A FIRST, A SECOND LANGUAGE,
OR EVEN SPEAK ENGLISH AT ALL.
SO, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO
AT THE STATE LEVEL.
AS WAS MENTIONED THIS MORNING,
IN TODAY'S PAPER, FOR ELDERLY
AND MOST VULNERABLE IN THE
COMMUNITY, IT PRACTICALLY
REQUIRES A OUIJA BOARD TO FIND
OUT WHERE TO GET A VACCINE.
AS I SAID, THESE ISSUES ARE NEW,
AND WE'VE BEEN IN THIS PANDEMIC
FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW.
ALL THESE ISSUES CAME UP AS WE
WERE WORKING ON OUTREACH FOR
TESTING.
IT'S REALLY NOT OKAY THAT WE
SEEM TO START OVER WHEN IT
COMES TO RACIAL EQUITY EVERY
TIME THERE IS A NEW EMERGENCY.
WE'VE GOT PEOPLE'S LIVES ON THE
MIND.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE
CONVERSATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY
MEETINGS TOMORROW.
I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM
OUR STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC
HEALTH OFFICIALS.
REALLY DISCUSSING HOW WE BEGIN
TO INSTITUTIONALIZE PRACTICES
THAT ENSURE EQUITY IN OUR
PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE THIS
MORNING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES FOR THAT REPORT.
COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS FOR COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES?
OKAY, HEARING NONE, I'LL GO
AHEAD AND SHIFT GEARS TO
PROVIDE MY REPORT.
IT'S A REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE
AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE, WE
HAVE NOTHING ON THIS AFTERNOON'S
FULL COUNCIL AGENDA.
NOR, DO WE HAVE ANY ITEMS ON
THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR.
AS MENTIONED, WE WILL BE HAVING
OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED
COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW,
FEBRUARY 9th, AT 2:00 P.M.
VIA ZOOM.
THE AGENDA HAS THREE ITEMS FOR
DISCUSSION.
ITEMS ONE AND TWO WILL BE
RELATED TO VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
, AND SPECIFICALLY WILL BE
PANELS THAT WILL AFFORD THE
COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM
COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY
HEALTH EXPERTS WHO HAVE BEEN
HAVING DIFFICULTY IN THIS SPACE
AND WHO HAVE BEEN DOING A
TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF AVARICE
KOOZIE IN THIS AREA TO ENSURE
EQUITABLE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.
WE WILL HAVE REPRESENTATIVES
FROM THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO SHARE
VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PLANNING
AND EFFORTS.
REALLY QUICKLY ON THE PANEL
RELATED TO THE COMMUNITY
PERSPECTIVE ON VACCINE EQUITY,
WE WILL HAVE SEATTLE INDIAN
HEALTH BOARD JOINING US TO
SHARE WITH US SOME OF THE
SUCCESS STORIES THAT
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ
HIGHLIGHTED FOR US LAST WEEK.
RELATED TO HOW TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN REALLY
CENTERING EQUITY IN THEIR
DISTRIBUTION OF THE VACCINE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO LIFTING UP
THAT EXPERIENCE AND SEEING IF
THERE COULD BE A MODEL FOR THE
REST OF US.
NEXT UP WE'LL HEAR FROM I CHS.
WE WILL ALSO HEAR FROM THE
COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS.
WE WILL ALSO BE JOINED ON THAT
COMMUNITY PANEL.
ON THE GOVERNMENT PANEL, WE'LL
BE JOINED BY STEPHANIE KING,
WHO IS A HEALTH ADVISER.
WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY THE
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH.
WE WILL ALSO BE JOINED BY
SEATTLE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY THE
OFFICE OF THE IMMIGRANT REFUGEE
AFFAIRS.
WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY AN
ADVISER TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE,
DEVELOPING VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.
SHE CURRENTLY WORKS AT THE FRED
HUTCHINSON TO.
WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE
ALL OF THESE SUPERSTARS JOINING
US IN MY COMMITTEE TOMORROW.
TO PROVIDE US WITH A COMMUNITY
PERSPECTIVE, BUT ALSO A
GOVERNMENT PANEL FOCUSING ON
BASKING DISTRIBUTION.
IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ALL OF
YOU TO ATTEND.
WE DID SEND OUT AN INVITATION
LAST WEEK ON FRIDAY TO ALL
COUNCILMEMBERS THAT ARE
INTERESTED IN ATTENDING OUR
GOVERNANCE AND EDUCATION
COMMITTEE.
I KNOW THAT THIS IS OF STRONG
INTEREST AND CONCERN TO THE
FULL COUNCIL.
FOR THOSE COUNCILMEMBERS THAT
ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING AND
HAVE AND LET US KNOW, PLEASE DO
CONTACT MY OFFICE AND LET US
KNOW YOU'RE INTERESTED IN
ATTENDING SO WE CAN GET YOU ON
THE INVITATION LIST AND GET YOU
THE CREDENTIALS TO BE ABLE TO
JOIN US IN COMMITTEE TOMORROW
AT 2:00.
I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT IN THE
MORNING WE WILL BE SPENDING
TIME IN COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD'S
COMMITTEE, WHICH I AM THE VICE
CHAIR OF, TALKED ABOUT THE CITY
SPECIFIC EFFORTS, THE LOCAL
SPECIFIC EFFORTS, AND WE'LL
TRANSITION IN THE AFTERNOON TO
TALK ABOUT THE MORE REGIONAL,
NATIONAL, AND STATE EFFORTS IN
THIS SPACE.
REALLY, REALLY THINK IT'S GOING
TO BE A STRONG DAY OF LOTS OF
WORK SESSIONS FOR US TO DIG
INTO THIS ISSUE TO FIGURE OUT
HOW TO HAVE A STRONGER EQUITY
LINE IN VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.
MANY FOLKS HAVE TALKED ABOUT
THIS ALREADY, BUT THE TIMES
REPORTED AN ALARMING RACIAL
DISPARITY.
THEY WROTE QUOTE, AS BLACK AND
HISPANIC RESIDENTS HAVE TESTED
POSITIVE AT A HIGHER RATE,
VACCINATION NUMBERS HAVEN'T
MATCHED THE VULNERABILITY.
SO FAR, STATE DATA SHOWS THESE
TWO QUOTES HAVE RECEIVED THE
VACCINE'S DESPITE BEING SOME OF
THE HARDEST HIT POPULATIONS.
THIS POINT WAS AMPLIFIED THIS
MORNING.
SHE WROTE OF THE DATA
AVAILABLE, 67% OF INITIAL
VACCINE DOSES HAVE GONE TO
WHITE PEOPLE, EVEN THOUGH TO
DATE THEY HAVE MADE UP 48% OF
CASES.
ONLY 5% HAS GONE TO LATINOS,
EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE MADE UP
32% OF CASES.
SIGNIFICANTLY, SHE NOTED THAT
UNLIKE OTHER STATES IN THE
COUNTRY, WASHINGTON STATE STILL
DOES NOT HAVE A STATE
VACCINATION DEMOGRAPHIC
DASHBOARD AND THE SEATTLE TIMES
HAS REPORTED THERE ARE, IN SOME
INSTANCES, NO CONSISTENT DATA
COLLECTION -- ACCURATE DATA
COLLECTION RELATED TO RACIAL
DEMOGRAPHICS.
THE COLLECTION OF THIS DATA IS
CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO
UNDERSTANDING FORCE THE
APPORTIONMENT AND DISTRIBUTION
ASPECTS OF THE STATE'S EFFORT
TO VACCINATE MEMBERS OF OUR
COMMUNITY WHICH ARE DIRECTLY
IMPACTED BY THOSE DECISIONS.
AND BY THOSE STRATEGIES.
SO, WE MUST DO BETTER TO CENTER
EXIT AND STRATEGIES FOR
EQUITABLE APPORTIONMENT AND
EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION.
I WANT TO THANK MAYOR DURKAN
AND HER STAFF OR TAKE A FIRM
AND STRONG POSITION ON THESE
ISSUES, AND FOR WORKING WITH MY
OFFICE COLLABORATIVELY ON THIS
MATTER.
THE LAST AGENDA ITEM ON OUR
COMMITTEE AGENDA FOR TOMORROW
IS A PRESENTATION AND BRIEFING
FROM OUR OFFICE OF
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS.
I'M SORRY, OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT
REFUGEE AFFAIRS.
THEY WILL BE JOINING US TO
SHARE SOME OF THEIR WORK ON
ENTERING IMMIGRANT REFUGEE
COMMUNITIES ARE NOT LEFT OUT OF
LOCAL AND GOVERNMENT RESPONSES,
AND DOING A FIRST PUBLIC REPORT
OUT ON THE FUNDING, THE
EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING THAT
WE PROVIDED TO ADDRESS THE
NEEDS OF IMMIGRANTS AND
REFUGEES DURING THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
AGAIN, ON FRIDAY WE DID SEND AN
EMAIL INVITATION TO EVERYONE
INVITING YOU ALL TO JOIN IF
YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DOING
THAT, PLEASE CONTACT MY OFFICE
IMMEDIATELY.
WE CAN MAKE SURE TO ADD YOU TO
THE LIST.
OKAY, LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT
LEAST, LAST WEEK I HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE KING
COUNTY REGIONAL HOMELESS
GOVERNING HOMELESS COMMITTEE.
WE TOOK ACTION TO OFFER THE CEO
POSITION TO REGINA CANNON. SHE
BRINGS WITH HER, AND TO OUR
REGION, SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE
IN BUILDING COALITIONS.
DURING HER INTERVIEW, I WAS
REALLY IMPRESSED WITH HER
COMPASSION, HER COMMITMENT TO
RACIAL EQUITY.
HER LONG-TERM VISION TO HELP
OUR COUNTY WORK TOGETHER TO END
THE EXPERIENCE OF HOMELESSNESS
FOR SO MANY.
THIS SELECTION IS A SIGNIFICANT
MILESTONE IN OUR REGIONAL WORK
TO ADVANCE THESE COLLABORATIVE
REGIONAL SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS
THE HOMELESSNESS THROUGHOUT
KING COUNTY, NOT JUST IN
SEATTLE.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH HER IN THE COMING MONTHS
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
CONTINUING TO ADVANCE THIS
REGIONAL EFFORT.
SO, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE
TO REPORT.
HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS OR
HEAR ANY COMMENTS ON MY REPORT
BEFORE WE MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION.
>>> ALL RIGHT, HEARING NO
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, I'M
GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE US
INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AS PRESIDING OFFICER, I'M
ANNOUNCING THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL WILL NOW CONVENE AN
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THE PURPOSE OF THE EXECUTIVE
SESSION IS TO DISCUSS PENDING
POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL LITIGATION.
THE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION
IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE
COUNCIL TO DISCUSS CONFIDENTIAL
LEGAL MATTERS WITH CITY
ATTORNEYS.
THE LEGAL MONITOR FOR THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS ALWAYS
PRESENT TO ENSURE THE COUNCIL
RESERVES QUESTIONS AND POLICIES
FOR OPENING SESSIONS.
I EXPECT THE TIME OF THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION TO END BY
12:15 P.M.
IF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION IS
EXTENDED BEYOND 12:15 P.M.
TODAY, I WILL ANNOUNCE THE
EXTENSION AND THE EXPECTED
DUATION AND OPENING SESSION.