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March 5, 2013January 6, 2023News Releases

Congratulations to newly-appointed Port Commissioner Courtney Gregoire

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/5/2013

Council President Sally J. Clark

Congratulations to newly-appointed Port Commissioner Courtney Gregoire

SEATTLE - Seattle City Council President Sally J. Clark issued the following statement congratulating newly appointed Port Commissioner Courtney Gregoire:

"Congratulations to Courtney Gregoire on her appointment to the Port of Seattle Commission. The residents of Seattle and King County will be well-served by her demonstrated expertise in economic development policy. I look forward to working with Commissioner Gregoire moving forward."

[View in Council Newsroom]

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March 5, 2013January 6, 2023Councilmember Godden, News Releases

Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden announces “No Child Without Water” legislation, no more water shut-offs to low-income homes with children

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/4/2013

Councilmember Jean Godden

Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden announces "No Child Without Water"
legislation, no more water shut-offs to low-income homes with children

Seattle - Councilmember Jean Godden, Chair of the Libraries, Utilities, and Center (LUC) Committee will discuss legislation tomorrow that will prevent Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) from shutting off water to homes in which children reside.

"This legislation is based on a simple premise: no child should lack access to clean drinking water and sanitation," said Councilmember Godden.

In 2012, SPU shutoff water to 138 households registered in the low-income Utility Discount Program (UDP). Fifty percent of these low-income households - 68 in total - contained minor children (under 18 years old).

At tomorrow morning's LUC meeting, nonprofit providers from St. Vincent de Paul, the West Seattle Helpline, the Ballard Food Bank, and the Salvation Army will share their stories of children who endured water shutoffs.

"A teacher told me that one of his students showed up at school unwashed and unclean - the result of his family having their water shutoff," said Councilmember Godden. "Human service providers have told me of families using buckets filled with water from neighbors' homes to flush toilets and of parents unable to properly bathe their children or wash their hands after changing diapers."

Under current law, a household eligible for the low-income UDP is eligible for an emergency assistance credit up to $340. This emergency payment can only be accessed once per year. Although a generous subsidy, one reflective of Seattle's commitment to protecting and enhancing the health, safety, and general welfare of its people, it was insufficient for 68 low-income families with children.

Councilmember Godden's proposal modifies SMC 21.76.065(C) to make qualifying households containing a minor eligible for an emergency assistance credit twice every 12 months.

Given Seattle Public Utilities' bi-monthly billing cycle and time frame for issuing bill delinquency and shut-off notices, this change will allow low-income households with minor children to avoid water shutoffs.

Using 2012 as an example, a second chance for the 68 households with children would amount to an estimated $20,000 cost to SPU. This is a small subsidy in the context of SPU's almost billion dollar annual budget.

[View in Council Newsroom]

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March 4, 2013January 6, 2023News Releases

Seattle City Council adopts healthy vending machine legislation

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/4/2013

Mayor Mike McGinn
Councilmember Richard Conlin

Seattle City Council adopts healthy vending machine legislation

This afternoon the Seattle City Council unanimously adopted Council Bill 117710, requiring all vending machines operated on City Property to stock at least 50 percent "Healthier" and "Healthiest" food and beverage selections as defined by Public Health Seattle & King County King County Healthy Vending Guidelines.

"We are working to do our part to support healthier choices for those who want them," said Mayor Mike McGinn. "That's why we included this effort in our Food Action Plan last year. I thank Councilmember Conlin for his leadership on this issue and I look forward to continuing to work with him to improve access to healthier food choices for our employees and all Seattle residents."

Councilmember Richard Conlin, sponsor of the healthy vending machine legislation, issued the following statement after the vote, "Healthy vending helps to make the healthy choice the easy choice. This is one way that we can support healthy and productive City employees. City employees will now have more opportunities to consume more nutritious food and beverages while at work."

Seattle's Department of Parks and Recreation has led the way by successfully implementing the King County Healthy Vending Guidelines of "Healthier" and "Healthiest" choices in all vending machines in City park facilities in 2010.

[View in Council Newsroom]

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March 4, 2013January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess, News Releases

Statement by Councilmember Tim Burgess regarding allegations of wage theft on City-financed projects

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/4/2013

Councilmember Tim Burgess

Statement by Councilmember Tim Burgess regarding allegations of wage theft on City-financed projects

Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess, sponsor of Seattle's 2011 wage theft law, issued the following statement regarding the allegations of wage theft on Seattle Housing Levy-financed projects:

"Theft of wages is as malicious a crime as any other theft. It takes money directly from the pockets of workers and their families. The allegations of wage theft on City-financed projects must be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly by the police department and other relevant law enforcement agencies."

[View in Council Newsroom]