>>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
WELCOME TO THE SELECTED BUDGET
COMMITTEE MEETING. TODAY IS
OCTOBER 25, 2022. I AM TERESA
MOSQUEDA, CHAIR OF THE BUDGET
COMMITTEE. WHILE THE CLERK CALL
THE ROLL.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER 1021.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT. CHAIR
1024.
>> PRESENT. EIGHT PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU AND WHEN
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT JOINS, WE
WILL ANNOUNCE HER. THANK YOU
AND WE APPRECIATE THE MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE
DIALED IN AND MEMBERS IN THE
ROOM AS WELL. WE ARE IN THE
FIFTH WEEK OF OUR EIGHT WEEK
BUDGET PROCESS. TODAY WE BEGIN
AN OVERVIEW OF THE VARIOUS
DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS. TODAY, TOMORROW,
AND THURSDAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO GET INTO THE DETAILS ON
THESE DEPARTMENTS OVER THE
COURSE OF THREE DAYS. YOU CAN
CONSIDER THIS AS ONE OF THREE
DAYS AND ONE LONG CONSECUTIVE
AGENDA, IF YOU WELL. THAT IS
WHY WE FRONTLOADED TODAY WITH
AN EXTENSIVE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD AND THEN WE WILL HAVE
ARTS AND CULTURE, THE AUDITORS
DEPARTMENT, SEATTLE CENTER,
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY LEARNING. THE EDUCATION
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING AND THE
OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS. THE LABOR STANDARDS
OFFICE. THE SEATTLE CITY LIGHT
DEPARTMENT AND SEATTLE PUBLIC
UTILITIES. THAT IS THE TOTAL
OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE HAVE
FOR TODAY AND WE WILL HAVE A
SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS OVER THE
COURSE OF WEDNESDAY AND
THURSDAY, AS WELL. I DO
UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS AN
AMENDMENT THAT HAS BEEN
SUGGESTED, SO BEFORE WE ACCEPT
TODAY'S AGENDA THAT INCLUDES
THE ABOVE ITEMS I LISTED, I
WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK TO SEE IF
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT HAS
JOINED US. OKAY, I AM GOING TO,
ON HER BEHALF, GO AHEAD AND
MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND THE
AGENDA TO INCLUDE THE AMENDMENT
CIRCULATED BEFORE 5:00 P.M.,
THE DAY BEFORE. I MOVED TO IT
ADOPT THE AGENDA TO INCLUDE
THE AMENDMENT THE COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT CIRCULATED BEFORE 5:00
P.M. YESTERDAY. IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS
THAT COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
>> YES, THIS IS ME. FOR SOME
REASON MY AUDIO FOR MY LAPTOP
IS NOT WORKING, SO I HAVE
LOGGED IN BOTH PLACES.
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU NICE AND
CLEAR. THE MOTION HAS BEEN
MOVED AND SECONDED AND WE WILL
NOTE COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT IS
PRESENT FOR THE RECORD. THERE
IS NO NEED FOR DEBATE OR
DISCUSSION ON THIS AMENDMENT.
THIS IS OUR NORMAL PROCESS WE
DO FOR ANYONE WHO HAS AN
AMENDMENT THEY CIRCULATE BEFORE
5:00 P.M. THE DAY BEFORE THE
MEETING. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO ADD WALK ON
AMENDMENT FROM COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT. ARE THERE ANY
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BEFORE WE
ADOPT THE AGENDA? HEARING NO
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, MADAM
CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA?
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> CHAIR MOSQUEDA.
>> AYE.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND IS
ADOPTED. ARE THERE ANY
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THE
AGENDA BEFORE IT IS ADOPTED?
MADAM CLERK, I AM NOT HEARING
ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. PLEASE
GO AHEAD AND CALL THE ROLL ON
THE ADOPTED AGENDA. ON THE
AMENDED AGENDA, EXCUSE ME.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
>> S.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> CHAIR, SORRY I MISSED THAT.
IT IS AYE FROM ME AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU, NINE IN FAVOR,
NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, THE AGENDA IS
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED. WE HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET INTO
DISCUSSIONS TODAY. I'M GOING TO
KEEP MY MASK ON. IS THAT OKAY?
CAN FOLKS HEAR ME ALL RIGHT?
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO WORK WITH YOU IN
COLLABORATION, FOLKS HERE IN
THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO IN
CHAMBERS. I WANT TO THANK
CENTRAL STAFF AND THE CITY
BUDGET OFFICE. THANKS FOR ALL
OF THE PARTICIPATION OVER THE
LAST FIVE WEEKS. WE HAVE BEEN
COVERING SIGNIFICANT POLICY
AREAS FOR REAL IMPACT TO THE
PEOPLE OF SEATTLE. I WILL TAKE
THIS OFF BRIEFLY. THIS IS VERY
IMPORTANT DIALOGUE WE ARE
HAVING THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF
THIS WEEK. FOR THE 2023-2024
BUDGET, THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE
ASKED WILL HELP INFORM WHAT
GETS FUNDED THIS YEAR. THE
IDEAS YOU HAVE BROUGHT FORWARD
WILL HELP INFORM HOW WE CAN
SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY IN THESE
TOUGH TIMES. I WANT TO THANK
YOU AGAIN FOR THE FEEDBACK WE
HAVE RECEIVED THUS FAR AND NOTE
WE ARE ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH.
THE CONVERSATIONS WILL INFORM
TODAY'S DELIBERATIONS AND
úINFLUENCE OUR DISCUSSIONS OVER
THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS. I
APPRECIATE AS WELL ALL OF THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WHO SUBMITTED
AMENDMENTS ON TIME. 100
AMENDMENTS WERE CONSIDERED.
FOLLOWING A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
FROM MYSELF AND CENTRAL STAFF,
WE WILL GO THROUGH EACH OF THE
DEPARTMENTS. I WILL BE ASKING
FOR A SHORT COMMENT FROM THE
PRIMARY SPONSOR AND THEN IF
THERE IS A QUESTION OR COMMENT
THAT COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE
TO MAKE, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO
DO SO. I WANT TO REMIND
COLLEAGUES AND ALSO THE
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, THERE
ARE NO VOTES THIS WEEK. THIS IS
A WEEK FOR DISCUSSION AND
DELIBERATION, TO REALLY
UNDERSTAND MORE OF WHAT IS
BEING PROPOSED. FOR COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES AND ALSO MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC, I WANT YOU TO BE
AWARE THAT COUNCILMEMBERS DO
NOT NEED TO SIGN ON TO AN
AMENDMENT TO SHOW THEIR
SUPPORT. VOICING SUPPORT OR
COMMENTS OF SUPPORT ARE
WELCOME, BUT THEY ARE NOT
NECESSARY EITHER. WE DO HAVE
100 AMENDMENTS TO GET THROUGH,
SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF
THERE IS A SPECIFIC PRIORITY
AMENDMENT OF YOURS AND YOU ARE
IN THE COMMUNITY, IF YOU DON'T
SEE A COUNCILMEMBER SIGN-ON OR
SPEAK UP, THAT IS NOT AN
INDICATION THEY DON'T SUPPORT
IT. IT IS TRYING TO MOVE
FORWARD SO WE CAN GET TO THE
LIBERATION. THERE IS NO VOTE
TODAY. SIGNING ONTO AN
AMENDMENT IS NOT A PROXY VOTE.
I ALSO APPRECIATE OUR COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE SHOWN
REALLY IMPRESSIVE IDEAS AND
ALSO RESTRAINT AS WE ARE
DEALING WITH THE $141 MILLION
IN BUDGET DEFICIT AND, EXCUSE
ME, OPERATING DEFICIT THIS
YEAR. I APPRECIATE THE
THOUGHTFUL APPROACH AND ALSO
THAT REVENUE IDEAS ARE BEING
SUGGESTED. THIS WILL BE PART OF
DELIBERATIONS AS WE WORK TOWARD
CREATING A BALANCING PACKAGE
FOR THE COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION
FROM THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ON
NOVEMBER 7. I WANT TO THANK
FOLKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO
WORK WITH YOU OVER THE NEXT FEW
WEEKS. WE ARE VERY INTERESTED
IN MAKING SURE WE UNDERSTAND
THE FULL IMPACT OF YOUR
AMENDMENTS AND REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT THIS WEEK IS
FOCUSED MOSTLY ON ADMISSIONS.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDED
TO THE BUDGET BEFORE IT IS
PASSED. AGAIN, FOR THE MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC AND COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES, USUALLY CUTS ARE
NOT SOMETHING PROPOSED IN THIS
FIRST ROUND OF AMENDMENTS, BUT
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE
COMMUNITY KNOWS IF YOU SAW
SOMETHING YOU DID NOT LIKE, IF
IT DOES NOT HAVE A CUT PROPOSE
TO IT IT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS
NOT UP FOR DISCUSSION AND
DELIBERATION. A QUICK
CLARIFICATION. I USE THE TERMS,
CUTS AND ADDS, BECAUSE IT IS
EASY TO THINK ABOUT THAT IN
RELATION TO THE BUDGET, BUT
MANY ARE PROPOSED, SO A
REDUCTION IN THOSE ADDITIONS
WOULD NOT BE A CUT TO THE
COMMUNITY. THAT IS A NUANCE
THAT IS IMPORTANT TO GET RIGHT
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO REMIND
FOLKS OF THAT, BECAUSE THE
PROPOSED BUDGET IS ALL THAT. IT
IS A PROPOSAL. WHEN THE
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH PUTS FORWARD
A DIFFERENT PROPOSAL, IF IT IS
STILL AN INCREASE, I WANT THAT
TO BE NOTED AS WELL. THE
CHAIRS BALANCING PACKAGE WILL
BE RELEASED NOVEMBER 7 AND I
HAVE ASKED CENTRAL STAFF TO DO
SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT THIS
YEAR. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN
THE LAST FEW WEEKS TALKING
ABOUT THE USE OF GENERAL FUND
REVENUE ADJACENT REVENUE
STREAMS, SUCH AS JUMPSTART
SEATTLE, PROGRESSIVE PAYROLL
TAX, THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
COMPANIES TAX AND ALSO THE
SHORT-TERM RENTAL TAX. IT IS
PART OF OUR PUBLIC
DELIBERATIONS THAT SOME OF
THESE FUNDS ARE BEING USED IN
DIFFERENT WAYS THAT ARE
IDENTIFIED IN THE SPEND PLAN
AND SPECIFIC TO JUMPSTART,
CODIFIED IN STATUTE.
THROUGHOUT THE UPCOMING FEW
WEEKS I WILL BE WORKING WITH
CENTRAL STAFF TO TRY TO
REALIGN SOME OF THESE REVENUE
STREAMS WITH SOME OF THE
ORIGINAL INTENTION, AS PROPOSED
AND CODIFIED IN STATUTE. TO
ENSURE THAT CENTRAL STAFF HAS
ENOUGH TIME TO BEGIN WORKING ON
SOME OF THESE CHANGES, I HAVE
FLAGGED FOR MY COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES AND WANT TO FLAG FOR
ALL OF YOU THAT I ASKED CENTRAL
STAFF TO DEVELOP A FEW OMNIBUS
BUDGET AMENDMENTS. I MAY
CONSIDER THESE OMNIBUS
AMENDMENTS AS WE CONSIDER THE
BALANCING PACKAGE, TO ENSURE
THE INITIAL PACKAGE
ACCOMPLISHES THE FOLLOWING TWO
THINGS. REALIGNS THE REVENUE
STREAMS AS BEST AS POSSIBLE
WITHIN THE SPENDING CATEGORIES
DEFINED IN STATUTE OR ONLY
ALLOWS A TEMPORARY DEVIATION
FROM THOSE POLICIES IF IT
ALIGNS WITH IMPORTANT VALUES
LIKE PREVENTING CUTS AND
AUSTERITY. SECOND, THAT WE GO
THROUGH ALL OF THE PROPOSALS
TO AVOID ANY REDUCTIONS OR CUTS
IN SERVICES, ESPECIALLY IN
THESE TOUGH TIMES, AS FOLKS ARE
STILL DEALING WITH THE IMPACT,
BOTH PHYSICAL AND ECONOMIC
IMPACT OF COVID. AS WE
DISCUSSED OVER THE COURSE OF
THE LAST FEW WEEKS, THE REASON,
THE IMPORTANCE FOR HAVING THIS
BUDGET AMENDMENT APPROACH ON A
FEW ITEMS IS TO MAKE SURE WE
ARE CREATING A BALANCING
PACKAGE AND IN ORDER TO CREATE
A BALANCED PACKAGE, WE DID NEED
TO START EARLY ON SOME LARGER
POLICY CHANGES, TO ADDRESS A
FEW THINGS. ONE IS SIGNIFICANT
CHANGES IN EXISTING POLICY.
AGAIN, ANY DEVIATIONS WE SAW
FROM THE CODIFIED SPEND PLAN
AND THEN THERE ARE LARGE,
PROPOSED, POLICY CHANGES IN THE
BUDGET. AGAIN, WE ONLY HAVE AN
EIGHT WEEK TIMELINE, SO LARGE
POLICY CHANGES IS SOMETHING WE
WANTED TO LOOK SPECIFICALLY AT
AND SEE HOW WE CAN ADDRESS
THOSE IN THE BUDGET, BUT ALSO
FUTURE ACTIONS AS WELL. THERE
ARE ALSO MAJOR NEW INITIATIVES
LIKE THE UNIFIED CARE TEAM AND
CHANGES TO THE CLEAN SEATTLE
PROPOSAL, SO WE WILL WORK WITH
CENTRAL STAFF TO SEE HOW WE
CAN BEST ALIGN THE LEGISLATIVE
INTENT AND INTEREST WITH WHAT
THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET HAS
SUGGESTED. THERE MAY BE CHANGES
TO THOSE AREAS. AS WE SEE,
THESE ARE LARGE POLICY CHANGES
IN THE MIDDLE OF BUDGET. I ALSO
WANT TO ADDRESS THAT WE ARE
VERY INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE
WE ARE MAINTAINING SERVICES
AGAIN AND THIS WILL BE MY LAST
COMMENT BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO
PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT VERY
IMPORTANT TO ME, AS CHAIR, AND
I BELIEVE THE COUNCIL IN THE
PAST TWO YEARS. WE HAVE TRIED
TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO
PREVENT CUTS AND PREVENT
POSTERITY. WE KNOW IT IS NOT
ONLY IMPORTANT TO THE
VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WHO RELY
ON PUBLIC SERVICES AND CORE
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IN THESE
TOUGH TIMES. IT IS ALSO THE
BEST THING WE CAN DO FOR OUR
LOCAL ECONOMY. WE HAVE SEEN
TIME AND TIME AGAIN WHEN THERE
IS ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, THE
JURISDICTIONS AND STATES THAT
RUSH TO AND AUSTERITY APPROACH,
THAT RUSH TO CUT SPENDING,
ONLY HURTS THE LOCAL ECONOMY,
INCLUDING PRIVATE BUSINESS. IF
OUR JOINT BUSINESSES MAKING
SURE WE HAVE A MORE JUST AND
EQUITABLE RECOVERY FOR ALL,
INCLUDING BUSINESSES, IT IS
REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK
THROUGH THIS BUDGET FOR THE
2023 2024 CALENDAR YEARS AND
PREVENT CUTS FOR COMMUNITY,
RESIDENTS, AND SMALL BUSINESS
AND LOCAL ECONOMY. AS ALWAYS,
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ANSWER
THOSE. MY STAFF IS AVAILABLE OR
ANYONE ON CENTRAL STAFF.
SPECIFICALLY ALY PENNUCCI AND
AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND
DIRECTOR OF CITY CENTRAL
STAFF. I WILL ALSO WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW THERE
IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF
CONVERSATIONS WITH COLLEAGUES,
MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY IN THE
UPCOMING WEEKS BEFORE THE
PROPOSED CHAIRS BALANCING
PACKAGE IS SUGGESTED.
COLLEAGUES ABOUT VOTES. AFTER
THE PRESENTATION OF THE
PROPOSED BUDGET, THEN WE WILL
HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON ANY
ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS BEFORE
THE BUDGET IS FINALIZED. THANK
YOU FOR CONTINUING TO DIAL IN
TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT TO
OUR DELIBERATIONS THROUGHOUT
THE UPCOMING WEEKS. WE HAVE
COMMITTED TO AT LEAST AN HOUR
AND A HALF, 90 MINUTES, OF
PUBLIC COMMENT. THAT WOULD
BRING US, HELP ME, 11:15. AND
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET
THROUGH EVERYONE BECAUSE THERE
ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE SIGNED
UP AND IN PERSON. WE WILL DO
ONE MINUTE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
FOR EVERYONE. FOR THOSE WHO
HAVE AN INTERPRETER, WE WILL
DOUBLE YOUR TIME SO WE CAN HEAR
THE FULL COMMENTS. WE WILL
START WITH THE FIRST 10 PEOPLE
SIGNED UP ON THE WEBSITE AND
THEN GO TO THE NEXT 10 PEOPLE
IN THE ROOM. MADAM CLERK, DO
YOU MIND TEEING UP OUR VIDEO?
THANK YOU.
>> HELLO, SEATTLE. WE ARE THE
EMERALD CITY, THE CITY OF
FLOWERS, AND THE CITY OF
GOODWELL. BUILT ON INDIGENOUS
LAND, THE TRADITIONAL
TERRITORY PEOPLES. IF YOU
WOULD LIKE TO BE A SPEAKER AND
PROVIDE VERBAL PUBLIC COMMENT,
YOU CAN REGISTER TWO HOURS
PRIOR TO THE MEETING VIA THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WEBSITE.
HERE IS SOME INFORMATION ABOUT
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEEDINGS.
SPEAKERS ARE CALLED IN THE
ORDER IN WHICH THEY REGISTERED
ON THE COUNCIL'S WEBSITE. EACH
SPEAKER MUST CALL IN FROM THE
PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED WHEN THEY
REGISTER ONLINE AND USE THE
MEETING I.D. AND PASSWORD THAT
WAS EMAILED AMONG CONFIRMATION.
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE AN
EMAIL CONFIRMATION, PLEASE
CHECK YOUR SPAM OR JUNK MAIL
FOLDERS. A REMINDER, THE
SPEAKER MEETING IDEAS DIFFERENT
FROM THE GENERAL LISTEN LINE
I.D. PROVIDED ON THE AGENDA.
ONCE A SPEAKER'S NAME IS
CALLED, THE MICROPHONE WILL BE
UNMUTED AND AN AUTOMATIC
PROMPT WILL SAY, THE HOST WOULD
LIKE YOU TO UNMUTE YOUR
MICROPHONE. THAT IS YOUR QUEUE
THAT IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
AT THAT TIME, YOU MUST PLAY
PRESS STAR SIX. YOU WILL THEN
HERE, YOU ARE UNMUTED. MAKE
SURE YOUR PHONE IS UNMUTED ON
YOUR END, SO YOU WILL BE HEARD.
YOU SHOULD BEGIN BY STATING
YOUR NAME AND THE ITEM YOU
WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDRESSING. A
CHIME WILL SOUND WHEN 10
SECONDS ARE LEFT ON YOUR
ALLOTTED TIME. AS A GENTLE
REMINDER TO WRAP UP YOUR PUBLIC
COMMENTS. AT THE END OF THE
PUBLIC TIME, YOUR MICROPHONE
WILL BE MUTED AND THE NEXT
SPEAKER WILL BE CALLED. ONE
SPEAKERS HAVE CONCLUDED
PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENT,
PLEASE DISCONNECT FROM THE
PUBLIC COMMENT LINE AND JOIN US
BY FOLLOWING THE MEETING ON
SEATTLE PUBLIC BROADCASTER THE
LISTEN LINE OPTION LISTED ON
THE AGENDA. THE COUNCIL
RESERVES THE LIGHT RIGHT TO
ELIMINATE PUBLIC COMMENT IF THE
SYSTEM IS ABUSED OR THE PROCESS
IMPEDES THE COUNCIL ABILITY TO
CONDUCT BUSINESS ON BEHALF OF
RESIDENTS OF THE CITY. ANY
OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE THAT IS
DISRUPTIVE TO THESE PROCEEDINGS
ARE NOT FOCUSED ON AN
APPROPRIATE TOPIC AS SPECIFIED
IN COUNCIL RULES MAY LEAD TO
THE SPEAKER BEING MUTED BY THE
PRESIDING OFFICER. OUR HOPE IS
TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
PROVOCATIVE PRODUCTIVE
DISCUSSIONS THAT WILL ASSIST
ORDERLY CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES
BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW OPEN AND
WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST
SPEAKER ON THE LIST. PLEASE
REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR SIX
AFTER YOU HEAR THE PROMPT OF,
YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTED. THANK
YOU, SEATTLE.
>> THE CUSTOM IN SEATTLE IS TO
CALL ON FORMER ELECTED
OFFICIALS AS WELL, IN THE
AUDIENCE. I WANT TO CALL THE
FIRST THREE SPEAKERS.
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW -- AND
THEN WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE
LIST. GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW. AND I
SEE, COUNCILMEMBER, YOU ARE
STILL MUTED, IF YOU CAN HIT
STAR SIX ONE MORE TIME. YOU
MIGHT BE MUTED ON YOUR END.
LET'S KEEP COUNCILMEMBER
BAGSHAW ON THE SCREEN AND ALSO
QUEUE UP THE DEPUTY MAYOR.
GOOD MORNING DEPUTY MAYOR KIM.
>> GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU SO
MUCH. THIS MORNING I AM
REPRESENTING THE HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM OF
SEATTLE KING COUNTY. IT IS 190
MEMBERS TO URGE YOUR SUPPORT
OF AMENDMENT 300-A-200. WE
THANKED COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
FOR INTRODUCING AND CHAIR
MOSQUEDA AND COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS FOR COSPONSORING THIS
AMENDMENT RELATED TO NON-
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
SERVICES. WE ALSO THANK THE
COUNCIL FOR PROVIDING
INVESTMENTS LAST YEAR IN
VILLAGE FUNDING, RECOGNIZING
THAT THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS IN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAVE BECOME
INCREASINGLY COMPLEX AND
HOUSING PROVIDERS NEED MORE
TOOLS TO HELP MEET THESE NEEDS.
THIS AMENDMENT DOES NOT HAVE
ANY FINANCIAL IMPACTS. I HOPE,
CHAIR MOSQUEDA, THAT YOU WILL
BE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT. IT DOES
CONTINUE LAST YEAR'S ALLOCATION
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH YOU AND THE REST OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AS WE WORK ON THE
NEXT ITERATION OF THE HOUSING
MONEY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WANT TO
APPRECIATE ALSO THE FORMER
COUNCILMEMBER WHO IS THE BUDGET
CHAIR. I SEE YOU ARE OFF MUTE.
THEN WE WILL GO TO COUNCIL
PRESIDENT --
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR
ALLOWING ME A MOMENT TO TALK
-- LAST NIGHT ALL OF YOU
RECEIVED A LETTER FROM 19
ORGANIZATIONS AND ONE
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTING THE
CONTINUED INVESTMENTS IN
THOMAS STREET AND MANY OF YOU
WILL REMEMBER HOW MUCH WORK HAS
ALREADY GONE INTO THIS PROJECT.
IN 2017 WE HAD A NUMBER OF
WORKSHOPS THAT LED TO A FINAL
PROPOSAL FROM SDOT THAT WAS
CALLED THE MAP. COMMITMENTS
HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE CITY TO
REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION. WE
HAVE MADE COMMITMENTS TO THE
SEATTLE CENTER ARTS AND SPORTS
ORGANIZATIONS AND VOTERS VOTED
TO REBUILD THE MEMORIAL STADIUM
JUST THIS LAST JANUARY. IN
ADDITION, COMMITMENTS WERE MADE
TO PUT $40 MILLION INTO LOCAL
TRANSPORTATION. WE ARE ASKING
YOU PLEASE TO SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS'S
RECOMMENDATION TO FUND THOMAS
THIS YEAR WITH $2.5 MILLION AND
I THINK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
LETTING ME IN.
>> ABSOLUTELY. AND GOOD
MORNING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
WE MIGHT JUST TAKE A QUICK
SECOND 10th AND AFTER THIS I
AM GOING TO GO TO PETER. DO WE
HAVE COUNCILMEMBER STREET WITH
US? OKAY, LET'S KEEP OUR EYE
OUT FOR THEM, IF THEY MAKE IT
INTO THE QUEUE. WE WILL GIVE
THEM A RING. AT THIS POINT WE
WILL CALL ON PETER CONDON. GOOD
MORNING, PETER. STAR SIX TO
UNMUTE, THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR
MOSQUEDA. THIS IS PETER
CONDITT, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
IN DISTRICT 6. I SUPPORT THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND BELIEVE
POLICE SHOULD HAVE SMALLER
BUDGETS. A REMINDER THAT YEARS
OF BRINGING MORE RESOURCES TO
SPD IS A FAILED STRATEGY THAT
ALLOWS POLICE VIOLENCE TO
CONTINUE. COUNCIL SHOULD REMOVE
$17 MILLION FROM SPD FOR GHOST
POSITIONS THEY HAVE NO PLAN TO
FILL AND SHOULD REMOVE AN
ADDITIONAL $3.4 MILLION TO
BRING THE PLAN INTO CLOSER
ALIGNMENT WITH REALITY. WE
NEED HOMES, SIDEWALKS, AND A
GREEN NEW DEAL, NOT A BLOATED
POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
LASTLY, COUNCIL SHOULD NOT
ALLOW OFFICERS TO GO BACK NEXT
YEAR. INSTEAD COUNCIL SHOULD BE
WORKING TO REMOVE THE BRANDING
FROM UNIFORMS AND MOVE THEM
FARTHER AWAY FROM THE STATUS
QUO. ANY PLAN FOR TRUE PUBLIC
SAFETY CANNOT INCLUDE THE
VIOLENCE THAT POLICING
ENTAILS. THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING.
>> THANK YOU, PETER. BJ, GOOD
MORNING. FOLLOWED BY CASTILLE
HIGHTOWER. DO WE HAVE BJ LAST
WITH US? OKAY, I AM GOING TO
MOVE ON. I SEE THEY ARE
PRESENT, SO IF WE CAN GET
FOLKS TEED UP, THREE AT A TIME,
THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL. BJ LAST?
GOOD MORNING, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> I AM A BALLARD RESIDENT AND
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND I
SUPPORT THE BUDGET. I HAVE
BEEN IN SDOT LESS THAN A YEAR
AND THERE HASN'T EVEN BEEN A
REAL ATTEMPT TO INTEGRATE THEM
TO SDOT, GIVEN THAT A LOT OF
THEM STILL HAVE SPD BRANDING.
IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY THIS
MOVE WAS A MISTAKE.
ADDITIONALLY, THE FINAL
LANGUAGE IS UNCERTAIN, SO IT
WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE TO
POTENTIALLY MOVE AGAIN IN
ANOTHER YEAR. SEATTLE IS
REQUIRED TO HAVE A BALANCED
BUDGET. POSITIONS HAS NO
ABILITY TO FILL IS LESS MONEY
SPENT ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
VISION ZERO ON OUR STREETS. WE
HAD RECORD NUMBERS OF
PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLIST HIT BY
CARS THIS YEAR AND THAT IS
UNACCEPTABLE. WE ALSO NEED MORE
GREEN NEW DEAL INVESTMENTS.
HIRING AND RETENTION FOR NEXT
YEAR IS EXTREMELY OPTIMISTIC.
THANK YOU, I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I SEE
CASTILE, GOOD MORNING. FOLLOWED
BY ALLISON.
>> GOOD MORNING, CAN YOU HEAR
ME?
>> YES I CAN, THANK YOU.
>> GENERATIONAL TRAUMA THAT IS
STILL FELT TO THIS DAY.
DEFENDING AND JUSTIFYING HIS
KILLING AND SO MANY LIKE THIS.
WE BARELY SCRAPE TOGETHER
ENOUGH MONEY TO BURY AND
PROMPTLY WARN HIM. FAMILY
SERVICES FOR OFFICERS. WE WERE
ONLY RECENTLY ABLE TO PAY FOR
HER HEADSTONE. WHEN WILL THE
MORAL OBLIGATIONS BE EXTENDED
TO VICTIMS OF POLICE VIOLENCE?
WE ARE NO LESS HARMED AND
TRAUMATIZED DACIAN
ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM THAT
REFUSES TO HOLD OFFICERS
ACCOUNTABLE. AN APPEALS
SYSTEM. I ASK YOU , VICTIMS OF
POLICE VIOLENCE AND THEIR
FAMILIES -- NAVIGATING A
HOSTILE SYSTEM THAT
TRAUMATIZES. WE DEMAND
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TO BE
INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. JUSTICE
FOR ALL PEOPLE. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, ALLISON.
ALLISON IS FOLLOWED BY HOWARD.
AND ALLISON, YOU ARE STILL ON
MUTE. STAR SIX, PLEASE. GREAT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD
MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM
WITH THE SEATTLE KING COUNTY
COALITION ON HOMELESSNESS AND I
AM HERE THIS MORNING IN
SOLIDARITY WITH THE FOLKS WHO
DO ESSENTIAL WORK TO SHELTER,
HOUSE, AND HELP PEOPLE ACROSS
SEATTLE. I WANT TO OFFER THANKS
TO COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA FOR
WORKING WITH US TO ENSURE
INVESTMENTS IN THE CARE TEAM
AND SEATTLE -- IT IS
APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE TO
FOCUS THOSE INVESTMENTS OF CITY
STAFF CAN PROVIDE NECESSARY
SERVICES LIKE GARBAGE PICKUP,
CLEANING, AND MAINTENANCE AND
SKILLED HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS
CAN DO THEIR WORK WITH PEOPLE
WHO NEED HOMES, THROUGH
CONTRACTS WITH OUR REGIONAL
HOMELESSNESS AUTHORITY. YOU
WILL HEAR FROM THE TEAM ABOUT
HOW THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOCUSED
WORK HELPS OUR WHOLE
COMMUNITY, INCLUDING PEOPLE
WITH HOMES, LOCAL BUSINESSES
AND RESIDENTS. THIS WILL
IMPROVE OUR ENTIRE CITY AND WE
ALSO WANT TO APPRECIATE
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES FOR HER
SPONSORSHIP OF A $9.9 MILLION A
MINUTE TO PREVENT LOSS OF
SHELTER.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALLISON
HOWARD, GOOD MORNING, FOLLOWED
BY KATE RUBIN.
>> GOOD MORNING. HOWARD GALE,
WITH -- THE BUDGET PROPOSES
MORE MONEY FOR THE POLICE AND
WASTES OVER $11 MILLION ON A
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM
THAT STILL HAS POLICE
INVESTIGATING POLICE. NINE
VICTIMS OF POLICE VIOLENCE,
ANY APPEALS OR SEMBLANCE OF
JUSTICE OR ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS
BUDGET PROVIDES MONIES FOR
VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE, UNLESS
THAT VIOLENCE IS PERPETRATED BY
SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS. THIS
BUDGET PROVIDES MONEY TO STEM
GUN VIOLENCE, UNLESS
PERPETRATED BY A SEATTLE POLICE
OFFICER. THIS IS EMBEDDED
THROUGHOUT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY
SYSTEM. THEY DO NOT EVEN COUNT
POLICE KILLINGS AS HOMICIDE IN
THEIR HOMICIDE DATA FOR KING
COUNTY AND EVERY OTHER STATE
AGENCY REPORTING THE
STATISTICS DOES. WE NEED TO END
THIS DOUBLE STANDARD AND
HYPOCRISY. IF THIS COUNCIL IS
NOT GOING TO PROVIDE ACTUAL
ACCOUNTABILITY, AT LEAST
PROVIDE MONEY TO SUPPORT THE
VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN
ORDER TO ADDRESS THE HARMS YOU
HAVE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.
>> THANK YOU AND A QUICK
REMINDER, THE COUNCIL HAS NOT
YET PROPOSED A BUDGET, SO THIS
IS THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET,
BUT I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY
IT IS MAYBE THE CITY'S PROPOSED
BUDGET, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE
WE ORIENT FOLKS TO WHERE WE ARE
IN THE PROCESS. THE COUNCIL IS
ISSUING ITS INITIAL PROPOSAL.
KATE RUBIN, FOLLOWED BY --
GOOD MORNING, KATE.
>> HI, MY NAME IS KATE RUBIN. I
AM A RENTER IN DISTRICT TWO AND
THE ORGANIZING DIRECTOR. I
SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET,
BECAUSE WE SHARE IN THE VISION
OF AFFORDABLE AND EQUITABLE
HOUSING FOR ALL, SO EVERYONE
IN SEATTLE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY
TO THRIVE. THE CITY'S APPROACH
OF CRIMINALIZING PROPERTY HAS
NOT BEEN WORKING. WE NEED TO
STOP THE SWEEPS AND INVEST IN
BASIC NEEDS INCLUDING HOUSING,
SUPPORT SERVICES, AND CRISIS
RESPONSE. THE MORATORIUM
COINCIDED WITH MASSIVE
INCREASES TO THE COST OF
LIVING, BUT THE MAYOR'S
PROPOSED BUDGET GIVES FUNDING
AT 2022 LEVELS. COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALREADY
STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP . I URGE
COUNCIL TO INCREASE SPENDING BY
AT LEAST 8.6%. EVICTION IS THE
NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF
HOMELESSNESS. WE ADDED FUNDING
-- SUPPORTING TENANT
ORGANIZING AND GROWING THE
POWER AND LEADERSHIP OF
RENTERS, ESPECIALLY IN
COMMUNITIES THAT ARE
HISTORICALLY OPPRESSED. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. M
HARVEY FOLLOWED BY JONES AND
THEN WE WILL GO TO 10 PEOPLE
IN THE AUDIENCE.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM THE
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF KING
COUNTY SERVICES WITH THE YMCA.
I AM HERE AS A MEMBER OF THE
SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION, SPEAKING TODAY IN
FAVOR OF FULLY FUNDING HUMAN
SERVICES. HUMAN SERVICE
PROVIDERS AND HUMAN SERVICE
WORKERS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY
UNDERPAID FOR THE DIFFICULT
WORK THEY DO. AS A RESULT,
THEY ARE VOTING WITH THEIR FEET
AND LEAVING THE SECTOR. WITHOUT
ADEQUATE FUNDING, WE WILL HAVE
TO REDUCE SERVICES IN THE
COMMUNITY LOCATIONS LIKE THE
CENTER FOR HOMELESS WOMEN WHICH
PROVIDES SHELTER AND SERVICES.
WE NEED CONTINUED, SUSTAINED
FUNDING. DEMAND HAS NOT
DECREASED AND FUNDING SHOULD
NOT, EITHER. THANK YOU ALL FOR
YOUR SUPPORT FUNDING THESE
PRIORITIES IN THE BUDGET AND
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS
MORNING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY,
AND NOW ONE MORE PERSON. I
BELIEVE WE HAVE EMMA YORK
JONES.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. I AM THE CHIEF PROGRAM
AND IMPACT OFFICER. I AM HERE
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE CITY,
IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE
AMENDMENT TO BACKFILL FEDERAL
FUNDS FOR SHELTERS AND A
CENTERS IN SEATTLE. WE EMPLOY
OVER 50 INDIVIDUALS. AS CASE
MANAGERS, HOUSING NAVIGATORS,
SUPPORT STAFF, AND EDUCATORS.
MULTIPLE LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
ARE REPRESENTED BY OUR STAFF
AND MANY COME FROM THE VERY
COMMUNITIES THEY ARE SERVING.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE STAFF
ARE REPRESENTED BY LOCAL EIGHT.
NOT ONLY DO ENGAGEMENT CENTERS
SERVE AS ESSENTIAL SITES FOR
CLIENTS TO HAVE BASIC NEEDS
MET, LIKE HYGIENE SERVICES,
WARM MEALS, AND SHELTERS, BUT
ALSO AS A HOME BASE FOR
PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY.
OUTREACH SERVICES, REENTRY ,
BEHAVIOR ON PHYSICAL HEALTH,
AND MUCH MORE. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR CONSIDERATION AND FOR
SUPPORT OF OUR ESSENTIAL
SERVICES AND THE STAFF WHO
PROVIDE THEM.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANKS
AGAIN TO EVERYBODY FOR DIALING
IN. WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT 10
PEOPLE IN THE ROOM. THAT WAS
PRETTY EFFICIENT, SO THANKS
EVERYBODY. IF YOU HEAR
SOMETHING YOU LIKE, PLEASE DO
THIS AS AN INDICATION OF
SUPPORT SO WE CAN KEEP GOING
AND NO ONE'S AUDIO IS CUT OFF.
THAT IS TRUE FOR PEOPLE
COMMENTING ONLINE. A LOT OF
THINGS ARE INTERSECTIONAL AND
PEOPLE ARE HERE FOR MULTIPLE
TOPICS, SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO
DO THAT, THAT IS GREAT, BUT
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM APPLAUSE.
FOLKS WHO HAVE INTERPRETERS, WE
WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR
PEOPLE WHO NEED INTERPRETER
SERVICES. PLEASE KEEP TO YOUR
ONE MINUTE TIME AND THE
INTERPRETER WILL HAVE ONE
MINUTE, AS WELL. CAROLYN
MALONE, FOLLOWED BY SAM WOLF
AND THEN TIARA DEERBOURNE. GOOD
MORNING. IF FOLKS WANT TO
START LINING UP AT THE PODIUM,
YOU'RE WELCOME TO. WHEN YOU'RE
NEXT IN LINE. THAT WOULD BE SAM
WOLF AND TIARA DEERBOURNE.
>> I AM HERE, MY FOCUS IS
POLICE BRUTALITY, PUBLIC
SAFETY. BECAUSE OF MY
CONTINUING PROTEST AGAINST
POLICE, I HAVE BEEN HARASSED.
THESE PHOTOS ARE EITHER POLICE
LIVING IN MY BUILDING OR
POLICE AFFILIATES. EACH TIME I
PROTEST, I AM THREATENED WITH
HOUSING INSUFFICIENCY. RIGHT
NOW I AM IN HOUSING LIMBO.
BECAUSE OF SEATTLE POLICE
HARASSMENT. I AM WORKING WITH
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICE
WORKERS TO STOP THE ILLEGAL
EVICTION. MY HOUSING SUBSIDY
THROUGH HUD HAS BEEN CANCELED
BECAUSE OF THESE POLICE. I
WILL CONTINUE TO EXERCISE MY
CIVIL RIGHTS TO SPEAK OUT.
DESPITE THESE HORRIBLE PHOTOS
POLICE PUT IN MY PATH OF DEAD
RATS. FOUR DEAD RATS HAVE BEEN
PLACED IN MY PATH TO SCARE ME,
INTIMIDATE ME. POLICE
BRUTALITY.
>> FOLKS ONLY HAVE ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AND WE WILL
HAVE A STAFF MEMBER COME OUT
AND GET YOUR CONTACT
INFORMATION AS WELL. GOOD
MORNING. WELCOME, SAM. JUST A
SECOND, SAM, CAN I CONFIRM YOUR
MICROPHONE IS ON?
>> TEST, TEST. I THINK WE ARE
GOOD. MY NAME IS SAM WOLF,
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE
LEED PROGRAM. I AM HERE ASKING
COUNCIL TO RESTORE THE FUNDING.
WE ARE SIGNIFICANTLY
UNDERFUNDED FOR THE JOB WE
HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO. IF
FUNDING IS NOT RESTORED, OUR
WORK WILL BE SEVERELY IMPACTED.
OUR WORK INCLUDES THE PROVISION
OF NON-CONGAREE AT SHELTER,
INCLUDES CASE MANAGEMENT THAT
WALKS WITH THE PERSON FROM
INCARCERATION UNTIL THEY REACH
SAFETY AND STABILITY. WE HAVE
REACHED A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE
TO ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS AND HAVE
DONE THIS WORK THROUGHOUT
COVID, IN CLOSE COORDINATION
WITH COMMUNITIES AROUND THE
CITY. AS THE NEXT ERA OF
PUBLIC SAFETY PLANNING UNFOLDS,
WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE THESE
RESOURCES WE BUILT. BEFORE I
FINISH I WOULD LIKE TO STAND IN
SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE ASKING
FOR A LIVING WAGE INCREASE FOR
HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS. THANK
YOU.
>> AND TIARA FOLLOWED BY
MICHAEL AND THEN ANGELA. GOOD
MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. I AM
ALSO COMMENTING ON AMENDMENT
038-A-031. AS YOU KNOW, LEAD
AND CO-LEAD HAVE BEEN WORKING
WITH THE MOST VULNERABLE
RESIDENTS, MOST TO HAVE ALSO
BEEN SUBJECT TO ARREST AND
INCARCERATION FOR UNMET
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS,
SUBSTANCE USE, AND POVERTY. WE
HAVE DEMONSTRATED THIS APPROACH
WORKS AND MAINTAINED CRITICAL
SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE
PANDEMIC. THE FUNDING IS NOT
RESTORED, THIS WILL BE THE
THIRD YEAR WE ARE UNABLE TO
SCALE UP TO DO THE WORK WE HAVE
BEEN ASKED TO DO, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH RESOLUTION 3916. LEAD AND
COLEAD HAVE BEEN SCALING UP
FACILITIES CITED, HIRING, AND
MAKING COMMITMENTS TO DO WORK
IN HIGH NEEDS NEIGHBORHOODS AND
WOULD HAVE TO SHRINK BACK DOWN.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE FUNDING FOR
2023 TO GET CRITICAL SERVICES
INTACT. I ALSO STAND IN
SOLIDARITY WITH THE HUMAN
SERVICES COALITION AND DEGREE
SERVICE PROVIDER SHOULD BE PAID
A LIVING WAGE. THANK YOU.
>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU.
MICHAEL FOLLOWED BY ANGELA AND
KEITH. GOOD MORNING. EXCUSE
ME, THAT IS MICHELLE. SO SORRY.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> THAT'S OKAY, MY FATHER'S
NAME IS MICHAEL.
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I AM OUT
HERE TODAY ASKING FOR THE
RESTORATION OF FUNDING -- AS A
FRONT-LINE SERVICE WORKER, THE
WORK WE ARE DOING FOR COLEAD
AND LEAD, I AM A FIRST
RESPONDER. JUST BEING IN AN
ENVIRONMENT WHERE SHELTERS
PROMOTE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS
LIFE SKILLS FOR FOLKS. WE HAVE
ALSO BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE LEGAL
AID FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE
JUSTICE INVOLVED. WE ALSO NEED
THE MONEY TO DO WHAT WE DO.
OUTREACH TEAMS GRADES
PARTNERSHIPS AND TRUST IN THE
COMMUNITY. WE ARE ADDRESSING
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
IN THE COMMUNITY BY BUILDING
RELATIONSHIPS WITH BUSINESS
OWNERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
SAID PLACES. ALSO BEING ABLE TO
HAVE THE LIFE SKILLS TO
UNDERSTAND SUBSTANCE USE IS A
DISORDER. IT'S NOT WHO YOU ARE.
WE WANT TO TREAT THEM WITH
DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND HELP
THEM NAVIGATE THIS, BUT WE ALSO
WANT TO ADDRESS THIS WITH A
HOLISTIC APPROACH. THANK YOU.
>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU. THE
NEXT PERSON IS THE REVEREND
ANGELA YANG. GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU,
CITY COUNCIL. BETHANY UNITED
CHURCH OF CHRIST, IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH GREEN
BUILDINGS NOW, THE BEACON HILL
COUNCIL, SPARKS NORTHWEST, AND
MANY OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY,
ASK THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
SUPPORT 0038, SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBERS 1029, HERBOLD
AND OTHERS FOR THE OFFICE OF
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT
TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF A
COMMUNITY LED RESILIENCE HUB IN
SOUTH BEACON HILL, LOCATED AT
THE BETHANY UCC. THIS IS
ALREADY LOCATED IN BEACON
HILL. AS 40,000 RESIDENTS AND
40% IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES AND
MORE THAN ONE IN FIVE OF OUR
RESIDENTS LIVE IN POVERTY. WE
HAVE HEARD MANY OF THE STORIES
VULNERABLE, SO WE ASK THAT YOU
HELP US TO APPROVE THIS
AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE
COUNCIL BUDGET AND THAT WOULD
ACCELERATE DECARBONIZATION OF
SEATTLE. TOGETHER OUR CITY AND
COMMUNITY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN CLIMATE CHANGE. BLESSINGS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT WE
WILL HEAR FROM KEITH AND THEN
CINDY. GOOD MORNING, KEITH.
>> COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
KEITH IRVIN AND I AM HERE
TODAY ALSO TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT
OF THE PROPOSAL FROM
COUNCILMEMBERS MORALES, LEWIS,
AND HERBOLD FOR COMPLETION OF
A RESILIENCE HUB ON SOUTH
BEACON HILL. VOLUNTEER
ORGANIZATION CREATED TO
DECARBONIZE BUILDINGS IN A
JUST WAY AND BRING THE BENEFITS
OF CLEAN ENERGY TO COMMUNITIES
MOST HARMED BY CLIMATE
POLLUTION. YOU HEARD A LITTLE
BIT ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP AND
THE RESILIENCE HUB TOGETHER. WE
RAISED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF
MONEY. NEARLY A QUARTER OF $1
MILLION IN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM
MANY INDIVIDUALS, RELIGIOUS
IMMUNITIES AND CHARITABLE
FOUNDATIONS. ONE BUILDING ON
CAMPUS HAS ALREADY BEEN
WEATHERIZED. ROOFTOP SOLAR HAS
BEEN INSTALLED ALONG WITH
BATTERY BACKUP AND WE HOPE YOU
WILL PASS THIS. I DO HAVE --
>> EXCELLENT, GOOD. IF YOU HAVE
PAPER, WE WILL TAKE THAT AND
MADAM CLERK, IF YOU WOULD LIKE
TO DISTRIBUTE THAT NOW, THAT IS
GOOD, TOO. THE NEXT PERSON IS
CINDY IRVIN. FOLLOWED BY --
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS
CINDY IRVIN AND I AM ALSO
TESTIFYING IN SUPPORT OF THE
SOUTH BEACON HILL RESILIENCE
HUB. A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, A
SMALL GROUP DECIDED TO DO
SOMETHING CONCRETE AND LOCAL
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
AND AN EQUITABLE TRANSITION
OFF OF FOSSIL FUELS. WE HAVE
BEEN HONORED TO PARTNER WITH
COMMUNITY LEADERS AND
SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A
RESILIENCE HUB ON SOUTH BEACON
HILL. WE HAVE ALL SHOWN WE CAN
WORK HARD AND ACCOMPLISH A LOT.
NOW WE ARE ASKING THAT THE
CITY JOIN THIS PARTNERSHIP.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE SOUTH
BEACON HILL RESILIENCE HUB.
LET'S MOVE TOGETHER WITH LOVE,
DETERMINATION, AND DO URGENCY
TOWARD A CLEAN CITY AND
RESILIENT COMMUNITIES. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COULD TIESHA
ALDER BARRY, FOLLOWED BY --
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. I AM
THE FOUNDER AND MANAGING
DIRECTOR OF A MISSION-BASED
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT FIRM IN
SEATTLE. I AM JOINED BY OUR
SENIOR DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, AS
WELL AS AN OFFICER OF THE
BOARD OF THE RAINIER COUNTY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND.
OUR MISSION IS LAND PROJECTS
THAT TRANSFORM NEIGHBORHOODS
AND PROMOTE ECONOMIC VALUE
WITHIN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. WE
ARE HERE TO MAKE A PUBLIC
STATEMENT TODAY REGARDING OUR
REQUEST FOR FUNDING THAT WAS
SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT,
OFFICE OF HOUSING, OED, AND
OFFERED TO MEMBERS OF THE
COUNCIL. THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY
FOCUSED MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS LOCATED IN THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT, SOUTHEAST
SEATTLE, WEST SEATTLE AND SOUTH
PARK, AS WELL AS ANOTHER $50
MILLION FROM THE RAINIER
DEVELOPMENT FUND. OUR PROJECTS
GENERATE MILLIONS IN ECONOMIC
VALUE FOR THE CITY AND WE ARE
HERE TO INFORM YOU THAT URBAN
BLACK HAS PROVIDED THE SERVICES
FOR AN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
CENTER THROUGH THE CITY, BUT WE
CANNOT CONTINUE WITHOUT
FUNDING. AS YOU MOVE FORWARD
THROUGH THIS BUDGET SEASON,
PLEASE CONSIDER COMMUNITIES
ATTACHED TO OUR WORK --
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE
NEXT PERSON IS TONYA. AND
KATHY SAND. GOOD
THANKS FOR CORRECTING THE LAST
NAME. I'M SORRY I COULD NOT
READ IT.
>> I AM A FRIEND OF
CHINATOWN-INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT. REALLY QUICK HISTORY,
THERE ARE 30 COMMUNITY MEMBERS
HERE. WE WALKED ALL THE WAY
HERE FROM CHINATOWN-INTERNATION
AL DISTRICT. YOU MAY HAVE MET
US IN THE PAST INVOLVING A
SHELTER EXPANSION, RIGHT ACROSS
THE STREET FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE APPRECIATIVE THAT HAS
BEEN STOPPED, BUT OUR MAIN
GOALS THIS ENTIRE TIME WAS
PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY
OUTREACH. WE ARE HERE AGAIN
ASKING FOR COMMUNITY-BASED
SOLUTIONS AND AN INVESTMENT IN
OUR COMMUNITY. THE COUNTY,
ACTUALLY THE CITY, IS INVESTING
$88.7 MILLION. WE ARE ASKING
FOR 5% OF THOSE FUNDS TO COME
INTO THE COMMUNITY AS A
HOLISTIC VIEW. SO WE ARE ASKING
FOR 5% OF $88.7 MILLION. ABOUT
$4.3 MILLION OF INVESTMENT TO
OUR COMMUNITY FOR PUBLIC
SAFETY, ECONOMIC RECOVERY,
HOUSING, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SERVICES THAT WILL BE BASED ON
COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS. THANK YOU.
>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU.
PLEASE DO THIS INSTEAD OF
APPLAUSE, THANK YOU, SO WE CAN
KEEP GOING. KATHY, GOOD
MORNING, KATHY.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
KATHY AND I AM ALSO HERE TO
SUPPORT THE REQUEST FOR COUNCIL
FUNDING. I WANT TO STRESS THAT
TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE FUNDING
MUST BE PROVIDED IN A
TRANSPARENT MANNER, VISIBLE TO
RESIDENTS OF THE CID. I IMPLORE
YOU TO MAKE DECISIONS IN A WAY
THAT ENGAGE THE PROPER
AUDIENCE AT EACH STEP OF THE
PROCESS. WE HAVE VOLUNTEER
ORGANIZATIONS OUT THERE LIKE
THE COMMUNITY LODGE AND OTHERS
WHO KNOW THE NEEDS OF THE
COMMUNITY BEST. LET'S COMBINE
THE COUNCILS EXPERIENCE WITH
COMBATING HOMELESSNESS AND
CRIME ON A LARGER SCALE WITH
THIS EXPERTISE. NEIGHBORHOOD-BA
SED ORGANIZATIONS CAN ALSO BE
POWERFUL ALLIES FOR WORKING
WITH THE COUNCIL OVER THE LONG
TERM, PROVIDING DUE DILIGENCE
TO CARRY OUT MULTIYEAR
PROJECTS PAST ELECTION CYCLES.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, I BELIEVE
THESE GROUPS ARE ESSENTIAL TO
MAKE SURE THE NON-ENGLISH-SPEAK
ING RESIDENTS CAN RECEIVE
COMMUNICATION ON INITIATIVES.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AT THIS
POINT WE WILL TURN BACK TO THE
FOLKS ONLINE. THE NEXT SPEAKERS
WILL BE TIFFANY McQUAY, ALEX
LOCKHART, AND SARAH ROBBINS.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA. MY NAME
IS TIFFANY McQUAY. I AM THE
ADVOCACY DIRECTOR, CALLING IN
TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE
DEMANDS OF THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET, AS WELL AS SEATTLE
NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAYS. I ALSO
WANT TO SPECIFICALLY PULL OUT
THREE BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES HAS PUT
FORWARD. 002-A- -- WHICH WOULD
CREATE THE FUND. WE NEED MORE
TOOLBELT TOOLS. AND THOSE ARE
AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM FOR
OUR BUILDING TRADES TO LEARN
STANDARDS AND OTHER GREEN
BUILDING STANDARDS. WE SAW HOW
THE WILDFIRE SMOKE AFFECTED
NEIGHBORS WERE HOUSED IN THE
UNHOUSED. WE NEED TO BUILD
BUILDINGS TO THE HIGHEST
STANDARD.
>> THE NEXT PERSON IS ALICE
LOCKHART, FOLLOWED BY SARAH
ROBBINS.
>> I VOLUNTEER WITH 350 SEATTLE
AND SOLIDARITY BUDGET. TWO
THINGS. FIRST, 360 SEATTLE
WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTS
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES'S
AMENDMENT FOR APPRENTICESHIP
AND CERTIFICATION FOR GREEN
BUILDINGS. THIS EMBODIES
JUSTICE VALUES. $2.6 MILLION
OF GENERAL FUND AMENDMENTS
BEFORE YOU TODAY, ALL
ESSENTIALLY COME DIRECTLY FROM
JUMPSTART. I TRUST THE
BALANCING PACKAGE WON'T ALLOW
THE EVER INCREASING LEAD ON
JUMPSTART TO GRAB JUMPSTART
FOR RESERVE FUNDS. THE USE OF
JUMPSTART TO SUPPLANT OTHER
FUNDING SOURCES. CAN THIS
COMMITTEE ALSO ASKED FOR EVERY
BUDGET ITEM PARTICULARLY
OVERFUNDED POLICING, BUT ALSO
EVERY DEPARTMENT? CAN WE
LOCATE OR DO IT MORE CHEAPLY?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT STREET.
SARAH AND THEN COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM THE
SENIOR POLICY MANAGER AT THE
SEATTLE KING COUNTY COALITION
ON HOMELESSNESS AND A RESIDENT
OF DISTRICT 2. I AM TESTIFYING
ON BEHALF OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS
THAT WORK IN HOMELESS AND
ESSENTIAL SERVICES. I KNOW
EACH OF YOU ARE COMMITTED TO
SUPPORTING ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN
THE SECTOR. I ASKED TODAY FOR
YOU TO SUPPORT A FULL 7.6%
INFLATION INCREASE AS REQUIRED
BY ORDINANCE 125865. THAT
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN 2019.
AND THAT 7.6% INCLUDE THE
PERCENTAGE ADDED TO THE BASE
BUDGET. THIS FULL AMOUNT IS
NECESSARY TO ENSURE HUMAN
SERVICES PROVIDERS DO NOT
EXPERIENCE A CUT. I ALSO ASK
YOU SUPPORT AN AMENDMENT TO
MAINTAIN THE BUDGET FOR KING
COUNTY REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS,
TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT
CAPACITY WE HAVE. WE CANNOT
AFFORD TO LOSE ESSENTIAL
SERVICES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. COUNCIL
PRESIDENT STREET, ARE YOU WITH
US?
>> YES, I AM WITH YOU.
>> WONDERFUL, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> FIRST I WANT TO ASK A
QUESTION AND THAT IS IF THE
CITY COUNCIL CONTINUES TO
SUPPORT THE GOAL TO REDUCE
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 50%
BY 2030 AND IN MY
CONVERSATIONS WITH DEPUTY
STAFF, IT APPEARS WE ARE
NOWHERE CLOSE TO BEING ON TRACK
TO ACHIEVING THAT GOAL AND WE
DON'T HAVE A CURRENT ACTION
PLAN IN PLACE THAT WOULD HELP
US GET BACK ON TRACK OR A
PROCESS FOR ONGOING
TRANSPARENCY, SO CITIZENS CAN
UNDERSTAND WHAT PROGRESS IS
BEING MADE AND WHATNOT. PLEASE
INCLUDE IN THE 2023 BUDGET,
THE FUNDS FOR DEVELOPING A
COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET ACTION
PLAN BY THE SECOND QUARTER OF
NEXT YEAR. AN INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTOR WOULD ADD EXTRA
PIECE, BY REDUCING THE
BUREAUCRATIC HURDLES AND WE
THINK WOULD COST AROUND
$350,000. WITHOUT ACTION NOW,
WE WILL NOT ACHIEVE THE
RESULTS WE WANT TO ACHIEVE AND
WE NEED YOUR LEADERSHIP. WE
NEED CLIMATE CHAMPIONS. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY,
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE ON
WITH AMANDA SANDOVAL, FOLLOWED
BY DENNIS. DENNIS, YOU ARE
LISTED AS NOT PRESENT. PLEASE
DIAL IN. GOOD MORNING, AMANDA.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL
MEMBERS AND COLLEAGUES. I AM
AMANDA SANDOVAL AND I A McKEAN
COUNTY ADVOCACY MANAGER IN
DISTRICT 3. I JUST WANT TO
ASSURE COUNCIL OF MY VOTE IN
2019, WHICH INCLUDED NOW MAYOR
HARRELL, TO MAKE SURE WAGES
KEEP UP WITH INFLATION FOR
PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE FRONTLINE
SERVICES, FOR NEIGHBORS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND
OTHER POPULATIONS. THIS VOTE
WOULD MEAN INCREASES IN
ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ECONOMIC
HARDSHIP. CURRENTLY, MANY OF
OUR ORGANIZATION SERVING OUR
NEIGHBORS ARE ALREADY
EXPERIENCING EXTREME LEVELS OF
TURNOVER AND VACANCIES. SOME
ORGANIZATIONS ARE EXPERIENCING
AS HIGH AS 75% TURNOVER RATE.
THE FIVE LARGEST HOMELESSNESS
SERVICE PROVIDERS HAVE OVER 300
OPEN POSITIONS THAT CANNOT BE
FILLED, DUE TO A LACK OF
ADEQUATE WAGES. OUR UNHOUSED
NEIGHBORS DESERVE STABLE
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTS AND
WORKERS WERE HERE FOR THEM AND
IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT ENDING
HOMELESSNESS, WE MUST INVEST
IN THIS CRITICAL WORKFORCE.
>> THANKS SO MUCH. DENNIS, YOU
ARE STILL LISTED AS NOT
PRESENT. PLEASE GO AHEAD AND
DIAL IN. DON, FOLLOWED BY
PHOEBE. GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, I AM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE
PARTNERSHIP. I'M HERE TO SPEAK
ABOUT THE IMPACT CITY DOLLARS
CAN HAVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE
THE DISTRICT. FIRST I AM ASKING
COUNCILMEMBERS TO BACK
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON'S $2
MILLION AMENDMENT FOR A PILOT
PROGRAM TO FUND TREATMENT FOR
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. SO MUCH
OF OUR WORK IS CENTERED AROUND
UNADDRESSED HEALTH DISORDERS,
THE MAJORITY OF WHICH INVOLVE
SUBSTANCE USE. HAVING
APPROPRIATE RESOURCES TO
SUPPORT PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES
IS CRITICAL. SECOND I AM ASKING
COUNCILMEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE
AMENDMENT TO RESTORE FULL
FUNDING FOR L.E.A.D. AND
CO-L.E.A.D.. OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
IS ON BOARD WITH THE IDEA THAT
MANY VIOLATIONS ARE BEST
RESPONDED TO WITH COORDINATED
CARE, NOT JAIL AND PROSECUTION,
BUT THAT HAS TO HAPPEN.
CO-L.E.A.D. AND L.E.A.D.
INTERVENE AND HELP PROVIDE
BETTER OUTCOMES. WE CAN GO
BACKWARDS. PLEASE MAKE SURE
THIS FUNDING IS RESTORED. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT WE
WILL HEAR FROM PHOEBE. GOOD
MORNING, PHOEBE.
>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING,
HELLO, COUNCILMEMBERS. I LIVE
IN DISTRICT 3. I AM A UNION
REPRESENTATIVE AT LOCAL LATE
AND I REPRESENT WORKERS. WE
ALSO REPRESENT WORKERS IN THE
HOUSING ALLIANCE, PLYMOUTH
HOUSING AND LOW INCOME HOUSING
INSTITUTE. I WAS ALSO A CASE
MANAGER AT PLYMOUTH HOUSING FOR
SEVERAL YEARS, HELPING FOLKS
ACCESS SERVICES AND MAINTAIN
HOUSING. I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN
SUPPORT OF MAINTAINING CRITICAL
FUNDING FOR ADJUSTING THE HUMAN
SERVICES CONTRACT COMMENSURATE
WITH INFLATION THAT IS
IMPACTING OUR ORGANIZATION.
EVEN BEFORE INFLATION SPIKED
WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PAY
FOR THIS WORK WAS NOT ENOUGH TO
MAKE ENDS MEET, LET ALONE PUT
ASIDE MONEY FOR SAVING OR
RETIREMENT. IT IS NOT ONLY
UNFAIR, BUT UNETHICAL TO ASK
THESE WORKERS TO BE MARTYRS.
TURNOVER IS EXTREMELY HIGH AND
IT ISN'T BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT TO
LEAVE. THEY SIMPLY CAN'T
CONTINUE TO SHOULDER THE COST
OF THE WORK AND WE CANNOT
CONTINUE TO EXPLOIT THEIR
DEDICATION AND COMPASSION. I
URGE THE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE
SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION TO CONTINUE TO FUND
THE SERVICES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. PLEASE
SEND IN THE REST OF YOUR
COMMENTS. AND THE LAST THREE
SPEAKERS ON THIS LIST AND WE
WILL GO BACK TO THE ROOM,
ANDREW KITTLE, JACOB AND --
GOOD MORNING, ANDREW.
>> GOOD MORNING, CAN YOU HEAR
ME?
>> YES I CAN.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? OH, GREAT.
MY NAME IS ANDREW AND I LIVE
IN SOUTH SEATTLE. I AM
TESTIFYING ABOUT PROTECTED BY
CLIENTS AND CONE ZONES. A
FRIEND WAS HIT BY A CAR WHILE
BIKING AND GOT A CONCUSSION.
ANOTHER FRIEND WAS HIT AND
KILLED. WHEN WAS IT AND HAS
PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THEIR
SPINE. I COULD GO ON. A
PEDESTRIAN WAS KILLED ON
FRIDAY. ANOTHER PERSON INJURED
-- THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
THIS VIOLENCE IS PREVENTABLE.
SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG WRITES, WE
KNOW IT IS PREVENTABLE, BECAUSE
CITIES IN THE U.S. ACHIEVE
TREMENDOUS REDUCTIONS IN
ROADWAY DEATHS. THOSE CITIES
HAVE TAKEN ACTIONS LIKE
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES PROPOSES.
SEATTLE MUST STOP SHIRKING ITS
DUTIES TO PROTECT US. AGAIN,
BY FUNDING THE BUDGET ITEMS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANDREW,
FOLLOWED BY JACOB. GOOD
MORNING, ANDREW. GOOD MORNING,
ANDREW. I DON'T SEE ANDREW ON
HERE. DID WE JUST HEAR ANDREW?
OKAY, JACOB. GOOD MORNING,
JACOB.
>> GOOD MORNING, I AM JACOB
SHEARER, AN ORGANIZER FOR REAL
CHANGE AND I AM CALLING IN
SUPPORT OF THE 2023 SOLIDARITY
BUDGET, AS WELL AS AMENDMENTS
PUT FORWARD BY COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES. THIS AMENDMENT WILL
ENSURE THAT THE HOUSING WILL
BE SET UP TO ACHIEVE ITS FULL
POTENTIAL IN COMBATING HOUSE
LOOSENESS, DISPLACEMENT AND
AFFORDABILITY IN SEATTLE AND
THE STAFFING AND PEOPLE VEN -
NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFUL. I
AM ALSO CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
AMENDMENT 001A AND 002A WHICH
WILL CREATE A TRAINING PROGRAM
AND A TYPE OF PERMANENT,
RESILIENT HOUSING. INCLUDING
CERTIFICATION AND ALSO TO
HELP NEW MEMBERS GET CERTIFIED
IN TECHNOLOGIES AND ENSURE THAT
LABOR AND GREEN BUILDING ARE
WORKING TO COMBAT THE CLIMATE
CRISIS TOGETHER. SO, THANK YOU.
>> THANKS SO MUCH AND THE LAST
PERSON ON THIS LIST, THOMASINA.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, WE ARE A LOCAL
NONPROFIT FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY
AND CRIME PREVENTION. WE HAVE
TO FUNDING REQUESTS NEXT YEAR.
FIRST WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE
COUNCIL TO PRESS STORE A
PROPOSED FUNDING CUT TO OUR
SAFE COMMUNITIES CONTRACT.
SECOND WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR
INCREASED FUNDING FOR RAINIER
BEACH CONTRACTS. WE HAVE HELD
BOTH OF THESE CONTRACTS WITH
THE CITY FOR OVER A DECADE.
BOTH ARE COMMUNITY LED,
VIOLENCE AND CRIME PREVENTION
PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN
RESEARCHED AND EVALUATED.
THESE PROGRAMS HAVE MADE
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN THE
COMMUNITY AND HELP WITH
REDUCING VIOLENT CRIME. HAVING
TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS. I
WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO
SPEAK WITH EACH OF YOU IN
GREATER DETAIL. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SUPPORT AND CONSIDERATION.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. OKAY, WE
WILL GO BACK TO THE FOLKS IN
THE ROOM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
PATIENCE. IF THERE IS A NEED
FOR INTERPRETERS, WE WILL DO
TWO MINUTES, OTHERWISE EVERYONE
HAS ONE MINUTE.
>> MULTIPLE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
HAVE FAILED THE CID, FROM THE
CITY TO THE COUNTY TO THE
STATE. OF THE 34 HOMELESS
SHELTERS IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE MORE THAN HALF ARE
WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE
CID. THE CID WHICH HOUSES OVER
1000 SENIORS ALSO HAS THE
HIGHEST CRIME RATE AND HIGHEST
HOMICIDE RATE. DOES THAT SOUND
RIGHT TO YOU? WITH YOU HOW'S
YOUR GRANDPARENTS IN THAT KIND
OF NEIGHBORHOOD? WE WANT
SAFETY, WE WANT CLEAN STREETS,
WE WANT OUR BUSINESSES TO
PROSPER. WE WANT OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS TO THRIVE, SAME
AS MAGNOLIA, MADRONA, ALL OF
THAT.
>> YOU HAVE ANOTHER 10 SECONDS.
>> WHEN THE CHIME GOES OFF THAT
MEANS YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO
WRAP IT UP. DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER
SENTENCE YOU WOULD LIKE TO
SHARE? GO AHEAD. JUST ANOTHER
10 SECONDS.
>> IN PRESCHOOL WE TEACH OUR
KIDS THE CLEANUP SONG.
CLEANUP, CLEANUP, EVERYONE DO
YOUR SHARE. BE ACCOUNTABLE AND
CLEAN UP THIS MESS. THE CURRENT
CONDITIONS OF THE CID DIDN'T
JUST HAPPEN. YOU CREATED THE
CIRCUMSTANCES, EITHER
INTENTIONALLY OR BY WILLFUL
INDIFFERENCE.
>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, IF YOU
LIKE SOMETHING, YOU FOLKS CAN
DO THIS INSTEAD OF A PLOT.
THANK YOU. LEAS GO AHEAD,
ADAM.
>> HELLO CITY OF SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL. I AM HERE TO TALK
ABOUT THE FUNDING OF THE CID.
MY NAME IS ADAM KING, I GO TO
SUMMIT SIERRA HIGH SCHOOL
LOCATED IN THE CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT AND I AM
A JR. WE NEED SECURITY. MANY
PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE BEEN
HARASSED BY BOTH THE HOMELESS
POPULATION AND DRUG USERS. EVEN
I MYSELF GET HARASSED FROM TIME
TO TIME WHEN I AM JUST TRYING
TO ACCOMPANY A FRIEND AT THE
LUNCH. A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE
HAD HER HAIR PULLED BY A
HOMELESS MAN ON HER FIRST DAY.
IMAGINE YOU ARE OUT OF MIDDLE
SCHOOL AND YOUR FIRST DAY AT A
NEW SCHOOL AND A RANDOM GROWN
MAN PULLS YOUR HAIR ON THE
STREET BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN GET
INTO THE SCHOOL. YOU WOULD BE
TERRIFIED. IMAGINE IF THAT MAN
HAD MORE MALICIOUS INTENTS.
MAYBE I COULDN'T HAVE MET THAT
FRIEND IF HE HAD GONE FURTHER.
ANOTHER FRIEND HAD A MAN
YELLING OBSCENITIES, CALLING
DEGRADING NAMES OF HER IN A
GROUP OF FRIENDS BECAUSE THEY
TOLD HIM TO STOP LOOKING AT
THEM. THIS WAS YESTERDAY DURING
LUNCH. EXAMPLES, SHE HAD SO
MANY SHE COULDN'T REMEMBER ALL.
WE NEED MORE SECURITY BECAUSE
STUDENTS, MOSTLY GIRLS , FEEL
UNSAFE WITH THE RAMPANT
HARASSMENT BY THE GROWING
POPULATION OF HOMELESS AND DRUG
ABUSERS IN CHINATOWN.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY,
FOLKS, WE ARE GOING TO GO TO
GARY , BUT IF SOMEONE CAN HELP
ME REMIND PEOPLE THAT WE ARE
DOING THIS INSTEAD OF APPLAUSE
TO KEEP IT GOING. ALSO WHEN YOU
HEAR THE CHIME, THAT IS 10
SECONDS LEFT. THAT IS YOUR
INDICATION TO WRAP IT UP AND
THEN UNFORTUNATELY YOUR
MICROPHONE WILL BE CUT OFF.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME DO THE
PSA. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I AM GARY LEE. THE CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT IS THE
CULTURAL HEART OF MOST ASIAN
AMERICANS IN KING COUNTY. AND
THE REST OF PUGET SOUND. THE
ASIAN COMMUNITY HAS ENDURED
TREMENDOUS CHALLENGES DURING
THE PANDEMIC. COMPOUNDED BY
ANTI-ASIAN HATE CRIMES, CAUSING
ECONOMIC FALLOUT, SHUTTERED
BUSINESSES, INCREASING
BREAK-INS, OPEN AIR DRUG
MARKETS AND DRUG USE, AND
VANDALISM IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
BECAUSE OF THAT, THE CID ONLY
WANTS TO BE CLEAN AND SHINY
EVERY MORNING INCLUDING
SIDEWALKS AND ALLEYS. JUST LIKE
QUEEN ANNE, MAGNOLIA, MADISON
PARK FOR EXAMPLE. WE WANT TO BE
SAFE DAY AND NIGHT. JUST LIKE
YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS. WE WANT TO
BE FREE OF BOARDS ON THE
STOREFRONTS, FREE OF
WROUGHT-IRON FENCES AROUND
PARKING LOTS, ESPECIALLY WITH
RAZOR WIRE. FREE OF USED
NEEDLES AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
IN THE PARKS AND STREETS. WE
ARE ASKING THAT WE ARE TAKING
THE GREATEST BURDEN OF
HOMELESS SHELTERS AND SERVICES
IN THE CITY. FAR BEYOND
ANYWHERE IN THE CITY. WE HAVE
OVER 50 FACILITIES WITHIN
WALKING DISTANC OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. FEEL
FREE TO SEND IN THE REST OF
YOUR COMMENTS. LET'S KEEP
GOING. BETTY FOLLOWED BY J.
GOOD MORNING, BUT HE.
>> HELLO, I AM READY FROM THE
BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, THANK
YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR
AMENDMENT FOR TWO FULL-TIME
STREET OUTREACH WORKERS IN THE
CID. BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS
NOT ENOUGH FOR 44 SQUARE
BLOCKS AND AROUND 300 SMALL
BUSINESSES. THE CID IS THE ONLY
NEIGHBORHOOD IN SEATTLE THAT
HAS OVER 20 SHELTERS AROUND
IT AND A COUPLE INSIDE OF IT.
PLEASE, AT LEAST DOUBLE THE
NUMBER OF FULL-TIME OUTREACH
STREET WORKERS IN THE CID.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE NEXT
PERSON IS J FOLLOWED BY RYAN.
>> GOOD MORNING, I AM A
RESIDENT OF CHINATOWN AND
PARTICIPANT IN THE SEATTLE
CHINATOWN BLOCK WATCH. I AM
HERE TO SUPPORT THE LEAD AN
COLLEGIATE REQUEST FOR FUNDING.
I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A VERY
LARGE SHORTFALL IN THE BUDGET.
WHEN OUR FAMILY HAS A SHORTFALL
IN THE BUDGET WE ASK OURSELVES
IS THIS A WANT OR NEED. WANTS
ARE ASKED BY GOOD PEOPLE TO
MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER IN
SEATTLE. NEEDS ARE NEEDED FROM
PEOPLE THAT ARE DESPERATE FOR
THE BASIC NEEDS , SAFETY,
SECURITY, SHELTER. THAT IS
WHAT LEAD AND CO-LEAD WILL
PROVIDE. TO RESIDENTS OF
CHINATOWN. WHEN YOU ARE
BOMBARDED ALL OF THESE
REQUESTS FOR THINGS THAT
PERHAPS CAN BE MOVED FORWARD
DOWN THE ROAD, LOOK AT WHAT WE
NEED TODAY. COME TO CHINATOWN
AND WALK WITH US AND ASK, IS
THIS ACCEPTABLE, THE SITUATION
WE ARE IN? THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WHERE WE
HAD? RYAN , RYAN FOLLOWED BY
PEGGY AND THEN FRANK. GOOD
MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. I AM
A RELATIVELY NEW RESIDENT OF
CENTRAL DISTRICT AS OF THE END
OF MAY THIS YEAR. ALTHOUGH I'VE
ONLY BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS
MOVEMENT FOR A SHORT TIME SINCE
IT STARTED YEARS AGO. I AM
PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT IT STANDS
FOR AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR
SEATTLE'S UNHOUSED POPULATION
MOVING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.
BUT, IN ORDER TO CONTINUE
MOVING FORWARD, WE ABSOLUTELY
MUST BE INCLUDED IN THIS
BUDGET.WE ALSO SUPPORT AND ARE
EXCITED ABOUT THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET AND AGAIN, WE DON'T JUST
NEED THIS NOW BEFORE ABILITY TO
HELP HOUSE THE HOMELESS IN THE
FUTURE. I HAVE A FEW SECONDS
LEFT, I LIKE TO SAY THIS
STARTED IN PINK TENTS, WE ARE
HAIR HERE INSERTS TO REMIND
YOU OF WHERE WE CAME FROM, AND
WHERE WE ARE GOING. WE NEED
YOUR HELP TO DO SO. WE ARE
HEARING REPRESENTATION BECAUSE
IT'S HARD TO SWEEP SOMETHING
THIS VIBRANT UNDER THE RUG.
>> PEGGY . GOOD MORNING,
PEGGY.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
PEGGY AND I'M A FOUNDER AND
VOLUNTEER. FIRST LET ME SAY
THAT NICKELSVILLE SUPPORTS THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET. WE ALSO
OPPOSE ANY MONEY BEING SPENT ON
SWEEPS WHEN THERE IS NOWHERE
FOR PEOPLE TO GO. ON SEPTEMBER
24 NICKELSVILLE HELD A PARTY TO
CELEBRATE ITS 14th ANNIVERSARY.
WHILE WE ARE GLAD THERE ARE
LOW BARRIER VILLAGES, WE AGREE
WITH RESEARCH AND MARCO STATED
THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF
HOMELESSNESS IS ECONOMIC. IT
STANDS TO REASON THEN LOGICALLY
THAT MOST OF THESE VILLAGES
SHOULD BE SELF MANAGED. JUST
THIS WEEK WE BEGAN RECEIVING
THE FUNDS EARMARKED FOR
VILLAGES LIKE OURS FROM LAST
YEAR'S BUDGET. JUST THIS WEEK.
WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE
FINANCIAL SUPPORT, IT SHOULDN'T
BE THIS HARD. WE SHOULD NOT
HAVE TO PLEAD FOR THE KIND OF
VILLAGE YOU YOURSELF WOULD WANT
TO LIVE IN. KEEP NICKELSVILLE
AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN
THE BUDGET. THANK YOU.
>> YOU SO MUCH. FRANK IS UP
NEXT.
>> CAN I HAVE TWO MINUTE , ONE
MINUTE TO TRANSLATE FOR MY
NEIGHBORS?
>> YOU WANT TO TRANSLATE WHAT
FRANK IS SAYING TO THE
COMMUNITY? YOU ARE TRYING TO
TRANSLATE?
>> I SPEAK ENGLISH AND THE
NIGHT TRANSLATE FOR MYSELF.
>> WE HAVE FRANK NEXT.
>> SORRY.
>> GOOD MORNING, FRANK.
>> THANK YOU. WHEN THE
COUNCILMEMBER IS MORE CONCERNED
ABOUT POLICE INVESTIGATING A
BAG OF THROWN ON HER FRONT
YARD THAN PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE
CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM.
ESPECIALLY WHEN HUMAN WASTE IS
FOUND EVERY DAY IN THE DOORWAYS
AND ALLEYWAYS AND SIDEWALKS OF
CID. ONE $2 MILLION IS
PROPOSED FOR STATE PARK AND NOT
ONE PENNY FOR STREET LIGHTING,
SECURITY AND CAMERAS AND
ECONOMIC RECOVERY FOR CID,
WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM. SAID HE
HAS SUFFERED FAR TOO LONG, WE
WANT EQUITY IN THE BUDGETING
PROCESS TO SAVE CID AND WE WANT
IT NOW. THERE IS NO SOLIDARITY
BUDGET IF YOU DON'T FUND US.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, FRANK. THE NEXT
PERSON IS BEST FOLLOWED BY
LILLIAN. I AM SORRY FOR THE
MISUNDERSTANDING. PLEASE GO
AHEAD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK ALL THE
COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE
GOVERNOR IF YOUR FRONT YARD
AND BACKYARD AND FRONT
SIDEWALK ALWAYS HAD HOMELESS
WALKING AROUND AT THE END OF
THE STREET YOU GOT A SHELTER
AND THEN YOU GO OUT FOR A
WALK, FOR EXERCISE SOMEONE
MIGHT SLAP YOUR FACE AND PUNCH
HER NOSE AND PUSH YOU ON THE
FLOOR, ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN.
IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. ALL THE
BUSINESSES AND MY NEIGHBORS,
EVERYONE IS WORRIED WHEN WE GO
OUT FOR SHOPPING. EVERY
MINUTES. YOU MIGHT GET
ATTACKED. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK
YOU IF YOU HAVE THIS KIND OF
SITUATION, AROUND YOUR HOUSE,
ROGER COMMUNITY, DO YOU FEEL
COMFORTABLE ? WE WOULD LIKE TO
ASK YOU FOR THE FUNDING AS
MENTIONED, WE NEED THAT TO
RECOVER . TO HELP OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD , NOT ONLY CLEAN
THE DRUG USERS AND MENTAL
PEOPLE, REALLY HELP THEM, BUT
NOT GIVE US ANY IMPACT.
>> YOUR ONE MINUTE IS UP. YOU
WANT TO TRANSLATE?
>>
>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ]
>> THE MOST IMPORTANT, WE NEED
SAFETY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> LILLIAN WILL BE THE LAST
PERSON ON THIS PAGE. LILLIAN?
>> GOOD MORNING. I ALMOST SAID
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> GOOD MORNING, I AM PROGRAM
MANAGER FOR AND LINE THEY
CENTER. FOR HOMELESS WOMEN OF
THE YWCA, SEATTLE, KING AND
SOMIS COUNTY AND A MEMBER OF
THE SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION. AND LINES THEY
CENTER PROVIDES BASIC DAYTIME
SERVICES FOR HOMELESS WOMEN
AND NIGHTTIME SHELTER TO OUR
MOST VULNERABLE HOMELESS
POPULATION IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE.
AS A HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDER ON
THIRD AVENUE IN DOWNTOWN
SEATTLE, I SEE FIRSTHAND THE
NEED FOR HOMELESS SERVICES AND
THE CONTINUATION OF STRATEGIES
THAT REALLY WORK. IT HAS SHOWN
THAT PROVIDING LOW BARRIER
SERVICES TO HOMELESS WOMEN
CREATES A TRUSTING AND
RELATIONSHIP THAT ALLOWS STAFF
TO SUPPORT WOMEN OUT OF
HOMELESSNESS BY ACCESSING
SERVICES TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES,
BECOME GAINFULLY EMPLOYED AND
OBTAIN PERMANENT HOUSING. WITH
THE INCREASE IN OUR EXPENSES, I
AM ASKING YOU FOR YOU TO
SUPPORT THE SEATTLE HUMAN
SERVICES COALITION BUDGET
ALONG WITH THE 7.6% --
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY,
WONDERFUL. WE ARE GOING TO GO
BACK TO THE FOLKS HERE ONLINE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
>> MADAME CLERK, DO YOU SEE
THE LIST IN FRONT OF YOU?
COULD YOU CALL THE FIRST NAME
IF YOU DO? ONE SECOND, FOR
FOLKS ONLINE, WE ARE OPENING
BACK UP THE SHEET.
>> I BELIEVE OUR NEXT ONLINE
SPEAKER IS MICHAEL FOLLOWED BY
CHLOE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAME
CLERK. GOOD MORNING, MICHAEL.
>> GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBER.
THIS IS MICHAEL, THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF SOUTHEAST
EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT. I WANT
TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS
FOR INTRODUCING AND
COSPONSORING THE AMENDMENT .
THIS AMENDMENT FALLS ON THE
HEELS OF A CRITICAL INVESTMENT
CITY COUNCIL MADE LAST YEAR TO
SUPPORT RESIDENT SERVICES AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS.
HERE , THESE FUNDS ALLOWED US
TO -- AS THE COMMUNITY WAS
COMING OUT OF COVID, WE WERE
ABLE TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY
APPROPRIATE HEALTHCARE,
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND
CONNECTIONS TO EMPLOYMENT. ALL
TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS AND
NEIGHBORS THRIVE. THIS
AMENDMENT FURTHER LAST YEAR'S
INVESTMENT -- CAN BE
INCORPORATED INTO THE HOUSING
LEVY RENEWAL. THIS IS AN
ESSENTIAL BRIDGE AND WEEK THANK
YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED
LEADERSHIP.
>> THANK YOU, MICHAEL. CHLOE
FOLLOWED BY AUDRA . MORNING,
CHLOE.
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR
HAVING ME. MY NAME IS CHLOE,
AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR POLICY
AND EVERGREEN TREATMENT
SERVICES. AND FOR 20 YEARS AT
THE REACH PROGRAM. WE ARE
MEMBERS OF THE COLLISION ON
HOMELESSNESS. I'M HERE TO SPEAK
ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
RESPONSE MODEL -- I HAVE
HEARD FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
I THINK COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA FOR HER WORK TO
ADVANCES APPROACH. SEVERAL
NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE BEEN ABLE
TO COMMIT COMMUNITY DOLLARS TO
SUPPORT OUTREACH AND FUNDS FOR
UNSHELTERED NEIGHBORS BUT MANY
OTHERS INCLUDING LITTLE SAIGON
AND GEORGETOWN HAVE WANTED TO
WORK TO HELP BUILD SOLUTIONS
THAT ARE -- TO MOVE PEOPLE
AWAY BUT REALLY SOLVE PROBLEMS.
SANITATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY
RESPONSES ARE CRITICAL FOR ALL
OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
>> THE TIMING CUT OFF. PLEASE
SEND IN THE REST OF YOUR
COMMENTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM AUDRA
AND THEN STEVE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. MY
NAME IS AUDRA, SENIOR DIRECTOR
OF ENGAGEMENT AT YOUTH CARE.
I'M HERE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
MANY ON THIS CALL IN STRONG
SUPPORT OF THE FULL INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT TO CITY HUMAN
SERVICES CONTRACTS AND IN
SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT TO
BACK FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SHELTER
ENGAGEMENT. THE CITY FUNDING
AT STAKE SUPPORTS THE CENTERS
IN RAINIER BEACH, COLLECTIVELY
THERE OVER 500 EXPENSING
HOMELESSNESS EACH YEAR. THEY
PROVIDE MEALS, CASE MANAGEMENT,
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, CLINIC
SERVICES AND MORE. IN
PARTICULAR OUR SOUTH SEATTLE
YOUTH CENTER OPERATES A 24-HOUR
MODEL AND PROVIDES 20 OVERNIGHT
SHELTER BEDS. EVERY SINGLE
NIGHT THESE BEDS ARE NEEDED.
LAST NIGHT EACH OF THE 20 BEDS
AS ASSIGNED TO A NE
OUR COMMUNITY. LAST NIGHT
THERE WAS A WAIT LIST FOR YOUNG
PEOPLE IN RAINIER BEACH TO FIND
A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP. I URGE
YOU TO CONTINUE THE FUNDING TO
ENSURE WE PROVIDE THESE
CRITICAL SERVICES. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT PERSON IS STEVE
FOLLOWED BY CENTER.
MEMBERS AND FELLOW COMMUNITY
CTIVISTS. I AM STEVE,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOUTHWEST
FAMILY SERVICES, AND COCHAIR OF
THE SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION. I AM HERE TO ON CUE
FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR
RECOMMENDATION TO FULLY FUND
THE ESSENTIAL, HOLISTIC HUMAN
SERVICES ARE ORGANIZATIONS
PROVIDE. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR
THE ENTHUSIASM AS YOU EXPRESSED
TO SPONSOR THE AMENDMENT TO
MAYOR HARRELL'S BUDGET
NECESSARY FOR US TO CONTINUE TO
BE ABLE TO SERVE YOUR
CONSTITUENTS ALL OVER SEATTLE.
I WANT TO REITERATE THAT EVERY
RECOMMENDATION IN OUR PACKAGES
ESSENTIAL. OUR COMMUNITY'S ARE
STILL REELING FROM THE IMPACT
OF COVID AND HISTORIC
INFLATION INCREASES. IT IS
PARAMOUNT THAT CURRENT
SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES FUNDING IS
SUSTAINED WITH TRUE INFLATION
ADJUSTMENTS, THAT IS NECESSARY
TO SERVE SERVICES. WE THANK
YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE NEXT
PERSON IS FOLLOWED BY CHRIS.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM WITH
THE NONPROFIT AND ALSO MEMBER
OF THE SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION. I'M HERE TO SPEAK
TODAY IN FAVOR OF FULLY FUNDING
HUMAN SERVICES AND THE NEED
FOR THE FULL 7.6% INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT. WE THINK THE
COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR SPONSORING
THIS AMENDMENT TO THE INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT. AND WE THANK THE
REST OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR
THEIR SUPPORT IN THIS ENDEAVOR.
AS WE KNOW, HUMAN SERVICE
PROVIDERS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY
UNDERPAID FOR THE DIFFICULT
WORK WE DO. WE END UP BEING A
CAPACITY, BURNED OUT AND IT
RESULTS IN UNDERSTAFFING AND
LARGE TURNOVER. LEAVING A LOT
OF GAPS IN SERVICES WE PROVIDE
TO THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST
LIKE OUR EAST AFRICAN LOW
INCOME SENIORS OR OTHER BIPOC
SENIORS IN MANY OF OUR OTHER
UNDERSERVED FOLKS. WE NEED
CONTINUED SUSTAINED FUNDING AND
ESPECIALLY AT TIMES FOR
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND WE
HAVE TO MATCH THE RISING COST
AND MAINTAIN THESE NEEDED
SERVICES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE NEXT
PERSON IS CHRIS FOLLOWED BY
JAMIE . GOOD MORNING, CHRIS.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. MY NAME IS CHRIS,
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
WITH THE ALLIANCE A PIONEER
SQUARE PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR
SEVERAL BUDGET COMMITMENTS.
THESE AMENDMENT INCLUDE
ADDRESSING THE BUDGET SHORTFALL
FOR THE LEAD PROGRAM BY
SUPPORTING FUNDING TO
GUARANTEED SERVICE LEVELS
DESIRED BY THE COMMUNITY,
AMENDMENT NUMBER 03 EIGHT
001. THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS
PILOTING A PROGRAM TO FUND
ADDICTION TREATMENT . THE THIRD
IS HISTORIC SOUTH DOWNTOWN
OUTREACH EFFORTS FUNDED
THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS, DEAL AND 001 A
2023. FINALLY WE RECOMMEND THE
COUNCIL ALLOCATE FUNDS TOWARD
STRUCTURE MANAGEMENT INCLUDING
INVESTMENTS IN SDOT AREA WAYS
PROGRAM WHICH HAS A HIGH IMPACT
IN PIONEER SQUARE. THE ALLIANCE
LOOKS FORWARD TO ENGAGING WITH
THE COUNCIL THROUGHOUT THE
REMAINDER OF THE BUDGET
PROCESS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHRIS.
JAMIE FOLLOWED BY BECCA. JAMIE
ROSE? HIT STAR SIX. THAT
WILL TAKE YOU OFF OF MUTE.
LET'S SEE IF BECCA, COULD YOU
GO STAR SIX? JAMIE, I THINK I
SAW YOU, THERE WE GO. YOU ARE
OFF OF MUTE.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?
>> YES, THANK YOU.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. GOOD
MORNING, MY NAME IS JAMIE ROSE,
THE PROGRAM MANAGER OF YOU
SPILLED CARPENTRY BASED JOB
TRAINING PRE-APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM FOR HOUSING INSECURE
YOUNG ADULTS. THE LOW WAGES
HUMAN SERVICES RECEIVE GREATLY
IMPACT LIVELIHOOD AND
WELL-BEING. HUMAN SERVICE
WORKERS COMBAT POVERTY,
HOMELESSNESS, RACISM THAT
THREATEN THE SAFETY OF OUR CITY
AND THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN IT.
WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR
OURSELVES AND SUPPORT OURSELVES
TO BE ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY
PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT ARE
COMMUNITY NEEDS. HIGH TURNOVER
RATES AND LOW PAY AND
EMOTIONAL BURDEN OF SOCIAL
SERVICES DIRECTLY IMPACTS THIS
WORK, BUILDING SERVICES IS
ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE PROPER
SERVICES AND THE HIGH TURNOVER
RATE IMPACTS THE EFFECTIVENESS
OF PROTECTING AND SUPPORTING
OUR CLIENTS AND THE SAFETY OF
OUR CITY. SOCIAL SERVICE
PROVIDERS NEED WAGES TO REFLECT
INFLATION AND THE STRENUOUS
WORK WE DO AND DEDICATION AND
EXPERTISE.
>> WAS THAT A FULL MINUTE? I
KNOW YOU HAVE MORE TO SAY.
LET'S ASK YOU TO SEND IN THE
REST OF YOUR COMMENTS,
APOLOGIES. WERE GOING TO TRY TO
GET THROUGH THE REMAINING 60
OR SO FOLKS. WE WANT TO EXTEND
OUR TIME WHEN WE NEED TO.
PLEASE SEND IN THE REST OF YOUR
COMMENTS, JAMIE ROSE. PECKA
FOLLOWED BY MARSHA. AND THEN
WE WILL MOVE TO LISTEN TO AND
THEN THE FOLKS IN THE ROOM.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. CAN
YOU HEAR ME?
>> I CAN.
>> GREAT. MY NAME IS BECCA, I
WORK AT YOUTH CARE AS A
DIRECTOR OF THE ORION CENTER.
I'M EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE
AMENDMENT TO BACK FILL FEDERAL
FUNDS FOR SHELTER AND A
CENTERS. WE STAND WITH THE 20
PROGRAMS ACROSS 12 AGENCIES
THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THIS
LOSS OF FUNDING. YOUTH CARE
OPERATES THREE OF THE 20
PROGRAMS INCLUDING A DAY CENTER
IN SOUTH LAKE UNION. I SEE
FIRSTHAND THE YOUNG PEOPLE
WHOSE NEEDS ARE MET, WE PROVIDE
A RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDING
HAVING NAVIGATION, PRE-MEDICAL
CARE, HYGIENE SERVICES,
EDUCATION, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SUPPORT, ALL CRUCIAL ELEMENTS
IN A YOUNG PERSON'S STABILITY
AND JOURNEY TO EXIT
HOMELESSNESS. NUMBER OF YOUTH
ACCESSING SERVICES IS ON THE
RISE. LOSS OF FUNDING WOULD
LEAD TO A REDUCTION OF SERVICES
WHEN THE TIME THAT THE NEEDS
ARE INCREASING. WE ASK YOU TO
CONTINUE INCREASING FUNDING TO
ENSURE OUR AGENCIES CAN SUSTAIN
THE WORK OF SUPPORTING YOUNG
PEOPLE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. PLEASE GO AHEAD,
IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE MARSHA.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. THIS
IS MARSHA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF FAMILY WORKS IN DISTRICT
FOR. I'M CALLING IN SOLIDARITY
WITH SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION AND ASKING FOR
COUNCIL TO FULLY RESTORE THE
7.6% INFLATION ADJUSTMENT
THAT IS SO GREATLY NEEDED BY
THE HUMAN SERVICES SECTOR TO
KEEP SERVICES AT LEVEL. I WOULD
LIKE TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD AND COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA FOR THEIR COMPANION
AMENDMENTS. IN THIS HIGH
INFLATION ECONOMY WE NEED TO
ENSURE THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
ORGANIZATIONS, HOMELESSNESS
SHELTERS AND SENIOR CENTERS
HAVE THE RESOURCES TO RESPOND
TO OUR MOST MARGINALIZED
RESIDENTS. ASKING UNDERPAID
WORKERS AND UNDER RESOURCED
RESIDENCE TO A STAND ANOTHER
CUT IS UNCONSCIONABLE AND
EXPLOITIVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR CONSIDERING THIS.
>> THANK YOU. THE LAST PERSON,
AND THEN WE GO BACK TO THE
ROOM, IS LUCINDA. GOOD MORNING,
LUCINDA, STAR 62 UNMUTE. THERE
WE GO.
>> I AM A CERTIFIED NURSING
ASSISTANT IN DISTRICT 7.
APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT COMMENTS ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF ALIGNING
DEDICATED FUNDS WITH THEIR
DESIGNATED PURPOSES. THE
JUMPSTART FUND WAS CREATED AS A
PROGRESSIVE FUNDING STREAM
SPECIFICALLY TO GRANT ONGOING
REVENUE TO RESOLVE THE LONG
NEGLECTED CAUSE OF RACE AND
INCOME BASED HEALTH DISPARITIES
IN SEATTLE THROUGH PORTABLE
HOUSING, SOCIAL SERVICES, THE
GREEN NEW DEAL AND EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. THE
COUNCIL SHOULD NOT ENACT ANY
OF THE RAIDS ON THE JUMPSTART
FUND THE MAYOR HAS PROPOSED.
ADDITIONALLY, THE OFFICE OF
LABOR STANDARDS SHOULD BE
PRIORITIZED FOR RECEIVING FUNDS
ABOVE THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT. THE BUDGET IS
BARELY A QUARTER OF THE
OVERTIME BUDGET AND ASH THAT
MOSTLY IMPACTS LOW INCOME AND
NOT WHITE WORKERS. A DANGEROUS
IMPACT FOR PROPERTY CRIME.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU . THERE A SHOW OF
SUPPORT FOR FOLKS ON THE LINE,
I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP GOING FOR
THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM WITH THE
LAST 10 PEOPLE HAVE PRESENT,
DANIELLE, JAKE AND DAVIS.
GOOD MORNING, DANIELLE.
>>
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
DANIELLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AFFAIR WORKS CENTER IN WORKING
WASHINGTON AND A MEMBER OF THE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE. I'M HERE
TO EXPRESS THE SUPPORT FOR THE
FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE OF
LABOR STANDARDS. SINCE OUR
FOUNDING WE HAVE SEEN OLS
IMPACT FIRSTHAND PASSING A NEW
LAW IS THE FIRST STEP , STRONG
ENFORCEMENT IS ESSENTIAL. OVER
THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS OLS HAS
STOPPED EMPLOYER RETALIATION
AND HELPED WORKERS ACROSS
INDUSTRIES WHO CAN NOW OR
COMFORTABLY USE THEIR SICK
TIME, PREDICTOR HOURS . THAT
WORK HAS BEEN POSSIBLE BECAUSE
OF OLS PARTNERSHIP WITH
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS. AT THE
SAME TIME WE KNOW THAT OLS IN
THEIR WORK HAS GROWN
SUBSTANTIALLY. WITHOUT THAT
WORKERS WILL LOSE COVENANTS IN
OUR PROTECTION. SEATTLE CANNOT
THRIVE IF IT'S WORKERS DO NOT.
TIMES LIKE THESE ARE PRECISELY
WHEN WE NEED LEADERSHIP TO
ENSURE SERVICES CAN MEET
COMMUNITY NEEDS AND THE
AMENDMENT WILL PROVIDE CRITICAL
SERVICES TO IMPLEMENTED NEW
STANDARDS AND INCREASED
ENFORCEMENT. WE ENCOURAGE YOU
TO SUPPORT IT.
>> THE NEXT PERSON IS JAKE
FOLLOWED BY DAVIS. GOOD
MORNING, JAKE.
>> GOOD MORNING, THANKS,
COUNCIL. I AM JAKE, I HAVE
BEEN DELIVERING FOR UBER EATS
SINCE THEY FIRST STARTED IN
SEATTLE AND I'M HERE WITH
WORKING WASHINGTON. I BROADLY
SUPPORT THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET AND
I AM CALLING ON THE COUNCIL
TODAY TO GIVE WORKERS IN TWO
SPECIFIC WAYS, FIRST TO EXTEND
HAZARD PAY AT LEAST UNTIL THEY
UP GOES INTO EFFECT IN 2024.
RIGHT NOW HAZARD PAY ACCOUNTS
FOR ROUGHLY HALF OF SEATTLE GIG
DRIVER EARNINGS AND IT'S
UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE MAYOR IS
SEEKING TO SLASH OUR PAY BELOW
MINIMUM WAGE JUST BEFORE AN
EXPECTED FALL AND WINTER SURGE
IN CASES. SECOND, TO MAKE SURE
THERE IS MONEY IN THE BUDGET
FOR OLS TO PROTECT THESE
EARNINGS BY SUPPORTING THE
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO INCREASE
OLS FUNDING FOR THE UPCOMING
YEAR. I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE
SETTLEMENTS FROM OLS ALREADY
WHEN I HAVE HAD TO CHASE THESE
COMPANIES DOWN FOR STEALING
EARNINGS. OLS IS HAVING A REAL
IMPACT. $3.39 SETTLEMENT. WE
NEED THE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT OLS
IN THE ENFORCEMENT SEATTLE
WORKERS NEED BY INCREASING
FUNDING . THANK YOU.
>> DAVIS FOLLOWED BY MOD .
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS
DAVIS. I AM A FULL-TIME GIG
WORKER AND PART OF THE PAY UP
CAMPAIGN. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS
MY SUPPORT FOR INCREASED
FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS. COUNCIL MEMBERS ,
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE
HERE TO FIGHT ON BEHALF OF
WORKING-CLASS AND ORDINARY
PEOPLE. THE OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS MUST BE ADEQUATELY
FUNDED TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF
OF WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE. THEY
HAVE SHOWN THEY CAN MAKE A BIG
IMPACT HELPING PEOPLE GET
THEIR STOLEN WAGES BACK AND
STANDING UP AGAINST RETALIATION
FROM THE VARIOUS GIG
COMPANIES. BUT THERE IS STILL
MORE WORKERS WHO NEED SUPPORT.
IS A WORKING-CLASS AND POOR
CONTINUE TO TAKE HITS FROM ALL
ANGLES, A RECESSION IS BEING
BROADCAST FOR THE NEXT YEAR, WE
NEED TO MAKE COMPANIES PAY US
WHAT WE ARE OWED. TO THAT END,
I ASK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS, TO
INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE
OF LABOR STANDARDS BYPASSING
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT WE
HAVE , FOLLOWED BY RYAN.
>> WE ARE GOING TO DO TWO
MINUTES. ONE MINUTE THE
TESTIMONY IN ONE MINUTE FOR
INTERPRETATION.
>> GOOD MORNING.
>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ]
>> GOOD MORNING, I WORK FOR
DOOR --. WE NEED PROTECTION OF
LABOR STANDARDS TO PROTECT US
FROM THE ABUSES THAT EXIST
AGAINST GIG WORKERS. OLS HAS
HELPED US BY MAKING SURE THE
COMPANIES PAY IS PROPERLY. I
HAVE BEEN WORKING THIS JOB FOR
THREE YEARS AND IN NORTH
SEATTLE. THE PAY IS HIGHER THAN
THE REST OF WASHINGTON. ALL
OTHER AREAS ARE LOW, EVEN UP TO
HALF AS LOW. WORKERS NEED
HAZARD PAY AND A FAIR SALARY.
SADLY WE HAVE SEEN COMPANIES
ARE NOT ALWAYS HONEST.
ENFORCEMENTS ARE NEEDED TO MAKE
THEM PAY AND MAKE THE PAYMENTS
WE RECEIVE TRANSPARENT. WE NEED
HAZARD PAY TO CONTINUE THE
FULLY FUNDED ENFORCEMENT OF OUR
RATES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE NEXT
PERSON IS RYAN -- FRANK
ALREADY SPOKE. THE NEXT PERSON
AFTER THAT WILL BE JOHN.
>> GOOD MORNING . YOU ALREADY
SPOKE? I AM SORRY ABOUT THAT.
I JUST WANT TO KEEP HEARING
FROM YOU. FRANK ALSO SPOKE. HOW
ABOUT JOHN? ALL RIGHT, GOOD
MORNING, JOHN.
>> I WANT TO SAY GOOD MORNING
TO EVERYBODY.
>> WAIT ONE SECOND. COULD YOU
PULL THE MICROPHONE CLOSER TO
YOU.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> THAT IS GOOD.
>> NAME IS JOHN, I LIVE IN THE
NICKELSVILLE , I HAVE LIVED
THERE FOR A YEAR. AND IN THE
YEAR THAT I HAVE BEEN THERE,
AND THE SUPPORT I HAVE GOTTEN
FROM THEM I BEEN ABLE TO TAKE
CARE OF MY MENTAL HEALTH, MY
PHYSICAL HEALTH, AS WELL AS
TAKING CARE OF STUFF AND MY
FINANCIAL HEALTH. YOU KNOW,
LIVING THERE HAS BEEN
WONDERFUL FOR ME. IT HAS BEEN
AN ANSWER TO MY ALBUMS, TOO
MANY ISSUES. THAT IS WHY I
FEEL IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE
KEEP NICKELSVILLE SELF
MANAGING PROCESS AND SUPPORT IN
THE BUDGET TO CONTINUE TO HELP
PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF TO STABILIZE
AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS
OF SOCIETY. ALSO, I WANT TO
SAY THAT WE SUPPORT THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET. IN CLOSING
I WANT TO SAY EVERYONE ON THE
PLANET COUNTS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE
LAST THREE PEOPLE I HAVE LISTED
TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK IN PERSON
ARE MULLAH BROOKE JR. AND
ETHAN. GOOD MORNING TO
EVERYONE.
>> MORNING, I AM MALACHI.
>> A LITTLE CLOSER.
>> IS THAT GOOD?
>> YES THAT IS GOOD.
>> GOOD MORNING, I AM EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF TOWN INTERNATIONAL.
WE OPERATE THE CENTRALIZED
DIVERSION FUND. AND FOR THE
PAST FIVE YEARS WE HAVE
PROVIDED DIRECT HOUSING
PAYMENTS TO AGENCIES,
FAMILIES, INDIVIDUALS,
LANDLORDS TO HELP KEEP WORKING
FAMILIES AFLOAT. FOR THE LAST
TWO YEARS OUR FUNDING HAS BEEN
A SOURCE FROM THE CITY, STATE
AND FEDERAL FUNDS, MAINLY FROM
THE PANDEMIC FUNDING. WE ARE
HERE TO SUPPORT THE HOUSING
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES,
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, AND
URGE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE
CORONAVIRUS FUNDING WHICH IS
BEEN OMITTED FROM THE CURRENT
BUDGET PROPOSAL. JUST A
REMINDER, LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
HAVE NOT RECOVERED FROM THE
PANDEMIC. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN WAGES
TO ADDRESS INFLATION. COMMUNITY
BASED LANDLORDS WHO SERVE OUR
FAMILIES RECEIVE LITTLE OR NO
SUPPORT DURING THE PANDEMIC.
THEY ARE STILL IN TROUBLE. WE
MUST STABILIZE HOUSEHOLDS
AGAINST RISING COSTS AND
PREVENT POTENTIAL EVICTIONS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS
THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE ROOM
WHO SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC
TESTIMONY THAT WOULD LIKE TO
SPEAK? GOING ONCE, GOING
TWICE, I SEE SOME FAMILIAR
FACES. WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING
HERE. WE HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH
EVERYONE IN THE ROOM, THANK
YOU. I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO
THE LIST OF FOLKS WHO SIGNED UP
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ONLINE.
MADAME CLERK, COULD YOU ALSO
READ THE FIRST THREE SPEAKERS
FOR ME?
>> NO PROBLEM.
>> I FOUND THE. I PULLED OUT
THE SPREADSHEET TO DIFFERENT
AREA. THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR
YOUR PATIENCE ONLINE. WE HAVE
ABOUT 40 MORE PEOPLE TO SPEAK.
AT THIS POINT, SINCE OUR TIME
WAS GOING TO EXPIRE AT 11:15,
I'M GOING TO ASK THE COMMUNITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT HERE IF
THERE IS NO OBJECTION, TODAY'S
PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE EXTENDED
TO HEAR FROM THE REMAINDER OF
THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO
PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIRTUALLY. HEARING NO
OBJECTION, THE PUBLIC COMMENT
WILL CONTINUE. THANK YOU SO
MUCH. GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING , COUNCIL
NUMBERS. I AM HERE TODAY TO
VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR AMENDMENT
022 LETTER A WHICH ADDS $1.5
MILLION FOR SURVIVOR DRIVEN
ADVOCACY SERVICES TO SURVIVORS
OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. I
CURRENTLY SERVE AS THE DEPUTY
DIRECTOR OF NEW BEGINNINGS, A
SEATTLE-BASED DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE SERVICE PROVIDER AND
THAT COUNTY HELPLINE. FUNDING
FOR SURVIVOR DRIVEN ADVOCACY
SERVICES ACROSS SEATTLE ARE NOT
ADEQUATE TO MEET THE ACUTE AND
COMPLEX NEEDS OF SURVIVORS,
ESPECIALLY POCKET SURVIVORS,
LGBTQ SURVIVORS AND SURVIVORS
EXPERIENCING SYSTEMIC BARRIERS.
IN THE LAST YEAR OUR HOPE LINE
TOOK IN 11,000 CALLS AND CHATS
RESULTING IN CENTRALIZED
REFERRALS TO OVER 200
COMMUNITY PARTNERS FROM
SURVIVORS SEEKING SERVICES. IS
IMPORTANT TO HAVE MEANINGFUL
INVESTMENTS IN SERVICES FOR
SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE SO THEY CAN SERVE
SURVIVORS IN SAFE AND
MEANINGFUL WAYS. I ASK YOU TO
SUPPORT THE FULL 7.6%
INFLATION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE
NEXT PERSON IS -- SHE JUST
SPOKE. EDWIN, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU. EDWIN, COFOUNDER
OF LIBRARY AND COFOUNDER OF
NORTH STAR , CALLING TO
ADVOCATE THE PRIORITIZATION OF
THE EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVE FUNDING THAT IS
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND HAS
PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN
KEEPING CULTURAL SPACES IN
DEVELOPING HOUSING, IN ADDITION
SUPPORTING THE SOLIDARITY FUND
AND SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND THIS
IDEA WE WOULD HAVE SOMETHING
LIKE SHOTSPOTTER OR ARE TICKET
FOLKS GOING TO THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT BEGS THE QUESTION OF
WHAT ELSE ARE THE POLICE GOING
TO BE DOING WHEN THEY SHOULD
BE IN THE COMMUNITY, WE CAN'T
ALLOW ANYMORE. AT THE END,
TAKING $1 MILLION AWAY FROM EDI
IS A QUESTION OF WHERE OUR
PRIORITIES LIE. WE NEED TO
FOCUS ON LETTING THE
COMMUNITY'S DO THE WORK THEY
ARE GOOD AT HAVING THE CITY
SUPPORT THAT WORK. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. VICTOR
FOLLOWED BY HEIDI. GOOD
MORNING, VICTOR.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS
VICTOR , I WANT TO COMMENT ON
THE FUNDING FOR THE LEED
PROGRAM. IT WILL HAVE A DIRECT
IMPACT ON THE SERVICES
DELIVERED. CULTURALLY
RESPONSIBLE TRAUMA-INFORMED
CARE THAT ADDRESSES UNHOUSED
HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS FROM THE
LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS. IT
ADDRESSES BEHAVIOR HEALTH, IS
RACIAL JUSTICE, IT IS RACIAL
EQUITY. WITHOUT RESTORING FUNDY
FUNDING IT WOULD DROP THE
CARE. ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY
FOR THE MOST IMPACTED COMMUNITY
MEMBERS. PROTECT AND PRESERVE
EQUITY FOR THE UNHOUSED AND
UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS WHO
FACE INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
HEIDI FOLLOWED BY COCO.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL
MEMBERS. I AM HEIDI WITH
CATHOLIC UNITY SERVICES, A
MEMBER OF THE SEATTLE KING
COUNTY COALITION ON
HOMELESSNESS. AM ASKING YOU TO
FOLLOW THROUGH ON COMMITMENTS
FOR A 7.6% INFLATION ADJUSTMENT
AND HUMAN SERVICES. THIS IS
ESSENTIAL JUST TO KEEP UP WITH
INCREASES TO HELP STAFF MANAGE
THE ESCALATING COST OF LIVING
CARE. KEEPING UP WITH
INFLATION ISN'T ENOUGH, PLEASE
GO FURTHER AND RAISE FUNDING
FOR EQUABLE WAGES SO WE CAN
RECRUIT, TRAIN AND SUSTAIN
EXPERIENCED WORKFORCE FOR THIS
ESSENTIAL WORK. FINALLY, WE
REQUEST THE CITY FUND $.4
MILLION FOR ALL 20 SHELTERS
FUNDED WITH FEDERAL COVID
RELEASE DOLLARS. THE CCS
MOVED SEVEN CLIENTS INTO
PERMANENT HOUSING THIS YEAR SO
FAR. THESE TWO SHELTERS FACE
$650,000 SHORTFALL, WE COULD
FACE CLOSING DOORS TO THE
NEARLY 100 PEOPLE NOW BEING
SERVED. OUR COMMUNITIES ARE
COUNTING ON YOU TO PROVIDE
NEEDED FUNDING.
>> PLEASE SEND IN THE REST OF
YOUR COMMENTS. COCO? FOLLOWED
BY MICHAEL. GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS
COCO, I'M A RENTER AND EDUCATOR
IN DISTRICT 3 CALLING ON THE
COUNCIL TO FULLY FUND THE
SOLIDARITY WHICH IT . REGARDING
SAFER STREETS, I'VE BEEN HIT BY
A CAR AS A JOGGER, I'VE BEEN
HIT AS A DRIVER. I HAVE BEEN
DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD AS A
CYCLIST AND BEEN STRANDED ON
THE SIDE OF THE ROAD LATE AT
NIGHT. THE POLICE DIDN'T MAKE
ME SAFER IN ANY OF THESE
SITUATIONS. THIS YEAR A YOUNG
BLACK COLLEGE STUDENT WAS
KILLED WHEN HIS CAR STALLED. HE
PUT THE HOOD UP. SINCE THEN
THERE ARE MANY TRAFFIC -RELATED
DEATHS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND
CYCLISTS IN THE SOUTH END.
POLICE DIDN'T MAKE US SAFER.
OF COURSE I WANT US TO SEE
SOCIAL HOUSING AND HUMAN
SERVICES FUNDED OVER THE
POLICE. THERE ARE CITIES WHERE
TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SERVICES
OPERATE OUTSIDE THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT, CITIES THAT HAVE
REROUTED FUNDS FROM PUNITIVE
POLICE TO TRAIN EXPERTS IN
EMERGENCY ROADSIDE SUPPORT AND
COMMUNITY EDUCATION THAT CAN
SAVE LIVES. PLEASE ABOLISH AND
REIMAGINE COMMUNITY SAFETY THE
TRAFFIC SERVICES AND FULLY FUND
THE BUDGET. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MICHAEL
FOLLOWED BY JONES. GOOD
MORNING MICHELLE. EXCUSE ME.
MICHELLE, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE
STILL ON MUTE. STAR 62 UNMUTE.
STAR SIX . WE WILL KEEP YOU UP
THERE. STAR SIX.
>> GOOD MORNING. HELLO,
COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS
CHARISSE JONES, I AM THE EARLY
LEARNING SERVICES DIRECTOR
WITH CHILDCARE RESOURCES. I'M
HERE TO ASK THE BUDGET INCLUDE
HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACTS THAT
REFLECT THE REALITY OF
INFLATION AND THE VALUE OF THE
WORK WE DO. AS CHILDCARE
RESOURCES, WE ARE ENTRUSTED
WITH THE SEATTLE FUNDS TO HELP
FAMILIES ACCESS CHILDCARE.
ESPECIALLY FAMILIES
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. WE
ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING OUR
BRILLIANT STAFF IN ALL THEY DO
TO SUPPORT BLACK, INDIGENOUS
AND OTHER FAMILIES OF COLOR,
IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES AND
FAMILIES IN CRISIS. CHILDREN
EXPENSING TRAUMA. THE 1.2%
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT IN THE
MAYOR'S BUDGET IS
UNACCEPTABLE. WE ASK THIS BE
CHANGED TO 7.6% TO KEEP UP WITH
INFLATION AT THE BARE MINIMUM.
WE KNOW THE COUNCIL VALUES ARE
WORK, WE HAVE MADE MEANINGFUL
INVESTMENTS TO SUPPORT
CHILDCARE INDUSTRY IN CRISIS
AND ENSURE THESE MOST HARMED BY
OPPRESSION HAVE ACCESS TO
QUALITY CHILDCARE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WILL
TRY MICHELLE AGAIN. MICHELLE
DANIELS , FOLLOWED BY DON.
GOOD MORNING. MICHELLE, STAR
SIX. I'M GOING TO MOVE TO DON.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD MORNING , MY NAME IS
DON SHEPPARD, PROGRAM MANAGER
FOR REACH. A MEMBER OF THE
SEATTLE KING COUNTY COALITION
ON HOMELESSNESS. I HAVE SPENT
TIME IN THE FIELD OUTREACHING,
PROBLEM SOLVING AND EDUCATING
THE COMMUNITY WITH MANY OF YOU.
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING
IN PROVIDING EFFECTIVE SUPPORT
SERVICES TO HER UNSHELTERED
NEIGHBORS IS THE SKILL,
EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE OF THE
ESSENTIAL FRONT LINE STAFF
DOING THIS DIFFICULT WORK. THE
BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE FACE IS
THE INABILITY TO PROVIDE A
LIVABLE WAGE FREE FROM
FINANCIAL INSECURITY OF OUR
OWN. MANY CONTRACTS REQUIRE
EMPLOYEES BE PAID A MINIMUM
SALARY THAT IS WELL ABOVE THOSE
PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVANTS,
INFLATION AFFECTS THOSE LIVING
CLOSEST TO THE POVERTY LINE. AS
A MANAGER I CREDIT CARD DEBT
HAS DOUBLED THIS YEAR JUST
KEEPING UP WITH FOOD AND GAS.
SEATTLE MADE A COMMITMENT TO
KEEPING US FROM FALLING FURTHER
BEHIND THAN WE ALREADY ARE.
PLEASE UPHOLD THAT PROMISE BY
A MINIMUM THE 7.6%
COST-OF-LIVING WAGE INCREASE WE
NEED AND DESERVE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT PERSON
IS MICHELLE, STAR SIX. I SEE
THAT YOU'RE STILL MUTED. LET'S
GO TO SCOUT. FOLLOWED BY A
LEAH. SCOTT, GOOD MORNING.
>> I AM SCOUT, AM A RENTER IN
DISTRICT 6. I SUPPORT THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET , IT IS
WRONG TO MAINTAIN A BLOATED
PLEASE DEPOSIT BUDGET AND THE
COUNCIL SHOULD NOT RETAIN .
DEFUND SPD AND ALLOCATE FUNDS
TO PORTAL HOUSING, VISION ZERO
AND GREEN NEW DEAL. DO NOT
SUPPORT THE MISUSE OF
JUMPSTART FUNDS AND PAY CUTS TO
THE HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS IN
LIGHT OF A CONTRACT IN THE
ECONOMY, RISING HOUSING PRICES
AND INFLATION. WE NEED A BUDGET
FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT FOR COPS
AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT. I ALSO
STAND WITH THOSE ADVOCATING FOR
THE RESILIENCE HUB, WE NEED TO
CARBONIZED IMMEDIATELY FOR A
CLEAN AND LIVABLE FUTURE FOR
ALL. I YIELD MY TIME. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LEAH
TAYLOR FOLLOWED BY JESSE. GOOD
MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM HERE
TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR
AMENDMENT ZERO 22 WHICH ADDS
MANY FOR SURVIVORS TO
SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE. I AM A DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE SURVIVOR AND ADVOCATE
AND HAVE WORKED ALONGSIDE
LOCAL PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE
FUNDING, LAWS AND POLICIES IN
REGARD TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN
WASHINGTON STATE. I WAS ALMOST
KILLED BY MY EX-BOYFRIEND,
CHAD WILLER, A BROKEN ARM, AND
WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY ENTERING
TO NAVIGATE THE PROCESS FOR
OVER YOUR. HE VIOLATED
PROTECTION ORDER THREE TIMES.
MY STORY IS NOT RARE. 60 WOMEN
HAVE BEEN MURDERED BY THE
MYSTIC VIOLENCE IN 2020 IN
WASHINGTON STATE. SURVIVORS OF
VIOLENT CRIMES FACE HOUSING,
ACCESS TO ADVOCATES THAT CAN
HELP THEM NAVIGATE AND IMPROVE
MENTAL HEALTH AFTER POSSIBLY
BEING MURDERED. I CARE ABOUT
COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY THE
VULNERABLE BIPOC SURVIVORS.
>> PLEASE SEND IN THE REST OF
YOUR COMMENTS. JESSE FOLLOWED
BY EMMA AND THEN IRIS. GOOD
MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS
JESSE FRIEDMAN , THE POLICY
DIRECTOR AT YOUTH CARE. YOU
HAVE HEARD FROM MY COLLEAGUES
ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF
ENGAGEMENT CENTERS AND STAFF
WAGES. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU WE
NEED BOTH. WE STAND WITH OUR 12
ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS WHO
WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE
FUNDING FACING SO MUCH EVERY
DAY. EVERY WE STAND WITH OUR
STAFF. WITHOUT WHOM THERE ARE
NO SERVICES. THANK YOU TO
COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR SPONSORING
THE FULL 7.6% INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT AND THANK YOU TO
THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE
AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BACK
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY
SERVICES AROUND THE CITY. AS
YOU CONDUCT YOUR FINAL BUDGET
DELIBERATION, I ASK YOU
PRIORITIZE BOTH OF THESE
INVESTMENTS. ENSURE OUR
BILLABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
THOSE WHO SERVE THEM HAVE THE
SUPPORT NEEDED TO SAVE LIVES IN
OUR CITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WANT
TO LET THE SHOW NO, WE'RE
GOING TO KEEP YOU ON THE
SCREEN. IF YOU CAN HIT STAR SIX
WE WILL COME BACK TO. IT LOOKS
LIKE YOU'RE STILL YOU TOO.
YOU'RE GOING NEXT TO EMMA.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
EMMA AND I'M A GRADUATE STUDENT
AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE BUDGET.
I AM CURRENTLY PURSUING MY
MASTERS OF SOCIAL WORK AND
DEDICATING THE CREW TO HUMAN
SERVICES. THE REASON THE BUDGET
PROPOSAL FROM THE MAYOR IS VERY
CONCERNING AND DOES NOT
REFLECT AN INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC
SAFETY OR THE WELL-BEING OF OUR
CITIZENS. INVESTING IN QUALITY
HUMAN SERVICES IS ESSENTIAL TO
MAKING SURE THE BOTH OUR
CITIZENS ARE GETTING OUR
SERVICES AND WORKERS ARE
GETTING PAID LIVING WAGES.
COVID SHOWED US NO ONE IS
IMMUNE TO ECONOMIC OR HEALTH
CRISIS AND WE ARE ALL ONE EVENT
AWAY FROM NEEDING HELP. I WANT
TO BE SURE THAT AS AN ADVOCATE
FOR THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE AND A
PROFESSIONAL ENTERING THE FIELD
BY CITY IS PROGRESSING. WITH AN
INFLATION IS A GROWING PROBLEM
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO CAP HUMAN
SERVICE CONTRACTS AT 4% AND WE
INSIST THE 2019 ORDINANCE OF
7.6% INCREASE BE FULFILLED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
INVESTMENT IN THE HEALTH OF OUR
CITY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IRIS
FOLLOWED BY MIKE . GOOD
MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING , MY NAME IS
IRIS. I AM VOICING SUPPORT FOR
AMENDMENT OSE FROM
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES,
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, AND
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD FULLY
FUND THE RESILIENCE HUB . A
PROJECT SPEARHEADED BY GREEN
BUILDINGS NOW. THE RESILIENCE
HUB, THEIR PILOT PROJECT HAS
INSTALLED A SOLAR POWER OF
BATTERY STORAGE THROUGH FUNDS
FROM SEATTLE CITY LIGHT GREEN A
PROGRAM AND HAS COMPLETED AN
ENERGY AUDIT, GREENS BUILDING
NOW PLAN FOR WINTERIZATION OF
ALL HUB BUILDINGS AND
REPLACEMENT OF ALL OLD OIL AND
GAS EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS. THIS
AMENDMENT WOULD FULLY FUND THE
BUILDOUT OF THE RESILIENCE HUB
THE COULD PROVIDE SHELTER
COMMUNITY MEMBERS DURING
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND
OTHER EMERGENCIES. THE PROJECT
DECARBONIZATION AND
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
DEMONSTRATE THE PROJECT THAT
CAN BE SCALED IN OUR CITY TO
SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE AND
RESILIENT COMMUNITY SPACES.
PLEASE FULLY FUND THIS
AMENDMENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT
WE HAVE MIKE FOLLOWED BY
GLORIA
>> I BELIEVE MICHELLE MAY BE
ONLINE.
>> MICHELLE, ARE YOU OFF OF
MUTE?
>> I AM, I APOLOGIZE.
>> LEAS GO AHEAD.
>> I APOLOGIZE, I WILL GO INTO
MY TESTIMONY. GOOD MORNING,
THE CEO OF CRISIS CONNECTIONS,
FIRST I WANT TO THANK THE
COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR SPONSORING
THE RENEWAL OF THE PROGRAM TO
SUPPORT FIRST RESPONDERS AS
THEY SUPPORT COMMUNITY MEMBERS
WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS.
I'M JOINING THIS MORNING OF
INCLUDING THE FULLY FUNDED
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT FOR HUMAN
SERVICE WORKERS. THEY ARE
SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERPAID AND
UNDERVALUED FOR THE WORK THEY
DO AND BY A WIDE MARGIN MOST
SERVICE WORKERS ARE LEAVING
THAN ENTERING. I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT BUT
AGAIN ENCOURAGE YOU TO FUND
THESE PRIORITIES IN THE BUDGET.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. NOW
BACK TO MIKE FOLLOWED BY
GLORIA. GLORIA, YOU ARE NOT
PRESENT, PLEASE DIAL IN IF YOU
WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.
>> MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I
AM REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF
ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT AT THE
YWCA. WE FULLY SUPPORT THE
BUDGET RECOMMENDATION FOR THE
SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION AND SUPPORT THE FULL
AMENDMENT OF INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT TO 7.6% SUPPORTED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA AND
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD . ON TO
THANK THEM. I WANT TO BE CLEAR,
AGENCIES NEED THE FULL 7.6
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT IN ORDER
TO STAY COMPETITIVE AND DROP
PROGRAMS LIKE OUR CENTER FOR
WOMEN AND ALL HUMAN SERVICE
PROVIDERS CITY OFFICIALS CAN
AGREE THAT HUMAN SERVICE
UNDERPAID FOR THE DIFFICULT
WORK THEY DO. AS A RESULT WE
ARE LOSING GOOD PEOPLE. I
MYSELF OF LOST STAFF AS WELL AS
TO THE FULL PROFIT SECTOR.
THIS HURTS THE RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN PROVIDERS AND THE
PEOPLE WE SERVE. DUE TO THE
CURRENT LABOR MARKET WE ARE
ALREADY STRUGGLING TO HIRE AND
RECRUIT NEW EMPLOYEES. NOT
ADOPTING THIS INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT WILL BASH
>> I SEE GLORIA IS STILL NOT
THERE WE ARE GOING TO NICOLE
DAVIS FOLLOWED BY LANNY AND
LAYLA. GOOD MORNING NICOLE.
>> MY NAME IS NICOLE, I HAVE
BEEN IN THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
PROVIDER AND LEADER IN KING
COUNTY SINCE 2010. I WOULD LIKE
TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS
FOR SPONSORING AND FUNDING
GENUINE CRISIS PREVENTION
DIVERSION PROGRAM. THE ONE
CALL PROGRAM IS PART OF A
LARGER PROACTIVE SERVICE
SYSTEM THAT HELPS FIRST
RESPONDERS TO RECOGNIZE THE
JAIL AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS
ARE OFTEN NOT THE BEST RESPONSE
FOR INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS. ONE
CALL AS A DEDICATED 24 LIKE TO
HELP SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY
POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS,
EMS AND ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE
TEAMS GET THE HELP THEY NEED IN
THE MOMENT , DIRECTLY FROM
CRISIS CONNECTION BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH STAFF TO SUPPORT PEOPLE
IN CRISIS. BECAUSE OF THE
POPULARITY OF THIS PROGRAM
AMONGST FIRST RESPONDERS AND
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS I
REQUEST THE OTHER COUNCIL
MEMBERS JOIN THEIR COLLEAGUES
TO OBTAIN FUNDING FOR THIS
INNOVATIVE AND EFFECTIVE
PROGRAM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS LANNY.
>> GOOD MORNING. CHAIRMAN AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, ON BEHALF OF
MORE THAN 1100 RESIDENTS AND
250 STAFF AT PLYMOUTH HOUSING,
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
FOR COMMENTING. I SERVE ON
SUMMIT HOUSING BOARD. MORE
THAN 660 INDIVIDUALS ARE DOWN
THIS EVENING WITHOUT SHELTER AS
THE WEATHER GETS COLDER. THAT
IS ONLY A FRACTION OF THE
UNSHELTERED INNER-CITY. THE
CITY IS PURSUING 2000 UNITS OF
SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
THIS YEAR BUT WE KNOW THAT IS
NOT ENOUGH. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE
PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT MORE
HOUSING IN OUR CITY, YES
THERE'S ADJUSTMENT TO THE
CONTRACT TO KEEP UP WITH
CERTAIN INFLATION LEVELS, SOME
AS HIGH AS 9%. PLEASE REMOVE
THE 4% COST-OF-LIVING CAP IN
HIS PROPOSAL. PLEASE ENSURE
JUST START FUNDING IS USED FOR
HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING IS
INTENDED. FOR PROVIDERS TO
CONTINUE TO ANSWER THE CALLS,
THESE CHANGES ARE NECESSARY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
LILY.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS
LILY, I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF
OF OUR BIPOC COMMUNITY TO
REQUEST YOU REVISE THE BUDGET
TO RESTORE HUMAN SERVICES
FUNDING FOR UNITED WAY KING
COUNTY VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH SERVES
THOUSANDS OF BIPOC INDIVIDUALS
AND FAMILIES EACH YEAR TO
PROVIDE THEM WITH DIRECT
SYSTEMS IN THE FORM OF TAX
CREDITS AND REFUNDS. WHY IS
FUNDING MEDICAL FOR US? THE
DOLLARS PROVIDED HELP FOR
EQUIPMENT , SPACE, TRANSLATORS
AND PRINTED MATERIAL TO
MAINTAIN AND EXPAND OUR FREE
TAX PREPARATION SERVICES. AND
FUNDING MEANS WE CAN CONTINUE
TO SERVE LOW INCOME FAMILIES,
THE ELDERLY AND INDIVIDUALS TO
FILE TAXES FOR FREE. ALSO
INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY TO GET
TAXES DONE IN A FRIENDLY
COMMUNITY SPACE AND ALL THE
MONEY IS SPENT IN THE
COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
CAMILLE FOLLOWED BY CAMERA.
CAMILLE?
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM A
RESIDENT OF ANY MEMBER OF THE
ADVOCACY TEAM REAL CHANGE AS
WELL AS A STUDENT AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. I AM
CALLING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE
AMENDMENT THAT WOULD CREATE A
MUNICIPAL HOUSING
ADMINISTRATION TEAM , THE
AMENDMENT THAT WOULD CREATE
THE GREEN TRADES
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, AS
WELL AS THE GREEN BUILDING
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR
YOUTH. IF WE WANT TO HAVE A
SEATTLE WITH A FUTURE WHERE
EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO PUBLIC
GOOD HOUSING AND GREEN SPACES,
AS WELL AS A CLIMATE RESILIENT
CITY, WE NEED TO CREATE
CLIMATE RESILIENT SOCIAL
HOUSING, GREEN BUILDING
PRACTICES THAT CENTER AROUND
COMMUNITY. WE NEED THESE
AMENDMENT'S IN ORDER TO ENSURE
WE HAVE A TRADE UNION --
UNION TRADESPEOPLE THAT CAN
CREATE THAT HOUSING AND WE NEED
IT NOW. I SUPPORT ALL OF THE
SOLIDARITY AMENDMENT. THANK
YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TAMARA
WHO WILL BE FOLLOWED BY RYAN.
TAMARA?
>> GREETINGS, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS TAMARA, I AM A
HOUSING ADVOCATE AT SOLID
GROUND AND I CONDUCT MY WORK
FROM THE AGENCY'S OFFICE. I AM
HERE TO EXPRESS MY OBJECTION TO
THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED CAP ON
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT FOR HUMAN
SERVICE PROVIDERS. I HAVE
WORKED IN THE HUMAN SERVICES
FIELD FOR 15+ YEARS AND I CAN
PERSONALLY ATTEST THAT EVEN
WITHOUT INFLATION IS DIFFICULT
TO PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES, BUILD
FINANCIAL RESERVES OR PRESERVE
SUSTAINING RESOURCES SUCH AS
HOUSING WHEN MY WORK AS AN
ADVOCATE IS ALREADY UNDERVALUED
AND UNDER RESOURCED. WE ARE THE
CARETAKERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND YET MANY OF US HAVE BEEN
DISPLACED FROM OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE
CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN THEM
ANY LONGER. HUMAN SERVICE
PROVIDERS NEED A MORE ROBUST
INVESTMENT IN THEIR WORK, NOT
LESS. I URGE THE COUNCIL TO
REJECT THE INFLATION CAP. IN
DOING SO WE WILL BE
RECOGNIZING HUMAN SERVICE
WORKERS IS VITAL TO OUR
REGION'S INFRASTRUCTURE , AND
MOST IMPORTANTLY CRITICAL
SERVICES FOR OUR MOST
VULNERABLE ENTITIES WILL BE
MAINTAINED. HUMAN SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS WILL RETAIN HIGH
QUALITY EMPLOYEES AND REDUCE
TURNOVER.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RYAN
WHO WILL BE FOLLOWED BY DON.
RYAN? RYAN, YOU MAY NEED TO
PRESS STAR SIX. IF RYAN IS NOT
AVAILABLE WE WILL MOVE ON TO
DON. YOU MAY NEED TO PRESS
STAR SIX ALSO. MOVING ON. WE
WILL GO ON TO NEIL SIMPSON.
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX. WE WILL
GO ON TO PERRY HARTMAN.
PERRY, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX.
>> I AM PERRY HARTMAN, FOUNDER
OF CLEAN SEATTLE SUPPORTING THE
PARK DISTRICT BUDGET
AMENDMENT. TO BAN GAS POWERED
LEAF BLOWERS. SEATTLE IS LUCKY
TO HAVE COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN SPEARHEADING THE WORK
TO LIMIT GAS POWERED LEAF
BLOWERS. IT SEPTEMBER,
UNANIMOUSLY PASSED , NOW WE
NEED THE BUDGET ALLOCATION TO
CREATE AN ORDINANCE. ARE YOU
STILL WITH US? THE AMENDMENT
ASKED FOR $200,000 IN EACH OF
THE NEXT TWO YEARS, .005% OF
THE WHOLE PROPOSED BUDGET,
PRACTICALLY INVISIBLE. TO PUT
IN PERSPECTIVE, YOU HAVE TO
HAVE 1827 AMENDMENTS LIKE THIS
JUST TO EQUAL THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT BUDGET. WE CAN
AFFORD IT. PARKS IS THE LARGEST
CITY USER OF LEAF BLOWERS BY
HUGE MARGIN. I THINK THE
FUNDING WILL HAVE HIGHLY
POSITIVE RESULTS. MAKE OUR CITY
BETTER, CLEANER AND QUIETER BY
SUPPORTING THIS BUDGET
AMENDMENT. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NEIL
SIMPSON. AFTER NEIL WE WILL
TRY BACK WITH DAWN AND RYAN.
NEIL, GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, I
AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 4
AND I WORK WITH SOLID GROUND.
AND NONPROFIT THAT PROVIDES
SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LIVING ON
LOW INCOME AS WELL AS PEOPLE
WHO EXPENSE HOMELESSNESS. I AM
HERE TO COMMENT ON THE MAYOR'S
PROPOSAL TO CAP WAGE INCREASES
FOR HUMAN SERVICE CONTRACTS AT
A LEVEL WELL BELOW CURRENT
INFLATION RATES. AND PRIVILEGE
TO BUILD WORK EVERY DAY THE
FRONT LINES WITH SERVICE
PROVIDERS AND SEE HOW THEY CAN
PEOPLE BUILD PATHS TO ING -
STABILITY. IT IS HARD AND
REQUIRES PASSION AND
CRITICALLY IN KINDNESS, A
COLLEAGUES ON THE FRONT LINE
WORKING TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY
HEALTHIER AND STRONGER AND THEY
DESERVE TO EARN LIVING WAGES
FOR THAT WORK. LIVING WAGES
THAT ALLOWS THEM TO LIVE IN THE
COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. PHONE
BACK ON THE CITY'S INVESTMENT
AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE FACING A
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS WOULD BE A
MAJOR SETBACKFOR SEATTLE. I
URGE YOU TO JOIN IN AMENDING
THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL TO FULLY
FUND INFLATION WAGE INCREASES
FOR HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS DON , YOU NEED TO PRESS
STAR SIX , FOLLOWED BY RYAN ,
YOU ALSO NEED TO PRESS STAR
SIX. IF EITHER ARE AVAILABLE
PLEASE DO THAT NOW. OKAY. WE
ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO
SHALIMAR. PLEASE PRESS STAR
SIX.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME
THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE SOME
INPUT THIS MORNING. I SERVE AS
THE CEO OF SOLID GROUND. SOLID
GROUND ALONG WITH OTHER
PROVIDERS AS WELL AS SEATTLE
HUMAN SERVICES COALITION AND
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY
COALITION ON HOMELESSNESS ARE
REALLY HERE TO URGE COUNCIL TO
FULLY FUND THE INFLATIONARY
WAGE INCREASES FOR HUMAN
SERVICES. BY CAPPING THE COST
OF LIVING WAGE INCREASES FOR
HUMAN SERVICES AT 4%,
ESPECIALLY WHEN INFLATION IS SO
HIGH RIGHT NOW, IT IS ACTUALLY
NEARLY DOUBLED THAT AMOUNT, THE
PROPOSED BUDGET IS AN EFFECTIVE
CUT TO HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS
AND HUMAN SERVICES AS A WHOLE.
WE KNOW THAT WE ARE DOING THIS
IMPORTANT WORK, WE ARE DOING IT
ON THE BACKS OF OUR EMPLOYEES
WERE DOING IT ON THE BACKS OF
FOLKS WHO ARE PASSIONATELY
WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE
NEED TO BE ABLE TO PAY THEM
LIVABLE, FAIR WAGES. WE ASKED
THE COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT
FULLY FUNDING INFLATION
ADJUSTMENTS.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS
FOLLOWED BY EILEEN PLEASE
PRESS STAR SIX.
>> GOOD MORNING. I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 6 AND I AM JOINING MY
COLLEAGUES FROM SOLID GROUND
AS WELL AS OTHER HUMAN SERVICE
ADVOCATES TODAY TO ASK THE
COUNCIL TO FUND, FULLY FUND
INFLATION. THE MAYOR HAS
PROPOSED AN INFLATION CAP THAT
PROHIBITS OR MAKES IT REALLY
HARD FOR PROVIDERS TO KEEP UP
WITH RISING COSTS AND PAY ARE
ESSENTIAL WORKERS LIVING WAGES.
KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION IS
THE BARE MINIMUM TO SUSTAIN A
LOT OF THE SUPPORTS YOU'VE
HEARD PEOPLE EXPRESS TODAY ,
EXPRESS A NEED FOR TO HELP
STABILIZE THE WORKFORCE AND
WORK TOWARD WAGE EQUITY FOR
HISTORICALLY UNDERPAID HUMAN
SERVICE WORKERS. I URGE YOU TO
ADJUST FOR INFLATION AT 7.6%.
THANK YOU FOR CHAMPING THE
AMENDMENT TO ADDRESS THIS
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY DOUGLAS . EILEEN,
YOU ARE A.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS
EILEEN RICHARD, A LEAD REACH
SUPERVISOR LOCATED IN NORTH
SEATTLE. I'M SPEAKING TODAY ON
THE BUDGET FOR LEAD AND CO-LEAD
. THE CURRENT BUDGET DOESN'T
MATCH THE NEED WE ARE
RESPONDING TO ACROSS THE CITY
TO WORK WITH HER UNHOUSED
NEIGHBORS. IN NORTH SEATTLE WE
ARE BEING ASKED TO REALLY
ASSIST EXTREMELY HIGH NEEDS
CLIENTS AND ARE OFTEN ONE OF
THE FEW SERVICE PROVIDER
REALIZATIONS. THESE ARE FOLKS
WHO ARE EXPENSING GAPS IN TERMS
OF THE HEALTH CRISIS, QUICK
ACCESS TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE
TREATMENT AND MORE. WE ARE
SEEING A HIGH NUMBER OF CLIENTS
RECYCLING THROUGH THE JAIL
SYSTEM AND ARE ONLY GETTING
BASIC NEEDS MET WHILE IN
CUSTODY. OFTEN THERE IS NOT
ENOUGH TIME OR RESOURCES TO
ENGAGE WITH CLIENTS ON THE
STREET AND THESE CLIENTS NEED A
HIGHER LEVEL OF INTERVENTION
THAN OTHERS. WE NEED FINANCIAL
SUPPORT FOR CASE MANAGERS TO
PROVIDE LONG-TERM CARE FOR
THESE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER NOW IS DON.
FOLLOWED BY CATHERINE WELLS.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM HERE TO
REPRESENT WEST SEATTLE BIKE
CONNECTION IN SUPPORT OF
REINSTATING FUNDING FOR THE
SOUTHWEST BOULEVARD PROJECT
PROPOSED BY COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD , COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN AND COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON. IMPROVING MOBILITY FOR
PEOPLE WALKING, BIKING , TO
THE WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE IN
SPOKANE STREET BRIDGE. IT WILL
SUPPORT WEST SEATTLE STAFF IN
DEVELOPING HIGH DENSITY URBAN
CENTER. AND MAKE A GROWING AREA
SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS INCLUDING
ACCESSIBILITY'S. MAKE IT SAFE
TO RIDE A BIKE FROM DOWNTOWN
TO THE CENTER WEST SEATTLE .
AND CREATE WELCOMING GATEWAYS
TO WEST SEATTLE. IT WILL
SUPPORT FUTURE STATIONERY
DEVELOPMENT WHEN SOUND TRANSIT
LIGHT RAIL COMES INTO SEATTLE.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING
THIS.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER
WILL BE EILEEN RICHARD FOLLOWED
BY CATHERINE WELLS. EILEEN?
>> GOOD MORNING. I JUST WENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WILL
GO ON TO CATHERINE WELLS. GO
AHEAD.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
CATHERINE WELLS. I ALSO WOULD
LIKE TO SUPPORT THE BUDGET
AMENDMENT THAT WILL RESTORE
FUNDING FOR THE BOULEVARD
PROJECT. TODAY THE ROAD IS
HOSTILE TO ANYONE WALKING OR
BIKING.CROSSWALKS ARE
INFREQUENT BUT THE STREET IS
LINED WITH DESTINATIONS. THE
OFFICIAL BIKE ROUTE IS INDIRECT
AND HAS WRITERS SHARING LANES
WITH CARS AND BUSES. I RARELY
VISIT THE AREA BECAUSE IT IS SO
UNCOMFORTABLE. IF BUILT,
MEDIANS AND CROSSWALK
IMPROVEMENTS WILL MAKE IT
EASIER FOR PEDESTRIANS TO GET
WHERE THEY WANT TO GO,
PROTECTED BIKE LANES WILL
CONNECT THE HEART OF WEST
SEATTLE TO DOWNTOWN AND OTHER
NEIGHBORHOODS, MOSTLY PROTECTED
LANES AND TRAILS.
TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT WILL
ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO DO
ERRANDS WITHOUT A CAR AND HELP
SEATTLE ACHIEVE ITS CLIMATE
VISION ZERO GOAL. SAFETY
PROJECTS LIKE THIS AND OTHERS
ESPECIALLY IN NEIGHBORHOODS
SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN REALLY NEED
TO BE PRIORITIZED IN THE
BUDGET SO EVERYONE CAN GET
WHERE THEY NEED TO SAFELY NO
MATTER HOW THEY TRAVEL. THANK
YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS
CATHERINE WHITEHILL FOLLOWED BY
HEATHER. GO AHEAD PLEASE.
CATHERINE, YOU MAY NEED TO
PRESS STAR SIX. THERE YOU GO.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS CATHERINE
WHITEHILL. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> OKAY, I AM THE PROGRAM
DIRECTOR AT GLA CENTER IN LAKE
CITY. GLA IS A COMMUNITY SPACE
FOR PEOPLE IN NORTH SEATTLE TO
BE INSIDE AND TAKE CARE OF
HYGIENE NEEDS AND COOK A MEAL.
WE EXCEL AT BUILDING
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR GUESTS
AND LEVERAGING THOSE
RELATIONSHIPS TO SUPPORT THEM
IN TAKING STEPS TOWARD
STABILITY. THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED
BUDGET REDUCES GLA FUNDING BY
$100,000 OR NEARLY 1/3 OF OUR
BUDGET. THIS IMPACT WOULD BE
DEVASTATING TO THE 200+ CLIENTS
WE SERVE EACH MONTH. WE WOULD
LIKELY HAVE TO REDUCE HOURS BY
HALF. REDUCING SERVICES AND
HOURS AT A PLACE WHERE
UNSHELTERED PEOPLE ARE WELCOME
TO BE DURING THE DAY WILL
INCREASE THE IMPACT OF
UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS ON
BUSINESSES AND PUBLIC SPACES.
I IMPLORE YOU TO RESTORE THE
FUNDING TO HOMELESSNESS
SERVICES AND IMPROVE APPROVE
THE ENTIRE AMOUNT REQUESTED.
PLEASE ALSO FULLY FUND OUR
STAFFING COSTS.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS HEATHER . HEATHER?
>> MY NAME IS HEATHER, A
RESIDENT OF CAPITOL HILL. I
WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE
POLICE FUNDING, JUMPSTART
FUNDS, AND PLEASE FULFILL THE
COMMITMENTS COUNCIL MADE TO
INCREASE FUNDING , REDUCING
FUNDING TO THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT TO COVER ONLY
CURRENT UNFILLED POSITIONS.
PLEASE USE THE SAVINGS TO FUND
ALTERNATIVE CRISIS RESPONSE
TEAMS. POLICE OFFICERS RARELY
MAKE IT SAFER BY STOPPING CRIME
AND THEY MAKE PEOPLE
DISCRIMINATE AGAINST LEFT SAFE.
SHE COMPLAINED OF HER OPEN AIR
DRUG MARKET A QUARTER. THEATER
TALKED ABOUT HOW SHE CALLED
POLICE MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY.
LEASE WOULD SHOW UP, EVERYONE
WOULD SCATTER AND COME BACK.
POLICE RESPONSE COULD NOT KEEP
HER RESTAURANT FROM SHUTTING
DOWN HELP THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE.
WE NEED OTHER SOLUTIONS TO HELP
HOMELESSNESS AND DRUG
ADDICTION. PLEASE USE JUMPSTART
FUNDS FOR HOMELESSNESS AND
PASS NEW TAXES TO KEEP UP WITH
INFLATION AND MAKE OUR TAX
SYSTEM MORE PROGRESSIVE.
>> ANNEXED SPEAKER --
FOLLOWED BY JOHN.
>> GOOD MORNING. I LEAD
CLIMATE POLICY AT PUGET SOUND
ON THE GREEN NEW DEAL OVERSIGHT
BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ALONG
WITH MY COCHAIRS WHO COULD NOT
BE PRESENT TODAY. REFERRING TO
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OCTOBER 18
LETTER TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
16 OF THE 19 ITEMS IN THE
MAYOR'S BUDGET AND ORDINANCE
ARE OVERSIGHT BOARD AND
RECOMMENDATION EXCEPT THE
FOLLOWING THREE. $3 MILLION TO
SUPPORT DOWNTOWN MOBILITY
PLANNING AND SOUND TRANSIT
LIGHT RAIL EXTENSION. IT DOES
NOT ALIGN WITH THE ORDINANCE
SOCIAL EQUITY PRINCIPLES.
INSTEAD WE ASKED THEM TO USE
THE JUSTICE FUND TO SUPPORT
COMMUNITY LED WORK. $7 MILLION
TO DECARBONIZATION WITHOUT THE
BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY
RESIDENTS STUDY. INSTEAD
ALLOCATE $3.5 MILLION TO THE
STUDY AND ANOTHER $2.5 MILLION
TO UNDERFUNDED INDIGENOUS
NATIONS. FINALLY $2.5 MILLION
FOR BUDGET ITEMS EXCLUDED FROM
THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL. WE WISH
TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF
THE JUMPSHOT COMMUNITY FUNDING.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOHN
GRANT FOLLOWED BY MAIA. JOHN?
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
JOHN GRANT, CHIEF STRATEGY
OFFICER WITH THE INSTITUTE. I
ENCOURAGE YOU TO RETAIN THE
COMMITMENT THIS BODY MADE TO
HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS IN 2019
TOO TIGHT HUMAN SERVICE
CNTRACTS TO INFLATION. THIS IS
ESSENTIAL TO RETAIN THE
WORKFORCE WHICH WILL BE
IMPACTED BY THE LOWER AVERAGE
WAGES OF OUR WORK. THIS YEAR
LEHIGH HAS HIRED 30 PEOPLE WITH
EXPERIENCE, MOSTLY HOMELESS
PEOPLE OF LIVED IN OUR PROGRAM.
WE CANNOT LET PEOPLE SLIDE INTO
POVERTY. THANK YOU TO THE
COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR
AMENDMENT SUPPORTING SERVICE
WORKERS. PLEASE ALSO SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS'S AMENDMENT
FOR $2.8 MILLION FOR EXISTING
PROPOSAL OF TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES. THIS WILL SUSTAINED
THE INVESTMENT OF THIS COUNCIL
MADE LAST YEAR MAKING CRITICAL
REPAIRS TO OUR SITE SUCH AS
REPLACING DAMAGED HOUSES. THIS
FUNDING IS CRUCIAL. WITHOUT IT
WE WOULD NEED TO REDUCE
SERVICES NEXT YEAR WHEN THE
TIME THE CITY IS WRAPPING UP.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> ANNEXED SPEAKER IS MAIA
FOLLOWED BY PENNY.
>> GOOD MORNING, I AM
ADVOCACY DIRECTOR AT THE URBAN
LEAGUE POLICY IN SEATTLE.
>> EXPANDING THE SHELTER FOR
THE MOST PORTABLE TO CHRONIC
HOMELESSNESS. THEREFORE, IT IS
SAD TO SEE THE CURRENT PUZZLE
DIMINISHES THE VALUE OF THOSE
WHO DIRECTLY SERVE THE
COMMUNITY. FOR EVERYONE IN
SEATTLE, TO TRAVEL AND HAS
SUITABLE HOUSING. ARE HUMAN
SERVICES PROVIDERS DO THAT
EVERY DAY. WE URGE CITY COUNCIL
TO ENSURE THE PROGRAM FUNDED
THROUGH THE FEDERAL FUNDING ARE
MAINTAINED . IN ADDITION, WE
SUPPORT THE EFFORTS TO ENSURE
HUMAN SERVICES PROVIDERS ARE
ADEQUATELY COMPENSATED. WE
BELIEVE IN LIVABLE WAGES FOR
THE BLACK COMMUNITY INCLUDING
OUR STAFF. OFTEN PROVIDE US ARE
ASKED --
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS PENNY. FOLLOWED BY SETH.
GO AHEAD.
>> HELLO. I AM PENNY FROM
DISTRICT 6. I'M HERE FOR THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET. I STRONGLY
OPPOSE ALL THE WAYS MAYOR
HARRELL PROPOSES RATING
JUMPSTART. AMONG THEM, THE
TRANSFER OF $86 MILLION
JUMPSTART TO BUILD THE CITY'S
GENERAL FUND. GIVEN THAT 22% OF
THE GENERAL FUND GOES TO SPD,
THIS MEANS $20 MILLION SHOULD
GO TO HOUSING IN SEATTLE'S
GREEN NEW DEAL INSTEAD OF SPD.
AT LEAST $30 MILLION, $30
MILLION IS BEING PROPOSED
APPARENTLY EXPAND THE SWEEP
TEAM CEMENTING A POLITY
RESULTING IN RECORD DEATHS FOR
HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS. SOCIAL
SERVICE WORKERS PAY THE FULL
VALUE, WE LIVE IN A SYSTEM
THAT IS ADDICTED TO COMFORT,
SPECIFICALLY THE COMFORT OF
SOME AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS
SURVIVING. THE BUDGET IS A
DOCUMENT, AS A WHITE WOMAN,
I'M NOT SIGNING A CONTRACT THE
TRADES MY HUMANITY, THAT IS MY
CAPACITY TO TEND TO THE
WELL-BEING OF ALL THE CITY
RESIDENCE FOR MY OWN COMFORT.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS SETH FOLLOWED BY NICOLE.
SETH?
>> I AM SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF
FULLY FUNDING THE INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT FOR HUMAN SERVICE
CONTRACTS. MAYOR HARRELL
INITIALLY SUPPORTED THE
ADJUSTMENT OF 7.6% IN 2019.
WHILE ON CITY COUNCIL. NOW AS
MAYOR SAYS IT SHOULD BE
SLASHED TO 1.2%. THIS WOULD
DECIMATE AN ALREADY STRAINED
WORKFORCE AND HINDER PROGRESS
IN HOUSING THOSE MOST NOTABLE
AMONG US LIVING ON THE STREET.
I'VE BEEN IN THIS LINE OF WORK
--
>> ALL RIGHT. HELLO COUNCIL
MEMBERS. I AM OF THE YWCA
SEATTLE KING COUNTY . OUR
ORGANIZATION IS A MEMBER OF THE
SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION. I'M SPEAKING TODAY
TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT THE
FOLLOWING MATTERS. STAYING
CURRENT AND SUCCESSFUL
COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES. SUPPORT THE
BUDGET RECOMMENDATION TO APPLY
NECESSARY FUNDING ON
INEQUITABLE RECOVERY FOR THE
MOST WONDERFUL INNER-CITY. AS
A HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDER, WE
KNOW FIRSTHAND WHAT
COMMUNITY'S ARE EXPERIENCING.
WE KNOW WHICH PROVEN
STRATEGIES WORK FOR PUBLIC
SAFETY AND OVERALL BUILD
WELL-BEING. TO DO THIS, WE
MUST, AT THE VERY LEAST,
SUSTAIN CURRENT STRATEGY BY
FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS TO HUMAN
SERVICES CONTRACTS,
COMMENSURATE WITH THE INFLATION
IMPACTING ORGANIZATIONS. OUR
BUSINESS HAS INCREASED. FUNDING
LESS THAN THE ACTUAL RATE OF
INFLATION MEANS WE WILL HAVE TO
CUT.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS VALERIE
FOLLOWED BY BRIDGET.
VALERIE? GO AHEAD, VALERIE.
IT LOOKS LIKE VALERIE IS
UNMUTED. WE WILL MOVE ON TO
BRIDGET GRIFFIN. VALERIE, ARE
YOU THERE NOW?
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? HELLO?
>> LET US KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
>> MY NAME IS VALERIE.
>> GO AHEAD, VALERIE.
>> OKAY. MY NAME IS VALERIE, I
WORK AT THE YWCA AS A DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE ADVOCATE. OUR
ORGANIZATION IS A MEMBER OF THE
SEATTLE COALITION, I'M
SPEAKING TO ASK FOR SUPPORT ON
THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATION TO
PROVIDE NECESSARY FUNDING FOR
AN EQUITABLE RECOVERY FOR THE
MOST WINNABLE IN OUR CITY. AS A
HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDER WE KNOW
WHICH PROVEN STRATEGIES WORK
TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY. WE
MUST AT THE VERY LEAST SUSTAIN
THE STRATEGIES BY FUNDING HUMAN
SERVICE CONTRACTS WITH
INFLATION IMPACTING
ORGANIZATION. WE DO HAVE TO
CUT SERVICES, CAPPING
INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS WILL NOT
ONLY HARM US NOW BUT THE
ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN
THE FUTURE. WE ASK YOU HONOR
THE 2019 CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL
ADJUSTMENT. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE
BRIDGET GRIFFIN WHO WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY DENNIS WHO WAS
CALLED EARLIER. FIRST WE WILL
DO BRIDGET AND THEN DENNIS.
THANK YOU.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> MY NAME IS BRIDGET GRIFFIN.
I WORK AT THE YWCA OF SEATTLE
KING COUNTY. OUR ORGANIZATION
IS A MEMBER OF THE SEATTLE
HUMAN SERVICES COALITION. AM
SPEAKING TODAY TO ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT ON THE FOLLOWING
MATTER. THE SUCCESSFUL
COMMUNITY BASED SERVICE,
SUPPORT THE BUDGET
RECOMMENDATION TO APPLY THE
NECESSARY FUNDING THE FOCUS IS
ON AN EQUITABLE RECOVERY NEEDED
FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE
INNER-CITY. AS A HUMAN SERVICE
PROVIDER WE SEE FIRSTHAND WHAT
COMMUNITIES ARE EXPENSING. WE
KNOW WHICH PROVEN STRATEGIES
WORK TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY
AND OVERALL BUDGET WELL-BEING.
TO DO THIS WE MUST, AT THE VERY
LEAST, MAINTAIN CURRENT
STRATEGIES BY FUNDING AND
ADJUSTMENT TO HUMAN SERVICE
CONTRACTS COMMENSURATE WITH
INFLATION THAT IS IMPACTING
ORGANIZATION. ARE EXPENSES
HAVE INCREASED. FUNDING LESS
THAN THE ACTUAL RATE OF
INFLATION MEANS WE WILL HAVE
TO CUT SERVICES. CAPPING
INFLATION WILL NOT ONLY HARM
OUR COMMUNITY NOW BUT WILL
CONTINUE --
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE
DENNIS FOLLOWED BY OUR LAST
SPEAKER, RYAN. DENNIS, GO
AHEAD.
>> CHAIR AND COMMITTEE
MEMBERS, ON BEHALF OF
PLYMOUTH HOUSING, THANK YOU FOR
THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT. MY
NAME IS DENNIS AND I WORK AT
PLYMOUTH HOUSING. MORE THAN 660
INDIVIDUALS WILL BE IN TOWN
WITHOUT SHELTER AS THE WEATHER
GETS COLDER AND THE RAINS
RETURN. THAT IS ONLY A FRACTION
OF THE UNSHELTERED INNER-CITY.
THE CITY IS PURSUING 2000 UNITS
TO SUPPORT HOUSING BUT WE KNOW
THAT IS NOT ENOUGH. THE
PROPOSAL CAN SUPPORT MORE
HOUSING INNER-CITY, WE ARE
GRATEFUL TO COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR
THE AMENDMENT TO ADJUST
CONTRACTS BY 7.6%. CURRENT
INFLATION LEVELS ARE EVEN
HIGHER, YOUR 9%. ALSO, PLEASE
REMOVE THE 4% COST OF LIVING
CAPPING THIS PROPOSAL. PLEASE
ENSURE JUMPSTART FUNDING IS
USED FOR ADDRESSING
HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING AS
APPENDED. $85 MILLION FROM
JUMPSTART FUND FOR PROVIDERS TO
ANSWER CALLS, THESE CHANGES
ARE NECESSARY , NOT ELECTIVE.
GIVE YOUR SUPPORT.
>> OUR LAST SPEAKER TODAY IS
RYAN. GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
RYAN, PROGRAM MANAGER OF
FINANCIAL STABILITY UNITED WAY
KING COUNTY. I'M HERE TO
REQUEST YOUR STORE FUNDING FOR
PRETAX CAMPING. WE RUN THE
ONLY INCOME TAX PROGRAM --
OUR CAMPAIGN HAS OF MORE THAN
30,000 SEATTLE RESIDENTS AND
WE RETURNED -- TAX CREDIT LIKE
THE EARNED INCOME TAX ARE THE
BEST ANTI-POVERTY CREDIT THE
GOVERNMENT HAS TO OFFER. AND
WE HELP PEOPLE RECEIVE EVERY
PENNY OWED TO THEM. THE DATA
SHOWS MANY TAXPAYERS MISS OUT
ON IMPORTANT CREDITS WITHOUT
THE HELP OF TAX EXPERTS, WHICH
WE PROVIDE FOR FREE. IN 2023
OUR FREE TAX PREP RATION
CAMPAIGN WILL FOCUS ON HELPING
PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT AND APPLY
FOR THE WORKING FAMILIES TAX
CREDIT TO PROVIDE HOUSEHOLDS
WITH $1200 IN ADDITIONAL TAX
REFUND. I URGE THE COUNCIL TO
RESTORE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
WHICH ALLOWS US TO CREATE
RETURNS THAT GOES DIRECTLY INTO
THE POCKETS OF SEATTLE
RESIDENTS. THANK YOU.
>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC
SPEAKERS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK
YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DIALED IN.
WE HAD ABOUT 80 PLUS PEOPLE WHO
HAD DIALED IN ONLINE AND ABOUT
60 , EXCUSE ME, 30 PEOPLE IN
THE ROOM. I WANT TO THANK
EVERYBODY. WE DID GET TO THE
PUBLIC,. THAT BRINGS US TO
NOON. COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE A
FULL AGENDA. I ANTICIPATE WE
WILL GO FOR THE NEXT HOUR UNTIL
1:00. WE WILL HAVE A RECESS
FROM 1:00 TO 2:00 AND THEN
RECONVENE AT 2:00 AND FINISH
THE REST OF OUR AGENDA. MADAME
CLERK, PLEASE READ ITEM NUMBER
ONE INTO THE RECORD.
INTRODUCTION AND BUDGET
DELIBERATIONS OVERVIEW FOR
BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION.
CENTRAL STAFF TEAM TO REMIND US
ABOUT WHAT WE WILL BE
CONSIDERING AND WIND THROUGHOUT
THE WEEK AND WHAT WE CAN
EXPECT IN TERMS OF A PROCESS
AFTER THE THREE DAYS OF
DELIBERATIONS ON THE PROPOSED
CONCEPTS THE COUNCILMEMBERS ARE
PUTTING FORWARD AS WE CONSIDER
THE INITIAL BALANCING PACKAGE
FOR THE PROPOSED BUDGET. PLEASE
GO AHEAD AND WELCOME THE
DIRECTOR.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR MOSQUEDA
AND BUDGET COMMITTEE. FOR THE
RECORD, ESTHER HANDY, CENTRAL
STAFF DIRECTOR. WE WILL BE
BRIEF THIS MORNING. OVER THE
PASSED WEEK, YOU HAVE DEFINED
AND OUR TEAM HAS DRAFTED
100,000 BUDGET ACTIONS. THESE
ARE THE PROPOSED ACTIONS TO
THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT WOULD
RAISE NEW REVENUE . WE HAVE
ASKED FOR REPORTS AND COUNCIL
OVERSIGHT ON KEY ISSUES. I
WANT TO THANK THE CENTRAL STAFF
TEAM AGAIN FOR THEIR HARD WORK
THROUGH THE WEEKEND IN OUR
BUBBLE OF AMENDMENT PRODUCTION
TO HAVE THESE READY FOR
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION THIS WEEK.
TODAY, THIS COUNCIL BEGINS
SHAPING WILL BE THE ADOPTED
CITY BUDGET. THESE OPPOSED --
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE ABOUT
WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN
THE BUDGET AND THE VALUES THAT
UNDERLINE YOUR CHOICES. AS WE
MOVE INTO THIS PHASE, OUR ROLES
IN THE DISCUSSION WILL SHIFT.
LAST WEEK , CENTRAL STAFF WAS
PRESENTING OUR ANALYSIS ON THE
PROPOSED BUDGETS AND THE ISSUES
WERE IDENTIFIED POINT THIS
WEEK, AS SPONSORS OF
AMENDMENTS, YOU WILL LEAD THE
CHARGE. WE WILL BRIEFLY
DESCRIBE EACH PROPOSAL AND WE
WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AMENDMENTS,
LEAVING MORE TIME FOR COUNCIL
DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION.
TWO PLEASE IS -- PIECES TO
LEAVE YOU WITH. REMIND BOTH YOU
AND THE REPUBLIC WHAT YOU
ALREADY KNOW, JUST THAT WITHOUT
MAKING FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES TO
THE PROPOSED BUDGET, THERE IS
NOT REVENUE TO SUPPORT ALL OF
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS THAT
WILL BE DISCUSSED THIS WEEK. AT
THE END OF THE PROCESS, YOU
WILL BE FACED WITH HARD
CHOICES, TO PRIORITIZE. THE
DISCUSSION THIS WEEK WILL HELP
YOU MAKE THESE CHOICES. I WANT
TO LET YOU KNOW THAT AT BOTH OF
THE NEXT STAGES IN THE PROCESS,
THE REVIEW OF THE PACKAGE AND
THE ADOPTION OF THE FINAL
BUDGET, THE CENTRAL STAFF TEAM
WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
ANALYSIS ABOUT HOW PROPOSED
CHANGES IMPACT THE FINANCIAL
PLAN FOR THE GENERAL FUND.
TODAY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE
CONCEPT. AT THE NEXT PHASE, WE
WILL BRING MORE ANALYSIS ABOUT
WHAT THAT MEANS FOR
SUSTAINABILITY. WE LOOK FORWARD
TO BEING A PART OF YOUR
DELIBERATIONS THIS WEEK. I
WILL TURN IT OVER TO ALY , WHO
SHOW YOU MORE OF WHAT THIS
LOOKS LIKE.
>> GOOD MORNING OR GOOD
AFTERNOON. CHAIR MOSQUEDA AND
MEMBERS OF THE BUDGET
COMMITTEE, I AM ALY PANNUCCI
FROM COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF. IF
WE COULD MOVE TO THE NEXT
SLIDE, THIS WEEK WE WILL
COMPLETE STEP THREE OF SIX IN
THE BUDGET PROCESS POINT THIS
IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS
ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS
IDENTIFIED TO DATE FOR THE
INITIAL BALANCING PACKAGE. WE
WILL DO THIS DISCUSSION
ORGANIZED BY DEPARTMENT. THAT
IS HOW THE CITY BUDGET IS
DESIGNED. I WILL NOTE THAT WE
DID UPDATE THIS SLIDE TO
REMOVE A FEW DEPARTMENTS THAT
WERE ORIGINALLY ON THE LIST .
AS WE FORM YOUR AMENDMENTS, WE
SOMETIMES IDENTIFIED THAT THE
ORIGINAL PROPOSAL WAS FOR ONE
DEPARTMENT BUT MAY BE BETTER
SUITED FOR ANOTHER. I NOTING
THAT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF
DEPARTMENTS THAT WERE ON THIS
LIST THAT ARE NO LONGER ON IT.
IF WE MOVE TO THE NEXT SLIDE,
FOLLOWING THESE DISCUSSIONS, WE
WILL BEGIN WORKING WITH THE
BUDGET CHAIR TO DEVELOP THE
INITIAL BALANCING PACKAGE. THIS
WORK WILL INCLUDE ADDRESSING
ANY CHANGES WE RECEIVE IN THE
REVENUE FORECAST. WE WILL GET
THAT INFORMATION ON OR BEFORE
NOVEMBER 2. THAT WILL BE AN
IMPORTANT PIECE THAT GETS
ADDRESSED IN THE INITIAL
PACKAGE. AS WE CONTINUE TO HEAR
FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT BUDGET
PROPOSALS, NEW IDEAS MAY BUBBLE
TO THE SURFACE POINT PLEASE
REACH OUT TO DISCUSS ANY
LATEBREAKING IDEAS THAT YOU MAY
BRING FORTH LATER IN THE
PROCESS OR ANY INFORMATION THAT
MAY PREFER TO REFINE YOUR
PROPOSAL. AND THEN FOLLOWING
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PACKAGE THAT
WILL BE DEVELOPED ON NOVEMBER
7, THERE IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON
NOVEMBER 8. BEFORE I TURN IT
BACK OVER, LET ME JUMP INTO
DISCUSSIONS OF SPECIFIC
BUDGET PROPOSALS. I WILL
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN WHAT WE ARE
USING THIS YEAR. COULD YOU PUT
THE AMENDMENT UP ON THE SCREEN
FOR JUST A MOMENT SO I CAN
DESCRIBE FOR THE COMMITTEE AND
FOR THE PUBLIC THE NEW FORMAT
WE ARE USING? YOU CAN SEE HERE
THANKS TO JOSEPH FROM OUR
AMAZING COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ,
YOU CAN SEE THE AGENDA ITEM ON
THE TOP OF THE SCREEN, THE
AMENDMENT NUMBER , THE TITLE,
THE PRIMARY SPONSOR AND
ADDITIONAL SPONSOR, AND A
SUMMARY OF THE AMENDMENT IN
SOME CASES, TO HAVE THIS FIT ON
THE SCREEN, WE TRUNCATED THE
SUMMARY. IF THERE ARE MORE
DETAILS ON THE AMENDMENT SHEET
THAT A COUNCILMEMBER WOULD
LIKE TO SEE PRESENTED ON THE
SCREEN, JUST LET US KNOW. WE
CAN SWAP TO THAT VERY QUICKLY.
WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT BACK
OVER TO THE CHAIR TO LEAD THE
DISCUSSION OF THE AMENDMENTS.
TIME-OUT THANKS AS ALWAYS TO
THE CENTRAL STAFF TEAM LED BY
DIRECTOR HANDY . I REALLY
APPRECIATE THE COMMUNICATIONS
TEAM THAT IS CONSTANTLY
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL TOOLS FOR
US TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION
AND TRANSPARENCY ON THE
BUDGETING PROCESS WITH MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC. THIS IS ANOTHER
GREAT EXAMPLE WHEN YOU LOOK AT
THE DISPLAY OF THE AMENDMENTS.
MUCH BETTER TO READ THAN OUR
USUAL SPREADSHEETS WE DISPLAY
ON THE SCREEN. AS WE GET INTO
THIS DISCUSSION, I THINK YOU
ALL FOR COMING UP WITH IDEAS.
COUNCILMEMBERS ARE ALL COMING
FROM THE SAME PLACE, A SHARED
COMMITMENT TO TRY TO IMPROVE
THE LIVES OF SEATTLE RESIDENTS
ACROSS OUR CITY. WE MAY HAVE
DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO HOW WE
WOULD WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I BRING
UP THE INTENTION OF ALL OF
THESE AMENDMENTS, WITH HOW WE
CAN IMPROVE THE LIVELIHOOD OF
THOSE IN OUR CITY. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO
THIS POINT HOPEFULLY WILL HAVE
A THOUGHTFUL AND RESPECTFUL
DIALOGUE, RECOGNIZING TODAY IS
NOT A VOTE, BUT AN OPPORTUNITY
TO ASK QUESTIONS IF NEEDED AND
RAISE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON
THE THEMES. I WANT TO REITERATE
MY APPRECIATION FOR ALL OF YOU
AS WE THINK ABOUT THIS TOUGH
AND CHALLENGING BUDGET YEAR IN
FRONT OF US AND HOW WE SEEK TO
ACCOMPLISH THAT PATH TO
RECOVERY. THE PATH TO A
QUICKER RECOVERY, AS WE TALKED
ABOUT, MEANS INVESTING IN
PEOPLE, INVESTING OUR
COMMUNITY, AND FOCUSING ON
INVESTMENTS THAT YIELD A
STRONGER, FASTER, AND MORE
EQUITABLE RECOVERY. I KNOW THAT
I WILL BE LOOKING TO FIRST
CENTER T-CITY INVESTMENTS ON
CORE GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND
URGENT PRIORITIES. AGAIN,
HOUSING, HUMAN SERVICES, A
TRUE EQUITABLE PUBLIC SAFETY
APPROACH , IN CREATING HEALTHY
COMMUNITIES THROUGH ALL OF OUR
INVESTMENTS POINT I LOOK
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU
ALONG WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS
OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS TO
PRIORITIZE THERE IS
INVESTMENTS SO WE CAN SEE A
BALANCING BUDGET THAT REFLECTS
THESE URGENT NEEDS THROUGHOUT
OUR DISTRICTS IN THE ENTIRE
CITY. JUST A REMINDER ON WHAT
THE PROCESS LOOKS LIKE. AS WE
GO THROUGH EACH AMENDMENT, WE
WILL GO BY DEPARTMENT. WE WILL
HAVE THE CLERK READ THE AGENDA
ITEM INTO THE RECORD EACH
DEPARTMENT HAS ITS OWN AGENDA
ITEM. ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS
WILL BE READ IN THE ORDER IN
WHICH THEY WERE PUBLISHED ON
THE AGENDA. THE CHAIR WILL ASK
CENTRAL STAFF TO DESCRIBE THE
AMENDMENT FIRST. THEN THE
PRIME SPONSOR WOULD BE GIVEN A
CHANCE TO MAKE BRIEF COMMENTS
ABOUT THAT AMENDMENT. I WILL
THEN OPEN IT UP TO THE FLOOR
TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS FROM OUR COLLEAGUES.
AS A REMINDER, YOU DON'T HAVE
TO SIGN ON TO ANY AMENDMENT AS
A COSPONSOR TO EXPRESS YOUR
SUPPORT. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO BE
VERY JUDICIOUS AND EXERCISE
RESTRAINT IN THE NUMBER OF
AMENDMENTS YOU ARE SIGNING
ONTO. I APPRECIATE THAT IF
THERE IS AN AMENDMENT THAT YOU
WOULD LIKE TO ADD YOUR NAME TO,
I WILL MAKE SURE TO RECOGNIZE
YOU BEFORE WE MOVE ONTO THE
NEXT AMENDMENT AT THAT POINT, I
WILL NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT A
COUNCILMEMBER IS ADDING DOUBLE
NAME AS AN OFFICIAL COSPONSOR.
AFTER WE HAVE REACHED THE END
OF THE PUBLISHED AMENDMENTS FOR
THAT DEPARTMENT, WILL GO TO ANY
WALK ON AMENDMENTS FOR THAT
DEPARTMENT BEFORE GOING ON TO
THE NEXT APARTMENT. DEPARTMENT
. WE WANT TO THANK THE
COSPONSORS WHO HAVE SIGNED ON
TO THESE AMENDMENTS. AS A
COSPONSOR, YOU DO NOT NEED TO
MAKE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS UNLESS
YOU FEEL IT IS URGENT. FOR US
TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD, I WOULD
WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP
THOSE COMMENTS RESTRAINED, AS
WELL. LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE
ON TO ITEM NUMBER TWO, WHICH IS
BEGINNING THE LIST OF OUR
DEPARTMENTS. COULD YOU PLEASE
READ THAT ITEM INTO THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO,
OFFICE OF ARTS & CULTURE.
>> HERE WE GO, CENTRAL STAFF.
WE HAVE ARTS AND CULTURE IN
FRONT OF US. I SEE JASMINE WITH
US. WOULD YOU LIKE TO KICK IT
OFF FOR US? TIME-OUT SURE. I
AM PRESENTING COUNCIL BUDGET
ACTION ARTS 1A1. THIS WOULD
ADD A GENERAL FUND ONE TIME TO
THE OFFICE OF ARTS & CULTURE TO
SUPPORT STATION SPACE. IT IS A
PROJECT THAT HAS BUBBLED OUT OF
THE CULTURAL SPACE AGENCY
PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
AND WHICH WILL BE LOCATED ON
THE SECOND FLOOR OF KING STREET
STATION. THE PROPOSED FUNDING
REQUEST WOULD SUPPORT TENANT
IMPROVEMENTS TO KING STREET
STATION FOR THE PROJECT. THIS
IS SPONSORED BY 14 AND
COSPONSORED BY COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS AND COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD. TIME-OUT PLEASE GO
AHEAD AND SPEAK TO YOUR
AMENDMENT.
>> VERY EXCITING. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH, JASMINE. COLLEAGUES
WILL REMEMBER THAT IN 2020 , WE
CHARTERED THE CULTURAL SPACE
AGENCY PDA TO SECURE LONG-TERM
AFFORDABLE CULTURAL SPACE FOR
YOUR COMMUNITY FOR OUR CITY.
THE CULTURAL SPACE AGENCY, AS
JASMINE MENTIONED , RECENTLY
REINTRODUCED THE CITY TO KING
STREET STATION . ON THE SECOND
FLOOR IS THE STATION SPACE,
WHICH IS INTENDED TO BE A
CREATIVE ECONOMY MULTIPLEX .
THEY ARE PARTNERING WITH SIX
YOUTH SERVING CULTURAL
ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING RED
EAGLE SOARING, THE RHAPSODY
PROJECT, WHIP SMART , AND
JACKSON STREET MUSIC PROGRAM ,
AS WELL AS THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS SKILLS CENTER. THIS
WOULD BE A ONE-TIME CAPITAL
INVESTMENT THAT COULD COMPLETE
TENANT IMPROVEMENTS AND BEGIN
TO ACTIVATE THIS SPACE. AS I
SAID, THIS SPACE WAS CONCEIVED
AS A WAY TO CREATE CREATIVE
VIBRANCY TO A CIVIC SPACE. IS
DESIGNED AS A WAY TO MODEL A
PATHWAY FOR ARTISTS AND
CULTURAL CREATIVE'S FROM
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THROUGH HIGH
SCHOOL AND YOUNG ADULTHOOD
THROUGH A GIG BASED ARTS AND
CREATIVE ECONOMY.
>> ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS FOR COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES? THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES. I DON'T
SEE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. I
LOVE THAT YOU BROUGHT THIS
FORWARD . HAVING JUST VISITED
DENVER AND SEEING WHAT THEY ARE
DOING, WE KNOW THAT MUCH MORE
CAN BE DONE.'S MOVE ONTO THE
NEXT ONE. I AM LOOKING FOR
CENTRAL STAFF. PLEASE CHIME IN.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE POINT
TIME-OUT THAT IS ME AGAIN. THIS
IS ARTS 2 A 1. THIS WOULD ADD
$50,000 AS A ONE-TIME
EXPENDITURE TO IMPROVE SIGNAGE
AT THE AIDS MEMORIAL PATHWAY
IN CAPITOL HILL. IS A
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.
RECENTLY, IT CONDUCTED AN
ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
WERE TO ADD SIGNAGE TO MARK
THE ENTRANCE OF THE PATHWAY,
AND TO PROVIDE MORE ACCESSIBLE
INFORMATIONAL KIOSKS FOR EACH
PIECE OF ARTWORK THAT USES
ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATION
FORMATS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THESE
IMPROVEMENTS ARE ESTIMATED TO
COST APPROXIMATELY $50,000
POINT THIS IS SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON AND
COSPONSORED BY COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT AND COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN.
>> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON, PLEASE
GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS IS
A REQUEST FROM FORMER
COUNCILMEMBER TOM RASMUSSEN,
WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN PUTTING
THE FUNDING TOGETHER FOR THE
AIDS MEMORIAL PARKWAY. IF YOU
HAVE NOT BEEN THERE, I
RECOMMEND IT. IT IS IN THE
NORTH PART AND CONTINUES INTO
THE PLAZA NEXT TO LIGHT RAIL
STATION ON CAPITOL HILL. IT HAS
A NUMBER OF ART INSTALLATIONS
THAT HAVE SIGNAGE THAT WAS
IDENTIFIED BY MEMBERS OF THE
DISABILITY COMMUNITY THAT ARE
NOT ACCESSIBLE. MANY OF THEM
ARE CLOSE TO THE GROUND. SOME
OF THESE INSTALLATIONS ARE
INTERACTIVE AND COULD USE
BETTER TECHNOLOGIES SO PEOPLE
UNDERSTAND HOW TO INTERACT WITH
THEM. THIS WOULD BE ONE-TIME
FUNDING TO IMPROVE THE
INFORMATION ABOUT THE
INSTALLATIONS, AS WELL AS THE
ACCESSIBILITY OF THE SIGNAGE
ITSELF. I AM OPEN TO ANY
QUESTIONS IF ANYONE HAS THEM.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I SEE A
FEW HANDS. COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON, FOR SPONSORING THIS.
I WISH TO MAKE A COSPONSORSHIP
REQUEST, MY ONLY ONE OF THE
DAY. I HAVE JUST WATCHED
COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN WORK
ON THIS PROJECT. I AM SO
IMPRESSED WITH IT. I WANT TO BE
AS SUPPORTIVE AS POSSIBLE.
>> FOR THE RECORD, ADDING
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS AS A
COSPONSOR. COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS,
PLEASE GO AHEAD. TIME-OUT THANK
YOU, MADAM CLERK. I WOULD LIKE
TO ADD MYSELF AS A COSPONSOR
AND FOLLOW-UP ON THIS TO
SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT.
I DID WANT TO ASK A QUESTION
OF THE SPONSOR OR OF CENTRAL
STAFF. IS THIS RESTORING AN
AD THAT DID NOT GET OUT THE
DOOR FROM THE BUDGET LAST YEAR?
OR IS THIS A NEW ASK BUILDING
ON THE PROJECT AFTER THE MOST
RECENT PHASE WAS COMPLETED?
TIME-OUT IT IS THE LATTER.
OKAY, THANK YOU. THIS IS
GREAT. I AM GLAD WE ARE
CONTINUING TO BUILD ON THIS
POINT I'M JUST CHECKING IN ON
THE PROGRESS. I WAS REALLY
EXCITED LAST YEAR TO GO TO THE
UNVEILING OF THE PROJECT WITH A
NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE. I
AM HAPPY TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT
IT, THIS ESSENTIAL PLACE MAKING
AND IMPORT MEMORIAL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS IS ADDING
HIS NAME AS A COSPONSOR.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
TIME-OUT THANK YOU. LIKEWISE,
I WILL BE VERY JUDICIOUS. I AM
ADDING MY NAME AS A COSPONSOR
AND I DID MAKE A COMMITMENT TO
COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN TO DO
SO. I HAVE BEEN A PRIME
SPONSOR ON PRIOR AIDS MEMORIAL
PATHWAY BUDGET ASKS IN THE
PASSED. I WOULD LIKE TO FULFILL
MY COMMITMENT TO THIS PROJECT ,
IN PARTICULAR AS IT RELATES TO
THE ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS
ASSOCIATED FOR GREATER ACCESS
FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
IT IS ANOTHER PROJECT THAT I
HAVE WORKED WITH COUNCILMEMBER
RASMUSSEN ON AS IT RELATES TO
ADDING HEARING LOOPS IN OUR
COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND THE
BOARDS AND COMMISSION ROOM.
I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE
OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE MY
COMMITMENT THERE. THANK YOU.
TIME-OUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD IS ADDING
HER NAME AS A COSPONSOR.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON, ANYTHING
ELSE IN CLOSING? TIME-OUT THIS
IS ONE EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING
THAT I THINK IS A BROADER
CONVERSATION ABOUT
ACCESSIBILITY ON PUBLIC
PROPERTY IN OUR PARKS AND OUR
STREETS. WHEN I WAS TALKING TO
FORMER COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN
ABOUT THIS, WE SPOKE OF MAYBE
THIS BEING SOMETHING THAT THE
COMMISSION TAKES UP JUST SO WE
DON'T HAVE, SO FROM NEW
DEVELOPMENTS ON CITY PROPERTY,
THAT WE MAKE SURE WE ARE
THINKING ABOUT EXCESS ABILITY
FIRST. I DO APPRECIATE
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD'S
INCLUSION OF THAT IN THE
PARKS DISTRICT SPENDING PLAN.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR
COSPONSORING. TIME-OUT
WONDERFUL. BEFORE YOU WRAP,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
TIME-OUT I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER
QUESTION ABOUT THIS. I WONDER
IF I MADE MAKE ONE MORE
COMMENT ABOUT THE ARTS
DEPARTMENT BEFORE WE LEAVE.
ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON, FOR
INCLUDING THAT AMENDMENT.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, PLEASE
GO AHEAD. TIME-OUT I WANT TO
STATE ON THE RECORD THAT THERE
IS ANOTHER ISSUE WE ARE TRYING
TO UNDERSTAND AT THE
DEPARTMENT.
>> THIS IS BETWEEN THE LINE
ITEM AND THE PROPOSAL TO
ELIMINATE THE FTE ASSOCIATED
WITH THAT WORK. I DON'T HAVE AN
AMENDMENT YET I MAY BE BRINGING
ONE IF WE DETERMINE THAT ACTION
IS NEEDED. TIME-OUT THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE,
OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR.
TIME-OUT I SEE WITH US LISE
KAYE. GOOD MORNING.
>> I AM LISE KAYE. THIS IS
SPONSORED BY COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS AND COSPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES AND
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON. THIS
AMENDMENT WOULD ADD $32,000 TO
THE PROJECTED STAFFING COST.
DePAUL OFFICE HAS BEEN USING
SALARY SAVINGS TO STAY WITHIN
THEIR BUDGET. THE COST TO HIRE
THE NEW AUDITORS HAS BEEN
HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED DUE TO
COMPETITION IN A TIGHT LABOR
MARKET. THIS WOULD PROVIDE
SUFFICIENT BUDGET AUTHORITY FOR
THE CITY AUDITOR TO MAKE A
COMPETITIVE OFFER FOR A
CURRENTLY VACANT POSITION. I
WILL TURN MY MICROPHONE OVER TO
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS AS A
SPONSOR OF THE AMENDMENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS IS
UNFORTUNATELY A LESS AMBITIOUS
AMENDMENT THAN THE ONE I
PURSUED IN YEARS PASSED TO
DRAMATICALLY EXPAND THE OFFICE
EVEN FURTHER. I DO CONTINUE TO
THINK THAT THE AUDITOR RESOURCE
IS SOMETHING WE AS THE
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH DO NOT
CONTINUE TO USE TO THE FULL
EFFECT THAT WE MIGHT TO ENSURE
COMPLIANCE AND EFFICIENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY FROM EXECUTIVE
DEPARTMENTS. THIS REQUEST IS
IN LINE WITH OUR TIGHT BUDGET
SITUATION IS HERE TO MAKE SURE
THAT AT THE VERY LEAST, WE HAVE
A RESOURCE THAT SUPPORTS THE
AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO TAKE ON
WORK COMMITMENT THAT COMES OUT
OF THIS BUDGET CYCLE AND THAT
HAS COME OUT OF OUR POLICY
COMMITTEES. WE JUST RECENTLY
RELEASED AN AUDIT COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD AND I REQUESTED IT
REGARDING TREATMENT FOR
METHAMPHETAMINE ADDICTION. WE
HAVE A PENDING AUDIT COMING UP
SOON ON ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT.
WE HAVE DONE AUDITS IN THE
LAST COUPLE OF YEARS ON BRIDGE
MAINTENANCE, ON SIDEWALK REPAIR
. IT REALLY IS A VERY IMPORTANT
TOOL THAT CAN REALLY HELP TO
EMPHASIZE THE POLICY PRIORITIES
OF THIS COUNCIL AND HELP MOVE
CITY GOVERNMENT FOR TO BE MORE
ACCOUNTABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO
THE PEOPLE. WITH THAT, THIS
WILL HELP US KEEP UP. I HOPE
THAT IN FUTURE YEARS, WE CAN
CONTINUE TO WORK TO BUILD A
BIGGER AND STRONGER AUDITOR
OFFICE. IN THE MEANTIME, THIS
WILL HELP US KEEP UP WITH OUR
DYNAMIC AND IMPORTANT WORK
PLAN FOR THIS OFFICE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, PLEASE
GO AHEAD. TIME-OUT THANK YOU,
CHAIR MOSQUEDA. I CONCUR WITH
THE REMARKS OF COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS AND WOULD LOVE TO BE A
COSPONSOR ON THIS . TIME-OUT
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN. COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN IS ADDING HIS NAME AS
A COSPONSOR. I DON'T SEE ANY
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. I DON'T
SEE A HAND. I THINK WE ARE
READY TO MOVE ON.
>> AGENDA ITEM 4, THE CITY
BUDGET OFFICE. TIME-OUT GOOD
AFTERNOON
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS
AMENDMENT IS SPONSORED AND IS
ONE OF THE ON THE BUS AND
AMENDMENTS THAT TRANSCEND
MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING OF
THE MEETING TODAY. AS YOU WILL
RECALL FROM THE DISCUSSIONS
DURING THE BUDGET HEARINGS, THE
CHANGES TO EXISTING POLICIES
THAT ESTABLISH THE ALLOWED USE
OF PROCEEDS FROM THE JUMPSTART
PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX, SHORT-TERM
RENTAL TAX, AND THE
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY
TAX. THIS AMENDMENT WOULD EJECT
THAT PROPOSAL AND PASS A
DIFFERENT PIECE OF LEGISLATION
THAT WOULD TEMPORARILY PROVIDE
THAT FLEXIBILITY FOR USE OF
THOSE FUNDS IN CERTAIN WAYS
OVER THE BIENNIAL HIM. IT WOULD
NOT MAKE ANY PERMANENT CHANGES
TO THOSE POLICIES. THE
AMENDMENT WOULD RECOMMEND
PASSAGE OF THAT ALTERNATIVE
LEGISLATION THAT WAS ATTACHED
TO THE AGENDA IT. IN ADDITION,
THE AMENDMENT IDENTIFIES A
DOZEN ITEMS THAT ARE PROPOSED
TO BE FUNDED BY THE JUMPSTART
FUND IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET
THAT THE CHAIR DEVELOPED . WILL
SEEK TO EITHER IDENTIFY AN
ALTERNATIVE FUND SOURCE FOR
THOSE EXPENDITURES OR WE MAY
REDUCE THE PROPOSED
APPROPRIATIONS THAT ARE
INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET
. OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE NOT
LISTED IN THIS AMENDMENT MAY BE
IDENTIFIED AS WE WORK THROUGH
ALL OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
SOME OF THE ITEMS LISTED HERE
MAY NOT ULTIMATELY BE CHANGED.
SO THE DRAFT LEGISLATION THAT
WAS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA
ALLOWS FOR GREATER FLEXIBILITY
THAT MAY ULTIMATELY BE
INCLUDED IN THE FINAL
LEGISLATION. IT WILL ULTIMATELY
DEPEND ON WHAT RESOURCES ARE
AVAILABLE TO REALIGN SOME OF
THOSE PROPOSED EXPENDITURES AND
ENSURE THAT THE USE OF THOSE
FUNDS IS FLEXIBLE ENOUGH THAT
THE PROPOSED BUDGET CAN
BALANCE. SICK
>> I WANT TO SPEND A FEW
MOMENTS TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS.
THIS IS ONE AMENDMENT THAT WE
SHOULD CONSIDER AS WE DEVELOP
OUR BALANCING PACKAGE. AS THE
CENTRAL STAFF EXPLAINED, THIS
ENSURES THAT THE INITIAL
BALANCING PACKAGE COULD REALIGN
THE PROPOSED REVENUE STREAMS AS
BEST AS POSSIBLE. TO LINES IT
TO THE SPENDING CATEGORIES
ALREADY DEFINED IN STATUTE AND
ONLY ALLOWED TEMPORARY
DEVIATION OF THOSE POLICIES.
THIS AMENDMENT ALSO SEEKS TO
MAINTAIN EXISTING PROGRAMS AND
AVOID CUTS AND REDUCTIONS IN
SERVICES WHILE INVESTING IN
NEW INITIATIVES. WE CAN ONLY DO
THAT AS WE CONSIDER THE
AMENDMENT, THE SERIES OF
AMENDMENTS THAT COUNCILMEMBERS
ARE INTERESTED IN , IF WE LOOK
FIRST TO SEE HOW WE CAN BEST
REALIGN THE REVENUE STREAM.
THIS APPROACH ALSO OFFERS
FLEXIBILITY. I WANT TO . BACK
TO THE FINANCE AND HOUSING
COMMITTEE MEETING THAT TOOK
PLACE IN AUGUST . IN OUR
FINANCE AND HOUSING COMMITTEE
MEETING, AS CHAIR, I NOTED FOR
DELIBERATION FOR THE COMMUNITY
AND THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THE
OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SHOW THAT
STABILITY IN THESE TOUGH TIMES.
THAT FLEXIBILITY NEEDED TO
ADHERE TO THE SPENDING PLAN AND
THE PROMISES CODIFIED IN THE
SPEND PLAN AS PASSED BY THE
COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT THOSE
CORE INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING,
THE NEW DEAL, ECONOMIC
RESILIENCE, AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE WERE
MAINTAINED AS CODIFIED AND
PLANNED FOR IN TERMS OF THE
DOLLAR AMOUNTS WHEN WE PASS
LEGISLATION. WE ALSO RECOGNIZED
IN THAT AUGUST MEETING AS THE
REVENUE SITUATION CONTINUES TO
LOOK BLEAK AND POTENTIALLY
GETTING WORSE AS WE HEAD INTO
THIS FALL TIME PERIOD AND WE
LOOK AT THE NEXT 2 TO 4 YEARS,
WE NEED TO OFFER SOME FLEX
ABILITY IN POTENTIALLY HOW WE
PLUG THESE BUDGET HOLES. MY
COMMITMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO
AVOID AUSTERITY AND MAINTAIN
INVESTMENTS FOR OUR MOST
HONORABLE COMMUNITY. THE
APPROACH IN THIS AMENDMENT THAT
HAS JUST BEEN DESCRIBED ALIGNS
WITH WHAT I SAID IN AUGUST ,
TO HELP ENSURE THAT WE CAN
MAINTAIN COMMITMENT TO THE
REVENUE SOURCE , TO THE REVENUE
PRIORITIES AND ALSO OFFER SOME
FLEXIBILITY TO AVOID AUSTERITY
AND BUDGET CUTS. I WANT TO
THANK THE LARGE COALITION OF
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS , THE
HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS,
AND OVER 100 ORGANIZATIONS WHO
SUPPORTED THE PASSAGE OF
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE IN 2020.
IN 2022, HERE WE ARE WITH A
LARGE COALITION OF FOLKS SAYING
YES, PLEASE PROTECT THE
CATEGORIES AND THE SPENDING
AMOUNTS THAT WE ASSUMED
ORIGINALLY. ALSO, WE UNDERSTAND
THAT DUE TO ECONOMIC CRISES
THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY FACING
AND THE HARDSHIP THAT IS STILL
BEING PROLONGED DUE TO COVID
THAT USING THE HIGHER THAN
ANTICIPATED REVENUE TO HELP
PREVENT AGAINST CUTS AND
AUSTERITY IS IMPORTANT. THE
CIVIC VENTURES, CHIEF SEATTLE -
CLUB, DOWNTOWN EMERGENCY
SERVICES CENTER, THE HOUSING
CONSORTIUM OF SEATTLE AND KING
COUNTY, THE LOCAL HOUSING
INSTITUTE , PROTEC 17, SEATTLE
CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT PRESERVATION AND
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, SEATTLE
KING COUNTY COALITION ON
HOMELESSNESS, SEIU'S 775,
SEIU'S 925, SEIU 1199
HEALTHCARE NORTHWEST. IT
INCLUDES STATEWIDE PROPERTY
ACTION NETWORKS, SOLID GROUND,
TEAMSTERS 117, UNITE HERE
LOCAL 8, WASHINGTON STATE AND
BUDGET POLICY CENTER. ALL AND
MORE HAVE JOINTLY SAID
REGARDLESS OF HOW WE CAME TO
THIS MOMENT IN TERMS OF THE
OPERATING DEFICIT , WE ARE
UNITED IN OPPOSITION TO AN
AUSTERITY APPROACH TO THIS
SHORTFALL, WHICH WOULD
HAMSTRING THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY
OF THE CITY AND
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT THOSE
COMMUNITIES BUT WE ALSO WANT TO
BE CLEAR THAT WE ARE ONLY
INTERESTED IN HELPING TO
ADDRESS THE SHORTFALL IN THE
2023-2024 BUDGET CYCLE WITH
THE ACCESS OR HIGHER THAN
ANTICIPATED JUMPSTART REVENUE
NLY FOR THE SHORT TERM PERIOD
SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO FULLY
FUND THE PROMISES AND
COMMITMENTS OF JUMPSTART AS
CODIFIED INTO STATUTE. I WANT
TO THANK THOSE COLLEAGUES FROM
THE COMMUNITY FOR ECHOING
SUPPORT FOR THIS TEMPORARY
APPROACH . GIVEN THAT JUMPSTART
IS PROJECTED TO RAISE REVENUE
ABOVE WHAT WAS ESTIMATED IN
2020, WE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN
CONTINUING TO IDENTIFY THE
HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED REVENUE
TO BE ABLE TO PREVENT
AUSTERITY. I THINK THIS IS
IMPORTANT. THREE MORE POINTS
AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE
COMMENTS ON SHORT-TERM RENTAL.
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO
CONSIDER THIS ON THE BUS
AMENDMENT , NOT ONLY TO PREVENT
AGAINST BUDGET CUTS, BUT TO
CONTINUE TO MAKE A TRUST WITH
THE COMMUNITY AND TO ALL OF
THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING AT US WHO
HAVE PASSED AGGRESSIVE
REVENUE, WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE
SAID WE WOULD DO AND NOT HAVE
ANOTHER SPEND PLAN THAT GOES BY
THE WAYSIDE. WE CODIFIED IT
INTO STATUTE FOR A REASON. WE
CREATED AN OVERSIGHT BOARD. WE
ARE WORKING WITH MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC IN A VERY TRANSPARENT
WAY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
REVIEWING ALL OF THE JUMPSTART
INVESTMENTS AND ADHERING TO THE
SPEND PLAN. LAST YEAR, WE
CREATED THE JUMPSTART FUND. IT
IS VERY EASY FOR US TO ENSURE
ACCOUNT ABILITY AND
TRANSPARENCY. THE COALITION
THAT CAME TOGETHER IS VERY
ADAMANT THAT THE INVESTMENTS
THAT WE OUTLINE IN THE SPEND
PLAN WERE INTENDED NOT TO
SUPPLANT ANY ADDITIONAL
REVENUE STREAMS OR SPECIFICALLY
THE GENERAL FUND. IN ORDER TO
MAINTAIN THIS COMMITMENT TO
PREVENT AGAINST DISPLACEMENT,
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP TO
THOSE SPENDING CATEGORIES AS
CODIFIED INTO STATUTE. FINALLY,
AS IT RELATES TO THE TNCS IN
THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL TAX, WE
RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A TOUGH
BUDGET YEAR. WITH THE DECISIONS
IN FRONT OF US, WE ARE ENSURING
FOR THIS ON THE BUS AMENDMENT
APPROACH, WE WILL CONTINUE TO
FUND OUR CORE GOVERNMENT
SERVICES DURING THIS CRUCIAL
TIME. I AM OPEN TO SOME AMOUNT
OF FLEX ABILITY ON THE TNC TAX,
BUT WANT TO NOTE THE TAX WAS
DEVELOPED BY A BROAD COALITION
OF STAKEHOLDERS . ANY
DEVIATIONS FROM THAT SPEND
PLAN SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WITH
THE ORIGINAL GROUP WHO CAME UP
WITH THE TNC SPEND PLAN AS
CODIFIED. THE PROPOSAL ALLOWS
FOR US TO HAVE FLEX ABILITY
THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR. WE
ARE INTERESTED IN CLOSING THESE
BUDGET GAPS, BUT WE DON'T WANT
THESE TO BE LONG-TERM
STRATEGIES FOR THE REVENUE
NEEDS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. THIS
IS COMPLEMENTARY. WE WILL WORK
WITH THE EXECUTIVE TO MAKE SURE
WE ARE LOOKING AT AND ADVANCING
PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATION,
PROGRESSIVE TAX LEGISLATION IN
THE FUTURE TO ENSURE THAT OUR
BUDGET WILL REMAIN STABLE. I AM
SORRY I SPENT EXTRA TIME ON
THIS MANAGEMENT. IS A LARGE
AMENDMENT THAT IS STILL IN
DEVELOPMENT BUT WE WANTED TO
FLAG IT EARLY TO BE TRANSPARENT
WITH ALL OF YOU ABOUT THE
IMPORTANCE OF US SCOURING THE
BUDGET FOR THESE ALIGNMENTS AND
THE POSSIBILITY OF ENSURING
THAT WE HAD REVENUE TO PREVENT
AGAINST AUSTERITY AND CUTS. I
ALSO WANT TO NOTE APPRECIATION
FOR ESPECIALLY OUR DIRECTOR OF
THE CITY BUDGET OFFICE. SHE AND
HER TEAM HAVE DONE EVERYTHING
THEY CAN TO ENSURE THAT THEY
ARE TRANSMITTING TO US A
BALANCE BUDGET. THIS IS AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LOOK AT
DIFFERENT STRATEGIES TO
ACCOMPLISH THE SAME THING, A
BALANCED BUDGET, AND ENSURE
THAT THE COUNCIL PASSES A
BUDGET THAT ALIGNS WITH OUR
VALUES AND POLICIES THAT HAVE
BEEN CODIFIED ALREADY.
APPRECIATION FOR ALL THE HARD
WORK THEY DID TO MAKE SURE A
BALANCE BUDGET WAS SENT TO US.
WE WILL LOOK FOR WAYS TO CREATE
A BALANCED BUDGET THAT ALIGNS
WITH THE VALUES AND PRIORITIES
OF THE COUNCIL. PENDING ANY
ADDITIONAL COUNCIL QUESTIONS
ON THAT, PLEASE, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
>> JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A
POLICY THAT IS STILL IN
DEVELOPMENT. SOME OF THE
POLICIES MAY NOT BE FULLY
FLESHED OUT YET. I NOTICED THE
WORD TEMPORARY THROUGHOUT. WE
HAVE A WORKING DEFINITION OF
WHAT TEMPORARY FLEXIBILITY
LOOKS LIKE? OR ARE WE THINKING
THAT IT IS IN FACT THE
BIENNIUM THAT WE ARE BUDGETING
FOR?
>> COUNCILMEMBER, I WILL
ANSWER THAT. CENTRAL STAFF,
PLEASE CLARIFY, AS WELL.
TEMPORARY IS REFERRING TO THE
BIENNIUM , A SHORT PERIOD. AS
YOU HEARD FROM CENTRAL STRATH ,
THE CONCEPT OF USING
JUMPSTART FUNDS WAS NOT GIVEN
A HARD DEADLINE. THERE WAS NOT
A SUNSET WHAT WAS PROPOSED. IF
YOU LOOK AT THE FINANCIAL PLAN,
IT WAS THE ASSUMPTION THAT WILL
BE USED FOR TWO YEARS. BUT WE
WOULD BE DOING IS ENSURING
STATUTE THAT ANY TEMPORARY USE
IS ONLY CONFINED TO THE
BIENNIUM. ALY, WOULD YOU ADD
ANYTHING TO THAT?
>> CHAIR MOSQUEDA, THAT IS
ACCURATE. IS JUST FOR ALLOWING
FOR THIS FUNDING.
>> AND ONE MORE QUESTION? AN GO
AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
>> AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
PAGE THERE, THERE IS A LIST OF
PROPOSED EXPENDITURES WHERE
YOU WILL BE FINDING
ALTERNATIVE FUNDS . THESE ARE
EXPENDITURES THAT USE
JUMPSTART IN A WAY THAT IS IN
CONFLICT WITH THE FLEXIBILITY
THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING. I
SEE A SIMILAR LIST FOR
SHORT-TERM RENTAL TAX FUND OR
THE TNC REVENUES. I HAVE HEARD
IT SAID EARLIER THAT THERE IS
SOME MISALIGNMENT THERE, AS
WELL. IS THIS A MANIFESTATION
OF YOUR FLEXIBILITY? ARE YOU
PROPOSING THAT WE SUPPORT THE
LACK OF ALIGNMENT ON THE TNC ,
BUT REALLY FOCUS, BECAUSE THIS
IS GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFICULT
REVENUE YEAR? WE FOCUSED OUR
EFFORTS ON ALIGNING THE
MISALIGNED START FUNDING.
>> YEAH, I CAN SPEAK TO THAT.
I ENCOURAGE ALY TWO, AS WELL.
WE DID ALLOW FLEXIBILITY IN THE
HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED
JUMPSTART CATEGORIES, AS WELL.
WE WILL TALK ABOUT IF THERE IS
ALIGNMENT, AS WELL. TRAN 26,
WOULD YOU ADD ANYTHING TO THAT?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD,
THERE IS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT
PROPOSED FLAVOR FOR THE TNC
AND THE SHORT-TERM TAX
REVENUES. FOR THOSE TWO, THE
LEGISLATION OR RESOLUTIONS THAT
GUIDE SPENDING FOR THOSE
SPECIFIC REVENUE SOURCES , THE
ISSUE WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET
IS NOT THAT THEY ARE USING THE
FUNDS FOR THINGS THAT ARE NOT
AUTHORIZED. IT IS THAT THEY
HAVE NOT ALLOCATED THEM
PROPORTIONATELY IN THE WAY THAT
IS INTENDED. FOR THE SHORT-TERM
RENTAL FUND, IT IS $1 MILLION
SHORT OF FUNDING THE EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. IN THE
INITIAL PACKAGE, THERE IS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT THAT ,
THEN IT WOULD NOT REQUIRE ANY
CHANGE TO THE POLICIES. WE
WOULD TAKE THAT OUT OF THE
PROPOSAL. SIMILARLY WITH THE
TNC TAX REVENUES, THE PROPOSAL
IS TO SPEND IT ALL ON
TRANSPORTATION RELATED
INVESTMENTS AND ADMNISTERING
THE TAX. THOSE ARE BOTH ALLOWED
UNDER THE ORDINANCE . THAT IS
WHY THE LIST FOR JUMPSTART FOR
SOME OF THE SPECIFIC
EXPENDITURES ARE INCONSISTENT .
IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
REALIGN THEM , THE AMOUNT OF
FLEX ABILITY INCLUDED IN THE
FINAL BILL MIGHT ROLL WITH
IT.
>> FOR CLARIFICATION, AND FEEL
FREE TO CHIME IN AND CORRECT ME
HERE, TRAN 26, BUT I THINK THE
IMPORTANCE OF THIS LIST WAS
OFFER AREAS WHERE WE SAW A NEW
INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENTS THAT
MAY NOT TECHNICALLY ALIGN WITH
A DEFINITION OF THE CODIFIED
SPEND PLAN. THESE ARE SOME
EXAMPLES . I WANT TO BE CLEAR
THAT THESE MIGHT BE EXAMPLES
THAT WE AS A COUNCIL DO WANT TO
FUND. THIS IS NOT A LIST OF
PROPOSED CUTS. THIS IS AN
INITIAL LIST OF WHERE WE SEE
SOME AREAS THAT NOT HAVE TRUE
ALIGNMENT, BUT MIGHT BE A GOOD
USE FOR TEMPORARY PURPOSES,
ESPECIALLY AS WE HAVE HIGHER
THAN ANTICIPATED REVENUE, GIVEN
SPECIFIC NEED IN SOME AREAS.
THAT IS WHY THERE IS A LITTLE
BIT OF WORK TO BE DONE THAT I
WANTED TO FLAG FOR FOLKS. IS AN
ANALYSIS OF WHAT WAS ADDED THAT
MAY NOT BE TOTALLY IN
ALIGNMENT. WHAT IS BEING
PROPOSED MIGHT BE JUST
SLIGHTLY OUTSIDE OF THE
CATEGORIES THERE. IS NOT AN
INDICATION THAT IT IS SOMETHING
THAT I OR THE OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD WANT TO
FUND. WE WILL BE LOOKING AT
WAYS TO POTENTIALLY BUILD THAT
BACK IN IF WE CAN, MAYBE BY
SWAPPING THE REVENUE SOURCE OR
A TEMPORARY USE OF JUMPSTART. I
DON'T WANT THIS LIST TO SIGNAL
A CUT COMING ON THOSE SPECIFIC
LINE ITEMS.
>> I SHOULD HAVE VERBALLY
FOUND A WAY TO UNDERSCORE THAT
THE FIRST OPTION YOU GIVE FOR
THIS LIST IS TO IDENTIFY AN
ALTERNATIVE FUND, NOT TO MAKE A
REDUCTION. I APPRECIATE THAT.
I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE A
REALLY HEAVY LIFT FOR YOU,
MADAM CLERK, AND FOR COUNCIL
CENTRAL STAFF. IT IS A LOT OF
WORK IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN
OUR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC IN
ENACTING THESE POLICIES AND
REVENUE STREAMS. I THANK YOU
FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO THIS
POLICY WORKED IN ADDITION TO
THE IMPORTANT WORK OF THE
CHAIR.
>> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON,
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> TRAN 26, CORRECT ME IF I'M
WRONG, DOES THE PROPOSED
BUDGET OF THE MAYOR FOR THE
SHORT-TERM RENTAL TAX FUND ,
THE PRIORITIES THAT GET FUNDED,
I THINK I REMEMBER THAT THE
PAYMENT TO DEBT SERVICE IS
MOVED TO THE TOP AND THE THIRD
ARE LOWER ON THE LIST . IS THAT
THE CASE? I GUESS WHAT I'M
SAYING IS, THIS MODIFIES THE
AMOUNT THAT WILL GO TO EDI BY
$1 MILLION. DOES IT ALSO CHANGE
THE ORDER OF THE PROPOSED
SPENDING PRIORITIES BY THE
MAYOR?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON. THE PROPOSAL BY THE
MAYOR WOULD MODIFY THE EXISTING
POLICIES. RIGHT NOW, THERE IS
A LIST OF FIVE ITEMS . THE
FIRST FIVE $90 TO EDI, THEN
PAYING DEBT SERVICE, AND PAYING
FOR PERMANENT HOUSING , JUST
ABOUT $3 MILLION. AND IT TALKS
ABOUT ADDITIONAL FUNDS GOING TO
EDI STAFFING AND EDI PROJECTS.
THE PROPOSAL BY THE MAYOR
WOULD MAKE THAT A LIST OF
THREE. IT WOULD PUT THE DEBT
SERVICE FIRST, PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES
SECOND, AND FUNDING FOR EDI
THIRD. ANYTHING REMAINING WOULD
GO TO EDI. THAT IS THE
DIFFERENCE . THE PROPOSED
BUDGET DOES ONLY ALLOCATE $4
MILLION FROM SHORT-TERM RENTAL
TO THE EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVE. COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA'S PROPOSAL WOULD,
INSTEAD OF MAKING THAT
PERMANENT CHANGE TO THE
PRIORITY ORDER, IT WOULD SAY
THAT FOR THIS BIENNIUM, EDI
WILL ONLY RECEIVE $4 MILLION
FROM THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL FUND
ANNUALLY. AND IT WOULD PAY FOR
THE OTHER TWO . RIGHT NOW, THE
REVENUE FORECAST FOR THE
SHORT-TERM RENTAL WOULD BE
ENOUGH TO JUST COVER THAT OVER
THE BIENNIUM SO IT WOULD
BALANCE. IS ULTIMATELY USING
THE FUNDS IN THE SAME WAY,
MODIFYING THE APPROACH TO THE
FLEXIBILITY PROVIDED IN THE
ANALYSIS.
>> ALY, YOU WERE TRAILING OFF
JUST A LITTLE BIT AT THE END.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON, DID YOU
CATCH ALL OF THAT?
>> YEAH IT. WAS THE REASONING
THAT THE PROJECTED REVENUES
HAD NEVER COME IN AS MUCH AS
ANTICIPATED? THEREFORE, WE
HAVE TO PAY THE DEBT SERVICE
FIRST? IF THAT WAS THE
REASONING IN THE PLAN OF THE
MAYOR, I DO SUPPORT THAT AS TO
THE MODIFICATIONS OF THE OTHER
FUNDS. WE CANNOT GET OUT OF
PAYING DEBT SERVICE.
>> PLEASE GO AHEAD, TRAN 26.
>> I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE MAYOR
ON WHAT THEIR INTENT IS. IT WAS
TO PAY THE DEBT SERVICE FIRST.
IN EITHER SCENARIO, THE DEBT
SERVICE WILL BE COVERED. THE
HOPE WILL BE THAT REVENUES
REBOUND . THAT IS TO BE
DETERMINED. IF THIS TEMPORARY
MEASURE IS NECESSARY,
ULTIMATELY OTHER FUNDS COULD
ALSO SUPPORT THOSE OTHER
CATEGORIES. OTHER FUNDS CAN
SUPPORT THE DEBT SERVICE, AS
WELL. YES, YOU ARE CORRECT
WITH IT. I THINK THAT WAS PART
OF THE THINKING IN PUTTING THE
DEBT SERVICE FIRST. NO MATTER
WHAT, THE CITY IS OBLIGATED TO
PAY THAT.
>> GREAT .. JUST TO BE CLEAR,
AS TRAN 26 NOTED, WE WOULD BE
ALLOWING THIS TO BE USED FOR
DEBT SERVICE . WE DON'T WANT TO
MAKE PERMANENT CHANGES. WE ARE
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUDGET
PROCESS. WE DON'T WANT TO BE
ENGAGING IN HEAVY POLICYMAKING
VIA BUDGETING FOR SHORT-TERM
NEEDS. WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK
TO THIS . THIS WOULD BE IN
ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
ASKED, COUNCILMEMBER NELSON. WE
HAVE TO PAY OUR DEBT SERVICE.
IT ALLOWS FOR THE FLEX ABILITY
TO STILL BE THERE.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN? UNLESS
YOU HAD SOMETHING ELSE,
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON? OKAY --
OH PLEASE.
>> I DO LOOK FORWARD TO THE
CONVERSATION ABOUT THE
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CHANGE
THE POLICIES COMPLETELY IN
JUMPSTART AND TNC AND THE
SHORT-TERM RENTAL. I WANTED TO
REGISTER THAT , AS
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD WAS
ALLUDING TO. I HAVE SOME
CONCERNS. I APPRECIATE YOU
SAYING THAT IT IS NOT A DONE
DEAL. THE LIST OF ITEMS THAT
ARE PROPOSED IN THIS AMENDMENT
FOR CONSIDERATION OF REDUCTION,
I THINK THAT WE SHOULD
CONSIDER EACH OF THOSE
INDIVIDUALLY AND DISCUSS THE
MERITS INSTEAD OF JUST LOOKING
AT WHETHER OR NOT THEY ALIGN.
ALIGNMENT WITH THE ORIGINAL
FUNDING POLICIES IS OPEN TO A
LITTLE BIT OF INTERPRETATION.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS
NOT A LIST FOR PROPOSED
REDUCTIONS . IT IS POTENTIALLY
A LIST FOR OPPOSED ALTERNATIVE
SOURCES OF FUNDING. IS NOT A
LIST DEPENDING ON THE VALUE OR
IMPORTANCE OF INCLUDING IT IN
THE BUDGET JUST NOTE IT MAY
NOT COMPLETELY ALIGN. AS WE
LOOK AT ADDITIONAL REVENUE,
MAYBE OPPORTUNITY TO ALIGN IT
IN DIFFERENT WAYS . IF THERE IS
A CRITICAL INVESTMENT THAT THE
COUNCIL WANTS TO SUPPORT, MAYBE
THERE IS TEMPORARY USE WITH
HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED
REVENUE. I WILL GO TO
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR MOSQUEDA. I
DEFINITELY AGREE WITH THE
PREMISE OF THE IDEA OF USING
THE JUMPSTART PAYROLL TAX
REVENUE . IT WAS MEANT TO BE
TEMPORARY. I HAD UNDERSTOOD IT
TO BE TWO YEARS, FOR THE
BIENNIUM BUDGET. AT THE SAME
TIME, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE
LIST OF THE 15 ITEMS AT THE
END. CAN WE PUT THAT UP ON THE
SCREEN? I WAS HAVING TROUBLE
OPENING THE DOCUMENT ONLINE ON
THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AGENDA.
THE LIST OF 15 ITEMS INCLUDES
SEVERAL IMPORTANT TRANSIT
RELATED ITEMS. I DO HOPE WE CAN
FIND -- I AM FINE USING THE
JUMPSTART REVENUE FOR THAT OVER
THE NEXT TWO YEARS , BUT
ALTERNATIVELY I HOPE WE CAN
FIND ALTERNATIVE SOURCES FOR
MANY OF THOSE 15 ITEMS I
SUPPORT. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE
ADMINISTRATION PUT THOSE IN
THERE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE
THOSE GET FUNDED. YEAH, THANK
YOU.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN. JUST TO
BE REALLY CLEAR WITH EVERYONE ,
THIS LIST IS NOT A LIST OF
PROPOSED CUTS. THIS IS A LIST
FOR POSSIBLY IDENTIFYING WAYS
THAT WE COULD FUND IT OUTSIDE
THE DEFINED SPEND PLAN. THAT
INCLUDES USING IN 2021
POSSIBLY THE HIGHER THAN
ANTICIPATED REVENUES . SO $71
MILLION FROM 2023 , $14 MILLION
FROM 2022, AND PAYMENTS THAT
WERE HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED.
THERE IS FLEXIBILITY IN WHAT WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF
THE LEGISLATION TO USE SOME OF
THAT FUNDING FOR CRITICAL
INVESTMENTS LIKE THIS. THIS IS
MEANT TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS A
LIST FOR FUTURE DELIBERATIONS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE NOBODY
WALKS AWAY THINKING THIS IS A
LIST OF POTENTIAL CUTS.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT, CAN YOU
HOLD ON FOR JUST A SECOND? I
WANT TO ASK TRAN 26 FOR
ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATION
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR MOSQUEDA. I
WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THIS
AMENDMENT WAS DRAFTED
INTENTIONALLY BROADLY. THERE
ARE A LOT OF CHOICES AHEAD. I
WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THE
DIRECTION TO ME WAS NOT TO PUT
THIS ON AND TO TRY TO START
ASSUMING THAT THESE ARE GOING
TO BE CUT IN THE BALANCING
PACKAGE. I DO ALSO WANT TO BE
CLEAR THAT YOU ARE GOING TO
HAVE TO ACCEPT SOME REDUCTIONS
IN THE PROPOSED SPENDING IF
YOU WANT ANY OF YOUR
AMENDMENTS INCLUDED IN THE
BALANCING PACKAGE. NOT TO SAY
THAT THESE ARE THE ITEMS, BUT
SOMETHING HAS TO GO IN ORDER TO
ACCOMMODATE NEW SPENDING. NOT
EVERYTHING WILL BE IN THE MIX.
NOTING THE INTERESTS AND
PRIORITIES FOR SOME OF THOSE
ITEMS , BUT ALSO NOTING THERE
ARE LIKELY SOME ITEMS THAT
WILL MATTER TO PEOPLE THAT WILL
NEED TO BE REDUCED IN ORDER TO
ACCOMMODATE OTHER PRIORITIES
OVERALL ACROSS THE ENTIRE
BUDGET, NOT NECESSARILY RELATED
TO THIS SPECIFIC LIST.
>> WELL SAID. THE CHAIR
RECOGNIZES COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL SPEAK TO
THIS LATER WHEN THE BUDGET
AMENDMENT COMES UP FOR
DISCUSSION THAT MY OFFICE HAS
PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE AMAZON
TAX, THE BIG BUSINESS TAX .
BUT WE SHOULD BE CLEAR, IT IS
NOT NECESSARY TO RAISE THE
AMAZON TAX TO COVER THE BUDGET
SHORTFALLS THIS YEAR AND NEXT
YEAR. THIS IS A FALSE CHOICE
DRIVEN BY THE MANUFACTURED
SCARCITY BY KEEPING TAXES ON
BUSINESSES ARTIFICIALLY LOW.
THE COUNCIL HAS THE OPTION OF
INCREASING THE TAX ON BIG
BUSINESS AND FUNDING ALL OF THE
HUMAN NEEDS IN OUR CITY. AS A
MATTER OF FACT, U.S. CORPORATE
PROFITS ARE THE HIGHEST THEY
HAVE BEEN IN 70 YEARS. IT IS AN
UNPRECEDENTED 12.1% OF GDP.
ALL THIS TALK ABOUT TEMPORARY
FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR
AFTER THAT, NEXT YEAR IS NOT AN
ORDINARY YEAR. BASICALLY,
THERE IS A CONSENSUS AMONG
ECONOMISTS AT THIS MOMENT THAT
IT IS GOING TO BE VERY LIKELY A
NASTY RECESSION. WE KNOW WHAT
HAPPENS IN RECESSIONS UNDER
CAPITALISM. THE VAST MAJORITY
IF NOT ALL OF THE BURDEN OF THE
ECONOMIC CRISIS IS THRUST ON
THE SHOULDERS OF WORKING
PEOPLE, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES,
AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES. I
DON'T THINK WE CAN ACCEPT THE
FACT THAT APPARENTLY THE
COUNCIL IS NOW SAYING THAT WE
ARE GOING TO , THAT YOU ARE
OKAY WITH DOING THIS . I THINK
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO LOOK
AT THE DATA. THERE IS MORE THAN
ENOUGH MONEY THAT THE
CORPORATIONS AND THE WEALTHY
HAVE MADE EVEN DURING THE
PANDEMIC WHEN WORKING PEOPLE
WERE STRUGGLING. I BELIEVE THAT
TAXES SHOULD BE INCREASED ON
BIG BUSINESS TO FUND ALL THE
NEEDS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE AND
OTHER ISSUES IN OUR CITY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I DON'T
SEE ADDITIONAL HANDS. MADAM
CLERK, COULD YOU PLEASE READ
ITEM NUMBER FIVE INTO THE
RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM 5, THE SEATTLE
CENTER.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. LET'S
CONTINUE. HELLO, ERIC.
>> I AM ERIC McCONAGHY FROM THE
COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF. THIS
ITEM WOULD ADD $200,000 TO THE
GENERAL FUND IN 2023 AND A
SIMILAR AMOUNT IN 2024 TO THE
SEATTLE CENTER. IS SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS WITH
COSPONSORS COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON AND COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS. I WILL STOP THERE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, THESE GO
AHEAD.
>> AS WE COME OUT OF THE COVID
ERA, WHICH PUT A LOT OF OUR
IMMUNITY FESTIVALS ON HOLD, ONE
THING THAT WILL BE COMING BACK
IS A REINVIGORATED BUMBERSHOOT.
IT WAS SENT TO A NEW OPERATOR
FOLLOWING DECLINING ATTENDANCE
AND INCREASING BARRIERS TO
ACCESS FOR THE FESTIVAL. THE
NEW OPERATORS OF BUMBERSHOOT
ARE PUTTING A BIGGER FOCUS ON
NOT ONLY THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE,
BUT ONGOING ACTIVATIONS
THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE
YEAR. THEY WILL HOPEFULLY,
FINGERS CROSSED, BE RELEASING A
YEAR-ROUND DOWNTOWN VENUE AND
SHOWCASE IN SPACE THAT WILL BE
A COMPONENT OF THE OVERALL
FESTIVAL. THIS WILL INCLUDE A
SIGNIFICANT WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
COMPONENT TO MAKE SURE THAT
YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE
PROMOTION, REDUCTION, AND
VENUE MANAGEMENT STAY IN THE
SEATTLE COMMUNITY AND BUILD OUR
CREATIVE ECONOMY INSTEAD OF
MOVE TO OTHER CITIES AND
JURISDICTIONS TO EXPLORE THEIR
PASSION FOR THIS WORK AND
PARTICIPATE IN AHEAD. THIS
INVESTMENT WILL MAKE SURE THAT
WE CAN GET OFF TO A GOOD START
ON CULTIVATING THIS CLUSTER
HERE IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE
WITH A REINVIGORATED
BUMBERSHOOT BY BUILDING ON AN
EXISTING AD THAT IS INCLUDED IN
THE BUDGET, MAKING SURE THAT WE
ARE DOING IT IN COMMUNITIES IN
THE CITY THAT WE ARE TRYING TO
REINVIGORATE AND INCREASE
ACTIVITY. WITH THAT, I WILL GO
AHEAD AND LEAVE IT THERE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT, IS THAT
AN OLD HAND?
>> YES, SORRY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I AM NOT
SEEING ANY ADDITIONAL HANDS AT
THIS .. TRAN 26, PLEASE GO
AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR MOSQUEDA.
I SUGGEST BEFORE WE JUMP INTO
THE NEXT ITEM THAT HAS THREE
AMENDMENTS THAT THIS MIGHT BE A
GOOD NATURAL BREAKING ..
>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN.
OKAY, COLLEAGUES. WE ARE ON
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX. WE WILL
GO THROUGH THE REST OF THE
AGENDA ITEMS THAT WILL TAKE US
THROUGH NUMBER 13. WE CAN DO
THIS TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
EXTENDED TIME ON PUBLIC COMMENT
THIS MORNING. AGAIN, WE WILL
START RIGHT AWAY. EACH OF OUR
NEXT TWO DAYS WILL NOT HAVE
PUBLIC COMMENT. WE WILL
DEFINITELY GET THROUGH THE REST
OF THE AGENDA WHEN WE
RECONVENE AT 2:00 P.M. AGAIN,
WE WILL START WITH AGENDA ITEM
NUMBER SIX. HEARING NO
OBJECTION, THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL SELECTED BUDGET
COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE
RECESSED UNTIL 2:00 P.M.
HEARING NO OBJECTIONS, THE
BUDGET COMMITTEE IS IN RECESS.
WE WILL SEE YOU A 2:00 P.M.,
EVERYBODY. ENJOY YOUR LUNCH.