Campbell Building Historic Landmark Legislation
On Tuesday, November 28 the Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development and Arts Committee passed legislation to complete the landmarks designation process for the Campbell Building. The Full Council will vote on Monday, December 4th.
The Campbell Building was built in 1911, and is an iconic location in the Alaska Junction, at the corner of Alaska and California (Cupcake Royale is located there).
The Landmarks Preservation Board earlier approved designation as a historic landmark in April, and found that it met four of the six standards for designation in the Seattle Municipal Code section 25.12.350:
- It is associated in a significant way with the life of a person important in the history of the City, state, or nation; or
- It is associated in a significant way with a significant aspect of the cultural, political, or economic heritage of the community, City, state or nation; or
- It embodies the distinctive visible characteristics of an architectural style, or period, or of a method of construction; or
- Because of its prominence of spatial location, contrasts of siting, age, or scale, it is an easily identifiable visual feature of its neighborhood or the City and contributes to the distinctive quality or identity of such neighborhood or the City.
Only one standard is necessary to be met for landmark status. The Council’s action imposes controls on the exterior of the building, the final step in the Landmarks process.
I requested that this legislation be heard in the committee I chair to ensure the Full Council could vote on it before the end of the year. The property owners have invested in the property at a level that allows for tax credits, provided the Council acts before the end of the year. So I wanted to bring it forward, even though landmarks usually go to another committee, to make sure it didn’t fall through the cracks before the final Full Council meeting of the year on December 11.
The origins of the nomination were unique, and came as a result of community efforts. The Southwest Seattle Historical Study Group, a collaborative effort by the SW Seattle Historical Society, SW District Council, West Seattle Junction Association, the Junction Neighborhood Association (JuNO), and ArtsWest, resulted in a report, “What Makes the West Seattle Junction Special”, which included a property-by-property analysis, and recommendations for landmark status. Thank you to the West Seattle Junction Historical Survey Team: Clay Eals, Chas Redmond, and Deb Barker and Susan Melrose for all their work, and to Jack Calvo of the building ownership group for participating in the committee discussion, which you can view here on the Seattle Channel archive.
In February, before the Board’s action, I wrote letter to the Board in support of landmark status for the Campbell Building, and for the Crescent-Hamm building across the street, the home of Easy Street; legislation for that building is expected soon.
Here’s a link to the power point presentation shown in committee; the Landmarks Preservation Board report has interesting historical background.
Progressive Revenue Taskforce on Housing and Homelessness
On Monday, November 20, 2017, the City Council passed a resolution to create a Progressive Revenue Taskforce on Housing and Homelessness that will explore potential new progressive revenue sources, including an Employee Hours Tax (EHT) and identify investments to be paid for using those progressive revenue sources to assist people who are homeless or at high risk of becoming homeless in obtaining and retaining stable housing.
The taskforce will provide recommendations by February 26, 2018 on one or more dedicated progressive revenue sources and a proposal for investments.
Individuals with subject matter expertise on housing, health care, and homelessness; service providers; civic leaders; labor representatives; individuals who have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness; business organizations; economic equity experts; community organizations; community coalitions; community leaders; and small and large business owners are encouraged to apply.
The deadline for submissions is Monday, December 4, 2017, and the taskforce membership will be finalized by December 11, 2017.
You can apply at the Boards & Commissions application website; please include your resume, and a one paragraph description of your interest, and any applicable subject matter expertise. In the “Which Boards would you like to apply for” field, select “Progressive Revenue Task Force on Housing and Homelessness.” You can also apply through the Progressive Revenue Taskforce on Housing and Homelessness site.
Washington Climate Action Letter
The Washington Environmental Council has posted a letter I co-signed to Governor Inslee in support of actions to reduce carbon pollution and promote a sustainable, broadly shared prosperity. 136 local elected officials in Washington State signed the letter, which was drafted in the wake of President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord.
The letter states commitment to the carbon pollution limits set by the Paris Accord:
We stand in solidarity with you and remain committed to the important carbon pollution limits set by the Paris Accord. We also stand with you to take bold state action that helps keep our communities safe and better positioned for economic prosperity in the emerging clean energy economy.
It further notes support for “the following principles to guide local and state action to fill the void left by the federal Administration. These principles will ensure we effectively reduce carbon emissions while supporting disproportionately impacted communities and businesses.
We support reducing carbon pollution and promoting just and sustainable, broadly shared prosperity by:
- Supporting the development of homegrown clean energy businesses that create good jobs in rural and urban communities;
- Prioritizing the protection of communities disproportionately harmed by carbon pollution and supporting fossil fuel workers and their communities in the transition to clean energy
- Transitioning from coal power to clean energy sources;
- Providing consumers with affordable, cleaner, and more efficient fuel and energy choices; and
- Holding polluters responsible for the true price we all pay for carbon pollution in our economy.”
Earlier this year, shortly after the President announced withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, the Council passed a resolution affirming the City Of Seattle’s commitment to meet or exceed goals established in the Paris Agreement.
Earlier this month, the America’s Pledge project, led by former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and California Governor Jerry Brown released a report on actions taken by state and local governments, tribal nations, businesses and institutions to reduce greenhouse gases in a manner consistent with the US climate targets set in Paris.
How Seattle is Harmonizing with Initiative 1433
In November of 2016, Washington State voters passed Initiative 1433, providing for an increased minimum wage and paid sick leave for all employees. Seattle had already passed a minimum wage law and its own Paid Sick and Safe Time legislation, consequently, the City must now adjust its laws in areas were the State is more generous.
Specifically, the City will update several sections in the Paid Sick and Safe Time ordinance, including a redefinition of family to include a child of any age, sibling, and grandchild; reducing the waiting period for use of the leave from 180 calendar days to 90 calendar days; and moving the reinstatement of sick and safe time to 12 months from 7 months if there is a break in employment for the same employer. These are the major changes. You can see a full list here.
Additionally, the City of Seattle as an employer needed to make a few adjustments too. A couple examples of the changes includes removing work-study as an exemption from collecting sick and safe time, and adding a grandchild to the definition of family. You can view a comparison chart here.
The City is required to make these changes prior to the beginning of the 2018. The Office of Labor Standards is working to inform employers in the city through updated workplace posters, webinars, and other outreach.
On December 15, I will be at the South Park Community Center (8319 8th Ave S) from 2:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. Please be sure to arrive no later than 6:30 pm, the final meeting of the day will begin at 6:30 p.m.
These hours are walk-in friendly, but if you would like to let me know you’re coming in advance you can email my scheduler Alex Clardy (alex.clardy@seattle.gov).