Left unchecked, there is concern that online rental platforms, like Airbnb and VRBO, just might provide enough financial incentives to cause homeowners to switch long-term rentals to short-term vacation rentals. The number of short-term rentals available through these platforms has...
Month: January 2016
Home » Archives for January 2016 » Page 2
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January 19, 2016January 6, 2023News Releases
Leading With a Public Health Response For Those Without Shelter
I’ve been hearing a variety of concerns about how the city is removing homeless encampments. We are hoping to mitigate the harm this displacement is causing and discuss how we can take a more mindful, transparent, public-health oriented approach. People experiencing homelessness themselves as well as their advocates have been sharing their frustrations over the […]
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January 19, 2016January 6, 2023News Releases
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy: The Continued Civil Rights Movement
Yesterday communities across the country, including here in Seattle, came together to celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Every year, in the days leading up to “MLK Day”, we hear speeches on the radio, TV and in our schools and churches about how far we’ve come in the struggle for equity. […]
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January 19, 2016January 6, 2023News Releases
Councilmember Herbold’s Statement on Homeless Encampment Removals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/19/2016
Councilmember Herbold's Statement on Homeless Encampment Removals
SEATTLE - Councilmember Lisa Herbold issued the following statement following this morning's briefing on encampment removals from the Mayor's office, Human Services Department, and Office of Finance and Administrative Services:
"Thanks to Executive Departments for responding to Council's concerns and sharing procedures used to address issues related to outdoor camping today. Thank you as well to the Council's Human Services and Public Health Chair Sally Bagshaw's commitment to continue this discussion in her upcoming February committee meeting.
"Development of the 2008 encampment removal protocols included a public process. Several Councilmembers requested that the Executive consider a new public process to review the existing protocols. I support that request, but in the interim, I'd ask that of the approximately 171 encampment sites that the Executive has identified, that the Council and the public receive information about the number of the locations that are deemed to be priorities for removal because of public safety threats to residents and/or surrounding communities. I would like that information to be shared as soon as possible in the hopes we can quickly find some common ground around how best to address the safety of the people there. For those sites that are not priorities for removal, I would request that we consider using this discussion to design a new public health approach to outreach to those individuals, rather than using limited resources that may only displace people to even less safe locations.
"I remain concerned about the resources that we have for the people staying in encampments that have already been removed. Of the approximately 184 people staying in the 38 encampments removed since early November, only 74 received shelter. We need to know more about whether the approximately 110 people who didn't receive shelter were offered it and refused, and if so why, or whether there wasn't sufficient capacity. In their November letter, the ACLU, Columbia Legal Services, and the Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness stated that the ‘City's practices appear to include referring people from encampments to shelters that are already at capacity, effectively displacing people who are already in shelter or waiting in line for shelter, and forcing those indoors back into the streets.' I appreciate that since the declaration of emergency more than 200 shelter beds have been added to the system, but I remain concerned that it is not sufficient to meet the emergency survival needs of the people our encampment removal practices displace."
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Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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January 19, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien, News Releases
Open House Tonight on Encouraging Backyard Cottages
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/19/2016
Open House Tonight on Encouraging Backyard Cottages
Seattle - Councilmember Mike O'Brien and the Office of Planning & Community Development will host an open house this evening regarding ways in which the City can encourage more backyard cottages. The meeting will provide Seattle residents the opportunity to learn about the barriers that frequently deter or prevent homeowners from building a cottage. The public can also provide input and feedback regarding potential to solutions to encourage more of these affordable units.
Backyard cottages are small dwelling units on the same lot as, but physically separate from, a single-family house. They're allowed in all single-family zones, but only about 200 have been constructed since Council authorized their construction in 2009. Expanding the production of backyard cottages could provide new housing throughout Seattle and give homeowners an opportunity to earn extra income and remain in their homes.
There will be a second community meeting at the Wallingford Community Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave., on February 3, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
WHAT:
Community Meeting on Encouraging Backyard Cottages
WHEN:
Tuesday, January 19
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Filipino Community Center
5740 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
WHO:
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Office of Planning & Community Development
Public
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Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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January 15, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien, News Releases
Delta 5’s Victory ‘A win for the planet’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/15/2016
Delta 5's Victory 'A win for the planet'
SEATTLE, Washington - Councilmember Mike O'Brien issued the following statement regarding today's ruling in the Delta 5 case, in which five climate activists used civil disobedience to blockade a train transporting Bakken shale oil at the Delta rail yard in Everett. The jury in the case ruled the Delta 5 were not guilty of obstruction and will face no jail time. Earlier this week, Snohomish County Judge Anthony Howard allowed the Delta 5 to defend their civil disobedience using "necessary defense," a justification that their actions were necessary to help stop climate change.
"Today's victory for Delta 5 is uncommon, unprecedented, and further proof that the tide is turning. Together, they risked their lives on those tracks in an act of civil disobedience for the climate."
"Congress has repeatedly chosen to ignore the threat of climate change, making direct action to fight climate change not only warranted but necessary. I will continue to do what I can personally and professionally to both regulate coal and oil trains here in Seattle and participate in the broader movement to fight climate change."
"Abbey, Michael, Patrick, Jackie and Liz helped secure a win for the planet and are on the right side of history. Today I stand with the Delta 5 who, with today's ruling, helped remind the world of the huge risks oil trains pose to our community."
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January 15, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien
Delta 5’s Victory ‘A win for the planet’
SEATTLE, Washington – Councilmember Mike O’Brien issued the following statement regarding today’s ruling in the Delta 5 case, in which five climate activists used civil disobedience to blockade a train transporting Bakken shale oil at the Delta rail yard in Everett. The jury in the case ruled the Delta 5 were not guilty of obstruction […]
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January 14, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
On the Paris Climate Conference and the Trial of the Delta 5
On January 12, 2016, we held the first meeting of the Energy and Environment Committee. The committee, in my view, is mandated with providing leadership on environmental policy and energy and allied technology policy. Below are my introductory remarks, regarding the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris and the beginning of the trial of courageous climate activists […]
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January 13, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess, Councilmember Harrell, News Releases
City to Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. with ‘Unity’ Events
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/13/2016
City to Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. with ‘Unity' Events
Mayor, Council and Community to Celebrate MLK with Workshops, Musical Performances
SEATTLE - Mayor Ed Murray, Council President Bruce A. Harrell and members of the Seattle City Council, along with community leaders, and City employees, invite the public to celebrate Dr. King's legacy, and to live out his vision, by participating in the second annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration at Seattle City Hall.
Thursday's all-day event will include exhibits, workshops, remarks from the Mayor, Councilmembers and the City Attorney, as well as a reading by the City's first-ever Civic Poet, and musical performances.
The event is free and the public is welcome to attend.
WHAT: Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘Unity' Events
WHEN: 7:15 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (NOTE: A complete schedule of events is available ONLINE)
Selected highlights include:
- 8:30 - 10:55 a.m. Workshop Presenters -Former Assistant Superintendent Erin Jones and Gerald Hankerson, NAACP Director
- 11:15 a.m. Walter Kilgore Memorial Color Guard - US National Anthem / Black National Anthem Medley presented by Pat Wright, Seattle's First Lady of Gospel
- Remarks by Honorary Chair Mayor Edward Murray, Council President Bruce A. Harrell, Councilmember Tim Burgess, City Attorney Pete Holmes and Former Assistant Superintendent Erin Jones
- Emcee Isiah Anderson,CaptainJohn Hayes (Seattle Police Department), and featuring the City's Civic Poet Claudia Castro Luna
- Key Note Speaker - Director Stephan Blanford, Seattle Public Schools
- Introduction of Musical Guest Josephine Howell
The celebration will close with music by Gabriel Teodros, D.J. Sureal.
WHERE: City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA
WHO: Elected officials, community leaders and the public
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Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter,Facebook and on Flickr.
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January 13, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Why I voted against Amazon’s alley vaction
On January 11, 2016, the Council voted on whether to grant an alley vacation for the development of a new Amazon building, despite strong opposition from workers and community members. I was the only Councilmember to vote against rubber-stamping this decision. I advocated for the Council to first hold Amazon accountable to community concerns and for […]