>>> GOOD MORNING, THE MARCH
FIRST, TRANSPORTATION AND
PUBLIC COMMITTEE WILL COME TO
ORDER.
THE TIME IS 9:30 A.M.
I AM THE CHAIR.
WHILE THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> PRESIDENT.
>> CHAIR PEDERSEN.
>> PRESENT.
>> FOUR MEMBERS PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU.
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED.
WELCOME BACK TO THE
TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMITTEE.
TODAY, WE WILL HAVE OUR INITIAL
BRIEFING OF COUNSEL 120-271
WHICH CONTAINS THE VARIOUS
EASEMENT AND LEASE AGREEMENTS
WITH THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
TRANSIT IN NORTH SEATTLE
COLLEGE REGARDING THE JOHN
LEWIS BRIDGE.
WE WILL ALSO HAVE A
PRESENTATION FROM OUR CITY
AUDITOR'S OFFICE ON THE RECENT
PERFORMANCE TO MAINTAIN
SIDEWALKS.
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL OPEN THE
REMOTE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
FOR THE PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMITTEE.
I ASK FOR EVERYONE'S PATIENCE
AS WE ARE FINE-TUNING THIS
PROCESS FOR PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION.
IT REMAINS A STRONG INTENT TO
HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT REGULARLY
INCLUDED ON AGENDAS BUT THE
CITY COUNCIL RESERVES THE RIGHT
TO MODIFY THIS AT ANY POINT IF
WE DEEM THAT THE SYSTEM IS
BEING ABUSED OR IS UNSUITABLE
FOR THINGS TO BE EFFICIENT AND
TO HAVE NECESSARY BUSINESS.
I WILL NOW READ THE PUBLIC, IN
THE FOLLOWING MANNER.
IT WILL BE 20 MINUTES TOTAL IN
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE TWO
MINUTES TO SPEAK.
I WILL CALL IN ORDER OF THE
WEBSITE AS YOU ARE REGISTERED.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SIGN UP,
YOU CAN GO TO THE COUNCIL'S
WEBSITE AT SEATTLE.GOV.
THE LINK IS LISTED ON TODAY'S
AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL YOUR NAME, WE WILL
UNMUTE THE APPROPRIATE
MICROPHONE.
THE SPEAKER MUST PRESS STAR 6
TO BEGIN SPEAKING.
PLEASE BEGIN BY STATING YOUR
NAME AND THE ITEM YOU ARE
ADDRESSING.
AS A REMINDER, IT SHOULD BE
ABOUT TODAY'S AGENDA.
WHEN SPEAKERS HAVE 10 SECONDS
OR LESS, THERE WILL BE A TIME.
PLEASE WRAPUP YOUR COMMENTS IN.
IF YOU DO NOT, THE MICROPHONE
WILL BE MUTED TO ALLOW US TO
CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER.
ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT, WE ASK THAT YOU
MUTE YOUR LINE.
THE REGULAR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IS NOW OPEN AND WE WILL BEGIN
WITH THE FIRST SPEAKER ON THE
LIST.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR 6
BEFORE SPEAKING.
I BELIEVE ONE OR TWO SPEAKERS
RIGHT NOW ARE PRESENT SO WE
WILL HEAR FROM DAVID PAYNES
FIRST.
>> THANK YOU.
I AM CALLING ABOUT THE
IMPROVEMENT OF THE METRO
SYSTEM, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
SOME OF THE MONEY FROM THE
TRANSPORTATION BUDGET TARGETING
GRAFFITI AND UNSANITARY
CONDITIONS JUSTIFY USING THE
MONEY TO INCARCERATE THE EVIL
USING THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
IN AN ATTEMPT TO BLEND IN AS IF
THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE BUS
BUT THEY ARE CONNECTING AN
UNCIVIL WAR ON THE COMMUNITY.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TAKE THE
BUS OR ATTEMPT TO GET IN THE
AREA.
IT IS ALMOST BETTER TO BUY A
CAR OR WALK OR WRITE ABOUT
THINGS THAT TO TAKE THE BUS.
THINGS ARE TOTALLY UNSAFE RIGHT
NOW IN THE PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR AND
PEOPLE ARE USING EVERY EXCUSE
THEY CAN COME UP WITH CITING
POLITICS, BUDGET, RESOURCES,
PROSECUTORS, THEY BLAME ALL OF
THIS BUT THEY ARE IMPLODING
SOCIETY.
THE UNTRUSTWORTHY UNQUALIFIED
POLICE CHIEF THAT SHOULD HAVE
BEEN FIRED AND NEVER HIRED TO
BEGIN WITH, FORCED HIS
UNCONSTITUTIONAL POLICE REFORM
AND SHIFTING THE PARADOX.
ALL THE EVIL THAT HAS BEEN --
CAN I GET A FEW MORE SECONDS,
PLEASE?
I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT
THIS TOTALLY INTERRUPTED -- I
DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS ALL
THIS NOISE.
I AM TRYING TO POINT OUT THAT --
>> YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL YOUR
COMMENTS TO US AT COUNCIL AT
SEATTLE.GOV.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A COUPLE
OTHER PEOPLE SIGNED UP BUT THEY
ARE NOT PRESENT.
I WILL JUST CONFIRM THAT IS
CORRECT.
>> THERE ARE NO OTHER PUBLIC
COMMENT REGISTRANTS ON THE
LINE.
>> THANK YOU.
WE WILL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE OUT
THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
BECAUSE THAT CONCLUDES THE LIST
OF PRESENT SPEAKERS.
WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE FIRST
ITEM OF THE AGENDA.
WHILE THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE
TITLE OF THE FIRST -- THE SHORT
TITLE FOR THE FIRST AGENDA ITEM
INTO THE RECORD?
>> 120271, AN ORDINANCE RELATED
TO THE JOHN LEWIS MEMORIAL
BRIDGE CONSTRUCTED UNDER THE
SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION'S NORTH GATE
BRIDGE AND CYCLE TRACK PROJECT.
FOR A BRIEF DISCUSSION AND
POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU, WE HAVE PRESENTERS
HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE
AGREEMENT AS WELL AS THE
CENTRAL STAFF.
THESE AGREEMENTS ARE BEING MADE
WITH THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION AND ARE ALL
RELATED TO THE JOHN LEWIS BRIDGE
IN DISTRICT 5. AS ANYTHING
RELATED TO THAT JOHN LEWIS
BRIDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO
RECOGNIZE THE LEADERSHIP OF
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
THIS IS THE BRIDGE FOR
PEDESTRIAN BIKES, BUILT TO
ENHANCE THE NORTHGATE TRANSIT
HUB.
I WILL BRING THIS BILL BACK FOR
A VOTE ON MARCH 15th BUT WE
WANT TO HAVE A CHANCE TO ASK
QUESTIONS TODAY.
WITH OUR CENTRAL STAFF, IS
THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO
SAY TO LEAD OFF?
>> I THINK WE SHOULD JUST TURN
OVER TO THE S.D.O.T.
STAFF .
>> OKAY, GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING.
ERIC WAS SUPPOSED TO PRESENT
THIS LEGISLATION WITH ME BUT HE
IS NOT ON YET.
WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION
THAT WE WOULD BE THE SECOND
ITEM TO MOVE FORWARD.
IS THERE A POSSIBILITY TO
REARRANGE THAT?
>> I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE.
WHEN WOULD WE EXPECT ERIC TO BE
HERE?
>> AT 10:00.
>> DO YOU NEED THE
PRESENTATION?
I CAN PUT IT UP IF THAT IS WHAT
IS NECESSARY OR DO WE NEED ERIC
TO DO THE ENTIRE PRESENTATION?
>> ERIC IS THE PROJECT MANAGER
SO HE WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT
THIS SPECIFIC COMPONENT TO THE
PROJECT AND I WAS JUST GOING TO
TALK ABOUT WHAT THE LEGISLATION
IS INTENDED TO APPROVE.
>> I THINK I CAN PROBABLY COVER
THE PORTION ABOUT WHAT THE
PROJECT IS AND WE CAN CERTAINLY
SAVE ANY QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE
MAY HAVE.
THIS LEGISLATION IS ABOUT
SECURING THE RIGHTS FOR THE USE
OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY THROUGH
THESE PROPERTIES.
I THINK MAYBE IT IS NOT THE
WORST THING TO DO AN ABBREVIATED
OVERVIEW AND GO STRAIGHT TO THE
LEGISLATION.
>> THAT IS FINE.
DO WE HAVE A POWERPOINT THAT
S.D.O.T.
WAS GOING TO PRESENT?
GREAT.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND DO IT THAT
WAY.
THAT IS A GREAT IDEA, CALVIN.
>> GIVE ME ONE MOMENT AND I
WILL FIGURE OUT WHERE MY --
HERE WE GO.
I HOPE THAT PRESENTATION IS ON
THE SCREEN.
I HAVE CALVIN AND I WILL BE
COVERING A LITTLE BIT OF A
REMINDER TO THE COUNCIL OF WHAT
THE JOHN LEWIS MEMORIAL BRIDGE
IS.
IT IS A PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE
BRIDGE THAT CROSSES I-5
THROUGH THE NORTHGATE STATION.
IN ADDITION TO IMPROVING THE
CONNECTIONS FOR TRANSIT, AND
IMPROVES PEDESTRIAN BIKE
CONNECTIONS ACROSS NORTH SEATTLE
AND ACROSS I-5. THE BRIDGE
SPANS ALMOST 2000 FEET AND HAS
A WESTERN APPROACH THAT CROSSES
THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE INCLUDING
SOME OF THE WETLAND AREAS AND
INTO THE PARKING LOT.
THERE IS AN EASTERN APPROACH
THAT CROSSES THROUGH THE
TRANSIT CENTER AND THE RAILROAD
STATION AND THERE ARE SOME
ADDITIONAL BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN
PATHWAYS THAT CONNECT THROUGH
THE NORTHEAST.
THIS MAP HAS A LITTLE OVERVIEW
OF THE ROUTES THAT ARE AFFECTED
HERE AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE
NEED TO GO MUCH MORE INTO THE
BENEFITS.
THE PROJECT WAS BUILT IN OPEN
TO PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS
IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.
I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO TALK
ABOUT THE LEGISLATION THAT IS
IN FRONT OF YOU.
>> S.D.O.T.'S APPROVAL
INCLUDES THE JOHN MEMORIAL
BRIDGE.
THERE ARE THREE AGREEMENTS.
THE NORTH SEATTLE COLLEGE, THE
NORTH STATE AGREEMENT TO
CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN AND
OPERATE AND REPAIR THE BRIDGE
WITH RELATED IMPROVEMENTS
INCLUDING THE BIKE AND
PEDESTRIAN PATH ON A PORTION OF
ITS PROPERTY.
THE TRANSIT GRANTED THE
EASEMENT AGREEMENT TO THE CITY
TO CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN,
OPERATE AND REPAIR THE BRIDGE
IN RELATED IMPROVEMENTS
INCLUDING PUBLIC ASSETS TO THE
NORTHGATE STATION OR A PORTION
OF ITS PROPERTY.
LASTLY, THERE IS A TRAIL EAST
TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE
BRIDGE, PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE
NORTH SEATTLE PARK AND TO GO
OVER I-5 AND A PORTION OF THE
PROPERTY.
S.D.O.T.
WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT TO CHANGE
THE NAME IN HONOR OF JOHN LEWIS
AND HIS LEGACY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
WE APPRECIATE S.D.O.T.
COORDINATING WITH DIFFERENT
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND
INSTITUTIONS TO GET THESE
EASEMENTS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO
HAVE ACCESS TO OPERATE AND
MAINTAIN THE BRIDGE AND TO
CONNECT THE COLLEGE AND THOSE
NEIGHBORHOODS TO THIS REALLY
IMPORTANT REGIONAL TRANSIT HUB
AT NORTHGATE.
I GUESS THIS IS A QUESTION FOR
CALVIN. IN TERMS OF -- SO,
S.D.O.T.
WILL BE OPERATING AND
MAINTAINING THE BRIDGE BECAUSE
IT IS SUCH A NEW BRIDGE, IS IT
ACCURATE TO SAY WE DON'T
ANTICIPATE SUBSTANTIAL COST AT
THIS POINT?
>> YEAH, IN TERMS OF
MAINTENANCE COST, I HAVE BEEN
TOLD THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT
MINIMAL EXPENSES FOR THE FIRST
ROUGHLY 20 YEARS AND THEN WE
WOULD EXPECT TO HAVE TO DO SOME
EVALUATION OF HOW WELL THE
FACILITY HAS MAINTAINED AND
FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NEXT --
WHAT THE STATUS IS AT THAT
TIME.
IT IS A NEW FACILITY AND WE
DON'T EXPECT ANY SIGNIFICANT
MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR THE NEXT
20 YEARS OR SO.
>> OKAY.
COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT
THESE THREE EASEMENTS FOR THE
JOHN LEWIS BRIDGE?
AGAIN, WE WILL HEAR THIS AGAIN
ON MARCH 15th BUT JUST TO GIVE
YOU TIME AND IF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS IN THE MEANTIME.
OKAY, ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU,
CALVIN FOR STEPPING UP AND
DOING THE INTRO AND THANK YOU,
GRETCHEN HAYDEL, FOR YOUR
EXPLANATION.
WE WILL SEE YOU BACK ON MARCH
15th AND THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WHILE THE CLERK PLEASE READ
THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM FOR THE
RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM TWO, PERFORMANCE
AUDIT OF SEATTLE SIDEWALK
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR PROGRAM
FOR BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU.
REGARDING THIS PERFORMANCE AUDIT
FOR THE SEATTLE SIDEWALK, I
WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS FOR DOING THIS.
HE WAS INVITED AND IS HERE
TODAY AND CAN HELP SPEAK TO
THIS.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
GRADUATE STUDENTS FOR THEIR
JUNE 2020 REPORT ON A SIMILAR
ISSUE.
WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE NOT ONLY
OUR CITY AUDITOR BUT ALSO JANE
DUNKEL.
WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE HER ON
HER UPCOMING RETIREMENT.
WE WILL MISS YOU AND THE HARD
WORK THAT YOU DO FOR THE CITY.
I BELIEVE COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
MIGHT BE AVAILABLE IF HE WANTS
TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF AN
INTRODUCTION.
>> HE CAN ALWAYS DO THAT LATER
IN THE PRESENTATION, TOO.
AUDITOR JONES, DO YOU HAVE AN
INTRODUCTION TO THIS REPORT?
OKAY.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR INVITING US HERE
TO TALK ABOUT OUR REPORT WITH
THE SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE AND
REPAIR PROGRAM.
THIS REPORT WAS PUBLISHED LAST
YEAR AND IT WAS IN NOVEMBER.
THE PERSON WHO LED THE WORK ON
THIS WAS JANE DUNKEL.
I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT YOU
CAN SEE THE REPORT ON OUR
WEBSITE WHICH IS
WWW.SEATTLE.GOV/AUDITOR AND YOU
WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE REPORT.
SO, IF WE COULD GO --
>> AUDITOR JONES, --
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, DID YOU
WANT TO INTRODUCE THIS AS WELL
SINCE YOU REQUESTED IT?
>> YES, THANKS, ALEX.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN OR
CHAIR, RATHER.
I APOLOGIZE, I WAS AWAY FOR
JUST A MOMENT IN THE PREVIOUS
PRESENTATION.
I AM A GUEST HERE AT THE
COMMITTEE AND I APPRECIATE YOU
HAVING ME.
I WOULD JUST SAY VERY BRIEFLY
THAT AS SOMEONE WHO MOSTLY GETS
AROUND THE CITY BY WALKING AND
USING PUBLIC TRANSIT, THE STATE
OF THE CITY'S SIDEWALKS IS VERY
PERSONAL TO ME BEYOND MY
INTEREST AS A COUNCILMEMBER IN
THE GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF OUR
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE.
BE AN EXTENSION OR BRIDGES OR
SIDEWALK INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT
IS ALL SOMETHING THAT ARE
FUNDAMENTAL SERVICES THAT WE
PROVIDE AS A CITY.
JUST IN MY DAILY WALKING
EXCURSIONS, I HAD NOTICED
SEVERAL SIDEWALKS IN MY
DISTRICT AND BEYOND THAT SEEM
TO INDICATE A SYSTEMIC ISSUE
WITH HOW WE ARE MAINTAINING AND
PROTECTING OUR SIDEWALKS WHICH
IS THE ORIGIN OF WORKING WITH
COUNCILMEMBER PETERSON TO REACH
OUT TO THE AUDITOR AND REQUEST
PUTTING THIS TOGETHER JUST TO
TAKE A LOOK AT THE CURRENT
STATE OF OUR SIDEWALKS AND
MAYBE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON
HOW TO MOVE FORWARD TO RECTIFY
THAT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE AUDITOR
TEAM AND COMING BACK WITH GOOD
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I AM HOPING
TO ADVANCE THE REQUISITIONS IN
THE REPORT AND LOOKING FORWARD
TO HEARING MORE ABOUT THAT IN
THIS FORMAL REPORT BACK TO
COMMITTEE.
I REVIEWED THE FINDINGS OF THE
AUDIT AND I APPRECIATE AUDITOR
JONES TAKING THE TIME TO COME
HERE AND BREAK IT DOWN AND
MAYBE HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT
GOING FORWARD AND HOW TO
INCORPORATE SOME OF THESE
RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE WORK
PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD AND AT
LEAST THOSE THAT FALL IN THE
LEGISLATIVE SIDE OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
BE HERE AND LISTEN AND
PARTICIPATE IN THIS HEARING.
>> THANK YOU.
AS I MENTIONED, WE ARE ALSO
GRATEFUL FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON EVANS SCHOOL STUDENTS
BOTH IN MY DISTRICT AND
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD REQUESTED
THAT REPORT PREVIOUSLY.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
FOR FOLKS LISTENING, WE ALSO
RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE MANY
PARTS OF THE CITY THAT DON'T
HAVE SIDEWALS AT ALL.
THERE IS A HUGE GAP IN MANY
PORTIONS OF THE CITY REGARDING
SAFE ACCESS WITH KEY LOCATIONS
LIKE TRANSIT STOPS.
HOWEVER, THERE IS A
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CITY TO
MAINTAIN SOME OF THOSE IN POOR
PRIVATE OWNERS TO MAINTAIN
OTHERS.
WE WILL SEE SOME
RECOMMENDATIONS AND POTENTIALLY
SOME LOW HANGING FRUIT WITH THE
BUDGET OR POLICY CHANGES.
SOME OF THIS WORK DOES VALIDATE
THE WORK AT EVANS AS WELL.
AUDITOR JONES, BACK TO YOU AND
JANE DUNKEL.
>> THANK YOU.
AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT
JANE DUNKEL WAS IN CHARGE OF
THIS AUDIT AND WILL LEAD OUR
PRESENTATION.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, THIS IS
OUR LAST DAY OF WORK BEFORE
THE WELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT OF
JANE.
SHE HAS DONE OUTSTANDING WORK
AND I WANT TO SAY WE WILL MISS
YOU DEEPLY.
IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT
SLIDE, PLEASE.
SO, I QUICKLY WANT TO SAY, WHY
DO WE WANT WELL MAINTAINED
SIDEWALKS?
IT IS BECAUSE THEY FACILITATE
MANY GOOD THINGS.
SIDEWALKS PLAY A ROLE IN
ENSURING EQUITY AND THEY ALLOW
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES,
SENIORS, THOSE WITHOUT ACCESS
TO VEHICLES TO GET WHERE THEY
NEED TO GO AND TO DO THINGS
LIKE GO TO WORK OR GO TO DOCTOR
APPOINTMENTS OR SOCIAL OFFENSE
OR GO SHOPPING.
MAINTAINED SIDEWALKS ALSO
ENCOURAGE WALKING WHICH HELPS
REDUCE THE CITY'S CARBON
FOOTPRINT AND WALKING,
PROMOTIONAL WALKING, ALSO LEADS
TO IMPROVED HEALTH.
LET ME TURN IT OVER TO JANE WHO
WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH THE
FINDINGS AND TREPIDATIONS.
>> GOOD MORNING.
THIS SLIDE, WE WERE ASKED TO DO
THIS AUDIT SO THIS I JUST TALKS
ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT
WAS ASKED.
THE SIDEWALK REPAIR, HOW THEY
DECIDE WHICH SIDEWALKS TO
REPAIR, HOW IF AT ALL TO
SOLICIT PUBLIC INPUT INTO THE
PROJECTS.
TO COMPARE THE COST OF
REPLACING SIDEWALKS AND SOME
PERMANENT FIXES AND GIVE US AN
UPDATE ON THE REQUESTED POLICY
REPORT FROM JUNE 2020.
THAT IS WHY WE DID THE AUDIT.
FOR BACKGROUND, SEATTLE HAS
ABOUT 2300 MILES OF SIDEWALKS.
THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 15
TO 20% OF THOSE.
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CITY
STRUCTURES AFFECTED BY
UTILITIES OR ADJACENT TO CITY
STREETS.
PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REST OF
THOSE.
THAT RESPONSIBILITY IS UNDER THE
CODE OF WASHINGTON, 35.68 AND
3569 WHICH GIVES CITIES THE
AUTHORITY TO BUILD PRIVATE
PROPERTY OWNERS FOR THE COST OF
REPAIRING THE SIDEWALKS OR
REQUIRE THEM TO CONSTRUCT OR
IMPROVE THEM AT THEIR OWN
EXPENSE.
WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THAT
LATER.
ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT
IS EVEN IN SITUATIONS WHERE
OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
MAINTAINING THE SIDEWALK IN
GOOD CONDITION, THE CITY IS
STILL LOOKING AT SAFE ATTITUDES
. IF A TRIP OR FALL OCCURS,
THERE CAN BE A CLAIM AND THERE
ARE AGAINST THE CITY AND THE
PROPERTY OWNER.
IN 2019, THE CITY SPENT 1.4
MILLION ON SETTLEMENTS AND
CLAIMS FOR TRIPS AND FALLS.
WE FOUND THAT NEARLY HALF OF THE
SEATTLE SIDEWALK WAS AFFECTING
MOBILITY AND THIS WAS BASED ON
A 2017 CITYWIDE ASSESSMENT THAT
WAS CONDUCTED BY THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
FOR THIS ASSESSMENT, S.D.O.T.
HAD OBSERVATIONS ON ALL KNOWN
SIDEWALKS IN SEATTLE WITH
SLOOPS AND CRACKS. WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT THE 46% THAT IS
IN THE FAIR, POOR OR VERY POOR
CATEGORIES.
WE INCLUDE FAIR BECAUSE
SIDEWALKS RATED AS FAIR DO HAVE
MEDIUM SEVERITY ISSUES AND
DISCONTINUITIES THAT MAY IMPACT
MOBILITY.
SO, S.D.O.T.'S ANNUAL FUNDING
DOES NOT ADDRESS THE NEED FOR
ANNUAL REPAIR.
IT WAS 2.6 MILLION FOR 2020.
THERE WAS 6.2 MILLION APPROVED
IN 2018 AND 2019 BUT THAT WAS
JUST FOR A TWO-YEAR..
THE CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE IS
THAT IT WILL TAKE $500 MILLION
TO BRING ALL SEATTLE'S
SIDEWALKS AND EVEN THOSE
ADJACENT TO PRIVATE PROPERTY UP
TO GOOD OR EXCELLENT CONDITIN.
THAT IS IF THE CITY HAD TO
REPAIR EVERYTHING AND THAT IS
THE CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE OF
WHAT IT WOULD TAKE.
AS A RESULT, THEY USE TWO TYPE
OF PERMANENT SIDEWALK REPAIRS
BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE COST
EFFECTIVE.
HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF TWO OF
THEM.
ON THE LEFT, THOSE ARE WHERE
THE TWO SIDEWALK PANELS ART
WITH A DIFFERENT HEIGHT.
THEY MATCH THE HEIGHT AND THEN
ON THE RIGHT IS WHERE ASPHALT
IS ADDED SO THAT THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE PANELS IS MADE
WHOLE.
OKAY, SO, HERE IS THE
DIFFERENCE FROM WHAT IT COST TO
REPLACE THE SIDEWALK PER SQUARE
FOOT AND TO DO A REPAIR.
IT IS ABOUT $30 PER SQUARE FOOT.
THE REPAIRS CAN BE QUITE
DIFFERENT.
ON AVERAGE, REPAIRS CAN LAST
ABOUT 10 YEARS AND CONCRETE
SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT CAN LAST
UP TO 100 YEARS.
HOWEVER, THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY
INDIVIDUAL SIDEWALK DEFENSE ON
THE FACTORS OCCURRING BENEATH
THE SURFACE.
INDEED, PANELS CAN BE DESTROYED
WELL BEFORE MATERIALS HAVE
DETERIORATED.
IT CAN ADD TO THE COMPLEXITY
AND COST OF SIDEWALK
REPLACEMENT PROJECTS.
WE ARE NOT SAYING THAT IS NOT A
GOOD GOAL BUT THAT IS ONE OF
THE REASONS IT CAN BE
EXPENSIVE.
BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED DOLLARS,
S.D.O.T.
LOOKS AT THE RESOURCES
CAREFULLY.
I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THIS
IS HOW THEY DECIDE WHICH
SIDEWALKS TO REPLACE AFTER THEY
HAVE DETERMINED THAT A DAMAGED
SIDEWALK NEEDS REPAIR.
THEY LOOK AT THE CONDITION
FIRST AND THEN THEY LOOK AT
FACTORS SUCH AS LEVERAGING
OPPORTUNITIES WITH OTHER
CAPITAL PROJECTS.
THAT WAY, THEY CAN DO MORE
PROJECTS BECAUSE THERE IS MORE
FUNDING.
THOSE ADJACENT MATERIALS AND
IDENTIFIED AS HIGH PRIORITIES
FOR THE MASTER PLAN.
YOU CAN READ THE REST OF THEM.
I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT ONE OF
THE FACTORS IS GEOGRAPHIC AND
SOCIAL JUSTICE.
SO, BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED
DOLLARS -- WE TALKED TO FIVE
OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO SEE HOW
AND WHETHER TO FIX OR REPLACE
THE SIDEWALK.
MOST PEOPLE WOULD PREFER A NEW
SIDEWALK IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD
OR DISTRICT BUT IT IS MUCH MORE
EXPENSIVE.
WE FOUND THAT BECAUSE S.D.O.T.
USES A VERY DETAILED PROCESS
FOR PRIORITIZING SCARCE
RESOURCES, THEY THEN DON'T TURN
AROUND AND ASK PEOPLE WHAT THEY
WANT.
THIS WOULD LEAD TO MORE OF A
COMPLAINT BASED SYSTEM OR A
SQUEAKY WHEEL SYSTEM THAT MIGHT
SUBVERT SOME CAREFUL PLANNING
THAT HAS GONE INTO WHAT
S.D.O.T.
HAS ALREADY DONE.
THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE OTHER
FIVE JURISDICTIONS . SO, WE
FOUND THAT SEATTLE DOES NOT
LOOK AT THE PROPERTY OWNER'S
RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE SLIDE
IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE WEBPAGE,
S.D.O.T.'S CURRENT WEBPAGE.
THEY DO MAKE SOME EFFORTS, AS
YOU CAN SEE, TO EDUCATE PRIVATE
PROPERTY OWNERS ABOUT THEIR
RESPONSIBILITIES BUT THEY DO
NOT ENFORCE IT.
YOU MAY ASK WHY NOT?
IT IS BECAUSE THE ENFORCEMENT
PROESS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW
AND CURRENTLY COVERED BY THE
MISCIBLE CODE 15.72 IS COMPLEX
AND CUMBERSOME.
THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO FOR
EACH INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY AT A
CITY WOULD WANT TO PUT A LIEN
ON IN ORDER TO COVER SIDEWALK
COSTS.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO IDENTIFY THE
COST AND PLACE THEM ON THE
ASSESSMENT ROLE AND PROVIDE
NOTICE TO THE PROPERTY OWNER
AND HOLD THE CITY COUNCIL
HEARING AND HAVE THE CITY
COUNCIL BY ORDINANCE TO AFFIRM
THE COSTS ASSESSED.
AS A RESULT OF THIS CUMBERSOME
PROCESS, THE LAW HAS NEVER BEEN
USED IN SEATTLE AND PRIVATE
PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE LITTLE
INCENTIVE TO REPAIR THE
SIDEWALKS ADJACENT TO THAT.
WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THIS
LATER.
>> CHAIR?
>> YES.
>> I'M SORRY, CAN I ASK -- I
THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY THAT
THIS WAS THE CITY LAW BUT THE
SLIDE IS ENTITLED WASHINGTON
STATE LAW.
>> THE CITY LAW MIRRORS THE
STATE LAW.
I RECOMMENDATION LATER ON WILL
BE THAT THE CITY LOBBIES FOR
CHANGE AND THERE ARE OTHERS IN
AN EASIER PROCESS IF THE CITY
WERE TO CHOOSE TO ENFORCE
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY
RESPONSIBILITY.
THE STATE LAW IS RCW3569 AND
THIS AGREES WITH THAT.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, SO WE LOOKED AT
PROMISING PRACTICES FROM OTHER
JURISDICTIONS THAT OTHERS ARE
USING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
SIDEWALKS THAT ARE PREPARED IN
THE CITY.
WE FOUND THAT IN 2019, THE CITY
IMPLEMENTED AN ORDINANCE
REFERRED TO AS POINT-OF-SALE
ORDINANCE.
UNDER THIS ORDINANCE, PROPERTY
OWNERS MUST REPAIR THE SIDEWALKS
WHEN SELLING THE PROPERTY,
TRANSFERRING TITLE OR
PERFORMING A RENOVATION ON THE
LOT VALUED AT MORE THAN
$100,000.
THE IDEA IS WHEN YOU ARE BUYING
OR SELLING A PROPERTY, IT MIGHT
BE TIME TO HAVE FUNDS TO PUT
INTO THAT.
THEY SHOW PROMISING RESULTS
FROM THIS.
FIRST YEAR RESULTS WERE 121
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS OF
SIDEWALK REPAIR AND THAT WAS
62% INCREASE OVER THE PRIOR
YEAR.
THIS SLIDE IS NOT IN THE REPORT
BUT I GOT UPDATED DATA FOR THIS
PRESENTATION AND THIS SHOWS
YEAR 18 AND 19 AND THIS WAS
BEFORE THE ORDINANCE AND WHAT
WAS ISSUED.
YOU CAN SEE THEY GOT 79 AND THEN
IN THE SECOND, 82.
THEY ARE SHOWING SOME RESULTS
FROM THIS.
ALSO, IF THE CITY WERE TO GO
THAT ROUTE, IT CAN BE PAIRED
WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS.
IN TERMS OF EQUITY, WE CANNOT
ASSUME THAT EVERYONE HAS THE
MONEY TO MAKE THESE REPAIRS.
SO, THERE IS A REVOLVING FUND
AND PERMITTING PROCESS TO MAKE
IT EASY FOR PEOPLE AND THEY
OFFER LOANS TO COVER REPAIR
COSTS AND OAKLAND HAS A SMALL
FUND AT NO COST AND THERE IS A
LOT MORE DETAILS IN THIS
REPORT.
THIS IS JUST A WAY TO THINK
ABOUT EQUITY AS YOU THINK ABOUT
IT.
THEN, THE RECOMMENDATIONS, WHAT
I DID IS I COMBINED THE
RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE 2020
POLICY REPORT AND THERE IS
OVERLAP AND WE PROVIDE HEAVILY
ON THAT.
I PUT THEM INTO BUCKETS.
I WILL TALK ABOUT THE TWO
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT RELATE TO
FIXING THE SIDEWALKS.
SO, THE CITY IMPLEMENTS A FIVE-
YEAR PLAN AND S.D.O.T.
STARTED THIS WORK IN 2018.
YOU CAN SEE THEY COMPLETED
ALMOST 15,000 IN 2021 BUT THE
POSITION TO SCALE UP, THEY SAY
THEY WOULD NEED THREE OR 4
MILLION PER YEAR TO COMPLETE
THIS FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM AND GET
ALL OF THE CITY SIDEWALKS
CITYWIDE REPAIRED.
THAT RECORDATION IS PENDING.
THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION IS
THAT S.D.O.T.
TRIES TO SECURE STABLE FUNDING
AND THAT IS ALSO PENDING.
S.D.O.T.
OFFICIALS ARE HERE AND CAN
SPEAK TO THIS MORE LATER BUT
THEY SAY SIDEWALK REPAIRS ARE
CONTINUING TO BE A PRIORITY AND
THEY CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IT
INTERNALLY AND WITH THE
COMMUNITY AND EXPECT TO
INCORPORATE THIS NEED AS THEY
MOVE TOWARDS THE END OF OTHER
FUNDING MECHANISMS.
THAT IS IN THE PROCESS.
THE NEXT SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS
RELATE TO PRIVATE PROPERTY
RESPONSIBILITIES AND THEY ARE
IN THESE BUCKETS.
I WILL TALK ABOUT THEM A COUPLE
AT A TIME.
THE FIRST TWO ARE THAT N-13
SHOULD INCREASE EDUCATION ABOUT
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SIDEWALKS.
THERE ARE MANY RESIDENTS THAT
DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING THIS.
THIS IS PENDING ALTHOUGH
S.D.O.T.
EXPECTS -- COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD, DID YOU WANT TO ASK A
QUESTION?
>> CAN WE GO BACK TO THE
PREVIOUS SLIDE?
>> YES.
>> THE ONE ABOUT THE RESOURCES.
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE
ABOUT WHAT YOU MEAN BY PENDING.
ARE THERE OTHER PROPOSALS?
>> IT JUST MEANS THAT THEY ARE
STILL WORKING ON IT.
>> THEY HAVEN'T PROPOSED IT?
>> RIGHT.
THAT IS BASICALLY IT.
ONE OF THE POINTS THAT S.D.O.T.
MADE WITH US AS PART OF THE
AUDIT IS THAT THIS IS
PARTICULARLY CRITICAL BECAUSE
THEY CAN'T GEAR UP OR CREATE A
SPECIAL CREW AND IF THEY DON'T
KNOW THE FUNDING WILL BE STABLE.
>> YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO RAISE
THE FACT THAT WE DID HAVE A
DISCUSSION ABOUT A VERY SMALL
INCREASED TAX DURING THE BUDGET
PROCESS AND IN THE FALL, I HAD
A PROPOSAL TO DO A SMALL
INCREASE TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM.
IT WOULD NOT HAVE QUITE GOTTEN
TO THE GOAL THAT WAS IDENTIFIED
IN THIS REPORT BUT WOULD BE A
GOOD DOWN PAYMENT ON IT.
I DO AGREE THAT THIS IS A
REALLY HIGH PRIORITY AND I
WOULD HOPE THAT WE CAN PUT OUR
HEADS TOGETHER TO THINK ABOUT
HOW TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS
RECOMMENDATION.
>> IF I COULD ADD ONE THOUGHT
HERE, I THINK BEHIND THIS
STATEMENT IS THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
THAT S.D.O.T.
SPENDING COMMITMENTS WERE SET
IN PLACE AND WITH THE FINANCIAL
STRESS THAT WE HAVE HAD THE
LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IT HAS
BEEN DIFFICULT TO FIND A LOT OF
ROOM TO MOVE THINGS AROUND.
I THINK THIS IS RECOGNIZING
THAT THE NEXT MAJOR OPPORTUNITY
FOR DRAMATICALLY ADJUSTING
FUNDING LEVELS IS WHEN THE LEVY
IS UP.
IF WE SEEK A RENEWAL OF THAT
LEVY, THAT WOULD BE THE
APPROPRIATE TIME WHERE WE COULD
CONSIDER LARGER SHIFTS AND
SPENDING PRIORITIES THAT MIGHT
APPROACH THREE OR 4 MILLION A
YEAR AND THOSE TYPES OF
INVESTMENTS.
>> I WOULD ALSO SUPPORT WHAT
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD WAS
SAYING IN TERMS OF HAVING
INCREMENTAL INCREASES AND
PERHAPS WE COULD TARGET THAT TO
THE 1.4 MILLION THAT WE ARE
PAYING OUT.
IF THERE IS A WAY OF TARGETING
THOSE AREAS TO REDUCE THOSE
LIABILITIES.
KEEP GOING, JANE.
THANK YOU.
>> THESE PRIVATE PROPERTY
OWNERS, THERE WAS THE
RECORDATION TO INCREASE
AWARENESS AND EDUCATION AND IN
FACT, S.D.O.T.
IS GETTING A NEW WEBSITE AND
IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN
THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
I HAVE SEEN A DRAFT OF IT.
IT IS VERY ROBUST AND SHOULD BE
A BIG IMPROVEMENT.
THERE WAS ALSO THE
RECOMMENDATION FOR THE SIDEWALK
REPAIR PERMITTING PROCESS TO
MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO DO.
S.D.O.T.
DID TRANSITION THEIR PERMITS
TO THE NEW PERMITTING SYSTEM
AND THEY ARE UPDATING THE
WRITTEN GUIDANCE AND ARE
WORKING ON RACIAL EQUITY.
THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS
ALL ACCESSIBLE.
THAT IS EXPECTED TO BE DONE AT
THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE LAST BIG RECOMMENDATION IS
FOR S.D.O.T.
TO EXPLORE CHANGES TO STATE AND
CITY LAWS TO ALLOW FOR
ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS SO PRIVATE
PROPERTY OWNERS CAN MEET THEIR
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY.
THIS IS IN PROGRESS.
S.D.O.T.
HAS WORKED WITH THE OFFICE OF
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS TO
HAVE THESE CHANGES EFFECTIVE
IN THE LEGISLATION.
THEY RECOMMENDED THAT THERE BE
ADDITIONAL OUTREACH TO
LEGISLATORS THIS YEAR TO
IDENTIFY CHAMPIONS AND BEGIN
ADDITIONAL WORK LEADING UP TO
NEXT YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE
SESSION.
DURING THIS TIME, S.D.O.T.
WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ORI
AND DRAFT A BILL.
THE OTHER RECOGNITIONS THAT
RELATE TO THE FINANCING
PROGRAMS, THAT WOULD COME
AFTER THESE CHANGES IN THE
STATE LAW.
THIS IS A PRECURSOR AND THOSE
ARE STILL PENDING AS WELL.
SO, I WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY
QUESTIONS.
HERE IS WHERE YOU CAN GET OUR
AUDIT REPORT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR
THAT EVEN THOUGH S.D.O.T.
DOES NOT ENGAGE THE PUBLIC ON
HOW TO REPAIR SIDEWALKS, THEY
DO HAVE EXTENSIVE PUBLIC
ENGAGEMENT FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
AND FOR NEW SIDEWALKS.
THAT INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET
INVOLVED CAN BE FOUND ON THEIR
WEBSITE.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE AND I AM
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION
ON THE SIDEWALK PERFORMANCE
AUDIT.
WE ALSO HAVE THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
HERE IN CASE WE HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS FOR THEM OR FOR
CALVIN.
I THINK NEXT STEPS FOR THIS,
THIS REPORT SUMS THINGS UP SO
WELL WITH GOOD RECOGNITIONS AND
LOOKED AT ADDITIONAL CITIES
LIKE OAKLAND AS WELL AS THE
CITIES THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON LOOKED AT.
THE COMMITTEE CAN CONSIDER NEXT
STEPS AND ESPECIALLY AS WE
APPROACH THE FALL BUDGET.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU.
I HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK
QUESTIONS AND THEN A LOT OF
THOUGHTS.
FIRST, I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS FOR
REQUESTING THE AUDIT AND I KNOW
EVERYONE FROM S.D.O.T.
HAS BEEN WORKING HARD ON THIS.
JUST TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND,
THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
SAFETY BUT NOT FOR MAINTENANCE
OF THE 85% OF SIDEWALKS?
>> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> OKAY, IT COSTS QUITE LIKE
TWICE AS MUCH BUT IT ALSO LASTS
UP TO 10 TIMES AS LONG.
TO DO THOSE REPAIRS.
OKAY.
CALVIN --
>> JUST A COUPLE OF POINTS
ABOUT THAT, IT IS A SPOT
IMPROVEMENT.
IT IS A SMALL LOCATION.
WHEREAS, CONCRETE IS A MUCH
BIGGER PROJECT.
THOSE WERE PER SQUARE FOOT
COSTS.
IT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY
DIFFERENT SO IT IS NOT JUST
THAT IT COST TWICE AS MUCH BUT
IT IS A BIGGER PROJECT.
THE OTHER POINT IS IN THE 100
YEARS THAT THE LARGE PROJECT
WOULD BE OPERATING AND IF THERE
ARE ROOTS, IT WOULD CAUSE
UPHEAVALS.
IT IS NOT LIKE IT IS THAT YOU
CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN THE OTHERS
BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENT FACTORS.
>> RIGHT.
IT RAISES ALL SORTS OF
QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO MAKE
DECISIONS FOR PROJECTS, FOR
SURE.
FOR ME, WE WILL NEVER HAVE
ENOUGH MONEY TO KEEP SIDEWALKS
IN GOOD CONDITION.
I THINK THAT IS CLEAR AND LET
ALONE OVER THE WHOLE CITY.
IF WE CONTINUE TO PUT SO MUCH
MONEY FOCUSED ON MAINTAINING
ROADS AND EXPANDING ROADS, I
THINK WE HAD ALMOST 4000 MILES
OF ROADS IN THE CITY AND THAT
IS A LOT TO MAINTAIN.
ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE KNOW
ROADS WITH OUR WEATHER ARE
PROBLEMATIC.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SIDEWALKS
ARE MORE ECONOMICAL AND THEY
ARE EXPOSED TO LESS WEAR AND
TEAR AND ARE MORE CLIMATE
FRIENDLY AND WE NEED TO BE
THINKING HOW WE INVEST IN THAT
KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE.
FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE
PUT IN A COUPLE MILLION DOLLARS
INTO THE SIDEWALK BUDGET.
THE REALITY IS THAT THERE IS
SOMETHING LIKE 24% OF
NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS THAT DON'T
EVEN HAVE SIDEWALKS. MOST OF
THEM ARE IN THE SOUTH END AND
NORTH END.
WE ARE BASICALLY TELLING A
QUARTER OF OUR RESIDENTS THAT
THEY DON'T GET SIDEWALKS AT ALL
AND EVERYBODY ELSE IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING OUT OF
POCKET FOR WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY
A PUBLIC GOOD.
IT SEEMS TO BE THE WAY IT WORKS
IN OTHER CITIES AS WELL SO I
GET THAT BUT I JUST FEEL THAT
IF WE REALLY WANT TO REDUCE OUR
CARBON EMISSIONS AND MEET THAT
GOAL THAT WE HAVE FOR 2030, IT
SEEMS LIKE IT MAKES SENSE FOR
US TO START SHIFTING THE WAY WE
INVEST IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE
AND REALLY THINK ABOUT HOW WE
ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO
INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY,
INCREASE OUR ACCESS FOR FOLKS
THAT DON'T DRIVE, REDUCE OUR
CARBON EMISSIONS, ESPECIALLY
WITH THE U.N. REPORTING JUST
TODAY THAT WE ARE NOT DOING
ENOUGH TO COMBAT CLIMATE
CHANGE.
I DON'T KNOW, I GUESS WHAT I AM
SAYING IS THERE IS A BIGGER
CONVERSATION HERE THAT YOU JUST
GO TO THE STATE AND ASK FOR
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.
HOW TO DO THINGS SUBSTANTIALLY
DIFFERENT SO THAT WE MEET MANY
OF THE GOALS THAT WE HAVE AS A
CITY AND I WILL LEAVE IT AT
THAT.
THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES.
BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO A
COUPLE OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS, I
WANT TO RECOMMEND THAT WE HAVE
THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HERE
AS WELL.
THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS THAT
CAME UP ABOUT LIABILITY.
I THINK COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS AND
THEN COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>>THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
I JUST WANT TO JUMP INTO --
JUST TO EXPRESS STRONG
AGREEMENTS TO COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES'S COMMENTS.
I THINK COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS
IS NEXT IN THE LINEUP AND I
DON'T WANT TO PRESUME BUT WHAT
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES'S
COMMENTS PUT FORWARD IS THAT
THIS IS JOINED AT THE HIP WITH
THE PLANNING DECISIONS AS WELL.
TO THOSE POINTS ABOUT WHAT TO
PRIORITIZE, IT IS ALSO ABOUT
ARE WE ENGAGED IN PLANNING
PRACTICES THAT WILL BE DESIGNED
IN OUR COMMUNITIES AROUND WALK
SHEDS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN DO
MORE OF THE DAILY THINGS THAT
REQUIRE LEAVING THE HOUSE ON
FOOT OR ON BIKE OR SOME OTHER
MODE BECAUSE WE ARE STARTING TO
DESIGN OUR COMMUNITIES IN A WAY
THAT EMPHASIZES AND PRIORITIZES
THE SIDEWALK INFRASTRUCTURE AND
MAYBE ALSO SEEKS ENVIRONMENTAL
ADDITIONS THAT WILL BE LESS
OVER TIME AS WELL AS TO PROLONG
THE LIFESPAN.
I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH A NON-
SIDELOAD APPROACH AND WITH THESE
DISCUSSIONS TO MAXIMIZE THE
IMPACT OF RESOURCES GOING
FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
ARE MAKING THIS A BETTER CITY
TO GET AROUND IN AND ALSO A
CITY THAT IS MOVING TOWARDS OUR
CLIMATE GOALS AND HAVING
COMMUNITIES THAT ENHANCE THAT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
NEXT IS COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS
AND THEN COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR PEDERSEN.
THANK YOU FOR REQUESTING THIS
AUDIT, COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
THIS IS GREAT WORK AND I DON'T
KNOW IF THIS WILL WIN YOU
NATIONAL RECOGNITION BUT I AM
WAITING FOR YOUR NATIONAL
RECOGNITION, JANE.
THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT WORK.
IN SIMILAR LINES, THIS IS NOT
ON THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE BECAUSE
WE WERE ASKED TO FOCUS ON
QUESTIONS ABOUT SIDEWALK REPAIR
BUT I JUST HAD TO NOTE FOR THE
RECORD THAT THERE ARE SO MANY
PLACES IN THE CITY IN DISTRICT
5 IN DISTRICT 6 IN DISTRICT 2
AND DISTRICT ONE THAT DON'T
EVEN HAVE SIDEWALKS.
THERE WAS NOT A SIDEWALK
OUTSIDE OF MY HIGH SCHOOL AND I
WAS WALKING ON THE GRAVEL ON
THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
IT NOW HAS A SIDEWALK.
WE WANT TO TAKE THAT PLAN WITH
THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE AND IT
WILL TAKE US 300 YEARS TO BUILD
ALL OF THE SIDEWALKS.
REPAIR IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
AND WE NEED MORE SIDEWALKS.
MAYBE THAT IS THE NEXT
CONVERSATION WE CAN HAVE.
WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO
BUILDING THE PERMIT SIDEWALKS
BECAUSE THEY ARE WITH THE
DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE
NEEDED FOR PERMANENT CURBS AND
THAT IS WHERE THE TOTAL COST
EXTENDS FROM.
THERE ARE TEMPORARY WAYS TO
MAKE THINGS SAFER AND WITH
THAT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> THANK YOU.
I WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE
CHAIR PEDERSEN RECOGNIZING THE
ACTION THAT LED TO THE EVAN
SCHOOL STUDY BUT I WANT TO
CORRECT THE RECORD.
I THINK IT IS ILLUSTRATIVE --
THE CONVERSATION THAT WE ARE
HAVING RIGHT NOW, IT WASN'T AN
ACTION THAT I TOOK BUT A
COUNCILMEMBER LED TO THE
REQUESTS OF THE SUPPORT.
IT IS A REPORT THAT WE RECEIVED
AND I BELIEVE WE ASKED FOR IT
WAS SEVERAL COUNCILMEMBERS --
WE RECEIVED IT IN 2020 AND I
BELIEVE REALLY STRONGLY THAT WE
SHOULD HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS
ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS SOONER RATHER
THAN LATER.
I APPRECIATE THE CITY AUDITORS
WORK ON THIS.
I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF THERE
ARE NEW RECOMMENDATIONS COMING
OUT OF THE CITY AUDITORS WORK.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE AUDIT
IS MAYBE ANOTHER WAY TO ELEVATE
THAT WORK BUT THE COUNCIL
RESOLUTION WAS PASSED BECAUSE
OF A LOT OF MOBILIZATION ON THE
PART OF THE MASS COALITION AND
I JUST THINK THAT RATHER THAN
PUTTING ONE REPORT THAT CAME
OUT A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND
LOBBYING ALL OF US AND A LOT OF
PEOPLE COMING OUT FOR PUBLIC
TESTIMONY AND PUTTING THAT
REPORT ON THE SHELF, FOR ME, I
AM FINDING IT TO BE FRUSTRATING
WITH GOVERNANCE.
I DO HAVE A QUESTION GOING BACK
TO THE ISSUE OF STABLE FUNDING
AND I AM NOT TRYING TO BEAT A
DEAD HORSE HERE BUT THE
PRESENTATION NOTES THE STATUS
IS PENDING BUT I DO BELIEVE
THAT THE AUDIT ITSELF -- I WILL
PULL IT UP NOW.
IT NOTED AND IDENTIFIED IT AS
NO ACTION TAKEN.
SO, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT
THAT WE ARE CLEAR ABOUT THESE
THINGS AND I WOULD LOVE TO
UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT MORE
ABOUT WHY THE AUDIT ITSELF
WHICH SAYS NO ACTION TAKEN FOR
THAT PARTICULAR RECOMMENDATION
IN TODAY'S PRESENTATION
REFLECTS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
WERE THERE ACTUALLY STEPS TAKEN
IN BETWEEN THE TIME THAT YOU
ISSUED THIS AUDIT AND THE
PRESENTATION WAS PUT TOGETHER
OR WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THAT
POINT THAT HAS RESULTED IN A
DIFFERENT PICTURE OF WHERE THIS
RECOMMENDATION IS?
>> I THINK THAT IS A POINT WELL
TAKEN, COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
I WOULD HAVE TO LET S.D.O.T.
RESPOND MORE TO WHAT EFFORTS
THEY MADE.
IT MAY HAVE BEEN THAT WE
SHOULD'VE LEFT THAT AT NO
ACTION TAKEN.
IT IS KIND OF A DEBATE AND WE
GO BACK AND FORTH BECAUSE I
DON'T KNOW ALL OF THE EFFORTS
THAT ARE BEING MADE BEHIND THE
SCENES FOR THEM TO MAINTAIN
ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
I DON'T KNOW IF GERARD GREEN OR
LIZ, IF YOU WANT TO ANSWER THAT
MORE FULLY.
>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.
I THINK ONE OF THE MAIN IMPACTS
OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF
OR TWO YEARS HAS BEEN COVID AND
THAT HAS CAUSED SOME CHALLENGES
FOR US.
MORE THAN THAT, IT IS STAFFING
AND HAVING THE STAFFING TO
PERFORM THE WORK.
I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHER
CHALLENGES THAT I AM NOT AWARE
OF BUT THAT IS THE ONE I WOULD
HIGHLIGHT.
>> I GUESS MY POINT IS THAT WHY
SOMETHING HAS TO HAPPEN OR HAS
NOT HAPPENED BUT I AM TALKING
ABOUT THE PUBLIC RECORD AND
WHAT IT SHOULD REFLECT
ACCURATELY.
EITHER THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION
THAT THERE IS WORK BE DONE OR
NOT.
I THINK WE NEED TO BE CLEAR
WITH THE PUBLIC ON WHAT THAT IS.
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE
CHALLENGES -- I TOTALLY DON'T
UNDERSTAND YOUR CHALLENGES WITH
COVID AND STAFFING BUT I
UNDERSTAND THERE IS A LOT OF
GOOD REASONS FOR WHY STUFF HAS
NOT HAPPENED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
I JUST REALLY WANT US TO BE
HONEST AND CLEAR IN OUR
PRESENTATIONS TO THE PUBLIC.
>> IF I MAY, I WOULD BRING THE
OBSERVATION THAT WE DO SEE SOME
CHANGES YEAR-TO-YEAR IN THE
FUNDING THAT WE DO TO THE
SIDEWALK PROGRAM THAT HAS HAD
TO CHANGE IN RESPONSE TO COVID
AND FOR INSTANCE, I AM LOOKING
AT THE CIP, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM WITH THE REPAIR HAVING
$4 MILLION ASSIGNED TO A. THIS
YEAR IT HAS OVER 5 MILLION AND
GOES TO 5.2 NEXT YEAR IN THE
BUDGET.
THERE ARE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS IN
THE BROADER POINT IS THAT IN
TERMS OF REACHING THE BIG
DOLLAR AMOUNT, WE ARE NOT
REALLY ADDRESSING OR MAKING
MOVEMENTS ON THAT SCALE.
THIS IS A LOT OF ADJUSTMENT
YEAR-TO-YEAR.
THERE ARE CHANGES THAT HAPPEN
IN THE COUNCIL PUSHES FROM YEAR
TO YEAR BUT IT IS NOT AT THE
LEVEL THAT TALKS ABOUT THE LONG-
TERM FULLY FUNDING OF THE
MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, IF YOU
WILL.
>> THANK YOU, CALVIN.
I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S HARD
WORK ON THESE REPORTS.
I AM GLAD THAT WE COULD ELEVATE
AND VALIDATE THE PREVIOUS WORK.
S.D.O.T.
IS HERE AT THE TABLE AND
HOPEFULLY THE VARIOUS COMMENTS
WILL HOPE TO INFORM THE BUDGET
THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS
PUTTING TOGETHER FOR OUR
CONSIDERATION.
AS CALVIN MENTIONED, WE ARE
THINKING LONGER TERM AS WE
CRAFT A RENEWAL WITH THE
VARIOUS PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE
BOTH FOR REPAIRING EXISTING
SIDEWALKS TO PREVENT LIABILITY
AND TO DEAL WITH OUR
RESPONSIBILITIES AND CREATE NEW
SIDEWALKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
ALSO, TO RECOGNIZE THE OTHER
MODES FOR BUSES AND BIKES SO
THAT THE CRAFTING COULD BE A
WAY FOR US TO PUT ALL OF THOSE
PRIORITIES INTO PLAY AND FUND
THEM APPROPRIATELY.
THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR YOUR
HARD WORK TODAY.
WE APPRECIATE IT.
THAT WAS THE LAST ITEM ON OUR
AGENDA FOR TODAY.
IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE --
YES, JANE, PLEASE.
>> SORRY, TRYING TO LOWER MY
HAND.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY TWO THINGS
THAT I DID NOT GET INTO THE
PRESENTATION.
I TRY TO MAKE THEM SHORT
BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH
TIME WE WILL HAVE.
ONE THING IS THAT S.D.O.T.
DOES HAVE AN APPROVED STREET
TREE LIST.
STREET TREES CAN BE VERY
CHALLENGING FOR SIDEWALKS.
IF THERE IS ANYBODY OUT IN THE
PUBLIC, I WOULD ADVISE YOU
BEFORE YOU PLANT ANYTHING TO GO
ON S.D.O.T.
SITE AND GET A LIST OF APPROVED
TREES BECAUSE THOSE ARE TREES
THAT WILL NOT DAMAGE THE
SIDEWALKS.
ONCE THOSE ROOTS ARE GROWING,
IT IS JUST HARD.
THE SECOND THING, QUICKLY, AS
PART OF THIS AUDIT, I DID DO A
TOUR AND THIS IS DOWN IN THE
SOUTH FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND
OR DEAF AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET
THERE IS BY WALKING ON THE
SIDEWALKS.
THEY ARE NOT IN GOOD CONDITION.
WE DID LOOK AT A SURVEY AND IN
2019, 9.2% HAD DISABILITY 11.8%
HAD PEOPLE THAT WERE 65 OR OLDER
FOR SENIORS AND 19.2% HAD NO
ACCESS.
WE WANTED TO MAKE THE POINT
THAT WE ARE NOT HERE TO BE
ADVOCATES BUT THERE IS SOME
INFORMATION ABOUT HOW SIDEWALKS
ARE CRITICAL AND ESSENTIAL AND
NOT JUST A CHOICE FOR SOME
PEOPLE.
I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE
MENTIONED THAT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS AND THEN
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR.
I KNOW YOU WERE TRYING TO GET
US TOWARDS THE END BUT I HAD TO
TAKE THE EXTRA MOMENT TO THANK
AGAIN, THE AUDITORS TEAM.
JANE, THE DEPTH THAT YOU LOOK
INTO THESE ISSUES AND CREATE
RECOMMENDATIONS, IT IS JUST
AMAZING AND ASTONISHING.
THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL ABOUT WHAT
TREES TO PLANT AND AVOID, I
JUST CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
YOU HAVE SPENT AN INCREDIBLE
AMOUNT OF TIME ON THIS AND THIS
IS WHY YOU ARE SO GREAT. AGAIN,
JANE, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR
WORK.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES?
>> THANK YOU.
JANE, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU AGAIN AS WELL.
IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND SHARING
THE LAST FEW STATS THAT YOU
MENTIONED, THAT WOULD BE REALLY
HELPFUL AS WE THINK ABOUT WHAT
TO DO WITH THIS INFORMATION AND
TALK ABOUT WHY THIS IS SO
IMPORTANT.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
WORK AND WISH YOU THE BEST.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU.
I HAVE WATCHED A LOT OF COUNCIL
MEETINGS AND I KNOW IT IS NOT
AN EASY JOB SO THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU, JANE.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU EVERYBODY.
THIS CONCLUDES THE MARCH FIRST,
2022 MEETING OF THE CHURCH
ROTATION AND SEATTLE PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMITTEE.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU.