>>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE, THE MARCH 2025 MEETING WILL COME TO ORDER. IT IS TO: 03 . WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROAD? >> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] >> NINE PRESENT. >> THANK YOU, THERE ARE NO PRESENTATIONS TODAY, SO WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THIS IS BASED ON ITEMS IN THE AGENDA , THE CALENDAR, AND THE WORK PROGRAM. HOW MANY SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP TODAY, PLEASE? >> [ INAUDIBLE ] AND THREE REMOTE. >> LET'S BEGIN WITH THE ONE PERSON, TWO MINUTES FOR EVERYBODY. >> SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE REGISTERED WITH SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A CHIME WHEN 10 SECONDS ARE LEFT OF THEIR TIME. SPEAKERS MICROPHONES WILL BE MUTED IF THEY DO NOT END THEIR COMMENTS WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME, TO ALLOW US TO CALL ON THE NEXT SPEAKER. >> OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS MALIK. >> HELLO . >> WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> HELLO? OKAY. HI, COUNCILMEMBERS. I WOULD LIKE TO START BY INTRODUCING MYSELF. I AM HERE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, REPRESENTED THE TECH POLICY LAB THAT IS HOSTED INSIDE OF THE LAW SCHOOL THERE. I WANTED TO BRING TO YOU GUYS' AWARENESS AN EVENT THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING NEXT WEEK, IT IS ON THURSDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M., WE ARE GOING TO BE HOSTING A DISTINGUISHED LECTURE WITH A LAUNDRY NELSON. I DID SEND AN EMAIL TO YOU GUYS, I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION BACK ON IT, I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE BUSY, SO NO PROBLEM ON THAT, BUT I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO COME HERE AND DIRECTLY IMPLORE YOU GUYS TO BE IN ATTENDANCE AND TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO BE IN ATTENDANCE FOR THIS AS WELL. SHE WAS A DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT BIDEN IN THE PREVIOUS WHITE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION, AND SHE WAS ON THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE. AND SO, I REALLY THINK THAT ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE REPRESENTATION FROM OUR CITY, AND -- IN THESE SORT OF EVENTS AND LECTURES. IT IS GOING TO BE EXTREMELY INFORMATIONAL FOR ANYBODY THAT IS IN ATTENDANCE. AND ESPECIALLY FOR COUNCILMEMBER MARITZA. I KNOW YOU ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR DISTRICT, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, SO YOU SPECIFICALLY, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE NOT THAT ANYBODY ELSE IS ANY LESS WELCOME, BUT ALSO, FOR COUNCILMEMBER ALEXIS AND FOR COUNCILMEMBER SARA , OUR CITYWIDE REPRESENTATIVES, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE YOU GUYS OR ANYBODY FROM YOUR OFFICE OR ANYBODY WHO YOU THINK WOULD BE RELEVANT. TO BE IN ATTENDANCE. SO, YEAH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPE TO SEE YOU GUYS THERE. >> THANK YOU. THAT WAS OUR LAST IN PERSON SPEAKER POINT A REMINDER TO OUR REMOTE SPEAKERS, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX AFTER YOU HAVE HEARD THE MESSAGE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTED. OUR FIRST REMOTE SPEAKER IS CHARLOTTE KANE AMARILLO , FOLLOWED BY ASHLEY FORD. GO AHEAD, CHARLOTTE. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS CHARLOTTE KANE AMARO, SPEAKING IN MY CAPACITY AS THE 43rd DISTRICT DEMOCRAT. I'M SPEAKING TODAY ON COUNCIL BILL ONE 2950. AT OUR MOST RECENT MEETING, THE 43rd DEMOCRATS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED MY RESOLUTION OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE TO FREELY EXIST IN THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT FEAR OF DISCRIMINATION OR HATE CRIMES. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT SEATTLE DOES ALL WE CAN TO PROTECT TRANS PEOPLE FROM THE ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL DISCRIMINATION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. TRANSIT CHILDREN ARE BEING FORCIBLY TAKEN OFF OF THEIR PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND [ INAUDIBLE ] TRANS PEOPLE WHO APPLY FOR PASSPORTS ARE HAVING NEW PASSPORTS ISSUED WITH INCORRECT GENDER MARKERS, AND THAT IS IF THEY EVEN GET A PASSPORT REISSUED TO THEM. SOME STATE LEGISLATURES HAVE INSTITUTED BILLS THAT WILL TARGET TRANS PEOPLE WITH IDENTITY FRAUD IF THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES AS A GENDER OTHER THAN THAT WHICH THEY WERE ASSIGNED AT BIRTH. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ENGAGED IN SYSTEMIC ERASURE OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. WE MUST BE A LOUD VOICE TO REMIND WASHINGTON, A WORLD WITHOUT TRANS PEOPLE HAS NEVER EXISTED. WE WILL ALWAYS EXIST, NO MATTER WHAT. WE HAVE TO STAND UP AND SAY WITH CONVICTION, TRANS PEOPLE, REFUGEES, AND IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE WELCOME IN SEATTLE, THIS IS A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN BE LOVED, RESPECTED, AND UNAFRAID. WE WILL HELP YOU, WE WILL PROTECT YOU, BECAUSE THIS IS YOUR HOME. WE MUST SAY IT AND WE MUST MEAN IT, AND WE MUST ACT ACCORDINGLY. THIS BILL IS AN EXCELLENT FIRST STEP. I URGE YOUR PASSAGE OF THE BILL. AND I WANT TO THANK SELECT COMMITTEE CHAIR ALEXIS RINCK FOR LEADING THIS FIGHT COULD PASS THE BILL, KEEP US SAFE, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER IS ASHLEY FORD, AND ASHLEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY DAVID HAYNES. GO AHEAD, ASHLEY. >> HI, CITY COUNCIL, THIS IS ASHLEY FORD, I USE SHE/THEY PRONOUNCE, COCHAIR OF THE LGBTQ COMMISSION. I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE, AND WANT TO SHARE THE ENDORSEMENT FROM THE LGBTQ COMMISSION. [ INAUDIBLE ] I HAVE SPOKEN IN MANY CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, COMMITTEE MEETINGS, ESPECIALLY RECENTLY, AND I HAVE HEARD REALLY AFFIRMING GENERAL CONSENSUS FROM THE COUNCIL, MAYOR'S OFFICE ON WANTING TO STAND UP FOR QUEER SEATTLEITES, AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE AFFIRMATION THAT WE WANT TO BE A WELCOMING CITY AND WE AREN'T BACKING DOWN. ON THAT NOTE, I HAVE ALSO HEARD MANY REQUESTS FOR A TANGIBLE ACTION THAT CAN BE TAKEN AND WAYS THAT YOU ALL, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CAN DO SOMETHING. TO THAT, I WANT TO RESPOND AND ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO TAKE JUST ONE STEP. SMALL STEP THAT IS CRUCIAL TO REALLY HELPING US MOVE FORWARD AND CONTINUE THIS WORK THAT WE ARE WORKING ON HERE TODAY. MOVE OUTSIDE OF THE TYPICAL POLICY PROCEDURE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE IN THESE SPACES. MY ONE RECOMMENDATION IS TO LISTEN TO QUEER COMMUNITIES, LISTEN TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIKE THE PERSON WHO SPOKE BEFORE ME TODAY, THANK YOU. LISTEN TO US ON THE LGBTQ COMMISSION TO FREELY GIVE OUR TIME TO ADVISE YOU ON QUEER ISSUES, AS WELL AS YOUR QUEER COLLEAGUES. KNOW THAT THERE IS SOME NUANCE WHEN NAVIGATING THESE CHANGES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY HARMED AND EVEN KILLED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT MAY NOT BE UNDERSTOOD FIRSTHAND, AND MAY TAKE SOME TIME TO REALLY DIG DEEP INTO. WE REALLY VIEW THIS TRIGGER LAW DESIGNATION AS CRUCIAL TO ENSURE THAT THE HIGHER STATE COURT HANDLE INFRACTIONS ON STATE SHIELD LAWS, [ INAUDIBLE ] AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TARGETS CITIES STATION WIDE FOR THE EFFORTS TO PROTECT QUEER CONSTITUENTS, WE MUST TAKE A CRITICAL ACTION [ INAUDIBLE ] TO BYPASS OUR LOCAL [ INAUDIBLE ] . >> THANK YOU, OUR LAST REMOTE SPEAKER WILL BE DAVID HAYNES. GO AHEAD, DAVID. >> HI, THANK YOU, DAVID HAYNES. THESE PEOPLE ARE SPELLING DOUBT AS TO WHY TRUMP GOT ELECTED WITH A MANDATE. JUST LOOK AT THE AGENDA ON THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL TODAY. THEY WANT THE WHOLE NATION TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN KILL OFF YOUR UNBORN BABY AND CALL IT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, WITH NO PRO-LIFE OPTION FOR A MOTHER LIKE ADOPTION. AND THEY ARE SEXUALIZING CHILDREN WITH PERVERTED INTERPRETATIONS OF BIOLOGY, TRYING TO GOUGE INSURANCE TO COVER CHANGES FOR KIDS AND ADULTS. DEMOCRATS DON'T HAVE THE BEST INTEREST OF OTHER PEOPLE'S KIDS. COUPLE THAT WITH SEATTLE'S RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE LANDS THAT PROMOTES RACIST, WOKE , AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND PRIORITIES FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS, AND A RACE WAR AGAINST INNOCENT WHITE CITIZENS, AND IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT SEATTLE IS THE EPITOME OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA. WHERE LEADERS ARE PROACTIVE IN GOING FURTHER INTO THE PROVERBIAL PROGRESSIVE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL POLICIES, TURNING THAT INTO ANOTHER ELECTION YEAR [ INAUDIBLE ] AND DONORS, WHILE SOCIETY CONTINUES WITH THE WRONG LAWS, WRONG LEADERS, WRONG TRAINING, AND THE WRONG PRIORITIES. THAT SAID, HOW MANY COPS TO PLAY FOR A PEACEFUL PROTEST FOR A PRESIDENTIAL VISIT AND HOW MUCH OVERTIME IS PAID TO THEM FOR THAT? COMPARE THAT TO HOW MANY COPS IN OVERTIME ARE PAID TO WORK TOGETHER TO COMBAT A SPECIFIC CRIME HOTSPOT, WHERE INSTEAD, A HANDFUL OF COPS TEST WITH DISCOURAGING THE WHOLE AREA AND DISPERSING PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE CATCHING UP WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SO SCREWED UP THAT THEY ARE DEEMED UNSUITABLE TO GO TO JAIL. THEY DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO BE QUESTIONED TO FIND OUT WHERE THEY GOT THE JERK TO SHUT IT DOWN. AND WHERE ARE THE LAWS TO KEEP THE SERVICE PROVIDERS ACCOUNTABLE? I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THERE ARE STILL WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT PROVIDE SUBHUMAN ACCOMMODATIONS TO DRUG ADDICTS AND THEY CLAIM EXPERTS ARE SOLVING OTHER PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS, BUT THEY ARE NOT KEPT HONEST BY THE HOMELESS AUTHORITY. >> THANK YOU, THAT WAS OUR LAST REMOTE SPEAKER. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED. ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON. IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE REFERRAL CALENDAR WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR IS ADOPTED. AND IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING NONE, THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. WE WILL NOW CONSIDER THE PROPOSED CONSENT CALENDAR. ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ART COUNCIL BILL 120959 WHICH IS THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS, ONE APPOINTMENT FROM THE GOVERNANCE ACCOUNTABILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND TWO APPOINTMENTS FROM THE LAND USE COMMITTEE. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THE COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE FROM TODAY'S CONSENT CALENDAR? ALL RIGHT, HEARING NONE. I MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR. IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU, IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR? >> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? COUNCILMEMBER MOORE? COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON? COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON? NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ARE ADOPTED, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE GIVE MY SIGNATURE TO THE MINUTES AND LEGISLATION ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ON MY BEHALF? OKAY. ITEM 1, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE TITLE OF ITEM 1 INTO THE RECORD? >> [ INAUDIBLE ] FEDERAL FUNDING AUTHORIZING DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS TO ACCEPT CERTAIN GRANTS AND PASS THROUGH FUNDING IN 2025. >> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, I MOVED TO PASS CONSTABLE 120955, IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS HAS SPONSORED, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO ADDRESS THE BILL. X THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THIS IS A BILL REGARDING GRANT ACCEPTANCE FOR THIS YEAR. OUR NEXT GRANT ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL BILL WILL BE IN THE FINANCE AND TRAVEL GOVERNMENTS COMMITTEE ON APRIL 16th. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM COLLEAGUES? ALL RIGHT. SEE ANON. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL? >> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> THE BILL PASSES AND THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF? NO WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM 2 FOR THE RECORD? >> [ INAUDIBLE ] APPOINTMENT 3094. APPOINTMENT OF KIERSTEN GROVE AS DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF [ INAUDIBLE ] FOR THE TERM MARCH 1st, 2029. [ INAUDIBLE ] >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS IS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE REPORT. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. EVERYBODY WAS ABLE TO SEE KIERSTEN GROVE'S FIRST PRESENTATION AT THE SELECT COMMITTEE, IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HAVE HER BACK. TO OFFER THE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT YOU ADDED TO HER APPOINTMENT POCKET. I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT IS WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT THAT I BRING FORWARD THIS APPOINTMENT TO YOU TODAY. FAS IN MY OPINION IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR CITY. FAS ARE THE FOLKS THAT RANKED BUILDINGS TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS OURSELVES. WE HAD GREAT CONVERSATION AND COMMITTEE ABOUT MY D6 DISTRICT OFFICE THAT IS NOT OWNED BY FAS, BUT [ INAUDIBLE ], IT JUST DEMONSTRATES ALL THE DIFFERENT LAYERS OF THE CITY THAT FAS NAVIGATES FOR US, INCLUDING FOR-PROFIT TENANTS, WHICH IS LIKE THE SEATTLE CENTER [ INAUDIBLE ]. THEY ALSO MAINTAIN OUR POOL FLEETS, WHETHER THAT IS FOR THE MOTOR POOL THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO WITH FIRE ENGINES THAT ARE ALSO REPAIRED. THEY ARE THE ONES THAT PUBLISH THE RFPs FOR ANY DEPARTMENT IN OUR CITY, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT IMPLEMENT THE LEVEES AND COLLECT TAXES. FAS IS ALSO IN CHARGE OF OUR CONSUMER PROTECTION DEPARTMENT. AND OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE BUREAU. SO, FOR EVERYONE AND FAS THAT WORKS OUT OF FRONT DESK ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THANK YOU. WE SEEM HERE IN CITY HALL AND WE SEE THEM ALL ACROSS OUR DISTRICTS. THEY ALSO IMPLEMENT THE FIND IT, FIX IT UP. AND THE LAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE SEEN GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN THE FIND IT, FIX IT UP. AND THEY CAN ONLY GET THE TICKETS TO THE DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WORK, SO ANY PROBLEMS THAT ARE GOING ON, FIND IT, FIX IT, IS ALSO NOT THEIR FAULT. WE CAN GO AND LOOK AT THOSE DEPARTMENTS. THAT WAS ACTUALLY A VERY POSITIVE PART OF THE CONVERSATION WE HAD AT COMMITTEE, WHERE C.O.O. MARCO, WHEN ASKED THAT QUESTION OF WHY ISN'T IT WORKING FOR THOSE SPECIFIC DEPARTMENTS, HE TOOK ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THAT. SO, KIERSTEN, IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR THAT WE PUT FORWARD YOUR PERMANENT APPOINTMENT AS THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. COLLEAGUES, I URGE YOUR YES VOTE. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT. COUNCILMEMBERS, IF YOU WERE NOT AT COMMITTEE TO SING THE PRAISES OF KIERSTEN GROVE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO SO NOW, OR ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE. WHILE THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE CONFIRMATION OF THE APPOINTMENT? >> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. TEXT OF THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE APPOINTMENT IS CONFIRMED, CONGRATULATIONS, DIRECTOR GROVE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED AT THIS POINT TO PROVIDE COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE CUP -- PUBLIC. STEP ON UP. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME TODAY. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TIME YOU HAVE INVESTED AND THE THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS FROM LAST WEEK. THANK YOU, CHAIR STRAUSS, FOR YOUR SUPPORT DURING THIS PROCESS, AND TO JESSE ON YOUR TEAM FOR HIS ASSISTANCE ALONG THE WAY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MAYOR HARRELL FOR HIS SUPPORT AND HIS ONGOING COMMITMENT TO THE WORK OF FAS, PARTICULARLY TO ENSURING OUR WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH THE CITY. I'VE COURSE WOULD LIKE TO THANK MARCO LOW, [ INAUDIBLE ], FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE AND THEIR TIME. YOU HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS. AND WHILE FAS IS LARGELY AN INTERNAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, OUR KEY COMMUNITY PARTNERS, INCLUDING [ INAUDIBLE ], AND OUR SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING THAT WE PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE, AND I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND FOR THE WORK THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS TO KEEP OUR CITY WORKING. I WOULD OF COURSE LIKE TO THANK MY FELLOW CABINET MEMBERS FOR THEIR MENTORSHIP AND ASSISTANCE, PARTICULARLY [ INAUDIBLE ] AND IN THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DIRECTOR KIM. [ INAUDIBLE ] FOR THEIR HUMOR AND PATIENCE FOR MY WORK AT FAS AND REALLY MY ENTIRE TIME WITH [ INAUDIBLE ]. FAS IS A WIDE-RANGING PORTFOLIO OF RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDING BUILDING AND MAINTAINING CITY FACILITIES SUCH AS OUR FIRE AND POLICE STATIONS, SUPPORTING SEATTLE RESIDENTS AND ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTERS PROCURING MAINTAINING AND [ INAUDIBLE ] , AND RUNNING THE SEATTLE ANIMAL SHELTER. JUST ON OUR WAY OVER TODAY, I SAW OUR TEAM WORKING ON THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL TOWER ELEVATOR PROJECT. I PASSED OUR CONSUMER PROTECTION TEAM. I SAW OUR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND JANITORIAL TEAM [ INAUDIBLE ]. AND OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE BUREAU ANSWERING COMMUNITY QUESTIONS ABOUT CITY SERVICES. I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE AMAZING WORK OF [ INAUDIBLE ], THEY ARE TRULY THE BACKBONE OF THE CITY AND PLAY A PART IN NEARLY EVERY ELEMENT OF CITY SERVICE. I BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT THE INTERNAL COME OFTEN UNSEEN WORK OF CITY GOVERNMENT HAS THE ABILITY TO CATALYZE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, AND THIS IS THE WORK [ INAUDIBLE ]. NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR FAS LEADERSHIP TEAM. I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THEY DO TO PROMOTE A WORK ENVIRONMENT , COLLABORATION, AND EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. AND I WANT TO PARTICULARLY THANK OUR PURCHASING CONTRACTING DIVISION [ INAUDIBLE ] , AND OUR DIRECTORS OFFICE TEAM. FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO TO SUPPORT OUR TEAM ON A DAILY BASIS. YOU MAKE ME PROUD OF BEING A PART OF FAS. I'M SO HONORED TO BE THE FAS DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT DURING THIS PROCESS, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. ALL RIGHT, WILL THE CLERK HE IS READ THE TITLE OF ITEM 3 INTO THE RECORD? >> CONSTABLE 120950, AFFIRMING THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS A WELCOMING CITY, SUPPORTING ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND GENDER AFFIRMING TREATMENT IN SEATTLE, EXTENDING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CITY EMPLOYEES TO PROTECT THE PROVISION OF OR PRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND GENDER FROM TREATMENT. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE PASS AS AMENDED. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED THE LEGISLATION, [ INAUDIBLE ] EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE SENT AS THIS LEGISLATION TO CONFORM SEATTLE LAW WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE SHIELD LAW, SUPPORTING ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND GENDER AFFIRMING TREATMENT. THE PROPOSAL CREATES A FIREWALL, PREVENTING CITY EMPLOYEES FROM BEING USED TO ENFORCE ARTFUL AND RESTRICTIVE LAWS FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THE MAYOR'S OFFICE DRAFTED THE BILL IN COOPERATION WITH THE CITY'S LGBTQ COMMISSION, AND IT ALSO HAS THE SUPPORT FROM THE GS BE A AND SEATTLE PRIDE. KEY PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE INCLUDE -- OF THE COUNCIL WILL INCLUDE MAKING WASHINGTON STATE SHIELD LAW ENFORCEABLE AT THE CITY LEVEL, PROVIDES THE AUTHORITY FOR THE CAO TO BRING A CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION FOR INTERFERENCE WITH PROTECTED HEALTH SERVICES THAT WOULD BE CREATED IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT. SUCH A CAUSE OF ACTION IS AVAILABLE UNDER WASHINGTON COURT AND STATE LAW, THE PROPOSED SMC 14.11 5.040 WOULD CREATE ONE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE MUNICIPAL COURT AS WELL. AND THEN FINALLY, IT PROHIBITS CITY EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING THOSE IN PUBLIC HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM COOPERATING [ INAUDIBLE ] TO PENALIZE GENDER AFFIRMING CARE THAT IS LEGAL IN WASHINGTON. THIS PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE LAST WEEK, THE WEEK BEFORE -- THE WEEK BEFORE LAST ON A VOTE OF 4-0 POINT ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCILMEMBER MOORE? >> I BELIEVE THIS IS WHEN I AM SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THIS, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. AT THIS TIME, I MOVED TO AMEND COUNCIL BILL 120950 AS PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT A ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA. >> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO AMEND COUNCIL BILL 120950 AS PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT A. COUNCILMEMBER MOORE, A SPONSOR, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO ADDRESS IT, AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT YOU ARE [ INAUDIBLE ] A COSPONSOR OF THIS LEGISLATION DURING COMMITTEE LAST TIME, SO YOU ARE A COSPONSOR. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, IF I MAY TURN IT OVER TO TOMMASO TO GIVE A PRESENTATION AS TO WHAT THE AMENDMENT DOES, IS THAT OKAY? >> IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, CENTRAL STAFF WILL PRESENT THE AMENDMENT. HEARING NONE, YOU ARE WELCOME TO PROCEED. >> COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF. AMENDMENT A BROUGHT BY COUNCILMEMBER MOORE WOULD DO TWO THINGS, IT WOULD DEFINE THE TERM ASSISTANCE, WHICH IS A TERM USED IN THIS ORDINANCE, AND ALSO USED UNDER WASHINGTON STATE LAW, BUT IT IS CURRENTLY UNDEFINED. IT WOULD ALSO EXPLICITLY ADD AGENTS OF CITY AGENCIES, COMMISSIONS, BOARDS, OR DEPARTMENTS TO THE PROHIBITION AND COOPERATION WITH [ INAUDIBLE ] RELATED TO PROTECTED HEALTH CARE SERVICES, BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, BOTH OF THESE CHANGES ARE BEING PROPOSED BY A BILL CURRENTLY MOVING THROUGH THE WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE THAT HAS PASSED THE STATE SENATE, BUT IS CURRENTLY IN THE STATEHOUSE, AND THAT STATE BILL IS BEING SUPPORTED BY THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, TOMMASO, FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS, AND SETTING FORTH WHAT THE AMENDMENT DOES. THE REASON THAT I WANTED TO BRING IT TO THIS BILL AND INCORPORATE IT IS IN THE SLIM CHANCE THAT THAT LEGISLATION DOES NOT PASS, THE STATE LEGISLATURE WILL BE SIGNED , THAT WE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE DO HAVE MORE EXPENSIVE PROTECTION IN OUR SEATTLE QUALIFICATION OF THE STATE SHIELD LAW, SO THAT'S WHY I AM BRINGING THIS HERE. IT IS JUST SORT OF BASIC BACKSTOP AND ADDITIONAL PROTECTION. AND I WOULD ASK FOR MY COLLEAGUES ' SUPPORT. >> ALL RIGHT, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS ON AMENDMENT A? ALL RIGHT, I AM NOT SEEING ANY. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT EIGHT? >> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? COUNCILMEMBER MOORE? COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON? COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON? NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> THE MOTION CARRIES AND AMENDMENT A IS ADOPTED. ARE THERE FOR THEIR COMMENTS ON THE BILL AS AMENDMENT -- AMENDED? >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVED TO AMEND COUNCIL BILL 120950 AS PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT BE. >> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO AMENDMENT BILL AS PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT BE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO ADDRESS IT. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I WILL SAVE MY REMARKS FOR AFTER THE PRESENTATION BY TOMMASO EXPLAINING. >> AMENDMENT B WOULD ADD A TRIGGER PROVISION CREATING LEGAL EFFECT FOR PROTECTIONS IN THE SHIELD ORDINANCE ONLY IF STATE SHIELD LAW IS APPEALED. WE DO SO BY MODIFYING SECTION 2 OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH IS THE EFFECTIVE DATE PROVISION, WHICH NORMALLY WOULD TAKE EFFECT 30 DAYS AFTER PASSAGE. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT, TOMMASO. COLLEAGUES, WHILE I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THE MAYOR'S INTENTIONS IN DRAFTING THIS ORDINANCE AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND THE COSPONSORS INTENTIONS FOR SPONSORING THIS THREAT COUNCIL, WE SHARE CONCERNS OF MANY OF THE STAKEHOLDERS WE HAVE LISTENED TO, INCLUDING SEATTLE'S LGBTQ COMMISSION, WHO HAVE SHARED THEIR ENDORSEMENT OF THIS AMENDMENT WITH ALL COUNCILMEMBERS, AND IN MY RESEARCH AND CONVERSATIONS WITH ORGANIZATIONS ON THE FRONT LINES OF LGBTQ AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FIGHTS LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY, AS WELL AS CONSULTATION WITH THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE, BUT DOES LITTLE ABOVE THE EXISTING STATE SHIELD LAW FROM WHAT AUTHORITY DOES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND THIS WILL ADD RISK AND UNCERTAINTY AT A TIME WHEN THAT IS WHAT WE NEED A LOT LESS OF, THAT WE CERTAINLY DON'T NEED MORE UNCERTAINTY. THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED ORDINANCE SENDS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT DOES NOT ADD ANY NEW SUBSTANTIVE PROTECTIONS TO OUR NEIGHBORS. AS FOR CITY EMPLOYEES, THIS ORDINANCE WOULD ALLOW FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO PROACTIVELY SEEK OUT AND MITIGATE POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS ON BEHALF OF CERTAIN CITY EMPLOYEES, WHICH THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN DO CURRENTLY, BUT MY CONCERN IS THAT ADDING THIS LOT TO CITY CODE WOULD ALSO EXPOSE THE CITY TO INCREASED LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RISK. AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF ADDING THE STATE LAW TO CITY ORDINANCE IS THAT IF ANOTHER STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTS TO PICK A LEGAL FIGHT OVER SHIELD LAWS, THAT WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PICK A FIGHT WITH OUR CITY WORKERS AND SAID -- INSTEAD OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. SO, IN SUMMARY, I SHARE AND WHOLLY SUPPORT THE INTENTIONS BEHIND THIS ORDINANCE, BUT HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACTS AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, SO I AM PROPOSING THIS AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL BILL 120950 THAT WILL IN MY ESTIMATION DO TWO THINGS. FIRST, ENSURE THAT SEATTLEITES WILL BE PROTECTED BY A LOCAL SHIELD LAW, EVEN IF THE STATE SHIELD LAW GOES AWAY FOR ANY REASON, AND SECOND, ENSURE THAT SEATTLE WILL NOT BE SINGLED OUT AND TARGETED ITS SHIELD LAW BY ANOTHER GOVERNMENT THAT IS LOOKING FOR A LEGAL FIGHT AGAINST A SMALLER TEAM THAN THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ALREADY HAS AT THE READY. COLLEAGUES, I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS AMENDMENT, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS AMENDMENT? ALL RIGHT. I WOULD -- AS THE SPONSOR OF THE LEGISLATION, I WOULD SAY THAT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AMENDMENT WOULD EFFECTIVELY NULLIFY OR PUT ON HOLD THE ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS OF COUNCIL BILL 120950 BY MAKING THIS ORDINANCE ONLY EFFECTIVE IF THE STATE SHIELD LAW IS REPEALED, AND SO, I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THIS. COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH? >> [ INAUDIBLE ] OKAY, WELL, FIRST OFF, I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR BRINGING THIS DOWN. COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR COSPONSORING IT. ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BROUGHT AMENDMENTS, I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON HAS ONE, THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK ON AMENDMENTS, AND I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER MOORE BROUGHT HERS AS WELL. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, THE CITY SHIELD LAW HAS ADDITIONAL AND EXPANDED ACTIONS COMPARED TO THE STATES LEGISLATION LAW, SO THE CITY LAW WOULD MAKE IT APPLICABLE TO OUR LOCAL MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES, WHEREAS THE STATE WOULD ONLY ALLOW THE STATE COURTS. SO, THIS ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE THE CITY ATTORNEY BRING LEGAL ACTION. THE BILL DOES NOT TAKE AWAY THE STATES ABILITY TO ENFORCE, BUT IT GIVES PEOPLE THE OPTION TO SEEK ENFORCEMENT ACTION AT THE CITY OR STATE LEVEL. THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, AND I HAD ASKED LAW TO HELP US READ THROUGH THAT, BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT CAN BE CONFUSING, READING ALL THE BILLS AND JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THAT. I ALREADY KNOW THAT WE ARE A TARGET ALREADY AS A SANCTUARY'S READY, AS WELL. AND IT IS NOT NEW FOR OUR CITY TO REGULARLY CODIFY STATE LAW, SO THAT WE CAN LOCALLY ENFORCE PROVISIONS, INSTEAD OF DEPENDING ON THE AG'S OFFICE. SO, A PRIME EXAMPLE IS OUR OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCES HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, WHICH IS ALSO ILLEGAL AT THE STATE LEVEL. SO, ANYWAYS, THAT IS HOW I UNDERSTAND THIS. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE -- I REALLY APPRECIATE COUNCILMEMBER RINCK'S BRINGING THIS. TODAY, I CAN'T SUPPORT YOUR AMENDMENT, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU PUT INTO THIS, THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. ALSO, I DID WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR REACHING OUT TO OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND ASKING THEM THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS , AFTER THIS BILL DID COME DOWN. I KNOW WHEN WE WERE AT COMMITTEE, I ALSO ASKED ABOUT WHY WE WERE NOT DOING A TRIGGER , MAKING THIS A TRIGGER LAW INSTEAD, AND I WAS CONVINCED BOTH AT COMMITTEE, AND THEN IN A SEPARATE MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THAT IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE MORE PROTECTIVE IF WE CODIFIED THE STATE LAW. AND FROM MANY OF THE POINTS THAT COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH HAS JUST MADE. I APPRECIATE THAT THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT US BEING POTENTIALLY TARGETED FOR LITIGATION. I WANT TO POINT OUT, THOUGH, THAT EVEN IF WE WERE NOT -- EVEN IF WE HAD THIS TRIGGER BILL, AND A CITY EMPLOYEE REFUSED TO COMPLY ON THE BASIS OF STATE LAW, WE COULD STILL BE SUED UNDER THAT SCENARIO. AND I ALSO THINK THAT IF WE WERE TO CODIFY THIS AND SUDDENLY NOW BE TARGETED , WE HAVE A NUMBER OF OPTIONS. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CAN CONTRACT OUT WITH PRIVATE COUNCIL, WHICH THEY FREQUENTLY DO. WE COULD ALSO ASK THE AG TO INTERVENE, OR WE CAN JOIN THE AG. AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THE ASSISTANT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WOULD WANT TO BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN LITIGATION, BECAUSE A LAWSUIT BROUGHT TO CHALLENGE THE SEATTLE LAW WOULD ACTUALLY BE CHALLENGING THE UNDERLYING STATE BILL. SO, I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS, BUT I DON'T THINK -- THEY ARE HYPOTHETICAL AND I THINK THERE ARE ENOUGH ALTERNATIVES THAT I THINK REALISTICALLY, WE WOULD BE WELL REPRESENTED IF THERE WERE ANY LEGAL ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE CITY. I DO THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BASICALLY MAKE IT CLEAR , TO SEND A LOUD AND CLEAR STATEMENT THAT WE DO SUPPORT THE STATE LAW AND THAT WE SUPPORT ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND EXPANSION HERE IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE. AND I WOULD HOPE THAT IN FACT IT MIGHT SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS . SEATTLE IS OFTEN SERVING AS AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT FOLLOW SUIT, SO PERHAPS IT WOULD GIVE OTHERS A SENSE THAT THEY WOULD BE OKAY TO FOLLOW SUIT AS WELL. UM, AND BASICALLY, FOR THOSE REASONS, I DON'T SHARE THE SAME CONCERNS, ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AIRED. SO, FOR THOSE REASONS, I WILL NOT BE VOTED FOR THE TRIGGER AMENDMENT. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. SEEING NONE. OH, WOULD YOU LIKE TO -- >> THANK YOU. I THINK JUST TAKING A MOMENT TO CLARIFY A POINT THAT JUST WAS RAI WANT TO HEAR THAT OUR FOLKS WHO WORK AT MUNICIPAL COURTS ARE COVERED UNDER OUR STATE LAW. EVERYBODY WHO IS A WASHINGTONIAN IS COVERED BY THE SHIELD LAW, SO I REALLY WANT TO MAKE THAT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR FOR ANYBODY WHO MAY BE LISTENING. THIS THEORETICALLY COULD ONLY BE MORE PROTECTED IF THE CITY ATTORNEY PROACTIVELY SOUGHT OUT OR BROUGHT IN IN DEFENSE OF MUNICIPAL COURT EMPLOYEES, SO I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CLARIFY THAT MATTER. IF YOU ARE A WASHINGTON RESIDENT, YOU ARE PROTECTED BY THE STATE SHIELD LAW. THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. I AM NOT SEEING ANY OTHER HANDS UP, SO, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE? >> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT B? >> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] >> TWO IN FAVOR, SEVEN OPPOSED. >> THE MOTION FAILS AND AMENDMENT B IS NOT ADOPTED BUT ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED? [ INAUDIBLE ] OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE AMENDMENT SEA. >> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO AMEND THE BILL AS PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT C. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO ADDRESS IT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER THIS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. AMENDMENT C IS [ INAUDIBLE ] WITH POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE STATE SHIELD LAW, ENSURING THAT THIS BODY CAN RESPOND TO THOSE CHANGES IN A TIMELY MANNER TO BEST PROTECT OUR CONSTITUENTS. AND TO THAT END, IT CALLS ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS TO DO WHAT THEY DO BEST, WHICH IS KEEPING THIS COUNCIL APPRAISED OF CHANGES TO THOSE LAWS, WHICH MATTER MOST TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN SEATTLE. I WANT TO THANK OIR FOR [ INAUDIBLE ] I THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. AND I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT C. >> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD, TOMMASO? >> NO, NOTHING TO ADD. >> ALL RIGHT, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON AMENDMENT C? ALL RIGHT. AND YES, I DO CONSIDER THIS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. ALL RIGHT, SEEING NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE ON THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT C? >> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THE MOTION CARRIES AND AMENDMENT C IS ADOPTED. ALL RIGHT, ARE THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED? COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> NOW WE ARE MAKING COMMENTS ON THE FULL BILL. NO MORE AMENDMENTS. >> CORRECT. THAT'S THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER NELSON AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR BRINGING THIS LEGISLATION FORWARD. AND ONE THAT COUNCILMEMBER MOORE AND I WANTED TO COSPONSOR BECAUSE WE BELIEVE SO STRONGLY IN THIS ORDINANCE, HAVING THE LAW -- HAVING THIS LAW ON OUR BOOKS VERY CLEARLY STATES OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE AND GENDER AFFIRMING TREATMENT IN SEATTLE, AND TO EXTEND AND IN ESSENCE SHIELDING OUR EMPLOYEES FROM SUPPORTING THE PROVISIONS WITHIN . DURING THESE TIMES, IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAND UP AND SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY , AND THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AND I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE AMENDMENTS THAT YOU ALL BROUGHT. YOU KNOW, AND I ALWAYS SAY, WE ARE GOING TO AGREE TO DISAGREE ON SOME THINGS, BUT I KNOW ON THIS BILL, WE ALL AGREE ON THE NEED TO BRING IT AT THIS TIME, AND FOR THE REASONS . WE WANT TO BE SUPPORTIVE. AND I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE LGBTQ COMMISSION FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS BILL, AND FOR STANDING UP. AND FOR , YOU KNOW, REQUESTING THAT THE MAYOR AND THAT COUNCIL BRING THIS FORWARD, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP, AND I AM VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ORDINANCE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. OKAY, LOOKING AROUND FOR ANY FURTHER COMMENTS BEFORE -- ALL RIGHT, I WILL JUST CLOSE THIS OUT AND SAY THAT THIS LEGISLATION SENDS A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE THAT SEATTLE IS AND WILL REMAIN A SAFE HARBOR FOR COMMUNITIES UNDER RELENTLESS ATTACKS FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND ITS ALLIES. SEATTLE HAS LONG BEEN A WELCOMING CITY, OFFERING SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO ANYONE IN NEED, AND THIS PROPOSAL WILL DEFEND VULNERABLE PEOPLE FROM ANTICHOICE AND ANTI-TRANSGENDER POLICIES THAT DO NOT REFLECT OUR VALUES AND NEEDS AS A COMMUNITY. COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> THANK YOU, SORRY, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, IF I MISSED MY OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, I JUST WANTED TO THE TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK MAYOR HARRELL FOR THIS , BECAUSE IT DOES ADD IMPORTANT PROTECTIONS TO OUR CITY AND OUR RESIDENTS. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. >> AND I WANTED TO ALSO THANK THE LGBTQ COMMISSION FOR BRINGING -- FOR WORKING SO -- FOR BRINGING THIS -- FOR WORKING SO CLOSELY WITH THE CITY TO BRING THIS UP BEFORE US. AND THIS REALLY DOES SHOW THIS HAS BEEN -- IT HAS BEEN A GROUP EFFORT, AND I HOPE THAT PEOPLE ARE HEARING US WHEN WE SAY THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR VALUES AS A WELCOMING CITY. SO, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL? >> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] >> JUST CORRECT, FOR THE RECORD, AS AMENDED. >> I DID SAY THAT, YEP. >> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> THE BILL PASSES AS AMENDED AND THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, EVERYONE, FOR THAT. SO, THERE WERE NO ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR AND THERE IS NOT A RESOLUTION FOR INTRODUCTION IN ADOPTION TODAY. IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER -- IS THAT AN OLD HAND, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? ALL RIGHT, COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON? >> I REQUEST TO BE EXCUSED ON APRIL 8th. I WILL BE GOING TO PUERTO RICO TO ATTEND MY DAUGHTER'S WEDDING. >> WOW, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR FAMILY. IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON IS EXCUSED. >> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I WANTED TO CIRCLE BACK TO THE LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ STUDENTS THAT WE DISCUSSED YESTERDAY AND BRING YOU BACK FOR SIGNATURES TODAY. AS STATED YESTERDAY, RIGHT NOW, WE KNOW THAT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, AS WE HAVE JUST VOTED TO AFFIRM SUPPORT OF, THEY'RE FACING DIRECT ASSAULT AT A VARIETY OF LEVELS. THE LETTER OF SUPPORT BEFORE YOU IS SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILL 1296 AND SENATE BILL 5181, WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING CONSIDERED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT LGBTQ STUDENTS IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. THE BILLS WOULD ENSURE SAFETY, PRIVACY, AND LEGAL RIGHTS WITHIN EXISTING LAW AND ALLOW THEM TO ACCESS ACCURATE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT BY TRUSTED ADULTS WHILE ALLOWING PARENTS TO STAY INVOLVED WITH THEIR EDUCATION. THIS LEGISLATION REQUIRES COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND THE WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION TO DEVELOP A MODEL TRANSGENDER STUDENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES THAT AT MINIMUM INCLUDE INCORPORATING OS PI GUIDELINES TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON THE BASIS OF GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION, ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND NEEDS FACED BY TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, DESCRIBING THE APPLICATION OF THE MODEL POLICY AND PROCEDURE PROHIBITING HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING TO TRANSGENDER STUDENTS. THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN WIDELY SUPPORTED BY EVERY MEMBER OF SEATTLE'S LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION IN OLYMPIA. HOSPITAL 1296 WAS SUPPORTED BY EVERY DEMOCRAT IN THE STATE HOUSE. THE OTHER WAS SUPPORTED BY EVERY DEMOCRAT IN THE STATE SENATE. AS REPRESENTATIVES OF WASHINGTON'S LARGEST CITY, WE MUST ENSURE THAT OUR YOUTH UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE THEIR BACKS. I KNOW WHEN I CAME OUT WHEN I WAS 12, I WAS ABLE TO GO AT MY OWN PACE AND I HAD THE SUPPORT OF MY SCHOOL, AND I WANT THAT FOR EVERY SEATTLE KIDDO AS WELL. ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR , JUST BASED ON THE DISCUSSION YESTERDAY, I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT MY STAFF FOLLOWED THE APPROPRIATE PROCESS FOR LETTER REVIEW AND APPROVAL FOR BOTH COUNCIL BRIEFING YESTERDAY AND TODAY'S COUNCIL MEETING. WE WORKED WITH THE STAFF AND THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S OFFICE LAST WEEK TO ENSURE IT WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR YESTERDAY'S BRIEFING. WE EMAILED ALL OF THE STAFF OF OUR MEMBERS TO SOLICIT FEEDBACK FROM EACH OFFICE ON LANGUAGE WITH A DEADLINE THAT WAS INCLUDED FOR SUGGESTED EDITS. THE LETTER WAS ALSO FLAGGED IN THE WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT MEETING LAST THURSDAY AND MY STAFF HAD DIRECT DISCUSSIONS WITH STAFF FROM COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON, COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA, COUNCILMEMBER SOLOMON LAST WEEK AHEAD OF COUNCIL BRIEFING. AND MY STAFF AGAIN HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH OFFICE TO ENSURE EVERYONE ONCE AGAIN HAD A CHANCE TO SUGGEST ANY LANGUAGE CHANGES, AND I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SOME MEMBERS DIRECTLY TODAY TO ENSURE THERE IS NO POTENTIAL CONFUSION. AND I EXPLAIN ALL OF THIS TO SAY IT LAST WEEK, AS A COUNCIL BODY, WE SAT ON THE DAIS AND HEARD FROM MEMBERS THAT THEY HAD TIME TO QUICKLY READ UP ON NINE DIFFERENT AMENDMENTS THAT DROPPED THE DAY BEFORE TO VOTE ON ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS THIS YEAR. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SIMPLY VOICING SUPPORT, ENCOURAGING OUR STATE DELEGATION TO STAND UP FOR QUEER AND TRANS YOUTH, AND WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE OFFICIAL PROCESS AND ALLOW FOR AMPLE TIME FOR ENGAGEMENT, I AM HEARING MEMBERS ASKED FOR MORE TIME. AGAIN, THIS LETTER DOES NOT BIND US AS A CITY, WE ARE VOICING OUR SUPPORT FOR TWO BUILDS TO PROTECT KIDS THAT ARE FACING INCREASING AND CONSTANT ATTACKS. SO, THERE WAS TIME TO DECIDE ON WHERE YOU WILL STAND WITH THIS SIMPLE SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR QUEER AND TRANS KIDS. I THINK IT IS WORTH OUR SIGNATURES. I KNOW I WILL BE VOTING TO SIGN. WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THOSE REMARKS. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCILMEMBERS? COUNCILMEMBER MOORE? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. SO, THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, FOR BRINGING THIS LETTER ABOUT THESE BILLS. MY OFFICE DID HAVE A CHANCE TO WORK WITH YOUR STAFF AND READ THE LETTER FRIDAY , I THINK IT WAS. WE WERE ON TRACK, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ THROUGH THE BILLS. AND I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR FOR THE RECORD, IT'S A COMPLICATED BILL IN THAT IT IS THREE SECTIONS. THE FIRST PART -- SORRY, LET ME PULL IT UP HERE. PART 1, PROTECTION OF STUDENTS SAFETY, EDUCATION ACCESS, AND PRIVACY DOES CREATE NEW LANGUAGE. THAT REQUIRES THE SCHOOLS TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON THE BASIS OF GENDER EXPRESSION AND GENDER IDENTITY , TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND NEEDS FACED BY TRANSGENDER STUDENTS AND GENDER EXPENSIVE STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AND IT GOES ON TO ELABORATE THAT, AND I AM 100% SUPPORTIVE OF THAT. I THINK IT IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT -- THE SECOND PART OF THE BILL RELATES TO THE STATEMENT OF STUDENTS RIGHTS. AND THEN THE THIRD PART OF THE BILL IS A STATEMENT OF PARENT RIGHTS. SO, PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS. SO, HAVING RAISED THREE BOYS THROUGH THE SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SYSTEM AND HAVING EXPERIENCED OUR OWN CHALLENGES IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH BULLYING AND HAZING AND A VERY UNRESPONSIVE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION, I AM TRYING TO GET ACCESS TO ACADEMIC RECORDS AND HEALTH, I AM VERY, VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROCESS AND THE FRUSTRATIONS OF A PARENT, AND I AM VERY MUCH SUPPORTIVE OF STUDENTS HAVING THEIR RIGHTS AND PARENTS HAVING RIGHTS AS WELL. BUT IN LOOKING AT THIS BILL, THERE ARE SOME PROVISIONS IN WHICH I AM NOT ENTIRELY COMFORTABLE. SOME ARE RELATING AROUND TO THE TIMEFRAME OF WHICH RECORDS ARE TO BE RELEASED. I HAPPEN TO THINK 45 DAYS IS TOO LONG A TIME TO WAIT TO HAVE RECORDS RELEASED TO PARENTS. THERE ARE SOME OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE BILL AROUND PARENT RIGHTS THAT ARE CONCERNING TO ME. IN TERMS OF OTHER ACADEMIC AVENUES THAT A PARENT WOULD APPARENTLY HAVE A RIGHT TO. SO, BECAUSE THIS IS A STATE LEGISLATION, THE BILL IS DIFFERENT NOW THAN IT WAS WHEN ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED. IT IS STILL ITERATIVE, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER WHAT THE FINAL VERSION LOOKS LIKE. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE AT THIS POINT, BECAUSE AS I SAID, THERE ARE PIECES OF THIS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGED. THE BROAD STROKES AND CERTAINLY THE MESSAGE THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE DISCRIMINATION IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AGAINST TRANSGENDER STUDENTS , GENDER EXPENSIVE STUDENTS, GENDER IDENTITY, AND THAT WE NEED TO PROTECT THAT, I AM 100% SUPPORTIVE OF AND CERTAINLY WOULD BE WILLING TO SIGN OFF ON SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. BUT BECAUSE OF THE SORT OF POSTURAL POSITION OF THIS BILL, I'M NOT COMFORTABLE AT THIS TIME, SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD, BUT I WILL BE ABSTAINING IN MY VOTE TODAY. THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. UM, FOLLOWING THE SHIELD LAW, I DO BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE THE POINT THAT WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS GENERALLY. BUT ALSO, LOOKING OUT FOR DIFFERENT , YOU KNOW, ELEMENTS OF THAT , TO INCLUDE THE PROTECTION OF STUDENTS AND PARENTS AND FAMILIES. IT WAS A FAMILIES TWICE, BECAUSE I THINK ULTIMATELY, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THAT PROCESS. I ALSO , IN TERMS OF THE BILLS, I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE WORKING IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THERE WILL BE CHANGES AND CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE THE FINAL, BUT I SUPPORT THE CONSIDERATION OF THESE TWO BUILDS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS THEY MOVE FORWARD. AS I READ THE LETTER, I ALSO WANTED TO KNOW, OVER THE LAST YEAR PLUS, I HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW DR. JONES, AND I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR DR. JONES. I KNOW HE RECENTLY MADE HIS ANNOUNCEMENT. IN TERMS OF HIS LEAVING HIS POST AFTER BASICALLY FOUR YEARS. AND I JUST WANT TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE. OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES IN THE SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SYSTEM. INCLUDING A FISCAL CRISIS. THERE ARE A LOT OF PIECES THAT GO TO THAT, IT IS EXTREMELY COMPLICATED. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE DR. JONES' SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. NEXT POINT I JUST WANTED TO NOTE IS I RECOGNIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND IT IS TRAGIC IN MANY WAYS WHAT IS HAPPENING. WITH OUR NEW ADMINISTRATION. THIS HAPPENS ON SO MANY FRONTS, TO INCLUDE AS NOTED IN THE LETTER, MILITARY PERSONNEL. I HAVE HAD DIRECT CONTACT FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LOOKING TO FIND SUPPORT FOR TRANS NAVY JAG OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN REPRESENTING OUR COUNTRY WITH HONOR, BUT THEY ARE NOW GOING TO BE EXITING MILITARY BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE IN THE ADMINISTRATION. AND THAT IS SAD. ONE NOTE, THOUGH, AND KIND OF RECOMMENDATION, I ALSO DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD JUST SAY TRUMPS VARIOUS FEDERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS, I THINK WHETHER FOR OR AGAINST, HE IS PRESIDENT, SO I WOULD RECOMMEND SAYING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS OR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S VARIOUS FEDERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS, THAT POINT WHERE WE ARE JUST CALLING THE PRESIDENT BY HIS LAST NAME LIKE THAT, I THINK THAT JUST OPENS US UP FOR, YOU KNOW, AS THE FORMER FIRST LADY SAID, GO HIGH. AND SO, WITH THAT, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THOSE COMMENTS. OH, THE LAST PIECE I WANTED TO NOTE IN THE HOUSE BILL, I REALLY BELIEVE THAT OUR NATION IS IN DIRE NEED OF CIVICS EDUCATION. IT IS SAD THAT THE MOST THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY GET IS SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK. AND WE NEED TO HAVE GREATER CIVICS EDUCATION. WE NEED TO HAVE THIS UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS HAPPENING RELATED TO OUR DEMOCRACY, RELATED TO THE RIGHTS THAT WE ALL HOLD . AND HOW TO MAKE OURSELVES A MORE PERFECT UNION. AND I THINK BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CIVIC WORLD, IS UNDERMINING OUR DEMOCRACY. AND I THINK THAT IF EVERYONE HAD A BETTER SENSE OF OUR CIVIC LAY DOWN IN TERMS OF OUR DEMOCRACY, I THINK WE WOULD BE IN A BETTER PLACE. AND THIS IS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, THOSE IN THE MIDDLE AS WELL. THIS IS ONE AREA THAT SADDENS ME GREATLY, AS SOMEBODY WHO COMES FROM A RED PART OF A BLUE STATE. AND AS A FORMER MILITARY OFFICER, I SEE THIS PLAY OUT CONSTANTLY. AND IT SADDENS ME GREATLY. AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED, AND I THINK IT WOULD HELP US PROTECT OUR RIGHTS LONG-TERM IF EVERYBODY UNDERSTOOD , PARTICULARLY AS I SEE REPORTS NOW GOING AFTER THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. AND SO, WITH THAT, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THOSE COMMENTS, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, AND I WILL SUPPORT THE LETTER, RECOGNIZING COUNCILMEMBER MOORE'S POINTS, BUT I THINK MOVING FORWARD AND SHOWING SUPPORT FOR OUR LGBTQ COMMUNITY, WHO IS REALLY, FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS, A CANARY IN A COAL MINE RELATED TO OUR DEMOCRACY, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT, SO THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I WANT TO THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR YOUR WORK. I KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CARE A LOT ABOUT, AS I DO, AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME TODAY TO TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS LETTER. AND SOME OF THE CONCERNS I HAD WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THE LETTER. I WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, AS WE CLEARLY INDICATED IN PASSING COUNCIL BILL 120950 TODAY , OF COURSE I SUPPORT TRANS AND LGBTQ+ KIDS' RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS OF ALL STUDENTS BROADLY, AND THAT INCLUDES PRIVACY IN THE SCHOOLS. I HAD TWO DAUGHTERS IN SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, I HAVE ONE LEFT IN SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND I VERY MUCH RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT NOT ALL FAMILIES ARE LIKE OUR FAMILY. AND THAT SOME STUDENTS DON'T HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THEIR FAMILIES, AND SO, THE PRIVACY PIECE IS IMPORTANT. HOWEVER, RELATED TO THIS LETTER, AND I DID SHARE WITH YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, I HAVE SOME STATEMENTS THAT GIVE ME PAUSE , UNRELATED TO THE POLICY. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE FOR THE RECORD. AS I STATED YESTERDAY DURING OUR COUNCIL BRIEFING, THE CITY HAS NO AUTHORITY OVER SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SPS IS GOVERNED BY THE OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, AS WE ALL KNOW, OR SPI AT THE STATE LEVEL. IF THE SCHOOL IS IN VIOLATION OF STATE LAW, PARENTS OR STUDENTS NEED TO SEEK RECOURSE AND ENFORCEMENT FROM OSPI. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THESE ISSUES ARE UNDER CITY AUTHORITY, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE NO ABILITY TO ENFORCE THESE LAWS. REGARDING THE LANGUAGE ABOUT BUDGETARY ISSUES FACED BY SPS, THIS PARAGRAPH IS NOT RELEVANT TO THE BILLS MENTIONED IN THE LETTER, AND ALSO LEAVES THE IMPRESSION THAT THE CITY HAS AUTHORITY OVER SPS'S BUDGET, WHICH WE OF COURSE DO NOT. WHILE WE MAY BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE POLICY IN THESE BILLS THIS LETTER IS NOT A COMMITMENT TO SPS THAT THE CITY CAN OR WILL COVER THEIR FINANCIAL NEEDS. THAT IS THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY. NOTHING IN THIS LETTER PROPOSES THE CITY WILL COVER SPS'S BUDGET, JUST AS THE STATE WOULD NOT COVER THE CITY'S BUDGET AND VICE VERSA. AND PLEASE THAT GOVERNOR FERGUSON HAS MADE A COMMITMENT TO PRIORITIZE EDUCATION, AS IS THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY, GIVEN THE STRUCTURE OF THIS LETTER AND BASED ON THESE CONCERNS, I WILL NOT BE SIGNING MY NAME ONTO THIS LETTER, ALTHOUGH, AS COUNCILMEMBER, I AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER MOORE. AT A LATER POINT IN TIME, IF THERE IS A LETTER THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE UNDERLYING RIGHTS OF STUDENTS THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE SOMEHOW OUR OVERSIGHT OF SPS, THAT WOULD BETTER CLARIFY , THEN I WOULD BE OPEN TO RECONSIDERING THAT. THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, JUST TAKING A MOMENT TO ECHO SOME OF COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE'S COMMENTS REGARDING PROPER EGG KNOWLEDGE MEANT OF A POSITION IN OUR ADMINISTRATION. I'M WONDERING TO THE SPONSOR IF WE CAN MAKE THAT CHANGE? I KNOW IT IS TOO LATE FOR THE DRAFT THAT HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED, BUT IF WE CAN MAKE A VERBAL AMENDMENT TO ADD TO PRESIDENT IN FRONT OF THE NAME, THAT WOULD HELP ME. >> I AM SEEING NONE, SELECT THE RECORD NO THAT THAT CHANGE WILL BE MADE. >> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THE LETTER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TOGETHER. >> I WILL LET YOU HAVE THE LAST WORD, I JUST WANT TO SAY I GOT FOR THE FACT THAT YES, YOU DID FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURE, AND I KNOW BECAUSE JEREMY MAKES PEOPLE DO THAT, SO I JUST WANTED TO VALIDATE THAT. AND RECOGNIZE THAT LAST WEEK WAS A BUSY WEEK, BECAUSE OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WE VOTED ON ON TUESDAY, WHICH WAS TIME-CONSUMING FOR EVERYBODY TO GET THEIR MINDS AROUND, AND THEN PROBABLY EMAILS FELL OFF THE INBOX, AND PERHAPS STAFF DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO INFORM COUNCILMEMBERS. JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THAT LAST WEEK WAS PRETTY BUSY. SO, WITH THAT, GO AHEAD AND YOU'RE WELCOME TO PROVIDE THE LAST WORD. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, AND THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AND I WILL JUST REITERATE HERE, WE ARE NOT CRAFTING LEGISLATION, OR FIXING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE, WE NEED A LOT MORE TIME FOR THAT. THE QUESTION BEFORE US IS SIMPLY, IS THIS SMALL SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR OUR COLLEAGUES IN OLYMPIA, STANDING UP FOR QUEER AND TRANS KIDS WITH YOUR SIGNATURE? YES OR NO? THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, WITH THAT, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE -- [ INAUDIBLE ] >> SORRY, I TAKE ISSUE WITH THAT STATEMENT. THIS ISN'T A DO YOU SUPPORT TRANS KIDS OR NOT OR STUDENTS IN GENERAL OR NOT. WE HAVE STATED OUR RATIONALE BEHIND WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE LETTER, AND I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT THAT IS THE BOAT THAT I AM TAKING TODAY. >> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE? >> YEAH, I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO THOSE COMMENTS, I THINK I MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THE RIGHT OF TRANSGENDER, GENDER FLUID, GENDER EXPRESSIVENESS, GENDER IDENTITY, WILLING TO SIGN THE LETTER. THIS BILL IS THREE PARTS, IT RELATES TO PROTECTING AGAINST DISCRIMINATION FOR THOSE SPACES , STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS AND PARENT BILL OF RIGHTS. IT IS A COMPLICATED BILL. MY ABSTENTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY SUPPORT, AND I WANT THAT TO BE VERY CLEAR. THANK YOU. >> AND BEFORE WE GET SIGNATURES, I WILL REMIND PEOPLE THAT THERE ARE MANY WAYS THAT WE CAN EXPRESS SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION TO BILLS IN OLYMPIA. BY SIGNING IN PRO OR CON, BY TALKING TO LEGISLATORS IN OLYMPIA OURSELVES , BY WRITING A LETTER ON OUR OWN , INDIVIDUALLY, TO OUR DELEGATION OR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS THEREIN. IT IS SOMETIMES HARD TO GET A HANDLE ON JUST THE LEGISLATION BEFORE US, THE CITY LEGISLATION, AND I RECOGNIZE WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THIS HAVING THREE PARTS AND YOU MIGHT AGREE WITH SOME OF THEM, BUT NOT OTHERS, SO JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE REACH OUT TO OIR, OLYMPIA STAFF , TO KEEP APPRISED OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT YOU ARE TRACKING AND MONITORING AND CARE ABOUT, SO YOU KNOW OTHER WAYS TO EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION. WITH THAT, GO AHEAD. >> I JUST HAVE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION FOR COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. WAS THE REQUEST TO ADD ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE TO THE LETTER? >> THANK YOU, CLERK, YES, JUST TO ADD THE WORD PRESIDENT BEFORE THE PRESIDENT'S LAST NAME. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL, AS LONG AS THERE IS NOTHING ELSE. OKAY. SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE LETTER, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL TO DETERMINE WHICH COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE THEIR SIGNATURE AFFIXED TO THE LETTER IN SUPPORT OF THESE BILLS? >> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] SEVEN SIGNATURES WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE LETTER. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE, OTHER BUSINESS. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ITEM 2 HERE. GO AHEAD. COUNCILMEMBER MOORE? >> THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR AN ABSENCE FOR APRIL 1st. >> I ASKED THAT LAST TIME, DO I NEED TO ASK AGAIN? >> HAS IT BEEN MADE ALREADY? >> I MADE A JOKE ABOUT IT -- >> OH, THANK YOU. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT? >> HOLD ON A SECOND, SO THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THERE WAS NO OBJECTION, SO COUNCILMEMBER MOORE IS EXCUSED ON APRIL 1st CITY COUNCIL MEETING. IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS? COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> THANK YOU, I'M JUST CONFIRMING, BECAUSE RIGHT AFTER COUNCILMEMBER MOORE MADE THAT REQUEST, I MADE THE SAME REQUEST BUT I'M JUST DOUBLE CHECKING ON MY REQUEST. >> CONFIRMED. >> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. OKAY, GOING ONCE, TWICE, THIRD TIME FOR ADDITIONAL BUSINESS. SEEING NONE. WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S AGENDA AND OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS ON APRIL 1st, NO JOKE, AT 2:00 P.M. HEARING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, WE ARE ADJOURNED AND IT IS 3:06 P.M. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.