We are getting close to the final vote on the South Lake Union rezone. Here is the video from Monday of my presentation the affordable housing proposal I have been working on. In it, I lay out the case for why I think we need this amendment and why I think it is better for […]
Month: April 2013
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Councilmember O’Brien to Testify for Transportation Options in Olympia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/19/2013
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.
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Community Cornerstones – advancing Equitable Transit Oriented Development
Yesterday the Community Cornerstones program reported to the Council on progress for equitable transit oriented development in South Seattle. 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 […]
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Seattle City Council Introduction and Referral Calendar April 22, 2013
Seattle City Council Introduction and Referral Calendar April 22, 2013 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 [...]
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PED BIKE BRIDGE OVER SR 520 AT OVERLAKE VILLAGE
At the Sound Transit Board meeting on Thursday, February 28, the Board approved a resolution creating The Overlake Village Bridge Project, along with two motions agreeing to jointly design the bridge in cooperation with the City of Redmond and approving a contract setting the design process in motion. The Board action endorses a proposed pedestrian/bicycle [...]
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Timeline Established for Public Campaign Finance Review
The Council has established a timeline for reviewing a recommendation from the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission for a system that would publicly fund campaigns for City Council. Washington State law allows local jurisdictions to create these systems if approved...
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Councilmembers to consider Publicly Financed Campaigns for Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/18/2013
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."
In 1992, Washington voters adopted Initiative 134, which eliminated Seattle's former voter-owned electionssystem. The Washington State Legislature passed a law in 2008 reestablishing the power for municipalities to create public financing programs, subject to voter approval.
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Forum on Microhousing
Tomorrow, Thursday, April 18, the Transportation Committee of the City Council will host a forum on microhousing. 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 [...]
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Thoughtful DUI Proposals
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 […]
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Councilmembers Godden and O’Brien release statement on white pages directories ruling
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/16/2013
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.
"We applaud the Utilities and Transportation Commission for their decision and think it is a great step in our waste reduction efforts. This new ruling allows the publishers to deliver directories only to people who wish to receive them. By keeping unnecessary waste out of our landfills and recycling centers we save money and help the environment. By eliminating the delivery requirement we free up more space on our roads and burn less fossil fuels. The UTC estimates that this decision could lead to a reduction of 300 tons of paper statewide, including 150 tons saved in Seattle alone, and prevention of 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions."