Scanned copies of the signed legislation are available in the database records linked below: Ord. 124549 C.B. 118129 AN ORDINANCE relating to the 23 rd Avenue Corridor Improvements project; transferring jurisdiction of a portion of Lot 1, Block 2, Sander-Boman Real Estate Co.’s 1 st Addition to the City of Seattle, from the Department of […]
Month: September 2014
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Council Bans Neonicotinoid Pesticides on City Land
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/25/2014
Council Bans Neonicotinoid Pesticides on City Land
SEATTLE - City Council prohibited use of neonicotinoid-based pesticides on all city-owned and operated land Monday, as this class of pesticide is linked with harm to critical pollinating insects, like bees. Washington's agricultural economy and Seattle's local gardens are dependent on bees and other pollinators, so City departments will seek to use only pollinator-friendly methods of weed and pest control in the future.
Seattle joins the Spokane, WA, Eugene, OR and other cities in its municipal-use ban.
"This is a modest step to help protect bees and other pollinators, which help make the Emerald City blossom every spring," said Councilmember Mike O’Brien. "I hope the City's move helps raise awareness about what we can all be doing to promote the health of pollinators through sustainable pest management practices."
Neonicotinoids, one of the most widely used classes of insecticides in the world, are systemic, persistent neurotoxins that spread throughout a treated plant including to the pollen that is gathered by pollinators. An independent review of more than 800 scientific studies concluded that neonicotinoids are causing significant damage to a wide range of beneficial invertebrate species and are a key factor in the decline of bees.
In August 2014 the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans to phase out use of neonicotinoids on National Wildlife Refuges across the country, and the US Geological Survey released information on the pervasive appearance of neonicotinoids in aquatic environments throughout the Midwest.
Resolution 31548 was unanimously adopted by the Seattle City Council on Monday, September 23, with the Mayor in concurrence. The Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Center, Finance and Administrative Services, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation and Seattle Public Libraries all made the recommendation to eliminate the use of neonicotinoids at City facilities.
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Women to be Honored for Efforts to End Gender Inequity and to Promote Civil Rights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/24/2014
Women to be Honored for Efforts to End Gender Inequity and to Promote Civil Rights
SEATTLE - Councilmember Jean Godden and the Seattle Women's Commission have partnered, for the first time, to honor outstanding wome...
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Council Confirms New Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/23/2014
Council Confirms New Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Director
SEATTLE - City Council this week unanimously approved Cuc T. Vu as Director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA).
"Cuc's compelling background as a refugee of the Vietnam War, immigrant upbringing and experience working on immigrant and refugee affairs issues makes her the ideal director to help the immigrant and refugee communities achieve success," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. "Her previous experience in leading national and local immigrant rights groups and establishing the first national immigrant rights coalition will be invaluable as she engages with city departments to empower refugees and immigrants to advance their priorities."
As director, Ms. Vu's goal is to implement the City's five-point plan:
- Expand citizenship programs and services
- Create career pathways through ESL and computer training for the most limited English-proficient immigrants and refugees
- Improve access to City programs, services and resources through ethnic media engagement
- Enhance public safety for immigrant and refugee communities through a Refugee Women's Institute, where emerging refugee women leaders will learn to use City services to advocate for themselves, their families and their communities
- Implement a language access program to improve the City's ability to engage its immigrant and refugee residents
Ms. Vu most recently served as the first Chief Diversity Officer for the Human Rights Campaign and has worked at SEIU, AFL-CIO and the U.S. Department of Labor. Vu earned an undergraduate degree at Pomona College and a graduate degree as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.
Immigrants account for nearly one-fifth of all Seattleites, and approximately one-third of children in Seattle are in immigrant families.
The Council created the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs in 2012.
Link to Cuc T. Vu Questions & answers
Link to Cuc T. Vu Confirmation Packet
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Home, it’s where I want to be.
Just got back from the official launch for our new housing affordability and livability plan. The plan, outlined in this resolution, convenes an advisory committee to establish a Seattle Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, due to Council and the Mayor in May. There’s more information in the Mayor’s press release. Below are my comments as […]
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Harrell to host panel on downtown crime and street disorder
Harrell to host panel on downtown crime and street disorder LEAD program under review, discussion Seattle – Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, will host a special Public Safety meeting to discuss the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. LEAD is one of the City’s major initiatives...
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Action Summary, 9/22/2014
Action Summary of the Seattle City Council Full Council Meeting Monday, September 22, 2014 All Councilmembers were present. PUBLIC SAFETY, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE: 1. C.F. 313893 CONFIRMED (9-0) Appointment and Oath of Office of Cuc T. Vu as Director, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. 2. C.B. 118175 PASSED (9-0) Relating to...
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Councilmember Licata Announces Council Budget Review Process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/22/2014
Councilmember Licata Announces Council Budget Review Process
SEATTLE -Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Council's Budget Committee, today announced this autumn's City Council budget review process. The announcement follows delivery of Mayor Ed Murray's proposed 2015-2016 operating budget earlier today.
"I look forward to examining the Mayor's proposed budget, keeping in mind the highest priorities the Council expressed in a letter to the Mayor in early August: human services, public safety and transportation. Those priorities were informed by a series of community meetings I hosted earlier this year."
Public input is vital to Council review and helps Councilmembers develop a budget that best reflects the needs of the City. The Council will hold two public hearings, on October 7 at Garfield Community Center, and October 23 at Seattle City Hall. Both begin at 5:30 p.m.
The schedule for Council consideration of the Mayor’s Proposed Budget is as follows:
October 2 Overview of Mayor's Proposed Budget
October 7-10: Department budget overviews
October 20-24 Issue Identification
October 30-Nov. 6 Presentation/Discussion of Options (Round 1)
November 12-14 Final Decisions and Votes (Round 2)
November 24 Full Council adopts 2015 budget, endorses 2016 budget
The Council’s budget website has additional information, including a glossary of budget terms and links to supporting documents, as they become available. All budget documents will also be publically accessible on the updated City Clerk’s online budget database.
Councilmember Licata recorded this video that explains the Council’s budget process and timeline.
The public is welcome to attend meetings, and can watch live on the Seattle Channel at http://www.seattle.gov/councillive. Comments on the budget can also be submitted online to nick.licata@seattle.gov.
Budget Public Hearings
Tuesday, October 7
5:30 p.m.
Garfield Community Center
2323 E Cherry St.
Seattle, WA 98122
Thursday, October 23
5:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
600 4th Avenue, 2nd floor
Seattle, WA 98104
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City Council Budget Review Announced
Mayor Ed Murray released his proposed 2015-6 budget today. I look forward to examining the Mayor’s proposed budget, keeping in mind the highest priorities the Council expressed in a letter to the Mayor in early August: human services, public safety and transportation. Those priorities were informed by a series of community meetings I hosted earlier […]
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Licata Calls on Feds to Intercede on Seattle Housing Authority Rent Proposal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/19/2014
Licata Calls on Feds to Intercede on Seattle Housing Authority Rent Proposal
Councilmember concerned proposal to raise rent may put affordable housing programs out of reach
SEATTLE - Councilmember Nick Licata sent...