SEATTLE – Today the Office of City Auditor released a new audit, “Addressing Places in Seattle Where Overdoses and Crime are Concentrated: An Evidence-Based Approach,” and Council President Sara Nelson calls for officials to move with urgency to implement its recommendations. The report, which focused on a two-block area in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood and was conducted in partnership with over a...
Sara Nelson
News Releases from Councilmember Nelson
Vote on app-based worker pay legislation postponed
The Seattle City Council is postponing a vote on legislation (CB 120775) related to app-based worker minimum payments on food delivery apps sponsored by Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9). Amendments to the legislation have been proposed and councilmembers have requested a postponement to ensure the Council has time to fully consider those changes.
Seattle City Council approves bill to accelerate police hiring
The Seattle City Council unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) and Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) to accelerate police hiring in Seattle. “One of our most fundamental responsibilities as a city government is to provide public safety. Right now, we are losing too many officers to achieve that goal. This bill to streamline recruiting and...
Seattle City Council President Nelson celebrates passage of new labor contracts
Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) released the following statement regarding newly approved labor agreements covering around 7,000 City of Seattle workers. Legislation authorizing the agreements was unanimously approved by Council on Tuesday and signed by Mayor Bruce Harrell this morning. “Our city doesn’t work without city workers. From 911 dispatchers to park maintenance crews and everyone in...
Tanya Woo appointed to fill vacancy on Seattle City Council
The Seattle City Council voted today to appoint Tanya Woo to fill the vacant position on the Council. “I am so grateful, honored, and very humbled. I pledge to serve everyone in the city. I especially want to thank all of those amazing people who I’ve been friends with before we were chosen to be in the top eight,” said...
Seattle City Council releases information regarding 72 qualified applicants for Council vacancy
Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9 – Citywide) announced that the Council received 72 qualified applicants to fill the vacancy left by now-former City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (Position 8 – Citywide.) Seattle City Clerk Scheereen Dedman provided Councilmembers the final applicant list confirming the eligibility of 72 applicants pursuant to City Charter requirements. Applicants were invited to submit a...
Seattle City Council announces process to fill Council vacancy
If you are interested in applying, visit the Council Vacancy webpage for more information. Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9 – Citywide) announced the formal process to fill the vacancy left by now-former City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (Position 8 – Citywide). Mosqueda resigned her seat on the Seattle City Council, effective January 2, 2024, to take a seat...
New Seattle City Councilmembers sworn-in during inauguration ceremony at City Hall
The seven winning candidates from November’s General Election were just sworn-in as Seattle City Councilmembers. Five of the seven individuals are new councilmembers, the most in more than a century. Two others are returning for their second term in office. More information about each of them, including quotes can be found below. Rob Saka (District 1) “We have a once-in-a-generation...
Seattle City Council Unanimously Elects Sara Nelson as President
Seattle City Councilmember Sara Nelson (Position 9 – Citywide) was elected Council President by a unanimous vote of her colleagues during Tuesday’s first council meeting of the new year. “I thank my colleagues for entrusting me with the duties of Council President. Good governance is the foundation of good policy and we’ll work together, collaboratively and deliberatively, to deliver results...
Seattle City Council expands support for local businesses by boosting business improvement areas in Ballard, downtown
The Seattle City Council passed legislation today, sponsored by Councilmember Sara Nelson (Position 9 — Citywide), to bolster support for local businesses. With strong community support, the Council voted to renew and enhance two business improvement areas — the Ballard Improvement Area and the Seattle Tourism Improvement Area. “This is a shining example of what we can do when the community, businesses, and...
Councilmember Nelson celebrates passage of bill to address public drug use and possession
Following the Seattle City Council’s 6-3 vote to pass legislation (CB 120645) to adopt state law and allow the City Attorney to prosecute public drug and possession, Councilmember Sara Nelson (Position 9, Citywide) offered the following statement: “The drug crisis we see playing out on our streets is the most crushing public health and safety issue of our time. We...
Statements by Councilmembers Nelson & Pedersen and City Attorney Davison on the Possession and Public Drug Use Bill Vote
Councilmembers Sara Nelson (District 9, Citywide) and Alex Pedersen (District 4, Northeast Seattle), and City Attorney Ann Davison issued the following statements today following a vote on Council Bill 120586, which failed by a vote of 5 – 4 today in Full Council. The bill would have made the knowing possession and public use of illegal drugs a gross misdemeanor, effectively codifying...