>> GOOD AFTERNOON. IT IS THE JANUARY 6th MEETING OF THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, I CALL IT TO ORDER. IT IS 2:00 P.M., I AM DAN STRAUSS, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM. WITH THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE? >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH? >> WHAT WAS THAT ONE? >> COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ? COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> HERE. COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> HERE. COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> HERE. >> AND ONE MORE TIME, COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH? >> HERE, PRESENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> HERE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM STRAUSS? >> HERE. >> A QUORUM IS PRESENT. >> THANK YOU. AS WE START 2026, IT IS THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR US TO ELECT THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT OF 2026 AND 2027. FIRST, I WILL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR NOMINATIONS. I AM GOING TO TAKE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM TO MAKE A NOMINATION HERE AND IT IS MY HONOR TO NOMINATE MY FIRST CHOICE FOR COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND THANK YOU FOR ENTERTAINING MY UNSOLICITED REQUEST. I HUMBLY NOMINATE JACLYN JOY HOLLINGSWORTH, FOR CITY OF SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT. AND LET THE RECORD REFLECT FORMER COUNCIL PRESIDENT DEBORA WAR AS IS PRESENT. >> SORRY. >> YOU'RE GOOD! SO, WE HAVE RECEIVED ONE NOMINATION, IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED, TO REPRESENT JACLYN JOY HOLLINGSWORTH AS SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT. ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? SEEING AS WE HAVE NO FURTHER NOMINATIONS AT THIS TIME, I WILL MOVE ON TO OPEN THE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION. COLLEAGUES, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE NOMINATION FOR SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT? I WILL START, AS IT WAS MY HUMBLE HONOR TO GET TO NOMINATE JOY, COUNCILMEMBER JOY HOLLINGSWORTH. IT HAS BEEN SUCH AN HONOR AND PLEASURE TO GET TO SERVE WITH YOU, AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN ON THIS BODY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, NOW. IT IS REFRESHING AND AMAZING TO GET TO LEARN FROM YOU. WE HAD A BETTER BUDGET SESSION THIS LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU RAN A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE. AND I COULD GO ON FOR A LONG TIME, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF ORDERS OF BUSINESS TO GET TO TODAY, SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, THANK YOU FOR SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP -- YOUR LEADERSHIP THROUGH EXAMPLE, AND JUST THANK YOU, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. COLLEAGUES, ANY FURTHER -- COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I WANTED TO ECHO YOUR WORDS AND SAY IT WAS A GREAT HONOR, DURING THE COURSE OF 2023, TO GET TO KNOW JOY HOLLINGSWORTH OUT ON THE TRAIL THROUGH ALL THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY. AND THEN, OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TWO YEARS, SHE HAS BEEN FANTASTIC, WORKING THE ISSUES FACING OUR CITY, THE CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING AND FINDING APPROACHES, AND COALITIONS TO MAKE THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON. SO, I JUST WANT TO THANK HER AS CHAIR OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR WORKING WITH ME ON PUBLIC SAFETY BUT ALSO THOSE OTHER AREAS, LIKE PARKS, WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT TO NOT ONLY THE CITY, BUT ALSO -- FORMER COUNCIL PRESIDENT DEBORA JUAREZ? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL CHAIR. WE ARE GOING TO DO IT THE WAY WE DO IT IN INDIAN COUNTRY, I AM GOING TO STAND AND HONOR. I AM SO HONORED THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE JOY HOLLINGSWORTH BECOME OUR NEXT COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND I HOPE THOSE OF YOU WATCHING UNDERSTAND IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT A BLACK WOMAN FROM CAPITOL HILL BEING OUR COUNCIL PRESIDENT. IT IS ABOUT A WOMAN WHO UNDERSTANDS BUSINESS, HISTORY, AND SEATTLE. JOY HAS LEADERSHIP THAT IS COLLECTIVE. SHE UNDERSTANDS HOW TO SHARE THAT LEADERSHIP, AND SHE WILL NOT BE DEFINED BY A WORLD THAT THINKS BECAUSE SHE IS A BLACK WOMAN, THAT SHE HAS TO STAY IN THIS BOX. AND WE ALL KNOW HOW HARD THAT IS, RIGHT? WE ARE WHO WE ARE WITH OUR DIGNITY, OUR SPIRIT, AND HOW WE WALK IN THE WORLD, AND I CAN'T THINK OF A FINER PERSON THAT DEMONSTRATES THAT -- JOY HOLLINGSWORTH, THANK YOU. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> COLLEAGUES, I AM RUNNING BLIND ON ZOOM, SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RAISE YOUR HAND AND YOU HAVE RISEN IT ON ZOOM, I CAN'T SEE IT. ARE THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> THANK YOU, MR. COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM. I WANT TO, FIRST OFF, EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS AND EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO, I THINK, WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL TITLE? COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRESUMED? OR, COUNCIL PRESIDENT-ELECT HOLLINGSWORTH? COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH, YOU HAVE BEEN -- IT HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS PRIVILEGE AND HONOR FOR ME TO GET TO KNOW YOU OVER THESE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. KNOW YOU ON A POLITICAL LEVEL, NO YOU ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, AS A FRIEND. IT IS A VERY SMALL UNIVERSE OF PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO ARE DEVOTED TO THIS WORK, AND BEING ABLE TO RELY SO GREATLY ON YOUR FRIENDSHIP, YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN MANY THINGS -- NOT EVERYTHING -- BUT, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PARTNER TOGETHER SO MUCH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, AND I CAN'T THINK OF A -- THE WAY YOU LEAD, THE WAY YOU EXPERTLY LED OUR COMP PLAN PROCESS STEPPED UP. WHEN NO ONE WANTED TO DO IT, IT WAS SORT OF LIKE THAT LITTLE GEICO COMMERCIAL WHERE THE ALLIGATOR ARMS, WHEN THE CHECK CAME, NOBODY WANTED TO REACH OUT THERE AND GRAB THE CHECK. YOU GREW AN EXTRA ARM AND GRABBED THAT CHECK AND STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE, AND OUR CITY IS BETTER FOR IT, AND I AM SO GLAD, AND I AM NOT SURPRISED, THAT YOU STEPPED UP TO THIS ROLE AND THIS OPPORTUNITY, AND OUR CITY IS GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU BECAUSE OF IT. IT'S PAST TIME. IT'S PAST TIME, FOR OUR CITY TO HAVE A BLACK COUNCIL PRESIDENT, AND IT'S PAST TIME FOR OUR CITY TO HAVE ITS VERY FIRST EVER QUEER COUNCIL PRESIDENT, AS WELL. SO, EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT YOUR CANDIDACY TODAY, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE, CONTINUE TO DO, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO OVER THE FEW YEARS FOR OUR CITY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? I SEE YOU HAVE YOUR HAND. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM STRAUSS. MY CAMERA IS OFF, FOLKS, BECAUSE MY AUDIO WILL WORK BETTER IF I DO SO, SO APOLOGIES FOR THAT. BUT, I DO WANT TO SAY TO COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH, IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR, AND A PRIVILEGE, AND AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO SERVE WITH YOU. I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS NOMINATION, AND I FULLY SUPPORT IT. YOU HAVE SHOWN LEADERSHIP IN SO MANY AREAS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS -- I WILL SECOND WHAT COUNCILMEMBER SAKA JUST SAID DURING THE COMP PLAN -- YOU STEPPED UP AND YOU LEAD THAT PROCESS, JUST WITH SUCH GRACE, AND THERE WERE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, AND YOU JUST SHOWED YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS. AND LIKE I SAID, THAT IS ONE OF MANY, MANY AREAS IN WHICH YOU HAVE SHOWN YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS. SO, I AM JUST SO HONORED, AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO VOTING FOR YOUR NOMINATION, AND GETTING YOU AS OUR NEXT COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. COLLEAGUES, ARE THERE ANY OTHER FURTHER COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION? COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> THANK YOU. I'M JUST SO EXCITED THAT YOU WERE WILLING TO STEP UP INTO THIS ROLE. I THINK YOU ARE THE PERFECT PERSON TO STEP INTO THIS ROLE RIGHT NOW. YOU -- YOUR CALM DEMEANOR, YOUR COLLABORATIVE APPROACH. I AM GOING TO BORROW SOME WORDS FROM MAYOR WILSON, HERE, ABOUT CHARACTER. YOU KNOW, YOUR CHARACTER, I THINK, IS PERFECT FOR THIS ROLE, AND YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BIG CHALLENGES IN FRONT OF US RIGHT NOW, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO GET THERE. AND I AM EXCITED TO SEE YOUR LEADERSHIP ABOUT HOW YOU ARE ABLE TO BRING US TOGETHER, AS A COUNCIL, AS A CITY. SO, THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER LIN. COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM STRAUSS. COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH, I WILL ADD TO THE CHORUS OF PRAISE AND APPRECIATION FOR YOU AND HOW YOU HAVE LED. I KNOW YOU HAVE APPRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITIES, I HAVE HAD TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU ON NADY, GRITTY ISSUES, BUT I WANT TO BRING UP ONE EXAMPLE THAT I THINK REALLY EMBODIES THE WORK THAT YOU BRING TO THIS, AND IT IS WHEN WE SAW A BELOVED MOSAIC COVERED UP WRONGFULLY, IN THE HEART OF CAPITOL HILL. I SAID, "YOU WANT TO GO CLEAN THAT OFF, OURSELVES? LET'S JUST DO THAT OURSELVES." AND YOU SAID, "LET'S DO IT." AND WE WENT OUT THERE OURSELVES -- AND WE PICKED UP THE GEAR, SHE WENT TO THE HARDWARE STORE, BY THE WAY -- SO, AGAIN, THE GEAR TO MAKE SURE WE COULD DO IT AND WE WENT OUT THERE IN THE HOT SUN AND DID IT TOGETHER. NOT JUST TO PROVE A POINT, BUT BECAUSE THAT IS THE KIND OF LEADER YOU ARE. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WORK SOMETIMES MEANS GETTING OUT THERE AND DOING IT YOUR SELF, AND THAT LITTLE THINGS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT MEANS COMMUNITY BEING SEEN. SO, THANK YOU, AND I AM EXCITED TO SUPPORT YOUR NOMINATION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. COLLEAGUES, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION AT THIS TIME? SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I WILL TAKE THIS MOMENT TO SAY THAT THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT IS ACCOMPLISHED BY OUR STAFF, BY MANY PEOPLE IN EACH OF OUR INDIVIDUAL OFFICES, BY THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, CENTRAL STAFF, ARCHIVES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, OUR OWN HR, I.T., OUR JANITORIAL STAFF, AND OUR SECURITY. ALL OF THIS WORK IN THIS DEPARTMENT IS ACCOMPLISHED BY THESE FINE INDIVIDUALS SERVING OUR CITY, AND IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO BE ABLE TO NOMINATE JOY, COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH, FOR THE POSITION OF CITY OF SEATTLE COUNCIL PRESIDENT, BECAUSE COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH, YOU LEAD BY EXAMPLE, NOT FROM THE DAIS. WITH THAT, IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE NOMINATION OF JACLYN JOY HOLLINGSWORTH FOR COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR 2026 AND 2027 OF THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL. >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH? >> YES. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM STRAUSS? >> AYE. >> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> FANTASTIC. CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOY HOLLINGSWORTH! >> [ APPLAUSE ] [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET THIS MEETING STARTED, RIGHT? THANK YOU, ALL, FOR BEING HERE. HAPPY NEW YEAR'S, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, GO, HAWKS! I AM GOING TO BE BRIEF, BECAUSE WE HAVE A FULL AGENDA AND THIS IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE ELECTED CITY WIDE WITH COUNCILMEMBER RINCK AND COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER, SO I WILL BE BRIEF WITH MY REMARKS. COLLEAGUES, THANK YOU, FOR YOUR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TODAY. I TAKE THIS ROLE VERY SERIOUSLY, THE TITLE OF -- HOLD ON, I'M SORRY -- THE TITLE OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMES WITH PAPERWORK, YES. BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT COMES WITH A RESPONSIBILITY FOR US TO SET THE TONE, KEEP US MOVING. THE QUARTERBACK OF THE TEAM. YES, YOU ALL WILL HEAR A TON OF SPORTS ANALOGIES FROM ME. OKAY? SO, GET READY. BUT, MY VOTE WEIGHS THE SAME AS YOU ALL, 1:1. MY ROLE IS TO HELP FACILITATE THE WORK OF THIS COUNCIL. NOT TO OVERRIDE IT. COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, YOU HAVE AN INCREDIBLE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE, HISTORY, AND EXPLAINING HOW THINGS WORK. YOU ARE THE UNOFFICIAL MAYOR OF BROWARD. AND AS THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I OFFICIALLY NAME YOU THE OFFICIAL MAYOR OF BROWARD. CAN I DO THAT? I HAVE ENJOYED WORKING SIDE-BY-SIDE ON MANY OF THE ISSUES, WATCHING YOU NAVIGATE TOUGH CHALLENGES WITH YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS HAS BEEN AMAZING, AND WATCHING YOU JUGGLE -- YOU HAVE DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB AS OUR BUDGET CHAIR, AND JUGGLING THE CITY, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PRIORITIES IN A SEAMLESS PROCESS. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND OUR FRIENDSHIP TOGETHER. THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ, DJD 5, THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK TO COUNCIL AND BEING THE MENTEE AND MENTOR SO MANY OF US LEAN ON. YOU WEAR DISTRICT FIVE PROUDLY END-USER PLATFORM NOT ONLY TO ELEVATE INDIGENOUS ISSUES, BUT TO SHOW SEATTLE OUR BLIND SPOTS AS THE ORIGINAL CARETAKERS OF THIS LAND. YOUR GUIDANCE HAS BEEN STEADY FOUNDATION AND IT HAS BEEN A SWEET STEVIE WONDER SONG. THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS ANSWERING THE PHONE AND POURING SO MUCH POSITIVITY, AND LOVE, AND REALNESS INTO EACH ONE OF THESE COUNCILMEMBERS. THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER SAKA, MY GUY, KING OF POTHOLES, BUT AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS "THE DAD FROM DELL RIDGE." YOU LOVE DISTRICT 1 LIKE IT IS YOUR FOURTH CHILD, AND YOU BORE THAT CHILD, YOU LABORED THAT CHILD. WATCHING HOW YOU PARENT, HOW YOU SHOW UP AS A FATHER, HOW YOU BRING THAT SAME CARE AND ENERGY FOR THE DISTRICT, SHOWS A LOT ABOUT YOU AS A PERSON, AND YOUR PASSION IN SOLVING IMMEDIATE, REAL WORLD PROBLEMS IS FELT AND IT MATTERS TO PEOPLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE -- MY OTHER GUY! YOU ARE A PUBLIC SAFETY CHAIR AND YOU ARE CONSTANTLY WEARING THAT HAT, BUT YOU ARE A GIRL DAD. AND I HAVE SEEN YOU GO FROM CHAIRING A PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE TO RUNNING A CLOCK AT A CYO GAME. OR, MISSING MY CALL BECAUSE YOU WERE DOING LAUNDRY DUTY FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD. THE WAY YOU BRING STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS, AND PROCESS TO EVERY POLICY DECISION REFLECTS BOTH YOUR EXPERIENCE AND YOUR DISCIPLINE FOR THIS WORK. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, AS WELL. COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA, MAMA BEAR! I HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE, THERE IS DUE DILIGENCE, AND THEN THERE IS COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA DUE DILIGENCE. YOU'D READ EVERY WORD, EVERY EMAIL, EVERY POLICY LINE, YOU DIG INTO EVERY DETAIL. YOU ARE TOUGH, YOU ARE THOUGHTFUL, AND YOU ARE THOROUGH, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH YOU. AND, YES, EVEN ANSWERING YOUR LATE-NIGHT PHONE CALLS. COUNCILMEMBER LIN, IN A SHORT TIME FOR US WORKING TOGETHER, YOU HAVE ASKED INSIGHTFUL QUESTIONS, YOU HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY RESPONSIVE, AND YOU ARE CONSTANTLY POSITIVE. I HAVE GIVEN YOU THE NICKNAME, "STEADY, READY EDDIE." DISTRICT 2 IS SO LUCKY TO HAVE YOU, COUNCILMEMBER LIN, AND I AM TELLING YOU, BY YOUR INTERACTIONS, I TRUST YOUR HEART AND I TRUST YOUR GOALS FOR OUR CITY. COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, THE YOUNGEST AMONG US! AND ONE OF THE MOST MOTIVATED. AND, YOU PROBABLY HAVE THE BEST SOCIAL MEDIA -- I'M JUST GOING TO THROW THAT OUT THERE. THE MOST FOLLOWERS. YOU ARE ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT POLICY -- YES, EVEN AT 10:00 P.M., WHEN I AM TELLING YOU TO GO TO BED. YOU FOCUS ON MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT, IT'S VERY, VERY CLEAR, AND YOUR DRIVE IS REAL. I HAVE ENJOYED WATCHING YOU GROW AS A COUNCILMEMBER, AND BRINGING ACCESS, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, TO GOVERNMENT. INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER -- >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> I HAVE APPRECIATED YOUR HONESTY AND YOUR DIRECTNESS. IT HAS ONLY BEEN A SHORT TIME CALLING YOU MY COLLEAGUE, BUT WATCHING YOUR CONFIDENCE GROW AND SEEING YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS AND INTENTION MAKES IT CLEAR, YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLY STRONG ADDITION TO THIS BODY, SIS. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND LEARNING FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE THAT YOU BRING TO THIS BODY. COLLEAGUES, THIS IS MY PROMISE, TO YOU ALL, AND THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE. ANYONE WHO WALKS THROUGH THESE DOORS WILL BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND KINDNESS, NO MATTER HOW THEY SHOW UP IN THEIR SPIRIT, THEIR ATTITUDE, OR THEIR WORDS. WE WILL ALWAYS RUN A TRANSPARENT AND OPEN PROCESS. AS A BODY, OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY IS SIMPLE -- BOLD BASICS, THE FUNDAMENTALS, MEASURABLE OUTCOMES, ACCESSIBILITY TO GOVERNMENT, AND A HYPER LOCAL FOCUS -- A HYPER FOCUS ON LOCAL ISSUES AND TRANSPARENCY. TO OUR INCREDIBLE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT, THANK YOU. WE ARE A SEPARATE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, AND WE DO NOT FUNCTION WITHOUT YOU. OUR CENTRAL STAFF, I.T., OUR CLERK'S OFFICE, THE FRONT DESK TEAM, COMMUNICATION TEAM, COUNCIL STAFF, AND THE SEATTLE CREW WHO DOCUMENT OUR WORK, THANK YOU. YOU ARE THE FORCE BEHIND THE LEGISLATIVE MACHINE, AND WE COMMIT TO TREATING YOU WITH RESPECT, GRACE, AND DIGNITY AT ALL TIMES. THIS COUNCIL IS NOT ONE VOICE. IT'S MANY VOICES, MANY PERSPECTIVES AND MANY IDEAS. AND I RESPECT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. WE HAVE NOT ALWAYS AGREED, I KNOW. BUT, THAT'S HEALTHY. IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. WE ALWAYS -- BUT, WE ALWAYS HAVE RESPECTED EACH OTHER. AND I'M TELLING Y'ALL, THAT IS ONLY -- THAT IS GOING TO BE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR SUCCESS, IT'S THE RESPECT THAT WE HAVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS, OUR MAYOR'S OFFICE -- MAYOR WILSON WHO IS HERE, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE HAVE OUR -- >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> -- OUR CITY ATTORNEY, ERICA EVANS, IS HERE. THANK YOU. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE PASTORS, WE HAD OUR PASTORS HERE, PASTOR ANDERSON AND -- I HOPE I DIDN'T MISS ANY OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, AS WELL. >> REP THOMAS. >> WRECKED THOMAS. THANK YOU, YES. REPRESENTATIVE BREANNA THOMAS. REP THOMAS? REP THOMAS? IT'S BUDGET SEASON FOR OUR STATE, SO GO TALK TO REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS IF YOU WANT MONEY. I'M JUST SAYING, Y'ALL GO TO COUNCIL, Y'ALL GO TO REP THOMAS, YOU HAVE A BIGGER BUDGET FOR THE STATE, RIGHT, REP THOMAS? I'M JUST PLAYING. AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY FAMILY WHO IS HERE, MY CHURCH FAMILY, ALL MY FRIENDS WHO HAVE SHOWED UP TO WATCH THIS MOMENT. THANK YOU, ALL, SO MUCH. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, Y'ALL ARE THE ONES WHO HOLD THE MOST ACCOUNTABLE IN MY ACTIONS, SO THANK YOU, ALL, SO MUCH. THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, AND WE ARE NOW GOING TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> AT THIS TIME, WE WILL PROCEED WITH THE OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONIES FOR THE NEWLY ELECTED AT-LARGE COUNCILMEMBERS. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY BRIEF REMARKS BY EACH COUNCILMEMBER. WE WILL COMMERCE -- WE WILL COMMENCE WITH COUNCILMEMBER DIONNE FOSTER AND THE OATH OF OFFICE WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER'S SON, MYLES FOSTER KUNDIFF. AND I INVITE MILES TO THE TABLE, AND COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> RAISE YOUR HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME. I, DIONNE FOSTER -- >> I, DIONNE FOSTER -- >> -- SWEAR THAT I POSSESS -- >> -- WHERE THAT I POSSESS -- >> ALL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS -- >> -- ALL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS -- >> PRESCRIBED IN THE SEATTLE CHARTER AND THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE -- >> IN THE SEATTLE CHARTER AND SEE WITHOUT A VISIBLE CODE -- >> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES -- >> -- THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES -- >> -- THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON -- >> -- THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON -- >> -- AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE -- >> AND THE CHARTER OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE -- >> -- AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY CONDUCT MYSELF AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. >> -- AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY CONDUCT MYSELF AS A CITY COUNCILMEMBER. THANK YOU! >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU, MILES. I'M REALLY PROUD OF YOU. AND THANK ALL OF YOU FOR COMING TODAY. IT IS ABSOLUTELY MY HONOR. AND, YOU KNOW, I WAS QUIET WHILE WE WERE TAKING COMMENT ABOUT THE SELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH, BECAUSE I KNEW I WAS GOING TO COME UP HERE AND I WANTED TO SAY SOME THINGS RIGHT HERE. AND, REALLY, WHAT I WANT TO DO FIRST, BEFORE TALK ABOUT MYSELF, IS ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT IT MEANS TO ME, AS A BLACK WOMAN, TO GET SWORN IN FOLLOWING THE SELECTION OF THE FIRST BLACK WOMEN TO SERVE IN THE ROLE OF CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> GET USED TO THAT. IN THE HISTORY OF OUR CITY, THIS ISN'T LEADERSHIP WE HAVE EVER HAD BEFORE. AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO MIGHT WONDER, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE HAD BLACK COUNCIL PRESIDENT BEFORE, AND GIVEN THAT WE HAVE HAD WOMEN COUNCIL PRESIDENT BEFORE, WHY IT IS SIGNIFICANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHEN WE HAVE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT. AND I AM HERE, AS A BLACK WOMAN, TO SAY, "IT MATTERS." IT MATTERS. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> AND NOT JUST THAT, IT MATTERS TO HAVE A LEADER WHO HAS DEEP GENERATIONAL TIES TO THE CITY. IT MATTERS TO HAVE A LEADER WHO IS GOING TO LEAD WITH INTEGRITY AND CARE, NOT JUST FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY, BUT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT AND MAKE THE CITY RUN. AND IT MATTERS, IN THE WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN TODAY, THAT WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR CITY COUNCIL, THEY WILL SEE A SMART, COMPETENT, AND GROUNDED LEADER, AND THEY WILL SEE A BLACK WOMAN. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH. THE >> >> I AM SO PLEASED TO SOUND HERE TODAY AS THE NEW CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPRESENTING SEATTLE, POSITION NINE. AND -- >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> YEAH, WE CAN DO THAT! AND WORKING FOR RESIDENTS ALL ACROSS THE CITY. I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AS A MOTHER, AS A NEIGHBOR, AND AS A PERSON WHO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THE CITY WE CALL HOME. I AM HERE TODAY, AS A PROUD PROGRESSIVE, AND AS A PERSON WHO BELIEVES GOVERNMENT HOLDS THE POWER AND THE PRIVILEGE TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES. AND I DON'T JUST BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE OF MY VALUES, I BELIEVE IT BECAUSE I HAVE LIVED IT AND I HAVE LIVED A LOT OF DIFFERENT LIVES IN THIS CITY. I HAVE WORKED DOWNTOWN, WAITRESSING AT A TIME BEFORE WE HAD SECURE SCHEDULING LAWS AND PAID SICK AND SAFE LEAVE TO PROTECT WORKERS. I'VE WORKED IN PHILANTHROPY, INVESTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TWO LITERS OF COLOR, WHO ARE TRYING TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD IN HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND ARTS, BECAUSE FOR FAR TOO LONG, WE HAVE HAD EXTREME DISPARITIES FOR PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME. THIS IS THE CITY WHERE I HAD MY SON, WHO JUST SWORE ME IN. AND IT IS THE CITY WHERE WE SPENT HOURS IN WIC AND DHS H OFFICES TRYING TO GET THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT WE NEEDED TO MAKE ENDS MEET IN THIS CITY, WHEN HE WAS A BABY. I HAVE WORKED WITH SOME OF THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN SEATTLE, HAND IN HAND, TO DEFEND PROGRESSIVE TAXATION. PEOPLE WHO WERE HAPPY TO BE TAXED AND PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO GOOD SCHOOLS, TO CHILDCARE, AND TO EARLY EDUCATION. THIS IS THE CITY WHERE I BOUGHT MY FIRST HOME -- WHICH, I WAS ONLY ABLE TO DO BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS AND A DOWN PAYMENT THAT CREATED STABILITY FOR MY FAMILY. SEATTLE IS WHERE I LEARNED TO BECOME AN ENVIRONMENT LIST, AND WHERE, A DECADE AGO, I HELPED LAUNCH THE CITY EQUITY AND ENVIRONMENT AGENDA TO CENTER THE PEOPLE WORSE AND WORSE IMPACTED BY POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENT FOR HARM. SEATTLE IS THE CITY WHERE I CAME OUT AS BISEXUAL AND QUEER, BECAUSE I FELT SAFE TO DO SO. YEAH, WE CAN DO THAT, TOO. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> AND NOW, SEATTLE IS THE CITY WHERE I AM PROUD TO SERVE AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND WHERE I WILL WORK EVERY DAY TO MAKE GOOD ON THE PROMISE OF A GOVERNMENT THAT MAKES PEOPLE'S LIVES BETTER. AND NOT JUST FOR PEOPLE WHOSE STORIES ARE LIKE MINE, BUT FOR EVERY PERSON WHO CALLS THIS CITY HOME. SEATTLE IS HOME TO SOME OF THE GREATEST CREATORS AND ARTISTS, TO SOME OF THE BEST INNOVATORS, AND BUSINESSES, AND PUBLIC SERVANTS. OUR CITY IS HOME TO PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE RENT AND GET HOME IN TIME TO MAKE DINNER FOR THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WE ARE HOME TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THE HARD MATH OF DECIDING IF THEY CAN HAVE KIDS, AND AFFORD CHILDCARE, AND HEALTHCARE. WITHOUT LEAVING THE CITY THAT THEY LOVE. THE CITY THAT WE ALL LOVE. AND OUR CITY IS HOME TO TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITHOUT A CONSISTENT AND SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP EVERY NIGHT. AND IT IS FOR ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE, AND MORE, THAT I AM HONORED TO SHOW UP EVERY DAY AND WORK. I BELIEVE THAT GOVERNING EFFECTIVELY REQUIRES US TO BE CLEAR EVERY DAY, ABOUT WHY WE ARE ALL ENGAGED IN THIS WORK. YES, IT IS ABOUT PASSING LEGISLATION. YES, IT IS ABOUT BALANCING BUDGET. YES, IT IS ABOUT ENSURING THAT WE CREATE TRANSPARENCY AND HONESTY WITH THE PUBLIC, AND IT IS ALSO ABOUT CREATING A CULTURE IN CITY HALL WHERE WE ARE FOCUSED ON MAKING SEATTLE A SAFE PLACE FOR EVERYONE. WHETHER THAT IS THROUGH IMPROVING OUR CORE PUBLIC SERVICES, OR THROUGH INNOVATION AND NEW POLICIES, OR MUCH-NEEDED REFORMS TO OUR TAX AND REVENUE CODES. IT IS OUR JOB TO KEEP THESE NEEDS AT THE CENTER. I HEARD, EVERY DAY, OVER THE LAST 10 MONTHS, WHAT THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE WANT. OUR NEIGHBORS WANT TO BE ABLE TO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES HERE AND HAVE ACCESS TO GOOD SCHOOLS AND SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS. OUR NEIGHBORS WANT THE BUSES TO COME ON TIME. OUR NEIGHBORS WANT US TO BUILD THE DAMN TRAINS. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> OUR NEIGHBORS WANT TO FEEL SAFE, CROSSING THE STREET. OUR NEIGHBORS WANT SAFE PLACES TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. THEY WANT MORE HOUSES AND MORE PLACES AROUND THE CITY AND THEY WANT THRIVING THIRD PLACES TO SPEND THEIR DAY, WHETHER THAT BE A PARK, A LIBRARY, OR A NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS. AND THEY ALL WANT TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO STAY IN THE CITY THAT WE ALL LOVE SO MUCH. THEY WANT US, AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE -- BECAUSE IT IS A PRIVILEGE -- TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, TO BE LASER FOCUSED ON MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE WHAT THEY WANT, AND FRANKLY, WHAT THEY DESERVE. AND MY COMMITMENT TO YOU, AS YOUR NEWEST CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, IS TO WORK, AND TO NEGOTIATE, TO COLLABORATE, AND SOMETIMES, TO FIGHT, EVERY DAY, TO HELP BUILD THIS CITY ALONGSIDE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO PUSH IN THE SAME DIRECTION, SO THAT WE, TOGETHER, CAN MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR EVERYONE WHO MAKES SEATTLE THE CITY WE LOVE. THANK YOU. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU -- CAN Y'ALL HEAR US OKAY? IS THIS -- YES? OKAY, AWESOME. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. LET'S GIVE ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> AND NEXT, ELECTED AT LARGE COUNCIL POSITION 8, ALEXIS MERCEDES RINCK. YES! >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP BELON AIDEN PRESIDENT AND COFOUNDER OF THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT, WILL DELIVER HER OATH OF OFFICE. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. I, ALEXIS MERCEDES RINCK -- >> I, ALEXIS MERCEDES RINCK -- >> -- SWEAR THAT I POSSESS -- >> -- SWEAR THAT I POSSESS -- >> -- ALL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS -- >> -- ALL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS -- >> -- PRESCRIBED IN THE SEATTLE CITY CHARTER -- >> -- PRESCRIBED IN THE SEATTLE CITY CHARTER -- >> -- AND THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE -- >> -- AND THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE -- >> -- FOR THE POSITION OF CITY COUNCILMEMBER -- >> -- FOR THE POSITION OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER -- >> -- THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON -- >> -- THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON -- >> -- AND THE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE -- >> AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY CONDUCT MYSELF AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. >> -- AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY CONDUCT MYSELF AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] HI, EVERYBODY. GOOD AFTERNOON! >> IT AFTERNOON. >> COULD WE DO THAT ONE MORE TIME? GOOD AFTERNOON! >> GOOD AFTERNOON! >> OH, WHAT A JOURNEY THIS HAS BEEN. THANK YOU, ALL, FOR BEING HERE TODAY, AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU, AGAIN, TO BELON AIDEN VICE PRESIDENT OF AFRICAN COMMUNITY HOUSING AT THE FILAMENT, A LEADER THAT IS WORKING TO BUILD NOT ONLY THE HOUSING THAT WE NEED, BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES HAVE A HOME IN OUR CITY. THANK YOU, FOR YOUR WORK. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> AND THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE FOR THE HONOR OF A LIFETIME, TO REPRESENT YOU. NOW, I WENT FROM WAITING TABLES NEXT TO THE SPACE NEEDLE, TO WORKING ON POLICY AT THE UW TOWER, TO SERVING YOU ON SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL IN THE POSITION OF REPRESENTING OFFICE 8 FOR THE LAST YEAR, AND LAST YEAR, WHEN I SWORE IN, I BECAME THE YOUNGEST PERSON TO EVER SERVE ON THIS BODY, REPRESENTING A GENERATION OF PEOPLE WHO WONDER IF THEY HAVE A FUTURE IN THE CITY. AND I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS COMING. I DIDN'T KNOW, THAT EIGHT WEEKS LATER, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WOULD ORDER A FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE THAT WOULD SEND SHOCKWAVES THROUGH OUR CITY AND OUR NATION. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS WOULD STOP GOING TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS, START CARRYING PASSPORTS, FEEL ANXIOUS ABOUT SENDING THEIR KIDS TO OUR OWN SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ALL FOR FEAR OF DEPORTATION AND FAMILY SEPARATION. I DIDN'T KNOW WE WOULD FACE A MANUFACTURED BUDGET CRISIS, DESIGNED TO MAKE US CHOOSE BETWEEN HEALTH CLINICS AND FOOD BANKS, WHILE THE WEALTHIEST CORPORATIONS REFUSED TO PAY WHAT THEY OWE. BUT, HERE IS WHAT I DID KNOW -- I KNEW, THAT BILLIONAIRES SHOULDN'T PAY LESS IN TAXES THAN THE COFFEE SHOP ON THE CORNER. I KNEW THAT WORKING PEOPLE, LIKE ME, AND THE FOLKS I WAITED TABLES ALONGSIDE, DESERVE BETTER THAN A SYSTEM RIGGED AGAINST US. AND I KNEW SEATTLE COULD DO BETTER. SO, WE GOT TO WORK, AND TOGETHER -- BECAUSE NONE OF THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT THE ORGANIZERS, AND EVERY DAY PEOPLE WHO TALK TO THEIR NEIGHBORS -- TOGETHER, WE PASSED A PROGRESSIVE TAX TO FUND SOCIAL HOUSING. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> TOGETHER, WE PASSED THE SEATTLE SHIELD INITIATIVE. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> YEAH, 71% OF VOTERS SAID YES AND THAT WE HAVE $81 MILLION A YEAR FROM BIG CORPORATIONS AND BUSINESSES, TAX CUTS FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, TO PROTECT ALL THE SERVICES THAT KEEP ALL OF US WELL. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY CHANGES. NOT JUST TO RESIST FOR THE SAKE OF RESISTANCE, BUT TO BUILD REAL PROTECTIONS, TO BE A SANCTUARY CITY, NOT JUST IN NAME, BUT IN ACTION. TOGETHER, WE LAUNCHED THE BETTER BUS LANES CAMPAIGN BECAUSE RELIABLE TRANSIT ISN'T A LUXURY FOR THE ROYALTY, BUT A NECESSITY FOR WORKING PEOPLE. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> AND WE ARE FIGHTING FOR AURORA AVENUE, DENNY WAY, AND GRANTOR AVENUE, BECAUSE EXTRA MINUTES EVERYONE SPENDS IN TRAFFIC IS A MINUTE STOLEN FROM THEIR FAMILY, THEIR REST, THEIR LIFE. AND TOGETHER, WE PROVED THAT PROGRESSIVE GOVERNANCE WORKS, THAT EVEN WHEN YOU ARE IN THE MINORITY, WHEN THE ESTABLISHMENT LINES UP AGAINST YOU, WHEN CORPORATIONS SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO DEFEAT YOU, IF YOU STAY ROOTED IN YOUR VALUES, FIGHT HARDER AND SMARTER FOR WORKING PEOPLE, YOU WIN, AND ALL OF US WIN. AND NOW, AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF SEATTLE VOTERS HAVE TRUSTED THIS OFFICE, THE PEOPLE'S OFFICE, WITH FOUR MORE YEARS TO CARRY FORWARD THIS WORK. AND I BELIEVE IT IS MY PARAMOUNT DUTY TO USE EVERY TOOL AT MY DISPOSAL TO BETTER THE LIVES OF SEATTLE RESIDENTS. AND I STAND ALONGSIDE THE NEARLY 208,000 SEATTLE VOTERS WHO RE-ELECTED ME, AND, JUST AS FIRMLY BESIDE THOSE WHO DIDN'T. TWO EVERYONE SKEPTICAL OF THIS OFFICE, TO EVERYONE WHO SEES POLITICS AS BROKEN, I PROMISE YOU THIS -- IF YOU ARE A SEATTLEITE, I AM YOUR COUNCILMEMBER. I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU, CELEBRATE WITH YOU, MOURN ALONGSIDE YOU, AND NEVER, NOT FOR A SECOND, HIDE FROM YOU. THANK YOU, FOR THE MANY UNIONS. I KNOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF OUR UNION PARTNERS IN THE ROOM TODAY. THANK YOU, FOR DEMONSTRATING -- YES! LET'S HEAR IT FOR OUR UNION PARTNERS! >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU, FOR DEMONSTRATING WHAT SOLIDARITY MEANS, EVERY DAY, AND THANK YOU, FOR STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR OFFICE. AND THANK YOU, TO THE TEAM, AND THE OFFICE OF POSITION EIGHT -- RACHEL ALGER, CAITLIN COOK, TEAM LENNON, KENNY TRAN -- LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR THEM. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> YOU MAKE THIS WORK POSSIBLE! THANK YOU TO MY FAMILY, THE UNION FAMILY, WHO TAUGHT ME THAT DIGNITY COMES FROM HOW YOU TREAT PEOPLE AND WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR, AND THANK YOU TO MY PARTNER, BRITAIN, FOR STANDING ALONGSIDE ME THROUGH ALL OF THIS. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> AND THANK YOU, TO THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE, TO THE HOME CARE WORKERS AT THE MIRABELLA, WHOSE BACKS ACHE FROM LIFTING OUR ELDERS. THE TEACHERS BUYING SCHOOL SUPPLIES WITH THEIR OWN MONEY. THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TRYING TO COMPETE WITH AMAZON. THE FAMILIES ONE RENT INCREASE AWAY FROM BEING PUSHED OUT. THE ARTIST MAKING THE NEXT MOSAIC TO GRACE CAL ANDERSON PARK. THE ROUTE 8 BUS DRIVER STUCK IN TRAFFIC. THE CARPENTER BUILDING THE HOUSING WE DESPERATELY NEED. THE TRANS-WOMAN WHO JUST ARRIVED FROM ARKANSAS. TWO EVERYONE BUILDING THEIR LIFE HERE, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY WERE BORN OR WHETHER THEY SPEAK AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, SPANISH AND SOMALI, VIETNAMESE, AND AMHARIC, TO GARLIC AND MEMBER AND, NOW, YOU WANT JUST FIND ME IN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS -- AND I THINK SOME OF YOU KNOW THAT -- YOU WILL FIND ME ON PICKET LINES, ATTENDING AND ORGANIZING MEETINGS, AFTER DISTRIBUTION SITES, AND WHEREVER PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING FOR A BETTER CITY. BECAUSE THIS MOVEMENT WE BEGAN DIDN'T END ON ELECTION NIGHT, IT LIVES ON IN EVERY BATTLE WE FIGHT TOGETHER. EVERY BUDGET, WHERE WE DEMAND PROGRESSIVE REVENUE OVER AUSTERITY. EVERY DEPORTATION WE RESIST. EVERY BUS LANE WE WIN. EVERY TENANT WE KEEP IN THEIR HOME. BECAUSE VICTORY ISN'T AN INVITATION TO TUNE OUT. VICTORY DEMANDS EFFORT FROM EACH OF US, EVERY SINGLE DAY. PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE WONDERING, THEY WANT TO KNOW, IF PROGRESSIVE, BLUE CITIES CAN GOVERN, IF THE STRUGGLES THAT KEEP THEM UP AT NIGHT CAN BE SOLVED. IF IT IS RIGHT TO HOPE AGAIN. NOW, JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE MAN WHO RAISED ME -- WHO I WAS LUCKY TO CALL MY DAD -- PASSED AWAY AFTER A LONG FIGHT WITH ALL LEARNERS. AND HE TAUGHT ME, THAT YOU DON'T NEED MONEY OR A FANCY DEGREE TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE. YOU JUST NEED THE COURAGE TO FIGHT FOR IT. AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. THE WORK CONTINUES, THE WORK ENDURES, AND, MY FRIENDS, THE WORK HAS JUST BEGUN, SO THANK YOU, AND ONWARDS TOGETHER. >> [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> AND WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE OUT THIS SET UP. THIS IS NOT OUR EVERYDAY SET UP. BUT, THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK PER LET'S GIVE HER ANOTHER HAND -- HAND OF APPLAUSE -- ROUND OF APPLAUSE! >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU. SO, JUST A REMINDER THAT A SHORT RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS MEETING, AND THE RECEPTION IS LOCATED AT THE BERTHA KNIGHTS LANDING ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF CITY HALL, RIGHT BELOW THIS AREA. [ LAUGHTER ] CHAMBERS. I FORGOT THE WORD, "CHAMBERS." RIGHT BELOW THE CHAMBERS. AND EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND, AS WELL. COLLEAGUES, AT THIS TIME, WE WILL OPEN THE HYBRID PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO TODAY'S ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR AND THE COUNCIL WORK PROGRAM. CLERK, HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE SIGNED UP TODAY? >> WE HAVE FOUR IN PERSON, AND A -- JUST A SECOND -- >> THIS IS GREAT. WE HAVE A FULL ROOM, AND FOUR -- NO, I'M JUST PLAYING. >> FOUR IN PERSON, FOUR REMOTE PRINT >> AWESOME. AND JUST A REMINDER, WE VOTED, LAST YEAR, ON COUNCIL RULES THAT IF THERE ARE FEWER THAN 30, EVERYONE GETS TWO MINUTES, PER SPEAKER. IF THERE ARE 30-60, THEN IT IS ONE MINUTE PER SPEAKER. AND IF THERE ARE MORE THAN 60, IT IS ONE MINUTE OR LESS. AND BECAUSE WE HAVE EIGHT SPEAKERS, FOUR IN PRISON, FOUR ONLINE, WHAT IS THE MATH, EVERYONE? THAT IS TWO MINUTES PER SPEAKER. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO START WITH IN PERSON OR REMOTE? >> IN PERSON WOULD BE GREAT. >> THANK YOU. >> IN PERSON, THEN WE WILL SWITCH TO REMOTE PRINT >> THANK YOU, IF YOU COULD PROCEED WITH THE DIRECTIONS? >> SPEAKERS WILL CALL IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE REGISTERED, SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A SOUND WHEN THERE IS 10 SECONDS LEFT OF THE TIME, SPEAKERS' MICS WILL BE MUTED IF THEY DO NOT END THEIR COMMENTS IN THE ALLOTTED TIME, TO ALLOW US TO CALL ON THE NEXT SPEAKER. WE WILL NOW BEGIN WITH OUR IN PERSON SPEAKERS. >> SO, OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS PAUL, AND THEN WE HAVE CAROLYN BENNETT AND NATHAN. PAUL? >> ALL RIGHT, CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYONE. I HOPE THIS IS GOING TO BE A GOOD -- SO, I AM PAUL GLUMACK. I AM A LEADER IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND IN KING COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY. AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO BRING UP. THE RECENT POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, NOT TO INCARCERATE OPEN-AIR DRUG USERS, AND INSTEAD PUT THEM THROUGH LOW BARRIER -- >> CAN WE PAUSE THE TIMER, PLEASE? >> ARRESTED -- >> MR. PAUL, WE WILL PAUSE, WE WILL RESTART YOUR TIME, WE ARE HAVING TECHNICAL -- OH, JUST PAUSE, WE ARE GOING TO RESTART YOUR TIME, GIVE US ONE SECOND, OKAY? WE ARE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL FOLKS ARE LEAVING, AND THEN WE WILL GET THOSE DOORS SHUT, SO THAT WE CAN HEAR YOUR COMMENTS. >> OKAY. >> ONE SECOND. I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOU CAN RESTART. SORRY, MR. PAUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. OKAY, WE GOT THE DOORS SHUT, AND I THINK WE ARE READY, MR. PAUL. ALL RIGHT, MR. PAUL, GO AHEAD. >> THE RECENT POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE NOT TO INCARCERATE OPEN-AIR DRUG USERS, AND INSTEAD, PUT THEM THROUGH LOW BARRIER, LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTED DIVERGENT PROGRAM IS, IN EFFECT, ENDING ANY PENALTY OR ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OPEN-AIR DRUG USE. AND THIS WAS VOTED ON IN THE LAST TERM OF THE CITY COUNCIL. SO, I WANT TO QUOTE MIKE SULLIVAN ON THIS. HE IS THE SEATTLE POLICE GUILD PRESIDENT. "THIS IS WRONG, AND IT IS MOST COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS SUICIDAL EMPATHY. MOST COPS KNOW THAT THE L.E.A.D. PROGRAM SUPPORTS THIS IDEOLOGY AND THEY DON'T WANT TO REFER CASES. IT IS A WASTE OF TIME. WE HAVE SEEN HOW OUR STREETS CAN BE FILLED WITH DEATH, DECAY, BLIGHT, AND CRIME, WHEN IDEOLOGY LIKE THIS INFECTS OUR CITY. NOW, WITH THIS RESURRECTED, INSANE DIRECTION, DEATH, DESTRUCTION, AND MORE HUMAN SUFFERING WILL BE SUPERCHARGED." SO, THE QUESTION I HAVE, BASICALLY, IS THAT, WILL THIS BODY DEAL WITH THIS, BY PROMOTING TREATMENT FIRST? ENDING LOW BARRIER SHELTERS, PROMOTING REHABILITATION, UP TO A YEAR, TO CHANGE THE SITUATION? BECAUSE THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE BEING FLOODED WITH CRIME, WHICH IS INCREASING, AS ADDICTS HAVE TO STEAL TO FIND WAYS TO PAY FOR THEIR DRUGS. AND UNLESS -- UNLESS YOU HAVE THE GOVERNMENT, THE STATE, FORCE PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH -- ANYHOW, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. SO, I HOPE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING. >> THANK YOU, MR. PAUL. AND WE HAVE A TRADITION WHERE WE RECOGNIZE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, FIRST. GO AHEAD, MR. PAUL, YOU ARE GOOD. THEY SIGNED UP LATER. SO, REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS, I KNOW YOU SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I AM REPRESENTATIVE RHIANNA K THOMAS FROM THE FIGHTING 34th. NOT ALL IN SEATTLE, BUT MOSTLY. I JUST WANT TO TAKE A SECOND AS A NEW ELECTED OFFICIAL TO WELCOME COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER AND COUNCILMEMBER LIN, AND TO THE ATTORNEY EVANS, FOR PUBLIC SERVICE. THIS IS THE HARDEST JOB I HAVE EVER HAD AND MOST OF Y'ALL KNOW THAT BECAUSE MOST OF YOU, IN THIS ROOM, HAVE WORKED WITH ME AT SOME POINT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. SO, I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE SOME UNSOLICITED ADVICE, AS MY ABILITY NOW TO COME AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. SO, SELF-CARE IS COMMUNITY CARE. YOU ALL KNOW THAT I DEEPLY BELIEVE IN TIME OFF, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP. AND THE OTHER THING I LEARNED THIS YEAR, IS WHETHER OR NOT I WANTED IT TO, MY WORDS SUDDENLY WEIGHED MORE. I HAD TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAID. YOU ALL KNOW I LIKE A QUIP AND A QUIBBLE AND AN OFFHANDED COMMENT, BUT I WOULD DEFINITELY SHARE THAT THAT WAS A LESSON I LEARNED THIS YEAR, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WALKING WITH YOU, AS YOU GROW AS ELECTEDS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME. CONGRATULATIONS! >> AWESOME, THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> AND THEN, OUR NEXT SPEAKER? >> WE HAVE CAROLYN, AND THEN BENNETT. >> MS. MONROE? >> THANK YOU. I AM CAROLYN MALONE MOTHER GRANDMOTHER GREAT GRANDMOTHER. AT THIS TIME, NEXT WEEK, I WILL BE IN KING COUNTY COURTHOUSE, DEFENDING MY RIGHT TO LIVE IN MY SENIOR HOUSING, FOR THE THIRD TIME, DURING THE HOLIDAYS, BECAUSE OF SEATTLE POLICE, BECAUSE I PROTEST AND STAND UP FOR MY RIGHTS, I HAVE BECOME A TARGET OF SEATTLE POLICE, HARASSING ME, AND ENCOURAGING MANAGERS TO REMOVE ME FROM CHANCELLOR PLACE APARTMENT -- 910 MARION STREET. NEXT APRIL, THIS APRIL, I WILL HAVE LIVED THERE SEVEN YEARS. ON AUGUST 28th, I FILE A COMPLAINT THROUGH SEATTLE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS. ON OCTOBER 30th, THE OFFICE, SUSPICIOUSLY, WAS CLOSED. I HAD BEEN WAITING FOR FOUR MONTHS TO TALK TO AN INVESTIGATOR -- ONE WAS ASSIGNED, BUT THE OFFICES REMAIN CLOSED. SO, I ENCOURAGE YOU -- I REALLY FERVENTLY EARNESTLY HONESTLY REQUEST, URGENTLY REQUEST, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL LOOK INTO WHY SEATTLE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS IS CLOSED AT THIS TIME. I SUSPECT SEATTLE POLICE HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT, BECAUSE THEY INTERFERED WITH MY HOUSING, MY FINANCES, MY CHILDREN. BY THE WAY, MY ELDEST SON IS MISSING BECAUSE OF MY ACTIVISM AGAINST SEATTLE POLICE. I GO RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET AND I STAND THERE WITH THE POSTER AND TALK TO SOME. OTHERS, I REFUSE TO TALK TO. BUT, THESE FOLKS, GOONS, SHOULD NOT BE HARASSING ME, BECAUSE I STAND UP AGAINST THEIR PROTEST -- THERE ARE VIOLENCE AGAINST ME AND MY FAMILY. AND YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF ME, BECAUSE I WILL RETURN. >> THANK YOU, MS. MALONE. BENNETT? WELCOME. HAPPY NEW YEAR. >> HAPPY NEW YEAR, JOY, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ELECTED COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH, NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. AS CITY ATTORNEY EVAN WILSON AND NOW THAT JOY HAS MADE IT OFFICIAL, DAN, NEW MAYOR OF BALLARD, THANK YOU FOR THAT, TOO. IS GOING TO SAY, UNTIL NEXT WEEK, I WOULD JUST USE MY TIME TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS TO BE ELECTED COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH. I HAVE BEEN HERE MANY TIMES SPEAKING EITHER AS MYSELF OR AS A MEMBER OF A GROUP, AGAINST SOMETHING YOU WERE PERHAPS RECRUITING INCLUDING ABOUT WHEN ABOUT HALF OF YOU HAVE BEEN REPLACED SINCE THEN BUT THE FIRST TIME I WAS HERE WITH FIVE OTHER PEOPLE AND WE GOT ARRESTED AS PART OF A SIT IN PROTEST, LET OUT OF HERE IN HANDCUFFS. BUT, EVEN AT THE TIME, I HAD A FEELING THAT I BELIEVE YOU SINCERELY BELIEVE WHAT YOU WERE STANDING FOR, AND EVEN IF I DISAGREE WITH YOU, I THOUGHT, I GOT THE SENSE THAT YOU FELT THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT YOU WANTED TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR WHY YOU WERE DOING WHAT YOU WERE DOING. EVEN IN THE TIMES THAT I THOUGHT YOU WERE WRONG. AND IN SOME OF THE LATER COUNCIL MEETINGS THAT YOU ARE CHAIRING, WHEN I WOULD COME UP AND OFFER A PUBLIC COMMENT, TOO, ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTICED IS THAT SOME OF THE THINGS I SAID THAT PUBLIC COMMENT YOU ACTUALLY RESPOND TO DURING THE TIME I WAS SPEAKING OR AFTERWARDS, AND I KNOW THAT IS NOT STANDARD FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SHARING A MEETING AND PERHAPS NOT ALL OF THEM WANT TO SET THE PRECEDENT THAT PEOPLE GET INTO A BACK AND FORTH LIKE THAT, BUT I DID APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU DID IT AND WERE WILLING TO RESPOND TO WHAT WE HAD COME TO SAY THAT DAY. AND OBVIOUSLY, OF COURSE, I APPRECIATE YOU PUTTING ON THE BOOTS, AND GETTING OUT THERE, AND USING THE PAINT REMOVER TO GET THE PAINT OFF HOT RAT SUMMER, BECAUSE IT IS ALL GOING TO BE THERE FOR ALL TIME, NOW. SO, I JUST WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, BENNETT. HAPPY 2026. >> WE HAVE MASON WALL. >> HI. SO, DOES THAT MEAN EDDIE GETS TO BE MAYOR OF BEACON HILL, NOW? I THINK THAT'S AN ORDER. SO, I WANT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH, FIRST, CONGRATULATIONS. I AM GOING TO PROMISE YOU THAT WE ARE GOING TO DISAGREE AT TIMES DURING YOUR COUNCIL PRESIDENCY, BUT AS A MEMBER OF THE QUEER COMMUNITY, I WANT TO SAY, PART OF WHAT WE FIGHT FOR IS THE RIGHT OF EVERYBODY TO LIVE FREELY, AS THEY ARE, AND SO, THERE IS NO RIGHT WAY TO BE QUEER LESBIAN GAY TRANSGENDER. THE FACT THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE ON OUR COUNCIL WHO ARE CLEAR WHO DISAGREE WITH EACH OTHER I THINK IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR CITY. SO, CONGRATULATIONS TO COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER, AS WELL. I WANT TO SAY AS A UFCW MEMBER, AND A SOUTH RESIDENT AND AS A PROGRESSIVE, HAPPY TO SEE MORE LEFT-WING REPRESENTATION ON OUR COUNCIL. I WILL JUST USE MY LAST MINUTE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, SOME FOLKS WERE HARASSING DAY CARES IN MY COMMUNITY RECENTLY, KNOCKING ON DOORS OF SOMALI FAMILY-RUN DATERS, PRETENDING TO INVESTIGATE FRAUD, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S GETTING SCARY OUT THERE. ATTORNEY GENERAL NICK BROWN PUT OUT A STATEMENT THAT WAS GOOD, IT WAS POWERFUL, BUT I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE CITY COUNCIL TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AT THE COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO PROTECT OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS FROM THESE RAIDS. AND I WILL SAY -- I WILL BE DIPPING MEDICARE -- TO THE I.C.E. AGENTS WHO ARE DOING THESE, I WILL JUST SAY, DONALD TRUMP MAY HAVE IMMUNITY, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE SAME IMMUNITY HE HAS. YOU CAN PHASE CRIMINAL CONSEQUENCES FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. YOU CAN FACE FINANCIAL SANCTIONS. YOU CAN FACE SOCIAL OSTRACIZATION. WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS WRONG, IT IS CRIMINAL, YOU ARE TEARING PEOPLE APART. YOU ARE DESTROYING LIVES. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE -- I MEAN, PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY DIED IN I.C.E. CUSTODY. AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN I SEE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR TRUMP, WHOSE FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE ALSO GETTING HARASSED AND DETAINED BY I.C.E., IT JUST REAFFIRMS THAT WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, FOR OUR NEIGHBORS, WHETHER OR NOT WE AGREE WITH EACH OTHER ON SMALL ISSUES. SO, PEACE, MY FRIENDS. THANK YOU. >> THAT WAS OUR LAST IN PERSON SPEAKER. >> A REMINDER TO OUR REMOTE SPEAKERS, TO PLEASE PRESS STAR 6 AFTER YOU HAVE HEARD THE MESSAGE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTED. THE FIRST REMOTE SPEAKER WILL BE DAVID HAYNES AND DAVID WILL BE FOLLOWED BY YVETTE DINESH. GO AHEAD, DAVID. >> THANK YOU, DAVID HAYNES. WE NEED THE POLICE CHIEF TO SHOW UP AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY OR FULL COUNCIL MEETING TO EXPLAIN THIS EMAIL ABOUT NOT ADDRESSING THE DRUG ADDICTS, AND THE DRUG USERS. AND WE NEED THE COUNCIL TO REALIZE, THAT JENNY DURKAN, ED MURRAY IS A PEDOPHILE WHO TOOK ADVANTAGE OF DRUG ADDICTED KIDS, AND BRUCE HARRELL SABOTAGED THE INTEGRITY OF POLICE REFORM BY PLAYING A RACE CAR THAT MISCONSTRUED WHAT CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL, WHERE SOMEBODY WHO IS CONNECTED TO THE UNDERWORLD DRUG PRESSURES THAT DESTROY PEOPLE'S LIVES DAILY, ARE LISTED AT A NOT NONVIOLENT, LOW-LEVEL, MISDEMEANOR, WE NEED THE PROSECUTORS TO PUNISH PROPERLY. AND YET, WE HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE MAKING A LIVING HELL, TOTALLY UNSAFE AND UNTENABLE TO TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE THERE ARE ALL THESE PREDATORY DRUG PUSHERS AND DRUG ADDICTED REPEAT OFFENDING CRIMINALS WHO THINK AND KNOW THAT THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH COMMITTING CRIMES BECAUSE THEY GOT DRUGS IN THEIR SYSTEM, THEY ARE GOING TO BE ACCEPTED. YET, WE SEE ALL THE CAPACITY THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE REPEAT OFFENDERS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THAT HAS LEFT INNOCENT HOMELESS LEFT IN THE STREET, FOR SEEKING, AND TAKING, AND RACIST LEE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST WHITE CITIZENS WHO ARE STILL OWED BACK PAY THAT DON'T HAVE A MENTAL PROBLEM OR A DRUG, OR ALCOHOL PROBLEM AND ARE TOLD TO PULL THEMSELVES UP BY THEIR BOOTSTRAPS, IT WITH THESE SUBHUMAN TREATED KAPLAN'S THAT ARGUABLY DRUG ADDICTS AS SOON AS THE TRIGGER IN ON 11 NONVIOLENT CALL, THEY SHOULD BE PUT INTO DRUG TREATMENT AND WHEN THEY GET OUT, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE CAMPUS AND FOCUS 24/7 ON THEIR ADDICTION INSTEAD OF GETTING TO LOCK THEMSELVES BEHIND SOME APARTMENT OR HOTEL -- BUT, ANYWAY, GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP BECAUSE I THINK YOU ALL REALLY NEED TO REALIZE THAT THE CHIEF IS DISPERSING THE CRIMINALS. >> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER IS UNIT DANISH WHO WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ALBERT ALVAREZ. GO AHEAD, GIVE IT. YVETTE, HAVE YOU PRESSED STAR 6? OKAY, WE WILL MOVE ON TO ALBERTO ALVAREZ AND -- OH, WAIT, HERE SHE IS. GO AHEAD, YVETTE. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, ALL, FOR YOUR SERVICE, AT A HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOY HOLLINGSWORTH. THANK YOU KINDLY. >> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ALBERTO ALVAREZ, WHO WILL BE FOLLOWED BY JOE KINSLER. GO AHEAD, ALBERTO. >> THANK YOU. AS A MEMBER OF THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY, I CONDEMN MARITZA RIVERA AS UNETHICAL AND DRIVEN BY GREED. POLITICS AND /LANDLORD RIVERA IS ON RECORD OF HARMING THE BLACK COMMUNITY BY ATTEMPTING TO CUT EDI FUNDING. RIVERA STEPPED DOWN ONLY AFTER FACING A MULTIHOUR PUBLIC SHAMING. FROM THE COMMUNITY SHE WAS TARGETING. RIVERA ALSO TOOK AN OFFICIAL VOTE TO TRY TO LIFT ETHICS RULES TO ENRICH HERSELF AS A LANDLORD. IN ADDITION, SHE ENDANGERED PORT OF SEATTLE OPERATIONS, VOTING TO PLACE WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES AND THEIR HOUSING IN THE HEART OF REGIONAL FREIGHT LINES. MARITZA RIVERA IS EITHER FULLY CORRUPT, OR DANGEROUSLY IGNORANT. IT SHOULDN'T TAKE HOURS OF PUBLIC SHAMING TO STOP HER FROM HARMING MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU, ALL, AND HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU. OUR LAST REMOTE SPEAKER SIGNED UP IS JOE KINSLER. GO AHEAD, JOE. >> THANK YOU, FOR QUEUING ME IN HOT, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO CONGRATULATE COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH ON BEING COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I'M GRATEFUL, FOR AMERICA, THAT WE HAVE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S THAT REFLECT AMERICA AND DO NOT LOOK AND SOUND LIKE ME, OR PETE HEGSETH. I ALSO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH FOLLOWS A GREAT TRADITION OF GREAT SEATTLE PRECEDENTS [ INAUDIBLE - MUFFLED ] I AM SURE THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS MIGHT GIVE HER A CALL, OR, YOU KNOW, THE TIME NEEDED TO KNOW YOU, AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF GREAT SEATTLE LEADERSHIP AND I HOPE THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS GIVE YOU A CALL. WE DESPERATELY COULD USE SOME HELP IN PROTECTING SAM DARNOLD. AND ALSO, DON'T WORRY ABOUT TRYING TO BEAT THIS COUNCIL PRESIDENT, BECAUSE THE BEST ONE -- [ INAUDIBLE - MUFFLED ] SO, SHE IS A BADASS ANGEL, SO, IN ORDER TO TAKE HER, YOU WOULD HAVE TO JOIN THE SEAHAWKS AND GET OPEN TO A SAM DARNOLD PASS AS A TIGHT END, CATCH THAT PASS IS AN ELIGIBLE RECEIVER AND HOLD IT AS A TOUCHDOWN AT THE SUPER BOWL, WHICH I AM SURE YOU ARE FULLY CAPABLE OF, BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO DO GREAT THINGS. YOU HAVE VOICED YOUR IMPROVEMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH I APPRECIATE THAT AND YOU NEED TO HAVE [ INAUDIBLE - MUFFLED ] -- I WANT TO THANK YOU, ALL, FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE, YOUR PUBLIC LEADERSHIP, AND I WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY '26. GO, HAWKS, GO, MARINERS, AND GO SEATTLE TRANSIT. THANK YOU. BYE! >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THAT WAS OUR LAST REMOTE SPEAKER. >> AND LET ME ADD ONE THING -- GO, STORM, JOE. AND THEN, I KNOW WE HAVE ANOTHER IN PERSON SPEAKER, AND I APOLOGIZE IF I -- IS IT PAMELA? PALMENA. SO SORRY. >> THAT'S OKAY. I AM AN IMMIGRANT I AM A COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF IMMIGRANTS AND I JUST WANTED TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO FIGHT FOR IMMIGRANTS IN THIS CITY, AND ALSO I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE -- I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THESE TWO AMAZING WOMEN, FOSTER AND DRINK. THANK YOU. WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER, I KNOW YOUR SOUL, I THINK. IT IS PRETTY AMAZING, YOU ARE HERE. I AM HOPEFUL. SO, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT, I FEEL HOPE BECAUSE YOU ARE HERE. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE IN THESE CHAMBERS TO WORK FOR IMMIGRANTS. WE ARE THE ONES WORKING IN THE CITY. WE ARE THE ONES GETTING YOUR GARDENS BEAUTIFUL, WE ARE THE ONES TAKING CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN, WE ARE THE ONES GIVING YOU FOOD IN THE RESTAURANTS. SO, WHEN AN ADMINISTRATION ATTACKS US, AND ATTACKS OUR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND TAKES THEM TO THE DETENTION CENTER, WHEN PEOPLE IN POWER DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND PASS THIS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT US, WE ARE PROTECTING EVERYBODY ELSE. THE CITY IS THAT GOOD, WHEN A CITY IS PROTECTING THE MOST VULNERABLE. SO, JUST ENCOURAGING YOU, THIS YEAR, TO REALLY THINK ABOUT IMMIGRANTS AND WORK FOR US. THANK YOU, EVERYONE. >> THANK YOU, PALMENA. AND BEAUTIFUL EARRINGS, BY THE WAY. BEAUTIFUL. WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF THIS LIST OF REGISTERED SPEAKERS, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS TODAY, AND THANK YOU, ALL, FOR COMING, AS WELL. WE ARE GOING TO START MOVING ONTO OUR AGENDA ITEMS. I'M GOING TO MOVE TO ADOPT THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR, IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS, REGARDING THIS? SO, I'M GOING TO MOVE TO AMEND THE INTRODUCTION REFERRAL CALENDAR, BY INTRODUCING RESOLUTION 32188 THROUGH 32190 AND REFERRING THEM TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION AT TODAY'S MEETING. THE RESOLUTIONS ARE ENTITLED, AND I AM GOING TO READ THOSE, CORRECT? OKAY, AWESOME. THANK YOU. AMELIA IS THE BEST CLERK. A RESOLUTION DESIGNATED THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE FOR 2026 AND 2027 SUPERSEDING RESOLUTION 32177. A RESOLUTION RELATING TO COMMITTEE STRUCTURE, MEMBERSHIP MEETING TIMES, AND DUTIES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL AND SUPERSEDING RESOLUTION 32162. AND, A RESOLUTION RELATING TO PARTICIPATION OF KING COUNTY COMMITTEES, REGIONAL COMMITTEES, STATE COMMITTEES, OF THE SEATTLE CITY COMMITTEES AND SUPERSEDING RESOLUTION 32178. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO AMEND THE INTRODUCTION REFERRAL CALENDAR, TO INTRODUCE RESOLUTIONS 32188 THROUGH 32190, FOR REFERRAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION TODAY. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS REGARDING THIS, COLLEAGUES? SEEING NO HANDS. WELL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT? >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ? >> OH, DID YOU SEE ME? AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON -- EXCUSE ME -- COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH? >> YES. >> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> THE MOTION CARRIES, THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED AND THESE ITEMS WILL BE ADDED TO TODAY'S AGENDA FOR CONSIDERATION. OTHER ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE ADOPTION REFERRAL CALENDAR, AS AMENDED? AND IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR WILL BE ADOPTED, AS AMENDED. HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR IS ADOPTED, AS AMENDED. WE WILL NOW CONSIDER THE PROPOSED CONSENT CALENDAR, ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR INCLUDE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9th, AND THE 16th OF 2025, COUNCIL BILLS 121145 THROUGH 121147, PAYMENT OF THE BILLS. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE FROM TODAY'S CONSENT CALENDAR? HEARING ON. I WILL MOVE TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> AWESOME, 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 FOSTER? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH? >> YES. >> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> THANK YOU. THE CONSENT CALENDAR ARE ADOPTED. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE MINUTES AND THE LEGISLATION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR, ON MY BEHALF? THERE ARE NO COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION TODAY AND THERE WERE NO ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR. SO, NOW, WE HAVE ADOPTION OF OTHER RESOLUTIONS. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE TITLE OF ITEM ONE INTO THE AGENDA? >> AGENDA ITEM ONE WAS A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE MONTHLY PRO TEM OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF SEATTLE FOR 2026 THROUGH 2027, SUPERSEDING RESOLUTION 32177. >> AWESOME. I'M GOING TO MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 32188. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> THANK YOU, IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS, REGARDING THE RESOLUTION, COLLEAGUES? SEE NONE. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION? >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH? >> YES. >> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> AWESOME. THE MOTION CARRIES, THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED AND THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE RESOLUTION, ON MY BEHALF? WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM NUMBER TWO IN THE AGENDA? >> AGENDA ITEM TWO, RESOLUTION 3289 RELATING TO COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND MEETING TIMES AND DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND SUPERSEDING RESOLUTION 32162. >> AWESOME. I AM GOING TO MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 32189. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS ON THIS? THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, FOR WORKING WITH US, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A GREAT SCHEDULES, MEETING TIMES, AND DUTIES OF OUR COMMITTEES. IF THERE IS ANY OTHER COMMENTS, WE WILL ENTERTAIN THOSE AT THAT TIME, BUT IF NOT, I WILL PAUSE HERE -- ANY COMMENTS? AWESOME. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION? >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> YES. COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH? >> YES. >> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> MOTION CARRIES. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED AND THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WORLD CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE ON MY BEHALF? WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM NUMBER THREE INTO THE AGENDA? >> AGENDA ITEM THREE, RESOLUTION 32190, RELATING TO PARTICIPATION ON KING COUNTY COMMITTEES, REGIONAL COMMITTEES, STATE COMMITTEES, AT CITY OF SEATTLE COMMITTEES, AND SUPERSEDING RESOLUTION 32178. >> I AM GOING TO MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 32190. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS, REGARDING THIS RESOLUTION? SO, IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE COUNCIL RULES WILL BE SUSPENDED TO ALLOW CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT THAT WAS NOT DISTRIBUTED 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE. ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS? HEARING NO OBJECTIONS, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED AND WE ARE GOING TO PROCEED WITH THE CONSIDERATION OF THIS AMENDMENT. SO, I AM GOING TO WALK EVERYONE THROUGH AND EXPLAIN WHAT THE AMENDMENT IS, I AM GOING TO MOVE TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION 32190 BY CHANGING THE FOLLOWING MEMBERSHIP -- THE PRSC GROWTH MANAGEMENT POLICY BOARD, WE ARE GOING TO DELETE COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ AND INSERT COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. FOR THE KING COUNTY REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS AUTHORITY GOVERNING COMMITTEE, WE ARE GOING TO DELETE COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ AS THE ALTERNATE, AND INSERT COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE AS THE ALTERNATE. AND SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD, ADD KETTLE AS A MEMBER. IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT AMENDMENT? >> SECOND. >> [ LAUGHTER ] >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> [ LAUGHTER ] THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE NERVOUS THAT WAS AT "DELETE" COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ, BUT YOU SECONDED -- >> GOD BLESS OSHA, THEY DO GOOD WORK. >> THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED FOR THAT MOTION, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS, REGARDING THAT? SEE NONE. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED FOR THE RESOLUTION FOR THE MEMBERS OF CHANGES. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION? EXCUSE ME, ON THE AMENDMENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH? >> YES. >> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> AWESOME. THANK YOU. AND ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE FINAL RESOLUTION, AS AMENDED? SEE NONE. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION, AS AMENDED? >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH? >> YES. >> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> AWESOME. THE MOTION CARRIES, THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED, AND THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE ON MY BEHALF? IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE, THEN WE WILL GO TO COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH. THANK YOU. AND I MIGHT BE A DAY OFF, NOW. I WAS JUST DOING A DOUBLE CHECK, BUT I SAW SOMETHING FROM AMARI SAULSBERRY SO I WANTED TO WISH -- AND I MAY NOW BE A DAY LATE, I THOUGHT IT WAS YESTERDAY, BUT WE STILL WOULD LIKE TO WISH A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO REVEREND HARRIET WOMAN OF THE MANY GROUPS AND ADVOCATE FOR MANY ISSUES WITHIN HER COMMUNITY, AND I GOT TO MEET HER AND KNOW HER THROUGH THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND I SAW THAT AND I JUST WANTED TO WISH HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVEN IF IT WAS YESTERDAY, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. >> AWESOME. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE. WE ALL LOVE REVEREND WALDEN. AND WE LOVE HER AND ARE SENDING HER ALL OF OUR LOVE FROM COUNCIL. COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> YES, COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH, THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION, AS YOU SAY, AS MAYRA BAUER, BUT I WILL JUST CLARIFY, MAGNOLIA, GREEN LAKE, BAUER, ANY OTHER MICRO NEIGHBORHOODS, AND EVEN AS A DISTRICT ELECTED, IT IS AN HONOR TO REPRESENT THE ENTIRE CITY OF SEATTLE. THANK YOU. >> AWESOME, THANK YOU FOR THAT CORRECTION, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DID TO PUT TOGETHER THESE NEW COUNCIL COMMITTEES, TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY. YOU SAID IT IN YOUR OPENING SPEECH, BUT YOU REALLY SET THE TONE WITH HOW YOU APPROACH THIS WORK, SO I WANT TO APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> AWESOME, THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. AND ALSO, CORRECTION FOR THE RECORD, COUNCILMEMEBER JUAREZ SAID I WAS FROM CAPITOL HILL -- I'M FROM THE CENTRAL DISTRICT. CD, OR SEE ME. >> OKAY, ALL RIGHT. [ LAUGHTER ] >> JUST FOR THE RECORD. YOU KNOW? >> YEAH. >> I LOVE CAPITOL HILL, BUT CD, OR SEE ME. >> [ LAUGHTER ] >> OKAY, IS THERE ANY OTHER FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL? THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, THIS WAS A GREAT 2026 MEETING. I HOPE ALL OF OUR VOTES ARE UNANIMOUS LIKE THAT. PROBABLY NOT, BUT THAT'S OKAY. I'M GLAD WE STARTED OFF THE YEAR LIKE THAT, SO, LOVE YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU, OKAY? THIS IS A REMINDER, FOLKS, THAT THAT DOWNSTAIRS, BELOW CHAMBERS IN THE LANDIS ROOM, WE ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE THE SWEARING-IN'S OF COUNCILMEMBER RINCK AND COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING OUR CITYWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS. AND WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S AGENDA AND THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE JANUARY 13th AT 2:00 P.M. IS