The zoning ordinance would establish size limits for indoor urban farming in industrial zones, and limit activities in residential zones to what the state defines as one collective garden.

The Council has a new Marijuana in Seattle issue page with additional information about the zoning ordinance, where limits do and don’t apply, and how it interacts with state and federal law.

On implementation of recreational marijuana, the Liquor Control Board released the initial draft of rules for producers, processors and retailers, and is working on the timetable listed here.

It’s possible that state regulation, including any potential action by the state legislature regarding the medical and recreational systems, may require revisions to the zoning law. For this reason, I sponsored an amendment to the legislation noting that the City’s regulations may need to be revisited as the state continues to revise its rules.

The Seattle Channel has two recent programs touching on marijuana. The first one is called Pot Rules; my comments are here.

In addition, here’s an episode of City Inside/Out re: Marijuana Zoning.

Ord. 124177
C.B. 117697

AN ORDINANCE amending the Seattle Comprehensive Plan to incorporate changes proposed as part of the 2012-2013 Comprehensive Plan annual amendment process.

Ord. 124178
C.B. 117757

AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to execute a Second Amended and Restated Declining Block Water Supply Agreement between the City of Seattle and Cascade Water Alliance.

Ord. 124179
C.B. 117766

AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; declaring certain reserved real property rights relating to sewer facilities within the vacated portion of 7 ^th Avenue South, and easement rights related to storm water runoff at 701 South Orchard Street as being surplus to City utility needs; authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to relinquish such easement rights; authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to accept an easement from Seattle Iron & Metals Company for conveyance of stormwater runoff through private property from city-owned drainage facilities in portions of South Garden Street; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

Ord. 124180
C.B. 117776

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.

Res. 31446

A RESOLUTION enlisting City departments to educate and inform the public about new healthcare coverage programs made available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and to encourage them to enroll and plan for healthcare coverage.

Res. 31451

A RESOLUTION calling for a revised schedule for the mandated periodic review and update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan; and amending Resolution 31370.

Res. 31452

Providing for the sale and issuance of The City of Seattle, Washington, Limited Tax General Obligation Improvement Bonds, 2013A and Limited Tax General Obligation Improvement and Refunding Bonds, 2013B (Taxable); specifying the amount s, maturities, interest rates and other terms of the bonds; providing for the payment of costs of various projects, the refunding of certain of the City’s outstanding limited tax general obligation bonds, and the payment of the administrative costs of the refunding and costs of issuance and sale of the bonds; providing for the call, payment and redemption of the outstanding bonds to be refunded, appointing a refunding trustee and approving the form and execution of a refunding trust agreement, and authorizing the purchase of certain obligations and the use and application of money derived from those obligations; and ratifying, confirming and approving the notice of bond sale and the actions of the Director of Finance relating to the sale of the bonds.

Res. 31453

Providing for the sale and issuance of The City of Seattle, Washington, Unlimited Tax General Obligation Improvement Bonds; specifying the amounts, maturities, interest rates and other terms of the bonds; providing for the payment of all or part of the costs of the design, construction, renovation, improvement and replacement of the Alaskan Way seawall and associated public infrastructure, and the payment of the costs of issuance and sale of the bonds; and ratifying, confirming and approving the notice of bond sale and the actions of the Director of Finance relating to the sale of the bonds.

Starting April 1, owners of commercial and multifamily residential buildings of at least 20,000 square feet must report energy usage to the City on an annual basis. As the owner of more than 650 buildings, the city government is leading by example and disclosing even more than what is required.

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.
Committee referral: Full Council

     BY CLARK
2. C.B. 117788

AN ORDINANCE relating to the City of Seattle archives and records management activities; combining the duties and responsibilities for archives and records management in one division of the Office of the City Clerk; creating a Seattle Archives and Records Management Program; amending Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 3.122; repealing SMC Chapter 3.123; amending SMC Chapter 3.42.040; repealing SMC Chapter 3.42.050; and amending SMC Chapter 3.125.
Committee referral: Economic Resiliency and Regional Relations

     BY CLARK
3. C.B. 117789

AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation, imposing controls upon the Ballard Carnegie Free Public Library Building, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
Committee referral: Economic Resiliency and Regional Relations

     BY GODDEN
4. C.B. 117790

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Center; authorizing the Seattle Center Director to execute a five year extension to an agreement with SMG, doing business as SAVOR, for the management of food and beverage services at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall at Seattle Center.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

     BY LICATA
5. C.B. 117791

AN ORDINANCE relating to land use and zoning; amending Sections 23.54.015, 23.76.004, 23.76.006, and 23.76.032 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and adding new Section 23.42.056; to permit transitional encampments for homeless individuals as an interim use on City-owned or private property.
Committee referral: Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture

     BY LICATA
6. C.B. 117792

AN ORDINANCE relating to a homeless encampment on City-owned property; authorizing the Director of Finance and Administrative Services to execute a contract to conduct an environmental assessment of the “Glassyard” property located south of Highland Park Way Southwest between 2nd Avenue Southwest and South Myrtle Street; making an appropriation from the General Subfund; amending the 2013 Adopted Budget of the Department of Finance and Administrative Services; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts in connection thereto; all by a three- fourths vote of the City Council.
Committee referral: Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture

     BY O’BRIEN
7. C.B. 117793

AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; declaring certain real property rights surplus to utility needs; authorizing the Superintendent or his designee to grant an easement for access and parking purposes over a portion of the City’s fee-owned Duwamish Transmission Corridor adjacent to South 112th Street in the City of Tukwila, Washington; and accepting payment for the true and full value of the easement from Amalfi Investments, LLC; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
Committee referral: Energy and Environment

     BY CONLIN
8. C.B. 117794

AN ORDINANCE relating to land use and zoning; amending the Official Land Use Map to rezone properties located at 225 West Galer Street from Neighborhood Commercial 2 with a 30 foot height limit (NC2-30) to NC2 with a 40 foot height limit (NC2-40).
Committee referral: Full Council

     BY Rasmussen
9. C.F. 313035

Appointment of Timothy L. Hillis as member, Seattle Freight Advisory Board, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.
Committee referral: Transportation

EPA logo

The Duwamish Superfund cleanup is moving into the next phase of activity, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its preferred alternative. Over the next three weeks, comments are being taken on the proposal, and we expect EPA to make a final decision in the next few months. In the meantime, I have been working with the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition (DRCC) and other active parties to try to ensure that whatever cleanup program is adopted will have complementary elements that will support the communities of Georgetown and South Park.

One of the most important potential opportunities for these communities is the possibility of job training and employment in cleanup activities, hopefully leading to skill development that can result in long-term, living wage employment for residents of these communities, many of whom are recent immigrants and/or have limited income opportunities.

Last fall the EPA announced that it would create a Lower Duwamish Waterway Job Training Initiative, and this spring EPA is offering the first opportunity for participants to apply for an enroll in a job training program. Working with the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, the program begins with training in Pre-employment Skills, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, and First Aid and Workplace Safety. This three week initial training program will qualify participants to apply for the first level of cleanup jobs on a competitive basis.

While the communities surrounding Superfund sites are supposed to be the beneficiaries of the program, and cleaning up toxic contamination is of course a positive step, cleanups can be impactful on these communities.  And a very successful cleanup could even lead to more negative results for them if it makes the area attractive enough that current residents are displaced by rising housing costs.

The best way to prevent these outcomes, to compensate residents for the history of environmental problems, and to position them for future success, is to provide jobs and skill development. This gives them immediate income, as well as the possibility of future employment.  Some communities are even seeking to leverage Superfund cleanups to foster the growth of a small business sector that can use the experience of working on the project to become experts and work on other superfund sites. Seattle’s strong environmental consulting and engineering sector may be able to capitalize on this opportunity, and provide more long-term jobs doing this important work.

The EPA Job Training Initiative is a great step in the right direction.

Ord. 124170
C.B. 117772

AN ORDINANCE relating to land use and zoning; amending the Official Land Use Map to rezone properties located at 2615 25th Avenue South and 2715 — 25th Avenue South, from Single Family 5000 (SF 5000) to Seattle Mixed/Residential with a 65 foot height limit (SM/R-65).

Ord. 124172
C.B. 117603

AN ORDINANCE related to land use and zoning, modifying function and locational criteria for the Seattle Mixed zone; modifying use provisions and development standards; enacting and amending affordable housing incentive programs; enacting and amending provisions for height and density bonuses and transfer of development rights; amending Sections 23.34.128, 23.41.012, 23.45.510, 23.45.516, 23.45.574, 23.47A.035, 23.48.002, 23.48.004, 23.48.010, 23.48.011, 23.48.012, 23.48.014, 23.48.017, 23.48.020, 23.48.024, 23.48.026, 23.48.028, 23.48.030, 23.48.032, 23.48.034, 23.48.035, 23.48.036, 23.48.038, 23.49.008, 23.49.010, 23.49.011, 23.49.023, 23.50.026, 23.50.027, 23.50.028, 23.50.053, 23.57.005, 23.57.008, 23.57.012, 23.58A.002, 23.58A.004, 23.58A.012, 23.58A.014, 23.58A.022, 23.58A.024, 23.58A.026, 23.66.032, 23.84A.030, 23.84A.032, 23.84A.038, 23.86.006; repealing Sections 23.48.006, 23.48.008, 23.48.016, 23.48.018, 23.48.019, 23.50.051, 23.50.052, 23.58A.013, 23.58A.016, 23.58A.018, 23.58A.023; adding new sections 23.48.008, 23.48.009, 23.48.013, 23.48.022, 23.48.025, 23.58A.003, 23.58A.040, 23.58A.042, and 23.58A.044; and amending the Official Land Use Map, Chapter 23.32, at pages 101 and 102 to rezone areas within the South Lake Union Urban Center.

Ord. 124173
C.B. 117760

AN ORDINANCE amending the 2012 Adopted Budget, including the 2012-2017 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and from various funds in the Budget; revising project allocations for certain projects in the 2012-2017 CIP; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.

Ord. 124174
C.B. 117759

AN ORDINANCE relating to the 2013 Budget; carrying forward certain unexpended appropriations and funds for non- capital purposes from the 2012 budget of various departments; ratifying and confirming certain prior acts, all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.

Ord. 124175
C.B. 117736

AN ORDINANCE establishing a ten-year Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area to be known as the Metropolitan Improvement District; levying special assessments upon operators of the business property, multi-family residential property (buildings containing four or more residential units), and mixed-use property (multi-family residential and commercial) within the area; providing for the deposit of revenues in a special account and expenditures therefrom; providing for collection of and penalties for delinquencies; providing for the establishment of a Ratepayers Advisory Board; providing for an implementation agreement with a Program Manager; disestablishing the current Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area that was established by Ordinance 121482 (“2004 DBIA”); suspending the issuance of assessments and providing for the winding up of activities under the 2004 DBIA; and providing for the distribution of remaining funds from and closing of the 2004 DBIA Account.

Ord. 124176
C.B. 117774

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.

Res. 31444

A RESOLUTION calling for a thorough review and update of Seattle’s incentive zoning and other affordable housing programs and policies focused on creating affordable Workforce Housing by establishing an Expert Advisory Team that will advise and make recommendations to the City Council.

Res. 31445

A RESOLUTION responding to the Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) review of the South Lake Union rezone by the Legislative Department’s RSJI Change Team, and creating a work plan for advancing RSJI goals in response to that review.

Res. 31449

A RESOLUTION declaring the City Council’s intent to support the growth and livability of the South Lake Union Urban Center by working with other City departments to implement initiatives that complement changes to land use regulations.

The City’s green building programs were a topic of discussion for me and other Councilmembers during a PLUS meeting last year on Ordinance 117516, which allows additional design departures under the Demonstration Program for Living Building Design.

Leading up to that meeting, concerns were raised by the Wallingford Community Council, the Bullitt Foundation, and Living Building Challenge representatives over a Skanska development that applied to be recognized as a Living Building.

The Committee heard public testimony, including comments from Wallingford Community Council President Lee Raaen and Vince Lyon, former Design Review Program Manager for the City’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD). The Committee discussion that followed raised questions on the City’s process for approving green building projects. In response to the testimony and the Committee discussion, I asked for a resolution calling on the City to clarify, update and enhance its Living Building Challenge and Seattle Deep Green pilot programs.

Resolution 31400 declares the City’s intent to continue promoting and encouraging the development of buildings that achieve the highest level of environmental sustainability by requesting updates and enhancements to its Living Building and Seattle Deep Green pilot programs and requesting the formation of a Green Building Technical Advisory Group to advise the City on sustainable building practices.

The resolution’s most important element is its request to the City’s DPD to form the standing Green Building Technical Advisory Group (originally, I’d proposed a Board). Its role is to advise the City on sustainable building practices; to screen proposals for eligibility; and to assist in developing new or updated sustainable building programs. My intent is to establish consistency in the review of our green building programs and green building applications through a dedicated panel of outside experts.

Advisory group members will have experience in LEED architecture, sustainable building practices, and building energy systems engineering, with one member belonging to a neighborhood community council. The group will meet as needed between now and the end of 2014, at which time DPD will report on the group’s performance and recommend improvements, if called for, as the group continues beyond 2014.

Our city has established itself as a leader in sustainable building since first adopting a Sustainable Building Policy in February of 2000. It has also implemented new programs, regulations, and incentives to encourage the private market to respond to the challenges of building a more sustainable city. An excellent example of how green a building can be is the Bullitt Foundation’s Bullitt Center on Capitol Hill, which calls itself the world’s greenest building, meeting all of the rigorous standards set by the Living Building Challenge.

I hope my resolution helps foster more such green buildings in Seattle.

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Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien

Councilmembers to host discussion on Targeted Hiring for city-funded capital projects

SEATTLE - Join Councilmembers and a panel of workforce development experts at a brownbag discussion regarding targeted hiring programs for city-funded capital projects. Several American cities have helped residents enter the construction field by requiring contractors on city-funded projects to hire a predetermined percentage of economically and otherwise disadvantaged residents through targeted hiring programs. The panel will explore the scope of current hiring and workforce training methods used by other jurisdictions around the country and locally.

WHAT: Targeted Hiring brownbag discussion

WHEN: Wednesday, May 22, 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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

WHO: Seattle City Councilmembers
Rhonda Simmons, Director of Workforce Development, City of San Francisco
Kathleen Mulligan Hansel, Deputy Director, Partnership for Working Families
Leslie Jones, Director of Diversity, Sound Transit
Angel Lopez, former Project Manager,Rainier Valley Community Development Fund

[View in Council Newsroom]

See the meeting agenda here, or watch the video of the meeting here.

Councilmember Godden and I voted to move the following to Full Council for May 20^th:

• C.F. 312996, which appoints Michael Shiosaki as a member to the Arboretum and Botanical Garden Committee.
• RES. 31454, which is a resolution to create the Parks and Recreation Legacy Citizens Advisory Committee to ensure citizen participation in the development of a potential ballot measure to benefit Seattle parks.
• C.B. 117777, which authorizes the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation to enter into an agreement with the Seattle Audubon Society to operate and manage the Administrative Building in Carkeek Park.

 DPR is conducting a series of meetings soliciting feedback on the Parks Legacy Plan. The meetings allow community members to connect with each other and discuss how they want parks funds to be used in the future. A part of these discussions is whether DPR should pursue a ballot measure to secure funding in the future. See meeting schedule here.

The Parks and Recreation Legacy Citizen’s Advisory Committee, also known as the CAC, is another key piece in DPR’s plan to engage the public in the Legacy Plan. The Parks and Recreation Legacy CAC will represent the citizens of Seattle in the development of a potential measure. CAC members will help determine the scope of the ballot measure, advising DPR on whether it focuses on operations, maintenance, development, or acquisition.

The members of the Parks and Recreation Legacy CAC are Barbara Wright, Charlie Zaragoza, Thatcher Bailey, Steve Daschle, Juli Farris, Bill Farmer, Thomas Goldstein, Jessie Israel, Diana Kincaid, Michael Maddux, Brice Maryman, Yalonda Gill Masundire, Mustapha Match, David Namura, and Erika Neurenberg.

The Full Council adopted the resolution to create the Parks and Recreation Legacy CAC yesterday, and I hope to see the CAC hard at work throughout the summer and fall.

PaN also heard from DPR on whether to permit the Seattle Audubon Society to operate and manage the Administrative Building in Carkeek Park. DPR presented a persuasive argument that the Audubon Society is uniquely positioned to educate both children and adults about wildlife in the city and that Carkeek Park is well suited to act as the classroom for these lessons.

Carkeek Park has the flora, fauna, facilities, and passionate supporters that the Seattle Audubon Society needs and the Audubon Society has the expertise to offer public benefit to the wide variety of citizens that visit Seattle parks. It sounded like a great match to me and the legislation passed Full Council.

PAN also has the great fortune to hear an update on the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) program, operated by the Department of Neighborhoods (DON). NMF offers three levels of matching gifts to qualifying citizen inspired and generated projects. Please see here for the full schedule of when Seattleites can apply for these funds.

It was an impressive day and I look forward to our next PaN Committee, which is scheduled for June 6^th at 9:30 am.

City of Seattle Seal

On Monday, May 13, the Seattle City Council adopted a resolution enlisting City departments to develop outreach strategies to educate and inform the public about new healthcare coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). ACA is the national health insurance legislation approved by Congress in 2010, which goes into full effect in 2014.  The Affordable Care Act requires that most members of the public enroll for healthcare coverage by January 2014. Departments will coordinate with the efforts of community partners to enroll all newly eligible residents in the new healthcare coverage options.

The City of Seattle has an extraordinary opportunity to increase the health of our residents by working diligently on enrolling folks in the expanded Medicaid program if they are eligible and in the health care insurance exchange if their incomes are too high for Medicaid. There are an estimated 26,000 Seattle residents who will be eligible for fully paid health care under the Medicaid expansion. Another approximately 30,000 Seattle residents will be eligible for partially subsidized coverage under the insurance exchange program. This is the most significant advance in health care since everyone over 65 years old received health care coverage with the enactment of Medicare in 1965.

However, many people do not know about the new health care law or understand how it will operate. Those who can now qualify for Medicaid will have to sign up and go through a process to verify their eligibility and enter the system. Those who can get partial subsidies must sign up for the health care exchange, find out how much subsidy they qualify for, and then select the insurance coverage that best matches their needs and their ability to pay. The State is funding trained resource people to help with this, but people will have to know about this opportunity and then sign up. That is where the City outreach comes into play.

Seattle’s outreach plan will include publicity efforts as well as person-to-person support for individuals, particularly communities who need more intensive help with the application processes and accessing health care services. Our goal is to ensure that everyone who can be covered actually accesses the appropriate information and services.

This is an unprecedented opportunity to help Seattle residents receive the care they need. It is also an opportunity to lower health care costs by decreasing reliance on high-cost medical services such as emergency room visits. And everyone in the city will benefit when we have a healthier, more productive population that is better able to contribute to and participate in our economy and civic life.

It’s a win-win-win for Seattle, but we have to participate to ensure that we realize all of the benefits. We are committing ourselves to helping people thrive by supporting the implementation of the ACA.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE:
1. Council Bill 117773 (PDF Version) PASS (9 – 0)
Accepting for general street purposes 18 deeds, four correction deeds, and a re-recording of quit claim deed, conveyed to the City of Seattle by the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (“Sound Transit”) in connection with t he Central Link Light Rail Transit Project as agreed to in a Property Acquisition and Transfer Procedures Agreement between the City of Seattle and Sound Transit, dated August 12, 2003 (“Property Transfer Agreement”); laying off, opening, widening, ex tending, and establishing portions of the rights-of-way located on Martin Luther King Jr. Way South between South Alaska Street and South Angeline Street, South Brandon Street and South Lucile Street, South Juneau Street and South Warsaw Street, and Beacon Avenue South and the Seattle City Limits; and placing the real property conveyed by the deeds under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE:
2. Council Bill 117778 (PDF Version) PASS (9 – 0)
Authorizing the Director of Finance and Administrative Services to execute an amendment to a lease agreement between the City of Seattle and MUSREF Spokane Street, L.P. a Washington corporation; combining two leases for warehouse space the City leases at the southeast corner of 2nd Avenue South and South Spokane Street in Seattle, Washington; extending the term to 2024 with an option to extend; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:
3. Council Bill 117756 (PDF Version) PASS (9 – 0)
Relating to the City Light Department; amending Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 21.49.081 to include BPA transmission costs in the automatic BPA cost adjustment rate pass-through.

4. Council Bill 117762 (PDF Version) PASS (9 – 0)
Relating to the City Light Department; amending Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 21.49.040 to simplify the eligibility verification process for residential rate assistance.

PUBLIC SAFETY, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE:
5. Resolution 31450 (PDF Version) ADOPTED (9 – 0)
Authorizing commencement of cable franchise contract renewal proceedings in accordance with the provisions of 47 U.S.C. section 546, and written request from Comcast.

PARKS AND NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE:
6. Council Bill 117777 (PDF Version) PASS (9 – 0)
Relating to the City of Seattle’s Department of Parks and Recreation; authorizing the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with Seattle Audubon Society to operate and manage the Administrative Building located in Carkeek Park.

7. Resolution 31454 (PDF Version) ADOPTED (9 – 0)
Relating to the Department of Parks and Recreation; creating the Parks and Recreation Legacy Citizens’ Advisory Committee to ensure citizen participation in the development of a potential ballot measure for funding operations, maintenance, development and acquisition of parks and recreation facilities and programs.  

8. Clerk File 312996 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Michael Shiosaki as member, Arboretum and Botanical Garden Committee, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2016.

Councilmember Sally Bagshaw           

Citizens' Advisory Committee created to help shape possible 2014 Parks Levy

SEATTLE - Seattle City Council created the Parks and Recreation Legacy Citizens' Advisory Committee today, which will help develop a potential 2014 ballot measure for Seattle's parks.  The citizens' committee will evaluate options for a potential package of parks and recreation projects, ongoing maintenance and operations, and programs and to identify strategic funding options for the levy.

"Our previous parks levies have leveraged enormous private and public funds to help our parks," said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, Chair of the Council's Parks and Neighborhoods Committee. "This is an investment, and I'm excited to work with the citizens committee to help shape the future of our parks system".

The current Parks and Green Spaces Levy, approved by 59% of the voters in 2008 will expire next year.  The committee will issue a final advisory report to the Mayor and City Council by March 2014.

"I'd like to thank everyone involved in this work, especially the volunteer advisory committee," said Councilmember Bagshaw.  "Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work."

The Department of Parks and Recreation has responded to reductions in its general fund budget support by finding greater operating efficiencies, embracing new management systems, reducing services and deferring routine and major maintenance.  The Seattle Parks Asset Management Plan identified a backlog of nearly 300 projects with an estimated total cost of $267 million for major maintenance, including building renovations, ballfield and lighting replacements, forest and landscape restoration, roof replacements, and improvements of play areas and tennis courts.

[View in Council Newsroom]

Councilmember Mike O'Brien

City Council improves access to
low-income electricity rate assistance
Tenants in qualified low-income housing can now be automatically enrolled in
City Light's Utility Discount Program

SEATTLE - Seattle City Council adopted electricity rate assistance legislation today to simplify access for low-income City Light customers. Seattle City Light will partner with low-income housing providers to get tenants into the program more quickly and with less hassle.

"The single best way for any City Light customers to manage their bills is to conserve energy. But we know that some customers are still struggling to make ends meet, and this legislation makes rate assistance more accessible for people who really need it," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien, sponsor of the legislation. "Many customers in low-income housing are eligible for utility rate assistance by the fact that they qualify for the type of housing they are in. This fix simplifies the process for the customer and the utility and will help get more people enrolled."

Seattle City Light's Utility Discount Program reduces electricity rates by approximately 60% for eligible low-income customers. The legislation approved by Council allows the utility to use information from certain affordable housing providers to enroll eligible customers, rather than requiring those tenants to proactively apply for the discount. Simplifying the application process is expected to help enroll customers who were previously unaware of this benefit.

"With the City Council's action today, City Light will streamline the application process for customers who are most in need, allowing them to apply for the rate discount program at the same time as they apply for affordable housing," City Light General Manager Jorge Carrasco said. "This is just one part of the major effort underway as part of our Strategic Plan to assist customers who are having difficulty with their bills.  In addition to increasing enrollment in the rate discount program, we are also helping them better manage their energy use through home energy visits and other conservation measures."

Non-profit affordable housing groups must meet federal and / or state guidelines for low-income operations, each agency must enter into a signed agreement with Seattle City Light, and the program will undergo periodic audits.

City Light customers interested in applying for the Utility Discount Program can also do so here: www.seattle.gov/humanservices/benefits/udp.htm

[View in Council Newsroom]

What’s Targeted Hiring?

Targeted Hiring is when a city, county, state, or other jurisdiction requires contractors on projects funded by that jurisdiction to hire a predetermined percentage of disadvantaged residents in the area.  For many families, the difference between a dead-end job and a living-wage career is a construction job. Sometimes, it’s the path from poverty to the middle class.  Major cities across the country (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Cleveland) have adopted similar policies; leading to dramatic increases in publicly funded local jobs and millions of dollars of reinvestment in local neighborhoods.  Here is one example.

Join Seattle City Councilmembers and a panel of national experts to discuss how targeted hiring has worked around the country and whether it could be implemented in Seattle.

Panelists include:

• Rhonda Simmons – Director of Workforce Development, City of San Francisco
• Kathleen Mulligan-Hansel – Deputy Director, The Partnership for Working Families

Wednesday, May 22, Noon-1:30pm
Council Chambers, Seattle City Hall, 2nd Floor
Between James and Cherry Streets on Fifth Avenue

Sponsored by: Councilmembers Sally J. Clark, Mike O’Brien, Nick Licata, Tom Rasmussen, Jean Godden, Richard Conlin and Tim Burgess

For parking options go to: http://www.seattle.gov/council/city_hall_parking.pdf.  Better yet, let transit be your ride. Check www.tripplanner.kingcounty.gov

The Bee Garden. Thanks to Katie Myer at the West Seattle Blog.

Seattle has a new parade to add to the calendar of summer events. Yesterday the residents and gardeners of High Point and greater West Seattle welcomed bees to the new Neighborhood Matching Fund-supported hive enclosure at the High Point Commons Park P-Patch, the new West Seattle Bee Garden! Though I was not in costume, I was allowed to walk at the front of the parade followed by a swarm of kids, parents, the FC Sounders’ Sound Wave marching band, and the pickup truck transporting the four beautiful hand-crafted bee boxes (thanks to Shipwreck Honey), including one live hive.

Check out these short clips:

This was the first bee welcoming parade at High Point (and possibly in Seattle). The day started with face-painting and flower-making at West Seattle Elementary followed by the short but boisterous march down the hill and into the park. In the park people enjoyed music, checkout out food and craft vendors and generally swarmed around the new, plexi-glass enclosure waiting to see what would happen when the hive was opened. The trusty api-experts said the bees would be released later in the afternoon after settling down. They’d just bounced around a bit in a pick-up truck and ridden in the parade near the band. (Maybe they prefer classical?) They were likely angry for a while after being finally placed in the new hive enclosure.

This is such a great community building project and a great addition for a P-Patch. Thanks, High Point!

There were a lot of great bee and ladybug costumes. This one, because of the hat with bees buzzing around it on this wires, was my favorite:

“The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.” Henry David Thoreau

Ord. 124166
C.B. 117745

AN ORDINANCE relating to tree and vegetation management in public places; adding a new Chapter 15.43 to Subtitle I of Title 15 of the Seattle Municipal Code to provide for the regulation of planting, maintenance, and removal of trees and shrubs in all public places; amending Sections 15.02.044, 15.02.046, 15.04.012, 15.18.010, 15.90.018, and 15.91.002; and repealing Chapter 15.42 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

Ord. 124167
C.B. 117751

AN ORDINANCE relating to the title of the department head of Seattle City Light; changing the title of the Seattle City Light Department’s top position title from Superintendent to General Manager and Chief Executive Officer and amending Sections 3.08.010, 3.08.020, 3.39.080, 3.76.010, 3.121.010, 4.13.010, 4.20.401, 5.33.020, 15.32.300, 29.49.045, 21.52.210,21.52.250, 21.52.260, 21.56.010, 21.56.030, 22.206.200, 22.208.120, 23.22.024, 23.48.017, 23.50.051 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

Ord. 124168
C.B. 117767

AN ORDINANCE concerning the Seattle School Traffic Safety Committee; affirming the purpose of the Committee; revising the membership composition and appointment process; clarifying its responsibilities; superseding Ordinance 104344; and amending Sections 3.80.010, 3.80.020, 3.80.030 and 3.80.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

Ord. 124169
C.B. 117768

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.

Res. 31441

A RESOLUTION adopting the Seattle Food Action Plan.

Mercer Street, 1959 (Seattle Municipal Archives)

The City Council approved a rezone of the South Lake neighborhood on Monday, May 6 by a 9-0 vote.

The rezone increases maximum building heights to 400 feet adjacent to Denny, and 240 feet in much of SLU to Mercer, aside from the Cascade neighborhood. Previous zoning was 65 to 85 feet in most of this area, and 125’ adjacent to Denny. The rezone is intended to meet new growth targets for Seattle’s implementation of the Seattle Comprehensive Plan, required by the state Growth Management Act.

I proposed amendments related to the urban form along South Lake Union Park and along Westlake, and to provide for additional housing, as described below.

Dept. of Planning and Development presentation, 2012

GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT (GMA)/SEATTLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The previous zoning in SLU provided capacity for 12,000 new units and 18,000 jobs; the state GMA requires development capacity to be at least 125% of the 20-year growth target. The most recent 2031 targets are for 12,000 housing units, and 22,000 jobs.

DPD estimates the new updated zoning provides capacity for 22,000 to 24,000 housing units, and 28,000 to 30,000 jobs. This equals 190% of 2031 housing estimates, and 131% of job estimates.

SUMMARY

Council amendments to the Mayor’s original proposal included:

• Views: Creating permanent setbacks on east-west corridors to protect views of the Space Needle; this was accomplished without reducing development potential;
• Landmarks: Expanding incentives to encourage preservation of all landmarked structures;
• Schools: Strengthening incentives for developers to include a public school in their project;
• Conservation: Requiring all new buildings to meet the LEED Gold standard;
• Zoning: increasing height in the Cascade neighborhood from 75’ to 85’, and from 85’ to 125’ on parts of the southwest side of the lake, and reducing height from 240’ to 160’ between Valley and Mercer.
• Affordable Housing:  Applied a Consumer Price Index increase to the existing affordable housing pay-in-lieu price for developers who don’t want to build affordable housing and added a 20% premium to incentivize on-site affordable housing development.

The Council approved other elements of the proposal submitted by Mayor, including:

• Farm/forest: the first step in a program to preserve farm land and forest land by transferring development rights into South Lake Union; if approved by future legislation it will generate funds for transportation improvements;
• Design standards for different neighborhoods within SLU;
• Most of the proposed building heights;
• Preserving existing affordable housing in Cascade by maintaining current heights.

URBAN FORM: MERCER BLOCKS AND WESTLAKE

I co-sponsored two amendments to address the visual impact of towers proposed for the blocks adjacent to Lake Union Park at the South end of the lake. The Mayor proposed height of 240’; I co-sponsored a 160’ limit, which the Council passed by a 6-3 vote. The previous zoning was 40’, with 65’ under some circumstances, so even 160’ represents a significant increase. With 400’ along Denny and in the Denny Triangle, and 240’ in between, 160’ provides a good transition for maintaining urban form. This change will reduce the visual impact of shadows from the towers on Lake Union Park during the winter months.

Secondly, I also co-sponsored a proposal to limit the floor plate size (the size of each floor), for slimmer towers to protect views. Although this didn’t pass, the Council did approve a 105’ limit on the east-west width of towers.

The Council increased the zoning of a section of South Lake Union adjacent to Westlake and Dexter avenues, from the Mayor’s proposal of 85’, to 125’. I co-sponsored an amendment to ensure a smooth transition in the base heights, in line with the slope of Queen Anne Hill. The developer who owns the site planned on commercial buildings only at 85 feet; 125 feet will allow them to build up to 4 residential towers. This area is along a High Capacity Transit Corridor identified in the Seattle Transit Master Plan, and removed from the seaplane flight path. It’s a good location for additional housing.

HOUSING

I’m pleased that the Council increased the obligation of developers taking advantage of the potential for increased building heights to provide affordable housing, but it’s not nearly enough to meet South Lake Union’s future need. The City’s goal for affordable housing in South Lake Union is 4,200 units, the proposal the Council passed will result in approximately 700 affordable units produced.  Estimates are that these SLU upzones may result in over $12 billion worth of development over the next 25 years.  Without significantly more affordable housing for people working in the city, traffic congestion will increasingly clog our streets, hurting the economy and our environment.

Whether the Council enacts upzones in SLU or any other neighborhood, upzoning adds significant value to private property.  Seattle is among the most active real estate markets in the country, and we still have a great opportunity to get this right.  Just saying we’ll build more housing isn’t enough of a solution.  Housing regulations of cities across the country generate new units of affordable housing for their workforces. Denver and San Diego set aside 10% of all new units for affordable housing and Boston and Sacramento set aside 15%. Seattle’s incentive zoning program only sets aside 5% of all units.  I proposed an amendment to increase the affordable housing setaside to 10% of all residential floor area in a 240’ high building.  The amendment did not pass.

While the legislation passed by the Council does not require that enough affordable units will be built, I’m also concerned that the housing built will not serve the full range of workers. The Council’s own study found that by 2031, 100,000 new jobs will come to downtown Seattle. If current wage levels are maintained, one in four of the workers in these new jobs and one and three of workers in all jobs downtown, new and existing, will be paid wages that qualify them for affordable housing.  I proposed an amendment that half of the affordable units produced be affordable to these workers.  It did not pass.  Instead, the Council passed legislation with a target household income set at 80% average median income.  This means that childcare workers, health care, grocery/retail, hospitality and janitors will be priced out of South Lake Union and endure long commutes, contributing to pollution and suburban sprawl.

We all suffer if we push more people out of the city.  For these reasons, I will seek city-wide incentive zoning, requiring housing be built for our entire workforce, not just those earning the highest wages.

BLOCK 59

Included in the Mayor’s original submittal in November 2012 was a summary sheet and Memorandum of Understanding with Vulcan, under which Vulcan would sell four properties in “Block 59” of South Lake Union adjacent to Aurora and Mercer, to the city, to be combined with City properties. In return, they would receive a credit of $10-12 million for affordable housing bonus payments, locked in at the rate proposed by the Mayor. The facility would provide low and moderate income housing, a childcare facility, education/job training programs, and other services. Numerous social service agencies were involved in the planning, along with Vulcan and the Mayor’s office. Vulcan would pay up to an additional $3.25 million to build up to 240’ in the Mercer waterfront blocks.

Valuation for the Block 59 properties would be determined by an independent appraiser at the proposed rezone height of 240 feet. The appraisal value would be capped at $12 million; Vulcan could opt out of the agreement if the appraisal came in at less than $10 million. The zoning at that time was for 65 feet, with the King County Assessor listing an appraisal of the land value in 2012 at $4.7 million.

The Council received a funding scenario from Vulcan at a January 31 meeting of $76 million, mostly from SLU housing credits. It estimated 337 units of low and moderate income housing would be produced over 12 years on that site. The funding scenario included $6.5 million each from the state and King County, $7 million in city land, and $4 million in additional city housing funds.

The Council opted to not pursue the agreement, because it was tied to a specific Vulcan request, and the credits could only be used for one project, rather than for projects throughout South Lake Union. In any case, the Mayor never submitted legislation to the City Council.

While I didn’t support the agreement as it was presented, I found the concept intriguing and worth considering; I am continuing to explore options for pursuing the vision of an integrated program in SLU that would provide for the same services and housing.

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.
Committee referral: Full Council

     BY BURGESS, CLARK, HARRELL
2. C.B. 117786

AN ORDINANCE relating to Emergency Medical Services; authorizing execution, pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act, of an agreement with King County regarding the imposition and allocation of property tax revenues generated by a six-year, voter-approved King County-wide tax levy for emergency medical services, and approving the submittal by King County of a proposition to the voters seeking authority to levy those additional taxes.
Committee referral: Full Council

     BY Conlin
3. C.F. 313019

Appointment of Brodie Bain as member, Seattle Design Commission, for a term of confirmation to March 1, 2015.
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

     BY Conlin
4. C.F. 313020

Appointment of Bernie Alonzo as member, Seattle Design Commission, for a term of confirmation to March 1, 2015.
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

     BY Conlin
5. C.F. 313021

Appointment of Keely N. Brown as member, Seattle Planning Commission, for a term of confirmation to April 15, 2016.
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

     BY Conlin
6. C.F. 313022

Appointment of Marjorie Press as member, Seattle Planning Commission, for a term of confirmation to April 15, 2016.
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

     BY Conlin
7. C.F. 313023

Appointment of Tim Parham as member, Seattle Planning Commission, for a term of confirmation to April 15, 2016.
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

This study was commissioned last summer in response to the initial access proposal, which focused on vehicle parking. The Sound Transit Board has adopted new policies that emphasize fully integrated access plans, and the City of Seattle and Sound Transit partnered to develop a plan for the Northgate light rail station that would support people traveling to the station by bus, bike, walking and car.

Along with the access study, the Sound Transit Board and the Seattle City Council both unanimously approved a $20 million investment in bike/ped access, $5 million dollars from each entity to fund a portion of a bike/ped bridge across I-5 and $5 million from each entity to fund bike/ped projects around the station area. Both ST and the City are fully committed to funding these projects; the City is now working on identifying the remaining funds needed to perform environmental work, complete design, and construct the bridge (these funds need to be secured by July 2015). The access study will help determine whether the proposed projects would increase ridership and the bike/walk shed around the station by providing benefits to bikers and walkers.

The great news is that the study shows that these investments offer a very good return. The bike/ped bridge across I-5 increases the number of walkers accessing the station by 13% and the number of bicyclers by 4%, while the cycle track on 1^st Ave will increase bicycle access by 6%. All of the potential projects demonstrate benefits to bikers and walkers.

The expected mode share of riders that will access Northgate Station in 2030 and weekday boardings by mode are summarized in Table 1 below. Table 1 also summarizes the increase in station ridership due to other potential projects such as streetscape improvements. The number of new walkers and bikers who would travel to the station as a result of these combined projects is expected to increase by 845 boardings each weekday, a 6% increase in total new weekday station boardings.

In addition to creating new station ridership, these potential ped and bike improvement projects would also improve access to the station for other expected station users who were already planning to come by bicycling or walking. Table 2 summarizes the expected number of station riders who would use and benefit from individual proposed bike improvement projects. Table 3 summarizes the number of expected station riders who would benefit from potential pedestrian improvement projects.

While this is encouraging data, final decisions on what improvements to construct will not be made until after public input on the proposed projects. The first opportunity to respond to the proposals will be at Sound Transit’s Northgate Station 60% design open house on May 23rd, 6-8pm (presentation begins at 6:30pm) at Olympic View School auditorium, 504 NE 95th St.

After receiving public input, Sound Transit, the City of Seattle, King County will make recommendations on a final project list. Policy makers must do everything we can to make transit a safe and convenient form of transportation. That is both an environmental and social justice imperative. Completion of this study is a great start to making this very important station as accessible as possible for all riders.

Guests of the Mary’s Place luncheon donate shoes for the women. Hot sauce is another popular donation item.

Your name could be Sally or maybe Debra. And you and your toddler could be homeless, left out in the cold, with no clue of where to go and without a place to lay your heads this very night.

If that’s you – and it wouldn’t take much for any of us to end up homeless — then you’ll be eternally grateful to Mary’s Place, a day shelter established in 1999 in response to the needs of homeless women and children. Since then, Mary’s Place has helped several thousand women and children. Their basic needs are met: meals served, clothing provided, laundry and shower facilities available, medical care secured and ways found to provide for housing and jobs.

Concern for those homeless women and children – the Sallys and Debras — brought more than 600 men and women together Tuesday noon for a Spring Benefit Luncheon at the Fisher Pavilion at the Seattle Center.

Thankfully, the 600 didn’t come empty handed. They brought checks and credit cards. They also brought shoes, good useable shoes, dozens of them. Some even brought bottles of hot sauce, the result of a plea from J. J. McKay, Mary’s Place board vice president. J.J. thinks that, although nourishing, shelter meals don’t offer enough spice.

In the space of a fast-paced hour, the 600 heard stories drawn from life. They were welcomed by KING-TV’s Lori Matsukawa, they watched young actors create real life stories and they heard about the Breakfast Club, a group of women who volunteer for the task of providing cereal and milk: Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Raisin Bran and sometimes – just for fun — Cocoa Puffs.

Donations raised at Tuesday’s benefit will support the services that Marty Hartman, executive director, and her staff of workers and volunteers provide to homeless women and children. Many have suffered a life-threatening illness, others have lost a job and gone through savings and some are victims of domestic violence. Marty estimates that about 86 percent have suffered abuse. Many arrive with little more than the clothing on their backs.

It doesn’t take much imagination to figure out what else is needed to help. Mary’s Place passed out a sheet with suggestions for possible clubs: a Book Club that would provide crossword and puzzle books as well as reading and coloring books; a Cold Club that would supply aspirin, sinus medicine, Kleenex and throat lozenges; a Night-Night Club specializing in pajamas, blankets and stuffed animals and a Baby Care Club that would donate baby food, formula, diapers, wipes and sippy cups.

The luncheon hour ended with a sing-a-long. The 600 enthusiastically supplied the words for a ballad with a familiar refrain: “Lean on Me when you’re not strong; and I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you along.” It’s easy to fathom that the needs are great, but so are the rewards for those who assist in offering a helping hand.

As I left the Fisher Pavilion, one of the 600 guests, a businessman, remarked on how much he was moved by the hour. We agreed that it helps to share a tear or two over lunch and to part with a donation that will be put to good and immediate use.

Councilmember Tim Burgess

Councilmember Tim Burgess responds to NBA Board of Governors Decision

SEATTLE - City Councilmember Tim Burgess issued the following statement today after the NBA Board of Governors voted to keep the Kings in Sacramento:

"The NBA's decision is very disappointing to me and the thousands of Sonics fans in our city. I remain hopeful that Seattle can once again be home to NBA basketball in the coming years. Chris Hansen and his partners have displayed amazing commitment in their efforts to secure a team for Seattle's fans. The City's role has always been to prepare for a team should one be available. We will be prepared."

[View in Council Newsroom]

Ord. 124161
C.B. 117750

AN ORDINANCE relating to grant funds from the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance; authorizing the Mayor or his designee to execute related agreements; increasing an appropriation in the 2013 Adopted Budget for the Police Department; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts, all by a three-fourths vote of the City Council.

Ord. 124162
C.B. 117754

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Center Department; authorizing execution of an agreement with Northwest Folklife for the presentation of the annual Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center.

Ord. 124163
C.B. 117758

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Bell Street Park Boulevard Development Project and the 2008 Parks and Green Space Levy; reallocating funding from the Neighborhood Park Acquisition Subcategory to the Neighborhood Parks and Playgrounds Development Subcategory of the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy; increasing appropriations to the Department of Parks and Recreation in the 2013 Adopted Budget; and amending the 2013-2018 Adopted Capital Improvement Program; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a three-fourths vote of the City Council.

Ord. 124164
C.B. 117764

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.

Ord. 124165
C.B. 117761

AN ORDINANCE related to Structured Teen Programming; lifting a budget proviso imposed on the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Recreation Facilities and Programs Budget Control Level in 2013 for structured teen programming and amending Ordinance 124058, which adopted the 2013 budget.

Ord. 124171
C.B. 117763

AN ORDINANCE relating to youth employment and mentoring programs; changing appropriations to the Department of Neighborhoods, Department of Parks and Recreation and Human Services Department; and removing a proviso in Ordinance 124058.

Res. 31443

A RESOLUTION stating the City of Seattle’s opposition to any action by the Food and Drug Administration to approve genetically engineered salmon.

Comprehensive Plan map, 1950

On Monday, May 13^th, the Council unanimously adopted the 2012-2013 Comprehensive Plan Amendments. Under State law, the Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) can only be amended once a year (with a few specific exceptions), and the process involves a lengthy and thorough review of proposed amendments. The Comp Plan is not taken lightly by the City, and we are cautious about changing it.

State law also calls for a periodic full update of the Comp Plan, which the City is required to complete by 2015. This process began last year, and is now moving into high gear. Our goal is to reduce complexity and make the Comp Plan simpler and easier for people to understand, and easier for the City to implement. Even as this full update is underway, the City will also continue the annual amendment cycle in 2013-2014, which will begin with a call for proposals in the near future.

The current group of amendments includes some new policies that are intended to help shape the full update. The most significant addition are the new “Transit Communities Policies”. These policies augment the City’s Urban Village strategy by adding new sets of criteria to ensure that transit investments and housing development are more closely linked. The set of policies approved this year focus on creating the conceptual framework for transit communities, and on integrating the transit community concept built on walksheds surrounding areas that have frequent transit service with the urban village strategy generally built on existing commercial and residential nodes. We anticipate that making a closer linkage between transit service and development opportunities may lead to revised boundaries for urban villages and centers, and clearer priorities for future investments.

The transit communities policies were developed by the Seattle Planning Commission, and have been extensively reviewed and refined to create a clear path to making them useful parts of the Comp Plan. The revisions made by the Council defined the walkshed, emphasized the relationship to the urban village strategy, and added criteria for community engagement in working on specific changes in affected communities.

The Comprehensive Plan amendments include the following other important additions or modifications:

• Extensive reworking of the policies around climate change to reflect the new goal of carbon neutrality and the specific strategies that are included in the update of the Climate Action Plan.
• Revisions to the Urban Design element to emphasize and define the connections between the built environment and the natural features of Seattle, and to emphasize the importance of public space and parks.
• A new Healthy Food Policies element that creates the policy framework for the Seattle Food Action Plan, approved by the Council on April 29.
• Updates to the Broadview/Bitter Lake/Haller Lake and Rainier Beach Neighborhood Plan policies, the most recent neighborhood plans to go through a major review.

For details on the amendments, please see website.

That’s why today’s Seattle Times guest editorial by Edward D. Lazowska on STEM –  science + technology + engineering + mathematics – caught my attention. Mr. Lasowska is chair of UW’s computer science and engineering program. He argues the importance of computer sciences for our state economy.

I agree, but I believe just as important is innovative thinking and creativity within the sciences. Without it, science is merely an exercise. How do we infuse creativity with science? Arts education. It is time for STEM to evolve into STEAM: science + technology + arts + engineering + mathematics.

Sarah Pease edited a compelling edition of ARCADE magazine recently, in which she observed that we are trained at a young age to separate art from the core subjects of our studies, rendering it unimportant in the shadows of science and math. She and other contributors argue that the areas of art and science are more closely related than not, that their overlap is more relevant now than ever.

ARCADE contributor John Maeda wrote that when he was young his teachers praised him for being good at math and art. But, his father would tell people “John is good at math.” Maeda felt he had to choose between the two. He chose the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

After many years there, he saw technology succeeding in making everything cheaper, faster and smaller—but failing to make things emotionally rich. He became convinced something else was needed to inspire true innovation – design and art. It was that realization that propelled him from MIT to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he is now president.

Check out his related TED Talk from June of last year.

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Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Nick Licata

City to develop outreach strategies for Affordable Care Act

Seattle - Seattle City Council adopted a resolution today enlisting City departments to develop outreach strategies to educate and inform the public about new healthcare coverage programs made available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Departments will coordinate with the efforts of community partners to enroll all newly eligible residents in the new healthcare coverage options.

"The City of Seattle has an extraordinary opportunity to increase the health of our residents by working diligently on enrolling folks in the health care insurance exchange,"said Councilmember Richard Conlin, sponsor of the resolution. "This is one of the most significant advances in health care since the implementation of Medicare in 1965 and it is imperative that we take a leadership role in this."

Seattle's outreach plan will include person-to-person support for individuals, particularly communities who need more intensive help with the application processes and accessing health care services. The Affordable Health Care Act requires that most members of the public enroll for healthcare coverage by January 2014. An estimated 30,000 Seattle residents will become eligible for subsidized health care coverage through Washington's Health Benefit Exchange and Council has made it a priority to enroll them all.

Councilmember Nick Licata said, "The Council action to expedite healthcare coverage is particularly timely considering this week's report that each year in the US, 11,300 newborns die within 24 hours of their birth, 50% more than all other industrialized countries combined."

"Nearly 60,000 Seattle residents are currently without health insurance,"said Mayor Mike McGinn. "I am enlisting City departments to inform and enroll people into expanded Medicaid and subsidized insurance that will soon be available through the Affordable Care Act. This is an unprecedented opportunity that will help our residents receive the care they need and lower health care costs by decreasing reliance on high-cost medical services including emergency room visits."

"We have a landmark opportunity to increase access to health care in our community,"said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "By connecting residents to coverage, we will ultimately improve the health of our community."

[View in Council Newsroom]

FULL COUNCIL:
1. Resolution 31446 (PDF Version) ADOPTED (9 – 0)
Enlisting City departments to educate and inform the public about new healthcare coverage programs made available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and to encourage them to enroll and plan for healthcare coverage .

LIBRARIES, UTILITIES, AND CENTER COMMITTEE:
2. Council Bill 117757 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to Seattle Public Utilities; authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to execute a Second Amended and Restated Declining Block Water Supply Agreement between the City of Seattle and Cascade Water Alliance.

3. Council Bill 117766 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to Seattle Public Utilities; declaring certain reserved real property rights relating to sewer facilities within the vacated portion of 7th Avenue South, and easement rights related to storm water runoff at 701 South Orchard Street as being surplus to City utility needs; authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to relinquish such easement rights; authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to accept an easement from Seattle Iron & Metals Company for conveyance of storm water runoff through private property from city-owned drainage facilities in portions of South Garden Street; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

PLANNING, LAND USE, AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE:
4. Council Bill 117697 (PDF Version) PASSED AS AMENDED (9 – 0)
Amending the Seattle Comprehensive Plan to incorporate changes proposed as part of the 2012-2013 Comprehensive Plan annual amendment process. 

 5. Resolution 31451 (PDF Version) ADOPTED (9 – 0)
Calling for a revised schedule for the mandated periodic review and update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan; and a mending Resolution 31370.

6. Clerk File 313003 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Maria Batayola as member, Seattle Chinatown International District Public Development Authority Council, for a term of confirmation to May 31, 2017.

On Monday, May 13 the Council will continue its consideration of returning Seattle to a system of partial public financing of elections. Seattle had public financing from 1979 to 1991 before a change in state law made it illegal from 1992 to 2008.

The Council will review several issues relating to how a system of public financing could be structured, including qualifying, spending limits, contribution limits, match level, and how to fund it. The agenda for the meeting is here.

The Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission sent a letter recommending the Council consider a program for City Council races. Candidates would need to show a broad base of support by obtaining at least 600 contributions of $10 or more to qualify, agree to limit their spending to $210,000, and receive a 6-1 public match used in New York City.

I wrote an about public financing in Seattle earlier this year.

In January and February, the Council held forums with representatives from the Elections offices of Los Angeles and San Francisco, which have public financing, and academic experts, which included a review of New York City’s public financing program.

Materials from the first meeting of the Public Campaign Finance committee on April 29 meeting are here.

The City Council has a Public Financing issues page, with links to relevant documents, including video of the presentations the Council received. Future meetings are scheduled for May 28 and June 10, and June 17 if necessary. Approval in a November public vote would be necessary to adopt public financing.

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.
Committee referral: Full Council

     BY BAGSHAW
2. C.B. 117777

AN ORDINANCE relating to the City of Seattle’s Department of Parks and Recreation; authorizing the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with Seattle Audubon Society to operate and manage the Administrative Building located in Carkeek Park.
Committee referral: Parks and Neighborhoods

     BY BURGESS
3. C.B. 117778

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of Finance and Administrative Services to execute an amendment to a lease agreement between the City of Seattle and MUSREF Spokane Street, L.P. a Washington corporation; combining two leases for warehouse space the City leases at the southeast corner of 2nd Avenue South and South Spokane Street in Seattle, Washington; extending the term to 2024 with an option to extend; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
Committee referral: Government Performance and Finance

     BY CLARK
4. C.B. 117779

AN ORDINANCE related to the Yesler Terrace Project; lifting a budget proviso imposed on Finance General’s Reserves Budget Control Level in 2013 for Yesler Terrace Project Support and amending Ordinance 124058, which adopted the 2013 budget.
Committee referral: Economic Resiliency and Regional Relations

     BY CLARK
5. C.B. 117780

AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation, imposing controls upon the Seattle National Bank Building, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
Committee referral: Economic Resiliency and Regional Relations

     BY LICATA
6. C.B. 117781

AN ORDINANCE relating to land use and zoning, creating a new Section 23.42.058 and amending Sections 23.50.012, 23.84A.012, 23.84A.018, and 23.84A.025 of the Seattle Municipal Code to establish locational restrictions on the production, processing, selling, or delivery of marijuana, to modify the definition of food processing, and to modify existing allowances for agricultural uses in certain industrial areas.
Committee referral: Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture

     BY RASMUSSEN
7. C.B. 117782

AN ORDINANCE granting King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Wastewater Treatment Division permission to construct, maintain, and operate a combined sewer overflow control system within Triton Drive Northwest as part of the existing North Beach Pump Station for an unlimited term; specifying the conditions under which this permit is granted; and providing for the acceptance of the permit and conditions.
Committee referral: Transportation

     BY RASMUSSEN
8. C.B. 117783

AN ORDINANCE granting Saturn Building LLC permission to construct, maintain, and operate a Saturn sculpture and solar collector over Evanston Avenue North, south of North 35th Street, for a ten-year term, renewable for two successive ten-year terms; specifying the conditions under which this permit is granted; and providing for the acceptance of the permit and conditions.
Committee referral: Transportation

     BY RASMUSSEN
9. C.B. 117784

AN ORDINANCE related to Restricted Parking Zones (RPZs); authorizing the Director of Transportation to consider requests from employers within RPZs for employee permits under certain conditions; and amending Sections 11.16.315 and 11.16.316 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
Committee referral: Transportation

     BY BAGSHAW
10. Res. 31454

A RESOLUTION relating to the Department of Parks and Recreation; creating the Parks and Recreation Legacy Citizens’ Advisory Committee to ensure citizen participation in the development of a potential ballot measure for funding operations, maintenance, development and acquisition of parks and recreation facilities and programs.
Committee referral: Parks and Neighborhoods

     BY Clark
11. C.F. 313015

Reappointment of Elaine Wine as member, Landmarks Preservation Board, for a term of confirmation to August 15, 2015.
Committee referral: Economic Resiliency and Regional Relations

Duwamish River and Industrial District, 1999

The first three proposals have been received and evaluated for the Industrial Development District (IDD). The IDD is a partnership involving the City of Seattle, King County, and the State of Washington that seeks innovative proposals for industrial development that have been challenging to implement due to regulatory, policy, or financial issues. I and my staff developed this idea as a project to add new vitality to Seattle’s industrial sector.

The IDD initiative seeks proposals that meet three criteria:

• Provide positive economic benefit
• Result in equal to or better measurable environmental performance than would result from current regulations
• Are located on currently industrially zoned land

We chose this approach because it has become increasingly clear that prescriptive regulations tend to be very good at stopping bad things, but we need to promote good things – and government regulations do not have the nimbleness or flexibility to encourage innovation.  So we are setting broad parameters to foster creativity around the goal of providing jobs and economic activity while enhancing the environment.

The Office for Economic Development has selected two of the proposals to advance as pilot projects. The third proposal was judged to have too many uncertainties and potential pitfalls, and was not selected in this round; however, the parties will explore the concept further with possible applications to a future round of proposals.

The first proposal selected was submitted by the Port of Seattle. The Port suggests that the seismic standards that are used to evaluate piers and warehouses are too stringent. The standards are based on those developed for office and industrial buildings, but the Port structures generally have few people working in and around them, and are relatively low buildings that have minimal risks. They estimate that they could save up to $600 million in cost savings if seismic regulations for their facilities were designed to better reflect the unique nature of their structures. The first steps in this project are to better understand the risks and possible consequences from changing the standards (including the impact on resilience – the Port’s ability to bounce back after the earthquake), and then to develop new standards if it appears truly warranted. If this project turns out to be feasible, the potential benefits in jobs and cost savings could be quite large when the Port upgrades their facilities to serve larger ships.

The second proposal accepted was submitted by the Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC), and proposes to limit the siting of daycare centers in industrial zones. The MIC notes that the standards for cleaning up industrial sites to accommodate the special health risks to growing children are very costly, and suggests that if companies were not required to meet these standards, they could save significant amounts of money. While at first this may seem like a weakening of environmental standards, the results could be counterintuitive. Sites continue to be polluted because cleanup is triggered by new development and the standards make that cost prohibitive. Slightly modifying the standards may mean each site is cleaned up to a somewhat ‘lower’ level, but it could mean that currently very polluted sites are more likely to be cleaned up. Ecology agrees that this makes sense, but there are questions as to whether it is appropriate to limit daycare centers and if this can be enforced into the future. 

Both of these are puzzles that require careful and thoughtful analysis to see if the results do justify the modification of the standards. The third proposal was more like what we expected to see, a proposal to save money on stormwater treatment and compliance by creating joint treatment facilities covering several properties. The argument is that there would be economies of scale, and that there would be environmental benefits because the facilities would come on line more quickly and in advance of actual construction on some of the sites. While the agencies were interested in this proposal, there were enough legal and policy concerns that they decided to develop a more general policy covering this issue prior to accepting a specific proposal.

The IDD is a hard concept to implement and a challenging one to work through. It asks whether a set of tradeoffs will actually result in both environmental and economic benefits, and the agencies are appropriately cautious in making decisions to proceed. Nonetheless, if these projects are found to meet the two benefit tests, the potential for positive outcomes is significant. And success in these ideas could stimulate many more ideas in the future.

The IDD is an exciting concept that can create jobs and enhance the environment.  It has special promise in the Duwamish, where the environmental cleanup can be leveraged for economic development. That is why not only the involved governments, but business, labor, and environmental organizations have come together to support getting this work underway.

Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Mike O'Brien

Councilmembers to host discussion on the Growing Transit Communities Strategy

SEATTLE - Join Councilmembers and Puget Sound Regional Council staff at a brownbag discussion to identify key action strategies to make transit station-areas great places to live, work and play.

WHAT: Growing Transit Communities Strategy brownbag discussion

WHEN: Monday, May 13, 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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

WHO: Seattle City Councilmembers, Puget Sound Regional Council Staff

Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) developed a draft "Growing Transit Communities Strategy" to present consensus approaches for developing thriving neighborhoods around high-capacity transit areas, and to provide tools and resources to implement adopted regional and local plans. PSRC will present the draft plan and solicit feedback.

For additional information, visit http://www.psrc.org/growth/growing-transit-communities/growing-communities-strategy.

[View in Council Newsroom]

This week I held a work session with SDOT staff.  We poured over a large map of the route to identify options for improvements.   I know this route, and I bicycle along this route to and from work when my meeting schedule permits.  It is very challenging because of the heavy traffic and the many and sometimes confusing crossings.  There are long stretches where the streets have been pulverized by the mammoth trucks going to and from the Port.  The conditions require extra caution on everyone’s part whether they bicycle or drive this route.

Please know that it did not take this heartbreaking fatality to bring attention for the need to improve this route.  Last fall the City Council increased the 2013 SDOT budget for bicycle improvements city-wide.  We specifically funded planning for improvements to portions of the West Seattle route to downtown.

During the next several weeks I will continue to work with SDOT and members of the community to develop a plan for improvements to the West Seattle – East Marginal Way bike corridor.  I am determined to implement those plans as soon as possible.

I would also like to share a video from AAA: Share The Road

If you have suggestions for improvement please write me at tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov.

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Councilmembers Harrell and Rasmussen call community meeting on
Street name change to honor Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney

SEATTLE - Councilmembers Bruce Harrell and Tom Rasmussen announced the first of two public meetings to hear public feedback on plans to name sections of 19th Avenue after Rev. Dr. Samuel McKinney.

Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Council's Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee stated, "I am very pleased to listen to members of the community who began the dialogue about honoring Rev. Dr. McKinney. For over 40 years, he has been a civil rights leader, as well as a minister who has positively influenced all of Seattle.  Rev. McKinney has been the conscience of our city and has made a lasting mark on race and social justice issues.  Rev. McKinney and his late wife, Louise, have made a lasting impact on 19th Avenue in Seattle and beyond."

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, chair of the Council's Transportation Committee, stated, "Seattle should honor Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, and I support Councilmember Bruce Harrell's proposal for the honorary designation of ‘Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney Avenue' on 19th Avenue between E. Union and E. Republican Streets."  

Rasmussen continued, "Rev. Dr. McKinney has dedicated his life to his church and community. He is a man of many achievements, serving as one of the original members of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, lecturing and teaching at colleges around the nation and opening a church-run Credit Union which strived to assist community members who were unable to open bank accounts and conduct financial transactions in traditional banks. I hope to see his legacy live on through the years."

The first of two community meetings is scheduled for today at 3:00 p.m..

WHAT: Community Meeting on Honorary Street Name Change of 19th Avenue
WHEN: TODAY -- Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1634 19th Ave. Seattle, WA 98122
WHO:  Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
             Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

• Link to Rev. Dr. Samuel McKinney's biography: http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=152
• Email your support for renaming portions of 19th Avenue (East Union to East Republican Streets) to bruce.harrell@seattle.gov or tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov

[View in Council Newsroom]

Councilmember Bruce Harrell

Councilmember Harrell seeks applications for the Seattle Women's Commission

SEATTLE - Councilmember Bruce Harrell announced today that the City is seeking candidates for three vacant positions on the Seattle Women's Commission.

The Commission is a 20-member body that works together to research, analyze and make recommendations to the Mayor, City Council and City departments on issues facing women in Seattle. The Commission meets monthly and more frequently as committees to address economic opportunity for women, social justice, women's health, affordable and high-quality child-care, women's roles as care-givers, violence against women and challenges immigrant women face in our community.

Councilmember Harrell strongly encourages women with a background in policy work and research regarding gender pay gap inequality to apply. According to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by the National Partnership for Women and Families, the most recent data shows that out of the top 50 U.S. metropolitan areas, Seattle has the largest wage gap for women. Women in the Seattle area are paid an average of 73 cents for every dollar paid to men in the area, amounting to a yearly gap of $16,346 between men and women who work full time. As a group, this results in a loss of $7,894,987,232 for women in the Seattle area each year, with national statistics showing even larger wage pay gaps for women of color.

"Closing and eradicating the wage gap between women and men in the Seattle metropolitan area is of utmost concern, and I am glad it is getting the attention it deserves. Having Commissioners with a background in policy work relating to gender pay gap inequality that are passionate about resolving this issue will help to build greater gender equity in Seattle," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology committee.

Appointment to the Commission is subject to confirmation by the City Council. Commissioners serve two-year terms, although may be appointed to fill the remainder of an existing term.

Interested candidates should deliver a resume and cover letter by May 31 to Councilmember Bruce Harrell by email (bruce.harrell@seattle.gov), by fax (206-684-8587; provide cover memo with Attn: Bruce Harrell) or by mail to:

Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Seattle City Council
P.O. Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025

[View in Council Newsroom]

Last week, a new coalition seeking to help homeowners in foreclosure— kicked off their new campaign called Reset Seattle.  

On their website, they announce that, “With over 16,500 Seattle homes foreclosed on and over 42,000 homeowners underwater, Washington CAN! is working with faith, community and labor groups to launch a campaign calling on City Council to stop at nothing short of principal reduction to provide real relief to struggling families.” 

The timing is good for such an effort.  Last month, RealtyTrac reported that although foreclosure filings nationally saw a decre

ase of 1% from February and down 23% from the previous year, in Washington State they were up 154% over the previous year.  Similarly, property repossessions nationally saw a decrease of 3% from February and down 21%  from March 2012, in Washington State they were up 88% over the previous year. 

In March the City Council agreed to explore new local solutions for homeowners and communities impacted by the foreclosure crisis, when they passed Resolution 31434, for which I was the prime sponsor, joined by Councilmembers Bagshaw and Harrell.

Here are couple sobering facts: 

·         According to the 2012 2 ^nd Quarter Zillow report, 38% percent of all homeowners are underwater on their mortgages and the average amount of negative equity carried by the individual homeowner because of the loss of value in their homes is approximately $92,200

·         According to the Seattle Office of Housing, between 2008 and November 30, 2012, 9,491 Seattle families have lost their homes due to foreclosures stemming from the housing crisis and approximately 34 percent of those are concentrated in Southeast Seattle where 14% of the City’s homeowners live.

Nationally, homeowners owe $700 billion more on their mortgages than their homes are worth and banks have received more than $700 billion in bailout funds.  Yet, these tax payer dollars are only marginally used to help struggling homeowners, while the industry continues to be unwilling to renegotiate loans on any meaningful scale.  The result is that the increase in consumer spending that is so necessary to our economic recovery isn’t occurring.

I’m excited to begin our review of the circumstances and causes of foreclosures as well as the foreclosure methods and practices of lenders, not to mention the inequities people in Seattle face. We’re working with a prominent expert in this field who has experience consulting for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the International Monetary Fund, and a number of federal and state legislators and local governments. Together, the City Council, in collaboration with the Office of Housing will explore all legal options to assisthomeowners who continue to suffer from the housing crisis.

If you want to read more about the impact upon Seattle homeowners and communities from the foreclosure crisis, check out the new report Reset Seattle has released in conjunction with the United Black Clergy, entiled: “The Wall Street Wrecking Ball.”

Councilmember Sally Bagshaw

Meetings set to discuss future of Seattle's parks
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw encourages public participation

SEATTLE - Seattle Parks and Recreation announced public meetings to help plan the future of Seattle's parks, community centers and other facilities. Feedback from these discussions could potentially shape a ballot measure presented to Seattle voters in 2014. Councilmember Sally Bagshaw encourages Seattleites who use parks facilities to comment at one of the six public conversations hosted by Seattle Parks and Recreation:

• Tuesday, May 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: General Meeting - Seattle Parks and Recreation Administration Building (100 Dexter Ave. N)
• Wednesday, May 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Sports, Recreation and Aquatics -- Green Lake Community Center (7201 E Green Lake Dr. N)
• Monday, May 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Seniors, Teens including LBGT, Community Centers and Associated Recreation Council (ARC) - Northgate Community Center  (10510 5th Ave. NE)
• Thursday, May 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Environmental Programs, Open Space and Maintenance -- Jefferson Community Center (3801 Beacon Ave. S)
• Tuesday, May 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: General Meeting - Dakota Place Park Building (4304 SW Dakota St.)
• Wednesday, May 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Immigrant and Refugee Communities -- South Shore K-8 School (4800 S Henderson St.)

While some of the meetings focus on certain Parks functions, comments on any Parks activity or function are welcome at all of the meetings.
The draft plan is available online at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/legacy/.

People who cannot make it to a meeting and who want to comment on the draft plan can send an email to parkslegacy@seattle.gov.
For interpretation services or special accommodations at the meetings, please email parkslegacy@seattle.gov or call Susanne Rockwell at 206-733-9702.

[View in Council Newsroom]

AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department, declaring as surplus and authorizing the Superintendent or his designee to release a portion of a patrol road easement located in Snohomish County, Washington, within the right of way for the Bothell Substation to Creston Nelson Substation transmission corridor, accepting payment for the true and full value of the easement release from SHHC LLC dba D. R. Horton, and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

Ord. 124159
C.B. 117740

AN ORDINANCE relating to street and sidewalk use; amending portions of Chapters 15.06, 15.08, 15.10, and 15.12 and Sections 15.04.015, 15.04.074, 15.04.100, 15.16.040, 15.48.040 and 15.65.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code; repealing Section 15.10.030; amending the Seattle Department of Transportation Street Use Permit Fee Schedule; to correct typographical errors, correct section references, clarify regulations, and make minor amendments; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

Ord. 124160
C.B. 117755

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.

Res. 31442

A RESOLUTION granting conceptual approval to King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Wastewater Treatment Division to locate, construct, maintain, and operate underground injection control wells and associated green stormwater infrastructure systems on selected blocks comprising the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Drainage Area, bounded by 35th Avenue Southwest to the west, Southwest Othello Street to the north, 30th Avenue Southwest to the east, and Southwest Barton Street to the south.

This legislation represents a great step for Seattle.  The land use changes will add capacity in the SLU neighborhood of 12,000 units of housing and 22,000 jobs.  It will serve as a boost to Seattle’s already growing economy and allow us to retain employers like Amazon who are adding as many as 100 jobs a week in our city and expansion of the global health sector.  The increased density is also good for our environment.  As more people are able to live near work and transit, we are able to reduce vehicle miles traveled in our city.  Finally, the rezone builds upon city investments in Lake Union Park, a new streetcar and sidewalks to create a vibrant neighborhood that will soon be a community and cultural destination for the region.

In considering this legislation, there were many details to get right.  Here are highlights of some of the issues you raised, what I supported in the package and where we landed.

1. Increased Affordable Housing: I worked hard to increase the provisions for affordable housing to provide more opportunities for people who work in the neighborhood to be able to live there too.  With your support, we strengthened the incentive zoning program and secured a 43% increase in the residential pay-in-lieu price (to $21.68), effective immediately, and a 33% increase in the commercial price phased in over eighteen months (to $29.71). For those uninitiated in the ins-and-outs of land use policy, our analysis shows that these prices will create the right incentives for developers to produce that workforce housing onsite. Collectively, we estimate these strengthened provisions will produce more than 700 units of workforce housing in and near the neighborhood.

2. Preserving Neighborhood Character and Access to the Lake:  While much of our conversation focused on new construction in the neighborhood, I also heard many concerns for preserving this character of the neighborhood and I supported stronger provisions in the package to do just that. The final package also works to preserve the residential character of the Cascade neighborhood.   I supported a ten foot increase in residential height for buildings in the Cascade neighborhood, in order to achieve optimal design (to 55’ for commercial buildings and 85’ for residential).Finally, the Council brought down the height of proposed towers on the Mercer blocks from 240 to 160’.  While I supported the proposed heights in order to maximize density in the neighborhood, I recognize the lower heights will help create a “step down” to the lake and help transition the neighborhood to the beautiful Lake Union Park.

3. Protecting the Environment: The legislation enables a first-in-the state Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (TIF for TDR) that will preserve 25,000 acres of working, rural farm and forestland and provide tens of millions of dollars in revenue for urban neighborhood improvements.  In addition, I supported an amendment for stronger green building standards.   Buildings accessing additional height are required to meet LEED Gold or LEED Silver plus be “district energy ready.”

Collectively, these provisions represent an opportunity for great development and a fair deal for Seattle residents.  We have provided the incentives to attract investment, guidelines to ensure great design and asked for robust public benefits in exchange.

As the rezone is implemented, we have more work to do—to develop a community center, neighborhood school and other civic spaces; to continue to support good transit connections to the neighborhood; and to ensure that our workforce development and job training programs are creating pipelines for those most in need to access the opportunity booming in South Lake Union.

The Plan builds on my Local Food Action Initiative (LFAI), adopted by the Council in 2008 in response to the growing public interest in local, healthy food. Numerous steps have been taken to implement the initiative in the last several years, including providing more stability for Farmers Markets, expanding the City’s community garden (p-patch) program, increasing the City’s commitment to improve nutrition and reduce hunger, and creating land use code amendments for urban farming that make it legal to grow and sell produce and products. The LFAI has been widely publicized and used a model around the country, and the National League of Cities is now promoting the adoption of local food policies as part of its sustainability initiatives.

Our work on local food has now gone beyond the LFAI, with the creation of the Regional Food Policy Council, which I Chair, and with creation of a new a position in the Office of Sustainability and Environment to coordinate our food work. In recognition of the need for a more formal and coordinated strategic approach, the Council first commissioned a consultant to draft a food policy, and then worked with the Mayor’s office to move this draft through a community consultation process and create a formal plan.

The core elements of the Food Action Plan are to:

• Create and sustain strong interdepartmental and intergovernmental coordination on food issues.
• Enhance partnerships with the public and private sectors and community-based organizations in the City and across the region.
• Stimulate collaboration among community organizations, institutions, neighborhoods, and governments.
• Focus on racial and social equity and support the communities most at-risk for food insecurity and diet-related disease.
• Increase inclusive communication and engagement opportunities for the public.
• Use data to assess conditions, inform priorities, and track progress.

The Plan has four key goals, with a series of strategies under each.

Goal 1 is to foster Healthy Food for All. Strategies include:

• Promote the location of healthy food access points that can be reached by walking, biking, or transit by all residents.
• Use the City’s purchasing and contracting power to support healthy, local, sustainably produced food.
• Support programs, policies, and projects that help get more healthy food to children and youth.
• Increase affordability of healthy, local food for low-income Seattle residents.
• Promote healthy food, especially in low-income communities and with youth, through education and collaborative efforts.

Goal 2 is to Grow Local to the maximum extent possible. Strategies include:

• Prioritize food production as a use of land.
• Develop and support programs to produce food on City-owned land.
• Support efforts to expand urban food production on privately owned land, including residential, commercial, and institutional properties.
• Explore opportunities to expand rooftop and building-integrated agriculture.
• Work jointly with other jurisdictions to conserve agricultural land.

Goal 3 is to use the food sector to Strengthen the Local Economy. Strategies include:

• Support businesses that grow, distribute, process, and sell local and healthy food.
• Celebrate and enhance local food as an element of Seattle’s economy and identity.
• Support farmers markets and small retailers that sell healthy and locally produced food.

Goal 4 is to Prevent Food Waste. Strategies include:

• Prevent edible food from entering waste stream.
• Increase composting of non-edible food.

Each of these strategies has a set of action items associated with it. Some highlights are:

• Expanding the Farm to Childcare program, which brings healthy food from local farmers into childcare sites, trains child care providers on nutrition and cooking and brings kids to local farms.
• Expanding the Fresh Bucks program, which increases the affordability of healthy food for low-income Seattle residents.
• Growing the successful P-Patch community gardening program, which will expand to 90 gardens throughout Seattle by the end of 2013.
• Leasing underutilized City-owned land to urban farmers, who want to expand food production in Seattle.

The Seattle Food Action Plan lays the groundwork for a just food system in Seattle. Consumers, retailers, distributors and growers all benefit. The actions in the Plan will help get healthier, local food onto the tables and into the lunchboxes of individuals, families and children.

For more information on the City’s food systems work, visit www.seattle.gov/environment/food or my website at http://www.seattle.gov/council/conlin/food_initiative/

The MID is one of the city’s nonprofit Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) where landowners pay special assessments to contract with private firms that provide additional trash pick-up, alley cleaning and other services that make the neighborhood cleaner and safer. The Council considered this renewal and expansion after it was presented to the Council in a petition signed by a significant majority of the would-be MID ratepayers. Because state law limits City government’s ability to raise revenues, BIAs have become an important tool for business districts throughout Seattle to raise their own revenue to make their sidewalks, buildings and streets more inviting to residents and customers.  

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Council President Sally J. Clark

Seattle Police Monitor Merrick Bobb presents first semi-annual report

Seattle - Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Council's Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, will host Merrick Bobb and members of the Seattle Police Monitoring team at committee on Tuesday afternoon. Bobb is the court-appointed independent monitor for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement and will present his first semi-annual report to the City Council.

The report was filed with the U.S. District Court on April 26, 2013.

• Link to Monitor's First Semiannual Report
• Link to Seattle Police Department's Compliance Coordinator website

WHAT: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee

WHEN: Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Council Chambers, 2nd floor, Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle 98104

WHO: Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell, Council President Sally J. Clark, Councilmember Mike O'Brien, Councilmember Nick Licata, Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, Councilmember Jean Godden, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

[View in Council Newsroom]

Some community members felt the meeting turned out to be about how tee-ball and youth soccer were to be scheduled for the field, not about whether they should be scheduled at all, which was their expectation. One resident told me “The meeting last night was not productive. There was an agenda, but nothing was actionable.”

This experience left me feeling the need for DPR to improve its outreach practices, which I encouraged then-DPR Superintendent Ken Bounds to pursue.

The following year, he and DPR published the department’s first public involvement policy.

This month presents Seattle residents an opportunity to test it.

DPR is soliciting help from the public in planning the future of Seattle’s parks, programs and community centers as well as other facilities. Their goal is to gather public input for incorporation into their Parks Legacy Plan. The City Council will be presented DPR’s plan for approval in December. Councilmember Sally Bagshaw Chairs the Council’s Parks and Neighborhood Committee.

• Tuesday, May 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: General Meeting
  Seattle Parks and Recreation Administration Building
  100 Dexter Ave. N
• Wednesday, May 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Sports, Recreation, and Aquatics
  Green Lake Community Center
  7201 E Green Lake Dr. N
• Monday, May 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Seniors, Teens Including LGBT, Community Centers And Associated Recreation Council (Arc)
  Northgate Community Center
  10510 5th Ave. NE
• Thursday, May 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Environmental Programs, Open Space And Maintenance
  Jefferson Community Center
  3801 Beacon Ave. S
• Tuesday, May 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: General Meeting
  Dakota Place Park Building
  4304 SW Dakota St.
• Wednesday, May 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Immigrant and Refugee Communities
  South Shore K-8 School
  4800 S Henderson St.
  

  A 1950 ariel photo of Seattle’s 1st public park, Denny Park, dontated in 1864 by David Denny & Louisa Denny while still a cemetery. Graves were moved at the city’s expense after the Denny’s created an 1883 deed making most of the area a public park. (courtesy Seattle PI Archives)

Some of the questions current DPR Superintendent Christopher Williams and his staff want to ask include “Are we spending resources as effectively as possible? What does the public think of our park system? What are the basic services we provide? Should the community center programs seek to bring in more revenue? What do you think is important to provide through teen programs? How would you prioritize funding dollars for cleaning comfort stations, maintaining sportsfields, and lawn maintenance?”

DPR is also inviting residents to comment on any DPR topic.

Do you know that DPR is a long time supporter of the arts?  It runs arts programs at Magnuson Park and the Alki Arts Studio while partnering with 9 other arts groups, such as Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle Public Theater, Spectrum Dance Theater and the Seattle Art Museum.

After being harangued by me over the years to prioritize reconstruction of Building 30 in Magnuson Park, they are doing so as I write. The seismically upgraded building is expected to re-open this fall with at least 20 artist work studios and its large hanger space welcoming back community groups and activities that had been turned away due to safety concerns.

Artspace, a provider of affordable artist live/work space throughout the country, estimated over a thousand working artists are on waiting lists for affordable work studio and live/work studio space in Seattle. 24 artists once worked in Building 11’s studios at Magnuson Park.

Will DPR again seek artists to rent work space in Building 11? How does it plan on working with Magnuson Park’s 20-year old arts advocacy group SPACE – the Sand Point Arts & Cultural Exchange? Will DPR update its system wide 12 year old planning documents for the arts?

To learn more, refer to DPR’s Parks Legacy Plan.

Those who cannot attend a meeting and wish to comment on DPR’s draft plan can email parkslegacy@seattle.gov.

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FULL COUNCIL:
1. Council Bill 117762 (PDF Version) REFERRED TO THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.
Relating to the City Light Department; amending Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 21.49.040 to simplify the eligibility verification process for residential rate assistance.

2. Clerk File 311812 (PDF Version) GRANTED AS CONDITIONED (9 – 0)
Application of Trenton Associates-McClellan LLC for approval of a contract rezone of approximately 67,948 sq. ft. of land at both 2615 25th Avenue South and 2715 — 25th Avenue South, from Single Family 5000 (SF 5000) to Seattle Mixed with a 65 foot limit (SM – 65′), to allow two- seven story structures containing a total of 307 residential units with parking for 222 vehicles, and including 13, 230 cu. yds. of grading in an environmentally critical area. (Related Project No. 3012417; Project No. 3012217, Type IV)

3. Council Bill 117772 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to land use and zoning; amending the Official Land Use Map to rezone properties located at 2615 25th Aven ue South and 2715 — 25th Avenue South, from Single Family 5000 (SF 5000) to Seattle Mixed/Residential with a 65 foot height limit (SM/R-65).

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON SOUTH LAKE UNION: 4. Council Bill 117603 (PDF Version) PASSED AS AMENDED (9 – 0)
Related to land use and zoning, modifying function and locational criteria for the Seattle Mixed zone; modifying use provisions and development standards; enacting and amending affordable housing incentive programs; enacting and amending provisions for height and density bonuses and transfer of development rights; amending Sections 23.34.128, 23.41.012, 23 .45.510, 23.45.516, 23.45.574, 23.47A.035, 23.48.002, 23.48.004, 23.48.010, 23.48.011, 23.48.012, 23.48.014, 23.48.017, 23.48.020, 23.48.024, 23.48.026, 23.48.028, 23.48.030, 23.48.032, 23.48.034, 23.48.035, 23.48.036, 23.48.038, 23.49.008, 23.49.010, 23.49.011, 23.49.023, 23.50.026, 23.50.027, 23.50.028, 23.50.053, 23.57.005, 23.57.008, 23.57.012, 23.58A.002, 23.58A.0 04, 23.58A.012, 23.58A.014, 23.58A.022, 23.58A.024, 23.58A.026, 23.66.032, 23.84A.030, 23.84A.032, 23.84A.038, 23.86.006; repealing Sections 23.48.006, 23.48.008, 23.48.016, 23.48.018, 23.48.019, 23.50.051, 23.50.052, 23.58A.013, 23.58A.016, 23 .58A.018, 23.58A.023; adding new sections 23.48.008, 23.48.009, 23.48.013, 23.48.022, 23.48.025, 23.58A.003, 23.58A.040, 23.58A.04 2, and 23.58A.044; and amending the Official Land Use Map, Chapter 23.32, at pages 101 and 102 to rezone areas within the South Lake Union Urban Center.

5. Resolution 31449 (PDF Version) ADOPTED AS AMENDED (9 – 0)
Declaring the City Council’s intent to support the growth and livability of the South Lake Union Urban Center by working with other City departments to implement initiatives that complement changes to land use regulations.

6. Resolution 31444 (PDF Version) ADOPTED AS AMENDED (9 – 0)
Calling for a thorough review and update of Seattle’s incentive zoning and other affordable housing programs and policies focused on creating affordable Workforce Housing by establishing an Expert Advisory Team that will advise and make recommendations to the City Council.

 7. Resolution 31445 (PDF Version) ADOPTED (9 – 0)
Responding to the Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) review of the South Lake Union rezone by the Legislative Department’s RSJI Change Team, and creating a work plan for advancing RSJI goals in response to that review.

GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE:
8. Council Bill 117736 (PDF Version) PASSED (8 – 0, COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW PRESENT BUT DISQUALIFIED FROM VOTING)
Establishing a ten-year Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area to be known as the Metropolitan Improvement District; levying special assessments upon operators of the business property, multi-family residential property (buildings containing four or more residential units), and mixed-use property (multi-family residential and commercial) within the area; providing for the deposit of revenues in a special account and expenditures therefrom; providing for collection of and penalties for delinquencies; providing for the establishment of a Ratepayers Advisory Board; providing for an implementation agreement with a Program Manager; disestablishing the current Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area that was established by Ordinance 121482 (“2004 DBIA”); suspending the issuance of assessments and providing for the winding up of activities under the 2004 DBIA; and providing for the distribution of remaining funds from and closing of the 2004 DBIA Account.

9. Council Bill 117759 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to the 2013 Budget; carrying forward certain unexpended appropriations and funds for non- capital purpose s from the 2012 budget of various departments; ratifying and confirming certain prior acts, all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.

10. Council Bill 117760 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Amending the 2012 Adopted Budget, including the 2012-2017 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and from various funds in the Budget; revising project allocations for certain projects in the 2012-2017 CIP; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
PASS AS AMENDED (Burgess, Bagshaw, Clark, Conlin, Godden, Licata)

 PUBLIC SAFETY, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE:
11. Clerk File 312916 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Rich Stolz as member, Seattle Human Rights Commission, for a term of confirmation to July 22, 2014.

12. Clerk File 312991 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)                                   
Appointment of Habtamu M. Abdi as member, Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission, for a term of confirmation to January 31, 2015.

13. Clerk File 312992 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Dori C. Cahn as member, Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission, for a term of confirmation to January 31, 2015.

 14. Clerk File 312993 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Simon M-S Khin as member, Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission, for a term of confirmation to January 31, 2015. 

15. Clerk File 312994 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Mariya Kochubey as member, Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission, for a term of confirmation to January 31, 2015.

16. Clerk File 312995 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Natasha A. Savage as member, Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission, for a term of confirmation to January 31, 2015.

Councilmember Nick Licata

Councilmember Licata's statement on the passage of South Lake Union rezone

SEATTLE - Seattle City Council passed a package of land use changes that increases the development capacity of the South Lake Union (SLU) neighborhood to accommodate projected future job growth and housing demands.Councilmember Nick Licata issued the following statement following the 9-0 vote:

With today's vote, the Council significantly increased affordable housing, but not nearly enough to meet South Lake Union's future need. Estimates are that these SLU upzones may result in over $12 billion worth of development over the next 25 years. Without affordable housing for people working in the city, traffic congestion will increasingly clog our streets, hurting the economy and our environment.

Whether the Council enacts upzones in SLU or any other neighborhood, upzoning adds significant value to private property. Seattle is among the most active real estate markets in the country, and we have a great opportunity before us to get this right. Just saying we built more housing isn't enough of a solution.

We all suffer if we push more people out of the city. For these reasons, I will seek city-wide incentive zoning, requiring housing be built for our entire workforce, not just those earning the highest wages.

[View in Council Newsroom]

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

Seattle City Council passes South Lake Union rezone
New zoning increases capacity for housing, jobs

SEATTLE - Seattle City Council unanimously passed Council Bill 117603, a package of land use changes that increases the development capacity of the South Lake Union neighborhood to accommodate projected future job growth and housing demands.

"After eight years of collaboration with South Lake Union stakeholders, neighbors and city staff, we're finally implementing the 2004 designation of South Lake Union as an 'Urban Center' and the South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan update," said Councilmember Richard Conlin, Chair of the Special Committee on South Lake Union and the Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability Committee. "By 2031, South Lake Union will have to absorb some 12,000 households and 22,000 jobs to continue to meet its share of future growth. This rezone will take the pressure off other neighborhoods and will shape South Lake Union for the next hundred years," added Conlin.

In addition to allowing greater building heights, the new zoning also imposes development standards and incentives to encourage a diverse urban form, more open space and an improved streetscape. For example:

• Only one tower per block will be permitted on the lake front blocks. Other blocks can have two towers but they must be more widely spaced than anywhere else in the city.
• There are strong street-level design standards and incentives to ensure a lively and vibrant pedestrian environment, such as requiring retail at ground level.
• A series of subarea standards will maintain the character of specific communities through incentives for preservation of landmark properties and existing open spaces.
• A new program that preserves farm land and forest land by transferring development rights into South Lake Union will generate funds for transportation improvements.

"This is the culmination of many years of hard work by many people," said City Council President Sally J. Clark. "Cascade neighbors, the South Lake Union Community Council, businesses large and small, property owners, research institutions, social service and low-income housing providers - they haven't always agreed, but they've all worked to shape a vision and now the rules for development of an amazing place to live and work."
"Imagine our South Lake Union alive with growing businesses a bustling neighborhood, connected to green spaces and great transit," said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. "We've reached a sound compromise that will work."

The Council modified the legislation submitted by Mayor Mike McGinn by adding requirements for greener buildings, historic preservation and view protection, and strengthening affordable housing provisions. Major amendments approved by the Council include:

• Reducing the allowed height on the Mercer blocks from 240 feet to 160 feet, and reorienting the towers to protect views by limiting east-west width to 105 feet.
• Adding the opportunity for up to four 125 foot residential towers on two blocks between the intersections of Westlake and Dexter and Highland and Galer, where the slope of Queen Anne Hill creates a significant change in the topography. This will replace most of the development capacity lost with lower heights on the Mercer blocks.
• Requiring all new buildings to meet the Gold standard of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the US Green Building Council.
• Expanding incentives to encourage preservation of all landmarked structures.
• Raising heights in part of the Cascade neighborhood from 75 feet to 85 feet to allow more flexibility in design.
• Strengthening incentives if developers include a public school in their project.
• Creating permanent setbacks on east-west corridors to protect views of the Space Needle, which was accomplished without reducing development potential.

The Mayor's proposed legislation included a requirement for developers to either include affordable housing in their projects or to contribute to funds for building low income housing if the developer chooses to build above the base height, which is 85 feet in most of the neighborhood. The Council increased the amount of the required fee by 43% for residential projects in hopes of generating more affordable workforce housing in the neighborhood. The fee for commercial projects will increase 33%, phased in over eighteen months.

"We improved the South Lake Union proposal significantly for the public by generating more resources for affordable workforce housing, encouraging the creation of a new public school and establishing a positive precedent for future upzones that will ensure smart growth for Seattle," said Councilmember Tim Burgess.

"I am proud of the work Council did to strengthen the incentives to build more affordable workforce housing in South Lake Union, creating more opportunities for people to live near where they work," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien.

"As we grow denser - and we must - we are growing in a manner that promotes Seattle values: affordability, an inviting pedestrian environment, open space and protected public views, and design standards that will give us a neighborhood worthy of civic pride," said Councilmember Jean Godden.

"The rezone package strikes a sensible balance between developers and the affordability targets by the City. This year, we will begin a 7-year major update to the City's Comprehensive Plan so policy work will continue to address the city's share of affordable housing needs and stimulate the market with smart development," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell. "We want a City where residents can live, work and play. Most importantly, in this process to set a clear vision for the South Lake Union neighborhood, Council was forward-thinking and inclusive."

[View in Council Newsroom]

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

City Council Town Hall Meeting on Climate Action Tomorrow
Community encouraged to share thoughts and perspectives

Seattle - Join the Seattle City Council for a town hall meeting where Councilmembers will hear directly from the public.  The meeting will be hosted in the context of the City's recently unveiled Climate Action Plan. 

The town hall will open at 6 p.m. with remarks by Councilmembers, followed by a panel discussion to provide the community with an overview of the draft Climate Action Plan, why it's important and how the community can help.  The rest of the meeting will be dedicated to open public comment.  Speakers will not be constrained to addressing climate issues.

WHO: Seattle City Councilmembers, general public

WHAT: Council Town Hall on Climate Action

WHEN: Tuesday, May 7, 6 p.m.

WHERE: University Heights Center
5031 University Way NE, Room 209
Seattle, WA 98105

Read the draft Climate Action Program at http://www.seattle.gov/council/issues/climate/

For more information, visit the event flier .PDF here

[View in Council Newsroom]

At the May 8 meeting of the Housing, Human Services and Culture Committee next Wednesday, we’ll discuss and consider a decision agenda about Council Bill 117744 re: marijuana zoning, which I wrote about earlier. The decision agenda will be linked to the meeting agenda on Monday.

The Committee held a public hearing on April 24, which you can view here. You can view the presentation and Councilmember discussion here. The memo from that meeting explains the relationship of the proposed ordinance to the current land use code in, for example, commercial zones. It also lists the public comments received up to that point. A map of industrial zones  was also discussed in the meeting.

A vote on the ordinance could take place at the May 22 committee meeting.

You can view the March 27 committee presentation on the Seattle Channel here.

This is the first of three major actions that the Council will take to reshape and revise Seattle’s policies around trees. My goal is to create a comprehensive set of policies that will be focused on tree stewardship and restoring the urban forest, and to replace our somewhat fragmented approach with one that has a more cohesive direction and clearer ecological orientation.

In July, we will adopt a revised Urban Forest Management Plan, which we will rename the Urban Forest Stewardship Plan. This plan outlines how the City will improve and maintain the urban forest on City land, and how we will encourage and support residents and businesses in planting and taking care of trees on private property. In the first part of 2014 we will consider a land use ordinance outlining regulations for preserving, maintaining, and planting trees on private property.

The Street Tree ordinance covers the more than 200,000 trees that are planted on City rights-of-way. Trees planted and growing in public places are an important part of the urban forest, the health of which provides a substantial contribution to the quality of life in Seattle. The preservation, retention, protection, and planting of trees and shrubs reduces the impacts of storm water runoff and helps to replenish ground water supply; aids in reducing air and noise pollution and energy consumption; sequesters global warming pollution; maintains and increases property values; provides habitat for wildlife; and enhances the aesthetic environment.

Many of these trees were planted by private individuals, while others were planted by the City. No matter who planted them, they exist on property held in trust for the public by the City. Because of this, they share a unique legal situation: the City has regulatory authority over these trees, but private property owners who abut the right-of-way have responsibility for maintaining any tree not planted by the city. One of the purposes of this ordinance is to clarify what this shared arrangement means and how the City manages it.

The ordinance specifies that “No person shall destroy, kill, injure, mutilate, or deface a street tree or vegetation in a public place by any means.” It also requires that “No person shall plant, remove, or perform major pruning on any street tree without first obtaining a Street Use permit from the Department of Transportation…” This regulation defines the core relationship between the City and property owners.

The ordinance also provides that only tree species approved in the Department of Transportation’s tree list or by the Director may be planted as street trees. It requires that major pruning of street trees conform to a set of standards designed to protect the health of the trees, and that pruning must be done by registered Tree Service Providers, who have been trained to meet these standards.

The ordinance sets out a City policy to retain and preserve street trees whenever possible. Removing street trees is only allowed if they are hazards to public health or safety, are in poor condition, or conflict with construction. Street trees that are removed must be replaced, and public notice is required before the tree is removed unless there is an imminent danger to public health or safety.

Private property owners are responsible for maintaining street trees and other vegetation unless the Department of Transportation has taken on maintenance responsibility. They are required to be pruned to prevent obstructing signals, lights, and views of traffic at intersections, with a minimum height clearance of 8 feet above the sidewalk and 14 feet above the street. Property owners can be required to remove trees that are hazardous or causing unsafe conditions.

The new Street Tree Ordinance is a step forward in the restoration and maintenance of Seattle’s urban forest. It will improve both the health and condition of our streets, and create new assets that will make our neighborhoods healthier and safer.

     BY BURGESS
1. C.B. 117774

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.
Committee referral: Full Council

     BY RASMUSSEN
2. C.B. 117775

AN ORDINANCE granting Apex Hotel Condominium Association of Apartment Owners permission to maintain and operate a concrete shear wall on the east side of the alley between 1st Avenue and Western Avenue, south of Bell Street for a ten-year term; renewable for two successive ten-year terms; specifying the conditions under which this permit is granted; providing for the acceptance of the permit and conditions; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
Committee referral: Transportation

RESOLUTIONS

     BY CONLIN
3. Res. 31446

A RESOLUTION enlisting City departments to educate and inform the public about new healthcare coverage programs made available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and to encourage them to enroll and plan for healthcare coverage.
Committee referral: Full Council

     BY HARRELL
4. Res. 31450

A RESOLUTION authorizing commencement of cable franchise contract renewal proceedings in accordance with the provisions of 47 U.S.C. section 546, and written request from Comcast.
Committee referral: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology

     BY CONLIN
5. Res. 31451

A RESOLUTION calling for a revised schedule for the mandated periodic review and update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

CLERK FILES

     BY Bagshaw
6. C.F. 312996

Appointment of Michael Shiosaki as member, Arboretum and Botanical Garden Committee, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2016.
Committee referral: Parks and Neighborhoods

     BY Rasmussen
7. C.F. 312997

Appointment of Craig M. Benjamin as member, Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program Advisory Committee on Tolling and Traffic Management.
Committee referral: Transportation

     BY Harrell
8. C.F. 312998

Appointment and Oath of Office of Lewis Pierce Murphy as Director of the Office of Professional Accountability to a term ending three years from the date of confirmation.
Committee referral: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology

     BY Licata
9. C.F. 312999

Reappointment of Kate Becker as member, Seattle Music Commission, for a term of confirmation to May 2, 2014.
Committee referral: Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture

     BY Licata
10. C.F. 313000

Reappointment of Ben London as member, Seattle Music Commission, for a term of confirmation to May 2, 2014.
Committee referral: Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture

     BY Licata
11. C.F. 313001

Reappointment of Holly Hinton as member, Seattle Music Commission, for a term of confirmation to May 2, 2014.
Committee referral: Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture

     BY Godden
12. C.F. 313002

Appointment of Tre’ Maxie as member, Seattle Public Library Board of Trustees, for a term of confirmation to April 1, 2018.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

     BY Conlin
13. C.F. 313003

Appointment of Maria Batayola as member, Seattle Chinatown International District Public Development Authority Council, for a term of confirmation to May 31, 2017.
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

     RE-REFERRAL

     BY No Sponsor Required
14. C.F. 311541

Application of Clayton Graham to rezone approximately 109,571 square feet of land at 307 Fairview Avenue North and 334 Boren Avenue North, from Industrial Commercial with a 65 foot height limit (IC-65) to Seattle Mixed with a 65 foot height limit (SM-65), and approximately 110,442 square feet of land at 1120 John Street from Industrial Commercial with an 85 foot height limit (IC-85) to Seattle Mixed with an 85 foot height limit (SM-85) (Project No. 3012117, Type IV).
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability
Originally referred to Built Environment Committee on 5/23/11.

 Councilmember Tim Burgess

Council Committee votes to fund new public health gun safety package
Seattle will be first city to fund gun safety research long blocked by gun lobby

Seattle - City Councilmembers demonstrated their leadership on gun safety today when the Government Performance and Finance Committee voted to fund a new public health gun safety package.

Partnering with the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center and public health agencies, the $370,500 proposal will spur long-stalled research on gun violence and enhance the City and County’s response to mental health crises resulting from tragedies.

"While our leaders in Olympia and Washington, D.C. failed to enact gun safety legislation this year, Seattle is demonstrating its leadership by taking positive action today," said Councilmember Tim Burgess. "The people of Seattle overwhelmingly support doing everything we can to increase gun safety. This funding will jump-start research blocked by the National Rifle Association and build the same emergency response system used by the Red Cross."

According to previous news reports, the City of Seattle would be the first in the nation to provide direct funding for basic research into the causes and effects of gun violence.

"This research on gun violence will show us what impact it has on public health, and hopefully identify strategies for reducing injuries and deaths," said Councilmember Nick Licata.

"Gun violence is THE public health issue of our time," said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. "With appropriate research and commitment, we can reduce both murders and suicides in our community. We must."

"This is the way to guide us to safe, responsible gun ownership," said Councilmember Jean Godden. "It’s a step toward a sane, caring policy."

The public health gun safety package includes two additions to the Mayor’s 1st Quarter Supplemental budget detailed below.

Public Health Gun Safety Research ($153,000)

The proposed study will evaluate the interrelationships between substance abuse, mental health diagnoses, gun ownership, injury admissions and deaths.

"Sustained commitment to reducing the public health impact of gun violence is critically important to our city," said Dr. Beth Ebel, Director, Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, UW. "In my work as a pediatric trauma physician at Harborview Medical Center/UW, I regularly care for children and teens who were victims of gun violence. Nearly all of these devastating injuries are preventable. So this is a time to take action, work together, and find evidence-based approaches to reduce gun violence."

The results will provide researchers and medical professionals with the information they need to improve outreach and counseling to prevent injuries from firearms, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Enhanced Mental Health Emergency Management and Response ($217,500)

The initiative includes a state-of-the-art emergency management, response and triage system for mental health crises that has been used by public health teams in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings, by the American Red Cross for natural disasters (the Joplin and Alabama tornadoes in 2011), by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during Superstorm Sandy and by Los Angeles County. The funding will enable Seattle-King County Public Health to administer the purchase and installation of this emergency management and response program.

The Committee will vote on the entire first quarter supplemental budget legislation as early as May 15. A vote by the Full Council would then take place the Monday following the committee vote.

[View in Council Newsroom]

According to previous news reports, the City of Seattle would be the first in the nation to provide direct funding for basic research into the causes and effects of gun violence.

Partnering with the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center and public health agencies, the $370,500 proposal will spur long-stalled research on gun violence and enhance the City and County’s response to mental health crises resulting from tragedies.

While our leaders in Olympia and Washington, D.C. failed to enact gun safety legislation this year, Seattle is demonstrating its leadership by taking positive action today. The people of Seattle overwhelmingly support doing everything we can to increase gun safety. This funding will jump-start research blocked by the National Rifle Association and build the same emergency response system used by the Red Cross.

The public health gun safety package includes two additions to the Mayor’s 1^st Quarter Supplemental budget detailed below.

Public Health Gun Safety Research ($153,000)

The proposed study will evaluate the interrelationships between substance abuse, mental health diagnoses, gun ownership, injury admissions and deaths.

The results will provide researchers and medical professionals with the information they need to improve outreach and counseling to prevent injuries from firearms, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Enhanced Mental Health Emergency Management and Response ($217,500)

The initiative includes a state-of-the-art emergency management, response and triage system for mental health crises that has been used by public health teams in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings, by the American Red Cross for natural disasters (the Joplin and Alabama tornadoes in 2011), by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during Superstorm Sandy and by Los Angeles County. The funding will enable Seattle-King County Public Health to administer the purchase and installation of this emergency management and response program.

The Committee will vote on the entire first quarter supplemental budget legislation as early as May 15. A vote by the Full Council would then take place the Monday following the committee vote.

A blurry Geena Davis (thanks to my colleague, Sally Clark, for snapping the pic)

Women’s charities used to be funded by the farmer’s wife contributing egg money to overseas missions. That’s definitely not true today — not since the YWCA began its tradition of Inspire Luncheons 25 years ago.

What began modestly a generation ago has become a three-venue production, raising somewhere around $1 million annually to empower women and families. This week’s 25^th anniversary event at the Washington State Convention Center first paid tribute to the late KOMO Anchor Kathi Gertzen who would have celebrated her 55^th birthday that same day, April 29. For 24 of the 25 years of luncheon fundraisers, Gertzen served as mistress of ceremonies.

The tribute to Gertzen was followed by a keynote address by actress Geena Davis who heads the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, dedicated to reducing gender stereotypes. The actress has built a career depicting women of strength including, but not limited to, her performances as the first female president of the United States and a World War II baseball star in “A League of Her Own.”

Davis told the story of how surprised she was to hear from a woman who told her that she was trying to relive Davis’ role in “Thelma and Louise.” Seems a little much to pattern oneself after a heroine, no matter how strong, who brandishes guns, commits robbery and ends up killing herself. But still, Davis believes it matters that there are some strong roles for female characters.

An interesting statistic cited by Davis was a survey, taken by her institute, that shows that at all levels of the movie industry (actors, technicians, extras etc.) women only constitute about 17 percent. It’s very much a male-dominated industry.

Davis said that, growing up, she’d never played baseball or other sport as she always thought of herself, tree-top tall, as uncoordinated. When it came to basketball, she didn’t know how to play, but because of her height – more than six feet – she was told that she should “just stand there.”  She told the Convention Center audience that she finally took up archery at the age of 41 and, surprisingly, became a semi-finalist for the Olympics’ team. She describes attaining that goal as “changing the course of my life.”

Davis’ stories of groundbreaking achievement served as a powerful metaphor for the YWCA’s mission in supporting women and families. Few were yesterday’s luncheon guests – more than 2,500 women and a few good men – who didn’t leave the event with a warm glow. Once again, the luncheon was taking women-centered philanthropy to a whole new level.

Sound Transit Link Light Rail train

On Thursday, April 25^th, the Sound Transit Board approved a final plan for the route for East Link through Bellevue. East Link runs from downtown Seattle to Redmond via the I-90 Bridge, and is one of three extensions currently underway for the Sound Transit light rail system. The final plan is the end product of a collaborative process between Sound Transit Board members and staff and City of Bellevue Councilmembers and staff. I served as one of the three Sound Transit Board members on the negotiating team.

The East Link negotiations begin sixteen months ago, when Sound Transit and Bellevue resolved their differences about the core route through Bellevue with an agreement that had three major components:

1. Instead of the surface route preferred by Sound Transit, there would be a tunnel in downtown Bellevue.
2. Most of the rest of the route would follow Sound Transit’s preferred alignment, with some adjustments.
3. Because the tunnel is more expensive than a surface alternative, Bellevue would provide $100 million in funding and work with Sound Transit to identify design elements that would reduce the cost of the route through Bellevue by an additional $60 million.

This turned out to be a difficult task. The ultimate agreement, approved unanimously approved by the Sound Transit Board and Bellevue Council, will reduce costs by an estimated $30 million to $53 million. Bellevue will continue to be responsible to provide the rest of the $60 million or secure additional cost savings.

The negotiations were difficult, challenging, but ultimately cooperative. The core interest from the Sound Transit side was to maintain fast, reliable and convenient service for riders. Bellevue Councilmembers also had to consider concerns raised by neighbors along the route about alternatives that reduced costs, worked for Sound Transit but impacted nearby residences.

The changes adopted include a fully at-grade alignment along 112^th Avenue Southeast south of downtown. As the route moves north from South Bellevue Way and turns east onto 112^th Avenue Southeast it will pass beneath a raised section of 112^th at Southeast 15^th Street to reach the west side of the roadway. A street-level crossing of Southeast Fourth Street will allow only emergency vehicle access into the Surrey Downs neighborhood at that location. The City of Bellevue had earlier proposed a trench alignment along 112^th. The updated alignment is estimated to save $2 million to $4 million.

Trains will travel through downtown Bellevue in a tunnel. This plan replaces an underground station with a daylight station located slightly further north as the tunnel turns east onto Sixth Avenue and transitions to an elevated alignment in preparation to cross I-405. This change will save an estimated $19 million to $33 million.

Other refinements identified through the process will save an estimated $9 million to $16 million. Sound Transit’s work to advance engineering and secure permits will move forward under City of Bellevue land use changes that make the light rail extension a permitted use.

Along Bellevue Way, Sound Transit and Bellevue considered moving the light rail alignment from a trench north of the South Bellevue Park and Ride near the Winters House to an at grade alignment, as well as the possibility of coordinating construction of a new city HOV lane on Bellevue Way with the light rail project. The option would have required moving Bellevue Way to the west and constructing a retaining wall between the road and the Enatai neighborhood. However, the final decision was to keep the Link alignment in a trench. The City of Bellevue will independently evaluate and be responsible for any future construction of an HOV lane.

The outcome was not exactly what either side had hoped for. Some ideas turned out to be not as workable or save as much as had been hoped. Others were viewed positively by one party but not by the other. The ‘road over rail’ alternative and surface crossing at SE 4^th create a more efficient system for light rail, but keeping the cut at the Winters House was not our preferred option.

The 6^th Avenue surface station was the major issue. We were concerned about the quality of the station and whether moving it would reduce pedestrian access and ridership. Ultimately, the Board decided that we could live with the compromise on design. After carefully reviewing the walkshed around the station, we concluded that there would be little or no impact on ridership. This alternative also shortens construction time, and Bellevue agreed to invest $5 million in improving the pedestrian experience. These positives provided significant balance that reduced my initial resistance to this station alternative.

Ultimately, the Board agreed to this package because of the positive elements included, but also because the formal approval from Bellevue clears the way for construction to begin without the threat of litigation and delay. The negotiations forged a spirit of cooperation and mutual investment that will keep this project on track to completion. Property acquisition can begin immediately, construction can start in 2015, and trains can be operating by 2023. Being able to keep that timetable was the critical factor in persuading me to approve a package that would not have been my first choice. By 2030, East Link will carry 50,000 riders a day, creating a transit system that will reduce vehicle traffic and better integrate travel options around the region. That’s worth making some modest compromises!

East Link documents including maps of the alignment are available at http://projects.soundtransit.org/Projects-Home/East-Link-Project.xml

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Richard Conlin

City Council to host second meeting on micro-housing developments
Public invited to share feedback with Councilmembers

SEATTLE - City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen today confirmed that a second public meeting on micro-housing developments will be held. The meeting will be on May 6 at 6:00 p.m. at Seattle First Baptist Church on First Hill.

The first meeting was held in April in response to questions and concerns raised by residents of several Seattle neighborhoods where micro-housing units are being constructed.

The purpose of the second meeting is to hear from neighborhood representatives who will give their views and recommendations on the micro-housing projects. Representatives of the developers who build micro-housing projects will be present to describe the projects and the market for this housing alternative and their response to concerns they are hearing from the community.

In addition to Councilmember Rasmussen co-sponsors of the meeting include Councilmembers Nick Licata, Sally J. Clark and Richard Conlin.

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen stated: "A portion of the meeting will include an opportunity for the public to provide comments on what they have heard during the meeting and to provide recommendations on what, if any, regulations should be enacted for this unique type of housing."

WHAT: Micro-housing development discussion

WHEN: Monday, May 6, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Seattle First Baptist Church
Fellowship Hall (downstairs), 1111 Harvard Ave. (on First Hill)

WHO: Seattle City Councilmembers and Council staff
Representatives from communities and neighborhoods
Representatives of micro-housing developers

"I want to see more affordable housing built in Seattle along with our residential neighborhoods accommodating housing options that contribute to their character," stated Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Council's Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee. "I think both objectives can be accomplished and I look forward to this forum providing an opportunity to hear suggestions on how to fulfill both."

"I've visited some of these micro-units," said Council President Sally J. Clark. "They provide decent, often attractive housing for a range of people who don't need or want a lot of space. They're also appearing in greater numbers and more rapidly than some in the surrounding neighborhood want. This forum can provide a good airing of people's support, concerns and ideas for appropriate regulation."

"Micro-housing can be an affordable option for people wanting to live close to work or urban amenities," said Councilmember Richard Conlin, chair of the Council's Planning, Land Use and Sustainability Committee. "They're good for the environment and they can be good for neighborhoods too if we can find ways to preserve their affordability while ensuring that these developments reflect both the letter and the spirit of our land use laws. I look forward to working with stakeholders and the Executive to craft legislation to accomplish these goals."

Background

In recent years, micro-housing has emerged as an increasingly common residential building product in Seattle. Since 2006, DPD has received permit applications for 44 projects. Those completed projects have a total capacity of about 2,000 people. In 2012, DPD received applications for approximately 15 micro-housing projects.

Micro-housing projects are generally comprised of apartment or townhome-style dwelling units, each of which contains several (often seven or eight) smaller living quarters clustered around a shared kitchen and laundry area. Each of the smaller living spaces within the dwelling unit is leased to an individual tenant. These spaces are typically 150 to 200 square feet in size and equipped with a kitchenette (refrigerator, microwave, sink) and private bathroom. Rent levels vary by location but are often in the range of $600 to $700 per month.

Developers have found Seattle offers a strong market for micro-housing, with completed projects leasing up quickly. Tenants often include students, service industry workers, and individuals who divide their time between Seattle and a residence in another location. Geographically, 52 percent of the projects are located on Capitol Hill and 30 percent in the University District, with the remainder spread throughout the city.

Because micro-housing is not well-defined in City codes it also may not be adequately regulated. Some of the issues and concerns the public has raised about Seattle's growing stock of micro-housing include:

• Within micro-housing projects, DPD currently counts the several small living quarters that surround a common kitchen and laundry area as a single dwelling unit (e.g., one apartment with eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms). As a result, most micro-housing projects do not meet the threshold for design review. Normally the design review process also provides opportunities for neighbors to comment and offer input on proposed projects.
• DPD's current practice of counting multiple living quarters within a micro-housing project as a single dwelling unit also complicates efforts to measure progress toward adopted growth targets in neighborhoods where micro-housing is located. It also can affect whether a proposed micro-housing project is subject to environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
• Micro-housing may not be an appropriate building type for all multifamily residential zones.
• Micro-housing projects are generally designed to house 30 to 60 individuals; however, on-site parking is rarely provided.
• The high cost of this housing on a price per square foot basis.

[View in Council Newsroom]

In response to the idea, dozens of temperance-minded citizens signed a separate petition protesting the idea of passing such an ordinance. They stated, “We believe that the passage of such an ordinance would reestablish in our city the disreputable variety theater and dance house against which we earnestly protest. We believe that such places are detrimental to the best interest of our City and do our citizens a thousand times more harm than can be compensated by all the revenues derived therefrom.”

After consideration of the petitions, the Council’s Committee on Police, License and Revenue reported a split decision. The minority believed that the Council should go ahead with the ordinance, claiming that a license system “would keep the places to be regulated under proper control and restraint,” and noted that the petition bore the signatures “of the majority of the best business men of our city.” However, the majority – which reported “adversely” on the idea – won the day, and liquor was kept separate from other entertainments for the time being. Nevertheless, it was not long before the temperance movement lost the battle and Seattle’s saloon quarter once again became a fully operational entertainment district.

See other Archives Finds of the Month here:

http://seattle.gov/CityArchives/Exhibits/finds.htm

For other interesting images and textual items, check out the Seattle Municipal Archives’ photostream on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlemunicipalarchives/

and don’t forget we’re also on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SeattleArchives?feature=watch

and Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/seattlearchives/

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Public Safety Committee immediately begins process on
Pierce Murphy's OPA Nomination

Seattle - Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Council's Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, will introduce the Council's appointment process for Pierce Murphy, the new Office of Professional Accountability (OPA) Director nominee. The Mayor announced the nomination on Friday, April 26. The legislation was delivered to the City Clerk this afternoon, Tuesday, April 30.

"Council will work with urgency to examine the OPA appointment, "said Councilmember Bruce Harrell. "With responsibility to investigate complaints about police misconduct, the OPA Director is one of the most critical positions in the City. The new director must have credibility with all groups, including diverse communities and must also communicate clearly and effectively with police accountability advocates and police officers."

Harrell said, "The Committee has made it clear that confirmation of the Mayor's nomination will not be taken lightly, the process will be thorough, and achievements, as well as deficiencies, will be analyzed."

Significant outreach to community members, civil rights organizations, the Human Rights commission, Community Police Commission, law organizations and police organizations will be conducted to assist in the process of deciding whether Council will confirm Murphy's nomination. The official public hearing on Murphy's appointment will be scheduled at an upcoming Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology committee meeting.

• Link to Pierce Murphy's Biography

WHAT: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee

WHEN: Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Council Chambers, 2nd floor
Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle 98104

WHO: Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien

[View in Council Newsroom]

City Councilmembers to vote on gun safety public health funding

Seattle - The City Council's Government Performance and Finance Committee will consider tomorrow morning an amendment to budget legislation to fund a gun safety public health package. According to earlier news reports, the City of Seattle would be the first city in the nation to provide direct funding for basic research into the causes and effects of gun violence.

WHAT: Discussion and vote on public health gun safety package

WHEN: TOMORROW - Wednesday, May 1, 9:30 a.m.
(see agenda, item #4; timing is approximate)

WHERE: City Council Chambers
Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Ave, 2nd floor

WHO: Government Performance and Finance Committee members

Partnering with the University of Washington's Harborview Medical Center and public health agencies, the $370,500 package of initiatives would spur research on gun violence and improve the City and County's response to mental health crises resulting from tragedies.

[View in Council Newsroom]

Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell

Councilmembers Bagshaw, Godden, Harrell to appear on
May's City Inside/Out: Council Edition
The opportunity is yours: Ask City Councilmembers your questions

SEATTLE - Do you have questions for members of the City Council? What is the Council's plan for the future of Seattle's parks? Should the City Council be responsible for re-confirming the Seattle Chief of Police? Will the Seattle Supersonics ever return to Seattle? Join the conversation by submitting your questions now.

The May 7 episode of Seattle Channel's City Inside/Out: Council Edition will feature Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw, Jean Godden and Bruce Harrell answering your questions with host Brian Callanan.

Submit your questions for the Councilmembers by 10 a.m. on Friday, May 3.

• Email: contact@seattlechannel.org
• Online: http://www.seattlechannel.org/CouncilEdition/
• Twitter: @SeattleChannel
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SeattleChannel

Don't miss this opportunity to put your issues before the city's lawmakers. Send in your questions now and tune in to Seattle Channel, Cable 21, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday,
May 7 to hear the Councilmembers respond.

[View in Council Newsroom]

The Awards recognize the accomplishments of artists, arts and cultural organizations as well as community members committed to enriching their communities through the arts.

This year, the Arts Awards encompasses five categories: Future Focus, for arts education and working with youth; Artistic City, for creativity; Venture Culturalist, for funders, businesses, donors or professional development/service organizations; Arts as the How, for social issues; and Raising the Bar, for artistic excellence.

2010 Mayor’s Arts Awards kick-off Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival at Seattle Center

Do you know an artist deserving of recognition? How about an arts organization that you feel is doing excellent work? Or, perhaps you work for a company that makes a difference by giving big to the arts? I encourage you to submit your nominations for the 2013 Mayor’s Arts Awards via the Office of Arts website, here. The deadline for nominations to be received is 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 15.

The Seattle Arts Commission will review public nominations and recommend recipients to the Mayor for final selection.

This year, I am nominating The Gage Academy under the Future Focus category. Since 1989 the Academy, lead by co-founders Gary Faigin and Pamela Belyea, has provided community-based artistic development for artists of all ages and abilities through year-round instructional programs, public art events, lectures, youth programming, and exhibitions.

Nick Licata chats with Norm Langill of One Reel during the 2003 Mayor’s Arts Awards

Past Award recipients include public artist Buster Simpson, Three Dollar Bill Cinema (2012), Pratt Fine Arts Center (2011), Reel Grrls (2010), Artist Trust (2009), Coyote Central and Marybeth Saterlee (2008), Longhouse Media’s Native Lens Program (2007), maestro Gerard Schwarz (2006), painter Alden Mason, The Tsutakawa Family (2005), and the Seattle Foundation (2004).

2013 Award recipients will be honored at a free public ceremony that kicks off the Bumbershoot arts festival at Seattle Center on Friday, August 30, starting at 4pm. Look for details closer to the date on the Office of Arts website.

While the Awards don’t provide any money, winners do receive a snazzy plaque or trophy. More importantly, winners receive recognition among their peers and throughout the greater Seattle area that may help them expand their successes.

Keep in touch…

• Subscribe to my Urban Politics email newsletter.
• Subscribe to my blog.
• Like me on Facebook.
• Follow me on Twitter.

Councilmember Richard Conlin

City Council Adopts Food Action Plan
Plan aims to increase access to healthy food, support local food production and strengthen local economy

SEATTLE - Seattle City Council today adopted the Food Action Plan, sending a clear signal that a healthy food system is a priority for the City. Highlights of the Action Plan include:

• Expanding the Farm to Childcare program, which brings healthy food from local farmers into childcare sites, trains child care providers on nutrition and cooking and brings kids to local farms.
• Expanding the Fresh Bucks program, which increases the affordability of healthy food for low-income Seattle residents.
• Growing the successful P-Patch community gardening program, which will expand to 90 gardens throughout Seattle by the end of 2013.
• Leasing underutilized City-owned land to urban farmers, who want to expand food production in Seattle.

"The Seattle Food Action Plan lays the groundwork for a just food system in Seattle," said Councilmember Richard Conlin. "Consumers, retailers, distributors and growers all benefit. The actions in the Plan will help get healthier, local food onto the tables and into the lunchboxes of families and children."

"Improving access to healthy food that comes from local growers is essential for healthy people and a healthy economy," said Mayor McGinn. "This Action Plan provides a strong path forward for that work."

Seattle's Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) developed the Food Action Plan in 2012, building on the work of the Local Food Action Initiative, passed by the City Council in 2008. In developing the plan, OSE engaged grassroots groups, food system leaders and business and community members from across the city. The recommendations in this plan will improve public health, strengthen the economy and enhance our environment.

"Food touches each of us in important ways," said Jill Simmons, Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment. "Building a sustainable food system - one where people have access to affordable and healthy food that is sustainably produced - is critical to advancing Seattle's climate protection, social justice and economic development goals."

The Food Action Plan identifies a suite of strategies and actions to achieve the following:

• Increase Access to Healthy Food: All Seattle residents have enough to eat and access to affordable, local, healthy, sustainable and culturally-appropriate food.
• Grow Local: It is easy to grow food in Seattle and in our region, for personal use or for business purposes.
• Strengthen the Local Economy: Businesses that produce, process, distribute, and sell local and healthy food grow and thrive in Seattle.
• Prevent Food Waste: Food-related waste is prevented, reused, or recycled.

For more information on the City's food systems work, visit: www.seattle.gov/environment/food.

[View in Council Newsroom]

Councilmember Nick Licata

Randy Engstrom Confirmed as Director of City's Arts Office
Brings Wealth of Community Organizing Skills to the Position

Seattle - Seattle City Council confirmed Randy Engstrom as permanent director of Seattle's Office of Arts and Culture (Office of Arts) this afternoon. Engstrom had been serving as Interim Director since October 2012.

"It is a great honor to be confirmed as the Director of the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture," Engstrom said. "Seattle is one of the most vibrant cities in the world - creativity is a natural resource here. I look forward to working with our partners to ensure art and culture continue to thrive in Seattle."

Engstrom brings a strong background in community organizing for arts and culture. He was the Founding Director of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, which converted a vacant school building into a community center offering affordable access to the arts, technology and cultural resources; Co-Chaired the Cultural Overlay District Advisory Committee (CODAC), which provided recommendations on enhancing cultural development in Seattle; and served as Chair of the Seattle Arts Commission, the volunteer advisory body for the Office of Arts.

"Every once in a while, a generational shift in leadership comes along that jumps the needle forward on the cultural dial" said Councilmember Nick Licata." I believe Randy is that leader."

Engstrom's goals for the Office of Arts include facilitating increased access to affordable space for arts and culture in Seattle; partnering with agencies, funders and cultural organizations to develop a regional cultural plan; and advocating for more arts and culture to be integrated into civic development, neighborhood activation and economic development.

The Office of Arts has an approximate $7m annual budget and is involved in a number of ongoing initiatives, such as the Central Waterfront Redevelopment Project; supports local arts and cultural organizations through its Cultural Partnerships program; collaborates with the school district on implementing a K-12 arts education plan; and is responsible for implementing a transition plan for Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute to achieve long-term sustainability.

Mr. Engstrom currently serves as board President of the Washington Bus Education Fund. City Arts Magazine once named him "The Advocate." He was named an Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader and was named one of Puget Sound Business Journal's "40 under 40" - people under the age of 40 working to drive the economy through dynamic leadership. He holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington Evans School and a BA in Public Administration from Evergreen State College.

Engstrom's salary will be $105,000.

[View in Council Newsroom]

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:
4. C.B. 117751 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to the title of the department head of Seattle City Light; changing the title of the Seattle City Light D epartment’s top position title from Superintendent to General Manager and Chief Executive Officer and amending Sections 3.08.010, 3.08.020, 3.39.080, 3.76.010, 3.121.010, 4.13.010, 4.20.401, 5.33.020, 15.32.300, 29.49.045, 21.52.210,21.52.250, 21.52. 260, 21.56.010, 21.56.030, 22.206.200, 22.208.120, 23.22.024, 23.48.017, 23.50.051 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

5. C.B. 117762 (PDF Version) HELD FOR ONE WEEK
Relating to the City Light Department; amending Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 21.49.040 to simplify the eligibility verification process for residential rate assistance.

PLANNING, LAND USE, AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE:
6. C.B. 117576 (PDF Version) DO NOT PASS (9 – 0)
Relating to tree and vegetation management in public places; adding a new Chapter 15.43 to Subtitle I of Title 15 of the Seattle Municipal Code to provide for the regulation of planting, maintenance, and removal of trees and shrubs in all public places; amending Sections 15.02.042, 15.02.044, 15.02.046, 15.04.012, 15.18.010, 15.90.018, and 15.91.002; repealing Cha pter 15.42 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending the current Seattle Department of Transportation Street Use fee schedule by adding new tree- related Street Use permit codes.

7. C.B. 117745 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to tree and vegetation management in public places; adding a new Chapter 15.43 to Subtitle I of Title 15 of the Seattle Municipal Code to provide for the regulation of planting, maintenance, and removal of trees and shrubs in all public places; amending Sections 15.02.044, 15.02.046, 15.04.012, 15.18.010, 15.90.018, and 15.91.002; and repealing Chapter 15 .42 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

8. Res. 31441 (PDF Version) ADOPTED (9 – 0)
Adopting the Seattle Food Action Plan.

Councilmember Tim Burgess

Councilmember Tim Burgess responds to Metro briefing on pending service cuts

Seattle - City Councilmember Tim Burgess issued the following statement today after the Council received a briefing from King County Metro officials about potential service cuts:

"Transportation is the backbone of a robust economy and public transit is essential to that vitality."

"Seattle is the largest job center in the state. An estimated two-thirds of the City's 200,000 daily commuters don't drive; they rely on a quality transit network. The legislature's failure thus far to fund Metro service is a direct blow to these commuters and will mean decreased service and increased gridlock for many of us who live and work in and around Seattle. The legislature's inaction could also have a cascading effect through the system as bus routes are eliminated and riders compete for space on other already-crowded routes."

"Metro has avoided cuts so far by reducing staff, increasing fares, spending reserve funds, and imposing a temporary $20 charge on vehicle licenses. When the charge expires next year, Metro will have no other choice but to decrease service unless the state provides the necessary support."

[View in Council Newsroom]

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Councilmember Rasmussen responds to briefing from Metro managers on potential bus cuts
Transportation Chair responds to presentation on routes at risk

SEATTLE -- Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Chair of the Council's Transportation Committee, issued the following statement in response to a briefing by King County Metro this morning about routes at risk for elimination or in jeopardy of service reductions:

"As Transportation Chair of the Seattle City Council, I am working to ensure that people who live and work in Seattle have a reliable, high quality transit system. Seattle and the region depend upon the legislature taking action to provide our state's largest metropolitan area with the means to preserve bus service."

"Metro has been able to avoid cuts by saving or generating revenue, by operating more efficiently, cutting staff, increasing fares and spending reserve funds. To avoid significant cuts in service, King County enacted a temporary $20 fee on vehicle licenses for two years, which expires June 2014."

"Once the fee expires, Metro will no longer have these funds to spend on service operations. Without a new source of revenue, Metro will be forced to cut service by 17%. These cuts will eliminate many commuter express routes and some neighborhoods will lose all service."

"Seattle riders already experience over-crowded buses. I call upon our state legislature to give King County Metro the funding authority it needs to meet our growing region's needs."

[View in Council Newsroom]

Metro Executives to brief City Council on potential bus cuts

Metro Head to present routes at risk in Seattle, King County

SEATTLE - King County Metro will brief Seattle City Council Monday morning on 65 bus routes at risk for elimination and 86 routes in jeopardy if additional funding is not secured in the state legislature this session.

The full Council is scheduled to hear from Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond and Service Development Manager Victor Obeso about the consequences of service reductions. The remainder of the briefing will be dedicated to questions from Councilmembers. Comment is not open to the public during briefings of the full Council.

WHO:
Seattle City Councilmembers briefed by staff from King County Metro

WHAT:
Discussion of routes at risk for elimination or service reduction in Seattle, King County

WHEN:
Monday, April 29 - Metro Presentation scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Seattle City Council Chambers - Second Floor - 600 Fourth Avenue (Seattle)

[View in Council Newsroom]

Transportation is the backbone of a robust economy and public transit is essential to that vitality. 

Seattle is the largest job center in the state. An estimated two-thirds of the City’s 200,000 daily commuters don’t drive; they rely on a quality transit network. The legislature’s failure thus far to fund Metro service is a direct blow to these commuters and will mean decreased service and increased gridlock for many of us who live and work in and around Seattle. The legislature’s inaction could also have a cascading effect through the system as bus routes are eliminated and riders compete for space on other already-crowded routes. 

Metro has avoided cuts so far by reducing staff, increasing fares, spending reserve funds, and imposing a temporary $20 charge on vehicle licenses. When the charge expires next year, Metro will have no other choice but to decrease service unless the state provides the necessary support.  

Cathy Allen, CEO of the Connections Group, posing with two of the visitors.

What I learned from these visitors is invaluable. I heard how they have been working on behalf of women and children in their countries to combat violence against women, counter human trafficking and address child sexual abuse.

At the dinner event, sponsored by the Center for Women and Democracy, I was lucky enough to be seated next to Daniella Misail-Nichitin from Moldava, a small land-locked nation between Romania and the Ukraine. Daniella is a well-spoken young woman and co-founder of the NGO La Strada (“the road”).  Since 2012, she’s been that organization’s executive director and is regarded as the leading expert in the field of human trafficking prevention.

Her principal role is to assist Moldavan women and prevent them from falling victim to trafficking. Her agency fills that role since, as she noted ruefully, “Moldova’s law enforcement and judicial systems are underfunded, poorly trained and corrupt.” Although young and slight, she shoulders heavy responsibilities. Not only does she direct counter-trafficking work in her country, she is also an international trainer on issues related to trafficking and domestic violence.

During our meal, she leaped up frequently to photograph speakers who included three international visitors as well as Seattle women who have been active in working for women’s rights. All of the speakers provided insights into the remarkable work that’s being done, sometimes under adverse circumstances, to protect women and children.

I was especially impressed by Freshta Karimi, who came here from her native Afghanistan. She directs Da Qanoon Gshtunkay, a non-governmental organization that works to assist women and children in her country. She told of some of the hardships she has faced. Local Talibs forced her office in Kandahar to shut down, despite her urgent calls to local and national leaders. She has continued to work in Southern Afghanistan while looking for ways to reenter Northern provinces

She mentioned one recent case involving a young girl who had been compelled to marry at the age of five. The youngster had been beaten and badly mistreated by her inlaws and, eventually, was sent off to an orphanage. It was from there that Freshta, over protests, managed to rescue the child.

During the question period, Freshta was asked if she had received personal threats. She readily admitted that she had and said that she often is the target of threats. However, she brushed aside the risks as part of the price of her calling. She said that she “balances” safety with the urgency of doing work on behalf of women and children.

Over and over, those of us at the dinner heard stories of the foreign visitors’ remarkable determination. The work they have been doing parallels Seattle efforts. But, whereas areas like Seattle see women trafficked from poorer nations, the international visitors are working to prevent their women from being caught up in the web of trafficking schemes.

The rescue efforts are mostly mounted by women. But it is not exclusively women’s work. The one man in the delegation was Parneet Singh, a passport officer from India. He   has made it his mission to improve the lot of women and girls in his district, working with women who have been abandoned by husbands residing overseas. To help the women left behind, he started a “Women’s Grievance Cell,” finding legal justification for his action in a little-known portion of the Indian Civil Code. He denies passports abroad to men until they resolve their wives’ claims.

The evening with the State Department visitors gave the Seattleites in attendance a sense of how important working internationally has become. It’s also gave them an appreciation for the courage and determination of those who work to help women around the world.

We face a crisis in funding for our bus service.

King County Metro estimates that 17% of current service will need to be cut, beginning next year, without additional funding.

The problem is not new. Since 2008, King County Metro has faced a funding shortfall that they have addressed through a variety of efficiencies. Decline in sales tax revenue from the economic downturn was a key reason; in addition, counties in Washington state have significantly fewer tax revenue options than cities.

The problem is worsened by two upcoming issues. First of all, state mitigation funding for Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement will expire in June of 2014.

Secondly, authority to issue a $20 vehicle license fee will expire at the end of 2013. In 2011, the state legislature allowed King County to approve a $20 vehicle license fee knows as the Congestion Relief charge, but only for 2012 and 2013.

In 2009, an agreement between Seattle, King County and the State proposed an MVET to provide permanent funding, but the fee approved by the legislature was vetoed by the former Governor.

The City Council will hold a briefing on Monday, April 29 at the Council Briefing meeting, where King County Metro will present their Metro Transit Service Guidelines Report. An earlier presentation from February is available here.

Resolving this depends on action by the state legislature, and it’s unclear what will happen there; the City Council unanimously approved the state legislative agenda calling for sustainable funding for transit operations.

Should no new revenue source be approved by the state legislature, reductions will be made according to the service guidelines adopted in 2012. 65routes (30%) will be deleted, and 86 routes (40%) will be revised or reduced. Only 66 routes will not be reduced, but they are sure to become more crowded and less reliable. Overall, this will result in more car trips, and additional congestion on city streets. You can see where the cuts are by geographic area at Metro’s website or in the Monday’s presentation.  No part of Seattle would be left unaffected.

BY BURGESS
1. C.B. 117768

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.
Committee referral: Full Council

BY BURGESS
2. C.B. 117769

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Center Department; authorizing execution of an agreement with Horton Street, LLC to operate and manage KeyArena and utilize it for the playing of professional basketball games.
Committee referral: Government Performance and Finance

BY BURGESS
3. C.B. 117770

AN ORDINANCE related to the 2013 Budget; amending Ordinance 124058, which adopted the 2013 Budget, including the 2013-2018 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; adding new projects; making cash transfers between various City funds; revising project allocations for certain projects in the 2013-2018 CIP; creating positions; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
Committee referral: Government Performance and Finance

BY BURGESS
4. C.B. 117771

AN ORDINANCE authorizing, in 2013, acceptance of funding from non-City sources; authorizing the heads of the Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Police Department, Executive Department, Department of Planning and Development, Department of Parks and Recreation, Human Services Department, Department of Information Technology, Department of Transportation, Seattle City Light, and Seattle Public Utilities to accept specified grants and private funding and to execute, deliver, and perform corresponding agreements; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
Committee referral: Government Performance and Finance

BY CONLIN
5. C.B. 117772

AN ORDINANCE relating to land use and zoning; amending the Official Land Use Map to rezone properties located at 2615 25th Avenue South and 2715 — 25th Avenue South, from Single Family 5000 (SF 5000) to Seattle Mixed/Residential with a 65 foot height limit (SM/R-65).
Committee referral: Full Council

BY RASMUSSEN
6. C.B. 117773

AN ORDINANCE accepting for general street purposes 18 deeds, four correction deeds, and a re-recording of quit claim deed, conveyed to the City of Seattle by the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (“Sound Transit”) in connection with the Central Link Light Rail Transit Project as agreed to in a Property Acquisition and Transfer Procedures Agreement between the City of Seattle and Sound Transit, dated August 12, 2003 (“Property Transfer Agreement”); laying off, opening, widening, extending, and establishing portions of the rights-of-way located on Martin Luther King Jr. Way South between South Alaska Street and South Angeline Street, South Brandon Street and South Lucile Street, South Juneau Street and South Warsaw Street, and Beacon Avenue South and the Seattle City Limits; and placing the real property conveyed by the deeds under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
Committee referral: Transportation

BY O’BRIEN
7. Res. 31447

A RESOLUTION adopting the 2013 Seattle Climate Action Plan.
Committee referral: Energy and Environment

BY RASMUSSEN
8. Res. 31448

A RESOLUTION relating to the 2005 Transportation Strategic Plan Update, adopted by Resolution 30790, and the Seattle Transit Plan: To Get Seattle Moving, adopted by Resolution 30799; and authorizing an amendment to the Transit Classification Map.
Committee referral: Transportation

BY CONLIN
9. Res. 31449

A RESOLUTION declaring the City Council’s intent to support the growth and livability of the South Lake Union Urban Center by working with other City departments to implement initiatives that complement changes to land use regulations.
Committee referral: Full Council

BY Harrell
10. C.F. 312991

Appointment of Habtamu M. Abdi as member, Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission, for a term of confirmation to January 31, 2015.
Committee referral: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology

BY Harrell
11. C.F. 312992

Appointment of Dori C. Cahn as member, Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission, for a term of confirmation to January 31, 2015.
Committee referral: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology

BY Harrell
12. C.F. 312993

Appointment of Simon M-S Khin as member, Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission, for a term of confirmation to January 31, 2015.
Committee referral: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology

BY Harrell
13. C.F. 312994

Appointment of Mariya Kochubey as member, Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission, for a term of confirmation to January 31, 2015.
Committee referral: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology

BY Harrell
14. C.F. 312995

Appointment of Natasha A. Savage as member, Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission, for a term of confirmation to January 31, 2015.
Committee referral: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology

The City of Seattle is updating the City’s Climate Action Plan, the city’s road map to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.  

Your input is needed to craft the final plan that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helps the city prepare for the impacts of a changing climate, and makes Seattle an even better place to live.

For more information here’s the event flyer.

I look forward to seeing you there!

This action completes eight years of work to implement the 2004 designation of South Lake Union as an “Urban Center” in the Seattle Comprehensive Plan. Urban Centers are a key element in the region’s implementation of the Growth Management Act (GMA). They are intended to have high levels of housing and employment growth, in contrast to the rest of the City, which is intended to grow more gradually. Ensuring that South Lake Union and other Urban Centers can accommodate Seattle’s continued growth will take pressure off other neighborhoods that would have to absorb greater numbers of residents than are currently planned.

In 2004 South Lake Union was assigned a twenty year growth target of 8,000 households and 12,000 jobs, approximately 17% of the City’s household growth and 19% of the employment growth for that period. The planning horizon for this rezone extends out twenty years, and by 2031 South Lake Union would have to absorb some 12,000 households and 22,000 jobs in order to continue to meet its share of future growth. Decisions made on this rezone will shape the neighborhood for the next hundred years.

The rezone prepares the way for South Lake Union to become an integrated part of the downtown core and gets rid of the current zoning that fosters ‘breadbox’ buildings occupying full blocks. While allowing greater height in the form of towers, the new zoning also imposes development standards and incentives to encourage a diverse urban form, more open space and an enlivened streetscape. For example:

• Only one tower per block would be permitted on the Mercer blocks. Other blocks can have two towers but they must be more widely spaced than anywhere else in the city.
• There are strong street-level design standards and incentives to ensure a lively and vibrant pedestrian environment such as requiring retail at ground level.
• A series of subarea standards will maintain the character of specific communities through incentives for preservation of landmark properties and existing open spaces.
• A new program that preserves farm and forest lands by transferring development rights into South Lake Union will also generate funds for transportation improvements.

Much of the public discussion centered on increases in building heights. Tower heights will be 400 feet on Denny, matching the zoning on the south side, and will be 240 feet in the central area of the neighborhood. Towers are only permitted for residential development. On the Mercer blocks, between Mercer and Valley, towers will be limited to 160 feet. In the southwest portion of the neighborhood, heights will generally be limited to 85 feet to protect the flight path for Kenmore Air, and there are lower heights in the Cascade neighborhood and in the blocks nearest Lake Union.

Major amendments approved by the Council include:

• Reducing the allowed height on the Mercer blocks from 240 feet to 160 feet, and reorienting the towers to protect views by limiting east-west width to 105 feet.
• Adding the opportunity for three or four 125 foot residential towers on two blocks between Westlake and Dexter and Highland and Galer, where the slope of Queen Anne Hill creates a significant change in the topography. This will replace most of the development capacity lost with lower heights on the Mercer blocks.
• Requiring all new buildings to meet the Gold standard of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the US Green Building Council.
• Expanding incentives to encourage preservation of all landmarked structures.
• Raising heights in part of the Cascade neighborhood from 75 feet to 85 feet to allow more flexibility in design.
• Strengthening the incentives to developers if they include a school in their project.
• Creating permanent setbacks on east-west corridors to protect views of the Space Needle, which was accomplished without reducing development potential.

The Council also made modifications to the affordable housing incentive program. The Mayor’s proposed legislation created a requirement for developers to either include affordable housing in their projects or to contribute to funds for building low income housing if the developer wants to build above the base height, which is 85 feet in most of the neighborhood. The Council increased the amount of the required fee by about 30%, in hopes that this would stimulate more affordable housing in developments. If fully implemented, this could provide 10 to 20% of the City’s goal for affordable housing in the neighborhood. The challenge in creating these kinds of provisions is to balance the goal of providing affordable housing against the risk of decreased development. Raising the cost of residential development too much could cause developers to build offices instead, or even to decline to take advantage of the new zoning and only build less risky smaller developments.

Getting to the “right” fee amount is incredibly tricky, which is why I favored maintaining the Mayor’s proposed fee of $15.15 per gross square foot for residential units — the same as what developers pay to build across the street in Denny Triangle and downtown. This would put SLU on an equal playing field for development in the short-term and give Council time over the next few months to conduct a rigorous analysis of options for overhauling all our incentive programs, not just for SLU but also other neighborhoods with incentive zoning programs. However, a majority of Councilmembers believed that some increase over the proposed level could be included in this legislation, and we ultimately came to an agreement on a compromise package that can later be modified as we study the issue further.

There is general agreement that the incentive zoning included in this legislation is only one part of the answer. Recognizing this, the Mayor has convened a task force of stakeholders to analyze other tools to increase the supply of affordable housing and make recommendations on a comprehensive program that would consider not only South Lake Union, but the entire City. The Council will adopt a resolution that complements this by creating an Expert Review Panel to fully examine options for revising and expanding the incentive program. Ultimately, getting more housing built – affordable or market-rate — is the most critical step in making sure that all residents have a place to live, and the rezone is a major accomplishment in reaching that goal.

The Council will also adopt two additional resolutions as part of the South Lake Union package. One accepts the recommendations of the Council’s Race and Social Justice (RSJ) analysis of the rezone, and creates a work plan for job training and placement as well as actions to strengthen community resources for low and moderate income residents. The second resolution proposes several additional work plan items to follow up on the rezone, including providing view protection from Lake Union Park, funding a historic preservation survey, and advancing a review of transportation improvements.

Cities all over the country are looking at South Lake Union with envy. Seattle is incredibly fortunate in having the confluence of private and public investment that is creating a new neighborhood and providing jobs and housing for our future. While in the last two recessions, Seattle lagged a year or more behind the national recovery, this time we are leading the way. This legislation is a thoughtful and careful action that will enable Seattle to continue to prosper and will allow South Lake Union to be the great Urban Center envisioned in the South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan.

Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the launch of Family Housing Connection (FHC), a “coordinated entry” system created to make it easier for families to navigate the housing system in King County.  There are 3,210 homeless families currently on the placement roster waiting for a housing referral. 

Of the 3,210 families on the placement roster today:

• 7% are staying in a place not meant for habitation (215 families)
• 56% are couch surfing or doubled up with friends/family
• 14% are in shelter or using an emergency hotel voucher
• 10% are in a rental with no housing subsidy
• 4% are staying in a hotel without a voucher
• The remaining 9% are in transitional housing, substance abuse treatment, housing with a voucher, a home they own but are losing, hospital, incarcerated, or other.

Coordinated entry came out of recommendations of the Committee to End Homelessness, of which I am a Governing Board member.  FHC partners with more than 80 shelter and housing programs in King County and continues to reach out to programs who are not yet partnering.  Today, instead of calling 80+ programs individually, families needing housing now have a single access point to 80+shelter and housing programs.

FHC does not create additional housing resources and this new process does not shorten the months long waiting time it takes to get families into shelter or housing faster.

A year’s worth of work illustrates just how much there is yet to do.  Here is an excerpt from a recent report:

“As we all expected, year one presented many challenges.  No one has felt these challenges more than the 3,788 families who have accessed FHC. Long wait times for housing assessment appointments and much longer wait times for emergency housing produce anxiety and hopelessness for families awaiting our call.  The 215 families who are staying in a place not meant for human habitation are prioritized for emergency housing – but even with prioritization, they will wait months for a roof over their children’s heads.”  (my emphasis added)

Over this year period, FHC has referred 1,048 families to housing, 55% of them have either moved into housing or been accepted but not yet moved in; 19% of them were denied because background checks, credit checks, drug tests, etc. made them ineligible; 26% of referrals were refused by the family for various reasons.  After a family refuses a third referral, they are removed from the waiting list.

Improvements to the system over FHC’s first year include a change requested by the City Council under my leadership, specifically that the “first come first served” referral philosophy be shifted to prioritize families who are staying in a place not meant for human habitation. Future improvements planned, also requested by the City Council, include a. reducing barriers to referrals that currently lead families to be deemed ineligible as well as b. increasing placement assistance resources such as optional background checks and optional document scanning.

Tonight in King County, children in 215 families – while prioritized on top of this list – will sleep in a car, in a greenbelt, on the streets, in an encampment, or in abandoned building.  These children will wait months for their families to be placed in shelter or a hotel.  This is unacceptable for a region of our resources.  I intend to continue to advocate for additional funding to address the immediate housing needs for these children and their families and determine what it would cost to provide basic shelter services so that they do not have to sleep in places not fit for human habitation while they are working with an agency to become re-housed.

Councilmember Mike O'Brien

Councilmember O'Brien's statement on opting out of yellow pages
Consumers should opt-out at www.yellowpagesoptout.com by May 6th
to meet upcoming delivery deadline

Seattle -- The City of Seattle and yellow pages publishers recently reached an agreement to provide residents and businesses easy control of the delivery of yellow pages directories to their homes through www.yellowpagesoptout.com. Seattle Councilmember Mike O'Brien issued the following statement in response:

I encourage Seattleites who are still receiving yellow pages directories to go to www.yellowpagesoptout.com. May 6 is the deadline for opting out of Dex yellow pages directories, if they have not done so already. There they can set their preferences so they only receive the directories they want, or they can opt out of all directories at once.

I thank the industry for agreeing to honor all existing opt outs and for taking significant steps to develop this nationwide opt-out system, which has participation from all major publishers, a new user-friendly interface and a complaint system where concerned residents can get quick, reliable feedback.

"Residents who already opted out of yellow pages directories will not need to opt out again, maintaining the savings of over 1,000 tons of paper that we accomplished through our previous system."

[View in Council Newsroom]

I encourage any Seattelites who are still receiving yellow pages directories to go to www.YellowPagesOptOut.com. May 6 is the deadline for opting out of Dex yellow pages directories, if you have not done so already. There you can set your preferences so you  only receive the directories you want, or you can opt out of all directories at once.

I thank the industry for agreeing to honor all existing opt outs and for taking significant steps to develop this nationwide opt-out system, which has participation from all major publishers, a new user-friendly interface and a complaint system where concerned residents can get quick, reliable feedback.

Residents who already opted out of yellow pages directories will not need to opt out again, maintaining the gains we have made to reduce waste and costs associated with recycling those unwanted books. The City of Seattle’s Municipal Opt-out system, operated in 2011-2012 reduced over 400 tons of paper annually from unwanted yellow pages.  Nearly 75,000 homes and businesses opted out of over 440,000 directories.  In all, Seattle has seen a two-thirds reduction in yellow-pages directories delivered each year in Seattle – a savings of 1,000 tons of paper from pre-program levels.

Ord. 124154
C.B. 117752

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.

Ord. 124155
C.B. 117747

AN ORDINANCE relating to City employment; authorizing execution of a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Seattle and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 2898 to be effective January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014; providing payment therefor; and ratifying and confirming prior acts.

Ord. 124156
C.B. 117749

AN ORDINANCE expanding emergency bill payment assistance to help avoid water shut-off in low income households with minor children, and amending Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.76.065.

Ord. 124157
C.B. 117742

AN ORDINANCE related to the amendment of Section 4.08.070 of the Seattle Municipal Code to remove the $25 fee charged by the Public Safety Civil Service Commission for police and fire entry-level exams.

Ord. 124150
C.B. 117723

AN ORDINANCE related to land use and zoning; amending page 25 of the Official Land Use Map, Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 23.32, to rezone properties located in the Greenwood/Phinney Ridge Residential Urban Village and applying incentive provisions for affordable housing within the rezone area, and amending Section 23.47A.013 of the Land Use Code.

Ord. 124151
C.B. 117726

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to enter into contracts with Lenz Enterprises, Inc. and PacifiClean, LLC to provide organics processing services for the City of Seattle; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

Ord. 124152
C.B. 117743

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Department of Transportation; relating to the Northgate Way improvement project; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record on behalf of the City of Seattle, a warranty deed for a portion of Block 3, Elbert Place Addition to the City of Seattle, from 10501 Aurora LLC, a Washington limited liability company; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record on behalf of the City of Seattle, a warranty deed for a portion of Block 4, North Park Addition to the City of Seattle, from 10409 Aurora LLC, a Washington limited liability company; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record on behalf of the City of Seattle, a warranty deed for a portion of Block 7, Oak Lake Villa Tracts, from AVU LLC, a Washington limited liability company; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record on behalf of the City of Seattle, a warranty deed for a portion of Block 2, Oak Lake Villa Tracts, from Elsia LLC, a Washington limited liability company; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record both temporary construction easements and permanent property rights from abutting property owners located along North 105th Street and North Northgate Way between Greenwood Avenue North and Corliss Avenue North, necessary or convenient for the Northgate improvement project in connection with the Arterial Asphalt and Concrete Program through negotiation and use of eminent domain (condemnation); placing the real property conveyed by such deeds and easements under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation and designating the property for transportation, utility and other municipal purposes; authorizing payment of all other costs associated with acquisition; and ratifying and confirming prior acts.

Ord. 124153
C.B. 117746

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.

It’s National Volunteer Week and few groups have a better excuse to celebrate than Gilda’s Club Seattle.

One of 28 groups nationwide, the club takes its name from the late Saturday Night Live comedian Gilda Radner. After Radner contracted ovarian cancer, she was helped by friends. Her wish was that people everywhere could enjoy such support.

Although Gilda’s Club Seattle maintains a hard-working core staff, much of the support work –  hosting support sessions, teaching yoga, art, cooking and exercise – is done by dedicated volunteers.

Sunday afternoon, Executive Director Anna Gottlieb handed out more than a dozen “we couldn’t do it without you” awards recognizing the service of those volunteers. The large audience was seated in the comfortable mismatched easy chairs and sofas that occupy the salon of the 1911 colonial style building, a former funeral home at the corner of Broadway and East Union.

Gilda’s Club has no membership fee and all programs are free to its many thousand  members.  The no-fee financial miracle is made possible by fundraising events, individual donations and grants.  Still, the club had to cut back during the recession years, dropping some programs and cutting staff hours. More than ever, the club relied in those willing volunteers

Take the husband and wife team (John and Velerie Backus) who volunteered to help with the annual essay contest. Little did they know what lay ahead. Last year, more than a thousand youngsters submitted “It’s Always Something” stories about their families’ experiences with cancer. Imagine the dedication of reading through all those poignant tales to honor teens with scholarship awards.

Or there’s my friend and former Seattle Times co-worker Terry Tazioli who has long been a volunteer at Gilda’s Club. After his late sister Kai Leamer contracted breast cancer, he became a regular at the club. Terry raises money for scholarships awarded in her name. But, more than that, he — like many of the volunteers — enlists friends, co-workers and associates to help with Gilda’s programs.

The club’s website, tended, not so incidentally, by Jerry Liebermann, who came to the Club after years of dealing with leukemia, credits director Anna Gottlieb for founding Gilda’s Club Seattle.

The way Gottlieb tells it, she spotted an article in People Magazine 15 years ago, while waiting for a friend at her doctor’s appointment.  She says, “It was almost as if a light bulb went off in my head.” She flew to New York to see the first Gilda’s Club and returned in awe, thinking “how hard can it be?”

As she now says, “It’s a good thing I didn’t know.”  The fact that Gilda’s Club has survived and made a difference in so many lives is due to her hard work, the work of the enthusiastic staff and those many volunteers. As Gottlieb says, “We really can and do make a difference. Our members tell us so every day.”

Last Saturday the park was officially opened. Despite the chill, hundreds of neighbors and kids with skateboards gathered in one of the city’s newest parks. Prizes were awarded for best tricks, and new skateboards were given to a special few newcomers. Time was set aside for five year-olds, for twelve year-olds, for teens. I appreciated that an organization called Skate Like a Girl was there to encourage girls to join the fun.

Video: Mat McBride talks about the volunteer effort that made it all happen.

After a five-year volunteer-powered effort, the Roxhill Park was renovated through a partnership between neighbors, the Parks Department, Department of Neighborhoods and a number of local businesses.  Roxhill now has a new skatepark, a fabulous new play area equipped with a castle, and plenty of play spaces with great plantings and an adjoining experiential wetlands (motto: “For Peat’s sake).   You can see some great pictures of happy neighbors crawling, swinging, and running through, over and around the  castle structure;  watch a video of the ribbon cutting on the West Seattle Blog.  It’ll make you smile.

The neighbor power and commuity spirit at the the Roxhill Park opening at SW Barton and 29th SW last weekend were irresistible.   I delighted in meeting the leaders of the Roxhill pack.

The project was conceived and led by an outstanding steering committee of local woman and men who came from diverse backgrounds; single moms, some unemployed, some with no children and some with more-then-full time jobs. Every one of them gave as much as they could to ensure that the under-served community of Westwood/Roxhill and the Delridge corridor would be a part of building a one-of-a-kind park.

With Mat and Whitney McBride at Roxhill Castle Park

Each of the steering committee members spent significant hours on evenings and weekends canvassing the West Seattle business districts, as well as White Center. The enthusiasm and participation of the new businesses in the Roxhill area who wholeheartedly agreed to send food, employees, and in one case the owners, to come help build this park, continually bolstered their spirits.  Food and even a hotel room for the out of town contractor were donated by locals.  A few dedicated grandmothers brought fresh baked cookies through the drizzle.

Led by Mat and Whitney McBride — as well as their eight year old son Gabe — they worked with the Parks Department and Department of Neighborhoods to leverage resources.

The Parks Department contracted with Leather and Associates.  That company builds play equipment, yes, but they are known nation-wide for building community.  Their m.o. is to rely on volunteers from the community; it keeps costs down and community enthusiasm up.

Whitney applied for a $20,000 Small and Simple Project Fund grant and she was awarded enough to buy all the specialized tools needed by the hundreds of volunteers to build the play area.

The West Seattle Tool library opened up their stock for five rainy days last November when the community came together to build the play area.  That’s the deal with Leathers Associates. Working with the Parks Department and the neighborhood, the vision is created. Parks pays the contractor, then the Leather Association experts come with all the plans and materials;  the community comes together at the appointed date, and the project is built.  November in Seattle?  No problem for these volunteers.

When construction was completed, Whitney and neighbors donated all the tools back to the West Seattle Tool Library.  Imagine the possibilities for YOUR neighborhood!  All the tools to build a park are available for you to borrow.

“Time and time again that those who had the least gave the most. Inspiring doesn’t even begin to cover the wealth of emotions we went through during those five days in November. The mud, cold and the rain did little to discourage the amazing energy that permeated the site,” steering committee member Whitney McBride told me.

Just a few noble volunteers reached an entire community;  and with the help of more volunteers, the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces levy, a grant from Department of Neighborhoods,  the excellent support of DPR staffers Kelly Davidson and Shwu-Jen Hwang, and the regular presence of the mobile West Seattle Tool Library a park fit for royalty has been built. Well done, Roxhill!

I support the use of micro-housing as an option for affordable housing for individuals who want to live close to where they work, or close to transit opportunities. With rents that can range from $500 to 900 a month, I think they are good alternatives for individuals who need a first apartment and can’t afford their own studio or one-bedroom, or for those who desire a smaller footprint.

Forty-eight micro-housing projects have been built since 2006, for a total of 2,100 micro units. Thirty of these are on Capitol Hill or in the University District. Capitol Hill residents, particularly, have voiced objections to the micro-housing trend, citing concerns about parking, density, and neighborhood character.

Currently, DPD is working on modifications to the land use code that would require more micro-housing projects to go through design review, define micro-unit buildings, and possibly create a new threshold for design review based on the size/square footage of the building, rather than the unit count. (This would ensure that micro-unit buildings be treated like apartment buildings of the same square footage.)

Creating a consistent unit count and applying design review consistent with an apartment building of similar size will provide a formal space for micro-unit buildings in the code and ensure that they are treated comparably to a similar apartment building.

I would like to see more structure and definition in place to make micro-housing work for Seattle neighborhoods, however. I want to focus on ways we can support housing options, rather than thwart them. Here are some of the things I’d like to see discussed and resolved to regulate their size, bulk, scale, location, and impact on the neighborhood:

1. ALL micro-housing units should be subject to design review and appropriate SEPA threshold review.
2. We must address the impact of micro-housing projects on residential parking. Creating a Restricted Parking Zone (with limited number of parking passes for the building) in the neighborhood would align with our current strategies, but I wonder too if more creative solutions might be on the horizon, as our city continues to work with transportation options. For example, perhaps it would be possible to require building participation in a program such as Car2Go, or other to-be-determined transportation alternatives.
3. Storage and pick up of trash, recycling, and garbage must be adequately addressed up during design conversations.
   I think we should consider appropriate neighborhood zones where micro-housing can be built. At a recent public hearing, once council central staffer suggested, and I agree, that additional conversations about low rise zone designations and how many units can go into them, are needed. (Perhaps a restricted number or height restriction would be appropriate).

I look forward to seeing the regulatory legislation that DPD plans to put forward later this year.

Note that another public hearing will occur at 6 p.m. May 6 on Capitol Hill. We haven’t nailed down a location yet, but if you keep an eye on the Planning, Land Use, and Urban Sustainability committee agenda page, you’ll see it announced.

Earth Day, April 22, was a good day for a unanimous Mayor and Council to join Senators Cantwell and Murray and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in opposing a proposal before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that would approve the commercial production of genetically engineered salmon that have had genes from other species inserted into their DNA to make them grow faster.

Senators Murray and Cantwell, the two Alaska Senators and Alaska’s Representative are part of a bipartisan coalition that supports legislation that would ban the genetically modified fish or require it to be labeled as transgenic if the FDA approves it. Washington and Alaska lawmakers are reacting to the possible threat to the livelihood of Northwest and Alaska fishermen. They are also concerned about the potential health concerns relating to the consumption of genetically engineered salmon and the threat to wild salmon if these fish get loose and become established in the wild.

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is also alarmed about this proposal. Brian Cladoosby, Chairman of the Swinomish Tribal Community, in a comment letter opposing the proposed FDA action, stated: “The Tribe is also concerned that genetically engineered salmon pose a grave threat to the environment and to the health of the general population. We strongly believe that it would be an error for the FDA to accept the unsupported “guarantee” that all genetically engineered fish can be contained and not adversely impact people and the environment. History has shown that fish raised in aquaculture facilities can – and will – escape. It is also likely that genetically engineered fish would eventually be raised in open ocean net pens because nearly all commercial salmon production occurs in such pens. Farmed salmon routinely escape.”

The proposal, by AquaBounty Technologies Inc., is to alter Atlantic salmon with genes taken from the Pacific Chinook salmon and the eel-like Ocean Pout. Adding these growth genes from other species would cause the fish to produce growth hormones continuously, allowing it to grow bigger and faster than natural salmon.

Seattle, as the home of much of the Alaska fishing fleet, has a direct economic stake in the continued health of the fishing industry, which this proposal threatens in several ways. We also, of course, share the concerns about human health and the potential degradation of the environment and threat to the survival of endangered wild salmon.

More than 400,000 fishermen, environmentalists, food safety advocates and others have written to the FDA with concerns about the FDA’s preliminary finding that this project should be allowed to proceed. As a fallback, many commenters have suggested that, if the FDA allows the project to proceed, the company should be required to label the fish as genetically engineered when they are sold to consumers. In its resolution, the City also endorsed federal labeling of genetically engineered food and animals.

In the European Union, genetically modified organisms are tightly regulated, required to be labeled, and often banned from human consumption. In the United States there are fewer restrictions on genetic modifications and no labeling requirements. This fall Washington voters will have the opportunity to vote on an initiative requiring labeling of GMO food sold in the State.

Most people already know that Seattle’s farmers markets are a great source of fresh, regionally produced farm products and you know you get to run into friends and neighbors (hopefully the same people).  Recently we spoke at committee with farmers market operators about the not-so-evident impact when it comes to helping low-income residents to get more bang for their buck through “Fresh Bucks.” The program doubles the value of “food stamps” when food assistance dollars are spent at Seattle farmers markets. 

Last year almost one million shopper visits sent more than $13 million dollars into Seattle farmers markets. In honor of the seasonal farmers markets opening up, here’s a short list of my favorite things to buy at our markets:

5. Quesadillas at the Patty Pan Grill (University District, Ballard, Broadway).  These things are packed with fresh, seasonal vegetables and completely delicious.  They make them on the spot and, although the line is long, the service is fast.

4.  Greens  (Everywhere).  I do OK growing lettuce and dark leafy greens in my garden at home, but I end up with gaps because I don’t pay enough attention to re-seeding. More greens!

3.  Apple cider (hard and otherwise). Rockridge Orchards ends up being a great provider. Great flavors and they helped out when Councilmember Sally Bagshaw and I did “Cider with Sallys” at the West Seattle Market a couple of seasons ago.

2. Hazelnuts and berries (Pike Place Market Express). In the summer Pike Place Market opens up a satellite market on City Hall’s Fourth Ave. Plaza. Afternoon snacks and dinner provisions!

1.  Sour Cherry Pumpernickel from Tall Grass Bakery (many locations, check the link).  OK, I’m “generally” following the weird Primal/Paleo rules (except for the cake at the Fremont Neighborhood Council meeting last night – thanks), but if our pre-grain-cultivation selves had tasted the sour cherry pumpernickel from Tall Grass, there’d be a special allowance in the Paleo diet rules. Pick up a sharp cheese (I know, not Paleo) from a neighboring stand and you need nothing more to find the real bliss point.

We’re lucky to have the granddaddy of all markets, Pike Place Market, and to have both the U-District and West Seattle markets functioning year-round. Celebrate spring, support a local farmer, see your neighbors and do your diet good by visiting these markets and the array of markets about to open (Broadway fired up last weekend). Here’s a list of Seattle farmers market schedules. Happy shopping!

Ballard (Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., year round)

Broadway (Sundays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. – opens April 21)

Columbia City (Wednesdays, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. opens May 1)

Fremont (Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., year round)

Lake City (Thursdays, 2:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. – opens June 20)

Madrona (Fridays, 3 p.m.-7 pm, opens May 17)

Magnolia (Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – opens June 1)

Phinney (Fridays, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. – opens June 7, 2013)

Pike Place Market (every day, year-round)

Queen Anne Farmer’s Market (Thursdays, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., opens June 6)

University District (Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., year-round)

Wallingford (Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m., opens May 29)  

West Seattle (Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., year-round)

Councilmember Sally Bagshaw

Councilmember Bagshaw visits Olympia to advocate for transportation options

OLYMPIA - Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw today will meet with key state legislators to advocate for local transportation funding options. Bagshaw will travel to Olympia as part of the "Keep King County Moving" Coalition, highlighting the need to preserve King County Metro transit service and critical roadway maintenance.

Metro faces a $75 million annual shortage if the state Legislature fails to approve transit funding tools, a shortfall that would result in the reduction of up to 17 percent of Metro's bus service.  According to King County Metro, 65 transit routes are at risk of being cancelled, with another 86 routes at risk for service reductions. "Keep King County Moving" has coordinated business, government and community advocates to speak with one voice in Olympia about the threat transit cuts pose to business, growth management and quality of life.

"I'm looking forward to sitting down with our friends in Olympia to find some real solutions for our transit system," said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw.  "I'd also like to extend my gratitude to the legislature for passing the Safe Streets bill (House Bill 1045 and Senate Bill 5066), which will allow for lower speed limits on Seattle's neighborhood greenways."

Seattle City Councilmembers frequently meet with legislators as part of the "Seattle for Washington" program, which is intended to strengthen relationships with key policy makers and better understand issues important to communities around the state.  For more on Metro's funding shortfall and what it could mean for the future of transit riders and our economy, please visit Metro's website.

[View in Council Newsroom]

Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board Seeks New Members

The Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board (SBAB) is accepting applications for new members to advise the City on the concerns and needs of the growing bicycling community. The volunteer board,  created by Seattle City Council in 1977, plays an influential role in implementing Seattle’s Bicycle Master Plan. The board advises the Mayor and City Council, participates in planning and project development, evaluates policies and makes recommendations to all city departments including the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).

Board members serve a two-year term, with an opportunity to serve a second term. Current members represent all types of cyclists and skill levels, from casual weekend riders to year-round commuters. Members must be Seattle residents and may not be city employees. The board meets the first Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seattle City Hall.

According to Allegra Calder, current chair of the Bicycle Advisory Board, “Serving on the board is an opportunity to work closely with SDOT staff and bicyclists from across the city to review and weigh in on planned projects in an effort to make Seattle a great and safe place to bike.”

Mayor McGinn and City Council are committed to promoting diversity in the City’s boards and commissions. Women, youths, seniors, persons with disabilities, sexual minorities, and persons of color are encouraged to apply. Interested persons should submit a resume and cover letter explaining their
interest via email by May 31st, 2013 to walkandbike@seattle.gov with “SBAB” in the subject line. Interested persons without Internet access may call 206. 684.7583.

To learn more about the board or join the mailing list for agendas and other board updates, please visit: http://www.seattle.gov/sbab/default.htm.

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

City Council Strengthens Affordable Housing Program
in South Lake Union
Consensus built around the need for more affordable workforce housing in the neighborhood

Seattle -- The Seattle City Council South Lake Union Committee voted unanimously on an amendment to produce more workforce affordable housing in the South Lake Union (SLU) neighborhood by strengthening the incentive zoning program. The agreement is a compromise between two existing amendments offered by Councilmembers, which were introduced in last week's SLU Committee meeting. Consensus was built around the need to strengthen the incentive zoning program without discouraging development.

"Today's decision is an important, modest step toward securing more affordable workforce housing in South Lake Union, so that people at all income levels who work in the neighborhood have a chance to live there," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien. "This is a community of opportunity where the city is investing over $500 million in public infrastructure, and I think it only fair that the benefits of this redevelopment are shared more broadly."

The legislation to strengthen incentive zoning includes a 43% increase in the residential pay-in-lieu price (from $15.15 to $21.68), effectively immediately, and a 33% increase in the commercial price that will be phased in over eighteen months (to $29.71). These prices are paid on a percent of square-foot basis in exchange for additional height and building capacity. Collectively, these provisions will produce an estimated 733 units of workforce housing in and near the neighborhood. The original legislation would have created an estimated 406 units.

"After collaborating with local businesses and affordable housing advocates, we crafted a sensible solution that goes far beyond the Mayor's status quo proposal and brings affordable workforce housing to the City's hottest real estate market," said Councilmember Tim Burgess. "Now many more nurses, school teachers, construction workers and other working families can call this booming neighborhood home."

"The Council's adjustments in this legislation and the overall commitment to seeing workforce-priced units actually built in these developments will  help more working people find homes in South Lake Union near jobs and transit," said Council President Sally J. Clark. "That's good for employees and good for employers."
              
"The new Affordable Housing Amendment reflects a collaborative and inclusive decision-making process with developers and affordable housing advocates. The Council applied the Race and Social Justice Initiative lens to ensure we were having an honest debate on equity. Council honored its promise of delivering on-site affordable workforce units in this neighborhood," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell.

"These amendments strengthen one of our tools to generate more workforce housing in South Lake Union," said Councilmember Richard Conlin, chair of the Special Committee on South Lake Union. "I look forward to working with stakeholders and housing experts to both refine our incentive zoning program and also increase the supply of affordable housing city-wide."

"It all goes back to why so many people come to Seattle -- they come because we are a city of inclusive neighborhoods, not just a copy of someplace else. A strengthened incentive zoning program reaffirms our commitment to inclusive and affordable neighborhoods," said Councilmember Jean Godden.

"These amendments, while not a bold leap, are reasonable steps in the right direction. This is only a modest beginning for making housing in Seattle more affordable for average folks," said Councilmember Nick Licata. "We cannot continue to see workers forced to move ever further from the city and drive long distances to work here. The solution is clearly to require developers to provide substantially more affordable housing."

The Council last updated the incentive zoning program in 2008, establishing the goal of producing 5% of affordable workforce residential units in the neighborhood of the development. The Council will also consider similar fee adjustments to the downtown incentive housing program to take effect in 2014.

"Even with this step, we need to go further by engaging in the process laid out in Resolution 31444 to review and update of Seattle's incentive zoning and other affordable housing programs, so we can begin to bridge the gap between our affordable housing needs and the amount we are currently producing," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien.

City Council plans to vote on the full South Lake Union rezone proposal at the May 6 Full Council meeting at 2:00pm in Council Chambers.

[View in Council Newsroom]

Councilmember Richard Conlin

City Opposes Genetically Engineered Salmon

Seattle -- Seattle City Council adopted a resolution today opposing the commercial production of genetically engineered (GE) salmon.  A proposal is currently before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that would allow GE salmon commercial production. The Mayor concurred with the resolution.

The City's action supports a bipartisan coalition, supported by Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, which is seeking to ban the genetically engineered fish or require it to be labeled as transgenic. More than 400,000 fishermen, environmentalists, food safety advocates and others have written to the FDA with concerns about the FDA's preliminary finding that this project should be allowed to proceed.

"This is a threat to the livelihood of Northwest and Alaska fishermen," said Councilmember Richard Conlin, sponsor of the resolution. "I'm also deeply concerned about potential health concerns related to consuming genetically engineered salmon.  That's why we felt the need to act."

AquaBounty Technologies Inc., is seeking permission from the FDA to alter Atlantic salmon with genes taken from the Pacific Chinook salmon and the eel-like Ocean Pout. Adding these growth genes from other species causes fish to produce growth hormones continuously, allowing them to grow larger and faster than natural salmon.

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is also alarmed about this proposal. Chairman Brian Cladoosby, said, "Genetically engineered salmon pose a grave threat to the environment and to the health of the general population. We strongly believe that it would be an error for the FDA to accept the unsupported "guarantee" that all genetically engineered fish can be contained and not adversely impact people, the wild salmon species and the environment. "

"Salmon are an important part of Seattle's environment, our heritage, and our economy," said Mayor Mike McGinn. "I stand with fishermen, environmentalists and food safety advocates to protect salmon and the public from genetic modification."

[View in Council Newsroom]

In recognition of Earth Day today, our city is garnering a lot of attention for the grand opening of the Bullitt Foundation’s new headquarters on Capitol Hill. The Bullitt Center is not only intended to be the greenest building in the world, it is intended to have a lifespan of two hundred and fifty years.

It is the first commercial building in the U.S. to earn the Forest Stewardship Council’s certification for using 100 percent FSC-certified wood and it is the largest structure to qualify for the Living Building Challenge.

The Bullitt Center on Capitol Hill

The Living Building Challenge is the built environment’s most rigorous performance standard. To be certified under the Challenge, projects, over a minimum of 12 months of continuous occupancy, must meet a series of ambitious performance requirements, including net zero energy, waste, and water.

Last year, The Living Building Challenge was a topic of discussion for me and other Councilmembers during a Planning, Land Use and Sustainability Committee (PLUS) meeting regarding the approval of Ordinance 117516, which allows additional design departures under the Demonstration Program for Living Building Design.

Stone 34 in Wallingford

During that discussion, many people testified to object to developer Skanska USA’s plan for the Stone 34 building in Wallingford. Skanska’s plan calls for qualifying through the City’s Living Building Challenge for a 20 foot height increase above the property’s then current height limit of 45 feet. The International Living Future Institute, which manages the Living Building Challenge certification program, objected, claiming that the Skanska project doesn’t meet the Challenge’s intentionally stringent standards. The Bullitt Foundation expressed concerns, also, that the City’s green building standards appeared to be weakening. Skanska’s project was eventually approved under the City’s less stringent Deep Green program, rather than under The Living Building Challenge.

July 25, 2012 PLUS Committee Meeting Video

In response to concerns raised over the Skanska project by the surrounding community, the Bullitt Foundation, and Living Building Challenge representatives, I have introduced Resolution 31400. It calls on the City to provide updates and enhancements to its Living Building Challenge and Seattle Deep Green pilot programs.

Resolution 31400 also requests the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to form a standing Green Building Advisory Board to advise the City on sustainable building practices; to screen proposals for eligibility; and to assist in developing new or updated sustainable building programs.

Although DPD has in the past employed ad hoc technical advisory groups to advise on sustainable building projects, those groups do not always include members certified in LEED architecture, sustainable building practices, and building energy systems engineering, nor do they always include representatives of a neighborhood community council. My proposed advisory board would require such members and would also create a standing body rather than one that is ad hoc. Such continuity, along with community and expert membership, should help quell the kind of criticism the Council received over the Skanska approval process.

My resolution will be discussed and possibly voted on during the May 8 meeting of the PLUS Committee, which is chaired by Councilmember Richard Conlin. Councilmember Conlin is co-sponsoring my resolution. The committee agenda isn’t posted yet, but you can check for it a few days before the meeting by clicking here.  I encourage you to read my proposed resolution, here, and consider sending your comments to the committee members listed below.

Seattle City Council Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability Committee, May 8, 2013, 9:30 a.m. meeting in the Council Chamber: 600 4th Ave 2nd Floor:

Richard Conlin, Chair, 684-8805;

Tim Burgess, Vice-Chair, 684-8806;

Mike O’Brien, Member, 684-8800;

Sally Clark, Alternate, 684-8802.

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Today the City Council approved bold amendments to the zoning legislation that will positively impact South Lake Union for a generation. In February, I articulated my three guiding principles focused on fairness as the City Council considered a major increase in housing and office density for the neighborhood:

1. Increase benefits to the public in exchange for value given to the private sector.
2. Build homes for our workforce.
3. Support our public school system.

I am pleased to report that, after collaborating with economists, local businesses and affordable housing advocates, we are on a path to achieve all of these goals.

Together we passed in committee a sensible solution that brings affordable workforce housing to the City’s hottest real estate market far above the level called for in the Mayor’s original proposal. Now many more nurses, school teachers, construction workers and other working families can call this booming neighborhood home.

The Council’s Special Committee on South Lake Union voted to raise the in-lieu fee significantly for this neighborhood: a 43% increase for residential projects, 33% for commercial.

When fee increases were first proposed by myself and other councilmembers, however, we heard concerns from local businesses about possible shocks to the office and retail real estate market. In response, the Council decided to phase in the increase to the commercial fee over the next 15 months, providing a smoother and more predictable transition.

In addition to achieving reasonable increases in fees to encourage workforce housing in South Lake Union (which will also be phased in downtown for parity), the committee passed a Resolution I sponsored establishing an even more collaborative and inclusive process going forward – a process I believe can yield even greater public benefit and more affordable housing.

The Resolution will establish an Expert Advisory Team to look at best practices throughout our nation, gather input from a large and diverse group of local stakeholders and make recommendations for increasing workforce housing. When reporting back to Council early next year, this team would explore a range of workforce housing tools for each of Seattle’s growing urban centers.

Separate from the workforce housing discussion, the Council created stronger provisions to enable the creation of a public school to serve the increasing number of families with children in the neighborhood. Having an elementary school for our downtown residents is critical to keeping them in our city. The Council’s amendment ensures that any new school facility built would be suitable to the needs of the school district.

Taken together, these important amendments will enable moderate income workers and their growing families to live near their jobs, which is a pillar of smart growth.

FULL COUNCIL:
1. Resolution 31443 (PDF Version) ADOPTED AS AMENDED (9 – 0)
Stating the City of Seattle’s opposition to any action by the Food and Drug Administration to approve genetically engineered salmon.

LIBRARIES, UTILITIES, AND CENTER COMMITTEE:
2. Council Bill 117754 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to the Seattle Center Department; authorizing execution of an agreement with Northwest Folklife for the presentation of the annual Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center.

3. Clerk File 312948 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Walter L. Reese as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.

4. Clerk File 312949 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Laura C. Lippman as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.

5. Clerk File 312950 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Tara Luckie as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.

6. Clerk File 312951 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Bruce C. Lorig as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.

7. Clerk File 312952 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Suzanne M. Burke as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Re view Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.

8. Clerk File 312953 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Carl Pierce as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.

9. Clerk File 312954 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Noel F. Miller as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014

10. Clerk File 312955 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of David F. Layton as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.

11. Clerk File 312956 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Robert K. Ho as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.

PUBLIC SAFETY, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE:
12. Council Bill 117750 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to grant funds from the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance; authorizing the Mayor or his designee to execute related agreements; increasing an appropriation in the 2013 Adopted Budget for the Police Department; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts, all by a three-fourths vote of the City Council.

13. Council Bill 117763 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to youth employment and mentoring programs; changing appropriations to the Department of Neighborhoods, Department of Parks and Recreation and Human Services Department; and removing a proviso in Ordinance 124058.

PARKS AND NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE:
14. Council Bill 117758 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to the Bell Street Park Boulevard Development Project and the 2008 Parks and Green Space Levy; reallocating funding from the Neighborhood Park Acquisition Subcategory to the Neighborhood Parks and Playgrounds Development Subcategory of the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy; increasing appropriations to the Department of Parks and Recreation in the 2013 Ad opted Budget; and amending the 2013-2018 Adopted Capital Improvement Program; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a three-fourths vote of the City Council.

15. Council Bill 117761 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Related to Structured Teen Programming; lifting a budget proviso imposed on the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Recreation Facilities and Programs Budget Control Level in 2013 for structured teen programming and amending Ordinance 124058, which adopted the 2013 budget.

The Council’s Chambers and offices are physically accessible; Print and communications access provided on request. Call 206-684-8888 (TDD: 206-233-0025) for further information.    

Contact: Dana Robinson Slote
Communications Director
Seattle City Council
(206) 615-0061
or e-mail: dana.robinsonslote@seattle.gov

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

City Council to host Town Hall Meeting on Climate Action
Community encouraged to share thoughts and perspectives

Seattle -- Join the Seattle City Council for a town hall meeting where Councilmembers will hear directly from the public.  The meeting will be hosted in the context of the City's recently unveiled Climate Action Plan. 

The town hall will open at 6 p.m. with remarks by Councilmembers, followed by a panel discussion to provide the community with an overview of the draft Climate Action Plan, why it's important and how the community can help.  The rest of the meeting will be dedicated to open public comment.  Speakers will not be constrained to addressing climate issues.

WHO:             Seattle City Councilmembers, general public

WHAT:           Council Town Hall on Climate Action

WHEN:          Tuesday, May 7, 6 p.m.

WHERE:        University Heights Center
                     5031 University Way NE, Room 209
                     Seattle, WA 98105

Read the draft Climate Action Program at http://www.seattle.gov/council/issues/climate/

For more information, visit the event flier .PDF here

[View in Council Newsroom]

Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Council President Sally Clark
Councilmember Richard Conlin

City Council Introduces Climate Action Plan on Earth Day
Plan provides pathway to carbon neutrality by 2050

Seattle -- Seattle City Council introduced Seattle's Climate Action Plan today, outlining the City's path to meeting its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The Plan focuses on three sectors where the City of Seattle can have the greatest influence in reducing carbon emissions: transportation and land use, building energy and solid waste. The Plan also includes a section on how the City should prepare for the impacts of climate disruption we currently experience, as well a section on actions individuals can take to reduce emissions through purchasing decisions.

"Taking climate action is not about austerity. It is about creating great places to live, work and play today and for future generations," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien, Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee. "This Climate Action Plan provides a vision for a city that is vibrant, economically prosperous and socially just." 

"The strong actions in this plan are evidence of the high value that the Seattle community places on sustainability," said Jill Simmons, Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment. "Throughout the planning process, we heard from individuals and organizations who encouraged us to be bold and think long-term."

Seattle's Office of Sustainability and Environment has been developing the Climate Action Plan since 2011, engaging grassroots sustainability groups, environmental leaders and business and community members from across the city. The City also formed Technical Advisory Groups in each sector addressed in the Plan and convened a Green Ribbon Commission to recommend specific climate actions.

"With its natural beauty, strong economy and commitment to equity, Seattle is an amazing place to live. The Climate Action Plan lays out clear path to ensuring Seattle remains a great place to live and raise a family, while also doing its part to combat climate change," said Doris Koo, Co-Chair of the Seattle Green Ribbon Commission. 
"Even before the first Earth Day in 1970, Seattleites have taken pride in our city's commitment to protecting the environment through innovative thinking, hard work and zeal," said Seattle City Council President Sally J. Clark. "I'm proud we can introduce our Climate Action Plan on Earth Day, 2013, as yet another milestone in our city's dedication to making a difference for the planet."

The Climate Action Plan includes specific short- and long-term actions the City needs to meet its ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. For example, the transportation sector accounts for 40% of Seattle's greenhouse gas emissions, but the biggest challenge Seattle faces to reducing emissions in this sector is funding. The plan calls for new funding sources like extending the Bridging the Gap levy and securing local authority for a motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) to help improve bus service and reliability, invest in improvements that make it easier and safer to walk or bike and take steps to build out the region's light rail system. The plan also calls for supporting the adoption of low carbon vehicles and fuels.

In the building energy section, the Plan calls for accelerating Seattle's work to make energy use more visible to consumers by switching to smart meters, providing better energy performance information to building owners and users and generally helping people better understand and manage their energy consumption. Additionally, the Plan calls for getting the right mix of policies and incentives to spur retrofitting in Seattle's housing stock and commercial buildings.

"We have already seen the impact of a changing climate. We must act now to slow down the rate of climate change, and to respond to the issues as our climate is affected," said Councilmember Richard Conlin. "Together we can rise to this great moral challenge, take practical steps in the right direction, inspire others to emulate our example and build a positive future for Seattle."

"Seattle residents and businesses are leaders in the fight against climate change," said Mayor Mike McGinn. "I appreciate the hard work done by our citizen committee to craft recommendations for our updated plan and look forward to the Council's process for adopting the strongest possible Climate Action Plan. I thank Councilmembers O'Brien and Conlin for their leadership in this effort."

The Climate Action Plan will be discussed in two Energy and Environment Committee meetings--Tuesday, April 23 and Tuesday, May 14--and will also be the topic of a public town hall on Tuesday, May 7 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at University Heights Center.

The Climate Action Plan can be viewed online at: http://www.seattle.gov/environment/climate_plan.htm

[View in Council Newsroom]

See the meeting agenda here, or watch the video of the meeting here.

The two bills we looked at were:

• C.B. 117758 (PDF Version), which increases appropriations for Bell Street Park, and
• C.B. 117761 (PDF Version), which lifts a budget proviso  imposed on the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Recreation Facilities and Programs Budget Control Level in 2013 for structured teen programming.

Bell Street Park, currently under construction! Photo: Sally J. Clark

I’m excited about the prospects of structured teen programming. Not only did our committee vote to lift the proviso on $180,000 for the program, on April 17, the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee voted to provide an additional $210,000 of funding for this same program.

As proposed by DPR, the available funding would be sufficient to serve 150 teens in 2013 and 110 teens in 2014. The additional $210,000 funding will bring these totals to 200 teens in both 2013 and 2014.

I’m grateful to DPR for beings so open to developing a clear and transparent approach to tracking the program’s performance, which made this easy to support.

Also in committee we were briefed on the upcoming King County Parks Levy, DPR’s plans for Westlake Park’s planters, parking at Magnuson Park, and the latest news from Department of Neighborhoods.

From the later I particularly want to note that the People’s Academy for Community Engagement (PACE) is accepting applications for the sessions starting in September 2013 now through May 8.

The sessions take place at Seattle University, and focus on how community leaders can work with Neighborhood District Councils and government structure and processes. During the 9-month program, 26 participants learn hands-on strategies for community organizing, community building, neighborhood planning, leadership, and outreach.

To learn more or apply, see the PACE website.

Councilmember Richard Conlin

Councilmember Conlin Encourages Participation at Happiness Open House

Seattle -- Seattle City Councilmember Richard Conlin will sponsor a Happiness Open House on Monday, April 22.  The open house will be hosted by The Happiness Initiative and Make it Happy, two social initiatives devoted to spreading happiness as a means to improve the world.  The groups will share their findings on Seattle's collective happiness in an interactive art installation, which will ultimately result in a report containing specific policy recommendations for creating sustainable happiness.

Councilmember Conlin's blog post on Seattle's first Happiness Report Card is viewable here.
                        
WHAT:
Happiness Open House

WHEN:
5 - 7 p.m., Monday, April 22

WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Bertha Knight Landes Room, First Floor
600 Fourth Ave, Seattle 98104

WHO:
Seattle City Councilmember Richard Conlin, Make It Happy, The Happiness Initiative

[View in Council Newsroom]

So, what are Microunits? They sprung up about 4 years ago, when some innovative developers discovered that they could build new housing projects that provided very small living units without individual kitchens. Using the available building codes they put up residential buildings that provided a shared kitchen for eight living units. The result was an economically viable model that has resulted in tapping a great demand for housing units that can be rented in the range of $500 to $700 a month. The buildings are new, generally have free wi-fi, and provide a common room in addition to a shared kitchen. On the downside, parking is limited and the rooms are small, very small, some small as 100 square feet; the average micro-unit size is subject to some debate. The City’s Department of Planning and Development estimates their average size as 260 sq. ft. but provides no backup data. There are ample examples of new buildings providing micro-units averaging barely 200 square feet.

The developers note that their buildings are filling up with low income renters, some are young workers and others are retired workers. The major developer says the average income of their tenants is under $20,000 a year. Their model is so successful that developers cannot meet demand, there are now more than 2,300 living units located in 48 buildings, and more, many more are on the way.

These buildings cannot be built in single-family neighborhoods, but they can be built in areas zoned Low Rise or Medium Rise Residential, which do have many single family homes, although the zoning in these areas allows for higher density buildings. It is in these areas that their impact is being most felt. Of the 48 projects, 30 have been built in the Low Rise Zone which is a dominant zone in neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, University District and Eastlake. Single-family residents in these areas are now organizing and asking for a moratorium on issuing additional permits for constructing these projects until City departments can provide a consistent set of regulations for controlling their proliferation.

Up until the City’s Office of Housing made a change in their rules, micro-housing developers were using two different set of rules to allow them to receive property tax subsidies based on the number of their living units, while avoiding any design oversight based on a different measurement provided by the City’s Department of Planning and Development. In essence, developers were able to provide a much larger number of living units without being subject to design review that would normally be applied to this number of units.

The Council held a public hearing on April 17th and heard a number of residents complaining of their impact on their neighborhoods. Their complaints are balanced against others who have argued that given the lack of affordable housing in Seattle, micro-units provide one possible solution to the challenge of living in Seattle for those that work in Seattle.

I believe the Council is doing the right thing by reviewing the rules and regulations that govern the permitting of micro-housing. I expect that our work will be completed in the next months, which should result in dramatically altering the process for permitting micro-units and for regulating the size of their units. Currently other cities set minimum square footage for these type of living units. Boston has a proposed minimum of 350 sq. ft, Portland has one that ranges between 295 and 385, New York’s range from 250 to 370, and San Francisco’s is at 220 sq. ft.

Micro-housing has a place in Seattle, but they must be regulated much more than they are now. But the larger problem of providing affordable housing in Seattle must be tackled straight on by recognizing that all new housing development in Seattle must be required to provide a percentage of new housing affordable for people who wish to live and work in Seattle.

SDOT unveiled a new website for the NE 75th Street Road Safety Corridor Project, which includes a project outline, easy projects, and the next steps.

Please share this information with your friends and neighbors.

Councilmember Mike O'Brien

Councilmember O'Brien to Testify for Transportation Options in Olympia

Seattle City Councilmember Mike O'Brien will testify today before the House Transportation Committee to advocate for local transportation funding options. The state legislature is currently considering a transportation package that could affect King County Metro's budget.

"This is my second Metro Transit-related Olympia visit this session, and it probably won't be my last," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien.  "People throughout Seattle rely on public transit, and I'll do whatever I can to ensure our bus service is maintained."

Metro faces a $75 million annual shortage if the state Legislature fails to approve transit funding tools, a shortfall that would result in the reduction of up to 17 percent of Metro's bus service.  According to King County Metro, 65 transit routes are at risk of being cancelled, with another 86 routes at risk for service reductions.  The 1:30 p.m. hearing is available to view streaming live on tvw.org.

Seattle City Councilmembers frequently meet with legislators as part of the "Seattle for Washington" program, which is intended to strengthen relationships with key policy makers and better understand issues important to communities around the state.  For more on Metro's funding shortfall and what it could mean for the future of transit riders and our economy, please visit Metro's website.

[View in Council Newsroom]

This simple chart highlights what we are talking about – placing the needs of low-income residents at the center of transit-oriented development. It was described as “TOD with social equity.” That is, developing the physical infrastructure of transit oriented development with a focus on the social infrastructure and fabric of the community.

We talked about Equitable TOD in 2012, around the release of Puget Sound Sage’s report, report TOD that’s Healthy Green and Just, which made the environmental case for considering equity in our TOD planning.  If low-income individuals and families are displaced from transit-rich neighborhoods, they are more likely to increase the amount they drive.  As higher income households move into the neighborhood, they are more likely to own a car and increase driving in the neighborhood.  Both of these undermine our environmental goals for TOD.  A focus on avoiding displacement during gentrification is not only a good thing to do for families and households; it helps us to achieve our environmental goals.

The Community Cornerstones project aims to advance equitable TOD in the Rainier Valley.  It is funded by a $3 million HUD grant, received in late 2011 for work 2012-2014.  This grant leverages $5.9 million from other sources and aims to address three key strategic areas that came out of the neighborhood planning process:

1. An Equitable TOD Loan Program to support TOD that serves communities in Southeast Seattle;
2. A Commercial Stability Strategy that helps existing business grow and thrive; and
3. Planning for a Shared Cultural Center that will serve as a community gathering space for the diverse immigrant communities that call Southeast Seattle home today.

The theory underpinning the work is that these strategies serve as anchors for communities to remain in their neighborhood in the face of the rising costs for land and rents.  These tools are meant to provide communities with the tools they need to build self-determination and economic prosperity.

The first solution advanced by the Community Cornerstone Initiative is the creation of an equitable TOD loan program.  The loan fund recognizes that:

• The Southeast Seattle real estate market is improving and opportunity sites for development will disappear.
• That affordable housing and economic development is needed to support existing residents and businesses as well as to welcome new ones.
• Shrinking permanent public funding sources require creative financing and development models that can attract private capital to leverage the limited public sources.

The objective is to support equitable TOD projects in Southeast Seattle over the next four to five years.  To that end, the city, along with community funding partners have released a Request for Proposals (RFP) focused on large catalytic TOD.  These would include mixed-income housing and affordable commercial spaces with a design that reflects and fits in with the culture and streetscape of Southeast Seattle.  The hope is to use limited public financing to leverage private capital for these projects near light rail stations.

Responses are due by the end of May and we will hopefully have projects moving soon.

A second strategy is the Othello Commercial Stability Strategy.  The Rainier Valley Community Development Fund is leading work in this area.  The assumption was that lease rates were becoming more expensive with development, but after talking with over 90 businesses in the Othello area, staff found that lease rates to date remain relatively affordable.  What businesses needed more was support in growing their businesses and increasing revenues.  The project has focused on supporting 15-20 interested business with workshops and training on how to grow and market their businesses.  This would allow small business to grow-up with the neighborhood as more development comes online.

The last strategy focuses on the social infrastructure to support Equitable Transit Oriented Development – the development of a Multicultural Community Center.

The vision is to develop a community- financed (not city), constructed and operated community center.  The near-term goals of the grant are to:

1. Build a sustainable leadership body from immigrant and historically underrepresented communities in Southeast Seattle to carry the project forward, and
2. Complete the predevelopment feasibility studies for what a multi-cultural center could look like.

This relationship-building work is not what we normally think of in land use or development work, but building community capacity is critical to getting the “equitable” part of equitable TOD right.

I’m hopeful for this three-pronged strategy and thankful to HUD and our partners for funding this innovative work. We’ve build the first phase of physical infrastructure for TOD in Southeast Seattle with the Link Light Rail.  Now it’s time for phase two: can investment that spurs new development, stabilizes and grows existing businesses and develops the community leadership work together to anchor low-income communities in this transit-rich neighborhood?   We’re all watching closely.  This could be a blueprint for our work in other neighborhoods scheduled for light-rail expansion and a blueprint for cities around the country that are grappling with the same questions we are—how to improve economic conditions in a neighborhood without displacement.

BY BURGESS
1. C.B. 117764

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.
Committee referral: Full Council

BY GODDEN
2. C.B. 117765

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Cedar River Municipal Watershed and amending the Secondary Use Policies, adopted by Ordinance 114632, to provide for the limited application of the herbicide Imazapyr to treat invasive knotweed species.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY GODDEN
3. C.B. 117766

AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; declaring certain reserved real property rights relating to sewer facilities within the vacated portion of 7 ^th Avenue South, and easement rights related to storm water runoff at 701 South Orchard Street as being surplus to City utility needs; authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to relinquish such easement rights; authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to accept an easement from Seattle Iron & Metals Company for conveyance of stormwater runoff through private property from city-owned drainage facilities in portions of South Garden Street; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY RASMUSSEN
4. C.B. 117767

AN ORDINANCE concerning the Seattle School Traffic Safety Committee; affirming the purpose of the Committee; revising the membership composition and appointment process; clarifying its responsibilities; superseding Ordinance 104344; and amending Sections 3.80.010, 3.80.020, 3.80.030 and 3.80.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
Committee referral: Transportation

BY CONLIN
5. Res. 31445

A RESOLUTION responding to the Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) review of the South Lake Union rezone by the Legislative Department’s RSJI Change Team, and creating a work plan for advancing RSJI goals in response to that review.
Committee referral: South Lake Union

BY No Sponsor Required
6. C.F. 312973

Application of Midtown Limited Partnership to rezone land located at 2301 East Union Street from Neighborhood Commercial 2 with a 40 foot height limit and pedestrian zone designation (NC2P-40) to Neighborhood Commercial 3 with a 65 foot height limit and pedestrian zone designation (NC3P-65) (Project Number 3005931, Type IV).
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

BY No Sponsor Required
7. C.F. 312974

Application of Seattle Housing Authority to amend the Property Use and Development Agreement accepted by Ordinance 121164 for property located at 6550 32nd Avenue SW to extend the expiration date from ten years to fifteen years to allow completion of the redevelopment of the High Point Garden Community (Project No. 3014928, Type IV).
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

Sound Transit will only contribute $75,000 to this design phase, with the City of Redmond contributing the remainder of the $1.9 million cost. Most of Redmond’s costs, in turn, are being funded by a federal grant, with the City only kicking in about $200,000.

This bridge was evaluated as part of the environmental review for East Link, but is not funded as part of the East Link project. Once the project reaches the 60% design level and construction costs can be estimated accurately, the partners will seek to identify funding to complete the bridge construction. If that funding can be identified, the bridge will be constructed by Sound Transit as part of East Link.

It’s exciting to see more options developed to connect the north side of 520 to Sound Transit’s light rail line on the south side, especially options that focus on pedestrian and bicycle access. The result will be a more attractive travel package for light rail passengers in this important employment center.

The two sides of the freeway are currently linked several blocks west of the Overlake Station at a major interchange where 148^th Avenue NE crosses the freeway, but this is not a very hospitable environment for pedestrians and bicycles, requiring them to cross access ramps that are part of the interchange. Microsoft funded another multi-modal bridge several blocks east of the Overlake Village Station, going diagonally across 520 from NE 31^st Street on the south to NE 36^th Street on the north side.

While these two crossings make pedestrian and bicycle crossings possible, they do not make them as attractive and easy to use as would be optimum. That’s where the Overlake Village Bridge comes in, making it possible to exit the train and cross directly to the north side when leaving the station. And, since it connects to the east-west bike/ped path on the north side of 520, which will run all the way into Seattle, it also makes it easy to get to other nearby destinations on foot or by bike, and facilitates mixed commutes like taking transit in the morning and returning home by bike.

This is the same type of crossing that is now in development at the Northgate Station to get across I-5, but the Overlake Village Bridge will be less expensive, as the distance is much shorter. And, on the planning horizon is another possible bike/ped bridge, connecting to the next light rail station, at the Overlake Transit Center, not far down the road. The City of Redmond and Sound Transit are thinking proactively about how to knit this community, sundered by SR 520, together to make it possible for light rail to be fully integrated with pedestrian and bicycle traffic in a truly transit oriented model.

If we ask the voters to support a public campaign finance system, it is very important to clearly articulate the goals we want to accomplish. The academic literature shows mixed results at best when evaluating whether such programs achieve many of the goals touted by program advocates, including increased electoral competitiveness and lower election costs. On the other hand, some reviews of New York City’s campaign finance program show it has engaged much broader cross-sections of the public in the electoral process.

Councilmember Tim Burgess
Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Councilmembers to consider Publicly Financed Campaigns for Seattle
Possible ballot measure coming to voters in November

Seattle -- Seattle City Councilmembers announced today a timeline to consider a proposal to publicly finance elections for local campaigns in the city of Seattle. The plan outlines a series of five meetings in April, May and June, leading to a decision about whether to ask voters to approve such a program in November 2013.

At the request of four councilmembers, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission recently submitted a recommendation for the Council to consider a public campaign finance program. The Council will review the details of the Commission's proposed program structure starting Monday, April 29.

"It's the right time to explore new ways to engage Seattle in the electoral process," said Councilmember Tim Burgess, chair of the Special Committee on Public Campaign Finance. "Seattle has long been at the forefront in upholding fair elections, but we should learn from other cities about what can be achieved through a public campaign finance system."

Public campaign financing, sometimes called "voter-owned" elections, allows a candidate to qualify for public funds to run an electoral campaign if he or she is able to demonstrate a broad base of community support. Candidate participation would be optional, and participants would agree to set standards that could include limits on private fundraising, a limit on using personal funds or limits on third-party funding assistance. Similar programs currently operate in many cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.

"I'm looking forward to creating a program that helps a diverse cross-section of Seattle residents to run for local office," said Council President Sally J. Clark.  "Plenty of smart, qualified people would love to run, but the price tag has run so high in recent cycles that otherwise great leaders sit out. Money shouldn't determine who runs and serves."

"Voter-owned elections get more people involved and keep campaigns focused on people, issues and ideas, something I think that strengthens our democracy and that we all value," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien. "Seattle was the first municipality to put a system in place in 1979, and I think it is time to ask the voters to reinstate it."

"The influence of money on elections has grown nationally and locally; with publicly financed campaigns, we can at least minimize its influence on local elections, said Councilmember Nick Licata. "The voters should have an opportunity to decide if Seattle joins other cities with public financing."

[View in Council Newsroom]

Comparison of a 128 sqft parking space, a 150 sqft microunit, and a 180 sqft basketball court lane

Don’t know what micro-housing is?  Here is an except (full content at link below) from a Council Central Staff briefing document:

“Microhousing projects are generally comprised of apartment or townhome-style dwelling units, each of which contains several (often seven or eight) sleeping rooms clustered around a shared kitchen and laundry area. The sleeping rooms are typically 150 to 200 square feet in size and equipped with a kitchenette (refrigerator, microwave, sink) and private bathroom. Each sleeping room is leased to an individual tenant and rent levels, while subject to variation by location, are often in the range of $600 to $700 per month…Tenants include, but are not limited to, students, service industry workers, and individuals who divide their time between Seattle and a residence in another location. Since 2006, DPD has received permit applications for 48 microhousing projects. Once all those projects are complete, it is estimated they will yield residential capacity for more than 2,300 people. Eighteen (38%) of the projects are located on Capitol Hill, 12 (25%) are in the University District, and the remainder are spread throughout the city.”

The event will be an opportunity for public comment as well as hearing presentations from the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), the Office of Housing (OH), and Council Central Staff.

It will be held in City Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of Seattle City Hall.  The agenda and supporting documents can be found here.  If you can’t attend, but want to watch, the live streaming video is found here and the archived video will be located here.  Because not everyone can attend daytime meetings, within the next few weeks, Councilmember Rasmussen and I plan to host another evening public forum on microhousing development. Details about this event will be available as soon as it is scheduled.

]]> http://council.seattle.gov/2013/04/17/forum-on-microhousing/feed/ 0 http://council.seattle.gov/2013/04/17/thoughtful-dui-proposals/ http://council.seattle.gov/2013/04/17/thoughtful-dui-proposals/#comments Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:53:47 +0000 Sally J. Clark http://clark.seattle.gov/?p=1790 Wedgwood on a Monday afternoon on a sunny day in front of a middle school. That’s where a man who blew a .22 blood alcohol level drove his car into a grandmother, grandfather, mother, and a 10-day-old infant. The grandparents were killed. Mother and child remain in Harborview in serious condition.

These details by themselves are a tragedy any way you slice it.  What makes this event even worse was that the driver of the car had had one DUI conviction and one pending charge in the months prior and had no valid license to drive.

Last week, City Councilmembers, the Mayor, and the City Attorney wrote a letter to Governor Inslee and the State Legislature asking them to take action before the end of session to strengthen sentencing, requirements for ignition interlock devices and making rules about prior DUI offenses stricter.

Governor Inslee, state reps and state senators have responded to the events of the last few weeks by putting together a set of changes to get much tougher on DUI offenders. There’s a great article in the Seattle Times about it here.

The package is comprehensive and builds on efforts earlier in the session to get smarter and tougher on repeat DUI offenders. Ideas include strengthening and lengthening drunk driving sentences, charging suspects more quickly, better follow-through on the installation of ignition interlock devices, and even banning third time offenders from buying alcohol for 10 years. These proposals have been brought cheers from some and concern from others due to the projected costs of incarceration and the decade long limit on buying alcohol.

I’d like to say I have compassion for people who struggle with alcohol addiction, but that’s not true every day. While alcohol abuse and addiction are public health problems, they are also public safety problems. Treatment on demand should be available any time, any place. In the meantime, we should do more to prevent ANY drinking and driving offenses.

The State Legislature has a week and a half to go before its slated close for 2013. That’s enough time to work through the good and the bad of the proposals rolled out yesterday.

Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Mike O'Brien

Councilmembers Godden and O'Brien
release statement on white pages directories ruling
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission removes phone book mailing requirement

Seattle -- The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) today issued new rules regulating to the distribution of white pages telephone directories in Washington.

The UTC removed the requirement that white pages publishers deliver directories to every resident in the state. White pages publishers must ensure its directory is accessible online and deliver a physical copy to anyone who requests it. In situations where publishers continue to distribute the directories to entire communities--for example in rural communities more reliant on white pages directories--the publishers must create and advertise an opt-out system for customers who do not wish to receive a book. 

Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden, Chair of the Libraries, Utilities and Center Committee, and Councilmember Mike O'Brien, Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, issued the following joint statement today in response to the new rules.

[View in Council Newsroom]

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Richard Conlin

City Council to discuss micro-housing developments Thursday 
Public invited to share feedback with Councilmembers and City staff

SEATTLE -- Seattle City Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen, Nick Licata, Sally J. Clark and Richard Conlin today reminded Seattleites about a public meeting on micro-housing developments on April 18, in response to questions and concerns raised in several Seattle neighborhoods.

"Several Councilmembers and I are sponsoring a two hour meeting to review what is occurring due to the strong interest and concern we are hearing in the neighborhoods," Councilmember Tom Rasmussen stated. "A portion of the meeting will include an opportunity for the public to provide comments and recommendations on what, if any, regulations should be enacted for this unique type of housing."

In addition to a public comment opportunity, representatives from the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), the Office of Housing (OH) and City Council staff will discuss Seattle's recent experience with micro-housing. 

WHAT:             Micro-housing development discussion

WHEN:            Thursday, April 18, 11:30 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m.
                        Members of the public are welcome to bring their lunch

WHERE:           Council Chambers, second floor
                        Seattle City Council, 600 Fourth Ave

WHO:              Seattle City Councilmembers and Council staff
                        Representatives from Seattle's Dept. of Planning and Development
                        Representatives from Seattle's Office of Housing

"I want to see more affordable housing built in Seattle along with our residential neighborhoods accommodating housing options that contribute to their character," stated Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Council's Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee. "I think both objectives can be accomplished and I look forward to this forum providing an opportunity to hear suggestions on how to fulfill both."

"I've visited some of these micro-units," said Council President Sally J. Clark. "They provide decent, often attractive housing for a range of people who don't need or want a lot of space. They're also appearing in greater numbers and more rapidly than some in the surrounding neighborhood want. This forum can provide a good airing of people's support, concerns and ideas for appropriate regulation."

"Microhousing can be an affordable option that works well with neighborhoods," said Councilmember Richard Conlin, chair of the Council's Planning, Land Use and Sustainability Committee. "However, it does not fit neatly into Seattle's land use code, and we are looking for input on code improvements that will preserve the affordability while ensuring that these developments reflect both the letter and the spirit of our land use laws."

Background

In recent years, micro-housing has emerged as an increasingly common residential building product in Seattle. Since 2006, DPD has received permit applications for 48 projects. Once all those projects are complete, it is estimated they will yield residential capacity for more than 2,300 people. In 2012, DPD received applications for approximately 15 micro-housing projects.

Micro-housing projects are generally comprised of apartment or townhome-style dwelling units, each of which contains several (often seven or eight) smaller living quarters clustered around a shared kitchen and laundry area. Each of the smaller living spaces within the dwelling unit is leased to an individual tenant. These spaces are typically 150 to 200 square feet in size and equipped with a kitchenette (refrigerator, microwave, sink) and private bathroom. Rent levels vary by location but are often in the range of $600 to $700 per month.

Developers have found Seattle offers a strong market for micro-housing, with completed projects leasing up quickly. Tenants often include students, service industry workers, and individuals who divide their time between Seattle and a residence in another location.  Geographically, about 40 percent of the projects are located on Capitol Hill and 25 percent in the University District, with the remainder spread throughout the city.

Because micro-housing is not well-defined in City codes it also may not be adequately regulated. Some of the issues and concerns the public has raised about Seattle's growing stock of micro-housing include:

• Within micro-housing projects, DPD currently counts the several small living quarters that surround a common kitchen and laundry area as a single dwelling unit (e.g., one apartment with eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms). As a result, most micro-housing projects do not meet the threshold for design review. Normally the design review process also provides opportunities for neighbors to comment and offer input on proposed projects.
• DPD's current practice of counting multiple living quarters within a micro-housing project as a single dwelling unit also complicates efforts to measure progress toward adopted growth targets in neighborhoods where micro-housing is located. It also can affect whether a proposed micro-housing project is subject to environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
• Micro-housing may not be an appropriate building type for all multifamily residential zones. 
• Micro-housing projects are generally designed to house 25 to 100 individuals; however, on-site parking is rarely provided. 
• The high cost of this housing on a price per square foot basis. 

[View in Council Newsroom]

The complex includes a 14-screen multiplex, a sports arena with three tiers of suites, enough restaurants to feed a ravenous army, a 1000-room hotel and a revived convention  center.

The 23-acre site once was under-utilized land, a scary part of town where no one walked alone at night.  Now thanks to can-do vision and a slew of public/private partnerships, L. A. Live is a people magnet, drawing stars and average Joes alike from all over the vast urban area. The Staples Center, L.A. Live’s giant sports complex, covers three acres and hosts everything from the Lakers basketball team to Rihanna concerts.

The visit to L. A. Live was one of the highlights of the 2013 Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Study Mission.  For over 25 years, the chamber and the City of Seattle have partnered on an annual visit to a North American city to learn best practices and challenge traditional thinking.

L. A. Live certainly qualifies for the latter – it’s definitely an outside the ballpark experience. It’s obvious that those who would build a new arena in SODO are thinking in a similar vein, although it’s difficult to imagine that such an over-the-top complex could be replicated in Seattle. For starters, the Mariners’ Bart Waldman grimaces over the news that the LA Live area boasts 35,000 parking spaces within a 10-minute walk.  Says Bart, “Not even in half-an-hour’s walk do we have 4,000 spaces.”

Although entertainment glitz was part of the three-day visit, it was scarcely the only L. A. experience. The trip started with a visit to L.A.’s 26-story City Hall, which has played a starring role in crime dramas such as Dragnet, Perry Mason and L. A. Confidential. While there, the Seattle delegation enjoyed the view from the observation deck and met Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and heard how Los Angeles is working to accelerate economic activity and invest in transit and highway projects.

A deputy police chief highlighted positive changes in the aftermath of the Department of Justice’s “consent decree” and subsequent work with the Merrick Bobb, the federal monitor now overseeing Seattle’s DOJ settlement. In the last eight years, Los Angeles has seen a significant decline in violent crime. The police force has added 1,000 new officers and has a strong focus on community policing. To hear the deputy chief tell it, most Angelinos are engaged in Neighborhood Watch programs.

Another major focus of the Seattle mission was education reform. Our speaker at the second morning’s breakfast at the historic Biltmore Hotel, scene of early Academy Awards ceremonies, was Dr. John Deasy, former education leader at the Gates Foundation and now superintendent of the largest public school district in the country. Dr. Deasy’s district serves 640,000 students at 900 schools and 187 charter schools.

Deasy described his vision in working to ensure that all students succeed, a dream that he hopes can be realized now that California Gov. Jerry Brown’s Proposition 30, a $6 billion annual tax to save underfinanced public schools, passed in November with 54 percent of the vote.

Later on, we visited KIPP L. A. Preparatory, a tuition-free, college-prep charter middle school, which opened in 2003 and serves grades five through eight. Students attend classes from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. three days a week and from 7:30 to 1:30 two days a week, spending their afternoons preparing for college. There is also an extended school year with classes into the summer months.

The Seattle mission at times seemed a forced march to gain as much knowledge about the region as possible in a limited time. Highlights included a tour through American Apparel, one of L.A.’s fashion houses. Style changes happen so quickly that the apparel industry has started to moved production back from China to the U.S.

Also on the program was a boat tour of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, fifth busiest container hub in the world. The ports are investing nearly $6 billion in upgrades to keep the roughly 40% share of Asian import trade that they  handle. The ports recent emphasis has been on larger and cleaner ships and clean technology.

So, Does L. A. do better than Seattle? Certainly the region and its industries are worthy competitors. And it would not be surprising to find that many of the lessons learned on the 2013 Study Mission in La La Land will be fueling future innovations in Latte Land.

While these units are very popular and provide affordable housing, there has been some resistance to them in some areas of the City, particularly Capitol Hill, where a number of these buildings have been constructed. One sore spot has been the way that developers have used their ‘unit count’ in different ways depending on what City regulation they are working with. The City Office of Housing has now issued a regulation that should resolve this issue. The Office of Housing regulation requires that any building applying for a Multi-Family Tax Exemption for affordable housing use the same unit count that the developer uses in the land use permitting process.

For land use code purposes, a housing unit is defined by the presence of a kitchen. This means that seven or eight small efficiencies have been defined as one unit for land use code purposes, since they share a common kitchen. As a result, these buildings have often slipped below the threshold for design review and SEPA analysis, which are based on the number of units in the building. There are good arguments for suggesting that this is unfair, since the cumulative size and impact of eight bedrooms grouped around a single kitchen could be larger than that of a typical apartment unit.

A further problem has been that some project developers have used a different count when they apply for a Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) based on providing affordable housing, counting each bedroom as a separate unit. A number of these buildings have been granted MFTE status. The MFTE was designed to encourage developers to construct new affordable apartments, especially in areas where not much development was happening. City staff and electeds have agreed that micro-units are not completely congruent with the intent of the program.

The first step in resolving these problems has been taken by the Office of Housing, which has issued Housing Rule 01-2013, which simply states that “The number and size of dwelling units verified by the Owner in the application for property tax exemption for Multifamily Housing shall be identical to the number and size of dwelling units contained in the Owner’s application to the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) for a building permit…” That resolves the contradiction.

DPD is working on legislation that will address two other issues to cover micro-unit buildings in the land use code. This legislation will define micro-unit buildings, to establish that they are different from an apartment building and have different characteristics. DPD is also considering creating a new threshold for design review based on the size/square footage of the building, rather than the unit count, so that micro-unit buildings will be treated the same as an apartment building of the same square footage.

Creating a consistent unit count and applying design review consistent with an apartment building of similar size will provide a formal space for micro-unit buildings in the code and ensure that they are treated comparably to a similar apartment building. This should resolve some of the legitimate concerns that have been expressed by neighbors about micro-unit buildings taking unfair advantage of the MFTE program and unreasonably evading design review.

However, some of the opposition to these buildings is based on other, less tangible, factors related to this kind of affordable housing, even though these buildings meet the other requirements of the land use code. I continue to believe that these small room buildings provide affordable housing and are appropriate parts of our housing continuum, and I do not support regulatory actions that would prevent, rather than regulate, their further development.

Since 1998, I’ve hired local poets to read for the Council’s Words’ Worth poetry program at the beginning of my committee meetings. Over 195 poets have presented 218 readings since then. And in 1999, I proposed electing a Poet Populist for the City of Seattle as a response to the more conventional practice of appointing a Poet Laureate (after clicking on Poet Laureate, scroll down to find ‘poet populist’ on that page).

Among the many events celebrating Poetry Month is one I find rather interesting called National Poem in Your Pocket Day. It’s sponsored by the Academy of American Poets’ Poetry.org and happens this Thursday, April 18th.

The way it works is that you select one of your favorite poems sometime in April, during National Poetry Month, and carry it around with you to share with co-workers, family, friends…even strangers. Is your office water cooler conversation lagging? Whip out a poem to spice it up or to at least surprise your co-workers.

You can also share your poem on Twitter by using the hashtag #pocketpoem.

If you’re feeling particularly creative you can design your own Poem in Your Pocket Day event. Check out some ideas, below. Or email Poets.org your projects and suggestions at npm@poets.org.

Find a Poem for Your Pocket

Along with your local library, bookstore, or bookshelf at home, you can find the poems for your pocket by browsing Poets.org, where you can download pocket-sized Poem PDFs to print and share with others.

Put Poems In Others’ Pockets

Check out the ideas below for how you can get involved:

  Start a “poems for pockets” give-a-way in your school or workplace

  Urge local businesses to offer discounts for those carrying poems

  Post pocket-sized verses in public places

  Handwrite some lines on the back of your business cards

  Start a street team to pass out poems in your community

  Distribute bookmarks with your favorite immortal lines

  Add a poem to your email footer

  Post a poem on your blog or social networking page

  Project a poem on a wall, inside or out

  Text a poem to friends

Poem in Your Pocket History

In 2002, New York’s Mayor, in partnership with the New York City Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education, initiated Poem in Your Pocket Day as part of the city’s National Poetry Month celebration.

In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative national, encouraging individuals around the country to join in and channel their inner bard. Each year on Poem in Your Pocket Day, schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, and other venues ring loud with open readings of poems from pockets.

Highlights from Past Poem in Your Pocket Day Events

Throughout history, poems have been stashed in pockets in a myriad of ways, from the commonplace books of the Renaissance to the pocket-sized publications for Army soldiers in World War II.

Keep in touch…

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• Like me on Facebook.
• Follow me on Twitter.

 Councilmember Tom Rasmussen excused.

 FULL COUNCIL:

1. Clerk File 312917 (PDF Version) FILED (8 – 0)
2012 Fourth Quarter Progress Report of the Chief of Police.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE:

2. Council Bill 117740 (PDF Version) PASSED (8 – 0)
Relating to street and sidewalk use; amending portions of Chapters 15.06, 15.08, 15.10, and 15.12 and Sections 15. 04.015, 15.04.074, 15.04.100, 15.16.040, 15.48.040 and 15.65.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code; repealing Section 15.10.030; amending the Seattle Department of Transportation Street Use Permit Fee Schedule; to correct typographical errors, correct section references, clarify regulations, and make minor amendments; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

3. Resolution 31442 (PDF Version) ADOPTED (8 – 0)
Granting conceptual approval to King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Wastewater Treatment Division to locate, construct, maintain, and operate underground injection control wells and associated green stormwater infra structure systems on selected blocks comprising the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Drainage Area, bounded by 35th Avenue Southwes t to the west, Southwest Othello Street to the north, 30th Avenue Southwest to the east, and Southwest Barton Street to the south.

4. Clerk File 312535 (PDF Version) GRANTED AS CONDITIONED (8 – 0)
Petition of Seattle Public Utilities to vacate a portion of Carr Place North between North 34th Street and North 3 5th Street.

5. Clerk File 312876 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (8 – 0)
Appointment of Clinton L. Loper as member, Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board, for a term of confirmation to August 31, 2013. 

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:

6. Council Bill 117739 (PDF Version) PASSED (8 – 0)
Relating to the City Light Department, declaring as surplus and authorizing the Superintendent or his designee to release a portion of a patrol road easement located in Snohomish County, Washington, within the right of way for the Bothell Substation to Creston Nelson Substation transmission corridor, accepting payment for the true and full value of the easement release from SHHC LLC dba D. R. Horton, and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

We’ve gone through our ups and downs for sure.  Yet I see slow progress being made in our ability to acknowledge that mental health is something we can and must talk about.

I am learning from leaders in this field including Amnon Schoenfeld from King County Mental Health and Bill Hobson from Downtown Seattle Emergency Service Center to open up about this topic.  An excellent role model for me is former King County Executive Randy Revelle who is leading a statewide stakeholder group at the request of Speaker Frank Chopp.  Mr. Revelle talks about his personal experience in “Stigma to Hope“.  All these professionals acknowledge that we reduce the stigma once we start talking about our personal experiences.

Depression runs in my family too.  I wouldn’t talk about it.  Yet I saw first hand the consequences where an adult with depression wouldn’t seek treatment, and I convinced myself  it “wasn’t that bad” or in my truly self-delusional moments it wasn’t happening at all. The results can be tragic, and certainly are isolating.

The King County website on mental health states  “between 28 and 30 percent of the U.S. population has a mental health disorder, substance abuse disorder, or both.  And whereas about nine percent of American adults have depression,  only one-fifth will receive the care they need to treat the condition.”

That’s what I experienced in my own family.  We were among the 80% — the depression wasn’t diagnosed properly or treated, and the consequences ignored.

If you want to know more about symptoms of depression or services that are available in Seattle/King County, check out King County Mental Health Services website.

The collective “we” will make real progress when we fund the programs we need statewide.  Because of extensive state and federal budget cuts to mental illness programs these past years, we have seen many important programs chopped or eliminated; but there’s hope — some of our Washington State legislators recognize the value of Seattle and King County’s community based programs and have offered legislation this year — with the support of the National Alliance on Mental Health — to nudge us in the right direction.

Thanks to our Seattle legislators including Rep. Jamie Pedersen, Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Rep. Eileen Cody , Rep. Ruth Kagi (and other statewide and local legislators including Rep. Tina Orwall (D-33d)),  we’ve seen renewed advocacy for important programs such as the one to help professionals in schools to recognize suicidal tendencies of young people.

Our forebearers would have approved of these programs 50 years ago; now these and other programs must be appropriately funded.

Special thanks to those who bravely bring light to the conversation, talking honestly about their own issues. This approach greatly helps those of us who are confused or fearful to overcome our own feelings of failure or isolation. Here’s an excellent piece written by my friend and minister Tony Robinson who writes from his own perspective in Crosscut this week:  Tony Robinson’s recent Crosscut article here.  

BY BURGESS
1. C.B. 117755

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.
Committee referral: Full Council

BY O’BRIEN
2. C.B. 117756

AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; amending Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 21.49.081 to include BPA transmission costs in the automatic BPA cost adjustment rate pass-through.
Committee referral: Energy and Environment

BY GODDEN
3. C.B. 117757

AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to execute a Second Amended and Restated Declining Block Water Supply Agreement between the City of Seattle and Cascade Water Alliance.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY BAGSHAW
4. C.B. 117758

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Bell Street Park Boulevard Development Project and the 2008 Parks and Green Space Levy; reallocating funding from the Neighborhood Park Acquisition Subcategory to the Neighborhood Parks and Playgrounds Development Subcategory of the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy; increasing appropriations to the Department of Parks and Recreation in the 2013 Adopted Budget; and amending the 2013-2018 Adopted Capital Improvement Program; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a three-fourths vote of the City Council.
Committee referral: Parks and Neighborhoods

BY BURGESS
5. C.B. 117759

AN ORDINANCE relating to the 2013 Budget; carrying forward certain unexpended appropriations and funds for non- capital purposes from the 2012 budget of various departments; ratifying and confirming certain prior acts, all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
Committee referral: Government Performance and Finance

BY BURGESS
6. C.B. 117760

AN ORDINANCE amending the 2012 Adopted Budget, including the 2012-2017 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); changing appropriations to various departments and from various funds in the Budget; revising project allocations for certain projects in the 2012-2017 CIP; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
Committee referral: Government Performance and Finance

BY BAGSHAW
7. C.B. 117761

AN ORDINANCE related to Structured Teen Programming; lifting a budget proviso imposed on the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Recreation Facilities and Programs Budget Control Level in 2013 for structured teen programming and amending Ordinance 124058, which adopted the 2013 budget.
Committee referral: Parks and Neighborhoods

BY O’BRIEN
8. C.B. 117762

AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; amending Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 21.49.040 to simplify the eligibility verification process for residential rate assistance.
Committee referral: Energy and Environment

BY HARRELL
9. C.B. 117763

AN ORDINANCE relating to youth employment and mentoring programs; changing appropriations to the Department of Neighborhoods, Department of Parks and Recreation and Human Services Department; and removing a proviso in Ordinance 124058.
Committee referral: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology

BY CONLIN, O’BRIEN
10. Res. 31443

A RESOLUTION stating the City of Seattle’s opposition to any action by the Food and Drug Administration to approve genetically engineered salmon.
Committee referral: Full Council

BY BURGESS
11. Res. 31444

A RESOLUTION calling for a thorough review and update of Seattle’s incentive zoning and other affordable housing programs and policies focused on creating affordable Workforce Housing by establishing an Expert Advisory Team that will advise and make recommendations to the City Council.
Committee referral: South Lake Union

BY LICATA; CO-SPONSOR CONLIN
12. Res. 31400

A RESOLUTION declaring the City of Seattle will promote and encourage the development of buildings that achieve the highest level of environmental sustainability by creating a Sustainable Building Advisory Board to guide the City Council and the Department of Planning and Development in determining the qualification standards and design that projects must meet that would participate in the City’s Living Building and Seattle Deep Green Pilot Programs, or any programs that replace them. The City Council also directs the Department of Planning and Development to make improvements to the City’s Living Building and Seattle Deep Green Pilot Programs, and requests the Executive submit legislation implementing improvements to or replacing the existing programs.
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability (Originally referred to Full Council on 7/30/12.)

BY HARRELL
13. C.F. 312964

Appointment of Roslyn Kagy as member, Seattle Women’s Commission, for a term of confirmation to July 1, 2014.
Committee referral: Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell         

Councilmember Harrell seeks applications for
the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities

Seattle -- Councilmember Bruce Harrell announced today the City is seeking candidates for three vacant positions on the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities.

The Commission is a 16-member body that advises the Mayor, City Council and City departments on issues that affect people with disabilities. The Commission works to increase understanding within the disability community as well as between the disability community and the nondisabled community. The Commission monitors and provides expertise on issues that affect people with disabilities in Transportation, Housing, Employment and Public Accommodations.

Councilmember Harrell strongly encourages veterans with disabilities to apply. The most recent data shows that veterans make up 9.4% of the population for people with disabilities in the United States. As of May 2012, 45% of the 1.6 million veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were seeking compensation for service-related injuries with these numbers currently on the rise. This is more than double the estimate of 21% who filed claims after the Gulf War in the early 1990s.

"The representation of our veterans with disabilities on the Commission is absolutely essential to greater communication between the City and the communities we serve. Their representation will work to facilitate a greater understanding of the issues that affect veterans with disabilities and create a more inclusive Seattle while creating policy decisions," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology committee.

Interested candidates should deliver a resume and cover letter by April 30th to Councilmember Bruce Harrell by email (bruce.harrell@seattle.gov), by fax (206-684-8587; provide cover memo with Attn: Bruce Harrell) or by mail to:

Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Seattle City Council
P.O. Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025

Appointment to the Commission is subject to confirmation by the City Council. Commissioners serve two-year terms, although may be appointed to fill the remainder of an existing term.

[View in Council Newsroom]

In the mid-1990s, the City entered into a public-private partnership to catalyze a revitalization of the northern end of downtown with a new retail shopping center (privately owned) on top of a parking garage (purchased by the City in 1998 using $73 million in bonds). The partnership transformed this area in the last 15 years. Furthermore, the City’s tax experts estimate Pacific Place has generated more than $30 million in sales, admission, business and occupation, and property taxes since 1998.

The garage by itself, however, has operated at a net loss since 2008. So the executive branch of City government entered into negotiations last year with the owner of the retail mall to sell the garage for $55 million, lower than the original purchase price but higher than its current appraised value of $50 or $51 million. To confirm this analysis, the Council contracted for its own independent appraisal that came to the same conclusion.

In late January, the Council received legislation from the Mayor authorizing the sale of the garage. Initial analysis showed that the proposed deal would have left the City slightly over $10 million in the red with remaining debt service costs and loan repayments, but it looked better than any alternative. It was arguably a reasonable price to pay for the revitalization of this area.

The Council’s lead analyst on this issue John McCoy performed excellent analysis, though, that led us to a different conclusion. (You can read it in great detail in a March 6 memo and a March 15 addendum.) With updated information from the Mayor, he found the true costs of selling the garage now would leave the City nearly $21 million in the red in net present value.

Why did the number double? This is where it gets complicated, but it has to do with when the 1998 bonds can be paid off. For various reasons, our garage debt cannot be paid off directly — or “called” in the language of the bond market — until late in 2017. That leaves us paying the bonds' 5% interest rate in the meantime. Per the Mayor’s proposal, the $55 million we would get from selling the garage would sit in an escrow account and make the future debt payments, but it would earn less than 1% interest at today's historically low interest rates. This difference in interest rates inserts a significant wedge in the deal, adding millions in additional interest costs.

Council staff also explored the terms of the original agreement between the City and the mall owner that allow the City, anytime between 2018 and 2028, to force a sale of the garage to the mall owner for the lesser of $50 million or the amount required to make the City whole on its original investment (paying off outstanding debt principal plus accumulated losses with interest). It's pretty counterintuitive, but selling later for less actually pencils out better under most scenarios, because we will be paying down debt in the meantime and we can avoid those extra interest costs.

Under all but the most pessimistic of scenarios when forecasting revenue and expenses for the garage, the City would be in a better financial position to hold onto the garage until 2018 or later instead of selling now. (And under some of the more optimistic scenarios, the City could be made entirely whole on its original investment in the 2020s.) If the City can fetch a price higher than $50 million in the future, we may even turn a profit for the taxpayers.

Ord. 124145
C.B. 117727

AN ORDINANCE related to the creation of the Office of the Community Police Commission within the Executive Department; amending Ordinance 124058 by establishing a budget control level, position authority and appropriations for the 2013 fiscal year; amending Section 1 of Ordinance 124021; creating new sections in Chapter 3.14 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Section 4.13.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code to exempt a position from the Civil Service system; all by a 2/3 vote of the City Council.

Ord. 124146
C.B. 117737

AN ORDINANCE relating to contracting indebtedness; amending Ordinance 124053 to lower the amount of bonds authorized to be issued thereunder and amending Exhibit A to Ordinance 124053 to adjust the projects listed thereon.

Ord. 124147
C.B. 117734

AN ORDINANCE related to the 2013 Budget; amending Ordinance 124058 by increasing appropriations to the Police Department and reducing appropriations to Finance General, creating seven new positions, amending Council Green Sheet 67-1-A-1, and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

Ord. 124148
C.B. 117738

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of Finance and Administrative Services to execute an Amended and Restated Lease between the City of Seattle and EF Seattle Fifth Avenue LLC, a Washington limited liability company, for a portion of the property located at 700 5th Avenue, commonly known as the Seattle Municipal Tower.

Ord. 124149
C.B. 117741

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.

Res. 31436

A RESOLUTION to initiate a Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area.

Res. 31437

A RESOLUTION of intention to establish a Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area, and fixing a date and place for a hearing thereon.

Res. 31438

A RESOLUTION of intention to disestablish the 2004 Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area, and fixing a date and place for a hearing thereon.

Res. 31439

A RESOLUTION adopting Statements of Legislative Intent (SLIs) for the 2013 Adopted Budget, the 2013 Endorsed Budget and 2013-2018 Adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Res. 31440

A RESOLUTION retiring introduced and referred Council Bills, Resolutions, and Clerk Files which have received no further action.

The annual report is required to include, among other things, the estimated total amount of tax exempted annually and cumulatively for individual projects in the MFTE program, as well as for the entire program.  The report is also required to provide an estimated annual impact of the MFTE program on the individual Seattle homeowner.  In the 2011 Annual Report we learned that for MFTE projects receiving an exemption under this program, their owners are estimated to receive about a $170,184,350 exemption for the life of the building’s participation in the project, with a total Seattle homeowner tax impact of $197.50 through 2025.

This year, OH was not ready to provide information on the tax impact of the program and has asked for additional time.  Last year, at my request, the Office of City Auditor conducted a performance audit of the MFTE Program, which is managed by the City of Seattle’s Office of Housing (OH).  One of the findings from the Audit Report was that “OH should…report on actual data, if it is available, rather than estimates. This should include providing actual tax exemption impacts from the King County Department of Assessments…”  My HHSHC Committee is in the midst of a program review.   I support getting accurate information now from the King County Assessor’s Office about the actual tax impacts of the program.

This program was passed in 1998.  There were changes to the program in each 2004, 2008, and 2011.  My emphasis has always been to support increasing the number of rent-restricted units required under the program and making them available to lower income people, for whom the need is greatest.  I voted against the program in 2008 because I believed the changes undermined its effectiveness by 1) subsidizing private developers to build units at essentially market rents, 2) expanded the program to build these market rate units in neighborhoods that have already met growth targets and 3) raised taxes for the rest of us to pay for it.

Each of the times over the last 12 years that program changes were made, the Council and the public was told that there was no general fund impact resulting from the program because the tax reduction developers receive were actually offset with increased property taxes for all other property owners.  Today we found out that this is not the whole story and that some portion of the exempted property taxes is forgone altogether.  In evaluating the project and making future changes it is critical to know what funds we may be foregoing that would otherwise pay for other critical tax-funded services.

Seattle Parks and Recreation wants public help in planning the future of Seattle’s parks, community centers and other facilities. The department has published a draft plan and would love to get your feedback on it.

Read the Parks Legacy Plan here. You can email feedback to parkslegacy@seattle.gov.

Quoting Acting Superintendent Christopher Williams, “Now it’s time to ask the hard questions: Are we spending resources as effectively as possible? What does the public think of our park system?”

In addition to the online feedback option, Parks has scheduled a series of public meetings in May. They want to encourage everyone who uses parks, community centers, swimming pools or other facilities to come and say what you think.

While some of the meetings focus on certain parks functions, comments on any Parks activity or function are welcome at all of the meetings.

Tuesday, May 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.:

GENERAL MEETING
Seattle Parks and Recreation Administration Building
100 Dexter Ave. N

Wednesday, May 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.:

SPORTS, RECREATION, AND AQUATICS
Green Lake Community Center
7201 E Green Lake Dr. N

Monday, May 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. :

SENIORS, TEENS INCLUDING LGBT, COMMUNITY CENTERS AND ASSOCIATED RECREATION COUNCIL (ARC)
Northgate Community Center
10510 5th Ave. NE

Thursday, May 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.:

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS, OPEN SPACE
AND MAINTENANCE
Jefferson Community Center
3801 Beacon Ave. S

Tuesday, May 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.:

GENERAL MEETING
Dakota Place Park Building
4304 SW Dakota St.

Wednesday, May 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.:

IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITIES
South Shore K-8 School
4800 S Henderson St.

Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts!

Ord. 124140
C.B. 117711

AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department (“City Light”), declaring certain real property rights surplus and no longer required for providing public utility service or other municipal purpose; authorizing the Superintendent of City Light to execute a Real Property Exchange Agreement between the City of Seattle and Sierra Pacific Industries, Inc. (SPI) for the conveyance of said surplus property and a cash equalization payment of $208,000 in exchange for the conveyance of SPI-owned land to the City in the South Fork of the Nooksack River watershed, Skagit County, Washington for wildlife habitat purposes; authorizing the Superintendent of City Light or his designee to execute Bargain and Sale Deeds for the properties conveyed by the City and accept a Bargain Sale Deed for the lands conveyed to the City; and placing said lands under the jurisdiction of City Light.

Ord. 124141
C.B. 117729

AN ORDINANCE accepting deeds for street or alley purposes; laying off, opening, widening, extending, and establishing portions of the following rights-of-way: the alley in Block 72, Gilman Park; the alley in Block 26, Woodlawn Addition to Green Lake; the alley in Block 11, D. T. Denny’s Water Front Addition to the City of Seattle; the alley in Block 4, University Heights; the alley in Block 17, Heirs of Sara A. Bell’s 2 ^nd Addition to the City of Seattle; the alley in Block 18, Hill Tract Addition to the City of Seattle; the alley in Block 6, Plat of Replat of North Trunk Road Addition to the City of Seattle; the alley in Block 33, D.T. Denny’s Home Addition to the City of Seattle; the alley in Block 55, Terry’s First Addition to the Town of Seattle; the alley in Block 22, Hill Tract Addition to the City of Seattle; the alley in Block 4, Eastern Addition to the Town of Seattle; West Barrett Street abutting Block 20, Gilman’s Addition to the City of Seattle; the alley in Block 20, Gilman’s Addition to the City of Seattle; the alley in Block 11, Fairview Homestead Association for the Benefit of Mechanics and Laborers; Southwest Snoqualmie Street abutting Block 63, The Boston Co’s Plat of West Seattle; the alley in Block 63, The Boston Co’s Plat of West Seattle; the alley in Block 11, Bell & Denny’s Addition to the City of Seattle; the alley in Block 56, Gilman Park; the alley in Block 3, Elbert Place Addition to the City of Seattle; placing the real property conveyed by said deeds under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

Ord. 124142
C.B. 117730

AN ORDINANCE relating to the City of Seattle’s use of surveillance equipment; requiring City departments to obtain City Council approval prior to acquiring certain surveillance equipment; requiring departments to propose protocols related to proper use and deployment of certain surveillance equipment for Council review, requiring departments to adopt written protocols that address data retention, storage and access of any data obtained through the use of certain surveillance equipment, and establishing a new Chapter 14.18 in the Seattle Municipal Code.

Ord. 124143
C.B. 117733

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Traffic Code; amending section 11.23.160 of the Seattle Municipal Code to increase the number of free-floating car share permits authorized annually and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

Ord. 124144
C.B. 117735

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.

Res. 31421

A RESOLUTION granting conceptual approval to King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Wastewater Treatment Division to construct, maintain, and operate a combined sewer overflow control system within Triton Drive Northwest as part of the existing North Beach Pump Station.

Res. 31430

A RESOLUTION approving the proposed budget of the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission for fiscal year 2013.

Res. 31431

A RESOLUTION granting conceptual approval to construct, maintain, and operate a Saturn sculpture and solar collector over Evanston Avenue North, south of North 35th Street, as proposed by Saturn Building LLC.

Res. 31434

A RESOLUTION regarding local solutions for low-income homeowners and communities impacted by the foreclosure crisis.

Res. 31435

A RESOLUTION setting the public hearing on the petition of Seattle Public Utilities for the vacation of Carr Place North between North 34th Street and North 35th Street in the South Wallingford Planning area of Seattle; pursuant to Chapter 35.79 Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) 15.62 (Clerk File 312535).

City of Seattle Seal

Recently I had the honor of receiving two awards from organizations that have long histories of thoughtful and careful work in their respective fields. In late March I was named as a “Sustainability Trailblazer” by the Seattle-based Sustainable Path Foundation. On April 5 I was given the “Hunger Fighter” award for 2013 by the Seattle Weekly, after being nominated by Food Lifeline, the organization dedicated to ending hunger in Washington that coordinates securing and providing food for Food Banks and other hunger relief agencies.

Receiving these two awards is both humbling and gratifying, as together they recognize my ability to put into action the values of community sustainability and social justice that are the core reasons why I chose to serve as a Councilmember.

The Sustainable Path Foundation recognized my accomplishments in making sustainability real, noting especially my work in creating the Zero Waste Strategy and the Local Food Initiative, and in shepherding 37 neighborhood plans through the Seattle City Council to create the framework for Seattle’s implementation of growth management.

Sustainability has been my passion since co-founding Sustainable Seattle more than 20 years ago, and it continues to be the guiding principle for my work on the Council. The Mission Statement of the Sustainable Path Foundation is to promote sustainability and health in our region through collaborative approaches informed by scientific understanding and systems thinking. The Sustainable Path Foundation envisions a sustainable future based on scientific understanding and respect for the interconnected nature of our world.

 Gretchen Garth, Paul Brainerd, Chris Jordan, Cathy Tuttle and Kathleen O’Brien have also been named as “Sustainability Trailblazers.”  More information about each of the honored recipients (and additional recipients who will continue to be named) can be found at the Seattle Path Foundation’s website. “Richard Conlin, Seattle City Council member, is our sixth Trailblazer,” read the Foundation’s announcement.  “Richard is being recognized for blazing a trail of sustainability through ensuring that the city values and practices environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, social justice, and community in its every day operations.  Thank you Richard Conlin!”

The “Hunger Fighter” award was presented at Seattle Weekly’s annual “Voracious Tasting” event, a showcase of various chefs, local eats and food trucks, and local wineries and beer makers. Proceeds from the event benefitted Food Lifeline.

Several awards were given at “Voracious Tasting”, including the Hunger Fighter Award. Food Lifeline nominated me for my “efforts to end hunger in our community and for the generous, additional $200k to the emergency food system last year” which I got the Council to approve as part of the 2013 budget. Working to end hunger in our community is a key part of my Local Food Action Initiative, and I have coordinated closely with agencies like Food Lifeline and United Way in campaigns to ensure that all members of our community have access to healthy and nutritious food.

On paper, it’s known as the Windermere Basin project.

In practice, it’s a super-sized undertaking, a 2.05 million gallon underground storage tank that’s under construction near Magnuson Park. The tank sinks several stories into the glacial till and is, literally, the size of a football field. When finished it will have state-of-the-art technology to keep heavy rainfall from flushing stormwater and wastewater into Lake Washington.

Previously, the basin area was protected by a storage tank known as Windy Junior that is hidden beneath a private park in Windermere. However, in recent years that tank has been inadequate during heavy downpours. Consequently, storm and wastewater stream into Lake Washington several times a year.

The remedy is a key element of the new CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) system. A well-versed crew of men and women are constructing a giant new tank, one that boasts self-cleaning equipment as well as technology designed to handle odor and pumping. The design calls for the storage tank to empty stored contents back into the existing system once rainfall subsides.

The project now underway also calls for construction of a pipeline from the existing tank to the new facility. The 2,000 feet of new sewer main will run along N.E. 65^th and then under Sand Point Way NE, using advanced drilling technology. Turns out Big Bertha isn’t the only boring machine at work in Seattle. Seattle Public Utilities plans to use a combination of open-cut and trenchless methods to install the new pipeline that leads to the new storage tank. The idea is to keep impacts to a minimum.

Once crews install the giant tank and pipeline, they will restore the sections of street and surfaces, enhancing the streetscape and making use of green infrastructure elements wherever possible. Infrastructure may not be the showiest addition to the city. But it’s easily one of the most valuable when it’s engineered to protect our waters for generations to come.

The cherry blossoms weren't fully out yet, but I did get to use my Car2Go membership for the first time. I used the service three separate times on Friday and Saturday for a total cost of $28.42, far less than a rental car or a taxi.

Each time I needed a car I opened the Car2Go app on my iPhone, located the closest available vehicle and reserved it. A handy walking map guided me to the car—they’re all Smart Cars—where I placed my membership card against the front windshield sensor. Presto! I was verified as the member who reserved the car and the doors unlocked. Once inside, I entered my PIN using the navigation touch screen and withdrew the ignition key from its dashboard holder. Done. I pulled away from the curb and was on my way.

What I really liked about Car2Go was my drive and drop option. No need to return the car to my pick-up spot. It’s a perfect service for one-way drivers who need to get from point A to point B or even for a bunch of errands on a weekend.

Late Saturday night, when I used Car2Go to return to my hotel I encountered a frustrating moment which I chalked up to my status as a novice user. My little Smart Car wouldn’t let me end my trip. A warning flashed on the navigation screen informing me that I had parked outside of the Car2Go service area which I hadn’t. I moved one block but got the same message so I pushed the help button and spoke to a Car2Go customer service representative. She asked my specific location and then informed me that I was parked on a peak hour street and would have to move around the corner. Only then did I notice an obscure sign on a nearby light pole that prohibited Sunday morning parking. My little car was really smart.

NPR ran a story about Car2Go and other car sharing services yesterday. It’s worth a listen.

Councilmember Jean Godden

Councilmember Godden announces adoption of "No Child Without Water" legislation
No more water shut-offs to low-income homes with children

Seattle -- Seattle City Council today unanimously adopted the "No Child Without Water" legislation, expanding emergency bill payment assistance to prevent water shut-offs in low-income households with children.

Councilmember Godden's proposal provides an emergency assistance credit twice every 12 months for qualifying households containing a minor.  This subsidy, costing an estimated $26,000 this year, will allow low-income households with minor children to avoid water shutoffs.

"This subsidy reflects Seattle's commitment to protecting the health and safety of those in need.  We believe in offering a helping hand and making it possible to say that, in Seattle, there should be no child without water," said Councilmember Jean Godden, sponsor of the bill.

Under current law, a household eligible for the low-income Utility Discount Program (UDP) is eligible for an emergency assistance credit up to $340. Although a generous subsidy, it was insufficient for at least 68 low-income families with children.

Information about the Utility Discount Program is available here, or call 206-684-0268 to learn more.

[View in Council Newsroom]

 No Absences.

 LIBRARIES, UTILITIES, AND CENTER COMMITTEE:

1. Council Bill 117749 (PDF Version) PASS (9 – 0)
Expanding emergency bill payment assistance to help avoid water shut-off in low income households with minor children, and amending Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.76.065.

2. Clerk File 312624 (PDF Version) GRANTED AS CONDITIONED (9 – 0)
Council Concept Approval for Seattle Public Utilities to construct a 380,000 gallon underground Combined Sewer Overflow tank, including an underground facility vault, flow diversion structure, and a force main, in an environmentally critical area, located at 3939 Lake Washington Boulevard South (Project No. 3013257,Type V).

3. Clerk File 312862 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Gloria Connors as member, Seattle Center Advisory Commission, for a term of confirmation to September 28, 2015.

4. Clerk File 312863 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Erik Van Rossum as member, Seattle Center Advisory Commission, for a term of confirmation to September 28, 2015.

5. Clerk File 312864 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Will Ludlam as member, Seattle Center Advisory Commission, for a term of confirmation to September 28, 2015.

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC RESILIENCY AND REGIONAL RELATIONS:

6. Clerk File 312802 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Miriam R. Hinden as member, Pioneer Square Preservation Board, for a term of confirmation to March 1, 2016.

7. Clerk File 312803 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Tija Petrovich as member, Pioneer Square Preservation Board, for a term of confirmation to March 1, 2016.

8. Clerk File 312804 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Amanda J. Bennett as member, Pioneer Square Preservation Board, for a term of confirmation to March 1, 2016.

9. Clerk File 312805 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Miye Moriguchi as member, International Special Review District Board, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.

GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE:

10. Council Bill 117747 (PDF Version) PASS (9 – 0)
Relating to City employment; authorizing execution of a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Seattle and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 2898 to be effective January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014; providing payment there for; and ratifying and confirming prior acts.

PUBLIC SAFETY, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE:

11 Council Bill 117742 (PDF Version) PASS (9 – 0)
Related to the amendment of Section 4.08.070 of the Seattle Municipal Code to remove the $25 fee charged by the Public Safety Civil Service Commission for police and fire entry-level exams.

12. Clerk File 312732 (PDF Version) FILED (9 – 0)
December 2012 Report of the Police Intelligence Auditor, filed pursuant to Ordinance 108333 (Seattle Municipal Code 14.12).

13. Clerk File 312731 (PDF Version) FILED (9 – 0)
Response of the Police Chief to the December 2012 Report of the Police Intelligence Auditor, filed pursuant to Ordinance 108333 (Seattle Municipal Code 14.12).

14. Clerk File 312822 (PDF Version) FILED (9 – 0)
Seattle Police Chief 2012 Annual Report concerning activities regulated by Ordinance 108333 (Seattle Municipal Code 14.12).

PARKS AND NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE:

15. Clerk File 312869 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Diana S. Kincaid as member, Board of Park Commissioners, for a term of confirmation to March 31, 2016.

16. Clerk File 312904 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Tom Tierney as member, Board of Park Commissioners, for a term of confirmation to March 31, 2016.

Diana is a returning board member, who has been on the board since May 2009, and serving as Park Board chair since March 2012.

A longtime community volunteer, Diana served as president of Friends of Magnuson Park from 2003-2004, is a member of the Parks and Open Space Advocates (POSA) and currently represents the Park Board on the Central Waterfront Design Committee.

As my colleague on the Parks and Neighborhoods committee Tom Rasmussen remarked at the table, Diana  has provided extraordinary service and we hugely appreciate her.

Most recently in addition to chairing the Park Board, Diana has been very involved in working to try to get the NOAA road opened in Magnuson Park.

Tom Tierney served as the Executive Director of the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) from 2004 to his retirement in September 2012.

We let him have about one and a half minutes of retirement before snagging him for the Park Board.

Before leading the Housing Authority, Tom was a senior executive at the Port of Seattle and before that, with the City of Seattle.

He has worked closely with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for 30 years, knows large departments and understands the challenges of big bureaucracy.

Tom is looking forward to tackling the funding challenges presented by a growing population using Parks that have a backlog of maintenance needs, and also wanting more and more green space. We’re looking forward to having him in that role.

Councilmember Bruce Harrell responds to the retirement of Chief Diaz

SEATTLE -- City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, Chair of the Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, issued the following statement today in response to today’s announcement that Chief Diaz will retire:
"I thank John for his years of dedicated service. John was a hard-working officer, protecting and serving the people of Seattle for three decades.  He served with honor and distinction, and I wish him the best in retirement.

"I urge the Mayor to immediately begin the process of identifying the next police chief through a national search and to allow for a thorough public review and Council consideration.  I would like to see decisiveness and a sense of urgency to establish a clear chain of command to establish effective public safety.  It is critical we have a leader that will communicate effectively with the public.  The public should not tolerate randomness, arbitrariness or the dragging of feet.  The public expects openness, transparency and collaboration in this hiring process that will serve as a basis to provide public confidence in its leadership.

"I look forward to working with Interim Chief Jim Pugel to implement body cameras on our police officers to enhance police accountability and public safety, execute a strong proactive policing plan by setting public safety enforcement and performance objectives and advancing the long-lasting positive changes in the police department as part of the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement."

[View in Council Newsroom]

Councilmember Tim Burgess

Councilmember Tim Burgess responds to the retirement of Chief Diaz

Seattle -- City Councilmember Tim Burgess issued the following statement today in response to today's announcement that Chief Diaz will retire:

"I thank Chief Diaz for his 33 years of dedicated service to the people of Seattle. The life of a police officer is rarely an easy one and John has served this city faithfully.

"This is a critical time for our police department. New leadership is necessary for implementing the reforms that will lead us to where we should be focused: more effective and evidence-based policing, preventing crime rather than just responding to it after it has occurred and improved police-community relations.

"Chief Diaz's retirement gives us an opportunity to move forward with new leadership. The chief of police is one of the most important positions in city government."

[View in Council Newsroom]

This is a critical time for our police department. New leadership is necessary for implementing the reforms that will lead us to where we should be focused: more effective and evidence-based policing, preventing crime rather than just responding to it after it has occurred, and improved police-community relations.

Chief Diaz’s retirement gives us an opportunity to move forward with new leadership. The chief of police is one of the most important positions in city government.

Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Bruce Harrell 

Statement on Bellevue Police Department action in Columbia City
from Councilmembers Sally J. Clark and Bruce Harrell

Seattle -- Seattle City Councilmembers Sally J. Clark and Bruce Harrell issued the following statement on the Bellevue Police Department’s attempted warrant service and shooting in Columbia City:

“Two weeks ago the Bellevue Police Department attempted to serve a warrant in Columbia City. That action went terribly wrong to our minds. The result was the arguably unnecessary loss of life of the suspect, destruction of private property and the blooming of deep anger and suspicion from the neighborhood about police operations and law enforcement’s regard for the community.

We appreciate Bellevue Police Department Chief Linda Pillo’s request that the Seattle Police Department handle the officer-involved shooting investigation. A complete account must explain why the Bellevue PD choose to carry out the warrant service in the way they did and what steps were taken to ensure service of the warrant would result in the lowest risk of violence for both the suspect and the surrounding families.

[View in Council Newsroom]

While you may know about our city’s arts office and the important contributions it provides to Seattle’s ranking as a top U.S. arts destination, you may not be aware that Seattle’s DPR contributes, as well.

Their summer arts program is designed to provide summer learning opportunities, build self esteem, promote cross-cultural experiences, build ongoing participation in Parks, including welcoming drop-ins, and support the City’s Youth and Families Initiative. Up to $8,400 will be awarded for each of four parks: Othello Playground, Lakeridge Playground, Judkins Park, and Maplewood Playfield.

Summer Art in the Park is intended to offer fun, innovative, curriculum-based visual and performing arts activities in our parks for children, families, early childhood education facilities, and community centers.

The winning proposers are expected to offer activities complimentary to existing uses of each park while providing programming that appeals to young children ages 5 to 9 and teens ages 10 to 14 starting June 24th, ending August 16th, 2013.

Susan Tidwell’s temporary 2011 art installation in Occidental Park.

Proposers must also participate in the Free Summer Food Service Program, provided by the Seattle Human Services Department and coordinated through Seattle Parks and Recreation, as well as participate in the End of the Summer Celebration – a performance showcase, food and visual art display held August 15th.

Electronic submissions are not being accepted. Proposers must snail mail their applications to:

2013 Summer Art in the Park Program RFP
City of Seattle, Dept. of Parks & Recreation
Out of School Time Office
Attn: Daisy Catague
4209 W Marginal Way SW
Seattle Washington 98106

For more information, call DPR at 206-615-0303 or email daisy.catague@seattle.gov. Click here for DPR’s “Request for Proposals” website and scroll down to find the RFP.

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It’s a relatively small rezone, with modest implications for housing and pedestrian access, but it has a long and complicated history. The rezone adopted by the Council has the support of neighborhood leaders. It does not include a controversial provision that would have rezoned additional areas to the west and north of this area. This proposal was opposed by single family property owners in those areas.

The rezone adopted by the Council received strong support from property owners in the rest of the rezone area, with the exception of the owners of the Fred Meyer property adjacent to NW 3^rd Avenue.  This property owner applied for a permit for a new, more auto-oriented building in contravention to the intent of the neighborhood plan during the time that the rezone proposal was making its way through the legal process to get to the Council. Unfortunately, under Washington State law, once a permit has been applied for under the existing zoning, new zoning requirements cannot be applied to the property. So, the Greenwood community will have new, pedestrian-oriented, mixed use buildings east of the Fred Meyer site, where the property owners have embraced the zoning, but not on the Fred Meyer site for a considerable period of time in the future.

The owners of the property argued that the Council should not proceed with the rezone, because it will make the existing building non-confirming and not allow it to be replaced in its current form. The Council, however, respected the vision of the long-term plan developed by the community.

When the rezone was initially proposed, the property owners north and west of Fred Meyer opposed it because their properties would have been upzoned to low-rise residential. They were also concerned about the upzoning of the edges of the Fred Meyer site to 65 feet, suggesting that would lead to shadow effects on their residences. The property line pattern on the Fred Meyer site would make it difficult to rezone the edges to a lower height than the rest of the site. Fortunately, even though the entire site is rezoned to 65 feet, the density allowed on the site will require some setbacks, and the City has suggested that these setback requirements can be used in design review to mitigate any future shadow effects. Most of the property owners did not pursue their opposition to the rezone.

More recently, the owners of the property south of NW 85^th requested some different development standards, in order to build a development that provided significantly more housing and could accommodate a grocery store. Their request reflected the difficulty of providing parking for a grocery store and residential development in an area where the underlying peat soil makes underground parking difficult, and the sites lack of depth and poor alley access made alley ingress problematic as well. The Greenwood Community Council reviewed their proposal, and agreed that these development standards should be modified. The site will have more flexibility in configuring driveways and will be able to build some 30 additional housing units as a result.

Creating the kind of walkable residential urban environments envisioned by the Comprehensive Plan and our neighborhood plans can be challenging, and the details make a big difference. In most cases this is made easier because property owners ultimately embrace the development potential that neighborhood commercial zoning offers and agree with the vision. The Greenwood rezone was a long and difficult process because that was not the case here. Ultimately, however, this legislation does respond to the community’s vision and moves it a long way towards the desired outcome – even if it will be many years before the Fred Meyer site is redeveloped in conformance to the community’s wishes.

You can visit the Mayor’s Office on the 7th floor, and Councilmember offices on the 2nd floor.

There will be adoptable animals, food trucks, and performances (acrobatics at 11a, and the Massive Monkees at noon).

On display on 5th Avenue between Cherry and James will be the Seattle Police Mounted Unit, and an antique Fire Truck.

BY BURGESS
1. C.B. 117752

AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof.
Committee referral: Full Council

BY CLARK
2. C.B. 117753

AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation, imposing controls upon the Fashioncraft Building, a landmark designated by the Landmarks Preservation Board under Chapter 25.12 of the Seattle Municipal Code, and adding it to the Table of Historical Landmarks contained in Chapter 25.32 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
Committee referral: Economic Resiliency and Regional Relations

BY GODDEN
3. C.B. 117754

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Center Department; authorizing execution of an agreement with Northwest Folklife for the presentation of the annual Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

RE-REFERRAL:

BY RASMUSSEN
4. Res. 31442

A RESOLUTION granting conceptual approval to King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Wastewater Treatment Division to locate, construct, maintain, and operate underground injection control wells and associated green stormwater infrastructure systems on selected blocks comprising the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Drainage Area, bounded by 35th Avenue Southwest to the west, Southwest Othello Street to the north, 30th Avenue Southwest to the east, and Southwest Barton Street to the south.
Committee referral: Transportation (Originally referred to Libraries, Utilities, and Center Committee on March 25, 2013)

BY No Sponsor Required
5. C.F. 312943

Council land use action by the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation to allow a 22,575 square foot urban farm at 5513 S Cloverdale Street, to include five greenhouse and related farm and gardening structures totaling 13,575 square feet, on an existing Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation nursery site (Project No. 3016419, Type V).
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

BY No Sponsor Required
6. C.F. 312944

Application of BMR-500 Fairview Avenue, LLC to amend the Property Use and Development Agreement accepted by Ordinance 123774 for property located at 500 Fairview Avenue North to make revisions, such as changes to exterior cladding material and reorientation of the main entry, to the Master Use Permit drawings, conformance to which is required by Ordinance 123774 (Project No. 3015059, Type IV).
Committee referral: Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability

BY Licata
7. C.F. 312946

Appointment and Oath of Office of Gregory Randall Engstrom as Director of the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs.
Committee referral: Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture

BY No Sponsor Required
8. C.F. 312947

Petition of King County International Airport to vacate 15th Avenue South between the South margin of South Hardy Street and the north line of previously vacated 15th Avenue South.
Committee referral: Transportation

BY Godden
9. C.F. 312948

Appointment of Walter L. Reese as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY Godden
10. C.F. 312949

Appointment of Laura C. Lippman as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY Godden
11. C.F. 312950

Appointment of Tara Luckie as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY Godden
12. C.F. 312951

Appointment of Bruce C. Lorig as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY Godden
13. C.F. 312952

Appointment of Suzanne M. Burke as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY Godden
14. C.F. 312953

Appointment of Carl Pierce as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY Godden
15. C.F. 312954

Appointment of Noel F. Miller as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY Godden
16. C.F. 312955

Appointment of David F. Layton as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

BY Godden
17. C.F. 312956

Appointment of Robert K. Ho as member, Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2014.
Committee referral: Libraries, Utilities, and Center

RE-REFERRALS:

BY No Sponsor Required
18. C.F. 311874

Petition of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to the Seattle City Council for a skybridge permit pursuant to Seattle Municipal Code 15.64, for a new skybridge connecting 1100 Eastlake Ave E with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center campus.
Committee referral: Full Council (Originally referred to Transportation Committee on 11/14/11.)

BY Harrell
19. C.F. 312917

2012 Fourth Quarter Progress Report of the Chief of Police.
Committee referral: Full Council (Originally referred to Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee on 4/1/13.)

Let me know what you think.

Bill Keller back on his feet

I’m very glad to say that this morning’s committee meeting started on a positive note: Acting Superintendent of Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Christopher Williams updated us on the progress of Bill Keller, the Executive Director of the Associated Recreational Council (ARC), who was shot on March 8. Not only is Bill home from the hospital but walking around his neighborhood, up to six blocks at a time. He is also preparing a triumphal mid-April return to work, and we are all eagerly anticipating his comeback and holding him in our thoughts as he continues to heal.

Christopher also noted that we all want to express our huge appreciation to Christine Arcidy, Deputy Director of ARC. She has been holding everything together in his absence.

You can watch the committee meeting here: Christopher told us about his and the rest of the Parks Leadership Team’s response and actions in the 72 hours following the shooting; and a little bit about some of the preliminary lessons they’ve gleaned from the awful event, and how they’re going about learning more. It’s definitely worth a watch, and inspiring to be reminded, again, of what a dedicated community of people makes up our Department of Parks and Recreation.

Community trail projects at Cheasty Greenspace and FOLKpark

We asked Christopher for updates on a couple of community initiated projects: A mountain biking trail at Cheasty Greenspace and a trail connecting the off-leash dog park at Kinnear Park to the Amgen Double Helix Bridge across Elliott. Both proposed projects raise some vexing issues that won’t be resolved overnight.

In the case of Cheasty Greenspace, two groups of constituents have competing aims. A committed and enthused set of bike riders would like to see a mountain bike trail put in the natural area. On the other hand, a committed and enthused group of Parks volunteers has been working for years on restoring the natural area, pulling out blackberries and planting native species, attempting to help restore the city’s imperiled urban canopy. Mountain biking trails notoriously undermine the stability of slopes and hills, and the resulting erosion can create risk of landslides.

Parks, negotiating between these groups, plans to take the issue to the Park Board for consideration. Parks’ recommendation will be to establish best practices, criteria for site selection, and site standards for bike paths before selecting a final location.

In the case of FOLKpark, Christopher expressed appreciation for the community group that’s been so tireless at driving for activation of Kinnear Park. The newly opened off leash dog park appears to be getting a lot of use, and that draws people through other parts of the park.

Having  a trail extend the park to the double helix bridge seems like an obvious great benefit, but unfortunately, it turns out the soil composition and the steepness of the slope in the area makes it prone to landslides. Christopher explained that Parks is doing its best to balance the needs of the community with the requirements of public safety and minimizing future liability to the city. The trail project was not funded by the Opportunity Fund this year, and Christopher is planning to bring the community members involved with FolkPARK together with the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Board so that they can discuss how the decision was made and what appropriate next steps might look like.

Teen Structured Programming Proposal

The bulk of our meeting was devoted to a discussion of DPR’s proposal for Structured Programming for Teens. They developed a response to Green Sheet 107-1-C-2, which Council passed during the 2012 budget process. Mayor McGinn proposed adding more hours to community centers. Though he often referred to teen programs, the additional hours were general and would have just kept the doors open.  Council did not accept that add, and put a proviso on those funds ($176,091), asked DPR to come back with a proposal of how they would use those funds. Today’s presentation was about that proposal.

Here’s a PDF of the presentation that they delivered, and here is the memo from Council Central Staff.

Parks focused on the programs in the Teen Unit, which is a unit in the Recreation Division. This division manages six teen programs that provide a diverse range of services that draw youth from throughout the city: Outdoor Opportunities (O2), Youth Employment and Service Learning (YESL), Teen Life Centers (TLC), Late Night Rec, and Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (SYVPI).

Parks recommended that the provisoed funds be used to establish a pilot Youth Career Training Program (YCTP) in 2013. The Department will evaluate whether or not to continue the pilot as part of the 2014 budget process.

The pilot program will engage teens aged 14 to 19, in a variety of structured and stipend-based workforce preparedness experiences that incorporate job, life, and leadership-skills training.

YCTP will help increase the number of youth employment opportunities, address the need for workforce development, and support financial independence for youth in 2013. The program also aligns with the Mayor’s Jobs Plan, specifically on the investment in Seattle’s youth and young adults.

How the Program Works

YCTP will use the experiential learning methodology which applies newly attained job training and leadership and life skills (through the training Parks will offer) to real life situations (through the work experience Parks will offer).

The job training and leadership and life skills element will emphasize programming in the areas of pre-employment certification, youth teen advocacy, aquatics and tennis training, urban design and environmental learning, and education and college prep. Some examples would include lifeguard training for youth, first aid training, teaching forest restoration skills, GED courses, and college prep courses. YCTP may also provide technology training and web support training to assist in the design and update of a new Teen Web Portal.

The employment element of the YCTP program will includecommunity center front desk and Late Night support, pre-apprenticeship with Parks shops (carpentry, electrical, metal, paint, and plumbing), grounds maintenance support, truck crews support, ropes course facilitation, tennis and aquatic instruction, and trail restoration support.

YCTP work experiences will share a similar structure to YESL programs, offering 144 total program hours (25% training and 75% application) over six weeks during the summer or twelve weeks during the school year. YCTP participants will need to complete a minimum of 120 program hours to be eligible for the $599 stipend.

Program Goals and Performance  Measures

DPR will evaluate the program’s success by establishing the following goals and performance measures. The performance measures are from the federal Workforce Investment Improvement Act, which provides a set of standard goals for measuring youth employment programs.

Each type of goal that is identified is equally important to the development of the individual, the effectiveness of the program for the individual, and the overall performance of the program.

The program will provide for the following:

• Attainment of basic skills, work readiness or occupational skills. All youth who are determined basic skills deficient must have a basic skill goal.
• Attainment of secondary school diplomas and their recognized equivalents (for example HSED, GED) before exiting the program.
• Placement and retention in post-secondary education, advanced training, military service employment, or qualified apprenticeships.

Parks proposed the following performance measures, which Council Central Staff approved but would also like to see slightly more refined, a process that Parks and Central Staff will work on together over the next couple weeks.

Skill Attainment Rate: measures the attainment of basic, work-readiness or occupational skills while receiving services with pre-and post program tests.

o Total number of basic skill goals + number of work readiness skills + number of occupational skills.

Diploma or Equivalent Attainment Rate: Of those who enter without a diploma or equivalent, measures the number of youth who receive one by the time they leave services. In-school youth that leave services and are still in school are excluded from this measure.

o Number of youth who attained a secondary diploma or equivalent within 6 months after completing the program.

Retention Rate: measures the proportion of youth that are in the following activities 6 months after they leave services:

• Post secondary education
• Advanced training
• Employment
• Military service
• Qualified apprenticeships

In a final interesting twist, after yesterday’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee meeting, it seems that some of the Mayor’s funding for the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative that council placed a proviso on might be re-appropriated  into these structured Parks programs. I’ll keep you up to date on that as I learn more.

Coming soon: Protecting public investment at Westlake Park and Magnuson Little League Fields

We’ve heard constituents expressing concern about a couple of issues, most particularly the fate of the little league fields at Magnuson Park and the damage already showing up early in the season to public property at Westlake Park, particularly the north end planters and the stage.

We asked Christopher to come to our next committee meeting prepared to talk to us about both of these issues. For Magnuson, he will walk us through the maps and bring us up to speed on planned field facilities and how the parking for the new tennis center and changes sought by Children’s Hospital are affecting the park. For Westlake, he will discuss possibilities for protecting the planters, including removing them, planting them with less vulnerable plantings, or looking for ways to redistribute resources so that Park Rangers and police are able to keep watch over the area.

Park Board

Last but not least: We also approved the confirmation of two Park Board members today, which will go on to Full Council on Monday. I’m going to save my introductions of those two lovely individuals until after they’ve been formally confirmed, however, so you can expect to read more about them next week.

Finally, we learned with regret, but happiness for her, that wonderful Megan Heahlke, who has served on the Park Board for the past 18 months, has taken a very demanding job and is resigning from the Board. Megan, thank you for all your great work. We will miss you, and we wish you the very best!

This week, the Human Services Department (HSD) announced that they will use the Council-allocated funds to allow Seattle Winter Shelter operations to be extended at both a. the City Hall Winter Shelter serving adult men and women and b. the Women’s Shelter at Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) Connections.

In 2011, thanks to the advocacy of the Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH), the Seattle City Council voted to make shelter available “behind the red doors” inside City Hall all winter long.  Again, in 2012, SKCCH called for an extension of winter shelter to meet the ongoing, yearlong unmet need when turnaways at year-round shelter spike after winter shelters close.

I’m glad that with the 2013-2014 budget money allocated by the Council in 2012, HSD agreed to allow these shelter operations to extend past the winter months.

Yesterday the police department released two reports about the department’s handling of last year’s May Day disturbances downtown, one completed internally and one by an independent third party. I commend the department for subjecting itself to a thorough, external review. Such transparency can only serve to improve the work of SPD. It reminds me of a citizens’ review I chaired of the police response to the 1999 WTO riots.

While the independent report criticized planning by the department at a higher level, the report found that “supervisory and line-level police officers were well-disciplined and attempted to follow confusing mandates (at times squads acted independently due to an absence of command direction).” It is good to see that our officers made the best out of a difficult situation, but department leadership should quickly follow up on the report’s recommendations to avoid facing a similar situation again.

Council President Sally J. Clark

Seattle City Council Welcomes New Communications Director

SEATTLE -- Council President Sally J. Clark announced today the hiring of Dana Robinson Slote as Communications Director for the City's Legislative Department.  Robinson Slote most recently served as Director of Communication for the Washington State Senate Democratic Caucus where she crafted and executed communication plans for a diverse set of elected officials.

"Dana has a solid understanding of issues facing Seattle, significant experience supporting a legislative body and is committed to connecting government with the public," said Council President Sally J. Clark.  "I'm excited for Dana to join the team."

Robinson Slote brings a dozen years of communication expertise from both public and private sectors. From 2005-11, she worked in communications at the University of Washington.  In earlier roles, she served as a press secretary working on a number of issue and candidate campaigns, including levies for Seattle Public Schools, the Seattle Housing Levy, Seattle Public Utilities and the City of Seattle's Office of Policy Management.

Robinson Slote is a lifelong Seattle-area resident.  She is a two-time Ironman competitor (Canada '09, '10), holds a B.A. in Communications from Western Washington University and an M.A. in Communications from Gonzaga.

[View in Council Newsroom]

Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Mike O'Brien

Councilmembers Clark, O'Brien Advocate for Transportation Options in Olympia

Seattle City Councilmembers Sally J. Clark and Mike O'Brien today will meet with key state legislators to advocate for local transportation funding options. Both will travel to Olympia as part of the "Keep King County Moving Coalition," highlighting the need to preserve King County Metro transit service and critical roadway maintenance.

Metro faces a $75 million annual shortage if the state Legislature fails to approve transit funding tools, a shortfall that would result in the reduction of up to 17 percent of Metro's bus service.  According to King County Metro, 65 transit routes are at risk of being cancelled, with another 86 routes at risk for service reductions. "Keep King County Moving" has coordinated business, government and community advocates to speak with one voice about the threat transit cuts pose to business, growth management and quality of life.

"It's do-or-die time," said Council President Sally J. Clark.  "Without funding options, we can expect commutes to suffer and business to be impacted."

"Metro cuts will disproportionally affect low-income communities," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien.  "I have faith that our friends in Olympia will recognize that giving local jurisdictions tools to provide service is the right thing to do.

Seattle City Councilmembers frequently meet with legislators as part of the "Seattle for Washington" program, which is intended to strengthen relationships with key policy makers and better understand issues important to communities around the state.  For more on Metro's funding shortfall and what it could mean for the future of transit riders and our economy, please visit Metro's website.

[View in Council Newsroom]

On Monday, April 1, the Special Committee on South Lake Union made key land use decisions in this major rezone, giving direction to staff on amendments to land use maps and development standards. The Council’s final work session will be held on Monday, April 15, to be followed by a formal Committee vote on amendment language on Monday, April 22 and final Council action on Monday, May 6.

Strong majorities of the Council indicated preferences on most of the thirteen issues discussed and those preferences will define the options for formal amendment language. Here are the outcomes of the April 1 meeting:

‘Mercer Blocks’. On the blocks between Mercer and Valley Streets, the Council decided to reduce the proposed tower height from 240 feet to 160 feet, and to limit the east-west dimensions of the towers to 105 feet. A strong majority of the Council also agreed to retain the proposed 12500 square foot floor plates for towers, and to retain the 85 foot podium height on the north side of Mercer, although some Councilmembers wanted to further reduce these. This outcome will match the heights on the north and south sides of Mercer, one of the widest rights-of-way in the City, and will result in slimmer towers that will still be economically viable and provide significant numbers of new housing units.

Cascade Neighborhood. In response to requests from property owners, the Council agreed to increase heights in the six core blocks from 75 feet to 85 feet for residential projects. This will allow a modest amount of new housing units and give more design flexibility, making redevelopment more likely. Some Councilmembers were interested in the property owners’ proposal to increase heights to 125 feet for residential, but the Committee agreed that there had not been enough community or technical review of this proposal to advance it in this legislation. The Council will direct the Department of Planning and Development to conduct a formal process with community involvement and make a recommendation on this proposal in the future.

Fairview Boundary. The Council kept the boundary of Cascade neighborhood zoning on the alley between Fairview and Thomas, rather than moving it west to Fairview Avenue. There was general agreement that having similar zoning on both sides of Fairview made sense from an urban design perspective.

Westlake Panhandle. There was no Council consensus on whether to rezone this area. A strong majority favored of retaining the proposed 85 foot zoning south of Highland Drive, which is in the flight path of Kenmore Air. The major remaining land use decision is whether to rezone the two blocks between Highland, Dexter, Galer, and Westlake to permit two residential towers. Some Councilmembers agreed that two 160 foot towers would add residential units and strengthen the community on this transit corridor, while others preferred to retain the 85 foot height because of concerns expressed by Kenmore Air that these towers could cause wind shear problems for their planes. A third proposal, to allow 125 foot towers, was marginally acceptable to Kenmore, but may not add enough residential capacity to be worth pursuing. A decision on this area will be held over until the April 15 meeting.

8^th Avenue Residential Corridor. The Committee reviewed proposals from the University of Washington to allow the UW to extend its development to the northernmost block of this residential corridor if UW complies with the streetscape standards to be compatible with the residential character. There was no agreement on whether there is a workable way to do this, and further discussion will likely be required at the April 15 meeting.

Other Issues.

• The Committee agreed to require buildings in South Lake Union to meet the more stringent LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standard for environmental attributes, with a provision that buildings could meet the Silver standard if they were connected to a District Energy system, which would provide additional environmental benefits.
• The Committee accepted amendments to strengthen incentives for incorporating an elementary school into a project, and to restore a provision that allows design review to permit a 5% variation in floor plate size if that would provide for more open space or better design.
• At a previous meeting, Council agreed to provide a 0.5 FAR bonus for all projects that incorporate the preservation of a designated landmark structure. On April 1, the Committee also agreed to extend that 0.5 FAR bonus to potential landmark buildings in the community as an incentive for preservation of portions of those structures.
• There was interest in a late-breaking proposal to add a Transfer of Development Rights mechanism to further protect landmark structures, but there was agreement that this required more analysis and should be explored in future legislation.

The meeting on April 15 will include resolving the remaining issues from this agenda, as well as considering options relating to the affordable housing incentive program. The decisions made on April 1 built on amendments agreed to at previous meetings and included in a substitute version of the legislation approved on March 18. A description of amendments made through the substitute and a track changes version of the substitute moved by the Committee are linked to the online agenda for the March 18^th meeting. There are also other issues that will be moved forward in separate legislation, such as providing budgetary authority to the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) to nominate potentially eligible landmark structures or defining view protection from Lake Union Park.

I look forward to passage of this legislation, which has been before Council since June of 2012. It implements the recommendations of the South Lake Union Community Council and completes the eight year-long process of the South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan update. More information on the history and development of the South Lake Union legislation can be found at my earlier blog post at http://conlin.seattle.gov/2012/12/12/south-lake-union-rezone-seven-realities/

Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien

The opportunity is yours: Ask City Councilmembers your questions
Councilmembers Clark, Licata and O'Brien to appear on
April's City Inside/Out: Council Edition

SEATTLE -- Do you have questions for members of the City Council? What is the Council's plan for marijuana dispensaries in Seattle? What is the future of police surveillance drones? Can public financing of political campaigns work successfully? Join the conversation by submitting your questions now.  

The April 9 episode of Seattle Channel's City Inside/Out: Council Edition will feature Councilmembers Sally J. Clark, Nick Licata and Mike O'Brien answering your questions with host Brian Callanan.

Submit your questions for the Councilmembers by 10 a.m. on Friday, April 5.

• Email: contact@seattlechannel.org
• Online: http://www.seattlechannel.org/CouncilEdition/
• Twitter: @SeattleChannel
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SeattleChannel

Don't miss this opportunity to put your issues before the city's lawmakers. Send in your questions now and tune in to Seattle Channel, Cable 21, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday,
April 9 to hear the Councilmembers respond.

[View in Council Newsroom]

In one example, three Mount Baker neighbors wrote a joint letter to the City Council in 1920 requesting an ordinance to prohibit playing baseball within 50 feet of “any dwelling, garage, or other private owned property.” The neighbors complained [sic throughout], “we have suffered all kinds of damage to windows, shrubery, fruit trees, lawns, gardens, and buildings by the boys who congregate in a vacant lot ajoining us. What incentive is there to labor with gardens shrubery or lawns if they are constantly exposed to the danger of being ruined in one sunday afternoon.” They closed their letter by asking, “Are we obliged to bear with this state of affairs when we are at the same time taxed so heavily for the upkeep of playgrounds all over the city?”

Almost forty years later, a funeral parlor located across from Broadway Playfield (now Cal Anderson Park) complained that baseballs were wreaking havoc on their property and endangering people on the sidewalk. Their letter stated, “Last Spring a ball was hit through a second floor window narrowly missing the head of an elderly lady sitting in her apartment in our building. Last Sunday a ball came over the fence hitting a light cable, was deflected into the street and hit a parked car. Except for the cable, it would have broken the Cathedral glass window in our new mortuary building.”

The Parks Department had previously hoped to fix the problem with an educational campaign, by posting notices at the field and alerting coaches to the issue. The funeral parlor, and apparently also the Council, found this to be an unsatisfactory response, prompting the department to take another look at the question.

The Superintendent of Parks acknowledged that “the more lively baseball and improved batting eye of some of our Broadway players have proved that our present fencing is inadequate.” He said they had considered prohibiting “hardball” from the field, “but this playfield has a long history of hardball playing and we have no alternate site to offer.” His suggested solution was building a 40-foot-high fence, but he noted that the estimated cost of $2,391.00, “including state tax,” was going to have to come out of money committed for some other project.

See other Archives Finds of the Month here:

http://seattle.gov/CityArchives/Exhibits/finds.htm

For other interesting images and textual items, check out the Seattle Municipal Archives’ photostream on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlemunicipalarchives/

and don’t forget we’re also on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SeattleArchives?feature=watch

and Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/seattlearchives/

The deep bore tunnel is only one element of the massive effort underway to transform our central waterfront and reconnect it to the rest of the city by replacing the seawall, tearing down the viaduct and creating attractive public open spaces. Read more about the creation of a Waterfront for All.

The Levy Opportunity Fund is a $15 million fund within the 2008 $146 million 6-year Levy. The fund’s projects are proposed by neighborhood and community groups. After consideration and recommendation by the Oversight Committee, funding for these projects is approved by ordinance. The City Council approved a 1st round of Opportunity Fund projects totaling $9,758,000 in November of 2011. Their April 22nd hearing is for a 2nd round allocating up to an additional $8 million.

Flo Ware Park project Pro Parks Levy check presentation, 2002.

Back in 2000, I sponsored legislation sending the City’s 2000 Pro Parks Levy to the ballot. It was an eight-year $198.2 million Levy. As chair of the Culture, Arts, and Parks Committee, I had worked with then-Mayor Schell and Department of Parks and Recreation Superintendent Ken Bounds to create the citizen-based Pro-Parks Committee that proposed the measure to fund Seattle neighborhood parks, recreation and open space projects. That measure – Proposition No. 1, Parks, Green Spaces, Trails & Zoo Levy – passed with 54% approval, second only to the Monorail’s Proposition 2, which garnered a 56% yes vote.

This past January, Parks staff and the 2008 Levy Oversight Committee members heard more than forty 2nd round funding presentations.

Some of those presentations included a land purchase in South Park to build a future gateway park and connection to the Duwamish River; a Sensory Garden at Woodland Park Zoo designed for the disabled and all abilities to experience nature through imaginative, therapeutic, and educational ways; and a Northwest Native Canoe Center Carving Shed where the public is welcome to observe native carvers working on distinctive varieties of Native American culture.

Projects funded in the 1st round include the roof replacement at the Green Lake Bathhouse, home to Seattle Public Theatre; renovation of the Rainier Beach playfield play area; and renovation of the Madrona playground shelter restrooms.

The 16-member volunteer Citizen Oversight Committee advises the Parks Superintendent, the Mayor and the City Council on the Levy fund. Members serve staggered terms over the life of the current 2009-2014 levy. Members represent the community at large geographically. Half are appointed by the Mayor and half by the City Council.

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City Light and Energy Efficiency: Our efforts to help the poorest Seattleites with their energy bills—through bill reduction, energy efficiency work in their homes, or both—have really ramped up. We have increased the number of low-income residents enrolled in City Light’s bill assistance program and sponsored a bill to streamline the enrollment process. City Light and the Office of Housing have also combined forces to identify the best candidates for HomeWise, our weatherization program for low-income homeowners.

Today, the Office of Sustainability & Environment issued a Request for Qualifications to find the next program administrator for Community Power Works, the popular weatherization program for Seattle homeowners. With average energy savings of 30% or more, Community Power works has helped over 2,000 homeowners perform energy remodels. The outcome: more comfortable living spaces, reduced energy bills, increased construction activity, and lower carbon emissions. With a waiting list and hundreds more homeowners signing up for the program, we have high hopes for CPW’s long-term future.

Transit-Oriented-Development and affordable housing: The Council is nearing final decisions on the South Lake Union Rezone. Throughout the process, I have been working to ensure there are adequate provisions for work-force housing in the package. You can read more on the details from my blog here and here. If you have questions or want to weigh in on the issue, it isn’t too late. The next discussion (affordable housing and urban form) will be Monday 4/15 in the afternoon.

We also learned last week that work is underway for planning a cultural center in Little Saigon. I worked with Councilmember Licata to secure funds in the 2012 budget in an effort to help anchor the Vietnamese community in their historic neighborhood as new development in SODO and Yesler Terrace make Little Saigon a more expensive place to live and do business.

Local Hire: I recently attended a community kick-off event held by Got Green and the Construction Jobs Equity Coalition with over 120 people in attendance sharing stories about what Local Hire would mean for them. Council President Clark and I are working to co-sponsor an event here at the Council later this spring to further explore the issue and what it would look like for the City of Seattle. For more background and links to San Francisco’s policy, which we are looking at, check out my recent blog post.

Public Financing of Elections: Recently, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission endorsed a public financing proposal that would provide a 6:1 public match for small dollar fundraising by candidates in City Council races. To qualify, a candidate would need to raise $30,000 from at least 600 donors. In turn, they would receive a 6:1 match, or $180,000, resulting in a $210,000 campaign budget, which would be enough to be competitive in a typical Council race. You can read more background on Seattle’s history with public financing on my blog.

The Council hosted two public forums on this issue in January and February where we heard from other jurisdictions with public financing systems and researchers in the field. While public financing isn’t a silver bullet, there is evidence that these programs encourage more small-donor participation in the elections process and reduce barriers to entry for candidates. The Council will pick up discussion of the issue in April, and, if we advance the proposal, you’ll see it on the November ballot for voter approval.

Climate Action Plan: Many of you joined us for public forums on the Climate Action Plan in January and February—thank you! The Office of Sustainability and Environment is developing a final draft that they will deliver to the Council on Earth Day (April 22). I’m looking forward to moving from planning to implementation on this aggressive new plan.

The City is also currently solicit applications for Community Climate Projects from community groups and neighborhood organizations for grants of up to $10,000 to reduce the climate impacts of personal and household choices. Applications here are due on April 22.

Safe Parking Pilot and Homelessness: The Safe Parking Pilot program continues to have success and our office is exploring options to expand it city-wide this year. Stay tuned for more on this program over the summer. The 2013 One Night Count of Seattle’s homeless found that one-third of the unsheltered population, or about 600 people, are living in vehicles. Clearly, we need to do more to help people living in their cars.

Criminal Justice and Background Checks: An amended version of the job assistance legislation that would reduce the use of criminal background checks to pre-screen job applicants will be back in front of the Public Safety Committee in April. I am hopeful Council passes the bill, as I think it is an important step to help reduce recidivism and provide a real shot at a second chance for someone with a record.

In addition to these priority areas, I have helped to:

• Appoint the Community Police Commission to advise the city on police department reforms mandated by the Department of Justice.
• Approve Seattle Car 2 Go, a cool new car-sharing program that has quickly expanded beyond its initial boundaries into South and West Seattle.
• Announce a Green Stormwater Infrastructure plan that sets big goals for “green” rather than “gray” treatment of stormwater citywide.

In the next three-quarters of the year, we have much left to do, so please be in touch if you have additional ideas, issues or questions for me or my office.

No Absences.

 FULL COUNCIL:  
1. Council Bill 117726 (PDF Version) PASSED AS AMENDED (9 – 0)
Authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to enter into contracts with Lenz Enterprises, Inc. and Pacif iClean, LLC to provide organics processing services for the City of Seattle; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

 TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE:
2. Council Bill 117743 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Relating to the Seattle Department of Transportation; relating to the Northgate Way improvement project; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record on behalf of the City of Seattle, a warranty deed for a portion of Block 3, Elbert Place Addition to the City of Seattle, from 10501 Aurora LLC, a Washington limited liability company; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record on behalf of the City of Seattle, a warranty deed for a portion of Block 4, North Park Addition to the City of Seattle, from 10409 Aurora LLC, a Washington limited liability company; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record on behalf of the City of Seattle, a warranty deed for a portion of Block 7, Oak Lake Villa Tracts, from AVU LLC, a Washington limited liability company; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record on behalf of the City of Seattle, a warranty deed for a portion of Block 2, Oak Lake Villa Tracts, from Elsia LLC, a Washington limited liability company; authorizing the Director of the Department of Transportation to acquire, accept, and record both temporary construction easements and permanent property rights from abutting property owners located along North 105th Street and North Northgate Way between Greenwood Avenue North and Corliss Avenue North, necessary or convenient for the Northgate improvement project in connection with the Arterial Asphalt and Concrete Program through negotiation and use of eminent domain (condemnation); placing the real property conveyed by such deeds and easements under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation and designating the property for transportation, utility and other municipal purposes; authorizing payment of all other costs associated with acquisition; and ratifying and confirming prior acts.

3. Clerk File 312870 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Anna Hook Spooner as member, Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board, for a term of confirmation to April 1, 2015.

4. Clerk File 312871 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Devor M. Barton as member, Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board, for a term of confirmation to April 1, 2015

5. Clerk File 312872 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Jacob Struiksma as member, Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board, for a term of confirmation to April 1, 2015.

6. Clerk File 312873 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Dottie Faris as member, Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board, for a term of confirmation to April 1, 2015.

7. Clerk File 312874 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Jennifer Olegario as member, Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board, for a term of confirmation to Apri l 1, 2015.

8. Clerk File 312875 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Appointment of Joanne Donohue as member, Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board, for a term of confirmation to April 1, 2015  

9. Clerk File 312877 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Jeremy Valenta as member, Bridging the Gap Levy Oversight Committee, for a term of confirmation to December 31, 2016.

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:
10. Clerk File 312788 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Eugene Wasserman as member, Seattle City Light Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to April 11, 2016.

11. Clerk File 312808 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Susan E. Selman as member, Seattle City Light Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to April 1 1, 2016.

12. Clerk File 312819 (PDF Version) CONFIRMED (9 – 0)
Reappointment of Debbie Tarry as member, Seattle City Light Review Panel, for a term of confirmation to April 11, 2016.
PLANNING, LAND USE, AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE:
13. Council Bill 117723 (PDF Version) PASSED (9 – 0)
Related to land use and zoning; amending page 25 of the Official Land Use Map, Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 23.3 2, to rezone properties located in the Greenwood/Phinney Ridge Residential Urban Village and applying incentive provisio ns for affordable housing within the rezone area, and amending Section 23.47A.013 of the Land Use Code.