PEMCO Insurance will issue a news release tomorrow, June 18, based on the latest results from the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll. We learned that 88% of Northwest drivers say they see pedestrians who are distracted while crossing streets or walking on sidewalks: 90% say the distraction is talking on a cell phone, 86% say they see people […]
Category: Councilmember Rasmussen
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Why I Support Increasing the Minimum Wage
Below are my remarks from Monday’s Council meeting regarding the Mayor’s minimum wage ordinance: Thank you very much colleagues, for all of your work on this issue, and everyone here in the audience who followed and worked on this legislation as well. I want to say very clearly that I do support increasing […]
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City Council Approves $15/hour Minimum Wage in Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/2/2014
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Council President Tim Burgess
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brie...
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Help get Seattle moving–Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board Seeks New Members
The Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board (SBAB) is accepting applications for new members to advise the City on the concerns and needs of the growing bicycling community. The volunteer board, which was created by Seattle City Council in 1977, plays an influential role in implementing the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan. The board advises the Mayor and […]
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Councilmembers Rasmussen, O’Brien, Bagshaw Pledge to Give Seattle Voters Chance to Save Transit Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/9/2014
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Councilmembers Rasmussen, O'Brien, Bagshaw Pledge to Give Seattle Voters Chance to Save Transit Service
Seattle - Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen, Mike O'Brien and Sally Bagshaw issued the following statement today:
"Metro bus service is critical to the people of Seattle. It is necessary for those who cannot afford cars and depend on buses to get around. It is essential for our environment that people have multiple options for mobility and it is essential to reducing traffic congestion as well. Too many buses in the city are at capacity, and with ridership at an all-time high we simply cannot afford to lose bus service.
"Seattle voters deserve a chance to preserve bus service in the city and we are committed to giving them that opportunity in November. We are exploring every option available to keep the busses running in Seattle in cooperation with our colleagues on the City Council and Mayor Ed Murray. We are also committed to working with King County Metro and cities in our region to ensure that we preserve and build a strong regional transit system.
"We commend Mayor Murray for his leadership in developing a proposal, which will be released next week. We also commend Keep Seattle Moving for keeping public momentum going to ensure we do not lose the bus service we so critically need in Seattle.
"On Monday, May 19 we will have a briefing in City Council Chambers at 9:30 a.m. to learn more about the impacts of the potential loss of bus service in the City and to learn more about the Mayor's proposal. We will convene additional City Council meetings as needed throughout the summer to develop a proposal to send to the voters for the November ballot."
Editor's note: The City's deadline for submitting a ballot measure to King County Elections for the November election is August 5, 2014.
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Meeting on Capitol Hill to Consider Neighborhood Preservation Solutions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/12/2014
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Meeting on Capitol Hill to Consider Neighborhood Preservation Solutions
SEATTLE - Councilmember Tom Rasmussen will host a special City Council Transportation Committee meeting on Capitol Hill Monday evening. Monday's meeting will include a discussion of legislation Rasmussen has introduced to strengthen the City's' efforts to retain existing, character-rich, buildings in Capitol Hill's Pike/Pine neighborhood.
"The legislation (Council Bill 118096) is intended to support new growth, and to encourage the restoration and re-use of historic Capitol Hill buildings that are at risk of being destroyed to make way for new buildings," said Rasmussen. "This bill strengthens incentives to preserve the pre-1940s buildings that help make Pike/Pine the unique and popular neighborhood it is today. The legislation is the result of many discussions and meetings with property owners and community members for more than a year. I thank everyone who has been working with me to develop the proposed legislation and I look forward to hearing public comments at the meeting."
At the meeting, Councilmembers will also discuss traffic volumes, traffic speeds, and collisions that are summarized in the 2012 Traffic Report prepared by the Seattle Department of Transportation. The committee will also be briefed on a new technique to protect trees in construction zones.
WHAT:
Special meeting of the Seattle City Council's Transportation Committee
WHEN/WHERE:
Monday, May 12, 2014, 6:00 8:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church
1111 Harvard Avenue, Seattle (Fellowship Hall)
WHO:
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Jean Godden
Public
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More Opportunities to Serve Seattle!
Did you know that the City of Seattle has over 50 advisory boards and commissions? Over 300 citizen volunteers are appointed by the Mayor and Council to help shape policy and provide input to City leaders on important issues within the City. As Chair of the Transportation Committee, I work closely with members of a […]
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Join Seattle Me for “little City Hall”
Join Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen At the Southpark Community Center 8319 8th Avenue South 2:30pm-4:30pm Wednesday, April 23, 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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Seattle School Traffic Safety Committee Seeks New Members
The Seattle School Traffic Safety Committee is accepting applications for new members to help make walking and biking to school in Seattle safer and easier. The volunteer board, which was created by the Seattle City Council in 1975 to improve traffic safety for all of Seattle’s school children, plays an influential role in implementing Seattle’s […]
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Council Approves Bicycle Master Plan Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/14/2014
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Council Approves Bicycle Master Plan Update
SEATTLE - Following a year-long discussion about safe and comfortable bicycling in Seattle, the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan Update (BMP) was passed by Full Council today with a vote of 9-0.
Resolution 31515, which officially approves the BMP, emphasizes the transformational new way of thinking about bicycle projects within Seattle. The Plan makes safety a top priority for all roadway users, including cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicle drivers. The Plan also makes recommendations for 238 new miles of neighborhood greenways that will create safe, healthy streets in our neighborhoods. The Plan additionally incorporates new and improved bicycle project design standards developed by National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) for intersections, signs and markings, and protected bicycle lanes.
The BMP legislation, sponsored by Transportation Committee Chair Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, expands on the 2007 BMP. The 2014 Plan Update was developed in partnership with members of the Council's Transportation Committee, the Executive, and the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board (SBAB), and reflects comments submitted by stakeholder groups and neighborhood representatives during numerous community open house meetings over the last eighteen months.
Rasmussen expressed pride following Full Council adoption. "I want to thank my colleagues and the members of our community who have demonstrated continued interest in the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan. Your comments have been appreciated, and the adoption of this Resolution ensures bicycling in Seattle is safe and comfortable for users of all ages and abilities," said Rasmussen. "I also want to thank the local representatives and stakeholders who care deeply about bicycling in their neighborhoods. I am committed to ensuring that SDOT will include you during the development of bicycle projects in your community."
"Public transportation and safe cycling are two issues that brought me to City Hall," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien, and member of the Transportation Committee. "I've been a steadfast supporter of safe streets and city cycling from the beginning, and updating the BMP is a big step in that direction."
"I am confident that as we move forward with the Bicycle Master Plan, community engagement and input will play an important role in shaping priorities and ensuring the Plan is consistent with the needs of residents," said Councilmember Jean Godden, and member of the Committee.
"With this Plan we will enhance neighborhoods across the city and create a network of Neighborhood Greenways for all ages and abilities," said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. "Thanks to Councilmember Rasmussen and to SDOT, our growing Seattle Neighborhood Greenways group is brimming with potential and possibility."
The Plan requires an annual implementation progress report be submitted to Council and reviewed and endorsed by SBAB; and, will be updated every 5-7 years.