>>> THE MARCH 3 -- THE MEETING OF THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER. IT IS 2:02 P.M., I'M JOY HOLLINGSWORTH, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? >> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ? >> HERE. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> HERE. >> COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> HERE. >> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> HERE. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> HERE. >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> HERE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH? >> HERE. >> THERE'S NINE PRESENT. >> AWESOME, SO WE'RE GOING TO KICK OFF TODAY WITH SOME EXCITING STUFF. COUNCILMEMBER RINCK WILL PRESENT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MARCH 2026 AS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH. COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO ADDRESS THE PROCLAMATION. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. HELLO, EVERYONE. TODAY, THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL PROUDLY RECOGNIZES MARCH AS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND CELEBRATES ALL THE EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES MADE BY SO MANY WOMEN LEADERS IN OUR CITY. AND WHILE SOCIETY AND CITY GOVERNMENT HAS YET TO REACH FULL GENDER EQUITY, I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO APPRECIATE OUR PROGRESS. RIGHT NOW IN CITY LEADERSHIP, WE HAVE A WOMEN MAJORITY ON COUNCIL WITH FIVE OF NINE MEMBERS ON SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL BEING WOMEN. OUR MAYOR AND CITY ATTORNEY, BOTH WOMEN. THREE OF US OPENLY LGBTQ. SIX OF US, WOMEN OF COLOR. I THINK THAT'S AN INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT IN TERMS OF MOVING THE NEEDLE ON REPRESENTATION. AND TODAY, WE ARE ALSO RECOGNIZING SOME INCREDIBLE WOMEN AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THEIR PLACE IN HISTORY, EXCITED TO HEAR THEIR VOICES SHORTLY AS WE PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION. YOU KNOW, TOO OFTEN IN HISTORY, WOMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN ERASED, OUR STRUGGLES MINIMIZED, OUR VOICES SILENCED. SO AS WE TAKE TIME TO REFLECT AND CELEBRATE OUR EXCELLENCE, I HOPE WE WILL TAKE A MOMENT OF REFLECTION TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WOMEN WHOSE NAMES WE DON'T KNOW. THE WOMAN WHO FORGED NETWORKS TO GUIDE PEOPLE TO FREEDOM. THE WOMAN WHO CROSSED BORDERS FOR A BETTER LIFE. WOMAN WHO FOUGHT TO DEFEND THEIR ANCESTRAL LANDS. THE WOMAN WHO HOUSED PEOPLE AND BREATHED LIFE INTO SOCIAL MOVEMENTS BECAUSE THEY TOO ARE OUR PAST AND OUR PRESENT. SO WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH IS NOT ABOUT GIRL BOSSING. IT'S ABOUT CLAIMING OUR PLACE IN HISTORY BOOKS, IN A WORLD THAT FOR TOO LONG SAID OUR STORIES, OUR WORK, OUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT WORTHY OF THE INK. AND WITH THIS PROCLAMATION, WE REAFFIRM THE CITY OF SEATTLE'S COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY WOMAN AND GIRL CAN THRIVE. AND WITH THOSE OPENING REMARKS, I'D LIKE TO ACTUALLY READ THE PROCLAMATION FOR TODAY, AND THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS. WHEREAS THE MONTH OF MARCH HAS BEEN HERALDED SINCE 1987 AS THE UNITE -- IN THE UNITED STATES AS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION THAT HONORS THE EXTENSIVE TO WOMEN IN HISTORY, CULTURE, SOCIETY. WHEREAS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATED GLOBALLY ON MARCH 8 EACH YEAR IS A SIGNIFICANT DAY THAT APPLAUDS THE ECONOMIC POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD. AND WHEREAS THE MONTH OF MARCH IS A MOMENTOUS PERIOD, NOT JUST FOR CELEBRATING THE STRIDES WOMEN HAVE MADE, BUT ALSO A TIME FOR PUSHING FOR FURTHER PROGRESS, HONORING ACTS OF COURAGE AND DETERMINATION BY WOMEN WHO HAVE MADE A REMARKABLE IMPACT IN THEIR COUNTRIES AND COMMUNITIES. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF SEATTLE ACKNOWLEDGES AND VALUES THE IMMENSE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN TO OUR COMMUNITY, OUR ECONOMY, AND SOCIETY AT LARGE. AND WHEREAS THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION ESTABLISHED IN 1973 HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, HEALTHCARE ACCESS, AND REPRESENTATION IN LEADERSHIP ROLES, TIRELESSLY AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF WOMEN AND CHAMPIONING GENDER EQUITY IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS WHILE WOMEN CONSTITUTE HALF OF U.S. POPULATION AND HOLD SIGNIFICANT ROLES ACROSS SECTORS SUCH AS BUSINESS GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, AND MORE, THEY STILL REPRESENT LESS THAN 30% OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SENATE, FORTUNE 500 CEOs AND GOVERNORS NATIONWIDE, AND ARE OVERREPRESENTED IN ESSENTIAL, YET UNDERVALUED ROLES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DOMESTIC WORK, CHILDCARE, HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICES, AND EDUCATION. AND WHEREAS IT REMAINS EVIDENT THAT OUR CITY HAS YET TO FULLY ACHIEVE THROUGH GENDER EQUITY. IT IS CRUCIAL TO APPRECIATE THE PROGRESS THUS FAR, NOTABLY THE MAJORITY, FIVE OF NINE MEMBERS OF SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL. FIVE OF WHICH IDENTIFY WOMEN OF COLOR. THREE OF WHICH IDENTIFIES OPENLY LGBTQ, OUR CITY ATTORNEY, AND THE MAYOR OF SEATTLE, ALL ARE WOMEN SIGNIFYING A NOTEWORTHY ADVANCEMENT IN REPRESENTATION AND LEADERSHIP. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF SEATTLE HAS SERVED AS A HOME BASE TO THE INCREDIBLE LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL TALENTS, BOTH LIVING AND PASSED ON. SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FIRST FEMALE MAYOR OF A MAJOR AMERICAN CITY. AWARD-WINNING WRITER. RUBY CHOW, COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, RESTAURANT AND SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCATE. CHAMPION FOR INDIGENOUS HEALTHCARE. MARY E., 2025 WINNER OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE IN PHYSIOLOGY AND MEDICINE. REAL WOMEN AND BLACK TIRELESS ADVOCATES FOR WOMEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE SEATTLE TORRENT, THE NEW PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE ESTABLISHED IN 2025. JODY ALLEN, OWNER OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S SUPER BOWL LX CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING SEATTLE SEAHAWKS. WHEREAS SEATTLE HOLDS STEADFAST IN ITS COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING AND FOSTERING A SOCIETY THAT'S INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE FOR ALL RESIDENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. AND WHEREAS WE EQUIVOCALLY CONDEMN ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE, PARTICULARLY ON WOMEN AT HOME, ON THE STREETS, WORKPLACES, OUR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND MEDIA, AND ON THE INTERNET. WHEREAS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND EQUAL ACCESS ON HEALTHCARE ARE HALLMARKS OF AN EQUITABLE SOCIETY. WHILE THESE RIGHTS ARE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY ROLLED BACK -- TO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE, INCLUDING ABORTION. WE'RE ALMOST THERE. AND WHEREAS AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE IS CRUCIAL FOR THE FULL ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN NOTING THAT CHILDCARE COSTS SURPASS HOUSING EXPENSES, PARTICULARLY IMPACTING LOW INCOME AND SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLDS, AND IMPEDING WOMEN'S CAREER ADVANCEMENT, PERPETUATING WORK FORCE GENDER DISPARITIES. WHEREAS IT IS CRITICAL TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS THE DISTINCT CHALLENGES FACED BY ALL WOMEN, PARTICULARLY WOMEN OF COLOR, LGBTQ WOMEN, INDIGENOUS WOMEN, IMMIGRANT WOMEN, HOMELESS, AND HOUSING INSECURE WOMEN, AND WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES, AND TO WORK RELENTLESSLY TOWARD ELIMINATING BARRIERS, HINDERING THEIR FULL PARTICIPATION AND SUCCESS. AND WHEREAS WE CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE AND EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO CLOSE FOR THE GENDER PAY GAP, ENSURE WOMEN ARE PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO SUCCEED IN THE WORK FORCE, AND ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND EMPOWER WOMEN TO SHARE THEIR VOICES IN OUR CITY, STATE, COUNTRY, AND GLOBALLY. AND NOW THEREFORE THE CITY OF SEATTLE PROCLAIMS MARCH 2026 TO BE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH IN SEATTLE. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> AWESOME AND THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR YOUR WORK AND LEADERSHIP ON THIS IN BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I'LL PAUSE HERE TO SEE IF ANY OTHER COLLEAGUES WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS. COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, FOR BRINGING THIS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH PROCLAMATION FORWARD. IT IS REALLY HUMBLING, THE WOMEN YOU READ, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, INTO THE RECORD, AND WE'RE BEING HONOR TODAY. ALL MAKING SUCH AMAZING CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CITY AND TO OUR COUNTRY. AND THEN I ALSO WANT TO SAY JUST A MINOR. IT'S 2025 NOBEL PRIZE AND PHYSIOLOGY ARE MEDICINE, NOT THE PEACE PRIZE, BUT NEVERTHELESS, A SIMILAR TYPE OF HONOR. AND IT IS JUST SO AMAZING. I KNOW SOME OF THE WOMEN ARE HERE TODAY, AND I'M JUST SO GLAD TO HAVE FOLKS IN CHAMBERS AND HAVE THIS MOMENT TODAY TO RECOGNIZE THESE WOMEN, INCREDIBLE WOMEN. THESE ARE NOT THE ONLY WOMEN. WE'RE RECOGNIZING A FEW WOMEN TODAY OF THE MANY WOMEN WHO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS EVERY DAY, BIG AND SMALL, ACROSS OUR CITY AND ACROSS OUR COUNTRY. SO THANK YOU AGAIN, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, FOR BRINGING THIS TODAY. I LOOK FORWARD TO AFFIXING MY SIGNATURE TO IT. THANK YOU. >> AWESOME. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE WE DO OUR WONDERFUL PRESENTATION ON THE PROCLAMATION? OKAY, AWESOME. SO HEARING NO FURTHER COMMENTS, IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE SUSPENDED TO ALLOW COUNCILMEMBER RINCK TO PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION TO OUR GUESTS, AND TO ALLOW OUR GUEST TO PROVIDE SOME COMMENTS. HEARING NO OBJECTIONS, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED TO ALLOW COUNCILMEMBER RINCK TO PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION, AND ALLOW OUR GUEST TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL. AND SO NOW, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, WILL PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION. I'LL CALL UP THE FOLKS WHO ARE SPEAKING. AND THEN AFTER WE FINISH SPEAKING, WE WILL THEN TAKE A GROUP PHOTO AS WELL. SO COUNCILMEMBER RINCK WILL PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION TO THE GUEST. AND HERE, I'LL READ OFF THE GUEST AS SHE IS WALKING AND DOING THAT. IT'S MEMBERS OF THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION, SO IT'S EMILY ROSE BARR, TALLY MILLS, CRYSTAL GUERRERO, MARTA, AND ESTHER LUCERO WHO IS HERE AS WELL. WE ALSO HAVE MARY WHO IS HERE, WE HAVE MADDIE WHO IS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF TEAM OPERATIONS FROM OUR WONDERFUL SEATTLE TORRENT. AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE ANITA FREEMAN FROM REAL WOMEN IN BLACK. DID I SAY EVERYONE -- AND ALL THE OTHER WOMEN THAT ARE HERE AS WELL THAT I DID NOT SAY, AS WELL. WE LOVE YOU ALL TOO. AWESOME. AND SO NEXT, WE'LL HAVE MEMBERS FROM THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION OR WHOEVER -- I HAVE A LIST OF ALL THE FOLKS THAT ARE SPEAKING. SO I DON'T KNOW IF EMILY ROSE, SOMEONE FROM THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION WANTS TO SPEAK FIRST? FOLLOWED BY ESTHER, THEN MARY. AWESOME. WELCOME. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS TALLY MILLS, CO-CHAIR OF THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, AND FOR REAFFIRMING SEATTLE'S COMMITMENT TO GENDER EQUITY. THIS PROCLAMATION REMINDS US THAT WOMEN'S HISTORY IS NOT ONLY SOMETHING WE CELEBRATE. IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE CONTINUING TO WRITE EVERY DAY THROUGH ADVOCACY, LEADERSHIP, AND THROUGH COMMUNITY ACTION. HONORED TO WORK ALONGSIDE THE CITY TO ELEVATE THE VOICES OF WOMEN ACROSS SEATTLE, AND TO ADVANCE POLICIES THAT ENSURE EVERY WOMAN AND GIRL CAN THRIVE. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKING SEATTLE A PLACE WHERE WOMEN BELONG IN EVERY SPACE WHERE DECISIONS ARE MADE. THANK YOU. >> AWESOME, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> HI, MY NAME IS CRYSTAL GUERRERO. I AM ON THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION, FORMER CO-CHAIR. I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR. I JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF WOMEN AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO TO UPLIFT WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU. WE FOCUS ON GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, HOUSING STABILITY, AND WOMEN'S HEALTH AND WELLNESS. SO IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE COULD DO TO COLLABORATE TO PUSH THOSE INITIATIVES FORWARD, EVEN MORE SO THIS YEAR, PLEASE REACH OUT. >> AWESOME, THANK YOU SO MUCH. AWESOME. THANK YOU. YOU'RE UP NEXT. COME ON, GIRL. >> PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH AND COUNCILMEMBERS, IT'S REALLY GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL. I STAND BEFORE YOU AS A WOMAN, AS A MOTHER, AS A DAUGHTER, AS A SISTER, AND STANDING BEFORE YOU IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF INCREDIBLE ANCESTORS. FOLKS WHO COME FROM THE AMERICAN INDIANA SERVICE LEAGUES, YOU KNOW? ADELI NE GARCIA. THOSE ARE FOLKS THAT ACTUALLY GAVE BIRTH TO THE ORGANIZATIONS. WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING OUR PEOPLE THROUGH TODAY. I FEEL REALLY HUMBLED BY THAT. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I ACTUALLY HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING WOMEN'S COLLEGE. WE HAVE MILLS COLLEGE FROM BOTH THE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES. WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE 20% OF OUR FEMALE CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS ALL WENT TO WOMEN'S COLLEGES. 30% OF THE RISING STARS WITHIN THE BUSINESS WORLD ALSO WENT TO WOMEN'S COLLEGES. THERE IS VALUE IN PLACING HER STORY AT THE CENTER OF HISTORY. THERE'S VALUE IN THAT. THIS CITY HAS A HISTORY AND LEGACY IN HONORING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, AND ALSO WITH RESPECT TO COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ, MAKING SURE THAT WHETHER WE ARE HERE OR REWITH NO LONGER HERE, LIKE OUR MISSING OR MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN. NOW, THERE'S A CHEYENNE PROVERB THAT SAYS OUR NATION IS NOT ON THE GROUND UNTIL THE HEARTS OF OUR WOMEN ARE ON THE GROUND. AND I'LL TELL YOU, WE'RE NOT, WE'RE HERE. THIS NATION ISN'T ON THE GROUND. AND IT'S NOT UNTIL WOMEN TAKE THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACE IN LEADERSHIP AS WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE ON THIS COUNCIL THAT WE'LL BEGIN TO HEAL, AND WE WILL BEGIN TO THRIVE. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION TODAY. IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE. I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE EVERY SINGLE FEMALE INDIGENOUS LEADER IN THIS CITY BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, IT'S BECOME A VORTEX OF POWER, AND THAT COMES FROM BEING AN INDIGENOUS WOMAN. [ APPLAUSE ] >> AWESOME, THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE MARY, IS MARY HERE? SHE IS? YES. MARY? YES. >> CAN I SPEAK AT THE TALLER MICROPHONE? >> ANYONE. >> OKAY, I WASN'T PLANNING ON SAYING MANY WORDS HERE. BUT AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR WOMEN IN LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH, I HAVE LOADS OF GRATITUDE FOR THE WOMEN WHO CAME BEFORE ME AND KIND OF OPENED THE PATH TO ALLOW A LOT MORE GIRLS AND WOMEN TO GO INTO S.T.E.M. SUBJECTS AND THRIVE IN RESEARCH. BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO STILL TO REALLY REACH FULL EQUALITY AND REALLY, YOU KNOW, STRONGLY ENCOURAGING YOUNG GIRLS AND WOMEN GOING INTO THESE FIELDS. THERE'S A BIG BOTTLENECK AT THE POINT WHERE WOMEN MAKE IT INTO REAL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THESE FIELDS, AND THAT'S WHERE WE REALLY NEED TO KEEP WORKING. BUT I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE RECOGNITION HERE, AND THE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH IS VERY IMPORTANT CONCEPT STILL. THANK YOU. >> AWESOME, THANK YOU, MARY. [ APPLAUSE ] NEXT? WELCOME. >> HELLO. AT A TIME WHEN BLACK WOMEN ARE BEING ERASED FROM NATIONAL JOB MARKETS, FROM OUR PRESS, OUR MEDIA, SOME OF OUR REPRESENTATION, AT A TIME WHEN OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING USED TO DROP BOMBS ON WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THIS RECOGNITION, AND TO BE IN SUCH ESTEEM COMPANY. AND I HOPE WITH RECOGNITION COMES TRUE INVESTMENT IN THE VALUES WE SAY WE HAVE AS A CITY, IN PROTECTING ALL WOMEN, WOMEN OF COLOR, BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS WOMEN, QUEER, TRANS, DISABLED WOMEN, AND ALLOWING US TO NOT ONLY SURVIVE, BUT THRIVE. AND SO I HOPE WITH THIS RECOGNITION, WE SEE IN FUTURE YEARS, RECREATION OF THE FUTURE WE'RE CREATING FOR MORE WOMEN TO STAND UP HERE WITH TRUE INVESTMENT IN THE WORK WE'RE DOING IN PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP US, AND TRULY STANDING STRONG AGAINST NATIONAL POLITICS THAT SEEK TO HARM US AND HARM WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> AWESOME. THANK YOU. NEXT , WE HAVE MADDIE, FOLLOWED BY MS. ANITA? >> HELLO. I SAW SOME OF YOU LAST WEEK AT OUR GOLD MEDAL PRESSER, SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILMEMBERS, HONORED GUESTS, ON BEHALF OF THE SEATTLE TORRENT, OUR PLAYERS, COACHES, STAFF, AND FANS, THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION, AND FOR RECOGNIZING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH IN SUCH A MEANINGFUL WAY. SEATTLE IS A CITY THAT SHOWS UP FOR WOMEN. YOU HAVE PROVEN THAT IN PACKED ARENAS IN RECORD BREAKING MOMENTS, AND IN YOUR UNWAVERING BELIEF THAT WOMEN SPORTS MATTER. WHEN YOUNG GIRLS WALK INTO OUR ARENA AND SEE ELITE WOMEN COMPETING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, THEY'RE NOT JUST WATCHING A GAME, BUT THEY'RE SEEING WHAT'S POSSIBLE. THIS HONOR BELONGS TO THE WOMEN WHO CAME BEFORE US, THE LEADERS WHO FOUGHT FOR OPPORTUNITY, VISIBILITY, AND EQUITY IN SPORTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. BECAUSE OF THEM, WE ARE HERE. WE ARE PROUD TO REPRESENT SEATTLE ON THE ICE, AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING THIS WORK, EXPANDING ACCESS, ELEVATING WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP, AND BUILDING A FRANCHISE THAT REFLECTS THE STRENGTH IN DIVERSITY OF IT HAD CITY. THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN WOMEN SPORTS, AND FOR HELPING US WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER OF HISTORY TOGETHER. THANK YOU. >> AWESOME, THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> WE HAVE MS. ANITA. WELCOME. >> THANK YOU. ANITA FREEMAN HERE. >> I KEPT SAYING -- I'M SORRY, I'M THINKING OF ANITA BAKER. >> YOU'LL NEVER FORGET IT AGAIN, RIGHT? >> NO, NEVER. >> SO I'M HERE WITH FRIENDS, FROM WHEEL WOMEN IN BLACK. WE'RE HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY IN SUCH COMPANY. IN 2000, A GRASSROOTS EFFORT OF HOMELESS WOMEN FOUNDED SILENT WOMEN IN BLACK VIGILS FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO DIE IN KING COUNTY. ALL ARE WELCOMED TO JOIN. WOMEN AND MEN, HOUSED AND HOMELESS. WE STOOD VIGIL FOR MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE TO DATE, INCLUDING CHILDREN. WE STAND ONLY FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO DIED OUTSIDE, IN PUBLIC OR BY VIOLENCE. THESE DEATHS SHOULD SHOCK OUR MORAL CONSCIENCE, YET ARE OFTEN IGNORED OR TREATED WITH VICTIM BLAMING CONTEMPT. THE VIGILS ARE ONE SMALL WAY FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO REMEMBER PEOPLE IN DIGNITY, SINCE MANY HOMELESS PEOPLE HAVE NO REMEMBRANCE AT ALL. WE'VE NAMED EACH PERSON WITH CAUSE AND AGE OF DEATH, 50 YEARS OLD ON AVERAGE. WE STAND BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT EVERY PERSON. WE STAND BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT'S THE ONLY REMEMBRANCE A PERSON WILL HAVE. WE STAND BECAUSE EVERYONE HAD MEANING AND LOVE IT MANY THEIR LIVES THAT SHOULD BE CELEBRATED AND HONORED. WE STAND EVERYONE WHEN WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO DIED. WE STAND TO REMEMBER WE ARE A COMMUNITY, UNDIVIDED. WE NAME THE DEAD BECAUSE IT'S THE VISIBILITY OF HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT WE STAND AGAINST. WE NAME THE DEAD BECAUSE EVERY PERSON HAS SOMEONE WHO WILL WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM. WE NAME THE DEAD WITH CAUSE OF DEATH BECAUSE THESE CAUSES UNTREATED MEDICAL CONDITIONS HYPOTHERMIA MURDER OVERDOSE, AND OTHERS ARE A TOLL OF THE BELL FOR A SOCIETY THAT ABANDONED ITS OWN PEOPLE. WE REMEMBER, THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WERE REALLY MOVED BY PEOPLE'S WORDS, AND YOU JUST SEE THE DEPTH OF BREATH OF WOMEN AND ALL THEIR EXPERIENCES, AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL BRING TO THIS COMMUNITY AND THIS WORLD, AND IN THIS LAND, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. AND NOW, IF YOU ALL WOULD ENTERTAIN US, WE'RE GOING TO DO A GROUP PICTURE. WE'VE NEVER DONE IT WITH THIS MANY PEOPLE BEFORE, SO THIS SOUR FIRST TIME. IT'S USUALLY ONE OR TWO. SO WE WILL HAVE PEOPLE STAND BELOW, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. YOU CAN HAVE IT. YOU CAN TOTALLY STAND IN FRONT IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. IDEALLY WE WERE GOING TO DO IT. DO YOU WANT TO DO ONE BY YOURSELF FIRST? NO? AWESOME. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE COME ON THIS SIDE, SPLIT EACH SIDE OF THESE DESKS, AND THE COUNCILMEMBERS ARE GOING TO STAND UP AND COME TO THE MIDDLE, OKAY? IS THAT COOL? AWESOME. SO WE'LL SEE IF THIS WORKS, IF THE PICTURE IS THIS GOOD. SO WE WILL HAVE EVERYONE COME STAND ON THIS SIDE. YOU'LL BE FACING THIS WAY BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A PHOTO. RAISE YOUR HAND. AWESOME. SO YEAH. WOULDN'T THAT BE COOL? YEAH, THEY WILL STAND AND THEN WE'LL STAND BEHIND THEM. IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, JUST LET ME KNOW. >> ALL RIGHT, AWESOME. MR. TSIMERMAN, PLEASE SIT DOWN. NOT TODAY. NOT TODAY. NOT TODAY. ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES, AT THIS TIME, WE WILL ON THE PART HYBRID PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA. THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR, AND THE COUNCIL'S WORK. CLERK, HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE? >> WE HAVE FOUR REMOTE AND SEVEN IN PERSON. >> OKAY. THAT IS UNDER 30. WE HAVE 11 SPEAKERS. SO THAT MEANS EVERYONE'S GOING TO GET TWO MINUTES. IF WE HAD OVER 30, THAT MEANS WE GO TO ONE MINUTE, SO WE'RE SUPER EXCITED. WE HAVE SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, ELEVEN SPEAKERS, AND WE WILL BE TWO MINUTES. WILL YOU PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? >> SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE REGISTERED. SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A CHIME WHEN TEN SECONDS ARE LEFT OF THEIR TIME. SPEAKERS' MICS WILL BE MUTED IF THEY DO NOT END THEIR COMMENTS WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME TO ALLOW US TO CALL ON THE NEXT SPEAKER. >> AWESOME. FIRST UP, MR. ALEX TSIMERMAN, FOLLOWED BY THE FOLLOWING. MR. TSIMERMAN, WELCOME. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YEAH. YEAH, MY NAME IS ALEX TSIMERMAN, AND I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT SOMETHING. WHAT DO I SPEAK FOR MANY YEARS. [ INAUDIBLE ] APPROXIMATELY 150,000 PEOPLE CAN DO IT. SO YOU REPRESENT ONLY 10% PEOPLE IN SEATTLE. SO YOU REPRESENT THE PEOPLE BECAUSE 90% OF THE PEOPLE MAKE A APPROXIMATE OF $60,000. AND I'M TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR MANY YEARS, FOR MANY YEARS. NO ONE CAN MOVE HERE FOR $60,000. NO ONE COUNCIL WANTS TO REPRESENT 90% OF THE PEOPLE, WHY? CAN SOMEBODY EXPLAIN TO ME? HUH? WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? WHO ARE YOU? HUH? SHAME ON YOU FOR DOING THIS. THAT'S NUMBER ONE. AND NUMBER TWO, WE HAVE NEW BEAUTIFUL STUPID MAYOR. SHE WANTS TO CUT THE SALARY FOR THE EMPLOYEE FOR THE GOVERNMENT BY 5%, 10%. AND SHE'S APPOINTING -- I DON'T REMEMBER HER NAME. SOMETHING LIKE THIS. AND SHE GAVE HER $250,000 OF A SALARY. I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR MANY YEARS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHERE DO YOU FIND PEOPLE WHO MAKE $250,000? WHY IS IT SO SMART? SHE NEVER HAD EXPERIENCES WITH BUSINESSES. WHERE DO YOU FIND THIS IDIOT? I CAN DO THIS JOB FOR $50,000, I'M A BUSINESSMAN, LIKE DONALD TRUMP, FOR ALL MY LIFE. IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT GUY. THIS GOES FOR MANY YEARS, $250,000 FOR PEOPLE WHO NEVER MAKE MONEY. GIVE US TRUMP, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. STAND UP, HAPPY COW. STOP ENACTING LIKE AN ANIMAL FROM DIRTY GARBAGE RATS. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE MS. YVETTE, FOLLOWED BY DENNIS AND CHARLOTTE, MORGAN, HOWARD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. AND IN HONOR OF OUR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, I'M GETTING A LITTLE PERSONAL. AS A TESTAMENT TO THE DETERMINATION, MY DAUGHTER DROPPED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AT 14. I WASN'T HAVING IT. SO SHE WENT AND GOT HER GED, WENT TO EVERGREEN, AND GOT A BACHELOR'S DEGREE, AND ULTIMATELY GOT HER Ph.D. IN QUANTUM THEORETICAL CHEMISTRY, WHICH I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S ABOUT. BUT ANY WAY, RIGHT NOW, SHE'S CURRENTLY THE HEAD OF HER DEPARTMENT. THAT'S WHAT DETERMINATION WILL GET YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND ALSO, I WANT TO HAVE A COUPLE OF HANDOUTS REGARDING, YOU KNOW, I TAKE THE NEWSPAPERS, I'M STILL OLD SCHOOL. BUT THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS I FOUND INTERESTING. ONE IS A GUY, A LETTER TO THE EDITOR, ABOUT HOW HE STRIVED TO GET THE ATTENTION OF KING COUNTY, SEATTLE COUNTY REGARDING HOMELESSNESS, AND HE HAD SOLUTIONS. SO I GOT A COPY OF THAT FOR YOU. AND ALSO BACK TO A COUPLE OF MEETINGS WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT THE CANVAS, CURIOUS TO KNOW THAT LIKE I SEE MR. MANNING HAS MENTIONED THAT THERE'S SOME CAMERAS INSTALLED AT THE BEACH, BUT ARE NOT ACTIVATED. IS THIS SOMETHING WE CAN GO THROUGH THE FIND IT, FIX IT APP, TO GET THOSE ACTIVATED? BECAUSE WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR KIDS IN THE BEACH AREA, PARTICULARLY THE YOUNG BOYS WHO GOT MURDERED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, WHICH HAVE STILL NOT BEEN SOLVED. THIS IS A HANDOUT THAT'S SHOWING THE ARTICLE IN THE TIMES, INDICATING QUITE ELOQUENTLY HOW SEATTLE SAFETY CAMERAS HAVE PROVEN THE WORSE. AND IN CLOSING, OH, COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE, SHE SENDS HER REGARDS. SHE AND I COLLABORATE TO FEED THE HOMELESS. SHE WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, HELLO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MS. YVETTE. NEXT, WE HAVE DENNIS, FOLLOWED BY CHARLOTTE, MORGAN, THEN PETER, AND HOWARD GALE. >> ON BEHALF OF THE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION, WE WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE FOR RESOLUTION 32191, AND IT CLEAR INTENT TO ADVANCE A BOLD FORWARD-LOOKING VISION FOR ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CENTERS IN OUR CITY. MY NAME IS DENNIS SILLS, AND I WORK AT THE DSA. THIS RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES THE MOMENT WE ARE IN AND THE OPPORTUNITY BEFORE US TO THOUGHTFULLY REVITALIZE WESTLAKE PARK, AND SURROUNDINGS AS A PLACE THAT REFLECTS SEATTLE'S VALUES, SUPPORTS DOWNTOWN'S GROWTH, AND POSITIONS WITH THE HEART OF THE CITY TO SERVE FUTURE GENERATIONS. WESTLAKE IS MORE THAN THE PLACE ON THE MAP, ANCHORED BY WESTLAKE CENTER AND THE SEATTLE CENTER MONORAIL. THIS AREA HAS SERVED FOR DECADES AS SEATTLE'S CIVIC LIVING ROOM, WHERE PEOPLE GATHER, CELEBRATE, COMMUTE, SHOP, AND EXPERIENCE THE SHARED ENERGY OF THE CITY. THE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE TRANSIT TUNNEL ONCE HOME TO BUSES SERVE AS THE BACKBONE OF THE REGION ADVANCING LIGHT RAIL SECTION. JUST A FEW WEEKS, THE TUNNEL WILL DIRECTLY CONNECT TO THE HEART OF THE CITY, WITH EASTSIDE COMMUNITIES, STRENGTHENING REGIONAL ACCESS, AND UNDERSCORING WESTLAKE'S IMPORTANCE, NOT ONLY DOWNTOWN, BUT TO THE ENTIRE PUGET SOUND REGION. WE COMMEND THE CITY FOR CONVENING THE WESTLAKE CIVIC COMMUNITY AND FOR THIS THOUGHTFUL FRAMEWORK. THIS FRAMEWORK ENSURES WESTLAKE REMAINS THE FRONT DOOR OF SEATTLE, ONE THAT REFLECTS OUR VALUES, SUPPORTS A THRIVING DOWNTOWN, SERVES RESIDENTS, WORKERS, VISITORS, COMMUTERS, FOR DECADES TO COME. WE ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR COLLABORATION WITH THE WILSON ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHICH HAS WORKED ON THIS. AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER IN DEVELOPING A NEW VISION FOR WESTLAKE CENTER. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DENNIS. NEXT, WE HAVE CHARLOTTE, FOLLOWED BY MORGAN, FOLLOWED BY PETER, FOLLOWED BY HOWARD. WELCOME, CHARLOTTE. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE, SHOCKINGLY. MORE NUMBERS FOR YOU. [ INAUDIBLE ] 244 DAYS SINCE HOMELAND SECURITY OPENED. [ INAUDIBLE ] [ INAUDIBLE ] [ INAUDIBLE ] >> THANK YOU, CHARLOTTE. NEXT, WE HAVE MORGAN MAY, FOLLOWED BY PETER MANNING, AND THEN HOWARD GALE. WELCOME, MORGAN. AND ANY MICROPHONE WORKS. >> HI, MY NAME IS MORGAN MAY. I'M WITH MUTUAL AID NETWORK FOR TRANS AND INTERSEX INDIVIDUALS IN SEATTLE, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE. I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT THE POLICING RESOLUTION THAT'S ON THE AGENDA. THE AGENDA -- THE RESOLUTION CONCERNS, THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT. I BELIEVE THIS RESOLUTION SPEAKS TO THE LACK OF TRUST BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY THAT SERVES, IF THERE WERE A TRUST, THESE THINGS WOULD NOT NEED TO BE SAID. AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT IS FREQUENTLY ON THE RECEIVING END OF POLICE UNPROFESSIONALISM, THIS IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME. I BELIEVE THIS LACK OF TRUST EXISTS BECAUSE THE POLICE ARE BEING USED AS A BAND-AID TO ADDRESS ISSUES THAT THEY ARE NOT PREPARED TO ADDRESS, SUCH AS HOMELESSNESS, NON-VIOLENT DRUG USE, AND SEX WORK. AND OVERPOLICING DIVERTS RESOURCES FROM PROGRAMS THAT COULD ACTUALLY MORE MEANINGFULLY IMPACT THESE PROBLEMS, SUCH AS INCREASED SHELTER SPACE, DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS, AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. AS LONG AS WE TRY TO USE POLICE AS A BAND-AID FOR THESE PROBLEMS, THEY ARE GOING TO BE DISPATCHED TO SITUATIONS THAT THEY'RE ILL EQUIPPED TO ADDRESS, AND THEY WILL WASTE THE RESOURCES OF THE CITY AND OF THE PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES THEY'RE INTERFERING WITH, SUCH AS UNHOUSED PEOPLE WHO ARE MERELY TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, STAY SHELTERED, STAY WARM. I WOULD URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO DIVERT RESOURCES FROM POLICING AND TOWARDS SERVICES. >> THANK YOU, MORGAN. NEXT, WHERE SHE PETER MANNING FOLLOWED BY HOWARD GALE. JUST A HEADS UP. THE MIDDLE MICROPHONE IS THE ONE WE HAVE TO USE. THIS ONE OVER HERE, NO, ANYONE, BUT THE ONE OVER HERE IS NOT WORKING. THANK YOU, MR. MANNING. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS PETER MANNING. YOU GUYS MAY KNOW ME FOR PIONEERING THE PROGRAM FOR WASHINGTON TO GIVE BACK AND BROWN PEOPLE, INCLUDING IN THIS INDUSTRY. MOST DEFINITELY THERE'S A DISCONNECT AND AN ISSUE WITH BLACK AND WHITE IN THE STATE AND THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS WELL. IN THE 1990s, WHITES CALL FOR HARSH PENALTIES FOR BLACK PEOPLE THAT DRUG PROBLEMS. THE JAILS WERE OVERCROWDED. WHITE PEOPLE ON THE OTHER HAND IN THE 2000s, ARE DOING DRUGS, AND NOW IT'S A DRUG-FREE ZONE OR YOU COULD DO DRUGS HERE. THERE IS NO PENALTY FOR DRUG DOING. SO THE SHARP CONTRAST, WHEN I HAVE KIDS DYING IN THE SOUTH END AND THE CENTRAL DISTRICT. THE BLACK COMMUNITIES ARE ASKING FOR CAMERAS. I HAVE WHITE PEOPLE STEPPING UP SAYING, HEY, WE DON'T NEED CAMERAS. HELL, THEY DON'T NEED CAMERAS, LIKE WE DIDN'T NEED JAILS IN THE 90s. WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. I WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK WHITE PEOPLE TO STAY IN THEIR LANE. SERIOUSLY. WE HAVE ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO WANT TO DEAL WITH. WE WANT CAMERAS? WE'RE GOING TO GET OUR CAMERAS. SECOND THING, THE CITY OF SEATTLE STRIPPED ALL OPPORTUNITY FOR BLACK-OWNED DISPENSARY OWNERS. UNJUSTLY, ON SOME B.S. BLACK PEOPLE GOT LICENSES, AND NOW THEY'RE READY TO COME BACK TO SEATTLE. THIS COUNCIL IS MAKING NO MOVE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS WANT FROM US. YOU MAKE US FIGHT FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE WANT TO GET THAT WERE STOLEN FROM US. WE GOT IT BACK, WE FOUGHT FOR IT. NOBODY GAVE IT TO US, WE FOUGHT, WE SUED IN FEDERAL COURT, WE WON. NOW WE'RE HERE, THIS CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO GIVE US OUR STORES BACK. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. MANNING. NEXT, WE HAVE MR. HOWARD GALE. AND BEFORE YOU START, THE PEOPLE ONLINE, WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH TO YOU ALL ONLINE AFTER MR. HOWARD GALE. SO IF YOU'RE NOT PRESENT ONLINE, THIS IS YOUR CALL TO BE PRESENT. MR. HOWARD GALE? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, HOWARD, 36 DISTRICT. SO FOR SIX MONTHS NOW, THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE, PLUS INDIVIDUAL COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE 36 DISTRICT RESOLUTION TO PROTECT ALL SEATTLES AND IMMIGRANTS. I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO GO THROUGH THE SEVEN BULLET POINTS IN OUR RESOLUTION, BUT TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ARE ADVANCING LEGISLATION, PROVIDING SEATTLE POLICE A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS, AND PREVENTING WARRANTLESS ACCESS TO THEIR PROPERTY BY FEDERAL AGENTS. AND ALSO NUMBER TWO, REQUIRING SPD TO PRIORITIZE, TAKING LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION WHEN NON-VIOLENT PROTESTS OR DISOBEDIENCE IS OCCURRING IN THE CONTENT OF TRYING TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM BEING TAKEN AND ABUSED BY FEDERAL AGENTS. YOU GUYS REMAINED SILENT ON THAT. WHAT I HEARD IS TWO ARGUMENTS. ONE, THAT THE MAYOR SHOULD DO IT. DON'T BOTHER US. TO WHICH I WOULD REFER YOU BACK TO GRADE SCHOOL LESSONS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED REGARDING HOW CO-EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT ARE SUPPOSE TO FUNCTION. THE SECOND ARGUMENT I'VE HEARD REGARDS LEGALITY, WHICH IS REALLY RICH COMING FROM A COUNCIL WHERE JUST IN SEPTEMBER 2024, THE MAJORITY OF CURRENT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED OR ALLOWED THE COUNCIL TO PLACE AN ALTERNATIVE TO HOUSING ON THE BALLOT. YOU'LL BE OVERTURNING THAT. JUST LAST MARCH, ONE-THIRD OF YOU VOTED FOR CLEARLY ILLEGAL LEGISLATION TO PLACE HOUSING IN SODO. VOTING AGAINST OVERWHELMING OBLIGATION AGAINST PUBLIC INTEREST. AND WITH BOTH SERVING LAWYERS ON THIS COUNCIL VOTING FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS ILLEGAL. NONE OF THIS SHOULD SURPRISE US. WHEN THIS AND PRIOR COUNCILS HAVE IGNORED ILLEGAL ACTIONS BY SEATTLE POLICE, THE KING COUNTY JURIES ALONG WITH COUNTY AND FEDERAL JURIES, HAVE DETERMINED WERE CRIMINAL OR CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS. SO HERE IT IS. THE LAW IS NEVER REALLY IN QUESTION. IT'S A FACADE AND AN EXCUSE. THE QUESTION IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT HOW DO YOU PRESERVE POWER IN THE STATUS QUO? AND ARE YOU WILLING TO FIGHT THAT AND PROTECT WHAT IS GOING TO BE 200,000, 300,000 PEOPLE IN SEATTLE. >> THANK YOU, MR. GALE. WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH TO ONLINE. YOU'RE FIRST. PRESS STAR SIX, AND THEN YOU'LL GO AHEAD AND GIVE US YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> HELLO, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN AND A GRADUATE STUDENT STUDYING SOCIAL WORK AT SEATTLE UNIVERSITY. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE NORTH OF HOUSE BILL 2489 THAT WOULD PROHIBIT CITIES AND COUNTIES FROM CLEARING UNAUTHORIZED HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS UNLESS THEY PROVIDE ADEQUATE ALTERNATIVE SHELTER OPTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE AFFECTED. PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ARE SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. MANY ARE FORCED TO SLEEP, EAT, REST, AND PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTIES IN PUBLIC SPACES, SIMPLY BECAUSE ADEQUATE SHELTER IS INACCESSIBLE TO THEM. CRIMINALIZING THOSE SURVIVAL BEHAVIORS DOES NOT SOLVE HOMELESSNESS. IT PUNISHES PEOPLE, AND LONG-TERM HOUSING STABILITY. HOUSE BILL 2489 PROMOTES A PUSH BY ENSURING ENFORCEMENT OF ANTI-CAMPING ORDINANCES ONLY OCCURS WHEN APPROPRIATE SHELTER OPTIONS TRULY EXIST. THIS ENCOURAGES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO COORDINATE WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND PRIORITIZE DIGNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THEIR RESPONSES TO HOMELESSNESS. IT ALSO HELPS REDUCE TRAUMA ASSOCIATED WITH DISPLACEMENT, AND REPEATED LOSS OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS. AS A SOCIAL WORK STUDENT, ONE OF MY CORE COMMITMENTS IS TO PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE DIGNITY AND WORTH OF EVERY PERSON. WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS IN COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SETTINGS, AND HEARING THEIR STORIES HAS ONLY REVEALED THE ROOT CAUSES OF THESE ISSUES ARE SYSTEMIC. MEANING IT COULD HAPPEN TO MANY OF NEWS THERE WERE TO BE A LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT OR MEDICAL EMERGENCY. ENSURING PEOPLE WITHOUT HOUSING HAVE ACCESS TO ALTERNATIVE SHELTER RESPECTS THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS, AND ALIGNS WITH THE HUMANISTIC APPROACH THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THEIR INHERENT DIGNITY, EMPOWERING THEM TO CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR LIVES. I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 2489 AND WORK TOWARDS FUNDING AND RESOURCES THAT MAKE ALTERNATIVES TO THE ENCAMPMENTS. THANK YOU. >> AWESOME, THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE LADY. >> HELLO. CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES. >> OKAY. OKAY. HELLO. MY NAME IS LADY, AND I'M HERE TODAY TO MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT FORGET ABOUT BLACK SEATTLE. AS TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS. OUR YOUTH ARE AFRAID, OUR SENIORS ARE AFRAID, OUR VETERANS ARE AFRAID. THE WORKING CLASS AND THE MIDDLE ARE SO BUSY SURVIVING THAT THEY DON'T EVEN FEEL SAFE ADMITTING THEIR FEAR. OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN RAINIER BEACH AND ACROSS SOUTH SEATTLE ARE SCARED TO GET ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. EVEN OUR TRAINS HAVE STOPPED RUNNING BECAUSE OF COPPER THEFT. FEELING SAFE WHEN BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE FAILS, IT SEEMS TO BE A MESSAGE TO US THAT WE ARE NOT PROTECTED. I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOY HOLLINGSWORTH FOR STAYING CONNECTED TO RAINIER BEACH YOUTH. THAT MATTERS. BUT THAT CONNECTION MUST TURN INTO PROTECTION AND PREPARATION. WE ARE WATCHING GLOBAL UNREST. WE ARE HEARING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT NEW IDENTIFICATION, REQUIREMENTS, EVEN PASSPORTS TIED TO BANKING ACCESS FOR INDIGENOUS BLACK SEATTLITES, THAT RAISES REAL CONCERNS. AND THE FAA AIRPORT, JUST $45, MANY FAMILIES DON'T HAVE IN THE COMMENT OF RACISM THAT MAKES SIMPLY IDENTIFYING YOURSELF FEEL DANGEROUS. THESE ARE NEOTAB TRACT FEARS, BUT LIVED EXPERIENCES. AND THEN THE BIG ONE, THE EARTHQUAKE WE KNOW IS COMING. THE FLOODS WE'VE ALREADY SEEN. THE EMERGENCIES WE THINK CANNOT HAPPEN TO US UNTIL THEY DO. BLACK SEATTLE IS NOT PREPARED. WE DO NOT HAVE THE BUNKERS. WE DO NOT HAVE THE CLEAR EVACUATION PLANS. WE DO NOT HAVE THE CULTURAL COMPETENCY WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY TRAINING. WE DO NOT HAVE ACCESSIBLE RESOURCES THAT TEACHES US HOW TO PROTECT OUR FAMILY. BUILDS CONFIDENCE, REDUCES TRAUMA RIGHT NOW, WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING, WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IS COLLECTIVE BLACK PTSD AND PREVENTION THROUGH PREPARATION CAN CHANGE THAT. SO WE'RE ASKING YOU TO FUND LONG-TERM COMMITMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, NON-PROFITS, SKIP THE RABBIT HOLE AND THE RED TAPE. WHEN YOU WALK INTO CITY HALL, YOU SEE THERE IS -- >> THANK YOU. NEXT, WHERE SHE MICHAEL, FOLLOWED BY DAVID. MICHAEL, WELCOME. >> PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX, MICHAEL. WE STILL SEE YOU ON MUTE. AWESOME. >> THERE WE GO. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS MICHAEL. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF VISIT SEATTLE AND STRONG SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION YOU ARE CONSIDERING TODAY, WHICH ESTABLISHES GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE WESTLAKE TRANSPORTATION HUB. WESTLAKE IS NOT JUST A TRANSIT STOP. IT'S THE FRONT DOOR TO DOWNTOWN SEATTLE. FOR MANY OF OUR 40 MILLION ANNUAL VISITORS INCLUDING ATTENDEES, CRUISE PASSENGERS, AND DAY TRIPPERS, WESTLAKE IS THEIR FIRST AND LASTING IMPRESSION OF OUR CITY. THIS RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY CREATED BY THE WESTLAKE PARK RENOVATION, THE SOUND TRANSIT EXPANSION, AND FUTURE MONORAIL UPGRADES. TOGETHER, THESE INVESTMENTS WILL SHAPE HOW RESIDENTS AND VISITORS MOVE THROUGH AND EXPERIENCE THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN. WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE FOCUS ON FUNCTIONALITY, FOCUS, AND URBAN COMPATIBILITY. A CLEAN, WELL LIT, EASY-TO-NAVIGATE HUB WITH STRONG WAY FINDING AND VISIBLE TRANSIT PRESENCE IS ESSENTIAL TO A POSITIVE VISITOR EXPERIENCE. WHEN PEOPLE FEEL SAFE AND CONFIDENT MOVING THROUGH DOWNTOWN, THEY STAY LONGER, EXPLORE MORE, AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE $839 MILLION IN STATE AND LOCAL TAXES, WHICH WILL HELP FUND REGIONAL HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, ARTS AND CULTURE, AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING EACH YEAR. WE ALSO APPRECIATE THE EMPHASIS ON CREATING ECONOMIC CATALYST FOR THE RETAIL CORE AND A VIBRANT, URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD. SEEMLESS CONNECTION BETWEEN LIGHT RAIL, MONORAIL, BUSES, THE MARKET, CONVENTION CENTER, WATERFRONT, AND THE HISTORIC THEATER DISTRICT WILL STRENGTHEN SEATTLE'S POSITION AS A WORLD CLASS DESTINATION. THIS RESOLUTION SETS THE RIGHT VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES TO ENSURE THESE PROJECTS WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A WELCOMING GATEWAY TO DOWNTOWN. URGING YOUR SUPPORT, AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS IMPORTANT EFFORT. >> THANK YOU, MICHAEL. NEXT, WE HAVE DAVID HAINES. STAR SIX, MR. HAINES? >> THANK YOU, DAVID HAINES. THE RESOLUTION ABOUT THE WESTLAKE TRANSPORTATION HUB IS A JOKE. YOU MIGHT AS WELL PUT THAT PIECE OF PAPER IN A PORTA-POTTY BECAUSE IT'S COMPLETELY UNSAFE DOWNTOWN BECAUSE OF THE FAILURES OF POLICING AND THE MISINTERPRETATION OF A CRIMINAL. IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU COME OUT OF THE WESTLAKE TUNNEL AND YOU TURN LEFT, IT'S A LIVING HELL. THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BUS STOP THEY PAID $1 MILLION FOR TO BE REPLACED. BUT YET NOW YOU WANT TO ACT LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO BRING LIGHT RAIL OR WHATEVER, THE TRANSPORTATION HUB TO A TOXIC PARK THAT'S GOT SOT ALL OVER IT TO HAVE A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO SWEEP OUT THE CRIMINALITY. NOW THAT MONORAIL IS A PIECE OF CRAP. IT IS SO GAY AND STUPID. YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE ANTIQUATED AND OUTDATED FROM A 1961, BUT PEOPLE ARE HOLDING ON, LIKE THEY'VE GOT NOTHING ELSE TO HOLD ON TO, BUT A BUNCH OF COLD WAR CONCRETE UP IN THE SEATTLE CENTER AREA. BUT THE BUSINESSES CAN DO WITHOUT ALL THE INFLATED PROPERTY TAXES THAT THE GOVERNMENT SEEMS -- LIKE A MONEY WORSHIP, ACTING LIKE FOR PROFIT WHEN IT COMES TO TAXING PEOPLE. IT'S LIKE THE PROPERTY TAXES ARE DRIVING BUSINESSES OUT OF SEATTLE BECAUSE YOU ALL THINK IT'S ABOUT RAISING THE PROPERTY TAXES TO FINANCE YOUR REELECTION APPARATUSES, AND YET YOU'RE DESTROYING A SMALL BUSINESS BY MAKING THEM PAY THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX TIMES THE ORIGINAL MORTGAGE ON A CRAPPY PIECE OF REAL ESTATE THAT FAILS THE PURPOSE. BUT I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND THE FOURTH AVENUE. BECAUSE IF YOU COMPARE IT TO THE THIRD AVENUE, WHERE ALL THE TRANSIT IS, THERE IS NO STOP THERE. WATCH AS YOU PUT BACK THE STOP ON THIRD AVENUE BEFORE YOU WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON FOURTH AVENUE FOR ANOTHER STUPID BUS STOP THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. THERE'S A BUNCH OF JUNKIES, WHO YOU ALL CREATED BECAUSE YOU KEEP PUSHING DRUGS FOR THE LGBTQ WHO WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE -- >> THANK YOU, MR. HAINES. I ACTUALLY LIKE THE MONORAIL. I THINK IT'S NICE. ALL RIGHT, JUST FOR THE RECORD. OKAY, WE HAD A DEAD MIC OVER HERE, AND CHARLOTTE, WHEN YOU GAVE YOUR COMMENTS, SO THE CLERK HAS ASKED IF YOU COULD COME TO THE MIDDLE TO REPEAT THEM OR WHATEVER YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY? >> HI, I'M CHARLOTTE. I SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT THE NEED TO ACT ABOUT THE THREAT OF I.C.E. I AM NOT DOING AN IMPROMPTU PUBLIC COMMENT, VERSES I HAD TIME TO PRACTICE THIS FOR THREE DAYS BEFOREHAND. BUT IT WAS PLEASE DO SOMETHING. IT'S BEEN 407 DAYS SINCE THIS MAN TOOK OFFICE. THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE HAVE GOT TO FIGURE SOMETHING OUT. IF WE HAVE TO KEEP THIS TECHNOLOGY, IT'S OBVIOUS CERTAIN MEMBERS OF COMMUNITIES AND CERTAIN GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF THE CITY WANT THESE CAMERAS. I PERSONALLY DISAGREE WITH THAT. BUT I'M GOING TO STAY IN MY LANE. IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THESE CAMERAS, WE NEED TO HAVE, LIKE I SAID, THE FIREWALLS OF FIREWALLS. AND I'M SUPER SERIOUS OF WHAT I SAID, COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE. IF YOU SAY THIS TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THAT THERE ARE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST INTERFERENCE AND AGAINST INTRUSION. IF YOUR WORD DOES NOT END UP STICKING THROUGH A FEDERAL ACTION, THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THAT AND IT HAS TO BE THE PUBLIC FACING FIGURES. YOU HAVE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. IF YOU PUSH THIS STUFF AND IT COMES CRASHING DOWN. THERE ARE REAL PEOPLE AND REAL HOUSES, ON REAL STREETS IN REAL DANGER, AND WE NEED YOU TO DO YOUR JOBS TO KEEP US SAFE. 609 DAYS UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, WHERE MOST OF YOU WILL BE UP, AND WE HAVE LONG MEMORIES. WE'LL REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, NOT JUST BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, BUT SINCE YOU WERE FIRST ELECTED IN 23. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, CHARLOTTE. >> SO THERE ARE NO MORE REGISTERED SPEAKERS. I WANT TO SCAN THE ROOM. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK? ANYONE? NOPE? ALL RIGHT, AWESOME. I'M JUST TRYING -- ONE MR. SPEAKER? OKAY. THIS IS OUR LAST SPEAKER. YOU DON'T LIKE HOW I CALLED YOU ALL OUT BY NAME? ALL RIGHT, WELCOME. >> MY NAME IS QUINNTON, I'M A RESIDENT OF CHINATOWN. I'M RESPONDING DIRECTLY TO WHAT I'M JUST READING. >> COULD YOU USE THE MICROPHONE? OR YOU CAN DO THIS ONE. >> MY NAME IS QUINTON, I'M A RESIDENT OF CHINATOWN, RESPONDING DIRECTLY TO WHAT I'M JUST READING NOW FROM ERIKA BARNETT ABOUT THE -- KIND OF SHIFTING SAND UNDER COUNCILMEMBER RINCK'S PROPOSED BAN ON DETENTION CENTERS AND JAILS. PLEASE DON'T WEAKEN THIS. THIS IS A STRONG FIRST STEP, AND I REALLY -- THIS IS WHERE WE SEE YOU TAKING ACTION. WE DON'T NEED TO SEE YOU STEPPING BACK. I HOPE ANY COUNCILMEMBERS CONSIDERING GOING AGAINST THE LEGISLATION BECAUSE OF MY APPEARANCE THAT YOU'RE BEING SOFT ON CRIME, WE KNOW YOU WORK SO HARD ON CRIME. SO PLEASE JUST LET THIS ONE GO. THANK YOU. >> AND PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAME. YEP. JUST SIGN YOUR NAME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF LIST OF REGISTERED SPEAKERS, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS TODAY, THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE US COMMENTS ONLINE, ON E-MAILS, WHILE WE'RE IN PUBLIC, AND THE PEOPLE WE HAVE MEETINGS WITH. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS TODAY. AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA OR EXCUSE ME, THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE REFERRAL CALENDAR IS ADOPTED. IF NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING NONE, THE AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED. WE'LL CONSIDER THE CONSENT CALENDAR, INCLUDING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 24, 2026, AND COUNCIL BILL 121172. ANY COUNCILMEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE FROM TODAY'S CONSENT CALENDARS? HEARING NONE, I MOVE TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECOND TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR? >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER 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. >> CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ARE ADOPTED. WE WILL -- WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURES TO THE MINUTES AND LEGISLATION ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ON MY BEHALF? WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM NUMBER ONE INTO THE RECORD? >> THE REPORT THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE ON ITEM ONE, RESOLUTION 32193, RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PROFESSIONALISM AND STANDARDS, REAFFIRMING SEATTLE VALUES RELATED TO PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CONDUCT, CONDEMNING RECENT ACTIONS OF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS, ARTICULATING EXPECTATIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT CONDUCT WITHIN SEATTLE, AND DIRECTING SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS TO DOCUMENT AND REPORT VIOLATIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALISM STANDARDS. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE, AS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE REPORT. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. COLLEAGUES AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HERE IN CHAMBERS AND ACROSS SEATTLE CHANNEL. IN TIMES OF CRISIS, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE CLARITY AND PURPOSE IN MOVING FORWARD TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS, TO ADDRESS THE UNCERTAINTY. IN THE UNCERTAINTY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE CLEAR IN ONE'S VALUES AND OUR VALUES AS A CITY TO INCLUDE THAT YES, WE ARE WELCOMING CITY. WITH IT THE PROTECTION OF SAFETY, PRIVACY, AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS. WITH RESPECT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT IS CRUCIAL TO SAY, TO STATE, OUR STANDARDS AND OUR EXPECTATIONS. STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS WE HOLD FOR OUR VERY OWN LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THIS INCLUDES THE USE OF FACE MASKING, IDENTIFICATION, AND IDENTIFYING UNIFORMS, BUT ALSO FOLLOWING DIRECT POLICIES IN THE LAW. OUR EXPECTATION IS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT BEING A GUARDIAN MODEL AND NOT A WARRIOR MODEL. IT IS CONCERNING TO ME AND THIS NEW PERIOD OF WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST, TO SEE THE WARRIOR MODEL AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR I REMEMBER QUITE CLEARLY IN ANOTHER PERIOD OF WAR, JUST OVER TWO DECADES AGO. A PERIOD WHERE EXCESS MILITARY EQUIPMENT WAS SENT TO LOCAL COUNTY AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT. WHERE LAW ENFORCEMENT WENT FROM BLUE TO BLACK. THIS CONCERN IS NOW HEIGHTENED AS WE SEE THE BUDGETARY RESOURCES GOING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, DHS. THIS RESOLUTION MAKES CLEAR OUR POSITION WITH RESPECT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE PROFESSIONALISM AND STANDARDS. STATING IT ALLOWED A RESOLUTION IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE CANNOT HAVE ILL-DISCIPLINED LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS, WHERE DIRECTIVES AND POLICIES WERE NOT FOLLOWED, WHERE LEADERSHIP IS WEAK IN OUR CITY AND OUR REGION. THIS RESOLUTION MAKES OUR POSITION CLEAR FOR, AGAIN, IN TIMES OF CRISIS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE CLARITY AND PURPOSE IN MOVING FORWARD. SOY ASK COLLEAGUES FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE. ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION? AWESOME. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE RESOLUTION? AND THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE. >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER LIN? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH? >> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF? WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM NUMBER TWO INTO THE RECORD? >> THE HUMAN SERVICES, LABOR, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. AGENDA ITEM TWO, RESOLUTION 32191, IDENTIFYING THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP A REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION HUB ADJACENT TO WESTLAKE PARK. CREATING A VISION FOR HOW THIS HUB WILL INTEGRATE WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS, AND SETTING FORTH DIRECTIONS FOR FUNCTIONALITY, SAFETY, AND URBAN COMPATIBILITY, ALONG WITH THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE PUBLIC PROJECTS PLANNED FOR THIS AREA ADJACENT TO WESTLAKE PARK. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED. >> COMMISSIONER RINCK? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT BECAUSE I'D BE BRIEF BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE BILL SPONSOR TO SPEAK ON THIS AS WELL. COLLEAGUES, AFFIRMING THE DECISION TO A COORDINATED REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION HUB. IT SETS GUIDING PRINCIPLES TO ALIGN ANY FUTURE LIGHT RAIL, MONORAIL, AND ANY OTHER TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS TO FUNCTION AS A COHESIVE HUB, RATHER THAN SEPARATE PROJECTS. THANK YOU TO THE OFFICE SPEAKING OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. THIS RESOLUTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY OUT OF THE HUMAN SERVICES LABOR IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND I URGE ADOPTION BY FULL COUNCIL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED? >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, AND ALSO THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR THE WORK DONE ON THIS AND FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AS WE'VE HEARD IN PUBLIC COMMENT, THIS IS A FRONT DOOR, A CRUCIAL AREA, A CRUCIAL ELEMENT OF OUR CITY. IT IS THE FRONT DOOR TO GO WITH THE FRONT PORCH, IF YOU WILL, OF OUR WATERFRONT. IT'S KEY TO HAVE ALL THESE PIECES INCLUDED. EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION HUB. SO IMPORTANT, BRINGING INTERMODAL OPERATIONS BETWEEN THE MONORAIL, WHICH I LOVE TO -- CAN I ADD. AND BUSES AND THE LIGHT RAIL. A FUNCTIONAL URBAN DESTINATION, YOU KNOW? THIS IS WHAT WE NEED WITH SIDEWALKS, RETAIL SERVICES. THOSE KINDS OF PIECES WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO IN SO MANY WAYS, BUT TO BRING IT TO WESTLAKE EVEN MORE. OF COURSE, THIS IS ALL NEEDED AND IT IS NEEDED FOR A CITY RELATED TO BECOMING AN ECONOMIC CATALYST FOR US AND FOR THAT AREA. BUT ULTIMATELY ALSO A UNIQUE VIBRANT AND LIVABLE URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD WITH AMENITIES THAT ENABLE PEOPLE AND FAMILIES TO MEET THEIR NEEDS AND THRIVE. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO REALIZE THAT DOWNTOWN IS ALSO A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AREA. DENNY TRIANGLE, GOING UP A BIT, SOUTH LAKE UNION, UP HILL, ACROSS THE HILL. IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE THIS IN OUR CENTER. AND SO, BY THE WAY, I THANK THE DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY COUNCIL, THE BELLTOWN COMMUNITY COUNCIL, DENNY TRIANGLE ASSOCIATION, FOR YOUR THOUGHTS. THESE VOICES NEED TO BE HEARD MOVING FORWARD AS WE ENGAGE ON THE CHALLENGES THAT MAY COME UP AS WE'RE PUTTING THIS INTO PLACE. BUT THE LAST THING I WANTED TO SAY, AND I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT. THIS HAS COME UP IN DIFFERENT WAYS. IN A LOT OF WAYS, OUR CITY HAS A NORTH-SOUTH ORIENTATION WITH I-5, WITH 99, AND THESE PIECES. I THINK, AND I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, COUNCIL PRESIDENT HAS HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE. BUT WE REALLY NEED TO WORK ON THOSE EAST-WEST CONNECTIONS. THOSE EAST-WEST CONNECTIONS -- GO OVER THE CHALLENGES IN THE PAST THAT CAME INTO THE DIVIDED NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES. THESE EAST-WEST CONNECTIONS CREATE THE VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOOD FEEL FOR OUR CITY. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AREA TO DO THAT. YES, IT IS A TRANSPORTATION HUB, BUT IT IS ALSO THE KIND OF MIX IN THE CENTER BETWEEN NOT JUST NORTH AND SOUTH, BUT ALSO EAST AND WEST. COLLEAGUES, I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT ALONG WITH COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR THIS, FOR THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> AWESOME, THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE. ARE THERE ANY OTHER FURTHER COMMENTS ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION? AWESOME. ALL RIGHT, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION? >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER? >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER 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. >> RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED, AND THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF? THERE WERE NO ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR. AND THERE IS NOT A RESOLUTION FOR INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION TODAY. IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL? IS THAT AN OLD HAND? COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE OR A NEW? THAT'S OLD. OKAY. OLD HAND. OLD HAND, NO, I'M JUST PLAYING. [ LAUGHTER ] THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE. I DO -- OKAY, SO I DO WANT TO SAY, AND THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR THE WOMEN'S PROCLAMATION. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS THAT MANY FOLKS THAT WERE COMING TO CHAMBERS TODAY, AND SO THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A LOT. THANK YOU TO YOUR STAFF FOR THE LOGISTICS ON THAT. THAT WAS GREAT. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS, FOR BEING PATIENT AS WE FIGURED OUT HOW WE'RE TAKING GROUP PHOTOS WITH THE PROCLAMATION. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE SHOW WE ARE ALWAYS, ALL OF OUR SIGNATURES ARE ON THAT, AND JUST MAKING SURE WE ARE ALL CAPTURING THOSE MOMENTS IN OUR TEAM. THANK YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. SO WE HAVE REACHED -- >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT? >> SORRY, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> IN MY NORMAL ROLE OF REMINDING US ON HOW THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE, I HAVE TO SAY IN THE PAST, IT HAS ONLY BEEN THE SPONSOR THAT HAS TAKEN PHOTOS WITH THE PROCLAMATION FOLKS. I THINK IT IS REALLY POWERFUL, THE CHANGE YOU'VE MADE WITH HAVING US ALL UP THERE, SO I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY JUST BECAUSE WE'VE DONE IT THE SAME WAY, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S THE RIGHT WAY. I LIKE THIS CHANGE. THANK YOU. >> AWESOME. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS FOR THAT. AND WE KNOW WE CAN TAKE IT WITH LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE NOW. WE KNOW HOW THAT FLOW IS GOING TO GO, SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. SO WE REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S AGENDA. THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE MARCH 10 AT 2:00 P.M. HEARING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, GUESS WHAT? IT'S THE END OF THE MEETING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.