One Night Count 2016 I never expected this job to be easy, I don’t think anyone does. This week has proven especially challenging as an elected official, as an advocate for the underrepresented and, frankly, as a fellow resident. Last night, I joined 1,000 volunteers in the Seattle-King County One Night Count organized by the […]
Month: January 2016
Home » Archives for January 2016
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January 28, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess
Real Police Response Time Figures by Precinct
The Council’s public safety committee was briefed yesterday on police department response times to high priority 911 calls. It was refreshingly transparent and candid. The briefing was prompted by an article in The Seattle Times on January 2 that contrasted...
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January 28, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
We Must Act Now, Offer Shelter, Human Services and Affordable Housing
I am deeply saddened to learn about the terrible shooting that took place at a homelessness encampment in south Seattle. My condolences go to the families and friends of the victims. We don’t yet know everything about the circumstances around the shooting. What we do know is that this tragedy happened under conditions of homelessness, […]
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January 27, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Herbold
Light Rail to West Seattle, 911 Response, and 1st Committee Meeting
Letter to Sound Transit re: ST3 ballot measure The Mayor and Council sent a letter to Sound Transit providing the City’s comments about potential projects for an ST3 ballot measure in November. For District 1, the letter states Seattle’s support for building light rail from Downtown Seattle to West Seattle, and lists West Seattle to […]
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January 26, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess
Seattle’s Clean Water Supply
I’ve been reading about the city of Flint, Michigan, where local, state, and federal government agencies utterly failed to protect its population from lead in its water supply. When that city switched its water supply to the Flint River, it...
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January 22, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien, News Releases
The Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee is Seeking Candidates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/22/2016
The Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee is Seeking Candidates
SEATTLE - The Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee seeks candidates to apply for service on the Committee. Candidates will be selected and appointed by the Mayor and City Council.
The Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee serves as a vital mechanism of accountability on how Move Seattle levy revenues are spent. The Oversight Committee is an advisory body that monitors revenues, expenditures, and program and project implementation. The Oversight Committee advises the City Council, the Mayor, and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) on responding to program and project cost savings or overruns.
In addition, the Oversight Committee reviews SDOT's program and project priorities and financial plans, and makes recommendations to the Mayor and the City Council regarding the spending of levy proceeds. SDOT staffs the Oversight Committee and provides all of the required background and reference materials.
Oversight Committee members are appointed for four years and all appointments are subject to confirmation by the City Council. One member is required to be a licensed engineer with bridge and structures experience.
The Oversight Committee is interested in applicants with diverse backgrounds, including transportation, management, bridge and structures engineering, public policy, advocacy, social services, and business. Oversight Committee members serve without compensation. Members must be residents in the City of Seattle.
To be considered, email a letter of interest and resume to elliot.helmbrecht@seattle.gov by February 7th, 2016. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
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January 22, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
23rd Avenue is Open for Business!
For months now, much of 23rd Avenue has been blocked off, under construction. Large construction projects like this one very often lead to much-needed street improvements, and are beneficial to the entire community in the long run. But impacts during construction differ. Big businesses have the cash reserves to stay afloat and weather a loss of business […]
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January 22, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess
The Confusion Surrounding Encampments
Once again, our city is struggling with how to best respond to the very real crisis of unsheltered people living outdoors in unauthorized encampments. The “One Night Count” on January 29, an annual survey of the homeless population, is sure...
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January 21, 2016January 6, 2023News Releases
Councilmember Herbold’s Statement on Homelessness Emergency Order Ratification
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/21/2016
Councilmember Herbold's Statement on Homelessness Emergency Order Ratification
SEATTLE - Councilmember Lisa Herbold issued the following statement following Council's amending and ratification of Mayor Ed Murray's Order of Civil Emergency relating to creating safe parking lots for people using vehicles as residences:
"Last year in the One Night Count, volunteers found approximately 760 vehicles with people living inside them. I thank the Mayor for acting on the clear need to assist these people and, in doing so, addressing the impacts on people living without access to water, garbage, and bathroom facilities.
"Today, Council amended the Order before it took practical effect. If we hadn't acted within 48 hours, it would have gone into effect without our changes. Firstly, it was important to explicitly ensure we are collecting demographics on the people served in the safe parking lots. As outreach workers attempt to find solutions to find permanent housing, it's essential we track the barriers they face. We must also track perceived and actual impacts on communities and the City's response to those impacts. Looking forward, we also need to hear from Executive departments how the City intends to address vehicle camping after the terms for these particular safe lots end. This was all addressed in the amendments adopted today.
"Secondly, we memorialized operational commitments that were not included in the original Order relating to site management, sanitation, electricity, and potable water, and defining a length of term for the individual lots (six months, with the option for a one-time six month renewal). In addition there is an expectation that these lots will not be reserved for vehicle residents from one particular set of neighborhoods, rather the City will do outreach to all neighborhoods where people are living in their vehicles. The amendments also require the Executive to justify site suitability and name the factors used to justify that selection.
"Moving forward, it's important that the Seattle community serves their unhoused neighbors in a way that best meets their needs. Choosing a remote location with little access to grocery stores, transportation, social services, showers and laundry facilities simply because it's the easiest choice helps no one.
"Further, these lots cannot be opened to simply serve people living in RVs in Magnolia. There are vehicle campers all over the city, including Delridge and South Park. If we are to continue this model I want to see the City use a race and social justice lens to fully analyze the properties available citywide and identify choices that are best for those whom we wish to serve, as well as the surrounding community.
"Lastly, I'd like to thank my fellow Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw, Debora Juarez, and Lorena Gonzalez for working with me to develop amending language to the Mayor's Order of Civil Emergency. I'm pleased with our vote today, and we intend to continue our efforts to find housing for people who need it most."
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January 21, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Stop Inhumane Sweeps of Homeless Encampments!
On January 19, 2016, representatives of the Mayor’s office came and spoke to Council about their “Encampment Removal Protocols” – a euphemistic expression for escalating sweeps of homeless encampments. The city is demolishing unauthorized encampments, evicting people from the only shelter they can find. Where should these Seattleites go? Shelters are full, and there is a Civil State of Emergency […]