>> GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
MARCH 23 MEETING OF THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCILS ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGY,
COMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER.
IT IS 9:34, I AM SARAH NELSON,
CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD .
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ .
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
FIVE PRESENT.
>> ALL RIGHT, IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPT DID.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
AGENDA IS ADOPTED.
AT THIS TIME WE WILL OPEN THE
REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT
THERE IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON
THE SEATTLE TOURISM IMPROVEMENT
AREA AND SO IF YOU ARE SIGNED UP
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT BUT REALLY
WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT AGENDA
ITEM, PLEASE WAIT AFTER THE
FIRST AGENDA ITEM AND WE WILL
OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AFTER
THAT.
ALL RIGHT,I THANK EVERYONE FOR
THEIR ONGOING PATIENCE AND
COOPERATION AS WE CONTINUE TO
OPERATE THIS REMOTE PUBLIC
COMMENT SYSTEM.
IT REMAINS THE STRONG INTENT OF
THE CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE REMOTE
PUBLIC COMMENT REGULARLY
INCLUDED ON MEETING AGENDAS.
HOWEVER, AS A REMINDER, THE
CITY COUNCIL RESERVES THE RIGHT
TO END OR ELIMINATE THESE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS AT ANY
POINT I WILL MODERATE THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IN THE
FOLLOWING MANNER: THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD FOR THIS MEETING
IS 20 MINUTES AND EACH SPEAKER
WILL BE GIVEN PLEASE NOTE THIS
IS DIFFERENT FROM THE GENERAL
MEETING LISTEN LINE. IF YOU DID
NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL
CONFIRMATION PLEASE CHECK YOUR
SPAM AND JUNK EMAIL FOLDERS.
AGAIN, I WILL CALL ON EACH
SPEAKER BY NAME IN THE ORDER IN
WHICH THEY REGISTERED ON THE
WEBSITE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED
TO SPEAK BUT WOULD LIKE TO YOU
CAN SIGN UP BEFORE THE END OF
PUBLIC COMMENT BY GOING TO THE
WEBSITE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT LINK IS
LISTED ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL A SPEAKER'S NAME,
STAFF WILL UNMUTE THE
APPROPRIATE MICROPHONE AND AN
AUTOMATIC PROMPT OF YOU WILL BE
UNMUTED WILL BE THE QUEUE THAT
IT'S THEIR TURN TO SPEAK.
AND THEN THE SPEAKER MUST PRESS
STAR SIX TO BEGIN SPEAKING.
PLEASE BEGIN SPEAKING BY
STATING YOUR NAME AND THE ITEM
THAT YOU ARE ADDRESSING.
AS A REMINDER, PUBLIC COMMENT .
ONCE YOU COMPLETE YOUR COMMENT
PLEASE DISCONNECT IN THE LINE
AND IF YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE
FOLLOWING THE MEETING PLEASE DO
SO VIA THE LISTING OPTIONS
LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
NOW OPEN AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH
THE FIRST SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR
SIX AFTER HERE THE PROMPT OF
YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTED.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS JASON
FOLLOWED BY JEREMY.
GO AHEAD, JASON.
>> MY NAME IS JASON.
'S IS THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
I WAS RECENTLY FIRED FOR NOT
GETTING THE EXCREMENTAL
EMERGENCY USE GENE THERAPY
KNOWN AS THE COVID VACCINE AT
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT'S.
MY CLASSIFICATION OF INSIDE
WIREMAN HAS BEEN STAFFED FOR
THE LAST 10 YEARS AND FIGHTING
QUALIFIED HIGH-VOLTAGE WORKERS
IS NOT AN EASY PATH.
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT LET GO OVER
10% OF MY DEPARTMENT FOR NOT
GETTING THE SHOT.
THIS IS PUT IN INCREASED STRAIN
ON THE UTILITY AND HAS
NEGATIVELY AFFECTED WORKER
MORALE AND PRODUCTIVITY.
--
>> JASON COME ON GOING TO
INTERRUPT.
THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD ARE THAT PEOPLE
SPEAK TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
ARE YOU SPEAKING TO AN ITEM ON
THE AGENDA?
>> THIS IS THE CITY LIGHT
MEETING, RIGHT?
>> THIS ITEM IS NOT IN THE
AGENDA.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO SUBMIT
COMMENTS IN WRITING.
TO ME AND THE LEADERSHIP CITY
LIGHT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE
JEREMY ROWAN.
JEREMY, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX.
>> MY NAME IS JEREMY.
I BELIEVE YOU'RE GOING TO
DIRECT ME IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
THIS IS CONCERNING THE SAME
ISSUE.
>> I WILL REQUEST, I'M SORRY TO
INTERRUPT.
I DO ASK THE PEOPLE SPEAK TO
ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
BECAUSE OFTEN WE HAVE A VERY
FULL AGENDA AND A HAVE TO BE
CONSISTENT IN PUBLIC COMMENT.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MY EMAIL IS SARA.NELSON AT
SEATTLE.GOV.
YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO
ME AND LEADERSHIP.
IN WRITING.
>> THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED TO
YOU.
THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KRISTI
AND THAT IS OUR LAST SPEAKER
SIGNED UP FOR THE GENERAL
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS KRISTI.
I AM UNDERSTANDING THAT THE
OVERALL GENERAL BUSINESS
PROPRIETY AND WELFARE OF CITY
LIGHTS AND THE SAFETY IS PART
OF THE DAILY GENERAL AGENDA
EVEN IF THERE ISN'T A SPECIFIC
--
>> I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT,
THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE, AT THIS
TIME WE OPEN THE REMOTE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD FOR ITEMS ON THE
AGENDA.
>> WINNER THE GENERAL COMMENTS
TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK?
IS A PLACE TO SPEAK AT A
MEETING IN FRONT OF YOU FOR A
GENERAL COMMENT?
>> NO.
THAT IS NOT ALLOWED IN THIS
COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> IS THAT THE GENERAL CITY
COUNCIL MEETING I CAN SPEAK A
GENERAL COMMENT?
>> I'M NOT A COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> WHO IS THE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT?
>> THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT
DETERMINES THE RULES FOR HOW
FULL COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE
CONDUCTED.
IN THIS COMMITTEE ITEMS FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT ARE LIMITED TO
ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
SO AGAIN, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO
PLEASE SEND YOUR THOUGHTS AND
COMMENTS TO ME PERSONALLY AND
TO THE REST OF THE COMMITTEE IF
YOU WISH.
>> I DID THAT, THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM
YOU.
I ALREADY EMAILED.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE NUDGE AND
I WILL READ YOUR EMAIL.
THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, SEEING NO ONE ELSE
LISTED ON THE AGENDA FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT, THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED.
I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
EVERYBODY WHO EXPRESSED AN
INTEREST IN ATTENDING AND
SPEAKING TODAY.
SEEING THAT THERE IS NOBODY
ELSE HERE, EVERYONE ELSE SIGNED
UP, PLEASE HOLD TIGHT FOR THE
PUBLIC HEARING AND WE WILL NOW
PROCEED TO ITEMS OF BUSINESS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
NUMBER ONE INTO THE RECORD.
>> APPOINTMENT 02122.
APPOINTMENT OF MICHELLE
MITCHELL-BRANNON AS A MEMBER
OF THE CITY LIGHT REVIEW PANEL
FOR A TERM TO APRIL 11, 2024.
BRIEF DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE
VOTE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THIS IS OUR FIRST APPOINTMENT
IN THIS COMMITTEE.
I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE
APPOINTMENT OF MICHELLE
MITCHELL-BRANNON TO THE
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT REVIEW
PANEL.
WILL THE PRESENTERS PLEASE
INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND
MICHELLE MITCHELL-BRANNON?
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON AND THE REST OF THE
COMMITTEE.
WE ARE SUPER EXCITED TO BE HERE
TODAY.
I HAVEN'T MET YOU, I AM DEBRA
SMITH THE GENERAL MANAGER AT
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT.
ALTHOUGH I'M NOT TO TALK ABOUT
HER BECAUSE I THINK LEE IS
GOING TO DO THAT, AS I WAS
REVIEWING THE RESUME COMING
INTO THIS MEETING, ONE OF THE
THINGS I AM MOST EXCITED ABOUT
MICHELLE IS THAT NOT ONLY ARE
YOU LOW INCOME REPRESENTATIVE,
AND THAT WILL BE COVERED HOW
PEOPLE IDENTIFIED AND WHAT THE
COMMUNITY'S OF INTEREST ARE THE
WE ATTEMPT TO HAVE REPRESENTED
ON THE REVIEW PANEL, BUT
MICHELLE ALSO HAS THE
OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY REPRESENT
I THINK SOME OF THE NEEDS.
A LOT OF HER WORK HAS BEEN
FOCUSED ON YOUTH IN VARIOUS
WAYS.
HAVING THE ADDITIONAL
PERSPECTIVE ON THE REVIEW
PANEL, WHICH ISN'T IDENTIFIED
COMMUNITY OF INTEREST BUT AS WE
ARE IN THIS TRANSITION ABOUT SO
MANY THINGS, I THINK THAT WILL
BE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS
APPOINTMENT AND I WANTED TO
INTRODUCE LEIGH BARRECA , YOU
GUYS BY NOW KNOW I STRUGGLE
WITH TITLES.
LEIGH IS THE MASTER OF OUR
REVIEW PANEL.
SHE KEEPS IT GOING.
SHE DIRECTS IT. SHE DOESN'T
AMAZING JOB WITH CONTENT.
OF COURSE SHE IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR ENSURING IT IS FULLY
POPULATED WITH JUST THE RIGHT
PEOPLE.
I'M GOING TO TURN THIS OVER TO
LEIGH.
>> THANK YOU.
AS DEBRA SAID, I WORK WITH THE
REVIEW PANEL AND I MANAGE THE
PLANNING PROCESS.
LIKELY I WILL BE WITH DEBRA AND
COMPANY AGAIN.
I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF SLIDES
THAT MAURA BRUEGER IS GOING TO
RUN TO GIVE A QUICK OVERVIEW
OF THE CITY LIGHT REVIEW PANEL.
YOU CAN GO FORWARD.
JUST A REMINDER ABOUT WHAT THE
REVIEW PANEL IS.
THE REVIEW PANEL WAS CREATED IN
2010 PER CITY ORDINANCE.
CITY LIGHT PREVIOUSLY HAD A
CITY LIGHT ADVISORY BOARD AND
ALSO A RATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THE CITY LIGHT REVIEW PANEL
COMBINED THE DUTIES OF BOTH
GROUPS.
IN 2015 THERE WERE SOME MINOR
ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO THEIR SCOPE
AND PROCESS TO THEIR CHARTER
AND THAT WAS PASSED WITH YET
ANOTHER ORDINANCE.
PER CHARTER ORDINANCE, THE
REVIEW PANELS ACTIVITIES OR
ROLE ARE ADVISORY TO CITY LIGHT
ON OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, THE
DEVELOPMENT AND PLAN ITSELF AS
WELL AS THE ACCOMPANYING PATH.
THE REVIEW PANEL, EACH TIME A
PLAN IS SUBMITTED, THEY PROVIDE
AN OPINION TO THE CITY COUNCIL
ON THE MERITS OF THE PLAN, TO
THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR.
AND 420 22, RIGHT NOW WE ARE
WORKING ON AN UPDATE TO THE
STRATEGIC PLAN, TO THE 2022
PLAN.
THAT WOULD BE DELIVERED TO THE
COUNCIL IN JUNE.
SO THE PANEL IS WORKING, WE ARE
WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE
PANEL THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THAT UPDATE.
EXCUSE ME.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
WE HAVE NINE MEMBERS ON THE
PANEL.
FOUR APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR,
FIVE APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR,
EXCUSE ME, AND EACH SERVES A
STAGGERED THREE-YEAR TERM
ALTHOUGH AT THE CONCLUSION OF
THEIR THREE-YEAR TERM, PANEL
MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO SERVE A
SECOND TERM.
AS YOU CAN SEE THE NINE MEMBERS
ARE INTENTIONALLY DIRECTED TO
SERVE CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR
CUSTOMER BASE.
WE HAVE AN ECONOMIST, FINANCIAL
ANALYST, NONPROFIT ENERGY
EFFICIENCY REPRESENTATIVE,
COMMERCIAL CUSTOMER REP,
RESIDENTIAL REP, INDUSTRIAL, A
MEMBER AT LARGE AND A
REPRESENTATIVE FROM ONE OF OUR
UBURBAN TRENCH I CITIES.
POSITION NUMBER SEVEN -- WE ARE
SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW WITH THIS
APPOINTMENT, WE WILL HAVE A
FULL PANEL WHICH IS SOMETHING
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR
QUITE SOME TIME.
POSITION NUMBER SEVEN IS THE
LOW INCOME CUSTOMER
REPRESENTATIVE.
WITH THAT, I AM PLEASED TO
ANNOUNCE, TO INTRODUCE MICHELE
TO SPEAK WITH YOU.
THANK YOU.
>> I AM SO EXCITED TO BE HERE
AND BE PART OF THIS
APPOINTMENT.
A LITTLE ABOUT ME, I AM BORN
AND RAISED IN SEATTLE IN THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT.
GRANDMOTHER WAS IN THE CITY AS
WELL AS MY GRANDFATHER WE
STARTED SERVITUDE VERY EARLY ON
IN AGE.
TO WORK WITHIN THE AFRICAN-
AMERICAN AND LOW-INCOME
COMMUNITIES IS DEFINITELY A
PRIVILEGE AND AN HONOR FOR ME.
I AM EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO LEND
THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY TO
THIS POSITION AND TO THE WORK
SO WE ARE INFORMED ABOUT MAKING
THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THOSE
THAT WILL BE IMPACTED.
AGAIN, I AM EXCITED.
I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER
20 YEARS.
AND YES, I CAN'T EXPLAIN TO YOU
THAT I CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO
WORK ON THIS WHOLE PANEL AND
DEFINITELY GIVE, AGAIN, VOICE
TO A COMMUNITY I'M SO
PRIVILEGED AND LOVE TO SERVE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
MICHELLE.
IT IS WONDERFUL TO MEET YOU.
YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
FOR THOSE THAT HAVEN'T READ
YOUR RESUME COULD YOU JUST LET
FOLKS KNOW WHAT YOU DO RIGHT
NOW IN YOUR DAY JOB?
>> WILL DO.
I AM A DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION
SUPPORT AT ATLANTIC STREET
CENTER WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION
THAT HAS BEEN AROUND JUST A FEW
YEARS.
112.
WORKING IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT
AND SOUTH END OF SEATTLE.
SOME OF THE PROGRAMS I AM
PRIVILEGED TO RUN OUR YOUTH
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS WHICH IS
THE PREVENTATIVE SUPPORTS OF
YOUTH THAT ARE AT RISK.
ALSO TEEN PARENTS.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT
HAVEN'T SEEN IT IN THE SEATTLE
TIMES, SIX YEARS WE HAVE BEEN
IN THE SEATTLE TIMES ABOUT THE
WORK I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO
BE ABLE TO DO WITH THE TEEN AS
PARENTS PROGRAM.
ALSO I HAVE THE KINSHIP CARE
PROVIDERS WHICH ARE KINSHIP
PROVIDERS TAKING CARE OF THEIR
GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN OR RELATIVE
KIDS.
THAT IS A PROGRAM I RUN.
AND A HUGE YOUNG PARENT PROGRAM
WERE WE GOING TO THE HOMES AND
REMOVE ANY BARRIERS AROUND
PEOPLE GETTING CONNECTED TO
SUPPORTS AND EMPLOYMENT.
HOUSING.
A LOT OF THE FAMILIES WE WORK
WITH OUR 100% LOW INCOME. SOME
ARE, 65% ARE HOMELESS OR AND
STABLY HOUSED.
THAT IS THE WORK I DO EVERY DAY
THAT I AM PRIVILEGED TO DO AND
WORK ALONGSIDE PARTNERING WITH
FAMILIES SO THAT THEY CAN
CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR
LIVES.
ALLOWING THEM TO INFORM US.
SO THE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO
MEET THEIR NEEDS.
THAT IS WHAT I DO ON MY DAY
TODAY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
YOU ARE A VERY BUSY PERSON.
AND IN SERVING ON THIS PANEL,
IT IS A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
GIVING OF YOUR TIME IN SERVICE
AND EXPERTISE.
ERIC, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS
OR ADDITIONS?
>> JUST TO SAY IT HAS BEEN
GREAT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS
TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS. I
KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS FOR
COUNCIL TO INTERACT WITH
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT THE
REVIEW PANEL TO INFORM WITH THE
REVIEW PANEL BRINGS
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE KID
COMMITTEE AND COUNCIL, AND I'M
CONSISTENTLY IMPRESSED WITH
PEOPLE WILLING TO STEP UP AND
DO THIS WORK BECAUSE IT IS A
BIG COMMITMENT.
OVERALL, I THINK THE CITY AND
THE REST OF US FOLKS LIKE THAT
ME THAT LIVE HERE AND CUSTOMERS
ARE WELL SERVED BY THEM.
I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU, ERIC.
COLLEAGUES, DO YOU HAVE ANY
THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> OKAY.
SEEING THEN I MOVE THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT
2122.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION OF
THE APPOINTMENT.
ARE THERE FURTHER COMMENTS?
ALL RIGHT.
HEARING NONE, THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE ON THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE
APPOINTMENT BE CONFIRMED?
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ
>> YES.
FIVE FAVORED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES IN THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THAT
THE POINTMAN BE CONFIRMED WILL
BE FORWARDED TO THE CITY
COUNCIL ARCH 29th, 2022 FOR
FINAL CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THIS
MEETING AND CONGRATULATIONS
FROM THE CHAIR OF THE
COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU.
MOVING ONTO HER SECOND AGENDA
ITEM, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ THE ITEM INTO THE RECORD.
>> COUNCIL BUILT 120273.
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE
SEATTLE TOURISM IMPROVEMENT
AREA, DEFYING THE ASSESSMENT
RATE AND AMENDING ORDINANCE
123714.
PUBLIC HEARING, DISCUSSION AND
POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU.
AS A REMINDER, LAST COMMITTEE
MEETING WE HAD A DISCUSSION OF
THIS LEGISLATION.
TODAY WE WILL CONTINUE THAT
DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED RATE
CHANGE FOR THE SEATTLE TOURISM
IMPROVEMENT AREA.
AND FIRST WE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC
HEARING ON THIS ISSUE.
AND AFTERWARDS HAVE ADDITIONAL
TIME FOR DISCUSSION AND
POSSIBLY VOTE AND A LITTLE
BACKGROUND ABOUT THE
LEGISLATION.
FIRST WE WILL GO INTO THE
PUBLIC HEARING.
AT THIS TIME WE WILL OPEN
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM NUMBER
TWO.
COUNCIL BILL 120273.
I WILL MODERATE THE PUBLIC
HEARING IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER.
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE UP TO
TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.
THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL AND
ONCE ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE
SIGNED UP AND ARE ABLE TO SPEAK
HAVE DONE SO.
SPEAKERS ARE CALLED UPON IN THE
ORDER IN WHICH THEY REGISTERED
ONLINE TO PROVIDE COMMENT.
EACH SPEAKER MUST CALL IN FROM
THE PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED WHEN
REGISTERING AND USE THE ID AND
PASSCODE EMAILED UPON
CONFIRMATION.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS DIFFERENT
FROM THE GENERAL MEETING ID
LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL
CONFIRMATION PLEASE CHECK YOUR
SPAM AND JUNK MAIL FOLDERS.
AGAIN I WILL: EACH SPEAKER BY
NAME IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY
REGISTERED ON THE COUNCIL
WEBSITE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED
BUT WOULD LIKE TO YOU CAN SIGN
UP BEFORE THE END OF PUBLIC
COMMENT BY GOING TO THE COUNCIL
WEBSITE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT LINK IS ALSO
LISTED ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL A SPEAKER'S NAME,
STAFF WILL UNMUTE THE
APPROPRIATE MICROPHONE AND AN
AUTOMATIC PROMPT WILL BE THE Q
THAT IT IS THEIR TURN TO SPEAK
AND THE SPEAKER MUST PRESSED
STAR SIX TO SPEAK.
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A CHIME WHEN
THERE'S 10 SECONDS LEFT.
ONCE YOU HEAR THE CHIME WE ASK
YOU BEGIN TO WRAP UP YOUR
POLITICAL COMMENT.
IF SPEAKERS DO NOT AND COMMENTS
AT THE END OF THE TIME THE
MICROPHONE WILL BE MUTED TO
ALLOW US TO CALL ON THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
WHAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR
COMMENT WE ASK YOU PLEASE
DISCONNECT FROM THE LINE AND IF
YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING
THIS MEETING PLEASE DO SO VIA
THE SEATTLE CHANNEL OR THE
LISTENING OPTIONS.
THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN
AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE
FIRST SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
RIGHT NOW THERE ARE FOUR LISTED
SPEAKERS.
THE FIRST ONE WILL BE MIKE
STEWART FOLLOWED BY MARY.
PLEASE GO AHEAD, MIKE.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR NELSON
AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MIKE STEWARD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BALLARD
ALLIANCE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
AREA THAT REPRESENTS HUNDREDS
OF BUSINESSES THAT FOCUS ON
AMONG OTHER THINGS MARKETING
AND TOURISM TO DRIVE VISITORS
TO SEATTLE AND THE BALLARD
NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'M HERE TODAY TO VOICE SUPPORT
FOR THE SEATTLE TOURISM
IMPROVEMENT AREA AND THE RATE
CHANGE THAT WILL ALLOW THE CITY
TO THRIVE AND MAINTAIN
COMPETITIVE POSITION AMONG
OTHER DESTINATIONS.
FEES GENERATED BY PAID GUESTS
IN DOWNTOWN HOTELS, MARKETING
EFFORT CELEBRATE THE DIVERSITY
ACROSS THE CITY AND REGION
INCLUDING NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS
DISTRICTS LIKE BALLARD.
SUPPORTING CAMPAIGNS AND
EVENTS, THAT REALLY HELP
ILLUSTRATE HOW PEOPLE ARE
INSPIRED TO EXPLORE VIA
NEIGHBORHOODS.
MANY OF OUR ALLIANCE MEMBERS
AND PARTNER BUSINESSES HAVE
BEEN FEATURED IN CAMPAIGNS
WHICH SERVE AS A ADVERTISING
ONTO THEIR BUSINESS FOR
NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE BALLARD ALLIANCE HAS ALSO
DEVELOPED ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH
SEATTLE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL
YEARS AND OUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT
SMALL BUSINESSES FROM HIGH-END
RESTAURANTS, CULTURAL
ORGANIZATIONS TO CRAFT
BREWERIES HAVE GREATLY BENEFITED
FROM COLLABORATIVE MARKETING
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS.
REALLY IS A SYMBIOTIC
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CENTRAL
VISIT DISTRICT AND THE OTHERS.
HAVING A THRIVING TOURISM
INDUSTRY WITH THE SEATTLE
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT WILL
IN TURN HELP ENSURE THAT BALLARD
IS IS IS AND ATTRACTIONS ALSO
THRIVE.
INCREASE FUNDING CAN BENEFIT
OUR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE
BEEN HIT THE HARDEST THROUGHOUT
THE PANDEMIC.
AT A TIME WHEN IT'S NEEDED MOST.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY
AND I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOUR
APPROVAL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GO AHEAD, MARY.
>>
>> GOOD MORNING.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES I CAN.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD KNOW TO DO
THIS.
WE HAVE OUR OWN COUNCIL
MEETINGS.
THIS IS MARY, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE PIKE PLACE
ORCHID PDA.
I REPRESENT OVER 500 SMALL
BUSINESSES WITHIN THE PIKE
PLACE MARKET COMMUNITY.
AS YOU KNOW IT IS ONE OF
SEATTLE'S MOST RECOGNIZABLE AND
POPULAR POINTS OF INTEREST.
IT IS HEAVILY IMPACTED BY THE
IS A's OF THE REGION.
IT HELPS US THRIVE WITH THE
VISITORS.
AS YOU KNOW IT WAS VERY
DEVASTATED BY THE PANDEMIC AND
THE LOSS OF THOSE VISITORS TO
THE REGION THE LAST COUPLE OF
YEARS.
AS WE FIND OURSELVES GETTING
OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND
HOPEFULLY STARTING TO MOVE INTO
RECOVERY THIS ABILITY TO
BOLSTER OUR DESTINATION
ADVERTISING, MARKETING AND
PUBLIC RELATION EFFORTS IS VERY
CRITICAL RIGHT NOW.
THE STIA IS A POWERFUL TOOL AND
HAS BEEN IN SEATTLE'S LONG-TERM
RECOVERY.
IT SUPPORTS THE SMALL BUSINESS
COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN SO
DEVASTATED THROUGHOUT THE
PANDEMIC.
WE REALLY HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING
TO COME THROUGH AND IT LOOKS
LIKE THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE
END OF THIS TUNNEL.
AND THEY REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU
TO SUPPORT THIS.
WHILE ALREADY IT'S A PROVEN
SUCCESS AT ITS EXISTING RATE,
THE ABILITY TO INCREASE THIS
ASSESSMENT TO DRIVE TOURISM
WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST DOESN'T
COME TO THE COST OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN
THE PIKE PLACE MARKET BRICKLEY
BENEFITED FROM THE STIA AND WAS
SUPPORTED BY CAMPAIGNS LIKE, I
KNOW A PLACE, VISIT SEATTLE,
ALL THE PROGRAMS REALLY INSPIRE
VISITORS TO EXPLORE THE
ARTISANS, BUSKERS, FARMERS,
SMALL BUSINESSES AND CRAFTERS.
OVER 500 OF THEM, THAT BY THE
WAY WERE OPEN THROUGH THE
ENTIRE PANDEMIC, MOST
THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, THIS
MAKES THE PIKE PLACE MARKET THE
SOUL OF SEATTLE.
I ASK YOU TO APPROVE THE STIA
LEGISLATION SO WE CAN DRIVE
TOURISM AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
THROUGHOUT SEATTLE IN AN
EQUITABLE WAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
COMMENTS.
>> OUR LAST SPEAKER IS JOSHUA.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD MORNING.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> WONDERFUL.
MY NAME IS JOSHUA, AND THE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE
SEATTLE TOURISM IMPROVEMENT
AREA.
FOR CULTURE IS KING COUNTY'S
CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
OUR MISSION IS TO SUPPORT A
VIBRANT CULTURAL SECTOR.
WE DO THIS BY PROVIDING GRANT
FUNDING PROGRAMS TO OVER 500
CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS ACROSS
THE ARTS, HERITAGE AND HISTORIC
PRESERVATION.
WE ALSO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL
ARTISTS AND CULTURE PRODUCERS
THROUGH OUR NATIONAL PUBLIC ART
PROGRAM.
WE ARE SUPPORTED, ALL THIS WORK
IS SUPPORTED THROUGH COUNTY
LODGE AND TAX PROCEEDS AND 1%
FOR THE ARTS.
AND TODAY I AM SPEAKING IN
SUPPORT BECAUSE OF THE REVENUE
IT GENERATES WE KNOW WILL HELP
THE CITY AND REGION RECOVER
FASTER.
ALREADY, STIA PROGRAMS ARE
VITAL TO SEATTLE'S CULTURAL
INSTITUTIONS.
IN FACT, FOR YEARS AN
ADDITIONAL GRANT SUPPORT TO
VISIT SEATTLE SPECIFICALLY FOR
THE SEATTLE NEWSEUM PROGRAM
WHICH HAS BEEN A STAPLE PROGRAM
THAT SHINES A LIGHT ON THE
INCREDIBLE CULTURAL TREASURES
WE HAVE TO OFFER AND INSPIRES
VISITORS TO EXPLORE OUR VAST
CULTURAL COMMUNITIES.
NOT ONLY IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE
BUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
AS WE BEGIN TO MOVE PAST THE
HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC AND INTO
RECOVERY, THE ABILITY TO
BOLSTER THE ARTS, HAS NEVER
BEEN MORE CRITICAL.
AND STIA HAS PROVEN TO BE A
TOUGH VEHICLE IN SEATTLE'S
LONG-TERM RECOVERY BECAUSE IT
PROVIDES THE SUPPORT THAT
ARTISTS AND CULTURAL
INSTITUTIONS NEED AT THE VERY
TIME WE NEEDED THE MOST.
OUR RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THE
CULTURAL SECTOR JUST IN 2020
ALONE EXPERIENCED NEARLY $200
MILLION OF REVENUE LOSSES.
SO WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER TO
INCREASE VISITATION TO GREATER
SEATTLE HUNDREDS OF CULTURAL
ORGANIZATIONS AND THOUSANDS OF
CULTURAL PRODUCERS ACROSS KING
COUNTY BENEFIT.
PLEASE APPROVE THE STIA
LEGISLATION SO WE CAN
RADICALLY DRIVE TOURISM AND
ECONOMIC VIBRANCY DROUGHT
SEATTLE AND THROUGHOUT THE
ENTIRE COUNTY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU ALL.
THAT WAS OUR LAST REGISTERED
COMMENTOR IN THE PUBLIC HEARING
IS CLOSED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING.
STAY TUNED.
WE DID HAVE PRESENTATIONS ON
THIS ISSUE AT OUR LAST COMMITTEE
MEETING AND THOSE ARE LINKED TO
THE AGENDA IF ANYBODY WANTS TO
LOOK AT THOSE AS WE PROCEED.
AND, WE HAVE ASKED THE
PRESENTERS FROM LAST TIME, TOM
AND ALLIE TO RETURN AS A
RESOURCE CASE COUNCIL NUMBERS
HAVE WESTERNS GOING FORWARD.
BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING.
IT'S NOT QUITE STANDARD
PROCEDURE.
AND, I WILL HAND IT OVER TO YOU
TO PROVIDE US SOME BACKGROUND
FOR THIS ISSUE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> YOLANDA FOR COUNCIL CENTRAL
STAFF.
I'M GOING TO PROVIDE THE
PROCESS OVERVIEW.
IT IS GOVERNED BY STATE LAW AND
TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE IN THE
PROCESS.
THERE ARE SEVERAL PROCEDURAL
REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING TWO
PLACES OF LEGISLATION THERE IS
A RESOLUTION THAT STATES THE
CITY'S INTENT TO CHANGE THE
RATES.
AND DESCRIBES THE PROPOSED
CHANGE AND SETS THE DATE AND
LOCATION FOR HEARING.
THE PROPOSAL MUST BE OPTED AT
LEAST 15 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE
HEARING.
THAN THERE IS ALSO SEPARATELY
AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD CHANGE
THE ASSESSMENT RATE.
MARCH 1 THE COUNCIL ADOPTED
RESOLUTION 32043 STATING THE
CITY'S INTENT TO MODIFY SEATTLE
TOURISM IMPROVEMENT AREA
ASSESSMENT RATES.
AND SET THE DATE AND LOCATION
FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR
TODAY MARCH 23, A REMOTE PUBLIC
HEARING.
ALSO REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, THE
CITY MUST MAIL ALL RATEPAYERS A
COPY OF THE ADOPTED RESOLUTION
AND PUBLISH A NOTICE IN THE
DAILY JOURNAL OF COMMERCE AT
LEAST 10 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE
PUBLIC HEARING.
ON MARCH 8 THE DJ SEE NOTICE
WAS PUBLISHED AND CITY STAFF
MAILED THE RESOLUTION TO
RATEPAYERS.
THEY SHOULD'VE ALL RECEIVED
THAT WELL IN ADVANCE OF THIS
PUBLIC HEARING.
COUNCIL BILL 120 272 WAS
RECORDED TO THIS COMMITTEE AND
IS THE SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION
TODAY.
AND POSSIBLE VOTE.
UNLESS ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE PROCESS I WILL HAND
IT BACK TO THE CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I WANTED TO NOTE THAT TOM
NORWALK AND ALI DANIELS ARE
WITH US TODAY.
WE ALSO HAVE PHILIP THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
YOU HAVE FURTHER COMMENTS OR
INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO
SHARE?
>> NOT AT THIS TIME.
>> ALL RIGHT.
DO MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS BEFORE WE MOVE ON?
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR NELSON AND
THINK YOU TOM AND ALI FOR
JOINING US TODAY.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED BETWEEN THE
LAST COMMITTEE MEETING IN
TODAY'S COMMITTEE MEETING WAS
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION IN
TOWN, DURING THAT CONFERENCE
THERE WERE PLACES THAT WE NEED
TO IMPROVE DOWNTOWN AND THE
WERE SOME STRONG HIGHLIGHTED.
IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE I
BELIEVE HIS NAME WAS MR.
FLORIDA WHO CAME AND SPOKE
ABOUT HAVING BEEN DOWNTOWN 25
YEARS AGO AND BEING HERE TODAY.
WE ARE STRONGER TODAY THAN WE
WERE 25 YEARS AGO.
WE HAVE THE BONES IN PLACE TO
MAKE A DESTINATION, NOT ONLY
FOR SEATTLEITES, NOT ONLY FOR
THE REGION, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE
COUNTRY AND INTERNATIONAL.
WE DO HAVE SOME THINGS WE NEED
TO WORK ON.
THAT INCLUDES PUBLIC SAFETY.
I JUST WANTED TO RAISE THIS
BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE STATE
OF DOWNTOWN REALLY SPOKE TO
THIS COMMITTEE MEETING AND TO
STIA INFLUENCE.
AND SO TWO POINTS, ONE I KNOW
YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE I KNOW A
PLACE AND I KNOW I NEED TO COME
INTO MY VIDEO WITH YOU TO SHOW
YOU MY PLACES.
BUT, TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU, HOW
ARE YOU USING THESE DOLLARS TO
SHOW THE WORLD THAT SEATTLE IS
IN FACT THRIVING?
AND, HOW ARE YOU PARTNERING WITH
THE REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS
AUTHORITY, BECAUSE FOR THE
REGIONAL HOMELESS AUTHORITY TO
BE SUCCESSFUL WE ALL HAVE TO DO
A LITTLE BIT.
IT WAS INTERESTING CEO DOAN'S
NOTED THEY ARE NOT THE COUNTY,
THEY'RE NOT THE CITY, AND THAT
IS WHY THEY NEED EVERYONE TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE SUCCESS.
THOSE ARE THE TWO KIND OF
FRAMINGS OF QUESTIONS.
HOW ARE YOU SHOWING SEATTLE IS
THRIVING AND HOW ARE YOU
PARTNERING TO HELP ADDRESS THE
HOMELESSNESS ISSUES?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.
LIKE YOU AND I THINK ALL OF US,
I WAS INCREDIBLY INSPIRED LAST
WEEK AT THE EVENT.
CONGRATULATIONS COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON ON YOUR WORK ON THE
PANEL.
I THINK ALL OF US LEFT THAT
MEETING KNOWING AND FEELING THE
OPTIMISM AND EXCITEMENT OF THE
CITY AND WHAT IS AHEAD OF US AS
WE COME THROUGH RECOVERY INTO
THE NEXT NUMBER OF YEARS.
SINCE 2011 COUNCIL MEMBERS, AS
YOU KNOW, THE STIA HAS
PROMOTING TRAVEL TO THE CITY
AND REGION.
WE TOOK A DIFFERENT APPROACH
SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS AGO AS WE
LOOKED AT EXPLORING DEEPER
NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY,
SMALL BUSINESS, BUSINESS IS
OWNED BY BIPOC OWNERS,
MINORITY, WOMEN OWNED
BUSINESSES, CELEBRATING
EVERYTHING WE HAVE WITH A SLANT
TOWARDS ARTS AND CULTURE, FOOD
CERTAINLY, AND ATTRACTIONS AND
MUSEUMS.
SO WE FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT
THE WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING.
CERTAINLY WE KNOW RIGHT NOW THE
NEED IS MORE CRITICAL THAN
EVER.
TO CONTINUE THAT WORK.
AND TO DO IT IN A MUCH STRONGER
WAY.
AS I HAVE SAID A NUMBER OF
TIMES, WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO
WORK VERY HARD AS A CITY TO
EARN TOURISM RECOVERY.
I THINK ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOOK
THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WITH
NEGATIVE PUBLICITY AND THINGS
THAT ARE SOMETIMES DESERVED,
OFTEN NOT DESERVED, WE ARE
WORKING VERY HARD IN ALL AREAS
TO DO THAT.
WE ARE PROUD OF THE WORK WE
HAVE DONE AND I KNOW YOU HAVE
SEEN A LOT OF THE WORK WE HAVE
DONE.
LAST WEEK I WAS INSPIRED BY THE
PANEL AND MARK'S COMMENTS FROM
THE RHA, I HAVE NOT MET MARK,
WE SUPPORT THE WORK OF THAT.
WE KNOW THAT HAS BEEN A MISSING
LINK IN OUR STRUGGLES WITH HOW
WE TREAT ALL OF THE ELEMENTS
AROUND UNSHELTERED PEOPLE.
I DO THINK, AND I AM PROUD OF
THE WORK THAT THE LODGING
COMMUNITY HAS DONE, DIRECTLY
AND INDIRECTLY, THROUGH TAXES
AND TOURISM AND LODGING TAXES
THAT HAD BEEN GOING FOR
HOUSING.
WE KNOW THAT IS A CRITICAL
ELEMENT IN THE EQUATION TO GET
US FURTHER AHEAD IN
HOMELESSNESS.
I'M VERY PROUD FROM CONVENTION
CENTER MONEY BEING SPENT TO THE
KING COUNTY TAX IN THE CITY AND
LODGING FOR A LARGE AMOUNT,
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
TO HOUSING.
AND CERTAINLY THE SHORT-TERM
RENTAL TAX AS YOU KNOW WELL IN
THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAS
BEEN DIRECTLY APPROPRIATED TO
THE CITY FOR USE IN DIFFERENT
LEVELS OF HOUSING.
SO, AM EXCITED TO MEET MARK, I
HAVE NOT DONE THAT YET.
WE SUPPORT THE WORK AND KNOW
THAT THAT IS THE MOST CRITICAL
THING YOU COULD BE DOING AS A
CITY.
WE ARE ALL IN THAT WAY.
>> WONDERFUL, THANK YOU, TOM.
JUST NOTING OVER THE LAST 25
YEARS, YOU PLAYED A VERY LARGE
ROLE IN A LOT OF THE MARKETING
FOR OUR CITY IN HELPING TO GROW
SEATTLE AS A DESTINATION WHICH
THEN HELPS US GROW AS A CITY
AND AS YOU SAY, INDIRECTLY
EVERYTHING IS TIED.
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU
FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK.
I'M NOT GOING TO WISH YOU A
HAPPY RETIREMENT IT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR.
CHAIR NELSON, THOSE ARE ALL MY
QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
BRINGING THAT UP.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEE
THE BIG PICTURE THAT IN
ADDITION TO SUPPORTING VISIT
SEATTLE AND STIA , HOTEL AND
LODGING TAXES TO SUPPORT A LOT
OF CRITICAL NEEDS DIRECTLY AND
INDIRECTLY.
I DO HAVE SOME NUMBERS, AND I'M
GOING TO PUT THEM FORWARD, JUST
BECAUSE I FEEL A SENSE OF
URGENCY OF GOING AHEAD AND
ACTING ON THIS TODAY.
I WILL HAVE TO SUSPEND THE
RULES TO DO SO.
JUST WHAT WE ARE TALKING, THE
SHORT-TERM RENTAL TAX WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT TAX ON AIRBNB'S,
IT FUNDS INVESTMENT IN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS AND
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AS
DETERMINED BY THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
PRE-COVID IN 2019 IT GENERATED
$9.4 MILLION. IN 2020 IT
DROPPED TO $3.8 MILLION AND IN
2021 IT WAS THAT $6.1 MILLION.
THEN THERE IS THE KING COUNTY
2% LODGING TAX WHICH FUNDS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ARTS AND
CULTURE AT A RATE OF $37.5
MILLION EACH FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
AND ARTS AND CULTURE.
FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IT IS
PROJECTED $559 MILLION OVER THE
NEXT 25 YEARS AND FOR ARTS AND
CULTURES, SAME AMOUNT.
$559 MILLION OVER 25 YEARS.
FINALLY THE WASHINGTON STATE
CONVENTION CENTER SUMMIT
BUILDING PROJECT IS $93 MILLION
IN COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS
INCLUDING NEARLY $40 MILLION
FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THEN I WILL GO ON TO NOTE THAT
THE ABILITY FOR US TO PROMOTE
SEATTLE AS A DESTINATION FOR
LEISURE TOURISM IS IMPORTANT
FOR DOWNTOWN RECOVERY BUT ALSO
FOR THE WHOLE CITY AS WE
LEARNED LAST TIME, THE VISIT
SEATTLE PROMOTES ALL
NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE CITY AND,
IN DOING SO HELPS THOSE
BUSINESSES ALL OVER THE CITY
STAY IN BUSINESS, GROW, SERVER
NEIGHBORHOODS AND GENERATE TAXES
FOR THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND.
AND THEN WE GO AHEAD AND SUPPORT
, OBVIOUSLY, MANY SERVICES THAT
ARE NEEDED BY MANY AGENCIES.
AND WE DO CONTRIBUTE TO THE
REGIONAL HOMELESS AUTHORITY.
SO, ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO
MAKE SURE THAT WAS PART OF THIS
DISCUSSION.
AND, I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
ON THIS SEGMENT?
IF NOT, THE RULES WILL NEED TO
BE SUSPENDED BEFORE WE MOVE ON
TO A COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION THE
COUNCIL RULES WILL BE SUSPENDED
TO ALLOW THE COMMITTEE TO VOTE
ON A RECOMMENDATION ON THE SAME
DAY A HEARING WAS HELD.
THAT IS STANDARD PROTOCOL.
SEEING NO OBJECTION, THE RULE
IS SUSPENDED AND THE COMMITTEE
WILL PROCEED WITH THE VOTE.
I MOVE THAT THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS PASSAGE OF COUNCIL
BILL 120273.
IS THERE A SECOND?
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF THE
BILL.
OTHER ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS?
ALL RIGHT.
WILL THE CLERK CALL THE ROLE?
I'M SORRY, I ALWAYS DO THAT.
I AM READING MY SCRIPT AND NOT
LOOKING AT THE SCREEN.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD ?
>> I WAS SLOW ON THE FIND THE
RAISE HAND FUNCTION.
I WILL OWN THAT ONE.
THANK YOU.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY AM REALLY
HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE INCREASE.
OUR SPENDING ON PUTTING
OURSELVES TO TRAVELERS TO HER
CITY AS WE KNOW IS BEHIND OTHER
CITIES.
I APPRECIATE THAT VISIT SEATTLE
PRESENTED DATA SHOWING THAT FOR
EXAMPLE OUR SISTER CITY,
PORTLAND, HAS MORE THAN 2.5
TIMES THE ANNUAL BUDGET USED TO
SUPPORT ITSELF IN PROMOTING
VISITORS TO ITS CITY.
AND, AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO
SAY, IT HAS BEEN WELL SAID BY
OTHERS, BUT WE KNOW HOW THE
HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT
AND CULTURAL SECTORS HAVE BEEN
THE HARDEST HIT DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
AND THE RECOVERY IS EXPECTED TO
TAKE LONGER THAN OTHER ECONOMIC
SECTORS.
AND THE FUNDING HERE IS SO
IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE ESTIMATED
ADDITIONAL $3.5 MILLION FOR
MARKETING AND PROMOTION WILL
FUEL EXTRA SPENDING AND
SPECIFICALLY THE HARD-HIT
INDUSTRIES THROUGH EFFORTS
COMING UP THAT I LOOK FOR TO
PARTICIPATING IN.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD . I APPRECIATE THAT.
ALL RIGHT, WILL THE CLERK CALL
THE ROLE ON THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE BILL
PASSED?>> COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD .
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ . CHAIR
NELSON.
FOUR IN FAVOR.
>> THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
THAT THE BILL PASS WILL BE
FORWARDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ALL RIGHT, THIS CONCLUDES THE
MARCH 23 MEETING OF THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
TECHNOLOGY, . OUR NEXT MEETING
IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 18th AT
9:30 AM.
IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS THIS
MEETING WILL ADJOURN.
HEARING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED THANK
YOU, GOODBYE.