It’s budget time again. The Council received an overview of the Mayor’s proposed 2015-2016 budget this morning from the City Budget Director. You can look at the presentation here and the video here. The Council takes two months to review...
Category: Past Councilmembers
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Councilmember Licata Statement on OPA Recommendations for SPD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/30/2014
Councilmember Licata Statement on OPA Recommendations for SPD
SEATTLE - Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata issued the following statement today in response to a special report generated by the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA) regarding recommendations for management action:
"I understand that the OPA Director Pierce Murphy did not sustain any of the complaints for violating policies related to misuse of overtime because there were not adequate policies in the first place to be violated. The fact that a single unit of SPD exceeded their overtime budget by close to a million dollars is clear evidence that there should have been policies. Policies must be put in place immediately to ensure that overtime is not used on vacation days and that schedules are not altered by supervisors for the sole purpose of allowing for increased use of overtime.
"I have sent OPA Director a series of questions about this incident, his investigation, and his proposed next steps. I look forward to his response."
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Council Approves Incentives to Benefit Seattle’s Historic Theaters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/29/2014
Council Approves Incentives to Benefit Seattle's Historic Theaters
SEATTLE - Council approved legislation today that provides land use incentives to downtown’s historic landmark performing arts theaters, The Paramount, The Moore and The Eagles Auditorium (ACT Theatre). The legislation increases development capacity for the theaters, which in turn can be sold to developers.
"These theaters are one reason companies such as Frank Russell, Amazon and Weyerhaeuser decide to locate in downtown Seattle," said Councilmember Nick Licata, sponsor of the legislation. "Their employees want to live close to restaurants, close to entertainment, close to where the action is. And, utilizing new development to preserve these beautiful old structures and the economic activity they generate requires zero tax payer dollars."
"Historic theatres provide a critical piece of Seattle's cultural landscape, yet the non-profit organizations committed to caring for these beautiful structures struggle mightily to maintain them. Ongoing resources are difficult to secure but with passage of this legislation we are much better positioned for long term care sustainability," stated Seattle Theatre Group Executive Director, Josh LaBelle.
While the size and unique characteristics of the design and function of these large historic theaters present challenges for ongoing maintenance, the City has an interest in supporting and promoting their continued operation. The legislation adopted today is part of a larger implementation plan that accompanied the City's 2011 designation of the Downtown Historic Theatre District.
Today's legislation increases the base floor area ratio (FAR) of qualifying historic theaters located downtown. This increase in space is considered unused development potential and can be sold to commercial development projects in other parts of downtown. In exchange, proceeds from the sale of these development rights can be used to further the theaters' mission and physical upkeep.
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Council Adopts Bill to Improve High-Speed Fiber Network Deployment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/29/2014
Council Adopts Bill to Improve High-Speed Fiber Network Deployment
SEATTLE - City Council unanimously approved legislation today that will help expand high-speed fiber network deployment by removing excessive administrative requirements for siting of new broadband cabinets, incentivizing smaller cabinets that deliver higher speeds and requiring landscaping and screening in neighborhoods.
All neighborhoods will benefit, but the changes will initially help companies like CenturyLink launch one-gigabit-per-second (Gbps) fiber internet service to Beacon Hill, the Central District, Ballard and West Seattle. New cabinets are necessary for the delivery of 1 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) service. One-gigabit-per-second is equivalent to 1,000 megabits-per-second (Mbps). According to speedtest.net in Seattle, the current average download and upload speeds are 34.95 Mbps and 19.85 Mbps.
"This critical change will bring next-generation broadband to unserved and underserved neighborhoods," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. "We have gone through an extensive community process to get to this point, balancing the concerns of home-owners, street character and the desire to push fiber further out into neighborhoods. Next-generation fiber broadband is vital for our students' education, helps mitigate traffic by allowing residents to work from home, and businesses and startups benefit by stimulating innovation and jobs. We must continue to think outside the box to create an environment competitive for companies to build fiber to your home and business."
"This legislation is a win-win for neighborhoods. Underserved neighborhoods will receive a lightning-fast level of broadband service, while the visual clutter typically associated with these communications cabinets will be greatly reduced. I look forward to the expansion of this service throughout the city," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, chair of the Transportation Committee.
Robert Kangas, chair of Upping Technology for Underserved Neighbors, said, "This is a great first step to opening our neighborhoods to improved broadband. Thank you to the Mayor's office and the Seattle City Council for working with members of the community and the broadband providers to give us more competition and improved service. This will help Seattle remain a leader in the tech community for years to come. While this is an immediate win for the under-served areas of Seattle, it will benefit the entire city."
Brian Hsi, chair of the Citizens' Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board’s Broadband and Cable Committee, said, "I'm pleased to see progress being made toward bringing more broadband choices for Seattle residents. For too long parts of our City could not receive the infrastructure necessary to build out affordable, quality, high speed broadband options. That changes today with the passage of this legislation."
Beginning in January 2013, SDOT began engaging with stakeholder groups and sought feedback on siting issues for new telecommunication cabinets in the public right-of-way and held meetings with stakeholders from North Beacon Hill, Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board, Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities, Citizens' Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board, Public Space Management Task Force, Department of Information Technology, Department of Planning and Development, Office of Economic Development, Seattle City Light, CenturyLink, AT&T, Comcast, Wave, Verizon and various other community groups. The consensus of the group concluded that new legislation must prioritize:
- Improving broadband deployment, especially in underserved areas;
- Keeping our public spaces and rights-of-way free from visual clutter; and
- Maintaining other priorities for the public spaces and rights-of-way for community activation goals.
Council Bill 118208 will help broadband deployment by:
- Incentivizing smaller cabinets (less than 36") that deliver faster connection bandwidth by streamlining the permitting and outreach requirements.
- Providing a dis-incentive for siting larger cabinets by requiring additional public outreach and visual mitigation for cabinets taller than 36".
- Eliminating "veto power" from adjacent property owner as currently required in SDOT Director's Rule 2-2009.
- Eliminating requirement of obtaining 60% approval from within 100 feet on proposed installation as currently required by SDOT Director's Rule 2-2009.
- Requiring written notification to all residents, businesses, and property owners within 100-foot radius if the proposed installation cabinet is greater than 36 inches in height.
- Requiring screening mitigation such as landscaping and vinyl wrap for new cabinet installations in residential zones above 36 inches.
- Removing graffiti in a timely manner.
- Requiring all service providers to submit quarterly reports to SDOT that describe each complaint received, how complaint was resolved, and how long it took to resolve the complaint.
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Incentives for Historic Theaters
Frank Russell, Amazon and Weyerhaeuser decided to locate downtown so employees are close to where the action is.
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Women to be Honored for Efforts to End Gender Inequity and to Promote Civil Rights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/24/2014
Women to be Honored for Efforts to End Gender Inequity and to Promote Civil Rights
SEATTLE - Councilmember Jean Godden and the Seattle Women's Commission have partnered, for the first time, to honor outstanding wome...
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Councilmember Licata Announces Council Budget Review Process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/22/2014
Councilmember Licata Announces Council Budget Review Process
SEATTLE -Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Council's Budget Committee, today announced this autumn's City Council budget review process. The announcement follows delivery of Mayor Ed Murray's proposed 2015-2016 operating budget earlier today.
"I look forward to examining the Mayor's proposed budget, keeping in mind the highest priorities the Council expressed in a letter to the Mayor in early August: human services, public safety and transportation. Those priorities were informed by a series of community meetings I hosted earlier this year."
Public input is vital to Council review and helps Councilmembers develop a budget that best reflects the needs of the City. The Council will hold two public hearings, on October 7 at Garfield Community Center, and October 23 at Seattle City Hall. Both begin at 5:30 p.m.
The schedule for Council consideration of the Mayor’s Proposed Budget is as follows:
October 2 Overview of Mayor's Proposed Budget
October 7-10: Department budget overviews
October 20-24 Issue Identification
October 30-Nov. 6 Presentation/Discussion of Options (Round 1)
November 12-14 Final Decisions and Votes (Round 2)
November 24 Full Council adopts 2015 budget, endorses 2016 budget
The Council’s budget website has additional information, including a glossary of budget terms and links to supporting documents, as they become available. All budget documents will also be publically accessible on the updated City Clerk’s online budget database.
Councilmember Licata recorded this video that explains the Council’s budget process and timeline.
The public is welcome to attend meetings, and can watch live on the Seattle Channel at http://www.seattle.gov/councillive. Comments on the budget can also be submitted online to nick.licata@seattle.gov.
Budget Public Hearings
Tuesday, October 7
5:30 p.m.
Garfield Community Center
2323 E Cherry St.
Seattle, WA 98122
Thursday, October 23
5:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
600 4th Avenue, 2nd floor
Seattle, WA 98104
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City Council Budget Review Announced
Mayor Ed Murray released his proposed 2015-6 budget today. I look forward to examining the Mayor’s proposed budget, keeping in mind the highest priorities the Council expressed in a letter to the Mayor in early August: human services, public safety and transportation. Those priorities were informed by a series of community meetings I hosted earlier […]
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Licata Calls on Feds to Intercede on Seattle Housing Authority Rent Proposal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/19/2014
Licata Calls on Feds to Intercede on Seattle Housing Authority Rent Proposal
Councilmember concerned proposal to raise rent may put affordable housing programs out of reach
SEATTLE - Councilmember Nick Licata sent...
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“Stepping Forward” May be a Step Backward for Many
“Stepping Forward” May be a Step Backward for Many Proposal to Raise Rent May Make Affordable Housing Programs Out of Reach Here and below is a letter that I sent yesterday to Julian Castro, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In the letter I request that HUD adopt new emergency administrative […]