>>> AWESOME, IS THIS MICROPHONE ON? HELLO, EVERYONE, GOOD AFTERNOON, THE APRIL 14, 2026, MEETING OF THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER AT 2:03:00 P.M. I'M JOY HOLLINGSWORTH, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. WE HAVE STARTED THE MEETING EVERYONE. GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, WELCOME. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, WE'RE READY TO ROCK. AWESOME. >> LET'S DO THIS! >> WE'LL START THE APRIL 14, 2026, MEETING OF SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER AT 2:04, I'M JOY HOLLINGSWORTH, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. CALL THE ROLE. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. >> HERE. >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. JUAREZ. LIN. RINCK. >> PLENTY. >> RIVERA. >> PRESENT. >> HOLLINGSWORTH. >> HERE. COUNCILMEMBER KETTLE IS EXCUSED. COUNCILMEMBER RINCK WILL PRESENT A RESOLUTION. SHARE YOUR COMMENTS. >> COLLEAGUES, IT IS A REAL HONOR TO BE PRESENTING THIS PROCLAMATION. I THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATION AND SIGNATURES ON IT. IT'S A REAL HONOR TO HAVE WORKED ON THIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SO MANY PART OF THE COMMUNITY. I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION TO THE RECORD AND THEN TURN IT OVER TO INVITED SPEAKERS TODAY. WHEREAS CAMBODIA IS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL CIVILIZATIONS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA DATING BACK NEARLY 4,000 YEARS AND WHEREAS BETWEEN 1969 AND 1973, THE UNITED STATES DROPPED 540,000 TONS OF BOMBS INTO CAMBODIA DESTABILIZING THE ALREADY FRAGILE GOVERNMENT AND HELPING FUEL THE RISE OF THE KHMER ROUGE, AND DURING THE GENOCIDE, 1975 TO 1979, APPROXIMATELY 2 MILLION PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES AT THE HANDS OF THE KHMER ROUGE. AND CURRENTLY OVER HALF THE MEMBERS OF THE POPULATION EXPERIENCE VARYING DEGREESDEGREES POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES FROM THE GENOCIDE. WHEREAS THE SEATTLE METROPOLITAN AREA IS HOME TO OVER 22,000 INDIVIDUALS OF KHMAI DESCENT, AND THIS IS THE ANNIVERSARY TO REMEMBER THE TRAGEDIES UNDER THE KHMER ROUGE. AND WHERE THE CURRENT U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICIES HAVE INCREASED DEPORTATIONS THROUGH I.C.E. RAIDS, EXPEDITED PROCEEDINGS, AND ADDING TO THE TRAUMA FOR THE COMMUNITIES. WHEREAS THE CITY OF SEATTLE HAS SERVED AS A SANCTUARY AND HOME TO THE COMMUNITY FOR DECADES WITH SCHOOLS PLAYING A VITAL ROLE IN REBUILDING LIVES, PRESERVING CULTURAL IDENTITIES AND ADVOCATING FOR IMMIGRANTS. APRIL 14, 2026, THE 51st ANNIVERSARY OF THE KHMER ROUGE GENOCIDE. THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE FLOOR BEFORE WE INVITE GUESTS TO SPEAK? WE'RE GOING TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND ALLOW COUNCILMEMBER RINCK TO PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION TO OUR GUESTS, AND I'LL CALL UP THE SPEAKERS. I APOLOGIZE, I'M GOING TO MESS UP PRONOUNCING YOUR NAME, CORRECT ME WHEN YOU COME UP. WE HAVE SCHWAN ROSS FROMFROM COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF WASHINGTON. JENNY FROM THE CAMBODIAN AMERICAN ADVOCACY FOR PEACE. LINE UP TO SPEAK. AND SAMATE FROM -- DID I SAY THAT RIGHT? I GOT A THUMBS UP. ALSO SWOSTAY FROM THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION. WELCOME. MANNY FROM DEPORTATION AND ADVOCACY GROUP. AND TITA FROM THE COMMUNITY. WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS -- I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE CAMBODIAN AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP COALITION. TODAY, OUR CAMBODIAN NEW YEAR. THE CAMBODIAN GENOCIDE BEGANBEGAN 1975 WHEN THE KHMER ROUGE LED BY POL POT TOOK CONTROL OF CAMBODIA. 1975 TO 1979, 2 MILLION PEOPLE, NEARLY A QUARTER OF THE POPULATION OF CAMBODIA, DIED. EVERY TIME I TALK ABOUT CAMBODIAN GENOCIDE, I CANNOT STOP -- MYSELF FROM TEARING UP. HOW I SUFFER. EXCUSE ME. FROM PHNOM PENH, AND SENT TO WORK IN THE RICE FIELDS FROMFROM UNTIL NIGHT. WITH LITTLE REST AND NO FOOD. ONE DAY, THE SECURITY FORCE TOOK ME FROM THE FIELD, INTENDING TO KILL ME BECAUSE I WAS EDUCATED. THE PEOPLE I WAS WITH WERE SHOCKED. THEY KEPT ME AT THEIR POST FROM MORNING TO MIDNIGHT, WAITING FOR THEIR SUPERIOR TO DECIDE MY FATE. I WAS EVENTUALLY SPARED BECAUSE THE LEADER WAS BUSY AND ORDERED THEM TO SEND ME HOME AND WATCH OVER ME. WHEN I RETURN, EVERYONE CRY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT EXPECT ME TO COME BACK ALIVE. AND ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER, THEY SENT ME TO COUNTRY, AT THAT TIME THE HOLE OF MY FAMILY HAD TO HIDE MY HISTORY UNDERGROUND TO SURVIVE. MY TWO OLDER BROTHERS WERE KILLED BECAUSE THEY WERE ENGINEERS. MY GRANDPARENT DIED DUE TO NO FOOD AND NO MEDICINE. EVEN THOUGH I WORKED VERY HARD, THEY STILL SENT ME TO PRISON. BUT I WAS LUCKY TO SURVIVE BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO KILLKILL DUE TO THE WAR WITH VIETNAM. FINALLY, I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE AND TODAY -- AND TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND GRATEFUL TO THE U.S. WHO GAVE ME CITY AND NEW LIFE. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCILMEMBERS, MY FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS, HAPPY NEW YEARS. I'M JENNY REPRESENTING CAMBODIAN AMERICAN ADVOCATING PEACE. APRIL IS A SPECIAL MONTH WE ALL CELEBRATE OUR COMBINED NEW YEARS, A BIG EVENT OF OUR CULTURE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT'S VERY MEANINGFUL AND HOW TO REMEMBER THE PAINFUL HISTORY IN OUR PAST. THE TRAGEDY THAT TOOK MORE THAN 2 MILLION OF OUR FAMILIES' LIVES. INNOCENT PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIFE, INCLUDING MY OWN FAMILY. THE LONG- TERM EFFECT, THE TRAUMA, AND PTSD CONTINUE TO IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY TODAY. REMAINS A SERIOUS CONCERN, ACCORDING TO A LOCAL STATISTIC, IT'S STILL HIGH RATE REPORTED RATE OF CRIME AMONG OTHERS. SO I'M ASKING WHAT CAN EACH ONE OF US INDIVIDUALLY, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP CREATING PEACE. WHAT CAN YOU IN YOUR ROLES AS LEADERS DO TO ADVOCATE PEACE AND SUPPORT SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITIES? OUR ORGANIZATION, CAMBODIAN AMERICAN ADVOCATING PEACE, IS COMMITTED TO SAFETY, COMBATTING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE. TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A MORE PEACEFUL FUTURE FOR EVERYONE. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN. ALONG WITH MY FELLOW MEMBER THERE, MARY AND EMMA. THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYONE, FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CONCERN TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL PRESIDENT HOLLINGSWORTH AND COUNCILMEMBERS, TODAY WE GATHER TO MARK THE 51st ANNIVERSARY OF THE KHMER ROUGE GENOCIDE, NEARLY 2 MILLION PEOPLE WERE MURDERED AND TAKEN THROUGH VIOLENCE. MY FAMILY SURVIVED THE LABOR CAMPS AND I WAS BORN IN A REFUGEE CAMP NEXT TO THE THAILAND BORDER. THE TRUTH IS, THE RISE OF THE KHMER ROUGE DID NOT HAPPEN IN ISOLATION. IT WAS SHAPED IN PART BY U.S. FOREIGN POLICY DECISIONS. THE SECRET AND ILLEGAL CARPET BOMBING OF CAMBODIA BY RICHARD NIXON AND HENRY KISSINGER. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TONS OF BOMBS WERE DROPPED ON CAMBODIAN SOIL, A NEUTRAL COUNTRY. THIS DESTABILIZED THE COUNTRY AND CREATED THE DECISIONSDECISIONS FORCES LIKE KHMER ROUGE TO TAKE POWER. THIS IS ALIVE, IN TRAUMA CARRIED BY SURVIVORS, MANY YOU SEE HERE IN CITY HALL. AND THIS LIVES AND IS CARRIED BY MY FAMILY, MY MOM, SIBLINGS, AND DISPLACED COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WE WERE FORCED TO FLEE THE COUNTRY AND THIS TRAUMA NOW LIVES IN SEATTLE. THIS IS PART OF A VIBRANT KHMAI COMMUNITY BECAUSE THE CITY OPENED ITS DOORS TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE NEED HEALING AND ARE SEEKING A NEW BEGINNING. BUT TODAY WITH GLOBAL CONFLICT, FORCED MIGRATION AND RISING ANTI- IMMIGRANT SENTIMENT, ARE WE REPEATING HISTORY? WE SEE U.S. IMPERIALISM AROUND THE WORLD, FAMILIES DISPLACED, COMMUNITIES SEEK REFUGE AND POLICIES ROOTED IN FEAR INSTEAD OF HUMANITY. WE MUST ENSURE THAT SEATTLE REMAINS A SAFE COMMUNITY PROTECTING IMMIGRANTS. INVEST IN HEALING, BELONGING, CULTURAL PRESERVATION AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THOSE MOST IMPACTED. WE CANNOT FORGET THE TRAGEDY THAT THE KHMER ROUGE GENOCIDE HAS CAUSED AND WE MUST CARRYCARRY A RESPONSIBLE AND COMPASSIONATE FUTURE. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBERS FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND RECOGNIZING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE. I STAND HERE AS A PROUD KHMAI AMERICAN AND CHILD OF IMMIGRANTS, AND REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION. MANY KHMAI LOST GENERATIONS OF SCHOLARS ENGINEERS AND PROFESSIONALS AND MANY OF US ARE STILL NAVIGATING SYSTEMS OUR FAMILIES WERE NEVER GIVEN THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE. THIS IS WHY REPRESENTATION MATTERS, INCLUDING KHMAI LANGUAGE AND STUDIES, ESSENTIAL TO PRESERVE HISTORY AND HELP FUTURE GENERATIONS KNOW THEIR IDENTITY. WHEN STUDENTS SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN EDUCATION IT CREATES A SENSE OF SUCCESS. THE ELDERS' SACRIFICES LIFT UP THE COMMUNITY. I ASK WE INVEST IN THE FUTURE BY SUPPORTING EDUCATIONAL ACCESS AND COMMUNITIES FOR KHMAI YOUTH. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS, GREETINGS. THANK YOU FOR CREATING SPACE TO SHARE OUR STORIES. I'M HERE TODAY AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF CAGE, MY ANTIDEPORTATION ADVOCACY GROUP, WE WORK WITH SOUTHEAST ASIAN COMMUNITIES IN THREAT OF DEPORTATION RIGHT NOW. THIS PROCLAMATION IS MEANINGFUL TO THE CAMBODIAN KHMAI COMMUNITY, IT HONORS OUR JOURNEYJOURNEY CONTRIBUTION TO THE CULTURE AND ECONOMIC REGION. IT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THE PAINFUL LEGACY OF OUR MIGRATION STORY, DISPLACEMENT AND DEPORTATION THAT STILL IMPACTS OUR COMMUNITY. SINCE 2002, MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN DEPORTED TO A COUNTRY THEY'VE NEVER KNOWN, BORN IN A REFUGEE CAMP, NO MEMORY OF CAMBODIA. TODAY COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONTINUE TO FACE DETENTION AND DEPORTATION RAIDS CONTINUING THE LEGACY OF DISPLACEMENT BACK TO A COUNTRY THAT MANY ESCAPED BECAUSE OF GENOCIDE. AGAIN, THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBERS FOR RECOGNIZING OUR STORY. AND ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN ADDRESSING THESE INJUSTICE FOR US AND ALL COMMUNITIES IMPACTED. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE COUNCILMEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. I'M WITH THE KHMAI COMMUNITY OF SEATTLE KING COUNTY. I WAS BORN INTO THE WAR JUST BEFORE THE KHMER ROUGE GENOCIDE. I WAS ONLY 5 WHEN UNCA UNDER THE REGIME EXECUTED MY FATHER AND HIS TWO BROTHERS IN A SINGLE DAY. MY 10-YEAR- OLD BROTHER TAKEN BY FORCED LABOR AND WE LATER LEARNED HE WAS BURIED ALIVE AFTER FALLING ILL. I CAN'T FATHOM THE DEPTH OF THE ENDURANCE REQUIRED BY MY GRANDPARENTS AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS AS THEY WATCHED THEIR LOVED ONES SYSTEMICALLY DESTROYED. AT ABLE 7, MY FAMILY ATTEMPTED TO FLEE TO THAILAND, ONLY TO FACE ANOTHER NIGHTMARE. ALONG WITH 10,000 OTHER REFUGEES, WE WERE FORCED BY THAI SOLDIERS DOWN A STEEP MOUNTAIN INFESTED WITH LAND MINES. MY MOM SAID WE HAD TO PAVE DEAD BODIES TO ELIMINATE THE LAND MINES. WE WERE SUFFERING FROM CHICKEN POX, STARVING. MOM DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD MAKE IT. A YEAR LATER WE ESCAPED AND I REACHED THE UNITED STATES AT THE AGE OF 10 AFTER TWO YEARS IN A REFUGEE CAMP. IT WAS NOT UNTIL GRADUATE SCHOOL THAT I UNDERSTOOD THE ROOT OF OUR DISPLACEMENT, THE U.S. SECRET BOMBING OF CAMBODIA WHICH DROPPED 2.7 MILLION TONS OF BOMBS, EQUIVALENT TO WORLD WAR II, ATTRIBUTING TO THE KILLING FIELDS. OUR PROFESSIONALS, ARTISTS AND MASTERS WERE TORTURED, MURDERED. THIS LEFT SURVIVORS MAINLY FARMERS WITH LITTLE TO NO EDUCATION. WHEN WE SETTLED IN THE UNITED STATES, WE STRUGGLED TO CONTINUE WITH SYSTEM NAVIGATION. THE IMPACT OF THE REFUGEE ACT OF 1980 WAS SUPPOSED TO HELP US ALL, YET OUR COMMUNITY WAS LED DUE TO SYSTEMIC NEGLECT. INSTEAD OF HEALING, WE WERE LABELED PROBLEMATIC REFUGEES, PLACED IN UNDERRESOURCED NEIGHBORHOOD, BURDENED BY UNDIAGNOSED PTSD AND BROKEN COURAGE. NAVIGATING A SYSTEM THAT SAW OUR TRAUMA AS A DEFICIT RATHER THAN A WOUND IN NEED OF HEALING. NOT ALL REFUGEES ARE CREATED EQUAL. WE HEARD ABOUT THE POLICY, IMMIGRATION REFORM AND IMMIGRANT RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1996 TO FURTHER DEVASTATE US. AMONG SOUTHEAST ASIAN, WE FACE THE HIGHEST RATE OF DEPORTATION. AS YOU HEARD EARLIER. AND MOST WERE BORN IN THE REFUGEE CAMP. TODAY OUR YOUTH SHOW ALARMINGLY HIGH RATES OF DEPRESSION, SUICIDAL IDEATION AND ABUSE BY ADULTS ACCORDING TO A SURVEY IN 2018 AND 2023. MORE IMPORTANTLY, I DON'T WANT OUR COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO BLAME AND SHAME OURSELF BECAUSE OF OUR HISTORICAL, RECURRENT AND INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA. OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS A DEDICATED SPACE TO HEAL, BRIDGE GENERATIONAL GAPS AND CULTIVATE ECONOMIC GROWTH. WE'RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE WE'RE IN THE PERMITTING PHASE FOR THE FIRST EVER KHMAI COMMUNITY CULTURAL CENTER IN SEATTLE, AND WE ASK COUNCIL FOR FULL SUPPORT IN HELPING US REACH. WE'RE 9. 8 MILLION SHORT, OUR FUNDING GOAL. BY THE END OF THE YEAR TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. I'M THANKING THE CREATOR FOR YOUR STRENGTH, FOR YOUR RESILIENCE. AND YOUR COURAGE AS WELL. THANK YOU ALL. I KNOW FOR THE SPEAKERS, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A PHOTO WITH THE SIX PEOPLE THAT SPOKE WITH THE COUNCIL. IF YOU WOULD ALL COME, WE'LL HAVE THE TEAM IN THE MIDDLE TO TAKE PHOTOS, THEN WE'LL JUMP INTO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS WE TAKE THE GROUP PHOTO. AND THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION AND YOUR TEAM DOING THIS AS WELL. JUST COME UP HERE. [ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU SECURITY FOR OPENING THE DOORS IN THE BACK. WE COULDN'T EARLIER ON BECAUSE THERE WAS MUSIC. NO MUSIC AT 2:00 ON AA WOULD BE NICE. AND THANK YOU ALL FOR THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS. THAT'S REALLY KIND AND GRACIOUS OF YOU. SUCH A NICE GESTURE AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND FOR THE GIFTS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR THAT. COLLEAGUES, WE'RE NOW GOING TO OPEN THE HYBRID PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. AND THE COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA, AND INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR AND WORK PROGRAM. I WILL ASK THE CLERK HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE. JUST BE PATIENT. EMILIA IS THE BEST CLERK OF ALL TIME, JUST HAVE TO GIVE HER PATIENCE NOW AS SHE ADDS UP PEOPLE. >> WE HAVE 30 IN PERSON AND 11 REMOTE. >> WE HAVE 41, SO THAT MEANS BECAUSE WE HAVE OTHER 30, EVERYONE WILL GET ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK. TODAY, 41 SPEAKERS, MAYBE MORE. ONE MINUTE PER COUNCIL RULES. 30 OR LESS, TWO MINUTES, OVER 30 IT'S ONE. NOW PRESENT THE INSTRUCTIONS. >> PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE MODERATED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER. SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN HAD THE ORDER REGISTERED. WILL HEAR A CHIME FOR TEN SECONDS OF TIME. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW OPEN AND WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST SPEAKER ON THE LIST. >> AWESOME. WE WILL NOW -- I'LL CALL THE FIRST TEN SPEAKERS. PETER YASMIN MARGARET CAROLYN YVETTE CAILIN HANNAH, I THINK MARTA, KARA, ELISE. SPEAKERS ONE THROUGH TEN. I DON'T SEE PETER. YASMIN, IF YOU'RE UP, START COMING TO THE FRONT. MARGARET, CAROLYN, YVETTE -- >> YOU READY? >> READY. >> YASMINE, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY. I'M JUST HERE TO THANK YOU FORFOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THE LIBRARY LEVY PROPOSAL, FOR YOUR DEBATE AND TRANSPARENCE. YOU DEMONSTRATED DEMOCRACY IN ACTION. I THINK IN SEVEN YEARS WE'RE GOING TO FIND THE INVESTMENTS YOU'VE MADE IN THE LEVY THAT HOPEFULLY YOU VOTE ON TODAY, WILL SERVE AS THE BEST BULWARKBULWARK UNCERTAINTY IN THE FUTURE. AS YOU SAID IN YOUR OWN STORIES, LIBRARIES ARE LIFELINES, SHELTERS IN EMERGENCIES, FREE TOOLS AND RESOURCES AND COMMUNITIES DEVOTED TO LEARNING. I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND ROBUST ENGAGEMENT WITH COLLEAGUES AND THE PUBLIC. THANKS TO THE COUNCILMEMBERS, FOR YOUR AMENDMENTS AND COSPONSORSHIPS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, YOU'RE ALL GOOD. BEFORE YOU START, I KNOW THERE'S SHIFTING RIGHT NOW. DO PEOPLE HAVE SEATS? WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ABLE TO HEAR THE SPEAKERS. ALL GOOD. YOU ARE UP. >> HELLO, MARGARET FROM LAKE CITY, D-5. I LIVE ABOUT FOUR BLOCKS FROM THE OLYMPIC HILLS TINY HOUSE VILLAGE. LOW BARRIER SHELTER WITH 24/7 STAFFING. I HAVE A COMPLAINT. IT'S NOT LARGE ENOUGH. 44 UNITS ARE FULL BECAUSE UNHOUSED PEOPLE WANT TO COME INSIDE. THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT TWO BILLS TO ALLOCATE MORE FUNDING AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO RAPIDLY EXPAND SHELTER SERVICES. WHEN I TALK WITH NEIGHBORS ABOUT THE TINY HOUSES, PEOPLE INITIALLY CONCERNED BECOME SUPPORTIVE WHEN THEY HEAR ABOUT THE SECURITY, STAFFING AND SERVICES. SHELTER EXPANSION NEEDS TO BE IN EVERY DISTRICT. AND COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ, I HOPE YOU WILL COME TO OLYMPIC HILLS, SEE THE TINY HOUSE VILLAGE AND HOW WELL IT FITS IN THE COMMUNITY. WE NEED YOU TO FUND TO, BUILD IT, SUPPORT IT, NOW. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE -- [ APPLAUSE ] NEXT WE HAVE CAROLYN. WELCOME. >> CAROLYN MALONE, SENIORS, ELDERS, OLD PEOPLE MATTER, TOO, CITY COUNCIL. I'M NOT HERE TO CONVINCE BECAUSE I HAVE NO CONFIDENT EXPECTANCYEXPECTANCY OF EVER MEETING WITH YOU EVEN THOUGH I'VE SOUGHT TO MEET WITH YOU ON THE ONGOING POLICE AND HOUSING ISSUE. I SHOULD NOT BE FIGHTING CONTINUOUSLY TO KEEP MY HOUSING AND POLICE ARE ALLOWED TO OCCUPY SPACE. BECAUSE I CONTINUALLY PROTEST IN FRONT OF THEIR BUNKER, THEY CONTINUALLY RETALIATE. I HAVE A COMPLAINT FOR THE SEATTLE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS THAT'S BEING WAYLAID, SLOWED DOWN. PEOPLE ARE NOT ON THE JOB. I'VE ASKED TO MEET WITH THE DIRECTOR AND AM TOLD HE'S ON LEAVE. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, OTHERWISE I WILL CONTINUALLY COME BEFORE YOU NOT TO SEEK YOUR HELP BUT PRESENT THE FACTS. OLD PEOPLE MATTER, TOO. >> THANK YOU. NEXT YVETTE, CAILIN, HANNAH, MARTA, KARA, ELISA. GIVE US ONE SECOND. THERE'S SOME NOISE IN THE BACK, IS THERE AN ISSUE BACK THERE? OKAY, JUST COMING THROUGH THE VENTS? I THINK THEY'RE POPPING BALLOONS IN THE BASEMENT BELOW. IF IT'S NOT AN ISSUE, JUST SPEAK LOUDLY IN THE MIC, I THINK WE'RE OKAY. >>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. I WANT TO THANK OUR CAMBODIAN NEIGHBORS FOR COMING OUT AND SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCE. IT WAS HEARTBREAKING AND THEIR COURAGE IS HEARTWARMING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESILIENCERESILIENCE COURAGE FOR SPEAKING OUT. MY HEART IS WITH YOU. THANK YOU. >> NEXT CAILIN, HANNAH, MARTA -- MARTHA? OKAY. GO AHEAD. >> I'M CAILIN, A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PROFESSIONAL, WORK FOR THERAPEUTIC -- >> PAUSE, RESTART THE TIME, PULLPULL MICROPHONE CLOSE TO YOU, AS COUNCILMEMBER SAYS MICK JAGGER IT. >> HELLO, I'M A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PROFESSIONAL, I WORK FOR THERAPEUTIC HEALTH SERVICES AS PROGRAM MANAGER. I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE TWO BILLS. OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICE AT SOME OF THE TINY HOME VILLAGES. WE CREATE WARM, SAFE, INVITING SPACES TO COME TALK OR GRAB A SNACK OR ART SUPPLIES. WE MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT, ALLOWS US TO BUILD RAPPORT AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, HELPING PEOPLE WITH NEEDED SERVICES. SOMEONE NEEDS HELP, THEY HAVE QUICK PROFESSIONAL HELP. I'VE WITNESSED HOW THE SHELTERS HAVE LED TO INCREASED STABILITY. >> THANK YOU. NEXT HANNAH. >> HELLO, EVERYONE. I'M HANNAH HUTCHINS, A SOCIAL WORKER IN SEATTLE, MEMBER OF THE LEHIGH TEAM WITH THERAPEUTIC HEALTH SERVICES. WE WORK WITHIN THE SHELTERS RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE AND CONNECTING FOLKS TO RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS WALK OUT THE FRONT DOOR. I WORK AT THE OLDEST TINY HOME VILLAGE, A WHOPPING 74 UNITS. I'M ON SITE IN PERSON, AND SPENT A YEAR BUILDING RAPPORT TO INCREASE TRUST WITH MY CLIENTS WHO TEND FOR GOOD REASONS TO MISTRUST SYSTEMS. HOMELESSNESS IS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL ISSUE, CAUSED FOR MORAL FAILINGS OR LIFESTYLE CHOICES, IT'S A SYSTEMIC FAILURE CAUSED BY EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH CARE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND HOUSING SYSTEMS TO NAME A FEW. >> THANK YOU, HANNAH. NEXT. WHEN YOU HEAR THAT DING, THAT'S TEN SECONDS LEFT. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I'M MARTA, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER AT LOW INCOME HOUSING INSTITUTE. WE BELIEVE THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS IN SEATTLE MUST MATCH THE NEEDS OF OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS. WE'VE SHOWN DEDICATION TO IT WITH THE TINY HOME MODEL, IT BEGAN WHEN EMCAMPMENTS NEEDED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, AND TRANSFERRED TO THE MODEL YOU SEE TODAY. LEGISLATION BEFORE YOU IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPLEMENT THIS MODEL WIDELY ACROSS THE CITY OF SEATTLE TO FURTHER HELP OUR COMMUNITY ACCESS ENHANCED SHELTER AND TINY HOUSE VILLAGE. I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT MAYOR WILSON'S LEGISLATION AND ALLOW IT WITH THE URGENCY REQUIRED THROUGH THE TWO BILLS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. KARA. THEN ALYSSA. >> I'M KARA WILLIAMS FROM D-3. I SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF CB- 121184 AND 185. WE'RE IN DIRE NEED OF SHELTER THAT PROVIDES PEOPLE A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS, A DOOR THAT LOCKS, A SPACE OF THEIR OWN, WRAP AROUND CASE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES. GIVING THIS AUTHORITY WILL EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF SITING LAND FOR SHELTERS ANDAND IT WILL COMPLETE THE PROCESS TO BRING IT TO REALITY. TO PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, COLLABORATE CLOSELY WITH NEIGHBORS AND MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE ON THE PATH TO PERMANENT HOUSING. WE CAN MOVE FASTER THAN BEFORE BUT WE NEED YOUR YES VOTEVOTE TO SO. PLEASE PACE SS IT TODAY, WE NEEDED MORE YESTERDAY. THANKS FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WANT TO CALL THE NEXT TEN PEOPLE AFTER YOU BEFORE YOU GO. YOU'RE STILL COMING UP, JUST WANT THEM ON DECK. CATHY CORINNA LYDIA,LYDIA PATTY ANITRA ALICIA AMIN TERRY AND CHARLOTTE, ALL NEXT. >> I'M ELISA SCOTT, A FORMER CLIENT OF THE TINY VILLAGES. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE LIVING IN A TENT, AND WHEN THEY FOUND US, THEY GAVE US A TINY HOME. I HAD A BRAIN TUMOR, WASN'T BEING TREATED, AND THE TINY VILLAGES OFFERED ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE SURGERY, WHICH I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD ON THE STREETS. I JUST AM LOOKING AT RAIN OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, AND I REMEMBER THAT FIRST WEEK WE WERE IN THE TINY HOUSE, IT STARTED RAINING LIKE NOW, AND I STARTED CRYING BECAUSE I WASN'T COLD AND I WASN'T WET. AND I HAD A DOOR WE COULD LOCK. AND I FELT SAFE IN A BED. IT WAS FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME I FELT THAT. SO JUST TELL YOU WE'VE BEEN MARRIED 32 YEARS AND WE FOUND DIGNITY AGAIN. WE'RE NOW GRANDPARENTS. >> AWESOME, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY AS WELL. CATHY, CORINNA, LYDIA. >> I'M CATHY BENSON, FREQUENT USER OF THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LINE LIBRARIES PLACE THAT BRINGS JOY TO SEATTLEITES. THANKS FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE AMENDMENTS, AND COUNCILMEMBERS WHO PROPOSED THE AMENDMENTS, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PASSAGE OF THE LEVY TODAY THAT WE CAN VOTE ON. I READ AN EDIT ORIAL IN THE "SEATTLE TIMES," BUT WE HAVE HAVE AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS FOR BOOKS, CHILDREN TO READ FOR FREE, USE A PRINTER, COMPUTER, LEARN ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE AND WALK IN AND KNOW THEY'RE WELCOME. I WILL BE SO HAPPY WHEN I HEAR YOU'RE GOING TO PASS THE LEVY TO GO TO THE VOTERS. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE CORINNA, LYDIA, SUSAN. >> I'M CORINNA, HERE TO SUPPORT CB-122184 AND 185. I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, THE SHELTERS CAN BE UNSAFELY. I HAD TO SET UP A TENT AT THE WALL OF DEATH THAT FILLED WITH MORE TENTS. AFTER I MOVED TO A SHELTER, I LEARNED IT WAS BURNED BY ARSON. I WORRIED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I DIDN'T DECIDE I WANTED A RED BULL AT THAT MOMENT. APPROVING THESE MEASURES INCREASES SHELTER UNITS, CREATES JOBS, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND GROWTH. LET'S LET PEOPLE FOCUS ON REBUILDING THEIR LIVES INSTEAD OF JUST SURVIVING. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. LYDIA. TRY TO DO OUR SPIRIT HANDS IN BETWEEN SPEAKERS. IF WE DID IN BETWEEN EVERY SPEAKER WOULD EXTEND IT A LITTLE BIT. SO SPIRIT HANDS, DANCING, TWIRLING, SPIRIT FINGERS, WHATEVER YOU ALL WANT TO DO. LYDIA. WELCOME. >> I WAS AT THE MAYOR'S SHELTER EXPANSION PLAN, AND I'M HERE TO STATE SUPPORT FOR THE TWO BILLS. I'M UNCONVINCED OF THE TIME TABLE PRESENTED BY THE EXECUTIVE THAT 500 SHELTER BEDS COULD BE OPEN BY THE WORLD CUP, BUT I BELIEVE WE SHOULD GO FORWARD BECAUSE I'M OPEN TO BEING PROVEN WRONG AND BELIEVE 1,000 SHELTER BEDS IS DOABLE IN A YEAR. I SUPPORT ALLOWING HIGHER CAP OF CLIENTS, 100 TO 150, 250 MAX AT ONE SITE PER DISTRICT. BUT BELIEVE NEGLECTING TO ESTABLISH MORE TENT CITIES IS AN OVERSIGHT GIVEN THE ONGOING SWEEPS. HOPE IT PASSES THE REVIEW AND IS CODIFIED INTO LAW INSTEAD OF REMAINING IN INTERIM LEGISLATION. THAT'S ALL. >> THANK YOU, LYDIA. NEXT SUSAN, THEN PATTY. ANITRA. >> SUSAN HAD TO LEAVE. >> OKAY. UNDERSTOOD. PATTY? >> WOMEN'S SHELTER. >> THANK YOU. NOW PATTY, THEN ANITRA AND ALICIA. >> I'M PATTY MALONE, I STAY AT THE BUNKHOUSE SHELTER. I'M JOINED TODAY WITH A BUNCH OF MY FELLOW SHARE PARTICIPANTS. TOGETHER WE OPERATE NEARLY 500 SHELTER SPOTS ALL OVER SEATTLE. WE'RE CALLING FOR MORE SHELTER FOR A LONG TIME, AND URGE YOU TO VOTE TODAY TO SUPPORT MORE FUNDING FOR SHELTER. EASY WAYS TO GET LEASE FOR PUBLIC SHELTER SPACE. MORE SHELTER IS DESPERATELY NEEDED. SHARE SHELTERS ARE FULL AND OUR WHEEL PARTNERS HAVE BEEN TURNING AWAY WOMEN FOR LACK OF SPACE. WITHOUT SHELTER, WE DIE. PLEASE VOTE TO AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL SHELTER FUNDING TODAY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANITRA, ALICIA, AMIN. >> SHARE AND WHEEL. WHEEL FACILITATES THREE LOW BARRIER WOMEN'S SHELTERS FOR 100 OR MORE WOMEN A NIGHT. OUR SHELTERS ARE ALWAYS FULL. AND WE HAVE TO TURN AWAYAWAY EVERY NIGHT. SOMETIMES ELDERS. WE ALSO STAND WOMEN IN BLACK VIGILS WHEN PEOPLE DIE WITHOUT SHELTER. NOON TOMORROW, WE STAND FOR ANOTHER 25 PEOPLE. IN MARCH, THREE PEOPLE DIED OF HYPOTHERMIA. ONE OF PNEUMONIA, AND ONE BY SUICIDE. AND WE DEDICATE THIS VIGILVIGIL A BABY WHO DIED HOMELESS LAST -- WITHOUT SHELTER, PEOPLE DIE. THE EVE OF OUR WOMEN IN BLACK VIGIL, IN THE NAME OF THOSE WHO DIED VOTE YES. WE NEED THE SHELTERS. >> THANK YOU. ALICIA, AMIN, TERRY AND CHARLOTTE. WELCOME. JUST REMINDER IF WE COULD DO SPIRIT HANDS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS ALICIA, I LIVE AT TENT CITY THREE. I'M A REPEAT PERSON THE LAST FIVE YEARS. I HAD AN APARTMENT IN THE HEART OF CAPITAL HILL AREA, BUT LAST JULY I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE TYPE OF BLOOD CANCER, AND UNFORTUNATELY CAN'T WORK BECAUSE OF IT. WITHOUT TENT CITY THREE, ONCE AGAIN SAVING ME FOR A PLACE TO LIVE, I WOULD BE OUT ON THE STREETS AND POSSIBLY DEAD BY NOW. THOUGH I AM SLOWLY DYING ALREADY. PLEASE VOTE YES FOR MORE FUNDING AND HELP US HAVE SHELTER. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT AMIN, TERRY, CHARLOTTE. WELCOME. >> I'M AMIN, A RECOVERING OPIOID ADDICT REPRESENTING SHARE. I'VE BEEN STAYING CLEAN 392 DAYS TODAY. AND I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE LOVING COMMUNITY I FOUND AT SHARE. WHEN I LOST MY JOB AND SOON AFTER MY APARTMENT, I WAS AFRAID THAT I NOT FIND SHELTER THAT WAS NOT ONLY SAFE BUT SUPPORTIVE OF EFFORTS TO STAY CLEAN. WITHOUT SHELTER PEOPLE DIE, WITHOUT RECOVERY, ADDICTS DIE. FUNDING AND SAFE PLACES MUST BE PART OF ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAN TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS, AND SHARE OPERATES THOSE. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT SHARE CAN BE A INSTRUMENT FOR CHANGE FOR THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY AND THOSE OF US WHO WANT TO FIND A BETTER WAY OF LIFE AND RECOVERY FROM DRUGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. NEXT TERRY, THEN CHARLOTTE. AMIN, GOOD EFFING JOB, 392, PROUD OF YOU BRO. >> MY NAME IS TERRY, I'M A RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC IN AA AS AN ATHEIST OVER 48 YEARS. I'M 68 YEARS OLD, RETIRED. I HAVE COPD, TYPE TWO DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND KIDDY DISEASE. MY RETIREMENT INCOME RAN OUT AND I ENDED UP ON THE STREET IN EUGENE, OREGON, ON WHAT MEDICATION I HAD GOT STOLEN. WHEN I GOT MY LAST DEPOSIT, I BOUGHT A TICKET TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, BECAUSE I KNEW I WOULD STAND A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING OFF THE STREET. THE FIRST NIGHT WHEN MY MONEY RAN OUT, I ENDED UP AT TENT CITY THREE, WHICH I'M GRATEFUL FOR BECAUSE NOW I'M ABLE TO GET ALL MY STUFF BACK, GET BACK ON MY FEET. IF I -- >> THANK YOU, TERRY. NEXT WE HAVE CHARLOTTE. WELCOME. AND BEFORE YOU GO, I'M GOING SAY NEXT TEN PEOPLE. THEN I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS SIGNED UP. BUT WE HAVE 14 PEOPLE PRESENT ONLINE. JESSARA RICH JIM HOWARD ARES, MARK, JEFF, ALICIA, KELLY AND NATHAN. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. 203 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY. I'M ASKING YOU TO PULL APPOINTMENT 3470 FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR, VOTE DOWN THE NOMINATION. PASS THE LIBRARY LEVY TO THE VOTERS, PASS THE HOUSING BILLS. WHOSE PRODUCTS WOULD REQUIRE RETAIL FLOOR STAFF TO WEAR MICROPHONES TO CAPTURE EVERY WORD THEY SPEAK AND USE AI MODELS. THIS IS PLAINLY DYSTOPIAN. THE RODUCT MAKES CLEAR WHERE HE STANDS ON HUMAN RIGHTS. WORKING PEOPLE ARE NOT TOOLS TO GENERATE A PROFIT AND ORWELLIAN SURVEILLANCE HAS NO PLACE ININ THE LEADERSHIP OF CITY. HE'S CLEARLY THE WRONG PICK TO JOIN A BODY TASKED WITH ENFORCING ETHICS LAWS. PULL HIS NOMINATION AND REJECT IT. >> THANK YOU. NEXT JESSARA RICH JIM HOWARD, ARES. >> GOOD EVENING, I'M HERE WITH SHARE, WITH WHEEL, AND SERVICES NOT SWEEPS. I WAS HOMELESS FIVE YEARS, CURRENTLY IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON CAPITAL HILL, COMING UP ON A YEAR. SHARE AND WHEEL PROVIDE SHELTER, AND SERVICES NOT SWEEPS FIGHTS TO STOP SWEEPING PEOPLE AND USING THE MONEY WE'RE WASTING TO PROVIDE SERVICES INSTEAD. WHEEL IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF SHELTER FOR WOMEN, CIS AND TRANS IN SEATTLE AND ONLY ONE YOU CAN WALK UP TO SAY IS THERE SPACE WITHOUT REFERRAL. BUT WE HAVE TO SOMETIMES SAY NO. I HAD TO TURN AWAY TEN WOMEN ONE NIGHT, AND COULDN'T TELL YOU HOW SHITTY I FELT NOT EVEN ABLE TO OFFER A CHAIR SOMETIMES. SUPPORT THE LEGISLATION. AND HERE ARE FLIERS FOR THE VIGIL TOMORROW. >> RICH, JIM, HOWARD. >> I'M RICH, FOUNDER OF REACH MINISTRY, AND PASTOR OF HOPE IS ALIVE CHURCH. FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS WE'VE SERVED OVER 270,000 PEOPLE ON THE STREETS WITH A MEAL, DIRECTING THEM TO HOUSING, TO HOPE AND TO PURPOSE. I HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET WITH BRUCE HARRELL BEFORE HIS TERM WAS OVER AND HAVE THE PLEASURE TO MEET WITH KATIE WILSON COME THE END OF THE MONTH. BUT WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BUILD MORE UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY AND INTRODUCE FAITH INTO IT AS WELL. I'M WITH A GROUP THAT PRAYS EVERY THURSDAY FOR EVERY COUNCILMEMBER, GOVERNOR AND MAYOR. HOW CAN WE HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE, MORE IN COMMON THAN DIFFERENCES, GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS, INTO HOUSING. WITH PURPOSE, HOPE, LOVE AND PASSION TO INVITE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE JOURNEY TO HELP AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, JIM, HOUR, GAIL, ARES. >> HI, JIM, I'M WITH THE AMERICAN PARTY OF LABOR. I'VE BEEN MOVED BY ALL THE STORIES TOLD TODAY, ESPECIALLY BY ANITRA, ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SHELTER AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS. BUT INSTEAD OF PROVIDING MEANINGFUL FUNDING, YOU'VE PUMPED MILLIONS INTO SPD SINCE 2021 IN THE NAME OF SURVEILLANCE, AND FOR CRIME PREVENTION AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION. WE KNOW THAT CAMERAS CANNOT PREVENT CRIME, THAT CAMERAS ARE USED AGAINST THE POOR THAT COMMIT CRIMES MOTIVATED BY POVERTY. MURDERED BY SPD. HAD SEATTLE PUT MORE MONEY IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOUSING PROGRAMS, CHRISTIAN MAY BE WITH US, AND ALL THE PEOPLE MENTIONED MIGHT BE WITH US. BUT INSTEAD, YOU AND YOUR BUDGET PRIORITIES HAVE FUNDED HURT. >> THANK YOU, JIM, MR. BAINES. NEXT, HOWARD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. TODAY IS HOLOCAUSTHOLOCAUST TODAY. WE MUST REMEMBER AND COMMEMORATE PAST GENOCIDES AS HAS BEEN DONE TODAY. CANNOT EXIST APART FROM REAL WORLD ACTIONS. GENOCIDES ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THOSE COMFORTABLE WITH COMMEMORATING THEM AFTER THE FACT ARE UNCOMFORTABLE CONDEMNING THEM DURING THE FACT. FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL LOOK UPON US WITH GREAT DISDAIN THAT WE CONDEMN GENOCIDES FROM YEARS AGO BUT THREATEN GENOCIDE ON THE IRANIAN PEOPLE AND THE PALESTINIANS. SPEAKING OF IGNORING GENOCIDE, PROTECTING IMMIGRANTS AND FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS, POLICE KILLINGS OR IGNORING PEOPLE EXECUTING PEOPLE IN CRISIS HOLDING KNIVES, REMEMBERREMEMBER MLK SAID, QUOTE, IF AMERICA -- >> THANK YOU. IS ARES HERE? YOU'RE UP. WELCOME. FOLLOWED BY MARK, JEFF, ALICIA KELLY, NATHAN. >> GOOD MORNING. I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU GUYS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT -- I'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT. I TALKED TO DANIEL ABOUT THE TINY HOMES AND STUFF. AS SOMEBODY MOST OF MY LIFE AFFECTED BY HOMELESSNESS, I DO NOT THINK THAT TINY HOMES ARE BETTER THAN SHELTERS. THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS LIKE -- THERE'S LESS RESOURCES, AND HE MADE A POINT LAST TUESDAY MORNING THAT IT'S NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR FAMILIES, PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS, ANY COUPLES. THERE ARE SO MANY -- I HAD A COUPLE QUESTIONS WE CAN TALK ABOUT AFTERWARDS, WHAT'S WRONG WITH BUYING VACANT BUILDINGS? THAT'S IT, BASICALLY. SHELTERS ARE BETTER. >> THANK YOU. ALL GOOD. THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENT. MARK JEFF ALICIA KELLY NATHAN. >> HI, MARK, ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ANYTHING HELPS, A SMALL NONPROFIT. WE GET PEOPLE INTO HOUSING AND STABILIZE THEM TO KEEP THEM THERE. I WANT TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL FOR A THOUSAND NEW TINY HOUSES. I HOPE YOU FUND THAT. HAD IT'S IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN SHELTERS LIKE TINY HOUSES, ESPECIALLY DRUG REHAB. AND GET PEOPLE CLEAN, ISOLATED FROM THE DRUG TRADE. PEOPLE WHO REFUSE SERVICE HAVE GIVEN UP HOPE AND BELIEVE THE SERVICES WON'T HELP THEM. OR THEY HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH SERVICES AND SHELTERS THAT WERE NOT GOOD EXPERIENCES. WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE INTOINTO SHELTER, AND GIVE THEM A GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH IT, HELP THEM TO PROSPER. >> THANK YOU. NEXT JEFF. ALICIA KELLY NATHAN. >> HOW'S IT GOING COUNCIL, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND TALKING ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. JEFF, D- 3 RESIDENT, WITH SERVICES NOT SWEEPS COALITION. HERE TO ONCE AGAIN TALK ABOUT HOW DESPERATELY WE NEED MORE SHELTER AND SERVICES IN THE CITY. YOU'VE HEARD AMAZING TESTIMONY FROM FOLKS TODAY HOW THE POLICIES CAN TRANSFORM LIVES. I'M EXCITED YOU'RE ABOUT TO VOTE ON GIVING MONEY TO THE IMPORTANT CAUSE. IT'S NOWHERE NEAR ENOUGH. HOPE WE TAKE THIS STEP TODAY AND PUT MONEY TO THE BOLD NEW APPROACH FROM THE MAYOR BUT CITY RESOURCES BEHIND IT AND TAKE MORE FROM THE UNIFIED CARE TEAM FOR THE SERVICES THAT ARE HARMFUL AND PUT THAT TOWARDS THE SHELTER BUILTOUT AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INSTEAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. ALICIA, KELLY, NATHAN. IS -- IS IT ALYSSA? SCOTT? KELLY. WELCOME. >> HI. YEAH. I'M KELLY, I'M HERE BECAUSE WE ABSOLUTELY NEED MORE SHELTER AND HOUSING, BUT TO DO THAT EFFECTIVELY AND RAPIDLY, WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT SWEEPS. I AM A SOCIAL WORKER, BEEN OUTREACH CASE MANAGER, WORKED IN SHELTER AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, I'M A FULL- TIME TRAUMATRAUMA THERAPIST. IT TAKES YEARS TO BUILD TRUST BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS TRAUMATIZING. THERE'S A LOT OF COORDINATION. EVERY MONTH ON SAVE MY SPOT, APPLYING TO A PROGRAM, GETTING A VOUCHER, THEN ONE DAY YOU GET THE CALL, GET THE APARTMENT, SO STOKED. HAPPENED TIME AND AGAIN, I'LL FIND THIS GUY. TRY TO CALL, CAN'T FIND HIM BAH AT 7:00 A.M. HE GOT SWEPT. WHAT I'M SAYING, IT IS SO DEMORALIZING. NOT ONLY WITHOUT A DAY OF EXCITEMENT BUT NOW HE DOESN'T HAVE MEDICATION, PHONE, ANYTHING. HAPPENS COUNTLESS TIMES. $30 MILLION WE COULD BE SPENDING -- >> THANK YOU. NEXT NATHAN, THEN ONLINE. >> I'M HERE TO REPEAT MY QUESTION FOR MAYOR WILSON TO TURN ALL THE CAMERAS OFF. WE ALL SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COUNTRY. IT'S UP IN THE AIR WHETHER WE WILL HAVE AN ELECTION. HOW DO WE KNOW THESE CAMERAS WILL NOT BE USEDUSED AGAINST -- TURN OFF THE CAMERAS THAT CAN BE USED TO POLITICALLY PERSECUTE US. AND AI IS BAD FOR OUR BRAINS. IT DEVALUES OUR CULTURE. AI IS TELLING PEOPLE TO KILL THEMSELVES AND THEY'RE DOING IT. DATA CENTERS DRAIN WATER RESOURCES AND DRIVE UP ENERGY BILLS. WHO IN THE AUDIENCE WANTS AN AI DATA CENTER? WHO THINKS IT'S A BAD IDEA. >> THANK YOU. NATHAN. WE'LL TRANSITION ONLINE. REMINDER, SPIRIT HANDS BETWEEN SPEAKERS AS WE TRY TO NAVIGATE -- YOU'RE GOOD, YOU'RE GOOD, YOU'RE GOOD. ONLY ONE WHO SLAPPED, TOO? NO, YOU'RE GOOD. AIDAN, KATE, VICTORIA, DAVID HAYNES, DAVID GILL, MIA. AIDAN YOU SHOULD BE ONLINE, PRESS STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF. >> I SEE YOU RAISED YOUR HAND. PRESS STAR 6. I.T., ANYTHING ON YOUR END? >> STAR 6, UNMUTE. >> I SEE WHAT YOU SEE. >> THEY RAISED THEIR HAND AGAIN. DO YOU WANT TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT CALLER AND WE CAN GO BACK TO AIDAN? >> WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU, AIDAN. KATE, YOU'RE NEXT. STAR 6 TO UNMUTE. >> I'M KATE, A BEACON HILLHILL AND MEMBER OF THE SERVICES NOT SWEEPS COALITION. THERE'S A NARRATIVE THAT UNHOUSED PEOPLE IN SEATTLE REJECT SHELTER AND SERVICES. THAT'S BEEN USED TO JUSTIFY EXPENSIVE, INEFFECTIVE AND CRUEL SWEEPS. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SHELTERS ANY GIVEN NIGHT ALMOST ALL ARE FULL AND WHAT IS OFFERED IS OFTEN INAPPROPRIATE. WE'RE SPENDING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON SWEEPS THAT COULD BE REINVESTED FOR THE PROPOSALS IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY. I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE BILL FOR NEW SHELTER WITH WRAPAROUND SERVICE. PLEASE VOTE YES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. VICTORIA, NOT PRESENT? NEXT, DAVID HAYNES, THEN DAVID GILL. STAR 6 TO UNMUTE YOURSELF. YOU ARE UNMUTED. >> HI, CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU. I DEMAND CITY COUNCIL DELAY VOTING ON THE ETHICS APPOINTMENTS UNTIL THERE'S A FULL INVESTIGATION OF LAST WEEK'S GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEETING THAT ONLY ALLOWED CERTAIN PEOPLE TO SPEAK IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT FIT THE AGENDAS OF THE PEOPLE ON THE COUNCIL WHO USE THEIR PRIVILEGE TO SABOTAGE THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. WHY DIDN'T THE CITY HAVE AA SAFETY MEETING THIS MORNING? THERE'S MORE THAN ONE COUNCIL. THERE'S A FLAW IN THE POLICE CHIEF'S PHILOSOPHICAL LENS BECAUSE HE'S BASED ALMOST EVERYTHING ON A PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, WHO DOES PUBLIC ORIENTED POLICING WHERE HE'S TRYING TO MISCONSTRUE THE APPROACH. ANYWAY, IT'S NOT FAIR THE CITY COUNCIL IS WEAPONIZING THE RULES, AND WE NEED TO PURGE THE CORRUPT -- >> THANK YOU, MR. HAYNES. NEXT, DAVID GILL, FOLLOWED BY MIA FOSTER. STAR 6 UNMUTE. >> HI, I'M A 30- YEAR RESIDENT OF SEATTLE. HOMEOWNER, LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT MAYOR WILSON'S PUSH TO BUILD MORE TINY HOMES. ASK THE COUNCIL PLEASE TO APPROVE THE BILLS ON THE AGENDA TODAY TO HELP FINANCE AND STREAMLINE THE PROCESS. WE CAN GET 500 SHELTERS UP BEFORE THE CUP, THAT WOULD BE AMAZING, PROBABLY A MIRACLE BUT WE SHOULD TRY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT MIA, THEN GENEVIEVE AND BRUCE. >> HI THERE, I'M MIA FOSTER, CASE MANAGEMENT AT CAMP SECOND CHANCE, A TINY HOUSE SHELTER IN DELLRIDGE. I WANTED TO SHARE WHAT WE DO AS CASE MANAGERS TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE BILLS FOR FUNDING ARE IMPORTANT. DAILY I'M HELPING CONNECT PEOPLE WITH DOCUMENTATION, INCOME, PHONES, COMPUTERS, MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, SUBSTANCE USE, MEDICAL CARE, HYGIENE SERVICES YOU NAME IT. ALSO BRINGING ON PARTNERS LIKE THE HEPATITIS EDUCATION PROJECT TO GET PEOPLE TESTED. HELP PEOPLE GET CONNECTED TO SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENTS. ALL SERVICES PROVIDED WHERE SOMEONE IS LIVING MAKES IT A LOT MORE FEASIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY RECOVER. TO GIVE PEOPLE THE METAPHORICAL BOOT TO BOOTSTRAP THEMSELVES. IT'S HARD TO PULL YOURSELVES UP IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO PULL ON. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT GENEVIEVE, BRUCE. STAR 6. >> HELLO, I'M A VOLUNTEER PARK STEWARD FOR THE DR. JOSE RESOLVE PARK. I WENT TO THE MAYOR'S COMMUNITY MEETING LAST WEEK AND WONDERED ABOUT THE WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT WILL BE OFFERED TO THE TINY HOMES. I URGE YOU TO QUESTION THAT. THE WRAPAROUND SERVICES OFFERED ARE TREATING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. 60-80% OF THOSE HOMELESS HAVE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. WITHOUT THAT ADDRESSED, YOU'RE HARMING THAT PERSON, NEARLY THREE PEOPLE A DAY ARE DYING OF OVERDOSE IN OUR COUNTY. BUT ALSO HARMING THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO STEAL FOR THEIR SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER AND HAVE TO BE GOING OUT INTO COMMUNITIES TO BUY THE SUBSTANCES, CREATING MORE CRIME IN THE AREA. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT BRUCE. THEN MAUREEN AND MELISSA. >> HELLO. YEAH, BRUCE, CHAIRPERSON FOR THETHE FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HUNGER. I WANTED TO TELL YOU ON BEHALF OF OUR TASK FORCE AND THE 500 FOLKS LIVING ON THE STREETS IN BALLARD, I THINK WE CAN VERY ENTHUSIASTICALLY, FULLY SUPPORT KATIE'S PLAN TO EXPAND THE AVAILABLE, VIABLE SHELTERS FOR FOLKS. IS IT GOING TO FIX HOMELESSNESS, NO, BUT WE'RE ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED IT IS THE RIGHTEST AND BEST FIRST STEP. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT ALL HER EFFORTS TO DO THAT AS WELL. >> THANK YOU, BRUCE. NEXT, AIDAN. IF YOU'RE ONLINE, STAR 6, UNMUTE YOURSELF. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> NOW WE CAN, GOOD JOB. >> THANK YOU. YEAH, DEFINITELY NO ON AI, AND DATA CENTERS AND CAMERAS, AND SWEEPS. THE SWEEPS ARE MAJOR CAUSE OF THE RISE IN OVERDOSES. RECORD NUMBER OF DEATHS WE SAW UNDER THE HARRELL ADMINISTRATION. THAT'S PART OF WHY PEOPLE WANTED A CHANGE. WE AT SERVICES NOT SWEEPS COALITION SUPPORT MAYOR WILSON'S SHELTER PUSH. WE WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHO IS RUNNING THE SHELTERS AND SERVICES, TO BE HELD TO A HIGH STANDARD, MOVING AS FAST AS WE CAN. ONE OF THE FASTEST WAYS TO OPEN QUALITY SHELTER IS A PARKING LOT FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN RVs TO PARK WITHOUT HAVING TO SIGN OVER THE TITLE OR DAMAGE THEIR VEHICLE THE WAY LEHIGH AND OTHERS KEEP MAKING THEM DO. LIABILITY ISSUES ARE SOLVABLE. WE NEED ALL THE OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE. PEOPLE WANT HELP. >> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER 11, MAUREEN, THEN MARISSA, ALBERTO AND JOE. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS MAUREEN, I'VE LIVED IN SEATTLE SINCE 1972, IN BALLARD THE LAST 36 YEARS. MY HEART GOES OUT TO TODAY'S SPEAKERS AND MY FELLOW COMMENTATORS. SINCE 2018, I'VE VOLUNTEERED WITH THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE WITTIER HEIGHTS TINY HOUSE WOMEN'S VILLAGE. IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO WORKWORK THE STAFF WHO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND FACILITATE TRANSFORMATIONS IN PEOPLE'S LIVES EVERY DAY. I'VE SEEN HOW THE TINY HOUSE VILLAGES PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE TO GET THEIR DUCKS IN A ROW AND MOVE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING OR REUNITE WITH THEIR FAMILIES. I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE TWO COUNCIL BILLS TO STREAMLINE THE PROJECT TO DIRECT FUNDS TO THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS AND ALLOW MORE RESIDENTS PER VILLAGE. MAYBE HOUSING FOR ALL EFFECTIVE IN SEATTLE. THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED HARD WORK. >> THANK YOU. MARISSA, ALBERTO, JOE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCILMEMBERS MARISSA, CASE MANAGER AT LEHIGH'S ROSY'S VILLAGE. I SEE EVERY DAY HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE SHELTER, THE RIGHT KIND OF SHELTER, WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORTS. WE NEED PEOPLE RECOGNIZING THAT SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP. WHAT HELPS PEOPLE MOVE FORWARD IS CONSISTENT SUPPORT TO WALK THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS. I'VE HELPED CLIENTS WITH LONGSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE NEEDS, FROM WHICH MANY ARE ABLE TO FOCUS ON HOUSING GOALS AND BEGIN HEALING FROM TRAUMA. WITHOUT SUPPORTS, PEOPLE OFTEN REMAIN IN CRISIS. SERVICES WITH SHELTERS IS COMPASSIONATE AND PRACTICAL. IT TAKES MORE THAN A BED BUT COORDINATED SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, ALBERTO, THEN JOE. >> THANK YOU. I'M A HARDWORKING MEMBER OF THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY. I CONDEMN MARITZA RIVERA AS UNETHICAL AND AN EMBARRASSMENT TO OUR PEOPLE. RIVERA STARTED HER TERM ATTEMPTING TO CUT EDI FUNDING FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY, AND ALSO TOOK A VOTE TO ROLL BACK ETHICS RULES TO ENRICH HERSELF AS A LANDLORD. JUST RECENTLY SHE CALLED FOR AN AUDIT FOCUSED ON CUTTINGCUTTING SERVICES FOR EVERYONE IN THE CITY. ANY AUDIT SHOULD ONLY LEAD TO GIVING PEOPLE CASH IN HAND MONEY TO SPEND AS THEY DEEM FIT DURING ALL THIS CHAOS. PEOPLE NEED HELP, NOT PROCLAMATIONS. PEOPLE ARE ANGRY, TIRED, AND IT'S TIME YOU TAKE ACTION. THANK YOU ALL. HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU, ALBERTO. NEXT, JOE. STAR 6 UNMUTE. >> THANK YOU. JOE HERE. A FEW THINGS. FIRST I FULLY SUPPORT MAYOR WILSON'S HOMELESSNESS PLAN TO GET PEOPLE OFF THETHE STREETS. WE CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE STEALING OUR PARKS FROM US. WE CAN ALSO BE TOUGH ON DRUG USE AND MAKE CLEAR THAT PEOPLE NEED THE COMPASSION OF TREATMENT, NOT JUST CONTINUE TO PERPETUATE THE HARMS AND COKE DEALERS NEED TO BE SUMMARILY DEALT WITH. I'M SURE SEATTLE NIGHTS WILL NOT LIKE WHAT I HAVE IN MIND. PEOPLE ARE CRYING A RIVER ON SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS. HAVE YOU RODE A BUS LATELY? ON EVERY TRANSIT VEHICLE ARE MULTIPLE CAMERAS. I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MORE SURVEILLANCE IN A MAJOR CITY. BUSINESSES CAN HAVE THEM AND MORE TOOLS TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA. AS ALWAYS, GO STORM, GO SEATTLE, GO HAWKS, GO SOUND TRANSIT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, JOE. ANY MORE PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? DOUBLE CHECK JUST TO MAKE SURE. SO PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED FOR THE MEETING. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TODAY, TAKING OFF WORK AND YOUR TIME EVERYTHING FOR COMING DOWN HERE. ALL THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE US PUBLIC COMMENT THROUGH EMAIL, EVERY TIME THEY SEE US AT THE BUS STOP, WE COLLECT PUBLIC COMMENTS BEYOND THE CHAMBER ALL THE TIME. COMING DOWN TO SEE US. WE HAVE A HEALTHY AGENDA. IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING NONE, IT'S ADOPTED. IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION, ADOPTED. NOW THE PROPOSED CONSENT CALENDAR. FIVE APPOINTMENTS FROM HUMAN SERVICES, LABOR, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. ANY ITEMS COUNCILMEMBERS WANT TO REMOVE. COUNCILMEMBER RINCK? >> ITEM 3, APPOINTMENT 3470 BE REMOVED. >> ANY OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS WANT TO REMOVE ITEMS? 3 HAS BEEN REMOVED AND WILL BE ADDRESSED SEPARATELY TOWARDS THE END OF THE MEETING. SO I'LL MOVE TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR EXCLUDING NUMBER 3. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR EXCLUDING ITEM 3. CLERK CALL THE ROLE. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ. >> YAY. >> COUNCILMEMBER LIN. >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. >> AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER HOLLINGSWORTH. >> YES. >> NONE OPPOSED. >> READ ITEM 1. >> RELATED TO PROPERTY TAXES FOR SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY, TO LEVY REGULAR PROPERTY TAXES UP TO SEVEN YEARS IN EXCESS -- FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUSTAINING INVESTMENTS IN LIBRARY OPERATIONS. HOURS, TECHNOLOGY AND MAINTENANCE EMPLOYMENT, EXPANDING ACCESS, AND A SEISMIC RETROFIT OF ONE FACILITY. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS BOTH. >> HELL OF AN INTRODUCTION. COUNCILMEMBER, RIVERA. >>. >> FIRST MOVE. >> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED TO AMEND THE BILL. YOU'RE RECOGNIZED TO ADDRESS IT. >> NOW I MOVE TO AMEND AMENDMENT A ON THE AGENDA. >> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED -- I JUMPED AHEAD, APOLOGIES. MOVED AND SECOND TO AMEND THE BILL ON AMENDMENT A. >> COLLEAGUES, I'M SPONSORING A TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO THE LIBRARY LEVY ON BEHALF OF CENTRAL STAFF, TO UPDATE THE SECTION OF THE LEVY LANGUAGE TO REFLECT INCREASE MADE BY THE AMENDMENTS THAT PASSED LAST WEEK. IT SAYS 410 MILLION, NOW THAT FIGURE HAS CHANGED AND WE NEED TO CHANGE THE LEVY LANGUAGE WITH THIS FIX. I DON'T HAVE THAT NEW FIGURE. I BELIEVE IT'S 479 MILLION. >> YEAH. >> BUT MAYBE CENTRAL STAFF IS IN CHAMBERS AND CAN CONFIRM. >> WE HAVE CENTRAL STAFF AND I GOT A NICE HEAD NOD FROMFROM CONFIRMED. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. YOU HAVE MORE? >> NO, WE JUST NEED TO VOTE TO UPDATE THAT NUMBER, SUPER QUICK AMENDMENT. >> ERIC, COME TO THE TABLE. GIVE US A SECOND. >> POINT OF ORDER, DO WE NEED TO PRESENT THE RULES TO ALLOW HIM TO PRESENT DURING COUNCIL? >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, IF THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS, RULES ARE SUSPENDED TO HAVE ERIC COME TO THE TABLE TO SPEAK ABOUT AMENDMENT A. >> IT'S 479, 760, 000. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. I'M ON THE CENTRAL STAFF. >> THANK YOU, ERIC. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR ERIC BEFORE HE LEAVES THE TABLE? SEEING NONE. THANK YOU ERIC FOR THAT. COLLEAGUES, OTHER COMMENTS REGARDING AMENDMENT A? AWESOME. CLERK PLEASE CALL ROLE ON THE ADOPTION. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. >> AYE. >> STRAUSS. >> YAY. >> FOSTER. >> >> JUAREZ. >> AYE. >> LIN. >> YES. >> RINCK. >> YES. >> RIVERA. >> AYE. >> HOLLINGSWORTH. >> YES. >> NONE OPPOSED. >> COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA, COMMENTS ON THE FINAL BILL BEFORE US. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. COLLEAGUES, I KNOW YOU'RE AWARE OF MY THOUGHTS ON THIS PACKAGE AND THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHERE I STAND AS WELL. I SUPPORTED THE 410 MILLION, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS MORE THAN FAIR GIVEN IT WAS 50% MORE THAN THE LAST LEVY EVEN ACCOUNTING FOR INFLATION. I DIDN'T VOTE FOR ANY AMENDMENT TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE LEVY BECAUSE IT WOULD DIMINISH OUR ABILITY TO ADDRESS OTHER CITY NEEDS AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTES TO THE AFFORDABILITY PROBLEM. I GOT MORE EMAILS FROM FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT AND ACROSS THE CITY SAYING THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH PROPERTY TAXES, SOME RETIREES NEEDING TO WORK PAST RETIREMENT JUST TO PAY THEM. I VOTED YES TO PASS THE LEGISLATION OUT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE BECAUSE I KNOW THE LIBRARY NEEDS A LEVY TO FUND A THIRD OF ITS BUDGET, BUT I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THE TURN THE RENEWAL PROCESS TOOK. OF COURSE WE NEED TO FUND OUR LIBRARIES BUT THIS WAS SIMPLY MORE THAN I THINK WAS NEEDED WHEN THERE ARE OTHER PRESSING ISSUES AT THE MOMENT. MORE RECENTLY IT'S BEEN REPORTED IN THE MEDIA, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IT, THAT SEATTLE IS FACING A BACKLOG IN THE PROSECUTION OF CRIMINAL CASES IN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, ONGOING MANY YEARS. WE CAN'T HELP SOME PEOPLE FIND JUSTICE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROSECUTORS TO TAKE ON CASES. THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE MANY NEEDS WE HAVE ACROSS THE CITY AND WHY I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE LEVY TO THE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED AMOUNT TO GIVE US SOME FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO FUND OTHER THINGS. WE LITERALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE OPERATING THIS WAY. WE NEED TO GOVERN WITH MORE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I WAS TAUGHT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY, WE NEEDED TO PRIORITIZE AND MAKE TOUGH CHOICES BASED ON WHAT WE COULD AFFORD. ULTIMATELY HOWEVER IT'S UP TO THE VOTERS TO DECIDE. SO I WILL VOTE YES TO SEND IT TO THE AUGUST BALLOT TO GIVE VOTERS THAT OPPORTUNITY. HOWEVER, AS I SAID LAST WEEK, VOTERS ARE NOT PRIVY TO ALL THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION WE GET AS COUNCILMEMBERS AS PART OF CITY BUDGETING. THAT'S WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE PUBLIC LIKE I AM TODAY. THEY SHOULD FILL OUT BALLOTS WITH ALL THE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE THAT VOTING FOR THIS HIGHER AMOUNT MEANS THERE WILL BE LESS FOR OTHER MEANS. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. >> THANKS, COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED? FOSTER FOLLOWED BY RINCK. >> THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU CHAIR RIVERA FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THIS THROUGH THE SELECT COMMITTEE. TO SPEAK AROUND THE COST OF THE LEVY. I AGREE THAT VOTERS SHOULD HAVE INFORMATION, AND I WANT TO PUT THE COST INTO CONTEXT. TODAY THE MEDIAN HOMEOWNER IN SEATTLE WITH THE COUNCIL AMENDED BILL WOULD PAY ROUGHLY $191 PER YEAR FOR THE LIBRARY LEVY. MEDIAN HOME IN SEATTLE WE KNOW IS ABOUT $870,000 PER YEAR. THAT BREAKS DOWN TO ABOUT $16 A MONTH WITH THE LIBRARY LEVY AS AMENDED LAST WEEK. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VOTERS TO HAVE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STUCK WITH ME WAS THE MOM WHO CAME IN TO TALK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF BOOKS SHE'S ABLE TO CHECK OUT THAT SHE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET AND HAVE ACCESS FOR HER KID. THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE TAKEN UNDER CONSIDERATION. AFFORDABILITY IS IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO BRING THE INFORMATION FORWARD. THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDING DOES COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION THE LAST FEW WEEKS ABOUT THE FACT THIS LEVY IS 50% LARGER WHEN WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT INFLATION, PART OF THE REASON IS BECAUSE IT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT CUTS THAT THE LIBRARY HAS ABSORBED THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS DUE TO CHALLENGES WE HAVE WITH THE GENERAL FUND. IT BRINGS IT INTO THE LEVY TO ENSURE WE CAN CONTINUE AND HOLD STABLE OUR INVESTMENTS INTO THE LIBRARIES THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS. THAT'S GOING TO ALLOW US TO PROVIDE STABILITY FOR A CORE SEATTLE SERVICE. AND THAT'S PART OF WHY WE'RE SEEING THE INCREASED COST IN THE LEVY. WE KNOW WE HAVE STRUCTURAL BUDGET CHALLENGES. COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS HAS SPOKEN TO THAT IN COMMITTEE BEFORE. THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO AS A COUNCIL AND IN COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERS AT THE STATE SO WE HAVE EFFECTIVE TOOLS TO FUND CRITICAL SERVICES. LASTLY, WHEN I THINK OF THE THINGS THAT COUNCIL ADDED, WHY I VOTED FOR THEM, THEY'RE REALLY FOR THINGS. TALKING ABOUT HVAC SYSTEMS, COOLING, RETROFITS AT CENTRAL LIBRARY WHICH IS 27 YEARS OLD AT THE END OF THE LEVY, CHIEF LIBRARIAN HAS GIVEN ME THE NOD, THAT'S RIGHT. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ESL CLASSES WHICH ARE GETTING CUT, IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE OUR RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN CIVIC SOCIETY. I WANT US TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS OUR AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES BUT WANTED TO BRING THAT INTO THE RECORD. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER. COUNCILMEMBER ALEXIS -- SORRY RINCK. >> YOU CAN CALL ME ALEXIS, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I MENTIONED THIS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DISCUSSES OF THE LIBRARY LEVY, BUT MY BUBBY WAS A LIBRARIAN, I GREW UP IN LIBRARIES, TO WORK ON THIS LEVYLEVY ADVANCE AMENDMENTS TO EXPAND OUR COLLECTIONS AND INVEST BACK IN OUR BUILDINGS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A NUMBER OF YOU ALL, THANK YOU, IT'S BEEN A TRUE HONOR. THE LIBRARY IS MORE THAN A SPECIAL PLACE, IT'S AN ESSENTIAL PLACE, MADE CLEAR THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS. I WANTED TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON THIS LEVY PROPOSAL, FROM COUNCIL OFFICES AND CENTRAL STAFF, ESPECIAL THANK YOU TO TIM ON MY TEAM WHO WORKED HARD ON THE AMENDMENTS TO THE LEVY. THACHG THANK YOU ALSO TO THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION FRIENDS OF SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND UNION PARTNERS FOR SHOWING UP EVERY STEP. AND EVERY LIBRARY WORKER WHO TENDS TO THESE INCREDIBLE SPACES IN OUR CITY. YOUR WORK IS SEEN AND APPRECIATED BY ME AND MANY IN OUR CITY WITH. THAT, LET GET READING. >> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. ADDRESSING THE CROWD TODAY, IT'S CLEAR AND WHAT WE KNOW FROM CONVERSATIONS REGARDING THE NEEDS OF THE BUDGET FOR THE LIBRARY THIS LEVY DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH, THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF THE SYSTEM ARE BEYOND WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THE PACKAGE TODAY, AND THE WASHINGTON STATE TAX CODE IS LIMITING OUR ABILITIES TO FULLY FUND OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM. FOLKS, FAMILIES AND PEOPLE OF SEATTLE WHO USE OUR LIBRARIES ARE THE FIRST TO REALLY FALL VICTIM TO WASHINGTON STATE'S TAX CODE AND WAY IT'S IMPLEMENTED ON 281 CITIES AND TOWNS IN OUR STATE. THEY'RE ALL HAVING FISCAL DIFFICULTIES BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO RAISE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE COMMENSURATE WITH THE INFLATION EVERY YEAR. SEATTLE HAS ALLOWED THE LIBRARIES OUT OF MORE THAN CAPITAL COSTS, BUT STILL OLYMPIAOLYMPIA ESTIMATING US. THAT SAID, WE'RE BASING SO MUCH OF THE TAX BASE ON THE BACKS --BACKS ON PROPERTY TAX, WHICH AGAIN, I DON'T NEED TO GO INTO A TAX CONVERSATION TODAY, BUT FOCUSING ON THE BEAUTY HERE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON AMENDMENTS. COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER AND I WORKED ON IT, SAM, RAISE YOUR HAND, DIRECTOR FAYE. I NEED THE TWO OF YOU TO TALK DURING THIS MEETING, NOT KIDDING. FINALLY THE LIBRARY HAS AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT FRAMEWORK, SAM LEADING THE WORK IN MANY WAYS. THANKS FOR CARING FOR OUR NEIGHBORS. THANKS FOR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF BOOKS. AND EBOOKS. I SAW SOMEBODY COULDN'T HOLD THE BOOKS IN THEIR HANDS, CARRYING SO MANY OUT. HAVING WORKED AT A LIBRARY, I KNOW HOW FAR THAT $35$35 GOES, CHECKED IN, CHECKED OUT, CHECKED IN, CHECKED OUT. THANKS FOR SUPPORT INCREASING ACCESS SO PEOPLE CAN GET INTO THE LIBRARY, AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN TAKING THE LIBRARIES -- EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO -- A STEP FURTHER BY GETTING THEIR WORK OUT ON THE AWARD WINNING SEATTLE CHANNEL. IT'S A GREAT HONOR TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU ON THIS LIBRARY LEVY. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA, FOR LEADING US THROUGH THE PROCESS. AGAIN, I'M SO SORRY THAT THE STATE'S TAX CODE IS HITTING LIBRARY FAMILIES FIRST. WE'VE GOT MORE WORK TO DO IN OLYMPIA AND I'M EXCITED TO ACCEPTED THIS LEVY TO THE VOTERS. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. >> THANK YOU, MADAM COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I WANT TO ECHO MY COLLEAGUES, GRATITUDE TO A NUMBER OF FOLKS AND LEVEL SETTING HOW WE GOT HERE. I HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT NEARLY $500 MILLION LEVY. BUT THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY VALID REASONS FOR THAT. A FLAWED OLYMPIA TAX CODE WITH AN ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS 1% CAP, YEAR OVER YEAR INCREASE, IN PROPERTY TAXES WHICH CLEARLY DOESN'T INCLUDE OR REFLECT THE COSTS OF INFLATION, NOR THE INCREASING COSTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES, WHICH BY THE WAY IS A RELIC OF TIM AYMAN. EVERY TIME OLYMPIA DECLINES TOTO AND CHANGE THAT STRUCTURAL ISSUE, OUR STATE IS HONORING THE LEGACY OF TIM AYMAN, MEANWHILE ON THE BACKS OF EVERYDAY HOMEOWNERS AND PROPERTY TAX PAYERS IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE. WE NEED CHANGE AT THE OLYMPIA LEVEL TO BETTER POSITION OUR CITY SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK TO VOTERS MAKING SIGNIFICANT ASKS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. IT DOES HAVE NONTRIVIAL IMPACTS ON AFFORDABILITY, I RECOGNIZE THAT. THAT SAID, THIS IS ALSO ABOUT EMPOWERMENT, ALSO ABOUT PROVIDING DURABLE, LASTING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY THROUGH LEARNING. AND I WOULD POSIT THAT IS THE SINGLE MOST POWERFUL UPSTREAM INVESTMENT YOU CAN MAKE TO PROTECT AFFORDABILITY FOR DECADES GOING FORWARD. SO THERE ARE TRADE-OFFS. MINDFUL OF THAT, BUT I THINK ON BALANCE THIS IS A TERRIFIC PACKAGE. I'M EXCITED TO SEND IT TO VOTERS. AFTER THIS, IT WILL BE IN THE HANDS OF VOTERS. I'M ALSO GLAD, THANK YOU COLLEAGUES, FOR PASSING MY AMENDMENTS. THREE AMENDMENTS I HAD THAT BENEFIT MY COUNCIL DISTRICT BUT FRANKLY THE WHOLE CITY AND WHOLE LIBRARY SYSTEM. DIGIT SKILLING INITIATIVE AMENDMENT, DIGITAL SKILLING AND AI INVESTMENTS, FOCUS ON DIGITAL EQUITY TO EXTEND EXISTING PROGRAMS INTO NEIGHBORHOODS WITH LOWER RATES OF INTERNET ACCESS, LOWER DIGITAL DEVICES COMPARED TO MORE AFFLUENT PARTS OF THE CITY. HYDE PARK, SOUTH PARK BRANCHES EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND LEARNING. MY OTHER AMENDMENT, WASHINGTON STATE BLACK LEGACY INSTITUTE, TO BENEFIT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THAT IN THE HISTORIC ADMIRAL DISTRICT IN WEST SEATTLE, A CENTER AND SITE, FACILITY OF NOT JUST WEST SEATTLE SIGNIFICANCE, CITY OF SEATTLE SIGNIFICANCE, THAT IS A CENTER WITH STATEWIDE IMPACT IN TERMS OF HOW CONSISTING SHOWCASING THE VALUE, PERSEVERANCE AND TRIUMPH OUR BLACK COMMUNITY IN THE STATE. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE IT, AMENDMENT TO UNLOCK MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ORGANIZATIONS -- INCLUDING CONTRACTUAL OPPORTUNITIES. FINALLY THE AMENDMENT I COSPONSORED WITH COUNCILMEMBER RINCK TO FINALLY RENOVATE ONCE AND FOR ALL THE HISTORIC WEST SEATTLE BRANCH, CARNEGIE INSTITUTION, AND MAKE MUCH NEEDED SEISMIC REPAIRS, AMONGST OTHER THINGS. I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE LEARNING AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY THIS LEVY WOULD UNLOCK IF PASSED, BUT I GEEK OUT ABOUT OUR ABILITY AS A CITY TO HELP PUT HAMMERS IN HANDS, MAKE BUILDINGS SAFER, MAKE THEM MORE MODERNIZED, STABLE. AND REIMAGINE HISTORIC SPACES. GETTING THAT DONE FOR WEST SEATTLE IS A HUGE WIN, AND I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP, GETTING THIS DONE. THAT'S SIGNIFICANT. BFD. IN ANY EVENT -- ALSO WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK CHAIR RIVERA. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP, STRONG COLLABORATION, END-TO- END BEFORE IT WAS EVEN A FIRM, CONCRETE PROPOSAL, YOU WERE COLLABORATIVE, CHECKING IN. I THINK YOU DID AN EXCELLENT JOB HELPING SHEPHERD US THROUGH THIS. COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, THANKS FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP GETTING WEST SEATTLE DONE. COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER, APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN MOVINGMOVING AMENDMENTS WHEN I WAS AWAY LAST WEEK. THANKS TO MAYOR WILSON FOR A GOOD, CLEAN PACKAGE THAT WEWE THROUGH AND MADE EVEN BETTER. BUT APPRECIATE HER LEADERSHIP HELPING TO GET THIS DONE. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WANT TO THANK COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SHAPING THIS PACKAGE AND PROCESS THROUGHOUT, AND I'VE TRIED MY BEST PERSONALLY TO LISTEN TO COMMUNITY, READ AS MANY OF THOSE EMAILS, THOUSANDS OF EMAILS WE'VE GOTTEN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. LISTEN ATTENTIVELY TO ALL YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS, TESTIMONY, MEET WITH YOU ALL DURING MY OFFICE HOURS, IN MY OFFICE, HAVE YOU BEND MY EAR ON THE BUS, AT THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT THE LIBRARY. YOUR FEEDBACK IS TRULY INVALUABLE, AND I TRY MY BEST TO LIVE UP TO IT AS PEST AS I CAN AND BE RESPONSIVE TO IT. SO I WANT TO THANK COMMUNITY. THAT INCLUDES THE LIBRARY, THE FOUNDATION, FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY, SO MANY OTHERS. EVERYONE HAS A COOL LIBRARY STORY, WHICH IS ONE THING I LEARNED THROUGH THIS PROCESS, AND HAS A FAVORITE MEMORY BOOK, EXPERIENCE THAT STARTED OR ENDEDENDED OUR LIBRARIES. I'M PROUD TO BE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER THIS PACKAGE THAT NOW GOES BEFORE VOTERS. SO THANK AGAIN. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER LIN, THEN WE'LL HAVE CLOSING REMARKS FROM COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, AND THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA AGAIN FOR SHEPHERDING THIS PROCESS, AS I STATED LAST TIME, REALLY APPRECIATE THE FRANK, OPEN DIALOGUE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE GOOD DEBATES, FOR US TO -- WE'RE HAVING A DEBATE AS A COMMUNITY. WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPINIONS AND I THINK YOU SEE THAT ON THE DAIS AS WELL. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS AND DEBATES RESPECTFULLY AND THAT'S HOW YOU HELPED LEAD THIS DISCUSSION. I APPRECIATE THAT. I AGREE WITH COLLEAGUES, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS AND OTHERS, TALKING ABOUT THE BROKEN TAX SYSTEM. LARGELY COMING FROM THE STATE. WE ARE MAKING SOME PROGRESS ON FIXING THE WAY WE TAX FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES, BUT WE HAVE A LOT FURTHER TO GO. SO WE END UP HAVING DIFFICULT DISCUSSIONS. AS COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS SAID WE PROBABLY NEEDED TO GO BIGGER. THERE'S A LOT MORE NEEDS WE'RE NOT FUNDING, BUT BECAUSE OF THE TOOLS AT HAND, THE PROPERTY TAX AND CONCERNS AROUND AFFORDABILITY, WE LANDED WHERE WE DID. I DO BELIEVE THAT MANY OF THESE NEEDS, THINGS INCLUDING LIKE TRANSITIONING SOME OF OUR BUILDINGS AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS TO ELECT RIFICATION. BUILDINGS ARE SOLID INVESTMENTS. AND WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL, ASK OUR PARTNERS AND DEPARTMENTS TO BE MINDFUL ABOUT SPENDING YET I'M VERY COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT THESE DOLLARS ARE VERY MUCH NEEDED AND WILL BE VERY WELL SPENT. THANK YOU ALL, TO THE CHAIR AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR THIS DEBATE AND DISCUSSION. ESPECIALLY THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY, SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND THE BOARD FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER LIN. COUNCILMEMBER -- EVERYONE SPOKE. SORRY, WANTED TO MAKE SURE. COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND COLLEAGUES FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I WANT TO ADDRESS A COUPLE THINGS BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME FACTS HERE. 219 LEVY NOW AT 479. THAT'S 70% MORE EVEN ACCOUNTING FOR INFLATION. AND I WANT TO SAY WHILE I APPRECIATE PUTTING THE COSTS INTO CONTEXT AND IT'S TRUE IT'S ABOUT 191 MORE A YEAR, IF IT WERE ONLY LIBRARIES, THAT WOULD BE FINE. BUT THAT IS COMBINED TO THE $8,000 PEOPLE ARE PAYING A YEAR IN TAXES WITH ALL THE LEVIES AND OTHER TAXES THAT SEATTLEITES PAY, INCLUDING KING COUNTY TAXES. WHEN YOU COMBINE ALL THE TAXES THE TOGETHER, PEOPLE ARE PAYING ON THE 850K HOUSE ABOUT $8,000 PLUS NOW THE LIBRARY LEVY. ONCE YOU START TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL OF THE TAXES, I THINK IT'S HARDER TO ARGUE IT'S JUST $16 A DAY. THAT'S TRUE FOR THE LIBRARIES, BUT THAT'S NOT ONLY THING WE'RE PAYING FOR, AND LIBRARIES ISN'T THE ONLY LEVY WE SEND TO THE VOTERS TO PAY FOR. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY, THERE IS AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS. THIS IS WHY RETIREES ARE HAVING TO WORK PART- TIME JOBS, AND RENTERS, THERE'S THIS NOTION ONLY PROPERTY OWNERS PAY PROPERTY TAXES, THEY'RE NOT, RENTERS PAY IT, TOO, IT GETS PASSED ON, IT HAS TO. END OF THE DAY WE NEED TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT WE'RE ASKING OF VOTERS AND WHY IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A LOT, 191 A YEAR, BUT COMBINED WITH OTHER TAXES IT STARTS TO ADD UP. ONCE WE START PUTTING MORE AND MORE INTO THIS AND OTHER LEVIES, THAT TAX INCREASE BECOMES UNSUSTAINABLE FOR FOLKS IN THE CITY. AND WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT. THIS IS WHY I HAD CONCERNS ABOUT CONTINUING TO ADD. MORE IMPORTANTLY THE TAX CAP, WE DIDN'T LEAVE VERY MUCH FOR THE SUBSEQUENT FUTURE LEVY RENEWALSRENEWALS WE'LL TO DO, NEXT IS HOUSING LEVY. YOU HEARD PEOPLE COMING TO CHAMBERS TODAY TALKING ABOUT THE TINY HOME PROPOSAL, HOW ARE WE GOING TO FUND THAT ONGOING? I HAVE NO IDEA, BUT THIS IS ALL REAL. ONE THING I WANT TO SAY IS, AND WE'RE ALL AGREED WE LOVE OUR LIBRARIES. AS I'VE SAID, IT ISN'T WHO LOVES THE LIBRARIES MORE, JUST OPERATING UNDER FISCAL REALITIES, AND I WISH THAT WEREN'T THE CASE. I MYSELF WOULD WANT TO GIVE MORE TO THE LIBRARIES, BUT THAT'S NOT WHERE WE'RE AT. SO THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. I JUST DON'T WANT US TO BE FLIPPANT ABOUT IT'S JUST A LITTLE MORE. ONCE YOU ADD ALL THESE LEVIES AND PROPERTY TAXES UP, IT'S A LOT. AND WE NEED TO BE MORE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS. IN TERMS OF OLYMPIA, THIS FLAWED TAX SYSTEM, YES. AND AS REGARDS THE PROPERTY TAX -- SORRY, AS REGARDS THE LEVY CAP, WHICH I UNDERSTOOD SOME COLLEAGUES TO BE TALKING ABOUT, LIFTING THE LEVY CAP JUST MEANS WE CAN ASK MORE FROMFROM BY WAY OF PROPERTY TAXES, IT DOESN'T RELIEF THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN, IT JUST INCREASES IT. ALL THESE THINGS ARE TRUE AND WHAT WE'RE GRAPPLING WITH, AND THAT'S WHAT I FLAGGED LAST TIME AND WILL FLAG AGAIN TODAY. THAT SAID, WE'LL VOTE TO PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER ON THE CONVERSATION. I APPRECIATE WE'RE ALL ALIGNED AND LOVE OUR LIBRARIES. END OF THE DAY, WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR OTHER THINGS. MAYBE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO, BUT THIS WILL MOVE FORWARD TODAY AND VOTERS WILL DECIDE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN THEY DECIDE, THEY HAVE THE FULL INFORMATION. I DON'T WANT SOMEONE TO LATER SAY WE PUT IT AT THAT LEVEL, 70% OVER THE COST OF INFLATION, NOW WE CAN'T PAY FOR OTHER THINGS BECAUSE OF THE LEVY CAP SITUATION. WE MADE THAT EYES WIDE OPEN DECISION. THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND THE ROBUST CONVERSATION. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. NOW WE'LL CALL ROLL. THANKS TO EVERYONE. DOUBLE DOWN ON MY COLLEAGUES, AND THANK MY MOM WHO TAUGHT ME AT EARLY AGE IT'S >> SAKA. >> AYE. >> STRAUSS. >> AYE. >> FOSTER. >> YES. >> JUAREZ. >> YAY. >> RINCK. >> AYE. >> RIVERA. >> YAY. >> HOLLINGSWORTH. >> AYE. >> NONE OPPOSED. [ APPLAUSE ] >> WE CAN DO THAT, THE BILL PASSES AS AMENDED. CHAIR WILL SIGN IT. WILL THE CLERK AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE BILL TO BE SENT TO THE VOTERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. COLLEAGUES, IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER SECTION I. WE HAVE A COUNCILMEMBER WHO NEEDS TO BE EXCUSED, ON THE GOVERNANCE AND UTILITIES MEETING. THIS IS THE ITEM AGENDA REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT PACKAGE, AN APPOINTMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT FIRST. >> JUST WANTED SAM AND DIRECTOR FAYE TO CONNECT. HE'S WALKING OUT THE DOOR. >> PLEASE CONNECT. YOU ASKED THAT BEFORE THE VOTE. THAT'S GOOD. ALL RIGHT. THEY ARE CONNECTING. THANK YOU. IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, WE'LL CONSIDER THAT NEXT. ITEM I. PLEASE READ INTO THE RECORD. IT WAS REMOVED. >> CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 3 FOR APPOINTMENT OF EVAN M. SMITH. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS CONFIRM. >> THAT WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT, APPOINTMENT OF EVAN SMITH AS MEMBER OF THE SEATTLE ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMISSION, DECEMBER 31, 2027. 4- 0 RECOMMENDATION. BUT THERE WAS A REMOVAL, SO LET COUNCILMEMBER RINCK ADDRESS HER REMOVAL OF THE ITEM. >> THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES WITH RESPECT TO THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION, I PULLED THIS APPOINTMENT FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TODAY BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE DETAILS THAT HAVE COME TO LIGHT RELATED TO THE COMPANY THAT THE PROPOSED APPOINTEE FOUNDED. I HAVE DEEP CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROLIFERATION AND LACK OF REGULATIONS AROUND AI AND CAMERACAMERA BROADLY. AND THEY'RE SELLING MICROPHONES THAT FLOOR STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR TO CAPTURE CONVERSATIONS TRANSCRIBED AND ANALYZED BY AI FOR PERFORMANCE. TO USE THIS AGAINST WORKERS, THOSE MAKING MINIMUM WAGE PARTICULARLY, IS INVASIVE TO PUT IT LIGHTLY AND DYSTOPIAN AT WORST. I WORRY ABOUT THE WORKERS, PRIVACY AND ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO ORGANIZE. AND I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ETHICS BEHIND SUCH A BUSINESS. FOR THAT REASON I'M UP ABLE TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED APPOINTEE TO OUR ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMISSION. >> ANY FURTHER COMMENTS REGARDING THIS IDEA? I'M GOING TO SPEAK -- I'LL SPEAK TO MR. EVAN SMITH. HE WAS MY NOMINATION, AND II HE BRINGS A STRONG FOUNDATION OF LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE, HIM AS A PERSON, NOT FOR THE COMPANY OR SOME OF THE THINGS BROUGHT UP. MR. SMITH ON EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT AND LEADERSHIP. BEGAN CAREER AS SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER, DEEP UNDERSTANDING HOW SYSTEMS IMPACT COMMUNITIES. SERVED MULTIPLE ROLES FOR D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WORKED WITH FEMA IN DISASTER RECOVERY IN HURRICANE KATRINA. IN ADDITION, HIS TIME IN SENIOR LEADERSHIP ROLES IN MAJOR COMPANIES REFLECT I THINK HIS ABILITY TO NAVIGATE COMPLEX SYSTEMS AND MANAGING LARGE- SCALE OPERATIONS WITH ACCOUNTABILITY METRICS. I'M CONFIDENT HIS BACKGROUND AND VALUES ENABLES TO SERVE THOUGHTFUL MEMBER OF THE ETHICS COMMITTEE. IF OUR DIRECTOR, MR. BARNETT, HAD ISSUE REGARDING THETHE PICK OR CONFLICT INTEREST, HE WOULD HAVE SAID THAT IN COMMITTEE. BUT I APPRECIATE COUNCILMEMBER RINCK'S HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS AND THAT YOU HAVE AS WELL. APPRECIATE THIS CONVERSATION. I WILL PAUSE THERE. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY OTHER COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE COMMENTS REGARDING THIS BEFORE WE CALL THIS TO A VOTE SPECIFICALLY. COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. SORRY, COULDN'T RAISE MY HAND FAST ENOUGH EARLIER. TO YOUR COMMENTS, MY OFFICE DID REACH OUT TO DIRECTOR BARNETT, AND HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THIS CONFIRMATION. I JUST WANTED TO DOUBLE CHECK. I MADE THE SAME ASSUMPTION YOU DID. I HAD MY TEAM REACH OUT TO MR. BARNETT. I ALSO KNOW MR. EVAN SMITH FROM THE FAMILIES AND EDUCATION PRESCHOOL PROMISE LEVY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR THE LAST LEVY THAT WAS PASSED, AND I FOUND HIM PROFESSIONAL AND COMMITTED. I KNOW HE'S COMMITTED TO KIDS AND FAMILIES. ON A PERSONAL LEVEL I'VE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS YOU DESCRIBED IN YOUR REMARKS. I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE. GIVEN THAT AND GIVEN THAT WAYNE BARNETT DOESN'T HAVE ISSUES, I'M FINE MOVING THIS APPOINTMENT FORWARD AND I THINK EVAN FOR HIS VOLUNTEERING TO DO THIS WORK. THESE COMMISSIONS ARE ALL VOLUNTEER. I THINK THE FOLKS THAT STEP UP TO DO THESE JOBS. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT? WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A VOTE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR COMMENTS. CALL THE ROLL. >> SAKA. >> AYE. >> STRAUSS. >> AYE. >> FOSTER. >> NO. >> JUAREZ. >> SORRY, AYE. >> LIN. >> NO. >> RINCK. >> NO. >> RIVERA. >> AYE. >> HOLLINGSWORTH. >> AYE. FIVE IN FAVOR, THREE OPPOSED. >> MOTION CARRIES, APPOINTMENT CONFIRMED. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBERNUMBER IN THE AGENDA. FIRST, IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA FOR THE REMAINING. YOU'RE EXCUSED. READ ITEM NUMBER TWO INTO THE RECORD. >> RELATING TO LEASES, AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE LEASES WHEN THE LAND IS USED FOR TRANSITIONAL ENCAMPMENT. RECOMMENDED PASS. >> JUST CHECK IN, WE STILL HAVE SEVEN COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT. THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN QUORUM, WE NEED SEVEN FOR THE BUDGET VOTE. >> I BELIEVE SIX -- NO, SEVEN. YES. JUAREZ IS ONLINE. WE'RE GOOD. >> WONDERFUL, TO THE ORDINANCE, THIS IS COMMONSENSE LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDES THE DIRECTOR THE ABILITY TO SIGN LEASES FOR LAND FOR TRANSITIONAL ENCAMPMENT PURPOSES. I'LL EDITORIALIZE THIS IS TOO SMALL AND RESTRICTIVE TO TRADITIONAL ENCAMPMENT BECAUSE MANY THINGS ARE NEEDED TO ASSIST ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS THAT ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY THESE. WE'LL LIKELY BRING FORWARD ANOTHER BILL LATER THIS YEAR TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING NEEDS. I URGE YES, THIS IS SUPER COMMONSENSE. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS FOR YOUR STEWARDSHIP OF THIS LEGISLATION AND DOING IT IN A TIMELY MANNER, EXPEDITING THAT PROCESS ASAS WELL. WAS MORE? >> JUST GOING TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. AND YOU JUST DID IT. >> ANY CLOSING? AWESOME. CLERK CALL THE ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL. >> COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. >> AYE. >> STRAUSS. >> AYE. >> FOSTER. >> YES. >> JUAREZ. >> AYE. >> LIN. >> YES. >> RINCK. >> YES. >> HOLLINGSWORTH. >> YES. >> SEVEN IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> BILL PASSES, CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE. NUMBER 3. >> RELATING TO THE CITY'S RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS, ADOPTED 2026 BUDGET, INCLUDING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS PASSAGE. >> WE HEARD SOLEMN WORDS AND I WANT TO UPLIFT THE WORDS OF ANITRA AND WOMEN IN BLACK WHO STAND VIGIL FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS. A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE PEOPLE WE WERE NOT ABLE TO SAVE. WE KNOW THAT HOMELESSNESS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM IN OUR CITY AND UNDERSTAND THERE'S A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SHELTER, AND THAT COSTS MONEY. THAT'S WHAT THE BILL IS TO DO. IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF A NEWNEW MAYOR, WE'RE YET TO THE PLAN FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, AND IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES THE COUNCIL WOULD NOT PASS A BUDGET BILL WITHOUT AN EXACT PLAN NAILED DOWN. BUT I APPRECIATE THE COMMITMENT OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, AND URGENCY. IN 2016, ONE OF MY FAVORITE COUNCILMEMBERS CALLED FOR A THOUSAND NEW TINY HOMES WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE IT AS AN AGREED UPON SERVICE THAT CITY OF SEATTLE PROVIDED. NOW A DECADE LATER WE FIND TINY HOMES TO BE A GREAT SOLUTION FOR MANY PEOPLE BUT NOT ALL. WE HAVE HEARD FROM LICENSED, CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS TODAY. FOLKS OFTENTIMES SAY THE SOCIAL WORKER FILL IN THE BLANK. I AM EVEN GUILT OF THAT. THE NAV AM WAS LED BYBY WITH THE SOCIAL WORKERS BEHIND. THAT IS A BIT OF A VAGUE STATEMENT FOR LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDING DIRECT CARE. I APPRECIATE THOSE WHO CAME TO SPEAK TODAY WHO WORK IN THE TINY HOME VILLAGES. THEY SHARED THEY'RE THERE FIVE DAYS A WEEK AND THAT WORKS FOR MANY PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM HOMELESSNESS BUT NOT ALL. THE GOOD AND BAD IS WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE ON THE STREETS TODAY THAT HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT OR NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN TINY HOME VILLAGES. THIS IS GOOD AND BAD. A DECADE AGO I COULDN'T GET THEM INTO A TINY HOME AT ALL, MUCH LESS TO BE KICKED OUT. THE BAD, WE HAVE A NEW LEVEL OF SERVICE TO PROVIDE. I WAS QUOTED IN THE "TIMES" SAYING I WANTED THE MORE EXPENSIVE OPTION THAN TINY HOMES, NOT BECAUSE I WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY. IT'S BECAUSE WHEN WE DON'T SPEND THE CORRECT LEVEL OF MONEY FOR THE CORRECT TYPE OF RVICES WE WILL NOT FIND THE OUTCOMES WE DESIRE. I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING GOOD ON THE COMMITMENT FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OUT THERE. WE HAD MANY COUNCILMEMBERSCOUNCILMEMBERS AMENDMENTS FOR SOBER SHELTER. NEED FOR FAMILY AND WOMEN'S SHELTERS. I TALKED ABOUT HIGHER ACUTE. AND END OF THE DAY, WE HAD PUBLIC COMMENTER ARES HERE, NOT BORN IN APRIL THOUGH, I CHECKED WITH HER. HER QUESTION ABOUT VACANT BUILDINGS, ABSOLUTELY. WE STARTED A PROGRAM IN THE PANDEMIC TO BUY VACANT BUILDINGS, THE DIFFICULTY IS WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS THAT ARE VACANT. IF WE BOUGHT A BUILDING WITH A BUNCH OF TENANTS, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO FILL WITH OTHER PEOPLE. BUT BEFORE US TODAY IS THE BUDGET BILL THAT STARTS FUNDING OUR EXPANSION OF SHELTER IN OUR CITY. THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE AND I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON WHAT LEVEL OF SERVICE ARE WE PROVIDING AND FOR WHOM. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE NEEDNEED SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS, WITH PARTNERS, PETS, THINGS. 24/7 CASE MANAGEMENT AND MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT IN MANY PLACES. THIS HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE MEANS THERE'S A HIGHER FINANCIAL COST. AND WE HAVE TO RECKON WITH THAT BECAUSE WITHOUT SPENDING ADDITIONAL DOLLARS, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THE OUTCOMES WE'RE SETTING OUT TO ACHIEVE TODAY. AND WE ALSO NEED TO ADDRESS SEPARATELY, ASIDE FROM THIS BUDGET FUNDING NOW, THE FACT WE'VE GOT FOLKS REPORTEDLY SETTING UP TENTS IN PUBLIC SPACES THAT HAVE SHELTER AND HOUSING. WE HAVE FOLKS SETTING UP STRUCTURES IN THE STREETS OF BALLARD WITH FULL CHIMNEYS SET UP, AND BEEN BOUNCING AROUND OUR CITY FOR MONTHS AND POSSIBLY YEARS. WE HAVE TO CREATE SOLUTIONS FOR THESE FOLKS BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS NOT WORKING. I HOPE AND SUSPECT THIS FUNDING WILL HELP US ADDRESSING THOSE PEOPLE'S ISSUES. THANK YOU. >> GREAT WORDS, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON BILL 121185? I SAID THIS MONDAY COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR STEWARDSHIP DURING THIS PROCESS, BEING VERY COLLABORATIVE AND TALKING TO ALL COUNCIL OFFICES. AND YOU ADDED A MEETING TO HEAR THE LEGISLATION AND MEET THE SENSE OF URGENCY THAT THE SEVENTH FLOOR SAID THEY WANTED. APPRECIATE THAT. THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN MOVING SWIFTLY FOR THAT PROCESS. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT BUT SHOWED YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE LEGISLATION. THANK. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE FLOOR AWESOME. CALL THE >> SAKA. >> AYE. >> STRAUSS. >> AYE. >> FOSTER. >> >> JUAREZ. >> AYE. >> LIN. >> YES. >> RINCK. >> YES. >> HOLLINGSWORTH. >> AYE. >> SEVEN IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> YAY. >> BILL PASSES. CHAIR SIGN IT, CLERK AFFIX THE SIGNATURE. I THINK EVERY COUNCILMEMBER IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IMPLEMENTING THIS. READ ITEM 4. >> RELATING TO ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDING FROM NON- CITY SOURCES AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR MAYOR'S DESIGNEE TO ACCEPT AND AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF SPECIFIED GRANTS -- RECOMMENDED PASS. >> AS ENUMERATED ININ CITY OF SEATTLE'S CHARTER, CITY COUNCIL MUST APPROVE GRANTS WE RECEIVE FROM OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT BEFORE WE'RE ALLOWED TO EXPEND THEM. THAT IS WHAT IS THE BILL IS, I URGE A YES VOTE. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, CALL THE ROLL. >> SAKA. >> AYE. >> STRAUSS. >> AYE. >> FOSTER. >> YES. >> JUAREZ. >> AYE. >> LIN. >> YES. >> RINCK. >> YES. >> HOLLINGSWORTH. >> YES. >> SEVEN IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> BILL PASSES, CHAIR WILL SIGN, AND CLERK AFFIX MY SIGNATURE. READ NUMBER 5. >> RELATING TO THE SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES, AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER AND CEO TO ACCEPT SLOPE STABILIZATION EASEMENTS WITHIN TWO PARCELS. 6844703215. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS PASS. >> AS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE I WILL PROVIDE THE REPORT. THIS WILL ALLOW TO BUILD PERMANENT INFRASTRUCTURE IN 3822 AND 3832 NORTHEAST 91st STREET. THEY WERE ACQUIRED FOR $9,900 AND LIMITED FOR THE PORTION FORFOR SLOPES. THIS DOES NOT RAISE RATES. THIS IS THE FIRST THING ANYONE ASKS WHEN UTILITIES PURCHASE ANYTHING. THIS IS SEPARATE. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> NOPE. >> OKAY. CALL THE ROLL. >> SAKA. >> AYE. >> STRAUSS. >> AYE. >> FOSTER. >> YES. >> JUAREZ. >> AYE. >> LIN. >> YES. >> RINCK. >> YES. >> HOLLINGSWORTH. >> YES. >> SEVEN IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> BILL PASSES. CHAIR WILL SIGN. CLERK AFFIX THE SIGNATURE. NUMBER 6. >> RELATING TO SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY RIGHTS BY NEGOTIATION OR EMINENT DOMAIN OF 4265700090. AND 4265700085, BOTH AT SOUTH DIRECTOR STREET. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS PASS. >> THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, AS CHAIR, I WILL PROVIDE THE REPORT. THIS IS REGARDING WILLING SALE OF TWO PRIVATE PARCELS TO SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES TO CONSTRUCT PUMP STATION NUMBER FOUR REPLACEMENT PROJECT. EXISTING WASTEWATER PUMP SYSTEM REQUIRES REPLACEMENT DUE TO AGE AND CONDITION OF THE CURRENT PUMP STATION. BOTH WERE ACQUIRED FROM DRAINAGE AND WASTEWATER FUNDS. AGAIN, THESE DON'T INCREASE PEOPLE'S RATES. THIS IS THE WASTEWATER FUND WHICH THEY BUDGET OUT IES TO HELP WITH INFRASTRUCTURE. COMMENTS? CLERK CALL THE ROLL. >> SAKA. >> AYE. >> STRAUSS. >> AYE. >> FOSTER. >> YES. >> JUAREZ. >> AYE. >> LIN. >> YES. >> RINCK. >> YES. >> HOLLINGSWORTH. >> YES. >> SEVEN IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> BILL PASSES. CLERK AFFIX MY SIGNATURE ON MY BEHALF. THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO NOW GO TO ITEM NUMBER J ON THE AGENDA. SORRY, LOST MY NOTES HERE. WE ADDRESSED I. THERE IS A RESOLUTION FOR INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION TODAY. WILL THE CLERK READ THE AGENDA ITEM. >> RESOLUTION SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PETITION OF THE YEW LLC FOR THE VACATION OF THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE ALLEY LYING WITHIN BLOCK TWO, WEGENER'S ADDITION TO THE CITY OF SEATTLE, GREENWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD. >> I MOVE TO ADOPT. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> IT'S MOVED AND SECONDED. COUNCILMEMBER SAKA, SPONSOR OF THE RESOLUTION, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COLLEAGUES, THE YEW LLC HAS SUBMITTED A PETITION TO VACATE THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE ALLEY IN BLOCK TWO, COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO. VACATION IS A FORMAL LEGAL PROCESS UNDER A SPECIFIC STATE STATUTE AND SPECIFIC SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE THAT REMOVES PUBLIC RIGHT-OF- WAY INTERESTS, TRANSFERRING TO A PROPERTY OWNER IF CONDITIONS ARE MET. RESOLUTION SETS THE DATE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW ANDAND POLICY. IF PASSED, THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE MAY 7th STEPS COMMITTEE MEETING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER SAKA. ANY OTHER COMMENTS REGARDING THIS RESOLUTION? CLERK CALL THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION. >> SAKA. >> AYE. >> STRAUSS. >> AYE. >> FOSTER. >> YES. >> JUAREZ. >> AYE. >> LIN. >> YES. >> RINCK. >> YES. >> HOLLINGSWORTH. >> YES. >> SEVEN IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED. >> AWESOME, RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED. CHAIR WILL SIGN AND CLERK WILL AFFIX MY SIGNATURE. COLLEAGUES, ANY MORE FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS. >> THANK YOU, REQUEST TO BE EXCUSED FROM THETHE 28th FULL CITY COUNCIL MEETING. >> COLLEAGUES, ANY OBJECTIONS OBJECTIONS COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS BEING EXCUSED FROM THE MEETING? ONE OBJECTION -- JUST PLAYING. NO OBJECTION. COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, I LOOKED TO COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ. >> I ACTUALLY HAD SOMETHING. >> I WAS LIKE SHE'S ON ONE TODAY. >> I AM ON, BEEN HERE, COME ON NOW. I HAVE TO BE EXCUSED ON THE 28th AS WELL. LOOKING AT THE CALENDAR, TUESDAY, I HAVE TO BE EXCUSED AS WELL. >> AWESOME. ANY OBJECTION TO COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ BEING EXCUSED APRIL 28th FULL COUNCIL MEETING? >> ARE YOU OBJECTING TO YOURSELF? >> NO. >> OKAY. NO OBJECTION, COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ, YOU'RE EXCUSED FROM THE APRIL 28th FULL COUNCIL MEETING. ANY MORE ITEMS BEFORE THE COUNCIL? NOPE, AWESOME. THANK YOU FOR A SPIRITED MEETING. I APPRECIATE THE RESPECTFUL DEBATES AND INFORMATION, AND ALL OF THE PERSPECTIVES YOU ALL HAVE. THERE IS NEVER A DULL MOMENT ON THIS COUNCIL. THANK YOU ALL. APPRECIATE IT. COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, OLD OR NEW HAND? >> OLD HAPPENED, BUT TAKE THE MOMENT TO SAY HBDCNBK. THANK YOU EVERYONE. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. >> AWESOME. WHO? OKAY. THAT'S HOW WE'LL CLOSE IT OUT. NOTHING TO COME BEFORE. WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S AGENDA. NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE APRIL 21st