>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
THIS MORNING ON A BEAUTIFUL
AUGUST SUNDAY MORNING.
I WAS GOING TO SAY SUNDAY
MORNING.
WHAT IS IT?
IT'S THURSDAY MORNING.
MY DAYS ARE RUNNING INTO EACH
OTHER.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
PRETTY EXCITED TO MAKE SOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS WE'RE GOING TO
DESCRIBE TO YOU.
FIRST A LOGISTICAL CHECK.
YOU'LL HEAR REMARKS FROM ME
I'LL GIVE AN OVERVIEW FOR THE
INVESTMENT STRATEGY FOR THE
PARKS DISTRICT.
YOU'LL HEAR FROM COUNCIL MEMBER
LEWIS AND CHRISTOPHER LEWIS,
OUR SUPERINTENDENT.
A CO-CHAIR IN THE BOARD MARLIN
HERRERA AND YOU'LL HEAR FROM A
YOU'LL INTERN JANAYA BRADFORD.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US
JANAYA.
TODAY I'M EXCITED ABOUT SHARING
OUR PARKS DISTRICT BUDGET
PROPOSAL.
WE TRY TO BUILD THIS AROUND
FIVE PILLARS AND WE'VE TRIED TO
MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU TO SEE
VISUALLY.
THE FIRST PILLAR IS WHAT I'LL
CALL THE BASICS, WHICH IS TO
KEEP OUR PARKS CLEAN,
ACCESSIBLE AND OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC.
THAT'S THE FIRST PILLAR.
BUILDING UPON THAT FIRST
PILLAR, WE HAVE WE'RE USING
THESE GREAT ASSETS IN OUR PARKS
PORTFOLIO TO ADDRESS SAFETY
ISSUES.
SECONDLY OUR CLIMATE WORK WE'LL
BE DOING.
THIS WILL BE IN PARTNERSHIP
WITH OUR GREEN NEW DEAL
STRATEGIES YOU'LL SEE PRESENTED
IN THE OVERALL BUDGET IN A FEW
WEEKS.
FOURTHLY, YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES.
YOU'VE HEARD US TALK ABOUT THIS
FOR THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS IN
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH
OUR FUTURE ACTIVISTS AND
TEACHERS AND JOURNALISTS AND WE
LOVE OUR YOUTH AND WE THOUGHT
IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR JANAYA
TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
LAST IS EQUITY.
LOOKING AT UNDERREPRESENTING
COMMUNITIES.
HOW DO WE ADDRESS EQUITY
THROUGH AN INVESTMENT STRATEGY?
I'LL TALK ABOUT THOSE PILLARS.
WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE
INFLUENCE THAT PARKS HAVE ON
OUR COMMUNITIES.
IT CERTAINLY GOES WAY BEYOND
SPORTS FIELD AND PLAYGROUNDS
AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
THESE ARE TRULY EQUITY DRIVERS.
THEY'RE SAFE HAVENS IF WE DO
THIS RIGHT.
THEY COULD BE OUTDOOR STUDY
HALLS FOR OUR YOUTH AND OUR
STUDENTS.
THEY COULD BE STRONGHOLDS AND
ASSETS AND TOOLS IN OUR FIGHT
AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE.
WE THOUGHT APPROPRIATE TO HAVE
THIS CONFERENCE HERE IN THIS
PLAY FIELD.
I WAS REMINDING MY WIFE WHO IS
JOINING ME THAT ON THIS PARK AS
A CHILD I HIT A FEW HOME RUNS
ON THAT PARK BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
I ALSO STRUCK OUT A BUNCH OF
TIMES, TOO.
AS MEMORY WOULD SERVE IT, I
ONLY REMEMBER THE GOOD HITS I
I GREW UP AS A YOUTH AS DID
MANY PEOPLE IN SEATTLE WHO WENT
ON TO PLAY PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
AND BECOME HIGH SCHOOL STARS.
MY CHILDREN PLAYED SPORTS HERE.
HERE AND IN THE BASKETBALL GYM.
I COACHED OUT HERE WATCHING
YOUTH, SPENDING TIME WITH
YOUTH.
OUR DAUGHTER AND OUR SONS WOULD
PLAY LATE NIGHT BASKETBALL, A
GREAT PROGRAM.
MY MOTHER WHO IS NO LONGER WITH
US WOULD PICK UP OUR CHILDREN
ON MANY OCCASIONS AND JOIN IN
SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES FOR
SENIORS.
THIS IS A MULTIGENERATIONAL
ASSET IN OUR PARK SYSTEM.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT AS SUCH.
IN BACK OF YOU YOU SEE THE
YOUTH PLAYING.
THEY WILL MAYBE BE BEHIND THIS
PODIUM SOME DAY.
IF WE TREAT OUR ASSETS THE
RIGHT WAY AND WE INVEST WITH
THE RIGHT STRATEGIES AND
PROGRAMS AND POLICIES AND KEEP
THEM SAFE, WE'RE NOW OPTIMIZING
THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.
I BELIEVE IN MY HEART OF HEARTS
THAT SEATTLE COMMUNITIES
DESERVES A WORLD CLASS PARK
SYSTEM.
I'VE MADE THIS VERY CLEAR AND
UNAMBIGUOUSLY DURING THE
CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND AS MAYOR AND
A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
THIS COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE IS
WHAT WE BELIEVE IS NEEDED TO
RESTORE, RENOVATE AND MAINTAIN
AND ENHANCE THAT SYSTEM.
THIS PLAN WILL INVEST $115
MILLION PER YEAR ENSURING THAT
NEARLY THAT OUR 500 PARKS, PLAY
FIELDS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS
REMAIN WELCOMING.
I'M GOING TO NOT TO STEAL OUR
SUPERINTENDENT'S THUNDER A
LITTLE BIT, BUT I'LL DESCRIBE A
FEW OF THE INVESTMENTS BECAUSE
WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO PRESENT
THESE TO THE PARKS' BOARD.
FIRST OF ALL, WE'RE GOING TO
TAKE IN ONE OF OUR CLEAN OPEN
AND ACCESSIBLE PARKS' PILLARS.
WE WANT TO MAKE ALL 129 PUBLIC
RESTROOMS AVAILABLE FOR YEAR
ROUND USE THROUGH WINTERIZATION
EFFORTS AND MAKE SURE ONCE
AGAIN THE EFFECTS WE HAD DURING
THE PANDEMIC, THAT WE'RE MAKING
THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS AVAILABLE
AND CLEAN AND MAINTAINED.
WE'RE PUTTING IN $2.4 MILLION
TO EXPAND COMMUNITY CENTER
HOURS TO EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS
UP TO 8%.
WE WANT TO REALLY MAKE SURE
WE'RE RESTORING THE HOURS OUR
CITY NEEDS.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE $1.2
MILLION AND INVEST IN STRATEGY
AND ADDING A SECOND SHIFT ON
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AND
INCREASE DAILY MAINTENANCE OF
THE RESTROOMS.
I KNOW THAT SOUNDS GRAND IN OUR
APPROACH.
I'M A FREQUENT USER AND I WANT
THE RESTROOMS CLEAN AND
MAINTAINED.
I WANT TO SEE GRASS CUT.
I WANT TO SEE PARKS CLEAN.
IN OUR CLEAN AND OPEN AND
ACCESSIBLE PARKS, YOU SEE WHAT
I CALL THE BASICS.
THE BASICS WE ALL COULD BE
PROUD OF WHEN WE USE OUR PARKS.
IN TERMS OF SAFETY, IF WE DO
THIS INVESTMENT STRATEGY RIGHT,
I'M STANDING WITH JORDAN AND
SANDRA, TWO PARK RANGERS.
I'M PROUD TO STAND WITH OUR
PARK RANGERS BECAUSE OF THE
WORK THEY DO AND THE COMMITMENT
THEY'VE SHOWN.
WE THINK THIS IS A WISE
INVESTMENT TO EXPAND THAT KIND
OF WORK.
SO WE'RE TAKING $3.6 MILLION TO
REESTABLISH THE PARK RANGER
PROGRAM AND ADD 26 PARK
RANGERS.
JORDAN SAID TO ME THAT'S A
WELCOMED ADDITION.
SO WE HOPE TO GIVE THEM SOME
BENCH STRENGTH AND JORDAN AND
SANDRA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING
US.
WE'RE GOING TO ADD $600,000 TO
STAFF A TEAM TO QUICKLY RESPOND
TO GRAY FEET TEE AND VANDALISM.
DURING MY BUDGET PRESENTATION
YOU'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT OUR VERY
CLEAR GRAFFITI STRATEGY WE'VE
BEEN DEVELOPING FOR THE LAST
COUPLE OF MONTHS.
THIS NEW TEAM WILL BE ABLE TO
RESPOND QUICKLY TO GRAFFITI AND
VANDALISM.
WE KNOW THAT'S AN IMPORTANT
INVESTMENT.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE $450,000 TO
EXPAND THE ENFORCEMENT OR
INCREASE ENFORCEMENT TO SEVEN-
DAY COVERAGE.
I'M NOT GOING TO SAY A LOT
ABOUT THAT, BUT WE TAKE THE
LEASE AND SCOOP LAW SERIOUSLY
AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE
ENFORCE IT FAIRLY,
CONSTITUTIONALLY AND WITH
EQUITY AND MAKE SURE LAWS ARE
ENFORCED.
WITH RESPECT TO CLIMATE, WE'RE
GOING TO DECARBONIZE AN
ADDITIONAL SIX COMMUNITY
CENTERS AND PARKS' FACILITIES
AND DEVELOP A ONE SEATTLE
RESILIENCE HUB STRATEGY TO HELP
GROWING IMPACTS OF CLIMATE
CHANGE.
WE'RE TAKING CLOSE TO $1
MILLION TO STRENGTHEN THE GREEN
SEATTLE PARTNERSHIP FUNDING,
WHICH MANY OF YOU FOLLOWED THIS
WORK ASEN AAPPROACH TO PLANT
MORE TREES.
WE PUT IN $400,000 TO MAINTAIN
ADDITIONAL AENTREES, WHICH IS A
TOTAL OF 600 TO INCREASE THE
CANOPY.
I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT
EQUITY.
WE'RE INVESTING, WE'RE DOUBLING
THE EQUITY GRANT FROM $1
MILLION TO $2 MILLION TO
SUPPORT COMMUNITY DRIVEN PARK
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN
UNDERRESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS.
LAST WEEK MY WIFE AND I
ATTENDED AN EVENT IN SOUTH
PARK.
IT WAS A BACK PARK GIVE AWAY
AND WE HAD POLICE AND YOUTH HAD
THE BADGE PROGRAM.
THIS KIND OF ACTIVATION WILL
HELP COMMUNITIES LIKE THOSE IN
SOUTH PARK AND ASK COMMUNITIES
WHAT KIND OF INVESTMENTS DO YOU
WANT TO SEE IN YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD?
IN YOUR PARK?
THIS WILL BE A PARTNERING
EFFORT.
THAT'S WHY WE DOUBLED IT TO $2
MILLION.
YOU MIGHT HAVE READ THIS
MORNING I THINK IN THE
NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE SEATTLE
CONSERVATION CORE, WHICH IS A
JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ADULTS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
WE'RE GOING TO ALMOST INCREASE
THAT INVESTMENT TO A LITTLE
UNDER $1 MILLION.
$900,000 TO INCREASE THE
EFFORTS IN THE SEATTLE
CONSERVATION CORE.
WE, AGAIN, THINK THIS COULD BE
A GAME CHANGER IN RESTORING
LIVES AND ALSO GETTING PEOPLE
INTO THE PIPELINE OF EMPLOYMENT
AND BACK TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
YOUTH MENTOR SHIP OPPORTUNITIES
IS ANOTHER INVESTMENT.
WE'RE GOING TO INVEST $820,000
TO ADD 20,000 OF YOUTH
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT
WILL SERVE APPROXIMATELY EIGHT
YOUTH.
NOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR CYCLE
ONE SERVICES, WHICH IS WHEN WE
STARTED THE DISTRICT AND LOOK
AT HOW WE'RE TRYING TO PARLAY
THAT, YOU'LL SEE $24 MILLION IN
REGULAR MAINTENANCE.
CLEANING AND OTHER SERVICES.
AGAIN, THAT GOES INTO OUR
PILLAR OF WHAT I'LL CALL THE
BASICS.
MAKING SURE OUR PARKS ARE CLEAN
AND ACCESSIBLE AND USER
FRIENDLY.
AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
ABOUT $5 MILLION IN REGULAR
TREE PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE
WORK.
I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
OPERATIONS PROGRAM $4.4 MILLION
AND THERE ARE 4.3 IN THE
PROGRAMS FOR TEENS AND OLDER
ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES.
SO WE REALIZED AS I TALKED
ABOUT EARLIER, THESE ARE
MULTIGENERATIONAL PARKS.
WE LOOK AT THE YOUTH AND LOOK
AT PEOPLE IN THEIR 20s, 30s,
40s AND AT PEOPLE MUCH OLDER
THAN THAT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S
ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE AND PASS
ON THE LEARNING FROM ONE
GENERATION TO ANOTHER.
THE MULTIGENERATIONAL TEACHINGS
FROM A GRANDMOTHER TO A
GRANDSON.
WE TALK ABOUT THE VILLAGE
STRATEGY.
WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE
TRANSFORM THE ASSETS AND THAT'S
WHY WE USED THE FIVE PILLARS.
THAT'S WHY YOU SEE A BALANCED
APPROACH TO MAKING SURE WE HAVE
THE MULTIGENERATIONAL POLICIES
AND PROGRAMS AN EFFORT.
NOW, IN MY FIRST EIGHT MONTHS
OF BEING MAYOR, I REITERATED
TIME AND TIME AGAIN OUR
ADMINISTRATION'S COMMITMENT TO
ARKS.
I SPENT SO MANY HOURS DOWN HERE
COACHING AND TALKING TO YOUTH.
SOMETIMES GETTING YELLED AT BY
PARENTS BECAUSE I WASN'T
PLAYING THEIR CHILD ENOUGH.
BUT IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, WORKING
WITH MOTHERS AND FATHERS AND
SOME COMING FROM SOME OF THE
CHILDREN COMING FROM SOME
CHALLENGES IN THEIR HOMES.
PICKING THEM UP BECAUSE THEY
DIDN'T HAVE A RIDE TO PRACTICE.
ONE CHILD HAD TO CATCH HIS BUS
WITH HIS FULL UNIFORM AND
HELMET CATCHING THE BUS TO
PRACTICE.
SO WE ALL AS A VILLAGE, WE MADE
SURE WE COULD GET THIS TYPE OF
PERSON TO PRACTICE ON TIME.
HE WAS COMING LATE AND
SOMETIMES HE WOULD GET CAUGHT
UP ON THE BUSES.
THESE ARE PERSONAL STORIES THAT
HAVE SERVED AS MY VALUES ON WHY
WE WANT TO DO THIS WORK.
WHEN THE PANDEMIC UPROOTED OUR
LIVES AND OUR JOBS AND OUR
RELATIONSHIPS AND THESE PARKS
BECAME AN OUTLET FOR SO MANY
PEOPLE TO ESCAPE.
MANY PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE YARDS.
THEY DO NOT HAVE AREAS CLOSE TO
THEM WHERE THEY CAN SIMPLY HAVE
A BARBECUE OR TALK TO FRIENDS
AND JUST RELAX AND ENJOY THE
SHADE.
THESE ASSETS WE DRIVE WITH
EQUITY AND THIS REMINDS US WHY
THESE PLACES ARE INTEGRAL FOR A
HEALTHY COMMUNITY.
I'M GOING TO CLOSE BEFORE
COUNSEL MEMBER LEWIS SPEAKS BY
SAYING IN MID-20 21, I THINK
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE.
100 OF THE PARKS AND NATURAL
AREAS MANAGEDBY THE PARKS AND
RECREATIONAL PORTFOLIO, 100
WERE CLOSED OR IMPACTED.
WE PUT THE DATA OUT THERE.
NOW, APPROXIMATELY 93%, THAT'S
450 PARKS ARE FULLY OPEN AND
ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR
THEIR INTENDED USE.
THAT'S BECAUSE THE WORK OF OUR
UNIFIED CARE TEAM.
WE DID NOT DO THIS WORK ALONE.
WE HAVE MANY ADVOCACY
ORGANIZATIONS, MANY NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS, THE KING COUNTY
REGIONAL HOMELESS ASSOCIATION,
FOR EXAMPLE IN WOODLAND PARK
AREA, AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER
OF REFERRALS FOR SHE FELTING
AND HOUSING.
THAT'S HOW WE HELP.
WE HOUSE THEM AND TREAT THEM.
IF WE USE THIS ASSET PORTFOLIO
THE RIGHT WAY, THESE ARE
WIN/WIN SCENARIOS.
PARKS ARE A LOT OF THINGS FOR A
LOT OF PEOPLE.
BUT THE COMMON THEME IN THIS
WILL BE OUR FIVE PILLARS.
SAFE, OUR YOUTH, CLIMATE
CHANGE, EQUITY, THESE TYPES OF
PILLARS.
WE WANT EVERYONE TO SEE AND
FEEL THE AFFECTS OF THIS
INVESTMENT STRATEGY.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE.
I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THE
COUNCIL'S ENGAGEMENT ON THIS
ISSUE.
I'M EXCITED TO INTRODUCE
COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS AND HE'S
BEEN A PHENOMENAL PARTNER IN
THE WORK WE'RE DOING.
HE'S BEEN ENGAGED ALL ALONG THE
WAY.
I EXPECT THE COUNCIL OR THE
COMMISSIONERS TO HAVE A GREAT
AND RICH CONVERSATION ON OUR
PROPOSAL AND I LOOK FORWARD TO
COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS'
LEADERSHIP.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE
COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREW LEWIS.
>> THANKS SO MUCH, MAYOR.
ON THAT NOTE THAT YOU JUST
CLOSED WITH, I WANT TO
EMPHASIZE THE BUILDING TOWARDS
THE PROPOSAL.
IT'S NOT A LEVEL OF
COLLABORATION WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN
USED TO ON THE COUNCIL FROM AN
EXECUTIVE AND IT IS GREATLY
APPRECIATED.
IT'S MADE POSSIBLE NOT JUST BY
MAYOR HARRELL'S LEADERSHIP, BUT
I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE DAN
CHRISTA, THE WORK YOU'VE DONE
IN PUTTING THIS PACKAGE
TOGETHER.
CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER EMERY.
EVERYONE HAS BEEN GREAT IN THE
PARKS DEPARTMENT AND THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE IN HELPING THE
COUNCIL NAVIGATE THIS RENEWAL.
THAT'S REFLECTED IN THE PACKAGE
THAT MAYOR HARRELL HAS PUT
FORWARD TODAY FOR OUR
CONSIDERATION.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE
PROCESS, SIMILAR TO MAYOR
HARRELL'S AREAS OF INTEREST,
THE COUNCIL IDENTIFIED WANTING
TO MAKE THEM CLEAN, SAFE AND
OPEN.
THAT'S WHAT'S EXPECTED FROM THE
PUBLIC.
THAT'S WHAT WE EXPECT AS A
PARKS' BOARD TO DELIVER WITH
THIS NEXT ROUND OF INVESTMENTS.
THIS SIX-YEAR RENEWAL OF THE
METRO PAL TAN PARK DISTRICT
RESTORES AND REBUILDS
COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE CITY.
IT MAKES NEW INVESTMENTS IN A
RENEWED AND STRENGTHENED PARK
100% OF THE RANGER WORK
FORCE YOU SEE BEFORE YOU TODAY
AT THIS PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE
A MORE ROBUST AND SUPPORTED
PROGRAM.
SALT LAKE CITY HAS 16 PARK
RANGERS.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, HAS
NEAR 40.
WE CURRENTLY ONLY HAVE TWO, AND
THEY DO AN EXCELLENT JOB.
I HAD THE GREAT PRIVILEGE OF
GOING ON A RIDE WITH SANDY TO
SEE WHAT SHE DOES.
IT'S WHAT WE EXPECT.
SOMEBODY THAT CAN BE A PRESENCE
IN THE PARK, PROVIDE
INFORMATION ON PARK RULES AND
PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IF
NECESSARY.
THAT CAN DELIVER AN ARCAN TO
SAVE A LIFE.
THEY ARE A VALUABLE ASSET TO
OUR OPEN AND PUBLIC SPACES IN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND WE'LL
GIVE YOU THE HELP YOU NEED TO
HAVE A ROBUST WORK FORCE AND
CONTINGENT OF PARK RANGERS
ACTIVATING OUR PUBLIC SPACES
AND PROVIDING THAT LEVEL OF
ACTIVATION THAT WE EXPECT AS
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
WE ARE GOING TO BUILD ON THE
GREAT WORK WE'VE DONE WITH THE
CONSERVATION CORE THAT WAS
WRITTEN TODAY.
A PROGRAM MODELED ON THE NEW
DEAL ERA CONSERVATION CORE,
WHICH THROUGH PUBLIC WORKS AND
THROUGH OUTREACH HELPS NOT ONLY
RESTORE OUR PUBLIC SPACES, BUT
PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY AND
SOBRIETY AND A PLACE TO LIVE
FOR SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE
PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE'LL BUILD ON THAT WORK AND
EXPAND THAT WORK.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE WITH
CONFIDENCE AN ASSET WE TOOK FOR
GRANTED AND LOST HAVING CLEAN,
SAFE AND OPEN RESTROOMS
RELIABLY AT A TIME WE NEEDED
OPEN PUBLIC RESTROOMS IN OUR
PARKS MORE THAN EVER, DURING
THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC, AND COULD
NOT RELIABLY FIND THAT SERVICE
WHEN WE WERE COMING TO THE
PARK, TO THE PLAYGROUND.
WHEN WE WERE SOCIALLY
DISTANCING.
WE'LL MAKE SURE THERE'S
INVESTMENTS SO THE PARKS
DEPARTMENT HAS THE RESOURCES IT
NEEDS TO MAKE SURE OUR COMFORT
STATIONS CAN BE CLEAN, SAFE AND
OPEN IN SEATTLE PARKS.
THIS IS A REALLY GREAT
FOUNDATION FOR THE CITY COUNCIL
TO BEGIN OUR DELIBERATION.
WE APPRECIATE MAYOR HARRELL'S
LEADERSHIP IN INCLUDING THE
PROCESS.
WE APPRECIATE THE INCORPORATION
AND THE PATIENT LISTENING IN
THE HARRELL ADMINISTRATION TO
MANY PRIORITIES WITHIN THE FOUR
CORNERS OF THIS PROPOSAL WE'RE
SEEING TODAY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING
THAT COLLABORATION LEADING INTO
THE BUDGET AND CONFIRM A NEXT
SIX YEAR CYCLE FOR THE
METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU ANDREW LEWIS IN
YOUR CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF
THE BOARD.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING AND
SEEING AND BEING READY TO
ANSWER QUESTIONS AS THE COUNCIL
OR BOARD DELIBERATES.
I NOW WANT TO INTRODUCE TO SAY
A FEW WORDS, OUR SUPERINTENDENT
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS.
I WANT TO SAY THERE ARE SOME
WONDERFUL PARK ADVOCATES THAT
HELPED US PUT THIS PROGRAM
TOGETHER.
YOU'LL HEAR FROM ONE AFTER
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS.
THERE WERE EMPLOYEES AND
COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS THAT ARE
HERE WITH US.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR
BEING HERE.
THIS BUDGET THAT WE'VE PROPOSED
IS A RESULT OF THAT COMMUNITY
OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY BY MANY.
WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE STAFF
AND THE BOARD OF THE PARKS AND
RECREATION COMMUNITY.
WE THINK THIS PACKAGE ADDRESSES
THE CONCERNS AND THE DRIVES
THEY WANTED TO SEE.
WE'LL HEAR FROM SUPERINTENDENT
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS.
MANY OF YOU ARE AWARE OF HIS
FINE WORK.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT
INVESTMENT IN OUR LOCAL PARK
AND RECREATION SYSTEM.
IT'S $115 MILLION WORTH OF
INVESTMENTS TOTAL.
ABOUT $57 MILLION OF THAT IS
YOU MIGHT CONSIDER NEW
INVESTMENT INTO THE SYSTEM.
THIS IS A BIG LIFT.
THE THING I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
IS THE MAYOR HAD JUST TAKEN
OFFICE WHEN WE WENT TO THE
MAYOR'S TEAM AND SAID HEY, WE
NEED TO WORK ON THIS NEXT
SECTION OF PARK DISTRICT
FUNDING AND WE GOT A LOT OF
SUPPORT IN THE BEGINNING FROM
DEPUTY MAYOR EMERY AND DAN
EATER AND CHRISTA VIEZ.
A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE.
THE MAYOR MENTIONED SORT OF
THIS COMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEERS.
WE HAVE A ROBUST ARMY OF
CONSTITUENT ADD ADVOCACY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP
TO ADVOCATE FOR LOTS OF STUFF
IN THE PARK DISTRICT THAT YOU
HEARD ABOUT TODAY.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE PARK
BOARD'S DEDICATION TO LISTENING
TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE FELT THAT THROUGH THEIR
LISTENING THEY'VE HAD A HUGE
IMPACT ON THE CREATION OF THIS
SLATE OF RECOMMENDATIONS THAT
THE MAYOR JUST TALKED ABOUT.
WE KNOW THAT THESE INVESTMENTS
WILL SUPPORT THE CITY THROUGH A
PROCESS OF RECOVERY.
WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THAT IN
OUR PARK SYSTEM.
THE PARK STAFF WHO MANY OF WHOM
ARE BEHIND ME HERE ALSO PUT IN
A LOT OF EFFORT AND A LOT OF
WORK TO GET US TO THIS PLACE
TODAY.
SO JUST LOTS OF PEOPLE TO THANK
AND RECOGNIZE.
THE FOCUS HERE IS A WIDE RANGE
OF FOCUS ON ADDRESSING CLIMATE
CHANGE TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF
THE COMMUNITY.
THEY'RE EQUITY CENTERED IN
ORDER TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE
COMMUNITY.
WE WANT TO SUPPORTYOUNG PEOPLE
WHILE THEY'RE IN THE HOPE
STAGES OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND
WE ARE MAKING A HUGE INVESTMENT
IN WHAT WE'RE CALLING A YOUTH
OPPORTUNITY FUND.
SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE LOTS
OF PARTNERS OUT THERE THAT WE
SHOULD BE PARTNERING WITH TO
STRENGTHEN OUR COMMITMENT TO
YOUTH.
WE'RE ALSO ADDRESSING SAFETY
NEEDS AS THE MAYOR MENTION AND
HAD TALKED ABOUT PARK RANGERS.
WE ARE GOING TO SIGNIFICANTLY
EXPAND THAT PROGRAM ACROSS THE
SYSTEM.
WE WANT TO SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES
TO EXPAND THE USE OF OUR
COMMUNITY CENTERS.
THE MAYOR DESCRIBED THEM AS
MULTIGENERATIONAL FACILITIES
AND FLAG SHIP INVESTMENTS WE
MAKE.
MAXIMIZING THEIR USE IS REALLY
IMPORTANT.
AND WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT
ELECTRIFY INDICATION AND
DECARBONIZATION OF COMMUNITY
CENTERS.
YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT INVESTMENTS
IN THE SEATTLE CONSERVATION
CORE.
THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
AND EVERY INTEREST IN THIS
SLATE OF INVESTMENTS AND WE'RE
GLAD TO BE WITH THE MAYOR
MAKING THIS PRESENTATION AT
THIS TIME.
JUST WANT TO GIVE A BIG
SHOUTOUT TO OUR PARTNERS HERE
AND THE STAFF AND CERTAINLY THE
MAYOR'S STAFF.
THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU, CHRIS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHRIS.
>> NEXT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR
FROM OUR BOARD OF PARKS
RECREATION COMMISSIONER MARLIN
HERRERA.
BACKGROUND ON MARLIN HERRERA.
HE IS A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT
SOUND TRANSIT WITH EXPERIENCE
DELIVERING COMPLEX
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT AT
MULTIPLE LOCAL AGENCIES.
MANY OF YOU KNOW THE CHALLENGES
THEY HAVE AND THE GREAT
OPPORTUNITIES IN FRONT OF US.
MARLIN ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY
OF WASHINGTON WHERE HE EARNED
HIS MASTER OF PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION AND HE'S
GUARANTEED A VICTORY THIS
SATURDAY AGAINST KENT STATE I
UNDERSTAND.
HOWEVER, HE WENT TO SEATTLE
UNIVERSITY FOR THE BACHELOR OF
ARTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
AND A MEMBER OF THE WILLIAM
PARK ZOO BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN
A COMMUNITY ORGANIZING THE
CHINA TOWN DISTRICT.
HE'S BEEN A STEADFAST LEADER IN
MANY COMMUNITIES AND A STRONG
ADVOCATE FOR OUR PARK SYSTEMS.
MARLIN HERRERA.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR
HARRELL AND THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE ON THIS GORGEOUS MORNING.
I KNOW THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT
OF THINGS WE'D RATHER BE DOING.
LET ME TELL YOU, THERE'S ONE
THING I LOVE MORE THAN PARKS
AND THAT WOULD BE RECREATION.
I'M SUPER EXCITED TO SUPPORT
MAYOR HARRELL'S PLAN.
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A WHOLE LOT
THE LAST FEW YEARS.
A PANDEMIC, A RACIAL RECONNING,
ALL THESE CLIMATE EVENTS AND
HOUSING CRISIS.
JUST TO NAME A FEW.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, OUR PARKS AND
RECREATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN AT
THE FOREFRONT OF FIGHTING EVERY
SINGLE ONE OF THE ISSUES AND
WE'RE COMMITTED TO FIGHTING THE
ISSUES ON WHATEVER MAY COME OUR
WAY THE NEXT FEW.
TOWARDS THE FUTURE, WE'RE
DEDICATED TO DRIVING PUBLIC
HEALTH OUTCOMES, PUSHING FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
AND DEVELOPING OUR COMMUNITIES
TO BE STRONG AND OUR FUTURE
LEADERS TO BE RIGHT HERE TODAY.
FROM OUR ROOTS AND THE LEGACY
IN 1891 TO OUR CURRENT FIGHT TO
ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY WE'VE MET
THE DEMAND OF A CHANGING
ENVIRONMENT AND GROWING CITY.
I'M SURE YOU KNOW AS COUNCIL
MEMBER LEWIS, MAYOR HARRELL AND
SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS SAID
BEFORE ME, WE DO SO MUCH MORE
THAN BENCHES AND BASKETBALLS.
WE'RE THE CITY'S LARGEST CHILD
CARE PROVIDER.
WE DELIVER PROGRAMS TO DIVERSE
CULTURES, FOLKS WITH
DISABILITIES, YOUTH, ELDERS AND
SO MUCH MORE.
WE PROVIDE CRITICAL HUMAN
SERVICES TO PEOPLE FACING
HOUSELESSNESS AND PATHWAYS TO
HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT.
WE'RE A LARGE EMPLOYER OF UNION
FAMILY WAGE JOBS.
WE NURTURE THE LAND FOR FUTURE
GENERATIONS AND INSPIRE
EVERYONE WHO STEPS FOOT HERE.
WE SUPPLY CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT BRINGS OUR
COMMUNITIES TOGETHER.
THESE PLACES LIKE RIGHT HERE IN
RAINIER PLAY FIELD ARE WHERE
PEOPLE WATCH LITTLE KIDS PLAY
BASKETBALL OR BASEBALL FOR THE
FIRST TIME.
THIS IS WHERE WE CREATE
PRICELESS MOMENT WITH THE
PEOPLE WE LOVE.
WHERE WE GO TO FIND SOLITUDE OR
NEW FRIENDS.
WHERE WE INVITE TO FIND NEW
SOLUTIONS FOR RECREATION,
CLIMATE CHANGE, LAND MANAGEMENT
AND SO MUCH MORE.
AS YOU KNOW, PARKS AND
RECREATION IS CENTRAL TO OUR
IDENTITY IN SEATTLE.
WITH OUR PARKS AND RECREATION
USE SWELLING, WE OWE IT TO OUR
NEIGHBORS TO MEET THEIR NEEDS
AND EXPECTATIONS.
I HELPED PUT THIS PROPOSAL
TOGETHER TO TRANSMIT TO THE
MAYOR AND COUNCIL BY LISTENING
TO 10,000 SEATTLE IDENTITIES
SINCE 2017.
ALONG WITH MY OTHER MEMBERS OF
THE BOARD OF PARKS.
IN ADDITION, WE HAD MULTIPLE
LISTENING SESSIONS AND PUTTING
TOGETHER THE PROPOSAL AND I'M
EXCITED TO CONTINUE WORKING
WITH THE STAFF, THE MAYOR AND
THE COUNCIL AND ALL OF OUR
PARTNERS IN THE ECO SYSTEM TO
HELP IMPLEMENT THE NEXT ROUND
OF PARK DISTRICT INVESTMENTS.
I'M CONFIDENT THAT ALL THE
PUBLIC SERVANTS AT PARK
RECREATION WILL RISE TO THE
MOMENT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I THINK WHAT MARLIN
DEMONSTRATES IS PASSION, A
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE,
INTEGRITY AND LOVE FOR THIS
CITY.
THANK YOU, MARLIN.
THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO RUMOR
HE'S LEAVING TO WORK FOR THE
CITY OF SEATTLE, BY THE WAY.
THEY WOULD KILL ME.
OUR LAST SPEAKER WILL BE JANAYA
BRADFORD WHO INTERNED WITH US
AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO
UNDERSTAND WHY WE TRY TO HAVE
THESE KIND OF PARTNERSHIPS.
NUMBER ONE, THESE ARE PAID
INTERNSHIPS.
WE WANT TO MATCH A PERSON'S
INTEREST AND THEIR SKILLS
TOGETHER WITH WHAT WE'RE TRYING
TO DO IN THE CITY TO DEVELOP
THESE RELATIONSHIPS.
THIS IS PREEMPLOYMENT TRAINING
AS YOUNG PEOPLE START THINKING
ABOUT WHAT THEIR CAREERS COULD
BE.
WE ALSO WANT TO PAIR THEM WITH
MENTORS WHO PERHAPS COULD HELP
THIS PERSON MAKE CAREER
DECISIONS AND ACADEMIC
DECISIONS IN THEIR LIFE AND A
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AS WE WANT
THEIR RESUME TO BE STRONGER TO
SHOW THEY'RE COMMITTING
THEMSELVES TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
WHILE I DON'T KNOW JANAYA WELL
PERSONALLY I KNOW OF HER.
YOUR NAME CAME UP.
I PRESENT TO YOU OUR SUPER
STAR, JANAYA BRADFORD.
>> HI, I'M JANAYA.
I WAS WITH THE URBAN LEAGUE
PROGRAM UNDER THE CITY OF
SEATTLE AND I THANK THEM A LOT
FOR LETTING ME BE IN THE
PROGRAM BECAUSE FIRST IT WAS
PAID.
SECOND BECAUSE IT HELPED ME
WITH A LOT.
IT HELPED ME PERSONALLY LEARN
HOW TO HAVE PATIENCE WITH KIDS.
AND THEN THEY ALSO TAUGHT ME
HOW TO DO A RESUME.
IT WAS MY FIRST JOB EVER.
SO I LEARNED A LOT DURING THAT
FIRST JOB, THE FIRST TWO MONTHS
OR MONTH AND A HALF.
IT WAS REALLY HELPFUL TO ME.
IT TOOK A LOT OF FREE TIME OFF
OF MY HANDS.
I HAD A LOT OF FREE TIME DURING
THE SUMMER.
WITH THIS PROGRAM, IT TOOK THAT
OFF MY HANDS.
I WORKED PRETTY LONG SHIFT AND
I HAD FUN.
I DO THANK THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
ESPECIALLY THE FIRST TWO WEEKS.
THE FIRST TWO WEEKS WERE A LOT
TO DO.
THEN I JUST LEARNED A LOT.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.
I LEARNED A LOT UNDER THE CITY
OF SEATTLE AND THE URBAN
LEAGUE.
THEY'RE OPENING UP A BIGGER
COMMUNITY FOR OTHER PEOPLE.
FOR LOTS OF RACES AND NOT JUST
FOR RANDOM PEOPLE, BUT FOR
EVERYBODY.
UP TO LIKE I THINK 21, I
BELIEVE.
THEY HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
PROGRAMS TO WHERE YOU CAN WORK
AT THE COMMUNITY CENTERS OR DO
CONSTRUCTION OR YOU CAN WORK IN
THE OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
SO THERE'S LOTS OF
OPPORTUNITIES AND YOU CAN
LITERALLY TALK TO THEM AND SAY
WHICH ONE YOU LIKE TO WORK
UNDER AND THEY COULD TRY TO
MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR YOU.
THEY REACH OUT TO A LOT OF
UPPER HIGHER PEOPLE.
LAST FRIDAY WE MET A JUDGE AND
A BAILIFF.
IT WAS NICE ESPECIALLY BECAUSE
SHE WAS BLACK AND I LEARNED A
LOT FROM HER.
DURING THAT TIME I MET HER ON
FRIDAY FOR OUR LAST DAY SHE
TAUGHT US A LOT.
SHE TAUGHT US AND SHE TALKED TO
US ABOUT THINGS SHE WENT
THROUGH FOR HER TO GET THERE.
ALSO MET THE MAYOR THE FIRST
WEEK OF US BEING IN THE
PROGRAM.
WE MET A FOOTBALL PLAYER.
WE MET SIR MIX A LOT AND WE MET
A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE
CONNECTIONS WITH.
I LIKE THAT THEY REACHED OUT TO
THOSE PEOPLE JUST FOR US TO
UNDERSTAND AND KNOW WHERE WE
CAN GET WITH THIS PROGRAM.
I'M PRETTY SURE I'LL BE JOINING
BACK NEXT SUMMER AND EVERY
SUMMER.
I DO THANK THEM A LOT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU JANAYA.
YOU DID VERY WELL.
CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POISE YOU
HAVE TO HAVE IN ORDER TO HAVE A
PRESS CONFERENCE LIKE THIS?
HECK, I'M NERVOUS.
YOU DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB.
NOW I'M GOING TO ASK MY COM'S
DIRECTOR AND HELP ME.
WE'LL TAKE Q AND A. I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION ON
THIS MATTER AND THANK YOU FOR
THE SPEAKERS.
I'M PROUD TO HAVE A TEAM.
THIS WORK WAS A WORK OF A LOT
OF WORK AND MARLIN GAVE YOU AN
EXAMPLE OF THAT.
WE APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY
WORK IN THIS REGARD.
QUESTIONS?
>> LET'S RAISE OUR HANDS.
>> GIVING YOUR REPORTED
COMMENTS TO POLICE OFFICERS,
WHEN YOU SPEAK PUBLICLY ABOUT
ONE SEATTLE AND UNITY, SHOULD
WE DOUBT YOUR SINCERITY?
>> NO IS THE SHORT ANSWER.
I WAS HOPING TO GET SOME
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS REPORTED,
PER SAY ABOUT WHAT I SAID.
I'LL TELL YOU HOW I RESPONDED.
I ASKED A QUESTION AND I SAID
WELL, DID I USE ANY PROFANITY?
DID I KUSS ANYBODY OUT?
DID I SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT
ANY INDIVIDUAL AND THEY SAID
NO.
I GIVE PROBABLY FIVE OR SIX
SPEECHES A WEEK.
I CAN'T KEEP TRACK OF
EVERYTHING THAT I DID, BUT I'LL
TELL YOU WHAT I'M INTOLERANT
ABOUT.
I'LL REMAIN MY RIGHT TO
CRITICIZE WHAT I SEE.
I'M NOT HAPPY WHEN I LOOK AT
THE NUMBER OF MURDERS AND
DEATHS WE'VE HAD IN THE CITY.
I'M NOT HAPPY WHEN I SEE PEOPLE
NOT HOUSED IN TENTS.
THEY'RE LIVING IN TENTS ON
STREETS AND NOT GETTING THE
SERVICES THEY NEED.
I'M NOT HAPPY WHEN I SEE THE
FENTANYL ISSUES KILLING
COMMUNITIES.
PEOPLE ELECTED A MAYOR TO BE
DECISIVE AND TO BE STRONG AND
MAKE DECISIONS.
SO WHATEVER I'M QUOTED IN MY
ONE SEATTLE APPROACH IS THAT
THESE KIDS MATTER.
WE WILL NOT BE STAGNANT OR
COMPLACENT IN THIS CITY UNDER
MY LEADERSHIP.
SO ONE SEATTLE DOES NOT MEAN WE
DON'T CALL THINGS FOR WHAT THEY
ARE.
I'M COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY.
SO WHEN I'M AT A 3:00 ROLE CALL
AS I HAVE BEEN FIVE TIMES.
WHEN I'M AT MADRONA PARK AT
5:00 A.M.
úAS I WAS LAST WEEKEND IN A WES
AFRICAN TRADITION OF HEALING,
IT'S GOING TO TAKE THAT KIND OF
EFFORT TO WAKE UP OUR CITY TO
BUILD THE KIND OF CITY WE COULD
BE.
THAT IS ONE SEATTLE.
SO WHATEVER PEOPLE SAID I SAID,
I'LL OWN IT BECAUSE I BELIEVE
IN THESE PEOPLE HERE.
I BELIEVE IN THE PEOPLE HERE IN
SEATTLE.
I'VE BEEN IN THIS CITY MY
ENTIRE LIFE.
IF THERE'S ONE THING ABOUT ME
IS THAT I'M AUTHENTIC.
WHEN YOU GO TO KINDERGARTEN IN
THE SAME SCHOOL YOU BECAME
MAYOR AND YOU SAY THE SAME
THINGS.
WHEN YOU'VE BEEN WITH MY BEST
FRIEND AND WIFE FOR CLOSE TO,
WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR FOUR
DECADES.
SHE'S SEEN ME.
I'M NOT AFRAID OF YOU.
I'M AFRAID OF HER CRITICISM BY
THE WAY.
SHE'S A TOUGH CRITICS.
SHE'S SEEN ME SAY THE SAME
THINGS OVER AND OVER AND OVER
AGAIN.
SO SEATTLE STOP PLAYING SMALL
BALL.
LET'S PLAY BIG BALL.
LET'S ATTACK RACISM AND POLICE
REFORM.
LET'S REVITALIZE OUR DOWNTOWN.
THAT'S BIG BALL.
I'LL ANSWER SOME MORE
QUESTIONS, BUT THAT'S WHAT I'M
GOING TO SAY.
I APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTION.
>> YOU TOLD POLICE THAT NO ONE
HAS A RIGHT TO SLEEP OUTDOORS.
HOW DOES THIS INFLUENCE YOUR
POLICY GOING FORWARD?
ARE THOSE COMMENTS GOING TO
CHANGE ANYTHING?
>> NO.
THIS IS NOTHING NEW.
I SAID THIS ON THE COUNCIL.
I SAID THIS IS AS A CANDIDATE
FOR MAYOR AND I SAY THIS AS A
MAYOR.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MARTIN
VERSUS BOISE DECISION, IT WAS A
2018 DECISION.
A LAWSUIT STARTED IN 2009.
WHAT THE LAW MADE IT CRYSTAL
CLEAR IS YOU CAN'T IDEALIZE
HOMELESSNESS.
IF A PERSON HAS NOWHERE TO
SLEEP, YOU CAN'T PUT A PERSON
IN JAIL, BUT YOU CAN PUT
REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS TO MAKE
SURE YOU DON'T HAVE SYRINGES IN
THE PARK.
THESE CHILDREN DON'T KNOW WHAT
A SYRINGE IS.
MAKE SURE THROUGH THIS STRATEGY
TO MAKE SURE OUR PARKS ARE SAFE
FOR EVERYONE.
IT SHOULDN'T BE A PLACE WHERE
PEOPLE DON'T HAVE WATER OR
HEAT.
OUR STRATEGY ADDRESSES THROUGH
OUR EQUITY LENS THE KIND OF
WORK WE WANT TO DO.
SO IT'S CONSISTENT WITH MARTIN
VERSUS BOISE, THE SUPREME COURT
RULING AND CONSISTENT WITH OUR
UNQUESTIONABLE COMMITMENT TO
EQUITY.
>> ON THAT SAME POINT, YOU
MENTIONED THAT THE KEY COUNTY
HOMELESSNESS AUTHORITY IS
WORKING AGAINST YOUR INTEREST.
ARE YOU GOING TO BE PROPOSING
IN A COUPLE WEEKS A BUDGET
REDUCTION FOR THEM?
>> YES.
AGAIN, I'M SURE EVERYONE KNOWS,
BUT IT BEARS REPEATING THAT
PEOPLE ARE ASKING ABOUT MY
REMARKS AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS
THE REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS
AUTHORITY.
YOU WILL SEE WE'LL PRESENT OUR
BUDGET IN A FEW WEEKS, BUT
YOU'LL SEE OUR CLEAR
RECOGNITION OF A LOT OF THE
GREAT WORK THEY'RE DOING.
I WAS INTENTIONAL IN MY REMARKS
TO TALK ABOUT WOODLAND PARK
ZOO.
LET ME SAY THIS, THAT IS ONE
TOOL OF MANY.
LEAD IS ONE TOOL OF MANY.
OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND MENTAL
HEALTH COUNSELORS AND OUR
POLICE OFFICERS ARE ONE TOOL OF
MANY.
COMMUNITY PASSAGEWAYS ARE ONE
TOOL OF MANY.
YOU PUT THEM TOGETHER AND I'M
NOT HAPPY WITH WHAT I'M SEEING.
YOU DON'T WANT A MAYOR THAT'S
COMPLACENT OR SATISFIED WITH
TOO LITTLE IN THIS CITY.
THAT CROW EVEN AGREES WITH ME.
YOU'LL SEE CONTINUED SUPPORT.
WHAT I OWE TO THE LEAD RES AT
RHA IS MY EXPECTATION.
I THINK THEY SHARE, TOO, MY
CONCERN THAT WE HAVE TO GET
THIS WORK DONE.
THAT'S A STARTUP ORGANIZATION.
IT'S A STARTUP ORGANIZATION.
THEY ARE OWED THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SUCCEED, TO HAVE MEASURABLE
OUTCOMES.
BUT THE CONVERSATIONS I SAID
PUBLICLY, PRIVATELY.
I MET WITH MARK, KING COUNTY
EXECUTIVE, DOUG AND MYSELF MET
WITH THEM TO TALK ABOUT OUR
EXPECTATIONS.
I'M STILL VERY OPTIMISTIC.
I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC, BUT I'M
NOT GOING TO LOOK AT ANY OF THE
WORK WE'RE DOING IN THE CITY
THROUGH ROSE COLORED GLASSES.
I WILL NOT DO THAT.
>> YOU MADE A SIMILAR COMMENT
ABOUT SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE
COUNCIL SAYING THEY WOULD WORK
TO FIND PEOPLE TO RUN AGAINST
THEM NEXT YEAR.
CAN YOU WEIGH IN ON WHO YOU'RE
TALKING ABOUT AND WHETHER THAT
WILL IMPACT YOUR ABILITY TO
REACH A BUDGET AGREEMENT?
>> WHAT I SAID TO MAKE IT
CLEAR, WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD I
SAID.
THIS IS NOT NEW.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THE
COUNCIL, THERE ARE FIVE COUNCIL
MEMBERS, THEY'RE ON THE FIRST
TERM.
I WAS IN THAT SITUATION AS
WELL.
BY THE TIME I FINISHED AFTER 12
YEARS I WAS SEASONED.
MY RESUME AS A MAYOR IS THIN.
I HAVE EIGHT MONTHS.
WHEN I WAS TALKING TO THE
OFFICERS, THEY HAD BEEN IN THE
JOB FOR WEEKS.
ONE HAD BEEN IN THE JOB FOR
LESS THAN A WEEK.
THAT DOES NOT MEAN THEY CAN'T
DO THE WORK AND GET THE WORK
DONE.
BUT WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE
EXPERIENCE OR LACK THEREOF.
WHEN I HIRE PEOPLE, I FACTOR IN
EXPERIENCE.
WHAT I FACTOR IN MORE THAN THAT
IS A PATTERN OF EXCELLENCE I'VE
SEEN OUTSIDE OF THE JOB THEY'RE
HIRING FOR.
PEOPLE ARE APPROACHING ME
BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT
RUN.
WHAT I WAS LETTING PEOPLE KNOW
IS THERE SEEMS TO BE A RENEWED
INTEREST OF PEOPLE GETTING
INVOLVED IN CIVIC POLITICS.
WHAT I SAID REPEATEDLY, THE
BUCK STOPS WITH ME IN THIS
CITY.
I'M THE CEO OF THIS CITY.
BUT I GET A LOT OF CRITICISM AS
ANY MAYOR DOES IN HIS OR HER
JOB.
WHEN I TELL PEOPLE WHAT ARE YOU
WILLING TO DO TO HELP WITH THE
PROBLEM?
DO YOU HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME?
I'VE SAID THIS REPEATEDLY AND
PEOPLE SAID I MAY RUN FOR CITY
COUNCIL.
THAT'S A GOOD CONVERSATION.
I'LL TALK TO THE EXISTING CITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS AND SIT DOWN
AND SAY WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO
ACCOMPLISH?
THAT'S HOW THE BUDGET WAS PUT
TOGETHER.
I'M GOING DOWN TO THE SECOND
FLOOR AND MEETING WITH THE
COUNCIL.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO COME UP TO
THE SEVENTH FLOOR.
SO AGAIN, IN THE CONTEXT OF
MANY CONVERSATIONS I HAVE, IT'S
INTENTIONAL I HAVE COUNCIL
MEMBER LEWIS HERE.
I'VE KNOWN HIM WAY BEFORE HE
WAS ELECTED.
I'VE WATCHED HIS PASSION.
I'LL CALL YOU OUT.
I'LL SAY THIS AND IT'S GOING TO
EMBARRASS ME, NOT YOU.
I'VE SEEN HIS PASSION FOR
POLITICS SINCE HE WAS IN HIGH
SCHOOL AND THEN AS A LAWYER AND
NOW A STAFFER AND NOW A COUNCIL
MEMBER.
I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE
PARTNERSHIP.
THAT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT.
FOR PEOPLE RUNNING FOR CITY
COUNCIL, PEOPLE HAVE APPROACHED
ME AND I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS
WITH THEM.
QUITE HONESTLY, A LOT OF THE
PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO, A FEW OF
THEM ARE SAYING I'M NOT GOING
TO SIGN UP FOR IT.
TOO MUCH MUCH.
I SAID BE PREPARED TO WORK
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
BE PREPARED TO HAVE YOUR
JUDGMENT QUESTIONED SOMETIMES.
BE PREPARED TO HAVE YOUR
INTEGRITY ATTACKED.
YOU DO THE WORK ANYWAY.
SO I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT WE HAVE
STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE
COUNCIL.
NOTHING I'VE SAID PUBLICLY OR
PRIVATELY WILL DETRACT FROM
THAT.
>> SHE THINKS THE CITY IS READY
TO BE OUT FROM UNDER THE
DECREE?
>> THAT WILL BE MY POSITION TO
THE FEDERAL COURT.
THAT WE WILL HAVE COMPLIANCE
WITH THE CONSENT DECREE AND
WE'LL HAVE SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO
CHANGE THE CULTURE AND CHANGE
HOW WE USE FORCE.
SO I WILL ARGUE THAT.
NOW, IT'S NOT MY DECISION.
IT'S GOING TO BE THE FEDERAL
COURT'S DECISION.
BUT I BELIEVE IN MY CITY
EMPLOYEES.
I BELIEVE IF MY POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
MY FIRE DEPARTMENT, MY S-DOT
EMPLOYEES.
I BELIEVE IN MY EMPLOYEES.
I WILL ARGUE THAT WE COULD BE
RELEASED FROM IT.
HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE SUCCESSFUL.
WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT, AND THIS
IS WHY I PASSED THE LAW.
I LOOKED AT WHAT WAS IN THE
CONSENT DECREE AND WHAT WE
NEEDED TO FIX.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK
BECAUSE UNDER OUR
ADMINISTRATION, UNDER MY
LEADERSHIP, WHEN I LOOK AT THE
OFFICERS IN THE EYES, I LET
THEM KNOW WHAT KIND OF OFFICER
I EXPECT THEM TO BE.
IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT.
I SAID AND I'LL SAY IT HERE, I
DON'T BEG ANYONE TO DO THEIR
JOB.
DO IT BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE IN
YOURSELF AND BELIEVE IN YOUR
COMMITMENT TO THIS CITY.
I SAY THAT TO CITY EMPLOYEES.
PUBLIC SERVICE IS NOT TO BE
TAKEN LIGHTLY.
DO IT AND DO IT WELL.
>> SO YOU MENTIONED MARTIN.
WHENHUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF
COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE NO
RESOURCES.
LITTLE TO NO POSSESSIONS, MAYBE
A TENT.
NOWHERE TO GO AND NOWHERE TO
SLEEP.
ISN'T THE SWEEPS POLICY
CRIMINALIZING THEIR VERY
EXISTENCE?
>> NO.
WE DON'T SWEEP.
WE OFFER HOUSING.
WE OFFER TREATMENT.
WE LEAD WITH COMPASSION.
MY BUDGET REFLECTS THIS.
MY DESIRE TO HAVE OUR PARKS,
RANGERS TO HELP PEOPLE IS
CONSISTENT WITH THAT.
AGAIN, I'VE BEEN IN THIS CITY A
LONG TIME.
I'VE COACHED KIDS DOWN HERE.
MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED IN EFFORTS TO HELP
PEOPLE.
WE'RE HELPERS.
WHEN I LOOK AT PEOPLE WHO ARE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, WHAT
I SEE IS SOMEONE WHO WAS ONCE A
CHILD HERE.
I SAID THE OTHER DAY THEY WERE
ONCE IN THE THIRD GRADE.
THEY'RE ALL GOING LIKE THIS.
THEY WANT TO TALK.
THEY WANT TO BE SEEN.
THEY WANT TO BE PART OF A
FAMILY, OF A COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHAT I SEE OUT THERE.
SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO COMPLY
WITH MARTIN VERSUS BOISE.
MOST IMPORTANTLY WE'LL CONTINUE
TO LEAD WITH THE VALUES THAT WE
HAVE AND THAT MY ADMINISTRATION
HAS.
>> THE FIREFIGHTER UNION IS
REPORTING 40 ATTACKS WHEN THEY
RESPOND TO CALL.
WHAT IS THE CITY DOING?
>> I'M GLAD YOU RAISED THAT
ISSUE.
OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND OUR POLICE
OFFICERS, THEY'RE FACING SOME
VERY CRITICAL SITUATIONS WHERE
THEIR OWN SAFETY IS CONSTANTLY
PUT AT RISK.
SO THROUGH WORKING WITH THE
LABOR GROUP, THE UNION, WORKING
WITH HERALD, THE CHIEF.
LISTENING TO THE OFFICERS AND
FIGURING OUT HOW TO HELP THEM
DO THEIR JOB.
THEY DO PHENOMENAL WORK, OUR
BUDGET WILL REFLECT THEIR
SAFETY NEEDS AS WELL.
WE'RE ALSO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
WHEN SOMEONE IS IN A CRISES,
WHAT KIND OF SKILL SET SHOULD
BE IN FRONT OF THIS PERSON AS
WELL.
OUR BUDGET WILL REFLECT THIS
ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT OUR
OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS ARE
PUTTING THEMSELVES IN HARMS'
WAY.
AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE
RESEARCHED THE LEVEL OF
FENTANYL POURING INTO OUR
COMMUNITIES.
THIS IS NOT INSIGNIFICANT, THIS
IS REAL STUFF.
OUR STRATEGIES IN OUR BUDGET
THAT WE'LL PRESENT WILL ADDRESS
THAT AS WELL.
>> WE HAVE TIME FOR TWO MORE
QUESTIONS.
>> IS THERE GOING TO BE A
QUESTION ON THE PARK STRATEGY
SOONER OR LATER?
>> GOING BACK TO THE -- OH,
SORRY.
GO AHEAD.
>> MENTIONING SORT OF THE
EXPANDED PARKS, NEW PARKS.
>> NOW THERE'S A QUESTION
THAT'S ALLOWED.
I MAY CALL ON CHRIS.
I DIDN'T TALK ABOUT PICKLEBALL
COURTS AS AN EXAMPLE, WHICH IS
A CRAZE IN THIS COUNTRY.
I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE SPECIFIC
NUMBERS.
I WANT TO SAY, JUST ONE SECOND
HERE.
IT'S RIGHT HERE.
>> SIX TO EIGHT OUTDOOR COURTS
AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THE
PICKLEBALL IS %
MULTIGENERATIONAL.
I BELIEVE SIX ADDITIONAL
RENOVATIONS.
AGAIN, TO YOUR QUESTION, WHEN
WE LOOKED AT THE PORTFOLIO, IN
FULL TRANSPARENCY AS WE DO IN
THE HARRELL ADMINISTRATION, THE
FIRST THING I SAID IS BEFORE WE
GO BIG AND GO NEW, WHAT ABOUT
OUR EXISTING ASSET PORTFOLIO?
SO WE STARTED FROM THAT
APPROACH.
THAT'S PROBABLY WHY
SUBCONSCIOUSLY I DIDN'T EVEN
TALK ABOUT THE EXCITING NEW
STUFF WE'LL DO.
WE HAVE NEW PARKS, NEW SPORTS
WE'RE GOING TO DO.
SOME NEW RENOVATIONS AT GREEN
LAKE AND EVANS POOLE.
YOU'LL SEE NEW RENOVATIONS, NEW
PARKS, NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS,
NEW PROGRAMS.
THANK YOU FOR THE PROGRAM.
>> I'LL TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT
SPECIFICALLY.
WE'RE GOING TO INVEST $25
MILLION BRINGING 12 NEW PARKS
ONLINE.
THAT WILL CREATE TEN ACRES OF
PARKLAND ACROSS THE CITY.
WE'VE GOT SOME PARKS WE
CONSIDER LAND BANK SITES IN THE
FIRST CYCLE.
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION PARK, AB
ERNST PARK.
SIX NEW PARKS WILL BE DEVELOPED
IN THE NEXT PSYCH INCLUDING THE
BITTER LAKE RESERVOIR PHASE
ONE.
KATE AND CORNER PARK, GATEWAY
PARK.
WEAVE GOT LAKE CITY FLOOD PARK
AND THE BULLET PROPERTY.
LOTS OF INVESTMENT HAPPENING
OVER THE NEXT SIX-YEAR CYCLE.
THOSE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF
WHAT WE PLAN TO INVEST IN.
>> GOING BACK TO THE DECREE,
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT
ANDREW'S NEW ROLE WILL BE AND
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO FILL THAT
POSITION OF PUBLIC SAFETY
ADVISER AND WHAT QUALIFICATIONS
YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
ANDREW MEYERBURG, HIS TITLE WAS
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND
HE WAS A FORMER OPA DIRECTOR.
NOW HE'S A DIRECTOR OF
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES.
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS,
THANK YOU.
WE WANTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
HIS EXPERIENCE.
HE'S PART OF OUR ADMINISTRATION
AND LITERALLY SITS 40 FEET FROM
MY DESK AND WE'RE LOOKING
FORWARD TO OUR CONTINUING
PARTNERSHIP.
YES, WE ARE LOOKING AT HIS
FORMER ROLE.
AS YOU WELL KNOW, NEXT MONTH
WE'LL BE ANNOUNCING THE RESULTS
OF THE CHIEF SELECTION AND THAT
ROLE UNDER SENIOR DEPUTY MAYOR
HARRELL, WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW
TO FILL THAT ROLE.
WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THAT ROLE
AS WELL.
>> ANY QUALIFICATIONS IN
PARTICULAR YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
THAT MAYBE ANDREW DIDN'T HAVE
OR THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE MORE
OF?
>> NO.
IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF
QUALIFICATIONS.
WE WANT A PERSON WHO
UNDERSTANDS CONSTITUTIONAL
PLACING.
SEVEN MEN RESPONSE TIMES AND
WILLING TO DO THE HARD RESEARCH
ON WHAT'S WORKING IN OTHER
CITIES.
ISSUES WITH GUN REGULATIONS.
ANDREW IS VERY TALENTED.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE HIM AS
AN ASSET.
LET ME BACK UP.
WHAT I TOLD ALL MY PEOPLE IN MY
ADMINISTRATION IS AFTER SIX
MONTHS WE'LL DO AN INTERNAL
LOOK.
I NOT ONLY GET VOCAL ABOUT
THINGS, I GET VOCAL ABOUT BEING
INTERSPECKTIVE.
WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER?
THAT PROCESS WE STARTED LOOKING
AT OUR ASSETS AND WHO HAS
ENERGY AROUND A CERTAIN AREA
AND WE MOVED PEOPLE AROUND.
I BELIEVE IN A LEARNING
ORGANIZATION YOU DO SELF-
ASSESSMENT.
SINCE THIS IS THE LAST
QUESTION, I WANT TO ADDRESS THE
ISSUE YESTERDAY THAT WE TALKED
ABOUT THE STATEMENTS I'VE MADE.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WANT A
MAYOR TO MAKE DECISIONS.
TO NOT BE AFRAID TO MAKE THE
TOUGH DECISIONS.
TO TRY TO UPLIFT PEOPLE, BUT
STILL I HAVE TO MAINTAIN A
CERTAIN LEVEL OF BEING
OBJECTIVE.
CRITICAL THOUGHT.
CRITICAL THINKING.
THAT'S GOING TO MAKE US ALL
BETTER.
I TRY TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT
I'M NOT OFFENDING ANYONE
PERSONALLY.
I LOVE THIS CITY.
WHEN PEOPLE GIVE THEIR HEART
AND THEIR TALENT TO PUBLIC
SERVICE, THAT MEANS A LOT TO
ME.
WHAT I DID YESTERDAY IS YOU
SAID SOMETHING AND DO YOU
APOLOGIZE?
WHAT DID I SAY?
DID I CUSS ANYTHING OUT?
NO, NOT THAT.
I STARTED MAKING CALLS TO
ANYONE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN
AFFECTED AND HAD GREAT
CONVERSATIONS.
THESE ARE MY FRIENDS.
WE LOOKED AT THE CONSTRUCT AND
NOW THAT IT'S REALITY, BUT WHEN
I WALK THE STREETS OF SEATTLE.
WE HAVE SO MUCH WORK TO DO.
I'M NOT GOING TO WALK THESE
STREETS WITH ROSE COLORED
GLASSES AND SAY EVERYTHING IS
PERFECT.
LET'S TAKE A VICTORY LAP.
THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO
DO.
WE WORK SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
WE HAVE TO DO A COURSE CORRECT
IN THIS CITY.
THAT'S WHAT ONE SEATTLE IS
ABOUT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.