Category: Councilmember Rasmussen

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September 15, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Rasmussen, News Releases

Council Confirms New Transportation Director

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/15/2014

SEATTLE – The Seattle City Council unanimously voted to confirm Scott Kubly as the next Director for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) today. Mayor Ed Murray selected Kubly on July 2. Kubly joins SDOT after having served as deputy commissioner of the City of Chicago Department of Transportation and former associate director of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation.

"People want reliable transportation options to get around Seattle, and SDOT is the department responsible for making that happen," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, chair of the Council's Transportation Committee.  "I'm excited to have Scott Kubly bring his extensive experience to our transportation department."

Kubly will appear regularly before Rasmussen's Transportation Committee to report on the department's progress on pursuing the City's transportation-related priorities. Kubly's early priorities include:

  • Communicating with the public the work SDOT is currently doing and planning to do;
  • Ensuring that near-term high visibility projects are successful;
  • Working with City partners to deliver large capital projects;
  • Improving construction coordination to better manage growth;
  • Ensuring SDOT's workforce – both in-house and contractors – reflects the diversity of Seattle; and
  • Ensuring we have adequate funding to build and maintain our transportation system.

"I've been working closely with Scott since he arrived in Seattle.  I am impressed with his strong start as Director and with his energy in getting out into the community to become familiar with the neighborhoods and their issues," said Rasmussen.

Mayor Murray announced Kubly as his nominee following a multi-month national search for candidates. The Council's Transportation Committee conducted confirmation review meetings on August 12 and September 9, as the SDOT Director nominee is subject to Council confirmation.  The Council also presented several written questions to Kubly, to which he responded prior to his confirmation vote. 

The Director of SDOT will manage an annual operating budget of approximately $400 million and will be responsible for leading and managing more than 750 employees at SDOT. 

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August 11, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Rasmussen

Taking Action on Oil Trains

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Several weeks ago an oil train derailed in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood.  The derailment happened under the Magnolia bridge and alongside a bike path. The outcome truly could have been a disaster but the incident occurred without injury or destruction of property. For years I have been expressing concern about the risks to neighborhoods that are […]

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August 6, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Rasmussen, News Releases

Council Calls for End to Blood Donation Ban for Gay and Bisexual Men

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/6/2014

Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Council Calls for End to Blood Donation Ban for Gay and Bisexual Men

SEATTLE - City Council sent a letter to the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday requesting an end to the lifetime ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men.  The Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle Mayor Edward Murray and the American Medical Association have each made similar requests.

An excerpt from the letter reads, "Denying gay and bisexual men the opportunity to donate blood based on their sexual orientation is an outdated and discriminatory practice.   We've advanced in our medical knowledge of HIV transmission and know transmission depends on behavioral risk factors.  Donor screening for gay and bisexual men should be the same as for all other people and be based on a risk assessment of behaviors, rather than on sexual orientation."

"Sexual orientation shouldn't dictate whether someone is able to help save a life," said Councilmember Sally J. Clark.  "Any other person would be screened based on a risk assessment of their behavior.  We're only asking that gay and bisexual men also have that opportunity."

"The current ban should be repealed," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen.  "It undermines the understanding of HIV risks and reinforces stereotypes and fear."

"On behalf of the City of Seattle LGBTQ employees for Equality, SEqual, we are encouraged by the action of the City Council to raise awareness of the FDA's discriminatory policy excluding gay men and women that have sexual contact with bisexual men from giving blood.  For nearly 30 years our gay city employees have been unable to donate blood at City co-sponsored blood drives because of this federal policy.  It is long overdue that the FDA enacts a policy based on science and risk factors, not fear and ignorance.  Thank you, Seattle City Council, for recognizing this inequity," said Aretha Alexander and Travis Taylor, Co-chairs of SEqual.

[View in Council Newsroom]

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July 25, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Rasmussen, News Releases

Councilmember Rasmussen to Host ‘Little City Hall’ on Queen Anne

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/25/2014

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Councilmember Rasmussen to Host 'Little City Hall' on Queen Anne

SEATTLE - Councilmember Tom Rasmussen will host a "little City Hall" at the Queen Anne Community Center this Tuesday evening to chat with anyone interested in engaging with their Seattle City Councilmember.  Members of the public can drop-in to talk about any issues of their choosing.

"Making the hike down to City Hall and back from Queen Anne Hill can be pretty exhausting, so I thought I should bring City Hall to you," said Councilmember Rasmussen. "I hope you'll stop by to chat about any issues important to you."

The "Little City Hall" is free, open to all-ages and no advance registration is required.

WHAT: "Little City Hall" with Councilmember Rasmussen

WHEN/WHERE:
Tuesday, July 29, 2014, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Queen Anne Community Center
1901 - 1st Avenue W.

WHO:
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Public

[View in Council Newsroom]

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July 25, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Rasmussen, News Releases

Federal Transportation Dollars Approved for Seattle Projects

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/24/2014

Mayor Ed Murray
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Federal Transportation Dollars Approved for Seattle Projects

SEATTLE - Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmember Tom Rasmussen announced today that The Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board approved over $27,000,000 in Federal transportation dollars for an array of transportation purposes in Seattle.  Projects that will be funded include basic road maintenance, bicycle lanes and extending the First Hill Street Car on Broadway north to Roy Street.  Mayor Ed Murray, and Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen, Bruce Harrell and Tim Burgess represent Seattle on the Puget Sound Regional Council’s (PSRC) Executive Board.

"Thank you to the PSRC for these project grants. The areas funded will have a direct impact on our transportation system, and I look forward to using the funding to increase mobility and keep Seattle moving," said Mayor Ed Murray.

"If there are federal dollars available for local transportation projects, I’m going to work hard to send those dollars to Seattle," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen. "We have some exciting opportunities to repair and maintain our roads, create safer bicycle routes and improve transit services."

PSRC receives federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, to be allocated to state and local jurisdictions. Funds are awarded via a competitive application process every two to three years.

Summary of City of Seattle Projects Recommended for Funding:
Regional

  • $200,000 for Route 48 Electrification (23rd Avenue)  (design only)
  • $2,627,528 for Center City Gateway ITS (Next Generation ITS)
  • $8,500,000 for Broadway Streetcar Extension

Countywide, Large Jurisdiction

  • $1,383,000 for Michigan St ITS (Next Generation ITS)
  • $4,300,000 for Center City Protected Bike Lanes, Phase I (2nd Ave and/or 4th Ave)

Countywide, Non-motorized

  • $700,000 for Center City Protected Bike Lanes, Phase I (2nd Ave and/or 4th Ave)
  • $800,000 for 7th Ave Protected Bike Lanes
  • $397,900 for Low-Income Access to Bike Share Network

Countywide, Preservation

  • $1,500,000 for Renton Ave
  • $1,500,000 for Roosevelt Ave

FTA

  • $1,500,000 for Broadway Streetcar Extension
  • $4,383,799 "earned share" (aka "formula") operations and maintenance funds (SLU streetcar, Monorail)

[View in Council Newsroom]

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July 7, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Rasmussen

Visit with Councilmember Rasmussen to Discuss Topics of Interest to You & Your Neighborhood

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Join Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen At the Queen Anne Community Center 1901 1st Ave W 6pm—8pm Tuesday, July 29, 2014 Here’s your opportunity for a one-on-one discussion with the Councilmember and his staff about topics important to you   We look forward to meeting you! Accessibility Accommodations Upon Request Please Call 206.684.5398

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June 19, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Rasmussen, News Releases

Councilmember Rasmussen Proposes Legislation to Avoid Future Cuts to Metro

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City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/19/2014

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Councilmember Rasmussen Proposes Legislation to Avoid Future Cuts to Metro

SEATTLE – This afternoon Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, acting in his capacity as Chair of the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) Board, proposed a resolution relating to the STBD. The resolution formalizes the Executive's proposal for a ballot measure which was announced in May.

In April, Seattle voters approved Proposition 1 by a margin of two-to-one, but the measure ultimately failed County-wide. Rasmussen's legislation seeks voter-approval for vehicle license fees and a sales and use tax to fund Metro Transit service in Seattle. The legislation must be passed by the Seattle Transportation Benefit District Board by August 5 in order to be placed on the November 2014 ballot.

"I'm pleased to be working in cooperation with Mayor Murray to give voters another opportunity to avoid these crippling cuts to their bus service," said Rasmussen. "Next week's hearing will provide the public with an opportunity to signal their support for saving Metro service in Seattle," Rasmussen added.

The STBD Board Summer Meeting schedule is available online.

WHAT:
Seattle Transportation Benefit District Board Summer Meeting Schedule

WHEN:
Tuesday, June 24, 10:30am (following City Transportation Committee meeting) – BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION
Thursday, June 26, 5:30pm – PUBLIC HEARING
Thursday, July 10, 2:00pm – DISCUSSION
Thursday, July 17, 2:00pm – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
Thursday, July 31, 2:00pm (if necessary) – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE

WHERE:
Seattle City Hall, Council Chambers
600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 2
Seattle, WA 98124

WHO:
STBD Board Chair Tom Rasmussen
Members of the STBD Board
Public

Interpretation can be available for the following. Please contact Councilmember Tom Rasmussen's office to request service:

Vietnamese:
Các dịch vụ thông dịch có thể hiện có cho ngôn ngữ sau đây: Tiếng Việt

Spanish:
Se pueden ofrecer servicios de interpretación para el siguiente idioma: Español

Tagalog:
May mga Serbisyo sa Pagsasalinwika na maaaring magamit para sa mga sumusunod: Tagalog

Somali:
Adeegyada Turjubaanista ayaa lagu heli karaa: Soomaali

Korean:
다음 언어 관련 번역 서비스를 이용할 수 있습니다: 한국어

Simplified Chinese:
可提供以下语言的口译服务：中文

Traditional Chinese:
可提供以下語言的口譯服務：中文

[View in Council Newsroom]