>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE, THE JANUARY 21st, 2025 MEETING OF THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER IT IS TO: 02, I AM SARA NELSON, COUNCIL PRESIDENT . WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE? >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS ? COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH ? >> HERE . >> COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE ? >> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE? >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA? >> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON? >> PRESENT . >> EIGHT PRESENT. >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COUNCILMEMBER SAKA ? >> THERE ARE NO PRESENTATIONS AND WE WILL MOVE INTO THE HYBRID PUBLIC PERIOD.COMMENT PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, REFERRAL CALENDAR, AND WORK PROGRAM. HOW MANY SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP? >> NINE IN PERSON AND FOUR REMOTE. >> WE WILL GET EVERYBODY TWO MINUTES AND , KEEPING UP WITH THE COURTESY I HAVE ADMITTEDLY FORGOTTEN A COUPLE TIMES, I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A COUNCILMEMBER WHO IS SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING AND WE HAVE OFFERED ELECTED OFFICIALS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. WE WILL START WITH THAT ELECTED -- FORMER ELECTED AND PROCEED WITH THE NEXT FOUR IN PERSON AT ALTERNATE. >> THANK YOU, FOLLOWING OUR FIRST SPEAKER, SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE REGISTERED AND HERE A CHART WHEN 10 SECONDS ARE LEFT, SPEAKERS MICROPHONES WILL BE MUTED IF THEY DO NOT STOP THE COMMENTS WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME TO ALLOW US TO CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER. WE ARE READY TO GO. >> MY NAME IS TONYA WOO AND ON BEHALF OF SEVERAL BUSINESS OWNERS IN LITTLE SAIGON. MANY BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE TOLD ME THEY ARE FEARFUL TO SPEAK OUT, AFRAID OF BEING TARGETED . LET ME TELL YOU THE STATE OF LITTLE SAIGON, EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STABBINGS, SHOOTINGS, IF YOU WALK BY, YOU WILL SEE MANY PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE IN NEED OF RESOURCES. THERE IS ILLEGAL SALES OF GOODS AND DRUGS. WE ARE CALLING THIS YEAR THE YEAR WHERE WE GET THE AREA REVITALIZED SO THESE BUSINESSES CAN THRIVE AND THESE BUSINESS OWNERS ARE AFRAID OF SPEAKING OUT AND BE TARGETED THEY ARE SEEN AMONGST THE COMMUNITY AND THEY REALLY NEED THE CITY TO HELP PROVIDE RESOURCES TO MAKE THIS A THRIVING AREA. WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER A PETITION . THIS WEEK , WE HAD 500 PEOPLE SIGN THE PETITION. WE ARE ASKING FOR A COUPLE OF THINGS, THE FIRST THING IS A COMMUNITY MEETING WITH THE MAYOR, COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER , THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, AND THE GOVERNOR TO WALK THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SEE WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE THERE. WE ARE ASKING FOR A TASK FORCE THAT BRINGS TOGETHER BUSINESS OWNERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL FORMS OF THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK, ESPECIALLY A HAND IN DIRECTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD AFTER THE NAVIGATION CENTER LEAVES IN MARCH. WE WANT TO HAVE CONTINUED POLICE PRESENCE, SOCIAL WORKERS , AND CLEAN UP AFTER THE TRANSITION IN MARCH . WE WANT TO SEE THE LIMITATION OF CITY COUNCIL BUDGET ITEMS FROM LAST YEAR THAT HAVE DESIGNATED $1.5 MILLION TO THE AREA. WE WOULD LIKE THE MAYOR TO RELEASE THAT FUNDING. WE WANT A PARTNERSHIP REBUILDING THE LITTLE SAIGON COMMUNITY FOR THE RESIDENT , THE FUTURE, THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE, WE NEED THIS TO BE THE YEAR. THANK YOU. >> ALEX ZIMMERMAN AND THEN BENNETT. >> FASCIST COCKROACHES, I AM ALEX ZIMMERMAN, I SUPPORT TRUMP. I MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN MEMBER. TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR MANY YEARS, WHAT WILL YOU GIVE ME FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS? I HAVE EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT FROM TRUMP, YESTERDAY , ABOUT FREEDOM OF SPEECH. WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN CONSTITUTION FOR 250 YEARS. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? RIGHT NOW, EVERY FREE-SPEECH , YOU DO THIS EVERY DAY, YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? FBI THAT IS WHAT THIS ORDER IS TALKING ABOUT. I AM SICK AND TIRED . PROSECUTED FIVE TIMES. I AM SO SORRY. I DEMAND YOU OPEN UP THE ROOM IN CITY HALL. FREEDOM OF SPEECH. YOU ARE A NAZI PIG, A MOB CONTROLLING US FOR 25 YEARS. ONE DAY, EVERYBODY , WITHOUT YOUR CONTROL SO THEY CAN GET TO WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BY DEFINITION COMMON SENSE FOR AMERICA , FOR 250 YEARS. YOU NAZI GESTAPO IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE. VIVA TRUMP! BYE-BYE. >> FOLLOWING BENNETT IS YVETTE. >> AFTERNOON I DID NOT KNOW ALEX ZIMMERMAN DID ELON MUSK IMPRESSIONS. ANYWAY. I TOLD YOU IN FEBRUARY, I WENT TO EACH PROTESTER AND ASKED IF THEIR INTENTION WAS TO BE ARRESTED, THEY -- HE SAID, I LOOKED AT THE KING COUNTY JAIL BOOKING PHOTOS, I HAD DIRECT CONTACT WITH EACH INCLUDING ATTENDING A CONVERSATION. NONE OF THAT IS TRUE. HE NEVER CAME AND TALKED TO US INDIVIDUALLY. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY. THEY SAID BODYWORK VIDEO DOES NOT SHOW THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH PROTESTER INDIVIDUALLY BUT THE EMPLOYEE WAS SPEAKING ON THE MICROPHONE AND COORDINATED WITH OTHER OFFICES. [ INDISCERNIBLE ] NO DISCIPLINE IS RECOMMENDED THEY SEEM TO BE SAYING IT DOES NOT MATTER BECAUSE THE OUTCOME PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SAME I THINK THAT IS TRUE , THE OUTCOME PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SAME. FOR THE RECORD, IF THIS OFFICER IS CAUGHT MAKING AN INTENTIONALLY FALSE STATEMENT , AND I DO THINK THIS WAS INTENTIONALLY FALSE, NOT THE KIND OF THING YOU FALSELY MISREMEMBER, TALKING TO EACH PERSON INDIVIDUALLY, THE KIND OF THING YOU WANT TO MAKE UP IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE YOU HAVE DOTTED EACH "I." IF YOU GET CAUGHT, A MINIMUM REPRIMAND INSTEAD OF NOTHING. OTHERWISE, DIDN'T ACTUALLY CHANGE THE OUTCOME OR DIDN'T IT? A LOW STAKES SITUATION LIKE THIS IS IRRELEVANT TO THE DEBATE , AND A LOT OF THAT WILL COME DOWN TO, WHETHER THE POLICE SAID SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED OR NOT, AND THESE DAYS , A BODY WORN CAMERA , ABOUT 10,000 CELL PHONE VIDEOS OF IT . IN CASE, IT COMES DOWN TO WHAT THE POLICE SAY HAPPENED , AND I THINK THE MORAL OF THE STORY, JUST BECAUSE THE POLICE SAY SOMETHING HAPPENED, DOES NOT MEAN IT DID. THANK YOU. >> FOLLOWING YVETTE WILL BE SUE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT, YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM . I THINK THAT IS A GREAT IDEA. A PROGRAM TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE FUTURE PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WHICH ALLOWS 16 TO 17-YEAR-OLDS TO BE REGISTERED TO VOTE SO BY THE TIME THEY'RE 18, THEY ARE GOOD TO GO I THINK THAT IS A GREAT IDEA. WHOEVER CAME UP WITH THAT IDEA, BRAVO. [ INDISCERNIBLE ] HOW THE ORGANIZATION SPENDS WELL THE MONEY. SHE TOOK YOUTHS TO AFRICA. I SENT YOU AN EMAIL TO ABOUT WHAT SHE'S DOING THIS YEAR. I WANT TO GIVE HER KUDOS, LAST WEEK, SHE GOT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ENTIRE NATION , I AM DELIGHTED TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON BEING SELECTED AND APPROVED AS RECIPIENT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE. ONLY FIVE GOT IT THIS YEAR AND SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIVE. THE PRESIDENT SAYS THIS AWARD REFLECTS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SERVICE. NOT ONLY AS RECOGNITION OF YOUR FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT BUT INSPIRATION FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW THE ORDINARY EXAMPLE. I AM THRILLED . SHE HAS BEEN HUMBLE. I WANT TO THANK TANYA WOO FOR YOUR CONTINUED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY. AND KEEPING 12th AND JACKSON CLEAN. >> AFTER SUE, WE WILL GO TO REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENTERS >> MY NAME IS SUE AND I HAVE AN OFFICE IN LITTLE SAIGON, THE CITY OF SEATTLE, WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH LITTLE SAIGON , IT WAS A CRIME MAGNET WHICH ATTRACTED EVERY KIND OF CRIME YOU CAN THINK OF, ESPECIALLY DRUG SALES AND USE. CONSTANT GUNSHOTS , ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPONS, DEAD BODIES , AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, ILLEGAL MARKETS . LITTLE SAIGON HAS BEEN UNDER SIEGE FOR SEVEN YEARS. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE WITH EVERY YEAR. THE COMMUNITY IS WEARY OF THE CONSTANT BATTLE TO SURVIVE AFTER MULTIPLE YEARS OF NEGLECT BY THE CITY. 2017 TO 2023, LITTLE SAIGON WAS FACED WITH THE UGLY REALITIES OF LIFE THREATENING DANGER FROM CAUSTIC CRIME AND ILLEGAL HOMELESS CAMPS AND UNSANITARY CONDITIONS . DURING THESE YEARS, THE CITY PROVIDED VERY LITTLE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO LITTLE SAIGON BUSINESS OWNERS WERE LEFT TO THEIR OWN TO DEAL WITH UNLAWFUL TRESPASS, ILLEGAL ACTS , HUMAN WASTE, EXCESSIVE GARBAGE , AND OTHER CONDITIONS THAT IMPACT AND CREATE A DANGER TO PEOPLE THAT WORK AND LIVE IN THIS AREA. 2024, THEY PROVIDED MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CITY RESOURCES FOR STREET CLEANING, AND THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE. BUT IT IS STILL NOT ENOUGH . WE STILL HAVE PROBLEMS. 2025 , I WOULD SAY THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE EFFORTS THAT MAYOR HARRELL STARTED AT THE SAME LEVEL IF NOT MORE TO KEEP LITTLE SAIGON ALIVE. THE CITY OF SEATTLE OWES THIS COMMUNITY MORE THAN JUST THE PROMISE OF HELP , TIME FOR THE CITY TO WORK TOGETHER WITH LITTLE SAIGON DIRECTLY TO FIX THE MANY PROBLEMS IT CREATED BY THE LONG-TERM DISREGARD FOR LITTLE SAIGON . TO RESTORE LITTLE SAIGON, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS STRONGER LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATED GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AND RESOURCES AND FUNDING. THANK YOU. >> WE WILL MOVE TO REMOTE SPEAKERS . A REMINDER TO OUR REMOTE SPEAKERS, PLEASE PRESS *6 AFTER YOU HEARD THE MESSAGE YOU ARE UNMUTED. GO AHEAD, DAVID. >> GOOD AFTERNOON , COUNCILMEMBERS I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF SEATTLE. BEEN LIVING IN DISTRICT 7. I AM CALLING IN, FORMER COUNCILMEMBER TANYA WOO AND THOSE SPEAKING ABOUT 12th AND JACKSON AND LITTLE SAIGON. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN LITTLE SAIGON FOR MANY YEARS . OUR FAMILY HAS A BARBERSHOP, MY UNCLE , AND , I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A LOT OF ISSUES AROUND HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE 1970s. LATELY , I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED AS A CONSULTANT WORKING ON DEVELOPMENT , SAFETY ISSUES, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT, THE SAFETY ISSUES THAT FORMER COUNCILMEMBER WOO AND OTHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT IS VERY REAL. THE COUNCIL THANKS FOR THE $1.5 MILLION FOR SAFETY MEASURES, IN THE BUDGET, WHICH INCLUDES CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT AND SAIGON , EFFORTS FROM THE MAYOR, AND APARTMENTS , BUT THE SITUATION HAS GOTTEN WORSE . FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WALK AROUND THE DISTRICT , AND I WALK AROUND THERE A LOT, IT IS A SHAME TO SEE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS DOING WHAT THEY ARE DOING, PARTICULARLY ON 12th AND JACKSON. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I WANT TO LASTLY SAY THAT, THE COMMUNITY, A PETITION , THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WAS HELD LAST WEEK, ARE READY TO TAKE ACTION , THEY NEED THE CITY TO ALSO TAKE ACTION AND SHOW THAT THEY ARE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY. HEAR THEIR CONCERNS . I ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO MOVE SWIFTLY ON ACTION AND FUNDING TO HELP THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT -- >> HOLD ON. DAVID, IN YOUR INTRODUCTION, YOU DID NOT MENTION THAT YOU WERE A FORMER CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR LONG-STANDING SUPPORT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. >> OUR NECK SPEAKERS ALBERTO, FOLLOWED BY JOE. GO AHEAD, ALBERTO. >> THERE IS SYMPATHY FOR LITTLE SAIGON BUT IT IS PART OF DISTRICT 2, WHICH IS SEVERELY AFFECTED BY WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SAY. FOUR, FIVE HOURS OF COMMUTE TIME IMPOSED ON 400,000 SEATTLE WORKERS , EFFECTIVELY A WORKERS TAX SUBSIDIZING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE IN THE CITY. ACTIO'S REPORTS SEATTLE AREA -- OVER 6% IN GDP GROWTH FOR YEARS 2022 THROUGH 2023 , BUSINESS GROUPS , WEALTHY LANDLORDS, AND CORPORATE LOBBYING HAVE CANNIBALIZED THE SPENDING POWER THAT LOCAL ECONOMIES , JUST LIKE LITTLE SAIGON, DEPEND UPON. LIVING WAGES TO WORKERS IS MONEY SPENT BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITIES , JUST LIKE LITTLE SAIGON. AFFORDABLE HOUSING , A SPINNING FORCE , QUICK, A WALK OR QUICK BUS RIGHT AWAY TO AREAS JUST LIKE LITTLE SAIGON. SEATTLE IS A TOP-FIVE GLOBAL ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE. WE OUTPACED ALL U.S. REGIONS. BUSINESS GROUPS ARE NOT HURTING . WEALTHY LANDLORDS ARE NOT HURTING. THE POWER OF THE WORKERS, AFFECTS RENTERS, SERVE THOSE VOTERS IN DISTRICT 2. BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND UPHOLD LIVING WAGES. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOE, FOLLOWED BY DAVID HAINES. GO AHEAD, JOE. >> THANK YOU. I WILL BE VERY CAREFUL AS I SAY THIS. I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE A SMALL SCANDAL IN CITY COUNCIL WITH A MEMBER . THE REAL SCANDAL SHOULD BE ABOUT THE FACT THE CITY COUNCIL RULES ARE NOT BEING ENFORCED BY THE CURRENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT AGAINST ALEX SILVERMAN AND HIS BIGOTRY, HATRED , ANTI-SEMITISM , AND CONTEMPT FOR OUR DEMOCRACY. I FIND THE CONTINUED APPEASEMENT OF HIM TO BE A MENACE AND A CANCER IN SOCIETY AND, SO WHAT IF A CITY COUNCILMEMBER HAS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A MEMBER OF A STRANGE NEWSPAPER. I REALLY DON'T CARE I CARE WHAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY, KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, AND IT IS NOT JUST BACKING THE BLUE AND SUPPORTING LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT BY ENFORCING RULES IN YOUR CHAMBER. IF YOU APPEASE ALEX ZIMMERMAN, YOU BECOME A PART OF THE PROBLEM. TAKE YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND ALL MY BEST TO ALL OF YOU. ONE LAST THING WE NEED A BUS LANE. >> OUR LAST REMOTE SPEAKER IS DAVID HAINES. GO AHEAD. >> REMEMBER WHEN THE DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF WAS AT THE COUNCIL AND SAID , DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU DO A GLASS BALL UNDERHANDED OVERHEAD WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO REACH THE BACK OF THE CROWD THAT IS A TELLTALE SIGN THIS YELLOW PLEASED BARBARA HAS THE WRONG PEOPLE IN CHARGE AND THE WRONG POLICIES , AND THEY WILL FIND THEMSELVES IN COURT WITH AN EVEN BIGGER LAWSUIT AND ANOTHER VIOLATION . WAS HE SUGGESTING THROWING OUT THE HEADS AND LET EXPLODE? LIKE HE IS A TOUGH GUY? THE DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF, THIS YELLOW POST FOR, BEFORE THE 212 POLICE REFORM, MAYBE HE NEEDS TO BE FIRED. WE STILL NEED TO PURGE THE MISINTERPRETATION OF WHAT CONSTITUTES PROPER POLICE REFORM, HIS TESTIMONY AT COUNCIL AUTHORIZES VIOLENCE AND COWARDICE FOR BLUE LEADERSHIP. NEVER -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] WHILE NEVER DOING ANYTHING EFFECTIVE TO POLICE AND THE CRIMINALS WHO REFUSED TO VACATE THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR WITH THEIR DRUG PUSHING OPEN DRUG MARKETS. HOW MUCH DOES THAT THE OTHER PORT AUTHORITY CAUSE WHEN THEY RAISE PROPERTY TAXES OF OVER $80 MILLION PER YEAR, THE WELFARE SUBSIDIZE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR OFFSHORE INDUSTRIALISTS, AND PAYING THE BOND THAT ALLOW FOREIGN CORPORATIONS TO CONTROL OUR SOVEREIGN TERRITORY THROUGH WATERED-DOWN INSPECTIONS AND FREE OFFERS FOR CHINA SHIPPING AND DISCOUNT CRUISE LINE TERMINALS THAT LAUNDER BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TAKEN OUT OF OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM WHILE THEY OVERCHARGED. THINGS NOT INCLUDED -- THE PORT OF SEATTLE CONSPIRED TO SABOTAGE THE NEW BASKETBALL ARENA. THE PORT IS CONSPIRING . WE NEED A FEDERAL INJUNCTION ON THE PORT AUTHORITY FOR THE TREASONOUS ABUSE OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE GLOBAL TRADE. >> THANK YOU THAT WAS OUR LAST REMOTE SPEAKER. >> GO BACK TO THE IN PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT, STARTING WITH PATTY FONG. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM PATTY FONG. ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL ON 12th AND JACKSON, LITTLE SAIGON , CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT. WE MUST CHANGE THAT UNFAIR AND UNFORTUNATE PERCEPTION. THE CITY AND THE COUNTY MUST CLOSE DESCTHE NAVIGATION CENTER IMMEDIATELY. SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES HAVE ENDURED THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DRUG DEALING SHELTER LONG ENOUGH. THE CITY AND COUNTY TARGETED CID KNOWING HIS POVERTY AND POLITICAL POWERLESSNESS, THIS IS SHAMEFUL THAT WE ARE PUSHING BACK NO OTHER SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD HAVE BEEN SINGLED OUT AS WE HAVE BEEN. CID IS DESCENDING INTO URBAN DECAY. SUPPORT US AS WE SEEK TO REBRAND AND REVITALIZE THE CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT, THE ONLY LIVING HISTORIC IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN SEATTLE TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWAY FROM BEING SEATTLE'S POOREST NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE ECONOMICALLY THRIVING COMMUNITY . DECLARE A MORATORIUM ON THE DISPROPORTIONATE SIDING OF GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE INCOME SERVICES AND PROJECTS THAT ARE TARGETING THE CID. SUPPORT AND INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUTH, ESPECIALLY THE INVESTMENT IN YOUTH CIVIC LEADERSHIP THAT WILL GROW OUR FUTURE POLITICAL INFLUENCE. INVEST IN OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY, GO BIG , THE CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT WILL DETERMINE THE VISION AND FUTURE WITH THE COMMITMENT OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS A FULL-FLEDGED PARTNER . THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. >> I AM GARY LEE AND A RETIRED CITY PLANNER OF 30 YEARS. LITTLE SAIGON , 12 STREET I WILL TALK ABOUT PLANS. I HAVE BEFORE YOU , A COPY OF THE EXISTING 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICY DTHSP5, WHICH SAYS , SEEK TO AVOID OVER CONCENTRATION OF HUMAN SERVICE FACILITIES IN ANY ONE AREA OF DOWNTOWN AND ENCOURAGE THE LOCATION OF FACILITIES IN THE AREAS LACKING SUCH FACILITIES. I AM ASKING YOU TO LOOK THIS UP. I SENT EACH OF YOU AN EMAIL WITH A PETITION THAT ADDRESSES THIS AS WELL. THAT IS WHY I BROUGHT THIS, SO YOU CAN REMEMBER WHEN YOU SEE MY EMAIL THAT THIS IS THE POLICY . THIS IS AN EXISTING POLICY THAT IS A GOOD POLICY . I THINK THIS POLICY NEEDS TO BE KEPT, RETAINED , AND EXPANDED WITH A NEW URBAN CENTER, AND A NEW REGIONAL CENTER IN THE CONFERENCE THE PLAN, AND COMING UP WITH A ZONING REGULATION TO ADDRESS THAT. THOSE OVER CONCENTRATIONS. THE OVER CONCENTRATIONS THAT YOU SEE, THAT ARE EVIDENT , ARE NOT GOOD FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR VITALITY OF THESE AREAS WHERE THESE PLACES ARE LOCATED. THESE ARE NEEDED FACILITIES BUT THEY DO NEED TO BE SPREAD AROUND. THEY NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. THEY PROPOSE TO ELIMINATE THAT BUT I AM ASKING YOU TO RETAIN IT AND EXPAND IT. LOOK IT UP. I SENT YOU AN EMAIL. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS . THAT WILL REMIND YOU THANK YOU. >> THE LAST IN PERSON SPEAKER IS RANDY. >> THANK YOU. I AM BRINGING ATTENTION TO WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND IN THE CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT, PARTICULARLY IN JAPAN TOWN. GRAFFITI ON OUR MEMORIAL FOR THE JAPANESE AMERICANS INTERNED, ONE HAD HIS PICTURE DEFACED , MY FRIENDS GRANDMOTHER. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS AROUND THE AREA, THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY. WE NEED TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THAT. LIKE SOMEONE DISGRACING THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL, IT IS THAT DISHEARTENING TO THE COMMUNITY . I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT LITTLE SAIGON , THE AREA NEEDS HELP. IT IS LOSING ECONOMIC VITALITY WITHOUT ANY KIND OF BUSINESSES THERE SURVIVING , THERE WILL BE NO LITTLE SAIGON. WITHOUT LITTLE SAIGON , THERE IS A DOMINO EFFECT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING CHINATOWN, JAPAN TOWN , AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF OUR LIST OF REGISTERED SPEAKERS. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING ATTENTION TO WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN THERE. I WANT TO NOTE THAT I APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY COMING OUT AND ENGAGING IN THE PROCESS OF CONTINUAL EDUCATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT. TO DO BETTER. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THE REFERRAL COUNTER WILL BE ADOPTED. THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL COUNTER IS ADOPTED WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED AND WE WILL CONSIDER THE CONSENT CALENDAR AND ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ARE THE MINUTES OF WERE 14th, 2025, AND THE PAYMENT OF BILLS . ARE THERE ANY ITEMS COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR? HEARING NONE , I MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR . IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> MOVED AND SECONDED , WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR MAX >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> YES. >> HOLLINGSWORTH? >> AYE. >> KETTLE? >> AYE. >> MOORE? >> NELSON? >> AYE. >> EIGHT IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED TO >> THE CONSENT CALENDAR IS ADOPTED, PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE ON MY BEHALF. WE HAVE ONE ITEM, PLEASE READ THE TITLE OF ITEM 1 INTO THE RECORD >> THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, CB 120925, REFERRED TO AS THE FOURTH QUARTER EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, THEY RECOMMEND THE BILL PASSED. >> AS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, I WILL PROVIDE THE BACKGROUND AND THE COMMITTEE REPORT. THIS IS THE HUMAN RESOURCES FOURTH QUARTER EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND PROPOSES CHANGES TO CIVIL-SERVICE CONSULTATIONS, JOB TITLES, AND PAY RATES, COMPENSATION SCHEDULES , ET CETERA THE COUNCIL AUTHORIZES CERTAIN STATE PERSONNEL ACTIONS THROUGH QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCES AND THAT USED TO GO TO FULL COUNCIL BUT NOW THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, EMPLOYMENT COORDINATES WOULD AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY'S HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT TO EXEMPT FOUR POSITIONS FROM CIVIL SERVICE, RETURN 11 POSITIONS TO CIVIL-SERVICE, REVISE TWO JOB TITLES, ESTABLISHED 13 JOB TITLES IN CORRESPONDING RATES OF PAY, AND ADJUST RATES OF PAY FOR TWO JOB TITLES. WE FIRST DISCUSSED THIS BILLING COMMITTEE ON DECEMBER 12th AND AGAIN ON JANUARY 9th BEFORE VOTING IT OUT OF COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY THAT DAY. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU FOR THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT. YOU MENTIONED THAT THIS ORDINANCE WOULD COME DIRECTLY TO THE FULL COUNCIL, AND I REMEMBER A TIME WHEN SDHR, IN A COUNCIL BRIEFING LAST WEEK , THIS HAS BUDGET IMPLICATIONS, AND THAT IS WHY IN PREVIOUS ITERATIONS OF OUR COMMITTEE SCHEDULE, STHR REPORTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE I WANTED TO ADD ADDITIONAL CONTEXT BECAUSE YOU SHARED WHAT IT WAS BEFORE THIS YEAR. MORE HISTORY WITH DAN. THANKS AND HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> MY MEMORY GOES BACK TWO YEARS AND THAT IS HOW IT WAS WHEN I TOOK OFFICE AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT EDUCATION. ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE LEGISLATION? WE HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION IN COMMITTEE AND I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION , THAT WAS GOOD TO TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, ET CETERA. SEEING THAT THERE ARE NOT ANY MORE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA? COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS? >> YES . >> HOLLINGSWORTH? >> YES . >> KETTLE? COUNCILMEMBER MOORE? >> AYE. >> RIVERA? >> AYE. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON? >> AYE. >> EIGHT IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> IT PASSES, PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE ON MY BEHALF NO ITEMS FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR THAT WERE REMOVED AND NOT A RESOLUTION FOR INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION TODAY. IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL? IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION -- OKAY, I AM SORRY . COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA ? >> SORRY, COUNCIL PRESIDENT , I NEED TO REQUEST AN EXCUSE FOR MY ABSENCE ON JANUARY 27th. THE COUNCIL MEETING. 28th, SORRY. THANK YOU. >> IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA WILL BE EXCUSED FROM THE JANUARY 28th SITTING COUNCIL MEETING. -- CITY COUNCIL MEETING DURING THE OBJECTION, SHE IS EXCUSED . IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS? ALL RIGHT, HEARING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S AGENDA. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 23rd WITH RECITATION FROM DISTRICT NUMBER TWO FINALISTS AND THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE FINALISTS . AS A REMINDER, TONIGHT IS THE PUBLIC FORUM AT COLUMBIA CITY THEATER STARTING AT 5:30 P.M. AT OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS JANUARY 28th. ALL RIGHT . SEEING AND HEARING NO FOR THE BUSINESS, WE ARE ADJOURNED. IT IS 2:34. THANK YOU, EVERYONE.