Earlier today the Seattle City Clerk, on behalf of the City Council, posted the qualified applicant list of 20 candidates pursuant to City Charter requirements. Applicants were invited to submit a resume, cover letter, and completed financial interest statement form by last Thursday, Jan. 9. A list of the eligible applicants and completed application materials are available to the public via the Council Vacancy...
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
Councilmember Moore proposes reforms to limit blast ball use and enhance oversight of crowd control tactics
Councilmember Cathy Moore (District 5) today introduced a set of proposed amendments to restrict the use of blast balls by the Seattle Police Department (SPD) for crowd control and to strengthen City Council oversight over SPD’s crowd management practices, including the deployment of new less-lethal weapons. Currently under review by the Public Safety Committee, the proposed legislation mandates that SPD...
Council President Nelson urges continued focus on public safety in 2025 after record number of bills passed in 2024
Noting the high number of public safety-related bills adopted by the Seattle City Council in 2024, today Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) welcomed incoming interim Chief of Police Shon Barnes to Seattle and urged a redoubling of city efforts on Seattle’s ongoing public safety challenges in the new year. In its first year, the new City Council adopted 14...
Councilmember Rivera calls on OPCD to provide more details, transparency as part of draft Comprehensive Plan
Select Committee meetings on the draft Comp Plan begin today Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) is requesting more details and transparency from the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), as the Council begins to deliberate on the draft One Seattle Comprehensive Plan. “We all agree more housing is needed – of all types. We have vulnerable populations...
Councilmember Morales’ goodbye statement
Today Councilmember Tammy J. Morales (District 2) released the following statement, reflecting on her last day in office representing District 2: I want to take the opportunity to send one last message with my platform and share a few things in my heart to the people of District 2 and our beloved city. January 6th is a date that will...
Application window now open for District 2 council vacancy
Community groups encouraged to participate in public forum process Beginning today, Jan. 2, interested candidates who reside in District 2, representing southeast Seattle, can now apply for the district’s vacant City Council position. Completed applications must be received by the City Clerk by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9 to be accepted. Applicants must submit the following items to the...
Councilmember Kettle welcomes new Police Chief Shon Barnes
Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement on today’s announced appointment of Shon Barnes as Seattle’s Chief of Police. “I extend a warm welcome to Chief Barnes to Seattle and congratulate him on the opportunity to lead one of the finest police departments in the country and build on the work that...
Councilmember Rivera’s statement on appointment of Shon Barnes as Police Chief
Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) today released the following statement on Mayor Bruce Harrell’s appointment of Shon Barnes as Seattle’s next Chief of Police: “While I have not had an opportunity to meet Chief Barnes yet, it sounds like he is very experienced and well-respected in his field. I look forward to building a collaborative working relationship with him, as...
Council’s Public Safety and Transportation chairs call for more transit security funding
Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, and Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), chair of the Transportation Committee, released the following joint statement in response to the early morning fatal stabbing of King County Metro bus driver Shawn Yim. “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Shawn Yim. Today’s...
Councilmember Maritza Rivera’s statement on fatal stabbing of a King County Metro bus driver in Seattle
Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) released a statement on the stabbing that occurred in the University District: “Today’s fatal stabbing of King County Metro bus driver Shawn Yim is a horrible tragedy, and I want to convey my deepest condolences to his family, and all his co-workers. Our public servants should never be subjected to this type of danger while...
Seattle Councilmember and Public Safety Chair Bob Kettle’s statement on termination of former police chief
Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement regarding today’s announcement of former Seattle Chief of Police Adrian Diaz being relieved of his duties: “I support Mayor Bruce Harrell’s decision and appreciate the work of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in reaching its findings in the investigation. This is a difficult situation...
Councilmember Hollingsworth to lead Select Committee on Comprehensive Plan for 2025
Today, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) agreed to lead the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan following the announced departure of Councilmember Tammy Morales (District 2) on Jan. 6, 2025. She released the following statement: “Seattle’s comprehensive plan is an opportunity for us to shape what type of city we want to live in for the next twenty years. Throughout...