GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING
THIS BROADCAST TO ANNOUNCE THAT
THE CHAIRS BUDGETING PACKAGE
HAS BEEN RELEASED AND IS NOW
PUBLISHED ONLINE.
TODAY'S TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9th
AND THE TIME IS 2:04 P.M.
WE WANTED TO TAKE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BRING YOU THIS
LIVE STREAM SO YOU HAVE A
CHANCE TO DIVE INTO THE BUDGET
DETAILS WITH COUNCILMEMBERS AND
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE
AS WE ENTER INTO OUR
CONVERSATIONS NEXT WEDNESDAY.
BEGINNING TOMORROW WE WILL HAVE
AN OVERVIEW OF THE PREPARED FOR
FOR COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION AND
IN THE EVENING WE WILL SPEND
HOURS LISTENING TO THE MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC LISTENING TO
PRIORITIES THEY WOULD LIKE TO
SEE, ITEMS THEY ARE EXCITED
ABOUT THE WAYS WE CAN CONTINUE
TO FINALIZE THE BUDGET OVER THE
NEXT TWO WEEKS.
I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL OF
YOU WHO HAVE CONTINUED TO CALL
AND TO PROVIDE US WITH LETTERS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WHAT
YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN TERMS
OF AMENDMENTS TO THE 2022
BUDGET.
WE RECEIVED THAT 2022 BUDGET
FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
APPROXIMATELY SEVEN WEEKS AGO
AND OVER THE LAST SEVEN WEEKS
WE HAVE BEEN ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO
ADDRESS ANY ITEMS THAT
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE BEEN
FLAGGING TO MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS
THE NEEDS THAT ARE COMPOUNDING
THROUGHOUT OUR CITY AND INVEST
IN A MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE
SEATTLE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND BE
YOUR BUDGET SHARE IN THIS YEAR
2021 ON THE HEELS OF TRYING TO
GET OUT OF THIS ECONOMIC
RECESSION INDUCED BY COVID AND
IN OUR CONTINUING EFFORT TO
MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS
VACCINATED AND HEALTHY AND SAFE
IT IS BEEN MY PRIVILEGE TO BE
ABLE TO BE YOUR BUDGET CHAIR.
IN THESE TRYING TIMES IT HAS
NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT.
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE AT
STAKE IN RECENT HISTORY.
WE HAVE NOT SEEN TIMES LIKE THIS
-- SOME MONEY ON THE EDGE OF
LOSING THEIR HOMES.
IT HAS MADE SO MANY FAMILY
MEMBERS HAVE LACK OF ACCESS TO
FOOD. MAKING SURE OUR MOST
VULNERABLE INCLUDING OUR
SENIORS HAVE ACCESS TO CARE AND
COMPASSION AND HOT MEALS IS
SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE HEARD
TIME AND TIME AGAIN OVER THE
LAST FEW YEARS MUST BE
PRIORITIZED AND WE MAKE SURE TO
INVEST IN THE SHADOW PANDEMIC
AS OUR VICE CHAIR ALWAYS TALKS
ABOUT WITH THE GROWING NEED OF
BEHAVIORAL MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES AND IT IS SOMETHING WE
WANT TO PRIORITIZE IN THIS
YEAR'S BUDGET.
BY RELEASING TODAY'S BUDGET WE
HOPE THAT WHAT YOU SEE IS A
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THE
VISION FOR A MORE EQUITABLE,
JUST, SAFE, HEALTHY, AND HOUSED
SEATTLE.
THIS PAST YEAR HAS BROUGHT
TREMENDOUS CHANGE TO OUR CITY.
THIS ON TOP OF THE 10 YEARS OF
GROWTH IN OUR POPULATION, 21%
GROWTH IN OUR POPULATION OVER
THE LAST 10 YEARS WITHOUT THE
ADDED CAPACITY FOR HOUSING AND
SHELTER AND SERVICES.
WE ARE MAKING UP FOR MANY OF
THE INVESTMENTS THAT I WISH
WERE MADE 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO.
THERE IS NO TIME LIKE THE
PRESENT TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP
WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS,
WITH STATE AND LEGISLATIVE
PARTNERS WHO ARE VERY COMMITTED
TO CREATING HEALTHY
COMMUNITIES, HEALTHY FAMILIES,
HEALTHY WORKPLACES, TO MAKE
SURE THAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS --
AND LASTING IMPACTS DO NOT
LINGER AND WE COME OUT OF THIS
IS A JUST SEATTLE.
THE BUDGET CONVERSATION WE HAVE
HAD OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS
HAVE LED TO IMPORTANT
INVESTMENTS.
THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANOTHER TIME
IN RECENT MEMORY WHERE THE
BUDGET CHAIR HAS HAD TO TAKE SO
MANY DIFFERENT BUDGET ACTIONS
IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
WE HAVE WORKED THROUGHOUT THE
LAST TWO YEARS TO BRING FORWARD
INVESTMENTS THROUGH THE SADDLE
RESCUE PLAN COUPLE TOGETHER
WITH THE CORONAVIRUS RELIEF
DOLLARS AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE
ACT DOLLARS TO MAKE SURE WE
INVESTED DIRECTLY INTO THOSE
HARDEST HIT BY COVID.
INVESTMENTS -- DIRECT CASH
ASSISTANCE TO WORKERS TOTALING
UP $25 MILLION IN ADDITION TO
DIRECT ASSISTANCE THAT WE OFFER
TO IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES LEFT
OUT OF OUR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
PLAN.
WE MADE SURE THAT DIRECT CASH
ASSISTANCE WENT TO CHILD CARE
PROVIDERS WHO ARE ON THE CUSP
OF RECEIVING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS
JUST BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
THIS WILL MEAN THAT THOUSANDS
OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WHO HAVE
OF PUTTING THEIR LIFE AND HELP
THEM ALIGN TO CARE FOR KIDDOS
DURING THIS TIME IN THE
PANDEMIC HAVE THE APPRECIATION
LOCKED IN SO THEY KNOW THEIR
WORK IS VALUABLE AND THEIR WORK
MAKES OUR CITY MORE POSSIBLE.
THROUGHOUT THE LAST TWO YEARS
WE HAVE PROVIDED CRITICAL
FUNDING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE,
2 TO 3 TIMES WE HAVE NOW PASSED
RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND RAPID
HOUSING DOLLARS TO KEEP PEOPLE
AND FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES.
WE HAVE CREATED OPPORTUNITIES
FOR MORE INVESTMENTS AND
TURNKEY READY HOUSING PROJECTS
TO BUILD NEW PROJECTS AND BRING
THOUSANDS OF NEW PERMANENTLY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ONLINE
TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS SO
THEY CAN MOVE INTO THOSE UNITS
AND GET OUT OF SHELTERS SO NO
MORE INDIVIDUALS WERE LIVING
OUTSIDE CAN MOVE INTO OUR
SHELTERS.
WE HAVE DONE ADDITIONAL OUTREACH
TO THOSE WHO ARE LIVING
UNSHELTERED IN OUR COMMUNITY
AND MAKING SURE THOSE WHO HAVE
LIVED EXPERIENCE IS OF BEING
HOMELESS HAVE THE RESOURCES AND
THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND
WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR
NEW REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS
AUTHORITY AND WE ARE MAKING
INVESTMENTS IN THIS BUDGET TO
CONTINUE OUR COMMITMENT TO DO
OUTREACH AND GET INDIVIDUALS
INTO NON-CONGREGANTS SHELTER
AND MAKE SURE WE CREATE SAFE
LAWS FOR HEALTHIER AND SAFER
PLACES FOR INDIVIDUALS WERE
LIVING IN CARS OR RVS TO BE
ABLE TO STAY HOUSED.
HALF OF OUR HOMELESS POPULATION
CURRENTLY LIVES IN VEHICLES
WHICH IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT
TO MAKING SURE WE ARE CARING
FOR PEOPLE AS WE SEEK TO GET
THEM HOUSED.
IN RESPONSE TO LAST YEAR'S
NATIONAL CALL -- INVEST IN
SYSTEMS THAT CENTER HEALTH AND
SAFETY FOR OUR BLACK INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE OF COLOR COMMUNITIES IN
THE WAKE -- RACIAL RECOGNITION
IN THIS MOMENT, WE HAVE SHIFTED
$80 MILLION TOWARDS COMMUNITY
SAFETY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES.
INVESTMENTS INTO COMMUNITIES
THAT HELP REDUCE THE CHANCE
THAT AN INDIVIDUAL EVER ATTRACT
WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OR THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO
BEGIN WITH BY CREATING RATER
STABILITY AND HEALTHIER
COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE DONE ALL OF THIS WHILE
CREATING GREATER HOUSING AND
ECONOMIC STABILITY THAT WAS
ALREADY DEMANDED UPON US BEFORE
COVID HIT.
WE HAVE DONE THIS BY USING THE
JUMPSTART PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
IN THIS PACKAGE AND WE HAVE
CREATED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US
TO NOT BE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION
THAT FAR TOO MANY OTHER CITIES
ACROSS -- CURRENTLY DOING.
SO MANY CITIES SIMILAR TO
SEATTLE AND POPULATION SIZE
HAVE HAD TO REDUCE, HAVE HAD TO
REDUCE TO CUTS IN SERVICES,
LAYOFFS, AND POSTERITY
BUDGETING BUT NOT US.
NOT HERE IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE
BECAUSE WE ACTED WITH URGENCY
AND THE PAST THE JUMPSTART
PROGRAM.
WE PREPARED, WORKED THROUGH
PARTNERSHIPS, WE DID THE HARD
WORK TO BRING IN DIVERSE VOICES
THAT HAVE NOT ALWAYS AGREED AND
WE PASSED JUMPSTART PROGRESSIVE
REVENUE.
THIS IS WHY WE ARE ABLE TO
BRING TO YOU A BUDGET THIS YEAR
THAT IS NOT AN AUSTERITY CUT
BUDGET, THAT DOES NOT RESTORE
RESORT TO LAYOFFS, THAT IS ABLE
TO INVEST IN OUR MOST HONORABLE
COMMUNITIES WHILE INVESTING IN
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO HOUSE
PEOPLE AND TO GET AROUND THE
CITY WITH BRIDGES AND ROADS AND
TRANSPORTATION, ALTERNATIVES
LIKE SAFE BIKING PATHS AND
SAFER PLACES FOR COMMUNITIES TO
WALK AND ENJOY.
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WAS ALREADY
ONE THAT DEMANDED OF US TO
CREATE A MORE EQUITABLE AND
JUST -- WHILE THE AVERAGE AREA
MEDIAN INCOME IN SEATTLE HAS
GROWN IN THE LAST 10 YEARS,
INCOME INEQUALITY HAS ALSO
GROWN.
THIS WOULD BE TRUE IF COVID HAD
NEVER COME TO SEATTLE.
SO AS YOUR CHAIR BUDGET IT HAS
BEEN MY PRIORITY TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN
CREATING A MORE JUST AND SOUND
ECONOMY THAT CENTERS INVESTMENTS
AND WORKERS, SMALL BUSINESSES,
AND CREATES GREATER
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL TO GET --
IN OUR CITY.
THE INVESTMENTS WE ARE MAKING
INTO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET ARE IN
LARGE PART ONLY BECAUSE OF
JUMPSTART PAYROLL TAX.
ANY INVESTMENTS THAT YOU SEE
OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S ARE
TRULY BEING MADE POSSIBLE
BECAUSE OF THE JUMPSTART
PAYROLL TAX BEING AVAILABLE FOR
MEETING INVESTMENTS AND RENTAL
RELIEF, CHILDCARE, SMALL
BUSINESS CASH ASSISTANCE,
DIRECT PAYMENTS TO THOSE WHO
ARE OFTEN LEFT BEHIND IN
FEDERAL POLICY INTO COMMUNITIES
AND WORKERS WHO ARE OFTEN PUT
ON THE BACK BURNER.
JUMP START SIMULTANEOUSLY
CREATED FLEXIBILITY,
SUSTAINABILITY, AND
ACCOUNTABILITY BY CREATING THE
FUND THAT WE PASSED TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE MONEY IS COMING
IN AND THAT WE KNOW EXACTLY
WHERE IT IS BEING ALLOCATED SO
WE CAN HAVE SUSTAINABILITY AND
PREDICTABILITY FOR YEARS TO
COME.
TODAY WE HAVE PROOF OF THAT.
IN THESE MOST PRESSING TIMES WE
HAD ALREADY KNOWN THAT WE
WOULD'VE NEEDED TO RESPOND TO
THE URGENT CRISES FACING OUR
COMMUNITY.
LAST WEEK WE RECEIVED SOME BAD
NEWS.
OUR REVENUE PREDICTIONS WERE
NOT ALIGNING WITH THE ACTUAL
FORECAST THAT CAME OUT FROM THE
FORECAST OFFICE LAST WEDNESDAY
AND THE DECREASE IN ANTICIPATED
REVENUE, IN ADDITION TO THE
HISTORIC COMPOUNDING NEEDS OF
OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE NEEDED TO
ACT WITH URGENCY TO CREATE A
BALANCED BUDGET WHILE STILL
MAINTAINING OUR COMMITMENTS TO
CREATING A HEALTHY, SAFE HIM A
AND HOUSED SEATTLE.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT SOME OF THESE
INVESTMENTS.
MOST NOTABLY 190 MILLION DOLLARS
OF THIS BUDGET IS GOING TO
CREATE NEW, PERMANENTLY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOUSING
WITH COMMUNITY FOCUSED
ACQUISITION, RENTAL
OPPORTUNITIES AND FIRST-TIME
HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND
THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY $97
MILLION IN NEW JUMPSTART
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING.
THE TOTAL OF 100 -- AFFORDABLE
HOUSING ALLOWS US TO INVEST IN
HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE
EXITING HOMELESSNESS.
ACTUALLY HAVE MORE COMMUNITIES
AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES
HARDEST HIT BY DISPLACEMENT AND
THAT IS OUR BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF COMMUNITIES
SITE CONTROL AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, AND WE ARE CREATING NO
HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO
GET AT GENERATIONAL POVERTY.
THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR
US TO LIFT UP HOW INVESTMENTS
IN HOUSING CAN HELP US BUILD
WEALTH AND CREATE AN END, A
PATHWAY OUT OF PAST
DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES THAT
HAVE LOST LEFT FAR TOO MANY
BEHIND.
WE WILL GET INTO SOME OTHER
AREAS IN A MOMENT.
I THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO
HAVE A GROUNDING AND
UNDERSTANDING OF HOW WE HAVE
IDENTIFIED REVENUE SOURCES TO
DEAL WITH THE SHORTFALL THAT
WAS ANNOUNCED LAST WEDNESDAY
AND HOW WE AS A COUNCIL WORKING
WITH CENTRAL STAFF IN MY OFFICE
AS BUDGET CHAIR, HOW WE HAVE
WORKED TO TRY TO REALIGN OUR
JUMPSTART INVESTMENTS WITH THE
POLICY THAT WAS CODIFIED INTO
LAW TO MAKE SURE WE FREED UP
FUNDING TO GO INTO THOSE
CRITICAL INVESTMENTS ALREADY
IDENTIFIED IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TURN
IT OVER TO OUR CENTRAL STAFF
DIRECTOR.
I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR ESTHER
HANDY FOR ALL THE WORK SHE AND
HER TEAM HAVE DONE TO THE LAST
COUPLE OF WEEKS AND TO GIVE YOU
A SENSE OF ALL OF THE WORK THAT
HAS BEEN DONE IN THE LAST SEVEN
WEEKS TO CREATE A BALANCED
BUGET IN LIGHT OF THE REVENUE
FORECAST AND HOW WE HAVE
REALIGNED OUR JUMPSTART
PRIORITIES.
I WILL TURN IT OVER TO ESTHER
AND I WILL COME BACK SO WE CAN
TALK ABOUT THE INVESTMENTS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER AND BUDGET CHAIR
TERESA MOSQUEDA.
I AM ESTHER HANDY, DIRECTOR OF
THE COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF AND
I'M GOING TO WALK TO SOME OF
OUR ANALYSIS ON THIS BUDGET AND
HOW WE GOT TO DEVELOP THE
PACKAGE THAT IS PUBLISHED TODAY.
AS THE CHAIR MENTIONED WE
RECEIVED THE BUDGET ON
SEPTEMBER 27th AND OUR TEAM DUG
INTO UNDERSTAND THE BASELINE.
WE QUICKLY IDENTIFIED SEVERAL
KEY ISSUES IN THE MAYOR'S 2022
PROPOSED BUDGET.
THE FIRST IS A BASELINE WE KNEW
THAT EVEN PRIOR TO THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC THE COST UPON GOING
GENERAL FUND SERVICES HAS BEEN
GROWING AND OUTPACING REVENUE
GROWTH.
WITHOUT ACTION BY THE COUNCIL
IN 2020 TO PASS THE JUMPSTART
HUNTING BILL AND PROVIDE A NEW
RESOURCE OF PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
THIS WOULD CERTAINLY GIVE ALL
CUTS BUDGET REDUCING SERVICES
ACROSS THE CITY.
THE MAYOR BALANCED HER PROPOSED
BUDGET BY USING FEDERAL
RESOURCES AND BY APPLYING $128
MILLION OF REVENUE FROM THE
JUMPSTART ON WHICH IS $62
MILLION HIGHER THAN ALLOWED BY
CURRENT POLICY AND IT WOULD'VE
REDUCED THE CAPACITY OF THE
JUMPSTART FUND TO SUPPORT
IMPORTANT PROGRAMS WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT LIKE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING INVESTMENTS AND A LIKE
AMOUNT IN 2023 AND BEYOND.
IN ADDITION, THIS PROPOSED
BUDGET WAS BALANCED TO AN
AUGUST REVENUE FORECAST BY THE
STATE BUDGET OFFICE THAT
ASSUMED NEARLY FULL RETURN TO
WORK BY MAJOR EMPLOYERS THIS
FALL.
AN ISSUE WE DISCUSSED IN
COMMITTEE, THE COUNCIL MEMBERS
DISCUSSED IT IN SEPTEMBER AS
POSSIBLY OVERLY OPTIMISTIC GIVEN
THE ONGOING PANDEMIC.
SO THE MEMBERS OF THE BUDGET
COMMITTEE HAVE SPENT SEVERAL
WEEKS DISCUSSING THESE ISSUES
AND IDENTIFYING KEY POLICY
QUESTIONS.
AS WE HAVE DONE SO, LAST WEEK
ON WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 3rd THE
CITY BUDGET OFFICE PROVIDED
THEIR FINAL ECONOMIC AND
REVENUE FORECAST HERE AS THEY
DO EACH NOVEMBER PART WAY
THROUGH OUR BUDGET PROCESS.
THAT FORECAST SHOWS WHAT
COUNCIL STAFF -- BACK IN AUGUST
THAT THE REVENUE PROJECTIONS
THAT THE MAYORS BUDGET WERE
BUILT ON OPTIMISTIC AND THAT THE
2022 PROPOSED BUDGET COULD NOT
BE FULLY FUNDED AS PROPOSED.
SPECIFICALLY, THAT REVENUE
FORECAST SHOWED A PROJECTED
INCREASE IN GENERAL FUND
REVENUES OF $50 MILLION.
LARGELY DRIVEN BY DELAYS IN
RETURN TO WORK DUE TO THE
INCREASE IN THE DELTA VARIANT
CASES THIS FALL, IT IMPACTED
THE PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX, SALES
TAX AND --
>> THE TOTAL DOWNWARD REJECTION
S WERE OFFSET BY AN UPTICK IN
BUSINESS AND OCCUPATION TASKS
DUE TO, FOR A NET DECREASE IN
GENERAL FUND PROJECTED REVENUE
OF $15 MILLION.
THE GENERAL FUND IS WHAT WE
TALKED THE MOST ABOUT BECAUSE
IT FUNDS SO MANY VITAL SERVICES
. OUTSIDE THE GENERAL FUND WITH
THE FORECAST PROJECTED SEVERAL
OTHERS WITH DECREASES.
THAT INCLUDED AN $8.4 MILLION
DECREASE IN THE COMMERCIAL
PARKING TAX DUE TO FEWER PEOPLE
-- FOR WORK AND COMMERCIAL
ACTIVITY, IMPORTANT SOURCE OF
FUNDING ACTIVITY FOR OUR
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND
SMALLER BUT SIGNIFICANT
DECREASES -- UNPACK THE
SPECIFIC PROGRAMS THEY FUND
LIKE THE 4.5 LEEDAHL DECREASE
TO THE SUITE AND BEVERAGE TAX
AND A $5.1 MILLION PROJECTED
DECREASE TO SCHOOL ZONE CAMERAS.
THE BRIGHT SPOT IN THE REVENUE
FORECAST WAS THE $26 MILLION
UPTICK IN REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX
, A RESULT OF A CONTINUINGLY
HOT RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
REAL ESTATE MARKET.
AND SO BEFORE ANY OTHER ACTION,
THE COUNCIL'S FIRST JOB WAS TO
ADDRESS THESE PROJECTED LOSSES
AND REVENUES.
$15 MILLION OF THE GENERAL
FUND, $19 MILLION IN RECOVERED
FUNDS, TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.
I WILL WALK THROUGH A COUPLE OF
STEPS THE COUNCIL HAS TAKEN TO
DO SO AND HANDED BACK TO THE
CHAIR TO TALK ABOUT WHAT NEEDS
TO BE FUNDED.
THE FIRST THING THE COUNCIL DID
IS THEY GOT TO WORK TO ADDRESS
THE SHORTFALLS AND ISSUES
UNDERLYING THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
THE FIRST ACTION TAKEN BY THE
CHAIR WAS TO WRITE AN AMENDMENT
THAT RESTORED THE JUMPSTART
FUND POLICY PRIORITIES TO
CURRENT POLICIES ADOPTED IN
ORDINANCE JULY 2022.
THE BALANCING PACKAGE PUBLISHED
TODAY MATCHES CURRENT POLICIES
BY ALLOWING $85 MILLION OF
JUMPSTART FUNDS TO BE USED TO
SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND
BROADLY.
THIS PRESERVES EXISTING PROGRAMS
WHILE TAX REVENUES RECOVER IN
THE PANDEMIC.
THE SECOND, $149 MILLION IN
DEFINED JUMPSTART POLICY
PRIORITIES, THE MAJORITY GOING
TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PRESERVATION.
THIS AMENDMENT ALSO --
EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES
PRIORITIES AND PART IS
INVENTORY BUDGET TO ENSURE
THERE IS A TOTAL OF $30 MILLION
AVAILABLE FOR EACH OF THESE
PROGRAMS USING A COMBINATION OF
UNSPENT MONEY IN 2021 A NEW
FUNDING AND 2022.
THESE ADJUSTMENTS ARE PAIRED
WITH THE LEGISLATIVE EXTENT AND
THE COUNSELOR WILL WORK WITH
THE NEW -- IDENTIFY A
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE SOURCE OR
AN EQUITABLE FUNDING STRATEGY
TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS IN AN
ONGOING WAY IN THE FUTURE. THEY
ARE FUNDED ONE TIME IN THIS
BUDGET.
NEXT, COUNCILMEMBERS IDENTIFIED
OTHER AREAS WHERE PROPOSED
SPENDING COULD BE CUT, LARGELY
CAPTURING ADDITIONAL UNSPENT
RESOURCES IN 2022, FUNDING THAT
DID NOT ALIGN WITH COUNSEL
PRIORITIES.
THESE ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS
INCLUDE REDEPLOYING ABOUT 6 1/2
BILLION DOLLARS OF FEDERAL
FUNDS FOR RAPID REHOUSING INTO
RELATED BETTER LEVERAGE
PROGRAMS IN 2022 AND A $10
MILLION REDUCTION TO THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
CAPTURING SALARY SAVINGS,
REDUCING FUNDING FOR A FEW
TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS, OVERTIME
HIRING INCENTIVES AND NEW
PROGRAM EXPANSIONS.
THIS BALANCING PACKAGE INCLUDES
A $23 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO
THE FISCAL RESERVE FOLLOWING
THE EXECUTIVES PROPOSED PATH TO
FULLY RESTORE THE CITY RESERVES
ON A FIVE YEAR TIME HORIZON TO
PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.
TWO MORE PIECES OF
TRANSPORTATION RELATED ITEMS,
AND THE TRANSPORTATION FUND THE
BALANCING PACKAGE ADDRESSES
REVENUE SHORTFALLS AND THE NEED
TO CONTINUE INVESTMENT IN
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ABILITY
AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROPOSING
A 2% INCREASE IN THE COMMERCIAL
PARKING TAX, WHICH IS PROJECTED
TO GENERATE AN ADDITIONAL $2.9
MILLION NEXT YEAR AND TWICE THAT
IN SOME SEQUENTIAL YEARS.
THE PACKAGE AUTHORIZES THE CITY
TO ISSUE UP TO $100 MILLION IN
FUNDS NEXT YEAR FROM RIDGE
REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE.
FIRST YEAR OF DEBT SERVICE AND
REQUEST EXECUTIVE TO REPAIR A
REPORT FOR ISSUANCES BY MARCH
2022.
WITH THESE ADJUSTMENTS COMPLETE
, THE COUNCIL THEN WAS ABLE TO
GO TO WORK TO MAKE MODEST
INVESTMENTS IN SEVERAL CRITICAL
AREAS, MOST IMPORTANT TO CITY
RESIDENTS.
I WILL HANDED OVER TO TERESA
MOSQUEDA AND THEN TO MY
COLLEAGUE, ALY PENNUCI.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH
DIRECTOR ESTHER HANDY.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR
TEAM AGAIN AND I WILL THINK ALY
PENNUCI IN A MOMENT BUT THE
ENTIRE TEAM, INCLUDING TOM FOR
ALL OF THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE
TO IDENTIFY EVERY POSSIBLE
REVENUE SOURCE AND TO QUICKLY
IDENTIFY WHEN THERE WERE ERRORS
IN THE INITIAL COMPUTING OF THE
REVENUE PROJECTIONS TO TRY TO
IDENTIFY ANY ADDITIONAL SOURCES
FOR THE COUNCILMEMBERS TO BE
ABLE TO INCLUDE THEIR PRIORITIES
-- IMPRESSIVE WORK AND I THANK
YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE
AND I'M VERY GLAD YOU ARE HERE.
I DO WANT TO ALSO ADD TO A
DIRECTOR ESTHER HANDY MENTION
AND TO REMIND FOLKS THAT IN
SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR I, ALONG
WITH SEVERAL OF MY COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES DURING OUR FINANCE
HOUSING COMMITTEE HAD A CHANCE
TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
PROPOSED USE OF REVENUE IN THE
EXISTING BUDGET AND TO BE ABLE
TO ASK QUESTIONS THE EASE OF
THE BASELINE FORECAST, WE DID
RAISE A NUMBER OF CONCERNS
ABOUT USING THAT BASELINE
FORECAST AND I THINK IT IS
ALWAYS GOOD TO TRY TO BE
OPTIMISTIC BUT TO PLAN FOR
WORST CASE SCENARIO, WE ARE
DOING OUR VERY BEST IN THE
BUDGET HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE ARE INVESTING IN ONGOING
COVID RELIEF, INVESTING AND
STRONG AND HEALTHY ECONOMIES
AND WE ARE HELPING TO MAKE SURE
FOLKS STAY HOUSED AND SAFE SO
WE CAN HAVE STRONGER REVENUE
RECEIPT IN THE FUTURE.
THE NEWS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM
LAST WEDNESDAY WAS PRETTY
CHALLENGING TO TRY TO ADDRESS,
THIS MOMENT WERE RECEIVED
INCREDIBLE -- AS DIRECTOR
ESTHER HANDY NOTED THE GOOD
NEWS IS THE CITY'S FISCAL
HEALTH IS IN GOOD STANDING.
THE PROGNOSIS REMAINS STRONG.
THE B&O TAXES AND REAL ESTATE
EXCISE TAXES ARE INCREASING.
DIRECTOR HANDY NOTICED THE USE
OF HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED --
TAX AND THAT IS A REALLY
IMPORTANT MEASURE OF STRENGTH
AND STABILITY IN THEIR LOCAL,
ECONOMIES SO I WANTED TO MAKE
SURE WE LEFT THAT UP AND I WANT
TO THANK MEMBERS OF THE BUDGET
OFFICE, ESPECIALLY DIRECTOR BEN
NOBLE FOR THEIR WORK WITH OUR
OFFICE AND CENTRAL STAFF AS WE
HAVE ALL BEEN WORKING DAY AND
NIGHT TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE HAVE THE BEST PREDICTIONS TO
INVEST IN OUR 2022 BUDGET SO
THANK YOU VERY MUCH DIRECTOR
NOBLE.
THE OTHER GOOD NEWS IS OUR
VACCINATION RATES IN SEATTLE
REMAIN HIGH. WE CONTINUE TO SEE
STABILITY IN TERMS OF
HOSPITALIZATION RATES AND WE
ALSO KNOW THAT OUR OFFICE RENT
INCREASES ARE GOING TO BE
HITTING THE MARKET HERE.
WE HAVE SEEN MORE PEOPLE
SEEKING TO OPEN MORE BUSINESSES
AND THAT IS A GOOD SIGN OF
FUTURE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY TO
COME.
BUT WITH RETURN TO WORK
CONTINUALLY DELAYED WE DO NEED
TO ACCOUNT FOR THE DELAY IN
COMMERCIAL PARKING TAX.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR CITIES
PAYROLL TAX AND COMMERCIAL
PARKING TAX HAVE BEEN
ADEQUATELY AND APPROPRIATELY
SCALED IN THIS BUDGET, WHICH
THEY HAVE NOW BEEN.
AND WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY
TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE
INVESTMETS AND EVERY
OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN TO
INVESTING COUNSEL PRIORITIES
WHICH TRULY ARE A REFLECTION OF
OUR COMMUNITIES PRIORITIES,
IDENTIFY EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR TO
USE.
AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, IT COULD
NOT BE MORE PRESSING.
I THINK EVERY COUNCILMEMBER HAS
SEEN THE SAME ISSUES, SIMILAR
ISSUES ACROSS OUR CITY NO
MATTER IF YOU ARE DISTRICT OR
CITYWIDE COUNCILMEMBERS.
THEY SUBMITTED THEIR AMENDMENTS
UNDER THE FOLLOWING THEMES.
MAKING SURE WE ARE CREATING
HOUSING STABILITY, ADDRESSING
HOMELESSNESS, ADDRESSING FOOD
INSECURITY AND CONCERNS FOR THE
MOST VULNERABLE.
INCLUDING CARE FOR OUR SENIORS
AND ADDRESSING -- WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE OUR INVESTMENTS IN
THIS BUDGET ARE ALIGNED WITH
THE NEED FOR INFUSION OF
DOLLARS INTO THE HUMAN
INFRASTRUCTURE AS HAS BEEN
DISCUSSED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL
QUITE A BIT AS WELL AS MAKING
SURE OUR CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
HAS INVESTMENTS TO BUILD THE
CITY OF THE FUTURE TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE ARE CLIMATE RESILIENT
AND OUR COMMUNITIES STAY
CONNECTED AND ARE THRIVING.
AS WE CONTINUE TO RECOVER FROM
COVID-19 WE ARE BUILDING OR A
CITY OF THE FUTURE, CITY THAT
DRIVES PEOPLE TO COME TO HIS
DOWNTOWN CORE AND ENJOY --
ACROSS OUR CITY.
WE ARE DOING THAT THROUGH
INVESTMENTS AND WHAT MAKES THE
CITY A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE IN,
TO WORK IN, TO VISIT, TO BE AN
ACTIVIST IN, TO STUDY AND, TO
RAISE YOUR FAMILY AND RETIRE IN.
I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE
OPPORTUNITY OF THIS PROPOSED
BALANCING PACKAGE AND I BELIEVE
THIS IS A REFLECTION IN MANY
WAYS OF HOW THE COUNCIL HAS
COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN AN
EQUITABLE RECOVERY WHILE
MAINTAINING GOOD, FINANCIAL
PRACTICES.
OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS CENTRAL
STAFF AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING
DILIGENTLY TO PULL TOGETHER A
BUDGET THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY
MAINTAINS CRITICAL INVESTMENTS
IN CITY SERVICES, INVESTS IN
CREE PRIORITIES LIKE
HOMELESSNESS, TRAUMA AND FORM
SERVICES, EQUITABLE SAFETY,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MAKING SURE
WE ARE FINALLY INVESTING IN AND
ENSURING GOOD GOVERNANCE AND
INVESTMENT IN OUR CITY'S FUTURE.
THOSE THREE THEMES, CRITICAL
SERVICES FOR OUR CITY, KEY
PRIORITIES TO ADDRESS THE
SHUTTER PANDEMIC AND
INVESTMENTS IN GOOD GOVERNANCE
ARE WHAT DRIVES US TO PRESENT
TO YOU THE PROPOSED PACKAGE IN
FRONT OF US TODAY.
COUNCILMEMBERS, AS YOU MAY HAVE
HEARD ME SAY BEFORE
COUNCILMEMBERS WHO ARE VERY
BUSY WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE COMMUNITIES PRIORITIES WERE
REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET
AMENDMENT.
WE HAD ALMOST 200 AMENDMENTS
THAT WERE SUBMITTED BY
COUNCILMEMBERS AND THIS IS A
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT MORE THAN WE
RECEIVED LAST YEAR, ABOUT ONE
OF 20 OR SO.
WE DO SEE SIMILAR THEMES,
MAKING SURE OUR HOMELESS
COMMUNITY HAS SERVICES NOT ONLY
TO BE HEALTHY AND SAFE OUTSIDE
BUT THAT WE MOVE FOLKS INSIDE
IN A HUMANE AND SAFE WAY BY
OFFERING THEM ACCESS TO
APPROPRIATE, NONCOGNITIVE
SHELTER SERVICES AND LONG-TERM
HOUSING STABILITY.
WE SEE CONTINUED INVESTMENTS IN
AMENDMENTS THAT CENTER AROUND
THEMES OF COMMUNITY AND
ECONOMIC RECOVERY, EQUITABLE
HOUSING, EQUITABLE COMMUNITY
SAFETY, AND INVESTMENTS IN A
RESILIENT SEATTLE FOR OUR
FUTURES WANT TO THANK OUR
COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR CONTINUED
WORK AND FOR REFLECTING WHAT
YOU HAVE -- COMMUNITY AS YOU
PUT TOGETHER YOUR AMENDMENTS.
I WISH I COULD'VE DONE MORE.
I WISH THIS BUDGET WAS ABLE TO
OFFER FUNDING FOR EVERY SINGLE
AMENDMENT THAT WAS SUBMITTED
AND THAT WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
TO INVEST IN THE FULL AMOUNT.
GIVEN THE BUDGET RESTRAINTS WE
HAVE AND THE NEED TO MAKE SURE
WE WERE INVESTING IN A HOLISTIC
-- WE WERE NOT ABLE TO
ACCOMMODATE EVERY SINGLE ONE
BUT I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE
BEEN ABLE TO OFFER TO -- AND I
HOPE OUR COMMUNITY HAS A CHANCE
TO DIG INTO THIS BUDGET BEFORE
TOMORROW NIGHT AND IDENTIFY
SOME OF THEIR PRIORITIES AND
SEE THOSE REFLECTED IN THE
BUDGET.
I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO ALY
PENNUCI, OUR LEAD ON CENTRAL
STAFF FOR THE BUDGET
DISCUSSIONS AND ASK ELLIE TO
PROVIDE A HIGH-LEVEL OVERVIEW
OF SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS
INCLUDED AND I WILL CLOSE WITH
A FEW ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO
HIGHLIGHT AND A NOTE THAT I
WANT TO EXPECT IN OUR
DELIBERATIONS TO COME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU CHAIRMAN AND
DIRECTOR, I'M ALY PENNUCI
POLICY BUDGET MANAGER FOR
COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF.
I'M GOING TO WALK THROUGH A
SUMMARY OF THE BALANCING
PACKAGE THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE
INVESTMENTS IN KEY PRIORITY
POLICY AREAS FOR THE COUNCIL
AND WE WILL ALSO REFLECT A
LITTLE BIT ON HOW THIS BALANCING
PACKAGE AS DIRECTOR HANDY
DESCRIBED, NOT ONLY INCREASES
OR REDIRECTS INVESTMENTS IN
THESE AREAS, BUT TO SUPPORT KEY
ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY BUT
ALSO BUILD ON THE FUNDS THAT
ARE SECURED THROUGH CHAIRMAN
TERESA MOSQUEDA'S -- JUMPSTART
FUNDING.
I WILL START WITH THE
INVESTMENTS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AND HOMELESS SERVICES.
IN ADDITION TO THE $97 MILLION
INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING THAT IS
SECUREDIN THE JUMPSTART FUND
ON AN ONGOING BASIS, ALMOST
DOUBLING THE BASE FOR
ANNUAL BASIS, THE PACKAGE AN
INCLUDES ABOUT $80 MILLION OF
INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERVICES.
WITH THE BULK OF THAT IN THE
HOMELESS SERVICES CATEGORY.
THE NEXT MAIN CATEGORY WE HAVE
DESCRIBED AS CONNECTED COMMUNITY
AND THRIVING ECONOMY.
THIS INCLUDES INVESTMENTS IN
ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION,
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, CLEAN
AND CONNECTED CITIES LIKE
INVESTMENTS IN PARKS AND GREEN
CITY PROGRAMS, SUSTAINABILITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
TRANSPORTATION.
ON TOP OF THE $40 MILLION
INCLUDED IN THE JUMPSTART FUND
FOR EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVES, $22 MILLION FOR
ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AND $14
MILLION FOR GREEN NEW DEAL
INVESTMENTS, THE BALANCING
PACKAGE INCLUDES ANOTHER $1.2
MILLION AFTER APPROXIMATELY
INVESTMENTS IN ECONOMIC
REVITALIZATION, ALMOST $1
MILLION IN CLEAN AND CONNECTED
COMMUNITIES, $1.3 MILLION FOR
WORK TO SUPPORT THE PLANNING
DEVELOPMENT AND PERMITTING WORK
INCLUDING INVESTMENTS TO
SUPPORT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
AND THE WORK TO DEVELOP A LONG-
TERM STRATEGY FOR THE GROWTH OF
THE CITY.
OVER $2 MILLION IN
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT
INVESTMENTS AND OVER ALMOST $12
MILLION OF INVESTMENTS IN
TRANSPORTATION, NOT INCLUDING
THE AUTHORIZATION OF INVESTMENTS
TO ISSUE BONDS TO SUPPORT
BRIDGE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.
AGAIN, THAT WAS ABOUT $24
MILLION IN THE CONNECTED
COMMUNITY AND THRIVING ECONOMY
CATEGORY.
THE NEXT CATEGORY IS HEALTHY
AND SAFE COMMUNITIES.
THIS INCLUDES INVESTMENTS IN
THE CRITICAL, -- EXCUSE ME,
CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND
POLICING.
IN THE SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
AND BEHAVIORAL MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES, FOOD SECURITY,
RESPONDING TO GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE, INVESTMENTS IN YOUTH
EDUCATION, SAME CULTURE.
IN PROMOTING LEGAL SYSTEMS AND
ALTERNATIVES THERE IS A $10
MILLION REDUCTION IN TRADITIONAL
PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENTS AND
$7 MILLION INCREASE IN SPENDING
IN ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING AND
DIVERSION AND THOSE TYPES OF
PROGRAMS SO THAT IS A $3.8
MILLION REDUCTION BUT OVERALL
THE BALANCING PACKAGE IS
PRIORITIZING INVESTMENTS IN
ALTERNATIVES.
THERE IS ALSO ABOUT $5.1 MILLION
AND THE FIRE AND BEHAVIORAL
MENTAL HEALTH CATEGORY AND
ALMOST $6 MILLION INVESTMENTS
IN FOOD SECURITY, $1.7 MILLION
IN RESPONSE TO GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE AND ALMOST $6 MILLION
OF INVESTMENTS AND PROGRAMS TO
SUPPORT YOUTH, EDUCATION, ARTS,
AND CULTURE.
SO TOMORROW WE WILL PROVIDE
MORE DETAILS AND HAVE THESE
NUMBERS SUMMARIZED AND HAVE A
PRESENTATION AVAILABLE TO THE
PUBLIC BUT FOR TODAY THAT IS A
HIGH-LEVEL SUMMARY OF THE
BALANCING PACKAGE THAT WE WILL
BE DISCUSSING THROUGHOUT THIS
WEEK.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ALLIE.
THANK YOU TO YOU AND TO EVERY
SINGLE CENTRAL STAFF ANALYST
WHO HAS HELPED TO PROVIDE THE
DETAILS AND THE POLICY BEHIND
EACH ONE OF THESE BUDGET ADS
AND I WANT TO THANK EVERY
MEMBER OF CENTRAL STAFF FOR
WORKING ROUND-THE-CLOCK THESE
LAST FEW WEEKS.
AS SHE NOTED THERE ARE
MATERIALS CURRENTLY BEING
FINALIZED RIGHT NOW SO FOR
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO
ARE WATCHING THIS PRESENTATION,
FOR TOMORROW MORNINGS SELECT
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING WE
WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
WALK THROUGH THE SUMMARY
DOCUMENTS AND YOU WILL HAVE A
CHANCE TO SEE IN DETAIL THE
INFORMATION THAT ALY HAS JUST
OUTLINED IN ADDITION TO THE
INFORMATION THAT DIRECTOR HANDY
STARTED WITH IN TERMS OF WHERE
THE REVENUE SOURCES ARE COMING
FROM AND HOW WE MANAGED TO
BALANCE THE BUDGET.
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN
TOMORROW TO GET A DETAILED
ANALYSIS OF WHAT THE BUDGET
INCLUDES AS OUR PROPOSED --
BEING REVIEWED BY
COUNCILMEMBERS RIGHT NOW.
WE CAN LIFT TO YOU ON SEATTLE
CHANNEL JUST AS WE WERE POSTING
THE PROPOSED BUDGET TO OUR
AGENDA SO THAT EVERYONE WAS
RECEIVING THIS BRIEFING TO GIVE
YOU MORE ADVANCE NOTICE ABOUT
THE DETAILS IN THAT BUDGET.
MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE
BEEN ASKING FOR THIS AND
INITIALLY WE HAD PLANNED TO
HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON
WEDNESDAY AS WE WERE PLANNING
TO ROLL OUT THE PROPOSED BUDGET
AND FOLKS HAVE ASKED CAN WE
HAVE MORE TIME TO REVIEW THE
PROPOSED BUDGET, BOTH COUNCIL
MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE
COMMUNITY, THAT SEEMS
IMPERATIVE.
I WANT TO THANK STAFF FOR THE
WORK THEY HAVE DONE TO LAUNCH
OUR CHAIRS PROPOSED BUDGETING
PACKAGE TODAY INSTEAD OF
TOMORROW AND FOR THE
COUNCILMEMBERS TIME TOMORROW
MORNING TO WALK THROUGH THESE
DETAILS.
I DO WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH A
FEW REALLY CRITICAL INVESTMENTS
THAT WE HAVE MADE IN THIS
PROPOSED BUDGET.
WE HAVE MADE INVESTMENTS IN
HEALTH AND SAFETY AS ALY NOTED
BY MAKING SURE THERE IS
EQUITABLE INVESTMENTS IN
TRANSPORTATION, A FOCUS ON
SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND
WHAT TO THINK COUNCIL MEMBERS
MARLYS, PETERSON, -- PROVIDED
AMENDMENTS ALONG WITH SIMILAR
LINES OF INVESTING IN
SIDEWALKS, BIKE LANES, SAFE
STREETS, BRIDGES AND CROSSINGS
IN THE SOUTH END AND NORTH END.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE THANK
COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES WHO
MAKES SURE WE INFUSE A PORTION
OF THIS BUDGET TOWARDS CITYWIDE
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR
FUTURE VISION FOR PEDESTRIAN
ORIENTED STREETS AND PLAZAS.
THOSE SUPER BLOCKS WE HAVE BEEN
TALKING ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CREATE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD UPON THE
ACTIVATION OF OUR STREETSCAPE
THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THIS TIME
OF COVID AND WE DO SO AROUND
ACCESS TO TRANSIT ORIENTED
DEVELOPMENT, AROUND OUR LIGHT
RAIL STATIONS AND ALL OF THE
POSSIBILITIES THAT ARE AFFORDED
TO US AS WE THINK ABOUT WHAT
THE CITY OF THE FUTURE SHOULD
LOOK LIKE.
THIS PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT TO
CENTER, HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED
FOR US TO FOCUS ON DIGITAL
EQUITY AND I WANT TO THANK
COUNSELOR PETERSON FOR HIS WORK
TO INVEST IN THIS BUDGET AND
DIGITAL NAVIGATORS, TECHNOLOGY
MATCHING FUNDS, MAKING SURE THE
EXECUTIVE WILL DELIVER A REPORT
ON INTERNET FOR ALL.
I WANT TO THANK MEMBERS WHO
HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH US TO
MAKE SURE WE ARE CONTINUING TO
STAND UP ALTERNATIVES TO
TRADITIONAL POLICING AS ALY
NOTED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
RIGHTSIZING OUR RESPONSES SO
THERE ARE COMMUNITY
ALTERNATIVES AND THE RIGHT
PERSON SHOWING UP WHEN THERE IS
A MOMENT OF CRISIS BUT IF IT
DOES NOT REQUIRE A MAN AND A
BADGE THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE
SHOWING UP.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
HER BOLD FOR ALL THE WORK SHE
HAS DONE.
ESPECIALLY IN THIS BUDGET, WE
ARE MAKING SURE WE ARE BRINGING
MORE OF THE PRIORITIES AROUND
THE COMMUNITY SAFETY AND
COMMUNICATION CENTER TO MAKE
SURE THIS WORKERS HAVE WHAT
THEY NEED FOR OPERATING A NEW
SYSTEM THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN
MOBILE ADVOCACY SERVICES SO
THERE IS ASSISTANCE FOR
SURVIVORS, GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE.
THAT WE MAKE SURE THERE IS
MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SERVICES THAT WE ARE SCALING UP
IN ADDITION TO MAKING SURE THAT
OUR FIREFIGHTERS HAVE THE
PROPOSED -- THAT THEY NEED IN
THESE TRYING TIMES.
20 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTER
RECRUITS.
I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THAT TYPE
OF INVESTMENT THAT COUNCILMEMBER
LISA HERBOLD HAS LED ON WITH
WHAT COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS HAS
LED.
SHE HAS PUT FORWARD AND IT
AMENDMENT TO SCALE UP THE
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS UNIT TO
MAKE SURE WE ARE ABLE TO INVEST
OVER $2 MILLION ALONG THAT
SIMILAR VEIN.
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS, THIS
BUDGET PROVIDES INVESTMENTS IN
HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO
POVIDE DAILY SERVICES AND MOST
VULNERABLE INCLUDING THE
HOMELESS COMMUNITY INCLUDING
THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE TO OUR
YOUTH INTO OUR FAMILIES WHO ARE
IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL
ASSISTANCE, MANY OF THESE FRONT-
LINE WORKERS HAVE BEEN WORKING
WITH A LOW PAY AND WITHOUT THE
COST OF LIVING INCREASE ENACTED
TWO YEARS AGO.
VERY HAPPY THAT WE INCLUDED THE
COST OF LIVING INCREASE BUT WE
NEED TO DO MORE.
THE ACTUAL COST OF LIVING
INCREASE NEEDS TO BE REFLECTED
IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET AND THAT
IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN
ADDITION TO INVESTING IN THE
STUDY OF HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDER
WAGES.
THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER
LISA HERBOLD ON THAT ONE.
WE'VE ACCELERATED -- HOUSING
INSTABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS
FOR MAKING SURE INVESTED IN
HISTORIC LEVELS OF FUNDING FOR
CONSTRUCTION, POSITION A
BUILDINGS, ACQUIRING THE LAND
AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO CARE
FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE.
MOST NOTABLY THE $97 MILLION
THE JUMPSTART HAD COMMITTED TO
-- A TOTAL OF 192 MILLION
DOLLARS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WE MADE SURE WE FRONTLOADED
FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
BY SHIFTING THIS YEAR'S
AVAILABLE DOLLARS TO INVEST IN
THOSE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
WHO HAVE SUBMITTED -- PROJECTS
THAT ARE READY TO GO, SHOW
READY NOW, FREE OF DOLLARS
USING THE EXPECTED JUMPSTART
DOLLARS FOR NEXT YEAR AND
FRONTLOAD THOSE INTO PROJECTS
THAT ARE READY TO GO NOW.
WE DO NOT HAVE TIME TO SPARE IN
TERMS OF HOW WE HOUSE FOLKS AND
HOW QUICKLY WE NEED TO MOVE TO
GET MORE PEOPLE INTO HOUSING.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS, WHEREAS, LEWIS, WHO OF
ALL PUT FORWARD AMENDMENTS TO
EXPAND OUTREACH, STAFFING,
SERVICES TO BOLSTER OUR ABILITY
TO CONNECT PEOPLE SERVICES AND
SHELTER THAT THEY NEED.
WE ARE WORKING TO ENHANCE
EXPANDED SHELTER SPACES THROUGH
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES THANKS TO
COUNCILMEMBER SAVANT AND LOUIS
AND WE ARE WORKING WITH
ORGANIZATIONS TO CONNECT
HOMELESS -- SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
AND JOB TRAINING THANKS TO
COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS,
COUNCILMEMBER MIRELES, AND I
WANT TO ALSO NOTE THE IMPORTANT
WORK WE HAVE DONE IN THIS
BUDGET FOR THOSE WHO ARE LIVING
IN THEIR VEHICLES FINDING SAFER
PLACES TO PARK THOSE VEHICLES
-- OPENING UP ADDITIONAL
SHELTER CAPACITY AND HOUSING,
HOUSING, HOUSING.
COUNCILMEMBER KSHAMA SAWANT HAS
OFFERED AN AMENDMENT TO MAKE
SURE THOSE LIVING IN THEIR
VEHICLES HAVE SAFE PLACES AND
I'M HAPPY WERE ABLE TO
ACCOMMODATE THAT TO THE EXTENT
POSSIBLE WITHIN OUR BUDGET
CONSTRAINTS.
FINALLY IN ECONOMIC RESILIENCE
THRIVING ECONOMIES WE TALKED
ABOUT BEFORE WE WANT OUR CITY
OF SEATTLE TO BE A PLACE THAT
DRIVES PEOPLE TO WANT TO COME
LIVE HERE, START THEIR
BUSINESSES HERE, RAISE THEIR
FAMILIES HERE, RETIRE HERE,
COME STUDY HERE, TO ENJOY OUR
ENVIRONMENT HERE ESPECIALLY AS
CLIMATE CHANGE AND INSTABILITY
ACROSS THE GLOBE IS DRIVING
MORE PEOPLE TO WANT TO COME TO
SEATTLE. WE WANT TO WELCOME YOU
AND HAVE A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
TO STAY HOUSED AND TO BE ABLE
TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND IN
DOING SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
WE ARE INVESTING IN OUR
COMMITMENT TO EQUITABLE
WORKFORCE.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
SUE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO
IDENTIFY PRIORITIES FOR
WORKFORCE INVESTMENTS,
COUNCILMEMBER DEBORA JUAREZ HAS
AN AMENDMENT FOR IMMIGRANTS
AND REFUGEES AND WE HAVE PUT
FORWARD AN OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPAND OUR WORK WITH THE
DOMESTIC WORKER STANDARDS BOARD
AND THE BENEFITS COALITION SO
EVERY WORKPLACE HAS SAFETY AND
SUPPORT THAT IS NEEDED AND WE
ARE INVESTING IN CHILDCARE,
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, MORE
INVESTMENTS INTO INFRASTRUCTURE
AND WE HAVE ADDED TO THE MONEY
WE PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED FOR
SUPPORTING NEW CHILDCARE
CENTERS IN THIS BUDGET AND WE
ARE MAKING SURE THAT YOUR
INVESTMENTS -- THANK YOU TO
COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS WE HAVE
INVESTED IN STREETSCAPE AND
PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS TO
SUPPORT MOBILE TRANSIT AND
COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ARE
INVESTING INTO STREETLIGHTS,
BENCHES, PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT,
FOOD TRUCK TO ACTIVATE PUBLIC
SPACES THANKS TO COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS AND LEWIS AND WE ARE
MAKING SURE WE ARE INVESTING IN
FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS.
COUNCILMEMBER LISA HERBOLD,
STRAUSS, DEBORA JUAREZ, SWAN,
ALL HAD SIMILAR AND RELATED
INVESTMENTS IN FOOD, STABILITY
AND SECURITY AND WE LOOK FORWARD
-- MILLIONS IN THIS PROPOSED
BUDGET TO ACCESS FOR FOOD AND
NUTRITION PROGRAMS, HOTMAIL
PROGRAMS, AND MEAL DELIVERY
PROGRAMS.
TO CLOSE, WE KNOW THAT THIS IS
NOT ENOUGH TO FULLY ADDRESS THE
TOTAL THE COVID-19 HAS TAKEN ON
OUR COMMUNITY AND NORMALLY WE
WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO HAVE
ONLY HAD TO DEAL WITH ONE
BUDGET PER YEAR SO IN ADDITION
TO ALL OF THE WORK OF THE
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE DONE TO
IDENTIFY THESE PRIORITIES I
WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THE WORK
THEY HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST
TWO YEARS WITH US -- TO GO
THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF
JUMPSTART IN THE SUMMER OF 2020
BUDGET ACTIONS TO STAND UP TO
THE CALL TO REINVEST IN
COMMUNITY SAFETY, TO WORK WITH
THE MAYOR, TO DEVELOP THE
SEATTLE RESCUE PLAN, I WANT TO
THANK MAYOR DURKIN WITH HER WORK
WITH OUR TEAM AND WE KNOW THOSE
DOLLARS ARE SO INCREDIBLY NEEDED
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING
MORE ABOUT THE DEPLOYMENT OF
THOSE DOLLARS I WANT TO THANK
OUR STATE LEGISLATIVE EMBERS
AND CONGRESSIONAL PARTNERS WHO
ARE CONTINUING TO FIGHT TO MAKE
SURE THAT CITIES LIKE SEATTLE
ARE GETTING THE DOLLARS THEY
NEED, ESPECIALLY I WANT TO
THANK OUR CONGRESSIONAL
REPRESENTATIVES, -- MARIA
CANTWELL FOR ALL OF THE WORK
THEY ARE DOING, VERY EXCITED
ABOUT THE PASSAGE OF THE
INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND WE ARE
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PASSAGE
OF THE BILL BACK BETTER ACT.
BOTH OF THESE BILLS IN CONGRESS
I THINK COMPLEMENT WHAT WE ARE
ATTEMPTING TO DO IN OUR 2022
BUDGET AND THAT IS TO INVEST IN
HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED FOR BRICK-
AND-MORTAR TO BE ABLE TO
REBUILD AND AN EQUITABLE AND
JUST WAY.
WE HOPE YOU TUNE IN TOMORROW TO
JOIN US FOR THE CONVERSATION AT
9:00 A.M.
WHERE WE WILL GO THROUGH THE
PROPOSED BUDGET AND MORE DETAILS
AND WE WILL THEN HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM EMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC STARTING AT 5:30
P.M.
AND WE WILL HAVE THE ENTIRE
EVENING DEDICATED TO A PUBLIC
HEARING. AS YOU PAIR YOUR
PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTS, PLEASE
DO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE
REVENUE SITUATION THE DIRECTOR
HANDY OUTLINED AT THE BEGINNING
AND THE WAYS IN WHICH WE HAVE
TRIED TO PROVIDE A BALANCED
PACKAGE FOR YOU HERE TODAY THAT
MEETS OUR CORE VALUES AND
CARING FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE
AND INVESTING IN A MORE JUST
SEATTLE AS WELL AS TRYING TO
ADJUST THE DOWNWARD TURN IN
ECONOMIC REVENUE FORECAST.
I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM
YOU TOMORROW AND I DO
APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU HAVE
DONE. THANK YOU TO MY
COUNCILMAN COLLEAGUES, CENTRAL
STAFF, AND EVERYONE ON OUR TEAM
VERY MUCH.
FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE WORK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO
AND EVERYONE ON CENTRAL STAFF
AND THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM AND
OUR I.T.
TEAM THAT MAKES THIS ALL
POSSIBLE.
WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW
MORNING AT 9:00 A.M.
IN THE SELECT BUDGET COMMITTEE
AND ALL OF THESE MATERIALS ARE
POSTED ON OUR AGENDA.
TAKE CARE.