SEATTLE – Council President Bruce Harrell (District 2, South Seattle) and Councilmember Mike O’Brien (District 6, Northwest Seattle) announced updated dates for the community forum as part of a process to fill the vacancy in Council Position 8. During today’s Full Council meeting, Council formally endorsed the 20-day vacancy process through Resolution 31778.
At the request of members of Transparent Seattle, a community-based coalition advocating for a more transparent process in filling the Council vacancy, there will be a community-led forum on the evening of Tuesday, October 3, 5:30 p.m., in Bertha Knight Landes Room at City Hall (format to be determined).
Given the October 6 deadline for deciding who will fill the vacancy, the Council is able to provide logistical support for the community forum by reserving a large meeting room and dedicating some support staff on Tuesday, October 3.
This process may be facilitated by interested Councilmembers and is intended to be led by community groups. The purpose is to allow community members to meet and ask questions of the applicants.
The Seattle City Council invites community members, both individuals and organizations, to engage in the vacancy process by participating in the community forum on Tuesday, October 3, or in the City Council Public Hearing on Wednesday, October 4, 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Council expects applicants to attend at least one of these evening meetings.
There is no change to the application period, which opened on Monday, September 25 and closes on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.
Candidates for appointment should demonstrate an understanding of Seattle government operations, budgeting, and legislative processes; demonstrate knowledge of the public policy issues associated with potential Committee assignments; demonstrate a commitment to social justice and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across cultures and with diverse populations; and desire to serve the people of Seattle as a public official.
On Monday, October 2 during Council Briefing the City Clerk will provide Councilmembers with the names of all candidates who submitted application materials by the October 1 deadline. All applications will be posted on the Council website and City Clerk’s website on October 3, affording the public an opportunity to review the applications and submit comments via council@seattle.gov
The remainder of the process will occur as memorialized last week in Council President Harrell’s press release:
- Councilmember conferences, (optional) between October 2 to October 5: Each Councilmember may meet and confer with any and all candidates of their choice in order to make an informed decision within the 20-day deadline.
- Special Full Council Meeting at City Hall: Wednesday, October 4, 5:00 p.m.: Applicants for the vacant Council seat may address the Council and the public followed by a public comment period for community members.
- City Council Executive Session to Discuss Qualifications: Thursday, October 5, 9:30 a.m.: As permitted by the Open Public Meetings Act, (OPMA), RCW Chapter 42.30, the Council will meet in executive session to discuss the qualifications of candidates. No decisions will be made in executive session.
- City Council Appointment at Special Full Council Meeting: Friday, October 6, 2:00 p.m.: The Council will vote to fill the vacancy at the Special Full Council meeting.
The City Charter gives the City Council 20 days to fill a vacant Council position. The 20-day period runs from Monday, September 18 to Sunday, October 8, 2017. As such, the last regular business day to make the decision within the 20-day period would be Friday, October 6, 2017. In the event the Council fails to fill the vacant position by the end of that 20-day period, the Council must meet every business day thereafter until the vacancy is filled (Charter Article XIX, Section 6). Once appointed, the new Council Position 8 Councilmember will serve until November 28, 2017.
Contact:
Vinh Tang, Council President Harrell’s Office, 206-684-8804
Jasmine Marwaha, Councilmember O’Brien’s Office, 206-684-8800
Dana Robinson Slote, Council Communications, 206-615-0061
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