GOOD MORNING.
THE FEBRUARY 16th MEETING OF
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL'S
PUBLIC ASSETS AND HOMELESSNESS
COMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER.
I'M CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE,
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL
ROLE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> CHAIR LEWIS?
>> PRESENT.
>> AS THE CLERK JUST INDICATED,
COUNCILMEMBER PRESIDENT JUAREZ
DID REACH OUT TO THE COMMITTEE
TO LET US KNOW SHE WOULD BE
UNAVAILABLE AND SHE IS EXCUSED
FROM TODAY'S COMMITTEE MEETING.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA, IF
THERE'S NO OBJECTION, THE
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
AGENDA IS ADOPTED.
CHAIR'S REPORT.
SO TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BE
GOING THROUGH THE FIRST HEARING
ON SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN
DISCUSSED A LITTLE BIT IN THE
PUBLIC DISCOURSE, IN THE MEDIA,
REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF A
TRAPS FOR OF CITY HALL PARK AND
THE PIONEER SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD
FROM THE CITY OF SEATTLE TO
KING COUNTY.
I WANT TO MAKE IT REALLY CLEAR
THAT TODAY'S HEARING ON THE
MATTER IS JUST AN INITIAL
BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION ON WHAT
THAT MIGHT ENTAIL.
AND HOW THAT PROCESS MIGHT BE
CONDUCTED AS WELL AS HEAR FROM
COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND THE
COUNTY ON SOME OF THE POTENTIAL
PLANS UNDER GIRDING THAT
TRANSFER.
SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT
ITEM.
THAT WILL BE THE FIRST ITEM OF
BUSINESS TODAY DAY.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HEAR A
REPORT FROM SEATTLE CENTER
REGARDING THE RACE AND SOCIAL
JUSTICE INITIATIVE.
AND A REPORT FROM SEATTLE
CENTER ON THEIR ANNUAL RSGI
REPORT.
FINALLY, WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE
OUT BY CONSIDERING A COUPLE OF
APPOINTMENTS TO THE SEATTLE
CENTER ADVISORY COMMISSION.
SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
HAVING A PRETTY PACKED AGENDA
TODAY, AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET
THROUGH ALL OF THOSE AGENDA
ITEMS.
SO WE WILL MOVE ON NOW TO
PUBLIC COMMENT.
THE CLERK WILL MODERATE THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
GIVE THE USUAL ADMONITIONS
ABOUT WHEN IT'S YOUR TURN TO
SPEAK, YOU'LL HEAR A PROMPT, IF
YOU'VE BEEN UNMUTED THARKS WILL
BE YOUR PROMPT TO HIT STAR SIX
AND THEN TO SPEAK FOR A TWO-
MINUTE AMOUNT OF TIME.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD RIGHT NOW
AND SAY THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD WILL BE FOR 25 MINUTES.
SO WE'LL GO UNTIL 2:30.
WE HAVE ABOUT TWELVE SPEAKERS.
SO THAT SHOULD WORK OUT
PERFECTLY.
AND WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT
OVER TO THE CLERK TO PRESIDE
OVER THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
>> THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTER
WHO IS SIGNED IN IS JOHN GRANT.
JOHN, YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN READY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMITTEE
MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JOHN GRANT,
TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF THE LOW
INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE.
IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSAL
TO TRANSFER CITY HALL PARK.
LEHIGH OWNS AND MANAGES THE FRY
APARTMENTS ACROSS THE STREET
AND HOME TO APPROXIMATELY 240
RESIDENTS.
THEE RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM THE
SUN AND FRESH AIR AT CITY HALL
PARK.
WE WANT IT TO BE SAFE FOR
RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE
AREA.
WE WANT BUSINESSES TO HAVE A
VIABLE LOCATION TO LEASE RETAIL
SPACE.
HOWEVER, A LAND TRANSFER DOES
NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM
SURROUNDING CITY HALL PARK
PREFONTAINE FOUNTAIN AND ITS
SURROUNDING SIDEWALK.
LEHIGH IS READY TO SUPPORT THE
CITY TO FIND PRACTICAL
SOLUTIONS.
WE HAVE TWO COMMERCIAL SPACES
RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET THAT
COULD BE SPACE FOR COMMUNITY
SERVICE OFFICERS, SEATTLE PARKS
OR DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
MOVING THE LAND FROM CITY TO
COUNTY HANDS REMOVES STRONG
PROTECTIONS THAT EXIST IN
MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROTECT GREEN
SPACES.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CURRENT
NEGOTIATORS CHANGE JOBS OR
RETIRE.
COULD WE LOSE THIS LAST PIECE
OF GREEN IN THE AREA?
WE BELIEVE WE CAN PARTNER WITH
THE CITY AND COUNTY TO MAKE
THIS A SUCCESSFUL SPACE.
IN OUR PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY,
CITY HALL PARK SHOULD BE
RECONIZED AS AN UNPARALLELED
CIVIC SPACE.
THE PARK SHOULD NOT BE
TRANSFERRED FROM THE CITY TO
THE COUNTY AS THE CURRENT
PROPOSAL IS UNTENABLE TO THE
INTEREST OF THE SURROUNDING
COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU, JOHN.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
TIA PETROVIC.
BEGIN WHEN READY.
>> MY NAME IS TIA PETROVIC.
I'M WONDERING HOW AN HISTORIC
PUBLIC ASSET LIKE CITY HALL
PARK CAN BE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT
PUBLIC PROCESS OR INPUT?
PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY WAS LOST IN
KING COUNTY'S PROPOSAL PROCESS.
I APPRECIATE THE PUBLIC PROCESS
TODAY.
AS CHAIR OF THE PIONEER
RESIDENCE COUNCIL IT'S MY JOB
AND HONOR TO FIND WAYS FOR THE
RESIDENTS OF PIONEER SQUARE TO
BE HEARD TO.
CREATE TRANSPARENCY ON ISSUES
THAT AFFECT US.
WHEN I SAY ALL, I MEAN FROM NO
INCOME TO HIGH INCOME.
WE WITH OUR BUSINESSES STRIVE
TO MAKE PIONEER SQUARE A
WONDERFUL AND HEALTHY PLACE FOR
ALL.
WE'VE HAD AN INCREDIBLY ROUGH
LAST TWO YEARS.
BUT A LAND TRANSFER DOES NOT
ANSWER ANY OF THOSE ISSUES
EXPERIENCED AT THE PARK DURING
COVID.
THE ANSWER IS NOT TRANSFERRING
AWAY OUR IRREPLACEABLE PUBLIC
HISTORIC ASSET.
IT'S TIME TO DIG IN AND INVOLVE
THE COMPLEUN ANY A FORMAL
PROCESS ABOUT OUR LARGEST GREEN
ASSET.
IT WAS CREATED AS A PUBLIC
AMENITY AND A PLACE FOR ALL.
NOT A HIGHLY CONTROLLED PRIVATE
SPACE FOR SOME.
HOW ARE THE NEEDS OF 800 PLUS
MARGINALIZED RESERVOIR DENTSS
WHO LIVE ADJACENT TO THE PARK
BEING CONSIDERED.
MANY WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO
OTHER OPEN SPACES.
IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE GETTING A
TRANSFER OF PROPERTY INTO
PIONEER SQUARE WITH THE
PROPOSAL.
IT'S TIME TO TAKE A STEP BACK.
I'VE LIVED HERE 30 YEARS.
WE'VE HAD TOUGH TIMES.
WE ALWAYS COME BACK TOGETHER
BETTER AND STRONGER.
MY THREE REQUESTS TODAY, STEP
BACK, RECONSIDER EXCHANGING THE
PARK FOR COUNTY PROPERTIES AS
PROPOSED.
PLEASE CONSIDER THE UNDER
SERVED RESIDENTS WHO WOULD BE
DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY POTENTIAL
LOSS OF THE PARK.
INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY BY
PARTNERING A CONVERSATION ON
HOW TO MAINTAIN A SACRED SPACE.
IN PIONEER SQUARE WE NEVER GIVE
UP AND WE ASK THAT YOU NOT GIVE
UP ON US.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF
YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> THANK YOU, TIA.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
DAVID HAYNES.
DAVID, YOU'RE OFF MUTE.
>> THANK YOU, DAVID HAYNES,
DISTRICT SEVEN.
CITY PARKS IS PROOF THAT CITY
LEADERSHIP HAS FAILED THIS
COMMUNITY.
THE HOMELESS CRISIS HAS GOTTEN
WORSE WITH THE COUNCIL, MAYOR
AND THE PROSECUTOR'S POLICIES
THAT STILL EXEMPT EVIL, LOW
LEVEL DRUG PUSHERS FROM JAIL.
COMMITTING CRIMES AGAINST
HUMANITY.
NONVIOLENT MISS DEMEANOR
PRIORITIZED BY A JUST CARE IN
THE LEAGUE MODEL.
PRIORITIZING REPEAT OFFENDERS
WHO BELONG IN THE JAILHOUSE.
WHERE THEY STAY UNTIL THEY GET
THE DRUGS SO COPS CAN SHUT IT
DOWN.
OR THEY BELONG IN THE PSYCH
WARD.
THAT'S NOT VOLUNTARY SINCE THE
DRUG PUSHERS ARE ALLOWED TO
CONTINUE TO SUPPLY THE
NEIGHBORHOOD, SATURATING THE
COMMUNITY IN DRUG ADDICT
THIEVES AS PEOPLE IN SEATTLE.
MORE INCENSED THAN JUDGMENTAL
IF THEY SEE A TENT, LOOK THE
OTHER WAY WHEN CRACK, METH, AND
HEROIN PUSHERS SET UP A
DIFFERENT BUS STOP ONE FOOT OFF
THE JURISDICTION OF THE
TRANSPORTATION PROPERTY LINE.
WHEN CITY COPS ARGUE OVER THE
LAWYERISTIC JURISDICTION.
PROVING THEY'RE INEPT ON PUBLIC
SAFETY.
AS COPS LOOK FOR EXCUSES NOT TO
SHUT DOWN THE SAME PREDATORY
DRUG PUSHERS IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD, IN PIONEER SQUARE
EVERY NIGHT.
BLAMING TRANSIENTS FOR ALL THE
SOCIETAL IMPLOSION FOR AN
EASIER PAYDAY WHILE CITY
COUNCIL CAN'T KEEP THE CENTRAL
LIBRARY HONEST ABOUT 21st
CENTURY TIMES.
THEY'RE ALWAYS CLOSING EARLY
WITH A LACK OF EFFORT TO FIX
ANYTHING REGARDING THE LACK OF
PERSONAL SPIT SPRAY SPACE.
AND THEY ONLY ALLOW YOU TO GO
UP ON THE UPPER LEVEL BETWEEN 6
TO 9 ON WEDNESDAY.
ONLY WEDNESDAYS UNTIL 6:00 P.M.
SO FORGET ABOUT IT IF YOU HAVE
A JOB AND YOU HAVE TO USE
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
ALSO, WE NEED A BETTER
COORDINATED RESPONSE WITH THE
SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO SEEM TO
NEVER HELP THE PEOPLE, THE SAME
PEOPLE YELLING AND CAMPING AND
DOING DRUGS IN FRONT OF THE
7/11 AT FIRST AND CHERRY
STREET.
>> THANKS, DAVID.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
HERALD HILLSET.
HERALD, YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN
READY.
>> HI Y'ALL.
MY NAME IS HERALD HILLSET.
AND I'M AN ALASKAN NATIVE.
I'M THE NEW POLICY AND ADVOCACY
MANAGER FOR CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB.
AND I'M HERE TO COMMENT AS A
REPRESENTATIVE OF CHIEF SEATTLE
CLUB TODAY ON THE AGENDA ITEM
CONCERNING THE CITY HALL PARK
INTERGOVERNMENTAL LAND
TRANSFER.
CITY HALL PARK PROVIDES
IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY SPACE
FOR OUR MEMBERS DUE TO ITS
PROXIMITY TO THE DAY CENTER AND
THE NEWLY OPENED 80 UNIT
HOUSING PROPERTY.
WE WILL BE OPENING ANOTHER
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT A BLOCK AWAY FROM
CITY HALL PARK LATER THIS YEAR.
WE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN ANY
OPPORTUNITY TO ADVOCATE FOR
EXISTING SPACES IN PIONEER
SQUARE THAT INCREASE THE
QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR MEMBERS
AND THE LIVABILITY OF ANY SPACE
THROUGHOUT KING COUNTY THAT
BENEFITS THE FOLKS WE SERVE ON
A DAILY BASIS.
CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB SUPPORTS
EFFORTS TO KEEP CITY HALL PARKS
OPEN AND READILY AVAILABLE FOR
OUR COMMUNITY TO UTILIZE MOVING
FORWARD INCLUDING OUR MEMBERS
THAT LIVE RIGHT AROUND THE
CORNER.
JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR
YOUR TIME.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO
CONTINUING TO FOLLOW THE
PROCESS AS THIS MOVES ALONG.
>> THANK YOU HERALD.
TIERRA GILLBURN.
YOU CAN BEGIN WHEN READY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS, MY NAME IS
TIERRA WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
ASSOCIATION.
CALLING REGARDING THE TRANSFER
OF CITY HALL PARK FROM CITY TO
COUNTY PROPERTY.
I'D LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THE
CITY RECONSIDER EXCHANGING CITY
HALL PARK FOR OTHER COUNTY
PROPERTIES AND INCLUDE THE
SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND THE
CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW THIS
LAND SHOULD BE PROTECTED AND
MAINTAINED.
IN THE SUMMER OF 2021 JUST CARE
DEDICATED A LOT OF TIME AND
RESOURCES TO PLACE INDIVIDUALS
WHO WERE LIVING HERE INTO
NONCONGREGATE LODGING.
THE FUTURE OF CITY HALL PARK
MUST INCLUDE A DETAILED PLAN ON
HOW TO COMPASSIONATELY
ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL OF
UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS WITH
COMPLEX NEEDS LIVING IN THE
PARK WHILE BALANCING
ACCESSIBILITY FOR FABBING
SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY CLIENTS.
THE PLAN CAN'T BE JUST OUTREACH
OR SECURITY.
SO IT MUST BE INDIVIDUALIZED
AND SUSTAINED CARE.
CITY HALL PARK IS AN HISTORIC
ASSET, A SPACE FOR COMMUNITY.
AND A SPACE FOR CULTURAL
HEALING.
WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE PARK
REOPENED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO
PARTNERING WITH THE CITY AND
COUNTY TO MAKE THIS A
SUCCESSFUL SPACE FOR ALL, THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU, TIERRA.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
EDO EDO.
EDO?
YOU MAY BEGIN WHEN READY.
>> THANK YOU, MY NAME IS JUST
EDO.
BUT I HAD TO PUT IT IN TWICE TO
MAKE IT WORK.
I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FIRST
FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
I DO APPRECIATE IT.
I DON'T HAVE A SET, YOU KNOW,
LIKE I DIDN'T WRITE ANYTHING
OUT.
I'M DOING THIS OFF CUFF AND
FROM MY HEART.
I'M A RESIDENT OF THE FRY.
I LIVE DIRECTLY ACROSS THE
STREET.
JUST TO QUICKLY TELL YOU A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF.
I'VE BEEN HOMELESS SEVEN YEARS
IN EVERETT.
AND THEN I FINALLY GOT INTO LOW
INCOME HOUSING.
I'M A MUSICIAN, AN ARTIST.
MY WIFE IS A BALLERINA.
AND WE WORK FOR PARKS AND REC.
WE'VE PLAYED IN THAT PARK,
PROFESSIONALLY, AS A BUSINESS.
ONE THING THAT PEOPLE HAVEN'T
MENTIONED IS ANIMALS, DOGS,
CATS, EVERYBODY IS -- THAT ONE
MAN THAT WAS REALLY PASSIONATE,
I'M WITH THAT DUDE.
YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF NOT GOOD
THAT HE WAS SO AGGRESSIVE,
BECAUSE YOU KNOW, IT CAN BE A
TURN OFF.
BUT ACCOUNTABILITY IS REALLY
WHERE IT'S AT.
IF WE CAN MAKE PEOPLE
ACCOUNTABLE, YOU KNOW, BE
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS,
DRUG DEALERS, YOU KNOW, STOP
LOOKING AT THE HOMELESS LIKE
THEY'RE JUST, YOU KNOW,
INNOCENT VICTIMS.
THERE'S A LOT OF DRUG ADDICTS
THAT ARE HOMELESS.
WE CAN FIX THIS THROUGH JUST
BEING INTELLIGENT.
BUT WE NEED THAT PARK.
AND I'M OPPOSED TO THE LAND
TRANSFER.
BECAUSE IT'S A BEAUTIFUL
PROPERTY WITH GRASS.
WHERE WE CAN HAVE FOOD COURTS.
WE CAN HAVE A PICNIC KIND OF
VIBE.
WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN FROM
ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO SEE
SEATTLE.
PIONEER SQUARE IS SEATTLE.
WE NEED TO MAKE PIONEER SQUARE
THE CROWN JEWEL.
YOU KNOW.
YEAH.
SO I GOT EMOTIONAL THERE FOR A
SECOND.
BUT GOOD LUCK GUYS.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
DONALD HARRIS.
>> THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON,
MY NAME IS DONALD HARRIS.
AND I'M SPEAKING ON THE
PROPOSED TRANSFER OF CITY PARK
TO KING COUNTY.
I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF
OLMSTED PARK.
A GROUP SUPPORTING SEATTLE'S
PARKS.
I WAS A 40 YEAR PLUS EMPLOYEE
OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT.
AND FOR 26 OF THOSE YEARS I WAS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACQUISITION
AND MANAGEMENT HUNDREDS OF
ACRES OF NEW PARKS AND OPEN
SPACE IN SEATTLE.
THAT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TODAY.
AND IT'S INCONCEIVABLE TO ME
THAT THE CITY WOULD GIVE UP ANY
OF IT.
SEATTLE RESIDENTS HAVE OFTEN
HAD TO RISE TO THE DEFENSE OF
OUR PARKS.
MOST RECENTLY, THAT RESULTED IN
INITIATIVE 42.
WHICH NEVER WENT TO THE BALLOT.
BUT RESULTED IN THE ADOPTION BY
THE COUNCIL OF ORDINANCE
118477.
YOU'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT IT FROM
THE COUNTY, OR THE CITY STAFF.
BASICALLY ONCE PARKLAND OR LAND
USED FOR PARKS AND RECREATION
SHALL BE PRESERVED FOR SUCH
USE.
COUNCIL STAFF HAVE DONE A GOOD
JOB OF PROVIDING YOU WITH A
MEMO LAYING OUT THE FACTS AND
HOW THE INTENT OF THAT
ORDINANCE COULD BE CIRCUMVENTED
DESPITE THE FACT THE COUNTY
REJECTED A PROVISION THAT WOULD
GUARANTEE THE SITE WOULD REMAIN
A PARK INPERPETUITY.
TIONZ THE PARK WAS THREATENED
BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOLF
COURSE.
ALL OF THOSE PROPOSALS RESULTED
IN INITIATIVES THAT NEVER WENT
TO A VOTE.
BECAUSE COUNCIL VOTED TO
PROTECT SEATTLE'S PARKS.
>> THANK YOU, DONALD OUR NEXT
PUBLIC COMMENTER IS TIFFANY
MCCOY.
TIFFANY, YOU'RE OFF MUTE AND
CAN BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY.
THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS TIFFANY MCCOY.
I'M THE ADVOCACY DIRECTOR.
I WAS CALLING IN AS A MEMBER OF
THE CITY COALITION.
WHICH WAS ADVOCATING FOR PUBLIC
LAND AT CITY HALL PARK.
AND THE LOW INCOME AND UNHOUSED
NEIGHBORHOODS THAT USE THAT.
IT'S FENCED IN AND THERE'S AN
ENDLESS TIMELINE ON IT.
I WANTED TO ADDRESS CONCERNS
AROUND SAFETY.
AND WE HAVE A HOMELESS PROBLEM
IN THE CITY.
WE KNOW THOSE THINGS.
TRANSFERRING CITY HALL PARK TO
THE COUNTY WILL NOT RESOLVE ANY
OF THOSE ISSUES.
THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER TO
SAFETY CONCERNS.
OR PEOPLE THAT ARE UNHOUSED.
SO LET'S ADDRESS THE ROOT
CAUSES OF POVERTY, CRIME,
HOMELESSNESS, AND MAINTAIN OUR
PARKS.
WE CAN DO BOTH.
AND YEAH.
CALLING FOR A CHANGE.
WE REALLY WANT THE CITY TO TAKE
SOME TIME.
I'M HAPPY TO HAVE ANY
COUNCILMEMBERS.
COME LISTEN TO CONCERNS OVER
THE SPACES IN THE AREA.
PLEASE DON'T SELL THIS OFF TO
THE COUNTY.
THIS IS REALLY LIKE A REALLY
IMPORTANT PARK TO VENDORS WHEN
IT USED TO BE NOT FENCED IN.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, TIFFANY.
OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
THE HONNABLE PATRICK OISHE.
YOU'RE OFF MUTE AND CAN BEGIN
WHEN READY.
>> THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS PATRICK OISHE.
AND I'M THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF
KING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS AS WELL AS COMMITTEE
CHAIR LEWIS FOR CONSIDERING
THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
LEGISLATION.
I'M ADDRESSING THE COMMITTEE
BOTH AS A LONG TIME SEATTLE
RESIDENT.
AS WELL AS THE PRESIDING JUDGE
OF THE LARGEST TRIAL COURT IN
THE STATE.
I'M RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING
THAT THIS COMMITTEE SUPPORT THE
CITY HALL PARKLAND TRANSFER FOR
A NUMBER OF VERY IMPORTANT
REASONS.
FIRST, IT ABSOLUTELY MAKES THE
MOST SENSE THAT CITY HALL PARK
IS PART OF KING COUNTY'S
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS.
AS WE ALL KNOW, THE PARK IS
IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE
KING COUNTY COURTHOUSE WHICH IS
BOTH THE SEAT OF COUNTY
GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS WHERE
KING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT IS
HOUSED.
IN THE PARK, IT'S TRULY THE
FRONT YARD OF KING COUNTY
GOVERNMENT.
SECOND, THE COURTHOUSE AND
SURROUNDING AREA MUST BE SAFE
FOR EVERYONE TO ACCESS.
IN MANY INSTANCES, THOSE WHO
COME TO COURT DO NOT HAVE A
CHOICE BUT TO COME TO COURT
BECAUSE OF THEIR PERSONAL
CIRCUMSTANCES OR BECAUSE
THEY'VE BEEN SUMMONSED OR
SUBPOENAED TO COME TO COURT.
ALL MUSTFEEL SAFE.
WHEN THEY COME TO COURT, OR
JUSTICE WILL BE DENIED.
IN A LAND TRANSFER WITH KING
COUNTY WOULD BE A HUGE STEP FOR
SAFETY IN THE AREA.
AND WOULD ENSURE ACCESS TO
JUSTICE.
I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THE
COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT THE
LEGISLATION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE OISHE.
OUR LAST PUBLIC COMMENTER WHO
IS CURRENTLY PRESENT IS ERIC
SALLINGER.
ERIC, TAKE US AWAY.
>> YEAH, HI.
MY NAME IS ERIC SALLINGER.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN.
AND I'M CALLING ABOUT THE PARK
DEVELOPMENT.
I THINK THERE'S BASICALLY TWO
MAIN ISSUES, THE FIRST ISSUE IS
AS FAR AS I CAN TELL FROM
FOLLOWING WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON
AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, IF WE WERE
TO ENGAGE IF THIS LAND TRANSFER
FROM THE PARK TO THE COUNTY, IT
WOULD LOSE ITS PROTECTED STATUS
AS A PARK.
IT CAN BE REDEVELOPED AS
ANYTHING.
I'M GOING TO GUESS THAT PARK IN
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE IF IT WERE A
BUILDING WOULD BE $50 MILLION.
SO GIVING $50 MILLION TO THE
COUNTY OR MORE SEEMS ABSURD.
HOW MANY INITIATIVES COULD EACH
OF YOU FUND WITH 50 TO $75
MILLION OR POSSIBLY MORE.
THINGS WE NEED.
THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE IMPORTANT
FOR FOLKS DOWNTOWN.
MY SECOND ISSUE WITH THIS IS
THE COUNTY TOLD US THAT THEY
ARE -- THEY TALK ABOUT OH WE'RE
THINKING ABOUT LEAVING SEATTLE.
WELL, THAT'S INTERESTING.
BECAUSE THERE'S A PLAN THAT WAS
SUPPOSED TO COME OUT IN 2021
FOR THEIR CIVIC CENTER.
I FORGET WHAT IT WAS CALLED.
SUPPOSED TO COME OUT IN 2021
AND IT HASN'T.
IF WE'RE GOING TO BE SERIOUS
ABOUT SELLING THIS PARK, WE
SHOULD GET THE VALUE FOR IT.
BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE PARK
IS IT'S IN AN AREA WITH
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC
SERVICE PROVIDERS.
THERE'S NOTHING THERE TO KEEP
THE PARK ACTIVE AFTER 5:00
P.M.
WE HAVE PRIME REALESTATE THAT
CAN BE DEVELOPED INTO MIXED
USE, RESIDENTIAL, LOW INCOME,
MIDDLE INCOME, HIGH INCOME
HOUSING IN A WONDERFUL
NEIGHBORHOOD OF SEATTLE WITH
GREAT TRANSIT ACCESS.
NONE OF THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN
OR RATHER IF THAT DOES HAPPEN,
THAT PARK COULD BE AN AMAZING
SPACE TO ANCHOR THE COMMUNITY
TOGETHER.
UNFORTUNATELY, IF WE GIVE IT TO
THE COUNTY FOR FREE OR FOR SOME
OTHER LAND THAT ISN'T WORTH
THAT KIND OF MONEY, THAT MAY
JUST NOT HAPPEN.
I ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO
REJECT THIS.
I THINK WE WANT THE PARK.
AND I THINK WE WANT THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND I THINK WE SHOULD FOCUS ON
THAT.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, ERIC.
MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO MORE
PRESENT PUBLIC COMMENTERS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR.
CLERK.
AND WE'RE ENDING THE PUBLIC
COMMENT A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF
SCHEDULE.
SO THAT'S GOOD.
THE COMMITTEE IS ALL READY
AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
LET'S WORK TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR ITEMS
OF BUSINESS.
MR. CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE
READ IN THE FIRST ITEM OF
BUSINESS.
>> ITEM ONE, CITY HALL PARK
INTERGOVERNMENTAL LAND TRANSFER
BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CLERK.
WE ARE NOW JOINED BY AN
EXTENSIVE PANEL FOR THIS
PRESENTATION, INCLUDING
SUPERINTENDENT CHRISTOPHER
WILLIAMS FROM SEATTLE PARKS.
SORRY.
CAN EVERYONE THAT'S JOINING GO
OFF -- GO ON TO VIDEO.
OKAY.
IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE IS.
EMERY FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
WELCOME.
JACKIE KEARN.
LISA HOWARD.
REBECCA BEAR.
AND DIRECTOR, YOU'RE FOR THE
NEXT PRESENTATION, CORRECT?
>> YES.
>> OKAY, GOOD, JUST MAKING
SURE.
AND KALIE KNIGHT.
DID I MISS ANYBODY FOR THIS
DISCUSSION?
>> GO OFF MUTE AND SAY SO IF I
DID.
FOR
>> TONY WRIGHT, KING COUNTY
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
COMMISSION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR.
WRIGHT, APPRECIATE THAT.
>> SO I THINK THE WAY I WANT TO
DIVIDE THIS IS WE HAVE TWO
PANELS.
ONE THAT MIGHT BE BEST
DESCRIBED AS A COUNTY PANEL.
ONE THAT MIGHT BE BEST
DESCRIBED AS A PIONEER SQUARE
STAKEHOLDER AND PARKS PANEL.
SO THE WAY I WOULD LIKE TO
PROCEED WITH THIS IS MAYBE TO
HEAR FROM OUR PARTNERS AT KING
COUNTY FIRST AND TO INCLUDE
SOME OF OUR CITY OFFICIALS IN
THAT PANEL AS WELL.
SO SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS, AND
CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER EMERY TO
INCLUDE YOU IN THIS SORT OF
INITIAL PANEL.
BUT OBVIOUSLY I WOULD INVITE
EVERYONE TO STAY AROUND WHEN WE
HEAR FROM THE ALLIANCE.
AMONG OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.
SO WITH THAT, I THINK I'M GOING
TO GO AHEAD AND TURN IT OVER TO
THE COUNTY.
AND INVITE THE COUNTY
PRESENTERS TO INTRODUCE
THEMSELVES.
AND THEN TO PROCEED WITH THEIR
PRESENTATION.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMITTEE
MEMBERS, CHAIR LEWIS, MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC, MY NAME IS KALIE
KNIGHT.
I USE SHE AND HER PRONOUNS AND
I DIRECT THE PROGRAM OUT OF
EXECUTIVE CONSTANTINE'S OFFICE.
AND I HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATION
WITH MANY OF THE STAKEHOLDERS
ON THE LINE ABOUT CITY HALL
PARK AND THE PROPOSED LAND
TRANSFER OF MY COLLEAGUE TONY
WRIGHT, I'LL LET HIM INTRODUCE
HIMSELF AND MAKE SOME BRIEF
COMMENTS.
>> HI.
MR. CHAIR.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.
AND THE PUBLIC.
MY NAME IS TONY WRIGHT.
I USE HE/HIM PRONOUNS.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT DIVISION IN THAT
ROLE.
I BOTH OVERSEE THE MAINTENANCE
OF OUR BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
BUT ALSO AM IN CHARGE OF THE
COUNTY REALESTATE PORTFOLIO.
SO I HAVE TWO KIND OF AREAS
WHERE I TOUCHED THIS PARTICULAR
ISSUE.
>> GREAT.
THANK YOU.
SO I'LL JUST MAKE SOME BRIEF
COMMENTS AND THEN I'M HAPPY TO
TURN IT TO MY COLLEAGUE, TONY,
OR ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT
FOLKS MIGHT HAVE.
BUT AS FAR AS THE PROPOSED LAND
TRANSFER OF CITY HALL PARK
GOES, THE COUNTY IS EXCITED TO
BE ABLE TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF
THE PARK, MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IT
IS GOING TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY
USED
INPERPETUITY AS PUBLIC SPACE.
WE HAVE 6000 EMPLOYEES WHO WORK
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND SOME LIVE IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUTE IN AND
OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD,
PATRONIZE BUSINESSES IN
NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL.
SO WE ARE WORKING
COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS BUT ALSO
OUR EMPLOYEES AS A STAKEHOLDER
AS WELL.
WE'RE EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO
TRANSFER ADDITIONAL OPEN SPACE
TO BE USED BY SEATTLE CITY
RESIDENTS.
AND ARE VERY MUCH LOOKING
FORWARD TO A ROBUST AND
COLLABORATIVE PUBLIC PROCESS
SHOULD THE TRANSFER OCCUR.
AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER
ANY QUESTIONS THAT COMMITTEE
MEMBERS HAVE.
TONY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT
YOU WANTED TO ADD?
I THINK ONLY THE FACT THAT
WE'VE SENT SOME PROPOSED
COVENANTS TO BE ESTABLISHED.
TO BE ENFORCEABLE BY THE CITY.
BECAUSE WE CAN'T AS A COUNTY
COVENANT OURSELVES OVER THE
FUTURE USE OF THIS PARK.
I KNOW THAT'S BEING REVIEWED BY
THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
BUT I WOULD STATE THAT IS AN
IMPORTANT ASPECT BECAUSE ONE OF
THE THINGS WE HEARD LEADING UP
TO THIS AND THROUGHOUT PUBLIC
COMMENT IS THIS BRIEF THAT WE
JUST WANT TO PAVE IT OVER OR
PUT A BUILDING ON IT OR
SOMETHING.
AND THE COVENANTS THAT WE HAVE
PROPOSED THAT WOULD TRAVEL WITH
THE LAND IN PERPETUITY.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO COMMENT.
I'M WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
EVEN THOUGH THE AGREEMENT
DIDN'T HAPPEN WITH THIS
ADMINISTRATION, WE'RE MOVING
FORWARD AND EXCITED TO HEAR
THAT KING COUNTY IS HONORING
THE OPEN SPACE.
AND TREE CANOPY ARE IMPORTANT.
WHICH ARE ESPECIALLY FOR THE
DOWNTOWN AREA WHERE WE HAVE
LIMITED OPEN SPACE AND GREEN
SPACE.
SO WE ARE HERE TO ENCOURAGE TO
WORK WITH US.
CONTINUE TO WORK WITH US IN
ADVANCING THOSE PRIORITIES.
AND WE'RE ALSO HERE TO SUPPORT
THE LAND TRANSITION AND THE
REQUIREMENT THAT'S NEEDED.
>> HI.
THIS IS --
>> GO AHEAD, SUPERINTENDENT.
THANK YOU.
I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK IF YOU
WANTED TO MAKE SOME REMARKS.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT A
FEW COMMENTS MADE BY DONALD
HARRIS, THE FORMER SEATTLE PARK
AND RECREATION PROPERTY
MANAGER.
YOU KNOW, THE SPIRIT AND INTENT
OF INITIATIVE 42 WAS DESIGNED
TO PROTECT PUBLIC OPEN SPACE IN
PERPETUITY.
WE WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN
KNOWING MORE ABOUT COVENANTS
THAT ALLOW SORT OF THE KEEPING
OF THE, YOU KNOW, THE SPACE AS
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE.
AND PARKLAND.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO CALL OUT
IS PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC,
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW FUNDED
THE -- OR FOUND FUNDING FOR THE
PUBLIC LIFE STUDY FOR CITY HALL
PARK, THAT RESULTED IN A WHOLE
RANGE OF ACTIVATION USES.
YOU KNOW, AND PRE-PANDEMIC.
THAT PARK PROBABLY SAW ITS BEST
LIFE.
YOU KNOW, IN PROBABLY 50 YEARS.
AND I THINK THAT'S AN EXAMPLE
OF THE KIND OF ACTIVATION
STRATEGY AND THE KIND OF PUBLIC
USES THAT THIS PARK COULD
RETURN TO.
REGARDLESS OF WHOSE OWNERSHIP
IT ULTIMATELY RESULTS IN BEING
IN.
BUT I THINK THE IDEA THAT IT
HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY
PROGRAMMED AND USED AS PUBLIC
OPEN SPACE IS REALLY AN
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION MOVING
FORWARD.
THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY AND TO
SOME OF OUR EXECUTIVE SIDE
PARTNERS FOR THAT PRESENTATION
AND THOSE COMMENTS.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS
FOR THIS GROUP.
HERE BEFORE WE HEAR FROM SOME
OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE AN
INTEREST IN THIS CONVERSATION.
AND I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHO
WOULD BE BEST TO ANSWER THESE.
SO WE'LL JUST SORT OF DO A
RAISES OF HAND AS I KIND OF GO
THROUGH.
IF SOMEONE HAS SOMETHING TO
ADD.
IN TERMS OF THIS COMMITTEE.
GETTING A SENSE FOR CONTOURS OF
POSSIBLY REACHING AN AGREEMENT.
BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY
ON THIS.
WITH AN EYE TOWARD THE COUNTY
SEEKING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL
FOR SOME KIND OF POTENTIAL.
BUT I GUESS AS A PRELIMINARY
MATTER.
MAYBE JUST ASKING FOR
CLARIFICATION FROM CEO EMERY,
IS IT THE HERALD
ADMINISTRATION'S POSITION THAT
THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE
TRANSFER GO THROUGH?
BECAUSE I DON'T FOE IF THAT HAD
WITHIN MADE CLEAR TO ME BEFORE
TODAY'S HEARING.
SO JUST AS A THRESHOLD MATTER.
I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THAT.
>> WE FEEL LIKE THE AGREEMENT
AND PROCESS HAS GONE TOO FAR
FOR US TO PIVOT AT THIS POINT.
SO WE WILL HONOR THE AGREEMENTS
THAT ARE SET.
THAT WERE ESTABLISHED AND MOVE
FORWARD.
BUT ALSO AGAIN, TO, CHRISTOPHER
WILLIAMS' POINT, PRESERVING --
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO PRESERVE
THAT OPEN SPACE AND GREEN SPACE
AS WE TRANSITION THIS LAND
SWAP.
>> OKAY.
I MEAN I GUESS -- I MEAN, JUST
AS A THRESHOLD MATTER THOUGH,
ANY AGREEMENT WOULD HAVE TO
HAVE THE COUNCIL'S CONCURRENCE.
SO I MEAN WE'RE STILL KIND OF
AT THE BEGINNING OF A FAIRLY
LONG PROCESS.
SO BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE
HERALD ADMINISTRATION WOULD
LIKE TO SEE THE TRANSFER GO
FORWARD AND IT SOUNDS LIKE
THAT'S THE ADMINISTRATION'S
POSITION.
SO THAT IS GOOD INFORMATION FOR
THE COMMITTEE TO BE AWARE OF.
I THINK THIS QUESTION WOULD BE
FOR THE COUNTY.
SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT
THERE'S GOING TO BE 12 PARCELS
FROM THE COUNTY OFFERED IN
EXCHANGE FOR THE CITY HALL PARK
PARCEL.
AND I'M CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT THE
COUNTY'S CONSIDERATIONS WERE IN
SELECTING THOSE TWELVE PARCELS
AND MAYBE IF THE PRESENTERS
TODAY ARE -- WELL, FIRST FOR
THE COUNTY PRESENTERS, MAYBE
JUST A BIT OF AN OVERVIEW OF
THOSE TWELVE PARCELS FOR THE
GENERAL PUBLIC AND FOR THE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
AND THEN THE SUPERINTENDENT
WILLIAMS, IF YOU'VE HAD A
CHANCE TO KIND OF REVIEW THOSE
PARCELS A LITTLE.
IT'LL APPROXIMATE INTERESTING
TO HEAR THE PARK DEPARTMENT'S
POSITION ON THOSE PARCELS.
AND WHAT FUTURE ACTIVATION
PLANS FOR THOSE MIGHT BE.
SO WHY DON'T WE START WITH THE
COUNTY PANEL TO KIND OF JUST
GET AN OVERVIEW OF THOSE
PARCELS THAT ARE ON OFFER.
AND NEWS10 THEN I'D LIKE TO
HEAR FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT.
>> LET ME -- I THINK THAT WAS A
MEANINGFUL LOOK FROM KELLY.
THAT SHE WOULD LIKE ME TO
ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
SO [ LAUGHTER ] SO FIRST, I
WOULD JUST -- I THINK IT'S
USEFUL TO UNDERSTAND THE
DISCUSSION OF WHICH PARCELS
WOULD OCCUR WOULD TRANSFER WAS
AN INTERACTIVE PROCESS.
IDENTIFIED THROUGH ELEMENTS OF
THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND THE
EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE
COUNTY.
AND WE WENT BACK AND FORTH WITH
SOME OF THOSE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEEN
STATED BEFORE IS THE INTRINSIC
LAND VALUE THAT MAY BE PRESENT.
UNRESTRICTED.
I UNOCCUR ABSOLUTELY THAT THE
PROPERTY IS WORTH A LOT OF
MONEY.
I CONCUR -- I'M NOT SURE I'D GO
AS HIGH AS 50.
BUT PROBABLY 25 TO $35 MILLION
IN VALUE IF IT'S UNRESTRICTED.
WE'RE NOT PROPOSING TO ACCEPT
THAT PROPERTY UNRESTRICTED.
NOR ARE WE TRANSFERRING ANY OF
THE OPEN SPACE PROPERTIES THAT
ARE PART OF THIS 12 OVER TO THE
CITY WITHOUT ASKING ALSO FOR
THE CITY'S ASSURANCES THAT THEY
WOULD REMAIN OPEN SPACE.
AND I BELIEVE, ALTHOUGH I
DIDN'T SPEAK WITH
SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS
PERSONALLY ON THIS, I BELIEVE
PARKS DEPARTMENT HAD SOME
INTERACTION WITH THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE ON WHICH PARCELS THEY
WERE INTERESTED IN AT THIS
TIME.
I DO NOT HAVE THE SPECIFIC LIST
OF THOSE IN FRONT OF ME.
BUT I CAN PULL THAT UP IN A
SECOND AND PERHAPS MR. CHAIR,
YOU COULD COME BACK TO ME.
AND I CAN GO THROUGH MY LIST.
BECAUSE I REMEMBER THE ONES
THAT ARE -- I REMEMBER THE
SIGNIFICANT ONES.
BUT SOME OF THEM ARE HONESTLY
SMALL PORTIONS OF COUNTY
PROPERTY THAT ARE ADJACENT TO
EXISTING CITY PARKS.
AND THEY ARE JUST SLIGHTLY
ADDITIVE TO THAT PARTICULAR
PARK IN THIS CASE.
SO THEY WILL DO THAT.
I NEED TO PULL THE LIST UP
REALLY QUICK IN ORDER TO WALK
THROUGH IT WITH A DEGREE OF
ACCURACY.
RATHER THAN DEPENDING ON MY
SOMEWHAT DETERIORATED BRAIN
CELLS TO REMEMBER.
>> THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE, WE
CAN GO TO KALIE FOR A MOMENT TO
GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO
THAT.
IT MIGHT BE -- QUITE HONESTLY,
JUST TO JUMP IN TOO A LITTLE.
I WAS HONESTLY KIND OF
EXPECTING MAYBE, YOU KNOW, LIKE
A PRESENTATION FROM THE COUNTY.
OR LIKE A SLIDE DECK THAT MIGHT
INCORPORATE OVERVIEWS OF THOSE
PARCELS.
AND MAYBE THAT MIGHT BE JUST
FLAGGING MAYBE A SUBJECT FOR A
FUTURE HEARING THAT WE MIGHT
HAVE ON THIS.
JUST AS SOMETHING WE MIGHT
CONSIDER.
>> WE COULD ABSOLUTELY DO THAT,
MR. CHAIR.
I THOUGHT I WAS COMING TO
ANSWER QUESTIONS.
BUT WE CAN -- THAT'S PROBABLY
MY MISUNDERSTANDING AND I'LL
ENSURE THAT I CAN COME IN WITH
A PRESENTATION THAT CAN ADDRESS
EACH OF THESE AND HOW THAT
WORKS IN THE FUTURE IF THAT'S
WHAT THE COMMITTEE DESIRES.
YEAH, I MEAN IF THE COUNCIL IS
GOING TO APPROVE SWAPPING AN
ASSET THE SIZE OF CITY HALL
PARK, I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD
FOR US TO GO INTO DETAIL ON THE
TWELVE OTHER PARCELS.
AND WE CAN DO A LITTLE BIT OF
THAT IN THIS MEETING.
BUT THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD KIND
OF WORK PRODUCT REQUEST FOR
NEXT HEARING ON THE TOPIC.
SO JUST FLAGGING THAT.
BUT DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO
ADD TO THAT?
WHILE WE GIVE MR. WRIGHT AN
OPPORTUNITY TO LOAD UP THE LIST
OF TWELVE PARCELS.
>> NO, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO
ADD.
NOT AT THIS TIME, THANKS,
COUNCILMEMBER.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, TRACY,
COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF.
MY MEMO THAT'S ATTACHED TO THE
AGENDA.
SORRY TO INTERRUPT.
BUT THE MEMO ATTACHED TO YOUR
AGENDA.
ATTACHMENT ONE HAS EACH ONE OF
THE PROPERTIES LISTED.
ATTACHMENT TWO SHOWS A MAP OF
WHERE THE PROPERTIES ARE
LOCATED.
WE HAVE PROVIDE THAAD TO THE
COUNCILMEMBERS IN THAT MEMO.
>> GREAT, EXCELLENT.
AND I'M AWARE OF THAT FROM
REVIEWING THE MEMO.
BUT I WANTED TO GIVE THE COUNTY
SORT OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO PITCH
THE PARCELS TO THE COMMITTEE.
DO WE HAVE A SENSE, MAYBE,
TRACY, THIS IS A GOOD QUESTION
FOR YOU, I DON'T KNOW WHERE
THIS IS AT THIS TIME, BUT DO WE
HAVE A SENSE OF THE APPRAISAL
SORT OF VALUE TO VALUE OF THE
PARCELS TO CITY HALL PARK?
WITH THE CAVEAT THAT MR. WRIGHT
ISSUED THAT IT WOULDN'T BE AN
UNRESTRICTED PARCEL, WHICH
WOULD HAVE VALUE IMPLICATIONS
FOR CITY HALL PARK AND THEN
VICE VERSA.
DID WE HAVE A SENSE ON HOW THAT
STACKS UP?
>> SO TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NO
APPRAISALS HAVE BEEN DONE ON
ANY OF THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE
INVOLVED IN THIS TRAPS FOR.
I DID ENQUIER OF MR. WRIGHT IF
THERE WERE ANY APPRAISALS.
AND I DID NOT HEAR BACK.
>> NO FORMAL APPRAISALS.
WE DID NOT DO APPRAISALS ON ANY
OF THIS PROPERTY.
SOME OF WHICH HAVE HAD
ESTIMATIONS OF VALUE IN THEIR
PAST.
AND OTHER ELEMENTS.
BUT IN OUR INITIAL DISCUSSIONS
WITH THE PREVIOUS
ADMINISTRATION, YOU KNOW, WE
SETTLED UPON AN AREA IN
NEGOTIATION.
BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZED RIGHT UP
FRONT THAT THE LOCATION OF THE
PARK, IF IT WAS UNRESTRICTED
PROPERTY WOULD RENDER THAT
COMPLETELY OUTSIDE THE SCALE.
WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE
ALSO HAVE THREE TIMES AS MUCH
PROPERTY BEING CONVEYED IN
TERMS OF AREA.
BUT WE WENT THROUGH IT FOR AN
AREA NEGOTIATION.
NOT A PRICE NEGOTIATION.
WHICH IS WHY TO MY KNOWLEDGE,
NEITHER THE COUNTY NOR THE CITY
CONDUCTED APPRAISALS RELATED TO
THIS TRANSFER.
>> IS IT -- IS THAT A COMMON
ALTERNATIVE METRIC?
TO DO AN AREA RATIO RATHER THAN
A VALUE RATIO?
AND MAYBE SUPERINTENDENT
WILLIAMS HAS A CLARIFICATION ON
THAT?
>> SO WE WOULD ABSOLUTELY AT
SOME POINT, AS WE GET FURTHER
INTO THIS.
WE WANT TO DO A DOLLAR VALUE
FOR VALUE APPRAISAL.
MY GUT CHECK IS WE JUST HAVEN'T
GOTTEN TO THAT POINT IN THE
PROCESS YET.
ALSO, ON SOME OF THE QUESTIONS
YOU ASKED EARLIER ABOUT THE
LAND VALUE -- OR RATHER ABOUT
PARCELS, THERE'S A PARCEL IN
SOUTH PARK THAT IS ADJACENT TO
A PROPERTY -- RATHER A PARCELED
PROPERTY WE ALL READY OWN THAT
WE'RE WORKING WITH THE
COMMUNITY TO TRY TO DEVELOP.
WE BELIEVE THAT THAT HAS SOME
VALUE TO THE EXISTING PROJECT.
IT'S CONTIGUOUS WITH THE SOUTH
PARK PLAZA PROJECT WE'VE BEEN
WORKING ON NOW FOR FOUR OR FIVE
YEARS.
THE OTHER PARCEL THAT HAS SOME
UTILITY VALUE IS THE PARCEL
ADJACENT TO YESLER COMMUNITY
CENTER.
OF COURSE WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY
CENTER THERE.
YOU HAVE AN ATHLETIC FIELD
THERE.
WE LOOK FOR AJAYI SEN
ADJACENCIES.
VERSES PLACES THAT CREATE EXTRA
WORK FOR MAINTENANCE STAFF AND
ARE NOT CONNECTED TO EXISTING
PARCELS OF LAND.
SO THAT'S A LITTLE BACKGROUND
ON WHAT'S IN THE INVENTORY.
THOSE ARE THE TWO BIGGEST
PIECES THAT STAND OUT.
>> SO I NOTICE MY COLLEAGUE
HAVES A COUPLE QUESTIONS, ARE
THEY RELATED?
ARE THEY QUESTIONS RELATED TO
THE COUNTY PARCELS ? OR ARE
THEY RELATED TO A DIFFERENT
TOPIC I'M LOOKING AT
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES AND
MOSQUEDA HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> YES AND IS WHAT I'LL SAY
HERE.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO STICK TO THIS
ONE FOR NOW.
SO I REALLY AM INTERESTED IN
THIS QUESTION OF DIFFERENT
METRICS FOR APPRAISAL.
BECAUSE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE
IDEA IS NOT TO MAYBE A SWAP FOR
THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPMENT AND
ALL THAT MIGHT MEAN IN TERMS OF
VALUE.
BUT STILL, IN TERMS OF UTILITY,
YOU KNOW, WHICH ALSO HAS VALUE.
SO MANY OF THESE ARE REALLY
SMALL, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A
COUPLE THAT ARE LESS THAN 300
SQUARE FEET.
SOME -- SEVERAL OF THEM ARE
MUCH BIGGER THAN THAT.
BUT I'M JUST THINKING IN TERMS
OF ADDED VALUE TO CITY USERS
AND, YOU KNOW, NOT SURE WHAT
THE CITY'S GAIN WOULD BE IN
TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO USE
THESE PARCELS.
I THINK MY QUESTION MIGHT BE
FOR I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE THIS IS
A QUESTION FOR LISH.
BUT I AM INTERESTED IN
UNDERSTANDING TO MISS EMERY'S
POINT ABOUT THE AGREEMENT
HAVING GONE TOO FAR TO CHANGE
COURSE.
UNDERSTANDING BETTER WHERE
EXACTLY WE ARE IN THE TIMELINE
OF THIS PROCESS.
BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND WE HAVEN'T
EVEN BEGUN SEPA AND THERE'S
STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
AND NO DECISIONS CAN BE MADE
UNTIL THAT PROCESS IS THROUGH.
SO I FEEL LIKE WE'VE GOT PLENTY
OF OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH THE
BALANCE OF WHETHER THIS IS
ACTUALLY GOOD FOR THE CITY OR
NOT.
OKAY I'LL ANSWER.
[ LAUGHTER ] COUNCILMEMBER, YOU
HAVE FROM THE COUNCIL'S
PERSPECTIVE, THERE'S TO DEAL
HERE UNTIL YOU ADOPT
LEGISLATION THAT AUTHORIZES THE
DEAL.
FROM THE COUNCIL'S PERSPECTIVE.
WE'VE NOT EVEN TAKEN UP THE
LEGISLATION.
THIS IS YOUR FIRST CONVERSATION
PUBLICLY ABOUT THE LEGISLATION.
SO FROM THE COUNCIL'S
PERSPECTIVE, WE'VE GOT SOME
TIME.
I WOULDN'T WANT TO EVEN BEGIN
TO SPEAK FOR THE EXECUTIVE ON
THIS.
SO YOU KNOW, THEIR NEW
ADMINISTRATION, AND I'LL LET
THEM SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES IN
TERMS OF THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON
THIS.
>> THANK YOU, TRACY.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, DO YOU
HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS.
OR DID THAT ANSWER ALL YOUR
QUESTIONS?
>> I APPRECIATE HAVING, FOR THE
RECORD, WHERE EXACTLY WE ARE IN
THE TIMELINE OF THIS PROCESS.
AND REALLY JUST WANTED TO MAKE
A COMMENT THAT PART OF MY
CONCERN IS LOOKING AT THE
COMPARE ABILITY AND THE VALUE
OF WHAT'S BEING OFFERED IN
EXCHANGE FOR THIS VERY NICE
CITY OWNED PIECE OF LAND THAT
COULD SERVE AS AN IMPORTANT
PARK DOWNTOWN.
>> OKAY.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND --
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, YOU HAD
A QUESTION RELATED TO THE
PARCELS TOO.
>> YEAH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
MR. CHAIR.
AND AGAIN THANKS TO THE CENTRAL
STAFF FOR THE MEMO.
I'M LOOKING AT PAGE FOUR OF THE
MEMO.
AND IT SAYS FOR CITY HALL PARK,
THE COUNTY COMMITS THAT THE
CITY HALL PARK WILL CONTINUE TO
BE USED FOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE,
A PARK, A RECREATION AND
COMMUNITY FACILITY.
THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING
COUNTY FACILITY OR PUBLIC
BENEFIT PURPOSE PROVIDED THAT
ANY SUCH PURPOSE SHALL BE USED
BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND
PRIMARILY NONCOMMERCIAL IN
NATURE.
AND THE OPEN COMMENTS THAT WERE
MADE BY KELLY AND PERHAPS
OTHERS WAS THE INTENT TO HAVE
THIS REMAIN A PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
IN PERPETUITY.
SO I APPRECIATE THAT COMMENT
HERE, AND ALSO THE
CLARIFICATION THAT
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES THOUGHT
ABOUT WHERE WE'RE AT IN THE
PROCESS.
GIVEN THAT THE INTENT FROM THE
OPT IS TO HAVE AN OPEN PUBLIC
SPACE IN PERPETUITY.
AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF
FOLKS WHO CALLED IN.
DESIRING OPEN SPACE IN
PERPETUITY AS WELL.
WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE TO
CODIFY THAT?
IS THAT SOMETHING THE COUNCIL
MODIFIES IN THE COVENANT ON
CITY HALL PARK IS.
THAT SOMETHING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL NEEDS TO DO TO CODIFY
IN CITY STATUTE SOMEWHERE?
CAN YOU TELL ME IF THAT'S THE
INTENT AND THE FUTURE USE IF
THE COUNTY WERE TO ACQUIRE THIS
PROPERTY.
AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A
SHARED DESIRE FOR OPEN PUBLIC
SPACE IN PERPETUITY.
WHERE DOES THAT GET CODIFIED IN
BOTH JURISDICTIONS ?
>> FROM THE COUNCIL'S
PERSPECTIVE.
IT WOULD BE IN THIS
INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSFER
AGREEMENT ATTACHED TO THE
ORDINANCE.
I BELIEVE THERE IS SOME
LANGUAGE BEING CIRCULATED BY
THE COUNTY THAT WOULD MODIFY
EVEN WHAT'S BEEN SHOWN IN THE
MEMO.
LATE BREAKING INFORMATION.
I'LL HAVE THEM SPEAK TO THAT.
BUT IT WOULD, FOR CERTAIN WE
WOULD MODIFY THE LANGUAGE IN
THE COVENANT IN THE
INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSFER.
WHICH IS AN ATTACHMENT TO THE
ORDINANCE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL
ADOPT.
>> THANK YOU, AND ANYBODY FROM
THE COUNTY?
ABOUT WHERE THAT WILL BE
HOUSED?
>> I'LL TAKE A STAB AT THAT.
THE PROCESS THAT I WOULD
UNDERSTAND IS THAT, IF
MODIFICATIONS WERE MADE BY THE
CITY COUNCIL TO THE AGREEMENT
THAT CAUSED THE AGREEMENT TO BE
SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM
WHAT IT CURRENTLY IS.
AND SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT IS
ONE OF THOSE NICE TERMS THAT
ISN'T CLEARLY DEFINED.
THEN I WOULD NEED TO TRANSMIT
THAT AGREEMENT BACK TO THE
COUNCIL COUNCIL TO AGREE ON IT.
IF IT'S CLOSED UNDER OUR CODE
THE CITY COULD MAKE SOME
ADJUSTMENTS.
WE BELIEVE THE ADJUSTMENTS WE
PROPOSED IN THE COVENANT
LANGUAGE WOULD BE CONSISTENT
WITH THE AUTHORITY WHERE IT
WOULD NOT NEED TO GO BACK TO
THE COUNTY COUNCIL.
BUT THAT'S SORT OF HOW THE
PROCESS GOES BACK AND FORTH.
BOTH COUNCILS WOULD NEED TO
AGREE ON IT OR HAVE IT CLOSE
ENOUGH THAT ESSENTIALLY A
RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE COULD
SAY YEAH, WE'RE HERE.
AND THEN WE HAVE BINDING
DOCUMENTS THAT WOULD, IN A
REALESTATE PERSPECTIVE,
MEMORIALIZE THE ASPECTS AND THE
DECISIONS OF THE TWO
LEGISLATIVE BODIES, TRACY,
HOW'D I DO?
>> VERY WELL, TONY.
[ LAUGHTER ].
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, YOU
HAVE A QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SO AS IT RELATES TO THIS NOTION
OF CREATING A COVENANT THAT
WOULD MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY IN
PERPETUITY AS PARKS AND OPEN
SPACE, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT
GIVEN THAT WE HAVEN'T BEGUN THE
SIPA PROCESS YET.
AND I WANT TO THANK CENTRAL
STAFF FOR THEIR WORK ON
IDENTIFYING THIS AS A TRANSFER
THAT WOULD BE TRIGGERED.
THAT SEPA WOULD BE TRIGGERED
FOR AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.
THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION HAD
BEEN ARGUING SEPA WASN'T
TRIGGERED.
SO I REALLY APPRECIATE SETTING
US ON THE RIGHT PATH THERE.
BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT DOING
SEPA REVIEW ON A PIECE OF
PROPERTY WHERE WE HAVE A
LEGALLY BINDING COMMITMENT TO
MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY AS OPEN
SPACE IN PERPETUITY THAT THAT
SEPA PROCESS WOULD HAVE A
PARTICULAR OUTCOME THAT WOULD
DIFFER SIGG NIGH APTLY FROM A
SEPA PROCESS ON A PROPERTY
TRANSFER THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY
SUCH PROMISES.
SO I'M JUST WONDERING IF, YOU
KNOW, GIVEN THAT WE HAVEN'T
BEGUN THE SEPA PROCESS YET.
WOULDN'T IT MAKE SENSE TO GET
THOSE COMMITMENTS CONFIRMED
BEFORE BEGINNING SEPA.
BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IF WE
DON'T, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE,
WE'RE POTENTIALLY GOING TO HAVE
LOTS OF THINGS THAT THE SEPA
PROCESS TELLS US THAT WE NEED
TO BE DOING.
SO JUST PUTTING THAT OUT THERE.
I WANTED TO MENTION, ONE, I
REALLY APPRECIATE
SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS'
STATEMENT EARLY ON.
QUOTING FORMER OPEN SPACE
DIRECTOR, DON HARRIS, ABOUT THE
SPIRIT OF THE I-4 2. AND EVEN
THOUGH THIS LEGISLATION EXEMPTS
THIS TRANSACTION FROM I-4 2, I
THINK WE REALLY NEED TO GET
THIS HANDLED AS A MATTER OF
POLICY BEFORE MOVING FORWARD.
WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT -- EVEN
IF WE'RE EXEMPTING THIS FROM I
42.
WHICH PART OF I 42.
WE WANT TO ADHERE TO THE SPIRIT
OF.
BECAUSE AGAIN, I 42 REQUIRES
THAT THE LAND BE OF EQUAL OR
BETTER SIZE, VALUE, LOCATION OR
USEFULNESS IN THE SAME
VICINITY, SERVING THE SAME
COMMUNITY AND THE SAME PARK'S
PURPOSES.
THAT'S CLEARLY NOT SOMETHING
WE'RE MEETING NOW.
AND I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT
TO GET A SENSE FROM THE COUNCIL
ON THE FRONT END WHAT PARTS OF
I 42 I 42 WE THINK ARE STILL
REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.
AND LASTLY, I WANT TO JUST --
THIS IS ALSO JUST FLAGGING A
POINT THAT SUPERINTENDENT
WILLIAMS MADE.
BUT I DO HAVE A QUESTION.
AS IT RELATES TO COUNCILMEMBER
BAGSHAW'S WORK TO GET FUNDING
FOR THE DESIGN OF THE PARK, I
BELIEVE TO -- AND AGAIN, TELL
ME IF I'M WRONG, I THOUGHT
THOSE DOLLARS HAD NOT YET BEEN
EXPENDED AND THAT THERE'S
ABOUT, I DON'T KNOW, SOMETHING
LIKE $400,000 TO -- AND AN
ESTIMATE OF ABOUT $2 MILLION TO
DO.
SO THE SAME SORT OF AMAZING
WORK THAT WAS DONE DOWN IN
OCCIDENTAL.
TO REALLY LOOK AT WAYS TO
PROGRAM THE PARK, MAKE SOME
SPACE CONFIGURATIONS ALONG WITH
SDOT TO MAKE SOME OF THE ENTRY
WAYS WORK BETTER FOR
PEDESTRIANS AND CARS.
CAN YOU JUST TALK -- AND I MEAN
THAT'S WORK THAT I THINK HAS
BEEN STARTED.
I WOULD HATE TO JUST THROW THAT
OUT.
SO I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU
COULD JUST GIVE A LITTLE BIT
MORE DETAIL ON THAT.
>> SURE.
SO AS YOU RECALL, COUNCILMEMBER
BAGSHAW ONE OF HER PET PROJECTS
BEFORE SHE LEFT WAS PILOTING
SORT OF THE TRANSFORMATION OF
CITY HALL PARK.
IT RESULTED IN AN INITIAL
900,000-DOLLAR ALLOCATION.
WE USED A GREAT PORTION OF THAT
TO FUND A PUBLIC LIFE STUDY
THAT LOOKED AT USES.
LOOKED AT COMMUNITIES.
LOOKED AT FUTURE USES AND
STAKEHOLDERS.
WE FUNDED A LOT OF ACTIVATION
PREPANDEMIC THAT SEEMED TO BE
SUCCESSFUL AT THE TIME.
ABOUT $400,000 WAS SET ASIDE
FOR REDESIGN AND REDEVELOPMENT
OF THAT PARK.
AND YOU KNOW, IT INCLUDED IDEAS
LIKE MAYBE FENCING SOME OF IT.
WITH ORNAMENTAL FENCING.
MAYBE CREATING AN ORNAMENTAL
GARDEN.
YOU KNOW, KIND OF ROBUST
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORK
AROUND, YOU KNOW, WHAT THIS
PARK LACKS IS SORT OF THE SAME,
YOU KNOW, KIND OF NEIGHBORHOOD
THAT YOU'D FIND ADJACENT TO
LINCOLN PARK FOR EXAMPLE,
RIGHT.
AND THEN JUST THINKING ABOUT
WAYS TO SORT OF GET THE
COMMUNITY MORE ENGAGED IN THIS
PARK.
SO IT REALLY KIND OF TALKED
ABOUT DESIGN.
AND THEN WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO
SUSTAIN A REDESIGN OF CITY HALL
PARK ONCE ANY DESIGN WAS BUILT.
WHAT SORT OF COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT WOULD NEED TO BE
ONGOING TO SUSTAIN POSITIVE
USES.
>> THANK YOU.
IT REALLY SEEMS LIKE WE SHOULD
BE LOOKING AT HOW TO IMPLEMENT
THAT.
THOSE -- THAT NEXT PHASE.
SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT AS
WELL?
>> I JUST WANT TO CORRECT MY
STATEMENT EARLY ON.
WHEN I SAID LIKE THE
ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS THE
LAND SWAP.
NOT BECAUSE OF THE PROCESS HAVE
GONE DOWN FURTHER, BUT WE DO
SUPPORT IT.
AS IT IS.
AND BECAUSE KING COUNTY IS
HONORING THE FACT THAT TO KEEP
THE OPEN SPACE AND SO FORTH.
SO I'M SURE, I JUST WANT TO
KIND OF CORRECT MY STATEMENT
THAT WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF THIS
LAND SWAP.
>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THE
CLARIFICATION.
I HAVE A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS
AND THEN MAYBE A COUPLE OF
ACTION ITEMS FOR THE NEXT
HEARING THAT WE HAVE ON THIS --
ON THIS CONCEPT.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE WAY
THAT THIS IS CURRENTLY
ENVISIONED, THERE WOULD ALSO
HAVE TO BE SOME CITY STREET
VACATIONS.
AND I JUST WANT TO ASK MAYBE
CENTRAL STAFF AS A PRELIMINARY
MEASURE TO WALK THE COMMITTEE
THROUGH WHAT THE REQUESTED
STREET VACATIONS ARE.
AND WHAT THAT PROCESS WOULD
ENTAIL AS ONE OF THE OTHER KIND
OF X FACTORS IN TERMS OF
TIMELINES AND DESIGNING THE
WORK HERE OF WHAT WE NEED TO
CONSIDER.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET
THAT ON THE TABLE IN THIS
INITIAL HEARING.
AND I'LL START WITH CENTRAL
STAFF.
AND THEN I'D LIKE TO HEAR
RESPONSES FROM OTHER PANEL
MEMBERS IF THERE'S SOME
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT FOR THAT.
SO WHY DON'T WE START?
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S BEST
WITH LISH OR TRACY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, LISHWIZC.
UNDER STATE LAW THE COUNCIL HAS
SOLE AUTHORITY TO VACATE CITY
RIGHTS OF WAY.
THE PROCESS INCLUDES FILING A
PETITION WITH THE CITY COUNCIL,
A REVIEW OF A -- THE IMPACTS OF
THE POTENTIAL VACATION,
INCLUDING IMPACTS ON LIGHT AIR,
OPEN SPACE, CIRCULATION, PUBLIC
ACCESS, SPACE FOR UTILITIES.
AND INCLUDES A REQUIRED PUBLIC
HEARING AND A COMMITMENT FOR
PUBLIC BENEFIT FEATURES.
NOT RELATED TO THE SORT OF
FUNCTIONS OF EITHER THE PARK OR
COUNTY FACILITIES, BUT RATHER
PUBLIC BENEFIT FEATURES IN
ADDITION TO THE PUBLIC'S
BENEFIT FOR THE PARKS USE.
THE VACATION TYPICALLY WILL
INVOLVE A PAID TO THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FOR ANALYZING AND PROCESSING
THE VACATION.
AS WELL AS AT THE END OF THE
VACATION PROCESS, PAYMENT OF
THE APPRAISED VALUE OF THE
RIGHT OF WAY THAT IS BEING
TRANSFERRED TO THE PETITIONER
IF THE VACATION IS APPROVED.
UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION
AND AGREEMENT, THE CITY WOULD
COVER ALL OF THOSE COSTS RATHER
THAN THE COUNTY COVERING THEM.
AND THAT'S YOUR THREE SECOND
SUMMARY OF THE PROCESS.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER
QUESTIONS.
>> CAN WE GET A SENSE OF WHAT
THE TIMELINE WOULD BE TO GO
THROUGH ALL OF THAT?
>> IT TYPICALLY TAKES AT LEAST
A YEAR.
>> OH, OKAY, SO JUST THE STREET
VACATION ELEMENT OF THIS COULD
-- WOULD TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR.
>> IT WOULD EXTEND PASSED
COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THIS
PROPERTY TRANSFER MOST LIKELY.
>> OKAY.
SO THE SEQUENCING WOULD BE WE
WOULD DO THE TRANSFER AND THEN
THERE WOULD SUBSEQUENTLY BE
ACTION AROUND THE STREET
VACATIONS.
SO THEY WOULD BE SEVERED OUT.
OKAY.
ALL RIGHT.
THE LEGISLATION RECOGNIZES THE
STREET VACATION IS A SEPARATE
PROCESS AND DOES NOT COMMIT THE
COUNCIL TO VACATING THOSE
RIGHTS OF WAY.
>> APPRECIATE THAT
CLARIFICATION.
DO WE KNOW ABOUT HOW MUCH
FISCAL IMPACT COVERING THE
STREET VACATIONS WOULD BE?
>> WELL, WE DON'T HAVE AN
APPRAISAL.
FOR ANY OF THE PROPERTY.
AND MY BACK OF THE ENVELOPE
ESTIMATE IS THAT THE RIGHT OF
WAY IS AS MUCH OR GREATER
SQUARE FOOTAGE AS THE PARK
SPACE THAT IS PROPOSED TO BE
TRANSFER.
SO YOU'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT
SIMILAR APPRAISED VALUE FOR THE
RIGHT OF WAY AS FOR THE PARKS.
>> BUT I GUESS I WAS ALSO
REFERRING TO THE PROCESSING
FEES.
>> THAT'S $10,000.
>> TOTAL?
>> YEAH.
>> SO THAT'S -- IT'S NOT A
TERRIBLY SIGNIFICANT IN THE
SCHEME OF OUR BUDGET.
OKAY, GREAT.
ALL RIGHT.
BUT THE VALUE OF THE RIGHT OF
WAY WOULD BE SIGG IF
SIGNIFICANT.
I JUST WANTED TO GET
CLARIFICATION ON THAT PROCESS.
AS WELL.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS I
GUESS ON THAT STREET VACATION
COMPONENT NOW THAT WE'VE GOTTEN
CENTRAL STAFF CLARIFICATION?
MR. WRIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
ONE THING I WOULD STATE IS THAT
THE COUNTY IS VERY MUCH WILLING
TO PAY THE PROCESSING FEES AND
OTHER THINGS.
IT GOT KIND OF WRAPPED INTO THE
MUCH LARGER NUMBER OF WHAT THE
CITY TYPICALLY CHARGES FOR
STREET VACATIONS.
WHICH AS THE COUNTY REALESTATE,
I HAVE PAID FOR OTHER THINGS
LIKE HARBOR VIEW AND SUCH.
WE WANTED TO AVOID THAT
PARTICULAR ADDITIONAL COST.
I GUESS THE WAY I WOULD SEE IT
IS IT WOULD BE LOST POTENTIAL
REVENUE TO THE CITY.
AS OPPOSED TO AN ACTUAL
EXPENSE.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU FOR THAT
CLARIFICATION.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, YOU
HAVE A FOLLOW UP ON THAT?
>> I'M SO SORRY.
I MIGHT HAVE MISSED THIS.
REGARDING THE STREET VACATION.
APOLOGIES IF YOU'VE JUST
COMMENTED ON THIS.
IS THERE ANY IMPACT OF THE
STREET VACATION AS NOTED ON
PAGE FIVE AS WELL REGARDING THE
FOURTH AVENUE BIKE LANE?
ANY IMPACT THAT STREET VACATION
WOULD HAVE THERE.
AND APOLOGIES IF YOU ALL READY
COMMENTED ON THAT.
>> IT MOST LIKELY IT WOULD NOT.
THE STREET RIGHT OF WAY THAT
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADJACENT TO
AND SORT OF WITHIN THE PARK
AREA OR BETWEEN THE PARK AND
THE KING COUNTY COURTHOUSE
BUILDING.
BUT THOSE SORTS OF IMPACTS ARE
WHAT WOULD BE ANALYZED THROUGH
THIS PROCESS.
>> LISH, CAN I ALSO JUST ASK AS
ONE OF MY LAST QUESTIONS, THIS
IS SORT OF A PIVOT.
BUT WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT SEPA.
AND COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD HAD
GOOD QUESTIONS AROUND
SEQUENCING OF DOING THE SEPA
WORK.
BUT I GUESS MY QUESTION WOULD
BE FOR ALL PARTIES CONCERNED
HERE, WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE A
TRANSFER CUED UP.
WHEN IS THE SOONEST THAT
COUNCIL COULD APPROVE A
TRANSFER BASED ON THE SEPA
WORK?
>> SO THERE IS A 21 DAY APPEAL
PERIOD AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF
A SEPA DETERMINATION.
IF IT'S A DETERMINATION OF LAND
SIGNIFICANCE.
AND THE COUNCIL SHOULD NOT ACT
BEFORE THAT PERIOD ENDS UP.
IF THERE'S AN APPEAL, THEN IT'S
A FAIRLY LENGTHY PROCESS.
THAT COULD RESULT IN
REQUIREMENTS FOR AN
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.
>> ASSUMING NO APPEAL, WHEN'S
THE SOONEST WE COULD
POTENTIALLY VOTE ON THE
TRANSFER.
>> PROBABLY A MONTH OR SO AFTER
THE PUBLICATION OF THE SEPA
DOCUMENTS.
>> BUT I GUESS MY QUESTION IS
HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO
COMPLETE THE SEPA DOCUMENTS AND
PUBLISH THEM?
>> MAYBE MR. WILLIAMS?
>> SO WE HAVE COMPLETED THE
CHECKLIST.
AND ASSUMING, THERE'S A
DETERMINATION OF
NONSIGNIFICANCE ISSUED FOR THE
TRANSFER, THERE'S A TWO-WEEK
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
AND A THREE-WEEK APPEAL PERIOD.
AND THESE PERIODS RUN
CONCURRENTLY.
SO FROM TODAY, ASSUMING THAT WE
-- ASSUMING WE RECEIVE THE
CHECKLIST, WE'RE ABOUT FIVE
WEEKS OUT ASSUMING NO APPEALS
TO A DETERMINATION OF
NONSIGNIFICANT.
AND I THINK AS WAS MENTIONED
RLIER, IF THERE IS AN APPEAL,
THAT COULD PUSH US INTO AN
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT,
WHICH IS A MUCH LONGER PROCESS.
>> OKAY, SO ASSUMING NO APPEAL,
THE SOONEST WOULD BE FIVE WEEKS
FROM TODAY.
>> YES.
>> OKAY, THAT'S ALL I WAS
LOOKING FOR.
THE INITIAL HEARING, WE'RE JUST
TRYING TO GET ALL FACTS OUT
THERE IN TERMS OF POTENTIAL
TIMELINE.
AND THE POTENTIAL WORK THAT
NEEDS TO BE DONE.
SO IT DOES SOUND LIKE SOME OF
THE OTHER THINGS I WAS HEARING
FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT WE
WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS APPRAISALS
OF THE RELEVANT PROPERTIES.
AND POTENTIALLY GETTING A
SUBSEQUENT PRESENTATION EITHER
FROM CENTRAL STAFF OR KING
COUNTY.
DIVING A LITTLE BIT INTO THOSE
PARCELS.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD RAISED
GOOD POINTS REGARDING THOSE
PARCELS THAT ANY ACTION HERE
WOULD PROBABLY REQUIRE A
COUNCIL WAIVER OF INITIATIVE
42.
AND I DON'T KNOW,
SUPERINTENDENT, IF YOU CAN
MAYBE SPEAK TO THAT A LITTLE
BIT.
BUT IT'S WITHIN THE POWER OF
THE COUNCIL TO WAVE INITIATIVE
42.
IF THEY FELT IT WERE WARRANTED.
>> THE ORDINANCE DOES THAT,
COUNCILMEMBER.
THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE DOES
WAVE THE PROVISIONS OF I-4 2.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE
WE GOT THAT ON THE RECORD.
SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS.
>> YEAH, I WAS GOING TO ECHO
WHAT TRACY SAID.
I THINK YOU HAVE TO ALSO HOLD A
PUBLIC HEARING.
AND PUBLIC HAS TO BE ALLOWED TO
PROVIDE TESTIMONY.
AND THAT IS BASICALLY THE
PROCESS.
>> OKAY.
THANK YOU.
BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
PANEL, WELL, THERE'S SOME
QUESTIONS.
SO WHY DON'T WE GO TO
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, AND THEN
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> THANK YOU.
I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE MY
REQUEST.
IN LIGHT OF THESE LAST FEW
QUESTIONS.
CHAIR LEWIS, IF WE CAN SEE A
TIMELINE OF ALL OF THESE
PROCESSES KIND OF STACKED ON
TOP OF EACH OTHER TO GET A
BETTER SENSE OF WHEN'S THE
STREET VACATION?
WHEN'S THE REVIEW.
WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPEAL JUST
SO WE HAVE A REAL SENSE OF WHAT
THE WORK WILL BE WITH THIS
PROJECT.
THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, TOTALLY CONCUR IN
THAT REQUEST.
I DON'T KNOW.
CENTRAL STAFF, WOULD YOU BE
ABLE TO PREPARE SOMETHING LIKE
THAT FOR US?
OKAY.
GREAT.
THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CURRENTLY, WHILE THE CITY HALL
PARK IS IN CITY HANDS, I
BELIEVE IT'S STILL FENCED OFF
ALONG WITH FOURTH AVENUE WHICH
I JUST SAW LAST WEEK IF IT
HASN'T BEEN REMOVED IN TERMS OF
THE FENCING.
I JUST WANTED TO RAISE MY
CONCERNS ABOUT CITY HALL PARKS
BEING FENCED OFF STILL.
THERE'S CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY
AND THE ABILITY FOR FOLKS TO
USE THE PARK AS IT STANDS, SO I
WANTED TO FLAG THAT.
AND ALSO FOR THE COUNTY
PARTNERS, I ASSUME THAT WHEN IT
GETS OVER TO THE KOWNLT, IF IT
GETS OVER TO COUNTY CONTROL,
THE INTENT WOULD BE TO NOT HAVE
IT BE FENCED OFF.
AND I KNOW THERE'S MENTION OF
ACTIVATION AND OPEN PUBLIC
SPACE.
THAT INCLUDES NOT HAVING A
FENCE.
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
ANY RESOURCES NEEDED FOR
KEEPING IT AN OPEN PUBLIC
SPACE.
AND WHAT ACTIVATION MIGHT
ENTAIL IN TERMS OF RESOURCES OR
OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT AND FOR EVERYONE IN
THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE
THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT AS
WELL, YOU KNOW, FOR FOLKS WHO
NEED RESOURCES AND SERVICES
THAT WE'RE ABLE TO CONNECT
PEOPLE THERE.
LOOKING FOR ANY ANSWER YOU
MIGHT HAVE ABOUT IF THE CITY IS
NEEDED FOR OUR ONGOING
RESOURCES FOR ACTIVATION OR IF
YOU HAVE OTHER THOUGHTS ABOUT
THAT TYPE OF WORK.
>> YEAH, COUNCILMEMBER, I WILL
TAKE A STAB AT AN INITIAL
ANSWER AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR
YOUR QUESTION, SO YES, WE ARE
NOT PLANNING TO KEEP AN OPEN
PUBLIC SPACE FENCED OFF WHERE
NO ONE CAN USE IT OR ACCESS IT
OR ACQUIRE BENEFIT FROM IT.
OUR LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED
AT COUNCIL ALONG WITH A REPORT
THAT WE PREPARED AND DELIVERED
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR
REALLY REQUIRES A ROBUST PUBLIC
ENGAGEMENT PROCESS SHOULD THE
COUNTY BECOME THE OWNER OF THE
PROPERTY.
AND THAT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS, SO
THE CITY WOULD REMAIN A STRONG
PARTNER IN ADDRESSING HOW BEST
TO ACTIVATE THE PARK.
I THINK WE FROM THE COUNTY
PERSPECTIVE WOULD BE REALLY
INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING IF
THE CITY HAS AN ACTIVATION PLAN
FOR THE PARK.
WE HAVE CONCEPTS AND IDEAS THAT
WERE OUTLINED IN THE REPORT
THAT I REFERENCED.
BUT WE'RE UNCLEAR IF THE CITY
ALSO HAS SOME KIND OF
ACTIVATION AGREEMENT WITH
STAKEHOLDERS IN THE VICINITY.
SO WE'D REALLY WELCOME ANY
PREVIOUS PLAN OR ACTIVATION
WORK AS A BASIS FOR WHAT WE
COULD START THE CONVERSATION
ON.
LIKE I -- WELL, I THINK IT WAS
MENTIONED BEFORE THAT THERE'S
AN INTEREST TO SEE THIS BE PART
OF THE CIVIC CAMPUS PLANNING
PROCESS THAT WAS DELAYED DUE TO
COVID.
I WANT TO GO ON THE RECORD AND
SAY THAT THE COUNTY IS NOT
PLANNING ON LEAVING PIONEER
SQUARE.
WE HAVE A PROCESS THAT WILL
LIKELY RESTART NEXT MONTH.
WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PLAN FOR
THIS PARCEL IF WE ARE NOT GOING
TO ASSUME OWNERSHIP OVER IT.
AND WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
BEGIN ACTIVATION PLANNING AND
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT UNTIL
THE TRANSFER GOES THROUGH.
SO I HOPE THAT PROVIDES SOME
INITIAL RESPONSE.
AND WE'D BE HAPPY TO TALK
FURTHER WITH YOU OR ANYONE ON
THE COMMITTEE OR ANYONE FROM
THE COMMUNITY WHO MIGHT HAVE
FURTHER QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.
>> AND JUST TO JUMP IN ON THAT
TOO.
I THINK THAT AS WE DISCUSSED
EARLIER WITH SUPERINTENDENT
WILLIAMS AND COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD, THERE WAS A FAIRLY
EXTENSIVE ACTIVATION PLAN AND
STRATEGY THAT THE COUNCIL
FUNDED AND I BELIEVE PRE-COVID
IT WAS PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED.
AND THEN UNFORTUNELY PUT ON
HOLD WHEN COVID CAME AND WIPED
A LOT OF OUR PROGRAMMING OUT.
BUT I'M SURE THAT THAT
INFORMATION IS STILL HANDY AND
YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE LISTENING,
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW I KNOW
YOU STILL TUNE IN SOMETIMES TO
OUR PROCEEDINGS.
I'M SURE THAT SHE WOULD BE
WILLING TO MAKE HERSELF
AVAILABLE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF
THOSE EFFORTS IN THE PAST AS
WELL, SINCE SHE WAS SUCH A BIG
LEADER ON THEM, SO.
MR. WRIGHT DO YOU HAVE A FINAL
KIND OF COMMENT?
SORRY.
I DON'T WANT TO JUMP IN IF IT'S
FINAL.
I JUST WANTED TO STATE THAT I
WORKED CLOSELY WITH
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW.
THE PARK IS SITTING SURROUNDED
BY A BUNCH OF COUNTY BUILDINGS
ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS.
WE'RE CLOSELY ON THE ACTIVATION
SCHEDULE.
WE SAW AS SUPERINTENDENT
WILLIAMS STATED SOME REMARKABLE
SUCCESS IN THOSE THINGS.
WE DON'T BELIEVE IN TRYING TO
REINVENT SOMETHING NEW.
BUT THESE ARE RESOURCES THE
COUNTY WOULD COMMIT IF IT WAS
COUNTY PROPERTY.
>> UNDERSTOOD.
THANK YOU FOR THAT
CLARIFICATION.
ALL RIGHT.
WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND MOVE
ON TO -- SORRY, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
THERE YOU GO.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
YOUR ACTION STEPS.
I DIDN'T HEAR THE REFERENCE TO
MY OBSERVATION THAT PERHAPS I
SHOULD PHRASE DIFFERENTLY.
SO THAT IT IS CAPTURED AS AN
ACTION STEP.
I'M KERPED IF THE OBJECTIVE OF
THE EXECUTIVE THAT S THAT THE
SEPA REVIEW RESULT IN A DNA, A
DETERMINATION OF
NONSIGNIFICANCE.
I'M CONCERNED THAT IT SHOULD
NOT BEGIN UNTIL WE HAVE A
COMMITMENT FROM THE COUNTY THAT
THEY ARE GOING TO MAINTAIN THE
PARK AS OPEN SPACE.
IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT IN PLACE
BEFORE THE DNS BEGINS, THEN I
DON'T SEE HOW WE COULD GET -- I
MEAN, BEFORE THE SEPA REVIEW
BEGINS, I DON'T SEE HOW THE
SEPA REVIEW COULD POSSIBLY
RESULT IN A DNS DETERMINATION.
>> YEAH, I THINK TO YOUR POINT,
YOU KNOW, CODIFYING INITIATIVE
42 SOMETHING YOU ASKED.
YOU ASKED A SPECIFIC QUESTION
EARLY ON.
HOW WE CODIFY THIS THING.
THOSE ARE I THINK STEPS THAT WE
WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY
COUNCIL AND COUNTY.
SO WE SHOULD -- I DON'T KNOW IF
THE SEPA CHECKLIST IS SOMETHING
THAT WOULD DAYLIGHT THIS THING.
>> MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
COUNCIL DETERMINING SORT OF,
YOU KNOW, WHAT AS IT RELATES TO
I-4 2, IF THERE ARE AREAS THAT
WE WANT TO ADHERE TO THE SPIRIT
OF I-4 2 WHILE ALSO EXEMPTING
THIS PROJECT FROM I-4 2. THAT'S
A SEPARATE QUESTION.
THAN MY QUESTION ABOUT THE SEPA
PROCESS.
IS THE GOAL OF THE EXECUTIVE
FOR THE SEPA PROCESS TO RESULT
IN RECEIVING A DNS, A
DETERMINATION OF
NONSIGNIFICANCE, IF SO, IF THAT
IS WHAT THE EXECUTIVE HOPES
HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF THE SEPA
PROCESS, SHOULDN'T WE GET THE
CONFIRMATION FROM THE COUNTY
THAT THEY ARE GOING TO MAINTAIN
IN PERPETUITY THE PROPERTY AS
PARK SPACE AND OPEN SPACE.
IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT IN THE
FRONT END, I DON'T SEE HOW WE
CAN POSSIBLY GET A DNS AS A
RESULT OF THE SEPA REVIEW.
SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS.
DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON THAT.
>> YEAH.
I THINK THAT'S A VERY CLEAR
LOGIC MODEL.
AND YOU KNOW, IT'S SORT OF
PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE
HORSE IS WHAT YOU'RE GETTING
AT.
AND WE GET IT.
AND I THINK IN MY COMMENT, I
MIGHT HAVE SAID DNS.
I DON'T WANT TO PRESUME THAT
THAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF
THIS PROCESS.
FOR THE VERY REASONS YOU
HIGHLIGHTED.
AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'LL GO
BACK AND TALK TO THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE ABOUT.
BUT I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
AND RECOGNIZE THAT YOU ARE
RAISING A CONCRETE POINT HERE.
>> I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT.
>> MR. CHAIR, I WANT TO ADD TO
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD'S POINT
AS WELL.
AND I SAW KELLY WITH HER HAND
UP.
I THOUGHT I HEARD HER SAY ALT
THE BEGINNING THAT THERE WAS AN
AMENDMENT OR ADDENDUM THAT THE
COUNTY WAS WORKING ON.
IT SEEMS LIKE IN TERMS OF
CONSEQUENCING THIS THAT OFFER
OR CODIFICATION PERHAPS IS ALL
READY IN PLACE.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD HAS TEED
UP ADDS WELL.
BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO GO
DOWN A PROCESS OF REVIEWING USE
IF THERE IS A FIRM COMMITMENT
FOR OPEN PUBLIC SPACE IN
PERPETUITY.
WHICH IT SOUNDS LIKE IS A
SHARED GOAL.
>> YEAH.
AND I'LL LET KALIE AND TONY
CLARIFY.
BUT MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THEIR
INITIAL PRESENTATION IS THEY'RE
TRYING TO GET TO LANGUAGE THAT
WOULD MAKE THOSE GUARANTEES.
BUT I THINK TO THE
COUNCILMEMBER'S POINT, YOU
KNOW, THAT LANGUAGE SHOULD BE
-- IS IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO
COMPLETE THE SEPA CHECKLIST.
AND I THINK THAT THOSE THINGS
COULD BE RECONCILED AS AN
ACTION ITEM.
SO I DO APOLOGIZE,
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, I SHOULD
HAVE INCLUDED THAT AS AN ACTION
ITEM ON THE LIST, I UNDERSTAND
WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.
BUT DO YOU HAVE A CLARIFICATION
ON THAT?
>> MORE OF WANTING TO
AFFIRMATIVELY CONFIRM THAT YES,
WE'VE BE HAVING CONVERSATIONS
WITH FOLKS FROM THE COMMUNITY
AND THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF
THE PARK.
AND HAVE DEVELOPED THE LANGUAGE
BASED ON FEEDBACK AND CONCERNS
THAT WE'VE GOTTEN FROM THOSE
STAKEHOLDERS.
AND THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM THE
CITY.
AND SO I DO THINK THAT THERE IS
A SHARED INTENT.
AND I AGREE WITH YOU
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, THAT I
THINK THOSE ARE RECONCILABLE.
AND I BELIEVE PROBABLY CENTRAL
STAFF HAS THE LANGUAGE AND CAN
SHARE IT WITH ALL THE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS WHO ARE INTERESTED.
THANKS SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
OKAY.
IF THERE'S NO MORE QUESTIONS
FROM THE COUNTY FOLKS, I THINK
WE CAN MOVE TO THE NEXT PANEL.
BUT WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE ITEMS
TO CONSIDER THIS REQUESTION
FROM THE COUNTY AND LOOKING
FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO TALK
ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL
OPPORTUNITY.
AND APPRECIATE YOU GUYS MAKING
YOURSELF AVAILABLE TODAY.
WE'LL BE IN TOUCH ABOUT THE
NEXT POSSIBLE TIME TO MAYBE
DRILL DOWN INTO SOME OF THE
THINGS THAT WERE OUTSTANDING
QUESTIONS FROM TODAY.
AND YOU KNOW, I LOOK FORWARD TO
HAVING YOU BACK TO TALK A
LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THIS.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
OKAY.
SO NEXT WE HAVE JOINING US SOME
FOLKS FROM THE PIONEER SQUARE
NEIGHBORHOOD WHO ALSO WANTED TO
BE INCLUDED IN THIS DISCUSSION
AND RAISE SOME OF THEIR
THOUGHTS.
AND WOULD EVERYONE INTRODUCE
THEMSELVES.
JUST TO MAKE SURE I HAVE THE
WHOLE PANEL HERE.
MAYBE STARTING WITH LISA
HOWARD.
AND THEN LISA, IF YOU'RE AWARE
OF THE OTHER PRESENTERS, IF YOU
WANT TO JUST KIND OF POPCORN
INTRODUCE YOURSELVES.
UNTIL EVERYONE'S PRESENT.
BUT I'LL LET YOU GO AHEAD AND
START.
>> WE HAVE ME AND REBECCA HERE
TODAY.
LISA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND
I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO
REBECCA TO INTRODUCE HERSELF.
>> HI EVERYBODY, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, FOR
INVITING US, AND I AM THE
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE
SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATION.
AND REALLY EXCITED TO BE HERE.
AND TO SHARE PERSPECTIVE.
>> GREAT.
WELL, WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND
JUMP INTO IT AND LOOKING
FORWARD TO HEAR SOME OF THE
THOUGHTS -- I MEAN, WE HEARD
SOME THOUGHTS IN PUBLIC COMMENT
FROM SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN
PIONEER SQUARE WHO HAVE SOME
CONCERNS.
AND I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD
FOR THE COMMITTEE TO HEAR SOME
OF THIS AND GET A SENSE OF, YOU
KNOW, HOW SOME OF THOSE
CONCERNS MIGHT BE MITIGATED IN
THE EVENT OF A TRANSFER OR SOME
OF THE THINGS YOU GUYS ARE
THINKING ABOUT.
SO I DON'T KNOW, REBECCA, IF
YOU WANT TO START.
OR IF LISA DOES.
BUT I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER.
>> SO YOU DID HEAR A LOT FROM
THE COMMUNITY ON A NUMBER OF
POINTS THAT I WANTED TO SPEAK
TO TODAY.
AND MUCH OF IT WAS DISCUSSED
AND I'LL REITERATE.
THE PARK'S FOUNDATION, OUR
MISSION IS TO REALLY PARTNER
WITH COMMUNITY TO CHAMPION
THRIVING AND EQUITABLE PUBLIC
SPACES.
AND WE HAVE -- WE WORK, IN THIS
CASE, WITH THE PIONEER SQUARE
COMMUNITY TO REALLY THINK ABOUT
HOW CAN WE HAVE A THRIVING AND
EQUITABLE PUBLIC SPACE CLEARLY
AROUND THIS PARK, IT'S A VERY
UNIQUE PARK IN THAT IT HAS OVER
600 RESIDENTS WHO ARE IN LOW
INCOME OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.
AND THEY USE CITY HALL PARK AS
IT'S THE LARGEST GREEN SPACE.
WITH SOME OF THE OLDEST TREES
DOWNTOWN.
IT'S COMPLEX.
IT HAS A LOT OF ISSUES.
AS HAVE BEEN STATED.
CLOSING OFF THE PARK.
AND TRANSFERRING THE PARK TO
ANOTHER JURISDICTION IS NOT
GOING TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM AS
WE'VE DISCUSSED.
WE HAVE SOME DATA FROM
PUBLISHED STUDY FROM THE
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH IN
SIMILAR PARKS IN 48 URBAN PARKS
AND LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS
WHERE THERE'S SIGNIFICANT
UNHOUSED POPULATIONS.
AND IT'S FOUND THAT IT'S NOT
THE PRESENCE OF UNHOUSED THAT'S
THE PREDICTOR OF SAFETY
CONCERNS, IT'S ACTUALLY THE
LACK OF ACTIVATION IN THOSE
PARKS, REDUCED LIGHTING, AND
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ENGAGED IN
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
THAT REDUCES POSITIVE USAGE.
SO ANY SOLUTION AS WE DISCUSSED
TODAY REALLY IS TO -- WHOMEVER
HAS JURISDICTION OF THIS PARK
NEEDS TO REALLY FOCUS IN ON
ACTIVATION OF THE PARK,
ENGAGEMENT IN THE PARK, DESIGN
OF THE PARK THAT'S GOING TO
ENSURE EFFECTIVE USE AND
PARTICIPATION.
SO THAT IS ONE OF THE PIECES
THAT I THINK FROM A PARK'S
PERSPECTIVE IS REALLY
IMPORTANT.
I'VE TALKED WITH CHRISTOPHER
MANY TIMES ABOUT THE CORE
SUCCESS TO OUR PARKS IN SEATTLE
IS HAVING A COMMUNITY THAT
FIGHTS FOR THEIR PARK, AND
THERE IS A COMMUNITY HERE THAT
REALLY BELIEVES IN FIGHTING FOR
THIS PARK.
OCCIDENTAL PARK, WHICH IS --
USED TO BE IN TERRIBLE SHAPE
SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
WAS REVITALIZED THROUGH EFFORTS
OF THE COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC-
PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SUCH AS
THE URBAN PARKS PARTNERSHIP.
THAT HAS ALLOWED FOR OCCIDENTAL
TO BE TRANSFORMED WITH A NEW
PAVILION, A PLAYGROUND, A SPACE
WHERE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER,
IT'S FUNDED, ACTIVATION AND
ART.
AND IT HAS GONE FROM
INTIMIDATING TO ICONIC.
AND THAT'S REALLY A TESTAMENT
TO THE WORK OF THE COMMUNITY
AND THAT ENGAGEMENT.
THE SAFETY INCIDENTS IN THAT
COMMUNITY ARE ALSO REDUCED.
THE RALLY AND THE TAPPING
AROUND CITY HALL PARK IS REALLY
ABOUT ENSURING THAT THE
COMMUNITY IS ENGAGED.
AND IT IS THE LARGEST GREEN
SPACE BECAUSE -- AND THERE WAS
A PROCESS UNDERWAY.
SO I WOULD LOVE TO ENSURE THAT
THE PARKS AND RECREATION -- THE
GOOD WORK THAT THE SEATTLE
PARKS DEPARTMENT HAS DONE WITH
SDOT AND OTHERS AROUND DESIGN
AND PARTICULARLY THINKING ABOUT
IT AS AN ECOSYSTEM, CITY HALL
PARK IS NOT -- DOES NOT STAND
ALONE.
THERE'S PREFONTAINE PLACE.
THERE ARE THE RIGHT OF WAYS.
THE BIKE LANES.
THE WHOLE NETWORK OF
NEIGHBORHOODS AND THERE ARE
NEARBY ADJACENT PUBLIC SPACES
THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR
THE COMMUNITY TO BE CONNECTED
TO.
SO WHOMEVER HAS OWNERSHIP OF
THIS PARK, IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE
CONNECTED INTO THAT ECOSYSTEM,
HAVE VERY STRONG
RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE
COMMUNITY AROUND.
AND ALSO BE DESIGN WITH THAT IN
MIND.
AS PER INITIATIVE 42.
I THINK I REALLY APPRECIATE
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD REALLY
PUSHING ON THE -- THAT POINT --
THE POTENTIAL VALUE OF THIS
PARK IS SIGNIFICANTLY -- THERE
IS NOT REALLY AN EQUIVALENT OR
BETTER VALUE EXCHANGE WITHIN
THE VICINITY.
AND SO ENSURING THAT THIS PARK
REMAINS A PARK IS REALLY
CRITICAL IN THIS PROCESS.
AS YOU LOOK AT THE LAND
TRANSFER, WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU
FOCUS ON THE LANGUAGE OF A
COVENANT, IF IT DOES TRANSFER
TO KING COUNTY, IT CAN EITHER
STAY WITH CITY AS YOU SAID,
THIS IS THE DECISION OF THE
COUNCIL, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO
FORWARD.
IT'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU DO
DECIDE TO GO FORWARD, THEN WE
ASK THAT YOU DO LOOK AT A
COVENANT THAT ENSURES IN
PERPETUITY THAT IT IS A PARK,
SIGNIFICANTLY A PARK FOR THE
COMMUNITY.
AND THE COMMUNITY'S ENGAGED IN
THAT PROCESS.
THE FUNDING FOR THAT PARK IS
LONG-TERM AND FOCUSED ON
ACTIVATION.
AND MANAGEMENT HAS AN
UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIVERSITY
OF THAT COMMUNITY.
SO THOSE ARE THE KEY POINTS
THAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE TALK THROUGH.
THERE'S OTHER PIECES OF THE
PUZZLE.
WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE VALUE OF
THE PROPERTY.
IT'S SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN
WHAT I THINK HAS BEEN
COMMUNICATED.
AND WE'RE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT
THE POTENTIAL -- SOME OF THE
PROPERTY HAS THE ARE IN THE
TRANSFER COULD HAVE SOME
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES RELATED TO
THEM THAT WILL NEED TO BE
ADDRESSED IF THEY ARE ADDED
INTO PARK SPACES.
SO WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO HAND
IT OVER TO LISA.
>> OKAY.
THANKS, REBECCA.
I'VE MET ALL OF YOU.
BUT JUST A REMINDER, I'M HERE
TO REPRESENT THE PIONEER SQUARE
COMMUNITY, THE DIVERSE GROUP OF
STAKEHOLDERS, THE PIONEER
SQUARE BIA, AND REMIND YOU THAT
WE WORK AS A COMMUNITY TO
IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE
STRATEGIC PLAN TO ENSURE THE
COMMUNITY WORKS FOR ALL MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY.
WE DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE
PROPOSED LAND TRANSFER AS
LISTED.
WE HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS
WITH THE COUNTY ABOUT THE
PROPOSED LANGUAGE AND HAVE
QUESTIONS ABOUT JUST THE
LEGALITIES AND WHAT THAT MEANS
OVER ALL.
WE HAVE PARTICIPATED AND LED
CONVERSATIONS AROUND THIS AREA.
SO WE UNDERSTAND THE
COMPLEXITIES OF THE HISTORY AND
THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT VERY
DEEPLY.
THE DECISIONS HERE HAVE REAL
IMPACTS ON THE COMMUNITY
MEMBERS HERE.
AND JUST A REMINDER THAT
THERE'S 800 PEOPLE IN EITHER
SHELTERED COMMUNITY HOUSING OR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THESE TWO
BLOCKS.
JUST WITHIN PIONEER SQUARE.
AND WE LOOK TO YOU TO ENSURE
THAT THE ACTIONS TAKEN WITHIN
THIS LAND TRANSFER OR IN THE
FINANCIAL OPERATIONAL LEGAL AND
LAND USE INTERESTS OF THE CITY
OF SEATTLE.
WE HAVE BROUGHT A PROPOSAL
FORWARD FOR AN ALTERNATIVE PATH
FOR YOU TO CONSIDER.
BUT I ALSO WANTED TO -- I ALSO
WANTED TO ENCOURAGE YOU, IF YOU
HAVEN'T GONE BACK AND WATCHED
IT, TO WATCH THE COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING THAT PASSED THE
LEGISLATION, IF YOU ARE
CONSIDERING ANY SORT OF
COVENANT, TO ENSURE THAT THIS
LAND IS FULLY LEGALLY PROTECTED
IN THE LONG-TERM.
AS WELL AS, I JUST WANT TO
RAISE IN THE END -- I REVIEWED
THE MEMO THAT CENTRAL STAFF PUT
TOGETHER.
THANK YOU FOR BEING ABLE TO
RAISE ALL OF THE ISSUES.
BUT THIS CONVERSATION STARTED
WITH THE PREMISE THAT THIS
PROPERTY, CITY HALL PARK WAS NO
LONGER NEEDED FOR MUNICIPAL
PURPOSES.
AND IT WAS A SURPLUS IN THE
CITY'S INVENTORY.
THIS IS A SITE OF THE BATTLE OF
SEATTLE.
IT'S THE SITE OF ONE OF THE --
ONE OF OUR MOST CHALLENGING
ENVIRONMENTS.
AND IT'S WHERE OUR GOVERNMENT
AND COMMUNITY INTERSECTS.
AND IT NEEDS TO HAVE THAT LEVEL
OF CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO IT.
NOT JUST A QUICK THING.
AND I'M GLAD THAT THE PROCESS
IS MOVING FORWARD.
AND I HOPE THAT IT'S AN
UNBIASED PROCESS.
AND WE'RE NOT JUST LOOKING FOR
DETERMINATION IN
NONSIGNIFICANCE.
AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU.
DO COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS?
SO REBECCA, I HAVE -- OH,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, GO
AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> THAT'S OKAY, I DON'T HAVE A
QUESTION, I JUST REALLY WANT TO
THANK REBECCA AND LISA FOR
BEING HERE AND SHARING YOUR
DEEP THOUGHTS AND WISDOM WITH
US TODAY, THANK YOU.
>> SO REBECCA, IN THAT VAIN OF
SEEKING DEEP THOUGHTS AND
WISDOM, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU A
QUESTION REGARDING SOME OF THE
PROPOSALS THAT I UNDERSTAND
KING COUNTY HAS BEEN EXPLORING
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PARKS
FOUNDATION IN HAVING
CONVERSATIONS AROUND SOME OF
THE CONCERNS HERE.
AND I JUST WONDER IF YOU COULD
MAYBE PROVIDE A BIT OF AN
UPDATE.
YOU KNOW, WE HEARD A LITTLE BIT
OF THAT EARLIER IN THE COUNTY'S
PRESENTATION.
AND I WONDER IF YOU COULD JUST
JUMP IN AND MAYBE TALK ABOUT
HOW THOSE HAVE BEEN GOING AND
WHAT SOME OF YOUR THOUGHTS ARE
ON SOME OF THE LANGUAGE BEING
CONSIDERED?
>> SURE.
YOU KNOW, I THINK I HAVEN'T
SEEN WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO YOU
ALL FROM THE LANGUAGE OTHER
THAN WHAT'S IN THE MEMO.
AND ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS
HAS HAD SOME LENGTHY
CONVERSATIONS AND BACK AND
FORTH WITH KING COUNTY AROUND
SOME OF THE LANGUAGE
SPECIFICALLY TRYING TO ENSURE
THE PARK IN PERPETUITY FIRST
AND FOREMOST.
AND THEN ALSO HAVING
PREDOMINANT, YOU KNOW, INSURING
THE NATURAL FUNCTIONS OF THE
PARK AS WELL.
SO THE GREEN SPACE, TREES, ET
CETERA ARE PRESERVED AS PART OF
THE PARK.
THERE'S SOME DIALOGUE AROUND
JEFFERSON STREET AS WELL.
AND THE VACATION OF THAT.
AND RECOGNITION THAT THAT IS --
IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS NECESSARY
FOR THE COUNTY FOR IF THEY'RE
GOING TO MOVE THE ENTRANCE.
AND SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE
PIECES THAT I HAVE.
THAT I AM AWARE OF.
AND I KNOW THERE'S -- IT'S
SITTING RIGHT NOW WITH THE
COUNTY.
SO THE LEANING WAG THAT WE HAVE
INSERTED HAVE BEEN MOSTLY
AROUND ENSURING THE LONG-TERM
PRESERVATION OF THE GREEN SPACE
FUNCTION OF THE PARK.
FOR
>> I APPRECIATE YOU
HIGHLIGHTING THOSE PRIORITIES.
I THINK THAT THEY'RE, YOU KNOW,
I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR ALL
THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
HERE TODAY, BUT I THINK THOSE
ARE DEFINITELY BASELINE VALUES
THAT WE ALL SHARE.
AND IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR FROM
THE FOLKS FROM THE COUNTY TODAY
MAKE SOME BIG PUBLIC ASSURANCES
THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THIS
PROCESS, THOSE ARE VALUES THAT
THEY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT AS WELL
IN TERMS OF THEIR INTENT MOVING
FORWARD.
SO YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE THOSE
CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING.
>> JUST A QUICK HIGHLIGHT, I
WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE TALKED
ABOUT PREFONTAINE PLACE IS NOT
INCLUDED IN THIS TRANSFER, ALSO
A VERY CHALLENGING PARK
PROPERTY.
IN THAT IT DOES -- PARK STILL
NEEDS TO CARE FOR IT.
THERE'S STILL SIGNIFICANT
ISSUES, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAT
HAPPENS THERE.
IT'S ALSO A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE
CONGREGATE.
AND THAT SOCIAL ASPECT IS
NEEDED.
AS WELL AS THE FOURTH AVENUE
BIKE LANE CONNECTION THAT GOES
THROUGH DYLAN WAY AS PART OF
THE BICYCLE MASTER PLAN.
THERE WERE CONCERNS WHEN IT WAS
PUT IN.
BUT IT WAS SITED AS CRITICAL
FOR THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
AND WHAT HAPPENS THERE IN THE
LONG-TERM SHOULD ALSO BE
CONSIDERED AS YOU'RE
CONSIDERING THIS, THE OPTIONS
WITHIN THIS.
>> THANK YOU.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE A
QUESTION FOR THE PANEL HERE?
I DO NOTICE TONY HAS STUCK
AROUND FOR THIS PRESENTATION.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO
ALSO WEIGH IN A LITTLE BIT.
BUT I GUESS I WOULD JUST BE
REMISS IF I JUST DIDN'T KIND OF
MENTION THAT I'M HEARING
SIMILAR VALUES EXPRESSED IN
TERMS OF VISION.
BETWEEN THE PANELS.
ALTHOUGH, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE
CERTAINLY MAYBE SOME
DIFFERENCES IN TERMS OF
SEQUENCING.
YOU KNOW, AND WHO OWNS THE
PARCEL OBVIOUSLY.
BUT I JUST WONDER IF YOU WANT
TO JUMP IN ONE LAST TIME THERE,
TONY.
FOR
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
I JUST -- I THINK BOTH LISA AND
REBECCA'S COMMENTS, THEY
RESONATE WITH US.
WE, AS WE TALK ABOUT THE
RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE.
WE AS THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
ALSO LIVE THERE, WE'RE --
UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE
COUNTY EMPLOYEES LEAVE AT
NIGHT.
BUT WE HAVE A HIGH
CONCENTRATION OF THAT.
BUT IN THE DISCUSSIONS, I
WORKED ON THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH
ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE
PARKS FOUNDATION.
THAT REBECCA WAS REFERRING TO.
AND I THINK THAT WE GOT TO
LANGUAGE THAT REALLY CAPTURES
THE ESSENCE OF IT.
IT'S -- UHM -- IT'S GOING TO BE
OPERATED LIKE A PARK.
AND WE EVEN TALK ABOUT OPERATED
AND MAINTAINED.
AND WE TALK ABOUT RETAINING THE
EXISTING LANDSCAPE FEATURES.
INCLUDING TREES AND GROUND
COVER.
THIS TO QUOTE OUR EXECUTIVE.
IT'S IDEALLY, IF WE USE THE
ORIGINAL OPENING, IT'S A FRONT
STEP.
I MEAN, WE WANT TO KEEP IT IN
THAT NATURE IF THE -- IF THIS
DEAL, THIS TRANSFER HAPPENS,
YOU KNOW.
SO THERE'S -- I DON'T KNOW THAT
YOUR CENTRAL STAFF HAS THIS
LANGUAGE YET.
BECAUSE IT GOT SENT OVER FROM
OUR PROSECUTING ATTORNEY TO
YOUR CITY ATTORNEY.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'VE GOT
IT OR NOT YET.
BUT I THINK IF THEY DID, IN
SEEING THAT LANGUAGE, WHAT OUR
PROPOSAL IS, I THINK IT SHOWS
THE COUNTY'S INTENT, VISION,
AND COMMITMENT TO KEEP THIS
PROPERTY.
FOR THE -- FOR THE PUBLIC
BENEFIT.
AND NOT -- I'M ACTUALLY NOT --
I'M NOT A VERY GOOD DEVELOPER
AS A FACILITY'S MANAGER.
SO -- BUT INTEGRATING THAT IN,
AS WE THINK ABOUT DIFFERENT
THINGS ABOUT THE ACTIVATION, I
WOULD JUST CLOSE WITH OUR PART
OF THE CITY CAMPUS MASTER PLAN.
WHICH OUR ORGANIZATION IS
PUSHING THROUGH.
WE'RE LOOKING AT HOUSING AS A
BIG COMPONENT IN ANY OF THE
LOCATIONS WHERE WE'RE AT.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE STUDIES,
PARK ACTIVATION IN MAJOR
CITIES, BRINGING THAT 24 HOUR
PRESENCE OF RESIDENTS CHANGES
THE NATURE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND WE'RE HOPING THAT SOME OF
THAT MAY BE ABLE TO BE
INCORPORATED IN OUR CIVIC
CAMPUS PLAN, THANK YOU, MR.
CHAIR.
IS THANK YOU FOR THOSE REMARKS.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE
PANEL HERE FROM COMMUNITY
MEMBERS ? IT DOESN'T APPEAR
THAT THERE ARE.
I REALLY APPRECIATE HAVING THE
OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE -- OH
SORRY, LISA, GO AHEAD, YES.
>> I JUST WANTED TO DO A QUICK
-- BECAUSE I THINK THAT WE
VALUE OUR WORK WITH COUNTY OVER
SIGHT AND YOU HAVE AN AMAZINGLY
HARD JOB AND YOU'RE VERY GOOD
AT IT.
AND WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU'VE
DONE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND
THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
I THINK THE PREMISE OF OUR
CONCERN DOESN'T STEM FROM THE
CURRENT CONVERSATION WITH THE
EXECUTIVE OFFICE WHICH WE
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY @ TO
HAVE THAT BACK AND FORTH.
IT REALLY STEMS FROM THE EARLY
SITED ALTERNATIVE USES THAT
HAVE COME UP THROUGH THE COUNTY
COUNCIL CONVERSATIONS.
AND THEY'RE VOTING DOWN AN
AMENDMENT OF THIS VERY THING.
IF THEY WOULD HAVE CONSIDER IT
AND ACCEPTED IT AT THAT POINT
IN TIME, I DON'T THINK WE WOULD
HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME
CONVERSATIONS AT THAT POINT.
AND IT WAS VOTED DOWN 5-2. AND
JUST ENSURING ANY SORT OF
TRIPLE CHECKING.
BECAUSE I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE
-- WHERE BETWEEN THE TWO
ENTITIES THAT LEGAL LANGUAGE
HAS TO LIVE TO BE UPHELD OVER
TIME.
FOR THOSE COMMITMENTS TO TRULY
BE HELD THROUGH ADMINISTRATIONS
AND TIME.
IS UP UTMOST IMPORTANCE WITH
THIS.
>> IF I CAN REPLY REALLY QUICK.
THE MECHANISM WOULDN'T BE
THROUGH, MY UNDERSTANDING O OF
HOW WE WOULD APPROACH THIS.
THE MECHANISM WOULD NOT BE
THROUGH ORDINANCES OR OTHER
ACTIONS OF THE TWO COUNCILS.
BUT INSTEAD, AS PART OF THE
DEED, A COVENANT WOULD BE
PLACED UPON THAT.
WITH THE CITY HAVING THE
ABILITY TO ENFORCE THAT
COVENANT.
SO WE WOULD BE BOUND BY THE
VERY DEED TO THIS PROPERTY.
FOREVER.
ANY CHANGES TO THAT COVENANT
WOULD REQUIRE US TO GO BACK TO
THE CITY COUNCIL AND ASK
SPECIFIC AFFIRMATIVE CITY
COUNCIL ACTION TO ADJUST ANY
SUCH COVENANT INTO THE FUTURE.
SO THAT'S, I THINK THAT'S ABOUT
AS STRONG AS WE CAN PLACE ON
THAT.
I THINK THAT'S -- THAT WILL BE
A SEPARATE RECORDED DOCUMENT
THAT WOULD BE EXECUTED IF THIS
TRANSFER WENT FORWARD.
AND THEN, THERE'S ALL SORTS OF
PEOPLE JUMPING UP WHO ARE
PROBABLY ATTORNEYS.
AND I'M JUST AN OLD ARMY GUY,
SO I'LL LET THEM ANSWER THAT
QUESTION BETTER.
>> OH BOY, DON'T LIABLE LISH
LIKE THAT
.
>> WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THAT
EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A PROPERTY
OWNED BY THE CITY, IT'S A
PROPERTY USED BY THIS ENTIRE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY.
HAVING BOTH OF YOU BE HERE TO
SPEAK TO THE IMPLICATIONS OF
THIS IS IMPORTANT AS WE
CONSIDER THIS REQUEST FROM THE
COUNTY.
AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU
INVOLVED IN OUR PROCESS.
AND TALK TO NOT ONLY YOU BUT
THE FOLKS CALLED INTO COMMENT
WHO HAVE CONCERNS AS WELL TO
MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS A FAIR
OPEN AND TRANSPARENT
DISCUSSION.
AND REBECCA, DID YOU HAVE A
CLOSING REMARK BEFORE WE MOVE
ON?
SPEAKS YEAH, IT JUST OCCURRED
TO ME, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S
REALLY IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE
THE PRECEDENT OF THIS
CONVERSATION.
AND ENSURE THAT YOU ALL ARE
REALLY TAKING THAT TO HEART AND
ENSURING THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS
IS A VERY BIG AND VALUABLE
HISTORIC PIECE OF PROPERTY.
AND SO WHEN THINKING OF A
TRANSFER LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW,
REMEMBER AND CONSIDER THAT, YOU
KNOW, FOR FUTURE, YOU KNOW,
THERE MAY BE FUTURE SITUATIONS
WHERE THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN.
AND SO JUTS WANTING TO MAKE
SURE THAT ALL YOUR, YOU KNOW,
Ts ARE CROSSED AND Is ARE
DOTTED IN THE PROCESS ITSELF.
AND THAT WE'RE NOT SPEEDING
THROUGH IT JUST TO ENSURE THE
PROCESS GETS -- MOVES QUICKLY.
THE OTHER PIECE I WOULD SAY IS
JUST THE PARK DOES NEED LOVE
NOW.
WHILE THIS PROCESS IS GOING ON.
AND SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU
ALL TO, YOU KNOW, WORK WITH THE
AGENCY TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY
WE CAN GET THE PARK OPEN AND
ACTIVATED BEFORE ANY LAND
TRANSFERS HAPPEN.
OTHERWISE IT STAYS WITH THE
FENCE.
AND THE COMMUNITY IS STILL
WITHOUT A PARK.
>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL CLOSE OUT AGENDA
ITEM ONE.
MR. CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE
READ AGENDA ITEM TWO INTO THE
RECORD.
>> ITEM TWO, SEATTLE CENTER
2021 RSJI PRESENTATION.
>> EXCELLENT.
AND WE ARE JOINED NOW BY
DIRECTOR ROBERT NELLUMS.
ALONG WITH SOME OTHER
PRESENTERS.
ROBERT I WILL LET YOU INTRODUCE
THE REST OF YOUR TEAM THERE.
AND PROCEED WITH THE
PRESENTATION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
HI EVERYONE.
I'M ROBERT.
I'M HONORED TO BE HERE.
GLAD TO BE HERE.
I'M JOINED BY CHELSEA MOSE.
OUR DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION AT
SEATTLE CENTER AND IS OUR
EXECUTIVE SPONSOR.
AND JACKIE KEARN WHO IS A
STRATEGIC ADVISER FOR US.
AND IS THE CHANGE TEAM COLEAD.
SO THEY WILL DO THE BULK OF
THIS WORK.
BECAUSE THEY ARE THE TEAM
WORKING ON IT.
AND WE LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY DO THE
WORK ACTUALLY PRESENT IT.
AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU HEAR
FROM THEM DIRECTLY.
YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO
BE DOING IS TAKING YOU THROUGH
AND SHARING SOME OF OUR SEATTLE
CENTER RSJ ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
THINGS LIKE SHELTERS AND
HYDRATING FACILITIES, ONLINE
EVENTS.
AND ALSO WE'RE GOING TO SHARE
WITH YOU SOME OF OUR
CHALLENGES.
DURING COVID, YOU KNOW, WHEN
THINGS START TO CLOSE DOWN AND
START TO GET TIGHTENED UP.
AND EVERYTHING AT SEATTLE
CENTER, OUR, YOU KNOW, PURPOSE,
IS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.
AND WHEN WE CAN'T DO THAT, WE
CAN'T DO THE THINGS THAT MAKE
SEATTLE CENTER SPECIAL AND A
GREAT PLACE TO BE.
THE OTHER PIECE THAT'S BEEN A
CHALLENGE FOR US IS THAT AS
WE'VE BEEN CLOSED DOWN AND
GOING THROUGH A LOT OF CHANGES
AND TURMOIL, SOME OF OUR STAFF
HAVE MOVED ON TO BIGGER AND
AND WE APPLAUD THEM. M. -
AND WE THANK THEM FOR THAT.
BUT WE LOST A FEW MEMBERS OF
OUR CHANGE TEAM AS THIS PROCESS
HAS GONE ON.
SO WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO YOU
TODAY ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE,
HOW WE'VE PARTNERED WITH
DIFFERENT ENTITIES TO MAKE THAT
WORK, AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO
SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF THE
CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE.
RIGHT NOW, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT
OVER TO CHELSEA WHO IS GOING TO
KICK US OFF.
>> THANK YOU, ROBERT.
AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
I DON'T KNOW -- I THINK --
THERE'S SOMEONE THAT'S
OPERATING OUR DECK.
>> YES, I'LL BE HAPPY TO SHARE
THE PRESENTATION WHEN YOU'RE
READY.
>> OH GREAT.
>> GO RIGHT AHEAD.
YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT PAGE.
AND YOU WILL BE CAUGHT UP.
>> AWESOME.
THANK YOU.
SO JUST WANT TO BRIEFLY TALK
ABOUT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS
AND THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC.
I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE TEAM AT
SEATTLE CENTER REALLY ROSE TO
THE OCCASION.
THE -- ONE OF THE BIGGEST
THINGS THAT ROBERT MENTIONED
EARLIER IS THAT SEATTLE CENTER
RESPONDED AND DELIVERED A
SOLUTION TO CONTINUE WITH
BRINGING FESTIVALS AND
CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY.
A VIRTUAL STUDIO WAS CREATED
WHICH INCLUDED HAVING TO
COORDINATE REHEARSALS IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC,
COMMUNITY COORDINATION,
TECHNICAL EDUCATION, AND
PROBLEM SOLVING TO CONNECT
FESTIVALS TO A LOCAL AND A
NATIONAL AND IN MANY CASES, AN
INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE.
WHICH WE WERE SO HAPPY TO HAVE.
THE OTHER THING IS THAT SEAL
CENTER WAS HAPPY TO PARTNER
WITH THE SEATTLE ARTS AND
CULTURE FOR ANTI-RACISM.
WHICH IS A CONSORTIUM OF
RESIDENT ORGANIZATIONS ON THE
SEATTLE CENTER CAMPUS.
THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE
RECEIVED $100,000 IN PERSONAL
PPE.
WHICH WE QUICKLY PIVOTED FROM
DISTRIBUTING AND COMMUNICATING
ABOUT PROGRAMS AND EVENTS.
AND BEGIN TO DISTRIBUTE TO
STAFF, TO RESIDENT WORKS AND TO
PATRONS.
THAT WERE ON THE CAMPUS.
NEXT SLIDE.
SOME OF OUR OTHER HIGHLIGHTS IN
-- AND OUTCOMES INCLUDES, WHICH
ROBERT ALSO MENTIONED WAS OUR
ABILITY TO TRANSFORM OUR VENUES
LIKE THE EXHIBITION HALL.
AND THE FISHER PAVILION INTO
SHELTERS.
WE ALSO HOUSED HYGIENE TRAILERS
FOR 16 MONTHS ON OUR CAMPUS.
FOR EIGHT HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS
FOR 16 MONTHS, WE PROVIDED
CLOSE TO 19,000 SHOWERS FOR AN
UNDER SERVED COMMUNITY.
WE RECEIVED HIGH ACCOLADES FROM
SPU.
WHO SHARED THAT THIS WAS ONE OF
THEIR MOST SUCCESSFUL LOCATIONS
THAT THEY HAD THROUGHOUT THE
PANDEMIC.
THE OTHER THING IS WE WERE ABLE
TO COLLABORATE AND PARTNER TO
HOST THE RSJI SUMMIT.
THIS YEAR, WE HAD SEVERAL
PEOPLE ON THE PLANNING
COMMITTEE.
WHICH ALLOWED US TO BE A PART
OF CURATING SPEAKERS FOR THE
DIFFERENT PANELS.
DEVELOPING CONTENT AND
ORCHESTRATING AND MANAGING THE
PROGRAMMING FLOW.
WE ALSO HAD TO ENLIST OUR
INTERNAL IT TEAM WHICH ALLOWED
US TO HOST THE EVENT ON OUR
SEATTLE CENTER SITE.
SO WE'RE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF
THAT.
NEXT SLIDE.
THANK YOU, CHELSEA.
SEATTLE CENTER'S RACE ON SOCIAL
JUSTICE IS A PROMINENT
COMMITMENT THROUGHOUT SEATTLE
CENTER'S STRATEGIC BUSINESS
PLAN, AND SOME KEY AREAS
INCLUDE CAMPUS.
WITH NEW BIPOC CAMPUS TENANTS
AND COLLABORATORS.
AND SUPPORTING CAMPUS RESIDENT
ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVANCE THEIR
EQUITY AND INCLUSION
COMMITMENTS.
AS ROBERT MENTIONED, 2021 WAS A
CHALLENGING YEAR FOR ALL OF US.
WE HAD CHALLENGES AND LESSONS
LEARNED.
I'LL MAKE THREE POINTS.
ONE AS ROBERT SAID T COVID SHUT
DOWN LIMITED THE IN-PERSON
ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS, BUT IT
ALSO CURTAILED OUR TEAM'S
ABILITY IN SOME AREAS INCLUDING
THE ABILITY TO COMPLETE RACIAL
EQUITY TOOL KITS.
AND IT ALSO BACK BURNERRED OUR
CULTURE CHANGE PROGRAM THAT IS
FOCUSED ON DISMANTLING THE
WHITE SUPREMACY CULTURE IN OUR
WORKPLACE.
ONE LESSON LEARNED IS THAT WHEN
THE COVID TELEWORK EXCITEMENT
WENT INTO EFFECT THAT THIS
CAUSED FEELINGS OF INEQUITY FOR
FRONT LINE WORKERS.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE AIRED AND
TALKED ABOUT.
FINALLY WE HAD AN UNUSUALLY
HIGH TRANSITION WITH NEW
MEMBERS COMING ON.
AND MANY MEMBERS LEAVING FOR
PRIMARILY CAREER ADVANCEMENTS.
WE ARE NOW FOCUSED ON
REBUILDING OUR TEAM.
AND SET AGNEW RSJ DIRECTION.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
THANK YOU, JACKIE.
SO AGAIN, ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF
HOW THE SEATTLE CENTER TEAM WAS
ABLE TO QUICKLY PIVOT AND
TRANSITION.
WE AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE
PARTNERED WITH -- TO SUPPORT
THE RSJ AND HOST THE RSJI
SUMMIT.
AS WELL AS THE MLK UNITY DAY
CELEBRATIONS.
WE ARE CONTINUING OUR VIRTUAL
STUDIO WHICH ALLOWED US TO HOST
THE MAYOR HARRELL FOR HIS
ANNOUNCEMENT AROUND THE RSJI
SUMMIT.
NEXT SLIDE.
SEATTLE CENTER PARTNERED WITH
SAKA TO PRODUCE THE HOLISTIC
LUNCH AND SAFETY SERIES.
INCLUDING NATIONAL SPEAKERS,
LEADER, AND SCHOLARS PROVIDING
CUTTING EDGE DIALOGUE AT A
MOMENT WHEN SPD WAS FACING
DEFUNDING AND ANNOUNCING ITS
REDUCED CAPACITY TO SUPPORT
PUBLIC EVENTS.
AND NEXT SLIDE.
. AMERICAN WOMEN WERE KILLED BY
A WHITE TERRORIST IN ATLANTA.
THE SEATTLE CENTER RSJI CHANGE
TEAM HELD A LUNCH AND LEARN
SESSION TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND
REFLECT ON INJURIES RISING OUT
OF THE XENOPHOBIC ANTI-ASIAN
SENTIMENT THAT ROSE WITH COVID-
19 PANDEMIC.
AND I WILL SAY THAT IT WAS
ATTENDED -- IT WAS HIGHLY
ATTENDED.
AND THERE WAS LOTS OF GREAT
FEEDBACK AT THAT LUNCH AND
LEARN.
WE'RE HAPPY WE COULD PRODUCE
IT.
NEXT SLIDE.
OUR CHANGE TEAM MEMBERS
PARTICIPATE IN MANY EFFORTS.
SOME EXAMPLES ARE THE CITY-WIDE
WORKFORCE EQUITY PLANNING AND
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
KNOWN AS WEPEK.
WERE ACTIVE WITH THE SEATTLE
ARTS AND CULTURE FOR ANTI
RACISM, SACA, AND AGAIN THAT'S
THE CONSORTIUM OF RESIDENT
ORGANIZATIONS ON CAMPUS THAT
COME TOGETHER TO WORK ON RACE
AND SOCIAL JUSTICE TOGETHER.
WE'RE ACTIVE WITH THE CITY WIDE
RSJ TEAM COLEADS.
AND AS WE MENTIONED BEFORE,
WITH SUPPORTING THE PRODUCTION
OF THE ANNUAL SUMMIT.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
OUR TEAM PROVIDES RESOURCES TO
CONTINUE OUR DEPARTMENT STAFF'S
LEARNING.
INCLUDING WE HAVE A LENDING
LIBRARY.
AND WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE ONLINE
RESOURCES THROUGH THE RSJ
INTERNET SITE AND ALSO WE HAVE
A SPECIAL SHARE POINT FOR RSJ
TEAM.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
THE NEXT SLIDES ARE ABOUT OUR
PURCHASING GOALS.
I'M SORRY.
FIRST IS PURCHASING GOAL WHICH
IS 25% WHICH WE MET.
. WE ARE COMMITTED TO
INCREASING OUR WIMBY
UTILIZATION IN THE FUTURE AS WE
GO FORWARD.
WE'LL TURN IT BACK TO ROBERT.
OH I'M SORRY.
ROBERT?
OH YOU'RE ON MUTE.
>> I'M JUST TALKING AWAY.
AS YOU CAN HEAR, THERE'S A LOT
THAT'S GONE ON.
THERE'S A LOT THAT'S
TRANSITIONED.
WHAT I'M MOST PROUD OF FOR OUR
DEPARTMENT IS THE WAY WE WERE
ABLE TO PIVOT FROM THE WORK
THAT WE HAD PLANNED TO DO AND
GOT INTO A LOT OF NEW THINGS.
WE DID SHELTERS AND HYGIENE
TRAILERS AND WE HAD STAFF
DRESSING ISSUES THAT CAME UP IN
REALTIME.
WE HAD ONLINE SESSIONS.
WE HAD SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO
SHARE AND TO COMMISERATE IN.
WE HAD SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO
SHARE AND TO GET STRENGTH FROM.
AND ALL OF THAT ENABLED US TO
BE ABLE TO SAY THAT WE'RE IN A
DECENT PLACE TO MOVE FORWARD.
EVEN THOUGH WE DIDN'T DO ALL
THE THINGS THAT WE HAD HOPED TO
DO AND PLANNED TO DO, COVID
DOESN'T ALLOW YOU TO DO SOME OF
THE THINGS WITH YOUR
ORGANIZATION IS BASICALLY NOT
ALLOWED TO HAVE EVENTS.
35 TO 40% OF THEM ARE AT HOME.
AND SO WE'RE KICK STARTING OUR
EFFORTS AGAIN.
AND WE'RE GOING TO JUMP IN TO
DOING SOME MAJOR GOALS AND
CHANGE TEAM DEVELOPMENT.
AND OUR PRIMARY THING THAT
WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING IS, YOU
KNOW, WE DO A LOT OF WORK TO
MAKE SURE THAT THE CHANGE TEAM
IS WHOLE. THE BIGGEST THING
WE'RE DOING BECAUSE WE GOT A
LOT OF NEW CHANGE TEAM MEMBERS
AND WE'LL HAVE MORE NEW CHANGE
TEAM MEMBERS IS STRENGTHENING
THE RELATIONSHIP THAT THE
CHANGE TEAM HAS WITH OUR
EXECUTIVE TEAM.
AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE TWO
ENTITIES ARE ALIGNED AND
WORKING WELL TOGETHER.
AND AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK AND
DEVELOP BIPOC SPACES FOR FOLKS
TO BRING MORE PEOPLE IN AND TO
HAVE CONVERSATIONS THAT HELP US
MEET OUR CUSTOMERS, OUR
PATRONS, OUR IT IS SEPULVEDAS,
WHERE THEY ARE.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING
TO WORK AND DO THOSE THINGS.
AS WE WORK ON OUR CHANGE TEAM
DEVELOPMENT, AS WE WORK
>> I LOOK FORWARD TO THE
OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND TO
DEVELOP OUR CHANGE TEAM WITH
THIS NEW MEMBERS AND HAVE SOME
NEW INITIATIVES AND ENERGY.
I AM EXCEEDINGLY PROUD OF THE
WAY THAT OUR CHANGE TEAM AND
OUR ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO
PIVOT AND ADDRESS ISSUES THAT
THEY CAME UP WITH THROUGHOUT
THE YEAR. THAT IS WHAT WE DO.
I BELIEVE THAT WE DID A GOOD
JOB OF THAT AND I LOOK FORWARD
TO US BEING ABLE TO MEET OUR
GOALS AS WE GO FORWARD BUT ALSO
BE ABLE TO PIVOT WHEN THINGS
HAPPEN AND WE ARE TRYING TO
THROW IT INTO THE MIX.
THAT IS OUR PRESENTATION.
WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN
IT UP AND ASK IF THERE ANY
QUESTIONS.
>> DIRECTOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR THAT PRESENTATION AND
EVERYONE HERE ON THE PANEL AND
THE TEAM. WE REALLY APPRECIATED
THE HIGHLIGHTING TOO OF THE
ADAPTABILITY OF THE SEATTLE
CENTER CAMPUS THROUGHOUT THE
COVID CRISIS AND JUST THE
ABILITY TO REALLY STEP UP AND
REALLY BE A SOURCE OF PROVIDING
PACE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
INTERVENTIONS FOR HOMELESSNESS
SHELTERING FOR ALL OF THE
CRITICAL SERVICES THAT WE WERE
ABLE TO -- SUPPORT FOR
NONPROFIT AND ARTS
ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICULARLY
THOSE RUN BY AND STAFFED
EXTENSIVELY BY BIPOC FOLKS, HAS
BEEN A REALLY GREAT SERVICE TO
THE CITY.
AS THE PRESENTATION INDICATES,
HAVING A STRONG AND DYNAMIC
TEAM ABLE TO IMPLEMENT IT HAS
BEEN SUCH A GREAT ASSET FOR US
THROUGHOUT SOME OF THE HARDEST
YEARS THE CITY HAS EVER KNOWN.
REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO
HEARING SOME QUESTIONS FROM
OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS, STARTING
WITH COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> THANK YOU.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR
ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU DO.
SEATTLE CENTER IS QUITE A JEWEL
FOR US IN THE CITY.
IN PART, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE
OF YOUR WORK, TRYING TO
ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE ALL
THE DIFFERENT CULTURES OF THE
CITY, YOU ARE WORKING WITH
ARTISTS AND CULTURAL
ORGANIZATIONS UNIQUELY SITUATED
TO UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT
THIS WORK IS. SO, PART OF THE
WORK OF THE FOLKS AT OCR, IS TO
SUPPORT YOU IN UNDERSTANDING
THIS AND TRAINING AND REALLY
IMPLEMENTING SOLUTIONS WHEN YOU
FIND THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT
MIGHT NEED SOME ADJUSTING WITH
EITHER YOUR OWN CULTURE OR ALL
OF THE PRACTICES THAT YOU HAVE.
I AM WONDERING IF YOU CAN TALK
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU
MANAGE, WHEN YOU HAVE
IDENTIFIED AN ISSUE.
FOR EXAMPLE, YOU WERE TALKING
ABOUT THE STAY AT HOME -- I
FORGET WHAT WE CALLED IT.
THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND THE
KIND OF DISPARITY THAT THERE IS
FOR FRONT-LINE WORKERS.
I WONDER IF YOU CAN TALK A
LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU
RESPOND AND MITIGATE OR CHANGE
WHEN YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED
SOMETHING THAT IS HAVING A
DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON
MEMBERS OF YOUR TEAM.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES . WHEN WE
LOOKED AT DEALING WITH SOME OF
THE THINGS THAT WERE HAPPENING
-- I AM SPACING OUT RIGHT NOW.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO IS
WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON OUR
STAFF AND OUR CHANGE TEAM THAT
STARTS TO ASK QUESTIONS OF EACH
OTHER.
IDENTIFY SOMETHING THAT IS
COMING UP.
OUR EVENT STAFF WILL EMBRACE IT.
WE WILL START TO FIGURE OUT,
HOW DO WE DO THIS?
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID
IS WE SAID DURING COVID, WE
SAID WE NEED TO HAVE A COUPLE
OF SUPPORT TEAMS. WE NEED TO
HAVE A SUPPORT TEAM FOR OUR
FRONT-LINE STAFF.
IF WE HAVE THINGS THAT COME UP,
WE HAVE A SUPPORT ROOM TO
ADDRESS THAT. THEY CAN GO
ONLINE, DO THIS. THEY CAN DO IT
RIGHT AWAY. WE ALSO CREATED A
SUPPORT GROUP FOR OUR
SUPERVISORS.
SUPERVISORS ARE PUT IN
DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES,
SITUATIONS, ET CETERA.
THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT
THEIR WORKERS. SOMETIMES IF YOU
ARE SUPPORTING YOUR WORKERS, NO
ONE IS SUPPORTING YOU.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT. WE HAVE PUT
TOGETHER A COUPLE OF THINGS. WE
HAVE TWO DIFFERENT TEAMS THAT
ARE WORKING IN TWO DIFFERENT
AREAS OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING
HEARD.
ON TOP OF THAT, WE HAVE BOTH OF
THOSE TEAMS AT THE CENTER AND
THE MAJORITY OF OUR STAFF ARE
STILL GOING TO BE COMING TO WORK
. THEY ARE COMING INTO CAMPUS
AND KEEPING ALL OF THESE THINGS
WORKING.
THEY HAVE A SUBSET OF THOSE
THINGS WORKING ON SITE TO MAKE
SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS.
WE START TO SEE WHAT IS
HAPPENING IN THE SUPERVISORY
REALM. WE HAD A LOT MORE THINGS
TO TALK ABOUT IN THE
SUPERVISORY REALM THAN WE DID
IN THE FRONT-LINE STAFF ROOM.
YOU ARE TELLING US MOST OF THE
THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON.
YOU ARE KEEPING US INFORMED.
WE ARE DOING OKAY FOR THE MOST
PART.
OUR SUPERVISORS ARE SAYING WE
HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES BECAUSE WE
HAVE STAFFERS AT HOME, STAFFERS
HERE.
IT BECOMES, IN OUR CULTURE,
WHEN SOMEBODY HAS AN ISSUE, WE
WANT TO ADDRESS IT AND WE WANT
TO ADDRESS IT IN THE WAY THAT
WORKS FOR MOST OF US. WE WANT
TO DO THAT IN A WAY THAT HONORS
AND RESPECTS THEM SO THAT WE
ARE NOT POINTING FINGERS, WE
ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING BUT
TRYING TO BRING PEOPLE ALONG.
I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE
WAY THIS ORGANIZATION AND
JACKIE AND CHELSEA AND THE
STAFF WORKED TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE NOT ONLY HAVE THEIR BACKS
BUT WE CARE ABOUT THEM.
THEY WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
WE WANT THEM TO BE WHOLE.
WE WANT THEM TO FEEL LIKE WHAT
THEY ARE DOING IS IMPORTANT NOT
JUST FOR THEM BUT FOR OUR
ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
TAMMY, DO YOU HAVE A FOLLOW-UP
WAX COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
OKAY.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM
COMMITTEE MEMBERS?
>> GREAT.
THIS IS A THOROUGH
PRESENTATION.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> IF ANYONE ELSE IS ON THE
PHONE, SPEAK UP.
>> I AM SO SORRY.
I AM OFF-CAMERA.
>> GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER.
>> I WAS -- ON SLIDE FOUR, TWO
POINTS I WANTED TO LEARN A
LITTLE MORE ABOUT.
TALK ABOUT THE NEW BIPOC CAMPUS
TENANTS AND COLLABORATORS.
I AM INTERESTED TO KNOW HOW
THAT PARTNERSHIP CAME ABOUT.
THE OTHER ITEM THERE IS ABOUT
SUPPORTING CAMPUS RESIDENT
ORGANIZATIONS, ADVANCED EQUITY
AND INCLUSION.
I AM WONDERING WHAT FORMS DOES
THAT TAKE?
THANK YOU.
>> HOPEFULLY -- CHELSEA AND
JACKIE ANSWERED THE FIRST
QUESTION.
WE HAVE KIND OF A MULTITUDE OF
WAYS THAT WE CONNECT. WE HAVE A
RESIDENT DIRECTOR'S MEETING
THAT I HOLD EACH MONTH. WE
BRING ALL OF THE RESIDENT
DIRECTORS TOGETHER.
WE TALK THROUGH ISSUES. WE
SHARE CONCERNS. WE PRESENT WHAT
WE KNOW IS GOING ON AND THEN
EACH RESIDENT DIRECTOR WILL
PRESENT FROM THEIR POINT OF
VIEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND
WHAT -- WE WANT TO GET ALL OF
THAT INTO THE SAME ROOM.
THE MORE WE ARE ABLE TO
COMMUNICATE OPENLY, HONESTLY,
AND DIRECTLY, THE BETTER WE CAN
WORK TOGETHER AND MOVE THINGS
ALONG. THE SECOND PIECE OF THAT,
OUR MONTHLY RESIDENT DIRECTOR'S
MEETING, THE GROUP THAT WE
MENTIONED. THE SEATTLE CENTER
STACK UP, THEY HAVE A STANDING
PART IN THAT MEETING TO RAISE
RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES,
ISSUES ON POLICING, WHATEVER.
THEY HAVE A FORUM THAT ALLOWS
THEM TO HAVE SPACE IN THAT
MEETING WITH US ON A MONTHLY
BASIS.
THEN, AS THEY DEVELOP PROGRAMS
AND/OR THINGS TO WORK ON OR TO
WORK WITH, THEY WILL HAVE
ACTIVITIES, ET CETERA.
THEY HAVE A SEPARATE INVITATION
LIST THAT BRINGS FOLKS TOGETHER
TO TALK.
IT IS NOT JUST RESIDENT
DIRECTORS BUT ACTUAL STAFF
TALKING TO ACTUAL STAFF.
>> THE FIRST QUESTION, JACKIE
OR CHELSEA, COULD YOU TAKE THAT
ONE?
>> I THINK YOU ADDRESSED THE
PARTNERSHIPS WITH RESIDENT
ORGANIZATIONS. THE PARTNERSHIPS
WITH NEW BIPOC CAMPUS TENANTS
AND NEW COLLABORATORS WAS A
PROMINENT GOAL IN OUR STRATEGIC
PLAN. WE ARE MIDWAY THROUGH THE
2021 TO 2023 PERIOD OF OUR
STRATEGIC PLAN. AS WE ALL HAVE
BEEN RETURNING TO THE WORKPLACE
AND SEATTLE CENTER HAS BEEN
OPENING UP AND WE HAVE BEEN
REACTIVATING PROGRAMMING, WE
ARE HAVING MORE AND MORE
OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK ON THIS
GOAL.
WE HAVE A BIT OF A SLOW START
ON THAT.
CHELSEA, ANYTHING YOU WOULD
LIKE TO ADD TO THAT?
>> BOTH OF YOU SAID IT ALL. AS
WE ARE GOING INTO THE NEW YEAR,
WE REALIZE THAT OUR RESIDENT
ORGANIZATIONS WENT THROUGH THIS
PANDEMIC WITH US. OF COURSE,
THEY ARE WORKING AND STRUGGLING
TO GET BACK TO 100%. ONE OF OUR
PRIMARY GOALS IS TO INCORPORATE
EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, FIGURE
OUT A WAY TO INVOLVE THEM.
AS YOU ARE GROWING AND BUILDING
AND COMING BACK, WE ARE
RECOGNIZING THAT WE ARE NOT
MOVING AT IT ALONE BUT TRYING
TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.
>> IF I COULD ADD, CHELSEA IS
VERY ENGAGED AND PASSIONATE
ABOUT BRINGING BIPOC PEOPLE AND
DIFFERENT RESOURCES TO THE
CAMPUS SO THAT OUR WHOLE
COMMUNITY CAN TAKE FULL
ADVANTAGE OF THE GROUNDS AND
THE EVENTS AND THE SPACES AT
SEATTLE CENTER.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS
PRESENTATION, EVERYBODY.
IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO GET THESE
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES.
I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE
TAKING THEIR TIME AND ANSWERING
COMMITTEE MEMBERS' QUESTIONS.
GIVEN THE LATE HOUR AND THAT WE
HAVE A COUPLE MORE AGENDA
ITEMS, I DO WANT TO MOVE ON BUT
THANK YOU SO MUCH, ESPECIALLY
FOR BEING PATIENT THROUGH THE
PREVIOUS AGENDA ITEM THAT WENT
YOUNGER THAN WE ANTICIPATED IT
WOULD. WE VALUE YOU GUYS COMING
HERE SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
>>> MOVING ON TO OUR FINAL
AGENDA ITEMS.
MR. CLARK, WILL YOU PLEASE READ
THE LAST AGENDA ITEMS INTO THE
RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEMS THREE AND FOUR,
APPOINTMENTS 02168 AND 02169,
THE REAPPOINTMENTS OF GLORIA
CONNORS AND TRAN 29 TO THE
SEATTLE SEATTLE CENTER ADVISORY
MISSION WITH BRIEFING,
DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE ARE JOINED NOW BY JEFF
BLOSSER.
JEFF, I WILL HAND IT RIGHT OVER
TO YOU.
>> MR. CHAIR, JEFF IS HERE FOR
THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM WHICH IS
THE TWO APPOINTMENTS --
>> I'M SORRY.
HE WENT OFF-CAMERA.
>> MY APOLOGIES.
>> DO WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT
REPRESENTATIVE FOR THESE AGENDA
ITEMS?
>> IT WAS DIRECTOR ROBERT
NELLAMS.
I BELIEVE HE MAY HAVE JUST LEFT.
>> HOW ABOUT THIS?
WHY DON'T WE TAKE THESE OUT OF
ORDER SINCE JEFF IS HERE AND
ON.
WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND
CONSIDER THE PRESENTATION FOR
THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE
CONVENTION CENTER. THEN, WHEN
DIRECTOR ROBERT NELLAMS IS BACK
, TAKE UP THE APPOINTMENTS TO
THE SEATTLE CENTER.
>> AGENDA ITEMS FIVE AND SIX,
APPOINTMENTS 02166 AND 02167,
THE APPOINTMENTS OF KATIE
GARROW AND HIEN TAYLOR HOANG
TO THE WASHINGTON STATE
CONVENTION CENTER PUBLIC
FACILITIES DISTRICT BOARD OR
BRIEFING, DISCUSSION, AND
POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> MR. CLERK, WHILE WE GO
THROUGH THESE ITEMS, CAN YOU
WORK ON GETTING DIRECTOR ROBERT
NELLAMS TO COME BACK FOR THESE
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS?
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> WE WILL NOW CONSIDER THOSE
APPOINTMENTS FOR KATIE GARROW
AND HIEN TAYLOR HOANG . WE ARE
JOINED BY JEFF BLOSSER FROM THE
WASHINGTON STATE CONVENTION
CENTER.
JEFF, I WILL LET YOU TAKE IT
AWAY.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR LEWIS.
MY NAME IS JEFF BLOSSER.
I AM FROM THE WASHINGTON STATE
CONVENTION CENTER.
WE ARE HERE TO RECOMMEND KATIE
GARROW AS ONE OF OUR BOARD
MEMBERS.
KATIE IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE
RELATED TO LABOR ISSUES.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE HAVE NINE
HERE IN OUR OPERATION.
SHE WOULD BE OUR BOARD LABOR
REPRESENTATIVE TO HELP THE
BOARD AND THE STAFF IN THIS AREA
AS WELL AS HER EXPERIENCE WITH
THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPING
COUNCIL.
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT .
KATIE WOULD BE A GREAT ADDITION
TO OUR BOARD AND WE WOULD
RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF KATIE
GARROW'S APPOINTMENT TO THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS . I DON'T
KNOW IF KATIE GOT ON.
SHE WAS TRYING TO BUT WE WOULD
RECOMMEND THAT APPROVAL AND
ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
I DON'T SEE HER ON.
>> VERY GOOD.
THANK YOU.
SORRY, IS TAYLOR A
REAPPOINTMENT?
>> THESE ARE BOTH NEW
APPOINTMENTS.
>> OKAY.
YOU ARE INTRODUCING ONE AT A
TIME.
>> OKAY.
EXCELLENT.
I DO NOT SEE KATIE ON HERE.
I DO SEE TAYLOR. SORRY,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA .
>> SHE DID MENTION SHE MIGHT
MISS IT BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO
SPEAK AND ECHO THE INCREDIBLE
COMMENTS AND THE AGENDA PACKET
THAT YOU PUT TOGETHER, MR. CHAIR
, THAT HIGHLIGHTS HER
EXPERTISE.
SHE IS NOT ABLE TO BE WITH US
ANY LONGER AND JUST WANTED TO
UNDERSCORE MY SUPPORT FOR HER.
>> THANK YOU.
SIMILARLY, KATIE GARROW 'S
EXCELLENT REPUTATION AND
LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY IS
WELL KNOWN TO ME AS WELL AND I
THINK TO SEVERAL COMMITTEE
MEMBERS.
WE WOULD BE HONORED TO SUPPORT
HER NOMINATIONS IN THIS HEARING.
GIVEN THAT, WHY DON'T WE GO
AHEAD AND PROCEED TO INTRODUCING
THE OTHER NOMINEE IN FRONT OF
US TODAY?
>> THANK YOU.
>> HIEN TAYLOR HOANG IS OUR
RECOMMENDATION AS WELL . TAYLOR
IS A PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND WORKS
WELL WITH OUR NEED TO TRY TO
OPERATE THE CONVENTION CENTER
LIKE A BUSINESS AS MUCH AS WE
CAN.
HER EXPERIENCE WITH THE SMALL
BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL WILL
REALLY HELP THE CONVENTION
CENTER CONNECT WITH SMALL
BUSINESS AND SHAPE OUR ABILITY
TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY
GOING FORWARD.
TAYLOR WILL BE A VERY WELCOME
ADDITION TO THE BOARD.
THE BOARD AGAIN REQUESTS
RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL FOR
HIEN TAYLOR HOANG TO BE
APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.
IF TAYLOR IS HERE -- I BELIEVE
SHE IS ON.
>> I DO SEE HER ON HERE.
TAYLOR, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> THANK YOU.
NICE TO SEE YOU TOO. THANK YOU,
JEFF AND THANK YOU COUNCIL
MEMBERS FOR CONSIDERING MY
APPOINTMENT TO THE WASHINGTON
STATE CONVENTION CENTER BOARD.
AS A LONGTIME APPLICANT OF THE
HOSPITALITY AND SMALL BUSINESS
COMMUNITY.
I HAVE APPRECIATED THE WORK
THAT THE CONVENTION HAS DONE TO
BRING ECONOMIC VITALITY TO THE
CITY THE CONVENTION HAS BEEN
THE NORTHWEST PREMIER MEETING
AND EVENTS FACILITY WHERE IT
HAS WELCOMED THOUSANDS OF
VISITORS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
TO OUR CITY EACH YEAR. AND, THE
CONTRIBUTION IT HAS MADE FOR
THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND THE
HOSPITALITY SECTOR. AS SUCH,
THE CONVENTION MOVED TOWARD
TAKING ACTIONS TOWARD CREATING
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND
INCLUSION IN ITS WORK. MY
INTEREST IN JOINING THE BOARD
IS TO ENSURE THAT THE
CONVENTION EQUITABLY
DISTRIBUTES ECONOMIC GROWTH AND
BENEFITS ACROSS THE REGION AND
POSITIVELY IMPACTS THE LIVES OF
THOSE IN OUR REGION.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING ON
THE BOARD AND I THANK YOU FOR
YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> TAYLOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT IS REALLY GOOD TO SEE YOU
AND APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS
TO SERVE IN THIS NEW CAPACITY.
WE REALLY ARE LOOKING FORWARD
TO WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO
IN THIS POSITION AND TO BE ABLE
TO HELP US OUT TO REALLY HAVE
THE MOST IMPACTFUL CONVENTION
CENTER WE CAN.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS, I
GUESS JUST FOR TAYLOR -- I
DON'T SEE THAT KATIE HAS JOINED
US -- FROM OUR COMMITTEE
MEMBERS?
>> OKAY.
SEEING NONE, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I
MOVE THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS
02166 AND 02167. IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO RECOMMEND
CONFIRMATION OF THE
APPOINTMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS ON THE
APPOINTMENTS?
HEARING NO COMMENTS, WILL THE
CLERK LAYS CALL THE ROLE ON THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THAT
THE APPOINTMENTS BE CONFIRMED?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> THERE ARE FOUR IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CLERK.
THE MOTION CARRIES IN THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT
POINT & SPEAK AND FROM WILL BE
SENT TO THE FEBRUARY 22 CITY
COUNCIL MEETING -- I'M SORRY,
THIS IS NOT OUTDATED. THE NEXT
FULL COUNCIL MEETING WILL
CONSIDER THESE APPOINTMENTS,
NOT THE FEBRUARY 22 ONE.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO GO BACK IN
TIME.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO ATTEND THE
FULL COUNCIL MEETING, THOUGH
YOU ARE CERTAINLY MORE THAN
WELCOME TO FOR THE FINAL VOTE
ON YOUR APPOINTMENT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING IN
FAVOR OF THESE NOMINEES AGAIN
AT THAT TIME AND APPRECIATE THE
EXCELLENT QUALITY OF NOMINEES
THAT HAVE BEEN SENT FOR THIS
REALLY IMPORTANT DECISION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I DO NOTICE THAT DIRECTOR
ROBERT NELLAMS IS NOW HERE.
WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND GO
BACK TO THE APPOINTMENTS FOR
THE SEATTLE CENTER?
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, I
APOLOGIZE.
I GOT AHEAD OF MYSELF AND RAN
TO ANOTHER MEETING AND THEN
REALIZED I HAD ONE MORE THING
TO DO.
>> NO WORRIES.
WE HAD SOME OTHER BUSINESS SO
WE WERE ABLE TO DULY MOVE TO
TAKE CARE OF THAT WHILE EAGERLY
AWAITING YOUR RETURN.
JUST TO GET US BACK UP TO SPEED
AND FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC,
WE ARE NOW GOING BACK IN THE
AGENDA TO CONSIDER APPOINTMENT
02168 AND 02169, REAPPOINTMENTS
OF GLORIA CONNORS AND TRAN 29
TO THE SEATTLE CENTER ADVISORY
COMMISSION.
DIRECTOR ROBERT NELLAMS, I WILL
TURN IT OVER TO YOU TO LEARN A
LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THESE
REAPPOINTMENTS AND WE WILL DULY
CONSIDER THEM.
>> THANK YOU.
THESE ARE TWO REAPPOINTMENTS. I
WAS GOING A LITTLE CRAZY
BECAUSE THESE ARE TWO VERY
LARGE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMISSION.
GLORIA CONNORS IS SOMEONE WHO
WORKS IN THE EVENT BUSINESS.
SHE IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT AND HAS
WORKED FOR LITERALLY EVERY ONE
FROM THE CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA
TO WHOMEVER AND WHATEVER. SHE
IS A GREAT RESOURCE FOR US. SHE
IS PROVIDING US THE VIEWPOINT OF
WHAT THE CLIENTS ARE COMING
HERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE
WORKING WITH TO PRODUCE
SOMETHING.
SHE IS PROVIDING THAT ASPECT.
SHE IS VERY OPINIONATED.
SHE IS VERY AWARE WHEN WE ARE
NOT DOING THINGS IN THE RIGHT
WAY BUT SHE IS ALSO DEEPLY,
DEEPLY, DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH
SEATTLE CENTER.
SHE IS SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT
THIS PLACE. EVERY TIME THAT HER
TERM COMES UP -- SHE HAS BEEN
WITH US SINCE 2013.
SHE IS SOMEONE WHO WILL ALWAYS
ASK ME, I WOULD LOVE TO DO THIS
BUT I ONLY WANT TO DO THIS IF
YOU THINK THAT I CAN BE HELPFUL
AND THAT I CAN MOVE THINGS
FORWARD.
SHE PROVIDES A GREAT DEAL OF
FEEDBACK FOR HOW THE CUSTOMERS
THAT ARE COMING HERE PROCEED
AND ARE TREATED AT SEATTLE
CENTER.
IT GIVES US A GREAT DEAL OF
INSIGHT INTO HOW WE CAN CHANGE,
HOW WE CAN IMPROVE, HOW WE CAN
MAKE THIS AN EVEN BETTER
EXPERIENCE FOR THEM AND ERGO
FOR THEIR PATRONS AND OUR
CUSTOMERS.
I COULD NOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT
HOW GLORIA WOULD HELP US. WILL
HAS 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN
THE COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS. HE
IS CURRENTLY THE PRESIDENT OF
-- THEY HAVE OFFICES IN L.A.,
SAN FRANCISCO, SILICON VALLEY,
AND SEATTLE.
WILL IS SOMEONE WHO IS VERY,
VERY IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE HE
IS OFFERING US A PERSPECTIVE OF
HOW THE WORLD OUTSIDE OF OUR
LITTLE BUBBLE SEES US, HOW WE
CAN COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH
THAT WORLD, HOW WE CAN BRING
THEM INTO SEATTLE CENTER TO
MAKE THEM FEEL THAT THEY ARE
PART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WE
ARE TRYING TO ENGAGE IN. THEY
ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT
IS BEING CREATED HERE AT
SEATTLE CENTER.
WILL IS A GOOD STRATEGIC
THINKER.
HE IS A REALLY GOOD PERSON.
GLORIA AND WILL COME WHENEVER
WE HAVE SUBCOMMITTEES OR
ANYTHING, THEY JUMP RIGHT IN
AND THEY HELP AND THEY MAKE
SURE THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET
THE BEST THAT THEY HAVE TO
OFFER.
THE LAST THING I WILL SAY ABOUT
THESE TWO -- IT IS MORE ABOUT
THE COMMISSION -- I USE THE
COMMISSION PRETTY REGULARLY.
I TAKE VIRTUALLY EVERY ONE OF
OUR TOUGH DECISIONS OR OUR
BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT MAY
HAVE SOME RISK OR WHATEVER.
I PUT IT IN FRONT OF THEM AND
SAY THIS IS WHAT WE ARE
THINKING.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
GLORIA AND WILL WILL ALMOST
ALWAYS GIVE ME SOME ASPECT OR
SOME THOUGHT THAT WE HAD NOT
CONSIDERED AS WE GO THROUGH OUR
PROCESS.
I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER THAT
THEY BOTH WANT TO CONTINUE TO
BE SEATTLE CENTER ADVISORY
COMMISSION MEMBERS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT
OVERVIEW OF THESE REAPPOINTMENTS
. I DON'T THINK WE ARE BEING
JOINED BY EITHER GROUP TODAY
BUT THAT IS FINE FOR
REAPPOINTMENTS. WE CERTAINLY
DON'T NEED THE COMMISSIONERS TO
BE PRESENT.
GIVING YOUR REPRESENTATIONS,
THAT IS ENOUGH TO GO ON FOR
RECOMMENDATIONS.
GIVEN DIRECTOR ROBERT NELLAMS '
PRESENTATION, I MOVE APPOINTMENT
02168 AND 02169, REAPPOINTMENTS
OF GLORIA CONNORS AND WILL
LUDLAM TO THE SEATTLE CENTER
ADVISORY COMMISSION.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO RECOMMEND
CONFIRMATIONS OF THE
APPOINTMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS?
HEARING NO COMMENTS, WILL THE
CLERK LAYS CALL THE ROLE ON THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THAT
THE APPOINTMENT SPEE CONFIRMED?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> THERE ARE FOUR IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THESE APPOINTMENTS WILL BE
CONSIDERED BY THE FULL COUNCIL
AT THE NEXT FULL COUNCIL
MEETING.
JUST FOR THE RECORD, SIMILAR TO
THE COMMITTEE, THE
COMMISSIONERS WILL NOT NEED TO
BE PRESENT AT THE FULL COUNCIL
THOUGH THEIR PRESENCE IS
CERTAINLY WELCOMED. THAT
CONCLUDES OUR ITEMS OF
BUSINESS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
HEARING NO FURTHER BUSINESS --
LET ME ASK. IS THERE ANY
FURTHER BUSINESS FOR THE
COMMITTEE?
HEARING NO FURTHER BUSINESS,
THE COMMITTEE IS HEREBY
ADJOURNED.