Category: Past Councilmembers

Home » Past Councilmembers » Page 33
Post
July 25, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Rasmussen, News Releases

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

by

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]

Post
July 25, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Godden, News Releases

Councilmember Godden Statement in Response to Resolution of Magnuson Park Tree-Cutting Case

by

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

Councilmember Jean Godden 

Councilmember Godden Statement in Response to Resolution of Magnuson Park Tree-Cutting Case

Seattle - Councilmember Jean Godden issued a statement in response to the resolution of the Magnuson Park tree-cutting case. Earlier this year Kurt Zwar was charged in Seattle Municipal Court with one count of Removal/Destruction of Parks Property pursuant to Seattle Municipal Code18.12.070(B):

"We treasure our volunteers and all the work they do.  However, we want to ensure visitors feel safe and that our Parklands are protected for future generations.  I would like to thank our City Attorney's Office for its work on this case and Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams for his attention to this issue.  I am grateful to the Seattle Police, as well as the staff of Seattle Parks and Recreation for reporting on this crime and taking swift action."

[View in Council Newsroom]

Post
July 25, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Licata

Council Passes Resolution to Use Next Round of SPOG Negotiations to Strengthen Police Accountability

by

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the City of Seattle and the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild (SPOG) expired on December 31, 2013.  Soon the parties will be negotiating a new contract. On Monday, July 21, the Council passed Resolution 31535 agreeing to use the next round of SPOG negotiations to strengthen police accountability.  In particular, […]

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

Federal Transportation Dollars Approved for Seattle Projects

by

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]

Post
July 23, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Licata, News Releases

Councilmember Nick Licata and City Attorney Pete Holmes’ Statement on Marijuana Public Consumption Report

by

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/23/2014

Councilmember Nick Licata

Councilmember Nick Licata and City Attorney Pete Holmes' Statement on Marijuana Public Consumption Report

SEATTLE - Councilmember Nick Licata and City Attorney Pete Holmes issued the following statement this morning regarding the Seattle Police Department's report on enforcement of public consumption of marijuana:

"We'd like to thank the Seattle Police Department for completing its report on the first six months of enforcement of the public consumption of marijuana ordinance.

"Initiative 502, approved by state voters, created a civil fine in state law for public consumption of marijuana.  When the Council approved Ordinance 124393 to incorporate this provision of I-502 into city law, it drafted a section requiring SPD to monitor enforcement by age, race, sex and location.

"During the first half of 2014, 82 tickets were issued. While the sample size is small, it does indicate trends for race and homelessness we should continue to monitor.

"36% of tickets were issued to African-Americans, who make up 8% of Seattle's population according to the 2010 census. 33% went to African-American males.

"46% of those ticketed list addresses associated with homeless services, transitional housing, post offices, mental health services or motels. It appears tickets disproportionately affect people without private residences.

"This shows the need for places where people can legally consume marijuana in Seattle."

"The SPD has also agreed to send this information to Mark Kleiman and the Journal of Drug Policy Analysis for an independent peer analysis of the report. We look forward to their guidance regarding how we can improve our city's marijuana policies for all residents."

[View in Council Newsroom]

Post
July 23, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Godden

Women in the Workplace: Kate Vrijmoet

by

Kate Vrijmoet is a curator, an artist and a passionate activist. She keeps a studio in Pioneer Square, a small business, but one that, although she manages to pay her taxes, she operates at a loss.  K-Vrijmoet-#3Col

As she points out, regretfully, there’s a big gap between male and female artists. The stats are grim: Although 60 percent of arts graduates are women, galleries display only about 25 percent of women’s work nationally. Seattle’s record at 39 percent is somewhat better. Less than 4 percent of museum collections are credited to women artists.

When asked why this is the case, Kate reflects that salary negotiation and having a family have been obvious barriers in her own art career. However, it is clear that … Continue Reading »

Post
July 22, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Godden, News Releases

Seafair Princesses at Council Today, Addressing Gender Pay Gap

by

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/21/2014

Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Sally J. Clark

Seafair Princesses at Council Today, Addressing Gender Pay Gap

Seattle - Councilmembers Jean Godden and Sally J. Clark welcomed the Seafair Princesses to City Council today to discuss gender pay disparity in Seattle and how the Seafair Foundation's Scholarship Program for Women participants can help take action to address the problem.  Councilmembers engaged with the young women, who agreed to become "Gender Pay Ambassadors," bringing awareness of the pay disparity to their respective communities.  The young women then visited Full Council, where Councilmembers proclaimed July 21, "Seafair Foundation Day."

"These young women are our future leaders, and I'm thrilled to have them engage in the issues of equal pay and gender equity," said Councilmember Jean Godden. "I'm thankful for Seafair Foundation's Scholarship Program for Women which provides more than $20,000 in scholarship assistance to young women seeking academic scholarships and leadership development."

Councilmembers discussed the recent study which found that, on average, women in the Puget Sound region are paid $0.73 relative to every dollar a man earned.  Among City employees, women were found to have earned $0.90 for every dollar a man earned and comprise only 1/3 of the City workforce.  Between 2013 and 2014, Councilmember Godden spearheaded an effort with former Mayor Mike McGinn and current Mayor Ed Murray to identify solutions to end the disparity.  Work to address the disparity is currently underway.

"The Scholarship Program for Women empowers young women to reach their personal and professional goals by showcasing their academic abilities, community service, and public speaking skills," said Beth Knox, Seafair President and CEO. "Visiting City Hall and meeting female civic leaders is an important addition to their experience with Seafair and the community."

With a mission to promote philanthropy, diversity and community involvement, participants/princesses represent Seafair at nearly 20 community events and parades. Participants are also paired with respected local female professionals in a Mentorship Program. This program provides the opportunity for participants to gain professional experience through networking and exposure to the business world.

The Seafair Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable partner of the Seafair Festival, was established to create and build opportunities for Seafair's youth education, cultural and community engagement programs. Their mission is to empower our future leaders and connect Greater Puget Sound through unique experiences. The Seafair Foundation is passionate about celebrating the culture and unique assets of your community, which contributes to the quality of life for those who live, work and play here.

[View in Council Newsroom]

Post
July 16, 2014January 6, 2023Councilmember Godden

Women in the Workplace: Kaffeeklatsch

by

kaffee 1Annette Heide-Jessen has felt the sting of the gender gap. She says that, in many ways, it’s still a man’s world. But she is candid about what brought her, a native of Berlin, to Seattle: It was a man. By the time the two parted, however, she’d fallen in love with the city: the mountains, the water and, more importantly, the people.

It was partly that connection to people that drove her to open Kaffeeklatsch, her coffee shop and bakery, in Lake City in January, 2011.  As she explains, “I had lost my job and been unemployed for two years.  There were not any independent coffee shops in Lake City, so I borrowed money with a business … Continue Reading »