>>> WILL COME TO ORDER.
IT IS TO: 03 P.M.
I AM LLERENA GONZALEZ,
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL.
>> MORALES?
>> CARE.
>> MOSQUEDA.
>> PRESENT.
>> NINE PRESENT.
>> THANKS SO MUCH.
PRESENTATIONS, I'M NOT AWARE OF
ANY PRESENTATIONS FOR TODAY SO
WE WILL MOVE TO APPROVAL OF THE
MINUTES.
THE MINUTES OF THE APPROVAL
HAVE BEEN REVIEWED.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
MINUTES WILL BE SIGNED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
MINUTES ARE BEING SIGNED.
WITH THE CLERK PLEASE AFFECT MY
SIGNATURE TO THE MINUTES ON MY
BEHALF?
>>> APPROVAL OF THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR.
AS YOU HEARD FROM COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS THIS MORNING, HE DOES
HAVE AN AMENDMENT.
WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS I AM
GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT
THE CALENDAR, AND THEN I WILL
NEED A SECOND.
AFTER IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED, WE WILL CONSIDER A
SUSPENSION OF THE COUNCIL RULES
IN ORDER FOR COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS TO PROPOSE A AMENDMENT.
I'M GOING TO MOVE, IT'S GOING
TO BE SECONDED, I'M GOING TO
SUSPEND THE RULES, AND THEN THE
MOTION IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO
THEM IN THE CALENDAR.
FIRST OFF, I MOVED TO ADOPT THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED.
I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND --
LET'S SEE.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
SUSPEND THE RULES AT THIS
POINT.
IF THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS,
COUNCIL RULE 3.ADOT FIVE
RELATING TO CIRCULATION OF A
COUNCIL BILL FOR INTRODUCTION
BY 5:00 P.M.
ON A PRECEDING BUSINESS DAY
WILL BE SUSPENDED TO ALLOW
CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT
TO THE PROPOSED INTRODUCTION
AND REFERRAL CALENDAR.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, COUNCIL
RULE THREE A FIVE IS SUSPENDED
AND WE WILL NOW HEAR FROM
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS HIS MOTION
TO SEE IF IT RECEIVES A SECOND.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
I WONDER IF MADAM CLERK COULD
ASSIST ME IN PROVIDING THE BILL
NUMBER.
IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT WAS
PROVIDED TO ME IN ADVANCE OF
THE MEETING.
SO I CAN APPROPRIATELY MAKE
THIS MOTION.
STATEMENT COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS,
I HAVE COUNCIL BILL 12 001
NINE.
PAYMENT THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> MADAM PRESIDENT I TSUTOMU TO
AMEND THE INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR BY ADDING
COUNCIL THE 120129 WITH A
REQUEST THAT THAT BILL THEN BE
SO REFERRED TO THE SELECT
COMMITTEE ON HOMELESSNESS
STRATEGIES AND INVESTMENTS.
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMEND THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR TO INTRODUCE COUNCIL
BILL 120129 AND BY REFERRING
IT TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON
HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIES AND
INVESTMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE MOTION?
OKAY.
THIS IS A PROCEDURAL MOTION.
WE WILL HAVE LOTS OF DISCUSSION
ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE COUNCIL
BILL, BUT THIS IS JUST FOR
PURPOSES OF INTRODUCING THE
BILL IN ORDER TO ALLOW THAT
CONVERSATION TO A IN THE
COMMITTEE THAT IS CHAIRED BY
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS WHICH IS
THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON
HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIES AND
INVESTMENTS.
HEARING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
OR QUESTIONS, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT?
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE INTRODUCTION
AND REFERRAL CALENDAR?
OKAY.
HEARING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
ON THE INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR AS AMENDED,
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDED INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR?
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES IN THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
AGENDA IS ADOPTED.
>>> COLLEAGUES, AT THIS TIME WE
WILL OPEN THE REMOTE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS ON THE
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA,
INTRODUCION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR, AND ONGOING.
IT REMAINS A STRONG INTENT OF
THE CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE REMOTE
PUBLIC COMMENT REGULARLY
INCLUDED ON MEETING AGENDAS.
HOWEVER AS A REMINDER, THE CITY
COUNCIL REMOVES THE RIGHT TO
END OR REMOVE IF THE SYSTEM IS
BEING ABUSED OR NO LONGER
SUITABLE FOR ALLOWING OUR
MEETING TO BE CONDUCTED
EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
I'LL MODERATE THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER.
TODAY'S PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
IS SLATED TO LAST 20 MINUTES.
WE DO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER
OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SIGNED
UP TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT
TODAY.
SO, I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
EXTEND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD BY
10 MINUTES FOR A TOTAL OF 30
MINUTES.
SO, COLLEAGUES, IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD WILL BE EXTENDED TO LAST
A TOTAL OF 30 MINUTES.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
EXTENDED TO LAST 30 MINUTES.
IN AN EFFORT TO HEAR FROM AS
MANY FOLKS IN THAT 30 MINUTES I
AM GOING TO HAVE TO REDUCE THE
AMOUNT OF TIME ALLOTTED TO EACH
SPEAKER.
INSTEAD OF HAVING TWO MINUTES
EACH, EVERY SPEAKER WILL BE
PROVIDED A TOTAL OF ONE MINUTE
TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
THIS AFTERNOON.
SPEAKERS ARE CALLED UPON IN THE
ORDER IN WHICH THEY REGISTERED
TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT ON
THE COUNCIL'S WEBSITE.
EACH SPEAKER MUST CALL IN FROM
THE PHONE NUMBER USED FOR THIS
REGISTRATION AND USING THE
MEETING, PHONE NUMBER AND
PASSCODE THAT WAS EMAILED TO
THEM UPON CONFIRMATION.
THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN THE
GENERAL MEETING LESSON LINE
CALL IN INFORMATION.
AGAIN, I'LL CALL ON EACH
SPEAKER BY NAME, AND IN THE
ORDER IN WHICH THEY REGISTERED
ON THE WEBSITE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED
TO SPEAK BUT WOULD LIKE TO, YOU
CAN SIGN UP BEFORE THE END OF
PUBLIC COMMENT BY GOING TO THE
WEBSITE AT SEATTLE.GOV/COUNSEL.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT LINK IS ALSO
LISTED ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL YOUR NAME, STAFF
WILL UNMUTE YOUR MICROPHONE AND
YOU WILL HEAR A AUTOMATIC PROMPT
THAT YOU HAVE BEEN UN-MUTED.
THIS WILL BE YOUR CUE TO PRESS
STAR SIX BEFORE YOU BEGIN
SPEAKING.
PLEASE BEGIN BY STATING YOUR
NAME, THE ITEM THAT YOU ARE
ADDRESSING, AND AS A REMINDER,
PUBLIC COMMENT SHOULD RELATE TO
AN ITEM ON TODAY'S AGENDA, THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR, OR THE COUNCIL'S WORK
PROGRAM.
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A TIME WHEN
10 SECONDS I LEFT OF THE
ALLOTTED TIME.
ONCE YOU HEAR THE CHIME, PLEASE
BEGIN WRAPPING UP YOUR PUBLIC
COMMENT.
IF YOU DO NOT END YOUR COMMENT
AT THE END OF THE ALLOTTED TIME
PROVIDED, YOUR MICROPHONE WILL
BE NEEDED TO ALLOW US TO CALL
ON THE NECK SPEAKER.
ONCE YOU'VE COMPLETED YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT WE ASK THAT YOU
PLEASE DISCONNECT FROM THE LINE.
IF YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE
FOLLOWING THIS MEETING YOU CAN
DO SO BY WATCHING US ON SEATTLE
CHANNEL, OR ANYONE OF THE
LISTING OPTIONS LISTED ON THE
AGENDA.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
NOW OPEN.
IT IS ABOUT 2:15 P.M.
WE WILL GO UNTIL ABOUT 2:45 P.M.
WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST
SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
AGAIN COME AFTER YOU PRESS --
AFTER YOU HEAR YOU HAVE BEEN UN-
MUTED, PRESS STAR SIX SO YOU
CAN UNMUTE YOURSELF.
THE FIRSTPERSON IS HOWARD
FOLLOWED BY AERIAL.
>> HI.
ON MAY 19, 2020, THE SPD
MURDERED A MAN.
DESPITE THE DIRECTOR BEING ON
SITE SHORTLY AFTER THIS KILLING,
AND THE CLEAR VIDEO EVIDENCE IT
WAS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE
INDICATING A PROFOUND FAILURE
OF THE ESCALATION, HE MADE A
DECISION NOT TO OPEN A
INVESTIGATION.
IT WASN'T UNTIL AUGUST 20th,
THREE MONTHS LATER, THAT THEY
ANNOUNCED THEY SUDDENLY FOUND
MY COMPLAINT FROM JUNE, AND
WERE OPENING AN INVESTIGATION.
THIS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE
TOOK CHARGE OF THE
INVESTIGATION JUST WEEKS AFTER
ANOTHER KILLING, AND THEN
WATCHED AS THREE MORE PEOPLE OF
COLOR IN SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS, ALL WIELDING A KNIFE OR
NO WEAPON AT ALL WERE KILLED BY
THE SPD.
IN ALL CASES, THEY WERE RULED
LAWFUL AND PROPER TO LAST WEEK,
THE OPA IS QUOTE THE MOST
ROBUST TRANSPARENT CIVILIAN LED
SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.
IT IS NOT DEBATABLE.
WE HAVE MORE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT
HERE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE.
I HAVE NOT SEEN A MODEL THAT IS
BETTER THAN OURS.
THIS IS ORWELLIAN AND PATENTLY
LUDICROUS.
WE MUST CREATE A TRUE 100%
CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF POLICE.
PLEASE VISIT SEATTLE STOP.ORG
TO FIND OUT HOW.
>> NEXT UP IS AERIAL LAPSE IN.
FOLLOWED BY STEPHANIE INGRAM.
>> I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO
ADDRESS COUNCILWOMAN SAWANT'S
END THE DEADLY EXCHANGE THE
RESOLUTION.
I'M TRULY DISAPPOINTED TO SEE
THAT COUNCILWOMAN SAWANT IS YET
AGAIN USING TOTALLY UNRELATED
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES TO
DISTRACT FROM THE VERY REAL
ISSUES WE FACE RIGHT HERE IN
OUR CITY.
SPD AND ANY ISSUES RELEVANT TO
THE CITY SHOULD NOT BE
ENTANGLED OR CONFLATED WITH
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES.
THIS ABSURD RESOLUTION WILL DO
NOTHING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT
ACTUALLY LIVE HERE.
AS COUNCILWOMAN SAWANT POINTS
OUT IN HER RESOLUTION, THE
COUNCIL RECENTLY CUT $47
MILLION FROM THE SPD BUDGET.
THIS IS A HUGE AND IMPORTANT
CHANGE, WHAT WORK AS
COUNCILWOMAN SAWANT LED TO
ENSURE THAT -- THIS RESOLUTION
IS NOTHING BUT POLITICAL
GRANDSTANDING.
THE ISSUE OF ISRAEL IS BEING
INVOKED BECAUSE IT MAKES FOR
GOOD MEDIA.
DID YOU NOTICE HOW ISRAEL IS
LITERALLY THE ONLY COUNTRY SHE
NAMED?
WHY?
BECAUSE IT GETS YOUR ATTENTION.
IT DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT
LIFE --
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS STEPHANIE INGRAM
FOLLOWED BY MADELEINE.
>> I'M A COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO
LIVES IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT
AND I'M AN ADVOCATE FOR THE
COMMUNITY DRIVEN GARFIELD
SUPERBLOCK PARK RENOVATION
PROJECT. I
SUPPORT THE LEGISLATION AND
HOPE THAT SOME OF THE ARPA
FUNDS WILL GO TOWARD OUR
SUPERBLOCK PROJECT.
OUR GROUP HAS MET WITH STAFF
FROM THE DISTRICT 3, AND WE ARE
THRILLED THAT COUNCILWOMAN
SAWANT HAS AGREED TO FUNDING.
WE URGE OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS TO
ALSO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LED TO AN
IDEA OF AN ARTS AND HISTORY
FOCUSED ARTS RENOVATION.
HAVE BEEN FIGHTING TO MAKE THIS
PROJECT A REALITY EVER SINCE.
IT IS AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT TO
CREATE A VITAL CIVIC SPACE IN
THE HEART OF THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT THAT HONORS AND TELLS
THE STORY THROUGH ART AND
CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS SUCH AS
THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE OVER
THE MILLENNIA.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RICH
COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE IN
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT IS OF
CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO THIS
MARGINALIZED NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS PROJECT AIMS TO HONOR THE
ROLE OF PUBLIC SPACE IN THE
AREA, PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MANY YOU AND
GIVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD --
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS MADELEINE FOLLOWED
BY JARED.
MARY, IF YOU ARE LISTENING, YOU
ARE SHOWING UP AS NOT PRESENT
ON MY END.
PLEASE CONFIRM THAT YOU ARE
CALLING INTO THE CORRECT NUMBER
WITH THE NUMBER THAT YOU
REGISTERED WITH.
MADELEINE, WELCOME.
>> I AM RESPONDING TO THE ARPA
FUNDING PACKAGE.
I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT
LANGUAGE IS SUPER IMPORTANT
WHEN CONSTRUCTING THIS BILL,
SPECIFICALLY THAT THE FUNDS BE
CHANNELED DIRECTLY INTO BLACK
LIVES ORGANIZATIONS AND THAT
THE COUNCIL USE THE WORD BLACK
TO EMPHASIZE THE SIGNIFICANT
CONTRIBUTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN
MADE BY OUR LOCAL BLACK
COMMUNITY.
THERE ARE A PLETHORA OF
ORGANIZATIONS THAT NEED THIS
FUNDING. THE CURRENT WHITE
CENTRIC NON-COMMUNITY-BASED
SERVICES DO NOT WORK FOR THE
PREDOMINANTLY BLACK SERVICE
POPULATION.
THAT IS QUOTING KING COUNTY
EQUITY NOW.
THE COUNCIL HAS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO SET A NEW PRECEDENT BY
CHANNELING DIRECTLY INTO BLACK
COMMUNITY.
INSTEAD OF INDIRECTLY
CHANNELING THROUGH
PREDOMINANTLY WHITE LED
ORGANIZATIONS.
SO, CHANGING THE CHANNELS BY
WHICH THESE FUNDS ARE
DISTRIBUTED CAN PREVENT FROM
THE REPETITION OF THE OUTCOME
OF THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION
PROGRAM.
SO, I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE
AGAIN THAT LANGUAGE IS SO
IMPORTANT WHEN WRITING THIS
BILL.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS JARED BROWN FOLLOWED
BY GEORGE.
JARED, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR, AND
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL.
I LIVE IN SEATTLE IN THE
LAKEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND I'M
HERE TO DISCUSS THE END OF THE
CHANGE LEGISLATION.
I'M PROGRESSIVE, PROUD TO BE
LIBERAL AND TO STAND UP FOR
THOSE WHO NEED HELP THE MOST.
COMING OFF JUNE 10th AND
REMEMBERING THE TRAGIC DEATHS
OF RONNA TAYLOR, GEORGE FLOYD
AND SO MANY OTHERS, I AGREE
THAT POLICE VIOLENCE OFTEN GOES
TOO FAR.
THAT SAID, THIS PROPOSAL IS NOT
THE ANSWER.
ON THE CONTRARY, IT'S AN
AFFRONT TO PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL,
AND BASIC DEMOCRATIC BELIEFS.
IT'S RIDICULOUS TO IMPLY THAT
LEARNING BETWEEN THE SPD AND
ISRAEL ARE THE CAUSE OF POLICE
VIOLENCE.
REFLECTING ON JUNETEENTH
UNDERMINES THE IMPORTANT DEBATE
WE SHOULD INSTEAD BE HAVING TO
FIND PROPER WAYS TO REDUCE
VIOLENCE.
FURTHER EQUATING ISRAEL TO
APARTHEID IS AN AFFRONT TO THE
BLACK SOUTH AFRICANS THAT
LIVED THROUGH THE ACTUAL
APARTHEID.
ANTI-TRAN35 RHETORIC -- WHICH
RESULTS IN VIOLENCE IN OUR OWN
COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
APPRECIATE IT.
NEXT UP IS GEORGE.
FOLLOWED BY CODY.
>> LEHIGH IS PLEASED TO SUPPORT
THE COUNCIL'S PROPOSED FIRST
TRANCHE OF ARPA FUNDING.
THANK YOU CHAIR MOSQUEDA FOR
YOUR LEADERSHIP.
THIS BUDGET DEMONSTRATES A
STRONG COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING
OUR HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.
AN INVESTMENT BOTH LONG-TERM
AND SHORT-TERM APPROACHES, MY
COLLEAGUE WILL SPEAK TO THE $20
MILLION IN RAPID ACQUISITION
FUNDING FOR PERMANENT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I WANT TO FOCUS ON YOUR SUPPORT
FOR URGENT NEEDED OF EMERGENCY
SHELTER.
$400,000 PROPOSED FOR TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES WILL LEVERAGE
THE $2 MILLION ALLOCATED BY THE
STATE FOR TINY HOUSES.
AS WELL AS PRIVATE DONATIONS.
WILL ALSO LEVERAGE STATE
SUPPORT FOR APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAMS AND CONSTRUCTION
TRADES.
WE ALSO SUPPORT FUNDING FOR RV
SAFE LOTS.
OF COURSE LEHIGH WOULD BE
ADVOCATING FOR ADDITIONAL
FUNDING IN ROUND TWO OF ARPA,
BUT THIS IS A STRONG START TO
ADDRESSING OUR HOMELESSNESS
CRISIS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NOW, I'M SHOWING THAT YOU ARE
NOT PRESENT.
SO, IF YOU CALL BACK IN, I'LL
MAKE SURE TO CALL ON YOU.
RIGHT NOW I'M SHOWING AS NOT
PRESENT MARY, CODY, CAROLYN,
AND RACHEL.
SO, MARY, CODY, CAROLYN, AND
RACHEL, IF YOU CAN HEAR ME,
PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THE
CONFIRMATION EMAIL THAT YOU
RECEIVED FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE
DEPARTMENT STAFF.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE DIALING
IN TO THAT NUMBER WITH THE
PASSWORD WITH THE NUMBER THAT
YOU USED TO REGISTER.
FOR TODAY'S PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF I SEE THAT YOUR STATUS
CHANGES FROM NOT PRESENT TO
PRESENT, I WILL MAKE SURE TO
DOUBLE BACK AND GIVE YOU YOUR
ONE MINUTE.
SHOWING UP AS PRESENT AND READY
TO GO IS ROBERT.
FOLLOWED BY MICAH.
ROBERT, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MY NAME IS ROBERT.
I'M CALLING IN TODAY TO ASK THE
COUNCIL TO REJECT COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT'S ANTI-TRAN35 RESOLUTION.
IT IS FACTUALLY INCORRECT, IT'S
UNBALANCED, IT'S DISINGENUOUS.
THE RESOLUTION SEEKS TO SOMEHOW
CONFLATE ISRAEL'S RESPONSE TO
TERRORISM WITH POLICING HERE IN
SEATTLE.
FOR THE RECORD, ISRAEL'S
TRAINING OF POLICE FORCES IS,
AND HOW TO PREVENT AND RESPOND
TO TERRORIST ATTACKS, AND TO
SAVE LIVES.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE JEWISH
FEDERATION WAS ATTACKED A FEW
YEARS BACK, THAT WOULD BE
SOMETHING THAT IS REAL WOULD
TRAIN FOR AND HOW TO RESPOND TO
THAT.
IT WOULD ALSO BE CRUCIAL IF
THERE WERE A WHITE SUPREMACIST
FOR EXAMPLE TO ATTACK.
UNFORTUNATELY ISRAEL IS
PROBABLY THE WORLD LEADER IN
DEALING WITH TERRORISM.
SO, THIS STRIKES ME AS ANTI-
JEWISH RACISM TO TRY TO FALSELY
CONFLATE THINGS.
ANTI-SEMITISM.
PLEASE OPPOSE IT, THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP IS MICAH FOLLOWED BY
REESE.
WELCOME.
>> HELLO.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY AS THE BOARD
CHAIR OF THE CRESCENT
COLLABORATIVE, A MULTI-
COALITION COLLABORATIVE. WE
THINK COUNCIL FOR ITS FOCUS ON
A COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING
BIPOC BUSINESSES IN OUR
HISTORIC CULTURAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
BUT TO TRULY MEET THE NEEDS OF
BIPOC SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, WE ASK YOU
TO SPAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO
THE FOLLOWING.
FUNDING FOR BUSINESSES SHOULD
GO BEYOND EMERGENCY STOPGAP
FUNDING.
THE $5000-$10,000 RANGE THAT
HAS ENABLED THEM TO KEEP THEIR
DOORS OPEN.
WHAT THE BUSINESSES NEED NOW
ARE FUNDS TO PUT THEM ON A
SOLID FOUNDATION FOR REOPENING
ECONOMY AND STRONG FUTURE.
CONSIDER GUIDELINES THAT OFFER
FUNDS THAT PROVIDE BUSINESSES A
MEASURE OF ECONOMIC STABILITY
FOR A MORE LENGTHY TIME.
POTENTIALLY UP TO $100,000.
THE SECOND THING IS TO GET
FUNDS TO BUSINESSES QUICKLY AND
BE PATIENT ABOUT BEING PAYBACK
IF PAYBACK IS REQUIRED AT ALL.
YOU'VE LAID A FIRM GROUND BOOK
FOR A JUST AND TESTABLE PROGRAM.
WE URGE YOU TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON
THE BALL AND KEEP IT GOING.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP IS REESE.
FOLLOWED BY SHARON.
REESE, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU.
ALOHA, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE SEATTLE
MUSIC COMMISSION.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE PASSAGE
OF THE ARPA BILL AMENDMENTS
120093 AND 120094, BECAUSE THEY
WORK TO ENSURE THAT THE ARTS
AND CULTURAL SYSTEM HAVE
SUPPORT IN RECOVERING AND
REBUILDING.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD AS WELL AS
COUNCILMEMBERS MORALES AND
MOSQUEDA FOR RECOGNIZING AND
UPLIFTING THE IMPORTANCE AND
VALUE OF OUR SECTOR AND
ECOSYSTEMS WITHIN THE
AMENDMENTS THAT WERE PASSED IN
COMMITTEE.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT IN
ADDITION TO DRIVING 18% OF
SEATTLE'S DDP, OUR ARTISTS HAVE
PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN
INTERRUPTING DISPLACEMENT AND
CULTURAL ERASURE AND THE $3
MILLION DEDICATED TOWARDS ARTS
WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN
JUMPSTARTING A GOOD BEGINNING TO
A NEW FUTURE FOR OUR SECTOR.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS SHARON FOLLOWED BY
ROBERT.
>> I LIVE IN THE CENTRAL AREA
AND I'M PART OF THE COMMUNITY
LED GRASSROOTS GARFIELD
SUPERBLOCK PROJECT.
WE HAVE MET WITH COUNCILWOMAN
SAWANT'S OFFICE AND ARE PLEASED
THAT SHE'S COMMITTED TO
ADVOCATE FOR THIS PROJECT IN
FULL.
FOR FULL FUNDING FOR THE
GARFIELD SUPERBLOCK PROJECT.
WE ARE HOPING OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS WILL SUPPORT IT
AS WELL.
THIS PROJECT IS UNIQUE.
OUR VISION IS TO CREATE A SPACE
THAT IS UNIQUE THAT WILL LIFT UP
THE PEOPLE FROM THE AREA.
FINISHED, THIS WILL TELL THE
AREAS OF THE CENTRAL AREA, LIFT
UP THE COMMUNITY SPIRITUALLY
AND PHYSICALLY AND WILL PROVIDE
A PLACE FOR GENERATIONS TO PLAY
AND RELAX AND CELEBRATE WITH
PRIDE.
THE CENTRAL AREA IS A
HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED
COMMUNITY AS I THINK MANY OF
YOU KNOW.
THE GARFIELD SUPERBLOCK IS
PRECISELY THE SORT OF
INVESTMENT THAT OUR COMMUNITY
NEEDS TO KEEP THE COMMITTEE
HEALTHY.
WENEED A MINIMUM OF $5000,
$500,000 RIGHT NOW TO GET US TO
SHOVEL READY.
WE HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU WILL
SUPPORT IT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
CALLING IN TODAY.
I'M GOING TO GO BACKWARDS A
LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I'M SHOWING
ONE OF MY EARLIER REGISTERED
PUBLIC COMMENTERS IS NOT
PRESENT.
WE ARE GOING TO GO BACKWARDS
AND HEAR FROM CAROLYN AND THEN
WE WILL HEAR FROM ROBERT.
>> I'M CALLING TO ASK THAT THE
COUNCILMEMBERS NOT VOTE YES FOR
THE SEATTLE DEADLY EXCHANGE
ANTI-TRAN35 RESOLUTION.
IT IS LUDICROUS AND DANGEROUS
TO BLAME ISRAEL FOR SEATTLE
ISSUES WITH THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
HAS SEMINAR ON ISRAEL ABOUT
PREVENTING TERRORISM ATTENDED
SEVERAL YEARS AGO DOES NOT
CHANGE THE THOUSANDS OF
DECISIONS MADE EVERY DAY AT THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THIS UNFAIR RESOLUTION ASCRIBES
ABUSE TO ISRAEL THAT IS AT
BEST MISLEADING AND OFTEN TOXIC
FICTION.
I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE
SEATTLE SISTER CITY.
ISRAEL IS OUR POLITICAL ALLY,
OUR PARTNER IN CONGRESS, AS
WELL AS OUR SISTER CITY.
THIS RESOLUTION MAKES PEOPLE IN
SOUTH DAKOTA FEEL UNSAFE.
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY THIS YEAR.
THREATS, BEATINGS AND VANDALISM.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN,
CAROLYN.
NEXT UP IS ROBERT FOLLOWED BY
LAUREN.
>> GO AHEAD, ROBERT.
ROBERT, IF YOU ARE WITH US,
JUST REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR SIX
TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
WE CAN HEAR YOU, GO AHEAD.
>> AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS ROBERT.
AND FOUNDER OF THE GARFIELD
SUPERBLOCK RENOVATION PROGRESS.
OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS WE HAVE
A FOUNDATION THAT HAS BEEN
HOLDING THIS PROJECT DOWN.
WAITING ON THE CITY TO KEEP ITS
WORD.
THIS PROJECT WAS CREATED
THROUGH A CITY ORDINANCE
VARIANCE FOR THE RENOVATION OF
QUENTIN JONES THEATER AND THE
NEW GARFIELD -- THE MITIGATING
WAS TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY
AND DEVELOP A WHOLE SUPERBLOCK
WHICH INCLUDED SEATTLE GARFIELD
PARK, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR.
ALL I'M ASKING IS FOR THE CITY
TO KEEP ITS WORD TO THIS
COMMUNITY.
SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE
FORGOTTEN AND THE PROMISES THAT
HAVE BEEN MADE SO THAT WE CAN
KEEP OUR -- THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS LAUREN FOLLOWED BY
JOE.
LAUREN, WELCOME.
>> I'M BORN AND RAISED IN
SEATTLE AND HAVE SEEN US GO
THROUGH MANY COMMUNITY ISSUES
AND PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS.
I'M HERE TO JUST REQUEST THE
COUNCIL REJECT SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION TO END DEADLY
EXCHANGE. I URGE YOU TO REJECT
IT, THE RESOLUTION FOR SEVERAL
REASONS, IT IS NOT BASED ON
FACT.
ANYONE VISITING ISRAEL WILL SEE
A PROSPEROUS
PALESTINIAN/ISRAELI COMMUNITY
AND NOT THE ONE THAT THE MEDIA
REPRESENTS.
WE SEE PALESTINIANS THERE AND
THE ADVERSITIES, RESTAURANTS,
RIDING THE SAME BUSES.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY THIS IS
COMING UP IN THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL.
IT SINGLES OUT ISRAEL THAT HAS
ENDURED OVER 4000 ROCKETS ON
ITS CIVILIANS FROM GAZA.
NO MENTION OF HAMAS, WHICH IS A
TERRORIST ORGANIZATION RUNNING
GAZA.
IT CREATES MORE ANTI-SEMITISM
IN THE SEATTLE CITY --
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN,
LAUREN.
NEXT UP IS JOE, FOLLOWED BY
AERIAL.
>> IT'S ALWAYS A PRIVILEGE TO
CALL IN AND SEE HOW YOU'RE
DOING.
I OF COURSE SUPPOSE THE ANTI-
SEMITIC RESOLUTION BY
COUNCILWOMAN I WANT TO, I WANT
TO, AND I REALLY HOPE SHE GETS
RECALLED.
THAT IS WHY I CALLED.
I EMAILED COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS
ABOUT THE 2021 SEATTLE CHANNEL
APPEARANCE.
I WOULD LIKE IT IF SOMEBODY
WOULD GET A HOLD OF THE SEATTLE
CHANNEL AND TELL THEM TO
ENFORCE THE CITY OF SEATTLE
VIDEO VOTERS GUIDE
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.
MR. ZIMMERMAN FOR YEARS ABUSED,
HIS OPPORTUNITIES AND THROWN
SALUTES AND WORSE, AND I THINK
IN ORDER TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM
WE NEED TO PUT A BIG FAT MUTE
ON IT.
PLEASE ENFORCE THE CITY OF
SEATTLE VOTER GUIDES
ADMINISTRATIVE VIEWS.
I EMAILED COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS
ABOUT THIS.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
YOU'RE AWESOME.
>> NEXT UP IS ARIEL FOLLOWED BY
NAOMI.
>> I'M CALLING TO ASK THE CITY
COUNCIL TO REJECT COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT'S ANTI-TRAN35, AND
FRANKLY ANTI-SEMITIC, RUN
SOLUTION AND DEADLY EXCHANGE.
COUNCILWOMAN SAWANT HAS A
HISTORY OF ANTI-SEMITISM AND
FULL OF LIES OF RESOLUTION,
THAT KIND OF RHETORIC IS WHAT
IS CAUSING THE OVER 500%
INCREASE IN ANTI-SEMITIC
ATTACKS AROUND THE WORLD.
I MAY SEATTLE BORN AND RAISED
WOMAN AND PROGRESSIVE AND THIS
KIND OF RACISM IS UNACCEPTABLE,
ESPECIALLY IN A CITY THAT I
LOVE SO MUCH.
I'M HOPING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL RECOGNIZES THAT ISRAEL
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SEATTLE
CITY POLICE AND YOU ARE CALLING
OUT THE ONE AND ONLY --
>> THANK YOU, ARIEL FOR CALLING
HIM.
NEXT UP IS NAOMI FOLLOWED BY
MS. SMITH.
>> HELLO.
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT
TODAY TO THANK YOU FOR
INCLUDING THE $20 MILLION IN
ARPA FUNDS FOR RAPID
ACQUISITION AND THE $2 MILLION
FOR PROVIDER CAPACITY AND
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND
PERMANENT SUPPORTED HOUSING AND
PERMANENT HOUSING BUILDINGS.
THE SUPPORTED HOUSING FUNDS
WILL ALLOW US TO DELIVER
CRITICAL, CRITICAL SERVICES FOR
OUR RESIDENTS DURING A TIME
WHEN THEY ARE MOST IN NEED.
THE RAPID ACQUISITION FUNDS CAN
BE LEVERAGED WITH THE STATE IN
ORDER TO QUICKLY, QUICKLY PUT
BUILDINGS ONLINE, WHICH WE SO
DESPERATELY NEED FOR OUR LOWEST
INCOME INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MOST
VULNERABLE DURING THIS TIME.
SO, THIS INVESTMENT REPRESENTS
AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF
INVESTMENT AND ATTENTION TO
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT
EFFORT AS WE ALL WORK TO
CONTINUE TO DEVELOP RESOURCES
FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>> BACK TO SO MUCH FOR CALLING
IN, NAOMI.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY.
I'M CALLING REALLY TO SUPPORT A
VOTE THAT REALLY DOES PRIORITIZE
THE MOST DISPROPORTIONALLY
AFFECTED.
PARTICULARLY, SPECIFICALLY THE
BLACK COMMUNITY FROM COVID-19.
AS I SHARED IN PRIOR MEETINGS,
THE BLACK COMMUNITY ACROSS
NATIONALLY, LOCALLY,
PARTICULARLY IN OUR CITY AND
OUR COUNTY, HAS SUFFERED
IMMENSELY AND HAS IT NOT YET
RECEIVED THE PROPER SUPPORT FOR
THE IMPACT OF COVID.
SO, THIS PARTICULAR OPPORTUNITY
NEEDS TO BE TARGETED THERE.
I HAVE READ THE LANGUAGE.
I DO LIKE THAT THE LANGUAGES
SPECIFYING THOSE THAT ARE
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED FOR
ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE LED AND
ROOTED IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE
BEEN IMPACTED.
I JUST WANTED TO BE VERY CLEAR
THAT WE DO NOT BYPASS OR USE
PEOPLE OF COLOR, BIPOC, SO THAT
EVERY OTHER COMMUNITY CAN GET
THE FIRST AND THE BLACK
COMMUNITY STILL DOES NOT SEE
ANY MATERIAL EFFECTS.
SO, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THAT
IS FOCUSED, AND THAT YOU, YOUR
LEADERSHIP --
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
CALLING IN TODAY.
NEXT UP IS QUINN.
QUINN, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
PRESIDENT GONZALEZ AND MEMBERS
OF THE COUNCIL.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY AS PART OF
THE GARFIELD COMMUNITY
SUPERBLOCK COALITION.
THIS IS A COMMUNITY LED
COALITION, AND WE ARE HERE TO
SUPPORT THE AMERICAN RESCUE
PLAN ACT LEGISLATION THAT IS
BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
HOPE THAT SOME OF THE FUNDS
DISBURSED WILL GO TOWARD THE
GARFIELD SUPERBLOCK PROJECT.
THIS IS NOT A NEW PROJECT AS
MR. STEVENS MENTIONED EARLIER.
IT'S CREATION DATES BACK 15
YEARS AND IT UNFORTUNATELY HAS
BEEN CONTINUALLY PUSHED ASIDE.
THIS PROJECT WILL HONOR AND
TELL THE STORY FROM THE
DUWAMISH PEOPLE TO THE CURRENT
AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND RICH
TAPESTRY OF CULTURES IT IS
TODAY THROUGH A REVITALIZED
PARK IN GATHERING SPACE.
IT WILL LIFT UP THE COMMUNITY
AND CREATE AND HONOR THIS
COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, QUINN, FOR TAKING
THE TIME TO CALL IN.
OKAY, THAT IS THE LAST PERSON I
HAVE SHOWING AS REGISTERED AND
PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING.
I'M GOING TO CALL ONE LAST TIME.
I'M GOING TO CALL OUT THE NAMES
OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO
PREREGISTER, BUT ARE SHOWING IS
NOT PRESENT.
DURING THE READING OF THE
NAMES, IF THESE INDIVIDUALS
CALL BACK IN, I WILL CIRCLE
BACK AND CALL ON THEM JUST LIKE
I DID WITH CAROLYN HATHAWAY.
SO, HAVE MARY, CODY, RACHEL AND
BILL.
SO, MARY, CODY, RACHEL AND BILL
, IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, JUST
QUICKLY DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU
HAVE CALLED IN TO THE RIGHT
MEETING I.D.
WITH THE PASSWORD PROVIDED TO
YOU IN THE CONFIRMATION EMAIL
FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
STAFF.
AND THAT YOU ARE CALLING IN
WITH THE SAME EXACT NUMBER THAT
YOU PREREGISTERED WITH.
AGAIN, IF I SEE THAT YOU APPEAR
HERE IN THE NEXT MINUTE OR SO I
WILL MAKE SURE TO CALL ON YOU
AND PROVIDE YOU YOUR ONE MINUTE
OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF YOU'RE HAVING TECHNOLOGY
ISSUES AND CANNOT GET THROUGH,
WE ARE REALLY SORRY ABOUT THAT.
YOU CAN STILL CONTACT THE FULL
COUNCIL WITH YOUR INTENDED
PUBLIC COMMENT.
BY EMAIL.
YOU CAN EMAIL ALL NINE OF THE
COUNCILMEMBERS BY EMAILING
COUNCIL@SEATTLE.GOV. IF YOU
SEND US YOUR COMMENTS THERE,
ALL NINE COUNCILMEMBERS WILL
RECEIVE YOUR INTENDED COMMENTS.
>>> COLLEAGUES, I'M NOT SEEING
ANYONE ELSE APPEAR AS PRESENT
SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
CLOSE OUT THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO WAS ABLE
TO CALL IN AND PROVIDE PUBLIC
COMMENT.
WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
SHIP NOW TO OTHER ITEMS OF
BUSINESS ON THIS AFTERNOON'S
AGENDA.
SO, NEXT UP IS PAYMENT OF THE
BILLS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE
TITLE INTO THE RECORD?
>> PAYMENT OF BILLS, COUNCIL
BILL 120 104 AN ORDINANCE
APPROPRIATING MONEY TO PAY
CERTAIN AUDITED CLAIMS FOR THE
WEEK OF JUNE 7th, 2021 THROUGH
JUNE 11, 2021 AND ORDERING THE
PAYMENT THEREOF.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAME
CLERK.
I MOVED TO PASS COUNCIL BILL
120104, IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS?
HEARING NONE, WITH THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF.
TO THE CLERK PLEASE READ ADAM
WANTED TO THE RECORD?
>>> THE REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL,
AGENDA ITEM 1 COUNCIL BILL
120102, AN ORDINANCE RELATING
TO CITY EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZING
THE EXECUTION OF A COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND THE
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL 77 TO
BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 23rd, 2021
TO JANUARY 22, 2023.
AMENDING ORDINANCE 126237 WHICH
ADOPTED THE 2021 BUDGET, BY
INCREASING APPROPRIATIONS TO
CITY LIGHT FOR 2021 PAYMENTS,
THEREFORE AND RATIFYING AND
CONFIRMING CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS,
ALL BY A THREE-QUARTER VOTE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAME
CLERK.
I MOVED TO PASS COUNCIL BILL
120102 , IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH IT'S BEEN
MOVED AND SECONDED.
AS SPONSOR OF THIS BILL I WILL
ADDRESS IT FIRST AND THEN HAPPY
TO OPEN THE FLOOR TO COMMENTS
FROM ANY OF THE COLLEAGUES.
AS THE TITLE STATES, COUNCIL
BILL 120102 WOULD AUTHORIZE
THE EXECUTION OF A COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND THE
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 77.
THIS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT IS A TWO YEAR
AGREEMENT ON WAGES, BENEFITS,
HOURS AND OTHER WORKING
CONDITIONS FOR A TIME FROM
JANUARY 23rd, 2021 THROUGH
JANUARY 22nd, 2023.
IT AFFECTS ABOUT 565 REGULARLY
APPOINTED CITY EMPLOYEES AND
ITS TERMS INCLUDE A COST-OF-
LIVING ADJUSTMENT OF 2.5%.
THERE IS ALSO AN ADDITIONAL ONE-
TIME BASE WAGE MARKET INCREASE
OF 10% TO CERTAIN JOB TITLES AS
LISTED IN ATTACHMENT A TO THE
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
AND AN INCREASE TO THE CABLE
SPLICER AND ELECTRICAL
CONSTRUCTOR CLASSIFICATIONS FOR
PARITY WITH THE CORRESPONDING
LINE WORKER CLASSIFICATION RATE
OF THE PAPER THE TERMS OF THE
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
TO MEET THE NEGOTIATION
PARAMETERS SET BY THE MEMBERS
OF THE LABOR RELATIONS POLITY
COMMITTEE, OF WHICH FIVE
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL SIT
ON AND PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVELY.
COLLEAGUES, AFTER THE LABOR
RELATIONS POLICY COMMITTEE
PROCESS, I DO AS THE CHAIR OF
THE LABOR RELATIONS POLICY
COMMITTEE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
COUNCIL, I DO RECOMMEND THAT MY
COLLEAGUES SUPPORT THE PASSAGE
OF THIS LEGISLATION.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE BILL?
COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK ON
THIS ON THE HARD WORK OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE LABOR RELATIONS
POLICY COMMITTEE.
I'M NOT ONE OF THE FIVE
COUNCILMEMBERS SERVING ON THE
LRP SEE, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES
THE MAYOR, HIS EXECUTIVE TEAM,
ESSENTIALLY THE COMBINED
COUNCILMEMBERS AND MAYOR'S
EXECUTIVE TEAM REPRESENT
MANAGEMENT ARM OF CITY
GOVERNMENT.
IT NEGOTIATES THESE LABOR
CONTRACTS OF CITY GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEES.
SO, WHEN THIS PROPOSED PROJECT
APPEARED LAST WEEK IT WAS THE
FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO REVIEW
IT.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE
TODAY TO MY CONSTITUENTS AND
HOW I'M ABLE TO GET TO A YES
VOTE ON THIS.
FIRST, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY
GRATITUDE TO OUR ELECTRICAL
WORKERS WHO DEDICATE THEMSELVES
AND THEIR SKILLS TO OUR CITY.
THANKS AGAIN TO THE HARD WORK
OF THE MEMBERS OF THE LRPC, WHO
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY NOT
KNOW SPEND HOURS UPON HOURS
OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT WORKING
ON ALL OF THESE LABOR CONTRACTS.
AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS
CONTRACT WOULD INCREASE
COMPENSATION FOR MANY OF THE
WORKERS BY 12.5%.
WHICH APPEAR TO BE UNUSUALLY
HIGH IN JUST ONE YEAR.
THIS IS AN INCREASE OF $7.5
MILLION.
MOST LABOR CONTRACTS WITH CITY
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES RECENTLY
RECEIVED AN INCREASE BASED ON
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX +1%.
IS 12.5% INCREASE TODAY AS I
UNDERSTAND IT IS COMPRISED OF
THE CPI OF APPROXIMATELY 2.5
PLUS ANOTHER ONE TIME 10%.
WHILE THE 10% IS ONE TIME IT
DOES CREATE A NEW BASELINE OF
COMPENSATON FOR THE CITY
EMPLOYEES.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE HIGHER
COSTS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE
SECOND YEAR OF THE TWO CAN'T
TRACK THAT'S ABOUT A $15
MILLION INCREASE.
WHILE THIS 10% BUMP IS
SIGNIFICANT, I HAD THE BENEFIT
OF CHAIRING THE COMMITTEE THAT
INCLUDES SEATTLE CITY LIGHT.
I HAVE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
TO WITNESS THE IMPORTANT WORK
CONDUCTED BY THESE WORKERS WHO
GO OUT INTO THE FIELD UNDER
DANGEROUS CONDITIONS TO USE THE
SKILLS OF THEIR TRADE TO
BENEFIT OUR CITY.
I UNDERSTAND THERE HAS BEEN
INCREASED ATTRITION WITHIN THIS
GROUP OF WORKERS.
LEAVING SEATTLE UTILITY LIGHT
FOR OTHER UTILITY ENTERPRISES
THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERING
COMPENSATION AT HIGHER LEVELS.
THIS PROPOSED INCREASE IN
COMPENSATION APPEARS TO BE AN
APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENT TO
REFLECT REALITY SPIRIT THIS IS
BOTH PUBLIC'S PRIVATE SECTOR
UTILITIES.
COMPETING AGAINST ARE FIELDED
SKILL WORKERS.
CITY LIGHT DID ALSO SEEMS TO
SHOW HIGHER ATTRITION RATES
AMONG WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF
COLOR.
I HOPE THIS INCREASE IN
COMPENSATION CAN HELP OUR
UTILITY ATTRACT AND RETAIN
SKILLED STAFF TO MEET ITS RACE
AND GENDER EQUITY GOALS.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
IS HOW THIS IMPACT MIGHT IMPACT
RATES.
UTILITY RATES ARE AGGRESSIVE
WITH LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
PLAYING A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF
THEIR HOUSEHOLD INCOME.
IN A CITY WHERE MANY OF US ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT AFFORDABILITY
FOR OUR LONG-TERM RESIDENTS, WE
WANT TO BE MINDFUL WHEN
INCREASING COSTS.
IN THIS CASE, SEATTLE CITY
LIGHT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF
DEBORAH SMITH HAS BEEN MAKING
SO MUCH PROGRESS TO CONTROL
OTHER COST DRIVERS THAT THE
OVERALL ELECTRICITY RATE
INCREASES IN THEIR STRATEGIC
PLAN HAVE COME DOWN.
AS WE LEARNED IN OUR COMMITTEE
JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, OUR
ELECTRICITY RATE INCREASES WILL
AVERAGE NO MORE THAN 3.5%,
CLOSE TO THE RATE OF INFLATION,
RATHER THAN 4.5% INCREASE
PREVIOUSLY SUGGESTED.
THIS PROPOSED INCREASE IN PAY
FOR THESE HIGHLY SKILLED
WORKERS IS ALREADY BUILT INTO
THAT 3.5% AVERAGE RATE
INCREASE.
IN OTHER WORDS, THIS PROPOSED
INCREASE OF COMPENSATION FOR
THESE HIGHLY SKILLED
PROFESSIONALS WILL NOT INCREASE
THE OVERALL ELECTRICITY RATES
FURTHER.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
IS THAT WE ARE EMERGING FROM
THE PANDEMIC, WHICH SHOULD HELP
WITH OVERALL CITY REVENUES.
THIS IS RELEVANT BECAUSE OUR
GENERAL FUND TAKES MONEY FROM
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT AND SEATTLE
PUBLIC UTILITIES EVERY YEAR
WITH WHAT'S CALLED A UTILITY
TAX.
I'D LIKE TO SEE CITY GOVERNMENT
TAX ON OUR PUBLICLY OWNED
UTILITIES REDUCED OVER TIME TO
FURTHER REDUCE REGRESSIVE RATE
PRESSURES ON LOW INCOME
HOUSEHOLDS.
I APPRECIATE HAVING THE PAST
WEEK TO REVIEW THIS CONTRACT.
I KNOW IT'S NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE,
BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO AN
ALLOCATION EVEN MORE TIME TO
REVIEW LABOR CONTRACTS.
ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE
REVIEWING MULTIPLE ONES.
THIS WAS JUST ONE SO IT WAS
MANAGEABLE.
OUR CURRENT COUNCIL RULES
REQUIRE US TO VOTE YES OR NO ON
LEGISLATION AT FULL COUNCIL,
SO MORE TIME IS ALWAYS WELCOME
TO MAKE WELL-INFORMED DECISIONS.
THANK YOU FOR THE SPACE TO M█AK
THESE LENGTHY COMMENTS AND I
WILL BE VOTING YES.
>> NOT A PROBLEM, THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER, PEDERSEN.
APPRECIATE YOU DIGGING IN AND
TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THAT.
OKAY COLLEAGUES, ANY ADDITIONAL
-- ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE BILL?
HEARING NONE, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WITH THE CLERK PLEASE AFFECT MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF.
>>> OKAY, REPORT OF THE FINANCE
AND HOUSING COMMITTEE.
WITH THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE
SHORT TITLE OF ITEM 2 INTO THE
RECORD.
>> A REPORT OF THE FINANCE AND
HOUSING COMMITTEE, AGENDA ITEM
2. COUNCIL BILL 120013.
AN ORDINANCE RELATING --
RELATED TO THE CITY'S RESPONSE
TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS CREATING
A NEW FUND AND THE CITY
TREASURY.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE
BILL PASS AS AMENDED.
PAYMENT THANK YOU SO MUCH.
APPRECIATE THAT, MADAME CLERK.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, YOU ARE
THE CHAIR AND I'M GOING TO HAND
IT OVER TO YOU TO PROVIDE THE
REPORTS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM
PRESIDENT.
I AM HONORED TO BE ABLE TO KICK
OFF A SUMMARY OF THIS
LEGISLATION THAT YOU AND I HAVE
A CHANCE TO CO-AUTHOR TOGETHER.
ALONG WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
AND ALL THE COUNCILMEMBERS THAT
ARE HERE TODAY THAT PROVIDED
TREMENDOUS INPUT ALONG WITH
COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
I WOULD DO THE BEST TO GET IT
KICKED OFF AND REALLY JUST WANT
TO THANK YOU I'M EXCITED TO BE
ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY AS WE
LOOK TO PASS THE SEATTLE RESCUE
PLAN.
I WILL NOTE THAT THIS IS THE
FIRST OF THREE ACTS THAT YOU
CAN EXPECT FROM US OVER THE
NEXT FEW MONTHS.
AS WE SEEK TO RESPOND TO THE
CRISIS THAT COVID NOT ONLY
CREATED, BUT EXACERBATED IN
MANY CASES WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE
INEQUITIES IN OUR PREVIOUS
SYSTEM THAT WOULD JUST EXPLODE
BY COVID.
FIRST OF THREE ASKED TO COME.
WE HAVE BEFORE US WITH THIS
PROPOSAL AND THE SEATTLE RESCUE
PLAN ONE IN FRONT OF US, THE
FIRST TRANCHE OF THE AMERICAN
RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS.
THIS REPRESENTS THE FIRST
TRANCHE THAT THE CITY OF
SEATTLE IS RECEIVING THAT WILL
TOTAL $232 MILLION OVER THE
COURSE OF THIS YEAR AND NEXT
YEAR WHICH MEANS THAT HALF OF
THAT, $116 MILLION IS BEING
PASSED TODAY.
WE ARE ADDING TO THAT $12.2
MILLION FROM THE HOME
INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PLAN.
THESE BILLS TOGETHER, THESE
INVESTMENTS TOGETHER, REPRESENT
AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR
US TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE
COMMITMENTS THAT THIS COUNCIL
MADE WHEN WE FIRST PASSED
COUNCIL RESOLUTION 31999 BACK
IN MARCH.
SINCE THEN WE'VE HAD FIVE
SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS.
WE'VE HAD A PUBLIC HEARING
COMPLETELY DEVOTED FROM HEARING
FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHAT
COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEED AND
WHERE THEY WOULD LIKE THESE
DOLLARS PRIORITIZED.
WE'VE HAD THE CHANCE TO TALK TO
CITY COUNCILS FROM AUSTIN TO
MINNEAPOLIS TO DENVER AND SO
MANY OTHERS TO HEAR WHERE OTHER
PROGRESSIVE CITIES ARE LOOKING
TO INVEST THESE DOLLARS.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE'VE HEARD
DIRECTLY FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS
, FROM ORGANIZATIONS, FROM
THOSE MOST IMPACTED BY COVID,
AND FROM ALL COUNCILMEMBERS
WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE
THESE DOLLARS INVESTED SO THAT
OUR CITY MONEY CAN BE COUPLED
WITH STATE AND FEDERAL
INVESTMENTS TO TRULY MAKE AN
IMPACT NOW, AND TO LAY THE
GROUNDWORK FOR A MORE EQUITABLE
ECONOMY AS WE SEEK TO RECOVER
AND RESPOND TO COVID.
TWO WEEKS AGO WE HAD THE CHANCE
TO INTRODUCE THIS LEGISLATION.
AGAIN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S OFFICE ON
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, WE KEPT IN
MIND ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS
AND THE PRIORITIES THAT EACH
COUNCILMEMBER ADDED TO THE
COUNCIL RESOLUTION.
SINCE THEN, WE'VE MADE SURE
THAT AMONG -- WITHIN OUR
FINANCE AND HOUSING COMMITTEE
MEMBERS, WE'VE HEARD FROM
VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
COMMUNITY -- COMMITTEE COUNCIL
PARTICIPANTS ABOUT THEIR
PRIORITIES.
WE HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHERE WE
WOULD LIKE TO SEE DOLLARS
INVESTED SO WE CAN ADDRESS THE
MOST URGENT NEEDS IN OUR
COMMUNITY AND LAY THAT MORE
EQUITABLE FRAMEWORK.
THE PRIORITIES WE SENT TO ADMIN
SPILL SIMILAR TO THE PRIORITIES
E'VE BEEN TALKING A
THE BEGINNIG OF THE ONSET OF
COVID.
WE INCLUDED THESE PARITIES WHEN
WE PASSED THE JUMPSTART
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE PROPOSAL
BACK IN JUNE AND JULY OF LAST
YEAR.
WE INCLUDED THEM AGAIN
CENTERING OUR VALUES AROUND
EQUITY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE
WERE PUTTING FUNDING DIRECTLY
TO THOSE MOST IMPACTED IN OUR
BUDGET LAST YEAR.
THESE BILLS IN FRONT OF US
TODAY RESPOND DIRECTLY TO THE
CRISES EXACERBATED BY COVID BY
INVESTING IN HOUSING, AND
HOMELESSNESS.
ECONOMIC RESILIENCY AND SMALL
BUSINESSES.
AND TO THE ARTS AND CULTURE AND
DIRECTLY INTO MAKING SURE THAT
THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MOST
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED,
AND OFTEN LEFT OUT OF PREVIOUS
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, WERE
FIRST TO RECEIVE DOLLARS.
THAT WE CENTERED INVESTMENTS,
NOT JUST IN ENSURING THAT THOSE
INDIVIDUALS WERE THOUGHT OF,
BUT THAT THE ORGANIZATIONS ARE
WORK DIRECTLY WITH THOSE
INDIVIDUALS AND TO HAVE TRUST,
AND DEEP TIES AND ROOTS WITHIN
THOSE COMMUNITIES, ARE
RECEIVING THOSE DOLLARS.
IS ONLY A FEW AREAS THAT I'LL
HIGHLIGHT BECAUSE I KNOW A LOT
OF FOLKS ARE EXCITED ABOUT
HIGHLIGHTING VARIOUS
COMMITMENTS THEY'VE INCLUDED.
ONE OF THE THINGS I'M MOST
EXCITED ABOUT IS $25 MILLION IN
DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE
SPECIFICALLY TO GO INTO THE
HANDS OF WORKING FAMILIES AND
INDIVIDUALS, OUR ELDERS AND
FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN REALLY
STRUGGLING BY THE IMPACTS OF
COVID, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN
HAVE A DIRECT INFUSION INTO OUR
LOCAL ECONOMY.
RECOGNIZING THAT THOSE WHO ARE
EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP KNOW BEST
HOW TO USE THAT CASH
ASSISTANCE.
I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT THE
CHILDCARE SYSTEMS OF $8 MILLION
COMBINED GOING DIRECTLY TO
SUPPORT CHILDCARE SPIDERS AND
$5 MILLION OF THAT GOING TO
CREATE GREATER ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE THROUGHOUT
OUR CITY BY MAKING SURE WE HAVE
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS TO BUILD
FROM OUR AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE.
IN KING COUNTY AND SEATTLE, WE
KNOW THAT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 7
TO 10% OF OUR CHILDCARE
FACILITIES HAVE CLOSED, AND
SOME LOOKING LIKE THEY ARE ON
FORESIGHT GOING TO STAY
PERMANENTLY CLOSED UNLESS WE DO
SOMETHING AND ACT WITH URGENCY
NOW AS A CITY COUNCIL.
WE KNOW THIS IS A CRITICAL
INVESTMENT FOR US TO MAKE
BECAUSE ACROSS OUR NATION AND
RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, IF WE DON'T INVEST IN
CHILDCARE, IT HURTS OUR LOCAL
ECONOMY, AS WELL AS HURTING
LOCAL FAMILIES.
THE CLOSURE OF CHILDCARE ACROSS
OUR COUNTRY IS RESULTING IN
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS LOST TO
EMPLOYERS EACH YEAR.
AND OVER 500,000 CHILDREN
WITHOUT CHILDCARE IN OUR
COUNTRY.
CHILDCARE WORKERS HAVE FOUND
THEMSELVES OUT OF WORK DURING
THIS PANDEMIC WITH A NET LOSS
OF AROUND 170,000 CHILDCARE
WORKER POSITIONS OPENED BETWEEN
JANUARY OF 2020 AND JANUARY OF
2021 WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT
THAT RIGHT HERE.
OUR INVESTMENT OF $8 MILLION
INTO CHILDCARE SPECIFICALLY
ATTEMPTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
ARE ENCOURAGING THE CREATION OF
ADDITIONAL CHILDCARE AND
RECOGNIZING AND HONORING AND
APPRECIATING THOSE CHILDCARE
PROVIDERS WHO HAVE HELPED US
DURING THIS LAST YEAR.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR
THIS RESCUE PLAN TO RESPOND TO
THE THEME SESSION.
NOT THE RECESSION, RECOGNIZING
THAT WOMEN WERE MUCH MORE
LIKELY TO HAVE LEFT THE
WORKFORCE BECAUSE OF LACK OF
ACCESS TO CHILDCARE AND ALSO
RECOGNIZING THAT IT HAS BEEN
DISPROPORTIONATE WOMEN AND
PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO HAVE BEEN
ON THE FRONTLINE MORE EXPOSED
TO COVID IF THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE
TO KEEP THEIR JOBS AS A CENTER
WORKERS IN THE SERVICE SECTOR
IN MANY CASES.
I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE
WAYS IN WHICH WE TIED IN CARE
FOR THE TRAUMA THAT PEOPLE HAVE
BEEN THROUGH IN THE LAST YEAR BY
INVESTING FUNDING INTO DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE PREVENTION, YOUTH
SERVICES, SENIOR SERVICES, TO
CARE FOR ISOLATION AND NEGLECT.
I KNOW THERE'S MUCH MORE WE
NEED TO DO, BUT I WANT TO ALSO
SEE THESE INVESTMENTS PAIRED
WITH WHAT THE COUNTY HAS
OFFERED, KING COUNTY IS
INVESTING ABOUT $30 MILLION
SPECIFICALLY FOR BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH RESPONSES AND RECOVERY
TO HELP IDENTIFY WAYS IN WHICH
WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO
HAVE BEEN HARDEST HIT, EVEN
BEFORE COVID, BUT ESPECIALLY
THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR
BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
NEEDS EXACERBATED DURING COVID,
THAT THEY HAVE THE SERVICES
THEY NEED.
I WANT TO APPLAUD KING COUNTY
COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE ON
THE PASSAGE OF THEIR RESCUE
PLAN ACT JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO.
OUR PROPOSAL IS GOING TO BE
PACKAGED AND COMPLEMENT MANY OF
THE AREAS THAT KING COUNTY
INVESTED IN AND INVESTMENTS IN
DAVE YOUR HEALTH IS ONE AREA
WHERE I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE
COMPLEMENTARY FUNDING STREAMING
GO ON.
I WANT TO NOTE AS I'M SURE
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS MAY SPEAK
TO, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FIVE
-- OVER $5 MILLION I SHOULD
SAY, $7.5 MILLION IF I REMEMBER
FROM RECOLLECTION, THAT IS
GOING IN TO MATCH THE KING
COUNTY JUST CARES LIKE PROGRAM.
SERVICES LIKE GHESQUIERE THAT
IS RESPONDING DIRECTLY TO THE
NEED FOR HOMELESS FOLKS, THOSE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, TO
HAVE ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE
SHELTER DURING THE TIME OF
COVID.
RECOGNIZING WE ARE NOT OUT OF
THE STORM YET THE VARIANTS
CONTINUE TO SHOW INCREASING
CONCERN IN OUR AREA.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE NONE
CONGREGANT SHELTER OPTIONS LIKE
HOTELS ARE INVESTED IN AND THAT
WE MATCH THE COUNTY'S EFFORT OF
AROUND $7.5 MILLION TO BRING
PROGRAMS LIKE JUST CARE TO
SCALE.
WE HAVE SAID IT COUNTLESS TIMES
ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, WE KNOW
THAT THE EXACERBATION OF THE
INEQUITIES THAT WERE PRESENT
BEFORE HAVE JUST BEEN MADE
WORSE BY COVID, BUT THOSE
ESPECIALLY ARCHER FOR THE
RACIAL INEQUITIES.
WE SEE RACE OF COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR WHO HAVE BEEN CONTRACTING
COVID AND DYING FROM COVID.
BE EXPONENTIALLY HIGHER THAN
WHITE RESIDENTS.
THIS PATTERN FOLLOWS MANY OTHER
SOCIAL INEQUITIES THAT PUT
RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES AT
INCREASED RISK, AND INCREASED
RISK OF HEALTH DISPARITIES,
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
DISPARITIES, WEALTH AND INCOME
GAP DISPARITIES AND SO MUCH
MORE.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE CENTERED OUR
INVESTMENTS TODAY ON MAKING
SURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT
NEAR AND LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
FOR THE SEATTLE RESCUE PLAN ACT
THROUGH THE LENS OF WHAT IS
JUST.
JUST FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC
COMMITMENTS FOR MAKING SURE
THAT FOLKS HAVE BEEN
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED
HAVE THE ASSISTANCE THEY NEED
AND THAT WE ARE CREATING
GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR
ECONOMIC STABILITY AND
OPPORTUNITY.
I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE
LANGUAGE THAT WE ALSO INCLUDED
THAT MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITY-
BASED ORGANIZATIONS ARE
CULTURALLY RELEVANT AND
HISTORICALLY ROOTED IN AND
FUNDED BY COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE
BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY
IMPACTED BY COVID AND HAVE
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
STAFF.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF DIRECT
GRANTS AND ALLOCATIONS OF
GRANTS TO COMMITTEES.
WE BUILT THIS LANGUAGE WITH
COMMUNITY PARTNERS. IS NOT JUST
IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT WHERE
THE FUNDING GOES, BUT HOW THE
FUNDING IS ALLOCATED.
THAT LANGUAGE IS INTENTIONALLY
WRITTEN IN AND EXPANDED
ACTUALLY AS WELL INTO BOTH THIS
BILL AND THE CASH ASSISTANCE
BILL THAT WE WILL PASS AS A
FOLLOW-UP TO THIS LEGISLATION.
I WILL STOP THERE.
WITH JUST NOTING THOSE FEW AREAS
IN MY EXCITEMENT AROUND THE
$28.5 MILLION GOING INTO
HOUSING AND ACQUISITION AND
BUILDING MORE HOMES.
WE ARE REALLY CREATING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
STABILITY FOR FOLKS AS WE SEEK
TO RECOVER FROM COVID.
I'LL SAVE THE REST OF MY
COMMENTS, COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
FOR WRAP-UP AT THE END OF THIS
DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA FOR THAT.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, I SEE YOU
HAVE YOUR HANDS UP.
I'M GOING TO CALL ON YOUR FIRST
COLLEAGUES, FOR THOSE OF YOU
WHO WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MAKE
COMMENTS ON THIS PARTICULAR
COUNCIL BILL, DO LET ME KNOW BY
RAISING YOUR HANDS.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
I DO JUST BRIEFLY WANT TO LIFT
UP THE REALLY CRITICAL
HOMELESSNESS AND PUBLIC SAFETY
INVESTMENTS THAT ARE BEING MADE
IN THIS PACKAGE TODAY.
ALL OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE
HAD BEEN HAVING IN THIS COUNCIL
IN REGARDS TO THE JUST CARE
MODEL, MY COMMENTS THIS MORNING
AT BRIEFING, SOME OF THAT IS
GOING TO COME TO REALITY
THROUGH THE VERY REAL
INVESTMENTS THAT WE ARE MAKING
HERE.
BY JOINING FORCES WITH KING
COUNTY TO DO THIS JOINT
PROCUREMENT FOR A JUST CARE
LIKE APPROACH AND JUST CARE
LIKE STRATEGY, TO EXTEND THE
BENEFITS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN
THE CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT AND PIONEER SQUARE
NEIGHBORHOOD TO NEIGHBORHOODS
THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
REALLY START TO SEE A VERY,
VERY TANGIBLE IMPROVEMENT AND
BENEFIT THAT THAT MODEL BRINGS.
I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO
VOTING FOR THIS PACKAGE.
FOR THOSE INVESTMENTS ALONE,
LET ALONE ALL THE OTHER GREAT
INVESTMENTS THAT COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA JUST GAVE AN OVERVIEW
FOR, I DO WANT TO JUST BRIEFLY
ADDRESS THAT OVER THE LAST WEEK
WORKING WITH CENTRAL STAFF,
CITY DEPARTMENTS AND DOWNTOWN
STAKEHOLDERS, WE WERE ABLE TO
GET A GO AHEAD FROM THE PEOPLE
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ON
DOWNTOWN PROGRAMMING AND
REOPENING AND SUPPORT.
THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE
THEIR PROGRAMMING AMBITIONS
WITHIN HOW THIS PACKAGE IS
CURRENTLY DIVVIED UP.
SO, THERE WAS NO NEED TO BRING
AN AMENDMENT TO SEEK ADDITIONAL
EXCLUSIVE APPROPRIATIONS FOR
DOWNTOWN RECOVERY.
SO, I DID JUST WANT TO ADDRESS
THAT SINCE I HAD INDICATED THAT
I WOULD INTENTIONALLY BE
BRINGING SUCH AN AMENDMENT.
MY UNDERSTANDING FROM TALKING
TO DOWNTOWN SEATTLE
ASSOCIATION, DEPARTMENT OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND OUR
VARIOUS ARTS PARTNERS, IS THAT
THERE IS ENOUGH RESOURCE THAT
CAN BE ALLOCATED UNDER THE
CURRENT TREVISO'S AND BUDGET
LINE ITEMS TO ACCOMMODATE THE
PLANS THAT ARE BEING BAKED IN.
THERE IS NO NEED FOR ANY KIND
OF ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY IN THE
PACKAGE.
SO, I JUST WANTED TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
WITH THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANY
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND I'M
LOOKING FORWARD TO VOTING ON
THIS TODAY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS FOR THAT.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU.
THANKS SO MUCH, COLLEAGUES.
I DO WANT TO JUST TALK ABOUT A
COUPLE OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT
WERE INCLUDED IN THIS BILL.
OUR OFFICE, AFTER LOTS OF
CONVERSATION WITH SMALL
BUSINESS, WITH ARTS
ORGANIZATIONS, GRASSROOTS
ACTIVISTS, AND EVEN OTHER
ELECTED OFFICIALS, WORKED
REALLY HARD TOGETHER THEIR
IDEAS AND INPUT ON HOW TO USE
THIS SORT OF ONCE IN A
GENERATION INVESTMENT.
TO BUILD A MORE EQUITABLE
ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
I'M EXCITED TO HAVE TWO
AMENDMENTS THAT WERE DEVELOPED
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM
INCLUDED HERE.
THE KIND OF CONVERSATIONS WE
WERE HAVING INCLUDED AN
ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THERE JUST
ISN'T ENOUGH ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS IN THE
CITY.
46% OF THE WORKFORCE IN GREATER
SEATTLE IS EITHER UNEMPLOYED OR
STUCK IN LOW-WAGE WORK BEFORE
COVID, AND WE KNOW THAT PROBLEM
HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.
WE KNOW THAT THERE IS ALSO AN
INEQUITABLE ACCESS TO
OPPORTUNITY IN THE CITY.
PARTICULARLY FOR BLACK AND
HISPANIC FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THAT SEATTLE RANKS IN THE
BOTTOM THIRD OF LARGE METRO
AREAS FOR BLACK AND HISPANIC
REPRESENTATION IN TECHNOLOGY
AND IN MANAGERIAL ROLES.
SO, I'M EXCITED THAT WITH THIS
BILL WE CAN REALLY BEGIN TO
ADDRESS SOME OF THESE
DISPARITIES.
THE COMMITMENT OF $22 MILLION
INTO THIS BILL TO CREATE GOOD
JOBS, TO BEGIN DEVELOPING
SKILLS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO
GOOD JOBS.
SUPPORTING FRIENDS WITH
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
INCREASING ACCESS TO WEALTH
BUILDING STRATEGIES.
THESE ARE THE KINDS OF
INVESTMENTS THAT WE NEED IN
ORDER TO REALLY BEGIN BUILDING
AN EQUITABLE RECOVERY FOR FOLKS.
THE OTHER THING I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE IS THAT -- AND I DO
WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
A BIG, BIG PART OF THE INEQUITY
THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IS
BECAUSE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS,
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
DISTRICTS, JUST DON'T HAVE
ACCESS TO THE KIND OF RESOURCES
THAT A DOWNTOWN AREA MIGHT BE
ABLE TO GENERATE.
I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT
$5.5 MILLION OF THE FUNDING
WILL BE SPECIFICALLY FOR
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS
ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS.
THEN, THE LAST THING I WANT TO
SAY IS THAT THE BILL ALSO
ADDRESSES, OR BEGINS TO ADDRESS
THE CHALLENGES OF OUR YOUNG
PEOPLE.
WHO ARE TRYING TO GET THE
SKILLS THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE A
PATHWAY TO GOOD UNION PAYING --
UNION WAGE JOBS.
TO CAREER PATHS, AND ESPECIALLY
FOR THOSE WHO MAYBE TAKING CARE
OF FAMILY MEMBERS OR MAY NOT
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO
COLLEGE, I'M EXCITED THAT OUR
OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH
THE COURT COMMISSION TO EXPAND
THE CURRENT OPPORTUNITY YOUTH
INITIATIVE BY ADDING $1 MILLION
TO THE EXISTING PROGRAM.
SO, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, AN
IMPORTANT STRATEGY THAT CAN
HELP LEAD YOUNG PEOPLE INTO
GOOD UNION JOBS INCLUDES
EXPANDING INTERNSHIPS. THIS $1
MILLION WILL GO A LONG WAY
TOWARD EXPANDING THAT PROGRAM,
NOT JUST FOR THE SUMMER, BUT
EXPANDING IT TO A YEAR-ROUND
PROGRAM THAT CAN REALLY SUPPORT
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
SO, I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS
OF THE FINANCE AND HOUSING
COMMITTEE FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF
THESE AMENDMENTS THAT I
OFFERED.
LOOK FORWARD TO PASSING A BILL
THAT IS REALLY ROOTED IN THE
PRINCIPLES OF AN EQUITABLE
RECOVERY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES FOR THOSE
COMMENTS.
NEXT UP IS COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I JUST WANT TO REALLY RECOGNIZE
THAT THERE HAS JUST BEEN
ACTUALLY SOME GOOD NEWS
RECENTLY ABOUT THE PANDEMIC.
KING COUNTY HITTING 70%
VACCINATION RATES.
HOSPITALIZATIONS AND CASES DOWN.
FAMILIES AND FRIENDS REUNITING.
AND A STATEWIDE REOPENING RIGHT
AROUND THE CORNER.
úTHE WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN
DOING HERE AT THE CITY COUNCIL
AND THAT THE COUNTY HAS BEEN
DOING AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL IS
REALLY MAKING THIS CONCEPT OF
BUILDING BACK BETTER SOMETHING
THAT IS -- SEEMS LIKE A
REALISTIC THING TO STRIVE FOR.
FROM ADDRESSING THE HARMS AND
TRAUMAS OF THE LAST YEAR AND A
HALF, WHICH HAVE TAKEN A TOLL
ON EACH AND EVERY PERSON IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
AS ALWAYS, THOSE HARMS HAVE NOT
FALLEN EQUALLY ON OUR
COMMUNITIES.
WE KNOW THAT BIPOC COMMUNITIES,
IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES AND THOSE
WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY ACCESS OR
MOBILITY HAVE BEEN THE HARDEST
HIT.
TO TRULY BUILD BACK BETTER WE
HAVE TO TARGET THESE PRECIOUS
RECOVERY FUNDS TO THOSE WHO
NEED THEM MOST.
WHO ARE THE FARTHEST FROM
RECOVERY.
WE KNOW THAT FAMILIES ARE STILL
STRUGGLING TO MEET THE BASIC
NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN AND
KEEP FOOD ON THE TABLE.
SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE HAVE BEEN
CUT OFF FROM THE NETWORK OF
SUPPORT AND CRISIS SERVICES.
A YEAR OF ISOLATION AND
INSECURITY HAS TAKEN ITS TOLL
ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF SO MANY
PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I'VE TALKED TO A LOT BEFORE
ABOUT THE SHADOW PANDEMIC.
OF THE RESTRICTED MOVEMENT,
SOCIAL ISOLATION, AND ECONOMIC
SECURITY HAS INCREASED OUR
VULNERABILITY TO VIOLENCE AND
SELF-HARM.
BUT THE SEATTLE RESCUE PLAN
INCLUDES MORE THAN $35 MILLION
FOCUSED ON TRAUMA INFORMED WELL-
BEING SERVICES TO ADDRESS THE
SEATTLE PANDEMIC, INCLUDING
INVESTMENTS IN SENIOR
ISOLATION, MENTAL AND
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE, THEY FOR DISTRIBUTION
AND FREE MEALS.
WITH THESE INVESTMENTS, OR
FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN THE MOST
IMPACTED OVER THE PAST YEAR
WILL HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO
EMERGE STRONGER AND HEALTHIER.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK OUR
PARTNERS FOR THEIR STRONG
ADVOCACY FOR THESE INVESTMENTS,
INCLUDING TONY SARTRE AND SERI
KOTA ROTH AT WESTSIDE BABY.
MARY ELLEN STONE AT KING COUNTY
CENTRAL RESOURCE SERVICE.
MARROW COUSINS AND MISSED
TORRES AT THE COALITION FOR
ENDING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE.
IN AREAS WHERE THE PROPOSED
VERSION OF THE BILL DIDN'T
QUITE LIVE UP TO THE PROMISE OF
THE COUNCIL'S INTENT
RESOLUTION, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA HELPED RIGHT THE SHIP
SO THAT WE COULD FULFILL ALL OF
OUR COMMITMENTS.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA.
THE PACKET NOW ALSO INCLUDES
CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN
SEATTLE'S CREATIVE ECONOMY AS
WE PROMISED TO DO IN THE
COUNCIL'S INTENT RESOLUTION.
THE CITY'S 2029 CREATIVE
ECONOMIES STUDY FOUND THAT THE
CREATIVE SECTOR DRIVES 18% OF
SEATTLE'S GDP.
THAT IS FOUR TIMES THE NATIONAL
AVERAGE.
THAT MEANS THAT THE SECTOR IS
SO CRITICAL TO SEATTLE'S
ECONOMIC RECOVERY, AS WELL AS
BEING VITAL TO MAKING SEATTLE
THE UNIQUE AND SPECIAL PLACE WE
LOVE.
ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS HAVE BEEN
UNIQUELY HARDLY HAD.
MANY ARE STRUGGLING TO HANG ON
WHILE STILL IN CONTRIBUTING TO
OUR COMMUNITIES.
I WANT TO THANK YOU TO THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WHO SUPPORTED
THESE AMENDMENTS THAT AND SURE
THAT ARTISTS HARDEST HIT BY THE
PANDEMIC ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE.
FROM THIS PACKAGE.
AND FOR ALSO CREATING A BOND
WITHIN THE OFFICE OF ARTS AND
CULTURE TO FOCUS, TARGET
ASSISTANCE ON SMALL AND BIPOC
LED CREATIVE ORGANIZATIONS SO
THAT THEY CAN REOPEN AND BRING
BACK THEIR STAFF.
THIS INVESTMENT WILL HELP
ENSURE OUR EXTRAORDINARY
CREATIVE COMMUNITIES ARE NOT
YET ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE
PANDEMIC.
LIKE I DID FOR THE ADVOCATES
WORKING FOR FUNDING TO ADDRESS
THE SADDLE PANDEMIC, I WANT TO
ALSO THANK YOU TO ADVOCATES WHO
HAVE WORKED TO ENSURE THAT
THESE CRITICAL CULTURAL ECONOMY
INVESTMENTS ARE INCLUDED.
THANKS TO SEATTLE ARTS
COMMISSION SO COCHAIRS AND
THANK YOU AS WELL TO SEATTLE
MUSIC COMMISSION CHAIR.
AND THE MANY MUSICIANS AND
ARTISTS WHO PROVIDED PUBLIC
TESTIMONY TO HELP COUNCIL
UNDERSTAND HOW THEY HAVE BEEN
UNIQUELY IMPACTED AND THANK YOU
FOR THEIR EXTRAORDINARY
ADVOCACY.
I WANT TO ALSO GIVE A SHOUT OUT
TO SOME OF THE WORK OF MY
CONSTITUENTS IN DISTRICT 1 HAVE
ORGANIZED OVER THE PAST YEAR TO
PRESERVE ONE OF THE POSITIVE
LEGACIES OF THE PANDEMIC.
TO KEEP MOVING STREETS.
THIS PACKAGE ENSURES THAT THE
CITY WILL CONTINUE ITS WORK TO
CONSIDER MAKING KEEP MOVING
STREETS SUCH AS ALKI POINT
PERMANENT.
THANKS TO THE SEATTLE
NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAYS AND MANY
COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED TO MAKE THIS AVAILABLE
AS PART OF THIS PACKAGE.
JUST, WE KNOW THAT BUILDING
BACK BETTER MEANS INVESTING IN
THOSE FURTHEST FROM RECOVERY.
I'M GLAD TO HAVE HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH ALL OF
YOU TO DO THAT TODAY AND TO
UNDERSCORE IT WITH MY VOTE.
THANKS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD FOR THOSE
COMMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE BILL?
I'M NOT SEEING ANY OTHER HANDS
RAISED, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO
TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY BEFORE I
ALLOW COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA TO
CLOSEOUT DEBATE ON THIS BILL.
I WOULD, AS ONE OF THE
COSPONSORS, LIKE TO TAKE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MY OWN
COMMENTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR
SUITE OF BILLS RELATED TO THESE
VITAL FUNDS.
COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, AGAIN THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO COMMENT ON THIS LEGISLATION,
AND FOR YOUR STRONG
COLLABORATION AND UNIFICATION
AROUND THE SEATTLE RESCUE PLAN.
I AM GOING TO TRY NOT TO
DUPLICATE MANY OF THE COMMENTS
MADE BY OTHERS, INCLUDING THE
BUDGET CHAIR, BUT I DID WANT TO
UNDERSCORE SOME OF THE KEY
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS LEGISLATION
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.
I'M PROUD OF THE HARD WORK THAT
WENT INTO CREATING A
COLLABORATIVE PATH TO
DEVELOPING THE SEATTLE RESCUE
PLAN IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I'M GRATEFUL TO THE BUDGET
CHAIR, MAYOR DURKAN, AS WELL AS
A NUMBER OF COUNCIL AND
EXECUTIVE BRANCH STAFF THAT
SPENT WEEKS DRAFTING THIS PLAN
IN A WAY THAT ADDRESSES THE
MOST PRESSING PRIORITIES AND
OBJECTIVES.
THAT WERE RAISED BY
COUNCILMEMBERS, PUBLIC
COMMENTERS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS.
THE FACT THAT BUDGET
LEGISLATION OF THIS SIZE
RECEIVED SO FEW SUBSTANTIVE
AMENDMENTS I THINK IS TESTAMENT
TO THE GOOD WORK THAT WAS DONE
TO BUILD A CONSENSUS BACK
PACKAGE FOR US TO CONSIDER IN
COMMITTEE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IN
TODAY'S FULL COUNCIL MEETING.
ALTHOUGH $120 MILLION IS NOT
SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE VARIOUS
CRITICAL NEEDS FACING OUR
CITY'S RESIDENTS, WE HAVE A
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY WITH THIS
FUNDING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN
THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS
SEATTLEITES AND SET OUR CITY ON
A PATH TOWARD A MORE EQUITABLE
ECONOMIC RECOVERY FROM THE
COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH AND
ECONOMIC CRISES.
I AM TRULY EXCITED ABOUT THE
RESOURCES BEING PROVIDED IN
THIS LEGISLATION TO DO SOME OF
THE FOLLOWING.
EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES AND HOMELESSNESS
SERVICES.
PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT TO SMALL
BUSINESSES, WORKERS AND
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
DISTRICTS ACROSS THE CITY.
INCREASE CHILDCARE
INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENHANCE
WAGES FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS.
THIS INFUSION OF RESOURCES WILL
HELP HOME-BASED AND DAY CARE
CENTERS REOPEN, OR EXPAND,
WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY GROW OUR
CITY'S CHILDCARE NETWORK AND
ALLOW PARENTS TO GET BACK TO
WORK.
WE WILL ALSO INVEST IN THE
REOPENING OF CULTURAL AND ARTS
INSTITUTIONS.
WE WILL REACTIVATE AND ENHANCE
OUR PUBLIC SPACES LIKE PARKS
AND STREETS FOR OUTDOOR
RECREATION, COMMERCIAL
OPPORTUNITIES AND SOCIALLY
DISTANCED ACTIVITIES.
AND THIS PACKAGE OFFERS DIRECT
CASH ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO
HAVE BEEN MOST IMPACTED BY THE
PANDEMIC.
THESE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS MADE
IN THE SEATTLE RESCUE PLAN
COULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT
THE HARD WORK OF OUR STATE'S
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AS
WELL.
WE WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR
EFFORTS IN PASSING THE AMERICAN
RESCUE PLAN ACT TO BEGIN WITH.
I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO OUR
FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES AND
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FOR ENSURING
THAT THESE NEEDED RESOURCES ARE
MADE AVAILABLE TO LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS, AND OF COURSE OUR
RESIDENTS.
FINALLY, IN CLOSING OUT MY
COMMENTS, I WOULD BE REMISS IF
I DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT
THAT HAD THIS COUNCIL , LED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA AND A
BROAD COALITION OF STAKEHOLDERS,
HAD THIS COUNCIL NOT PASSED THE
JUMPSTART SEATTLE PROGRESSIVE
PAYROLL TAX IN 2020, WE WOULD
NOT BE IN A POSITION TO BE
MAKING ANY OF THESE INVESTMENTS.
WITHOUT THE ROUGHLY $200 MILLION
IN REVENUE EXPECTED FROM THE
JUMPSTART SEATTLE PROGRESSIVE
PAYROLL TAX, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN
FORCED TO LAY OFF HUNDREDS OF
CITY OF SEATTLE EMPLOYEES AND
DRASTICALLY REDUCE CITY
SERVICES.
WITHOUT THAT REVENUE, WE WOULD
BE USING ALL OF THE FUNDS FROM
THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT TO
PLUG HOLES IN THE CITY'S
BUDGET.
AND SIMPLY RESTORE SPENDING AND
SERVICES TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.
FORTUNATELY, THANKS TO THE
TREMENDOUS WORK THAT WAS DONE
TO PASS JUMPSTART SEATTLE, AND
TO DEFEND ITS LEGALITY IN COURT,
WE ARE IN THIS POSITION TODAY
TO USE THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO
GREATLY EXPAND THE SERVICES AND
RESOURCES OUR CITY IS ABLE TO
OFFER AS WE LOOK TOWARDS
REBUILDING EQUITABLY ACROSS OUR
CITY.
SO, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO
ALL OF YOU, MY COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES, AND IN PARTICULAR,
TO OUR BUDGET CHAIR, TERESA
MOSQUEDA.
AS WELL AS ALL OUR COMMUNITY
PARTNERS WHO HAVE HELPED US TO
SET A COURSE TOWARD A ROBUST
AND EQUITABLE RECOVERY FROM THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC BOTH IN THE
ECONOMIC CONTEXT, AND IN THE
PUBLIC HEALTH CONTEXT.
SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOME
COMMENTS.
AGAIN, I REALLY WANT TO LIFT UP
THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK
THAT OUR LEGISLATIVE STAFF AND
OUR CITY BUDGET OFFICE STAFF,
AND MAYORAL STAFF HAVE DONE TO
BRING A CONSENSUS PACKAGE
FORWARD THAT IS A GOOD MOMENT
FOR US AS A CITY FAMILY.
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA'S
PARTNERSHIP AND HER OFFICE AND
MY OFFICE FOR ALL OF THE
COUNTLESS AMOUNT OF HOURS WE
HAVE SPENT TOGETHER WORKING ON
THESE ISSUES WITH STAFF.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE FOR ALL OF
YOUR IMPORTANT WORK ON THIS
REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT PIECE
OF LEGISLATION.
THAT BEING SAID, I'M GOING TO
HAND IT BACK OVER TO
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA WHO IS
GOING TO CLOSEOUT DEBATE.
THEN, WE WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE
ON THIS BILL.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
REMARKS AS WELL, ESPECIALLY
ABOUT JUMPSTART.
IT HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS TO BE
ABLE TO WORK WITH YOU AND YOUR
TEAM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COLLEAGUES, THIS IS OUR CHANCE.
THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO BUILD
BACK BETTER AND IT'S OUR CHANCE
TO BUILD BACK MORE EQUITABLY.
THE SEATTLE RESCUE PLAN ACT
HERE TODAY, AGAIN THE FIRST OF
THREE ASKED TO COME THIS YEAR,
HELP TO ENSURE THAT THE
CRITICAL DOLLARS ARE GOING TO
WHERE THEY ARE MOST NEEDED.
ATTACHMENT NUMBER ONE THAT YOU
FOUND FROM ALLEY, IT SUMMARIZES
$49.2 MILLION INTO HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS.
$41 MILLION INTO COMMUNITY WELL-
BEING TO ADDRESS THE TRAUMA
THAT SO MANY HAVE BEEN THROUGH.
AND ARE STILL DEALING WITH.
$23.5 MILLION INTO COMMUNITY
AND SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY.
AND OVER $14 MILLION GOING INTO
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE, CITY
PROGRAMMING, AND CITY SERVICES
AND OUR CRITICAL CITY WORKERS.
THIS IS A PACKAGE WE CAN ALL BE
PROUD OF, AND A PACKET THAT WE
CAN BUILD ON FOR THE FUTURE.
TRANCHE TWO WILL BE DISCUSSED
LATER THIS YEAR WHEN WE
CONSIDER THE 2022 BUDGET.
WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE IN JUST THE
NEXT FEW WEEKS, STARTING IN
JULY, TO LOOK AT SEATTLE RESCUE
PLAN TWO, WHICH WILL BE A
COMBINATION OF FUNDING THAT
COMES FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT THAT RELATES TO THE
OLDER AMERICANS ACT FUNDING.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
TRANSPORTATION FUNDS FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
SO MANY MORE PIECES TO HELP US
CENTER OUR RECOVERY EFFORTS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU TO OUR
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AS THE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT RIGHTLY
MENTIONED, FOR HELPING TO FREE
UP THESE MUCH-NEEDED DOLLARS TO
CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND
ESPECIALLY TO THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, WHERE WE CONTINUE TO
DEAL WITH FIVE AND SIX YEARS
NOW OF A CRISIS IN HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS THAT HAS ONLY BEEN
MADE WORSE BY THE COVID
PANDEMIC.
SO, THIS IS TRULY AN INCREDIBLE
OPPORTUNITY TO SET THE COURSE TO
WRITE OUR INVESTMENTS NOW AND
BEGIN BUILDING ON THOSE IN THE
UPCOMING MONTHS.
I WANT TO THANK EVERY
COUNCILMEMBER OFFERED
AMENDMENTS AS YOU ALL DISCUSSED
IN YOUR SUMMARY OF YOUR
AMENDMENTS, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS I HEARD YOU THIS
MORNING SAY SOME GREAT
COMMENTS.
IF FOLKS DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO
SEE THAT, I HOPE YOU GET TO SEE
THE AMENDMENT SUMMARY AS WELL.
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE
AMENDMENTS TRULY HELPS TO
STRENGTHEN AND VERIFY LANGUAGE
IN THIS FINAL PROPOSAL.
ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK THE
WORK THAT COUNCILMEMBERS
MORALES AND HERBOLD NOTED ON
THE WORK TO ESTABLISH MORE
DETAILS OUT OF THE $23 MILLION
THAT IS BEING ALLOCATED TO
BUSINESS RECOVERY EFFORTS.
MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE
CENTERING INVESTMENTS INTO
BLACK INDIGENOUS AND PEOPLE OF
COLOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
AND BUSINESSES.
SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON SMALL
AND MICRO BUSINESSES.
NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIC APPS AND
ARE DOWNTOWN CORE BY MAKING
SURE THAT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND
PAYMENT INTERNSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES HELP FOLKS GET
INTO GOOD LIVING WAGE JOBS AND
THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN THE
RECOVERY AND VIBRANCY OF OUR
ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
AND THOSE WORKERS.
THIS PACKAGE IS SOMETHING THAT
I'M PROUD OF AND I CONTINUE TO
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
YOU AS WE BUILD ON THESE
EFFORTS IN THE SUMMER EFFORTS.
SEATTLE RESCUE PLAN ACT NUMBER
TWO, AND FOR THE FALL BUDGET
ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL INCLUDE
TRANCHE TWO IN OUR SEATTLE
RESCUE PLAN ACT NUMBER THREE.
NO REST FOR US BECAUSE THERE IS
A LOT TO MAKE UP FOR HERE.
IN TERMS OF NEEDS AND
INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AS WE DO SO, I KNOW WE WILL
CONTINUE TO HOMELESSNESS
RESPONSE, ECONOMIC RESILIENCE
AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO THOSE
WHO NEED IT MOST AND WILL
CONTINUE TO DROP DIRECTION AND
LEADERSHIP FROM COMMUNITIES WHO
HAVE BEEN WRITING IN AN UPPER
GUSCOTT THIS BILL TOGETHER.
I WANT TO THINK OF ALL CENTRAL
úSTAFF, LED BY ALLIE CANOOCHEE.
ENTER INCREDIBLE TEAM.
I'LL TRY TO LIST A BUNCH OF
THEM BUT I KNOW THERE'S A LOT
MORE INVOLVED.
FOLKS IN THE CITY BUDGET OFFICE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND TO MAYOR DURKAN, IT'S BEEN
REALLY GOOD TO SEE THIS
PROPOSAL COME TOGETHER SO THAT
WE CAN JOINTLY MAKE SURE THAT
FOLKS WHO ARE MOST IN NEED GET
DIRECT ASSISTANCE AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN RELEASE
THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS.
APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP ON
THIS.
WANT TO THANK THE EXECUTIVE
TEAM AND THE COUNCIL TEAMS
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT.
WHO HAVE JOINTLY BEEN WORKING
TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT AND
AGAIN, TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT
GONZALEZ FOR THE COSPONSORSHIP
ON THIS LEGISLATION.
TO YOUR TEAM MEMBER CODY WHO
HAS WORKING ON THIS ON A WEEKLY
BASIS ALONG WITH OTHERS.
CHIEF OF STAFF IN MY OFFICE AND
THE ENTIRE TEAM WITHIN OUR
OFFICE.
ESPECIALLY FOR THEIR WORK IN
COORDINATING THE EFFORT IN
FRONT OF US.
I'LL END WITH A QUOTE FROM A
CHILD CARE PROVIDER UNION 925.
EVERY KIDDO DESERVES SAFE,
NURTURING PLACES TO SPEND THEIR
DAY WELL THERE'S ARE AT WORK.
QUALITY CARE IS EXPENSIVE AND
THE PRIMARILY WOMEN OF COLOR
HAVE BEEN UNDERPAID AND
UNDERVALUED IN THE PAST THE
PANDEMIC MADE IT CLEAR TO
PARENTS AND EMPLOYERS THAT
AFFORDABLE ACCESSIBLE CHILDCARE
IS CRITICAL.
WHEN SCHOOL SHUT DOWN, CHILD
CARE PROFESSIONALS STEPPED UP
CARING FOR KIDS AND
FACILITATING ONLINE LEARNING
FOR SCHOOL-AGED KIDDOS.
TODAY'S LEGISLATION, THE
SEATTLE RESCUE PLAN, IS ONE
STEP IN REBUILDING A CHILDCARE
SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.
WHETHER YOU ARE BLACK, WHITE,
OR BROWN, THIS BILL WILL HELP
EVERYONE AND MAKE US HAVE A
MORE EQUITABLE RECOVERY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF
YOUR WORK, LOOK FORWARD TO
BUILDING ON THIS IN THE FUTURE.
NAME THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA FOR
THOSE CLOSING REMARKS.
THE BAY IS NOW CLOSED ON THE
BILL SO WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A
VOTE
>> WITH THE CLERK PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE
BILL?
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE BILL PASSES AND THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF.
>>> WITH THE CLERK PLEASE READ
ITEM 3 INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 3. COUNCIL BILL
120094.
AN ORDINANCE RELATED TO THE
CITY'S RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19
CRISIS AMENDING ORDINANCE
126237 WHICH ADOPTED THE 2021
BUDGET CHANGING APPROPRIATIONS
TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND
BUDGET CONTROL LEVELS.
AND FROM VARIOUS FUNDS IN THE
BUDGET, IMPOSING PROVISOS AND
RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS, ALL BY A
THREE-QUARTER VOTE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE
BILL PASS AS AMENDED.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, YOU
ARE THE CHAIR.
BACK TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I WILL
BE BRIEF JUST NOTING THIS IS AN
IMPORTANT CARRY THROUGH SO WE
CAN ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT THE
SEATTLE RESCUE PLAN
SPECIFICALLY FOR THE CASH
ASSISTANCE.
WHICH IS CRITICAL HERE.
I WANT TO JUST SAY THANKS TO
ONE OTHER PERSON WHO I THINK I
INADVERTENTLY LEFT OFF WHO HAS
BEEN CLERKING ALL OF THESE
MEETINGS FOR THE MAJORITY OF
THE LAST TWO MONTHS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL OF
YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF
THIS LEGISLATION.
THIS IS THE TRAILER BILL TO THE
BILL WE JUST VOTED ON.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I ALSO WANTED TO JUST BRIEFLY
ADDRESS THE CASH ASSISTANCE
FUNDS.
BILL.
THIS OBVIOUSLY IS DESIGNED TO
PROMOTE THE GOOD WORK THAT HAS
BEEN DONE BY THE CITY IN THE
OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
AFFAIRS IN PARTICULAR.
WHICH OF COURSE IS MY COMMITTEE
TO MAKE THIS CASH ASSISTANCE
POSSIBLE, WE NEED TO RELY ON
SOME OF THE GOOD WORK AND
LESSONS WE LEARN FROM DIRECT
CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT
WE HAVE RUN THROUGH THE OFFICE
OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL REFUGEE
AFFAIRS.
THIS $25 MILLION FUND IS BEING
MODELED AFTER AN INCREDIBLY
SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM TO QUICKLY
DEPLOY CASH ASSISTANCE AWARDS
OF $1000-$3000 TO IMMIGRANT
FAMILIES WHO ARE UNABLE TO
ACCESS FEDERAL SUPPORT DESPITE
THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACTS OF
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FAMILIES.
THEY DID THIS BY WORKING WITH
COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THERE WAS
SMALL LANGUAGE ACCESS AND
PRIORITIZING THOSE PEOPLE
HARDEST TO REACH.
THEY ARE TAKING ON THE CHARGE
OF ADMINISTERING THE $25
MILLION FUND AND TO EXPAND THE
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO SERVE
NOT ONLY IMMIGRANTS AND
REFUGEES, BUT ALSO BY PACK
FAMILIES, ARTISTS, AND OTHER
FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN MOST
IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE GROUP,
ALTHOUGH SMALL, IS VERY MIGHTY
AND THEY WILL HAVE THE ABILITY
AND EXPERTISE TO SCALE UP AND
BUILD ON THEIR SUCCESS TO HELP
OUR CONSTITUENTS.
AND THAT THEY WILL CENTER
EQUITY WHILE LOWERING ACCESS
BARRIERS TO HEALTH -- HELP
THOSE MOST IMPACTED.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE DIRECT
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO
HAVE THE GREATEST NEED FOR
SUPPORT ALLOWING THEM TO SHARE
IN STRONG RECOVERY THAT WE HOPE
THE CITY OF THE REGION IS ABOUT
TO EXPERIENCE.
SO, HUGE THANKS TO THEM AND
THEIR CONTACT A PARTNER IN
MAKING SURE WE GET THESE FUNDS
TO THE MOST DESERVING FOLKS.
THAT BEING SAID, ARE THERE ANY
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THE
BILL?
ALL RIGHT.
HEARING NONE, WITH A CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WITH THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF.
>>> WITH A CLERK PLEASE READ
ITEM 4 INTO THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM 4. COUNCIL BILL
120101 AND ORDINANCE RELATING
TO HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME
HOUSEHOLDS, ADOPTING THE
HOUSING LEVEE ADMINISTERED
EVENT FINANCIAL PLAN FOR
PROGRAM YEARS 2021 2023.
ADOPTING HOUSING FUNDING
POLICIES FOR THE 2016 HOUSING
LEVEE AND OTHER FUND SOURCES
AUTHORIZING ACTIONS BY THE
DIRECTOR OF HOUSING REGARDING
PAST AND FUTURE HOUSING LOANS
AND CONTRACTS, AND RATIFYING
AND CONFIRMING CERTAIN PRIOR
ACTS.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE
BILL PASS.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, THIS
BILL COMES OUT OF YOUR
COMMITTEE AS WELL.
OVER TO YOU TO PROVIDE THE
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
NAME THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THIS LEGISLATION UPDATES THE
CITY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING
FUNDING POLICY.
IT MAKES SOME IMPORTANT UPDATES
BUILDING ON THE DEEP CHANGES
THAT WERE ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
NEEDS AND SUGGESTIONS THAT WE
TOOK IN MY COMMITTEE BACK IN
2019.
THOSE CHANGES INCLUDED
EXPANDING UPON AND CLARIFYING
THE CITY'S INTENT TO USE
COMMUNITY PREFERENCE AND
AFFIRMATIVE MARKETING POLICIES
AS A FRAMEWORK OF THE POLICY
FRAMEWORK FOR ENSURING THAT
THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MOST
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY
DISPLACEMENT HAD A STRONG
OPPORTUNITY TO REMAIN IN OUR
CITY AND HAVE ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AT THAT POINT WE INCLUDED
STRONGER LABOR STANDARDS TO
MAKE SURE THAT OUR NEW HOUSING
THAT WAS BEING BUILT HAD
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREATER LABOR
STANDARDS AND THAT WE LOOK FOR
OPPORTUNITIES TO STRENGTHEN OUR
COMMITMENT TO GOOD LIVING WAGE
JOBS AS WE DEALT HOUSING.
LANGUAGE ON THAT SHOULD BE
FORTHCOMING IN A REPORT AND
OTHER WORK THAT WE DID AS WELL.
WE ALSO AT THAT POINT INCREASED
OFFICE OF HOUSING'S ACQUISITION
AUTHORITY UP TO A CAP OF $30
MILLION AT THE TIME.
A LOT OF THAT WORK THAT WE DID
IN 2019 WAS REALLY ROOTED IN A
NUMBER OF COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLE
DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAD.
SPECIFICALLY WITH BIPOC LED
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT GROUPS AND
COMMUNITIES WHO ARE MOST IN
NEED OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN
THIS CITY.
WITH THAT, FAST-FORWARD TO 2021
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPAND ON THOSE CHANGES WE MADE
AND MAKE SOME SMALL SORT OF
TWEAKS TO ALLOW FOR SOME OF
THOSE IMPORTANT POLICY CHANGES
TO COME TO FRUITION.
THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE MAJOR
POLICY DIRECTIVE CHANGES GIVEN
THAT THIS IS A PROPOSAL I THINK
THAT WAS REALLY WELL-CRAFTED AS
IT WAS SENT TO US AND INCLUDED
SOME OF THE PREVIOUS WORK THAT
WE HAD DONE JUST TWO YEARS AGO.
IS A FEW THINGS REALLY EXCITED
ABOUT IN THIS LEGISLATION.
IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO
HEAR ME SAY THIS BEFORE, THIS
IS A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY
TO INCREASE THE HOMEOWNERSHIP
SUBSIDIES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
ADEQUATELY FUNDING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT
AFFORDABLE HOMES.
TO MAKE SURE THAT ARE VERY
COMPETITIVE AND HOT HOUSING
MARKET HAS ACTUAL CHANCE OF
HAVING COMPETITION AND BEING
ABLE TO HAVE MORE FOLKS ACCESS
FIRST TIME HOMEOWNERSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES.
WE ARE IN THIS LEGISLATION
REMOVING THAT CAP PREVIOUSLY WE
HAD UPPED THE CAP ON THE
ACQUISITION AUTHORITY, NOW WE
ARE REMOVING IT.
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING HAS THE
AUTHORITY, WHERE NEEDED, WHEN
THERE IS NO REVENUE AVAILABLE,
TO QUICKLY MOVE AND SEIZE
OPPORTUNITIES TO ACQUIRE
PROPERTY FOR THE CREATION OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, GIVING THE
CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS WE
ARE SEEING.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW?
IF WE SEE MULTI-STRUCTURES
GOING ON THE MARKET OR DERELICT
BUILDINGS THAT WE COULD BE
USING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
NOW, OR IN THE FUTURE, WE WANT
TO BE COMPETITIVE AND TO BRING
IN MORE PUBLICLY OWNED HOUSING
OPTIONS.
AND CREATE PUBLIC OPPORTUNITIES
FOR FOLKS TO HAVE ACCESS TO
GOOD, AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHIN
THE CITY.
REMOVING THIS CAP IS A SMART
WAY FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
ARE SEIZING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
WITH THE ONSET OF COVERT WE'VE
ALSO SEEN A HUGE DEMAND AND
ACQUISITION.
WE BUILT SOME OF THE
ACQUISITION LANGUAGE INTO OUR
LEGISLATION FROM LAST YEAR.
WITH THE MONEY NOW COMING IN
JANUARY OF THIS UPCOMING YEAR,
WE WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO
SPEND THOSE DOLLARS.
WE JUST PUT A PORTION OF THE
$28.5 MILLION FOR ACQUISITION
AND DEVELOPMENT THAT YOU ALL
JUST VOTED ON, IN THE SEATTLE
RESCUE PLAN ACT BILL.
ACQUISITION, ACQUISITION,
ACQUISITION IS THE THEME OF THE
SHOW WHEN IT RELATES TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE MADE SURE THAT THAT IS
A PRIORITY IN THIS PLAN AS WELL.
THERE'S ALREADY SEVERAL PROJECTS
THAT HAVE GIVEN NOTICE TO THE
CITY TO APPLY FOR ACQUISITION
FUNDS DIRECTLY ROOTED IN
COMMUNITY.
ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITIES
-- COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT
ARE WORKING AND BUILDING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAVE ALREADY
SUBMITTED THEIR NOTICE TO APPLY
FOR ACQUISITION FUNDS IN THIS
YEAR'S NOTICE TO APPLY ROUND.
WE KNOW THERE IS MORE
OPPORTUNITIES ON THE HORIZON.
REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE THESE
IMPORTANT CHANGES AND LOOK
FORWARD TO HAVING YOUR SUPPORT.
JUST VERY BRIEFLY WANT TO THANK
MISS ALVARADO AND HER TEAM AT
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING.
CENTRAL STAFF AND MY OFFICE YOU
HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY ON
GETTING THIS LEGISLATION READY
FOR US TO VOTE ON TODAY.
HOPE YOU WILL SUPPORTIT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA FOR
THOSE COMMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE BILL?
OKAY, I DON'T SEE ANY HANDS
RAISED.
FOR ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
SO, I'M GOING TO ASK THAT THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF.
>>> ALL RIGHT, ITEM 5. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM 5 INTO
THE RECORD.
>> REPORT OF THE TRANSPORTATION
AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE, AGENDA
ITEM 5. COUNCIL BILL 120100.
AND ORDINANCE RELATING TO
SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES
AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER
CEO OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO
ENTER INTO A WATER QUALITY
COMBINED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF
ECOLOGY AND THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT, TO
PARTIALLY FINANCE COSTS RELATED
TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHIP
CANAL WATER QUALITY PROJECT
THROUGH A CLEAN WATER STATE
REVOLVING FUND LOAN.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE
BILL PASS.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, YOU ARE
CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE I'M
GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
COLLEAGUES, AS I MENTIONED THAT
BRIEFING THIS MORNING, THIS IS
COUNCIL BILL 120 100.
IT AUTHORIZES SEATTLE PUBLIC
UTILITIES TO ACCEPT A LOW
INTEREST LOAN PROVIDED THROUGH
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY.
TO FINANCE $66 MILLION OF THE
$570 MILLION SHIP CANAL WATER
QUALITY PROJECT.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, OR AS YOU MAY
RECALL, THE SHIP CANAL WATER
QUALITY PROJECT'S MEGAPROJECT
PLANNED OVER MANY YEARS DUE TO
THE STATE AND FEDERAL
GOVERNMENTS REQUIRING THE CITY
AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS TO
PREVENT HARMFUL STORM WATER AND
WASTEWATER FROM POLLUTING OUR
LOCAL WATERWAYS.
THIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
PROJECT INCLUDES A NEW TUNNEL
BORING MACHINE CREATING A 2.7
MILE STORM WATER STORAGE TUNNEL
FROM WALLINGFORD TO BALLARD.
THIS PARTICULAR FINANCING
PROGRAM THROUGH THE STATE
GOVERNMENT ENABLES A BELOW-
MARKET INTEREST RATE OF
APPROXIMATELY 1%.
WHEREAS IF WE WENT OUT TO THE
CONVENTIONAL BOND MARKET, WE
WOULD NEED TO PAY A HIGHER RATE
OF AROUND 3%.
USING THE STATE PROGRAM WILL
SAVE REPAIRS APPROXIMATE $12
MILLION FROM THIS PARTICULAR
LOAN.
IS COUNCIL BILL WAS RECOMMENDED
UNANIMOUSLY BY OUR COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN FOR
THOSE COMMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS?
HEARING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS,
WITH A CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF.
>>> WITH A CLERK PLEASE READ
ITEMS SIX THROUGH EIGHT INTO
THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEMS SIX THROUGH
EIGHT.
APPOINTMENTS 1947 THROUGH 1949.
THE APPOINTMENTS OF ERIN K.
FITZPATRICK, HANG NGUYEN, AND
GREYSON SIMON AS MEMBERS,
SEATTLE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY
BOARD FOR TERMS TO MARCH 31st,
2023.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE
APPOINTMENTS BE CONFIRMED.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, THESE
ALSO COME OUT OF YOUR COMMITTEE
SO BACK TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
HERE ARE THREE APPOINTMENTS TO
OUR PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY BOARD.
VERY BRIEFLY ON THEIR
BIOGRAPHIES.
ERIN FITZPATRICK HAS LIVED AND
WORKED IN SEATTLE FOR SIX
YEARS.
MOSTLY IN THE MT. BAKER,
COLLECTIVELY A CITY AREA.
SHE WORKS AT LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE
BLIND.
ERIN IS PASSIONATE ABOUT
CREATING AN ACCESSIBLE
ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL PEOPLE.
GREYSON SIMON HAS LIVED IN
SEATTLE FOR EIGHT YEARS.
THEY ARE KNOWN WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY FOR FOUNDING AND
RUNNING THE TRANSGENDER
LANGUAGE PRIMER.
AS A TRANS PERSON WHO COMMUTES
BY PUBLIC TRANSIT THEY ARE
PASSIONATE ABOUT PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY AND ACCESS.
ESPECIALLY BASIC NEEDS LIKE
SIDEWALKS AND CURB CUTS.
HANG NGUYEN GREW UP IN THE
PUGET SOUND REGION AND HAS
RECENTLY PUT DOWN ROOTS IN THE
LAKE CITY NEIGHBORHOOD.
SHE IS PROFESSIONALLY AND
PERSONALLY INVESTED IN BUILDING
A STRONGER MORE VIBRANT
COMMUNITY WITH THE MINDSET THAT
THE ACTIONS TAKEN TODAY SHOULD
BENEFIT PEOPLE AND THE
ENVIRONMENT TOMORROW.
HANG'S EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
SHAPES OR WORK AT KING COUNTY
METRO TRANSIT ENTER INTEREST IN
ENSURING PUBLIC SPACES ARE
ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING TO
PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS, AGES
AND ABILITIES.
THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDED ALL THREE
APPOINTMENTS TO BE CONFIRMED.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE APPOINTMENTS?
HEARING NONE, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS
1947 THROUGH 1949.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE
APPOINTMENTS ARE CONFIRMED.
>>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ
ITEM 9 INTO THE RECORD.
>> ADOPTION OF OTHER
RESOLUTIONS.
AGENDA ITEM 9, RESOLUTION 32008.
A RESOLUTION SETTING THE PUBLIC
HEARING ON THE PETITION OF
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT FOR THE
VACATION OF A PORTION OF THE
WAY SOUTH, WEST OF FOURTH
AVENUE SOUTH IN THE GREATER
DUWAMISH MANUFACTURING
INDUSTRIAL CENTER OF SEATTLE.
ACCORDING TO CHAPTER 35.79 OF
THE REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON,
CHAPTER 15.62 OF THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE, AND CLERK FILE
314451
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
I MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
32008.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, YOU ARE
THE SPONSORS OVER TO YOU TO
ADDRESS THE ITEM.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
COLLEAGUES, AS I MENTIONED THIS
MORNING, THIS IS RESOLUTION
32008.
IT SIMPLY SETS THE TIME OF A
PUBLIC HEARING AT OUR
TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES
COMMITTEE FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY
21st AT 9:30 A.M.
TO DISCUSS ANOTHER SMALL
PROPERTY TRANSFER ASSOCIATED
WITH WORK ON SEATTLE'S CITY
LIGHTS FACILITIES AND
ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOUTH PARK
TO GEORGETOWN BIKE TRAIL.
IF APPROVED AFTER THE JULY 21st
PUBLIC HEARING, OUR SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO VACATE
THEIR RIGHT-OF-WAY OF THE
13,000 SQUARE FOOT PARCEL AND
PROVIDE THAT SEATTLE CITY LIGHT
WHICH OWNS THE ADJACENT
PROPERTIES AT DIAGONAL WAY
SOUTH JUST WEST OF FOURTH
AVENUE SOUTH IN THE GREATER
DUWAMISH MANUFACTURING
INDUSTRIAL CENTER OF SEATTLE.
CLERK FILE 314451 IS ASSOCIATED
WITH THIS RESOLUTION AND IS
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT'S OFFICIAL
PETITION TO CITY COUNCIL FOR
THE VACATION OF SDOT'S RIGHT-OF-
WAY.
THE VACATION OF THE RIGHT-OF-
WAY WILL BE HANDLED IN A MATTER
THAT DOES NOT MAKE AN IMPACT TO
SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES.
THIS RESOLUTION SIMPLY SETS THE
DATE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND
WE'LL GET MORE INFORMATION ON
THE SUBSTANCE OF THIS PROPOSAL
BEFORE AND DURING THE JULY 21st
PUBLIC HEARING AT OUR COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE RESOLUTION?
HEARING NONE, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION?
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED IN
THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WITH A CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF.
>>> OKAY FOLKS, WE ARE AT OTHER
BUSINESS.
COLLEAGUES, I DO HAVE ONE
MATTER OF OTHER BUSINESS THAT
CAME UP AFTER COUNCIL BRIEFING
THAT I JUST WANT TO READ FOR
THE RECORD.
I KNOW WE HAVE TO GET TO A PARK
DISTRICTS BOARD MEETING HERE.
COLLEAGUES, I DO WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECENT NEWS OF
THE LOSS OF DAVID SCHMIDT, THE
FORMER PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 21
WHO PASSED AWAY ON SUNDAY, JUNE
20th.
I FIRST HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO
MEET AND WORK WITH HIM WHILE I
WAS SERVING AS THE CHAIR OF THE
ONE AMERICA VOTES BOARD.
IN ADDITION TO BEING A LEADER
FOR WORKER AND UNION RIGHTS WAS
A STEADFAST ADVOCATE AND ALLY
IN BUILDING MULTIRACIAL AND
MULTICULTURAL COALITIONS.
THAT WERE DESIGNED TO LIFT UP
OTHERS TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE
FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN FURTHEST
AWAY FROM JUSTICE.
WHETHER THAT WAS WORKER RIGHTS,
OR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS, DAVE WAS
COMMITTED TO IT ALL.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR HIS LEGACY AND
I SEND MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES
TO HIM, TO HIS FAMILY, AND
FRIENDS, AND OF COURSE THE
ENTIRE LOCAL 21 FAMILY.
>>> IS THERE ANY OTHER FURTHER
BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE
COUNCIL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA,
PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
BRIEFLY RECOGNIZE HIS PASSING
AS WELL.
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
YOUR WORDS AND THE CHANCE TO
SAY MY CONDOLENCES AS WELL TO
HIS WIFE PAM AND TO THEIR
FAMILY, BOTH INDIVIDUAL FAMILY,
BUT ALSO THE LARGER LABOR
FAMILY.
WE KNOW THAT HE IS LARGER THAN
LIFE AND HE LEAVES A LEGACY
BEHIND HIM THAT IS THE LARGEST
PRIVATE SECTOR UNION IN
WASHINGTON STATE.
WITH GROCERY WORKERS AND
CANNABIS WORKERS AND PHARMACY
WORKERS WHO IN THIS MOMENT HAVE
TRULY SHOWN WHAT IT MEANS TO
HAVE SOLIDARITY AND SOME OF THE
MOST TRYING TIMES.
THAT IS IN LARGE PART DUE TO
HIS TENACITY TO MAKE SURE THAT
WORKERS' VOICES WERE ALWAYS
CENTERED AT THE HEART OF
DISCUSSIONS.
I DID JUST ALSO RECEIVE A
MESSAGE FROM THE FAMILY AT 21
NEW NOTED THAT HE BELIEVED
STRONGLY IN THE OUTSIDE
ORGANIZING EFFORT AND WASN'T
WANTING TO PUT ALL OF THE
BASKETS AND WORKING WITHIN THE
ELECTED ONLY.
THEY HAVE ACCESS TO CONSIDER A
RESOLUTION IN WASHINGTON STATE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
ALL OF YOU TO BRING THAT
FORWARD PER THEIR REQUEST.
VERY, VERY THRILLED TO HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE HIS
LEGACY AND ALSO MOURN HIS
PASSING.
AS HE IS AN INCREDIBLE LEADER,
NOT JUST WITHIN THE LABOR
MOVEMENT, BUT IN THE BROADER
PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR THAT,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> THANK YOU.
JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS DEEPEST
CONDOLENCES TO DAVE SCHMIDT'S
BROTHER DAVE'S FAMILY.
ALSO TO ALL THE MEMBERS AND THE
LEADERSHIP OF LOCAL 21 FOR THIS
LOSS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. SOLIDARITY
TO ALL THE GROCERY WORKERS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT,
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
BE ABLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
AGAIN.
I LEARNED ABOUT THIS AFTER
COUNCIL BRIEFING OTHERWISE I
WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT UP DURING
COUNCIL BRIEFING.
AGAIN, OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES
ON BEHALF OF THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL TO DAVE'S FAMILY,
FRIENDS, AND OF COURSE THE
LARGER LABOR FAMILY, ESPECIALLY
LOCAL 21
>>> IS THERE ANY OTHER FURTHER
BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE
COUNCIL?
COLLEAGUES, THIS DOES CONCLUDE
THE ITEMS OF BUSINESS ON
TODAY'S AGENDA.
OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED
MEETING IS ON JUNE 28, 2021 AT
2:00 P.M.
AS A REMINDER, WE WILL CONVENE
AS THE SEATTLE METROPOLITAN
PARK DISTRICT BOARD ONCE WE
ADJOURN THIS FULL CONSUMMATING.
SEATTLE CHANNEL HAS INDICATED
THEY NEED APPROXIMATELY FIVE
MINUTES TO BE ABLE TO
TRANSITION BETWEEN THIS MEETING
AND THE NEXT MEETING, WHICH
WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE BOARD
CHAIR, WHO IS COUNCILMEMBER
DEBORAH JUAREZ.
WE HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO STAY
ON THIS SOON CALL.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO SWITCH ZOOM
ROOMS.
YOU CAN TAKE THE NEXT FIVE
MINUTES AFTER WE ADJOURN, YOU
CAN TAKE A QUICK BREAK AND STEP
AWAY FOR A MOMENT.
WE WILL BE RESUMING AT ABOUT
3:50 P.M.
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.