CALLED, THE MICROPHONE WILL BE
UNMUTED IN A PROMPT WILL SAY
THE HOST WOULD LIKE YOU UNMUTE
YOUR MICROPHONE.
>>> AT THE END OF THE ALLOTTED
TIME, YOUR MICROPHONE WILL BE
MUTED AND THE NEXT SPEAKER
REGISTERED WILL BE CALLED. ONCE
SPEAKERS HAVE FINISHED
PROVIDING COMMENT, PLEASE
DISCONNECT FROM THE COMMENT
LINE AND FOLLOW THE MEETING
THROUGH THE REASONING LINE
OPTION LISTED ON THE AGENDA .
THE COUNCIL RESERVES THE RIGHT
TO REFUSE COMMENTS FOR ANY
OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE DISRUPTIVE
TO PROCEEDINGS OR NOT FOCUSED
ON AN APPROPRIATE TOPIC AS
SPECIFIED IN COUNCIL RULES. OUR
HOPE IS TO PROVIDE AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR PRODUCTIVE
DISCUSSIONS THAT WILL ASSIST
OUR ORDERLY CONSIDERATION OF
ISSUES BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
OPEN, AND WE'LL BEGIN WITH THE
FIRST SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR SIX
AFTER YOU HEAR THE PROMPT OF
"YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTED." THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL START WITH
VIVIAN SAN MARTIS AND GO TO
THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS. GO
AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR OF
ALLOWING ME TO GO FIRST. I'M
SPEAKING TO THE $50,000 TO FUND
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES AT THE ACE
MEMORIAL PATHWAY. IT USES
PUBLIC ART TO PROVIDE
INFORMATION HIV AIDS, TELL
STORIES AND FIGHT
DISCRIMINATION. ALL THE ART IS
OWNED BY THE CITY. THE CURRENT
DESIGN DOES NOT PROVIDE
ADEQUATE INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE
WITH WHEELCHAIRS AND THOSE THAT
ARE BLIND. MODIFICATIONS ARE
REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES. THERE'S A
VAST NEED FOR ACCESSIBILITY
IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE
CITY. IMPROVEMENTS CAN SERVE AS
A MODEL FOR WHAT CAN BE DONE
THROUGHOUT SEATTLE. WE ARE
GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMENTS WE
HEARD AT THE PREVIOUS BUDGET
MEETINGS AND THIS IS AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNCIL TO
LIVE UP TO ITS COMMITMENT TO
ACCESSIBILITY. WE THANK THE
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR SIGNING ONTO
SPONSOR THIS AMENDMENT. ROB
ROTH IS HERE, ONE OF THE
ADVOCATES AND AN ACTIVE MEMBER
IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY FOR MANY
MEMBERS AS WELL. HE'S GOING TO
SIGN THE TESTIMONY BECAUSE WE
DON'T HAVE AN INTERPRETER
TODAY, AND THEN I'LL READ THAT
TESTIMONY FOLLOWING HIS
SIGNING.
>> THANK YOU. ALSO, APOLOGIES
FOR NOT HAVING THE INTERPRETER
SERVICES NEEDED HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU. PLEASE GO AHEAD. [
SPEAKER SIGNING HIS TESTIMONY ]
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO
MUCH. WE'LL NOW HAVE THE
INTERPRETER SERVICES.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBERS,
MY NAME IS ROB ROTH. AS A DEAF
AND GAY MAN WHO IS ANTIST AND
WRITER I WORKED TO ENSURE
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WOULD
BE INCLUDED IN THE PLANNING.
IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL
EXPERIENCE. NOW WE KNOW THAT WE
NEED TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY,
ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO USE
WHEELCHAIRS OR THOSE WHO ARE
DEAF AND/OR BLIND. I'VE WORKED
WITH DEAF AND BLIND PERSONS FOR
YEARS, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE
LBGTQ COMMUNITY. THIS GROUP OF
PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO
BENEFIT FROM THE SETTING AND
MESSAGE OF THE AIDS MEMORIAL
PATHWAY. THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE
ONCE ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION
IS PROVIDED. PLEASE SUPPORT
THIS REQUEST. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. ROTH.
THANK YOU.
>> HERE ARE HIS COMMENTS IN
WRITING FOR DISTRIBUTION TO
COUNCILMEMBERS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT TO
BOARD MEMBER VIVIAN AND MARTIS
ONLINE. GOOD MORNING, SEATTLE
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER VIVIAN.
JUST WAITING FOR HER TO POP UP
IN MY SCREEN HERE. AS A
REMINDER FOR FOLKS, WE'LL DO
TEN PEOPLE ONLINE AND TEN IN
THE ROOM AND ROTATE UNTIL
EVERYBODY HAS HAD A CHANCE TO
SPEAK.
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M A MEMBER OF
THE LEVY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
AND SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR FOR
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. PLEASE
NOTE THAT I'M SPEAKING TODAY
ONLY AS AN INDIVIDUAL OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE MEMBER AND NOT ON
BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
I'M TESTIFYING IN RESPONSE TO A
PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR
EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING.
THERE ARE CONSIDERATIONS FOR
UNDERSTANDING HOW MONEY IS
DIRECTED. WHILE I APPRECIATE
THIS FOR THE EARLY LEARNING AND
HONOR OUR COMMITMENT, THE
COMMITTEE COMMITTED A LETTER
RECOMMENDING ALLOCATIONS OF
$5.7 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS OF
. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT
ONE, THAT THE CURRENT EXPANSION
PLANS ARE CURRENTLY PROJECTED
TO BE SUPPORTED WITHOUT HAVING
TO SHIFT ..
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BOARD
MEMBER. JUST A QUICK REMINDER,
WHEN YOU HEAR THE CHIME, THAT'S
THE INDICATION YOU HAVE TEN
SECONDS TO WRAP IT UP. WE'LL
CONTINUE ON WITH THE NEXT FOLKS
LISTED ONLINE. THANK YOU FOR
CALLING IN THE NAMES.
>> NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER IS
HOWARD GAYLE.
>> GOOD MORNING. JUST FOUR
MONTHS AGO, A JURY SPOKE AND
THE SEATTLE OLICE DID
PRECISELY WHAT THEY WERE
TRAINED TO DO WHEN THEY SHOT
CHARLEENA LYLES SEVEN TIMES IN
FRONT OF HER CHILDREN. THE JURY
DID NOT FIND THE KILLING
CORRECT OR MORALLY JUSTIFIED OR
WITHOUT ALTERNATIVE. THEY FOUND
THE OFFICERS ACTED ACCORDING TO
SEATTLE CITY TRAINING AND
POLICY. TWO YEARS AFTER GEORGE
FLOYD, THE BUDGET OF THE
COUNCIL IS PROPOSING MORE MONEY
FOR THE POLICE AND WASTES OVER
$11 MILLION ON A POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM THAT
STILL HAS POLICE INVESTIGATING
POLICE. THIS IS $11 MILLION
DENYING THE VICTIMS OF POLICE
VIOLENCE ANY APPEALS OR
SEMBLANCE OF JUSTICE OR
ACCOUNTABLE. IF THIS COUNCIL
CAN'T PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY
AND END THE UNNECESSARILY
KILLINGS, AT THE LEAST THEY CAN
AMELIORATE THE HARM THE
TRAINING CREATES. PROVIDE MONEY
TO SUPPORT THE VICTIMS OF
POLICE VIOLENCE AND FAMILIES IN
ORDER TO ADDRESS THE HARMS THAT
YOU HAVE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE
SUPPORT THE REQUEST THAT THE
BUDGET ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF
FAMILIES IMPACTED BY POLICE
VIOLENCE. YOU PLANNED SPENDING
$11 MILLION TO PERPETUATE THE
FACADE OF POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY. CAN YOU NOT
ALLOW A FRACTION OF THAT HEAL
THE HARMS THEY HAVE CREATED?
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT, CASTILLE
HIGHTOWER.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, WE CAN.
>> HOW LONG DO VICTIMS OF
POLICE VIOLENCE HAVE TO WAIT
UNTIL WE ARE TREATED WITH THE
SAME PRESUMS OF INNOCENCE,
FIVE, TEN, FIFTEEN, OR MAYBE
ALMOST 20 BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT
HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER
EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS. WE THE VICTIMS AND
FAMILIES ARE TREATED WITH
APATHY AND CONDEMNATION, DENIED
THE MONEY EVEN TO BURR ARE I
THE LOVED ONES YOUR EMPLOYEES
MURDER. IT SENDS A CLEAR
MESSAGE OF WHO THE PRESUMPTION
OF INNOCENCE BELONGS TO, PAID
FOR OF COURSE WITH TAXPAYER
DOLLARS. WE ARE JUST AS
DESERVING OF COMPASSION AND
CARE DURING ONE OF THE MOST
TRAUMATIC MOMENTS OF OUR LIVES
AS EVERYONE ELSE. YESTERDAYS AN
ARTICLE CAME OUT I RELIVED ONE
OF THE WORST DAYS OF MY LIFE
THAT YOUR POLICIES CREATED, AND
YOU STILL REFUSE TO TAKE ANY
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR. I ASK YOU,
MY FAMILY ASKS YOU, SO MANY
VICTIMS OF POLICE VIOLENCE THAT
ARE SIX FEET UNDER THE GROUND,
MY GOD, ASK YOU TO HAVE THE
MORAL OBLIGATION OF THE
POLICIES YOU CREATE AND THE
EMPLOYEES WHO HARM US. HOW LONG
DO WE HAVE TO WAIT? HOW LONG?
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS ZACHARY CUSH BALM.
>> I'M SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE'S
BUDGET AND SOLIDARITY BUDGET.
THERE ARE TOO MANY THINGS TO
GET THROUGH IN A MINUTE AND A
HALF. IT'S CALLOUS AND HOSTILE
TOWARDS SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS
AND UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS. AGAIN I
SEE FUNDS DIVERTED FROM AID
INTO SURVEILLANCE AND
PUNISHMENT. THAT'S THE KIND OF
CITY WE ARE TURNING INTO, ONE
THAT VALUES PUNISHMENT OVER
KINDNESS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND
THE CONSTANT RELUCTANT TO MEET
PEOPLE'S BASIC NEEDS TO ADDRESS
THEM AT THE ROOT. I'M TEARED
OFFEND NARRATIVE LIKE THERE'S A
SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THESE
THINGS AND THE AMAZON TAX AND
BLOATED POLICE BUDGET. STOP
SWEEPING UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS
PLACE TO PLACE AND TRAUMATIZING
THEM. STOP PUSHING FOR
RIDICULOUS SURVEILLANCE
TECHNOLOGY AND INCREASE FUNDS
TO SOCIAL SERVICES. PUT THE
MONEY DEDICATED TO GREEN NEW
DEAL BACK TO FUND PEOPLE'S
BASIC NEEDS RATHER THAN
PUNISHING THEM. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ALICE
BLOCKHART YOU MAY NEED TO PRESS
STAR SIX. OKAY, WE'LL MOVE ON.
NEXT WILL BE KIM HOLLAND AND
WE'LL TRY ALICE AGAIN. KIM, GO
AHEAD.
>> I'M HERE TO SUPPORT $1.5
MILLION FOR SURVIVORS OF
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. WE OFFER
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCACY TO
SURVIVORS. I'VE BEEN IN THE
FIELD OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
HOMELESSNESS SINCE 2017 AND
THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASING
COMMUNITY NEED. ACCORDING TO
THE 2022 KING COUNTY AUDITOR'S
OFFICE, THE HOMICIDE RATES
DOUBLED IN 2020 AND 2021,
EMPHASIZING THE CRITICAL NEED
TO FUNDING TO SUPPORT
SURVIVORS. RESEARCH SHOWS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS THE
LEADING CAUSE OF HOMELESSNESS
FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN. WITHOUT
ADVOCACY SERVICES, SURVIVORS
MAY STAY IN AN ABUSIVE
RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE THEY HAVE
NO WAY TO LEAVE SAFELY. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS ROBIN BRIGGS.
>> HOMELESSNESS IS NOT SOLVED
BY MOVING PEOPLE PLACE TO PLACE
OR GIVING THEM TEMPORARY
HOUSING. IT IS SOLVED BY
PERMANENT HOUSING. LIKE WISE,
ADJUST TO CLEAN ENERGY IS A
HUGE PROBLEM AND IT'S VITAL.
THE DROUGHT AFFECTS WILDFIRES
AND OUR FOOD SUPPLY. WE WILL BE
JUDGED BY HOW WE RESPOND TO THE
CRISES. PLEASE PRESERVE THE
FUNDINGS FOR NOW AND FOR THE
FUTURE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WILL BE
BARBARA FINNEY.
>> I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON
THE PROPOSAL TO MAKE BIG
BUSINESS PAY FOR THE ECONOMIC
CRISIS, PEOPLE IN VULNERABLE
COMMUNITIES. INCREASING AMAZON
TAX BY $140 MILLION TO FUND
PUBLIC NEEDS. IT ONLY MAKES
SENSE TO RAISE THE AMAZON TAX
AND FUND HUMAN SERVICES, BUILD
MORE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES AND
FUND RENTERS PROTECTIONS. NO
CITY FUNDS SHOULD GO TO THE
FLAWED SHOT SPOTTER TECHNOLOGY
FROM POLICE. THIS CALLS FOR
$3.5 MILLION TO MAKE ABORTION
ACCESS FREE FOR WOMEN IN ALL
CITIES, AND MAKE ABORTION FREE
IN SEATTLE. WORKING COMMUNITIES
HAVE GONE THROUGH INFLATION AND
SKYROCKETING RENTS AND NOW
LOOMING RECESSION. WE HAVE THE
MOST REGRESSIVE TAX STRUCTURE
IN THE COUNTRY. NO MORE
REGRESSIVE TAXES ON WORKERS,
RAISE THE AMAZON TAX TO FUND
PUBLIC NEEDS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS TORI FULL. TORI? PRESS STAR
SIX.
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M HERE TODAY
TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR HSC 22A
WHICH ADDS $5.1 MILLION TO
SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE. I'M A GRAD STUDENT
AND ALSO A SURVIVOR. CONNECTION
TO RESOURCES AND PROFESSIONAL
SUPPORT CHANGED MY LIFE AND OUR
COMMUNITY NEEDS SERVICES TO
SURVIVE. THERE ARE COMPLEX
CHALLENGES NOT BEING ADDRESSED
AND FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS IS NOT
ENOUGH. THERE'S A GREAT NEED
FOR HOUSING, ESPECIALLY GIVEN
HOW COMPLICATED IT IS.
ADVOCATES WITH DEDICATED TO
SUPPORTING SURVIVORS. I URGE
YOU TO SUPPORT SURVIVES BY
SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT. THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. OUR LAST SPEAKER
FOR THIS SECTION OF REMOTE
SPEAKERS WILL BE SARAH ROBBINS,
THEN WE'LL MOVE TO IN-PERSON
COMMENT.
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU. MY
NAME IS SARAH ROBBINS AND I'M A
SENIOR POLICY MANAGER AT THE
KING COUNTY POLICY OF
HOMELESSNESS. I'M TESTIFYING ON
BEHALF OF THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS
THAT WORK IN HOMELESS AND HUMAN
SERVICES. EACH OF YOU ARE
COMMITTED TO SOLVING
HOMELESSNESS AND SUPPORTING
SOCIAL WORKERS IN THIS SECTOR.
I ASK TODAY TO SUPPORT THE
INFLATION INCREASE AS REQUIRED
BY ORDINANCE 125865, WHICH
PASSED IN 2019. I ASK YOU
SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT TO
MAINTAIN $9.4 MILLION IN THE
BUDGET TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT
SHELTER CAPACITY THAT WE HAVE.
AND I ASK THAT YOU FUND THE
HOME FOR GOOD PROGRAMS RUN BY
CATHOLIC SERVICES TO ENSURE
THOSE THAT ARE LOW INCOME AND
DISABLED DO NOT BECOME HOMELESS
AGAIN. THANK YOU SO MUCH,
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
>> OKAY. OUR IN-PERSON
COMMENTATORS WILL BEGIN WITH
CAROLYN MALONEY.
>> SOMETIMES THERE'S AN URGE TO
CLAP BUT I URGE PEOPLE TO WAVE
HANDS INSTEAD DO WE CAN GET
THROUGH EVERYBODY FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT. GO AHEAD.
>> MY PRESENCE TODAY BEFORE THE
COUNCIL IS TO PLEAD WITH YOU
NOT TO AWARD A GRANT TO
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR
REMODELING CHANCERY PLACE
APARTMENTS BECAUSE OF THE
ONGOING EXCELLEDDER ABUSE,
FENTANYL DRUG USE BY VAGRANTS
THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING, AND
EVICTION THREATS BY MANAGERS
AND DIRECTORS, AND OTHER CRIMES
INCLUDING MANAGERS AND
DIRECTORS INFLATING MY RENT TO
AND EXORBITANT RENT TO 80% TO
90% OF MY SOCIAL SECURITY BY
USING A FRAUDULENT
COMPUTATIONAL DEVICE THAT'S A
SCAM ACCORDING TO GOOGLE.
EQUALLY CRIMINAL MANAGERS AND
DIRECTORS CANCELED MY HUD
SUBSIDY, EFFECTIVELY CAUSING ME
TO PAY EXORBITANT RENT. THE
REAL PAGE COMPLIANCE IS A FRAUD
USED AS AN EVICTION DEVICE SO
THAT MANAGERS CAN DECIDE WHO TO
ALLOW TO LIVE IN CHANCERY AND
WHO TO EVICT, THEREBY EVADING
FEDERAL HOUSING GUIDELINES,
THEY ARE ENGAGED IN CRIMINAL
ACTIVITIES, LOCKING ME OUT OF
MY UNIT, DAILY SURVEILLING ME,
AND VIOLATING MY HOUSING AND
PRIVACY RIGHTS ALL DAY LONG. I
ASK YOU TO INTERVENE ON MY
BEHALF. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS BRANDY FLOOD.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. WE
HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB TAKING
CARE OF OUR ELDERS IN THIS
CITY. IT'S DESPICABLE FOR HER
TO COME IN AND HAVE TO TESTIFY
ABOUT THAT. MY NAME IS BRANDY
FLOOD. I'M A DIRECTOR OF
COMMUNITY JUSTICE AT REACH. I
MANAGE THE LEE PROGRAM AND WORK
WITH COLEAD. I'VE BEEN IN THIS
WORK FOR 20 YEARS AND I'M A
RESIDENT OF RAINIER BEACH
NEIGHBORHOOD. I'M HERE TO
MAINTAIN FUNDING FOR LEAD AND
COLEAD, AND APPRECIATE YOUR
FOCUS EXISTING PROGRAMS. WE
HAVE THE BEST APPROACH OF
WORKING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY AND
PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES
DEDICATED TO SERVE THE MOST
COMPLICATED PEOPLE IN OUR CITY.
JUST THIS YEAR ALONE, MY STAFF
WORKING WITH 752 PARTICIPATES
HOUSED 115 PEOPLE IN PERMANENT
HOUSING, 187 ENGAGED IN
SUBSTANCE ABUSE SUPPORT AND 139
IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND
263 CONNECTED TO THEIR LEGAL
COORDINATION. WE HAVE 540
INCOMING REFERRALS IF OUR
SERVICES ARE NOT CUT TO WORK
WITH PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH
HOMELESSNESS AND SUBSTANCE
ABUSE AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM. I WANT TO SUPPORT THE
INCREASE IN COST OF LIVING
WAGES. IMAGINE YOUR CITY
WITHOUT US. IF YOU'RE HAVING
PROBLEMS NOW, IMAGINE IF THE
CITY OF HOMELESS WORKERS WERE
NOT HERE SUPPORTING THOSE
PEOPLE.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS REVEREND HANDHELD HANNAH
WALKER.
>> I'M THE FOUNDER OF MOTHER'S
POLICE ACCOUNTABLE. I'M
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE SHOT
SPOTTER. PORTLAND SIGNED A
FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT. HOUSTON HAS
A CONTRACT. THESE ARE THE
RECENT STATS. DETROIT HAS A
CONTRACT. EVEN A PLACE PEOPLE
WOULDN'T THINK ABOUT, NORTH
CAROLINA, THEY HAVE A CONTRACT.
I HEAR NOBODY TALK ABOUT THE
WEEPING BLACK MOTHERS BECAUSE
THIS TOWN DON'T CARE ABOUT
THAT. I MEAN, IT'S AMAZING THAT
NOBODY CARES ABOUT THE MOTHERS
WHO ARE CRYING. WE'VE GOT DEVON
PICKETT RIGHT NOW, HIS MEMORIAL
ON THURSDAY. NOBODY CARES ABOUT
OUR COMMUNITY IN THIS WAY. IF
THE POLICE KILLED ALL THE
PEOPLE IN THIS CITY, THE TOWN
WOULD BE RIGHTFULLY SO UPSET.
BUT BECAUSE THE VIOLENCE IS IN
THE COMMUNITY, NOBODY CARES. SO
WE AS MOTHERS SUPPORT THE SHOT
SPOTTER. WE WANT TO CREATE A
COMMUNITY WHERE OUR CHILDREN
DON'T HAVE TO GROW UP HEARING
GUNSHOTS AND AFRAID ALL THE
TIME. IT'S REALLY TIME TO
UNDERSTAND, LISTEN TO US AND
LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO
CONSOLE THE MOTHERS. THEY ARE
UNCONSOLABLE WHEN THEIR
CHILDREN DIE IN THEIR ARMS, SO
MOTHERS ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE
SHOT SPOTTER AND NO CLOSING OF
LAKE WASHINGTON BOULEVARD IS A
CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE. HANDICAP
PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ON
THAT STREET. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS DEVON MICAH.
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M HERE THIS
MORNING SPEAKS AS SOMEONE WHO'S
BEEN WORKING IN THE HUMAN
SERVICES AND HOMELESSNESS FIELD
FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND I'VE
WORKED HERE WITH THE LEAD
PROGRAM FOR THE LAST EIGHT
YEARS. WE DON'T HAVE A BIG ASK
TODAY. WE ASK YOU JUST MAINTAIN
THE CURRENT FUNDING FOR LEAD
AND COLEAD SO WE CAN CONTINUE
TO DO THE INNOVATIVE AND
POWERFUL WORK WE ARE DOING TO
ADDRESS ISSUES OF PUBLIC SAFETY
AND WELL BEING HERE IN SEATTLE.
IT'S VERY SCARY TO THINK ABOUT
WHAT OUR CITY WOULD LOOK LIKE
IF A THOUSAND PEOPLE CURRENTLY
SERVED BY OUR PROGRAM SUDDENLY
HAD THAT PULLED OUT FROM UNDER
THEIR FEET. THIS MORNING WE
HAVE A STAFF MEMBER VISITING
FOLKS IN THE KING COUNTY JAIL
SYSTEM THAT ARE CYCLING IN AND
OUT BECAUSE OF A LACK AFTER
RESOURCES. WE HAVE A STAFF
MEMBER WHO'S SITTING BY SOMEONE
WHO'S NEXT OF KIN WE CAN'T
REACH, WHO WILL LIKELY DIE IN
THE NEXT WEEK. WE CONNECT WITH
COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SERVE THE
MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN THE
CITY. WE ASK YOU JUST RESTORE
THE FUNDING WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY
HAD SO WE CAN CONTINUE DOING
THIS GOOD WORK. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR CONTINUED COLLABORATION
AND SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS WAKEFIELD, I BELIEVE .
>> THANK YOU. I'M WAKEFIELD, A
CITIZEN OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
THANK YOU FOR THE CHALLENGE
YOU'RE FACING AND FOR THE LAND
ACKNOWLEDGMENT BECAUSE THE
PEOPLE BELIEVE IN SHARING
RESOURCES AND THAT'S WHAT I'M
HERE ABOUT TODAY. THAT YOU
THINK FOR SUPPORTING OUR
$50,000 SUGGESTED BUDGET THAT
WILL HELP REMOVE BARRIERS FOR
ACCESS TO PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS
AND FOR BLIND PERSONS TO ENSURE
THAT THE AIDS MEMORIAL PROJECT
IS ACCESSIBLE. I CAME TO THE
CITY 23 YEARS AGO WHERE THE
AIDS RESEARCH WAS HAPPENING.
NOW WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A
PANDEMIC AND WE HAVE COVID
VACCINES, A MIRACLE OF SCIENCE
IN JUST A COUPLE YEARS BECAUSE
OF THE WORK WE WERE DOING AND
THAT WE HAVE DONE. I GUARANTEE
YOU THIS PROJECT AND WHAT IT
MEANS TO PEOPLE, THE EPIDEMIC
IS NOT OVER. MOST OF THOSE
CURRENTLY BEING INFECTED ARE
UNDER 35 AND BLACK AND BROWN
FOLKS. WE NEED PEOPLE TO
REMEMBER WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE
PANDEMICS WE HAVE ALL LIVED
THROUGH AND THE EDUCATION OF
AIDS MEMORIAL PROJECT WILL BE A
PARTIAL SOLUTION TO THAT. I
ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO
SUPPORT THIS ITEM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS EDDIE CHAVEZ.
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I REPRESENT
SEATTLE'S LBGTQ PLUS CENTER,
FORMERLY GAY CITY. I WANT YOU
TO INCLUDE $50,000 FOR
ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR
ART WORK AND WAY FINDINGS. THIS
IS CITY OWNED PUBLIC ART TO
TELL THE STORY THAT THE
RELEVANT TO EVERYBODY, DIGNITY
AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE
RESPONSE TO A CRISIS FOR WHICH
THERE IS NO CURE. IT'S A CALL
FOR ACTION TO CONTINUE THE
FIGHT AGAINST HIV AND AIDS AND
DISCRIMINATION. WITHOUT THESE
IMPROVEMENTS, THE SPACE MEANT
FOR REMEMBRANCE AND STORY
TELLING ABOUT THE CONTINUING
EPIDEMIC WOULD EXCLUDE MANY OF
WHAT THOSE WERE MEANT FOR. THIS
MEETS A 2017 RESOLUTION FOR
INCLUSION AND HELPS FULFILL THE
CITY'S OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE
ACCOMMODATION TO THE AIDS
MEMORIAL PATHWAY. I APPRECIATE
YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE ALLOCATION
OF THESE FUND. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT, MARK
ADRIAN.
>> MY NAME IS MARK ADRIAN AND I
WORKED FOR THE ARMED SERVICES
FOR THE BLIND FOR A COUPLE
DECADES. I ALSO WORKED ON THE
FIRST COMMISSION FOR THE PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES THAT THIS
CITY PUT TOGETHER. I'M HERE TO
SUPPORT THE ACCESSIBILITY OF
THE MEMORIAL AIDS PROJECT. I
WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT
UNIVERSAL ACCESS MEANS
INSTALLATION, PUBLIC
INSTALLATIONS THAT ARE TITLE 2
ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, WHICH
MEANS THEY ARE DESIGNED AND
CREATED TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND
ENJOYED BY ALL. AIDS HAS HAD A
HUGE IMPACT ON LARGE
COMMUNITIES OF PEOPLE,
INCLUDING THOSE WITH
DISABILITIES, AND THEY SHOULD
HAVE THE SAME RIGHT AND ABILITY
TO ACCESS THE PROJECT THAT
WOULD ASSIST THEM IN
REMEMBERING AND MOVING FORWARD.
ACCESS IS NOT A BACK BURNER
CONCEPT. $50,000 ACTUALLY
BRINGS IT INTO COMPLIANCE WITH
THE ADA AND BRINGS IT INTO THE
COMMUNITY SO THE CITY OF
SEATTLE IS HONORING ALL ITS
CITIZENS AND HONORING ALL OF
THEIR RIGHT TO PUBLIC ACCESS.
>> THANK YOU. THE LAST
COMMENTOR FOR THIS TIME PERIOD
WILL BE RICK ROBERTSON, THEN
WE'LL GO BACK TO REMOTE
SPEAKERS. RICK?
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M RICK
ROBINSON AND I REPRESENT SHARE,
AND WE SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK
ABOUT THE INCREASED FUNDING FOR
ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS. ENCAMPMENT
SWEEPS DO NOT WORK BECAUSE IT'S
LIKE A TREE FALLING ON YOUR
HOUSE AND INSTEAD OF FIXING THE
PROOF, YOU PAINT THE TREE TO
LOOK LIKE THE REST OF THE
HOUSE. THEN YOU REALIZE THE
HEATING COSTS HAVE TRIPLED,
THERE'S WATER IN THE BASEMENT
AND YOU HAVE SQUIRRELS LIVING
IN THE KITCHEN. IN ORDER TO END
HOMELESSNESS, YOU NEED FUNDING
FOR EMERGENCY SHELTERS,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
TREATMENT OPTIONS. THAT'S HOW
YOU END HOMELESSNESS .
SWEEPING ENCAMPMENTS UNDER THE
RUG WILL NEVER END
HOMELESSNESS. PLEASE STOP
ARRESTING THESE PEOPLE AND STOP
GIVING THEM TICKETS. TRY FOR A
CHANGE GIVING THEM HOPE. YOU
WOULD BE AMAZED AT HOW POWERFUL
A LITTLE BIT OF HOPE IS. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE INTO
THE NEXT TEN REMOTE SPEAKERS
AND WE'LL BE STARTING WITH
EMILY McARTHUR.
>> AFTER THAT, CAN WE TRY ALICE
LOCKHART AGAIN?
>> SHE'S STILL THERE. AFTER
EMILY, WE'LL SEE IF ALICE IS ON
AND ABLE TO UNMUTE.
>> HI. I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT
TWO AND I'M SUPPORTING
INCREASING THE AMAZON TAX BY
$140 MILLION. ACCORDING TO THE
ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE, 54%
OF THE PRICE HIKES WE HAVE SEEN
FROM INFLATION ARE COME PRETTY
GOOD CORPORATE PROFITS. THAT
MEANS THE CORPORATIONS ARE
PROFITING OFF THIS CRISIS. WE
ARE TOLD THERE'S NO CHOICE BUT
TO CUT CRUCIAL PROGRAMS FOR
POOR PEOPLE IN THE CITY, AND WE
KNOW THE MONEY IS SITTING IN
THE ACCOUNTS OF UNION-BUSTING
CONGRESSES LIKE AMAZON,
NORDSTROM AND STARBUCKS RIGHT
HERE IN SEATTLE. PLEASE DON'T
TRY AND JUSTIFY CUTTING THESE
PROGRAMS TO FUND BILLIONAIRE
PROFITS BECAUSE THAT IS THE
REAL CHOICE THAT SITS BEFORE
YOU. COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
PROPOSED INCREASING THE AMAZON
TAX BY $140 MILLION TO MAKE
SURE THAT THIS CRISIS DOESN'T
FALL ON THE BACKS OF WORKING
PEOPLE, AS IT ALWAYS DOES. THIS
INCLUDES $3.5 MILLION FOR
ABORTION SERVICES AND WE HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A
REAL ABORTION SANCTUARY HERE.
YOU CAN'T CALL THIS A BUDGET
THAT HAS COMPASSION IF YOU'RE
WILLING TO CUT PROGRAMS THAT
WORKING CLASS PEOPLE DEPEND ON.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL TRY ALICE
LOCKHART. GO AHEAD, ALICE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU FOR GETTING BACK TO
ME. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE
COUNCIL STAFF AND COMMITTEE FOR
DOING THE HARD WORK ADVOCATED
BY READING JUMP START. I TRUST
YOU'LL PROTECT JUMP START BUT
IN 2022, MANY ITEMS IN THE
BUDGET USED FUNDS OR FAILED TO
ALIGN WITH JUMP START ENTIRELY.
WE ASK NONE OF THESE ITEMS BE
FUNDED BY JUMP START IN THE
FINAL PACKAGE AND INSTEAD ASK
FOR PRIORITIZING HOUSING, AND
UNDERFUNDED GREEN NEW DEAL
OVERSIGHT PRIORITIES LIKE THE
CLEAN HEAT PROGRAM AND ENERGY
EFFICIENCY FOR LOW INCOME
HOMES. WE NEED A BUDGET WITH NO
SHOT SPOTTER, NO TO SUBSIDIES
FOR BIG BUSINESS AND SPORTS,
AND YES TO SOCIAL HOUSING, YES
TO HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND
YES TO A GREEN NEW DEAL. THANK
YOU SO MUCH.
>> NEXT WILL BE MICHAEL RUBY,
THEN THERESA DILLARD. MICHAEL,
YOU'RE UP.
>> MY NAME IS MIKE RUBY. YES,
SEATTLE FACES MANY IMPORTANT
PROBLEMS. ALL SHOULD BE AWARE
THAT WE ALSO HAVE A CLIMATE
CRISIS. HERE IN SEATTLE, IT'S
BEEN MORE A PUBLIC HEALTH THAN
ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS. IN OTHER
PLACES, IT'S FLOODING OF
DISASTROUS PROPORTIONS, WIND
STORMS WITH CONSEQUENCES OR
DROUGHTS CAUSING MASS MIGHT
HAVE GREAT. SEATTLE NEEDS TO
RESPOND TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS
LIKE THE CRISIS IT IS, BUT YOU
CAN'T RESPOND IF YOU DON'T HAVE
A PLAN. SEATTLE DOES NOT HAVE
AN ACTIONABLE PLAN. THIS BUDGET
MUST PROVIDE THE FUNDING FOR
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN
ACCOUNTABLE PLAN AND AT LEAST
ONE NEW POSITION IN OSC TO
COORDINATE TO RESPONSE BY THE
VARIOUS SATISFY DEPARTMENTS.
ONE STEP WE KNOW WILL HELP IS
BETTER MANAGING THE FOREST AND
TREE CANOPY. TREES NOT ONLY
ABSORB CARBON BUT THEY HELP IN
OTHER WAYS. WE HAVE STALLED
AROUND TOO LONG ALREADY. WE
HAVE ONLY A FEW MORE YEARS TO
ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON
THE CLIMATE CRISIS. WE CANNOT
WAIT ANOTHER YEAR. WE ARE
SLIDING FROM A CLIMATE CRISIS
TO A CLIMATE DISASTER.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS THERESA
DILLARD, THEN FOLLOWED BY MIKE
STEWART.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. THANK
YOU FOR THE COUNTRY TO SPEAK
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I'M WITH
THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES
AND MEMBER OF THE SEATTLE KING
COUNTY COALITION ON
HOMELESSNESS. I'M CALLING IN
SUPPORT OF THE FUNDING THE HOME
FOR GOOD PROGRAM. WE WERE
ALERTED THIS WAS NOT INCLUDED
IN THE BUDGET. THIS HELPS KEEP
SEATTLE RESIDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES HOUSED. WE ARE
ASKING YOU PLEASE SUPPORT THE
AMENDMENT FOR $500,000 IN 2023
AND $723,000 IN 2024 TO KEEP 54
CLIENTS HOUSED AND MOVING
TOWARD LONG-TERM HOUSING. WE
APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION
AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE
OUR PARTNERSHIP SERVING THE
MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR
COMMUNITY. PLEASE FOLLOW
THROUGH ON THE ADJUSTMENT ON
HUMAN SERVICES. THIS IS NEEDED
TO KEEP UP WITH COSTS,
INCLUDING WAGE INCREASES TO
HELP OUR STAFF MANAGE THE
ESCALATING COST OF LIVING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS
MORNING.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS MIKE STEWART, THEN SAM WOLF.
GO AHEAD, MIKE.
>> GOOD MORNING, CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M HERE TO
SUPPORT THE BUDGET ACTION
FUNDING A BUDGET SAFETY
COORDINATOR FOR BALLARD. WE
HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN
PROPERTY AND OTHER CRIMES WHICH
REQUIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND
INTERVENTION BUT MANY DO NOT.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS OFTEN
DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO
REPORT ON SAFETY ISSUES, LET
ALONE COORDINATE WITH MAKING
BUSINESSES IN KEY CITIES .
THIS IS IMPORTANT COMMUNITY
WORK AND THIS MODEST ACTION
PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
PILOT THIS WITH THE POTENTIAL
TO EXIN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS
THROUGHOUT THE CITY. THAT YOU
THINK FOR YOUR TIME AND
CONSIDERATION .
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SO SAM WOLF.
>> WE ARE LOOKING TO REDUCE THE
INCIDENTS OF 911 CALLING AND
MENTAL HEALTH CARE CRISIS.
HOUSING IS A HUGE STEP BUT IT'S
NOT THE END BECAUSE BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH CARE IS COMPLEX. FUNDING
CUTS WILL IMPACT OUR PEOPLE AND
THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO
MAKE FUNDING AVAILABILITY FOR
LEAD AND COLEAD. I WANT TO
ADVOCATE FOR THE JLA CENTER.
I'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN
NORTH SEATTLE AND THIS IS AN
IMPORTANT RESOURCE WE NEED TO
MAINTAIN. THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBERS.
>> THANK YOU. 49123 ANTMAN IS
FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL VITSWONG.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS
IRIS AND I LIVE IN COLUMBIA
CITY. I'M ENCOURAGING YOU TO
SUPPORT THE ONE-TIME $455,000
TO HELP FUND THE DEVELOPMENT OF
A COMMUNITY-LED RESILIENCE HUB
ON THE CAMPUS OF BETHANY UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH. THEY EVER
RAISED MORE THAN $250,000 TO
BEGIN WORK AND THE ONE-TIME
FUNDING WOULD FULLY FUND THE
COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT,
WHICH WOULD WEATHER RISE AND
DECARBONIZE ALL THE BUILDINGS
ON THE BETHANY CAMPUS, AND
CREATE A HUB FOR THE COMMUNITY,
PROVIDING SHELTER DURING
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND
OTHER EMERGENCIES SUCH AS
EARTHQUAKES. THIS DEMONSTRATES
HOW TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS AND AIR POLLUTION,
CENTERING ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE. WE MUST ADDRESS THE
CLIMATE CRISIS AND ITS
DISPROPORTIONATE EFFECT ON
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. I ALSO
ENCOURAGE YOU TO DEVELOP A
ROBUST CLIMATE ACTION PLAN THAT
INFORMS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
ONE SEATTLE PLAN IN ORDER TO
MEET OUR CITY'S EMISSIONS
REDUCTIONS TARGET. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. MICHAEL VITSWON
IS NEXT.
>> GREETINGS. I CURRENTLY WORK
AT THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
LIBRARIES. DO YOU REPRESENT
WORKING PEOPLE OR BIG BUSINESS?
THE PROPOSED SOLUTIONS ARE TO
CUT SERVICES AND INCREASE ON
REGULAR WORKING PEOPLE. THEY
ARE FACING GAS INCREASES AND WE
ARE ALL STRUGGLING TO GET BY
AND YOU WANT TO PAY FOR MORE
POLICE. NOT ONLY IS THIS
UNACCEPTABLE, FRANKLY IT'S
STUPID. THE ANSWER IS GLARINGLY
OBVIOUS. WE HAVE A GREAT TAX ON
BIG BUSINESS, THE AMAZON TAX,
AND SOME OF THE RICHEST
BILLIONAIRES HAVE MADE RECORD
PROFIT DURING THE PANDEMIC. I
DEMAND YOU SUPPORT THE AMAZON
TAX INCREASE BY $140 MILLION.
IT'S BASIC BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO
MUCH THAT THIS IS BARELY A DROP
IN THE BUCKET FOR THEM. MAKE IT
CLEAR WHOSE SIDE YOU'RE ON THIS
YEAR. WE COULD USE A MERE $3.5
MILLION OF THAT TO MAKE ALL
ABORTIONS IN SEATTLE FREE. WE
COULD BUILD PERMANENT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT THE
MAYOR WANTS TO INFLICT MORE
VIOLENCE ON COMMUNITIES BY
SWEEPING THE UNHOUSED.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER,
MICHAEL BION AND HE WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY MARISA, OUR LAST IN
THIS GROUP OF REMOTE SPEAKERS.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. THANK
YOU FOR HAVING ME. I'M CALLING
TODAY TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF
THE 7.6% INCREASE THAT WAS
APPROVED IN 2019. WE ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT THE MAYOR'S
PROPOSED BUDGET CAP ON COST OF
LIVING ADJUSTMENT OF 4%, WHICH
WOULD IMPACT SAFETY NET
SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITIES .
IT'S ABOUT YOUTH SERVICES, WHO
ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE RIGHT
NOW DUE TO THE STRESSES OF THE
PANDEMIC. ONE THING I WANT TO
ADVERTISE IS THE SUPPORT
SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS, OUR
STAFF REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY. WE
ARE ONE AND THE SAME. WE NEED
TO INVEST IN OUR STAFF SO WE
CAN TAKE CARE OF YOUR
COMMUNITY. I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT
THE 2019 ACCRUED INCREASE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. OUR LAST REMOTE
SPEAKER FOR THIS GROUP WILL BE
MELISSA LANGLOY.
>> I WANT TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT
HSC 0022A TO ADD $1.5 MILLION
FOR SURVIVOR DRIVEN ADVOCACY
SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. I'M
CURRENTLY A MASTERS IN SOCIAL
WORK STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF WASHINGTON AND I'VE SEEN HOW
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE KEEPS PEOPLE
FROM GETTING HOUSED. PEOPLE END
UP STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A
HARD PLACE WHERE THEY HAVE TO
CHOOSE BETWEEN HOUSING
PANHANDLE STAYING IN A DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE OR GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE SITUATION. SOMETIMES
SURVIVORS GET BLAMED FOR THIS
AND PEOPLE ASK, WHY WOULD YOU
CHOOSE TO STAY IN AN ABUSIVE
RELATIONSHIP. THE ANSWER IS
THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH SUPPORT
FOR SURVIVORS, AND THE SERVICES
THAT DO EXIST ARE UNDERFUNDED
AND UNDERSTAFFED. I URGE YOU TO
SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT FOR
HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. NOW BACK TO
IN-PERSON SPOOKERS, BEGINNING
WITH JULIA GRIFFITH. JUST A
REMINDER, YOU HAVE TO SPEAK WAY
INTO THE MIC FOR IT TO PICK YOU
UP APPROPRIATELY.
>> HI, I'M JULIA GRIFFITH. I'VE
WORKED AT THE WHEEL SHELTER FOR
ABOUT TWO YEARS. WE OPERATE ON
A LOW BARRIER MODEL AND ALLOW
EVERY WOMAN TO BE HEARD. WE
DON'T TURN ANYONE AWAY. WE HAVE
STRUGGLED THROUGHOUT THE
PANDEMIC LIKE ALL OTHER SOCIAL
SERVICES. I'M DISAPPOINTED
THAT THE CITY WOULD AWARD OUR
WORK WITH A PAY CUT. I WANT TO
BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THE CITY
THAT I SERVE. THE SOCIAL
WORKERS CAP AT LIVING WAGE
INCREASE IS 4%, PLEASE CORRECT
IT. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT, I BELIEVE ANITRA
FREEMAN. YOU CAN PULL THAT MIC
DOWN LOWER ALSO. IT'S
ADJUSTABLE.
>> THIS IS NANCY'S FIRST TIME
EVER.
>> NO, NOT MY FIRST TIME. OKAY.
MY NAME IS NANCY. I AM A
PARTICIPANT AT THE FIRST
FRIENDS WHEEL SHELTER. I KNOW
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE HOMELESS.
I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ON
DRUGS. I'VE BEEN IN RECOVERY
FOR 21 YEARS. I DIDN'T GET HERE
BY MYSELF. I DIDN'T GO TO
TREATMENT 13 TIMES AND EACH
TIME I LEARNED A BIT MORE. I
FOUND A NEW COMMUNITY THAT
WOULD HELP ME LIVE INSTEAD OF
HELPING ME DIE. SWEEPS DON'T
HELP ME. STOP THE SWEEP. FIND
MORE HOUSING, SHELTERS. HELP US
HELP OURSELF BECAUSE I'M PROOF
OF WHAT IT CAN DO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WILL YOU BE
SPEAKING ALSO?
>> YES. THANK YOU, NANCY. NANCY
IS PART OF THE WRITING GROUP UP
AT FIRST PRES SHELTER. MY NAME
IS ANITRA FREEMAN WITH REAL
WOMEN IN BLACK. HOLD ON A
MINUTE . WE STAND AGAIN
TOMORROW ON THE 4th AVENUE
STEPS FOR 25 MORE PEOPLE WHO
DIED OF HOMELESSNESS OR
VIOLENCE IN KING COUNTY. PLEASE
JOIN US. THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. I
REMEMBER YOU STANDING BESIDE ME
IN OCTOBER. THIS IS THE FIFTH
MONTH IN A ROW THAT WE HAVE
STOOD FOR 20 PEOPLE OR MORE AT
ONE TIME. THE TOTAL THIS YEAR
IS 216. IT'S OUR MOST HORRIBLE
YEAR EVER. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO
QUALIFY FOR DISASTER FUNDING?
IN THIS TERRIBLE TIME, IT IS
MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT
YOU SUPPORT YOUR MOST
VULNERABLE CITIZENS. STOP THE
SWEEPS AND FUND REAL HELP.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER
IS SEAN SMITH. ALEX, YOU'RE
WARNED, DO NOT MAKE THAT SIGNAL
AGAIN. IF PEOPLE WANT TO
INDICATE SUPPORT, THEY CAN DO
THIS, NOTHING ELSE. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. I'M
SEAN SMITH AND I'M CURRENTLY A
PARTICIPANT IN SHARE WHEELS
HISTORIC TENT CITIES GREEN. I
THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT THE
LAST FEW NIGHTS HAVE BEEN
EXTREMELY COLD AND WET, BUT IT
IS EVEN COLDER AND WETTER AND
MORE MISERABLE FOR THOSE WHO
HAVE HAD WHAT LITTLE SHELTER
THEY HAD RIPPED AWAY FROM THEM.
PLEASE STOP FUNDING THE SWEEPS.
WHILE WE ARE AT IT, LET'S END
THIS CRAZY IDEA OF FUNDING COPS
THAT DON'T EVEN EXIST. YOU
KNOW, WHILE WE'RE AT THAT,
LET'S RAISE THE REVENUE FROM
THE JUMP START TAX AND START
PAYING ESSENTIAL FRONT LINE
WORKERS A LIVABLE WAGE, LEST
THEY FALL INTO HOMELESSNESS. I
YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS JUSTIN GAETZ.
>> GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL
MEMBERS. I APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP HERE AND
SPEAK TODAY. MY NAME IS JUSTIN
GAETZ. I'VE BEEN PART TENT CITY
THREE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS NOW.
IT'S NICE BEING A PART OF A
COMMUNITY, BUT I WANT TO BE A
PART OF A COMMUNITY WHERE WE
ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO
MEET OUR ESSENTIAL NEEDS.
WAKING UP EVERY MORNING COLD
AND WET, GOING TO BED NOT
KNOWING IF I'LL HAVE A PLACE TO
WAKE UP TO WITH PEOPLE WHO
SUPPORT ME AND CARE ABOUT ME,
BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THESE SWEEPS
GOING ON AND NOT EVERYBODY IS
FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE
SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE THAT CARE.
I WANT TO GROW AS A SOCIETY
WHERE WE CAN ALL GET OUR HANDS
IN SOMETHING TO PROVIDE FOR THE
CITY THAT WE LIVE IN. THANK YOU
.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
CHRIS HAMILTON .
>> I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF
OF DISTRICT 9. WE VOTED NO AND
OTHER PEOPLE VOTED AND IT'S
BECOME A BIG ISSUE. I DUG
THROUGH IT AND FOUND IT'S A
SIMPLE MISTAKE PERTAINING TO AN
OVERADJUSTED PARK THAT HAS A
VICTORIAN SCHOONER THAT'S TOO
LARGE ON THE 75 CENTS FOR
THOUSAND. AND IT'S A SIMPLE
MISUNDERSTANDING IF WE COULD
JUST LOOK AT IT AND CLEAR IT
UP, BECAUSE IT'S A LOT MORE
THAN WE SHOULD PAY OF A LITTLE
BIT OF TAX THAT WE CAN AGREE
TO. BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I
DON'T WANT TO GO TOO MUCH INTO
IT.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS EZRA DICKINSON.
>> HELLO, COUNCILMEMBERS. THANK
YOU FOR HEARING OUR COMMENTS
TODAY. MY NAME IS EZRA
DICKINSON AND I'M A PRACTICING
ARTIST SINCE 2005. I'M HERE TO
SPEAK IN THE OPPOSITION OF THE
GRAFFITI ABATEMENT BUDGET
DOUBLING. I FEEL THE VISUAL
PLIGHT OF GRAFFITI IN THIS CITY
IS A DIRECT RESULT OF LACK OF
INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY. THAT'S
BASICALLY THE SIZE OF IT. IF WE
LOOK AT THE SPACES WE ARE
CREATING FOR CULTURAL
INVESTMENT, HISTORICAL
INVESTMENT AND ARTISTIC
INVESTMENT, WE CAN FIND A
PATHWAY TOWARDS INCORPORATING
ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY, AND
INCORPORATING HISTORICAL
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, AND FIND A
PATHWAY THAT BRINGS ABOUT TOUCH
POINTS IN THE CITY THAT PEOPLE
CAN BUILD AROUND VERSUS BLANK
WALLS AND EMPTINESS. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT
IN-PERSON SPEAKER, WE'LL HAVE
FOUR MORE, AND NEXT IS PAUL
NUNG. PAUL?
>> HELLO, COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M
AN ARTIST AND ARTS
ADMINISTRATOR FOR SEATTLE URBAN
ART WORKS. I'M SPEAKING TODAY
BECAUSE I TAKE PERSONAL ISSUE
WITH THE ENHANCED GRAFFITI
ABATEMENT LINE ITEMS
CATEGORIZED IN THE HEALTHY
COMMUNITIES SECTION AS THE
BUDGET PRIORITY. IT'S A LOGIC
FALLACY THAT A HEALTHY
COMMUNITY HAS NO GRAFFITI.
THESE LINE ITEMS ARE BASED ON
ENFORCING AN OUTDATED 1996
GRAFFITI NUISANCE ORDINANCE
THAT IS 100% PROHIBITION AND
FOSTERED THE LOSE-LOSE-LOSE
SITUATION FOR PROPERTY OWNERS,
THE CITIES AND THOSE LOOKING TO
EXPRESS THEMSELVES. RATHER THAN
TAKING THE PUNITIVE POSITION,
THREE MURRELLS DESTROYED IN THE
LAST YEAR, THE CITY COULD
CREATE A POLICY BASED IN
RESEARCH AND INCENTIVIZES ART
AND ARTISTS AS OPPOSED TO
RUNNING WITH THE ANECDOTAL
NARRATIVE FROM FOR-PROFIT
BUSINESSES THAT GRAFFITI IS
EFFECTUAL. LOVE TO CREATE AN
ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES SEATTLE
A WORLD-CLASS ENVIRONMENT FOR
SEXABLE ART ART.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. I'M A
SECOND YEAR SEATTLE PROMISE
SCHOLAR FROM SOUTH SEATTLE
COLLEGE. TOLD I WOULD LIKE TO
EXPRESS MY THOUGHTS TO THE
BUDGET FOR SEATTLE PROMISE. A
REDUCE IN THE COMMITTED BUDGET
FROM $6.3 MILLION TO $1.3
MILLION WILL HAVE AN IMMEDIATE
EFFECT. I AND MANY OTHER
STUDENTS APPLIED FOR THIS
SCHOLARSHIP AND I'M SO GRATEFUL
IT WAS THERE. MY LAPTOP BROKE
IN THE MIDDLE OF MIDTERM SEASON
AND I WAS LOOKING HIGH AND LOW
FOR A REPLACEMENT AND DIDN'T
HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPLACE IT.
IT WAS DIFFICULT AND I HAD TO
FIGURE IT OUT. UNFORTUNATELY MY
LAPTOP WASN'T WORKING AGAIN BUT
THIS TIME I HAD EXTRA MONEY
FROM THIS VERY SCHOLARSHIP TO
REPAIR MY LAPTOP AND CONTINUE
MY SCHOOL WORK. I HAVE USED
THIS FOR SUPPLIES AND BOOKS AND
ANYTHING ELSE I NEEDED TO
CONTINUE SCHOOL. I BELIEVE A
LOT OF STUDENTS HAVE BEEN IN
TOUGH POSITIONS WHERE SOMETHING
HAPPENED AND THEY NEEDED EXTRA
FUNDS TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES. I
CAN'T BELIEVE THE CITY COUNCIL
WOULD WANT TO TAKE THIS OPTION
AWAY WHEN STUDENTS REALLY NEED
THE ASSISTANCE. I'M NOT
FAMILIAR WITH THE CITY COUNCIL
AND POLITICS BUT I KNOW THERE
ARE PROBABLY OTHER OPTIONS AND
OTHER PLACES TO GET THE FUNDS
RATHER THAN TAKE IT FROM
STUDENTS WHO NEED IT, STUDENTS
LIKE MYSELF. A MAJORITY OF
STUDENTS IN COLLEGE ARE NOT
WEALTHY. WE ARE TRYING OUR
BEST. THERE ARE MANY OTHER
OPTIONS TO LOOK FOR FUNDS
ELSEWHERE. PLEASE RECONSIDER
AND THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING
MY REMARKS TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS JANE
NICHOLS. THEN WE'LL HAVE NUMBER
20 ON THE IN-PERSON SIGN-IN
LIST, THEN WE'LL MOVE BACK TO
REMOTE.
>> HELLO, CITY COUNCIL. WE ALL
HAVE A LOT WE WANT. THE SEATTLE
TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD LAST WEEK
WROTE, WHEN IT COMES TO SAVING
SEATTLE'S TREES, CITY
GOVERNMENT IS STUMPED. TOO MANY
OFFICIALS ARE INVOLVED . DID
YOU HEAR THE UN SECRETARY
GENERAL AT THE CLIMATE
CONFERENCE IN EGYPT? WE ARE IN
A FIGHT FOR OUR LIVES AND WE
ARE LOSING. YOU KNOW WHAT TREES
DO TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
AND WHAT THE SHADE IN URBAN
AREAS DOES TO SAVE LIVES IN THE
HEAT. TREES SAVE LIVES. HOW CAN
YOU BE STUMPED? I URGE THE
COUNCIL TO FUND THE POSITION OF
THE URBAN FORESTER FOR THE CITY
OF SEATTLE. IT WAS A POSITION
PROPOSED 13 YEARS AGO, AND I
URGE YOU TO PUT A STOP TO ALL
DEVELOPMENT IN THIS CITY THAT
INVOLVES THE DESTRUCTION OF
TREES AND TREE CANOPIES UNTIL
YOU ACTUALLY DO HAVE SOMEONE IN
CHARGE. WE ARE ALL LITERALLY
DYING WHILE WE'RE WAITING FOR
SOMEONE TO BE IN CHARGE. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. LAST IN-PERSON
SPEAKER FOR THIS GROUP IS DAWN
SHEPHERD.
>> GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU FOR
HEARING US TODAY. I'M DAWN
SHEPHERD, PROGRAM MANAGER AT
REACH. SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW ME
FROM TIME WE HAVE SPENT IN THE
FIELD TOGETHER. WE MAY NOT
ALWAYS AGREE ON THE MEANS BUT
THE HOMELESS CRISIS IS A TOP
PRIORITY FOR EVERYONE IN THIS
CITY. THIS WORK IS NOT BY LEVEL
WORK, AND IN ORDER FOR US TO BE
ABLE TO RETAIN THE STAFF THAT
HAS THE EXPERIENCE, THE
EXPERTISE AND PASSION TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORK, WE
HAVE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE FORWARD
AND NOT BACKWARDS. I'M ASKING
THE COUNCIL TO INVEST IN THE
SOLUTIONS THAT ACTUALLY WORK,
CLOSE THE BUDGET GAP FOR LEAD,
CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN THE HEALTH
CARE FOR THE HOMELESS NETWORK
INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAINTAIN THE
COST OF LIVING INCREASE IN 2022
FOR 23 OF 9.5% SO PEOPLE WHO
CAN'T EVEN AFFORD TO LIVE IN
THE CITY CAN AT LEAST PUT GAS
IN OUR VEHICLES. IT'S AN
INVESTMENT IN REPARATIONS AND
HEALING AND JUSTICE IN THIS
COMMUNITY, AND MY EXPERTISE
MAKES ME SO COMMITTED TO THIS
WORK AND THE FOLKS WE SERVE. I
SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE
BETWEEN THAT WORK AND MY OWN
FINANCIAL SECURITY.
>> THANK YOU. NOW WE'LL TAKE
TEN REMOTE SPEAKERS. THE NEXT
ONE IS LISTED AS NUMBER 21
ONLINE, GB WOLF. PLEASE
REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR SIX WHEN
IT'S YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
>> YES, THANK YOU. MY NAME IS
GB WOLF AND I'VE BEEN A
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER AND
LEADER IN KING COUNTY SINCE
2017. I COME FROM MASSACHUSETTS
ORIGINALLY AND RIGHT NOW I'M
THE LEAD HOSPITAL AUTHORIZATION
AND ONE CALL CRISIS SERVICE
CLINICIAN AND CRISIS
CONNECTIONS. BEFORE THAT I
WORKED OUT OF THAT DIRECT AS
WELL. I'M REACHING OUT BECAUSE
THIS PROGRAM WE HAVE IS
AMAZING. I'M GOING TO BE REAL
WITH YOU. WE NEED TO KEEP
FUNDING FOR THAT, PLEASE. THE
HSD 020A AND IT'S GOOD BECAUSE
THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS
AND MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS
THAT WORK WITH THEM CAN CALL US
UP AND SAY, YOU KNOW, JOE
SOMEBODY IS ON THE STREET HERE
AND THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP US?
SOMETIMES WE DEESCALATE RIGHT
THERE ON THE SPOT. SOMETIMES I
HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THEM IN
THE DATABASE, SO THAT'S GOOD.
ANOTHER THING I WANT TO MENTION
IS WITHOUT GETTING INTO TOO
MUCH DETAIL BECAUSE OF PRIVACY,
THERE WAS A PERSON ABOUT SIX
MONTHS AGO -- OKAY, INDIGENOUS
AND MISSING, AND I WAS ABLE TO
LOCATE THAT PERSON THROUGH
DELEGATE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE.
ONE CALL IS ONE REASON FOR
THAT.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS HAROLD,
FOLLOWED BY RICHARD.
>> I'M HERE TO URGE SUPPORT FOR
THE CONTRACT INCREASES OF 7.6%
NOT REALLY 2023. THE INCREASERS
STAND TO BENEFIT ALL THE FRONT
LINES STAFF, MOST OF WHOM ARE
AMERICAN INDIAN AND
ALASKA-INDIAN SERVING IN
FUNCTIONS OF THE CLUB SERVING
OUR MEMBERS. WE HAVE TO SERVE
SPECIAL FRONT-LINE WORKERS IN
TIMES OF CRISIS. THIS IS OUR
NECESSARY ASK TO THE CITY
COUNCIL. PLEASE FUND THE 7.6%
WAGE INCREASES USING 2022 HUMAN
SERVICES CONTRACT AS THE BASE
FOR 2023 AND 2024. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS RICH, FOLLOWED BY SANDY.
>> WE ARE IN A CLIMATE CRISIS
AND WE NEED FUNDING FOR GREEN
NEW DEAL PROJECTS. THIS WILL
FILL BUDGET HOLES. YOU CAN SAY
THEY ARE EXCESS FUNDS BUT THAT
MONEY AND MORE WILL BE NEEDED
TO MEET OUR 2030 CLIMATE GOALS.
THE REASON SEATTLE'S GREENHOUSE
GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY SAYS WE
ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME. WITH
THAT IN TIME, I SUGGEST
SPENDING THE FUNDS NOW. TWO, IF
YOU TAKE THOSE FUNDS AND MAKE
IT A LOAN TO BE REPAID WITH THE
NEW TAX THEN ROLL THAT NEW TAX
OUT FAST, DON'T WAIT TWO YEARS.
THE SOONER THE TAX IS IN
EFFECT, THE LESS LOAN MONEY
WILL HAVE TO BE REPAID. FUND AN
ACTIONAL CLIMATE PLAN THAT
INCLUDES SCHEDULES THAT CAN BE
FORECAST AND USED TO TRACK
IMITATION OF CLIMATE BUDGETS
AND TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY THAT ENABLES
CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT
PROGRESS IS BEING MADE, AND IF
NOT WHY NOT. THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT, SANDY,
TO BE FOLLOWED BY AUSTIN .
>> HI. PLEASE RETAIN THE CHIEF
URBAN FORESTER POSITION TO SAVE
TAX DOLLARS AND TREES. WE NEED
TO BE MORE EFFICIENT. I'VE SEEN
THE SAME SET OAKS AND MARKET
STREET AND BALLARD PRUNED BY
THE COUNTY THEN THE CITY. LAST
SUMMER LOST PAPERWORK RESULTED
IN TWO EXCEPTIONAL CEDARS BEING
CUT DOWN UNNECESSARILY IN WEST
SEATTLE. PROFESSIONAL
MANAGEMENT OF OUR URBAN FORESTS
IS LONG OVERDUE. SUMMER HEAT
THREATENINGS OUR MOST
VULNERABLE RESIDENTS. WE ARE
SPENDING MILLIONS TO DEVELOP
COOLING CENTERS FOR PEOPLE TO
GO TO DURING HEAT WAVES, BUT
MOST PEOPLE WOULD PREFER THE
COOLING SHADE OF A BIG TREE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR SPONSORING
THIS BUDGET. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S AUSTIN
PRICE NEXT, NUMBER 25 ON THE
REMOTE LIST. THEN WE'LL HAVE
JODIE NATHAN. GO AHEAD.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES .
>> GO AHEAD, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> I'M AUSTIN PRICE. THANK YOU
FOR TAKING TIME TO LISTEN TO ME
THIS MORNING. I WANT TO COMMENT
ON THE CONCERN HERE THE
AUSTERITY BUDGET THAT WE ARE
ALL TALKING ABOUT. A LOT OF
PEOPLE ARE VOICING PRESSING
CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THEY ARE
BEING AFFECTED WITH CUTTING
FUNDING AND SERVICES. WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT INCREASING POLICE
SURVEILLANCE AND I'M URGING ALL
DEMOCRATS TO REJECT THIS
BUDGET.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS JODIE NATHAN.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M JODIE
NATHAN. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS
SUPPORT FOR SOLIDARITY PLANS.
TO SPEND MILLIONS ON THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT THAT HAS NO
INTENTION OF HIRING AND THIS IS
A REFUSAL TO ADDRESS THE REAL
SAFETY NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS.
TRUE SAFETY WOULD COME
REDISTRIBUTING THE FUNDS. I'M
OUTRAGED BY THE PAY CUTS
PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET. THIS
LEGISLATION IS TRULY A SLAP IN
THE FACE. IF YOU WERE SERIOUS
ABOUT ENDING HOMELESSNESS,
WE'LL NEED TO PAY ESSENTIAL
WORKERS MORE, NOT LESS. I
SUPPORT THE BONUSES FOR HUMAN
SERVICES PROVIDERS. WE ARE
SEEING A RECORD NUMBER OF
PEOPLE DYING AND WE NEED A
BUDGET TO LIVE, NOT A BUDGET
SPENT ON SWEEPS THAT HARM OUR
UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS. SWEEPS MAKE
EVERYONE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
LESS SAFE BECAUSE THEY WORSEN
THE CONDITIONS THAT LEAD TO
ISOLATION, HARM AND VIOLENCE.
PLEASE DEFUND SWEEPS OF
HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS.
>> ALEX , YOU MAY NEED TO
PRESS ÷6 . IF WE DO NOT HAVE
ALEX AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW , WE
WILL MOVE ON TO TRICIA. HERE
IS ALEX . THANK YOU.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. CAN YOU
HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> MORNING. I AM IN THE
TRAINING COORDINATOR FOR A
PROGRAM, I WAS A PREVIOUS
HOUSING MANAGER WORKING ON
HOUSING NEIGHBORS. I AM
SPEAKING TODAY TO ASK THE
DEMOCRATS ON THE CITY COUNCIL
TO JOIN COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
IN REJECTING THE AUSTERITY
BUDGET . I FULLY SUPPORT THE
EFFORTS OF THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET
AND BELIEVE THAT POLICE
FUNDING SHOULD BE DIVERTED TO
SOCIAL AND PUBLIC SERVICES AND
THE AMAZON TAX SHOULD BE
INCREASED BY $140 MILLION TO A
SUPPORT A VARIETY OF SERVICES
ACROSS THE CITY. I AM PLEADING
WITH THE COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE
THE EFFORTS OF THE SOCIAL
WORKERS, CASE MANAGERS
DILIGENTLY OUTREACHING AND
COORDINATING AND SUPPORTING OUR
HOMELESS NEIGHBORS , ESPECIALLY
THOSE WITH DEALING WITH THE
USELESS ENCAMPMENTS .
RECOGNITION ALONE IS NOT
ENOUGH, SOCIAL WORKERS MUST BE
PAID A LIVABLE WAGE TO
DECREASE BURNOUT AND TURNOVER
RATE AND MAKE SURE THE HOMELESS
IN SEATTLE GET THE SUPPORT THEY
NEED. I AM ASKING THE CITY
COUNCIL TO APPROVE , AT
MINIMUM, THE 7.6%
COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE THE
SOCIAL SERVICES WORKERS NEED
AND DESERVE, AND MAINTAINING
OR INCREASING THE CURRENT
BUDGET FOR LEAD , IT IS A
RIGHT AND NECESSARY THING TO
DO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS TRICIA . FOLLOWED BY
AARON, THOSE ARE THE LAST TWO
REMOTE SPEAKERS IN THE GROUP.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL
MEMBERS, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME AND ATTENTION. I AM WITH
THE HOUSING AND ESSENTIAL NEEDS
PROGRAM AT CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
SERVICES AT A PART OF THE KING
COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION AND
AND SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE
PROGRAM. SUBSIDIES PLAY A KEY
ROLE IN KEEPING SEATTLE
RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
HOUSED. PLEASE SUPPORT AN
AMENDMENT TO $500,000 IN 2023
AND 73 -- TO KEEP AN
ESTIMATED 64 PEOPLE HOUSED AND
GOING TOWARDS LONG-TERM
HOUSING. I AM ASKING YOU TO
FOLLOW THROUGH ON COMMITMENTS
FOR 7.6% INFLATION ADJUSTMENT
ON HUMAN SERVICES , IT IS
NEEDED TO KEEP UP WITH COSTS,
INCLUDING WAGE INCREASES TO
HELP STAFF MANAGE THE
INCREASED COST OF LIVING. AND
GO FURTHER AND RAISE FUNDING
FOR EQUITABLE WAGES SO WE CAN
RECRUIT, TRAIN, AND SUSTAIN AN
EXPERIENCED WORK HORSE OF
ESSENTIAL WORKERS . OUR
COMMUNITIES ARE COUNTING ON
YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
AND SUPPORT.
>> OUR LAST REMOTE SPEAKER IS
ERIN.
>> GOOD MORNING I AM SPEAKING
IN SUPPORT OF THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET. JUMPSTART SEATTLE IN
PARTICULAR AND LIVING WAGE FOR
HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS . AS A
FORMER CASE MANAGER WORKING
WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS, MY JOB WAS TO
HELP PEOPLE GET INTO PERMANENT
HOUSING. IF WE WERE MAKING A
DENT, BUT NOW IT IS A DIFFERENT
WORLD AND SO MANY MORE PEOPLE
HAVE SLIPPED INTO HOMELESSNESS
. WE NEED TO PRESERVE AND
CREATE EVERY POSSIBLE METHOD OF
PROVIDING SHELTER,
TRANSITIONAL, PERMANENT
HOUSING. DESPITE THE
DECREASING RATE FINALLY, WE
MUST USE THE JUMPSTART MONEY
FOR LIFESAVING CHOICES THE
COMMUNITY DECIDED ON, SUCH AS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ORDER TO
MOVE PEOPLE OUT OF HOMELESSNESS
. IN REGARDS TO THE MAYOR'S
WISH TO STOP LIVING WAGE
INCREASES FOR DIRECT SERVICE
WORKERS, WE NEED THOSE WORKERS
TO RUN OUR CURRENT SHELTERS
AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING . THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO
CONTINUE DOING THIS WORK
WITHOUT THESE RAISES. AND
WITHOUT THESE INCREDIBLE
WORKERS , THE INFRASTRUCTURE
FOR THE SYSTEM FAILS TO PUT
PEOPLE OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.
FINALLY, THE SWEDES HAVE TO
STOP, IT HURTS PEOPLE FORCING
THEM TO MOVE FROM PLACE TO
PLACE WHILE LIVING OUTSIDE.
>> THANK YOU . WE WILL MOVE TO
IN-PERSON SPEAKERS. WE ARE
RIGHT NUMBER 21 ON THE SIGN-UP
SHEET. I BELIEVE IT IS TANYA.
>> FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY ,
HOUSING, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SERVICES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
SO, WE HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU
MULTIPLE STORIES, I WANTED TO
GIVE YOU A SUMMARY WHERE
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS ARE
SENIORS ARE FEARFUL BECAUSE
THEY HAVE BEEN ATTACKED, THEY
HAVE BEEN YELLED AT, SPAT ON,
THEY CAN WALK ABOUT A GROUPS
NEXT TO WHERE THEY LIVE
BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID TO
VENTURE OUT. OUR BUSINESSES ARE
SUFFERING , WE CANNOT RETAIN
EMPLOYEES BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE
AFRAID TO COME TO WORK. PEOPLE,
TO WORK AT 1:00 IN AND THEY
GET HIT OVER THE HEAD WITH
TYPES. WE HAVE TO HAVE ESCORT
SERVICES FOR PEOPLE COMING TO
WORK AT 4:00 P.M. AND LEAVING
AT 2:00 A.M. WE HAVE A MAX
EXODUS OF BUSINESSES, ONE
PHARMACY, THE GROCERY STORE HAS
LEFT . RESTAURANTS , LEGACY
BUSINESSES , THEY ARE LEAVING
EN MASSE . IT IS VERY HARD TO
OBTAIN INSURANCE . I AM A SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER AND , EVERY DAY,
I HAVE TO WALK OUT AND SCOOP
POOP, AND CLEANUP NEEDLES .
AND GET RID OF PEOPLE. WE HAVE
A HUGE UN-HOUSED RESIDENCE IN
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WE NEED
PUBLIC SAFETY TO EVERYONE,
INCLUDING OUR UN-HOUSED
RESIDENCE , RESIDENCE, WE NEED
A FIGHTING CHANCE TO THRIVE AND
BE VIBRANT. WE ARE NOT THERE
YET. WE NEED YOUR HELP. THANK
YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ALEX
ZIMMERMAN.
>> MY NAME IS ALEX ZIMMERMAN.
YOU COST US $1 MILLION EACH.
FOR THREE YEARS , YOU NEVER
GIVE A DOLLAR TO HOMELESS.
NEVER DONATE ONE DOLLAR. IT
IS VERY INTERESTING. I TRY TO
UNDERSTAND WHY $750,000 .
PART-TIME JOB? [ INDISCERNIBLE
] NUMBER TWO, A NEW CROOK IS
WHO YOU ARE. [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS ? YOU
WERE TALKING ABOUT POOR PEOPLE
. WHAT IS GOING ON? I SPEAK
TO 750,000 ZOMBIES , IDIOTS,
STANDUP AND CLEAN THIS CHAMBER
TOTALLY. I WILL BE FIRST HERE
, STANDUP, AMERICA, STAND UP
FOR EVERYBODY.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MS.
STALLWORTH.
>> THAT IS THE SECOND WARNING,
ALEX , ABOUT THAT SIGNAL, NOT
ACCEPTABLE. SORRY ABOUT THAT,
GO AHEAD.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE
LADY TO MY LEFT FOR GOING
BEFORE ME. I HAVE WORKED WITH
DESC SINCE 2014 AND A MEMBER
OF SEIU 1199. I LEAVE HOME
1.5 TO TWO HOURS BEFORE MY
DAY SHIFT WHICH BEGINS AT 7:30
A.M. I GET DROPPED OFF OR I AM
TAKEN , IF I TAKE THE TRAIN, I
RIDE THE KING STREET STATION
AND WALKED TO THIRD AND JAMES
FROM THERE. ON MY WALK TO WORK
, I WALKED TO NEEDLES, FECES ,
AND URINE, I HAVE WALKED BY
BODIES UNDER BLANKETS, BODIES
UNCOVERED ON THE DIRTY SIDEWALK
, AND AT TIMES HOMELESS AND
HELPLESS PEOPLE INSIDE OF OPEN
BUSINESS -- BUSINESSES
REFUSING TO EXIT . I HAVE
ADMINISTERED NARCAN. BRINGING
MULTIPLE PEOPLE BACK FROM
OVERDOSE . I HAVE PERFORMED --
EXCUSE ME , I HAVE PERFORMED
LIFESAVING PROTOCOLS AND CALLED
911 FOR MEDICS AND THE POLICE .
WHEN CALLING FOR SEATTLE POLICE
, I AM TRANSFERRED TO A
NONEMERGENCY NUMBER. I ALSO
MUST ASSIST HOMELESS
INDIVIDUALS AND INDIVIDUALS IN
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS TOWARDS
SERVICES . I HAVE ENCOURAGED
HOMELESS PEOPLE TO MOVE OFF OF
THE COLD AND DIRTY SIDEWALKS
WITH THE OFFER OF HOT COFFEE OR
TEA TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE IN THE
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS -- IN
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS . THE CITY
OF SEATTLE HAS COMMITTED 7.6%
INCREASE AND HAS NOW REFUSED
GOING BACK ON THE PROMISE OF
OFFERING 4% . BECAUSE OF
INFLATIONARY RATES, THE 7.6% IS
NOW MUTE AND A 39% INCREASE IS
NEEDED FOR PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF
WORKING UNNOTICED IN THE CITY
OF SEATTLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS DAVID.
>> MY NAME IS DAVID . I AM A
SHELTER CASE MANAGER WHERE I
HAVE WORKED FOR 7.5 YEARS . I
AM HERE ASKING FOR THE 7.6%
COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT
BECAUSE IT IS INCREDIBLY
DIFFICULT DOING THE JOB THAT
MYSELF AND OTHER FRONTLINE
STAFF WORKERS DO. WHEN I FIRST
STARTED AT DESC, ONE OF MY
COWORKERS TOLD ME THAT HIS
GOAL WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT
PEOPLE AT THE SHELTER WE
WORKED OUT DID NOT STAY THERE
AS LONG AS THE WORKERS DID.
WHICH I THOUGHT WAS AN ELEGANT
WAY OF MAKING A POINT THAT
THEY WOULD GET HOUSED QUICKLY
AND THAT WE WOULD CUT DOWN ON
JOB TURNOVER. THAT JUST NOT AS
-- THAT IS NOT TRUE, HIS GOAL
IS NOWHERE CLOSE TO BEING A
REALITY RIGHT NOW. THE TURNOVER
IS SKYHIGH FOR STAFF. THE
HOUSING RATE IS LOCKED BOTTOM.
THAT VISION IS NOT ANYWHERE
CLOSE TO A REALITY. AND WE
NEED THIS FUNDING. WE NEED SO
MUCH MORE. JUST , PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU . OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS GOING TO BE JEN.
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I AM EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE FEEDBACK AND
COCHAIR OF THE SEATTLE HUMAN
SERVICES COALITION. OUR STAFF
NEED EQUITABLE WAGES. HUMAN
SERVICE WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL ,
THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT
LINES , WORKING TO MAKE SURE
PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE
ACCESS TO FOOD, HOUSING, AND
SERVICES . THE NEED IN OUR
COMMUNITY HAS INCREASED . THE
RECOVERY FROM COVID WILL BE
LONG AND, WITH THE ADDED LAYER
OF INFLATION, WE KNOW THAT MUCH
MORE IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT AN
EQUITABLE RECOVERY. OUR
EXPENSES HAVE INCREASED FUNDING
LESS THAN THE ACTUAL RATE OF
INFLATION MEANS WE WILL HAVE TO
CUT SERVICES. INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT WILL HARM
COMMUNITIES AND INHIBIT OUR
ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN
THE FUTURE. THIS MEANS WE NEED
A FULL COMMITMENT FROM YOU TO
HONOR THE 2019 ORDINANCE THAT
MAKE SURE AN ACCURATE AND
COMPLETE INFLATION ADJUSTMENT
TO OUR CONTRACTS. TAKE YOU FOR
SPONSORING THIS ,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA,
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD THANK
YOU FOR THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE
SHOWN IN VALUING OUR EXPERTISE
AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR
COMMUNITIES, AND THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS EMILY.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBERS
, AND FELLOW CITY ADVOCATES. I
AM EMILY, I WORK AT FAIR START
IN DISTRICT 7. I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 2. I AM REPRESENTING
THE PARTNERSHIP COALITION.
AND THE SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
CITY BUDGET TASK FORCE. I AM
ONE OF THE COCHAIRS. THE MEALS
PARTNERSHIP COALITION IS MADE
UP OF MEMBER PROVIDERS ACROSS
THE CITY AND PROVIDE ESSENTIAL
HUMAN SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE
WHO HAVE BEEN HIT HARDEST BY
THIS PANDEMIC . AND THE
INSTITUTIONAL AND EQUITIES
SINCE THE COLONIZATION OF OUR
COUNTRY. I AM HERE TO
REITERATE THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL
THAT THE WORK OF HUMAN SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE BEEN
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES
THROUGHOUT THIS TRYING TIME ARE
FULLY FUNDED . THIS MEANS WE
NEED A FULL COMMITMENT FROM ALL
OF YOU TO HONOR THE 2019
ORDINANCE THAT ENSURES AN
ACCURATE AND COMPLETE INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT TO OUR CONTRACTS.
ALONGSIDE COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA , MORALES, HERBOLD ,
AND LEWIS WHO HAVE PROPOSED
AND PUBLICLY SUPPORTED THIS
BUDGET AMENDMENT. I AM HERE TO
THINK COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT FOR
PROPOSING AND JUAREZ AND
MORALES FOR COSPONSORING THE
BUDGET AMENDMENT , THE $3
MILLION OF ESSENTIAL MEAL
FUNDING FOR SHELTER AND
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING I
URGE ALL OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS
TO SUPPORT BOTH OF THESE
BUDGET AMENDMENTS. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JANICE.
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS, AND FELLOW
COMMUNITY MEMBERS . I AM AN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE AND A
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 2. WE
EMPLOY OVER 300 ESSENTIAL
WORKERS THAT ARE 75% BY POP,
45 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES SPOKEN,
THEY PROVIDE EARLY LEARNING ,
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS ,
EMPLOYMENT , HOUSING STABILITY
, HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
TO OVER 14,000 INDIVIDUALS IN
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY . I AM
HERE WITH THE SEATTLE HUMAN
SERVICES COALITION IN SUPPORT
OF FULLY FUNDING HUMAN SERVICES
, INCLUDING THE FULL INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT. NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
OPERATES THE PARENT CHILD PLUS
HOME VISITING PROGRAMS WHICH IS
FUNDED BY THE CITY AND THE
COUNTY. OUR HOME VISITORS ARE
WOMEN FROM THE COMMUNITIES
THAT WE SERVE. THIS PARTICULAR
CONTRACT HAS ENDURED THREE
YEARS WITH ZERO INCREASES, EVEN
THOUGH WE HAVE EXPERIENCED
DOUBLE-DIGIT INCREASES TO OUR
HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS AND
STILL HAVE PROVIDED WAGE
PROGRESSION FOR OUR EMPLOYEES
. I AM HERE TO REQUEST THAT YOU
INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR THE NEW
CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM FROM
$922,000 TO $1 MILLION, THIS
MODEST INCREASE WILL MAKE SURE
OUR RESIDENTS CAN GAIN THE
SUPPORT THEY NEED TO OBTAIN
CITIZENSHIP. TAKE YOU FOR
PRIORITIZING COMMUNITY SAFETY
AND WELL-BEING.
>>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS BARB
OLIVER.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL . I
AM DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS WITH
SOUND FOUNDATION NORTHWEST , WE
BUILD TRANSITIONAL, TINY HOMES
FOR THE HOMELESS. IN SEPTEMBER,
WE ANNOUNCED A FOUR-YEAR PLAN
TO GET EVERY SINGLE HOMELESS
PERSON A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD
AND A LOCK ON THE DOOR . I HAVE
COME TO YOU TODAY WITH SOME
GOOD NEWS. AND PROPS. WHEN WE
SET OUT TO DO OUR FOUR-YEAR
PLAN, WE ASSUME THAT THERE WAS
BETWEEN 15 AND 20 HOMELESS
PEOPLE. BASED ON KING COUNTY
NUMBERS NOW , 13,385 WERE ABLE
TO MODIFY OUR FOUR-YEAR PLAN,
NEXT YEAR, WAS A SECOND HOPE
FACTORY , WHICH WOULD EMPLOY
HOMELESS PEOPLE IN FORMALLY
HOMELESS PEOPLE TO BUILD A TINY
HOMES AND A THIRD FACTORY IN
THE THIRD YEAR AND A FOURTH
FACTORY IN FOURTH YEAR. WE ARE
ABLE, WITH THE NEW PLAN, IN THE
FOURTH YEAR TO DO IT WITH ONLY
THREE HOPE FACTORIES. THIS IS
HOW THE MONEY SHAKES OUT,
OKAY, SEATTLE CONSERVATION
CORP. WILL PROVIDE THE HOMELESS
AND FORMALLY HOMELESS PEOPLE
AND PAY THEIR WAGES . THAT IS
MONEY THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THE
PARKS DEPARTMENT. ALL OF THE
$6.4 MILLION SUDDENLY GOES
AWAY. I ONLY HAVE EIGHT
SECONDS LEFT. BOTTOM LINE, WE
WILL SAVE THE CITY OVER $28
MILLION WITH THIS PLAN AND GET
EVERY SINGLE HOMELESS PERSON
OFF THE GROUND. I WILL SEND
YOU THE DETAILS.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS BRIANA
ROSE-KING.
>> I TEACH BIOCHEMISTRY AT
UW-SEATTLE. I DO ESSENTIAL
WORK . I AM TELLING YOU THIS SO
YOU WILL HEAR ME , LET ME TELL
YOU ONE MORE THING SO MAYBE YOU
WILL FEEL ME, MY FATHER DIED IN
POLICE CUSTODY. AS A SURPRISE
TO KNOW WHAT THERE WERE NO
CRIMINAL CHARGES BROUGHT FOR
HIS DEATH. I DID GET A
SUPERPOWER AND THAT IS TO FEEL
EVERY DEATH AT THE HANDS OF
THE STATE AS STRONGLY AS I FEEL
THE DEATH OF MY FATHER. THERE
IS SO MUCH DEATH,
RECORD-SETTING DEATH OUTSIDE
IN KING COUNTY AND
RECORD-SETTING DEATH INSIDE
KING COUNTY JAIL. WHEN I LOOK
AT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR NEXT
YEAR, IT PRIORITIZES THE POLICE
AND THE BUSINESS OVER HUMAN
LIVES. TO THIS COMMITTEE,
REJECT A SPECIFIC $55 MILLION
THAT THE MAYOR HAS EARMARKED TO
KILL US , REJECT THE $38
MILLION EARMARK FOR VIOLENTLY
DISPLACING OUR NEIGHBORS WERE
SWEEPING THEM AS IT IS CALLED
TO STOP THE SWEEPS, THEY
KILLED. REJECT THE $70
MILLION SLUSH FUND FOR THE
SEATTLE POLICE GOES PROPS AND
FASCIST TECHNOLOGY, THE BEST
FROM POLICE, COPS KILL. USE
THE MONEY TO SUPPORT HOUSING
AND SUPPORT VICTIMS OF POLICE
VIOLENCE, AND FUND
COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS.
THANK YOU.
>> WE ARE NOW -- EXCUSE ME ,
JOHN WILL BE OUR LAST IN-PERSON
SPEAKER.
>> THANK YOU MY NAME IS JOHN .
I WORK FOR DESC AND AN
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER FOR
SEIU 1199. I WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU FOR THE COUNCIL FOR
HEARING EVERYBODY SPEAK,
ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE
CONTINUED THEIR COMMITMENT TO
THE WORK THAT ALL THESE
ORGANIZATIONS DO AND CONTINUING
TO CHAMPION OUR CAUSES . I ALSO
REALLY WANT TO THANK ALL THE
PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME HERE AND
SPOKEN BEFORE ME, ESPECIALLY
THOSE WHO WORK FOR SERVICE
SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS . IT IS
HARD FOR US TO TAKE THE TIME TO
BE HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF ALL
THE HARD WORK WE ARE DOING, AND
THE CHALLENGES WE ARE
EXPERIENCING WITH THE
WORKFORCE. RIGHT NOW, THE
WAGES ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH
WHAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO
EMPLOY PEOPLE AND IT IS A BIG
STRUGGLE . WHEN WE COME TO YOU
TALKING ABOUT BUDGETS, WHERE WE
PUT OUR MONEY REALLY STATES
WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE . WE
SIDE WITH THE MAYOR'S BUDGET ,
THOSE PRIORITIES WERE NOT WITH
THE CITY AND TAKING CARE OF
THOSE THAT ARE THE MOST
VULNERABLE. I THINK , WHEN WE
LOOK AT PRIORITIES THIS YEAR ,
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
FINDING ALL THE VITAL PROGRAMS.
A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN
ABOUT VITAL PROGRAMS WE NEED
TO CONTINUE. BUT WE NEED THE
WORKFORCE TO BE THERE TO DO
THOSE JOBS . TO SEE THESE
VISIONS THROUGH. IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO
FUND THESE.
>> WE ARE TRANSITIONING INTO
THE REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT TIME
.
>> GOOD MORNING ,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I AM SPEAKING
ON BEHALF OF THE COALITION -- I
AM SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF
AMENDMENT WHICH ADDS $1.5
BILLION FOR MAC SURVIVOR
DRIVEN ADVOCACY SERVICES. I
HAVE WORKED AS AN ADVOCATE FOR
SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
FOR 18 YEARS. I KNOW THAT
SURVIVOR DRIVEN ADVOCACY WORKS
. IT IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED
PRACTICE THAT RESULTS IN
INCREASED HOUSING STABILITY
AND SELF-EFFICACY FOR
SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN.
WE MEET SURVIVORS WHERE THEY
ARE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, SAFETY
PLANNING , AND NAVIGATE SO MANY
COMPLEX SYSTEMS AND SO MUCH
MORE. PROGRAMS ARE
UNDERSTAFFED AND UNDER
RESOURCED . LOCAL PROGRAMS ARE
REPORTING THAT CALLS FOR
SERVICES ARE UP TWO TIMES,
THREE TIMES THE BEGINNING OF
THIS YEAR. SURVIVORS DESERVE
TO BE MET WITH WELL RESOURCED
ADVOCATES THAT THEY CAN CALL
UPON WHEN THEY NEED SUPPORT.
WE NEED MEANINGFUL INVESTMENT
FOR SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS AND
URGE YOU TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT
AND SUPPORT THE FULL INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT FOR HUMAN SERVICE
WORKERS AND THANK ALL THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WHO HAVE THEIR
SUPPORT IN THAT EFFORT. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
>> WE WILL HEAR FROM LATANIA.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM A BLACK
NON-BINARY MENTOR WE SHOULD
STOP FUNDING FROM TRAUMATIZING
UN-HOUSED NEIGHBORS, WE MUST
STOP THESE DEATHS OF THESE
PEOPLE AND NOT EXACERBATE THEM.
I CALL FOR A BUDGET TO LIVE ,
THESE ARE COSTLY, ROTATING
DOORS THAT WASTE TAXPAYER
DOLLARS AND MAKE EVERYONE IN
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD LESS SAFE
BECAUSE THEY WORSEN THE
CONDITIONS THAT LEAD TO
ISOLATION, HARM, AND VIOLENCE .
THE SWEEPS OF HOMELESS AND
TENANTS , IT IS A SHAME THE
BUDGET MAKE SUCH HUGE CUTS TO
HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS AND A
BUDGET IN WHICH POLICE OFFICERS
ARE BEING OFFERED RETENTION
PACKAGES , THIS LEGISLATION IS
A SLAP IN THE FACE . IF WE ARE
SERIOUS ABOUT ENDING
HOMELESSNESS, WE NEED TO PAY
THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS MORE AND
NOT LESS. THAT IS WHY I
SUPPORT THE PAY INCREASES AND
RETENTION BONUSES FOR HUMAN
SERVICES PROVIDER. WITH THE
BUDGET SHORTFALL AND IN
DESPERATE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND BASIC SERVICES, THE
FUNDING FOR THOSE POSITIONS
THAT SPD HAS NO INTENTION OF
HIRING, NOT JUST GOVERNMENT
WASTE , A REFUSAL TO ADDRESS
THE SAFETY NEEDS OF SEATTLE
RESIDENTS. I SUPPORT SOLIDARITY
BUDGET AND CUT ALL 120
POSITIONS UNDER THE $70 MILLION
TO REPRESENT OUT OF SPD. THESE
CIVILIAN FUNCTIONS , PARKING
ENFORCEMENT TO ALLOW THEM
GREATER COLLABORATION TO OUR
STREETS SAFE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TERESA.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS TERESA ,
I AM THE HOMELESSNESS
PREVENTION MANAGER AT SOLID
GROUND IN DISTRICT 4. I AM
CALLING TO ASK FOR FULL
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT TO HUMAN
SERVICE WAGES. I HAVE WORKED IN
HUMAN SERVICES IN KING COUNTY
FOR 15 YEARS, AND I URGED THE
COUNCIL TO INVEST IN THE CITY
ESSENTIAL HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS
BY KEEPING WAGES UP WITH THE
LEVEL OF INFLATION THAT IS
ACTUALLY IMPACTING STAFF AND
COMMUNITY. I LIVE IN SNOHOMISH
COUNTY BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD
TO LIVE IN KING COUNTY. I HAVE
EMPLOYEES I SUPERVISED WHO
LIVES IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY,
PIERCE COUNTY, BECAUSE THEY
CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN KING
COUNTY WHERE THEY WORK . I
STRUGGLED TO PAY MY RENT, CHILD
CARE, OTHER NECESSARY EXPENSES
EACH MONTH AND THIS YEAR MY
RENT INCREASED OVER 20% WHILE
MY PAY ONLY WENT UP 3%.
SIMILARLY , I HAVE AN EMPLOYEE
WHOSE RENT INCREASED BY OVER
$500 PER MONTH. THIS DOES NOT
WORK FOR HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS
. WE ARE DOING SOME OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT WORK IN OUR
COMMUNITY. PEOPLE WORKING TO
PREVENT AND STOP HOMELESSNESS
SHOULD NOT BE AT RISK OF
BECOMING HOMELESS OURSELVES.
KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION IS
THE BARE MINIMUM TO BE ABLE TO
SUSTAIN SERVICES AND STABILIZE
THE WORKFORCE . I URGED THE
COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE BUDGET
AMENDMENT THAT PROVIDES A FULL
7.6% INFLATION ADJUSTMENT FOR
HUMAN SERVICES. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS STEVE.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM SPEAKING
-- WE WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD,
PEARSON, NELSON, AND NEWEST
FOR SPONSORS OF THIS BUDGET
AMENDMENT . THERE IS A STRONG
NEED OF INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT
AND COORDINATION AND
ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN DEALING
WITH SUSTAINING THE SEATTLE
URBAN FOREST . SEATTLE IS
DOING URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT
PLANS, THERE IS NO ONE
CURRENTLY OVERSEEING AND
COORDINATING THESE EFFORTS IN
THE NON-CITY DEPARTMENTS THAT
CURRENTLY DEAL WITH TREES.
THIS POSITION WOULD ESTABLISH
CITYWIDE DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC
STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT ROBUST
URBAN FORESTS IN SEATTLE ,
PROVIDING ONGOING ASSESSMENT OF
THE EFFICACY POLICIES AND
PROGRAMS . THE MAYOR AND
COUNCIL HAVE THIS OVERSIGHT IN
CREATING -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
TO OVERSEE URBAN FORESTRY
CITYWIDE . THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS
MORRIS.
>> I AM A CLIMATE ACTIVIST
FROM THE FOURTH COUNCIL
DISTRICT. I FULLY EXPECT THE
CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY
GOVERNMENT TO REMAIN COMMITTED
TO REACHING OUR 2030 CLIMATE
GOAL. THE FINAL BUDGET MUST
KEEP FUNDING FOR THEIR
INTENDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AND CLIMATE INVESTMENT . CITIES
GENERATE 70% OF ALL GREENHOUSE
GAS , THE BUDGET MUST MAKE SURE
THAT THE SUSTAINABILITY IS
FULLY STAFFED TO AGGRESSIVELY
PROVIDE FOR FEDERAL AND STATE
MONEY FROM THE INFLATION
REDUCTION ACT . THIS SHOULD BE
DONE WITHIN TASK FORCE TO
MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY IS
ACTING ON ALL LEVELS TO MEET
THE 2030 CLIMATE GOAL. THIS
TASK FORCE COULD MEET WEEKLY ,
MAKE APPROPRIATE APPLICATIONS,
AND ALSO MAKE PROGRESS PUBLIC.
THESE EFFORTS MUST BE FULLY
FUNDED AND STAFFED. PLEASE
ALSO FIND AN ACTUAL CLIMATE
ACTION PLAN, THE CLIMATE
ACTION PLAN IS LONG OVERDUE FOR
AN UPDATE . THE GREEN NEW DEAL
OVERSIGHT BOARD NEED AN UPDATED
PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT SEATTLE
WILL BE JUST 2030 CLIMATE GOAL
. THE ONE SEATTLE PLANT IS NOT
AN APPROPRIATE MECHANISM TO
MEET OUR 2030 CLIMATE GOAL. IT
IS A VISION DOCUMENT AND NOT AN
ACTION PLAN, AND NOT DO UNTIL
2024. CITIES MAKE 70% OF ALL
POLLUTION --
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JENELLE
STARK.
>> HELLO, COUNCILMEMBERS. I
LIVE AND WORK IN DISTRICT 4 I
AM A LEGAL ASSISTANT ON SOLID
GROUNDS LEGAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM AND CALLING FOR FULL
7.6% INFLATION ADJUSTMENT FOR
HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS. EVERY
TIME I GO TO THE GROCERY STORE,
I SEE HIGHER PRICES. IN THE
LAST YEAR , I HAVE WORKED
SEVERAL SIDE JOBS BEFORE AND
AFTER WORK TO KEEP UP WITH THE
RISING COST OF LIVING. I AM A
GRADUATE SCHOOL STUDENT , WHICH
IS NOT EASY TO ACCOMPLISH . I
FREQUENTLY RECEIVE EMAILS FROM
LINKEDIN AND INDEED TO WHICH
PRIVATE SECTOR LAW FIRMS ASKED
ME TO APPLY , WHICH USUALLY PAY
CONSIDERABLY MORE FOR THE SAME
POSITION I HAVE NOW. I STAY
WITH SOLID GROUND BECAUSE IT IS
IMPORTANT THAT THE WORK I DO
AND IF IT'S MY COMMUNITY. A
SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEM THAT
RELIES ON HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS
MAKING THE SACRIFICE DOES
NEITHER JUSTIFY ANYTHING OR IS
NOT SUSTAINABLE. KEEPING UP
WITH INFLATION IS THE BARE
MINIMAL TO SUSTAIN SERVICES
AND STABILIZE THE WORKFORCE. I
URGED THE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT
THE BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT
PROVIDES THE FULL INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT FOR HUMAN SERVICES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
TO THIS ISSUE.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS PENNY
O'GRADY.
>> I AM PENNY FROM DISTRICT 6
HERE FOR THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET.
I AM SURE YOU CAN FEEL WITH ME
WHEN I SAY I AM APPALLED BY
SYSTEMIC RACISM . AS A WHITE
PERSON , I AM DOING WHAT I CAN
TO CHANGE THAT. WHAT GETS
PRIORITIZED AND FUNDED COULD
CHANGE THE SYSTEM OR UPHOLD IT.
POLICING UPHOLDS SYSTEMIC
RACISM AND THE ECONOMIC CLASS
HIERARCHY. I BELIEVE CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS WERE HORRIFIED
BY THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD
AND THE VICIOUS RESPONSE TO
PROTESTERS BY SEATTLE POLICE .
AS WE COME TOGETHER TODAY,
THERE ARE STARK CHOICES TO
MAKE AND THIS IS YOUR CHANCE ,
DO YOU STAND FOR UNRAVELING
RACIST POLICIES AND POLICING?
AGAINST FUNDING TREND AND TO
-- SPD, OR SOCIAL SERVICE
WORKERS RECEIVING EQUITABLE PAY
AGAINST FURTHER TRAUMA . FOR
THE PROMISED USE OF JUMPSTART
FUNDS FOR SOLUTION INVESTMENT
IN HOUSING , SMALL BUSINESSES
AND THE GREEN NEW DEAL. AGAINST
INCREASING SURVEILLANCE OF
BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES ,
SUCH AS SHOTS WATER. THIS IS
YOUR CHANCE , PLEASE STAND UP.
>> GOOD MORNING. I REPRESENT
RECREATIONAL BOATING -- WE
SUPPORT CITY FUNDS OVER THE
NEXT TWO YEARS TO CONTINUE THE
SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN FOR A SAFE
ENVIRONMENT ON LAKE UNION IN
THE HEART OF SEATTLE. ON ANY
ONE DAY IN THE SUMMER, SO MANY
PEOPLE ARE ON THE LAKE , BOATS,
AND SEA PLANES OPERATED BY
MULTIPLE COMPANIES. MANY ARE
FOR LOCALS WHO VISIT THE LAKE
OCCASIONALLY. THE SAFETY AND
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN BEGAN LAST
JUNE WITH INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS
, DIGITAL ADVERTISING , AND
SOCIAL MEDIA, AND SIGNAGE OF
MANY LAKESIDE BUSINESSES, CITY
PARKS , AND SHORELINE ACCESS
POINTS AROUND THE LAKE . THIS
OUTREACH CONNECTED WITH OVER
1.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE
SEATTLE AND TACOMA AREA,
EXTENDING UP TO BELLINGHAM.
WITHIN 10 WEEKS , THIS TEMPLATE
WAS IN PLACE IN KENMORE ,
PILOTS REPORTED VISUALLY
SEEING PEOPLE MOVE AWAY , A BIG
CHANGE COMPARED TO BEHAVIOR IN
THE LAST THREE YEARS. WITH
THIS , WE WANT YOU TO SUPPORT
THIS AMENDMENT BROUGHT FORWARD
BY COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS THE
REVEREND YING. YOU MAY BE ON
MUTE. IF YOU COULD PRESS STAR
6. WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
SPEAKER AND COME BACK TO THE
REVEREND. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS
HECTOR HERRERA.
>> THE ELEVATOR IS TOTALLY OUT.
>> WE WILL GET SOMEONE TO HELP
WITH THE ELEVATOR I APOLOGIZE
. IF YOU WANT MALIGN, WE ARE
STILL WAITING FOR HECTOR. GOOD
MORNING, HECTOR.
>> I AM A SUPERVISOR AT THE
REACH LEAD PROGRAM. MAINTAIN
FUNDING LEVELS FOR LEAD AND
CO-LEAD. A LEAD CLIENT IS WELL
KNOWN BY POLICE OFFICERS AS A
VULNERABLE, ELDERLY BLACK MAN
WITH COGNITIVE DISORDERS.
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL COURT. WE
HAVE BEEN OUT REACHING THE
CITY FOR OVER FOUR YEARS,
WORKING AT BUILDING
RELATIONSHIPS. WORKING ON THE
GOAL HE PRIORITIZES. HE HAS
BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SEATTLE
POLICE AT A LIAISON HELPING
WITH RELEASES, ATTENDING COURT
HEARINGS, AND MAKING SURE HE
IS NOT CYCLED THROUGHOUT THE
SYSTEM. HE IS ARRESTED FOR
LOW-LEVEL THEFTS. OFTEN HE
DOESN'T FIRE FOR WARMTH. HE
WAS ARRESTED AND HE GOT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WHILE IN
JAIL WE WORK WITH A PROGRESS
ISRAEL -- HE IS WORKING
TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH CARE.
HE IS ONE OF THE SUCCESS
STORIES. IT IS ONE OF THE
EXAMPLES OF THE WORK WE HAVE
PUT IN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE
MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE ON THE
STREETS ARE NOT SUSPECTED TO
TRAUMA.
>> THE LAST PERSON TO SPEAK IS
THE YING.REVEREND
>> IN SOLIDARITY WITH SO MANY,
I URGE YOU TO REJECT AUSTERITY
BUDGET AND REJECT THE SHOT
SPOTTER TECHNOLOGY THAT HURTS
WORKING PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY
, SUPPORT AND VOTE YES TO THE
RESOLUTION FOR THE PEOPLE'S
BUDGET SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT . THE CITY
WILL HAVE THE REVENUE BY
INCREASING THE AMAZON AND THE
BIG BUSINESS TAX BY $140
MILLION . WITH BILLIONAIRES IN
SEATTLE, OUR CITY CAN AFFORD
TO TAX THE RICH AND TAKE CARE
OF WORKING PEOPLE AT OUR MOST
VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES .
SUPPORT THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET ,
OUR SOLIDARITY BUDGET, AND
FUNDED THE GREEN NEW DEAL
PROGRAMS. A $455,000 FOR
BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
SPONSORED BY MORALES, LEWIS,
SAWANT , PLEASE, NO MORE
PLACING THE BURDEN ON OUR
WORKING AND MOST VULNERABLE
PEOPLE . NO COST TO THE
SERVICES FOR OUR WORKING PEOPLE
, BIPOC, AND LGBTQ PLUS ,
NEIGHBORS WITH DISABILITY,
THOSE WHO ARE MADE HOMELESS AND
POOR, UNIONS, HUMAN SERVICE
WORKERS, AND ALL OF US WORKING
FOR RACIAL, CLIMATE JUSTICE .
THE MONEY IS THERE IF YOU AND I
WILL LEAD . LET'S INCREASE THE
AMAZON AND BIG BUSINESS TAX ,
OUR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND
NEIGHBORS DESERVE AND REQUIRED
EQUITY . PEACE BE WITH YOU.
>> OUR NEXT IN PERSON SPEAKER
IS PAUL WILLIAMS. IS THERE A
PAUL WILLIAMS? NEXT, ANDREA
CARNS.
>> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU.
I WORKED AT PLYMOUTH HOUSING.
I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF
250 STAFF , THAT NUMBER SHOULD
BE HIGHER. THAT IS THE POINT .
THE CITY IS PURSUING ABOUT
2000 UNITS OF SHELTER AND
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
THIS YEAR. I WANT TO ASK YOU ,
WHO WILL WORK THERE? HOW DO WE
OPEN THOSE DOORS? IN HOMELESS
SERVICES, WE PROVIDE 24 HOUR ,
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK , SERVICES TO
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LIVING ON
THE STREETS, WHO MOVE INTO
HOUSING. THEY NEED OUR STAFF TO
WORK SHIFTS TO PROVIDE
SERVICES. AFTER THE END OF AN
EIGHT HOUR SHIFT, MANY OF OUR
STAFF ARE ASKED TO STAY. WHY ?
BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE TO
RELIEVE THEM BECAUSE WE DO NOT
HAVE ENOUGH STAFF. THE WAGES
AND THE CONTRACTS WE RECEIVED
FROM THE CITY FOR ALL OF OUR
NONPROFITS DO NOT SUSTAIN OUR
WORKERS AND WE CANNOT ATTRACT
NEW STAFF. IF WE OPEN A NEW
BUILDING , WE NEED NEW
EMPLOYEES , THERE IS NOBODY TO
TAKE THOSE JOBS . WE HAVE TO
ATTRACT PEOPLE INTO THIS WORK.
I WILL WORK IS RELATIONAL ,
TURNOVER MEANS THAT DELIVERY
SERVICES IS GREATLY IMPACTED
EVERY TIME A STAFF MEMBER
LEAVES , WE LOSE RELATIONSHIPS
. OUR RESIDENTS HAVE
EXPERIENCED A LOT OF LOSS OF
RELATIONSHIPS. LET'S NOT ADD TO
THAT TRAUMA. WE ARE GRATEFUL
FOR COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA AND
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD , AND
COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS, THERE
AMENDMENT TO ADJUST THE
CONTRACT TO 7.6% AND WE ASK
YOU --
>> WE HAVE OUR NEXT SPEAKER ,
KIMBERLY HARRELL.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK
YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK
WITH YOU ALL TODAY. MY NAME IS
KIMBERLY AND I AM HERE TO
ADDRESS THE NEED TO MAINTAIN
2022 FUNDING LEVELS FOR LEAD
AND CO-LEAD , ALONG WITH A
MUCH-NEEDED COST OF LIVING
INCREASE FOR THOSE WHO WORK IN
COMMUNITY SAFETY , PUBLIC
SAFETY , HUMAN SAFETY , AND THE
SAFETY FOR THE COMMUNITY ON THE
STREETS. LEAD AND MANY OF THE
COWORKERS THAT I WORK WITH
HAVE MANY THINGS TO DO TO HELP
PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE STREET
. WE TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITIES
THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED BY
OTHERS. WE ARE MEDIATORS FOR
BUSINESS OWNERS THAT COME
ACROSS SOME OF THE CLIENTS THAT
SLEEP IN THEIR DOORWAYS. WE
ARE COUNSELORS . WE ARE NURSES
THAT HAVE COMPLETED WOUND CARE
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT TRUST THE
MEDICAL SYSTEM . I SPENT HOURS
AND SOMETIMES DAYS ENCOURAGING
CLIENTS TO SEEK MEDICAL
ATTENTION . I AM A 911
DISPATCHER AFTER HOURS BECAUSE
A CLIENT HAS BEEN ASSAULTED,
THROWN OUT OF THE CAR, AND
RAPED, AND THEY DON'T TRUST
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LESS THEIR
CARE PROVIDER IS THERE TO
SUPPORT THEM AND MAKE SURE THEY
ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND
RESPECT AND NOT JUDGED BECAUSE
THEY ARE SEX WORKERS. WE ARE
NEVER GOING TO STOP
HOMELESSNESS TODAY, BUT WE HAVE
THE POTENTIAL -- WITH THE
APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR LEAD
AND CO-LEAD PROGRAM AND THE
MENTOR COST-OF-LIVING. THANK
YOU.
>> CHERISH?
>> I AM HERE TO SPEAK OF -- I
COFOUNDED SEATTLE JAZZ ED WITH
LORI, AND THE LEGENDARY MUSIC
INSTRUCTOR, CLARENCE, WE SAW
HIGH-LEVEL MUSIC INSTRUCTION
WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS . OUR
VISION WAS TO CREATE A MUSICAL
HOME FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE
CITY WERE ALL WOULD BE WELCOMED
AND SUPPORTED, VALUED ,
REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE
OR THEIR ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES
. WE STARTED IN A BASEMENT IN
COLUMBIA CITY AND DREAMED OF A
HOME OF OUR OWN ONE DAY. NOW,
WITH YOUR HELP, THAT DREAM IS
WITHIN REACH . A MULTIPURPOSE
BUILDING COMBINING MUSIC
EDUCATION AND 100 UNITS OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SOUTH
SEATTLE , WHICH IS NOW
BLOSSOMING AND NEEDS CONTINUED
INVESTMENT TO MAKE SURE IT
REMAINS AFFORDABLE FOR
LONG-TERM RESIDENTS . SEATTLE
IS REINVENTING ITSELF AND THIS
PROJECT IS AN ESSENTIAL PIECE
OF THE CITY WE ALL ASPIRE TO BE
IN. A COMPELLING MODEL FOR
OTHER CITIES . I URGE YOU TO
FULLY SUPPORT THE $1.5 MILLION
ALLOCATED IN THE BUDGET TO
THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT. THANK
YOU FOR THE TIRELESS WORK YOU
DO AND YOUR EFFORTS TO MAKE THE
CITY SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL
BE PROUD OF.
>> KATHRYN ROBINSON.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL . I
AM DISTRICT 3 RESIDENCE , AND
I WANT TO SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR
SEATTLE JAZZ ED. KIDS LEARN
HOW TO MAKE MUSIC WITHOUT COST
BEING A BARRIER TO ENTRY. AS A
FORMER JAZZ PARENT AND CURRENT
BOARD MEMBER, I CAN SAY THAT
THIS MUSIC TEACHES SKILLS THAT
GO WAY BEYOND MUSIC.
COLLABORATION , DISCIPLINE ,
FEARLESSNESS . SOON THE NEW
BUILDING WILL EXTEND BENEFITS
ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY. JAZZ
HOUSE WILL BE A DESTINATION
ARTS HUB FOR YOUTH COMMUNITY,
ENERGIZING THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY
COLLABORATING WITH THE MANY
SCHOOLS AND NONPROFITS ALREADY
THERE. BEST OF ALL, PARTNERING
WITH COMMUNITY ROOTS HOUSING
WILL MAKE FIVE FLOORS OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AVAILABLE TO
PEOPLE WHO CANNOT CURRENTLY
AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE CITY. WE
KNOW THAT THIS PARTNERSHIP IS
ON THE RADAR OF OTHER
COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION
AS A WIN-WIN PROTOTYPE FOR
THEM . PLEASE FUND THIS
GENEROUS ORGANIZATION I CANNOT
IMAGINE A BIGGER BANG FOR THE
CITY'S BUCK. THANK YOU,
COUNCIL.
>> ARLENE.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM A
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 7 THEY
JUST MENTION THE HISTORY OF THE
JAZZ HOUSE. I WANT TO TIE IN
ALL THE COMMENTS WE RECEIVED
FROM THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE
HEARD A LOT OF THOSE COMMENTS
SUPPORTING OUR UN-HOUSED AND
OUR ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN
MAINTAINING COST-OF-LIVING AND
LIVABLE WAGES FOR OUR RESIDENTS
. OUR PROJECT JAZZ HOUSE IS A
PART OF THE SOLUTION TO THE
HOUSING PROBLEM . WE ARE
PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY ROOTS
HOUSING TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING ON TOP OF OUR JAZZ
HOUSE. NOT ONLY WILL WE BE
ABLE TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING TO OUR RESIDENTS , OUR
PROJECT WILL ALSO CREATE JOBS .
AND LIVABLE WAGES . I URGE YOU
AND RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO
FUND OUR $1.5 MILLION REQUEST
FOR OUR JAZZ HOUSE . I YIELD
THE REST OF MY TIME.
>> GOOD MORNING . THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBERS . I AM A LaTINA
BORN IN MEXICO. I HAVE TWO
CHILDREN. I HAVE KNOWN JAZZ ED
SINCE IT WAS BORN AND MY KIDS
WERE IN THERE UNTIL THEY
GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL. MY
DAUGHTER, 27 NOW, GRADUATED
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON. IN 2018. MY SON
WILL GRADUATE FROM WHITMAN
COLLEGE IN DECEMBER OF 2022.
HE IS 23 YEARS OLD. SEATTLE
JAZZ ED GAVE THEM THE TOOLS TO
BE BETTER STUDENTS AND ACHIEVE
HIGHER EDUCATION. WE ARE
EXCITED TO SEE JAZZ ED. I
HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR
SEVEN YEARS. OH, BOY, I
CANNOT TELL YOU HOW WONDERFUL
ALL THESE YEARS HAVE BEEN FOR
ME AS A MOTHER. THANKS TO THIS
ORGANIZATION , I HAVE MET
WONDERFUL PEOPLE, THE
COMMUNITY IS VERY STRONG . I AM
SO EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW
BUILDING. I ASK YOU TO PLEASE
CONSIDER FUNDING THE $1.5
MILLION .
>> DAVID?
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
DAVID , A WORKING JAZZ MUSICIAN
AND EDUCATOR OF JAZZ MUSIC FOR
OVER 20 YEARS , CURRENTLY ON
STAFF WITH THE SEATTLE JAZZ
AND ORGANIZATION FOR THE PAST
SIX YEARS. I BELIEVE THE CITY
SHOULD INVEST IN THIS FOR THE
$1.5 MILLION ALLOCATION TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF JAZZ HOUSE,
LOCATED IN SOUTH SEATTLE .
JAZZ MUSIC , JAZZ EDUCATION IS
VITAL AND MAKES A POSITIVE
IMPACT ON OUR YOUTH THAT BUILDS
LOTTERY , CHARACTER , AND
CONFIDENCE . THIS PROVIDES A
PLATFORM OF INCLUSIVITY THAT
CELEBRATES DIVERSITY AND
ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY. FOR THE
PAST 13 YEARS, SEATTLE JAZZ ED
HAS BEEN NURTURING A VIBRANT
COMMUNITY OF TALENTED YOUTH IN
OUR CITY THAT HELPS IN
DISCOVERING ONE'S OWN VOICE
AND CREATING FUTURE LEADERS.
IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE CITY
OF SEATTLE TO SUPPORT THE
DEVELOPMENT OF JAZZ HOUSE ,
PROVIDING A HOME OF JAZZ
EDUCATION OPEN TO EVERY AND
ALL STUDENTS OF OUR BELOVED
CITY OF SEATTLE. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER ?
>> I AM ANNE. SPEAKING TO
OUR YOUTH , THE FUTURE OF THE
CITY. I WISH YOU COULD WITNESS
THE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WHO
HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY SEATTLE
JAZZ ED . THERE IS NOTHING
LIKE WALKING THE ROOMS FILLED
WITH STUDENTS HOLDING
INSTRUMENTS IN THEIR HANDS FOR
THE VERY FIRST TIME , OR
WATCHING THE COUNTRY'S FIRST
ALL GIRL JAZZ BAND REHEARSAL.
WHAT KIDS LEARN AT JAZZ ED ,
PLAYING ALONGSDE STUDENTS
FROM 82 ZIP CODES IS NOT JUST
JAZZ, TEAMWORK , COLLABORATION
, AND LEARNING TO TRUST YOUR
OWN VOICE. IT IS THE LEGACY IN
THE CITY OF ERNESTINE , QUINCY
JONES , AND CLARENCE A COX.
FINALLY , HAVING THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A HOME IN
SOUTH SEATTLE, JAZZED HAS
PARTNERED WITH COMMUNITY ROOTS
HOUSING TO BUILD FIVE FLOORS OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE
ABSOLUTELY NEED THIS KIND OF
PARTNERSHIP IN SOUTH SEATTLE
TO CREATE THE KIND OF CITY WE
WANT TO SEE . WE ARE ASKING YOU
TO INVEST $1.5 MILLION IN THIS
BUILDING, A SMALL PORTION OF
OUR TOTAL PROJECT COST. IT IS
NOT EASY TO BUILD THE BUILDING
IN THESE TIMES SO PLEASE
SUPPORT THIS.
>> MARJORIE JOHNSON?
>> MY NAME IS MARJORIE JOHNSON
AND I AM HERE TO SAY THAT
I SUPPORT TINY HOUSE VILLAGES ,
AND I AM A CASE MANAGER AT TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES. I AM HERE
TODAY FOR ALL THE STAFF AT
THE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES. AND
ACROSS THE LEHIGH
ORGANIZATION. I SUPPORT THAT
WE GET A PAY RAISE, A
COST-OF-LIVING RAISE . I WANT
TO SAY THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING
FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS SINCE
1998. I DETOXED FOR ONE HOUR.
15 YEARS AGO , I STARTED AT
COMPASS HOUSING ALLIANCE. WE
WERE MAKING $10.50 PER HOUR .
IN 2007 . I WILL NOT TELL YOU
WHAT WE MAKE RIGHT NOW. IT IS
STILL PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.
EVERY DAY. IF IT WASN'T FOR
ME AND MY HUSBAND , WE BOTH
WORK , FRONTLINE WORKERS , AND
MY DAUGHTER , WE ALL LIVE IN
THE SAME HOUSEHOLD , AND THAT
IS THE ONLY REASON WHY WE MAKE
IT. OTHERWISE , WE ARE STILL
PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. PLEASE
CONSIDER A COST-OF-LIVING
RAISE FOR ALL OF US. AND ALL
FRONTLINE WORKERS . WE ALL
DESERVE IT.
>> THE LAST IN-PERSON SPEAKER
FOR THIS GROUP IS KIP
ANDERSON. THE NEXT ONE THEN
IS MEGAN MURPHY.
>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME
SPEAK. THE BILLIONAIRE CLASS
ABUSES THEIR WEALTH AND POWER ,
NOT CARING ABOUT THE WORKING
PEOPLE ENOUGH, OR THE HORRID
POLICE FORCE. BECAUSE OF THE
BILLIONAIRE CLASS, I LOST
CUSTODY OF MY SON BECAUSE I WAS
UNJUSTLY BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE
NOT SAT DOWN AT A TABLE AND
ASKED ME IF IT IS OKAY. AT
THIS POINT, I DON'T KNOW IF I
WOULD WANT TO MEET AT A TABLE
WITH PEOPLE LIKE THAT WILL BE
FORCED TO BE FOLLOWED AND
STALKED AND HARASSED BY THEM. I
TRIED TO REPORTED TO THE POLICE
12 YEARS AGO AND I LOST
CUSTODY OF MY SON. BECAUSE I
WAS NOT BELIEVED . NOW, A LOT
OF PEOPLE DO BELIEVE ME.
SEATTLE'S EIGHT BILLIONAIRES
HAVE A COMBINED NET WORTH OF
$256 BILLION , THEY NEED TO BE
HELD ACCOUNTABLE IN HELPING THE
WORKING CLASS PEOPLE . I
ENDORSED THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET OF
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT . THE
BURDEN OF CAPITALISM IN
UPCOMING INFLATION IS GOING TO
BE REALLY DAMAGING . THERE
NEEDS TO BE AN AMAZON TAX OF
THE TOP 800 COMPANIES OF $140
MILLION TO ADDRESS THIS CRISIS
. THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE TINY
HOUSES, TINY HOUSE VILLAGES ,
FREE ABORTION, HORRIBLE
SURVEILLANCE, NO MORE, AND
JUST WAGES FOR INFLATION,
LIVING WAGES. THAT IS WHY NO
TO AUSTERITY AND NOTE TO
UNWANTED STOPPING BY
BILLIONAIRES , AND BILLIONAIRES
NEED TO SIT AT THE TABLE WITH
THOSE THEY INFLICT HARM ON AND
ASKED IF IT IS OKAY TO DO THAT
BECAUSE IT IS DEFINITELY --
>> OUR NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER ?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR
AND COUNCILMEMBERS. I AM
SUPERVISOR FOR THE LEED
PROGRAM IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE. I
AM HERE TO ADDRESS THE NEED TO
MAINTAIN 2022 FUNDING LEVELS
FOR LEAD AND TOTALLY. THE CITY
IS DEALING WITH A REVENUE GAP
AND THE WORK THAT I AND MY
COWORKERS DO IS CRIPPLED TO
THE HEALTH OF OUR CITY, PUBLIC
AND COMMUNITY SAFETY , THE
NEARLY 1000 PARTICIPANTS
ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM. WE
APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS ABOUT
PRESERVING EXISTING WORK THAT
GOES TO KEY ISSUES OF HUMAN
NEEDS AND HOMELESSNESS. THESE
ARE EXISTING EFFORTS WITH
EXISTING STAFF THAT ARE
WORKING NOW AND READY TO TAKE
NEW REFERRALS UNLESS OUR
BUDGETS ARE CUT. I WILL WORK
IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO
ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY WITHOUT
INAPPROPRIATELY SENDING PEOPLE
INTO CROWDED JAILS AND COURTS
UNNECESSARILY. I WANT TO SHARE
ONE PERSONAL STORY OF THE WORK
I HAVE DONE WITHIN THE L.E.A.D.
PROGRAM . I SUPPORTED A
34-YEAR-OLD TRINITY FEMALE WHO
WAS PREGNANT, HOMELESS , WITH
SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER AND
MENTAL HEALTH BARRIERS . THIS
PERSON WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN
THE COURT SYSTEM WITH NO
NATURAL SUPPORT OR SUPPORT
SYSTEMS TO FALL BACK ON YOU
HAVE HEARD ABOUT RESILIENCY AND
HARD WORK AND THE RESOURCES
AND SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
L.E.A.D., SHE TURNED HER LIFE
AROUND AND CURRENTLY IS IN
STABLE HOUSING, TAKING CARE OF
HER BABY GIRL AND LIVING A
HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY STORIES
OF LIFE-CHANGING OUTCOMES MADE
POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT
WE RECEIVED.
>> WE WILL CIRCLE BACK TO
GARRET. IF YOU ARE PRESENT,
PLEASE PRESS STAR 6. OKAY.
WE ARE NOT SEEING YOU. WE WILL
GO BACK TO THE LIST. THE NEXT
SPEAKER IS DENA.
>> HELLO . I AM SPEAKING ON
BEHALF OF P4, THE LOCAL GROUP
ADVOCATING FOR PROGRESSIVE
VALUES AND DEMOCRACY . WE
OUTLINED OUR CONCERNS ABOUT
PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING . OUR
FIRST ISSUE IS THE THIRD PATH
TO PUBLIC SAFETY . THE MAYOR'S
PROPOSED $800,000 TO THE
COUNCIL'S $1.2 MILLION
ALLOCATED FOR ALTERNATIVE
PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSE.
ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR
ACCELERATED APPROACH WILL
HELP THE CITY AND REACHING HIS
GOALS OF BUILDING EQUITABLE AND
TRUST ENHANCING POLICING , AND
BETTER SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS
EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS. THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED
$2 MILLION TO BRING A PILOT
PROGRAM NEAR WHERE A
SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE ACROSS
STAKEHOLDERS WITH REGARD TO
THE EFFECTIVENESS AND IMPACT
OF GUNSHOT DETECTED TECHNOLOGY.
WE REQUEST THIS PROGRAM NOT
BE FUNDED AS IT HAS DATA FROM
CITIES THAT HAVE PAUSED OR
SUSPENDED THIS DETECTION
TECHNOLOGY. THE COMMUNITIES
MOST PROTECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE
WILL HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD.
FINALLY , CUTTING HUMAN SERVICE
WORKERS PAY, NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN UNABLE
TO FILL EXISTING HUMAN SERVICES
POSITIONS BECAUSE OF LOW WAGES
, THE CITY MUST FOLLOW THROUGH
ON THE 7.6% COST-OF-LIVING
ADJUSTMENT. THANK YOU.
>> JASON?
>> MY NAME IS JASON. I AM
FROM DISTRICT 4. THANK YOU FOR
HOLDING THIS HEARING AND GIVING
US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. WE
ALL KNOW -- I HOPE THAT EACH
AND EVERY COUNCILMEMBER AND
STAFF MEMBER KEEPS THIS IN
MIND IN DECIDING WHICH BUDGET
ITEMS AMENDMENTS , IN
PARTICULAR, I WOULD SUSPECT
THAT EACH COUNCILMEMBER WOULD
AGREE THAT THEY VALUE TREATING
THE VICTIMS OF POLICE
VIOLENCE FAIRLY , MAKING SURE
THAT THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF
PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY
POLICE VIOLENCE ARE SUPPORTED.
THAT THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF
IN WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST
STRESSFUL AND TERRIFYING
PREDICAMENTS YOU CAN BE PLACED
IN. I HOPE THAT, IF YOU SHARE
THAT VALUE, YOU WILL FUND A
WAY TO SHARE SOME SUPPORT
TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE
IMPACTED BY ACTIONS THAT THE
POLICE TAKE IN THE NAME OF THE
STATE , WHICH IS IN THE NAME OF
ALL OF US. WE HAVE AN
OBLIGATION TO TAKE CARE OF
THEM. THANK YOU.
>> EBONY ? WE CANNOT HEAR YOU
SPEAKING. YOU MAY BE MUTED.
>> THERE WE GO . SORRY ABOUT
THAT. GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM THE
HOUSING CASE MANAGER WITH
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES
HOME PROGRAM. WE HAVE ADULT
WOMEN , WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW
SHELTERS ORIGINALLY FUNDED WITH
FEDERAL RELIEF DOLLARS . THAT
IS NOW IN JEOPARDY OF LOSING
FUNDING AND CLOSING US . OUR
PROGRAM HAS MOVED OVER 45
CLIENTS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING
THIS YEAR ALONE WITH AN
ADDITIONAL NINE CLIENTS
PENDING PERMANENT HOUSING . WE
FACE A $650,000 SHORTFALL .
THESE WOMEN DESERVE THE
FUNDING PROMISED TO THEM.
THEY'RE WORKING HARD TO TURN
THE NARRATIVE AROUND FOR THE
GREATER GOOD . THESE WOMEN
HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BECAUSE OF
COVID , LOST JOBS, FAMILIES,
HOUSING , BENEFITS, THIS COULD
BE ANY ONE OF US . HELPING
THESE WOMEN AND GIVING THEM
HOPE TO TURN AROUND AND PUT
THEM BACK INTO AN UNKNOWN --
INTO THE UNKNOWN AGAIN , THAT
DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC
STARTED IN THE BEGINNING OF THE
PANDEMIC. OUR CITY COUNCIL HAS
AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE HOPE
AND EMPOWERMENT , AND MOST OF
ALL, THE FUNDING NEEDED TO
CONTINUE WORKING TOWARDS OUR
GOALS. STOPPING HOMELESSNESS IN
SEATTLE . THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
YOUR TIME AND HARD WORK AND
ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
SPEAK.
>> WE NOW MOVE ON TO NUMBER 47
OF 101 REGISTERED ON MY
SPEAKERS. STEPHANIE .
>> HELLO. GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS . I AM
STEPHANIE, PROGRAM MANAGER FOR
THE IN SHELTER WITH CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY SERVICES. THE IN
SHELTER PROVIDES EMERGENCY
HOUSING ASSISTANCE, FULL-TIME
STAFF SUPPORT, SHELTER FOR
137 OF THE MOST VULNERABLE
ADULTS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS IN KING COUNTY
SINCE OPENING TWO YEARS AGO.
EVERY SINGLE CLIENT COMES FROM
YEARS AND DECADES OF
HOMELESSNESS. LONG-TERM OR
LIFETIME CHRONIC MENTAL
ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE USE , AND
TRAUMA . WHERE WOULD THESE
VULNERABLE PEOPLE GO IF WE
WERE NOT HERE? ONE CLIENT IS
ONLY KNOWN DRUGS AND TRAUMA
FOR 31 YEARS. EVERY SINGLE DAY
OF HER LIFE UNTIL ONE MONTH AGO
WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT OUR
SHELTER. IF IT WERE NOT HERE ,
WHERE WITH THE 87 PEOPLE GO
WITHOUT HOUSING ? ANOTHER
CLIENT, HOMELESS FOR DECADES,
ARRIVED ONE YEAR AGO , JUST
PICK UP THE KEYS TO HIS NEW
PLACE ON THURSDAY AND IS
OVERJOYED AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO
LIVE THE REST OF HIS LIFE NOT
STUCK ON THE STREETS . HE PUT
DOWN THE NEEDLE AFTER DECADES
ON HIS OWN AND ONLY BECAUSE WE
WERE HERE FOR HIM AT THE RIGHT
TIME. DISASTER IN KING COUNTY
IF THIS PROGRAM CLOSE OUR
DOORS. LET'S PROVIDE THE HELP
, QUIT OUR CLIENTS ALREADY,
AFTER DECADES OF STREETS,
IMAGINE SAYING ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
BUT THERE IS NO PLACE TO GO.
WITH YOUR FUNDING, MY STAFF
WILL CONTINUE --
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MICHAEL
. WE WILL CIRCLE BACK TO YOU.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
SPEAKER. LIZ GERARD?
>> GOOD MORNING ,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I AM THE
DIRECTOR OF COMPASS HOUSING
ALLIANCE. SPEAKING UP FOR OUR
CENTRAL WORKERS. I AM HERE AT
THE SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION IN SUPPORT OF FULLY
FUNDING HUMAN SERVICES.
INCLUDING THE INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT . I WANT TO THANK
THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR
MAKING EQUITABLE WAGES A
PRIORITY. COMPASS HAS A
CENTRAL WORKERS SERVING PEOPLE
EXPRESSING HOUSING INSTABILITY
AND OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES
HELP SHELTERS. AFTER COMPASS
AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE
OURS HAVE STEPPED UP TO PROTECT
THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR
COMMUNITY AT GREAT COSTS
THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC,
PERSONALLY AND ORGANIZATIONALLY
. INCLUDING THE AFTERMATH . IT
IS UNTHINKABLE TO CONSIDER THAT
A SOCIAL WORKER WAGES MAY BE
CUT. MOST OF THE COMMUNITY
DESERVE TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY IN
THE CITY AT I HOPE YOU INVEST
AS WE INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY
. OUR WORK BENEFITS THE
COMMUNITY AND IT SHOULD BE
VALUED AS SUCH . OUR CENTRAL
WORKERS SHOULD NOT BE
EXPRESSING HOMELESSNESS AS
THEY WORK WITH OTHERS
EXPERIENCING THE SAME, BUT THAT
TOO OFTEN HAPPENS. PLEASE
COMMIT TO UPHOLDING THE 2019
ORDINANCE THAT ENSURES HUMAN
SERVICES FUNDING, KEEPS UP WITH
INFLATION SO PEOPLE DO NOT FALL
BEHIND. THANK YOU.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME ?
>> WE CAN.
>> I AM DISTRICT 2. [
INDISCERNIBLE ] I AM IN
SUPPORT OF THE SOLITARY BUDGET
WHICH FOCUSES ON HOW PEOPLE
LIVE AND THRIVE, THE MAYOR'S
BUDGET DOES NOT. SOME PEOPLE
ARE SUPPORTIVE OF SHOTSPOTTER,
BUT I AM APPALLED TO SPEND
RESOURCES . LAST WEEKEND ,
WHEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
ATTEMPTED TO ALMOST ARREST
50,000 PEOPLE AFTER LOUD
NOISES WERE REPORTED IN THE
AREA OF THE SEAHAWKS. IMAGINE
THAT BEING BLACK BOYS? I
TRULY WISH [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
SARA NELSON SAID SHE COULD NOT
GET BEHIND DEFUND THE POLICE
BUT YOU ARE WILLING TO TAKE
MONEY AWAY FROM HOMELESS
SERVICE PROVIDERS WHICH ARE
HELPING PEOPLE? THE DIFFERENT
PEOPLE FROM L.E.A.D. SPEAKING
, IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE
WHEN YOU TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM
THEM. YOU ARE OKAY WITH
SUPPORTING AND FINDING A
FAILED SYSTEM. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS JUNE.
ESTIMATED NUMBER 56. WE WILL
MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SPEAKER.
THAT IS GOING TO BE ROBIN
THOMPSON.
>> MY NAME IS ROBIN , DISTRICT
2. I AM SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF
THE PEOPLE SOLITARY BUDGET . I
URGE MY OWN DISTRICT COUNCIL
MEMBER, MORALES , AND OTHERS TO
KEEP RENTERS, WORKING PEOPLE,
AND UN-HOUSED NEIGHBORS WENT
REJECTING , COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT -- RAISING THE TAX ON
AMAZON , FREE ABORTION, AND
WORKING PEOPLE OF SEATTLE HAVE
NEEDS THAT ARE NOT BEING MET.
FUND ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIAL
PROGRAMS THAT ARE ACTUALLY
HELPING PEOPLE, PROGRAMS
FEEDING PEOPLE , TO NOT GIVE
ANY MORE MONEY TO SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT , WHICH
SUPPORTS SYSTEMIC RACISM . STOP
FUNDING HOMELESS SWEEPS. WHEN
YOU ARE NOT FUNDING HUMAN
SERVICE , THIS IS NOT
COMPASSIONATE. WHEN YOU GIVE
YOUR MONEY TO SPD, IT IS NOT
COMPASSIONATE OR EQUITABLE , SO
SUPPORT THE FUNDING WE NEED,
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BE
BUILT, MORE EMERGENCY SHELTERS,
FUND TINY HOME VILLAGES AND
FREE ABORTION . ALSO, PLEASE
PASS RENT CONTROL . WE NEEDED.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR LAST SPEAKER IN THIS
GROUP WILL BE BRIANNA.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM
ADDRESSING THE COST OF LIVING
ADJUSTMENT FOR HUMAN SERVICES
CONTRACT . I AM A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 2 AND WORK AT
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE. AND I AM A
MEMBER OF THE SEATTLE , KING
COUNTY COALITION ON
HOMELESSNESS AND THE HUMAN
SERVICES COALITION. OUR TEAM
OF A CENTRAL WORKERS HELPS
FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FUND
AND KEEP SAFE AND STABLE
HOUSING . FUNDING FOR WAGES
HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH
INFLATION AND THE WORK WE DO IS
ESSENTIAL BUT NOT SUSTAINABLE
UNLESS THEY ARE FUNDED ENOUGH
TO PAY LIVING WAGES . MY RENT
INCREASED BY 10% THIS YEAR AND
MY CREDIT CARD DEBT HAS NEARLY
DOUBLED FROM FOOD AND LIVING
EASEMENTS IS. THE IMPACT FELT
BY FRONTLINE STAFF IS MORE
PRONOUNCED . NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
IS OUT LOOKING FOR FUNDING FOR
INCREASING WAGES FOR ESSENTIAL
WORKERS. PLEASE FUND THE 7.6%
COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT OUR
STAFF NEEDS AND DESERVES. WE
HAVE A STAFFING CRISIS IN HUMAN
SERVICES AND A SHORTAGE OF
SHELTERS . 12 LOCAL AGENCIES
HAVE A LIGHT ON ONE TIME COVID
RELATED FUNDING TO OPERATE 20
ESSENTIAL SHELTER PROGRAMS
WHICH NEEDS TO CONTINUE . I AM
ASKING CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE
THE FUNDING TO KEEP THESE
ESSENTIAL SERVICES GOING. THANK
YOU.
>> THAT WAS THE LAST REMOTE
SPEAKER AND SHE WAS SPEAKER
NUMBER 57.
>> I WILL MAKE A QUICK
ANNOUNCEMENT. WE WILL COME
BACK AFTER WE GO TO THE FOLKS
IN THE ROOM, TO MICHAEL, CAROL
, IF YOU HEAR YOURSELF BEING
CALLED FOR GARRETT , PLEASE BE
PREPARED TO HIT STAR 6 TO
UN-MUTE. THANK YOU.
>> BACK TO IN-PERSON SPEAKER.
THE FIRST IS BRIAN SIMPSON.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, YOU
CAN STILL SIGN UP , WE ONLY
HAVE 10 MORE SPEAKERS ON THE
LIST .
>> I AM A SOCIAL SERVICES AND
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.
PROUD SPOUSE OF A TEACHER, IN
CASE MANAGER AT PLYMOUTH
HOUSING , PART OF A TEAM OF 250
DEDICATED WORKERS SUPPORTING
1100 FORMALLY HOMELESS TENANTS.
THINK ABOUT THAT RATIO . I WAS
12 YEARS OLD WHEN I DECIDED
THAT THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED TO
DO. AFTER ALMOST 15 YEARS IN
THE FIELD , I DO NOT KNOW IF I
CAN CONTINUE. MY PASSION HAS
NOT CHANGED BUT THE
MANUFACTURED SCARCITY AND
AUSTERITY MINDSET IS MAKING
THIS WORK HARDER BY EXPANDING
THE BRUTAL , MURDEROUS AND
INEFFECTIVE PRACTICE OF
ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS AND POLICE
ENFORCEMENT AND PUNISHMENT
MODELS WHILE THE PROMISE TO
FUND A PROGRAM THAT ACTUALLY
WORKED WITH NECESSARY
JUMPSTART FUNDS AND THE
INFLATIONARY ADJUSTMENT IS AT
IMMINENT RISK OF BEING BROKEN .
I HAVE WORKED AT PLYMOUTH FOR
2.5 YEARS, I AM THE ONLY CASE
MANAGER LEFT FROM THE OPENING
TEAM. THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT
THAT THAT HAS ON OUR CLIENTS,
MANY OF WHOM HAVE GONE THROUGH
AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT CASE
MANAGERS IN THAT TIME. MANY OF
MY COLLEAGUES RELY ON THE SAME
SERVICES AND BENEFITS WE
SUPPORT OUR CLIENTS IN SEEKING.
MANY OF US HAVE HAD TO LEAVE
THE CITY. MYSELF, I WORK MORE
THAN -- LIFE MORE THAN 20
MILES AWAY FROM MY WORKSITE .
THE SIMPLE FACT IS THAT WE
CANNOT SUPPORT OUR CLIENTS
ABILITY TO THRIVE IF OUR
ELECTED LEADERS DO NOT DO THEIR
PART IN SUPPORTING US AND THOSE
WE SERVE. I WANT YOU TO KEEP
THE PROMISE MADE AN HOLD MAYOR
HAROLD TO THE BOAT -- SUPPORT
WORKERS , STOP THE SWEEPS ,
THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH
WEALTH IN THE CITY TO DO SO.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS EILEEN
RICHARD. NEXT SPEAKER IS KYLE
LANE.
>> I WORK WITH THE HOUSING
INSTITUTE. I WAS THE ADVOCACY
MANAGER . I WANT TO THANK THE
CITY COUNCIL FOR SUPPORT OF THE
TINY HOUSE VILLAGE PROGRAM.
THEY HAVE PROVIDED A SAFE
SHELTER FOR OVER 3000 HOMELESS
PEOPLE SINCE IT STARTED IN
2015. OUR PROGRAM IS A LOW
BARRIER INJURY POINT FOUR
PEOPLE TO GET CONNECTED AND
CASE MANAGEMENT, BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDER AND MENTAL HEALTH
COUNSELING, AND ULTIMATELY
SECURE PERMANENT HOUSING. IT
IS ON THAT POINT THAT THE
PROGRAM EXCELS . WE HAVE SOME
GREAT OUTCOMES TO REPORT FROM
JANUARY THROUGH AUGUST OF THIS
YEAR, 908 PEOPLE RECEIVED
SHELTER SO FAR AND OF THOSE
VILLAGERS THAT EXITED THE
PROGRAM, 63% FOUND PERMANENT
HOUSING. THAT IS AN INCREDIBLY
HIGH PERCENTAGE FOR A SHELTER
PROGRAM. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE
SERVED ARE BLACK , INDIGENOUS,
PEOPLE OF COLOR , CRUCIAL
BECAUSE WE KNOW FROM
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES , THEY
ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE
HOME IS POPULIST WITH 60% OF
OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN
TINY HOUSES HAVE EXPERIENCED
CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS, SUPPORT
THIS BUDGET TO EXPAND TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOHN
GRANT.
>> AN OUNCE -- GOOD
AFTERNOON, I AM WITH THE LOW
INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE AND I
NEED YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION.
DO NOT GET DISTRACTED. FIRST
OF ALL, I WANT TO INTRODUCE
TINY, THE TINY HOUSE . THIS IS
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS
OF OUR PROGRAM, MAKING SURE
THAT WE CAN GET ENOUGH TINY
HOUSES TO ADDRESS CHRONIC
HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY . WE
ARE ASKING THAT YOU SUPPORT THE
BUDGET ACT THAT HAVE BEEN
PROPOSED FOR TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES AND ALSO WANT TO GIVE
CREDIT , THANKS TO THE
JUMPSTART INVESTMENTS , THE LOW
INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE COULD
PURCHASE SEVEN PROPERTIES AND
TO WORK THEM INTO PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. THE CLAY
AT BOYLSTON, THE 13th AVENUE
SOUTH, 506 , THESE BUILDINGS
OPENED UP IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS
AND WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE IN 190
TINY HOUSE VILLAGERS INTO
PERMANENT HOUSING. THAT IS
WHAT SOLUTIONS LOOK LIKE . YOU
ALL MADE A POSSIBLE EDIT
EMPHASIZES WHY WE NEED TO
PROTECT THE JUMPSTART SPEND
PLAN SO WE CAN PURCHASE MORE
PROPERTIES AND IMMEDIATELY GET
PEOPLE OFF THE STREET . TINY
HOUSES ARE A TEMPORARY MEASURE
TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREET
AND ON THEIR FEET AND WE KNOW
THAT IT WORKS. JUST THROUGH
THOSE PURCHASES THAT BROUGHT
ON A TOTAL OF 403 PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS, THAT
IS WHAT WE NEED. THIS DOES NOT
JUST HAPPEN MAGICALLY. IN A
THREE-DAY TIME , STAFF MOVED
45 CLIENTS INTO HOUSING. THAT
IS A LOT . THAT IS WHY WE NEED
TO SUPPORT OUR WORKFORCE WITH
ADEQUATE WAGES AND INCLUDE
INFLATIONARY INCREASES INTO OUR
CONTRACTS SO WE CAN SUPPORT THE
HUMAN SERVICE SECTOR WORKFORCE.
THANK YOU.
>> DEBORAH TUCKER.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME,
COUNCILMEMBERS. ALSO , I SPOKE
ON OCTOBER 11th AT 5:00 OR
THEREAFTER, AND I THANK YOU FOR
HAVING ME BACK. I AM HERE TO
SUPPORT THE LEHIGH TINY HOMES.
BECAUSE THE PROGRAM REALLY
WORKS . I AM ON SECOND STEP FOR
THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING. ONE OF THE PROPERTIES
THAT HE DID NOT MENTION WAS
DOCKSIDE. I AM HERE TO BEG
AND PLEAD THAT YOU CONTINUE
THE FUNDING FOR THIS . IT IS SO
IMPORTANT THAT I AM 65 AND
WILL BE 66. I BECAME HOMELESS
EIGHT MONTHS AGO. BEFORE THAT,
I WAS AN OUTSTANDING PILLAR
OF THE COMMUNITY. MY RENT WAS
DOUBLE AND I AM ON SOCIAL
SECURITY. I BECAME PERMANENTLY
DISABLED IN 2011. 11 YEARS
AGO. I HAVE NOT WORKED FOR 10
YEARS . I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR
THE SSI, BUT I PAID IN ALL MY
LIFE. I BECAME A PERMANENT
CITIZEN OF SEATTLE IN 1970 WHEN
I MOVED FROM CENTRAL WASHINGTON
AND WHEN MY FATHER WAS
MURDERED. I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO
STRUGGLE. I AM THANKFUL FOR
ANGEL CAESAR , THE MANAGER FOR
THE TINY HOMES VILLAGE WHERE I
AM RESIDING NOW. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ZACHARY
COLLIER.
>> THANK YOU . I WAS ALSO HERE
IN OCTOBER. I HAD MY FIANCE
GIVE ME A SCRIPT BECAUSE I
COULD NOT GET OVER MY STAGE
FRIGHT . I AM ALSO HERE FROM
THE VILLAGE AND TINY HOUSES
HAVE GIVEN ME AND MIKE FIANCE
HOUR WITH -- IT HAS BEEN A
BIG HELP, HUGE, INDICTING ME
AND HER . THEY GO ABOVE AND
BEYOND WHAT THEY ARE REQUIRED
TO DO. WE KNOW THEY HAVE MADE
A DIFFERENCE IN OUR LIVES. NOT
JUST US BUT EVERYBODY ELSE IN
THE COMMUNITY AS WELL. THEY
ALSO PROVIDE FOOD AND LAUNDRY
DETERGENT , EVERYTHING YOU
NEED. THEY HAVE PEOPLE YOU CAN
TALK TO. JUST PUTTING MONEY
INTO SWEEPS INSTEAD OF
HOUSING SEEMS RIDICULOUS .
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. I
HOPE YOU PUT THE MONEY WHERE
IT SHOULD GO. THANK YOU. HAVE
A GOOD DAY.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS DENNIS.
>> CHAIRMAN MOSQUEDA AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, ON BEHALF OF
THE 1100 RESIDENTS AND 250
STAFF AT PLYMOUTH HOUSING ,
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO COMMENT. MY NAME IS DENNIS
SILLS AND I WORK AT PLYMOUTH
HOUSING. 30 OF MY COWORKERS
JOINED MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE IN
A RALLY ON YOUR STEPS. MY
COWORKERS JOINED OTHER
FRONTLINE PROVIDERS IN
SOLIDARITY TO REQUEST FAIR
WAGES . THE INITIAL PROPOSAL
INCLUDES A 4% COST OF LIVING
INCREASE -- CAP, WOULD NOT
MOVE US TOWARDS EQUITABLE WAGES
. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR
COUNCILMEMBERS HERBOLD, LEWIS,
MOSQUEDA FOR AMENDMENT TO JUST
CONTRACTS BY 7.6% . CURRENT
INFLATION LEVELS ARE NEAR 9%.
HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS WITH THE
CITY AND COUNTY MAKE HIGHER
WAGES THAN THEIR NONPROFIT
CALLINGS . THIS IS AN EQUITY
ISSUE. ALSO, PLEASE MAKE SURE
THAT JUMPSTART FUNDING IS
ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS AND
HOUSING AS INTENDED . THIS
BUDGET PROPOSAL DIVERTS $85
MILLION JUMPSTART TO THE
GENERAL FUND. FOR PROVIDERS
ANSWERING THE CALL AND SERVING
THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS , THESE
CHANGES ARE NECESSARY ,
NONELECTIVE . THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SUPPORT.
>> IS THERE A DENISE IN
CHAMBERS? I AM MOVING FORWARD.
MR. JONES?
>> GOOD MORNING. I JUST WANT
TO APOLOGIZE FOR COMING A
LITTLE BIT LATE. I AM USUALLY
HERE EARLY EVERY DAY. I JUST
WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE
JUSTICE FACTOR INSIDE OF THIS
STATE. I DO BELIEVE THE STATE
IS AGAINST MY FAMILY,
THOROUGHLY. I HAVE SPOKEN
ABOUT THE STORIES OF MY FAMILY
THROUGH , TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE
STORIES THAT CONNECT TO HOW THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON IS AGAINST
MY FAMILY. MY FAMILY IS THE
JONES FAMILY AND WE HAVE
WORKED FOR THE CITY FOR YEARS.
THEY HAVE MEDITATED ON MY
FAMILY, THAT MY FAMILY IS
CONNECTED TO DOW JONES. THEY
HAVE IMMEDIATELY COLLECTED
MONEY DIRECTED TO THE MURDER
OF PATRICIA. I WILL NOT ALLOW
ANYBODY TO LIE ABOUT THE STORY
OF MY FAMILY AND THAT IS WHY I
CONTINUE TO BRING COMMENTS. [
INDISCERNIBLE ] I JUST WANT TO
REACH OUT A HELPING HAND VIA
#BLACKEDUCATION.
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER
IS PETER CONDIT.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE . OR
AFTERNOON, RATHER.
COUNCILMEMBERS HERBOLD,
STRAUSS , MOSQUEDA, I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 6 AND I SUPPORT THE
COMMUNITY LED SOLITARY BUDGET.
I WANT TO START WITH WORDS
FROM NO MORE POLICE. THEY
WRITE, THE SINGLE GREATEST
NEED IDENTIFIED BY VICTIMS OF
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IS
HOUSING. WE MUST NOT DEFINE
HOUSING BY RAIDING JUMP START
TO PAY FOR POLICING AND OTHER
GENERAL PHONICS MANAGERS AND
MUST INSIST -- DEFINE THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHICH
PERPETRATES VIOLENCE AND DOES
NOT TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR
PEOPLE THAT HAVE KILLED. IF WE
ARE SERIOUS ABOUT ADDRESSING
HOMELESSNESS WITHOUT
INFLICTING ADDITIONAL TRAUMA
AND VIOLENCE, WE MUST ALSO
DEFUND ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS, AND
PAY SERVICE WORKERS MUCH MORE.
TO CREATE MORE CONNECTED
NEIGHBORHOODS WITH FEWER
STREET FATALITIES, WE MUST FUND
A GREEN NEW DEAL AND PLAN MORE
TREES , IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN
RIGHT-OF-WAY'S, AND REDUCE THE
PUBLIC STREET AREA DEDICATED
TO PRIVATE VEHICLES . YOU CAN
DO ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT
WOULD ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES
OF VIOLENCE AND HARM IN OUR
CITY. STOP TRYING TO HIRE MORE
POLICE OFFICERS AND STOP PAYING
SPD FOR COPS THAT DO NOT EXIST.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND
YOUR HARD WORK.
>> THE LAST REGISTERED SPEAKER
IS HALEY HUNT.
>> I AM A CASE MANAGER AT
SOUTH END TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
WITH LOW INCOME HOUSING
INSTITUTE AND I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR THIS TIME. I AM HERE
FOR TWO REASONS, ENCOURAGING
YOU TO PROVIDE MORE MONEY AND
FUNDING FOR TINY HOUSE VILLAGES
AND ALSO TO RAISE THE WAGES
FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS. I ALSO
WANT TO PROVIDE SOME TIME FOR
YOU , AS COUNCILMEMBERS, TO
REFLECT INDIVIDUALLY ON HOW
YOU WANT TO FLOURISH AND GROW.
FLOURISHING MEANS GROWING WELL
. I THINK I WANT THAT FOR
EVERYBODY. EVERYONE IN THE
COMMUNITY. BUT ALSO FOR YOU ,
WHO ARE LEADING US. WITH THE
REMAINING AMOUNT OF TIME, I
WANT TO ASK YOU THREE
QUESTIONS, ONE , WHAT ARE YOUR
STRENGTHS AS A LEADER? TWO
HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE
REMEMBERED? LET'S SAY, FIVE
YEARS FROM NOW? THREE, WHAT
IS ONE THING YOU CAN DO THIS
WEEK TO HELP SUPPORT THOSE
THAT ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE?
THANK YOU.
>> THAT IS OUR LAST IN-PERSON
SPEAKER AT THIS MOMENT.
>> LET ME DOUBLE CHECK.
ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ?
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME TO THE
MICROPHONE. INTRODUCE YOURSELF
AND WE WILL GET YOUR NAME ON A
PIECE OF PAPER FOR THE RECORD.
>> ARE YOU READY? MY NAME IS
RORY, ON BEHALF OF THE TINY
HOUSES AS WELL. IT IS A GOOD
THING . THE CITY IS TRYING TO
GET THESE PEOPLE OFF THE
STREET. WE HAVE TO GET PEOPLE
OFF THE STREET. TINY HOUSES
ARE BRINGING PEOPLE AND
GETTING THEM INTO PERMANENT
HOUSING. WE NEED TO DO THAT .
THAT IS WHAT WE NEED. BECAUSE
THESE PEOPLE -- THERE WERE
KIDS, WE HAVE KIDS IN SOME OF
THESE TINY HOUSES. AS A
COUNCILMEMBER , YOU WERE INTO
ALL THAT. I KNOW ABOUT YOUR
HISTORY. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE
COMMUNITY AND GETTING THEM BACK
ON THEIR FEET. I AM TRYING TO
GET BACK ON MY FEET. I JUST HAD
A STROKE. AT LEAST I AM
WALKING AGAIN. WITHOUT YOU ,
WITHOUT THE TINY HOUSES, I
WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT BACK.
NOW , I AM WALKING AGAIN. AND
I AM TALKING AGAIN. I COULD NOT
TALK EITHER. I CAN TALK YOU ,
BECAUSE I KNOW ABOUT YOUR
COMMITTAL , ABOUT YOUR TIES IN
THE COMMUNITY, POLITICL TIES.
>> THANK YOU. FOR PEOPLE ON
THE LINE , WE WILL GO BACK TO
ONLY REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT .
EVERYBODY HAS SPOKEN IN-PERSON
AND WE WILL START WITH
MICHAEL, CAROL, THE THIRD TIME
WE HAVE TRIED THESE LINES.
GOOD MORNING, MICHAEL . IT IS
AFTERNOON AT THIS POINT, GOOD
AFTERNOON, MICHAEL.
>> I AM A RENTER IN DISTRICT 3
AND CALLING IN SUPPORT OF THE
SOLITARY BUDGET, INCLUDING
RETAINING JUMPSTART FUNDS FOR
THEIR INTENDED USE , AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND TINY VILLAGES ,
LIVABLE WAGES FOR HUMAN SERVICE
WORKERS , AND NOT FUNDING THE
POLICE POSITIONS. I SUPPORT
THE CALL TO ADD $140 MILLION
OF AMAZON TAX.
>> THANK YOU. CAROL, STAR 6 TO
UNMUTE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I AM A
LONG-TERM SEATTLE RESIDENT .
SOME PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU THAT
BIDDING THE CITY IS NOT AS
IMPORTANT AS STOPPING CRIME,
FIXING INCOME INEQUALITY, OR
PREVENTING CLIMATE CHANGE.
HERE IS THE DIFFERENCE. THIS
IS A NASTY TOXIN SPEWING
PROBLEM. WE CAN TACKLE THIS
PROBLEM RIGHT NOW. FOR
BUDGETARY POCKET CHANGE.
AMENDMENTS 004A, 001, 2023
AUTHORIZES $200,000 FOR NEXT
YEAR TO HELP THE PARKS
DEPARTMENT CHANGE TO
BATTERY-POWERED BLOWERS. THAT
WOULD BE THE IMPORTANT FIRST
STEP MOVING US TOWARD A
QUIETER AND CLEANER SEATTLE,
SAFER FOR WORKERS, CHILDREN,
AND OTHERS, PLEASE, LET THEM DO
IT . THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION AND THE HARD WORK
THAT YOU DO.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS WILLIAM.
FOLLOWED BY ALICIA.
>> MY NAME IS WILLIAM,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR . WE
OPERATE AN OUTREACH CENTER AND
ENHANCED SHELTER SERVICES. WE
WORK IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP
WITH THE REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS
AUTHORITY AND ARE A KEY
PROVIDER OF SERVICES IN THE
NORTH SEATTLE AREA. WE ARE ONE
OF THE ORGANIZATIONS IMPACTED
BY THE ONE-TIME FEDERAL
FUNDING. THE FUNDING REDUCTION
WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR CENTER
PROGRAM . THE SHORTFALL OF
$100,000 WOULD MEAN A 30%
REDUCTION IN OUR SERVICE LEVEL
AT THE TIME WHEN DEMAND FOR
OUR SERVICES AT THAT LOCATION
HAVE INCREASED BY 30% OVER THE
PAST YEAR. OUR CENTERS
CURRENTLY OPERATING WITH A 30
DAY CENSUS OF 208 INDIVIDUALS
WHO ARE CENTERED IN THE LAKE
CITY BUSINESS DISTRICT. THE
DAY CENTER , IN ADDITION TO
PROVIDING DESPERATELY NEEDED
SERVICES TO OUR UN-HOUSED
NEIGHBORS, IS AN IMPORTANT
AGGREGATION POINT FOR SERVICE
DELIVERY FOR OTHER PROVIDERS
AND REPRESENTS A KEY PART OF
THE SERVICES LANDSCAPE IN
SEATTLE . IT IS A PROVEN
PROGRAM WITH NOTABLE SUCCESS
AND DEEP COMMUNITY SUPPORT. I
AM REQUESTING THAT THE COUNCIL
FULLY FUND THIS DAY CENTER
PROGRAM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER
60, ALICIA. I AM MOVING ON.
KATHLEEN BAKER. KATHLEEN
BAKER?
>> HELLO. I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU
BEFORE REGARDING RESOLUTION
32064. I AM A RETIRED SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND I
SUBSTITUTE AT MY LOCAL
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I WAS
DISTRESSED WHEN I ARRIVED AT
THE SCHOOL AND WAS GREETED BY
TWO GAS POWERED LEAF BLOWERS
SPEWING POLLUTION, BOTH OFFERED
US WITH HEADPHONES AND MASKS
BUT I DID NOT. THEY WERE STILL
AT IT WHEN THE CHILDREN ARRIVED
ON THE PLAYGROUND WITH THEIR
PARENTS. ONE PARENT IN THE
SCHOOL BOUGHT AN ELECTRIC
BLOWER WITH HIS OWN MONEY
BECAUSE HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT
THE DIRTY AIR CAUSED BY THE GAS
POWERED ENGINES. I APPRECIATE
THE SEATTLE OF SEATTLE HAS
CHALLENGES BUT PROVIDE THE
MODEST $200,000 IN FUNDING TO
REPLACE THESE DISGUSTING
MACHINES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH ,
COUNCILMEMBERS.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BEN.
MOVING ON TO MARGO STEWART.
>> I WORK IN -- I AM THE MANY
COUNCILMEMBERS VOTE YES ON THE
PROJECT PROPOSED AUSTERITY
BUDGET AND INCREASE THE AMAZON
TAX BY $140 MILLION. SPEAKERS
TODAY HAVE ALREADY SAID IT BUT
IT BEARS REPEATING THAT SEATTLE
HAS THE GREATEST WEALTH IN THE
COUNTRY, SOME $250 BILLION
ACROSS BILLIONAIRES AND A
STAGGERING INEQUALITY IN NEED
SINCE DEMOCRATS HAVE LEFT US
WORKING PEOPLE TO FEND FOR
OURSELVES BECAUSE OF THE
HOUSING CRISIS, CLIMATE CRISIS,
COVID CRISIS , AND NOW
DEEPENING ECONOMIC CRISIS WITH
63% OF AMERICANS LIVING
PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK IT WITH
SKYROCKETING INFLATION AND
STAGNANT WAGES . WE ALREADY
HAVE THE TOOL WE NEED TO ENSURE
THAT THE RICH , NOT ORDINARY
PEOPLE, PAY FOR THIS CRISIS,
THAT IS THE AMAZON TAX. AND
THROUGH OUR PEOPLE'S BUDGET
MOVEMENT AND -- I THINK IT IS
SHAMEFUL THAT NOT ONE OF THE
COUNCIL DEMOCRATS HAVE SPOKEN
IN FAVOR OF INCREASING THE
AMAZON TAX TO FILL SHORTFALLS
BUT INSTEAD WILL VOTE YES ON
CUTTING FUNDS FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, GREEN NEW DEAL
MEASURES, TINY HOME VILLAGES,
AND INFLATION-ADJUSTED WAGES
FOR CITY WORKERS, AND TO
FURTHER PUT THE COST OF THE
CRISIS ON THE SHOULDERS OF
ORDINARY PEOPLE BY CREATING
INCREASINGLY REGRESSIVE CAR
TAXES WHICH FURTHER SQUEEZE
WORKING PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY
VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. WE
SHOULD BE PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT,
IF WE CANNOT MEET THOSE NEEDS,
NOT BECAUSE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE
BUT --
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KYLIA
BALDWIN.
>> I AM HERE.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> I AM SPEAKING TODAY AS A
STAFF MEMBER , A BORN AND
RAISED RESIDENT I SUPPORT THE
SOLITARY BUDGET AND ASK THAT
YOU PROTECT JUMPSTART
INVESTMENT. JUMPSTART CREATED
NEW RESOURCES FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND HOMELESS IN
SERVICES, EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC
REVITALIZATION , AND CLIMATE
STABILITY. THIS IS INTENDED
FOR COMMUNITY DRIVEN PROGRAMS
THAT CENTER LOW INCOME WORKERS
AND BIPOC WORKERS IN CREATING
A THRIVING CITY . JUMPSTART
SHOULD NOT BE USED TO BACKFILL
BUDGET DEFICITS WHEN THOSE
PROGRAMS COULD BE FUNDED BY
DIVERTING FUNDS AWAY FROM THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE
DESERVE SECURE HOUSING, GOOD
JOBS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO OUR
COMMUNITY AND CLIMATE
RESILIENCE , AND STRONG SAFETY
NETS AND SERVICES FOR THE MOST
MEMORABLE. NOT BONUSES AND
OVERTIME FOR POLICE AND
ALLOCATIONS FOR GHOST POSITIONS
THAT THEY SHOULD NOT FILL.
MAKE GOOD ON THE COMMITMENT TO
BIPOC COMMUNITIES BY MAKING
SURE THAT THESE REVENUES ARE
NOT RATED. I AM FROM SEATTLE
TO MY FAMILY STRUGGLES TO KEEP
HER BODY WITHIN CITY LIMITS .
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
AND RENEWED YOUR PRIORITIES ARE
CRITICAL TO COMBATING THIS
DISPLACEMENT. YOU MUST UPHOLD
THAT REVENUE FROM JUMPSTART FOR
THESE PURPOSES AS IT WAS
ORIGINALLY INTENDED AND PUT
INTO LAW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> MATT? NUMBER 68 . PLEASE
PRESS STAR 6 .
>> I FIGURED IT OUT . HELLO,
COUNCILMEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR
ALL THE WORK YOU ARE DOING ON
BEHALF OF OUR CITY. I LIVE IN
DISTRICT 3 AND I AM AN ARTIST.
I HAVE BEEN HEARING A LOT
ABOUT THESE GHOST COPS THAT
ARE IN THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED
BUDGET. THESE POSITIONS FUNDED
AT $117 MILLION. THEY WILL
NOT HIRE FOR THESE . THIS IS
RIDICULOUS AND I ASKED YOU TO
REMOVE THESE FUNDS FROM SPD
NOW. I DO NOT BUY THE ARGUMENT
WE COULD PULL THE MONEY BACK
LATER IF WE DO NOT MAKE THESE
HIRES AND PULLEYS NOTED THEY
WILL NOT HIRE FOR THESE
POSITIONS, IF WE WAIT UNTIL
LATER, THE MONEY WILL BE USED
ONCE AGAIN FOR HIRING BONUSES
OR RETENTION PACKAGES FOR OUR
OVERCOMPLICATED OFFICERS. WE
SHOULD USE THIS MONEY , THE
ONE MILLION-DOLLAR ShotSpotter
BOONDOGGLE , A FLAWED APPROACH
TO STOPPING GUN VIOLENCE, WHAT
WE SHOULD DO WITH THIS MONEY IS
MOVED THEM WITHIN -- TO
PROMOTE SAFETY WITHIN OUR CITY
, MAKING SURE OUR ESSENTIAL
PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS GET
THEIR LEGALLY MANDATED 10.6%
COST-OF-LIVING PAY INCREASES
EVERY YEAR, PROVIDING RESOURCES
TO THE VICTIMS OF POLICE
VIOLENCE SO THAT THE VICTIMS
AND THEIR FAMILIES DO NOT GET
FURTHER INTO TIGHT SPOTS TO
THE COST OF FUNERALS, ATTORNEY
FEE , CHILDCARE, LOSS OF WORK.
>> NATALIE MORGAN IS OUR NEXT
SPEAKER.
>> MY NAME IS NATALIE MORGAN
AND I AM SPEAKING IN A
PERSONAL CAPACITY. I WOULD
LIKE TO ENCOURAGE -- LIKE
SOMEONE ELSE SAID EARLIER ,
ACTUALLY I WAS START BY SAYING
YOU'RE WELCOME FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT, NOT THANK YOU BECAUSE,
AS A COUNCIL , YOUR JOBS ARE
MEANINGLESS WITHOUT PEOPLE AND
WITHOUT PUBLIC COMMENT . IT IS
DISAPPOINTING TO HEAR PEOPLE
BEGGING , PLEADING , CRYING
AND TO KNOW THAT IT MAY NOT
HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE
WHO HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.
COUNCILMEMBERS LIKE SAWANT
ARE TRYING TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES .
THAT IS WHY I AM URGING ALL THE
DEMOCRATS ON THE CITY COUNCIL
TO VOTE YES IN THE UPCOMING
BUDGET ON SOCIALIST
COUNCILMEMBERS SAWANT
LEGISLATION TO MAKE ALL
ABORTION IN SEATTLE FREE BY
INCREASING THE AMAZON TAX . IT
SEEMS LIKE SUCH A NO-BRAINER
FOR A PLACE LIKE SEATTLE, THAT
HAS MORE WEALTH IN EIGHT
BILLIONAIRES , THEN THE ENTIRE
GDP OF FINLAND. FINLAND ALSO
DOES NOT HAVE A HOMELESSNESS
EPIDEMIC LIKE SEATTLE DOES . IT
IS A DISGUSTING DISPLAY OF
EXTRAVAGANT WEALTH AND MORE
THAN A LITTLE DISHEARTENING TO
SEE PEOPLE IN POWER NOT TAKE
THE STEPS THEY COULD TO BE AN
ACTUAL PROGRESSIVE CITY THAT
COULD HELP PEOPLE. THE RICH
MUST PAY FOR THIS CRISIS . I AM
URGING YOU TO VOTE YES ON THE
LEGISLATION PROPOSED BY SAWANT
.
>> OLIVIA ? THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS OLIVIA AND I'M A
RENTER INDUSTRY 6. THANK YOU
FOR OFFERING TO HEAR THIS
TESTIMONY THAT I SUPPORT THE
SOLITARY BUDGET BECAUSE I
BELIEVE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT
FUNDING SHOULD SUPPORT THE MOST
VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN SEATTLE. I
BELIEVE THAT , IF WE TRULY WANT
OUR CITY TO THRIVE, WE MUST
TRANSITION TO COLLECTIVE POWER.
IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT ENDING
HOMELESSNESS, WE NEED TO BEG
ESSENTIAL WORKERS MORE AND THEY
SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CALL INTO A
PUBLIC MEETING TO ADVOCATE FOR
A LIVING WAGE WHEN THEY ARE
DOING THE WORK OUR CITY
DESPERATELY NEEDS. WITH OUR
CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES OF
UNDERFUNDING AFFORDABLE
HOUSING , THESE WORKERS ARE
OUR PRIMARY RESOURCES FOR
SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS AND I
SUPPORT THE SOLITARY BUDGET PAY
INCREASE AND RETENTION BONUSES
FOR HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS TO
MAKE SURE THEY CAN PROVIDE
ADEQUATE CARE FOR THE
COMMUNITY. ADDITIONALLY, WE
MUST RESTORE FUNDING FOR THE
CAMPAIGN AS IT IS ESSENTIAL WAY
TO GET MONEY DIRECTLY INTO THE
HANDS THAT NEED IT MOST. THE
CRITICAL FUNDING HAS HELPED LOW
AND MODERATE INCOME SEATTLE
RESIDENTS FOR OVER ONE DECADE.
THE STORE THE TAX CAMPAIGN
GRANT. DO NOT JUMPSTART --
PLEASE DO NOT MOVE PARKING
ENFORCEMENT UNDER POLICE, AND
YOU PRIORITIZE THE SOLITARY
BUDGET DEMANDS TO SHOW YOU ARE
TRULY LISTENING TO THE REQUESTS
FROM THE COMMUNITY YOU ARE
SERVING.
>> HARRY HARTMAN. IF YOU CAN
PRESS STAR 6 , PLEASE. WE WILL
MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SPEAKER.
>> HELLO?
>> GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME
TO LISTEN TO ME. I AM FOUNDER
, SUPPORTING THE PARKS
DISTRICT BUDGET AMENDMENT. TO
FUND PURCHASING ELECTRIC LEAF
BLOWERS . PEOPLE ALL OVER
SEATTLE ARE READING IN
FRUSTRATION, EVERY TIME A LEAF
BLOWER FIRES UP WITHIN A FEW
BLOCKS, GAS POWERED LEAF
BLOWERS ARE HORRIBLE FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT, THE USER, AND FOR
THOSE AROUND THEM. NEXT SPRING
AND SUMMER, SEATTLE CITIZENS
WILL THANK YOU WHEN THEY SIT
IN PEACE IN A SEATTLE PARK
WITHOUT A LEAF BLOWER
ANNOUNCING ITS PRESENCE. IF
YOU INCLUDE THIS AMENDMENT. THE
DOLLAR AMOUNT IS A SMALL PART
OF THE BUDGET. I KNOW WE HAVE A
LOT OF VERY IMPORTANT THINGS
ON THE BUDGET AND THOSE ARE
SUPPORTED BY ME. THIS IS A
SMALL , $200,000, ENOUGH TO
REPLACE ABOUT 50% OF THE GAS
BLOWERS IN THE FIRST YEAR AND
THE OTHER 50% IN THE SECOND
YEAR, INCLUDING AN AMPLE SUPPLY
FOR BACKPACK BATTERIES.
WITHOUT THIS FUNDING , OUR
HOPES ARE DASHED. WE NEED TO
MAKE OUR CITY BETTER, CLEANER,
QUIETER BY SUPPORTING THIS
AMENDMENT. THANK YOU.
>> WE ARE MOVING ON TO NUMBER
75 , THAT IS JESSICA DIXON.
JESSICA, YOUR PHONE MIGHT BE
MUTED. CHECK YOUR PHONE,
PLEASE.
>> YES . CAN YOU HEAR ME ?
>> YES.
>> I AM SUBMITTING MY COMMENTS
ON BEHALF OF PLANNED AMNESTY.
HERE IS THE QUESTION, WHAT
LIVING THING COOLS THE AIR ON
HOT DAYS, SCRUBS PARTICULATES
FROM THE AIR, FILTERS AND FLOWS
STORM WATER FLOWING INTO THE
SOUND? IT IS AN URBAN TREE .
OUR CITY IS FACING SEVERE
THREATS FROM CLIMATE CHANGE,
DAYS OF WILDFIRES, SMOKE ,
DATING OUR CITY FOR THE AIR
QUALITY INDEX LEVELS MEASURE IN
THE 200s AND INCREASE THE RISK
OF HEALTH EFFECTS FOR EVERYONE
WITHIN 24 HOURS OF EXPOSURE.
THESE ARE A GROWING THREAT TO
PUBLICHEALTH IN OUR CITY THAT
REQUIRE A BOLD EFFORT ON BEHALF
OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT TO
ADDRESS. AND A KEY TO
MITIGATING THE CRISIS ABOVE THE
SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMNT OF OUR
URBAN FORESTS. THERE ARE NINE
AGENCIES AND MINISTRIES IN OUR
CITY, THERE IS NO COMPREHENSIVE
POSITION RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL
THE TREES IN OUR URBAN FOREST.
RECENCY ALL TIMES EDITORIAL
STORY SUMMED IT UP, OFFICIALS
ARE INVOLVED AND NO ONE IS IN
CHARGE OF THE URBAN FOREST IN
SEATTLE. WE ARE GOING BACKWARDS
IN THE MEANTIME AS A RECENT
STUDY REPORTED A LOSS OF OVER
255 ACRES OF CANOPY IN THE CITY
OVER FIVE YEARS. I AM URGING
THE COUNCIL TO FUND THE CITY
URBAN FOREST POSITION WITHIN
THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY
AND ENVIRONMENT. MOST ALL
MAJOR CITIES INCLUDING
PORTLAND, ATLANTA, WASHINGTON,
D.C. HAVE AN URBAN FOREST
IMPLEMENTING AND BEATING TREE
POLICIES THAT WANT TO BALANCE
GROWTH WITH CONSERVATION AND
OTHER URBAN FOREST. TREES TAKE
YEARS TO GROW AND PROVIDE THESE
LIFE-SAVING BENEFITS, THE TIME
TO ACT IS NOW. THANK YOU.
>> COCO WEBER. PLEASE PRESS
STAR 6 .
>> HELLO, COUNCIL, I AM
CALLING FROM WOMEN SHIELD .
WHERE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE,
I HAD TO MOVE BECAUSE OF
HOUSING INSTABILITY . I AM A
FORMER HOUSING AND HUMAN
SERVICES PROVIDER WHO MADE
JUST OVER $30,000 PER YEAR ,
THAT IS ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY
WE ARE GIVING THE POLICE IN THE
CITY TO HAVE A SIGN-ON BONUS.
IT IS DISHEARTENING TO HEAR
ALL OF THESE PEOPLE, HUNDREDS
OF PEOPLE CALLING IN AND ASKING
FOR CRUMBS COMPARED TO WHAT
THE CITY IS GIVING THE POLICE
TO GET $373 MILLION EACH YEAR ,
THAT IS ONE THIRD OF THE
BUDGET. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
POLICE CARS, BUILDINGS, WEAPONS
, POLICE PENSIONS , PAYING
PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED
POLICE BRUTALITY, FAMILIES WHO
-- THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
FOR PROSECUTING , PAYING PUBLIC
DEFENDERS , WE KNOW THIS IS
REACTIVE AND NOTHING TO MAKE
PEOPLE SAFER WHAT MAKES PEOPLE
STAY FOR INSTABILITY -- SAFER
IS STABILITY. GETTING PEOPLE
INTO HOUSING . I AM ASKING YOU
TO NOT RAISE THE JUMPSTART
BUDGET TO BLOAT THE POLICE
BUDGET AND NOT FUND COPS WHICH
WILL GO INTO A SLUSH FUND SO
THE POLICE CAN DO WHATEVER
THEY WANT WITH THE MONEY
WITHOUT OVERSIGHT. PEOPLE
SUPPORT THE SOLITARY BUDGET AND
DEFUND SPD.
>> DOUGLAS?
>> HELLO. THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I LIVE IN
WEST SEATTLE. I WANT TO SPEAK
ON BEHALF OF THE BUDGET
AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER HERBOLD . WHEN
BUSINESSES IN THE DISTRICTS ,
WE ARE IN A DANGEROUS SECTION
OF ROADWAY. THERE ARE
CURRENTLY NO BICYCLE
FACILITIES IN THE AREA OF
POMEROY. WERE TO RIDE ON
SIDEWALKS . MY NINE-YEAR-OLD
SON IS AT AN AGE WHERE HE IS
WRITING HIS OWN BICYCLE AND IT
IS MORE TERRIFYING. THIS WILL
MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE
LIKE US TO VISIT LOCAL
BUSINESSES WITHOUT HAVING TO
FACE A DANGEROUS GAP WITHOUT
DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE. I
WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD FOR ADVOCATING FOR
THESE MUCH-NEEDED SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS AND I URGED THE
REST OF THE COUNCIL TO FUND THE
PROJECT. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ELLIE
CASSIDY. THAT IS NUMBER 80.
PLEASE PRESS STAR 6. WE WILL
MOVE ON. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS
BARBRA BERNARD.
>> DISTRICT 7 RESIDENT . I AM
CALLING TO URGE COUNCILMEMBERS
TO ADD TO THE URBAN FOREST
POSITION TO THE BUDGET. THE
URBAN FOREST NEED INDEPENDENT
OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ,
CURRENTLY, THERE IS NINE
DIFFERENT CITY DEPARTMENTS
THAT MANAGE THE TREES IN THE
URBAN FOREST. THERE IS NO
UMBRELLA . THIS IS NOT A NEW
BUDGET ITEM. THE CITY HAS BEEN
WORKING ON THIS FOR OVER 13
YEARS. THERE IS NO YEARLY
ACCOUNTABILITY OR REPORTING
AND OVERSEEING THE FOREST , IT
IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE ONE
UNIFYING FACTOR TO BE ABLE TO
LOOK OVER THE HIRING AN
EXPERIENCED URBAN FOREST
WOULD PROVIDE THAT AND INCREASE
ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR URBAN
FORESTRY PROGRAM, WHICH
INCLUDES BETTER COORDINATION,
EFFICIENCY , AND POTENTIAL
COST SAVINGS. URBAN FOREST
POSITION WILL COMPLEMENT THE
PROPOSED SHIFT TO A CITY
COORDINATOR FOR CLIMATE
INITIATIVES AWAY FROM OSE.
LASTLY, I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN,
HERBOLD, STRAUSS, LEWIS ,
NELSON, MOSQUEDA, SAWANT FOR
SPONSORING THIS BUDGET
AMENDMENT . THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS JORDAN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS . MY NAME IS
JORDAN AND I'M A LICENSED
ACUPUNCTURIST SPEAKING IN
SUPPORT OF THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET SUPPORTED BY
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT AND I
WORK AS AN ACUPUNCTURIST AND
HELP PEOPLE BALANCE THEIR
ENERGY. THE HEALTH OF THE
INDIVIDUAL AND HEALTH OF
SOCIETY ALSO COEXISTS WITH IN
A DELICATE BALANCE . IF WE
CATER TO BILLIONAIRE GREED
INSTEAD OF HUMAN NEED, WITHIN
OUR SHARE WORLD FESTERS ,
RESULTING IN SUFFERING AND
INSTITUTIONAL VIOLENCE . IF THE
CITY COUNCIL DEMOCRATS WISH TO
PASS A TRULY COMPASSIONATE
BUDGET AND NOT ANOTHER
AUSTERITY BUDGET , DESPITE
STATEMENTS TO THE CONTRARY, I
URGE YOU TO INCREASE THE AMAZON
TAX BY $140 MILLION . INSTEAD
OF FALLING BACK ON REGRESSIVE
PROPOSALS SUCH AS INCREASING
THE CAR TOP TAX, OR THE $1
MILLION FOR ShotSpotter
TECHNOLOGY , WHICH THE ACLU
STRONGLY OPPOSES . DO NOT CUT
CRITICALLY NEEDED FUNDING FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND GREEN
NEW DEAL PROGRAMS, RIDGE
ORGANIZING, EVICTION
PREVENTION, TINY HOMES , AND
OTHER SERVICES FOR HOMELESS
NEIGHBORS . AND MAKE SURE
SERVICE WORKERS GET RAISES ,
SUPPORT THE PARKS DEPARTMENT SO
THEY CAN TRANSITION AWAY FROM
GAS POWERED LEAF BLOWERS AND
APPOINT A CITY TREE MANAGER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
>> LAUREL GRAY? THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS AND FELLOW
COMMUNITY ADVOCATES. I AM A
MEMBER OF THE SEATTLE HUMAN
SERVICES COALITION. I AM
DEPUTY DIRECTOR , SERVING THE
GREATER SEATTLE AREA BY
PROVIDING NO-COST MEALS TO OUR
COMMUNITY NUMBERS AND NEIGHBORS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND
HUNGER. ONE OF THESE COMMUNITY
MEMBERS , PARDON ME IF I MISS
PRONOUNCE HER NAME, SPOKE
EARLIER AT A SHELTER WE SERVE.
I AM HERE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT
FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT BY
COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT ,
PROVIDING MEALS, IT IS
ESSENTIAL THAT OUR WORK AND THE
WORK OF ALL HUMAN SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE BEEN
HOLDING OUR COMMUNITIES TO THIS
TRYING TIME ARE FULLY FUNDED .
IN THE PAST 2.5 YEARS, WE HAVE
SERVED APPROXIMATELY 5 MILLION
MEALS THROUGHOUT THE MEAL
SYSTEM IN THE GREATER SEATTLE
AREA. THE PROPOSED BUDGET BY
THE MAYOR, INFLATION CAPS, WE
WILL BE FORCED TO DROP MORE
THAN 1 MILLION MEALS FROM THE
EMERGENCY MEALS IN 2023. 1
MILLION MEALS . PLEASE DO NOT
TAKE AWAY THIS ESSENTIAL
FUNDING FROM HUMAN SERVICES ,
BY DOING SO, YOU ARE TELLING
PEOPLE EXPRESSING HOMELESSNESS
THEY ARE NOT WORTHY OF THIS
BASIC HUMAN RIGHT TO EAT AND BE
NOURISHED. MEALS ARE AN
ESSENTIAL PART OF HOUSING, THEY
GO HAND-IN-HAND. THANK YOU FOR
THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE SHOWN TO
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT , AND TO
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, LEWIS,
HERBOLD , FOR YOUR ONGOING
SUPPORT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME TODAY.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER MAY
PROCEED.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP . WE
ARE A LOCAL NONPROFIT FOCUSED
ON COMMUNITY, SAFETY, CRIME
PREVENTION. THIS IS A TIGHT
BUDGET SEASON AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ARE HAVING TO
MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS . I
KNOW THAT ONE OF THE PRIORITIES
OF THE CITY COUNCIL IS TO
ADVANCE THE REIMAGINING OF
POLICING WITH A LARGER CIVILIAN
RESPONSE. TWO VARSITY CONTRACTS
HELP TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL . WE
ARE ASKING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO
RESTORE ALL OR PART OF OUR
PROPOSED $125,000 FUNDING CUT
TO OUR SAFE COMMUNITIES
CONTRACT AND INCREASE FUNDING
FOR OUR BEACH, A BEAUTIFUL SAFE
PLACE. WE HAVE HELPED BOTH OF
THESE CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY
FOR OVER A DECADE.BOTH
CONTRACTS ARE COMMUNITY LED ,
CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS THAT
HAVE BEEN RESEARCHED AND
EVALUATED BY PROFESSIONAL
CRIMINOLOGISTS AND HAVE MADE
SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS IN THE
COMMUNITY AND HAVE HELPED WITH
REDUCING VIOLENCE AND CRIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND
CONSIDERATION.
>> WE WILL CIRCLE BACK TO ELIE
CASSIDY AND MOVE ON TO SPEAKER
90. PLEASE PRESS STAR 6 .
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY NOW?
>> YES. THANK YOU.
>> I AM A SMALL BUSINESS
OWNER. I AM CALLING IN TO
SUPPORT THE BUDGET THAT
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT HAS
PROPOSED. IN ADDITION, THE
ADDITIONAL TAX TO AMAZON. I
HAVE A BUSINESS THAT HAS A
SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS .
DEMOCRATS IN THE COUNCIL SPEAK
TO THIS . THIS IS THE MOMENT
WHERE WE CAN THINK , WHAT ARE
THE THINGS IMPORTANT TO INVEST
IN RIGHT NOW? I HAVE HEARD SO
MUCH TESTIMONY ABOUT THE NEED
TO SUPPORT THE UNDERSERVED IN
OUR COMMUNITY. THAT HAVE BEEN
SYSTEMICALLY OPPRESSED OVER
TIME. THIS IS A MOMENT WHERE
IT IS TIME TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN THAT STORY. WE
ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY.
MOVING FORWARD, WITH
CONTINUING TO FUND POLICE ,
POLICE THEY WILL NOT EVEN
HIRE, THAT DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT.
IT SEEMS URGENT. WHERE WE CAN
GET WHERE WE ARE BUILDING AND
NOT TRY TO PUT OUT A CRISIS.
>> ONLINE REGISTER SPEAKER
NUMBER 90, ARIANNA .
>> HELLO. I AM A DISABLED
VETERAN IN DISTRICT 2. I AM ON
THE SEATTLE RENTERS
COMMISSION. TODAY, THIS BUDGET
REFLECTS THE SEATTLE APATHY FOR
THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY .
INSUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH
FUNDS NONPROFITS AND SERVICES
THAT EXTEND TO ELDERS, THE
DISABLED, AND THOSE INVOLVED
IN TRAFFICKING, INSUFFICIENT
FUNDING TO KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED,
HUMAN SERVICES ARE UNDERFUNDED
AND IMPACTED BY HIGH INFLATION.
YOU PUT $250 MILLION FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT NOT
ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY
ADDRESSING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF
THAT HOUSING. WHY IS THAT ?
SEATTLE HAS A SEVERE SHORTAGE
OF ACCESSIBLE HOUSING IN ALL
INCOME BRACKETS. INSTEAD OF
BUILDING HOUSING TO THOSE OF
US WITH DISABILITIES, YOU
INTEND TO PUT TOGETHER A
RANGER SQUAD TO BULLY US INTO
HARASS US , TAKE OUR THINGS AND
FORCE US TO RELOCATE WHERE YOU
DO NOT HAVE TO SEE US. 70% ON
THOSE ON THE STREETS HAVE A
DISABILITY AND YOUR PRIORITIES
ARE REFLECTED IN THIS BUDGET
WHICH DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEMS,
AND SWEEPS THEM OUT OF SIGHT.
YOU SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND NOT
AUSTERITY AND POLICE BRUTALITY.
THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MAXINE
FUENTES.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS . I AM HERE
TODAY TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR
AMENDMENT HSC-022-A, WHICH AT
ONE $.5 MILLION TO SURVIVOR
DRIVEN ADVOCACY SERVICES TO
SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE. FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS
LIKE THIS IS NOT ADEQUATE TO
MEET THE SURVIVORS , ESPECIALLY
FOR BIPOC SURVIVORS, LGBTQ
SURVIVORS. COMMUNITY-BASED
ADVOCACY IS ALSO THE PRIMARY
WAY SURVIVORS CONNECT TO OTHER
SERVICES, ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT
FOR CULTURALLY SPECIFIC
PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT
SURVIVORS, LGBTQ , BIPOC
SURVIVORS . THEY NEED THE HELP
THEY NEED TO HEAL ON THE
PROFOUND IMPACTS OF ABUSE.
MEANINGFUL INVESTMENT OF
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IS
ESSENTIAL I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT
THE SURVIVOR DRIVEN ADVOCACY
BY SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT.
I ALSO SUPPORT THE FULL
INFLATION ADJUSTMENT FOR
HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JONATHAN
.
>> HELLO , I AM JONATHAN AND
I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET. AND AGAINST
THE PAY CUTS TO HUMAN SERVICE
WORKERS PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET
BY MAJOR HAROLD -- MAYOR
HAROLD. WE CANNOT UNDERFUND
THE SHELTER WORKERS, CASE
MANAGERS , AND OTHER HUMAN
SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO ARE
CHARGED WITH THE CRITICAL
BELIEF TO OUR NEIGHBORS. THE
MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET DOES
THIS WHILE OFFERING MILLIONS IN
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR A
UNIFIED CARE TEAM RESPONSIBLE
FOR DESTRUCTIVE AND TIMID
SWEEPS SHOWS A SERIOUS
INVERSION OF PRIORITIES . WE
NEED TO SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET PAY INCREASES AND
RETENTION BONUSES FOR HUMAN
SERVICE PROVIDERS. AS IT IS ,
THE BUDGET BY THE MAYOR DOES
NOT MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS DORIS
O'NEAL. PLEASE PRESS STAR 6 .
>> HELLO? THIS IS DORIS WITH
THE YWCA. I WANT TO THANK THE
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR BEING HERE
TODAY AND HEARING EVERYONE'S
TESTIMONY. WE WANT YOU TO PASS
THE BILL OF ADDING $1.25
MILLION TO GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE AND SPECIALIZED
SERVICES . I HAVE BEEN IN THIS
OVER 30 YEARS AND DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE IS NOT GOING DOWN.
SEXUAL ASSAULT IS NOT GOING
LIKE , HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS AT
AN ALL-TIME HIGH. WE NEED
FUNDING TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS
AND FUNDING TO SUSTAIN THE
ADVOCATES WE HAVE DOING THIS
WORK. WITH INFLATION , IT IS
ALREADY HARD TO GET GOOD
ADVOCATES BECAUSE THEY WANT TO
MAKE MORE MONEY, THEY WANT TO
MAKE EQUITABLE LIVING WAGES,
AND WE NEED FOR THIS BILL TO BE
PASSED. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> WE ARE NOW AT REGISTER
SPEAKER NUMBER 100, GEORGE
BARRON.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS
JORGE, WITH THE IMMIGRANTS
RIGHTS PROJECT AND A RESIDENT
OF DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN . WE
SUPPORT THE CALL FROM THE
SEATTLE HUMAN SERVICES
COALITION AND MANY OTHER
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE
COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT
INFLATIONARY ADJUSTMENT THAT
MATCHES THE ACTUAL INFLATION
RATE IS PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL
TO ENSURE THAT SERVICES OF
CITY RESIDENTS AND WORKERS ARE
NOT REDUCED . I ALSO WANT TO
EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO THE
CITY FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO
BEING A WELCOMING CITY TO ALL
COMMUNITIES , INCLUDING THE
MANY IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
COMMUNITIES THAT RESIDE AND
WORK IN THE CITY. ONE OF THE
WAYS THE CITY ACTS ON THE
VALUE OF BEING A WELCOMING
COMMUNITY IS THROUGH PROGRAMS
THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITY MEMBERS
ON THE PATHWAY TO BE A UNITED
STATES CITIZEN. THE CITY
PARTNERS WITH THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON IN THE NEW CITIZENS
PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES VITAL
SERVICES TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS
TO ACCESS U.S. CITIZENSHIP . I
WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA FOR SPONSORING AN
AMENDMENT THAT WOULD SUPPORT A
MODEST INCREASE IN FUNDING OF
THIS PROGRAM AND MAKE SURE
THAT THE LEVEL OF SERVICES
REMAIN CONSTANT IN THE COMING
YEAR. THAT AMENDMENT NUMBER IS
001-A. I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER
MORALES AND STRAUSS FOR
COSPONSORING THIS AMENDMENT
AND HOPE THIS IS INCLUDED IN
THE FINAL BUDGET . THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICE
TO THE CITY.
>> WE ARE READY FOR THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
>> MY NAME IS BJ, SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER AND I SUPPORT
THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET. DURING
THIS HEARING, THERE WERE TWO
SUITES TAKING PLACE IN THE
CITY, THAT DOES NOT SURPRISE ME
BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN HAVING
DAILY SWEEPS THIS YEAR AND
THOSE ARE RELATED TO WHY WE
HAVE SEEN A RECORD NUMBER OF
PEOPLE DYING OUTSIDE. OVER 190
PEOPLE IN SEATTLE HAVE DIED
WHILE LIVING OUTSIDE SO FAR
THIS YEAR IN THE COLD WEATHER.
TODAY, THE SUITES WERE TYPICAL
, DOZENS OF PEOPLE FROM THE
POLICE AND ONE OUTREACH WORKER
. DOZENS OF CITY WORKERS
TRASHED PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS AND
DISPLACED THEM TO SOMEWHERE
ELSE OUTSIDE . ONE PERSON
@TRYING TO GET PEOPLE INSIDE.
THE OUTREACH WORKER COULD NOT
GET EVERYONE INSIDE , THAT DID
NOT SURPRISE ME, THAT IS
PERFECTLY NORMAL, THEY DO NOT
HAVE ENOUGH PLACES FOR PEOPLE
TO GO. THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH
SHELTER BEDS FOR PEOPLE
CURRENTLY BEING DISPLACED. THE
MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS ARE STILL
OUTSIDE BUT IN DIFFERENT AREAS
WITH FEWER RESOURCES THAN
BEFORE SINCE SPD TRIES A LOT
OF THEIR STUFF AND OUTREACH
WORKERS NEED FUNDING TO STOP
THE SWEEPS. COUNCIL CAN RESTORE
PAY FOR COUNCIL -- SIMILARLY
, COUNCIL CAN RESTORE FOOD
FUNDING , INCREASE SHELTER,
AND IT IS NEEDED FOR A BUDGET
FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE, INSTEAD OF
A BUDGET WHICH WILL RESULT IN
DEATH. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SHANNON
MAYO. PLEASE PRESS STAR 6 .
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. CAN YOU
HEAR ME ?
>> YES .
>> WONDERFUL . MY NAME IS
SHANNON AND I AM A VOLUNTEER
WITH MOM'S INACTION FOR DUNCES
IN AMERICA , AND SOMEONE WHO
FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY GUN
VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN THE
SOUTH AND CENTRAL AREA OF
SEATTLE. OUR MISSION IS TO
PROVIDE -- PREVENT GUN
VIOLENCE, CRITICAL WE CONTINUE
TO INVEST IN LOCAL VIOLENCE
INTERVENTION ORGANIZATIONS .
THE PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET, WE
WANT YOU TO SUPPORT AND
MAINTAIN THE $4.7 MILLION FOR
SEATTLE COMMUNITY SAFETY
INITIATIVE. AND TO SUPPORT THE
$1.5 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THE
KING COUNTY REGIONAL
PEACEKEEPERS COLLECTIVE. THE
SEATTLE COMMUNITY SAFETY
INITIATIVE INCLUDES FOUR
ORGANIZATIONS LED BY PEOPLE OF
COLOR , COMMUNITY PATHWAYS,
URBAN FAMILIES, SAFETY
NETWORKS , BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
, AND A PROGRAM OF THE YMCA.
WE WORK REGULARLY WITH OUR
VOLUNTEERS IN SUPPORT OF
COMMUNITY PASSAGEWAYS AND
SOUTHEAST NETWORK HUB OF THE
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB'S WITH A
MISSION TO BUILD A MORE
EQUITABLE PUBLIC SAFETY
SYSTEM, PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE,
INCREASE SAFE COMMUNITIES THAT
ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED
BY GUN VIOLENCE. THIS ONGOING
INVESTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO
KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE. NOT TO
MENTION THAT ALLOCATING FUNDS
FOR THE SEATTLE COMMUNITY
SAFETY INITIATIVE WILL CONTINUE
TO BRING THE TRANSFORMATIVE
SOLUTIONS THAT ARE PROVEN
EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING AND
REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE. THANK
YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MATTHEW
, THEN WE WILL CIRCLE BACK ONE
LAST TIME TO MR. -- I LOST
HIS NAME, MR. DULANEY. THAT
IS THE LAST REGISTER SPEAKER.
>> HELLO . I AM A STUDENT AND
MENTOR IN DISTRICT 4, AND ON
THE BOARD FOR -- A MEMBER OF
THE SEATTLE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION . I WANTED TO BE
HERE TODAY AND SHARE WITH YOU
THAT, IN A CITY WITH A BUDGET
AS LARGE AS $7.4 BILLION, IT
REALLY SHOULD NOT BE THIS
DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE BASIC
HUMAN SERVICES FOR PEOPLE YOU
ARE MEANT TO SERVE . THE PUBLIC
SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PLEAD IN
HEARING AFTER HEARING, ASKING
YOU TO DELIVER THESE BASIC
SERVICES. I AM IN SUPPORT OF
THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET AND
INCREASING THE JUMPSTART TAX .
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE
PROPOSED CUTS TO HUMAN SERVICE
WORKERS IN THE BUDGET BY THE
MAYOR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO EVERYONE
WHO HAS SPOKEN TODAY , AND THE
HUMAN SERVICES COALITION. I
USED TO WORK FOR THE KING
COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY. I
SAW FIRSTHAND HOW THESE
ESSENTIAL WORKERS WERE OFTEN
TIMES THE ONLY PROTECTION
BETWEEN A NEIGHBOR USING A
SECTION 8 VOUCHER, OR THEY
WOULD BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST
BY A PROPERTY MANAGER AND
CORPORATE LANDLORD. THIS IS
ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT . IT
WOULD BE A HUGE BLOW IF YOU
USED ShotSpotter TECHNOLOGY
AND GHOST COPS. WITH THE
BUDGET SHORTFALL, IT WOULD BE A
SHORTSIGHTED MOVE.
>> WE ARE CIRCLING BACK ONE
LAST TIME TO GARRETT.
>> GOOD DAY . I AM ASKING FOR
YOUR CONTINUED AND INCREASED
SUPPORT OF THE VEHICLE
RESIDENT OUTREACH PROGRAM. WE
ARE THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT
TO OUR UN-HOUSED NEIGHBORS
LIVING IN THE VEHICLES . I
WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU
TODAY., AS AN OUTREACH WORKER
ON THE GROUND, I AM SEEING A
LARGE INCREASE OF INDIVIDUALS
GETTING -- LIVING IN THEIR CAR
, THE LAST RESOURCE AFTER THEY
LOSE THEIR HOUSE. TO TAKE
REFUGE IN . WE ARE SEEING A
HUGE INFLUX OF THAT . WE
DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP.
AND INCREASED FUNDING SO THAT
WE CAN INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
PEOPLE -- WE ONLY HAVE SIX , TO
HANDLE ALL OF SEATTLE. PLEASE
DON'T TAKE AWAY A VERY
IMPORTANT TOOL, ESSENTIAL TOOL
, A PLACE THAT WE SEND THESE
INDIVIDUALS AS THE FIRST
INTRODUCTION STEP TO SOCIAL
SERVICES . WE ARE IN DESPERATE
NEED OF YOUR HELP. PLEASE HELP
US HELP YOUR CONSTITUENTS , THE
HOMEOWNERS I CALL YOU AND ARE
UPSET ABOUT PEOPLE PARKED IN
FRONT OF THEIR HOMES . HELP US
GET THEM OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES.
MANY PEOPLE WANT TO LEAVE THEIR
VEHICLES AND GET INTO HOUSING.
PLEASE, HELP US. TAKE YOU SO
MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> CHAIR MOSQUEDA, THAT WAS
THE LAST REGISTERED PRESENT
SPEAKER.
>> THANK YOU. JOIN ME IN
THANKING OUR CLERKS FOR
MANAGING THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
THANK YOU ALL . WE GOT OVER
140 INDIVIDUALS WHO DIALED IN
OR SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
TODAY. WE GREATLY APPRECIATE
ALL OF THE COMMENTS. AS A
REMINDER , WE WILL CONTINUE TO
HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT AGAIN NEXT
TUESDAY AT 5:00 P.M. THIS WILL
BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO
PROVIDE INITIAL FEEDBACK ON THE
INITIAL BALANCING PACKAGE THAT
WILL INCORPORATE MANY OF THE
COUNCIL PRIORITIES . IT WILL
ALSO ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE
REDUCTION IN THE REVENUE FOR
US THAT WE RECEIVED LAST
WEDNESDAY THAT IS $64 MILLION
REDUCTION IN REAL ESTATE
EXCISE TAX , $9.4 MILLION
REDUCTION IN GENERAL FUND, AND
$4.5 MILLION REDUCTION IN
THE BEVERAGE, ALL OF WHICH IS
COMPOUNDING THE ALREADY
EXISTING $141 MILLION
OPERATING DEFICIT OUR CITY
FACES . IT HAS BEEN A
CHALLENGING WEEK FOR US TO
MAKE SURE WE CAN ACCOMMODATE
SOME OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS
INITIAL REQUESTS , AS WELL AS
INCORPORATE MANY OF THE
SUGGESTIONS WE HAVE HEARD FROM
PUBLIC COMMENT HERE TODAY , AND
HAVE MUCH MORE WORK TO DO, WE
KNOW, ONCE THAT INITIAL
BALANCING PACKAGE IS RELEASED
NEXT MONDAY . THE INITIAL
BALANCING PACKAGE WILL BE
RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 11th ,
EXCUSE ME, NOVEMBER 14th AT
11:00 A.M., DURING THIS MEETING
IT WILL JUST BE -- WE WILL GET
RIGHT INTO DELIBERATION AMONG
COUNCILMEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE
DELIBERATION AND PUBLIC
COMMENTS WILL BE THE FOLLOWING
DAY AT 5:00 P.M., NOVEMBER
15th. WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE
PUBLIC COMMENT THROUGHOUT THE
DURATION OF THE EVENING , LIKE
WE DID TODAY, WE ARE NEARING
FOUR HOURS OF PUBLIC COMMENT .
ASSUME THE SAME LEVEL OF PUBLIC
COMMENT ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER
15th AT 5:00 P.M. THANK YOU ,
AGAIN, TO OUR CLERKS , WE
REALLY APPRECIATE IT, AS WELL
AS LEADERSHIP FROM ELIZABETH ,
WHO IS THE ACTING CLERK . WE
DID RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM
ELIZABETH , SHE HELPED TO
PROVIDE CONTEXT TO WHY THE
ELEVATOR WAS TEMPORARILY OUT OF
SERVICE , IT WAS BECAUSE THE
ELECTRICITY TURNED OFF FOR A
QUICK SECOND . IF YOU NOTICE A
GLITCH IN THE RECORDING OR THE
AUDIO SOUND , IT IS BECAUSE THE
ELECTRICITY SHORTED OUT. THE
ELEVATOR STOPPED AS WELL BUT
WE GOT IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY
THANKS TO THE CLERKS AND THE
CREW HERE AT CITY HALL. THANK
YOU TO ERIC AND IAN FROM THE
I.T. DEPARTMENT . ALL OF THE
COUNCILMEMBERS AND MY TEAM, AS
WELL AS ESSENTIAL STAFF TEAM
WHO IS VERY BUSY WORKING TO
ACCOMMODATE MANY OF THE
AMENDMENTS AND TRY TO MAKE THIS
PACKAGE BALANCED. AS WE ARE
REQUIRED TO DO BY STATUTE ,
REGARDLESS OF THE DOWNTURN IN
THE ECONOMIC FORECAST TWO WEEKS
BEFORE THE FINAL DELIBERATIONS
. COLLEAGUES , WE LOOK FORWARD
TO SEEING YOU ON MONDAY AT
11:00 A.M. WHERE WE WILL HAVE A
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING AND
WALK THROUGH THE PROPOSED
BALANCING PACKAGE IN DETAIL
WITH COUNCILMEMBERS . AND
PUBLIC HEARING THE FOLLOWING
DAY, TUESDAY AT 5:00 P.M. WITH
AMENDMENTS DUE TO CENTRAL STAFF
AT NOON ON WEDNESDAY, THE
16th. COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> THAT I HEAR SON'S VOICE.
IS HE BACK ?
>> AFFIRMATIVE .
>> HOW ARE YOU ?
>> ADEQUATE .
>> THANK YOU . THIS MEETING IS
ADJOURNED . WE WILL SEE YOU ON
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14th AT 11:00
A.M. THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES,
GOODBYE.