The City Council voted 6-3 today to approve final legislation on crowd management guidelines for the Seattle Police Department (SPD). The updated guidelines include several amendments intended to provide additional oversight and accountability, including checks on the use of blast balls. “The crowd management guidelines we passed today strike an important balance of giving our...
Category: Councilmember Nelson
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Council President Nelson forms committee to address federal instability, protect Seattle residents
Today Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) announced that she will stand up a special committee on federal policy changes. In a statement she provided the following details: It’s my responsibility as an elected official and as Seattle City Council President to make sure every one of my constituents feels safe, particularly our most vulnerable...
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Council President Nelson introduces legislation allowing workforce housing in Stadium District
Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) yesterday introduced legislation to allow workforce housing to be built near T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field to support the creation of a Stadium Makers’ District with mixed residential and light industrial uses. “It makes no sense to exclude housing from a downtown neighborhood that holds so much...
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Council President Nelson urges continued focus on public safety in 2025 after record number of bills passed in 2024
Noting the high number of public safety-related bills adopted by the Seattle City Council in 2024, today Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) welcomed incoming interim Chief of Police Shon Barnes to Seattle and urged a redoubling of city efforts on Seattle’s ongoing public safety challenges in the new year. In its first year, the...
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Seattle City Council announces process to fill council vacancy representing District 2
Application deadline: Jan. 9, 2025. City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9 – Citywide) has announced the formal process to fill the vacancy after the resignation of Councilmember Tammy Morales (District 2), effective Jan. 6, 2025. “We look forward to hearing from and considering the leaders from District 2 who are willing to put themselves forward during this critical...
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Council President Sara Nelson’s statement on Councilmember Tammy Morales’ resignation effective January 6, 2025
City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) released this statement on the resignation of Councilmember Tammy Morales (District 2), effective January 6, 2025: “I want to thank Councilmember Morales for her dedicated service to the constituents of District 2. We worked together to pass a number of important pieces of legislation that benefit the people...
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Council adopts strong public safety budget with historic housing investments and additional accountability measures
Adopted 2025-2026 City Budget marks a major shift in tone Today the Seattle City Council voted 8-1 to adopt the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget and Capital Improvement Program along with several pieces of legislation necessary to implement the budget. The budget uses Payroll Expense Tax revenue in the JumpStart Fund to offset the $268 million operating...
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Council announces details on plans to save Seattle Channel programming, create plan for continued success
Seattle City Council PresidentSara Nelson and CouncilmemberDan Strauss (District 6, Chair of the Select Budget Committee) announced a two-pronged approach to restore full funding for the Seattle Channel and convene a workgroup of experts to suggest long-term solutions for its continued success. “The Seattle Channel needs sustainable and dedicated funding going forward and Seattle Channel...
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City council approves police recruitment bonuses and technology for crime prevention tools
Bills part of the council’s coordinated focus on improving public safety Today the Seattle City Council overwhelmingly approved legislation, sponsored by Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9), to further accelerate police hiring by offering competitive bonuses to attract the new police recruits from across the country. The full Council also passed Councilmember Bob Kettle’s (District...
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Council creates new music venue parking permit to support musicians and live music venues
Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) on Tuesday applauded the unanimous passage of legislation that prioritizes parking for musicians and their crews at qualifying live music venues. The new Music Venue Zone Permit program was proposed by the Executive and sponsored by Council President Nelson after hearing consistent feedback from local artists about some of...