Seattle – Councilmembers will participate in a “Workers Voice Summit” this Thursday to hear experiences and policy ideas from workers from a cross section of low-wage jobs in the region. The event, organized by a coalition of organizations representing workers, was developed to provide employees themselves the opportunity to address public officials regarding challenges relating...
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March 15, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien
Investing in Bike Share – Public Ownership, Public Accountability
In October 2014 Seattle joined many other municipalities in welcoming bike share as a component of our public transit system. One hundred and forty thousand rides later, the bike share program Pronto continues to grow, but now requires a public investment to continue operations and to expand its network. We faced a decision to either […]
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February 18, 2016January 6, 2023News Releases, Obrien
Council to Congress: Trans Pacific Partnership Undermines Goals for Worker Rights, Environmental Standards
SEATTLE – In an open letter to members of Washington State’s Congressional delegation, Councilmember Mike O’Brien and his Council colleagues declared their opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement and affirmed their support for practices that protect jobs, workers and the environment. The letter, which is signed by all nine members of the Council,...
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January 22, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien, News Releases
The Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee is Seeking Candidates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/22/2016
The Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee is Seeking Candidates
SEATTLE - The Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee seeks candidates to apply for service on the Committee. Candidates will be selected and appointed by the Mayor and City Council.
The Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee serves as a vital mechanism of accountability on how Move Seattle levy revenues are spent. The Oversight Committee is an advisory body that monitors revenues, expenditures, and program and project implementation. The Oversight Committee advises the City Council, the Mayor, and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) on responding to program and project cost savings or overruns.
In addition, the Oversight Committee reviews SDOT's program and project priorities and financial plans, and makes recommendations to the Mayor and the City Council regarding the spending of levy proceeds. SDOT staffs the Oversight Committee and provides all of the required background and reference materials.
Oversight Committee members are appointed for four years and all appointments are subject to confirmation by the City Council. One member is required to be a licensed engineer with bridge and structures experience.
The Oversight Committee is interested in applicants with diverse backgrounds, including transportation, management, bridge and structures engineering, public policy, advocacy, social services, and business. Oversight Committee members serve without compensation. Members must be residents in the City of Seattle.
To be considered, email a letter of interest and resume to elliot.helmbrecht@seattle.gov by February 7th, 2016. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
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January 19, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien, News Releases
Open House Tonight on Encouraging Backyard Cottages
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/19/2016
Open House Tonight on Encouraging Backyard Cottages
Seattle - Councilmember Mike O'Brien and the Office of Planning & Community Development will host an open house this evening regarding ways in which the City can encourage more backyard cottages. The meeting will provide Seattle residents the opportunity to learn about the barriers that frequently deter or prevent homeowners from building a cottage. The public can also provide input and feedback regarding potential to solutions to encourage more of these affordable units.
Backyard cottages are small dwelling units on the same lot as, but physically separate from, a single-family house. They're allowed in all single-family zones, but only about 200 have been constructed since Council authorized their construction in 2009. Expanding the production of backyard cottages could provide new housing throughout Seattle and give homeowners an opportunity to earn extra income and remain in their homes.
There will be a second community meeting at the Wallingford Community Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave., on February 3, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
WHAT:
Community Meeting on Encouraging Backyard Cottages
WHEN:
Tuesday, January 19
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Filipino Community Center
5740 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
WHO:
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Office of Planning & Community Development
Public
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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January 15, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien, News Releases
Delta 5’s Victory ‘A win for the planet’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/15/2016
Delta 5's Victory 'A win for the planet'
SEATTLE, Washington - Councilmember Mike O'Brien issued the following statement regarding today's ruling in the Delta 5 case, in which five climate activists used civil disobedience to blockade a train transporting Bakken shale oil at the Delta rail yard in Everett. The jury in the case ruled the Delta 5 were not guilty of obstruction and will face no jail time. Earlier this week, Snohomish County Judge Anthony Howard allowed the Delta 5 to defend their civil disobedience using "necessary defense," a justification that their actions were necessary to help stop climate change.
"Today's victory for Delta 5 is uncommon, unprecedented, and further proof that the tide is turning. Together, they risked their lives on those tracks in an act of civil disobedience for the climate."
"Congress has repeatedly chosen to ignore the threat of climate change, making direct action to fight climate change not only warranted but necessary. I will continue to do what I can personally and professionally to both regulate coal and oil trains here in Seattle and participate in the broader movement to fight climate change."
"Abbey, Michael, Patrick, Jackie and Liz helped secure a win for the planet and are on the right side of history. Today I stand with the Delta 5 who, with today's ruling, helped remind the world of the huge risks oil trains pose to our community."
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January 4, 2016January 6, 2023News Releases
Councilmembers Inaugurated in First District-Based Representation System Since 1910, Harrell Elected Council President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/4/2016
Councilmembers Inaugurated in First District-Based Representation System Since 1910, Harrell Elected Council President
SEATTLE - All nine Seattle City Councilmembers took their oaths of office in the traditional inauguration ceremony in City Council Chambers today, following their successful victories in last November's election. Newly elected Councilmembers Lorena Gonzalez, Lisa Herbold, Rob Johnson and Debora Juarez joined returning re-elected Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw, Tim Burgess, Bruce Harrell, Mike O'Brien and Kshama Sawant in taking their seats at the Council dais.
Family, friends, colleagues and community members filled the Seattle City Council chambers to celebrate the new and returning local government leadership. Each elected official was sworn in by someone of their choice and gave brief remarks.
Following their oaths, Councilmembers elected Councilmember Bruce Harrell to the position of Council President. Harrell has served as Seattle City Councilmember since 2008 and most recently chaired the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. The Council President is the presiding officer of the Council, sets the Full Council agenda, assigns legislation to committees and is the primary point of contact for external agencies. When the Mayor is absent from the City or incapacitated, the Council President assumes the duties and responsibilities of the Mayor.
Today's historic oath of office ceremony ushered in first district-based representation system since 1910. Seven of the Councilmembers will now each represent a geographical district, while two Councilmembers will each represent the entire city:
- District 1 (West Seattle, South Park): Councilmember Lisa Herbold
- District 2 (Southeast Seattle): Council President Bruce Harrell
- District 3 (Central Area, Capitol Hill): Councilmember Kshama Sawant
- District 4 (Ravenna, Wallingford): Councilmember Rob Johnson
- District 5 (North Seattle): Councilmember Debora Juarez
- District 6 (Fremont, Ballard): Councilmember Mike O'Brien
- District 7 (Downtown, Magnolia): Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
- At-Large (city-wide): Councilmember Tim Burgess
- At-Large (city-wide): Councilmember Lorena Gonzalez
Click here for an interactive tool to help find which Council district you live in.
Today's inaugural ceremony also marked a series of notable firsts in Seattle local government history:
- First Enrolled Native American Councilmember - Debora Juarez
- First Latina Councilmembers - Lorena Gonzalez and Debora Juarez
- First Japanese American/African American Council President and first African American Council President since Council President Sam Smith in 1986-1989 - Bruce Harrell
- First Female Majority City Council since 1998 - Sally Bagshaw, Lorena Gonzalez Lisa Herbold, Debora Juarez and Kshama Sawant
Councilmembers also took their first votes in their 2016-2017 term and assigned committee chairs. Each Councilmember is responsible for heading a Council committee and managing legislation related to that committee's focus:
- Council President Bruce Harrell, Chair: Education, Equity and Governance
- Councilmember Tim Burgess, Chair: Affordable Housing, Neighborhoods and Finance
- Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, Chair: Human Services and Public Health
- Councilmember Lorena Gonzalez, Chair: Gender Equity, Safe Communities and New Americans
- Councilmember Lisa Herbold: Chair: Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development and Arts
- Councilmember Rob Johnson, Chair: Planning, Land Use and Zoning
- Councilmember Debora Juarez, Chair: Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries and Waterfront
- Councilmember Mike O'Brien, Chair: Sustainability and Transportation
- Councilmember Kshama Sawant, Chair: Energy and Environment
For more information on the 2016-17 committee assignments click here. To sign up to receive forthcoming committee agendas via email, click here.
Today's inauguration ceremony served as an opportunity for the public to witness and participate in their local government. The ceremony was broadcast live on the Seattle Channel and can be viewed beginning tomorrow at http://www.seattlechannel.org/mayor-and-council/city-council/full-council.
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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December 18, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Bagshaw, Councilmember Burgess, Councilmember Harrell, Councilmember O'Brien, Councilmember Sawant, News Releases
Seattle City Council Announces 2016 Committee Assignments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/18/2015
Seattle City Council Announces 2016 Committee Assignments
Councilmembers to elect Council President and assign committees on January 4, 2016
SEATTLE - Seattle City Council announced its tentative plan for committee assignments today, in preparation for work in 2016. Each Councilmember is responsible for chairing a Council committee and managing legislation related to the committee's focus. Councilmembers also serve as a vice-chair on one committee and as a member on another. Councilmembers can also sponsor legislation on other committees under certain conditions. Committee assignments are made official at the first Full Council meeting of the year, on Monday January 4, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. Councilmembers will also elect their 2016-17 Council President at the meeting. Committee assignments last for two years.
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw will chair the Human Services and Public Health Committee. Councilmember Bagshaw will oversee Council's work on issues relating to services provided by the Human Services Department, including programs that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in our community. The committee will also consider matters involving public health and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), which allows law enforcement officers to redirect low-level offenders engaged in drug or prostitution activity to community-based services.
Councilmember Tim Burgess will chair the Affordable Housing, Neighborhoods and Finance Committee. As chair of this committee, Councilmember Burgess will focus on issues relating to housing—investing and promoting the development and preservation of affordable housing, and building strong neighborhoods through outreach and engagement. Councilmember Burgess will also chair the Budget committee, overseeing the review of the Mayor's proposed budget.
Councilmember Lorena González will chair the Gender Equity, Safe Communities and New Americans Committee. As chair, Councilmember González will consider policies to address gender equity and help improve the lives of Seattle's immigrant and refugee residents. The committee will also focus on fostering safe communities, improving police accountability, crime prevention, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, and fire and medical services.
Councilmember Bruce Harrell will chair the Education, Equity and Governance Committee. As chair, Councilmember Harrell will focus on issues relating to public schools and improving student success rates, intergovernmental relations, technology, ethics and elections, prisoner reentry and equity issues for underserved communities.
Councilmember Lisa Herbold will chair the Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development and Arts Committee. Councilmember Herbold's committee will manage issues relating to labor standards, civil rights, Seattle Public Utilities, and economic development. The committee will also manage issues relating to arts and culture in Seattle, which includes nightlife issues.
Councilmember Rob Johnson will chair the Planning, Land Use and Zoning Committee. As chair of this committee, Councilmember Johnson will take up issues involving City zoning, planning, major institutions, quasi-judicial decisions, community development, and land use regulations.
Councilmember Debora Juarez will chair the Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries and Waterfront Committee. As chair, Councilmember Juarez will focus on issues relating to City parks, community centers, and public grounds, including the Seattle Center. Her committee will also manage legislation relating to the Seattle Public Library system. Councilmember Juarez will also chair the Central Waterfront committee.
Councilmember Mike O'Brien will chair the Sustainability and Transportation Committee. Councilmember O'Brien's committee will handle matters pertaining to city-wide and regional transportation policy and planning. These issues range from pedestrian and bicycle programs, traffic control and parking policies, and overseeing the City's coordination with regional and state departments of transportation. The committee will also have a shared-focus on Seattle's Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions.
Councilmember Kshama Sawant will chair the Energy and Environment Committee. Councilmember Sawant's committee will handle policies relating to Seattle's energy usage, as well as issues relating to alternative energy sources, air pollution regulation, energy utility rates, and Seattle City Light finances. In addition, Councilmember Sawant will take up matters that relate to climate and environmental protections, conservation programs, and green infrastructure.
|
Standing Committee |
Committee Members |
Committee Meeting Days and Times |
|
Affordable Housing, Neighborhoods & Finance |
Chair: Tim Burgess |
1st and 3rd Wednesdays |
|
Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development & Arts |
Chair: Lisa Herbold |
2nd and 4th Tuesdays |
|
Education, Equity & Governance |
Chair: Bruce A. Harrell |
1st and 3rd Wednesdays |
|
Energy & Environment |
Chair: Kshama Sawant |
2nd and 4th Tuesdays |
|
Gender Equity, Safe Communities & New Americans |
Chair: Lorena Gonzalez |
2nd and 4th Wednesdays |
|
Human Services & Public Health |
Chair: Sally Bagshaw |
2nd and 4th Wednesdays |
|
Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries & Waterfront |
Chair: Debora Juarez |
1st and 3rd Thursdays |
|
Planning, Land Use & Zoning |
Chair: Rob Johnson |
1st and 3rd Tuesdays |
|
Sustainability & Transportation |
Chair: Mike O'Brien |
1st and 3rd Tuesdays 2:00 p.m. |
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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December 14, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Licata, Councilmember O'Brien, News Releases
Council Adopts First-of-its-Kind Legislation to Give Drivers a Voice on the Job
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/14/2015
Council Adopts First-of-its-Kind Legislation
to Give Drivers a Voice on the Job
SEATTLE - City Council unanimously adopted legislation today that will give eligible drivers at taxi, for-hire, and transportation network companies ("TNCs", e.g., Uber, Lyft) a voice on the job and the opportunity to negotiate for improved working conditions at their companies. The bill, co-sponsored by Councilmember Mike O'Brien and Councilmember Nick Licata, will create a process whereby a majority of independently contracted drivers working for the same company could choose to join a Driver Representative Organization to negotiate the pay rates and conditions of their employment.
"We've heard from Seattle drivers making sub-minimum wage, and companies like Uber have turned a deaf ear to their concerns. This bill was only introduced out of necessity after witnessing how little power drivers themselves had in working for a living wage," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien. "This is groundbreaking legislation and I am proud Seattle is continuing to lead the nation in advancing labor standards for our workers."
These drivers are considered independent contractors and, as such, are not covered by the National Labor Relations Act that provides for collective bargaining between employers and unions representing employees. Independent contractors are also excluded from a host of labor standards other workers have, such as minimum wage and hour laws, health and safety standards on the job, or reimbursements for workplace related costs. Over the past few years, Seattle has implemented ordinances to raise local labor standards that these drivers are exempt from, including the new minimum wage, paid sick and safe leave, wage theft, and fair chance employment. This legislation gives drivers a chance to address these issues in their industry.
In addition to setting the framework which provides a majority of drivers the option to join a Driver Representative organization, the legislation also establishes penalties for failure to comply with the new framework, including interest arbitration and the possibility of fines.
For more information on the legislation, refer to this page on Councilmember Mike O'Brien's website: http://www.seattle.gov/council/issues/VoiceForDrivers/.
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Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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December 8, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien, News Releases
Councilmember O’Brien to Develop Regulations to Encourage More Backyard Cottages, Meeting Tomorrow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/8/2015
Councilmember O'Brien to Develop Regulations to Encourage More Backyard Cottages, Meeting Tomorrow
Seattle - Councilmember Mike O'Brien will host a special lunchtime meeting tomorrow, as he explores ways to make it easier for more homeowners to build backyard cottages and mother-in-law units. Councilmembers will review a report, "Removing Barriers to Backyard Cottages," and hear testimony from homeowners who have faced challenges when constructing the new units.
The meeting is a first step toward developing new policies to encourage more backyard cottages, which could produce thousands of new housing units. In January, two public meetings will be held to solicit feedback on potential legislative changes.
Backyard cottages, also called detached accessory dwelling units, are separate living spaces on the same property as an existing single-family house. Council adopted legislation in 2009 allowing construction of backyard cottages on eligible lots in single-family zones throughout the City. Fewer than 200 have been constructed to date.
WHAT:
Backyard Cottage Discussion at the Council's Planning, Land Use & Sustainability Committee
WHEN:
Wednesday, December 9
12 p.m.
WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Council Chambers, Second Floor
600 4th Ave., Seattle 98104
WHO:
Backyard Cottage owners
Nick Welch, Seattle Department of Planning and Development
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Council President Tim Burgess
Councilmember Nick Licata
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.