>>> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YO
TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBER
WHO ARE PRESENT WITH US AND TO
OUR COMMITTEE COUNCILMEMBERS
WHO HAVE JOINED US FOR THE
SELECT BUDGET COMMITTEE PUBLIC
HEARING. THIS IS ONE OF TWO
PUBLIC HEARINGS WE WILL HAVE.
WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER DEDICATED
TO JUST HEARING FOR MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC THAT PRIORITIES YOU'
LIKE TO SEE IN THE 2024 CALENDA
YEAR BUDGET. WE APPRECIATE YOU
BEING HERE AND THAT IS THE ONLY
ITEM ON OUR AGENDA. HEARING NO
OBJECTION, TODAY'S AGENDA IS
ADOPTED INCLUDING JUST PUBLIC
HEARING. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED, THANK YO
FOR BEING HERE. I AM CHAIR
MOSQUEDA.
>> VICE CHAIR HERBOLD?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ?
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN?
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> PRESENT.
>> CHAIR MOSQUEDA.
>> PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
REMOTELY AND IN PERSON AND THAN
YOU TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY
FOR JOINING US SO WE CAN HEAR
FROM YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE
SEEN ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
THE COUNCIL IS MIDWAY THROUGH
ITS DELIBERATIONS OF THE 2024
BUDGET AND THIS IS A
SUPPLEMENTAL YEAR, IF YOU WILL.
WE ARE TRYING TO TREAT 2023 AN
2024 AS IF IT WERE A BIENNIAL
BUDGET. THIS IS THE SECOND PART
OF THE BIENNIAL BUDGET. MANY O
THESE PRIORITIES YOU INFORMED
WERE INCLUDED IN OUR ENDORSED
2024 BUDGET. THE CITY BUDGET
OFFICE AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE,
AND WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBER
TO IDENTIFY PRIORITIES THEY
BELIEVE ARE NECESSARY IN 2024.
THE MAYOR TRANSMITTED THE 202
PROPOSED BUDGET AND AT THIS
POINT THE COUNCIL IS MIDWAY
THROUGH DELIBERATIONS TO HEAR
ABOUT WHAT TWEAKS ARE NEEDED,
ENHANCEMENTS, ADJUSTMENTS,
REDUCTION, TO FINALIZE THE 202
BUDGET PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION
OF NOVEMBER. WITH YOUR FEEDBAC
WE WILL INCORPORATE THE
PROPOSED PACKET RELEASE AND
THERE WILL BE ANOTHER
OPPORTUNITY FOR AMENDMENTS TO
THAT PROPOSED PACKAGE AS WELL
FROM COUNCILMEMBERS AND MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY. WE ENCOURAGE
FOLKS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE
FEEDBACK AS MANY OF THE MAYBE
LARGER SCALE PROPOSALS WE ARE
ALL INTERESTED IN SEEING NEED
ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION AND
IDEALLY, ADDITIONAL PLUSH TO
GET IT TO THE FINISH LINE.
THANK YOU FOR FLAGGING INITIAL
IDEAS FOR US. FOR ME, AS BUDGET
CHAIR, THIS IS MY FOURTH YEAR ,
NOW SERVING HIS BUDGET CHAIR BU
IN THE FIRST YEAR IN 2020 WE
HAVE MANY BUDGETS TO PASS
ESPECIALLY AS WE RESPONDED TO
THE ONGOING COVID CRISIS, THE
ONGOING ECONOMIC CRISIS , AND
THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT DOLLARS
WERE OUT THE DOOR WITH THE
AMERICAN REST YOU PLAN ACT. AS
WE ENTER INTO COMMENT, THANK
YOU. YOU HAVE PROVIDED
DIRECTION AND DIRECT INPUT ON
THOSE PAST BUDGETS. THANK YOU
FOR OFFERING FEEDBACK FOR 2024
AS WE FINALIZE THE PROCESS AT
THE END OF THIS YEAR. A FINAL
NOTE IS THAT WE HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO AGAIN DO
ADDITIONAL ROUNDS OF AMENDMENT
AND WE WILL HOPE FULLY FINALIZE
BY THE LAST WEEK OF NOVEMBER.
COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE OVER
100 PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLI
COMMENT BUT WE DO NOT WANT TO G
DOWN TO JUST ONE MINUTE SO WHAT
WE ARE PLANNING TO DO IS A
MINUTE AND A HALF . CAN I SEE A
SIGN OF SUPPORT? IS THAT OKAY?
THANK YOU. FOR EVERYBODY LISTE
ONLINE, I HOPE THAT THIS IS A
HELPFUL HEADS-UP AND WE KNOW
IT'S NOT SUFFICIENT. I WAS JUST
TALKING ABOUT THAT WITH THOSE
WHO CAME TO CITY HALL FOR A TOU
AND THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW
INTIMIDATING IT IS TO TESTIFY
AND HOW HARD IT IS TO GET THEIR
MESSAGE IN JUST A MINUTE OR TWO
AND ESPECIALLY FOR FOLKS, THIS
IS THEIR FIRST TIME . I KNOW
IT'S NOT SUFFICIENT. PLEASE
CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO TO US
AND YOU CAN REACH US ALL . YOU
CAN ALSO REACH ALL OF US AT OUR
INDIVIDUAL EMAILS. THIS IS ONE
ASPECT OF PUBLIC COMMENT BUT WE
ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND THOSE
EMAILS SO THAT WE CAN
INCORPORATE THAT FEEDBACK. WE
WILL START WITH 10 PEOPLE
ONLINE AND THEN 10 PEOPLE IN TH
ROOM , 10 PEOPLE ONLINE, 10
PEOPLE IN THE ROOM, AND WE WILL
GET THERE EVERYONE WHO SIGNED U
FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU
FOR ADAPTING YOUR TESTIMONY AN
I ENCOURAGE FOLKS WHO ARE HERE
IN PERSON , MANY OF US WANT TO
SUPPORT OR MAYBE FRUSTRATED
WITH WHAT WE ARE HEARING. IF
YOU DON'T LIKE SOMETHING, PLEAS
DO NOT BOO, IF YOU LIKE
SOMETHING AND WANT TO CHEER,
PLEASE DO THIS, FOR ME IN
PERSON, FOLKS WATCHING ONLINE,
AND DOING A WAVING HAND SO I CA
SEE YOUR LEVEL OF SUPPORT BUT I
DOES NOT ADD EXTRA TIME. I
ANTICIPATE WE WILL BE HERE FOR
THREE HOURS SO THANK YOU FOR
HELPING TO COMPLY SO WE CAN GO
THROUGH ALL OF THE PEOPLE HERE
TO SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
LASTLY, I WANT TO THANK OUR
CLERKS. MY TEAM AND OFFICE, AND
THE VOLUNTEERS. WE HAVE ASKED
FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP US STAFF
TODAY'S MEETINGS, SO THANK YOU
FOR STEPPING UP AND DOING THAT
OKAY. AGAIN, IF YOU GET CUT OFF
OR DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE
COMMENTS, PLEASE SEND THOSE TO
COUNCIL AT SEATTLE.GOV AND WIT
THAT, I THINK WE CANNOT DO THE
VIDEO, IF I CAN JUST REMIND
FOLKS IF YOU ARE DIALING IN
VIRTUALLY, YOU NEED TO USE THE
SAME NUMBER YOU REGISTERED
ONLINE, THAT IS HOW WE FIND YOU
AND GET YOU QUEUED UP TO
TESTIFY. YOU WILL HEAR AN
INDICATION THAT SAYS THAT YOU
ARE NOW AND MUTED WHICH IS YOUR
INDICATION AND CHECK YOUR OWN
PHONE. PUSH STAR SIX AND GO
AHEAD AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
FOR FOLKS IN THE ROOM, WE WILL
CALL TWO AT A TIME AND YOU ARE
WELCOME TO ALTERNATE FOR
ADDITIONAL SOCIAL DISTANCING
AND THANK YOU FOR STICKING TO
YOUR TIME . WE WILL KEEP THE
TIMER ON THE SCREEN AND WITH
THAT I HOPE WE SAVED SOME
ADDITIONAL TIME AND WE WILL MAK
SURE TO GET THERE EVERYONE.
AGAIN, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE .
WE WILL DO 10 PEOPLE REMOTE AND
10 IN THE ROOM AND THANK YOU
FOR HELPING TO GO THROUGH THOSE
>> DO YOU WANT ME TO KICK US
OFF?
>> I'M HAVING A TECHNICAL
DIFFICULTY.
>> JUST A SECOND . I'M HAVING
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY WITH THE
TIMER.
>> NO PROBLEM. ONE SECOND, LE
US GET THE TIMER GOING AND THEN
WE WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO
MAKE YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU.
>> YOU MAY BEGIN.
>> ALL RIGHT. THIS IS TO AMEN
THE BUDGETS, THIS IS LESS
POPULAR THAN PICKLEBALL. WE NEE
NEW PROGRESSIVE REVENUE, NOT
ADOPTING NEW REVENUE NOW ON A
VERY BUDGET IN 2025 THAT WILL
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT
BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR FURTHER .
INCREASE THE JUMPSTART TAX.
PASS THE CAPITAL GAINS TASK ,
HIGH PAY RATIO TAX AND THE
LUXURY TASK -- TAX NOW. I
SUPPORT THE CREATION OF A
PUBLICLY FUNDED GUARANTEED BASI
INCOME PROGRAM IN SEATTLE. THI
SHOULD PROVIDE UNCONDITIONAL ,
WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED , AS
WELL AS COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ,
FOLKS IN THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
AND MANY OTHER PLACES. THIS
MAKES OUR COMMUNITY SAFER BY
HELPING PEOPLE REGAIN PERSONAL
AGENCY AND ALLOWING THEM TO MAK
MEANINGFUL DECISIONS IN THEIR
OWN LIVES. THE OVERWHELMING
MAJORITY OF WHAT GOES ON IS DU
TO POVERTY. I KNOW THAT THIS
WOULD IMPROVE PEOPLE'S ACCESS T
HEALTHCARE AND IMPROVE THEIR
OVERALL HEALTH. STUDIES SUGGEST
--
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> I FORGOT TO REMIND FOLKS, YO
WILL HEAR A 10 SECOND CHIME
WHEN THAT YOUR INDICATION TO
WRAP IT UP FOR FOLKS IN THE ROO
AND PEOPLE ONLINE. THANK YOU.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M ON BEHAL
OF WILL CHANGE VENDORS ,
SUPPORTING SOLIDARITY BUDGET
AND PASSING ON SEVERAL VENDOR
STORIES OF THE PAST WEEK . ONE
OF THE MAIN PRIORITIES THAT WE
HAVE IS INCREASING PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE SOURCES BECAUSE FROM
SOME OF THE STORIES THAT I
SELECTED ONE VENDOR STATED THA
SALES TAXES ARE FAR TOO HIGH
ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO THE
MINIMUM WAGE. HE BELIEVES THAT
WE NEED TO INCREASE OUR
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE OPTIONS TO
TAKE THE BURDEN OFF OF MINIMUM
WAGE WORKERS AND PLACE IT ON
CORPORATIONS . ANOTHER VENDOR
WHO WISHED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS
SPOKE ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE OF
BEING PROFILED AT THREE
DIFFERENT GROCERY STORES IN TH
PRIVATE SECURITY GUARD HAVE
BEEN TOO EAGER TO CALL POLICE O
HIM. HE IS A TOP-SELLING VENDOR
WITH THE OVER CRIMINALIZATION
HAS KEPT THEM FROM BEING ABLE
TO RETURN TO SOME OF HIS
FAVORITE SELLING POSTS. I'M
CALLING TO URGE THE COUNCIL TO
INCREASE PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
OPTIONS NOW SO THAT WE CAN
START PROVIDING REAL SERVICES
TO OUR UNHOUSED AND WINTER
NEIGHBORS. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT WITH ALICE LOCKHART.
>> A GOOD EVENING. DISTRICT
FIVE , HONORED TO SPEAK AFTER
CAMILLE. AS YOU CONSIDER
AMENDING THE BUDGET , I ASK EAC
ONE OF YOU TO HELP THOSE WHO
NEED IT MOST AND SHY AWAY FROM
EXPENSIVE SOLUTIONS THAT
PRIMARILY BENEFIT THE MOST
PRIVILEGED. LEAN TOWARDS
SOLUTIONS THAT WORK AND AWAY
FROM ONES THAT DON'T. SWEEPS
DON'T WORK. SAFE CONSUMPTION
SITES ARE PROVEN TO WORK . I
HOPE YOU WILL FIX THIS TO THE
PARKS DEPARTMENT BUDGET DID NO
GET A PRESENTATION AND SHOWED A
INCREASE WHICH, I'M DOING OKAY
I DID NOT SEE ONGOING FUNDING
PLEASE FIX THAT. THIS
PRIMARILY BENEFITS BOTH OWNERS
OF THE CITIES LARGEST BUILDING
IN NEIGHBORHOODS IN YOUR
DISTRICT. SOME REALLY GOOD
THINGS, FUNDED WITH JUMPSTART
ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION ARE NO
IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET . AND,
THE GENERATIONAL WEALTH AND
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TRUST BAC
IN THE 2024 BUDGET DID
>> NEXT WE HAVE JACOB SCHEER.
>> I AM A SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRAR
WORKER AND THE REASON I'M
SPEAKING IS A PERSONAL CAPACITY
AS WELL AS FOR THE FORTHCOMING
AMENDMENT AND THE CONTRACT FOR
CITY EMPLOYEES. SO MANY PEOPLE
COMING TO THE LIBRARY IN CRISI
AND DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO .
THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TO MEET
OVERWHELMING NEED AND PROVIDE
PEOPLE A WARM PLACE TO STAY. I
WANT TO ASK WHY THIS IS THE ONL
PLACE WHERE SO MANY OF OUR
MEMBERS , IN THAT POSITION.
I'M HAPPY TO OVERLOOK THAT
SOLIDARITY BUDGET. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> HELLO . I SUPPORT THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET . LIKE OVER
HALF OF THE HOMES WHERE THERE I
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE , WE DON'T SE
THIS AS AN OPTION FOR A MYRIAD
OF REGION -- REASONS. THEY ARE
THE ONLY RESOURCE ON HAND TO
ADDRESS THAT UNDERLYING PROBLEM
. I URGE COUNCIL TO ADD THESE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THIS YEAR'S
BUDGET. THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED
BUDGET CONTINUES IN POSITIONS
IT HAS NOT FILLED. IT IS HARD
TO IMAGINE THAT THE PRIORITY
IS TO PUT THAT ON THE SHELF
INSTEAD OF USING THAT FOR
COMPLIANCE , IMPLEMENT THE
COMMUNITY RESPONSE AS THIS ITE
MENTIONED AN INCREASE FUNDING
FOR HOUSING TO KEEP PEOPLE
SAFE. THE CITY NEEDS TO PASS
THIS.
>> I SEE THAT YOU ARE READY TO
GO.
>> YES. HELLO. I AM THE
SERVICES CODIRECTOR FOR THE
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM . WE SERVE
SCHOLARS AND OUR AFTERSCHOOL
PROGRAMS PROVIDE A SAFE
COMMUNITY GROUNDED IN CULTURAL
EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE
NOT AFRAID TO QUESTION THE WORL
AROUND THEM. WE WORK WITH
SCHOLARS YEAR-ROUND AND WE DO
NOT STOP TO PREVENT SUMMER
LEARNING LOSS. ONCE A SCHOLAR
IS ENROLLED WE ARE ABLE TO HEL
WITH NAVIGATIONS, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND OTHER PROGRAMS. I
WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING
THIS . I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT
WE SUPPORT THE FALL RESTORATION
. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JODY.
>> I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO AND
I'M HERE FOR THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET . I ENCOURAGE YOU TO
START INVESTING THE REAL THINGS
FOR THE COMMUNITY AND I AM HERE
ONCE AGAIN . YOU DID THE RIGHT
THING LAST YEAR IN REJECTING
THIS THAT NOW TWO STUDIES HAVE
SHOWN IN GETTING VICTIMS TO
SAFETY FASTER. THE MAIN REASON
AS THE ALERT RATE IS A MASSIV
DRAIN. THIS IS NOT TRUE . IT I
SHOCKING THAT THIS IS ON THE
TABLE AND REPACKAGING A BAD
IDEA DOES NOT MAKE IT A GOOD
ONE. PREVENTION AND VIOLENCE
INTERRUPTION RATHER THAN
WASTING MONEY ON SHOT SPOTTERS
BECAUSE I GUARANTEE THAT THEY
HAVE AN ACTUAL DIRECT IMPACT.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER, GO AHEAD.
>> I SUPPORT ALL OF THESE
BUDGET PRIORITIES AND SUPPORT
THE DEMAND FOR AN INCOME
GUARANTEE. STARTING A
GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME TAX .
THE PILOT HAD A MORE PROFOUND
IMPACT AND ALLOWS PEOPLE TO
MEET THEIR BASIS AND THAT IS
WHAT CREATES TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY
. SEATTLE COULD INSTEAD GIVE A
PERSON ONE WHOLE YEAR. ONE
PROSECUTOR'S ANNUAL SALARY . W
CANNOT HAVE THIS WITHOUT HAVIN
NEW PROGRESSIVE RELIEF SO I
STRONGLY URGE COUNCIL TO ACT
QUICKLY TO FILL THE LOOMING
BUDGET IN 2025. THANK YOU DID
.
>> I NEXT SPEAKER IS MARIA
LYONS.
>> HELLO. I AM A LIBRARY WORKE
, SPEAKING IN A PERSONAL
CAPACITY. I'VE BEEN A LIBRARY
WORKER FOR YEARS. WE ARE
COMMUTING TO THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. COSTS ARE
SKYROCKETING. WE LOVE OUR
PATRONS AND WE ARE HERE TO SERV
THEM BUT WE NEED TO FULLY FUND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT WILL
ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO DO THE
WORK THAT WE DO. WE ASK YOU ,
ARE YOU GOING TO INCREASE THE
AMAZON CONTRACT? THE CITY
COUNCIL NEEDS TO INCREASE AND
FULLY FUND THESE SERVICES. WE
KEEP SEATTLE RUNNING.
>> THANK YOU. OUR LAST SPEAKER
WILL BE JENNIFER AND THEN WE
WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
JENNIFER .
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M HERE
BECAUSE I OPPOSE THE ADOPTION
OF THIS PROGRAM IN SEATTLE. IT
HAS BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE A 97%
FALSE POSITIVE RESPONSE RATE AN
IT'S MY OPINION THAT WE WOULD
LIKE TO SEE THIS . IF OUR GOAL
IS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE ,
SHOT SPOTTER HAS BEEN PRESENT
HAVE NO SIGNIFICANT LEASES
AFFECT. THE USE OF VIDEO
SURVEILLANCE HAS NOT BEEN
PROVEN EFFECTIVE AND HAS NOT
BEEN PROPERLY STUDIED. SEATTLE
WOULD EFFECTIVELY BE PAYING FOR
THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS A
GUINEA PIG . IT WILL DIVERT
TAXES FROM BADLY NEEDED PUBLIC
SERVICES . I YIELDED THE REST O
MY TIME.
>> WE WANT TO GO TO IN PERSON
PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ON BEHALF O
CONSECO COUNSELING I WOULD LIK
TO SAY THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE
TIME TO HEAR OUR COMMENTS AND
OUR REQUEST. WE'VE BEEN
PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE LAS
45 YEARS. WE ARE ASKING FOR
YOUR SUPPORT . WE ARE AN
ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS TO SAVE
LIVES AND WORK WITH SAFETY
ADVOCATES TO ADDRESS THE NEED
OF IMMIGRANTS AND INDIVIDUALS
WHO DO NOT SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.
WE'VE BEEN SERVING THIS
COMMUNITY FOR 45 YEARS AND WE
HOPE THAT YOU CONSIDER OUR
REQUEST TO CONTINUE FUNDING TH
SERVICES AND IMMIGRATION
ADVOCACY AND RELOCATION
ASSISTANCE FOR DOMESTIC --
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS.
WITHOUT THIS, WE ARE AT GREATER
RISK OF FATALITY SO WE
APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU
HAVE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
>> WE HAVE OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
YOU CAN PUT THAT IN THE BOX.
>> IT GIVES ME A HEAVY HEART TO
SAY THIS, BUT IF YOU HELP ME
WIN, I WILL HELP YOU GET A JOB
IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE .
ENGAGING IN CONSPIRACY,
BRIBERY, AT A CAMPAIGN EVENT
WAS THE SENIOR DEPUTY MAYOR IN
2022. I WILL HELP YOU GET A JO
IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE, MILITIA
AND THE CAMPAIGN EVENT IN
2022. THAT WOULD BE A CRIMINAL
ACT AND RECEIVED FEDERAL
FUNDING FOR THEFT AND BRIBERY
IN PROGRAMS THAT RECEIVE
FEDERAL FUNDING IN THE U.S.
CODE. THIS IS LABELED BRIBERY
UNDER STATE JURY INSTRUCTIONS,
WE CAN ENGAGE IF NEEDED PER
THE STATE CHARTER. PLEASE
CONSIDER THE MAYOR MAY BE
REMOVED FROM OFFICE FOR ANY
WILLFUL VIOLATION OF DUTY UPON
FIVE DAYS BEFORE . HE OR SHE
WILL OFFER EVIDENCE TO OPTIMIZ
CITY COUNCIL .
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NORMA
GUZMAN.
>> HELLO, FROM CONSECO
COUNSELING. COUNCILMEMBERS,
DURING THIS AWARENESS MONTH , I
WILL THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT
WE'VE HAD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS
IT'S A CRITICAL TIME FOR US
CONCERNING OUR BUDGET. THIS HA
MEANT SO MUCH AND CAN MAKE A
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR OUR
COMMITTEES. WE HAVE THE LIVES
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS
AND AN EXAMPLE IS THE MANY THA
CAN FEEL TRUSTED DUE TO OUR
CULTURAL COMPETENCE FOR OUR
ASSISTANCE. THESE CUTS CAN
LITERALLY MEAN LIFE OR DEATH FO
A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM .
CONSECO ASSISTS WITH GROCERIES
TRANSPORTATION , NOT BEING ABL
TO HELP FOR TAKING A LEAP OF
FAITH TOWARD A BETTER LIFE . I
REPEAT MYSELF , THAT WE WOULD
NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE
SERVICES. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS PATRICK
BURNS , SORRY, TOM BERNARD AND
THEN PATRICK BURNS.
>> MY NAME IS TOM, SPEAKING O
BEHALF OF THE CENTER, SEATTLE
SOLIDARITY DEMANDS. FIRST IS
MINOR AMENDMENT TO SUPPORT THE
REQUEST FOR THE OFFICE OF
SEATTLE MENTAL HOUSING
STANDARDS. ADVOCATES HAVE LONG
REALIZED THAT THIS VIOLATES
EXISTING TENANT PROTECTIONS AND
PART OF THE SOLUTION WOULD
TRACK VIOLATIONS OF MANY
PENALTIES. THIS SIMPLY DOES NO
WORK. THE SECOND ISSUE IS
REVENUE AND THE RATING OF JOB
FUNDING FOR STAFF. WHO KNOWS
HOW MUCH IS NEXT. THIS IS NOT
SLUSH FUND. IF YOU NEED ONE OF
THOSE, THE CURRENT FUNDING WIL
PROBABLY SUFFICE. THE SEATTLE
REVENUE TASK FORCE HAD SEVERAL
RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE TH
JUMPSTART TAX AND WE HAVE
PLENTY OF OTHER FUNDING
MECHANISMS THAT WE CAN USE. WHA
WE DO NOT NEED IS THE BUDGET
THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING PUT
FORWARD AND WE DO NOT NEED TO
HEAR FROM THE COMMITTEE ABOUT
FUNDING BEING CUT TO MEET
NEEDS. WE HAVE MASSIVE AMOUNTS
OF UNMET NEEDS .
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER . I RESIDE
IN SEATTLE AND I'M A MEMBER OF
THE SOCIALIST PARTY. HONORABLE
MEMBERS , WE HAVE
UNDERSTAFFING RATES. YOU PILE
ON TOO MUCH WORK IN THE CITIES
REMAINING PUBLIC SERVICE. THIS
CREATES TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT
THE DEMAND THAT THE MAYOR
CEASE AND DESIST WITH HIS UNIO
BUSTING TACTICS. WE DEMAND THA
THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL
STOP STALLING NEGOTIATIONS. WE
DEMAND THE CITY BARGAIN IN GOOD
FAITH. WE DEMAND THE CITY PAY
SALARIES THAT MAKE LIVING IN
SEATTLE PROPER POSSIBLE FOR CIT
WORKERS. IN OTHER WORDS,
PRIORITIZE YOUR BUDGET
DELIBERATIONS FOR WELL-PAID
PUBLIC SERVANTS. WHERE IS THE
MONEY TO DO THIS? TAX THE RICH
THE REST OF US ARE TIRED OF
CARRYING THEM ON OUR BACKS.
>> NEXT WE HAVE KELLY, AND
THEN DOING LINDA.
>> GOOD EVENING. I AM HERE WIT
THE SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP
TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE 22
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED BY
TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS IN SEATTLE.
I'M GOING TO BE THE NAMES OF
THOSE PEOPLE NOW AND WE ASK THA
YOU DO NOT CUT VISION ZERO
FUNDING SUED WE DO NOT ADD MORE
NAMES TO THAT LIST. CHALKER,
JOHNNA , JESSICA , RILEY , KOLE
AND LEASE. DOING , OLIVER ,
KIMBERLY , MICHAEL , ANTOINETTE
, TODD, ELLIOTT, RODRIGO,
ANTHONY, NAME UNAVAILABLE,
SEAN, LYDIA, AND JANE DOE.
WITH THE COUNCILS PERMISSION
WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A MINUTE
OF SILENCE.
>> COULD YOU TIME UP ONE MINUTE
FOR US?
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE OUR NEXT SPEAKER AN
THEN MARIE ROSE .
>> HELLO. I AM AN INTERNATIONA
DISTRICT TWO RENTER AND I WOULD
LIKE TO DEDICATE MY ACTIONS TO
THE PEOPLE THAT THE PREVIOUS
SPEAKERS HAVE MENTIONED .
SECOND, I AM A RENTER AND I'M
ALSO A VERY SHORT PERSON. I AM
HERE TO SPEAK ON THE NEED FOR
MORE ROBUST RENTERS RIGHTS AND
THE NEED TO EXPAND THOSE
RIGHTS. PLEASE SUPPORT FUNDING
FOR AN OFFICE OF RENTAL HOUSING
STANDARDS TENANT WORKGROUP.
THIS IS A CONCRETE WAY TO EXPAN
RENTERS RIGHT BY PROVIDING A
PLACE WHERE RENTERS CAN GO FOR
HELP. CURRENT RESOURCES ARE
INADEQUATE FOR RENTERS. SEATTL
HAS A PROUD HISTORY OF
SUPPORTING WORKERS RIGHT BID W
HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPAND THAT SUPPORT. REMEMBER,
WE ELECTED YOU. SUPPORT FUNDIN
FOR THE OFFICE OF RENTAL
HOUSING STANDARDS WORKGROUP.
THANK YOU AND REMEMBER THAT
HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT, NOT
COMMODITY. I YIELD TO THE REST
OF MY TIME.
>> MARIE ROSE, GO AHEAD.
>> HELLO. FROM KING COUNTY
PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNITY
MEMBERS HAVE COME HERE AND ARE
SLEEPING OUT , OUTSIDE, TUKWILA
. SOMETHING, LIKE THE SHELTER
BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE ,
WHICH CAN LEAD TO SICKNESS LIK
TUBERCULOSIS, ASTHMA , AND
PNEUMONIA FOR THOSE WHO HAVE
LITTLE KIDS . THINK ABOUT THEM
>> WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO
REVEREND WELDON .
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M SPEAKIN
TO SUPPORT THE MAYOR'S BUDGET
ON 23rd AND JACKSON . IT'S
AMAZING . SO, ALL OF THE
PEOPLE , THEY DON'T LIVE IN THE
BLACK COMMUNITY. I AM A BLACK
WOMAN, AND I SAT WITH MANY
MOTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN CRYING
BECAUSE THEIR CHILDREN HAVE BEE
KILLED. PEOPLE SHOOT PEOPLE IN
THE DAYTIME BECAUSE THEY KNOW
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO JAI
AND IT SEEMS THAT IT'S OKAY . I
THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO THINK
ABOUT THAT. HAVE YOU BEEN TO A
FUNERAL? HAVE YOU SENT FLOWERS
TO A PARENT? HAVE YOU TALKED TO
SOMEONE WHOSE CHILD HAS HEARD
GUNSHOTS ? AND THEY ARE GOING T
TELL US THAT THE TECHNOLOGY
DOESN'T WORK? WHY CAN'T WE FIN
OUT IF IT WORKS OR NOT? IT'S
OUTRAGEOUS THAT ALL OF THE
PEOPLE CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT
DOESN'T WORK AND TALK AROUND
BLACK PEOPLE BUT NOT ABOUT BLAC
PEOPLE. I STAND HERE AS A BLACK
WOMAN. I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR
33 YEARS. PLEASE TALK TO
SOMEBODY WHO LIVES IN THE BLACK
COMMUNITY. THANK YOU BID
>> ARE LAST IN PERSON SPEAKER
IS AMANDA BENSON.
>> HELLO, THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY. MY NAME IS AMANDA
BENSON AND I AM THE VOLUNTEER
PROGRAM MANAGER AND EVERY DAY
HEAR FROM NEIGHBORS , SCHOOLS,
CHURCHES, NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER
COMMUNITY GROUPS WHO WANT TO
SUPPORT TINY HOUSE VILLAGES THE
VOLUNTEER WORK AND DONATIONS.
BRING FOLKS INTO THE VILLAGES
DID YOU PROJECTS, LANDSCAPING,
FURNITURE ASSEMBLY, HANDOUT
DONATIONS, OR SERVE FOOD TO OU
CLIENTS. WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF
VOLUNTEERS WHO WANT TO GET TO
WORK RIGHT AWAY BUILDING MORE
TINY HOUSES AND TO GET PEOPLE
INSIDE . PEOPLE VOLUNTEER
BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S OUR BEST
CHANCE OF SOLVING HOMELESSNESS
AND THE SAFEST AND MOST
DIGNIFIED WAY TO SHELTER OUR
UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS. TINY HOUSE
SAVE LIVES. SINCE WE BEGAN THE
PROGRAM IN 2015, OVER 3000
PEOPLE HAVE FOUND SHELTER. OVE
50% SECURE PERMANENT HOUSING
AFTER THEY MOVE OUT OF THE TINY
HOUSE. THIS IS THE ANSWER TO
SWEEPS. PLEASE SUPPORT MORE TIN
HOUSES.
>> GOING BACK TO PUBLIC COMMEN
SPEAKERS, WE HAVE SUZETTE .
>> ELAINE SPENCER.
>> WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
>> DID YOU WANT ME TO LIST
THOSE WHO ARE NOT PRESENT?
>> ELAINE SPENCER , YOU ARE
LISTED AS NOT PRESENT AND ERIN
FRY. THERE YOU GO.
>> HELLO. I HAVE BEEN PART OF
THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AND I
SPEAK TODAY BECAUSE I WOULD LIK
TO ASK YOU ALL TO PLEASE FUND
THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM. WE
NEED THIS FOR A NUMBER OF
REASONS. I WOULD LIKE A SAFE
PLACE TO BE AFTERSCHOOL. THEY
HAVE SUPPORTED ME TO MAKE SURE
I STAY ON TRACK. DURING THE
SUMMER I LEARNED MORE ABOUT
DIFFERENT CULTURES AND USE MAT
. WE DID THE MATH RIGHT AND
WORKED AS A TEAM. I REALLY LIK
THE ROLLER COASTER . THANK YOU
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NADIA
GUTIERREZ.
>> I'M THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
COORDINATOR AND I STARTED
WORKING WITH OUR MIDDLE
SCHOOLERS IN THE AFTERSCHOOL
PROGRAM THIS YEAR. I'M TALKING
WITH YOU TODAY TO CONSIDER
FUNDING OUR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
BECAUSE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
FOR OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS TO
LEARN ABOUT CULTURE, IDENTITY,
AND COMPUTER LITERACY. WILL
ALSO GO ON FUN FIELD TRIPS AND
WE PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL
OF THE KIDS. A LOT OF FAMILIES
SAY THIS GIVES A PLACE TO BE
THEMSELVES. IT'S A LIFELINE FO
OUR KIDS WHERE OUR COMMUNITY'S
FUTURE IS BEING SHAPED .
>> WE HAVE OUR NEXT SPEAKER,
HANNAH WONG.
>> I'M IN DISTRICT SEVEN, A
BOARD MEMBER OF SOLID GROUND.
IDENTIFYING AND SUPPORTING THES
MEASURES , WE ARE A PUBLICLY
FUNDED PROGRAM IN SEATTLE WIT
EARLY FINDINGS ABOUT PEOPLE
EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS
RECEIVING $1000 A MONTH, 0%
SHOWN TO BE SO SUCCESSFUL IT HA
RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE STATE
TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE. HUNDRE
AND 20 PILOTS ACROSS THE COUNTR
HAVE PROVEN THAT THIS PRODUCES
HOMELESSNESS , AND STIMULATES
THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND IS
COST-EFFICIENT. TO ADDRESS
ISSUES OF HOMELESSNESS AND
POVERTY. I STAND IN SUPPORT OF
WAGE EQUITY FOR NONPROFIT THAT
THEY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERPAI
COMPARED TO WHAT THEY'VE HEARD
IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE
2% INCREASE IS A START AND IS
NEEDED TO KEEP UP WITH
INFLATION. WE NEED TO STABILIZ
AND STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SERVICES
FOR OUR RESIDENTS CLOSER TO TH
7% RECOMMENDED SUPPORT. THANK
YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ERICA
CECILY.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M AT
DISTRICT THREE RESIDENT AND CE
OF LIFELONG HEALTH FOR ALL. WE
ARE BASED IN SEATTLE AND WE
HAVE MULTIPLE PROGRAMS SERVING
THE MOST MARGINALIZED AND
VULNERABLE PEOPLE. WE CURRENTLY
PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICE
IN LAKE UNION AND WHITTIER.
I'M HERE BECAUSE I'M ADVOCATIN
FOR MORE RESOURCES AS AN
EFFECTIVE WAY TO ADDRESS THE
HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM FACING OUR
CITY AND TESTIFYING TO ADD
FUNDING FOR FOUR MORE TINY HOME
TO BETTER ADDRESS THE GROWING
CRISIS. IS A LOT OF EVIDENCE
TO SUPPORT TINY HOUSES AS AN
IMPORTANT PART OF THIS SYSTEM
AND THESE ARE SUCCESSFUL
BECAUSE THEY CAN INTEGRATE
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS INTO A BROADER
FRAMEWORK THAT OFFERS
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND PATHWAY
TO PERMANENT HOUSING. IN FOUR
MORE TINY HOUSES, THIS WILL
GREATLY IMPROVE THE GROWING
CRISIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP I'M HAPPY TO ADDRES
THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BRIAN.
>> I AM A D3 RESIDENT AND A
PROGRAM MANAGER IN THE
PARTNERSHIP FUND AND I'M HERE T
SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE COALITION
FOR A ONE-TIME INVESTMENT OF
$300,000 IN 2024 THROUGHOUT
SEATTLE. IN THE LAST TWO YEARS
$4 MILLION HAS BEEN CUT.
WEEKEND MEALS, PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND SHELTERS
. THERE'S BEEN NO DECREASE IN
THE COMMUNITIES NEED FOR SAFE
AND RELIABLE ACCESS TO MEALS.
NEIL PROVIDERS IN SEATTLE ARE
ONE BROKEN FREEZER AWAY FROM
HAVING TO REDUCE THEIR SERVICES
THIS NOW RELIES ON ONE STAFF
MEMBER TO RUN THEIR FOOD BANK
AND MEAL PROGRAM IN SOUTH LAKE
UNION. WITH THE SUPPORT OF
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS THEY SERVE
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH EVERY DAY
AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT THE
SPEAK WITH, THEY PROVIDE THE
ONLY MEAL THE EAT MONDAY THROUG
FRIDAY. THEY'VE BEEN STRETCHED
TO THE ABSOLUTE LIMIT . THIS
INVESTMENT WILL ALLEVIATE SOME
PRESSURE ON THE SYSTEM BY
KEEPING FREEZERS CALLED,
VEHICLES RUNNING, AND MEALS
FLOWING. THE FULL COUNCIL WILL
SUPPORT THIS . THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> HELLO. I AM A RESIDENT AN
A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND I AM
HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FO
THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET . THIS
WOULD MAKE ME PROUD TO CALL
SEATTLE HOME , PLAN THAT FIRST
CONSIDERS THOSE STRUGGLING IN
OUR COMMUNITY AND PUTTING THE
NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY MEMBERS
FIRST. THE CITY COUNCIL HAS
UNFORTUNATELY SPENT WAY TOO MUC
TIME DEBATING AND PASSING BILL
THAT SEEM TO BE ABOUT PROVIDING
POLITICAL COVER . THIS IS
SUBSTANTIVE. PLEASE PASS NEW
REVENUE SOURCES AND MAKE CUTS T
THE CORRUPT BUDGETS. PUT A
STAKE IN IT SO IT DOES NOT COME
BACK TO LIFE AGAIN. THIS IS BEE
PROVEN AGAIN AND AGAIN AS ONE O
THE MOST SIMPLE AND
COST-EFFECTIVE AND DIGNIFIED
METHOD FOR INCREASING PEOPLE'S
HEALTH, HOUSING, FOOD SECURITY
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU
INCORPORATE THIS IN THIS YEAR'S
BUDGET. PLEASE, COUNCILMEMBERS
MAKE GOOD CHOICES . THANK YOU.
>> NEXT WE HAVE ADAM. PLEASE
PRESS STAR SIX.
>> HELLO?
>> PLEASE BEGIN.
>> I AM HERE TESTIFYING WITH M
FELLOW IMMIGRANT POPULATION.
I'M HERE IN SUPPORT . IT'S COLD
OUT THERE. YOUNG PEOPLE, YOUNG
ONES, IN SEATTLE SHOULD LOOK
AT THAT AND WE NEED TO SUPPORT
THAT WHERE IT IS SAFE FOR THEM
WHEN THEY ARRIVE, HERE. WE
NEED TO SUPPORT THAT THING THA
IS HAPPENING OUT THERE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS HEATHER
BRANDT.
>> THAT EVENING . MY NAME IS
HEATHER BRANDT AND I WORK WITH
THE COMMUNITY SERVICES NORTHWES
AND I SUPPORT THE PASSING AND
FUNDING FOR UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH TO ASSIST 300
ASYLUM-SEEKERS . THEY HAVE BEE
INVOLVED WITH ASYLUM-SEEKERS
FOR YEARS AND WE'VE HAD FROM 8
TO 15 CLIENTS AT ANY GIVEN TIME
. I HAVE WATCHED AS MORE AND
MORE FAMILIES HAVE SHOWN UP.
THERE ARE CHILDREN RUNNING
AROUND WITH NO PLACE TO GO AND
I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF
THESE COMMUNITIES. THESE ARE
PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT THEIR HOME
COUNTRY, OFTEN DUE TO WAR, AND
NOW THEY FIND THEMSELVES LIVING
ON OUR STREET. NOW IS THE TIME
TO TAKE ACTION.
>> WE HAVE OUR NEXT SPEAKER .
>> I WEAR MANY HATS AS A PROU
PARENT IN DISTRICT TWO AND A
PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR
IN SOUTH SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL.
SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL
WORKERS ARE IMPORTANT PART IN
THIS SYSTEM THAT ENSURES THAT
DIDN'T HAVE EXCELLENT
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. THE
REQUEST IS FOR FUNDING ON TAXES
FROM BIG BUSINESSES TO FUND
SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL
WORKERS . I'VE BEEN PART OF THI
PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR ALMOST 10
YEARS AND CARE DEEPLY FOR MY
COMMUNITY. I FEEL STRONGLY
ABOUT SEATTLE EXCELLENCE AND
CONTINUING TO WORK ON THESE
CONCEPTS FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR
IN GUARANTEEING SEATTLE POLICY
000 FOR EDUCATIONAL AND RACIA
EQUITY FOR ALL STUDENTS. LOOK
IN FRONT OF SEATTLE CITY HALL.
THERE ARE STUDENTS, COUNSELORS,
AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN PERSON .
WE HOPE THAT OFFICIALS WILL DO
THE RIGHT THING . ELECTED
COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PLEASE JOIN
US IN SUPPORT OF SCHOOL
COUNSELORS AND SCHOOL SOCIAL
WORKERS TO GIVE OUR STUDENTS
EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL
EXPERIENCES . THANK YOU .
>> OUR LAST-MINUTE SPEAKER IS
KRYSTAL BROWN.
>> GOOD EVENING. I AM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND I AM
SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THIS
ONE-TIME INVESTMENT FOR MEAL
PROVIDERS ACROSS SEATTLE. I
WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS FOR HIS SUPPORT AND
ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO
SUPPORT THIS INVESTMENT.
CULTIVATE PROVIDED COMMUNITY
DINNERS BETWEEN THREE AND FIVE
DAYS EACH WEEK. WE'VE
EXPERIENCED A REDUCTION IN
FUNDING WHICH UNFORTUNATELY
REMOVED MEALS FROM NEIGHBORHOO
RESIDENTS. MEAL DISTRIBUTIONS
ARE LIMITED TO SUMMER MONTHS
AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS OR EVENTS
WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO REACH AS
MANY FOOD INSECURE HOUSEHOLDS A
POSSIBLE AND HOPE THAT STAFF
AND VOLUNTEERS DON'T TAKE A
STICK -- SICK DAY. WE NEED TO
BE SURE THAT THE FOOD
DISTRIBUTED IS HEALTHY AND
HELPS THE MAIN DEMOGRAPHICS OF
OUR AREA. THAT'S AROUND 1800
INDIVIDUALS WHO RELY ON SERVICE
. THIS WOULD HELP TO CONTINUE
TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY IN
DISTRICT ONE . THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO IN
PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT WITH
CHRISTINA LOPEZ FOLLOWED BY
ARETHA FREEMAN.
>> THANK YOU. AS FOLKS ARE
COMING UP TO SPEED I WANT TO
REMIND PEOPLE THAT WE MENTIONE
ELAINE SPENCER AND ERIN FRAYED
AS NOT PRESENT AND WE HAVE
MARTHA, MARGARET , AND ZORA.
PLEASE DIAL IN IF YOU ARE
LISTENING AND WE WILL COME BACK
>> GOOD EVENING.
>> CHRISTINA AS A CITY EMPLOYE
AND TEAMSTER 763 MEMBER, I URG
YOU NOT TO SOLVE THE BUDGET
PROBLEMS BY TAKING IT OUT ON
CITY WORKERS. WE HAVE CONTRACT
OFFERS THAT DO NOT KEEP UP WIT
HIGH INFLATION. AS IT IS THE
CITY IS HAVING A HARD TIME
RETAINING ITS WORKFORCE. THIS
RESULTS IN A HIGH VACANCY RATE
DUE TO SUBPAR WAGES. THE BUDGE
SHORTFALL WAS NOT CREATED BY
CITY WORKERS NOR WAS IT CREATE
BY MOST PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM.
BLAME CAN BE PUT ON LOST REVENU
DUE TO THE MISTAKES MADE BY TH
EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THIS CITY ,
THE CAR TAB REVENUE, CAMERA
TICKETS, AND PARKING TICKETS
DUE TO OFFICER CERTIFICATION.
THESE ARE JUST EXAMPLES. WE
SHOULD NOT BE BURDENED WITH MOR
REGRESSIVE TAXES. THE CITY OF
SEATTLE HAS AN UNFAIR TAX
STRUCTURE THAT LEANS HEAVILY ON
THE LOWEST WAGE EARNERS WHO BEA
THE BRUNT OF SPECIAL TAX
LEVIES. RIGHT NOW, YOU, AS
ELECTED LEADERS, HAVE THE POWER
TO FIX THIS IMBALANCE AND NOW
IS THE TIME TO END THIS
INEQUALITY AND SHIFT THE BURDEN
TOWARD THE RICH. IT'S A
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION TO THE
SEATTLE BUDGET CRISIS WITH
LEVYING TAXES ON WEALTH AND
IMPLEMENTING CORPORATE AND TAX
AND CAPITAL GAINS TAX. THIS IS
A BUDGET THAT IMPROVES THE LIVE
OF PEOPLE AND NOT MAKING THE
RICH RICHER.
>> ARETHA FREEMAN.
>> IN AFTERNOON. WITH WHEEL AN
WOMEN IN BLACK, WOMEN IN BLACK
STAND VIGIL AGAIN NEXT
WEDNESDAY FOR ANOTHER 32
PEOPLE . 30 ONE OF WHOM DIED
JUST IN SEPTEMBER. AT LEAST
259 HAVE DIED IN KING COUNTY
ALREADY THIS YEAR. THAT'S A
HOMELESS DEATH EVERY DAY. MORE
THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF WOME
ARE DYING OUTSIDE IN THE SAME
TIME, LAST YEAR. WITHOUT
SHELTER, PEOPLE DIE. WE NEED
PRIORITY OF SHELTER IN THE
BUDGET AND PLEASE, SUPPORT TH█
REQUEST TO THE MAYOR TO OPEN
THE RED DOORS OF CITY HALL FO
EMERGENCY WOMEN'S NIGHTTIME
SHELTER. PLEASE STOP THE
ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS. WITHOUT
SHELTER, PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO
CAMP OUTSIDE , VULNERABLE TO
WEATHER AND PREDATORS. THAT IS
BAD, BUT SWEEPS DO NOT HELP.
THEY ONLY HURT . ESPECIALLY I
EXTREME WEATHER. SUPPORT THAT
BAND. SERVICES AND SHELTER, NOT
SWEEPS.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MELANIE
FOLLOWED BY KIRK DUNCAN.
>> HELLO . I'M A SEATTLEITE,
BORN AND RAISED. I GREW UP ON
CAPITOL HILL ON BROADWAY , THE
PLAY POOL HALL THAT IS NOW A
RESTAURANT. I AM A MEMBER OF TH
ELDER INTEREST COUNCIL AND THE
SEATTLE RENTERS COUNCIL. I AM
ONE OF THE 400,000 RENTERS IN
SEATTLE THOUGH I SADLY HAVE TO
SAY THAT I AM PREPARING TO MOVE
OUT OF THE STATE DUE TO THE HIG
COST OF RENT. I AM ALREADY IN
LOW INCOME BUT AS A SENIOR, I
CAN AFFORD IT BUT CAN'T AFFORD
ANYTHING ELSE. I WILL MISS
SEATTLE. RENTERS NEED AN OFFIC
OF RENTAL HOUSING STANDARDS . A
DCI HAS TRIED TO KEEP UP WITH
THE NEEDS OF RENTERS BUT RENTER
ISSUES ARE NOT THEIR ONLY
RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE BUDGET
AND SUPPORT THE CREATION OF AN
OFFICE OF RENTAL HOUSING
STANDARDS THAT FOCUSES SOLELY
ON RENTERS ISSUES WITH RESPECT
AND SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> KIRK DUNCAN AND D POWERS.
>> MY NAME IS KIRK DUNCAN . I
WAS BORN IN SEATTLE . SEATTLE I
MY CITY. SPEAKING FOR ORGANIZE
WORKERS, RANK AND FILE LABOR
ACTIVIST GROUP SUPPORTING
EFFORTS EVERYWHERE ACROSS UNIO
BOUNDARIES. WE ARE CONCERNED
ABOUT SEATTLE'S CONTRACT
NEGOTIATIONS WITH CITY WORKERS.
YOUR WORKERS, OUR WORKERS .
THEY PERFORMED IMPORTANT TASKS
TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE OUR
CITY. THEY ARE NECESSARY.
NEGOTIATIONS HAVE STALLED AND
THE CITY HAS OFFERED A 1% ,
DOUBLED THE 2% WITH A CALL
COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE . THIS
IS RIDICULOUS . IT'S
DISINGENUOUS AND INSULTING. TH
COST OF LIVING HAS GONE UP 5%.
THE LAST THREE YEARS, IT'S GONE
UP MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS NINE
YEARS. THIS IS PUTTING THEM
BEHIND . THEY ARE SEEING MORE
THAN A 3% REDUCTION IN ACTUAL
EARNINGS. THREE OR FOUR YEARS
OF THIS WILL NOT MAKE THE CITY
BETTER PLACE. THEY ARE
IMPORTANT AND INVALUABLE. THE
ARE NECESSARY.
>> WE HAVE D POWERS FOLLOWED B
NUMBER EIGHT D.
>> GOOD EVENING . I AM A
FORMERLY HOMELESS RENTER
WORKING FOR THE HOUSING JUSTICE
NONPROFIT IN SEATTLE. I NOW
LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE AFTER
SEVEN YEARS OF LIVING IN MY
VEHICLE IN DISTRICT TWO. I AM
HERE TO SPEAK ON THE NEED FOR
MORE ROBUST ENFORCEMENT
EXPANSION OF RENTERS RIGHTS.
RENTERS NOW MAKE UP MORE THAN
HALF OF THE POPULATION AND I AM
PROUD TO COUNT MYSELF AMONG THE
MANY WORKERS WHO RENT IN THE
CITY. ACCORDING TO THE WEBSITE
FOR THE OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS , THE CITY OF SEATTLE
IS A LEADER ON WORKFORCE
PRACTICES THAT CREATE A FAIR
AND HEALTHY ECONOMY FOR ALL OF
SEATTLE'S RESIDENCE AND
BUSINESSES. IT'S TIME FOR THE
CITY TO STAND WITH THEIR
CONSTITUENTS AND EXTEND THAT
SAME LEVEL OF PROTECTION TO TH
APPROXIMATE 400,000 RENTERS
WITHIN CITY LIMITS. AN OFFICE
OF RENTAL HOUSING STANDARDS CAN
PROTECT RENTERS RIGHTS TO SAVE
HOUSING AND JUSTICE THEIR
TIMELY INVESTIGATIONS AND
ROBUST ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE FUNDING FOR
OFFICE OF RENTAL HOUSING
STANDARDS TENANT WORK GROUP.
>> MY APOLOGIES , 8B ? WE WILL
MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SPEAKER AND
THEN , OH.
>> GOOD EVENING. I AM BARB
OLIVER, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE TINY HOME VILLAGES.
YOU'VE HEARD TESTIMONY ON WHY
TINY HOME VILLAGES WORK AND WE
ALL KNOW THAT. NOW I WILL SHOW
YOU HOW. ME AND MY CHART,
RIGHT? YOU ALL GET A COPY OF
THE PARTICULARS BUT I WILL JUS
GO OVER THE HIGHLIGHT REEL.
CURRENTLY WE HAVE 21 VILLAGES ,
725 HOMES, 2000 PEOPLE OFF THE
STREET. NEXT YEAR, 26 VILLAGES
AND 4950 PEOPLE OFF THE
STREETS. WHAT WE NEED IN 2025
IS FOR MORE VILLAGES, ONLY FOUR
MORE VILLAGES, 8000 325 PEOPLE
OFF THE STREETS EVERY SINGLE
HOMELESS MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD
WITH A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD, A
LOCK ON THEIR DOOR, FOOD IN THE
STOMACH , AND WRAPAROUND
SERVICES TO GET THEM TO THE NEX
PART OF THEIR LIFE. THE BUDGET
IS A MORAL DOCUMENT , OKAY? I
YOU LOOK AT THE ANNUAL COST ,
NEXT YEAR, 18.9 MILLION YEAR
AFTER THAT 23 MILLION , 26
MILLION . SWEEPS IS 38 MILLION.
YOU CAN CHOOSE WHETHER TO SWEE
OR TO HOUSE. IT'S YOUR CHOICE.
>> NEXT SPEAKER .
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
>> HOLD ON, I'M SORRY. I THINK
MAYBE A BUTTON GOT PUSHED. CAN
WE DOUBLE CHECK?
>> THANK YOU. I AM A DISTRICT
HOMEOWNER AND I WANT TO LIVE IN
A CITY THAT CARES ABOUT ORDINAR
PEOPLE. I AM HERE TO ASK THE
COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE MEASURES
PROPOSED TO THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET. THE JUMPSTART TAX SHOUL
BE INCREASED AND SHOULD FILL
THE ASSIGNED FUNCTIONS THE NEW
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE SHOULD BE
ENACTED DURING THIS BUDGET
SEASON INCLUDING A CAPITAL GAI
TAX ANY VACANCY TAX THAT WILL
ACCOUNT FOR LAG TIME BEFORE YO
RUN OUT OF FUNDING. THEY CAN
AFFORD TO PAY, WE CANNOT AFFOR
TO WAIT. I OPPOSE THE SWEEPS O
ENCAMPMENTS AND I OPPOSE THE
FUNDING . PLEASE REMOVE THIS
FROM THE BUDGET AND USE THEM
FOR SOCIAL HOUSING, TREATMENT
AND SERVICES FOR DRUG ADDICTED
PEOPLE, SAFE CONSUMPTION SITE .
THE CITY HAS CRIMINALIZED WITH
DRUG USE WITH AN EMBARRASSING
OPTION FOR DISCRETION ON THE
PART OF THE POLICE. THESE ARE
THE ONES UNDER FEDERAL COURT
ORDER. THE JAILS ARE FULL AND
INCARCERATION INCREASES DRUG
OVERDOSE IS. LET'S FUND THE
CURRENTLY NONEXISTENT DIVERSION
OPTION.
>> JAN , FOLLOWED BY JESSE
SIMPSON.
>> HELLO. I SERVE THE UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH IN TUKWILA.
YOU MAY WONDER WHY TUKWILA IS
HERE BEFORE YOU. LET ME TELL
YOU THE STORY. LAST DECEMBER, W
TOOK OUR LAST PEOPLE OUT OF
TENTS. WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A
MINISTRY , FEEDING THE HUNGRY.
SHELTERING THE HOMELESS. WE PU
THEM IN TINY HOMES AND SO WE
HAD NO TENTS AND WE CELEBRATED
UNTIL SEATTLE PD STARTED CALLIN
US AND SAYING THAT THEY WERE
FINDING ASYLUM-SEEKERS SLEEPIN
ON THE STREETS OF SEATTLE AND
THESE WERE FAMILIES WITH YOUNG
CHILDREN BY KING STREET
STATION, BY THE LIBRARY. THEY
HAD CHECKED OUT THEIR SOURCES
AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO SEND
THESE FAMILIES SO THEY STARTED
BRINGING THEM TO TUKWILA.
TUKWILA THEN WENT FROM 0 TO 10
BY ABOUT MARCH AND I STARTED
CALLING AND ASKING WHO COULD
HELP AND BY JULY , WE WERE AT
200 AND NOW WE ARE CLOSE TO
300. 90 OF THOSE ARE CHILDREN.
11 OF THOSE ARE PREGNANT
MOTHERS. WE'VE HAD TWO NEWBORNS
FORTUNATELY WE GOT THEM INTO
TINY HOUSES BEFORE THE BABIES
WERE BORN. WE HAVE 11 MORE
BABIES TO BE BORN AND NOT ENOUG
HOMES TO PUT THEM IN. YOU KNOW
WE HAVE A HOUSING CRISIS DID YO
KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. YOU KNOW
THE HOUSING CRISIS DID YOU KNO
ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES OF
ASYLUM-SEEKERS .
>> IF YOU COULD WRAP UP.
>> I'M SORRY.
>> JUST WRAP UP.
>> YOU KNOW THE SITUATION AND
YOU KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
WE NEED HOUSING, WE NEED
SUPPORT, WE NEED RESOURCES AND
I WILL LET THE REST OF THEM TEL
MORE.
>> WE HAVE OUR LAST IN PERSON
SPEAKER, JOEY LOPEZ.
>> A GOOD EVENING
COUNCILMEMBERS. REPRESENTING
THE NONPROFIT AFFORDABLE HOUSIN
SECTOR, WHICH IS AT A
CROSSROADS. IT'S NEVER BEEN
MORE DIFFICULT TO OWN, OPERATE
AND DEVELOP , WHICH HAS
INCREASED DRAMATICALLY.
INFLATION HAS MADE IT MORE
COSTLY TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE
OUR BUILDINGS TO THE HIGHEST
STANDARD. IT'S THREATENING THE
SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR OPERATION
AND LOW INCOME RESIDENTS BEAR
THE BRUNT OF THIS CRITICAL
UNDERFUNDING. THEY RELY ON
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS A
LIFELINE FOR STABILITY,
SECURITY, AND WITHOUT PROPER
OPERATIONS FUNDING, SERVICES AN
MAINTENANCE ARE PUT AT RISK
AND THIS EXACERBATES THE
CHALLENGES FACED BY LOW INCOME
RESIDENTS. TO MAINTAIN THE
NETWORK THAT WE SPENT DECADES
BUILDING UP, THE CITY NEEDS A
STRATEGY TO ADEQUATELY FUND
OPERATIONS AND STABILIZE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I ASK YOU
TO FIND SPACE IN THE BUDGET FOR
THIS.
>> NEXT WE HAVE JOEY LOPEZ.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS
JOEY LOPEZ. THE CHURCH COUNCIL
OF GREATER SEATTLE AND I LIVE I
DISTRICT 3. I STAND IN THE
RECENT COUNCILS. I AM HERE T
URGE YOU TO ADD $2 MILLION TO
THE BUDGET TO SUPPORT
EMERGENCIES FOR OUR SHELTERS .
THE RAPID REHOUSING FOR
UNSHELTERED ASYLUM SPEAKERS.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF
ASYLUM-SEEKERS ARRIVING IN
SEATTLE. THEY ARE SLEEPING IN
OUR STREETS, IN CARS, IN PARKIN
GARAGES, AND OTHER DANGEROUS
PLACE IS. FOR MANY YEARS, THE
CHURCH COUNCIL HAS STOOD HERE,
ABOUT HOW FAITH COMMUNITIES CA
LEVERAGE THOSE ASSETS TO
SUPPORT THOSE UNHOUSED. TO TRY
TO ACTIVATE . PLEASE DEDICATE
$2 MILLION FOR EMERGENCY SHELTE
AND HOUSING WITH WRAPAROUND
SERVICES TO GET ASYLUM-SEEKERS
INDOORS .
>> REMOTE SPEAKERS , NEXT.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL. THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , THE LARGES
CENTER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
HEADQUARTERED IN REDMOND. I'M
ALSO WITH THE SOLIDARITY NETWOR
AT A TIME WHEN I AM HEARTBROKE
AND HORRIFIED ABOUT WHAT'S
HAPPENING IN GAZA. I HAVE TO
TAKE A MOMENT IN SUPPORT OF
THOSE, LOCALLY , WHO ALSO NEED
URGENT HELP. ASYLUMS SEEKERS
ARE IN OUR AREA INCLUDING
FAMILIES IN THE 90 CHILDREN AN
PREGNANT WOMEN. THIS IS A
HUMANITARIAN PUBLIC HEALTH AND
ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY AND WE
NEED RESPONSE BY ALL LEVELS OF
GOVERNMENT . PLEASE DEDICATE
FUNDING TO GET THESE FAMILY AN
CHILDREN OFF THE STREET . I
AGREE WITH PRIOR SPEAKERS ON TH
NEED FOR INCREASING PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE MAKING SURE THAT THE
WEALTHY PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KATIE
GENTRY. KATIE?
>> I APPRECIATE YOUR GRACE IN
LISTENING TO ME. INCARCERATING
PEOPLE WHO USE OPIOIDS RESULTS
IN HIGHER FATAL OVERDOSES DID
THIS CHOICE IS THE LEAST
EFFECTIVE , LEAST COMPASSIONATE
AND MOST INHUMANE WAY IN A
SOCIETY THAT VALUES PROPERTY .
TRULY VALUING ALL LIFE IN OUR
CITY CAN LOOK LIKE
REPRIORITIZING THE CITY BUDGET
AND TAKING A NONPUNITIVE
APPROACH TO CARING FOR ONE
ANOTHER, PUTTING MONEY TOWARD
THE REAL LIFE NEEDS A PEOPLE .
SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET
GUARANTEE. DO YOU HAVE
RELATIONSHIPS WITH UNHOUSED
PEOPLE WHO ACTIVELY USE HARD
DRUGS? I CAN SAY THAT IN
GENERAL, PEOPLE JUST WANT A
PLACE TO LEAVE THEIR HEAD. THEY
WANT AUTONOMY AND THEY WANT
PRIVACY. THEY WANT TO STAY WITH
THEIR FAMILIES. THEY WANT TO BE
PART OF THEIR COMMUNITIES AND
THEY WANT TO ACCESS THE
SERVICES. UNSHELTERED PEOPLE
ARE TIRED OF BEING FORCIBLY
DISPLACED AGAIN AND AGAIN BY TH
OVERPAID POLICE , DISBANDED FRO
THEIR COMMUNITY WITH THEIR
BELIEFS TRASHED. WHAT REALLY
SOLVES HOMELESSNESS IS A HOME.
STOP FUNDING INHUMANE
ENCAMPMENTS AND GIVE SOLUTIONS
LIKE HOUSING.
>> YOU MIGHT BE MUTED . CAN YO
HEAR US?
>> AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TH
CAPITOL HILL DISTRICT WHICH
RECENTLY RELOCATED . I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THES
ACTIVATION DOLLARS IN THE
UPCOMING BUDGET ON CAPITOL HIL
WHERE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF
GROUNDWORK WHICH IS PROOF OF
CONCEPT FOR OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS
I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE
TO POINT OUT THOSE YEARS OF
ORGANIZING . WE HAVE STUDIED AN
LAID A FOUNDATION IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHTING
STREETS AND SPACES , MAKING THE
MORE SAFE , MORE VIBRANT, AND
INVITING. THIS IS AN INCREDIBL
ALTERNATIVE OVER SECURITY AND
SURVEILLANCE WITH THE
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCEPT OF FEELING
SAFE AND ONCE AGAIN, THANK
YOU. WE APPRECIATE THAT
CONSIDERATION.
>> THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE
NOT PRESENT . NEXT WE HAVE
JASON WALSH.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M HERE TO
CALL ON THE COUNCIL TO REJECT
THE CURRENT BUDGET . WHILE I WA
A MASTERS STUDENT IN PUBLIC
HEALTH IN WASHINGTON I WAS PAR
OF A STUDY . WE LEARNED THAT
FAMILY RETURNING IN NO SMALL
PART SHOW THAT THEY WERE
BURDENED BY HEALTHCARE COSTS ,
JOB SECURITY WAS IMPACTED ON
SEWER TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS .
THERE WAS A LACK OF AFFORDABLE
LONG-TERM HOUSING . WE HAVE
THAT IN THE CITY BUDGET AND A
MORAL OBLIGATION TO CARE FOR TH
PEOPLE, BASIC INCOME, HOUSING,
FAST, FREQUENT, AND RELIABLE
TRANSPORTATION , COMMUNICATION
IN DIGITAL AND WITTY , UNIVERSA
ACCESS AND A LIVING WAGE. YOU
CAN DO THIS BUT WE ARE CALLING
FOR THE ELIMINATION OF MONEY FO
GHOST GUNS AND REFUSING TO
INCREASE THE BUDGET. YOU CAN AN
SHOULD DO BETTER.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARK.
>> I AM AN ORGANIZER WOULD WOR
IN WASHINGTON HERE TO TALK ABOU
THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORT IN TH
LABOR STANDARD . I'VE SEEN HOW
MUCH WE CAN ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER
. I'M ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT
THIS WITH THOSE FEES TO PAY
FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF GIG
WORKER PROTECTION . OUR CITY IS
UNIQUE IN OUR LABOR STANDARDS
AND WITHOUT THE DEDICATED
FUNDING UNDER THESE SOURCES ,
DESPITE THE BENEFITS FOR WORKER
IN THE SEATTLE ECONOMY. WE HAV
AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THAT
BUT FUNDING NEEDS TO KEEP UP
WITH THESE STANDARDS. WE HAVE
RECOVERED NEARLY $14 MILLION
FROM THESE COMPANIES FOR
VIOLATING WORKERS RIGHTS. THIS
IS POSSIBLE WHEN WE ORGANIZE.
WE NEED TO ENSURE FUNDING AND
SEATTLE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A
NATIONAL LEADER.
>> NEXT WE HAVE TRACY ROBERTS.
TRACY?
>> MY NAME IS TRACY ROBERTS I'
A DOWNTOWN RESIDENT. I AM
AGAINST THESE. THEY ARE
INEFFECTIVE AND A WASTE OF MONE
IN THE U.S. AND THE UK. I AM
HUGE ADVOCATE FOR CAMERAS . I
THINK WE SHOULD HAVE CAMERAS .
IT'S JUST GETTING MUCH WORSE .
I ALSO PUSH FOR CAMERAS
CIVILIAN OPERATORS . I'M FOR
LICENSE PLATE READERS . MY BIG
ONE WAS PASSED IN 2016 . IN NEW
YORK , THEY HAVE SEEN A
DRAMATIC DROP IN THE 91
OVERDOSE FOUR. SEVEN MONTHS AG
THEY HAD OVER 1000 OVERDOSES
AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO DEATHS,
THERE. WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT
.
>> NEXT WE HAVE JOEY FOSS. WE
SEE THAT YOU ARE AND MUTED. YOU
MAY BE MUTED ON YOUR AND.
>> THANK YOU. I LIVE IN
DISTRICT FIVE . I'M HERE TO
ADVOCATE FOR INCREASED MENTAL
HEALTH SUPPORT FOR YOU AND FOR
THE SEATTLE STUDENT UNION
PROPOSAL . I'VE BEEN IN THE
DISTRICT FOR SIX YEARS AND I'V
SEEN OUR HIGH SCHOOLERS MENTAL
HEALTH CHALLENGES INCREASE . WE
WERE UNDER RESOURCED BEFORE. A
LOT OF THE ANXIETY THAT
STUDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING IS
SEVERELY IMPACTING THEIR
WELL-BEING AND THEIR ABILITY TO
THRIVE IN SCHOOLS. THEY -- THE
BEHAVIOR SURVEY FOUND THAT THI
WAS AN EXTREME MEASURE. MOST
SUICIDES ARE PREVENTABLE AND
IT'S UNACCEPTABLE. WE OWE OUR
YOUTH MORE. WE ALSO KNOW THAT
MENTAL HEALTH RATES TEND TO BE
HIGHER . AS A HEALTH TEACHER,
TEACH MY STUDENTS THAT WHEN
THEIR STRESS RESPONSE IS
ACTIVATED BECAUSE THEY FEEL
UNSAFE, THEY FEEL ANXIETY , IT
AFFECTS THINGS IN YOUR BRAIN
THAT ALLOW FOR CONNECTIVITY,
THINKING. I CANNOT DO MY JOB IF
STUDENTS FEEL UNSAFE AND IF I
COULD, THEIR ACHIEVEMENT MEANS
LITTLE IF THEY ARE UNSAFE.
PLEASE INCREASE STUDENT MENTAL
HEALTH .
>> NEXT WE HAVE LAUREL GRAY. .
>> GOOD EVENING. I AM A D5
RESIDENT WITH OPERATION SACK
LUNCH. I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN
FAVOR OF THE COALITION REQUEST
FOR OPERATIONAL EXPENSES FOR
MAIL PROVIDERS AND SEATTLE. IN
2023 ALONE , 900 AND 22,000
RELEVANT MEALS LOST FUNDING.
THIS WAS HOUSING, SHELTERS, AN
TINY HOMES THAT THIS IS GONE
NOWHERE AND CONTINUES TO
INCREASE . USUALLY THEY GO TO
AN OPEN MEAL SITE . 992,000
ADDITIONAL UNFUNDED MEALS WITH
ENORMOUS PRESSURE ON OPEN MEAL
SITE AND WE ARE BEING ASKED TO
DO MORE WITH LESS AND LESS PAI
$10,000 TO A SMALLER PROGRAM T
FUND THAT FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR
WITH PRESSURE FROM THE OPEN MEA
SITE . NUTRITIONAL EXCELLENCE
IS A RIGHT , NOT A PRIVILEGE.
THIS IMPACTS EVERYONE WHO CALLS
SEATTLE HOME AND WE BELIEVE
THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE. WE
WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND
ENCOURAGE THE FULL COUNCIL TO
SUPPORT THIS REQUEST .
>> WE HAVE OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M A FORMER
NANNY AND NOW A DOMESTIC WORKER
I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THIS
$.10 FEE WITH THE PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE SOURCE FOR LABOR
STANDARDS AND COMMUNITY OUTREAC
. THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH IS A
VITAL PART OF SUCCESSFUL WORKIN
AND ORGANIZING BECAUSE WE'VE
HAD THESE RESOURCES AND HAVE
BEEN ABLE TO SUPPORT WORKERS
WITH TRAINING , CONTRACT , AND
THE DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF
RIGHTS. THIS HELPS THEM TO
TALK TO ONE ANOTHER ABOUT THEIR
RIGHT TO WORK. ENGLISH AND
SPANISH TO EQUIP ONE ANOTHER
FOR EVERYBODY. IT ALSO MADE IT
POSSIBLE TO ADVOCATE FOR
SHARING TO HOLD EMPLOYEES
ACCOUNTABLE . YOU MUST TAKE
WORKERS .
>> NEXT WE HAVE SUSAN.
>> HELLO. I AM A LONGTIME
SEATTLE RESIDENT DEDICATED TO
FURTHERING THE POWER AND
WELL-BEING OF LINUX IMMIGRANTS
IN EMPLOYMENT COMMENTING IN A
BROAD COALITION OF OUR COMMUNIT
PARTNERS WITH WORSENING
CONDITIONS WITH UNSHELTERED
MIGRANTS THROUGHOUT THE GREATE
SEATTLE AREA. MANY OF THESE
PEOPLE ARE ATTENDING OUR CLASSE
AND WORKSHOPS. RESOURCE AND
NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE, DIRECTLY
EXPERIENCING THE DIRE REALITIE
OF BEING ON HOUSE. WE'VE BEEN
WITNESSING THIS OVER THE PAST
SEVERAL MONTHS. SOMETIMES,
THEY ARRIVE WITH FOOD, CLOTHING
SHELTER. FOR THEMSELVES AND
THEIR LOVED ONES , YOUNG
CHILDREN ARE SLEEPING IN CARS,
UNDER TARPS IN THE COLD, NIGHT
AFTER NIGHT WITH DANGEROUS
CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY FROM A
PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT THAT
THEY ARE COLD AND WET AND THEY
NEED TO BE HUMANELY SHELTERED
WHILE THE PROCESS IS AWAITED.
WE NEED TO DEDICATE RESOURCES
NOT ONLY FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION T
ADDRESS MONETARY NEEDS .
>> I THINK THAT WE ARE AT THE
END OF THAT. I WANTED TO TAKE
QUICK SECOND AND THINK MY
COLLEAGUES AS WELL. WE DID HAV
COUNCILMEMBERS JOIN US 20
MINUTES INTO THE PRESENTATION.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE
HAVE ALSO BEEN LISTENING IN.
THANK YOU. WE DO HAVE
COUNCILMEMBER SALLY. WE WILL G
TO THE NEXT 10. PRESS STAR SIX
TO UNMUTE. GOOD EVENING.
>> IT IS SO GOOD TO HEAR YOUR
VOICE. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT TIN
HOMES AND VILLAGES AND I JUST
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK
ESPECIALLY TO OBTAIN THOSE
OPERATING FUNDS. AND, WE HAVE
OVER 200 HOMES THAT ARE
COMPLETED AND READY TO GO THA
COULD BE PUT ON SITES AND LEHIG
HAS FOUR SITES AVAILABLE. WE
ALL SUPPORT PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND THAT IS
WHERE WE WOULD WANT TO PUT OUR
MONEY IN THE MEANTIME AND I AS
FOR YOUR SUPPORT PARTICULARLY
TO GET OPERATING BECAUSE WE
CAN GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREET
IMMEDIATELY AND WE WILL
PROBABLY BE SPEAKING LATER .
THERE IS SUCH SUFFERING IN THE
STREETS RIGHT NOW AND THIS IS
ONE WAY WE CAN SOLVE IT. THANK
YOU.
>> LET'S GO BACK TO THE FOLKS I
THE ROOM.
>> ARE NEXT IN PERSON SPEAKER
IS 11 A, MAGGIE HAYNES.
>> HELLO. FROM FRIENDS OF THE
MARKET, SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SUB
TOPIC. I WOULD LIKE TO URGE YOU
TO REMOVE THE CULTURE CONNECTOR
FROM THE PROPOSED CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS AND REMOVE ANY
MONEY FROM FURTHERING THAT
STUDY AND THIS WOULD BE AN
OPTION FOR THE FRIENDS OF THE
MARKET HAS INTERVIEWED A LOT OF
BUSINESSES ON FIRST AVENUE AND
THEY ARE VERY FEARFUL OF LOSIN
BUSINESS OR GOING OUT OF
BUSINESS BECAUSE OF THE FOOT
TRAFFIC THAT WOULD BE GONE WHEN
THE CULTURE CONNECTOR POSSIBLY
COULD GO IN. THEIR CONCERN , W
FOUND A LOT OF THEM HAVE LOW
INCOME HOUSE THING IN THE REST
OF THE BUILDING ABOVE THEM AND
THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LO
INCOME CITIZENS THERE. THEY WIL
NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET ON
THEIR ACCESS BUSES FOR THEIR
RIDES IF THE STREETCAR IS
THERE. THEY ARE CONCERNED NOT
JUST ABOUT THEMSELVES, AND THE
ACCESS BUSES GO WHERE THE
PEOPLE WANT TO GO. THE STREETCA
GOES TO WHERE IT ENDS. THE
PEOPLE NEED THE ABILITY TO GE
WHERE THEY WANTED TO GO AND ON
BROADWAY, THAT'S A GOOD PLACE T
LOOK FOR THE IMPACT BECAUSE
THERE IS A DEARTH OF ACTIVITY
BECAUSE THE STREETCAR IS TAKIN
PEOPLE AWAY.
>> WE HAVE NUMBER 11. FOLLOWE
BY CLARA CANTOR.
>> GOOD EVENING. I AM THE
COMMITTEE LEADER AND AT THE
SAME TIME I WORK IN THE VILLAG
AS A CASE MANAGER. MOST OF THE
PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE , 50% ARE
PEOPLE WHO CAME FROM MY
ORIGINAL COUNTRY. I WORK WITH
THE PASTOR EVERY DAY TO REGISTE
PEOPLE , REGISTER KIDS FOR
SCHOOL . MY QUESTION IS TO KNO
, WHERE THESE KIDS ARE GOING TO
DO THEIR HOMEWORK. SHUTTING TH
HOUSE IS UNBELIEVABLE. THOSE
PEOPLE FACE MANY THINGS,
ATROCITIES FROM THEIR COUNTRIES
, WHICH IS WHY THEY CAME TO BE
IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY
CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IN THE
UNITED STATES PEOPLE CANNOT
SLEEP. THEY SLEEP IN TENTS OR O
THE STREET. WE NEED TO HELP THE
, BECAUSE , BEFORE THE WAR,
THEY ARE SLEEPING IN THE TENT .
THEY SUFFER PNEUMONIA AND
OTHER DISEASES. THANK YOU.
>> CLARA , FOLLOWED BY TOM.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? I AM A
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND A
MEMBER OF THE WHO STREETS ARE
STREETS AND SOLIDARITY
COMMISSION AND I STOOD AT THE
DEMONSTRATION EARLIER HONORING
THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN
KILLED THIS YEAR BY TRAFFIC ON
OUR STREET AND ASK YOU TO NOT
CUT SAFE STREET FUNDING FOR SAF
ROUTES TO SCHOOL OR A.D.A.
ACCESSIBILITY, ALL OF WHICH ARE
WOEFULLY UNDERFUNDED COMPARED
TO THE NEED. I AM ALSO IN
SUPPORT OF SOLIDARITY BUDGET
DEMANDS THAT SO MANY OTHERS
HAVE MENTIONED. INSTEAD OF
PITTING NEEDS AGAINST EACH
OTHER, WE NEED TO SHIFT FUNDING
AWAY FROM CRIMINALIZATION AND
WE NEED TO INVEST THAT FUNDING
IN COMMUNITIES, TRANSPORTATION
AND HOUSING AND CLIMATE
JUSTICE, CLIMATE HEALTHCARE
SERVICES, FAIR WAGES FOR
WORKERS, AND GENERAL INCOME AND
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK COUNCIL TO
PRIORITIZE PASSING NEW
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE NOW SO THAT
WE HAVE TIME BEFORE 2025.
>> FOLLOWING WILL BE RYAN
DRISCOLL.
>> THAT EVENING. I AM THE
CHAIR OF BELLTOWN UNITED AND
IT'S A PLEASURE TO SEE CITY
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HERE. THIS I
TAXING FOR YOU, I'M SURE, AND
APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE IN
PERSON. IT TAKES A LOT FOR ME T
SIT IN THE AUDIENCE THIS LONG .
IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO
ACTUALLY SEE YOU, HERE. A FAC
ON THE SCREEN BEHIND THE MASK
IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING PRESEN
AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE
DOING. I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT
OF THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN
FUNDING FOR CCT ASK, CCTV'S
AND LICENSE PLATE READERS. WE
HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I
THINK THAT ALL OF YOU ARE AWARE
OF IT. I HAVE DRAGGED SARAH
NELSON AND ANDREW LEWIS AND THE
POLICE CHIEF AND EVERYONE AT TH
MAYOR'S OFFICE DOWN THIRD AVENU
AND WE HAVE DRUG ADDICTION,
DRUG DEALING , MURDER, TAKING
PLACE ON OUR PUBLIC STREET AN
IT'S NOT GETTING BETTER. IT'S
GETTING WORSE. THE FENTANYL
DEATH OVERDOSE RATE , ARE BEIN
PRAYED ON BY DEALERS. I BEG YO
TO LOOK AT THE ALTERNATIVE AN
FOLLOW THE MAYOR'S REQUEST.
>> I AM TOO SHORT FOR THIS.
GOOD EVENING. I AM A RESIDENT
AND I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF HIS
-- THE SOLIDARITY BUDGET
DEMANDS. IT'S A CLICHE WHEN WE
SAY THAT THE BUDGET IS AN
EXPRESSION OF OUR VALUES AND I
WANT US TO THINK AS YOU MAKE
THESE TOUGH DECISIONS ABOUT
WHERE THIS MONEY GOES, WHAT
DIFFERENT VALUES LEAD TO
DIFFERENT DECISIONS? WHEN WE
ARE THINKING THAT WE VALUE
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AS
THE STEWARDS OF THE CITY
BUDGET, FOR ME THAT MEANS THAT
WE LOOK AT THESE EXPECTED
REVENUES , WE INVEST IN OR
START PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER. WE
WANT TO BE SURE THAT MONEY IS
COMING IN NOW . WHEN WE SAY
THAT WE ARE VALUING SAFETY
WHICH I HEAR ALL THE TIME WHEN
I GO KNOCK ON DOORS AND TALK TO
POTENTIAL VOTERS, WHEN WE THINK
ABOUT SAFETY, WHEN WE ARE
THINKING ABOUT , ARE WE
THINKING ABOUT THOSE ROOT
CAUSES THAT MAKES RESIDENTS
FEEL SAFE? ARE WE THINKING
ABOUT WHERE MONEY IS GOING INTO
THE NEEDS THAT PEOPLE HAVE
RIGHT NOW? SUBSTANCE USE
TREATMENT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
TREATMENT, ALL OF THE
EXCELLENT ARGUMENTS THAT WE'VE
HEARD ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AND TINY HOME VILLAGES AND THE
DIFFERENT SHELTER REFORMS THAT
WE NEED. WE WANT TO THINK ABOUT
PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE HOMES.
IS IT SWEEPING THEM FROM PLACE
TO PLACE OR IS IT INVESTING IN
THE ALTERNATIVE FORMS THAT
THEY ASK FOR? THANK YOU.
>> I WORK AT A LOCAL MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING FIRM . EVERY DAY I
HELP CLIENTS DESIGN EFFICIENT
BUILDINGS, WE NEED INCREASED
FUNDING FOR THE GREEN NEW DEAL
AND THE SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS
IN THE CREATION OF THAT,
WITH THIS INCENTIVE. TO QUOTE
FROM THE GREEN NEW DEAL
ADVISORY BOARD, WITH CLIMATE
JUSTICE, IT'S PRIORITIZING
RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
EXPENSING CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
FOR CLIMATE STRUCTURES THAT
WILL GET EXPONENTIALLY WORSE
FOR ALL OF US. AS AN EXPERT
WHO DOES THIS WORK EVERY DAY,
WE ARE NOT ON PACE TO MEET OUR
EMISSIONS REDUCTION . LET'S
FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN DO
INSTEAD. WE CAN BE AN
INSPIRATION WITH THESE GREEN
INITIATIVES, GIVES SEATTLE A
LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
HE DESPERATELY NEED HOUSING NOW
BUT THIS IS FUTURE HOUSING
THAT WILL OUTLIVE ALL OF US. IT
NEEDS TO BE SUSTAINABLE. THE
DESIGN WORK IS THERE. IT'S AN
OPPORTUNITY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE
THE TIME OR FUNDING TO IGNORE.
EVERYONE FACES BUDGET
CONSTRAINTS PRIVATE OR PUBLIC
AND SUSTAINABILITY IS ALWAYS
THE FIRST THING TO GET
ENGINEERED OUT. SEATTLE IS A
RICH CITY IN A TEMPERATE
CLIMATE . IF WE CANNOT BE NET
ZERO ADMISSIONS, WHO CAN?
>> I'M A VOLUNTEER WITH CENTRAL
SEATTLE REPRESENTING 800
TRANSIT RIDERS . THESE ARE THE
HIGHEST WRITERS IN THE CITY,
IN THE DENSEST NEIGHBORHOOD
WITH LESS THAN 60% ON TIME AT
ALL TIMES OF THE DAY. THIS IS
MORNING, MIDDAY, RUSH-HOUR, AND
NIGHT. THEY ARE LESS THAN 40%
ON TIME AT RUSH HOUR. THAT
MEANS THE SCHEDULE IS BASICALLY
MEANINGLESS . SOUTH LAKE UNION,
THREE MILES PER HOUR IS THE
MEDIAN WALKING SPEED . MOST
PEOPLE CAN WALK FASTER THAN THE
ROUTE. THIS IMPACTS THE ENTIRE
SYSTEM, NOT JUST THE ONE ROUTE.
PEOPLE CANNOT TRANSFER BECAUSE
THEY CANNOT RELY ON THE
SCHEDULE. I COME TO URGE YOU
NOT TO DIVERT THAT AWAY FROM
TRANSIT PROJECTS. WE HAVE SO
MANY RATS THAT NEED HELP AND WE
DO NOT NEED TO DIRECT THAT
MONEY TO ROADS AND BRIDGES.
THIS IS THE MOST POPULAR VOTE
EVER APPROVED IN THE CITY
BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT FAST,
FREQUENT, AND RELIABLE TRANSIT.
TO INCREASE LIVABILITY IN THE
CITY , WE NEED TO INVEST. KEEP
TRANSIT LEAVITT -- LETTING
MONEY IN THE PROJECTS AND
PRIORITIZE THE TRANSIT NETWORK.
THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. WASHINGTON
STATE , OVER 25 CHURCHES
REPRESENTED THAT I ALSO RUN A
PROGRAM , LENDING VOLUNTARY
EFFORTS TO OTHERS . ALSO, OUR
CHURCH SPONSORS THREE TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES THAT HOUSE , 120
TINY HOUSES . THROUGH MY
EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THOSE ,
COMING OFF THE STREETS AND
GOING INTO HOUSING, TO SUPPORT
THAT , THAT HELP WITH
LONG-TERM HOUSING. IN THE
SUPPORT OF THESE VILLAGES ON
HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT WE CAN
BRING OUT INTO TINY HOUSES,
INTO WARM HOUSING , SO I AM
ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE SUPPORT
AND SEE HOW THE DIFFERENCE WE
CAN MAKE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND
THE CITY , BECAUSE THIS IS THE
EMERALD CITY . WE HAD BEAUTIFUL
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES, FENCED OFF
, IF YOU GO BY TO SEE THEM,
THEY ARE KEPT UP WELL AND WE
ALSO WORK WITH STUDENTS .
PLEASE GIVE , AND WATCH HOW WE
CAN BE ABUSED -- A BLESSING TO
THIS COMMUNITY.
>>> NEXT WE HAVE PETER AND
THEN MELINDA .
>> GOOD EVENING. I SUPPORT
THE SEATTLE SOLIDARITY BUDGET
AND I WILL START BY ADDRESSING
MY DIGIT -- DISTRICTS THIS
REPRESENTATIVE. I SEE THE 2020
PROTESTS IN SUPPORT , THE
RESOURCE COMMUNITY AND NOW
IT'S HARDER FOR YOU TO GET
ELECTED. BUT I'M SURE THAT WE
BOTH WANT IS FOR THE POLICE TO
HAVE NEVER HAVE KILLED BRIANNA
TAYLOR , GEORGE FLOYD, AND TOO
MANY OTHERS. POLICE ARE
INHERENTLY VIOLENT, IT'S ALL
VIOLENCE AND PEOPLE DIE FROM
IT. WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW SPD TO
HOARD POWER BY KEEPING MONEY
FOR POSITIONS THEY DO NOT
INTEND TO SELL. LAST ARE YOU
TOOK PARTIAL ACTION TO CORRECT
IT. THE BUDGET LET SPD KEEP
FUNDING FOR ANOTHER HUNDRED AND
20 POSITIONS . WHEN THE
COUNCILMEMBER WAS VOTING FOR
PARTIAL AGGREGATION SHIA
MENTIONED THAT THOSE HAD BEEN
IDENTIFIED . MY ASK IS THAT YOU
DEFINED SPD , DEFINED SPD BY
THE VALUE OF THE GHOST COPS
STILL LEFT AND RESTRICT SPD
FROM PURCHASING SHOT SPOTTER.
BE LEADERS AND BE PROACTIVE
IN NONVIOLENT SOLUTIONS.
GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME. ROAD
DIETS. SIDEWALKS. PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE AND OF COURSE,
HOUSING. THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO
REMOTE SPEAKERS AND WE ONLY
HAVE EIGHT REMOTE SPEAKERS
PRESENT FOR THIS NEXT BLOCK.
THE NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE
ANDREA.
>> MY APOLOGIES. WE DO HAVE
ONE SPEAKER. MELINDA.
>> I'M THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOW
INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE,
SANS CONNECTED WITH BOTH. I
WANTED TO ASK YOU FOR
SUPPORTING THE FOUR TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES . THOSE ARE THE
IMPERATIVE THING TO DO. THEY
ARE NOT THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND
WHAT THEY PROVIDE MAKES IT
CHEAPER THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER
THING THAT WE COULD DO. PEOPLE
COULD SAY THAT THE HOUSES ARE
TOO SMALL. SO WHAT? THEY ARE
HUNDRED SQUARE FEET BUT THEY
HAVE THEIR OWN DOOR WITH A LOCK
. THEY HAVE HEAT, THEY HAVE
BEDS, THEY HAVE A ROOF OVER
THEIR HEAD, THEY HAVE
PROTECTION , OFFENSE . IT'S
CRUCIAL . I WANTED TO SAY
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY,
YOUR HISTORY, YOU ARE STEPPING
UP TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS AND
ONE OF THE MOST CREDIBLE CITIES
IN THE UNITED STATES. WE GET
CALLS FROM ALL KINDS OF CITIES
, HOW DO YOU BUILD TINY HOUSES,
HOW DO YOU DO THIS, I WANT THE
LOW INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE TO
BE CONNECTED WITH YOU SO THAT
IF YOU GET QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS
THAT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU ALL
THE SUPPORT YOU NEED BECAUSE WE
HAVE SPECIFIC INFORMATION , SO
I REALLY WANT US TO BUILD AND
THANK YOU FOR HOW WONDERFUL
YOU ARE . YOU ARE A WONDERFUL
ORGANIZATION AND WE WANT TO
SUPPORT YOU IN ANY WAY THAT WE
CAN. THANK YOU.
>> ANDREA KRANZLER.
>> GOOD EVENING. I JUST WANT
TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR THE
DILIGENT WORK YOU HAVE BEEN
DOING WITH REALLY STRONG
HOUSING LAWS THAT HELP RENTERS
TO STAY HOUSED. WE ARE
LEARNING ABOUT THOSE RIGHTS,
ASSERTING THOSE RIGHTS, GETTING
LEGAL SERVICES THAT LEAD TO
ADVOCACY. OUR AVERAGE CASE IS
SIX MONTHS, AND WE CAN SAY
THAT IF WE ARE REPRESENTING A
RENTER, THEY GET TO STAY
HOUSED. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO
HAVE ABOUT OF HOMELESSNESS .
TO GET INTO NEW HOUSING FOR
THE PAST ELECTION DAY.
PERMANENT HOUSING IS THE ONLY
SOLUTION TO THE PUBLIC HOUSING
CRISIS. EVICTION DEFENSE IS
YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. I
JUST WANT TO IMPLORE YOU TO
CONTINUE TO THINK ABOUT --
>> NEXT WE HAVE JEREMIAH
MILLER.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT. I AM
THE LEGAL DIRECTOR AND I AM
HERE TO URGE TO ENSURE THAT
THESE HAVE MEANINGFUL
ENDORSEMENTS. THE LABOR
STANDARDS HAVE AN
UNDERSTANDING THAT PUBLIC
ENFORCEMENT IS MORE BROAD .
PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT IS ONLY
MEANINGFUL WHEN IT INCLUDES
OUTREACH AND EDUCATION AND
COMMUNITY SUPPORT . THE OFFICE
OF LABOR STANDARDS IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR CHOOSING THESE
STANDARDS AND TWO NEW LABOR
STANDARDS AND IS ENABLING
LEGISLATION TO DO THAT OUTREACH
, ENFORCING THREE TIMES AS MANY
LAWS WITH BASIC MINIMUM
WORKPLACE STANDARDS . WHILE
THE BUDGET HAS GROWN MODEST
DELAY, IT'S NOT COMPLETE WITH
THE EXPANSION AS MANDATED IN
THE FUND HAS NOT GROWN AT ALL.
UNDERFUNDED PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT
. AS A COMMUNITY PARTNER , WE
SEE MANY OF THESE PEOPLE SERVE
THESE WORKERS, NOT FOR LACK OF
WILL AND COMMUNITY NONPROFITS
HAVE HAD TO LIMIT THIS.
>> NEXT WE HAVE EVELYN ANTHONY
AND WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 40.
EVELYN?
>> HELLO? THOSE RIGHTS BY
SUPPORTING AN OFFICE OF RENTAL
HOUSING SCANDALS. I AM A
COMMITTEE OFFICER FOR THE 32nd
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, IN 2022,
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE
WASHINGTON STATE SENATE. THEY
OPERATE 20 BILLINGS IN THE
SEATTLE/KING COUNTY AREA. THERE
THE THIRD-LARGEST OF PORTABLE
HOUSING COMPANY IN THE
COUNTRY. THEIR FAITH IN CLASS
ACTION LAWSUITS. THEY MADE OVER
$4 BILLION LAST YEAR OFF OF
TAXPAYERS IN THEY SHOULD NOT
BE ALLOWED TO DO BUSINESS IN
OUR CITY, A CITY THAT HAS A
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
BECAUSE OUR COUNTY IS NAMED
AFTER DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING.
IS ONE OF THE WORST TRACKS
CREDIT BUILDINGS IN THE CITY
WAS OVER 1000 COMPLAINTS FILED
WITH AS PCI, THEY HAVE PROBLEMS
THAT HAVE EXISTED FOR THE
ENTIRE EIGHT YEARS I HAVE LIVED
HERE AND THAT HAS RESULTED IN
TOXIC BLACK MOLD, PEST
INFESTATION AND SEVERELY
COMPROMISED AND QUESTIONABLE
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. FEELINGS
ARE CAVING IN AND THE BUILDING
IS NOT SAFE. WHAT IS THE POINT
OF BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
IF THE BUILDINGS ARE NOT
PROPERLY MAINTAINED OR REQUIRED
TO USE HIGH-QUALITY
CONSTRUCTION? YOU HAVE WORKING
FAMILIES, ONE MAINTENANCE
CRISIS AWAY FROM HOUSE-LESS
LOOSENESS AND THAT IS
ACCEPTABLE IN MARTIN LUTHER
KING JR. COUNTY. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> HI, I AM A RESIDENT , I
LIVE BETWEEN UNION AND TERRY
STREET. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST
THE COUNCIL ALLOCATE BUDGET
RESTRICTIONS. HOWARD STREET
FACES SEVERAL ISSUES INCLUDING
EXCESSIVE TRAFFIC AND SPEED
AND SAFETY CONCERNS FOR
PEDESTRIANS . ALTHOUGH THE
POSTED SPEED LIMIT IS 25 MILES
PER HOUR MANY VEHICLES DRIVE
MUCH FASTER LEADING TO CONSTANT
NICE DISTURBANCES . I URGE THE
COUNCIL TO TAKE IMMEDIATE
ACTION BY AND LAMENTING
MEASURES TO SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC
SUCH AS INSTALLATION OF SPEED
BUMPS. ADDITIONALLY, PROTECTED
BY CLAIMS SIMILAR TO THE
PRODUCT INITIATED SOUTH OF
DEPUTY STREET. IT WOULD
GREATLY BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY.
I REQUEST THE COUNCIL MAKE A
DISTINCTION OF BIKE LANES.
THEY PROMOTE SAFETY AND HELP
REDUCE TRAFFIC NOISE AND
SPEED. IN CONCLUSION I URGE THE
COUNCIL TO PRIORITIZE [
INAUDIBLE ] FOR THE WELL-BEING
OF OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS
IMPORTANT MATTER.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS SUSAN, I
AM A MEMBER OF 763 AND
ORGANIZE WORKERS FOR LABOR
SOLIDARITY. AFTER LISTENING TO
ALL THE SPEAKERS TONIGHT ,
AWAITING MY TURN TO SPEAK, I
THINK IT IS CLEAR THAT WE HAVE
A LOT OF WORTHY CAUSES ALL
ASKING FOR YOUR ATTENTION. TO
ME THE SIMILAR THEME IS THAT
AS ONE OF THE RICHEST CITIES IN
THE NATION, WE REALLY NEED TO
TAX THE RICH TO PAY FOR ALL
THESE VITALLY NEEDED SERVICES.
I SPECIFICALLY WANTED TO SPEAK
TO NEGOTIATIONS WITH CITY
WORKERS . MANY OF THE
DEPARTMENTS HAVE 14% VACANCY
RATES BECAUSE THE CITY CANNOT
KEEP OR ATTRACT WORKERS . AND
SEATTLE RESIDENTS WILL CONTINUE
TO SEE THE QUALITY OF SERVICES
DETERIORATE BECAUSE OF THESE
LONG-STANDING VACANCIES, SO
CITY RESIDENTS AND WORKERS HAVE
A COMMON CAUSE. CITY OF
SEATTLE WORKERS NEED TO EARN
ENOUGH MONEY TO LIVE IN
SEATTLE. MANY EMPLOYEES,
ESPECIALLY THE LOWEST PAID
LIKE ADMINISTERED OF ASSISTANCE
AND CASHIERS WHICH ARE
OVERWHELMINGLY WOMEN AND
PEOPLE OF COLOR COMMUTE LONG
DISTANCES BECAUSE THEY CANNOT
AFFORD SEATTLE RENT. ALSO,
OUTDOOR WORKERS NEED CLEAR
GUIDELINES OF MORE PROTECTIONS
DURING HEAT WAVES AND WILDFIRE
SMOKE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> YES, I AM THE CEO OF THE
CONGO LEAF INTEGRATION
NETWORKS, I AM SPEAKING IN
SUPPORT OF THE 2 MILLION THE
COALITION IS REQUESTING -- FOR
ASYLUM-SEEKERS. MY HISTORY
WITH THE CITY OF SEATTLE
ASYLUM-SEEKERS SITUATION
STARTED IN APRIL. I RECEIVED A
CALL FROM SOMEONE IN SEATTLE
ASKING ME TO HELP A FAMILY FROM
THE CONGO THAT NEEDED A PLACE
TO SLEEP. I UNDERSTOOD THIS
FAMILY HAS BEEN COMING TO
SEATTLE, SLEEPING ON THE STREET
, IN THE CHURCHES, AND THIS
SITUATION HAS REACHED TUKWILA
THE CAUSE ONE OF THE CHURCHES
ACCEPTED TO PROVIDE A
WELCOMING PLACE FOR THESE
ASYLUM-SEEKERS. OUR COMMUNITY
IS URGING THE CITY COUNCIL TO
CONSIDER THESE . THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS AARON
CARR.
>> HI, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS
AARON CARR. I AM JUSTICE AND
EQUITY CONSULTANT FOR
ORGANIZATIONS , A COMMUNITY
ORGANIZER IN SEATTLE BUT I
GENERALLY WANTED TO CALL AND
SHARE MY SUPPORT OF THE
BUDGETS, BASIC INCOME. WHAT I
HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THIS WORK,
IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT,
SOMETIMES YOU SEE JUSTICE IS
SOMETHING THAT IS FAR AWAY, IT
ONLY WORKS WITH CERTAIN
CONDITIONS FAR AWAY. THIS
BASIC INCOME IS SUCH AN
IMPORTANT WAY FOR US TO MEET
THE BASIC NEEDS OF OUR
COMMUNITY AND ACTUALIZE JUSTICE
IN THIS MOMENT. THEY FEEL IT
BEFORE WE DO, KNOWING OUR
COMMUNITY IS UNSAFE AND UNWELL,
WE MIGHT NOT FEEL THAT WHAT WE
ARE SEEING IT IN OUR COMMUNITY
SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE
ACTION NOW IF YOU CARE ABOUT
YOUR FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS,
SUPPORT THE FOLKS YOU DON'T
KNOW AS WELL. THIS IS REALLY
AN IMPORTANT STEP TO ENSURE
SAFETY AND PROTECTION FOR THE
GREATER SEATTLE AREA. THANK
YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR HEARING ME.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> HELLO, CANCEL. MY NAME IS
LAURA, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE
ORGANIZING COLLECTIVE. WE
STRONGLY SUPPORT THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET, THE PATH TO GUARANTEE
-- IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND ARE
PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CONCERNS
THAT SOME A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY
MEMBERS HAVE BROUGHT UP THIS
EVENING ESPECIALLY ABOUT WINTER
PROTECTION. THE KEY FOCUS HAS
BEEN AROUND THE COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN IN PUBLIC BROADBAND, I AM
CALLING TODAY TO EXPRESS OUR
DEEPEST CONCERNS WITH
SHOTSPOTTER. COMMUNITY MEMBERS
TONIGHT HAVE SKIPPED DINNER
WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND MANY OF
US ARE NOT PLEASED TO BE HERE,
OUR VOICES ARE VERY IMPORTANT,
OUR BUDGET SHOULD NOT BE
CONTROLLED BY NATIONAL LOBBY
FIRMS WHO WANT TO WASTE [
INAUDIBLE ] THIS IS ONE OF THE
CLEAREST RESOURCES -- EXAMPLES
OF WASTING RESOURCES IN THE 11
YEARS I HAVE BEEN TESTIFYING
AT BUDGET HEARINGS. THIS
TECHNOLOGY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO
BE PURCHASED UNTIL HE GOES
THROUGH AN FIR THAT INCLUDES
THE RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
INITIATIVE REVIEW BUT
UNFORTUNATELY DEPUTY MAYOR
BURGESS WANTS TO SKIP THAT. DO
NOT LET THAT HAPPEN, DO NOT LET
US WASTE THESE RESOURCES. WE
HAVE A HISTORY OF REDLINING,
WE KNOW SHOTSPOTTER WILL DOUBLE
DOWN ON THAT RACIST HISTORY,
DON'T WASTE THESE RESOURCES
WHICH IS AN EMBARRASSMENT IN
OUR BUDGET. [ INAUDIBLE ]
HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
>> OUR LAST REGISTERED PRESENT
SPEAKER IS JADE WEISS.
>> THANK YOU, HELLO, COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS JADE AND I AM A
DISPLACED SEATTLE RENTER. ONCE
AGAIN ON THE VERGE OF
HOMELESSNESS. I AM A FORMER
PUBLIC SERVANT AND CURRENTLY
HAS AN JUSTICE ADVOCATE AND
ORGANIZER. I AM ALSO A MEMBER
OF THE WASHINGTON STATE
EXPERIENCE COALITION. I URGE
YOU ALL TO FULLY EXHAUST THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET AS OTHERS
HAVE STATED, THIS BUDGET IS A
MORAL IMPERATIVE. NOT ONLY IS
IT A MORAL DOCUMENT BUT IT IS A
SUSTAINABLE, LOGICAL STRATEGY
TO ADDRESS THE MYRIAD OF PUBLIC
HEALTH ISSUES THE CITY FACES
SUCH AS THE HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS. THE
SOLIDARITY BUDGET IS A COMMON
SENSE AND EVIDENCE-BASED , IT
IS NOT FULL OF MERE BAND-AIDS
AND SYMPTOM EXASPERATION'S.
SPEAKING OF EXACERBATING
SYSTEMS, PLEASE STOP WASTING
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THE
INHUMANE, ILLEGAL THAT ARE
CURRENTLY HAPPENING WEEKLY. OUR
COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIVING
OUTSIDE DESERVE TO TRANSITION
INTO HOUSING WITH DIGNITY. ALL
EVIDENCE SHOWS IT IS A TRAGIC
BARRIER THAT MOVES FURTHER
AWAY FROM VITAL SERVICES. IT
FORCES PEOPLE TO MOVE AWAY FROM
THE COMMUNITY THEY ARE MOST
CONNECTED WITH. PEOPLE ARE
DYING IN SEVERE COLD WEATHER ,
IT HASN'T EVEN ARRIVED YET.
THERE ARE CHILDREN LIVING
OUTSIDE. DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT
IS LIKE TO SURVIVE AN ENTIRE
WINTER THAT HAS ZERO UTILITIES?
LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF LIVED
EXPERIENCE AND STOP THIS.
>> WE HAVE ONE MORE REGISTER
PUBLIC COMMENTOR WHO IS NOW
PRESENT, AND THAT IS PARIS
CHAPMAN.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS PARIS
CHAPMAN, I CURRENTLY LIVE IN
DISTRICT 7 AND WORK IN
DISTRICT 3. I AGREE WITH A LOT
OF WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ALREADY
SO I WILL TRY NOT TO REPEAT TOO
MUCH. I AM ASKING YOU TO INVEST
IN PREVENTATIVE SOLUTIONS. NOT
POLICING, NOT RESPONSIVE
SOLUTIONS BUT THINGS THAT WILL
PREVENT VIOLENCE IN THE FUTURE
SO THE VOLLEYS INCLUDED IN THE
SEATTLE SOLIDARITY BUDGET IS
WHAT WE ARE GOING FOR,
PROGRESSIVE TESTING, REVENUE
AND GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME
PROGRAMMING. I AM A THIRD
GENERATION SEATTLEITE,
SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL
VIOLENCE AND HELPLESSNESS AND I
HAVE WORKED IN HOUSING AND
EMPLOYMENT EDUCATION FOR THE
PAST 12 YEARS IN THIS CITY.
OVER MY CAREER I HAVE WATCHED
SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE THE
SAME EXPERIENCES OR BECOME THE
POPULATIONS THAT WE ARE
INTENDING TO SERVE. AND NOT BE
ABLE TO RESPOND TO THOSE
VIOLENCES BOTH SYSTEMIC AND
PERSONAL IN A TIMELY MATTER
BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE
CASH ON HAND TO DO SO AND I AM
ASKING YOU TO INVEST IN A WAY
THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE THE
RESOURCES THEY NEED TO RESPOND
QUICKLY. AND, TO NOT INVEST IN
MORE REALIZATION EFFORTS, NOT
INVEST IN MORE POLICING OR
THINGS THAT WILL CONTINUE THE
HISTORY OF REDLINING IN OUR
CITY, AS MY FAMILY HAS BEEN
PUSHED OUT OF THE CITY. I KNOW
WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE HAVING
THE STRUGGLE FOR HOUSING HERE.
PLEASE INVEST IN PREVENTION ,
PLEASE INVEST IN GUARANTEED
BASIC INCOME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WOULD
JUST WANT TO NOTE FOR THE FOLKS
WHO ARE STILL WANTING TO
PROVIDE TESTIMONY ONLINE, A
NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE LISTED AS
NOT PRESENT SO AGAIN, I WILL
READ THOSE NAMES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MADAM
CLERK, I THINK WE CAN GO BACK
TO THE FOLKS IN THE ROOM, IF
YOU HEARD YOUR NAME CALLED OR
YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE SIGNED UP
FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY WE HAVE
ACTUALLY REACHED THE END OF THE
REMOTE PUBLIC TEST FIRES SO
PLEASE DIAL BACK IN AND WE WILL
LOOK FOR YOU AFTER THE NEXT 10
PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.
>> NEXT UP IS ANDY. HEATHER
PELLE. DOROTHY THOMAS.
>> GOOD EVENING.
>> HI, I AM HEATHER PEELE, I
RESIDE IN UPTOWN AND I WANTED
TO THANK THE COUNCILMEMBERS FOR
VOTING AGAINST THE ALLOTMENT OF
$1.1 MILLION TO FUND FURTHER
STUDY OF THE CENTER CITY
CONNECTOR, NOW CALLED THE
CULTURE CONNECTOR. I AM URGING
THE COUNCIL, SINCE I NOTICED
THERE IS MONEY PROPOSED IN THE
MAYOR'S BUDGET FOR 2025 AND
2026 IN THE CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BUDGET, I
AM URGING THE COUNCIL TO END
THIS PROJECT NOW. THE REASON
WHY I AM ASKING YOU TO DO THAT
IS BECAUSE FIRST AVENUE IS NOT
WIDE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE
THIS USE. THERE HAS NOT BEEN
CAREFUL STUDY BY THE CITY OF
SEATTLE OF HOW IT IMPACTS PIKE
PLACE MARKET OR THE SMALL
BUSINESSES ALONG FIRST AVENUE'S
ALIGNMENT. THIS IS A SPECIAL
ECOSYSTEM THAT HAS GROWN UP
AROUND THAT ROAD AND THE
DELETION OF LOADING AND
UNLOADING SPOTS ALONG FIRST
AVENUE, ALONG WITH THE
ELIMINATION OF MOST LEFT TURNS
IT GREATLY LIMITS THE ABILITY
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO LOAD
AND UNLOAD AT THE CURB AND ALSO
AS MAGGIE HAYNES STATED
EARLIER, FOR MOBILITY IMPAIRED
RESIDENTS TO BE PICKED UP .
THIS PROJECT WOULD PUT THE
SHOW BOX OUT OF BUSINESS AND I
KNOW YOU CARED ENOUGH TO PUT IT
IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT
TEMPORARILY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE
DOROTHY THOMAS.
>> HI, MY NAME IS DOROTHY
THOMAS AND I AM WITH LEE HIGH
AND LOW INCOME HOUSING.
>> CAN YOU PUT THAT REAL CLOSE
TO YOU, IF YOU DON'T MIND?
>> THE SUN?
>> THAT ONE MIGHT BE A LITTLE
BETTER.
>> MY NAME IS DOROTHY THOMAS
AND I AM WITH LEE HIGH LOW
INCOME HOUSING, I AM A SHELTER
ORGANIZER. I USED TO BE A
CLIENT. I HAVE BEEN WITH THEM
FOR 2 YEARS, I STAYED WITH THEM
FOR FIVE MONTHS, WHICH WAS
WONDERFUL BECAUSE I WAS
SLEEPING IN MY CAR, TRYING TO
GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AS A
WOMAN, YOU KNOW, OUT THERE
SCARED . DID NOT QUALIFY FOR
SOME OF THE OTHER SHELTERS , SO
WHEN I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO
GO THERE, IT WAS WONDERFUL, I
HAD MY OWN SPACE. I COULD GO
IN AND I COULD RELAX AND FEEL
SAFE, NOT ONLY THAT THEY GAVE
ME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. I
HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM FOR
TWO YEARS NOW SO I AM
ADVOCATING FOR THESE HOUSES
BECAUSE I THINK IT IS A GREAT
IDEA AND IT HELPS PEOPLE OF ALL
RACES, COLOR, CREED, ABILITIES,
THEY DO NOT CARE IF THEY ARE
THERE TO HELP, YOU REALLY FEEL
SAFE THERE. YOU FEEL -- I DID.
I FELT SAFE, SECURE, AND NOW I
HAVE BEEN IN MY -- I EVEN LIVE
IN ONE OF THEIR BUILDINGS AND I
HAVE BEEN THERE ALMOST 2 YEARS
AND NOW I AM TAKING THE NEXT
STEP, SO I AM ADVOCATING
BIG-TIME FOR THE TINY HOUSES,
IT REALLY DOES HELP. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE WILL
HAVE BRENDA HERNANDEZ. OKAY.
FIGURE LIVE.
>> HI, THERE. I AM HERE AS A
RESIDENT OF SEATTLE AND ALSO
SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZER AND
CONSULTANT FOR ONE AMERICA. WE
ARE WORKING WITH A COALITION
OF ABOUT 30 ORGANIZATIONS TO
SUPPORT THE ALMOST 300
ASYLUM-SEEKERS LIVING IN TENTS
IN HER CHURCH AND AS A JUSTICE
ORGANIZER I JUST WANTED TO
APPEAL TO YOU, SINCE WE KNOW
THAT SOMEONE MIGHT SAY THIS IS
NOT IN SEATTLE, WHY ARE WE
HERE? IT IS NOT ONLY BECAUSE
THE EMPLOYEES OF SEATTLE HAVE
PEOPLE DOWN THERE BUT BECAUSE
THIS IS A REGIONAL ISSUE. I
DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS IS A
PROBLEM, EVERY TIME I AM THERE
I AM BLESSED WITH MANY KIDS,
ABOUT 74 OF THEM, THAT ARE
LIVING THERE AND EAGER TO BE A
PART OF THIS COUNTRY, TO BE A
PART OF THE SOCIETY THAT ARE
FLEEING HUNGER AND HORRIBLE
CONDITIONS. SORRY, I AM
EMOTIONAL. LAST WEEK I TOOK ONE
OF THOSE KIDS BECAUSE HE WAS
LETHARGIC, TO THE ER AND I
SPENT A NIGHT WITH HIS PARENT,
WITH HIS DAD, THAT JUST CAME
FROM VENEZUELA IN HORRIBLE
CONDITIONS AND HE TOLD ME ALL
ABOUT HIS JOURNEY. I JUST WANT
TO PLEAD WITH YOU AROUND --
THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF JUST
ONE CITY AND OUR STATE, THIS IS
A REGIONAL ISSUE, A
HUMANITARIAN ISSUE, HUMAN
RIGHTS ISSUE. PLEASE PUT MONEY
IN YOUR BUDGET FOR THEM.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE WILL HEAR
FROM ISAAC LUCAS. TARA CAMP.
>> HI, AND GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I WILL KEEP
THIS AS BRIEF AS I CAN. MY NAME
IS TARA CAMP, I AM A
CONSTITUENT WITHIN DISTRICT 3.
I AM A STRONG AND PROUD
SUPPORTER OF THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET DEMANDS AND IT IS NINE
GUARANTEES. MY SUPPORT FROM
THESE GUARANTEES COME FROM MY
LOVE OF THE CITY, IN ADDITION
TO WHERE I LIVE AND WHAT I BEAR
WITNESS TO AN EXPERIENCE ALMOST
DAILY. AND COMPLETE STREETS AND
SIDEWALKS, SMOKE COVERED
SUMMER SKIES AND A SHOCKING
LACK OF HOUSING FOR MY OWN
HOUSE NEIGHBORS WITHIN CAPITOL
HILL, THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF
THE THINGS I BEAR WITNESS TO.
AS I STAND HERE AND UTILIZE MY
POWER OF VOICE AS A
CONSTITUENT, I IMPLORE YOU TO
RECOGNIZE WHAT POWER YOU WOULD
HAVE ON MAKING A POSITIVE, JUST
AND EQUITABLE DIFFERENCE WITHIN
OUR CITY BY APPROVING AND
IMPLEMENTING THE SOLIDARITY
BUDGET DEMANDS WHEN CRAFTING
NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION AND
I YIELDS THE REST OF MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU. ALEX THEY ARE.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I AM ALEX FAIR
AND I AM HERE SPEAKING ALSO ON
BEHALF OF SEATTLE . I WANTED TO
ADD OUR VOICES TO THOSE URGING
YOU TO ALLOCATE EMERGENCY
FUNDING TO THE ROUGHLY 300
ASYLUM-SEEKERS NOW SLEEPING AT
THE CHURCH, MANY, OUTSIDE, AND
TUKWILA. TUKWILA ALREADY
DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY
CITING LACK OF RESOURCES AND TO
THOSE WHO MAY SAY IT IS TRAGIC
BUT IS ALSO TUKWILA, THE
SEATTLE CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE
BEEN DIRECTING PEOPLE DOWN
THERE AND AS THE PASTOR JUST
SAID, SPD DROPPED THEM OFF. SO
I URGE YOU AS PUBLIC SERVANTS,
BUT ALSO AS HUMAN BEINGS, IT IS
TIME TO ALLOCATE MONEY FROM
SEATTLE'S RAINY DAY FUND TO
HELP ALLEVIATE THE EMERGENCY WE
HELPED CREATE. THIS IS NOT
JUST TUKWILA'S PROBLEM, IT IS
SEATTLE'S PROBLEM. THIS IS OUR
PROBLEM. INTENTIONAL OR NOT,
SEATTLE PLAYED A ROLE IN THIS
CRISIS AND WE HAVE A MORAL AND
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS PETER.
>> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS
PETER. I MYSELF WAS HOMELESS ,
NOWHERE TO GO , JUST DID NOT
KNOW WHAT TO DO. I WAS GIVEN
THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY AT THE
TINY HOUSE VILLAGE AT THE
SKYWAY PROGRESSIVE HOUSE IN
RENTON. IT IS FUNDED BY
LEHIGH. THROUGH ME STAYING
THERE, I WAS GIVEN ANOTHER
OPPORTUNITY TO BE WORKING THERE
AS AN EMPLOYEE , STARTED OFF AS
A SECURITY OFFICER. AND,
WORKED MY WAY UP TO A CASE
MANAGER NOW. SO THE PROGRAM
REALLY DOES WORK FOR US BECAUSE
I AM A GOOD EXAMPLE OF
STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM AND
WORKING MY WAY UP HERE, I STILL
HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO BUT
I URGE YOU GUYS TO SUPPORT THE
HOUSING THEY ARE TRYING TO FUND
HERE BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT
MORE FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT
NEED HELP AND THAT IS WHAT WE
ARE HERE FOR, WE ARE SENT HERE
TO SUPPORT THEM AND GIVE THEM
ALL THE HELP THAT WE CAN AND
RESOURCES. I WANT TO THANK YOU
GUYS FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO
TO SUPPORT OUR ORGANIZATION
ALSO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS VANESSA
REYES.
>> AT EVENING, MY NAME IS
VANESSA REYES, I AM THE POLICY
MANAGER WITH THE WASHINGTON
IMMIGRANT SOLIDARITY NETWORK
AND I AM ALSO HERE TODAY TO ASK
FOR THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL TO
SUPPORT THE ASYLUM-SEEKERS, NOT
JUST THE 300 WHO ARE SLEEPING
OUTSIDE IN TENTS, AND ON THE
GROUNDS OF THE RIVERTON CHURCH
IN TUKWILA BUT ALSO THE MANY
OTHERS WHO ARE IN OUR REGION ,
AS OTHERS HAVE ALREADY SHARED,
FOLKS ARE COMING TO DOWNTOWN
SEATTLE BEING DIRECTED BY CITY
STAFF TO TUKWILA BUT THEY ARE
ALSO BEING HOUSED IN OUR
SHELTERS, STAYING IN SEATTLE
STREETS AND MORE FOLKS ARE
COMING ALL THE TIME. I THINK
THE PASTOR SAID EACH WEEKEND,
15 PEOPLE ARE ARRIVING. THIS IS
-- THERE ARE MULTIPLE CRISES
AROUND THE WORLD, CLAIMANT
EMERGENCIES, WARS, CONFLICTS,
HUMANITARIAN DISASTERS, WE KNOW
AROUND THE COUNTRY MANY
ASYLUM-SEEKERS ARE COMING TO
THE UNITED STATES AND MANY
CITIES ARE STRUGGLING TO
RESPOND. IT IS TIME FOR
SEATTLE TO RESPOND. WE KNOW
THAT WE CALL OURSELVES A
WELCOMING CITY AND IT IS TIME
TO PUT ACTION BEHIND THOSE
WORDS. WE NEED EMERGENCY
SHELTER FOR FOLKS SO THEY ARE
NOT STAYING ON THE STREETS AND
WE NEED CULTURALLY AND
LINGUISTICALLY RELEVANT SUPPORT
THAT ASYLUM-SEEKERS FOR LEGAL
AND OTHER REASONS FOR THOSE
WHO ARE CHRONICALLY HOUSE-LESS,
HOUSING AND SHELTER ARE THE
MOST IMPORTANT NEEDS. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE WILL HEAR
FROM KYLA EVANS.
>> AT EVENING, MY NAME IS KYLA
EVANS, I AM A SOCIAL WORKER AND
COMMISSIONER ON THE SEATTLE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION, I AM HERE
TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE
COMMISSION IN FAVOR OF
NECESSARY WAGE INCREASES FOR
HOUSING, CHILDCARE AND OTHER
HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS. WE ASK
THAT YOU FULLY FUND THE $49
MILLION WORKER INVESTMENTS
INCLUDED IN THE 2024 BUDGET
PROPOSAL. EARLIER THIS YEAR
AFTER YEARS OF LIVING ON THE
STREET IN TEMPORARY SHELTERS,
A CLIENT OF A COLLEAGUE OF MINE
CAME UP ON A HOUSING WAITLIST
AND A UNIT HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED
FOR HIM TO MOVE INTO. IT WAS
AMAZING NEWS AND THE TEAM
CELEBRATED. THAT IS UNTIL WE
LEARNED THAT BECAUSE OF
STAFFING SHORTAGES AT THE
HOUSING AGENCY, THEY HAD
STOPPED NEW MOVE INS. HE WOULD
WAIT SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE HE
WAS ABLE TO MOVE INTO THE EMPTY
UNIT HE WAS ELECTED FOR.
CHILDCARE PROGRAMS FACE SIMILAR
STAFFING CHALLENGES. A FELLOW
COMMISSIONER SHARED WITH ME HER
CHALLENGES IN GETTING CARE FOR
A YOUNG CHILD BECAUSE MANY
EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS ARE
SHORT STAFFED AND FORCED TO
REDUCE CLASS SIZES ARE CLOSED
ENTIRELY. LIKE MANY PARENTS IN
SEATTLE, HER ABILITY TO
MAINTAIN HER EMPLOYMENT AND
CONTRIBUTE TO A CITY AND
COMMITTEE SHE CARES ABOUT IS
DIRECTLY TIED TO CONSISTENT
AND DEPENDABLE CHILDCARE.
WITHOUT HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS,
THE CITY DOES NOT WORK. WE
SIMPLY CANNOT SOLVE THE
HOUSING PROBLEMS. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS ANDREW
R. GARCIA JUNIOR.
>> HI. I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF
TINY HOMES. I HAVE ONLY BEEN
HOMELESS FOR A YEAR BUT I WAS
ASSAULTED IN MY SLEEP AND IT
HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE I HAVE
BEEN THERE. DO WHAT WORKS. [
APPLAUSE ]
>> THANK YOU. EMILY.
>> HI, THANKS, I KNOW YOU HAVE
LISTENED TO A LOT OF TESTIMONY
TONIGHT BUT I WANTED TO ADD
MINE TO -- I AM EMILY A SEATTLE
RESIDENT AND WORKED IN THE
NATIONAL DAY LABORER ORGANIZING
NETWORK, I WORKED FOR ALMOST 2
DECADES WITH IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITY, MANY OF THOSE YEARS
LOCALLY. I AM A CONCERNED
CITIZEN FOR THE CRITICAL
SITUATION HAPPENING NOW AT
OVER TWO PARK UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH. IT IS AN EMERGENCY THAT
THE CHURCH IS HANDLING BUT IT
IS NOT ENOUGH. I WAS THERE
MONDAY HELPING THE SAME CHILD
HE HAD BROUGHT TO THE HOSPITAL
A WEEK BEFORE, HE WAS SICK
AGAIN IN HIS TENT SHIVERING, HE
HAD A FEVER, THERE ARE PEOPLE
DONATING THINGS BUT VERY FEW
PEOPLE ON THE GROUND BEING ABLE
TO HAND OUT THE RESOURCES, THE
CHILD DID NOT HAVE SHOES ON
WHEN I FOUND HIM, NOR A JACKET.
SEATTLE IS A SANCTUARY CITY,
YET THE TERM FEELS HOLLOW TO ME
RIGHT NOW KNOWING THAT 20
MINUTES FROM WHERE WE ARE
SITTING RIGHT NOW, HUNDREDS OF
PEOPLE ARE CAMPING IN TENTS,
WET AND COLD AND YET WITH AN
IMMENSE AMOUNT OF HOPE AND
BELIEF IN YOU GUYS, THEY TRULY
BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT OF
WASHINGTON STATE IS GOING TO
GIVE THEM HOUSING. SO I WANT
TO FULFILL THE STREAMS FOR
THESE PEOPLE, THEY HAVE MADE
HARROWING JOURNEYS TO GET HERE,
MANY OF THEM HAVE COME FROM
INCREDIBLY TRAGIC SITUATIONS
AND LET'S GIVE THESE PEOPLE A
CHANCE TO HAVE A FRESH START
AND BE THE COUNTRY WE BELIEVE
WE ARE TO BE, LET'S BELIEVE THE
CITY WE ARE TO BE , WELCOME
THEM AND GIVE THEM THE RIGHTS
-- THANK YOU. LET'S FIND AN
IMMEDIATE SOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS ANTHONY
MARTINEZ. HEATHER.
>> AT EVENING, THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE. MY NAME IS HEATHER
, I AM A LABOR AND DELIVERY
NURSE AT VIRGINIA MASON, THANK
YOU FOR BEING AT OUR PICKET
THIS WEEK. I AM HERE ALSO TO
SPEAK ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS
CRISIS THAT IS HAPPENING IN
TUKWILA. YEARS AGO I WORKED ON
THE TEXAS/MEXICO BORDER IN
IMMIGRANT HOUSES WELCOMING
PEOPLE AND HEARING STORIES. WE
KNOW THAT THESE PEOPLE CAME
HERE BECAUSE LIFE WAS TERRIBLE
WHERE THEY WERE AT, THEY DID
NOT WANT TO LEAVE, THEY FACE
VIOLENCE. HERE THEY ARE GETTING
RETRAUMATIZED. I CAN'T IMAGINE
WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE LIVING IN
A WET TENSE RIGHT NOW WITH MY
CHILDREN . I AM REALLY
CONCERNED FOR THE 11 PREGNANT
WOMEN THAT ARE NOT GETTING THE
KIND OF PRENATAL CARE, I AM
CONCERNED FOR THEIR BABIES THAT
AREN'T GROWING THE WAY THEY
SHOULD. WE ARE NOT GOING TO
KNOW IF THEY HAVE A
PREECLAMPTIC CRISIS,
UNCONTROLLED DIABETES, IT IS
NOT JUST THE HEALTH RIGHT NOW,
IT IS THE HEALTH FOR THESE
CHILDREN, THE MENTAL HEALTH
RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED. THANK
YOU FOR LISTENING, WE ARE
REQUESTING $2 MILLION IN
EMERGENCY FUNDING , IT IS A LOT
OF MONEY BUT THERE IS A LOT OF
NEED AND I BELIEVE IN OUR CITY.
WE ARE A CITY OF IMMENSE WEALTH
AND RESOURCES AND KINDHEARTED
PEOPLE AND SMARTS AND WE CAN DO
THIS. THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANTED TO INTERRUPT
REAL QUICK AND MAKE A QUICK
COMMENT ON THIS. GIVEN THE
URGENCY AND EMERGENCY THAT WE
SEE IN TUKWILA. THINK IT'S THE
FOLKS WHO COME TO TESTIFY
TODAY. THIS HAS BEEN ON MY
RADAR SINCE THE DIRECTOR FROM
THE OFFICE OF REFUGEE AFFAIRS
FLAGGED IT FOR ME LAST WEEKEND.
MY STAFF HAS ALSO BEEN TRYING
TO PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST TWO
OF THE MEETINGS THAT HAVE
HAPPENED. I AM GOING TO -- AND
THANK YOU FOR COORDINATING
THIS, I AM GOING TO COME BY ON
SATURDAY AT NOON IN CASE ANY
OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD
LIKE TO HOME. MY HOPE IS
MEMBERS OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
WILL BE THERE. AND OF THE
DIRECTOR WILL BE THERE, THIS IS
A PRIORITY FOR THEM. SHE HAS
BEEN ALSO ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR
ANY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
POSSIBLE WITHIN THEIR BUDGET.
I APPRECIATE THERE IS AN ASK
FOR THE 2024 BUDGET AND ALSO
UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY OF DOING
SOMETHING NOW SO TO THE DEGREE
WE CAN WORK WITH THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE AND EXISTING DEPARTMENTS
ON EXISTING UNDER SPENT THAT IS
AVAILABLE ASAP, THAT IS ALSO A
PRIORITY AND THANK YOU FOR
FLAGGING THE TWO MILLION-DOLLAR
ASKED FOR 2024, I WAS NOT AWARE
OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNT BEING
ASKED BEFORE BUT I WILL
ABSOLUTELY CONTINUE TO WORK
WITH YOU ALL BEFORE THE BUDGET
IS FINALIZED TO SEE WHAT
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WE CAN, IN
ADDITION TO KING COUNTY,
IDENTIFY FOR THIS ONGOING
EMERGENCY. IF COUNCILMEMBERS
ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING
WITH ME SATURDAY AT NOON, AND
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE
DIRECTOR WOULD BE THERE AS
WELL, I WANT TO UNDERSCORE THE
IMPORTANCE OF THIS
CONVERSATION. OUTSIDE OF
INVESTMENTS FOR NEXT YEAR, THE
EMERGENT AND HUMANITARIAN
CRISIS WE ARE SEEING IN OUR OWN
REGION, ESPECIALLY WITH SPD
BRINGING PEOPLE FROM OUR OWN
CITY TO ANOTHER LOCAL
JURISDICTION. I JUST WANTED TO
ENTER UP TO ANNOUNCE THAT AND
IF ANYBODY IS INTERESTED IN
ATTENDING AS WELL, WE WILL MAKE
SURE TO SHARE INFORMATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. LET'S KEEP
GOING, MADAM CLERK.
>> NEXT IS JEREMY BERMAN.
>> HELLO, THANK YOU. MY NAME IS
JEREMY BERMAN, I AM A RESIDENT
OF SEATTLE AND I AM ALSO AN
EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN
AND I WANT TO REITERATE A LOT
OF WHAT THE PRIOR SPEAKER,
HEATHER, MENTIONED. I AM HERE
TO ELEVATE THE CONCERNS OF THE
ASYLUM-SEEKERS, PARTICULARLY IN
TUKWILA AND AS A RESIDENT OF
SEATTLE, AS A PHYSICIAN, AS A
HUMAN BEING, I HAVE A LOT OF
CONCERNS ABOUT THE HEALTH,
SAFETY, AND WELLNESS OF THIS
POPULATION THAT IS LIVING IN
TUKWILA IN TENTS. THE WINTER
IS COMING QUICKLY AND THIS IS
A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR AND
HOUSED PEOPLE IN TENTS. THERE
ARE -- AS WAS MENTIONED, CLOSE
TO 300 PEOPLE, 75 OF THEM ARE
CHILDREN. A NUMBER INFANTS AND
11 PREGNANT WOMEN. THERE WILL
BE MORE CHILDREN LIKE THE ONE
SHE BROUGHT TO THE EMERGENCY
ROOM WITH ILLNESSES, WITH
COVID, WITH OTHER VIRAL
SYMPTOMS THAT ARE GOING TO BE
CONCERNING AND SO I APPRECIATE
WHAT THE COUNCILMEMBER JUST
MENTIONED AROUND PRIORITIZING
THIS AND I THINK IT IS OF THE
UTMOST IMPORTANCE, SO THANK YOU
ALL.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS RAFAEL.
MILES.
>> HI, MY NAME IS NATALIA
McCONNELL, MILES IS HERE, HE
WILL SPEAK IN A LITTLE BIT. I
GO TO FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL AND
AM PART OF THE SEATTLE STUDENT
UNION AND WE ARE DEMANDING YOU
FUND $28 MILLION FOR SCHOOL
THERAPISTS, COUNSELORS AND
SOCIAL WORKERS BY TAXING
AMAZON. IT IS NECESSARY,
STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN OUR
SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY IN THE
SOUTH END OF SEATTLE. WE HAVE
ONE THERAPIST FOR 1300 STUDENTS
AT MY SCHOOL. IT MEANS THAT
ALMOST NO STUDENTS CAN GET
APPOINTMENTS AND STUDENTS
CANNOT ACCESS OUT OF SCHOOL
RESOURCES. WE ALSO HAVE FOUR
COUNSELORS FOR 1300 STUDENTS AT
MY SCHOOL AND THAT MEANS THAT
MY COUNSELOR HAS TO HELP
FACILITATE COUNSELING SERVICES
FOR 400 STUDENTS, CLOSE TO 400
STUDENTS, WHICH IS WELL ABOVE
ACLU'S RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF
250 PER EVERY ONE STUDENT. WE
CERTAINLY HAVE THE MONEY IN THE
CITY TO FUND THIS. AMAZON HAS
QUITE A LOT OF MONEY, YOU ONLY
HAVE TO INCREASE THE AMAZON TAX
BY A SMALL AMOUNT AND WE CAN
PROVIDE ENOUGH SERVICES FOR
EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IN THIS
CITY. WE ARE JOINED HERE TODAY
BY COUNSELORS WHO CAME IN
ONLINE AND THEN ALSO IN PERSON
AND EVERYONE BEHIND ME AS WELL
AS CLOSE TO 600 STUDENTS WHO
SIGNED OUR PETITION WHICH IS
GOING TO GIVE OUT TO YOU AT THE
END OF THE MEETING. FUND $28
MILLION FOR SCHOOL MENTAL
HEALTH COUNSELORS BY TAXING
AMAZON NOW. [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS TERREL
COTTON.
ANDREW CONSTANTINO? MARTHA
LUCAS.
>> I THINK THEY ARE WALKING
AROUND.
>> OH, SORRY. WE WILL HAVE YOU
GO AFTER THIS . AFTER MISS
LUCAS.
>> OKAY. GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
MARTHA FOSTER LUCAS AND I AM A
DISTRICT 4 SEATTLE RESIDENT, A
NATIVE SEATTLEITE, A CHILD OF
IMMIGRANTS THAT FLED A
COMMUNIST REGIME AND A DECADES
LONG PROTECTED SILVER WAR IN
THE ED OF WASHINGTON STATE
COALITION OF AFRICAN COMMUNITY
LEADERS. WE SERVE 160 AFRICAN
DESCENT LEADING AND SERVING
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS FOR
BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUAL
MEMBERS WITH A SOCIAL MEDIA
REACH OF 140,000 PLUS, SEVERAL
OF OUR MEMBERS ARE CURRENTLY
ONLINE AND HAVE SPOKEN ALREADY.
I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF -- I
DON'T WANT TO REPEAT THINGS
THAT WERE ALREADY SAID ABOUT
THE RIVERTON PARK UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH OTHER THAN TO
THINK PERSONALLY PASTOR JAN AND
THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR
ALL OF THE WORK THEY HAVE BEEN
DOING DAILY TO ENSURE THE
ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE CARED FOR
AND ARE GETTING SERVICES AND
PLACES TO TEMPORARILY SLEEP.
WE ARE HERE TO EDUCATE YOU ON
THE IMPORTANCE OF , AND
HIGHLIGHTING THE ORIGINAL ISSUE
WHICH I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE AWARE
OF. BUT AT A RECENT MEETING,
WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ARE SOME
OF THE NUMBERS AND I WANT TO
PUT SOME NUMBERS TO WHAT IS
BEING SAID TODAY. AT A RECENT
MEETING, THEY ACTUALLY
INDICATED 8000 ASYLUM-SEEKERS
AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER HAVE
INDICATED THEY ARE COMING TO
WASHINGTON STATE. SO IT IS
GOING TO CONTINUALLY COME. THEY
ARE GOING TO CONTINUALLY COME.
ANOTHER THING YOU ARE NOT
SEEING ARE THE INVISIBLE
MIGRANTS. I'M SORRY, I NEED
ABOUT 10 MORE SECONDS. THOSE
ARE FROM OUR LARGELY
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS THAT
ARE HERE, THAT ARE OF AFRICAN
DESCENT, THAT OUR HOUSING A LOT
OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS THAT YOU ARE
NOT SEEING. THEY ARE IN THE
CITY OF SEATTLE TENTS, FEDERAL
WAY, AND AS WELL AS AUBURN.
SO, IT IS A REGIONAL PROBLEM
AND IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE BECAUSE
MY LEADERS ARE SAYING, OUR
LEADERS ARE SAYING THEY CANNOT
HANDLE ANYMORE. JUST LAST WEEK
WE HAD 30. I JUST WANT TO
EMPHASIZE THAT BECAUSE OF
CULTURAL PRIDE IN SOME OTHER
THINGS, YOU ARE JUST NOT
SEEING THEM ALL. BUT IT IS
GOING TO HAPPEN AND LASTLY, I
WANT TO REITERATE WHAT VANESSA
SAID S3 SOLUTIONS, AND JUST
BRING THE VOICE TO THE
IMPORTANCE OF CULTURALLY
APPROPRIATE HOUSING OPTIONS.
MY COMMUNITY SIMILARLY FLED IN
THE 80s AND 90s, A SIMILAR
SITUATION OF WAR AND VIOLENCE.
TO RIP THEM APART FROM THEIR
FAMILIES OR SEPARATE THEM IS A
HUGE PROBLEM. PLEASE CONSIDER
THE INDOOR SHELTER WHERE UP TO
300 PEOPLE CAN BE. IT IS NOT
THE BEST SOLUTION BUT THESE
FAMILIES ARE LARGE AND AGAIN,
TO SEPARATE THEM WHEN THE KIDS
ARE OFTEN SERVING AS
INTERPRETERS AND THE PARENTS
AND GUARDIANS ARE BABYSITTERS
AS WELL AS --
>> WE NEED TO HAVE YOU WRAP IT
UP. I'M SORRY, I KNOW THE
URGENCY OF THIS. THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR YOUR TESTIMONY TODAY.
I THINK WE HAD ONE MORE PERSON
WHO ACCIDENTALLY -- COULD YOU
PLEASE STATE YOUR NUMBER ON
YOUR SHEETS THERE? 20 6B, THANK
YOU. WE WILL GET THAT NOTED.
>> HI, MY NAME IS MILES. I
COME TO YOU AS A BLACK STUDENT
IN SPS AT FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL
AND A MEMBER OF SEATTLE STUDENT
UNION AND I WILL GIVE IT TO
YOU STRAIGHT, WE LIVE IN A CITY
WITH AMAZON --
>> SORRY, CAN WE PLEASE START
THE TIME?
>> AMAZON, STARBUCKS, BOEING.
THE FACT THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR
MONEY FOR COUNSELORS AND
THERAPISTS IS FRANKLY
OUTRAGEOUS. THERE IS CURRENTLY
$31 MILLION IN SPD POSITIONS
IT WILL NOT BE FILLED. THERE IS
PLENTY OF MONEY IN THE CITY,
THAT IS WHY WE DEMAND $28
MILLION BY INCREASING THE
AMAZON TAX FOR COUNSELORS AND
THERAPISTS. THE ARE IN
SOLIDARITY WITH COUNSELORS AND
THERAPISTS THAT ARE BEING
UNDERSTAFFED AND OVERWORKED IN
OUR SCHOOLS. IF THIS COUNCIL
CARES ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF
BLACKS, BROWN AND CLEAR YOUTH
IN THE CITIES AND SPECIFICALLY
IN THE SOUTH AND, THEN THEY
WILL LISTEN TO OUR DEMAND AND
LISTEN TO ALL THE YOUTH THAT
HAVE CAME OUT. AFTER A
PANDEMIC THAT HAS LED TO MORE
ISOLATION AND HURT A LOT OF
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH INCLUDING
MYSELF, THEN YOU MUST LISTEN TO
THE 500 STUDENTS THAT SIGNED
OUR PETITION TO DEMAND AN
INCREASE TO THE AMAZON TAX FOR
$28 MILLION. TAX AMAZON --
>> TAX AMAZON!
>> FUND COUNSELORS.
>> FUND COUNSELORS!
>> TAX AMAZON!
>> FUND COUNSELORS!
>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU PLEASE
TAKE THE POSTER TOO. UP NEXT
-- COULD YOU PLEASE GRAB THE
POSTER? DID YOU WANT TO TAKE
THE POSTER WITH YOU? OKAY,
SIR. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO --
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, YOU CAN
COME ON UP. BOTH OF YOU.
THERE YOU GO, GO AHEAD, ANDREW.
>> I AM SORRY.
>> WHICH ONE WORKS?
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ANDREW
CONSTANTINO. I AM AN OUTREACH
WORKER FOR HOMELESS SERVICES IN
ORDER D7. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE
TO ME THAT THIS BUDGET DOESN'T
INCLUDE THE CREATION OF A NEW
TINY HOUSE VILLAGE , EVERY
SINGLE DAY AND HOUSED FOLKS IN
NEED ASK ME HOW THEY MIGHT GET
INTO A VILLAGE AND THE HONEST
ANSWER IS THAT IT HAS BECOME
NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THEY
ARE ALWAYS AT CAPACITY. THE
CITY KNOWS WE NEED THEM , AS
THEY RESERVE ALL THE OPENINGS
IN ORDER TO CONDUCT SWEEPS.
THIS LEAVES FOLKS ASKING FOR
HELP BUT NOT STAYING AT
HIGH-PROFILE ENCAMPMENTS OUT OF
LUCK. I MYSELF STAYED AT ONE
OF THE FIRST VILLAGES A FEW
YEARS AGO WHILE HOMELESS AND IT
WAS A -- THE SINGLE GREATEST
NUMBER DIMENSIONED TO HELP ME
REBUILD MY LIFE. I REMEMBER
CHAIR MOSQUEDA VISITING MY
HOUSE AND TAKING A TOUR. LET'S
NOT WAIT TO REINVENT THE WHEEL
AND BUILD MORE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGE IS NOW. THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT, JIM.
>> GOOD EVENING. HOWARD
ANDERSON. I AM HERE SPEAKING
ON BEHALF OF THE FRONT OF THE
MARKET AND ALSO A HISTORIC
DEVELOPER IN THE MARKET WITH
PROPERTIES THERE AND ON SECOND
AVENUE. I AM HERE TO POSE THE
CULTURAL CONNECTOR , $309 IS
PROBABLY A STARTING NUMBER AND
THERE ARE UNKNOWN COSTS THAT
ARE GOING TO BE PASSED ON TO
THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOWN THERE
THAT WORK DOWN THERE EVERY DAY.
WE SHOULD RETAIN FIRST AVENUE
AS IT IS TODAY, NOT ALLOWING
THE STREETCAR TO CREATE ANOTHER
TRANSIT CORRIDOR. THIS IS NOT
A FORM OF TRANSPORTATION THAT
THE CITY NEEDS . THERE ARE
OTHER WAYS TO SOLVE THAT, I
WILL GET TO THAT. LOSS OF FIRST
AVENUE'S CAPACITY WILL IMPACT
AND BE FELT BY ALL THE PARTIES
ON THE MAJOR STREETS
SURROUNDING THE AREA. BUT, MOST
OF ALL WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE
HISTORY -- HISTORIC NATURE OF
FIRST AVENUE AND THE
BUSINESSES, RESIDENTS, VISITORS
MUST BE PROTECTED FROM MAJOR
TAKING OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.
BRING BACK THE FIRST AVENUE ,
THE TRANSIT THAT WAS REMOVED
IN 2017 TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE
STREETCAR AND BRING BACK THE
BUSES THAT WERE REMOVED TO
CONNECT UPTOWN ALL THE WAY
DOWN TO THE INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT AND SERVE EVERYBODY
ON THAT STREET WITHOUT
DESTROYING THE AREA. THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT, WE HAVE J.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. MY
NAME IS IAN ALCOTT. ABOUT 24
YEARS AGO MY FAMILY AND I
OPENED UP A CHOCOLATE SHOP ON
FIRST AVENUE ACROSS THE STREET
FROM THE SHOW BOX THEATER. WE
HAVE BEEN THERE A LONG TIME
GREETING ALL THOSE TOURISTS TO
LOVE TO COME AND SEE OUR TOWN
AND WE LIKE TO SHOW OFF FOR
THEM. THE THING, I AM HERE
SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO THE
STREETCAR. IT WILL HAVE A
MASSIVE IMPACT ON MY
LIVELIHOOD, IT WILL HAVE AN
IMPACT ON ALL THE BUSINESSES,
SMALL BUSINESSES, THE MARKET,
THE SHOW BOX THEATER, IT IS
GOING TO MAKE GETTING PRODUCT
IN AND OUT FOR THOSE TOURISTS
TO HAVE BOTTLED WATER, IT IS
DIFFICULT TO HAVE LINEN
SERVICE FOR RESTAURANTS THAT
EVERYBODY ENJOYS AROUND HERE.
THE THING THAT THREE YEARS OF
, WHAT WILL THE CONSTRUCTION ON
THIS PROJECT WILL BE NOT
SURVIVABLE FROM THOSE
BUSINESSES THAT HAVE MADE IT
THROUGH COVID AND HAVE BEEN
FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO STICK IT
OUT IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE TO SEE
A LIGHT AT THE END OF THAT
TUNNEL BUT CURRENTLY THERE IS
NO -- THIS PROJECT FEELS LIKE A
TOURIST SHINY OBJECT . IT IS
NOT SOMETHING THAT IS ACTUALLY
GOING TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF
SEATTLE, IT WILL NOT HELP MY
EMPLOYEES GET DOWN TO WORK
BETTER AND THERE ARE OTHER
ALTERNATIVES TO -- THAT ARE
LESS EXPENSIVE THAT ARE ALREADY
AVAILABLE FOR US TO DO TO
IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
WHAT I ALWAYS LIKE TO SAY IS
THAT , YOU KNOW, THE TOURISTS
DO NOT COME TO SEATTLE [
INAUDIBLE ] THEY ARE HERE TO
MEET THE PEOPLE. THIS TRANSIT
PROJECT WILL TAKE US OFF OF
FIRST AVENUE AND WE WILL NOT BE
HERE TO ACTUALLY BE THERE TO
SAY HELLO TO THEM AND I WOULD
LIKE TO CONTINUE DOING THAT.
SO, THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY
COMMENTS TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE JIM.
>> COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?
>> JIM MARR GUARD? ALL OF HER?
JACKIE MATTHEWS?
>> HELLO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
BEING HERE TONIGHT AND
LISTENING TO A GROUP THAT IS
OFTEN UNHEARD IN THESE SPACES.
THESE ARE STUDENTS IN THE
CITY, I APPRECIATE IT. I AM A
SENIOR AT INGRAM HIGH SCHOOL
AND I'M HERE WITH SEATTLE
STUDENT UNION WITH THE SUPPORT
OF SWAN'S OFFICE AND THE 500
PEOPLE THAT WE MENTIONED THAT
SIGNED THIS PETITION TO GET $20
MILLION FROM THE AMAZON TAX TO
SUPPORT COUNSELORS AND OTHER
SUPPORT STAFF IN SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS. COUNSELING AND SUPPORT
STAFF ARE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
NECESSARY FOR THE SAFETY AND
HEALTH OF OUR SCHOOLS.
COUNSELING CAN HELP INTERVENE
AND DRUG ABUSE, SUPPORT
STUDENTS EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS
, ALL TOPICS THAT HAVE BEEN
TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT. AND,
PREVENT ACTS OF VIOLENCE LIKE
THE SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED AT
INGRAM LAST YEAR. SPS IS
SEVERELY LACKING IN THE
ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT THE
COUNTLESS OTHER ISSUES
ALONGSIDE ALL OF THESE OTHER
ONES REQUIRE, IT IS VITALLY
IMPORTANT TO ME AND MY
CLASSMATES AND EVERYONE THAT I
SEE AT SCHOOL EVERY SINGLE DAY
THAT THESE GAPS BE FILLED.
INVESTING IN SCHOOLS IS
INVESTING IN EVERY SINGLE
ASPECT OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT
HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT.
EVERY SINGLE STUDENT IS A PART
OF ALL THE COMMUNITIES THAT
HAVE BEEN TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT
AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT
THEM. I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE
INCREASE AMAZON TAX AND
ALLOCATE 28 BILLION OF THOSE
DOLLARS TOWARD SUPPORT FOR OUR
STUDENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> NEXT WE HAVE MAGGIE FILL.
>> WE HAVE 33 BE HERE.
>> LET'S KEEP READING THROUGH
THE NAMES BECAUSE THERE MIGHT
BE SOME OTHER FOLKS HERE. DID
YOU SAY MAGGIE?
>> YEAH, MAGGIE.
>> HELLO, COUNCILMEMBERS. MY
NAME IS MAGGIE AND I AM ALSO A
SENIOR AT INGRAM HIGH SCHOOL. I
BELIEVE INVESTING IN MENTAL
HEALTH CARE FOR TODAY'S
TEENAGERS IS AN INVESTMENT IN
THE FUTURE OF SEATTLE. WHEN
STUDENTS ARE GIVEN THE
OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL AND
UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES TO THE
ASSISTANCE OF PSYCHIATRISTS AND
THERAPISTS, THEY BECOME ADULTS
WHO ARE ABLE TO SELF REGULATE
AND DEVOTE THEIR TIME TO
POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN
THEIR COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD
AS A WHOLE. TO THAT POINT OF
THE CLIMATE CRISIS WORSENS IT
IS IMPERATIVE THE PLANET HAS
ACCESS TO PEOPLE THAT ARE
STABLE ENOUGH TO FIGHT FOR IT.
HOWEVER, SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDING
AT THIS POINT TO PROVIDE THE
HEALTH CARE THAT WILL MAKE THAT
A POSSIBILITY. THERE ARE
RESOURCES WITHIN THE CITY LIKE
THE FUNDS WE CAN GET FROM
TAXING AMAZON MORE THAT ARE NOT
BEING USED TO SUPPORT OUR
COMMUNITY. WE AS A STUDENTS OF
SEATTLE ASK FOR $20 MILLION TO
BE ALLOCATED TO THE IMPROVEMENT
OF THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUTH
TO THE APPOINTMENT OF
COUNSELORS, THERAPISTS AND
SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. I
BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO
WORK TOWARD A BETTER FUTURE FOR
OUR CITY. THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT, WE HAVE ARIA
RUSSELL.
>> WE ARE THE ONLY ONES LEFT
BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A DIRE
SITUATION.
>> MY NAME IS ARIA RUSSELL AND
I AM A FORMER STUDENT AND
GRADUATE OF SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS MY SISTER IS A CURRENT
SPS STUDENT AND I AM HERE IN
SUPPORT OF THE SEATTLE STUDENT
UNION AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON'S
OFFICE AND URGING YOU TO
INCREASE THE AMAZON TAX TO
GENERATE FUNDING FOR SCHOOL
MENTAL HEALTH PERSONNEL. IT IS
MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER TO
SUPPORT STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES. ACCORDING TO MENTAL
HEALTH AMERICA WASHINGTON RANKS
39th OF ALL THE U.S. STATES IN
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT,
STUDENTS AND COUNSELORS ACROSS
SEATTLE FEEL AND HAVE FELT
THE EGREGIOUS LACK OF FUNDING
FOR THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES
FOR YEARS. WHEN I WAS A
STUDENT, I STRUGGLED WITH
SEVERE DEPRESSION AS DID
SEVERAL OF MY CLOSE FRIENDS.
WE WERE FAR FROM THE ONLY ONES.
OUR SOUL SCHOOL THERAPIST
HELPED ME IMMENSELY AND ACCESS
TO HER SUPPORT IS A HUGE REASON
I AM STILL HERE SPEAKING TO
YOU. BUT ONE THERAPIST FOR
2000 STUDENTS WAS NOT ENOUGH
THEN AND NEVER WILL BE ENOUGH.
IF YOU CLAIM TO CARE ABOUT
STUDENTS, ABOUT YOUNG ADULTS,
ABOUT CHILDREN, YOU MUST
INCREASE THE AMAZON TAX AND
PROVE IT. MY SISTER AND HER
FELLOW STUDENTS DESERVE SO
MUCH BETTER. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT WE HAVE JOHN GRANT.
>> WHAT WAS THE NAME?
>> JOHN GRANT.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS. AM THE CHIEF
STRATEGY OFFICER WITH THE LOW
INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY TO
LISTEN TO THE NEEDS OF OUR
COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE
HOMELESS. WE HAVE HEARD LOUD
AND CLEAR, AND THE NEED FOR
MORE SHELTER OPTIONS AND
ENCOURAGE YOU TO EXPAND TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES BUT WE ALSO NEED
TO KEEP WHAT WE HAVE. THE
MAYOR'S BUDGET CUT $2.5 MILLION
OUT OF OUR BUDGET, THAT IS THE
ESSENTIAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
FUNDING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
THAT WE CANNOT RUN THESE
VILLAGES WITHOUT. WE HAVE BUILT
A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEAM OF
SIX CERTIFIED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
STAFF MEMBERS WITH THERAPEUTIC
HEALTH SERVICES, THEY SENT YOU
A LETTER ASKING YOU TO RESTORE
THESE CUTS, THIS WOULD
DISMANTLE THAT TEAM. I ALSO
NEED TO TALK ABOUT RIVERTON
PARK CHURCH. I REALLY WANT TO
THANK CHAIR MOSQUEDA FOR
VISITING WHAT IS HAPPENING ON
THE GROUNDS IN TUKWILA. LEHIGH
HAS 20 TINY HOUSES THERE AND
THEY ARE FULL . THAT IS WHY WE
ARE A PART OF THIS CONVERSATION
AND ALSO IN SOLIDARITY. I WENT
AND THE FIRST TIME , I CRIED.
THE SECOND TIME, I CRIED. I
ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO AND SEE
THE CONDITIONS ON THE GROUND.
THERE IS A PLAN , WE ARE AT THE
11th HOUR OF THE BUDGET
PROCESS, WE GET THAT. THIS IS
ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS WE NEED TO
CHANGE YOUR PLANS. THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT, WE HAVE NICK.
ANASTASIA WORKMAN. MERRITT
BLOOM.
>> GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS, MY NAME -- I
AM ALSO A SENIOR AT INGRAM HIGH
SCHOOL AT THE SEATTLE STUDENT
UNION. ADVOCATING FOR AN
INCREASE OF THE AMAZON TAX TO
GO TOWARD MORE MENTAL HEALTH
FUNDING FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS. AS I AM SURE YOU ALL
KNOW AS YOU HAVE ALL RECEIVED
CONSIDERABLE EDUCATION , SCHOOL
IS VERY DIFFICULT. THE
ACADEMICS ALONE ARE EXTREMELY
TAXING ON ADOLESCENT MINDS,
ADD IN EVERYTHING THIS
GENERATION FACES EVERY DAY FROM
GUN VIOLENCE TO SOCIAL ISSUES
AND PREJUDICE, MENTAL HEALTH
SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL. DURING THE
HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, MY DAD
REMARKED TO ME HOW CRAZY IT WAS
THAT I AND MY PEERS WERE QUITE
LITERALLY LIVING THROUGH MAJOR
HISTORY. HE QUESTIONED WHY I
WAS NOT MORE ROCKED BY IT. I,
AS CAN BE SAID FOR THE REST OF
MY GENERATION, AREN'T SO MUCH
FACE BECAUSE WE HAVE GROWN UP
WITH IT. FROM GUN VIOLENCE TO
POLITICAL CONFLICTS TO HATE
CRIMES AND MORE, WE ARE SO
CONSTANTLY SURROUNDED BY IT
THAT WE BARELY BATTED AN EYE
BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE DON'T
FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THESE
EVENTS. IN THE YEAR 2021, 13%
OF FEMALES ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
AND 30% TERSELY CONSIDERED IT.
22% OF LGBTQIA PLUS ATTEMPTED
SUICIDE AND 45% SERIOUSLY
CONSIDERED IT. SUICIDE RATES
INCREASED 36% BETWEEN 2020 21.
IN 2021, SUICIDE WAS THE
SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH
FOR PEOPLES AGED 10 TO 14.
INCREASED MENTAL HEALTH CARE
FOR TEENAGERS IS VITAL TO OUR
SAFETY AND FUTURE. WE REQUEST
28 MILLION FOR COUNSELORS,
THERAPISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS.
IT IS NOT JUST INVESTING IN
THEM, IT IS INVESTING IN US.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO
LUCAS. 19 B.
>> WE CANNOT HEAR YOU.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? ISAAC
LUCAS, 19 B.
>> HI, MY NAME IS ISAAC LUCAS,
I AM CURRENTLY A PROGRAM
PARTICIPANT AT THE LEHIGH
LOCATION.
>> SORRY, CAN I HAVE YOU PAUSE?
WE WILL START YOUR TIME AGAIN.
IF WE CAN KEEP IT DOWN A LITTLE
BIT, AS FOLKS EXIT. OKAY, LET'S
RESTART YOUR TIME, PLEASE.
>> MY NAME IS ISAAC LUCAS, I AM
CURRENTLY A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
AT LEHIGH'S LOCATION. I HAVE
BEEN A SEATTLE RESIDENT FOR THE
PAST 10 YEARS, I HAVE BEEN
HOMELESS FOR 8 OF IT, PROBABLY.
IMAGINE GOING ON TONIGHT, YOU
DID NOT HAVE A PLACE TO STAY
AND YOU NEEDED TO FIND A PLACE
FOR THE NEXT EIGHT HOURS YOU
COULD SPEND UNINTERRUPTED TO
FIND A PLACE TO SLEEP AND NOT
HAVE YOUR THINGS STOLEN OR GET
BEAT UP OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
SPEND A WEEK ON THE STREETS
AND TOLD ME THAT -- THEN COME
BACK AND TELL ME THAT YOU NEED
LESS SPENDING FOR HOUSING.
THEY TELL ME YOU HAVE CUT
SPENDING FOR LEHIGH BY 2
MILLION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT,
THAT IS JUST CRAZY TO ME. I
HAVE BEEN JUMPED MORE TIMES
THAN I CAN COUNT. I HAVE HAD
EVERYTHING I HAVE OWNED STOLEN
FROM ME NUMEROUS TIMES, I HAVE
BEEN SWEPT, I CAN'T EVEN COUNT
HOW MANY TIMES, AND TO THINK
THAT YOU WOULD TAKE MONEY FROM
THESE THINGS IS JUST CRAZY TO
ME. THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
TONIGHT. UP NEXT WE HAVE
BRENDA. FOLLOWED BY ALEXIS .
BRENDA AND ALEXIS? OKAY, THE
LAST ONE IS A BILL OWENS?
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT IF THERE IS ANYBODY WHO
IS HERE TO TESTIFY AND WE HAVE
NOT CALLED YOUR NAME YET, THAT
WE GET A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM
YOU IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO. IT
SOUNDS LIKE THAT IS AT THE END
OF THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHO ARE
HERE TO TESTIFY. I JUST WANT TO
DOUBLE CHECK THERE IS NOBODY
LEFT IN THE ROOM THAT WOULD
LIKE TO TESTIFY TONIGHT. THAT
IS OKAY, THANK YOU FOR
TESTIFYING EARLIER, I
APPRECIATE IT. WE REALLY
APPRECIATE YOUR TESTIMONY ALONG
WITH THE OVER 100 INDIVIDUALS
WHO PROVIDED PUBLIC TESTIMONY
TONIGHT , VERY IMPORTANT
ISSUES, AS YOU CAN TELL.
CLEARLY ONGOING AND INCREASED
NEEDS AND CITIES ACROSS THIS
COUNTRY AND SEATTLE IS NOT
UNIQUE IN THE CHALLENGES THAT
IT FACES IN THE LARGER
POPULATION THAT CONTINUES TO
MOVE HERE IN ADDITION TO THE
POPULACE AND, THERE IS
INCREASED NEED AMONGST THE
RESIDENTS THAT ARE HERE. THANK
YOU FOR SHARING THE PRIORITIES
OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
THANK YOU FOR OFFERING ALL OF
YOUR COMMENTS TONIGHT. MA'AM,
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ALSO
HEARD FROM THE EARLIER, IS THAT
CORRECT? OKAY. SOUNDS LIKE
EVERYBODY WAS HEARD FROM TODAY.
OKAY, GREAT. APPRECIATE ALL OF
THE PUBLIC COMMENT THIS
EVENING FROM FOLKS ONLINE AND
IN THE ROOM, AND I WANT TO
REMIND PEOPLE THAT THE NEXT
OPPORTUNITY FOR A PUBLIC
HEARING WILL BE IN THE EVENING
AT NOVEMBER 13th AT 5:00 P.M.
THAT WILL BE OUR CHANCE TO ALSO
HEAR MORE FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
ABOUT POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS THEY
WILL BE CONSIDERING TO THE
PACKAGE AND AS A REMINDER WE
HAVE A PUBLIC COMMITTEE MEETING
COMING UP ON OCTOBER 27th, NEXT
FRIDAY AT 10:00 A.M., WE WILL
HAVE A CHANCE FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT THEN AND I BELIEVE WE
WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON
FRIDAY THIS WEEK AS WELL,
OCTOBER 20th. LET ME JUST
SUMMARIZE THAT IN CHRONOLOGICAL
ORDER. OCTOBER 20th AT 10:00
A.M., WE WILL START OUR MEETING
WITH A HANDFUL OF PUBLIC
COMMENTERS AT THE BEGINNING OF
THAT MEETING. WE HAVE OCTOBER
27th AT 10:00 A.M. AS WELL AND
IN NOVEMBER 13th AT 5:00 P.M.
IS THE FULL PUBLIC HEARING
SOLELY DEDICATED TO THAT
CONVERSATION. WE ANTICIPATE
HAVING THE BALANCING PACKAGE
PUBLISHED AT LEAST BY FRIDAY ,
AT LEAST BY 10 CAME PRIOR TO
OUR MEETING BUT I KNOW CENTRAL
STAFF IS WORKING AROUND THE
CLOCK WITH MANY OF THE
COUNCILMEMBER OFFICERS AND
HOURS TO TRY TO FINALIZE THAT
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO WE WILL
SHARE THAT WITH MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC. IF YOU ARE STILL TUNED
IN I WANT TO THANK YOU, MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE PRESS.
OUR COLLEAGUES WHO ARE HERE,
THE CLERK TO SECURITY, THE
SEATTLE CHANNEL, THEY HAVE
BEEN TRACKING MANY OF THESE
TEAMS AS WELL. THEY HAVE BEEN
HERE WITH US THROUGHOUT THE
EVENING, THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO
OUR? AND IS THAT IT IS 8:01.
THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. IF
YOU DID NOT GET THE PIZZA, AND
HOPE FOLKS GO AHEAD AND GET
THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME EXTRA
THAT CAME IN.