>>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THE NOVEMBER 3, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SEATTLE CITY KOUP SILL WILL COME TO ORDER. IT'S 2:02. I'M COUNCIL PRESIDENT. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. [ ROLL CALLED ] >> EIGHT PRESENT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. IF THERE'S NO OPTION, THE COUNCIL RULES WILL BE SUSPENDED TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION FOR INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION. HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED AND THE COUNCIL WILL PROCEED WITH CONSIDERATION OF ITEM 1, RESOLUTION 32186. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM 1 INTO THE RECORD? >> RESOLUTION 32186, MODIFYING THE OCTOBER 30, 2025 , THE DISRUPTION TO SNAP BENEFITS. >> THANK YOU. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO MOVE THE RESOLUTION. >> THANK YOU. I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 32186. >> SECOND. >> IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. >> AS SPONSOR, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO ADDRESS IT. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS A SIMPLE ADDITION ACKNOWLEDGING THE ORGS THAT HELP PROVIDE MEALS, THE FOOD SYSTEM SECTOR IS INCLUDED IN THIS. SNAP BENEFITS ARE DIVERSE, ACCEPT SNAP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS, THIS PROVIDES EXECUTIVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO DISTRIBUTE THE FUNDING DIFFERENT AVENUES. WE'RE NOT DECIDING WHERE IT GOES. WE ARE GETTING THE EXECUTIVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO DISTRIBUTE WITH DIFFERENT AVENUES. COLLEAGUES, I WOULD HOPE FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THIS POINT, IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, THE RULES WILL BOW SUSPENDED TO ALLOW COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL. HEARING NONE, RULES ARE SUSPENDED. BEN AND LAUREN, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELVES. >> LAUREN HENRY, CENTRAL STAFF, LEGISLATIVE LEGAL COUNSEL. >> BEN NOBLE, CENTRAL STAFF DIRECTOR. >> IF COUNCIL WISHES, I CAN WALK THROUGH THE OCTOBER 30, 2025 MAYORAL CLAMATION AND A SUMMARY AFFIRMING WHAT COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH SAID. >> PLEASE DO. >> ON OCTOBER 30, 2025, THE MAYOR DID ISSUE A CIVIL EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION REGARDING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND ITS DIRE IMPACTS ON THE SNAP BENEFICIARIES IN SEATTLE.THE THE MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION QUOTED THAT ROUGHLY 50,000 SEATTLE IETS RECEIVED SNAP BENEFITS TOTALS $16 MILLION PER MONTH AND THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WOULD BE IMPACTED DUE TO THE DISRUPTION IN MONTHLY SNAP BENEFITS. AS A RESULT, THE PROCLAMATION WAS ISSUED PURSUANT TO SMC 10-.02.010, WHICH HAS EMERGENCY POWERS. THE OPPORTUNITY WHEN CERTAIN PRE- EXISTING CIRCUMSTANCES OR A THREAT TO VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THE SAFETY OR WELFARE OF SEATTLE'S RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE THOSE EMERGENCY POWERS. THAT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 30th. SPECIFICALLY, THE MAYOR HAD TWO DELEGATIONS TO HIS CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS. THE FIRST WAS TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY BUDGET OFFICE AUTHORIZING THE SPENDING OF EMERGENCY FUNDS TO MITIGATE THE LOSS OF SNAP FUNDING AND FOOD ACCESS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CON TRAKTSING WITH CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS TO INCREASE FOOD AVAILABILITY. THE SECOND DELEGATION WAS TO CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS GENERALLY TO AUTHORIZE AND PERMIT THE USE OF CITY FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT AND TO REASSIGN PERSONNEL FROM THEIR ORDINARY DUTIES TO ASSIST IN THIS EMERGENCY. NOW PURSUANT TO THAT SAME SMC10.02.010 SUB SECTION C. THE COUNCIL HAS FOUR OPTIONS. NOT TO ACT, IN WHICH THE PROCLAMATION AND ANY FORTHCOMING EXECUTIVE ORDERS STAND AS THEY ARE UNTIL THE CIVIL EMERGENCY IS EITHER TERMINATED BY THE MAYOR OR BY A TWO- THIRDS VOTE OF THE COUNCIL. THEN THE THREE REMAINING ACTS ARE ACTIONS OF THE COUNCIL. ONE MIGHT BE TO CONFIRM AND RATIFY THE MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION AS IT STANDS. THE SECOND WOULD BE TO MODIFY THE PROCLAMATION. THE THIRD MIGHT BE TO REJECT IT OUTRIGHT. THE PATH BEFORE YOU NOW BY RESOLUTION IS A SIMPLE MODIFICATION OF THE MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION. AS COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH STATED, THERE ARE JUST TWO COMPONENTS TO THIS RESOLUTION. BOTH RECOGNIZE THAT THE SCOPE OF THE FOOD SHORTAGE WILL LIKELY NECESSITATE DISTRIBUTION TO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF ESTABLISHED FOOD SYSTEMS IN SEATTLE. THEY, THEREFORE, WILL HAVE PROVISIONS WITHIN SECTION 3 REGARDING THE CONTRACT AND BORROWING AUTHORITY TO COMMIT THE MAYOR TO DISTRIBUTE RESOURCES TO THAT FULL SPECTRUM OF ESTABLISHED FOOD SYSTEMS BE IT MEAL PROVIDERS FOR CHILDREN SENIORS, OTHER VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, FOOD BANKS AND DIVERSE FOOD DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS. THE SECOND COMPONENT IS TO COMMIT THE MAYOR TO IN CONSULTATION WITH COUNCIL IDENTIFY THE SOURCES OF FUNDS AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THE FOOD SHORTAGE AND DEMONSTRATE THE PLAN TO DISTRIBUTE RESOURCES AND STAFFING EQUITABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY. TWO COMPONENTS TO THE RESOLUTION. I WILL PAUSE THERE FOR QUESTIONS. >> LET ME JUST JUMP IN AND SAY THAT I -- SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, IT FEELS LIKE WE ARE EXPERIENCING OR WE ARE RESPONDING TO THE IMPACT OF WHAT'S BEEN A SLOW MOVING TRAIN WRECK, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS COMING FOR A LONG TIME. HOWEVER, NOW IT IS UPON US. I AM PROUD THAT THE CITY OF SEATTLE IS STEPPING UP. WE KNOW THAT MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE IN SEATTLE ARE -- USE THIS BENEFIT. WE ARE STEPPING UP TO PUT AS MUCH RESOURCES AS WE CAN FORWARD TO HELP THOSE PEOPLE IN NEED RIGHT IN THIS VERY, VERY MOMENT IN GOING FORWARD OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT SYNOPSIS OF OUR OPTIONS AND THE PROCESS THAT WE MUST GO THROUGH. COLLEAGUES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? >> IF I MIGHT, I COULD PERHAPS SHED LIGHT ON RESOURCES THAT ARE POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE AND THAT ARE BEING IMPLICATION TARGETED IN THE EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION. IN PARTICULAR, THE GENERAL FUND HAS TWO LARGE RESERVES. ONE IS THE RAINY DAY FUND, OR MORE TECHNICALLY, THE REVENUE STABILIZATION ACCOUNT. THAT'S TO ADDRESS SHORTFALLS IN REVENUE. THAT'S NOT THE SITUATION WE'RE IN HERE. THE OTHER IS THE EMERGENCY SUBFUND. IT'S TO ADDRESS UNANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES. THAT IS PRESUMABLY EXACTLY THE SITUATION WE ARE IN. AS OF NOW, THAT FUND HAS JUST OVER $85 MILLION IN IT. THERE'S A SET OF POLICIES THATTHAT UPON THE CITY TO FULLY FUND IT TO A LEVEL. WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT. IF IT IS DRAWN UPON IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY, POLICIES CALL FOR IT TO BE REPLENISHED OVER TIME AND IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY. THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THIS KIND OF A THING. ALTHOUGH, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S NOT WHAT ANYONE ANTICIPATED THAT EMERGENCY SUBFUND BEING USED FOR. FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE BIGGER PICTURE ABOUT THE RESOURCES, THOSE ARE THEY, IF YOU WILL. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, LAUREN AND BEN. LET ME JUST ASK A QUICK QUESTION. UNDER THE CIVIL EMERGENCY POWERS, IS THIS THE FIRST TIME OUR CITY HAS DONE THIS FOR SOMETHING AS BASIC AS FOOD? ALSO, ARE THERE OTHER CITIES DOING THIS? >> I MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANSWER THE FIRST QUESTION. THE MOST RECENT TIME THESE POWERS WERE INVOKED WAS DURING PANDEMIC. THAT WAS MORE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT MEDICAL RESPONSE. PART THAT WAS , AS I RECALL, ABOUT FOOD. THE MEALS AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN VIA SCHOOL AND THE LIKE WERE DISRUPTED. THAT WAS PART OF THE OVERALL EFFORT. OBVIOUSLY, A DIFFERENT SITUATION. >> HOW ABOUT OTHER CITIES? >> I HAVE ONLY BEEN READING THE PAPER THAT YOU HAVE, THAT THERE ARE OTHER CITIES THAT ARE AND STATES DOING THINGS COMPARABLE. >> THIS IS A FAST-MOVING ISSUE. SO FAR, I HAVE READ ABOUT VARIOUS STATE RESPONSES TO STANDING UP FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTERS AND THE LIKE. I WOULD NEED TO GET BACK TO YOU ABOUT THE ARRAY OF CITY COMMITMENT. >> SO IS THIS -- IT'S $8 MILLION? RAINY DAY? I'M SORRY, JUST -- >> THE PROCLAMATION DOES NOT REFERENCE A DOLLAR AMOUNT. THE PUBLIC INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE MAYOR INDICATES THAT AS MUCH AS $8 MILLION IS WHAT THEY HAVE IN MIND, YES. >> OVER TWO YEARS? ONE YEAR? >> TWO MONTHS, AS I UNDERSTAND IT. >> TWO MONTHS, I'M SORRY. >> THANK YOU. >> GOING BACK TO THE QUESTION OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS, IS KING COUNTY -- YOU HAVE HEARD OF ANYTHING THE KING COUNTY IS GOING TO BE DOING, ESPECIALLY FOR UNINCORPORATED KING COUNTY RESIDENTS? >> I HAVEN'T BUT I'M HAPPY TO LOOK INTO THAT AND REPORT BACK. >> THANK YOU. LET'S SEE. COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS? >> THANK YOU. NOTING THAT PROVIDING FOOD TO HUNGRY AMERICANS IS THE DUTY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IN THIS TIME WHERE THEY ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB, WE AS THE CITY COUNCIL ALONG WITH THE MAYOR TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM SEATTLE FED. THIS PROPOSAL BEFORE US IS NOT A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION. WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP THE PEOPLE OF OUR CITY FED AND HEALTHY TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITIES. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO REOPEN AND DO THEIR JOB SO THAT EVERYDAY AMERICANS CAN GET THE FOOD THEY NEED TO LEARN, WORK PLAY, CARE FOR THEIR FAMILY AND EVERYTHING ELSE. THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE AND RIVERA. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND GIVING THAT BACKGROUND. I WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING COUNCIL HOLLINGSWORTH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS AND SPEAKING TO THIS. THIS BUILDS ON THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE IN TERMS OF GROCERY AND PHARMACY DESERTS. I HAVE HEARD YOU IN MEDIA. I HAVE HEARD YOU FROM HERE. THAT LEADERSHIP IS IMPORTANT. SO THANK YOU. FOR YOUR WORK. IN ANSWER TO THE POINT, WE NEED TO ACT. WE NEED TO SHOW LEADERSHIP. WE NEED TO SHOW SEATTLE'S VALUES. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THIS AREA. IN TERMS OF THE THREE OPTIONS, YES, WE NEED TO ACT. WE NEED TO MODIFY BASED ON COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH'S EFFORTS HERE. I WANTED TO KNOW, WE DO NEED TO GO BEYOND FOOD BANKS. AT THE TIME, I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE QUEENQUEEN FOOD BANK THAT DOES GREAT SERVICE. THEY ARE AT SACRED HEART CHURCH FOR THE COMMUNITY. I HAVE BEEN THERE. WHAT THEY DO IS INCREDIBLE FOR THE SMALL SIZE THAT IT IS. HAS AN OVERSIZED IMPACT DESPITE ITS SMALL SIZE. I WANT TO THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN AND THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY MAKE THE QUEEN ANNE FOOD BANK WORK. BY THE WAY, THAT'S ALSO NOT THOSE THAT JUST WORK AT THE FOOD BANK, THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT THAT FOOD BANK, LIKE ALL THE THE FOOD BANKS HAVE WITH ALL THE GROCERY STORES OR MAYBE A BAKERY, ALL THE VARIOUS PIECES OF THIS FOOD DISTRIBUTION NETWORK, IF YOU WILL. IT'S A GRAND UNDERTAKING. EVEN IF FOR A SMALLER ONE LIKE THE÷÷THE QUEEN FOOD BANK. NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, I THINK ALL OF US HAVE SEEN THIS, BECAUSE IT'S PART OF OUR DUTIES, GOING OUT IN COMMUNITY. THERE YOU REALIZE THAT FOOD BANKS, IT'S NOT ENOUGH. THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION THAT HAPPENS IS TIED TO OUR HOUSING AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. D- 7 DOWNTOWN BUT ACROSS THE CITY, YOU SEE THIS WITH PROVIDERS WHO ARE TAKING ON THAT PIECE, THAT FOOD PIECE TO BRING TO THEIR CLIENTS, THEIR PEOPLE THE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF. THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T SEE. WE'RE PRIVILEGED IN TERMS OF ENGAGING WITH COMMUNITY, HOUSING PROVIDERS, ENGAGING WITH HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS AND SEEING THE WORK THAT THEY DO, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF FOOD. TO ENSURE THAT THOSE THAT ARE UNDER THEIR CARE OR THAT THEY ARE ENGAGED WITH ARE IN GOOD STEAD. I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE. I KNOW WE'RE COMING UP ON VETERANS DAY. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE QUEEN ANNE FOOD BANK BUT ALL THE FOOD BANKS FOR ALL THOSE HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT HAVE THAT FOOD ASPECT TO THEIR MISSION SETS TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE, BUT ALSO TO OUR CITY. I JUST WANTED TO SAY A TRUE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. COUNCIL COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE, THANKS FOR SHOUTOUT FOR THE QUEEN ANNE FOOD BANK. TO ALL THE FOOD BANKS ACROSS OUR CITY WHO ARE REALLY HAVING TO PICK UP NOW WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING ITS RESPONSIBILITY. I WILL SAY, YOU MAY REMEMBER -- YOU TALKED ABOUT THE MAYOR ISSUING AN EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION PRIOR DURING COVID. THERE WERE FOOD ITEMS INVOLVED WITH THAT. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS ACTUALLY GIVING US MORE MONEY TO FEED PEOPLE DURING COVID AND NOW THEY'RE TAKING MONEY AWAY SO WE CANNOT FEED OUR PEOPLE IN OUR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING SEATTLE. THAT COULD NOT BE THE MOST EGREGIOUS THING THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD OF IN MY LIFETIME AND OVER THE 30 YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WORK AND IN THE 56 YEARS I'VE BEEN ON THIS PLANET, UNACCEPTABLE, EGREGIOUS, NOT TO FEED FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, SENIORS, FOLKS THAT DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE TO GO TO GET FOOD, I TALK TO WITH EVEN AT THE STATE LEVEL, I WAS HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH A REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN DAVIS WHO HAS SOMEONE IN SHORELINE WHO CALLED HER BECAUSE HE IS -- CAN'T LEAVE HIS HOME AND HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY FOOD OR ACCESS TO FOOD. THAT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. DURING COVID, YOU ARE RIGHT, WE WERE GETTING MEALS TO CHILDREN BECAUSE SOME MEALS -- SOME CHILDREN, RATHER, THE ONLY MEAL THEY HAVE THAT DAY OR THE ONLY COUPLE MEALS THEY HAVE, THEY HAVE AT SCHOOL. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET MEALS TO THOSE FAMILIES SO THEY CAN EAT. NOW WE'RE SEEING THIS ADMINISTRATION SAYING, WE DON'T CARE ABOUT FAMILIES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. WE DON'T CARE WHETHER THEY CAN EAT OR NOT. IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. WE NOW HAVE TO PICK UP THE SLACK FOR WHAT THEY REFUSE TO DO IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I'M ANGRY ABOUT IT. I'M BEYOND ANGRY. I'M SAD. I'M ALL OF THE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS AROUND THIS BECAUSE I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IN 2026 THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. IT IS NOT OKAY. I APPRECIATE THE MAYOR FOR ISSUING THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER. I STAND WITH YOU, COLLEAGUES, TO SUPPORT THIS TODAY AND FIGURE OUT A WAY HOW WE CAN GET FOOD TO OUR CITIZENS AND OUR RESIDENTS ACROSS THE CITY WHO NEED FOOD BECAUSE OF THIS EGREGIOUS ACTION BY THIS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S NOT OKAY. THEY NEED TO REOPEN, AND THEY NEED TO FEED AND THEY NEED TO RELEASE THOSE SNAP BENEFITS. TOTALLY NOT OKAY. THANK YOU. I WOULD APOLOGIZE FOR MY OUTBURST. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO BECAUSE IT'S SIMPLY JUST NOT OKAY. THANK YOU. >> OUTBURST APPROPRIATE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I WILL ACTUALLY START MY REMARKS BY THANKING COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA FOR HER ANGER. I SHARE IN IT. IS IT UNACCESSIBLE, THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PASSION. I SHARE IN IT AS WELL. THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, FOR YR REMARKS. AS THE CHAIR OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY CHANGES, MY OFFICE HAS BEEN CLOSELY FOLLOWING THE CHANGES IN SNAP ELIGIBILITY FROM THE BIG BETRAYAL BILL AND THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. WITH YOU ME BE CLEAR THAT THE TRUMP REGIME AND CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS' INABILITY TO GOVERN AND WILLINGNESS TO WEAPONIZE FOOD ACCESS FOR OVER 40 MILLION AMERICANS IS UNPRECEDENTED AND INTENTIONALLY CRUEL. THIS PAST SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, ACTUALLY MARKS THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY THAT SNAP BENEFITS LAPSED. THIS INCLUDES PREVIOUS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS. THIS IS A POLICY CHOICE. NEARLY ONE MONTH IN WITH NO END OF THIS FEDERAL SHUTDOWN IN SIGHT, REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN OUR CAPITOL ARE CONTINUING TO PLAY GAMES WITH LOW INCOME FAMILIES AS LOW INCOME FAMILIES ARE FIGURING OUT HOW TO GET FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR THEIR KIDS. THIS MORE THAN, WE LEARNED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL ONLY QUOTE, BE OBLIGATED TO COVER 50% OF SNAP ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS ALLOTMENTS FOR NOVEMBER. THIS IS ONLY HAPPENING BECAUSE OF A FEDERAL JUDGE IN RHODE ISLAND ORDERED THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO START PROVIDING FULL NOVEMBER BENEFITS OR PARTIAL BENEFITS AS USDA OPTS TO ONLY DRAW ON THE SNAP'S CONTINGENCY FUND. THE FUND GOVERNMENT HAS THE POWER TO TURN THIS ON DURING A SHUTDOWN AND THEY LACK THE WILL TO DO SO. THIS IS A CHOICE. HERE IN SEATTLE, WE DO NOT LACK THAT WILL. WE REFUSE TO LET PEOPLE GO HUNGRY. SO I WILL BE THROWING ALL OF MY SUPPORT BEHIND THIS ACTION BY THE CITY. I WANT TO CLOSE BY THANKING OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE I SAW SOME INCREDIBLE THINGS HAPPEN OVER THIS WEEKEND. OVER THIS WEEKEND I WAS IN CAPITOL HILL AND CAME ACROSS A POP- UP FOOD DRIVE SPONSORED BY FOLKS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHO ARE COMING TOGETHER TO MEET THE MOMENT. IN TWO HOURS, THEY BROUGHT TOGETHER -- WE HAD NEARLY 2,000 POUNDS OF FOOD DONATED BY OUR NEIGHBORS. ALL OF THAT IS GOING OVER TO THE FOOD BANK AS WELL AS JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES. I HAVE SEEN LOCAL RESTAURANTS STEPPING UP TO BRING TOGETHER FOOD AND PROVIDE MEALS FOR OUR NEIGHBORS. OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS, I HAVE SEEN SEATTLE STEP UP IN REMARKABLE WAYS. IT'S NOTHING SHORT OF INSPIRING. I WANT TO THANK EVERY NEIGHBOR WHO IS DONATING TIME, MONEY, PANTRY GOODS. I WANT TO THANK EVERY HUMAN SERVICES 3R0E PROVIDER ON THE FRONT LINE OF TAKING CARE OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE. IT'S CLEAR THAT WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS STEPPING BACK FROM SUPPORTING PEOPLE, IT'S CLEAR SEATTLE WILL STEP UP. TODAY'S ACTION CONFIRMS THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I, TOO, AM OUTRAGED AND ALARMED THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ACTIONS AND INACTIONS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S -- THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S WEAPONIZATION OF FOOD, THEIR POLITICALIZATION OF FOOD LEADS US TO THIS POINT WHERE WE ARE AT TODAY. I SHARE IN THE STRATION AND CONCERN. I AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENT A MOMENT AGO THAT THIS IS A FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE NEXT LAYER OF THAT I THINK IS THE STATE. I THINK THE STATE HAS STARTED TO STEP UP AND ACT. NO DOUBT, THEY WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE THAT. HERE WE ARE AS A CITY, AS A LOCAL MUNICIPALITY CALLED UPON TO STEP UP AND ACT OURSELVES. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. WE SHOULDN'T BE IN THIS POSITION. EVERYONE DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE. EVERYONE DESERVES TO HAVE THEIR BASIC -- MOST BASIC HUMAN NEEDS MET. ESPECIALLY AND INCLUDING FOOD ACCESS, AND FOOD SECURITY. I KNOW THIS FIRSTHAND. SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY RELIED ON SNAP BENEFITS OR THE EE KWIFSH LEND IN THE '80s, SOMEONE WHO RELIED ON FOOD BANKS AND FOOD SHELVES AND FOOD PANTRIES TO HELP MY FAMILY MEET ITS BASIC FOOD NEEDS. CHILDREN ARE GOING HUNGRY BECAUSE OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. OUR MOST VULNERABLE ARE GOING HUNGRY BECAUSE OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES, WHO SACRIFICED EVERYTHING TO COME TO THIS COUNTRY IN THE HOPES THAT THEY WILL, TOO, ONE DAY SHARE IN THE PROSPERITY THAT THE AMERICAN DREAM HAS TO OFFER. SOME OF THEM, NOT ALL, JUST NEED A HELPING HAND WITH BASIC ACCESS TO FOOD, TO HELP THEM STABILIZE AND BE PUT IN A BETTER POSITION TO EARN A LIVING FOR THEMSELVES. WE FAILED ON THAT PROMISE. WE FAILED ON THAT COMMITMENT. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID. BUT I WON'T FAIL ON THAT PROMISE. I WON'T FAIL ON THAT COMMITMENT. EVERYONE DESERVES BASIC FOOD ACCESS AND SECURITY. IT IS OUR MORAL IMPERATIVE TO ACT. ALTHOUGH I AM OUTRAGED AND SHOCKED AND ALL THE OTHER NEGATIVE EMOTIONS THAT YOU EXPRESSED, I AM PROUD TO BE ABLE TO, AS A CITY, STEP UP AND HELP IN SUCH A WAY. WON'T HESITATE TO DO IT, EITHER. THIS IS OUR MORAL IMPERATIVE TO ACT. I WANT TO THANK ORGANIZATIONS IN DISTRICT 1 THAT HAVE STEPPED UP TO ANSWER THE CALL FROM A LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUP PERSPECTIVE AS WELL, INCLUDING THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK. CULTIVATE SOUTH PARK. MY OFFICE HAS BEEN IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH BOTH OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHERS IN DISTRICT 1 THIS WHOLE WEEKEND THIS MORNING, LEARNING WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO SUPPORT THE NEED AND BACKFILL. LEARNING HOW WE CAN HELP AS A CITY. WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR PART AS A CITY. WE'RE GOING TO STEP UP. BUT THIS IS ULTIMATELY NOT JUST A FEDERAL AND STATE AND NOW WE'RE TAKING UP OUR SHARE FROM A CITY PERSPECTIVE, A CITY RESPONSIBILITY, THIS IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL. IT'S NOT JUST THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY, HIGH LEVEL. THIS IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY BETWEEN COMMUNITY. I AM ENCOURAGED AND HEARTENED TO HEART SOME OF THE TREMENDOUS WAYS PEOPLE ARE SHOWING UP. WE HAVE SEEN THAT IN MY DISTRICT AS WELL. VOLUNTEERS. WE NEED MORE OF THAT. I'M CALLING ON EVERYONE TO FIND A WAY TO STEP UP AND SUPPORT THE NEED, PROVIDE VOLUNTEER HOURS TO SOME OF THESE COMMUNITY FOOD BANKS, WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK, FOR EXAMPLE. DONATIONS, FOOD DONATIONS, MONETARY DONATIONS ESPECIALLY. A LOT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS COULD PARTICULARLY USE MONETARY DONATIONS. WE'RE CERTAINLY COMING IN FROM A CITY PERSPECTIVE IN HELPING WITH THE MONETARY PIECE. THIS IS A COLLECTIVE SHARED RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE TO TRULY LIVE UP TO OUR CITY'S VALUES. I WON'T HESITATE TO DO IT. BE ABLE TO DO IT TODAY. WE ARE HERE TO DO OUR PART. THANK YOU. >> ANYBODY ELSE? ONE MOMENT. I DO HAVE SOME SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. I HAVE TO NOTE THAT WHAT I -- I SECOND EVERYTHING PEOPLE ARE SAYING. WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE GENEROSITY OF OUR CITY. I HAD OCCASION TO BE OUT AND ABOUT GOING ON MANY PORCHES YESTERDAY. I SAW BAGS OF FOOD ON PORCHES. IT'S NOT JUST ORGANIZATIONS. IT'S INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE STEPPING UP. WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WON'T LEAD, SEATTLE WILL. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING AS A CITY TODAY. THE FACTS ARE RIGHT NOW SPECIFICALLY THAT WE ARE REALLY -- WE ARE TRYING TO STEP IN AND MITIGATE AGAINST THE UNCERTAINTY OF WHEN FEDERAL RESOURCES WILL GET TO THE PEOPLE, TO THE TABLES IN LIVING ROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN OUR CITIES. ALTHOUGH FEDERAL COURTS HAVE RULED SNAP FUNDING MAY REMAIN, IT'S APPARENT THAT ONLY HALF OF ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WILL RECEIVE THE BENEFITS THIS MONTH OR THEY WILL GET HALF AS MUCH AS THEY NEED. NO ONE WILL RECEIVE ANYTHING IF THIS DRAGS ON INTO DECEMBER. THERE'S SO MANY UNKNOWNS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. ONE OF MY QUESTIONS IS, DO WE KNOW HOW FAST THIS FUNDING CAN BE RELEASED OR BE NSFORMED INTO FOOD IN TRUCKS AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES? I KNOW THAT DEPENDS ON THE OUTLET. I WANT TO ASK WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT. THEN ALSO, I HAVE HAD QUESTIONS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING, PEOPLE ASKING, WHAT IF YOU DON'T NEED ALL THE $8 MILLION OR WHAT IF EVERYTHING IS FINE IN FIVE WEEKS OR SIX WEEKS? I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THOSE DYNAMICS. THE FACT IS THAT IT IS NOW NOVEMBER 3rd. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T HAD THE RESOURCES FOR TWO DAYS, THREE DAYS. IT'S IMPERATIVE WE GET GOING AND NOT THINK TOO FAR DOWN THE LINE. BUT THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE. IT'S JUST A SHOCKING SITUATION THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE RIGHT NOW. IT'S INCOMPREHENSIBLE THE HARM THAT MANY FAMILIES ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW AND COULD BE -- COULD CONTINUE TO FEEL IF WE DON'T ACT RIGHT NOW. AND WE ARE. BUT THEY WILL STILL BE A FEW DAYS IN ARREARS. ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN SHARE. THANK YOU. >> I DO NOT HAVE DETAILS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE DIRECTOR OF HSD HAS MET WITH THE FOOD NETWORK AND THERE'S AN ONGOING GROUP OF FOLKS INVOLVED IN THAT WORK CONSULTING WITH ONE ANOTHER REGULARLY. GIVEN ASSURANCES THAT THE CITY WILL BE PROVIDING RESOURCES SHORTLY. THEY ARE ABLE TO MOVE AHEAD IMMEDIATELY IN TERMS OF ORDERING AND BRINGING NEW FOOD INTO THE SYSTEM. THEY KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE REIMBURSED SHORTLY. WITH THIS ACTION, YOU WILL BE CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S AUTHORITY. IF THERE WAS ANY QUESTION ABOUT THAT, THAT WILL HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED AS WELL. MORE THAN THAT, I DON'T KNOW. >> HOW DOES IT WORK WITH OTHER ENTITIES THAT MIGHT NOT BE FOOD BANKS? YOU CAN SHED ANY LIGHT? THIS IS -- >> I CAN DO MY BEST. MY BEST EDUCATED GUESS. IF I GET NUMBERS WRONG, I APOLOGIZE. YOU HAVE FOOD BANKS. THOSE ARE IN SEATTLE. THOSE ARE ALL OVER SEATTLE. THERE'S 32 OF THOSE. IN THE CITY. THEY ARE ALLOWED TO GET USDA FUNDING, WHICH IS THE STATE FUNDING AND ALSO FEDERAL DOLLARS. THEN YOU HAVE MEAL PROVIDERS THAT ARE ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY THAT DO DISTRIBUTION THROUGH OUR SENIOR CENTERS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, ORGANIZATIONS EVERYWHERE. YOU HAVE OUR SENIOR CENTERS. YOU HAVE MEAL PROVIDERS. YOU HAVE COMMUNITY GARDENS. YOU HAVE A VERY WIDE ARRAY OF FOOD CHANNELS THAT CAN GET TO PEOPLE. YOU DON'T WANT TO OVERWHELM A SYSTEM. YOU WANT TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS IN CASE SOMETHING SWITCHES AT THE FEDERAL OR -- YOU WANT TO HAVE THE MOST DIVERSE OPTIONS TO BE ABLE TO DO DISTRIBUTION. THAT'S WHAT THIS AMENDMENT DOES. IN THIS CASE, DURING THE PANDEMIC -- THIS IS A MANUFACTURED CRISIS THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW. PANDEMIC WAS VERY, VERY DIFFERENT. AS THERE WAS FOOD CHANNELS THAT WERE, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, PRIME EXAMPLE, WHEN AIRLINES SHUT DOWN, A LOT OF THAT FOOD WENT INTO THE FOOD BANK SECTOR. IF THE STADIUMS THAT SHUT DOWN, THOSE WENT TO THE FOOD BANK SECTOR. THEY OVERWOMENED THAT SECTOR WITH THE FOOD BANKS. THAT CONTINUED TO SPREAD OUT INTO OTHER NETWORKS, WHETHER MOBILE FOOD PANTRY, WHETHER YOU SAW CHURCHES DOING DISTRIBUTION, WHETHER IT WAS COMMUNITY GROUPS, MISS YVETTE. YOU HAVE ALL THESE FOOD DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS. THIS IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU ARE TAKING AWAY PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO GO PURCHASE THEIR FOOD AT A FARMER'S MARKET, AT A GROCERY STORE, AT A MOM AND POP STORE AND DIFFERENT THINGS. THIS WILL IMPACT US DIFFERENT THAN THE PANDEMIC DID. WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED IN ALL DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS, ESPECIALLY THROUGH OUR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE KIDS ON FREE AND REDUCED LUNCHES. IT'S NOT -- WE'RE NOT DECIDING WHERE STUFF GOES. THIS JUST GIVES THE EXECUTIVE THE OPTION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOOD OUTLETS. IT'S NOT PUTTING ONE AGAINST THE OTHER. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO FOOD BANKS. IT'S MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR DISTRIBUTION FOR FOOD. >> I WOULD IMAGINE THEY APPRECIATE THAT, TOO, BECAUSE OF STAFFING SHORTAGES. I WOULD IMAGINE. >> CORRECT. I WILL SAY THIS, THE ONE BARRIER TO THIS IS YOU ARE FLOODING A SYSTEM WITH FOOD AND THAT'S GREAT. BUT PEOPLE NEED OPERATIONAL DOLLARS TO GO DELIVER, TO FUND PEOPLE, THE GAS, THE STORAGE OF ALL THESE SUPPLIES. IF PEOPLE ARE BUYING FOOD, WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO STORE IT IN THE REFRIGERATIONS SO THEY CAN GET LOWER COSTS DOWN? THE TRANSPORTATION ALONE IS SIGNIFICANT. THE LAST MILE AS WE CALL IT THE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK. THAT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT FIRST STEP. THIS IS ALSO NOT SUSTAINABLE. LIKE I ECHO MY COLLEAGUES, WE NEED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REOPEN. >> GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH. VOLUNTEERING IS CRITICAL. WITH THE OPERATIONALIZING OF TRYING TO GET FOOD TO FOLKS THAT IS ALSO REALLY HELPFUL. THAT IS A WAY THAT EVERYONE CAN GET INVOLVED. I WILL SAY IN MY DISBELIEF AND PASSION COMMENTS -- THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SAY THAT, COLLEAGUES, I SHOULD HAVE REALLY GIVING A SHOUTOUT TO SENATOR MURRAY AND SENATOR CANTWELL WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. I HAD A QUESTION, DIRECTOR NOBLE, ABOUT THE STATE LEVEL FUNDING, THE 2. 2 MILLION THE STATE IS RELEASING AND HOW -- WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET AND HOW CAN WE GET INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THAT IS HELPING SEATTLE? WHAT DOES SEATTLE -- WHAT SUPPORT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE? I APPRECIATE GOVERNOR FERGUSON'S SWIFT ACTION THERE. WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE DO ALL THESE EFFORTS FROM A FISCAL STANDPOINT THERE ARE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO AND PUT IN PLACE TO BE ABLE TO RELEASE DOLLARS. DO WE HAVE ANY INFORMATION AND WHEN CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THAT WILL GET OUT TO THE CITIES? >> AFTER THIS MEETING, THAT FIRST QUESTION I CAN POSE. WHILE I HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE, A MOMENT TO CONSULT WITH THE EXECUTIVE, I HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DISTRIBUTION MECHANISMS THEY ARE PURSUING. THOSE INCLUDE FOOD BANKS, MEALS PROGRAMS AND FOOD BAGS TO SEND HOME TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS, FROM BOTH CHILDCARE FACILITIES AND SCHOOLS. TO ME, THESE ARE FAMILIAR SYSTEMS THAT WERE TAPPED DURING THE PANDEMIC AS WE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY. THAT IS AS I UNDERSTAND THE WORK UNDERWAY. I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THE QUESTION ABOUT HOW THE STATE MONEY IS FEEDING INTO THAT SYSTEM AND WHETHER THERE'S ANY WAY TO KNOW WHAT SHARE OF THE STATE'S MONEY IS COMING TO THE SEATTLE AREA. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR NOBLE. I HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT. I WILL REACH OUT TO ASK THAT QUESTION. I APPRECIATE SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ALL THE WORK TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROVIDING FOOD TO THE KIDS AT SCHOOL. I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW ALL OF THIS WILL BE OPERATIONALIZED, BECAUSE DURING COVID WE PARTNERED, WE CAME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES DID HAVE FOOD. THAT IS WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW. I WILL LET YOU KNOW, COLLEAGUES WHAT I HEAR BACK IN TERMS OF THAT. I AM CONFIDENT THAT -- LOOK, EVERYONE -- ALL OUR PARTNERS ARE COMING TOGETHER TO REALLY TRY TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS. I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT. I JUST NEED -- THIS FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION, YOU KNOW WHO IS NOT GOING HUNGRY TONIGHT? TRUMP'S KIDS AND GRANDKIDS. THOSE WHO IS NOT GOING HUNGRY TONIGHT. THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. >> ALL RIGHT. LET'S GET THAT HECK OUT THE DOOR. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THETHE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION. [ ROLL CALLED ] NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED. THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL THE CLERK AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF? ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES. THE CITY WILL NOW -- THE CITY WILL DISCUSS AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO AFFIX OUR SNAG TURS TO A LETTER DRAFTED BY THE PUNL ET SOUND REGIONAL COUNCIL RELATING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM. ANOTHER WRINKLE, FEDERAL WRINKLE. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. COLLEAGUES, THE PUGET SOUND REGIONAL COUNCIL OF WHICH I SIT ON THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE BROUGHT THIS -- IS BRINGING THIS LETTER TO OUR ATTENTION AND REQUESTING THAT WE PROVIDE OUR SUPPORT. IT IS A LETTER TO SENATOR MURRAY. IT IS A LETTER THANKING HER FOR HER EFFORTS ON THE RELEASE AND ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF RELEASE OF THE CONTINUING OF CARE FUNDS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS HOLDING. THIS IS TO THE POINT, ANOTHER WRINKLE THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION -- ONE MORE THING THEY ARE DOING TO BASICALLY WHAT I SEE IS AN ATTACK ON OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR FOLK THAT NEED THE HELP THE MOST. THIS FUNDING, THE CONTINUING UPCARE FUNDING IS USED TO PROVIDE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THOSE WHO ARE THE MOST DESPERATE NEED OF SHELTER. AS WE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT IN DISTRESSING DETAIL, FEDERAL ACTIONS ARE CREATING FEAR AND CONFUSION AMONG THOSE IN NEED OF OUR HELP. THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN BY THE PUGET SOUND COUNCIL IN CONSULTATION WITH THEIR LOBBIEST IN D.C. WHO IS OURS AS WELL. IT'S TO AMPLIFY OUR CALL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE OUR TAX DOLLARS SO WE CAN CARE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. YOU DON'T -- WE WON'T BE TAKING A ROLL CALL ON SIGNATURE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SIGN, OUR CLERK PROVIDED -- THERE'S A PLACE YOU GO IN AND SIGN YOUR NAME THAT THE PUGET SOUND REGIONAL COUNCIL HAS PROVIDED FOR US. BECAUSE WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING IN OPEN SESSION, I WANTED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION AT THIS MEETING. >> ARE YOU GOING TO EXPLAIN THE MECHANICS? >> JUST WANT TO CLARIFY. WE WILL DO ROLL CALL IN OPEN SESSION. IT WILL ALLOW YOUR STAFF TO AFFIX YOUR SIGNATURES ON THE FORM LETTER ONLINE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I STAND CORRECTED. ALSO KNOW I HAVE HEARD FROM FOLKS ABOUT CONFUSION ABOUT THE LETTER. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SENATOR MURRAY'S OFFICE AND WITH THE PUGET SOUND REGIONAL COUNCIL FOLKS. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT THIS LETTER IS ATTEMPTING TO DO IS AGAIN, TELL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PLEASE RELEASE THE CONTINUUM OF CARE DOLLARS. THERE WAS CONFUSION AS TO A LITTLE BIT AT THE WORDING. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M VERY CLEAR THAT WHAT THE LETTER IS ATTEMPTING TO REQUEST IS FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE CONTINUUM OF CARE FUNDING TO OUR PROVIDERS. WANTED TO SAY THAT AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I KNOW SOME OF YOU IN THE PAST HAVE SAID THAT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO SIGN ON TO LETTERS. THAT IS OKAY. THIS IS IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE, YOU CAN SIGN ON. IF YOU DON'T, THAT'S OKAY, TOO. I KNOW WE'RE ALL GRAPPLING WITH ALL -- THERE'S SO MUCH COMING OUT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT TRACKING IT MINUTE BY MINUTE IS REALLY -- HAS PROVED CHALLENGING TO ELECTED LEADERS ACROSS OUR CITY, OUR STATE AND OUR COUNTRY. WE'RE ALL GRAPPLING WITH THE BEST WAYS TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE JUST WANT TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT TO OUR RESIDENTS. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, EMILIA, FOR CORRECTING HOW WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T DO SIGN- ON LETTERS. I WANTED TO SAY IT OUT LOUD. AT SOME POINT YOU WILL SEE THE SIGNATURE WON'T BE THERE BECAUSE I DON'T DO SIGN- ON LETTERS. I HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE. TO CHANGE MY APPROACH NOW WOULD BE NOT IN KEEPING WITH MY DECISIONS IN THE PAST RELATED TO SIGN- ON LETTERS. DOESN'T MEAN I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT CONTINUUM AND CARE ALL THE WAYS IT COMES TO US AND THE PIECES OF IT AND THE NEED FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO ITS PART. THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE APPROACH, IF YOU WILL, THAT I HAVE RELATED TO SIGN-ON LETTERS. THANK YOU. >> I CAN APPRECIATE THAT. IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE CONSISTENT SO NOBODY ASKS QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS LETTER FORWARD. IT'S TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT. I KNOW THE ISSUES RELATED TO THE CONTINUUM OF CARE FUNDING SURFACED IN OUR SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING ON HOUSING SOME MONTHS AGO. THEY SHARED ABOUT HOW THIS COULD BE UNDER THREAT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT IN OUR REGION 4,500 HOUSEHOLDS ARE HOUSED THROUGH OUR CONTINUUM OF CARE FUNDING. THIS IS A HUGE DEAL FOR US. I'M GLAD WE HAVE A LETTER BEFORE US TO FURTHER ADVOCATE TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, TO SENATOR MURRAY, BECAUSE OF ITS IMPORTANCE. I WOULD NOTE THAT THE NOFO ASSOCIATED HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. IT CAN'T BE RELEASED. IT WAS LATER THAN IT EVER HAS BEEN RELEASED, EVEN BEFORE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. JUST TO UNDERSCORE, WE ARE IN TREMENDOUSLY UNPRECEDENTED TIMES. THIS FUNDING IS CRITICAL. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING OUR NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE REGION, ESPECIALLY FOR SUPPORT FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. I ALSO WANT TO AFFIRM THE LISTENING PUBLIC THIS IS ONE PEAS OF ADVOCACY THAT'S IMPORTANT AND WE NEED TO DO HARD WORK TO PLAN ABOUT LOU WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR HOUSING STAYS ONLINE. THAT'S FUNDED THROUGH THIS. WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS AT THE COUNTY TO ALSO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR APPLYING FOR THE NOFO AND PUTTING FORTH A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION WILL BE IMPORTANT. THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF ADVOCACY HERE TODAY. IT'S GLAD IT HAS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUGET SOUND REGIONAL COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS LETTER FORWARD TODAY. I WILL ADD MY NAME. THANK YOU. >> I ECHO THIS. VICE CHAIR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, WHAT IS THE -- >> NO. >> I SIT ON THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE PUGET SOUND REGIONAL COUNCIL. >> GOT IT. ULTIMATELY, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I CAN REMEMBER THAT AFTER JUST ONE YEAR, BECAUSE THEY WERE LATE, THAT THESE CONTRACTS HAVE ONLY BEEN ACTIVE FOR A YEAR. NOW WE'RE GOING TO -- THE POTENTIAL TO PULL OUT THE RUG FROM UNDERNEATH THOSE CONTRACTS AND THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DEPENDING ON THEM TO HAVE A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS. IN MY MIND, IT'S A COLOR OF MONEY ISSUE. WE PROTECT OUR PEOPLE. MANY OF THESE ARE SEATTLE RESIDENTS. SO, THEREFORE, WE WOULD WANT TO STEP UP ANYWAY. WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? SORRY. GO AHEAD. >> AM I RECOGNIZED? >> GO AHEAD, YES. >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR ADDING A FEDERAL RESERVE ACCOUNT TO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. IF THE DOLLARS DO NOT COME THROUGH, IT WILL EAT UP THE ENTIRETY OF OUR FEDERAL RESERVE BUDGET. WE ARE DOING BOTH THINGS. WE ARE PLANNING FOR THE UNCERTAINTY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CAUSING UNNECESSARILY, AND IF FOR SOME REASON WE WERE TO REDUCE THE FUNDING IN THAT FEDERAL RESERVE ACCOUNT AND THESE DOLLARS DIDN'T COME THROUGH, WE WOULD BE IN A WORLD OF HURT. THIS IS MY PITCH TO EVERYONE THAT WE SHOULD BE ADDING TO THAT FEDERAL RESERVE ACCOUNT BASELINE MINIMUM BECAUSE OUR CITY AND OUR PEOPLE ARE ONE UNNECESSARY MOMENT OF CHAOS AWAY FROM A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY THAT IS NOT NEEDED. WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AS THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT TO KEEP OUR GOVERNMENT RUNNING AND TO KEEP PEOPLE'S DAILY LIVES UNCHANGED. IF WE REDUCE ANY OF THAT MONEY IN THE FEDERAL RESERVE ACCOUNT AND THIS MONEY DOES NOT COME THROUGH FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS THAT -- WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS. WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN. I URGE YOU TO NOT REDUCE THE FEDERAL RESERVE ACCOUNT AS WE WALK INTO THIS WEEK OF AMENDMENTS. THAT'S MY PITCH TO YOU TODAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> BUDGET DELIBERATIONS TRAILER. OKAY. SEEING NO OTHER HANDS, PLEASE FIND OUT WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEIR SIGNATURE ON THE LETTER. [ ROLL CALLED ] >> EIGHT SIGNATURES WILL BE AFFIXED. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT'S THAT. WE WILL SIGN IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT ROLL CALL. WE HAVE NOW REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S AGENDA. THE NOVEMBER 4 CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS CANCELED. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET ON NOVEMBER 12, 2025 AT 2:00 P.M. HEARING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, IT IS 2:51. WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.