>>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO.
>> WE ARE RECORDING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
GOOD MORNING.
THE FEBRUARY 9th, 2021 MEETING
OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HUMAN
SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL COME TO
ORDER.
IT IS 9:31 A.M.
I AM LISA HERBOLD, CHAIR OF THE
COMMITTEE.
WILL DE KLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALES.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
>> HERE.
ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU.
FIRST, I WANT TO REAL QUICKLY
GO OVER TODAY'S AGENDA. ON
TODAY'S AGENDA WE WILL HEAR
úFIRST A PRESENTATION FROM THE
SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND PUBLIC
HEALTH ON OUR PLAN TO VACCINATE
RESIDENTS AND WORKERS.
WE WILL THEN HEAR A
PRESENTATION FROM THE SEATTLE
FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE ADOPTION
OF THE 2018 FIRE CODES.
WE WILL THEN MOVE INTO
CONTINUATION OF OUR DISCUSSION
AND DELIBERATIONS REGARDING
POTENTIAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON
THE LESS LETHAL WEAPONS DRAFT
BILL, DEVELOPED BASED ON OUR
RECOMMENDATIONS OF OUR POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS.
ITEM 4 WHICH IS 1199 81
CONCERNING THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET WILL BE
HELD ON TODAY'S AGENDA WHILE
THE CITY COMMUNICATES WITH THE
MONITOR AND THE COURT
OVERSEEING THE CONSENT DECREE
BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE
BACKGROUND AS TO THE HOLDING OF
THIS AGENDA ITEM WHILE THE CITY
DOES THAT COMMUNICATION WITH
THE MONITOR AND THE COURT.
I JUST WANT TO UPLIFT COMMENTS
FROM THE CITY IN OUR REGULAR
PERIODIC FILING WITH THE COURT
FROM A FEW DAYS AGO REGARDING
THE MONITORS WORKPLAN.
IN THAT FILING THE CITY SAID
UNDER THE PROPOSED PLAN TO
MONITOR AND DOJ WILL PROVIDE
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE
THAT BUDGET CUTS OR STRUCTURAL
CHANGES TO POLICING ARE NOT
UNDERTAKEN IN A MANNER THAT
UNDERMINES THE CITIES
COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONSENT
DECREE.
THE CITY GOES ON TO SAY THIS
PAST YEAR CITY LEADERS AND
COMMUNITY GROUPS HAVE CALLED
FOR BUDGET CUTS TO SPD
ACCOMPANIED BY INCREASED
FUNDING TO POLICING
ALTERNATIVES.
CONCURRENTLY, NOT AS A RESULT,
BUT CONCURRENTLY AS THEY LOST A
NUMBER OF OFFICERS TO
RETIREMENT AND TRANSFER AND SPD
EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT BUDGET
CUTS DUE TO COVID-19.
THE CITY RECOGNIZES THAT
ADDITIONAL MAJOR REDUCTIONS TO
SPD STAFFING COULD THREATEN TO
UNDERMINE THE CONSENT TO CREATE
REFORMS IN AREAS SUCH AS
SUPERVISION, TRAINING AND USE
OF FORCE REPORTING,
INVESTIGATION AND REVIEW.
THE CITY WILL WORK WITH THE
MONITOR AND THE DOJ FOR THAT
OUTCOME.
AS I SAID, THE CITY WILL BE IN
TOUCH WITH THE MONITOR ABOUT
POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THIS
PROPOSED BILL.
I HAVE ASKED THE CITY ATTORNEY
TO CLARIFY WITH THE COURT AND
WITH THE MONITOR THAT THE
COUNCIL HAS INCLUDED 2021
FUNDING SUFFICIENT TO FULLY
IMPLEMENT SPD'S 2021 STAFFING
PLAN.
FURTHER, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE
AGAIN ALTHOUGH OFFICER STAFFING
WENT DOWN BY 135 OFFICERS
DURING 2020 DUE TO SEPARATIONS
AND THE HIRING FREEZE ORDERED
BY THE MAYOR, NO OFFICERS HAVE
BEEN LAID OFF AS A RESULT OF
COUNCILS SPD BUDGET REDUCTION.
I WANT TO SINCERELY EXPRESS MY
APPRECIATION TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY FOR NOTING IN THE
FILING THE SUBMITTAL I QUOTED
FROM EARLIER, THE IMPORTANT
ROLE OF COMMUNITY GROUPS
CALLING FOR BUDGET CUTS.
AND TO BE CLEAR, THESE ARE
PREDOMINANTLY COMMUNITY LED
GROUPS OF BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE
. AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S EFFORTS TO
ACCURATELY REPRESENT THE BUDGET
CUTS COMING OUT OF THIS
CONVERSATION AND RESULTING FROM
COVID-19 RELATED REVENUE
REDUCTIONS.
MY PLAN IS TO BRING THIS
LEGISLATION BACK TO COMMITTEE
AFTER WE HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY
TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH
THE MONITOR AIMING TO BRING
THIS BACK AGAIN IN THE NEXT
COMMITTEE MEETING IN A FEW
WEEKS.
AS IT RELATES, THE LAST ITEM ON
THE AGENDA THAT WE WILL
DISCUSS, AND THAT IS OF COURSE
THE LESS LETHAL WEAPONS
LEGISLATION.
I WANT TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUES
ON THE COMMITTEE AND THE
VIEWING PUBLIC THAT ANY
RECOMMENDTION THAT THE
COMMITTEE MAKES UNLESS LETHAL
WEAPONS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO
THE MONITOR AND THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE
U.S. COURT BEFORE ANY FULL
COUNCIL ACTION.
IN ORDER TO MEET THE TERMS OF
THE CONSENT DECREE BETWEEN THE
CITY OF SEATTLE AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
UNDER THE CONSENT DECREE THE
MONITOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE MUST REVIEW AND THE
COURT MUST APPROVE ANY PROPOSED
CHANGES TO USE OF FORCE IN THE
CITY OF SEATTLE.
THE LAW THAT THE COUNCIL
ADOPTED IN THE SUMMER HAS NEVER
GONE INTO EFFECT DO TO THE
ACTION OF DISTRICT COURT TO
PLACE A RESTRAINING ORDER ON
THE ORDINANCE.
I JUST WANT TO -- WE WILL TALK
ABOUT THIS MORE ONCE WE GET
INTO THIS ITEM.
WE ARE NOT VOTING ON THE BILL
ITSELF IN COMMITTEE NOR ARE WE
SENDING THE BILL TO FULL COUNCIL
BEFORE REVIEW BY THE COURT.
INSTEAD OF VOTING ON THE BILL
ITSELF IN COMMITTEE, WE WILL
VOTE ON A MOTION TO SEND THE
UNDERLYING DRAFT BILL.
THE DRAFT BILL HAS NOT BEEN
REFERRED THROUGH THE COUNCILS
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
PROCESS.
WE ARE GOING TO BE VOTING ON A
MOTION, WHICH IS JUST AN INTENT
TO SEND THE DRAFT LEGISLATION
TO THE COURT FOR REVIEW.
SO, YOU ARE ALLOWING ME THOSE
OPENING REMARKS.
WE WILL NOW CONCEDE TO OUR
AGENDA FOR TODAY'S COMMITTEE
MEETING.
THERE IS NO OBJECTION. THE
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED.
SEEING NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA
IS ADOPTED.
WE WILL NOW TRANSITION INTO
PUBLIC COMMENT.
I WILL MODERATE THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD.
EACH SPEAKER WILL START OFF BY
GIVING FOLKS TWO MINUTES TO
SPEAK. I WILL CALL ON EACH
SPEAKER BY NAME AND IN THE
ORDER WHICH THEY REGISTERED ON
THE WEBSITE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED
TO SPEAK BUT WOULD LIKE TO DO
SO, YOU CAN SIGN UP BEFORE THE
END OF THE PUBLIC HEARING BY
GOING ON THE COUNCILS WEBSITE.
THIS LINK IS ALSO LISTED ON
TODAY'S AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL A SPEAKER'S NAME
YOU WILL HEAR A PROMPT AND ONCE
YOU HAVE HEARD THAT PROMPT YOU
WILL NEED TO PRESS STAR SIX.
I REQUEST THAT YOU BEGIN BY
STATING YOUR NAME AND THE ITEM
WHICH YOU ARE ADDRESSING.
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A TIME WHEN
10 SECONDS ARE LEFT OF YOUR
ALLOTTED TIME.
ONCE THE SPEAKER HERE'S THE
CHIME WE ASK THAT YOU BEGIN TO
WRAP UP YOUR COMMENTS.
IF SPEAKERS DO NOT END THEIR
COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE
ALLOTTEDTIME PROVIDED, THE
SPEAKERS MICROPHONE WILL BE
MUTED AFTER 10 SECONDS TO ALLOW
US TO HEAR FROM THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE
DISCONNECT FROM THE LINE.
IF YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE TO
FOLLOW THE MEETING, YOU CAN DO
SO BY AT THE SEATTLE CHANNEL OR
THE LISTENING OPTIONS LISTED ON
THE AGENDA.
RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT ABOUT 34
PEOPLE LISTED HERE FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT.
AS ALWAYS, WE START OFF WITH 20
MINUTES ON THE AGENDA FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT.
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE
HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, THERE
ARE SOME FOLKS THAT ARE SIGNED
UP NOT PRESENT.
WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IS I WILL
MONITOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND
MONITOR THE TIME AND AFTER 20
MINUTES OF PUBLIC COMMENT, WE
WILL LOOK AT EXTENDING THE
PUBLIC COMMENT AND POTENTIALLY
LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF TIME
THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SPEAK FROM
TWO MINUTES TO ONE MINUTE TO
POTENTIALLY, DEPENDING ON HOW
MANY LEFT, TO POTENTIALLY ALLOW
FOR MORE PUBLIC COMMENT.
WITH THAT, LET'S START PUBLIC
COMMENT.
I WILL START WITH HOWARD
FOLLOWED BY DANIEL CAVANAUGH.
>> HI, GOOD MORNING.
HOWARD GAIL. HELLO?
>> WE GOT YOU.
THANK YOU.
>> HOWARD GAIL SPEAKING ON THE
LACK OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.
THESE PAST MONTHS THE
INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF HARM
AND TRAVEL BY THE SEATTLE
POLICE WAS DESCRIBED IN FEDERAL
COURT LAST WEEK BY A CITY
ATTORNEY AS QUOTE, SOMETHING
HAPPENED LAST SUMMER.
THIS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY, A
MAN WHO CHOOSES TO SOMETIMES
CHARGE ABUSE AND ALWAYS LET THE
ABUSERS GO FREE.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE WORDS
FOR COLD, CALLOUS, STERILE AND
HEARTLESS.
THIS WAS YOUR REPRESENTATION
LAST WEEK AND I HAVE YET TO
HEAR ANY EXPRESSION OF
DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL.
EDERAL CONSENT TO BE CLEARLY
AND SPECIFICALLY POLICE POLICY,
TRAINING AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS MORNING YOU WILL DEBATE
THE TOOLS, NOT THE POLICIES
AROUND THE USE OF WHATEVER
TOOLS THE POLICE WILL HAVE AND
THE ACCOUNTABILITY THEY WERE
USED.
THIS IS TRULY PUTTING THE CART
BEFORE THE HORSE AND LETTING
THE HORSE RUNAWAY.
OF COURSE ANY SENSIBLE AND
DECENT PERSON WOULD BE IN FAVOR
OF BANNING THE HORRIBLE WEAPONS
USED ON US LAST SPRING AND
SUMMER.
WITHOUT CITING ACCOUNTABILITY,
THE PROJECT IN FEDERAL COURT
WILL ENDORSE, THIS FIGHT OVER
WEAPONS WILL PROVE TO BRING THE
COUNCIL INTO ENDLESS CONFLICT
WITH THE COURT.
WHY DO SEATTLE DOES NOT DESERVE
A POLICE ACCOUNTABLE SYSTEM LIKE
OTHER CITIES HAVE CHOSEN.
A SYSTEM THAT EVEN OUR OWN
WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE IS
NOW CONSIDERING.
TRUE CIVILIAN CONTROL
ACCOUNTABILITY.
THE CONSENT DECREE IS
DRAMATICALLY REVISED OUR
ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM, WHICH
REALLY DOESN'T EXIST.
AND THEN ONCE THAT ENDS, WE CAN
REGAIN CONTROL OVER THE POLICE
BUDGET AND THE WEAPONS THEY
USED.
WE ARE NOW IN OUR NINTH YEAR.
OUR NINTH YEAR OF THE CONSENT
DECREE.
PLEASE GET US TO ACCOUNTABILITY,
NOT CHANGING THE TOOLS FOR
ABUSE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS DANIEL
CAVANAUGH FOLLOWED BY EVA.
>> MY NAME IS DAN.
I'M A MEMBER OF SOCIALIST
ALTERNATIVE AND I'M A RENTER IN
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT I AM HERE
TO TELL THE CITY COUNCIL
MEMBERS DO NOT AT THE CHEMICAL
WEAPONS BAN TODAY.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST
VICTORIES OF THE BLACK LIVES
MATTER MOVEMENT LAST YEAR AND
OUR MOVEMENT IS NOT GOING TO
TAKE IT LYING DOWN IF YOU TRY
TO ROLL IT BACK.
IN PARTICULAR I AM INCENSED BY
THIS LOOPHOLE THAT IS PROPOSED
BY THE DEMOCRATS ON THE COUNCIL
THAT WOULD LEAVE US UP TO
POLICE DISCRETION WHETHER OR
NOT A PROTESTERS IS VIOLENT OR
WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE
JUSTIFIED IN THEIR USE OF FORCE
AND USE OF THESE WEAPONS.
WHEN IN THE HISTORY OF POLICE
REFORM HAS IT WORKED TO THE
LEAVES THE USE OF FORCE UP TO
THE OFFICERS DISCRETION?
THE OFFICER LAST YEAR WHO
PEPPER SPRAYED A CHILD IN THE
FACE USED HIS DISCRETION ON
WHAT WAS NECESSARY.
THE SPD USED THEIR DISCRETION
WHEN THEY KEPT HIM ON THE FORCE
AFTER JUST GIVING HIM A SLAP ON
THE WRIST.
THE SPD HAD THE LARGEST
CONTINGENT OF OFFICERS TO THE
FAR RIGHT CAPITAL RIOT ON
JANUARY 6th AND WE ARE SUPPOSED
TO TRUST THEIR DISCRETION?
THESE LOOPHOLES WOULD WRITE A
BLANK CHECK TO THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT TO DECLARE A
PROTEST VIOLENT AND USE THESE
WEAPONS.
THIS IS WHAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS
DID ALL OVER THE COUNTRYLAST
SUMMER.
OUR MOVEMENT IS NOT GOING AWAY
AND THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS B█AN I
NOT EVEN RIGHT.
WE ARE FIGHTING FOR COMMUNITY
CONTROL OF THE POLICE.
IF YOU VOTE TO GET THIS
CHEMICAL WEAPONS BAN THERE WILL
BE A RECKONING.
>> THANK YOU, DAN.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS EVA
FOLLOWED BY ALICIA LEWIS.
>> HI, MY NAME IS EVA AND I AM
CALLING TO SPEAK AGAINST EDDIE
GUNNING OF THE BAN ON SO-CALLED
CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS AS ONE OF
THE 26 MILLION PEOPLE WHO CAME
OUT LAST SUMMER TO PROTEST FOR
JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD AND
FOR REAL ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE
POLICE DEFUNDING BY 50% TO
INVEST IN BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITY NEEDS.
I WAS ALSO ONE OF THE MANY TENS
OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HERE IN
SEATTLE WHO WITNESSED AND
EXPERIENCED THE BRUTAL RESPONSE
OF THE POLICE FORCE WITH TEAR
GAS, PEPPER SPRAY, FLASH HAND
GRENADES, OTHER MILITARIZED
CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS AGAINST
SO MANY PEOPLE PROTESTERS
INCLUDING CHILDREN.
THIS IS THE SAME AS WHAT
HAPPENED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THAT'S WHY SO MANY PEOPLE
THOUGHT LAST SUMMER ALONGSIDE
COUNCILMEMBERS TO WIN THIS
LEGISLATION WHICH WAS A HUGE
VICTORY FOR THE BLACK LIVES
MATTER MOVEMENT BOTH HERE IN
SEATTLE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I ALSO REMEMBER US SPEAKING TO
CITY COUNCIL WITH HUNDREDS OF
OTHER PEOPLE REPRESENTING THE
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS
WHO WERE SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF
THIS LEGISLATION AND AGAINST
ANY LOOPHOLES TO APPLY THE PUSH
TO GET THIS VICTORY.
AT SUCH A SLAP IN THE FACE TO
ALL THESE PEOPLE AND
PROTESTERS.
AS DAN SAID IT'S EVEN MORE
OUTRAGEOUS BUT IT'S COMING ON
THE HEELS OF 6 POLICE OFFICERS
PARTICIPATING IN THESE RIGHT-
WING RIOTS.
AND ALSO AT A TIME WHEN
DEMOCRATIC PARTY POLITICIANS
HAVE FULL CONTROL OF THE CITY
AND STATE GOVERNMENT.
NOT TO MENTION BOTH HOUSES OF
NATIONAL CONGRESS AND THE
PRESIDENCY.
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD
DO WHAT THE COMMUNITY WORKING
PEOPLE AND WHAT COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR NEED, NOT WHAT YOU
BELIEVE THE COURTS OF
CAPITALISM DEMANDS.
THIS IS NOT COMPLETELY
SHOCKING, THOUGH.
IT'S THE SAME CITY COUNCIL WITH
THE EXCEPTION OF COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT WHICH QUICKLY
BACKTRACKED AND MADE AT THE
HEIGHT OF THE MOVEMENT LAST
SUMMER TO THE FUND BY 50% AND
INVEST IN COMMUNITY.
ALL OF OUR VICTORIES IN WHICH
THE TAX LEGISLATION --
>> THANK YOU, EVA.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ALICIA
LEWIS FOLLOWED BY JORDAN QUINN.
>> HI, MY NAME IS ALICIA LEWIS.
I AM A MEMBER OF SOCIALIST
ALTERNATIVE.
I AM ALSO SPEAKING IN
OPPOSITION TO ANY ATTEMPTS TO
WATER DOWN THE BAN ON POLICE
USE OF SO-CALLED CROWD CONTROL
WEAPONS THAT WAS INTRODUCED BY
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT AND ONE BY
THE RANK-AND-FILE OF THE
MOVEMENT LAST SUMMER.
THE RIGHT FOR WORKING PEOPLE
AND OPPRESSED COMMUNITIES TO
PEACEFULLY PROTEST INJUSTICE
WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION IS
A HARD-FOUGHT DEMOCRATIC RIGHT
THAT MUST BE PROTECTED.
IT IS TRULY A SHAME THAT SO-
CALLED PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS ON
THE CITY COUNCIL AT THE SAME
TIME THAT THEY GIVE LIP SERVICE
TO THE BLACK LIVES MATTER
MOVEMENT ARE NOW ATTEMPTING TO
ADD MAJOR LOOPHOLES WHICH WOULD
REMOVE THIS CRUCIAL LEGISLATION
OF ALL OF ITS PIECE.
AS OTHERS HAVE POINTED TO, THIS
IS ESPECIALLY OUTRAGEOUS IN
LIGHT OF THE RELEGATION THAT AS
MANY AS SIX SEATTLE POLICE
OFFICERS, POSSIBLY THE MOST IN
THE NATION, PARTICIPATED IN THE
VIOLENT RIGHT RING RIOTS IN
DC.
CLEARLY WE CAN'T AFFORD TO ROLL
BACK ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE SPD.
WE NEED TO PRESERVE THE BAN ON
SO-CALLED CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS
AND WE NEED TO EXTEND THAT
VICTORY WITH THE GENUINE
COMMUNITY CONTROL OF THE POLICE
INCLUDING AN ELECTED COMMUNITY
OVERSIGHT BOARD THAT HAS FULL
POWERS TO HIRE, FIRE AND
SUBPOENA POLICE OFFICERS.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT WHO USED HER OFFICE TO
DEFEND THIS VICTORY.
I DON'T THINK IT'S ANY ACCIDENT
AT ALL THAT THE ONE
COUNCILMEMBER WHO HAS NEVER
WALKED BACK ON HER COMMITMENT
TO FIGHT ALONGSIDE THE BLACK
LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT IS NOW
THE COUNCILMEMBER WHO IS FACING
A RECALL ATTACK SPEARHEADED BY
THE RIGHT-WING TO DEFEND
AGAINST FURTHER ATTACKS ON HER
MOVEMENT.
IT'S CRUCIAL THAT WE STAND IN
SOLIDARITY AGAINST THIS
UNDEMOCRATIC RECALL AND THAT WE
ORGANIZE INDEPENDENTLY AS A
DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT WHICH
ATTEMPTS TO UNDERMINE OUR
VICTORY TIME AND TIME AGAIN AS
THEY ARE DOING RIGHT NOW.
TO THE OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS,
IT'S CLEAR THAT OUR MOVEMENT
WILL CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND
RACIAL JUSTICE.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JORDAN QUINN
FOLLOWED BY GRAYSON.
JORDAN?
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, WE CAN.
>> MY NAME IS JORDAN QUINN.
I AM A RENTER IN DISTRICT 2. I
AM CALLING TO SUPPORT THE CROWD
CONTROL WEAPONS BAN THAT
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT AND THE
BLACK LIVES MATTER WON LAST
YEAR.
I URGE THE COUNCIL NOT TO WATER
DOWN OR CARVEOUT A VICTORY AS
A FIRST IN THE NATION VICTORY.
CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ATTEMPT TO
GUT THIS BLACK LIVES MATTER
VICTORY IS REALLY ALL THE MORE
OUTRAGEOUS.
COMING ON THE HEELS OF THE
VIOLENT RIGHT-WING PROTEST IN
DC ON JANUARY 6th WITH SIX OR
MORE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICERS REPORTEDLY
PARTICIPATING.
ESSENTIALLY THE MOST OF ANY
POLICE FORCE IN THE NATION.
AT A TIME WHEN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
POLITICIANS HAVE FULL CONTROL
OF CITY AND STATE GOVERNMENT,
NOT TO MENTION BOTH HOUSES OF
NATIONAL CONGRESS AND THE
PRESIDENCY, THERE'S NO EXCUSE
WITH THE TRUMP'S DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE WHO SOUGHT INJUNCTIONS
AGAINST THE CROWD CONTROL BEEN.
THESE SAME CROWD CONTROL
WEAPONS HAVE BEEN USED AGAINST
WORKERS AND OPPRESSED PEOPLE
FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS
AROUND THE WORLD.
RECENTLY THE RIGHT-WING HINDU
NATIONAL FROM INDIA HAS USE THE
WEAPONS ON THE MASS FARMERS
MOVEMENT ORGANIZING AGAINST
AGRICULTURE LAWS.
REPRESENTATIVES NEED TO FIGHT
FOR WHAT WORKERS AND
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR NEED, NOT
WHAT THE RACIST CAPITAL COURTS
DEMAND.
ALONG WITH COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
AND OTHER MEMBERS TODAY AND
THE COMMUNITY POLICE
COMMISSION, THERE ARE MANY WHO
ARE RECOMMENDING THAT
MAINTAINING THE CROWD CONTROL
WEAPONS BAN AS IT IS DOES MORE
TO HELP IMPROVE COMMUNITY TRUST
IN THE POLICE, NOT LESS.
THERE'S NO EXCUSE TO ROLLBACK
THESE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE
PROTESTERS AND SEATTLE
RESIDENCE.
THE EYE IRRITANT USED BY THE
POLICE HAVE 19,000 COMPLAINTS
DURING THE PROTEST THIS SUMMER.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE GRAYSON VAN ARSDALE
FOLLOWED BY KAREN NYLUND.
GRAYSON?
>> HI.
MY NAME IS GRAYSON VAN ARSDALE.
I LIVE IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT.
AFTER WITNESSING THE DESPICABLE
POLICE VIOLENCE LAST SUMMER TO
DRIVE SUCH MASSIVE LOOPHOLES
INTO THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS BAN
IS NOTHING SHORT OF A COMPLETE
BETRAYAL.
AFTER BEING SUBJECTED TO SO-
CALLED CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS
FOR WEEKS AFTER WATCHING IT BE
DEPLOYED ON CHILDREN, THIS BAN
ALONGSIDE COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
OFFICE.
ANY COUNCILMEMBER AGAINST
POLICE VIOLENCE SHOULD VOTE NO
ON THE LOOPHOLES.
THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS BAN IS
FULLY ENFORCEABLE AS IS AND
COUNCILMEMBERS SHOULDN'T
PRETEND OTHERWISE.
THE PROPOSAL TO WATER DOWN THE
CHEMICAL WEAPONS BAND IS BAD
WHOLESALE BUT ESPECIALLY
EGREGIOUS IS THE PART THAT THE
PEPPER SPRAY AND NONVIOLENT
DEMONSTRATION WHEN SO OFTEN WE
ARE SEEING POLICE CLASSIFY A
PERSON OR SITUATION AS VIOLENT
WHEN REALITY IT'S BEEN ENTIRELY
DIFFERENT.
THIS PROPOSAL HAS NO RECOURSE
FOR THAT.
PEPPER SPRAY AND OTHER
IRRITANTS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS AND
LASTING MEDICAL DAMAGE.
THEY ARE WEAPONS OF WAR.
THIS BILL GIVES THE POLICE A
TOTAL GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD
AS IF THEY NEED MORE OF THOSE.
THIS NONLETHAL CROWD CONTROL
WEAPONS ARE NOT PERMISSIBLE
AGAINST CERTAIN SITUATIONS.
IT WILL BE FORCE BEING USED
UNNECESSARILY WHICH IS
ESSENTIALLY SAYING THE POLICE
CANNOT NAME PROTESTERS THEY
WILL KILL THEM.
IF THIS IS A SERIOUS ARGUMENT
THAT IS BEING BROUGHT FORWARD
úIT'S A STUNNING INDICTMENT OF
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
WHICH WARRANTS MORE ACTION.
NOT A WEAKENING OF RESTRICTIONS
AND POINTS TO A NEED FOR TRUE
COMMUNITY CONTROL OF POLICE.
IT'S REALLY CLEAR THAT THIS
PROPOSAL AND LOOPHOLES ARE A
CONCESSION TO THE COURT SYSTEM
THAT IS CONSISTENTLY LET COPS
OFF SCOTT FREE FOR THEIR VIEWS
RATHER THAN STANDING WITH THE
MOVEMENT THAT HAS ENDURED THESE
CHEMICAL WEAPONS TO FIGHT FOR
RACIAL JUSTICE.
THE DEMOCRATS ON CITY COUNCIL
WHO PROTEST THE MOVEMENT
AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY AND
SUPPORT THESE LOOPHOLES, I AM
NOT SURPRISED, BUT
DISAPPOINTED.
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
FOR STANDING WITH US.
WE NEED A NEW PARTY FOR RACIAL
JUSTICE AND WORKING PEOPLE .
>> THANK YOU, GRAYSON.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KAREN GILE
AND FOLLOWED BY MATTHEW WILDER.
KAREN?
>> I BELIEVE WE LOST THE
CALLER.
>> OKAY.
LET'S MOVE ON TO MATTHEW
WILDER.
MATTHEW?
ARE YOU STILL WITH US?
ALL RIGHT.
NOT HEARING MATTHEW, WE WILL
MOVE ON.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> WE CAN.
>> MY NAME IS MATTHEW.
I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT 3.
SPEAKING ON A VAN ON WEAPONS
LIKE TEARGAS, RUBBER BULLETS
AND GLASS BALLS, SO-CALLED
CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS.
NOW THAT THE PROGRESSIVES ARE
TRYING TO UNDO A MAJOR VICTORY
THAT WAS WON BY OUR MOVEMENT
OVER THE SUMMER.
AS POLICE ARE ALLOWED TO ACT
UNDER THEIR OWN DISCRETION
DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THE
PROTEST OF NONVIOLENCE IS
INEVITABLE THAT THE MOVEMENT
WILL REACH HIGH TIDE AGAIN.
THE MOVEMENT FOR COUNCILMEMBERS
TO TODAY. THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS
BAN IS A LANDMARK VICTORY FOR
THE GEORGE FLOYD BLACK LIVES
MATTER MOVEMENT.
THAT SPREAD NATIONALLY LAST
YEAR.
THE POLICE REPEATEDLY USE THESE
WEAPONS AGAINST PEACEFUL
PROTESTERS.
MOST NOTABLY IN DC WHEN DONALD
TRUMP TEAR GASSED BLACK LIVES
MATTER'S PHOTO OP.
WE SHOULD REMEMBER THE OTHER
PHOTOS OF THE MOVEMENT.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S EYES WHO HAD
BEEN SHOT OUT BY RUBBER LET'S
BY THE POLICE.
THIS WAS THE FIRST GAIN FOR THE
COMMUNITY CONTROL OF THE
POLICE.
AND NOW SO-CALLED PROGRESSIVE
DEMOCRATS WANT TO GIVE POLICE
BACK DISCRETION OVER WHEN AND
WHERE THEY GET TO USE THESE
WEAPONS I DETERMINING
THEMSELVES WHETHER OR NOT THIS
IS A NONVIOLENT PROTEST.
THE POLICE NEED TO ACT UNDER
OUR DISCRETION UNDER THE
DISCRETION OF WORKING PEOPLE
AND THE COMMUNITY, NOT THEIR
OWN.
WE NEED MORE CONTROL OVER THE
POLICE, NOT LESS.
WE NEED AN ELECTED OVERSIGHT
BOARD WITH FULL POWER TO HIRE,
FIRE AND SUBPOENA AND POLICE.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REITERATE
THAT THE MOVEMENT ISN'T ON.
IT WILL COME BACK AND THE
MOVEMENT WILL REMEMBER WHERE
PEOPLE STOOD TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BLIGHT
SERRANO FOLLOWED BY VALERIE.
>> HI.
I AM A RENTER AND I AM CALLING
IN TO TESTIFY AGAINST THE
GUTTING OF THE CROWD CONTROL
WEAPONS BAN.
TICK TICK APPALLED BUT UNDER
THE REVISED BILL WHICH GIVES
ORDINARY PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO
SUE FOR $10,000 ANYTIME THE
POLICE USE A PROHIBITED CROWD
CONTROL WEAPON WOULD ONLY APPLY
WHEN THE POLICE USE WEAPONS
DURING A NONVIOLENT
DEMONSTRATION.
SPD THEMSELVES ARE THE ONES
THAT GET TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY
CONSIDER A DEMONSTRATION TO BE
NONVIOLENT OR NOT.
AS WE SAW OVER THE SUMMER THEY
DECLARED PEACEFUL JUSTICE FOR
THE GEORGE FLOYD PROTEST TO BE
VIOLENT AND EVEN A RIOT
WHENEVER THEY WANTED TO USE
CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS TO CLEAR
THE STREETS.
THIS LEGISLATION ESSENTIALLY
GIVES SPD THE FREEDOM TO USE
CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS WHENEVER
THEY SEE FIT AND ELIMINATE
ORDINARY PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO SUE
WHERE CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS ARE
UNJUSTLY USED.
THE BILL ALSO REMOVES ALL
RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF
RUBBER BULLETS WHICH ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR AT LEAST 115
SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES AT THE
PROTESTS OVER THE SUMMER.
IT ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES
THE RESTRICTION ON POLICE USE
OF PEPPER SPRAY WHICH IS BOUND
FOR USE IN WAR UNDER THE
CHEMICAL WEAPONS INVENTION.
I FIND IT QUITE FRANKLY
IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW
ANY CITY IDLE CITY
COUNCILMEMBER CAN ADVOCATE FOR
THE CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT TO
BE ALLOWED TO USE WEAPONS THAT
ARE BANNED EVEN IN WAR AGAINST
THEIR OWN CONSTITUENTS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS VALERIE
FOLLOWED BY MADELEINE OLSON.
VALERIE?
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS VALERIE.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2. I AM
ASKING YOU TO MAINTAIN THE FULL
BAN ON SO-CALLED LESS LETHAL
CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS.
SPD REPEATEDLY USE THESE
WEAPONS OVER THE SUMMER IN WAYS
THAT WERE INDISCRIMINATE AND
VERY DANGEROUS.
WHEN WE GIVE SPD A HAMMER, IT
SEES EVERYTHING AS A NAIL.
EVEN OBVIOUSLY NONVIOLENT
PEOPLE EXERCISING THEIR
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREEDOM
OF SPEECH.
THERE ARE MANY ALTERNATIVE
STRATEGIES WE CAN EMPLOY FOR
PUBLIC SAFETY INCLUDING
STRATEGIES FOR CROWD CONTROL IF
NECESSARY.
MOST URGENTLY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
IN SEATTLE WE NEED A FULLY
CIVILIAN ELECTED BODY FOR
POLICE OVERSIGHT AND
ACCOUNTABILITY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, VALERIE.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MADELEINE
OLSON FOLLOWED BY SARAH.
>> HI THERE.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> WE CAN.
THANK YOU.
>> I AM MADELEINE.
I AM A RENTER AND I WANTED TO
SPEAK ABOUT THE CHEMICAL
WEAPONS BAN.
THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER ACROSS
THE COUNTRY WE SAW PEOPLE'S
PROTEST BY JUSTIFIABLY AND RAGE
COMMUNITIES THAT WERE MET WITH
POLICE BRUTALITY AND VIOLENCE.
IT'S THE VERY THING THAT SET
OFF THE GEORGE FLOYD PROTEST.
HERE IN SEATTLE A MOVEMENT WAS
ABLE TO WIN A LANDMARK CHEMICAL
WEAPONS BAN.
IT'S A FIRST STEP IN REAL
ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE POLICE.
ACCOUNTABILITY THAT HAS BEEN
ABSENT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE
SIX POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE
DISSIPATED IN THE DC RIGHT.
NOW THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT
LOOPHOLES IN THE BAND THAT GETS
US RIGHT BACK WHERE WE STARTED.
IF THE COUNCIL IS COMMITTED TO
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
DAMAGE DONE TO ALL THE PEOPLE
WHO STOOD UP FOR THE SERIOUS
AND REAL INJUSTICE IN THE
COMMUNITY THEY NEED TO HAVE NO
PEPPER SPRAY, NO TEARGAS.
THE USE OF LESS LETHAL WEAPONS
UP TO POLICE OFFICERS
DISCRETION IS CLEARLY NOT
WORKING WHICH IS WHY WE NEED
ACCOUNTABILITY AND A REAL-LIFE
OVERSIGHT BOARD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SARAH
FOLLOWED BY MARGO STEWART.
SARAH?
>> HI.
MY NAME IS SARAH AND I AM A
RENTER IN DISTRICT 3. I AM ALSO
CALLING ABOUT THE CHEMICAL
WEAPONS AND SO-CALLED CROWD
CONTROL BILL AND TO TALK ABOUT
WHY IT'S SO INCREDIBLY EXCITING
THAT SEATTLE WAS THE FIRST IN
THE COUNTRY TO PUT A BAN ON
THESE VIOLENT SO-CALLED CROWD
CONTROL WEAPONS.
AND YET NOW WE ARE DISCUSSING A
BILL THAT WILL ROLLOUT AND GOT
OUT THIS INCREDIBLE VICTORY.
I THINK IT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE
THAT DEMOCRATS ON THE CITY
COUNCIL ARE EVEN EXPRESSING AND
DISCUSSING THIS.
THIS VICTORY CAME OUT OF A LONG
AND HARD-FOUGHT BLM MOVEMENT
THIS PAST SUMMER.
WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO PROTECT
WHAT WE HAVE WON. AS OTHER
PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT, THIS
IS A SLAP IN THE FACE OF THE
MOVEMENT.
WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO KEEP IT.
THANKS.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARGO
STEWART FOLLOWED BY JOE GRUBER.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS MARGO.
I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT 2 AND
I AM HERE TO ECHO WHAT A LOT OF
OTHER FOLKS HAVE SAID SPEAKING
OUT AGAINST ANY WATERING DOWN
OF THE BAN ON THE SO-CALLED
CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS BY THE
POLICE WHICH WAS WON LAST
SUMMER BY THE GRASSROOTS
EFFORTS OF THE BLM MOVEMENT
WITH THE HELP OF COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
THIS WAS REAL POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY, THE KIND OF
WHICH WE HAVE BARELY SEEN WITH
NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND
RESPONSE TO 1900 COMPLAINTS OF
MISUSE OF FORCE OVER THAT
SUMMER.
I THINK THERE CAN BE NO REAL
ACCOUNTABILITY IF WE LEAVE
THESE DECISIONS UP TO AN
INDIVIDUAL OFFICER DEEMED AS
NECESSARY.
WE'VE SEEN COUNTLESS CASES OF
OFFICERS BRUTALIZING ON ARMPIT
ROOMS UNDER THE COMPLETELY
BOGUS AND RETROACTIVE DEFENSIVE
FEARING FOR THEIR LIVES.
IF WE INSERT SUCH LOOPHOLES WE
WOULD HAVE NO BAN AT ALL.
IT'S NOT SURPRISING TO ME, BUT
IT'S DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING THAT
DEMOCRATIC COUNCILMEMBERS WHO
HAVE CLAIMED TO SUPPORT BLACK
LIVES MATTER WOULD PUSH SUCH
LOOPHOLES AFTER WHAT WE SAW
LAST SUMMER AFTER WEAPONS THAT
ARE UNFIT FOR OPEN WARFARE.
IF WE ARE NEED THEM TO BE
DEMOCRATICALLY ACCOUNTABLE TO
US THE ORDINARY WORKING PEOPLE
WHO LIVED THERE.
THIS IS CRUCIAL TO BUILD TRUST,
ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT AT
LEAST SIX OFFICERS WERE
INVOLVED IN THE FAR RIGHT
VIOLENCE AT THE CAPITAL ON
JANUARY 6. MORE BROADLY THOUGH
ORDINARY PEOPLE NEED A REAL
RECOURSE AGAINST ANY SORT OF
POLICE MISCONDUCT AS WELL AS
THE DEMOCRATIC POWERS TO HIRE,
FIRE, SUBPOENA AND OVERSEE
BUDGET DECISIONS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE JOE GRUBER
FOLLOWED BY BARBARA FINNEY.
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JOE GRUBER AND I'M
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOOD
BANK AND A RESIDENT.
MY COMMENTS THIS MORNING ARE
RELATED TO YOUR DISCUSSION
ABOUT THE PLAN TO VACCINATE OUR
RESIDENTS AND WORKERS.
FIRST, I URGE YOU TO ENSURE
THAT MASS VACCINATION SITES ARE
ACCESSIBLE.
AT LEAST 3/4 OF OUR FOOD BANK
CUSTOMERS ARRIVED BY WALK, BIKE
OR BUS.
CONSIDER TRANSIT ROTATION WHEN
CITING THESE LOCATIONS IS
CRITICAL.
ALSO CONSIDER HOW YOU LEVERAGE
NONPROFIT PARTNERS TO IMPROVE
YOUR EFFECTIVENESS.
LIKE MANY FOOD BANK PEERS WE
HAVE HOSTED CLINICS AND PUBLIC
HEALTH NURSES AND FOR THE FOOD
BANK PARTICIPANTS IF WE DIDN'T
HOST THE CLINIC OR THE NURSE
OUR CUSTOMERS WOULDN'T SEEK
THAT . ACCESSIBILITY PLUS
FAMILIARITY AND TRUST IS
CRITICAL TO THEM TO INCITE
PLANNING.
PLEASE LEVERAGE THE NONPROFIT
PARTNERS THAT THE FOOD DISTRICT
PROVIDES.
SECOND, I WANT TO URGE COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEALTH TO USE YOUR
POSITION AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
TO HELP FOOD BANK AND MEAL
STAFF HELP GET ACCESS DURING
PHASE ONE, TIER B TO.
EVEN BEFORE COVID FOOD BANK
WORK WAS PHYSICALLY AND
EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGING.
WE ARE TRYING TO MEET AND
SUPPORT SOME OF OUR MOST
VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS AT SOME OF
THE MOST DIFFICULT AND
CHALLENGING TIMES OF THEIR
LIVES.
WITH THE ADDITIONAL NECESSARY
PRECAUTIONS NEEDED TO REMAIN
SAFE DURING COVID OUR WORK IS
THAT MUCH MORE CHALLENGING AND
EXHAUSTING.
THE CITY HAS GENEROUSLY HELPED
WITH PPE FOR OUR STAFF,
VOLUNTEERS AND CUSTOMERS BUT
THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.
EVEN WITH THESE PROTECTIONS WE
ENDURE AND MANAGE COVID
EXPOSURE.
WE BEG STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE
VIRUS AT TIMES REQUIRING
AGENCIES TO TEMPORALLY SHUTDOWN
SERVICES.
THOUSANDS OF FOOD BANK STAFF
AND VOLUNTEERS IN SEATTLE ARE
CRITICAL FRONT-LINE WORKERS.
THE EMOTIONAL TOLL ON STAFF AND
VOLUNTEERS THE LAST 10 MONTHS
CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED.
AS OUR COMMUNITY IS STILL
FACING HEIGHTENED LEVELS OF
HUNGER, THESE WERE TO PROTECT
OUR FOOD BANK STAFF AND
VOLUNTEERS AND MAKE THE VACCINE
AVAILABLE TO ALL THESE WORKERS
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO
EXTEND PUBLIC COMMENT FOR
ANOTHER 15 MINUTES.
AND TO REDUCE THE PUBLIC
COMMENT SPEAKING TIME FOR EACH
SPEAKER FROM TWO MINUTES TO 1
MINUTE SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO
GET EVERYBODY IN.
IF THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS FROM
MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL,
THE AGENDA IS AMENDED TO ADD AN
ADDITIONAL 15 MINUTES OF PUBLIC
COMMENT.
SEEING NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA
IS AMENDED.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
BARBARA FINNEY FOLLOWED BY
ALVIN.
BARBARA?
>> HI, MY NAME IS BARBARA.
I'M A RETIRED HEALTHCARE WORKER
AND HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT 5
SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF KEEPING
THE FULL BAN ON TEARGAS, GLASS
BALLS, FLASH, GRENADE AND OTHER
SO-CALLED CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS
BY SPD.
DON'T WEAKEN THE ENFORCEMENT
MECHANISMS.
DON'T CREATE LOOPHOLES THAT
ALLOW SPD TO CHOOSE IF AND WHEN
THEY CAN USE THESE WEAPONS AS
THEIR JUDGMENT IS UNTRUSTWORTHY.
ALSO, SEATTLE COUNCIL IS TRYING
TO EXEMPT ITSELF FROM POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES
CURRENTLY CONSIDERED IN STATE
LEGISLATURE.
AS A RESULT OF THEIR TASK FORCE
ON INVESTIGATING POLICE USE OF
FORCE THERE'S WORK ON
PROGRESSIVE POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY, LEGISLATION FOR
WASHINGTON STATE, SUCH AS A
FULLY CIVILIAN POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM UNDER
TRUE COMMUNITY CONTROL AS LONG
AS DICTATED BY COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BARBARA.
NEXT SPEAKER, ALVIN, FOLLOWED
BY SONJA.
ALVIN?
>> HI.
MY NAME IS ALVIN AND I WOULD
LIKE TO VOICE MY STRONG
OPPOSITION TO THE GUTTING OF
THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS BAN.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY SHAMEFUL THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL IS TRYING TO
DO.
LAST SUMMER WE SAW THE LARGEST
IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY, A
MOVEMENT THAT FOUGHT FOR
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
THE SEATTLE POLICE FORCE AND
THE WORKING PEOPLE AND THE REST
OF THIS COUNTRY BY USING TEAR
GAS, PEPPER SPRAY AND FLASH
BALLS AGAINST INNOCENT
CIVILIANS.
IN THE WAKE OF THIS VIOLENCE
LED BY COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT OUR
MOVEMENT PAST THE FIRST
CHEMICAL WEAPONS BAN.
I AM NOT SURPRISE, BUT HONESTLY
DISAPPOINTED THAT THE
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC
COUNCILMEMBERS ARE ATTEMPTING
TO GET THIS LANDMARK BILL.
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
SHOULD BE BANNED FROM USING
CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND CROWD
CONTROL MEASURES WITH
LOOPHOLES.
FURTHERMORE, THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE PLACED
UNDER COMMUNITY CONTROL WITH
FULL HIRING AND FIRING --
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SONJA
FOLLOWED BY MEGAN MURPHY.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I AM JUST COMMENTING. I'M A
WORKING MOM OF 2 TEENAGERS.
RIGHT NOW I AM SHOCKED AND
DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU ARE
TRYING TO GOT THIS BAN ON
WEAPONS THAT ARE TOO DANGEROUS
EVEN IN MORE.
AFTER WE SAW THESE INCREDIBLE
PROTESTS LAST SUMMER, PEOPLE
WERE FIGHTING FOR ECONOMIC AND
SOCIAL JUSTICE.
HERE IN SEATTLE LIKE IN MAJOR
CITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY
WE SAW A POLICE FORCE LED
ENTIRELY BY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
POLITICIANS BRUTALLY ATTACKING
PEACEFUL MULTIRACIAL BLACK
LIVES MATTER PROTESTS NIGHT
AFTER NIGHT.
THEY EVEN PEPPER SPRAYED A
CHILD.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT FORCE THE
DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT TO
PASS THE FIRST IN THE NATION
LEGISLATION BANNING SEATTLE
POLICE FROM OWNING AND
PURCHASING THESE WEAPONS.
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES CAN DO
WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY,
WORKING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES
OF COLOR.
THAT WAY YOU RELEASE THE
DEMAND.
YOU MUST PRESERVE THIS FULL BAN
ON CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT SPEAKER IS MEGAN MURPHY.
MEGAN?
>> HI.
THANKS FOR LETTING ME TALK.
I THINK THE DEMOCRATS AND THE
REPUBLICANS ARE TWO SIDES OF THE
CAPITAL SYSTEM SO THE DEMOCRATS
MAKE US FEEL LIKE WE ARE AT
PIECE WHILE THE REPUBLICANS
TOTALLY ENFORCE CAPITALISM.
THE DEMOCRATS GET CAPITAL FOR
MAKING A TINY REFORM.
AS A SOCIALIST I AM ASKING FOR
COMPLETE RESOLUTION OF THIS
ECONOMIC SYSTEM, WHICH IS TO
TRAIN POLICE OFFICERS TO
ENFORCE PRISON SENTENCES AND
FINES.
IF YOU SEE A POLICE OFFICER AND
IF YOUR SKIN IS A CERTAIN COLOR
TO FEEL A CERTAIN ANXIETY
BECAUSE IT DOES A LOT MORE
CAPITAL. IT'S A RACIST AND
SEXIST SYSTEM.
I THINK WHAT BLACK LIVES MATTER
WAS ABOUT, MORE SOCIALIST TYPE
THINKING.
THAT'S WHY THE BAN ON CHEMICAL
WEAPONS NEEDS TO BE ENFORCED.
IF YOU LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES
LIKE EGYPT WHERE HE WAS ARRESTED
JUST FOR HIS --
>> I THINK WE LOST MEGAN.
THANK YOU.
NEXT SPEAKER MINDY FOLLOWED BY
MARSHA.
MINDY?
>> YES, I LIVE IN THE SIXTH
DISTRICT.
I BEEN LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE
TALK AND I THINK THE IDEA
BEHIND USING THESE LETHAL
WEAPONS IS TO DE-ESCALATE A
SITUATION THAT HAS BECOME
VOLATILE.
IF YOU INTRODUCE MORE WEAPONS
INTO A SITUATION LIKE THAT,
THAT'S NOT GOING TO CALM IT
DOWN.
IF SOMEBODY COMES AT ME WITH
SOME TYPE OF WEAPON, I WILL
REACT.
I WILL FIGHT BACK.
IF YOU CONTINUE TO USE THESE
WEAPONS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO
GET THE SITUATION THAT YOU WANT
WHICH IS TO CALM THINGS DOWN.
IT WILL MAKE IT WORSE AND MORE
PEOPLE WILL BE HARMED.
THANK YOU
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT SPEAKER, WE HAVE MARSHA.
THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY WANDA.
>> MY NAME IS MARCIA.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 7 AND I'M
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
FAMILY WORKS FOOD BANKS IN
WALLINGFORD AND GREENWOOD.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON THE PLAN
TO VACCINATE.
WE DID WRITE A LETTER ON BEHALF
OF THE SEATTLE FOOD COMMITTEE
WHICH REPRESENTS 27 FOOD BANKS
THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO DIRECTOR
HAYES ON JANUARY 15th.
WE HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A
RESPONSE, BUT WE ARE ASKING FOR
YOUR ADVOCACY WITH THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR
VACCINE PRIORITIZATION FOR
FRONTLINE FOOD BANK WORKERS AND
THAT INCLUDES VOLUNTEERS.
FAMILY WORKS ALONE HAD OVER
6000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEERISM IN
THE LAST YEAR DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
IT IS CRUCIAL THAT WE PRIORITIZE
THE FRONT LINE WORKERS AND
VOLUNTEERS WHO KEEP FOOD BANKS
OPEN AND SERVE THE MOST
MARGINALIZED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT SPEAKER IS DIANA FOLLOWED
BY EMILY.
>> HI.
I'M A CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT 7
AND I AM CALLING ABOUT
DEFUNDING THE POLICE BY AN
ADDITIONAL $5.4 MILLION AND
MAINTAINING THE BAN ON LESS
LETHAL MUNITIONS.
FOR THE PAST ALMOST 8 MONTHS
SPD HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON
TERRORIZING PROTESTERS
INCLUDING HOSPITALIZATION FOR
SOME.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AS
OPPOSED TO DOING WHAT THEY'RE
JOB DESCRIPTION SUPPOSEDLY SAYS.
DURING A PANDEMIC IT HAS RAVAGE
THE COUNTRY.
ADDITIONALLY SPD HAS HAD A
SIGNIFICANT PARTICIPANT RATE IN
THE CAPITOL HILL DIRECTION.
THIS IS NOT A POLICE DEPARTMENT
THAT KEEPS THE CITY SAFE.
THEY ARE NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIDE OF
HISTORY.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS EMILY
MacARTHUR FOLLOWED BY MATTHEW
SMITH.
EMILY?
>> HI.
I AM SPEAKING TO THE CHEMICAL
WEAPONS BAN ON THE BLACK LIVES
MOVEMENT THIS SUMMER AFTER THE
OCCUPATION OF CAPITOL HILL BY
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SPD VIOLATED THEIR OWN PROTOCOL
OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS.
IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER IN THE
HERE AND INTERNATIONAL WAS AT
HIS HIGHS.
SPD PUT PROTESTERS IN JAIL.
HOW DID THEY JUSTIFY THIS?
UNDER THE BANNER OF DESTRUCTION
OF PROPERTY.
WHAT WERE THE PROTESTERS DOING?
WRITING ON THE SIDEWALK WITH
CHALK.
THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND
IT'S AN ABUSE OF POWER BY THE
SPD.
THE STORY IS STILL UNFOLDING OF
AT LEAST SIX OFFICERS WHO WENT
TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE RACIST ANTI-
DEMOCRATIC RIGHT-WING.
THEY ASKED THE PUBLIC TO TRUST
THE SPD --
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MATTHEW
SMITH FOLLOWED BY JEFF
FERNANDEZ.
MATTHEW?
>> HI.
I AM SPEAKING AGAINST THE
ATTEMPT TO GOT THE BAN ON SO-
CALLED CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS.
ONE OF THE LOOPHOLES THAT THE
COUNCIL DEMOCRATS ARE PROPOSING
WOULD ONLY BAN POLICE USE OF
CHEMICAL WEAPONS AGAINST
PROTEST THAT THEY DEEM
NONVIOLENT.
HOW MANY PEACEFUL PROTESTS HAVE
WE SEEN THAT HAVE BEEN DEEMED
VIOLENT RIOTS BY THE POLICE IN
THE RIGHT-WING MEDIA?
HOW MANY UNARMED BLACK MEN HAVE
BEEN KILLED BY POLICE WHO COVER
UP THEIR CRIMES BY SAYING THEY
WERE ACTING IN SELF-DEFENSE?
IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THIS IS
BEING PROPOSED AND THESE
LOOPHOLES WILL MAKE THE LAW
COMPLETELY INOPERABLE.
IT'S SHAMEFUL THAT THE
DEMOCRATS ON THE COUNCIL ARE
EVEN THINKING ABOUT WATERING
DOWN THIS VICTORY THAT WAS WON
BY THE BLACK LIVES MATTER
MOVEMENT, SOCIALIST AND
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
IT'S BEEN SIX MONTHS AND YOU
ARE TRYING TO WALK BACK THE
MINIMUM REFORMS YOU MADE UNDER
PRESSURE OF THE MOVEMENTS.
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES NEED TO
DO WHAT WORKING PEOPLE AND
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR NEED, NOT
WHAT YOU BELIEVE THE CAPITALIST
COURTS ARE DEMANDING.
COURTS THAT HAVE REPEATEDLY
FAILED TO BRING JUSTICE TO
VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY.
VOTE NO ON THESE LOOPHOLES AND
WATERING DOWN OF THE --
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JEFF
FERNANDEZ FOLLOWED BY TREE
HUGGER REINCARNATED BUTTERFLY
CYCLIST PASSING. JEFF
FERNANDEZ, PLEASE.
>> WHAT A NAME.
GOOD MORNING.
I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE
WEAPONS BEEN.
I AM APPALLED THAT AS
DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS YOU
CONSPIRE TO WRITE AND PASS
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REARM
SPD AGAINST UNARMED CIVILIAN
PROTESTERS FIGHTING FOR BLACK
LIVES EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.
IT IS OUR LAWS, OUR RULE AND
OUR PROCEDURES, JUDGES COURTS
AND ATTORNEY GENERALS AND MAYOR
BENDING TOWARD VIOLENCE AND
RACISM.
IT IS YOUR JOB TO TEAR DOWN THE
BARRIERS TO JUSTICE AND OUR
CORRUPTED LEGAL AND POLITICAL
INSTITUTIONS, NOT TO BEND A
KNEE TO THEM.
THIS MAKES YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR
THE HARM THEY WILL CONTINUE TO
MEET OUT.
YOU SHOULD BE THE CONSENT
DEGREE AND THE JUDGE USING IT
AS AN EXCUSE FOR DANGEROUS
HUMAN LIFE.
HOW ORWELLIAN THAT THE LAW
MEANT TO REIN IN POLICE
BRUTALITY AND RACISM IS USED TO
BUTTRESS POLICE VIOLENCE AND
RACISM.
IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING THAT WE
AS CITIZENS HAVE TO TAKE OUT
OUR TIME TO CALL IN FOR YOU FOR
YOU TO DO YOUR JOB TO PROTECT
US.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TREE HUGGER
MARIAH CAREY REINCARNATED
BUTTERFLY HELMET CYCLIST
PASSING FOR ANOTHER HUSBAND
úFOLLOWED BY JULIE McKAY.
>> HI.
HAPPY REPARATIONS TO OUR PAID
GAS.
[ INDISCERNIBLE ]
>> I AM HERE TO COMMENT ABOUT
THE POLICE TERRORISM THAT IS
STILL FUNDED BY HIM.
CHILDREN ARE STILL OPPRESSED BY
INDOCTRINATION INTO THE SCHOOL
SYSTEM.
THAT'S HOW THE CHILDREN'S
CRUSADE WHICH WAS LED BY
CHILDREN THAT MARCHED FOR
HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN MARCHED
OUT OF THEIR SCHOOLS AGAINST
THE LEGISLATIVE, TEACHERS AND
THE POLICE AND GOT ARRESTED,
TEAR GAS, WATER DOWN BY WATER
HOSES, ET CETERA.
THIS STILL CONTINUES.
THE POLICE ARE STILL IN
SCHOOLS.
MY COMMENT IS WE NEED TO DO
SOME POLICE STILL.
[ INDISCERNIBLE ]
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JULIE McKAY
FOLLOWED BY SHAMIR.
JULIE?
>> ARE YOU THERE?
ALL RIGHT, I'M NOT HEARING OR
SEEING.
>> GOOD MORNING.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS JULIE McKAY.
I MAY RENDER IN DISTRICT 3. I
LIVE ACROSS FROM KYLE ANDERSON
PARK.
DO NOT GOT THE BAN ON SO-CALLED
CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS NO
LOOPHOLES. SPD CONTINUES TO
DEMONSTRATE.
THEY ARE NOT ABLE. BRUTALITY BY
SPD IS DISPLAYED TO THIS DAY.
OUR DEEPEST CONCERNS REGARDING
THE CONTRACT, BUT DO NOT GOT
THE BAN ON CONTROL METHODS.
STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
SHOUT OUT TO KING COUNTY EQUITY
NOW.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR LAST SPEAKER THAT WE HAVE
SIGNED UP IS SHAMIR.
SHAMIR?
ARE YOU WITH US?
HELLO, SHAMIR?
ALL RIGHT.
>> HELLO?
>> HELLO.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I AM CALLING AS A RESIDENT AND
AS A TECH WORKERS AT A BIG TECH
COMPANY.
I AM CALLING TO STRONGLY DEFEND
THE ENFORCE MAN OF POLICE USE
OF CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS AND
INCREASE THE LOOPHOLES.
I HAVE BEEN TO MULTIPLE AND
CONTINUE TO GO TO MULTIPLE
PEACEFUL RALLIES LED BY
ORGANIZERS. I'VE BEEN TO
MULTIPLE RALLIES, PEACEFUL
RALLIES WITH SPD HAS EMPLOYED
MANY OF THESE CROWD CONTROL
WEAPONS INCLUDING ON MYSELF
WHERE IT FELT LIKE I COULDN'T
EVEN BREATHE.
I TWISTED MY ANKLE PUTTING ME
OUT OF WORK FOR A COUPLE DAYS.
THIS IS NOTHING, NOT EVEN LIGHT
YEARS, COMPARED TO WHAT BIPOC
INDIVIDUALS, LEADERS AND
ORGANIZERS ARE FACING.
I JUST WENT TO A RALLY A COUPLE
WEEKS AGO WHERE THERE WAS 30 OR
40 OF US FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS.
THERE WAS OVER 100 POLICE
OFFICERS TRACKING US TRYING TO
INTIMIDATE US.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR FINAL SPEAKER THAT WE HAVE
TWO PRESENT IS KAREN.
KAREN?
ARE YOU STILL WITH US?
>> HELLO?
>> HELLO.
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> MY NAME IS KAREN GUILLEN AND
I AM ADDRESSING COUNCIL BILL
119981 LOOKING TO CUT POLICE
BUDGET.
I AM A SENIOR WHO LIVES DOWNTOWN
. ONE OF OUR GARDENERS WAS
TRYING TO BEAUTIFY OUR CITY BY
PLANTING FLOWERS IN THE STREET
IN BELLTOWN IN JANUARY.
SHE WAS RANDOMLY KICKED IN THE
FACE BY ONE OF THE MANY VIOLENT
INDIVIDUALS WHO ROAM OUR PARKS
IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA SUFFERING
10 FRACTURES IN HER FACE
INCLUDING CHEEK, NOSE, SOCKET.
SHE ALSO HAD THE PARAMOUNT DUTY
TO ENSURE PUBLIC HEALTH AND
SAFETY.
I APPEAL TO YOU AS A PUBLIC
SAFETY AND HUMAN RESOURCES
COMMITTEE TO ONLY TAKE ACTIONS
WHICH ENHANCE THE PUBLIC
SAFETY.
IT IS UNCLEAR HOW PUTTING LIVE
SUCH AS TRACY'S AT RISK WILL
IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE OF
COLOR OR CURTAIL RACIST
BEHAVIOR IN THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
IN 2020 911 COLOR RESPONSE IT
HAD TO BE RESTRICTED TO THE
HIGHEST PRIORITY CALLS AND 256
DAYS OF THERE.
THE CHIEF HAS PULLED OFFICERS
FROM CRIME PREVENTION AND
INVESTIGATION UNITS TO HELP
MITIGATE THE PROBLEM, BUT
BUDGET CUTS MADE LATE LAST YEAR
--
>> THANK YOU, KAREN.
THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
THANK YOU, EVERYBODY FOR
JOINING US TODAY AND THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR ALLOWING ME
TO EXTEND THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD SO WE COULD GET
EVERYBODY IN.
WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO
THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE
FIRST AGENDA ITEM.
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE,
SEATTLE'S PLAN TO VACCINATE OUR
RESIDENTS AND WORKERS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
I WANT TO 1st START OFF WITH A
QUICK ROUND OF INTRODUCTIONS.
IF IT'S OKAY, AFTER A QUICK
ROUND OF INTRODUCTIONS OF YOUR
NAME AND AFFILIATION, I WILL
OPEN IT UP WITH SOME BRIEF
POINTS AND I WILL HAND IT OVER
TO OUR PRESENTER.
THAT'S THE WORD.
THANK YOU.
LET'S DO INTRODUCTIONS.
>> I WILL START.
THIS IS PATTY HAYES WITH PUBLIC
HEALTH SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY.
I AM THE DIRECT THERE.
GOOD TO BE WITH YOU
>> GOOD MORNING.
HAROLD SCOGGINS, SEATTLE FIRE.
I WILL PASS IT TO STEPHANIE.
>> BANKS.
STEPHANIE FORMAS WITH THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE.
I WILL PASS IT TO LEAH TIVOLI.
>> LEAH TIVOLI, PROJECT
MANAGING THE VACCINE
DISTRIBUTION. I WILL PASS IT TO
JULIE.
>> HELLO, JULIE KLINE, MAYOR'S
OFFICE, PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISER.
>> GREAT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US
THIS MORNING.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING
OUT.
I KNOW YOU WILL BE JOINING THE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES
COMMITTEE MEETING IN THE
AFTERNOON.
I THINK YOU'RE SPENDING SOME
TIME WITH US WHILE WE SHARE
THIS INFORMATION WITH THE PUBLIC
UNDERSCORES THE SHARED
APPRECIATION FOR THE IMPORTANCE
OF MAKING SURE THAT THE GENERAL
PUBLIC IS RECEIVING CLEAR AND
ACCURATE INFORMATION.
NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT WE ARE ABLE
TO DO, BUT WHAT THE BARRIERS
ARE THAT WE NEED TO WORK
TOGETHER TO SOLVE.
AGAIN, SOME BACKGROUND COMMENTS
BEFORE I HANDED OVER TO YOU.
THIS ITEM IS A PRESENTATION ON
SEATTLE'S PLAN TO VACCINATE
RESIDENTS AND WORKERS AGAINST
COVID-19.
SO MANY OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED
FRUSTRATION AND CONFUSION OF
TRYING TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT
OR A VACCINATION RIGHT NOW.
EVEN IF PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE,
IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR
MANY TO SECURE APPOINTMENTS.
THERE'S A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM
HERE.
OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN
UNABLE TO SECURE ENOUGH
VACCINES FOR EVERYONE WHO IS
NOW ELIGIBLE.
JUST A WAY TO SCALE THE SIZE OF
THE PROBLEM AND AN ESTIMATED
470,000 RESIDENTS OF KING
COUNTY ARE NOW ELIGIBLE TO BE
VACCINATED. KING COUNTY
PROVIDERS HAVE RECEIVED FEWER
THAN 200,001ST DOSES FOR THAT
470,000 ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS.
ON TOP OF THE SCARCITY, WE ARE
HEARING WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF
INEQUITIES IN THE VACCINE
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND
SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS BAKED INTO
THE PROCESS OF MAKING AN
APPOINTMENT.
HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT
WE HAVE HEARD.
THE STATES TOOL FOR DETERMINING
ELIGIBILITY IS ONLY AVAILABLE
ONLINE AND ONLY AVAILABLE IN
ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
AN ALTERNATIVE PHONE LINE IS SO
OVERWHELMED WITH CALLS, IT IS
OFTEN UNAVAILABLE ENTIRELY.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT HEALTH
WEBSITE ON VACCINE IS ONLY
PROVIDED IN ENGLISH AND
SPANISH.
EARLY DISTRIBUTION OF THE
STATES VACCINE WENT TO LARGE
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.
SYSTEMICALLY LEAVING OUT PEOPLE
WHO RECEIVED HEALTHCARE AT
SMALL COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS
OR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AT ALL.
I AM SURE MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT
SEVERAL OF THOSE HEALTHCARE
PROVIDERS IN THE SEATTLE METRO
AREA USE THAT PREVIOUS VACCINE
TO OFFER PERKS TO THE WEALTHY
DONORS AND BOARD MEMBERS.
THE OUTCOME OF THIS HAS BEEN
PREDICTABLE AND IT'S BEEN
DISHEARTENING.
SIGNIFICANT INEQUITIES IN WHO
IS RECEIVING VACCINES COMPARED
TO WHO IS MOST IMPACTED BY
COVID, THE KING COUNTY PUBLIC
HEALTH DATA SHOWS THAT NATIVE
HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS
REPRESENT 2.7 OF COVID-19
CASES, BUT ONLY .5% OF
VACCINATIONS.
BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICANS
MAKE UP 12% OF THE COVID-19
CASES IN KING COUNTY, BUT HAVE
RECEIVED ONLY 3.5% OF
VACCINATIONS.
THIS CONTEXT IS IMPORTANT TO
UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY OF
SEATTLE RECEIVES A SEPARATE
WEEKLY ALLOCATION OF DOSES.
IT'S ONLY 1000 DOSES A WEEK
THAT WE ARE RECEIVING RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE GOING TO HEAR
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE TO DISCUSS THEIR
PLANS FOR THE VACCINE DOSES
MOVING FORWARD.
WE AGAIN HAVE DIRECTOR HAYES OF
PUBLIC HEALTH AND CHIEF HAROLD
SCOGGINS TO DISCUSS EFFORTS TO
ROLLOUT VACCINES TO RESIDENCE.
THE METHODS THAT WE HAVE BEEN
USING FOR THE DISPERSAL OF OUR
OWN 1000 DOSES A WEEK HAVE BEEN
EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEEN LED BY
THE SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND
THEY HAVE BEEN PRIMARILY HOME
VISITS TO ADULT FAMILY HOMES.
HOME VISITS OF PERMANENT
HOUSING LOCATIONS ALSO HOME
VISITS TO HSA BUILDINGS AND
THEN THERE HAVE BEEN SOME POP-
UP CLINICS AS WELL.
WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO HAND
IT OFF TO OUR PRESENTERS AND
AGAIN GIVE MY HEARTFELT AND
SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOU
SPENDING TIME WITH US THIS
MORNING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THIS IS PATTY HAYES, DIRECTOR
OF PUBLIC HEALTH HE SEATTLE
KING COUNTY AGAIN.
THANK YOU MEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD FOR THE TIME AND FOR
YOUR OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE HAVE
ALL HEARD . I REALLY APPRECIATE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND
ANSWER QUESTIONS.
I ALSO WANT TO START BY
THANKING ALL THE COUNCIL AND
ALL THE FOLKS WHO ARE LISTENING
IN TODAY BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN
AS SUCCESSFUL AS WE HAVE BEEN
IN KING COUNTY BECAUSE OF
EVERYBODY'S UNIFIED EFFORTS.
THIS HAS BEEN SO TRAUMATIC AS I
LOOK BACK ON THE PAST YEAR. OUR
WORK JUST CONTINUES.
I KNOW IN MY HEART IT IS
BECAUSE ALL OF US HAVE BEEN
FOCUSED ON DOING THE BEST WE
CAN FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND
LISTENING TO THE SCIENCE.
I AM GRATEFUL TO LIVE IN SEATTLE
AND HERE IN KING COUNTY WHEN I
LOOK AT MY COLLEAGUES AND WHAT
THEY ARE FACING IN OTHER AREAS
OF THE COUNTRY.
I JUST WANTED TO START WITHOUT
APPRECIATION TO EVERYONE AS WE
CONTINUE DOWN THIS HARD ROAD.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE CITY
FOR THIS GREAT PARTNERSHIP
HERE.
YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT
THAT.
I AM GOING TO START AND IF WE
GO TO SLIDE 2, PLEASE, I WILL
START WITH A BROAD OVERVIEW OF
OUR FOCUS AND MULTI MODAL
STRATEGY.
OUR GOAL RIGHT NOW IS OBVIOUSLY
TO SUPPRESS THE SPREAD OF COVID-
19 AND GET THIS PANDEMIC UNDER
CONTROL.
IN ORDER TO DO THAT, OUR HEALTH
OFFICER HAS SET THE GOAL OF
REACHING 1.26 MILLION ADULTS.
THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT ARE
ABLE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE
RIGHT NOW AS THE VACCINE HAS
NOT FINISHED ITS TESTING IN
YOUTH AND CHILDREN UNDER THE
AGE OF 16.
WE NEED A PLAN TO VACCINATE
1.26 MILLION FOLKS AND WE NEED
TO DO IT THROUGH MULTIMODAL
STRATEGY.
BUT AS YOU SAID, COUNCILMEMBER,
THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM THAT I
WILL GET TO LATER ON IS THE
LIMITED NUMBER OF DOSES.
I DO WANT TO SHOW THIS
PARTICULARLY WITH A COUPLE OF
THE FOLKS THAT TESTIFIED DURING
THE PUBLIC HEARING TIME.
WE REALLY HAVE THESE SIX
STRATEGIES FOR OUR VACCINE PLAN
HERE IN KING COUNTY.
IT DOES RELY ON THE HEALTHCARE
SYSTEM.
NOT JUST TO VACCINATE THEIR
OWN, BUT TO PARTNER WITH US TO
VACCINATE THE POPULATION.
AND TO LITERALLY SIGN ON TO
SOME EQUITY WORK AND ALIGN WITH
US.
I WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN
A MINUTE.
PHARMACIES ARE GOING TO BE A
KEY PARTNER.
THEY HAVE HELPED WITH THE LONG-
TERM CARE AND ARE CURRENTLY A
FOCUS FEDERALLY TO BE EXPANDED
SO THAT WHEN THE VACCINES ARE
MORE AND MORE AVAILABLE IN
APRIL AND MAY, THERE WILL BE
LOCAL ACCESS TO FOLKS THROUGH
THE PHARMACIES AND THROUGH THE
GROCERY STORES THAT HAVE
PHARMACIES.
THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON
EMPLOYER-BASED VACCINATION
CLINICS AND PLANNING FOR THAT.
WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE HIGH-
VOLUME SITES AND THE MOBILE
TEAMS.
THE OTHER IMPORTANT THING THAT
CAME UP IN A QUESTION FROM THE
FOLKS TESTIFYING ABOUT POP-UP
VACCINATION OPPORTUNITIES.
AS WE GET MORE AND MORE
VACCINES, OUR PARTNERS AND
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
ARE GOING TO BE A KEY PARTNER
ON POP-UP VACCINES. EVEN THOUGH
RIGHT NOW WITH THE LIMITED
DOSES AND THE LIMITATION ON WHO
QUALIFIES FOR VACCINES, WE HAVE
THIS IN MIND AND WE ARE REALLY
TAKING ALL THE INTEREST FROM
THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN
THAT.
>> YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT ONE.
HERE IS THE WASHINGTON STATE
VACCINE PHASES.
AS YOU SEE RIGHT NOW, WE ARE
CONTINUING TO VACCINATE THE
FOLKS WHO ARE IN 1A.
THOSE ARE THE HIGH RISK
HEALTHCARE WORKERS, OUR FIRST
RESPONDERS, LONG-TERM CARE.
AS YOU MENTIONED THE WORK THAT
CHIEF SCOGGINS AND THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN DOING HAS
BEEN HELPING OUT IN THIS AREA.
YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT.
IT'S BEEN FANTASTIC TO REACH
FOLKS WHO WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM.
WE ARE ALSO IN 1B.
MUCH OF OUR POPULATION IS
INTERESTED IN WHEN WILL THIS 1B
TEAR 2 OPEN UP?
I DON'T HAVE A PREDICTION FOR
THAT.
I KNOW WITH THE LIMITED DOSES
WE WILL BE IN THIS 1B ONE WHICH
IS FOLKS OVER THE AGE OF 65 OR
TWO YEARS OR OLDER WHO ARE IN
MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLDS.
WHEN THE VACCINE FLOW IS
INCREASED AND WE GET TO 1B,
DEPENDING UPON THE LEVEL OF
AVAILABILITY OF VACCINES, WE
WILL SEE EITHER FURTHER
DEFINITION OF WHO FALLS INTO
EACH OF THESE TEARS OR MORE
FLEXIBILITY TO MOVE BETWEEN THE
TIER S. RIGHT NOW I DON'T KNOW
WHICH WAY THAT WILL GO BECAUSE
WE DON'T KNOW THE VACCINE
SUPPLY.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
1 OF THE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON OUR
EQUITY PRINCIPLES IN ORDER TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
TRANSPARENT AND HOW WE ARE
WORKING IN KING COUNTY AND HOW
WE ARE ASKING OUR PARTNERS
WHETHER OR NOT THIS WILL BE THE
HOSPITALS WHERE THE FIRE
DEPARTMENTS TO WORK WITH US AND
TO FOCUS ON THE HIGHEST RISK
AND MOST IMPACTED.
AS YOU NOTED WITH THE DATA, WE
KNOW THAT OUR COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR HAVE HAD THE HIGHEST
IMPACT BY THIS VIRUS.
AND SO, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING
WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND MULTIPLE
STRUCTURES AND BUILDING A PLAN
TO ADDRESS THOSE ACCESS POINTS
AS WE MOVE THROUGH THESE
DIFFERENT PHASES.
NEXT SLIDE.
TURNING OVER TO STEPHANIE NOW.
>> LEAH, COULD YOU GO BACK FOR
A MINUTE TO LET PATTY TALK
THROUGH THE ROLES?
>> THANK YOU.
I WANTED TO QUICKLY TALK ABOUT
THE FEDERAL TO STATE ROLE AND
THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY THAT
STEPHANIE WILL TALK ABOUT THE
CITY.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU HAVE HEARD THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS REALLY IN
CHARGE OF THE DOSES AND SETTING
THE GUIDANCE FOR THAT.
THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH ENROLLS PROVIDERS.
THEY SET THE PRIORITIZATION
WITHIN THE FEDERAL GUIDANCE.
THAT LEADS TO HOW THEY
ALLOCATE.
IF I CAN STOP THERE JUST IS A
PUBLIC HEALTH SEATTLE KING
COUNTY EVERY SINGLE WEEK GIVES
OUR RECOMMENDATION WHICH HAS
INCLUDED A REQUEST FOR STABLE
DOSE ALLOCATION TO THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, TO OUR COMMUNITY
HEALTH CENTERS.
IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE AROUND
THE WHOLE STATE ON HOW THE
VACCINE ALLOCATION HAS WORKED
BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED NUMBER
OF DOSES.
THE STATE DOES SHIFT THE
VACCINES AND THEY ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STATE
SYSTEM AS YOU HAVE MENTIONED.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING IN OUR
WORLD TO DEVELOP THE
PARTNERSHIPS AND THE PLANS TO
REACH OUR PRIORITY POPULATIONS
AND TO ADDRESS GAPS OF WHICH
THE COUNCILMEMBER MENTIONED A
NUMBER OF THEM THAT IS WORKING
HARD TO HOW IN KING COUNTY TO
ADDRESS SOME OF THESE GAPS WHEN
THEY RELATE TO STATE SYSTEM
ISSUES.
OBVIOUSLY OUR PRIORITY WITH THE
COMMUNITY AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS
WITH OUR BIPOC COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS AND TO REALLY GET
TRANSPARENT INFORMATION OUT.
STEPHANIE?
>> THANKS FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP.
WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,
STATE AND PUBLIC HEALTH HAVE
LEAD ROLES TO PLAY IN THE
VACCINE DISTRIBUTION, WE
BELIEVE THAT THE CITY HAS A KEY
ROLE TO PLAY TO ENSURE OUR
COMMUNITY IS VACCINATED WITH AN
EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION APPROACH
AND REALLY PREPARE TO SCALE
EQUITABLY TOO.
WE AT THE CITY HAVE BEEN
WORKING TO IDENTIFY AND FILL
GAPS IN THE VACCINE DELIVERY
SYSTEM.
WHAT THAT MEANS FOR US IS
REALLY LAUNCHING OUR MOBILE
TEAMS AND COMMUNITY POP-UP
TEAMS.
THAT'S WHY WE'VE ADVOCATED SO
STRONGLY FOR OUR COMMUNITY
HEALTH CENTERS TO ALSO RECEIVE
DOSES.
WEAVE LAUNCH FOUR MOBILE TEAMS
OVER THE LAST MONTH AND WE
BELIEVE THESE TEAMS ARE
ABSOLUTELY KEY TO ADDRESSING
THESE INEQUITIES AND
DISPARITIES THAT WE ARE ALREADY
SEEING.
NOT JUST IN THE REGION, BUT
STATE AND NATIONWIDE TOO.
CHIEF SCOGGINS WILL GO INTO A
BIT MORE DETAIL ABOUT WHAT OUR
MOBILE TEAMS HAVE BEEN DOING
AND REALLY APPRECIATE COUNCIL'S
SUPPORT OF THAT AND PUBLIC
HEALTH SUPPORT OF OUR MOBILE
TEAMS.
WE HAVE LAUNCHED A LOT OF
INITIAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW
DO WE WORK WITH COMMUNITY
PARTNERS AND ELEVATE THE WORK
OF MEETING PARTNERS LIKE OUR
FOOD BANKS.
HOW DO WE WORK TO OVERCOME
BARRIERS TO ACCESS AND ADDRESS
VACCINE HESITANCY?
I APPRECIATE COUNCILMEMBER
GONZALES ALLOWING US TO DEEPLY
DIVE INTO THAT CONVERSATION
LATER TODAY.
ANOTHER KEY ROLE THAT WE WILL
PLAY IS PRIORITIZING HIGH RISK
BIPOC COMMUNITIES AND
IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES.
WHILE WE HAVE THE LOWEST CASES
IN HOSPITALIZATION OF EVERY
MAJOR CITY IN AMERICA BECAUSE
OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE
TOGETHER, COVID-19 HAS
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED OUR
BIPOC COMMUNITIES.
OUR NATIVE BLACK AND ASIAN
COMMUNITIES HAVE THE HIGHEST
RATE OF DEATH HERE IN SEATTLE.
OUR NATIVE BLACK AND LATIN X
COMMUNITIES HAVE THE HIGHEST
RATES OF HOSPITALIZATIONS IN
SEATTLE.
WE MUST KEEP OUR FOCUS ON THESE
DISPARITIES.
A LOT OF WHAT WE ARE DOING
RIGHT NOW IS FOCUSED ON
PARTNERSHIPS AND COORDINATION.
I HAVE REALLY APPRECIATED ALL
OF US HAVING A UNIFIED MESSAGE
OF THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND
DOSES AND FUNDING THAT WE NEED
FOR THE CITY TO MEET OUR GOALS.
AT A TIME THAT DOSES ARE
EXTREMELY LIMITED, WE ARE
WORKING CLOSELY WITH PUBLIC
HEALTH TO GET COORDINATION
ACROSS THE CITY.
WE WILL FURTHER DETAIL IN THIS
PRESENTATION TODAY HOW OUR
EFFORTS ARE REALLY WORKING IN
TANDEM WITH OUR HEALTHCARE
PROVIDERS, WITH PUBLIC HEALTH
AND WITH PHARMACIES.
ANOTHER KEY COMPONENT IS CLEAR
AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNICATION TO
OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE HOW
CLOSELY WE HAVE TO BE
COORDINATED WITH COUNCIL AND
ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE
REGION ON THIS.
A KEY PART OF OUR STRATEGY WILL
BE ACCELERATING AND GROWING
BOTH MOBILE AND HIGH-VOLUME
STRATEGIES TAKE MASS SITES.
THE CITY GOALS, JUST TO REALLY
PUT A FINER POINT ON A HUGE
EFFORT TO EMBARK UPON TOGETHER.
WE ARE GOING TO BE VACCINATED
500,000 RESIDENTS WITH TWO
DOSES.
OUR GOAL IS TO EQUITABLY
VACCINATE 70% OF OUR RESIDENTS
AND WORKERS.
REALLY FOCUSING ON REDUCING
HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS SO
THOSE MOST DISPROPORTIONATELY
IMPACTED SO WE CAN REOPEN AND
START TO RECOVER.
THE WAY THAT WE DO THIS IS WITH
AN INFRASTRUCTURE. WE HAVE A
VERY BOLD PLAN TO REALLY SCALE
OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TO MORE THAN
18,000 DOSES A DAY THROUGH MASS
SITES AND A HUGE INFRASTRUCTURE
ON HER MOBILE TEAMS THAT ARE SO
IMPORTANT TO EQUITY.
>> I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT
ON OUR DASHBOARD THAT YOU CAN
FIND REPORTS SUCH AS THIS THAT
WE ARE WORKING TO REFINE AND
UPLOAD EVERY DAY SO THAT THE
CITY AS WELL AS OTHER CITIES IN
THE COUNTY CAN DRILL DOWN AND
LOOK AT THEIR DATA AS STEPHANIE
JUST OUTLINED.
THIS IS OUR CURRENT DATA.
NOW I WANT TO REALLY POINT OUT
THAT OUR SUPPLY IN KING COUNTY
OF VACCINE DEMAND FAR EXCEEDS
THE SUPPLY.
THIS GIVES YOU A WEEK BY WEEK
INCOMING DOSES AND THE DOSES
THAT CAME TO KING COUNTY.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE FAR RIGHT
COLUMN, THE DOSES THAT WERE
ALLOCATED FOR DOSE ONE.
WHEN WE RECEIVED DOSES ON A
WEEKLY BASIS, WE GET THEM SPLIT
BETWEEN WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION
THAT IS THE NEAT FOR DOSE TWO
AND THEN DOSE ONE.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ON THE
HORIZON THE J&J VACCINE WHICH
IS UP FOR FDA REVIEW AND
HOPEFULLY APPROVAL.
THAT WILL BE A ONE DOSE VACCINE
WHICH WILL REALLY CHANGE THE
LANDSCAPE.
THAT IS NOT RIGHT NOW.
I HOPE THE APPROVAL WILL COME
WITHIN A WEEK AND WE MIGHT BE
ABLE TO SEE A SHIFT IN THIS IN
TWO WEEKS'.
THE ALLOCATION FOR WEEK NINE
WHICH IS THE WEEK WE ARE IN,
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
BECAUSE OF SOME FEDERAL
SHORTFALLS IN THE MODERNA
VACCINE, THEY HAVE NOT EVEN
BEEN ABLE TO TOTALLY ALLOCATE
WHAT VACCINE THEY HAVE DOWN TO
THE COUNTIES.
WHAT WE DO UNDERSTAND IS KING
COUNTY IS GETTING POSSIBLY
28,000 DOSES THIS WEEK IN DOSE
ONE.
AGAIN, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ONLY
FINDS OUT FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT ON A WEEKLY BASIS
HOW MANY DOSES THEY ARE GOING
TO GET.
THERE IS NO CONTINUITY TO SAY
ONE WEEK YOU GET THIS AMOUNT
AND NEXT WEEK YOU CAN PLAN FOR
THIS AMOUNT.
IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WEEK BY
WEEK.
I WAS ON THE CALL WITH THE
SECRETARY OF HEALTH THIS
MORNING.
HE SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
IS TRYING TO NOW, STARTING THIS
WEEK, GIVE THE STATE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH A THREE-WEEK
ESTIMATED OUTLOOK INTO VACCINE
SUPPLY.
THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO GIVE
THE COUNTIES A TWO WEEK GUESS
AT THE VACCINE SUPPLY.
BUT STILL, THIS CREATES A LOT
OF DISRUPTION, ESPECIALLY WHEN
SO MANY OF OUR VACCINE
PROVIDERS ARE BALANCING HOW
MANY SITES TO OPEN.
CAN THEY KEEP APPOINTMENTS?
ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
IT LEADS TO SOME REAL
FRUSTRATION ON THE PART OF THE
WHOLE SYSTEM.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
>> AS PATTY MENTIONED AND HAS
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
MENTIONED, WE ARE FEELING HOW
LIMITED AND CONSTRAINED THE
DOSES ARE.
IF YOU MODEL THIS OUT OF THE
COUNTY RECEIVING 160,000 DOSES
A MONTH, IT MEANS THAT WE WON'T
HAVE THE VACCINATIONS WE NEED
AND THE SUPPLY CHAIN UNTIL
EARLY NEXT YEAR.
WHILE THAT IS NOT WHAT THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS
PREDICTING, THAT'S THE REALITY
OF THE SITUATION OF WHERE WE
ARE AT RIGHT NOW.
HOWEVER, WE ARE PLANNING FOR
MANY DIFFERENT SCENARIOS WITH
THE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
VACCINES AND ALSO TRACKING THE
JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE AS
WELL.
WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR ALL OF
THESE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.
I DO BELIEVE WE ARE PREPARED TO
QUICKLY RAMP UP WITH
SIGNIFICANT EXPANSIONS THIS
SPRING AND SUMMER, ASSUMING
THAT THE SUPPLY WILL BE REALLY
INCREASING IN MARCH, APRIL AND
MAY.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD AND MEMBERS OF THE
COUNCIL.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE GOT
HERE TODAY WITH OUR MOBILE
TEAMS.
THEY ARE TITLED SFD MOBILE
TEAMS BUT THEY ARE CITY OF
SEATTLE MOBILE TEAMS DOING THE
WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY.
IT WAS THE WEEKEND AFTER
THANKSGIVING WHEN THE PEOPLE
YOU SEE ON THAT PICTURE WITH
OUR MEDICAL DIRECTOR IN THE
MIDDLE, BRIAN WALLACE AND SARAH
SMITH ON THE FAR RIGHT, WE
JUMPED ON THE CALL ON NOVEMBER
27th AND DECIDED TO FILL OUT
THE SURVEY APPLICATION TO
ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE
VACCINES.
IT TOOK A WHILE.
ON JANUARY 9th WE ACTUALLY GOT
THE APPROVAL.
ON JANUARY 13th SEATTLE KING
COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH GAVE OUR
FIREFIGHTER EMTS AND PARAMEDICS
THE AUTHORITY TO GO OUT IN THE
COMMUNITY AND START DOING
VACCINES.
ONE DAY LATER WE ACTUALLY
STARTED DOWN THAT ROAD.
SINCE THAT POINT IN TIME OUR
TEAM HAS DONE OVER 3200
VACCINATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY
IT OVER 115 DIFFERENT
LOCATIONS.
THAT IS THE FLEXIBILITY AND THE
ABILITY TO BE MOBILE.
WE CAN BE FLEXIBLE IN WHERE WE
ARE GOING.
WE CAN TRY TO MEET THE PEOPLE
THAT ACTUALLY NEED THE VACCINES
THE MOST.
YOU CAN SEE THE MAP ON THE
RIGHT.
IF YOU OVERLAID THAT MAP ON THE
MAPS THAT DR. SAYER PRODUCES
EACH DAY, YOU WOULD ACTUALLY
SEE THOSE ARE THE AREAS ON THE
MAP WITH THE HIGHEST POSITIVITY
RATES.
OUR TEAM IS VERY SURGICAL IN
OUR APPROACH AND WE HAVE BEEN
WORKING HARD OVER THE LAST
THREE WEEKS.
WE HAVE ABOUT THREE DOZEN
SEATTLE FIREFIGHTERS TRAINED
RIGHT NOW TO DELIVER THE
VACCINE.
WE ARE WORKING ON A NUMBER OF
DIFFERENT TEAMS.
WE ARE WORKING ON A 2-1 RATIO.
TWO REGISTRATION TECHS TO ONE
FIREFIGHTER OR EMT PARAMEDIC
DELIVERING THE VACCINE.
THAT IS WORKING VERY WELL FOR
US.
THESE ARE A NUMBER OF THE
LOCATIONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TO.
WE ARE WORKING HARD TO ACTUALLY
DO MORE.
WE ARE LIMITED BY THE NUMBER OF
VACCINES THAT WE GET EACH WEEK.
THIS WEEK WE ACTUALLY STARTED
DELIVERING THE SECOND DOSE TO
THE PLACES WE VISITED DURING
THE FIRST WEEK OF THE
DISTRIBUTION.
>> ONE OF THE IMPORTANT
PARTNERS WE HAVE IN ALL THIS
WORK WHO WILL BE MORE IMPORTANT
AS OUR DOSES INCREASE AND AS WE
MOVE INTO OTHER PHASES OF OUR
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS.
I SEE HS IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN
DOING SOME POP UP AND MOBILE
WORK THAT CAN ALSO FOCUS ON THE
1B 1, OVER 65 POPULATIONS.
YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT THE CAG
HAS VARIOUS LOCATIONS THAT WILL
BE ABLE TO WORK.
SEATTLE INDIAN HEALTH BOARD AS
PART OF THE TRIBAL ALLOCATION
AND HAS BEEN GETTING THEIR OWN
DOSES AS WELL.
THEY BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD.
WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK
WITH THESE CLINICS AS WE MOVE
FORWARD.
WE HAVE ASKED ON A CONSISTENT
BASIS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH CONSISTENTLY ALLOCATE
THOSE THAT ARE READY TO DO THE
WORK RIGHT NOW IN THE PHASE WE
ARE IN.
I SAW THAT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT JUST ANNOUNCED A
FOCUS WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH
CENTERS.
I WILL BE GETTING MORE
INFORMATION ON THAT SOON.
I ASSUME IT'S A FOCUS TO SHOW
THAT THE COMMUNITY HEALTH
CENTERS NEED TO NOT ONLY SERVE
THEIR OWN PATIENTS, BUT IN THIS
PUBLIC RESPONSE THAT SEATTLE IS
PUTTING TOGETHER AS A PARTNER
WITH SEATTLE OR THE COUNTY
DEPENDING UPON WHERE THE SITES
ARE.
WE ARE VERY LUCKY BECAUSE OUR
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS ARE
STEPPING INTO THAT SPACE AND
HAVE ALREADY BEEN TALKING WITH
US.
I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING WITH
THEM AND MOVING FORWARD.
>> I WILL JUMP IN ON EQUITABLE
OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT AND
DISTRIBUTION.
I APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT CREATING AN IMPORTANT
ISCUSSION THIS AFTERNOON.
I WILL QUICKLY GO THROUGH THE
NEXT FEW SLIDES.
I REALLY WANT TO REITERATE THAT
WE HAVE THREE KEY GOALS ON
ENGAGEMENT THAT WILL BE
DISCUSSED LATER TODAY.
PARTNERSHIP FOR DISTRIBUTION
WITH COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS.
CLEAR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE
CITY, PUBLIC HEALTH, THE STATE
AND COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS AND LANGUAGE
ACCESS.
I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO
JULIE TO WALK THROUGH A LOT OF
OUR MASSIVE SITE EFFORTS AND
STRATEGY.
>> HI.
MATH SITES ARE NECESSARY FOR
FAST, LARGE-SCALE VACCINE
ADMINISTRATION.
I THINK EVERYONE RECOGNIZES
THAT THEY LEAVE PEOPLE BEHIND.
WHEN I START TALKING ABOUT THE
MASS VACCINATION SITES I WANT
TO REITERATE THAT THE SEATTLE
FIRE DEPARTMENT POP-UPS AND
MOBILE TEAMS ARE GOING TO
CONTINUE TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE
AS WILL OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND
PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY
HEALTH CLINICS.
EVEN AS WE OPEN UP THESE LARGE
SITES, IT'S NECESSARY TO KEEP
THOSE OPERATING ON FULL TILT SO
WE ARE NOT LEAVING FOLKS
BEHIND.
OUR STRATEGY FOR MASS SITES IS
TO ESSENTIALLY RAMP UP AS
SUPPLY ALLOWS.
THIS WILL REQUIRE CLOSE
COORDINATION WITH OUR PARTNERS.
THAT WILL BE OUR KEY TO
SUCCESS.
AND TO CONTINUE TO ENSURE AS
MUCH EQUITY AS WE CAN EVEN AT
THESE LARGE-SCALE SITES.
THE SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
WILL OPERATE AT LEAST TWO
SMALLER SITES.
MOORE COMMUNITY HUB MARSHALS
TARGETED TO REACH THE MOST
VULNERABLE RESIDENTS WHO MAY
NOT BE CONNECTED TO HEALTHCARE
SYSTEMS OR MAY NOT HAVE
INTERNET ACCESS OR THE ABILITY
TO SIGN UP OR GET TO ONE OF
THESE LARGER SCALE MASS SITES.
WE WE WORKING CLOSELY WITH
PUBLIC HEALTH THE SEATTLE KING
COUNTY AND UNDER OUR SHARED
PRINCIPLES TO SCHEDULE
APPOINTMENTS ACCORDING TO THOSE
PRINCIPLES USING THE DATA WE
HAVE ON COMMUNITY VIRAL RATES
AND VULNERABILITY INDEXES AND
WORKING WITH COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP SHUNT
PEOPLE TOWARD THE SMALLER, MORE
ACCESSIBLE SITES.
WE ARE ALSO CLOSELY PARTNERING
WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN
THE AREA TO SPONSOR SITES OPEN
TO THE PUBLIC. AGAIN, THEY HAVE
AGREED TO OPERATE UNDER OUR
SHARED EQUITY PRINCIPLES.
THESE TRUE MASS SITES OR LARGER
SCALE SITES ARE NECESSARY AS I
INDICATED TO VACCINATE THE
POPULATION AT LARGE AS QUICKLY
AS SUPPLY ALLOWS.
I JUST WANT TO REMIND FOLKS
THAT THIS IS ALL TO SUPPLEMENT
THE EXISTING HEALTHCARE
PROVIDERS SITES AT HOSPITALS,
CLINICS AND PHARMACIES THAT
ALREADY EXIST.
OUR CURRENT SUPPLY, THIS IS
WHERE WE ARE AT NOW.
WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER THE
INITIAL PHASE OF VACCINE
DISTRIBUTION.
WE HAVE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE IN
VACCINATING THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A LOT OF THEM HAVE SET UP
CLINICS TO SERVE THEIR PATIENTS
AND ALSO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
AT LARGE.
YOU CAN SEE THE SWEDISH CLINIC
AT SEATTLE UNIVERSITY IS
RECEPTOR REPRESENTED IN
ORANGEBURG YOU CAN SEE THE SIZE
OF THE CIRCLE REPRESENTS WHAT
THE APPROXIMATE OUTPUT IS AT
EACH OF THESE SITES.
WE'VE GOT THAT SITE OPERATED
UPON FIRST HILL.
VIRGINIA MASON IS HAVING A
BIWEEKLY POP-UP CLINIC UP IN
THE NORTH END OF DOWNTOWN.
KAISER IS OPERATING CLINICS IN
NORTHGATE AND CAPITOL HILL.
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
MEDICINE IS OPERATING CLINICS
AT THE MOUNTAIN LAKE LOCATION,
THE NORTHWEST HOSPITAL LOCATION
AND HARBOR VIEW.
COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS AROUND
THE AREA ARE ALSO GETTING DOSES
RIGHT NOW THAT INCLUDES ICHS,
SEATTLE INDIAN HEALTH BOARD AND
SEA MAR.
THERE ARE OTHER PROVIDERS AND
PHARMACIES PROVIDING LIMITED
DOSES AROUND THE CITY.
WE ARE HOPING THAT WE CAN START
MOVING INTO THIS INCREASED
SUPPLY PHASE SOON.
AS I INDICATED, WE ARE
PARTNERING WITH HEALTHCARE
PROVIDERS TO BEGIN TO BUILD
CAPACITY.
THAT INCLUDES ADDITIONAL DOSES
FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS
FIRST AND FOREMOST.
EVERYONE CAN AGREE WE ARE
PRIORITIZING THOSE TO HELP
REACH THE EXISTING CLIENTELE
BASE.
THAT INCLUDES ALSO CITY
OPERATED SITES IN BOTH WEST
SEATTLE AND SOUTH SEATTLE.
AND PARTNERSHIPS SITES IN
DOWNTOWN AS WELL.
AGAIN, THEY ARE ONGOING
PROVIDERS AND PHARMACIES THAT
ARE PROVIDING DOSES IN VARIOUS
PLACES AROUND THE CITY AS WELL.
ULTIMATELY OUR GOAL IS FULL
CAPACITY.
AS DOSES ALLOW, WE ARE GOING TO
HAVE AT LEAST ONE VERY LARGE-
SCALE SITE.
ONE THAT CAN OPERATE TO REALLY
HAVE A HIGH THROUGHPUT.
AND THEN SCALE UP A COUPLE OF
DIFFERENT SITES INCLUDING ONE
IN PARTNERSHIP POTENTIALLY WITH
THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON,
ONE DOWNTOWN.
THIS IS ALL SUPPLY PERMITTING.
AND ULTIMATELY THAT IS GOING TO
ALLOW US TO GET SIGNIFICANT
CAPACITY.
WE ARE ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO
BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO
VACCINATE ENOUGH PEOPLE IN THE
SEATTLE AREA TO ACHIEVE HERD
IMMUNITY IN A MONTHS TIME.
IF WE HAD THE SUPPLY OF DOSES
TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE AT FULL
CAPACITY, WE COULD REACH HERD
IMMUNITY IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE
WITHIN A MONTH.
THAT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT THE
REALITY OF THE SITUATION WE ARE
FACING, THAT WE WILL HAVE THE
CAPACITY TO DO IT ONCE WE GET
THE DOSES.
YOU CAN SEE HERE WE ARE
ESTIMATING THAT THE MASS SITES
WE ARE WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO
SET UP WILL BE ABLE TO DO 7000
TO 18,000 DOSES A DAY.
THE MOBILE TEAMS WILL BE DOING
BETWEEN 420 500 A DAY.
THE EXISTING HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS
INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY HEALTH
CLINICS WILL BE DOING FROM 5000
TO 10,000 PER DAY OR HAVE THE
CAPACITY TO DO THAT WORK THAT
GETS US TO A PLACE WHERE AT THE
TOP END IS OVER 30,000 DOSES A
DAY HAVING THE CAPACITY TO
ADMINISTER OVER 30,000 DOSES A
DAY ONCE THE SUPPLY CATCHES UP.
>> THANKS, JULIE.
I WILL CONCLUDE WITH WE HAVE
BEEN THOUGHTFUL ABOUT BUDGET
CONSIDERATIONS IN THIS APPROACH.
GETTING BACK DURING THE
TRANSITION TIME WITH THE
BIDEN/HARRIS TRANSITION TEAM
AND THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.
WE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR 100%
FEMA REIMBURSEMENT FOR MANY
VACCINE RELATED ACTIVITIES.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH
THE STATE AND FEMA ON THESE
COSTS.
NOW I WANT TO TURN IT BACK TO
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD ON HOW WE
CAN BEST DO Q&A.
WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER WITH
OUR TEAM AS YOU WOULD LIKE OR
DO WRITTEN FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
OR ANYTHING THE COUNCIL MAY
NEED.
>> I REALLY APPRECIATED.
I'M HAPPY TO TAKE SOME
QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS.
WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AS
HAS BEEN SAID TO TAKE A DEEPER
DIVE ON SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON
THE EQUITY ISSUES.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES
LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS ARE ATTENDING.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE FOLLOW-UP
QUESTIONS BUT I WILL HOLD THEM
TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS ARE IN THE QUEUE.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
I HAVE A BRIEF COMMENT SINCE
CHIEF SCOGGINS IS HERE.
I WANT TO THANK CHIEF SCOGGINS
FOR BERING HERE.
YOUR RESPONSE TO MY OFFICE WHEN
WE REACHED OUT WITH SOME
INQUIRIES ABOUT THE TEAM DOING
VACCINATIONS DUE TO SOME
REQUEST FROM CONSTITUENTS
AROUND PRIORITIZATION FOR
SEATTLE HOUSING BUILDINGS,
PARTICULARLY SUBSIDIZED SENIOR
LIVING. THE CHIEF WAS VERY
RESPONSIVE AND REAFFIRMED THAT
THAT IS A GOAL OF THE TEAM AND
THE CONSTITUENT WAS VERY PLEASED
TO LEARN ABOUT THE OVERALL
STRATEGY.
I KNOW MY OFFICE IS VERY
IMPRESSED AND VERY PROUD OF THE
WORK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS
EEN DOING THROUGHOUT THE
PANDEMIC.
NOT JUST THE CURRENT
VACCINATION STRATEGIES, BUT
ALSO ALL OF THE WORK TESTING
AND TRACING.
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT
TO RECOGNIZE THAT AND ALSO TO
RECOGNIZE CHIEF SCOGGINS
RELIGIONS IN GETTING BACK TO
OUR OFFICE AND GETTING US A
BRIEFING AND AN UP DATE ON
THAT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
YOU ARE WELCOME.
I MUST SAY IT'S NOT JUST ME.
WE HAVE A BIG TEAM WORKING ON
THIS.
EVERYONE YOU SEE ON THIS CALL
AND SO MANY PEOPLE BEHIND THE
SCENES THAT ARE WORKING HARD TO
ACCOMPLISH THIS.
JUST TO NOTE, OVER 617,000
PEOPLE TESTED SINCE JUNE 5th
AND OUR TESTING SITES.
WE ARE STILL DOING A LOT OF
WORK ON THAT FRONT.
>> THANK YOU.
LET'S SEE.
ANY OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS?
COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS?
>> THANK YOU.
I DO ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS IN
THE RAINIER BEACH AREA WITH THE
VACCINATIONS AND TESTING OVER
THE SUMMER.
I AM REALLY, REALLY PLEASED
THAT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS IN
PLACE.
THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I WONDER IF WE COULD GO BACK TO
THE SLIDE THAT SHOWED THE
TIMELINE FOR WHEN WE MIGHT
ACTUALLY GET SUPPLY.
I'M SORRY I DIDN'T MARK DOWN
THE SLIDE NUMBER.
IT WAS INDICATING THAT WE WON'T
ACTUALLY GET TO VACCINATING AS
MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE UNTIL
EARLY NEXT YEAR, STEPHANIE
SAID.
CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THAT A
LITTLE BIT MORE PLEASE.
>> THANKS.
LEAH, CAN YOU BRING UP THAT
SLIDE AGAIN.
COUNCILMEMBER, THAT'S A GREAT
QUESTION AND ONE WE HAVE
WRESTLED WITH SCENARIOS.
I WOULD SAY HOW MANY WE ARE
CURRENTLY RECEIVING PER MONTH
IS WHEN WE MIGHT NOT VACCINATE
UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
UNDERSTANDING WE HAVE SUCH A
CONSTRAINED SUPPLY RIGHT NOW OF
160 MONTHLY DOSES.
160 K MONTHLY DOSES.
THAT REALLY IS MODELING THAT
GRAY TIME OF WHAT THE CURRENT
SUPPLY IS.
OUR BEST GUESS IS THAT WITH THE
COMMITMENTS OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, THEY HAVE MADE A
COMMITMENT TO BUY 600 MILLION
VACCINES BY THE END OF SUMMER.
END OF SUMMER, LET'S ASSUME
THAT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
THAT'S ENOUGH VACCINES FOR 300
MILLION AMERICANS.
I DO THINK AS WE HAVE WRESTLED
WITH WHAT IS THE EXACT
TIMELINE, WE ARE PREPARED FOR
THAT SCENARIO ASSUMING EVERY
SINGLE DOSE COMES TO KING
COUNTY THAT WOULD VACCINATE AT
LEAST 90% OF OUR POPULATION.
I THINK AS WE HAVE SEEN AND I
THINK WE WANT TO BE REALLY
HONEST WITH THE PUBLIC THAT THE
SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS RIGHT NOW
ARE VERY REAL IN THAT RAMP-UP
PERIOD.
IT WILL TAKE TIME.
IT'S ALL OF OUR BEST HOPE THAT
IT RAMPS UP IN SPRING AND
SUMMER, BUT IT COULD TAKE MORE
TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER GONZALES?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I ALSO WANT TO ECHO THE THANKS
TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN
WORKING ON THIS ISSUE. A GOOD
EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN WORK
TOGETHER COLLABORATIVELY, BOTH
IN THE EXECUTIVE AND ON THE
COUNCIL, BUT ALSO WITH OUR
COUNTY PARTNERS.
I HAVE WHAT I THINK IS A QUICK
QUESTION.
IT MIGHT NOT BE.
ON THAT SAME SIDE OF THE
SCENARIO PLANNING AND MODELING,
MY QUESTION IS REALLY WANTING
TO FOCUS ON THE VARIANT STRAINS
OF COVID.
HOW DOES THE ARRIVAL AND SPREAD
OF THE VARIANT IN KING COUNTY
IMPACT THE SCENARIO PLANNING
AND MODELING THAT WE ARE SEEING
ON SLIDE 12?
>> THAT SUCH A GREAT QUESTION.
I WILL START WITH A LITTLE BIT
OF BACKGROUND ON THE VARIANT
AND WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT THE
DR. HAS BEEN SAYING ABOUT IT.
RIGHT NOW THERE IS A LOT OF
WORK WITH EACH OF THESE VACCINES
. INDEED, THE ONES ARE COMING
IN THE PIPELINE TO TEST THEM
AGAINST THE VARIANT.
DR. WIN AND OUR FEDERAL
PARTNERS HAVE BEEN PRETTY CLEAR
THAT THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT
THE UK VARIANT THAT THEY BELIEVE
WILL BECOME A PREDOMINANT
VARIANT HERE, POSSIBLY BY THE
END OF MARCH, THAT THE VACCINES
ARE VERY EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE
UK VARIANT.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN VARIANT, THEY
ARE STUDYING.
I KNOW THAT ASTRAZENECA VACCINE
THAT IS NOT APPROVED IN THE
UNITED STATES, BUT HAS BEEN
BEING USED DOWN THERE, SEEMS TO
NOT BE AS EFFECTIVE.
I KNOW THE CDC AND FDA WILL BE
CAREFUL ABOUT THEM STEPHANIE, I
WILL LET YOU TALK MORE ABOUT
THAT.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THE
DOCTOR DID THIS GREAT GRAPHIC
THAT HE TWEETED OUT FROM SAN
DIEGO.
I KNOW WE HAVE ASKED SOME OF OUR
PARTNERS TO MODEL THIS.
I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AFTER
THE CALL.
IT REALLY DOES SHOW HOW
IMPORTANT IT IS TO SCALE AND
GET AS MANY DRUGS OUT QUICKLY.
WE HAVE ALL EMBARKED ON THIS
WORK TOGETHER, THE VACCINE WILL
LITERALLY SAVE LIVES.
IF WE DON'T HAVE THE
INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE HAVE AN
INCREASE OF VACCINES, WE NEED
TO GET IT TO THE COMMUNITIES
AND THE COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED THE
MOST.
THE VARIANT, IF WE MAKE ANY
BACKWARDS PROGRESS, WE WILL
STILL SEE A SURGE OF CASES OF
DEATHS, HOSPITALIZATIONS, EVEN
THOUGH MORE AND MORE
INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING
VACCINATED.
I WILL SHOOT ALONG THE SAN
DIEGO MODELING.
THAT WAS A HELPFUL VISUAL FOR
US TO PRESS THE URGENCY OF THE
SITUATION.
>> THAT'S REALLY HELPFUL.
I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE
VARIANT CONVERSATION AND I
APPRECIATE DOCTOR TALKING ABOUT
THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINATION
WHICH IS SHOWN TO BE
INEFFECTIVE AS IT RELATES TO
THE SOUTH AFRICAN VARIANT.
OBVIOUSLY THAT COMES WITH A BIG
CAVEAT.
BUT I THINK THE SAMPLE SIZE WAS
40 PEOPLE OR LESS.
IT WAS A VERY SMALL SAMPLE
SIZE.
BUT IT DID SHOW ONLY A 10%
EFFECTIVE RATE IN THAT CONTEXT.
IT DOESN'T LOOK VERY PROMISING.
I GUESS TIME WILL TELL IN TERMS
OF WHETHER THAT SAMPLE SIZE
COULD BE INCREASED TO GIVE US A
BETTER SENSE OF WHETHER OR NOT
IT'S GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE OR
NOT.
I THINK THAT THE ISSUES RELATED
TO THE VARIANT MAKES IT THAT
MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE
TO FOCUS ON EQUITY.
AND ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND
ENGAGEMENT.
IT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY I
REALLY APPRECIATE MAYOR DURKIN'S
ADVOCACY AROUND BETTER
UTILIZING AND MORE
INTENTIONALLY USE UTILIZING OUR
HEALTH CLINICS AND PARTNERS TO
DO THIS WORK.
I WILL TELL YOU AS SOMEONE WHO
COMES FROM AN IMMIGRANT
POPULATION AND SOMEONE WHO
COMES FROM THE LATIN X
COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR, I AM
HEARING A LOT OF REALLY
CONCERNING SENTIMENTS BEING
EXPRESSED WITHIN MY OWN
COMMUNITY ABOUT WHETHER IT'S
WORTH TAKING THE VACCINATION
WHEN THERE IS A LOT OF
MISINFORMATION BEING SPREAD
AROUND ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS
OF THE VACCINE AGAINST THE
VARIANT.
THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION
ABOUT HOW PREVALENT THE VARIANT
IS, WHAT STRAIN IS ACTUALLY
PRESENT IN KING COUNTY AND
SEATTLE, AND A LOT OF
MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT WHETHER
THE VACCINES THAT ARE CURRENTLY
BEING OFFERED ARE ACTUALLY
EFFECT DIV.
FOR PREVENTION OF GETTING
CONTRACTION AND SERIOUS
SYMPTOMS OF COVID.
WE NEED TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THIS
EQUITY ISSUE AND ALSO ON THE
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND
ENGAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE
ARE VERY WELL INFORMED.
IN MY PERSPECTIVE, AS SOMEBODY
WHO GREW UP IN THE COMMUNITY
HEALTH CLINIC SYSTEM, I AM A
PRODUCT OF THE YAKIMA VALLEY
FARMWORKERS PUBLIC HEALTH
SYSTEM IN CENTRAL WASHINGTON.
IT IS THOSE HEALTHCARE
INFRASTRUCTURES THAT ARE SO
CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO
BUILDING TRUST AND GETTING
ACCURATE INFORMATION OUT INTO
COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ALREADY
SKEPTICAL ABOUT THESE
INTERVENTIONS AND THESE MEDICAL
OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE
AVAILABLE TO THEM.
NOT REALLY A QUESTION IN THERE,
BUT I FELT LIKE IT WAS
IMPORTANT FOR US TO CALL OUT
THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THIS
ISSUE WITH THE VARIANT.
A LOT OF MISINFORMATION ABOUT
THE PREVALENCE OF THE VARIANT
IN A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING
ABOUT WHETHER IT IS WORTH
TAKING THIS VACCINE OR NOT.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY AND
HOW TO CENTER EQUITY, IN OUR
CONVERSATIONS HERE, IT'S
IMPORTANT FOR US TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT
PROBLEM AND I WOULD BE
INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM THE
MAYORS OFFICE OR FROM ANYONE
ELSE ON HOW WE ARE GOING TO BE
PREPARED TO MODIFY OUR APPROACH
HERE TO MEET THOSE PARTICULAR
CONCERNS AND ISSUES WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU.
SORRY I HAD A SCRATCH IN MY
THROAT FOR A MINUTE.
WHAT YOU ARE RAISING IS REALLY
FRONT AND CENTER RIGHT NOW IN
ALL THE CONVERSATIONS.
THE DOCTOR WOULD ALSO SAY THAT
HE REALLY THINKS WE NEED TO
DOUBLE DOWN ON THE MESSAGING ON
PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY AND
EACH OTHER WITH MASK WEARING.
I THINK THOSE MESSAGES CONTINUE
TO BE ESSENTIAL.
I APPRECIATE EVERYONE ON THE
COUNCIL HELPING CONTINUE THAT.
OUR WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE CITY HAS BEEN TO REALLY
EMPHASIZE HAVING BEEN WITH THE
HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH
CENTERS MYSELF, I KNOW THEIR
POWER FOR REALLY BEING WITH THE
COMMUNITY AND BEING ABLE TO
OFFER WITH US SOME REAL
OPPORTUNITIES.
I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE OUR
LATIN X COMMUNITY GROUP THAT
HAS BEEN ADVISING US. WE ARE
WORKING ON WAYS TO HAVE OUR
LOCAL OUTLETS IN THE COMMUNITY
TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT FROM
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
USING THOSE MEDIA OUTLETS THAT
ARE TRUSTED SOURCES WITHIN THE
DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.
THAT HAS BEEN ALSO A FOCUS.
I KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO
CONTINUE TO WORK ON BOTH
MESSAGING AND OVERCOMING THE
ISSUE OF MISINFORMATION OUT IN
SO MANY PLACES.
IT'S A CONSTANT VIGILANCE, I
GUESS I WOULD SAY, ON A WEEKLY
BASIS THAT WE ALL NEED TO DO.
>> ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I
WANTED TO THROW IN HERE.
WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE
ROLES OF THE STATE VERSUS THE
COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH VERSUS THE
CITY, THIS QUESTION OF MOVING
INTO THE NEXT TIER AND WHETHER
OR NOT WE SHOULD MOVE INTO
ANOTHER TIER OF PRIORITY
INDIVIDUALS BEFORE MEETING THE
NEEDS OF THE HIGHEST TIER.
THAT'S ONE ISSUE.
I AM INTERESTED ON WHETHER OR
NOT CONCERNS ABOUT THAT HER
CONCERNS ARE BEST DIRECTED TO
THE STATE?
AND SECONDLY, THIS QUESTION OF
THE PROPORTION OF DOSES
RECEIVED BY A JURISDICTION THAT
GO TO THE LARGE MEDICAL
INSTITUTIONS VERSUS THOSE THAT
GO TO SMALLER COMMUNITY
CLINICS.
ARE THOSE BOTH QUESTIONS THAT
NEED TO BE DIRECT DID TO THE
STATE IF WE AS A CITY HAVE
PREFERENCES FOR THOSE TWO
PARTICULAR ISSUES?
AS YOU KNOW WE ARE WORKING
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF COUNCIL
PRESIDENT GONZALES A RESOLUTION.
I THINK THOSE ARE TWO IMPORTANT
ISSUES THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO
CONSIDER TEEING UP IN THAT
RESOLUTION AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU FOR THOSE
QUESTIONS.
THOSE ARE TWO ONGOING ALMOST
WEEKLY CONVERSATIONS THAT I AM
HAVING WITH THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
THESE ARE UNDER THE
JURISDICTION OF THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
I WAS JUST ON THE PHONE WITH
DR. SHAW THIS MORNING.
THERE IS A STATEWIDE
CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR.
AGAIN, THE GOVERNOR OPENS UP
THOSE PHASES.
HE DOES THAT.
ABOUT WHEN WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH
DOSES TO ACTUALLY THINK ABOUT
GOING INTO PHASE 1B 2. AND THAT
SOME OF THE SMALLER
JURISDICTIONS ARE ACTUALLY
PROBABLY GOING TO BE READY
FIRST BEFORE LARGE. PUBLIC
HEALTH SEATTLE KING COUNTY IS
ALWAYS SAYING WE HAVE GOT TO
GET US ENOUGH DOSES TO GET US
FURTHER.
WE HAVEN'T EVEN FINISHED ONE A.
WE ARE DOING REALLY WELL, BUT
WE HAVE NOT FINISHED ONE A. THE
PRESSURE FOR THE DOSE IS
OPENING UP 1B AND THE
FRUSTRATIONS IT HAS CAUSED TO
OUR OLDER ADULTS, YOU HEAR IT
EVERY DAY.
>> THEY ARE NOT ARBITRARY
TIERS.
THEY ARE TIERS FOCUSED ON THE
GREATEST VULNERABILITY.
>> CORRECT.
ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
AND THEN THE DOSE ALLOCATION AS
IT GOES TO WHAT PIECE.
I'VE GOT TO SAY THE STATE
DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TOTAL CONTROL
OVER THAT.
FOR EXAMPLE,THE PHARMACY
PARTNERSHIPS ARE A FEDERAL
PHARMACY PARTNERSHIP.
THOSE DOSES HAVE NOT BEEN
TRANSPARENT EVEN TO THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THAT HAVE
BEEN GOING DIRECTLY TO
PHARMACIES TO SERVE THE LONG-
TERM CARE FACILITIES.
WE HAVE CONTINUED TO STAND WITH
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
TO TELL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
YOU HAVE TO MAKE THIS MORE
TRANSPARENT.
I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY
TOTAL DOSES ARE GOING INTO THEM
AND NEITHER CAN THE STATE.
THE DOSE ALLOCATION, DR. SHAW
THIS MORNING ADMITTED TO LOCAL
PUBLIC HEALTH THAT HE
ACKNOWLEDGES IT HAS BEEN REALLY
ROUGH.
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I THINK
THAT THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
CITY HAS BEEN REALLY INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT TO MAP OUT WITH YOU
ALL IS THAT WE ARE SETTING A
STAGE SO THAT IF DOSES GO TO
THESE HOSPITALS, THEY ARE IN
ALIGNMENT WITH THE CITY'S PLAN
AND THEY ARE AGREEING TO THE
COUNTY EQUITY PRINCIPLES.
WE ARE STILL ALIGNED ON THE
HIGHEST NEED AND WE HOPEFULLY
WILL AVOID THIS MOVING AHEAD IN
LINE AND THE PROBLEMS THAT
PERKED UP RIGHT AWAY.
WE ARE ALL COMMITTED TO THAT
AND WE WANT TO USE OUR
INFLUENCE TO PUSH THAT, EVEN IF
IT'S JUST HERE IN KING COUNTY.
>> THANK YOU.
THE OTHER QUESTION I WANTED TO
ASK RELATES TO VERIFICATION.
I WANT TO MAKE A DISTINCTION
BETWEEN VERIFICATION AND
ENFORCEMENT.
I THINK THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.
IN CHANGING PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR
WITHOUT NECESSARILY CHANGING
SOME PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR WITHOUT
NECESSARILY TAKING ON THE
BURDEN O WHAT TO DO IF THE
BEHAVIOR DOESN'T CHANGE.
WE ARE INCREASINGLY HEARING
FROM RESIDENTS WHO ARE ANGERED
THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT
ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINATION
ACCORDING TO THE STATES
ELIGIBILITY PLAN ARE STILL
RECEIVING VACCINATIONS.
THERE SEEMS TO BE LITTLE
EMPHASIS ON VERIFYING THE
ELIGIBILITY OF PERSONS WHO SHOW
UP TO RECEIVE VACCINATION.
GIVEN THE TENUOUS TRUST IN THE
VACCINATION ROLLOUT SO FAR,
AGAIN, I THINK THERE'S A
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TELLING
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THEY
CAN EXPECT TO BE ASKED TO
VERIFY THEIR ELIGIBILITY IS
ABOUT SETTING EXPECTATIONS.
IN DOING SO, YOU ARE NOT
NECESSARILY COMMITTING
PROVIDERS OR FOLKS WHO ARE
DELIVERING THE VACCINE TO ACT
IF SOMEBODY DOES NOT
DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY ARE
ELIGIBLE.
I AM JUST WONDERING WHETHER OR
NOT THERE'S BEEN CONVERSATION
ABOUT THAT?
>> I WILL PASS THIS OFF TO
STEPHANIE FOR WHAT THE WORK THE
CITY HAS BEEN DOING.
FROM THE STATE PERSPECTIVE, IT
IS AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, AN
HONOR SYSTEM WHEN PEOPLE GO ON
PLACE FINDER.
IN ADDITION, THE VERY FACT WE
ARE STILL DOING ONE A AND
PEOPLE CAN BE IN ONE A AND SHOW
UP AT A VACCINE SITE AND
RIGHTLY RECEIVE A VACCINE BUT
THEY ARE NOT ELDERLY AND THE
APPEARANCE OF THIS CAN CONFUSE
THE PUBLIC WHEN THEY ARE
EXPECTING THAT ALL THE VACCINES
RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE OF THE
INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN
COMING OUT IN THE MEDIA, THAT
WE ARE ONLY FOCUSED ON OVER 65
AND OLDER.
I THINK THERE'S A CHALLENGE IN
COMMUNICATION.
I KNOW THIS IS IN YOUR
QUESTION, BUT THERE'S A
CHALLENGE IN COMMUNICATION JUST
BECAUSE OF WHAT THE PUBLIC
SEES.
AND ALSO I KNOW IN THE SIGHTS
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON, WE ARE
TRYING TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS
AND INDEED IN MULTIGENERATIONAL
HOUSEHOLDS WE ARE ASKING, BUT
WE ARE EXPECTING PEOPLE TO GIVE
US THEIR OWN CORRECT
INFORMATION.
>> I WANT TO SAY I KNOW
SOMEBODY PERSONALLY WHO HAS A
HEALTHCARE LICENSE, BUT ISN'T A
HEALTHCARE WORKER.
HAVE GOTTEN THERE FIRST AND
SECOND VACCINE AND IS UNDER 50.
I DON'T THINK IT'S JUST A MATTER
OF EVERYBODY THINKING THAT
EVERYBODY GETTING VACCINATED
SHOULD BE OF A CERTAIN AGE.
I THINK THERE'S SOME OTHER
GAMEPLAYING THAT FOLKS ARE
DOING.
>> I WILL JUST JUMP IN.
I THINK THIS IS AN
ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT WE KNOW THE
SYSTEM IS GOING TO BE AN
EQUITABLE.
I THINK THE QUESTION FOR US AND
THE QUESTION WE HAVE TRIED TO
THEN MOVE FORWARD ON IS WHY WE
NEED MORE DOSES FOR OUR MOBILE,
WHICH ARE COMPLETELY TARGETED
POPULATIONS.
WHY WE NEED MORE DOSES FOR THE
COMMUNITY POP-UPS BECAUSE WE
CAN THEN WORK WITH TRUSTED
COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO ARE
SERVING THOSE COMMUNITIES.
AS WE REALLY THINK ABOUT OUR
PLAN AND WHY RIGHT NOW WHILE I
THINK THERE IS A NEED FOR MASS
SITES OR A NEED FOR
CONVERSATION EN MASSE SITES, AS
A CITY, WE THINK THE BEST
APPROACH TO MAKE SURE THE
VACCINE IS GETTING IN THE RIGHT
ARMS RIGHT NOW IS TO REALLY
PURSUE THIS ROBUST MOBILE AND
COMMUNITY POP-UP MODEL.
AND THEN REALLY IN THE NEXT FEW
WEEKS AS WE ARE RAMPING UP
INFRASTRUCTURE FROM HERE ON,
úWHAT ARE DIFFERENT WAYS WE CAN
OPERATE A MASS SITE THAT BUILDS
EQUITY ON THE FRONT END, LIKE
WORKING WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH
CENTERS?
THOSE RESERVED SPOTS GO TO CHC
AND NOT TO 1st COME, FIRST
SERVE IN THE PUBLIC I KNOW WE
ARE TALKING THROUGH WHAT DO
THOSE ACTUAL STRATEGIES LOOK
LIKE ON THE FRONT END FOR MASS
úSITES?
RIGHT NOW IT REALLY FEELS LIKE
ANYONE CAN WALK IN AND GET A
DOSE.
>> THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THAT YOU ARE
FOCUSING OUR EFFORTS AND OUR
PLANNING AROUND EQUITY ON THE
MASS SITES.
THAT'S A DIFFICULT THING TO
CONCEPTUALIZE DOING. IF WE
DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WEEKS IT'S
GOING TO BE BEFORE WE HAVE A
SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF VACCINES
TO OPEN UP A MASSIVE SITE.
IN THE MEANTIME, WEEKS AND
WEEKS GO BY THAT ARE
PERPETUATING THE INEQUITIES
THAT WE ALL RECOGNIZE OUR
INHERENT IN A SYSTEM.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS, I SEE
YOUR HAND UP.
IS THAT A HOLDOVER FROM BEFORE?
>> I AM SORRY.
>> IT'S ALL GOOD.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES?
>> A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS HAVE
BEEN JOGGED IN MY MIND AFTER
CHAIR HERBOLD 'S LINE OF
QUESTIONING.
ONE IS AROUND THE PHASES AND
ONE IS MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT
MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLDS.
IN THE AREA OF PHASES, MY
UNDERSTANDING -- AND DIRECTOR
HAYES, YOU CAN DISAVOW ME OF
THIS UNDERSTANDING OR CORRECT
MY UNDERSTANDING IF IT IS
WRONG.
SEATTLE KING COUNTY PUBLIC
HEALTH IN TERMS OF MASS
VACCINATION SITES POLICIES, MY
UNDERSTANDING IS IN SOUTH KING
COUNTY SOME OF THOSE SITES,
EVEN THOUGH THE PHASES SAY THAT
65 AND OLDER ARE ELIGIBLE,
THERE ARE SOME SITES IN SOUTH
KING COUNTY RUN BY KING COUNTY
PUBLIC HEALTH THAT ARE ACTUALLY
MORE RESTRICTIVE AND ONLY
ALLOWING THOSE WHO ARE 75 AND
OLDER.
I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHY
THAT POLICY CHOICE WAS MADE AND
WHAT KIND OF EQUITY ANALYSIS
WAS DONE BEFORE ADOPTING THAT
KIND OF FINE TUNING RESTRICTION
TO THAT MASS VACCINATION SITE?
>> YES, THAT IS TRUE FOR THE
SOUTH KING COUNTY SITES WITH A
LIMITED NUMBER OF DOSES THAT
DR. TUCHIN DIRECTED FOR THOSE
SITES RIGHT NOW.
IT IS TRUE THAT FOR THE
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT THE
LIFESPAN DATA SHOWS THAT THIS
CAN CREATE INEQUITIES JUST BY
THAT POLICY.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE, BECAUSE DR.
TUCHIN IN TERMS OF THE DATA, WE
KNOW THAT PEOPLE 75 OR OLDER,
200% HIGHER MORBIDITY AND
MORTALITY FROM COVID AND WITH A
LIMITED NUMBER, WE WANTED TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE
FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE ON THE
HIGHEST RISK AND THE 1st OF THE
LINE.
WHAT WE DID DOWN THERE IS WE
ARE WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY
PARTNERS SO THAT WE ARE
ACTUALLY FILLING RESERVE SPOTS
FROM THE COMMUNITIES AND MAKING
SURE THAT WE ARE REACHING OUR
BIPOC COMMUNITY DOWN THERE.
THE DATA FROM THE FIRST WEEK
SHOWS THAT WE ARE VACCINATING
50% OR MORE OF COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR. WE'VE GOT MORE TO DO,
PARTICULARLY IN THE HISPANIC
LATIN X WAS NOT TO WHERE I WAS
EXPECTING TO SEE OUR
APPOINTMENTS.
THEY ARE MUCH HIGHER IN THAT
COMMUNITY FOR THE NEXT WEEK.
AGAIN, WE ARE TAKING A VERY
TARGETED APPROACH.
IT IS NOT AN OPEN YOU JUST SIGN
úYOURSELF UP.
WE ARE WORKING WITH COMMUNITY
PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT
THOSE COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTH
END ARE ACTUALLY ACHIEVING
SUCCESS IN GETTING APPOINTMENTS.
>> OKAY.
THAT IS HELPFUL.
ON MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLDS,
PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.
I THINK THIS IS ALSO TRUE FOR A
LOT OF OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN
COMMUNITIES.
OUR FAMILY STRUCTURES TEND TO
BE VERY FLUID.
I DON'T LIVE WITH MY MOTHER WHO
IS PART OF PHASE ONE.
BUT SHE LIVES ALONE AND DOESN'T
HAVE ANYONE ELSE IN HER HOME.
IF SHE WERE TO GET SICK,
SOMEONE LIKE ME WOULD BE
REQUIRED TO EFFECTIVELY MOVE IN
WITH HER.
IN ORDER TO MOVE IN WITH HER, I
WOULD WANT TO BE VACCINATED
FIRST TO ALLOW FOR THAT
MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLD TO
BE CONSTRUCTED SAFELY.
THAT IS NOT GAMING THE SYSTEM
APPROACH TO TRY TO SHOEHORN
YOURSELF INTO GETTING A
VACCINATION.
I HAVE HEARD FROM CONSTITUENTS
DIRECTLY AS EXAMPLES OF THEIR
80-YEAR-OLD FATHER HAVING
SUDDENLY A HEART ATTACK AND
NEEDING TO GET CARE FROM AN
ADULT CHILD WHO CAN'T ACTUALLY
GET TO THEIR PARENTS HOME
WITHOUT THE FEAR OF EXPOSING
THEM TO COVID.
úI AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY
STUDY OR THOUGHT BEING PUT INTO
PLACE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HOW
FLUID MULTIGENERATIONAL
FAMILIES CAN BE PARTICULARLY
WITHIN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES
AND OTHER COMMUNITIES WHO
REALLY EVOLVE AND LIVE WITH
EACH OTHER FOR CARETAKING
PURPOSES.
>> THAT'S AN EXCELLENT
QUESTION.
IT LEADS TO THE COMPLEXITY OF
THESE PHASES AND TRYING TO SET
A STATEWIDE STANDARD. YOU KNOW
RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING THAT
IT CAN'T APPLY EQUITABLY
BECAUSE IT'S A BROAD STANDARD.
THE DEFINITION OF
MULTIGENERATIONAL WAS INTENDED
TO REALLY BE AN EQUITY APPROACH
WITHIN PHASE 1B 1. WE HAVE
GOTTEN LOTS OF QUESTIONS.
IT'S VERY CONFUSING TO PEOPLE
WHO HAVE TO HAVE CARE AND HAVE
A CASE WHERE A DISABLED SON WAS
BEING CARED FOR BY A 74-YEAR-
OLD MOM.
YET SHE COULDN'T ACCESS THE
VACCINE FOR HER SON BECAUSE HE
DIDN'T MEET THE DEFINITION.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO GIVE
INPUT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
FROM THE COMMUNITY.
WE HEARD FROM DR. SHAW THIS
MORNING THAT THEY ARE
ESTABLISHING WHAT THEY ARE
CALLING A VACCINE COLLABORATIVE
FOR EQUITY.
I WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE HOW
THAT EVOLVES.
I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO
BUILD A TABLE AT THE STATE TO
HAVE COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS ADVISE THE
DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNOR
MORE DYNAMICALLY AROUND WHAT
YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.
I WILL SAY THAT IT REALLY
SPEAKS AGAIN TO THE MOBILE
STRATEGY THAT STEPHANIE TALKED
ABOUT THAT THE CITY IS
EMPHASIZING.
WHAT WE REALLY WANT IS THOSE
ISOLATED SENIORS TO GET THE
VACCINE SO THAT YOU KNEW THAT
PERSON WHO NEEDED HELP BECAUSE
THEY HAD A HEART ATTACK NOW WAS
VACCINATED AND WAS PROTECTED.
THAT STRATEGY, AGAIN, IS REALLY
IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW WHERE WE
WORK OUT THESE OTHER PIECES.
>> I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY BEING
WITH US TODAY.
WE DO NEED TO MOVE ON, IF THAT
IS OKAY.
WE WILL HAVE SOME MORE TIME
WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE
REPRESENTED HERE AT COUNCIL
PRESIDENT GONZALES IS AFTERNOON
MEETING.
AGAIN, THANK YOU AND I REALLY
LOOK FORWARD TO ONGOING WORK TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE MEET THE
GOALS THAT WE HAVE SET FOR
OURSELVES AS A CITY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> PLEASE READ THE NEXT ITEM ON
THE AGENDA.
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO,
COUNCIL BILL 119996.
AND ORDINANCE RELATING TO
SEATTLE'S CONSTRUCTION CODES,
ADOPTING THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL
FIRE CODE BY REFERENCE AS THE
SEATTLE FIRE CODE, AMENDING
CERTAIN CHAPTERS OF AND ADDING
NEW CHAP TIERS TO THE SEATTLE
FIRE CODE.
AMENDING SECTIONS 3.0 2.125,
22.600 POINT 020 AND 22.602
POINT 090 OF THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE REPEALING
SECTIONS 1 AND THREE THROUGH 35
OF ORDINANCE 125138 SECTION 1
OF ORDINANCE125392 AND SECTION
1 THROUGH 9 OF ORDINANCE 125948
AND RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN PRIOR AXE.
>> THANK YOU, ALEX.
WE STILL HAVE KEITH CHIEF
SCOGGINS AS A PRESENTER.
IF THEY COULD INTRODUCE
THEMSELVES PLEASE.
>> I WILL HAVE MY TEAM
INTRODUCED THEMSELVES.
I WILL START WITH OUR FIRE
MARSHAL ASSISTANT CHIEF TIMOTHY
MUNNIS.
>> I AM HERE.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCILMEMBERS.
I AM TIMOTHY MUNNIS AND THE FIRE
HERE IN SEATTLE.
>> CAN BRULC IS OUR FIRE
COORDINATOR.
>> HI, KEN BROO LET PROGRAM
MANAGER FOR SEATTLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
>> AND FROM CENTRAL STAFF?
>> GOOD MORNING.
CARLOS LUGO FROM CENTRAL STAFF.
>> FANTASTIC.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY BEING
WITH US.
I REALLY APPRECIATE RECEIVING
FROM THE CHIEF A PREVIEW OF THE
PRESENTATION A COUPLE WEEKS AGO
AT OUR MONTHLY MEETING.
JUST FOR SOME QUICK BACKGROUND
AS COUNCILMEMBERS ARE AWARE WE
PASSED LEGISLATION UPDATING OUR
BUILDING CODES LAST WEEK.
AND THE FIRE CODES ARE
TYPICALLY UP DATED ALONG WITH
HOLDING CODES THAT THE
DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY HAS
CONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE TWO
SETS OF REGULATIONS.
THE CODES WERE LAST UPDATED IN
2016 AND ARE UPDATED EVERY
THREE YEARS.
BUT DOING SO WAS DELAYED DUE TO
THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.
WITH THAT, I WILL HAND IT OVER
TO CHIEF SCOGGINS FOR THE
PRESENTATION THAT THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT HAS PREPARED FOR US.
>> GOOD MORNING ONCE AGAIN
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
JUST A COUPLE OF WORDS AND I
WILL PASS IT OVER TO KEN FOR
THE PRESENTATION.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW PROUD I AM
OF OUR TEAM OR HOW HARD THEY
WORKED ENSURING THE PUBLIC
SAFETY OF THOSE WHO LIVE, VISIT
AND WORK HERE IN SEATTLE.
THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES
INTO THESE FIRE CODES AND
UPDATING AND ENFORCEMENTS AND
INSPECTIONS AND THINGS LIKE
THAT.
THIS MORNING KEN WILL GIVE YOU
A HIGH-LEVEL OVERVIEW OF THE
SIX FIRE CODE CHANGES THAT WE
ARE PUTTING FORWARD FOR YOU
TODAY.
I WILL PASS IT TO KEN.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF.
LET ME SHARE MY SCREEN HERE.
SOMEBODY TELL ME EVERYTHING IS
LOOKING GOOD.
THANK YOU.
THE FIRST FIRE CORD ORDINANCE
WAS ENACTED BACK IN 1870.
A LOT OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED
OVER THE LAST 150 YEARS.
WE HAVE GONE FROM A VERY, VERY
SMALL ORDINANCE TO A LARGE
ORDINANCE NOW WITH MANY
DIFFERENT CHANGES THAT AFFECT
THE DIFFERENT HAZARDS
THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
AND ALSO LOOK BACK TO THE GREAT
FIRE OF 1889 WHICH WAS A BIG
TURNING POINT IN SEATTLE'S
HISTORY.
THAT FIRE WAS CREATED BY
SOMEBODY ACTUALLY HEATING UP
GLUE OVER A GASOLINE FIRE OR
THAT IT BOILED OVER AND WENT ON
TO A FLOOR THAT WAS COVERED
WITH WOOD CHIPS AND TURPENTINE.
IT WAS A COMPLETE DISASTER, WE
HAVE DEFINITELY HAD A TURNING
POINT OVER THE YEARS WITH
CREATING OUR NEW CODES AND
STANDARDS.
LIKE WHAT WAS MENTIONED IS THE
SEATTLE FIRE CODE IS JUST ONE
CODE IN ALL OF THE 2018 SEATTLE
CONSTRUCTION CODES.
WE ARE THE LAST ONE TO BE
ADOPTED JUST BECAUSE WE ARE IN
A DIFFERENT COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW.
THE SEATTLE FIRE CODE IS
SIMILAR TO THE OTHER CODES LIKE
THE SEATTLE BUILDING CODE.
IT'S BASED ON THE MODEL CODE
WHICH IS THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE
CODE.
THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE IS
DEVELOPED THROUGH DIFFERENT
COMMITTEES.
IT IS THEN PRESENTED AND VOTED
ON BY AUTHORITY HAVING
JURISDICTIONS WITH OTHER VOTING
MEMBERS.
ONCE IT IS PASSED, THE
WASHINGTON STATE WILL TAKE A
LOOK AT IT AND THEY WILL ALSO
PROPOSE FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO
IT TO MAKE IT MORE WASHINGTON
STATE SPECIFIC.
AS THE PROCESS IS DEVELOPED
THROUGH THE STATE BUILDING CODE
COUNCIL AND MULTIPLE GROUPS
INCLUDING THE FIRE CODE TAG
WHICH IS A TECHNICAL ADVISORY
GROUP THAT WE REVIEWED THE
PROPOSED CHANGES TO MAKE SURE
THEY ARE CONSISTENT AND LISTEN
TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT AND VOTE
ON APPROPRIATE CHANGES.
THE WORK WAS COMPLETED BACK IN
2020 AND THE WASHINGTON STATE
FIRE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 1st
OF THIS YEAR.
THE TRADITIONAL LOCAL
AMENDMENTS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE
FOR SEATTLE WAS DONE BY THE
SEATTLE FIRE CODE ADVISORY
BOARD.
THE SEATTLE FIRE CODE ADVISORY
BOARD IS MADE UP OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR
STAKEHOLDERS WHICH INCLUDES
ARCHITECTS AND CHEMICAL
ENGINEERS AND REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE MARINE INDUSTRIES AND
THE COURTS.
THEY WERE ESTABLISHED BY
RESOLUTION BACK IN 1957.
THEY ARE EXTREMELY HEAVILY
RELIED ON BY THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT FOR GUIDANCE WITH
THE CODE.
WE REVIEW ALL OF THE CHANGES
WITH THEM AND GO THROUGH THE
PROCESS OF REVIEWING ANY
PROPOSED CHANGES IN GETTING
PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THEM OR
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
AND HAVING THEM VOTE AND
APPROVE THEM OR NOT APPROVE
THEM OR MODIFY THEM.
I WILL GO OVER A COUPLE OF THE
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES. TO THE 2018
SEATTLE FIRE CODE, THE FIRST IS
A FORMAT OF SINGLE COLUMN.
THIS WAS DONE WITH THE BUILDING
CODE.
BEFORE IT WAS IN THIS TWO
COLUMN FORMAT AND IT WAS
DIFFICULT TO LOOK AT WHILE YOU
WERE REVIEWING A PDF.
MANY OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND
OUR STAFF ARE LOOKING AT THE
FIRE CODE ONLINE VERSUS THE
ACTUAL PHYSICAL BOOK FORM.
THIS JUST MAKES IT MORE USER-
FRIENDLY AND AN EASY READING
DOCUMENT.
THE OTHER THING I WILL DISCUSS
IS VEHICLE DISPLAYS IN
BUILDINGS.
INTEGRATED TESTING, ENERGY
SYSTEMS, MOBILE FUELING
OPERATIONS AND A NEW TOWNHOUSE
AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER.
THAT IS NOT IN THE FIRE CODE.
IT'S IN THE RESIDENTIAL CODE
WHICH WAS ALREADY APPROVED.
THE FIRST THING I WANT TO TALK
ABOUT, ONE OF THE CHANGES THAT
úWE WERE INVOLVED WITH WAS
INDOOR VEHICLE DISPLAYS.
IN THE PAST, INDOOR VEHICLES
WERE DISPLAYED LIKE IN THE
SCENARIO AS A MALL AND THERE
WERE GASOLINE POWERED VEHICLES.
ONE OF THE SAFETY MEASURES THAT
THE FIRE CODE HAD IN THE PAST
WAS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY.
THE PROBLEM WAS THAT HIS NEWER
VEHICLES CAME IN WITH ALTERNATE
TYPES OF VIEWERS MAKE GAS,
HYDROGEN OR LNG OR CNG.
THOSE BATTERIES NEEDED TO BE
CONNECTED TO CONTINUE THE
SAFETY PROVISION OF THAT
VEHICLE WHICH MIGHT HAVE HAD A
LEAK DETECTION UNIT.
WHAT WE PROPOSE NATIONALLY AND
ALSO WORKED WITH THE WASHINGTON
STATE LEGISLATURE LOCALLY IS
NOW WE HAVE IT SO THE FIRE CODE
OFFICIALS DETERMINED WHAT IS
THE BEST METHOD TO MAKE THESE
VEHICLES SAFE WHEN THEY ARE ON
DISPLAY.
THAT CAN BE EITHER
DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY IF
IT'S NOT NECESSARY FOR
DISABLING THE IGNITION SOURCE
SO THERE'S A WAY TO DISABLE THE
IGNITION SOURCE TO NOT MAKE IT
HAZARDOUS.
ANOTHER CHANGE WAS CEILING
CLEARANCES FOR INDOOR STORAGE.
EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR MORE
STORAGE WITHIN THEIR OFFICE
SPACES.
THE PRIOR CODES ALWAYS HAD THIS
RESTRICTION THAT THE STORAGE
HAD TO BE BELOW 18 INCHES BELOW
THE SPRINKLER HEADS OR TWO FEET
BELOW THE CEILING AND NON-
SPRINKLER BUILDINGS.
THE REASON FOR THAT WAS THAT
THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE
SPRINKLERS COULD OPERATE AND
THE WATER COULD FLOW ALL THE
WAY TO THE GROUND.
THE OTHER REASONING WAS IF YOU
HAD STORAGE UP TO THE CEILING
AND A FIREFIGHTER CAME IN ON A
HOSE LINE, THEY WOULDN'T BE
ABLE TO GET TO THE FIRE HOSE ON
THE OTHER SIDE OF A PILE OF
STORAGE BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T
HAVE ANY CLEARANCE TO SHOOT A
WATER STREAM FROM THE GROUND TO
THE CEILING OVER THE PILE AND
DOWN.
WHAT THEY FOUND OUT IS IF WE
ALLOW THE STORAGE TO BE ALONG
THE WALLS OF THE PERIMETER OF A
ROOM AND IT STILL NOT DIRECTLY
BELOW A SPRINKLER HEAD, THAT'S
OKAY.
WHAT THAT HAS ALLOWED SOME
BUSINESSES TO BE ABLE TO STORE
ALL THE WAY TO THE CEILING
WHERE IT WON'T OBSTRUCT THE
SPRINKLER FLOW AND IT WON'T BE
A DISADVANTAGE TO THE
FIREFIGHTERS BECAUSE IT WILL BE
UP AGAINST THE WALL AND NOT IN
THE MIDDLE OF A ROOM.
INTEGRATED TESTING.
WE HAVE A LOT OF HIGH-RISE
BUILDINGS IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
THEY HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT
TYPES OF SAFETY SYSTEMS INSIDE
THESE BUILDINGS.
THEY HAVE PRESSURIZED
STAIRWAYS, PRESSURIZED ELEVATOR
HOIST, FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS,
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS.
ONCE A BUILDING IS BUILT,
NORMALLY ALL THESE TESTS AND
ALL OF THE SYSTEMS ARE TESTED
TOGETHER BEFORE SOMEONE CAN
OCCUPY THE BUILDING.
AFTER THE BUILDING GETS
OCCUPIED, EACH INDIVIDUAL FIRE
SAFETY DEVICE WILL GET TESTED
ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
BUT IT WAS NEVER SET UP FOR ALL
OF THEM TO BE TESTED TOGETHER
TO MAKE SURE THEY ALL FUNCTION
PROPERLY.
THERE WAS A NEW CODE CHANGE
CALLED INTEGRATED TESTING.
THAT WILL START FOR A BUILDING
10 YEARS FOR NOW.
IT'S A 10 YEAR PROGRAM SO WE
CAN GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO
EVERYBODY, WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
OF.
WE HAVE MET WITH BOM A AND
DISCUSS THIS WITH SOME OF THE
HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS WITHIN THE
CITY.
THEY NEED TO COME UP WITH A PLAN
TO ALLOW THESE INTEGRATED
TESTING TO OCCUR.
AND HOPEFULLY WITH THIS
INTEGRATED TESTING IT WILL
ACCOMPLISH THE BUILDINGS AND
OCCUPANTS TO BE PROTECTED IN
THE FUTURE.
EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE PROBABLY
STILL PROTECTED NOW, IT'S JUST
AN ADDITIONAL TEST THAT WAS
NEVER CREATED BEFORE OF PUTTING
EVERYTHING TOGETHER AGAIN ON
THE SAME TIMEFRAM.
ENERGY SYSTEMS.
ENERGY SYSTEMS IS A NEW CHAPTER
IN THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE.
PREVIOUSLY THE FIRE CODE DID
NOT ADDRESS THESE TYPES OF
SYSTEMS.
THESE ARE THE LARGE BATTERY
TYPE STORAGE SYSTEMS IN
BUILDINGS THAT DIDN'T HAVE ANY
REGULATION PREVIOUSLY.
THE 2018 EDITION OF THE FIRE
CODE CREATED SOME ADDITIONAL
SAFETY FACTORS INTO THE DESIGN
OF THE SYSTEMS WHICH WOULD
INCLUDE SOME ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE
THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE TO
WARN FIREFIGHTERS AND OCCUPANTS
THAT THERE ARE SOME HAZARDS
INSIDE THE ROOMS AND IT ALSO
CREATES A FIRE SEPARATION ROOM
SO THE STORAGE SYSTEMS MIGHT BE
BUILT IN AN HOUR RATED ROOM
WHERE THEY WERE INITIALLY
REQUIRED TO BE.
IT'S AN ADDITIONAL SAFETY
FEATURE THAT WASN'T THERE
BEFORE.
THIS IS JUST A FIRE CODE TRYING
TO CATCH UP WITH TECHNOLOGY OUT
IN THE FIELD.
SPEAKING OF CHANGES, MOBILE
FUELING OPERATIONS.
THIS IS A NEW INDUSTRY THAT HAS
BEEN POPPING UP THROUGHOUT THE
UNITED STATES AND ALSO HERE IN
WASHINGTON STATE.
IN THE 2015 CODE, SEATTLE CODE,
THERE WASN'T PROVISIONS TO
ALLOW MOBILE FUELING TO OCCUR.
THE 2018 SEATTLE FIRE CODE NOW
ADDRESSES THIS INDUSTRY AND IT
DOESN'T ALLOW THE MOBILE
FUELING TO OCCUR ON PUBLIC
STREETS.
THAT IF SOMEBODY WANTED TO
CONDUCT IT ON THEIR PRIVATE
PROPERTY SUCH AS A PARKING LOT,
THERE IS SEVERAL DIFFERENT CODE
REQUIREMENTS FOR SEPARATION
DISTANCES AND SAFETY FOR
PREVENTING SPILLS AND MANY
OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE LISTED IN
THE CODE THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY
NOT THERE BEFORE TO MAKE THIS
INDUSTRY VIABLE FOR THE PEOPLE
THAT WANT TO USE THIS TYPE OF
SERVICE THAT IS BEING OPERATED
BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT MOBILE
FUELING OPERATIONS COMPANIES.
AND THEN THE LAST THING IS THE
AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS.
THIS WAS ALREADY APPROVED UNDER
THE RESIDENTIAL CODE.
THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE
WASHINGTON STATE REQUIRED FIRE
SPRINKLERS IN TOWNHOUSES WITH
FIVE UNITS OR MORE.
BUT IN SEATTLE THAT YOU MIGHT
BE AWARE, THEY ARE REQUIRED IN
ALL NEW TOWNHOUSE UNITS.
THE SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS
IN SUPPORT OF THE FIREFIGHTERS
AND WE ARE GLAD THIS AMENDMENT
WENT THROUGH.
IT WILL MAKE OUR RESIDENTIAL
COMMUNITY MUCH SAFER.
FOR THE SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
THIS WILL CAUSE SOME ADDITIONAL
PLAN REVIEW AND INSPECTIONS FOR
THE STAFF.
WE ARE READY, WILLING AND ABLE
TO DO IT.
THIS WAS MENTIONED.
DUE TO COVID-19, THE WASHINGTON
STATE ADOPTION OF THE FIRE CODE
WAS DELAYED.
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE JULY 2020
AND IT WAS PUSHED OUT TO
FEBRUARY 2021.
BECAUSE OF THAT DELAY, IT
CHANGED OUR SEATTLE FIRE CODE
DATE TO BE MORE TOWARD THE END
OF MARCH IN 2021.
WE DO HAVE THE TECHNICAL CODE
PROGRAM MANAGER WHO IS ON THE
CALL TODAY IF YOU DO HAVE ANY
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS REGARDING
THE SEATTLE RESIDENTIAL CODE IN
THE TOWNHOUSE SPRINKLERS.
OTHER THAN THAT, ANYBODY IS
WILLING TO ACCEPT ANY QUESTIONS
IF YOU HAVE ANY ON THE 2018
SEATTLE FIRE CODE ORDINANCE.
THANKS.
>> TYPICALLY THERE WILL ALWAYS
BE A LAG BETWEEN WHEN WE VOTE
AND THE REFLECTION IN THE
DOCUMENT THAT DESCRIBES THE
YEAR OF THE CODE.
EVEN IF WE HAD NOT BEEN DELAYED
IN ACTING ON THESE UPDATES
BECAUSE OF COVID, WE WOULD
STILL BE ACTING ON A 2018 FIRE
CODE?
IT WOULD SAY 2018, BUT WE WOULD
HAVE ACTED LAST YEAR BECAUSE
THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A
LAG.
IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?
>> YOU ARE EXACTLY CORRECT.
THERE IS ALWAYS A LAG BETWEEN
THE PRINTED CODE AND BY THE
TIME IT GETS THROUGH THE STATE
PROCESS AND THEN ALSO THE LOCAL
PROCESS.
WE WOULD HAVE ADOPTED THIS
SOONER IF THE STATE HAD ADOPTED
IT SOONER.
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A YEAR
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CODES.
>> OKAY.
THE MEAN CHANGES QUOTING FROM
CARLOS SUMMARY IN HIS CENTRAL
STAFF MEMO, THE MAIN CHANGES
RELATE TO ALTERNATIVE FUEL
VEHICLES THAT ARE INSIDE OF
BUILDINGS TO ALLOW THEM TO KEEP
THEIR BATTERIES CONNECTED,
ALLOWING FOR EXEMPTIONS FOR
FLEXIBILITY IN STORING
COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS WITHIN
BUILDINGS THAT ARE OTHERWISE
PROTECTED BY A FIRE SPRINKLER
SYSTEM AND INTEGRATING NEW
TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH-
RISE BUILDINGS. AGAIN, THAT
FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY
SYSTEMS ARE WORKING TOGETHER AS
INTENDED.
THERE IS A TESTING EVERY 10
YEARS REQUIRED ASSOCIATED WITH
HAT.
ARE THOSE THE PRIMARY CHANGES
WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE?
>> I BELIEVE SO.
THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THE
INTEGRATED TESTING IN THE CITY
OF SEATTLE WITH ALL OF OUR HIGH-
RISE STRUCTURES AND ALL THE
SAFETY SYSTEMS.
IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE
THEY ARE ALL FUNCTIONING.
>> GREAT.
CARLOS, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO
ADD BEFORE I SEE WHETHER OR NOT
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS?
>> I REALLY DON'T.
I THINK PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING
I PUT IN THE MEMO WAS ADDRESSED
AND YOURSELF.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
A CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS SUGGESTED
WE MIGHT BE SEEING SOME
AMENDMENTS AT FULL COUNCIL.
IS THAT STILL THE CASE?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED.
NO.
>> OKAY.
I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS LAST WEEK
AND HE SUGGESTED THAT HE MAY
HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL CHANGES
THAT HE IS RECOMMENDING AT FULL
COUNCIL.
I WILL CERTAINLY LOOK BACK
AROUND WITH HIM AND FIND OUT IF
THAT IS THE CASE AND LET YOU
KNOW AND LET EVERYBODY KNOW
WHAT I HEAR.
WE WILL HAVE TIME TO SHARE
THAT.
>> I HAVE AN UPDATE FROM HIS
STAFF.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS AND THE
ISSUES HE WAS INTERESTED IN
POTENTIALLY ADDRESSING ARE
GOVERNED BY KING COUNTY PUBLIC
HEALTH AND NOT THROUGH SEATTLE
ON THIS ORDINANCE.
HE WILL NOT BE BRINGING AN
AMENDMENT FORWARD.
>> GREAT UP DATE.
APPRECIATE IT.
ASIDE FROM THREE AMENDMENTS
THAT I MENTIONED, MUCH OF THIS
IS TECHNICAL IN NATURE AND
ENSURING CONSISTENCY WITH THE
STATE CODE.
MY INTENTION IS UNLESS THERE IS
AN OBJECTION, IS TO VOTE IN
THIS COMMITTEE MEETING.
BUT I WANT TO SEE WHETHER OR
NOT COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE
QUESTIONS.
ALL RIGHT.
SEEING NO QUESTIONS. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES.
>> AYES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
>> YES.
SZUMA COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
>> YES.
>> ALL IN FAVOR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
PLEASE READ AGENDA ITEM 3 INTO
THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE,
DISCUSSION OF LESS LETHAL
WEAPONS DRAFT BILL AND
RECOMMENDATIONS ON DRAFT BILL.
>>THANK YOU SO MUCH, ALEX.
AGAIN, I WILL TURN THIS OVER TO
LISA KAYE TO PICK UP WHERE WE
LEFT OFF. OR MAYBE NOT QUITE
WHERE WE LEFT OFF AT THE LAST
COMMITTEE MEETING.
LET'S MAYBE REFRESH ON WHERE WE
WERE BEFORE WE LEFT OFF.
SHE WILL UP DATE THE COMMITTEE
AND INTRODUCE THE LEGISLATION.
úSHE HAS A POWERPOINT
PRESENTATION THAT DESCRIBES THE
REVISED BILL AND THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS.
THE INTENT TODAY IS FOR THE
COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND A LESS
LETHAL WEAPON BILL BE SENT TO A
DRAFT BILL AND SENT TO THE
COURT APPOINTED MONITOR AND THE
DOJ FOR THEIR REVIEW IN LINE
WITH THE PROCESS DESCRIBED IN
THE CONSENT DECREE FOR ANY
CHANGES TO THE USE OF FORCE.
IF THE MOTION PASSES TODAY, THE
MONITOR AND THE DOJ WILL HAVE
45 DAYS TO REVIEW THE
LEGISLATION IN THE EVENT OF
OBJECTIONS FROM THE MONITOR OR
DOJ, THERE'S A 14 DAY PERIOD
FOR ME TO CONFIRM.
AFTER THAT, ANY PARTY MAY BE
INVOLVED.
I HAVE CONSULTED WITH BOTH
LEGAL COUNCIL AND THE STATE
CLERK ABOUT HOW TO DESCRIBE
THE ACTION THE COMMITTEE IS
TAKING IN ORDER TO REFLECT THAT
THE CITY IS UNDER THE CONSENT
DECREE.
THAT'S WHY THE AGENDA ITSELF
DESCRIBES IT AS DISCUSSION OF
LESS LETHAL WEAPON DRAFT BILL
RECOMMENDATION ON DRAFT BILL
RATHER THAN DISCUSSION OF A
VOTE.
WHEN COMMITTEES VOTE IT
TYPICALLY GOES TO FULL COUNCIL.
THAT IS NOT HAPPENING HERE.
UNDER THE CONSENT DECREE THE
NORMAL PROCESS IN THE CHARTER
DOES NOT APPLY TO LEGISLATION
RELATED TO THAT.
THE DRAFT BILL HAS BEEN
REVIEWED WITH THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PER USUAL AND
ANY FORMAL INTRODUCTION THROUGH
THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR WILL HAVE AN AFTER
COMPLETING REVIEW BY THE DOJ
AND THE MONITOR AS REQUIRED BY
THE DECREE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE
WHO IS WATCHING KNOWS THAT THE
LAW EARLIER ADOPTED BY THE
COUNCIL HAS NEVER GONE INTO
EFFECT.
A RESTRAINING ORDER WAS PUT IN
PLACE ON THE LAW SO IT CANNOT
GO INTO EFFECT BY THE U.S.
DISTRICT COURT.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ADVOCACY
ON THIS.
THAT IS NOT MENTION.
EITHER THE CONSENT DECREE OR
THE RESTRAINING ORDER OR THE
SUBSEQUENT PRELIMINARY
INJUNCTION.
I WANT TO BE REALLY CLEAR ABOUT
WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW.
CURRENT RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE
OF LESS LETHAL WEAPONS IN
DEMONSTRATIONS ARE FROM A
LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY
PURSUED B BLACK LIVES MATTER
AND THE ACLU.
THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
RESULTING FROM THE LEGISLATION
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.
WITH THAT, I WILL HAND IT OVER
TO LISA FOR WALKING US THROUGH
THE DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
IS MY SCREEN SHARING WORKING?
EXCELLENT.
WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS THE
SAME BILL THAT WAS DESCRIBED AT
THE LAST COMMITTEE MEETING.
I HAVE INCORPORATED ANOTHER
FORMATTING EDIT THROUGH THE
WORDING AS THE EFFECTIVE DATE.
I AM JUST GOING TO QUICKLY GO
OVER THE PROHIBITIVE USES OF
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS AND
DESCRIBE SOME TRADITIONS THAT
ON SOME OF THE OTHER WEAPONS
AND SOME OTHER KEY PROVISIONS
THAT I WILL WALK THROUGH THE
AMENDMENTS BEFORE YOU IF I AM
GOING TO FAST SLOW ME DOWN.
I KNOW TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
TODAY.
THIS MORNING.
THIS SLIDE HERE WILL SHOW THE
BILL WITH SPECIFIC USES OF
SEVERAL LESS LETHAL WEAPONS AND
SPECIFICALLY THAT LAWN CHAIRS
MAY NOT BE USED BY CHEMICAL
IRRITANTS FOR CROWD CONTROL AND
ANY DEMONSTRATION.
NOISE FLASH DEVICES COULD NOT
BE USED FOR CROWD CONTROL.
ANY USE OF TIER GAS AND
CHEMICAL IRRITANTS OTHER THAN
PEPPER SPRAY WOULD BE
PROHIBITED.
AND EACH OF THE FOLLOWING MAY
NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE.
ACOUSTIC WEAPONS, DIRECTED
ENERGY WEAPONS, WATER CANNONS,
DISORIENTATION DEVICES
INCLUDING BLAST BALLS,
ULTRASONIC CANNONS AND ANY
OTHER DEVICE PRIMARILY DESIGNED
TO BE USED ON MULTIPLE
INDIVIDUALS FOR CROWD CONTROL
AND TO CAUSE PAIN OR DISCOMFORT.
THE REVISED BILL WOULD IMPOSE
SPECIFIC CONDITIONS ON USE OF
PEPPER SPRAY SPECIFICALLY
PEPPER SPRAY COULD NOT BE USED
FOR CROWD CONTROL AND A
NONVIOLENT DEMONSTRATION OR
RALLY.
AND ONLY S.W.A.T.
OFFICERS COULD USE A 40
MILLIMETER LAUNCHER.
AND ONLY FOR NON-CROWD CONTROL
PURPOSES.
FINALLY PEPPER SPRAY CAN ONLY
BE DEPLOYED WITH THE RISK OF
SERIOUS INJURY FOR VIOLENT
ACTIONS OUTWEIGHS THE RISK OF
STANDARDS.
CONDITIONS IMPOSED ON THE USE
OF DEPLOYMENT OF FLASH
DIVERSIONARY DEVICES WOULD
REQUIRE THAT ONLY S.W.A.T.
OFFICERS COULD ONLY USE THEM
FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN CROWD
CONTROL.
THERE ARE CONDITIONS IMPOSED ON
MUTUAL AID PARTNERS REQUIRING
THEM TO ABIDE BY POLICIES WITH
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THIS LANGUAGE IS CARRIED OVER
FROM ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED
LAST JUNE.
THIS REVISED BILL WOULD ALSO
ESTABLISH A RIGHT OF ACTION
AGAINST THE CITY FOR INJURIES
CAUSED BY USE OF LESS LETHAL
WEAPONS IN A NONVIOLENT
DEMONSTRATION OR RALLY.
THEY WOULD NOT BE TO A PERSON
WHO IN THE JUDGMENT OF POLICE
COMMITS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE
PRIOR TO THE USE OF LESS LETHAL
WEAPONS.
YOU WILL ALSO SEE THAT WE'VE
BOARDED THE EFFECTIVE DATE A
LITTLE BIT MORE CLEARLY TO NOTE
THAT THIS BILL WOULD BECOME
EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER IT'S
BEEN APPROVED AND REVIEWED BY
THE COURT OR 30 DAYS AFTER IT
HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE MAYOR.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO GO AHEAD
AND WALK THROUGH THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ARE THERE QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE BASE BILL?
PLEASE DO MOVE FORWARD ABOUT
THE AMENDMENTS.
>> AMENDMENT 1 IS SPONSORED BY
THE COUNCILMEMBER.
IT'S BEEN REFORMATTED SINCE YOU
SAW IT AT THE LAST MEETING.
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD ADD AN
EXCEPTION FOR THE USE OF TIER
GAS FOR CROWD CONTROL DURING
VIOLENT PUBLIC DISTURBANCE.
IT DEFINES VIOLENT PUBLIC
DISTURBANCE AS ANY GATHERING
WITH 12 OR MORE PERSONS WHO ARE
PRESENT TOGETHER, USE OR
THREATEN TO USE UNLAWFUL
VIOLENCE TOWARD ANOTHER PERSON
OR GROUP OF PEOPLE AND THE
CONDUCT OF THEM TAKEN TOGETHER
WOULD CAUSE A PERSON OF
REASONABLE FIRMNESS TO FEAR FOR
PERSONAL SAFETY.
THE AMENDMENT WOULD THEN
INCORPORATE THIS TERMINOLOGY TO
THE EXEMPTION FOR ACTION.
THE TIER GAS AND PEPPER SPRAY
EXEMPTIONS WOULD NOT BE
AUTHORIZED UNTIL THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT COMPLETES ITS
POLICY REVIEW AS REQUIRED BY
THE CONSENT DECREE.
THERE ARE ALSO THREE POTENTIAL
RIGHT OF ACTION AMENDMENT
SPONSORED BY COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
ONLY ONE OF 3 AMENDMENTS COULD
BE ADOPTED THROUGH VARIATIONS.
AMENDMENT 4
>> Announcer: IS THE SAME
LANGUAGE AS WAS ADOPTED IN
126102 THAT WOULD PROVIDE A
PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION FOR
INJURIES CAUSED BY THE USE OF
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS, VIOLATION
AND OTHER MUNICIPAL CODE.
AMENDMENT 4>> 1 IS THE SAME AS
4 A MAC BUT ADDS AN EXCEPTION.
THE RIGHT OF ACTION WOULD BE
AVAILABLE TO A PERSON OR
REASONABLE PERSON COMMITS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE PRIOR TO THE
USE OF LESS LETHAL FORCE.
>> CAN YOU SAY HOW THAT IS
DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE BASE
BILL SAYS ABOUT PRIVATE RIGHT
OF ACTION?
I KNOW THE LANGUAGE WAS
INTENDED TO ADDRESS THE DIRTY
HAND SCENARIO.
>> THE BILL INCLUDES BOTH
PROTECTIONS WOULD INCLUDE BOTH
THE PROVISION OF THE CRIMINAL
EXCEPTION AND RESTRICT THE
RIGHT OF ACTION TO INJURIES
CAUSED IN A VIOLENT
DEMONSTRATION.
AMENDMENT A DOES NEITHER OF
THOSE THINGS.
AMENDMENT B PROVIDES ONLY THE
CRIMINAL OFFENSE EXCEPTION AND
AMENDMENT B 2 DOESN'T PROVIDE
CRIMINAL OFFENSE EXCEPTION BUT
DOES LIMIT IT TO WEAPONS ONLY
AND THE USE OF WEAPONS ONLY AND
A NONVIOLENT DEMONSTRATION.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE LAST TWO AMENDMENTS OF
WHICH I AM AWARE, AMENDMENT 5
SPONSORED WOULD PROHIBIT THE
USE OF PEPPER SPRAY FOR CROWD
CONTROL AND ANY DEMONSTRATION
ALL RALLY.
AND 6 ALSO SPONSORED BY
COUNCILMAN SAWANT WOULD IMPACT
PROJECTILES IN A DEMONSTRATION
úOR RALLY AND WOULD ALSO LIMIT
DEPLOYMENT OF PROJECTILES TO
S.W.A.T.
OFFICERS AND ONLY FOR PURPOSES
OTHER THAN CROWD CONTROL.
I WOULD NOTE THAT COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT AMENDMENT ARE DRAFTED
AGAINST THE DRAFT BASE BILL AND
DON'T ASSUME PASSAGE OF THE
AMENDMENT.
FOR PURPOSES TO SIMPLIFY
TODAY'S DISCUSSION IF YOU WISH,
IF AMENDMENT 1 PASSES I WOULD
SUGGEST TO THEM AMENDMENTS
COULD INCLUDE DIRECTION TO
STAFF TO HARMONIZE THE
AMENDMENTS WITH AMENDMENT 1 AND
TAKE CARE OF IT INSTEAD OF
TRYING TO DO IT ON THE FLY.
>> AGAIN, FOR UNDERSTANDING
THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR TIME FOR
EACH OF US TO SPEAK TO THE
MERITS OF OUR AMENDMENTS.
THE PEPPER SPRAY PROHIBITION
FOR CROWD CONTROL AND
DEMONSTRATION OR A RALLY.
MY RECOLLECTION IS THAT THE
BASE BILL WAS MODELED ON
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S BILL
THAT WAS PASSED IN JUNE THAT
ALLOWS FOR UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES THE USE OF PEPPER
SPRAY FOR THOSE INSTANCES. WE
ARE USING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT
TRIGGERING LANGUAGE.
41 PEPPER SPRAY IS ALLOWED.
MY RECOLLECTION IS THAT THE
BILL THAT THE COUNCIL PASSED IN
JUNE ALLOWS FOR SOME USE OF
PEPPER SPRAY IN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES?
>> ARE YOU ASKING ME WHAT THE
BILL SAID IN JUNE?
>> WHAT THE JUNE BILL SAID
ABOUT ALLOWING USE OF PEPPER
SPRAY.
IT SEEMS LIKE ONE OF THE THINGS
WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE COURT IS
THAT WE SHOULD CHECK IN WITH
OUR ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS AND
GET THEIR INPUT AND ALSO THAT
HE WAS CONCERNED THAT OVERLY
RESTRICTING THE USE OF THESE
WEAPONS MIGHT NOT LEAD TO
GREATER SAFETY.
IT WAS MY RECOLLECTION THAT THE
ORIGINAL BILL DID ALLOW FOR
SOME RESTRICTED USE OF PEPPER
SPRAY IN CROWD CONTROL
SITUATIONS.
REALLY HIGH LEVEL I AM TRYING
TO UNDERSTAND.
ARE WE MOVING FROM AN APPROACH
WHERE WE HAD SOME ALLOWANCE TO
A SITUATION WHERE WITH THIS
AMENDMENT WE WOULD HAVE NO
ALLOWANCE? IT WOULD BE
COMPLETELY PROHIBITED?
>> YES.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, I
DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS ACCURATE.
I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS NO BILL
ALLOWED PEPPER SPRAY TO BE USED
IN PROTEST AT ALL.
CAN WE VERIFY THAT?
I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S ACCURATE.
>> THAT WAS THE INTENT OF MY
QUESTION.
>> I AM SOUR, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
IS MY SCREEN NOW SHOWING THE
BILL?
>> YES.
>> OKAY.
IT IS PROHIBITED IN THE USE OF
ANY DEMONSTRATION WITH THE
FIRST AMENDMENT TYPE OF EVENT.
IT IS ALLOWED TO BE USED
OUTSIDE OF THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES,
BUT ONLY IF IT CAN BE ASSURED
THAT IT WOULD NOT LAND ON ANY
OTHER INDIVIDUAL.
>> IT IS ALLOWED TO BE USED IN
THESE EVENTS IF THEY CAN ENSURE
THAT IT DOESN'T LAND ON OTHER
INDIVIDUALS?
>> NO, IT'S NOT ALLOWED TO BE
USED IN ANY GATHERING.
>> OKAY.
THE RESTRICTION IN THE BILL
ABOUT NOT LANDING ON ANY
INDIVIDUALS IS A RESTRICTION ON
USE OUTSIDE OF FIRST AMENDMENT
EVENTS?
OKAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MUCH APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
FOR THE REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL
VERIFICATION.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING
FURTHER.
>> THAT'S ALL FOR THE
AMENDMENTS?
>> S.
>> I WILL TAKE A PAUSE HERE AND
SEE WHAT QUESTIONS FOLKS MIGHT
HAVE AS FAR AS CLARIFICATION OF
THE AMENDMENTS.
AND THEN I THINK WE WILL JUST
BEGIN TO SPEAK TO THE
AMENDMENTS AND MOVE THEM.
AGAIN, AT THE END OF THIS WE
ARE NOT VOTING ON THE BILL.
WE ARE VOTING ON A MOTION TO
SEND THE BILL TO THE MONITOR TO
FOLLOW THE PROCESS.
I AM PAUSING TO SEE IF THERE
ARE ANY HANDS UP.
WITH THAT, I THINK WE WILL JUST
MOVE RIGHT INTO AMENDMENT 1. I
THINK WHAT WE WILL DO IS
NORMALLY WE WILL GET A MOTION
AND WE WILL DO A SECOND AND
THEN SPEAK TO THE MERITS OF THE
NOTION JUST BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE
WE HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY
TO DISCUSS THE THINKING BEHIND
THE AMENDMENTS.
MAYBE WE CAN VERY QUICKLY GO
THROUGH AND TALK ABOUT THE TWO
SETS OF AMENDMENTS AND THEN WE
WILL GO THROUGH AND MOVE AND
SECOND AND MAKE A
RECOMMENDATION AS IT RELATES TO
THE AMENDMENT IF THAT IS OKAY
WITH EVERYBODY.
>> DO YOU WANT ME TO SHARE THE
AMENDMENT ON THE SCREEN?
>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
THANK YOU.
THAT WAY PEOPLE CAN HEAR AND
READ AND LEARN AND RETAIN
INFORMATION DIFFERENTLY.
I AM A READER.
AS IT RELATES FOR THE FIRST
AMENDMENT, AS LISA DESCRIBED,
IT CREATES AN EXEMPTION TO THE
BAN ON THE USE OF TIER GAS IN
CROWD CONTROL SITUATIONS UNDER
SPECIFICALLY NARROW
CIRCUMSTANCES.
IT ALSO CREATES A NEW DEFINITION
FOR VIOLENT PUBLIC DISTURBANCE.
IT DELAYS AUTHORIZATION OF THE
EXCEPTIONS TO THE BAN AND AFTER
SPD'S 2020 ANNUAL USE OF FORCE
POLICY REVIEW IS COMPLETED.
EVEN ASSUMING THAT THE COURT
AGREES WITH THIS VERSION OF THE
BILL, ASSUMING THAT THE COURT
AGREES WITH THE EXCEPTION AS WE
HAVE DESCRIBED IT, IT WOULD NOT
GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL AFTER THE
COMPLETION OF THE ANNUAL USE OF
FORCE POLICY THAT THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT IS WORKING ON NOW.
THE CPC HAS PROVIDED ITS INPUT
TO THAT AND THAT ALSO USE OF
FORCE POLICY HAS TO GO THROUGH
THE DECREE.
AS A RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO
THE DEFINITION OF VIOLENT
PUBLIC DISTURBANCE, CENTRAL
STAFF RESEARCH OTHER
JURISDICTIONS IN DEVELOPING
THIS PARTICULAR LANGUAGE.
THE CHALLENGE IS THAT THE STATE
DEFINES RIGHT SO NARROWLY TO 3
OR MORE PEOPLE.
THIS DEFINITION IS INTENDED TO
INCLUDE VIOLENCE TOWARDS
ANOTHER PERSON OR A GROUP OF
PEOPLE. AGAIN, IT ALLOWS TEARGAS
TO BE USED IN VERY NARROW
CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THREE
LIMITATION. SECTION F 3
INCLUDES LANGUAGE USED IN THE
NEW ORLEANS LAW LIMITING THE
USE OF TEARGAS AND STATES IT IS
REASONABLY NECESSARY TO PREVENT
THREAT OF IMMINENT LOSS OF LIFE
OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY.
IT IS DEPLOYED UNDER THE
DIRECTION OF OFFICERS WHO HAVE
RECEIVED TRAINING FOR ITS USE
WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.
THIS PARTICULAR ELEMENT
REGARDING TRAINING IS AN EXAMPLE
OF THE KIND OF INPUT WE DID
RECEIVE FROM OUR ACCOUNTABILITY
PARTNERS SPECIFICALLY THE
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.
SPECIFICALLY RECOMMENDED THAT
WE WORK TO ENSURE THAT
DEPLOYMENT OF TEARGAS BE
RESTRICTED TO THOSE OFFICERS
THAT HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING.
I BELIEVE THE CURRENT STANDARD
FOR TRAINING IS WITHIN THE
PREVIOUS 24 MONTHS. THAT SEEMS
TO BE INADEQUATE.
HAT IS HOW WE CAME TO T
MONTH TRAINING GUIDELINE.
AND THEN ALSO AGAIN, CONSISTENT
WITH THE INPUT OF THE OIG AND
THE OFFICE OF POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY, THIS DEPLOYMENT
IS LIMITED TO INSTANCES WHERE
THERE IS A DETAILED PLAN
DEVELOPED PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT.
AGAIN, THE COURT STATED IN THE
TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
THAT WAS FOLLOWED WITH A
PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION THAT THE
LEGISLATION AS IT IS DRAFTED
DOES NOT PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY.
I WOULD LIKE THE LEGISLATION TO
BE AUTHORIZED BY THE COURT.
CURRENTLY WE HAVE NO
RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF LESS
LETHAL WEAPONS.
UNLESS THE COURT AUTHORIZES A
BILL, WE WILL NOT.
AS THE CHART SHOWS IN PREVIOUS
NOTES, THE OIG RECOMMENDED
ALLOWING TEARGAS ONLY IN LIFE
SAFETY CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE LANGUAGE OF THIS BILL IS IN
LINE WITH THIS INTENT. IT STILL
MAKES CLEAR THAT TEARGAS SHOULD
NOT BE USED ONLY TO PROTECT
PROPERTY.
MOVING ON, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT, DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK
ADDITIONALLY TO THE DIFFERENT
OPTIONS UNDER AMENDMENT 4 A, B
1 AND B 2?
>> YES, I WOULD.
JUST FOR CLARIFICATION.
WHEN DO YOU WANT US TO SPEAK TO
THE AMENDMENT 1? I DO WANT TO
SPEAK TO THAT AS WELL.
>> I THINK ONCE WE GET A MOTION
ON THE FLOOR, I WILL OPEN IT UP
FOR OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS TO
SPEAK TO THE AMENDMENT.
>> OKAY.
>> I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SAY WHY YOU
PROPOSED THE AMENDMENT THAT YOU
PROPOSED BEFORE GETTING THE
MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
WE HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
TO DISCUSS THE AMENDMENTS
BEFORE.
>> YES.
JUST TO MAKE SURE THE AMENDMENT
AS IT IS LISTED IS 4 A? THANK
YOU.
BEFORE LET ME JUST CLARIFY
THERE ARE THREE VERSIONS OF
THIS AMENDMENT AS LISA
MENTIONED WHERE I AM GOING TO
SPEAK TO AMENDMENT 4 E. MY
OFFICE IS ALSO PREPARING
ALTERNATE AND LESSER MOTIONS OF
THIS AMENDMENT WHICH HAVE BEEN
LISTED AS 4 B 1 AND 4 B 2. LISA
HAS ALREADY DONE THAT.
MY MAIN POINTS ARE ABOUT 4 A
MAC.
THIS WILL RESTORE THE PRIVATE
RIGHT OF ACTION WHICH IS THE
RELEASE OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE
BAN ON THE SO-CALLED CROWD
CONTROL WEAPONS.
THE LEGISLATION WAS PASSED LAST
SUMMER HOLDS THE CITY
ESTABLISHMENT ACCOUNTABLE.
THE POLICE FILL THE STREETS
WITH TEARGAS AND EXPLOSIVE, THE
IMPACTED PROTESTERS CAN SUE FOR
$10,000 EACH.
THAT'S A REAL CONSEQUENCE FOR
THE POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT AND
IT FORCES THEM TO TAKE THE BAN
ON CHEMICAL AND OTHER
MILITARIZED CROWD CONTROL
WEAPONS SERIOUSLY.
THIS PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION
THAT WAS IN THE ORIGINAL BILL
THAT WAS SPONSORED BY MY OFFICE
AND PASSED BY THE COUNCIL WAS
LITERALLY THE ONLY THING
ENFORCING THE BAN AS WE SAW IN
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
LATELY VIOLATED THE FEDERAL
COURT INJUNCTION AGAINST
ABUSING THE PROTESTS WITH
TEARGAS AND HAND GRENADES.
UNFORTUNATELY THE LOOPHOLE IN
THE DRAFT BILL AS PRESENTED BY
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD MAKES IT
FAR MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE
TO SUE EVEN WHEN THE POLICE
FLAGRANTLY BREAK THIS LAW.
IF THIS AMENDMENT DOES NOT PASS
, THEN COUNCILMEMBERS WILL BE
BUILDING INTO THE LAW THE EXACT
SAME KIND OF LACK OF POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY THAT WE ALL
CLAIM TO BE SO WORRIED ABOUT.
THE LOOPHOLE THAT THIS
AMENDMENT FROM MY OFFICE CLOSES
IS TWOFOLD.
THE LOOPHOLE IN THE BASE BILL
SAYS THAT IT HAS BEEN PRESENTED
BY COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
I AM CLARIFYING BECAUSE I'M NOT
TALKING ABOUT THE BILL PASSED
LAST YEAR.
THE LOOPHOLE SAYS THE PRIVATE
RIGHT OF ACTION ONLY APPLIES
WHEN THE POLICE USE BAD WEAPONS
DURING A, QUOTE, GATHERING
THAT'S NOT A PUBLIC
DISTURBANCE.
WE KNOW THAT VIOLENCE IS
CONVENIENTLY DEFINED BY THE
POLICE TO BE WHATEVER THEY
WANTED TO BE.
DURING THE JUSTICE PROTEST THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
DECLARED PEACEFUL PROTESTS TO
BE VIOLENT AND EVEN IN THE RIOT
WHENEVER THEY WANTED TO CLEAR
THE STREETS.
I SAW THIS WHEN MY OWN EYES
WHEN I WAS AT THE PROTEST.
NOW THIS DRAFT BILL DEFINES
VIOLENCE USING A SIMILAR LEGAL
DEFINITION TO THE LEGAL
DEFINITION OF RIOT.
WE HAVE SEEN HOW THAT CAN BE
ABUSED.
ALSO I NOTICED THAT THIS
LOOPHOLE PREVENTS ENFORCEMENT
REGARDLESS OF IF YOU ARE
PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THE
VIOLENCE.
UNDER THIS WORDING IF 12 PROUD
BOYS STARTED ASSAULTING PEOPLE
IN THE BLACK LIVES MATTER
PROTEST OF THOUSANDS AND THAT
IS NOT HYPOTHETICAL, IT
HAPPENED IN SEATTLE.
THEN THE POLICE USE ILLEGAL
BALLS ON THE ENTIRE CROWD.
NO ONE CAN CLAIM DAMAGES.
IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT THE LAW
PROHIBITS THE POLICE FROM USING
THOSE BLAST BALLS.
IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE
ENFORCED.
REMEMBER THESE ARE THE SAME
OFFICERS THAT WENT TO DC TO
JOIN THE FAR RIGHT WHITE
SUPREMACIST VIOLENCE AT THE
CAPITOL BUILDING.
ARE WE HONESTLY SUPPOSED TO
BELIEVE THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN
AGAIN?
WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THAT
THROUGHOUT HISTORY POLICE
FORCES HAVE USED SMALL GROUPS OF
AGENT PROVOCATEURS TO USE JUST
ENOUGH VIOLENCE TO JUSTIFY THE
POLICE ATTACKING A CROWD OF
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS.
IT WOULD BE NACE FOR A
MOVEMENT TO BELIEVE THAT IT
COULD NEVER HAPPEN HERE.
SECOND, THE LOOPHOLE SAYS THE
PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION DOES
NOT APPLY TO A PERSON WHO IN
THE JUDGMENT OF A REASONABLE
PERSON COMMITS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE, ACT OR IMMEDIATELY
PRIOR TO THE USE OF LEGAL
FORCE.
IN MY VIEW, POLICE BRUTALITY IS
NEVER OKAY.
BEYOND THAT, IT DOESN'T REQUIRE
THAT A PERSON BECOMES CONVICTED
OF A CRIME, JUST THAT A
REASONABLE PERSON WOULD THINK
THEY DID.
MOST DANGEROUSLY WE HAVE ALL
SEEN HOW POLICE REGULARLY
CHARGE PROTESTERS WITH A QUOTE
UNQUOTE CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO
JUSTIFY BRUTALITY.
PEOPLE ARE JUDGED WITH OFFENSES
LIKE PARADING WITHOUT A PERMIT,
FAILURE TO DISPERSE, RESISTING
ARREST AND CHARGES OF
ASSAULTING AN OFFICER.
THIS HAPPENS A LOT.
THIS LOOPHOLE WOULD CREATE AN
EVEN GREATER INCENTIVE FOR THE
POLICE TO TRUMPED UP CHARGES
AGAINST PROTESTERS ANYTIME THAT
THE POLICE USE A BANNED WEAPON.
THIS IS NOT A HYPOTHETICAL.
IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME POLICE
WISH TO BRUTALIZE PROGRESSIVE
MOVEMENTS.
COMPARE THE OVER 14,000 PEOPLE
WHO WERE RELISTED DURING THE
PROTEST NATIONALLY THIS SUMMER
TO THE 82 PEOPLE ARRESTED AS A
RESULT OF A VIOLENT FAR RIGHT
ASSAULT ON THE CAPITOL.
IF THE POLICE ABUSE YOU WITH AN
ILLEGAL CROWD CONTROL WEAPON
UNDER THIS LOOPHOLE YOU HAVE TO
DECIDE IF YOU HAVE THE COURAGE
TO SUE OVER IT.
THE MINUTE YOU SUE THE POLICE
WILL START INVESTIGATING YOU.
TO SEE IF THEY CAN PIN A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE ON YOU.
NOT ONLY ARE THESE LOOPHOLES
SUBJECTIVE AND UNJUST, BUT THEY
HAVE NO REASON EXCEPT TO
PROTECT THE CITY FROM LAWSUITS
FROM THE POLICE AND THERE'S AN
UNSPOKEN EXPECTATION THAT THE
POLICE WILL FOLLOW THE LAW.
THE ENFORCEMENT SHOULD HAVE
BEEN ANYTIME THE POLICE BREAK
THE LAW, NOT JUST SOMETIMES OR
OCCASIONALLY.
WHAT MESSAGE WILL IT SEND TO
SAY THAT BLAST BALLS ARE
TOTALLY BAND BUT IF THE POLICE
USE THEM AT A PROTEST THEY ARE
NO ENFORCEMENT.
ARE THEY BANNED OR NOT?
IN PRACTICE THIS LOOPHOLE
RENDERS EVERY OTHER PART OF THE
ORDINANCE MOOT EFFECTIVELY
BECAUSE IT SAYS IT'S ALMOST
NEVER POSSIBLE TO GET JUSTICE
IF THE POLICE TAKE THE BAN.
ANYONE WHO SEEKS JUSTICE IN
THIS COURT CASE TRYING TO PROVE
THAT THE EVENT THEY WERE IT WAS
NOT VIOLENT AND THEY WERE GUILTY
OR NOT GUILTY OF ANYTHING LIKE
JAYWALKING.
THIS LOOPHOLE WAS NOT REQUIRED
BY THE CONSENT.
IT WAS NOT REQUIRED BY THE
FEDERAL MONITOR OR THE JUDGE.
IT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE
PARTNERS.
THIS AMENDMENT 4A REMOVES THIS
LOOPHOLE.
IF THE AMENDMENT PASSES THE
PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION WOULD
BE QUOTE, A PERSON SHALL HAVE A
RIGHT OF ACTION AGAINST THE
CITY FOR PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL
INJURIES MAXIMALLY CAUSED BY
THE USE OF LESS LETHAL WEAPONS
PROHIBITED BY THE SECTION THAT
THE ORDINANCE TAKES EFFECT,".
IF THE POLICE DO SOMETHING
PROHIBITED BY THIS ORDINANCE,
POLICE CAN SUE TO DEFEND THEIR
RIGHTS.
PEOPLE CAN SUE TO DEFEND THEIR
RIGHTS, PERIOD.
IF THE POLICE ACTUALLY FOLLOW
THE LAW THERE WILL BE NO
LAWSUITS AND THAT SHOULD BE THE
EXPECTATION THAT THE POLICE
FOLLOW THE LAW.
I DO NOT THINK THERE'S ANY
EXCUSE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL
PARSING WHO IS AND WHO IS NOT
WORTHY OF HAVING THEIR RIGHTS
DEFENDED AFTER THE POLICE BREAK
THE LAW.
I URGE COUNCILMEMBERS TO VOTE
YES ON THIS AMENDMENT SO
ENFORCEMENT IS POSSIBLE EVERY
TIME THE POLICE BREAK THE LAW.
AS I MENTIONED, IF IT DOES NOT
PASS SEPARATELY 4B 1 AND 4B 2
AS PART OF THE LOOPHOLE
SEPARATELY.
DID YOU WANT ME TO SPEAK TO
AMENDMENT 5 AND 6 AS WELL?
>> I DO, THANK YOU.
>> OKAY.
AMENDMENT 5, THIS AMENDMENT
RESTORES THE RESTRICTIONS ON
PEPPER SPRAY ALSO KNOWN AS MACE
AND OC SPRAY.
THE LOOPHOLE IN THE CURRENT
DRAFT BILL ALLOWS THE POLICE TO
USE PEPPER SPRAY IF THEY LABEL
THE PROTEST TO BE VIOLENT.
WHICH AS I HAVE SAID IS
OBJECTIVE AND REGARDLESS OF THE
INDIVIDUAL IF THEY ARE DOING
ANYTHING VIOLENT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN TODAY'S AND
PREVIOUS PUBLIC COMMENT HAVE
TALKED ABOUT THE SEVEN-YEAR-OLD
THAT WAS MACED BY A SEATTLE
OFFICER ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE
JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD
PROTEST.
THE OPA DISMISSED EVERYTHING
AGAINST THAT OFFICER.
IF THIS LOOPHOLE IS ALLOWED TO
STAND THAT TRAVESTY CAN BE
REPEATED AGAIN AND AGAIN
WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE.
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD INCLUDE
PEPPER SPRAY IN THE LIST OF
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS THAT MAY
NOT BE USED AGAINST PROTEST OR
DEMONSTRATIONS AS WAS
RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMUNITY
POLICE COMMISSION.
IF THIS AMENDMENT FAILS, I HAVE
NO DOUBT THAT THE SEATTLE
POLICE WILL BEGIN USING MACE
OVER A CROWD OVER A HIGH-POWER
HOSE FROM A ROOF.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE SAW THEM
USE AGAINST THE DEMOCRACY
MOVEMENT.
IT MIGHT SEEM LIKE SUCH THINGS
WOULDN'T HAPPEN IN THE UNITED
STATES, BUT WE HAVE SEEN MANY
THINGS HAPPENS THAT HAVE
VIOLATED THE DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
OF ORDINARY PEOPLE. WE NEED TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE HOLD THE LINE
AGAINST THAT KIND OF ATTACK ON
ORDINARY PEOPLE AND THE
DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS TO PROTEST
PEACEFULLY.
AMENDMENT 6 IS SOMETHING I WILL
BE SPEAKING TO NOW.
THE DRAFT BILL REMOVES ALL
RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT ARE CALLED
KINETIC WEAPONS THAT INCLUDES
BEANBAGS, RUBBER BULLETS,
WOODEN BULLETS, PLASTIC
BULLETS.
THIS AMENDMENT IF PASSED WOULD
RESTORE SOME RESTRICTIONS ON
KINETIC WEAPONS PROHIBITING
THEIR USE AGAINST PROTEST.
THIS IS ALSO CONSISTENT WITH
THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION.
THE PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
PREPARED BY MY OFFICE LAST
SUMMER WAS TO BAN POLICE FROM
ABUSING PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENTS
LIKE THE BLACK LIVES MATTER
MOVEMENT WITH MILITARIZED
CONTROL WEAPONS BY TAKING AWAY
THOSE WEAPONS FROM THE POLICE.
SOME ARGUE THAT IF THE POLICE
DON'T HAVE RUBBER BULLETS THEY
WILL USE WOULD BULLETS.
1st OF ALL, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT
ARGUMENT TO MAKE.
THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS IN
REALITY.
IN REALITY THE POLICE USE
WHATEVER FORCE THEY FEEL LIKE
THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH.
IN A REASONABLE WORLD IT WOULD
BE ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING TO
SUGGEST THE ONLY REASON THE
POLICE ARE NOT GUNNING DOWN
BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTERS
EN MASSE IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE
RUBBER BULLETS.
THE FACT THAT THE IDEA IS EVEN
DISCUSSED SHOWS HOW ESSENTIAL
IT IS THAT WE HAVE A COMMUNITY
OVERSIGHT BOARD OVER THE POLICE
WITH REAL POWERS TO HOLD
OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE INCLUDING
HIRING AND FIRING POWERS AND
THE POWERS TO SET POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR IF POLICE
START USING LIVE AMMUNITION IN
SEATTLE THEN OBVIOUSLY THAT
WOULD BE THE SCANDAL OF QUITE
ANOTHER PROPORTION.
THAT WOULD NEED TO BE DEALT WITH
AS STRONG AS POSSIBLE AS WELL.
AT THIS MOMENT, I URGE
COUNCILMEMBERS TO VOTE YES ON
RESTORING RESTRICTIONS ON
KINETIC WEAPONS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S
INDULGENCE IN GOING THROUGH
THESE ITEMS MORE THAN WE
NORMALLY WOULD.
MY HOPE IS AS WE MOVE FORWARD
ON MAKING MOTIONS, SECONDING
AND HEARING FROM
COUNCILMEMBERS, THAT THE
SPONSORS OF THE AMENDMENTS,
MYSELF INCLUDED, I WILL HOLD
MYSELF TO THE STANDARD, WILL
NOT JUST REPEAT ALL THE
COMMENTS THEY MADE IN THEIR
OPENING REMARK FOR THE PSAKI OF
BREVITY.
I'M CHECKING TO MAKE SURE THERE
ARE NO QUESTIONS FROM ANYBODY
YET.
I DO NOT SEE ANY.
I WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE
AMENDMENTS.
WITH THAT, I WILL MOVE
AMENDMENT 1 AND AMENDMENT 1 IS
THE AMENDMENT RELATED TO
CREATING A NEW DEFINITION FOR
VIOLENT PUBLIC DISTURBANCES AS
WELL AS LIMITING THE ABILITY OF
THE USE OF TIER GAS WHEN THERE
IS AN ADVANCE DETAILED
DEPLOYMENT PLAN.
WHEN THERE IS OFFICERS WHO HAVE
RECEIVED TRAINING IN THE
PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.
I MOVE THAT ITEM.
I AM SEEKING A SECOND.
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
GONZALES.
IS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL SCRIPT?
FOR DISCUSSION?
>> WOULD IT BE OKAY IF THEY
DISPLAYED THE AMENDMENT
LANGUAGE AS WE CONSIDER EACH
AMENDMENT?
IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR ME TO
FOLLOW AND IT MIGHT BE EASIER
FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
LISA, DO YOU MIND DISPLAYING ON
THE SCREEN AS WELL.
IN MY DESCRIPTION, I DID NOT
MENTION THE REQUIREMENT THAT
THE USE OF TEAR GAS IS LIMITED
TO PROTECTING LIFE AND IS NOT
TO BE USED FOR PROTECTING
PROPERTY ALONE.
>> IS THE SCREEN SHARE WORKING?
>> IT IS.
THANK YOU.
CAN WE HAVE A MOTION AND A
SECOND?
ANY DISCUSSION?
I'M SORRY.
I AM LOOKING FOR A RAISE OF
HANDS IN REAL LIFE AS WELL AS
ON THE CHAT FUNCTION.
ANY RAISED HANDS?
I AM NOT SEEING ANY.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
>> THANK YOU.
I OPPOSE THIS AMENDMENT TO
REAUTHORIZE THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S USE OF TEAR GAS.
TEARGAS BAND AND WAR BY THE
GENEVA CONVENTION IS USED
OVERWHELMINGLY BY THE POLICE
AGAINST PEACEFUL PROGRESSIVE
MOVEMENTS OF PROTESTERS.
COMPARE THE CLOUDS OF TEAR GAS
THAT WAFTED THROUGH THE SEATS
OF'S SEATTLE LAST WEEK TO
DISSIPATE PEOPLE FROM JOINING
BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS TO
THE POLICE WELCOME THAT THE
VIOLENT BAR RATE RECEIVED WHEN
THEY BROKE INTO THE CAPITAL
BUILDING IN DC.
THEY WERE WELCOMED BY THE
POLICE TAKING SELFIES WITH
THEM.
NOW WE KNOW SIX SEATTLE POLICE
OFFICERS FLEW TO DC TO SHOW
THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE FAR RIGHT.
I BANNING TEARGAS, THE COUNCIL
WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR
THE POLICE TO BRUTALIZE
MOVEMENTS WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT
THE COUNCIL SHOULD DO.
THIS AMENDMENT IS A LOOPHOLE
THAT WOULD REVERSE MANY OF
THOSE PROTECTIONS.
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE CLAIMED THAT
THIS ONLY APPLIES TO VIOLENT
GATHERINGS.
AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE AND I
WILL REPEAT AGAIN, THE
DEFINITION OF A VIOLENT
GATHERING IN THIS AMENDMENT IS
SIMILAR TO THE LEGAL DEFINITION
OF RIOT.
WE HAVE SEEN AGAIN AND AGAIN
THAT POLICE REDEFINE VIOLENT
AND RIGHT TO MEAN WHATEVER THEY
WANTED TO.
SPECIFICALLY IN ORDER TO SUBDUE
PEACEFUL PROTEST.
WE SAW THAT HAPPEN IN SEATTLE
OVER THE SUMMER AGAIN AND
AGAIN.
POLICE LABELING PEACEFUL
PROTESTS ANYTIME THEY WANTED TO
CLEAR THE STREETS.
EVEN IF THIS DEFINITION WAS
LESS SUBJECTIVE WE HAVE SEEN
AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT THIS SORT
OF EXCEPTION PUTS THE DECISION
OVER WHETHER A PROTEST COUNTS
AS VIOLENT INTO THE HANDS OF
THE POLICE.
YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT
BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN AGAIN AND
AGAIN THEY USE THAT DISCRETION
IF WE GIVE IT TO THEM TO ABUSE
PROTESTS LIKE LACK LIVES
MATTER.
ONE FINAL EXAMPLE, THE
QUALIFIERS LIMITING HOW MUCH
TEARGAS IS AUTHORIZED IS VERY
SIMILAR TO QUALIFIERS THAT ARE
INCLUDED IN THE INJUNCTION
AGAINST TEARGAS IN SEATTLE.
AFTER THAT INJUNCTION WAS PUT
IN PLACE THE POLICE PROMPTLY
USE THEIR DISCRETION TO
CONTINUE USING TEARGAS IN TOTAL
VIOLATION OF THE INJUNCTION.
THE COURT AGREED THE POLICE
VIOLATED THE LAW AND BROKE THE
INJUNCTION BUT THE DAMAGE HAD
BEEN DONE.
YOU CANNOT UN-TEARGAS A PROTEST
THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN TEARGAS.
THIS DISCRETION SHOULD NOT BE
IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT
SENT MORE OFFICERS TO JOIN THE
PRO-TRUMP FAR RIGHT ASSAULT ON
THE CAPITAL ON JANUARY 6th THAN
ANY OTHER POLICE FORCE IN THE
COMPANY.
IT SHOULD NOT BE IN THE HANDS
OF THE POLICE FORCE THAT HAS
KILLED 28 PEOPLE SINCE 2011,
BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY
MEMBERS, MANY UNARMED.
IT SHOULD NOT BE IN THE HANDS
THAT INCLUDED 18,000 COMPLAINTS
FOR THE VIOLENCE DURING THE BLM
MOVEMENT LAST SUMMER.
IF THIS AMENDMENT FAILS, AS IT
SHOULD, IF COUNCILMEMBERS WANT
TO DO THE RIGHT THING, THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL
BE BANNED FROM OWNING TEARGAS
AND IT WILL NOT HAVE THE POWER
TO DECIDE TO USE IT.
THAT IS HOW IT SHOULD BE.
THE COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION
OPPOSED TO REAUTHORIZING
TEARGAS AND ALL COUNCILMEMBERS
HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST 150
EMAILS THIS WEEK OPPOSING ANY
WATERING DOWN OF THE BAN ON
WEAPONS.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS
AMENDMENT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS?
>> I WILL SAY A FEW WORDS.
I WAS GOING TO RESERVE MY
COMMENTS UNTIL VOTING ON THE
ULTIMATE MOTION, BUT I THINK
THAT MOST OF MY COMMENTS
PERTAIN TO THIS AMENDMENT.
I THINK I WILL DO MY COMMENTS
IN FULL NOW IF THAT IS OKAY?
I DO WANT TO SAY THAT SOME OF
THE THINGS I PLAN ON SAYING
TOUCH ON OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE
BILL.
I THINK THIS IS WHERE MOST OF
IT IS.
I THINK IT'S MOSTLY BECAUSE WE
NEED TO ESTABLISH -- AND MADAM
CHAIR YOU COVERED THIS AT THE
BEGINNING OF YOUR REMARKS --
THE STATE OF WHAT IS AND WHAT
IS NOT IN EFFECT.
IN THE CITY CURRENTLY.
THE ORDINANCE WE UNANIMOUSLY
PASSED OVER THE SUMMER, WHICH I
WANT TO BE CLEAR IS A GOOD
ORDINANCE AND IS IN KEEPING
WITH MY VALUES AND WHAT I WOULD
LIKE TO SEE.
IT'S NOT IN EFFECT.
IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN EFFECT.
WHAT HAS BEEN IN EFFECT IS THE
CROWD CONTROL TEMPORARY
RESTRAINING ORDER ADMINISTERED
BY JUDGE JONES.
ON JUNE 12th JUDGE JONES MADE
THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS AND
THESE ARE FINDINGS I CONCUR
WITH AND I'M SURE MOST OF US ON
THE COUNCIL DO.
TO QUOTE JUDGE JONES'S
FINDINGS, SPD'S ACTIONS WOULD
CHILL A PERSON OF ORDINARY
FIRMNESS FROM CONTINUING TO
PROTEST.
SPD'S USE OF LESS LETHAL CROWD
CONTROL WEAPONS HAVE SURELY
CHILLED SPEECH.
SPD HAS EXERTED EXCESSIVE FORCE
WITHOUT PROVOCATION THROUGHOUT
THE SUMMER AND THE PLAINTIFFS
IN THIS CASE, BLACK LIVES
MATTER, SEATTLE KING COUNTY
HAVE ESTABLISHED A THREAT OF
IMMEDIATE IRREPARABLE HARM IN
THE ABSENCE OF A TEMPORARY
RESTRAINING ORDER.
THE BALANCE OF THOSE HARDSHIPS
FAVORED AN INJUNCTION.
MOST NOTABLY AND MOST
CONCERNING, JUDGE JONES FOUND
THAT THE PLAINTIFFS, BLACK
LIVES MATTER SEATTLE KING
COUNTY HAD SHOWN THAT THE
PROTESTS WERE SUBSTANTIAL OR
MOTIVATING FACTOR ERRORS IN
SPD'S CONDUCT.
ESSENTIALLY SAYING THAT THERE
WERE JUDGMENTS MADE ON WHO THE
SPEAKER WAS AND WHAT THEY WERE
SPEAKING FOR.
THAT LED TO CERTAIN TACTICAL.
THIS IS NOT JUST THE
OBSERVATION OF THIS CITY
COUNCIL.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR.
THIS IS A MATTER OF FEDERAL
JUDICIAL RECORD THAT SPD USED
CROWD CONTROL TACTICS IN A WAY
THAT WAS NOT IN KEEPING WITH
THE CONSTITUTION TOWARD LARGELY
PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS
THROUGHOUT LAST YEAR.
IN THE RESTRAINING ORDER THAT
JUDGE JONES ORDERED, HE ORDERED
THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS
JOINED FROM EMPLOYING CHEMICAL
IRRITANTS OR PROJECTILES
AGAINST PERSONS PEACEFULLY
ENGAGING IN PROTESTER
DEMONSTRATIONS.
HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE
INJUNCTION INCLUDED ANY
CHEMICAL IRRITANT SUCH AS AN
INCLUDING CS GAS ALSO KNOWN AS
TEARGAS AND OC SPRAY ALSO KNOWN
AS PEPPER SPRAY AND ANY PROJECT
FILE SUCH AS AN INCLUDING FLASH
GRENADES, PEPPER BALLS, GLASS
BALLS, RUBBER BULLETS.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT
JUDGE JONES MADE AN EXCEPTION
TO THAT ORDER.
THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE
INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS FROM TAKING
NECESSARY REASONABLE PERSONAL
AND TARGETED ACTION TO PROTECT
AGAINST A SPECIFIC IMMINENT
THREAT OF'S HARM TO THEMSELVES
OR IDENTIFYING OR IDENTIFIABLE
OTHERS OR TO RESPOND TO
SPECIFIC ACTS OF VIOLENCE OR
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.
FURTHER, TEARGAS MAY BE USED
ONLY IF A, EFFORTS TO SUBDUE A
THREAT TO USING ALTERNATIVE
CROWD MEASURES INCLUDING PEPPER
SPRAY AS PERMITTED BY THIS
PARAGRAPH HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED
AND IN EFFECT.
AND B, THE CHIEF OF POLICE HAS
DETERMINED THAT USE OF TEARGAS
IS THE ONLY REASONABLE
ALTERNATIVE AVAILABLE.
THE CHIEF OF POLICE MAY ONLY
AUTHORIZE LIMITED AND TARGETED
USE IN THAT SCENARIO OF TEARGAS
AND MUST DIRECTED TO THOSE
CAUSING VIOLENT OR LIFE-
THREATENING ACTIVITY TO THE
EXTENT THAT CHEMICAL IRRITANTS
OR PROJECTILES ARE USED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS PARAGRAPH.
THEY SHALL NOT BE DEPLOYED
INDISCRIMINATELY INTO A CROWD
AND TO THE EXTENT REASONABLY
POSSIBLE THEY SHOULD BE
TARGETED AT THE SPECIMEN MINUTE
THREAT OF HARM TO THEMSELVES OR
IDENTIFIABLE OTHERS OR TO
RESPOND TO SPECIFIC ACTS OF
VIOLENCE OR DESTRUCTION OF
PROPERTY.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR.
THAT IS WHAT HAS BEEN IN EFFECT.
THAT'S BEEN IN EFFECT FROM THE
SUMMER UNTIL NOW FROM JUNE 12th
WHEN THE JUDGE PUT THAT IN ORDER
AND THAT IS REALLY WHEN WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY
OF ROLLING THINGS BACK OR
WATERING THINGS DOWN OR
CHANGING THINGS.
TO BE CLEAR, THE ORDINANCE WE
PUT IN PLACE IS NOT THE THING
THAT HAS BEEN TO AN EXTENT
LIMITING POLICE CONDUCT.
IT'S BEEN THAT INJUNCTION PUT
DOWN BY THE FEDERAL COURT.
WE KNOW, FOR THE RECORD, THAT
SPD OFFICERS HAVE WILLFULLY AND
FLAGRANTLY VIOLATED THE TERMS
OF THAT INJUNCTION RESULTING IN
THE CITY SO THE TAXPAYERS OF
THE CITY BEING FOUNDED IN
CONTEMPT OF COURT BY JUDGE
JONES ON DECEMBER 7, 2020 ARE
THE ONES TO BE PAYING FOR THE
RESULT OF THAT CONTEMPT
PROCEEDING BASED ON HOW THE
APPEALS IN THE COURT GOES.
THOSE VIOLATIONS INCLUDED
INDISCRIMINATE USE OF GLASS
BALLS AND OC SPRAY.
THE PROTECTIONS JUDGE JONES
INJUNCTION PUT FORWARD NEED TO
REMAIN IN PLACE AND BUILT ON.
NEED TO BE CODIFIED.
THIS IS A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING
ORDER.
THAT IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT THIS
BASE BILL WITH THE AMENDMENTS
THAT MADAM CHAIR HAS PUT
FORWARD WILL DO.
IT WILL EXTEND A SIMILAR LEVEL
OF FOR SECTION WHICH AS I SAID
BEFORE INCLUDED CERTAIN
EXEMPTIONS THAT WERE CRAFTED BY
THE FEDERAL COURT THAT WOULD BE
COMPLIANT WITH THE LAW AND
CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING.
WHAT HAS THE STATUS BEEN OF THE
COUNCILS BAN ON CROWD CONTROL
WEAPONS THAT WE PASSED?
IT WAS NEVER IN EFFECT.
I PROUDLY VOTED FOR IT BECAUSE
I THOUGHT WE SHOULD START WITH
THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE BILL AND
WE SHOULD GO TO THE COURT AND
SEEK TO HAVE THAT BILL IMPOSED
AND BE THE LAW OF THE CITY.
TEARGAS HAS NO PLACE ON THE
STREETS OF OUR CITY.
THE USE OF TEARGAS OVER LAST
SUMMER WAS INDISCRIMINATE,
INEFFECTIVE AND CAUSED GREAT
HARM TO THE PUBLIC WORK I
CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT.
IT HAS BECOME CLEAR FROM OUR
LITIGATION ON THAT A SPILL THAT
UNLESS CERTAIN CHANGES ARE PUT
IN PLACE, THIS BILL WILL NOT
SURVIVE THE CONSENT DECREE
PROCESS AND WILL NEVER GO INTO
EFFECT.
ON JULY 24, 2020 JUDGE ROBART
ISSUED A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING
ORDER AGAINST ENACTING THE
WEAPON BEEN.
IN SO DOING THE JUDGE WROTE BY
REMOVING ALL FORMS OF LESS
LETHAL CROWD CONTROL WEAPONS
FROM VIRTUALLY ALL POLICE
ENCOUNTERS, THE DIRECTIVE AND
THE CCW ORDINANCE WILL NOT
INCREASE PUBLIC SAFELY,".
THIS PAST WEEK ON FAIRBURY
FOURTH 2021 JUDGE ROBERT
FURTHER COMMENTED THAT A STATUS
CONFERENCE DIRECTLY ADDRESSING
THIS COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING,
QUOTE, I HAVE SOME RATHER HARSH
WORDS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL.
I THINK THEY HAVE LOST SIGHT OF
THE FACT THAT THE 100
PARAGRAPHS IN THE CONSENT
DECREE ARE WHAT NOT 100
PARAGRAPHS.
THEY ARE NOT COMMITMENTS.
THEY ARE OBLIGATIONS.
ORDERS FROM THIS COURT OF
THINGS THAT WILL BE DONE AND
WHEN THEY DECIDE TO TAKE
MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS
AND CONVENTION OF THE CONSENT
DECREE.
THEY DRAG ME INTO A SITUATION I
DON'T WANT TO BE IN WHICH IS
TELLING THEM NO, YOU CANNOT DO
THAT.
I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT
JUDGE ROBERT WILL CONTINUE TO
SAY NO TO THIS ORDINANCE IF IT
IS UNALTERED.
ONE THING PEOPLE ON THE LEFT
AND RIGHT SEEM TO AGREE ON IN
REGARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL IS
THAT THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
SOMEHOW HAS SUPREME
CONSTITUTIONAL POWER TO PASS
ANY LAW IMPACTING ANY PROBLEM
THAT WE WANT TO.
A MULTITUDE OF THINGS THIS
COUNCIL IS NOW HELD RESPONSIBLE
FOR HAVE TAKEN ON A THANKS
OBAMA LEVEL OF ABSURDITY GIVEN
OUR LIMITED SCOPE WITHIN A
COMPLICATED FEDERAL SYSTEM OF
STATE, COUNTY, FEDERAL AND
JUDICIAL OFFICIALS.
ALL OF US HAVE OUR ROLE TO PLAY
IN THAT SYSTEM THAT IS DEFINED
BY TIERED RESPONSIBILITY AND
COUNTER POWERS.
JUDGE ROBERTS AUTHORITY AND
ROLE WITHIN THE CONSENT DECREE
NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND
RESPECTED.
INDEED, IF IT ISN'T, HE WILL
ACKNOWLEDGE IT FOR US.
IT'S THE UNANIMOUS OPINION OF
OUR LEGAL ADVISERS THAT THIS
BILL IN ITS CURRENT FORM WILL
NEVER GO INTO EFFECT UNLESS
CERTAIN CHANGES ARE MADE.
CHANGES I WOULD ADD THAT ARE
CONSISTENT WITH JUDGE JONES
INJUNCTION WHICH HAS BEEN IN
EFFECT.
THE CHOICE THAT IS REALLY
BEFORE THIS COUNCIL IS NOT
WHETHER WE ARE WATERING DOWN
THE PROTECTIONS THAT HAVE NEVER
BEEN IN PLACE TO BEGIN WITH.
IT'S WHETHER WE EFFECTIVELY
CREATE ANY PROTECTIONS AT ALL.
OVER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR WE
CAN WORK TO STRENGTHEN THIS
ORDINANCE FURTHER BY
PETITIONING THE COURT WITH
CROWD CONTROL STRATEGIES
SUCCESSFUL IN OTHER COUNTRIES
AS ALTERNATIVES TO WEAPON USE,
WHICH I HAVE BECOME CONVINCED
WILL BE ESSENTIAL TO GET THESE
POLICY CHANGES THROUGH THE
CONSENT DECREE PROCESS.
IN STOCKHOLM, PROFESSIONAL
DIALOGUE OFFICERS NEGOTIATE
WITH PROTESTERS AND EXPLAIN
POLICE ACTIONS.
IN SPAIN, THIRD-PARTY
NEGOTIATORS UNAFFILIAED WITH
THE POLICE FILL THAT ROLE.
THESE PROCESSES DESIGNED TO
FACILITATE COMMUNICATION CAN
AVOID THE ESCALATION THAT OFTEN
LEADS TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF
TEARGAS AGAINST PEACEFUL
DEMONSTRATORS.
WITHOUT ADDITIONAL CHANGES TO
PERSONNEL PRACTICES AND
TACTICS, THE COURT WILL NOT
ALLOW A CATEGORICAL BAND TO GO
INTO EFFECT AND MORE WORK NEEDS
TO BE DONE.
FOR THOSE REASONS I AM VOTING
FORTHE CHAIRS AMENDMENT TODAY
AND ULTIMATELY INTEND TO VOTE
ON THE MOTION TO SEND THIS TO
THE CONSENT DEGREE PROCESS.
I THINK INCREASINGLY IN THIS
MODERN ERA IT'S CRITICAL FOR US
AS LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS OF
GOVERNMENT TO BE HONEST ABOUT
OUR PROCESSES AND THEIR
OUTCOMES.
WE NEED TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE
CHOICE IN FRONT OF US TODAY.
THE REALITY IS THE ORDINANCE
FROM LAST SUMMER HAS NEVER BEEN
IN EFFECT AND WILL NEVER GO
INTO EFFECT UNLESS CERTAIN
CHANGES ARE MADE.
IT WOULD CERTAINLY MAKE ME FEEL
GOOD TO REAFFIRM OUR ORDINANCE
FROM THE SUMMER AND ALLOW THE
COURT TO STRIKE IT DOWN.
THAT PATH LEADS TO 0
PROTECTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE OF
THE CITY, THE PEOPLE OF MY
DISTRICT FROM POLICE VIOLENCE
FROM THESE WEAPONS.
WE NEED TO BE HONEST THAT THAT
IS THE REAL CHOICE.
MADAM CHAIR, I DON'T HAVE
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS?
I SEE YOUR HAND IS UP.
>> I AM HAVING TROUBLE.
I WILL BE VERY BRIEF.
I WANT TO SAY THAT WHILE I
AGREE COMPLETELY WITH
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT AND
SUPPORTED HER BILL THIS SUMMER,
I STILL DO NOT SUPPORT HAVING
TEARGAS AS PART OF OUR STANDARD
ISSUE.
THAT IS DEEPLY PROBLEMATIC FOR
OUR DEPARTMENT.
AND I DON'T WANT OUR EFFORTS
HERE TO MAKE SOME IMPORTANT
CHANGES TO BE REJECTED BY THE
JUDGE AND TO LEAVE US WITH
NOTHING AS COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
WAS SAYING.
WHICH IS WHAT IS LIKELY IF THE
JUDGES CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED.
I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS
AMENDMENT AND MY HOPE IS THAT
WE CAN ACTUALLY MOVE THROUGH
THE PROCESS AND SEE THE KIND OF
CHANGES WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE
HERE SO WE CAN PROTECT OUR
NEIGHBORS BETTER.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MORALE IS.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT, IS YOUR
HAND STILL UP FROM BEFORE OR DO
YOU WANT TO ADDRESS IT AGAIN?
>> I DO WANT TO SPEAK.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> I FIND IT EXTREMELY
UNFORTUNATE THAT COUNCILMEMBERS
ARE PRESENTING THEIR YES VOTE
ON THIS TERRIBLE AMENDMENT AS
SOMETHING GOOD, AS SOMETHING
PRINCIPLES.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS SAID LET'S
BE HONEST.
I AGREE.
LET'S BE HONEST.
IT'S ABOUT ACTUALLY MAKING
SHIFTS IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.
THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS ABOUT
ENSURING ACTUAL SAFETY OF
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS ENGAGING IN
LEFT-WING AND PROGRESSIVE
MOVEMENTS.
THERE IS NOTHING REASONABLE,
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING REASONABLE
ABOUT USING TEARGAS ON THESE
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS.
THE FACT IS IF YOU WANT TO BE
HONEST, THE CITY COUNCIL OTHER
THAN VOTING YES ON THE ORIGINAL
BILL UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE
PROTESTERS AT THAT TIME WHICH
IS THE ONLY REASON WHY WE WON
THAT VOTE, THE ONLY REASON WHY
THE MOVEMENT WON THAT VOTE, IS
BECAUSE WE FOUGHT SO HARD.
OTHER THAN THAT, THE CITY
COUNCIL HAS DONE NOTHING TO HELP
UPHOLD THE BILL.
THE CITY ATTORNEY HAS NEVER
ASKED JUDGE ROBARDS TO PASS THE
VAN FROM THE SUMMER TO GO INTO
EFFECT.
THEY ASKED FOR AN INJUNCTION
AGAINST THE VOTE.
THERE HAS BEEN NO COMMENT ABOUT
TEARGAS FROM JUDGE ROBARDS.
IF THE COUNCIL ACTUALLY TRIED
TO UPHOLD THE BILL FROM LAST
SUMMER AND THE JUDGE ACTUALLY
REJECTED THE BILL, THEN WE
COULD HAVE THAT CONVERSATION
ABOUT AMENDING THE BILL.
THERE HAS BEEN NO STATEMENT
FROM THE JUDGE AT ALL ABOUT
TEARGAS.
BOTTOM LINE IS THIS IS NOT ABOUT
MAKING JUDGE ROBARDS HAPPY.
YES, THERE'S A CONSENT DECREE.
THERE IS NOT AN IMAGINARY
UNIVERSE.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT.
AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S
ABOUT THE CITY COUNCIL DOING
THE RIGHT THING.
THAT DOES MEAN USING YOUR
PODIUM TO EITHER STAND WITH
MOVEMENT AND COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR OR THROWING UP YOUR HANDS
AND SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE
ON THE CONSENT DEGREE.
SINCE IT WAS PUT IN PLACE 28
BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE HAVE
BEEN KILLED AT THE HANDS OF THE
POLICE AND NOT ONE POLICE
OFFICER HAS BEEN HELD
ACCOUNTABLE.
WHILE UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT
IS A LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN PLACE,
IT IS STILL THE OBLIGATION, THE
MORAL AND POLITICAL OBLIGATION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO FIGHT TO
DEFEND AS STRONG OF A LAW AS
POSSIBLE AS LONG AS IT IS
POSSIBLE.
THERE'S NOTHING THE JUDGE HAS
SAID AT THIS MOMENT TO MAKE YOU
DO THIS AND MAKE YOU PASS THIS
AMENDMENT RIGHT NOW.
AT THE END OF THE DAY WHAT THIS
IS ALSO SHOWING IS THE UPSIDE
DOWN LOGIC THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL IS USING.
MANY OF YOU HAVE SAID THE BAND
THAT I PUT FORWARD AND THAT YOU
VOTED YES ON SPOKE TO YOUR
VALUES.
IF THAT SPOKE TO YOUR VALUES,
THEN IT IS MIND-BOGGLING TO ME
AND COMPLETELY COUNTER LOGIC
FOR YOU TO SAY THAT BECAUSE
THAT BILL AND VAN WASN'T
ENFORCEABLE GIVEN THE LEGAL
FRAMEWORK, THAT YOU ARE NOW
GOING TO WATER IT DOWN AND HOPE
THAT THAT IS GOING TO HOLD THE
POLICE ACCOUNTABLE.
IF THE INJUNCTION THAT WAS
PLACED AT THE BEHEST OF BLM
WASN'T ABLE TO HOLD THE POLICE
ACCOUNTABLE, WHY DO YOU BELIEVE
THAT WATERING THIS DOWN WILL
HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE?
ALL OF THIS REVEALS THAT THE
POLICE ARE NOT BEING HELD
ACCOUNTABLE.
AS LONG AS THE CITY'S
ESTABLISHMENT, THE POLITICAL
ESTABLISHMENT KOWTOW'S TO THEM
BY WATERING DOWN WHAT THEY HAVE
RATHER THAN FIGHTING EVERY INCH
OF THE WAY TO DEFEND IT, THAT
MESSAGE TO THE POLICE IS YOU
CAN STILL DO WHAT YOU WANT.
YOU CAN SEND 5 OF YOUR OFFICERS
TO A HORRENDOUS FAR RIGHT
VIOLENT PROTEST AND A FEW WEEKS
AFTER THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
WILL WATER DOWN THE BAND THAT
EXISTED INSTEAD OF FIGHTING TO
ENFORCE IT.
MY MESSAGE ULTIMATELY IS TO
ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO ARE
WATCHING THIS.
WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW WE
CANNOT RELY ON POLITICAL
ESTABLISHMENT HOWEVER
PROGRESSIVE THE WORDS MIGHT BE.
WE WILL NEED A RESURGENCE OF
STREET PROTESTS OF BLACK LIVES
MATTER.
THIS YEAR WE WILL NEED A REAL
GRASSROOTS MASS MOVEMENT AND
STRUGGLE BASE TO FIGHT BACK TO
REALLY ENSURE WHAT WE NEED AND
WE GET WHAT WE NEED.
ALL OF HISTORY SHOWS THAT LAWS
IN THE COURTS FOLLOW FIGHTING
MASS MOVEMENT ON THE STREETS
AND NOT VICE VERSA.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
I'M LOOKING TO SEE WHETHER OR
NOT THERE ARE ANY OTHER
SPEAKERS HERE BEFORE WE CALL
THE VOTE.
IF NOT, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT
WE ARE UNIFIED IN OUR DESIRE TO
HAVE A REGULATION ON THE BOOKS
AS IT RELATES TO THE USE OF
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS.
I PREFER TO FOCUS ON A SHARED
GOAL.
WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
OF WHAT THE PATH IS FOR THAT
SHARED GOAL.
I THINK ULTIMATELY WE HAVE AN
OBLIGATION TO LISTEN TO THE
PUBLIC, TAKE THEIR INPUT, AND
DEVELOP POLICY AND TO DO
EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GOVERN.
IF WE JUST SEND BACK A BILL
THAT LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE THE
BILL THAT WE SENT THE JUDGE IN
JUNE, IF WE SEND ANOTHER
VERSION, I THINK WE ARE FAILING
TO GOVERN.
THAT'S ULTIMATELY OUR
RESPONSIBILITY HERE AS IT
RELATES TO OUR SHARED GOAL OF
GETTING A REGULATION ON THE
BOOKS RELATED TO THE LIMITATION
OF LESS LETHAL WEAPONS.
WITH THAT, ALEX, DO YOU MIND
CALLING FOR THE VOTE PLEASE?
>> VOTING ON AMENDMENT ONE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES?
>> AYE
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> AYE
>> LEWIS
>> YES
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
>> NO
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
>> S.
>> FOUR IN FAVOR AND ONE
OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU.
NOW MOVING TO AMENDMENT A.
BEFORE I INVITE COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT TO MAKE A MOTION, MY
UNDERSTANDING IS THAT NOT ALL
OF THESE CAN PASS.
ONLY ONE OF THEM CAN.
GIVEN THAT WE JUST VOTED FOR
AMENDMENT 1, DOES THAT PUT A
LIMITATION ON WHAT VERSION OF
AMENDMENT A, B 1 AND B 2 ARE IN
PLAY?
>> IT DOESN'T.
I WOULD SUGGEST THE MOTION
INCLUDE LANGUAGE DIRECTING
STAFF TO HARMONIZE AMENDMENT 1.
IT WOULD BE SOME TECHNICAL
CHANGES SO THAT THE LANGUAGE
THAT SAYS A NONVIOLENT
DEMONSTRATION OR RALLY
CONSISTENT WITH THE VIOLENT
PUBLIC DISTURBANCE LANGUAGE,
WHEREVER THAT IS USE, WHICH
COMES UP.
>> THANK YOU, LISA.
MUCH APPRECIATED.
COUNCILMEMBER, SAWANT.
I WILL HAND IT TO YOU TO MAKE
YOUR MOTION.
>> BANKS.
I WILL SAY THAT THIS AMENDMENT
IS ABOUT ENFORCEMENT OF THE VAN
AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY
STATEMENT MADE BY JUDGE
ROBARDS.
I MOVE AMENDMENT 4A.
>> IS THERE A SECOND?
HEARING NO SECOND, WE WILL MOVE
TO THE NEXT VERSION.
>> THE SAME THING APPLIES HERE.
THIS IS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE
CONSENT DECREE.
I MOVE AMENDMENT 4B 2. SORRY,
4B.
4B 1.
>> IS THERE A SECOND FOR 4B 1?
HEARING NO SECOND, WE WILL MOVE
ON TO THE LAST VERSION OF
AMENDMENT 4, PLEASE.
>> I MOVE AMENDMENT 4B 2.
>> THANK YOU.
IS THERE A SECOND FOR AMENDMENT
4B 2? OKAY, HEARING NO SECOND
FOR 4B 2 , LET'S MOVE ON TO THE
NEXT AMENDMENT, PLEASE.
THE NEXT AMENDMENT IS AMENDMENT
5. WE HAVE TWO MORE TO GO.
AMENDMENT 5 RELATES TO
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON
PEPPER SPRAY.
>> I MOVE AMENDMENT 5.
>> IS THERE A SECOND FOR
AMENDMENT 5? HEARING NO 2nd FOR
AMENDMENT 5, LET'S MOVE ON TO
AMENDMENT 6 PLEASE.
>> I MOVE AMENDMENT 6.
>> THANK YOU.
IS THERE A 2nd FOR AMENDMENT 6?
ALL RIGHT, HEARING NO SECOND,
ON AMENDMENT 6, I WANT TO CLOSE
OUT THE DISCUSSION OF THE
AMENDMENTS THEMSELVES.
WE WILL MOVE OVER TO THE MOTION
THAT WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON
HERE.
I'VE JUST GOT TO GET OUT OF MY
FULL SCREEN AND TRY TO GET INTO
MY SMALL SCREEN.
THERE WITH ME. OKAY.
NOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO AS
MENTIONED BEFORE, WITH NO
ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS, WE ARE
GOING TO CLOSE OUT CONSIDERATION
OF THE DRAFT BILL AND MOVE
FORWARD AS IT RELATES TO
SPECIFICALLY THE MOTION THAT WE
RECOMMEND THIS DRAFT BILL TO BE
SENT TO THE COURT APPOINTED
MONITOR. AGAIN, AS WE HAVE HEARD
FROM THE ATTORNEY THAT IS
ADVISING US ON THIS MATTER, IF
THE COUNCIL WERE TO TAKE NO
ACTION, PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
WOULD STAY IN PLACE AND IT
WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME A
PERMANENT INJUNCTION.
THE FACT THAT WE HAVE
UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED AN
ORDINANCE TO BANISH WEAPONS IN
JUNE, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO
US THAT WE DO NOT ALLOW A
PERMANENT INJUNCTION TO GO INTO
PLACE BECAUSE OF OUR FAILURE TO
SUBMIT A NEW VERSION OF THE
BILL TO THE COURT FOR THEIR
CONSIDERATION.
WITH THAT, I MOVE THAT THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMEND THIS DRAFT
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS BILL AS
AMENDED TO BE SENT TO THE COURT
APPOINTED MONITOR AND THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR THEIR
REVIEW IN LINE WITH THE PROCESS
DESCRIBED IN THE CONSENT
DECREE.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> I'M SORRY.
BEFORE CLOSING OUT DEBATE I
WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE WHOLE
BILL.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
I DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE GENERAL
COMMENTS ABOUT THE EFFORT HERE
UNTIL WE WERE AT THIS POINT.
I APPRECIATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
TAKE A PAUSE BEFORE WE CALL THE
ROLE ON THAT MOTION BEFORE US.
I APPRECIATE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR
YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS ON
THIS REALLY IMPORTANT BUT
COMPLEX ISSUE RELATED TO THE
REGULATION OF SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S USE OF LESS LETHAL
WEAPONS FOR CROWD CONTROL
MANAGEMENT PURPOSES.
THE FACTS THAT LED UP TO THE
CONSIDERATION OF THIS BILL
WHICH PURPORTS TO REGULATE THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S USE
OF LESS LETHAL WEAPONS TO
CONTROL CROWDS ARE WIDELY
AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN
SOME INSTANCES MEMBERS OF THIS
COUNCIL, COUNTY COUNCILMEMBERS
AND STATE LEGISLATORS
PERSONALLY WITNESSED OR
EXPERIENCED THE USE OF LESS
LETHAL WEAPONS UNDER OTHERWISE
PEACEFUL PROTEST.
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S USE
OF FORCE DURING LAST SUMMER'S
BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST IN
SOME INSTANCES APPEARED TO ME
TO BE EXCESSIVE, INDISCRIMINATE
AND AN INAPPROPRIATE ESCALATION
OF AN OTHERWISE PEACEFUL
PROTEST.
INDEED RECENTLY COMPLETED
INVESTIGATIONS BY THE OFFICE OF
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY DELIVERED
SEVERAL SUSTAINED FINDINGS FOR
EXCESSIVE FORCE FOR EXCESSIVE
USE OF FORCE STEMMING FROM THE
DEPARTMENT'S INABILITY TO
REGULATE THE USE OF LESS LETHAL
WEAPONS DURING THE BLACK LIVES
MATTER PROTEST IN THE SUMMER OF
2020.
COLLECTIVELY OUR COMMUNITY AND
ELECTED LEADERS WITNESSED A
TREMENDOUS FAILURE IN THE
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S POLICIES, TRAINING
AND OFFICER BEHAVIOR USING LESS
LETHAL WEAPONS DURING LAST
SUMMER'S PROTEST.
ALL THIS LED ME TO BELIEVE
THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE
COUNCIL TO INTERVENE I PASSING
LEGISLATION ADDRESSING THE USE
OF LESS LETHAL WEAPONS FOR
CONTROLLING PROTEST DURING THE
SUMMER OF 2020 AND BEYOND.
THE MOTIVATION WAS NEVER TO BE
UNREASONABLE HERE IN OUR POLICY
APPROACHES OR TO NEGATIVELY
IMPACT PUBLIC SAFETY AS SOME
HAVE SPECULATED.
I WANTED TO TAKE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BE CLEAR ABOUT
THE WHY FROM MY PERSPECTIVE OF
OF PURSUING THIS IMPORTANT
POLICY GOAL THAT WOULD REDUCE
THE INDISCRIMINATE AND
INAPPROPRIATE USE OF LESS
LETHAL WEAPONS ON THE PEOPLE OF
OUR CITY.
MY MOTIVATION AS A CIVIL RIGHTS
ATTORNEY AND A POLICYMAKER HAS
BEEN FOCUSED ON MITIGATING
GAINST THE INDISCRIMINATE AND
INAPPROPRIATE USE OF LESS
LETHAL WEAPONS BY POLICE
OFFICERS DURING ONGOING OR
FUTURE PEACEFUL PROTEST.
IT WAS NECESSARY, I FELT, THAT
THE COUNCIL TAKE LEGISLATIVE
ACTION TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN
SATISFACTORY POLICIES AND
PROTOCOLS IN THIS CRITICAL AREA
OF POLICING THAT HAS A CLEAR
INTERSECTION WITH THE CIVIL
RIGHTS AND GENERAL SAFETY OF
OUR RESIDENTS WHO MIGHT
PARTICIPATE IN OR BE IN THE
AREA OF DEMONSTRATIONS.
WE HAVE HEARD FROM SUBJECT
MATTER EXPERTS INCLUDING THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT
IN SOME CASES LESS LETHAL
WEAPONS WALL CAUSING HARM CAN
BE AN IMPORTANT DE-ESCALATION
TACTIC.
THOSE SAME SUBJECT MATTER
EXPERTS HAVE OPINED THAT LESS
LETHAL WEAPONS WERE INVENTED
SO THAT OFFICERS DON'T USE
DEADLY OR MORE SERIOUS TYPES OF
FORCE THAT WOULD INFLICT MORE
SIGNIFICANT HARM.
AGAIN, THOSE SAME EXPERTS HAVE
OPINED THAT A BLANKET BAN ON
ALL LESS LETHAL WEAPONS COULD
RESULT IN GREATER USES OF
FORCE.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR US?
IT MEANS THAT FOR US WE NEED TO
STRIKE AS POLICYMAKERS A
BALANCE AND WE MUST STRIKE THE
BALANCE WITHIN THE NEWLY KNOWN
INFORMATION THAT HAS COME TO
LIGHT WITH VARIOUS CIVIL RIGHTS
CASES BEING LITIGATED RIGHT NOW
AGAINST THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
I WILL NOT SPEND ANY TIME
HIGHLIGHTING THOSE FACTS HERE
SINCE COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS DID A
VERY FINE JOB OF THOROUGHLY
SUMMARIZING AND HIGHLIGHTING
THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE COME
TO LIGHT SINCE THE
CONSIDERATION AND PASSAGE OF
THE BASE ORDINANCE THAT WE ARE
NOW DISCUSSING IN THIS
COMMITTEE.
UNFORTUNATELY THE FEDERAL COURT
OVERSEEING THE CONSENT DECREE
HAS AND WILL LIKELY CONTINUE TO
QUESTION THE COUNCILS LEGAL
AUTHORITY TO PASS LAWS RELATED
TO HOW, WHEN AND WHETHER THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAN
USE FORCE.
THAT MEANS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
IS LIKELY GOING TO BE HAMSTRUNG
IN OUR EFFORTS TO LEGISLATIVELY
REGULATE USE OF FORCE WHEN
JUDGE ROBILLARD HAS OPENLY
INDICATED A PREFERENCE THAT
ISSUES RELATED TO USE OF FORCE
BE DONE VIA THE USE OF THE
POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
CONSISTENT WITH PAST PRACTICE
AS OPPOSED TO IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS.
IN AN IDEAL WORLD WE COULD
ENTRUST THAT SUBJECT MATTER
EXPERTS IN THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT WOULD DEVELOP
SATISFACTORY POLICIES AROUND
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS AND WE
WOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT
OFFICERS WOULD BE WELL TRAINED
IN AND ADHERE TO THOSE POLICIES
ALL WHILE UPHOLDING THE
CONFIDENCE OF THE GENERAL
PUBLIC IN THEIR ABILITY TO DO
SO.
THAT WE DO NOT LIVE IN AN IDEAL
WORLD.
I CONTINUE TO HEAR BROAD
CONCERNS AND EXPRESSIONS OF
LOSS OF TRUST IN THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ABILITY TO
PROTECT THE FIRST AMENDMENT
RIGHTS OF EXPRESSING THEIR
VIEWS VIA DEMONSTRATIONS.
ESPECIALLY WHEN THE POLICE
ITSELF IS THE SUBJECT OF THOSE
FIRST AMENDMENT EXPRESSIONS.
I STRONGLY SHARE IN THOSE
CONCERNS AND CONTINUE TO
BELIEVE THAT TEARGAS DOES NOT
FIT THE VALUES OF THE PEOPLE OF
OUR CITY.
THIS PERSPECTIVE IS IN STARK
CONTRAST TO THOSE THAT HAVE
STATED OPPOSITION TO ANY
RESTRICTIONS ON THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S USE OF LESS LETHAL
WEAPONS OR ANY OTHER KIND OF
FORCE.
I DISAGREE WITH THAT
PERSPECTIVE AND AS RECENT AS
FEBRUARY 3rd, 2021, EVEN THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THESE CROWD
CONTROL ISSUES MUST AND SHOULD
BE ADDRESSED.
SPECIFICALLY INTERIM CHIEF DIAZ
ACKNOWLEDGED THIS DYNAMIC
INTENTION IN HIS BLOG POST OF
EVERY THIRD, 2021 IN WHICH HE
WROTE, QUOTE, SUMMER 2020
PRESENTED UNIMAGINED
CHALLENGES.
SPD AND THE COMMUNITIES WE
SERVE MUST RETHINK HOW TO WORK
TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE
EXPRESSION OF FIRST AMENDMENT
RIGHTS IN A SAFE AND EFFORTFUL
WAY.
THE EVOLVING NATURE OF
DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROTESTS
MUST BE ACCOMPANYING BY
MODULATED POLICE RESPONSES."
. WHILE THE COUNCIL DEVELOPED
THIS LEGISLATION I UNDERSTAND
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
OBLIGATED REVISE USE OF FORCE
POLICIES FOR THE USE OF LESS
LETHAL WEAPONS.
THOSE REVISED USE OF FORCE
POLICIES WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE
SAME CONSENT DECREE REVIEW THAT
THIS DRAFT ORDINANCE WILL BE
SUBJECTED TO IF THIS MOTION
PASSES.
THE FEDERAL COURT DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE AND POLICE MONITORING
TEAM WILL REVIEW THIS
LEGISLATION IN THE CONTEXT OF
THOSE SPD POLICIES VOTING IN
FAVOR OF THE MOTION FOR REVIEW
IS NOT IN THIS INSTANCE A VOTE
ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE POLICY
ISSUES AS A FINAL PRODUCT, BUT
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF COMPLYING
WITH THE CONSENT DECREE PROCESS
WITH THE BEST VERSION OF THE
ORDINANCE THAT WE COULD
ADVANCE.
AGAIN, THIS IS AN EFFORT TO
COMPLY WITH THE LEGAL
OBLIGATIONS OF THE CONSENT
DECREE.
IN DOING SO, I WANT TO BE CLEAR
WITH THE VIEWING PUBLIC THAT I
BELIEVE THAT THE FEDERAL COURT,
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE
POLICE MONITORING TEAM WILL
HAVE A STRONG PROCLIVITY TO
GIVE DEFERENCE TO THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT'S PROMULGATED
REVISED POLICIES WHEN DOING A
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF THOSE
PRESENTED BY THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND THE COUNCIL.
WHILE I SUPPORT THE ONGOING
DEVELOPMENT OF THIS
LEGISLATION, I ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT BASED ON JUDGE ROBARDS
REMARKS, THE COURT IS LIKELY TO
RESTRICT HOW MUCH THE COUNCIL
CAN PUT CONTROLS ON THE USE OF
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS OUTSIDE THE
CONSENT TO DECREE PROCESS.
THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE
COMMENTS MADE BY CHAIR HERBOLD
IN WHICH SHE HAS REMINDED US
BECAUSE OF THE CONSENT DECREE
AND ONGOING MONITORING OF THE
CITY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE
ORDINARY CHARTER PROVISIONS
THAT PROVIDE US COMPLETE
LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY DON'T
APPLY HERE.
AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE
INSPECTOR GENERAL, THE DIRECTOR
OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND
THE CPC INPUT AND VARIOUS USE
OF FORCE SUBJECT MATTER
EXPERTS, I BELIEVE THIS
LEGISLATION IS STILL IMPERFECT.
THORNY ISSUES REMAIN
UNRESOLVED.
THAT BEING SAID, I KNOW THERE
IS STILL MUCH MORE WORK TO BE
DONE ON THESE POLICIES WHICH
WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE
FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL
INTERACTIONS WITH THE COURT.
THE ACCOUNTABILITY ENTITIES AND
THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
AS A RESULT, I DO INTEND TO
SUPPORT THIS MOTION TO ALLOW
FOR THIS VERSION OF THE
LEGISLATION TO BE WITHIN THE
CONSENT DECREE PROCESS AND LOOK
FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK
WITH THE CHAIR WITH THE FEDERAL
POLICE MONITOR, THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WITH
OTHERS ON ACCOMPLISHING AND
ULTIMATELY OUR POLICY GOALS.
ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE THROUGH THE
CONSENT DECREE PROCESS AND NOT
NECESSARILY THROUGH THE
ORDINARY LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
THANK YOU, CHAIR HERBOLD.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
GONZALES.
I SEE YOUR HAND IS RAISED,
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT.
>> THANK YOU.
I WILL BRIEFLY SPEAK TO THE
FINAL VOTE HERE.
THIS LEGISLATION PUNCHES
MASSIVE LOOPHOLES INTO
PROTECTION AGAINST MILITARIZED
WEAPONS BEING USED BY THE
POLICE AGAINST PEACEFUL PROTEST
MOVEMENTS.
IT REMOVES THE ABILITY TO
ENFORCE THE BAN ON WEAPONS WHEN
THE POLICE BREAK THE LAW.
EVEN WITH ALL THE LOOPHOLES.
THE COUNCIL SHOULD FIGHT TO
ENACT THE CROWD CONTROL WEAPON
BAN LAST SUMMER.
NOT WATER IT DOWN.
THE COUNCIL COULD JUST WAIT FOR
THE CONSENT DECREE TO AND SO
THE LEGISLATION THAT OUR
MOVEMENT IS PART OF THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE IS ONLY UNDER
TEMPORARY JUNCTION.
ULTIMATELY THE MESSAGE IS FOR
ORDINARY PEOPLE TO MOBILIZE ON
THE STREETS IN THEIR WORK LACES
AND MASS MOVEMENTS INDEPENDENT
OF POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT.
AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM BECAUSE
THESE SYSTEMS ARE OF THE
CAPITAL STATE AND ARE NOT MEANT
TO BE FIGHTING FOR ORDINARY
PEOPLE.
THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO.
FOR NOW I WILL BE VOTING NO.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
I DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO CLOSE
OUT THE DEBATE WITH ADDITIONAL
REMARKS.
I FEEL THAT ALL THE ISSUES HAVE
BEEN FULLY COVERED . AGAIN, MY
INTEREST IN MOVING THIS DRAFT
BILL FORWARD IS NOT OUT OF
BELIEF THAT IT'S THE PERFECT
BILL WITH A PERFECT REGULATION.
I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE
A SHARED INTEREST ON THIS
COUNCIL AND WITH THE PUBLIC.
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO
GOVERN AND GOVERN UNDER THE
CONSTRAINTS THAT WE ARE UNDER.
I RECOGNIZE THAT MANY OF US
JOINED TOGETHER IN ASKING THAT
THE CITY ATTORNEY LAST SUMMER
WITHDRAW THE MOTION TO COME OUT
FROM UNDER THE CONSENT DECREE.
WE DO NOT KNOW. IT IS A NOT
KNOWABLE THING FOR HOW LONG WE
WILL BE UNDER THE CONSENT
DECREE AT THIS POINT.
WITH THAT, CLERK, WE PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES?
>> AYE
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> AYE
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS?
>> YES
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
>> NO .
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
>> YES.
>> FOUR IN FAVOR AND ONE
OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, ALEX.
THE LAST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA, AS
I MENTIONED AT THE START OF THE
MEETING IS BEING HELD.
I REALIZE ITEM NUMBER THREE ON
OUR AGENDA AFTER THE VOTE ON
THE SEATTLE FIRE CODE UPDATE, I
REALIZE THAT I DID NOT MAKE A
MOTION OR RECEIVE A SECOND
BEFORE ASKING THE CLERK TO CALL
FOR THE ROLLCALL VOTE.
ALEX, CAN YOU READ THE SHORT
TITLE OF COUNCIL BILL 11 1996?
>> COUNCIL BILL 1199 96 AND
ORDINANCE FOR THE NEW
CONSTRUCTION CODES ADOPTING THE
2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE BY
REFERENCE AS THE SEATTLE FIRE
CODE AMENDING CERTAIN CHAP TOURS
OF AND ADDING NEW CHAPTERS TO
THE SEATTLE FIRE CODE.
AMENDING SECTIONS 3.0 2.125, 22
POINT 600 POINT 020 AND 22 POINT
602 POINT 090 OF THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE REVEALING
SECTIONS 1 AND THREE THROUGH 35
OF ORDINANCE 125138, SECTION 1
OF ORDINANCE 125392 AND SECTION
1 THROUGH 9 OF ORDINANCE 125948
AND RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS.
>> THANK YOU, ALEX.
I MOVE COUNCIL BILL 1199 96
PASS.
SECOND, PLEASE?
>> SECOND.
CALL THE ROLE.
>> GONZALES?
>> AYE
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> AYE
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS?
>> YES
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT
>> YES
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
>> S.
>> FIVE IN FAVOR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WITH THAT, IF THERE ARE NO
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM MY
COLLEAGUES, THE NEXT PUBLIC
SAFETY AND HUMAN SERVICES
MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR
FEBRUARY 23rd.
WITH THAT, SEEING NO FURTHER
COMMENTS, WE ARE ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.