Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

City of Seattle seeking candidates for Human Rights Commission

Seattle – The Seattle Human Rights Commission is seeking to fill five Commissioner positions. The Commission advises the Mayor and City Council on human rights and social justice issues.

The Commission works with the Director of the Office for Civil Rights to end discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, political ideology, ancestry, age, marital and parental status, disability, Section 8 status, and retaliation. The Commission works to have an impact on the lives of people in Seattle through its policy work and community outreach.

"I am proud to work with the City’s Human Rights Commission," said Councilmember Harrell. "The Commission continues to play a vital role in hearing discrimination appeals and shaping the City’s dialogue on human rights for all Seattle residents."

Participation in the Commission requires a minimum time commitment of 10-15 hours per month. This includes attendance at monthly meetings held the first Thursday of each month in the evening, participation in committee work, meeting with city departments, lobbying the state legislature, and addressing human rights concerns.

The Commission also hears and adjudicates appeals of discrimination cases from the Seattle Office for Civil Rights. Commissioners are appointed to two-year terms and all appointments are subject to confirmation by the Seattle City Council. Commissioners must reside within the City of Seattle. The Commission is particularly interested in applicants with backgrounds in human rights, education, law, public policy, and advocacy. Commissioners serve without compensation.

To be considered, send a letter of interest and resume to felicia.yearwood@seattle.gov by May 31, 2012.

Or mail to: Felicia Yearwood
Seattle Human Rights Commission
810 Third Avenue, Suite 750
Seattle, WA 98104-1627

The City is committed to promoting diversity in its commissions. Women, people with disabilities, youth, sexual minorities, and people of color are encouraged to apply.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell's message to students:
Don't text and drive

Seattle – In an effort to raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving, Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Seattle City Council's Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, met with students at Garfield High School this morning to discuss the issue.

The Peer Awareness Foundation and AT&T made available a driving simulator on campus to demonstrate how dangerous it is to text and drive. Students had the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of a real car and experience the dangerous impact of texting while driving through a pair of virtual reality goggles.

"Driving and texting is against the law. Fatalities related to distracted driving are among the highest for people under the age of 20," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell. "Do not risk your life and the lives of others by thumbing lol, cul8r, ttyl, idk, gtg; no text message is worth the risk. Education is the answer for this national epidemic and we will work with teen drivers, families, and schools to stop this."

This educational program is part of AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign, a national effort to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving.

Below are some startling facts about texting and driving:

• Slower reaction time when required to brake:
• Unimpaired: .54 seconds to brake
• Legally drunk: add 4 feet
• Reading email: add 36 feet
• Sending a text: add 70 feet
• Texting takes your eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field completely blind.
• Those who send text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a crash.
• Some studies indicate that texting while driving is twenty times more dangerous than drinking and driving.
• One in three teens sends more than 100 text messages a day, or 3000 texts a month.
• One in three texting teens ages 16-17, say they have texted while driving.
• 48% of all teens ages 12-17 say they have been in a car when the driver was texting.

For more information, click here.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Seattle City Council Committee to discuss drones in
Seattle and the issues they present

Seattle – Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Seattle City Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, has called for a special briefing from the Seattle Police Department on the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAS/UAV), commonly known as Drones.

WHAT: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee and Seattle Police Department will discuss 1) implication of recent federal law, 2) Urban Areas Security Initiative grant funding history, 3) training, 4) UAS/UAV specifications, 5) SPD policy and the Seattle Police Intelligence Ordinance as it relates to privacy issues and video retention, and 6) maintenance and staffing.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Council Chambers, second floor
Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle 98104

WHO:Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O’Brien
Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh, Seattle Police Department
Officer Reuben Omelanchuk, Seattle Police Department
Jennifer Shaw, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Seattle Channel receives record 21 Emmy nominations

SEATTLE - Mayor Mike McGinn today announced the Seattle Channel received 21 Emmy nominations from the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Art & Sciences (NATAS), a record number of nominations for the popular city-operated TV station.

The Seattle Channel's nominations include Station Excellence with the channel competing against Seattle's largest commercial stations, KING, KOMO, KIRO as well as two of Portland's commercial stations, KATU and KGW and Idaho Public Television.

"These nominations underscore the Seattle Channel's commitment to helping our city's residents connect with their local government and their community." said McGinn. "I congratulate the station on its work."

Nominations in the 49th annual Northwest Emmy's highlight the quality of several Seattle Channel series, including the public affairs program City Inside/Out with Brian Callanan, the documentary series Community Stories, the weekly arts show Art Zone with Nancy Guppy and several segments from the weekly magazine show CityStream. Also nominated are host Nancy Guppy and editor Peggy Lycett for Art Zone with Nancy Guppy and the channel's Seattle Speaks: Seattle Public Schools, a live, televised, interactive discussion in February 2011.

"Over 60 percent of Seattleites have seen the Seattle Channel and its coverage of local activities and great community stories," said City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. "The channel also upholds the city's commitment to open government by video archiving and streaming all Council meetings. This achievement is a reflection of the incredible staff at Seattle Channel who work hard every day to serve the residents of Seattle and provide inclusive programming that reflects the diversity of our neighborhoods,"

In 2010 and 2011, Seattle Channel received four Emmy's. In 2010, the station was named the best government TV station in the United States by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors. The Northwest regional Emmy awards will be announced June 2. The NATAS region includes five states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Here is a listing of Seattle Channel's 21 Emmy nominations:

Station Excellence

Station Excellence - Seattle Channel • Seattle Channel • John Giamberso, General Manager

Arts/Entertainment - Feature/Segment

Rachel Flotard • Seattle Channel • Matt McNaghten, Producer/DP/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4011191

Alternative Comics • Seattle Channel • Ralph Bevins, Producer/Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3071109

Angela Sterling • Seattle Channel • Ralph Bevins, Producer/Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4011180

David Chatt • Seattle Channel • Valerie Vozza, DP/Editor • Kathy Tuohey, Producer
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4011188

Arts/Entertainment - Program Special

Art Zone with Nancy Guppy Series • Seattle Channel • Nancy Guppy, Executive Producer/Host • Sheila Mullen, Producer • Peggy Lycett, Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/artZone/

Historic/Cultural - Program/Special

Community Stories • Seattle Channel • Shannon Gee, Senior Producer • John Giamberso, Executive Producer
http://www.seattlechannel.org/CommunityStories/

Informational/Instructional - Feature/Segment

Robotics Club - CityStream • Seattle Channel • Vincent Pierce, Producer/Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4071106

Bike Cops - CityStream • Seattle Channel • Cameron Wong, Producer • Ian Devier, Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3071121

O2 - CityStream • Seattle Channel • Vincent Pierce, Producer/Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4051104

Sports - Feature/Segment

New Year's Challenge • Seattle Channel • Ian Devier, Producer/Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4071039

Interactivity

Seattle Speaks: Seattle Public Schools • Seattle Channel • Susan Han, Producer • Megan Erb, Producer • C R Douglas, Host/Producer • Roxeanne Vainuku, Online Correspondent • Matt Peterson, Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3381101

Public/Current/Community Affairs - Feature/Segment

Vision Loss Connections • Seattle Channel • Shannon Gee, Producer/Photographer/Editor • Ian Devier, Photographer
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4071207

Public/Current/Community Affairs - Program/Special

City Inside/Out: Seattle Veterans Court • Seattle Channel • Susan Han, Senior Producer • Brian Callanan, Host/Producer • Matt Peterson, Photographer/ Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3061133

Community Stories - Goalball • Seattle Channel • Shannon Gee, Producer/Director/Photographer • Ian Devier, Photographer • Jill Freidberg, Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3171007

Politics/Government - Program/Special

City Inside/Out: Homeless but Hopeful • Seattle Channel • Susan Han, Senior Producer • Brian Callanan, Host/Producer • Matt Peterson, Photographer/ Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3061136

Interview/Discussion - Program/Special

City Inside/Out: Teen Sex Trafficking • Seattle Channel • Susan Han, Senior Producer • C R Douglas, Host/Producer • Matt Peterson, Photographer/Editor
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3061113

Documentary - Cultural

Community Stories - Dr. Ruby • Seattle Channel • Peggy Lycett, Producer/Photographer/Editor • Alesia Massingale, Producer
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3171105

Documentary - Topical

Community Stories - Healing a Soldier's Heart • Seattle Channel • Lisa Hardmeyer, Producer/Director • Ian Devier, Editor/Co-Photographer • Virginia Bogert, Writer
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3171005

Program Host/Moderator

Nancy Guppy • Seattle Channel, Art Zone with Nancy Guppy
http://www.seattlechannel.org/artZone/

Editor - Program

Art Zone with Nancy Guppy • Peggy Lycett • Seattle Channel
http://www.seattlechannel.org/artZone/

Seattle Channel presents programs on cable television (channel 21 on Comcast and Wave) and via the Internet to help citizens connect with their city. Programming includes series and special features highlighting the diverse civic and cultural landscape of the Pacific Northwest's premier city. Seattle Channel's website (www.seattlechannel.org) offers streaming video worldwide and includes an archive featuring video on demand of all programs. The station is a Government Access Channel granted to the city of Seattle per federal law for the purpose of cablecasting government television programs. It is administered by the Seattle Channel unit of the city of Seattle's Department of Information Technology.

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Office of the Mayor

Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O’Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Special Committee to discuss Seawall

SEATTLE – The Seattle City Council’s Special Committee on the Central Waterfront, Seawall and Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program will meet after Full Council on Monday, April 23. 

The Committee will discuss public safety and protection of the Central Waterfront, the downtown business district, transportation and public infrastructure, a possible bond measure to replace the Elliot Bay Seawall and the Seawall design, schedule, cost estimates and next steps.

WHEN:
Monday, April 23, 2012, following Full Council
(approximately 2:30 p.m.)

WHERE:
Council Chambers, Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Ave, Second floor, Seattle 98104

View the committee agenda here.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Bruce Harrell has spent a lot of time at the Seattle Center; especially during his years as the starting middle linebacker at Garfield High School.  In 1975, Councilmember Harrell was on the field at Memorial Stadium for the Metro League championship between Garfield High School and Blanchet High School, dubbed “the Greatest Game” by local sports media. Watch as he describes this game and reminisces on his football days and former teammates.

Read the specifics of November 7, 1975 championship game, detailed by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer here. Watch the Post-Intelligencer’s video interviews here.

A historical photo of Memorial Stadium from the Seattle Municipal Archives, circa 1950:

Seattle Municipal Archives Item #23605

For more information on this weekend’s Next 50 opening celebration at the Seattle Center, visit http://www.thenextfifty.org/.

Seattle Municipal Archives has some excellent resources on the 1962 World’s Fair.  Click to view digital files, text files.  Image files can be viewed here and here.

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Statement from Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell on the
retirement of Chief Technology Officer Bill Schrier

SEATTLE – Councilmember Bruce Harrell, Chair of the Council's Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, expressed his appreciation for Bill Schrier, Seattle's Chief Technology Officer, who, after serving Seattleites for 30 years, will retire in May.

"I would like to thank Bill for his dedicated public service to the city and to wish him well in his retirement and next endeavor. In addition to the great work by the Department of Information Technology in building Seattle Channel 21 to be the best municipal TV station in the nation and managing the best city government website in the country, Bill has been at the forefront in advocating for a new national public safety wireless network that will improve communication for public safety responders across jurisdictions. With all of Bill's accomplishments at the city, I think he is most proud of the day-to-day business of keeping the city's telephones, data centers, radio and data networks, email, and Internet running 24/7 without a hitch. Bill also leaves a legacy of positive energy, professionalism, and a great sense of humor and will be missed by many."

Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O’Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Watch Seattle City Councilmembers share their
favorite Seattle Center memories

SEATTLE - In anticipation of the Seattle Center's Next Fifty celebration kick-off on Saturday, April 21, Seattle City Councilmembers sat down to share their favorite Seattle Center memories. Tune in to our Council Connection blog over the next week as they share their stories.

What:
Seattle City Councilmembers share their Seattle Center memories

When:
Morning and afternoon blog postings, April 16-20, 2012

Where:
Council Connection Blog at http://council.seattle.gov/
Subscribe to the RSS feed at http://council.seattle.gov/feed/

For more information on the Seattle Center's Next Fifty celebration, including the schedule of events, visit http://seattlecenter.com/news/detail.aspx?id=1719.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmusse

Library leaders and city officials join together in support of levy for The Seattle Public Library

Seattle Public Library Board President Marie McCaffrey, City Librarian Marcellus Turner, Mayor Mike McGinn and City Councilmember Richard Conlin announced support for a Library levy to restore cuts and improve core services at a noon press conference at Seattle's Central Library. City officials and Library leaders were joined by scores of Library patrons at the event.

The Library levy would fund increased Library hours, build the collection of books and materials, enhance computers and online services and improve building maintenance. The plan grew out of a two-year process that involved comments from more than 39,000 residents through public meetings, open houses, surveys, focus groups and forums. There were more than 14 million visits to The Seattle Public Library last year and over 11 million books and materials circulated.

The City Council is expected to vote on legislation that would authorize an Aug. 7, 2012, ballot for a Library levy at 2:30 p.m. today.

The seven-year Library levy of $17 million annually would stabilize the Library budget after four years of cuts that have eroded services. The Library has been closed for one week each year since 2009, 15 of 26 branches are closed two days a week, and the budget to buy books and other items has been cut by more than 13 percent since 2009. The levy would also provide an estimated $5 million to address anticipated cuts in 2013. The Library would continue to rely on the city's general fund for the majority of its budget. At about 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, the levy would cost the median homeowner approximately $52 a year.

"We owe a huge thank you not only to the mayor and council for their collaboration and support, but also to the people of Seattle who helped shape the plan over the past two years," said McCaffrey. "This is an important step toward completing the vision of the 1998 'Libraries for All' bond measure, which resulted in new and improved libraries across the city."

McGinn said people depend on libraries for access to information and resources they need to succeed. "Libraries are the great equalizers for people of all ages," he said. "A strong Library system contributes to the economic, educational and cultural vitality of our city." He noted that libraries are key partners in supporting his initiatives for youth and families and to bolster civic engagement. "Libraries support our residents looking for work, students needing homework assistance, and people who cannot afford a computer," he said. "Our libraries are educational centers in every community and gathering places for neighborhood meetings and activities."

Conlin initiated a study of alternative funding options for the Library in 2010 after recognizing the city's fiscal challenges and declining tax revenues were affecting services. A levy package grew out of that effort.

"At the City Council's April 3 public hearing, Library patrons spoke to how they have been impacted by the cuts and how critical it was that our libraries be open with the resources and assistance they need," Conlin said. "Libraries are particularly important in challenging economic times and it just doesn't make sense to cut services when people need them the most."

City Librarian Marcellus Turner said the plan was built to reflect the priorities of the community. "Libraries are the city's classrooms for both individuals and the community," he said. "The Library levy will help ensure we can provide essential Library services now and for the next generation of users." 

Ninety-one-year-old Eleanor Owen and local mystery writer Kathrine Beck also spoke about how the Library has helped them, and their families and friends, throughout their lives.

For more information, visit www.spl.org and select "Libraries for All: A Plan for the Present, A Foundation for the Future," or call 206-386-4636.

For more information contact: Andra Addison, communications director, 206-386-4103

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Levy proposal addresses ongoing fiscal challenges and supports critical services

What:
After a two-year process involving the thoughtful contributions of tens of thousands of residents and collaboration between The Seattle Public Library, Mayor’s Office and City Council, a proposal to stabilize Library funding and improve Library services is complete.

Who:
Library Board President Marie McCaffrey, City Librarian Marcellus Turner, Mayor Mike McGinn and Seattle City Councilman Richard Conlin will announce a proposed Library levy to address ongoing financial challenges and support key service priorities: Library hours, collections, technology and building maintenance.

91-year-old Library patron Eleanor Owen and Seattle author Kathrine Beck will also speak about the Library’s importance to the city’s educational, cultural and economic vitality.

Library and city officials will be joined by other members of the City Council and Library Board, as well as the Friends of the Library, Library Foundation and members of the public.

When:
Noon Monday, April 9, 2012

Schedule:
Noon to 12:30 p.m. – Event Remarks
Library Board president, mayor, City Councilman Richard Conlin and city librarian will talk about the levy plan and what it offers the community. Two Library patrons will talk about the importance of libraries in their lives. The press will receive copies of the proposal, “Libraries for All: A Plan for the Present, A Foundation for the Future.”

12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. - Other Broadcast Opportunities
Library officials, the mayor, City Council members, Library patrons Eleanor Owen and Kathrine Beck, as well as Library Friends and Foundation members available for further interviews. Opportunities to film baby story time, tax assistance program and poetry group and other activities happening in the building. City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed Library levy for the Aug. 7, 2012 ballot at 2:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 600 Fourth Ave.

Where:
The Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 3

Information:
Andra Addison, The Seattle Public Library, 206-386-4103, andra.addison@spl.org
Caroline Ullmann, The Seattle Public Library, 206-615-1627, caroline.ullmann@spl.org

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.