>> THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
TODAY IS APRIL 26th.
THIS IS THE MEETING OF THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL.
WELL IT PLEASE COME TO ORDER?
IT IS NOW 2:00.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> RESIN.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCIL NUMBER WAR IS?
>> HERE.
>> MOVING ON TO OUR AGENDA OF
THE PRESENTATIONS.
WE HAVE COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD
HERE.
A PROCLAMATION ON THE SEATTLE
DENIM DAY.
AFTER THE COUNCILMEMBER
COMMENTS WE WILL'S A -- SUSPEND
THE RULES.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, THE
FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I'M VERY GLAD TODAY TO WELCOME
MEMBERS OF THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S
COMMISSION TO ACCEPT THE
PROCLAMATION DECLARING
TOMORROW, APRIL 27th, TO BE
DENIM DAY IN SEATTLE.
THIS PROCLAMATION WAS SIGNED BY
THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND
BY THE MAYOR.
DENIM DAY WAS FOUNDED TO CALL
ATTENTION TO THE MISCONCEPTION
ABOUT AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.
IT IS CREATED AFTER THE ITALIAN
SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED A
CONVICTION.
ADJUSTED'S -- THE JUDGES
DECIDED THAT BECAUSE THE VICTIM
WORE TIGHT JEANS IT HELPED THE
-- THEY ALL CAME TO WORK
WEARING JEANS IN SOLIDARITY
WITH THE VICTIM IN THAT CASE.
TOMORROW I HOPE EVERYONE WILL
WEAR THEIR GENES IN SOLIDARITY
AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
EDUCATE OTHERS THAT THERE IS
NEVER AN INVITATION TO RAPE.
TODAY WE ARE JOINED BY TONYA OF
THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
SARAH LIU, THE GET ENGAGED
COMMISSIONER.
AND PARKER, A COMMISSIONER WITH
THE SEATTLE WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
IT IS MY HONOR TO VIRTUALLY
PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION
DECLARING APRIL 27th TO BE
DENIM DAY HERE IN SEATTLE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
WOULD ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES LIKE
TO SPEAK TO COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD'S PROCLAMATION BEFORE I
MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO
ALLOW OUR GUESTS TO SPEAK?
I'M NOT SEEING ANY.
IF THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS THE
COUNCIL RULES WILL BE SUSPENDED
TO ALLOW OUR GUESTS TO ACCEPT
THE PROCLAMATION AND PROVIDE
REMARKS.
WELCOME.
THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
I'M TRYING TO SEE WHO ELSE WE
HAVE HERE.
>> GREETINGS.
>> THERE YOU ARE.
THAT'S HELPFUL.
NOW WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> YES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M HONORED
ON THE BEHALF OF THE SEATTLE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION TO SET THIS
PROCLAMATION FOR DENIM DAY.
I HAVE FIVE YEARS ON THE
SEATTLE COMMISSION.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE SOME
OF OUR NEWEST COMMISSIONERS.
SARAH LIU, COUNSEL FOR HERBOLD
ALREADY MENTIONED THIS.
WE WANT TO HAVE SOME TIME TO
SHARE THE FLOOR BECAUSE -- DO
THE THINGS WE DO.
SHARE YOUR REMARKS PLEASE.
>> DEFINITELY.
HELLO AGAIN.
THANK YOU FOR THE INTRODUCTION.
MY NAME IS SARAH LIU.
MY PRONOUNS ARE SHE/HER.
I AM THEY GET ENGAGED
COMMISSIONER FOR THE SEATTLE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M
REALLY PROUD OF US AS A CITY
FOR ADOPTING THIS PROCLAMATION.
I THINK IT REALLY SPEAKS TO THE
VALUES THAT SEATTLE HOLDS AS A
CITY AND HOW WE ARE STANDING IN
SOLIDARITY WITH SURVIVORS OF
SEXUAL ASSAULT.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY PERTINENT
NOW DURING THE PANDEMIC.
I KNOW WE HAVE ALL BEEN
AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC BUT IT
HAS ESPECIALLY HAD AN ADVERSE
EFFECT ON SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL
ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
WE HAVE SEEN A RISE IN CASES.
I WOULD ALSO SAY, SPEAKING AS
SOMEONE FROM THE YOUNGER
GENERATION, I BELIEVE IF WE DO
WANT TO FULLY ERADICATE SEXUAL
ASSAULT IT IS CRUCIAL THAT
THERE IS A GREATER FOCUS ON
SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION.
AND THAT WE START EDUCATING
PEOPLE ON HOW TO DO THAT AT A
YOUNG AGE AND INSTILLING THOSE
VALUES IN THEM.
THERE'S DEFTLY A LOT OF WORK TO
DO ON THAT FRONT.
THIS PROCLAMATION WOULD HELP
WITH FURTHERING THAT GOAL AND
SPREADING AWARENESS.
I WILL DEFINITELY BE WEARING
DENIM TOMORROW.
ON TOP OF THAT I WOULD
ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ALSO
EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE WEARING
DENIM TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND
SUPPORT SURVIVORS AND CHALLENGE
MISCONCEPTIONS AROUND SEXUAL
ASSAULT.
JUST SEND A MESSAGE THAT NO
MATTER WHAT A PERSON WEARS IT'S
NEVER A SIGN OF CONSENT AND
IT'S NEVER AN EXCUSE TO . THANK
YOU AGAIN FOR ADOPTING THIS
PROBLEM NATION -- PROCLAMATION.
AND THE ATTITUDES AROUND SEXUAL
VIOLENCE.
>> WONDERFUL.
THANK YOU, SARAH.
>> I AM OPHELIA PARKER.
PRONOUNS, SHE/HER.
I AM THE COMMISSIONER AS OF
JULY, 2021.
TIME FLIES WHEN YOU'RE HAVING
FUN.
ALMOST A YEAR.
DENIM DAY IS A VERY IMPORTANT
DAY FOR THIS COMMISSION AND THE
WORK THAT WE DO.
I THINK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR
HAVING US TODAY.
AS WE KNOW DENIM DAY IS A DAY
THAT MARKS ACTION AND BRINGS
AWARENESS AND ATTENTION TO
SEXUAL ASSAULT BUT ALSO SERVES
AS A REMINDER AGAINST VICTIM
BLAMING.
OUR BIGGEST GOALS ON THIS
COMMISSION REVOLVE AROUND
UNDERSTANDING AND ADVOCATING.
EVERY MONTH IS SEXUAL ASSAULT
MONTH.
ALL OF THE WORK WE DO COMES
BACK TO THAT AND TOUCHES THAT
IN SOME WAY.
SEATTLE HAS BEEN MY HOME FOR
FIVE YEARS AND ONE OF THE
THINGS I LOVED ABOUT LIVING
HERE WAS HOW OPEN THE CITY IS
AND HOW WELCOMING THE CITY IS
AND HOW SEATTLE INSPIRES
EVERYBODY TO EMBRACE WHO YOU
ARE AND BRING YOUR BEST SELF
INTO EVERY AREA OF THIS CITY.
WITH THIS PROCLAMATION I HOPE
THAT IT INSPIRES NOT JUST THE
WOMEN'S COMMISSION OR THE
LEADERS OF SEATTLE BUT EVERYONE
IN SEATTLE TO ADVOCATE AND
SUPPORT LAWS THAT FUND
EDUCATION AND RESOURCES WITH
REGARDS TO SEXUAL ASSAULT
PREVENTION BY ALSO HELPING THE
VICTIMS THAT ARE HERE AND
EVERYWHERE ELSE.
AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
I WILL BE WEARING MY DENIM
JEANS TOMORROW IN AN ACT OF
SOLIDARITY FOR WOMEN EVERYWHERE
WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF SEXUAL
ASSAULT. FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS
IN THE WORLD.
THE CLOSE THAT WE WEAR ARE NOT
AN EXCUSE OR OPPORTUNITY TO
MAKE US FEEL UNSAFE OR
UNWELCOME IN ANY WAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US
TODAY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> FANTASTIC.
DENIM DAY SPEAKS TO AND CALLS
OUT VICTIM SHAMING AS TOTALLY
UNACCEPTABLE.
SEXUAL ASSAULT AFFECTS EVERYONE.
EVEN MORE THAN WOMEN.
MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN, ELDERLY,
DISABLED.
RICH, POOR, IT PERMEATES ALL OF
OUR SOCIETY AND WE NEED TO
ESTABLISH THE ERADICATION OF
THIS.
-- I ASK FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS
TO STEP UP AND CARE FOR
OURSELVES AND BE THAT SUPPORT.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR SEXUAL
ASSAULT VICTIMS TO REACH OUT.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.
WE SEE THE NUMBERS AND WE KNOW
THAT THEY NEED SUPPORT TO COME
FROM THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU.
I'M GOING TO LET COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD CLOSE US OUT ON THIS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
COUNCILMEMBER HEBOLD?
>> I WANT TO THANK THE WOMEN'S
COMMISSION FOR, EVERY YEAR,
BRINGING FORWARD THIS IMPORTANT
PROCLAMATION.
IT GOES ALONGSIDE SEXUAL
ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH BUT IT
STANDS ALONE AS WELL.
AS A REALLY GOOD TOOL TO
EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY
COLLEAGUES AND ALL OF THE OTHER
ADVOCATES OUT THERE WHO HAVE
WORKED SO HARD TO ENSURE THAT
SURVIVOR SERVICES ARE WELL
FUNDED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
AS WELL AS FUNDING PROGRAMS
THAT LEAD TO PREVENTION OF
SEXUAL ASSAULT.
IN MY COMMITTEE, THIS MORNING
AND THIS AFTERNOON, WE HEARD
FROM THE HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT THAT THEY ARE GOING
TO BE RELEASING SURVIVOR
SERVICES.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
TO RECOGNIZE THE ROBUST FUNDING
THAT THE CITY PROVIDES, MORE
THAN $12 MILLION OF COMMUNITY-
BASED PROGRAMMING AND FOR
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE.
INTERVENTION, COORDINATOR
RESPONSE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
PROGRAMMING.
BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
WE MUST DO MORE.
THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US OF
THAT TODAY.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
WITH THAT WE WILL MOVE ON TO
OUR AGENDA CALENDAR AND MOVED
TO THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT
CALENDAR.
ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT ANY
COUNCILMEMBER WOULD LIKE TO
REMOVE FROM TODAY'S CONSENT
CALENDAR?
OKAY.
I'M GOING TO REQUEST THAT WE
REMOVE ITEM 8. APPOINTMENT 2127.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OKSANA
REVA HAS WITHDRAWN HER
APPLICATION ON THE COMMISSION.
WE HAVE A FULL CALENDAR WITH
APPOINTEES TODAY.
WE ORIGINALLY HAD 23.
WE HAVE 22 TODAY.
YESTERDAY WE LOOKED AT IN 19
COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS IN
WHICH 10 OF THE APPOINTEES
SHOWED UP AND SPOKE.
I WANT TO THANK LESLIE HORTON
FROM THE YMCA.
LESLIE WALKED US THROUGH EVERY
ONE OF THOSE APPOINTMENTS.
WE LEARNED ABOUT THE
APPLICATION PACKET.
WITH THAT IS THERE ANYTHING
ELSE MY COLLEAGUES WOULD LIKE
TO ADD?
I SEE NOTHING.
I MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT
CALENDAR EXCLUDING ITEM 8. IS
THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR
TO EXCLUDE ITEM 8. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT
CALENDAR?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
>> 02123 ONE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNSEL NUMBER HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> YES.
>> COUNSEL NUMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> THE CONSENT CALENDAR IS
ADOPTED, EXCLUDING ITEM 8. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE MINUTES AND
THE CONSENT CALENDAR ON MY
BEHALF?
MOVING DOWN TO THE APPROVAL OF
THE AGENDA.
I MOVED TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO ADOPT THE AGENDA.
I HAVE ONE AMENDMENT.
I MOVED TO AMEND THE AGENDA BY
REMOVING ITEM NUMBER EIGHT,
APPOINTMENT 2127.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO REMOVE
ITEM 8. THAT IS APPOINTMENT
2127.
I WILL BRIEFLY ADJUST THIS
AMENDMENT.
MISS OKSANA REVA WOULD LIKE TO
WITHDRAW HER NAME FROM
CONSIDERATION TO APPOINTMENT
TO THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
COMMISSION.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS?
I'M NOT SEEING ANY COMMENTS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDMENT?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
>> 02123 ONE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> 02123 ONE.
>> COUNSEL NUMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> COUNSEL NUMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR HIM AN
UNOPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU.
THE MOTION CARRIES.
THE AMENDED AGENDA IS NOW
BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION THE
AMENDED CALENDAR WILL BE
ADOPTED.
NO OBJECTION.
GOING DOWN OUR AGENDA WE ARE ON
PUBLIC COMMENT.
MY UNDERSTANDING TODAY IS WE
HAVE 10 SPEAKERS.
LET ME DO THE INSTRUCTIONS
FIRST BEFORE HANDING IT OVER TO
YOU, MADAM CLERK.
COLLEAGUES, AS YOU HAVE HEARD
EVERY TUESDAY, WE WILL OPEN THE
REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
FOR THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA,
INTRODUCTION OF REFERRAL
CALENDAR, AND THE COUNCIL WORK
PROGRAM.
IT REMAINS THE STRONG INTENT TO
HAVE REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT
REGULARLY INCLUDED ON MEDIA
AGENDAS.
AS A REMINDER THE CITY COUNCIL
RESERVES THE RIGHT TO END OR
ELIMINATE THESE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIODS AT ANY POINT IF WE DEEM
THE SYSTEM IS BEING ABUSED OR
IS NO LONGER SUITABLE FOR
MEETINGS TO BE CONDUCTED
EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
OUR CITY CLERK WILL MODERATE
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
BEFORE I HANDED OFF WE HAVE 10
SPEAKERS ON THE LINE AND EACH
SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TO
MINUTES.
MADAM CLERK?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, REALLY
QUICKLY, WE NOW HAVE 11
SPEAKERS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE HAVE 11 SPEAKERS.
TWO MINUTES EACH.
CORRECT?
>> UNLESS YOU WOULD LIKE TO
MODIFY IT.
>> I THINK WE ARE GOOD.
>> THEN WE WILL PROCEED.
EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TO
MINUTES TO SPEAK.
SPEAKERS ARE CALLED UPON IN
ORDER IN WHICH THEY REGISTERED.
THEY MUST CALL IN FROM THE
PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED AND USE
THE I.D.
AND PASSCODE THAT WAS EMAILED
UPON CONFIRMATION.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS DIFFERENT
FROM THE GENERAL MEETING I.D.
LIST ON THE AGENDA.
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL
CONFIRMATION PLEASE CHECK YOUR
SPAM OR JUNK MAIL FOLDERS.
ONCE A SPEAKER'S NAME IS CALLED
STAFF WILL UNMUTE TO THE
APPROPRIATE MICROPHONE AND AN
AUTOMATIC PROMPT WILL LET YOU
KNOW IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
THEN THE SPEAKER MUST PRESS
STAR AND SIX TO BEGIN SPEAKING.
PLEASE BEGIN SPEAKING WITH YOUR
NAME AND THE ITEM YOU'RE
ADDRESSING.
YOU WILL HEAR A TIME WHEN THERE
IS 10 SECONDS LEFT OF YOUR
ALLOTTED TIME.
WHEN YOU HEAR THE CHIME WE ASK
THAT YOU WRAP UP YOUR PUBLIC
COMMENT.
IF SPEAKERS DO NOT END THERE
COMMENT AT THE END OF THE
ALLOTTED TIME PROVIDED THE
SPEAKERS MICROPHONE WILL BE
METED -- MUTED.
ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT WE ASK THAT YOU
PLEASE DISCONNECT FROM THE LINE
AND IF YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE
FOLLOWING THIS MEETING PLEASE
DO SO VIA THE SEATTLE CHANNEL
OR THE LISTING ON THE AGENDA.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
NOW OPEN.
WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST
SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR
AND SIX AFTER THE PROMPT.
OUR FIRST CALLER IS MATT.
THEN WE WILL PROCEED WITH THE
SECOND ONE.
GORDON HAGGERTY.
>> HELLO.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> HELLO.
YES.
THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS GORDON HAGGERTY.
I'M ADDRESSING THE RENT
REPAYMENT PLAN REVISIONS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF
THE CITY COUNCIL, FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU
TODAY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE
OPPORTUNITY, HOPEFULLY SOON,
WHEN WE CAN MEET FACE-TO-FACE.
I HAVE BEEN A BUILDER AND AN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDER IN
SEATTLE FOR OVER 50 YEARS.
OVER THAT TIME I HAVE BEEN
WATCHING THE REGULATORY BURDEN
THE HOUSING PROVIDERS STEADILY
INCREASE.
IT'S BECOMING MORE ADVERSARIAL
AND DOWNRIGHT HOSTILE TO SMALL
PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF.
WHILE WATCHING AFFORDABILITY
BECOME NOTHING MORE THAN A
CATCHPHRASE.
WHILE THE AIM OF THIS IS TO
ALIGN THE CURRENT PLAN WITH THE
STATE PLAN, CHANGING THE TIMING
FROM THE ENDING OF THE STATES
EMERGENCY DECLARATION TO SIX
MONTHS AFTER THE CITY'S
DECLARATION CREATES NOT ONLY
CONFUSION BUT ALSO ADDITIONAL
HARDSHIP ON LOCAL MOM AND POP
HOUSING PROVIDERS LIKE MYSELF.
REGARDLESS OF YOUR BEST
INTENTIONS SEATTLE IS CURRENTLY
HEMORRHAGING RENTAL HOUSING
UNITS.
AS YOU KNOW SEATTLE'S RENTAL
REGISTRATION ROLLS HAVE DROPPED
BY ALMOST 10,000 UNITS BETWEEN
MAY 1st, 2021, AND JANUARY 1st,
2022.
THAT'S 10,000 RENTAL UNITS GONE
FROM SEATTLE IN JUST SEVEN
MONTHS.
ABOUT 12.7% OF THOSE ARE SINGLE-
FAMILY UNITS, MOST LIKELY
CONVERTING FROM RENTAL TO OWNER
OCCUPIED.
THE REMAINDER DUPLEX AND MORE
LIKELY GO TO DEVELOPERS WHO
DEMOLISH THE OLDER AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND REPLACE WITH MORE
EXPENSIVE AND PROFITABLE UNITS.
SMALL MOM AND POP HOUSING
PROVIDERS LIKE MYSELF ARE BEING
FORCED TO GET OUT.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DANIEL
BANNON.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS DANIEL BANNON,
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE
RENTAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION OF
WASHINGTON.
WE REPRESENT OVER 5000 SMALL
HOUSING PROVIDERS ACROSS THE
STATE, MANY OF WHICH ARE FROM
SEATTLE.
I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO AMEND
CB 120305.
WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING -- THIS
ORDINANCE REFERENCES THE
REQUIREMENT FOR PAYMENT PLANS
BUT IT TIES THE CITY REPAYMENT
PLAN TO THE CITY EMERGENCY, NOT
THE STATE EMERGENCY.
THIS IS UNNECESSARY, CONFUSING,
AND LEAVES SEATTLE HOUSING
PROVIDERS GUESSING WHICH LAWS
APPLY TO THEM.
MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO
ENSURE THEY ARE FULLY IN
COMPLIANCE WITH CITY AND STATE
LAW.
RHA URGES THE COUNCIL TO CHANGE
THE ORDINANCE PROCLAIMED BY THE
GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION 20-05.
THE STATE ALREADY PROVIDES
AMPLE PROTECTION FOR TENANTS
FACING ONGOING FINANCIAL
DIFFICULTIES RESULTING FROM THE
COVID PANDEMIC, INCLUDING THE
STATE WIDE REQUIREMENT FOR
REPAYMENT PLAN ALREADY APPLIES
TO SEATTLE.
WE MUST PREVENT FURTHER
ISOLATION OF SEATTLE'S RENTAL
HOUSING POLICY THAT IS FORCING
SMALL HOUSING PROVIDERS OUT OF
THE CITY AT AN UNPRECEDENTED
RATE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE FUTURE
HOUSING POLICY HAVE A MORE
ROBUST STAKEHOLDER PROCESS
WHERE ALL VOICES ARE BROUGHT TO
THE TABLE.
WE MUST WORK TOGETHER IF WE ARE
GOING TO PASS POLICY THAT WILL
ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE HOUSING
CRISIS PRESENT IN SEATTLE.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS AIDAN.
>> HELLO.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT 6. A
CITY COUNCILMEMBER RECENTLY
STATED THAT THE PROPOSED COVID
RENT REPAYMENT PLAN CAME ABOUT
BECAUSE THEY LISTENED.
WHO DID YOU LISTEN TO?
I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY PANEL
DISCUSSIONS, ZOOM MEETINGS, OR
REPORTS FROM THE MEETINGS THAT
MIGHT HAVE BEEN HELD WITH THE
PROMISED LEGISLATION THAT YOU
ARE GOING TO STAND UP FOR SMALL
LANDLORD COMMISSION FOR SMALL
PROPERTY OWNERS.
THERE IS A PLETHORA OF TIMELY
DATA AVAILABLE IN THE CITY
PERTAINING TO A VAST NUMBER OF
IMPORTANT ISSUES.
IT SEEMS THE CITY COUNCIL IS
NOT INTERESTED IN LISTENING TO
DATA FROM THE OUR I/O DATABASE
THAT TRACKS THE NUMBER OF
AVAILABLE RENTAL UNITS.
THIS LEGISLATION WILL JUST
ESCALATE THE DECLINE OF
AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING.
AS THE SMALL LANDLORDS CONTINUE
TO FLEE THE MARKET.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS GEORGE.
>> COUNCILMEMBERS, MY NAME IS
GEORGE.
ON BEHALF OF THE LOW INCOME
HOUSING INSTITUTE.
LEHIGH IS ASKING THE COUNCIL TO
HELP US FIND AN URGENT SOLUTION
TO THE OPERATING FUNDING
DILEMMA WE ARE FACING AT THE
NEWLY BUILT SOUTH AND TINY
HOUSE VILLAGE.
WE WANT TO THINK COUNCILMEMBERS
MOSQUEDA, MORALES , AND LOUIS
FOR YOUR PROACTIVE HELP.
REGARDLESS OF HOW WE GOT HERE
TODAY THERE ARE 40 TINY HOUSES
TWO BLOCKS FROM THE LIGHT RAIL
STATION STANDING EMPTY.
-- REFUGEE WOMEN'S ALLIANCE.
TOGETHER WE ARE READY TO START
SERVING UP TO 60 PEOPLE
COUNTING FAMILIES, COUPLES, AND
INDIVIDUALS.
FOR OUR PART LEHIGH STANDS
READY TO WORK WITH THE COUNCIL,
THE MAIN MAYOR, THE RHA, TO
OPEN AND OPERATE THE SOUTH AND
VILLAGE IMMEDIATELY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, GEORGE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JEFF
JOHNSON.
>> IT IS MY HONOR TO TESTIFY
BEFORE YOU TODAY.
I WAS PRESIDENT OF THE
WASHINGTON STATE LABOR COUNCIL.
NOW I AM COPRESIDENT FOR
ADVOCATES OF RETIREMENT. NEVER
HAS THE MEDICARE SYSTEM BEEN
UNDER SUCH A THREAT.
WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE
PHYSICIANS FOR THE NATIONAL
HEALTH PLAN, SOCIAL SECURITY,
AND -- PROFITING OFF OF OUR
MEDICARE SYSTEM.
FOR FOUR DECADES WALL STREET
HAS TRIED AND FAILED TO
PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY.
NOW THEY HAVE SET THEIR TARGET
ON THE MEDICARE SYSTEM.
IT DOESN'T TAKE A MATHEMATICIAN
TO FIGURE OUT WHY.
IT'S EXPECTED THAT BY 2028 $1.6
TRILLION A YEAR OF ANNUAL
MEDICARE EXPENDITURES WILL
HAPPEN. THIS IS THE PROVERBIAL
GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGG.
FOR SENIORS IT IS OUR HEALTH,
QUALITY LIFE, AND ACTUAL LIVES
THAT ARE AT STAKE.
PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS PREDICT
THAT IF WALL STREET FIRMS ARE
ALLOWED TO SKIM PROFITS OFF OF
THE MEDICARE SYSTEM IT WILL
RESULT IN A DEMEANING ISSUE OF
QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF
HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND
BENEFITS.
THERE WILL BE A DRAWDOWN OF THE
MEDICAID TRUST FUND WHICH WILL
RESULT IN EITHER FURTHER CUSTOM
MEDICARE BENEFITS OR INCREASE
IN MEDICARE TAXES AND PREMIUMS,
OR BOTH.
TO SPIN A PHRASE, WHAT IS GOOD
FOR THE WALL STREET GOOSE IS
NOT GOOD FOR THE MEDICARE
RECIPIENT.
PLEASE STAND WITH THE SENIORS,
DISABLED, AND PASSIVE TO SAY NO
TO PRIVATIZING THE MEDICARE
SYSTEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU, MR. JOHNSON.
>> OUR NEXT CALLER IS BRUCE
SPECTOR.
>> THANK YOU.
I AM A SMALL LANDLORD IN
SEATTLE.
I ALSO LIVE IN SEATTLE.
I AM CALLING IN REGARD TO
COUNSEL BILL 120305.
IT'S VERY DISTURBING TO ME THAT
THE CITY IS SWITCHING THE LAWS
AROUND -- FOR A PAYMENT.
EXTENDING THE TIME FRAMES IS
CONFUSING FOR THE REPAYMENT
PROGRAM.
THE STATE LEGISLATURE CLEARLY
STATES WHEN THESE MEASURES ARE
NEEDED.
-- HOUSING PROVIDERS DRIVING A
SMALL MOM AND POP LANDLORDS,
LIKE ME.
WE ARE THE BEST LOW-COST
HOUSING PROVIDERS IN THE CITY.
THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM.
THE GOAL SHOULD BE TO ENCOURAGE
MOM AND POP LANDLORDS.
PEOPLE WHO ARE ATTENTIVE TO THE
TENANTS AND KEEP THE RENTS
RELATIVELY LOW BY COMPARISON TO
WHAT IS OFTEN A REPLACEMENT FOR
MODERN CONSTRUCTION.
THE GOAL SHOULD BE TO MAKE IT
AS EASY AS POSSIBLE TO BE A
LANDLORD RATHER THAN PUTTING
EXTRA BURDENS ON THEM.
AS A RESULT OF THE BURDENS THAT
THE CITY HAS PUT IN PLACE OUR
PEOPLE ARE SELLING THEIR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.
I GET AN OFFER AT LEAST EVERY
WEEK.
SOMETIMES MULTIPLE OFFERS COME
IN THE MAIL FOR PEOPLE WANTING
TO BUY MY RENTAL PROPERTY.
WHAT THEY WOULD DO IS TEAR IT
DOWN AND PUT UP A SINGLE-FAMILY
HOUSE.
I'VE GOT TWO AFFORDABLE SINGLE-
FAMILY HOMES.
THEY WOULD TEAR THEM DOWN AND
PUT UP A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR
PROPERTIES.
THAT IS NOT LEADING TO WHAT YOU
REALLY WANT IN THE CITY.
I THANK YOU FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY AND ENCOURAGE YOU
TO VOTE AGAINST COUNSEL BILL
120305.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CINDY.
>> A GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS CINDY.
I HAVE LIVED IN -- MOST OF MY
LIFE.
I AM AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIAL
JUSTICE -- A LEGACY OF
LEADERSHIP, EQUALITY, AND
ORGANIZING.
A LOT TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF
THE RESOLUTION TO STOP THE
PRIVATIZATION OF OUR MEDICARE
SYSTEM AND I THINK COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA FOR SPONSORING
THIS RESOLUTION.
THIS ISSUE IS IMPORTANT TO ME.
NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT AFFECTS
OUR GENERAL SOCIETY BUT BECAUSE
IS IS PERSONAL TO ME.
I NOW DEPEND ON MEDICARE FOR MY
HEALTH.
AS A MATTER OF FACT WE HAVE
MANY SENIORS IN OUR FAMILY,
INCLUDING MY HUSBAND, WHO HAVE
MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES THAT DEPEND
ON MEDICARE.
WORKING PEOPLE FIGHT FOR
MEDICARE AND OTHER SAFETY NETS.
AS A LIFETIME WORKER IN THE
UNITED STATES I PAID FOR THIS
SYSTEM AND I DON'T WANT ANY
FURTHER PRIVATIZATION OF IT.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE
OPENING OF DOORS TO PRIVATE
CORPORATIONS BY IMPLANTING --
WILL IMPROVE, ENHANCE, OR
ESPECIALLY ADDRESS INEQUITIES
THAT ALREADY EXIST IN OUR
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
EQUITY IS ONE OF THE PRINCIPLES
WITH WHICH THE RIGHT TO
HEALTHCARE IS BASED ON.
WE MUST ENSURE THAT SENIORS,
PEOPLE OF COLOR, PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES, AND POOR PEOPLE
WHO HAVE BEEN DENIED MANY OF
THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS HAVE GOOD
QUALITY HEALTHCARE.
I DEMAND OUR PRESIDENT AND
CONGRESS ACT IN THE INTEREST OF
ALL OF OUR PEOPLE AND CLOSE THE
DOOR ON THIRD-PARTY ENTITIES IN
OUR MEDICARE SYSTEM.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, CINDY.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KIRK
ROBBINS.
>> HELLO.
I'M KIRK ROBBINS.
A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 6. I'M
CALLING ABOUT FIRE SAFETY
MATTERS, SPECIFICALLY WHETHER
OR NOT PROPANE TANKS ARE LEGAL
WITHIN A VERY SMALL RADIUS OF
THAT PLACE.
WE HAVE HAD FIRES NOT FAR FROM
ME ON THE LEARY TRIANGLE.
AND PROMINENCE PARK.
ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIATION IS
HAPPENING IN THE PARK PARTLY
BECAUSE OF THIS MATTER.
PLEASE ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF
FIRE SAFETY AND THE USE OF
PROPANE TANKS IN PUBLIC PLACES
AND PARKS, UNREGULATED,
UNPERMITTED, AND APPARENTLY
WITHOUT ANY DIFFICULTY FROM
ANYONE IN THE CITY.
IT'S MUCH MORE WITHIN YOUR
PURVIEW AND EXPERTISE THAN THE
PRIVATIZATION OF MEDICARE.
I PERSONALLY AM ON MEDICARE.
I'M A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
MEMBER.
WHICH IS A PRIVATE SECTOR
MANNER.
THIS IS A REALLY COLLOCATED
ISSUE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
PLEASE SPEND YOUR TIME ON
SOMETHING THAT'S LOCAL AND
PERTINENT TO OUR LIVES.
WHICH IS FIRE SAFETY IN BALLARD
AND ELSEWHERE.
THNK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, KIRK.
>> THAT WAS OUR LAST SPEAKER
THAT IS PRESENT.
>> OKAY.
WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF
PUBLIC COMMENT.
THE LIST OF REGISTERED
SPEAKERS.
WE HAD 11 AND SIX OR SEVEN
SHOWED UP.
>> AROUND THERE.
>> GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.
WE WILL MOVE ON IN OUR AGENDA
TO COMMITTEE REPORTS.
OUR FIRST ONE UP IS OUT OF THE
FINANCE AND HOUSING COMMITTEE
WITH COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ ITEM 1
INTO THE RECORD.
>> ITEM 1, RESOLUTION 32049.
MODIFYING THE TEMPLATE FOR
REGULAR PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
ORDINANCES.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT
THE RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED.
>> THANK YOU.
ALSO MEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE BRING TO THIS PIECE OF
LEGISLATION THAT IS ABOUT
TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THE
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS TEMPLATE, A
DOCUMENT THAT WE SEE EVERY WEEK
IN FULL COUNSEL.
HOWEVER THAT DOCUMENT HAS NOT
BEEN UPDATED FOR THE LAST 20
YEARS.
IT IS AN OLD DOCUMENT THAT
REFERENCES A DEFUNCT AUDIT
COMMITTEE AND IT'S AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR US HERE, AS WE
NOT ONLY MAKE TECHNICAL
CORRECTIONS BUT REALLY RECOMMIT
TO MAKING SURE THAT US AS
COUNCILMEMBERS, MEMBERS OF THE
C FAMILY, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH
THE EXECUTIVE AND COMMUNITY ARE
PROVIDING A TRANSPARENT
ACCOUNTING OF ALL OF OUR
PAYMENTS AND CLAIMS.
THE TEMPLATE AND THE RESOLUTION
IN FRONT OF US IS REALLY THE
RESULT OF COLLABORATIVE WORK
BETWEEN OUR CITY CENTRAL STAFF.
AND ALSO THE CITY BUDGET OFFICE.
I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR JULIE
AND GLENN LEE FOR THEIR
CONTRIBUTIONS TO UPDATING THIS
TEMPLATE IN FRONT OF US TODAY.
OF COURSE THIS WORK IS ONLY
PART OF OUR OVERALL PROCESS TO
PROVIDE GREATER TRANSPARENCY,
ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CLARITY, AS
WE MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR
BUDGETING EFFORTS.
I'M PROUD TO SERVE AS THE
BUDGET CHAIR AND LOOK FORWARD
TO HAVING YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS
UPDATED DOCUMENT SO WE CAN HAVE
GREATER CLARITY EVERY WEEK AS
WE VOTE ON THE PAYMENTS OF
CLAIMS.
I WANT TO THANK THE CHIEF OF
STAFF WHO HAS HELPED TO
SPEARHEAD THIS WORK WITH OUR
OFFICE AS WELL.
AND THE COMMITTEE VOTED
UNANIMOUSLY TO SUPPORT THIS
RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA BEFORE
WE MOVE TO A VOTE?
I'M NOT SEEING ANY.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
RESOLUTION.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> ONE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ?
>> YES.
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
ADAM CLERK, PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE RESOLUTION.
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER TWO.
THIS IS OUT OF SUSTAINABILITY
AND RENTERS RIGHT COMMITTEE.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS WILL BE
PRESENTING ON COUNCIL MEMBER
SAWANT'S BEHALF.
PLEASE READ ITEM 2.
>> COMES BUILT 120305.
MODIFYING ORDINANCE 126081,
CONCERNING REPAYMENT PLANS FOR
RENTAL ARREARS ACCRUED DURING
OR WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE
TERMINATION OF THE CIVIL
EMERGENCY DECLARED ON MARCH
3rd, 2020.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT
THE BILL PASSED.
>> IN QUEUE.
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
I KNOW THE CHAIR OF THE
COMMITTEE IS NOT PRESENT WITH
US TODAY.
I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE
ARE ABLE TO BRING MY BILL
BEFORE US TODAY.
SAY AGAIN?
>> I JUST SAID ANYTIME, BUDDY.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
I LOVE THIS.
ANYHOW, I ALSO APPRECIATE THE
PUBLIC COMMENTERS TODAY WHO
HAVE CALLED IN.
WHICH IS WHY I, ALONG WITH
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, CREATED
THE SMALL LANDLORD WORK GROUP.
THERE ARE SOME SNAGS AND
GETTING THAT SET UP.
I CAN TELL YOU WE BOTH MET
ABOUT IT THIS WEEK TO GET IT
MOVING FASTER AND WE BOTH SET
UP THE RENTAL MARKET HOUSING
STUDY TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018
SO THAT WE CAN BACKUP AND HAVE
THE DATA THAT IS WITH US TODAY.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE
THIS DATA SO WE CAN BACKUP THE
STORIES OF THE MOM AND POP
LANDLORDS WHO ARE SELLING THEIR
PROPERTIES, WITH THE DATA
BEFORE US, SO WE CAN HAVE ALL
THE INFORMATION.
THE BILL BEFORE US TODAY HELPS
US ENSURE THAT LANDLORDS ARE
MADE WHOLE AND TENANTS HAVE A
REASONABLE TIME TO REPAY THEIR
DEBT.
THE TENANT DOES REMAIN
RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAYING ANY
AND ALL DEBT THAT THEY HAVE
INCURRED.
THIS BILL IS A TECHNICAL
CORRECTION THE LEGISLATION WE
PASSED IN 2020, WHICH WAS
PASSED TWO MONTHS AFTER THE
PANDEMIC BEGAN.
IN MAY OF 2020 THE COUNCIL
ADOPTED ORDINANCE 126081 SO
THAT PAYMENT PLANS WERE OFFERED
THAT LASTED 3 TO 6 MONTHS,
DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF RENT
OWED.
TODAY IS APRIL 26th, 2022.
IF THIS WAS 2020 THE PANDEMIC
WOULD HAVE STARTED LAST MONTH
AND WE WOULD HAVE PASSED THE
ORIGINAL BILL NEXT MONTH.
AT THAT TIME WE BELIEVED THE
PANDEMIC WOULD ONLY LAST TWO
WEEKS, AND THEN TWO MONTHS.
WE DEFINITELY DID NOT FOR SEE
IT LASTING TWO YEARS OR MORE.
WE DID KNOW THEN, WHEN
EVERYTHING WAS SHUT AND MANY
PEOPLE'S LINE OF WORK FROZE,
THAT MANY PEOPLE NEEDED TO
ADDRESS THE DEBT INCURRED
DURING THE CLOSEDOWN.
THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE
SESSION, THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE
SESSION, ONCE THE PANDEMIC
BEGAN, THE STATE PASSED A
SIMILAR REPAYMENT LEGISLATION.
IF WE WERE IN 2020 WHEN THIS
BILL WOULD HAVE PASSED NINE
DAYS AGO.
THAT LEGISLATURE HAD THE
BENEFIT OF ALLOWING A YEAR
LONGER TO UNDERSTAND IF THE
PANDEMIC WAS GOING TO LAST
LONGER THAN TWO WEEKS OR TWO
MONTHS.
THE REASON I REFER TO THIS
MODEST BILL IS A TECHNICAL
CORRECTION BECAUSE THE
LEGISLATION BEFORE YOU TODAY IS
A MIRROR OF OUR STATES
LEGISLATION.
THERE ARE SOME VERY SMALL
DIFFERENCES THAT COME FROM THE
ORIGINAL BILL AND THIS BILL
REQUIRES A REASONABLE REPAYMENT
PLAN FOR DEBT INCURRED DURING
THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY.
COLLEAGUES, I KNOW I BROUGHT
THIS UP AT THE COUNCIL BRIEFING
BEFORE, OR YESTERDAY.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS.
>> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
ALL RIGHT.
I'M NOT SEEING ANY.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE.
I'M SORRY, COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
I CAN'T HEAR YOU.
UPPER RIGHT.
YEAH.
GO AHEAD.
>> I HAVE TO SAY, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS
FORWARD BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE
THAT CLARITY AND REPAYMENT
PLANS ARE NECESSARY.
I WILL ADMIT THAT I MISSED THE
CONVERSATION IN THE
SUSTAINABILITY AND RENTERS
RIGHTS COMMITTEE.
THAT'S ON ME.
HOWEVER THIS LEGISLATION WAS
HEARD IN COMMITTEE ONLY DAYS
AFTER INTRODUCTION AND WE ONLY
HAD ONE EATING TO DISCUSS AND
VOTE.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME IS
LANDLORDS HAVE THE OF NULLITY
TO WEIGH IN ON THIS BEFORE WE
DISCUSS IT.
I'M TOLD THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.
BASICALLY THIS BILL IS
CHARACTERIZED AS A TECHNICAL
FIX TO BRING US INTO ALIGNMENT
WITH STATE STATUTE.
DIGGING INTO THIS, SINCE THEN,
I HAVE LEARNED IT IS NOT QUITE
IN PERFECT ALIGNMENT AND WOULD
LIKELY LENGTHEN THE TIME THE
ARREARS SPECIFIED IN THE
REPAYMENT PLANS LONGER THAN THE
STATE STATUTE PROVIDES FOR.
I WILL JUST READ SOME COMMENTS
FROM CENTRAL STAFF WHEN I ASKED
ABOUT THIS.
THIS BILL IS TIED TO THE END OF
THE CITY CIVIL EMERGENCY, NOT
THE STATES PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY.
IT EXTENDS FOR SIX MONTHS AFTER
THE END OF THE CITY CIVIL
EMERGENCY, WHERE THE STATE
STATUTE DOES NOT EXTEND PAST
THE STATE PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY.
THE STATE ENDED ITS EVICTION
MORATORIUM ON JUNE 30th, 2021.
SO OURS HAS GONE ON MUCH LONGER
THAN THAT AND THIS WOULD COVER
ARREARS THAT ARE INCURRED
DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD
AFTER WE ENDED THE CIVIL
EMERGENCY, OR AT THE END OF THE
EVICTION MORATORIUM.
THERE'S MUCH MORE DETAIL IN
HERE.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT I AM
CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING RENTAL
HOUSING STOCK.
PARTICULARLY THAT OF SMALL
LANDLORDS WHO HAVE LESS
RESOURCES.
WITH THE EVICTION MORATORIUM
AND THE RENT THAT IS ONGOING.
WE REQUIRE THEM TO KEEP THEIR
PROPERTIES IN GOOD CONDITION.
I'M JUST CONCERNED ABOUT
PROLONGING THE TIME THAT THESE
SMALL LANDLORDS WILL HAVE TO
GET THAT MONEY TO MAINTAIN
THEIR PROPERTIES AND ADD
ADDITIONAL UNCERTAINTY ABOUT
WHEN THAT MIGHT HAPPEN.
I AGAIN APOLOGIZE FOR BRINGING
UP THESE CONCERNS AT THE LAST
MINUTE.
I WILL HAVE TO VOTE NO ON THIS
PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON.
AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR
POLICY REASONS FOR YOUR VOTE
TODAY.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE?
OKAY.
I'M NOT SEEING ANYONE ELSE.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
>> NO.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ?
>> AYE.
>> SEVEN IN FAVOR, ONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
THE BILL PASSES.
THE CHAIR WILL SIGN UP.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE PASSAGE OF THE
BILL.
TO THE BILL.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 3. WE
HAVE COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN
FROM THE SEATTLE PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE
SHORT TITLE OF ITEM 3 INTO THE
RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM 3. COUNCIL HILL
120303.
RELATING TO GRANT FUNDS FROM
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER NON-
CITY SOURCES.
THE CITY RECOMMENDS THE BILL
PASS.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
COLLEAGUES, COUNSEL BILL 120303
IS AUTHORIZING THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO
ACCEPT GRANTS FROM NON-CITY
SOURCES FOR TWO PROJECTS.
MULTIMODAL IMPROVEMENTS TO EAST
MARGINAL WAY AND SIDEWALK
IMPROVEMENTS ALONG FOURTH
AVENUE, SOUTH, NEAR I-90.
IT WAS RECOMMENDED UNANIMOUSLY
BY THE COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU.
>> THAT'S WHAT I LIKE.
SHORT AND SWEET.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN.
ANY QUESTIOS OR COMMENTS FOR
COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN?
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA AND THEN
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I WANT TO THANK THE CHAIR OF
TRANSPORTATION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL
MEMBER PEDERSEN, FOR ALL OF
YOUR WORK.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE WOULD LIKE
TO SEE AS ROUTINE LEGISLATION.
BUT IN THESE TIMES YOU HAVE
ESPECIALLY STEPPED UP TO
IDENTIFY OTHER SOURCES OF
POSSIBLE REVENUE, WORKING IN
PARTNERSHIP TO FIND FEDERAL
DOLLARS FOR KEY CITY PROJECTS
IS SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN
EXCITED TO WORK WITH YOU ON.
THANK YOU FOR THIS EFFORT AND
THE OTHER EFFORTS YOU ARE DOING
TO IDENTIFY MORE SOURCES.
>> THANK YOU, COUNSEL NUMBER
MOSUEDA.
COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IN ADDITION TO THANKING THE
CHAIR FOR BRINGING THIS
LEGISLATION FOR WHAT I WANTED
TO THANK SDOT FOR ANSWERING
THE QUESTIONS I HAD IN THE
COMMITTEE ABOUT THE STATUS OF
THIS PROJECT , WHICH IS SO
EXCITING.
IT'S ADVANCING FROM 90% TO 100%
DESIGN WITH CONSTRUCTION
PLANNED TO GET UNDERWAY BY THE
FOURTH QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
THIS IS A REALLY HIGH PRIORITY
PROJECT FOR FOLKS IN DISTRICT 1.
THEY ARE SEEKING LIKE ACCESS
BETWEEN WEST SEATTLE, DOWNTOWN,
AND SO ON.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS FOR COUNCIL MEMBER
PEDERSEN?
I'M NOT SEEING ANY.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> SDOT ONE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
>> SDOT ONE.
>> COUNTS MEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> SDOT ONE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNSEL NUMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ?
>> YES.
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR AND NOT
OPPOSE.
>> MADAM CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE BILL.
THAT'S MOVE ON TO ITEM FOUR.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE
SHORT TITLE OF ITEM NUMBER FOUR
INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 4, COUNSEL BILL
120304.
VACATING A PORTION OF 39th
AVENUE SOUTH, THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS THE BILL PASS.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
COLLEAGUES, COUNSEL BILL 120304
GRANT FINAL APPROVAL OF THE
VACATION OF A PORTION OF 39th
AVENUE SOUTH, NEAR THE RAIL
STATION.
WHICH FACILITATED THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE 200 UNIT LOW
INCOME HOUSING PROJECT CALLED
WILLOW CROSSING.
THE COUNCIL RAN ADDITIONAL
APPROVAL BACK IN NOVEMBER OF
2019.
THIS BILL WAS RECOMMENDED
UNANIMOUSLY BY THE COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN OR DOES ANYONE WANT
TO THANK HIM FOR DOING HIS JOB?
ALL RIGHT.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
SO WE HAVE NO QUESTIONS?
COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
YES.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
AS VICE CHAIR OF THE
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE I HAVE
TO THINK CHAIR PEDERSEN OF THE
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE FOR
HOLDING AN EXCELLENT MEETING
WHERE THIS WAS BRIEFED FOR US.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
AND COLLEAGUES.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
>> I ALSO WANT TO THANK COUNCIL
MEMBER PEDERSEN.
I DO NOT SIT ON THIS COMMITTEE
BUT IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT HE
HAS OUR INTERESTS IN MIND, AS
HE IS LEGISLATING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
WITH THAT WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE ON THE PASSAGE OF
THE BILL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> SDOT ONE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ?
>> YES.
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU MADAM CLERK.
THE BILL PASSES.
LISA FIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
BILL ON MY BEHALF.
NOW FOR THE FUN PART.
LET'S GO TO ADOPTION OF OTHER
RESOLUTIONS.
THIS IS COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA'S RESOLUTION.
NUMBER 32052.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
5 INTO THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM 5, RESOLUTION
32052.
A RESOLUTION TO STOP
PRIVATIZING THE UNITED STATES
MEDICARE SYSTEM.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM
PRESIDENT AND COLLEAGUES.
I KNOW THERE IS A SHARED
INTEREST ON HEALTHCARE FOR ALL
AND I APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST
IN THIS AND ALL OF THE WAYS IN
WHICH WE HAVE CONTINUED TO CALL
FOR PROTECTION OF SOCIAL SAFETY
NET SERVICES.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
CONSIDERING THIS RESOLUTION IN
FRONT OF US TODAY.
IT FOLLOWS DEVIOUS EFFORTS TO
SUPPORT MEDICARE FOR ALL TO
SUPPORT A STRONG CALL FOR
SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS AT
THE NATIONAL TO LOCAL LEVEL.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE
FOLKS WHO CALLED IN THIS
MORNING, OR I SHOULD SAY THIS
AFTERNOON, TO ENCOURAGE US TO
SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. THE
WASHINGTON STATE LABOR COUNCIL,
FORMER PRESIDENT JEFF JOHNSON
AND THE COCHAIR ARE ADVOCATES
FOR RETIREMENT ACTION.
WE ALSO HEARD FROM CINDY, A
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE AS WELL.
WE ARE HERE TODAY TO CONSIDER
THIS RESOLUTION. THAT IS A CALL
TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONTINUING
TO DEFEND MEDICARE SERVICES
SERVICES FOR SENIORS, MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY WITH
DISABILITIES, AND OTHER
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WHO NEED
MEDICARE NOW.
AND I THINK FOR ALL OF US AS
WELL, WHO WILL NEED A STRONG
PUBLIC MEDICARE PROGRAM IN THE
FUTURE.
THE RESOLUTION IN FRONT OF US
SHOWS THE CITY COUNCILS CONCERN
REGARDING REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO
MAKE AND ROADS TOWARD
PRIVATIZATION OF THE MEDICARE
SYSTEM.
THIS ISN'T ABOUT ATTACKING
PRESIDENT BIDEN OR HIS
AGENCIES.
THIS IS ABOUT RAISING CONCERNS
ABOUT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
SO WE CAN STEER THE FEDERAL
ADMINISTRATION TOWARDS A BETTER
PATH.
WE ARE SENDING A MESSAGE, A
CALL FOR ACTION, IN A
RESPECTFUL WAY TO OUR PRESIDENT
AND THE FEDERAL AGENCIES.
JUST LIKE 50 OTHER MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS DID, WHO EXPRESSED
THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THE
PROPOSED EFFORT TO MOVE TOWARD
PRIVATIZING MEDICARE AND A
PILOT PROJECT WHEN THE
ADMINISTRATOR TOOK OVER.
AT THE HEART OF THE CONCERN,
FROM THE HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY
AND FROM CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS,
IS THAT UNDER THE PREVIOUS
TITLE OF MEDICARE DIRECT
CONTRACTING, AND UNDER THE RIB
RATED TITLE OF CARE
ORGANIZATIONS REALIZING EQUITY,
ACCESS, AND COMMUNITY HEALTH.
NO MATTER THE TITLE THE CONCERN
REMAINS THAT CMS, CENTERS FOR
MEDICAID AND MEDICARE SERVICES,
CAN CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE
ENTITIES TO MANAGE MEDICARE
SERVICES.
NOW THESE CONTRACTS COULD BE
WITH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
BUT THEY CAN ALSO BE WITH FOUR
PROFIT INVESTORS.
LIKE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS,
INSURANCE COMPANIES, CORPORATE
HEALTHCARE BUSINESSES. UNDER
THE INITIAL PILOT OF DIRECT
CONTRACTING ENTITIES ALLOWED
FOR 75% OF THE GOVERNANCE TO BE
CONTROLLED BY PRIVATE INSURERS
AND OTHER INVESTMENT HACKERS.
SO WHEN THE CONGRESSWOMAN SENT
IN HER LETTER IN LATE FEBRUARY
SHE SAID DIRECT CONTRACTING IS
A MAJOR THREAT TO MEDICARE
COVERAGE.
IT'S HIDDEN IN THE BUREAUCRACY.
AND WHILE SHE'S GLAD THE
ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING STEPS
TOWARDS TRANSITIONING AWAY FROM
SOME OF THE FLAWED PROGRAMS
WAITING UNTIL NEXT YEAR'S
ROLLBACK OF THE PROGRAM WILL
ONLY EMBOLDEN THE PRIVATE
INVESTORS THAT ARE ALREADY
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SYSTEM
AND MORE MUST BE DONE TO FIGHT
AGAINST THIS EFFORT.
THIS ECHOES WHAT YOU HEARD FROM
JEFF JOHNSON AS WELL AND OTHER
PUBLIC HEALTH ADVOCATES AROUND
THE COUNTRY WHO SEE NO
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ACO
REACH PILOT AND THE DIRECT
CONTRACTING PILOT.
SINCE BOTH PROGRAMS ALLOW FOR
THIRD-PARTY AND PRIVATE
ENTITIES TO WEDGE THEMSELVES
BETWEEN PATIENTS AND THEIR
HEALTHCARE.
THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE WE
ARE REINSTALLING TRUST AND
STABILITY INTO MEDICARE AS A
SYSTEM AND WE NEED TO WARD OFF
AGAINST ANY EFFORTS TO DRAW
DOWN THE MEDICARE TRUST FUND BY
MAKING HUGE PROFITS FOR
CORPORATION. INCLUDING
WEAKENING SERVICES FOR
BENEFICIARIES.
BENEFICIARIES WHO ARE ELDERS,
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY WITH OTHER
VULNERABILITIES AND
DISABILITIES.
THERE IS NO CLEAR PLAN FOR THE
ACO REACH PILOT TO ADDRESS THE
FUNDAMENTAL INEQUITIES SUFFERED
BY BY INDIVIDUALS DUE TO
HISTORIC UNDER RESOURCING.
THAT'S WHERE WE SHOULD BE
FOCUSING OUR EFFORT.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS
RESOLUTION.
THIS RESOLUTION THAT CALLS FOR
THE COUNCIL TO SEND A UNITED
MESSAGE TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES
IN CONGRESS.
WE STAND WITH THOSE WHO SENT IN
MESSAGES AND WE ASK FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF THE PILOT
PROJECT IN FRONT OF US.
US AND OTHER JURISDICTION
AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE SENDING
A MESSAGE TO ENCOURAGE
PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE
SECRETARY OF HEALTH HUMAN
SERVICES TO MOVE AWAY FROM THIS
PILOT EFFORT BECAUSE OF THE
RISK IT CREATES TO THE MEDICARE
SYSTEM.
AGAIN, THIS IS NOT ABOUT
ATTACKING PRESIDENT BIDEN OR
HIS AGENCIES, THIS IS ABOUT
RAISING THOSE CONCERNS, THE
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, SO WE
CAN STEER THE FEDERAL
ADMINISTRATION TOWARD A BETTER
PATH FOR ALL OF US.
CURRENT MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES
AND ALL OF US AS FUTURE
BENEFICIARIES.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERATION AND
THERE ARE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS
THAT WORKED ON THIS ISSUE FOR A
LONG TIME, INCLUDING COUNCIL
MEMBER HERBOLD.
I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO RAISE THIS FOR THE COUNCIL
TODAY AND I LOOK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA.
MADAM CLERK, WAS I SUPPOSED TO
MOVE THE ADOPT OF THE
RESOLUTION OR WAS COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA SUPPOSED TO MOVE?
I DON'T THE GUY MOVED.
>> YOU ARE CORRECT.
IT HAS NOT BEEN MOVED AT THIS
POINT.
EITHER YOU OR COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA CAN MOVE AT THIS
POINT.
>> WILL COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA
MOVIE ADOPTION?
>> I WOULD LOVE TO.
I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS
TOPIC.
COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, I MOVE
RESOLUTION 32052, WHICH CALLS
FOR STOPPING THE PRIVATIZATION
OF THE MEDICARE SYSTEM.
>> LET'S HEAR A SECOND?
DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA HAS
ALREADY INTRODUCED AND MOVED TO
RESOLUTION.
NOW WE WILL OPEN THE FLOOR.
ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS
THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE
RESOLUTION?
I WILL SPEAK LAST.
BEFORE WE DO THE ROLL CALL.
WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD
AND COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
AND THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA FOR BRINGING THIS
FORWARD.
I HAVE WORKED ON COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS IN THE PAST
SUPPORTING MEDICARE FOR ALL.
I HAVE NOT WORKED ON THIS
PARTICULAR ISSUE AND I'M SO
GLAD YOU HAVE TAKEN IT UP,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
YOU MAY HAVE MENTIONED THIS IN
YOUR REMARKS.
ONE OF THE POINTS THAT I REALLY
WANT TO LIFT UP IS HOW WELL
MEDICARE SPENDS ITS DOLLARS.
98% OF ITS BUDGET IS SPENT ON
PATIENT CARE.
THAT IS TAX DOLLARS GOING TO
DIRECTLY SUPPORT PATIENT CARE.
WHERE AS THESE DIRECT
CONTRACTING AGENCIES REPORTEDLY
SPENT 60% OF THEIR TAX DOLLARS,
OUR TAX DOLLARS, ON PATIENT CARE
. WHICH MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR
UP TO 40% OF TAX REVENUES TO BE
USED FOR THEIR OWN PROFIT AND
OVERHEAD.
JUST FROM A FISCAL
RESPONSIBILITY STANDPOINT,
WATCHING THE TAXPAYER DOLLAR AS
WELL AS ENSURING THAT THOSE TAX
DOLLARS GO FURTHER TO SERVE
MORE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES,
THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT
ISSUE.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING
IT FORWARD AND THANK YOU TO THE
CONGRESSWOMAN FOR WEARING HER
ORGANIZING HAT AND GETTING SO
MANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO
SIGN ON IN SUPPORT OF THIS
EFFORT.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
AND THEN COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THE TITLE OF THIS RESOLUTION
IS, STOP THE PRIVATE CITATION
OF MEDICARE.
I'M A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT, LIKE
PRESIDENT BIDEN, AND I ENDORSE
THE PRIVATE MEDICARE. I
-- BY SLOGAN.
I APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION
THAT COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
PROVIDED YESTERDAY IN RESPONSE
TO MY QUESTION. THERE ARE STILL
A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
THAT I HAVE ABOUT HOW THIS
IMPACTS OUR CONSTITUENTS.
BUT FIRST I MUST NOTE THAT OF
THE 50 PEOPLE THAT SIGNED THAT
LETTER ONLY CONGRESSWOMAN, OF
ALL OF OUR DELEGATION, SIGNED
IT.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT DAMAGING
OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR
FEDERAL DELEGATION BY VOTING ON
THIS WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THEIR
THOUGHTS ARE.
LIKE I SAID, I'M CONCERNED
ABOUT THE IMPACT TO OUR
CONSTITUENTS.
YESTERDAY I NOTED THAT I HAVE
NO INFORMATION ABOUT HOW
CALLING FOR THE CESSATION OF
THIS PROGRAM WOULD IMPACT OUR
RESIDENCE.
IS THERE ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT
WOULD BE BETTER?
DOES THIS PROGRAM FILL A NEED
THAT MEDICARE SIMPLY CANNOT
PROVIDE?
THERE WAS INFORMATION PROVIDED
IN COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA'S
REMARKS AND THE INFORMATION SHE
SENT YESTERDAY.
THERE'S ALSO INFORMATION ONLINE
FROM THE CENTER FOR MEDICAL
SERVICES, WHICH TALKS ABOUT HOW
THIS PROGRAM IS VERY DIFFERENT
FROM TRUMPS PREVIOUS PROGRAM.
SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ON
ONE'S PERSPECTIVE SIMPLY A
REBRANDING OF A TRUMP PROGRAM.
IN ANY CASE I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH
INFORMATION ON WHAT WOULD BE
THE IMPLICATIONS ON OUR
CONSTITUENTS.
THAT IS WHY REPRESENT.
I DON'T REPRESENT ADVOCATES OR
MEDICAL SERVICE PROVIDERS.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK
WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN WE
VOTE ON SOMETHING AS EXTREMELY
COMPLEX AS HEALTHCARE POLICY.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON.
THEN COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
IF I DON'T SEE ANYONE ELSE THAT
I WILL MAKE MY LAST STATEMENTS
AND WE WILL GO TO A VOTE.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
I AGREE WITH THE SPONSOR OF
THIS RESOLUTION THAT MEDICARE
SHOULD NOT BE PRIVATIZED.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA FOR YOUR ADVOCATION OF
PUBLIC HEALTH AND REPRESENTING
US NATIONALLY.
I ALSO SHARE SOME OF THE
CONCERNS RAISED BY
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON. AGAIN, I
OPPOSE PRIVATIZING MEDICARE.
THIS RESOLUTION DOES SEEM TO
CONTRADICT PRESIDENT BIDEN,
REGARDING A SPECIFIC
COMPLICATED ISSUE THAT WOULD
IMPACT THIS COMPLICATED SYSTEM.
PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS HERE IN
SEATTLE JUST LAST WEEK.
I DON'T THINK OUR OFFICE WAS
ABLE TO CONFER WITH THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THIS.
SO EVEN IF THIS RESOLUTION
ABOUT THE FEDERAL POLICY WAS
NOT EXPEDITED ON TODAY'S AGENDA
I'M JUST NOT ABLE TO GIVE THIS
ISSUE THE TIME IT DESERVES,
BEING FOCUSED ON SOME OF THE
LOCAL ISSUES IN MY COMMITTEE
FOR EXAMPLE.
I BELIEVE THIS IS A GOOD
EXAMPLE OF WHY IT MIGHT BE
APPROPRIATE TO PROVIDE US, AS
INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED
OFFICIALS, WITH THE OPTION ON A
CASE-BY-CASE BASIS FOR CERTAIN
ISSUES LIKE THIS.
THIS IS WHY I HAVE BEEN
COLLABORATING WITH THE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT ON HOW BEST TO UPDATE
OUR POLICY.
THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE
GOVERNANCE MEETING THIS
THURSDAY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
I WANT TO THINK -- MAKE A FEW
COMMENTS.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
BEING ON THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL SOMETIMES, WE ALL HAD
PRIOR LIVES, AT SOME POINT ALL
OF US HAVE SUBJECT MATTER
EXPERTISE FROM OUR FORMER
LIVES.
I KNOW THAT COUNCIL NUMBER
MOSQUEDA HAS IN-DEPTH
EXPERIENCE WITH HEALTHCARE
SERVICES.
I RELY ON THAT BECAUSE THAT IS
HER COMMITTEE AND THEY HAVE AN
UNDERSTANDING.
I TRUST HER JUDGMENT THAT SHE
WOULD BRING TO A SOMETHING THAT
IS IMPORTANT.
THAT BEING SAID I DO UNDERSTAND
WHAT COUNCILMEMBER NELSON AND
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN ARE
SAYING.
I DON'T THINK WE ARE IN
IMMINENT DANGER OF MEDICARE OR
MEDICAID FOR THAT MATTER OF
BEING PRIVATIZED. AND WE
CERTAINLY DON'T WANT THAT.
SO I UNDERSTAND THAT.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND WHAT
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON SAID ABOUT
SLOGANS.
I DON'T THINK SHE MEANT THAT IN
A NEGATIVE MANNER.
MORE LIKE WE CAN'T HAVE A
SHORTHAND WAY.
BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA.
I THINK WE ALL HAVE READ THE
DANGERS.
THAT'S NOT WHY WE ARE HERE
TODAY.
I UNDERSTAND WHERE EVERYONE'S
INTENTIONS ARE IN REGARDS TO
THIS RESOLUTION AND I'M GLAD
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN BROUGHT
UP THAT AT THE THURSDAY
COMMITTEE WE WILL BE ADDRESSING
AND CHANGING THE RULES.
COUNCILMEMBERS CAN INDEED
ABSTAIN IF THEY FEEL THEY NEED
TO ON ANY PARTICULAR
RESOLUTIONS.
THAT BEING SAID, I WILL JUST
LEAVE IT ALONE.
I WANT TO MAKE AN OFFHAND
COMMENT.
IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE FUNNY
RIGHT NOW.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS.
THIS ELECTED BODY, THIS CITY
COUNCIL HAS A LONG HISTORY OF
SUPPORTING, OPPOSING,
CLARIFYING, EDUCATING, OR
ADDRESSING MANY ISSUES AND
POLICIES DIRECTED AT FEDERAL
AGENCIES.
WE DO THAT MOST NOTABLY WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR,
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
WE DO IT WITH HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES.
IN SHORT WE DON'T NEED A DIRECT
REGULATORY AUTHORITY OR
JURISDICTIONAL AUTHORITY TO
HAVE AN OPINION OR TO AUTHORIZE
OR PROPOSE A COUNCIL RESOLUTION
TO ADDRESS ANY OF THESE ISSUES,
LIKE WHAT COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA BROUGHT US TODAY.
I WILL SAY, BEING ON THIS
COUNCIL FOR SIX YEARS, THERE
HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE
RESOLUTIONS HAVE COME BEFORE US
THAT, QUITE FRANKLY, OR IN
OTHER COUNTRIES AND EVEN THOUGH
I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE AND I
UNDERSTAND WHAT COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON WAS GETTING AT WE HAVE
TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT AFFECTS
US.
NOT ONLY AS AMERICANS BUT WHAT
AFFECTS US REGIONALLY.
WHAT AFFECTS US LOCALLY.
AND ALSO REPRESENTING TRIBES.
WE HAVE DONE MANY OF THESE
RESOLUTIONS IN LETTERS TO THE
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IN
JUST ABOUT EVERY FEDERAL
AGENCY, REGARDING EVERYTHING
FROM HEALTHCARE TO
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
SO IS NOT UNCOMMON.
IT'S AN ELECTED TOOL AND I
THINK WE USE IT WELL.
BUT I THINK THE POINT HERE IS,
AT SOME POINT, WE HAVE TO TRUST
THAT OUR TEAMMATE MAY KNOW A
LITTLE BIT MORE AND THEREFORE
IS BRINGING THIS FORWARD IN
GOOD FAITH.
I WILL BE SUPPORTING
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA'S
RESOLUTION TODAY.
I DON'T REALLY CARE IF THE --
COUNCIL NUMBER MOSQUEDA BRINGS
A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.
I BELIEVE SHE WOULD NOT JUST
PUT THIS IN FRONT OF US.
AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT
SPOKE, PARTICULARLY CINDY AND
HER FAMILY, THEY GO WAY BACK
AND I UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT.
I GUESS I HAVE THE ADDED
ADVANTAGE OF BEING THE OLDEST
PERSON HERE.
WITH THAT I DON'T THINK THAT
THIS IS JUST A SLOGAN BUT I DO
REALLY RESPECT WHAT COUNCIL
MEMBER NELSON SAID AND I
RESPECT WHAT COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN SAID.
AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA FOR BRINGING
THIS FORWARD.
WITH THAT I WILL BE SUPPORTING
THIS.
MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> SDOT ONE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN?
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ?
>> AYE.
>> SIX IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED AND
THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
RESOLUTION ON MY BEHALF?
OKAY.
LET'S KEEP GOING DOWN TODAY'S
AGENDA.
WE ARE NOW AT OTHER BUSINESS.
CORRECT?
>> CORRECT.
>> IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS
BEFORE THE COUNCIL?
COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS, YOU
HAVE SOMETHING.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
I'M SORRY THAT COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON AND PEDERSEN ARE NOT
ALSO HERE TO HEAR THIS.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT MY STAFF
MEMBER, AMANDA.
TODAY IS HER LAST DAY IN THE
OFFICE AND SHE SERVED THE
OFFICE FOR OVER THE LAST TWO
YEARS IN AN AMAZING AND
DILIGENT WAY.
I WANT TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO
UPLIFT HER SERVICE TO OUR CITY,
TO THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 6,
AND CONGRATULATE HER ON HER
NEXT ADVENTURE WITH THE COUNTY.
SHE IS STILL GOING TO BE
SERVING US.
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS
MOMENT TO THANK HER FOR HER
WORK.
>> THANK YOU.
MOVING FORWARD ON OUR AGENDA.
COLLEAGUES, I DON'T BELIEVE WE
HAVE ANY MORE ITEMS ON OUR
AGENDA.
OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED
CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS ON MAY
3rd AT 2:00.
I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT
AFTERNOON.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU.