>> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU
FOR BEING HERE AT CITY HALL
APRIL 17 2019 SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
WILL COME TO ORDER.
IT IS 5:37 PM.
I AM PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> [ ROLL CALL ].
>> EIGHT PRESENT.
>> TODAY'S AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPTED.
IF YOU INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND
THANK YOU FOR THOSE LISTENING
ON SEATTLE CHANNEL.
AS THE PUBLIC IS AWARE AND
CERTAINLY THE APPLICANTS ARE
AWARE THE CITY COUNCIL HAS A
VACANCY DUE TO COUNCILMEMBER
ROB JOHNSON'S RESIGNATION WHICH
WAS EFFECTIVE APRIL 5. AND THE
CITY CHARTER GIVES THE CITY
COUNCIL 20 DAYS TO FILL A
VACANT POSITION.
SUCH AS THE ONE WE HAVE NOW.
THE CITY CLERK RECEIVED 15
APPLICATIONS BY THE DEADLINE OF
APRIL 5 AT 5 PM.
OF THOSE 15 TWO DID NOT MEET
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
IS DETERMINED BY THE CLERK AND
HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT AND
TWO ADDITIONAL APPLICANTS HAVE
WITHDRAWN.
WE STAND AT 11 QUALIFIED
APPLICANTS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE HAS
VERIFIED ALL ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVING AS AN
APPOINTED ELECTED OFFICIAL.
THE APPLICATION MATERIALS CAN
BE FOUND ONLINE AT THE CITY
CLERK'S WEBSITE.
HARD COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE
AT THE RECEPTION AREAS ON THE
SECOND AND THIRD FLOORS HERE AT
CITY HALL.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW THE COUNCIL
PAST ORDINATES 125, 479 IN
NOVEMBER 2017 THAT ESTABLISHED
NEW PROCEDURES FOR FILLING
COUNCIL VACANCY.
ONE OF THOSE WAS A PUBLIC FORM
FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE
WITH APPLICANTS AND ASK
WESTERNS.
ON MONDAY, APRIL 15 A PUBLIC
FORUM WAS HELD AND THE COUNCIL
REACHED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 35-
40 ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP THE
FORUM AND 15 COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS SUBMITTED 60
QUESTIONS AND APPROXIMATELY 14
ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATED.
OVERALL WE HEARD SOME VERY GOOD
FEEDBACK ON SOCIAL MEDIA SANG
BEFORE WAS PRODUCTIVE AND I
WANTED TO PUBLICLY COMMEND THE
MODERATOR BRIAN CALLAHAN,
CALLANAN, EVERYONE SPELLS IT
CALLAHAN, SORRY ABOUT THAT
BRIAN.
I KNOW HE IS WATCHING.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WATCH THAT
FORUM IT CAN BE VIEWED ON
SEATTLE CHANNEL'S WEBSITE.
I MUST COMMEND THE APPLICANTS
FOR DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB.
AND APPLICANT MUST PARTICIPATE
IN THE FORM AND APPEAR BEFORE
THE COUNCIL ON THIS MEETING TO
BE ELIGIBLE.
TODAY WE ARE MEETING TO HEAR 83
MINUTE PRESENTATION, UP TO
THREE MINUTES, YOU DON'T HAVE
TO USE THE FULL THREE MINUTES
FROM THE CANDIDATES FOLLOWED BY
COUNCIL QUESTIONS.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE
PRESENTATION WE WILL HEAR
PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THE
MEMBERS THE LIKE TO GIVE PUBLIC
COMMENT.
THERE IS A SIGN UP SHEET WILL
PUT IT BACK UP THERE IF WE NEED
TO TO MAKE SURE WE HEAR FROM
YOU AS WELL.
ON MONDAY, APRIL 22 THE CITY
COUNCIL WILL CONVENE IN REGULAR
SESSION AT 2 PM IN COUNCIL
CHAMBERS TO DELIBERATE AND FILL
THE VACANCY.
AGAIN, BEFORE WE BEGIN THE
APPLICANTS PRESENTATIONS I
WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU
WHO APPLIED.
WE KNOW THAT COMMUNITY SERVICE
AND SERVING THIS CITY AND THIS
REGION IS IMPORTANT TO YOU SO
WE THANK YOU FOR GOING THROUGH
THIS PROCESS.
WE BELIEVE THIS IS A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY TO ADD SOME
STRENGTH SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO
THAT PERSON THAT WILL BE
EVENTUALLY SELECTED.
OKAY.
IF ANY OF YOU ARE NERVOUS, REST
ASSURED I AM AS WELL, BECAUSE
WE DON'T DO THIS A LOT.
WE WILL TRY TO HAVE FUN AND WE
LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM
YOU.
WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN WITH
PRESENTATIONS FROM THE
APPLICANTS AND RIGHT WHEN I DO
THAT WE'RE GOING TO CALL THEM
OUT IN OUR MEDICAL ORDER.
BUT I DID WANT TO SHARE WITH
THE PUBLIC SOME OF THE DESIRED
QUALIFICATIONS WE STATED
PUBLICLY.
AN INDIVIDUAL HORRIFIED AND A
CARETAKER AGREES NOT TO SEEK
ELECTION TO THE COUNCIL THIS
YEAR.
THAT WAS A THOUGHTFUL POLICY
DIRECTIVE THE COUNCIL WANTED
TO MAKE SURE WAS IN PLACE.
THERE ARE LEGAL PROHIBITIONS
CANNOT AND CAN ASK FOR BUT WE
CERTAINLY MAKE OUR EXPECTATIONS
CLEAR IN THIS REGARD.
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS AN
UNDERSTANDING OF SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL GOVERNMENT OPERATION,
BUDGETING AND LEGISLATIVE
PROCESSES.
DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE OF
PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES ASSOCIATED
WITH POTENTIAL COMMITTEE
ASSIGNMENTS AND DEMONSTRATES A
COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
AND THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE
AND COLLABORATE EFFECTIVELY
ACROSS CULTURES AND WITH
DIVERSE POPULATIONS.
THAT IS A GENERAL DESCRIPTION
OF WHAT WE EXPECT.
WITH THAT I'M GOING TO
RELINQUISH THE MICROPHONE AND
CALL YOU UP ONE AT A TIME.
WHAT I WOULD ASK AFTER THE
PERSON SPEAKS TO TAKE YOUR SEAT
BACK IN THE AUDIENCE SECTION
AND AFTER ALL 11 ARE FINISHED
WE WILL BRING IT TO THE TABLE
AND I WILL GIVE THE LOGISTICS
AT THAT POINT.
THREE MINUTES.
CENTER MICROPHONE.
TAKE YOUR SEAT AND I WILL CALL
OUT THE NAMES ONE BY ONE.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR
MY COLLEAGUES OR SHOULD WE DIVE
IN?
OKAY.
BROOKE BROD YOUR FIRST
FOLLOWED BY MARITZA RIVERA .
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCIL , THE OPPORTUNITY, I
THOUGHT A LOT ABOUT WHAT TO SAY
TONIGHT AND WHAT IT TAKES TO BE
EFFECTIVE IN THIS OFFICE, A
COMBINATION OF KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE
VALUES THAT HAVE MOTIVATED ME
TO SUBMIT MY APPLICATION.
WHEN IT COMES TO POLICY HAVE A
LONG HISTORY OF ADVOCACY ON THE
KEY ISSUES I WILL FACE IN THIS
APPOINTMENT.
I BRING A DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE ON
MHA, ADU, THE DESIGN REVIEW
PROCESS LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE,
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION,
EDUCATION AND MORE.
I HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF
DIGGING INTO THE DETAILS AND
DATED TO BRING CONCRETE
PROPOSALS TO COUNCIL.
I HAVE BEEN THROUGH MANY
LEGISLATIVE CYCLES AND KNOW
WHAT IT TAKES TO TURN POLICY
INTO LAW.
YOU HAVE TO BE READY TO
COLLABORATE WITH COLLEAGUES,
ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY, AND
LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC.
YOU HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE AND
READY TO ADAPT TO UNFORESEEN
CIRCUMSTANCES AND UNDERSTAND
PASSING A LAW IS ONLY THE FIRST
STEP IN THE SUCCESSFUL
IMPLEMENTATION REQUIRES
RESOURCES, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
HAVING BEEN PART OF THE PROCESS
OF PASSING LOCAL HOSPITAL
LEVIES, SECURING $500 MILLION
FROM OLYMPIA TO SUPPORT
STRUGGLING STUDENTS AND OTHER
BUDGET WINS, I UNDERSTAND HOW
COMPLEX THE BUDGETING PROCESS
IS.
I WOULD LOOK TO MAKE SURE WE
ARE INVESTING IN THE PROGRAMS
THAT WORK, ENSURING MONEY IS
INTENDED FOR THINGS LIKE
CYCLING ACTUALLY GOES TO
CYCLING AND WITH NEW REVENUE
COMING IN FROM MHA AND
HOPEFULLY FROM OLYMPIA WILL
HAVE A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY
TO INCREASE OUR INVESTMENTS IN
A FORMAL HOUSING, ANTI-
DISPLACEMENT PROGRAMS LIKE THE
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT AND
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
I ALSO RECOGNIZE THE
RESPONSIBILITY THIS PERSON HAS
TWO CONSTITUENTS.
MY YEARS OF COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCE HAS
PREPARED ME TO BE A VOICE FOR
ALL RESIDENTS, HOMEOWNERS, AND
RENTERS, AND THOSE WITHOUT
HOMES.
SENIORS AND STUDENTS.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND
WORKERS.
CYCLISTS AND EVEN DRIVERS.
FINALLY I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU
THE VALUES THAT LED ME TO SEEK
THIS APPOINTMENT.
WE TALK ABOUT THE TRADITION OF
REPAIRING THE WORLD.
WE ARE TAUGHT THAT WHILE IT MAY
NOT BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO
FINISH THE WORK, YOU ARE NOT
FREE TO DESIST FROM IT EITHER.
AND SO WHEN I SPEND TIME WITH
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
AND WHEN I HEAR THE STORIES OF
MY FRIENDS WERE STRUGGLING TO
PAY RENT OR GET BY, OR WHEN I
SEE THE PRECARIOUS STATE OF OUR
PLANET OR HOW SYSTEMIC RACISM
IS PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM
REALIZING THE FULL POTENTIAL, I
FEEL CALLED TO STEP UP AND DO
MY PART TO SECURE A BETTER AND
MORE JUST WORLD.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY, I WANT TO THANK
THE OTHER APPLICANTS FOR THEIR
WILLINGNESS TO STEP UP AND
THINK EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WHO
IS DOING THEIR PART TO REPAIR
THE WORLD.
THANK YOU.
>> DARBY DUCOMB .
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS DARBY
DUCOMB AND I WANT TO THANK
EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS MEETING.
I HAVE LIVED IN THE DISTRICT FOR
25 YEARS, 20 YEARS IN
WEDGEWOOD.
I AM A MOM, I HAVE A DOG, I AM
PASSIONATE ABOUT GOVERNANCE,
SOCIAL EQUITY AND BRINGING OUR
DISTRICT AND CITY FORWARD.
I HAVE WORKED FOR THE CITY OF
SEATTLE FOR OVER 17 YEARS AND I
LOVED MY TIME IN CITY
GOVERNMENT.
THIS WORK INCLUDED 10 YEARS IN
LAND-USE AND 11 YEARS NAVIGATING
THE CITY BUDGET PROCESS.
I SUPPORT MHA, FORMAL HOUSING,
TRANSIT, EXCUSE ME, AND
MAINTAINING BALANCE IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS AS THE CITY
GROWS.
I ALSO REMAIN STEADFAST TO MY
SOCIAL JUSTICE.
I'M A FORMER PUBLIC DEFENDER, I
WAS AN ACTIVIST, I TAUGHT
INSTITUTIONAL RACISM TO A
NUMBER OF AUDIENCES, I
PARTICIPATED ON THE STATE TASK
FORCE FOR RACE AND CRIMINAL
JUSTICE ENDED 2012 I WON AN
EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT AWARD
FOR MY CITY PEERS.
AND LATER YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE
CITIES PREFILING DIVERSION
PROGRAM.
MONDAY NIGHT I HEARD A NUMBER
OF THEMES COMING OUT OF THE
COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT FOLKS ARE
LOOKING FOR.
DISTRICT 4 RESIDENTS AND
BUSINESSES AND OTHERS ARE
LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN
PROVIDE OPEN, TRANSPARENT
RESPONSIVE AND MEANINGFUL
REPRESENTATION ON THE SHORT-
TERM AND LONG-TERM ISSUES
FACING OUR DISTRICT AND CITY.
THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO
COLLABORATE WITH CANDIDATES ON
THE BUDGET PRIORITIES.
THEY ARE LOOKING TO FIX SOUND
TRANSIT'S FLAWED STREET
IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR BROOKLYN
AVENUE NORTHEAST TO PROVIDE A
BUS RAIL CONNECTION THAT IS
EASY AND SAFE AND MOVE FORWARD
ON KEY LAND-USE MANY ITEMS ALL
WHILE PROTECTING OUR MOST
VULNERABLE RESIDENTS AND
BUSINESSES IN THE UNIVERSITY
DISTRICT.
AND COMMITTED TO THESE
ACTIVITIES AND ALL OTHER CITY
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS.
I AM HERE TO WORK WITH YOU
COLLABORATIVELY AND I SUPPORT
YOU AS MUCH AS I CAN.
I AM HERE TO LEARN FROM YOU,
BUILD ON OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND
GET THINGS DONE.
WE HAVE WORKED ON A LOT OF
IMPORTANT THINGS TOGETHER.
MHA AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UP
ZONES, COMPLETING THE SR 99
CONTRACT WITH WSDOT, PASSING
CLEAN UP YOUR ACT AND FUNDING
CHILDREN'S LITERACY.
I ATTRIBUTE OUR SUCCESS TO
WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM AND
BECAUSE WE DON'T SHY AWAY FROM
HARD DEBATE.
I'M GOING TO BRING THE WORK
ETHIC AND COLLABORATION SKILLS
NEEDED DURING THIS TRANSITION
PERIOD.
TO SUPPORT YOU, THE DISTRICT,
AND THE CITY AS A WHOLE.
I ALSO, EQUALLY IMPORTANT, HAVE
THE CITY HALL BUDGET AND LAND-
USE EXPERIENCE NEEDED FOR THIS
TEMPORARY POSITION.
I PROMISE TO HIT THE GROUND
RUNNING AND KEEP RUNNING UNTIL
NOVEMBER 26 AND BEYOND.
THANK YOU.
>> KATHRYN GARDOW .
>> HELLO.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE
WHO IS HERE AND ALSO THANK YOU
TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR
BEING HERE TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS KATHRYN GARDOW , I
HAVE LIVED IN THE DISTRICT FOR
MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
I SHOP AND RECREATE IN THE
DISTRICT.
I COME TO PIONEER SQUARE WHERE
I WORK AND THEN I OBVIOUSLY
WASN'T PLENTY OF OTHER PARTS OF
THE CITY, BUT DISTRICT 4 IS MY
HOME.
I AM A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL
CIVIL ENGINEER AND I HAVE A
MASTERS DEGREE FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON.
I THINK WHAT SETS ME APART IS
THAT I AM A VERY CURIOUS
PERSON, I LOVE TO ASK QUESTIONS
AND I LOVE TO FIGURE THINGS
OUT.
I LOVE TO FIND FINAL SOLUTIONS.
I LIKE TO CONSIDER MYSELF A
PROBLEM SOLVER.
I AM A DAD IT DRIVEN DECISION-
MAKER.
DELIVERED DECISION-MAKER NOT
JUST A DECISION-MAKER THAT
MAKES DECISIONS ON THE FLY.
I HAVE MORE THAN 30 YEARS
EXPERIENCE IN LAND-USE, ZONING
AND ENGINEERING IN VARIOUS
CITIES AND COUNTIES, SEVERAL
COUNTIES IN THE PUGET SOUND
REGION.
ONE OF MY PREVIOUS POSITIONS
WAS WORKING FOR A LAW FIRM HERE
IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE.
I WORKED THERE FOR FIVE YEARS
EARLIER IN MY CAREER AND I WAS
INVOLVED IN VERY SIGNIFICANT
LAND-USE POLICY POSITIONS ON
PROJECTS WORKED ON.
LAND-USE PROJECTS IN EAST KING
COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
SNOQUALMIE.
I RECENTLY WORKED ON A
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN SOUTH
SEATTLE TO SUPPORT VARIOUS
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS.
AND LEVELS.
AND TO CREATE EAST AFRICAN
WOMEN'S COOPERATIVE, AND JUST
BECAUSE OF THE FINANCING OF IT
IT DIDN'T COME TOGETHER BUT I
LEARNED A LOT THROUGH THAT
PROCESS AND ALSO PERHAPS HOW TO
MAKE SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO HELP
THOSE TYPES OF PROJECTS MOVE
FORWARD.
IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD I SERVE ON
THE PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY BOARD.
I HAVE SERVED ON PCC COMMUNITY
MARKETS BOARD AND RAN PCC
FARMLAND TRUST AND HAVE BEEN
PART OF THE WASHINGTON STATE
PUBLIC WORKS BOARD ALL
INVOLVING BUDGETS.
I HAVE BEEN SCHOOLED BY THE
PEOPLE'S INSTITUTE ON UNDOING
INSTITUTIONALIZE RACISM.
I HAVE LOBBIED NDC TO MAINTAIN
THE FEDERAL ESTATE TAX AND
SUPPORT THE CURRENT WORK BEING
DONE IN THE LEGISLATURE ON
CAPITAL GAINS TAX.
I HAVE MANY OF THE PROGRESSIVE
VALUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN
THE CITY.
AND I THINK WHAT'S MOST
IMPORTANT, I LIVE IN A MIXED-
RACE FAMILY.
I HAVE TWO CHILDREN BOTH
ADOPTED FROM SOUTH KOREA, THEY
ARE AMAZING YOUNG PEOPLE.
AND LET ME TELL YOU, AND YOU
HAVE KIDS, THEY KEEP YOU HONEST
AND ESPECIALLY AROUND ISSUES ON
THINKING ABOUT RACE AND ALL
THAT STUFF.
THEY ARE ON THE ON THAT.
I HOPE THAT YOU WILL MAKE THE
BEST CHOICE FOR BEING ON THE
COUNCIL, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU AND
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REST
OF THE EVENING.
THANKS.
>> DAVID GOLDBERG .
>> GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
AND THANKS FOR YOUR HARD WORK
ON BEHALF OF SEATTLE.
I GREW UP IN MACON, GEORGIA,
POOR KID, SUPPORTED BY A SINGLE
MOM.
I REMEMBER ONE AWFUL DAY WHEN I
WAS CALLED IN FRONT OF THE
CLASS TO COLLECT MY FREE LUNCH
TICKET AS I APPROACHED THE DESK
WITH THE RUBBER BAND THAT KEPT
MY SHOE TOGETHER BROKE AND I
TRIPPED AND THE CLASS BURST
INTO LAUGHTER.
I DID MY BEST TO TURN THAT
HUMILIATION INTO MOTIVATION TO
GET OUT OF THAT TOWN.
SENIOR YEAR I GOT $50 TO APPLY
TO DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.
TO MY SHOCK I GOT IN.
AND I GOT OUT OF TOWN.
THIS IS NOT A SELF-MADE MAN
STORY.
I WORKED HARD I KNOW I STARTED
WITH AN ADVANTAGE SOME OF MY
FRIENDS DID NOT HAVE.
I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE THAT COMES
WITH BEING A WHITE MALE AND I
HAD A LOT OF HELP.
WAS ABLE TO PAY FOR SCHOOL
BECAUSE MY FELLOW AMERICANS
INVESTED IN ME THROUGH MULTIPLE
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.
FOOD STAMPS, FREE AND REDUCED
LUNCH, MY DECEASED FATHER'S
VETERANS BENEFITS KEPT US FROM
BEING HOMELESS.
FEDERAL COLLEGE GRANTS.
I'M ATTRACTED TO THIS
OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE I BELIEVE
GOOD GOVERNMENT POLICIES CAN
HELP ENSURE PEOPLE SURVIVE AND
HAVE A CHANCE TO THRIVE.
THEY CAN MAKE CITIES MORE
LIVABLE, JUST AND EQUITABLE AS
THEY GROW.
IS A NATIONAL ADVOCATE IN THE
EARLY 2000 COINED THE TERM
COMPLETE STREETS AND ADVOCATED
FOR AS A MEASURE OF JUSTICE FOR
PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN FORCED TO
LIVE AROUND BUSY DANGEROUS
ROADS.
I HOPE TO GET NATIONAL
ATTENTION FOR STORIES LIKE
RACQUEL.
SHE WAS A SINGLE AFRICAN
AMERICAN MOM WHO WAS RETURNING
HOME BY BUS WITH HER KIDS FROM
A SHOPPING TRIP.
BUS PUT THEM OFF AT A STOP
ACROSS FIVE BUSY LANES FROM
THEIR APARTMENT.
ADULTS RACED ACROSS THE ROAD
HER DAUGHTER FOLLOWED, SHE WAS
LATER CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER.
ONLY OUTRAGE GOT THE CONVICTION
OVERTURNED THAT THE GUILTY
PARTIES WHO CREATED THAT LEGAL
SITUATION WERE NEVER BROUGHT TO
JUSTICE.
I BELIEVE VISION ZERO IS PART
OF DELIVERING THAT JUSTICE.
I SHARE THE STORIES BECAUSE I
THINK MY MOTIVATIONS ARE AS
IMPORTANT AS MY QUALIFICATIONS.
I HAVE EXPERTISE IN PLANNING,
LAND-USE AND TRANSPORTATION TO
MAKE MY SELF USEFUL.
I HAVE SERVED ON TWO PLANNING
COMMISSIONS AND A ZONING BOARD
AND IN EARLIER LIFE AS A
JOURNALIST COVERING URBAN
ISSUES I LEARNED TO READ CITY
BUDGET, AS AN EDITORIAL WRITER
I HAD TO BE A QUICK STORY AND
GO DEEP ON CITY GOVERNMENT
ISSUES.
IS A NATIONAL ADVOCATE FOR
TRANSPORTATION I ADVISED CITIES
ON POLICIES.
THESE DAYS I FOCUS ON LOCAL
TRANSPORTATION NOW AS BOARD
CHAIR FOR SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD
GREENWAYS.
MY STRONGEST SKILLS ARE PEOPLE
SKILLS AND THE CAPACITY TO WORK
COLLABORATIVELY.
I WORK WITH PEOPLE TO FIND A
WAY FORWARD TOGETHER.
ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION I
PUT MANY HOURS HELPING
NEIGHBORHOODS FOR ALL.
I HOPE IT HELPS START THE
DISCUSSION TO GIVE MORE PEOPLE
MORE HOUSING OPTIONS WHILE
KEEPING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE NEIGHBORHOODS ENJOYED.
SEATTLE CAN GET BETTER AS WE
GROW, IT WOULD BE AN HONOR TO
SERVE AND I PROMISE TO
REPRESENT EVERYONE AS FAIRLY AS
I POSSIBLY CAN IN DISTRICT 4 .
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
JORDAN GOLDWARG .
>> MY NAME IS JORDAN GOLDWARG
AND I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY
THANKING ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE TO THE CITY, THIS
ESPECIALLY DURING THIS TIME
WHEN OUR DISCOURSE IS TURNING
ANGRY AND RAW AND YOUR
COMMITMENT TO A TRANSPARENT
PROCESS FOR FILLING THE SEAT.
YOU HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW
MY APPLICATION MATERIALS AND
LEARN ABOUT MY BACKGROUND AND
QUALIFICATIONS.
I WOULD LIKE TO USE MY TIME
TODAY TO OUTLINE SOME OF THE
PRIORITIES I WOULD HAVE IF I
WERE TO JOIN YOU AS A COLLEAGUE
FOR THE NEXT SEVEN MONTHS.
AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE SHORT
APPOINTMENT THAT CULMINATED
WITH BUDGET SEASON WE MUST SEE
OUR BUDGET IS A MORAL DOCUMENT
THAT IT IS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASK WHAT
KIND OF CITY DO WE WANT TO BE
IN THE YEARS AHEAD?
DURING THIS TIME OF WIDENING
INEQUALITY DO WE WANT TO BE A
CITY THAT PRIVILEGES SOME
RESIDENTS OR DO WE WANT TO BE A
CITY THAT WORKS FOR ALL
RESIDENTS?
I BELIEVE THERE IS ONLY ONE
MORAL ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.
WHILE I STRONGLY SUPPORT
TRANSIT, EDUCATION, CLIMATE
JUSTICE AND A VARIETY OF OTHER
ISSUES, I WANT TO FOCUS HERE ON
THE ISSUE THAT IS TRULY
CREATING A MORAL CRISIS FOR OUR
CITY.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND
HOMELESSNESS.
IN ADDRESSING AFFORDABILITY, I
LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING PUSH
THE EDU, LEGISLATION ACROSS THE
FINISH LINE.
WORKING TO ADOPT ANTI-
DISPLACEMENT LEGISLATION AND
EXPLORING OPTIONS OF INCREASING
A FORMAL HOUSING LIKE COMMUNITY
LAND TRUSTS.
FOR THE RELATED CRISIS OF
HOMELESSNESS WE ARE NOW AT A
POINT WHERE WE HAVE RELIABLE
DATA ABOUT WHAT IS WORKING IN
OUR RESPONSE AND WE KNOW WE
NEED ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
THINGS LIKE PROGRAM
COORDINATION, ENHANCED
SHELTERS, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING AND ENGAGING PEOPLE
EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS IN
HELPING TO FIND ADDITIONAL
SOLUTIONS.
GIVEN THE INTERSECTIONS BETWEEN
HOMELESSNESS, ADDICTION AND
MENTAL HEALTH, IT IS ALSO
CRITICAL WE EXPAND THE HUGELY
SUCCESSFUL LEAD PROGRAM AND
WORK TO OPEN A SAFE INJECTION
SITE DESPITE THE MANY OBSTACLES
THAT WILL ENTAIL.
AS AN IMMIGRANT AND AS A MAN I
HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW
COMMUNITIES SUFFER WHEN WE
DON'T STAND UP FOR EACH OTHER
AND I HAVE LEARNED VARIOUS
STRUGGLES FOR JUSTICE ARE ALL
INTERCONNECTED.
I SEE IT AS A MORAL IMPERATIVE
TO WORK AS AN ALLY AND CO-
CONSPIRATOR TO SUPPORT ALL
VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
IN MY WORK I HAVE AIMED AND
AMPLIFIED THE POWER OF YOUTH,
IMMIGRANTS, AMERICAN MUSLIMS,
PALESTINIANS, AND OTHER
COMMUNITIES.
I WOULD BRING THE SAME APPROACH
TO COUNCIL AND WORK TO SUPPORT
T█HOSE IN OUR CITY STRUGGLING
TO SECURE THE BASIC RATE OF
HOUSING.
I HAVE SEEN HOW POWERFUL WE CAN
BE WE COME TOGETHER TO LISTEN,
LEARN, AND ACT IN A COMMON
INTERESTS.
I AM PROUD OF THE WORK THAT
CITY COUNCIL HAS DONE TO MAKE
OUR CITY A MODEL FOR
PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATION AND I
WOULD BE HONORED TO JOIN YOU IN
CONTINUING NETWORK.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
SHERAE LASCELLES . I APOLOGIZE
IF I DIDN'T PRONOUNCE IT
CORRECTLY.
>> SHERAE LASCELLES . IN TRUE
MILLENNIAL FASHION I WILL READ
OFF MY PHONE AND ALSO I RAN OFF
OF PRINTER INK.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY DAUNTING AND
TERRIFYING TO BE HERE.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHY I AM
HERE.
I'M HERE BECAUSE THE MEMBERS OF
MY COMMUNITY ASKED THIS OF ME.
PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE AT THE
TABLE BUT DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY
HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE THERE THAT
THEIR VOICES HAVE NOT BEEN
HEARD BEFORE AND MIGHT NOT BE
HEARD GOING FORWARD ARE THE
REASON I HAVE COME HERE.
BECAUSE OF THESERVICE PROVIDERS
ADVOCATING FOR THEMSELVES UNDER
THREAT OF LOSING THEIR INCOME
BEING OPEN ABOUT THEIR
EXPERIENCE ARE FURTHER
STIGMATIZED.
HB 1756 JUST PASSED THE SENATE.
I'M VERY PROUD OF THEM AND THE
WORK THEY DID.
IT WILL SOON BE LAW THE
HIGHLIGHTING THE VOICES OF
STAKEHOLDERS WHILE CRAFTING
LEGISLATION TO COVER THEM.
HOW AM I HERE?
THERE'S ONLY ONE ANSWER.
THE INACCESSIBILITY OF THIS
PROCESS AND ALL PUBLIC POLICY
PROCESSES NEED TO BE ACCESSED.
WHILE I APPRECIATE EFFICIENCY
THE 20 DAY DEADLINE TO FILL OUT
THE VACANCY IS DAUNTING AND
DOES NOT ALLOW FOR MAJORITY OF
THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN
A MEANINGFUL WAY AND FURTHER
LIMITS THE MOST VULNERABLE
STAKEHOLDERS.
I WORK MULTIPLE JOBS TO SUPPORT
MYSELF AND EFFICACY WORK.
PURSUING THIS HAS PUT MY CURRENT
IMPLEMENT AT RISK I'M
DETERMINED TO COMPLETE THIS
PROCESS WITH LIMITED RESOURCES
I HAVE AS IT IS MY MORAL
IMPERATIVE TO PERSEVERE IN
BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF MY
COMMUNITIES THE COULD NOT
PARTICIPATE FOR THEMSELVES AND
WHO HAVE ENCOURAGED ME AND
BELIEVE I'M INDIVIDUAL WHO BEST
REPRESENT THEIR INTERESTS.
THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSENSUS
AMONG ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THIS
ROOM AS WELL AS APPLICANTS THAT
EQUITY AND JUSTICE FOR SOCIAL
MINORITIES IS PARAMOUNT TO
SECURING A BETTER FUTURE FOR
DISTRICT 4. IS A NINE YEAR
RENTER AS WELL AS SOMEONE WHO
RELIES ON TRANSIT BECAUSE I
DON'T DRIVE AND IT'S NOT
ACCESSIBLE FOR ME ANYWAY, I
HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED
HOMELESSNESS IN THE STATE,
HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT
INSECURITY, 52 OVERCOME THE
TRIALS OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND I
HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE
STRUGGLES AND STIGMA THROUGHOUT
DRUG USE COMMUNITY FOR MY
FRIENDS AND FAMILIES WHO
STRUGGLE EVERY DAY TO FIGHT FOR
THOSE PEOPLE.
I FEEL LIKE I AM UNIQUELY
QUALIFIED AS AN ADVOCATE TO
FACILITATE MUNICATION BETWEEN
THE CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY
AFFECTED MOST BY THESE PRESSING
ISSUES IN OUR CITY CONCENTRATED
IN DISTRICT 4 . I AM A
STAKEHOLDER.
REFERENCING YOUR COMMITMENT
WILL ONLY GARNER A FINITE
AMOUNT OF FAITH AND TRUST IN
THIS GOVERNING BODY.
ACT UPON IT.
CREATE SPACE AND A LITERAL SEAT
AT THE TABLE.
I WILL STRIVE TO MAKE COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT ACCESSIBLE
ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO LAND-
USE PLANNING.
TRY TO FIND SOLUTIONS THAT
RECOGNIZE THE INTERSECTIONAL
NATURE OF RACE AND GENDER,
EQUITY, POPULATION DENSITY,
DRUG USE, HOMELESSNESS,
DISTRICT 4 . I HAVE A TRACK
RECORD OF USING MY LIMITED
POWER TO DIRECTLY BENEFIT MY
COMMUNITY.
I'VE HELD SPACE IN MY HOME FOR
INDIVIDUALS WHO SEEK SHELTER,
DETOX AND WANT TO VENT THEIR
ISSUES AND I WOULD DO THE SAME
ON THIS COUNCIL.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
JAY LAZERWITZ .
>> MY NAME IS JAY LAZERWITZ .
THOUGH I HAVE NOT BEEN
POLITICALLY INVOLVED I'VE TRIED
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE OVER THE
LAST FOUR DECADES OF MY LIFE AS
AN ADULT, I HAVE BEEN GUIDED BY
MY MOTHER'S CIVIC COMMITMENTS
IS A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
RUNNING CAMPAIGNS FOR RICHARD
HATCHER, FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN
MAYOR OF GARY, INDIANA.
I SAW RACE ISSUES DURING THAT
PERIOD THE FOREVER GUIDED ME IN
MY UNDERSTANDING FOR RACE AND
SOCIAL JUSTICE.
I'M A VISUAL ARTIST AND
ARCHITECT, A STRONG FOCUS ON
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PRACTICES.
A CONCERN FOR ECOLOGICAL
STEWARDSHIP.
I HAVE BEEN A 35 YEAR RESIDENT
OF THE ROOSEVELT NEIGHBORHOOD.
DEVOTED MIGHT PRIVILEGE AND úCI
PAST 30 YEARS LOCALLY.
OCCLUDING TIME ON THE SEATTLE
ARTS COMMISSION, LIGHT RAIL
REVIEW PANEL, COFOUNDING AND
ARTS NONPROFIT FOCUSING ON
ARTIST AFFORD ABILITY.
I PRIVATELY DEVELOPED A STUDIO
BUILDING, BALLARD WORKS, TAKING
ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES TO MAKE
THIS SUCCESSFUL.
FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS I'VE BEEN
INVOLVED WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION CHAIRING THE LAND-
USE PANEL FOR FIVE YEARS.
I HAVE HELPED DEVELOP COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOPS,
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES,
INVITING PEOPLE FROM
SURROUNDING UNITIES TO JOIN US
AS WELL.
OUR LAND USE ACADEMY EVENTS
CENTERED ON PLANNING AND LAND-
USE ENCLOSING THE MHA UPSETTING.
I ALSO LED THE NEIGHBORHOOD
ADVOCACY FOR AFFORDABILITY
DEVELOPMENT, THE ROOSEVELT
LIGHT RAIL SITE AND COMMUNITY
MINDED PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE
PROCESS PARTNERING WITH SOUND
TRANSIT PRODUCING THE WELL-
REGARDED COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES
THAT HAVE GUIDED THE PROJECT
PROPOSALS.
WE HAVE RECENTLY PUBLISHED A
CASE STUDY WHICH IS A GUIDE TO
OTHER GROUPS FOR SELF-DIRECTED
EFFORTS.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE STRIVE
TO CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF THE
30%, THAT IS THE 0-30% INCOME
AS THE CITY CONTINUES TO GROW.
I SEE THE SEAT AS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH
COUNCIL ON IMPORTANT AND
MULTIFACETED ISSUES.
I SEE A CONFLUENCE OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COMMERCIAL
DISPLACEMENT, ALL OF WHICH NEED
A BALANCE ATTENTION.
ISSUES REGARDING FUTURE GROWTH
AND TREE PRESERVATION AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION AND
URBAN FORESTRY AS WELL AS FOCUS
ON THE MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING.
EXPLORING NEW OWNERSHIPS FOR
AFFORDABILITY.
I HAVE A DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF
DETAILED ZONING LONG-RANGE
PLANNING AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
UNITY ENGAGEMENT.
I WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO
ENGAGE IN THE CONVERSATION
CENTERED ON HOMELESSNESS,
UNDERSTANDING THE SOCIAL
STAKEHOLDER NEEDS IN HELPING TO
GUIDE THE REGIONAL OVERSIGHT.
I HAVE THE BACKGROUND TO STEP
INTO PLANNING, LAND-USE,
SUSTAINABILITY, TRANSPORTATION
AND DEVOTE THE NEXT SEVEN
MONTHS TO BEING A COLLABORATIVE
PARTNER ON CITY COUNCIL.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
ABEL PACHECO.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL FOR
ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS ABEL PACHECO AND I'M
SEEKING TO BE REPRESENTATIVE
FOR DISTRICT 4. NEARLY A DECADE
AGO I DROVE INTO DISTRICT 4
WITH THE THINGS IN MY CAR AS I
THOUGHT TO PURSUE MY
EDUCATIONAL DREAMS AT THE
EVANS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY ú
A LOT HAS HAPPENED IN THE TIME
SINCE.
I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE THE
COMMUNITY AND MAKE AN IMPACT
THROUGH MY WORK AT THE SEATTLE
FOUNDATION LEADING COMMUNITY-
BASED INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE
THE LIVES OF LOW-INCOME
FAMILIES.
AT THE SEATTLE POLICE
FOUNDATION BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
FOR THE BEST WORK WE NEVER HEAR
ABOUT OR READ ABOUT.
AND CURRENTLY AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF WASHINGTON'S OFFICE OF
MINORITY AFFAIRS AND DIVERSITY
LEADING THE LEGISLATIVE
STRATEGIES FOR THE MESA
PROGRAM.
THE STATES LARGEST STEM PROGRAM
FOR YOUNG GIRLS.
IT IS MY FAMILY'S JOURNEY THAT
HAS SHAPED ME AND GROUNDED MY
VALUES.
MOTHER WOULD TELL ME, YOUR
FATHER ISN'T THE MAN THAT MADE
YOU, IT'S THE MAN THAT RAISED
YOU.
MY DAD IS FROM COMPTON, AND MY
MOTHER'S MEXICO CITY.
SACRIFICED SO MUCH TO GIVE ME
AND MY SIBLINGS THE BEST THEY
COULD AND OFTEN TIMES IT WAS
NOT ENOUGH.
I REMEMBER WAITING AND FOOD
LINES WITH MY MOM HELPING HER
MOM VACUUM HOTEL ALWAYS TO
FINISH EARLY AND A FAMILY OF
SIX IN A ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT.
I STILL RENT, BALANCE STUDENT
LOANS AND SHIPPING TO HELP MY
PARENTS.
I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK
SO HARD YOU HAVE SO FAR TO GO.
THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE SHAPED
MY DESIRE TO GIVE BACK, I WAS
TAUGHT THE FOR THE MOMENT IN
LIFE COMES FROM SERVICE TO
OTHERS AND WE HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK OUT FOR
OTHERS.
I'VE ALL IN TIME I VOLUNTEER MY
TIME TO ACTIVATE OTHERS IN THE
COMMUNITY.
I WAS ON THE FOUNDING YOUNG
PROFESSIONAL GROUP FOR PLYMOUTH
HOUSING GROUP AND KING COUNTY
EMERGENT LEADERS GROUP.
I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE
DISTRICT 4 IN COMMUNITY LAND-
USE ISSUES WITH MY SERVICE AND
WITH MY BACKGROUND IN PUBLIC
POLICY HAVE A COMMITMENT TO
PUBLIC HOUSING AND I CAN SHARE
THE LAND-USE PLANNING AND
ZONING COMMITTEE.
I CAN STEP IN IN THE
SUSTAINABILITY AND
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE NOT
OWNING A CAR, A MEMBER OF THE
LAST GENERATION THAT CAN DO
SOMETHING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.
I MENTOR STUDENTS OF COLOR
THROUGH THE WASHINGTON STATE
OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP.
THE WORK FOR EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMS I BENEFITED FROM AND
TRY TO BE A VOICE OF
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE IN MY
DISTRICT.
ADDITIONALLY AS HAS BEEN
DOCUMENTED, I HAVE BEEN VICTIM
OF A WRONGFUL ARREST AND CAN BE
THE BRIDGE FOR MOST NUANCED
ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE TO
DRIVE MEANINGFUL CHANGE. I AM
SEEKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO
PRESENT THE VALUES OF DISTRICT
4 IS I'M THE PROUD SON OF
DISTRICT 4 . FROM THE
NEIGHBORHOODS THAT SHAPED ME,
TO THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
THAT PROVIDED ME WITH THE TOOLS
AND PATHWAY TO SUCCESS,
DISTRICT 4 , THE PEOPLE AND
INSTITUTIONS HAVE GIVEN ME SO
MUCH AND PROVIDED ME THE
OPPORTUNITY.
SINCE I FIRST DROVE TO SEATTLE,
I REALIZED HOME ISN'T ABOUT
LOCATION IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE.
AND DISTRICT 4 IS MY HOME.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
MARJORIE PRESS .
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS
AND HELLO DISTRICT 4
RESIDENCE.
I AM PLEASED TO HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH YOU
TONIGHT.
AT THE COMMUNITY FORM ON MONDAY
HIGHLIGHTED DEFINING MOMENTS
THAT HAVE BROUGHT ME HERE.
MOST OF THOSE MOMENTS WERE
SHAPED BY MY CHOICE TO BE A
CITY PLANNER, CREATING LIVABLE
AND ACCESSIBLE COMMITTEES FOR
ALL, AND IN UPBRINGING MAKING
THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
THE REST PERHAPS IS MY GOOD
FORTUNE.
A FEW OF THOSE DEFINING MOMENTS
INCLUDE PROJECTS LIKE WINK
LIGHT RAIL AND SR 520 COMING TO
LIFE.
PRIDE FOUNDATIONS FIRST 1
MILLION IN GRANTS AND
SCHOLARSHIPS, INVESTING IN THE
SEATTLE SMALL BUSINESS AND MY
APPOINTMENT TO THE SEATTLE
PLANNING COMMISSION.
20 YEARS WORKING IN PLANNING
INCLUDES DOZENS OF PROJECTS
HERE IN SEATTLE AND ACROSS THE
U.S. ALL OF THESE PROJECTS
INVOLVED WORKING WITH
COMMUNITIES, PUBLIC AGENCIES
AND ELECTED OFFICIALS AS A
PLANNER MY JOB IS ALWAYS TO BE
OPEN AND TRANSPARENT AND
PROVIDE THE BEST PLANNING
SOLUTIONS POSSIBLE.
AS A SEATTLE PLANNING
COMMISSIONER I PARTICIPATED IN
MAJOR UPDATE OF THE COMP PLAN
SEATTLE 2035.
MULTIPLE ANNUAL COMP PLAN
AMENDMENT CYCLES, SERVED AS
COCHAIR OF THE LAND-USE AND
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AND
REPRESENTED THE COMMISSION IN
THE LIGHT RAIL REVIEW PANEL.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY WORK
OR LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS,
SOCIAL EQUITY IS A DEFINING
ISSUE OF OUR TIME AND A LONG-
TERM INVESTMENT.
IS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE
PLANNING ASSOCIATION I AM PROUD
TO SAY WE RECENTLY ADOPTED A
SOCIAL EQUITY POLICY GUIDE THAT
WILL ENSURE ACHIEVING EQUITABLE
AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES.
I AM MINDFUL OF THIS COMMITMENT
EVERY DAY.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH VOLUNTEER
BOARDS AND AS A PROJECT MANAGER
INCLUDES DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS
AND BUDGETS AND AN
UNDERSTANDING OF THE FIDUCIARY
RESPONSIBILITY AND STEWARDSHIP
OF BUDGET OVERSIGHT, CURRENTLY
I SURE OVERSIGHT ON A $21.5
MILLION BUDGET.
MY WORK AND VOLUNTEER
EXPERIENCE WHICH OFTEN REQUIRE
WORKING WITH THE VIRGIN
PERSPECTIVES WILL ALLOW ME TO
WORK WITH THE COUNCIL AND
DISTRICT 4 RESIDENTS TO STAY
THE COURSE THAT ALSO RECOGNIZE
THAT SOMETIMES IT'S IMPORTANT
TO CHANGE DIRECTION DUE TO NEW
INFORMATION, CHANGING NEEDS ARE
OTHER FACTORS.
IF APPOINTED THE DISTRICT 4
CARETAKER I WILL BRING MY
EXPERIENCES, HARD WORK ,
COMMITMENT AND PASSION TO BEAR,
I BELIEVE I POSSESS THE SKILLS
AND EXPERIENCES THIS COUNCIL IS
SEEKING AND I SHARE YOUR GOAL
TO MAKE SEATTLE A WONDERFUL
PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO LIVE,
WORK AND PLAY.
IT WOULD BE AN ABSOLUTE HONOR
AND PRIVILEGE TO BE THE
DISTRICT 4 CARETAKER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
MARITZA RIVERA .
>> THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU
TODAY.
I AM SEEKING THE INTERIM
APPOINTMENT ON THE CITY COUNCIL
BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE DECISIONS
WE MAKE OVER THE NEXT SIX
MONTHS WILL HAVE A LASTING
IMPACT AND ENSURING CL REMAINS
A CITY FOR EVERYONE.
I'M A MOTHER OF TWO GIRLS IN
THE SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND
A DAUGHTER OF RICAN PARENTS
MOVED TO THE MAINLAND IN SEARCH
OF A BETTER LIFE.
I GREW UP IN THE INNER-CITY IN
A LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE
I SAW PEOPLE WORKING HARD EVERY
DAY TO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES AND
GET A PIECE OF THE AMERICAN
DREAM.
MY DAD WAS A HARD-WORKING WELDER
IN A FACTORY AND A MEMBER OF
THE LOCAL CARPENTERS UNION.
WERE NOT FOR THE UNION MY
PARENTS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN
ABLE TO ENJOY A RETIREMENT
LATER IN LIFE.
MY PARENTS WORKED HARD SO THAT
MY BROTHER AND I COULD HAVE
OPPORTUNITIES THEY DIDN'T.
ONE OF THE PROUDEST MOMENTS FOR
MY DAD'S TO GET TO SEE ME WALK
ACROSS THE STAGE AT MY LAW
SCHOOL GRADUATION.
UNFORTUNATELY NOT EVERYONE IS
GETTING TO SHARE IN THIS
AMERICAN DREAM.
SEATTLE IS CURRENTLY A TALE OF
TWO CITIES.
WE ARE GROWING WEALTH -- WE SEE
GROWING WEALTH AND PROSPERITY
FOR MANY BUT TOO MANY PEOPLE
ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND.
I WILL BE A VOICE FOR BUILDING
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
EXPANDING SHORT-TERM HOUSING
AND SERVICES TO THOSE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS,
EXPANDING TRANSIT AND KEEPING
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE AND OUR
PARKS OPEN AND CLEAN FOR
FAMILIES TO ENJOY.
AS CHAIR OF THE PLANNING LAND-
USE AND ZONING COMMITTEE
COMMUNITY THE REPRESENTATIVE
MUST BE TO ENSURE SEATTLE'S
LAND-USE POLICIES HELP FAMILIES
THRIVE IN ROBUST EVER-GROWING
NEIGHBORHOODS.
AS SOMEONE WHO GREW UP IN AN
APARTMENT AND CURRENTLY RESIDES
IN A SINGLE FAMILY HOME, I KNOW
FROM EXPERIENCE THE FAMILIES
CAN DO WELL IN ALL KINDS OF
HOUSING SITUATIONS.
I STRONGLY SUPPORT BUILDING
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS
SEATTLE BECAUSE THAT IS THE
BEST WAY FOR US TO ADDRESS OUR
FORD ABILITY CRISIS.
THOSE WOULD BE THE VALUES I
WOULD BRING TO THE COMMITTEE.
I HAVE SPENT MY CAREER
LISTENING TO DIVERSE
COMMUNITIES IN BUILDING
COALITION FOR MY TIME WORKING
AT THE WHITE HOUSE WHERE I
WORKED TO ENSURE THE
PRESIDENT'S POLICIES WERE
INFORMED BY THE NEEDS OF THE
LATINO COMMUNITY TO WORKING
HERE IN SEATTLE WITH
COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN AND AT
THE COUNY TO HIGHLIGHT THE
NEEDS OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE
POPULATION.
IN EACH OF THESE POSITIONS I
USED MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AN
INDEPENDENT VOICE TO HELP
CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE FOR
PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY.
FINALLY, AS A TRUMP RHETORIC
BECOMES MORE RECKLESS AND
DANGEROUS I WILL BE A STRONG
CANDIDATE FOR MAKING EVERYONE
FEELING WELCOME IN SEATTLE JUST
AS I DID WORKING FOR THE ACLU
RIGHT AFTER SEPTEMBER 11
HELPING TO PROTECT THE
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF
SEATTLE'S MUSLIM AMERICAN
COMMUNITY.
IF APPOINTED I COMMIT TO
WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH
YOU TO MOVE FORWARD ON OUR
SHARED PROGRESSIVE VALUES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
LAST APPLICANT IS LUKE WIGREN .
IN THE BALLPARK.
OKAY.
>> HELLO.
THANK YOU, MY NAME IS LUKE
WIGREN , I AM A MUSICIAN AND
FILM MAKER.
HIGH SCHOOL SWIM COACH AND I
WORK AT THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM IS
SOON TO BE A SUBDUED TEACHER IN
THE RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT, A
CITY WHERE I GREW.
IN THE WORDS OF MY FAVORITE HIP-
HOP GROUP WE ARE ALL LIVE FROM
OCCUPIED BLUE SCHOLARS.
I THINK WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT.
FOR THE PAST WEEKS SINCE THIS
PROCESS BEGAN THERE HAS BEEN
ONE BURNING REASON I HAVE BEEN
COMING, THAT I SUBMITTED AN
APPLICATION AND THAT IS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
TO DISTILL WHAT I SAID ON
MONDAY, HAVING STUDIED THE
DAMAGE THAT UNCHECKED
INEQUALITY CAN HAVE ON A
SOCIETY, I KNOW AND THEY SEE
HERE, AND SEEING THAT
INEQUALITY HERE IN OUR ACCESS
TO HOUSING, I KNOW THERE IS
MUCH DAMAGE BEING DONE.
IT IS VERY EVIDENT IN THE CITY.
AND I BELIEVE THAT IT IS VITAL
THAT WE SET ABOUT TO GETTING
100,000 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING THAT ARE CITY RUN AND
CITY MANAGED AND THAT WE BUILD
THOSE SO WE HAVE THEM FOR THE
FUTURE.
I DID NOT KNOW I WOULD BE
SPEAKING TONIGHT SO I CAME BACK
AND ASKED MYSELF QUESTIONS
ABOUT WHY AM HERE AND I THINK
THE NUMBER 1 REASON TO CALL THE
APPLICANTS, EVERYONE IN THIS
ROOM, I WOULD VENTURE TO GUESS
I CARE FOR THE CITY, WE CARE
FOR THE CITY.
CARE FOR THE PEOPLE HERE.
I CARE FOR THE REGION AND I
CARE TO KNOW ABOUT THE HISTORY
HERE.
WHAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO
REMEMBER IS THAT THERE IS A
FIGHTING SPIRIT IN THIS TOWN
AND I BELIEVE IT IS SAVED MANY
OF THE THINGS WE HOLD DEAREST.
IT ATTRACTS PEOPLE HERE,
WHETHER IT'S THE LABOR RIGHTS
WE FIGHT FOR, TRACING BACK FROM
THE GENERAL STRIKE OF 1919, TO
THE FIGHT FOR 15 THAT SOME OF
YOU HAD A HAND IN PASSING.
OR THE NAME, SEATTLE AND THE
SYMBOL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE
SCREEN. THESE THINGS PROBABLY
WOULD NOT HAVE COME ABOUT IF
THAT PEOPLE WERE NOT FIGHTING
FOR RECOGNITION, AS THEY STILL
ARE.
ALSO JIMI HENDRIX AND BRUCE LEE,
AN AFRICAN AMERICAN AND A
CHINESE-AMERICAN WHO WERE
UNAPOLOGETICALLY THEMSELVES IN
A SOCIETY AT THAT POINT, I
STILL BELIEVE IT IS, AT THAT
POINT VICIOUSLY SEGREGATED IN A
CITY OF 95% WHITENESS, THE
ENTIRE POPULATIONS OF
MINORITIES OR CONFINED IN FIVE
SQUARE MILES AND I'M GLAD WE
OVERTURN THOSE THINGS.
WE NEED TO DO MORE.
I HAVE MORE TO SAY
UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T SAY RIGHT
NOW.
I FEEL THIS PROCESS
UNFORTUNATELY IS INDICATIVE OF
THAT.
WITH SOME OF THE MANEUVERS OF
THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON.
>> THANK YOU.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR THREE-MINUTE
PRESENTATIONS.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR
11 OUTSTANDING PRESENTATIONS.
JUST TO REMIND YOU AND THE
PUBLIC WE ARE COMPLYING WITH
OUR CHARTER WHICH IS NOT AN
ORDINANCE BUT WRITTEN IN OUR
CHARTER, THIS PROCESS.
HAVING SAID THAT AT THIS TIME
I'M GOING TO ASK THE COUNCIL
APPLICANTS TO MOVE TO THE
COMMITTEE TABLE AND TAKE
ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE.
AND ONCE YOU GET SITUATED I
WILL EXPLAIN SOME LOGISTICS
FROM THERE.
OKAY.
IF THE CLERK OR STAFF WOULD BE
SO KIND AS TO BRING A CHAIR TO
THE HEAD OF THE TABLE, WE WILL
COLLOQUIALLY REFER TO THAT IS
THE HOT SEAT.
THE WAY THIS WILL WORK IS, WE
ARE GOING TO AD LIB.
THIS PART AND THE COUNCIL WILL
ASK YOU QUESTIONS . I'M GOING
TO LITERALLY ASK THE CLERK TO
PULL THE NAME OUT OF THE HAT.
WE WILL GO THROUGH A RANDOM
ORDER AND WE ARE ASKING YOU DO
IS TAKE THE HOT SEAT AS I REFER
TO IT THAT WEIGHT YOU CAN BEST
TALK TO THE AUDIENCE AND
COUNCIL WITH YOUR RESPONSES.
THE SEVEN MINUTES WILL BE YOUR
ANSWERS.
IT WILL NOT BE OUR QUESTIONS.
A WORD OF ADVICE, IF YOU WANT
TO SHORTEN YOUR ANSWERS YOU'LL
PROBABLY GET MORE QUESTIONS.
ONE QUESTION COULD TAKE SEVEN
MINUTES AND THEN YOU RESPONDED
TO SEVEN MINUTES.
I LEARNED THAT THE HARD WAY.
UNLESS THERE IS OTHER
INSTRUCTIONS THAT NEED TO BE
GIVEN OUT WE ARE GOING TO MOVE
FORWARD.
THE CLERK WILL PULL IT AND READ
YOUR NAME.
IF YOU HEAR IT GO TO THE HOT
SEAT.
>> MARJORIE PRESS .
>> YOU DREW THE SHORT STRAW.
COUNCIL MEMBERS I WILL
RECOGNIZE YOU AS YOU WOULD LIKE
TO PROCEED AND AS
COUNCILMEMBERS PREPARE THEIR
QUESTIONS AND YOU GET SITUATED,
MARJORIE, IT'S A GREAT IT'S
OKAY TO ASK QUESTIONS.
MY GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE EVERY
ONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPLAIN THEIR QUESTIONS.
I WANT TO ENJOY THE PROCESS IF
WE CAN TO COMMUNICATE.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHO WOULD LIKE
TO ASK HER FIRST APPLICANT SOME
QUESTIONS?
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ.
>> THANK YOU.
CHAIR, PRESIDENT, WHAT'S YOUR
TITLE?
JUST KIDDING.
>> AS LONG AS ADULTS GROUP ME
WHATEVER YOU WANT.
>> IT'S A GOOD THING THIS
DOESN'T COUNT AGAINST YOUR
TIME.
MY QUESTION FOR THIS CANDIDATE
AND FOR OTHERS IS AS FOLLOWS.
THE CITY OF SEATTLE IS
CURRENTLY OPERATING IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE 2012 THE
CONSENT DECREE FOR THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SINCE THEN WE HAVE WORKED TO
IMPLEMENT REFORMS THAT LOWERS
THE USE OF FORMS FORCE AND
BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN OFFICERS
AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THESE HAVE RESULTED IN AN 84%
REDUCTION IN USES OF FORCE BUT
A DIVIDE EXISTS BETWEEN PATROL
OFFICERS AND COMMUNITY AND
THERE IS A DISPROPORTIONATE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE OF COLOR
EXPERIENCING USES OF FORCE AT
THE HANDS OF SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT OFFICERS.
WHAT STEPS WOULD YOU TAKE TO
CREATE STRONGER CONNECTIONS
BETWEEN THE RESIDENCE AND
RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 4 AND
THE OFFICERS SERVING IN THE
PRECINCT?
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
IS A PLANNER MY GO TO PLACE IS
TO GATHER DATA.
TO TALK TO THE COMMUNITY, TO
TALK TO THE POLICE OFFICERS, TO
FIND OUT HOW THESE ARRESTS ARE
OCCURRING, WHERE THEY ARE
OCCURRING, WHY THEY ARE
OCCURRING.
FOR ME IT IS ALL ABOUT
COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING
THE INFORMATION FROM THE
NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE FOLKS
BEING AFFECTED AS WELL AS
GETTING THE POLICE PERSPECTIVE
AND TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO
MITIGATE WHAT IS HAPPENING.
IS ENCOURAGING THAT THERE IS AN
84% DECLINE IN THIS TYPE OF
ACTIVITY.
THAT IS NOT 100%, BUT FOR ME,
THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS
GATHER DATA, REVIEW THE DATA,
MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT
IS HAPPENING AND THEN ASKING
THE RIGHT QUESTIONS, SPEAK WITH
THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND COME UP
WITH A COLLABORATIVE SOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
BEING AN APPLICANT HERE AND FOR
YOUR CONCERN FOR THE CITY.
I QUESTION IS AROUND OR HOUSING
, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WE KNOW FROM THREE STUDIES THAT
HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED OVER THE
LAST YEAR, THE McKINSEY STUDY,
THE ECO-NORTHWEST STUDY AND THE
WORK THAT CLAUDIUS COMMITTEE
DID AT THE COUNTY, THAT AT LEAST
100,000 UNITS IS WHAT WE ARE
GOING TO NEED TO BUILD AND
CLAUDIUS STUDY SUGGESTED WE DO
THAT OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS.
IN YOUR MIND, WHAT KIND OF
REVENUE SOURCES BE AVAILABLE,
WHAT WOULD YOU DO AND HOW WOULD
YOU BRING THE COMMUNITY
TOGETHER IN A TRI-COUNTY WAY TO
SEE WHAT WE COULD ACCOMPLISH
QUICKLY?
>> OKAY.
>> THESE ARE A BUNCH OF LOBS.
EASY BALL TO HIT.
>> IN TERMS OF HOUSING, I KNOW
THAT THERE IS A LOT OF UNDERWAY
, MHA, AND THE UPCOMING
IMPLEMENTATION.
I WOULD WANT TO SEE HOW THAT
WOULD PLAY OUT.
AS FAR AS A MULTICOUNTY OR
REGIONAL APPROACH, THAT WOULD
REQUIRE SOME FAIR SHARE
DISCUSSIONS AND COMMITMENTS
FROM ALL INVOLVED AS FAR AS
FINANCING, I WOULD HAVE TO DO
MORE RESEARCH ON THAT, I'M NOT
A FINANCE PERSON, BUT AGAIN,
THIS ALL HAS TO DO WITH
GATHERING DATA, FIGURING OUT
HOW TO MAKE THE TOOLS WE HAVE
WORK.
AM EXCITED TO SEE HOW MHA WILL
WORK WHEN IT'S IMPLEMENTED.
AND WHAT OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO,
AND LOOK TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS
FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT COLUMBUS,
OHIO, A FAR SMALLER CITY HAS
BEEN FANTASTIC THINGS AROUND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THAT IS WHAT I WOULD DO.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA WOULD
YOU LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION?
I HAVE A FEW FILIBUSTER
QUESTIONS.
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION.
I APPRECIATE THAT RESPONSE, BUT
WHAT I'M HEARING FROM YOU IS
IDENTIFYING A SET NUMBER OF
POLICIES RELATED TO AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, BUT I'M NOT HEARING A
DIRECT RESPONSE TO
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW 'S
QUESTION WHICH WAS MORE ABOUT
REVENUE.
FOR ME THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION
I HAVE FOR YOU IS WHETHER YOU
BELIEVE THAT THE CITY HAS
ENOUGH REVENUE, EXISTING
REVENUE TO ADDRESS THE SCALE OF
THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROBLEM
OR WHETHER YOU BELIEVE THAT
THERE ARE ADDITIONAL REVENUE
SOURCES THAT ARE NEEDED TO MEET
THE SCALE OF THE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING PROBLEM AND IF YOU
BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ADDITIONAL
REVENUE REQUIRED TO MEET THE
SCALE OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHAT
REVENUE SOURCES DO YOU HAVE IN
MIND THAT YOU MIGHT SUPPORT OR
NOT SUPPORT THE UPCOMING BUDGET?
>> BUILDING 100,000 UNITS OVER
THE NEXT 20 YEARS WILL REQUIRE
A GOOD BIT OF MONEY.
I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT
THE BUDGET, AS IT EXISTS TO SEE
WHAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.
AND GO FROM THERE.
IS A CARETAKER FOR THE DISTRICT,
I WOULD DO MIGHT DEAD LEVEL BEST
TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BUDGET WE
ADOPT COVERS MOVING FORWARD IN
THE HOUSING ARENA.
I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT
REVENUE FINANCING TO IDENTIFY A
PARTICULAR PROGRAM.
THAT SAID, I WOULD LEARN IT
RIGHT QUICK SHOULD I BE THE
CARETAKER.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN, DID YOU
HAVE A QUESTION?
>> YOUR COMMENTS, YOU TALKED
ABOUT EQUIPMENT TO RACE AND
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ALSO ABOUT
YOUR BACKGROUND AS A CITY
PLANNER.
I AM CURIOUS, AS CHAIR OF THE
LAND-USE COMMITTEE, WHAT TYPE OF
-- ARE THERE WAYS YOU CAN USE
LAND-USE ZONING AND PLANNING
TOOLS TO ADDRESS RACIAL
DISPARITIES IN OUR CITY?
>> YES.
I THINK OUR HISTORY OF REDLINING
IS A STAIN ON WHO WE ARE. YES,
WE CAN LOOK AT EVEN THE UP SONES
AND IN URBAN VILLAGES AND
ALLOWING MORE PEOPLE TO ACCESS
HOUSING. THERE ARE LOTS OF
TOOLS WE CAN USE, ZONING AND
AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP
, AMENDING THE ZONING CODE, AND
USING TOOLS AND ALLOWING OTHER
THINGS TO INCREASE ACCESS FOR
MORE PEOPLE.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS FOR MARJORIE PRESS ?
>> I WILL ASK ANOTHER QUESTION.
ONE OF THE, WHOEVER FILLS THIS
VACANCY WILL ALSO BE A MEMBER
OF MY COMMITTEE, THE GENDER
EQUITY COMMITTEE WHICH HAS OVER
SITE IS INDICATED BY THE TITLE
GENDER EQUITY BUT ALSO ISSUES
RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY, THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE
DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT, IMAGES -- ISSUES FOR
POLICY RELATED EDUCATION
ISSUES, WHAT ASPECTS OF THE
WORK ON MY COMMITTEE MOST
INTERESTS YOU AND WHAT WOULD
YOU WANT TO WORK ON IF YOU WERE
SELECTED AND ENDED UP SERVING
ON MY COMMITTEE?
>> HAVE SPENT A GOOD MANY YEARS
WORKING ON EQUITY AND SOCIAL
JUSTICE CHALLENGES. SO I WOULD
HAVE AN INTEREST IN WORKING ON
THAT ON YOUR COMMITTEE.
PUBLIC SAFETY, IMMIGRANTS AND
REFUGEES AND PROVIDING ACCESS
TO PROGRAMS AND FINDING WAYS TO
LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD AND
MAKE THINGS ACCESSIBLE HERE.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC
EXAMPLES?
ANY OF WHAT YOU JUST SAID?
ANY SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF
PROGRAMS OR SERVICES THAT YOU
BELIEVE WOULD MAKE OUR CITY
MORE EQUITABLE AND ACCESSIBLE
TO WOMEN, CHILDREN, REFUGEES,
ETC.
>> I THINK OUR HOUSING PROGRAMS
COULD BE MORE ACCESSIBLE.
I THINK PUBLIC SAFETY AND
RELATED TO YOUR PREVIOUS
QUESTION ABOUT POLICE
INTERVENTION, WOULD BE AN
IMPORTANT IF YOU TO TACKLE.
ACCESS FOR IMMIGRANTS AND
REFUGEES TO SERVICES WE PROVIDE
THAT IS WHERE I WOULD START.
>> COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK
YOU'VE BEEN DOING WITH HER
PLANNING COMMISSION.
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE
BICYCLE NETWORK AND SAFETY FOR
PEDESTRIANS AS WELL?
WE HAVE A NEW 3rd AVENUE VISION
AND I AM SURE YOU HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED IN THAT OR ENGAGED IN
MAYBE YOU COULD TALK ABOUT YOUR
EXPERIENCE AND HOW WE CAN MOVE
FORWARD AND ENCOURAGE SDOT TO
HAVE THAT BICYCLE NETWORK
CONNECTED DOWNTOWN.
>> BICYCLES ARE AN IMPORTANT
ALTERNATIVE MODE TO
TRANSPORTATION, THEY GIVE FOLKS
AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT OF
THEIR CARS, CONNECTED IN
SEAMLESS NETWORK IS IMPORTANT
TO THOSE WHO COMMUTE BY BICYCLE.
SAFETY, IS IMPORTANT.
IN TERMS OF INTERACTION WITH
CARS, BUSES, PEDESTRIANS,
HAVING BEEN ON THE PLANNING THE
COMMISSIONS LAND-USE AND
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, I
HAVE WORKED WITH SDOT AND OTHER
ISSUES.
TALKING WITH THEM ABOUT HOW TO
IMPLEMENT SAFER BIKE ROUTES AND
THE BIKE PLAN WOULD BE MY FIRST
STEP IN IMPLEMENTING SAFER
ROUTES.
>> VERY GOOD.
I THINK WE HAVE EXHAUSTED OUR
QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
GREAT JOB.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU ALL GREAT
JOB WHEN YOU FINISH.
JESSE DON'T THINK I'M PLAYING
FAVORITES.
YOU'RE GOING TO PULL THE NEXT
NAME OUT OF THE HAT.
THE CLERK WILL READ IT.
LEAST TAKE THE HOT SEAT.
>> IT IS KATHRYN GARDOW .
>> WHO WOULD LIKE TO START OFF
ASKING QUESTIONS?
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ YOU'RE
MY GO TO PERSON I CAN TELL.
>> LUCKY FOR THE CANDIDATES I
HAVE A LIST OF QUESTIONS, I'M
SO EXCITED.
ALL RIGHT, I THINK I WANT TO
CONTINUE HEARING FROM THIS
CANDIDATE THESE CANDIDATES AND
IMPLICATES THEIR POSITION ON
ISSUES RELATED TO AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT
ISSUE FOR US AS A CITY AND I
WOULD LIKE TO FRAME UP THE SAME
QUESTION I FRAMED UP EARLIER
WHICH IS, DO YOU BELIEVE WE
HAVE ENOUGH REVENUE CURRENTLY
TO ADDRESS THE AFFORDABLE
OUSING NEEDS FOR OUR COMMUNITY
AND IF NOT, WHAT ARE THE
REVENUE SOURCES DO YOU BELIEVE
WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO ADDRESS
THE NEED OF ADDITIONAL
AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION
AND DEVELOPMENT IN OUR
COMMUNITY?
>> SO PERHAPS I CAN PICK APART
THE QUESTION LITTLE BIT TO
UNDERSTAND IT A LITTLE BETTER.
I KNOW THERE WAS A PROPOSAL IN
THE SPRING OR LAST FALL, I
CAN'T REMEMBER, FOR A HEAD TAX
AND THAT WAS THE INTENT TO USE
THAT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW
THAT MONEY WAS GOING TO BE
USED, IS THERE A PLAN THE CITY
HAS PREPARED ON WHAT THEY WOULD
LIKE TO DO, SPECIFICALLY WITH
AFFORDABLE HOUSING?
I KNOW WE HAVE PLANNING AND
LAND-USE PIECES, THE ADU AND THE
ADU-DADU LEGISLATION OUT THERE
TO BRING IN MORE AFFORDABLE
POTENTIALLY HELP THE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING PROBLEM.
BUT I AM -- I LIKE A LITTLE
MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT YOU'RE
THINKING.
>> I'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON
WHAT YOU'RE THINKING.
WHICH IS WHY I ASKED THE
QUESTION.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS
ANOTHER SOURCE OF FUNDING THAT
HAS BEEN -- ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST
I GUESS ABOUT 10 YEARS WE HAVE
HAD A PRETTY AMAZING PERIOD OF
GROWTH IN OUR CITY AND A LOT OF
SALES TAX REVENUE.
I HAVE NOT STUDIED THE BUDGET,
SO I'M NOT TOTALLY CLEAR WHERE
THE MONEY IS GOING.
WE MAY BE BECOMING A PERIOD OF
TIME WHERE WE WANT WON'T HAVE
AS MUCH SALES TAX REVENUE.
ASSIGNED THE NEWSPAPER AMAZON
IS NOT HIRING AS QUICKLY FOR
EXAMPLE SO THEY MAY NOT BE
NEEDING AS MUCH SPACE.
I AM A PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN
PROGRESSIVE TAXATION.
I'M NOT SURE THEY HAD TAX IS
THE WAY TO GO, I'M EXCITED WITH
THE LEGISLATURE AND WHAT IT'S
DOING IN OLYMPIA RIGHT NOW.
>> COUNCILMEMEBER SAWANT.
I'LL JUST FOLLOW UP ON THAT
QUESTION. I WOULD AGREE WITH
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ, I'D
LIKE TO HEAR WHAT YOU'RE
THINKING.
YOU JUST SAID YOU BELIEVE IN
PROGRESSIVE TAXATION AND SO YOU
MUST BE AWARE THAT WASHINGTON
STATE AND SEATTLE WITHIN
WASHINGTON STATE HAS THE MOST
REGRESSIVE TAX SYSTEM IN THE
ENTIRE NATION.
ALSO IN TERMS OF WHAT REVENUE
SOURCES THERE SHOULD BE FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, YOU MUST
ALSO BE AWARE AND IF NOT I
WOULD WANT TO MENTION IT, THE
WAY THE POLITICS IN THE STATE
LEGISLATURE HAVE GONE, THE
STATE LEGISLATURE HAS
TRIANGULATED MOST OF THE
ABILITIES OF MUNICIPALITIES YOU
WOULD TYPICALLY THINK SHOULD BE
AVAILABLE FOR PROGRESSIVE
TAXATION, THERE REALLY ISN'T
MUCH AVAILABLE AND THE SO-
CALLED HEAD TAX WHICH I PREFER
TO CALL THE AMAZON TAX, WANT TO
CLARIFY THAT IS A TAX ON BIG
BUSINESS AND NOT ON WORKERS,
REGARDLESS OF THAT, AIR
MOVEMENT PROPOSED THAT TAX
BECAUSE THERE ISN'T MUCH ELSE
AVAILABLE IN TERMS OF LEGAL
AVENUES FOR PROGRESSIVE
TAXATION AT THE CITY LEVEL.
KNOWING ALL OF THAT AND SETTING
ASIDE ANYTHING THE CITY COUNCIL
DID OR DIDN'T DO LAST YEAR,
WHAT IS YOUR OWN VIEW ON WHAT
THE CITY SHOULD DO GIVEN THAT
THERE IS AN UNPRECEDENTED
CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS AND A
LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
THAT WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE
STUDIES.
WE NEED AT LEAST 100,000
AFFORDABLE HOMES.
WE KNOW THE FOR-PROFIT MARKET
IS NOT BUILDING IT BECAUSE
THERE HAS BEEN A CONSTRUCTION
BOOM BUT AFFORDABILITY HAS ONLY
BEEN REDUCED.
SO, GIVEN ALL OF THIS, WOULD
YOU AS A CITY COUNCILMEMBER, IN
THEORY, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT
HAPPENS IN THE NEXT SEVERAL
MONTHS, WOULD YOU SUPPORT A TAX
LIKE THE AMAZON TAX BECAUSE
THAT IS ONE OF THE ONLY FEW
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE OPTIONS
AVAILABLE AND BECAUSE WE HAVE
AN UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS?
TO BUILD SOCIAL HOUSING,
PUBLICLY OWNED AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
>> I THINK IT'S A CONVERSATION
THAT THE CITY HAS TO HAVE IF WE
CHOOSE TO BUILD MORE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING WITH PUBLIC DOLLARS.
I THINK IF THAT IS WHAT THE
CITY WOULD LIKE TO DO, THAT WE
NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT.
I DO KNOW WE DO HAVE OTHER WAYS
TO DO THINGS SUCH AS THE
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.
I HAVE SPOKEN WITH FELLOW
COLLEAGUES ABOUT HOW THOSE
UNITS COULD BE BUILT AFFORDABLY
IN EXISTING HOMES.
AND BE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO
RENT.
I THINK THAT IS AN EXCELLENT
SOLUTION TO PROVIDE MORE
HOUSING.
I THINK ON SOMETHING SUCH AS A
HEAD TAX OR SOMETHING LIKE
THAT, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO
HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH
BUSINESS AND WITH PEOPLE IN THE
COMMUNITY.
I KNOW THAT THE ISSUE WAS QUITE
CONTENTIOUS WHEN IT CAME UP IN
PART BECAUSE THAT HIT SMALLER
BUSINESSES SUCH AS THE ONE IN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT.
WHENEVER THERE IS CONVERSATIONS
ABOUT TAXES IT'S IMPORTANT TO
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK
WITH FOLKS ABOUT IT.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> I RECOGNIZE YOU TALKED ABOUT
MAGNUSON CLARK AND SAID YOU ARE
INTERESTED IN USING THE ASSETS.
ONE OF THE THINGS YOU CONNECTED
WAS HOW WE WERE GOING TO USE
THAT TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS
AND I BELIEVE YOU WERE FOCUSED
ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
CAN YOU TALK MORE ABOUT WHAT
YOU ARE THINKING THERE?
>> AS I WAS LISTENING TO
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ TALK
ABOUT IMMIGRANTS AND EDUCATION
I REALIZED THAT MADISON PARK
HAS A GREAT COMMUNITY THERE
WITH A VARIETY OF LEVELS OF
HOUSING, ALSO THE PUBLIC
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THAT I AM
ON THE BOARD OF ALSO HAS A
VARIETY OF LEVELS OF HOUSING AT
DIFFERENT AFFORDABILITY LEVELS.
AND I KNOW THERE HAS ALSO BEEN
A LOT OF PROBLEMS, NOT A LOT OF
PROBLEMS, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME
PROBLEMS, BEING THE DISTRICT
COUNCIL PERSON FOR THAT DISTRICT
, IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO INTO
THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND MEET WITH
THE RESIDENTS AND LEARN WHAT
THEIR NEEDS ARE AND ASK WHAT IS
IMPORTANT TO THEM.
I KNOW THERE ARE SOME NEW
HOUSING COMING ON BOARD PRETTY
SOON WITH MERCY HOUSING.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT
THE COUNCILMEMBER TALK LESS AND
LISTEN MORE.
AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS BEST FOR
THAT COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN.
>> YOUR BACKGROUND HAS
EXPERIENCE IN FOOD SYSTEMS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE,
ONE OF THE MANY DISPARITIES IN
OUR CITY'S ACCESS TO HEALTHY
FOOD.
SOME NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THE ONE
I LIVE IN, I HAVE MULTIPLE
OPTIONS TO WALK TO TO GET ALL
SORTS OF FOOD.
IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS FOLKS
STRUGGLE.
I'M CURIOUS, IF YOU GET
APPOINTED AS LAND-USE CHAIR ARE
THERE ANY LAND-USE POLICIES YOU
CAN THINK OF THAT MIGHT HELP
IMPROVE ACCESS TO FOOD OR ANY
OTHER EXPERTISE AROUND FOOD
SYSTEMS THAT YOU COULD BRING TO
THE COUNCIL?
>> WOW, WE ALL LIKE GOOD FOOD,
THAT'S FOR SURE.
AND YES, IT'S NOT EASILY
ACCESSIBLE IN SOME
NEIGHBORHOODS.
I BELIEVE IN DISTRICT 4 IT'S
RELATIVELY ACCESSIBLE . BUT IN
OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY IT IS
NOT AS ACCESSIBLE.
AND I WOULD NEED TO PROBABLY
VISIT THOSE OTHER DISTRICTS TO
LEARN AND TALK WITH FOLKS ABOUT
-- I KNOW THE SNAP PROGRAM FOR
EXAMPLE PROVIDES VOUCHERS TO
USE A FARMERS MARKETS WHICH IS
AN EXCELLENT PROGRAM.
I KNOW THE KING CONSERVATION
DISTRICT HAS DONE WORK WITH
COMMUNITIES ON EXPANDING THOSE
PROGRAMS.
PERHAPS IT'S FINDING NEW
COMMUNITIES WHERE THOSE
VOUCHERS COULD BE USED WHERE
THEY ARE BEING USED NOW.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD ?
>> I HAVEN'T ASKED THE QUESTION
YET.
I APPRECIATE IT.
SO ONE OF THE IMPORTANT
FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER
IS CONSTITUENT SERVICES.
GIVEN THAT THIS IS A CARETAKER
POSITION, IF SELECTED, YOU
WOULD NOT BE A PERSON RUNNING
FOR REELECTION.
RUNNING FOR ELECTION FOR THIS
SEAT.
I'D LIKE TO HEAR A LITTLE ABOUT
YOUR COMMITMENT TO CONSTITUENT
SERVICES GIVEN, RESPONDING TO
THE CONSTITUENTS OF DISTRICT 4
GIVEN THE FACT THAT THERE MAY
NOT BE THE SAME INCENTIVE FOR
YOU TO DO SO IS SOMEONE WHO HAS
TO RUN FOR ELECTION.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
TO MEET THE NEIGHBORS, MEET
FELLOW PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE
DISTRICT.
I WOULD COMMIT TO ATTENDING THE
DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
DISTRICT MEETINGS.
AND I WOULD ALSO COMMIT TO
ESTABLISHING OFFICE HOURS IN
THE DISTRICT. I THINK IT'S
REALLY IMPORTANT TO LISTEN AND
LEARN WHAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED
ABOUT AND BRING IT BACK TO THIS
FULL-BODY.
IT IS JUST SO CRITICAL.
YOU CAN'T LIVE IN A VACUUM AND
NOT PAY ATTENTION.
PEOPLE HAVE STARTED GIVING ME A
LIST THEY'D LIKE TO SEE DONE
ALREADY.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMEBER SAWANT.
A LITTLE FOLLOW-UP?
>> I WANTED TO FOLLOW-UP FROM
THE PREVIOUS SET OF QUESTIONS
THAT CAME UP WITH THE PREVIOUS
CANDIDATE ALSO ABOUT REVENUE
SOURCES FOR BUILDING AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND ALSO FUNDING
HOMELESS SERVICES.
I WANT TO BRING THIS UP BECAUSE
I ALSO THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD
FOR OTHER CANDIDATES TO WEIGH
IN ON THIS.
YOU SAID THAT THE HEAD TAX, AS
YOU CALL IT, THE AMAZON TAX AS
I CALL IT IS GOING TO HIT SMALL
BUSINESSES AND IT WAS
CONTENTIOUS BECAUSE BUSINESS
WASN'T INVITED TO THE TABLE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ALL KNOW
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
AT THAT TIME THERE WAS A
PROCESS SET UP TO HAVE BUSINESS
WAY IN.
WE HAD EIGHT PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE TASK FORCE AND THEY
WERE MONTHS, A PERIOD OF AT
LEAST 1.5 MONTHS IF NOT LONGER
FOR BUSINESS TO WEIGH IN.
AND ALSO, IT'S NOT ACCURATE TO
SAY SMALL BUSINESSES WERE
AFFECTED, A VERY CONSCIOUS
EFFORT WAS MADE NOT TO AFFECT
SMALL BUSINESSES THE TAX WAS
GOING TO BE ONLY THE TOP 3% OF
BUSINESSES WERE GOING TO BE
LIABLE FOR IT.
MATHEMATICALLY THE BOTTOM 97
PERCENT WERE NOT GOING TO HAVE
TO PAY.
AND ALSO TAKING INTO ACCOUNT
THE FACT THAT ORDINARY WORKING
PEOPLE ARE PAYING WAY TOO MUCH
IN TERMS OF SALES TAX AND
MIDDLE-CLASS HOMEOWNERS ARE
PAYING TOO MUCH IN TERMS OF
PROPERTY TAX.
TAKING ALL OF THIS INTO ACCOUNT,
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW, ALL THIS AND
THE OTHER POINTS THAT WE
BROUGHT UP EARLIER ABOUT THE
LIMITED OPTIONS WE HAVE OF
PROGRESSIVE REVENUES, TAKING
ALL THIS INTO ACCOUNT WHAT IS
YOUR VIEWPOINT ON WHAT THE CITY
SHOULD DO, SHOULD IT OR SHOULD
IT NOT TRY TO MOVE FORWARD ON A
TAX ON BIG BUSINESS LIKE AMAZON
TAX TO ADDRESS THE ABSOLUTELY
STUNNING CRISIS OF HOUSTON?
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I WANT
TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I DO KNOW
THE AVERAGE POOR PERSON PAYS
18% OF THEIR INCOME IN TAXES
WHILE THE AVERAGE WEALTHY
PERSON PAYS 3% AND IT'S
DEFINITELY AN EQUITY ISSUE.
I DO KNOW THIS ISSUE AND I
FOLLOW THIS ISSUE.
I ALSO KNOW THAT AS A TAXPAYER,
WHETHER YOU ARE A TAXPAYER, A
BUSINESS, OR A HOMEOWNER, THERE
NEEDS TO BE A PLAN.
AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE
THE CITY DO IS DEVELOP A PLAN
FOR WHAT THEY WOULD DO WITH THE
MONEY IF THEY HAD THE MONEY
COME IN.
I TOTALLY SUPPORT NEEDING
100,000 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING BUT WHAT WOULD BE DONE
TO IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN?
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW
THAT AHEAD OF TIME BEFORE
STARTING TO DEVELOP TAX PLANS.
YOU DO BOTH OF THEM IN CONCERT.
SPOKE VERY GOOD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I THINK WE ARE GOOD.
I'M GOING TO USE YOUR LAST 21
SECONDS.
WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT DISTRICT 2?
>> THAT'S YOUR DISTRICT, RIGHT?
CONVINCE ME YOU'RE GOING TO BE
GOOD FOR DISTRICT 2.
>> I THINK IT'S YOUR DISTRICT.
TELL ME WHY YOU WOULD BE A GOOD
PERSON FOR DISTRICT 2. WE ALL
CARE ABOUT THE CITY AT LARGE.
I AM DISTRICT 2.
>> AS I SAID EARLY IN MY
OPENING REMARKS I DID A
PROJECT, WE TRIED TO PUT
TOGETHER A PROJECT TO BUILD A
30 UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING WITH
AFFORDABLE UNITS AND MARKET
RATE UNITS, PUT IT TOGETHER
WITH A WOMEN'S COOPERATIVE ON
THE MAIN FLOOR FOR EAST AFRICAN
WOMEN.
WE COULDN'T MAKE IT PENCIL.
THAT IS IN PART, I WOULD HAVE
TO FIND THE NAME OF THE, --
>> TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM.
>> BECAUSE IT STARTS WITH A
FLAT FEE OF $10,000, WHEN YOU
HAVE SMALLER PROJECTS IT
DOESN'T PENCIL.
>> YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
PARTICIPATION.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> ALL RIGHT.
MARITZA RIVERA .
>> ONCE YOU ARE SITUATED, WHO
WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE FIRST
QUESTION?
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ.
>> SO, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
IS NOTABLE ABOUT YOU IS THAT
YOU ACTUALLY CURRENTLY WORK AT
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. I THINK
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL IS AN INDEPENDENT
BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT IN THE
CITY GOVERNMENT AND THAT PART
OF OUR JOB, AN IMPORTANT PART
OF OUR JOB IS OVERSIGHT OF THE
EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THAT
INCLUDES OFTEN TIMES ASKING
BOLD QUESTIONS AND TOUGH
QUESTIONS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS
ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH THE
PRIORITIES THIS CITY COUNCIL
HAS ESTABLISHED VIA OUR
LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY.
I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO TALK
ABOUT HOW THIS DISTRICT AND THE
CITY COUNCIL CAN ANTICIPATE YOUR
GOVERNANCE STYLE IN TERMS OF
YOUR INDEPENDENCE FROM THE
EXECUTIVE BRANCH IF YOU ARE
APPOINTED TO THIS POSITION.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
I DO WORK FOR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
AND I AM PROUD OF THE WORK I
HAVE ACCOMPLISH THEIR, EVERY
JOB I'VE HAD I GIVE 100 PERCENT.
I WOULD DO THE SAME IF I WERE
GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN
YOU ON THE COUNCIL FOR THESE
FEW MONTHS. I AM MY OWN PERSON.
AND I WOULD WORK
COLLABORATIVELY WITH YOU ALL
AND I HAVE CLARITY, MY
ALLEGIANCE WOULD BE TO THE
CONSTITUENTS IN MY DISTRICT.
JUST LIKE I WORKED FOR
PRESIDENT CLINTON, I HAD MY
ALLEGIANCE TO HIM AT THE TIME
AND I WENT ON TO WORK AT THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, I HAD TO
WORK WITH THE BUSH WHITE HOUSE
AND THEY REPRESENTED MY
ORGANIZATION FULLY WITHOUT
CONFLICT, WHEREVER A WORK THAT
IS WHO MY ALLEGIANCE IS TO AND
I WOULD DO THAT HUNDRED 10%
LIKE I'VE ALWAYS DONE.
>> I THINK HE TO THE QUESTION
ABOUT INDEPENDENCE IS WHETHER
OR NOT, IF YOU ARE SELECTED
WHETHEROR NOT HE WOULD HAVE A
JOB WAITING FOR YOU IN THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE.
>> I DO NOT.
>> IF YOU WERE SELECTED HE
WOULD LEAD HER EMPLOYMENT IN
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE?
>> CORRECT.
>> GOOD EVENING, I HAVEN'T HAD
A CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR
APPLYING.
BEFORE ASKED MY QUESTION I WANT
TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE FOLKS
WHO HAVE SPOKEN, THIS IS NOT
EASY, HAVING JUST RUN FOR
ELECTION I KNOW THAT'S HARD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS
TO DO THIS.
I DID WANT TO ASK A QUESTION
SPECIFIC TO DISTRICT 4 . WE
TALKED A LOT ALREADY ABOUT
MANDATORY HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY.
I HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THE FOUR
HOURS OF YOUR PARTICIPATION ON
MONDAY NIGHT, I'M IMPRESSED BY
THE QUESTIONS ASKED.
I HEARD YOUR COMMENTS AROUND
MANDATORY HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
AND WE KNOW THIS WAS A
UNANIMOUS ISSUE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL TOOK UP IN SIX SEPARATE
PACKAGES OF LEGISLATION OVER
THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS
INCLUDING 30 URBAN CENTERS AND
VILLAGES ACROSS SEATTLE YET WE
KNOW THIS IS THE TIP OF THE
ICEBERG.
WE CALL IT CITYWIDE AND THAT
WAS ONLY 6% OF THE ACTUAL LAND
THAT NEEDS TO BE, IN MY
OPINION, REZONED FOR
RESIDENTIAL USE.
ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES IN YOUR
DISTRICT THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE
TO POTENTIALLY FOLLOW UP ON IS
IMPLEMENTATION OF MANDATORY
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN THE
UNIVERSITY AVENUE DISTRICT.
WE ARE SET TO CONSIDER A
SEPARATE PIECE OF LEGISLATION
THIS SUMMER.
I QUESTION FOR YOU IS WOULD YOU
SUPPORT THE REZONE MHA
IMPLEMENTATION AS A DISTRICT 4
COUNCILMEMBER?
>> FIRST I WOULD HAVE TO SAY
THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DO SOME
OUTREACH IN MY COMMUNITY AND BE
VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE
COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS OF THE
AVENUE AND REST OF DISTRICT 4
FEEL ABOUT UPS OWNING IN THE U-
DISTRICT.
I THINK GENERALLY SPEAKING WE
ARE IN A HOUSING CRISIS AND WE
NEED TO EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS FOR
ADDRESSING THIS HOUSING CRISIS.
AND SO UPS OWNING IN THE AVENUE
IS AN OPTION WE NEED TO LOOK AT.
WE ALSO NEED TO WORK WITH OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS TO SEE WHAT THEIR
FEELINGS ARE AND HOW WE CAN
MOVE FORWARD.
>> VERY GOOD.
COLLEAGUES?
>> I WAS GOING TO ASK THE SAME
QUESTION ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE
OVER IT DISTRICT 2. WHY WOULD
YOU BE, THE REASON I'M ASKING
IS BECAUSE SHIFTED TO A
DISTRICT SET UP A FEW YEARS AGO
AS YOU ALL WELL KNOW, BUT I
THINK A GOOD COUNCILMEMBER
CONTINUES TO THINK ABOUT THE
ENTIRE CITY.
MAKING DECISIONS THAT AFFECT
THE ENTIRE CITY.
THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING ABOUT YOUR
FAMILIARITY WITH ANOTHER PART
OF TOWN.
THE PART OF TOWN THAT HAS THE
LOWEST MEDIAN INCOME BUT IS
DRASTICALLY IMPROVING.
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY BUT SOME OF
THE HISTORICAL CHALLENGES BASED
ON THE CIRCLE OF PRACTICES.
CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT FOR
MARILYN T WITH DISTRICT 2, DO
YOU KNOW ANY ORGANIZATIONS OR
VOLUNTEER GROUPS?
ALL OF THE ABOVE?
>> I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED
WITH VOLUNTEER GROUPS IN
DISTRICT 2 BUT I AM ALL TOO
FAMILIAR WITH THE LACK OF
ACCESS ISSUES AND RACE AND
EQUITY ISSUES AND I AGREE THAT
WHILE THIS WOULD BE A POSITION
FOR DISTRICT 4 , WE HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CITY TO
WORK TOGETHER ON THE ISSUES
THAT ARE FACED I THE ENTIRE
CITY NOT JUST OUR DISTRICTS.
I WOULD WORK COLLABORATIVELY
WITH YOU ON THE ISSUES THAT ARE
IMPORTANT TO YOUR CONSTITUENCY
AND ON DISPARITY ISSUES AND
AFFORDABILITY ISSUES IN YOUR
DISTRICT TO SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE
IMPROVEMENTS TO YOUR DISTRICT
AND TO THE CITY IN GENERAL.
WE SHOULD ALL THRIVE TOGETHER
AS A CITY.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO YOU
WERE WORKING AT KING COUNTY IN
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, CAN
YOU TALK MORE ABOUT YOUR
EXPERIENCE THERE, YOU ARE
FOCUSED ON FUNDING GAPS AT KING
COUNTY.
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE ABOUT
THAT EXPERIENCE AND HOW YOU
COULD CARRY THAT OVER HERE?
>> HAPPILY.
I WORKED ON A SPECIAL PROJECT, A
KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE RUNS AND
WAS LOOKING AT DOING A BALLOT
MEASURE TO FUND HUMAN SERVICES.
HE PUT TOGETHER A TASK FORCE,
IT CONSISTED OF ELECTED
OFFICIALS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN
THE COMMUNITY.
AND I PROJECT MANAGED THAT TASK
FORCE.
WE TOOK ONE YEAR TO LOOK AT
POSSIBLE, HOW WE WOULD IF WE
WERE GOING TO BRING A LEVY
FORWARD, WHAT HUMAN SERVICES WE
WOULD FUND, THERE WAS A
CHALLENGE ACTUALLY BECAUSE
VETERAN SERVICES ALSO NEEDED
FUNDING AND THAT WAS NOT SEEN
AS PART OF THAT PARTICULAR LEVY
PACKAGE.
THE INTERESTING PART IS
SUBSEQUENTLY WE HAVE A VETERAN
AND HUMAN SERVICES LEVY SO THEY
HAVE MERGED.
AT THE TIME THERE WAS THIS
QUESTION.
AND SO I WORKED WITH THE
STAKEHOLDERS AND WITH THE
ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PUT
TOGETHER THE PLAN.
UNFORTUNATELY THE KING COUNTY
COUNCIL AT THE TIME DECIDED TO
BRING FORWARD THE VETERANS LEVY
SO WE WERE NOT ABLE TO BRING
FORWARD THE HUMAN SERVICES LEVY
THE WE HAD INTENDED TO BRING.
BUT I HAVE EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND
IN OUTREACH AND I USED MY
OUTREACH SKILLS IN THAT
CAPACITY AS WELL TO WORK WITH
THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND WITH
THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO
COME TOGETHER AND COME TO SOME
AGREEMENT ON THE PLAN YOU ARE
GOING TO PUT FORWARD IF WE
INDEED HAD BEEN ABLE TO PUT A
LEVY TOGETHER. IN THE SAME
COMMUNITY BUILDING AND
COLLABORATIVE SKILLS I WOULD
BRING TO THIS POSITION.
>> VERY GOOD.
COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN.
>> THANK YOU.
COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION RELEASED A DRAFT
BICYCLE MASTER PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN THAT WAS
MET WITH GENERAL DISAPPOINTMENT
AMONGST THE TRANSPORTATION
ADVOCACY COMMUNITY.
ESPECIALLY COMING ON THE HEELS
OF A DECISION BY THE MAYOR TO
BACK AWAY FROM PROTECTED BY
GOING ON 35th AVENUE NORTHEAST.
IF YOU ARE FAILURE WITH THAT IF
YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT, IT'S
OUT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEN
THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
REVISE THAT.
IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT
PLAN, YOUR THOUGHTS, AND IF
YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE
PLAN MAYBE YOU CAN SPEAK
BROADLY TO YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE
ROLE OF BICYCLES AS A
TRANSPORTATION MODE IN THE
CITY?
>> I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE
SPECIFICS OF THE PLAN.
I KNOW ABOUT THE PLAN, IN
GENERAL, I SUPPORT
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS INCLUDING
BICYCLES AND MORE BUSES AND THE
EXPANSION OF LIGHT RAIL IN THE
CITY.
AND I THINK WE NEED TO WORK
TOWARD LOOKING FOR MORE OPTIONS
TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF CARS AND
TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN
THE CITY INCLUDING BICYCLES.
I THINK WE NEED TO BE REALLY
THOUGHTFUL ABOUT OUR
TRANSPORTATION TESTER PLANS AND
MAKING SURE THAT WE REALLY ARE
LOOKING AT ALL THE OPTIONS AND
SUPPORTING TRANSPORTATION
OPTIONS THAT OUR RESIDENTS WANT
TO MOVE FORWARD WITH INCLUDING
BICYCLING.
WE NEED TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF
THOSE THINGS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING
ON CIVIL LIBERTIES ISSUES AS A
FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE ACLU.
YOU WORK SPECIFICALLY ON
STRATEGIES TO PROTECT CIVIL
LIBERTIES OF IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES POST 9/11, AS THE
CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE
WITH OVERSIGHT OF CIVIL RIGHTS
ISSUES, I'D BE INTERESTED TO
HEAR FROM YOU WHAT OTHER
IMPORTANT EMERGING ISSUES YOU
THINK THE CITY OF SEATTLE
SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON RELATED
TO CIVIL RIGHTS THE PERHAPS WE
ARE ATTENDING TWO.
>> I WOULD SAY, NOT THE ARE NOT
TENDING TO IT, BUT JUST TO
HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF --
IN THE HOUSING REALM, THE
ISSUES RELATED TO RACIAL
INEQUITY. I THINK OF ALL THE
ISSUES, I THINK OF RACE AND
SOCIAL JUSTICE, IT IS THE ONE
THAT REALLY TO ME IS THE ONE
THAT WE REALLY NEED TO TACKLE.
I HATE TO SAY IT FIRST AND
FOREMOST BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL
IMPORTANT, BUT EVERYONE HAS THE
RIGHT TO A HOME.
AND OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
ARE IMPACTED WHEN IT COMES TO
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY.
I THINK THAT IS ONE ISSUE THAT
WE REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS. I
KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN, BUT TO
CONTINUE TO ADDRESS TO SEE WHAT
WE CAN IMPROVE.
>> THANK YOU.
WE HAVE JUST ABOUT EXHAUSTED ARE
SEVEN MINUTES OF TIME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> SHERAE LASCELLES .
>> VERY GOOD.
>> GET SITUATED, WHICH
COLLEAGUE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE
FIRST QUESTION?
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ.
>> I AM THE ONE THAT IS THE
MOST SHY ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
>> ME TWO.
>> OKAY GREAT.
>> I WILL START OFF BY ASKING
THE SAME QUESTION I ASKED OF
SOME OF THE EARLIER CANDIDATES
WHICH IS, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT
THE CITY HAS ENOUGH REVENUE AT
ITS DISPOSAL TO ADDRESS THE
SCALE OF THE NEEDS FOR
ADDITIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING
IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IN
DISTRICT 4 INCLUDED? AND IF
NOT, WHAT ARE SOME ADDITIONAL
REVENUE SOURCES THAT THE CITY
SHOULD BE EVALUATING OR OTHER
STRATEGIES THE CITY SHOULD BE
EVALUATING IN ORDER TO INCREASE
THE DEVELOPMENT AND
CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING?
>> FOR 100,000 UNITS?
WE CAN STOP WITH THE SWEEPS.
STOP FOR MONIES BEING PUT INTO
THAT AND REDIRECT IT INTO
SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSING.
I SAY LET'S TRY AGAIN FOR THE
AMAZON TAX.
I WAS THERE THE DAY IT GOT TO
GO TO THE AFTER PARTY AND WAS
EXCITED THAT SOMETHING WAS
GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT BIG
BUSINESS PUSHING PEOPLE OUT OF
THE CITY AND NOT BEING
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CHANGES
THEY HAVE MADE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO IT GOING
THROUGH THE NEXT TIME WE TRY.
I HOPE TO BE PART OF THAT.
>> VERY GOOD.
>> COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> THE FIRST COUPLE OF
SENTENCES OF YOUR LETTER TO US
YOU TALK ABOUT BEING AN
ACCOMPLISHED BUSINESS DEVELOPER.
I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS
AND THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF
US AND TELL US ABOUT THE
COMPETENCE AS A BUSINESS
DEVELOPER.
>> I STARTED THE FIRST BUSINESS
AT 18, I APPLIED FOR MY FIRST
BUSINESS LICENSE TODAY COULD.
I STARTED WITH AN ONLINE STORE
AND THEN I MOVED INTO CREATING
VIDEO CONTENT WITH INDIVIDUALS
FOR MY COMMUNITY THAT NEEDED
HELP DOING SO.
AFTER I MOVED TO SEATTLE I
STARTED A BUSINESS CONSULTING
FIRM FOR FRINGE WORKERS AND
PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO BE
CREATORS IN THE COMMUNITY
DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE
SYSTEM OF OWNING YOUR OWN
SYSTEM, DOING TAXES AND
MARKETING THEMSELVES.
THAT I MOVED ON TO WORKING AS A
MARKETING COORDINATOR FOR
TECHNOLOGY AND THE YEAR AFTER I
WORKED WITH THEM THEY WON
SEATTLE BE GREEN BUSINESS OF
THE YEAR.
I WORKED AS A MANAGER IN THE U-
DISTRICT AND ROSE FROM STORE
MANAGER TO GENERAL MANAGER TO
CEO BUILDING OUT THE CAPITOL
HILL STORE MAKING IT INCLUSIVE
AND RENTING PRACTICING ON
HIRING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
FACING OR ACTIVELY EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS AND OTHERS.
AFTER THAT I GUESS I WENT BACK
TO CONSULTING.
I DID AN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
POSITION DURING THE OPERATION
MANAGEMENT'S FOR THE -- AND
JUST HAVE GONE BACK AND FORTH
BETWEEN EVERY CHANCE I CAN GET
TO ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE WITH THE
RESOURCES I HAVE AND TAKING
ANOTHER CONTRACT TO PAVE MY WAY
FORWARD ON MORE ADVOCACY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> FIRST, LET ME SAY THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ADVOCACY IN OLYMPIA
THIS YEAR AND YOUR WORK IN
WASHINGTON.
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE RIGHTS
BEING EXTENDED TO DANCERS AND
MORE WORKERS ACROSS THE STATE.
THANK YOU FOR LIFTING GOT UP ON
MONDAY AND TODAY.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK THERE.
ON MONDAY AND TODAY YOU TALKED
ABOUT HOW YOU'RE INTERESTED IN
DOING THIS PROCESS TO CONTINUE
TO LIFT THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO
HAVE HISTORICALLY AND CONTINUE
TO BE MARGINALIZED AND
SILENCED.
YOU TALKED ABOUT LIFTING UP THE
VOICES OF WOMEN, THE POOL OF
COLOR, LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
THINK DOING FOR RECOGNIZING
THAT.
I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT AS
THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSING
COMMITTEE, ONE OF THE ISSUES WE
KNOW IS THAT WITHOUT ADDITIONAL
HOUSING, THE FOLKS WHO ARE MORE
LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE HOUSING
INSTABILITY AND FACE HOUSING
DISCRIMINATION ARE WOMEN AND
PEOPLE OF COLOR AND PEOPLE IN
THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
AS YOU CAN SEE WE ARE MAJORITY
PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WOMEN AND
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE
NEXT FEW MONTHS AND YEARS TO
TALK ABOUT WHERE OUR HOUSING
INVESTMENTS ARE GOING TO GO.
AS YOU HAVE HEARD FROM THIS
COUNCIL WE HAVE A STRONG BELIEF
WE NEED TO FIND ADDITIONAL
REVENUE.
THERE IS NOT THE REVENUE
CURRENTLY WE NEED AND HOW WE
ENGAGE THAT CONVERSATION GOING
FORWARD ABOUT THE LACK OF
REVENUE.
THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF
DOLLARS COMING IN, ESPECIALLY
WITH THE NEW ENDED TORY HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY FUND.
MHA IS DESIGNED WITH THE GOAL
OF HAVING 50% OF NEW DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS OPTING FOR THE
PERFORMANCE ON-SITE OPTION
MEANING DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING
ON-SITE AND 50% OPTING TO PAY
IN LIEU OF THE ON-SITE
DEVELOPMENT AND GOING TO THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING FOR MUCH-
NEEDED REVENUE TO BUILD
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
ONE OF THE THINGS I'M
INTERESTED IN IS HOW WE ARE
GOING TO DIVIDE UP THOSE
DOLLARS AND MAKE SURE WE ARE
MEETING THE GOALS.
WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS FOR HOW MHA
FUNDS COULD BE INVESTED AND
WHAT TYPES OF HOUSING
INVESTMENTS, HOUSING PROJECTS
SHOULD WE BE PURSUING WITH
THOSE NEW DOLLARS?
RECOGNIZING THERE ARE NOT
ENOUGH.
>> THERE IS NOT ENOUGH YET BUT
THE GOAL IS TO START WORK
IMMEDIATELY AS WELL AS FIND
MORE REVENUE.
FIRST AND FOREMOST GOING
THROUGH THE DEMOGRAPHICS THAT
ARE MOST CURRENTLY AFFECTED,
THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE
CURRENTLY AT RISK OF LOSING THE
CURRENT HOUSING, PUTTING MORE
INTO PREVENTION OF HOMELESSNESS.
PEOPLE ON THE BORDER OF EVICTION
AND PREVENTING THE PROBLEM FROM
GETTING BIGGER BEFORE IT GOES
ANY FURTHER.
I KNOW THAT ADU IS A GREAT IDEA
BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS PROPERTY
WHO IS WILLING TO HELP.
I KNOW THAT FROM EXPERIENCE.
INCENTIVIZING PEOPLE TO DO THAT
AND MAKING IT EASY FOR THEM TO
DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THEIR
COMMUNITIES AND STAY IN THEIR
COMMUNITIES IS WHAT I WOULD
WANT TO DO FIRST.
I KNOW THE MICRO UNITS ARE
GREAT BUT THEY ARE ALSO STILL
OVERPRICED.
FIGURING OUT A WAY TO
INCENTIVIZE NEW DEVELOPERS IN
THE AREA TO MAKE THEM
AFFORDABLE AS WELL AS A SPACE
THAT IS COMFORTABLE TO LIVE IN
THAT'S NOT GOING TO CAUSE YOU
TO GO MORE CRAZY WHEN YOU'RE
STUCK IN A ROOM WOULD BE GREAT.
MORE COMMUNITY SPACES IN THE
HOUSING.
THERE IS A GREAT WAY TO
COMPROMISE WITH DEVELOPERS TO
MAKE COMMUNITY SPACES SO IF
THEY HAVE SMALL UNITS YOU DON'T
FEEL LIKE YOU LIVE IN A BOX.
I THINK THAT WILL GO A LONG WAY
FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH OF PEOPLE
IN THOSE SITUATIONS AS WELL.
MORE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN
WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE.
I KNOW THAT PEOPLE WANT TO
SPEAK UP IF YOU GIVE THEM A
CHANCE.
AND I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE
EXPERIENCES IN TAKING THE
HOUSING AVAILABLE TO THEM AND
HEARING BAD EXPERIENCES.
WHAT WE KNOW ENOUGH NOT TO DO.
IT WOULD BE A GOOD STEP IN THAT
DIRECTION.
I WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON THAT.
SPOKE VERY GOOD.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD .
>> THANK YOU.
YOU REFER TO YOUR EXPERIENCES
WITH SWAP AND FWA AS
EXPERIENCES, --
>> STRIPPERS ARE WORKERS.
SA W A.
>> THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON
THE CITY COUNCIL AS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE THE VOICES
OF THOSE WORKERS.
I'D BE INTERESTED TO KNOW, I
HAVE BEEN WORKING OLYMPIA, YOU
HAVE LOBBIED ON FEDERAL
LEGISLATION, I'VE HAD THE
PLEASURE MEETING WITH YOU AND
OTHER MEMBERS AND I'D BE
INTERESTED TO KNOW WHAT SORT OF
CITY ISSUES WE MIGHT EXPECT TO
HEAR YOU ADVOCATE AS IT RELATES
TO THE ISSUES THAT THOSE
WORKERS FACE BEFORE ANY OF MY
COLLEAGUES HERE WERE
COUNCILMEMBERS WE ONCE UPON A
TIME DID HAVE AN ISSUE THAT
FILLED THE COUNCIL'S CHAMBERS
WITH DANCERS.
ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF THEIR
INTERESTS.
I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS
ANOTHER REALLY IMPORTANT
PRESSING ISSUE THAT IS A
MUNICIPAL ISSUE WE SHOULD BE
THINKING ABOUT.
>> IN A WAY, YES.
IT COMES TO ZONING.
PEOPLE CURRENTLY IN THE
INDUSTRY THAT WANT TO ADVOCATE
FOR THEMSELVES REALIZE THEY
DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS.
THE REASON IS BECAUSE THERE IS
NOT REALLY A SPACE RIGHT NOW
FOR MORE CLUBS TO OPEN.
THE COLLECTIVE OF DANCERS IN
THE CITY WOULD IMMEDIATELY PUT
THEIR MONEY ON THE LINE IN
ORDER TO HAVE A STRIPPER RUN
ORGANIZATION TO WORK FOR THAT
THEY COULD RUN THEMSELVES.
THAT'S NOT REALLY AN OPTION
RIGHT NOW.
THERE ARE SPACES THAT AREN'T
OCCUPIED BY CLUBS FOR THEM TO
OPEN A NEW CLUB AND THAT IS A
BIG CONCERN BECAUSE THEY HAVE A
VIRTUAL MONOPOLY CITY AND
STATEWIDE.
THAT MEANS THEY HAVE NO
BARGAINING POWER AGAINST THE
COMPANIES THEY ARE WORKING FOR
AND THAT IS A SERIOUS LABOR
ISSUE.
IT'S GOTTEN WORSE, IT'S GOING
TO GET WORSE GOING FORWARD
UNLESS THE CITY ACTS IN A WAY
THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE IN THAT
INDUSTRY TO ADVOCATE FOR
THEMSELVES AND GO INTO BUSINESS
FOR THEMSELVES.
OTHER ISSUES GOING ON, A HUGE
EQUALITY INEQUALITY ABOUT BEING
A SEX WORKER IN GENERAL.
IT AFFECTS MOSTLYAND TRANS
PEOPLE AND MOSTLY FEMALES.
I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A HUGE
EQUITY GAP WE CAN FILL BY
KNOWING THAT THERE IS A TYPE OF
WORKER THAT IS STIGMATIZED AND
IGNORED THE FITS A LOT OF THE
BOXES WE ARE TRYING TO CHECK IN
WE SHOULD PROBABLY WORK ON
RECOGNIZING THAT.
>> THANK YOU.
SPOKE VERY GOOD.
COUNCILMEMEBER SAWANT DID YOU
HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION?
>> FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR
THE SEX WORKERS OUTREACH PROJECT
, BEING PART OF THE AMAZON TAX
STRUGGLE.
REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
YOU SAID THAT YOU SUPPORT
ENDING THE SWEEPS OF HOMELESS
PEOPLE BECAUSE HE SAID THAT'S
ROUGHLY $10 MILLION.
ACTUALLY IT'S NOT FULLY
ACCOUNTED FOR BUT IT'S MANY
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
ALSO IT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY
CORRECT FOR THE CITY TO FOR THE
AMAZON TAX AGAIN BECAUSE THAT'S
THE MOST RATIONAL APPROACH.
BUT AS YOU SAID, WE WERE GIVING
UP TO FIGHT BIG BUSINESS,
THAT'S WHAT WE WERE DOING,
LAUNCHING A SUMMER AND AUTUMN
FIGHT BACK AND UNFORTUNATELY
THIS COUNCIL, EVEN THOUGH IT
IS MAJORITY OF WOMEN AND PEOPLE
OF COLOR DID END UP BUCKLING TO
THE PRESSURE OF BIG BUSINESS
AND DID REPEAL THE TAX WHICH
WAS A HISTORIC SETBACK.
AND YET, THREE CITIES IN
CALIFORNIA AFTERWARDS WON
SIMILAR TAXES ON BIG BUSINESS.
THAT SAME YEAR.
FOR FUNDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AND SERVICES.
MOUNTAIN VIEW ONE THE GOOGLE TAX
INSPIRED BY THE MOVEMENT HERE.
DESPITE THE SETBACK HERE WE ONE
VICTORY THERE.
TO ME IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE
SHOULD BE PUSHING FOR THAT.
IS OUR EXPERIENCE SHOWS, AS A
COUNCILMEMBER YOU WILL COME
UNDER TREMENDOUS PRESSURE TO
NOT DO THE RIGHT THING AND YOU
WILL HEAR A LOT ABOUT BEING
DIVISIVE AND THAT SORT OF THING.
SO YOU WILL BE CONFRONTED WITH
THE QUESTION, DO YOU STAND WITH
ORDINARY PEOPLE AND WHAT THEY
NEED, AND DO THE RIGHT THING,
OR WOULD YOU BEND TO THE
PRESSURES OF THE MOMENT?
I WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOUR
THOUGHTS ARE ON THAT.
>> I THINK IT'S VERY OBVIOUS BY
ME BEING HERE AND NOT LOOKING
LIKE ANYONE ELSE THAT I DO NOT
BEND.
I ALWAYS WILL STAND UP FOR THE
PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY LIKELY
OR INDIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE
SAME ISSUES AS ME.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING TO
BE IN THIS ROOM.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF I COULD DO IT.
BUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE MORE
AFRAID TO COME TO THIS ROOM
THAN ME ASKED ME TO.
THERE IS NO WAY I WOULDN'T BE
HERE WITHOUT ACTUALLY LISTING
TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED ME HERE.
THAT WOULD BE THE SAME EVERY
SINGLE DAY FOR EVER.
BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO BE
ANYONE ELSE.
OTHER THAN A CHAMPION OF THE
PEOPLE I CARE ABOUT.
PERIOD.
>> THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE IT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT ANSWER
AND HOW CLEAR THAT RESPONSES.
BECAUSE YOUR ANSWER WAS SO
IMPRESSIVE, I WANT TO ASK ONE
MORE ASPECT.
WHEN YOU ARE BEING ACCOUNTABLE
TO THE PEOPLE YOU TALKED ABOUT,
THE PEOPLE WHO WANT YOU TO
REPRESENT HER INTEREST, YOU
WOULD ALSO COME UNDER PRESSURE
FROM COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL
AND THAT WILL PROBABLY BE THE
HARDEST PRESSURE YOU WILL HAVE
TO OVERCOME.
I WANT TO HEAR MAYBE A FEW
SENTENCES ABOUT THAT.
>> IF I WERE ONE OF YOUR
COLLEAGUES THAT WOULD MAKE ME
ONE OF YOUR PEERS.
STILL A MILLENNIAL.
STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH PEER
PRESSURE EVERY DAY.
STILL HAVE TO MAKE THE RIGHT
DECISIONS FOR MY SELF, MY
FAMILY AND EXTENDED CIRCLES.
DON'T GET ME WRONG, I WANT TO
BE LIKED BUT I WANT TO BE LIKED
FOR THE RIGHT REASONS AND I
HAVE TO LIKE MYSELF FIRST.
IT'S HARD EVERY SINGLE DAY IS I
HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO SUPPORT
MYSELF AND MY PEOPLE.
I DO THINGS I DON'T NECESSARILY
WANT TO DO BY TAKING $15 AN
HOUR JOBS HERE AND THERE,
PICKING UP SHIFTS CATERING SO
WHEN I GET CALLS TO COME TO
SOMETHING LIKE THIS GO TO
OLYMPIA AT THE DROP OF A HAT I
CAN.
NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE.
IT'S STILL GOING TO BE ME.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
ARE THERE ANY MORE QUESTIONS
FOR THIS APPLICANT?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> NEXT APPLICANT.
JAY LAZERWITZ .
>> COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ .
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
SO I WOULD ASK THE SAME QUESTION
OF YOU, THAT IS RELATED TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AGAIN, I WANT TO COACH THIS ON
THIS OCCASION IN THE CONTEXT OF
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ROLES OF
WHOEVER FILLS THIS SEAT WILL BE
TO GET ON THE STEEP LEARNING
CURVE AND RIDE THAT CURVE OF
UNDERSTANDING THE BUDGET.
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT
ISSUES WE HAVE TO STRUGGLE WITH
AS A CITY COUNCIL IS
IDENTIFYING WHAT PRIORITIES TO
FUND DURING THE PROJECT PROCESS.
GIVEN THE SCALE OF THE NEED OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES
WITHIN OUR CITY, THE QUESTION
FOR ME STILL REMAINSAS TO
WHETHER YOU AS AN APPLICANT IN
THIS POSITION BELIEVE THAT
THERE ARE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO
MEET THE SCALE OF THE NEED OF
THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES
IN DISTRICT 4 AND BEYOND.
AND IF NOT, WHAT REVENUE SOURCES
DO YOU BELIEVE ARE NECESSARY OR
APPROPRIATE TO PURSUE IN ORDER
TO MEET THE SCALE OF THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS FOR
OUR COMMUNITY?
>> I THINK THE NEED FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS GREAT.
WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO
SUPPORT 100,000 NEW UNITS OR
EVEN 50,000 NEW UNITS.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL POSSIBLE
SOURCES.
WE HAVE SOME POTENTIAL IN THE
ROOSEVELT NEIGHBORHOOD, SOUND
TRANSIT AND USING SOME OF THEIR
MONIES THAT WERE IN BALANCE,
ONCE WE DECIDED, THEY DECIDED
WE PUSHED FOR 100%
AFFORDABILITY AND THEY WERE
ABLE TO SELL, MOSTLY GIVE THE
PROPERTY AWAY FOR BELOW-MARKET.
I THINK INVESTIGATING OTHER
OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE
CITY RELATED TO SOUND TRANSIT
SITES IS ONE THING WE NEED TO
DO.
OBVIOUSLY MAKING CHANGES IN THE
LONG-TERM ESTATE LEVEL IN TERMS
OF REVISING THE CHARTERS SO THE
CITY COULD REQUIRE UNITS, THE
EUROPEAN MODEL OR IF YOU'RE
GOING TO BUILD A BUILDING
YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD A CERTAIN
LEVEL OF AFFORDABLE UNITS.
I THINK LOOKING AT PROGRESSIVE
TAXATION IS REALLY THE ONLY
SOLUTION FOR THAT.
WHETHER IT'S THE HEAD TAX OR
INCOME TAX FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK
IN THE CITY, WE DESPERATELY
NEED MORE MONIES.
I'M A STRONG SUPPORTER OF LONG-
TERM NONPROFIT DEVELOPED
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE MISSION OF THOSE
ORGANIZATIONS HOLDS THOSE
PROPERTIES FOR MUCH LONGER THAN
ANY REQUIREMENTS THE MF TE
WHICH CAN BE A VERY SHORT
SUNSET OF 12 YEARS.
I THINK LOOKING AT EXTENDING
THAT TERM IS IMPORTANT AS WELL.
THAT IS A BIG BAND-AID.
I THINK WE NEED MORE MONIES.
THAT IS A PRIORITY.
>> VERY GOOD.
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> THANK YOU TO YOU FOR BEING
WITH US HERE TONIGHT.
I WANT TO COMBINED TWO THOUGHTS.
ONE IS IN 1992 YOU ARE ON THE
ARTS BOARD AND ABOUT 10 YEARS
LATER I JOINED THAT BOARD AND
THE WATERFRONT FOR ALL WAS
CREATED FROM THAT.
ONE OF THE ISSUES IT HAS BEEN
IMPORTANT TO ME IS ALL AGES AND
ABILITIES AND THAT MEANS
UNIVERSAL DESIGN, IN THE CASE
OF THE WATERFRONT HOW CAN YOU
MAKE THE DESIGN SOMETHING THAT
IS WELCOMING FOR EVERYONE?
WONDERING IF YOU CAN TALK FROM
YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT YOU MIGHT
LIKE TO SEE ON THE WATERFRONT?
>> A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A ROBUST
PEDESTRIAN CHARACTER.
A STRONG BELIEVER IN ROBUST
LANDSCAPING THROUGHOUT THE
CITY, I THINK EVERY BLOCK
SHOULD BE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY.
AREAS THAT ARE FAMILY FOCUSED
IS CRITICAL.
HAVING SOME OTHER SOME USES
ALONG THE WATERFRONT TO WELCOME
PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE MONEY TO
GO TO THE AQUARIUM AND DO
DIFFERENT THINGS I THINK HAVING
A LOT OF ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN OUR
AVENUES IN THE WATERFRONT, FOR
BETTER OR WORSE THE VIADUCT WAS
BUILT AT A TIME AND IT
RESTRAINED DEVELOPMENT AND NOW
THAT IT HAS COME DOWN WE HAVE
MUCH BETTER IDEAS OF HOW TO
TREAT PUBLIC SPACES.
I THINK A COMBINATION OF
MINIMIZING TRANSPORTATION ALONG
THERE, MAKING IT MORE TRANSIT
FRIENDLY AND ALSO MULTIMODAL
GREENSTREET FOR PEDESTRIANS,
ESPECIALLY AND BICYCLISTS.
>> PLEASE FOLLOW UP
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> ONE ISSUE GOING ON RIGHT NOW
PROVIDES US WITH A CONNECTION
AND ALSO A CONFLICT BETWEEN
CIVIL RIGHTS AND WHAT SOME OF
THE BUSINESSES CONSIDERED TO BE
HARASSING BEHAVIOR ON THE
WATERFRONT, AN EXAMPLE, CD
SELLERS.
PEOPLE APPROACH INDIVIDUALS ON
THE WATERFRONT, SURROUND THEM,
OFFER THEM CDS.
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IT'S A
GOOD WAY FOR MUSICIANS AND
ARTISTS TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT
THEY HAVE DONE, OTHERS BELIEVE
IT'S HOSTILE IN CHARACTER AND
WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THE SWEET
SPOT.
HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH THIS?
>> GOOD QUESTION.
THE IDEA OF HAVING SPACES
DEVOTING TO ENTERPRISES LIKE
THAT, I AM A STRONG BELIEVER IN
HAVING THIS INCUBATORS
THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
ESPECIALLY IN AREAS OF HIGH
RISK AND HIGH DISPLACEMENT,
WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF
BUSINESSES, BUSINESS OWNERS OF
COLOR.
I THINK HAVING A PLACE AT THE
WATERFRONT AND ALL PUBLIC
AREAS, SOME AREAS AROUND THE
MARKET FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE
BUSKING AND ALL SANCTIONED.
I THINK TRYING TO CHANGE THE
CONVERSATION THAT THESE ARE
PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN IN THIS AREA
AND NEED A HOME AS WELL.
THAT IS SAFE.
>> VERY GOOD.
>> MORE QUESTIONS?
>> A LOT OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE
BEEN TALKING ABOUT OUR CITYWIDE
ISSUES.
THEY MIGHT HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD
IMPACTS BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE
ADVANTAGE OF HAVING FORMER
COUNCILMEMBER JOHNSON HERE
KNOWS THE DISTRICT 4 ISSUES
BETTER THAN ANY OF US, COULD
YOU IDENTIFY WHAT YOU SEE AS
SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
DISTRICT 4 CHALLENGES?
>> THANK YOU.
I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING FROM
THE COMMUNITY IS A CONCERN FOR
HOMELESSNESS.
AND HYGIENE AND SAFETY ARE
ISSUES I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD. A
LOT OF SOCIAL CONCERNS THAT
WAY.
I THINK A LOT OF THE ROLE OF
DISTRICT 4 COUNCILPERSON WILL
BE IN TERMS OF EDUCATION ,
GOING OUT AND TALKING TO THE
CONSTITUENTS AND EDUCATING THEM
ABOUT THIS ISSUE, WHAT THE CITY
IS DOING AND HAS FUTURE PLANS
WERE, ANOTHER BIG ISSUE WITH
REGARD TO THE ZONING'S
COMMERCIAL DISPLACEMENT, THERE
ARE VERY BIG CONCERNS, A
SUPPORTER OF THE MHA ZONING, I
HAVE SEEN SO MUCH DEVELOPMENT
BE VESTED IN ADVANCE OF THE MHA,
I WISH WE HAD MHA 10 YEARS AGO
COMING OUT OF THE RECESSION,
WERE GETTING TO THAT NOW.
I THINK COMMERCIAL DISPLACEMENT
WE HAVE A LOT OF SMALL
BUSINESSES ON THE AVENUE OWNED
BY PEOPLE OF COLOR AS WELL.
TO ME IT'S NOT A VOCAL ISSUE,
WITH CONSTITUENTS, BUT IT'S AN
UNDERLYING ISSUE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA,
FOLLOW-UP?
>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP
ECONOMIC DISPLACEMENT AND ALSO
SMALL BUSINESS DISPLACEMENT. AS
WE LOOK TO IMPLEMENT MHA,
ESPECIALLY ALONG THE AVENUE
WHAT ARE SOME IDEAS YOU HAVE TO
ADDRESS THE CONCERN YOU BROUGHT
UP?
>> TO TIE IN THE MHA,
ADDITIONAL BONUSES POTENTIALLY
FOR COMMERCIAL INCENTIVES TO
GET REDUCED RENTS, AS WELL
WORKING WITH THE OFFICE OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO
RELOCATE SOME OF THOSE
BUSINESSES, LEAPFROG SOME
BUSINESSES.
WE GOT VERY LUCKY IN THE
ROOSEVELT NEIGHBORHOOD,
PARTIALLY BY MY TALKING TO A
DEVELOPER AND CONCERNED ABOUT A
VACANT STOREFRONT THAT WAS
OFFERED FOR USE TO THE
ASSOCIATION.
HE WAS ABLE TO TALK TO THE
OWNERS OF THE SUNLIGHT CAFC WHO
HAD BEEN THERE FOR 35 YEARS AND
RELOCATED THEM IN THE BUILDING.
I THINK IT'S GOING OUT WITH OED
AND ALSO OPD AND TRYING TO
UNDERSTAND BOTH THE CHARACTER,
FROM AN AESTHETIC POINT OF VIEW
AS WELL AS PROVIDING SMALLER
SCALE RETAIL BUSINESSES,
APPROPRIATE FOR THAT USE AND
THEY ARE GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE
SPACES BUT HAVING TO CREATE
INCENTIVES TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
IT IS CRITICAL TO SUPPORT THESE
BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE
IN MANY CASES FOR SOME DECADES.
SOME SHORTER BUT IF ARE GOING
TO HELP INCUBATE THOSE IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEN CHANGE
THE NEIGHBORHOOD I THINK WE ARE
PROVIDING A DISSERVICE.
>> VERY GOOD.
A FOLLOW-UP?
>> ONE OF THE THINGS I GET TO
WORK ON AS WELL, YOU HAVE
UNFORTUNATELY IN DISTRICT 4
SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF
OVERDOSE AND DEATH IN THE
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT WE ARE
DEALING WITH ACROSS THE CITY
OBVIOUSLY AND IN THE DOWNTOWN
CORE DOOR AS WELL, AS WE
CONTINUE TO TRY TO STRIVE FOR
EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS AND
RECOGNIZE THAT OVERDOSE
PREVENTION SITES ARE AN
EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTION TO A
PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS OF
ADDICTION IN THE OPIOID CRISIS
THAT WAS PUSHED ON US BY BIG
PHARMA.
ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES WE
POTENTIALLY HAVE TO TALK ABOUT
THIS YEAR IS HOW WE AS A
COMMUNITY WILL COME TOGETHER TO
ADVANCE OVERDOSE PREVENTION
SITES AND NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR
30 YEARS IT TOOK US TO GET
NEEDLE EXCHANGES TO BE
RECOGNIZED AS A STRONG PUBLIC
HEALTH HARM REDUCTION STRATEGY.
YOUR DISTRICT HAS A NEEDLE
EXCHANGE WHICH IS CURRENTLY
NEEDING A NEW HOME ALONG THE
AVENUE.
WHAT ARE SOME IDEAS YOU MIGHT
HAVE TO BOTH ADDRESS THE OPIOID
CRISIS, ADDICTION CRISIS AND
SPECIFICALLY WOULD YOU BE
WILLING TO WORK WITH US TO
IMPLEMENT THE CREATION OF AN
OVERDOSE PREVENTION SITE WITHIN
COUNCIL?
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE
SPECIFICALLY IN DISTRICT 4
BUT AS WE LOOK AT TRYING TO
TEST THE SITE, WHAT ARE YOUR
THOUGHTS ON THAT?
>> I THINK WITH THE NEED IN THE
DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY IN THE U-
DISTRICT I THINK IT'S
APPROPRIATE TO DEVELOP A NEW
SITE, SAFE CONSUMPTION SIGHT.
SOMEHOW WORKING THROUGH THE LAWS
, OR WE COULD DO CRITICALLY AT
THIS POINT AND WHAT WE COULD DO
DOWN THE ROAD AS WELL.
I'M NOT SURE IF IT CAN BE
CONSECUTIVE WITH AN EXISTING
SOCIAL SERVICE OR LOW INCOME
HOUSING FACILITY OR NEEDS TO BE
A SEPARATE SITE.
COMBINING SERVICES MIGHT MAKE
IT MORE EFFECTIVE.
GET MORE PEOPLE IN AND REDUCE
SOME OF THE STIGMA AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR
NEXT APPLICANT.
>> DAVID GOLDBERG .
>> WHO WOULD LIKE TO ASK THIS
APPLICANT THE FIRST LINE OF
QUESTIONS?
>> COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ .
[LAUGHTER]
>> ALL RIGHT.
HERE WE GO.
I WILL ASK YOU THE SAME
QUESTION I'VE BEEN ASKING
EVERYONE FOR CONSISTENCY
PURPOSES.
AGAIN, WITH REGARD TO PORTABLE
HOUSING AND THE NEEDS OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN DISTRICT
4 AND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE
CITY, THROUGHOUT THE CITY, WHAT
ARE YOUR VIEWS IN TERMS OF THE
SUFFICIENCY OF REVENUE AVAILABLE
TO THE CITY TO CONTINUE TO
SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND
INCREASE THE DEVELOPMENT OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGHOUT
THE CITY.
AND IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THERE
IS ENOUGH REVENUE WHAT ARE SOME
VIABLE REVENUE OPTIONS OR
STRATEGIES THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL SHOULD PURSUE THE YOU
MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN WORKING
ON IF APPOINTED.
>> I DO NOT BELIEVE THE CITY
HAS ENOUGH REVENUE TO PROVIDE
THE LEVEL OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
REQUIRED.
I'M NOT SURE THE CITY ALONE IS
EVER GOING TO HAVE THOSE
RESOURCES.
I'M AFRAID WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO FIND SOME IN THE STATE AND
COUNTIES.
THAT SAID, I WOULD NOT SHRINK
FROM DISCUSSION OF A HEAD TAX
WITH AMAZON TAX AS SOME LIKE TO
CALL IT, I THOUGH, WOULD NOT BE
EAGER TO REPEAT THE SAME
SITUATION AS LAST SUMMER.
I WOULD THINK WE WOULD WANT TO
VERY CAREFULLY STRUCTURE A PLAN
THAT WE CAN COMMUNICATE WELL
AND HAVE A GOOD OUTREACH PLAN
AND BUILD POLITICAL SUPPORT
BEFORE WE DO IT.
ONE OTHER THING THAT OCCURRED
TO ME WAS IF OUR BUSINESS
FRIENDS DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF
THE HEAD TAX PERHAPS THEY CAN
HELP US LOBBYING FOR US AND
HELP CHANGE THE LAWS IN OLYMPIA
TO ALLOW US TO IMPLEMENT A MORE
AGGRESSIVE TAX REGIME HERE.
BIGGER AND LONGER TERM THAN WE
CAN ACCOMPLISH IN SIX MONTHS I
LOVE TO HAVE A STRATEGIC
DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW WE CAN
MOVE FORWARD AND WHAT WE CAN
LEVERAGE.
GETTING AWAY FROM REVENUE FOR A
SECOND, WE HAVE DONE SOME THINGS
TO ALLOW PROJECTS THAT ARE IN
THE RIGHT PLACE WITH THE RIGHT
COMPLEMENT OF FEATURES TO GET
THROUGH PERMITTING FASTER.
I THINK WE COULD DO MORE, THAT
WOULD MAKE IT CHEAPER AND
QUICKER TO GET THE HOUSING OUT
THERE.
I THINK LAND BANKING IS REALLY
IMPORTANT.
THE IDEA OF PARTICULARLY
LOOKING AHEAD AROUND LIGHT RAIL
STATIONS AND MAKING SURE
THEY'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THOSE
PLACES.
I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO SOON TO
START THINKING ABOUT ST3 AND
MAKING SURE THEIR EQUITY
DEVELOPING AND A HIGH-PRICED
UNITS.
I ALSO THINK, I DON'T KNOW THE
ANSWERS, BUT I WANT US TO GET
MORE CREATIVE ABOUT TWO BEDROOM
AND THREE BEDROOM AND HOW WE
INCENTIVIZE THAT.
MAY BE THERE IS A WAY TO LOOK
AT THE MFT AND SEE IF THERE'S A
WAY TO INCENTIVIZE LARGER UNITS.
ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS IS
THERE AREN'T ENOUGH AFFORDABLE
SPACES FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE
KIDS.
I WORRY THAT WE'RE GOING TO
BECOME NOT JUST A MONOCHROMATIC
CITY BUT A CITY THAT
INCREASINGLY HAS ONLY RICH KIDS.
>> VERY GOOD.
>> COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN.
>> DAVID YOU AND MARGE, AS
MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION HAD A ROLE TO PLAY
IN A REPORT TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION PUBLISHED RECENTLY.
ONE OF THE DATA POINTS THAT
STOOD OUT WAS TALKING ABOUT
HOUSING IN OUR CITY, 75% OF THE
LAND WHERE RESIDENTIAL USES ARE
ALLOWED IS OWNED SINGLE-FAMILY.
YOU LOOK AT THE GROWTH OVER THE
LAST DECADE ONLY 5% OF THE
GROWTH HAS HAPPENED IN THE
SINGLE-FAMILY ZONES.
WHERE IS 95% HAS HAPPENED IN
THE OTHER 25% OF RESIDENTIALLY
ZONED LAND.
THAT IS BY DESIGN.
WE HAVE FOR DECADES HAD THIS
GARDEN VILLAGE STRATEGY.
I LOVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHERE
YOU THINK WE ARE TODAY AND WHAT
FUTURE GROWTH SHOULD LOOK LIKE,
SPECIFICALLY, IS THAT THE RIGHT
STRATEGY OR DO WE SHIFT AND
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> RIGHT.
AND IN SOME OF THOSE AREAS YOU
TALKED ABOUT, WE LOST
POPULATION.
I DON'T WANT TO SOUND AND SET
OFF ALARM BELLS ACROSS THE CITY,
WITH THIS DISCUSSION, I THINK,
WE TALKED ABOUT THE MISSING
MIDDLE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO
GO BACK TO THE TRADITIONAL
PATTERNS WE HAD WHERE YOU HAVE
WITHIN BLOCKS OF ME YOU'VE GOT
DUPLEXES, TRIPLEX'S, COURTYARD
APARTMENTS, SMALL-SCALE, AND
MANY OF THESE UNITS OR HOMES
LOOK JUST LIKE SINGLE-FAMILY
HOMES THEY JUST HAPPEN TO BE
DIVIDED UP.
I THINK THERE IS AN
OPPORTUNITY, WITHOUT THROWING
OUT THE SCALE WE ARE USED TO IN
SOME OF OUR TRADITIONAL
NEIGHBORHOODS, THERE ARE A LOT
OF WAYS WE CAN OPEN THINGS UP
FOR MORE HOUSING.
I KNOW, IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD
ANYWAY, A LOT OF THE INITIAL
BACKLASH TO MHA IN PART WAS,
WHAT HAPPENED TO NEIGHBORHOOD
PLANNING?
WE DID IT IN THE 1990S WHEN WE
BROUGHT IN THE URBAN VILLAGE
STRATEGY, AND PEOPLE HAD GOOD
MEMORIES OF BEING INVOLVED IN
THE PLANNING.
WE KNOW THE END RESULT TODAY IS
THAT IT'S NOT GETTING US WHERE
WE NEED TO GO IN TERMS OF
ACCESS FOR PEOPLE.
SINGLE-FAMILY AREAS, THAT IS
WHERE YOU HAVE PARKS AND
SCHOOLS.
IF WE DON'T ALLOW MORE PEOPLE
TO LIVE THERE WE ARE EXCLUDING
THEM FROM THE COMMUNITY ASSETS.
WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO OPEN
THAT UP.
I THINK THERE MIGHT BE A WAY TO
GRADUALLY INTRODUCE THIS CONCEPT
AND INVOLVE PEOPLE IN TALKING
ABOUT IT AND PLANNING.
SAYING, LOOK, WE ARE NOT
PRESERVING WE HAVE IN AMBER, WE
CAN'T TELL YOU NOTHINGS GOING
TO CHANGE BECAUSE SOMETHING IS
GOING TO CHANGE, BUT LET'S WORK
TOGETHER TO ACCOMMODATE THIS
MANY PEOPLE AND IN EXCHANGE,
THESE PLACES THAT WILL CHANGE
WILL GET BETTER TRANSIT
SERVICE, WILL GET UPGRADES AND
STREETSCAPES.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COMMUNITY
MIGHT WANT, I'M NOT GOING TO DO
THIS IN SIX MONTHS ON THE
COUNCIL, BUT I THINK THERE IS A
WAY TO START A CONVERSATION
ABOUT A RE-VISIONING OF A
NEIGHBORHOOD THAT COULD BRING
PEOPLE INTO THE CONVERSATION
AND MAYBE FIND A WAY FORWARD
THAT IS NOT TOTALLY ACCURATE
ONLY AS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT
YOU'RE SAYING ABOUT REVIEWING
THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING.
TO HEAR THAT A LOT, THE PEOPLE
FEEL LIKE, WE DID THIS WORK 12
YEARS AGO, WHAT HAPPENED?
ALAN DURNING WROTE SOMETHING
CALLED UNLOCKING HOME ABOUT
FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO AND HE
HAD SOME GOOD IDEAS, ARE YOU
FAMILIAR WITH THAT?
>> I SEE A LOT OF THAT STUFF
I'M NOT TOTALLY SURE.
>> I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD
BUILD ON SOME OF THE THINGS HE
WAS SUGGESTING INCLUDING
ALLOWING FOR MORE ROOMMATES,
ALLOWING FOR HOMES TO BE DIVIDED
. AGAIN, YOU DON'T WANT TO SET
OFF ALARM BELLS, BUT I'D LIKE
TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS THAT KIND
OF HOUSING FOR THE HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WE SEE
COMING, THAT HAVE COME AND WANT
TO COME.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO OPEN
OURSELVES TO EXPERIMENT TATIAN.
I THINK ONE THING THAT HAS
UPSET A LOT OF PEOPLE'S WE
TRIED NEW THINGS CITYWIDE IN THE
URGENCY SUGGESTED THAT'S WHAT
WE DO BUT WHAT WE DO WITH THE
DID WHEN THEY INITIALLY PRODUCED
BY CLAIMS AND TAKING STREET
SPACE IN NEW YORK.
THEY SAID LOOK, LET'S PUT IT
OUT THERE AND SEE HOW PEOPLE
USE IT AND SEE IF THE STUFF
PEOPLE MIGHT BE AFRAID OF WHAT
REALLY HAPPENS.
COULD WE INCENTIVIZE AN AREA OF
TOWN TO BE VOLUNTEERS TO SAY,
WE WILL LOOSEN IT FOR A TIME
AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A CUE
FROM SILVER TECH STARTUP
FRIENDS HERE AND BE ADVENTUROUS
AND WILLING TO FAIL BUT MOVE
FAST.
I KNOW IT'S HARD FOR CITY
GOVERNMENT, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO
SEE US TRY.
>> VERY GOOD.
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVEN'T
SPENT A LOT OF TIMES ASKING
QUESTIONS ABOUT IS THE ISSUE OF
PEOPLE EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS.
I WANT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
TO ASK YOU A QUESTION AND I
THINK I WILL PREFACE IT BY
SAYING, AS COUNCILMEMBERS WE
RECEIVE A LOT OF COMMUNICATIONS
FROM PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY AND
WHEN WE ARE OUT IN COMMUNITY
GET APPROACHED BY A LOT OF
PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONCERNS,
SOMETIMES SOME SOLUTIONS OR
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOW THE
CITY COULD DO BETTER IN THE
SPACE OF ADDRESSING THE ISSUES
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS FACE EVERY DAY.
I AM IN SOME CASES VERY SAD
ABOUT WHERE WE ARE AS A CITY AS
A RELATES TO THIS ISSUE.
I SAY THAT WITH A HEAVY HEART
BECAUSE I BELIEVE WE ARE A CITY
THE VALUES COMPASSION AND
HUMANITY AND THAT WE ARE
MOTIVATEDBY A DESIRE TO END
THE REALLY PAINFUL EXPERIENCE
OF HOMELESSNESS THE PEOPLE ARE
EXPENSING ON OUR STREETSRIGHT
NOW.
UNFORTUNATELY IT HAS BECOME A
SITUATION NOW WHERE SOME FOLKS
ARE FRUSTRATED WITH THE ONGOING
SITUATION IN THE ONGOING
REALITIES IN THE SPACE AND HAVE
AS A RESULT BEGUN TO SUGGEST
POLICIES SUCH AS LAW
ENFORCEMENT POLICIES TO ADDRESS
ISSUES RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET AN
UNDERSTANDING FROM YOU ABOUT
HOW YOU INTEND TO NAVIGATE THAT
SPACE IF YOU ARE APPOINTED TO
THE SEAT AND REALLY ULTIMATELY
WHAT IS YOUR VALUES AND SET OF
VALUES AND IDEALS AROUND VIEWING
INVESTMENTS IN THE SPACE OF
HOMELESSNESS AND STRATEGIES IN
THE SPACE OF HOMELESSNESS AND
WHETHER YOU SUPPORT REDUCTION
APPROACHES OR PUNITIVE LAW
ENFORCEMENT APPROACHES TO
ADDRESSING THE ISSUES RELATED TO
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
>> YOU ARE RIGHT, THAT'S A VERY
HARD ISSUE.
I AM NOT IN THE CAMP OF TRYING
TO ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF A
PROBLEM.
I DON'T SEE THAT AS A SOLUTION.
I THINK THE NINTH CIRCUIT
DECISION RECENTLY SUGGESTS THAT
WE CAN'T JUST KICK PEOPLE OUT
OF PLACES WHERE THEY ARE TRYING
TO SLEEP IF WE HAVE NOWHERE FOR
THEM TO GO.
THAT SUGGESTS THE FIRST STEP
FOR US IS TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE
FOR PLACES TO GO AND I THINK
THAT IS ENHANCED 24 HOURS
SHELTERS.
I THINK WE ARE GOING TO DO
SOMETHING LIKE A HEAD TAX OR
WHATEVER NEW REVENUE SOURCE,
NEARLY THAT IS THE THING WE
NEED TO INVEST IN.
I THINK THE HARM REDUCTION
APPROACH IS TO BE DESIRED.
THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE'S
FRUSTRATION WITH WHAT I HEAR IS
THE FILTH AND NASTINESS THEY
SEE.
I WONDER IF WE, THE NAVIGATION
AUDIT REPORT RECENTLY MENTIONED
THE WOEFUL SHORTAGE, AND I'M
NOT GOING TO SAY IT WAS
EVERYTHING, IT DID POINT OUT
THE WOEFUL SHORTAGE OF TOILET
AND HYGIENE FACILITIES.
THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE
COULD FIND A WAY TO PULL IN
MORE OF THOSE THINGS, IN MORE
PARTS OF THE CITY.
I THINK IF WE CAN CLEANUP
WITHOUT SWEEPING, WE CAN FIND A
WAY TO DELIVER SANITATION
SERVICES OR PEOPLE WITHOUT THEY
COME BACK AND MOVE OUT AND COME
BACK.
IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY, I
PROBABLY SOUND REALLY NACVE, --
>> ASKING THE SAME QUESTIONS.
>> PLEASE WRAP UP.
>> I'M SORRY.
>> I THINK THAT WOULD TAKE SOME
OF THE ANGST OFF.
I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, SEATTLE
IS A COMPASSIONATE CITY, THAT
DREW ME HERE AND KEEPS ME HERE.
I THINK WE CAN DRAW ON THAT
COMPASSION.
>> NEXT APPLICANT.
>> BROOKE BROD .
>> WHO WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE
NEXT QUESTION?
>> SAME QUESTIONS AROUND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THERE IS AN ONGOING NEED TO
INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AVAILABLE IN
THE CITY AND I WOULD BE
INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM YOU
ABOUT YOUR READ ON EXISTING
REVENUE AVAILABLE TO MEET THE
SCALE OF THE FORMAL HOUSING
ISSUES AND WHAT OTHER SOLUTIONS
IN THE REVENUE COLUMN WE COULD
OR SHOULD BE PURSUING AS A CITY
COUNCIL AS WE ENTER INTO OUR
BUDGET CYCLE.
>> IS EVERYONE HAS SAID, WE
DEFINITELY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH
REVENUE AND OUR STATE IS
TERRIBLE AT DEALING WITH THE
REVENUE QUESTION.
THAT SAID, I THINK WE'RE GOING
TO HAVE A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT
REVENUE STREAMS HOPEFULLY
COMING.
NUMBER 1 IS THE MHA FEES.
AND I KNOW IN ONE YEAR WHERE WE
HAD IT IN SIX NEIGHBORHOODS WE
TOOK IN $13 MILLION.
WE SHOULD BE DRASTICALLY
INCREASING THAT MONEY.
I THINK NUMBER 1 IS LOOKING AT
THE CATEGORICAL SPENDING AND
HOW TO SET HELP US FREE UP A
GENERAL FRIEND FUND MONEY TO
PILOT THINGS LIKE MOBILE
PITSTOPS OR HYGIENE.
I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT
PART.
HAVING SAT THROUGH MANY
HEARINGS I KNOW THERE IS A LOT
OF CONCERN ABOUT, DID WE SET
THE FEES CORRECTLY?
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A
PROCESS FOR MONITORING THE
APPROPRIATE LEVELS AND IF WE
DON'T FEEL WE ARE GETTING THE
RIGHT PERFORMANCE AND PAY
BALANCE TO ADJUST THOSE, THAT
WOULD BRING ADDITIONAL REVENUE,
I AM PARTICULARLY HOPEFUL THAT
OLYMPIA WILL PASS THE
PROGRESSIVE REAL ESTATE EXCISE
TAX GIVING THAT MONEY TO THE
CITY WILL HELP US FREE UP
HOPEFULLY MORE FLEXIBLE FUNDS
IN THE GENERAL FUND AND ALSO
HOPEFULLY OLYMPIA WILL GIVE US
THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD BACK
SOME SALES TAX, THE STATE SALES
TAX, FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THOSE ARE SOME IMPORTANT
REVENUE STREAMS WE CAN THINK
ABOUT AND HOW THAT CATEGORICAL
SPENDING CAN FREE UP MORE
FLEXIBLE SPENDING IN THE
GENERAL FUND.
>> COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> IN YOUR INTRODUCTORY
REMARKS, YOU TALKED ABOUT
HAVING BUDGETING EXPERIENCE.
YOU TALK MORE ABOUT THAT?
>> YES, I WOULD SAY, NOT
PERSONALLY DOING BUDGETING
MYSELF BUT CERTAINLY HAVING
BEEN PART OF A LOT OF
LEGISLATIVE CYCLES IN WHICH YOU
ARE ADDRESSING BUDGET ISSUES.
ONE OF THE KEY THINGS WAS
HAVING A FRONT SEAT FOR THE
PAST SEVERAL YEARS AROUND THE
McCLEARY DECISION IN OLYMPIA
AND FIGURING OUT HOW YOU FIND
REVENUE TO MEET OUR
CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO
FUND BASIC EDUCATION.
UNDERSTANDING HOW YOU -- HOW
DIFFICULT IT IS TO ADDRESS
REVENUE QUESTIONS.
WHERE YOU FIND BUDGET MONEY.
THAT IS SOME EXPERIENCE I HAVE.
>> A FOLLOW-UP.
DIVE INTO THAT DEEPER.
YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T HAVE HANDS
ON BUDGETING EXPERIENCE, IN
THIS COUNCIL AND FIVE MONTHS WE
WILL.
WHAT WILL YOU SEE YOURSELF
PLAYING AND HOW CAN YOU BRING
YOUR EXPERIENCE TO BEAR?
>> SO I THINK WELL I MEAN I
HAVE THAT KIND OF HANDS-ON, I
HAVE DONE A SIGNIFICANT DEEP
DIVE INTO THE BUDGET.
AND I THINK UNDERSTAND SOME OF
THE WAYS IN WHICH WE BALANCE
POOLS OF REVENUE, I UNDERSTAND
THE MANY REVENUE STREAMS WHETHER
IT'S LEVEES, STATE FUNDING,
HOUSING TRUST FUNDING, AND ALSO
REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW YOU USE
THE BUDGET PROVISO PROCESS TO
ADJUST THE WAYS YOU ARE USING
CATEGORICAL SPENDING VERSUS
MORE GENERAL FUNDING.
>> THANK YOU.
>> TRENDS COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
.
>> I APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWERS
TO THE COMMUNITY SUBMITTED
QUESTIONS.
IN PARTICULAR I WAS DRAWN TO
YOUR ANSWER REGARDING THE
AVENUE AND MHA AND YOUR
RECOGNITION THAT IT'S THE ONLY
COMMERCIAL STRIP, MAJOR
COMMERCIAL STRIP THAT IS NOT
PART OF THE MHA UP STONES WHICH
MEANS NOW THAT MHA HAS PASSED
THROUGHOUT THE CITY IT MAKES
THE AVENUE ESPECIALLY
ATTRACTIVE TO DEVELOPERS WHO
MIGHT WANT TO AVOID THE MHA
REQUIREMENTS.
I WAS A SUPPORTER AND A PERSON
WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE
AVENUE OR UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
MHA DISCUSSION WHO SUPPORTED
THE COMMUNITY IN HITTING PAWS
ON THE UP STONES.
I HAVE ALSO ENGAGED WITH THE
COMMUNITY SINCE THEN TO EXPLAIN
THIS PHENOMENON OF THE VALUE OF
THE UP STONES BEING A DETERRENT
TO DEVELOPMENT IN SOME PLACES
IN THAT THE AVENUE MAY ACTUALLY
ATTRACT MORE DEVELOPMENT AND
POTENTIALLY MORE DISPLACEMENT.
AM CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW YOU
THINK YOU CAN ADVANCE THOSE
CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME REALLY
GULLIBLE BUSINESS OWNERS ON THE
AVENUE?
>> I THINK ONE THING I CAN
BRING TO THE CONVERSATION IS A
GREAT DEAL OF EXPERIENCE AND
EMPATHY FOR THOSE BUSINESS
OWNERS.
I BASICALLY GREW UP ON THE
AVENUE.
MY MOTHER AND STEPFATHER RENTED
A HOUSE ON 55th AND BROOKLYN.
I REMEMBER A NORDSTROM AND
BOUGHT RECORDS AT TOWER RECORDS.
BEING ABLE TO APPROACH BUSINESS
OWNERS WITH THAT SENSE OF
HISTORY AND UNDERSTANDING HOW
MANY CHANGES IT HAS GONE
THROUGH, I THINK IT WILL GIVE
ME CREDIBILITY IN THOSE
CONVERSATIONS.
I THINK THEY ALSO JUST NEED TO
HEAR ACTUAL SOLUTIONS WHICH IS
WHY AM INTERESTED IN EXPLORING
THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL ON A
COMMUNITY PREFERENCE POLICY CAN
BE EXTENDED TO SMALL
BUSINESSES.
I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
FRANKLY I THINK WE NEED TO BE
ASKING MORE OF THE UW.
THEY ARE ONE OF THE MAJOR
LANDHOLDERS.
FRANKLY AND DISAPPOINTED WITH
THEIR MASTER PLAN AND
EVERYTHING IT DOESN'T DO AROUND
HOUSING FOR STUDENTS AND THE
WORKFORCE.
I THINK THE CITY COUNCIL
PARTICULARLY, WHILE THEY DON'T
HAVE LEGISLATIVE PURVIEW OVER
UW, THEY DO HOLD LEVERAGING
WITH PERMITS AND I THINK
ENCOURAGING THEM, USING THAT
LEVERAGE TO HAVE THEM SIGN A
COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT
THAT PARTICULARLY SET ASIDE
COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS IS ONE ALSO
SOLUTION I THINK WOULD BE
INTERESTING TO START THE
CONVERSATION ON IN A SHORT
PERIOD OF TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN
FOR YOUR ANSWERS, SPECIFICALLY
ON THE MHA UP SOON.
YOU CLEARLY HAVE AN EXTENSIVE
KNOWLEDGE ON THE TYPE OF FUNDS
AVAILABLE.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE
DEALING WITH HERE IN THE CITY
IS THAT EVEN THE SOURCES THAT
GO INTO CREATING THE CITIES
FUNDS THAT THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING IS ABLE TO DOLE OUT FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH
NONPROFIT DEVELOPERS, THEY'RE
ALREADY COMING FROM THINGS LIKE
THE HOUSING LEVY FUNDS, MHA,
INCENTIVE ZONING PAYMENTS,
SURFACE PROPERTY PAYMENTS AND
LEVERAGING AGAINST STATE AND
FEDERALSOURCES.
EVEN WITH THE CITYWIDE UP SOON
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VERY SMALL
ADDITIONS THAT I BELIEVE ARE
COMING TO THE POOL.
THE TREND WE HAVE SEEN SINCE
2017, IN 2017 WE SOUGHT $94
MILLION GO INTO THE FUNDS FROM
THE OFFICE OF HOUSING.
LAST YEAR THAT DROPPED TO $76
MILLION.
THIS YEAR AT BEST AT THIS POINT,
IT SOUNDED LIKE ROLLING GOING
TO HAVE AROUND $60 MILLION.
WITH THE SCALE OF HOUSING AS WE
TALKED ABOUT BEFORE IN THIS
REGION, AS ESTIMATED BY THE
KING COUNTY TASK FORCE, WE KNOW
SEATTLE NEEDS 156,000
AFFORDABLE UNITS JUST TO MEET
TODAY'S NEED.
IT IS A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION FROM
THE FIRST QUESTION COUNCIL
MEMBER GONZALEZ ASKED.
I KNOW WE ARE ALL INTERESTED IN
BEING GOOD PARTNERS OF THE
STATE LEVEL.
THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY
THERE WE WANT TO CONTINUE.
COULD YOU TALK MORE
SPECIFICALLY ABOUT CITY LEVEL
REVENUE RESOURCES THAT YOU
MIGHT BE WILLING TO CONSIDER
THE DON'T REQUIRE US TO WAIT
FOR YET ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE
SESSION WITH THIS TREND IN DEEP
DECREASED FUNDING FOR THE
OFFICE OF AFFORDABE HOUSING.
>> YES, I THINK IS EVERYONE HAS
ADDRESSED, THERE ARE LIMITED
OPPORTUNITIES TO ACTUALLY RAISE
FUNDS GIVEN HOW HAND STRONG WE
ARE FROM OLYMPIA.
I THINK A CONVERSATION AROUND
AN EMPLOYEE HOURS TAX IS
COMPLETELY WARRANTED.
AND I KNOW THESE CONVERSATIONS
ARE DIFFICULT.
I TOOK WELL OVER FIVE YEARS
REALLY TO GET TO MHA.
IT TOOK ONE YEAR TO GET TO AN
AGREEMENT.
I THINK INVESTING OUR TIME IN
DOING THAT, I THINK TWO MONTHS
WAS, JUST KNOWING HOW
CONTROVERSIAL A TOPIC IT IS, I
THINK WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO
DEVOTE EVEN MORE TIME TO THAT
AND JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS
DIFFICULT OR UNPOPULAR, DOESN'T
MEAN YOU SHOULDN'T BE WILLING
TO TALK ABOUT IT.
AND ASK PEOPLE TO PAY THEIR
FAIR SHARE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ .
COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN DID YOU
HAVE A QUESTION?
>> THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO
VISION ZERO WHICH IS OUR
COMMITMENT TO ELIMINATE ALL
FATALITIES AND SERIOUS
INDUSTRIES IN THE
TRANSPORTATION SECTOR BY THE
YEAR 2030.
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO
DO.
HAVE SEEN CHALLENGES IN THE
LAST FEW WEEKS.
A BIKE SAFETY PROJECT ON 35th
BUT THE GENERAL REALITY IT'S
EXPENSIVE TO BUILD IN THE
MASTER PLAN AND WE SAW A
PROPOSAL THAT IS CUTTING BACK
ON THAT.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON
VISION ZERO IN GENERAL, BUT
ALSO PRAGMATICALLY HOW ARE WE
GOING TO DO THIS IN THE NEXT 11
YEARS?
>> YES, SO, I MEAN, I HAVE
ACTUALLY BEEN HIT BY A CAR ON
MY BICYCLE.
I DID NOT, FORTUNATELY, HAVE A
SERIOUS INJURY.
I HAVE A LOT OF EMPATHY AROUND
VISION ZERO AND HAVE FRIENDS
WHO'VE BEEN HOSPITALIZED OR HAD
SERIOUS INJURIES DUE TO
COLLISIONS WITH AUTOMOBILES.
I THINK TOO OFTEN IN OUR
CONVERSATION AROUND THIS, IT'S
LIKE BIKES VERSUS CARS OR BIKES
VERSUS PEDESTRIANS.
THE CONVERSATION REALLY
SHOULDN'T BE THAT BECAUSE WE
KNOW THERE IS PLENTY OF DATA
THAT SHOWS ADDING BIKE LANES
JUST COLUMNS TRAFFIC OVERALL
FOR EVERYONE.
I THINK REFRAMING THE
CONVERSATION IS SOMETHING THAT
CAN THINK BEGIN NOW IN THE
SHORT PERIOD.
I ALSO THINK AS I MENTIONED IN
SOME OF MY ANSWERS, WE KNOW
ALSO IN THE LIMITED FUNDS THE
GO TO BIKE LANES, OFTEN SOME OF
THAT MONEY GETS SIPHONED OFF
FOR NON-BY CLEAN PURPOSES.
I THINK REALLY PROTECTING BY
CLEAN MONEY FOR ACTUAL BIKE
LANES IS HOW WE CAN AT LEAST
MOVE SLIGHTLY FASTER AND
FORWARD ON WHAT I THINK IS A
CHALLENGING PROBLEM.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
RATE JOB.
GREAT JOB.
OUR NEXT APPLICANT?
>> JORDAN GOLDWARG .
>> KNOW THAT YOU ARE SETTLED,
COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ?
>> THANK YOU.
ENTERTAINING THE IDEA OF MIXING
IT UP.
>> YOU GOING TO THROW ALL OF
HER RHYTHM OFF IF YOU DO THAT.
>> THE BODY HAS SPOKEN AND THEY
WANT ME TO BE CONSISTENT.
I WILL ASK THE SAME QUESTION
WHICH IS AROUND AVAILABLE
REVENUE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
DO WE HAVE ENOUGH, IF WE DON'T
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
IN TERMS OF REVENUE OR OTHER
STRATEGIES AT THE CITY
MUNICIPAL LEVEL THAT COULD
ASSIST IN THE COLLECTIVE GOAL
OF DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL
AFFORDABLE HOUSING?
>> WE HAVE ALL SEEN FROM
PREVIOUS ANSWERS IT'S VERY
CHALLENGING ISSUE.
BUT FOR ME PERSONALLY I WOULD
BE SUPPORTIVE OF ANOTHER
ATTEMPT AT A HEAD TAX OR AMAZON
TAX.
THERE'S NO QUESTION TO ME THAT
THE SCALE OF SOME OF THE LARGE
BUSINESSES IN OUR CITY AND THE
DISRUPTION THEY HAVE BEEN
CREATING IN TERMS OF
AFFORDABILITY NEEDS TO BE
ADDRESSED IN PART BY THEM.
IT REALLY SEEMS TO BE ONE OF
THE ONLY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO
US.
I THINK WE NEED TO THINK HARD
ABOUT STRATEGY AND HOW TO DO
THAT IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY THAT
WILL ACTUALLY HAVE BROAD PUBLIC
SUPPORT.
THAT SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THE
ONLY OPTIONS.
BEYOND THAT, THINKING STILL
ABOUT AS THIS AND THE PRIVATE
SECTOR, I TEND TO BE RELUCTANT
WHEN IT COMES TO PROPOSALS LED
BY BUSINESS, BUT I AM INTRIGUED
BY THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT BY
MICROSOFT AND THEIR INVESTMENT
LOANS, WHATEVER FORMAT IT'S
GOING TO COME OUT TO BE, IT
DOES SEEM LIKE AN INTRIGUING
PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE THE STOCK
OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE
EAST SIDE.
I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO EXPLORE A
SIMILAR TYPE ARRANGEMENT WITH
COMPANIES HERE IN SEATTLE.
SPOKE VERY GOOD.
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> THANK YOU.
NICE TO SEE YOU.
YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR OPENING
REMARKS, A PHRASE WE HEAR
FREQUENTLY WHICH IS THE BUDGET
IS A MORAL DOCUMENT.
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR
EXPERIENCE IN THAT AND HOW
WOULD A FINITE BUDGET WE HAVE
TO BALANCE, DO WE ADDRESS THE
THINGS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT,
HOUSING OR HOMELESSNESS OR
PARKS OR BETTER PUBLIC HEALTH
OR MORE FIREFIGHTERS?
HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THAT AND
MAKE DECISIONS?
>> I THINK FOR ME IT ALWAYS
COMES DOWN TO LOOKING BOTH ON
THE REVENUE SIDE AND MANAGER
SIDE.
SOME THINGS THAT MAYBE HAVEN'T
BEEN TALKED ABOUT YET TONIGHT
AS FAR AS REDUCING EXPENDITURES,
THERE WAS ONE COMMENT EARLIER
ABOUT ELIMINATING SWEEPS AND
THE EXPENSE THAT COMES FROM THAT
WOULD SEEM LITTLE BENEFIT AND
FURTHER TRAUMA TO THE PEOPLE
WHO IT'S INFLICTED.
SIMILARLY I THINK I WOULD TAKE
A HARD LOOK AT OUR COMMUNITY
SAFETY AND POLICING BUDGETS AND
DETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH
THOSE FUNDS ARE BEING USED
APPROPRIATELY AND IF THERE IS
REDUCTIONS THAT CAN BE MADE TO
INVEST MORE IN THINGS LIKE
ENHANCED SHELTERS AND PERMANENT
SUPPORT OF HOUSING FOR PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
>> WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT TELLS YOU THAT'S
IMPOSSIBLE?
>> I WANT TO KNOW WHY IT'S
IMPOSSIBLE AND I THINK THAT IS
WHERE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR
DIALOGUE COMES IN.
THE ABILITY TO HAVE DIFFICULT
BUT HONEST CONVERSATIONS IN
GOOD FAITH ABOUT WHAT IS
ACTUALLY NECESSARY AND TRYING
TO FIND CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES
THAT CAN HELP SAVE MONEY.
>> COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN.
>> JORDAN, YOUR RESUME, YOU
HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH
YOUTH.
I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CLIMATE
CHANGE AS IT RELATES TO YOUNG
PEOPLE.
AS I GET OLDER, STRUGGLE MORE
AND MORE WITH CHANGE AND I TRY
TO RESIST THAT IN MY LIFE.
BUT IT'S HARDER.
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES AROUND
CLIMATE CHANGE IS IT IS GOING
TO REQUIRE, IF WE SUCCESSFULLY
ADDRESS THIS, IT'S GOING TO
REQUIRE A LOT OF CHANGE.
I THINK MY GENERATION HAS
LARGELY FAILED US ON THAT.
AND I THINK I HAVE A LOT MORE
HOPE IN THE YOUTH VARIETY OF
REASONS.
I'M CURIOUS ON YOUR IDEAS ABOUT
THAT AND IN GENERAL HOW DO WE
GET MORE ENGAGEMENT FROM YOUNG
PEOPLE ON THESE IMPORTANT
POLICY DECISIONS THEY HAVE TO
INHERIT ESPECIALLY IF WE FAIL.
>> SURE.
I SEE IN MY PREVIOUS WORK AS A
TEACHER AND AT THE NONPROFIT I
WORKED AT, KIDS FOR PEACE,
EVERY DAY KIDS GETTING REALLY
ENGAGED IN ALL KINDS OF ISSUES
FROM CLIMATE CHANGE TO POLICE
VIOLENCE TO IMMIGRATION TO ANTI-
SEMITISM TO ISLAMOPHOBIA.
FOR MY PERSPECTIVE THERE IS AN
INHERENT ENERGY THE YOUTH HAVE
IT REALLY IS A QUESTION OF
CHANNELING AND HARNESSING ENERGY
AND PROVIDING MENTORSHIP AND
SUPPORT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THEM
EXERCISE IT.
I WISH FOR EXAMPLE WE HAD
STRONGER CIVICS EDUCATION IN
OUR SCHOOLS SO THAT YOUTH HAD
MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE HOW
TO PUT THEIR ENERGY INTO ACTION
TO BUILD EXERCISE LEADERSHIP.
I HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF HOPE
THAT YOUTH CAN HELP GUIDE US TO
A LOT OF THE SOLUTIONS TO THESE
PROBLEMS.
ONE OF THE ISSUES IS WE DON'T
PROVIDE THE PLATFORMS TO THEM
AND WE DON'T LISTEN TO THEM OR
DISCOUNT THEIR OPINIONS AS WE
THINK THEY ARE JUST KIDS.
IN REALITY I THINK THE MORE WE
PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT ISSUES THE
MORE WE REALIZE BOTH INCREDIBLE
AMOUNT OF INTELLIGENCE IN OUR
WORK THAT THEY BRING TO
RESEARCHING THESE ISSUES AND
FINDING SOLUTIONS AND IF WE CAN
GET OVER OUR OWN ADULT EGOS AND
LISTEN TO THEM, THERE ARE A LOT
OF SOLUTIONS THAT CAN BE FOUND
THERE.
>> VERY GOOD.
TO MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS?
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> THIS FALLS UPON A QUESTION I
ASKED PREVIOUSLY.
WE HAVE A FEW OPTIONS AS IT
RELATES TO A FEW NEW DOLLARS
COMING IN THE DOOR RELATED TO
MHA.
RECOGNIZING WE STILL HAVE THE
GOAL OF 50% DEVELOPMENT ON-
SITE, 50% PAY IN LIEU.
WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS ABOUT HOW
MHA FUNDS SHOULD BE INVESTED
AND WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS
SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED?
>> SURE.
TO BE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ANY
INVESTMENTS ARE DONE WITH A
RACIAL EQUITY LENS WHICH I
THINK IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITY.
I THINK PRIORITIZING THE USE OF
THOSE FUNDS IN AREAS THAT ARE
PREDOMINANTLY NEIGHBORHOODS
WITH PEOPLE OF COLOR AND HAVE
HISTORICALLY BEEN PEOPLE OF
COLOR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT'S AN
IMPORTANT FIRST STEP.
THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE
THAT MONEY TO EXPAND THE TENANT
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
TO HELP PEOPLE FIND NEW HOUSING
IN CASES OF ECONOMIC EVICTIONS
WHICH THE CURRENT PROGRAM
DOESN'T SUPPORT.
I'M ALSO INTRIGUED BY THE
COMMUNITY LAND TRUST MODEL AND
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THERE IS
THE COST OF ACQUIRING LAND TO
PUT INTO TRUST.
IF MHA FUNDING COULD BE USED
FOR THAT THAT SEEMS LIKE A
PRODUCTIVE VENUE FOR CREATING
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
>> VERY GOOD.
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ?
>> THANK YOU.
ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WILL HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IS SERVE
AS A MEMBER ON MY COMMITTEE AND
YOU MIGHT'VE HEARD ME SAY
EARLIER, THE COMMITTEE OVERSEES
GENDER EQUITY, IMMIGRANTS AND
REFUGEES, PUBLIC SAFETY AND
EDUCATION ISSUES.
I THINK A FEW OF THOSE HIT SOME
BILLS YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT AND YOU ALSO HIGHLIGHTED
IN YOUR WRITTEN MATERIALS
INCLUDING YOUR RESUME.
WANTED TO GET A SENSE FROM YOU
ABOUT WHAT KIND OF LEGISLATIVE
RARITIES YOU WOULD HAVE AS A
MEMBER OF MY COMMITTEE OR WHAT
YOU'RE HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH?
>> SOMEONE WHO IS RECENTLY A
NEW AMERICAN, I BECAME A
CITIZEN TWO YEARS AGO, --
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU.
I THINK SUPPORTING CITIZENSHIP
CLINICS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR
GREEN CARD HOLDERS TO BECOME
CITIZENS IS CRITICAL.
ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE INCREASED
ROADBLOCKS AND PROCESSING TIMES
THAT THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION
HAS PUT ON PEOPLE APPLYING FOR
CITIZENSHIP.
ASIDE FROM THAT I THINK WE NEED
TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE
SEATTLE STAYS AND MAINTAINS ITS
SANCTUARY CITY STATUS AND
CONTINUES TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANTS
WHO ARE HERE. I WOULD LOVE TO
SEE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR
IMMIGRANTS.
THERE WAS A PROPOSAL NOT TOO
LONG AGO TO CREATE AN
INTERNATIONAL MARKET THE KING
STREET STATION THAT WOULD BE A
CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT OWNED
RESTAURANTS AND FOOD
BUSINESSES.
THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COULD
BE REALLY POWERFUL IN TERMS OF
NOT ONLY MAKING SURE IMMIGRANTS
ARE WELCOME AT THAT THEY CAN
THRIVE HERE.
>> HAVE A SIMPLE FOLLOW-UP.
LOVE TO HEAR YOUR FEEDBACK ON A
QUESTION, I'M LOOKING AT YOUR
BACKGROUND AND YOU HAVE A TRACK
RECORD OF BUILDING STRONG TEAMS
AROUND A SHARED VISION.
CAN YOU TALK CAN YOU TALK ABOUT
BUILDING TEAMS WHEN DIVISION IS
DIFFICULT?
>> SURE.
PROBABLY THE BEST EXAMPLE FOR
THIS IS I WORK WITH KIDS FOR
PEACE WHICH IS AN INTERNATIONAL
NONPROFIT THAT WORKS WITH
MUSLIM, JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN
TEENAGERS IN THE U.S. AND END
IN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE.
INTERFAITH RELATIONSHIPS CAN BE
FRAUGHT UNDER THE BEST OF
TIMES.
BUT THE ISRAELI PALESTINIAN
CONFLICT IN PARTICULAR INFECTS
INTERFAITH RELATIONSHIPS HERE
IN THE U.S., PARTICULARLY
BETWEEN MUSLIM AND JEWISH
COMMUNITIES.
A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES, EVERY
YEAR FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
WEEKEND WE HOST A YOUTH
ADVOCACY WORKSHOP FOCUSED ON
RESPONDING TO ISLAMOPHOBIA,
ANTI-SEMITISM AND OTHER FORMS
OF DISCRIMINATION.
WE WERE ABLE TO BRING TOGETHER
COMMUNITY GROUPS LIKE THE
JEWISH FEDERATION OF RAIDER
SEATTLE AND THE COUNCIL ON
ISLAMIC RELATIONS, GROUPS THAT
TYPICALLY DO NOT COOPERATE WITH
EACH OTHER AND OFTEN HAVE
DIVERGENT INTERESTS AND YET
WERE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER
BECAUSE OF THE TRUST AND
RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE BUILT AND
BECAUSE THEY COULD SEE A COMMON
PURPOSE THAT WAS WORTH PUTTING
ASIDE THE DIFFERENCES THEY HAD.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MARITZA RIVERA .
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ?
>> SAME QUESTION.
HOUSING REVENUE, DO WE HAVE
ENOUGH?
I'M ASSUMING YOU'RE GOING TO
SAY NO.
>> FIRST TIME THE QUESTION WAS
THREE MINUTES LONG.
>> IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED TO ME
BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER THAT
MIGHT SHORTEN QUESTION, I AM
HEEDING THAT ADVICE IN LARGE
PART BECAUSE I'VE ONLY HAD A
BAG OF GOLDFISH TODAY.
AND FOUR RECORDS.
SAME QUESTION, REVENUE AROUND
HOUSING.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW AROUND
CURRENT AVAILABILITY TO MEET
THE SCALE OF THE NEED, YOU HEARD
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA TALK
ABOUT THE ONGOING DECLINE IN
AVAILABLE DOLLARS IN OUR BUDGET
FOR THE OFFICE OF HOUSING.
WHAT OTHER MECHANISMS COULD WE
UTILIZE TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL
REVENUE OR INCENTIVIZE
ADDITIONAL ELEMENT OF
AFFORDABLE HOUSING?
>> I BELIEVE WE DON'T HAVE THE
REVENUE AT THE MOMENT WHICH IS
WHY WHEN COUNCILMEMBER PUT
TOGETHER THAT HAD TAX IN THAT
SHORT TIME IT WAS SO IMPORTANT.
I DO FEEL CONTRARY TO SOME
PEOPLES BELIEFS THAT WE REALLY
WERE ABLE TO SEE AS A CITY, IT
WAS AN INCREDIBLE VALUABLE
DEBATE.
AND JUST TO SEE WHO IS ON OUR
SIDE.
WE NEED THAT REVENUE, THE TOP
3% OF BUSINESSES SHOULD PAY.
AND WE SHOULD ALSO MAKE SURE
THAT WE ARE GOING OUT AND
LOOKING AT DISCRETIONARY
SPENDING, ADDRESSING WHETHER
IT'S NECESSARY THROUGHOUT THE
BUDGET.
HIRING I GUESS POLICE OFFICERS,
I'M NOT SURE IT'S THE MOST
IMPORTANT THING TO DO, PROPERTY
CRIME HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY
SINCE THE 1980S.
WE NEED TO ADDRESS CRISIS
SITUATIONS WHICH ARE WHAT
POLICE OFFICERS RESPOND TO IF
YOU LIKE MOST IN DIFFERENT WAYS
BECAUSE IT'S A SYMPTOM OF OTHER
ISSUES GOING ON.
DEFINITELY WE NEED TO TAX BIG
BUSINESS.
ALSO I BELIEVE LIKE DAVID, THAT
WE SHOULD GO TO THE STATE AND
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EVEN,
THIS IS A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
FOR MY PERSPECTIVE, AND WE NEED
TO SORT OF, I BELIEVE, LEVERAGE,
I BELIEVE WE NEED TO BEGIN TO
PASS RENT CONTROL ORDINANCE
HERE IN THE CITY AND TO PUSH
THE STATE TO ALSO GIVE US AN
EARMARK MONEY JUST LIKE THEY
HAVE DONE FOR THE WATERFRONT
TUNNEL LIKE THEY'VE DONE IN THE
PAST FOR THE BUS TUNNEL AND
MANY OTHER PUBLICS WORKS
PROJECTS.
I THINK WE NEED A LARGE WORKS
PROJECT.
FOR HOUSING.
>> COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR BEING PART
OF THIS.
YOU MENTIONED THAT PROPERTY
CRIME RATES HAVE GONE DOWN.
THE STATISTICS WE SEE BELIE
THAT.
IN DISTRICT 4 IN PARTICULAR IN
THE LAST YEAR, THERE WAS AN
INCREASE IN ROBBERY, AGGRAVATED
ASSAULT.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE HEARD
A LOT IS FROM THE UNIVERSITY
BOOKSTORE AND SHOPLIFTING.
THEY SAID THE WORST SHOPLIFTING
IS IT 10 AM WHEN THEY OPEN THE
DOORS.
WHAT WE KNOW FROM A LOT OF OUR
STUDIES IS THAT PEOPLE PICK
SOMETHING UP, WALK ACROSS THE
STREET, SELL IT FOR PENNIES
ACROSS THE DOLLAR AND WALK UP
THE STREET TO THE JACK-IN-THE-
BOX WHERE THEY BUY DRUGS AND
THEN MOVE ACROSS THE STREET
WHERE THE CHUTE UP.
I'D LIKE YOU TO TALK A LITTLE
BIT ABOUT THE SHOPLIFTING, WHAT
YOU KNOW AND THINK AND WHAT YOU
THINK ABOUT THE IDEA OF HAVING
A PUBLIC HEALTH PLACE OR PEOPLE
ARE ALLOWED TO GO IN AND GET
ALTERNATIVES?
>> THOSE ARE CRIMES OF
DESPERATION.
I BELIEVE THAT YES, THERE ARE
MANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO
CIRCUMVENT THEM AND HELP PEOPLE
GET THOSE OPTIONS.
I KNOW THERE IS A BIG
DISCUSSION IN THIS DISTRICT
ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE AREA
AROUND THE LIGHT RAIL THAT IS
COMING AT THE AVENUE, I BELIEVE
THAT IF THE CITY PROACTIVELY
BEGINS THE LAND TRUST, LIKE
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA HAS SET
FORTH, IF WE BEGIN TO BUY SOME
OF THESE PIECES OF LAND,
PROPERTY, WITH THAT MONEY, AND
INVEST IN THE FUTURE KNOWING WE
WILL EVENTUALLY GET MONEY FROM
THE STATE AND FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT THAT WE SHOULD
PROTECT THOSE AREAS AND BE ABLE
TO FIGURE OUT BY KEEPING THE
NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER THAT WE
CAN DEVELOP ON THEM, KEEPING
CURRENT BUSINESSES AND OPENING
UP SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE IN
THOSE AREAS.
LIKE SAFE INJECTION SITES FOOD
BANKS.
I LOVE THE FOOD BANK IN THE U-
DISTRICT.
IT'S NESTLED PERFECTLY IN THE
BUILDING THAT HAS SOME HOUSING
ABOVE, AND THE SERVICES BELOW.
>> COUNCILMEMBER O'BRIEN DID
YOU HAVE A QUESTION?
>> LUKE, I APPRECIATE ON YOUR
RESUME THAT YOU HAVE A DEGREE
IN RACE AND ETHNICITY. I THINK
SEATTLE IS A PROGRESSIVE CITY
AND I AM PROUD OF THE VALUES WE
UPHOLD IN OUR CITY, AND YET
HAVING BEEN IN THIS JOB FOR
NEARLY 10 YEARS AND SEEING THE
DATA OVER AND OVER, ARE
PROGRESSIVE VALUES BELIE THE
REALITY OF RACIAL DISPARITIES
IN OUR CITY AND OFTEN COMPARING
US TO POLITICAL JURISDICTIONS
AROUND THE COUNTRY WE SCOFF AT
IS NOT PROGRESSIVE, OUR
OUTCOMES ARE WORSE.
I'D BE CURIOUS TO HEAR, JUST A
FEW MOMENTS OF YOUR THOUGHTS
WITH YOUR BACKGROUND ON WHERE
WE ARE AS A CITY WHEN IT COMES
TO RACIAL DISPARITIES AND A
COUPLE OF THINGS YOU THINK YOU
CAN ADDRESS AS A COUNCILMEMBER.
SHORT-TERM OR LONG-TERM TO MAKE
THE CITY MORE EQUITABLE.
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO
BE DONE.
WE DEFINITELY CANNOT GO BACK TO
A SEATTLE THAT WAS 95% WHITE
AND ONE POINT AND SEVERELY
REDLINED.
NOW WE SEE THE LINES STRETCHING
TO THE FAR REACHES OF THE CITY
AND PUSHING PEOPLE OUT
ALTOGETHER.
THERE ARE AREAS RESISTANT TO
WHAT WE WOULD CALL DESEGREGATION
, LIKE FREMONT, LAURELHURST, A
LOT OF NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE
CITY THAT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN
WHITE ENCLAVES, SORT OF SOME
URBANIZED.
I THINK THAT HAS A LOT TO DO
WITH THE WEALTHIEST SEATTLEITES.
AND THE HISTORICAL GENERATIONAL
WEALTH.
WHAT I WAS HEARING IS THAT
WHILE WE ARE CREATING THIS
MASSIVE PUSH TOWARD AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, WE SHOULD ALSO
SUPPLEMENT THAT WITH WAYS THAT
LOW INCOME EARNERS,
MARGINALIZED PEOPLE AND PEOPLE
BEING DISPLACED CAN HAVE WAYS
OF OWNERSHIP IN THE CITY
BECAUSE THAT IS HOW WHITE
FAMILIES HAVE CREATED WEALTH
HISTORICALLY AND KEPT THAT
WEALTH.
WE NEED TO CREATE THOSE MEANS
OF OPPORTUNITY.
PERSONALLY I READ ABOUT THIS
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS
WITH NICK LICATA, HE STARTED A
COMMUNE UP ON CAPITOL HILL WHEN
HOUSES WERE CHEAPER AND RENTS
ARE CHEAPER AND WE NEED TO
START, THE CITY DEPARTMENT THAT
IS FACILITATING THOSE SORTS OF
THINGS, I DON'T WANT TO GO TOO
MUCH, HAVE A LOT OF IDEAS ON
THIS, I THINK WE NEED TO FIGURE
OUT WAYS THAT OWNERS CAN MAYBE
POTENTIALLY VEST THEIR HOMES
WHILE GETTING PAID BACK FROM
INDIVIDUALS FOR THE WEALTH THEY
HAVE EARNED ON THEIR HOME OVER
THE YEARS.
AND ALLOW OTHER PEOPLE TO MOVE
IN MAYBE COMMUNALLY IN A
COMMUNAL STRUCTURE.
I THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE IN
SEATTLE THAT WOULD BACK UP THE
WORDS WITHOUT ACTION.
>> VERY GOOD.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME FOR
THIS ANSWER.
ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS I HAVE
ASKED A FEW FOLKS TO COMMENT ON
WAS WHAT YOUR POSITION WOULD BE
AS WE THINK ABOUT THE FINAL
PIECE OF MHA IMPLEMENTATION ON
THE AVENUE RECOGNIZING SOME OF
THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE AVENUE AND OUR FRIENDS WHO
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE DON'T GET
DISPLACED.
BUT ALSO RECOGNIZING THIS IS
ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE
BOTH STUDENTS AND ARTISTS AND
ACTIVISTS AND FUTURE TEACHERS
AND CURRENT POSTDOCS WHO ARE IN
DESPERATE NEED OF HOUSING.
WE DON'T HAVE THE DENSITY,
ESPECIALLY AROUND THE TRANSIT
COMING IN WITH THE LIGHT RAIL
TO ACCOMMODATE THE HOUSING WE
NEED AND PEOPLE CONTINUE TO GET
PUSHED OUT OF THE AREA.
IT IS A BALANCE I UNDERSTAND.
WHAT IS YOUR POSITION AND WHAT
ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MHA
IMPLEMENTATION ON THE AVENUE AS
A DISTRICT 4 COUNCILMEMBER ,
DO YOU HAVE A POSITION ON THE
AVENUE AND UPSETTING IT?
>> I CAN DEFINITIVELY SAY MY
FAVORITE SONG OF ALL TIME IS
THE AVENUE BY BLUE SCHOLARS.
TO KEEP THE CHARACTER WOULD BE
IMPORTANT.
THAT ZONE, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER
SHOULD BE ZONED SIMILAR TO THE
WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY, I DON'T
OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS BEHIND
IT, IN SIMILAR WAYS TO FORMER
COUNCILMEMBER LUKE, HE
PROPELLED A DISCUSSION OF PIKE
PLACE MARKET AND NOW WE SEE AN
AMAZING THRIVING COMMUNITY IN
MY OPINION IT THAT HASN'T BEEN
TOUCHED BY RAMPANT SPECULATION
IN DEVELOPMENT BUT HAS
MAINTAINED ITS SENSE OF HOME
AND COMMUNITY.
I DO SUPPORT OF ZONING.
I THINK IN THIS CASE THE CITY
SHOULD GET OUT AHEAD OF IT AND
BY THAT LAND AND SOMEHOW MAYBE
USE THE MONEY, THE SMALL AMOUNT
WE ARE MAKING AT THIS MOMENT TO
BUILD THAT LAND TRUST IN
PRESERVATION DISTRICTS, ALSO
THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT. I
KNOW THERE ARE OTHER PLACES AS
WELL.
AND EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT.
>> VERY GOOD.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
>> NEXT APPLICANT.
DARBY DUCOMB .
>> ANOTHER YOU ARE SETTLED.
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ.
>> SAME QUESTION.
REVENUE, FOR HOUSING, DO WE
HAVE ENOUGH, IF NOT HOW TO GET
MORE?
>> WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH REVENUE
TO BUY OUR WAY OUT OF OUR
HOUSING AFFORDABLE OF THE
CRISIS.
WE DO NOT.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WILL EVER
SINGLE-HANDEDLY AS A CITY
GOVERNMENT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE
THAT.
AM ALWAYS REMINDED IT WAS THE
DEFUNDING OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR
THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES THAT
IS PUSHED THIS ISSUE ONTO THE
CITIES AND MADE IT THEIR
RESPONSIBILITY.
THAT BEING SAID, I DO SUPPORT
INCOME TAX REFORM.
I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE
BIGGEST THINGS THAT ARE STATE
AND OUR LOCALITY, WE NEED NOT
TO HAVE SUCH A REGRESSIVE TAX
SYSTEM IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I ALSO THINK THAT WHEN IT COMES
TO PRODUCING HOUSING AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE HAVE A
LARGE MENU OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE
TO US.
I'D LIKE TO SEE, I LOVE THE
LAND BANKING IDEA, LYONS LAND
WE CAN GET INTO DEALS WITH TAX
INVESTOS AND TAX CREDIT
INVESTORS AND BUILD THEIR OWN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THAT'S HOW IT'S BEING PRODUCED
TODAY THROUGH TAX CREDIT
INVESTMENTS IN LARGE PART.
THERE ARE HUD CONTRACTS EXPIRING
THAT WE COULD MAYBE PURCHASE.
WE COULD WORK WITH THE SEATTLE
HOUSING AUTHORITY TO ASK HOW WE
AS A CITY KEEP BUYING AND
BUYING SECTION 8 VOUCHERS MIGHT
BE EXPIRING WITH OTHER FOLKS SO
WE ON THE PUBLIC HOUSING.
I THINK ALSO WE NEED TO FIND A
WAY TO STIMULATE THE PRIVATE
DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ROWHOUSES.
LOWRISE HOUSING.
WOOD CONSTRUCTION THAT IS LESS
THAN FIVE STORIES TALL, AND
WHEN WE PUT TOGETHER THAT
MIDDLE HOUSING STRATEGY, I
THINK WE WILL SEE A LOT OF
BENEFIT.
RIGHT NOW THE APARTMENTS, THE
MICRO APARTMENTS, THEY ARE NOT
SERVING FAMILIES.
IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO
INCENTIVIZE FAMILY SIZE HOUSING
IN APARTMENTS WE HAVE TO FIND A
WAY TO PRODUCE FAMILY SIZE
HOUSING ROWHOUSES, TOWNHOUSES
AND LOW RISE ZONING.
IN DISTRICT 4 WE HAVE
ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITY TO CONVERT
SINGLE-FAMILY LANDS INTO
LOWRISE ZONES AND LOTS OF
AREAS.
OUR ARTERIALS, WE'RE WATCHING
DEVELOPERS BUILD $1.5 MILLION
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ON AN
ARTERIAL.
WHEN WE COULD HAVE THREE
FAMILIES ARE FOR FAMILIES IN A
$500,000 HOME.
THAT IS MAKING ME CRY IN MY OWN
NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK.
NICE TO SEE YOU AFTER ALL THE
YEARS YOU WORKED AT THE CITY'S
ATTORNEY OFFICE.
HAVE TWO LAND-USE QUESTIONS.
BOTH INVOLVE LIDS.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT
MARIJUANA.
LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND
I FIVE.
SOMEONE MENTIONED ABOUT A LAND
MAKE, WHEN WE MAKE LAND WE CAN
PUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MORE
CAPACITY ALSO I UNDERSTAND EVEN
THOUGH IT MIGHT NOT BE
PERSONALLY YOUR LAW FIRM IS
SUING THE CITY AROUND OUR LOCAL
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ON THE
WATERFRONT.
CAN YOU ADDRESS THOSE?
>> SO I WILL PUT IT OUT THERE,
WE HAVE A CLIENT AT MY FIRM WHO
IS CONTESTING HIS LAD
ASSESSMENT IF APPOINTED TO THIS
POSITION I WOULD RECUSE MYSELF
FROM ALL THINGS HAVING TO DO
WITH THE WATERFRONT LAD WHICH I
THINK IS PRETTY MUCH TO REST.
WHEN IT COMES TO I-5 I THINK
THAT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
WE HAVE DONE THAT IN OTHER
COMMUNITIES OVER I-90.
I THINK OUR INTERSTATE CORE
DOORS HAVE ENORMOUS POTENTIAL,
NOT JUST FOR REFORESTING OUR
COMMUNITY BUT FOR PROVIDING
OPEN SPACE, PUBLIC SPACE AND
HOUSING.
I'M IN FAVOR OF THAT.
>> PRETTY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWER TO
THE FIRST QUESTION.
THE ANSWER YOU PROVIDED AROUND
GREATER DENSITY, LOOKING AT
OPPORTUNITIES ESPECIALLY IN
DISTRICT 4 NOT BEING SHY ABOUT
DUPLEXES AND RECOGNIZES THE
FABRIC OF HER CITY IN THE PAST
AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE
SOMETHING THAT IS SCARY.
WE USE THE TERM DON'T USE ALARM
BELLS, IT SHOULD BE ALARMED TO
US, LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AND DISPLACEMENT FROM THE CITY.
I HAVE SAID WE ARE LOSING OUR
NEIGHBORS BECAUSE ARE GETTING
PUSHED OUT AND WE ARE LOSING
LIVES BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE BEING
PUSHED INTO THE STREETS.
OFTEN I THINK WE IN SEATTLE, IT
HAS BEEN AN EVOLUTION, BUT
THERE WAS A DISCONNECT BETWEEN
THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AND THE GROWING NUMBER OF FOLKS
EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS.
AS WE THINK ABOUT THE LONG-TERM
GOALS THAT YOU ARTICULATED,
WHICH I APPRECIATE, I AM ALSO
URGENTLY PUSHING FOR US TO
THINK OF WHAT IS THE SHORT-TERM
SOLUTION SO WE CAN BE INVESTING
IN, WHETHER IT IS CREATING
ADDITIONAL SHELTERS OR
ADDITIONAL SMALL HOUSING UNITS,
THERE ARE VARIOUS TYPES, WE'RE
NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT TINY
HOUSES, STUFF THAT CAN BE
THROWN UP QUICKLY SO PEOPLE
HAVE A ROOF AND A DOOR AND A
LOCK AND A WINDOW AND THEY
COULD BE WITH HER FAMILY AND
NOT BE SEPARATED.
THIS IS CRITICAL.
RIGHT NOW IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE IN NOVEMBER WE HEARD
THERE WERE ONLY THREE ENHANCED
SHELTER BEDS (NIGHT IN THE
HEART OF GOING INTO WINTER.
LAST NIGHT I HEARD THERE WERE
ONLY EIGHT (NIGHT.
AND YET THE CITY CONTINUES TO
ENGAGE IN MOVING PEOPLE FROM
CORNER TO CORNER WITHOUT
ADEQUATE SHELTER SPACE.
FIRST CAN YOU COMMENT ON WHAT
WE ARE SEEING IN TERMS OF THE
MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND THE LACK
OF SHELTER TO PLACE THEM IN?
QUITE LITERALLY WE DON'T HAVE
THE SHELTER WE NEED.
IF PEOPLE CAN HAVE STABILITY
INTENSE AND WE KNOW WHERE WE
CAN GO TO REACH THEM AND GET
THEM INTO CASE MANAGEMENT THAT
IS A BETTER SOLUTION THAN RE-
TRAUMATIZING PEOPLE THAN
PUSHING THEM FROM CORNER TO
CORNER.
CAN YOU COMMENT ON THEM AND
OTHER IDEAS YOU HAVE FOR HOW WE
ADDRESS THE LACK OF SHELTER AS
WE PUSH FOR THOSE HOUSING
SOLUTIONS YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT
ARE LONGER-TERM?
>> I THINK SHORT-TERM LOOKING
FOR SHELTER SPACE AND EMERGENCY
OVERNIGHT SHELTER SPACE I WOULD
GIVE THOUGHT TO ALL THE VACANT
MARSHALL SPACE WE SEE IN A LOT
OF AREAS.
I IMAGINE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO
LEASE SPACES FROM COMMERCIAL
OWNERS.
I KNOW THAT IS A FRUSTRATING
ELEMENT FOR THE FOLKS ON THE
AVENUE IS SO MUCH EMPTY
COMMERCIAL SPACE.
I THINK THE BIG ISSUE IS ALSO
THE THROUGHPUT HOUSING.
WE DO AN OKAY JOB GETTING
PEOPLE INTO SHELTERS AND THEN
WE MIGHT EVEN DO A GOOD JOB OF
GETTING THEM INTO EMERGENCY
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING BUT THEN
WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD STOCK OF
LOW INCOME HOUSING WHERE THEY
CAN PERMANENTLY LAND.
I THINK THAT IS THE BODY OF
HOUSING WHERE WE SHOULD PUT OUR
ENERGY INTO.
WHEN IT COMES TO OUR
UNAUTHORIZED ENCAMPMENTS AND
PEOPLE LIVING OUTDOORS, I
BELIEVE WE NEED TO KEEP ZEROING
IN ON INVESTMENTS IN TERMS OF
TRAUMA INFORMED CARE.
ANYONE WORKING WITH THE
HOMELESS POPULATION NEEDS TO BE
USING TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES
AND TO BE VERY DELICATE IN WHAT
THEY'RE DOING AND HOW THEY ARE
TALKING TO PEOPLE AND BUILDING
RELATIONSHIPS.
I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO INVEST
IN THE MOBILE HEALTH AND
HYGIENE FACILITIES, THE REPORT
FROM THE NAVIGATION TEAM AUDIT
WAS HEARTBREAKING.
ABSOLUTELY HEARTBREAKING.
I THINK WE NEED MORE HYGIENE
FACILITIES.
I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN OUTREACH
AND CLEAN THE CAMPS.
IT'S NOT A BIG SECRET.
I CLEANED ENCAMPMENTS FOR THE
MAYOR, IT WAS CONTROVERSIAL.
IT'S ALWAYS CONTROVERSIAL.
BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP THE CAMPS
CLEAN FOR THE CAMPERS AND WE
HAVE TO KEEP THEM CLEAN FOR THE
NEIGHBORHOODS.
I GET ON THE FREEWAY AND IT'S
BASICALLY A DRIVE DOWN I-5 WORD
IS ONE ENCAMPMENT AFTER ANOTHER
AND GARBAGE PILES EVERYWHERE
AND I GET TO WORK AND IT'S CRAZY
IN SOTO WHAT'S GOING ON.
MY HOPE IS THAT WE CAN CLEAN IT
AND KEEP IT CLEAN AND WHEN OUR
CITY IS CLEAN PEOPLE ARE UPSET
ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE
INTENSE AND THEY ARE NOT UPSET
THAT THEIR CAMPING OUT.
BUT WE HAVE TO GET OUR CITY
CLEAN.
>>
IF THIS
WAS THE MOTEL #, THE MAID WOULD
COME THROUGH THREE TIMES A WEEK.
IF THIS WAS THE HOLIDAY INN, THE
MADE WOULD COME THROUGH EVERY
DAY OF THE WEEK.
WE JUST HAVE
TO BE OKAY WITH CLEANING THE
ENCAMPMENTS.
THERE ARE GOING TO
BE SITUATIONS AND LOCATIONS
WHERE WE SHOULD NOT HAVE
ENCAMPMENTS.
I AM ALL FOR ZERO
TOLERANCE POLICIES WHETHER IT'S
PARKLANDS OR SOME PLACE.
OUR
HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE MAKES ME
VERY NERVOUS, BUT THAT'S A
COMPLICATED ISSUE BECAUSE IT
PROVIDES PROTECTION FROM THE
WEATHER.
>> THANK YOU.
I THINK WE'VE
EXHAUSTED FOR THIS APPLICANT.
LET'S GUESS WHO IS OUR LAST
APPLICANT.
THAT WOULD BE ABLE.
>> ABLE POCHENKO.
>> WE WERE ALMOST GOING TO DO IT
ON A FIRST NAME BASIS,
ALPHABETICAL, AND YOU WOULD HAVE
BEEN NUMBER ONE.
BUT
UNFORTUNATELY, WE WENT RANDOM.
WHO WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE FIRST
QUESTION?
BEFORE WE DO THAT, IT'S CLEAR
YOU'RE TRYING TO BE DISRUPTIVE
AND YOU'RE MAKING BODILY
GESTURES.
YOU'RE BEING WARNED.
I'M LETTING YOU KNOW YOU'VE
BEEN
WARNED ALREADY THAT YOUR
BEHAVIOR IS DISRUPTIVE.
THAT
WILL SUFFICE AS THE WARNING
PIECE.
COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
THE SAME QUESTION THAT I'VE BEEN
ASKING ALL OF THE APPLICANTS, I
WOULD LIKE TO ASK OF YOU AS
WELL.
ISSUES RELATED TO REVENUE
AS IT PERTAINS TO AFFORDABLE
HOUSING THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
DO
WE HAVE ENOUGH REVENUE AND IF
NOT, WHERE DO WE FIND THE
EVIDENCE AND IF NOT, WHAT OTHER
STRATEGIES SHOULD THE CITY
COUNCIL BE CONSIDERING AS IT
RELATES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING?
>> SURE.
THE 5,500 OR SO PEOPLE
SLEEPING ON THE STREETS WOULD
SAY NO, AS WELL AS I'VE BEEN
FORTUNATE TO KNOCK ON SOME OF
THE DOORS OF SOME OF THE
RESIDENTS WITHIN DISTRICT 4, AND
TO YOUR POINT, COUNCIL MEMBER
GONZALEZ, THE CITY IS STILL
EMPATHETIC, COMPASSIONATE, IN
WANTING TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE.
THEN I DISSECT THIS ISSUE AND
HOW IT CAME TO BE.
WE WERE SOLD
ONE OF THE GREATEST LINES TO US
THAT THE GOVERNMENT ISN'T THE
SOLUTION, GOVERNMENT IS THE
PROBLEM.
THIS ISSUE THEN LED TO
IMPACTS ON STATE BUDGETS AS WELL
AS LOCAL BUDGETS AND SO WHILE
THERE IS, I THINK, THE
OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SEE HOW
THE FINAL STATE BUDGET IS
DEVELOPED HERE IN WASHINGTON
OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, IT
WOULD POTENTIALLY PROVIDE NEW
RESOURCES FOR US ON THE MORE
LOCAL SIDE OF HOW WE ADDRESS
THIS ISSUE.
LOOKING AT
POTENTIALLY I THINK SOME OF THE
SOLUTIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN
PRESENTED BY SOME OF THE COUNCIL
MEMBERS HERE IN THIS BODY
ALREADY, WHICH IS LOOKING AT
UNEARNED INCOME TAX AS A CITY.
I ALSO THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR US TO LOOK AT SOLUTIONS,
LOOKING AT REGIONAL COUNTIES TO
DO MORE AS WELL.
THE COUNTIES,
THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, ON
THE ISSUE OF HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY AS WE MADE
INVESTMENTS IN ST3 AS WE KEEP A
FOCUS ON TRANSITORY DEVELOPMENT,
HOW DO WE BUILD MORE HOUSING AS
THE LIGHT RAIL COMES ONLINE?
>> VERY GOOD.
>> SO WE'VE BEEN TALKING A LOT
ABOUT REVENUE FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, BUILDING HOUSING THAT
IS AFFORDABLE FOR FOLKS IN THE
CITY.
WE'VE ALLEGATIONS ALSO BEEN
TALKING A
LOT ABOUT MHA, REQUIREMENTS FOR
DEVELOPERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T TALKED
MUCH ABOUT IS PRESERVATION OF
EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
USING THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT AS
AN EXAMPLE, THE COUNCIL CENTRAL
STAFF DID A REVIEW OF PENDING
DEMOLITIONS AND FOUND THAT IN
LESS THAN A YEAR AND A HALF
SINCE PASSAGE OF MHA, THE
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT, THERE ARE
ABOUT 96 UNITS SLATED FOR
DEMOLITION.
THE CITY HAD
ESTIMATED THAT OVER 20 YEARS,
THERE WOULD BE 20 UNITS FOR
DEMOLITION.
SO IN ORDER TO ADD
CAPACITY, IT'S OFF THE MARK.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I FEEL
REALLY STRONGLY THAT WE NEED TO
DO SOMETHING ABOUT, AND WE HAVE
A BILL THAT'S GONE ON THE
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR, HAS BEEN REFERRED TO
THE COMMITTEE.
I'VE BEEN
WORKING WITH OUR LAW DEPARTMENT
AS WELL AS SOME OUTSIDE LEGAL
COUNCIL TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE,
HIGHLIGHTING THE FACT THAT
DISPLACEMENT HAS DISPARATE
IMPACTS ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR,
PERPETUATING SEGREGATION IN OUR
CITY, PUSHING PEOPLE OUT OF THE
CITY.
SO THIS BILL WOULD USE
OUR SEPA AUTHORITY TO MITIGATE
THOSE DISPARATE IMPACTS ON
COMMUNITIES OF COLORS.
IF YOU
WERE TO BE SELECTED, I JUST WANT
TO KNOW THAT THIS BILL WOULD BE
SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD BE
WILLING TO HAVE ON THE AGENDA AS
THE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE.
>> YES, BUT I WILL SAY THIS,
TOO.
WE HAVE POLICY TOOLS
AVAILABLE TO US WITH REGARDS TO
DISPLACEMENT.
THEY'D BE ABLE TO
PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT FOR
IMMIGRANT OR SOME OF THE SMALL
BUSINESSES BECAUSE I HEAR THOSE
CONCERNS, TOO, WITHIN THE U
DISTRICT, AND I THINK WE HAVE
CITIES LIKE SAN ANTONIO WHO HAVE
SET UP MITIGATION FUNDS FOR
DISPLACEMENT AND IT'S SOMETHING
THAT I THINK FOR US IS -- WE'RE
GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AND
EXPLORE FURTHER IN.
HAVING SAID
THAT, TOO, WE HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY THINK
ABOUT HOW WE PUT MORE
DEVELOPMENT -- THE FIRST -- THE
LARGEST EXPENSE THAT ANY
INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY HAS IS
HOUSING.
THE SECOND LARGEST IS
TRANSPORTATION.
AND IF WE'RE
SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING MORE
PEOPLE OUT OF CARS, IN ADDITION
TO BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE
SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES TO THINK
ABOUT HOW THEY CAN BE ABLE TO
AFFORD LIVING IN SEATTLE, WE
HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN
UPZONE, THINK ABOUT THE NEW
DEVELOPMENT THAT HAPPENS WITHIN
OUR TRANSIENT ORIENTED -- SORRY,
WITHIN OUR ST3 SYSTEM.
>> OKAY.
>> VERY GOOD.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE.
I APPRECIATE IT.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN A
LONG NIGHT FOR
EVERYBODY.
TALK TO US A LITTLE
BIT ABOUT YOUR MESA PROGRAM AND
THE WORK YOU'VE DONE THERE AND
HOW YOU MIGHT COORDINATE WHAT
YOU'RE DOING WITH THE EFFORTS
THAT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
IS DOING.
>> SURE.
WASHINGTON MESA IS THE
STATE'S LARGEST S.T.E.M.
PATHWAY
PROGRAM FOR YOUNG GIRLS AND KIDS
OF COLOR.
WE HAVE 18 CENTERS
ACROSS THE STATE.
I'VE BEEN
ABLE TO HELP EXPAND OUR
COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAM FROM
THE 12 CENTERS THAT WE HAVE TO
18.
WITH REGARDS TO WHAT -- WE
HAVE A SEATTLE CENTRAL COLLEGE
MESA PROGRAM IN DISTRICT 3. WE
HAVE A SEATTLE MESA PROGRAM
FOCUSED ON MIDDLE SCHOOL AND
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH IN SOUTH
SEATTLE AS WELL AS WEST SEATTLE,
AND IN TERMS OF COORDINATION,
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE
HAD AS A PROGRAM IS THAT WHILE
WE'VE BEEN IN EXISTENCE THROUGH
35 YEARS, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED
AS A PROGRAM ADDITIONAL FUNDING
SINCE OUR K-12 PROGRAM FUNDING
HAS FLAT LINED WHEN ADJUSTED FOR
INFLATION SINCE 1992.
AND I
THINK ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES
AS WE SEE AN ECONOMIC BOOM HERE
IN SEATTLE WITH REGARDS TO THE
NUMBER OF S.T.E.M.
JOBS, IT'S AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR US AS A CITY TO
THINK ABOUT HOW WE'RE PROVIDING
THOSE S.T.E.M.
EDUCATION
OPPORTUNITIES PARTICULARLY
FOCUSED ON YOUNG KIDS OF COLOR
AND YOUNG GIRLS.
SO WE'RE ON
THE FOREFRONT OF CREATING THE
NEW FACE OF S.T.E.M., LEADING IT
WITH REGARDS TO THE DIVERSITY OF
OUR WORK FORCE.
>> SO QUICK FOLLOWUP ON THAT.
THEY HAVE FOUR INNOVATIVE HIGH
SCHOOLS AND I WENT DOWN AND SAW
ONE OF THE S.T.E.M.
SCHOOLS LAST
MAY.
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT
KIND OF AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM
AND HOW THE CITY OF SEATTLE CAN
WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH OUR
SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PROMOTE THAT?
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO
IS PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AND
BEING ABLE TO LEVERAGE OUR
CURRICULUM AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT FOR THE TEACHERS IS
SOMETHING THE MESA PROGRAM
THROUGH THE DISTRICT 4 CAN BE
ABLE TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP ON.
WITH REGARDS TO SOME OF THE
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES THAT WE DO
FOR KIDS AND BEING ABLE TO
ENGAGE THEM IN FIELD TRIPS TO
COMPANIES LIKE AMAZON AND
MICROSOFT AND PROVIDING THOSE
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AFTER
SCHOOL, IN SCHOOL, IS SOMETHING
THAT I THINK WE CAN HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER AND
STRENGTHEN WITH REGARDS TO BOTH
THE MESA PROGRAM ITSELF, BUT
ALSO WITH REGARDS TO WHAT WE DO
FROM THE UNIVERSITY TO THE CITY.
>> OKAY.
THANK YOU.
>> VERY GOOD.
COUNCILMAN
GONZALEZ?
>> THANK YOU.
SO ON -- ABEL, I
WANTED TO ASK YOU A QUICK
QUESTION ABOUT SOME OF THE
POSITIONS YOU TOOK OR AT LEAST
ONE SPECIFIC POSITION YOU TOOK
AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM ON
MONDAY, AND I APPRECIATE YOU
SENT ME AN EMAIL EARLIER TODAY
TO CLARIFY ONE OF YOUR ANSWERS
AT THE FORUM OR ONE OF THE
PERCEIVED ANSWERS AT YOUR FORUM.
SO IT WAS REPORTED ONLINE THAT
WHEN THE QUESTION AROUND
PREVENTION CENTERS WAS ASKED,
YOU GAVE A THUMBS DOWN
INDICATING THAT YOU WERE NOT
SUPPORTIVE OF THAT PUBLIC HEALTH
HARM REDUCTION MODEL TO ADDRESS
HEROIN AND OPIOID AND JUST
SUBSTANCE USE DEATHS.
SO I
WANTED TO GET A CLEAR SENSE FROM
YOU TODAY WHAT YOUR POSITION IS
ON PREVENTION CENTERS OR SAFE
CONSUMPTION SITES AS SOME FOLKS
CALL THEM.
>> TO CLARIFY, I PUT MY THUMB
LIKE THIS JUST BECAUSE I ALWAYS
THINK IT'S A DISSERVICE TO DO
COMPLEX PUBLIC POLICY QUESTIONS
IN BINARY RESPONSES.
BUT AS WE
ALL KNOW, THAT'S -- WE WISH WE
COULD DO THIS PROBABLY MORE
OFTEN.
REALLY WHAT I WAS TRYING
TO OUTLINE IS THAT I AM
SUPPORTIVE OF SAFE CONSUMPTION
SITES.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE
IS A MORE COORDINATED APPROACH
WITH REGARDS TO -- SO THAT WHEN
SOMEONE IS READY FOR SUPPORT,
THAT THERE ARE NONPROFIT
PARTNERS AS WELL AS PUBLIC
HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS NEARBY,
CO-LOCATED SO THAT SOMEONE WHEN
THEY'RE LOOKING TO SEEK RECOVERY
OR SEEK REHABILITATION, THEY'RE
ABLE TO FIND THOSE RESOURCES
QUICKLY.
ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, I
HAVE LOST FRIENDS TO DRUG
ADDICTION, AND SO BEING ABLE TO
PROVIDE -- I LOOK AT THIS ISSUE
VERY MUCH MORE SO ABOUT BEING
ABLE TO PROVIDE THE ACCESS TO
OPPORTUNITY FOR RECOVERY, FOR
HOUSING, FOR ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
WHERE THEY CAN FIND JOBS OR
POTENTIAL EDUCATION
OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT THOSE
PATHWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY ARE
PROVIDED.
>> AND I APPRECIATE THE RESPONSE
TO -- THE CLARIFICATION THERE,
AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT YOU'RE AWARE THAT THAT'S
EXACTLY THE MODEL THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL HAS BEEN SUPPORTING AND
ADVANCING THROUGH MULTIPLE
BUDGET SESSIONS ALREADY, AND IT
IS OUR VISION THAT THIS WOULD BE
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO, ONE,
FIRST AND FOREMOST PREVENT
OTHERWISE PREVENTIBLE DEATHS
FROM DRUG OVERDOSE, BUT SECONDLY
ALSO BE A PLACE OF RESOURCES OF
SUPPORT AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE READY TO
ENTER INTO A PERIOD OF SOBRIETY
AND ALL THE CHALLENGES THAT COME
WITH THAT.
SO THAT WOULD
INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,
COUNSELING, DRUG REHABILITATION,
ALL OF THOSE WRAPAROUND SERVICES
THAT YOU'VE DESCRIBED AND FORMER
COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON WAS A
MAJOR, MAJOR ADVOCATE AND
CHAMPION FOR THIS PARTICULAR
ISSUE, IN LARGE PART BECAUSE IT
IS AN ISSUE THAT UNIQUELY
IMPACTS DISTRICT 4, IN
PARTICULAR GIVEN ITS VERY
DIVERSE POPULATION IN TERMS OF
AGE AND INCOME, ET CETERA.
AND
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, I THINK,
FOR ME TO FIND SOMEBODY IN THIS
POSITION WHO IS GOING TO BE OF
THE SAME VISION AS FORMER
COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON AS IT
RELATES TO THIS PARTICULAR
ISSUE.
>> I AGREE.
I APOLOGIZE THAT
THESE FORUMS HAVE GONE -- THESE
OPPORTUNITIES GO A LITTLE BIT
LONGER.
SO I'M ONE TO ADMIT A
MISTAKE THAT I MADE, AND SO I
SHOULD HAVE CLARIFIED AND THAT'S
WHY I CLARIFIED IMMEDIATELY, AS
SOON AS I BECAME AWARE OF IT.
UNFORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TAGGED
ON IT ON TWITTER, SO I BECAME
AWARE OF IT A COUPLE DAYS LATER.
SO I'VE CLARIFIED THAT POSITION.
SO I APOLOGIZE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> VERY GOOD.
COUNCIL MEMBER
BRYAN.
>> I'LL ASK A VERSION OF A
QUESTION ASKED EARLIER ABOUT HOW
WE GROW AS A CITY.
I MENTIONED
BEFORE THE DATA POINT THAT ABOUT
75% OF OUR RESIDENTIAL LAND IS
ZONED FOR SINGLE FAMILY AND
ABOUT 25% FOR MULTI FAMILY AND
ABOUT 95% OF THE GROWTH HAS
HAPPENED IN THE MULTI FAMILY
ZONES BECAUSE OF OUR URBAN
VILLAGE STRATEGY.
AS SEATTLE
HAS A LOT OF GROWTH CERTAINLY IN
THE COMING DECADE OR TWO, DO YOU
THINK THAT THAT'S -- WELL, HOW
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE US GROW
CONSIDERING THAT POLICY OR SHIFT
AND MAYBE SOME NUANCE THERE, IN
42 SECONDS.
>> ONE, THIS IS WHAT EVERYONE
HAS KIND OF OUTLINED, WHICH IS
THE POLICY NEEDS TO CHANGE.
WHAT I THINK AND WHAT I'VE HEARD
IS THAT THEY WOULD JUST LIKE TO
HAVE MORE ENGAGEMENT THROUGH THE
PROCESS.
HOWEVER, AS MUCH
ENGAGEMENT ULTIMATELY THAT WE
HAVE, I THINK THE VALUES OF
BEING INCLUESIVE AND PROVIDING
MORE SUSTAIN ABILITY IN HOW WE
GROW AS A CITY, WE HAVE TO BE
KEENLY AWARE OF AND ANYTIME WE
STRAY AWAY FROM THOSE VALUES,
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT OUR CITY
AND ESPECIALLY OUR LEADERSHIP
NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO PUSH BACK ON
AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND
THAT WILL CONCLUDE THIS SECTION
OF THE AGENDA, AND I'D ASK THAT
YOU JUST STAY SEATED.
I'D LIKE
YOU TO SAY A FEW CLOSING WORDS
AND THEN WE'LL INVITE PUBLIC
COMMENT.
I PERSONALLY WANT TO
THANK ALL 11 OF YOU FOR I WOULD
SAY GIVING US GIFTS, GIVING US
YOUR WISDOM AND PASSION FOR THE
CITY.
AND I DON'T SAY THAT IN A
TOKEN WAY AT ALL, THAT I'VE
LEARNED FROM EACH OF YOU IN
TERMS OF YOUR COMMITMENTS.
THIS
IS NOT EASY, WHAT YOU'RE GOING
THROUGH, AND I THINK YOU ONLY
WERE MOTIVATED BY REALLY
POSITIVE INTENTIONS.
SO FOR
THAT I THANK YOU PERSONALLY AS
THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL.
A
LOT OF WHAT I HEARD, QUITE
CANDIDLY, YOU JUST CAN'T FAKE.
THERE'S NOTHING ARTIFICIAL ABOUT
IT.
I THINK THERE WAS REAL TALK
THERE.
WE WILL EVALUATE AND
HOPE TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
PARTICIPATION.
AND I ASK THAT
YOU STAY WHILE WE LISTEN TO
PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE ABOUT
14 PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP,
AND WE ARE GOING TO OPEN PUBLIC
COMMENT NOW IN THE ORDER WITH
WHICH YOU'VE SIGNED UP, AND
WE'LL START WITH MARK FULTZ, IF
HE'S HERE, AND THEN JOSH COOPER.
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE TWO
MINUTES.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL.
THANK YOU
FOR INVITING ME UP TONIGHT.
I'D
LIKE TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
THE QUALIFICATIONS OF --
>> I'M SORRY.
I'M SORRY.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR
MIKE IS ON.
JUST ONE SEC, SIR.
.
>> OKAY.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE TONIGHT AND HOSTING
THIS PROCESS.
I WANTED TO SPEAK
ABOUT SOME OF THE QUALIFICATIONS
FOR BROOK.
AMONG ALL THE OTHER
CANDIDATES, WHAT REALLY STANDS
OUT TO ME IS HER TRACK RECORD OF
BEING EFFECTIVE AT GENERATING
POLICY BOTH AT THE STATE BUT
PARTICULARLY THE LOCAL LEVEL.
YOU MIGHT BE AWARE FROM HER
MATERIALS THAT SHE WROTE A VERY
DETAILED PROPOSAL ABOUT CREATING
MORE FAMILY SIZED RENTAL UNITS
DURING THE U DISTRICT UPZONE.
SHE WROTE A LONG FIVE-POINT
PROPOSAL ON WAYS WE COULD
INCENTIVIZE MORE FAMILY SIZED
RENTAL UNITS WHICH WERE NOT BE
BEING PRODUCED BY THE MARKET AT
THE TIME.
AND A FORM OF THAT
PROPOSAL WAS ADOPTED INTO THE
MHA LEGISLATION AND EVENTUALLY
MADE ITS WAY CITY WIDE AS WELL.
ANOTHER THING THAT KIND OF CAME
UP IN THE QUESTIONING TONIGHT,
YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE
WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK, PUT
FORWARD THOUGHTFUL PROPOSALS,
AND I THINK YOU'VE SEEN THE
RESPONSES TO THE 70-PLUS
COMMUNITY QUESTIONS WHICH I
THINK HAD A LOT OF VERY DETAILED
THOUGHTFUL RESPONSES THAT
REFLECT BOTH HER VALUES,
SPECIFIC IDEAS, AND HER
KNOWLEDGE AND BACKGROUND AND
CONNECTIONS TO THE DISTRICT FOR
COMMUNITY.
FINALLY, BEYOND JUST
HER QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
AND INTELLIGENCE, SHE CARES
ABOUT PEOPLE AND THAT'S WHY SHE
IS SEEKING THIS ROLE AS A MEMBER
OF THE NORTH LAKE COMMUNITY
ADVISORY COUNCIL.
SHE ORGANIZED
A THANKSGIVING DINNER THAT
BROUGHT TOGETHER THE RESIDENTS,
THE PROVIDERS THAT WORK AT THE
NORTH LAKE TINY HOUSE VILLAGE,
AND NEIGHBORS TO COME TOGETHER
TO SHARE A MEAL, TO HAVE A
MOMENT THAT REALLY CONNECTED THE
NEIGHBORHOOD TOGETHER.
FOR ALL
THESE REASONS, I THINK SHE WOULD
BE A GREAT CHOICE TO SERVE AS
THE DISTRICT 4 COUNCIL MEMBER IN
THIS INTERIM POSITION AND I
ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE THAT
CHOICE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
JOSH COOPER IS
OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
FOLLOWING
JOSH IS ERICA -- IT'S S, A
LETTER, LAL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS
EVENING.
I WANTED TO SAY A
WORDS ABOUT MARISSA RIVERA.
I
THINK SHE'S AN EXCELLENT CHOICE
TO REPRESENT SEATTLE'S 4TH
DISTRICT.
WHERE I'VE LIVED FOR
OVER A DECADE, I'VE BEEN LUCKY
ENOUGH TO KNOW HER FOR THE PAST
20 YEARS.
SHE IS HONEST,
PERSONABLE, LEVEL HEADED.
SHE
HAS GREAT LISTENING SKILLS, AN
INDEPENDENT THINKER.
SHE IS
EXTREMELY BRIGHT AND KNOWS HOW
TO WORK ON A TEAM.
SHE IS A
LONG STANDING RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 4 WHO ALSO HAS TWO
CHILDREN IN THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
I THINK SHE
UNDERSTANDS THE ISSUES THAT FACE
OUR CITY AND OUR DISTRICT IN
PARTICULAR.
SHE CERTAINLY HAS
THE COMMUNITY'S BEST INTERESTS
AT HEART.
HER LAW DEGREE AS
WELL AS HER RECORD AS A PUBLIC
SERVANT, INCLUDING HER PAST
EXPERIENCE AS WAS MENTIONED
TONIGHT, HER WORKING IN THE
WHITE HOUSE AND HER CURRENT
POSITION IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
HERE IN SEATTLE I THINK MAKE HER
REALLY ONE OF THE BEST CHOICES
TO FILL THIS CITY COUNCIL
POSITION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
ERICA WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY ELISA PATRICK.
THEN
SHAWN MOORE.
>> I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE
TRANSPARENT SEATTLE COALITION.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT CANDIDATES
WHO SUPPORT COMMUNITY LED
SOLUTIONS AND FOR TRANSPARENCY,
THOSE CALLANTS ARE GOLDBERG AND
SHRAY.
JORDAN AND SHRAY HAVE
SHOWN A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY DEMANDS.
THEY SHOW ANALYSIS AROUND ENDING
THE SWEEPS, CANCELING THE JAILS
AND INSTEAD OF WAFFLING ON
SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON
PROJECTS THAT HARM HUMAN LIVES
THEY'VE SHOWN WHAT MOST OF THE
COUNCIL SUPPORTS BUT MANY OF
THESE APPLICANTS SHOWED US THEY
DON'T SUPPORT THOSE THINGS.
THINGS LIKE MAKING SAFE
INJECTION SITES A REALITY,
PROGRESSIVE TAXATION, AND
ENSURING THAT COMMUNITY MODELS
ARE PRIORITIZED OVER PRIVATE
DEVELOPERS.
OVER AND OVER I
THINK THE CITY COUNCIL SAYS IT
WANTS TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY LED
SOLUTIONS BUT I THINK THIS VERY
PROCESS SHOWS US THAT ALL
APPLICANTS DON'T GET EQUAL
ACCESS.
THE URGENT TIME LINE
AND THE DEMANDS ON APPLICANTS'
TIME DOESN'T MEAN THAT NEEDS OF
ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO MIGHT
BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE APPLY OR
SHOW UP TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY
MEMBERS THAT DO APPLY MAKE MAJOR
SACRIFICES TO DO SO AND I HOPE
THAT'S SOMETHING THE COUNCIL
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER AS THEY
MAKE THEIR DECISION.
I WANT TO
URGE A VOTE AGAINST APPLICANTS
WHO SUPPORT SWEEP AGAINST THE
NEIGHBORS.
>> FOLLOWING ERICA IS ALISSA.
IS ALISSA HERE? DID ALISSA LEAVE
IN PATRICK?
OKAY.
HOW ABOUT SHAWN MOORE?
AND FOLLOWING SHAWN MOORE IS
KULANE SATO.
>> I'M SHAWN MOORE AND I'M A
STUDENT AT U DUB.
I BELIEVE HE
CAN BRING SEVERAL UNIQUE
QUALITIES THAT CAN HELP DISTRICT
4 THRIVE IN ITS STUDENT
POPULATION.
I BELIEVE HE
UNDERSTANDS U DUB AND ITS
STUDENT POPULATION, VERY MUCH AT
THE HEART OF DISTRICT 4. HE NOT
ONLY WENT TO U DUB, I THINK HE
WILL UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THE
STUDENTS AND DISTRICT 4. HE
ALSO IS A GRADUATE OF THE SCHOOL
OF PUBLIC POLICY AT U DUB.
IT
WILL BE AN ASSET TO DISTRICT 4
AS IT DEALS WITH HIGH RENTS,
HOMELESSNESS AND DEVELOPMENT.
AL DISPLACEMENT.
I THINK HE
ALSO CAN SMARTLY DEVELOP
DISTRICT 4 WHILE ALSO PREVENTING
THE DISPLACEMENT OF CURRENT
RESIDENTS.
ALSO ABEL HAS A
VISION OF HOW TO GUIDE DISTRICT
4 THROUGH THESE TIMES OF CHANGE
AND WOULD MAKE A GREAT ADDITION
TO THE COUNCIL.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS KULAISETO.
I'M A
COLLEAGUE OF ABEL.
I MOVED HERE
TEN YEARS AGO, ABOUT THE TIME HE
MOVED HERE.
I WAS ONLY END
INTENDING TO BE A TRANSIENT
WORKER, WORK HERE TWO YEARS AND
THEN MOVE BACK BUT I STAYED HERE
LONGER HAVING FOUND COMMUNITY IN
MY PROGRAM, THE MESA PROGRAM,
AND I GUESS ABEL FOUND THE SAME
THING, TOO, BEING A STUDENT AT U
DUB, AND I HAVE ONLY COME ACROSS
ABEL MAYBE, SAY, THREE YEARS AGO
AND HAVE BEEN CONNECTED WITH
ABEL WHERE THIS TIME HE TAUGHT
ME THAT I AM IN DISTRICT 4. HE
ALSO GOT ME TO VOTE, REGISTER TO
VOTE.
AND A NUMBER OF THINGS
ABOUT REALLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF
THE PRIVILEGE THAT I HAVE BEING
A CITIZEN.
I ACQUIRED MY
CITIZENSHIP, I'M NOT NATURALLY A
CITIZEN.
I GAINED IT FOR MY
PARENTS, AND I THINK IN TALKING
WITH ABEL OVER TIME, I REALIZED
THAT WE FOUND COMMUNITY HERE,
EVEN THOUGH WE'RE FROM DIFFERENT
PLACES IN THE WORLD, I'M FROM A
PACIFIC ISLAND, ABEL IS FROM LOS
ANGELES, BUT I'VE BEEN TO OTHER
PLACES IN CALIFORNIA AND ON THE
EAST COAST, AND I DON'T SEE THE
SAME COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE
HERE, SOMETHING THAT'S VERY
PRECIOUS AND VERY UNIQUE TO
SEATTLE.
AND I THINK THAT'S
WORTH PROTECTING AND I THINK
WE'VE LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY
LONG ENOUGH TO SEE THAT WHAT
MAKES SEATTLE SPECIAL,
ESPECIALLY WHEN WE COME FROM
VERY DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT
IN ITSELF ARE SPECIAL, TOO.
AND
I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT COMMUNITY
THRIVE EVEN MORE HERE, EVEN
THOUGH WE HAVE A GIANT NEIGHBOR
THAT SEEMS TO BE BOUNCING, OUR
LITTLEST NEIGHBOR OUT OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT TWO
SPEAKERS ARE MADDOX STARR
FOLLOWED BY JOANNA.
IS MADDOX
HERE?
AND THEN JOANNA DESIRO.
THEN
NICOLE GATES.
MADDOX, JOANNA,
NICOLE GATES.
>> THIS IS THE ONE?
>> YES.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS MADDOX.
SHRAY HAS OFTEN BEEN REFERRED
TO
AS MAMA BY FRIENDS AND
CO-WORKERS ALIKE BECAUSE SHE
TAKES PEOPLE UNDER HER WING,
INCLUDING MYSELF.
SHE HELPS
PEOPLE GET BACK ON THEIR FEET,
OFFERS SOUND ADVICE BUT ALSO
HOLDS THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR
ACTIONS.
SHE IS BRUTALLY
HONESTY ANY GIVEN SITUATION,
WHICH I FIND REFRESHING.
THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT SHE
TOUCHES PEOPLE'S LIVES AND MAKES
FRIENDS EVERYWHERE SHE GOES.
I
BELIEVE SHE WAS BORN TO BE A
POLITICIAN AND SHE ALREADY IS IN
MANY SENSES.
SHE IS
CHARISMATIC, TENACIOUS,
STRATEGIC AND FINDING SOLUTIONS
AND CARES DEEPLY FOR THE
COMMUNITY.
SHE STANDS UP FOR
THOSE WHOSE VOICES GO UNHEARD.
SHE IS EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE
ABOUT THE ISSUES AFFECTING OUR
COMMUNITY.
I KNOW THROUGH
EXPERIENCE THAT SHE IS EXTREMELY
INNOVATIVE AT FINDING NOT ONLY
SOLUTIONS, BUT GREAT SOLUTIONS.
THANKS TO HER VALUES, I HAVE THE
COURAGE TO COME OUT AS TRANS AT
THE WORKPLACE.
AS A MANAGER SHE
SHOWED ME SUPPORT IN COUNTLESS
WAYS.
THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TIME
TO EXTRAPOLATE AND THANKS TO HER
I'M A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY
AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU FOR
INSPIRING ME TO FIND THE COURAGE
TO TELL THE WORLD MY NAME IS FOR
HELPING ME BECOME A COMMUNITY
MEMBER OF SUCH A WONDERFUL CITY
AND AS A MEMBER OF THE
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT AS WELL AS A
MEMBER OF THE LGBTI COMMUNITY.
I WOULD BE PROUD TO HAVE HER
SERVE AS THE INTERIM DISTRICT 4
COUNCIL MEMBER.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
JOANNA, NICOLE,
AND THEN CONNOR BRONSON.
BRONDSON.
SO IS JOANNA HERE?
I'M GOING TO MOVE FROM JOANNA TO
NICOLE GATES.
NICOLE?
OKAY.
AND THEN CONNOR WILL
FOLLOW YOU.
>> I'M COMPLICATED.
SORRY.
HI.
I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH
. I
DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT.
I'M
MOSTLY HERE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN
WHATEVER SHE BELIEVES IN.
IF
SHARAY SAYS YES, I SAY YES TO
IT.
SO I DID A LITTLE BIT OF
RESEARCH AND I GOT INFORMATION
THAT SAYS THE CITY OF SEATTLE'S
COUNCIL DOESN'T HAVE THE BEST
REPUTATION, IT KIND OF HAS AN
INTIMIDATING AND DISCOURAGING
FACTOR, BUT, I MEAN, IF YOU SEE
BOTH SIDES OF IT, DOESN'T MEAN
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS A
PROBLEM, NOR DO THE PEOPLE HAVE
A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT JUST MOSTLY
SEEMS LIKE THAT'S FEAR BASED
WITH THE PEOPLE, NOT NECESSARILY
THE STRUCTURE OF WHAT YOU'RE
DOING.
WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS
IMPORTANT AND IT'S SET THAT WAY
FOR A REASON.
BECAUSE YOU HOLD
SPACE, YOU HOLD THE SPACE AND
YOU'RE HERE AND YOU'RE GIVING
TIME TO PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST
AFRAID TO GET WHAT THEY HAVE, AN
OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF THEM.
MY PERCEPTION OF THE COLLECTIVE
AS AN INDIVIDUAL IS THEY'RE
DISCONNECTED AND LOST.
I THINK
BEFORE THE COUNCIL COULD GIVE
THE CITY WHAT THEY NEED OR THE
CITY, VICE VERSA, I THINK WE
NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE
AN EVER-GROWING GAP OF
SEPARATION THAT NEEDS A BRIDGE.
OUR BRIDGE IS HERE, SHE'S RIGHT
THERE, AND THAT'S SHARAY.
WE
DON'T NEED JUST ANOTHER ADVOCATE
WHO CONTRIBUTES SOME GREAT VALUE
TO THE BRIDGE BEING BUILT OR SET
IN PLACE, NOT A PERSON WITH
MONEY OR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OR
A DONOR OF MATERIALS OR
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF NOTORIETY.
OUR BRIDGE IS BUILT, SO WE JUST
NEED PERMISSION TO SET IT IN
PLACE.
SHE DEFINITELY WILL SPAN
THE GAP.
WALK ON THIS BRIDGE
BECAUSE IT WAS MADE BY HUMAN IT,
PROTECTED BY COMPASSION AND IT
FLOATS ON INTEGRITY.
SHE IS A
GIFT THAT ONLY KNOWS
CONTRIBUTION TO THE GREATER
GOOD.
SHE INVESTS IN IT.
>> THANK YOU.
THANKS FOR YOUR
TESTIMONY.
>> ONE MORE THING.
>> WELL, IS IT GOING TO BE
BRIEF?
BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO KEEP IT TO
TWO MINUTES ON EVERYBODY.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
I JUST
WANTED TO SAY SHE IS THE VOICE
TO BE HEARD BY THE EARS THAT
NEED LISTENED TO AND HER HEART
BEATS WITH A CONVICTION THAT
AMPLIFIES THE VOICE SO THAT IT'S
HEARD BY MAKING WAVES, NOT
SWALLOWED BY THEM.
>> THANK YOU.
CONNOR IS HERE
AND THEN ED -- SAME LAST NAME,
RIGHT?
CONNOR WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ED
BRONTSTON.
>> THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON
AND GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO
ASK EXTENSIVE QUESTIONS OF ALL
THE CANDIDATES.
I THOUGHT THAT
WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR
HAVING THE CHANCE TO HEAR THAT,
AND THANKS FOR DOING THAT.
I
THINK IT'S CLEAR WE HAVE A LOT
OF ABLE AND ACCOMPLISHED
CANDIDATES BUT I WANT TO SPEAK
PARTICULARLY TO ABEL.
I'VE
KNOWN HIM FOR SEVEN YEARS AND HE
HAS DEMONSTRATED TO ME THE
NUANCE OF WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE
AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, BOTH
EXPERIENCE AND A MAN OF COLOR
AND BEING PUBLICLY ARRESTED AND
WRONGFULLY SO.
HE'S GOT THE
EXPERIENCE TO BUILD A BRIDGE FOR
WHAT WE NEED ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
I ALSO THINK IT'S REALLY
IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE
WHO UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS THE
DISTRICT, PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED
THERE FOR A LONG TIME, BUT NO
ONE ELSE IN THIS ROOM HAS RAN
FOR THAT SEAT, HAS KNOCKED ON
THOUSANDS OF DOORS BOTH IN 2015
AND IN THE DISTRICT AND HAS
ENGAGED IN COMMUNITY FORUMS
BEFORE THIS WEEK TALKING TO THE
PEOPLE IN DISTRICT 4. I THINK
THAT'S A FANTASTIC ASSET HE'S
GOING TO BE ABLE TO BRING TO THE
TABLE AND BE ABLE TO GO IN THERE
JUST AS ALL OF YOU DID AND KNOW
THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT
REALLY WELL, HAVING THAT
KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THEY NEED WILL
GIVE HIM A HUGE ADVANTAGE AND
MAKING THE MOST OF A SHORT TIME
ON THE COUNCIL.
THANK YOU SO
MUCH, AND I'LL KEEP IT SHORT.
>> THANK YOU.
FOLLOWING ED WILL
BE SHELLY PROSISE.
>> I KNOW ABEL BECAUSE OF MY
SON, CONNOR BRONSTON.
I'VE
WORKED IN DISTRICT 4 FOR 15
YEARS.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 5 FOR
33 YEARS, BUT MY COMMENTS
ACTUALLY ARE FOR THE 11 OF YOU,
NOT SO MUCH FOR THE COUNCIL,
WHICH IS THANK YOU FOR STEPPING
UP.
I LISTENED AND I THOUGHT TO
MYSELF, WE'RE GOING TO BE BETTER
OFF IF ANY ONE OF YOU STEPS IN,
IF ANY ONE OF YOU IS ELECTED IN
THAT ROLE.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK
FOR THE PERSON THAT I KNOW BEST,
AND THAT'S ABEL.
ONE OF THE
REASONS THAT I APPRECIATE ABEL
PERSONALLY IS BECAUSE HE DOES
LOOK AT THINGS AND SAY, YOU
KNOW, I MISSPOKE THERE, I WANT
TO CLARIFY MY REMARKS AND I WANT
TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW WHERE
I'M COMING FROM ON THAT.
HE
RESPONDS IN A WAY WITH
INTELLECT.
COUNCIL MEMBER
O'BRIEN SPOKE AND SAID,
PARAPHRASING HERE, WHAT WOULD
YOU DO TO INVOLVE YOUTH IN SOME
OF THESE ISSUES THAT WE'RE
DEALING WITH?
AND ONE OF THE WAYS YOU COULD DO
THAT WOULD BE TO ELECT A COUNCIL
MEMBER FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS
WHO IS YOUNGER THAN YOU AND YET
STILL HAS THE COMMUNITY
EXPERIENCE THAT WE NEED TO BE
SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE.
SO TO
HAVE THAT INTELLECT, TO HAVE A
SOCIAL EQUITY UNDERSTANDING THAT
COMES FROM LIVING IT HIS ENTIRE
LIFE, AND TO HAVE THE AMBITION
TO WANT TO SERVE, WHICH ALL 11
OF YOU DO, THANK YOU.
BUT I'M
HERE TO SPEAK FOR ABEL AND I
HOPE YOU WILL CHOOSE HIM AND
GOOD LUCK IN THOSE DELIBERATIONS
BECAUSE IT'S AFTER 9:00 AND YOU
FOLKS ARE STEPPING IN FOR A
TOUGH ROLE HERE.
THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
SHELLY, AND
FOLLOWING SHELLY IS RACHEL
ROURKE.
>> THANK YOU.
I'M SHELLY.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 4
. I'VE LIVED
THERE FOR 15 YEARS AND I'VE
WORKED THERE FOR ABOUT SEVEN.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SUPPORT
RIVERA FOR ABOUT A HUNDRED
REASONS, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF
TIME, I'M GOING TO SHARE THREE
THAT I THINK WILL BE MOST
IMPORTANT TO THE COUNCIL AND TO
SEATTLE.
SO MARISSA HAS VAST
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE REPRESENTING
CITIZENS AND FIGHTING FOR
EQUALITY.
YOU'VE SEEN HER
RESUME.
YOU KNOW WHAT SHE'S
DONE.
SHE HAS -- SHE'S JUST
REALLY QUALIFIED FOR THIS ROLE,
AND I THINK THAT HER EXPERIENCE
AND HER DIVERSE EXPERIENCE IS
REALLY GOING TO BE IMPORTANT FOR
DISTRICT 4 IN HOW DIVERSE IT IS.
NUMBER TWO, SHE DEEPLY CARES
ABOUT HEALTH, RACIAL AND
ECONOMIC EQUITY FOR THE ENTIRE
SEATTLE, SO SHE CARES A LOT
ABOUT OUR DISTRICT BUT SHE ALSO
UNDERSTANDS HOW THAT FITS INTO
ALL OF SEATTLE.
NUMBER THREE,
SHE FOLLOWS LAW TO A T. SHE IS
HONEST AND INDEPENDENT, WHICH IS
A FIERCE MIX, AND I THINK THAT
THE COUNCIL COULD REALLY USE IT.
I THINK MARISSA IS A TEAM PLAYER
THAT YOU NEED TO FILL THIS HOLE
IN THE CITY COUNCIL AND TO FILL
IN WHERE JOHNSON CAN'T.
THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
SO I'M SORRY, YOU
ARE RACHEL?
>> YES.
>> YES, RACHEL.
SO I WAS
GIVEN -- OKAY.
RACHEL AND THEN
FOLLOWING YOU WILL BE ALEX
ZIMMERMAN.
>> I'M RACHEL ROURKE.
I'VE
LIVED IN SEATTLE ALL MY LIFE.
I
RUN THE WOMEN'S SHIFT AT THE
WOMEN'S ALLIANCE IN THE U
DISTRICT AND I'M HERE IN FAVOR
OF SHARAY.
>> I'M SORRY.
CAN WE STOP THE
CLOCK JUST ONE MINUTE.
MR. ZIMMERMAN, YOU KNOW THE
RULES, SIR.
PLEASE DO NOT STAND
IN BACK OF THE SPEAKER.
I'M
SORRY.
I APOLOGIZE FOR
INTERRUPTING THE RHYTHM.
>> THAT'S OKAY.
I'M HERE IN
FAVOR OF SHARAY.
SHE IS
SOMEBODY WHO HAS THE UNIQUE
ABILITY TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE
THEY'RE AT, BY NETWORKING WITHIN
THE COMMUNITY THAT SHE LIVES IN,
AND LIKE ME, SHE DOESN'T DRIVE A
CAR, AND SO I FEEL LIKE SHE'LL
REPRESENT SOMEBODY IN MY
DEMOGRAPHIC.
I ALSO WORK FOR AN
ORGANIZATION THAT DOES WORK WITH
OPIOID USE AND HOUSELESSNESS
CRISIS.
I CAN'T MENTION WHICH
ONE BECAUSE OF HR AT MY WORK.
I'M NOT ALLOWED TO SAY WHERE I
WORK IN MEDIA KIND OF
CIRCUMSTANCES.
BUT I CAN SAY
THAT I KNOW THAT SHARAY WILL DO
THE WORK WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO
BRING, LIKE, HARM REDUCTION
APPROACHES AND CRITICAL THINKING
THAT IT TAKES TO SOLVE -- OR
WORK WITH THE HOMELESSNESS
CRISIS.
YEAH, I THINK THAT HER
WORK WITH SAW AND HER WORK WITH
SWAP SHOWS THEIR -- SORRY, THEIR
COMMITMENT TO THIS KIND OF WORK.
ALSO AS THE PARENT OF A
TRANSTEEN TEENAGER, THEIR
NONBINARY LGBTG LENS WOULD
GREATLY AFFECT THE RIGHTS OF
THOSE INDIVIDUALS, AND I THINK
THAT SHE IS THE MOST SORT OF
PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE FOR THIS
POSITION.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND
IT'S BEEN A REALLY
LATE NIGHT AND I REALLY
APPRECIATE EVERYBODY STAYING
HERE TO HEAR ME OUT.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.
APPRECIATE THAT.
FOLLOWING ALEX
ZIMMERMAN IS KRISTEN HUBER.
>> THANK YOU, SIR.
ZIG HIGHLY
MY SWEET FEWEROR HIGHLY
MY SWEET FEWEROR, DIRTY FUROR.
DIRTY ROTTEN
RATS FROM ANIMAL FARM.
FOR
30-PLUS YEARS, WHAT THIS HAS
BECOME --
>> COUNCILMAN, I'M GOING TO
REQUIRE FIVE AT THE DIAS
UNFORTUNATELY FOR THIS SPECIAL
MEETING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE KNOW YOU'RE KNOW HOW
TO CLEAR
A ROOM, SIR, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I
NEED FIVE.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, CAN I JUST
REGISTER HOW OFFENDED I AM BY
THIS MAN COMING AND SPEAKING TO
US DAY AFTER DAY WITH INSULTS?
SO I WILL --
>> IT'S OKAY.
LET ME GIVE YOU
MY TWO MINUTES.
>> JUST FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE
BEEN ON NOTICE ONE TIME AS
REQUIRED BY THE RULES, SO PLEASE
PROCEED, AND WE'LL RESUME THE
CLOCK.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SO I
SEE FOR 30 YEARS INCLUDES SINCE
MY PERSONAL ELECTIONS.
YES.
CONTROLLED BY PROGRESSIVES, NAZI
DEMOCRATIC MAFIA, EVERY DAY,
2,200 AND PLUS.
A VERY SIMPLE
QUESTION TO CITY CHILDREN, 12
CITY CHILDREN, YES, LIKE HERE.
GONZALEZ, THE LATE
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, YOU OPEN
PUBLIC MEETING, NOT FIVE TIMES.
>> EXCUSE ME, THIS IS NOT --
COUNCIL PRESIDENT HARRILL,
MR. ZIMMERMAN IS ONCE AGAIN
SPEAKING ABOUT AN ITEM THAT IS
NOT ON THE AGENDA WHICH IS A
VIOLATION OF CITY COUNCIL RULES
>> SIR, YOU ARE -- SPEAK TO THE
AGENDA.
THE SPECIAL MEETING IS
FOR THE ELECTION OF --
>> EXACTLY THE QUESTION.
>> AND IF YOU DO NOT, YOU ARE
GOING TO BE REMOVED FROM THE
CHAMBERS, SIR, SO SPEAK
SPECIFICALLY TO THE AGENDA ITEM.
COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ IS NOT
ON THE AGENDA.
>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
>> SIR, I'M LISTENING TO EVERY
WORD YOU SAY AND AS SOON AS YOU
DEVIATE YOU'RE GOING TO BE
IMMEDIATELY REMOVED.
PLEASE
PROCEED.
>> I SPOKE TO YOU, TO 12 PEOPLE.
I GIVE YOU VERY SIMPLE QUESTION.
IS THIS QUESTION EXACTLY WHAT I
TALK ABOUT, THIS COUNCIL.
YOU
KNOW WHAT THIS MEAN, WHAT THIS
ABOUT GONZALEZ, SHE NOT --
>> EXCUSE ME, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> STOP THE CLOCK, PLEASE.
>> THIS OPEN, PUBLIC MEETING.
I
DON'T MENTION HER NAME.
>> HOLD ON FOR ONE SECOND.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, AS PER YOUR
INSTRUCTIONS, ONCE THE
INDIVIDUAL HAS DEVIATED FROM
ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, HE CAN BE
REMOVED AND THAT WAS A STRETCH,
I WOULD ASK THAT HE BE REMOVED.
>> YOU ARE EXCUSED, SIR.
PLEASE, SECURITY ESCORT HIM OUT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> YES, SIR.
>> OKAY.
OUR NEXT -- I THINK
OUR LAST TWO SPEAKERS WERE -- I
HOPE WE DIDN'T LOSE ANY OF YOU
11 APPLICANTS.
I'M SIGNING UP
FOR THAT?
KRISTEN HUBER, AND THEN SHELLY.
>> SHELLY ALREADY SPOKE.
KRISTEN HUBER WILL BE OUR LAST
SPEAKER, UNLESS SOMEONE ELSE
WANTS TO SPEAK.
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR PATIENCE.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE OF
SHARAY, AND I'VE KNOWN HER FOR
TEN YEARS.
WHEN I FIRST MET
HER, WE WERE WORKING TOGETHER
AND I WAS LIKE, WHAT'S GOING ON
WITH HER?
SHE WAS ALSO, LIKE, IMMEDIATELY,
LIKE I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THIS
WOMAN TEN YEARS FROM NOW AND
WHAT SHE'S GOING TO BECOME.
AND
SO IT'S ABSOLUTELY AWESOME TO
WITNESS HER BECOMING, AND,
REALLY QUICK, I WANT TO EXPRESS
MY BELIEF IN HER ABILITIES TO
HOLD THE SEAT FOR DISTRICT 4.
I'VE LIVED THERE FOR THE PAST
EIGHT YEARS, WORKED THERE FOR
TEN YEARS.
DURING THIS PERIOD
OF TIME I'VE KNOWN HER.
SHE HAS
ALWAYS BEEN FIGHTING A CAUSE,
GIVEN A HOME TO OTHERWISE
HOMELESS.
SHE CURRENTLY HAS A
PARTITION IN HER LIVING ROOM
WITH SOMEONE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE
BE HOMELESS LIVING THERE.
I
THINK IT'S AWESOME SHE HAS A
SOLUTION LIKE THAT, THAT WOULD
OTHERWISE BE HOMELESS, OTHERWISE
UNEMPLOYABLE.
SHE HAS STOOD UP
FOR THOSE WHO COULDN'T FIND
THEIR VOICE, HAS DONE THIS.
SHE
HAS LIVED IN WORKED IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD, HAS A PASSION FOR
HER COMMUNITY.
SHE CAN IDENTIFY
PROBLEMS.
SHE HAS THE ABILITY
TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO
PROBLEMS AND EXECUTE THEM.
SHE
IS AN ADVOCATE FOR THOSE THAT
ARE UNDERREPRESENTED.
SHE HAS A
DEEP EMPATHY FOR THE SOCIAL
MINORITY.
SHE HAS USED HER OWN
RESOURCES TO HELP FROM FEEDING
TO HOUSING, EVEN IN THE FACE OF
HER OWN ADVERSITY, TO HELP
OTHERS STRUGGLE AND LIFT THEM UP
AND GETTING THEM INTO A PLACE
WHRE THEY ARE FUNCTIONAL
MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
I'VE SEEN
HER DO THIS TIME AND TIME AGAIN
OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS.
PLEASE
CONSIDER HER TO REPRESENT
DISTRICT 4. SHE IS FIERCELY
COMMITTED TO SOCIAL JUSTICE, HER
COMMUNITY, AND THE CAPABILITY TO
COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS, WORKING
AS A TEAM TO GET JOBS DONE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.
THAT WILL CONCLUDE OUR PUBLIC
TESTIMONY SECTION, UNLESS I
MISSED ANYONE, AND I DON'T THINK
THAT I DID.
THANK YOU AGAIN,
APPLICANTS, FOR YOUR PATIENCE,
AND WITH THAT, WE'LL STAND
ADJOURNED.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU.