Today I announce my decision to resign as Seattle City Councilmember for District 4. It has been a distinct honor and privilege to work in this capacity, representing the many different people and the great diversity of opinions that give Northeast Seattle its vibrancy.
I depart City Hall feeling immensely proud of working alongside my talented, dedicated staff to accomplish nearly all that I set out to do when I decided to run for this position:
- Earlier this week I was proud to cast my vote in favor of Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA). This legislation, which passed unanimously, helps address our city’s affordability crisis by providing 6,000 new income- and rent-restricted homes over the next ten years, and I am honored to have led the passage of long-overdue step to live up to our goals as an equitable and livable city for all.
- I am proud that over my tenure as a city councilmember, Seattle voters have approved a series of levies that will indelibly shape our communities for generations to come. First, Sound Transit 3 guaranteed our ability to continue building out a fast, reliable, and affordable mass transit system throughout the region. Second, through a nearly doubled Housing Levy, we made a huge investment in the production and preservation of affordable apartments and rental support for families at risk of experiencing homelessness. And third, by renewing the Families, Preschool & Promise Levy, we recommitted our focus on closing the opportunity gap and making sure that all students in our public schools, from pre-k through high school and beyond are given the tools and support to thrive.
- I am proud to have helped pass three city budgets that invested in fostering community, making the city more affordable, achieving greater public safety through funding the hiring of more police officers, and supporting kids and families – values shared among my constituents and colleagues.
- I am proud to have joined my colleagues in support of the establishment of a safe consumption site in Seattle which will help remove the painful stigma of people struggling with addiction and will save lives.
- I am proud to have eliminated parking requirements in areas of frequent transit to help us meet our climate change and affordability goals.
- And I am proud to have been a voice and advocate for neighborhood priorities including critical safety improvements along the 65th corridor, the installation of sidewalks on NE 50th, a much-needed renovation of the Magnuson Park Community Center, and ensuring that all of our wading pools across the city were open during summer months.
While I am very excited for the next chapter of my career with NHL Seattle, I have been so inspired by those I’ve gotten to know and work with over the years; to the neighborhood leaders, small business owners, housing advocates and City of Seattle department leaders and their staff members – thank you for your engagement, for sharing your talents and thoughts, and for all you do for your communities.
My final day at City Hall will be April 5, 2019 and I am confident my council colleagues will conduct a fair and inclusive process to find and appoint a district representative to serve through the end of the year.