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. [...]
Month: April 2013
Post
Council-allocated Funds Used to Extend Seattle Winter Shelter Operations
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.
Post
Police May Day After-Action Reviews
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....
Post
Seattle City Council Welcomes New Communications Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/3/2013
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.
Interim Communications Director Dan Nolte will manage media affairs for Seattle City Council until Robinson Slote begins work Monday, April 22.
Post
Councilmembers Clark, O’Brien Advocate for Transportation Options in Olympia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/3/2013
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.
Post
COUNCIL MAKES KEY SOUTH LAKE UNION LAND USE DECISIONS
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 [...]
Post
The opportunity is yours: Ask City Councilmembers your questions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/2/2013
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 app...
Post
Archives Find of the Month: Stray Baseballs
With spring comes baseball, and with baseball comes broken windows. Over the years, citizens and businesses have complained to the city about stray fly balls damaging their property and asked what could be done. In one example, three Mount Baker neighbors wrote a joint letter to the City Council in 1920 requesting an ordinance to [...]
Post
Bertha Arrives Today
Bertha, the world's largest tunnel machine, will arrive in Elliott Bay today after cruising 5,000 miles from its construction site in Japan. After the ship carrying Bertha docks, it will take several days to unload the various parts of the...
Post
Parks Levy Funds for Neighborhoods
April 22nd is your chance to let the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee know what you think of their proposed 2nd round of Opportunity Fund grants.