West Seattle Bridge Update; Police Chief Search Meetings Added: August 11, South Park; Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal Public Comments; Seattle Redistricting Commission Releases New Draft Map, August 9 Public Forum

West Seattle Bridge Update

The West Seattle Bridge repair remains on track for completion the week of September 12th.

Work continues on the final phase of epoxy crack injection and carbon-fiber wrapping.

SDOT has released the checklist showing which work has been completed, per a constituent request to me that I shared with SDOT:

In addition to the work to repair the bridge, other major maintenance work is proceeding at the same time; here’s a picture of work to replace the overhead signs on the bridge:

Police Chief Search Meetings Added: August 11, South Park

The Mayor’s Office has announced two additional in-person meetings to inform the search process for a permanent police chief.  The announcement is below, and includes a meeting on Thursday, August 11th in South Park, facilitated by the Duwamish Valley Youth Corp and Villa Comunitaria:

Seattle residents are invited to attend two additional in-person community-led conversations to inform the ongoing search process for Seattle’s next chief of police. Facilitated in partnership by City staff and community-based organizations, these sessions will build on previous forums held in July, creating a space for community members to share the priorities and values they would like the search to elevate.

The first conversation will be held Wednesday, August 10 from 6:00PM to 8:30PM at the Holgate St. Church (2600 S Holgate St, Seattle, WA 98144). Community partners The Village of Hope, White Center Community Development Association, and King County Equity Now will attend and facilitate the conversation.

The second conversation will be held on Thursday, August 11 from 5:30PM to 7:00PM at South Park Hall (1253 S Cloverdale St, Seattle, WA 98108). Community partners from Duwamish Valley Youth Corp and Villa Comunitaria will be present and facilitate the conversation.

Both conversations are open to the public to make their voice heard and help inform the ongoing search process. These conversations will build on a community survey made available from the beginning of the search here in seven different languages: English, Spanish, Amharic, Somali, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese.

In April, Mayor Harrell announced a search committee representing a diverse array of stakeholders and community leaders who are responsible for identifying and selecting the final five candidates to move forward to the Charter-required competitive examination phase. In addition to the survey, committee, and forums, community engagement will continue throughout the search process.

An overview of scheduled forums, as well as regular updates on the Chief of Police search process and timeline, is available at the Seattle Police Chief Search web page.

Time and Date Location
Wednesday, August 10 from 6:00PM to 8:30PM Holgate St Church, 2600 S Holgate St, Seattle, WA 98144
Thursday, August 11 from 5:30PM to 7:00PM South Park Hall, 1253 S Cloverdale St, Seattle, WA 98108

 

Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal Public Comments

WSDOT Ferries has released public comments received in during the Level 1 screening public comments period for the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal project:  Level 1 Screening Community Engagement Summary.

Washington State Ferries is conducting their Level 2 analysis though at least later this year.

 

Seattle Redistricting Commission Releases New Draft Map, August 9 Public Forum

The Seattle Redistricting Commission has released a new draft map for Seattle’s 7 Council districts. The is shown below.  Here is a PDF of the map and here is a web map that allows you to zoom in for a block-by-block view.

Public comment on the new proposed boundaries is open until the date the Commission files the district plan, currently scheduled for November 8, 2022, and no later than November 15, 2022.

You can submit written comments here.

The Commission will hold three public comment meetings; the first is August 9th:

Public Forum #1: Tuesday, August 9th, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Meetings will be announced for September and October on dates still to be determined.

Beginning August 8, paper copies will be available at City Hall at 600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. You can request a paper copy of the map here.

The Commission website notes re: the work of the Commission is guided by relevant laws, including an amendment to the City Charter adopted by Seattle voters to establish district elections:

District boundaries will be drawn in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including but not limited to the following rules.

City Charter

 Subdivision D. COUNCIL REDISTRICTING (3) and RCW 29A.76.010(4):

  • Boundaries shall be drawn to make districts that are as compact as possible and geographically contiguous.
  • Districts shall not be gerrymandered, and population data may not be used for purposes of favoring or disfavoring any racial group or political party.
  • Districts shall be as nearly equal in population as possible to each other; the population of the largest district shall not exceed the population of the smallest district by more than one percent [of the population of the smallest district]. This means that the largest district’s population must be no greater than 101% of the smallest district’s population.
  • The new City Council district boundaries will not be based on the residence of any person. In drawing their map, the Commission and GIS consultants shall not consider the residence of any person.
  • To the extent practical, new boundaries shall follow existing district boundaries.
  • To the extent feasible, new boundaries shall follow recognized waterways and geographic boundaries.
  • To the extent possible, new boundaries shall preserve Seattle communities and neighborhoods.