>> YOU CAN BEGIN NOW THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, I.T.
GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.
TODAY'S TUESDAY, AUGUST 16th.
THE MEETING OF THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER.
IT IS A: 01.
AND I AM DEBORA JUAREZ.
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT,
PRESENT , COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS
, PRESENT.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD , HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN ,
PRESENT.
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ, PRESENT.
>> BEFORE WEEK AGAIN, WE HAVE
SOME INTERNAL HIM MATTERS.
AT THIS POINT, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO RESCIND MY
REQUEST TO BE EXCUSED FOR
TODAY'S MEETING.
>> IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION,
COUNCILMEMBERS EXCUSED ABSENT
FOR TODAY, WILL BE RESCINDED.
I DO NOT HEAR OR SEE
OBJECTIONS.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, YOUR
EXCUSED ABSENCE FOR TODAY IS
RESCINDED.
MOVING ON TO AGENDA FOR
PRESENTATIONS.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES HAS A
PRESENTATION.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES WILL
PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION AND I
WILL OPEN IT UP TO OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS.
AFTER COMMENTS, WE WILL SUSPEND
THE RULE TO ALLOW OUR GUESTS,
DAVID -- FROM SPOKANE TO ACCEPT
THE PROPAGATE PROP PROCLAMATION
AND HAVE COMMENTS.
>> IF YOU HAVE COMMENTS YOU
WOULD LIKE TO MAKE, YOU CAN
COME UP TO THE TABLE HERE.
YES, THANK YOU.
WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION
PROCLAIMING AUGUST 21st, 2022
AS BLACK PRIDE MONTH.'S PACIFIC
NORTHWEST BLACK PRIDE DAY,
EXCUSE ME.
I WILL READ SOME OF THE
PROCLAMATION AND INVITE MR.
SAWYERTO COME.
BISHOP STEPHEN SAWYER ALONG
WITH THE TEAM OF COMMUNITY
LEADERS PEOPLE OF COLOR AGAINST
THE NETWORK AN ORGANIZATION
THAT WAS FOUNDED OVER 35 YEARS
AGO TO BUILD POWERFUL AND
UPLIFTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH
ETHNIC ORGANIZATINS AND
ALLIE'S.
ALSO BLACK PRIDE, PACIFIC
NORTHWEST BLACK PRIDE PROVED
APPLIED FOR AND APPROVED A
GROWING LGBTQ IA AFRICAN-
AMERICAN IN WASHINGTON STATE.
WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE MR.
SAWYER HERE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE
IMPORTANT WORK OF THE
ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY
MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN LEADING
THE CHARGE HERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE WILL PRESENT THIS, AS WELL,
ON SUNDAY AT JIMI HENDRIX PARK.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE COMMENTS,
PLEASE DO SO.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR
CONTINUED SUPPORT AS WE DO THIS
GREAT WORK.
LIKE YOU SAID, THIS
úORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED
THROUGH SPOKANE WHO HAS A LONG
RICH HISTORY THAT CAN BE
SERVING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
PARTICULARLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN
MEN ARE MOST AFFECTED BY HIV
BUT ALSO LGBTQ AFRICAN-AMERICAN
YOUTH AFFECTED BY HOMELESSNESS
AND HOUSING ISSUES.
TEACHING THE CONTINUOUS
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY TO
ADDRESS THE ISSUES.
WE COMMUNICATE AND HAVE FUN
ABOUT IT.
IT'S ABOUT ADDRESSING ISSUES IN
THE COMMUNITY.
I HAVE WITH ME TODAY A HOST OF
A COMMITTEE.
I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR ALL
THE WORK THEY DO IN THE
COMMUNITY AROUND THIS WITH THE
PARTNERSHIP.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, SO MUCH.
WELCOME EVERYONE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, I'M
GOING TO OPEN THE FLOOR.
THAT I'M GOING TO SUSPEND THE
RULES.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER FUTURE
GUESTS, CAN WE DO IT THAT WAY?
>> YES.
MY APOLOGIES COUNCIL PLAYER
PRESIDENT.
>> IT'S OKAY, I DIDN'T WANT TO
INTERRUPT HIM.
I'M TRYING TO SHOW KINDNESS AND
HUMILITY AND DIGNITY.
WHEN PEOPLE COME TO PUBLIC
COMMENT, WE SHOULD GIVE THEM
SPACE AND ALLOW THEM TO FEEL
SAFE HERE TO SAY WHAT THEY NEED
TO SAY.
I WILL GO AHEAD WITH THE
PROCEDURAL PIECE AND HANDED OFF
TO YOU TO INTRODUCE ANYMORE
GAS.
FIRST, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS
FROM OUR COLLEAGUES REGARDING
THE PROCLAMATION THAT
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES HAS PUT
FORTH TODAY ? I DO NOT SEE ANY
HANDS RAISED.
WITH THAT, IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, COUNSEL ROLE WILL BE
SUSPENDED FOR ANYMORE GAS TO
ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION AND
PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL REMARKS.
HEARING AND SEEING NO
OBJECTIONS, COUNSEL RULES ARE
SUSPENDED.
WITH THAT, COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES, DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER
GAS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO
INTRODUCE FOR YOUR
PROCLAMATION, BEFORE WE MOVE
ON TO THE AGENDA
>> ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO CHIME
IN?
WE CAN DO IT AFTERWARDS, YES,
THANK YOU.
IF THEY WANT A PHOTO, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, MY APOLOGIES.
I'M IN CHAMBER.
DO I TAKE A MOMENT TO DO THAT
NOW.
>> YES I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT
THAT UP.
I HAD IT WRITTEN IN THE
MARGINS.
ABSOLUTELY.
I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT
THE GROUP WHEN YOU SAID 35
YEARS, I FEEL OLD.
I REMEMBER I HELP PUT THAT
TOGETHER AND ASKED ME TO SIT ON
THE FIRST BOARD AND I COULDN'T.
I FEEL VERY OLD.
TO THANK YOU.
YOU WANT TO MOVE TO THE PHOTO
OP RIGHT NOW IT WOULD BE GREAT
FOR ALL OF US TO SEE IT, GO
AHEAD.
>> OKAY.
>> THAT IS A GOOD-LOOKING
GROUP.
WOW.
WONDERFUL.
CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU FOR INDULGING US,
EVERYONE.
>> ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU FOR
BRINGING THIS FORWARD,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE THAT
CAME . THE REPRESENTATIVES, IT
MEANS A LOT TO US TO SEE ALL
THE GOOD WORK YOU DO.
THANK YOU AGAIN, COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES.
MOVING ON , ON THE AGENDA TO
PUBLIC COMMENT.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A HYBRID
SYSTEM WHERE WE HAVE PEOPLE IN
CHAMBERS AND YOU CAN CALL HIM.
TODAY, WE HAVE A GROUP, PLEASE
CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
WE HAVE 27 REMOTE PEOPLE THAT
HAVE CALLED IN AND MY
UNDERSTANDING WE HAVE SEVEN
FOLKS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP IN
PERSON IS THAT CORRECT?
>> ACTUALLY IT'S 28 AND WE NOW
HAVE SEVEN SIGNED UP IN PERSON.
>> WE WILL TAKE THE IN PERSON
SPEAKERS FIRST.
THEY WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE AND
THEN WE WILL MOVED TO THE 28
PEOPLE THAT OF CALLED IN, AND
THEY WILL EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE,
AS WELL.
WIH THAT, MADAME CLERK, I WILL
HANDED OVER TO YOU FOR THE
RECORDING AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> HELLO, SEATTLE.
WE ARE THE EMERALD CITY.
OF THE CITY OF FLOWERS AND
GOODWILL.
BUILT ON INDIGENOUS LAND.
TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES OF THE
PEOPLE'S.
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
WELCOMES REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT
AND EAGER TO HEAR FROM
RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO BE A SPEAKER
AND PROVIDE A PUBLIC COMMENT,
YOU MAY REGISTER TWO HOURS
PRIOR TO THE MEETING VIA THE
CITY COUNCIL WEBSITE.
HERE'S INFORMATION ABOUT THE
PROCEEDINGS.
SPEAKERS ARE CALLED UPON WHICH
IS THE ORDER THEY ARE
REGISTERED ON THE WEBSITE.
EACH SPEAKER MUST CALL IN FROM
THE PHONE NUMBER DIVIDED WHEN
THEY REGISTER ONLINE AND USE
THE MEETING I.D.
AND PASSCODE AND WAS EMAILED A
CONFIRMATION.
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL
CONFIRMATION, PLEASE CHECK YOUR
SPAM OR JUNK MAIL FOLDERS.
THIS GERR SPEAKER MEETING I.D.
IS DIFFERENT THAN THE LISTENING
LINE ON THE AGENDA.
ONCE THE SPEAKERS NAME IS
CALLED, THE SPEAKER MICROPHONE
IS UNMETERED AND A PROMPT WILL
SAY THE HOST WOULD LIKE YOU TO
UNMUTE YOUR MICROPHONE.
THAT IS YOUR CUE THAT THAT IS
YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
AT THAT TIME YOU MUST PRESS
STAR SIX.
LISTEN TO THE PROMPT, YOU ARE
UNMETERED.
BE SURE THAT YOUR PHONE IS A
MUTED AND YOU WILL BE HEARD.
STATE YOUR NAME AND THE ITEM
YOU ARE ADDRESSING.
A CHIME WILL SOUND WHEN 10
SECONDS IS LEFT IN YOUR
ALLOTTED TIME.
A GENTLE REMINDER TO WRAP UP
YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
AT THE END OF YOUR ALLOTTED
TIME, YOUR MICROPHONE WILL BE
MUTED.
THE NEXT
>> REGISTERED WILL BE CALLED.
ONE SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN
PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENT,
PLEASE DISCONNECT FROM THE
PUBLIC COMMENT LINE AND JOIN US
FOLLOWING THE MEETING VIA THE
SEATTLE CHANNEL BROADCAST OR
LISTENING LINE OPTION.
THE COUNCIL RESERVES THE RIGHT
TO REMOVE PUBLIC COMMENT IF THE
SYSTEM IS ABUSE OR IT EXCEEDS
THE ABILITY TO CONDUCT THE
BUSINESS ON BEHALF OF THE
RESIDENTS OF THE CITY.
ANY OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE THAT'S
DISRUPT IT OR NOT FOCUSED ON A
SPECIFIC TOPIC SPECIFIED, OR
COUNSEL RULES, MAY LEAD TO THE
SPEAKER BEING MUTED BY THE
OFFICER.
OUR HOPE IS TO PROVIDE
OPPORTUNITY FOR PRODUCTIVE
DISCUSSIONS THAT WILL ASSIST
ORDERLY CONSIDERATION BEFORE
THE COUNSEL.
THE PUBLIC COUNSEL.
PUBLIC SPEAKING IS NOW OPEN.
PRESS STAR SIX AFTER YOU HEAR
THE PROMPT OF "YOU HAVE BEEN IN
MUTED".
THANK YOU, SEATTLE.
>> WE WILL MOVED TO THE IN
PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT.
WENT YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED,
APPROACHED THE MICROPHONE AND
STATE YOUR NAME AND THE ITEM
YOU ARE ADDRESSING.
THE FIRST PERSON IS EILEEN.
>> AM I ALLOWED ONE OR TWO
MINUTES?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO DO TWO.
>> ONE MINUTE.
>> I AM WITH HUMANE VOTERS OF
WASHINGTON.
I HAVE IT IN WRITING THAT THE
IF THE AQUARIUM CAN FIND SHARKS
AND RAYS FROM A FACILITY TO
BREATHE THEM, THEY WILL TAKE
THEM FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC.
THE PROPOSED CHARTRES TANK --
CAN I START OVER?
>> I'M WITH HUMANE VOTERS OF
WASHINGTON.
I HAVE IN WRITING THAT IF THE
AQUARIUM CAN'T FIND THE SHARKS
AND STINGRAYS FROM A FACILITY
TO BREATHE THEM, THEY WILL TAKE
THEM FROM THE WATERS OF THE
SOUTH PACIFIC.
THE TINY TANK WILL CAUSE
SUFFERING.
THEY STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE IN
TANKS.
WEATHER CAPTURED HER BREAD,
THEY RETAINED THEIR INSTINCT.
WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY TO HAVE
NONLIFE EXPERIENCES WITHOUT THE
SUFFERING AND PREMATURE DEATH.
THE AQUARIUM IN HAWAII USES
TECHNOLOGY TO GIVE THE VISITOR
INSIDE LOOK AT THE COMPLEX
TRIBE OF HUMP BACK WHALES.
THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH OUR
OUTMODED AQUARIUM.
WE ARE ASKING YOU TO WITHHOLD
$20 MILLION FROM THE ACCORDION
UNTIL THE SHARK TANK IS
REPLACED WITH A NON-LIVE
EXPERIENCE.
ANY LESS IS NOT HUMANITY.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS PETER.
>> I'M WITH BLACK EXCELLENCE
AND CANNABIS.
I WANT YOU TO GET THE TITLE ON
PLEASE.
OKAY.
MY NAME IS PETER I'M WITH BLACK
EXCELLENCE AND CANNABIS.
I SPEAKING TODAY BECAUSE OF THE
RHETORIC THAT WAS DISPLAYED IN
THE MEDIA LATELY PERTAINING TO
BLACK-OWNED STORES AS BEING
SOMEHOW DRUG TRAFFICKING AND/OR
CHILD ABUSE OR SELLING DRUGS TO
CHILDREN.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INCLUSION OF
BLACK OR BROWN PEOPLE THIS
ELEMENT OF CANNABIS BECOMES
HIGHLY ILLEGAL.
OF THE WHITE PEOPLE OF DONE IT
FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.
THEY'VE MADE MORE MONEY THAN
THE CARTEL OF MEXICO HAVE HERE.
THE $3.7 BILLION IN THE STATE
OF WASHINGTON, THAT SERIES DRUG
TRAFFICKING.
JUST BECAUSE BLACK PEOPLE ARE
ASKING FOR INCLUSION OF THE ALL
WHITE CANNABIS INDUSTRY, WE ARE
LABELED AS POTENTIAL DRUG
TRAFFICKERS ARE HARMING
CHILDREN.
WE EXPECTED SOMETHING FROM THE
CITY GOVERNMENT OR STATE
GOVERNMENT OR PUSHBACK
SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE SAID TO
WRITE THESE RACIST STATEMENTS
PERTAINING TO US AND EQUITY.
THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY
THIS COUNSEL, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
MIKE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON
COUNCILMEMBERS.
ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF.
I'M WITH EMERALD CITY
COLLECTIVE.
SECOND BLACK ALL MEDICAL
DISPENSARY IN 2010 IN DOWNTOWN
DISPENSARY.
WE ARE THE CANNABIS PIONEERS.
WE ARE STILL HERE.
WE ARE PROTECTED UNDER CITY
ORDINANCE IN 2011.
TO JULY OF 2016, WHEN MANY
OTHER BLACK-OWNED DISPENSARIES
WERE CLOSED DOWN BY THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
WE STAND BY THE ENTRANCE OF
CANNABIS WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL
IN PASSING THIS.
WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT FOR
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
WE ARE IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE
EMPLOYEES RIGHT PROTECTION.
WE ARE NOT IN SUPPORT OF
AMENDMENT ONE. WE ARE SIMPLY
REQUESTING AMENDMENT SECTION 10
NOT BE TAKEN TO THE NEXT
GENERATION.
RACES COMMENTS FROM LOCAL AND
NATIONAL MEDIA AFRICANS ARE
DRUG TRAFFICKERS IS RACIST.
WHITE SUPREMACY CAUSING MORE
TRAUMA TO BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS ALEX.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ALEX.
>> DIRTY NOT SEE GESTAPO
SHOOTER.
I'M SPEAKING ON YOUR AGENDA,
CONDEMN EVERY SIM SIN FOR ELECT
IT OFFICIAL.
I REMEMBER A FEW YEARS AGO
COUNCILMAN BRINGS THIS.
GIVE ME 12 TRESPASSES FOR 1200
DAYS.
I GO FOR ELECTION LAST 10
YEARS.
EVERY YEAR.
WHO ARE YOU?
RIGHT NOW WE DO EVERYTHING
BRING EVERYBODY TO
CONCENTRATION CAMP.
YOU RULE.
YOU RULE TOTALLY CUT THE RIGHT
OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND
OPINION.
STANDUP AMERICA UP.
CLEANSE THIS TEMPLE FROM THIS
.
>> NEXT SPEAKER . NEXT SPEAKER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN-
AMERICAN MAN TO HAVE A MEDICAL
MARIJUANA CLASS HERE IN THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON AND SEATTLE.
WHAT HAPPENED TO US AS AFRICAN-
AMERICANS IN THIS INDUSTRY, WAS
ATROCIOUS.
THE THING ABOUT IT WAS BEING
FROM SEATTLE AT THAT TIME THE
MAYOR OF SEATTLE, HE WAS
PROMOTING IT AND THINGS LIKE
THAT AND THEN FOR US TO TAKE
OUR OWN BLOOD AND SWEAT AND
ESTABLISH THESE BUSINESSES TO
HAVE THEM TAKEN AWAY FROM US, IS
UNIMAGINABLE.
YOU DON'T THINK THAT STUFF
EXISTS IN AMERICA TODAY, BUT IT
DOES.
AS PROGRESSIVE AS THE STATE
WANTS TO BE OR ACTS LIKE IT IS,
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK WE MUST
DO.
I WILL THINK THE BLACK
EXCELLENCE OF CANNABIS TO GIVE
ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK
WITH YOU GUYS.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT SPEAKER.
ROBERT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M HERE ON
BEHALF OF OF ONE OF THE
SOUTHERN COMMISSIONERS.
TO EXTEND A PRESENCE.
COMMISSION ON NEIGHBORHOOD IS
THE SPECIFIC COMMISSION I'M
REFERRING TO.
THIS IS MY FIRST COUNCIL
MEETING, I WANT TO SAY
GREETINGS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> I'M FROM SEATTLE.
RIGHT NOW, I WANT TO SAY THAT
I'M VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF THE
PASSING OF SHIRLEY'S
MONTGOMERY, THE TAX LADY FROM
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT.
SHE WOULD COME DOWN HERE.
I THINK EDDIE WAS CONDUCTED IN
THIS WAY.
HERE WE ARE AGAIN.
I'M HERE BECAUSE TOLD MY RIGHTS
VIOLATED REPEATEDLY FROM PEOPLE
BASICALLY THEY DON'T KNOW ME,
BUT THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DO
SOMETHING TO DISRUPT MY LIFE.
ALL I WANT IS MY TOTAL FREEDOM.
ALL THAT OTHER STUFF IS
IRRELEVANT, UNLESS WE CAN WALK
AND GO AND SIT DOWN ON THE
FIRST FLOOR WITHOUT BEING
PERSECUTED.
I DIDN'T HEAR NOBODY BACK IN
THE 60s, THEY WOULD'VEBEEN
RATTLING EVERYTHING IN THIS
CAMP.
YOU JUST DISCRIMINATING AGAINST
INDIGENOUS BLACK PEOPLE.
WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO QUIT
THAT.
TIME EXPIRED, NEXT TIME GIVE ME
MY TWO MINUTES.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> NO NEW COPS.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
SPD HAS A SLOWDOWN STRIKE FOR A
LONG TIME TO MAKE YOU LOOK BAD.
THEY SAY THEY BELIEVE YOU HAVE
TAKEN AWAY THE RESPONSIBILITY
OR THEIR ABILITY TO FULFILL
THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.
THAT'S WHAT THEY TELL BOATERS
ALL THE TIME WHO ARE ASKING FOR
HELP.
THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO
VOTE FOR THESE AND MAKE YOU
LOSE THE ELECTION.
LET'S CALL THEIR BLUFF VOTERS
DON'T WANT MORE COPS.
THEY WANT PROBLEMS ADDRESS AND
SEE YOU ARE DOING IT.
BETTER WAYS TO DEAL WITH BIKE
THEFTS AND BREAK-INS.
WE KNOW THIS.
YOU DON'T NEED A BAG OF THE GUN
TO SUPERVISE A PROTEST OR BE
SUPER A OF A MEDIATION.
WHAT?
WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE BILL.
SAME REASON YOU WOULDN'T -- WE
NEED ACCOUNTABILITY PROCESS.
WHEN YOU CREATE A SOLUTION
DON'T INVOLVE CAVING THE LAW
AND ORDER.
TRUMP NIXON LOBBY.
>> WE WILL MOVE TO THE REMOTE
SPEAKERS.
>> FIRST I WANT TO APOLOGIZE, I
DID NOT REALIZE I WAS OFF MUTE
WHEN I WAS LOOKING FOR A
DOCUMENT.
I'M GOING TO, AT THIS TIME,
TAKE A POINT OF COUNCIL
PRESIDENT PRIVILEGE AS OFFICER
OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING.
WE HAVE SOME UNUSUAL
CIRCUMSTANCES.
I AM GOING TO ALLOW PASTOR
CARRIE ANDERSON, I UNDERSTAND
HE'S READY TO SPEAK.
HE WAS OVER AT KING COUNTY IN
REGARDS TO A RESOLUTION THAT
LISA HERBOLD WILL OFFER WHICH
IS AGENDA NUMBER ONE.
NORMALLY WE DON'T TAKE THE
MATTERS OUT OF OR . I WILL
ALLOW HIM THE OPPORTUNITY AND
PRIVILEGE, BECAUSE THIS SPEAKS
TO PASTOR ANDERSON WHAT HE
ADORED.
I WANT TO HONOR AND RESPECT
THAT.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PASTOR
ANDERSON FIRST.
I UNDERSTAND HE'S STANDING BY.
>> I AM.
I AM RIGHT HERE.
LET ME THANK MADAM CHAIR AND
COMMEND COUNCILWOMAN, TERESA
MOSQUEDA FOR TAKING A BRAVE
STEP AND VALIANT MOVE IN
PRESENTING A RESOLUTION AGAINST
HATE CRIMES AGAINST ELECTED
OFFICIALS RUNNING FOR OFFICER.
I HAVE A MINUTE.
LET ME SAY, WHEN I WAS SHOT BY
A DRIVE-BY BB GUN SHOOTER.
BB GUNS KILL FOUR PEOPLE YEAR.
I'M THANKFUL I'M NOT ONE OF THE
FOUR.
EVEN THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE,
I'M NOT DETERRED AND UNDAUNTED.
I'M THANKFUL FOR THE CITY
COUNCIL TO EMBRACE AND ENGAGE
IN THE RESOLUTION TO STAND
BEHIND CANDIDATES OF COLOR THAT
AE PUTTING THEMSELVES OUT
THERE.
I APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY.
AS A PASTOR OF A CHURCH FOR 18+
YEARS IN MINISTRY FOR OVER 38
YEARS AS SENIOR PASTOR, I NEVER
THOUGHT I WOULD BE SHOT BY
DOING PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRYING
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN AND
ENGAGED IN DE-ESCALATING CRIME.
THIS MENTAL RACISM.
I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO AS A
PUBLIC SERVANT.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THOSE
AVENUE A DESIRE TO RUN FOR
PUBLIC OFFICE, DON'T BE AFRAID
TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE.
I FOUND OUT THAT EVEN THOUGH
PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING AND
EXPRESSING HATE, WE CAN'T FIGHT
WITH HATE WITH HATE.
WE HAVE TO FIGHT HATE WITH
LOVE.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD THROUGH THE
PROCESS AND MIDTERM ELECTION,
I'M ENCOURAGING PEOPLE OF
COLOR.
YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR.
WOMEN, GO OUT THERE AND PUT
YOURSELF OUT THERE AND LET YOUR
VOICE BE KNOWN.
LET YOUR POSITION BE HEARD.
STAND WITH A FEARLESS
DISPOSITION, KNOWING RIGHT IS
RIGHT AND RIGHT WILL ALWAYS
GUIDE YOU INTO TRUTH.
THANK YOU, COUNSEL, FOR
ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY.
I'M JUST GETTING OFF THE KING
COUNTY COUNCIL WHO'S DOING A
SIMILAR RESOLUTION.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY AT
THIS TIME, TO ADDRESS THE CITY
COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU PASTOR ANDERSON.
WITH THAT, MADAM CLERK AND WE
START OUR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR
THOSE THAT HAVE CALLED IN.
AGAIN, ONE MINUTE.
>> SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED
ORDER REGISTER.
SIGN-UP BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD HAS CONCLUDED.
FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT OR IN
PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT.
PLEASE SIGN UP ON THE SIGN-UP
SHEET LOCATED IN PODIUM COUNSEL
CHANGES CHAMBERS.
FIRST ONE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
HOWARD SEATTLE STOP.ORG.
YOU WILL VOTE ON SPENDING $1.8
MILLION IN THE ATTEMPT TO
IMPROVE POLICE RECRUITMENT.
YOU ARE CHOOSING TO PUT MORE
MONEY BY MONEY INSTEAD OF
CHANGE THAT WOULD SIGNAL TO
POLICE RECORDS THAT THIS IS A
CITY THAT WANTS TO MOVE AWAY
FROM POLICE CULTURE.
THE MONEY MAY ATTRACT THE COPS
WE DON'T WANT.
FOR EXAMPLE, KING COUNTY
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OFFERED
PREFERENCE POINTS NOT JUST TO
MILITARY EXPERIENCE AND SECOND
LANGUAGE, WHICH SEATTLE DOES,
BUT ALSO COMMUNITY SERVICE
WORK.
DESPITE IS SIMILAR IN 2007
LEGISLATION, SEATTLE HAS FAILED
TO IMPLEMENT THIS.
OR SIGNALING TO POTENTIALLY
RECRUITS THEY HAVE
ACCOUNTABILITY THAT WILL REWARD
THEM FOR CALLING OUT BAD
BEHAVIOR INSTEAD OF ABANDONING
TO THE BLUE WALL OF SILENCE
WOODS DOMINATES SPD.
MONEY WILL MAKE IT WORSE.
IN YOUR FAILURE TO DEMAND
CHANGE.
>> REMOTE SPEAKER.
MATT.
>> HI COUNCILMEMBER, I'M A
DISTRICT 3 RESIDENT AND SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER IN DISTRICT TWO.
I'M CALLING TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO
VOTE KNOW WHEN THE POLICE
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION BILL.
YOU'VE SEEN THE NUMBER OF SPD
OFFICERS INCREASE AS TIMELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ABUNDANT
EVIDENCE INCREASING THE SIZE
AND REACH OF SPD INCREASES THE
HARM DONE TO COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR AT TO POOR PEOPLE, PEOPLE
WITHOUT HOMES AND THOSE WITH
MENTAL ILLNESSES.
THROW GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD AND
THAT SHOWN TIME AND AGAIN
THAT'S UNABLE TO KEEP US SAFE.
LONG PAST TIME TO PUT URGENCY
AND SERIOUS FUNDING BEHIND
ALTERNATIVE CRISIS RESPONSES.
YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE SOME HARD
DECISIONS.
PLEASE LEAD US IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION BY REJECTING THIS
POORLY CONCEIVED PLAN.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> I'M A RESIDENT AND SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER.
I'M CALLING ON THE COUNCIL TO
REJECT THIS.
SAVE THE COMMUNITY.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE SERIOUS
ABOUT BEING PHYSICAL
RESPONSIBLE IN PASSING
LEGISLATION, REJECT THIS BILL.
IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE.
IT TAKES FROM A BUDGET SURPLUS
THAT COULD BE REDUCED FOR A
MAGIC GAP FOR NEXT YEAR.
CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO GIVE
CITY MORE MONEY AT THE END OF
THE YEAR, INCLUDING THE BUDGET
AND FUTURE YEARS BY ADDING
HEADCOUNT AND INCREASING
PERSONNEL COSTS.
DECADES OF DATA SHOWING THE
POLICE FORCE HAS NO IMPACT ON
CRIME.
IT REDUCES CRIME AND INVEST IN
THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE A QUALITY
BASIC NEEDS.
YOU'LL BE SURPRISING THAT THE
DATA SHOWS 80% OF CALLS THEY
RESPOND TO HIS NONCRIMINAL.
THEY WANT PUBLIC SAFETY THEY
SHOULD INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY
INSTEAD OF THROWING THE MONEY
AWAY ON BONUSES THAT HAVE NO
IMPACT ON PUBLIC SAFE.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
COUNSEL IMO HOMEOWNER AND I ASK
YOU TO VOTE NO ON INCREASING
FUNDING COST.
PLEASE DEPARTMENT IS
INTERNATIONALLY INFINITE.
THEY HOLD THEMSELVES
ACCOUNTABLE AND THE CITY FAILS
TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE IN
SPITE OF POLICE BRUTALITY.
YOU SHIFT IN FUNDS AWAY FROM
POLICE.
THAT SHIFT HASN'T HAPPENED IN
SCALE.
CALLS HER DOWN AND YOU ARE
OFFERING $30,000 OF SIGN-UP
POST BONUS FOR MORE COPS HERE.
WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO EARN
YOUR TRUST.
ANY OTHER RULE OF THE CITY JUST
FOR SIGNING UP.
SEND SOCIAL SERVICES AND POLICE
ALTERNATIVE.
THEY DON'T HAVE A RECRUITING
PROBLEM, A CORRUPTION PROBLEM.
STOP LAVISHING PRAISE.
DECLARE AUGUST BLACK PRIDE
MONTH IF YOU ARE GOING TO DUMP
FUNDING INTO SPD.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSEL.
HIM I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT
6 IN SEATTLE.
I'M ALSO CALLING ON COUNSEL TO
REJECT BILL.
COUNCILMEMBER, THE SPONSOR OF
THE BILL HAS LAMENTED IT'S
LAGGING BEHIND COMMUNITY BASE
FIRST CITIES LIKE DENVER AND
ALBUQUERQUE.
YET, IS SPONSORING A BILL TO
MAKE SURE $1.6 MILLION BONUS
DAYS WITH SPD IN ORDER TO DO
HIRING BONUSES.
HIRING BONUSES HAVE NOT BEEN
FOUND TO BE AN INHIBITING
FACTOR TO RECRUITMENT.
NOW UP TO 2021 HIRING BONUS
PROGRAM.
THEY HAVE A LIMITED IMPACT ON
RETENTION.
IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A HIRING
BONUS PROGRAM IN 2019 THERE'S
NEVER BEEN ANALYZED BY ANYONE.
SEE FOOT DON'T, THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO.
WRITTEN IN NOVEMBER 2021 CITY
COUNCIL PROVED THE STAY BEEN
REQUESTING SPD CALL TIED.
THEY RECOMMENDED TO BE HANDLED
BY ALTERNATIVE NONPOLICE
RESPONSES.
DIVERTING THE NONVIOLENT AND
CALLS REDUCTION OF CALLS SPD IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR.
PERCENTAGE COMPARABLE TO CLAIMS
STAFFING SHORTAGES.
THIS WILL ALSO ALLOW US TO
INVEST IN ALTERNATIVES RESPONSE
PROGRAM SET OF BEEN PROVEN IN
OTHER CITIES.
APRIL AND JUNE, SPD REFUSES TO
DELIVER THE INFORMATION.
MOST BASIC APPLICATION OF
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.
TO DO THE JOB PEOPLE A ASKED
YOU TO DO.
HOLD THE SPD ACCOUNTABLE.
TO DEMAND THEY COMPLY AND HAVE
NEW APPROACHES TO PUBLIC SAFETY
THE DON'T HARM THE MOST
MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF THE
COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>>
>> CONCERNING SEATTLE AQUARIUM
LAST MINUTE REQUEST FOR $20
MILLION LOAN, I DO NOT WANT OUR
TAX DOLLARS BEING LOANED TO THE
SEATTLE AQUARIUM.
THIS GIANT TANK THEY ARE ASKING
FOR THE MONEY FOR IS NOT THE
WAY TO EDUCATE PEOPLE WITH THAT
ARE TECH KNOWLEDGE HE.
WE SHOULD NOT CONTAIN BEAUTIFUL
INHABITANTS OF PIRACY IN TANKS
WHERE THEY CANNOT LIVE AS
NATURE INTENDED, ENJOYING LIFE,
INSTEAD OF MERELY EXISTING IN A
TANK THAT IS A TINY PRISON CELL
TUSHAR, STINGRAY AND OTHER SEA
LIFE.
SO MUCH MORE COULD BE USED FOR
THE MONEY.
THEATER, IMAGING, ETC., INSTEAD
OF THE TANK.
GIVEN THE AQUARIUM A LAST-
MINUTE LOAN WITH OUR TAX
DOLLARS WILL REINFORCE THE
OUTDATED THINGS WITH CAPTIVE
ANIMALS TO ENTERTAIN US IN A
WAY TO TEACH.
THIS SHOULD BE USED IN A WAY
THAT WILL BENEFIT HURTING
PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES OF
SEATTLE.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> I LIVE IN DISTRICT 5 IN THE
GREENWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND I'M
HERE TO PROVIDE COMMENT WITH
THE SPD HIRING INCENTIVE.
MORE OCCASIONS I CAN ACCOUNT I
WITNESS THEM GIVING THIS IN MY
NEIGHBORHOOD PUTTING US IN
DANGER.
CUTTING PEOPLE OFF IN TRAFFIC
WITHOUT USING LIGHTS OR SIRENS.
SPEEDING ON SIDE STREETS.
NOT YIELDING FOR PEDESTRIANS.
SPEEDING AND DRIVING AND
BLOCKING SAFE STREETS.
THEY CREATE UNSAFE SITUATIONS
FURTHER COMMUNITY BUT IT
EXEMPLIFIES THE ATTITUDE THEY
ARE NOT HERE TO SERVE AND
PROTECT BUT TO HARASS AND
BULLY.
MULTIPLE OFFERS RESPOND TO A
SINGLE PERSON LORI GEARY OR
SHOUTING A PARKING LOT.
YOU DON'T NEED MORE OFFICERS TO
MAKE MORE MONEY AND WE DON'T
NEED MORE PEOPLE WHO CARE MORE
ABOUT POWER TRIPPING AND
COTROL THAN THEY DO SERVING IN
THE TECH DAYTON THE CITY.
WITH POWER.
IS USING HIS POWER WITH MISUSED
FUNDING INPUTS THE COMMUNITY AT
RISK.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> HELLO.
CAN I SPEAK NOW?
>> YES YOU CAN.
>> COUNCILMEMBERS.
PLEASE VOTE NO TO SEATTLE
AQUARIUM'S REQUEST FOR $20
MILLION FOR SHARK TANK.
COUNCILMEMBER PATTERSON VOTED
NO.
WE HAVE SERIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE
NEEDS.
INTENSE BUDGET THE COST IS 160.
LOW BILL QUINE CLIMATE AND
WATER CRISIS IS NO EXCUSE FOR
THIS.
SHARKS AND STINGRAYS ARE
COMPLEX AND INTELLIGENT BEINGS
AND DIE YOUNG IN TINY TANKS.
THIS IS CRUEL.
IT DEPRIVES THEM OF NATURAL
LIFE, MIGRATION AND
REPRODUCTION.
HOLOGRAMS AND LIVE CAMS AND
MORE.
VOTE NO ON THE PROJECT.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> GAIL?
>> WE CAN MOVE TO THE NEXT
SPEAKER AND COME BACK IF SHE
BECOMES AVAILABLE.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS IRENE.
>> HELLO COUNCILMEMBERS I'M
OPPOSED TO THE ADDITIONAL
INVESTMENT OF CITY FUNDS OR
BONDING CAPACITY FOR OCEAN
PAVILION ON SEVERAL GROUNDS.
THIS IS NOT A SUSTAINABLE
PROJECT.
ALSO NOT A LOGICAL PROJECT FOR
PUGET SOUND IN TERMS OF
EDUCATION OR COMFORT
CONSERVATION.
IT WILL BE A NOVELTY FOR A FEW
MONTHS AND BECOME A MONEY LOSER
AND ENERGY HOG.
THESE WEBSITES WITH IMPRESSIVE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND 25
AUXILIARY BOARD MEMBERS, A BODY
WITH FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH
OCEAN CIVILIAN.
2019 FUNDING AGREEMENT.
THIS IS THE TIME TO SET THE
AQUARIUM FREE.
A LARGELY ENTERTAINMENT
BUSINESS IN THE CITY HAS PLENTY
OF COPS TO OVERRUN FINANCIAL
COMMITMENTS TO FINANCE THE
OTHER PROJECTS.
IN THE PRIOR PLANS, THE
OVERLOOK WALK WAS DISTINGUISHED
FROM THE PAVILION, WHICH CAN BE
DEALT WITHOUT THE PAVILION
ROOF.
TO STOP THE BLEEDING.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> I AM OF THE ADVOCACY
DIRECTOR FOR REAL CHANGE IN
CALLING IN AGAINST THE BONUSES
FOR SPD.
FLKS ON THIS COUNSEL SAY THEY
WANT TO FOLLOW THE DATA.
BUT IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE
FOR YOU ALL TO GRAB THESE
BONUSES WHEN THEY HAVE NEVER
BEEN FLAGGED AS A BARRIER TO
RETENTION.
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
WORKGROUP IN 2019 TO EXPLORE
HIRING AND RETENTION FOR SPD.
WORK GROUP DOES NOT IDENTIFY
PAY AS A BARRIER.
THE GROUPS ARE TELLING YOU THIS
IS NOT AN ISSUE AND YET WE'RE
GONNA THROW MONEY AT ONE
DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE TEACHER SHORTAGES,
CHILD CARE WORKER SHORTAGES.
THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
STOP PRIORITIZING ONE
DEPARTMENT OVER THE REST AND
PUT THIS MONEY TO BETTER USE.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> HI, I'M WITH REAL CHANGE.
I'M CALLING FOR THOSE THAT
OPPOSE LEGISLATION HIRING
BONUSES FOR COPS.
THE FACT THAT MORE COPS IS THE
NARRATIVE PERPETUATED BY LOCAL
MEDIA THAT IS NOT TRUE.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH
DECREASES IN STAFFING AND
CULTURAL SERVICE.
THERE WERE FIVE COPS CAUSING
LOSS OF TRAFFIC FOR A
NONVIOLENT SITUATION.
INVESTS PRECIOUS DOLLARS ON
MORE COPS WHEN WE HAVE A RAMP
BURDEN.
VOTE NO ON POLICE RECRUITMENT
AND RETENTION BILL.
>> NEXT SPEAKER
>> I'M CALLING IN FROM CAPITOL
HILL.
I LIKE TO ECHO THE COMMENT OF
EVERY OTHER CALLER MENTIONED
RESOLUTION.
VOTE NO.
THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE
THIS WILL INCREASE RETENTION OF
POLICE OFFICER OR REDUCTION IN
CRIME.
THERE ARE BETTER USES FOR THIS
MONEY.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME?
>> CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME?
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW ME.
I'M A RESIDENT IN SEATTLE.
YOU GUYS LOOKING AT ME TWO
YEARS AGO AND PROMISED
EVERYTHING THESE PEOPLE ARE
TALKING ABOUT.
AND NO MORE POLICE.
OF BETTY THAT HER OPTIONS AND
PUBLIC SAFETY.
YOU LIED.
REMEMBER THAT?
I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON I'LL SEE
YOU SOON ENOUGH.
I DON'T WANT TO TEAR THE CITY
UP THAT WE CAN GET BACK IN THE
STREETS AND MAKE SOME NOISE.
YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AND
ASKING FOR CANNABIS EQUITY.
ARE YOU SERIOUS.
WE STILL HAVE TO ASK FOR?
WHITE GUY CAN MAKE BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS.
WE ARE NOT A COMMODITY.
THESE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.
ADD MORE COPS, THEY DON'T SOLVE
THE PROBLEM OF THE QUALITY.
GUN VIOLENCE ALL-TIME HIGH.
15 YEARS AS AN BEEN THIS HIGH
BUT NOW IT IS.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> THINK.
I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH
SAYING PLEASE LISTEN TO THE
BLACK COMMUNITY LEADERS SET OF
SPOKEN BEFORE ME.
THEY HAVE GOOD THINGS TO SAY.
I WILL NOT SPEAK ON THOSE
ISSUES TODAY, HOWEVER.
HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY HIM HIM
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY IN
MISSION ADVOCACY FOR THE ANIMAL
NETWORK.
I'D LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST
GIVING THE MONEY TO THE
AQUARIUM.
THIS HAS BEEN PROTESTED AND
OPPOSE PUBLIC FUNDS FOR THE
PROJECT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO
SO IN 2022 AND BEYOND.
SUPPORTERS HAVE WRITTEN A TOTAL
OF 450 LETTERS TO YOU URGING
YOU TO CHANGE COURSE AND REJECT
THE FUNDING PROPOSAL.
THIS FIGURE DOES NOT COUNT
LETTERS BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
THIS IS HIGH CONSIDERING WE ARE
ONLY GIVEN 72 HOURS NOTICE OF
THIS VOTE.
CAN YOU TRULY JUSTIFY BY GIVING
20 MILLION, REJECT THIS FUNDING
PROPOSAL.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS AMY.
>> HELLO.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M CALLING TO VOTE NO ON
FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR THE SHARK
TANK AQUARIUM.
LONG TIME A RESIDENT IN
HOMEOWNER AND ADVOCATE FOR
OCEANS AND CREATURES THAT LIVE
WITHIN.
I FIRMLY STAND AGAINST THE CITY
GIVING MORE MONEY TO FUNDING
CAPTIVE ANIMALS THAT WILL LIVE
THEIR LIVES IN CAPTIVITY IN
SMALLER TANKS.
EVEN IF THIS IS ALONE.
I FEEL THIS IS A WASTE OF MONEY
WE COULD BE FUNDING MORE
IMPORTANT PROGRAMS IN THE CITY.
IN ADDITION TO OTHER CONCERNS
THERE'S HUGE RED FLAGS AROUND
THE PROJECT REGARDING ITS
EFFECT ON CLIMATE IN THE WATER
CRISIS.
THE CITY OF SEATTLE'S OWN
STATED POLICY OF USE OF LIMITED
ENERGY AND WATER AND RESOURCES.
ENERGY AND WATER PUMPING IN
FROM THE PUGET SOUND.
FILTERING AND HEATING AND
COOLING IT AND RETURNING IT
BACK.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS --.
>> JEANNIE?
>> YES, JEAN.
THANK YOU, HELLO.
HELLO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN
GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M JOINING OTHERS IN URGING
YOU TO VOTE AGAINST GIVING ANY
MORE MONEY TO SEATTLE AQUARIUM,
LOANING ANY MORE MONEY TO
SEATTLE AQUARIUM FOR A SHARK OR
STINGRAY TANK.
IN ADDITION TO THE INHERENT
CRUELTY OF SUCH A PROPOSAL,
THIS TANK WOULD REQUIRE ENERGY
AND WATER THAT SEATTLE COULD
ILL AFFORD DURING TIMES OF
ACCELERATED CLIMATE CHANGE, AS
WELL IS CONTRADICT BEEN STATED
CITY POLICY FOR USE OF ENERGY
AND WATER.
THE AQUARIUM'S BUDGET
MANAGEMENT COMES UNDER SERIOUS
QUESTION, AS WELL.
DURING A TIME WHEN CITY FUNDING
IN SO MANY AREAS.
PERHAPS THE AQUARIUM CAN LIVE
WITHIN ITS MEANS AND'S GAIL
BACK ON WILD ANIMAL
CONFINEMENT.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
PLEASE VOTE NO ON COUNSEL BILL.
THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN PARKS AND
AQUARIUM SOCIETY OBLIGATE
PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO EXHIBIT
AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION
FOCUSING ON PUGET SOUND.
INSTEAD WE GET A FAKE OCEAN ON
HOUSE SHARKS ARE RAISED FROM
THE SOUTH PACIFIC?
NO MATTER HOW YOU DRESS UP THE
PROJECT THE ENVIRONMENTAL COST
IN CONSTRUCTION AND WATER
DEMANDS NECESSARY TO KEEP
CAPTIVE ANIMALS ALIVE ARE
SIGNIFICANT.
OF THIS FOLLOWS GUIDELINES
ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION
AND PARKS DEPARTMENT WITH
RESPECT TO COMMUNITY INPUT, IT
WILL BE HARDER TO IGNORE WHAT
WE ALL KNOW.
THE CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL.
OCEANS ARE SUFFERING.
BLOWING DISMAY KEEPING ANIMALS
IN CAPTIVITY FOR ENTERTAINMENT.
IT WOULD BE HARD TO HIDE THE
FACT THIS IS GIVEN FOR TOURISTS
AND BEER HAVE THE BUSINESS
COMMUNITY AND NOT BY ENERGY OR
CONSERVATIONISTS.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> THIS IS PETER IN DISTRICT 6.
I'M CALLING IN AND SUPPORT OF
NO ON COUNSEL BILL WHICH WOULD
ALLOW SPD PAYOUT HIRING BONUSES
OF $30,000 PER OFFICER AND
WOULD ADD FOUR ADDITIONAL COP
RECRUITERS.
CITY COUNCIL SAID THEY WANT TO
IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH
RESPONSE OPTIONS.
WE'VE YET TO SEE ANY MOVEMENT
TO TRANSFER ANY CALLS OUT OF
SPD.
EVEN PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION
WITH MOVING WELLNESS CHECKS
WHICH CONSTITUTE 8000 ANNUALLY,
OUT OF THE TRIAGE ONE PROGRAM.
THIS ADMINISTRATION CANCELED
TRIAGE ONE.
REFUSING TO REDUCE AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY ASKING FOR
BONUSES IS ACT IN A BAD FAITH
AND COUNSEL SHOULD NOT ALLOW
IT.
VOTE NO ON COUNSEL BILL AND
INVEST ON PEOPLE'S BASIC NEEDS
AND POLICE PERSONNEL.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER.
>> HELLO.
HELLO I'M DISTRICT ONE
RESIDENT.
I'M CALLING TO REJECT HIRING
BONUSES FOR SPD.
HAS PD'S OWN DAUGHTER SHOWS
DECREASE IN 911 CALLS.
WE HAVE THE SAME RATIO POLICE
CALLS HIRING SEATTLE.
SPD SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH
OFFICERS BECAUSE THEY ARE
MISUSING THEIR FUNDS.
WE HAVE A BACKLOG OF CASES WE
ARE SENDING 10 TO 12 OFFICERS
EACH WEEK WHERE THEY LITERALLY
STAND AROUND CHATTING AND
DRINKING COFFEE WHILE THE CITY
PUSHES PEOPLE AROUND THE CITY.
I'VE SEEN THIS.
OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID, PUBLIC
SAFETY HAS NOT INCREASED.
THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS
INCREASING DOES NOT HAVE AN
EFFECT ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
PLEASE REJECT BONUSES AND STOP
GIVING THEM MORE MONEY.
>> LAST SPEAKER.
>> GAIL, YOU WANT TO DO STAR
SIX TO UNMUTE.
>> THANKS FOR GETTING BACK TO
ME.
I'M ALSO CALLING TO URGE YOU TO
VOTE NO ON GIVING THE SEATTLE
AQUARIUM MORE MONEY.
TROPICAL FISH AND SHARKS AND
RAYS.
HELLO.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, YOUR
MICROPHONE.
GO AHEAD, GAIL.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE BACK ON
MUTE.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO STAR SIX?
>> SHOULD I START AGAIN.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES WE CAN HEAR YOU, GO
AHEAD.
>> I'M URGING YOU TO VOTE NO ON
THE AQUARIUM GIVING THEM MORE
MONEY.
THIS IS A TANK FOR WARM WATER
ANIMALS AND A HUGE AMOUNT OF
ENERGY TO FILTER PUGET SOUND
WATER.
THIS WILL DO NOTHING TO KEEP
ANIMALS FROM BEING EXPLOITED
AND KILLED IN THE WILD.
SHARKS ARE DECIMATED ALONG WITH
MILLIONS BEING KILLED.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE TANK, THE
AQUARIUM COULD SET UP 21ST-
CENTURY NON-LIVE ATTRACTION.
THIS IS NOT GAINING ATTRACTION
AROUND THE WORLD.
IMMERSIVE THEATER THAT WOULD
LET YOU BE SURROUNDED BY THESE
CREATURES WOULD BE SO COOL.
MORE AND MORE TAXPAYERS ARE
GETTING TIRED OF SUBSIDIZING
INCARCERATION ANIMALS ONLY FOR
PROFIT.
NOTHING TO KEEP THEM FROM GOING
EXTINCT IN THE WILD, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, THAT'S THE END OF
THE SPEAKER LIST, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
THANK YOU TO ALL THAT CALLED
HIM.
ALL THE SPEAKERS HAVE SPOKEN
FROM THE REMOTE AND OF THOSE IN
CHAMBERS.
WITH THAT, PUBLIC COMMENT IS
NOW CLOSED.
SO, LET'S MOVE ON IN OUR AGENDA
TO ADOPTION OF INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CANDLEHOLDER CALENDAR.
NO OBJECTION, IT WILL BE
ADOPTED.
AND NOT HEARING OR SEEING
OBJECTION IT IS ADOPTED.
MOVING ONTO THE AGENDA.
NO OBJECTION THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPT.
AND NOT SEEING OR HEARING
OBJECTION, THE AGENDA IS ADOPT.
MOVING ON TO G OF THE AGENDA.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR.
THE CONSENT CALENDAR WHICH I
READ INTO THE RECORD YESTERDAY,
ARE THERE ITEMS THAT IN A
COUNCILMEMBER WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE REMOVED THAT WE CAN
ADDRESS AT THE END OF THE
AGENDA?
NOT SEEING ANYONE, NOT HEARING
OR SEEING ANYONE MOVING TO
REMOVE AN AGENDA ITEM, I MOVE
TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
IS THERE A SECOND?
THANK YOU.
MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT
CONSENT CALENDAR.
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE ADOPTION OF CONSENT
CALENDAR.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD .
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES .
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
>> NONE OPPOSE.
>> THIS WILL BE ADOPTED.
A SICK OF FIX THIS TO THE
MINUTES.
WE HAVE SIX ITEMS ON TODAY'S
AGENDA.
FIRST ITEM WILL BE IN 18.
MADAM CLERK WILL YOU PLEASE
READ ITEM NUMBER ONE INTO THE
RECORD.
>> RESOLUTION 320 65.
CONDEMNING THE VIOLENCE AGAINST
ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THOSE IN
OFFICE.
>> I MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS
32065.
IS THERE A SECOND?
THANK YOU.
SPONSOR, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> IN ORDER TO PUT THE MOST
REVISED VERSION IN FRONT OF US.
I'D LIKE TO DO VERSION 3 TO
VERSION 2.
>> THANK YOU, IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> MOVED AND SECONDED TO AMEND
THE RESOLUTION SUBSTITUTING
VERSION 3 TO VERSION NUMBER
TWO.
>> COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION IN
REVIEWING THE RESOLUTION AND
ENGAGEMENT IN THE CONVERSATION.
I WANT TO ESPECIALLY THANK
PASTOR KERRY FOR CALLING IN
THIS AFTERNOON AND OFFERING A
GLIMPSE IN TERMS OF THE TYPE OF
VIOLENCE HE HAS RECEIVED.
THIS RESOLUTION CONDEMNS
HARASSMENT FROM HER POLITICAL
VIOLENCE AGAINST OH POLITICAL
OFFICIALS AND ELECTION WORKERS
AND THOSE SEEKING OFFICE.
ACROSS THE STATE WE SEEN AN
INCREASE IN HATE CRIMES.
OF THE RISE IN HATE CRIMES
AGAINST BLACK COMMUNITY AND
ASIAN AMERICAN.
MOSTLY BY ANTIBLACK SENTIMENT
AND INCREASE 150% IN ANTI-ASIAN
AMERICAN HATE CRIMES.
THIS IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN 12
YEARS ACCORDING TO THE OF.
NCR HEADLINE SAID RISE IN ANTI-
ASIAN ATTACKS DURING COVID-19
PANDEMIC HAS SKYROCKETED.
WITHOUT ARRAY OF INDIVIDUALS,
PEOPLE FACE IN THE COMMUNITY,
ALSO WANT THEM TO FEEL SAFE AND
RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND A LOOK
AT OFFICE AND SERVING IN THE
GOVERNMENT.
IF WE DON'T WE HAVE A SHAMBLE
OF A DEMOCRACY.
IN 2021 81% OF ELECTED
OFFICIALS OF ALL RACES AND
GENDERS SURVEYED REPORTED
HAVING EXPERIENCED HARASSMENT
AND VIOLENCE THEMSELVES.
SIMULTANEOUSLY, THERE'S BEEN A
RECORD NUMBER OF AMERICAN WOMEN
IN SPITE OF THIS VIOLENCE, THEY
ARE SIGNING UP TO RUN FOR
OFFICE.
TO SEEK GROWTH AND POLITICAL
POWER, THEY ARE MET WITH DEATH
THREATS, SEXIST AND RACIST
ABUSE ONLINE AND IN PERSON.
SEXUAL VIOLENT LANGUAGE
DISCOURAGE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY
WOMEN FROM RUNNING FOR OFFICE
AND STAYING IN OFFICE.
VIOLENT THREATS ARE ESCALATING
IN CRIME ON THE RISE SINCE
2014, PARTICULARLY AGAINST
WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR, NON-
BINARY AND NON-GENDER PERSONS
OF COLOR.
THIS INCLUDES LANGUAGE THAT
CONDEMNS THREATS TO ELECTED
OFFICIALS SEEKING ELECTED
OFFICE AND IMPORTANTLY TO OUR
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN OF
COLLEAGUES AND ELECTED
OFFICIALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN ON THE
RECEIVING END OF THESE THREATS.
WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR
COMMUNITY HERE IN SEATTLE WHO
HAVE EXPERIENCED THREATS AND
ACROSS THE NATION WE ARE
SENDING A MESSAGE IN
SOLIDARITY, AS WELL NO MATTER
THE ATTACK OR A POLITICAL
LEAING OR WHO IT IS SENDING
THE MESSAGE, WE SEND A MESSAGE
WITH HIS RESOLUTION THAT
ATTACKS THREATENING FAMILIES
AND CHILDREN ARE UNACCEPTABLE.
WE HEARD FROM PASTOR KERRY AND
I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR CALLING
OUT ON JULY 14.
AND THE FEAR THAT HE
EXPERIENCED THAT DAY, THE WORK
THAT HE LEFT US WITH I WILL
CONCLUDE.
WE ALSO HEARD FROM
CONGRESSWOMAN WHO WAS
THREATENED AT HER OWN HOUSE BY
A MAN WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.
HE HAS NOW BEEN CHARGED WITH
THE FELONY FOR ATTACKING HER
THE ELECTED OFFICE POSITION ON
JULY 9th. THE ATTACK WAS
DESIGNED AS A THREAT AGAINST
THOSE SEEKING TO PARTICIPATE IN
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
CONSIDERTION OF THIS
RESOLUTION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
KING COUNTY.
I INTRODUCE THE RESOLUTION THE
COUNCIL IS VOTING ON.
I WANT TO THANK THIS OFFICE AND
LEGISLATIVE AIDE AND THE STAFF
WORKING WITH US.
I WOULD LIKE TO CONCLUDE MY
OPENING COMMENTS BY THINKING
CONGRESS PEOPLE FOR THEIR GREAT
INPUT AND RESOLUTION IN FRONT
OF US IN ADDITION TO COUNCIL
PRESIDENT FOR WORKING WITH HIS
TODAY.
THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS
ON SUBSTITUTE VERSION 3, BEFORE
WE GET TO THE TEXT, ITSELF.
COMMENTS ON SUBSTITUTE VERSION
3. CLERK CALL THE ROLL ON THE
ADOPTION OF THE SUBSTITUTE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
TRAN 12.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES .
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
NONE OPPOSE.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES.
MOTION IS ADOPTED AND THE
AMENDMENT RESOLUTION IS BEFORE
THE COUNCIL NOW.
ARE THERE HE COMMENTS ON THE
AMENDED RESOLUTION?
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, I WAS
GONNA LET YOU DO CLOSING . I
WILL GET RIGHT BACK TO.
ARE THERE COMMENTS FROM OUR
COLLEAGUES.
WE ARE GOOD, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA, TAKE US HOME.
>> THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT.
I WANT TO THANK EMILY SANCHEZ
FOR HELPING TO SHEPHERD THIS
THROUGH.
I'VE CLOSING COMMENTS FROM
COUNCILMAN THAT CAN BE WITH US
TODAY BUT WANTED TO ECHO
COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE
RESOLUTION.
SHE WRITES THANK YOU TO THE
COUNCIL AND CITY COUNCIL FOR
BRINGING THE IMPORTANT
RESOLUTION FORWARD.
SHE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE
TO REACH OUT OR TO THANK
EVERYONE WHO'S REACHED OUT AT
HER HOME.
ALL OF THAT HAS MEANT SO MUCH
TO HER.
SHE SAID THE RESOLUTION
CONDEMNED HARASSMENT AND
VIOLENCE AGAINST SELECT AND
OFFICIALS IS CRITICAL. IT'S NO
ACCIDENT OF AMERICAN
PROGRESSIVE WOMAN IN COLOR HAS
BEEN ON THE FRONT LINE OF
JUSTICE AGAINST WHITE SUPREMACY
. SHE WAS A TARGET OF A THREAT.
SHE'S NOT THE ONLY ELECTED
OFFICIAL OR CANDIDATE WHO IS
FACED A THREAT IN SEATTLE OR
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS THE
PROMINENT PUBLIC FIGURE TO
CONDONE AND ENCOURAGE VIOLENCE
WEATHER RHETORIC OR RALLYING
LIKE A MUSLIM BAN OR INSIDE A
COUP ON THE NATION CAPITAL.
THIS IS BOUND TO HAPPEN.
HATE CRIME HAS BEEN ON THE RISE
IN A NEW ERA OF VIOLENCE
THREATENS MILLIONS AMERICA, NOT
JUST MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE
VIOLENT OFFICIALS.
HUMANIZING THOSE IN TARGET TWOS
BREAD FEAR OR HATE. THERE IS A
SOCIAL ORDER COLLAPSING.
THIS HATE AND EXTREME VIOLENCE
IT DIFFICULT TO ROLL BACK ONCE
UNLEASHED.
BEATING BACK HATE AND VIOLENCE
WILL REQUIRE ALL OF US TO COME
TOGETHER TO CONDEMN THE
BEHAVIOR TOWARDS EVERYONE.
WE SAID NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR
ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR AND SPEECH
AND TAKE AWAY THE TOOLS PEOPLE
USED TO CONDUCT VIOLENT
BEHAVIOR.
IN CONCLUSION SHE KNOWS AS DR.
MARTIN LUTHER KING SAID,
MORALITY CANNOT BE LEGISLATED.
BEHAVIOR CAN BE REGULATED TO DO
JUDICIAL DECREES MAY NOT CHANGE
THE HEART THAT THEY CAN
RESTRAIN THE HEARTLESS.
I'M PROUD KING COUNTY IS
DENOUNCING THE ACTION OF
POLITICAL VIOLENCE.
THANK YOU.
LEADERSHIP.
TO THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT.
>> WILL THE CLERK CALL THE ROLE
OF THE ADOPTION OF THE
RESOLUTION AS AMENDED.
>> I JUST WANTED THIS NOTED.
>> COUNSEL.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
GO AHEAD?
>> I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT.
I INITIALLY SAW THE FOCUS ON
PEOPLE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.
WHEN WE WERE AT LOCAL PROGRESS,
WE HEARD STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO
WERE ACTUALLY CAMPAIGNING FOR
OFFICE AND EXPERIENCING THREATS.
IN RETALIATION AND INTIMIDATION
THAT ELECTION WORKERS HAVE
FACED.
I PROPOSE ADDING LANGUAGE
ALIGNED WITH THE NARRATIVE THAT
THIS IS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE
RUNNING FOR OFFICE.
I SAY THAT, BECAUSE I WANT TO
RECOGNIZE THAT MEMBERS OF THIS
COUNCIL HAVE EXPERIENCED
THREATS AND INTIMIDATION.
I WANT TO APOLOGIZE IF WE HAVE
NOT DONE ENOUGH TO SPEAK OUT
AGAINST THAT IN THE PAST.
THANK YOU.
>> OKAY.
READY TO MOVE FORWARD.
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE ADOPTION AS AMENDED.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD .
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN .
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT WARRANTS.
>> NONE OPPOSE.
>> THE CHAIR WILL SIGN AN MADAM
CLERK PUT THE SIGNATURE ON MY
BEHALF.
THIS IS COUNCILMEMBER MORALES .
MADAM CLERK READ ITEM 2 IN THE
RECORD.
AND COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES LET US
KNOW.
>> RELATING TO FLOODPLAINS.
THIRD EXTENSION OF INTERIM
REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY
THIS ORDINANCE AND AMENDED BY
ORDINANCE 126536.
FOR ADDITIONAL SIX MONTHS TO
ALLOW INDIVIDUAL TO RELY ON
UPDATED NATIONAL FLOOD
INSURANCE ATE MAPS TO OBTAIN
FLOOD INSURANCE THROUGH THE
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AGENCIES FLOOD INSURANCE
PROGRAM.
>> I MOVE TO PASS COUNSEL BILL
120356.
IS THERE A SECOND?
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
PASS THE BILL.
I WILL HANDED OVER TO
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES OR
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> I'M HAPPY TO SPEAK TO IT BUT
IF YOU ARE READY AND ABLE,
TAKE IT AWAY.
>> WE DISCUSSED THIS IN
BRIEFING EARLIER.
IN JULY COUNCIL PASSED AND
SIGNED AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD
ESTABLISH A FLOOD PLAYING
RESOLUTION INCLUDING MAPS.
RESOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED
TWICE AND EXPIRED IN A COUPLE
OF DAYS.
FEMA PRODUCED UPDATED MAP IS
STABBED MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR
THE REGULATIONS AND MAP AREAS
INCLUDE AREAS ALONG PUGET SOUND
AND OF THE RIVER.
FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS
CONTAINED BUILDING CODES AND
OTHER STANDERS THAT MAKE HOMES
AND BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE SAFER
FROM FLOODING AND APPLICATION
FROM FLOODING WITHIN THE MAP
FLOOD PLANE AREA.
IF WE DON'T EXTEND THESE,
PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE AREA MAY
NOT BE ABLE TO PURCHASE FLOOD
INSURANCE OR RENEW THE EXISTING
POLICIES.
THE DECISION WAS APPEALED IN
JULY 2021.
INTERIM STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING
ON RESOLVING ISSUES NOW THE
PLAN IS TO COMPLETE THE
ANALYSIS AND MOVE FORWARD WITH
PROPOSED PERMANENT REGULATIONS
WITHIN THE COMMITTEE, SOMETIME
NEXT YEAR.
FOR NOW, THE REQUEST IS TO
EXTEND, AGAIN, THE INTERIM
RAISE REGULATIONS AND IMPACT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES.
ANY COMMENTS?
OKAY, COUNCILMEMBER MORALES,
YOU CAN DO CLOSING REMARKS OR
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, YOU MAY
ADD ON, AS WELL .
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS SET
IT UP.
>> THAT'S WHAT I CALL
LEADERSHIP AND EFFICIENCY.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE
BILL.
I'M SORRY COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
HAS IT BEEN MOVED AT THIS
POINT?
>> I MOVED IT, YES.
>> THANK YOU, APOLOGIZE.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ.
NONE OPPOSE.
>> THE BILL PASSES IN THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN UP.
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF.
LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER
THREE.
THIS IS COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
PLEASE READ ITEM THREE TO THE
RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 3. RESOLUTION
320 OH 61.
A RESOLUTION RELATING TO CITY
LIGHT DEPARTMENT.
OBJECTIVE OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON AND
APPROVING THE INTEGRATED
RESOURCE PLAN FOR THE SEPTEMBER
2022 THROUGH AUGUST 2024.
COUNCIL RECOMMENDS ADOPTION.
>> THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN
IS A LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR
CUSTOMER ENERGY OVER THE NEXT
20 YEARS.
STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT THEY
DEVELOP TO SHOW HOW THE UTILITY
PLANS MEET TO MEET THE NEEDS.
THIS YEAR'S IRP IS SIMILAR TO
THE PASS.
THAT IT'S ADDRESSING CLIMATE
CHANGE.
OUTLINES WHAT IT WILL DO TO
MAINTAIN GRAIN HOW GREENHOUSE
GAS AND MAKE PROGRESS TOWARDS
THE GOAL OF BEING GAS FREE
BETWEEN BY 2025.
ALSO RELIABILITY, AFFORDABILITY
WHILE MEETING REGULATORY
REQUIREMENTS AND ENSURING
SERVICE EQUALITY AND EQUITY.
THE NEW PORTFOLIO OF ENERGY
RESOURCES INCLUDE MORE WIND AND
SOLAR ENERGY AND PAVES THE WAY
FOR TRANSPORTATION AND BUILDING
EFFORTS TO SHIFT AWAY USING
FOSSIL FUELS.
IT COMMITS CITY LIGHTS TO
FURTHER STUDY, ENERGY
EFFICIENCIES, RESOURCES AND
STORAGE AND THE CLIMATE CHANGE
IN ELECTRIFICATION LOADS.
FUNDING, THE PLAN COMMITS CITY
LIGHTS TO DEVELOP METRICS AND
INCLUDE THEM WHILE MAKING
FUTURE DECISIONS AND
INCORPORATES CLIMATE CHANGE
SCENARIOS IN FUTURE IRP
ANALYSIS.
THIS GOES BEYOND OF THE
REQUIREMENT OF STATE LOT.
I COMMEND THEM FOR MAKING
EXPERT EXTRA EFFORT TO ADDRESS
CHALLENGES IN THE COMING
DECADES.
>> ANY COMMENTS BEFORE I HAND
IT BACK TO COUNCILMEMBER NELSON
FOR CLOSING REMARKS?
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT JUAREZ.
APOLOGIES FOR NOT HAVING CAMERA
ON TODAY.
I WILL VOTE NO ON THIS PLAN
BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED IT GOES
INTO THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE
CITY.
IF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WHERE IT
DEMONSTRATES WE WILL HAVE
ENOUGH IN THE COMING YEARS BIKE
CALCULATING RESOURCES AND LOW.
IT'S BEEN REQUIRED WHEN THE
PRIVATE ENERGY MARKET SOUTHERN
SHARED ELECTRIC THEY DIDN'T
HAVE IN DRIVING UP THE COST OF
UTILITY BILLS AND LEADING TO
ROLLING BLACKOUTS.
THE WHOLE THING WAS A MAJOR
SCANDAL.
FOR MANY YEARS, CITY LIGHTS
IRP, THEY HAD A SURPLUS OF
ELECTRICITY A GOOD CELL
WHOLESALE TO OTHER UTILITIES
AND SIMPLY SAY NO NEW RESOURCES
WOULD BE NEEDED.
THIS IRP IS DIFFERENT, FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS THEY
CALCULATED THEY NEED TO START
PROMOTING MORE RESOURCES AND A
COUPLE OF YEARS.
THE QUESTION OF WHERE THE
ELECTRICITY WILL COME FROM.
THE COMMITTEE I ASKED ABOUT THE
PLAN WOULD SCALE OF THE
RESOURCE.
TO DO THEY PLAN TO BUILD AND
OWN ARE OWN PUBLICLY OWNED NEW
SOLAR AND WIND GENERATOR WHICH
I WOULD SUPPORT OR CONTRACT
WITH OTHER PUBLIC UTILITIES FOR
POWER OR CONTRACT WITH A HIGH
OF PRIVATE COMPANIES WITH
UNACCEPTABLY OPEN THE DOOR TO
PRIVATIZATION.
PEOPLE OF SEATTLE HAVE
BENEFITED FROM INEXPENSIVE AND
CLIMATE NEUTRAL ELECTRICITY.
WE ARE PUBLIC THAT OWNS AND
OPERATES ITS OWN HYDROELECTRIC
RESOURCES.
BECAUSE IT'S A POSSIBILITY,
WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE CAN MAKE
COMMANDS.
AS I SAID IN COMMITTEE, MY
OFFICE, WHERE YOU SHARING.
THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF
SUCCESSFUL STRUGGLE.
THERE IS NO SPACE FOR
DEMOCRATIC OVERSIGHT, AT ALL.
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PRIVATE
ENERGY COMPANIES HAVE SEEN
EXTREME PRICE GOUGING AND
BROWNOUTS AND BLACKOUTS.
THE ENERGY MARKET IS PRIMARILY
INTERESTED IN MAKING PROFITS
AND OBSCENE PROFITS, NOT
PROVIDING POWER.
THIS IS THE FIRST IRP IN YEARS
WITH THE NEW POWER GENERATION.
I WOULD BE EXTREMELY CONCERNED
IF THE PLAN IS TO CONTRACT
WITH PRIVATE COMPANIES FOR THE
POWER.
IT WILL MEAN DELAY
INCREMENTALLY DEPEND ON PRIVATE
ENERGY MARKET.
NOT ALL AT ONCE BUT IT WOULD BE
A STEP TOWARDS PRIVATIZATION
THAT I WOULD NOT SUPPORT.
AS YOU EXPLAINED IN COMMITTEE,
ISP DOES NOT SPECIFY IN
WRITING.
I ABSTAIN THE COMMITTEE.
REPRESENTATIVES ALSO MADE CLEAR
THEY EXPECT TO CONTRACT WITH
THE PRIVATE MARKET AND NOT
ENTERTAINED EXPANDING PUBLIC
RESOURCES FOR THE PUBLIC
UTILITY.
FOR THAT REASON I WILL VOTE NO.
I DO NOT OBJECT CONTRACT WITH
OTHER PUBLIC OWNED UTILITIES,
SUCH AS BONNEVILLE A
HYDROELECTRIC PLANT BILLED AS
PART OF THE NEW DEAL.
IT'S A GOOD REMINDER WE NEED
NEW GREEN NEW DEAL.
ELECTED OFFICIALS IN SEATTLE
GRAVE MISS SERVICE TO THE GREEN
NEW DEAL.
THIS IS RHETORIC.
THERE WAS A TIME IN THE 1930s
WHERE THE THREAT OF SOCIALISM
WAS IMMEDIATE.
PUT REAL RESOURCE INTO PUBLIC
WORK AND BOTH POWERFUL
INFRASTRUCTURE.
TO ME, THAT IS WHAT A GREEN NEW
DEAL WOULD MEAN.
IT WOULD MEAN MASSIVE
COOPERATION FOR THE CITY.
INCREASING TAX ON WORKING
PEOPLE IN ORDER TO GO PUBLICLY
OWNED WIND AND SOLAR FARMS TO
MEET FUTURE ENERGY NEEDS AND
BEYOND TO PUSH PROFITEERING AND
POLLUTING ABILITIES OUT OF THE
MARKET.
THAT IS THE IRP I WAS SUPPORT.
I WOULD LIKE TO DEVELOP A GREEN
NEW DEAL PLAN FOR MEETING THE
ELECTRICAL ME.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE I
HAND IT BACK TO COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON FOR CLOSING REMARKS?
NOT SEEN ANY, COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON.
>> MY RESPONSE IS THE IRP IS
RENEWED EVERY TWO YEARS.
IT'S A LONG-RANGE LOOKOUT .
IT'S AN OVERSTATEMENT SAYING
THERE'S PLANS BEING MADE TO
CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE
SUPPLIERS.
THAT'S AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT WE
HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE ARE
GOING TO MEET.
MANY OF THE GREEN NEW DEAL
GOALS MOVING FROM FOSSIL FUELS
TO MORE HYDRO.
WE ARE IN A TOUGH PLACE HERE.
WE CAN'T CONTINUE ON BUSINESS
AS USUAL.
IS THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO
EXPLORE OTHER SOURCES OF
ENERGY.
AS DEBORAH SMITH SAID, THEY ARE
NOT EVEN IN THE STAGE OF
TALKING ABOUT CONTRACT.
I WILL SAY THAT ALSO, WE ARE
BOUND TO PROTECT OUR REPAIRS.
WE CANNOT, I THINK THE
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS TO FORCE
SOLAR AND WIND TO BE ON THE
CAPACITY NOW.
WE ARE BETWEEN A ROCK AND A
HARD SPACE.
DO WE DO BUSINESS AS USUAL?
OR DO WE COMMIT TO MASSIVE
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT THAT
WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT, IF NOT
IMPOSSIBLE FOR REPAIRS.
THIS IS A LONG-TERM PLANNING
DOCUMENT.
I THINK THE INNOVATION HERE IS
THAT THE UTILITY IS EVEN
ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT THAT WE
WILL NEED TO MAKE CHANGES IN
THE PORTFOLIO TO MEET INCREASED
DEMAND BECAUSE OF INCREASED
ELECTRIFICATION.
CLIMATE CHANGE, WHICH IS
DECREASING THE ARSENAL PACK,
ETC.
THAT IS HOW I WOULD RESPOND TO
THE COMMENTS THAT COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT MAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
LET'S MOVE FORWARD . WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT .
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN .
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ.
18 FAVOR, ONE OPPOSE.
>> RESOLUTION ADOPTED IN THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE RESOLUTION ON
MY BEHALF.
MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
I SEE ITEMS 4 AND 5 ARE
COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA.
READ THE SHORT TITLE IN THE
RECORD.
ú>> FINANCE AND HOUSING
COMMITTEE.
RELATING TO THE FINANCING OF
THE AQUARIUM EXPANSION PROJECT
CREATING A FUND FOR DEPOSITING
PROCEEDS OF TAX EXEMPT LIMITED
TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN
2023.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS PASSIVE
THE BILL.
>> BEFORE I HAND IT OFF TO YOU,
FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, I KNOW
THAT WE KNOW THIS, THERE WILL
BE THREE AMENDMENTS OPPOSE.
A, B, C PRESENTED BY
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
BUT THIS POINT, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA WILL TALK ABOUT THE
BILL.
>> IT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE
NEXT ITEM.
BUT THIS ONE, AS WELL.
>> ONE ON THIS O█NE, THREE ON
THE NEXT ONE.
COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
I SAW YOU WAVING MY HAND.
THANK YOU FOR CORRECTING ME, I
WAS WRONG . COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA.
>> THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THE
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS WITH
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, AS WELL.
MAYBE I WILL BE TO BOTH OF
THESE ITEMS IN THE HOLD MY
COMMENT ON THE SECOND ONE.
APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION
OF ITEM NUMBER 4 AND NUMBER 5.
THEY HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED, AS
WELL.
BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
I, ALONG WITH CENTRAL STAFF
DIRECTOR HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SIT ON THE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ANY
ORDINANCE OR ITEMS THAT MAY
IMPACT THE MANAGEMENT.
WE DID HAVE A GOOD AND ROBUST
CONVERSATION AT THAT MEETING.
THIS IS A STRONG FINANCIAL
INVESTMENT FOR THE CITY.
YOU PREVIEWED THERE IS AN
AMENDMENT BY COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD THAT I AM A
SUPPORTIVE.
THIS IS THE LANGUAGE I'VE ASKED
TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE
SO WE ARE PREEMPTIVELY SAYING
IF THERE'S ANY CHANCE THE
AQUARIUM IS NOT ABLE TO MEET
THE OBLIGATION, THE CITY HAS
STRATEGIES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
RECOUPING THE REVENUE.
ALSO WANTING TO BE VERY CLEAR.
WE ARE SUPPORTIVE AND
SUPPORTING THE AQUARIUM.
BUT THE OBLIGATION TO THE CITY
AND MANDY MANY PROJECTS, THIS
IS THE LAST LAST TIME WERE ABLE
TO OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP OF
THE WATER FUND AND COMMUNITY,
AT LARGE, HAVE BEEN SHOWING TO
THE BUILDING OF THE AQUARIUM.
IT WILL BE TIED IN TO THE
WATERFRONT THAT WILL BE
ASSESSABLE BY ALL.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS, RESIDENTS
AND THOSE COMING TO VISIT, AS
WELL.
I WILL LIKE TO SHARE THE
OPPORTUNITY WITH COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS THAT WILL HAVE THIS IN
HIS DISTRICT AND MAKE SURE THE
PROJECT MOVES FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION I WILL VOTE YES
ON BOTH PIECES OF LEGISLATION
AND SUPREME APPRECIATE YOUR
SUPPORT TODAY.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
>> I'M OKAY WITH HOLDING MY
REMARKS UNTIL THE CONSIDERATION
OF COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
AMENDMENT.
THAT WAS A GOOD AND THOROUGH
COMMITTEE REPORT.
I DON'T HAVE REMARKS TO ADD.
>> WE WILL MOVE BACK.
ARE THERE COMMENTS I KNOW WHO
WILL RAISE THEIR HAND.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
>> I MOVED TO AMEND COUNCIL
BILL ON AMENDMENT A ON THE
AGENDA.
>> IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> MOVED AND SECONDED TO AMEND
THE BILL AS PRESENTED ON
AMENDMENT A. COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD YOU ARE RECOGNIZE TO
ADDRESS THE AMENDMENT .
>> I WILL MAKE IT SHORT.
THIS IS INTENDED TO TAKE
APPROACH OF NEGOTIATION TERMS
IN THE BILL ARE HONORED.
THE BILL AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATION
ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE
AGREEMENT TO REACH THE
NEGOTIATION TERMS SENT OUT IN
THE BILL.
THE INTENT IS TO ENSURE THE
EXECUTIVE DOES NOT USE THE
AUTHORITY IN THE BILL WITHOUT
FINAL EXECUTION OF THE
AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENTS
AUTHORIZED BY THE BILL.
I RAISE THIS CONCERN OUT OF
ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION IN CASE
THE CONDITIONS SHOULD CHANGE IN
THE FUTURE.
FINALIZE THE AGREEMENT AND NOT
OUT OF CONCERN AN ATTEMPT NOT
LAID OUT IN THE TERMS.
IT WAS CIRCULATED 10:20 ON
MONDAY MORNING BY CENTRAL STAFF
AND IN REGISTER.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ARE ANY COMMENTS
BEFORE I MOVE FORWARD ON A
BOAT?
NOT SEEN ANY.
WILL THE CLERK -- I CAN'T SAY
CLERK TODAY -- PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT
A.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD .
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES .
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN .
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ.
NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> MOTION CARRIES.
AMENDMENT A IS ADOPTED.
AMENDED BILL BEFORE THE
COUNCIL.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON
THE AMENDED, FOR SPONSORS
CLOSING REMARKS.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS.
WHAT IT CAN DO, WHAT IT DOESN'T
DO, JUST TO FULLY MAKE THE
PUBLIC AND COLLIES AWARE BEFORE
WE CAST THE VOTE . THIS IS NOT
A PROPOSAL TO GIVE $20 MILLION
ADDITIONAL BEYOND OUR INITIAL
COMMITMENT, IT IS A LOAN THAT
WILL BE REPAID BY THE AQUARIUM
IN PARTNERSHIP AND IT IS NOT A
NEW POLICY DECISION WE ARE
MAKING, IT IS ALSO NOT A POLICY
DECISION THAT WE ARE WEIGHING
IN ON ON WHETHER OR NOT THERE
SHOULD BE A NOTION PAVILION AS
SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY
HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS VOTE
IS, THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE
BY PREVIOUS COUNCILS BEFORE I
WAS ON THIS, THAT THE OCEAN
PAVILION WOULD BE A COMPONENT
OF A REVITALIZED WATERFRONT
PROJECT.
THE OCEAN PAVILION IS INDEED,
AS WE DISCUSSED EXTENSIVELY IN
COMMITTEE, INTEGRATED INTO THE
WATERFRONT OVER WALK GIVING
PIKE PLACE MARKET A SECOND
GRAND ENTRYWAY INTO THE ICONIC
SEATTLE LOCATION.
TO A REJUVENATED CITY
WATERFRONT WITH A PLANNED NEW
EXTENSIVE WATERFRONT BOULEVARD
PARK.
THIS POLICY DECISION HAS BEEN
MADE.
WHETHER THIS LOAN POLICY PASSES
OR IS DEFEATED TODAY, THIS DOES
NOT CHANGE WHETHER THERE WILL
BE A NOTION PAVILION, IT JUST
DETERMINES IF THE OCEAN
PAVILION WILL TAKE LONGER TO
BUILD AND HOW EXPENSIVE IT WILL
BE FOR US TO BUILD.
THAT IS THE QUESTION IN FRONT
OF US.
THE QUESTION IN FRONT OF US IS,
CAN WE BE A CREATIVE PARTNER
WITH THIS IMPORTANT PUBLIC
ACCESS ON THE WATERFRONT THAT
WE OWN, THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM,
AND THE A PARTNER WITH THE
WATERFRONT PROJECT, ONE OF THE
MOST FORMATIVE PROJECT WE HAVE
BEFORE US TO MAKE SURE THE
PROJECT IS DELIVERED ON TIME
AND ON BUDGET.
WE ARE VERY WELL AWARE OF THE
CASH FLOW ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN
INDUCED BY THE COVID PANDEMIC
IN THE CITY AND WE ARE ABOUT
TO GO INTO A FALL BUDGET
SESSION WHERE WE WILL BE
GRAPPLING WITH THE UNCERTAINTY
AND FLUCTUATIONS IN OUR GENERAL
FUND BASED ON A RESETTLING AND
REORDERING OF THE ECONOMY BASED
ON THE IMPACTS OF COVID . THIS
IS OUR WAY OF ASSISTING THE
AQUARIUM WITH THIS VERY
RELATABLE PROBLEM THAT WE ARE
FACING.
AND HOW WE CAN BE CREATIVE TO
SOLVE A TEMPORARY CASH FLOW
PROBLEM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
ARE NOT IN A POSITION WHERE
WORK WILL HAVE TO STOP, BE
HALTED, AND, WITH THE DELAYS,
AS WE WELL KNOW, AS PEOPLE WHO
OVERSEE PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
AND CAPITAL PROJECTS, WE KNOW
THAT THAT COMES WITH COST.
WE KNOW THAT, IN CAPITAL
PROJECTS, DELAY MEANS MONEY AND
THIS POLICY IN FRONT OF US IS A
WAY, WITHOUT RAISING ADDITIONAL
TAXES, WITHOUT INCURRING A
SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF RISK,
THIS IS A WAY THAT WE CAN HELP
MAKE SURE THAT THE PROJECTS ARE
DONE ON TIME.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT DOWNTOWN
SEATTLE'S RECOVERY IS LINKED TO
A VIABILITY AND SUCCESS OF OUR
WATERFRONT PROJECT AND THE
PLACE MAKING THAT COMES WITH
IT, 52% OF THE TAX REVENUE WE
RECEIVE IN THE GENERAL FUND
COMES FROM DOWNTOWN SEATTLE.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GO
BETWEEN THE WATERFRONT AND
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE AS A SEAMLESS
EXPERIENCE THAT IS MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE NEW OVER WALK
INTEGRATED INTO THE OCEAN
PAVILION.
THAT IS THE POLICY IN FRONT OF
US TODAY.
IT IS MAKING SURE THAT, AS WE
COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, WE
ARE GOING TO BE IN A POSITION
TO MAKE SURE THE RECOVERY IS
GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE BY THESE
BIG CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND
IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE LONG
BEEN IN THE MAKING IN THE POST
VIADUCT WATERFRONT SPACE.
I WILL BE VOTING LIKE THIS
TODAY AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK
OF COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA TO
PASS IT BEFORE THE RECESS AND I
APPRECIATE COLLEAGUES BEING
FLEXIBLE WHO OTHERWISE HAD
PLANNED VACATIONS TO BE AWAY
AND WERE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE
COMING TO THIS MEETING FOR THIS
IMPORTANT COMMITMENT, NOT JUST
FOR DISTRICT SEVEN BUT FOR THE
CITY AS A WHOLE.
MADAM PRESIDENT, I DO NOT HAVE
ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD AND WOULD
JUST LOOK FORWARD TO THE VOTE .
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
úLEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT ?
>> THANK YOU.
I WILL BE VOTING NO ON ITEMS 4
AND NUMBER FIVE RELATED TO
INCREASING THE AQUARIUM
RENOVATION BUDGET.
$20 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY
AND THE AQUARIUM IS ALREADY
SOMEWHAT EXPENSIVE.
THE INCREASED FUNDING IS PAID
FOR BY TICKET SALES, I WOULD BE
CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THAT WOULD
MEAN FOR THOSE TICKET COSTS FOR
ORDINARY PEOPLE AND IF IT IS
NOT, I THINK $30 MILLION WOULD
BE BETTER SPENT ON MAINTAINING
OUR PARKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY,
INCLUDING SETTING UP CLEAN
PUBLIC RESTROOMS AND HOUSING.
IN COMMITTEE, PRESENTERS BLAMED
THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS ON
EVERYTHING FROM COVID TO BE
STRIKE, IF THIS BILL IS
SUGGESTED PAYING FOR THE MONEY
BY INCREASING TAXES ON THE
CONCRETE BOSSES WHOSE GREED
COST THE CONCRETE STRIKE, NOT
THE WORKERS WHO WERE FIGHTING,
THEY COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.
I WILL BE VOTING NO.
BECAUSE THE BUDGET LEGISLATION
REQUIRES TWO BILLS TO MAKE YOU
ONE THING, THE COMMENTS I HAVE
JUST MADE ARE FOR THIS ITEM AND
THE NEXT ITEM.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT . BEFORE A VOTE, I HAVE
COMMENTS I DO NOT LIKE TO MAKE
COMMENTS AS I CHAIR A MEETING
BUT I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS FOR
CLARIFYING SOME OF THE ISSUES
THAT WERE BROUGHT UP IN PUBLIC
COMMENT IN THE LETTERS AND
CALLS WE HAVE RECEIVED.
I USED TO CHAIR THE PUBLIC
ASSET, WHICH INCLUDE THE
WATERFRONT, SEATTLE CENTRAL
PARK ZOO, AND THE AQUARIUM,
THIS WAS SOMETHING I WORKED ON
FOR AT LEAST SIX YEARS.
I AM COMFORTABLE WITH IT BEING
A LOAN WHICH GOVERNMENTS DO ALL
THE TIME.
WITH INTEREST TO BE PAID BACK.
I SEE IT AS GOOD STEWARDSHIP,
PARTICULARLY ON BEHALF OF THE
CHAIR OF PARKS, COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS, THOSE ON THE COMMITTEE,
AND THOSE THAT TOOK THE TIME TO
UNDERSTAND THIS PUBLIC ASSET
FOR THE WATERFRONT.
AS YOU KNOW, I REPRESENT
DISTRICT 5 AND I THINK SEATTLE
NORTH WILL GIVE DOWNTOWN AND
THE WATERFRONT A RUN FOR THEIR
MONEY.
BUT I AM REALLY HAPPY TO
SUPPORT THIS, IT IS A LONG TIME
COMING AND I WILL BE VOTING
YES.
WE ARE DONE WITH OUR REMARKS.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE FROM
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA OR LEWIS
BEFORE WE GO TO THE VOTE ? ARE
YOU SURE?
WITH THAT, LET'S PLEASE CALL
THE ROLE, MADAME CLERK, ON THE
PASSAGE OF THE BILL AS AMENDED?
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT ?
>> NO.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD ?
>> YES.
>> LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> MORALES?
>> YES .
>> MOSQUEDA?
>> YES .
>> PEDERSEN?
>> NO .
>> NELSON?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ?
>> YES .
>> SEVEN IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSES.
>> THE BILL PASSES AS AMENDED,
THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT AND
PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO
THE LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF.
LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER
FIVE, ALSO COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA , PLEASE READ ITEM 5
INTO THE RECORD.
>> ONE 2397, RELATED TO THE
FINANCING OF THE AQUARIUM
EXPANSION PROJECT, AUTHORIZING
AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING
AGREEMENTS WITH THE SEATTLE
AQUARIUM SOCIETY RELATED TO
SUCH FINANCING AND PROVIDING
FOR THE RELATED MANNERS.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT
COUNCIL PASS THE BILL .
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA ?
>> THANK YOU.
MY EARLIER COMMENTS AND THOSE
BY COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS SUFFICED
FOR THIS ITEM.
>> ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS?
NOT SEEING ANY, OKAY, WITH
THAT, WE WILL GO RIGHT TO THE
VOTE . WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE
BILL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
>> NO
>> STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD MIKE
MAX
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> MORALES?
>> YES.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> NO .
>> NELSON?
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ?
>> YES .
>> SEVEN IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES.
WE ARE NOW TO ITEM NUMBER SIX
FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE WHICH
I CONFUSED EVERYBODY, THIS IS
WHERE WE HAVE THE THREE
AMENDMENTS.
THANK YOU FOR CORRECTING ME.
THIS IS OUT OF THE COMMITTEE OF
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD .
>> AGENDA ITEM SIX, COUNCIL
BILL 12389, RELATED TO
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF
POLICE OFFICERS IN THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT, MODIFYING A
PROVISO IN THE 2022 BUDGET BY
MENDING ORDINANCE GRADING
POSITIONS IN THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TO ASSIST WITH THE RECRUITMENT
TO THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT, MODIFYING
APPROPRIATIONS IN THE 2022
BUDGET BY AMENDING ORDINANCE
126490 AUTHORIZING THE HIRING
OF THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND RATIFYING AND
CONFIRMING CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT
COUNCIL PASS THE BILL AS
AMENDED.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> SOME OPENING REMARKS ON THE
LEGISLATION IN GENERAL , I WANT
TO BE CLEAR BECAUSE THERE HAS
BEEN CONFUSION, THIS
LEGISLATION DOES NOT AUTHORIZE
$1.7 MILLION IN NEW SPENDING
BECAUSE THE COUNCIL ALREADY
HAS AUTHORIZED $1.15 MILLION IN
MAY.
BOTH IN MAY AND TODAY THIS IS
FUNDING THAT IS ALREADY IN THE
STATE -- SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT BUDGET, INSTEAD THE
BILL AUTHORIZES $189,000 IN
HIRING INCENTIVES DURING 2022
FROM EXISTING MONEY AND THE
2022 BUDGET.
THE SECOND HALF OF THE BONUS
WOULD BE PAID ONLY AFTER
PROBATIONARY TIME ESTABLISHED
BY THE PUBLIC SAFETY CIVIL
SERVICE RULES, WHICH IS ONE
YEAR, AND OFFICERS WOULD LEAVE
THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN FIVE
YEARS WOULD NEED TO RETURN THE
BONUS.
SECONDLY, THE BILL TRANSFERS
200 -- SORRY, $220,000 IN MONEY
OUT OF SPD TO THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
FOR FOUR POSITION TO ENHANCE
RECRUITING, AND THE ABILITY TO
ADMINISTER TESTS WHICH CAN
SPEED UP THE HIRING PROCESS.
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO MONEY
THE COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY
APPROVED FOR SPD TO HIRE FOLKS
OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT TO
ACCELERATE BACKGROUND CHECKS.
THE BILL FUNDS SOME ITEMS
SPECIFICALLY CALLED OUT IN THE
PRIOR SPD RECRUITMENT AND
RETENTION PROGRAM AND ALLOWS
FOR FUNDING FOR MOVING EXPENSES
PER THE COUNCILS EARLIER
LEGISLATION IN MAY.
THE BILL WAS VOTED OUT OF
COMMITTEE LAST WEEK BUT THE
VOTE OF 4-1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON ADDED AS A SPONSOR OF
THE COMMITTEE MEETING.
IN THE 2022 BUDGET, THEY
ADOPTED FUNDING FOR THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HIRE 125
OFFICERS.
HIRING HAS BEEN SLOWER THAN SPD
PROTECTED AND THE BILL USES
EXISTING FUNDS ALREADY IN THE
BUDGET OF SPD IN SUPPORT OF THE
HIRING PLAN THAT THE COUNCIL
ALREADY VOTED FOR AND WAS
ALREADY FUNDED IN THE 2022
BUDGET.
POLICY BASIS, THE BONUSES WAS
REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME, BEFORE
MOVING FORWARD, I HAVE STAFF
COMPARE FIGURES FROM OTHER
CITIES, AS NOTED IN THE CENTRAL
STAFF MEMO, SEATTLE OFFERS THE
SECOND-HIGHEST STARTING SALARY
OF THE LARGER DEPARTMENT IN THE
STATE BUT WHEN COMBINED, PLUS
BONUSES AND STARTING SALARY,
SEATTLE IS NEAR THE TOP, THOUGH
SLIGHTLY BELOW KENT AND
EVERETT.
FOR LATERAL OFFICERS, USING THE
SALARY STAFF IN THE PROPOSED
BONUS, SEATTLE WOULD BE THE
SECOND-HIGHEST WITH A FEW OTHER
CITIES RELATIVELY CLOSE TO WHAT
SEATTLE IS OFFERING.
SOME HAVE IDENTIFIED THE FACT
THAT THERE WAS A STUDY ON A
FOUR MONTH PROGRAM THAT STARTED
IN 2021 AND STOPPED IN FEBRUARY
OF THIS YEAR AS PROOF THAT
BONUSES DO NOT WORK.
I AM TRYING TO KEEP AN OPEN
MIND ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF
BONUSES.
I REMAIN SKEPTICAL BUT I CANNOT
IGNORE THE RESULTS OF THE
PARTIAL STUDY FROM THE ONE
YEAR, 2019 PROGRAM, SHOWING
THAT ONE IN FIVE APPLICANTS
CITED THE BONUS AS ONE REASON
THEY SOUGHT WORK IN THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
20% MORE APPLICANTS MATTERS
WHEN, FOR EVERY 350 CANDIDATES
WHO COMPLETE BOTH COMPONENTS OF
THE INJURY POLICE OFFICER EXAM,
SPD ONLY HIRES ABOUT 30 OF
THOSE 300 SUCCESSFUL
APPLICANTS.
BY THE PUBLIC SAFETY CIVIL
SERVICE COMMISSION'S BEST
ESTIMATE, FOR EVERY 1440
APPLICANTS, SEATTLE MAY BE ABLE
TO HIRE 30 POLICE OFFICERS.
CURRENTLY, FOR EVERY 12
APPLICANTS IN 2021 WE HIRED ONE
OFFICER.
THOSE WHO HAVE SAID THAT WE ARE
PRIORITIZING SPD OVER OTHER
DEPARTMENTS , COUNCIL HAS
NEWLY AUTHORIZED THAT THE CITY
PAY RELOCATION EXPENSES OF
PEOPLE MOVING TO WORK IN
SEATTLE FOR ALL POSITIONS IN
ALL DEPARTMENTS AS AN INCENTIVE
BONUS.
THE SEATTLE HUMAN RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT IS USING THE TOOL TO
PROMOTE EQUITY IN HIRING TODAY
BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT CAME
BEFORE THIS AND BECAUSE OF THE
COUNCIL'S VOTE IN MAY.
IN THE AUGUST 9th, COMMITTEE
MEETING WITH ONGOING ANALYSIS
OF COUNCIL STAFF , OUR
TIMETABLE COULD RESULT IN SOME
POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING TIME FOR
THESE THREE AMENDMENTS, MADAM
CHAIR.
COUNCIL STAFF HAD BEEN IN
REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE, PUBLIC SAFETY,
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, THE
SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
RESOURCES AND LABOR RELATIONS
WITH THIS ONGOING WORK AND THE
THREE AMENDMENTS, AND THE
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR HAS NO
AFFECTION TO THESE THREE
AMENDMENTS AND I WANT TO THANK
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR THEIR
COLLABORATIVE, ONGOING
ENGAGEMENT IN THIS WORK.
NOT A PRESIDENT, WOULD YOU LIKE
ME TO SPEAK TO THE AMENDMENTS
NOW OR COMMENTS FIRST?
>> LET'S HOLD UP.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE
ARE ANY COMMENTS REGARDING YOUR
COMMITTEE REPORT BEFORE WE GO
TO YOUR PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS TO HER
COMMITTEE REPORT THAT SHE
SHARED WITH US BEFORE WE MOVE
ON TO THE AMENDMENTS?
I DO NOT SEE ANY.
WITH THAT, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD , YOU HAVE SOMETHING
FOR US.
>> I MOVED TO AMEND COUNCIL
BILL 120389 ON THE AGENDA.
>> SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMEND THE BILL AS
PRESENTED.
ON AMENDMENT A. COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD?
>> THIS WITHOUT AN EVALUATION
REQUIREMENT THAT -- ON 125784
WHICH AUTHORIZED A ONE-YEAR
LEASE DEPARTMENT HIRING
INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT BEGAN IN
JUNE OF 2019 AND SUNSET IN IN
JUNE OF 2020.
YOU MAY RECALL THAT THE
EVALUATION WAS NOT FULLY
COMPLETED.
IT REPLICATES WHAT WE HAD
INTENDED AT THAT TIME.
IT WOULD ALSO ADD A SUNSET DATE
OF DECEMBER 31st IN 2024 TO THE
SPD INCENTIVE PROGRAM
CONSISTENT WITH THE EXECUTIVE
PLAN, RUN THE PROGRAM THROUGH
2024.
THESE WERE TWO ISSUES THAT WERE
IDENTIFIED AS POTENTIAL ISSUES
TO ADDRESS IN COUNCIL CENTRAL
STAFF'S MEMO .
>> THANK YOU.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS
REGARDING THE AMENDMENT A? LET
ME SAY ONE THING, I DO WANT TO
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD , YOU AND YOUR OFFICE
FOR PROVIDING ALL OF US,
YESTERDAY, WITH GREG DAWSON AND
ANN, EVERYBODY, THE MEMO YOU
SENT TO US EXPLAINING AMENDMENT
A, B, AND C. COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA ?
>> THANK YOU.
I WILL SAVE SOME OF MY COMMENTS
ON THE UNDERLYING LEGISLATION
UNTIL AFTER THE AMENDMENTS ARE
CONSIDERED.
I WILL JUST NOTE THAT I WILL BE
SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT IN
FRONT OF US.
OBVIOUSLY, I EXPRESSED CONCERNS
ABOUT THE UNDERLYING
LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE LAST WEEK AT THIS
AMENDMENT IS ADDING A SUNSET
AND ADDING AN OPPOSING
EVALUATION REQUIREMENT, THOSE
ARE TWO THINGS I THINK HELP
SCOPE THIS, WHILE I DO NOT
NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THE
LEGISLATION, I WILL SUPPORT THE
AMENDMENT BECAUSE IT ADDS AN
INTIMATE AND EVALUATION
CRITERIA.
>> AND THE OTHER COMMENTS
BEFORE WE GO TO A VOTE ? MADAM
CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT A?
>> SAWANT?
>> YES .
>> STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD ?
>> YES.
>> LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> MORALES?
>> YES.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> YES .
>> NELSON?
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ?
>> YES .
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> AMENDMENT A IS ADOPTED.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE
AMENDED BILL BEFORE WE MOVE ON
TO THE SECOND PART OF THE
AMENDMENT PROCESS?
NOT SEEING ANY, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD?
>> I MOVED TO AMEND THE
COUNCIL BILL AS PRESENTED ON
AMENDMENT B.
>> SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO AMEND THE BILL AS
PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT B.
>> THIS WOULD PROVIDE CLARITY
ON HOW GROUPS OF POLICE OFFICER
CANDIDATES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE
FOR HIRING INCENTIVES,
CONSISTENT WITH SAFETY AND
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION'S
DEFINITION OF CANDIDATES THAT
ARE CONSIDERED RE-HIRES.
THUS, WHEN YOU ARE A REHIRE,
YOU ARE ELIGIBLE UNDER THE
AGREEMENT FOR METHODS
REINSTATEMENT WITH ECONOMIC
VALUE.
UNDER THE SAFETY COMMISSION
RULES, OFFICERS MAY REQUEST AND
RECEIVE REINSTATEMENT SUBJECT
OF APPROVAL BY THE SAFETY CIVIL
SERVICE COMMISSION, CHIEF OF
POLICE, OFFICERS RECEIVE
REINSTATEMENT BENEFITS,
INCLUDING RETURNING THE
PREVIOUS CLASSIFICATION,
SALARY, AND APPROVAL RATES FOR
VACATION AND SICK LEAVE AS WAS
IN PLACE WHEN THEY LEFT.
AND, IN ADDITION, THE GUILD
CONTRACT ALLOWS THIS
REINSTATEMENT PACKAGE FOR ALL
OFFICERS THAT RETURN WITHIN TWO
DAYS -- TWO YEARS.
IN ADDITION, THE REINSTATED
OFFICES DO NOT HAVE TO RETEST
AND CAN BEGIN WORK AND GET PAID
FASTER.
AGAIN, THESE REINSTATEMENT
BENEFITS HAVE ECONOMIC VALUE AS
A HIRING INCENTIVE SO THE
AMENDMENT ITSELF CLARIFIES THAT
THE OFFICERS THAT ARE REHIRED,
THAT ARE GETTING THIS PACKAGE,
REHIRED WITHIN TWO YEARS, ARE
NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE BONUSES,
PEOPLE WHO ARE REHIRED AFTER
TWO YEARS AND THUS NOT ENTITLED
TO REINSTATEMENT PACKAGE, THEY
ARE NOT CONSIDERED BY THE GROUP
AS REHIRED AND ARE NOT ELIGIBLE
FOR THE REINSTATEMENT PACKAGE
AND THUS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR
THE BONUS.
>> THANK YOU.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS ON
AMENDMENT B?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA ?
>> SIMILARLY, I WILL BE
SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT, IF
FURTHER SCOPES WHO QUALIFIES
FOR THE INCENTIVES AND
EXPLICITLY DOES NOT APPLY THIS
TO OFFICERS COMING BACK WITHIN
A TWO YEAR PERIOD.
I APPRECIATE THIS ENHANCEMENT
TO THE LEGISLATION AND WILL
BODIE -- BE VOTING YES ON THE
AMENDMENT.
>> WILL LOOK LIKE PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF
AMENDMENT B?
>> SAWANT?
>> NO .
>> STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD?
>> YES .
>> LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> MORALES AND MIKE
>> YES.
>> MOSQUEDA MAX
>> YES.
>> PEDERSEN ?
>> YES.
>> NELSON?
>> YES.
>> JUAREZ?
>> YES.
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR AND ONE
OPPOSED.
>> AMENDMENT B IS ADOPTED.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
NOT SEEING ANY, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD ?
>> I MOVED TO AMEND COUNCIL
BILL 120389 AS PRESENTED IN
AMENDMENT C.
>> SECOND?
I WILL SECOND.
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO AMEND THE BILL AS PRESENTED
ON AMENDMENT C.
>> THIS WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF
COUNCIL BILL 120389 MAY
REQUIRE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION, GIVEN
THAT IT ALSO CLARIFIES THAT THE
DEPARTMENT'S EXISTING USE OF
410 SCHEDULES, FOUR DAYS A WEEK
AT 10 HOURS PER DAY, THIS IS A
DESIRED SCHEDULE OF POLICE
OFFICERS, BUT THAT THE
DEPARTMENT'S EXISTING USE IS
ACTUALLY THE RESULT OF AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND
THE UNIONS FOR LIMITED
IMPLEMENTATION WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY RESPONSE GROUP, THE
OFFICERS THAT VOLUNTEER FOR
THAT ASSIGNMENT AND THAT
FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
410 SCHEDULES MAY REQUIRE
BARGAINING BUT NOT BE $10,000
REGARDING THE SCHEDULES IN THIS
BILL.
THE OTHER EXISTING FUNDING FOR
THE INCENTIVES IS -- ARE NOT
THINGS THAT NEED TO BE
BARGAINED.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS BEFORE
WE GO TO A VOTE ON AMENDMENT C?
NOT SEEING ANY, WILL YOU PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL?
>> SAWANT ?
>> NO.
>> STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD ?
>> YES.
>> LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> MORALES?
>> NO.
>> MOSQUEDA ?
>> NO.
>> PEDERSEN ?
>> YES.
>> NELSON?
>>YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, JUAREZ?
>> YES .
>> SIX IN FAVOR, THREE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, THE MOTION
CARRIES, AMENDMENT C IS
ADOPTED.
ARE THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS
ON THE AMENDED BILL AT THIS
POINT?
AND THEN I WILL LET -- IF THERE
ISN'T ANY, BEFORE I LET
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD OR
OTHERS -- GO AHEAD,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA .
>> SORRY.
I BELIEVE YOU SAID MY NAME.
>> I DID, I CALLED YOU FIRST.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU, AGAIN FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO ECHO WHERE I
THINK THERE IS COMMON GROUND
WITH THE SHARED PUBLIC SAFETY
AND MY COLLEAGUES.
LAST WEEK IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE, WE TALKED ABOUT HOW
THERE WAS A JOINT CONCERN BEING
ECHOED BY THIS COUNCIL THAT THE
PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION HAS
NOT YET FOLLOWED UP WITH THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF ALTERNATIVES
TO PUBLIC SAFETY AS FUNDED BY
THE COUNCIL AND SIGNED INTO LAW
BY THE BUDGET LAST YEAR.
THERE IS SOME OPTIMISM THAT
THERE IS A GREATER SENSE OF
COLLABORATION ON HOW WE CAN
MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME OF THE
ALTERNATIVES BUT WE STILL ARE
IN A POSITION WHERE MANY OF THE
STRATEGIES THAT ARE FUNDED
THROUGH THE CITY, NOT THE
FUNDING STRATEGIES OF THE
COUNCIL DIRECTLY FUNDED TO
COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THAT IS OUT
THE DOOR, BUT THE STRATEGIES
WITHIN OUR OWN CITY STILL HAVE
YET TO BE REALIZED AND I THINK
THERE IS SHARED INTEREST IN
MAKING SURE THAT THE
ALTERNATIVES TO PUBLIC SAFETY
GET THE ATTENTION AND EXPEDITED
IMPLEMENTATION THEY DESERVE SO
WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE
COMMITMENTS THAT WERE SIGNED
INTO LAW AND PRIORITIZED IN THE
LAST FEW YEARS.
THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE COMMON
GROUND AND I LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND
NATURE OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO PUSH
FORWARD ON THE EFFORTS.
AS I NOTED IN COMMITTEE LAST
WEEK, I THINK THIS IS
LEGISLATION THAT IS NOT
NECESSARILY STRATEGIC WHEN WE
ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF BARGAINING
AND THAT IS WHY I VOTED NO ON
THE LAST AMENDMENT AND DID NOT
HAVE THE CHANCE TO EXPLAIN WHY
BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS KIND
OF CONVERSATION SHOULD BE DONE
AT THE BARGAINING TABLE.
I ALSO NOTED IN MY COMMENTS
LAST WEEK THAT IT DOES NOT
ALIGN WITH WHAT I HAVE HEARD
DIRECTLY FROM HUMAN SERVICE
PROVIDERS WHO ARE IN DIRECT
COMMUNICATION WITH OFFICERS
WHO, ON A DAILY BASIS, ARE
ENCOUNTERING PEOPLE WHO ARE
RESPONDING TO A PERSON DOWN
CALL OR RESPONDING TO PEOPLE
WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR MENTAL
HEALTH RELATED NEEDS, HOUSING
RELATED NEEDS, AND IN
CONVERSATIONS OFFICERS HAS HAD
WITH HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS
THEY HAVE SAID, AND I QUOTE
FROM THE REPORT, "THERE IS NO
AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT CAN
COMPENSATE FOR OFFICERS NOT
HAVING A PLACE TO REFER PEOPLE
WHO ARE IN THE MIDST OF
CRISIS."
THAT IS WHERE WE SHOULD BE
FOCUSING OUR EFFORTS, THAT IS
WHAT WOULD HELP RETENTION AND
RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES TO MAKE
SURE OFFICERS ARE NOT IN A
PLACE WHERE THEY ARE BRINGING
PEOPLE TO HARBORVIEW AS A
REVOLVING DOOR ARE SEEING THE
SAME INDIVIDUALS ON A REPEAT --
ON A LIST OF NAMES THEY KNOW
BECAUSE THESE ARE THE SAME
PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO PLACE TO GO
COME OFFICERS RIGHT NOW ARE
BEING CALLED TO RESPOND TO
THOSE CALLS AND WE ARE DOING
EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE IT SO
THAT A BADGE AND A GUN PERSON
IS NOT WHO WE SHOWING UP FOR
THOSE CALLS.
UNTIL THEN, WHAT I THINK WE
SHOULD BE DOING IS FOCUSING ON
MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS A
LANDING ZONE, MAKING SURE THAT
PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH
OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOUSING
NEEDS, HAVE A PLACE THEY CAN BE
REFERRED AND THERE IS NOT
CONSTANT CALLS TO 911 TO SHOW
UP FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO
TRULY NEED HUMAN SERVICES AND
NOT A BADGE AND A GUN.
WITH HUMAN SERVICE PERSONNEL
WHEN THEY TELL ME OFFICERS
THEMSELVES ARE SAYING THAT
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION IS NOT
GOING TO HELP THEM WITH FINDING
A LANDING ZONE FOR PEOPLE IN
HIGH NEED AND UNDER HIGH
STRESS, THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO
RESPOND TO.
AS I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, A PR
FIRM WILL NOT HELP OFFICERS
HAVE A LANDING ZONE FOR THESE
PEOPLE, HIRING INCENTIVES WILL
NOT NECESSARILY HELP THE FORCE
BE ABLE TO MAKE REFERRALS THAT
ARE NECESSARY.
A MARKETING STRATEGY WE ARE
PAYING FOR WILL NOT HELP THAT
AT $150,000 FOR A CONSULTANT TO
FIND ANY CHIEF OR HELP WITH THE
CHIEF SEARCH WILL NOT HELP WITH
THOSE ISSUES BEING IDENTIFIED
FROM OFFICERS AND HUMAN SERVICE
PERSONNEL WHO SEE PEOPLE ON A
DAILY BASIS WHO NEED ADDITIONAL
HOUSING, SHELTER, MENTAL HEALTH
, SUBSTANCE ABUSE NEEDS,
ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH HIGH
NEEDS AND ACUTE CARE SERVICES
WE ARE NOT MEETING IN THE CITY
AND IN THE REGION.
I LOOK FORWARD TO LOOKING --
WORKING WITH THE MAYOR'S
ADMINISTRATION AND OUR COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE A SHARED
INTEREST IN IMPLEMENTING THE
ALTERNATIVES TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
BUT WE NEED TO BOTH DO THAT AND
PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT OUR OWN
CITY RESEARCH HAS SAID.
AGAIN, I WILL CITE THE
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
WORKGROUP FINAL REPORT WHICH
LINK YOU CAN FIND ONLINE FROM
OUR OWN CITY DEPARTMENT, A
WORKGROUP WHICH INCLUDED THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE
REPORT DID NOT IDENTIFY
INCENTIVE PAY AS A BARRIER TO
EITHER DOING HIRING OR
RETENTION FOR THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE FINAL REPORT DID NOT
IDENTIFY A HIRING INCENTIVES AS
A RECOMMENDATION IN OUR CITY
ANALYSIS OF THE HIRING
INCENTIVES USE LATE LAST YEAR
SHOW THAT, SPD COMMUNICATED
THAT THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT
EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE IN
HIRING SINCE IMPLEMENTING A
HIRING INCIDENT IN OCTOBER OF
2021.
AS ALSO MENTIONED IN THE
CENTRAL STAFF MENU, THE
RESEARCH DIRECTOR OF THE POLICE
EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
ND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
POLICE CHIEFS LOOKED AT WHETHER
OR NOT THERE WAS ANY
SIGNIFICANT EVALUATIONS OR
RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTIVENESS
OF HIRING CASH INCENTIVES
POLICING AND THEY SAID, "THERE
IS NOT YET A BODY OF RESEARCH
TO SUPPORT THIS PRACTICE."
SO, ACROSS THE NATION AND
WITHIN OUR OWN CITY, THERE IS
REPEATED QUESTIONS, CONCERNS
ABOUT THIS AS A STRATEGY TO
ADDRESS HIRING, LET ALONE
RETENTION.
ATTENTION I BRING UP LASTLY TO
NOTE A NUMBER OF CONCERNS WITH
THE STRATEGY.
OUR CITY HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT SUMMARIZED THAT
OFFERING A HIRING INCENTIVE IS
A SHORT-TERM STRATEGY MEANT TO
INDUCE PROSPECTS OF AN
INDIVIDUAL ACCEPTING A JOB.
HOWEVER, THE MONEY IS A ONE-
TIME FIX THAT MAY NOT
COMPENSATE FOR UNCOMPETITIVE
WAGES, DIFFICULT OR
UNRESPONSIVE WORKING
CONDITIONS, LACK OF
OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTION
OPPORTUNITY, AND SIGNING
BONUSES, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM
NEWLY HIRED PEOPLE CAN
NEGATIVELY IMPACT EMPLOYEE
MORALE AS EMPLOYEES PROMOTED
INTERNALLY ARE ALREADY WORKING
ON THE JOB AS THEY CAN FEEL
UNDERVALUED AND UNAPPRECIATED
WHEN THERE ARE FINANCIAL
PACKAGES TO NEW RECRUITS THAT
WERE NOT AVAILABLE BACK THEN.
THIS IS WHAT HAS BEEN SAID AS A
POTENTIAL MOTIVATOR FOR THE
LEGISLATION THAT WAS
TRANSMITTED BY THE MAYOR.
AGAIN, OUR OWN CITY DATA SAID
THAT HIRING INCENTIVES ARE A
POTENTIAL FOR BREAKING TRUST
WITH EXISTING PERSONNEL.
AND MAKES IT HARDER TO RETAIN
TRUST AND IMPROVE MORE OUT
WITHIN OUR OWN RANKS WHEN WE
OFFER PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.
SO, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT
SUPPORTED BY OUR OWN CITY DATA,
NATIONAL DATA, I THINK WE HAVE
MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO FOCUS ON
WHAT OFFICERS ARE SAYING THEY
NEED, LANDING ZONES FOR PEOPLE,
I WILL VOTE AGAINST THIS LOAD
-- LEGISLATION TODAY AND WILL
CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT
ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING THIS
COUNCIL HAS SUPPORTED AND I
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME TO
EXPLAIN THAT .
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
I FIRST WANT TO SAY THAT I
AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA AND I DO NOT SIT ON
THE BOARD BUT I AGREE THAT IT
IS NOT STRATEGIC TO OFFER
INCENTIVES IN THE MIDST OF
BARGAINING.
THAT SAID, I WANT TO SAY WHAT I
HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR 2.5 YEARS,
WHEN WE HAVE SCARCE PUBLIC
RESOURCES, WE SHOULD BE
ALLOCATING THEM IN A WAY THAT
TRULY ADDRESSES OUR PUBLIC
CHALLENGES, AND WE KNOW THAT WE
HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES FOR
THE CITY AND THEY ARE THINGS
THAT WILL NOT BE SOLVED BY THE
POLICE.
OUR HOMELESSNESS CRISIS, OUR
NEED FOR MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, OUR LIMITED ACCESS TO
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, OUR
NEIGHBORS ARE STRUGGLING TO
MAKE ENDS MEET AND WE KNOW THAT
MANY OF THEM ARE EXPERIENCING
VIOLENCE.
AND THAT THERE ARE COMMUNITY
INTERVENTIONS THAT ARE TREATING
THE SYMPTOMS OF VIOLENCE,
INCLUDING THE POLICE, OUR
PEACEKEEPERS, REGIONAL
PEACEKEEPERS, VIOLENT
INTERRUPTION PROGRAMS, THESE
ARE IMPORTANT BUT DO NOTHING TO
TRANSFORM THE NEIGHBORHOOD
CONDITIONS THAT CREATE VIOLENCE
IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WHAT WE REALLY NEED IF WE WANT
TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY IS TO
FOCUS OUR ENERGY ON BUILDING
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.
ESPECIALLY FOR OUR MOST
VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN THE CITY
AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
E NEED TO PUT RESOU
CHANGING THE COMMUNITY
CONDITIONS THAT LEAD TO
VIOLENCE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
THAT MEANS HIGH QUALITY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, GOOD PAYING
JOBS, ACCESS TO CAPITAL TO
SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP, YOUTH
MENTORSHIP, SCHOOL NURSES,
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, PORTABLE
MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER
HEALTHCARE.
THE SPD BUDGET CONSTITUTES
ALMOST 23% OF OUR $1.5 BILLION
GENERAL FUND.
THAT IS -- THERE ARE 42 OTHER
CITY DEPARTMENTS AND THAT RELY
ON WHAT IS LEFT TO FIND THEIR
OPERATING EXPENSES AND PROVIDE
CITY SERVICES.
THE SPD BUDGET IS 3.5 TIMES
BIGGER, FOUR TIMES BIGGER THAN
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND 36
TIMES BIGGER THAN THE OFFICE OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND THE
OVERTIME BUDGET ALONE IS
SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER THAN OTHER
CITY DEPARTMENTS.
IT HAS BECOME A BACKDOOR FOR
GROWING THE BUDGET OF SPD WITH
LITTLE OVERSIGHT INTO HOW THE
MONEY IS SPENT AND WE KNOW THIS
IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE WE, AS A
COUNCIL, HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH
THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS . UNTIL
WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE DISPARITY
AND THE IMPACT OF THE POLICY
CHOICES ON THE VERY PEOPLE WE
CLAIM WE WANT TO KEEP SAFE,
UNTIL WE REALLOCATE OUR FINITE
PUBLIC RESOURCES IN A WAY THAT
CAN CHANGE THE CONDITIONS THAT
LEAD TO PUBLIC SAFETY PROBLEMS,
WE WILL CONTINUE TO SPIN OUR
WHEELS ON SAFETY.
I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE
SUPPORT CONTINUING TO DENY
OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS THE
RESOURCES THEY NEED TO PROVIDE
CRITICAL SERVICES TO
SEATTLEITES WHO NEED MORE THAT
A BADGE AND A GUN TO IMPROVE
THEIR COMMUNITIES.
FOR THAT REASON, I WILL BE
VOTING NO.
>> THANK YOU MEMBER,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT ?
>> I WILL BE VOTING NO.
I HAVE EXPLAINED MY POSITION ON
THIS MANY TIMES AND MY OFFICE
HAS HAD A CONSISTENT POSITION.
INCREASED POLICING IS NOT
STATISTICALLY RESULTED IN SAFER
NEIGHBORHOODS, THE DATA SHOWS
THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS DEEPLY
AFFECTED BY ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
INEQUALITY, NOT POLICE STAFFING
AND THESE MONIES SHOULD BE DONE
TO REDUCE INEQUALITY.
INEQUALITY HAS GONE FURTHER AND
FURTHER OUT OF CONTROL AND
CRIME RATES ARE AFFECTING THAT.
AS I SAID WHEN I VOTED NO ON
POLICE HIRING BONUSES IN MAY OF
THIS YEAR, RATHER THAN PAY
BONUSES, THIS MONEY WITH
INCREASING BIG BUSINESS TAXES
SHOULD BE PUT TOWARDS IMPROVING
RESOURCES LIKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
AND CHILDCARE, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, TINY HOUSES TO
IMMEDIATELY SHELTERED THOSE
WITHOUT HOMES, PUBLIC PARKS AND
PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS.
ALL SHOULD GO HAND-IN-HAND WITH
EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF
UNIONIZED LIVING WAGE INFLATION
ADJUSTED JOBS.
IT IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY IN THE
2022 BUDGET, BUT THE DEMOCRATIC
ESTABLISHMENT IS COMMITTING TO
A PROGRAM OF HIRING BONUSES,
TRYING TO ADD MONEY IN THE 2023
BUDGET.
FURTHER, HIRING BONUSES ARE NOT
THE PRIMARY ISSUE AFFECTING
POLICE STAFFING LEVELS OR
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
IF THERE IS ANY MORE REAL
QUESTION, IT IS BECAUSE OF THE
WAY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS
BEEN USED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT.
DURING THE LIKEWISE MATTER
MOVEMENT, THE POLITICAL
ESTABLISHMENT UNLEASHED THE
POLICE LIKE AN OCCUPYING ARMY
INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, FILLING
THE STREETS WITH TEAR GAS AND
FLASH BANG GRENADES, AS A
RESULT, EARNING OUTLETS FROM
COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND HIRING
BONUSES WILL NOT OVERCOME THAT
JUSTIFIABLE OUTRAGE.
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE SAID THAT
THEY WISH THERE COULD BE A
ACCOUNTABILITY BUT THEY SAY
THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO
BE NEGOTIATED IN THE CONTRACT.
THIS IS SIMPLY NOT HONEST, AND
IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT
COUNCILMEMBERS WHO USE
BARGAINING AS AN EXCUSE FOR THE
LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE NO
INTEREST IN ACTUALLY BARGAINING
TO ESTABLISH REAL
ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN THEY DO
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.
WHAT IS NEEDED IS REAL POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY WITH
DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED
COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT BOARDS WITH
THE REAL POWER TO HOLD THE
POLICE ACCOUNTABLE, INCLUDING
HIRING AND FIRING AND SUBPOENA
POWERS.
ABOVE ALL, THIS ISSUE IS A
REMINDER OF HOW THE POLICE
UNDER THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM ARE
FUNDAMENTALLY ORGANS OF STATE
AGGRESSION AGAINST WORKING-
CLASS PEOPLE AND OPPRESSED
COMMUNITIES.
THE CITY'S DEMOCRATIC
ESTABLISHMENT IS OFFERING MORE
AND MORE MONEY TO POLICE
OFFICERS AT THE SAME TIME THE
SEATTLE POLICE OFFICERS KILLED
HAS NOT YET AGREED TO A
CONTRACT WITH EVEN THE MOST
INSIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTABILITY
MEASURES.
LET'S NOT FORGET THAT THEY WERE
EXPELLED BY THE DELEGATES, THE
REGION'S LABOR MOVEMENT, THE
RANK-AND-FILE UNION MEMBERS IN
THE SEATTLE AREA UNDERSTAND
THAT AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN
INJURY TO ALL.
THE POLICE FORCE USED BY THE
RULING CLASS TO ACTIVELY
OPPRESS OUR HOMELESS AND LOWER
INCOME MEMBERS AND COMMUNITIES
OF COLOR HAS NO PLACE IN THE
LABOR MOVEMENT.
I WILL BE VOTING NO.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> THANK YOU.
I WILL BE VOTING FOR
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD'S
LEGISLATION WE ARE NATIONALLY
IN A COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE
FOR ATTRACTING AND RECRUITING
MEMBERS OF THE POLICE SERVICE
IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IN OTHER
COMMUNITIES.
GOING FORWARD, WE KNOW THAT A
CRITICAL COMPONENT OF OUR
COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SYSTEM
SAYING SOMETHING HAS TO BE
POLICING, THERE IS NO
CONSTITUTIONAL SOCIETY THAT
DOES NOT HAVE SOME KIND OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT WITH A MONOPOLY TO
ENFORCE A SOCIAL CONTRACT.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A
POLICE FORCE.
TO RETRACT -- WE NEED TO FOLLOW
THE LEAD OF OTHER CITIES TO BE
ABLE TO COMPETE FOR THE SAME
POOL OF POTENTIAL RECRUITS.
JUST A QUICK PERUSAL WILL SHOW
THAT, IF WE LOOK AT SOME
NATIONAL CITY'S THAT MAY NOT BE
PEERS, LIKE ALBUQUERQUE, NEW
MEXICO, $5000 FOR NEW RECRUITS
SIGNING BONUSES, $15,000 FOR
LATERAL MOVES, SPRINGFIELD,
OREGON, NEXT TO EUGENE, OREGON,
$10,000 SIGNING BONUSES, AND IF
WE START GETTING IN THE HABIT
OF LEARNING FROM OTHER CITIES
THAT ARE ASSIGNING SIGNING
BONUSES AS AN INCENTIVE, WE
SHOULD EXTEND OUR PRACTICE TO
LEARN FROM OTHER CITIES ON THE
OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY INNOVATIONS
THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ADOPTING
OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TWO
YEARS.
I SPECIFICALLY CHOSE
ALBUQUERQUE AND SPRINGFIELD
BECAUSE BOTH HAVE ROBUST AND
WELL-DEVELOPED ALTERNATIVE
RESPONSE PROGRAMS TO RESPOND TO
A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF 911 CALLS
THAT WE KNOW THE POLICE DO NOT
NEED TO RESPOND TO.
THE GROWING NATIONAL MOVEMENT
IN LOW ACUITY FIRST RESPONSE IS
SOMETHING THAT, IN 10 YEARS,
WILL BE ADAPTED UNIVERSALLY
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
PEOPLE WILL LOOK BACK ON HOW
PUBLIC SAFETY WORK IN THE PRE-
2020 ERA AND WILL NOT BELIEVE
WHAT DINE AND DASH POLICE HAD
BEEN DISPATCHED TO.
VOTING FOR THIS IMPORTANT
LEGISLATION, THERE ARE JOBS
ONLY POLICE WE CAN DO AND WE
HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT
ATTRITION OF POLICE OFFICERS
LEAVING WITHOUT HAVING
ALTERNATIVE SERVICES TO TAKE ON
THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES, I WISH
I COULD BE VOTING FOR THE
PACKAGE AND SAYING THAT WE ARE
WELL ON OUR WAY TO BEING A
NATIONAL LEADER IN PROVIDING
THOSE ALTERNATIVE RESPONSES.
BUT WE FRANKLY ARE NOT.
AS COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA
INDICATED , THIS COUNCIL HAS
REPEATEDLY FUNDED VARIOUS
DIFFERENT INITIATIVES FOR
RESPONSE ALTERNATIVES AND WE
HAVE NOT MOVED FORWARD OVER THE
COURSE OF THE LAST TWO YEARS, I
AM ENCOURAGED BY OUR
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE MAYOR'S
ADMINISTRATION, AND OUR
PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND
ALTERNATIVES IN THE COMING
MONTHS WITH A RENEWED FOCUS AND
EFFORT THAT IS A JOINT COUNCIL
AND MAYORAL GOAL.
I THINK THAT WILL GO A LONG WAY
TOWARDS DRIVING THE KIND OF
CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE A
COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT AND
CRITICAL TO REVERSE OUR LOSSES
IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IN AND OF ITSELF, IT WILL NOT
BE SUFFICIENT FOR THE RESULT
THAT A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS
HAVE INDICATED A REJUVENATED
POLICE STAFFING PLAN WILL LEAD
TO.
THAT CAN ONLY COME THROUGH A
CONTINUED DIVERSIFICATION OF
THE AVAILABLE RESPONDERS TO A
CONTINUED EMPHASIS ON PUBLIC
HEALTH AND WELFARE IMPROVEMENT.
I JUST WANT TO LEAVE, AS A
TRANSITION, AT THE END OF MY
REMARKS, TO THE BUDGET
CONVERSATIONS THAT WILL BEGIN
IN EARNEST WHEN WE COME BACK
FROM RECESS, THAT THE DENVER
STAR PROGRAM, WHICH THE
COUNCIL, IN THE CITY OF DENVER
RECENTLY APPROPRIATED $1.4
MILLION CONTRACT TO SUPPORT,
$1.4 MILLION IN DENVER WILL
SUPPORT SIX BANDS AND 12
WORKERS FOR THE VANS TO PROVIDE
NONPOLICE FIRST RESPONSE.
IT IS WITHIN OUR POWER TO DO
THIS.
OTHER CITIES ARE DOING THIS, IT
IS NOT PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIV
OR UNDULY COMPLICATED.
I THINK THAT WE REALLY NEED TO
CENTER THE CONVERSATION AS PART
OF OUR BUDGET DELIBERATION AND
CONTINUED TO PUT RESOURCES
BEHIND THIS AS THIS COUNCIL HAS
DONE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
AND HAVE A RENEWED FOCUS ON A
NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEW
MAYOR WHERE THIS WILL BE A
BIGGER PRIORITY AND MAKE SURE
THIS DOES NOT CEASE BEING A
COUNCIL PRIORITY FOR EXECUTIVE
IMPLEMENTATION.
WITH THAT, MADAME PRESIDENT, I
WILL SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION
TODAY AND LOOK FORWARD TO
FUTURE CONVERSATIONS TO MAKE
SURE WE HAVE COMPREHENSIVE
PUBLIC SAFETY POLICIES IN THE
CITY OF SEATTLE.
>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE BEFORE
I MAKE A COMMENT AND BEFORE WE
MOVE BACK?
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
>> THESE WILL BE MY ONLY
REMARKS.
SO, ON FEBRUARY 15th, A
REVEREND SENT THE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL LETTERS SAYING
MOTHERS FOR POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY SUPPORTS MORE
SPD HIRING TO ENHANCE JUSTICE
AND SAY THE CITIZENS DESERVE A
SAFE CITY.
IN RESPONSE FOR RESOLUTION
CALLING FOR THE RELEVANT --
HIRING OF NEW OFFICERS AND THIS
BILL IS THE OUTCOME I WAS
AIMING FOR WHICH IS WHY I
SIGNED ON AS COSPONSOR.
I THINK THE MAYOR AND HIS TEAM,
AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY CHAIR
HERBOLD FOR BEING PRIME
SPONSORS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I WILL NOT REPEAT THE GRIM
SHOTS FIRED STATISTICS I
USUALLY DO.
I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE NEED A
BETTER WAY TO RESPOND TO PEOPLE
IN CRISIS.
AND WE DO NOT YET HAVE THAT
MODEL SET UP.
I ALSO HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MORE THAN
PEOPLE IN CRISIS, TALKING ABOUT
SYSTEMIC AND SERIOUS CRIME.
I DO NOT BELIEVE WE CAN WAIT
UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS TO START
SAVING LIVES.
SO, THIS BILL WILL HELP US
COMPETE WITH OTHER
JURISDICTIONS FOR THE OFFICERS
AND INVESTIGATORS WHO WE NEED
TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE
SHOT AND KILLED ON OUR STREETS.
IT WILL TAKE YEARS TO BUILD
BACK UP THE SPD STAFFING LEVELS
AND, OBVIOUSLY, THE BONUS, IT
IS NOT THE MONEY THAT WILL GET
US THERE.
WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT, I
THINK, IS A CULTURE CHANGE.
THIS BILL IS A RECOGNITION THAT
WE VALUE THE CRUCIAL ROLE OUR
OFFICERS PLAYED IN CREATING A
SAFER CITY.
AND THE RETENTION COMPONENTS
ARE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT WE
NEED TO FOSTER A MORE WELCOMING
AND SUPPORTIVE WORKPLACE.
LET'S BE CLEAR, THIS IS A MEANS
AND NOT AN END.
FOR NOW, PASSING THIS BILL
SHOWS THAT, WHEN THE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL LISTENED TO THE
COMMUNITY AND WORK TOGETHER, WE
CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS.
THAT IS WHAT A FUNCTIONING CITY
GOVERNMENT LOOKS LIKE AND THAT
IS WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS AND
NEW RECRUITS WANT TO SEE.
I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS BILL.
>> THANKING THEM -- THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY OTHER
COMMENTS BEFORE I SPEAK AND WE
HEADED BACK OVER TO
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD ? I DO
NOT SEE ANY.
I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS AND
VOTING YESTERDAY.
I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH
EVERYTHING ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES
HAVE SAID, EVEN WHERE THEY ARE
ON OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE
SPECTRUM IN AGREEMENT OR
DISAGREEMENT.
I BELIEVE YOUR WORDS AND I
BELIEVE YOUR TRUTH, I HAVE SEEN
ALL OF YOU IN THE LAST TWO
YEARS AND DO A LOT OF HARD
WORK.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD FOR TAKING ON THIS
VERY DIFFICULT, EMOTIONAL, AND
COMPLEX SUBJECT.
WE BOTH SERVE ON THE NATIONWIDE
SEARCH FOR A NEW SEARCH OF --
CHIEF OF POLICE AND WE ARE IN
AN INTERESTING POSITION, AND
OUR LABOR GROUP, SO THE PUBLIC
DOES NOT SEE THE HARD WORK
BEHIND THE SCENES IN DEALING
WITH THE POLICY, THE LEGALITY,
WORKING WITH THE UNION, THE
EXECUTIVE, AND MORE POORLY
WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT THESE
PAST TWO YEARS, THINGS WE
ALREADY KNEW BUT REALLY CAME TO
FRUITION THESE LAST TWO YEARS.
I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT
GOOD POLICY AND COMMON SENSE,
AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHO WE
ARE AS A CITY, OUR HUMANITY,
MAKES A CHANGE, NOT SLOGANS.
I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE ARE
HEADED.
IS THIS PERFECT?
NO.
IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION.
I WAS GOING TO SHARE THIS
ANYWAY, BUT AT ANOTHER EVENT
COMING UP.
I WANTED TO SHARE THE WORDS OF
DR. AUTUMN BLACKDEER BECAUSE IT
IS IMPORTANT.
WE COULD TALK ALL DAY ABOUT
POLICY, ABOUT DATA, A LOT OF
THINGS THAT WE HEAR BUT, AT THE
END OF THE DAY, IT IS ABOUT HOW
WE FEEL ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY,
COMMUNITY POLICING, AS AUTUMN
BLACKDEER SHARED, STANDING IN
YOUR TRUTH TO WALKING IN YOUR
PURPOSE.
TODAY, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD
AND WALKING IN OUR PURPOSE,
HOPEFULLY, I BELIEVE,TO A
SAFE, HEALTHY, AND SENSIBLE
POLICY THAT BRINGS US, AS
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON SAID, A
SAFE CITY.
I WANT TO SAY THIS IN THE
CONTEXT OF THE HARD WORK WE
HAVE ALL DONE, BUT IT IS TIME
TO START HEALING.
IT IS TIME TO START HAVING
CONVERSATIONS WHERE WE LISTEN
TO EACH OTHER AND NOT SHOUT
OVER EACH OTHER, THAT WE
RESPECT EACH OTHER'S OPINION,
THAT WE GET AWAY FROM, IF YOU
ARE NOT WITH ME, YOU ARE
AGAINST ME, THAT IS NOT HOW WE
WILL GET TO SAFE COMMUNITY
POLICING AND PROTECTING ALL OF
OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
WITH THAT, I WILL BE VOTING YES
ON THIS.
I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
OKAY.
WITH THAT, I WILL HAND IT TO
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD TO DO
CLOSING REMARKS AND THEN WE
WILL MOVE TO A VOTE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
LOOKING FOR MY CLOSING REMARKS.
I APPRECIATE THE GRACE.
THIS LEGISLATION USES EXISTING
MONEY IN THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT BUDGET TOWARDS THE
GOAL BY COUNCIL SUPPORTED TO
HIRE 125 OFFICERS IN 2022.
THIS WAS APPROVED IN THE
BUDGET, THE SPD REVISED HIRING
PROJECTION IS 84 OFFICERS FOR
THE YEAR, SIGNIFICANTLY FEWER
OFFICERS ARE POSSIBLE TO BE
HIRED THEN THE NUMBER OF HIRES
THAT THE COUNCIL ALREADY
AUTHORIZED.
I REPEATEDLY SAID THAT
DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES
POLICE RESPONSE TO 911 CALLS IS
A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF BOTH
OUR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
AND PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGIES TO
MAKE SURE OFFICERS HAVE
WORKLOADS THAT ARE SUSTAINABLE,
SEATTLE IS NOT A UNIQUE CITY,
CITIES ARE FACING SHORTAGES IN
POLICE OFFICERS AND WE WANT TO
LESSEN THE LOAD ON OFFICERS AND
CREATE NEW AND MORE EFFECTIVE
WAYS OF RESPONDING TO CALLS
THAT DO NOT REQUIRE AN ARMED
POLICE RESPONSE.
WE CANNOT KEEP ASKING POLICE
OFFICERS TO DIRECT TRAFFIC,
HELP PEOPLE IN MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS, WHEN WE DO NOT HAVE
ENOUGH OFFICERS TO RESPOND TO
911 CALLS WERE INVESTIGATE
SEXUAL ASSAULT.
BEING A FIRST RESPONDER IS A
DIFFICULT JOB AND WE SHOULD NOT
MAKE IT AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB.
AS POLICE CHIEF BROWN NOTED IN
2016, EVERY SOCIETAL FAILURE WE
PUT ON THE POLICE TO SOLVE, NOT
ENOUGH MEN, NOT ENOUGH FUNDING,
BUT THE COP HANDLE IT, NOT
ENOUGH DRUG ADDICTION FUNDING,
LET THE COP HANDLE IT, SCHOOLS
FAIL, THAT IS TOO MUCH TO ASK,
POLICING WAS NEVER MEANT TO
SOLVE ALL OF THOSE PROBLEMS, HE
SAID IN 2016.
THE DALLAS POLICE CHIEF.
BEING A FIRST RESPONDER IS A
DIFFICULT JOB AND WE SHOULD NOT
MAKE IT AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA HAS
NOTED THAT HUMAN SERVICE
PROVIDERS TELL HER THAT
OFFICERS , THEY ARE NOT
DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVES TO HELP
PEOPLE, THAT IS HARMING TO
OFFICER MORALE.
IT IS IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY
WITH FEWER OFFICERS, TO RIGHT
SIZE WHAT THEY ARE ASKED
BECAUSE SOME THINGS ONLY
OFFICERS CAN DO.
MY SUPPORT FOR THIS BILL, WITH
RECRUITMENT AND INCENTIVES
PROPOSED BY THE MAYOR AND SPD ,
HAS BEEN DEPENDENT ON THE
EXECUTIVES RECOGNITION OF THIS
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT COMPONENT,
THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING
OBJECTIVES.
THE COMMITMENT TO DEVELOP A NEW
911 CALL RESPONSE SYSTEM.
LAST WEEK,, THE WEEK BEFORE
LAST I SHOULD SAY, STAFF,
BETWEEN THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
AND COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF,
FINALLY STARTED THE JOINT WORK,
INCLUDING THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT, COMMUNITY SAFETY
AND COMMUNICATION CENTER, AND
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ADDITIONALLY, THE QUARTERLY
CONSENT DECREE FILING IN THE
CITY LAST MONTH MEMORIALIZED
THESE, THAT THE WORKGROUP WILL
RECOMMEND APPROACHES THAT
INCREASE SPD FOR ALTERNATE
RESPONSE, PRIORITY THREE AND
FOUR CALLS IN THE NEAR-TERM.
THROUGH AN ALTERNATE RESPONSE
PILOT AND EVALUATION OF
EXISTING RESOURCES THAT COULD
BE DEPLOYED OR MORE EFFICIENTLY
DEPLOYED ON THINGS LIKE SPECIAL
EVENTS.
IT GOES ON FURTHER TO NOTE THAT
THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR WILL
HOST PLANNING MENTORING
RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SUBSET
OF CALLS THAT MAYBE THEY SHOULD
DIVERT FROM THE POLICE AND
ESTIMATES THE PROCESS WILL BE
COMPLETED IN THE FALL.
I APPRECIATE THE MAYOR AND SPD
BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD AND
WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE INTERIM
CHIEF'S NEW BEFORE THE BADGE
PROGRAM.
WHEN THE PREVIOUS MAYOR DID NOT
INCLUDE FUNDING FOR THIS
PROGRAM, IT CONNECTS OFFICERS
WITH COMMUNITY IN ADVANCE OF
STATE PLANNING.
I WANT TO QUOTE FROM THE
WEBSITE FOR THE PROGRAM, THREE
PARTS, MEET WITH COMMUNITY
GROUPS TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS AS
INDIVIDUALS ABOUT POLICING IN
SEATTLE, WORK WITH THE WELLNESS
UNIT TO OBTAIN TOOLS TO HELP
WITH THE STRESSES OF THE JOB,
AND LEARN ABOUT SPD PRECINCTS ,
OFFICERS, OPPORTUNITIES AND
LEADERSHIP, AND THE WEBSITE
READS, "IN ADDITION, BEFORE THE
BADGE, IT INCLUDES EXPLORATION
OF THE POLICING FOR
PROFESSIONS, RACES HISTORY,
GENDER RESPONSIVENESS, AND THE
SITE OF RELATIONSHIP-BASED
POLICING."
AS PART OF THE LARGER BODY
WORK, THE SEATTLE PUBLIC SAFETY
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION HAS
APPROVED PREFERENCE POINTS FOR
LANGUAGE SKILLS IN THE PAST AND
IS COMMITTED TO WORKING ON
PREFERENCE POINTS FOR COMMUNITY
SERVICE THIS YEAR, THIS IS
ANOTHER WAY OF ENSURING THAT
THE PEOPLE WE ARE HIRING FOR
THE JOBS ARE THE PEOPLE BEST
SUITED FOR THEM.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD . MADAM CLERK EMMA
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
PASSAGE OF THE BILL AS AMENDED?
>> SAWANT?
>> NO .
>> STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> HERBOLD ?
>> YES.
>> LEWIS AND MIKE
>> YES.
>> MORALES?
>> NO?
>> MOSQUEDA?
>> NO .
>> PEDERSEN?
>> YES .
>> NELSON?
>> YES MIRRORED.
>> JUAREZ?
>> YES . SMACK SIX OPPOSES --
>> SIX IN FAVOR, THREE OPPOSES.
>> THE BILL PASSES AS AMENDED
AND THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT,
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD , YOU ARE
RECOGNIZED.
>> I AM SORRY.
I HOPE YOU WILL FIND THESE
THINGS APPROPRIATE, ALTHOUGH I
THINK THE MAYOR AND THE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, WE HAD
TO ALWAYS THINK OUR OWN STAFF.
I WANT TO THANK CENTRAL STAFF,
SPECIFICALLY GREG AND GORMAN,
AND LOU IN MY OFFICE FOR HOURS
OF WORK TO GET THIS OVER THE
FINISH LINE IN SUCH A SHORT
TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
WE ARE DONE WITH THE COMMITTEE
REPORTS.
THERE WERE SIX.
WE WILL MOVE ONTO THE AGENDA,
TWO ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE
CONSENT CALENDAR.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO J, ADOPTIONS
OF OTHER RESOLUTIONS, THERE ARE
NONE.
AND, OTHER BUSINESS.
IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO
COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL BEFORE
I ADJOURN?
I WANT TO THANK THOSE
COUNCILMEMBERS THAT CALLED IN
FROM OTHER PLACES.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON, I KNOW
YOU ARE DOING MOTHER STUFF,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS FOR
CALLING IN, IT MEANS A LOT THAT
YOU TOOK THE TIME.
THANK YOU.
NOT SEEING ANY, THIS DOES
CONCLUDE THE ITEMS OF BUSINESS
ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE ON
RECESS FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS
AND THE NEXT REGULARLY
SCHEDULED MEETING IS ON
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th AT 2:00.
I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL
RECESS AND WE STAND ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU.