In my last post, I noted that the Council had adopted the Carbon Neutral Goal with some confidence that it is attainable, and that part of the basis for that conclusion was the findings in the report we commissioned from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). SEI was tasked with creating a scenario for achieving Carbon [...]
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
Seattle City Council creates Economic Development Commission
News Release
Today Seattle City Council unanimously approved Council Bill 117362 creating an Economic Development Commission that will advise and provide recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on the development of plans, policies, and regulations to promote sustainable and equitable economic development and job creation in Seattle.
Seattle City Council passes legislation to improve safety and oversight of limousine industry in Seattle
News Release
Today the Seattle City Council, by a vote of 8-0, passed C.B. 117358 giving the City authority to enforce state laws governing limousines. Oversight of limousines is the responsibility of state agencies but due to funding issues they have not been able to enforce rules.
Saving the Pike-Pine Neighborhood Culture: Seattle City Council approves program to save character structures
News Release
The Seattle City Council passed C.B. 117235 today creating an additional financial incentive for owners of older, character buildings in the Pike-Pine District of Capitol Hill to preserve the buildings.
Seattle and DOC partner to reduce violations by offenders supervised in the community
News Release
In a briefing before the Seattle City Council this morning, the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) released the preliminary results of a pilot program for offenders who are supervised in Seattle. Launched in February, 2011, the research-based program shows that swift and certain, but modest, sanctions are more effective in reducing drug use, crime and days spent in jail for violations of release conditions.
Restaurants Will be First Test of Reforming the City Permit Process
City Departments have taken the first steps towards the reform of our business permit process, in response to a Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI) included in the 2011 budget. The initial step will be to test a new way of processing restaurant licensing, and it will be underway early next year. The SLI that my [...]
Moody’s removes Seattle from its negative watch list
News Release
Mayor Mike McGinn announced today Moody's Investor Service has removed its "negative outlook" on its Aaa/Aa1 rating of the Cit...
Looking to make a difference, network, learn? Serve on a city board or commission
Today in the Committee on the Built Environment we confirmed appointments of 16 citizens to various city boards, commissions, and councils. Thanks to people stepping forward to serve, we have new appointees to the Seattle Design Commission, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority, the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board, the Historic Seattle Preservation [...]
Seattle City Council-driven project proves to be a big winner at 2011 Seattle Management Association Awards
News Release
On December 8, the Community Centers Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI) Work Group, a project team commissioned earlier this year, will be awarded the Planning and Project Management Award from the Seattle Management Association. This award recognizes an individual, project or program manager who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in establishing courses of actions for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently and successfully.
Seattle City Council to consider legislation to cap towing rates
News Release
The Seattle City Council will pursue regulating towing companies in response to the egregious towing fines that have recently come to light.
Seattle City Council moves to complete police accountability review board
News Release
The Seattle City Council’s Public Safety and Education Committee voted this morning to appoint Joe Hawe to the Office of Professional Accountability Review Board, the seven-member civilian body that reviews the City’s policies related to police accountability. Hawe, a former Chief of Police, Sheriff and United States Marshall, fills the position vacated by Martha Norberg designated for an individual with law enforcement experience.
Final decision near in Roosevelt rezones
As we get closer to what will likely be final committee-level action Dec. 14 (there’ll be no Roosevelt action at the December 8 Committee on the Built Environment), the Roosevelt rezone work is shaping up to set a template for thoughtful zoning and development standards review in other transit-connected urban villages in Seattle. I say [...]