FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/2/2014
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Council President Tim Burgess
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brie...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/9/2014
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Councilmembers Rasmussen, O'Brien, Bagshaw Pledge to Give Seattle Voters Chance to Save Transit Service
Seattle - Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen, Mike O'Brien and Sally Bagshaw issued the following statement today:
"Metro bus service is critical to the people of Seattle. It is necessary for those who cannot afford cars and depend on buses to get around. It is essential for our environment that people have multiple options for mobility and it is essential to reducing traffic congestion as well. Too many buses in the city are at capacity, and with ridership at an all-time high we simply cannot afford to lose bus service.
"Seattle voters deserve a chance to preserve bus service in the city and we are committed to giving them that opportunity in November. We are exploring every option available to keep the busses running in Seattle in cooperation with our colleagues on the City Council and Mayor Ed Murray. We are also committed to working with King County Metro and cities in our region to ensure that we preserve and build a strong regional transit system.
"We commend Mayor Murray for his leadership in developing a proposal, which will be released next week. We also commend Keep Seattle Moving for keeping public momentum going to ensure we do not lose the bus service we so critically need in Seattle.
"On Monday, May 19 we will have a briefing in City Council Chambers at 9:30 a.m. to learn more about the impacts of the potential loss of bus service in the City and to learn more about the Mayor's proposal. We will convene additional City Council meetings as needed throughout the summer to develop a proposal to send to the voters for the November ballot."
Editor's note: The City's deadline for submitting a ballot measure to King County Elections for the November election is August 5, 2014.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/12/2014
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Meeting on Capitol Hill to Consider Neighborhood Preservation Solutions
SEATTLE - Councilmember Tom Rasmussen will host a special City Council Transportation Committee meeting on Capitol Hill Monday evening. Monday's meeting will include a discussion of legislation Rasmussen has introduced to strengthen the City's' efforts to retain existing, character-rich, buildings in Capitol Hill's Pike/Pine neighborhood.
"The legislation (Council Bill 118096) is intended to support new growth, and to encourage the restoration and re-use of historic Capitol Hill buildings that are at risk of being destroyed to make way for new buildings," said Rasmussen. "This bill strengthens incentives to preserve the pre-1940s buildings that help make Pike/Pine the unique and popular neighborhood it is today. The legislation is the result of many discussions and meetings with property owners and community members for more than a year. I thank everyone who has been working with me to develop the proposed legislation and I look forward to hearing public comments at the meeting."
At the meeting, Councilmembers will also discuss traffic volumes, traffic speeds, and collisions that are summarized in the 2012 Traffic Report prepared by the Seattle Department of Transportation. The committee will also be briefed on a new technique to protect trees in construction zones.
WHAT:
Special meeting of the Seattle City Council's Transportation Committee
WHEN/WHERE:
Monday, May 12, 2014, 6:00 8:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church
1111 Harvard Avenue, Seattle (Fellowship Hall)
WHO:
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Jean Godden
Public
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/14/2014
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Council Approves Bicycle Master Plan Update
SEATTLE - Following a year-long discussion about safe and comfortable bicycling in Seattle, the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan Update (BMP) was passed by Full Council today with a vote of 9-0.
Resolution 31515, which officially approves the BMP, emphasizes the transformational new way of thinking about bicycle projects within Seattle. The Plan makes safety a top priority for all roadway users, including cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicle drivers. The Plan also makes recommendations for 238 new miles of neighborhood greenways that will create safe, healthy streets in our neighborhoods. The Plan additionally incorporates new and improved bicycle project design standards developed by National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) for intersections, signs and markings, and protected bicycle lanes.
The BMP legislation, sponsored by Transportation Committee Chair Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, expands on the 2007 BMP. The 2014 Plan Update was developed in partnership with members of the Council's Transportation Committee, the Executive, and the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board (SBAB), and reflects comments submitted by stakeholder groups and neighborhood representatives during numerous community open house meetings over the last eighteen months.
Rasmussen expressed pride following Full Council adoption. "I want to thank my colleagues and the members of our community who have demonstrated continued interest in the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan. Your comments have been appreciated, and the adoption of this Resolution ensures bicycling in Seattle is safe and comfortable for users of all ages and abilities," said Rasmussen. "I also want to thank the local representatives and stakeholders who care deeply about bicycling in their neighborhoods. I am committed to ensuring that SDOT will include you during the development of bicycle projects in your community."
"Public transportation and safe cycling are two issues that brought me to City Hall," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien, and member of the Transportation Committee. "I've been a steadfast supporter of safe streets and city cycling from the beginning, and updating the BMP is a big step in that direction."
"I am confident that as we move forward with the Bicycle Master Plan, community engagement and input will play an important role in shaping priorities and ensuring the Plan is consistent with the needs of residents," said Councilmember Jean Godden, and member of the Committee.
"With this Plan we will enhance neighborhoods across the city and create a network of Neighborhood Greenways for all ages and abilities," said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. "Thanks to Councilmember Rasmussen and to SDOT, our growing Seattle Neighborhood Greenways group is brimming with potential and possibility."
The Plan requires an annual implementation progress report be submitted to Council and reviewed and endorsed by SBAB; and, will be updated every 5-7 years.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/7/2014
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Councilmember Rasmussen to host 'Little City Halls' in West Seattle, South Park
SEATTLE - Councilmember Tom Rasmussen will host "Little City Halls" at various locations in West Seattl...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/28/2014
Ceremony to unveil "Rev. Dr. S. McKinney Ave." honorary street sign
Seattle - Join Seattle City Councilmembers Bruce Harrell and Tom Rasmussen as they honor Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney in a ceremony following Sunday service at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Dr. McKinney, the keynote speaker for the service, will unveil recently-installed street signs to honorarily name a portion of 19th Avenue as "Rev. Dr. S. McKinney Ave." Councilmembers, Executive Constantine, Mayor Murray, and community members will also deliver remarks.
WHAT:
Ceremony to unveil "Rev. Dr. S. McKinney Ave." honorary street sign
WHEN:
Sunday, March 2, 2014, 1:00 p.m. after Mt. Zion Baptist Church services
WHERE:
Corner of 19th Avenue and E. Madison St.
Outside Mt. Zion Baptist Church
WHO:
Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney
King County Executive Dow Constantine
Mayor Ed Murray
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
King County Councilmember Larry Gossett
Seattle Human Rights Commission
Seattle/King County NAACP
United Black Christian Clergy of Washington
Black Heritage Society of Washington State
The Washington Foundation
Community Members
Public
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/31/2013
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/22/2013
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Council dedicates speed camera revenue to school zone safety
Stand-alone fund will provide millions of dollars for sa...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/15/2013
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Council funds traffic safety improvements
Legislation shifts more funding to immediate safety and mobility needs
SEATTLE - City Council authorized funding ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/24/2013
Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Seattle City Council Votes on Bill to Restore
Publicly Financed Elections in Seattle
Proposal to be sent to voters in November
Seattle - City Council voted on legislation today to restore public financing for local elections. Seattle was the first municipality in the country to introduce public financing, also called "voter-owned elections," in 1979, but has not had an operating program since 1992. The proposal will now be sent to Seattle voters on the November ballot.
Public financing is a system in which qualifying campaigns are funded in part with public dollars in order to increase the number of candidates running for office and increase the role of small donors in the electoral process. The Council's public financing proposal would only apply to City Council races and would be instituted in the 2015 elections.
"I'm looking forward to the robust debate about the role of money in politics in the months ahead," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien.
To opt into the program, candidates must first qualify by collecting contributions of $10 or more from at least 600 Seattle residents. Once qualified, donations up to $50 would be matched six-to-one on the first $35,000 raised. Candidates who fully utilize the matching system would receive $210,000 in public funds throughout the entire campaign, split between the primary and general elections. Voters would be asked to approve a 6-year, $9 million property tax levy to finance the program, which would cost an estimated $2 million per year, or about $5.76 for a home valued at $350,000. Candidates would have the option to run for office without participating in the public financing program.
In December 2012, Councilmembers Sally J. Clark, Nick Licata, Mike O'Brien and Tom Rasmussen sent a letter to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) asking the body to recommend a public financing model that meets three goals: (1) increases electoral competitiveness, (2) reduces financial barriers to entry for candidates and (3) increases the role and emphasis of small donors in the electoral process. In March, the SEEC delivered its recommendations to Council for consideration, over which the City Council's Public Campaign Finance Committee has been deliberating since April.
Seattle had partial public financing of campaigns in 1979 and 1981, and from 1987-1991. In 1992, state Initiative 134 passed, prohibiting public financing. In 2008 the State legislature adopted legislation allowing local jurisdictions to establish programs to publicly finance campaigns, if approved by a public vote, and the funding is derived from local sources only.