>>> WILL GOOD MORNING,
EVERYONE.
TODAY IS THURSDAY, AUGUST 15,
2019.
THE HOUSING, HEALTH, ENERGY AND
WORKERS RIGHTS COMMITTEE WILL
COME TO ORDER.
I AM COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
I WILL SOON BE JOINED BY OUR
COUNCIL COLLEAGUES.
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ WHO IS
USUALLY HERE IS NOT ABLE TO
ATTEND.
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW IS ON HER
WAY AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF
OTHER COLLEAGUES.
WE DO HAVE TO PARTS OF OUR
AGENDA, THE FIRST PART IS FOLKS
MIGHT HAVE HEARD WILL BE
DEVOTED TO ISSUES OUTSIDE OF
THE HOTEL WORKERS SAFETY
EDUCATION.
THIS WOULD BE FOCUSED ON TO
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT EFFORTS.
THE FIRST WILL BE THE SOLAR
PROGRAM, WHICH WE ARE LAUNCHING
TO ESTABLISH A LARGER
COMMERCIAL PROGRAM IN THE CITY.
AND THE BRIEFING AT POSSIBLE
VOTE ON THE SEATTLE CITY LIGHT
WESTERN ENERGY IMBALANCE
AUTHORITY ORDINANCE RELATED TO
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT'S ABILITY OR
AUTHORIZATION TO BECOME PART OF
THE WESTERN ENERGY IMBALANCE
MARKET.
BOTH OF THOSE HAVE POSSIBLE
VOTE ON THEM.
WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON
THOSE TWO ITEMS FIRST.
THE SECOND THING WE WILL DO IS
TALK ABOUT THE HOTEL WORKER
LEGISLATION.
WE WILL DO PUBLIC COMMENT THAT
SHOULD BEGIN APPROXIMATELY
10:00 IF WE COULD GET THROUGH
THESE FIRST TWO ITEMS FASTER.
WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT
EARLIER AND THEN WE WILL DEVOTE
THE REST OF THE TIME TO THE
HOTEL SAFETY LEGISLATION AND
THE HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION.
THOSE ARE TWO COMPONENTS IF
YOU'RE FOLLOWING ALONG.
THERE FOR PARTS OF THE HOTEL.
PACKAGE.
THIS IS PART ONE ON SAFETY AND
PART THREE ON HEALTHCARE.
IF THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS, I
SEE NONE.
WE WILL GO AHEAD AND ADOPT
TODAY'S AGENDA.
IT IS ADOPTED.
WE WILL MOVE INTO PUBLIC
TESTIMONY JUST ON THE FIRST
PART OF THE AGENDA.
THOSE ARE RELATED TO OUR TO
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT RELATED
EFFORTS AND WESTERN ENERGY
IMBALANCE AUTHORITY ORDINANCE.
I DO HAVE THREE PEOPLE SIGNED
UP FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THAT
SECTION.
AS YOU, WHEN YOU SAW YOU SIGNED
IN, IF YOU DIDN'T GET A CHANCE
TO SIGN IN, THERE IS STILL TIME
FOR THE HOTEL WORKER
LEGISLATION.
THE FIRST PERSON WILL BE JEREMY
KELLER.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO USE THAT
MICROPHONE AS WELL.
>> GOOD MORNING.
>> LET ME MAKE SURE IT IS ON
FOR YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING.
THANK YOU.
HELLO, I AM A PROJECT
DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER WITH A
COMPANY.
FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE
BEEN WORKING WITH SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO DEVELOP 800
KW OF SOLAR ACROSS SIX SCHOOLS.
WE ARE HERE ON BEHALF OF
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ON
BEHALF OF MY COMPANY TO SUPPORT
THE COMMERCIAL SOLAR AS IT IS
PROPOSED.
THREE YEARS AGO, IF WE HAD THAT
PROGRAM IN PLACE, WE WOULD HAVE
INSTEAD INSTALLED KILOWATTS ON
TOP OF ONE ROOFTOP HIGH SCHOOL.
IT WOULD HAVE SAVED THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABOUT 10 HAVE A
20% OF THE PROJECT COST.
AND AN IMPROVED ROI.
THIS PROGRAM AS IT IS DEFINED
GIVES SOLAR OWNERS THE
CERTAINTY THEY NEED OVER 15-20
YEARS.
EVEN WITH THE LOW EXPORT RATE
THAT PROVIDES THE ABILITY TO
LINE UP FINANCING AND THIRD-
PARTY OWNERSHIP.
IT IS A WELL-DEFINED PATHWAY
FOR INTERCONNECTION AND IT WILL
PROVIDE CLEARLY DEFINED
AGREEMENTS FOR SEATTLE CITY
LIGHT.
FRANKLY, HAVING TO COME BEFORE
CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE EVERY
INDIVIDUAL PROJECT APPROVED
TEST KILLS PROJECTS.
SO GETTING RID OF THE
REQUIREMENT IS SUBSTANTIALLY
BENEFICIAL.
IN SHORT, THIS PROGRAM REMOVES
A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY.
IT HAS HAVEN'T HEARD THE
DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR PROJECTS.
THERE IS A LOT OF INVESTMENT TO
LARGE ROOFTOP SOLAR PROGRAMS.
WE ALSO APPRECIATE THE
PROVISION TO REEVALUATE THE
EXPORT RATE AFTER ABOUT TWO
YEARS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT BEING A
PUBLIC PROCESS FOR US ALL TO
CONTRIBUTE TO.
>> EXCELLENT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH JEREMY.
KEITH WE ARE FOLLOWED BY STEVE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA.
>> GOOD MORNING, KEITH.
GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
>> I AM HERE TO TESTIFY IN
FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT.
FOR SEATTLE CITY LIGHT THE
SOLAR PER GRAM MOVING FORWARD.
THESE PROGRAMS OBVIOUSLY, I AM
TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF LOCAL
46, THE ELECTRICIANS IN
SEATTLE.
THE GREEN NEW DEAL, GREEN JOBS,
CONSTRUCTION JOBS, IN
PARTICULAR, ELECTRICAL JOBS A
BLUE-COLLAR AS WE HAVE STATED
MANY TIMES IN THE PAST.
THIS COULD BE ANOTHER PIECE TO
INCENTIVIZE AND HELP
COMMUNITIES DRIVING
APPRENTICESHIP AND WORKFORCE
STANDARDS.
GIVING PEOPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR A
NEW CAREER WHILE HELPING GREEN
UP OUR CITY AND DO THE RIGHT
THING.
AND THROUGH THE PROPOSED
LANGUAGE, I BELIEVE IT WILL
HELP US TO ACTUALLY DRIVE THE
INCENTIVE ASIAN AND GET
SOMETHING THAT IS ACTUALLY DONE
SO WE CAN GET A FOOT FORWARD
AND GET AHEAD OF OUR GOALS FOR
2030.
SO I AM SUPPORTING IN FAVOR.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, KEITH.
I REALLY LOVE THE PHRASE GREEN
NEW JOBS WITH A BLUE-COLLAR.
WELCOME, TRANSFER.
HELLO, STEVE.
>> GOOD MORNING.
COUNCILMEMBERS COUNCILMEMBER
BAGSHAW AND COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA.
WE ARE WORKING ON A CLEAN
ENERGY AND EQUITY.
ESPECIALLY FOCUS ON BRINGING
RENEWABLE ENERGY TO AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE
LARGE SOLAR PILOT PROGRAM.
WHILE WE APPLAUD CITY LIGHT FOR
PILOTING A LARGE SOLAR PROGRAM
TO CREATE A PREDICTABLE RATE
FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS
UNDER 100 KW.
WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THE EXPORT
RATE IS LOW.
IT DISCOURAGES MORE INVESTMENT.
AND THAT IT DOES NOT SEEM TO
TAKE CLIMATE CHANGE AND FUTURE
NEEDS INTO ACCOUNT.
WE ARE ALSO DISAPPOINTED THAT
CITY LIGHT DIDN'T REALLY TAKE
STAKEHOLDERS CONCERNS SERIOUSLY
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS POLICY.
WE THINK IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE
FROM OUR PUBLIC UTILITY.
THAT IT IS NOT IN ALIGNMENT
WITH OUR ACTION PLAN WHICH
CALLS FOR CARBON NEUTRALITY BY
2050.
THE DEAL THAT CALLS FOR CARBON
NEUTRALITY BY 2030.
WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN
RENEWABLE ENERGY NOW IS PART OF
WHAT WILL BE A DRAMATIC
INCREASE IN DEMAND IN THE
FUTURE.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT SEATTLE CITY
LIGHT HAS DONE A GREAT JOB WITH
EFFICIENCY AND HAS SEEN A
REDUCTION IN CURRENT DEMAND.
THEREFORE, IT IS RELUCTANT TO
REALLY SUPPORT RENEWABLE ENERGY
BUT WE KNOW AND WE NEED TO
ELECTRIFY OUR BUILDINGS AND
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.
WE ALL NEED TO GET ON THE SAME
PAGE.
THE DELIGHT NEEDS TO BELIEVE
THAT THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP,
COUNSEL, THE MAYOR, ARE SERIOUS
ABOUT ELECTRIFYING THE CITY AND
REDUCING POSSIBLE FUEL USE.
SO THEY CAN SERIOUSLY INVEST IN
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SUPPORT.
BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS
THAT WANT TO DO THAT.
SO WE ARE THANKFUL FOR
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA AND OUR
STAFF FOR ADDRESSING CONCERNS
HERE.
WE SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT THAT
WILL BE OFFERED UP TODAY.
WE DO LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH SEATTLE CITY LIGHT AND
COUNSEL TO ADVANCE THE GOALS OF
THE GREEN NEW DEAL FOR MORE
RENEWABLE ENERGY.
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS AMENDED
VERSION OF THE ORDINANCE.
>> CAN I ASK A QUALIFYING
QUESTION?
WITH THE AMENDMENTS, YOU ARE
SUPPORTIVE OF THE BILLS OF
PASSAGE TODAY.
>> YES.
>> JUST WANTED TO DOUBLE CHECK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND TO
THE FOLKS AT IBW.
THE INDUSTRY AND THE
ASSOCIATION HAS ALSO OFFERED
EDITS ALONG THE WAY SO THANK
YOU TO THE THREE FOLKS WHO
TESTIFIED TODAY AND FOR YOUR
WORK TO MAKE THESE BILLS
ENHANCE.
IS THERE AND WHAT ELSE WOULD
LIKE TO SPEAK ON SEATTLE CITY
LIGHT ISSUES?
OKAY.
ALL RIGHT.
GREAT.
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW, WE HAVE
TWO OPPORTUNITIES FOR A LOOK
TESTIMONY.
ONE IS NOW AND ONE IS WHEN WE
GET INTO THE HOTEL WORKER
LEGISLATION.
I WILL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE OUT
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE HOTEL
WORKER LEGISLATION.
ON SEATTLE CITY LIGHT FOR THE
RECORD.
HOTEL WORKER LEGISLATION TO
COME.
WE WILL CLOSE OUT PUBLIC
TESTIMONY ON SEATTLE CITY LIGHT
BILLS.
WHAT YOU READ INTO THE RECORD
ITEMS NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER
TWO.
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE,
COUNSEL BILL 119516, AND
ORDINANCE RELATING TO SEATTLE
CITY LIGHT DEPARTMENT,
AUTHORIZING A LARGE SOLAR
PROGRAM FOR CUSTOMERS WITH
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
SIZED LARGER THAN 100 KW AND
NOT GREATER THAN 2 MW.
FOR A BRIEFING, DISCUSSION AND
POSSIBLE THAT.
ITEM NUMBER TWO.
COUNSEL BILL 119571.
AND ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE
CITY LIGHT DEPARTMENT,
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT TO
ENTER AND PARTICIPATE IN THE
WESTERN ENERGY IMBALANCE
MARKET.
FOR A BRIEFING IT POSSIBLE FOR
>> WE WILL TAKE ITEM NUMBER ONE
AND STRESS IT.
THEN WE WILL DO ITEM NUMBER
TWO.
I MIGHT AS WELL BRING YOU ALL
UP TOGETHER.
WHAT WE GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE
YOURSELVES AND WE WILL GET
STARTED WITH ITEM NUMBER ONE.
>> CALVIN CHILD.
COUNSEL CENTRAL STUFF.
>> TESTING, GENERAL MANAGER,
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT.
>> BRENDAN O'DONNELL.
>> WONDERFUL, THANK YOU.
DID YOU HAVE SOME OPENING
COMMENTS FOR US?
>> JUST TO NOTE THAT WE DO
HAVE, WE HAVE WORKED WITH YOUR
OFFICE AND WITH STAFF ON
POTENTIAL SUBSTITUTE BILLS THAT
INCLUDE LOBBY MINUTES THAT WILL
BE TALKED ABOUT IN THE
LEGISLATION.
I HAVE THAT AS MATERIALS HERE.
>> GREAT.
WE WILL LET YOU GUYS GO AHEAD
AND TURN IT OVER.
I HAVE COMMENTS POTENTIALLY
BEFORE A VOTE.
JUST WANT TO T OF THESE TWO
ITEMS.
I THINK DONE RIGHT, AS YOU
HEARD STEVE MENTION AND WITH
LABOR COMMUNITY AT THE TABLE TO
TALK ABOUT HOW GREEN ENERGY
JOBS ARE UNION JOBS AS YOU
HEARD KEITH TALK ABOUT, THESE
ARE GREAT COMPONENTS TO THE
OVERALL EFFORT TO TRY TO REDUCE
ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND CREATE
MORE GREEN ENERGY OPTIONS ON
THE MARKET AND FOR CONSUMERS.
BOTH RESIDENTIAL CONSUMERS AND
LARGE COMMERCIAL CONSUMERS AS
WELL.
I THINK THIS IS VERY MUCH IN
LINE WITH THE CONVERSATIONS
WE'VE BEEN HAVING OVER THE LAST
FEW WEEKS ABOUT HOW WE CREATE A
GREENER ECONOMY AND GREENER
TECHNOLOGY AND FULFILL OUR
GOALS TO MEET THE GREEN NEW
DEAL.
I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO TAKE
AWAY FROM THAT, THAT THESE TWO
ELEMENTS EQUAL A GREEN NEW DEAL
PACKAGE.
AS YOU SAW IN THE GREEN NEW
DEAL, THE PROPOSAL THAT THE
COUNCIL PASSED WAS EARLIER THIS
WEEK?
IT IS A LONG LIST OF ITEMS.
SO I THINK THAT AS WE THINK OF
EVERY SINGLE TOOL IN OUR
TOOLKIT, SEATTLE CITY LIGHT HAS
BEEN GREAT AT HELPING TO
IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL TOOLS TO
ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO CONSUME LESS
ENERGY AND TO MAKE THAT GREENER
ENERGY.
I SEE THESE AS COMPLEMENTARY,
NOT THE GREEN NEW DEAL ITSELF
BUT COMPLEMENTARY TO IT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON
THAT.
I THINK IT IS GREAT TIMING.
I WILL TURN IT OVER FOR ALL OF
YOU TO WALK US THROUGH WHAT WE
WILL CONSIDER TODAY.
>> RENDON IS REALLY GOING TO BE
THE PRESENTER.
I WANTED TO MAKE A COUPLE OF
COMMENTS.
NUMBER ONE, I REALLY APPRECIATE
THE TESTIMONY THAT STEVE
PROVIDED.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS A STEP AND WE
HAVE REALLY EFFECT WORKED HARD
TO ACCOMMODATE INPUT FROM A
VARIETY OF DIFFERENT
STAKEHOLDERS.
I WOULD SAY THAT SEATTLE CITY
LIGHT IS, WE ARE EXTREMELY
INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING AND
INTEGRATING DISTRIBUTIVE ENERGY
RESOURCES INTO THE SYSTEM.
AND I THINK ABOUT AMERICA, PART
OF A REORGANIZATION THAT CITY
LIGHT DID LATE SPRING, IS
CHARGED WITH ALL OF THESE, HE
IS, THE FUTURE IS NOW.
THE FUTURE FOR US IS AROUND
ELECTIVE FURCATION.
IT IS AROUND THE GREEN ENERGY
FUTURE.
WE ALL ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO
BALANCE THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS
OF OUR CHOICES AND MAKE SURE
THAT THEY ARE BEING ABSORBED BY
THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
I DON'T KNOW WHO THE RIGHT
PEOPLE ARE AT TIMES.
THERE IS NO ONE ANSWER.
SO I WOULD SAY THAT'S IS A
STEP, BUT I WANT TO ASSURE
FOLKS THAT WE ARE VERY
COMMITTED TO DISTRIBUTED ENERGY
RESOURCES.
IN FACT, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT
RESOURCE PLANNING IN THE
FUTURE, WE THINK ABOUT THAT AS
A DISTRIBUTED MODEL.
THE DAYS OF LARGE-SCALE
GENERATION THAT GOES INTO THE
TOP OF A FUNNEL AND FLOWS OUT
TO OUR CUSTOMERS ARE CERTAINLY
ON THE WAY OUT.
WE WANT TO BE IN FRONT OF THAT
MOVE.
THAT IS A LOT OF WHY WE HAVE
ORGANIZED THE WAY WE HAVE.
I THINK MY POINT THERE IS TO
SAY WE HEAR THE ADVICE.
WE ARE LOOKING TO EQUITABLY
BALANCE THE COST OF THESE
PROGRAMS WITH THE NEEDS OF
CUSTOMERS, PARTICULARLY OUR
LOWEST INCOME CUSTOMERS.
THAT IS A CONSTANT CHALLENGE
FOR US.
ONE THAT WE EMBRACE AND LOOK
FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK
ON BUT KNOW THAT EVEN AS THE
CITY EMBRACES GREEN NEW DEAL
WORK, WE HAVE A WHOLE BODY OF
WORK THAT IS ALL AROUND
ELECTRIFICATION, INNOVATION AND
ALL GREEN ALL THE TIME.
SO MORE TO COME AND YOU WILL
SEE A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS
FROM EMEKA ANYANWU AND HIS
TEAM.
WE SEE TWO EFFORTS THAT QUITE
FRANKLY PROCEEDED BOTH TRANSIT
SEEN AND I IN THEIR ORIGINS.
THE SECOND ITEM THAT WE WILL
TAKE UP LATER IS ONE THAT I
HAVE BEEN TRACKING IN MY FORMER
ROLE.
THIS ONE IS ONE THAT WE HAVE
PUT A LOT OF HEART AND SOUL
INTO.
I THINK THAT EVEN EMEKA AND I
FEEL A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP AND
LOVE FOR THIS.
WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER
TO BRENDAN O'DONNELL WHO HAS
MADE IT HIS LOVE AND LABOR
OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
IS THAT A FAIR ASSUMPTION?
>> NOT QUITE BUT AT LEAST ONE
YEAR.
>> WE GET STARTED, I ALSO WANT
TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK YOU
ALL FOR BEING OPENED AND
ACCEPTING OF THE MOMENTS WE'VE
BEEN CRAFTING WITH FOLKS BOTH
IN THE AUDIENCE AND EXTERNALLY
AS WELL.
ERIN HOUSE HAS JOINED US AT THE
TABLE AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK WITH
US.
AND SATELLITE.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE
WILLINGNESS TO INCORPORATE SOME
OF THOSE ITEMS BEFORE WE
BROUGHT THEM FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> SO I WILL GET INTO THE
PRESENTATION AND WHAT I ASK IS
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE
JUST INTERRUPT ME IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE SLIDE.
>> WE ARE NOT SHY.
>> GOOD.
OKAY, SO I WANTED TO GROUND US
IN TANGIBLY, WHAT ARE WE
TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE SAY LARGE
COMMERCIAL SOLAR SYSTEMS?
IT IS NOT THIS.
THERE ARE MANY SOLAR SYSTEMS.
THERE ARE OVER 4000 SOLAR
SYSTEMS ON EITHER RESIDENTIAL
OR SMALL COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
LIKE FAMILY.
THEY LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
THERE ARE MANY OF THEM OUT
THERE BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.
WE ARE ALSO NOT TALKING ABOUT
LARGE MEGAWATT SCALE GENERATION
IN THE DESERT.
THIS IS A SOLAR FARM, 500 MB IN
CALIFORNIA.
THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT EITHER.
>> THIS IS VERY HELPFUL.
>> WHEN YOU SAY LOW, SOLAR, IT
IS OFTEN UNCLEAR WHAT YOU MEAN.
OFTEN THERE ARE SIT STEMS THAT
LOOK LIKE THIS.
ON LARGE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
WITHIN THE URBAN CORE, WITHIN
THE SERVICE TERRITORY, THIS IS
ABOUT 130 MW EMMA KILOWATTS ON
A VA FACILITY IN CALIFORNIA.
THE SYSTEMS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
HERE IN THIS LEGISLATION LOOK
SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
SO THE FIRST THING TO KNOW
ABOUT THE SOLAR MARKET IS THAT
IT IS HEAVILY DIVIDED BY THE
PHYSICAL SIZE OF THE SYSTEM.
SO THINGS THAT LOOK LIKE THE
HOUSE I SHOWED FIRST ARE LESS
THAN 100 KW.
THE SYSTEMS THAT ARE LARGE ARE
OVER 2 MW.
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE
IS THE SYSTEMS IN THE ORANGE
THAT ARE ABOVE 100 KW BUT LESS
THAN 2 MW.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW CUSTOMERS
ARE COMPENSATED FOR THE
GENERATION IN EACH ONE OF THESE
SYSTEM SIZES, IT VARIES VERY
DISTINCTLY.
100 KW IS REALLY A STRONG
DIVIDING LINE IN THE SAND.
SO FOR CUSTOMERS WITH SYSTEMS
LESS THAN 100 KW, THEY RECEIVE
WHAT IS ANNUAL METERING.
ANYONE ON THAT METERING
INVOLVES BANKING KILOWATT HOURS
FOR PERIODS OF OVER GENERATION
AND APPLYING THEM TO PERIODS
WHERE CUSTOMERS NEED THEM LIKE
THE NIGHT OR WINTER.
SO WE ARE OFFERING METERING UP
TO 4% OF THE UTILITY LOAD.
THIS WAS EXPANDED BY A RECENT
BILL IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
5223.
THERE HAS BEEN EXPANSION FOR
THIS NET METERING PROGRAM THAT
WE SUPPORTED IN OLYMPIA AND WE
FEEL THERE IS A LOT MORE
CERTAINTY FOR THESE CUSTOMERS,
AT LEAST OVER THE NEXT 10
YEARS, WHICH IS A GREAT THING.
CONVERSELY, ON THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE SPECTRUM WITH A LARGE
SYSTEMS, WE HAVEN'T
ESTABLISHED, WE HAVE AN
ESTABLISHED PROCESS FOR PUBLIC
COMPETITIVE RFPS.
THERE IS AN ESTABLISHED PROCESS
FOR THE NEW GRID SKILL SYSTEMS.
WHERE THERE IS NOT AN
ESTABLISHED PROCESS IS A
MIDSIZE SYSTEMS.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THESE
CUSTOMERS LIKE JEREMY
TESTIFIED, WHEN THEY COME TO
US, WE INDIVIDUALLY NEGOTIATE A
CONTRACT WITH EACH ONE OF THESE
SYSTEMS THAT COMES FORWARD.
THERE'S CURRENTLY FOR SYSTEMS
OF THIS SIZE IN SEATTLE.
BUT THERE IS A LOT MORE
INTEREST IN HAVING THIS CUSTOM
NEGOTIATED PROCESS.
IT IS NOT A GOOD PLACE TO BE
FOR CITY LIGHT.
IT IS CERTAINLY NOT A GOOD LACE
TO BE FOR CUSTOMERS.
SO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO
HERE, WHY WE ARE BRINGING THIS
LEGISLATION FORWARD AS WE WANT
A STANDARD SET OF TERMS FOR
CUSTOMERS GOING FORWARD.
SO THAT EVERYBODY IS CLEAR
ABOUT WHAT DEAL THEY GET IN
THERE IS MUCH MORE CERTAINTY IN
WHAT WE ARE OFFERING TO
CUSTOMERS IN THIS MIDDLE PART
OF THE SOLAR MARKET.
AS THE MAMA BEAR OF THE SOLAR
SECTOR.
SO OKAY.
SO THAT IS THE INTENT.
THAT IS THE OVERALL INTENT OF
WHY WE ARE DOING THIS.
WE TALK ABOUT THE NITTY-GRITTY
OF GREAT DESIGN OR PROJECT
FINANCE, ANY OF THE MINUTIA OF
HOW THESE THINGS GET BUILT AND
PAY FOR, WANT TO BE REALLY
CLEAR ABOUT WHAT OUR PRINCIPALS
ARE.
WHAT ARE WE DESIGNING THIS
PROGRAM TO ACHIEVE?
IT IS EASY TO GET MIRED DOWN BY
DETAILS BUT THE DEGREE TO WHICH
WE COULD BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT
WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO TO DESIGN
THIS TO WILL BE A BETTER
PROGRAM.
I'M GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAM
PRINCIPLES FIRST.
SO THE FIRST IS THAT WE ARE
TRYING TO PROVIDE THESE LARGER
CUSTOMERS A CLEAR RATE
STRUCTURE FOR THE SOLAR SYSTEMS
THAT GIVE THEM MORE CERTAINTY
AND THEIR INVESTMENT.
THIS PRINTABLE IS ALL ABOUT
CERTAINTY.
YOU DON'T GET PROJECTS ON ROOFS
BEING BUILT IF YOU DON'T HAVE
CLARITY ON WHAT THE DEAL WILL
BE LONG-TERM.
SO THAT IS THE FIRST PRIORITY.
SO THE SECOND IS THAT WE WANT
TO OFFER CUSTOMERS A VALUED
PROPOSITION IN LINE WITH OUR
CORE RESOURCES.
WHEN I SAY CORE RESOURC, I
MEAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
IT IS OUR LONG-STANDING
PRIORITY ENERGY RESOURCE FOR
OVER 40 YEARS.
A DEGREE TO WHICH WE CAN ALIGN
THE VALUE COMPOSITION FOR SOLAR
AND WE WILL MAKE IT A BETTER
VALUE FOR THE UTILITY AND OUR
CUSTOMERS.
THE THIRD IS THAT WE WANT TO
ENSURE THAT WHATEVER WE COOK UP
AS A PROGRAM DESIGN, WE CAN
ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT WITH
CUSTOMERS.
WE WANT A SEAMLESS CUSTOMER
EXPERIENCE.
WE DON'T WANT THESE SYSTEMS
FROM AN I.T.
AND BUSINESS PROCESS
PERSPECTIVE SO THE SIMPLICITY
OF PROGRAM DESIGN AND OUR
ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT IT WAS A
CORE PRINCIPLE FOR US.
THE LAST PRINCIPAL WAS WE WANT
TO MINIMIZE COST SHIFTING
BETWEEN CUSTOMERS TO THE AGREE
FEASIBLE.
DEBORAH TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE
BEGINNING.
THERE ARE ALWAYS TRADE-OFFS
WHEN YOU'RE DESIGNING.
SOME PEOPLE BENEFIT AND SOME
PEOPLE PAY.
WE WANT TO MINIMIZE THAT COST
SHIFT TO MAKE IT FEASIBLE.
THERE IS ALWAYS COST SHIFTING
AND RATE DESIGN BUT IT IS ONE
OF THE PRINCIPLES AS AN
ELECTRIC UTILITY TO TRY TO
MINIMIZE IT TO BE FITTED,
FEASIBLE.
THESE ARE THE FOUR PRINCIPLES
AT A HIGH LEVEL OF WHAT WE WERE
TRYING TO DECIDE, DESIGN THIS
SOLAR PROGRAM TOWARDS.
I WILL WALK THROUGH WITH
VISUALS AND WHAT WE ARE
PROPOSING IN THE DESIGN TO BE.
WHEN A CUSTOMER INSTALLS A
LARGE SOLAR SYSTEM ON THE ROOF
AND GENERATES ENERGY, THERE ARE
TWO WAYS THAT THE ENERGY CAN BE
USED.
IT CAN EITHER GO TO THE
BUILDING AND BE USED FOR THE
LOADS OF THE LIGHTING, HEATING,
OR IT CAN GO TO THE GRID.
AND THE WAY WE COMPENSATE
CUSTOMERS, IT VARIES BASED ON
HOW THE ENERGY IS USED AFTER IT
IS GENERATED.
SO WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING IS ALL
ENERGY THAT IS USED ON SAY, IT
OFFSETS ENERGY CONSUMPTION FROM
THE UTILITY.
IN DOING SO, COME STORMERS ARE
COMPENSATED AT THE RETAIL RATE
OF POWER.
FOR MEDIUM GENERAL SERVICE
CUSTOMERS, THAT IS ABOUT 7 1/2
CENTS.
SO IF YOU GENERATE ENERGY, YOU
USE IT ON SITE, YOU ARE GETTING
THE BENEFIT OF 7 1/2 CENTS PER
KILOWATT.
FOR MOST, I SHOULD CLARIFY, FOR
MOST BUILDINGS, THE VAST
MAJORITY OF ENERGY GENERATED IS
USED ON SITE.
SO FOR ENERGY THAT IS IN EXCESS
OF WHAT THE BUILDING NEEDS AND
IS EXPORTED TO THE CITY LIGHT
SYSTEM, WE ARE PROPOSING TO
COMPENSATE CUSTOMERS AT AN
EXPORT RATE.
IT COMPRISES THE VALUE OF THE
POWER THE BENEFITS TO THE GRIDS
THAT CITY LIGHT RECEIVES FROM
THIS ENERGY COMING ONTO THE
SYSTEM.
IT IS A GREAT BENEFIT.
WE ARE PROPOSING THAT THIS IS
LOWER THAN THE RETAIL POWER,
THREE HAVE CENTS PER KILOWATT
HOUR IN 2019.
AS JEREMY MENTIONED, WE ARE
COMMITTED TO UPDATING THIS
EVERY TWO YEARS.
MARKET CONDITIONS CHANGE THE
NEEDS OF OUR SYSTEM.
WE ARE COMMITTING TO HAVING
THIS BE A LIVING RATE THAT WE
UPDATE BASED ON IT AS THINGS
CHANGE.
SO, THAT IS THE DESIGN OF THE
PROGRAM.
IS THERE ANY QUESTION TANGIBLY
OF WHAT WE ARE OFFERING TO
CUSTOMERS?
>> I AM INTERESTED IN KNOWING
THAT MAYBE YOU WILL GET INTO
THIS.
HOW DO YOU TELL PEOPLE THAT
THIS IS AVAILABLE TO THEM?
WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE IMPACTS
THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FROM
OUR SYSTEM ITSELF?
OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO
SPILL WATER OVER THE DAM AND
GENERATE ELECTRICITY, THAT IS A
GOOD.
IN SEATTLE, YOU LOOK AT, WE
HAVE A CLOUDY DAY TODAY.
HOW ARE PEOPLE GOING TO KNOW?
HOW SIMPLE CAN WE MAKE ITS TO
EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT THE
BENEFITS COULD BE FOR THEM AND
WHETHER THEY WOULD WANT TO MAKE
THE INVESTMENT?
>> I WILL ANSWER BOTH PARTS OF
THE QUESTION IN TERMS OF WHICH
IS THAT WE ARE GETTING FROM THE
POWER.
IT IS, ONE, WE DON'T HAVE TO
GENERATE IT.
WE CAN GENERATE AND SELL IT TO
OTHER PEOPLE.
SO THAT IS THE POWER VALUE
COMPONENTS.
WE ALSO GET A GRADE THAT IF IT
IF CUSTOMERS EXPORTS ENERGY
ONTO THE GRID AND IT IS USED BY
ONE OF THEIR NEIGHBORS, WE NEED
LESS ATTRIBUTION AND
TRANSMISSION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE.
SO THOSE ARE THE VALUE
QUESTIONS.
HOW WE COMMUNICATE TO CUSTOMERS
IS VERY SIMPLE.
IT WILL BE ONE ON OUR WEBSITE.
ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF THE
PROGRAM DESIGN, IT IS JUST DONE
ON THE BILL ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
THERE IS NO SHADOW PROCESS OR
SEPARATE MAILERS.
WE ARE CAN COMMITTING TO
CUSTOMERS ON A GENERAL BASIS.
BASED ON WHAT THEY EXPORTED.
>> SO I WANT TO DO, SOME OF THE
PROGRAM CHANGES BECAUSE THIS IS
DEBORAH ALLUDED TO HAS BEEN
GOING ON A WHILE.
WE RECEIVED A LOT OF
STAKEHOLDER INPUT.
WE HAVE CHANGED THE DESIGN OF
THE PROGRAM BASED ON SOME OF
THE INPUT WE RECEIVED.
SO I WANTED TO TALK THROUGH
BASED ON STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK
SOME OF THE PROGRAM CHANGES
THAT WERE MADE AND THE
EVOLUTION OF WHAT WE ARE
OFFERING IN THE ORDINANCE.
SO THE FIRST BIG CHANGES THAT
WE INITIALLY WERE PROPOSING TO
USE A SYSTEM OF 1 MW AS THE CAP
. WE RECEIVED FEEDBACK FROM
CUSTOMERS THAT THERE MIGHT BE A
SYSTEM LARGER THAN THAT.
OUR RESPONSE WAS, THAT IS
ACTUALLY FINE.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO US AT THE
DESIGN OF THE PROGRAM.
NOT NECESSARILY THE SIZE OF THE
SYSTEM.
IF YOU CAN FIT A 2 MW SYSTEM ON
THE ROOF OF A BUILDING IN
SEATTLE, GO FOR IT.
THE SECOND, AND JEREMY ALLUDED
TO THIS, WE ARE COMMITTING TO A
15 YEAR TERM.
IT IS A LOT EASIER AND MORE
VIABLE TO GET PROJECT FINANCING
IF YOU HAVE A LONG-TERM
FUNDING.
WE AGREE WITH THAT.
SO WE ARE GUARANTEEING TO OFFER
THIS PROGRAM FOR AT LEAST 15
YEARS.
ANOTHER THING IS THAT WE ARE
UPDATING THE PRICE EVERY TWO
YEARS, WHICH PEOPLE WANTED.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL
KNOW, WE WILL NEVER GO BELOW A
FLOOD.
WE WILL OFFER YOU A CERTAIN
PRICE GOING FORWARD AND SO WE
HAVE SET UP PRICE FLOOR AS
WELL.
THE THIRD THING WE RECEIVED
FEEDBACK ON WITH THE GREENNESS
OF THE ENERGY.
SO OUR INITIAL APPROACH WAS IF
WE WERE BUYING POWER.
IF WE WERE BUYING THE EXPORTED
POWER FROM OUR CUSTOMERS.
WE WANT THE GREENEST OF THAT
ENERGY.
WE ARE COVERING ELECTRIC
UTILITIES AS A MATTER OF
POLICY.
WE WILL INVEST IN RENEWABLE
ENERGY.
WE WERE INITIALLY PROPOSING TO
BY THE RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS
FROM OUR CUSTOMERS.
BE CHANGED DIRECTION ON THAT.
WE HEARD VERY CLEAR STAKEHOLDER
FEEDBACK THAT THE REASON PEOPLE
WERE DOING THIS WITH FOUR
CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY GOALS.
FOR BUILDING CERTIFICATION AND
THEY NEED THE GREENEST OF THAT
POWER.
AND SO WE ARE NOT BUYING THE
GREENNESS OF THE ENERGY THAT
RETAINS TO THE CUSTOMER.
>> AND THE LAST THING, WE ARE
ADDING AN EXPLICIT INCENTIVE
FOR BUILDINGS THAT ARE HIGHLY
EFFICIENT WITH LARGE SOLAR
SYSTEMS.
IN THE LIVING BUILDING
CHALLENGE.
THAT IS A BUILDING
CERTIFICATION THAT ALIGNS WITH
THE LEAVE, CITY POLICY.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION
AND INSPECTION ALREADY HAS AN
INCENTIVE.
FOR THESE THINGS.
WE ARE PROPOSING TO OFFER THE
NET METERING.
THE MORE LUCRATIVE NET METERING
STRUCTURE FOR THE THING HOLDING
CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS WITH
SOLAR SYSTEMS LESS THAN 250 KW.
WE ALSO EXPENDED THAT JUST
YESTERDAY IN THE AMENDMENT TO
INCLUDE POTENTIALLY AFFORDABLE
HOUSING PROVIDERS.
WE ARE WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE
SO WE WANT TO KNOW THAT AS
WELL.
WE MADE SEVERAL CHANGES OVER
THE YEAR LONG PROCESS OF TRYING
TO BRING THIS BEFORE COUNCIL
AND GETTING STAKEHOLDER
FEEDBACK, SO THAT IS IT FOR MY
PRESENTATION.
I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
OR HEAR ANY COMMENTS ON THE
AMENDMENTS.
>> CALVIN, YOU HAVE A STAFF
MEMBER FOR US.
YOU ALSO HAVE A DRAFT OF THE
AMENDED LEGISLATION, DO YOU
HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON
THE OVERALL PRESENTATION?
OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET INTO
THE HEART OF THE BILL?
>> THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.
>> GREAT.
LET'S GO AHEAD.
FOR THE VIEWING AUDIENCE, ALL
THREE OF YOU WHO TESTIFIED,
THERE IS A COPY ON THE PODIUM
OVER THERE AS WELL.
>> THIS IS LABELED THE FIVE.
>> GREAT.
IF YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT
IT UP ON THE SCREEN, THAT IS
GREAT.
YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND GRAB IT.
WE WILL GO AHEAD AND START
WALKING THROUGH THEM.
>>'S OF THE AMENDMENTS, THE
FIRST START SHOWING UP ON PAGE
3. THE FIRST ONE IS ACTUALLY A
CORRECTION TO THE EXPORT CREDIT
RATE.
IT WAS JUST A MATH CORRECTION,
A TECHNICAL CORRECTION THAT
NEEDED TO BE DONE.
ITEM NUMBER SIX, HALFWAY DOWN
THE PAGE IS A PIECE THAT
RECOGNIZES THE LIVING BUILDING
CHALLENGE CERTIFICATION.
AUTHORIZES THAT PARTICIPATION
WITH THE NEW LANGUAGE AT THE
END ACKNOWLEDGING THAT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PERFORMING
UNDER HIGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY
STANDARDS COULD BE CONSIDERED
FOR A HIGHER NET METER ON A
CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
THE NEXT SECTION HAS REMOVED
úLANGUAGE ON THE PILOT BASIS.
JUST MAKES SOME OF THE
CORRECTIONS.
SO THE NEW SECTION NUMBER TWO
REQUESTS YEARLY EVALUATION
REPORTS IN A YEAR FROM NOW.
IN 2021.
THEY WOULD ALSO PROVIDE
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOW THE
PROGRAM SHOULD MOVE FORWARD.
AND A NEW SECTION 3 ASKS CITY
LIGHT TO CONVENE LABOR HOUSING
AND ENERGY ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY STAKEHOLDERS TO WORK
ON THAT EVALUATION AND PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT AND IT LAYS OUT A
NUMBER OF SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT
THE COUNCIL HAS EXPRESSED
INTEREST IN.
WAYS TO ADVANCED LABOR
STANDARDS IMPACTS TO AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, THE ALIGNMENT OF THESE
PROGRAMS WITH OUR CLIMATE
GOALS, THE GREEN NEW DEAL FOR
INSTANCE.
THE IMPACTS OF NEW TECHNOLOGY
AND ALSO THE ABILITY OF OTHER
GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS.
>> SO COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW,
JUST TO SUMMARIZE SOME OF THESE
ITEMS, CALVIN, THANK YOU FOR
SUMMARIZING THIS FOR US.
THE SCHEMATIC CONVERSAIONS
THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH LABOR,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATES,
ENVIRONMENTAL ENERGY ADVOCATES,
FOLKS LIKE EMERALD CITY,
NORTHWEST ENERGY COALITION,
SPARK NORTHWEST AND AS WE MOVE
FORWARD, WE ARE ENCOURAGING
THOSE SAME ENTITIES TO CONTINUE
TO GIVE US FEEDBACK ON LABOR
STANDARDS, ENERGY EFFICIENCY,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOW WE
CAN MAKE SURE WE ARE SERVING
THE LOWEST INCOME.
SOME OF THE THINGS I AM EXCITED
ABOUT IN THIS DRAFT INCLUDE THE
INCORPORATING THE LANGUAGE THAT
INCORPORATES PROJECTS
PERFORMING UNDER THE HIGHEST
STANDARDS OF LIVING AND
BUILDING CHALLENGES.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE HEARD
DIRECTLY FROM THE COUNTY WAS
REALLY IMPORTANT.
I WANT TO THANK APRIL AND THE
FOLKS AT KING COUNTY WHO HAVE
BEEN WORKING WITH US ON BEHALF
OF THE EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE TO
INCLUDE SOME AMENDMENTS HERE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANT
TO DO WAS MAKE SURE THAT WE
WERE ENCOURAGING HIGH-
PERFORMING ENERGY EFFICIENCY
AND THE NEW CONSTRUCTION AS YOU
HEARD KEITH TALK ABOUT.
AND ALSO INCLUDES A PROVISION
THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PROJECTS THAT ARE PERFORMING AT
HIGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY
STANDARDS, WE KNOW AS WE BUILD
MORE HOUSING, WE WANT THIS TO
BE AFFORDABLE FOR THE FOLKS
LIVING THERE AND ALSO MEETING
OUR GOALS AS A CITY TO REDUCE
ENERGY CONSUMPTION.
YOU HEARD HAVEN'T MENTIONED A
YEARLY EVALUATION.
THAT GIVES US FORMANTS REPORTS
BACK TO THIS COMMITTEE AND
AUGUST OF 2020 AND AUGUST 2021.
ALONG FOR THE SAME STAKEHOLDERS
TO OFFER US FEEDBACK.
I WANT TO THANK SEATTLE CITY
LIGHT FOR YOUR WORK TO HELP IN
THE FUTURE TO CONTINUE TO
CONVENE LABOR HOUSING ENERGY
AND ENVIRONMENT TOLD ADVOCACY
GROUPS.
INCLUDING INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS
TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FOCUSED ON
WAYS TO IMPROVE LABOR
STANDARDS, IMPACTS ON HOUSING
AND AFFORDABILITY
PARTICIPATION, ALIGNMENT WITH
THE PROGRAM, ALIGNING THIS
PROGRAM WITH SEATTLE'S CLIMATE
GOALS, IMPACTS ON POTENTIALLY
NEW AND EMERGING TO OLOGIES AND
THE APPLICATION OF OTHER GREEN
WELDING CERTIFICATIONS.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THERE ARE
WAYS TO CONTINUE TO ENHANCE AND
AMEND THIS.
DEBORAH, YOU SAID IT WELL.
THIS IS, THESE BOTH ARE GREAT
FIRST STEPS AS WE THINK ABOUT
CONTINUING TO EVOLVE.
>> CAN I ASK A QUICK QUESTION?
THESE ARE FOR YOU.
WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THESE
AMENDMENTS?
>> THESE AMENDMENTS IN PUTTING
THEM IN THE THE, WE SUPPORT
THEM.
THEY ARE GOOD.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS
REVEALED WAS THAT FOR THESE
INCREDIBLY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS
WITH LARGE SOLAR SYSTEMS, OUR
POLICY AS WRITTEN COULD BE A
LITTLE BIT PUNITIVE.
AND SO ALLOWING FOR A CARVEOUT
FOR NET METER FOR THESE
BUILDINGS MAKES SENSE TO ME.
A LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE IN
PARTICULAR IS THE CITY'S
POLICY.
IT WAS EASY TO TIE THAT IN.
>> IT ACTUALLY REQUIRES THE
BUILDING TO OVER GENERATE.
SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT
THOSE BUILDINGS WERE NOT BEING
PENALIZED IN ANY WAY.
THAT WAS A GREAT AMENDMENT.
I THINK THE EVALUATIONS, WE
CERTAINLY LOOK AT THIS AS A
FIRST STEP.
AS WE HAVE HAD ALL OF OUR
INTERNAL CONVERSATIONS, WE
CERTAINLY EXPECT THAT WE WILL
LEARN FROM THIS FIRST TWO-YEAR
PERIOD.
SO WRITING THAT INTO THE
ORDINANCE MAKES A GREAT DEAL OF
SENSE.
I THINK IT IS OUR GOAL TO WORK
WITH KING COUNTY WITH ALL OF
THE INTERESTED STAKEHOLDERS TO
MAKE SURE THIS PROGRAM WORKS
FOR EVERYONE.
I THINK EVERYTHING IN HERE IS
GOOD.
>> IF I COULD JUST ASK ABOUT
RESIDENCES AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
HOW DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS
WORKING?
SO WAS TO SAY WE HAVE A NEW
PROJECT COMING IN.
HOW DOES THE PROPERTY OWNER OR
THE DEVELOPER REACH OUT TO YOU
AND BECOME PART OF THIS PROGRAM
ON THE FRONT END?
>> SURE.
ONE OF THE NICE THINGS IS WE
HAVE NOTHING DIFFERENT.
THE INTERCONNECTION PROCESS,
YOU HEARD JEREMY MENTION THAT
AS WELL.
THE PROCESS BY WHICH WE BRING
THE SOLAR SYSTEM ONTO OUR
GRADE.
AND CERTIFY IT.
IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME.
WE HAVE AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS
PROCESS NOW.
SO NOTHING CHANGES ON THAT.
IN TERMS OF COMPENSATION,
CUSTOMERS WILL SIGN UP ON THE
WEBSITE AND THIS IS AN ACTUAL
RATE.
IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY
CURRENT BILLING SYSTEMS.
AND IT WILL BE A VERY
STRAIGHTFORWARD PROCESS.
>> ERIN, IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER
THINGS YOU LIKE TO ADD FROM
YOUR CONVERSATION WITH HOUSING,
FEEL FREE TO.
>> YEAH, WE HAD HEARD IN LOTS
OF DISCUSSIONS WITH CITY LIGHT
AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PROVIDERS THAT LIKELY RIGHT
NOW, THERE WOULD BE, IT WOULD
BE UNLIKELY THAT AFFORDABLE
HOUSING PROJECTS WOULD MEET THE
100 KW THRESHOLD BUT THERE ARE
PROJECTS UNDERWAY BOTH WITHIN
CITY LIGHT AND HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM TO
ENCOURAGE SOLAR PRODUCTION ON
SITE.
THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THERE
COULD BE SOME PROJECTS COMING
THROUGH THE PIPELINE.
SO BEING ABLE TO INCORPORATE
THAT POSSIBILITY THROUGH THE
AMENDMENT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT
TO FOLKS.
>> COULD I ADD ONE MORE THING?
>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU A
QUESTION TWO.
I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU
ARE HERE.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD
LIKE TO ADD THAT WOULD HELP US
UNDERSTAND THE PROGRAMS
DIRECTION?
>> I MEAN, I THINK MY
COLLEAGUES HAVE COVERED WELL.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS, THE
BALANCE WE TRIED TO STRIKE HERE
WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN
ALIGNMENT THE CITY'S STATED
CLIMATE GOALS WHILE ALSO
BALANCING THE REAL VALUE OF
THAT ENERGY TO THE UTILITY.
SO WE CERTAINLY THINK THAT THE
BEST VALUE TO THAT UTILITY AND
TO OUR CUSTOMERS IS FOR
BUILDINGS TO OFFSET THEIR OWN
USAGE.
I THINK THE CHANCES ARE MOST
BUILDINGS WILL WIND UP
BENEFITING FROM THIS AT THE
RETAIL RATE BECAUSE THEY ARE
OFFSETTING MIKE OWN USAGE.
WE THINK WE HAVE LANDED IN A
REALLY GOOD PLACE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS?
>> I WANT TO TOUCH ON
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS.
THIS IS NOT THE ONLY METHOD TO
COMPENSATE THEM FOR THEIR SOLAR
SYSTEM.
I WANTED TO TOUCH ON A COUPLE
THINGS.
WE ARE SUPPORTING THE UPFRONT
COSTS OF SOLAR SYSTEMS WITH
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS
THROUGH THE GREEN UP GRAHAM, A
VOLUNTARY RENEWABLE PROGRAM.
SO WE ARE PAYING 30% OF THE
UPFRONT COST ON SEVERAL
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS
DIRECTLY.
THAT IS ONE OTHER SOURCE OF
VALUE.
ANOTHER IS WE ARE PILOTING A
PROGRAM CALLED VIRTUAL NET
METERING.
WHAT THAT DOES IS ON
MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS TAKE THE
VALUE OF SOLAR AND AGGREGATE IT
OUT TO THE INDIVIDUAL TENANTS.
THAT IS A CHALLENGING AILING
PROBLEM.
IT CAN BE DONE AND WE ARE
PILOTING THAT AT A FELLOW
SQUARE.
AT COVELLO AND MLK.
>> THAT IS THE CHALLENGE.
AS WE LOOK AT AND WE ARE
ACTUALLY WORKING WITH LEGAL ON
THIS AND OTHER POTENTIAL
PROJECTS, BUT THE CHALLENGES
THAT THE BENEFITS ON AFFORDABLE
HOUSING NEED TO ACCRUE TO THE
TENANT.
AND SO THAT IS WHY VIRTUAL NET
METERING WORKS.
THERE ARE MECHANISMS THAT ALLOW
IT TO HAPPEN.
SO THE INDIVIDUAL TENANT IS
RECEIVING THE VALUE FOR THE
INVESTMENT ON THE FACILITY.
THAT IS IMPORTANT TO US TODAY.
FROM A LEGAL AND WHAT WE CAN
DO.
>> I SEE THIS AS OVERALL
IMPROVING THE CONSISTENCY AND
PREDICTABILITY FOR SOME OF OUR
FOLKS WHO WANT TO HAVE ON-SITE
SOLAR PRODUCTION IN THE PRIVATE
MARKET, INCLUDING OUR NONPROFIT
PROVIDER ENTITIES SO THAT
INCLUDES THE NONPROFIT HOUSING
FOLKS.
SOME OF THE NONPROFIT HOUSING
DEVELOPMENTS THAT I HAVE SEEN
ARE JUST GORGEOUS.
SOME HAVE ROOFTOP ACCESS AND WE
WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW ONE OF
THE ONES WE SELL RECENTLY AT
23rd & UNION, THAT IS A REALLY
BIG ROOFTOP.
WHAT IF A PORTION OF THAT WOULD
TO BE ALLOCATED?
IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR
US TO THINK ABOUT THE SPECTRUM.
WHAT IT DOES TO ALLOW US THAT
TECHNOLOGY.
I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT.
>> ANY FOR THE QUESTIONS?
>> NOT TO DIGRESS TOO FAR BUT
YOU WERE SAYING THAT THIS IS
COMPLEMENTARY TO OTHER PROGRAMS
THAT YOU HAVE, I KNOW THAT
THERE ARE SOME PROGRAMS FOR
INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS WHERE
THEY CAN GET A CREDIT UPFRONT,
OR THEY GET TAX CREDITS FROM
THE STATE.
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THIS
INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNER PROGRAMS
WILL DOVETAIL WITH THIS GOOD
IDEA YOU HAVE GOD FOR THE
MIDDLE?
>> SURE.
SO FOR INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS,
HISTORICALLY, THERE HAS BEEN A
STATE TAX INCENTIVE.
THAT IS BEEN VERY LUCRATIVE.
IT HAS LARGELY ENDED.
SO WE ARE PAYING OUT TO
EXISTING CUSTOMERS WHO ARE PART
OF THE PROGRAM.
THE UTILITY ADMINISTERS IT BUT
IT IS STATE FUNDS.
THERE ARE STATE POGROMS BUT WE
ARE ALSO OFFERING THIS NET
METERING PROGRAM DESIGNED GOING
FORWARD.
OR LESS AND DEFINITELY.
UP TO 4% OF OUR LOAD WE
COMPENSATE CUSTOMERS AT THE
RETAIL RATE OF POWER FOR ALL OF
THE GENERATION.
>> IT IS LUCRATIVE TO SEATTLE
CITY LIGHT?
>> TO CUSTOMERS.
YEAH.
>> SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE
COMPENSATION FOR RESIDENTIAL
CUSTOMERS, IT IS THOSE STATE
INCENTIVES AND THE NET
METERING.
THE STATE INCENTIVES ARE OFF
THE TABLE LARGE FOR NEW
CUSTOMERS.
NET METERING WILL REMAIN AT
LEAST UNTIL 2028, OR 4% OF OUR
LOAD.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I AM REALLY APPRECIAIVE OF
THIS.
I KNOW YOU HAVE ONE MORE
SEATTLE CITY LIGHT PIECE YOU
WANT TO GET TO BEFORE 10 AM.
I AM WONDERING, COUNCILMEMBER
BAGSHAW, IF WE COULD GO AHEAD.
I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO AMEND
COUNCIL BILL 119 BY
SUBSTITUTING THIS.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF
SUBSTITUTING VERSION 5 FOR
VERSION 1, PLEASE RAISE YOUR
HAND.
NO OPPOSED.
GREAT.
THE VERSION 5 IS ADOPTED.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS
BEFORE WE CONSIDER A FINAL
VOTE?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND
RECOMMEND THE COMMITTEE PASS
COUNSEL BEEN 119516 AS AMENDED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
NONE OPPOSED?
GREAT.
WE HAVE PASSED THIS AND WE WILL
BRING IT FORWARD TO FULL
COUNCIL ON OUR FIRST MEETING
BACK WHICH IS SEPTEMBER 3. AND
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL OF THE
WORK YOU HAVE DONE ON THIS AND
TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND THIS
ISSUE AS WELL AS BRING IT
FORWARD TO COUNSEL.
>> CAN I JUST SAY, BECAUSE HE
IS NOT AT THE TABLE, I WANT TO
APPRECIATE CRAIG SMITH WHO IS
BRANDON'S BOSS AND THE
DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER ENERGY
SOLUTIONS.
MOBLEY THE GRANDFATHER, PAPA
BEAR, HE IS THE GRANDFATHER
BEAR TO, WOULDN'T YOU SAY
BRENDAN?
HE KEPT EVERYONE ON TASK AND
ALSO MAURA BERGER WHO HAS BEEN
VERY HELPFUL WORKING THERE AND
MAKING SURE THAT WE MOVE THIS
FORWARD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
SUPPORT.
KUDOS TO THOSE TWO AS WELL.
>> EXCELLENT PRESENTATION
TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR THIS.
WE DO HAVE ONE MORE.
WE HAVE DEBRA SMITH,
CONSISTING, TO 19, AND CALVIN
WILL STAY WITH US AS WELL.
WE HAVE ALREADY READ INTO THE
RECORD, I DO NUMBER TWO.
SO WHY DO WE GO AHEAD AND T UP
THE SECOND PRESENTATION AND
DEBRA SMITH, IF YOU HAVE ANY
OTHER ITEMS LEADING INTO IT.
>> THE LARGE SOLAR PROJECT RATE
IS SUPER EXCITING AND
IMPORTANT, THIS PIECE THAT WE
ARE ABOUT TO DO NOW, I THINK IT
IS EXTREMELY COMPLEMENTARY.
WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT.
I THINK ERIN, YOU AND MAURA
WERE WORKING ON COMMENTS AND I
CAN'T OVER EMPHASIZE THAT.
AS WE THINK ABOUT, I ALWAYS
HAVE TO DO MY LITTLE SPIEL
BECAUSE I LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE
THAT THE CITY OF SEATTLE IS
INCREDIBLY BLESSED TO HAVE AN
ABUNDANT SOURCE OF CARBON FREE
RESOURCES.
IN THE FORM OF ITS HYDRA
SYSTEM, BOTH AT SKAGIT BOUNDARY
AND SMALLER PROJECTS.
ETC.
ANYWAY.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN'T
REALLY BE OVERSTATED.
WE ARE LONG WHEN WE SAY LONG.
THAT MEANS WE GENERATE MORE
POWER OVER THE YEAR OR OVER THE
MONTH, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN
THAT IS NOT TRUE BUT IN
GENERAL, WE GENERATE OR HAVE
THE CAPACITY TO GENERATE
SIGNIFICANTLY MORE POWER THAN
THE PEOPLE SEATTLE USE.
AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE
PAST, DUE TO THE LONG-TERM
INVESTMENT IN ENERGY
EFFICIENCY, SOLAR AND QUITE
FRANKLY THE FACT THAT WE ARE
REBUILDING SEATTLE AND WE ARE
INCREASING ITS DENSITY, AND
UPBUILDING, THE WORK THAT OTHER
DEPARTMENTS IN THE CITY,
ESPECIALLY OSC, ETC., HAVE DONE
TO REQUIRE BUILDING CODES THAT
SUPPORT ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
WE ARE REPLACING OLD STOCK WITH
NEW, FAR MORE EFFICIENT STOCK.
IT CONTRIBUTES TO THIS TREND AS
WELL.
SO THAT IS MY EDUCATIONAL PLUG.
SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS FOR US TO
EFFECTIVELY INTEGRATE INCREASED
AMOUNTS OF SOLAR AND
DISTRIBUTED GENERATION, THE
THINGS OUR CUSTOMERS WANT AND
THAT WE WANT FOR OURSELVES AND
FOR OUR CUSTOMERS, WE NEED TO
HAVE AN EFFECTIVE WAY OF
MARKETING THAT ENERGY IN A WAY
THAT BRINGS MAXIMUM VALUE TO
OUR CUSTOMERS.
OUR CUSTOMER OWNERS.
THAT IS PART OF THE GREAT
INTEGRATION VALUE THAT BRENDAN
REFERRED TO.
PIM IS PART OF THAT.
IT IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE WE ARE
THE FIRST PUBLIC UTILITY IN THE
NORTHWEST WHO WILL BE JOINING
THE ENERGY IMBALANCE MARKET.
AND IT HAS BEEN AND ACROSS THE
BOW PIECE OF WORK TODAY.
THAT IS A FINAL LEGISLATIVE
STEP IN THAT PROCESS.
WE ARE INCREDIBLY CLOSE TO
MAKING THIS LONG-TERM VISION
REAL.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE
WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN IT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN,
WHO DON'T EVEN WORK HERE
ANYMORE.
SO KUDOS TO EACH OF THEM.
I WILL TURN THIS OVER TO SARAH
AND IT IS JUST A REALLY
EXCITING DAY.
>> EXCELLENT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, DEBORAH.
WE WILL MOVE INTO THE
PRESENTATION.
I AM TO 19, I AM THAT HE I AM
PROJECT PROGRAM MANAGER.
>> CAN YOU PULL CLOSER TO THE
MICROPHONE?
>> SO THE WESTERN ENERGY
IMBALANCE MARKET IS A REAL-TIME
MARKET OPERATED BY THE
CALIFORNIA ISO, WHICH IS THE
INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR
THAT FIND THE LOWEST COST
ENERGY TO SERVE REAL-TIME
CUSTOMER TO MOUNT ACROSS A WIDE
GEOGRAPHIC FOOTPRINT ACROSS THE
ENTIRE WEST.
YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THE MAP
TO SEE THE CURRENT AND PLANNED
PARTICIPANTS THAT SPAN THE
ENTIRE WEST.
>> AND THE DESIGN OF THE
MARKET, NOT ONLY PROVIDES FOR
INTRA-ENERGY BALANCING BUT IT
ALSO COMPENSATES ABOUT CITY
RESOURCES LIKE HYDRO THAT
PROVIDE SYSTEM RELIABILITY AND
FLEXIBILITY.
SO WHY IS SEATTLE CITY LIGHT'S
JOINING THE MARKET?
WE HAVE IDENTIFIED FOUR PRIMARY
BENEFITS.
AGAIN, ONE OF THE MOST
COMPELLING BENEFITS THAT WE
HAVE DISCUSSED ALREADY TODAY IS
THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT.
AGAIN, I WANT TO ECHO WHAT
DEBRA SMITH SAID.
CITY LIGHT IS THE FIRST POWER
ENTITY TO JOIN IN THE
NORTHWEST.
THAT IS THE BIG DEAL.
IT NOT ONLY DEMONSTRATES OUR
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP BUT
ALSO AGAIN OUR COMMITMENT TO
THE GREEN NEW DEAL.
AND PARTICIPATING --
>> WE LIKE THAT, THANK YOU.
>> PARTICIPATING WITH OUR
FLEXIBLE HYDRO CAN ALLOW FOR
OFFSETTING, I WILL LEAN IN
CLOSER.
OUR NONRENEWABLE US, IT ALSO
ALLOWS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
THAT IS CLEANER SUCH AS SOLAR
AND WIND TO STAY ONLINE AND
THIS ALLOWS FOR GREATER CARBON
REDUCTION OVERALL.
AGAIN, ACROSS A WIDE GEOGRAPHIC
FOOTPRINT ACROSS THE WEST.
AT SEATTLE CITY LIGHT, WE ARE
EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO BE SO
HYDRO HEAVY.
WE ARE GREEN ON OUR OWN BUT
PARTICIPATING IN THIS MARKET
ALLOWS US TO LEVERAGE OUR
RESOURCES AND MAKE THEM GO
FURTHER.
SO IN ADDITION TO THE
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT, IT ALSO
ALLOWS US TO FURTHER OUR
MISSION OF PUTTING OUR CUSTOMER
OWNERS FIRST.
IT IS AN ADDITIONAL REVENUE
STREAM.
THERE IS ENHANCED SYSTEM
RELIABILITY AND IT IS BETTER
GREAT VISIBILITY.
FINALLY, IT ALSO ALLOWS FOR
IMPROVED TREND MISSION PLANNING
AND MANAGEMENT.
THE THIRD BENEFIT THAT WE HAVE
IDENTIFIED IS A CORE BUSINESS
BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEE GROWTH AND
IMPROVED COORDINATION.
THIS IS WHAT IT DOES FOR OUR
PEOPLE AT SEATTLE CITY LIGHT.
THE FIRST EMPLOYEE GROWTH
COMPONENTS, THERE IS
SIGNIFICANT TRAINING THAT GOES
ALONG WITH JOINING THIS MARKET.
WE HAVE NEW TOOLS AND SYSTEMS
WE ARE IMPLEMENTING.
WE ARE ALSO UPDATING OUR NEW
BUSINESS PROCESS.
WE HAVE ADDED EIGHT NEW
POSITIONS AS PART OF THE
IMPLEMENTATION EFFORT.
ALSO IT HAS ALLOWED FOR
EMPLOYEE GROWTH AND TO STRETCH
SOME OF OUR CURRENT STAFF AND
ALLOW THEM TO GAIN NEWS SKILLS
THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.
THIS AGAIN ALLOWS US TO NOT
ONLY RETAIN OUR CURRENT TALENTS
BUT TO ATTRACT NEW TALENT.
>> AND THE IMPROVED
COORDINATION PIECE, THIS
PROJECT IMPACTS A SIGNIFICANT
NUMBER OF DIVISIONS ACROSS THE
ENTIRE UTILITY.
IT IS REALLY REQUIRING US TO
TALK MORE AND WORK MORE IN A
COORDINATED FASHION.
WHAT THIS WILL DO, NOT ONLY
WILL THIS PUT US INTO A
POSITION TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN
THE MARKET BUT IT ALSO LAYS A
STRONG FOUNDATION FOR UPCOMING
PROJECT IN THE FUTURE THAT WE
WILL NEED TO HAVE THIS IMPROVED
COORDINATION.
IT REALLY SETS US UP FOR
SUCCESS NOW IT LOOKS FOR WORDS
IN THE FUTURE.
SPEAKING OF THE FUTURE, THE
FOURTH BENEFIT, IT POSITIONS US
FOR ADDITIONL READINESS FOR
GREATER ROCKETS INTEGRATION.
THIS IS A MECHANISM REALLY TO
INTEGRATE A GRID.
ESPECIALLY WITH THE INCREASE IN
NONTRADITIONAL RESOURCES.
SO MOVING ON, WHERE HAVE WE
COME FROM?
THIS IS NO SMALL UNDERTAKING,
THE IMPLEMENTATION EFFORT.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS
PROJECT SINCE 2016.
IN OCTOBER 2016, THE COUNCIL
PASSED AND APPROVED AN
ORDINANCE FOR US TO REPAIR TO
JOIN THE MARKET AND EXECUTE
AGREEMENTS WITH THE CALIFORNIA
ISO.
THEN WE CAME BACK AND DID SOME
BRIEFINGS IN MARCH IN 2017.
AND THROUGHOUT THE SPRING AND
SUMMER, COMPLETED OUR GAP
ANALYSIS AND ALSO HIRED AN
EXPERIENCED PROJECT MANAGER WHO
TOOK A LOOK AT THE GAPS
ANALYSIS AND OUR CURRENT
BUDGET.
SO WHAT WE DID DURING THAT
TIME, WE DECIDED TO INCREASE
THE BUDGET FOR OUR PROJECT TO
BE SUCCESSFUL.
WE ADDED ADDITIONAL LABOR,
SOFTWARE INTEGRATION,
CONSULTING, SUPPORT AND THEN
CONTINGENCY.
AND THAT BUDGET WAS APPROVED BY
COUNCIL IN NOVEMBER OF 2017.
AND RIGHT AROUND THAT TIME AS
WELL, DURING THAT SPRING AND
SUMMER, WE WERE ALSO LOOKING AT
OUR CURRENT SOFTWARE SYSTEM.
WHICH IS OUR ENERGY TRADING AND
RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
THIS IS OUR DAY-TO-DAY SOFTWARE
THAT OUR MARKETING GROUP, OUR
SETTLEMENTS GROUP, OUR SYSTEMS
OPERATIONS GROUP USES TO
TRANSACT IN THE BILATERAL
MARKET.
IT IS A REALLY CRITICAL
SOFTWARE PIECE.
SO TOGETHER WE CAME TO THE
DETERMINATION TO REPLACE OUR
CURRENT SYSTEM AND YOU CAN ONLY
JOIN THE ENERGY IMBALANCE
MARKET ONCE PER YEAR.
THAT IS APRIL 1. SO INITIALLY,
WE WERE ANTICIPATING JOINING
THE MARKET IN 2019 BUT MAKING
THE SOFTWARE DETERMINATION
PUSHED THE PROJECT OUT ONE
ADDITIONAL YEAR.
SO WITH THAT ADDITIONAL YEAR,
WE ENTERED INTO A FULL RFP
PROCESS.
WE SELECTED A SOFTWARE VENDOR
AND WE, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT
THAT WE JUST CUT OVER OUR NEW
ETR AM SOFTWARE ON AUGUST 1
VERY SUCCESSFULLY.
THAT WAS A MAJOR OBJECT
MILESTONE.
SO IN ADDITION TO SOFTWARE,
WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED?
SO OUR TEAM HAS BEEN DOING A
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK AND
WE ARE MAKING GREAT HEADWAY TO
THE PROJECT.
WE ARE EITHER ON TIME OR AHEAD
OF SCHEDULE WITH ALL OF OUR
DIFFERENT WORK STREAMS.
WE ARE ALSO ON BUDGET.
SO TOGETHER WITH OUR TEAM, WE
HAVE EXECUTED ALL OF OUR
AGREEMENTS WITH THE ISO.
WE HAVE DONE SIGNIFICANT
METERING WORK SO WE HAVE
COMPLETED ALL OF OUR METERING
INSTALLATIONS.
THESE ARE AT GENERATION AND
INTER-TIES.
WE ARE FINALIZING THE
PROGRAMMING.
OUR RISK POLICIES HAVE BEEN
ACCEPTED.
THE NETWORK MODEL, WHICH IS THE
MODEL OF OUR ENTIRE SYSTEM HAS
BEEN COMPLETED.
THE RESOURCE DATA TEMPLATE HAS
ALSO BEEN COMPLETED SO THIS
GOES THROUGH ALL OF THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR
GENERATORS IN OUR INNER TIES.
WE HAVE STARTED TRAINING AND
THAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE
LIFE OF THE PROJECT.
AGAIN, WE CUT OVER THE ENERGY
TRADING AND RISK MANAGEMENT
SUCCESSFULLY ON AUGUST 1. WE
HAVE GOTTEN ABOUT 8/2 MONTHS
LAST BEFORE WE JOIN THE MARKET.
SO REALLY, THE BIG PUSH IN WHAT
WE WILL FOCUS ON IS THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PIM
SOFTWARE AND THEN ALL OF THE
CONNECTIVITY TESTING THE
CALIFORNIA ISO.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, IT IS NOT
SHOWING ON THIS.
BUT TRAINING WILL CONTINUE
THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE
PROJECT.
THERE IS JUST SIGNIFICANT
TRAINING REQUIRED FOR ALL OF
OUR STAFF.
THEY ARE UP, READY AND ABLE TO
BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS NEW
MARKET.
AND THAT FOR THE MOST PARTS IS
WHERE THE PROJECTS IS.
SO --
>> WE HAVE ABOUT EIGHT MORE
MINUTES.
I KNOW YOU HAVE SOME MORE
AMENDMENTS DOCTOR?
NO?
WE ARE GOOD?
SO ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO
ADD CALVIN?
>> NO.
THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN ON THE
BOOKS FOR A LONG TIME.
I THINK THAT THIS IS THE WAY
THE WHOLE INDUSTRY IS GOING TO
MORE AND MORE OF THESE TYPES OF
AGREEMENTS.
THE IDEA OF BUILDING CAPACITY
IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT
THE UTILITY NEEDS TO KEEP
WORKING ON.
IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.
>> I WILL OFFER FROM A
STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXCITED
THAT SEATTLE CITY LIGHT IS
GOING TO BE REALLY ENTERING
INTO THIS NEW MARKET AND BE THE
FIRST IN LEADING A PUBLIC
UTILITY TO JOIN THE WESTERN
ENERGY IMBALANCE MARKET.
WE HEARD FROM A RANGE OF
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN
STRONGLY SUPPORTIVE OF US
ENTERING INTO THE ENERGY
IMBALANCE MARKET SUCH AS FROM
THAT RENEWABLE NORTHWEST FOLKS
WHO WERE EARLY AND STRONG
SUPPORTERS OF EI AND
PARTICIPATION BY ALL NORTHWEST
UTILITIES.
AND THE NATURAL RESOURCE
DEFENSE COUNCIL.
THE BIGGEST ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SUPPORTED
THE PIM AND THE EXPANSION OF
THE WESTERN ENERGY MARKET TO
FACILITATE POSITION OF THE
ENERGY SECTOR TO A LESS CARBON
INTENSIVE PORTFOLIO.
OVERALL, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT
BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE GIVEN
OUR GREEN ENERGY THAT WE
PRODUCE HERE IN THE STATE.
AND THROUGH SEATTLE CITY LIGHT.
TO BE PARTICIPANTS AND ALSO
INTO BEATERS TO THIS MARKET IN
A REALLY POSITIVE WAY.
THAT IS GREAT.
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
YOU GO LIVE FIRST AND THE
SOFTWARE IS WORKING GREAT.
GOOD FOR YOU.
>> IF I MAY JUST QUICKLY
INTERJECT, I DID WANT TO
EMPHASIZE THE TIE BETWEEN THESE
TWO PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE
RESENTED TODAY IN TERMS OF HOW
THEY REPRESENT THE
TRANSFORMATION OF OUR ENERGY
SYSTEM.
REALLY, WHAT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT AND THAT SARAH ALLUDED TO
IS THE ABILITY OF THINGS LIKE
THE EI M TO HELP US FURTHER
UNLOCK THE VALUE AND THINGS
LIKE THE DISTRIBUTION OF
RESOURCES.
WE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLY.
THESE ARE ALL PIECES OF A
PUZZLE THAT WE ARE PUTTING
TOGETHER AND I THINK WE ARE
REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE
DIRECTION WE ARE HEADED WITH
THAT.
>> GREAT.
>> SO OTHER QUESTIONS?
I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING I HAVE
HEARD ABOUT SINCE DAY ONE HERE.
HAS WE WILL WITH EVERY PIECE OF
LEGISLATION, WE WILL CONTINUE
TO CHECK IN WITH OUR
STAKEHOLDERS AND MAKE SURE WE
ARE GETTING FEEDBACK ALONG THE
WAY.
I'M HAPPY TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE
FORWARD WITH THE AUTHORIZATION
OF THIS PARTICIPATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE
COUNCIL RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF
COUNSEL BILL 119571.
ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE
SAY AYE.
UNOPPOSED.
GREAT.
SO IT HAS PASSED.
AND AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU,
THE PARTNERS WE HAVE HEARD
FROM.
ERIN, FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS AS
WELL.
LEADERSHIP OF CITY LIGHT IN THE
EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING
HOW THINGS REGRESS.
WE KNOW YOUR TIME FRAME IS
ONGOING.
SO WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO
UPDATES AS WE HEAD INTO THE
BEGINNING PART OF NEXT YEAR.
WITH THAT, WE WILL BRING THIS
FORWARD TO FULL COUNCIL ON
SEPTEMBER 3 FOR CONSIDERATION
AFTER THE RECESS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL
NUMBERS.
COULD I DO MY OTHER SHADOWED?
ROB MAHONEY WHO IS BEHIND ME,
THE TECHNICALLY PROJECT MANAGER
BUT HE HAS BEEN SARAH'S PARTNER
ALL THROUGH THIS.
SO REALLY OUTSTANDING WORK IN
ONE OF SEATTLE'S VERY BEST.
I DON'T KNOW HE IS IN THE ROOM
BUT ROBERT CROMWELL WHO IS
DOING CUSTOMER SERVICE
OPERATIONS HAS CERTAINLY BEEN A
HUGE PART OF THE BEHIND THE
SCENES ENGINE FOR THIS WORK.
AND TURNED IT OVER TO TURN 25
IN GREAT SHAPE.
úSO KUDOS TO BOTH OF THEM.
>>> GREAT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR
LEADERSHIP AS WELL AND ALL OF
YOU AT THE TABLE BECAUSE
PUTTING SEATTLE CITY LIGHT UP
FRONT LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN DOING
WITH ALL OF THE GREEN ENERGY
WORK IT IS MAKING A BIG
DIFFERENCE FOR OUR CITY BUT IT
ALSO DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP IN
THE NORTHWEST THAT I
APPRECIATE.
THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT WILL CONCLUDE PART ONE OF
OUR AGENDA TODAY.
WE HAVE CONCLUDED PRIOR TO 10
AM.
THAT IS GOOD NEWS.
WE ARE ON TIME.
SO THANK YOU TO SEATTLE CITY
LIGHT'S FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
AS YOU CAN TELL, WE HAVE PACKED
AGENDA THROUGH THE SUMMER AND
FALL.
SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR GETTING
US ALL TEED UP FOR THOSE BILLS.
AT THIS POINT, WE WILL
ENTERTAIN PUBLIC COMMENTS ON
THE REMAINING ITEMS ON TODAY'S
AGENDA.
THEY ALL RELATE TO HOTEL
LEGISLATION.
PART ONE IS A HOTEL SAFETY.
FOR WORKERS IN THE HOTEL
BUILDINGS.
AT PART THREE IS RELATED TO
HEALTHCARE.
WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE
SIGNED UP TO TESTIFY.
THERE MAY BE MORE PEOPLE
SIGNING UP SO WE WILL MAKE SURE
TO GET YOU SIGNED UP THERE.
AND WE WILL ALSO HAVE COPIES OF
VARIOUS AMENDMENTS THAT ARE
GOING TO BE POSTED ONLINE.
AND THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE IN
HARD COPY.
WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE
SIGNED UP.
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW YOU ARE
GREAT IN THE LAST 20.
LET'S SEE HOW QUICKLY WE CAN
MOVE THROUGH THIS.
I WOULD LIKE TO LIMIT IT TO 20
MINUTES.
THAT WOULD BE ONE MINUTE PER
PERSON.
20 PEOPLE SIGNED UP.
>>> IF YOU NEED MORE, TAKE
MORE.
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE
AUDIENCE.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT
HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST.
IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC EVENTS
THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DESCRIBE
TO US, PARTICULARLY OF VIOLENT
OR HARASSING BEHAVIOR, I WOULD
LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE AND
WHEN THOSE OCCURRED AND WHAT
HAPPENED.
THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL RATHER
THAN YOU JUST SAYING WE SUPPORT
THE BILL.
WE GOT THAT.
I AM REALLY DEEPLY INTERESTED
IN WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU IF
YOU ARE COMFORTABLE IN TELLING
US SOME EXAMPLES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE ALSO KNOWLEDGE THAT OR FOLKS
SHARING THOSE STORIES, IT CAN
BE HARD TO SHARE THIS AGAIN AND
AGAIN.
WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL SHARING
THOSE AND ALSO FOR THE INDUSTRY
FOLKS FOR BEING HERE.
WE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE
COMING EVERY SINGLE TIME AND WE
I WILL ASK THE FOLKS FROM CITY
LIGHT OUT THERE IF THEY CAN
HEAR ME TO MAYBE TAKE THE
CONVERSATION AROUND THE CORNER.
WE WILL BEGIN WITH PUBLIC
TESTIMONY HERE.
THE FIRST THREE PEOPLE THAT WE
HAVE, IF FOLKS COULD LINE UP TO
GET US THROUGH THIS IN 20
MINUTES THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
MICHAEL HERSCHER?
JOHN EGBERT AND SEAN BURKE?
>>> WELCOME BACK.
>> GOOD MORNING.
GOOD MORNING.
MY FIRST JOB IN THE HOTEL
INDUSTRY WAS AS AN ATTENTIVE.
I SERVED EMPLOYEES AS A HOTEL
HR DIRECTOR FOR 11 YEARS UNTIL
AUGUST 1. IT IS NECESSARY TO
CALL OUT THE LACK OF A PROCESS
WITHOUT A FUNDAMENTAL
UNDERSTANDING OF THE NUANCES OF
THESE AGREEMENTS.
EVEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE
COUNCIL ADMITTED RECENTLY TO
NOT UNDERSTANDING THE MOST
ELEMENTARY TERMINOLOGY OF OUR
INDUSTRY, CHECKOUT VERSUS
STAYOVER ROOM.
AS FOR THE HEALTHCARE
ORDINANCE, CHANGES TO THIS COMP
LOCATED LEGISLATION ARE
PRESENTED TODAY JUST BEFORE
YOUR VOTE.
I ASK ONE OF MANY QUESTIONS.
WHERE IS THE PROVISION TO
ADDRESS PREMIUMS.
EVERY HEALTHCARE PLAN REQUIRES
SOME SORT OF EMPLOYEE
CONTRIBUTION TO PREMIUMS.
I WANT TO ADDRESS THIS IN A
COMP LOCATED WAY.
UNION REPRESENTATIVE EMPLOYEES
MUST PAY UNDER THE HEALTH AND
WELFARE TRUST IN ADDITION TO
MONTHLY DUES.
VIRTUALLY EVERY PLAN OFFERED
CITY EMPLOYEES REQUIRES A
PREMIUM CONTRIBUTION AS WELL.
100% EMPLOYER PAID GOLD LEVEL
HEALTHCARE ONLY FOR NONUNION
HOTEL EMPLOYEES.
I WONDER HOW OUR NONPROFIT
FRIENDS, FOOD SERVICE WORKERS,
RETAIL CASHIERS OR EVEN YOUR
OWN CITY EMPLOYEES FEEL ABOUT
THAT?
>> WE HAVE A CLOCK ISSUED.
>> SLOW THIS DOWN.
TREATED WITH THE TIME IT NEEDS
WITH THE EXPERTS TO CRAFT THE
LEGISLATION BECAUSE THE
CONSEQUENCES ARE TOO GREAT IF
YOU DON'T.
THANK YOU.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MADAM CHAIR, AND COMMITTEE
MEMBERS, THE MORNING.
I AM JOHN AND I AM THE DIRECTOR
OF THE RETAIL INDUSTRY
COALITION OF SEATTLE.
A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION OF
130 RETAILERS.
I APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY TO
URGE THE COMMITTEE TO NARROW
THAT ANCILLARY HOTEL BUSINESS
PROVISIONS AND ORDINATES 1195
55.
THE EXPLICITLY STATED INTENT OF
THIS ORDINANCE IS TO APPROVE
HOTEL EMPLOYEE ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE MEDICAL CARE.
YET THE LANGUAGE OF THE
ORDINANCE WOULD APPLY TO A
COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT RETAIL
BUSINESS BASED SOLELY ON THE
FACT THAT IT HAS LEASED SPACE
WITHIN THE HOTEL.
IF PASSED, THIS ORDINANCE WOULD
CREATE STRONG INCENTIVES FOR
RETAILERS TO RELOCATE TO NON-
HOTEL SPACE.
THIS COULD RESULT IN A LARGE,
VACANT RETAIL SPACES IN HOTELS
ACROSS THE CITY.
WE URGE YOU TO NARROW THIS
DEFINITION TO ONLY THOSE
BUSINESSES PROVIDING SERVICES
ESSENTIAL TO THE OPERATION OF
THE HOTEL.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THAT TESTIMONY.
I WANT TO FIND FOR FOLKS.
WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN THE
HEALTHCARE BILL TODAY IS THE
WHOLE LANGUAGE WE HAVE ON
SEPTEMBER 5. TO REALLY REFINE
THAT LANGUAGE.
BUT YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELL
TAKEN.
IT IS PART OF THE ENTIRE THING.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THAT
IN MIND.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SEAN BURKE FOLLOWED BY KRISTI
SMITH AND THEN TERRY.
WELCOME BACK.
GO AHEAD.
>> I AM BACK AND I JUST WANT TO
REITERATE THE SAME THING.
I THINK ANCILLARY BUSINESS
SHOULD BE SECLUDED FROM THE
CONVERSATION.
WE ARE NOT A PART OF THE HOTEL.
YOU CAN GO AND DO WHAT YOU HAVE
TO DO AND SINCE WE ARE NOT A
PART OF IT, WE ARE A SMALL
BUSINESS, IT WOULD HELP US IF
WE ARE EXCLUDED FROM THIS
CONVERSATION.
AND EVEN A NARROWER PART OF
THIS CONVERSATION IN THE FIRST
PLACE BECAUSE WE WERE NEVER
TOLD ABOUT THIS.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS
COMING FROM.
SO I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF IT
COULD BE CONSIDERED, THE
CHANGES YOU ARE MAKING TO THE
ANCILLARY BUSINESSES.
IT DOESN'T ANSWER THAT BECAUSE
I WAS READING THE CHANGES YOU
AMENDED.
THINGS LIKE IF ANY SPACE OPENED
IN THE HOTEL.
WHICH IS ALMOST ALL THE CASE
EVERY TIME.
WE ARE NOT A HOTEL.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> KRISTI SMITH?
TERRY AND THEN MICHAEL HIRSCH.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS KRISTI SMITH AND I
AM THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL.
I WORKED IN HOTELS FOR ANOTHER
35 YEARS.
MY FIRST JOB IN THE HOTEL
INDUSTRY WAS AS A CASHIER AND I
HAVE WORKED ALSO AS A BANQUET
BARTENDER.
AND A FRONT DESK AGENT.
I KNOW THE VALUE EACH EMPLOYEE
BRINGS TO THEIR POSITION.
AND TO THE SUCCESS OF THE
HOTEL.
EMPLOYEE SAFETY HOLDS
TREMENDOUS IMPORTANCE TO OUR
HOTEL.
WE BELIEVE EVERY EMPLOYEE HAS A
RIGHT TO WORK IN A SAFE AND
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.
WE EQUIPPED OURSELVES WITH THE
KNOWLEDGE OF SAFE METHODS AND
TRAIN OUR EMPLOYEES IN A SAFE
WAY OF DOING EACH OF THEIR
JOBS.
THAT IS WHY WE SUPPORTED THE
PASSAGE OF THIS STATEWIDE PANIC
BUTTON REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDE
THEM TO EACH OF OUR TEAM
MEMBERS.
WE ALSO PROVIDE OLD LEVEL
QUALITY INSURANCE COVERAGE NOW
AT RATES THAT ARE LOWER THAN
THE CASH EXPENDITURE BEING
PROPOSED IN HEALTHCARE
REQUIREMENTS.
HOW MUCH YOU SPEND IS NOT
DETERMINED THE QUALITY OF
COVERAGE.
I URGE YOU TO REMOVE THE
ARBITRARY EXPENDITURES AND AND
SURE ANY CHANGES DO NOT REWARD
EMPLOYEES FOR TURNING DOWN
HEALTHCARE.
I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT WE HAVE
BEEN DISCUSSING FOR MONTHS THE
CHALLENGES AND UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES CREATED IN THE
DRAFT ORDINANCE.
WE BELIEVE THE AMENDMENT YOU
ARE CONSIDERING TODAY THE FIRST
SUBSTANTIALLY FROM WHAT WE HAD
PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED FEEDBACK
ON.
GIVEN IT WAS JUST SHARED WITH
STAKEHOLDERS LAST NIGHT.
WE HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
TO FULLY REVIEW IT AND PROVIDE
MEANINGFUL FEEDBACK.
WE REALLY REQUEST THAT YOU HOLD
OFF ON VOTING ON THIS AMENDMENT
TODAY UNTIL YOU GET ALL
FEEDBACK.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
TERRY?
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I HAVE A RESTAURANT IN THE
SHERATON HOTEL.
THE BUILDING, NOT IN THE HOTEL.
IN THE SAME BUILDING AS THE
SHERATON.
AND I HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR
5 YEARS.
THE ANCILLARY POSITION STAYS AS
IS.
IT PROBABLY WON'T BE THERE
ANYMORE.
DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS
AND THE PRICE YOU'RE PUTTING ON
INSURANCE AND WHAT YOU ARE
REQUIRING ME TO DO.
I AM JUST A TENANT.
I AM, IT NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED.
AND I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE
IF WE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE A
POSITION AT THE TABLE.
THIS IS BETWEEN ALL OF US.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
LINDA MORTON FOLLOWED BY AN?
>> HELLO.
>> MY NAME IS MICHAEL HIRSCH.
>> MICHAEL, COULD YOU PULL IT
UP A LITTLE BIT?
>> I AM ALWAYS TOLD TO STAND UP
STRAIGHT.
I'M STANDING UP STRAIGHT AND
PUTTING UP THE MICROPHONE
STRAIGHT AS WELL.
MICHAEL HIRSCH, REPRESENTING
THE FAMILY OWNERSHIP OF THE 13
COINS.
AND OF THE LODGE SPORTS GRILL.
WE HAVE TWO IMPACTED PROPERTIES
WITH THE ANCILLARY HOTEL
LANGUAGE.
CONCERNED WITH THE LACK OF
DEFINITION AROUND THAT.
ALSO CONCERNED THAT IT WOULD BE
FOR DEFINED FOR AN AMENDMENT
THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED TO BE
PASSED TODAY.
THAT 12 HOURS AGO, HAD
SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE.
THERE IS A CASCADE THERE THAT
WE WOULD ASK THERE BE A LITTLE
BIT OF A BREAK PUT ON.
LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.
WE WOULD LOVE TO ALSO, THEY
WOULD BE HAPPY TO COME WITH ME
AND A CONVERSATION WE CAN HAVE
IF WE WOULD BE OPEN TO THAT TO
TALKING ABOUT ALL OF THE
POTENTIAL IMPACTS JUST ON WHAT
WE WOULD NEED TO MAKE AS A
BUSINESS DECISION.
WE ONLY THINK THAT THE BUSINESS
DECISION WE MADE TO LOCATE NEAR
OR WITHIN SPITTING DISTANCE OF
THE HOTEL HAS NOW MAYBE
POTENTIALLY DIFFICULT TO
CONTINUE IN OPERATION.
IT WILL CREATE A SITUATION FROM
THE CITY WHERE YOU HAVE
VACANCIES THAT I'M NOT SURE
ANYBODY WILL WANT TO COME IN
WITH THE NEW PAST MM IT'S.
THANK YOU.
>> EXCELLENT.
THANK YOU.
>> LINDA?
>> LINDA FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL
CLARK.
>> SO I AM LINDA MORTON AND I
AM PRESIDENT OF THIS RESTAURANT
ALLIANCE.
I AM ALSO ON THE BOARD AT THE
GSP.
TOGETHER, JUST THOSE TWO
ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENT WELL
OVER 5000 SMALL BUSINESSES IN
SATTLE.
THIS LEGISLATION IS ABOUT HOTEL
WORKERS.
IT IS ABOUT HOTEL EMPLOYEES.
IT IS ABOUT HOTELS.
ANCILLARY BUSINESSES SIGN A
LEASE WITH A HOTEL AND THEY ARE
NOT HOTELS.
THERE ARE EMPLOYEES, NOT HOTEL
EMPLOYEES.
ANCILLARY BUSINESSES NEED TO BE
REMOVED FROM THIS LEGISLATION.
ONE THING I WILL SAY AS A SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER MYSELF, THERE
HAS BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES IN
THE CITY IN THE LAST FIVE
YEARS.
THEY HAVE COME OUT OF THIS
COUNSEL.
AND IT HAS BEEN A LOT OF
STRAWS.
WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE
MANY OF THOSE STRAWS ONE BY ONE
BUT IF I HAVE A LEASE IN A
HOTEL PROPERTY, THIS IS MORE
LIKE, RATHER THAN DEATH BY 1000
CUTS, IT IS LIKE USING
GUNPOWDER.
I APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD
CONSIDER BUT THE REAL
CONSEQUENCES ARE AND WHAT THIS
LEGISLATION WAS INTENDED TO DO
IN THE FIRST PLACE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WELCOME BACK.
>> GOOD MORNING.
>> MY NAME IS ANNETTE VANDA
HIGH AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF
THE HILTON SEATTLE.
I HAVE BEEN IN THE HOSPITALITY
INDUSTRY FOR OVER 35 YEARS IN A
MULTITUDE OF ROLES BOTH HOURLY
AND MANAGEMENT.
IN OUR INDUSTRY, IF WE DO NOT
TAKE CARE OF OUR TEAM MEMBER
FAMILY, IT HAS A DIRECT IMPACT
ON GUEST SATISFACTION.
KEEPING OUR HOUSEKEEPING STAFF
SAFETY IS A PRIORITY.
THE LEGISLATION FOR PANIC
BUTTONS WAS INSPIRED.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE ADDITIONAL
ANCILLARY HOTEL BUSINESS TACKED
ON IMPACTS OF BROAD RANGE NOT
HOTEL EMPLOYEES AND SMALL
BUSINESS.
IT IS NOT HAVE THE PROPER DUE
DILIGENCE OR UNBIASED REVIEW TO
MAKE IT EFFECTIVE.
IN FACT, IT IS DESTRUCTIVE TO
WHAT IT IS INTENDED TO
ACCOMPLISH.
THE UNITED HEALTHCARE ORDINANCE
BEING INTRODUCED NEEDS FURTHER
REVIEW.
IT IS NOT IN ANYONE'S BEST
INTEREST TO RUSH THIS AMENDMENT
TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> WELCOME BACK, MICHAEL.
>> THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL CLARK.
I AM THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE
RENAISSANCE SEATTLE HOTEL AND I
SIT ON THE BOARD OF THE SEATTLE
HOTEL ASSOCIATION.
WE RECEIVED AN AMENDED
ORDINANCE DATED LAST NIGHT AT
5:15 PM.
IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT
FROM THE SOLUTIONS AND THE
FEEDBACK WE HAVE BEEN WORKING
ON TOGETHER.
AND WITH THIS NEW DRAFT, IT
DOESN'T GIVE US A CHANCE TO
LOOK AT IT AT ALL.
THE GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT, I
WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT, IS
ANCILLARY BUSINESS DISCUSSION
TO SEPTEMBER.
NO ONE IN THIS ROOM EVEN HAD A
CHANCE TO UNDERSTAND THAT
BECAUSE IT WAS PUBLISHED LAST
NIGHT.
I WOULD URGE YOU TO, WE ARE
DISAPPOINTED AS A GROUP OF
STAKEHOLDERS THAT WE HAVEN'T
HAD A CHANCE TO DISCUSS AND
REVIEW THIS FURTHER.
IT COULD HAVE UNINTENDED ON
SEQUENCES.
I WOULD URGE YOU TO TAKE A
LITTLE BIT MORE TIME.
IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING.
NOT OF US WANT ANY UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES.
>> THANK YOU.
>> TANK YOU, MICHAEL.
>> THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE ARE
JC
MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO READ THIS
ONE.
IF THAT SOUNDS FAMILIAR?
TSE ARE ING?
>> GOOD MORNING, CUSTOMERS.
MY NAME IS JC
WORK HERE IN SEATTLE.
I CAME HERE TODAY TO GIVE BACK
TIME.
PANIC BUTTONS, I THINK
EVERYBODY IS FOR IT.
HOWEVER, IF THE ORDINANCE IS
REALLY UNNECESSARY, AS IT IS
ALREADY STATE LAW.
I CALL THIS BUSYWORK.
IT IS LIKE AS IF YOU WORKED ON
A MANDATORY SEATBELT ORDINANCE.
WEARING SEATBELT IS IMPORTANT
BUT IT IS ALREADY THE LAW.
HEALTHCARE.
HOTELS ALREADY PROVIDE HIGH-
QUALITY HEALTH COVERAGE.
THERE IS A FEDERAL LAW.
THE COUNCIL SEEMS TO BE TRYING
TO SKIRT FEDERAL LAW.
GOOD LAWMAKERS DON'T BREAK
LAWS.
SO PLEASE BE GOOD LAWMAKERS.
I KNOW THAT IS YOUR INTENTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA, YOU PUT FORTH AN
AMENDMENT THAT IS FILLED WITH
INCONSISTENCIES.
TODAY, IT REQUIRES GOLD LEVEL
COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN DOLLAR
AMOUNTS.
IF THE EMPLOYEE IS ABLE TO
NEGOTIATE A BETTER DEAL, THEY
STILL HAVE TO PAY THE
DIFFERENCE TO THE EMPLOYEE IN
CASH.
WHY THE EXTRA PAYMENT IF THE
GOAL IS HIGH-QUALITY HEALTHCARE
COVERAGE IS FULFILLED?
NO NEED TO REALLY CONTINUE
WORKING ON THIS.
YOU KNOW, WE ALL NEED TO USE
OUR TIME WISELY.
WE FOCUS IN THE BIG THINGS THAT
REALLY MATTER, PUBLIC SAFETY,
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY,
HOMELESSNESS AND
TRANSPORTATION.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS JOSC US.
I AM A HOUSEKEEPER IN SEATTLE.
I HAVE BEEN 10 YEARS IN THE
HOTEL INDUSTRY WHICH IS FIVE
YEARS IN AFRICA AT FIVE YEARS
HERE IN SEATTLE.
SO BASICALLY TALKING ABOUT THE
SEATTLE HOTEL INDUSTRY.
WHICH I AM PERSONALLY IMPACTED
IN A GOOD WAY.
THE FIRST TIME I MOVED TO
SEATTLE, WHICH IS THE HILTON,
IT OPENED THE DOOR FOR ME IN
THIS INDUSTRY.
THEY HELPED ME IN MANY WAYS.
SO I CAN PERSONALLY SEE THE
RESULTS OF WHERE I AM NOW.
SO THE HOTEL INDUSTRY
EMPLOYERS, WHICH REALLY
IMPACTED INDIVIDUALITY, EVEN
FOR THOSE FIRST TIME WORKERS,
IT WAS, THEY HAD NO EXPERIENCE.
THEY TRAIN AND GET MORE
CARRIERS IN A DIFFERENT
DEPARTMENT.
AND IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS
WHICH IS A VERY GOLDEN POINT WE
NEED TO UNDERSTAND.
UNDERLYING ON THAT, COMING TO
THE GENERAL WAYS AS A
HOUSEKEEPING MANAGER, INVOLVING
PERSONALLY WITH LARGE NUMBERS
OF EMPLOYEES.
I HAVE SEEN IN MANY WAYS.
>> COULD YOU WRAP IT UP, SIR?
WRAP UP FOR US.
>> SO I HAVE SEEN MANY
PROFESSIONALS IN THIS INDUSTRY.
THEY HAVE BEEN ASSISTED
DIVERSELY IN DIFFERENT LABELS.
SO THE INDUSTRY REALLY
ASSISTED'S IN WHATEVER WE
APPLIED FOR, WHICH CONSIDERS
THE EMPLOYER AS WELL.
SO THAT, THEY KNOW HOW THEY CAN
APPLY.
THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE
AMENDMENT.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE,
SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL
MEMBERS.
I WORK AT THE EDGEWATER IN
HOUSEKEEPING FOR 7 YEARS.
HOUSEKEEPERS LIKE ME OFTEN
EXPERIENCE HARASSMENT BY GUEST.
WHEN HARASSMENT LIKE THIS
HAPPENS, WE WISHED WE NEVER SEE
THE GUEST AGAIN.
ANY OF MY COWORKERS AND I ARE
IMMIGRANTS AND WOMEN AND TOO
OFTEN WE STAY QUIET BECAUSE WE
THINK THAT NOTHING WILL BE
DONE.
THERE ARE VICTIMS OF ASSAULT.
THE LOT MUST BELIEVE
HOUSEKEEPERS HAVE SIGNIFICANT
CONSEQUENCES FORECAST. LAST BUT
NOT LEAST, BEFORE I LEAVE, ALL
HOTEL WORKERS NEED HEALTHCARE
FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT ARE MELODY SWIFT,
STEFAN AND JUAN CARLOS?
HELLO, MELODY.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> YOU CAN PULL IT ON DOWN.
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> I NAME IS MELODY AND I WORK
AT THE HOTEL IN THE MAIN LOUNGE
FOR 44 YEARS.
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL
HARASSMENT AS A LOT OF US IN
THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY
HAVE.
JUST BECAUSE WE ARE IN, I SEE
HERE THEY WANT TO EXCLUDE FOOD
AND BEVERAGE PEOPLE FROM
PROTECTIONS.
FOR HELP?
AND ALSO FROM HARASSMENT?
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT AND
WORTH LESS THAN ANYONE ELSE IN
THIS ROOM?
I AM AS VALUED AS ANYONE ELSE
IN THIS ROOM.
YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SIT
THERE AND EXCLUDE US BECAUSE WE
ARE FOOD AND BEVERAGE PEOPLE
VERTICAL WE WORK HARD.
WE ARE THERE ON THE HOLIDAYS
WHEN YOU GUYS WANT TO TAKE YOUR
FAMILIES OUT.
WE WORK AT NIGHT.
A LOT OF US CAN'T EVEN TAKE THE
BUS SERVICES BECAUSE THEY DON'T
RUN.
WE HAVE TO DRIVE.
THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF ISSUES.
I HAVE EXLEY BEEN PICKED UP BY
CUSTOMERS BEFORE.
I HAVE HAVE THEM GRAB MY ARM.
I AM 69 YEARS OLD AND I HAD A
MAN RUBBING HIS ARMS UP AND
DOWN.
TRYING TO PUT HIS ARMS AROUND
ME.
WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR
ATTITUDES?
OKAY?
WE WORK HARD FOR YOU.
MY TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
>> STEPHAN?
FOLLOWED BY ONE CARLOS?
>> AND MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I WANT TO APPLAUD COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA AND HER WORK ON THE
HEALTHCARE ORDINANCE OF IT.
THERE ARE ISSUES ADDRESSED IN
THE DRAFT.
THERE WILL BE MORE WORK TO DO
AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO
BEING PART OF THAT.
IS DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THAT
THERE ARE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
THAT COULD EXEMPT THOUSANDS OF
WORKERS WHO DESPERATELY NEED
HEALTHCARE.
THAT WOULD CREATE AN AMENDMENT
TO SUBCONTRACT AND OUTSOURCE
JOBS TO EMPLOYERS POTENTIALLY
LARGE IN SIZE.
IT IS NOT ABOUT SMALL EMPLOYERS
WHO WOULD NOW BE EXEMPT.
THE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS, THE
REAL ESTATE AND BEST, THEY OWN
ALL OF THE HOTEL BUILDINGS IN
SEATTLE.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE LIST, IT IS
ALMOST ALL HOTEL BUILDINGS IN
SEATTLE WILL MAKE MONEY BECAUSE
OF THAT WHILE WORKERS THIS OUT
ON HEALTHCARE.
ON THE ISSUE OF GUEST
MISCONDUCT, I AM ALMOST DONE.
I WILL REFER TO SOME OTHER
FOLKS.
I THINK WE NEED TO DO BETTER.
SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT
I'VE SEEN BASICALLY TAKE AWAY
ANY KIND OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR
GUESTS.
THEY WILL NOT EVEN BE INFORMED
ANYMORE.
THAT THERE WAS A COMPLAINT
AGAINST THEM.
THERE WILL BE NO ACCOUNTABILITY
AND THAT IS JUST NOT GOOD
ENOUGH IN A CITY LIKE SEATTLE.
THANK YOU.
>> DO YOU HAVE A GROUP?
>> YES.
>> WE WILL GIVE YOU A MINUTE
AND A HALF.
>> GOOD MORNING.
>> YOU'RE TRANSLATING?
>> [SPANISH]
>> MY NAME IS JUAN CARLOS AND I
WORK AS A COOK IN THE EDGEWATER
HOTEL DURING THE PAST TWO
YEARS.
BEFORE THAT, I WORKED IN
VARIOUS RESTAURANTS AROUND
SEATTLE.
>> [SPANISH]
>> THIS JOB AT THE EDGEWATER
WAS ACTUALLY THE FIRST TIME I
WAS ABLE TO GET AN AFFORDABLE
HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN FOR MY
FAMILY.
AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN
MIND THAT INSURANCE PLANS THAT
RESTAURANTS USUALLY OFFER TEND
TO COST A LOT FOR EMPLOYEES AND
OFFER VERY POOR COVERAGE FOR
MEDICAL EXPENSES.
>> [SPANISH]
>> IF THE LAW DOESN'T REQUIRE
HOTELS TO OFFER GOOD MEDICAL
INSURANCE PLANS, HOTELS LIKE
MINE ARE GOING TO FIGURE OUT
HOW TO SUBCONTRACT TO THE
RESTAURANT'S.
>> ALL RESTAURANT WORKERS AND
HOTELS DESERVE A GOOD HEALTH
INSURANCE PLAN THAT ACTUALLY
PAYS THE COST'S.
THIS LAW IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
ENSURE THAT MYSELF AND MY
COWORKERS WILL ACTUALLY HAVE
ACCESS TO GOOD HEALTH INSURANCE
GOING FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU.
>> [SPANISH]
>> EMILY DAWSON FOLLOWED BY
PORSCHE WHITE.
>> WELCOME.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I AM EMILY FROM EMBASSY SUITES
IN PIONEER SQUARE.
I HAVE TWO KIDS AND A HUSBAND I
AM PAYIN INSURANCE FOR AND I'M
PAYING ABOUT 500 PER MONTH.
500 PER MONTH FOR ME AND MY
HUSBAND AND MY TWO KIDS.
THAT IS A LARGE CHUNK OF MY
PAYCHECK EVERY MONTH.
IF THE HEALTH INSURANCE WAS
BETTER AND CHEAPER, I WOULD BE
ABLE TO BITE MY SON NEW SHOES,
WHICH HE JUST COMPLAINED WERE
TOO TIGHT JUST A FEW DAYS AGO.
I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO
STRUGGLE TO PUT FOOD ON THE
TABLE.
THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME THAT
I AM PLANNING ON STRIKING WITH
MY COWORKERS SO I WOULD
APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD
PLEASE SUPPORT US.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT TWO SPEAKERS ARE
AROUND THE CORNER AND RUNNING
LATE.
>> SO AS WE HAVE DONE BEFORE,
WE WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO
THE HEART OF THE DISCUSSION
TODAY.
IF THERE IS ANY FOLKS WHO DO
HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO TESTIFY
AT THE END, WE DID TALK ABOUT
COMING BACK AT THE END FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT.
SO IF THEY ARE ABLE TO STAY TO
THE CONVERSATION, THEY WILL BE
WELCOME THEN.
IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO
WANTED TO SIGN UP TO TESTIFY AT
THIS POINT?
>> DAN, JUST AS WE ARE DOING
THAT, TO DO T UP ITEM NUMBER 3
FOR US?
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS NATALIE KELLY AND I
WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT MY
EXPERIENCE WITH SEXUAL
HARASSMENT FROM MY YEARS AS A
DOWNTOWN AGENT.
IT WAS A CONSTANT AND RAMPANT
PROBLEM FOR US WORKING AT THE
HOTEL.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FRONT
HOUSE WORKERS ARE ALSO
INCLUDED.
I WOULD SAY THAT WHEN I WORKED
THE NIGHT SHIFT, IT WAS A DAILY
EXPERIENCE, PARTICULARLY DURING
HAPPY HOUR WHEN MANY GUESTS
WOULD COME TO THE FRONT DESK
AND SEE THE YOUNG WOMEN THERE
AND ASSUME OUR PLEASANT
CONVERSATION AND FLIRTATION WAS
A PART OF WHAT THEY WERE PAYING
FOR FOR THE GUEST EXPERIENCE.
A PROBLEM I HAD IN BRINGING
THIS TO MY MANAGEMENT WAS THAT
MANAGERS WOULD OFTEN ATTRIBUTE
TO THE PROBLEM.
I HAD ONE MALE INTEGER WHO
WOULD WELCOME GUESTS IN THE
FRONT DOOR OF THE HOTEL, ESCORT
THEM TO THE FRONT DESK AND SAY,
WHICH OF THESE TWO BEAUTIFUL
WOMEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE
TOOK YOU IN TODAY.
YOU CAN PICK WHICH ONE YOU
THINK IS PRETTIEST.
WHEN I WOULD TRY TO ADDRESS
THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH
GUESTS, HARASSMENT AND
SOMETIMES GUEST VIOLENCE WHEN I
HAD A GUEST REACH ACROSS THE
FRONT DESK AND PLACE HIS HAND
ON MY FOUR HEAD, I DIDN'T KNOW
WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO.
I FELL TO THE FLOOR.
I RECORDED THE INCIDENT IN AN
INCIDENT LOG LOOKED AND SAW THAT
I MANAGER ERASED IT BECAUSE HE
DIDN'T WANT TO BE EMBARRASSED
IN PART OF THE GENERAL MANAGER.
I HAD ZERO SUPPORT AS A FRONT-
LINE WORKER AND HAD A SYSTEM
WITH THE BELLMAN AND A FELLOW
FRONT DESK AGENT TO TAKE TURNS
HIDING IN THE BELL CLOSET WHEN
I GUEST WAS COMING BACK TO
CHECK OUT.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THE PEOPLE
IN THAT POSITION HAVE THE
SUPPORT AND PROTECTION AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.
HAVE TO MORE FOLKS THAN I WILL
CALL IT GOOD.
LEAH AND MIKE.
>> HELLO.
I REPRESENT SEVERAL HOTELS FROM
THE HUMAN RESOURCES SIDE OF THE
CITY.
>> YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD?
>> LEAH.
THE DRAFT THAT WE RECEIVED LAST
NIGHT, THE HEALTHCARE
EXPENDITURES PEAS, THAT IS WHAT
I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT.
THAT NUMBERS THAT ARE IN THERE
ARE CURRENTLY 24% HIGHER THAN
WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY PAYING.
AND WE DO OFFER GOLD LEVEL
COVERAGE CURRENTLY TO OUR TEAM
AND CONTINUE TO DO SO.
THAT IS FOR THE 2019 RATES.
SO THE, I AM NERVOUS THAT THE
2020 RATES WILL CONTINUE TO
GROW AND MAKE THAT NUMBER HIGHER
. IN THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN
WORKING IN HR, I'VE NEVER SEEN
A 24% INCREASE IN BENEFITS YEAR
OVER YEAR.
THAT IS DRAMATIC.
I ALSO BELIEVE THE DRAFT, IF I
WAS READING IT RIGHT, SAID AN
EMPLOYER COULD MAKE A
CONTRIBUTION TO AN HSA OR
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
IN LIEU OF THAT.
BUT MY UNDERSTANDING, AGAIN, I
NEED TIME TO RESEARCH THIS FOR
THE.
AN HSA IS TIED TO A HIGH
DEDUCTIBLE PLAN.
I AM NOT CERTAIN THAT A HIGH
DETECTABLE PLAN QUALIFIES AS
WASHINGTON OLD LEVEL COVERAGE.
I AM NOT SURE IF IT MAKES SENSE
TO HAVE THAT IN THERE.
AS WE HAVE HEARD, WE WOULD LOVE
TO HAVE MORE TIME TO LOOK INTO
THIS, TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO
ARE EXPERTS IN THIS TYPE OF
THING AND PROVIDE MORE
FEEDBACK.
THANK YOU.
>> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR
WORK ON THIS.
HELLO, MIKE.
>> GOOD MORNING COME A COUNCIL
MEMBERS.
GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN.
I AM MIKE.
IN OCTOBER OF LAST, LONG BEACH,
CALIFORNIA WAS CONSIDERING
SIMILAR HOTEL ORDINANCES.
WE HAVE SEEN MANY EXAMPLES
BETWEEN OUR CITY AND THERE'S
CONSIDERING THIS LEGISLATION.
LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL
COMMISSIONED A STUDY ON THE
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF VARIOUS
HOTEL ORDINANCES.
IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE, I INVITE
EVERYONE IN THE ROOM TO TAKE A
LOOK AT IT.
LET'S GET TO PAGE 20 WHERE THE
STUDY FOUND THE FOLLOWING.
ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE ITEMS IN
THIS LEGISLATION COULD BE
EASILY ABSURD BY HOTELS, THEY
FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE HOW THE
HOTEL OPERATES AND DRAMATICALLY
IMPACTS THE PROFITABILITY OF
THE HOTELS.
THIS MAY DAMPEN THE ABILITY FOR
INVESTMENTS IN IMPROVED PARTIES
ON SALES PRICES IN THE FUTURE.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS
FLOW FROM THE POTENTIAL FOR
ORDINANCES, ORDINANCE
PROVISIONS TO MAKE FUTURE
PROGRAMS FEASIBLE.
ASSESSOR, WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
IS THAT THIS TYPE OF
LEGISLATION, THE INCENTIVE TO
KEEP BUILDING HOTELS IN OUR
CITY WOULD BE GONE OR MUCH
LOWER.
THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS IN MY
OPINION ARE SHORTSIGHTED BUT
HAVE MASSIVE LONG-TERM IMPACTS
TO THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF OUR
CITY THAT ARE NOT BEING
CONSIDERED.
THIS IS TOTALLY IMBALANCED.
AND LIMITING THIS AMENDMENT, I
AM ALMOST DONE, THANK YOU FOR
YOUR PATIENCE.
AND LAMENTING THIS AMENDMENT
PROVIDED LESS THAN 14 HOURS AGO
FOR COMMENT.
AT THIS QUICK OF A PACE IS
IRRESPONSIBLE.
IT MAY IMPACT TAX REVENUES IN
THE LONG-TERM WHICH HELP FUND
OUR CITY STREETS, PUBLIC
SERVICES AND PAYING OFF THE
DEBT OF THE WASHINGTON STATE
CONVENTION CENTER.
ONE LAST NOTE, THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE
CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN $12,500
TO STARTED THIS.
BY OUTSIDE MONEY NORTH OF
$150,000 IS BEING USED TO
IMPACT YOUR DECISIONS.
THANK YOU.
>> I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE
THOSE NUMBERS ARE COMING FROM.
I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.
>> SO WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK
ABOUT TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE FOR CENTRAL STUFF
TO WALK US THROUGH THE TWO
PARTS THAT WE WILL CONSIDER
TODAY.
ONE IS PART ONE AND THE OTHER
IS PART THREE.
BEFORE WE READ ITEMS INTO THE
RECORD, I WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD,
COUNCILMEMBER PACHECO, FOR
JOINING COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW
AND I. DAN AND KARINA WERE
GOING TO DO HOTEL WORKER
HEALTHCARE FIRST.
AND THEN WE WILL DO HOTEL
WORKER SAFETY AS I AS I
UNDERSTAND IT FROM OUR AGENDA.
COULD YOU READ INTO THE AGENDA
ITEM NUMBER THREE?
AND #4?
AND THEN WE WILL DO ITEMS THREE
WHICH IS MEDICAL CARE AND ITEM
FOR WHICH IS ARE HOTEL SAFETY
PROTECTIONS.
>> ADDENDUM ITEM NUMBER THREE.
COUNCIL BELT 119555 AND
ORDINANCE RELATING TO
EMPLOYMENT IN SEATTLE.
REQUIRING CERTAIN EMPLOYERS TO
MAKE REQUIRED HEALTHCARE
EXPENDITURES TO OR ON BEHALF OF
CERTAIN EMPLOYEES FOR THE
PURPOSE OF IMPROVING ACCESS TO
MEDICAL CARE FOR BRIEFING AND
DISCUSSION.
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS
COUNCIL BELT 119557, AND
ORDINANCE RELATING TO
EMPLOYMENT IN SEATTLE,
REQUIRING CERTAIN EMPLOYERS TO
TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS TO
PREVENT, PROTECT AND RESPOND TO
VIOLENT OR HARASSING CONDUCT BY
GUEST'S.
FOR A BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST ASK IF
WE COULD IDENTIFY WHAT
AMENDMENTS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
THIS MORNING.
I HAVE A STACK OF THINGS THAT
CAME IN AT 5:00 AND READ THEM
AT 10 PM LAST NIGHT.
PICKED SOMETHING UP AT MIDNIGHT
WAS READING IT THIS MORNING AT
6:30 AM.
I AM REALLY CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT
IS IN FRONT OF US.
[APPLAUSE]
>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE, WE
WILL PROJECT THEM ONTO THE
SCREEN.
WE HAVE TO STRECKER BILLS, ONE
IS A BASELINE STRECKER BILL TO
HOTEL HEALTHCARE AND ONE IS A
STRECKER BILL TO THE SAFETY
ORDINANCE.
SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT
FIRST WE WILL WALK THROUGH THE
DRAFT THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED AS
A STRIKER TO THE BASELINE BILL.
WE ALSO HAVE REDLINE DIVERSIONS
AND I HOPE IN THE FUTURE WE CAN
HAVE THESE ON DIFFERENT COLORED
PAPER.
JUST SOMETHING I HAVE SEEN IN
OLYMPIA WHICH HELPS PEOPLE
UNDERSTAND WHICH DOCUMENT WE
ARE LOOKING AT.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE FIRST
DISCUSSION, WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT D 2. THIS RELATES TO
HEALTH CARE EXPENDITURES AND WE
WILL WALK THROUGH THE BASE OF
THE AMENDED LEGISLATION.
AND THEN WE WILL CONSIDER
VARIOUS AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE
ALSO BEEN PROPOSED BY COUNSEL
COLLEAGUES TO THE ORDINANCE
ITSELF.
WE WILL SEE WHERE THEY FIT INTO
THE SPACE AMENDMENT.
>> FOR THE RECORD, DAN WITH
COUNSEL CENTRAL STUFF.
I AM A DEPUTY RECTOR.
>> I AM 23 ALSO WITH COUNSEL
CENTRAL STAFF.
>> CHAIR, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA , WOULD YOU WANT ME TO
GO OVER THE KEY CHANGES?
BEFORE DIVING INTO ANY
PARTICULARS?
>> THAT WOULD BE GOOD.
BEFORE WE DO, I JUST WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE, WE HAVE HAD A
NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT WE HAVE
ENGAGED OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS
AND MANY OF US WERE ON THE SAME
PAGE IN TERMS OF WHAT THE
DESIRED LANGUAGE WAS AND AS WE
RUN THESE ITEMS THROUGH OUR
LEGAL TEAM, THERE'S ALWAYS THE
RISK THEY REWORD THINGS AND
OFFER SUGGESTIONS THAT ARE
SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AND I WANT
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS
FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU SPEND TIME
WORKING ON LEGISLATION AND
DON'T SEE THAT EXACT LANGUAGE
REFLECTED.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO
THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED IN PROVIDING US AN
IMMENSE AMOUNT OF FEEDBACK OVER
THE LAST MONTH.
WE HAVE HOPEFULLY INCLUDED SOME
OF THE CORE COMPONENTS HERE AND
WILL KEEP ACCEPTING FEEDBACK
JUST AS AN OVERALL MESSAGE FOR
FOLKS TODAY.
PLEASE REMEMBER WE ARE NOT
GOING TO GET INTO AMENDMENTS ON
THE ANCILLARY BUSINESS SECTION.
THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SAVING FOR
SEPTEMBER 5. WE ARE GOING TO
CONSIDER HEALTHCARE AND SAFETY
PROTECTIONS TODAY.
BUT WE WILL NOT VOTE ANYTHING
OUT OF COMMITTEE.
THERE MIGHT BE A VOTE ON
VARIOUS MOMENTS BUT NOTHING
WILL LEAVE COMMITTEE SO WE CAN
ALL HOLD IT AGAIN FOR US TO
CONSIDER ALL FOUR ELEMENTS
TOGETHER.
WE CAN SEE THE FULL PACKAGE
BEFORE VOTING IT OUT OF
COMMITTEE.
GO AHEAD.
>> OKAY.
SO IN BRIEF, AS COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA SAID.
IT IS THE SUITE OF BILLS THAT
WOULD PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FOR
HOTEL WORKERS THAT PLACE THE
INITIATIVE 124, WHICH HAS BEEN
PUT ON HOLD BY THE COURTS AT
THIS POINT.
THIS PARTICULAR BILL WOULD
LIMIT ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE.
IT IS HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURES
RELATED.
THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE THAT
QUALIFYING HOTELS WITH A
DISCUSSION ABOUT ANCILLARY
HOTEL BUSINESSES TO FOLLOW ON
SEPTEMBER 5, MAKE A MONTHLY
HEALTHCARE REQUIRED
EXPENDITURE.
THAT THE AMOUNTS ARE SET TO
APPROXIMATELY A PERCENTAGE OF
THE COST OF THE VISUAL PLAN ON
THE HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE.
THE AMOUNTS DEPEND ON WHETHER
AN EMPLOYEE HAS EITHER A SPOUSE
OR A DOMESTIC OFFER.
IT GENERALLY DEPENDS ON WHETHER
THE EMPLOYEE HAS DEPENDENTS OR
NO DEPENDENTS.
>> MAYBE WANT TO HOLD UNTIL THE
END?
WE HAVE TESTIMONY TODAY ON TWO
SIDES.
ONE IS WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT EMPLOYEES ARE
COVERED.
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND,
DEPENDING UPON THE LANGUAGE
HERE, IT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON
THE HOTELS.
SOME OF WHICH HAVE NEGOTIATED
GOLD LEVEL PLANS.
WOULD YOU EXPLAIN WITH THE
CURRENT LANGUAGES?
HOW WE ARE GETTING COVERAGE FOR
EMPLOYEES BUT ALSO NOT WITH THE
HOTELS IN A SITUATION WHERE
THEY ARE PAYING MORE FOR LESS?
>> YES.
THE TERM OF, THAT IS CREATED IN
THE LEGISLATION, IT IS REQUIRED
HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURES.
THAT IS, AS I WAS JUST
DESCRIBING, A DOLLAR AMOUNT
THAT VARIES BY THE TYPOLOGY OF
THE EMPLOYEES FAMILY SITUATION.
THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THE BASE
LEGISLATION THAT WAS INTRODUCED
AND REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE
WAS INTENDED TO BE A VALUE THAT
IS 100% OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS
FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BUYING
GOLD LEVEL PLANS ON THE HEALTH
EXCHANGE IN KING COUNTY.
>> DOES THAT MEAN 100% WITH NO
DEDUCTIBLE?
>> IT IS 100% OF WHAT A GOLD
LEVEL PLAN COSTS.
AND THAT IS TYPICALLY ONE THAT
WOULD HAVE AN EXTENDED 80%
COVERAGE FOR THE EMPLOYEE AND
THE EMPLOYEE WOULD BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMAINING
RUGHLY 20%.
AND SOME COMBINATION OF
DEDUCTIBLE, CO-PAY, PREMIUM
RESPONSIBILITY THAT COMES OUT
OF THE POCKET OF THE EMPLOYEE.
THE OTHER 80% IS OF THE
ANTICIPATED TOTAL COST THAT ARE
COVERED BY THE EMPLOYER.
>> WE GIVE A QUICK EXAMPLE
HERE.
WE KNOW BOTH FROM EXPERIENCE
AND FROM THE FOLKS WHO HAVE
COME TO TESTIFY THAT THE
INDIVIDUAL MARKET ON THE
WESTERN HEALTH BENEFITS
EXCHANGE IS NOT APPLES TO
APPLES TO WHAT COVERAGE WOULD
COST FOR LARGE EMPLOYERS.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
WITH THIS DRAFT, IT ATTEMPTS TO
TAKE A HAIRCUT.
A HAIRCUT FROM THE WASHINGTON
HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE,
LOOKING AT THE GOLD PLAN AS A
BENCHMARK FOR WHAT HIGH QUALITY
CARE IS.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND
APPRECIATE THE BUSINESSES WHO
HAVE OFFERED A GOLD LEVEL PLAN
AFTER AND PRIOR TO PASSAGE OF
INITIATIVE 124.
IF GOLD LEVEL PLAN IS OUR
STANDARD AND WE KNOW THAT THIS
IS TIED TO AN ACTUAL REAL VALUE
80-20% SPLIT.
FRANK WOULD, ACCORDING TO THE
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, IT IS WELL
DEFINED AND COULD BASICALLY BE
A SIX POINT SPREAD.
IT COULD BE AS LOW AS 76% OF
REAL VALUE.
IF YOU USE THE ACTUAL VALUE
THAT IS ALLOCATED TO THE GOLD
LEVEL PLAN IN THE INDIVIDUAL
MARKET, YOU RECOGNIZE THAT
BEING A GOOD PLAN, WE ALSO
RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS MORE
AFFORDABLE FOR LARGE EMPLOYERS
TO OFFER THAT EQUIVALENT
QUALITY PLAN TO THEIR EMPLOYEES
AT A DISCOUNTED RATE.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS DISCOUNTED
THE AMOUNT THAT IS BEING
REQUIRED IN THIS PIECE OF
LEGISLATION TO MORE ACCURATELY
REFLECT THE NUMBERS THAT WE SEE
FOR WHAT EMPLOYERS WILL PAY.
I WANT TO AGAIN EXPRESS MY
INTEREST IF INDIVIDUALS IN THE
INSURANCE WORLD OR THE INDUSTRY
LIKE TO SHARE WITH US
INFORMATION THAT DOESN'T HAVE
TO BE ASSIGNED TO ANY PLAN OR
ANY EMPLOYER THAT COULD GIVE US
A BASELINE UNDERSTANDING OF
WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
IF IT IS 24% LESS THAN WHAT WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE, WE
WOULD LOVE TO TAKE THAT
AGGREGATE.
BUT FROM THE NUMBERS WE HAVE
SEEN SO FAR WITH THE ANALYSIS
THAT WE HAVE CONTRACTED OUT
FOR, ABOUT 20% LESS THAN
INDIVIDUAL MARKETS IN THE
EXCHANGE FOR A GOLD LEVEL PLAN
IS ABOUT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT
WE HAVE SEEN.
WE WANT TO BE ACCURATE IN HOW
WE DISCOUNTED THAT.
THAT IS WHY YOU SEE ABOUT A 20%
HAIRCUT.
20% REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNTS WE
ORIGINALLY WERE TALKING ABOUT.
WITH THE EMPHASIS OF WANT TO
STRIVE TOWARDS THIS GOLD LEVEL
PLAN WHICH YOU SEE DEFINED IN
THE LEGISLATION AS GOLD LEVEL
EQUIVALENT.
AND THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT MANY
OF THE INDUSTRY HAS ALREADY
OFFERED GOLD LEVEL AND WE WANT
TO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE THAT.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T, WE NEED
SOME SORT OF ALTERNATIVE FOR
COMPENSATION.
>> SO MAYBE I AM INTERRUPTING
TOO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION
BUT ONE OF THE SPEAKERS, LEAH
BARNES SAID THAT THE PREMIUMS
ARE 24% INCREASE.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?
>> I BELIEVE, IF I CAN, PLEASE
CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
EVEN WITH THE REDUCTION IN THE
AMOUNT THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED
HERE, THE EXPERIENCE THAT SHE
HAS FOR THE PLANS SHE WORKS
WITH IS ABOUT 24% LESS THAN THE
DOLLAR AMOUNTS LISTED HERE.
SO THE CONVERSATION I THINK
WOULD BE, ARE WE ABLE TO GET A
BASELINE UNDERSTANDING ABOUT
THE DOLLAR RANGE FOR OTHER
HOTELIERS IN THIS SECTOR WHO
ARE THE LARGEST GROUP EMPLOYERS
AND COULD WE GRAB AN AVERAGE OF
THE AREA?
WE LOOKED AT WAS THE LARGEST
FOR PLANS IN KING COUNTY.
TO TRY TO GET A BASELINE
UNDERSTANDING AND TO BE
ACCURATE.
WE WOULD LIKE IT TO BE TIED TO
THE QUALITY THAT IS OFFERED IN
úTHE PLAN.
YOU SEE THAT REFLECTED IN THE
LEGISLATION.
HAVING THOSE TYPES OF NUMBERS
IS VERY HELPFUL IN TRYING TO
GET AN AVERAGE IN SOME OF OUR
LARGEST EMPLOYERS.
IT WOULD BE 24% LESS.
AND A FURTHER HAIRCUT IF THAT
IS SOMETHING WE CAN CALCULATE.
I APPRECIATE YOUR TESTIMONY.
>> THIS REQUIRED IT TO BE 25%
HIGHER.
SO THE AMOUNT THAT SHE IS
PAYING IS 24% LOWER.
>> WE ARE GOOD.
>> I AM APOLOGIZING HERE.
I AM REALLY CONFUSED.
AND I FELT LIKE I AM COMING
INTO THIS.
YOU KNOW THAT I AM SUPPORTIVE
OF MAKING SURE THAT EMPLOYEES
GET A HIGH QUALITY HEALTH LAND.
SO I AM, MAYBE THIS IS JUST
FIRST IMPRESSION.
IT CAN BE EXPLAINED.
BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE
ARE GETTING THIS QUALITY
HEALTHCARE THAT WE NEED FOR THE
WORKERS AT A PRICE AND IS THERE
A REASONABLE APPROACH THAT
HOTEL YEARS ARE GOING TO BE
ABLE TO UNDERSTAND?
YOU COULD CLARIFY THIS FOR US.
>> WELL, I HOPE, I WILL
CONTINUE WITH MY PRESENTATION.
I HOPE IT BEGINS TO ADDRESS
SOME OF THE CONFUSION THAT YOU
WERE DESCRIBING.
BUT I CAN CERTAINLY DIVE INTO
MORE DETAIL IF I DON'T CHECK A
BOX.
SO THE LEGISLATION AS THE CHAIR
WAS DESCRIBING, IT IS
ESTABLISHED IN DOLLAR AMOUNTS
FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF FAMILY
SITUATIONS.
THE SUBSTITUTE BILL THAT IS
BEFORE YOU WOULD CHANGE THOSE
DOLLAR AMOUNTS BY REDUCING EACH
CATEGORY OF EXPENDITURE BY 20%.
REFLECTING AND UNDERSTANDING
THAT EMPLOYERS PARTICULARLY
LARGE EMPLOYERS WITH MANY
EMPLOYEES MAY HAVE ACCESS TO,
AS YOU HAVE HEARD TESTIMONY IN
THIS MEETING AND IN OTHERS, TO
MORE FAVORABLE RATES THAN ARE
AVAILABLE ON THE INDIVIDUAL
HEALTH EXCHANGE.
SO THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS FROM THE
ORIGINAL LEGISLATION HAVE BEEN
DECREASED BY 20%.
FOR THIS TERM, THE REQUIRED
HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURES THAT
HAS TO BE SPENT FOR EACH
QUALIFYING EMPLOYEE EACH MONTH.
THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS, WHATEVER
LEVEL THEY ARE ASKED MAY BE
SPENT AT THE CHOICE OF THE
EMPLOYER.
THE EMPLOYER HAS THE FOLLOWING
OPTIONS.
THEY CAN EITHER PROVIDE
QUALIFYING HEALTHCARE ITSELF TO
THEIR EMPLOYEES IN A FORM OF
INSURANCE PREMIUMS,
REIMBURSEMENTS FOR QUALIFYING
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES OR
HEALTHCARE SAVINGS ACCOUNT
CONTRIBUTIONS.
THAT IS ONE CATEGORY OF HOW
THEY COME A HOW AN EMPLOYER CAN
CHOOSE TO MEET THE REQUIRED
HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE AMOUNT.
THEY CAN ALSO MAKE ADDITIONAL
COMPENSATION AVAILABLE TO THE
EMPLOYEE.
THEY CAN DO THAT INSTEAD OF
ENTIRELY PROVIDING THE
QUALIFYING HEALTHCARE EXPENSES.
OR THEY CAN DO SOME COMBINATION
OF THE TWO.
SO LONG AS THE, THAT IT ADDS UP
TO THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE
HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE PER
MONTH.
EMPLOYEES ARE STILL ABLE UNDER
THE SUBSTITUTE BILL, AS THEY
WERE WITH THE ORIGINAL
INTRODUCED BILL, TO OPT OUT
ALTOGETHER FROM THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS BILL.
IF THEY HAVE A GOLD LEVEL
EQUIVALENT COVERAGE AND THEY
WANT TO AVOID POTENTIAL
COMPLICATIONS.
POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF
COORDINATION OF BENEFITS.
THAT IS THE BIG PICTURE.
OF WHAT THE BILL DOES AND THE
MAIN THING I WANTED TO
EMPHASIZE THAT THE BILL DOES,
IT CHANGES THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS
FOR THESE FOUR DIFFERENT
TYPOLOGIES OF FAMILY
SITUATIONS.
FOR HOW MUCH THE EMPLOYER IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDER THAT
REQUIRED HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURES
IN TERMS OF MONTHLY AMOUNTS.
IF THE CHAIR WISHES, I CAN GO
THROUGH PAGE BY PAGE AND
DESCRIBE ALL OF THE DETAILED
AMENDMENTS IN THE REDLINE
VERSION.
IT IS UP TO YOU.
>>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> I HOPE YOU CAN RESTATE
AGAIN THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER
WHICH AN EMPLOYER CAN OPT OUT?
>> I'M SORRY.
IF I SAID THAT I MISSPOKE.
AN EMPLOYEE CAN OPT OUT.
>> SO THE EMPLOYEECAN OPT OUTS
IN THOSE INSTANCES WHERE THE
EMPLOYEE ALREADY HAS A GOLD
LEVEL EQUIVALENT PLAN FROM
SOMEWHERE ELSE.
EITHER THEY HAVE PURCHASED IT
ON THEIR OWN OR THEY HAVE A
SECOND EMPLOYER OR THEY ARE
MARRIED TO SOMEONE OR HAVE A
DOMESTIC PARTNER WHO HAS
PROVIDED THEM WITH HEALTHCARE
INSURANCE.
SO LONG AS THEY SIGN A WAIVER
THAT SAYS THEY HAVE GOLD LEVEL
EQUIVALENT COVERAGE THEY CAN
OPT OUT OF RECEIVING ANY
FURTHER INSURANCE OR PAYMENTS
FROM THEIR EMPLOYER.
AN EMPLOYEE WOULD ONLY
RATIONALLY DO THAT IF THEY
WERE, IF THEY DIDN'T WANT TO
DEAL WITH THE HASSLE OF
SWITCHING DOCTORS AND MAYBE
EVEN HOSPITALS ALTOGETHER
BECAUSE THEY LIKE THE
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS THEY GETS
UNDER THEIR OWN INSURANCE THAT
THEY ALREADY HAVE.
>> IT ALLOWS THE EMPLOYEE TO
OPT OUT IN THOSE INSTANCES
THAT'S THE EMPLOYER'S OFFER
MEETS THE HEALTHCARE
EXPENDITURE RATE FOR THE
EMPLOYEE.
IF THE EMPLOYER IS OFFERING A
GOLD PLAN, THE EMPLOYEE CAN OPT
OUT.
>> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> OF THE THINGS WE HEARD.
>> IT IS CORRECT THAT IS AN
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT.
THE EMPLOYEE THEMSELVES ALREADY
HAVE TO HAVE IN PLACE OLD LEVEL
EQUIVALENT PLANS.
A SEPARATE ONE FROM THE ONE
OFFERED FROM THE EMPLOYER.
>> A SEPARATE ONE?
>> GOLD LEVEL EQUIVALENT
HEALTHCARE PLAN.
THE EMPLOYEE.
>> IT COULD BE COMING FROM THE
EMPLOYER.
A PLAN COMING FROM THE
EMPLOYER.
>> SEPARATE FROM THE EMPLOYER,
EITHER A SECONDARY EMPLOYER OR
FAMILY MEMBER WHO HAS COVERED
THEM, OR THEY HAVE PURCHASED
THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE.
THAT IS A PRECURSOR TO BEING
ABLE TO WAIVE COVERAGE.
>> I'M JUST TRYING TO SEE IF
THERE'S A CIRCUMSTANCE UNDER
WHICH THE EMPLOYER OFFERING A
GOLD PLAN COULD HAVE THEIR
OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS
ORDINANCE FULLY ADDRESSED.
>> IF AN EMPLOYER OFFERS A GOLD
LEVEL PLAN.
>> WITHOUT HAVING TO PLAY ANY
EXTRA MONEY.
>> IF IT COSTS THE AMOUNT OF
MONEY, THEY HAVE TO PAY THE
EXTRA.
>> I THINK THAT IS THE ISSUE.
>> THAT IS IT.
>> I AM JUST WONDERING.
>> I HAVE A SUGGESTION.
I HAVE A SUGGESTION AND I AM
GOING TO GO OUT ON A LIMB HERE
BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE
TO CHAT WITH THE CENTRAL STAFF
ABOUT THIS.
IT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL.
WE KNOW IT IS HEALTHCARE THAT
WE ARE STRIVING TO OFFER HERE.
NOT ASKED DOLLAR AMOUNTS.
WE HAVE THE TIME, THAT IS THE
20% HAIRCUT WE TALKED ABOUT
TODAY.
OR POTENTIALLY ANY 4% ON TOP OF
THAT.
THE 20% HAIRCUT THAT WE HAVE
OFFERED.
IT IS NOT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT WE
ARE STRIVING FOR.
IT IS THE QUALITY OF THE
HEALTHCARE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> I THINK TO LEGISLATE A
DOLLAR AMOUNT DOES NOT
ANTICIPATE A CHANGE IN THE
MARKET IN THE FUTURE.
>> BUT WE HAVE, THANK YOU FOR
THAT.
WE ALSO HAVE INCLUDED IN OTHER
PLACES IN THE LEGISLATION A
MEDICAL INFLATION RATES THAT IS
TIED TO A PUBLISHED AMOUNT THAT
COMES FROM CMS THAT LOOKS AT
THE PRIVATE MARKET AND THE
LARGE GROUP MARKET.
IN TERMS OF INFLATION, WE HAVE
THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT THAT
GOING FORWARD.
HOWEVER, I DO HAVE A SUGGESTION
BECAUSE I GOAL IS THE SAME AS
YOURS.
THAT IS THE SAME AS FOLKS FROM
THE INDUSTRY AND WHAT WE'VE
HEARD ABOUT, WE WANT TO GIVE
THE QUALITY OF THE PLAN.
BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO CHAIR THIS
COMMITTEE, I AM GOING TO GO
AHEAD AND TELL YOU WHAT I WOULD
LOVE TO SEE AS A VERBAL
AMENDMENT TO THIS.
I THINK WE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF
FEEDBACK INCLUDED.
WE HAVE ALSO GOTTEN GREAT
ADVICE FROM OUR TEAM BUT IN
ORDER FOR US TO BE VERY CLEAR
ABOUT THAT DESIRE, THERE IS
LANGUAGE I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND.
DAN, PLEASE DON'T COME IN
SLOPPY ON THE HAND.
AT THE TOP OF PAGE 10, I DON'T
KNOW IF WE CAN DO THIS IN REAL
TIME, SO PEOPLE CAN SEE IT.
AT THE TOP OF PAGE 10, LINE 1
AND TWO, BASICALLY, WHAT WE ARE
SAYING HERE IS THAT IF AN
EMPLOYER PROVIDES EMPLOYER-
SPONSORED COVERAGE WITH AN
úACTUARIAL VALUE EQUAL TO OR
BETTER THAN THE GOLD LEVEL PLAN
ISSUED IN THE EXCHANGE, THAT
EMPLOYER HAS SATISFIED THE
MONTHLY HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE
AS CALCULATED.
AND THEN, YOU WOULD PUT A
PERIOD AFTER C AND THEN YOU
WOULD CROSS OUT AND IF AN
EMPLOYER AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLS.
THIS ALLOWS FOR AUTOMATIC
ENROLLMENT AND CLARIFIES WITH
THE LANGUAGE LOOKS LIKE.
IT IS MY DESIRED LEG WHICH AT
THIS POINT.
I THINK IT IS MORE IN LINE WITH
THE ATTEMPT TO GET THE HIGH
QUALITY CARE THAT COUNCILMEMBER
PACHECO, I KNOW YOU'RE
INTERESTED IN IT.
WE INCLUDED ANOTHER AMENDMENT
THERE.
IT IS THE INTENT TO GET AT HOW
AN INDIVIDUAL COULD RECEIVE
HIGH-QUALITY CARE AND HOW AN
EMPLOYER COULD SATISFY THE
REQUIREMENTS UNDER THIS LAW.
>> I LOVE WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
WILL ALL OF THE REST OF THIS BE
ELIMINATED?
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE GOT
ADEQUATE TIME TO SEE WHAT IS
HERE.
RATHER THAN JUMPING TO A
CONCLUSION AT THE END OF TODAY.
I LIKE THE DIRECTION YOU ARE
GOING.
>> I LOVE THAT.
I LOVE THE ENTHUSIASM HERE.
SO THAT LANGUAGE WOULD SAY, I
DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO AMEND
IT IN THE MOMENT BUT IT WOULD
SAY AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO OR
BETTER THAN A GOLD LEVEL PLAN
OFFERED IN THE HEALTH BENEFITS
EXCHANGE.
AND AT THE, THERE, IT WOULD SAY
THAT EMPLOYER HAS SATISFIED,
YOU CAN CROSS OUT WHETHER
PARTIAL SATISFACTION.
AND CROSS OUT OF.
THAT EMPLOYER HAS SATISFIED THE
MONTHLY HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE
AS CALCULATED.
A PERIOD BEHIND C. IF AN
EMPLOYER AND THEN YOU CAN
CONTINUE WITH AUTOMATICALLY
ENROLLS.
THE REST OF THE CONTENTS IS
REALLY IMPORTANT.
BECAUSE IT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IN
MANY WAYS, FOR SOME OF OUR
EMPLOYERS, IT IS WHAT WE ARE
GOING TO BE ABLE TO FACILITATE
ENROLLMENT.
AUTOMATIC AND ROMAN.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A
WAIVER REQUIREMENT SO THAT ANY
EMPLOYEE AND THEIR DEPENDENTS,
THE SPOUSES AND THE MYSTIC
PARTNERS WHO MIGHT HAVE OTHER
COVERAGE EQUALLY AS GOOD, WE
WANT TO GIVE THEM THE
OPPORTUNITY TO ACT OUT AND
THERE IS CLEAR LANGUAGE IN HERE
THAT WE HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM
VARIOUS ENTITIES TO RECOGNIZE
THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR
SOME EMPLOYEES TO HAVE
HEALTHCARE COVERAGE.
IF THEY HAVE GREAT COVERAGE
WITH THEIR SPOUSE.
IF THEIR KIDS HAVE COVERAGE
THROUGH SOMETHING US.
IF THEY ARE ON VA ASSISTANCE,
MAYBE THEY DON'T NEED THIS
HEALTH COVERAGE, RIGHT?
THAT IS MY GOAL.
DAN, I AM SURE YOU ARE NERVOUS
ABOUT THAT BUT I WOULD LIKE TO
AMEND ON THE SPOT.
>> NOT AT ALL.
WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST AND OFFER
UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS
THAT KARINA AND I HAVE HEARD
AND UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR INTENT
IS.
RATHER THAN DRAFTING ON THE
FLY, IF YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO
HAVE GIVEN STAFF DIRECTION FOR
WHAT TO BRING BACK AT THE
FOLLOWING MEETING, WE CAN RING
YOU SEVERAL OPTIONS OFF-LINE
AND DECIDE EXACTLY WHAT YOU
WANT TO BRING FORWARD AT THE
NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING.
I WEIGHED, MY SUGGESTION WAS
THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN THE
DIRECTION BUT NOT INCLUDED IN
THIS AMENDMENT INSOFAR AS THE
LEGISLATION WILL REMAIN IN
COMMITTEE AND NOT BE VOTED OUT.
>> I WILL NOT AGREE TO THAT
YET.
I WILL TAKE YOUR CONSIDERATION
BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD TO THE
NEXT BILL TODAY.
BUT I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF
CONCERN THAT WE HAVE HEARD BOTH
FROM WORKERS AND FROM THE
INDUSTRY THAT THIS IS NOT
HITTING THAT SHARED GOAL WE
TALKED ABOUT.
I WOULD FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE
IF WE DID HAVE LANGUAGE THAT
ENVISIONED WHERE WE ALL WENT
AHEAD BEFORE LEAVING TODAY SO
PEOPLE DON'T FEEL ANXIOUS OVER
THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
WE ALSO KNOW WE WILL GET
FEEDBACK FROM OUR EAGLE TEAM
AND OTHERS BUT I WILL HOLD ON
ANSWERING THAT QUESTION RIGHT
NOW.
I APPRECIATE YOUR ADVICE ON
THAT.
WE MIGHT WANT TO AMEND LIKE WE
HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE DO.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
COUNCILMEMBER PACHECO ? YOU HAD
YOUR HAND UP MOMENTS AGO?
>> I AM GOOD.
>>> DID YOU WANT TO CONTINUE?
>> I THINK IT IS PROBABLY BEST
FOR DAN TO CONTINUE WITH
PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED
LEGISLATION.
>> THANK YOU.
I LIKE TO DO WHAT I WANT TO DO.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> SO DID YOU WANT ME TO GO TO
THE TOP AND GO PAGE BY PAGE?
I THINK THAT DESCRIBES THE
SUBSTANTIVE ELEMENTS OF THE
BILL AND THE KEY CHANGES THAT
ARE INCLUDED IN THE SUBSTITUTE
BILL.
IF YOU OR YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD
LIKE ME TO WALK THROUGH PAGE BY
PAGE, I CAN DO THAT AS WELL.
I HAVE FEAR THAT IT MIGHT TAKE
A BIT OF TIME BECAUSE IT IS A
LONG BILL.
>> IF WE ARE GOING TO BE ASKED
TO VOTE ON SOMETHING TODAY, WE
OUGHT TO HAVE SOME CLARITY
ABOUT WITH THE DOLLAR NUMBERS
ARE AND ALSO JUST TO MAKE SURE,
I UNDERSTAND, IF THE EMPLOYER
HAS SATISFIED THE HEALTHCARE
EXPENDITURE.
IS THERE STILL A REQUIREMENT
FOR A CONTRIBUTION TO THE
EMPLOYEE?
>> THAT WOULD NOT BE THE INTENT
HERE.
I THINK THE WAY WE HAVE BOTH
DRAFTED THAT AND ALSO SUGGESTED
TO AMEND IT, IT WOULD MEAN THEY
HAD A SATISFIED THAT.
>> DO WANT TO DO A WALK-
THROUGH?
>> EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE
DESCRIBING WHAT HE HAS
DISCUSSED AS SORT OF THE
SUBSTANCE OF THE CHANGES, IT
SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A LOT OF
CHANGE.
A WALK-THROUGH WOULD BE
HELPFUL.
>> ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH
SCROLLING THROUGH AND TALKING
ABOUT IT?
>> WE CONSUME OUTS YOU CAN SEE
MORE TEXTS AT THE SAME TIME IF
YOU'D LIKE.
>> THIS IS NOW THE EIGHTH
HOUSING HEALTH ENERGY AND
WORKERS RIGHTS COMMITTEE THAT
IS FOCUSED ON THIS.
I APPRECIATE YOUR FLEXIBILITY
AND WILLINGNESS TO THINK
THROUGH THESE ITEMS.
WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED OVER THE
LAST FEW MONTHS.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PACHECO?
>> I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A LOT
OF WORK BOTH FOR CENTRAL STAFF
AND FOR COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA'S OFFICE.
I APPRECIATE YOU GETTING READY
TO GO THROUGH THE WALK-THROUGH.
>> OKAY.
ON PAGE 1, THERE IS A NEW
RECITAL.
I WON'T READ IT OUT LOUD BUT I
WILL JUST DRAW YOUR ATTENTION
TO IT.
IT HELPS ESTABLISH THE INTENT
OF THE BILL.
AND THE COUNCIL BILL IF THEY
SUPPORT IT.
AS THE CHAIR MENTIONED ON PAGE
2, ANCILLARY HOTEL BUSINESS,
THE DEFINITION THAT IS
STRICKEN, IT IS REPLACED WITH A
NOTE THAT THIS SUBJECT WILL BE
TAKING UP WITH A 95 MIDI
MEETING.
ON PAGE 3, THERE IS A
DEFINITION FOR A COVERED
EMPLOYEE.
THE DEFINITION OF DEPENDENCE.
IF I COULD JUST DRAW YOUR
ATTENTION TO DEPENDENTS AS THE
FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
>> BUT BOTH OF THOSE CAME FROM
FEEDBACK.
WE ARE HAPPY TO INCLUDE THAT.
>> SO COLD LEVEL EQUIVALENT A
NEW DEFINITION THAT MEANS WHAT
IT MEANS EFFECTIVELY IN THE
WASHINGTON HEALTH AND IF IT
EXCHANGE AND THE ACA.
>> THAT MEANS AT THE PASSAGE OF
THIS ORDINANCE, JUST IN CASE
THERE ARE FUTURE CHANGES TO THE
FEDERAL ACA.
>> ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS
SHOW UP ON MY 20.
THAT IS KNOWN THAT THOSE
BENEFITS ARE INCORPORATED IN
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.
>> A SUGGESTION FROM SOME OF
THE STAKHOLDERS THAT WE
CLARIFIED AS WELL.
>> SO THERE HAD BEEN A DEFINED
TERM RATE OF INFLATION AND THAT
HAS BEEN REPLACED AND MODIFIED
BY A NEW TERM MEDICAL INFLATION
THAT CLARIFIES HOW THE MEDICAL
INFLATION INDEX WILL BE
DETERMINED ANNUALLY.
LATER IN THE BILL, WHEN WE GET
TO IT, WHEN THAT CHANGE IN THE
DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT FLOWS FROM
THE MEDICAL INFLATION RATE, HOW
AND WHEN THOSE GET POSTED AND
COMMUNICATED TO EMPLOYERS, THEY
KNOW WHAT THE RESPONSIBILITIES
ARE BEFORE THOSE COME INTO
EFFECT.
>> ARE THESE RATES REGULATED IN
SUCH A WAY THAT THE ONLY THING
THAT WOULD AFFECT THEM IS
INFLATION?
OR LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER,
COULD THERE BE AN UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCE OF THE CITY SETTING
MINIMUM INSURANCE PAYMENT
REQUIREMENTS THAT IT IN OF
ITSELF COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON
THE INSURANCE MARKET?
IS IT PROHIBITED?
IS THE ONLY THING THAT CAN
AFFECT THE RATE OF INSURANCE
INFLATION?
>> I BELIEVE THE EXPECTATION IS
THAT THE GROWTH AND SPENDING IN
THE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
WORK IT GENERALLY IS WHAT WE
WOULD BE TYING HERE.
THE EXPENDITURES IN THE HOTEL
INDUSTRY ARE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH
TO MATERIALLY INFLUENCE THAT
BIT OF INFLATION.
OF COURSE, IF OVER TIME THE
CITY FINDS THAT THE INFLATION
RATE IS EITHER TOO HIGH OR TOO
LOW OR IS NOT MATCHING YOUR
EXPECTATION FOR WHAT IT OUGHT
TO BE, FOR FUTURE ADULATION, IT
COULD TIE IT TO DIFFERENT RATES
OF INFLATION.
THIS IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THERE
HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY AND
EXPECTED TO BE IN THE FUTURE
INCREASES IN THE COST OF
PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE.
>> I GET THAT FOR INDIVIDUAL
COVERAGE BUT WHAT I UNDERSTAND
WHEN A LARGE EMPLOYER IS
NEGOTIATING WITH A PROVIDER TO
COVER A LOT OF EMPLOYEES, THAT
IT DOESN'T FOLLOW THE SAME,
THERE IS A NEGOTIATION.
IS WHAT I AM TRYING TO GET A
HANDLE ON.
MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGURE
IT OUT NOW.
BECAUSE THERE IS A QUESTION OF
WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL GO WITH
A DOLLAR AMOUNT.
>> I BELIEVE THAT THE ISSUE YOU
ARE DESCRIBING IS THE
INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE.
THE INDIVIDUAL PLANS EXPERIENCE
BECAUSE OF WHO THEY HAVE IN
TERMS OF COVERED LIVES.
HOW DOES THAT CHANGE THE
INFLATION FOR THE PLAN VERSUS
HOW HAVE WE CHANGED IN TERMS OF
COST FOR THE MARKET OVERALL.
THE GOAL HERE IS TO LOOK AT THE
MARKET COST WHICH CMS PUBLISHES
ANNUALLY THAT WILL GIVE US A
BASELINE PERCENTAGE FOR MEDICAL
INFLATION ONLY.
IT WILL THEN BE TIED TO THE
DOLLAR AMOUNTS YOU SEE AND
THEREFORE EMPLOYERS WHO DO NOT
OFFER HEALTH COVERAGE OR SOME
COMBINATION OF HEALTH COVERAGE.
WHAT YOU SEE IN THE CMS LEVEL
IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE
INDUSTRY.
IT HELPS US AVOID HAVING
INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES OR
EMPLOYER PLANNED EXPERIENCE
FLUCTUATIONS.
AGAIN, ONE OF THE OTHER AREAS
WE WERE LOOKING AT WAS, DOES
THE CITY POTENTIALLY CONTRACT
WITH KNOWN AND EXPERIENCED
ACTUARIES OR CONSULTANTS THAT
COULD CRUNCH THOSE NUMBERS FOR
US.
HAVING THE NUMBER AT THE CMS
LEVEL WAS ADVISED BECAUSE IT IS
A FEDERAL NUMBER THAT IS
PUBLISHED ANNUALLY THE PEOPLE
CAN POINT TO BUT I APPRECIATE
YOUR QUESTION BECAUSE IT IS
DEFINITELY TRYING TO GET US
AWAY FROM THE INDIVIDUAL PLAN
EXPERIENCE AND MORE TO THE
INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THERE IS A DEFINITION FOR A
QUALIFYING LIFE EVENT.
THIS ESSENTIALLY OPENS UP WHAT
WOULD OTHERWISE BE CHANGING AND
IF IT'S PERIOD IF SOMETHING
UNUSUAL HAPPENS LIKE THE BIRTH
OF A CHILD.
OR YOU GET MARRIED.
>> IF AN EMPLOYEE HAS DECIDED
THEY DON'T WANT HEALTH COVERAGE
AND THEY DIDN'T SIGN THE
WAIVER, IF THERE'S A CHANGE IN
CIRCUMSTANCES, IF THERE IS A
LIFE-CHANGING SITUATION WHERE
THEY HAVE A BIRTH OF A BABY OR
THE DEATH OF A SPOUSE, THE
QUALIFYING EVENT ALLOWS THEM TO
GET HEALTH COVERAGE.
IN MANY WAYS, IT MITIGATES
PEOPLE FROM BUYING HEALTHCARE
NOW AND THEN THEY GET DIAGNOSED
WITH CANCER.
WE HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR THAT
IN THE HEALTH INDUSTRY WORLD SO
PEOPLE DON'T JUST COME WHEN
THEY ARE SICK THAT WE DO NEED
QUALIFYING EVENTS AND WE
APPRECIATE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN
ASKING FOR THIS LANGUAGE TO BE
INCLUDED.
>> IN SECTION 14 2803 IN THE
BOTTOM HALF OF PAGE 5, I WOULD
DESCRIBE THESE AS ESSENTIALLY
TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT
MAINTAINED THE ORIGINAL INTENT
OF THE LANGUAGE.
I THINK THAT IS TRUE OF THE
BALANCE OF THIS SECTION.
THERE ARE NO CHANGES UNTIL WE
GET TO 1428 060 ON PAGE 8. THIS
IS WHERE THE REQUIRED
HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE TERM I
DESCRIBED MY INTRODUCTORY
REMARKS WAS AND CONTINUES TO BE
THE ORDER OF THE LANGUAGES.
IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF CHANGES
BUT I THINK I WOULD DESCRIBE
MUCH OF THE CAUSE OF THE RED
INK ON THE PAGE TO BE
REORDERING OF THE SIMILAR
LANGUAGE, AS I DESCRIBED IN MY
OPENING REMARK, THERE ARE A
VARIETY OF WAYS THE EMPLOYER
CAN MEET THERE.
THE REQUIRED HEALTHCARE
EXPENDITURE.
IT DESCRIBES THE WAYS THAT CAN
HAPPEN.
THEY ARE SUBSTANTIVELY
UNCHANGED.
I AM ON PAGE 9. I AM HAPPY TO
GO BACK TO PAGE 6 IF YOU HAVE A
QUESTION.
>> SO YOU WENT THROUGH 030.
THERE IS NO FOR THE CHANGES
UNTIL 060.
>> THE WAIVER THAT IF AN
EMPLOYEE RECEIVES HEALTHCARE
FROM SOMEPLACE ELSE FROM A
SPOUSE, THE EMPLOYEE CAN SAY
THAT HE OR SHE WANTS NOT TO BE
COVERED BY THE EMPLOYER?
>> THAT WAS IN THE ORIGINAL AS
INTRODUCED BILL AS WELL.
SO THE SUBSTANCE OF THAT IS THE
SAME IN THE SUBSTITUTE.
THE WAIVER IS STILL AVAILABLE
TO AN EMPLOYEE.
>> YES.
>> SO IT IS INTENDED BE
CLARIFYING LANGUAGE THAT HELPS
CREATE THE SAME INTENT IS THE
ORIGINAL BILL.
>> ONE GOOD EXAMPLE IS THERE IS
LANGUAGE HERE ON PAGE 6 FOR
EXAMPLE.
WE WANTED TO KNOWLEDGE THAT
THERE MIGHT BE A SPOUSE WHO
DOESN'T HAVE EMPLOYER HEALTH
COVERAGE BUT THEY HAVE GREAT
COVERAGE TO THE VA FOR EXAMPLE.
IF THAT EMPLOYEE SAYS, HEY, I
DON'T WANT THIS HEALTH COVERAGE
TO BE SOMETHING I PAY FOR AND I
DON'T NEED IT FOR MY SPOUSE
BECAUSE THEY HAVE VA COVERAGE
THAT WE HAVE CLARIFIED, IT
DOESN'T JUST HAVE TO BE
EMPLOYER SPONSORED HEALTH
COVERAGE.
>> 1428 060 BEGINS ON PAGE 8
AND CONTINUES ON PAGE NINE.
THERE IS A SIMILAR INSCRIPTION
USING DIFFERENT HOPEFULLY
CLARIFYING WORDS WITH THE SAME
INTENT ON HOW AN EMPLOYER CAN
MEETS THE REQUIRED HEALTHCARE
EXPENDITURE ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS THEY CAN
DO SO.
>> IF WE GO BACK TO THE
LANGUAGE WE PROPOSED EARLIER,
IF WE GO TO THE GOLD LEVEL
PLAN, HOW DOES ALL OF THIS WORK
COMPARED TO THE PROPOSED
LANGUAGE?
>> I THINK IT IS A GOOD
QUESTION THAT, WHATEVER THE
COMMITTEE DECIDES TO DO,
WHETHER YOU VOTE ON THE AMENDED
LANGUAGE NOW OR TAKE IT UP ON
THE FIFTH, I WILL BE TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO ANSWER THAT
QUESTION.
>> MY INITIAL TAKE IS THAT IF
YOU LOOK AT IT, IT IS SAYING
THAT ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH
WE CAN LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT
AN EMPLOYER HAS SATISFIED THIS
SECTION, THE REQUIREMENTS OF
THE BILL IS WHETHER OR NOT THEY
ARE OFFERING CONFERENCE OF
COVER COVERS TO THE EMPLOYEE OR
DEPENDENTS.
IT DOES GO ON TO DESCRIBE OTHER
INSURANCE PROGRAMS.
I THINK THE LANGUAGE YOU SEE IN
THE SUBSEQUENT SECTION BE
EXPLAINS WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
WHAT TYPE OF COVERAGE THAT CAN
LOOK LIKE.
>> SO SHOULD WE PUT THAT?
I AM ASKING THIS QUESTION FOR
CLARIFICATION.
SHOULD WE STATE THAT UP FRONT
SO IF THE EMPLOYER HAS
SATISFIED THE MONTHLY AMOUNT
FOR HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURES,
THAT THEY OFFER A GOLD LEVEL
PLAN?
>> SO WE BASICALLY DO THAT
BECAUSE YOU HAVE DESCRIBED WHAT
THE AMOUNT IS.
YOU HAVE SHOWN BE AS BEING THE
EXCEPTION TO THAT.
>> WELL I WOULD LIKE TO SPEND
SOME TIME MAKING SURE THAT THIS
IS CLEAR AND READABLE.
BUT I THINK WE ARE GOING IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION.
>> OKAY.
SO ITEMS BE AND D TOGETHER.
THEY PROVIDE, I WAS DESCRIBING
IN MY OPENING REMARKS THAT SOME
EMPLOYEES MAY CHOOSE TO OPT OUT
OF HEALTHCARE COVERAGE AND
RECEIVED NO FURTHER
COMPENSATION.
THERE IS NO CHANGE TO THIS BUT
THERE IS DIFFERENT LANGUAGE
DESCRIBING IT.
THOSE EMPLOYEES MUST HAVE
ACCESS TO OTHER HEALTH COVERAGE
FOR THEMSELVES THAT MEETS
CERTAIN CRITERIA.
NAMELY, THEY HAVE TO BE A GOLD
LEVEL EQUIVALENT.
FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR
FAMILIES.
THAT IS NOT A CHANGE BUT THERE
IS DIFFERENT LANGUAGE TO
ADDRESS THE SAME POLICY INTENT.
EMPLOYERS MAY RELY ON EMPLOYEE
STATEMENTS THAT THEY ARE
COVERED BY SUCH A PLAN.
AND THIS IS AGAIN, DIFFERENT
LANGUAGE BUT IT IS THE SAME
POLICY INTENT.
>> THERE IS A NEW WAITING
PERIOD FOR NEW HIRES.
SO EMPLOYERS CAN TAKE UP TO 60
DAYS IN WHICH TO BEGIN MAKING
THE REQUIRED HEALTHCARE
EXPENDITURE.
THAT ALLOWS FOR BOTH THE
EMPLOYEE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT
THEIR OPTIONS ARE AND FOR THE
EMPLOYER TO MAKE A RATIONAL
DECISION ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT
TO OFFER THE EMPLOYEE.
THAT IS NEW TO THIS PROVISION.
>> IN ITEM C, ON THE BOTTOM OF
PAGE 10, IT IS WHERE THE NEW
DOLLAR AMOUNTS ARE ESTABLISHED
THAT ARE AGAIN, 20% HAIRCUT AT
THE CHAIR DESCRIBED IT FROM THE
DOLLAR AMOUNTS THAT WERE
INCLUDED IN THE AS INTRODUCED
LEGISLATION.
>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION HERE,
THE CHAIR IS TRYING TO HELP ME
UNDERSTAND THIS AS WE GO.
BUT DO THESE DOLLAR AMOUNTS NOT
APPLY IF THE EMPLOYER HAS
PROVIDED A GOLD LEVEL PLAN?
>> THAT IS THE INTENSE AT THE
AMENDMENT THAT THE CHAIR SPEAKS
TO.
>> COUNCILMEMBER, I WILL JUST
ANSWER IT.
IF YOU SEE LINE 3 ON PAGE 10.
IT REFERENCES C IN HERE.
IT IS CLARIFYING EXACTLY WHAT
SHE SAID.
C WILL NOT AFFECT THOSE
EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE HAD A GOLD
LEVEL PLAN.
>> THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED A GOLD
LEVEL PLAN THEN C WOULD KICK
IN.
>> I DON'T LOVE HEALTHCARE
SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.
AS A PERSON WHO TESTIFIED, THEY
ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.
THEY ARE MORE LIKE EMERGENCY
HEALTH COVERAGE.
I WOULDN'T EVEN CALL THEM
COVERAGE.
THEY ARE KIND OF A CASE OF
EMERGENCY BACKSTOP.
WE HAVE OFFERED IT AS AN
ALTERNATIVE IF ANYBODY IS
OFFERING A GOLD LEVEL
EQUIVALENT.
IF THEY ARE OFFERING SOMETHING
LIKE AN HSA.
IT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHERE
THE CRITERIA SETS IN.
IF YOU'RE NOT OFFERING THE GOLD
LEVEL PLAN BUT YOUR OFFERING AN
HSA, YOU STILL NEED TO MEET
THESE DOLLAR AMOUNTS SO WE KEEP
THE WORKER WHOLE.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE HSA TYPE
OF COVERAGE IS NOT HIGH-
QUALITY.
HIGH-VALUE.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT.
IF AN EMPLOYER, LET'S SAY IT IS
A LARGE EMPLOYER.
OR EMPLOYEES THAT CAN INVEST IN
A POOL TOGETHER.
IF THEY OFFER A GOLD LEVEL
PLAN, IRRESPECTIVE OF HOW MUCH
THEY HAVE TO PAY, HAVE THEY
SATISFIED IT?
>> WITH A NEW LANGUAGE, YES.
>> SO I TALKED ABOUT D ALREADY.
I WILL SKIP TO EAT NOW ON PAGE
12 OF THE REDLINE VERSION.
THIS IS A NEW, THE NEW LANGUAGE
THAT IS ADDED TO ITS WOULD
ESTABLISH ESSENTIALLY THE
TIMING FOR THE REQUIRED
HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE AMOUNT
TO BE PAID.
ESPECIALLY IN PARTICULAR, WITH
RESPECT TO THE EMPLOYERS WHO
CHOOSE TO USE THOSE TO MEET THE
EXPENDITURE AMOUNT, THIS
ESTABLISHES THAT THE PAYMENT
CAN'T BE SAVED UP OVER TIME AND
PAID 10 YEARS FROM WHEN IT IS
OWED.
IT HAS TO BE PAID IN THE MONTH
THAT THE EMPLOYEE IS RECEIVING
THE REST OF THE COMPENSATION.
ITEM F FROM THE BOTTOM OF PAGE
12 GOING ON TO PAGE 13 AGAIN OF
THE REDLINE VERSION, IT
DISCUSSES THE MEDICAL INFLATION
RATE AND IT USES THIS NEW
DEFINED TERM, MEDICAL INFLATION
RATE.
AND AS I DESCRIBED EARLIER, IT
PROVIDES SOME SPECIFICITY ABOUT
WHEN THE NEW RATE HAS TO BE
PUBLISHED SO EMPLOYERS HAVE
SOME HEADS UP AND ADVANCED
NOTICE BEFORE IT GOES INTO
EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
IN PARTICULAR, IT HAS REPOSTED
COME A CALCULATED AND POSTED
BEFORE THE END OF THE THIRD
QUARTER OF EACH YEAR.
>> TO CLARIFY, WE WANT TO MAKE
SURE IT IS CLEAR THAT THE
AGENCY IS NOT DOING THE
CALCULATION ITSELF.
THERE ARE FOLKS WHO ASKED THAT
QUESTION.
IT IS POSTING AND SHARING THE
INFORMATION.
SO IT IS AVAILABLE FOR THE
INDUSTRY.
AND WORKERS SO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT
THE RATE IS.
BUT IT WILL BE DONE BY CMS.
>> EXACTLY.
THAT IS, THERE ARE SOME
PROVISIONS IN THE BILL BUT I
THINK THAT,
>>> IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT PAGE
16, IT IS IMPORTANT AS WELL.
SOME FOLKS HAVE SAID IT IS
ABOUT ENFORCEMENT.
IS 70 CALLS THE OFFICE OF LABOR
AND STANDARDS ARE THEY
REQUIRED, ARE WE EXPECT THEM TO
BE EXPERTS IN THAT?
THEY CAN WORK WITH A KNOWN AND
COMPETENT WORKER OR CONSULTANT
TO ASK PEOPLE TO DO THAT WORK
BUT IT WOULDN'T BE DONE IN-
HOUSE AT THE CITY OF SEATTLE OR
OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS.
WE RECOGNIZE THERE ARE
PROFESSIONALS WHO CURRENTLY DO
THAT WORK.
>> DID YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT
THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE?
>> I CAN IF YOU LIKE.
>> I WILL SKIP DOWN.
>> I WILL JUST MENTION A FEW
COMMENTS.
THE ORIGINAL LIMITATION DATE
WAS APRIL 1, 2020.
THAT IS APPROXIMATELY SIX
MONTHS OR SO FOR THE TIME OF
PASSAGE.
BUT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT MANY
PEOPLE IN THIS MOMENT AND FALL
AND WINTER OF 2019 WILL BE
FINALIZING THE PLANS THEY WILL
OFFER TO EMPLOYEES FOR CALENDAR
YEAR 2020.
WE DON'T EXPECT ANY EMPLOYER TO
HAVE A SPECIAL ENROLLMENT
PERIOD BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE IN
THE POLICY.
WE WILL BASICALLY SAY FOR THE
NXT ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT
PERIOD, WE EXPECT THESE TO BE
KICKED AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN
OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD BETWEEN
NOW AND APRIL 1. IT NEEDS TO
KICK IN BY THE END OF THE
CALENDAR YEAR.
THAT IS FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED
FROM THE INDUSTRY AND WE HAVE
TALKED TO THE APPLICANTS ABOUT
THAT AS WELL.
WE PREFER IT TO BE AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS?
>> I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL
MEMBER PROJECTILE.
YOU HAD A AMENDMENTS FOR ADDING
HIGH QUALITY AS WE TALK ABOUT
HEALTHCARE AND APPRECIATE THAT.
WE HAVE INCLUDED IT.
I DON'T THINK THERE ARE ANY
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BILL.
BESIDES THE ONE WE WORKED UP
HERE WITH YOU GUYS.
AND AS IT RELATES TO THE DOLLAR
AMOUNT, I APPRECIATE THE
FEEDBACK FROM THE FOLKS ON THE
INDUSTRY SIDE.
THE REDACTED NAME SO WE DON'T
NEED DIETARY DATA.
BENEFITS HAVE EXAMPLES OF HOW
MUCH THEY PAY FOR, HIGH QUALITY
CARE, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT.
AT THIS POINT WE HAVE THE 20%
HAIRCUT INCLUDED TO REFLECT THE
NUMBERS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE
BROKERS WE HAVE SEEN.
WE WOULD LOVE TO AT LEAST GIVE
YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND
THESE SECTIONS SO PEOPLE HAVE A
SENSE OF UNDERSTANDING THAT WE
HAVE HEARD OF THEM AND THAT WE
ALL SHARE GOALS ON PAGE 10.
>> DO WE HAVE CLARIFICATION ON
THE PREMIUM SPLIT?
>> SO WOMEN WE SAY GOLD LEVEL
EQUIVALENT, THE AMOUNT SPLIT IS
80 BEING PICKED UP BY THE PLAN
AND THAT IS DEFINED IN THE
FEDERAL LAW.
GOLD LEVEL, THE EQUIVALENT
MEANS THAT IDEALLY YOU HAVE AN
8020 SPLIT.
THERE IS SOME VARIATION BUT I
BELIEVE THAT THE ACA SAYS YOU
CAN HAVE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 76
AND 24 SPLITS OR 82 18 THE
SPLIT.
THAT IS DEFINED IN THE
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.
WE HAVE MIRRORED THAT LANGUAGE
HERE.
>> THAT IS BEEN HARKENING BACK
TO MY EXCHANGE.
>> AND ONE, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD?
>> CAN WE GO OVER WHAT WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT DOING?
>> I AM RESISTING THE URGE . SO
IT WOULD BE AFTER HEALTH
BENEFIT EXCHANGE RIGHT THERE.
WE WOULD KEEP THE, IN.
THAT EMPLOYER HAS SATISFIED YOU
CAN STRIKE ALL THE WAY THROUGH
OF.
WE WOULD PUT A PERIOD AFTER
SEE.
AFTER THAT WE WOULD WRITE IN,
IF AN EMPLOYER AND THEN STRIKE
AND.
YET.
THIS ALLOWS FOR US TO SAY THEY
HAVE SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENTS
OF THE LEGISLATION AND IT GOES
ON TO ALLOW FOR THE EMPLOYER TO
DO AUTO ENROLLMENT AND ALLOWS
FOR THE CLEAR LANGUAGE AROUND
WAIVERS FOR EMPLOYEE OR THEIR
DEPENDENTS AND HOW THAT DATA IT
NEEDS TO BE CALCULATED.
AND COMPILED.
DAN, I AM SURE THAT YOU LOVE IT
WHEN THEY AMEND AT THE TABLE.
BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR
WILLINGNESS TO DO THAT.
>> I, MAYBE I COULD PUT A
PLACEHOLDER IN THAT
COUNCILMEMBER SHALL WAS ASKING
ABOUT.
THE IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER
SECTIONS.
THERE MIGHT BE IMPLICATIONS FOR
OTHER SECTIONS THAT ON-THE-FLY
ARE NOT ABLE TO DISCERN, SO I
WOULD LOVE TOP, HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT THIS
WITH AN IDEA OF SMOOTHING
THINGS OUT.
>> ME TOO.
100%.
OUR ATTORNEYS WOULD SAY THE
SAME.
SO THAT IS HOW IT WOULD READ AS
AMENDED.
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON
THAT?
>> I APPRECIATE THE ENTHUSIASM
FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS.
I THINK THAT UNDERSCORES WHAT
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD AND
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW AND I
HAVE BEEN SAYING.
VALUE VERSUS DOLLAR AMOUNT.
IT GETS TO THE HIGH QUALITY
POINT THAT COUNCILMEMBER
PACHECO HAS RAISED.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY,
THANK YOU, I KNOW THIS IS A
NUANCED SUBJECT.
I JUST APPRECIATE THE WORK BY
CENTRAL STAFF AND EVERYONE, THE
DIFFERENT OFFICES THAT ARE
SPENDING THEIR TIME TO
LEGISLATE AND DRAFT THIS
ORDINANCE.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT.
1000%.
I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN BURNING
THROUGH THE MIDNIGHT OIL.
THANK YOU.
>> I WOULD LOVE TO AMEND THIS
LEGISLATION AND KEEP IT IN
COMMITTEE.
THAT ALLOW FOR US TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A WORK
IN PROGRESS.
AMEND IT TODAY AND KEEP IT IN
COMMITTEE AND BRING IT BACK ON
SEPTEMBER 5. HEARING FROM THE
CENTRAL STAFF AND THE LEGAL
TEAM.
I'M SURE AT THAT POINT AS WELL,
WE WILL KEEP THE BILLS IN
COMMITTEE.
THAT WILL ALLOW US TO GO ONTO
THE NEXT PIECE, WHICH IS PRETTY
MEATY AS WELL.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> JUST A CLARIFYING QUESTION
ABOUT THE PROCEDURE YOU ARE
RECOMMENDING.
WE ARE MAKING AN AMENDMENT TO
REPLACE THE INTRODUCED BILL
WITH THE SUBSTITUTE.
>> THAT IS IT.
>> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> A SUBSTITUTE AS AMENDED.
>> AMENDING THE SUBSTITUTE AND
THEN THE SUBSTITUTE WOULD AMEND
THE BASE BILL.
>> WE ARE NOT VOTING ON THE
BILL AFTER.
>> THAT IS RIGHT.
>> SEE JULIE, I DON'T THINK YOU
HAVE MOVED.
>> I THINK YOU CAN MOVE THIS
VERSION OF D 2. I WILL CALL IT
D 2 A. THAT WILL BE CLEAR WITH
THE COMMITTEE IS TAKING ACTION
ON.
DAN HAS AMENDED VERSION D 2 TO
MAKE IT D 2 A. LET'S MOVE THAT
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND
AMENDING COUNCIL BILL 119 555
IN SUBSTITUTE OF 19 555 FIVE
WITH AMENDED VERSION D 2 A.
>> ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?
>> I WANT TO READ THE WHOLE
THING.
I WILL BE ABSTAINING FROM THIS.
BUT I REALLY LIKE WHERE YOU ARE
GOING HERE WITH THE EMPLOYERS
BEING SATISFIED OF THEIR
RESPONSIBILITY BEING SATISFIED.
DON'T TAKE IT AS I DON'T LIKE
THE DIRECTION BUT I WANT TO
FEEL COMFORTABLE IN MY READING
WE ARE BEFORE A VOTE ON THIS.
>> IS A MEMBER OF RYAN?
>> I WILL BE VOTING FOR THIS.
BUT SIMILAR, I AM RECOGNIZING
THAT THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.
THE ACTION TO SUBSTITUTE THIS
IS JUST TO GET US ALL ON THE
SAME PAGE ONCE AGAIN.
WHERE WE ARE.
THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE FOR
SURE.
>> I AGREE.
>> I JUST APPRECIATE THE
FORWARD MOVEMENT AND ALSO
APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS FOR
US NOT TO VOTE ON THE
UNDERLYING BILL YET.
>> I THINK THAT IS A NICE
COMPROMISE BETWEEN CONTINUING
TO TALK ABOUT AMENDMENTS AND
NOT MOVING ON THEM.
MOVING SOMETHING ELSE.
THANK YOU.
>> ANYTHING ELSE?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF
AMENDED BILL D 2 A. ANY
OPPOSED?
NONE.
ANY ABSTENTIONS?
ONE.
THREE VOTES TO AMEND AND ONE TO
ABSTAIN.
WE WILL KEEP THIS BILL.
COUNCIL BILL 119555 IN
COMMITTEE.
AND WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER
FOUR, WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN
READ INTO THE RECORD.
THAT IS COMFORTABLE 119557.
AGAIN, THANK YOU TO THE FOLKS
WHO HAVE STUCK AROUND WITH US.
WE HAVE ABOUT 40 MINUTES LEFT.
WE ARE GETTING TO ANOTHER POINT
OF LEGISLATION.
IT IS RELATED TO HOTEL SAFETY.
IT SHOULD TEA UP WHATEVER YOU
WOULD LIKE.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY
COLLEAGUES FOR ALLOWING US TO
THIS AMENDED VERSION OF THE
PIECE FORWARD.
TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON
THIS, KARINA.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME.
TODAY AT THE TABLE THERE WILL
BE DISCUSSION OF A SUBSTITUTE
BILL FOR HOTEL SAFETY
PROTECTIONS.
IT IS VERSION THE 2. IT IS ONE
OF THE FOUR ORDINANCES IN THE
PACKAGE OF ORDINANCES THAT HAVE
BEEN PROPOSED TO PROTECT HOTEL
WORKERS.
THIS VERSION HAD A NUMBER OF
CHANGES FROM THE ORIGINAL
VERSION D 1. IT WAS PROPOSED
EARLIER.
IT HAS CHANGES FROM THE VERSION
SHARED LAST NIGHT WITH CERTAIN
STAKEHOLDERS.
I WILL DO MY BEST TO HIGHLIGHT
BOTH OF THOSE TYPES OF CHANGES.
AND WHAT COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE
BEFORE THEM RIGHT NOW IS A
TRACK CHANGES VERSION OF THE
LEGISLATION.
A CLEAN VERSION OF THE
LEGISLATION.
ALSO A CHART IN THE KEY
COMPONENTS.
IN THE REVISED VERSION.
SO WHAT I CAN DO IS GO THROUGH
THE CHARGE.
I CAN HIGHLIGHT THE DIFFERENCES
FROM THE D 1 VERSION AND THE
VERSION SHARED LAST NIGHT WITH
FOLKS.
úSO TO BEGIN, A BROAD OVERVIEW
BEFORE I DIVE INTO THE DETAILS,
THIS NEW VERSION DOESN'T HAVE A
REQUIREMENT OR EMPLOYER TO
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION WHERE
THERE HAS BEEN A REPORT OF
VIOLENT OR HARASSING CONDUCT BY
A GAS OR EMPLOYEE, IT DOESN'T
REQUIRE AN EMPLOYER TO KEEP A
LIST OF GUEST THAT HAVE BEEN
ALLEGED TO ENGAGE IN THAT
MISCONDUCT OR BAND SERVICES FOR
5 YEARS.
NOR DOES IT REQUIRE THE
EMPLOYER TO THEM IT TEST
SERVICES BEYOND THE GUEST
CURRENT STAY.
THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT
DIFFERENCES FROM THE ORIGINAL
VERSION.
I WILL GO INTO MORE DETAIL WITH
THOSE LATER BUT I JUST WANTED
TO SAY THAT AT THE OUTSET.
>> THERE IS NO BAN.
AND THERE IS IN TERMS OF
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE HAVE
HAD FROM THE LAW DEPARTMENT, DO
WE THINK THIS PARTICULAR
VERSION DEALS WITH THE DUE
PROCESS QUESTIONS THAT HAVE
COME UP?
>> THAT IS THE THOUGHT BEHIND
THESE CHANGES.
TO CLARIFY, THERE IS A
LIMITATION ON INTERIM GUEST
SERVICES WHICH WE WILL DISCUSS
LATER.
WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AS THE BAND
IN THE PAST WAS A DECLINING OF
ALL SERVICES TO DEGASSED FOR A
PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.
THAT IS NOT IN THIS LEGISLATION
AT ALL.
>> THE HOTEL OWNER RESERVES THE
RIGHT TO VIOLATE ANYONE, -- BAN
ANYONE WHO IS TRASK
TRESPASSING.
>> THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO
TRESPASS THEIR GUESTS AT THEIR
OWN DECISION-MAKING.
THERE DOING THINGS THAT ARE
SEPARATE THAT MIGHT PROVIDE
MORE REDUCTION.
DECISIONS MADE UNDER TITLE VII
OR LOCAL ANTIDISCRIMINATION
LAW, ETC.
>> THANK YOU.
>> TO BEGIN, THERE IS A PANIC
BUTTON REQUIREMENT.
THE CHANGE IN THIS LEGISLATION
IS THAT THE PANIC BUTTON
REQUIREMENT AS NOTED BY THOSE
PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY,
IT HAS GOT A DIFFERENCE FROM
THE PANIC PANIC REQUIREMENT FOR
STATE LAW, THE DIFFERENCES THAT
THE PANIC BUTTON IN THIS
LEGISLATION REQUIRES THE
EMPLOYER TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE
ASSISTANCE TO WHOMEVER
TRIGGERED THE PANIC BUTTON.
THE STATE PANIC BUTTON SAYS
THAT THE BUTTON HAS TO BE ABLE
TO SUMMON ASSISTANCE.
IT MAY SUMMON ASSISTANCE.
THIS PANIC BUTTON MUST SUMMON
ASSISTANCE.
A WHISTLE IS NOT GOING TO WORK
FOR THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
ú>> CAN WE KNOW ABOUT THE
TECHNOLOGY THAT IS AVAILABLE
FOR THIS?
WHETHER IT IS A BLUETOOTH KIND
OF THING?
IF YOU PUSH THE PANIC BUTTON,
AS IT GO DOWN TO, I GUESS THE
QUESTION IS, WHO IS GOING TO
RESPOND?
I THINK YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT
THIS YESTERDAY.
PARTICULARLY A BIG CONVENTION
SIZED HOTEL.
AS WE ALL KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN
THERE.
WE CAN WALK DOWN A HALL AND SEE
NOBODY.
SO HOW DOES THIS WORK AND WHAT
DO WE THINK THE RESPONSE WILL
BE BY HOME?
>> I IMAGINE THESE PANIC
BUTTONS CAN WORK IN A MULTITUDE
OF DIFFERENT WAYS, DEPENDING ON
HOW THEY ARE CONFIGURED.
I IMAGINE THAT IF IT IS A
ELECTRIC DEVICE, WITH THIS NEW
DEFINITION, IT COULD GO TO THE
EMPLOYERS SECURITY DEPARTMENT.
IT, GO TO SOMEONE IN HR.
IT COULD GO TO WHOMEVER THE
EMPLOYER HAS DESIGNATED TO
RECEIVE THE SIGNAL THAT SOMEONE
NEEDS IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.
SOMEONE WOULD ALWAYS NEED TO BE
ON CALL AND AVAILABLE TO
RECEIVE THAT SIGNAL.
SO IT COULDN'T BE JUST BLINKING
IN A ROOM WHERE SOMEONE STEPPED
UP.
SOMEONE HAS ALWAYS TO BE ABLE
TO RECEIVE THAT AND REACT
IMMEDIATELY.
>>
>> JUST TO THAT POINT, I JUST
WANT TO SAY THAT IT IS A REALLY
IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT
REFORM IN THIS LEGISLATION.
I DON'T THINK IT IS THE WORK.
OF THIS COUNSEL, TO MAKE THIS
REFORM, BECAUSE OF THE
PRACTICES AND EXPERIENCES THAT
WE KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE HAD TRYING
TO SUMMON HELP.
IN THE CASE OF AN ASSAULT OF AN
EMPLOYEE AT A HOTEL, THIS IS
REALLY IMPORTANT.
I ALSO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT
MANY HOTEL YEARS HAD COME INTO
COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW AND
NEEDED ADDITIONAL TIME TO COME
UP WITH THIS NEW LEVEL OF
EXPECTATION.
I APPRECIATE COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA INCLUDING THIS
AMENDMENT IN THE SUBSTITUTE
BILL.
IT WAS SOMETHING I WAS
INTERESTED IN BRINGING SET
THANK YOU.
>> I WANT TO GIVE A QUICK SHOUT
OUT TO COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ
WHO IS PUBLICLY WATCHING FROM
COPENHAGEN.
HER AND HER TEAM WORKED MY TEAM
ON SOME OF THESE AMENDMENTS
WITH CENTRAL STUFF.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR IT
THEIR WORK AS WELL FOR THESE
AMENDMENTS.
>>> TO BUILD ON WHAT
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD WAS
SAYING, WHAT IS DIFFERENT IN
THIS D 2 VERSION IS NOT THE
DEFINITION OF PANIC BUTTON.
IT REMAINS THE SAME.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT IS, AS
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD NOTED,
THERE WAS A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION
FOR EMPLOYERS TO COMPLY WITH
THIS NEW DEFINITION AS LONG AS
THE EMPLOYER IS PROVIDING A
PANIC BUTTON THAT MEETS STATE
REQUIREMENT IN THE INTERIM.
SO ON JANUARY 1, WHEN THIS LAW
WENT INTO EFFECT, IF THE
EMPLOYER HAS PANIC BUTTON THAT
IS COMPATIBLE WITH STATE
REQUIREMENTS, THEY ARE FINE.
AS LONG AS THEY IMPROVE IT WITH
THE SEATTLE REQUIREMENTS BY THE
END OF THE YEAR.
JANUARY 1 OF 2021.
>> THIS IS A QUESTION FOR
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS THAN I
DO.
WHAT IS ALLOWABLE NOW?
THE WHISTLE IS ONE THING YOU
BROUGHT UP.
WHAT ELSE IS, MEETS THIS
CURRENT STATE REQUIREMENT?
>> AGAIN, THE DIFFERENCE IS
WHETHER OR NOT THAT DEVICE
RESULT IN A RESPONSE.
KARINA, MAYBE YOU COULD SPEAK
MORE TO THAT?
>> THE STATE REQUIREMENT
MIRRORS THE SAME LANGUAGE AS
INITIATIVE 124.
WHAT WAS IN THE ORIGINAL HOTEL
PROTECTIONS LEGISLATION.
SO WITH THIS NEW BILL FROM THE
BEGINNING, THERE WAS A DECISION
TO MAKE THE PANIC BUTTON
STRONGER THAN IT WAS AND
STRONGER THAN IT IS NOW UNDER
STATE LAW.
>> IT DOESN'T REALLY SAY MUCH.
ONE SAYS THAT THE EMPLOYER
WOULD PROVIDE A PANIC NUMBER TO
EACH EMPLOYEE.
IT DOESN'T DESCRIBE WHAT IT
DOES.
DOES IT EMIT A HORRIBLE SOUND?
WHAT IS ALLOWABLE BY STATE LAW
AS FAR AS WHAT IS ORIGINALLY
PASSED?
>> MY UNDERSTANDING WITHOUT
HAVING INITIATIVE 124 IN FRONT
OF ME DIRECTLY, THERE WAS A
DEFINITION OF PANIC BUTTON.
>> WE HAVE THIS DEFINITION IN
OUR OWN LEGISLATION.
>> THE DEFINITION OF PANIC
BUTTON IS THE SAME AS THE
PROPOSED DEFINITION EXCEPT FOR
ONE VERY IMPORTANT WORD.
THE I-24 AND STATE DEFINITION
SAYS THE PANIC BUTTON MAY
SUMMON IMMEDIATE ON SCENE
ASSISTANCE.
>> IT SAYS THEY MUST SUMMON.
IT CHANGES HOW THE PANIC BUTTON
IS GOING TO OPERATE.
>>> KARINA MENTIONED A WHISTLE
WOULD SUFFICE AS A PANIC
BUTTON.
I DON'T KNOW OF ANY HOTELS THAT
ARE USING A WHISTLE BUT WE HAVE
HEARD OF HOTELS THAT ARE USING
A PANIC BUTTON THAT ADMITS A
NOISE THAT IS A LOCALIZED ALARM
FROM THE PANIC BUTTON DEVICE
ITSELF.
IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE HEARD
OUTSIDE OF THE ROOM.
IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE HEARD BY
SOMEONE FROM THE HOTEL, AN
EMPLOYEE COMES AND ASSISTS.
IT MAY DO THAT BUT IT MAY NOT
DO THAT.
THE CHANGE OF THE WORD MUST,
THE DEVICE MUST NOW COMMUNICATE
AFFIRMATIVELY WITH A DESIGNATED
PERSON IN THE HOTEL WHO WORKS
FOR THE HOTEL WHOSE JOB IT IS
TO SEND HELP.
>> WE HAVE SECURITY. WE WILL
HAVE SECURITY.
>> IS LIKE IF WE WERE TO PUSH
THE PANIC BUTTONS HERE.
SECURITY KNOWS ABOUT IT.
>> CORRECT.
>> OKAY, WE HAVE ABOUT HALF AN
HOUR.
I THINK WE ARE ON BOX 1.
>> WE HAVE DONE BOX ONE.
WE HAVE DONE BUCKS TO.
WE ARE BOTH ON BOX 3 FOR
POLICY.
THIS PROVISION ACTUALLY HAS NOT
CHANGED FROM THE D1 VERSION.
BUT I HELP, I THOUGHT IT WAS
IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT
EMPLOYERS MUST DEVELOP A
WRITTEN POLICY AGAINST VIOLENT,
HARASSING CONDUCT.
PROVIDE GUEST WITH THE COPY OF
THE POLICY.
HE PROVIDED TO THE EMPLOYEE AT
HIGHER AND ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
BUT HAS CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY
IS THE NEXT ROW.
EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS FOR
SITUATIONS WHEN THERE HAS BEEN
A REPORT OF VIOLENT HARASSING
CONDUCT BY DEATH TOWARDS AN
EMPLOYEE.
SO YOU WILL SEE NOW THAT THIS
REQUIREMENT IS MUCH SHORTER
THAN THEY WERE UNDER THE D1
VERSION.
THE EMPLOYER MUST FIRST PROVIDE
THE GUEST WITH A WRITTEN NOTICE
OF THE DISCONTINUATION OF
SERVICES REQUIRED BY THIS LAW.
THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONTAIN
FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS THAT IS A
VERY BARE-BONES MINIMAL AMOUNT
OF INFORMATION.
THERE IS A DISCONTINUATION OF
YOUR SERVICES AS IS REQUIRED BY
14.26.
THE EMPLOYER ALSO MUST
IMMEDIATELY TAKE PREVENTATIVE
ACTION TO SAFEGUARD ALL
EMPLOYEES FROM ANY FUTURE
POTENTIALLY VIOLENCE OR
HARASSING CONDUCT BY A GAS.
AT A MINIMUM, WHAT THIS
PREVENTATIVE ACTION MUST
INCLUDE IS DISCONTINUING THE
AND ROOM GUEST SERVICES FOR
THAT GAS FOR THE DURATION OF
THEIR STAY UNLESS AN
INVESTIGATION DETERMINES THE
ALLEGED CONDUCT DID NOT OCCUR.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW
THAT THIS THIS SITUATION IS AN
INVESTIGATION DETERMINING THAT
A CONDUCT IS NOT OCCUR.
THAT IS IF THE EMPLOYER DECIDES
AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION TO
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION.
OR IF THERE HAPPENS TO BE LAW
ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION.
THIS ORDINANCE UNDER NO
úCIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRES AN
INVESTIGATION.
IT IS RECOGNIZING THAT IF ONE
HAPPENS, CERTAIN THINGS CAN
HAPPEN AND CAN FLOW FROM IT.
DEPENDING ON THE DETERMINATION.
>> I KNOW THIS IS AN AREA WE
HAVE BEEN WRESTLING WITH.
TWO THINGS, LET'S JUST ASSUME
FOR A SECOND'S THAT THE
HARASSING CONDUCT HAPPENED AT
TWO IN THE MORNING.
AND THE GUEST CHECKS OUT THE
NEXT MORNING.
DOES THE HOTEL HAVE TO SEND A
LETTER TO OMAHA CHASING THE
INDIVIDUAL DOWN AND SAYING
THERE HAS BEEN A COMPLAINT?
IS THAT A REQUIREMENT?
THE SECOND REQUIREMENT AND I
REALLY WANT TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT
THIS INVESTIGATION BUSINESS.
THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE AND OUR POLICE
DEPARTMENT HAVE ALERTED US THAT
WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL
AROUND THESE INVESTIGATIONS,
NO TO TAINT ANY EVIDENCE, NOT
TO COMPROMISE A FUTURE
INVESTIGATION.
I'M TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING
THAT IS VIOLENT AND OBVIOUS.
NOT THE SETTLE ONCE WE HAVE
BEEN TALKING ABOUT.
I JUST WANT US TO BE PAYING
ATTENTION HERE.
WHATEVER LANGUAGE WE COME UP
WITH PASSES NOT JUST THE CITY
ATTORNEY BUT THE PROSECUTING
ATTORNEYS AND THE INVESTIGATING
POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
>> THE INVESTIGATION IS NOT
REQUIRED THOUGH?
CORRECT?
>> THIS IS ONLY IF THERE IS AN
INVESTIGATION.
>> THAT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM.
IS 70 TAKES ON AN INVESTIGATION
UNDER THEIR OWN VOLITION BUT IT
TURNS OUT TO BE A CRIMINAL
MATTER LATER ON, WHAT I AM
HEARING FROM THE POLICE AND
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS IS THAT WE
CAN REALLY COMPROMISE A FUTURE
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.
>> THIS WOULD BE HOTEL SECURITY
OR SOMETHING.
WE CANNOT.
>> THAT IS THE PROBLEM.
SO THE IDEA IS THAT THERE ARE
PRACTICES NOW THAT MIGHT
INVOLVE INVESTIGATORY
PRACTICES.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER
THAT BUT WE KNOW THAT IF THOSE
PRACTICES OCCUR, THAT THE
EMPLOYEE NEEDS TO BE ASSIGNED.
>> WE ARE NOT MANDATING THIS.
>> I THINK WE HAVE SOME
CONCERNS THAT OF BEEN RAISED.
I DON'T, I'M NOT SURE IF WE
HAVE MEDS OR ARE YET ADDRESSING
THE CONCERNS THAT I AM HEARING
FROM THOSE PROFESSIONALS TO DO
THIS KIND OF INVESTIGATION.
>> COULD YOU COMMENT ON THE
CURRENT REQUIREMENTS THAT
EMPLOYERS HAVE WHEN AN EMPLOYEE
FLAGS AN ISSUE OF HARASSMENT OR
ASSAULT?
IN THE WORKPLACE?
NOT OUT OF ANY DIRECTION FROM
CITY GOVERNMENT BUT WHAT OTHER
CURRENT REQUIREMENTS ARE THERE
FROM AN EMPLOYER?
>> IT WAS NOT UNDER THIS LAW.
IT WOULD BE UNDER THE
ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAW.
THAT IS 14 POINT 04.
THAT IS A STATE COROLLARY.
THE WASHINGTON STATE LAW
AGAINST DISCRIMINATION.
THERE IS THE FEDERAL COROLLARY
úWHICH IS TITLE VII.
THAT LAW REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO
TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO
CORRECT SITUATIONS WHEN THEY
RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT AN
EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO
HARASSMENT THAT IS SEVERE OR
PERVASIVE.
AND THAT EXISTS REGARDLESS OF
THIS ORDINANCE.
EMPLOYERS DESCRIBE WHAT THEY DO
TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EMPLOYEE
IS REMOVED FROM THAT SITUATION
AND THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN
ANYMORE.
SO EMPLOYERS TAKE A VARIETY OF
ACTIONS TO CORRECT THAT.
THE HARASSER IS AN EMPLOYEE
THEY MIGHT PUT THEM ON PAID
LEAVE.
IF IT IS A GUESS, MAYBE THEY
WILL DECIDE ON THEIR OWN TO
IMMEDIATELY TRESPASS THEM.
HE MIGHT CHOOSE TO INVESTIGATE
IT BUT THEY MIGHT NOT.
HE MIGHT JUST GET RID OF THE
SITUATION.
>> SO ALL OF THOSE PROVISIONS
MAY REMAIN IN PLACE.
AND I THINK THE CONVERSATION IS
THAT IF THE EMPLOYER DECIDES TO
CALL THE POLICE TO HELP THEM
WITH THAT RESPONSIBILITY, IF
THEY ALREADY HAVE IT, THAT IS
NOT SOMETHING THAT WE ARE
EITHER MANDATING OR MESSING
WITH.
THE LAW IS MANDATING THAT THE
GUESTS BE GIVEN A WRITTEN
NOTICE OF THE DISCONTINUATION
OF SERVICES.
THERE WAS VERY CAREFUL THOUGHT
INTO WHAT WOULD GO INTO THE
NOTICE AND HOW IT WOULD BE
WORDED IN THE LEGISLATION.
IT WAS INTENTIONAL THAT THE
NOTICE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE
REQUIREMNT TO HAVE ACTUAL
ALLEGATIONS.
IT IS SIMPLY A DISCONTINUATION
OF SERVICES.
I IMAGINE THAT IT COULD PROVIDE
A TEMPLATE AS SOMETHING TO
PROVIDE TO EMPLOYERS TO HAVE A
MINIMALLY WORDED PLAIN LANGUAGE
NOTICE FORECAST.
>> SO AS WE MOVE AWAY FROM
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE, WHICH I
THINK RAISES CONCERNS FROM SOME
OF OUR FRIENDS ABOUT LISTS.
BUT WE DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE
THAT THERE HAS TO BE
PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE WORKERS.
EVEN A WORKER WHOSE CLAIM MIGHT
NOT BE SUBSTANTIATED.
WE DON'T WANT TO PUT THAT
WORKER BACK AND THAT SAME
SITUATION.
WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO BE IN
A HARMFUL SITUATION THAT THE
EMPLOYER IS DOING ON THEIR OWN.
HAVING THE ROOM NOT CLEAN FOR
THAT DURATION SEEMS LIKE A GOOD
APPROACH TO MAKING SURE PEOPLE
WERE SAFE.
AND MAKING SURE THAT WE RESPECT
THAT EMPLOYERS MIGHT BE DOING
THEIR OWN INVESTIGATORS.
ARE CONTACTING THE POLICE AS WE
TALK ABOUT WHAT IS ALREADY THE
EXISTING RIGHT TO DO.
>> ANYTHING ELSE, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD?
>> JUST A QUESTION.
I KNOW THAT ALEX IN MY OFFICE
HAD WORKED WITH YOU, KARINA ON
AN AMENDMENT AS IT RELATES TO
CONFIDENTIALITY FOR REPORTING
EMPLOYEES.
IT IS NOT CLEAR TO ME WHETHER
OR NOT THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE
SUBSTITUTE.
>> IS IN THE NEXT SECTION I
WILL BE TALKING ABOUT.
IT HAS ITS OWN LETTER.
BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER
BACK SAWS QUESTIONS ARE
ANSWERED.
I WANT TO POINT OUT WHAT IT
MEANS TO DISCONTINUE GUEST
SERVICE.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS EMPLOYERS
ARE NO LONGER ASSIGNED TO WORK
IN THE ROOM.
TO MAKE DELIVERIES TO THE ROOM.
HOWEVER, THE GUEST CAN ALWAYS
GO DOWN TO THE FRONT DESK TO
GET TOWELS AND THE GUESTS COULD
DOWN TO GET THEIR FOOD.
>> DO WE HAVE LEGAL CONCERNS
ABOUT INTERFERING WITH A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE HOTEL AND
THE GUEST AND AGAIN I AM
TALKING ABOUT AN
UNSUBSTANTIATED, IT IS TO IN
THE MORNING, NOBODY ELSE HAS
SEEN IT.
WHERE ARE WE FROM A LEGAL
STANDPOINT IF WE SAY WE HAVE
DECIDED THAT WE ARE NOT GOING
TO PROVIDE YOU SERVICES
TOMORROW MORNING?
>> THE SOME TOTAL OF THIS
LEGISLATION VASTLY REDUCE
CONCERNS WE HEARD ABOUT FROM
ACLU AND FROM THE KING COUNTY
SEXUAL ASSAULT NETWORK AND
OTHER LEGAL CONCERNS.
WE WOULD HAVE TO EXPLORE MORE
OF WHAT YOU ASKED ABOUT.
>> I DO WANT TO KNOW, WE HAVE
RECEIVED SOME COMMUNICATION
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT ACLU HAVE
SAID THIS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP.
THEY APPRECIATE THE MANY OF
CONCERNS WERE ADDRESSED.
REGARDING THIS SECTION, THEY
DID NOT HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON
THAT.
SO WE DO LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH THEM BEFORE IT
MOVES OUT OF COMMITTEE BUT THAT
WAS A REALLY GOOD INDICATION
THAT THE TWO ITEMS WE WILL BE
WORKING WITH THEM ON OUR
FURTHER MORE, REFINING VIOLENT
AND HARASSING, WHICH THEY GAVE
HER CW'S TO CROSS-REFERENCE.
WILL ALSO BE WORKING WITH THEM
ON ALLEGED ALLEGATIONS BUT I
THINK THIS IS REALLY GOOD
INDICATION THAT WE ARE ON THE
RIGHT PATH.
>>
>> THE NEXT SET OF EMPLOYER
REQUIREMENTS ADDRESS OF THE
EMPLOYER NEEDS TO DO FOR AN
EMPLOYEE WHO WAS ALLEGED VICTIM
OF VIOLENT INTERESTING CONDUCT.
THAT ADDRESSES THE EMPLOYEES TO
MAKE IT REPORT THEMSELVES.
MAYBE IT WAS MADE BY A THIRD
PARTY THAT ADDRESSES CONDUCT
THAT WAS MADE TOWARDS ANOTHER
EMPLOYEE.
SO THE EMPLOYER MUST REASSIGN
THE EMPLOYEE TO A DIFFERENT
WORK AREA.
THIS IS REGARDLESS OF, IT
DOESN'T INCLUDE STEP ONE OF THE
OFFERING OF THE EMPLOYEE
REASSIGNMENT.
IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
IT IS THE DIFFERENCE FROM THE
D1 VERSION ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.
THE EMPLOYER IMMEDIATELY
REASSIGNS THE EMPLOYEE AND WILL
MAINTAIN THAT REASSIGNMENT EVEN
IF THERE IS A VACANT,
INVESTIGATION THAT DETERMINES
THAT THE ALLEGED CONDUCT DID
NOT OCCUR.
THERE IS LANGUAGE IN THE ACTUAL
LAW THAT IS NOT IN THE SUMMARY
THAT SAYS THAT IT THE EMPLOYER
DOES INDEED TO MAINTAIN THE
ASSIGNMENT IF WERE TO CONFLICT
WITH OBLIGATIONS UNDER A
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT.
BUT THE GIST OF IT IS THAT THE
EMPLOYER REPORTED EGREGIOUS
CONDUCT BY GUESTS.
DO NOT PUT THEM IN A SITUATION
EVER AGAIN WITH THAT GAS FOR
THE REST OF THEIR STAY.
>> I WANT TO BRING UP ONE MORE
THING THAT WE HEARD FROM ACLU.
THAT IS IF WE ARE AUTOMATICALLY
REASSIGNS TO ANOTHER FOR, THE
CONCERNED THAT WAS RAISED WITH
POSSIBLY PUTTING THAT EMPLOYEE
AT A DISADVANTAGE OR A POSITION
TO BE RETALIATED AGAINST.
AND EXAMPLE BROUGHT UP WAS THAT
THE EMPLOYER WAS WORKING ON IT.
WE HAVE A MUCH BUSIER FLOOR.
>> A MUCH MORE ACTION THAT IT
PUTS THEM IN A WORSE POSITION
SO THEY ARE JUST RAISING THE
ISSUE AND ALSO, WHETHER OR NOT
TAKING NECESSARY STEPS IS TOO
VAGUE.
SO RAISING THAT FOR FURTHER
REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION.
>> SO I THINK IT WOULD BE
CONTAINED WITHIN THE EXISTING
RETALIATION PROVISIONS AND
PROTECTIONS.
PERHAPS WE COULD BE CONSIDERED
WHETHER OR NOT TO MAKE IT
CLEAR, TO REASSIGN AN EMPLOYEE
TO EQUAL AND EQUIVALENT WORK
ASSIGNMENTS.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.
>> IT COULD BE HANDLED IN THE
RULES.
>> I JUST WANT TO RAISE THIS.
I DON'T HAVE THE SOLUTION FOR
IT.
JUST AS WE ARE CONVERSING TODAY
WITH ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE EMPLOYER MUST PROVIDE
THE EMPLOYEE WITH A COPY OF I
WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR
BRINGING THAT UP.
I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.
IT IS MAYBE NOT NECESSARILY A
LEGAL CONCERN.
AS YOU WERE TALKING, IT DOES
MAYBE SEEM LIKE IF THIS WERE TO
BE MAINTAINED, WE SHOULD ASK
FOR CLARIFICATION AND RULES
FROM THE AGENCY BROW TO MAKE
SURE THAT DISPARITY DOESN'T
EXIST.
BUT I DO WANT TO KNOWLEDGE I
AGREE THAT IT SHOULD BE
ADDRESSED.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> SO THE EMPLOYEES RECEIVING A
COPY OF THE SAME NOTICE, A
DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICES
THAT THE GUEST TO PERCEIVE,
JUST TO LET THEM KNOW, THIS
HAPPENED.
YOU ARE PROTECTED.
WE CARE.
WE ARE DOING WITH THE LAW
REQUIRES.
NEXT, THIS WAS A QUICK ONE.
>> THESE ALL SEEM SO IMPORTANT.
SO THE GUEST HAS CHECKED OUT.
IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AT TWO
IN THE MORNING.
THE GUEST CHECKS OUT AT 7:30
PM.
WHAT IS THE HOTEL REQUIRED TO
DO?
>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US
BACK TO THAT.
IT IS IN A VERY IMPORTANT
QUESTION.
IT IS HOPEFULLY SOMETHING THAT
CAN BE ADDRESSED BY AGENCIES,
WHAT IT MEANS TO PROVIDE NOTICE
TO A GUEST.
IF IT IS REPORTED AT UAM AND
THE GUEST IS ASKED TO LEAVE AT
9:30 AM, THE HOTEL COULD SLIDE
IT UNDER THE DOOR IF THAT IS
ACCEPTABLE.
OR MAKE SURE SOMEONE IS WAITING
BY THE GUEST DOOR WHEN THEY GET
UP.
IF THEY HAVE ALREADY LEFT, IT
COULD BE MAILED TO THEM.
I IMAGINE IN THOSE TYPES OF
SITUATIONS, THERE COULD BE
DIFFERENT WAYS TO ACHIEVE THE
NOTICE.
RULES WOULD BE HELPFUL TO
CLARIFY.
>> I THINK I AM UNDERSTANDING
RIGHT THAT THAT RESTRICTIONS ON
WHAT THE HOTEL OFFERS THE GUEST
IS ONLY FOR THE GUEST CURRENT
STATE.
IS THAT CORRECT?
IF THE GUEST HAS ALREADY LEFT
BY THE TIME THE HOTEL GETS
TOGETHER THE NOTICE, THEN
EFFECTIVELY, THERE IS NO LONGER
ANY PURPOSE IN GIVING THE
NOTICE.
>> I THINK IT COULD SERVE A
PURPOSE.
LETTING THE GUESTS KNOW.
>> I THINK THAT IT COULD SERVE
A PURPOSE OF LETTING THE GUEST
KNOW THAT THE BEHAVIOR, THERE
WAS A REPORT OF THE BEHAVIOR.
THAT IS WHAT THE NOTICE WOULD
SERVE TO DO.
OTHERWISE, THE GUEST WOULD HAVE
NO KNOWLEDGE THAT THE HOTEL WAS
ON NOTICE.
THAT THERE HAD BEEN A REPORT
ABOUT THAT SITUATION.
>> GO ON.
>> OKAY.
SO ALL RIGHT, THEY ARE IN TWO
DIFFERENT PLACES IN THE
ORDINANCE.
NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OFFICE
OF LABOR STANDARDS TO DEVELOP
SOME NEW DOCUMENTS THAT CAN BE
HANDED TO THE EMPLOYER.
THAT THE EMPLOYER CAN HAND TO
THE EMPLOYEE IN THESE
SITUATIONS WHERE THERE HAS BEEN
A REPORT OF GUEST MISCONDUCT.
SO ONE IS THAT THE OFFICE OF
LABOR STANDARDS CREATE A POSTER
THAT INCLUDES THE NOTICE OF ALL
THE RIGHTS THAT FLOW FROM THIS
REVISED VERSION.
THE NEXT DOCUMENT IS THAT THEY
WOULD CREATE A SUMMARY WITH
NOTICE OF RIGHTS TO SUPPORT
ADVOCATES, WHICH I WILL TALK
ABOUT IN A MOMENT.
THAT THEY WOULD FACILITATE WHAT
IS HAPPENING.
IN NOTICE OF OTHER RIGHTS OF
CRIME VICTIMS AND OTHER
SURVIVORS AND WITNESSES FOR
SEXUAL ASSAULT THAT EXIST UNDER
STATE LAW.
AND THEN, THIRD, CREATE A
NOTICE OF PROHIBITIONS AGAINST
RETALIATION THAT HAPPENED
REGARDLESS OF AN EMPLOYEE'S
CITIZENSHIP.
OR IMMIGRATION STATUS.
SO OVER THE THE LAST, THEY ARE
TASKED WITH CREATING THE
DOCUMENTS AND THIS LEGISLATION
AND TRANSLATING THEM.
THE EMPLOYER IS TASKED WITH
PROVIDING THEM TO AN EMPLOYEE
IN THE SITUATION.
IN ENGLISH AND IN PRIMARY
LANGUAGE.
>> OKAY.
EXCELLENT.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AS WELL
TO SOME OF THE KING COUNTY
CRIME VICTIMS ADVOCATES GROUPS
WHO HAVE OFFERED US INITIAL
SUGGESTED LANGUAGE.
WE WILL KEEP WORKING WITH THEM
AS WE WORK ON THIS LANGUAGE BUT
I THINK HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY
TO ACCESS THOSE COMMUNITY
RESOURCES AND EXPERTS IS A
REALLY GREAT ASSET IN THE
LEGISLATION AND WE WILL KEEP
WORKING WITH THEM ON FINDING
THE LOW LANGUAGE.
>> NEXT, THE EMPLOYER MUST
PERMIT THE EMPLOYEE TO USE UP
TO 16 HOURS OF PAID TIME TO
CONSULT WITH A COUNSELOR
ADVISOR ADVOCATE THAT COULD BE
THIS NEWLY DEVELOPED ADVOCATE.
A PERSON, A SUPPORT PERSON OF
THEIR OWN CHOOSING.
THOSE 16 HOURS NEED TO BE USED
WITHIN A WEEK OF THE REPORT
THAT THIS MISCONDUCT HAPPENED.
THE 16 HOUR IS AN INCREASE FROM
WHAT WAS IN THE D1 VERSION.
THERE WERE EIGHT HOURS IN THAT
VERSION AND NOW THERE ARE 16.
THEY CAN CONSULT WITH THE
SUPPORT ADVOCATE AND DEPENDING
ON THE LEVEL OF SEVERITY OF THE
INCIDENT, THE EMPLOYEE MIGHT
NEED MORE TIME.
>> YOU MEAN IN THE FIRST EIGHT
HOURS OF THE FIRST DAY?
MAKE CALLS AROUND IN THE
SECOND, MAKE UP, HAVE THOSE
OPPONENTS SET UP?
THE TODAY CONCEPT IS WHAT WE
ARE ARE LOOKING FOR.
>> HOW DID WE LAND ON THAT
NUMBER?
I WOULD IMAGINE THAT ONE
INCIDENT MAY TAKE AN HOUR OR 2
TO RESOLVE.
ANOTHER INCIDENT MIGHT TAKE
LONGER.
HOW DID WE JUST ARRIVE AT 16?
IS IT AN ARBITRARY GAS?
>>
>> THERE IS NO INDUSTRY
STANDARD.
IT WAS WHAT WAS PERCEIVED TO BE
REASONABLE IN THESE SITUATIONS.
KNOWING AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF
TIME WOULD ACTUALLY BENEFIT
FROM SOME GUARDRAILS IF THERE
WAS AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME
THERE MIGHT BE A REASONABLE
NEED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO IMPOSE
VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
THIS PAID TIME.
SOME ARE MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS.
THEY DECIDED TO GO FOR 16.
>> HAVE WE TALKED WITH EMPLOYEE
ADVOCATES AND EMPLOYER
ADVOCATES TO SEE HOW THEY FEEL
ABOUT THAT NUMBER.
>> AT THIS POINT WE DON'T HAVE
RESPONSES TO 16 HOURS VERSUS
EIGHT.
>> I WOULD LOVE TO GET FEEDBACK
ON BOTH SIDES.
>> WE HAVE HEARD SOME CONCERN
ABOUT THE INDUSTRY ON THE
EXPANSION OF IT.
THE WORKER ADVOCATE SIDE AND
THE SURVIVOR SIDE, THE
RECOGNITION THAT EIGHT HOURS IS
PROBABLY NOT ENOUGH.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THAT
FEEDBACK AS WELL BUT I THINK 16
HOURS RIGHT NOW RECOGNIZES YOU
MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET A SAME-
DAY APPOINTMENT.
>> NEXT, THE EMPLOYERS ARE
REQUIRED TO COOPERATE WITH ANY
LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, THE
EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO TAKE
REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO
PROTECT THE IDENTITY OF
EMPLOYEES WHO REPORT THE
MISCONDUCT.
AND EMPLOYEES WHO ARE THE
ALLEGED VICTIMS OF THE
MISCONDUCT.
AND WITNESSES.
IT IS NOT VERY DESCRIPTIVE BUT
IT IS STATING THE REQUIREMENT
TO TAKE WHAT IS A REASONABLE
REQUIREMENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> IN DEVELOPING THIS, WE HAD
ANOTHER VERSION THAT WAS MORE
PRESCRIPTIVE.
BUT I THINK I JUST WANT TO
HIGHLIGHT.
I AM FINE WITH THE LANGUAGE.
I FEEL LIKE WE ARE GETTING MORE
DETAILED BUT I WANT TO
HIGHLIGHT PUBLICLY WHAT THE
TYPES OF THINGS WE WILL BE
LOOKING TO OLS TO REFINE IN
RULEMAKING.
SO FOR INSTANCE, WHAT OUR
EXPECTATIONS ARE AROUND
DISCLOSURE OF THE IDENTITY OF
THE EMPLOYEE.
AND WHAT OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE
ABOUT ACCESS TO RECORDS.
THOSE ARE AT LEAST TWO OF THE
THINGS THAT I CAN THINK OF THAT
WE WOULD WANT MORE DEFINITION
AROUND WHILE TRYING TO PROTECT
THE CONFIDENTIALITY.
>> INC.
YOU.
I THINK THIS IS A TOPIC THAT IS
WELL SUITED TO CLARIFICATION
AND RULES.
ONE OF THE THOUGHTS ABOUT BEING
TOO PRESCRIPTIVE AND SHARING
THE INFORMATION IS THAT WE
DON'T WANT EMPLOYEES TO FEEL
LIKE THEY THEMSELVES AREN'T
ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT THE
SITUATIONS WITH THEIR
COLLEAGUES.
WE DON'T WANT TO LIMIT THAT.
>> THE NEXT IS A NEW ADDITION.
IT IS ON THE NEXT PAGE.
PAGE 2. A SUPPORT ADVOCATES.
THIS IS A NEWLY DESCRIBED
SERVICE.
A NEWLY INVENTED SERVICE.
FOR WORKERS AND IT RECOGNIZES
THE FACT THAT FOLKS RIGHT NOW
UNDER STATE LAW HAVE ACCESS TO
A CRIME VICTIM ADVOCATE WHICH
IS PROVIDING A RANGE OF SUPPORT
SERVICES WITH THERE HAS BEEN
ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.
THOSE SUPPORT SERVICES ARE
AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE
THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT
INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTION
AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS THAT
HAPPENED.
IN SOME INSTANCES, IT IS
ALLEGED TO HAVE HAPPENED WITH A
GUESS WON'T RISE TO THE LEVEL
OF A CRIME.
THEN EMPLOYEES DON'T HAVE
NECESSARILY RIGHTS TO THESE
CRIME VICTIM ADVOCATES UNDER
STATE LAW.
THE SUPPORT ADVOCATE IS FILLING
IN THE GAP.
IT CAN ACTUALLY PERHAPS TREAD
IN BOTH WORLDS.
THAT COULD BE DEVELOPED BY
RULES BUT THE SUPPORT ADVOCATE
IS DESIGNED TO HELP EMPLOYEES
KNOW WHAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE
UNDER THIS LAW.
AND TO HELP THEM NOTE THEIR
CHOICES ABOUT REPORTING THE
CONDUCT MANAGEMENT AND ABOUT
WHAT MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO DO,
PERHAPS STEPPING IN TO MAKE
SURE THAT MANAGEMENT IS AWARE
OF WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AND TO
FACILITATE MAKING THAT HAPPEN
IF THERE HAPPENS TO BE AN OLS
INVESTIGATION OR OTHER COURT
SEEDINGS.
THEY CAN STEP IN THERE AND IN
SITUATIONS, CERTAINLY WITHIN
THE 16 HOURS, THEY CAN FOLLOW
THE REPORT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS
ENVISIONED WITH OLS MAKING
HAPPEN.
WHETHER THAT BE CONTRACTING
WITH THE QUALIFIED COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS OR CONTRACTING
WITH ANOTHER ENTITY IN WHAT
EVER WAY.
OSS TASKED WITH PROVIDING
ACCESS TO THESE SUPPORT
ADVOCATES.
>> I SHOULD SAY IS UP TO 16
HOURS.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE FULL
16.
THIS IS ALSO LANGUAGE WE HAVE
HEARD FEEDBACK FROM THE CRIME
VICTIMS OR A SURVIVOR ADVOCATE
WHO HAVE SAID THIS IS WHAT THEY
HAVE TRIED TO DO AT THE STATE
LEVEL AS WELL IN TERMS OF
MAKING THERE SUPPORTIVE ENTITY,
A SUPPORT ADVOCATES OF PEOPLE
CAN HELP NAVIGATE THE SYSTEMS.
>> SO ARE WE ANTICIPATING THIS
BEING AVAILABLE 24 SEVEN?
OR WHAT ARE WE THINKING ABOUT?
DO WE HAVE ANY ESTIMATE ABOUT
HOW MANY TIMES PER WEEK THIS
ADVOCATE WOULD BE CONTACTED
BASED UPON WHAT YOUR
EXPERIENCES ARE?
WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM
STEPHAN AND OTHERS?
HOW MANY TIMES, THIS IS, I
UNDERSTAND, WE DON'T HAVE ALL
THE DATA YET.
BUT WHAT IS THE BEST ESTIMATE?
>> SO AS FAR AS THE
AVAILABILITY OF THE SUPPORT
ADVOCATE, THAT IS ANOTHER
EXCELLENT ISSUE.
FOR DEVELOPMENT.
BY OLS.
I IMAGINE THAT OLS AND
STAKEHOLDERS COULD LOOK AT WHAT
IS REQUIRED FOR THE CRIME
VICTIM ADVOCATE AND SEE IF IT
IS SUFFICIENT OR NEEDS TO BE
EXPANDED.
OR MODIFIED, AS FAR AS THE
AVAILABILITY, OR THE CALL FOR
THESE SUPPORT ADVOCATE
SERVICES, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT
IS KNOWN.
I BELIEVE THAT WHAT THIS
LEGISLATION IS TRYING TO DO IS
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
REPORTS TO MANAGEMENT OF THESE
SITUATIONS WHEN THEY HAPPEN.
SO IT, I THINK WHAT WE HAVE
HEARD FROM HOTEL WORKERS IS
THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME
RETICENCE TO SUPPORT SITUATIONS
OF GUEST MISCONDUCT.
THE GOAL OF THIS LEGISLATION IS
TO ENCOURAGE THOSE REPORTS TO
ACTUALLY BE ELEVATED TO
MANAGEMENT.
SO I THINK IT'S HARD TO KNOW
EXACTLY THE NUMBERS RIGHT NOW.
BUT IT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING
WE COULD CHECK IN WITH.
>> I APPRECIATE IT.
PART OF THE OBJECTIVE HERE IS
TO IDENTIFY AND STOP THIS
WORRISOME AND HARASSING
BEHAVIOR THAT MANY OF THE
EMPLOYEES HAVE SPOKEN TO.
SO MAY, I SEE THIS AS TO WAYS.
MAYBE THINGS WILL IMPROVE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> IT COULD BE IN URGING FOLKS
TO IMPROVE THESE.
AND SOME GUESTS ARE ON NOTICE
TO NOT DO THIS.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
I AM CURIOUS ABOUT THE BUDGET
IMPACT OF THIS ADVOCATE
POSITION.
>> SO IF OLS DETERMINES THAT
THESE ADDITIONAL TASKS WILL
INCUR A COST, THAT COULD BE
SOMETHING THAT IS OPPOSED IN
THE MAYOR'S BUDGET OR IT COULD
BE SOMETHING THAT COUNSELORS
CONSIDER DURING THE BUDGET
PROCESS.
>> THAT WE DON'T HAVE AN
ESTIMATE?
>> I THINK THAT IT IS SOMETHING
TO BE EXPLORED.
IT COULD BE A COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A NUMBER
OF STAFF MEMBERS THAT COULD
FULFILL THIS FUNCTION.
THEY COULD BE CONTRACTED TO ADD
THIS TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES.
IT MIGHT BE ONE PERSON BUT IT
IS ALWAYS FIVE PEOPLE WHO ARE
PROVIDING THE SERVICES WHO
COULD NOW EXPAND TO ENCOMPASS
THE LEGISLATION.
>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR.
THE WAY I READ THIS AND THE
INTENT THAT WAS EMBEDDED IN MY
HEAD, THIS WOULD BE POTENTIAL
REFERRAL OUT TO ORGANIZATIONS
THAT ARE ALREADY EXPERTS.
>> CRISIS CONNECTIONS.
THE SUPPORT ADVOCATE COULD BE
SOMEONE WHO WORKS WITHIN THE
KING COUNTY COALITION FOR CASEY
R.
>> SO I THINK THAT ENTITIES
THAT WE LOOK AT, IT DOESN'T
NECESSARILY NEED TO BE IN
HOUSE.
NOR WOULD SOMEONE HAVE TO BE
TRAINED UP ON THE SKILLS.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT.
WE HAVE A BACKLOG OF BUDGET
NEEDS AND I CHAIR A DEPARTMENT
THAT IS VERY UNDERSTAFFED FOR
THE LAWS THAT WE HAVE PASSED.
SO IF WE ARE IN THE OFFICE OF
CIVIL RIGHTS, IF WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT A NEW POSITION FOR OLS, I
WOULD BE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE
WAITING TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION
DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS.
IF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THAT THAT
IS NOT THE INTENT?
>> IT IS NOT THE INTENT.
WE SHOULD CLARIFY.
I AM HAPPY TO DO SO.
THAT IS THE WAY I READ IT.
I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT BEING
INTERNAL.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR FLAGGING
THAT.
TO BE EXPLICIT, THIS WOULD BE A
CONTRACT WITH A SUPPORT
ADVOCATE.
>> WE INITIALLY HAD A LANGUAGE
SAYING THAT OLS WOULD CONTRACT
WITH THE QUALIFIED COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS OR OTHER
ENTITIES.
THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION ON
FOLKS READING THAT.
THINKING THAT IT WAS SUDDENLY
REQUIRING AN EMPLOYER TO
CONTRACT.
SO WE CHOSE VERY BROAD
LANGUAGE.
CELL PROVIDED ACCESS THAT ON
THE BACKS US, BACK ACCESS, OLS
WOULD CONTRACT OR EVEN FIGURE
OUT OTHER WAYS TO PROVIDE THE
SERVICE BUT NOT NECESSARILY,
NOT INTENDED FOR OLS TO HAVE
ADDITIONAL STAFF PERSONS FOR
THIS.
>> IT IS BEEN ALREADY A LONG
MORNING BUT IF YOU HAVE 15
MINUTES, MAYBE WE COULD KEEP
WALKING THROUGH THE CHART?
>> THERE ARE TWO MAIN SECTIONS
LEFT.
RECORD-KEEPING AND ENFORCEMENT.
RECORD-KEEPING, THERE WAS
LANGUAGE ADDED TO MAKE IT CLEAR
THAT NOTHING REQUIRES AN
EMPLOYER TO RETAIN RECORDS WITH
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION OF THE
GUEST ALLEGED TO HAVE ENGAGED
IN MISCONDUCT.
ALSO, WITH ALL LABOR STANDARDS,
THERE IS A REBUTTABLE
PRESUMPTION THAT THE EMPLOYER
VIOLATED THE LAW.
IF THEY FAILED TO MAINTAIN
RECORDS.
THAT EXISTS IN THIS LEGISLATION
AS WELL.
WITH ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE THAT
PRESUMPTION THAT IT ONLY
APPLIES TO ESTABLISHED
OBLIGATIONS AND INCIDENTS OF
GUEST MISCONDUCT.
IF THIS ADDRESSES THE
SITUATION, WHERE THE EMPLOYER
SAYS WE DON'T HAVE RECORD OF
THIS SITUATION BECAUSE NOBODY
EVER COMPLAINED.
SO I THINK THIS AGAIN, WHILE
SUITED FOR RULES TO DESCRIBE
WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE AN
ESTABLISHED ALLEGATION, DOES
THAT MEAN OLS IS FOUND BY THE
PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE THAT
THE SITUATION HAPPENED?
OR SOMETHING ELSE?
>> I REALLY WANT TO KNOWLEDGE
THE FEEDBACK WE HAVE RECEIVED
NOT JUST FROM ACLU BUT OTHERS
AND FOLKS ON THE LEGISLATIVE
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ WANTED TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE WEREN'T
UNDULY KEEPING AN ONGOING LIST
FOR 5 YEARS.
AS YOU SEE IN THE AMENDED WAS,
KARINA JUST WALKED US THROUGH
THIS.
WE WANTED TO BE EXPLICIT THAT
NOTHING REQUIRES THE EMPLOYER
TO RETAIN RECORDS OF
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION.
WE OBVIOUS A WANT THERE TO BE
IN THE MOMENT.
ESPECIALLY FOR THE STATE.
SO NO WORKER IS PUT IN HARMS
WAY.
NOBODY IS ASKED TO GO BACK TO
THE ROOM WHERE THEY EXPERIENCED
THE ALLEGED HARASSMENT OR
INTIMIDATION OR VIOLENCE.
BUT THIS IS REALLY CRITICAL SO
WE HAVE CLARIFIED.
>> EXACTLY.
>> THE LAST, THE ENFORCEMENT
SECTION.
FIRST, ALL OF THE PENALTIES AND
FINES AND THE ENFORCEMENT
SECTION HAVE BEEN DOUBLED FROM
THE AMOUNTS THAT ARE REGULARLY
IN A LABOR STANDARDS ORDINANCES
FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.
ONE IS TO FURTHER INCENTIVIZE
COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE.
AND NEXT IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT
THERE IS VERY LIMITED FINANCIAL
RECOVERY FOR EMPLOYEES WHEN
EMPLOYER DOESN'T COMPLY.
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
LAW.
THERE IS A PROVISION IN THE
ENFORCEMENT SECTION THAT ALLOWS
THE DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS TO DETERMINE WHETHER
ANY SORT OF PENALTIES, CIVIL
PENALTIES THAT WOULD BE PAID TO
THE CITY CAN ACTUALLY BE PAID
TO THE WORKER. HERE WE DON'T
HAVE SITUATIONS WHERE WORKERS
AREN'T GETTING PREMIUM PAY OR
AREN'T GETTING WAGES.
IT IS JUST A MATTER OF BUT DID
THE EMPLOYER FOLLOW THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS LAW?
DID THEY GIVE THE GUESTS THE
NOTICE?
DID THEY SEPARATE THE WORKER
FROM THE SITUATION OF
MISCONDUCT?
SO IN THIS SITUATION, IF THE
DIRECTOR DECIDES THAT PENALTIES
ARE IN ORDER, THOSE COULD BE
DIRECTED TO THE WORKER AND ALSO
CAN BE SPLIT PENALTIES TO THE
CITY AND TO THE WORKER.
SOME FINES WERE ADDED TO
REFLECT SOME OF THE NEW
REQUIREMENTS IN THIS VERSION.
THE LAST, THERE IS AN ACCOUNT
ESTABLISHED THAT WOULD USE
PENALTIES AND FINES PAYABLE TO
THE CITY TO DEFRAY ANY AGENCY
COST FOR PROVIDING THE SUPPORT
ADVOCATE FOR
>> RECOGNIZING THAT IS, IT
MIGHT NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO
WHOLLY PAY FOR SUPPORT ADVOCATE
BUT TO DEFER THE COST.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, ANY
OTHER COMMENTS FROM YOU GIVEN
THE OVERSIGHT OF CIVIL RIGHTS ?
>> THANK YOU.
BUT NO, I AM GOOD.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS?
AN ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ON
THESE PIECES?
>> THE ENFORCEMENT IS AROUND
THE ENFORCEMENT OF ACTIONS TO
PROTECT THE WORKERS AS
CONTRASTED?
I WOULD JUST LIKE A LITTLE
FURTHER FLUSHING OUT ABOUT WHAT
WE THINK WE ARE ENFORCING.
>> SO IF A WORKER COMES TO THE
OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS WITH
A COMPLAINT OF VIOLATION OF
THIS LAW, IT WOULD BE ALONG THE
LINES OF I REPORTED TO
MANAGEMENT THAT THIS TERRIBLE
THING HAPPENED IN A GUEST ROOM.
AND THEY DIDN'T DO WHAT THEY
WERE SUPPOSED TO DO.
THEY DIDN'T GIVE THE GUEST THE
NOTICE OF DISCONTINUATION OF
SERVICE.
THEY FAILED TO DISCONTINUE
THOSE SERVICES.
THEY DIDN'T TAKE ME OUT OF THAT
WORK ENVIRONMENT, THEY DIDN'T
GIVE ME MY NOTICE OF RIGHTS.
THEY DIDN'T GIVE BE PAID TIME
TO CONSULT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT
OR MY ADVOCATE.
THAT IS WHAT THE PLOY HE COULD
SAY TO OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS AND OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS WOULD DETERMINE IF
THERE WAS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT
THOSE ALLEGATIONS.
>> SO COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, I
WANT TO AGAIN THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ONGOING WORK TO WORK THIS
DRAFT AT THE TABLE.
AND YOUR THOUGHTFUL ANALYSIS OF
THE LEGISLATION OVER THE LAST
THREE MONTHS.
THE BASE LEGISLATION THAT
KARINA JUST WALKED THROUGH HAS
BEEN AMENDED TO REFLECT MANY OF
THE CONCERNS AND MANY
SUGGESTIONS YOU HAD.
AT THIS POINT, ARE THERE
AMENDMENTS TO THIS VERSION?
>> I SHOULD ASK OUR COLLEAGUES.
ARE THERE AMENDMENTS TO THE
AMENDED VERSION THAT KARINA
JUST WALKED THROUGH THAT
ANYBODY WANTS TO POTENTIALLY
HIGHLIGHT?
>> OKAY.
>> I THINK I HAVE BROUGHT UP
MOST OF MY CONCERNS.
I HAVE PREPARED LANGUAGE.
WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON
THAT.
>>
>> I WOULD REQUEST THAT WE DO
LIKE WE DID WITH THE PREVIOUS
BILL.
THAT WE ONLY VOTE ON THE
SUBSTITUTE.
BOAT TO SUBSTITUTE WITH THE
SUBSTITUTE AND NOT VOTE ON
MOVING IT OUT.
>> I THINK THAT IS ABSOLUTELY
WELL TAKEN.
AND IN LINE WITH OUR GOAL TO
BRING ALL OF THESE ITEMS BACK
ON SEPTEMBER 5. I REALLY LIKE
THE APPROACH THAT CENTRAL STAFF
HAS PUT TOGETHER TO INCORPORATE
ANY OF YOUR IDEAS INTO ONE
DRAFT.
IT WAS EASY FOR US AND I THINK
DIFFICULT FOR YOU ALL.
TO PULL THESE IDEAS ALTOGETHER.
BUT IT HELPS US TO REALLY SEE
HOW THES ELEMENTS GO TOGETHER.
WITH THE VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS IN
ONE AMENDED DRAFT.
I AM REFERRING TO IT AS A
STRIKER.
BUT I AGREE WITH YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE KING
COUNTY COALITION FOR VICTIMS
ADVOCATES.
I AM NOT SURE THAT I HAVE THE
ACRONYM RIGHT.
>> SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCES
COALITION.
>> THAT IS THE CASE ARE AS
WELL.
SO WE WILL WORK WITH THOSE
FOLKS TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY
ADDITIONAL EDITS.
WE ALREADY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED
AND THANKED ACLU FOR THEIR
INITIAL FEEDBACK THIS MORNING.
THAT IS JUST THE PRELIMINARY
CONVERSATION THAT WE WILL BEGIN
INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL IDEAS
FROM THEM AS WELL PRIOR TO THE
SEPTEMBER 5 DATE.
I'M SURE THERE IS OTHER
FEEDBACK FROM OUR FOLKS FROM
THE HOTEL INDUSTRY AND FOLKS
FROM THE HOTEL WORKER ADVOCATES
SIDE THAT WILL WANT TO GIVE US
FEEDBACK AS WELL.
BUT IN LIGHT OF THAT, IN ORDER
TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A
WORK IN PROGRESS AND WE HAVE
INCLUDED MANY OF THOSE
SUGGESTIONS TO DATE, I WOULD
LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND SUBSTITUTE
COUNSEL BILL 119 557 WITH
AMENDMENT, WHAT ARE WE CALLING
THIS KARINA?
>> D2.
>> AS DESCRIBED BY CENTRAL
STUFF.
I WOULD MOVE TO DO THAT.
>> IS THERE A SECOND TO MOVE?
TO AMEND?
>> ANY ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION?
>> I WILL ABSTAIN FOR THE SAME
REASONS I MENTIONED EARLIER.
I REALLY WANT TO CONTINUE TO
INVESTIGATE SOME OF THE THINGS
BUT I APPRECIATE HOW MUCH
FURTHER WE ARE AT THE END OF
THE THREE HOURS THAN WE WERE AT
9:00.
>> EXCELLENT.
THANK YOU.
>> ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR OF
SUBSTITUTING COUNSEL BILL
119557 WITH AMENDMENT D2 PLEASE
VOTE AYE.
ANY OPPOSED?
NONE.
ABSTENTIONS ONE.
THE VOTE IS IN FAVOR AND ONE
ABSTENTION.
2 SUBSTITUTE.
TO COUNSEL BILL 119557,
SUBSTITUTE IT WITH D2.
WE WILL KEEP IT IN COMMITTEE
AND BRING ALL FOUR PARTS BACK
TO COMMITTEE ON THE SEPTEMBER 5
AND WITH THAT, I KNOW WE HAVE A
LOT OF WORK TO DO.
AND WE WANT TO THANK OUR
CENTRAL STAFF FOR YOUR INTENSE
WORK ON THIS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ AND HER
OFFICE AS WELL.
FOR THEIR COSPONSORSHIP OF
THIS.
THEY WILL WORK WITH US.
ALL OF YOU FOR IDENTIFYING
AREAS ISSUES AND AMENDMENTS TO
CONSIDER.
WE WILL KEEP THIS, THESE ITEMS,
IN COMMITTEE FOR FUTURE
DISCUSSION ON SEPTEMBER 5.
COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, YOU ARE
FREE TO GO IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
I DID OFFER IF THERE WAS ONE OR
TWO MORE PEOPLE WHO CAME LATE
TO WANTED TO TESTIFY, KEEP IT
OPEN.
IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO WANTS TO
TESTIFY, YOU ARE WELCOME TO
LINE UP, BUT FOR THE VIEWING
PUBLIC'S AWARENESS, OUR NEXT
MEETING WILL BE SEPTEMBER 5 AT
9 AM.
WE WILL REALLY FOCUS ON HOTEL
WORKER LEGISLATION.
WE HAVE ONE REPORT FROM SEATTLE
CITY LIGHT IN THE MORNING THAT
WE HAVE TO DO FROM THE BAKER
TILLY REPORT.
FOLKS ARE COMING UP FROM SAN
FRANCISCO WHICH IS GREAT.
WE WILL GET RIGHT INTO THE
HEART OF THIS.
IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO DID
WANT TO TESTIFY?
SEEING NO HANDS AND NO ONE
RUNNING UP, INC.
YOU ALL FOR STAYING WITH US
TODAY.
FOR YOUR WORK.
OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS ON
THIS LEGISLATION.
CENTRAL STUFF, THANK YOU ONCE
AGAIN FOR YOUR WORK AND COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES, OUR MEETING IS
ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU FOR COOKING FOR US
TODAY.
>> THANK YOU.